Tech's power couple hits therapy as global markets celebrate trade truce

May 12th, 2025

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Read Time: 10 Minutes

Today’s Menu

  • Microsoft-OpenAI relationship enters critical renegotiation phase

  • Markets surge as US-China trade tensions unexpectedly ease

Markets

Price

1 Day Change

Bitcoin

$102,863

1.1% ⬇️

Ethereum

$2,495

1.2% ⬆️

Solana

$174

2.6% ⬆️

TODAY IN AI

Microsoft-OpenAI relationship enters critical renegotiation phase

The tech industry's most consequential partnership is heading for a rewrite. OpenAI and Microsoft are deep in negotiations to restructure their $13+ billion relationship, with both sides seeking significant concessions as OpenAI pushes toward restructuring and potential public offering.

At the heart of the dispute is money. OpenAI aims to slash Microsoft's revenue share from 20% to just 10% by 2030 - a year when the AI company projects a staggering $174 billion in revenue. This reduction would represent billions in lost future income for Microsoft, explaining why the tech giant remains a key holdout in OpenAI's plans to convert its business arm into a public benefit corporation.

The partnership has noticeably cooled as OpenAI pursues deals with Microsoft competitors for its Stargate infrastructure project while simultaneously targeting overlapping enterprise customers. Intellectual property access has emerged as another friction point, with Microsoft seeking guaranteed access to OpenAI's technology beyond the current contract expiration in 2030.

Despite these tensions, both companies appear motivated to reach an agreement. Microsoft needs continued access to cutting-edge AI technology to maintain its competitive position, while OpenAI requires Microsoft's infrastructure and financial stability as it navigates toward a potential public offering.

What this renegotiation reveals: The power dynamic has shifted dramatically since OpenAI's early days as Microsoft's AI protégé. With multiple funding options and growing revenue, OpenAI now approaches the negotiating table from a position of newfound strength. However, Microsoft's infrastructure expertise and massive enterprise footprint remain crucial advantages that OpenAI cannot easily replace.

Today In Crypto

Markets surge as US-China trade tensions unexpectedly ease

A sudden breakthrough in US-China trade negotiations has sent markets soaring, with both countries announcing "substantial progress" following intense discussions in Geneva. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized the talks as "productive," triggering a 500-point jump in the Dow and a significant surge in Bitcoin.

The apparent trade truce comes after weeks of escalating tariff battles that had rattled global markets and driven investors toward defensive positions. The joint statement expected shortly could outline a framework for resolving the most contentious trade issues between the world's two largest economies.

Bitcoin's strong response to the news has reignited debate about its role as a macroeconomic hedge. Market analysts are closely watching how Bitcoin performs in the coming days to determine whether tariff fears were the primary driver behind recent price action or if something more fundamental is occurring.

If Bitcoin's strength fades after the deal announcement, it may indicate that tariff concerns were indeed the primary catalyst for recent gains. However, continued strength would suggest something more significant: investors increasingly view Bitcoin as a genuine long-term safe haven asset rather than merely a risk-on trade.

The strategic insight for investors is clear. This moment represents an important test case for Bitcoin's evolving market narrative. Rather than focusing solely on price action, smart money is watching how Bitcoin's correlation with traditional risk assets changes during this period of reduced geopolitical tension. The asset's behavior in the coming weeks could either validate or challenge its emerging status as digital gold.

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