Welcome back to your daily dossier talking AI, robotics, crypto and the future of tech. 👾

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

📊 Perplexity’s new tool can create spreadsheets and other data visuals.
📈 Black Forest Labs’ Kontext AI models edit and generate images with precision.
⚖️ Delaware attorney general hires bank to evaluate OpenAI’s restructuring plan.
🤖 Four-legged robot in Switzerland plays badminton with humans.
🔚 SEC drops Binance lawsuit closing one of crypto’s last major enforcement actions.

AI

• Perplexity’s new tool can create spreadsheets and other data visuals

  • Perplexity launched Labs, a $20/month AI tool for creating reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, and more.

  • Labs uses AI to research, analyze, and generate interactive apps, charts, and documents efficiently.

  • Available on web and mobile, Labs aims to expand Perplexity’s offerings beyond search functions.

• Black Forest Labs’ Kontext AI models edit and generate images with precision

  • Black Forest Labs launched Flux.1 Kontext models that can both generate and edit images effectively.

  • Flux.1 Kontext supports multi-step refinement, while prioritizes speed and strong prompt adherence.

  • A model playground is available for testing, with 200 free credits for new users.

• $45.2B in revenue—that’s what princesses like Cinderella have generated*

  • Elf Labs is aiming for an even bigger piece of the $2T media & entertainment market, through augmented reality and AI.

  • They’re led by a team that’s previously generated $6B+ in licensing transactions, plus a game-changing new partnership.

  • With 1800+ new investors, the round’s almost full. Become an Elf shareholder before the clock strikes midnight.

• Delaware attorney general hires bank to evaluate OpenAI’s restructuring plan

  • Delaware’s attorney general hires investment bank to independently evaluate OpenAI’s for-profit conversion plan.

  • OpenAI needs state regulatory approval before converting to attract new investment and eventually go public.

  • Elon Musk’s $97.4B takeover bid may have influenced the valuation of OpenAI’s nonprofit equity.

ROBOTICS

• Four-legged robot plays badminton with humans

  • A small team of roboticists has designed, built and tested a four-legged robot capable of playing badminton with human players.

  • The group used a reinforcement learning-based controller to give the robot the ability to track, predict and respond to a shuttlecock move.

  • The main adaptation was giving it four legs instead of the two used by humans, and the configuration gives the robot much more stability.

• Warrenton students prepare to compete in upcoming world robotics championship event

  • Warrenton Rays, a student robotics team, qualified for the MATE ROV World Championship June 19-21.

  • The team builds underwater robots performing real-world tasks, trained by teacher Heidi Lent and engineer Craig Battles.

  • Warrenton’s robotics program develops STEM skills, with multiple regional wins and strong focus on career impact.

• Hugging Face expands into robotics with two new humanoid robots released

  • Hugging Face unveiled two open source robots HopeJR and Reachy Mini, designed for accessibility and experimentation.

  • HopeJR is a full-size humanoid with 66 movements; Reachy Mini is a compact desktop unit.

  • Robots are affordable, open source, and built with tech from Pollen Robotics, acquired earlier this year.

CRYPTO

• SEC drops Binance lawsuit closing one of crypto’s last major enforcement actions

  • SEC drops its case after accusing Binance of illegally serving U.S. users, misusing funds.

  • Binance had previously settled with U.S. agencies for $4.3 billion while Zhao pleaded guilty and resigned.

  • Binance now securing $2 billion from MGX fund, entirely in Trump-backed USD1 stablecoin.

• Thailand moves to block Bybit and others for unlicensed operations

  • Thailand’s SEC bans Bybit, OKX, and others for unauthorized crypto trading services.

  • The ban aims to protect investors and prevent money laundering through digital platforms.

  • Local access to these exchanges will be blocked starting June 28, 2025, by the government.

• Michael Saylor calls Bitcoin ‘perfected capital’ shares equity strategy

  • Michael Saylor called Bitcoin “perfected capital” and urged investors to trade fiat, bonds, and equity for Bitcoin.

  • He emphasized the importance of equity partnerships for growth, citing Metaplanet’s rise with investor collaboration.

  • Saylor stressed market compliance, advising companies to operate within rules to raise capital and build wealth.

CONTENT

• LMArena’s mission to make AI reliable with Anjney Midha

  • LMArena proposes evaluating AI by crowdsourcing user votes instead of relying solely on expert benchmarks.

  • The team highlights the importance of subjective, real-time data for accurate and dynamic AI model assessment.

  • They discuss building continuous evaluation pipelines, user-personalized leaderboards, and SDKs to test models in real-world conditions.

• Patrick McGee on how China captured Apple’s supply chain

  • Apple’s deep reliance on China exposes it to serious geopolitical and supply chain risks.

  • Tim Cook’s relationships and strategic decisions have tied Apple’s fate closely to Chinese manufacturing.

  • Shifting production away from China, like to India or Mexico, faces high cost and complexity.

• Nico Rosberg on F1’s booming business

  • Nico Rosberg joins The Besties to discuss his F1 career and traits of top drivers.

  • They explore Formula 1's booming business, intense teammate rivalries, and ‘Drive to Survive’s’ global impact.

  • Rosberg shares post-F1 ventures, top angel investments, and his transition into a venture capitalist.

AND MORE…

• Tesla pleads for Senate to spare its booming energy business

  • Tesla’s energy business, growing fast, relies heavily on government tax credits and incentives.

  • House Republicans’ bill aims to repeal key clean energy tax credits, threatening Tesla Energy’s growth.

  • Tesla warns ending tax credits abruptly could harm U.S. energy independence and grid reliability.

• Bryan Johnson says sleep is the new alpha for better Bitcoin trading

  • Bryan Johnson says sleep improves health and makes Bitcoin investors better and more focused traders.

  • He calls sleep the ultimate “performance-enhancing drug” for longevity and financial success.

  • Scientific studies show strong links between quality sleep, longevity, and overall well-being.

• Dell shares rise as company raises full-year profit forecast amid AI demand

  • Dell’s fiscal Q1 earnings missed expectations but revenue beat estimates, showing mixed results.

  • The company raised its forecast, expecting $2.25 adjusted EPS and $28.5-29.5B revenue.

  • Dell reports unprecedented demand for AI systems, benefiting from Nvidia’s AI GPU technology.