Gate News message, April 17 — According to The Information, AI company DeepSeek is conducting its first external financing round since inception, with a target valuation exceeding $10 billion.

On April 17, analyst Ai姨 reported that trader "Maji" holds $58.78 million in long positions in BTC, ETH, and HYPE, with $2.597 million in unrealized gains. Maji's largest position is ETH, leveraged at 25x, and has set specific take-profit targets for each asset.

Earth Venture Capital invested in Sygaldry Technologies, a quantum AI startup, contributing to a total funding of $139 million. Sygaldry develops hybrid servers for efficient AI workloads, co-founded by Chad Rigetti, previously of Rigetti Computing.

China plans to enhance its network legal system to address the needs of internet development, focusing on legislation for AI, digital economy, and other tech sectors. By December 2025, over 180 laws are expected, though current regulations still lag behind public expectations.

Intchains Group reported a cumulative staking of 8,040 ETH, with a strategy that includes the FalconX platform and its own Goldshell Stake. The company is also enhancing operations through AI automation to boost efficiency and decision-making.

Mastercard has teamed up with Lobstercash and Crossmint to facilitate AI agent payments via existing credit and debit cards, integrating into current financial systems with no new wallets needed. This partnership allows AI to automate transactions, enhancing efficiency and security.

OpenAI's upgraded Codex evolves from a coding assistant to an autonomous agent for desktop environments, capable of managing applications, automating workflows, and integrating with over 100 apps. This shift enhances task continuity and workflow automation, reflecting a competitive landscape in AI coding tools.

European AI chip startups are attracting larger investments, with Euclyd seeking €100 million for its inference technology. Despite raising $800 million in 2026, they lag behind US firms. The EU's Chips Act aims to enhance Europe's semiconductor industry.

Hong Kong stocks closed lower on April 17, with the Hang Seng Index dropping 0.89%. Blue-chip stocks varied, as Alibaba gained amid AI advancements. Newly listed stocks surged, showcasing strong investor interest, while gold stocks fell due to geopolitical tensions.

Shinsegae Group has halted its partnership with OpenAI, opting for an expanded collaboration with Reflection AI to enhance AI in retail operations. This decision aims to streamline efforts and address concerns about AI commerce effectiveness.