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NCR Atleos Advances Dual-Sided ATM Concept with AI-Assisted Design, Sustainability and Operational Efficiency

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NCR Atleos Advances Dual-Sided ATM Concept with AI-Assisted Design, Sustainability and Operational Efficiency

ATLANTA — NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE: NATL) (“Atleos”), a leader in expanding self-service financial access for financial institutions, retailers and consumers, today announced an advancement in the dual-sided ATM concept, leveraging company expertise and AI-assisted design, to optimize form factor, sustainability and efficiency.

NCR Atleos leveraged its expertise and AI‑assisted design to elevate the aesthetics of its dual‑sided ATM concept, introducing dynamic exterior lighting capable of displaying a range of colors.

Atleos has created a radically improved design, with the support of AI, that reduces footprint, shares critical components and enhances operational performance.

The result is a smarter, more sustainable concept featuring:

  • Two functional ATM screens positioned on opposite sides of the device for simultaneous customer transactions
  • Shared safes and PC core, reducing cost, weight and complexity compared to legacy dual-sided designs
  • AI-assisted creation of form factor and lattice-style cladding for structural strength, durability and customizable aesthetics including light-emitted color on the exterior of the device
  • 3D-printed components for reduced weight, manufacturing waste and rapid prototyping

“This is an energizing evolution,” said Sean Mallean, head of global innovation at Atleos. “We have reimagined the dual-sided ATM with the support of AI to deliver a smaller footprint, shared componentry and sustainable materials—creating a concept that aligns with modern banking needs.”

This approach demonstrates innovation with the support of AI by Atleos—focused on design evolution, without embedding AI into ATM software stacks, ensuring security and compliance remain uncompromised.

This Atleos dual-sided ATM remains in proof-of-concept phase and is not on the current research and development roadmap for commercialization.

About Atleos

Atleos (NYSE: NATL) is the leader in expanding self-service financial access, with industry-leading ATM expertise and experience, unrivaled operational scale including the largest independently-owned ATM network, always-on global services and constant innovation. Atleos improves operational efficiency for financial institutions, drives footfall for retailers and enables digital-first financial self-service experiences for consumers. Atleos is ranked #12 in Newsweek’s prestigious 2025 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces® list. Atleos is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with approximately 20,000 employees globally. For more information, visit www.ncratleos.com.

Sygnum and Starboard Raise 750+ Bitcoin as BTC Alpha Fund Posts 8.9% Q4 Return

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Sygnum and Starboard Raise 750+ Bitcoin as BTC Alpha Fund Posts 8.9% Q4 Return

Sygnum, a Zurich-based digital asset banking group, said its newly launched Bitcoin arbitrage fund generated an annualized net return of 8.9% in Bitcoin during Q4 2025.

The Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund, launched in October 2025 in partnership with Starboard Digital Strategies, attracted more than 750 Bitcoin from professional and institutional investors within four months, according to the company.

The Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund targets annual returns of 8% to 10% in BTC through market-neutral arbitrage trading.

“As Bitcoin becomes a core portfolio allocation for institutional investors, we’re seeing growing demand for strategies that can generate returns beyond simple price appreciation,” Markus Hämmerli, who leads the BTC Alpha Fund offering at Sygnum, said in a statement shared with AlexaBlockchain.

“The fund’s Q4 performance demonstrates that professional Bitcoin management can deliver meaningful results even when spot markets are flat or declining,” Markus noted.

The article “Sygnum and Starboard Raise 750+ Bitcoin as BTC Alpha Fund Posts 8.9% Q4 Return” was first published on AlexaBlockchain. Read the complete article here: https://alexablockchain.com/Sygnum-Starboard-Raise-750-Bitcoin-for-BTC-Alpha-Fund/

Read Also: Tether Launches US-Regulated Stablecoin as New Federal Rules Take Effect

Disclaimer: The information provided on AlexaBlockchain is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Read complete disclaimer here.

Image Credits: Sygnum, Shutterstock, Canva, Wiki Commons

Korea Plans Crypto Exchange Ownership Cap Despite Concerns

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Korea Plans Crypto Exchange Ownership Cap Despite Concerns

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South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has shared its intention to move forward with the proposed cap on crypto exchange ownership despite concerns from industry players and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

FSC Backs Ownership Cap For Crypto Exchanges

On Wednesday, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon revealed that the regulatory agency is reviewing a proposal to cap major shareholders’ stakes in crypto exchanges at around 15%-20%.

According to The Korea Times, Lee stressed the need to limit the ownership stakes of controlling shareholders in crypto exchanges, claiming that the move is necessary to “align governance standards with the exchanges’ increasing public role.”

He argued that “excessive concentration of ownership” could increase the risk of conflicts of interest while undermining market integrity, noting that securities exchanges and other trading systems are subject to similar limits.

The chairman highlighted that existing regulations mainly focus on anti-money laundering and investor protection. The ownership cap proposal would be included in the upcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, also known as the Second Phase of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which is expected to serve as a comprehensive framework for the entire industry.

“Under the current system, virtual asset exchanges operate under a notification system that requires renewal every three years. The proposed shift to an authorization system would effectively grant exchanges permanent operating status,” Lee explained.

He emphasized that “this higher status means exchanges need governance rules that match their larger role and greater responsibilities.” As a result, exchanges would assume characteristics similar to public infrastructure.

A joint council representing domestic crypto exchanges, including Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone, has opposed the proposed cap, warning that it could hinder the development of South Korea’s digital asset sector.

Notably, major players like Song Chi-hyung, the chairman of Dunamu, the company that operates Upbit, and Cha Myung-hoon, the founder of Coinone, would be forced to sell significant portions of their holdings if the law is enacted.

The Democratic Party of Korea also expressed its concerns, observing that similar ownership caps are uncommon worldwide and could make South Korea’s framework inconsistent with global regulatory trends.

Lawmakers Set New Deadline For Digital Assets Framework

ChosunBiz reported that the DPK’s Digital Assets Task Force (TF) discussed key details of the Digital Asset Basic Act in a Wednesday meeting at the National Assembly members’ office building, attended by government officials.

According to the report, the ruling party’s members did not discuss the cap on crypto exchange ownership. Still, they revealed that they will introduce the framework before the Lunar New Year holiday on February 17.

DPK’s Lawmaker Ahn Do-geol said, “We plan to introduce the Digital Asset Basic Act before the Lunar New Year, and we hope that by then a plan agreed upon with the government as much as possible will be put together.”

Instead of the “unanimous consent system” proposed by the Bank of Korea (BOK), the task force settled on a consultative body to discuss stablecoin authorizations, comprised of the BOK, the FSC, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Financial Supervisory Service.

The task force considered that requiring unanimity for stablecoin authorization would slow issuance, while observers believe that the central bank’s proposal was “a way to control stablecoins.”

In addition, the minimum statutory capital for stablecoin issuers was set at 5 billion won, approximately $3.48 million. Nonetheless, the report affirmed that there has not been an agreement on the issuance of won-pegged stablecoins.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the BOK and the FSC have been clashing over the extent of banks’ role in stablecoin issuance. While the central bank has been pushing for a consortium of banks owning at least 51% of any stablecoin issuer seeking approval in the country, the FSC has expressed concerns about this proposal.

Lee Kang-il, a DPK lawmaker on the task force, asserted that “the 50%+1 share rule remains contentious because there is still no willingness to concede among government ministries,” but added that they have prepared a mediation plan and will “make decisions in a direction that serves the national interest overall and benefits the public.”

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Bitcoin (BTC) trades at $89,993 in the one-week chart. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView

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Number of wallets with 1 million XRP is rising again

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Number of wallets with 1 million XRP is rising again

XRP’s XRP$1.8865 price has fallen about 4% this month, starting the new year on a negative note. Yet on-chain data shows a positive trend underneath.

The number of “millionaire” wallets, or those holding at least 1 million XRP, has increased for the first time since September 2025, according to data source Santiment.

Their number rose by 42 this month to 2,016, ending four months of declines. XRP is the payments-focused cryptocurrency used by fintech company Ripple to facilitate cross-border transactions.

“A net of +42 wallets with at least 1M XRP have returned to the ledger, an encouraging sign for the long-term,” Santiment said on X.

The good news for the XRP bulls doesn’t end there. The U.S.-listed spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to XRP have registered a net inflow of $91.72 million this month. These funds amassed $666 million and $499 million in investor money in November and December, respectively, according to data source SoSoValue.

This trend starkly contrasts the decline in demand for bitcoin BTC$88,215.96 ETFs, which have processed redemptions worth $278 million this month, following over $4 billion in outflows in final two months of 2025.

Still, XRP’s price remains in a broad downtrend, as seen in the chart below. The cryptocurrency last traded at $1.88, down 1.7% on a 24-hour basis.

XRP’s daily price chart. (TradingView)

The token has failed to reclaim its 50-day moving average this month, with rallies repeatedly fading near the $2 handle. That suggests larger holders may be positioning for a longer-term thesis rather than chasing near-term momentum.

That divergence — rising large-holder balances and steady ETF inflows alongside weak price action — hints at quiet accumulation rather than speculative froth. Historically, similar setups in XRP have preceded periods of consolidation before sharper moves, though timing has varied widely.

For now, XRP appears caught between longer-term positioning and short-term risk aversion. Without a broader pickup in crypto market momentum, particularly in bitcoin and ether, the token may struggle to convert improving fundamentals into sustained upside.

OpenMind Unveils App Store for Robots

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OpenMind Unveils App Store for Robots

Robotics software company OpenMind launched an App Store for robots.

The company said the new offering is designed as the “software distribution layer” for quadruped and humanoid robots operating in real world environments.

The launch is a response to what OpenMind highlights as a disconnect between rapidly advancing robotic hardware and lagging software, with use of legacy software systems constraining the ability to scale robots across use cases. 

To combat this, OpenMind places its app store as a shared, holistic marketplace for robots to be configured, updated and repurposed through software, reducing reliance on custom integrations.

“There won’t be one robot that works everywhere,” said Jan Liphardt, OpenMind’s CEO. “Robots need a skill and cognition layer that evolves faster than hardware. The App Store is how robots become universal platforms whose skills can change over time to fit your needs.”

Built on OM1, OpenMind’s modular operating system, the first applications released will focus on autonomous movement, social interaction and privacy.

OM1 is designed to simplify robotic models, behaviors and task logic, enabling developers to package complex capabilities into portable applications that can be distributed and updated at scale.

Related:Robotics in 2026: Building the Business Case for Humanoids

The store’s first application went live this week, with the platform now open to developers and robotics companies globally. 

At launch, the platform is supporting robots from 10 hardware manufacturers and includes five live applications.

Initial launch partners include Ubtech, Agibot, Deep Robotics, Fourier, Booster, Dobot, LimX and Magic Lab. These partners are working alongside OpenMind to enable early platform support and help define shared interfaces and standards for robotic applications. 

Launch partners will be featured on the App Store, participate in joint promotion and take part in a founding consortium shaping the platform’s roadmap.

OpenMind said it is now open to additional developers and robotics companies seeking to build, publish or deploy applications through the App Store.

UAE’s central bank has approved a USD-backed stablecoin

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UAE’s central bank has approved a USD-backed stablecoin

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 29TH JANUARY, 10 AM GST

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has approved the country’s first USD-backed stablecoin under the bank’s Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR), according to a press release on Thursday.

The issuance and management of the USDU token are handled by Universal Digital, which is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

Reserves backing USDU are held 1:1 in safeguarded onshore accounts at Universal’s banking partners: Emirates NBD and Mashreq, with Mbank.

The regulatory move means a USD stablecoin is now live and operational under a central bank payments regime, putting the UAE ahead of the U.S., EU, and much of Asia, the release stated.

“USDU sets a new benchmark for regulated digital value,” said Juha Viitala, senior executive officer of Universal. “Being the first Foreign Payment Token registered by the UAE Central Bank – and supported by leading UAE banks – gives institutions the clarity and confidence they have been waiting for. It lays the groundwork for a more transparent and efficient digital-asset market in the UAE and beyond.”

Digital asset infrastructure firm Aquanow has been appointed as a global distribution partner, supporting institutional access to USDU outside the UAE where permitted, Universal said.

“We see growing institutional interest in regulated digital-value instruments, and Universal’s introduction of USDU is a timely step that supports this market’s maturation,” said Joel Van Dusen, Group Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Mashreq.

Sony Reinvests in Startale at First Close of $13M Series A Round

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Sony Reinvests in Startale at First Close of $13M Series A Round

Startale Group has raised $13 million at the first close of its Series A round in a follow-on investment from Sony Innovation Fund (SIF). The funding from sony extends a partnership that began with the company’s seed round in September 2023. The latest funding round deepens Sony’s involvement in Startale’s efforts to build blockchain infrastructure focused on entertainment, intellectual property and artificial intelligence.

The relationship between the two companies has expanded in recent years through Sony Block Solutions Labs (SBSL), a joint venture that supports Soneium, an Ethereum Layer 2 network co-developed by Sony and Startale. Soneium is positioned as a blockchain platform designed for entertainment and creator-driven applications.

According to Startale, Soneium has processed more than 500 million transactions since its mainnet launch in January 2025. The network has also recorded around 5.4 million active wallets and hosts over 250 decentralized applications. These metrics place it among the more active Layer 2 networks in the Ethereum ecosystem.

The article “Sony Backs Startale With $13M to Accelerate Soneium’s On-Chain Entertainment Network” was first published on AlexaBlockchain. Read the complete article here: https://alexablockchain.com/startale-secures-USD13-million-follow-on-funding-from-sony/

Read Also: Tether Launches US-Regulated Stablecoin as New Federal Rules Take Effect

Disclaimer: The information provided on AlexaBlockchain is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Read complete disclaimer here.

Image Credits: Self, Shutterstock, Canva, Wiki Commons

US Senators Challenge Deputy AG Over Crypto Taskforce Shutdown

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US Senators Challenge Deputy AG Over Crypto Taskforce Shutdown

Six US senators have challenged Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for shutting down the Department of Justice’s cryptocurrency enforcement team in April last year while holding substantial amounts of cryptocurrency at the time. 

Blanche disbanded the DOJ’s national cryptocurrency enforcement team in April 2025, just months after Donald Trump was inaugurated as US president following a pro-crypto campaign. 

The task force was created in 2022 under the Joe Biden administration and led major investigations, including the probe into Binance and its founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating US anti-money-laundering laws.

Blanche argued at the time that the DOJ is not a “digital assets regulator” and the Biden administration used the DOJ to “pursue a reckless strategy of regulation by prosecution.”

However, US senators Mazie K. Hirono, Elizabeth Warren, Richard Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Christopher A. Coons and Richard Blumenthal allege that Blanche still held “substantial amounts” of cryptocurrency at the time of the decision, which raises a potential conflict of interest.

US senators question Blanche’s “motivations”

According to the senators, Blanche declared crypto holdings valued between $158,000 and $470,000 — mostly in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) — just days before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 21.

By Feb. 10, he had agreed to divest the assets “as soon as practicable.” They highlighted the roughly two-month window between Blanche’s appointment on March 5 and his sale of crypto on May 31, just a month after issuing a memo on April 7 scaling back the enforcement task force.

“The fact that you held substantial amounts of cryptocurrency at the time you made this decision calls into question your own motivations,” said the US senators in a letter addressed to Blanche on Jan. 28.

Six senators jointly signed the letter sent to Todd Blanche. Source: Mazie K. Hirono

At the very least, you had a glaring conflict of interest and should have recused yourself,” they said, adding that his actions could constitute a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 208(a), which covers conduct impacting personal financial interests.

Senators previously said Blanche was making “grave mistakes”

Hirono, Warren, Durbin, Whitehouse, Coons and Blumenthal previously called the decision to shut down the enforcement unit a serious mistake in a letter to Blanche on April 10.