3.18 AI Daily AGI era is coming? Google DeepMind's prediction sparks heated debate

1. Headlines

1. Google DeepMind CEO: General artificial intelligence will be born in 5-10 years

Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, a Google-owned artificial intelligence company, recently stated that he expects a general artificial intelligence (AGI) that surpasses humans in most tasks to emerge in the next 5 to 10 years. This prediction has once again sparked discussions about the impending arrival of the AGI era.

Hassabis explained that although current artificial intelligence systems have surpassed human levels in specific tasks, they are still 'narrow' and cannot demonstrate general intelligence in a wide range of fields like humans. He believes that in the next few years, AGI systems that can exhibit human-level intelligence in multiple domains will emerge.

This statement immediately sparked widespread attention from the tech community and the public. Supporters believe that the arrival of AGI will fundamentally change the way humans live and work, potentially solving many long-standing human problems. However, some are concerned about the potential risks that AGI may bring, calling for strengthened regulation and ethical guidelines for this cutting-edge technology.

Regardless, the development of AGI will profoundly impact the future technological landscape. Relevant enterprises and countries have already invested a large amount of resources in this field, triggering intense competition. The curtain of the artificial intelligence era is slowly rising, and human society is facing an unprecedented transformation.

( 2. US regulatory agencies consider modifying investor asset protection rules, affecting the cryptocurrency industry

Shana Uyeda, acting chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)), stated that the commission is considering rescinding or amending a rule proposal introduced during the Biden administration aimed at enhancing investor asset protection, including regulation of cryptocurrencies.

The rule, called the 'Investor Asset Protection', was initially proposed in February 2022 by former SEC chairman Gary Gensler, aiming to extend the existing custody rules to include any client assets held by advisors and to add more protection measures for these assets. However, the rule has been controversial, with concerns from the crypto industry that it may limit the innovation and development of cryptocurrencies.

Uyeda stated that she has instructed SEC staff to re-examine the rule to assess whether it is in the best interest of investors. This move is seen as a signal that the SEC may take a more lenient stance on crypto regulation.

This news immediately caused a stir in the cryptocurrency market. Supporters believe that relaxing regulations is beneficial to the innovation and development of the cryptocurrency industry. But some are also concerned that overly loose regulations may increase investors' risks.

In any case, this decision will have a profound impact on the cryptocurrency industry. The direction of regulatory policies will directly affect the operation and development prospects of cryptocurrency companies, as well as investor confidence in this emerging asset class. Industry insiders are closely watching the SEC's next steps.

3. Solana sparked controversy and was forced to be taken down due to an advertisement involving gender issues.

Solana's blockchain network sparked strong dissatisfaction in the crypto community due to its latest ad content involving gender issues, and was ultimately forced to remove the ad. This incident has once again sparked a discussion on how cryptocurrency projects should handle social issues in their promotion.

The controversy stems from a video advertisement released by Solana at its conference in New York in May. In the ad, a character is asked to 'create a new gender' or 'focus on pronouns' while undergoing treatment for 'rational thinking syndrome.' This content has been criticized for its lack of respect for gender and queer communities.

Many industry insiders have expressed dissatisfaction with this. Adam Cochran, a partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, called the ad 'unbelievable', while David McIntyre, former director of the Solana Foundation, said Solana could have conveyed a more positive message instead of joking about serious social issues.

After facing strong resistance from the community, Solana ultimately decided to delete the ad. However, this incident has sparked a broader discussion, with people questioning whether cryptocurrency projects should involve social issues in their marketing processes and how to handle these issues correctly.

This incident once again highlights the social responsibility and ethical challenges faced by the cryptocurrency industry in its development. How to promote innovation without causing unnecessary controversy and harm will be an important issue for cryptocurrency projects to consider.

( 4. Ripple lawsuit may come to an end, sparking heated debate over three possible outcomes

There are signs that the long-standing litigation between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs in the United States may soon come to an end, sparking heated discussions among industry insiders about the possible outcome.

According to a source shared by Andrew Parish, co-founder of Arch Public, the Ripple case may soon come to an end. Legal experts have analyzed three possible outcomes: SEC wins across the board, Ripple wins, or a settlement between the two parties.

If the SEC wins the case comprehensively, Ripple may be considered a security, which would have a significant impact on its circulation in the United States. If Ripple wins the case, it means that Ripple will not be considered a security and can circulate freely in the United States. The result of a settlement may be Ripple paying a certain fine, while the SEC relaxes its regulatory policies on Ripple.

All three outcomes will have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency industry. If the SEC wins, it may strengthen regulation of other cryptocurrency projects; if Ripple wins, it may provide a reference for other projects; and the settlement outcome may seek a balance between regulation and innovation.

Regardless of the outcome, this lawsuit will be an important precedent in the field of cryptocurrency regulation. Industry insiders are closely watching its development as it will set an important precedent for future regulatory policies.

) 5. Bitcoin miners continue to sell off, on-chain data triggers market concerns

The latest on-chain data shows that Bitcoin miners continue to sell a large amount of the mined Bitcoins, which has raised concerns in the market about the price trend of Bitcoin.

According to data from analytics firm Glassnode, Bitcoin miners' Bitcoin reserves are at the lowest level since May 2020. At the same time, the amount of Bitcoin transferred to exchanges by miners each day has reached a new all-time high.

Analysts pointed out that this phenomenon may reflect the miners' pessimistic expectations for the future price trend of Bitcoin. Due to the rising cost of mining, miners have to accelerate the sale of their bitcoins to maintain operations. If this trend continues, it may bring sustained selling pressure to the price of Bitcoin.

However, some analysts believe that the miners' selling behavior may just be a short-term adjustment and does not necessarily indicate a loss of confidence in the long-term prospects of Bitcoin. After all, the supply of Bitcoin is limited, and the miners' selling will eventually be absorbed by the market.

In any case, the behavior of miners will have a certain impact on the price of Bitcoin. Investors need to closely monitor this data and adjust their investment strategies in a timely manner according to market changes. As the leader in the field of cryptocurrency, the price trend of Bitcoin will also affect the development trend of the entire industry.

二. Industry Data

1. PI

The recent transaction price of PI is $1.3950, with an intraday decline of -6.80%.

2. BTC

BTC recently traded at 83537.4000 USD, with a daily decline of -0.90%.

( 3. MUBARAK MUBARAK recent transaction price is $0.1278, with a daily increase of 0.00%.

) 4. ETH ETH recent transaction price is 1900.6900 US dollars, with a daily decline of -1.30%.

5. GT

The recent transaction price of GT is $21.9470, with a 0.80% intraday increase.

Three. Industry News

1. Bitcoin price is trading in a narrow range, with market sentiment cautious

The price of Bitcoin has slightly increased by 0.15% in the past 24 hours, to $83389. The overall mainstream cryptocurrency market is showing a narrow range of fluctuations. Analysts point out that in the absence of major positive news, market sentiment tends to be cautious.

Investors are closely watching the upcoming Fed interest rate decision meeting. Chairman Powell has previously stated multiple times that he is 'not in a hurry' to cut interest rates, and investors will look for any changes in his post-meeting remarks. Factors such as persistent inflation pressures, risks of economic slowdown, etc., may all affect the Fed's monetary policy direction.

At the same time, the Trump administration's tariff policy is also a focus of market attention. Analysts say that as the shadow of a trade war lingers, the US dollar index has fallen to a five-month low, which could impact the performance of risk assets.

Overall, in the absence of clear direction, the market trading is relatively cautious. Investors are waiting for potential major events or policy changes, which could trigger a new round of volatility in Bitcoin and the entire cryptocurrency market.

2. Ethereum price stabilizes above $1900, institutional outflows slow down

The price of Ethereum has risen slightly by 0.55% in the past 24 hours, reaching $1906. Analysts point out that the price of Ethereum has found some support at the $1900 level, temporarily halting the recent downward trend.

Data shows that the net outflow of $7.3 million from the US Ethereum spot ETF last Friday slowed down compared to the previous week. This indicates that the selling pressure from institutional investors may be weakening.

However, analysts warn that Ethereum still faces significant selling pressure at $2132 and $2400. If it fails to effectively break through these key levels, the price may further decline to around $1730 or $1544.

At the same time, the development of the Ethereum ecosystem has also attracted market attention. The Arrum Foundation has launched the 'Onchain Labs' program, aiming to support the fair development of early projects. The Aave community has initiated a proposal to deploy Aave V3 on Plasma. These dynamics reflect the continuous growth and improvement of the Ethereum ecosystem.

Overall, the Ethereum price has temporarily gained some breathing room, but the future trend still remains uncertain. Investors need to closely monitor changes in technical and fundamental aspects, and carefully manage risks.

3. Solana ecosystem continues to strengthen, CME launches SOL futures contracts

Solana ecosystem continues to strengthen, CME Group officially launched Solana futures contracts on Monday, providing investors with a regulated product for risk hedging.

The data shows that the trading volume of the first day Solana futures contract is worth about 38,000 SOL. Analysts say this reflects institutional investors' attention to and expectations for the Solana ecosystem.

Meanwhile, there have also been significant developments within the Solana ecosystem. Canary Capital has submitted an application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the SUI###SUI### spot ETF, which will be the first publicly traded investment tool in the U.S. focused on SUI. Additionally, at least 13 Solana-based exchange-traded products are awaiting approval from the U.S. SEC.

However, a recent advertisement launched by Solana involving gender issues has sparked strong dissatisfaction within the crypto community, being accused of being disrespectful and ultimately forced to be taken down. This public relations crisis reminds project parties to focus on technological innovation and avoid getting involved in social issues.

Overall, the Solana ecosystem is steadily advancing, and the continuous inflow of institutional funds may inject new momentum into it. However, it is also necessary to be vigilant about potential risks and maintain a cautious investment attitude.

4. Cryptocurrency market sentiment panic eased, fear and greed index rebounded

Latest data shows that on March 18, the Fear and Greed Index in the cryptocurrency market was 34, slightly higher than the previous day's 32, indicating a slight easing of market panic.

Analysts point out that although the prices of mainstream currencies such as Bitcoin are still fluctuating, investors' confidence in the future is gradually recovering. The slight increase in trading volume and social media discussions also reflect an increase in market activity.

However, the current fear and greed index is still in the "extreme fear" low range, which means that investor sentiment remains cautious. Analysts suggest that investors need to closely monitor market changes and carefully manage risks.

At the same time, some emerging alternative token projects are beginning to attract attention. It is reported that FloppyPepe###FPPE### and other new Meme coins are expected to outperform Dogecoin and PEPE in this bull market. Meanwhile, the AI concept token Dawgz AI is currently in the pre-sale phase, attracting new investors every day.

Overall, the cryptocurrency market sentiment is gradually improving, but it is still difficult to be optimistic in the short term. Investors need to remain vigilant against potential risks and also seize the opportunities that the market may bring in a timely manner.

Four. Project News

( 1. Solana sparked controversy with its advertisements and removed controversial content

A recent advertisement released by Solana has sparked strong controversy. The ad discusses gender issues and has been criticized for being disrespectful to gender and queer communities. In the ad, a character undergoing treatment for 'rational thought syndrome' is asked to 'create a new gender' or 'focus on pronouns,' to which the character responds that they want to 'lead global technological innovation, build the on-chain ecosystem, rather than inventing gender'.

The content has sparked strong backlash from the crypto community. Many industry insiders have expressed dissatisfaction, criticizing Solana for being able to convey a more positive message instead of joking about serious social issues. Adam Cochran, a partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, called the ad "incredibly tone-deaf". Former director of the Solana Foundation, David McIntyre, stated that this action is inconsistent with Solana's commitment to "diversity, fairness, and respect".

Faced with strong criticism, Solana quickly took the ad offline. However, this PR storm may affect Solana's trust in the crypto community and investors' willingness to hold. This incident reminds crypto projects that their core values should be technological innovation and openness, rather than being involved in political and social controversies.

Industry insiders believe that Solana's mistake this time reflects the need for the cryptocurrency industry to enhance its understanding and respect for multiculturalism. In the future, project parties should be more cautious in marketing to avoid unnecessary controversies and impact on brand image.

) 2. Aptos Foundation launches a $2 million Grant program to support projects in DeFi and other fields

Movemaker, the official community organization focusing on the development of the Chinese ecosystem under the Aptos Foundation, announced the launch of a $2 million Grant program and the establishment of a collaboration center, Aptos Space, in Hong Kong. The program aims to support projects in the fields of DeFi, AI, payments, etc., and promote the innovation and development of the Aptos ecosystem and Web3.

The program will provide developers with funding, technical guidance, and brand support, focusing on the Chinese community. Previously, Aptos launched the LFM program to assist ecological projects in preparing for token generation event ###TGE(, providing customized and in-depth support for the project.

As an emerging third-generation blockchain network, Aptos excels in performance and security with the advantages of Move language and parallel execution. Its ecosystem is currently rapidly developing, attracting numerous projects to settle in. The launch of the Grant program will further accelerate the development of the Aptos ecosystem, providing developers with more resource support.

Analysts believe that the development of the Aptos ecosystem will promote the popularization of the Move language, bringing more innovative applications to Web3. The Grant program will help cultivate more high-quality projects and enhance the ecological activity of Aptos. However, Aptos also faces the challenges of the early stage of the ecosystem, and it will take time to attract excellent talents and projects.

) 3. Sui ecology attracts institutional attention, Canary applies for SUI spot ETF listing

Cryptocurrency management company Canary Capital has submitted an application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the first SUI spot exchange-traded fund (ETF). If approved, this will be the first publicly traded investment tool in the United States focused on the Sui network, providing investors with a more convenient way to invest.

Sui is a new blockchain network developed by former Meta employees and invested by well-known institutions such as Anderson Horowitz. It is written in Move language and has the advantages of high scalability and low cost. Since its launch, the Sui ecosystem has attracted many projects to settle in, and the ecosystem activity continues to increase.

The layout of financial giants on the Sui ecosystem demonstrates the market's confidence in the network's potential. In addition to Canary, institutions such as Grayscale Trust have also launched related products on Sui. Analysts believe that institutional involvement will bring more liquidity to Sui, benefiting ecosystem development. However, Sui also faces challenges in ecosystem initiation, and it will take time to attract high-quality projects.

Overall, as a new generation of blockchain network, Sui's innovative design and outstanding performance have attracted market attention. Institutional involvement will further drive the development of the Sui ecosystem, bringing more innovative applications to Web3.

5. Economic Trends

1. The Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged and emphasizes policy flexibility.

Economic background: The US economy experienced moderate growth in 2024, with a GDP annual growth rate of 2.1%, slightly lower than the 2.9% in 2023. The inflation rate fell in the second half of 2024, averaging 4.2% for the year, but still above the Fed's target level of 2%. The labor market remained robust, with an unemployment rate staying at a low level of 3.6%.

Important event: The Federal Reserve decided to maintain the federal funds target range at 5.25%-5.5% at its monetary policy meeting on March 18. Powell emphasized at the press conference that the Fed will maintain policy flexibility, closely monitor data, and adjust monetary policy stance in a timely manner as needed. He stated that although inflation pressures have eased somewhat, they are still at elevated levels, so policy easing is not appropriate at the moment.

Market reaction: U.S. stocks edged up slightly after the meeting, with the S&P 500 index closing up 0.6%. Investors' response to the hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve was subdued, indicating that the market has fully digested the expectation of no rate cut for now. The bond market showed a divergent trend, with long-term bond yields edging up slightly and short-term bond yields declining, reflecting market divergence on economic outlook.

Expert view: Jan Hatzius, chief economist at Goldman Sachs, said that the Fed's meeting this time conveyed a signal of "both hawkish and dovish". On the one hand, maintaining the interest rate reflects a cautious attitude towards inflation; on the other hand, emphasizing policy flexibility releases a signal that may turn dovish in the future. He expects that if inflation data continues to improve, the Fed may start a small rate cut within the year.

2. China's GDP growth in the first quarter is expected to exceed expectations.

Economic Background: In 2024, the Chinese economy achieved a growth rate of 6% under the impetus of post-epidemic revitalization policies, exceeding the target of 5.5%. In the first quarter of 2025, driven by consumption and exports, the economy maintained a fast growth momentum.

Important event: The National Bureau of Statistics of China will release the GDP data for the first quarter of 2025 on April 17. Most institutions predict that the year-on-year GDP growth in the first quarter will exceed 6%, higher than the market's previous expectation of around 6%. This is mainly due to the consumption recovery brought about by the extended Spring Festival holiday and the resilience of exports in the context of global economic recovery.

Market response: Driven by optimistic expectations, both Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets rose last Friday, and the RMB exchange rate against the US dollar also slightly increased. However, market participants pointed out that the endogenous dynamics of the Chinese economy still need to be further strengthened, and the better-than-expected first-quarter data is only a temporary performance.

Expert opinion: Liu Yuanchun, Dean of the RDCY, Renmin University of China, said that China's economy did show a strong recovery trend in the first quarter, but it still needs to be vigilant against hidden risks in areas such as inflation and real estate. He suggested that the government should continue to implement proactive fiscal policies and prudent monetary policies, and accelerate reform and opening up to inject new momentum into high-quality economic development.

( 3. The EU and the UK have reached an agreement on the new 'Windsor Framework'.

Economic Background: In 2024, the UK economy fell into a recession, with a 0.6% decline in GDP for the full year. The unemployment rate climbed to 5.2%, reaching a nearly 10-year high. The inflation rate once exceeded 11% in the middle of the year, imposing a heavy burden on residents' lives. The EU economy similarly stagnated, with GDP growth of only 0.8%.

Important event: After months of difficult negotiations, the EU and the UK reached an agreement on the new 'Windsor Framework' on March 18, aimed at reshaping their trade and economic relationship. The new framework will replace the 'Brexit' agreement signed in 2020, simplify regulatory procedures for the flow of goods between the two sides, and reach compromises on mutual access to financial services.

Market reaction: After the news was released, the GBP/USD exchange rate rose by nearly 1%, and the UK stock market also saw a significant increase. Analysts believe that the new framework will help eliminate the uncertainty of UK-EU trade and restore confidence to British businesses. However, the specific details of the framework still need further discussions between both parties.

Expert opinion: Professor Angus Armstrong of the London School of Political Economy believes that although the new framework is less close than before 'Brexit', it is the maximum consensus that can be reached between the two sides in the game of interests. He pointed out that the British and European economies are highly interdependent, and reaching a new framework is conducive to revitalizing the economies of both places and laying the foundation for deepening future relations.

Six. Regulation & Policy

) 1. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is considering withdrawing the proposal for cryptocurrency custody rules

Policy Background: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a rule in February 2023 aimed at strengthening custody requirements for cryptocurrencies. The proposal requires registered investment advisers to custody crypto assets with qualified custodians, and enhance asset protection measures. However, the proposal has sparked widespread attention and criticism within the industry.

Policy content: SEC Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda recently stated that given the significant concerns raised by the proposal, advancing the original proposal may face significant challenges. Therefore, he has requested SEC staff to closely collaborate with the cryptocurrency working group to consider appropriate alternative solutions. This marks further adjustments to the SEC's cryptocurrency regulatory policy under the Trump administration.

Market Response: This has triggered market attention to the SEC regulatory policy. Some industry insiders believe that withdrawing the proposal may relax the regulatory requirements for cryptocurrency custody, providing investors with more choices. However, some are concerned that overly lenient regulations may increase investment risks. Overall, there is uncertainty in the market about the future direction of SEC policies.

Expert View: Former SEC commissioner Hester Peirce said the proposal could hinder the development of the cryptocurrency market, as many crypto projects may not meet the requirements in the proposal. She suggested that the SEC should adopt a more flexible and inclusive regulatory approach to promote innovation. Cryptocurrency legal expert Jake Chervinsky believes that the SEC should communicate with the industry and establish a regulatory framework conducive to market development.

2. South Korean financial regulatory authorities impose a 0.6% regulatory fee on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Policy Background: The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) of South Korea is the financial regulatory agency responsible for supervising financial institutions, including cryptocurrency exchanges. To enhance the regulation of the cryptocurrency industry, FSS has decided to levy annual regulatory fees on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Policy Content: According to the latest policy, FSS has required South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges to pay a total of 7.9 billion Korean won (approximately 5.54 million U.S. dollars) in annual regulatory fees. The fee is set at 0.6%, higher than the initially anticipated 0.4%. These fees are to be paid quarterly by the end of March, May, July, and October each year.

Market Reaction: This is aimed at strengthening the regulation of South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges and maintaining market order. However, some industry insiders are concerned that excessive regulatory costs may increase the operating costs of exchanges, thereby affecting user experience. Some exchanges have stated that they will evaluate the policy impact and make corresponding adjustments.

Expert Opinion: Financial legal expert Park Jae-hoon stated that levying regulatory fees is a means for the government to strengthen regulation of the cryptocurrency industry, which helps maintain a fair competitive market environment. However, he also pointed out that the regulatory fee rate should be set reasonably to avoid imposing excessive burdens on the industry. Industry insiders urge regulatory agencies to communicate with the industry and formulate policies conducive to the healthy development of the industry.

( 3. Ripple applies for "Ripple Custody" and wallet-related trademarks

Policy Background: Ripple is a blockchain payment company, and its XRP is one of the main cryptocurrencies. To expand its business, Ripple is seeking to enter the field of cryptocurrency asset custody and wallets.

Policy Content: Ripple recently submitted a trademark application for "Ripple Custody", covering financial services such as cryptocurrency asset storage and management. In addition, the trademark application also mentions "downloadable cryptocurrency, fiat currency, virtual currency, and digital currency custody, transfer, and storage software", indicating that Ripple may launch an official cryptocurrency wallet.

Market Reaction: Ripple's foray into the field of cryptocurrency custody and wallets is expected to bring new sources of revenue to the company. This move also reflects Ripple's vision of playing a more prominent role in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. However, some analysts point out that Ripple will face fierce competition from existing players in these areas.

Expert Opinion: Cryptocurrency analyst Ric Burton said that Ripple's foray into custody and wallet business is a wise move that helps the company achieve diversification. However, he also cautioned that Ripple needs to develop a business model that complements its existing products and avoids internal conflicts. In addition, Ripple also needs to ensure that its new business complies with regulatory requirements and maintains a good reputation.