President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the formation of a working group to propose federal regulations for digital assets including cryptocurrencies, digital tokens, and stablecoins and evaluate a national crypto stockpile. Ex-PayPal COO and founder of VC firm Craft Ventures David Sacks, Trumps pick for crypto an AI czar, will lead the working group. The group will also include the Treasury Secretary, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Commerce, and other top officials.Trumps latest executive order titled Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology comes two days after the Securities and Exchange Commission, currently led by crypto-friendly Republican Mark Uyeda, launched a crypto task force to draw clear regulatory lines for the market. Uyeda will also be a part of the presidential working group. Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler had a reputation in the crypto community for pursuing stricter regulation of cryptocurrencies. Trumps order also protects individuals rights to access, use, develop, and transact on public blockchain. This would formally protect blockchain activities as lawful.The EO signed Thursday repeals Biden-era rules around cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Specifically, it repeals an executive order from former President Joe Biden signed in 2022 to address the risks and harness the potential benefits of digital assets and their underlying blockchain technology, while emphasizing the need to protect consumers and investors. Trumps order also repeals a framework published by the Treasury Department in 2022 for international engagement in crypto and blockchain development.While Biden-era policies focused on risk mitigation and international collaboration, Trumps order prioritizes economic liberty and U.S. sovereignty.Another big difference is that Bidens executive order directed various federal agencies to explore the development of a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Trumps order prohibits CBDCs, meaning the government cant create a digital version of the dollar directly controlled by the central bank. At the same time, the order promotes privately issued U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins, with the goal of bolstering the dollars dominance in global trade and digital finance. In other words, Trump is signaling his commitment to keeping cryptocurrencies under a decentralized financial system.Its worth noting that Trump launched a memecoin $TRUMP days before his inauguration. The memecoin stood at an $6.84 billion valuation as of Thursday afternoon. Critics have warned that Trumps token erodes boundaries between the presidents political and business interests, and some have argued it has the makings of a classic pump-and-dump scheme.Previous administrations have approached the crypto world with caution due to concerns that it can easily be used in association with illicit and illegal activities, like ransomware payments and money laundering. One of the most prescient examples of the dangers of crypto is the downfall of crypto trading platform FTX, which exposed massive fraud, misappropriation of customer funds, and a lack of regulatory oversight. Many in the crypto industry argue that FTXs crash is exactly why clearer regulation designed for the industry is needed. And there are some companies, like Chainalysis, that have made strides in creating trust in crypto by providing compliance and investigation software and track virtual currencies. Topics

Adobe has announced new innovations designed to empower filmmakers at all levels, as well as an additional $5M investment in the Adobe Film & TV Fund to support underrepresented creators and filmmakers in finding career opportunities. Additionally, The Adobe Foundation is supporting the Los Angeles creative communities impacted by the recent wildfires with a $1 million charitable grant.Were passionate about empowering filmmakers to tell their stories and realize their creative vision, said Ashley Still, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Adobe Creative Cloud. These innovations will bring time savings and career support so they can focus on inspiring and captivating audiences worldwide.Adobe and the Adobe Foundation announced its expansion of the Adobe Film & TV Fund, committing an additional $5M in 2025 to support new opportunities in careeradvancement. Group Effort Initiative (GEI) will join the Adobe Film & TV Fund, offering mentorship, training and career programs for the next generation of editors, marketers and creatives. Premiere Pros latest updates help filmmakers easily identify content within shots, find footage faster, and go global in seconds. The latest features include:Media Intelligence & Search Panel: A new AI-powered Media Intelligence and Search Panel in Premiere Pro (beta) automatically recognize clip content, including objects, locations, camera angles or metadata like shoot date or camera type. Editors can type in the clip type needed into the new Search Panel and let Media Intelligence do the rest.Caption Translation: Premiere Pro (beta) offers native caption translation in 17 languages.New After Effects innovations provide motion professionals with highly requested performanceimprovements, including:Improved Caching: All computers that meet the minimum specifications will be able to play back their entire composition the moment its cached.Improved HDR Support: Accurately import, monitor and export high dynamic range content, resulting in brighter and more vivid motion design work.Frame.io also expanded support for Camera to Cloud (C2C) support for Canon. Customers can now automatically upload and access high-quality footage directly from Canon EOS C80 and EOS C400 cameras in Frame.io. C2C automatically uploads media as its captured, eliminating the need for manual file transfers. This seamless integration provides instant access to media and enabling real-time collaboration through Frame.ios powerful creative management tools.Source: Adobe Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologistL'Wrenbrings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

Actor-writer-comedians Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang announced the 97th Oscars nominations today (January 23) at the Academys Samuel Goldwyn Theatre. Active members of the Academy are eligible to vote for the winners in all 23 categories beginning Tuesday, February 11, through Tuesday, February 18. The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.Emilia Perz leads with 13 nominations overall, Wicked and The Brutalist follow with 10 each.VISUAL EFFECTS NOMINEESALIEN: ROMULUSEric Barba, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, Daniel Macarin and Shane MahanNelson Sepulveda-Fauser, ILM: Working on Alien: Romulus with Fede lvarez, a director with such a bold and compelling vision, was an absolute pleasure. I am incredibly proud of the beautiful imagery the ILM Sydney and San Francisco teams brought to the screen. Bringing this project to life has been nothing short of extraordinary.We are incredibly proud to have our teams work on the third act of Alien: Romulus recognized by the Academy., commented Daniel Macarin, Wt FXs VFX Supervisor onAlien: Romulus. We worked closely with director Fede lvarez to build on the franchises history and bring audiences closer to the rings of a planet than ever before. We hope this nomination inspires the next generation of VFX artists and sci-fi space film fans.BETTER MANLuke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft and Peter StubbsLuke Millar, VFX Supervisor forBetter Mansays, We are extremely honoured thatBetter Man is nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2025 Academy Awards. The film represents an insane amount of work and talent from the artists, production and support staff here at Wt FX and we are humbled that these efforts have been recognised by our peers. It was truly such a fantastic project to be a part of, and the work is something that I will always be incredibly proud of.fxpodcast: Better Man with Wt FXDUNE: PART TWOPaul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd NefzerDune: Part Two fxpodcast Visual Effects Supervisor Paul LambertKINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APESErik Winquist, Stephen Unterfranz, Paul Story and Rodney BurkeWe were thrilled to wake up to the good news this morning. It is an honour getting to represent the more than a thousand artists, developers, production, and support crew who worked their magic for over a year on Kingdom, remarked Erik Winquist, VFX Supervisor onKingdom of the Planet of the Apes . Collaborating with Wes Ball & 20th Century on this was a delight, and its so satisfying to see our work recognised by the Academy. Were looking forward to celebrating this past year of cinema on March 3rd.fxpodcast #369: Kingdom Of the Planet of Apes with Director Wes Ball and VFX Supervisor Erik WinquistWICKEDPablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, David Shirk and Paul CorbouldWhat an incredible experience to be a part of Wicked, and an honor to be nominated! It was a real team effort, and now the celebration starts! exclaims VFX Sup. Pablo Helman. Im so excited for our nomination and honored to be part of such an amazing team! adds ILMs David Shirk. I was frequently awed by the artistry and passion of the crew. Its an incredible thrill to see our contribution recognized for a film that is so emotional, optimistic and has connected so strongly with audiences.Fiona Walkinshaw, Framestores CEO, Film & Episodic, commented: Having our filmmaking peers and partners recognise the craft, creativity and innovation of our team like this is an amazing way to start the year. Jonathan and his team really pulled out all the stops when it came to conjuring the magic of Shiz University, so a huge congratulations to every single artist, producer and technologist who helped breathe life into Wicked and craft the films gravity-defying VFX.Pablo Helman breaks down WickedANIMATED FEATURE FILM NOMINEESFLOWINSIDE OUT 2MEMOIR OF A SNAILWALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWLTHE WILD ROBOTANIMATED SHORT FILM NOMINEESBEAUTIFUL MENNicolas Keppens and Brecht Van ElslandeIN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESSShirin Sohani and Hossein MolayemiMAGIC CANDIESDaisuke Nishio and Takashi WashioWANDER TO WONDERNina Gantz and Stienette BosklopperYUCK!Loc Espuche and Juliette MarquetCinematography NomineesThe BrutalistLol CrawleyDune: Part TwoGreig FraserEmilia PrezPaul GuilhaumeMariaEd LachmanNosferatuJarin BlaschkeProduction Design NomineesThe BrutalistJudy Becker; Set Decoration: Patricia CucciaConclaveSuzie Davies; Set Decoration: Cynthia SleiterDune: Part TwoPatrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Shane VieauNosferatuCraig Lathrop; Set Decoration: Beatrice BrentnerovWickedNathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

The SOM Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 Structural Engineering Fellowship.Applications to this years Structural Engineering Fellowship should conduct original research that contributes to the topic, Advancing Toward a Water-Secure Future. The deadline to apply is March 14. The $20,000 Structural Engineering Fellowship is awarded annually to a student currently enrolled in a masters or PhD program or in the final year of their bachelors program based in the United States who specializes in structural engineering to conduct independent travel and research that contributes to the SOM Foundations current topic.The Structural Engineering Fellowship was created in 1998 to support research that has the potential to influence the practice and teaching of how structures can positively impact our built environment. Advancing TowardaWater-Secure FutureAs shared during the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, two billion people lack access to safe drinking water, 40 percent of the worlds population is affected by water scarcity, agriculture demands alone account for 70 percent of water usage, more than 90 percent of disasters are water-related, and pressure on freshwater is projected to increase by more than 40 percent by 2050.From macro multinational ecosystems to microclimates, there is an urgent need for bold and collaborative solutions toamyriad of existing and future water-related challenges. This year, the SOM Foundation will direct its support toward proposals that address the complex relationship between water, people, and the built environment. Creatingasustainable, equitable, and water-secure future will require innovative and multidisciplinary ideas that shape long-term policies, define comprehensive plans, and identify immediate actions. JuryThe 2025 Structural Engineering Fellowship jury will be led by Yunlu Shen, associate principal at SOM in New York, and will include: Christopher Cerino (vice president and national technical director of Structural Engineering, Urbanism, and Planning at STV) Negar Elhami-Khorasani (associate professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo) Alexis Taylor (vice president of Climate Resilience, NYC Economic Development Corporation)About the SOM FoundationFounded in 1979, the SOM Foundations goal is to advance the design professions ability to address the key topics of our time by bringing together and supporting groups and individuals, each with the highest possible design aspirations. The Foundations award programming was established in 1981 and currently offers six annual awards across the United States, Europe, and China. The awards support students and faculty of architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, urban design, and engineering to undertake rigorous interdisciplinary research that can help shape our future.

John Chase was a man of firsts.Chase was the first licensed African American architect in the U.S. South. He was also the first Black member of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the first Black graduate from the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. To recognize Chase and his achievements, the UT Austin School of Architecture library is now named after him. The John S. Chase Architecture and Planning Library was made possible thanks to a generous gift and pledge from Chases son, Tony Chase, and daughter-in-law Dina Al-Sowayel.My father always said, A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives, Tony Chase said in a statement. Our hope is that having my fathers name and story of perseverance and positive change affixed to this library will inspire future generations of students to broaden their awareness of what is possible.A young John Chase (Courtesy UT Austin)The late librarys namesake died in 2012, at age 87. He had graduated from UT Austin in 1952, two years after the U.S. Supreme Court integrated American higher education with its 1950 Sweatt v. Painter decision. It was also at UT Austin where Chase met his wife, Drucie Rucker. Chase earned UT Austins Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992, and later served as President of the UT Alumni Association.In 1952, the year of Chases graduation, he designed the headquarters for the Colored Teachers State Association of Texas. The office he eventually built had addresses in Houston, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. He went on to design churches, offices, and homes all over the country with an emphasis on working on in Black communities. Chase also taught at Texas Southern University, where he performed at least 15 renovations, designed 21 buildings, and devised the campuss master plan. Outside of his tenure at UT Austin, Chase help cofound the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Other renovation projects by Chase include Houstons George R. Brown Convention Center and Harris County Astrodome, and many others. He was behind more than 300 buildings and renovations before his retirement.And now, Chases presence will be forever enshrined at his alma mater. Lorraine Haricombe, vice provost and director of UT Libraries, described the renaming as a monumental moment for the university. John Chase was an exceptional UT student and graduate who paved the way for progress and change as one of the Universitys first Black students, UT President Jay Hartzell shared.It is fitting that his name will now grace a special place on our campus and will help provide opportunities for future architects to attend and excel at UT, Hartzell added. We are honored by the close bonds that UT has formed with the Chase family through the years, and we are inspired by their generosityjust as we are also inspired by John Chases story.

OpenAI, SoftBank Group, Abu Dhabi, and Oracle are among the players in a joint venture meant to pour hundreds of billions more into AI data center funding.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Credit: XboxI just finished watching Xboxs 2025 Developer Direct presentation and it feels like Game Pass is strongly positioned for a welcomeand maybe long overduereinvigoration.During the hour-ish video that dropped earlier today, Microsoft showcased a handful of studios and the games theyre currently cooking: Team Ninja/PlatinumGames and Ninja Gaiden 4, id Software and Doom: The Dark Ages, Compulsion Games and South of Midnight (my pick of the show, for sure) and Sandfall Interactive and its surreal RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Additionally, a new remaster was announced, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, and its actually available to play right now on Game Pass. Everyone loves a good shadow drop.Speaking of the rather controversial subscription service, all of the above games will purportedly be on Game Pass day one, and that general day one is shockingly crowded for many of these titles. South of Midnight releases April 8, 2025, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches soon after on April 24. The latest Doom installment follows a month later with a May 15 release. We wont see Ninja Gaiden 4 until Fall of 2025, but including the usual bevy of unannounced indies and back catalog gems that are sure to be added to the service, this Spring is going to be jam-packed for Xbox fans. Boy is it a strange time to be a gamer in Microsofts camp, though.This incoming barrage of AAA Xbox titles comes at a precarious juncture for Series X|S owners. Microsofts recent This is an Xbox campaign seemingly betrays the companys large hardware base in favor of putting Xbox games on anything with a processor and a display, including laptops, tablets, phones, PS5, Switch. and your Aunt Gemmas smart fridge, probably. Cloud gaming is awesome and the future, in my humble opinion, but heres the stark reality: As per Microsoft marketing, you dont need an Xbox to play these upcoming games. You just need a Game Pass subscription and a somewhat capable Texas Instruments calculator, Id gather.MORE FOR YOUIt seems the message has been heard loud and clear, as Xbox sales are reflective of a steadily waning console exclusivity for practically all IP heavy-hitters moving forward, possibly even including Halo and the Master Chief Collection. We seem to be rapidly approaching an era wherein previously exclusive Xbox games grace all the major platforms, and while I dont have an issue with that in terms of basic accessibility, it does sort of deflate the Xbox hardware balloon, and where does that leave those of us who have invested heavily in the platform? Who knows.South of MidnightCredit: XboxMaybe the rumored handheld device will eventually offer some much-needed value helium, but I cant fathom how or why Microsoft would continue making its own hardware, even though the next console isaccording to alleged leakssupposedly coming in 2026. Intrinsic value that isnt in question, however, are all these new games were about to receive starting in April. Even earlier, too, with stuff like Avowed in February. The promising lineup could potentially be enough to lure reluctant gamerstoward or back toGame Pass.It does beg the question: Why is Microsoft releasing so many big games this early in the year? It could be the Grant Theft Auto 6 effect in action, as no publisher wants their games anywhere near that behemoth, if it indeed hits its Fall 2025 release window. And who could blame them? If thats the case, then Fall could look pretty bare for Xbox as it hides from Rockstar.I honestly think (and hope, maybe) that Xbox is finally hitting its stride with Game Pass, and this is the beginning of some much-needed momentum that could carry us through 2025 and beyond. After all, minus any delays, Fable is still scheduled to come out by the end of the year, and that could be the big AAA Xbox title this Fall. You wont see me complaining.Doom: The Dark AgesCredit: XboxDespite Xboxs bizarre hardware and exclusivity purgatory, I believe this bodes well for gamers in a universal way, because A) Youll likely and eventually get to play these cool titles on the platform of your choice, B) Xbox owners have plenty to look forward to in the meantime, and C) such a surge in potentially quality software could boost Game Pass subscriptions, which in turn could lead to more great games gracing the service. I want to play more great games, dont you?But will this be enough to keep gamers on Game Pass? Well find out, I suppose. Churn is a huge issue for these kinds of subscriptions, and enticing people to stay is a huge challenge. Maintaining a steady flow of interesting content feels, at least from the outside, like a monumental task, and one that not many companys have mastered.It will be interesting to see where Xbox and Game Pass go from here, but judging by todays presentation, I think weve got a lot to be excited about. South of Midnight and Clair Obscur are my kind of weird, for sure. Whether or not Ill play them on my Nintendo Virtual Boy, which is also technically an Xbox, remains to be seen.

2025 will be a year of change for sustainability initiativesGetty ImagesAs we start 2025, sustainability initiatives appear to face major headwinds. The United States has once again withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and key financial institutions have exited decarbonization alliances. All this against the backdrop of record global temperatures and unprecedented climate disasters. These developments have fueled a sense of pessimism, prompting many to ask: is sustainability in retreat?From my recent conversations with sustainability leaders and executives in the financial sector, the answer is clear: no, sustainability is not retreatingit is evolving. The challenges of today are not stopping progress but rather shaping a more mature, embedded, and economically driven approach to sustainability.In 2025, we are seeing three key shifts with big implications for businesses:A move away from high-profile public commitments toward quieter, results-focused action.The integration of sustainability into core business functions, making it part of the everyday fabric of firms.A stronger focus on sustainability as a driver of economic opportunity and client value.These shifts show how sustainability is adapting to become a vital part of how businesses operate in a rapidly changing world.Shift 1: Action over commitmentsThe first shift is a move away from splashy public commitments. Over the past few years, bold announcements about net-zero targets and ambitious climate goals dominated headlines. But now, the focus has turned inward. Organizations are prioritizing action over new promises, working to deliver on the commitments theyve already made.This change reflects pressures from both sides of the spectrum. On the one hand, it is a response to the anti-ESG movement in places like the United States, which views sustainability initiatives as distractions from a firms ability to provide value to its shareholders. On the other, it is a response to added scrutiny on existing commitments and the pressure to demonstrate tangible impacts. In many jurisdictions, as greenwashing regulations tighten, firms are becoming more careful about how they communicate their sustainability efforts. The appetite for making new commitments has diminished significantly, as the focus shifts to execution.MORE FOR YOUShift 2: Integration of sustainability into operationsThe second shift is companies integrating sustainability into the operations of their business, rather than as a standalone initiative. In my conversations with CSOs about how their roles have changed, there are a few things that stand out. Many of them mention that their role has become less externally facing and more focused on providing support across different parts of their organization. Their teams are increasingly being seen as internal experts and not just as reporting experts. Instead, they are seeing their input sought in new business, potential deals, supplier relationships, and strategic decision-making. Sustainability considerations are no longer separable from business considerations.This transformation parallels the rise of other cross-cutting business priorities, like data protection. Just as data protection became integral to operations, sustainability is increasingly being appreciated as a core component of business resilience and success. The idea that every financial decision is a sustainability decision is becoming a practical reality.Shift 3: Sustainability provides economic returnsPerhaps the most profound shift in sustainability is the move away from it being seen as an additional cost or a "non-financial" consideration as it becomes central to economic and financial decision-making. For too long and in too many firms, sustainability goals and financial goals have existed in opposition, or at best, isolation. No longer. Many firms are finally seeing the business value of sustainability from unlocking new markets and opportunities to supporting efficiencies that reduce costs.I have often heard executives say that for sustainability to be sustainable, it needs to make money. Now, with the global energy transition accelerating, investments in renewables, electric vehicles, batteries, and other green technologies are booming. These technologies are bolstered in many markets by policy incentives and climate conscious consumer preferences. On the operational side, improving supply chain sustainability is enabling firms reduce their energy costs and build resiliency in an increasingly chaotic world.Another positive development has been the renewed emphasis on helping clients achieve their financial and sustainability goals. Rather than focusing on what clients need to do to help the financial institution hit its goals, financial institutions are leaning into their role as a trusted partner to clients. Firms are providing clients with green financial products, guidance on navigating new regulations, and optimizing supply chains. This sustainability expertise is becoming a key differentiator and an effective way to win new business and nurture existing relationships.What These Shifts Mean For Your BusinessThese three shiftsfocusing on delivering results, integrating sustainability into everyday operations, and embracing the economic opportunityare signs of a major evolution in sustainability. For businesses looking to thrive, the implications are clear:Action Over Words: The time for pledges and announcements has passed. Credibility will come from delivering measurable results.Embedded Sustainability: Embedding sustainability throughout the firm is critical for providing the insights needed for effective operations.Value Creation: Sustainability must be about more than compliance; it must be about growth. Firms that innovate and help clients navigate the transition will be the ones to succeed.

7-Zip is a free and open-source file archiver utility compatible with many compression formats. By default, 7-Zip creates 7z-format archives with a .7z file extension, but when used for creating ZIP and GZIP formats, 7-Zip provides a compression ratio that is 2-10 % better than the ratio provided by PKZip and WinZip.You can use 7-Zip on any computer, even in commercial organizations free of charge. Most of the source code is under the GNU LGPL license. The unRAR code is under a mixed license: GNU LGPL + unRAR restrictions. You don't need to register or pay for 7-Zip.FeaturesHigh compression ratio in new 7z format with LZMA compressionSupported formats: Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TARUnpacking only: RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, MSI, WIM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSISFor ZIP and GZIP formats, 7-Zip provides a compression ratio that is 2-10 % better than the ratio provided by PKZip and WinZipStrong AES-256 encryption in 7z and ZIP formatsSelf-extracting capability for 7z formatIntegration with Windows ShellPowerful File ManagerPowerful command line versionPlugin for FAR ManagerLocalizations for 69 languages7-Zip works in Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10/11. There is a port of the command line version to Linux/Unix.What's NewThe default dictionary size values for LZMA/LZMA2 compression methods were increased.7-Zip now can calculate the following hash checksums: SHA-512, SHA-384, SHA3-256 and MD5.APM and HFS support was improved.If an archive update operation uses a temporary archive folder and the archive is moved to the destination folder, 7-Zip shows the progress of moving the archive file, as this operation can take a long time if the archive is large.The bug was fixed: 7-Zip File Manager didn't propagate Zone.Identifier stream for extracted files from nested archives (if there is open archive inside another open archive).Some bugs were fixed.Previous release notes:The bug was fixed: 7-Zip could crash for some incorrect ZSTD archives.The bug was fixed: 7-Zip could not unpack some ZSTD archives.New switch -myv={MMNN} to set decoder compatibility version for 7z archive creating. {MMNN} is 4-digit number that represents the version of 7-Zip without a dot. If -myv={MMNN} switch is specified, 7-Zip will only use compression methods that can be decoded by the specified version {MMNN} of 7-Zip and newer versions. If -myv={MMNN} switch is not specified, -myv=2300 is used, and 7-Zip will only use compression methods that can be decoded by 7-Zip 23.00 and newer versions.New switch -myfa={FilterID} to allow 7-Zip to use the specified filter method for 7z archive creating.New switch -myfd={FilterID} to disallow 7-Zip to use the specified filter method for 7z archive creating.Some bugs were fixed.

In brief: The new space race has attracted multiple private ventures. From cargo delivery to facility construction in orbit and on the Moon, the burgeoning space economy has everyone racing to get in on the ground floor. If successful, an upcoming mission will establish the first lunar data center. Florida-based startup Lonestar Data Holdings plans to launch the first Moon-based data center dubbed the "Freedom Data Center." The compact but fully operational information hub will piggyback on an upcoming lunar lander mission by Intuitive Machines aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in February. Lonestar says storing data on the Moon offers unique benefits.First, it provides unmatched physical security and protection from natural disasters, cyber threats, and geopolitical conflicts that could put Earth-based data at risk. The solar-powered mini-facility is also much more environmentally friendly than energy-hungry data centers on our home planet, utilizing naturally cooled solid-state drives.The company has already lined up some high-profile early customers for their lunar platform, including the state of Florida, the Isle of Man government, AI firm Valkyrie, and the pop rock band Imagine Dragons.The company has been working towards this milestone for years, successfully testing data storage on the Moon in February last year and aboard the International Space Station in 2021. However, putting something as complex as a data center on the lunar surface is still an enormous technical challenge.The harsh environment, maintenance difficulties, and astronomical costs could create some problematic issues. There are also inherent risks associated with space launch. There is no option for equipment recovery if something goes wrong. Thankfully, the data center will have a ground-based backup at a Flexential facility in Tampa. // Related StoriesLonestar has yet to release specific operational details or hardware specs. It will be interesting to see the company's plans for communication between lunar and ground-based facilities.Lonestar isn't the only venture planning to establish a lunar data center. Reuters reports that several other companies are eyeing similar space-based facilities, including Lumen Orbit, which recently raised $11 million at a $40 million valuation.Masthead credit: Pavel Chagochkin