The Future of Payments Is Becoming Invisible—and Agentic.Global payments is entering a structural transition. After more than a decade of growth driven by cash-to-digital migration, rising financial flows and favorable interest rates, McKinsey expects the industry to shift from volume-led expansion toward operational excellence, software orchestration and AI-driven payments.Global payments generated approximately $2.6 trillion in revenue in 2025 from 3.8 trillion transactions representing $2.1 quadrillion in annual payment flows. The sector...

Hiyo, a maker of non-alcoholic social tonics, has closed an oversubscribed $20.8 million Series B round. The company plans to build on its rapidly expanding retail footprint and push deeper into live entertainment and nightlife.The nonalcoholic social tonic maker raised $20.8M in an oversubscribed Series B round led by returning investor constellationbrands to fuel continued expansion across retail and entertainment.Made with adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals, hiyo’s drinks elicit a proprietary “float” feeling for consumers. Last yea...

By 2029, 30% of Employees Laid Off Due to Replacement by AI Will Need to Be RehiredAs AI continues to accelerate the pace and scope of work, CIOs must prepare for four shifts that will influence the future of work, said Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company.“When business and IT executives look back on the early AI-era, they will realize their greatest mistake was believing that work automation was the point, when workforce amplification was the opportunity,” said Tori Paulman, VP Analyst at Gartner. “The competitive a...

Boston Dynamics Redesigns Atlas Robot Hand for Reliability and Mass Production.Three fingers and a thumb with 13 degrees of freedom is what Boston Dynamics says its hand needs—to do just about everything.Today, Boston Dynamics is announcing a redesigned hand for its Atlas robot. The previous generation could do some crazy superhuman things with its three fingers, but it was never intended for mass production in the tens or hundreds of thousands. Switching from research hardware to a scalable product makes previously ignorable questions sudd...

MYKA, a Greek frozen yogurt brand, has opened its first East Asian store in Hong Kong's Soho, drawing huge crowds with evening wait times averaging an hour.The shop offers dozens of toppings and three bases to choose from, including a vegan option, with the frozen yogurt described as silky, fresh, and balanced with a subtle tangy acidity.The yogurt gets a 5/5 rating, but whether it's worth waiting an hour for is debatable, with the author suggesting it's worth stepping in line if the queue is short.Viral Froyo Sensation MYKA Tests Hong Kong...

A clear majority of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their local communities to support artificial intelligence (AI) technology, according to recent survey data released by Gallup. Overall, 71% of U.S. adults express opposition—with 48% strongly opposing and 23% somewhat opposing local data center development—while only 27% favor the idea.The survey highlights widespread resistance across party lines, though opposition is highest among Democrats (75%) and independents (74%). Among Republicans, 63% oppose local construct...

Anyone who has ever visited a bustling café, library, or restaurant is familiar with the awkward dilemma of bag placement. Placing a purse or backpack on the floor presents obvious cleanliness and hygiene concerns, while occupying an adjacent chair takes up valuable real estate in crowded spaces. Hanging straps over standard chair backrests often results in bags slipping off repeatedly, disrupting the customer experience.Micro-Innovation: The Backrest NotchTo address this subtle yet persistent pain point, designers are increasingly incorpor...

A humidifier usually isn’t something you think much about. You put it somewhere, fill it with water, turn it on, and eventually move it somewhere else. Jalloc, a steam humidifier designed by Superset Design for Smillon, takes that everyday routine and makes the physical object itself a little more considered. The most noticeable detail is the gently cinched shape around the top. At first, it looks like a purely sculptural choice. It isn’t. That narrowed section effectively becomes the humidifier’s handle.Unlike an air purifier or water di...

1. (PDF) BCG의 2026 M&A 보고서: 글로벌 M&A 회복과 AI 기반 M&A 플레이북 재편메가딜 중심의 글로벌 M&A 회복세: 2026년 상반기 글로벌 거래액이 전년 대비 15% 증가한 가운데, 100억 달러 이상의 메가딜이 37건을 기록하며 북미($1.2T, +17%)와 유럽($541B, +43%) 시장이 회복을 주도.AI가 초래한 가치 평가의 불확실성과 파트너십 다변화: AI 파동으로 기존 소프트웨어 자산의 수익 구조 불확실성이 커짐에 따라, 단순 완전 인수 대신 소수 지분 투자, 합작법인(JV), 조건부 가격 조정(Earnout) 등 유연한 거래 구조 선호.비테크 기업의 AI 역량 확보와 사모펀드(PE)...