Crypto World
Jack Dorsey cuts nearly half of Block’s workforce; Shares surge 23%
Block, Inc. will reduce its workforce by nearly half, cutting more than 4,000 jobs as CEO Jack Dorsey said the fintech firm restructures around artificial intelligence and leaner teams.
Summary
- Block, Inc. will cut over 4,000 jobs, reducing headcount from 10,000+ to under 6,000 in one of its largest corporate overhauls.
- CEO Jack Dorsey says the move reflects a strategic pivot toward intelligence tools and flatter, more efficient teams — not financial distress.
- Investors responded enthusiastically, sending Block shares up more than 23% in after-hours trading.
Wall Street cheers Jack Dorsey’s AI restructure
In a note shared publicly, Jack Dorsey said the company will shrink from over 10,000 employees to just under 6,000. He described the move as “one of the hardest decisions in the history of our company,” adding that affected employees would be notified the same day.
Despite the scale of the layoffs, Dorsey emphasized that Block is not facing financial distress. He said gross profit continues to grow, customer numbers are rising, and profitability is improving.
Instead, he framed the cuts as a proactive shift driven by the rapid advancement of intelligence tools that are reshaping how companies are built and operated.
“We’re already seeing that the intelligence tools we’re creating and using, paired with smaller and flatter teams, are enabling a new way of working,” Dorsey wrote, arguing that acting decisively now would avoid repeated rounds of layoffs that could damage morale and trust.
Employees leaving the company will receive 20 weeks of salary plus an additional week per year of tenure, equity vesting through the end of May, six months of healthcare coverage, their corporate devices, and $5,000 in transition support. Terms will vary internationally depending on local regulations.
Dorsey said internal communication channels would remain open through Thursday evening to allow departing staff to say goodbye, and he plans to host a live video session to address employees directly.
The market’s reaction to Jack Dorsey’s “leaner, meaner” pivot was nothing short of explosive. As news broke regarding the reduction of 4,000 roles, Block Inc. shares ignited in after-hours trading, surging by more than 23%.
The chart reflects a dramatic vertical shift as investors pivoted from uncertainty to overwhelming optimism, interpreting the layoffs not as a sign of corporate distress, but as a commitment to long-term profitability and AI-driven efficiency.
Bitcoin faced geopolitical instability alone as a weekend move on Iran saw traditional markets closed, with key support still holding.
Bitcoin (BTC) daily losses neared 4% on Saturday as the US and Israel announced a military operation in Iran.
Key points:
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Bitcoin targets $63,000 as US President Donald Trump confirms a major bombing campaign inside Iran.
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Trump highlights nuclear infrastructure as a key target of the joint raids with Israel.
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Crypto markets react alone with TradFi trading suspended until futures return.
Trump tells Iranians: “Take over your government”
Data from TradingView showed BTC price action testing $63,000 as crypto markets reacted to the weekend’s events.
In a video address, US President Donald Trump said that the goal of the move was to target Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but finished by calling on Iranians to take control of the incumbent government.
“When we are finished, take over your government; it will be yours to take,” he said.
“This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it.”
With US stock market futures yet to open, crypto was alone in deciding on how to react to fresh geopolitical instability.
Data from CoinGlass showed liquidations passing $250 million in the four hours to the time of writing.
“The US and Israel now appear to be at war with Iran for the second time in 8 months,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in a response on X.
Kobeissi referenced a previous Iran offensive in 2025 — an event that sparked an immediate, volatile reaction across crypto and risk assets.
Bitcoin reacts to familiar cues
With core support levels still holding for BTC/USD, the fresh escalation comes at a key time for traders as the final hours tick down to the February monthly close.
Related: Price predictions 2/27: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, BCH, ADA, HYPE, LINK
As Cointelegraph reported, the pair is now down roughly as much as in February 2025, and due to seal its fifth consecutive month of losses — something not encountered in seven years.
Hot US inflation data added another headwind for Bitcoin bulls on Friday, after they tried and failed to reclaim key support levels closer to $70,000.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
Quick Summary
- On February 28, 2026, Israel executed a coordinated “pre-emptive strike” against Iran alongside US forces
- President Trump announced “major combat operations” were active in Iranian territory
- Iranian authorities shut down national airspace and vowed “crushing” retaliation
- Supreme Leader Khamenei was evacuated from Tehran to an undisclosed secure facility
- Washington simultaneously added Iran to its “state sponsor of wrongful detention” list
On February 28, 2026, Israel executed a coordinated pre-emptive military operation against Iranian targets. A senior Israeli defence official speaking to Reuters confirmed the attack was synchronized with United States forces.
President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged American involvement, stating the United States had initiated “major combat operations” on Iranian soil. CNN’s reporting indicated the strikes concentrated on Iranian military installations.
According to the Israeli defence official, operational planning extended across several months. The specific execution date was finalized weeks before the actual strikes commenced.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made the official strike announcement while simultaneously implementing emergency protocols throughout Israel. Officials cited expectations of Iranian counter-strikes as justification for the emergency measures.
Around 08:15 local time, warning sirens activated throughout Israeli territory. Citizens received emergency mobile notifications characterizing the situation as an “extremely serious” security threat.
Journalists from AFP stationed in Tehran documented two powerful explosions. Dense smoke columns rose from central and eastern sections of Iran’s capital city.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the “type of explosions suggests a missile attack.” Iranian officials have not yet released comprehensive damage assessments.
Following the explosions, Iranian aviation authorities ordered a complete national airspace shutdown. The Civil Aviation Organisation issued the closure directive “until further notice.”
Tehran’s Reaction and Command Structure
A senior Iranian official informed Reuters that Tehran is organizing a “crushing” counter-offensive. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was transported from Tehran to a protected location outside the capital.
These military actions occurred approximately eight months after a 12-day aerial conflict between Israeli and Iranian forces in June 2025. Both Washington and Jerusalem had issued multiple warnings about potential strikes should Iran persist with its nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile development.
Washington’s Detention Designation
Coinciding with the military strikes, the United States formally classified Iran as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.” Iran became the inaugural nation added to this sanctions list, established through a Trump executive order issued in September 2025.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly demanded Iran release all detained American citizens. He indicated future possibilities include invalidating US passport travel authorization to Iran.
Trump additionally declared his objective of eliminating all uranium enrichment activities in Iran, including civilian nuclear programs. This statement followed indirect diplomatic discussions between US and Iranian representatives in Geneva, where both delegations reported constructive progress.
Oman’s Foreign Minister revealed that Iranian negotiators committed during Geneva talks to permanently cease enriched uranium stockpiling. He characterized this commitment as a significant diplomatic achievement with potential to avert broader conflict.
On Friday, Trump stated he hadn’t reached a “final decision” regarding military action. By Saturday morning, operations had commenced.
Morgan Stanley has taken another step deeper into digital assets, filing for a new national trust bank charter that would allow the firm to custody cryptocurrencies and carry out related services for clients in the United States.
Key Takeaways:
- Morgan Stanley applied for a national trust charter to custody crypto and provide trading and staking services.
- The move is part of a broader institutional push for regulated digital asset infrastructure.
- Approval would let the bank hold client crypto directly as it expands ETFs and wealth management offerings.
A public filing with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency shows the application, submitted Feb. 18, is under the name Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, National Association.
The move would establish a newly created banking entity rather than an acquired institution.
Morgan Stanley Subsidiary to Offer Crypto Custody, Trading and Staking Services
According to reports from Bloomberg and Forbes, the subsidiary would provide custody for selected digital assets and support investment activity through purchases, sales, swaps and transfers.
The filing also outlines plans to offer staking services, an increasingly common feature among institutional crypto platforms.
A national trust charter permits fiduciary operations such as asset safekeeping, custody and trust services. “De novo” status indicates the bank is being formed from scratch.
If approved, it would mark Morgan Stanley’s first trust charter dedicated specifically to crypto.
The application comes amid a broader push by financial institutions to secure federal oversight for digital asset operations.
— Mark (@markchadwickx) February 28, 2026
BREAKING: This is MASSIVE news for Alts…
Morgan Stanley is going all-in on Crypto – and they like $XRP over Bitcoin.
Morgan Stanley just applied for a national trust bank charter to custody Bitcoin and crypto assets.
This is a Wall Street giant applying to custody crypto… pic.twitter.com/vKjmMGu7oD
More recently, payments firms and trading platforms, among them Stripe-owned Bridge and Crypto.com, have also pursued similar approvals.
The race reflects growing demand from institutional clients seeking regulated custody and trading infrastructure following years of market volatility and high-profile exchange failures.
Morgan Stanley has been steadily expanding its presence in the sector. In January, the bank appointed equity markets executive Amy Oldenburg to lead a newly formed digital asset division.
Job postings indicate the firm is hiring additional specialists across strategy and product roles tied to crypto services.
The investment bank has also filed to launch spot Bitcoin and Solana exchange-traded funds, followed by a proposed staked Ether ETF.
Together, the filings suggest a wider strategy aimed at integrating digital assets into traditional wealth management offerings.
If regulators approve the charter, Morgan Stanley would be able to directly safeguard client holdings instead of relying on third-party custodians, potentially positioning the firm as a full-service provider for institutional crypto investors.
OCC Grants Trust Bank Charters to Major Crypto Firms
The OCC approved national trust bank charters in December for a slate of crypto and digital asset firms, including BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, Circle, Ripple and Paxos, widening the on ramp for tokenized finance.
Trust banks sit in a narrower lane than full-service banks, since they generally cannot take deposits or make loans.
Even so, the model can still open doors for stablecoin issuers that want to custody assets and run conversion and settlement services without relying entirely on third-party providers.
Earlier this year, World Liberty Financial also filed for a US national banking charter as stablecoins shift from a trading tool into payment infrastructure.
The post Morgan Stanley Applies for National Trust Charter to Hold Clients’ Crypto appeared first on Cryptonews.
OpenAI has secured a deal to run its AI models on the Pentagon’s classified network, a move announced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a late Friday post on X. The arrangement signals a formal step toward embedding next-generation AI within sensitive military infrastructure, framed by assurances of safety and governance that align with the company’s operating limits. Altman’s message described the department’s approach as one that respects safety guardrails and is willing to work within the company’s boundaries, underscoring a methodical path from civilian deployment to classified environments. The timing places OpenAI at the center of a broader debate about how public institutions should harness artificial intelligence without compromising civil liberties or operational safety, particularly in defense contexts.
The news comes as the White House directs federal agencies to halt use of Anthropic’s technology, initiating a six-month transition for agencies already relying on its systems. The policy demonstrates the administration’s intent to tighten oversight over AI tools used across government while still leaving room for carefully orchestrated, safety-conscious deployments. The juxtaposition between a Pentagon-backed integration and a nationwide pause on a rival platform highlights a government-wide reckoning about how, where, and under what safeguards AI technologies should operate in sensitive domains.
Altman’s remarks emphasized a cautious but constructive stance toward national-security applications. He framed the OpenAI arrangement as one that prioritizes safety while allowing access to powerful capabilities, an argument that aligns with ongoing discussions about responsible AI use in government networks. The Defense Department’s approach—favoring controlled access and rigorous governance—reflects a broader policy impulse to build operational safety into deployments that could otherwise accelerate where and how AI informs critical decisions. The public signaling from both sides suggests a model in which collaboration with defense entities proceeds under strict compliance frameworks rather than broad, unfiltered usage.
Within this regulatory and political backdrop, Anthropic’s situation remains a focal point. The company had been the first AI lab to deploy models across the Pentagon’s classified environment under a $200 million contract signed in July. Negotiations reportedly collapsed after Anthropic sought assurances that its software would not enable autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance. The Defense Department, by contrast, insisted that the technology remain available for all lawful military purposes, a stance designed to preserve flexibility for defense needs while maintaining safeguards. The divergence illustrates the delicate balance between enabling cutting-edge capabilities and enforcing guardrails that align with national security and civil-liberties considerations.
Anthropic later stated it was “deeply saddened” by the designation and signaled its intention to challenge the decision in court. The move, if upheld, could set a significant precedent affecting how American technology firms negotiate with government agencies as political scrutiny of AI partnerships intensifies. OpenAI, for its part, has indicated it maintains similar restrictions and has written them into its own agreement framework. Altman noted that OpenAI prohibits domestic mass surveillance and requires human accountability in decisions involving the use of force, including automated weapons systems. These provisions are meant to align with the government’s expectations for responsible AI use in sensitive operations, even as the military explores deeper integration of AI tools into its workflows.
Public reaction to the developments has been mixed. Some observers on social platforms questioned the trajectory of AI governance and the implications for innovation. The discussion touches on broader concerns about how security and civil liberties can be reconciled with the speed and scale of AI deployment in governmental and defense contexts. Nonetheless, the core takeaway is clear: the government is actively experimenting with AI in national-security spaces while simultaneously imposing guardrails to prevent misuse, with the outcomes likely to shape future procurement and collaboration across the tech sector.
Altman’s comments reiterated that OpenAI’s restrictions include a prohibition on domestic mass surveillance and a requirement for human oversight in decisions involving force, including automated weapons systems. Those commitments are framed as prerequisites for access to classified environments, signaling a governance model that seeks to harmonize the power of large-scale AI models with the safeguards demanded by sensitive operations. The broader trajectory suggests a sustained interest among policymakers and defense stakeholders in harnessing AI’s benefits while maintaining tight oversight to prevent overreach or misuse. As this enters a phase of practical implementation, both government agencies and tech providers will be measured against their ability to maintain safety, transparency, and accountability in high-stakes settings.
The unfolding narrative also underscores how procurement and policy decisions around AI will influence the technology’s broader ecosystem. If the Pentagon’s experiments with OpenAI’s models within classified networks prove scalable and secure, they could set a template for future collaborations that blend cutting-edge AI with rigorous governance, a model likely to ripple into adjacent industries—including those exploring AI-assisted analytics and blockchain-based governance mechanisms. At the same time, the Anthropic episode demonstrates how这样 procurement negotiations can hinge on explicit guarantees regarding weaponization and surveillance—an issue that could shape the terms under which startups and incumbents pursue federal contracts.
In parallel, the public discourse around AI policy continues to evolve, with lawmakers and regulators watching closely how private firms respond to national-security demands. The outcome of Anthropic’s intended legal challenge could influence the negotiating playbook for future government partnerships, potentially affecting how terms are drafted, how risk is allocated, and how compliance is verified across different agencies. The OpenAI-aided deployment inside the Pentagon’s classified network remains a test case for balancing the speed and utility of AI with the accountability and safety constraints that define its most sensitive applications.
As the regulatory landscape continues to shift, many in the tech community will be watching for how these developments crystallize into concrete practice—how assessments of risk, security protocols, and governance standards evolve in next-generation AI deployments. The interplay between aggressive capability development and deliberate risk containment is now a central feature of strategic technology planning, with implications that extend beyond defense to other sectors that rely on AI for decision-making, data analysis, and critical operations. The coming months will reveal whether the OpenAI-DoD collaboration can serve as a durable model for secure, responsible AI integration within the state’s most sensitive enclaves.
OpenAI’s late-Friday X post framing the Pentagon deployment, and the Defense Department’s safety-oriented stance toward Anthropic, anchor the narrative in primary statements. The Truth Social post attributed to President Trump further contextualizes the political climate surrounding federal AI policy. On Anthropic’s side, the company’s official statement provides the formal counterpoint to the designation and its legal trajectory. Together, these sources outline a multi-faceted landscape where national security, civil liberties, and commercial interests intersect in real time.
TLDR:
- BTC dropped below $64,000 within hours of Israel’s confirmed strike on Iran’s presidential HQ.
- Ethereum fell over 5% to under $1,900 as traders liquidated risk positions across altcoins.
- Over $100M in long positions were wiped out within 15 minutes of the strike news hitting markets.
- Polymarket trader Vivaldi007 turned $385K profit betting on a U.S.-Israel Iran strike since Feb 8.
Explosions rocked Tehran after Israel launched strikes on Iran’s presidential headquarters and Ministry of Intelligence. Sirens blared across Israel as the IDF sent emergency alerts to citizens’ phones.
Crypto markets responded immediately, shedding over $100 million in long positions within 15 minutes. The joint operation, reportedly involving the United States, sent shockwaves far beyond the Middle East.
Israel-Iran Strike Sends Crypto Prices Into Freefall
Bitcoin dropped roughly 3% within hours of the news breaking. It fell below $64,000 as traders rushed to cut exposure.
Ethereum took a harder hit, sliding over 5% to under $1,900. The broader crypto market cap lost around 6% in early trading, according to market data. According to a snapshot from the cryptobubbles, the market appears red. Most assets are recording substantial drops.
The IDF confirmed sirens sounded throughout Israel shortly before the strikes became public. Citizens received direct cellular alerts to stay near protected spaces. The military framed the alert as a proactive measure. It signaled the scale of what was unfolding.
On-chain tracking platform Lookonchain reported one high-profile casualty of the volatility. Trader Machi, who had deposited $245,000 just four days prior, was liquidated again. His account dropped to only $13,580. The timing proved catastrophic for leveraged long positions across the board.
Not everyone lost. Lookonchain also flagged Polymarket trader Vivaldi007, who had been betting on a U.S.-Israel strike against Iran since February 8. He placed wagers on nearly every available date and kept losing until now. The strikes pushed his total profit to $385,000.
Geopolitical Risk Reignites Crypto Market Volatility
This pattern is not new. When the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, BTC plunged below $100,000 during a 7% market-wide selloff.
Oil supply fears and global economic uncertainty drove the move. Crypto behaved like a risk asset, not a safe haven.
The April 2024 Israel-Iran exchange produced a similar response. BTC briefly dipped under $60,000 as capital rotated toward gold and the dollar. Markets recovered once tensions cooled. Whether that playbook repeats depends on what comes next.
Iran’s potential response remains the key variable. A closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil, could spike energy prices and reignite inflation fears.
Central bank tightening in that scenario would add further pressure on risk assets. Past modeling suggests a full escalation could cut crypto valuations by 10 to 20% in the short term.
The IDF has not issued further operational updates. Markets remain on edge.
Israel and the United States carried out a joint strike on Iran early Saturday, marking a major escalation in regional tensions. Bitcoin reached extremely to the news, dropping straight to $63,000 and extending daily losses to nearly 7%.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the operation as a “preemptive strike.” The Israeli government declared a nationwide state of emergency, warning of possible Iranian retaliation using drones and ballistic missiles.
US Iran War Officially Starts
According to CNN, the strike was coordinated between Washington and Jerusalem. Officials said the action aimed to counter what they described as an immediate threat.
Details on the specific targets have not yet been fully disclosed.The move follows weeks of rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Washington yesterday designated Iran a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, accusing Tehran of holding American citizens for political leverage.
At the same time, the U.S. increased its military presence in Israel, deploying advanced fighter jets and additional assets across the region.
Bitcoin Crashes and Erased Weekly Gains
Bitcoin fell sharply following news of the strike. The cryptocurrency dropped more than 6% in 24 hours, sliding to around $63,300.
The decline erased recent recovery attempts and extended broader weakness over the past month.Traders appear to be cutting risk exposure amid fears of a wider regional conflict.
If Iran retaliates directly against Israeli or U.S. assets, the situation could escalate quickly. Energy markets are also on alert, given Iran’s strategic position in global oil routes.
OpenAI has reached an agreement with the United States Department of Defense to deploy its artificial intelligence models on classified military networks, just hours after the White House ordered federal agencies to stop using technology from rival firm Anthropic.
In a late Friday post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the deal, saying the company would provide its models inside the Pentagon’s “classified network.” He wrote that the department showed “deep respect for safety” and a willingness to work within the company’s operating limits.
The announcement came amid a turbulent week for the AI sector. Earlier the same day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled Anthropic a “Supply-Chain Risk to National Security,” a designation typically applied to foreign adversaries. The ruling requires defense contractors to certify they are not using the company’s models.
President Donald Trump simultaneously directed every US federal agency to immediately halt use of Anthropic technology, with a six-month transition period for agencies already relying on its systems.
Related: Crypto VC Paradigm expands into AI, robotics with $1.5B fund: WSJ
Anthropic Pentagon talks collapse over AI use limits
Anthropic was the first AI lab to deploy models across the Pentagon’s classified environment under a $200 million contract signed in July. Negotiations collapsed after the company sought guarantees that its software would not be used for autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance. The Defense Department insisted the technology be available for all lawful military purposes.
In a statement, Anthropic said it was “deeply saddened” by the designation and intends to challenge the decision in court. The company warned the move could set a precedent affecting how American technology firms negotiate with government agencies, as political scrutiny of AI partnerships continues to intensify.
Altman said OpenAI maintains similar restrictions and that they were written into the new agreement. According to him, the company prohibits domestic mass surveillance and requires human responsibility in decisions involving the use of force, including automated weapons systems.
Related: Pantera, Franklin Templeton join Sentient Arena to test AI agents
OpenAI faces backlash after deal
Meanwhile, some users on X voiced skepticism. “I just canceled ChatGPT and bought Claude Pro Max,” Christopher Hale, an American Democratic politician, wrote. “One stands up for the God-given rights of the American people. The other folds to tyrants,” he added.
“2019 OpenAI: we will never help build weapons or surveillance tools. 2026 OpenAI: department of War, hold my classified cloud instance. Integrity arc go brrrrrrr,” one crypto user wrote.
Magazine: Bitcoin may take 7 years to upgrade to post-quantum — BIP-360 co-author
Israel also announced a state of emergency as it expects a quick retaliation by Iran.
The enhanced price volatility this week continues, as bitcoin has started to lose value rapidly once again, dropping to a multi-day low of well under $63,600.
The latest leg down was likely prompted by the quickly escalating global tension, especially between the two old enemies – Iran and Israel.
The breaking story started to develop less than half an hour ago on Saturday morning when multiple news outlets reported that Israel had launched an “preemptive attack” against Iran. The former’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced a state of emergency within the country because they expect retaliation from Iran by drones and other strikes.
Similar instances in the past have impacted bitcoin’s price, and this time is no different. Given the fact that the cryptocurrency space is the only financial market open during the weekend, the effects were immediate.
In the span of just minutes, bitcoin went from $66,000 to $63,600 before recovering some ground to $64,000. However, the asset is down by over four grand since yesterday when it was rejected at $68,000.
Before that, it peaked at $70,000 on Wednesday after it bounced from a multi-week low of $62,500 marked a day earlier. The altcoins have experienced similar volatility, with many dropping by 2% or more in the past hour alone.
Consequently, the liquidations are on the rise again, hitting $450 million on a 24-hour scale. $185 million from the total came in just the last hour.
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Bitcoin neared $63,000 in Saturday trading after the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, pushing the largest cryptocurrency down roughly 3% in a matter of hours and extending what had already been a difficult weekend for risk assets.
The move brings bitcoin to its lowest level since the Feb. 5 crash, when the token briefly dipped below $60,000.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared an immediate state of emergency across all areas of Israel. A U.S. official confirmed American participation in the strikes, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The sell-off follows a well-established pattern. Bitcoin trades 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while equity and bond markets are closed on weekends.
That makes it one of the only large, liquid assets available for traders to sell when geopolitical risk spikes outside of traditional market hours.
The result is that bitcoin often acts as a pressure valve for broader risk-off sentiment during weekend events, absorbing selling that would otherwise spread across equities, commodities, and currencies if those markets were open.
The attack risks a wider regional conflict in one of the most economically sensitive parts of the world, following a month-long U.S. military buildup and failed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
TLDR:
- Anthropic plans court action after rejecting Pentagon requests tied to surveillance and autonomous weapons permissions.
- Contract proposals included access to geolocation, browsing data, and financial records from commercial brokers.
- Defense contractors now face compliance risks when using Claude across enterprise and cloud operations.
- The designation places Anthropic’s $380 billion IPO strategy under legal and regulatory uncertainty.
Anthropic is heading to federal court. The AI company confirmed it will challenge the Department of War’s move to designate it a supply chain risk.
Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the designation on X after months of failed contract negotiations. The move threatens to ripple far beyond a single Pentagon deal.
Read also: Sam Altman’s OpenAI Moves Ahead With Pentagon AI Deal After Anthropic Says No
Anthropic’s Pentagon Deal Collapsed Over Surveillance Demands
The breakdown started with two narrow exceptions Anthropic refused to drop.
The company would not allow Claude to be used for mass domestic surveillance of Americans. It also rejected fully autonomous weapons applications. Those were the only two lines Anthropic would not cross.
But details surfaced through Axios changed the story significantly, according to an X post by market observer Shanaka Anslem Perera.
The Pentagon’s proposed compromise would have required access to Americans’ geolocation data. It also included web browsing history and personal financial records sourced from data brokers.
Under Secretary Emil Michael was reportedly offering this deal by phone at the exact moment Hegseth posted the designation publicly.
Anthropic pushed back directly. In a published statement, the company called the designation legally unsound and historically unprecedented. No American company has ever been publicly hit with this classification before. It has typically been reserved for foreign adversaries.
The company also clarified what the designation actually covers under 10 USC 3252.
A supply chain risk designation can only restrict Claude’s use on Department of War contract work. It cannot reach commercial API access, claude.ai subscriptions, or enterprise licenses. Anthropic’s legal team is betting the court agrees.
Pentagon Accepted OpenAI’s Identical Safety Terms Hours Later
The business stakes are enormous. Eight of the ten largest US companies currently use Claude. That includes defense contractors, cloud providers, banks, and consulting firms. The $200 million Pentagon contract is not the core concern. The $14 billion enterprise ecosystem is.
Every general counsel at every Fortune 500 firm with Pentagon exposure now faces the same question. Is using Claude worth the legal uncertainty? That question alone slows procurement cycles and complicates renewals.
Anthropic’s expected IPO, reportedly targeting a $380 billion valuation with $30 billion in new capital, now sits on hold. No underwriter will price an offering while the company carries a designation alongside Huawei.
Hours after blacklisting Anthropic, the Pentagon accepted OpenAI’s proposed safety framework. That framework contained the same two red lines: no mass surveillance, no autonomous lethal weapons. Anthropic said no amount of pressure will shift its position on either point.
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