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Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Wednesday, 5:13 AM

June 18, 2025

Good morning news friend! Step into the stories of today, and watch the future take form. 📰🌟

Click here to read the poll results and comments from our previous edition. Over 6,959 people gave their opinion about the US joining the war in Iran, the US-UK trade deal and more!

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Senate Passes GENIUS Act

The U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS Act 68-30, establishing the first federal stablecoin regulations. Stablecoins must be fully backed by liquid assets, with issuers disclosing reserves monthly. Those over $50 billion must provide audited financials.

The $240 billion stablecoin market supports trading and payments, with companies like Visa and Amazon exploring use. The bill bans lawmakers and officials from issuing stablecoins, addressing conflicts of interest linked to Trump’s crypto ventures.

Critics, including Senator Warren, say the bill lacks sufficient consumer protections and anti-money laundering rules. The House must approve its version before President Trump signs it, aiming for enactment by August.

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, NYTimes, WallStreetJournal.

U.S. to Ease Capital Rules

U.S. regulators will reduce the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio (eSLR) for the largest banks by up to 1.5 percentage points, lowering capital requirements from 5% to 3.5%-4.5% for bank holding companies and from 6% to the same range for operating subsidiaries.

This change affects major banks like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. The eSLR currently limits banks’ holdings of U.S. Treasuries by counting these low-risk assets heavily against capital.

The $29 trillion Treasury market has faced recent instability and weak auction demand. Lowering the eSLR will allow banks to hold more Treasuries without raising capital, improving market liquidity and reducing U.S. government borrowing costs.

Sources: Bloomberg, Forexlive, Investing.

Big Tech’s Push to Stop State AI Regulation

Big tech companies seek a 10-year federal ban on state AI regulations to create a unified national framework and prevent diverse state rules.

They argue federal oversight should lead AI governance to support innovation and avoid fragmented policies. Details of the proposal are sparse, but it reflects tensions between corporate control and regulatory efforts.

US states and policymakers remain divided, with some fearing the ban could delay crucial AI protections, while others favor consistent rules to foster AI growth.

Sources: FinancialTimes, Reuters.

Trump Pushes for Iran’s “Unconditional Surrender”

President Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” during ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, now in their sixth day.

Israel claims airspace control and has damaged key nuclear facilities, including Natanz, but not the deeply buried Fordow site. Iran has fired roughly 400 missiles and drones at Israel, killing 24 civilians; over 450 Iranians, mostly civilians, are dead.

The U.S. has deployed fighter jets, warships, and tanker aircraft to the Middle East, signaling potential escalation, but no final decision on joining strikes has been made.

Trump acknowledged knowing Iran’s Supreme Leader’s location but ruled out targeting him “for now.”

Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, AP News, WallStreetJournal.

Betavoltaic Batteries Power for Decades

Scientists developed a betavoltaic battery using carbon-14 and perovskite, achieving 2.86% energy conversion and stable power output for nine hours. Carbon-14 quantum dots embedded in electrodes and optimized perovskite structures boosted electron mobility 56,000-fold.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, this nuclear cell generates electricity from beta particles and is biologically safe due to carbon-14’s low radiation, shielded by thin barriers. The dual-site design uses radioactive material on both electrodes, increasing efficiency from 0.48% to 2.86% and power density to 20.75 nanowatts/cm²/mCi.

This long-lasting, low-maintenance battery suits space probes, medical implants, and military sensors. Carbon-14 is cheap, safe, and sustainable, sourced as a nuclear by-product.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Thebrighterside.

MIT’s Schizophrenia Weekly Pill

MIT and Lyndra Therapeutics developed a weekly oral risperidone capsule for schizophrenia that expands in the stomach with six foldable arms, releasing drug steadily over a week before dissolving.

In a phase 3 trial with 83 patients (45 completed five weeks), blood levels showed weekly peaks with slow declines, maintaining stable therapeutic ranges. Symptoms remained stable; side effects were mild and temporary.

This pill matches daily dosing effectiveness and offers an alternative to injectable risperidone, easing adherence by reducing dosing frequency.

Sources: SciTechDaily, MIT, EuropeanPharmaceuticalReview.

“Knowledge is merely an accelerator; wedded to a perverse will, it just speeds you to a more sophisticated ruin.”

Did you know we also write in-depth deep dives? They are long, packed with insights, and have received rave reviews. If you’re up for a detailed, action-packed read, check them out:

• Deconstructing the $66 Billion Citiadel Enigma

• The U.S. Debt Trajectory, Assessing the Risks of a $36 Trillion Liability

• Private Equity, Unpacking the Engine Room of Modern Capitalism

• Ethanol: Hype, Hope or the future of Fuel?

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️