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Trump Blocks Chip Deal, Citing National Security and China Concerns

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Donald Trump on Friday blocked a $3 million deal in which U.S. photonics firm HieFo Corp sought to acquire assets from New Jersey-based aerospace and defense supplier Emcore, citing national security and China-related risks.

In an order released by the White House, Trump said HieFo was “controlled by a citizen of the People’s Republic of China,” raising concerns that the transaction could threaten U.S. national security. He ordered HieFo to divest all interests in the Emcore assets within 180 days.

The decision followed a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which identified national security risks linked to the deal, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. Officials did not specify the nature of those risks.

Emcore has said HieFo acquired its chip business and indium-phosphide wafer fabrication operations for about $2.92 million. The company was publicly traded at the time of the transaction and has since gone private.

HieFo previously said it was co-founded by Genzao Zhang, a former Emcore vice president of engineering, and Harry Moore, a former senior sales director at Emcore. Neither company immediately responded to requests for comment following Trump’s order.

Trump Media unveils plan to distribute new cryptocurrency to shareholders

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Trump Media and Technology Group said on Wednesday it will distribute a new digital token to its shareholders, expanding its push into digital assets as the policy environment for cryptocurrencies grows more supportive in Washington.

Shares of the company, which is linked to U.S. President Donald Trump and operates the social media platform Truth Social, were up about 5% in early trading following the announcement.

Under the plan, shareholders will receive one digital token for each share they hold, the company said. Additional details about the launch are expected in 2026. Trump Media said the token is expected to operate on the Cronos blockchain.

Cryptocurrencies have become an increasingly visible part of the Trump family’s business activities, drawing criticism from opponents who cite potential conflicts of interest. Trump has pledged to make the United States the “crypto capital of the planet,” while his return to the White House in January has coincided with a more favorable climate for the sector. Legislation covering parts of the crypto industry was passed over the summer, and several enforcement actions were dropped.

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During the campaign, Trump courted industry support by branding himself a “crypto president.” His family’s ventures, including World Liberty Financial, have also helped push digital assets further into the mainstream. Just days before his inauguration, Trump launched a meme coin known as $TRUMP, which briefly surged to a market value of more than $14.5 billion before sharply declining.

The White House has dismissed allegations of conflicts of interest, saying Trump’s extensive real estate, media and other business holdings are placed in a trust managed by his children.

The token announcement comes during a broader downturn in the crypto market. Bitcoin is down about 6% so far this year and is on track for its first annual decline since 2022, reflecting a wider retreat from riskier assets as investors reduce exposure to volatility.

Rumble to Acquire Germany’s Northern Data in $767 Million AI Cloud Deal

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Rumble, the U.S.-based video platform that also hosts Donald Trump’s Truth Social, announced on Monday that it will acquire German AI cloud company Northern Data in an all-stock deal worth about $767 million, sending Rumble’s shares up more than 25% in premarket trading.

Under the terms of the agreement, Northern Data shareholders will receive 2.0281 newly issued Rumble Class A shares for each share held, representing a 12.99% discount to Northern Data’s last closing price. The acquisition gives Rumble access to Northern Data’s AI computing arm, Taiga, and its large-scale data center unit, Ardent.

The deal also includes a $150 million GPU-leasing agreement with Tether, the cryptocurrency firm that owns roughly 48% of Rumble, as well as $200 million in tax liability support from Rumble. Upon completion, Rumble will gain control of 22,400 Nvidia GPUs, significantly boosting its AI computing capacity.

Tether, which invested $775 million in Rumble in December 2024, has agreed to become an anchor customer of the combined group, supporting long-term AI infrastructure demand.

Following the merger, Northern Data shareholders will hold 30.4% of the new company, which will operate under Rumble’s name. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, after which Northern Data will delist from the stock market.

Northern Data had withdrawn its 2025 forecast in October amid volatility in the GPU market, but the merger positions both companies to capitalize on rising global demand for AI data centers.