In 2026, the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) will require physical controls in cars for them to earn a five-star rating. The maximum safety rating will only be given to vehicles with physical buttons, dials, or stalks for hazard warning lights, indicators, windscreen wipers, SOS calls, and horns. Despite increasing complaints, manufacturers like Tesla and Volkswagen keep pushing touch-sensitive interfaces for basic vehicle controls, mainly because they're more cost-efficient.

OKX, the world's fourth largest cryptocurrency exchange, is discontinuing its support for Tether trading pairs in the European Economic Area. This move comes ahead of the EU's implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets law, which restricts the use of certain stablecoins. OKX also plans to roll out new product offerings and Euro fiat onramps for EEA customers.

Anthropic has expanded its AI assistant, Claude, to Europe. Claude supports multiple languages. Anthropic is offering the service across its website, iOS app, and business plans for teams. The company is beginning the process of raising more money.

A Reddit user recently snapped a picture of a covered-up Model Y thought to be the refreshed Model Y codenamed Juniper. Engineering test vehicles have been spotted near Giga Texas and the Fremont factory in California. The vehicle appears to be following a trajectory for an early to mid-2025 launch. It is expected to be released in China first before launching in North America and Europe.

Europe is preparing to test launch a new single-use rocket, the Ariane 6 rocket, from French Guiana today. Development of the rocket was aimed at reducing the EU's reliance on SpaceX. Europe's satellites and military intelligence have come to depend on SpaceX. Officials fear that Europe and its armies may need to rely on the US company even during warfare.

Europe's strict tech regulations are causing global firms to withdraw their products and services. Apple's new AI-powered features, including Apple Intelligence, won't be released due to the EU's Digital Markets Act. This isn't new - tech companies have previously exited or limited services, like Meta in Canada and Google News in Spain. Europe's regulatory stance might lead to an outdated tech market.

There's a dangerous lack of regulation for cloud-based management platforms controlling millions of solar panels across Europe. These platforms, mostly run by companies outside of Europe, have the power to shut down vast amounts of power, potentially causing grid collapse. While individual solar panels pose little threat, their concentrated control creates a huge risk, especially due to recent hacking attempts.

Mastercard has introduced a crypto Euro debit card in partnership with Mercuryo. The card allows users to spend crypto from their self-custodial wallets at over 100M merchants. This initiative integrates crypto into daily transactions, improving user control over their funds while advancing Mastercard's commitment to embedding digital assets in the mainstream economy.

The European Salary Transparency Law, aimed at strengthening equal pay between men and women for work of equal value, requires all companies to make public the salary ranges for all their employees.

The European Hyperloop Center ran its first successful vehicle tests on Monday. The vehicle currently runs at a slow 30 kilometers per hour, but operators hope to reach 100 kph by the end of the year. It will be ready to transport passengers by 2030. The technology has the potential to revolutionize travel in Europe, enabling passengers to reach from Amsterdam to Berlin in 90 minutes or Milan in two hours.

Robinhood Crypto has officially launched crypto transfers for its customers in Europe, a feature that has been highly anticipated in the region. This new capability allows users to deposit and withdraw over 20 different cryptocurrencies, including popular options like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). The introduction of crypto transfers aims to provide customers with enhanced flexibility and control over their digital assets. Johann Kerbrat, the Vice President and General Manager of Robinhood Crypto, emphasized that this launch simplifies the process of self-custody and engaging with decentralized finance (DeFi) for users. By enabling deposits and withdrawals, Robinhood is ensuring that customers maintain control over their cryptocurrencies while enjoying the same reliable and cost-effective experience that the platform is known for. To celebrate the launch, Robinhood Crypto is offering a limited-time promotion where customers in Europe can receive a 1% match on all crypto deposits. This reward is given in the same cryptocurrency that users deposit, subject to certain conditions and a cap on the total rewards. In addition to crypto transfers, Robinhood Crypto provides a range of other benefits. Customers can buy, sell, and hold over 35 cryptocurrencies at competitive rates, trade Bitcoin without incurring fees, and stake their Solana holdings to earn an estimated annual percentage yield (APY). There are also rewards for holding USD Coin (USDC) and for participating in educational programs about various cryptocurrencies. Security is a key focus for Robinhood Crypto, which ensures that users' digital assets are protected. The platform does not lend out customers' crypto or use it for leverage, and the majority of assets are stored in cold storage. Additionally, Robinhood offers crime insurance to safeguard against theft and cybersecurity breaches. Crypto transfers are now available to all eligible Robinhood Crypto customers in Europe, marking a significant step in the platform's expansion and commitment to providing comprehensive cryptocurrency services. For more information, users can visit Robinhood's dedicated crypto page.