TL;DR

NuScale’s SMR approved; DeepSeek matches Google AI; Tesla robotaxi launches; U.S. restricts Chinese STEM visas.

Highlights

• Anne Wojcicki bids $280M to reopen 23andMe bankruptcy auction, topping Regeneron's $256M; privacy and data management remain key issues1.
• U.S. NRC approves NuScale’s 77 MW small modular reactor design; U.S. and global nuclear deployment accelerates to meet data center and AI energy demand2.
• Tesla to launch Austin robotaxi service June 12 with 10 autonomous Cybercab Model Ys; regulatory review ongoing as company shifts focus to autonomy amid profit decline3.
• X (Twitter) launches beta of encrypted XChat with file sharing and calls, targeting secure messaging and “everything app” ambitions4.
• DeepSeek’s R1-0528 AI model matches Google Gemini 2.5 Pro, highlighting China’s progress in open-source AI and intensifying U.S.-China competition5.
• U.S. to revoke 277,000 Chinese student visas, targeting STEM and Communist Party ties; universities and VC-backed startups may face talent pipeline disruptions6.
• U.S. VCs, Pfizer , and Bayer pursue Chinese biotech deals despite federal warnings; NSCEB recommends an “Independence Investment Fund” for domestic biotech7.
• Hyperliquid nears $1B TVL, launches fiat-backed stablecoin USD_HL, and leads DeFi perpetuals market; developer and user growth outpaces rivals8.
• FDA approves Moderna ’s mNEXSPIKE COVID-19 vaccine for seniors and high-risk groups, with improved efficacy and simpler storage9.
• AI/data center energy use projected to reach 10% of U.S. power demand by end-2025, driving investment in nuclear and grid infrastructure10.
• Walgreens , Rite Aid, and CVS close hundreds of stores amid bankruptcy and drug crisis, shifting healthcare and retail real estate dynamics15.
• Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5 with 20+ games and new online benefits; supply constraints and high demand expected12.

Commentary

A surge in activity across AI, energy, and biotech is reshaping venture priorities. NuScale ’s regulatory milestone for small modular reactors comes as AI and data center energy needs are set to hit 10% of U.S. power demand by year-end210, prompting renewed investor interest in climate tech, grid infrastructure, and nuclear startups. This intersection of digital infrastructure and energy reliability is likely to drive up valuations and deal competition for scalable, regulatory-compliant solutions.

China’s DeepSeek matching Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro in AI benchmarks signals that the U.S.-China technology race is tightening, especially in open-source AI5. The U.S. response—revoking Chinese STEM student visas and warning against biotech capital flows—could disrupt talent pipelines and cross-border dealmaking for VCs and startups67. Despite these headwinds, U.S. VCs and pharma players like Pfizer and Bayer are still pursuing Chinese biotech assets, but diligence around regulatory and geopolitical risk is now essential7. The NSCEB’s push for an “Independence Investment Fund” could shift more capital toward domestic biotech innovation7.

Consumer and fintech platforms continue to evolve. Tesla ’s Austin robotaxi launch is a critical test for autonomous mobility, but regulatory and operational risks remain as the company pivots away from lower-cost EVs3. Hyperliquid’s rapid DeFi growth, stablecoin launch, and developer momentum highlight ongoing innovation in on-chain finance, though security incidents like the MegaETH Labs hack reinforce the need for robust risk controls814.

Retail and healthcare face structural shifts. Widespread pharmacy closures and bankruptcies among Walgreens , Rite Aid, and CVS are reshaping healthcare delivery and retail real estate, potentially opening opportunities for tech-enabled care and last-mile health solutions15. Moderna ’s next-gen COVID vaccine approval under stricter FDA standards may catalyze further investment in mRNA and digital health platforms9.

VCs should closely monitor regulatory and geopolitical developments affecting cross-border deals, the scaling of energy and AI infrastructure, and evolving consumer and healthtech models. Deal diligence and risk management remain critical as sector dynamics shift.