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Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chainproof Combats Ethereum ‘Slashing' Losses With Guaranteed Yearly Yields
Crypto insurer Chainproof announced a new product Wednesday that lets Ethereum stakers protect against slashing and guarantees them a minimum yearly yield. Slashing, while rare, is a big concern for stakers. It's a feature that keeps the validators who process transactions on Ethereum in check by taking away some of their tokens if they publish incorrect data. Most slashing happens due to code bugs in validator software or human error, not because validators try to attack or cheat the system. Chainproof's product, which involves a partnership with insurance broker IMA Financial Group, will top up stakers' yield if slashing causes their returns to fall below the Composite Ether Staking Rate, or CESR, a benchmark rate that represents the mean, annualized staking yield generated by all Ethereum validators. CESR was created by CoinDesk Indices (a CoinDesk subsidiary) and CoinFund. "As staking takes center stage across a new generation of ETFs and other institutional financial products, it will be imperative for institutions to insure that yield,' Chris Perkins, President of CoinFund, a partner behind the CESR benchmark, told CoinDesk. Staking is the act of locking up tokens on a blockchain to help validate transactions, earning a reward from the network for the stakers. Ethereum stakers can earn around 3.5% annually. Since Ethereum started allowing users to stake in 2020, validators have been slashed 474 times, according to data. In one high-profile incident in 2023, Bitcoin Suisse, a company that provides staking services for institutional clients, lost almost $200,000 after 100 of its newly set up validators were slashed. The financial damage caused by slashing on Ethereum is small compared to hacks or DeFi protocol bugs. Still, many crypto security researchers worry that an event where thousands of validators are simultaneously slashed is a serious risk. Chainproof's offering isn't the first insurance product for Ethereum stakers. Nexus Mutual, a crypto insurance alternative, offers coverage that pays out on each individual slashing incident and covers losses up to a predetermined amount. However, it does not guarantee yearly returns. Chainproof's insurance differs in that it will reimburse losses of 95% to 98% of the CESR benchmark rate over a one-year period. If their total earned staking rewards fall below this level, the policy automatically reimburses them, guaranteeing the amount of rewards they will receive. It's a small difference, but one that Chainproof's customers say is needed for institutional crypto adoption at scale, Don Ho, the firm's co-founder and CEO, told CoinDesk. The firm will launch its staking coverage on June 1 with early access programs for large-scale validators and institutional staking providers. Several companies involved in Ethereum staking, including Blockdaemon, Pier Two, Globalstake, and P2P, already plan to offer Chainproof's coverage to their clients. Read more: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Motor 1
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Give the Electric Porsche Macan a Chance: Review
Quick Specs 2025 Porsche Macan Electric Output 355 Horsepower / 415 Pound-Feet Range 315 Miles 0-60 MPH 5.4 Seconds Base Price / As-Tested $77,295 / $86,865 Pros: Wonderful Handling, Excellent Efficiency, Simple & Easy-To-Use Tech Cons: Expensive, Some Cheaper Interior Materials Porsche Macan: All-Electric, No Going Back Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 The entry-level Porsche Macan combines excellent driving dynamics with great quality (and the badge on the hood), which makes it hugely appealing to buyers. With a few exceptions where it was outsold by the larger Cayenne, the Macan is the most popular Porsche on the market. So, it's a big deal that the second-generation Macan is all-electric. Porsche decided to drop internal-combustion in hopes EV adoption would boom. Unfortunately, negative sentiment toward EVs may cast a shadow over the Macan Electric. It's a damn shame, because this is an excellent car—not just a great EV. Powertrain: A Big Battery & Motor (Or Two) Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Most Macan models get two electric motors for all-wheel drive, but this base model has a single motor driving the rear wheels. It makes 355 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque when using launch control, and 335 horsepower in regular driving. That slots it in nicely between the 260-hp base gas Macan and the 375-hp gas Macan S. Other Macan Electric models make more power, with the top-trim Turbo serving up 630 hp. Frankly, I'm not sure you need more. Going for all-wheel drive gets you a bit more power, and of course, more all-weather traction, but the rear-drive model is plenty quick enough. It has enough power from a stop, and the power doesn't taper off much until you're well beyond highway speeds. Porsche's quoted 5.4-second 0-60 mph time might not sound like much these days, but this is a fast car. All Macan Electric variants get a 95.0-kilowatt-hour net (100.0-kWh gross) battery, which provides an EPA range of 315 miles in this base model. Also of note, Porsche opted not to use the Taycan's two-speed transmission at the rear. Technology & Infotainment: Simple, Well-Executed Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Every Macan Electric has a 12.6-inch curved display for the gauge cluster and a 10.9-inch central touchscreen display, running a slightly different, Macan-specific version of Porsche's software. You can also get a second infotainment display for the passenger, but why would you? Porsche has done a lot to refine the infotainment system over the years, and in the Macan, it's wonderfully intuitive. There's no learning curve, and also of note is the excellent charging planner built into the navigation system. The digital gauge cluster also looks great, and once you learn how to change the display, it's very easy to use. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 It's worth noting that while so many automakers—especially Porsche's German rivals—embrace haptic touchpads and integrate more vehicle functions into the screen, Porsche still has a lot of high-quality physical controls. There's a touchpad for some climate-control functions, but even that works well. Where so many of today's cars feel frustrating to live with, the user experience of the Macan Electric is excellent. Within about a day, you'll know how to do basically everything without taking your eyes off the road, and the experience of using the car is very satisfying Design: Distinctly Porsche, Just Less Exciting Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 With prominent bulging fenders, a 911-inspired windowline, and a low, sloping hood, the Macan couldn't be anything but a Porsche. However, I still prefer the looks of the old Macan. This one is nicely proportioned, yet somehow less exciting, less punchy. As you'd expect with Porsche, the color options can make or break the car. This Gentian Blue Metallic is one of the better choices. There's also a huge selection of wheels, ranging from 20- to 22-inches. This one has the small base wheels, and while they're not my favorite to look at, I'll always go for small wheels for ride quality's sake. The interior design looks familiar, with a fairly short dash—here topped by the clock of the optional Sport Chrono package—a rising center console, and well-integrated screens. Perhaps it's a bit austere compared to what we're seeing out of other luxury cars these days, but it's also typical Porsche. Driving Impressions: Simply Excellent Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 There's a wonderful simplicity to the driving experience here, with that torquey motor driving the rear wheels. And in typical Porsche fashion, all of the inputs—pedals, steering—are calibrated to perfection. Porsche only offers limited lift-throttle regenerative braking, instead mainly blending regen and friction braking with the brake pedal. All US-bound Macan Electrics get air springs and adaptive dampers, and the ride and handling are great. The car is stiff structurally, and you have big wheels and tires, so you feel big impacts through the body, but generally, it's a very comfortable car. Yet put it in Sport or Sport Plus on a good road, and the body control is remarkable. It doesn't feel like it's doing any histrionics, bending the road to submission—it just does everything in a relaxed, nonchalant manner. This tester had rear-wheel steering, and while I appreciated the reduced turning circle, the tuning is a little strange. The rear-steer system in previous Porsches was subtle: You didn't know it was there unless you really thought about it. But with the Macan, it's more prominent and strange. Turn sharply, the front bites, then after a beat, the rear digs in and the car starts turning more than you want, rotating about its central axis. In time, you learn to dial back steering inputs, especially at higher speeds. But that's my only real knock against the way this car drives. Like the Taycan, the Macan is excellent at getting from Point A to B very quickly. Efficiency: A Lot From a Little Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Driving around town, a highway trip, and a fun drive with friends over the weekend, I averaged around 3.78 miles/kWh over around 250 miles. That's excellent. At that rate, I would've gotten about 360 miles on a full battery charge. Compare that to the EPA range of 315 miles for the car. Admittedly, I did a lot of city driving, which suits this EV well. I also used Porsche's Eco Plus climate-control mode, which boosted efficiency significantly. Still, my colleague was driving a base Chevrolet Equinox EV and getting about the same efficiency features. For a faster, more luxurious EV, the fact that the Macan achieved similar efficiency is remarkable. I also didn't get to do much DC fast charging with the Macan, but Porsche claims it actually charges quicker than the Taycan at a rate of 270 kilowatts, which is one of the quickest-charging cars for sale in America, so expect good things here. Pricing + Verdict: Expensive But Worth It Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Yep, it's expensive. It's a Porsche. With a base price of $77,295 compared to the old gas Macan's $65,350, going electric has incurred a big penalty. Porsche is quick (and not wrong) to point out that you get more performance and standard equipment with the EV, but in absolute terms, it's a big price increase for the entry-level Porsche. Then, there are the options, which add up quickly. This one was modestly optioned with a $86,865 sticker. Hell, if you want a color that isn't white, black, or gray, it's $1,240. But while some Porsches struggle to justify their high prices, I think the Macan Electric is worth it if you want the best. The only other EV crossover that offers a similar mix of excellent dynamics and efficiency is a Lucid Gravity, though, that's a much larger car, and the startup's build quality and interior UX is nothing compared to Porsche's. The gas-powered BMW X3 M50 I drove a few weeks earlier was $72,225, and this car easily drives and feels $15,000 more. And that BMW is a car I liked! Put another way, if you're after a compact crossover, I don't think there's a nicer one on sale than this. You'll just have to pay for it. Competitors Audi Q6 E-Tron BMW iX Cadillac Lyriq Genesis GV70 Electrified Tesla Model Y Competitor Reviews The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Is Worth the Hassle 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Review: Battery-Powered Beauty 2025 Porsche Macan Electric Motor Single Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Battery 100.0 Kilowatt-Hours Output 355 Horsepower / 415 Pound-Feet Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive Speed 0-60 MPH 5.4 Seconds Maximum speed 137 Miles Per Hour Weight 5,247 Pounds EV Range 315 Miles Charge Time 10-80% In 21 Minutes Charge Type 270-Kilowatt DC Fast Charging Seating Capacity 5 Cargo Volume 3.0 / 19.1 / 47.6 Cubic Feet Base Price $77,295 As-Tested Price $86,865 On Sale Now Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Guardian
11-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Fit for the future: how organisations can set themselves up to move at the speed of AI
AI is the new baseline in how we work and collaborate. For leaders, the question is not whether to invest but how fast It's easy to forget it's only two years since generative AI (GenAI) burst into the mainstream. In less time than it takes most people to complete a university degree, we've seen it move from working quietly in the background of our devices to reinventing life and work as we know it. For many of us, the rapid nature of AI's rise is exciting. Yet, for business leaders, it's also made for a dizzying, future-defining ride. As recently as 2023, they were probably considering whether or not to invest in developing an AI strategy at all. Now in 2025, the more pressing issue for boardrooms is how quickly they can use AI to deliver impact for their organisation at scale. Small step, giant leap The answer to that question will look different for everyone, depending on the unique nature of their operating environment, workforce and stakeholder relationships. In each case, the first step to delivering true AI impact is looking beyond marginal gains in worker productivity and efficiency. Instead, the organisations that lead the AI era will be those that use it to completely transform the way they do business. 'AI is not just a tool for efficiency; it's the catalyst for a transformative leap in how organisations innovate and secure their future,' says Chris Perkins, Microsoft UK's General Manager for Enterprise Commercial. 'Taking that leap means being willing to reshape and improve entire systems and processes around AI.' The good news is it's starting to happen – Perkins points to telecoms giant Vodafone as a great case in point. The company has ambitious plans to use AI to enhance its customer relationships and has signed a strategic partnership with Microsoft, which includes a commitment to embed Microsoft GenAI into its contact centres. The aim is to help agents deliver a more personalised service to its 350 million customers worldwide, including supercharging TOBi, a multilingual online chatbot operating in 13 countries. Already, this has seen a 20-point rise in the company's net promoter score (a metric used to gauge customer loyalty and satisfaction) – a key differentiator in a highly competitive market. It's also freeing up time spent on monotonous tasks to allow employees to focus on more varied and interesting work. 'A great example of creating value by aligning your AI strategy with your overall business goals,' says Perkins. Going beyond technology Yet success with AI is not only about investing in the technology itself. Establishing the right data infrastructure to support it is key too. By giving their GenAI tools high-quality, well-organised data to reason over, leaders can use them to inform smarter, more insights-driven decisions and, ultimately, take more meaningful actions for their stakeholders and bottom line. Better still, creating this infrastructure needn't be a complex process of advanced data engineering. Instead, practical, easy-to-use solutions like Microsoft Fabric can enable organisations to consolidate their data, create centralised knowledge repositories and let staff quickly and securely access the information they need to perform at their best. Equally important is the need to focus on people. 'It may sound strange but the speed of AI advancement means it's a great time to be a human worker too,' says Perkins. 'Not just because it can make us more efficient or productive in our jobs; that's table stakes. But because it opens the door to all kinds of innovation and creativity. The fun stuff that allows us to be more ambitious and courageous in the work we do and the careers we pursue.' Delivering on this very human promise requires organisations to invest in learning and development programmes that teach employees how to harness new AI tools in their job. But more than that, it means creating a culture in which workers feel inspired and engaged enough to help shape the AI journey for themselves – regardless of their job role, level or location. Clear communication is, therefore, paramount. In fact, the more proactively and transparently leaders show staff how AI applications will generate better outcomes and experiences, the more confident and empowered workers will feel in using them to enhance their work today – and reinvent it tomorrow. A great way to do this is by starting with small, proof-of-concept projects tied to business goals that let employees experiment with AI, fail fast and continually improve. This iterative approach carries the added bonus of enabling CIOs, CDOs and their teams to demonstrate measurable outcomes to the board, which, in turn, makes it easier to inspire investment in implementing AI initiatives at scale. No standing still Of course, more change is coming. If 2024 was all about using copilots and personal productivity assistants to redefine the modern workplace, this year will see the most forward-thinking organisations shift focus to deploying autonomous digital agents capable of implementing business transformation at scale. Having a common platform like Microsoft Azure that can support this ever-expanding range of AI use cases will therefore become increasingly important. Yet, regardless of where their organisation is on its AI journey, the most important thing for any leader right now is action. Whether they are seeking to accelerate innovation or unlock new markets, strengthen customer relationships or enhance worker experiences, now is the time to ensure their AI strategy is fit to deliver the future value that they and their stakeholders want. The greatest risk isn't over-investing in AI, it's not investing fast enough. To learn more about accelerating your AI journey, please visit the Microsoft Azure UK home page. This content is paid for and supplied by the advertiser. Find out more with our
