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Stripe , a global financial infrastructure platform that enables businesses to accept online and in-person payments, has entered into a partnership with Crypto.com, according to a Jan. 6, 2026, news release. Under the agreement, Crypto.com Pay will become a checkout option for millions of Stripe-powered merchants, while Crypto.com will use Stripe’s payment-acquiring services for card purchases. “Increasing everyday accessibility to and utility of cryptocurrencies for consumers and merchants is central to our vision at Crypto.com,” Joe Anzures, Crypto.com’s general manager for the Americas and EVP of payments, said in a statement. “We are excited to partner with Stripe, a recognized leader in digital payments, to collectively catalyze a new era for crypto-enabled commerce.” Crypto.com operates a comprehensive cryptocurrency platform that includes an app, exchange, and wallet for buying, selling, trading, and earning digital assets , serving more than 150 million users in 90...
A new year brings new goals and resolutions — and for many, the question: “When can you file taxes in 2026?” The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has not yet announced the official start date for 2025 tax returns, but past years suggest that the 2026 filing season will likely begin during the last full week of January. According to The Economic Times, this year’s filing season comes amid heightened financial pressures, including inflation, elevated interest rates, global uncertainty, and tariffs. However, these factors won’t directly affect filing deadlines. Preparation Is Key Regardless of when the filing season begins, taxpayers can get a head start by collecting their documents to avoid delays and errors. The most important documents to collect early are W-2 forms, which employers and financial institutions must send to employees by Jan. 31, 2026, per The Economic Times. Freelancers and independent contractors will need Form 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC, which report various types of...
Tax season is here, and that could mean bigger refunds for many Americans after significant changes in the 2025 federal tax rules. But the season may also bring delays and confusion. According to USA Today, households will need to navigate new deductions for tip income, overtime pay, car loan interest, and the senior tax break for those 65 and older — along with unexpected restrictions. Many changes come from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, which includes new tax breaks retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025. “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will unleash the full potential of the U.S. economy. It locks in permanent, pro-growth tax cuts for families, workers, and job creators,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said of the bill. “The bill also enacts No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and new tax cuts for seniors. The OBBB will strengthen important programs for those who need them most and save taxpayer dollars by cutting waste, fraud, and...
Target will soon have to pay millions to its workers. Here’s who will qualify. Newsweek reports that in November 2022, former employee Krystal Sadler filed a lawsuit, also on behalf of “other similarly situated hourly employees,” alleging that Target violated the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law and the New Jersey Wage Payment Law. Sadler worked at one of the named warehouses in the lawsuit, Logan, as a non-exempt hourly worker from Sept. 8, 2022, to Nov. 22, 2022. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claimed they were not paid for all hours worked, including time spent traveling to their assigned departments to clock in and out, sometimes across long distances. It also stated they were not paid for all hours spent on mandatory security screenings. Additionally, the lawsuit claimed that the plaintiffs had to complete these unpaid work-related activities before and after shifts. “In this day and age, there is no technological barrier to paying plaintiffs and other employees for such time....
Paul Pierce balled out with his first check in the NBA. Getting Drafted The California native was drafted in 1998 by the Boston Celtics, where he would later win his first and only championship ring in 2008. He signed a four-year deal valued at $6.3 million, which amounted to an average salary of $1.6 million annually, per Spotrac. Splurging First Check Pierce said his first check in the NBA amounted to $1 million during his rookie year. However, most of it was gone within the blink of an eye. “When I got drafted No. 10, my check for the year was $1 million,” Pierce said on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast. “We had a lockout (a pause in pay during league negotiations), so cut that in half. So then $500,000, right? Taxes. Cut that in half. So really all I had was about like [$200,000].” Shannon Sharpe, the podcast’s host, interjected about having to pay an agent, which would lower Pierce’s cut further. “Yep. So knock that down,” Pierce said in response. “I needed me an apartment to rent,...
Angel Reese admitted that the WNBA doesn’t pay her bills, yet her efforts beyond the court place her among the highest-paid in women’s sports. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Reese comes from humble beginnings. She shared that she “used to be broke” and would clock in to work at Smashburger before going to practice in high school. Then the name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy, which went into effect in 2021, allowed Reese to find financial security. She secured deals with brands such as Coach, Wingstop, McDonald’s, Raising Cane’s, and Reebok. She transitioned to the pros, signing with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky as the seventh overall pick in 2024. According to Spotrac, she is under a four-year contract worth $324,383, with a base salary of $74,909. In a 2024 live, she admitted her league salary doesn’t cover her bills. “The WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally,” she said in a 2024 live. Partnerships Reese’s business moves off the...
Anthony Joshua, one of the highest-paid boxers in the world, is returning to the ring with Jake Paul. Jake vs. Joshua Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix announced Anthony Joshua — the two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist — will face Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center in Miami, FL, on Friday, Dec. 19, a release shared with AFROTECH™ states. There will be three eight-minute rounds fought in 10 oz gloves, BBC reports. The preliminary card starts at 4:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. with the main card at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on Netflix. The live matchup can be viewed on Netflix’s Tudum and Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) YouTube Channel. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of MVP, said regarding the match, “From legendary champions to world-class broadcasters, this group reflects the standard we’ve set for Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day. Together with Netflix, we’re building a fight week and fight night experience that feels truly historic, and this team is central to bringing that vision to...
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. has turned down Paramount’s $108 billion bid. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Netflix agreed to acquire Warner Bros in a deal with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion (equity value of $72.0 billion). The boards of directors for both Warner Bros and Netflix are in favor of the deal. Netflix states the agreement would position it to define the “ next century of storytelling.” “For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come,” President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., David Zaslav, commented in a Dec. 5 press release. Days later, Paramount entered the race for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., making a rival bid of $30.00 per share, for an overall enterprise value of $108.4 billion, per a separate AFROTECH™ article....
A newly founded AI startup is making waves in the tech world with one of the largest seed rounds in recent memory. According to Bloomberg, Unconventional AI, launched just two months ago by former Databricks AI lead Naveen Rao, secured $475 million in seed funding at a $4.5 billion valuation to develop a new generation of energy-efficient computers designed specifically for artificial intelligence. The funding round was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Lux Capital, DCVC, Databricks, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, per Bloomberg. Rao also invested $10 million of his own funds on the same terms as other investors. The company is exploring a larger funding goal of up to $1 billion, according to TechCrunch. Bloomberg notes that Unconventional AI draws inspiration from biology, where living systems must operate within strict energy limits yet achieve high efficiency. Rao highlighted the human brain as an example, noting it can perform...
Paramount has placed an all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD). As AFROTECH™ previously reported, WBD had reached an agreement with Netflix to be acquired for a total enterprise value of $82.7 billion ( equity value of $72.0 billion). The deal would include Warner Bros.’ film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO, but not Discovery or its cable networks such as CNN and TNT, per NBC News. The deal was approved unanimously by both companies’ board of directors. However, for the acquisition to be finalized, it would require approval from the Justice Department’s antitrust division and, likely, the European Commission and other governments globally, notes NBC News. President Donald Trump has shared his thoughts on the matter, per the outlet, stating, “Well, that’s got to go through a process, and we’ll see what happens. They have a very big market share. When they have Warner Bros., that share goes up a lot.” Paramount has now also placed a bid to purchase WBD. According...
A major technology foundation is distributing funding to nonprofit organizations across the United States this year. According to a press release, the OpenAI Foundation announced $40.5 million in unrestricted grants to 208 nonprofits across the country. The awards support organizations working in AI literacy and public understanding, community innovation, and economic opportunity. Some of the grantees include STEM From Dance, which partners with schools, community centers, and youth programs to integrate dance and AI education for young girls of color across several states. Digital NEST in California is a workforce development nonprofit helping youth in agricultural communities gain career skills, mentorship, training, and paid work experience to thrive in the digital economy. 3 Dots Downtown, a community arts center in Pennsylvania, offers programs and workshops focused on AI literacy, art, and professional development. And Amigos Together for Kids in Florida supports parents and...
Free agent Odell Beckham Jr. is speaking out after comments he made about managing a five-year, $100 million NFL contract ignited conversation online. The wide-ranging discussion began in October during an episode of “The Pivot Podcast,” where Beckham outlined why a contract of that size may not last as long as it appears once expenses are taken into account. The wide receiver, who was drafted No. 12 overall by the New York Giants in 2014, went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and Las Angeles Rams. Beckham last played for the Miami Dolphins before he became a free agent in 2024. According to Spotrac, his total career earnings sit at $102 million. His podcast remarks resurfaced this week and drew reactions from fans, commentators, and former players. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Beckham posted a response to the attention on X. “Boy u can’t say nothin in this world nowadays, that’s why I been in my own lane my own world n put the way,” he wrote. “People love to take Shxt completely outta...
Americans may have to wait until next year to learn whether a proposed $2,000 tariff-funded dividend check becomes a reality, according to new comments from President Donald Trump. President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Nov. 17, that his administration is preparing for what he described as “dividends” tied to national tariff revenue, USA TODAY reports. He said the goal is to send “thousands of dollars” to Americans, estimating that the earliest timeline would be sometime around mid-2026. According to the outlet, during his conversation with the press, Trump said the government expects to start issuing payments “probably in the middle of next year, a little bit later than that,” adding that the proposed amounts would specifically support “moderate income, middle income” households. His remarks echo messaging he has repeated for months, including a Nov. 10 post on Truth Social where he said $2,000 checks would go to “low and middle income USA Citizens.” The idea...
Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has announced plans to invest at least $1 billion in Zimbabwe to develop large-scale projects in cement production, power generation, and fuel infrastructure. The announcement followed his meeting with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the capital of Harare, Reuters reports. According to Reuters, the Dangote Group’s planned investment includes a cement plant, a power generation facility, and a fuel pipeline. Business Insider Africa adds that the initiative represents one of Zimbabwe’s most significant private-sector commitments in recent years. Dangote said the timing reflects improvements in Zimbabwe’s economic environment under Mnangagwa’s administration. “Mnangagwa has turned the economy around,” he said, per the outlet. “That really gave us the confidence that this is the right time for us to come and invest.” This is not Dangote’s first attempt to establish operations in the country. In 2015, Dangote Cement...
AT&T will pay out $177 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over two customer data breaches revealed last year — and the deadline to file a claim is approaching, according to CNET. In one breach, which occurred in 2019 but wasn’t reported until March 30, 2024, hackers released sensitive information, including “a combination of names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, account passcodes, billing account numbers, and Social Security numbers,” on the dark web, according to the court-authorized settlement website managed by the Kroll Settlement Administration LLC. Another breach, disclosed on July 12, 2024, involved the illegal download of limited data on April 14, 2024, including customer details and phone numbers linked to affected accounts. The exposed information may have included call data of current and former AT&T customers, such as “the telephone numbers with which those customers interacted, counts of those interactions, aggregate call durations...