Banking & Payments Tech: Wells Fargo joined major U.S. banks building a shared tokenized deposit network run by The Clearing House, targeting a first-half 2027 launch for around-the-clock digital deposit transfers. AI & National Science: NIST and the DOE’s Office of Science signed an MOU under the Genesis Mission to speed AI-enabled scientific discovery in areas like biotech, quantum science, and materials design. Housing & Data Centers: A new NAHB report warns data centers are paying “impossible” land prices, squeezing homebuilders and worsening the affordable-housing shortage. Energy Markets & Geopolitics: Markets stayed buoyant as investors bet on possible Iran-Hormuz de-escalation, even as oil inventories and the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve remain tight. Agriculture as Security: EPA announced $30M for training and technical help to improve water quality in small/rural systems, including PFAS testing and lead line support. Corporate America: McDonald’s named Skye Anderson president of McDonald’s USA to push performance in a sluggish U.S. market, after executives blamed execution issues. Crypto & Real Estate: CryptEscrow partnered with First American Title to enable crypto-backed real estate closings via compliant crypto-to-cash settlement. Policy & Courts: New York AG Leticia James led a lawsuit challenging USDA SNAP rules that require longer U.S. residency for certain immigrants, arguing it would destabilize the program. Regulatory/Legal: The Senate advanced acting AG Todd Blanche’s nomination after he promised Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund is dead.