Wessel van Rensburg
@wildebees.bsky.social
The digital policy strategist you didn’t know you needed—using terms like 'sovereign data assets' as casually as most would say 'hello'.
Also geopolitics, innovation, industrial policy.
Location: Den Haag 🇳🇱 From: 🇿🇦
Also geopolitics, innovation, industrial policy.
Location: Den Haag 🇳🇱 From: 🇿🇦
Pinned
Why stablecoins are Silicon Valley's Pandora's box
Stablecoins betray the essence of money itself: credit.
www.reaction.life
New essay ↓ with Andreas Dombret www.reaction.life/p/why-stable... #stablecoins
Stablecoins are Silicon Valley's Pandora's box. The Trump admin just signed the GENIUS Act, but the warnings should be louder.
Here's what everyone's missing about why stablecoins betray the essence of money itself 🧵
Stablecoins are Silicon Valley's Pandora's box. The Trump admin just signed the GENIUS Act, but the warnings should be louder.
Here's what everyone's missing about why stablecoins betray the essence of money itself 🧵
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Jefferies: Tether, which said it held 116 tons of gold in September, is "the largest holder of gold outside central banks", buying 26 tons in Q3 and 24 in Q2 (Bryce Elder/Financial Times)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
November 27, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Jefferies: Tether, which said it held 116 tons of gold in September, is "the largest holder of gold outside central banks", buying 26 tons in Q3 and 24 in Q2 (Bryce Elder/Financial Times)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
“Globsec, a Prague-based think tank, calculated there were more than 110 acts of sabotage and attempted attacks carried out in Europe between January and July, mainly in Poland and France, by people with links to Moscow.”
I hate that this is necessary, but it is. So it’s good that things are moving.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia
Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 11:40 AM
“Globsec, a Prague-based think tank, calculated there were more than 110 acts of sabotage and attempted attacks carried out in Europe between January and July, mainly in Poland and France, by people with links to Moscow.”
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
I hate that this is necessary, but it is. So it’s good that things are moving.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia
Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I hate that this is necessary, but it is. So it’s good that things are moving.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
“Ribera said the rules were a matter of sovereignty and should not be brought into the scope of a trade negotiation.”
Sovereignty has to be concrete, not rhetorical. As long as Europe’s critical infrastructure runs over US networks with built-in chokepoints, that leverage can always be used.
Sovereignty has to be concrete, not rhetorical. As long as Europe’s critical infrastructure runs over US networks with built-in chokepoints, that leverage can always be used.
Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks
Renewed U.S. pressure for the EU to recalibrate its digital rules is unacceptable, says Teresa Ribera.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
“Ribera said the rules were a matter of sovereignty and should not be brought into the scope of a trade negotiation.”
Sovereignty has to be concrete, not rhetorical. As long as Europe’s critical infrastructure runs over US networks with built-in chokepoints, that leverage can always be used.
Sovereignty has to be concrete, not rhetorical. As long as Europe’s critical infrastructure runs over US networks with built-in chokepoints, that leverage can always be used.
Thinking of UK’s failed Britishvolt, and Europes Northvolt, both which should have received more state and EU backing.
Let’s hope the Spanish at least learns a thinking or two from this FDI?
Let’s hope the Spanish at least learns a thinking or two from this FDI?
CATL started building Spain's largest battery factory on Wednesday, a €4.1bn project with Stellantis that highlights Europe's reliance on Chinese technology
The plant is backed by over €300mn in EU funds and expected to begin production late 2026.
The plant is backed by over €300mn in EU funds and expected to begin production late 2026.
China battery maker CATL breaks ground on Spanish plant, bringing its own workers
By Victoria Waldersee FIGUERUELAS, Spain (Reuters) -Chinese battery maker CATL started building Spain's largest battery factory on Wednesday, a 4.1-billion-euro ($4.8 billion) project with Stellantis
uk.finance.yahoo.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Thinking of UK’s failed Britishvolt, and Europes Northvolt, both which should have received more state and EU backing.
Let’s hope the Spanish at least learns a thinking or two from this FDI?
Let’s hope the Spanish at least learns a thinking or two from this FDI?
Europe’s recurring problem. Fragmentation
Ireland struggling with transformative therapy access, EU slides too: Fragmented markets, regulatory hurdles and slow uptake threaten Europe's ambitions to lead in life sciences by 2030
Ireland struggling with transformative therapy access, EU slides too
Fragmented markets, regulatory hurdles and slow uptake threaten Europe's ambitions to lead in life sciences by 2030
dlvr.it
November 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Europe’s recurring problem. Fragmentation
Our public sphere is very broken.
Most of the public think net migration increased last year, when in fact numbers halved.
New findings from the Ipsos/British Future Immigration Attitudes Tracker show that 56% of the public thinks immigration increased last year. Just 1 in 6 realise it was down
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
New findings from the Ipsos/British Future Immigration Attitudes Tracker show that 56% of the public thinks immigration increased last year. Just 1 in 6 realise it was down
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
November 27, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Our public sphere is very broken.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
November 27, 2025 at 2:30 AM
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
New HCSS report: Do alternative fuels belong on the battlefield?
Fuel has long enabled military power. But as Europe shifts from fossil fuels, can alternative fuels sustain or even enhance operational readiness?
Find our in new report by Irina Patrahau and Ron Stoop:
buff.ly/ULnYkwF
Fuel has long enabled military power. But as Europe shifts from fossil fuels, can alternative fuels sustain or even enhance operational readiness?
Find our in new report by Irina Patrahau and Ron Stoop:
buff.ly/ULnYkwF
European Military Fuel Readiness: The Role of Alternative Fuels in Military Logistics - HCSS
What does the energy transition in the military look like? The use of alternative fuels in the military brings challenges and opportunities, but while fossil fuels are slowly phased out, advanced and…
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
New HCSS report: Do alternative fuels belong on the battlefield?
Fuel has long enabled military power. But as Europe shifts from fossil fuels, can alternative fuels sustain or even enhance operational readiness?
Find our in new report by Irina Patrahau and Ron Stoop:
buff.ly/ULnYkwF
Fuel has long enabled military power. But as Europe shifts from fossil fuels, can alternative fuels sustain or even enhance operational readiness?
Find our in new report by Irina Patrahau and Ron Stoop:
buff.ly/ULnYkwF
“It has delivered a Budget that allows it to fight another day but shows no signs the government is strong enough or bold enough to do anything that might seriously upset anybody.”
Stephen is calling it - insufficiently brave to move the needle on the spending side, and pushing off the tax pain into the next election season. Ain’t gonna hold.
The second year of magical thinking: this evening's newsletter on the Budget:
November 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
“It has delivered a Budget that allows it to fight another day but shows no signs the government is strong enough or bold enough to do anything that might seriously upset anybody.”
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
GOLDMAN: “.. Since the Late 1990s, US Labor Productivity Has Grown More Than Twice as Fast as Other Advanced Economies” 🇺🇸
November 26, 2025 at 11:52 AM
GOLDMAN: “.. Since the Late 1990s, US Labor Productivity Has Grown More Than Twice as Fast as Other Advanced Economies” 🇺🇸
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Doesn't seem like great news for Germany
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
VW says it can halve EV development costs with ‘Made in China’ car
German automaker is seeking to reclaim share in the world’s biggest market
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Doesn't seem like great news for Germany
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
ASML incurred the wrath of the US in 2023 by selling more chip machines to China than agreed upon in a 'gentlemen's agreement' between the Netherlands and the United States. The Dutch government felt humiliated in front of the US and misled by ASML
‘ASML schond in 2023 herenakkoord tussen VS en Nederland’
Het Veldhovense bedrijf verkocht veel meer chipmachines aan China dan Nederland en de VS hadden afgesproken. De twee landen voelden zich misleid door ASML, zo blijkt uit een nieuw boek.
fd.nl
November 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
ASML incurred the wrath of the US in 2023 by selling more chip machines to China than agreed upon in a 'gentlemen's agreement' between the Netherlands and the United States. The Dutch government felt humiliated in front of the US and misled by ASML
"Approximately 30 percent of users have entered something in the “Info” field of their profile, and some reveal a lot: political views, sexual or religious orientation, confessions of drug abuse are found there, as are drug dealers who advertise their product range in this very field."
November 26, 2025 at 7:53 AM
"Approximately 30 percent of users have entered something in the “Info” field of their profile, and some reveal a lot: political views, sexual or religious orientation, confessions of drug abuse are found there, as are drug dealers who advertise their product range in this very field."
Polling showed just 31 per cent of Germans saw the US as a partner on “dealing with China”, down from 49 per cent a year earlier — even if 80% saw China as an economic threat.
EU ministers want to work with Trump on joint China policy. Its citizens aren't so sure...
My report on the yawning gap between EU governments' approach to Trump, China and the fascinating findings of a new survey out of Berlin
My report on the yawning gap between EU governments' approach to Trump, China and the fascinating findings of a new survey out of Berlin
EU ministers court Trump on joint China policy, even as public scepticism grows
European officials lobby American counterparts to ‘push back’ on Beijing together, while German poll shows wariness towards Washington.
www.scmp.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Polling showed just 31 per cent of Germans saw the US as a partner on “dealing with China”, down from 49 per cent a year earlier — even if 80% saw China as an economic threat.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Europe in dangerous territory. Putting democratic protections on the chopping blocks for trade concessions invites a slippery slope. Increasingly tariff negotiations cuts at the heart of European national security.
www.ft.com/content/5820...
www.ft.com/content/5820...
November 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Europe in dangerous territory. Putting democratic protections on the chopping blocks for trade concessions invites a slippery slope. Increasingly tariff negotiations cuts at the heart of European national security.
www.ft.com/content/5820...
www.ft.com/content/5820...
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’
Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’
“We can produce results that meet our quality standards without its assistance.”
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Lutnick paints changing EU digital rules as good for Europe, but clearly a US demand
"Our suggestion is EU deeply consider analysing digital rules, come away with a balanced approach that works with us. If they can come up with that, we'll together handle the steel & aluminium"
"Our suggestion is EU deeply consider analysing digital rules, come away with a balanced approach that works with us. If they can come up with that, we'll together handle the steel & aluminium"
November 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Lutnick paints changing EU digital rules as good for Europe, but clearly a US demand
"Our suggestion is EU deeply consider analysing digital rules, come away with a balanced approach that works with us. If they can come up with that, we'll together handle the steel & aluminium"
"Our suggestion is EU deeply consider analysing digital rules, come away with a balanced approach that works with us. If they can come up with that, we'll together handle the steel & aluminium"
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
(Once again) this is a Brexit reflection. ‘Global’ Britain was meant to mitigate losses from Brexit and surpass EU membership. That ‘vision’ was based on trade deals and liberalised ‘fair’ immigration. The latter is now being dismantled and the former relies on no defunct liberal multilateralism.
Trade folk (including myself) are unconvinced there is much of a growth dividend for Rachel Reeves from agreements with India, EU, and US. Just as there's no evidence of positive impact from independent UK trade policy since 2021. www.politico.eu/article/rach...
Rachel Reeves hopes trade deals can save Britain’s budget. Economists aren’t convinced.
With a difficult budget looming, the chancellor has increasingly turned her gaze overseas.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 8:18 AM
(Once again) this is a Brexit reflection. ‘Global’ Britain was meant to mitigate losses from Brexit and surpass EU membership. That ‘vision’ was based on trade deals and liberalised ‘fair’ immigration. The latter is now being dismantled and the former relies on no defunct liberal multilateralism.
The funds of course, but also being inside the EU has been of a huge benefit to Poland.
Over at the Daily Telegraph, they're scratching their heads as to why the former mining and steel producinv city of Gliwice in Poland is now 45% more prosperous than Darlington... and why it has new shiny infrastructure... without mentioning EU funds for urban and regional development...
November 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The funds of course, but also being inside the EU has been of a huge benefit to Poland.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
As US-China rivalry redefines economic warfare, Europe scrambles for its dictionary
My report on the EU's struggle to define economic security, even as it prepares to launch yet another economic security initiative...
My report on the EU's struggle to define economic security, even as it prepares to launch yet another economic security initiative...
As US-China rivalry redefines economic warfare, EU scrambles for its dictionary
The EU is preparing to unveil a new doctrine on economic security, but it’s a concept that officials and experts say has no clear definition.
www.scmp.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
As US-China rivalry redefines economic warfare, Europe scrambles for its dictionary
My report on the EU's struggle to define economic security, even as it prepares to launch yet another economic security initiative...
My report on the EU's struggle to define economic security, even as it prepares to launch yet another economic security initiative...
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
According to the Telegraph, the counterproposal submitted by Europeans follows the logic of the reparations loan:
"14. Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine."
"14. Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine."
November 23, 2025 at 6:54 PM
According to the Telegraph, the counterproposal submitted by Europeans follows the logic of the reparations loan:
"14. Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine."
"14. Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine."
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
The company essentially turned a dial that made ChatGPT more appealing and made people use it more, but sent some of them into delusional spirals.
OpenAI has since made the chatbot safer, but that comes with a tradeoff: less usage.
OpenAI has since made the chatbot safer, but that comes with a tradeoff: less usage.
November 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The company essentially turned a dial that made ChatGPT more appealing and made people use it more, but sent some of them into delusional spirals.
OpenAI has since made the chatbot safer, but that comes with a tradeoff: less usage.
OpenAI has since made the chatbot safer, but that comes with a tradeoff: less usage.
Reposted by Wessel van Rensburg
Satire can’t keep up with reality these days
November 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Satire can’t keep up with reality these days