Financial mogul Donald Trump reportedly has a new billionaire ally.

In the world of tech and finance, there are several noteworthy developments that have caught the attention of investors and observers alike. Let's delve into some of these intriguing stories.

Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank, has been maintaining a unique relationship with former US President Donald Trump, extending beyond investments and business support. This bond is evident in strategic moves such as Son's aid to Intel, a struggling chip company, which not only benefits the tech giant but also serves to preserve Son's favourable ties with Trump.

Meanwhile, in the realm of cryptocurrencies, Venezuela stands out as a country where digital currencies are increasingly being used as an alternative to the struggling national currency, the bolívar. Chainanalysis reports a staggering 110% surge in crypto usage in Venezuela over the past year, with cryptocurrencies appearing in neighbourhood stores, retail chains, rent payments, and various transactions. However, this widespread use poses challenges to the Venezuelan economy, as more transactions occur outside of regulators' oversight.

Nvidia, a tech giant in the artificial intelligence sector, recently reported a solid earnings report, with a 56% year-on-year increase in revenue, slightly above estimates. Despite this positive news, Nvidia's shares fell in after-hours trading on Wednesday, indicating investor nervousness.

In the UK, the trend of appointing external CEOs in companies has been on the rise. The 25x25 initiative found that failures in succession planning could present a risk to the broader economy. In the first quarter of 2023, more than half of FTSE 100 companies appointed external candidates as their new CEO, a figure higher than in rival markets such as the S&P 500 and Germany's DAX.

SoftBank, under Son's leadership, is concentrating a lot of its investment firepower in AI and the United States. Son's recent investments in the US are part of a US dealmaking spree that has turned him into an unofficial diplomat between Washington and Tokyo. His relationship with Trump is seen as an asset to the Japanese, as Son is able to help with US-Japan relations.

Son is also involved in the OpenAI investment and has pushed SoftBank to buy $2bn worth of Intel stock. He has designs on Intel's foundry business, which would make semiconductors, and on the Stargate Project, a 500bn data centre build out with OpenAI and Oracle.

Interestingly, Son is viewed as someone who filters some of the conversations between Tokyo and Washington, and is outside of the norms of Tokyo in the way he operates. Japanese diplomats are intrigued and keen to take advantage of the relationship between Son and Trump, but also wary and frustrated because Son is seen as a gatekeeper.

Lastly, the Venezuelan government's attitude towards cryptocurrencies has shifted from promotion to crackdown, regarding them as a method for corruption within the government. Despite this, the government's oil-backed cryptocurrency, the Petro, still exists as a potential future development.

These stories highlight the dynamic interplay between technology, finance, and politics on a global scale. As these trends continue to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how they shape the future of our interconnected world.