James Altucher:

Southwest Airlines Is Banning Humanoid and Animal-Like Robots From Its Flights After a Robot Flies to Dallas

Southwest Airlines is banning humanoid and animal-like robots from its flights, prohibiting the devices from both the cabin and checked baggage regardless of size or purpose.

Under the new policy, Southwest defines the two banned categories by function and form: robots built to look or move like humans fall under the "human-like" label, while those modeled on animals are classified as "animal-like." Robots that do not fall into those categories – toys included – can still be brought aboard, provided they are small enough for a carry-on bag and meet the airline's existing rules on batteries.

The policy change came two days after a humanoid robot named Stewie traveled aboard a Southwest flight from Las Vegas to Dallas Love Field. Rather than check Stewie as cargo, Aaron Mehdizadeh – who runs The Robot Studio, a North Dallas business that leases humanoid robots for events – purchased a separate passenger seat for the 3.5-foot machine, the same approach travelers sometimes use for delicate or bulky belongings.

The airline framed the rule as a safety matter, pointing to the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries – the type commonly used in humanoid robots. Southwest noted that such batteries have ignited onboard in the past.

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Enrique Abeyta:

Iran Pushes $10B Bitcoin Insurance Plan for Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has reportedly promoted Hormuz Safe, a Bitcoin-settled maritime insurance platform for cargo crossing the Strait of Hormuz, under a broader model Iran’s Economy Ministry has explored for the strategic oil transit route.

Fars, a state-affiliated Iranian news agency, reported Saturday that Iran’s Economy Ministry had been exploring the model since late April, with the plan allowing marine insurance policies and financial responsibility certificates that could generate more than $10 billion for the country.

The platform’s rules say it provides “fast and cryptographically verifiable insurance policies” for cargo moving through the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways, with payments “settled in Bitcoin” and coverage beginning from the moment of confirmation, per the report.

Over a month ago, Iranian officials reportedly sought Bitcoin payments from oil tankers seeking passage through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the fees would be harder to trace or seize under sanctions. That proposal was later followed by reports of scammers impersonating Iranian authorities and demanding Bitcoin or USDT from ships seeking transit clearance through the strait.

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Greg Guenthner:

“Crypto Is on Edge” As Bitcoin Dips Below $77,000 and ETFs See $1 Billion in Weekly Outflows

Bitcoin sank under $77,000 on Monday morning, its lowest level in two weeks as uncertainty about the war with Iran puts pressure on risk assets.

“Crypto is on edge. The current issue is not a lack of liquidity, but rather that capital is waiting for clearer direction from geopolitical developments, U.S. rate expectations, and upcoming regulatory signals,” Dean Chen, a Bitunix analyst, said.

Crypto liquidations reached over $724.4 million in the past 24 hours with bitcoin suffering over $202 million in liquidations, with the bulk of them – $177 million – in long positions, per CoinGlass.

Meanwhile, bitcoin ETFs also suffered a whopping $1 billion in outflows, the largest weekly exit since the last week in January, according to SoSoValue.

“The core question for the week ahead is whether ETF selling is a temporary rebalance after a strong run or the first sign that institutional allocators are fading the rally,” Timothy Misir, head of research at Blockhead Research Network, said, adding that when institutional participants reduce exposure near resistance, it can cap the rally even as on-chain activity improves.

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