Why it matters: From the Valley to D.C., Big Tech players like Facebook, Google and Amazon are under more scrutiny than ever as new technology develops and privacy and antitrust concerns grow in lockstep with companies’ ambitions.
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
In the past year as the pandemic raged on, some of the world's most valuable companies continued to grow and compensate their workers well above national medians – interns included.
Driving the news: Workplace review platform Glassdoor published its 2021 report today on the 25 highest paying U.S. internships.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Co-Star, the maker of an astrology app, has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Spark Capital, with Maveron, Female Founders Fund, and all existing investors also participating.
Why it matters: The company says it has more than 20 million app downloads without any real marketing efforts, and has been downloaded by a quarter of all young women ages 18-25 in the U.S.
Coinbase plans to go public on Wednesday, in a watershed moment for the cryptocurrency industry.
Axios Re:Cap speaks with Coinbase president and COO Emilie Choi about how she thinks about crypto, why Coinbase eschewed a traditional IPO and if we’re ever going to use bitcoin to buy a cup of coffee.
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Coinbase, the country's largest cryptocurrency exchange, is expected to go public today at what could be a valuation north of $100 billion.
Why it matters: This gives crypto a Wall Street seal of legitimacy, after an early existence marred by ties to illicit goods.
Image: Apple
Apple sent out invitations to the media on Tuesday for an April 20 event where it is likely to debut new hardware.
Why it matters: Apple has yet to introduce a number of products that have been long anticipated, including updates to the iPad as well as AirTags — small devices that can help keep tabs on physical objects.
Microsoft is trying to leapfrog competitors like Google and Amazon as they face record antitrust scrutiny.
The big picture: The deals Microsoft has been eyeing are larger than its usual targets and bigger than those of its competitors.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Facebook's independent Oversight Board said Tuesday that it will now begin accepting user appeals to remove other people's content from Facebook and Instagram.
Why it matters: Until this point, users could only appeal decisions for content they thought needed to be restored.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Grab, a Singapore-based "super app" maker, on Tuesday announced plans to go public in the U.S. via the largest-ever SPAC deal.
Why it matters: The deal is more than twice the size of the previous record-holder, United Wholesale Mortgages.
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Professional political trolling is still a thriving underground industry around the world, despite crackdowns from the biggest tech firms.
Why it matters: Coordinated online disinformation efforts offer governments and political actors a fast, cheap way to get under rivals' skin. They also offer a paycheck to people who are eager for work, typically in developing countries.