TechCrunch Top 3

'Tokenmaxxing' is making developers less productive than they think: There's a lot more code — but it's a lot more expensive and requires a lot more rewriting. Read More

Blue Origin successfully re-uses a New Glenn rocket for the first time ever: It's a major milestone for the company's new mega-rocket system, putting it in position to challenge SpaceX's dominance of the global launch market. Read More

Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles exit OpenAI as company continues to shed 'side quests': Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles are leaving OpenAI as the company shuts down Sora and folds its science team, signaling a sharp pivot away from consumer moonshots toward enterprise AI. Read More

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Limited tickets available: StrictlyVC San Francisco

StrictlyVC kicks off the series in SF on April 30. Be in the room for unfiltered fireside chats on fundraising and AI accuracy with industry leaders like Forum AI founder Campbell Brown, Replit co-founder Amjad Masad, and more. Make high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited.

Sunday Must-Reads

The App Store is booming again, and AI may be why: New data from Appfigures shows a swell of new app launches in 2026, suggesting AI tools could be fueling a mobile software boom. Read More

Once close enough for an acquisition, Stripe and Airwallex are now going after each other: For most of its life, Airwallex and Stripe have mostly operated in different geographies, selling to different buyers. That's changing. Read More

Sources: Cursor in talks to raise $2B+ at $50B valuation as enterprise growth surges: Returning backers a16z and Thrive are expected to lead the round. Read More

Cracks are starting to form on fusion energy’s funding boom: Fusion startups and investors risk deepening fissures if some key disagreements aren't settled amicably. Read More

Hackers are abusing unpatched Windows security flaws to hack into organizations: A security researcher published details of three security vulnerabilities in Windows Defender, and the code used to exploit them. Now, hackers are taking advantage of the vulnerabilities in real-life attacks, according to a cybersecurity firm. Read More

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Momentum and deals start at Disrupt — Save up to $400 now

At Disrupt, founders find momentum, VCs discover their next investment, and operators take their next leap. October 13–15 in San Francisco, 10,000 tech leaders converge at San Francisco’s Moscone West to connect and hear from 250+ industry-defining voices across 200+ sessions. Save up to $400 on your pass. Or save up to 30% when you bring your community.

Disrupt 2026: Where deals and ideas ignite

Oct 13–15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, 10,000 founders, investors, and operators gather for high-signal insights, curated connections, and real momentum.

Last but Not Least

Sam Altman's project World looks to scale its human verification empire. First stop: Tinder.: World, which has raised eyebrows (but also a lot of interest) with its Orb-centered anonymous verification project, is looking to expand its influence via a bevy of new partnerships. Read More