Technology
Bitcoin: The Past, Present, and Future
Bitcoin: The Past, Present, and Future
Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are topics that we have covered to a good extent here, including our history of the first five years of Bitcoin.
Today’s infographic covers some of the same essentials, but then goes on to also cover regulation of the cryptocurrency, recent events such as the Mt. Gox bankruptcy, as well as some interesting commentary.
One interesting point brought up for the future is related to quantum computing, which was explained also in a recent infographic. Quantum computing uses subatomic particles that can store information as a “1”, “0” or both simultaneously. If computers had this capability, breaking codes will be much simpler. This means the cryptographic infrastructure behind bitcoins and other currencies would have to be updated.
Lastly, in light of Ross Ulbricht’s recent sentencing, it is interesting to consider the role of cryptocurrency in future e-commerce including the lucrative drug trade. Along with other events, many considered the demise of the original Silk Road to be a catalyst that helped bring the value of bitcoins down from their peak. The theory was that without the Silk Road marketplace, there would be less trade, and therefore bitcoins would be less valuable.
However, since then, a new Silk Road was created (and later seized), and many other attempts to build better mouse traps on the Dark Web are underway. Some people say the current markets such as Agora are bigger than Silk Road ever was. In other words, bitcoins remain just as important to this commerce aspect, but lost some of the narrative associated with it.
Original graphic by: Stetson
Technology
All of the Grants Given by the U.S. CHIPS Act
Intel, TSMC, and more have received billions in subsidies from the U.S. CHIPS Act in 2024.
All of the Grants Given by the U.S. CHIPS Act
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
This visualization shows which companies are receiving grants from the U.S. CHIPS Act, as of April 25, 2024. The CHIPS Act is a federal statute signed into law by President Joe Biden that authorizes $280 billion in new funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors.
The grant amounts visualized in this graphic are intended to accelerate the production of semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs) across the United States.
Data and Company Highlights
The figures we used to create this graphic were collected from a variety of public news sources. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) also maintains a tracker for CHIPS Act recipients, though at the time of writing it does not have the latest details for Micron.
| Company | Federal Grant Amount | Anticipated Investment From Company |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Intel | $8,500,000,000 | $100,000,000,000 |
| 🇹🇼 TSMC | $6,600,000,000 | $65,000,000,000 |
| 🇰🇷 Samsung | $6,400,000,000 | $45,000,000,000 |
| 🇺🇸 Micron | $6,100,000,000 | $50,000,000,000 |
| 🇺🇸 GlobalFoundries | $1,500,000,000 | $12,000,000,000 |
| 🇺🇸 Microchip | $162,000,000 | N/A |
| 🇬🇧 BAE Systems | $35,000,000 | N/A |
BAE Systems was not included in the graphic due to size limitations
Intel’s Massive Plans
Intel is receiving the largest share of the pie, with $8.5 billion in grants (plus an additional $11 billion in government loans). This grant accounts for 22% of the CHIPS Act’s total subsidies for chip production.
From Intel’s side, the company is expected to invest $100 billion to construct new fabs in Arizona and Ohio, while modernizing and/or expanding existing fabs in Oregon and New Mexico. Intel could also claim another $25 billion in credits through the U.S. Treasury Department’s Investment Tax Credit.
TSMC Expands its U.S. Presence
TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor foundry company, is receiving a hefty $6.6 billion to construct a new chip plant with three fabs in Arizona. The Taiwanese chipmaker is expected to invest $65 billion into the project.
The plant’s first fab will be up and running in the first half of 2025, leveraging 4 nm (nanometer) technology. According to TrendForce, the other fabs will produce chips on more advanced 3 nm and 2 nm processes.
The Latest Grant Goes to Micron
Micron, the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory chips, is set to receive $6.1 billion in grants to support its plans of investing $50 billion through 2030. This investment will be used to construct new fabs in Idaho and New York.
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