The artificial intelligence boom continues to reshape various industries, driving record growth in some sectors while prompting re-evaluations in others. Global semiconductor revenues, crucial for AI infrastructure, reached a record $795 billion in 2025, with projections nearing $1 trillion in 2026. Despite some market anxieties, Deutsche Bank has upgraded software stocks to an overweight rating, noting that fears about AI disrupting the sector have peaked, with earnings growing 29% in Q4 2025. Similarly, Evercore ISI analysts believe internet giants like Amazon and Meta Platforms are undervalued, seeing AI as a growth opportunity rather than a threat.
In the financial technology space, AI-driven platforms are gaining significant traction. Option Circle, for instance, secured $3 million in funding to commercialize its AI-driven autonomous trading platform, which adapts strategies to changing market conditions and has 38 patent applications. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency exchange Bitget launched Agent Hub, an AI trading platform where intelligent agents interact with live markets, executing trades across crypto and tokenized traditional assets. Bitget also reported an 86% increase in Bitcoin reserves by February 2026.
AI's role in defense is also expanding rapidly. Palantir Technologies is at the forefront, having secured a substantial $480 million contract for its AI platform Maven Smart System, with a potential $10 billion framework agreement with the U.S. Army. Rocket Lab Corporation also plays a key role, winning an $816 million contract to build 18 satellites for missile warning systems, highlighting the increasing reliance on AI software and autonomous systems in modern warfare.
Beyond finance and defense, AI is enhancing customer experiences and enterprise operations. Inditex, the parent company of Zara, reported a 9% sales jump, partly attributed to its AI-based Zara Try-on virtual fitting technology, which has been used over seven million times. In enterprise software, ServiceNow is showing strong growth, with its subscription revenue up 21% year-over-year in Q4 2026, and its AI initiative, Now Assist, surpassing $600 million in annual contract value. Salesforce's Agentforce also reached $800 million, indicating robust AI adoption in the sector. Agora has also launched AI voice agents for customer service and sales, capable of 24/7 automated support.
The underlying hardware and infrastructure are critical for supporting this AI expansion. Navitas Semiconductor introduced a 250 kW solid-state transformer demonstrator and new power solutions specifically for AI data centers. This innovation comes as the company aims for positive EBITDA in 2026, despite some market softness in other areas. The overall demand for AI processors and high-capacity memory solutions continues to fuel the semiconductor market's impressive growth.
Key Takeaways
- Global semiconductor revenues reached a record $795 billion in 2025, driven by AI infrastructure, and are projected to approach $1 trillion in 2026.
- Option Circle secured $3 million in funding to commercialize its AI-driven autonomous trading platform, which has 38 patent applications.
- Palantir Technologies won a $480 million contract for its AI platform Maven Smart System and has a potential $10 billion framework agreement with the U.S. Army.
- Bitget launched Agent Hub, an AI trading platform for cryptocurrencies and tokenized traditional assets, alongside an 86% increase in Bitcoin reserves by February 2026.
- Inditex (Zara's parent company) saw a 9% sales increase, partly due to its AI-based Zara Try-on virtual fitting technology, used over seven million times.
- Deutsche Bank upgraded software stocks to overweight, believing AI fears have peaked and that AI will lower programming costs and improve products.
- Evercore ISI analysts consider internet stocks like Amazon and Meta Platforms undervalued, viewing AI as a growth opportunity.
- ServiceNow's AI initiative, Now Assist, surpassed $600 million in annual contract value, while Salesforce's Agentforce reached $800 million, highlighting strong AI adoption in enterprise software.
- Navitas Semiconductor introduced new GaN and SiC power solutions and a 250 kW solid-state transformer demonstrator for AI data centers.
- Agora launched AI voice agents for customer service and sales, offering 24/7 automated support and achieving a 10% conversion rate for survey recruitment.
Option Circle raises $3M for AI trading platform
Option Circle, a financial tech company, has raised $3 million to advance its AI-driven autonomous trading platform. The funding, led by FinTech Ventures, will help commercialize the platform, integrate technology, and expand its market presence. Option Circle uses AI and machine learning to adapt trading strategies to changing market conditions. The company plans to use the funds to enhance its AI capabilities, grow its engineering and sales teams, and launch the platform to more traders.
Option Circle secures $3M for AI trading platform launch
Option Circle, a financial technology company, announced it has secured $3 million in new funding. This capital will support the commercialization, integration, and phased market deployment of its AI-driven autonomous trading platform. The investment round included Savoie Capital and Wagon Wheel Capital, among others. The funds will enhance system integration, execution governance, operational resilience, and support a controlled commercial rollout. Option Circle's platform is designed to detect market regime shifts and adapt trading strategies dynamically.
Option Circle raises $3M for AI trading platform
Option Circle, a financial technology company, has secured $3 million to advance its AI-driven autonomous trading platform. The funding will support commercialization, platform integration, and a phased market rollout. Investors include Savoie Capital and Wagon Wheel Capital. The company is developing a regime-based trading platform that adapts to market shifts, moving beyond static algorithms. Funds will enhance system integration, governance, and operational resilience. Option Circle has also filed 38 patent applications for its trading architecture.
Bitget boosts Bitcoin reserves and launches AI trading tools
Bitget reported significant growth in Bitcoin reserves and net inflows in February 2026. The exchange's Bitcoin holdings increased by 86% from early 2025 to late February 2026. Bitget also launched Agent Hub, an AI trading platform where intelligent agents interact with live markets. The platform uses AI to access market data and execute trades across crypto and tokenized traditional assets. Additionally, Bitget updated its mobile app to integrate crypto and traditional market instruments.
Bitget boosts Bitcoin reserves and launches AI trading tools
Bitget saw a significant rise in Bitcoin reserves and net inflows in February 2026, with Bitcoin holdings increasing by 86% to roughly 36,700 BTC. The exchange also introduced Agent Hub, an AI trading platform enabling intelligent agents to interact with live markets. This platform leverages AI for market data access and trade execution across cryptocurrencies and tokenized traditional assets. Bitget also enhanced its mobile app to display crypto and traditional market instruments together.
AI Defense Trade Led by Palantir and Rocket Lab
Modern warfare is increasingly reliant on AI software, satellites, and autonomous systems, with Palantir Technologies and Rocket Lab Corporation leading the charge. Palantir secured a $480 million contract for its AI platform Maven Smart System and has a potential $10 billion framework agreement with the U.S. Army. Rocket Lab won an $816 million contract to build 18 satellites for missile warning systems. Traditional defense companies like Lockheed Martin and drone maker AeroVironment are also benefiting from increased defense spending in these advanced technology areas.
Zara owner Inditex sales jump with AI virtual fitting rooms
Inditex, the parent company of Zara and other fashion brands, reported a 9% increase in sales between February and March 8, 2026. The company's pre-tax profit rose by 5.8% to eight billion euros. Inditex has implemented AI-based virtual fitting technology called Zara Try-on, allowing customers to create avatars and see how products look on them. This technology has been used over seven million times in 43 markets. Inditex is also improving store quality and using new security technology to deter shoplifters.
Deutsche Bank bullish on software stocks as AI fears peak
Deutsche Bank has upgraded software stocks to an overweight rating, believing that fears about artificial intelligence disrupting the sector have peaked. The bank's strategists noted that software companies' earnings are growing, contradicting concerns about AI's negative impact. They highlighted that U.S. software companies' earnings grew 29% year-over-year in Q4 2025, with positive expectations for 2026. Deutsche Bank suggests investors are undervaluing these stocks, as AI is also expected to lower programming costs and improve products.
Navitas Semiconductor launches AI power and transformer products
Navitas Semiconductor announced a 250 kW solid-state transformer demonstrator and new GaN and SiC power solutions for AI data centers. These products come after a significant 241.73% increase in shareholder return over the past year, though recent returns show a slight cooling. The company's EV pipeline and design wins are expected to boost automotive sector revenue by 2026. Navitas is also focusing on cost reduction to improve net margins and achieve positive EBITDA in 2026, despite current softness in EV and solar markets.
AI boom drives record $795B semiconductor sales in 2025
Global semiconductor revenues reached a record $795 billion in 2025, driven by high demand for AI infrastructure and data centers. Fourth-quarter revenues alone climbed to $238.9 billion, a 38.4% increase from the previous year. The computer segment, especially for AI applications, saw over 60% growth. Asia Pacific led regional expansion with over 45% growth. Logic and memory chips were key drivers, with AI processors and high-capacity memory solutions in high demand. The market is expected to approach $1 trillion in 2026.
Agora launches AI voice agents for customer service
Agora has launched AI voice agents designed for customer service and sales applications. The platform includes Agent Studio for building agents, a Conversational AI Engine, and real-time network infrastructure to minimize latency. These AI agents can handle routine inquiries like appointment reminders and billing questions, providing 24/7 automated support. For sales, they can assist with debt collection, lead qualification, and surveys. FasesBI reported a 10% conversion rate using Agora's voice AI for survey recruitment.
Internet stocks like Amazon, Uber are buys after AI fears
Evercore ISI analysts believe internet stocks such as Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Uber Technologies are undervalued due to overblown fears about artificial intelligence and geopolitical risks. Analyst Mark Mahaney argues that while AI will change the internet, it also creates growth opportunities, and companies are well-positioned to adapt. He also suggests geopolitical risks are overstated for the globally diversified internet industry. The current selloff presents a buying opportunity for these stocks, which are trading at attractive valuations.
ServiceNow stock a better buy than Salesforce
ServiceNow is presented as a better investment than Salesforce due to its faster growth and more attractive valuation. ServiceNow's subscription revenue grew 21% year-over-year in Q4 2026, with guidance suggesting even faster growth. Salesforce's organic revenue growth has slowed to the high single digits. Both companies are seeing success with AI initiatives, with ServiceNow's Now Assist surpassing $600 million in annual contract value and Salesforce's Agentforce reaching $800 million. ServiceNow's stock trades at a lower forward price-to-earnings and price-to-sales ratio.
Sources
- Option Circle Secures $3 Million to Advance Its AI-Driven Autonomous Trading Platform
- Option Circle Secures $3 Million to Advance Its AI-Driven Autonomous Trading Platform
- Option Circle: $3 Million Raised For AI-Driven Autonomous Trading Platform
- Bitget boosts Bitcoin reserves & unveils AI trading push
- Bitget boosts Bitcoin reserves & unveils AI trading push
- Palantir, Rocket Lab Lead AI Defense Trade — 2 More Stocks - Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR), Rocket
- Sales jump for Zara owner Inditex as it taps into AI for virtual changing rooms
- Software stocks are a buy as AI fears have peaked, Deutsche Bank says
- A Look At Navitas Semiconductor (NVTS) Valuation After New AI Power And Solid State Transformer Products
- AI boom pushes global semiconductor sales to record $795
- Agora launches AI voice agents for customer service and sales
- Amazon, Uber, and Other Internet Stocks Look Too Cheap After AI and Iran Worries
- Salesforce vs. ServiceNow: Which AI Stock Is a Better Buy?
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