DOJ Pushes For Google To Divest Chrome In Latest Antitrust Salvo

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 20, 2024

In a seismic shift for the tech industry, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is gearing up to request a federal court to compel Google to sell off its Chrome web browser. This dramatic move, reported by Bloomberg, marks a critical escalation in the ongoing antitrust battle against the search giant.

Chrome Divestiture: A Game-Changing Proposal

The DOJ’s recommendation to Federal Judge Amit Mehta, who previously ruled on Google’s search monopoly, aims to force the sale of Chrome – a cornerstone of Google’s multi-billion dollar advertising empire. This proposal comes after a summer 2024 ruling that found Google guilty of illegally maintaining a monopoly in the search market.

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Beyond Browser Sales: Additional Measures on the Table

Justice Department officials are not stopping at Chrome’s sale. They’re also pushing for Google to license Chrome’s data and results while giving websites enhanced control over their content’s use in Google’s AI products. These measures are designed to create a more competitive digital landscape.

Chrome’s Dominance by the Numbers

Chrome’s market supremacy is stark: it commands a whopping 66.7% of the browser market share, dwarfing competitors like Safari (18%), Edge (5%), and Firefox (3%). This dominance underscores the browser’s critical role in Google’s ecosystem.

The Financial Stakes

The potential sale of Chrome could significantly impact Google’s bottom line. Last quarter alone, Google’s core advertising business, deeply intertwined with Chrome, generated $65.9 billion – a substantial portion of the company’s $88.3 billion total revenue.

A Long Road Ahead

This latest development is part of a broader antitrust saga. Judge Mehta’s August ruling found Google guilty of anti-competitive practices through exclusive distribution agreements and inflated ad pricing. As Google prepares to appeal, the court is set to consider the DOJ’s proposed changes in April 2025, with a final decision expected by August 2025.

As this legal battle unfolds, the tech world watches with bated breath, potentially reshaping the digital landscape and setting new precedents for tech industry regulation.

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Bitcoin Surges 23% In A Week As Investor Optimism Returns

by News Editor

August 21, 2026

Bitcoin was on track for a weekly gain of around 23% on Friday as a series of positive macroeconomic and policy developments boosted investor sentiment.

The cryptocurrency was trading about 6% higher at roughly $77,000, up from around $62,800 at the start of the week. Crypto-related stocks also rallied, with Coinbase and Circle gaining more than 9%, while Strategy rose 7%.

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Macro Factors Fuel Rally

Bitcoin’s latest surge began Wednesday after Treasury yields fell sharply following a major intervention by the U.S. Treasury in the bond market. Lower yields eased pressure on risk assets and helped trigger a broader move into cryptocurrencies.

The rally was further amplified by a major short squeeze. Around $2.7 billion in crypto short positions were liquidated, according to CoinGlass.

Max Stuedlein, head of Partnerships at Sygnum APAC, said the move reflected an alignment of macroeconomic and policy catalysts, including the Treasury’s decision to increase buybacks of longer-dated government debt.

Clarity Act Boosts Sentiment

Investor confidence improved further on Thursday as the White House and crypto industry leaders made a final push to advance the Clarity Act in the coming weeks.

The legislation is widely viewed as a potential catalyst for the crypto market, although its chances of passing remain relatively limited.

Despite the rally, bitcoin remains well below its 2026 high of $94,820 reached in January and its all-time high of $126,198, set last October.

Analysts See More Volatility Ahead

Lucy Gazmararian, founder and managing partner at Token Bay Capital, said the crypto market may be approaching the end of its bear cycle.

She expects bitcoin could experience one more decline of around 20% before the market turns, pointing to historical cycles and the recent liquidation of heavily leveraged short positions.

Gazmararian also described bitcoin as a long-term hedge against monetary debasement, while warning that its short-term price remains highly volatile and driven by market cycles.

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