🥁 Axios PM: The next chip crisis

⛷ Plus: 7 new Olympic events | Monday, January 31, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Circle   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Jan 31, 2022 Good afternoon: Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 497 words, a 2-minute read. 🥌 Axios Olympics page just went live.     1 big thing: The next chip crisis Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios   The global chip shortage is nothing compared to what could happen if a crisis hits Taiwan — the world's key maker of high-end microchips, writes Axios tech reporter Margaret Harding McGill. Right now, no U.S. company can manufacture the most advanced chips used in smartphones, laptops, servers, supercomputers, gaming consoles and other products. Most of the supply for those chips is made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). A Chinese ambassador to the U.S. recently called potential military conflict over Taiwan the "biggest tinderbox" between China and the U.S. The self-governing island also faces risks from earthquakes, flooding and climate change. Zoom in: Intel recently announced plans to invest $20 billion in two leading-edge chip factories in Ohio. And TSMC is building a facility to make its 5-nanometer chips in Phoenix. Al Thompson, Intel's VP of U.S. government relations, told Axios: "From a manufacturing and technological development standpoint, we're on track to be making leading-edge chips here within the next couple of years." Share this story.     2. 🐯 Year of the Tiger Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images Above: Worshippers burn giant joss sticks at a temple to mark Lunar New Year in Hong Kong. Feb. 1 begins the Year of the Tiger. The holiday is celebrated widely across Asia and by people of Asian descent in other parts of the world, and it comes with superstitions around wealth and luck, notes Axios Closer co-author Hope King. Cheat sheet: Don't clean your home during the first few days of the Lunar New Year — lest you want to sweep luck away. When in doubt: Wish anyone who celebrates good fortune — or "Hope you get rich." Photo: Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images Above: People visit a shopping mall decorated with lanterns ahead of the Lunar New Year in Jakarta, Indonesia.     A message from Circle The U.S. dollar could be the global currency of the internet     The race is on to establish the de facto currency of the internet, and the U.S. dollar can win. Here's how: USD Coin (USDC) is a privately issued dollar digital currency with nearly $50 billion in circulation and tenfold growth in 2021 that has the power to put the U.S. dollar ahead. Learn more.     3. Catch up quick The FDA fully approved Moderna's COVID vaccine, which will be marketed as Spikevax. Go deeper. The Georgia prosecutor investigating former President Trump asked the FBI to conduct a risk assessment of the county courthouse and government center in Atlanta following "alarming" comments by Trump during a rally this weekend. Go deeper. Gaming IP wars: Sony is buying Hal0-creator Bungie. That follows Microsoft's purchase of gaming giant Activision. And Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive is buying Zynga. Go deeper. The long-awaited "Partygate" report — on Boris Johnson's U.K. lockdown parties — was published today. The more serious allegations were withheld due to an ongoing police investigation, per the BBC.     4. 1 smile to go: 7 new Olympic events From left: USA's Hagen Kearney, Jarryd Hughes of Australia and Kalle Koblet of Switzerland compete in a snowboard cross championship in Sweden last year. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency/AFP   The Beijing Olympics, which open Friday, will feature seven new events in five sports, ​​reports Axios' Ivana Saric. Many of the new events are mixed. The advent of more mixed events is part of an effort to increase gender equality at the Games. Women's monobob Mixed relay in short track speed skating Men's big air freestyle Women's big air freestyle Mixed team freestyle skiing aerials Mixed team ski jumping Mixed team snowboard cross Go deeper: Details on the events and when they'll air.     A message from Circle Keep the U.S. dollar ahead in the digital currency race     Policymakers can ensure the U.S. dollar becomes the currency of the internet globally as foreign competitors emerge. Why it's important: The digital currency race is underway, and currencies like China's e-CNY are putting U.S. economic interests at risk. USD Coin can make an impact.   Like this email style and format? Bring the strength of Smart Brevity® to your team — more effective communications, powered by Axios HQ.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: