# Daily Fintech News — September 1, 2026

> Daily brief on markets, macro, banking, chips and AI infrastructure. Published September 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET by Daily Fintech News.

Canonical HTML: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01

**Entities covered:** Dell Technologies, Elon Musk, Palantir, United States, Meta Platforms, Apple Inc., OpenAI, Anthropic, Claude (AI), Donald Trump, Iran, Nvidia, Salesforce, Google, Alphabet Inc., China, SB Energy, Initial public offering, Z.ai, Hugging Face

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## 1. Dell delivers huge beat and raise on AI server demand
*Section: Earnings · Tickers: $DELL*

Dell reported record quarterly revenue of $47.0B vs $44.9B expected (+58% YoY) and adjusted EPS of $7.04 vs $4.91 (+203% YoY). AI server revenue hit $16.4B with $60.9B of AI server orders booked and AI backlog surging to a record $95B from $51.3B. Dell raised its FY27 revenue outlook sharply to roughly $192B.

- $DELL close: $425.00 (-6.80%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-1

## 2. Musk tells G20 that AI growth is now constrained by power, not chips
*Section: AI*

Elon Musk told the G20 the world faces an AI power crisis, citing a potential 15 GW shortfall by 2027 as AI chip production grows 40-50% annually while power outside China grows only 10-20%. He said digital AI could lift the global economy by $20T-$30T per year and become 'Stockfish-level' at software within 12-18 months, with physical AI/robots a bigger long-term driver.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-2

## 3. Two oil supertankers reportedly hit exiting the Strait of Hormuz
*Section: Markets*

Two oil supertankers were reportedly struck by unknown projectiles while exiting the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. The 10-year Treasury yield passed 4.8%, reaching January 2025 highs, and WTI crude surpassed $90/barrel for the first time since July 23.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-3

## 4. Bessent says Strait of Hormuz will be 'bypassed' within two years
*Section: Markets*

Treasury Secretary Bessent said oil will increasingly move through land pipelines instead of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a 'worthless piece of water' within two years. He said the U.S. has held private talks with China on Iran and that new bank sanctions on Iran are likely coming.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-4

## 5. Palantir wins new U.S. Army TITAN production contract
*Section: AI · Tickers: $PLTR*

The U.S. Army awarded Palantir a prime agreement to produce and deliver 8 new TITAN ground station systems (4 Advanced, 4 Basic). TITAN is the Army's next-generation AI/ML deep-sensing platform; Palantir serves as prime contractor overseeing manufacturing, delivery and software alongside partners including Anduril and L3Harris.

- $PLTR close: $179.92 (-3.47%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-5

## 6. Meta explores classifying AI glasses as an assistive device
*Section: AI · Tickers: $META*

Meta is exploring whether its AI glasses can be classified as an assistive device, a move that could allow Medicare and Medicaid coverage for eligible blind and low-vision users. Separately, Meta made Muse Voice Transcribe available through its model API at $3 per 1,000 audio minutes.

- $META close: $578.54 (+1.08%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-6

## 7. Apple claims OpenAI is destroying evidence in trade-secrets case
*Section: AI · Tickers: $AAPL*

Apple said in a court filing that OpenAI is actively destroying crucial evidence in a trade-secrets case. A forensic review of an Apple-issued MacBook used by a former iPhone engineer allegedly found evidence of unauthorized access to Apple's cloud storage and instructions for destroying evidence.

- $AAPL close: $325.13 (+2.61%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-7

## 8. Anthropic launches Claude Fable 5.1 and Mythos 5.1
*Section: AI*

Anthropic launched Claude Fable 5.1 and Mythos 5.1, positioning Fable 5.1 as its most advanced model yet for coding, knowledge work, long-running agents and scientific research. The biggest gains came in agentic and coding benchmarks, with a step-change in staying on task for hours and finding root causes.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-8

## 9. Options activity cools but mix stays heavily skewed toward calls
*Section: Markets*

The 5-day moving average of call volume fell to roughly 6.6M contracts, the lowest since early May and down 20% since mid-July, while put volume dropped to about 5.3M contracts. The equity call-to-put ratio climbed to 1.25x, near its highest level in 5 years.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-9

## 10. Chevron reportedly finalizing major expansion of Venezuela operations
*Section: Markets · Tickers: $CVX*

Chevron is reportedly finalizing a deal to significantly expand operations in Venezuela as part of President Trump's push to raise Venezuelan oil output, adding 2 giant Orinoco Belt oil fields and operating rights to fields holding billions of barrels. It is expected to be the largest of several coming agreements.

- $CVX close: $211.05 (+2.38%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-10

## 11. Most active options today led by NVDA, AAPL and TSLA
*Section: Markets*

The top 10 most active options by contracts traded were NVDA (2.5M), AAPL (2.1M), TSLA (1.8M), MU (838K), AMZN (665K), META (614K), SPCX (541K), INTC (508K), PCG (394K) and GPRO (372K).

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-11

## 12. Trump says U.S. is striking Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz
*Section: Markets*

Trump said the U.S. is currently striking Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, calling the strikes 'large and powerful' retaliation for Iran's attempt to place sea mines and for missiles fired at a U.S. base in Jordan. He said the Strait now has no mines and warned of harder strikes if Iran retaliates.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-12

## 13. Anthropic signs $35 billion cloud-computing deal backed by Nvidia
*Section: AI · Tickers: $NVDA*

Anthropic has signed a roughly $35 billion cloud deal with Nvidia-backed provider Lambda, with Nvidia itself holding the lease on a Texas data center being developed by bitcoin miner Hut 8 in Nueces County. It is another example of Nvidia using its financial muscle to lock in a major customer.

- $NVDA close: $217.44 (-1.51%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-13

## 14. Salesforce backs HR software firm HiBob at $3.2 billion valuation
*Section: AI · Tickers: $CRM*

Salesforce is taking a stake in HR-software company HiBob in a deal that values the startup at about $3.2 billion, extending the CRM giant's push to invest in fast-growing enterprise software businesses.

- $CRM close: $258.11 (+0.22%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-14

## 15. Fervo secures its largest-ever geothermal power deal, with Google
*Section: Data centers · Tickers: $GOOGL*

Geothermal developer Fervo Energy, which counts Bill Gates as an early backer and went public in a buzzy May IPO, signed its biggest-ever clean-power agreement to supply Google, underscoring how AI data-center demand is reshaping energy procurement.

- $GOOGL close: $335.02 (-1.28%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-15

## 16. China unlikely to match ASML's most advanced chip tool in next decade, UBS says
*Section: Chips · Tickers: $ASML*

UBS analysts argue China is unlikely to replicate ASML's top-end EUV lithography systems within the next 10 years, reinforcing the Dutch equipment maker's competitive moat in the AI-chip supply chain.

- $ASML close: $1665.14 (-1.82%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-16

## 17. Global chip revenue set to nearly double in 2026
*Section: Chips*

Industry forecasts point to global semiconductor revenue nearly doubling in 2026, driven by surging demand for AI accelerators and memory, a sign of how AI infrastructure spending is powering the chip cycle.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-17

## 18. Big Tech's earnings get a $160bn boost from gains on stakes in other AI companies
*Section: Markets*

Analysts say large paper windfalls on Big Tech's investments in OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX have added roughly $160bn to recent results, muddying how the sector's underlying earnings are read.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-18

## 19. SB Energy files for IPO with Nvidia backing
*Section: IPOs*

SoftBank-majority-owned SB Energy filed to list on Nasdaq under the symbol SBE, pitching its data-center power business as a 'neocloud' play; share count and pricing aren't set yet. Nvidia is backing the offering.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-19

## 20. Wafer, a non-Nvidia AI inference provider, draws acquisition offers at a $200M-plus valuation
*Section: AI*

Wafer, an inference startup running on non-Nvidia chips, has received acquisition interest valuing it at more than $200 million, a sign of dealmaking heat around AI-infrastructure providers.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-20

## 21. Chinese AI model firm Z.ai's API sales surge in the first half
*Section: AI*

Beijing-based Z.ai reported surging API revenue in the first half as it leads an intensifying price war among Chinese open-source AI model providers.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-21

## 22. Felix Pago raises $200 million to expand into financial services
*Section: Fintech*

Cross-border payments fintech Felix Pago raised $200 million to expand beyond remittances into broader financial services, one of the larger fintech funding rounds of the year.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-22

## 23. Palo Alto Networks issues profit outlook above Wall Street estimates on AI-security demand
*Section: Earnings · Tickers: $PANW*

The cybersecurity firm guided to adjusted EPS of $4.16 to $4.19 for the year, topping Wall Street's average estimate of about $4.11, as companies buy stronger defenses against AI-driven threats. Next-generation security annual recurring revenue also came in higher than expected.

- $PANW close: $362.09 (-5.24%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-23

## 24. Nokia to rejoin Euro Stoxx 50, replacing Volkswagen
*Section: Markets · Tickers: $NOK*

Index compiler Stoxx will add Nokia back to the Euro Stoxx 50 before the market open on Sept. 21, ending a one-year absence, as Volkswagen drops out amid the region's auto-industry troubles. Engie also joins the gauge while Wolters Kluwer exits.

- $NOK close: $9.93 (-2.07%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-24

## 25. AI startup Cognition set to raise around $1 billion at $47 billion valuation
*Section: AI*

Coding-agent startup Cognition is set to raise roughly $1 billion in a round valuing it at about $47 billion, a sharp markup that underscores continued investor appetite for AI-infrastructure and agent startups.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-25

## 26. Nvidia nears $14 billion Hugging Face deal this week
*Section: AI · Tickers: $NVDA*

Nvidia is nearing a roughly $14 billion deal involving AI model-hosting platform Hugging Face, expected to close this week, extending Nvidia's push to lock in strategic positions across the AI software stack.

- $NVDA close: $217.44 (-1.51%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-26

## 27. GoPro to be acquired in $285 million cash deal with AI hardware group
*Section: M&A · Tickers: $GPRO*

Action-camera maker GoPro agreed to be acquired for $285 million in cash by an AI hardware group after a decade-long decline, sending its shares up as much as 80%.

- $GPRO close: $1.23 (+40.41%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-27

## 28. Nvidia partner gets strong demand for rare GPU-tied loan in Asia
*Section: AI*

An Nvidia partner drew strong investor demand for an unusual GPU-collateralized loan in Asia, a sign of how AI chip supply is increasingly being used to secure financing across the data-center buildout.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-28

## 29. Activist pushes EPAM Systems for buybacks as AI hits its shares
*Section: Markets · Tickers: $EPAM*

Engine Capital is pushing IT-services firm EPAM Systems to launch buybacks, as investors bet that AI will erode demand for consultancies and software-services groups and weigh on their shares.

- $EPAM close: $116.34 (-1.26%)

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-29

## 30. AI data center spending to reach $32 trillion by 2050, PwC says
*Section: Data centers*

PwC projects cumulative global spending on AI data centers will reach about $32 trillion by 2050, underscoring the scale of the infrastructure buildout underpinning the AI boom.

Permalink: https://dailyfintechnews.com/brief/fintech/2026-09-01#item-30

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## Questions this brief answers

**How much did Dell Technologies raise?**

Dell reported record quarterly revenue of $47.0B vs $44.9B expected (+58% YoY) and adjusted EPS of $7.04 vs $4.91 (+203% YoY). AI server revenue hit $16.4B with $60.9B of AI server orders booked and AI backlog surging to a record $95B from $51.3B.

**What did Elon Musk announce on September 1, 2026?**

Elon Musk told the G20 the world faces an AI power crisis, citing a potential 15 GW shortfall by 2027 as AI chip production grows 40-50% annually while power outside China grows only 10-20%.

**What did Two oil supertankers reportedly announce on September 1, 2026?**

Two oil supertankers were reportedly struck by unknown projectiles while exiting the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. The 10-year Treasury yield passed 4.8%, reaching January 2025 highs, and WTI crude surpassed $90/barrel for the first time since July 23.

**What did Bessent says Strait of announce on September 1, 2026?**

Treasury Secretary Bessent said oil will increasingly move through land pipelines instead of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a 'worthless piece of water' within two years. He said the U.S. has held private talks with China on Iran and that new bank sanctions on Iran are likely coming.

**What did Palantir announce on September 1, 2026?**

The U.S. Army awarded Palantir a prime agreement to produce and deliver 8 new TITAN ground station systems (4 Advanced, 4 Basic).

**What did Meta Platforms announce on September 1, 2026?**

Meta is exploring whether its AI glasses can be classified as an assistive device, a move that could allow Medicare and Medicaid coverage for eligible blind and low-vision users. Separately, Meta made Muse Voice Transcribe available through its model API at $3 per 1,000 audio minutes.

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*Source: Daily Fintech News (https://dailyfintechnews.com). Attribution with a link to the brief URL is appreciated when quoted.*