[JPMorgan Research Report Indicates Comprehensive Upward Revision in Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Demand, Industry Shifts to Dual Growth in Price and Volume] According to TrendForce Research, JPMorgan's research report on August 17 pointed out that TSMC has raised its 2026 capital expenditure to $64 billion, Intel to $20 billion, and SK Hynix plans 40 trillion KRW. Tokyo Electron has revised its 2026 WFE (Wafer Fab Equipment) outlook to over $150 billion and 2027 to over $190 billion. Screen Holdings expects WFE growth of over 20% in 2026, reaching at least $140 billion. AXT is transitioning its InP substrate production capacity to 6 inches, receiving five-year contract requests and prepayments from customers. Samsung plans to include 60% to 70% of its capacity under LTAs (Long-Term Agreements), SK Hynix has signed 10 agreements, and SanDisk has signed 8 agreements. The report concludes that the semiconductor equipment and materials cycle is shifting from volume expansion to dual drivers of volume and price, with Japanese semiconductor and tech material companies likely to become major beneficiaries.

According to Digital Asset, the South Korean Broadcasting and Communications Commission determined on August 18th that the prediction market platform Polymarket provides channels for illegal gambling and decided to take access blocking measures against it.

[Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court Clarifies Criminal Liability for Telecom Fraud Traffic Drivers, Principal Offender Sentenced to 13 Years] On August 18, the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court announced a case involving telecom network fraud with virtual currency settlements, clarifying the criteria for determining the complicity of traffic drivers in telecom fraud. The defendant in the case assisted an overseas fraud organization in conducting traffic-driving activities, resulting in victims being defrauded of over 2.34 million yuan. The principal offender was sentenced to 13 years in prison and fined 300,000 yuan. The Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court stated that whether traffic drivers constitute accomplices to fraud or the crime of illegally using information networks depends on whether they formed a criminal intent connection and stable collaborative division of labor with upstream fraud groups. Judicial practice should comprehensively consider the role of traffic drivers in the criminal chain, their profit methods, and abnormal behaviors, distinguishing general network services from conspiratorial fraud activities.

BBX News: BBX has launched the perpetual contract of meme "$Niu Lai" on August 18th at 11:00 (UTC+8), and it is currently open for trading. $Niulai "is a Meme asset formed around the current popular Chinese internet culture narrative. Transaction link: https://dex.bbx.com/en/futures/trade/niulai_usdt Source: bbx.com

Decred announced on the X platform that a security vulnerability has been discovered in the Decred network, and a patch will be released on the evening of August 18th (UTC+8). The official recommendation is for users to pause voting and mining operations before upgrading. The official announcement will be released synchronously after the patch is launched.