OpenAI is ending a pilot that let U.S. government agencies use its models for just $1 per year, according to a statement from the General Services Administration, or GSA. The company is moving to a usage-based pricing model instead. Under the new arrangement, federal workers will get access to the technology at 50% off standard pricing. OpenAI joined the GSA’s OneGov marketplace in August last year as part of a push to broaden adoption of its models across government procurement channels. Bloomberg had previously reported that the $1 annual term negotiated for the first year was the steepest technology discount ever secured by the government’s central purchasing arm. GSA also said that 3.5 million federal employees used OpenAI’s ChatGPT during the pilot period, generating $1.4 billion in cost savings.

U.S.-Canada trade tensions widened on Sept. 8 after President Donald Trump directed the General Services Administration and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to remove Canadian-origin goods from the federal government’s Multiple Award Schedule procurement lists. The move came shortly after Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products took effect and extends the dispute beyond import duties into government purchasing, a market that the report said channels more than $50 billion a year. According to BlockTempo, Trump described the decision on Truth Social as a way to end what he called a "Canada trade scam," arguing that Ottawa had long kept U.S. companies out of its own government procurement market while allowing Canadian firms to bid on U.S. contracts. The report said that, unlike tariffs, removal from the schedule affects supplier eligibility rather than pricing, which could make the damage harder to reverse because firms would need to go through a full qualification process again. The report also said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney framed Ottawa’s response as a reaction to unequal trade terms. Canada’s latest retaliatory package covers about C$27.6 billion in U.S. goods and took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 8. Looking ahead, Carney is expected to host a global investment summit in Toronto and then travel to Strasbourg to speak before the European Parliament as Canada seeks to reduce its dependence on the U.S.

Trump's national address on April 2 vowing to hit Iran 'extremely hard' reversed the previous day's de-escalation rally. WTI crude surged to $111.5, stocks fell, gold dropped 3%, and Bitcoin slid 1.6% to $67,024.

Amazon is in negotiations to acquire satellite communications company Globalstar for roughly $9 billion, aiming to boost its Amazon Leo satellite network against SpaceX's Starlink. Apple's 20% stake in Globalstar makes the deal contingent on Apple's approval, adding a key uncertainty. Globalstar's stock surged 20% after hours on the news.

Iran opened the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) X account on July 18, claiming exclusive control over the Strait of Hormuz. All vessels must obtain prior coordination or be deemed illegal. The post garnered 2.16M views in half a day, escalating geopolitical risks that could impact crypto safe-haven flows.

Goldman Sachs has filed with the SEC for a Bitcoin income ETF that uses a covered call strategy to generate option premium. The fund would offer BTC-linked exposure, but cap part of the upside during sharp rallies.

The U.S. SEC and CFTC are planning to relocate to the same office complex in Washington, D.C., aiming to enhance coordination without merging. GSA is involved, and relocation is not expected before 2027. This may impact crypto regulatory collaboration.

Oil prices crashed on hopes of a US-Iran peace deal, with WTI hitting $88.66. Iran then created the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to levy transit fees, sending Brent above $103. The market faces renewed geopolitical risk.