Worldline partnered with Japan-based Vesca to process digital payments, which can give it an early mover advantage as cashlessness grows.

Additionally, Japan, South Korea, and India are also planning their own lunar missions, per Bloomberg. At the same time, 19 countries have joined the US’s proposed Artemis Accords, which would govern lunar activities, including allowing nations to carve out designated areas as “safety zones,” per Bloomberg.

The big takeaway: US restaurateurs can look to Japan, which has struggled with high labor costs and worker shortages for years, for ideas on how to implement automation. Consumers there are accustomed to restaurants without any front-of-house workers, which could be a sign of what’s to come for US eateries.

State-owned entities in China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, and South Korea have exploration licenses from the ISA, per Salon. Why we’re watching this: The decision about whether to mine the oceans will have major implications for mineral resources used in batteries for EVs, renewable energy systems, and electronics.

Don’t confuse social commerce with ecommerce. Social media platforms will never be Amazon. While most traditional ecommerce purchases start with a product search—which requires intent—social media’s sweet spot lies in discovery.