Microsoft Unveils 7 AI Models Beating Claude as Coinbase Backs GENIUS Act ETF

Microsoft used its Build conference to unveil seven proprietary AI models — led by MAI-Thinking-1 — positioning the company as an independent frontier-model builder competitive with Anthropic and Google. Microsoft reported MAI-Thinking-1 outperformed Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4.6 in blind tests and scored 97% on AIME 2025, while complementary models target coding, image, transcription and voice use cases. Separately, Coinbase announced an undisclosed investment in ProShares’ IQMM ETF, a short-term Treasury/cash-equivalent vehicle tailored for stablecoin reserve management under the GENIUS Act. Together, these moves reinforce institutional consolidation: Microsoft pushing vertically integrated AI stacks (potentially supportive for MSFT.OQ) and Coinbase backing regulated infrastructure for stablecoins, which could boost demand for reserve-focused funds. Regulatory rollout around the CLARITY Act remains a wildcard for crypto-market structure and institutional adoption.