Good Morning, Builders.

Today’s stories are about expansion and control: platforms trying to become destinations, regulators tightening the rules, and companies placing long-term bets that reshape entire industries. Let’s get to work.

Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, is pivoting into energy. They announced a $6 billion merger with TAE Technologies, a deal that would turn the combined entity into one of the first publicly traded fusion companies if it closes in mid-2026. Trump Media will bring capital and public-market access, while TAE contributes fusion tech it’s spent decades developing with backing from Google, Chevron, and Goldman Sachs. The merger splits ownership roughly 50–50 and signals a sharp expansion beyond social media into a sector long seen as high-risk, high-reward, and still years from commercial reality. (Independent)

OpenAI has launched an in-app app directory, effectively turning ChatGPT into a platform where developers can submit apps for review and distribution. After teasing the idea in October and rolling out early integrations with companies like Expedia, Spotify, Zillow, and Canva, OpenAI is now letting a much broader group of developers build directly into ChatGPT conversations. The pitch is simple: apps add context and action, letting users do things like order groceries, create slide decks, or apartment hunt without leaving the chat. Developers can submit apps through OpenAI’s platform and track approvals, with the first wave expected to go live over the next year. (TechCrunch)

Instacart just agreed to pay $60 million to settle FTC claims that it misled customers into paying more than expected, from advertising “free delivery” that still came with service fees to enrolling users into subscriptions that were harder to escape than advertised. The FTC says those tactics blocked refunds and blurred the fine print, while Instacart says it did nothing wrong and is ready to move on. Instacart is already under separate scrutiny for AI-powered pricing tools that reportedly charged different shoppers different prices for the same items, a reminder that as grocery delivery gets smarter, regulators are watching closely to make sure convenience does not come with invisible costs. (CNBC)

UPS-owned Happy Returns is rolling out an AI tool called Return Vision to help retailers spot fake returns, a problem that now hits nearly 1 in 10 refunds and costs the industry an estimated $76.5 billion a year. The system flags suspicious behavior early, like ultra-fast returns, linked email accounts, or mismatched items, then sends those packages for human review before refunds go out. Early tests with brands like Everlane, Revolve, and Under Armour show the tool is mostly catching subtle swaps, not obvious scams. Easy returns may keep customers happy, but without smarter controls, they can significantly narrow margins. (Reuters)

After years of political limbo, TikTok’s U.S. saga finally has an end date. ByteDance has agreed to sell TikTok’s U.S. business into a new joint venture controlled by American investors, a move designed to defuse long-running national security concerns and avoid a forced ban or breakup. The deal, expected to close January 22, would give firms like Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi–based MGX a combined 45% stake, effectively putting TikTok’s U.S. operations under American oversight while keeping the app alive for its massive user base. If it closes on schedule, it marks one of the most consequential tech divestitures of the decade and a rare geopolitical compromise in the global platform wars. (Reuters)

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