Alphabet's AdTech Reforms and Stock Surge as Bitcoin Navigates Regulatory Landscapes

Alphabet Inc.'s Google has submitted a revised proposal to the European Commission to address antitrust concerns related to its dominance in the digital advertising market, while also unveiling new AI-driven features to enhance user engagement and privacy. The company aims to avoid a forced divestiture of its ad exchange business by offering concessions to publishers and advertisers, including increased interoperability of its tools and immediate product changes to eliminate conflicts of interest according to reports.

AdTech Reforms and Regulatory Scrutiny

Google faces intense regulatory pressure in both the European Union and the United States over its control of the adtech supply chain. The European Commission fined the company 2.95 billion euros ($3.4 billion) in September for favoring its own display technology services, which reinforced the central role of its ad exchange, AdX. The company has until November to submit measures to resolve these issues, with regulators suggesting a potential breakup if reforms fail according to reports.

Google's proposal mirrors its U.S. strategy, where the Department of Justice seeks a sale of AdX. The company argues that such a move would be technically unworkable and disruptive to publishers and advertisers. By introducing features like allowing publishers to set different minimum prices for bidders via Google Ad Manager, the company aims to demonstrate its commitment to fair competition according to reports.

AI Innovations and Privacy Enhancements

In a separate development, Google introduced a new system called Private AI Compute, designed to combine the power of its Gemini AI models with the privacy benefits of on-device processing. The system uses custom TPUs and Titanium Intelligence Enclaves to create a secure cloud environment where sensitive data is analyzed without exposing it to Google or third parties. This initiative follows Apple's similar efforts to integrate privacy-focused AI into cloud services according to reports.

Competing in the Visual Content Space

To challenge platforms like Pinterest, Google added a dedicated 'Images' tab to its mobile Search app, offering personalized visual inspiration for users. The feature allows users to save and organize images for creative projects, travel planning, and more. The tab also includes testing for an ads carousel, indicating Google's intent to monetize this new engagement surface according to reports.

Autonomous Mobility and Stock Performance

Alphabet-backed Waymo launched a driverless ride service in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, operating without safety monitors on highways. This expansion underscores the company's commitment to autonomous vehicle technology. Meanwhile, Alphabet's stock rose nearly 50% in 2025, with Wedbush analyst Scott Devitt maintaining an outperform rating and a $320 price target according to reports.