WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: JPMorgan Rolls Out First Tokenized Money-Market Fund
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: The Wall Street Journal
Reporter: Julie Chang

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise rundown of the day’s top tech news. Key stories include JPMorgan’s launch of its first tokenized money-market fund, new insight into CEO spending on AI despite mixed results, and iRobot's bankruptcy announcement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. JPMorgan’s Tokenized Money-Market Fund

• Major Step into Crypto
  JPMorgan is launching its first tokenized money-market fund, called the “My Onchain Net Yield Fund.”
• Blockchain & Access Details
  The private fund operates on the Ethereum blockchain.
  • Only qualified investors can participate, with a minimum investment of $1 million.
  • Reflects a growing Wall Street interest in asset tokenization, especially since the passage of the Genius Act earlier in 2025.
• Industry Context
  • “Tokenized money market funds have become an attractive offering for crypto investors because they allow holders to earn a yield while their assets remain entirely on the blockchain.”
    — Julie Chang, [00:47]
• Trend Acceleration
  • This step is part of a broader and accelerating movement in asset tokenization among financial institutions.

2. CEO Sentiment on AI Investment

• Strong Commitment Despite Uncertain Returns
  • A recent survey by Teneo of over 350 public company CEOs shows robust intent to invest in artificial intelligence.
    • Stat: 68% plan to increase AI spending in 2026.
• Mixed Results So Far
  • Less than half of current AI projects have generated a positive return.
  • "CEOs of some of the world's largest companies are all in on AI despite seeing spotty returns.” — Julie Chang, [00:56]
• Where AI Is Working Best
  • Highest reported success in marketing and customer service applications.
    “Respondents reported the most success using AI in marketing and customer service.” — Julie Chang, [01:21]
• Areas with Challenges
  • Security, legal, and human resources still pose adoption challenges. “Challenges using it in higher risk areas such as security, legal and human resources.” — Julie Chang, [01:26]

3. iRobot Declares Bankruptcy

• Company Background
  • iRobot, known for the popular Roomba robotic vacuum, declared bankruptcy following years of financial difficulty.
• Competitive & Regulatory Pressures
  • Faced significant foreign competition.
  • Stock value dropped steeply after a planned Amazon acquisition fell through in 2024 due to regulatory intervention.
• Future Outlook
  • The company assures customers that product support and functionality will continue during restructuring.
  • “The company said it anticipates no disruptions to its product support or functionality while it restructures.” — Julie Chang, [01:41]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tokenized Funds:
  “Tokenized money market funds have become an attractive offering for crypto investors because they allow holders to earn a yield while their assets remain entirely on the blockchain.”
  — Julie Chang, [00:47]
• On CEO AI Spending:
  “CEOs of some of the world's largest companies are all in on AI despite seeing spotty returns.”
  — Julie Chang, [00:56]
• On iRobot Bankruptcy:
  “The company said it anticipates no disruptions to its product support or functionality while it restructures.”
  — Julie Chang, [01:41]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:11] — JPMorgan launches tokenized money-market fund
• [00:56] — CEO spending on AI: survey findings
• [01:32] — iRobot declares bankruptcy, maintains support
• [01:54] — Episode wrap

This Tech Minute spotlights the rapid advances and ongoing challenges shaping the tech industry—offering a window into Wall Street’s latest blockchain innovations, the evolving approaches to AI investment, and the pressures facing legacy tech companies.