America’s biggest crypto companies are riding high. Plus, can the left reclaim techno-optimism?

Hello, and welcome to TechScape. In this week’s edition, the crypto industry’s political investments pay off in spades, the left attempts to reclaim an optimistic view of our shiny technological future, and your memories of Skype.

SpaceX’s Starship explodes in second failure for Elon Musk’s Mars program

Musk tells Republicans he isn’t to blame for mass firings of federal workers

Musk survives as fellow of Royal Society despite anger among scientists

White House to overhaul $42.5bn Biden-era internet plan – probably to Musk’s advantage