According to PANews, Tether's CEO, Paolo Ardoino, has expressed his interest in collaborating with one of the Big Four accounting firms. These firms include Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG. However, Ardoino has acknowledged that these firms may be hesitant to work with Tether due to concerns about potential damage to their reputation. Despite this, Ardoino has stated that securing a partnership with one of these prestigious accounting firms is a 'top priority' for Tether. This move is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the credibility and transparency of the company. The CEO's comments come amidst growing scrutiny of Tether's operations and financial practices. It remains to be seen whether any of the Big Four will be willing to take on Tether as a client. The potential partnership would undoubtedly be a significant development in the cryptocurrency industry, given the size and influence of these accounting firms. However, the concerns about reputational risk highlight the challenges that cryptocurrency companies face in gaining acceptance in the traditional financial world.

According to Foresight News, the Uniswap Foundation has announced that the Uniswap v4-core (PoolManager) is about to enter a code freeze period. The v4 functionality will be considered complete, with no further additions, rebuilds, or significant changes, such as removing hook permissions or implementing dynamic fees. Once the code freeze is in place, developers will be able to implement hooks, create interfaces, implement position management with other external contracts, and write code that can be used for production without the need for forced reconstruction. In addition, after the code freeze, the core contract will enter the audit stage. It is expected that v4 will be deployed later this year.

According to Foresight News, Lambda Finance, a stablecoin project in the Bitcoin ecosystem, has successfully raised $1.8 million in an angel round of funding. The round saw participation from several notable investors including Michael Egorov, the founder of Curve, Hashcow Group, and AladdinDAO. Further details about the funding round or the plans for the utilization of the funds were not disclosed.

According to BlockBeats, Particle Network announced on April 18th that MERL shares on Merlin Chain's People's Launchpad will be open for claiming from the next day at 12 PM Beijing time. Users who participate in the Launchpad and acquire MERL will need to claim their shares in six installments over a six-month period. The shares will be released in the order of 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.125%, and 3.125%. This announcement by Particle Network indicates a structured approach to the distribution of MERL shares, ensuring a gradual release over a period of six months. This method of distribution allows for a balanced and fair allocation of shares to all participants in the Launchpad. The Merlin Chain's People's Launchpad provides a platform for users to participate in and benefit from the growth of the Merlin Chain. The availability of MERL shares for claiming is a significant step in the growth and development of the Merlin Chain, providing opportunities for users to become part of this expanding network.

According to Foresight News, Particle Network, a modular public chain, has announced that the first Launchpad event for MERL claims will commence at 12:00 Beijing time on April 19. The announcement further stated that MERL can only be claimed six times within six months, and will be released in proportions of 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.125%, and 3.125%. The Particle Network's decision to stagger the release of MERL claims is a strategic move that aims to ensure a smooth and orderly distribution process. This announcement marks a significant milestone for the Particle Network as it continues to expand its operations and services.

According to Foresight News, Lido has announced the release of a dual governance interpreter on its forum. The temperature check snapshot vote is scheduled to go live on April 18. If the vote passes, it is expected to deploy a test network in the third quarter and a main network in the fourth quarter. The dual governance system allows stETH holders to delay any proposed changes to the Lido protocol in the worst-case scenario until they fully withdraw ETH from the protocol. The goal of dual governance is to prevent LDO holders from changing the protocol's social contract with stETH holders without their consent. In July 2023, Foresight News reported that according to Decrypt, Lido DAO contributor Marin Tvrdić stated during the EthCC event that Lido DAO members are pushing for a dual governance model. This model would give veto power over governance proposals approved by LDO holders to Lido users who stake Ethereum and hold stETH.

On Apr 18, 2024, 15:10 PM(UTC). According to Binance Market Data, Bitcoin has crossed the 64,000 USDT benchmark and is now trading at 64,000.738281 USDT, with a 4.80% increase in 24 hours.

Binance Megadrop represents a groundbreaking initiative by Binance, combining the Binance Simple Earn and Binance Web3 Wallet for an innovative token launch platform. This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to understanding and participating in Binance Megadrop, helping you to gain early access to promising Web3 projects and earn substantial rewards. What is Binance Megadrop? Binance Megadrop is designed to reinvent the traditional airdrop experience. By integrating key features of Binance’s services, Megadrop allows participants to access new tokens and engage deeply with the emerging Web3 ecosystem. This platform not only offers a unique blend of education and rewards but also enhances user interaction within the crypto community. Why Choose Binance Megadrop? Advantages for BNB Holders and New Users Binance Megadrop offers dual benefits, acting as a catalyst for both passive income and educational growth within the cryptocurrency space. This innovative platform allows participants to enjoy the advantages of Launchpool while engaging with Megadrop activities. For BNB holders, it's an excellent avenue for securing consistent new token rewards as a token of appreciation for their long-standing support. Opportunities for Non-BNB Holders Importantly, Megadrop is inclusive, extending opportunities to those who previously could not participate in Launchpool due to not holding BNB. Through engaging with tasks in the Binance Web3 Wallet, users can earn new currency rewards, bridging the gap between simple token holding and active participation. Educational Benefits and Web3 Engagement Furthermore, Binance Megadrop and Launchpool collectively encourage users to deepen their understanding of Web3 technologies. By participating in various tasks, users not only stand to gain new currency income but also acquire valuable knowledge about the evolving Web3 space. This approach aligns with Binance's commitment to fostering a knowledgeable and empowered user base.   Eligibility and Participation To participate in Megadrop, users must be from an eligible jurisdiction. Note that while Binance strives to make its services globally accessible, certain restrictions apply due to regulatory variations. If you find yourself restricted from one feature, you might still participate through other functionalities like the Web3 Wallet quests or by locking your BNB in Binance Earn. How to Participate: Log into your Binance account and navigate to the Megadrop section via the "More" menu. Explore available projects, select one to view its details, and engage in various quests to earn points. Check your eligibility and possible restrictions based on your jurisdiction. Earning Points and Rewards Megadrop offers multiple ways to accrue points that translate into rewards: Lock BNB: Subscribe your BNB to Locked Products, with different subscription periods affecting your score. Complete Web3 Quests: Engage with specific tasks using your Binance Web3 Wallet to earn additional points. The total score that determines your rewards considers both the amount of BNB locked and your activity in completing Web3 quests. Reward Distribution Your Megadrop rewards are calculated based on your total score in comparison to all participants. Rewards are distributed to your Spot Wallet after the participation period ends, reflecting your engagement and investment in the platform. Megadrop Versus Launchpool While both platforms offer benefits for locking BNB, Megadrop is distinct in its integration with the Binance Web3 Wallet and its focus on new token launches. Participation in Megadrop can also count towards Launchpool rewards, making it a versatile choice for maximizing returns on your crypto holdings.

On Apr 18, 2024, 14:15 PM (UTC). According to Binance Market Data, BNB has crossed the 550 USDT benchmark and is now trading at 550 USDT, with a 2.79% increase in 24 hours.

Binance aims to democratize the cryptocurrency project launch process with its unique 'Megadrop' platform, as confirmed by co-founder He Yi at the recent Binance Chinese Meetup in Dubai. The platform is designed to provide a level playing field for promising projects, aside from the titan projects, and accommodate user participation. The innovative framework requires participants to provide genuine accounts and addresses that have passed the KYC process. In doing so, Binance foresees the creation of more opportunities for its network of users. 

He Yi, the co-founder of Binance, dispelled concerns over the regulatory status of Binance's co-founder, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), in the United States during the Binance Chinese Meetup held in Dubai. Yi elaborated that CZ's current standing in the US is largely peaceful and past regulatory pressures have been internally anticipated. She believes the existing situation to be the most optimal outcome given the circumstances

He Yi, the co-founder of Binance, clarified Binance's position on cryptocurrency track listing during the "Binance Clubhouse" event on April 18th. In response to a question about whether Binance exhibits any preference in terms of a currency's listing track, He Yi stressed that Binance does not favor any particular track and maintains a stance of neutrality.

On Apr 18, 2024, 12:31 PM (UTC). According to Binance Market Data, Bitcoin has dropped below 62,000 USDT and is now trading at 61,930.011719 USDT, with a 0.85% decrease in 24 hours.

On Apr 18, 2024, 11:26 AM (UTC). According to Binance Market Data, Bitcoin has crossed the 63,000 USDT benchmark and is now trading at 63,008.578125 USDT, with a 0.04% decrease in 24 hours.

According to Foresight News, blockchain interoperability developer Union Labs is planning to integrate with AggLayer to facilitate interoperability between the Polygon and Cosmos ecosystems and their Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC). AggLayer is a blockchain aggregation layer launched by Polygon Labs this year, with a focus on unifying liquidity. In November 2023, Union Labs secured $4 million in seed funding, led by Galileo, Semantic Ventures, Tioga Capital, and Nascent. Other investors included Lightshift and Chorus One. Union Labs plans to launch its mainnet later this year.

According to CryptoPotato, the meme coin sector has experienced a significant downturn, with its market cap decreasing by approximately 5% in the last 24 hours. Despite this, the upcoming Bitcoin halving could potentially trigger a rally, offering a potential rebound for meme coins due to their volatility and tendency to follow Bitcoin's price trends. The cryptocurrency market has been undergoing a severe correction in recent days, with Bitcoin briefly dropping to $60,000 and Ethereum dipping below the $3,000 level. The meme coin sector has been hit even harder, with its market cap losing around 5% in the past 24 hours, currently standing at approximately $47 billion. Leading assets such as Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have seen weekly decreases of 27% and 22% respectively. Other meme coins, including Dogwifhat, Pepe, Floki Inu, and Bonk Inu, have also experienced double-digit drops. However, Solana-based meme coins Slerf and Cat in a Dogs World have not seen such significant drops. Earlier this week, Cat in a Dogs World saw a 100% daily price spike, with its market capitalization briefly exceeding $500 million. Despite the current negative trends, traders should remember that the meme coin sector is highly volatile and could see a resurgence in the near future. One key factor that could fuel a substantial revival is the upcoming Bitcoin halving. This event, during which miners will start receiving half the amount of Bitcoin for validating blocks on the blockchain, is scheduled for April 19. Historically, the halving has been followed by a massive bull run for Bitcoin and the entire market, with many analysts expecting a similar scenario in the coming months. This could result in a rally for numerous altcoins and meme coins, as they often follow the price trajectory of Bitcoin.

According to Blockworks, EigenLayer, with over $12 billion in total value locked (TVL), launched its mainnet last week, bringing its vision of a restaking ecosystem on Ethereum closer to reality. The launch, however, came with slashing and in-protocol payments disabled, as the protocol aims to allow the marketplace to 'develop and stabilize'. This move has left potential restakers, validators, and actively validated service (AVS) operators uncertain about the potential risks the protocol could pose in the future. In a recent report, Ethereum node operator Chorus One attempted to predict some of these risks. The report suggests that EigenLayer could face pressures towards centralization, which could potentially lead to far-reaching black-swan events within Ethereum. The most catastrophic event speculated is a slashing cascade, which occurs when an operator running one of EigenLayer’s AVSs is penalized, leading to a portion of their stake being confiscated. If a significant amount of ether is locked in EigenLayer and a large operator suffers a major slashing event, it could lead to a cascade of slashing damage. In a worst-case scenario, this could compromise the security of the Ethereum network. However, the report also notes that slashing on Ethereum is somewhat rare and most slashing scenarios are caused by human error. Another potential negative outcome of EigenLayer’s launch, according to the Chorus One team, is centralization. On EigenLayer, AVSs can choose which operators to work with. Chorus One predicts AVSs will pick the operators with the largest amount of pooled security to offer, which will be professional node operators and liquid restaking projects. This could lead to big operators benefiting from economies of scale to achieve higher margins, causing their portion of the total supply to grow further. The report also highlights the unpredictable nature of the yield generated by AVSs. While running AVSs on testnet, Chorus One found hidden costs from things like data storage or cloud computing, which could make margins slim for running some AVSs. Despite these potential risks, Chorus One continues to draw delegations as it grows its presence as an EigenLayer operator.

According to BlockBeats, Tether announced on April 18th the establishment of four new independent business divisions. These divisions will focus on data, finance, energy, and education. Tether Data, a strategic investment of the technology department, will concentrate on the development and strategic investment of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and peer-to-peer platforms. Tether Finance, the digital asset services department, will serve as the cornerstone of Tether's traditional stablecoin products and financial services. It is committed to promoting technology to democratize the global financial system. Tether Power, the sustainable Bitcoin mining and energy department, will venture into sustainable Bitcoin mining business to ensure the integrity of the world's most powerful currency network. Lastly, Tether Edu, the digital education and transformation advancement department, is dedicated to expanding the prevalence of global digital skills education.

According to PANews, a spokesperson for Paxos has clarified that the recent decoupling of the Pax Dollar (USDP) stablecoin was due to issues with pricing aggregators, not the protocol itself. These platforms extract pricing data from trading venues. Yesterday, prices at certain venues surged dramatically, affecting the price of USDP on pricing aggregators. Paxos does not control the markets or trading activities of other trading venues. Despite temporary price fluctuations, USDP will always be redeemable through Paxos at fair value. Data from CoinMarketCap indicates that the decoupling occurred on April 17th during a significant increase in USDP's market value. The market value of USDP briefly rose from $140 million to $181 million, with the token reaching $1.29. The market value of USDP fell back to $140 million when it returned to parity with the dollar. The current market value of USDP is $134 million.

According to Foresight News, Gavin Wood, the founder of Polkadot, has announced the release of the 'Initial Jam Specifications: A Proposal for the Future of Polkadot' in the grey paper. Jam, an acronym for Join-Accumulate Machine, is a semi-consistent, scalable, trustless virtual machine. It combines elements of Polkadot and Ethereum protocols, providing a global singleton permissionless object environment similar to the Ethereum smart contract environment. It also features secure sideband computing parallel to the scalable node network. The overall service model provided is primarily driven by Polkadot's underlying architecture. Jam allows anyone to deploy code as a service on it, charging fees based on the resources used by the code. Alternatively, it may introduce a CoreChains service compatible with Polkadot.