Two cat-themed memecoin airdrops for customers of the Solana “Chapter 2” phone temporarily covered the cost of the device on Thursday. 

Currently, the combined value of these airdrops for Chapter 2 is estimated to be around 385 dollars, while the price of the phone pre-orders is 450 dollars, awaiting its expected launch in 2025.

Let’s see below all the details. 

The value of the airdrop almost covers the price of the pre-order: the cost of the Solana phone reduced thanks to memecoins

As anticipated, the cat-themed airdrops for the new Solana phone “Chapter 2” could cover the cost of the device alone, with its provisional launch scheduled for 2025.

An airdrop of 5,199 Maneki tokens (MANEKI) launched on April 24, along with a previous airdrop of 37,600 Cat in a Dogs World tokens (MEW) on April 1, temporarily covered the cost of pre-ordering Chapter 2 last Thursday.

At a certain point, the combined value of these two airdrops reached 459 dollars, exceeding the pre-order price of the device, set at 450 dollars, according to Solana Floor.

MANEKI has grown by over 10% in the last 24 hours, while MEW has decreased by 3%, according to CoinGecko data. Currently, the value of the MANEKI airdrop is $127.38, while that of MEW is $214.78, according to the Two Loot dashboard.

Together with three other memecoin airdrops – WUFFI, IQ50, and CWIF – which are worth a total of 43.45 dollars, the total value of the airdrops for Chapter 2 now amounts to 385.62 dollars.

Solana Mobile presented Chapter 2 as the more affordable successor to its first cryptographic phone, the Saga, in January. The phone received 60,000 pre-orders in a month and is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2025.

Customers who pre-order the phone can connect their Solana wallet addresses, allowing them to receive airdrops before receiving the device.

Feline memecoins could cover the cost of the new Solana phone “Chapter 2”

As mentioned, several cat-themed memecoins could soon cover the cost of the “Chapter 2” phone, especially if their prices continue to rise. 

This phenomenon is similar to what happened with Bonk, a canine-themed token, which previously covered the cost of the original Solana Saga phone.

The first Saga phone was initially put on sale for $1,000, but due to poor sales, the price was reduced to $599. However, in December, the value of the Bonk memecoin, which is based on the Solana network, increased by over 800%. 

Since each phone included 30 million BONK tokens, their combined value soon exceeded the cost of the device.

This sudden increase in the value of memecoin has led to a rapid depletion of Saga phones stocks, with 20,000 units sold in a short time. Some orders have been canceled and refunded due to the shortage of stocks. 

Some reports suggest that some of these phones were later resold on eBay at prices reaching 5,000 dollars.

OpenDelta, a stablecoin linked to Bitcoin, recently raised $2.5 million in funding. This startup is among the first to develop tokenization technology designed for the Bitcoin era.

Let’s see below all the details. 

The success of OpenDelta reflects the interest in the Bitcoin stablecoin sector

As anticipated, the company focused on Bitcoin-backed stablecoins, OpenDelta, has raised $2.15 million in a pre-seed funding round led by 6th Man Ventures, as confirmed by CEO Konstantin Wünscher: 

“Our goal is to use Bitcoin to generate stable value in a fiat currency.”

OpenDelta is building the foundations of the new decentralized finance (DeFi) leveraging the latest trend of Bitcoin, Runes.

The creator of Runes, Casey Rodarmor, introduced a method to engrave fungible tokens on satoshis, the smallest unit of Bitcoin, during the Bitcoin halving on April 19th. 

This new approach has quickly gained popularity, becoming an important tool for Bitcoin transactions, according to a dashboard by Dune created by Crypto Koryo.

The main token of OpenDelta, USDO, will maintain its value anchored to the dollar thanks to Bitcoin (BTC) deposited as collateral by users. 

The token will only be available in May and initially will be accessible exclusively through a closed beta for members of the waiting lists. OpenDelta also intends to expand the use of Runes to other levels of Bitcoin.

The product will generate value for its holders through financing rates in derivative markets, maintaining its value in dollars. 

To mint USDO, users will need to deposit Bitcoin as collateral in a wallet managed by “institutional-level custodians,” as described in a press release.

OpenDelta is one of the first companies to build the new face of DeFi for Bitcoin in the era of Runes. Wünscher emphasizes that those passionate about Bitcoin may not be in tune with the complexities of Ethereum-based DeFi: 

“We have the opportunity to create new experiences on Bitcoin because those involved have not been influenced by anything other than Bitcoin.”

Luke Dashjr criticizes the Runes protocol

Luke Dashjr, one of the developers of Bitcoin core, criticized the Runes protocol, stating that it exploits a fundamental flaw in the design of the Bitcoin blockchain network.

In a post on April 26 on X (formerly Twitter), Dashjr compared ordinal subscriptions and the Runes protocol, explaining how they interact differently with the network. 

He emphasized that, while Ordinals exploit vulnerabilities in the blockchain, the Runes protocol operates within the design flaws of the network. 

He explained that Ordinals are a “9-vector attack” that exploits the vulnerabilities of Bitcoin Core, while Runes represent “only” a 5-vector attack that, however, follows the “rules”.

Ordinals are a form of digital asset similar to NFTs, engraved on satoshis, the smallest unit of Bitcoin. They have marked Bitcoin’s entry into the world of NFTs, generating interest in the crypto community. 

On the other hand, Runes are fungible tokens introduced on the day Bitcoin completed its fourth halving. Since then, they have caused congestion in the network and a surge in transaction fees.

Dashjr, a well-known critic of both types of assets, believes that they deviate from the fundamental principles of Bitcoin and contribute to blockchain spam. 

He proposed methods to filter Rune transactions, recommending to set datacarriersize=0 in the bitcoin.conf file for Bitcoin Knots or Bitcoin Core. However, it seems that miners are not following this advice. 

The decentralized mining pool Ocean Mining, where Dashjr is CTO, recently mined a post-halving block with over 75% of transactions coming from the Runes protocol, justifying the choice with the profitable revenue streams generated by Runes transactions.

At the end of last year, ARK purchased over 4 million BITO shares as a short-term investment, anticipating the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States and planning to sell them once authorization is obtained. 

However, after a series of consistent sales in January, ARK sold its last BITO shares last week. Let’s see all the details below. 

ARK divests from BITO shares

As anticipated, on Thursday, ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, sold its last shares of the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO). 

The company has sold 237,983 BITO shares, obtaining 6.7 million dollars at Thursday’s closing price of 28.22 dollars each, through its Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW).

At the end of last year, ARK had purchased over 4 million shares as a short-term investment, anticipating the approval of spot ETFs on Bitcoin in the United States and planning to trade them once authorization was received.

After constant sales in January, ARK sold the remaining BITO shares last week.

Meanwhile, the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) has become the largest holding of the fund, with 2,480,644 shares worth $160.6 million, calculated at Thursday’s closing price of $64.76. This represents 10.4% of the total value of the fund.

ARK Invest’s purchase of massive Tesla shares

Ark Invest by Cathie Wood made a significant acquisition of Tesla (TSLA) shares during a market downturn. 

On Monday, the company purchased 122,752 Tesla shares worth approximately $18.05 million, dividing the purchase among three of its main funds: ARKK, ARKQ, and ARKW. 

This operation underlines ARK Invest’s confidence in Tesla’s future growth and is part of its long-term investment strategy.

The news comes as Tesla faces a period of financial difficulties. The company reported a 9% drop in sales in the first quarter of 2024, the highest since 2012, partly due to ongoing price reductions. 

Furthermore, the net profit has decreased by 55%, from 2.51 billion dollars in 2023 to 1.13 billion dollars in 2024. Tesla has also forecasted a slowdown in the growth rate for 2024, which has raised further concerns among investors.

Despite these difficulties, Ark Invest continues to show confidence in Tesla, strengthening its position with a massive purchase of shares.

This can be seen as a positive signal for Tesla’s future, even though the market remains cautious due to recent fluctuations.

The increase in positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum before the halving

In anticipation of the Bitcoin (BTC) halving, ARK Invest had made a series of transactions that show its confidence in the future of the cryptocurrency.

Among the most significant moves, ARK added 139,152 units of its Bitcoin spot ETF, the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, worth 8.96 million dollars. This follows a previous purchase of ETFs for 31.19 million dollars the day before.

ARK Invest has not limited itself to Bitcoin. It has also diversified its portfolio by purchasing 41,068 shares of the ProShares Ether Strategy ETF (EETH), worth approximately 2.78 million dollars. 

This acquisition adds to another purchase of 2.9 million dollars in EETH shares that took place on April 18th.

Analysts have considered these transactions significant, especially because they occurred just a few hours before the anticipated Bitcoin halving event.

Cathie Wood has confirmed her confidence in the long-term potential of Bitcoin, despite the volatility of the cryptocurrency market following the halving. 

In a recent interview, he spoke about his positive vision for transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and the cryptocurrency sector.

Furthermore, ARK Invest has expanded its global presence with the launch of its first three European UCITS ETFs, responding to the growing demand for its investment strategies. 

This expansion reflects ARK Invest’s vision of embracing new opportunities in global markets.

This article was paid for*

The Wormhole (W) token price is up 15% today, making it one of the top gainers among the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. In a generally boring market, a 15% gain is certainly noteworthy. We’ll explore the reasons behind this pump. 

Simultaneously, Dogeverse, a new multi-chain meme coin, has raised over $11 million in its crypto presale within a few weeks and recently added support for purchases on Base, Avalanche, Solana, Polygon, and BNB Chain, alongside Ethereum.

What’s Behind the Wormhole (W) Price Pump?

Last night, the official Wormhole team announced that the W token is now natively multi-chain using the Wormhole Native Token Transfers (NTT) framework. Native W is now available in SPL format on Solana and ERC20 format on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base. 

This is decent news for W as it increases its availability on multiple networks, making it accessible to a broader range of traders.

Wormhole's W token is now natively multichain using the Wormhole Native Token Transfers (NTT) framework

Native W is now available in SPL format on @Solana and ERC20 format on @Ethereum, @arbitrum, @Optimism, and @buildonbase. pic.twitter.com/pwaJohYGXT

— Wormhole (@wormhole) April 25, 2024

What’s Behind the Wormhole (W) Price Pump?

On the W/USDT chart, we can see that over the past two weeks, this coin has been trading in a sideways channel between the $0.5 and $0.73 area. Despite today’s pump, W is still within this channel. 

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 38, indicating a neutral market sentiment, neither overbought nor oversold.

A Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) measures the relationship between two moving averages of an asset’s price.

The MACD line and MACD signal line are currently neck and neck, but the trend suggests that the MACD signal line might cross below the MACD line later today. 

This is known as a bearish crossover and can indicate a potential shift in momentum from bullish to bearish in the near future.

For W to gain strong upward momentum, it needs to break out of the sideways channel and surpass the $0.7-$0.73 area. Clearing this resistance level could potentially open the door for further upside, as it would signal a change in the prevailing trend from sideways to upward.

However, the current indicators, particularly the potential bearish crossover on the MACD, are not particularly promising for sustained upward momentum. 

If the MACD signal line does cross below the MACD line, it could suggest that the recent pump may be short-lived, and W could potentially retrace back towards the lower end of the sideways channel around $0.5.

Ultimately, the direction W takes from here will depend on its ability to break out of the current range and overcome key resistance levels. If it fails to do so and the bearish MACD crossover materializes, W could potentially consolidate further or even correct lower in the near term.

Dogeverse: A New Multi-chain Meme Coin

Dogeverse is a new meme coin currently in its crypto presale that launched a few weeks ago and has already raised over $11 million. Dogeverse ($DOGEVERSE) is a meme crypto project that aims to bring together different blockchain communities through a shared love for Dogecoin and the power of memes.

Dogeverse is designed to be a multi-chain meme coin, currently operational on Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Solana, Base, and Avalanche. This multi-chain compatibility is a key differentiator, as it allows Dogeverse to potentially achieve wider adoption compared to meme coins limited to a single blockchain.

One of Dogeverse’s key features is its staking rewards system. Investors can stake their $DOGEVERSE tokens with an estimated annual reward of 100% according to their website. Currently, over 16 billion DOGEVERSE tokens have already been staked. 

The Dogeverse presale has a structure with price increases built-in, either every three days or upon reaching certain fundraising milestones.

Notably, 25% of the 200 billion $DOGEVERSE token supply is earmarked for marketing, indicating a strong focus on driving community growth and adoption. This is important as a strong community is crucial for the success of a meme coin project.

Conclusion

While the Wormhole (W) token’s price pump is notable, it is still trading within a sideways channel, and the indicators are not particularly promising for sustained upward momentum. For W to gain significant traction, it needs to break out of this channel and surpass the $0.7-$0.73 resistance level.

Dogeverse, a new multi-chain meme coin, has already raised over $11 million in its crypto presale within the first few weeks. Its multi-chain compatibility, staking rewards system, and strong focus on marketing indicate potential for growth and adoption. However, as with any early-stage meme coin project, the success of Dogeverse will largely depend on the strength and engagement of its community and marketing efforts. 

Visit Dogeverse

*Cryptonomist did not write the article or test the platform.

A recent study has calculated that global Bitcoin mining is consuming less energy than banks consume. 

The research was conducted by Payless Power, a retail energy provider serving the state of Texas, and analyzed the energy consumption of both Bitcoin mining and the traditional banking system. 

According to Payless Power’s calculations, the Bitcoin network consumes about 167 TWh of energy per year, while the global banking system consumes more than 258 TWh.

In other words, according to this research Bitcoin would consume 35% less than traditional banks. 

Bitcoin vs. banks: mining requires less energy

In light of these estimates, it would seem that traditional banks are currently overall more harmful to the environment than Bitcoin. 

Furthermore, the research by Payless Power also states that Bitcoin could be even more energy efficient in the long run.

The total energy consumption of all banks worldwide would amount to 258.85 terawatt hours (TWh), according to estimates by Payless Power. This consumption would be concentrated in bank data centers, with 225.45 TWh, while physical bank branches, ATMs, and card networks like VISA would consume much less: 22.68 TWh, 2.91 TWh, and 7.81 TWh respectively.

Therefore, the comparison holds, because in banking data centers, energy is consumed by servers, computers, and cooling systems that are actually similar to those used for Bitcoin mining.

In other words, the machines that perform calculations and those used to cool them consume so much, just like in the case of Bitcoin mining.

The estimate for BTC mining globally is 167.14 terawatt hours per year. 

The calculations

For this study, various datasets from multiple sources were used to generate estimates on electricity consumption for both the Bitcoin network and global banks. 

To estimate the electricity consumption of the Bitcoin network, the data from the Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index updated on April 17, 2024 were used, while to estimate the electricity consumption of banks, four main factors were used, each calculated independently with a separate set of assumptions and extrapolations. 

The first factor analyzed are indeed the banking data centers.

Based on assumptions regarding the size of private data centers, energy demand, and operating hours, the energy consumption of Bank of America, with its 23 private data centers, has been estimated. 

The remaining data was extrapolated taking as reference the total value of assets held by Bank of America and the total value of assets held by the top 100 banks in the world in 2023. 

These estimates to be correct assume that all data centers of all banks have the same size and energy demand, and that the total assets held are related to the use of data centers.

The other three factors considered are the consumption of physical bank branches, ATM consumption, and credit and debit card network consumption. 

However, in the end it is the first factor that is the most relevant, because the other three put together would only constitute 13% of the total consumption. 

The comparison and the comment

The comparison between the energy consumption of Bitcoin and that of the global banking system reveals surprising insights into the energy efficiency of digital assets. 

In fact, despite common perception, Bitcoin uses much less energy (35.4% less) compared to the energy used overall by banking operations worldwide.

According to Payless Power, this analysis highlights the potential of digital assets in offering more sustainable solutions within the financial sector, to the point of forcing us to reconsider our assumptions about the real energy costs of our financial choices.

The CEO of Payless Power, Brandon Young, commented saying: 

“It is a common misconception that Bitcoin uses much more energy compared to traditional banks, especially in recent years with many studies highlighting the excessive amount of energy needed to mine the cryptocurrency. However, our study reveals promising results indicating that if the world were to adopt Bitcoin on a global scale, it would actually be more energy efficient.”

According to Young, this disparity in energy consumption highlights the potential of digital assets like Bitcoin to offer more sustainable alternatives in the financial sector, because faced with increasing pressure to mitigate climate change and reduce our carbon footprint, the transition to energy-efficient technologies would be very important to consider, rather than sticking to traditional forms. 

Furthermore, the lower energy consumption of Bitcoin would also suggest that decentralized digital currencies could play a significant role in achieving this goal.

The study by Payless Power has highlighted that traditional banking infrastructures are not devoid of inefficiencies at all, and the fact that global banking operations consume substantially more energy than Bitcoin raises questions about the necessity and sustainability of these traditional systems.

Young added: 

“In the long term, the transition to energy-efficient financial technologies like Bitcoin could have far-reaching implications for the future. It could lead to a more environmentally conscious financial sector, where digital currencies coexist with renewable energy sources to create a greener and more sustainable economy. By harnessing the benefits of decentralized digital currencies, we can work towards building a brighter and more energy-efficient future for generations to come.”

Movement Labs, a pioneering team based in San Francisco, has announced a significant Series A funding of $38 million, led by Polychain Capital, for their ambitious goal of integrating Facebook’s Move Virtual Machine onto the Ethereum blockchain. 

A move that aims to revolutionize the application of smart contracts by mitigating vulnerabilities and increasing transaction capacity.

A solid investment context led by Polychain with the goal of bringing Facebook’s Move to Ethereum

The investment round saw the contribution of a number of notable venture capital entities, including Hack VC, Placeholder, Archetype, Maven 11, Robot Ventures, Figment Capital, Nomad Capital, Bankless Ventures, OKX Ventures, dao5, and Aptos Labs. 

This broad support base underlines the strong industry confidence in the vision and technological proposals of Movement Labs.

Founded in 2022 by Rushi Manche and Cooper Scanlon, Movement Labs seeks to address the pervasive vulnerabilities that have plagued the smart contracts of the Ethereum ecosystem.

Their innovative solution involves the implementation of a new execution environment capable of handling over 30,000 transactions per second (TPS). 

The introduction of a bytecode interpreter fully compatible with EVM, combined with Ethereum for settlement purposes, paves the way for a zero-knowledge Layer Two blockchain.

This development promises to bring parallelization and increased security to Ethereum users, addressing the crucial issues of scalability and security without requiring a detachment from the Ethereum ecosystem.

The urgency of Movement Labs’ mission is highlighted by recent statistics revealing that between 2022 and 2023, hackers exploited smart contracts for a total of over $5.4 billion. 

Such violations have affected important protocols through prevalent attack vectors such as reentrancy attacks. 

Move-EVM by Movement aims to strengthen smart contracts by allowing Move and Solidity developers to deploy fully verified code at runtime, thus preventing potential exploits.

Vision for a unified blockchain ecosystem

The vision of the co-founders goes beyond simple technological advancement; they aim to democratize blockchain development. “The two biggest problems in blockchain infrastructure at the moment are the poor user experience and smart contract exploits,” said Rushi Manche, co-founder of Movement Labs. 

He emphasized the team’s commitment to accelerating innovation in the crypto space, enabling the emergence of new revolutionary platforms similar to Facebook but built on blockchain, accessible even to developers with limited resources.

In line with their expansive vision, Movement Labs also plans to launch Move Stack, an execution layer framework compatible with various leading companies’ rollup frameworks such as Optimism, Polygon, and Arbitrum. 

This strategy aims to improve the execution of smart contracts across multiple networks, promoting a unified blockchain environment through the implementation of shared sequencers and other modular technologies.

After a pre-seed round of 3.4 million dollars, Movement Labs is getting ready to launch its public testnet, Parthenon, in the coming weeks. This will offer developers and users the opportunity to interact and contribute to the evolution of this revolutionary project.

The Serie A round of Movement Labs not only fuels their technological initiatives but also strengthens their position in the blockchain community as innovators and visionaries. 

As they progress, the potential impact of their work on the Ethereum ecosystem and the broader blockchain community remains a highly anticipated development.

Conclusions

The funding obtained from Movement Labs represents not only a significant financial support but also a recognition of the innovation they are bringing to the blockchain world. 

With their commitment to overcoming technical challenges and democratizing blockchain development, Movement Labs is destined to leave a lasting impact.

This phase of growth and development could very well mark the beginning of a new era in the security and effectiveness of smart contracts, envisioning a safer and more scalable future for the global blockchain ecosystem.

Yesterday, the ETC group announced the launch of BTC1, a global ETP on Bitcoin (BTC) listed on Deutsche Börse XETRA.

This is a new ETP on Bitcoin designed for long-term investors focused on the benchmark.

The new ETP on Bitcoin (BTC) listed on Deutsche Börse

The ETC Group Core Bitcoin ETP (ticker BTC1; ISIN DE000A4AER62) is an Exchange-Traded Product specifically designed for long-term buy-and-hold investors, and for global institutional investors with extensive liquidity and risk management needs.

The ETC group has already launched several similar tools in the past, managing now an AUM of over one and a half billion dollars. 

BTC1 has a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.30%, thus offering a competitive advantage in terms of cost efficiency in the European market. Focused on the benchmark, it tracks the benchmark of institutional-level Bitcoin prices using CF Benchmarks, ensuring accuracy and reliability in tracking BTC price movements.

This is a global spot product that provides a lot of liquidity in the primary market, thus filling the spot liquidity of the US, European, and Asian markets during different trading windows. 

It uses a unique Tri-NAV methodology, which provides institutional investors with an extended window of primary market liquidity covering BTC spot liquidity on different markets. 

Therefore, in addition to the classic stock exchange opening hours, the issuer provides for three price determinations during the day (instead of just one), to expand the liquidity of the primary market also in other time zones. 

This means that institutional investors can trade their holdings for a longer period than any other regulated vehicle on the global primary market Bitcoin spot.

According to ETC Group this makes BTC1 the first global spot ETP on Bitcoin.

BTC1 will be tradable on both XETRA and many other platforms, and will be added to HANetf’s pan-European ETP distribution platform.

ETC Group

ETC Group offers high-level investment products in the digital asset sector, domiciled in Germany. 

Their Exchange Traded Products are physically backed, and act as a bridge between the traditional regulated financial market and the crypto market. So far, they have issued ETPs on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other important cryptocurrencies.

In June 2020, the company launched the first Bitcoin ETP in Europe with centralized clearing on the market, issued in Germany and always listed on the German stock exchange XETRA, the largest ETF trading market in Europe.

Even BTC1 is issued in Germany, with primary listing on XETRA, 100% physical coverage and full fungibility with the underlying asset. 

ETC Group holds digital assets at Zodia Custody, one of the leading European providers of institutional-grade cold wallet custody, with banking-level compliance and governance framework.

The CEO of ETC Group, Tim Bevan, has stated: 

“At ETC Group, we want to advance the cryptocurrency investment sector and the launch of BTC1 represents a unique proposal. With BTC1, we are introducing the first globally oriented Bitcoin ETP to the market, with extended liquidity and risk management features that our clients need. We are proud to be the first to launch another market and believe that BTC1 has the potential to uniquely serve institutional investors with the best features in the category.”

The Product Manager of ETC Group, Chanchal Samadder, added: 

“BTC1 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Bitcoin investment products. Designed with benchmark-conscious and long-term investors in mind, BTC1 offers a unique blend of cost efficiency, accuracy, and extended primary market liquidity, setting a new standard in the Bitcoin ETP market.”

The CEO of Zodia Custody, Julian Sawyer, commented saying: 

“It’s one breakthrough after another with our innovative colleagues at ETC Group. BTC1, just launched, represents exactly what institutions have been looking for when increasing the adoption of digital assets, and we are doing our part to ensure they can do so with the highest security and compliance through bank-level custody. Together, we continue to be at the forefront of building a truly solid ecosystem for a mature digital asset sector”.

Deutsche Börse XETRA and the new ETP on Bitcoin (BTC)

Deutsche Börse is the company that operates the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and XETRA is its fully electronic trading platform on which 90% of stock trades in Germany take place. 

The Frankfurt Stock Exchange was actually founded in 1585, and XETRA is now one of the largest stock exchanges in the world and the third in Europe.

Deutsche Börse was created only in 1992, but in continuity with Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse, the company created just two years earlier to manage the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 

On the official XETRA website, in addition to all traditional investment products, there is now also a specific section dedicated to crypto ETNs.

Regarding BTC1, they state that this new ETN allows investors to obtain low-cost exposure to Bitcoin, and that it uses the institutional reference rate of the Bitcoin CF from CME (BRR) as the benchmark market for the spot price of BTC.

They also declare that BTC1 is physically guaranteed and admitted to the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Benchmark and liquidity 

The benchmark and liquidity are important for this type of products, because liquidity on Bitcoin is fragmented across many exchanges, which complicates price determination for investors. 

For this reason, they wanted to develop a more robust benchmark that aggregates this liquidity, and that uses the BRR index and its US and Asian variants BRRY and BRRAP. 

BTC1 leverages all three regional variants of this benchmark, allowing institutional investors to monitor the price of Bitcoin accurately and securely, ultimately providing access to three liquidity pools over a 14-hour period (compared to the traditional 8-hour window for all other ETFs and ETPs).

Tezos Foundation has formed a new partnership with Wallet-as-a-Service provider Magic, to address one of the most pressing challenges of Web3. Thanks to the integration of the Tezos blockchain, Magic’s dApps will be able to offer users a frictionless onboarding experience. 

Tezos blockchain and Magic to overcome the challenge of Web3: user onboarding and authentication

Tezos Foundation has formed a new partnership with Wallet-as-a-Service provider Magic. The goal is to address one of the most pressing challenges in the Web3 space: user onboarding and authentication

"For the past 12 months, Tezos has consistently been a top 10 chain in Magic’s ecosystem." – @magic_labs

Because of this organic growth, Magic is now deepening integration on #Tezos.

Learn more about how they're featuring it as a top blockchain of choice for developers:… pic.twitter.com/jFbh1Rjwm7

— Tezos (@tezos) April 25, 2024

“In the last 12 months, Tezos has consistently been a top 10 chain in the Magic ecosystem.” – @magic_labs Thanks to this organic growth, Magic is now deepening integration with #Tezos. To learn more about how they are presenting it as the top choice blockchain for developers: https://spotlight.tezos.com/magic-simplifies-web3-access/.”

So, on one side there is the Tezos blockchain, famous for its self-amending mechanism and the energy-efficient proof-of-stake consensus algorithm. On the other side, there is Magic’s innovative solution that allows users to effortlessly create wallets, eliminating the need for cumbersome startup phrases, downloads, or plug-ins.

Basically, with the integration of Magic’s seamless wallet solution, decentralized applications (dApps) powered by Tezos can now offer users a frictionless onboarding experience. 

This means that the need for traditional passwords decreases and barriers to entry are reduced.

Tezos blockchain and Magic: a new Web3 infrastructure dedicated to developers

Overall, the partnership between Tezos Foundation and Magic serves as the foundation for the new Web3 infrastructure that opens the doors for developers to create engaging and user-friendly experiences. 

On this matter, Arthur Breitman, co-founder of Tezos, stated the following: 

“The extension of support to Tezos by Magic will make it easier for builders and creators to access new users to their dApps. By combining Tezos’ secure and scalable infrastructure with Magic’s intuitive solutions for authentication and wallet, developers are helped to build decentralized applications accessible to a much wider audience”.

Thanks to Magic’s SDKs and APIs, developers can seamlessly incorporate secure authentication into their Tezos-based projects, focusing on providing exceptional user experiences without compromising security.

Even Sean Li, co-founder and CEO of Magic, wanted to release comments about it:

“Like Magic, Tezos is also focused on security and is winning over the masses through cutting-edge brands like Ubisoft. From day one, Magic has aimed to simplify the complexities of wallets for a multi-chain world. Today, we are excited to deepen our integration with Tezos and unite our ecosystems, offering the best possible user experience to bring the next billion users to Web3.”

The new member of the Foundation Council: former French minister Fleur Pellerin

At the beginning of the month, Tezos Blockchain made headlines for the arrival of a new member in its Foundation Council: former French minister Fleur Pellerin.

In addition to being Minister of Culture and Communication, Pellerin is also the head of a venture capital fund with investments in Web3 companies such as Ledger, Bitfury, and Ramp. 

The new entry of Pellerin in the Tezos Foundation Council should bring with it a wealth of leadership and technological skills.

The Tezos Foundation Council has the general responsibility of managing and administering the Tezos Foundation and its assets and defining the strategy. 

For those who are new to the crypto world, knowing the right platforms and tools, such as CoinMarketCap and Blockchain.com, is essential. 

In particular, we see that CoinMarketCap helps users in researching the main cryptocurrencies, while Blockchain.com is useful for exploring blockchains. However, there are also other valid platforms. 

Let’s see in this article everything there is to know about it. 

A quick guide to crypto platforms and tools: Blockchain.com

Blockchain.com, founded in 2011, has emerged as the leading crypto finance company, serving individuals, projects, protocols, and institutions.

With a global management team boasting over 200 years of combined experience in some of the most renowned financial institutions, technology companies, and startups, the company has helped shape the future of finance.

The founders of Blockchain.com firmly believe that, within the next decade, the Internet financial system will be the largest in the world, powered by cryptocurrencies. 

The company started its journey as one of the first pioneers of infrastructure for the Bitcoin community. Specifically, by launching a Blockchain Explorer that allowed anyone to examine transactions and study the blockchain.

This was followed by an API that allowed companies to build on Bitcoin and a widely used cryptographic wallet that gives everyone the ability to control their own money.

The mission of Blockchain.com is to accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrencies and usher in the future of finance.

With a team that spans across the globe, the company works tirelessly to promote innovation and offer products that empower customers and drive the industry to new levels. 

Passion, determination, and enthusiasm are at the core of Blockchain.com’s identity, aiming to bring the world of finance to new horizons.

CoinMarketCap: the platform to monitor cryptocurrencies 

CoinMarketCap is a website specialized in monitoring the market capitalization and prices of cryptocurrencies. 

It is not an exchange or a trading platform, but it acts as an aggregator of information, offering data on prices, trading volumes, token supply, platforms, and much more. 

However, it is not completely neutral: CoinMarketCap belongs to Binance, which can influence its impartiality, with a tendency to favor cryptocurrencies listed by the well-known exchange.

The CoinMarketCap service was born out of the need to have a centralized source of information for a highly volatile market like cryptocurrencies. 

Although Binance is one of the largest exchanges in the world, none include all the cryptocurrencies listed on CoinMarketCap, and the volumes reported by individual exchanges do not reflect the true trading landscape. 

CoinMarketCap aims to provide an overview, offering an average price that takes into account the differences between exchanges.

CoinMarketCap offers its users a wide range of customizable tools and charts, useful for both beginner and experienced traders. 

In addition to monitoring features, the site allows you to change the default currency for quotes, offering support for USD, EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, and other fiat currencies. 

Another feature that has contributed to the popularity of CoinMarketCap is its multilingual support, which allows users to view information in different languages, although the translations are automatic and sometimes inaccurate.

By clicking on a cryptocurrency, users can access detailed data and customizable charts showing the historical trend. The platform also allows to filter cryptocurrencies based on various criteria. 

eToro: innovation in trading with copytrading 

Another valid platform is eToro, which stands out among trading platforms for its copytrading feature, an innovative option that allows you to automatically copy the strategies of the best traders. 

However, eToro is much more than that. In recent years, the platform has consistently worked to improve itself and become accessible even to those who are new to the world of investments.

The advantages of eToro are numerous, such as the training. eToro indeed offers a wide section dedicated to training, including the possibility of using a demo account to practice without risks before investing real money.

Accessible minimum deposit: with a minimum deposit of 100€, eToro makes trading more accessible to a wider audience. 

Still, innovation continues, namely the introduction of new products such as CopyPortfolios, which group together various investment strategies.

eToro is a globally recognized broker, with over 25 million registered users, which testifies to its reliability. The platform operates with numerous licenses in different countries, ensuring security and compliance with regulations.

In addition to copytrading, eToro also offers features typical of an exchange and a broker. Users can buy cryptocurrencies directly on the market, like on an exchange, or trade them through CFDs (Contract for Difference), leveraging financial leverage.

One of the main advantages of eToro is the wide range of cryptocurrencies available, in addition to the possibility of accessing real-time information on CoinMarketCap. 

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The Bitcoin halving has come and gone, and as many analysts predicted, the supply shock sent prices upwards. As history has proven, the Bitcoin halving not only affects Bitcoin but other tokens too. The Ethereum price has seen a rise, as has many altcoins. Coindesk has made a few predictions about where the Bitcoin and Ethereum price will go, but not even the most bullish analysts have these tokens doing as well as the new Meme-fi AI token Raboo (RABT), currently in presale at $0.0036

Bitcoin (BTC): Bitcoin Halving Sees Price Predictions Double

For those who are unsure, the Bitcoin halving is an event that happens every four years where Bitcoin mining becomes twice as difficult as it used to be, which means a miner’s reward “halves” for the same amount of energy put in. This is the genius of Bitcoin, ensuring its scarcity and deflationary nature.  

The Bitcoin halving means the supply of Bitcoin is immediately cut in half, and basic economic principle states when supply goes down, the price goes up. Coindesk is predicting that Bitcoin will far overshoot its all-time high and hit over $86,000 within a month and then will double that in a year, making Bitcoin a solid investment. 

Ethereum (ETH): Ethereum Price Prediction Lowballs

Coindesk’s Ethereum price prediction is bullish but not as bullish as Bitcoin’s. According to the trusted source, the Ethereum price will reach about $3,200 in this month, well below its ATH, but Ethereum will double to about $6,600 in the year.

This is remarkably low, as altcoins have traditionally outpaced Bitcoin in post-halving gains. It is possible that the analysts have this one wrong, and the Ethereum price can still climb quite significantly on improved post-Bitcoin halving market sentiment. Still, investors looking for faster assets may have other options.

Raboo (RABT): Presale Gains Sees ICO Off To Flying Start

Seasoned investors know where to get the most bang for their buck, and that is often in ICOs and presales. Presales are structured so as to  guarantee a price rise independent of market sentiment. Raboo’s presale is set to go up by 233% at the conclusion. On the back of the post-Bitcoin halving sentiment, analysts are predicting Raboo will 100X once it trades on the open market after its presale.

Raboo is a new AI meme coin that marries the current market-defining coin categories of AI crypto with meme coins, two of the highest-grossing coin types in the cryptosphere. Meme coins have proven to be extremely lucrative investments. With an AI engine behind it, Raboo is set to go nuclear upon release, making a massive ROI for early investors.

Conclusion:

The overall prediction for the crypto markets since the Bitcoin halving is bullish, with the Bitcoin and Ethereum prices growing steadily. But for massive ROI, partaking in the Raboo presale is a great way to follow in lucrative meme coin investment footsteps for returns like those seen by investors in Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe Coin.

You can participate in the Raboo presale here.

*This article was paid for. Cryptonomist did not write the article or test the platform.

In a significant legal challenge, the crypto company Consensys has initiated a lawsuit against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), focusing on the classification of Ethereum’s native token, Ether, as a non-security.

Consensys defends Ethereum from the SEC: it is not a security

Presented in a federal court in Texas, this case reflects the controversial litigation involving Ripple Labs and its digital token XRP, which previously led the SEC to concede that XRP does not qualify as a security. 

The lawsuit comes at a critical time for Consensys, a key supporter of the Ethereum blockchain, as they seek to defend against a potential SEC lawsuit regarding their management of the MetaMask wallet.

The 34-page legal document from Consensys uses emphatic language to argue that the SEC’s actions against Ether are not only illegal but also pose a serious threat to the broader blockchain ecosystem. 

According to the complaint, if Ether were to be considered a security, this would seriously disrupt the functionality of the Ethereum network in the United States, potentially blocking one of the most significant technological innovations on the internet.

This classification would impose traditional security law on every transaction involving Ether, leading to a chilling effect on its use.

This case marks a crucial moment in the ongoing battle between the SEC and the cryptocurrency industry, which has intensified under the leadership of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler.

Under his leadership, the SEC has launched an aggressive enforcement campaign that includes issuing numerous subpoenas to entities involved with the Ethereum blockchain. These actions have sparked strong criticism from the crypto community, which sees these measures as invasive and excessive.

The presentation also reveals that in early April, Consensys received a Wells notice from the SEC, a formal indication that the agency may soon pursue legal action. According to the notice, the SEC is considering suing Consensys on the grounds that MetaMask has been operated as an unauthorized broker-dealer. 

This development could lead to a separate legal battle, depending on whether the SEC chooses to pursue this new case or address the issues raised in Consensys’ existing lawsuit.

The Howey test is not enough for the SEC

The ongoing debate on whether Ether should be considered a security significantly depends on how it is used and distributed within the network. The SEC has historically used the “Howey Test” to determine whether a particular asset constitutes an investment contract and therefore a security. 

However, many in the crypto industry argue that Ethereum, as a decentralized platform, does not meet these criteria because Ether primarily acts as a utility token within the network, facilitating operations and activities of developers rather than serving as an investment.

Furthermore, the outcome of this case could have widespread implications not only for Ethereum but also for the entire cryptocurrency industry. A ruling in favor of Consensys could validate the argument that decentralized blockchain tokens do not automatically qualify as securities, thus providing a clearer regulatory framework for the industry. 

On the contrary, a decision in favor of the SEC could lead to greater regulatory control and possibly stricter controls on similar cryptocurrencies.

This legal battle comes at a time when the SEC is considering the approval of several applications for Ethereum Spot ETFs, which would allow trading of Ether on traditional securities markets. 

The classification of Ether as a security could have direct consequences on these applications, potentially influencing how these ETFs are evaluated and regulated.

Conclusion

As the case progresses, it is expected to attract significant attention from regulators, investors, and legal experts eager to understand the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulation. 

The outcome of this case could establish a precedent that strengthens the crypto industry’s fight for autonomy from traditional securities laws or reinforces the SEC’s authority over new digital assets. As the court deliberates, the future of Ethereum and perhaps the broader structure of blockchain technology hangs in the balance.

SPONSORED POST*

The crypto market is in constant flux, bringing new chances and challenges to investors. As this market grows, it becomes more important to select the right trading platform for cryptocurrencies

Types of Platforms for Trading Cryptocurrency

Many cryptocurrency trading platforms are available that cater to different types of traders. Traditional brokers additionally provide different securities, like Bitcoin futures. While these exchanges support the most common types of digital currencies, specialized crypto exchanges contain those that can be traded in a direct way. Services like Cash App and PayPal that deal with payment also enable users to buy and sell popular cryptocurrencies easily.

Overview of Top Crypto Exchanges and Brokers in April

In April 2024, some of the top cryptocurrency exchanges and apps are known for their easy-to-use interfaces, low fees, and strong security measures.

#1 Robinhood

Regarding its interface, which is popular for its simplicity and commission-free trading, Robinhood provides a smooth experience when purchasing and trading directly in cryptocurrency. Worldwide users can enable themselves to quickly include in the e-wallet cryptocurrency and other assets like equity and ETFs.

#2 Interactive Brokers 

They offer low commissions and provide direct access to a variety of investment funds. Paxos Trust Company and Zero Hash have served as a partner to traders who can now explore cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum futures.

#3 Webull

An investing platform that offers a huge variety of assets like stocks, ETFs, and crypto which would make you feel confident and give you an opportunity to grow. The attractive zero-rate commission on crypto trade, which will probably bring both new and experienced traders to their platform, is another factor to consider.

#4 Binance.US 

The enthusiasts of crypto are able to benefit from the fact that the Binance.US exchange can trade more than 300 digital assets. Moreover, it has competitive rates and a wide asset pool.

#5 Tastytrade 

Tastytrade being a fresh player in the industry still succeeds based on its affordability which its competitors aren’t able to match in terms of crypto trade pricing. The service is teamed up with Zero Hash and focuses on providing easy and cheap transactions. Tastytrade is known to be a nice choice for traders who are concerned with their spending and need budget-friendly alternatives.

#6 TradeStation 

This platform provides direct trading for cryptocurrency and also keeps the pricing fee structure open. Traders can enjoy the functionality of trading with Bitcoin futures and other different investment alternatives.

#7 Coinbase 

Coinbase has a strong reputation as one of the safest exchange platforms in the crypto world from a security point of view as well as being the best for user experience. Therefore, it is the best choice for crypto traders. 

#8 Kraken

Kraken is well-known for its wide range of coins and advanced trading features. It caters to both new and experienced traders. With competitive fees and an easy-to-use interface, Kraken has a loyal user base. 

#9 Charles Schwab 

Charles Schwab, as a reliable brokerage firm, provides access to Bitcoin futures; this enables the investors to potentially profit from crypto’s potential market. Furthermore, Schwab not only offers its clients tempting commissions and an easy-to-navigate interface but is well renowned for being a safe investment option.

Regulatory and Legal Considerations

One of the essential tasks for every crypto exchange is to abide by all the regulations and laws. It is the key that leads the crypto exchange to succeed in terms of legality and public trust. The cryptocurrency market is unregulated and different jurisdictions have their own set of regulations. 

1. Licensing and Compliance: Licenses and observance of regulations are the most important factors that should be in place for an exchange to be compliant with the law. It could be submitted to the relevant financial bodies as well as to seek the required licenses while observing AML and KYC regulations.

2. Securities Regulations: Several jurisdictions impose securities laws as a means to control issues of cryptocurrencies. Security token trading exchanges need to adhere to registration and disclosure regulations otherwise they may incur enforcement action.

3. Consumer Protection: Regulatory bodies essentially aim to limit an investor’s losses as well as ensure the fairness of the market. The exchanges should have robust security schemes and ensure efficiency by information regarding the fees and the trading types.

4. Taxation: The cryptocurrency tax system is different in every country, which may affect crypto investors and exchanges. Exchanges may be required to collect taxes, report transactions, and provide tax-related documents to users. Knowing and obeying tax law is vital.

Bottom Line

The crypto market is full of opportunities for investors but choosing the right platform is a decision that may make a huge difference. When analyzing security issues, fees, and regulatory issues, traders can do their trading with great confidence and minimize risks. Trustworthy exchanges and brokers give you a safe hand to trade crypto-currency but watch out for fake exchanges. In the fast-paced crypto industry, staying informed and being careful is critical to staying ahead of the curve.

*This article was paid for. Cryptonomist did not write the article or test the platform.

Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands, April 25th, 2024, Chainwire

Aptos Foundation successfully hosted its first-ever DeFi Days – a multi-day summit held between April 2-5, 2024 and set in Hong Kong – dedicated to moving the world towards the future of finance. 

Attracting over 150 attendees, thirty Aptos ecosystem teams, and more than ninety investors, DeFi Days’ agenda focused a diverse group of global finance leaders around a single goal: collaborating to deliver a more accessible, democratized future to market for the industry and for society. 

The agenda featured panels and talks from members of the Aptos ecosystem – such as Aptos Labs, Merkle Trade, Helix, Ondo Finance, Jambo Technology, Econia, and Thala Labs – and external players like Foresight Ventures, Amber Group, and Fortwest Capital. The throughline: painting an all-inclusive picture of what the next era of finance could look like—along with clear context and technical perspective on what it will take to bring that future to life.  

The first two DeFi Days’ programming focused largely on DeFi projects within the Aptos ecosystem. Topics covered included onboarding the next one billion users, VC versus founder perspectives on DeFi, capturing opportunities in Asia, and more. 

Avara Founder and Chief Executive Officer Stani Kulechov, Panora Chief Technology Officer Shraddha Agarwal, and Econia Labs Chief Executive Officer Alex Kahn came together on a panel to unpack why Move and DeFi protocols and apps work so well together. Another panel on real world asset (RWA) tokenization highlighted projects from Aptos ecosystem partners Propbase, Qiro Finance, Øxprop, and HELIX. Aptos Labs Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Avery Ching also gave a keynote speech about parallelism – the ability of a blockchain network to execute multiple transactions simultaneously – and why it’s such an important part of building a DeFi that works for everyone. 

Following the ecosystem-centered program, a third day co-hosted with BCG lasered in on traditional finance (TradFi) institutions and the crucial role these organizations will play in bringing Open Finance (OpenFi) into the mainstream. Representatives from HKT Digital Ventures and Hanseng Bank discussed the willingness within institutions to experiment with permissionless environments – a significant shift in mentality compared to the private network solutions that have been used until now. 

“The heft of the Aptos ecosystem was on full display in Hong Kong with leaders representing DeFi protocols, apps, real-world asset management platforms, and other Web3 pioneers bridging the TradFi-DeFi gap,” said Kevin Ang, Head of Developer Growth, Aptos Foundation. “Every panel, talk, and conversation made it abundantly clear that builders, developers, and engineers are at the heart of every success story on Aptos and in Web3, generally.”

“Everything about Defi Days was inspiring – from its location in the heart of Hong Kong to attendees jet setting to attend from every corner of the DeFi (and literal) world, to the presentations from leaders of thriving Aptos ecosystem projects that are actively putting Web3 into people’s hands at scale,” said Alix Musset, Head of Ecosystem, Aptos Labs. “We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: the future of finance is here. And because of the unmatched throughput, security, and performance Aptos Labs has contributed to the ecosystem, it’s happening on Aptos.” 

“At DeFi Days, we were able to build strong connections with the Aptos Foundation, Aptos Labs, and Aptos ecosystem teams,” said YK (Youngkyun) Rha, Chief Operating Officer at Merkle Trade. “Unlike other L1 ecosystems, the Aptos ecosystem is truly collaborative and supportive. Everyone shares the same goal: to build the future of DeFI and Web3 on Aptos. The hefty on-stage program, opportunities to connect with fellow builders, and compelling side convos at DeFi Days was evidence of that.”

Together with ecosystem partners and traditional finance institutions, the Aptos Foundation will continue bringing the world closer to a decentralized future of finance. For more on DeFi on Aptos, users can visit https://aptosfoundation.org/ecosystem/projects/defi

About Aptos Foundation

Aptos Foundation, is dedicated to supporting the development of the Aptos protocol, decentralized network and ecosystem and driving engagement with the Aptos ecosystem. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses.

Aptos Network

Aptos is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain. Aptos’ breakthrough technology and programming language, Move, are designed to evolve, improve performance and strengthen user safeguards. Users can visit https://www.aptosfoundation.org for more information on the Aptos blockchain.

Contact

Comms
Brian Principato
Aptos Foundation
briannprincipato@gmail.com

This article was paid for*

Crypto-based poker platform CoinPoker, has made an announcement this week that aligns with the industry’s growing trend towards player-friendly policies. 

The platform has revealed that all cashout fees have been eliminated, meaning players will only be responsible for the standard network transaction fees when withdrawing their funds.

This decision puts CoinPoker in the same category as Rollbit, one of the largest crypto casinos, which also does not charge any cashout fees. 

By eliminating these fees, CoinPoker aims to provide a more favorable experience for its players, allowing them to withdraw their winnings without incurring additional costs beyond the necessary network fees. It’s simple – any platform user likes to see that there are no withdrawal fees.

Moreover, the 20% pump this week  in the native token of Rollbit, RLB, which is often referred to as the “Bitcoin of crypto casinos,” might have a positive impact on the entire sector. 

Just as a Bitcoin pump is generally viewed as a positive sign for the broader crypto market, Rollbit’s token performance could potentially benefit other crypto-based platforms like CoinPoker.

What is CoinPoker?

CoinPoker is a crypto-based poker room developed by players for players. Its primary objective is to build a poker platform that caters to players of all skill levels, providing a welcoming environment for everyone. 

At the core of CoinPoker’s operations is its decentralized Random Number Generator (RNG) software, which is open for testing and improvement by cryptography and poker experts. 

This ensures fairness and reliability in the card dealing process. Additionally, the platform offers a Hand Hindsight feature, allowing players to review undealt cards from previous hands, enhancing their gaming experience.

CoinPoker’s community plays a crucial role in shaping its strategic decisions, and the platform operates solely with USDT, a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar. Players have the flexibility to withdraw their balances in BTC, ETH, and USDT, with instant withdrawal times for ETH and USDT, and a few hours for BTC.

CoinPoker offers a variety of poker games for players to enjoy, including Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha. 

These games are available at different buy-in levels to fit various budgets, and new players can easily learn the rules by clicking on the game of their choice.

The increased visibility of CoinPoker across prominent crypto and technology publications such as Business Insider, Decrypt, Invezz, ReadWrite, and Benzinga this week is a testament to the platform’s increased marketing efforts. 

Such campaigns are crucial for CoinPoker to establish a strong brand presence and differentiate itself in the competitive crypto betting market.

Tournament Details

The CSOP tournament series, hosted by CoinPoker, promises to be an exciting event, featuring 41 events over the course of 10 days, from April 19th to April 29th. 

With a total prize pool of $1,000,000 and an additional $10,000 in added value, the series offers buy-ins ranging from $20 to $5,000 and guaranteed prize pools ranging from $1,000 to $200,000.

Catering to a diverse range of poker enthusiasts, the CSOP will feature No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE), Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), and Pot-Limit Omaha 5 (PLO5) events, ensuring a varied and engaging experience for participants.

This week Tony G’s High Roller Tournaments saw huge prizepools, with the $25K PLO event prizepool reaching $921,500 (24 players) and the $25K NLHE prize pool amounting to $824,500 (25 players). The #Falcon tournament ($1K NLHE) attracted 206 entrants, sharing a $260,160 prize pool.

#CoinPokerGiveaway ($500)!

Here we go again! There will be one lucky Twitter / X follower who will play the #CSOP Main Event (March 28th at 18:30 GMT) for free!
Buy-in = $500
GTD = $100,000

3 steps to participate
1⃣ Follow @CoinPoker_OFF
2⃣ RT this post… pic.twitter.com/TzS6WHAMde

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) April 23, 2024

Cash game action at CoinPoker has also heated up, with some 300k pots as the CSOP main event on Sunday draws closer.

The CoinPoker Twitter is now running a $500 ticket giveaway to the main event, with one lucky player receiving that for retweeting the above post, following and commenting with their CoinPoker username.

CHP Coin and Its Utility on CoinPoker

CHP (a play on poker ‘chips’) is the ERC-20 token utilized on the CoinPoker platform, enabling players to deposit and withdraw funds using ETH tokens or CHP. 

Transactions to and from CoinPoker are publicly visible on the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring transparency without compromising security. 

Holders of CHP can store the tokens in various Ethereum wallets, including MyEtherWallet, Metamask, Jaxx, Exodus, and hardware wallets by Ledger and Trezor.

Within the CoinPoker ecosystem, CHP tokens serve various purposes. Players can earn 33% rakeback, receive a 50% bonus on leaderboard points, and facilitate peer-to-peer transfers using CHP. Recently, the platform underwent a token swap to improve transaction costs, speeds, and deposit / withdrawal options. 

During this process, the old CHP token became obsolete, and a new ERC-20 CHP token was deployed on the Ethereum network. Existing CHP holders received a 1:1 airdrop of the new token, maintaining the same supply. 

The current market cap of CHP stands around $10 million, as per DEXScreener. The 99Bitcoins channel has also recently highlighted CHP token in a video.

Conclusion

CoinPoker’s decision to eliminate cashout fees aligns with the broader industry trend towards player-centric policies. 

By removing these fees, the platform demonstrates its commitment to providing a fair and transparent gaming experience for its users. 

Initiatives like these are likely to gain traction, fostering a more favorable environment for players who use this platform.

The recent positive performance of Rollbit casino’s native token, RLB, may have a ripple effect on the sector and tokens like CoinPoker’s CHP.

Visit CoinPoker

*Cryptonomist did not write the article or test the platform.

Paris, France, April 25th, 2024, Chainwire

Prize pool of over 1M€ value including media grant from Cointelegraph

Proof of Pitch is part of Proof of Talk, where All Global Leaders in Web3 Meet  

10-11 June 2024, Museum of Decorative Arts (MAD), Louvre Palace, Paris

In a ground-breaking shift from traditional pitch competitions, Proof of Pitch emerges as a transformative platform uniquely combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) insights with the strategic acumen of the world’s leading Web3 venture capitalists. Proof of Pitch participants will showcase their presentation to an exclusive audience of speakers and VCs, including CEOs, founders of leading blockchain companies, and top Web3 VC partners.

Next to the competition’s main sponsor zkSync, distinguished partners and jurors are participating, including Pantera Capital, Borderless Capital, Binance Labs, Greenfield Capital, Arrington Capital, Animoca Brands, Spartan Group, X Ventures, Mechanism Capital and Cointelegraph.

The Proof of Pitch winner will be awarded a first-place grand prize award of 1M€ value in a combination of cash investments by participating VCs, Accelerator services, visibility (such as a 30k media grant from Cointelegraph), and many other value-adding elements.

All participants will also receive a detailed 12-page investment report to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their pitch, outlining strengths to focus on and weaknesses to improve. This is equivalent to a team of analysts spending weeks analyzing the participant’s startup.

Zohair Dehnadi, Co-Founder, Proof of Talk and Partner, X-Ventures: “Unlike conventional pitch competitions, Proof of Pitch enables global businesses and leadership to intelligently tap into the power of Web3, providing valuable and sustainable insights for investors and the startup community at large instead of having just another light-touch startup competition with glittering prizes which ultimately do not add any real business value. Be part of our prestigious Proof of Pitch experience and elevate yourself! See you in June!”

Revolutionizing Startup Evaluation: The AI Advantage

At the heart of Proof of Pitch, a pioneering AI-driven tool is redefining startup assessments, providing deep, nuanced insights at an unprecedented pace. Developed by XVentures through a rigorous, year-long collaboration involving top VCs and data scientists, this AI, known as Pitch Scan LLM tool, can scrutinize a start-up’s business model, conducting thorough due diligence, and evaluate the team behind the idea, market size, and competitive landscape—within minutes rather than weeks. Every participant will be furnished with a detailed 10-page report, with a strategic roadmap for success in the ever-evolving Web3 domain.

Beyond Funding: Prizes That Foster Growth

This initiative is a revolutionary approach aimed at identifying, nurturing, and elevating start-ups set to redefine the innovative horizons of Web3. Winning at Proof of Pitch extends well beyond obtaining financial support. Winners are embraced by a full spectrum of resources, from AI-powered analytics to mentorship by Web3 visionaries, alongside direct introductions to leading venture capitalists. This holistic support system is designed to refine strategies, accelerate growth, and establish market leadership.

Unprecedented Visibility Among the Elite

Gain exclusive exposure by standing among the top 10% of applicants, showcased to a distinguished audience including CEOs, founders of leading blockchain enterprises, and top-tier Web3 venture capitalists. This exposure is more than mere visibility—it’s a golden ticket to captivate the attention of the industry’s elite, secure pivotal investments, and forge transformative connections.

A Vanguard Call to Web3 Innovators

Proof of Pitch calls upon start-ups at the cutting edge of Web3 innovation to dazzle the industry’s titans, venture through the vanguard of technology, and stake a claim in the digital future. This unparalleled opportunity allows participants to showcase their visionary ideas, propel their start-ups forward, and create a lasting impact in the domain of digital innovation.

Proof of Pitch invites those who are interested to dive into this revolutionary journey, an avenue for transcending traditional pitch norms. Navigate through the forefront of Web3 innovation.

Proof of Talk seeks to welcome over 2500 participants. Combined with a stellar speaker line-up featuring CEOs, founders, and leaders of the Web3 and digital assets industry, the summit features impact-focused networking and a refined agenda. A few of the speakers include:

● Joseph Lubin, CEO and Founder at Consensys

● Jenny Johnson, CEO, Franklin Templeton

● Tim Draper, Founder, Draper Associates

● Ophelia Snyder, Cofounder President, 21Shares

● Mihailo Bjelic, Co-Founder, Polygon

● Raoul Pal, Crypto Macro Economist

● Yat Siu, Chairman, Animoca Brands

● Stani Kulechov, CEO, Avara

● Staci Warden, CEO, Algorand Foundation

● Tim Grant, CEO, Deus X Capital

● Digital asset leads from over 30 major TradFi banks

● Partners from 100+ attending VCs

The summit’s agenda also actively reflects Web3’s growing importance, with over 20 panels, 10+ workshops, and over a dozen keynotes and firesides on key topics shaping Web3’s future. These include real-world asset tokenization, AI-blockchain integration, gaming evolution, and smart contract security.

Participants in this year’s Proof of Pitch can showcase their innovative ideas and gain valuable exposure. Participants have the opportunity to connect with industry experts and potential investors who can help elevate their businesses to the next level. Those who are interested can apply here.

About Proof of Talk

Proof of Talk is setting a new standard in the Web3 conference landscape, positioning itself not just as another web3 conference but as a pivotal forum where the promise of decentralization comes to life. The summit uniquely combines the essence of traditional economic forums with the dynamic, decentralized Web3 community, fostering an innovative ecosystem of dialogue and action. It stands as a platform for change, where every voice, from the seasoned economist to the radical Web3 founder, contributes to a collective vision of a decentralized economic future. By facilitating engaging discussions and unparalleled networking, participants shape this new landscape. Learn more at www.proofoftalk.io

About X Ventures

X Ventures is a Germany-based digital assets investment fund dedicated to supporting and empowering entrepreneurs in the Web3 industry. Alongside its investment activities, X Ventures founded www.xschool.io, aiming to provide accessible education to future leaders worldwide. Website: https://www.xventures.de

Contact

Shanna Molina
Cognito
shanna.molina@cognitomedia.nl

Dubai, April 18, 2024: 

Following a resounding success, VAP Group is thrilled to announce the triumphant conclusion of the inaugural editions of the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show, held on April 16 and 17, 2024, at Grand Hyatt, Dubai. 

The heavy rainfall that hit Dubai on Tuesday this week, most of the other events were canceled, only the Global AI Show and Global Blockchain Show took place. There were thousands  of attendees who witnessed these grand events.

While the event was seeing great success, VAP Group’s CEO, Vishal Parmar, took this moment to announce a significant milestone for blockchain & AI services by launching Times of AI and Times of Blockchain, two digital media subsidiaries of the VAP Group that will contribute to advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. These initiatives are poised to make substantial contributions to the ongoing progress in both of these respective fields.

The Global AI Show emerged as a powerhouse platform, showcasing a convergence of international and regional luminaries in the artificial intelligence and machine learning domains. Attendees were treated to a comprehensive exploration of AI’s transformative potential across key sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, and oil and gas. With thought-provoking keynote speeches and panel discussions, the event provided invaluable insights into unlocking new possibilities through AI technologies. Notable highlights included Jamie Metzl’s captivating session on the implications of AI, genetics, and biotechnology revolutions, as well as Dr. Divya Chander’s illuminating journey from brain reading to closed-loop brain-machine interface systems.

Meanwhile, the Global Blockchain Show illuminated the dynamic landscape of blockchain technology, drawing together experts from the web3 ecosystem to share their insights and discuss future opportunities. From thought-provoking presentations by visionaries like H.E. Justin Sun, Founder of TRON, to enlightening fireside chats with industry leaders like Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, CEO, Dubai Blockchain Center, attendees were immersed in discussions covering diverse topics ranging from the evolution of the digital ecosystem to the decentralized cloud vision of blockchain platforms like DFINITY.

The interactive presence of Sophia, the world’s first AI-humanoid robot, as the Official Ambassador for both events added a unique dimension, inspiring attendees with the boundless possibilities of AI and web3 technologies.

Various luminaries and experts spoke about advancements in AI and blockchain to come in the next few years. While addressing at the event, Dr. Divya Chander, MD, PhD, Neuroscientist, Physician, Medical Futurist said, “Elon Musk is not the first person to find neuronlike, he is just the famous one”. Additionally, Scott Melker said, “if I had to choose to put my money in the gaming industry, I will put it in India”.

In addition to the rich conference agenda, the events featured a vibrant start-up village where budding entrepreneurs showcased their innovative ideas to potential investors and venture capitalists. The launch of the VAP Accelerator further underscored its commitment to nurturing the next generation of AI and blockchain innovators.

A highlight of these events was the resounding success of the Global Blockchain Awards and Global AI Awards ceremonies, which recognized industry experts and leading organizations for their outstanding contributions.Neoki stood out by winning Best Visionary in Crypto of the Year, showcasing their innovative approach in the cryptocurrency realm. Binance secured Best Exchange of the Year, reaffirming its position as a trailblazer. At the Global AI Awards, H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, UAE, received the prestigious Global Visionary award for Pioneering a New Future, while Rashed AlSuwaidi, from the Ministry of State AI, UAE, was honored with the powering advancement of technology award, emphasizing their significant contributions to technological innovation. ADNOC Distribution won another iconic award for Best AI Achievement in Energy & Utilities, These achievements underscore the profound impact of visionaries and innovators in shaping the future of blockchain and AI technologies.

Both of the events  concluded with an unforgettable afterparty at the luxurious White Beach at Atlantis, The Palm, providing a perfect setting for industry experts and enthusiasts to network, forge new connections, and unwind in a relaxed atmosphere.

The resounding success of the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show underscores Dubai’s emergence as a global hub for cutting-edge technology and innovation. VAP Group extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and partners for their unwavering support in making these landmark events a grand success.

About VAP Group

VAP Group, an industry leader with over a decade of expertise in Web3 and Blockchain solutions, continues to revolutionize the landscape of digital innovation. Established in 2013, VAP Group has consistently delivered premium services including public relations, advertising, recruitment, content development, media, and management. Led by Mr. Vishal Parmar, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VAP Group stands at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of blockchain technology. Under his mentorship, the company has focused on pioneering strategies in PR marketing, influencer marketing, bounty campaigns, conferences, and campaigns, setting new benchmarks in the industry. What truly sets VAP Group apart is its dedication to creativity, uniqueness, and holistic solutions. By adopting an innovative and forward-thinking approach, VAP Group has distinguished itself as a beacon of innovation amidst the competitive landscape of blockchain consultancy.

VAP Group is the organizer of Global Blockchain Show and Global AI Show, extraordinary platforms poised to redefine the landscape of blockchain and AI technology respectively, offering dynamic gatherings where the brightest minds converge to unlock the potential of these transformative technologies.

From Ethena’s stablecoin to Bitcoin, for the first quarter of 2024 according to the CoinGecko report, the cryptocurrency market has experienced significant changes and trends that could redefine its future.

The rapid rise of Ethena’s USDe stablecoin according to CoinGecko

One of the most surprising developments has been the launch and explosive growth of Ethena USDe.

This new entrant in the stablecoin market has quickly reached a market capitalization of 1.5 billion dollars, positioning itself among the top five largest stablecoins and dethroning TrueUSD (TUSD) from its rank. 

The rapid rise of Ethena USDe can be attributed to its strong support and the growing market demand for a stable digital currency in volatile market conditions. This reflects a broader trend in which traders and investors are increasingly turning to stablecoins as a safe haven and reliable means of exchange.

The success of Ethena USDe highlights the dynamic nature of the crypto market, where new technologies and solutions can quickly emerge and reshape the landscape. This development not only impacts other stablecoins but also the entire financial technology sector, influencing how businesses and consumers conduct transactions in a digital economy.

Even the performance of Bitcoin in the first quarter has captured significant attention, with its price rising by 68.8% setting a new all-time high of $73,098.

This increase in the value of Bitcoin can be partly attributed to the growing interest of institutions, as highlighted by the significant assets under management (AUM) of US Spot Bitcoin ETFs, which have exceeded $55.1 billion.

Institutional adoption signals a growing recognition of Bitcoin’s potential both as a hedge against inflation and as a mainstream investment asset.

Other key insights from the report

The CoinGecko report also highlighted several other important trends in the cryptocurrency market:

The Ethereum ecosystem continued to expand, with ristaking on EigenLayer reaching 4.3 million ETH, indicating a strong quarterly growth of 36%. This suggests a solid confidence and long-term commitment from Ethereum stakeholders.

The market segment driven by memecoins, especially those of Solana, has seen a huge increase in market capitalization, growing by $8.32 billion. This increase reflects the ongoing enthusiasm and speculative interest within certain niche communities in the crypto space.

Non-fungible tokens (NFT) have maintained their popularity, with trading volumes reaching $4.7 billion in the top 10 markets. Magic Eden has emerged as a market leader, highlighting a diverse and vibrant ecosystem surrounding digital art and collectibles.

The trading volumes on centralized exchanges (CEX) have reached the extraordinary figure of 4.29 trillion dollars, the highest since the fourth quarter of 2021, signaling robust trading activity and increasing market participation.

The dominance of Ethereum in decentralized exchanges (DEX) has decreased, with its market share falling below 40%. This decline is indicative of the increasing relevance of other blockchain platforms that are starting to capture more market share in the DEX landscape.

Conclusion

The first quarter of 2024 has been a crucial period for the cryptocurrency industry, marked by significant changes in market dynamics and the rapid emergence of new players like Ethena USDe. 

These developments reflect a maturing market that is becoming increasingly diversified and integrated into the broader financial landscape. 

With the increase of institutional interest and the emergence of new technological advances, the cryptocurrency market is destined to further evolve, potentially leading to a wider adoption and integration into daily financial practices.

Between 2023 and 2024, the price of Nvidia’s shares experienced a spectacular boom, in some ways even similar to that of Bitcoin. 

However, these are two very different assets that are following different paths, so the only thing they really have in common is the boom in financial markets. 

The first price boom of Nvidia stocks: the stock follows Bitcoin

The Nvidia title (ticker NVDA) began trading on the Nasdaq even in the last century.

Until 2015 it had a fairly classic trend, with a boom during the speculative bubble of the dot-com at the end of the last century, when the price of its shares went from about $0.5 to over $3.5 in just 12 months, not followed by a big crash.

For example, in January 2002, it even reached over $6 for a brief moment.

Until 2015 inclusive, that is for a total of 14 consecutive years, it continued to fluctuate between about $0.7 and $9, on levels increasingly higher than those of 1998, but not much higher than those of 2002. 

Although the most spectacular boom occurred in the last few months, the stock had actually started to rise again as early as 2016, so much so that by the end of 2018 it had even exceeded $70. 

So during the dot-com bubble, and in the years that followed, it had recorded a sensational +1,800%, before correcting a bit and resuming its upward path in 2016, when it marked another +680% in just two years. 

At that point in less than 20 years, he had accumulated gains worth an incredible +13,000%. 

Bitcoin is not 20 years old, but only 15, even though since it has been traded on exchanges the percentage of profit is even higher, and by far, than that of Nvidia from 1999 to 2018.

The second boom

The Nvidia stock price, however, did not stop at $73 in October 2018. 

Actually in February 2020, shortly before the start of the pandemic, the price of its shares had returned above $70, after a brief correction, and with the financial markets crash in March 2020 it only dropped to $45, but only to start growing again from the following month. 

This second boom continued until 2021, setting a new all-time high just a few weeks after Bitcoin’s. 

In other words, between 2019 and 2021 it managed to climb to over $300, with another +370% after the +1,800% of the two thousand and ten years, and the +680% before the pandemic. 

At that point, the retracement of 2022 began, which affected a bit all financial markets, including Bitcoin, so much so that in October of the same year the price of Nvidia shares had dropped below $110.

It was still a value much higher than the $79 in February 2020, but its run was not over yet. 

NVIDIA Stocks: The third boom follows the price of Bitcoin

Indeed, in the course of 2023 the price of Nvidia shares has started to rise again. 

After rising above $300 in May of last year, it then soared even further to a record high of over $960 in March 2024. 

At that point, from the peak of 2021, it had recorded another sensational +181% in just over a year, bringing the gains since February 2020 to +1,100%. 

In summary, after recording a first +1,800% from 1998 to 2016, it has strung together another series of strong gains, in increasingly shorter times: +680% in two years from 2016 to 2018, followed by another +370% in two years from 2019 to 2021, interspersed with the crash of March 2020 for the beginning of the pandemic, and finally another +181% in just over a year between 2023 and 2024. 

The current price of about $824 is even 200,000% higher than the $0.4 in October 1999. 

But if a +200,000% increase in 25 years may seem like a lot to someone, it is important to remember that Bitcoin has recorded a staggering +100,000,000% increase in the last 14 years. 

However, the real difference is mainly made by the initial price of BTC, which was almost zero, because if we instead take as a reference the price it had at the end of 2012, at the time of the first halving and before the start of the first speculative bubble, the gain “reduces” to a still impressive +600,000%. 

Although there are no major stock titles that can compete with Bitcoin in recent times in terms of percentage gain in the last 15 years, Nvidia among the top stock titles is probably the one that comes closest in absolute terms. 

The timing of growth

The growth of Nvidia’s stock price in 1999 and 2000 was most likely largely due to the so-called dot-com bubble. 

But since then the price of Nvidia shares has never returned to pre-bubble levels, it means that it was not just a speculative bubble. 

Nvidia was one of the few stocks that did not collapse after the dot-com bubble burst, and what it did afterwards has clearly demonstrated that its increase in value was organic and justified. 

Although in 2002 there was a strong retracement, from $6 to less than $1, already the following year the price of its shares had returned above $2, and in 2006 it had also returned above $5. 

So it can be said that the first growth phase, characterized by very strong fluctuations also partly due to the bursting of the dot-com bubble, lasted for a good eight years, although marked by several ups and downs. 

That phase was followed by practically nine years of sideways movement, characterized also by a downward excursion below $2. 

Things have changed since 2016, when a three-phase growth cycle began that still seems to be ongoing. Since then, the overall gain acquired is 9,000%, in less than eight years. 

This phase of growth, however, has not been uninterrupted, but divided into three phases. 

The first one lasted until October 2018, and was followed by a not particularly dramatic retracement. 

The second one started after the outbreak of the pandemic, and continued until the end of 2021. 

The third one, started last year, could still be ongoing.