PYTH skyrockets 60% as US government taps Pyth Network to verify economic data on-chain


PYTH skyrockets 60% as US government taps Pyth Network to verify economic data on-chain
  • The US Department of Commerce has published GDB on blockchain for the first time.
  • It has selected Pyth Network as the oracle platform to verify and distribute economic data.
  • PYTH saw a sharp price increase after the news.

The United States continues to establish itself as the international hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency undertakings.

In a groundbreaking move, the US Department of Commerce confirmed today that it will start publishing GDP (gross domestic product) data on blockchain, starting with last month’s figures.

The announcement catalyzed bullish sentiments across the cryptocurrency space, especially for the project that the government picked.

The US Department of Commerce has worked with nine blockchains and leading exchanges.

To ensure data accessibility and reliability, it chose Chainlink and Pyth Network.

Pyth Network at the center of historic move

The Department revealed that it published the official hash of its quarterly GDP data across nine networks: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Arbitrum, Tron, Polygon PoS, Optimism, Stellar, and Arbitrum One.

Also, it has worked with leading exchanges, including Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini, to facilitate the latest release.

Furthermore, the US Department of Commerce tapped oracle providers Chainlink and Pyth Network to guarantee reliability and accuracy.

PYTH rallied immediately after the news as the community celebrated the project’s “validation moment.”

Pyth Network focuses on bringing real-time, high-quality data on-chain.

Thus, the announcement represented a watershed moment for the altcoin, as it anticipates lucrative use cases.

The government’s reliance on Pyth’s oracle service validates its infrastructure and status as a trusted player in the integration between decentralized networks and public institutions.

Government ratification fuels confidence

Howard Lutnick, US Secretary of Commerce, commented on the benefits of this move.

He perceives it as a part of the President’s strategy to make America the hub of blockchain. Lutnick said:

It’s only fitting that the Commerce Department and President Donald Trump, the crypto-President, publicly release economic statistical data on the blockchain. We are making America’s economic truth immutable and globally accessible like never before, cementing our role as the blockchain capital of the world.

The high-profile commendation has put the Pyth Network on the map as a trusted oracle protocol authorized by the government.

Officials confirmed that it will leverage oracles like Pyth to release other datasets, beyond GDP.

PYTH price outlook

The native coin exploded within minutes after the collaboration updates.

PYTH trades at $1891 after gaining around 62% from its daily low.

The staggering 2,400% uptick in trading volume signals massive interest in the altcoin.

Also, Pyth Network’s market capitalization has crossed the $1 billion mark for the first time since February 2025.

The US government endorsement positions PYTH for impressive performance in the coming months and years.

The development could bolster institutional demand from firms exploring blockchain to provide accurate and reliable data.

Prevailing sentiments suggest PYTH might have secured the needed catalyst to recover to its 2024 all-time highs above $1.





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Crypto hacks in August hit $163 million as exchange risks grow


Crypto hacks in August hit $163 million as exchange risks grow
  • The largest theft was $91.4 million from anonymous Bitcoin addresses.
  • Other victims included Odin.fun ($7 million), BetterBank.io ($5 million), and CrediX Finance ($4.5 million).
  • Weak audits, human error, and fast platform launches are driving security risks.

The digital asset industry faced another blow in August as hackers stole $163 million across 16 separate incidents, according to blockchain security firm PeckShield.

This was a jump from July’s $142 million, showing how attacks are becoming more frequent and technically advanced.

The largest theft was $91.4 million from multiple anonymous Bitcoin addresses, underlining the vulnerability of individual investors as well as institutions.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, these incidents raise questions about the security of centralised platforms and the long-term impact on investor trust in the wider crypto market, which continues to expand globally.

$54 million BtcTurk hack highlights exchange weaknesses

One of the biggest cases in August was the breach of BtcTurk, Turkey’s leading crypto exchange, which lost $54 million.

This incident was particularly notable because the same platform had already been hit in June 2024 for another $54 million, bringing its total annual losses above $100 million.

BtcTurk confirmed that unauthorised access had been detected, affected wallets were frozen, and investigations with local authorities were underway.

The repeat nature of the attack highlights how centralised exchanges remain a high-value target, with security defences proving inadequate against persistent attackers.

Other platforms lost $17 million in separate cases

While BtcTurk dominated headlines, smaller but still damaging attacks hit other platforms. Odin.fun lost $7 million, BetterBank.io suffered $5 million in losses, and CrediX Finance was drained of $4.5 million.

These examples show how cybercriminals are not only targeting major exchanges but also smaller platforms, often exploiting weak security audits or untested systems.

The cumulative effect of these breaches demonstrates how no level of the crypto ecosystem is safe from exploitation, whether through technical loopholes or basic operational oversights.

Human error and lack of audits fuel rising attacks

PeckShield’s data shows that the crypto sector’s rapid growth is directly linked to the rising number of hacks. New platforms and protocols are often launched quickly without thorough security reviews, giving attackers multiple entry points.

Alongside structural weaknesses, human error continues to play a major role. Users failing to enable two-factor authentication, relying on weak passwords, or falling victim to phishing scams leave both exchanges and personal wallets open to compromise.

The combination of technical flaws and behavioural lapses is creating an environment where cybercrime thrives, forcing exchanges and investors to reconsider their defences.

Regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions have noted these trends, pointing to the need for stricter compliance checks.

Bitcoin dips as investor confidence weakens

The impact of these hacks has extended into the wider market. Bitcoin (BTC) slipped 0.29% in the past 24 hours to trade at $108,361.50, with a market capitalisation of $2.15 trillion.

Bitcoin price
Source: CoinMarketCap

Analysts warn that repeated breaches could slow mainstream adoption, as every incident erodes investor confidence and strengthens the case for stricter regulations to protect consumers and stabilise trading activity.



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AgriFORCE to rebrand as AVAX One in $550M bet on Avalanche Network


Grayscale launches investment fund for AVAX Token
  • The firm will become AVAX One and focus on accumulating Avalanche tokens.
  • AgriFORCE aims to become the first publicly listed AVAX-centred entity.
  • Institutional interest signals confidence in Avalanche’s future.

Nasdaq-listed AgriFORCE Growing System has announced a historic pivot into the blockchain sector.

According to Monday’s press release, the firm will change its name to AVAX One and raise roughly $550 million to fund Avalanche accumulation.

AVAX One plans to hold Avalanche tokens worth over $700 million, becoming the first publicly listed company dedicated to purchasing AVAX.

The move has gained attention as it marks AgriFORCE’s significant departure from the agriculture sector.

It reflects the firm’s confidence in blockchain as a disruptive force across various industries.

Commenting on this new development, AgriFORCE’s CEO Jolie Khan says:

For the first time, our company provides public market investors with a professionally-managed vehicle to invest directly in this transformation. Our mission is to maximize our ownership of this foundational technology, AVAX, on a per-share basis, delivering direct value to our shareholders as this new economy grows.

Avalanche grabs institutional interest

The Layer 1 has gained traction as a top platform for institutions interested in blockchain.

Avalanche boasts security with over $6.2 billion in staked assets.

Also, leading firms such as Apollo, JPMorgan Chase, and KKR are already using the AVAX network to launch custom blockchain solutions and tokenized products.

Avalanche boasts faster transaction speeds, low costs, and high scalability, features that are crucial for RWA tokenization and DeFi.

Such perks have increased the blockchain’s institutional appeal.

The $550 million bet

The firm plans a massive capital raise led by Hivemine Capital and participation from more than 50 investors, including Cypher Capital, Republic Digital, Kraken, Digital Currency Group, ParaFi, and Galaxy Digital.

The raise will include $250 million in equity-linked financing and $300 million PIPE (subject to stakeholder approval).

Hivemind Capital founder Matt Zhang said the firm plans a short- and long-term approach:

Our near-term active strategy will focus on disciplined asset accumulation and, in the long run, acquiring and onboarding cash-flowing fintech businesses onto the Avalanche network. This creates a powerful growth flywheel and sustained NAV premium that differentiates ourselves from all other digital asset treasury companies and ETFs.

AVAX One will use the raised capital to support its goal of owning AVAX worth more than $700 million.

AVAX price outlook

Avalanche’s native token maintained a bearish outlook today.

It is trading at $31.43 after losing over 4% of its value in the past 24 hours.

AVAX remains bullish after gaining 10% and 20% in the past week and month.

The altcoin trades within the key breakout level between $30 and $31.

Reclaiming $36 could support short-term rallies to $42 and flip AVAX’s near-term trajectory to bullish.

However, losing the foothold at $28 might postpone the imminent rally.

Broad market sentiments will determine Avalanche’s price actions in the coming sessions.

Meanwhile, emerging institutional interest positions the AVAX project for massive growth in the coming times.





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LINEA price spikes 14% as SWIFT picks Linea for pilot


  • Linea token LINEA has jumped by over 14% to reach highs of $0.029 amid major SWIFT news.
  • Reports say SWIFT and bank partners including PNB Paribas and BNY are set to test blockchain messaging system.
  • SWIFT has selected Linea for the pilot.

LINEA, the native token of the Ethereum Layer 2 network Linea, has surged by 14% in the past 24 hours, with a sharp spike coming on the back of a major SWIFT announcement.

The token reached intraday highs of $0.029 as news emerged that the interbank messaging platform has selected Linea for testing its system on the blockchain. Gains saw LINEA outpace many altcoins that struggled amid broader crypto price turmoil.

SWIFT to test messaging system on Linea blockchain

SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, which facilitates secure messaging for over 11,000 financial institutions across more than 200 countries, is embarking on a transformative experiment.

According to exclusive insights from The Big Whale, SWIFT has partnered with Consensys-developed Linea, an Ethereum Layer 2 solution, to explore migrating its core messaging system onto the blockchain.

Gregory Raymond, co-founder of The Big Whale, shared the news on X.

The collaboration will also involve global banking giants, with over 10 banks including BNP Paribas and BNY.

SWIFT is also set to team up with over a dozen institutions on the project, said The Big Whale, with many of these already engaged in the initiative’s proof-of-concept phase.

According to a well-placed source, the project, though still in development, could herald a significant technological overhaul of the international interbank payments industry.

Why the layer 2 blockchain Linea?

Linea’s appeal lies in its emphasis on privacy, enabled by advanced cryptographic proofs.

The banks see this as aligning with the regulatory and security demands of the banking sector.

Linea offers an enterprise-grade infrastructure platform for global finance.

Per details on its website, the network already supports financial institutions like Mastercard, Visa and JP Morgan.

The Consensys-backed platform is designed for blockchain solutions, including tokenization, trading, payments, and onchain settlement.

It allows for integration with decentralized finance protocols, custodians, and real-world asset tokenization platforms.

LINEA price spikes amid news

SWIFT’s plans and The Big Whale’s report on the development triggered a notable market reaction from the LINEA community.

LINEA price chart on CoinMarketCap

As the token soared over 14%, the price increase was accompanied with a 6% increase in daily trading volume to $353 million.

The gains saw Linea join the likes of Subsquid, Solv Protocol and Lombard in outpacing the top coins.

Linea price reached its all-time high of $0.04657 on September 10, 2025.

The uptick could, therefore, see bulls attempt to retest this level.

Holders and stakeholders will closely monitor the progress of SWIFT’s pilot as it unfolds.





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Binance expands global crypto access with new USD transfer feature


Binance expands global crypto access with new USD transfer feature
  • Fee-free USD deposits offered for faster crypto conversions.
  • Binance partners with PayPay in Japan for direct crypto purchases.
  • Plume Network integration enables gas-free tokenised asset payments.

Binance has unveiled a new feature enabling direct USD deposits and withdrawals through its regulated subsidiary, BPay Global.

Licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, BPay Global strengthens Binance’s position in bridging traditional finance with digital assets.

Announced on October 22, the feature is now available to users in over 70 countries.

It offers fee-free SWIFT transfers and integration with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and debit or credit cards, creating a smoother experience for both retail and corporate users seeking secure fiat-to-crypto transactions.

Seamless integration of USD and crypto payments

The new service allows Binance users to deposit and withdraw USD directly through BPay Global, bypassing traditional intermediaries.

Users can store funds in a regulated e-wallet and utilise them instantly for trading or conversions on the Binance platform.

By eliminating deposit fees for SWIFT transfers, Binance aims to reduce the cost and friction of moving between fiat and crypto markets.

This initiative caters to the growing global demand for accessible, compliant, and cost-efficient payment channels.

The move aligns with Binance’s broader strategy to expand its fiat gateway infrastructure while maintaining compliance with international financial standards.

Building on recent payments and compliance initiatives

The launch follows a series of updates strengthening Binance’s payments ecosystem.

Earlier in October, Binance.US introduced dynamic withdrawal fees for ERC-20 tokens and reduced trading fees on major pairs including Ethereum, Solana, and BNB.

These changes were designed to create a more efficient environment for traders and liquidity providers across markets.

In Japan, Binance deepened its reach through a partnership with PayPay, the country’s largest cashless payment platform.

This collaboration enables users to buy cryptocurrencies directly using PayPay Money, which is then credited to their Binance accounts.

The partnership highlights Binance’s growing integration with regional payment systems to make digital assets more mainstream.

Integrating real-world assets through blockchain innovation

Beyond fiat transactions, Binance has also advanced its blockchain payment infrastructure through the integration of Plume Network.

This collaboration allows gas-free transactions for tokenised real-world assets (RWAs) across thousands of merchants, broadening the usability of digital currencies in real-world commerce.

Such developments mark a strategic evolution in Binance’s long-term objective — merging traditional and digital economies.

By combining global compliance oversight, regulated financial channels, and blockchain innovation, Binance is positioning itself at the forefront of Web3-driven financial systems.

Expanding global reach through BPay Global

The introduction of BPay Global’s USD transfer capabilities marks a critical step toward a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

By extending access to users across 70 countries, Binance not only simplifies global payments but also demonstrates its commitment to offering secure, regulated, and cost-effective cross-border financial tools.

The expansion reinforces Binance’s ongoing transition from a pure crypto exchange to a comprehensive financial services provider.

With fiat and digital assets increasingly intertwined, BPay Global serves as a bridge between legacy systems and decentralised finance, further establishing Binance’s influence in shaping the next generation of global payments.



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Brazilian Parliament Heading for Key Vote on Crypto Regulation Bill

Brazilian Parliament Heading for Key Vote on Crypto Regulation Bill

Source: AdobeStock / IrynaV

 

An ambitious private member’s bill that seeks to regulate the Brazilian crypto market could be approved by the National Congress before the end of the first half of this year – with MPs set for a key vote on Tuesday next week.

The original bill was authored by Senator Flávio Arns of the Podemos Party and has already passed the Senate. It has also been merged with a second crypto bill that has previously been approved by the Senate Economic Affairs Committee. The second bill was authored by Senator Irajá Abreu.

Globo reported that Congress hopes the merged bill will be passed by June, and Abreu was quoted as stating:

“By uniting the [bills], we have accelerated the approval of this cryptocurrency milestone. There is a market demand for a more secure business environment and the need for criminal classifications that will seek to prevent fraud. [This] will also bring Brazil up to speed with international agreements [on crypto regulation].”

The bill proposes creating a “registry” of politicians and public servants to help fight crypto-powered money laundering.

Not everyone appears to be happy with the bill’s rapid progress through the legislative system, however. Some Senators have called for more time and wider consultation prior to a vote.

But its architects stated that there would be room for “improvement” at a later date. Instead, they claimed that both market participants and the Banco Central (the central bank) had joined calls for faster regulatory rollouts.

The terms of the bill seek to define cryptoassets as “a type of fully digital money that is issued by private agents, sold exclusively through the internet.”

The bill makes it clear that while coins would not be considered illegal, they clearly “operate outside the rules of business and the Brazilian financial sector” – with jail terms mandated for new crypto-related fraud offenses.

As such, crypto exchanges and brokerages will be regulated, but not to the point that free “enterprise and competition” are compromised, the authors claimed.

As has been the case in many other countries, crypto exchanges – as well as brokers and wallet providers – would be obliged to separate their own and their customers’ assets, manage risk, guarantee the security of sensitive customer data and answer to a regulatory body appointed by the government.

But, critically, the architects have spoken of creating a “simplified procedure for obtaining operating licenses” – a suggestion that they want to avoid situations, as has been the case in nations like Japan, whereby firms are forced to wait months for their license applications to be considered.

The bill also includes a number of incentives for crypto miners, including import tax breaks for mining hardware importers.

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Learn more:
– Rio’s Treasury Reserves to Be Made up of 1% Crypto, City May Enable BTC Tax Payments
– Coinbase Reportedly Nears Mercado Bitcoin Purchase as Binance Readies Rio Expansion

– Brazilian Banking Boss Says Venezuelans Use Bitcoin & Alts as a ‘Vehicle’
– Bitcoin & Crypto Mining Gets Another Latin American Hydroelectric Power Boost

– Small Argentine Town Turns to Crypto Mining to Pay for Improvements
– Panama Eyes Bitcoin & Crypto to Spark Tech Investment


US SEC’s Proposal On 'Exchange' Definition Could Be Unconstitutional – Think Tank

US SEC’s Proposal On 'Exchange' Definition Could Be Unconstitutional – Think Tank

Source: AdobeStock/Todd Taulman

 

A recent proposal by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aims to amend the definition of ‘exchange’ and alternative trading systems (ATSs) in American regulation, but it could instead create  “an inappropriately broad standard for registration” that would place unconstitutional restraints on the protected speech of software developers and technologists, according to Washington DC-based crypto think tank Coin Center.

The SEC said it is proposing to amend Rule 3b-16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the statutory definition of ‘exchange’ to include systems that offer the use of non-firm trading interest and communication protocols to bring together securities’ buyers and sellers. 

The agency proposes to alter this definition from a person who “brings together orders” and “uses established, non-discretionary methods” to carry out a trade, to a person who “brings together buyers and sellers” and “makes available” a range of methods for such persons to engage in trade, including “communication protocols.”

“In addition, the Commission is re-proposing amendments to its regulations under the Exchange Act that were initially proposed in September 2020 for ATSs to take into consideration systems that may fall within the definition of exchange because of the proposed amendments and operate as an ATS,” according to the agency.

In its comments on the SEC’s proposal, Coin Center points to the potential dangers resulting from the fact that, in order to publish certain types of speech content, the speaker would be first required to pre-register as a securities exchange, or risk severe penalties.

The think tank argues that the chilling effect resulting from “imposing an overly broad standard for registration, matched with severe penalties for non-compliance, will lead many creative and inventive Americans to self-censor.” 

For this reason, the proposed standard “will be immediately eligible for a pre-enforcement challenge on First Amendment grounds,” they said,

Coin Center recognizes that the final word over the constitutionality of the SEC’s proposed definition of exchange will belong to US courts.

“However, we urge the Commission to follow the counsel of former Commissioner [Roberta] Karmel as well as current Commissioner [Hester] Peirce, and to narrow the scope of the definition and avoid chilling the speech rights of Americans,” according to the think tank.

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Learn more:
– United States Crypto Lobbyists Making Inroads at State Level – Report
– Janet Yellen on Crypto Regulation

– US Senator Suggests Banning Fed From Issuing a Direct-to-Consumer CBDC
– UK, US, India, Singapore See More Crypto Regulations

– US Proposed Unrealized Gains Tax May Become ‘Penalty for Being Successful’ in Crypto
– Ex-Regulator Tells US Senators That Crypto Can ‘Empower and Protect the Innocent’


Spanish Crypto Investors ‘Fleeing to Portugal to Escape Taxes,’ Say Lawyers

Spanish Crypto Investors ‘Fleeing to Portugal to Escape Taxes,’ Say Lawyers

Source: Adobe/Oleksii

 

Increasing levels of scrutiny from the Spanish taxman are forcing Spaniards to flock to Portugal – or at least declare their legal residence of their Iberian neighbor nation. And it is a phenomenon that could one day turn Spain into what legal experts have called a “crypto desert.”

Portugal is known among crypto investors as a “tax-free haven,” where taxes are not imposed on cryptoasset holders and traders. Business Insider Spain reported that this “contrasts” with the situation across the border in Spain, where regulations continue to become stricter and stricter.

Although a recent attempt to tax citizens on their crypto holdings held abroad as part of the controversial Modelo 720 system ended in something akin to farce, the taxman is likely to tweak declaration protocols to ensure that they get a cut of trading profits in the near future.

The report quoted the lawyers Teresa Novo and Luisa Cinca, both from the Belzuz Abogados law firm – which operates in both Spain and Portugal, and specializes in corporate and tax-related matters – as stating that crypto “investors residing in Spain are transferring their official residence to Portugal.”

The lawyers warned that this group included “highly qualified” people, many of whom have “training in the areas of IT, computer engineering, and or economics,” who were specifically “looking for a country where they do not have to pay tax on all or part of their income.”

Although Portuguese law does not contain any specific rules pertaining to the taxation of income from the sale of cryptoassets, the legal experts stated that the situation is slightly more nuanced, to the extent that “it is debatable” whether token sales “should be subject to taxation in Portugal,” as they “do not result from” a legally recognized “professional activity.”

Novo and Cinca noted that the only cases whereby the Portuguese tax authority has taken money from crypto traders are cases whereby crypto traders actively chose to declare that they were working as full-time traders and volunteered information about their earnings.

A partner at another legal firm, Miñoabogados y Agalbit, noted that while capital gains and income tax laws in Spain seek to charge individuals with tax rates of between 19% and 26%, the same operations in Portugal were taxed at 0%, as they do not constitute “an economic activity” in Portugal.

Yet another lawyer was quoted as stating that an exodus of “talent and digital investment” was taking place “from Spain to Portugal,” whereby crypto folk felt that “in Spain, there is a persecution of crypto” and that “in Portugal, the opposite is true.”

The lawyer was quoted as saying:

“Portugal is attracting digital nomads with different nationalities. These people often work in the crypto ecosystem and are coming together in the technological hub of Lisbon. [The city is becoming] increasingly relevant, with a very attractive international environment in which to do business.”

Some of the legal experts concluded that Spain was running the risk of becoming a “crypto desert,” with lawyers warning that if Spain failed to “listen to the needs” of crypto advocates and “provide them greater legal certainty,” it would lose out to countries who offer more favorable conditions for crypto growth.
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Learn more: 
– How the Crypto Industry is Increasingly Paying Its Share of Tax
– A Small Survey Shows that US Crypto Investors Have Big Problems with Taxes

– Crypto Tax Trends in 2022: Increased Reporting, Updated Rules, and a Wealth Tax Debate
– US Proposed Unrealized Gains Tax May Become ‘Penalty for Being Successful’ in Crypto
– India Confirms Discriminatory Tax Rate for Crypto Investors

– Spanish Retail Giant El Corte Inglés to Open Crypto Exchange – Report
– Spanish Telecom Behemoth Telefónica Weighs up Crypto Pay Options


Ethereum Developer Says Merge Delayed Until a ‘Few Months After’ June

Ethereum Developer Says Merge Delayed Until a ‘Few Months After’ June

Source: Adobe/Georgy Dzyura

 

Tim Beiko, a leading Ethereum (ETH) developer working on the blockchain’s transition to proof-of-stake (PoS) – known as The Merge – has said the major network upgrade will not be completed in June.

“It won’t be June, but likely in [a] few months after. No firm date yet, but we’re definitely in the final chapter of [proof-of-work – PoW] on Ethereum,” Beiko wrote on Twitter.

The comment from Beiko came after an Ethereum miner on Twitter asked him if miners would be “left out to dry” as they transition to PoS – which does not require mining – moves forward.

“I would strongly suggest not investing more in mining equipment at this point,” Beiko replied the miner by saying in a thread where he also shared a new update from Ethereum core developers about the latest Merge updates.

The highly anticipated Ethereum Merge was previously expected to happen sometime between May and June this year.

Meanwhile, speculation has also emerged online that The Merge may become even more delayed than a “few months after [June]”.

Writing on a Reddit forum for Ethereum miners, one mining pool operator who said they have been “reviewing the code and running nodes on the merge testnets,” said that they “don’t believe they will be ready until 2023.”

The comment from the pool operator was shared by another Reddit user in the r/CryptoCurrency forum, who added:

“It’s kind of a running theme in the ETH mining community how proof of stake has been ‘almost here’ for years now, but this time it’s actually true we are nearing the end.”

Meanwhile, back in February, Canada-based mining firm Hut 8 claimed that it would not be “really affected” by Ethereum’s move to PoS.

Commenting to Cryptonews.com at the time, Sue Ennis, Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations at the company said the Hut 8 team is “pretty close to the [Ethereum] developer community,” while adding:

“And we’re hearing on the ground that proof-of-stake is so pretty far off, because it’s obviously not a technology issue; it’s a governance issue.”

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Learn more: 
– Ethereum Devs Call Mainnet Shadow Fork a ‘Huge Success’, Propose Fixes for Bugs
– Top Narratives About Ethereum and Its Merge with Its Proof-of-Stake Beacon Chain

– Ethereum Miners Can Transition to These Coins and Boost Their Values
– Axie Infinity’s Ronin Hack Exposes Risks of Proof-of-Stake and Centralization – Analysts 
– Hayes Says He Aims to Rebalance Portfolio in Favor of Ethereum, Sets New Price Target for ETH 

– Buterin Claims Ethereum Simplicity is Still Possible, as Developers Warn of Increasing Complexity
– Ethereum Staking Sees Accelerating Growth Ahead of Merge

– The Ethereum Economy is a House of Cards
– Why Ethereum is Far From ‘Ultrasound Money’


Opera's Crypto Browser Enters iOS, Worldcoin's Open Source, LUNA Gift + More News

Opera's Crypto Browser Enters iOS, Worldcoin's Open Source, LUNA Gift + More News

Source: iStock/AdrianHancu

 

Get your daily, bite-sized digest of cryptoasset and blockchain-related news – investigating the stories flying under the radar of today’s crypto news.

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 Adoption newsWeb browser Opera announced that its Crypto Browser for iOS is out and available for download from its website, and that it comes with a built-in non-custodial crypto wallet that supports several blockchain networks. In addition, the browser will give users access to Web 3-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized apps, including 7,000 services based on the Polygon (MATIC) ecosystem.Self-custodial crypto software platform Exodus Movement announced that customers now have the ability to buy crypto using their bank accounts within the Exodus mobile application. This is enabled through the fiat on-ramp service Ramp Network, and it enables customers to exchange USD, EUR, or GBP for over 25 cryptoassets within the app, they added.The Emirates airline will launch NFTs and metaverse experiences for its customers and employees, with the launch of the first projects anticipated in the coming months. The company also announced that its Emirates Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site will be used to introduce new projects, including those relating to the metaverse, NFTs, and Web3.Portugal-based financial institution Bison Bank received a license from the Banco de Portugal, the country’s central bank, to operate as a virtual asset service provider (VASP). Although it is the fifth VASP to be authorized by the central bank, it is only the first bank-owned entity on the list.Altcoins newsMajor crypto exchange Coinbase-backed startup Worldcoin announced that they are open-sourcing the stack. In the coming weeks and months, the team will open-source most of their work from the last two years and will post deep–dives explaining each component, the announcement said. Everything will be published with permissive or responsible legal licenses, it added.Stablecoin newsTerra (LUNA) blockchain developer Terraform Labs gifted the Luna Foundation Guard (LFG) LUNA 10m (USD 81m). The LFG is tasked with collateralizing the network’s algorithmic stablecoin terra USD (UST).Investments newsIn a letter to investors, analytics platform MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor called his multibillion-dollar bitcoin (BTC) trove “a tremendous success” in driving shareholder value. He added that this strategy was complementary to the company’s decades-old analytics business, and that they would “continue to vigorously pursue both strategies.”Tech entrepreneur, author, and Bitcoin proponent Jeff Booth is launching Ego Death Capital, an investment fund aimed at providing funding to entrepreneurs who are working to grow the bitcoin ecosystem. Nico Lechuga and Andrea Pitt have joined as co-founding partners, while bitcoin advocates Lyn Alden and Preston Pysh will join as advisors. “The onboarding of billions of people to the Bitcoin ecosystem will come from creating products that solve real needs,” Booth wrote in a letter introducing the fund.Digital asset gateway Fasset raised USD 22m in a Series A funding round co-led by Liberty City Ventures and Fatima Gobi Venture. The project aims to expand its offerings in Islamic and emerging markets which include Indonesia and Pakistan.DeFi newsDecentralized finance (DeFi) and decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator 1inch announced it has deployed its Aggregation Protocol and the Limit Order Protocol on the Fantom (FTM) blockchain.Legal newsRobert Taylor was indicted for operating an illegal Bitcoin ATM business in at least 46 locations in New York City, USA, mostly in laundromats, as well as locations in New Jersey and Miami, aimed at individuals engaged in criminal activity, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Between 2017 and 2018, he converted more than USD 5.6m of his customers’ cash into bitcoin while charging a fee of between 10% and 20% without a valid regulatory license, it said.Nessa Risley of North Carolina, USA, a user of the Uniswap (UNI) swapping service, alleges in a class-action lawsuit that a lack of know-your-customer procedures on the platform allowed scammers to execute pump and dump schemes, resulting in her losing funds. She states that the protocol’s failure to register as a broker-dealer with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and comply with securities laws has put investors at risk.Career newsBinance announced that its Director of Sanctions Compliance Chagri Poyraz has been promoted to Global Head of Sanctions since joining in early January. He is responsible for ensuring Binance meets and maintains sanctions compliance globally, as well as for building a sanctions control framework similar to traditional banks, they added.