Cryptocurrency

As we approach the quarter-mark of the 21st century, it's hard to ignore the profound impact of global digital migration on our lives. The internet has become an integral part of daily life, with approximately 67.5% of the world's population connected online. In the European Union, this figure is even higher at 93.1%. However, as we continue to digitize various aspects of society, it's essential to acknowledge both the benefits and challenges that come with this shift. The Uneven Power Balance in Web3 While Web3 offers numerous advantages, such as decentralization, security, and transparency, it also raises significant concerns. Chief among these is the imbalance of power between creators and consumers. Although Web3 was designed to be decentralized, many protocols developed by creators ar...

The world of digital collectibles has been making waves in recent months, and the latest data suggests that non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are maintaining their momentum. According to a report by CryptoSlam, NFT sales surged by 57.8% in November, reaching a staggering $562 million in sales volume. Recovery in Progress This significant increase in sales volume is a testament to the resilience of the NFT market. Despite experiencing a slump earlier this year, digital collectibles seem to be recovering well. The data indicates that November's monthly sales volume for NFTs is the highest since May, when they reached $599 million. Monthly Sales Volume from May to December 2024 | Month | Sales Volume (USD) | | --- | --- | | May | $599 million | | June | $444 million | | July | $373 million | | Augus...

In a high-stakes legal battle, IT engineer James Howells from Newport, Wales is fighting to recover an estimated $773 million in lost Bitcoin (BTC). The hard drive containing the private keys was mistakenly disposed of in a landfill back in 2013. Despite the significant value tied up in the cryptocurrency market at its earliest days, Howells remains optimistic about his chances of success. The Lost Fortune The hard drive holds approximately 8,000 BTC, valued at $773 million based on current market prices. The loss was a result of human error and highlights the importance of proper data management and disposal procedures in the age of cryptocurrency. The Legal Battle Howells is backed by a world-class legal team, including a King's Counsel (KC), senior barristers, and support staff. They ar...

Crypto Trader Makes Over $3.2 Million in 10 Hours Despite Market Slump A trader has generated an impressive profit of over $3.2 million in just 10 hours by trading the newly launched Hyperfy (HYPER) token. This feat is all the more remarkable considering that the broader crypto markets are still recovering from a lack of liquidity during the holiday season. Initial Investment of $2,137 Yields Over 1,500 Times Return According to blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain, the trader turned an initial investment of $2,137 into over $3.2 million by trading HYPER token. This return equates to more than 1,500 times the initial investment in just a short period of time. Trading Pattern Shows High Liquidity and Volatility The trader has been taking profits, selling a total of 17.88M HYPER for 10,...

=========================================================== A Review of the Runes Protocol's Performance on the Bitcoin Network In recent months, the transactions on the Runes protocol on the Bitcoin network have experienced a significant drop. This decline has been particularly notable since December, where the protocol's transaction share fell well below the highs reached during its more dominant months earlier in 2024. The Rise of the Runes Protocol After the launch of the Runes protocol, it consistently had the highest bandwidth on the Bitcoin network. On April 23, the protocol reached a record-high of over 753,000 transactions, surpassing the Ordinals protocol, BRC-20s, and even Bitcoin itself. This remarkable feat accounted for more than 81% of all transactions in the Bitcoin blockc...

While some investors may be hesitant to buy into the recent surge of Bitcoin (BTC), MicroStrategy has shown unwavering commitment to the cryptocurrency. The business intelligence firm, turned BTC investor, announced on November 11th that it had purchased an additional 27,200 Bitcoin for approximately $2.03 billion in cash. A Significant Investment The latest purchase was made between October 31st and November 10th, with an average price of $74,463 per BTC, including fees and expenses. This marks a significant investment for MicroStrategy, bringing its total holdings to 279,420 BTC, valued at nearly $23 billion at current market prices. Using Share Sales to Fund the Purchase According to MicroStrategy, the proceeds from issuing and selling shares were used to fund this latest purchase. The ...

On January 9th, digital infrastructure company Jan3 announced that Cypherpunk Nick Szabo is joining the team as chief scientist. This significant addition comes amidst growing interest in Bitcoin adoption worldwide. Spearheading Research and Development As chief scientist, Szabo's primary responsibility will be to spearhead research into Bitcoin's implications for monetary policy, international trade settlement, and global adoption. His role is crucial in cementing Bitcoin as the cornerstone of an entirely new global financial system. Cementing Bitcoin's Position Szabo emphasized the importance of decentralization and trust minimization in a statement: "By focusing on decentralization and trust minimization, we can address the systemic inefficiencies of legacy systems and empower indi...

Crypto Volunteer Moderator Hides in Fear After Kidnappers Attempt to Abduct Him A Canadian volunteer moderator of a crypto forum has reportedly gone into hiding with his family after kidnappers allegedly attempted to abduct him and force him to give up his Bitcoin. The victim, who was not identified in the Canadian French-language news outlet La Presse's January 6 report, claimed that the would-be abductors were prepared for horrific violence before he and his children managed to escape. The Daring Attempt According to the report, the would-be kidnappers had a plan to torture the victim. They allegedly brought with them equipment designed to inflict severe physical pain, including a 2-foot by 2-foot tarpaulin with a hole in the middle and green hoses around it to cut off blood flow. "...

On January 2, 2025, Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, appeared before a US magistrate in the Southern District of New York to plead not guilty to charges related to the collapse of the Terra ecosystem. This marked the first legal hearing for Kwon since his extradition to the United States. Charges and Allegations Kwon faces nine counts of various charges, including: Securities fraud Wire fraud Money laundering charges Commodities fraud These charges stem from Kwon's alleged role in the collapse of the Terra ecosystem, which resulted in significant financial losses for investors. Extradition and US Custody The extradition process for Do Kwon was a complex and lengthy one. In 2023, Montenegrin court officials weighed extraditing Kwon to either the United States or his homeland of Sout...

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Trading In today's fast-paced financial landscape, speed and precision are crucial factors in making informed trading decisions. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the way market participants navigate global markets. AI's ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time and interpret unstructured information such as breaking news and social media trends has transformed decision-making processes. Generative AI: The Game-Changer Central to this innovation is generative AI, a branch of artificial intelligence capable of analyzing extensive datasets and creating outputs like predictions, insights, or even new patterns. This capability enables trading systems to learn, adapt, and forecast with unprecedented accurac...