<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Loyalty, Memberships and Ticketing: How NFTs Will Bring About Mass Adoption</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">NFL Rivals Scores 1M Downloads for NFT-Based Mobile Game</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Engaging the Masses: How Entertainment is Taking Web3 Mainstream</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Animoca Brands' Anichess Secures $1.5M for Decentralized Chess Game</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">It’s Game On for Web3: How Gaming Will Onboard a Billion People</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Loyalty, Memberships and Ticketing: How NFTs Will Bring About Mass Adoption</h2>
    <p>As the crypto market faces challenges, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are emerging as a tool for building stronger relationships between brands, creators, and consumers. NFTs have gained popularity in loyalty programs, memberships, and ticketing opportunities, which present a clear path forward for onboarding new users into Web3. Brands such as GQ, Sports Illustrated, and Starbucks have already launched NFT-linked initiatives. Loyalty programs like Delta Airlines' Skymiles and Sephora's Beauty Insider are adopting NFTs to enhance customer engagement and digital identity. NFT ticketing is gaining traction as it provides solutions to issues plaguing the events industry, offering greater control over ticket distribution and improved fan experiences. Companies are working to simplify onboarding processes and terminology for new users, with some choosing to use terms like "digital collectibles" or "tokenized assets" instead of NFTs. Tokenized memberships can reward members for long-term participation and engagement, without overwhelming mainstream users with technical language. Overall, NFT loyalty programs, membership rewards, and token-gated ticketing offer a robust framework for easing brands and consumers into Web3 while fostering long-term engagement and community building.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/22/loyalty-memberships-and-ticketing-how-nfts-will-bring-about-mass-adoption/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">NFL Rivals Scores 1M Downloads for NFT-Based Mobile Game</h2>
    <p>NFL Rivals, a free-to-play NFT-based mobile game from Mythical Games, has surpassed one million downloads since its April 26 debut on Google Play and Apple Stores. Despite launching during the NFL off-season and in a challenging crypto environment, the game quickly rose to the top spot in the App Store. Mythical Games CEO John Linden highlights the game's positive reception, boasting a 4.8 out of 5 rating on the App Store with nearly 22,000 reviews. Players are averaging nearly two hours of gameplay per day, with around 15 million matches played and an average of six gaming sessions per day. The game utilizes NFT player cards for team building and competition, with various rarity levels and attributes. While most players are unaware that the cards are NFTs, Linden estimates that about 10% have interacted with the marketplace to trade collectibles. The NFL partnered with Mythical Games to launch its first Web3 game in May 2022, complementing other league Web3 initiatives like a ticketing collectible platform on Polygon and the NFL All Day collectible marketplace built by Dapper Labs. Mythical Games, which also developed Blankos Block Party and Nitro Nation, launched its Mythical Marketplace 2.0 in January 2023 and raised $150 million in funding in 2021 led by a16z.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/22/nfl-rivals-scores-1m-downloads-for-nft-based-mobile-game/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Engaging the Masses: How Entertainment is Taking Web3 Mainstream</h2>
    <p>Despite facing challenges, investment in Web3 remains high as institutions and consumers explore an emerging digital culture based on decentralization and blockchain technology. A recent Coinbase Institute report revealed a gap between people aware of Web3 and those actively adopting it, with many not engaging due to lack of technical knowledge or not knowing where to start. The entertainment industry presents a strong case for naturally implementing Web3 strategies and onboarding the masses. Independent Web3 creative network Atrium, in partnership with NounsDAO, is releasing an animated film based on popular NFT characters, funded by a $2.75 million budget from NounsDAO's treasury. Web3 is attracting talent from traditional media giants like Pixar, Marvel, and Netflix, offering creative freedom, community access, and unique tools. Integrating Web3 tools into visual media entertainment allows for richer, interactive experiences, and stealthy use of Web3 can help engage skeptical talent and make offerings more accessible. The global visual content market is expected to grow by $1.4 billion by 2026, and major players like Warner Bros., Netflix, Sony, Paramount, and Village Roadshow have started experimenting with Web3 tools to stay competitive.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/22/engaging-the-masses-how-entertainment-is-taking-web3-mainstream/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Animoca Brands' Anichess Secures $1.5M for Decentralized Chess Game</h2>
    <p>Anichess, a subsidiary of blockchain gaming leader Animoca Brands, has successfully raised $1.5 million in a seed round to develop a decentralized chess game. The funding, provided by GameFi Ventures, The Operating Group, Koda Capital, Bing Ventures, 708 Capital, and Asymmetry Capital, will be utilized for team expansion and game development before the alpha launch in Q1 2024. The game is a partnership between Animoca Brands and Chess.com-owned Play Magnus Group (PMG) and its Champions Chess Tour. Anichess is a community-driven, free-to-play game, offering a blend of traditional chess rules with a "spell mechanic" that incorporates offensive, defensive, and counter tactics, as well as esports-like elements through challenges. Chess.com, which acquired PMG in December, currently boasts over 100 million registered users. Grant Lee, Chess.com's Chief Strategy Officer, expressed excitement about the partnership with Animoca Brands, stating that it aims to present chess in new ways to different audiences, growing the game by providing top players and influencers with a fun and unique chess experience.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/22/animoca-brands-anichess-secures-15m-for-decentralized-chess-game/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">It’s Game On for Web3: How Gaming Will Onboard a Billion People</h2>
    <p>In April 2023, a digital item in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive sold for $400,000 in cryptocurrency, highlighting the appetite for in-game items and the potential for gaming to drive Web3 mass adoption. With over 3 billion people playing video games worldwide, the gaming industry provides a unique opportunity for the integration of blockchain technology and digital asset ownership. Experts believe that the true ownership of in-game assets, enabled by non-fungible tokens (NFTs), will attract gamers to Web3. Additionally, the industry's digital-first nature, familiarity with virtual currencies, and user-generated content make it an ideal candidate for transitioning users from Web2 to Web3. However, challenges remain, such as improving infrastructure and security, reducing technological friction, and ensuring that Web3 games are enjoyable and engaging. The next 12 to 18 months are expected to bring innovative Web3 gaming products to the market, paving the way for mass adoption.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/22/its-game-on-for-web3-how-gaming-will-onboard-a-billion-people/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.

Crypto Report - Thursday June 22nd, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Web3 Charity Teddy DAO is Raising Money Through Daily NFT Auctions</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Crypto Exchange Backed by Fidelity, Schwab and Citadel Launches With Additional Investors</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Nike Brings .SWOOSH to Fortnite's 240M Users With 'Airphoria' Virtual Experience</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Bitcoin Is Becoming Illiquid at 147K a Month in Signal of Steady Accumulation</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Binance Sets Up Bitcoin Lightning Nodes to Ease Deposits and Withdrawals</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Web3 Charity Teddy DAO is Raising Money Through Daily NFT Auctions</h2>
    <p>Web3 software company Lucky Friday has launched Teddy DAO, a perpetual non-fungible token (NFT) collection that donates its proceeds to charity in partnership with global fundraising organization JustGiving. Starting June 23, Teddy DAO will conduct daily auctions for teddy bear NFTs created by digital artist Yumi and minted on Moonbeam's cross-chain smart contract platform. Auction winners can donate the proceeds to one of 400 charities supported by JustGiving, where the crypto is converted to fiat and donated through the platform. Teddy DAO eventually aims to leverage 450,000 charities supported by JustGiving to help solve real-world problems via cryptocurrency donations. The project was inspired by an NFT sale last year, which raised $15,000 for UNICEF and demonstrated the potential of NFT-backed charity donations. Teddy DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) registered as a 501(c)(3) organization, hopes to build a community that collectively contributes to social good.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/20/web3-charity-teddy-dao-is-raising-money-through-daily-nft-auctions/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Crypto Exchange Backed by Fidelity, Schwab and Citadel Launches With Additional Investors</h2>
    <p>EDX Markets, a crypto exchange backed by Fidelity Digital Assets, Charles Schwab, and Citadel Securities, has officially launched in the U.S. after nine months of technology development. The platform, which aims to bring traditional asset values and standards to the crypto market, recently completed an investment round that included Miami International Holdings, DV Crypto, and GTS. Unlike other exchanges, EDX Markets does not custody customers' digital assets; users must go through financial intermediaries to trade crypto assets, similar to the NYSE or Nasdaq. This separation between the exchange function and the broker-dealer function is viewed positively by regulators. Currently, the exchange offers four tokens – bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash – due to the unclear regulatory landscape in the U.S. Later this year, the company plans to launch EDX Clearing to settle trades matched on EDX Markets. Although international expansion may be considered in the future, EDX Markets will currently focus on its operations in the U.S.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/20/new-crypto-exchange-backed-by-fidelity-schwab-and-citadel-launches/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Nike Brings .SWOOSH to Fortnite's 240M Users With 'Airphoria' Virtual Experience</h2>
    <p>Nike's .SWOOSH platform has partnered with Fortnite, bringing a virtual experience called "Airphoria" to the game's 240 million users. The collaboration with Epic Games and Beyond Creative will run until June 27, rewarding players who participate for 10 minutes or more with an Air Max 1 '86 Back Bling digital sneaker in Fortnite. Players can also claim an "Achievement" on .SWOOSH by linking their Epic Games and Nike accounts. The partnership is part of a broader effort to integrate Nike's Air Max brand into Fortnite through cosmetics, islands, and account linking. However, no NFTs or digital item trading marketplaces are being integrated into the Fortnite economy. Nike has also worked with Fortnite on other digital items such as the Airie and Maxxed Out Max outfits. Linking Epic Games and .SWOOSH accounts will grant players early access to a future .SWOOSH Air Max virtual collection and allow for interoperability between virtual goods. Nike's .SWOOSH recently released its first NFT sneaker collection, Our Force 1, which surpassed $1 million in sales. The company plans to expand its digital creations across gaming platforms, having recently partnered with EA Sports to bring .SWOOSH creations to their gaming ecosystem.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/20/nike-brings-swoosh-to-fortnites-240m-users-with-airphoria-virtual-experience/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Bitcoin Is Becoming Illiquid at 147K a Month in Signal of Steady Accumulation</h2>
    <p>Bitcoin (BTC) is being accumulated by illiquid entities at the fastest rate in six months, indicating long-term investors' confidence in the cryptocurrency despite macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory risks. Glassnode's illiquid supply change metric rose to 147,351.58 BTC ($3.9 billion) on Monday, with the total held by illiquid entities reaching a record high of 15,207,843 BTC. In the past four weeks, this figure has increased by 215,000 BTC. The recent U.S. Federal Reserve decision to keep interest rates unchanged and lawsuits filed against Coinbase and Binance by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have not dampened investor enthusiasm for bitcoin. Glassnode analyst James Check notes that the market appears to be in a period of quiet accumulation, suggesting an undercurrent of demand despite regulatory headwinds. Faster accumulation could result in weakening supply and potential price increases, with technical charts indicating a bull revival as long as crucial support at $25,200 remains intact.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/20/bitcoin-is-becoming-illiquid-at-147k-a-month-signals-steady-accumulation/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Binance Sets Up Bitcoin Lightning Nodes to Ease Deposits and Withdrawals</h2>
    <p>Crypto exchange Binance has set up Lightning nodes on the Bitcoin network to offer users Lightning-based bitcoin deposit and withdrawal services, according to a recent tweet. The Lightning network is a second layer of the Bitcoin blockchain that speeds up transaction times and reduces network congestion by enabling off-chain transactions between users for minimal fees. In May, Binance announced plans to integrate the Lightning network to facilitate deposit and withdrawal activities after temporarily pausing bitcoin withdrawals due to network congestion, raising concerns about the exchange's reserve funds. Other exchanges such as Kraken and Bitfinex already provide Lightning network services, and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has hinted at future integration. As of Tuesday morning, the Lightning network holds nearly $145 million worth of bitcoin designated for fast payments.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/20/binance-sets-up-bitcoin-lightning-nodes-to-ease-deposits-and-withdrawals/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Tuesday June 20th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Ethereum Scanner Etherscan Adds OpenAI-Based Tool to Analyze Smart Contract Source Code </a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Investment Firm Republic Buys Stake in Crypto Broker-Dealer INX at $50M Valuation</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">BNB Chain Releases Layer 2 Testnet Based on Optimism's OP Stack</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Ethereum Developers Propose Raising Validator Limit to 2,048 Ether From 32 Ether</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Bitcoin Could Benefit From These 3 Bullish Tailwinds</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Ethereum Scanner Etherscan Adds OpenAI-Based Tool to Analyze Smart Contract Source Code </h2>
    <p>Etherscan, a popular Ethereum blockchain scanning website, has introduced a tool using OpenAI's artificial intelligence technology to help users interpret smart contract source code. The tool, called Code Reader, enables users to request explanations for the entirety or specific parts of a smart contract's source code and access its "read" and "write" functions. This helps users make informed decisions on how to interact with smart contracts and explore potential use in decentralized applications. The integration of AI-based tools in the blockchain and crypto sectors is growing rapidly, as seen by Bybit's recent incorporation of ChatGPT into its trading platform. Although Etherscan's tool is intended for informational purposes, users are advised to verify the provided answers rather than relying on them exclusively for evidence or bug bounty submissions. To utilize Code Reader, users must connect to OpenAI's API and have adequate usage limits; however, the tool currently does not support conversation threads and can only be queried through one-off prompts.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/19/ethereum-scanner-etherscan-adds-openai-based-tool-to-analyze-smart-contract-source-code/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Investment Firm Republic Buys Stake in Crypto Broker-Dealer INX at $50M Valuation</h2>
    <p>New York-based digital asset broker-dealer INX has secured a $5.25 million investment from investment firm Republic, which will acquire approximately 9.5% stake in INX at a pre-money valuation of around $50 million. The deal includes a non-binding commitment for Republic to potentially acquire 100% of equity at a valuation of $120 million as early as Q3 this year, with the initial deal's closing expected within 60 days, subject to regulatory approval. Both firms aim to expand tokenization infrastructure and access to digital assets for investors worldwide. Republic, also based in New York, is a digital merchant bank backed by Galaxy Interactive and Morgan Stanley, among others. Integrating INX's digital asset coverage into Republic's platforms could result in significant expansion of crypto trading capabilities for a large traditional finance client base. Republic CEO Kendrick Nguyen stated that combining INX's digital trading infrastructure with Republic's expertise in primary distribution would redefine capital raising and empower institutional and retail investors globally.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/19/investment-firm-republic-buys-stake-in-crypto-broker-dealer-inx-at-50m-valuation/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">BNB Chain Releases Layer 2 Testnet Based on Optimism's OP Stack</h2>
    <p>BNB Chain has launched the opBNB testnet, an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain based on Optimism's OP Stack, with developers anticipating speeds of 4,000 transactions per second (tps) at a cost of 0.005 U.S. cents per transaction. These speeds match those of Arbitrum and double that of BNB Chain, far surpassing Ethereum's 30 tps. Testnets like opBNB simulate real-world usage, enabling developers to trial applications and complex tools before mainnet deployment. Layer 2 blockchains, which batch multiple transactions into one and submit them to a base blockchain, can help alleviate network congestion and reduce transaction costs. opBNB's EVM-compatible platform allows developers to create open ecosystems, easing the migration of applications to BSC and broadening their user base. The enhanced scalability of opBNB addresses challenges faced by projects with high transaction volumes on BSC, enabling them to thrive. Developers and projects can begin building on the opBNB testnet starting Monday.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/19/bnb-chain-releases-layer-2-testnet-based-on-optimism-op-stack/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Ethereum Developers Propose Raising Validator Limit to 2,048 Ether From 32 Ether</h2>
    <p>Ethereum developers are considering a drastic increase in the validator limit due to growing interest and longer waiting times for Ethereum validator nodes. The proposed change would raise the limit from 32 ether (ETH) to 2,048 ether, a 6,300% increase. This move comes as large entities, like Lido and crypto exchanges, are spinning up multiple validator nodes to offer staking yield services to users. Developers on an Ethereum core developer call acknowledged that the current limit led to a rapid expansion of the network's validator set, but also a significant increase in the number of validators running the network. The proposal, first introduced in early June by developers Mike Neuder, Francesco D'Amato, Aditya Asgaonkar, and Justin Drake, is still under debate and not actively being worked on. Data reveals that the current waiting time to run a validator node on Ethereum is 44 days, up from nearly a month in May. The demand for validators is likely driven by large ether holders seeking to earn passive income through a nearly 5% annual yield without cashing out their holdings.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/19/ethereum-developers-propose-raising-validator-limit-to-2048-ether-from-32-ether/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Bitcoin Could Benefit From These 3 Bullish Tailwinds</h2>
    <p>Over the past two months, Bitcoin's price has experienced a pullback of over 16%, yet it is still up nearly 60% year-to-date. This performance outshines Nasdaq's 38% rise, and the cryptocurrency may continue to benefit from various bullish tailwinds. The dollar index has been falling, with the Federal Reserve pausing rate hikes due to cooling inflation. A declining U.S. Treasury volatility indicates increased risk-taking in financial markets. Additionally, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, filed for a spot-based Bitcoin ETF last week, signaling strong institutional appetite for Bitcoin-based products. The application includes a surveillance-sharing agreement to mitigate concerns of market manipulation. The SEC has recently sued crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase for offering unregistered securities, but these lawsuits did not mention Bitcoin or Ether. As regulatory risks concentrate on altcoins, investors are rotating money into Bitcoin, which may continue to outperform altcoins given the breakout in its dominance rate.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/19/3-bullish-tailwinds-to-consider-for-bitcoins-price/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Monday June 19th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">What Winter? Institutions’ Crypto View Rosier Than You Think</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Central Banks Successfully Test Over 30 CBDC Use Cases, Including Offline Payments</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">DeFi Credit Protocol Concordia Raises $4M in Round Led by Tribe, Kraken Ventures  </a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Bitcoin Shorts Lose $16M as BlackRock ETF Filing Sparks Bullish Outlook</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Blockchain Anti-Counterfeiting Trials ‘Promising,’ EU Agency Says</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">What Winter? Institutions’ Crypto View Rosier Than You Think</h2>
    <p>A recent global study conducted by Laser Digital, the digital assets team at Nomura, surveyed institutional investors, pension funds, wealth managers, and others, managing a collective $4.956 trillion in assets, revealing a largely positive outlook on digital assets. The study found that 96% of respondents view digital assets as an investment diversification opportunity, while 91% see them as a means to generate "all-weather" income strategies to combat inflation and fiat currency debasement risk. Additionally, 82% expressed optimism about the digital asset class, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, over the next 12 months. This positivity highlights a deeper understanding and conviction of crypto among institutions, and underscores the importance of considering global perspectives when evaluating the industry. The more constructive approach to digital assets regulation in financial hubs like Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, London, Bermuda, Switzerland, and Paris has facilitated innovation and contributed to the positive outlook. As the pendulum swings back toward integrating blockchain technology into the existing financial system, institutional interest in tokenizing real-world assets is growing, helping to sustain the sector despite regulatory concerns in the U.S.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/06/16/what-winter-institutions-crypto-view-rosier-than-you-think/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Central Banks Successfully Test Over 30 CBDC Use Cases, Including Offline Payments</h2>
    <p>A joint experiment by the Bank for International Settlements' London Innovation hub and the Bank of England has successfully tested over 30 central bank digital currency (CBDC) use cases, including offline payments, in a project called "Project Rosalind." The project developed 33 API functionalities to explore how an API layer could support a retail CBDC, enabling safe and secure payments through different use cases. The Bank of England is currently consulting on a digital pound, which would involve hosting a centralized ledger and API, allowing private sector firms to access the ledger and provide services such as automated payments. Project Rosalind tested diverse payment options, including online, offline, and in-store payments via QR codes, mobile phones, smart cards, and more. It also explored facilitating micropayments and found that the API layer could work with different ledgers. Blockchain network Quant, which partnered with digital solutions platform UST, provided the underlying infrastructure and blockchain platform, secure smart contracts, and interoperability of central bank ledgers, while UST built the frontend Rosalind API layer.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/06/16/central-banks-successfully-test-more-than-30-cbdc-use-cases-including-offline-payments/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">DeFi Credit Protocol Concordia Raises $4M in Round Led by Tribe, Kraken Ventures  </h2>
    <p>Concordia, a multi-chain risk and collateral management protocol for digital assets, has successfully raised $4 million in a seed funding round. The round was co-led by Tribe Capital and Kraken Ventures, with participation from Cypher Capital and Saison Capital. This comes after Concordia's public testnet launch on Aptos earlier this month, with the mainnet launch expected in the next few months, along with concurrent launches on additional chains. Decentralized finance (DeFi) has become increasingly fragmented since 2020, posing challenges for users transferring assets or accessing liquidity between blockchains. Concordia aims to simplify cross-chain liquidity and collateral management, offering users a more straightforward way to manage collateral for margin trading. Users can manage collateral from a single account and transfer assets across multiple blockchains without requiring wrapped tokens or bridges. The modular underlying API architecture allows institutional investors to select features they want to use, while developers can access the protocol's shared liquidity pools. Concordia CTO Thomas Ruble expressed the company's ambition to integrate DeFi and traditional finance (TradFi), aiming to move real assets at the speed of frictionless blockchains for a unified global financial fabric.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/16/defi-credit-protocol-concordia-raises-4m-in-round-led-by-tribe-kraken/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Bitcoin Shorts Lose $16M as BlackRock ETF Filing Sparks Bullish Outlook</h2>
    <p>Investment giant BlackRock's potential U.S. Bitcoin ETF filing has sparked bullish sentiment among traders, pushing Bitcoin to regain the $25,500 level and providing relief to major tokens like Polygon Network's MATIC and Cardano's ADA. Dogecoin and Litecoin also experienced gains of 4% and 3.3%, respectively. CoinDesk reported that BlackRock plans to collaborate with crypto exchange Coinbase as custodian for the Bitcoin ETF, which was later confirmed through a filing by the company's iShares fund management unit. Sui Chung, CEO of CF Benchmarks, believes BlackRock's proposed ETF could offer a more familiar and accessible option to Americans who haven't yet owned Bitcoin. Over $16 million in short liquidations were seen in BTC-tracked futures in the past 24 hours, due to Bitcoin's market strength. Although the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has rejected spot Bitcoin ETFs from Grayscale, VanEck, and WisdomTree, BlackRock's stature may make it difficult for the SEC to reject this application, potentially fueling an outsized Bitcoin rally if approved.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/16/bitcoin-shorts-lose-16m-as-blackrock-etf-filing-sparks-bullish-outlook/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Blockchain Anti-Counterfeiting Trials ‘Promising,’ EU Agency Says</h2>
    <p>Blockchain-based anti-counterfeiting tools have shown promise in a recent trial conducted by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The trial involved four brands, two logistics operators, and a customs authority, and was part of an initiative now known as European Logistics Services Authentication (ELSA), which is based on the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) project. EUIPO, an EU agency based in Alicante, Spain, plans to develop an open-source platform this year to enable tracking of products and verification of their authenticity throughout the trade supply chain. While using distributed ledger technology to combat counterfeits is not a new concept, previous attempts have been unsuccessful in practice. Advocates of the EUIPO project believe that employing open-source technology can help it avoid the pitfalls of overly centralized systems like IBM's TradeLens, which announced its winding down last November. According to EUIPO, counterfeits make up 2.5% of global trade, amounting to around €412 billion ($451 billion).<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/06/16/blockchain-anti-counterfeiting-trials-promising-eu-agency-says/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Friday June 16th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Polygon Labs Rolls Out Open Database for Blockchain Use Cases </a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Crypto Exchange OKX Wins Preparatory License in Dubai, Set to Boost Staff</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Bitcoin Jumps Past $25.7K After BlackRock iShares ETF Filing</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Sotheby's Second 3AC NFT Sale Nets $10.9M, With 'The Goose' Alone Netting $6.2M </a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">BlackRock's iShares Files Paperwork for Spot Bitcoin ETF</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Polygon Labs Rolls Out Open Database for Blockchain Use Cases </h2>
    <p>Polygon Labs, an Ethereum scaling platform, has launched "The Value Prop," an open database showcasing positive blockchain use cases and applications worldwide. The project, likened to a "Wikipedia for use cases," currently hosts 39 use cases and over 300 applications, with numbers expected to grow. The initiative aims to shift the narrative surrounding blockchain technology, emphasizing its benefits and potential for mass adoption. The database is particularly useful for regulators who are grappling with the challenge of crafting legislation that supports innovation while protecting citizens. The Value Prop's use cases span seven verticals, including education, security & risk management, social impact & sustainability, finance, business & marketing, governance, and information technology. The platform will also feature a testimonials page with written and video messages from people sharing their positive experiences with blockchain technology.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/06/15/polygon-labs-rolls-out-open-database-for-blockchain-use-cases/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Crypto Exchange OKX Wins Preparatory License in Dubai, Set to Boost Staff</h2>
    <p>OKX Middle East, the regional branch of the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, has obtained an MVP Preparatory license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This allows the company to prepare for offering services once the license is operational. OKX Middle East has set up an office in Dubai World Trade Center and plans to expand its staff to 30 members, focusing on local hires and senior management. Upon activation of the MVP license, the firm will offer spot, derivatives, and fiat services, including USD and AED deposits, withdrawals, and spot-pairs. Tim Byun, OKX global head of government relations, emphasized Dubai's importance as a regional hub for UAE and MENA, praising its comprehensive and timely regulation and dedicated regulator, VARA. Amidst recent lawsuits by the US SEC, crypto exchanges are exploring global options, with Crypto.com receiving an MVP Preparatory license from VARA in March. Both OKX and Binance have halted operations in Canada but remain committed to obtaining necessary licenses. OKX, based in Seychelles, operates a separate brand, OKCoin, in the US and is considering entering the US market in a compliant manner while exploring opportunities in other territories such as the Bahamas, Gibraltar, France, and the EU.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/15/crypto-exchange-okx-wins-preparatory-license-in-dubai-set-to-boost-staff/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Bitcoin Jumps Past $25.7K After BlackRock iShares ETF Filing</h2>
    <p>Bitcoin surged past $25,700, marking a 1.3% gain, after BlackRock's iShares unit filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a spot bitcoin ETF on Thursday afternoon. Prior to the announcement, Bitcoin had dipped below $25,000 for the first time in three months, primarily due to concerns over U.S. central bank hawkishness and increased regulatory scrutiny of the crypto industry. The BlackRock announcement reignited optimism for a spot bitcoin ETF, despite the SEC's rejection of multiple applications in the past 18 months. The proposed iShares Bitcoin Trust will primarily consist of bitcoin held by a custodian on behalf of the Trust. Crypto exchange Coinbase will act as the custodian, as stated in the filing. CoinDesk had reported earlier on Thursday about BlackRock's intention to file for a bitcoin ETF.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/15/bitcoin-jumps-past-257k-after-blackrock-ishares-etf-filing/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Sotheby's Second 3AC NFT Sale Nets $10.9M, With 'The Goose' Alone Netting $6.2M </h2>
    <p>Sotheby's recently concluded another sale of non-fungible token (NFT) artwork from bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), netting over $10.9 million. The live auction in New York featured 37 works from generative artists like Dmitri Cherniak, Tyler Hobbs, and Jeff Davis. Cherniak's Ringers #879, also known as "The Goose," sold for $6.2 million to notable NFT investor 6529, making it the second-highest sale of all time for generative art. Other highlights included Tyler Hobbs' Fidenza #479, which sold for $622,300, Snowfro's Chromie Squiggle #1780 for $635,000, Larva Labs' Autoglyph #218, and Kjetil Golid's Archetype #397, both selling for $330,200 each. All NFTs sold for higher than their estimates. The Grails collection liquidation sales have brought in more than $16 million so far, with Sotheby's describing it as containing "some of the most significant digital artworks ever assembled."<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/15/sothebys-second-3ac-nft-sale-nets-109m-with-the-goose-alone-netting-62m/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">BlackRock's iShares Files Paperwork for Spot Bitcoin ETF</h2>
    <p>BlackRock's iShares unit has filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the formation of a spot bitcoin ETF, named the iShares Bitcoin Trust. The fund's assets will primarily consist of bitcoin held by Coinbase, the designated custodian. While the SEC has previously rejected attempts to launch spot bitcoin ETFs by other fund management companies such as Grayscale, VanEck, and WisdomTree, BlackRock's status as the world's largest asset manager, with over $10 trillion in assets under management (AUM), may make it harder for the SEC to dismiss the application. CEO Larry Fink's political power could potentially rival that of the SEC and its leader Gary Gensler. Crypto exchange Kraken noted that the proposed ETF is benchmarked against the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate, which uses price data exclusively from cryptocurrency exchanges adhering to the highest standards of market integrity and transparency, thus protecting investors. Following the news, bitcoin's price rose about 1% to just below $25,700.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/15/blackrocks-ishares-files-paperwork-for-spot-bitcoin-etf/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Thursday June 15th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Blockchain Developer Platform Alchemy Releases AI-Powered Tools for Web3 Builders</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">P2P.org’s Ethereum Staking Application Is Now Available on Popular Wallet Provider Safe</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Brazil Appoints Central Bank and Securities Commission as Crypto Market Regulators</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">DeFi Platform EigenLayer Rolls Out Restaking Protocol on Ethereum Mainnet</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Strike Expands Lightning-Powered Cross-Border Payments to Mexico</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Blockchain Developer Platform Alchemy Releases AI-Powered Tools for Web3 Builders</h2>
    <p>Blockchain developer platform Alchemy has unveiled AlchemyAI, a suite of AI-powered tools designed to assist web3 developers in accelerating product development and accessing on-chain data more rapidly. The suite will include two main products: ChatWeb3 and Alchemy ChatGPT Plugin, which are set to become available in the coming weeks. ChatWeb3, currently in beta, is an AI chatbot powered by ChatGPT that has been trained on over 1,000 Alchemy documents and other crypto resources to help developers build software more efficiently. Alchemy claims that AI assistance will allow developers to access predefined code snippets, templates, and best practices, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks. Developers can treat ChatWeb3 as a pair programming partner for debugging on-chain errors. The standalone ChatGPT plugin, available through OpenAI’s Plugin Marketplace, enables both developers and non-developers to obtain real-time blockchain information using natural language and Alchemy API endpoints. The plugin currently supports multiple blockchains, including Arbitrum, Ethereum, Polygon, and Optimism, with plans to expand to all chains supported by Alchemy.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/14/blockchain-developer-platform-alchemy-releases-ai-powered-tools-for-web3-builders/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">P2P.org’s Ethereum Staking Application Is Now Available on Popular Wallet Provider Safe</h2>
    <p>P2P.org has introduced its Ethereum staking service to Safe, a decentralized custody protocol holding over $38 billion in assets, streamlining the process for users to stake ETH without needing physical infrastructure. With P2P's application, Safe users can stake their ETH effortlessly while retaining complete ownership of the staked amount, according to P2P CEO Alex Esin. Those staking 32 ETH, the minimum required, will receive slashing protections guaranteed by P2P. Slashing occurs when a validator faces financial penalties for not fulfilling duties, often due to being offline. P2P has had no slashing incidents and will cover any slashed amounts based on user coverage options, as stated by P2P's communication representative Rick Bagshaw. Over 22.8 million ETH, valued at nearly $40 billion, is currently staked on Ethereum, as per Nansen's data. P2P's integration with Safe aims to simplify staking participation for crypto users. The launch of P2P's "first-ever direct staking app on the Safe Apps ecosystem" represents progress towards offering "non-custodial staking services to a growing DeFi community."<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/14/p2porgs-ethereum-staking-application-is-now-available-on-popular-wallet-provider-safe/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Brazil Appoints Central Bank and Securities Commission as Crypto Market Regulators</h2>
    <p>Brazil's executive branch has assigned the Central Bank and the Securities Commission to regulate the nation's growing crypto market, as per a recent decree. The Securities Commission will supervise assets deemed securities, while the Central Bank will outline rules for exchanges, including licensing requirements. This development follows former President Jair Bolsonaro's approval of a crypto regulation bill in December 2022, which saw the creation of a "virtual service provider" license and established legal penalties for fraud involving virtual assets. Brazil has emerged as a regional crypto hub, boasting high stablecoin adoption rates and attracting major crypto companies and protocols like Coinbase, Bitget, and Metamask to establish operations within the country.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/06/14/brazil-appoints-central-bank-and-securities-commission-as-crypto-market-regulators/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">DeFi Platform EigenLayer Rolls Out Restaking Protocol on Ethereum Mainnet</h2>
    <p>Seattle-based DeFi platform EigenLayer has launched its restaking protocol on the Ethereum mainnet, enabling users to restake ETH by depositing liquid staking tokens like Lido stETH (stETH), Rocket Pool ETH (rETH), and Coinbase Wrapped Staked ETH (cbETH). Developed by EigenLabs, which raised $64.5 million at a $500 million valuation through investment rounds including a $50 million Series A, the protocol sets participation parameters for liquid and native restaking. Liquid restaking allows a maximum of 3,200 of each token type and a 32-token deposit limit per address, while native restaking will pause after 9,600 ETH is added. Liquid staking has gained prominence since Ethereum's transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in September, with $16.92 billion staked across the top five Ethereum liquid staking protocols, according to DefiLlama data. Restaking lets staked ETH be utilized on other protocols in return for fees and rewards.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/14/defi-platform-eigenlayer-rolls-out-restaking-protocol-on-ethereum-mainnet/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Strike Expands Lightning-Powered Cross-Border Payments to Mexico</h2>
    <p>Digital payments firm Strike is launching its Lightning Network-based cross-border payments service, Send Globally, in Mexico on June 14. This expansion aims to cater to the largest market for remittances from the U.S., which constitutes about 95% of total remittances received by Mexicans from abroad. The Lightning Network, a second layer payment system for the Bitcoin blockchain, enables cheaper and faster transactions compared to the base network. With this service, U.S. dollars sent across the border can be received as pesos in the recipient's bank account. Strike's expansion into Mexico comes less than a month after it established a headquarters for its global arm in El Salvador and expanded to over 65 countries. The move seeks to provide a better alternative to 12 million Mexican Americans, addressing issues such as high fees, slow settlement, and lack of innovation in incumbent cross-border payments services.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/14/strike-expands-lightning-powered-cross-border-payments-to-mexico/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Thursday June 14th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Bitcoin Infrastructure Firm Blockstream to Unveil Its Long-Awaited Mining Rig in 3Q of 2024</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">U.S. Judge Rebuffs SEC Request for Binance.US Asset Freeze for Now</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Bitcoin Seesaws Back Under $26K After CPI, as Investors Await Fed Rate Hike Decision</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Binance Goes to Court Against the SEC</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">SEC Says It May Make a Recommendation on Coinbase Petition Within 4 Months</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Bitcoin Infrastructure Firm Blockstream to Unveil Its Long-Awaited Mining Rig in 3Q of 2024</h2>
    <p>Bitcoin infrastructure firm Blockstream plans to release its long-awaited Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) miner around the third quarter of 2024, according to CEO and co-founder Adam Back during the company's first media briefing. Blockstream acquired Israeli mining hardware manufacturer Spondoolies in 2021, integrating its core team into Blockstream's mining division, led by Chris Cook with former Spondoolies CEO Assaf Gilboa as executive vice president. In January 2023, the company raised $125 million to expand its mining operations and intends to raise additional capital for this venture. Initially planned for a 2022 launch, the new ASIC miner is now expected to be available in the latter half of 2024. Back explained that the manufacturing process involves a test run, known as a shuffle run, which puts the miner on track for a Q3 2024 release. Besides the mining business, Blockstream's other projects include Liquid, a federated sidechain interacting with the primary Bitcoin blockchain, and Jade, the company's flagship hardware bitcoin wallet.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/13/bitcoin-infrastructure-firm-blockstream-to-unveil-its-long-awaited-mining-rig-in-3q-of-2024/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">U.S. Judge Rebuffs SEC Request for Binance.US Asset Freeze for Now</h2>
    <p>A federal judge overseeing the SEC's case against Binance and Binance.US declined to order a temporary restraining order freezing Binance.US's assets, allowing the company to continue operations while negotiating restrictions with the regulator. Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Binance.US to provide a list of its business expenses and instructed both parties to continue discussions, with a status update due by close of business Thursday. The judge questioned SEC attorneys about their motion to freeze all company assets until it could prove that no one from Binance's global platform, including founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, had access to its private keys. Both the SEC and Binance.US representatives expressed openness to the business continuing to operate. The SEC sued Binance, Binance.US, and Zhao last week, alleging they were operating as an unregistered securities exchange, brokerage, and clearing agency, and accused Zhao of having access to Binance.US customer assets. The crypto exchanges countered the claims, arguing the SEC hadn't conclusively proven they listed any securities and hadn't shown any proof supporting an emergency motion.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/06/13/us-judge-rebuffs-sec-request-for-binanceus-asset-freeze-for-now/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Bitcoin Seesaws Back Under $26K After CPI, as Investors Await Fed Rate Hike Decision</h2>
    <p>Bitcoin recently traded at $25,846, a 0.2% decrease over the past 24 hours, after briefly crossing the $26,000 mark following the release of May's Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 4% increase in the CPI, better than the expected 4.1% and April's 4.9%. Investors have been closely monitoring inflation and the upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate decision, as well as SEC lawsuits against crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase. The Fed is expected to halt its hawkish monetary policy as inflation slows. Tim Frost, CEO of Yield App, believes any economic wobble or looming recession could benefit crypto assets, including altcoins that have lost up to 30% over the past week. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, followed Bitcoin's lead, initially rising before returning some gains, trading at around $1,735. Major stock indexes like the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 rose 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively, while the yield on U.S. 10-year Treasurys increased to 3.8%. Brent crude oil traded at $73 per barrel, down from its peak above $112 a year ago.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/13/bitcoin-seesaws-back-under-26k-after-cpi-as-investors-await-fed-rate-hike-decision/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Binance Goes to Court Against the SEC</h2>
    <p>Binance and Binance.US have filed their first responses to the SEC's lawsuit against them, arguing that the regulator's push for a temporary restraining order would prevent them from paying employees, vendors, or anyone else. The filings also previewed their defense against the SEC's actual charges. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the D.C. District Court ordered both parties to describe any differences in their proposed stipulations and the SEC to describe what changes it wants from the Binance.US proposal that would make it acceptable to the agency. The judge's order suggests that she may not want to sign off on a full temporary restraining order but is willing to enact some sort of restriction on who can access Binance.US’s funds. The SEC’s filing calls for any restrictions to also cover staking services and the AWS access. The case will be closely watched as it progresses and may have significant implications for the cryptocurrency industry.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/06/13/binance-goes-to-court-against-the-sec/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">SEC Says It May Make a Recommendation on Coinbase Petition Within 4 Months</h2>
    <p>The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not yet made a decision on Coinbase's (COIN) petition for rulemaking, nor has it determined that its enforcement action against the crypto trading platform is inconsistent with any decision on rulemaking. The SEC revealed this in response to a court order asking about the agency's view on the petition amid its enforcement action against Coinbase, which it sued last week for allegedly operating an unregistered securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. Although Coinbase claims the SEC has decided to reject the petition, the regulator stated that no decision has been made, but its staff anticipates making a recommendation within 120 days. Regardless of the outcome, Coinbase must still comply with existing laws, the SEC emphasized. Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal accused the SEC of ignoring statements from its chair confirming no intent to issue new rules, but the SEC countered that such statements cannot constitute Commission action denying the rulemaking petition. A majority of a quorum vote would be required for any SEC decision.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/06/13/sec-says-it-may-make-a-recommendation-on-coinbase-petition-within-4-months/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Thursday June 13th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Bank of China’s BOCI Issues Tokenized Securities on Ethereum in Hong Kong</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">10 Ways Crypto and AI Can Make Each Other Better (or Maybe Worse)</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">First Mover Americas: VC Giant Andreessen Horowitz Looks to U.K. for Expansion </a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Crypto Storage Firm Censo Offers Institutions Mobile Phone-Enabled Self Custody</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Canada's Largest University Starts XRP Validator in New Partnership With Ripple</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Bank of China’s BOCI Issues Tokenized Securities on Ethereum in Hong Kong</h2>
    <p>The Bank of China's investment banking arm, BOCI, has issued CNH 200 million ($28 million) of tokenized securities on Ethereum in Hong Kong, marking the first time a Chinese financial institution has done so. Swiss banking giant UBS underwrote the issuance and placed it with clients in the Asia Pacific region. Major banks like Citigroup and Bank of America believe that tokenization of real-world assets can increase crypto adoption and drive trillions of dollars in value to blockchains. This development also highlights Hong Kong's growing ambition to become a key hub for crypto amid increasing regulatory pressure in the United States. Just days after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Coinbase for offering unregistered securities, Hong Kong legislator Johnny Ng invited digital asset trading platforms, including Coinbase, to establish operations in the city. Ying Wang, deputy chief executive at BOCI, expressed commitment to promoting the digital transformation and innovative development of Hong Kong's financial industry.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/12/bank-of-chinas-boci-issues-tokenized-securities-on-ethereum-in-hong-kong/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">10 Ways Crypto and AI Can Make Each Other Better (or Maybe Worse)</h2>
    <p>Crypto and AI have become the leading technologies of our time, with AI now surpassing crypto in popularity and funding. However, some experts argue that instead of competing, these two technologies should work together to enhance each other's capabilities. Decentralized AI solutions like SingularityNET, Ocean Protocol, and Cortex are already being developed, and many believe that the intersection of AI and blockchain can lead to increased productivity, reduced power gaps, and more accessible development. While skeptics argue that AI may not be suited for decentralized systems, proponents remain optimistic about open-source approaches outperforming expectations. AI is also expected to impact crypto trading, with advanced bots offering new opportunities and challenges. Blockchain technology could help authenticate digital assets in a world where deep fakes blur the line between reality and fiction. Additionally, AI can assist with compliance in the heavily regulated Web3 space. As AI continues to develop, it might require its own financial infrastructure, possibly turning to cryptocurrencies as a functional solution. While some express concerns about AI potentially causing harm to humanity, experts believe that the two technologies can complement each other, much like electricity powers the internet.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/06/12/10-ways-crypto-and-ai-can-make-each-other-better-or-maybe-worse/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">First Mover Americas: VC Giant Andreessen Horowitz Looks to U.K. for Expansion </h2>
    <p>Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has selected London for its first non-US office, planning to invest in the UK and European crypto and startup ecosystems. The decision was influenced by the UK government's willingness to create policies encouraging startups to pursue decentralization. The new office, set to open later this year, will be led by Sriram Krishnan. A16z has recently invested in UK-based companies, including a $43 million Series A funding round for blockchain-based AI computing resources provider Gensyn. Meanwhile, open interest in Binance's BNB token has risen despite the ongoing lawsuit filed by the US SEC against Binance. Additionally, a key metric tracking crypto market liquidity experienced a sharp decline over the weekend, potentially amplifying price swings.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/12/first-mover-americas-vc-giant-andreessen-horowitz-looks-to-uk-for-expansion/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Crypto Storage Firm Censo Offers Institutions Mobile Phone-Enabled Self Custody</h2>
    <p>Cryptocurrency safekeeping firm Censo has introduced a mobile-phone based self-custody solution for institutions and smaller organizations, offering an easier-to-use and more affordable alternative to existing technologies. Unlike the complex and costly multiparty computation (MPC) technology commonly used in institutional crypto custody, Censo's open-source decentralized key management approach leverages secure hardware enclaves and biometric gating present in modern mobile devices to tightly bind cryptographic keys to real-world agents. This innovative method has been praised as a compelling alternative to MPC for organizations seeking truly decentralized key management and self-custody. Censo's technology can be employed in various situations requiring coordination between at least two signers, such as hedge funds, market makers, Web3 firms, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). The solution enables organizations to control key material while empowering individuals to be signers without granting them access to unencrypted versions of private material, ensuring complete self-custody.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/12/crypto-storage-firm-censo-offers-institutions-mobile-phone-enabled-self-custody/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Canada's Largest University Starts XRP Validator in New Partnership With Ripple</h2>
    <p>The University of Toronto, Canada's largest university, is partnering with Ripple to launch an independent XRP ledger validator as part of Ripple's University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) in Canada. This initiative aims to support the next generation of the crypto industry by investing in the country's top universities and colleges, with over $2 million already invested over five years. The partnership will expand the UBRI program, fostering blockchain and crypto technology research while providing students with opportunities to develop technical skills for careers in the crypto sector. The University of Toronto joins existing Canadian UBRI partners, the University of Waterloo and Toronto Metropolitan University. Ripple initially committed over $50 million to UBRI in June 2018 and has since distributed more than $47 million to its global partners, increasing its commitment to $80 million this year. This collaboration comes amidst a crackdown on the crypto industry in the U.S., prompting companies like Coinbase to praise Canada's approach to regulating the sector. Ripple aims to support the next generation of crypto, blockchain, and Web3 leaders through strategic partnerships and funding for Canadian universities.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/12/canadas-largest-university-starts-xrp-validator-in-new-partnership-with-ripple/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Monday June 12th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Ethereum’s Buterin Releases Roadmap Addressing Scaling, Privacy, Wallet Security</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Crypto Exchange OKX Burns $258M of OKB Tokens in Record Move</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Vitalik Buterin’s Shiba Inu Donations to Power New Round of India Covid Relief Funds</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Bitcoin Payments Firm Strike Moves Custody In-House After Ditching Third-Party Services</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Remains Resilient Near $26.5K, Despite Ongoing Binance, Coinbase Fallout </a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Ethereum’s Buterin Releases Roadmap Addressing Scaling, Privacy, Wallet Security</h2>
    <p>Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has presented a new roadmap for the network, emphasizing three key goals: layer 2 scaling, wallet security, and privacy. In a blog post titled "The Three Transitions," Buterin stresses the need to address these goals simultaneously to maintain the protocol's core components while offering users a global and permissionless experience. Layer 2 scaling is vital to prevent the adoption of centralized workarounds, and Ethereum has experienced significant growth in this area, with ZK rollups released by Polygon and Matter Labs. A major upgrade called Dencun is also planned for later this year, featuring proto-danksharding to make rollups more affordable. Wallet security is the second component, which entails moving all user wallets to smart contract wallets to increase users' comfort in storing cryptocurrency payments and data on-chain. Lastly, privacy is essential to prevent the public exposure of on-chain activities. Buterin emphasizes that not only do the protocol's features need improvement, but the way users interact with Ethereum must also undergo fundamental changes, necessitating deep adjustments from applications and wallets.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/09/ethereums-buterin-releases-roadmap-addressing-scaling-privacy-wallet-security/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Crypto Exchange OKX Burns $258M of OKB Tokens in Record Move</h2>
    <p>Crypto exchange OKX has burned over $258 million worth of its OKB tokens between March and May as part of a planned move, causing the token's value to rise while the broader crypto market remained stable. According to OKX's buy back-and-burn report, a total of 5,497,312.77 OKB tokens were purchased and burned from the secondary market, pushing the token's price from $44 to $45. The OKB token has a market capitalization of over $2.6 billion and has seen a 1.4% increase in the past 24 hours. The buy-and-burn program was initiated in May 2019, with OKX buying back OKB tokens from the original supply of 300,000,000 every three months based on market conditions and operational performance. Burning refers to the permanent deletion of tokens from the circulating supply by sending them to an uncontrolled wallet address. This reduction in supply can potentially lead to price increases for such tokens if demand continues to grow.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/09/crypto-exchange-okx-burns-258m-of-okb-tokens-in-record-move/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Vitalik Buterin’s Shiba Inu Donations to Power New Round of India Covid Relief Funds</h2>
    <p>Ethereum co-creator Vitalik Buterin announced a new $100 million tranche of donations, with $10 million going to the India-focused coronavirus prevention initiative CryptoRelief. Led by Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal, CryptoRelief will receive an additional $90 million in USDC from the sales of Shiba Inu (SHIB) tokens sent to them by Buterin in early 2021. The donations will concentrate on enhancing indoor air quality to curb the spread of COVID-19 and funding research to mitigate its long-term effects. Shiba Inu's creators sent 50% of the token supply to Buterin after its issuance in 2020, generating buzz for the project. In 2021, Buterin burned over $6 billion worth of tokens, representing 90% of his holdings at that time, and donated the remaining tokens, valued at $1.2 billion then. Coronavirus vaccinations and testing continue in India, according to official data.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/09/vitalik-buterins-shiba-inu-donations-to-power-new-round-of-india-covid-relief-funds/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Bitcoin Payments Firm Strike Moves Custody In-House After Ditching Third-Party Services</h2>
    <p>Digital payments firm Strike has transitioned all customer bitcoin (BTC) and U.S. dollar (USD) assets to its in-house infrastructure, as announced by CEO and cofounder Jack Mallers in a June 8 blog post. The move, which is part of a two-year effort, aims to reduce counterparty risk and enhance the company's product and service performance. This development follows rumors of bankruptcy surrounding Strike's former custodian, Prime Trust, which is set to be acquired by digital asset custody rival BitGo. Strike emphasized that their decision to move custody in-house had been in progress for two years. With this change, Strike customers from over 65 countries will now directly custody bitcoin and fiat with the company. Mallers highlighted the short and long-term benefits of the transition, including new features and capabilities such as peer-to-peer bitcoin transactions, options for receiving funds in cash or bitcoin, and tiered on-chain payments. The company has also increased deposit limits and has plans to introduce global on/off ramps, instant withdrawals, improved DCA capabilities, and cross-currency features in the future.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/09/bitcoin-payments-firm-strike-moves-custody-in-house-after-ditching-third-party-services/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Remains Resilient Near $26.5K, Despite Ongoing Binance, Coinbase Fallout </h2>
    <p>Bitcoin remains resilient, trading near $26.5K despite the recent SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase. Investors appear largely unfazed, focusing on the upcoming Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision. Although the regulatory situation for digital assets in the United States seems challenging, Bitcoin and other key crypto assets have demonstrated significant resilience. The cryptocurrency's stability can be partly attributed to the growing adoption of digital assets outside the US, particularly in Asia, the European Union, and Dubai. Meanwhile, Ether maintains its position at around $1,852 and continues to hold in "uptrend" territory. Tokens mentioned in the lawsuits, including BNB, ADA, SOL, and MATIC, have experienced slight rebounds, while meme coins DOGE and SHIB remain in the green. Major stock indexes closed on the upside, with the S&P 500 ending its longest bear market in 85 years, and Nasdaq Composition rising by a percentage point. Treasury yields have declined, and investors are looking to the upcoming Consumer Price Index for signs of waning inflation.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/06/09/first-mover-asia-bitcoin-remains-resilient-near-265k-despite-ongoing-binance-coinbase-fallout/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Sunday June 11th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">ConsenSys’ MetaMask Institutional Integrates With Custody Tech Provider Fireblocks</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Aave-Developed Lens Protocol Raises $15M to Expand 'Social Layer' of Web3</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Optimism Says Ether Now Treated as Native Cryptocurrency Alongside OP Token</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Kraken NFT Marketplace Launches With Support for Ethereum, Solana and Polygon Collections</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Jack Dorsey-backed Nostr Creator Collaborates With Zebedee on New Social Media Layer</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">ConsenSys’ MetaMask Institutional Integrates With Custody Tech Provider Fireblocks</h2>
    <p>ConsenSys, a leading Ethereum blockchain software developer, announced the integration of its MetaMask Institutional (MMI) wallet with Fireblocks, a digital asset custody tech provider. Set to go live on June 12, this integration will enable institutional investors and builders using Fireblocks to access MMI's full suite. With over 1,800 organizations already utilizing Fireblocks, these accounts can now connect to MMI and trade, borrow, or invest in more than 17,000 decentralized applications (dapps) such as Aave, Lido, and GMX. The collaboration between MetaMask and Fireblocks became apparent after both realized they shared many users. The announcement follows ConsenSys' recent introduction of a marketplace for MMI, where companies can select from various staking services like Allnodes, Blockdaemon, and Kiln. Johann Bornman, global product lead at MetaMask Institutional, emphasized that this integration unites two notable products and supports their goal of bridging every organization into web3.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/08/consensys-metamask-institutional-integrates-with-crypto-custody-firm-fireblocks/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Aave-Developed Lens Protocol Raises $15M to Expand 'Social Layer' of Web3</h2>
    <p>Aave's decentralized social media platform, Lens Protocol, has secured $15 million in funding to expand the "social layer" of Web3. High-profile investors, including IDEO CoLab Ventures, General Catalyst, Blockchain Capital, and Palm Tree participated in the round, with angel investors such as Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams, OpenSea co-founder Alex Atallah, entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan, and Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal. Lens Protocol, built on the Polygon blockchain, enables users to create applications on a single NFT-based platform that stores their posts, followers, and content. With the goal of revolutionizing how value is created, shared, and monetized online, Lens aims to empower individuals by putting ownership and social capital in their hands. The funds raised will be used to further expand Lens Protocol's ecosystem, which was first introduced by Aave in February of last year.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/06/08/aave-developed-lens-protocol-raises-15m-to-expand-social-layer-of-web3/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Optimism Says Ether Now Treated as Native Cryptocurrency Alongside OP Token</h2>
    <p>Optimism, a layer 2 network on the Ethereum blockchain, has announced that its recent "Bedrock" upgrade has resulted in Ether (ETH) being treated as a native token alongside its own OP token. The change, spotted in blockchain data through a transfer of over $550 million of ETH out of the Optimism Gateway, came on the same day as the Bedrock upgrade. The transferred ETH, which belongs to users who deposited Ethereum cryptocurrency into Optimism, was moved to a new smart contract called the Optimism Portal. This portal serves as the entry and exit point to the Optimism layer 2 and represents all of the ETH on the OP mainnet. The upgrade aimed to help transform the layer 2 network into a "Superchain" of interoperable and composable blockchains built with Optimism's OP Stack, with Coinbase building its own layer 2 network called Base on Optimism. The Optimism Gateway, now devoid of any ETH, currently holds over $576 million worth of tokens such as USDC, USDT, WBTC, and rETH.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/08/optimism-says-ether-now-treated-as-native-cryptocurrency-alongside-op-token/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Kraken NFT Marketplace Launches With Support for Ethereum, Solana and Polygon Collections</h2>
    <p>Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has launched its NFT marketplace, featuring over 250 non-fungible token collections across Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon blockchains. The platform, which began as a public beta in November, offers both high-profile projects like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club as well as more affordable options under $100. Kraken's NFT marketplace will not charge gas fees for buying and selling NFTs, although fees will apply when transferring assets on and off the platform. Users can pay with fiat or cryptocurrency, and listings include built-in rarity rankings. Currently, MetaMask and Solana's Phantom wallet are supported, with WalletConnect integration planned for the future. Kraken's launch comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny on the crypto industry, with the company continuing to operate in Canada despite recent crackdowns and growing its customer deposits by 25% following the departure of competitors Binance and OKX. The exchange remains available to U.S. customers with certain state-specific trading restrictions.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/06/08/kraken-nft-marketplace-launches-with-support-for-ethereum-solana-and-polygon-collections/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Jack Dorsey-backed Nostr Creator Collaborates With Zebedee on New Social Media Layer</h2>
    <p>The self-taught Bitcoin coder and creator of decentralized social media protocol Nostr, Fiatjaf, has collaborated with his employer, Zebedee, a Bitcoin gaming and payments company, to develop a new social media layer for Zebedee's flagship app. Nostr was created by Fiatjaf and Bitcoin hobbyist Ben Arc, initially conceptualized in 2019 through Zebedee's non-profit arm, No Big Deal (NBD). In 2022, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey donated 14 bitcoin to Fiatjaf for Nostr's development and later donated $10 million to OpenSats, a non-profit organization supporting free and open-source Bitcoin projects, with $5 million earmarked specifically for Nostr. With the growing user base of the Nostr protocol, Fiatjaf and Zebedee are now working together to integrate a Nostr-powered social media layer into Zebedee's app, which already has millions of users. The integration will allow users to opt into the Nostr-based social media component and communicate with millions of other Nostr users on different apps, such as Damus, which debuted on Apple's App Store in February 2023.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/06/08/jack-dorsey-backed-nostr-creator-collaborates-with-employer-zebedee-on-new-social-media-layer/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Thursday June 8th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Bitcoin Could Rise to $120K by End-2024: Standard Chartered</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">An Orb, a Token and Money for Everyone: Worldcoin’s CEO on Crypto’s Most Daring Project</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Starbucks Teams Up With Micah Johnson's Aku NFT Project </a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Grayscale Bitcoin Trust Discount Narrows to Lowest Since May 2022</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Distressed Crypto Specialist Thomas Braziel Sets Up Investment, Advisory Firm</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Bitcoin Could Rise to $120K by End-2024: Standard Chartered</h2>
    <p>Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market value, could escalate to $50,000 by the end of 2021 and further to $120,000 by the close of 2024, according to a research report released by Standard Chartered Bank on Monday. This updated forecast surpasses the bank's previous prediction of $100,000, made in April, which was based on various factors including a potential banking-sector crisis. The bank now views this earlier estimate as too conservative. Bitcoin has seen an 80% increase since the beginning of the year and is presently valued around $30,100. The report suggests that a key factor driving this predicted surge is the increased profitability for bitcoin miners. The logic behind this is that higher profitability allows miners to sell less of their newly mined Bitcoin while still maintaining their cash flow. This reduces the net supply of Bitcoin in the market, thereby driving up prices.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/10/bitcoin-could-rise-to-120k-by-end-2024-standard-chartered/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">An Orb, a Token and Money for Everyone: Worldcoin’s CEO on Crypto’s Most Daring Project</h2>
    <p>Worldcoin, a project co-founded by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, aims to tackle multiple challenges faced by the Web3 ecosystem, such as creating better cryptocurrency, improving AI development through decentralization, and reducing global inequalities. Its primary goal is to distribute tokens freely to all eight billion people on Earth as a form of universal basic income (UBI). To ensure the tokens are given to actual humans and not AI-generated fakes, Worldcoin has invented a device called "The Orb" that scans an individual's eyeball. This device is intended to scan every human eye, providing everyone access to open-source and decentralized financial tools. Worldcoin currently claims to have 1.8 million signups, with the ultimate goal of reaching 8 billion. The project’s co-founder and CEO, Alex Blania, believes that if successful, Worldcoin could represent one of the most profound technological shifts in history.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/07/10/an-orb-a-token-and-money-for-everyone-worldcoins-ceo-on-cryptos-most-daring-project/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Starbucks Teams Up With Micah Johnson's Aku NFT Project </h2>
    <p>Starbucks' Web3 loyalty program, Odyssey, is partnering with the non-fungible token (NFT) collection Aku, created by former Major League Baseball player Micah Johnson. This collaboration involves launching a new digital collectible Stamp designed by Aku, as part of a new Journey called "Aku Adventure" available to Odyssey members from July 17, 2023, to August 13, 2023. Aku's NFTs, popular among celebrities like Trevor Noah, Pusha T, and Tyra Banks, are centered around inspiring children to dream big. Alongside this partnership, Starbucks pledged to donate $100,000 to Blessings in a Backpack, a non-profit organization addressing child food insecurity. This collaboration follows previous successful NFT releases by Starbucks as part of the Odyssey program, including "The Siren Collection" and "The Starbucks First Store Collection," despite initial technical difficulties experienced by collectors due to high demand.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/07/10/starbucks-teams-up-with-micah-johnsons-aku-nft-project/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Grayscale Bitcoin Trust Discount Narrows to Lowest Since May 2022</h2>
    <p>The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust's (GBTC) discount to its net asset value (NAV) has been decreasing, currently sitting at around 27%, the lowest level since May 2022. The narrowing of this discount, which had escalated to nearly 50% last year, has been influenced by BlackRock's mid-June application to launch a spot bitcoin ETF in the US. This move triggered similar filings from other industry players, including Fidelity, prompting optimism among investors that the SEC may approve a spot bitcoin ETF after years of rejections. Such hopes have encouraged buying in GBTC, which Grayscale had previously sought to convert into a spot bitcoin ETF, a proposal that was rejected by the SEC. While the prospect of SEC approval for a spot bitcoin ETF is currently high, caution is advised, given the ongoing SEC lawsuit against Coinbase, the proposed crypto custodian for the BlackRock fund.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/10/grayscale-bitcoin-trust-discount-narrows-to-lowest-since-may-2022/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Distressed Crypto Specialist Thomas Braziel Sets Up Investment, Advisory Firm</h2>
    <p>Thomas Braziel, the co-founder and managing partner of 507 Capital, is establishing a new firm named 117 Partners to expand his operations into the crypto sector. This new entity will provide brokerage and advisory services, along with direct deals, in addition to buying bankruptcy claims, an area where Braziel's original firm has a significant history. 507 Capital started purchasing bankruptcy claims from Mt. Gox in 2015 and has since been involved in several high-profile insolvencies and restructurings in the crypto space, including Cred Inc., Quadriga, 3AC, Celsius, and FTX. Braziel announced the creation of 117 Partners as a hybrid between advisory and investment, marking a strategic shift from his previous focus solely on distressed assets.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/07/10/distressed-crypto-specialist-thomas-braziel-sets-up-investment-advisory-firm/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Monday July 10th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Why Edinburgh Is Zumo's Crypto Hub</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Shiba Inu-Based Shibarium Blockchain Expected to Go Live in August</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">BlackRock CEO’s Turnabout on Bitcoin Elicits Cheers, Skepticism of Crypto Cred</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Storj, Filecoin and Solana Lead First Week of July Crypto Market Gains</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Whales Are Increasing, but BTC Sent to Exchanges Continues to Fall. What Does the Trend Mean? </a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Why Edinburgh Is Zumo's Crypto Hub</h2>
    <p>Edinburgh-based digital-assets infrastructure platform Zumo is making waves in the crypto world, leveraging the city's rich computer science heritage and strong talent pool. Co-founded by Nick Jones and Paul Roach, Zumo offers Web2 companies an entry point into Web3. The choice of Edinburgh was influenced by the city's academic strength in informatics, its launch of a blockchain and AI accelerator, and its position as the UK's second-largest startup hub. Despite the challenges posed by a small local talent pool and Brexit, the co-founders remain optimistic about the future of the company in Edinburgh. They see potential for the UK to become a global digital-assets hub, drawing parallels with Singapore, Switzerland, and Abu Dhabi. This optimism extends to Zumo's expansion plans, which include establishing a secondary regulatory hub in Abu Dhabi this year to tap into the MENA and South Asian markets. Despite its global aspirations, Zumo maintains a primarily UK-focused business structure, with its Financial Conduct Authority-registered business listed in Scotland and its holding company listed in England.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/07/07/why-edinburgh-is-zumos-crypto-hub/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Shiba Inu-Based Shibarium Blockchain Expected to Go Live in August</h2>
    <p>The much-anticipated layer 2 blockchain, Shibarium, is slated to go live following a conference in Toronto in August, according to developer Shytoshi Kusama. Layer 2 blockchains are off-chain systems that help alleviate scaling and data bottlenecks by bundling multiple transactions into one. Kusama revealed that all Shiba Inu-branded projects, along with the completed Worldpaper and Treat, would be released at the event. The decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) DoggyDAO, which will fund projects on Shibarium, will also be introduced then. The Shibarium testnet has recorded substantial activity, with 20 million transactions from approximately 16 million wallets as of June, suggesting a strong demand for the network. Developers have indicated that Shibarium will primarily focus on metaverse and gaming applications, especially with the expected growth in the non-fungible token (NFT) sector. This launch could strengthen the fundamentals of the Shiba Inu (SHIB) token, which began as a meme coin but has since aimed to establish itself as a serious project with its own blockchain network and decentralized application ecosystem.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/07/07/shiba-inu-based-shibarium-blockchain-expected-to-go-live-in-august/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">BlackRock CEO’s Turnabout on Bitcoin Elicits Cheers, Skepticism of Crypto Cred</h2>
    <p>BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's newfound support for Bitcoin has drawn mixed reactions, with some suggesting it may pave the way for more Wall Street executives to embrace cryptocurrencies. However, critics argue his favored method of investment - the exchange-traded fund (ETF) - deviates from the original decentralized ideals of digital assets. Fink, previously known for his skepticism towards cryptocurrencies, recently stated that Bitcoin could "revolutionize finance." His endorsement, however, centers on making it easier and cheaper to trade and invest in Bitcoin through ETFs, rather than promoting the core concept of decentralization. Critics fear this approach undermines the primary feature of Bitcoin: the ability to control funds without needing a third-party manager. Despite these concerns, Fink's change of stance could help with Bitcoin's mass adoption and further embed it into mainstream consciousness. Paul McCaffery, managing director at Keefe Bruyette & Woods, views Fink's move as a "game-changer" that could encourage other Wall Street investors to allocate more money to the cryptocurrency.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/07/07/blackrock-ceo-larry-finks-turnabout-on-bitcoin-elicits-cheers-skepticism-from-crypto-insiders/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Storj, Filecoin and Solana Lead First Week of July Crypto Market Gains</h2>
    <p>Crypto storage tokens, specifically Filecoin's FIL and Storj's STORJ, led the market gains during the first week of July, outperforming larger cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether. Storj, a crypto-backed cloud storage platform often seen as an alternative to services like Amazon or Google, saw its native token increase by 15% over the week. Filecoin, another decentralized protocol for renting out spare storage, and a competitor to Storj with a nearly $2 billion market value, also saw a 12% gain in the same period. Meanwhile, Bitcoin dipped 0.7% and Ether fell 3.5%, with traders attributing the stagnant price movement to market uncertainty, conflicting economic data, and ongoing central bank deliberations about managing high inflation without triggering a severe recession. Solana's SOL token also made notable gains, rising 12% over the week, though the reasons behind the surge remain unclear. The CoinDesk Market Index, a measure of crypto market performance, dropped 1.3% over the past week, with only the Indices' Computing Sector posting weekly gains.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/07/storj-filecoin-and-solana-lead-first-week-of-july-crypto-market-gains/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Whales Are Increasing, but BTC Sent to Exchanges Continues to Fall. What Does the Trend Mean? </h2>
    <p>The number of large Bitcoin holders, also known as whales, is on the rise while the amount of Bitcoin sent to exchanges is decreasing, suggesting bullishness among investors. This comes amid recent market fluctuations that saw Bitcoin dip below $30,000 following strong ADP private sector jobs reports and ISM Services Index, before rebounding back above this threshold. The positive jobs data may prompt the U.S. central bank to implement further rate cuts to control inflation, a move that typically impacts crypto and other asset markets negatively. Despite these market dynamics, many investors remain hopeful that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will reverse its pattern of rejecting spot Bitcoin ETF filings. Ether followed a similar trend, dropping after the ADP report, which showed an addition of 497,000 jobs, exceeding forecasts. Other major cryptos also experienced significant declines before recovering some ground. According to Richard Mico, U.S. CEO of Banxa, Bitcoin's support at $30,000 signals an increasingly optimistic sentiment among investors. Despite the increase in Bitcoin whales, these large holders appear hesitant to move their assets to centralized exchanges, possibly due to exchange risk or regulatory concerns.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/07/first-mover-asia-bitcoin-whales-are-increasing-but-btc-sent-to-exchanges-continues-to-fall-what-does-the-trend-mean/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Friday July 7th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Bitcoin Could Rally to $125K by End-2024: Matrixport</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Lightning Labs Unveils Bitcoin Tools for AI</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">You Can Now Buy NFTs on Twitter Through Inspect's Browser Extension</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">First Mover Americas: Bitcoin Cash Rises More Than 10%</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">CryptoQuant Parent Raises $6.5M Round Led by Atinum Investment </a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Bitcoin Could Rally to $125K by End-2024: Matrixport</h2>
    <p>Crypto services provider Matrixport anticipates Bitcoin could rally to $125,000 by the end of 2024. This forecast is based on data indicating a bull market typically follows the end of a bear market, marked by setting a 12-month high for the first time in at least a year. Such a signal was observed last month when Bitcoin prices topped $31,000, the highest since June 2022. Markus Thielen, head of research and strategy at Matrixport, suggests that based on historical patterns, Bitcoin prices could increase by +123% over twelve months and by +310% over eighteen months, reaching $65,539 in twelve months and $125,731 over eighteen months. Matrixport's prediction aligns with Bitcoin's trend of experiencing sharp uptrends in the 12-18 months following the halving of the mining reward. The next halving, reducing the new coins per block from 6.5 BTC to 3.25 BTC, is slated for March/April next year.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/06/bitcoin-could-rally-to-125k-by-2024-end-matrixport/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Lightning Labs Unveils Bitcoin Tools for AI</h2>
    <p>Artificial intelligence applications such as OpenAI’s GPT series can now send, receive, and hold Bitcoin (BTC) using a suite of new tools unveiled by Lightning Labs. The announcement follows the significant growth of the AI industry and the popularity of AI models like ChatGPT. Lightning Labs aims to address the absence of a native Internet-based payment system in large language models (LLMs), which currently rely on traditional methods like credit cards. The company has developed tools that incorporate Bitcoin micropayments via Lightning with popular AI software libraries like LangChain. This integration is expected to reduce software deployment costs and broaden the range of AI use cases. One potential use case is creating software that charges for API access, allowing AI software or agents to pay for access based on the quality of responses received. Despite the success of chatbots, Lightning Labs predicts that the majority of use cases will be discovered in enterprise and software-as-a-service applications.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/07/06/lightning-labs-unveils-bitcoin-tools-for-ai/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">You Can Now Buy NFTs on Twitter Through Inspect's Browser Extension</h2>
    <p>NFT Inspect, a tool for analyzing and monitoring non-fungible tokens (NFTs), is collaborating with Web3 company MoonPay to allow Twitter users to buy NFTs and cryptocurrencies via its Chrome browser extension. The extension, launched last month, provides real-time data on NFT collections frequently used as Twitter profile pictures and allows users to analyze how an NFT is used on the platform. The new partnership will enable users to buy various cryptocurrencies through MoonPay's payment infrastructure, which supports methods like debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local bank transfers, to then purchase NFTs. The collaboration aims to promote crypto adoption and create an inclusive digital payments ecosystem. NFT Inspect, revived under new ownership in March, continues to develop its tools to help NFT traders track market trends. Meanwhile, MoonPay, which recently partnered with Mastercard, enables customers to buy NFTs on various platforms without the need to first buy cryptocurrency.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/07/06/you-can-now-buy-nfts-on-twitter-through-inspects-browser-extension/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">First Mover Americas: Bitcoin Cash Rises More Than 10%</h2>
    <p>Bitcoin (BTC) rallied to a new 13-month high of over $31,500 before pulling back to around $31,100, a more than 2% increase for the day. However, the top performer among large-cap cryptocurrencies on Thursday was Bitcoin Cash (BCH), which rose by over 12%, following its listing on EDX Markets, backed by Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Citadel Securities. TradingView data suggests this upward trend could continue in July, historically a good month for cryptos. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink indicated his belief that Bitcoin and other cryptos could revolutionize the financial system, potentially replacing gold as an international hedge asset. In other news, payment services company Circle is considering issuing a stablecoin in Japan, following new legislation governing stablecoins that came into effect on June 1. Despite BCH's recent gains, the BCH/Korean won trading volume has seen a significant decline from $557 million to $303 million in the past week, indicating that Korean investors have reduced their BCH purchases.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/06/first-mover-americas-bitcoin-cash-largest-big-cap-gainer-as-cryptos-move-higher/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">CryptoQuant Parent Raises $6.5M Round Led by Atinum Investment </h2>
    <p>Data analytics platform CryptoQuant's parent company, Team Blackbird, has successfully raised $6.5 million in a Series A funding round, led by South Korean firm Atinum Investment. The CEO of Team Blackbird, Joo Gi-Young, emphasized the importance of reliable information and data analysis for speculative investments in digital assets, which are often viewed as risky. He asserted that CryptoQuant’s primary value lies in its ability to establish new investment methodologies and evaluation criteria for digital assets based on accurate data. The funds secured from this round will be allocated towards recruiting for both the company's South Korean and international operations. This latest funding round elevates the total capital raised by the company to $9 million, with past contributions coming from Galaxy Interactive and Mirae Asset Capital.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/07/06/cryptoquant-parent-raises-65m-round-led-by-atinum-investment/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Thursday July 6th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">Hollywood Legend Steve McQueen Honored as 'King of Cool' in New NFT Collection</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">AI-Backed Blockchain Data Startup Web3Go Raises $4M</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">Crypto Custodian Cobo Argus Scores $100M in Value Locked One Week After Going Live</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Why Lisbon Is Immunefi's Crypto Hub </a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Israeli Lawmakers Support Axing Crypto Capital Gains Tax for Foreigners </a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">Hollywood Legend Steve McQueen Honored as 'King of Cool' in New NFT Collection</h2>
    <p>The McQueen Estate, in collaboration with Verified Labs, contemporary artist Michael Kalish, Triumph Motorcycles, and Immersive Entertainment Laboratories (IEL), is set to release a collection of 1,000 non-fungible tokens (NFTs) honoring Hollywood legend Steve McQueen on July 14. The NFTs, dubbed the “King of Cool Racing Team,” will be sold on the ThetaDrop platform and feature generative art collectibles that reflect McQueen's love for motorcycles. Each NFT includes a digital motorcycle shipping crate that reveals a virtual Triumph Bonneville T100 Motorcycle, granting the owner membership into the King of Cool Racing Team and access to future token-gated content. Additionally, each collectible comes with a 3D portrait of McQueen that can be viewed in greater detail using virtual reality. The project was inspired by a portrait Kalish created of McQueen with help from McQueen's grandson, Chase. McQueen's love for racing and his collection of Triumph motorcycles were well-known, mirroring his reputation as the "king of cool" both on and off the screen.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/07/05/hollywood-legend-steve-mcqueen-honored-as-king-of-cool-in-new-nft-collection/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">AI-Backed Blockchain Data Startup Web3Go Raises $4M</h2>
    <p>Web3Go, a Singapore-based blockchain firm providing artificial intelligence (AI)-backed data tools, has secured $4 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by Binance Labs and saw participation from HashKey Capital, NGC, Shima Capital, IVC, LIF, Big Brain Holdings, and Archerman Capital. Web3Go, an alumnus of a Binance Labs' incubation program, intends to leverage blockchain technology to simplify the verification of AI-native digital asset ownership and provide a range of data tools to facilitate the creation of these assets. The company's offerings include real-time data processing for on-chain and off-chain data computation and information flows, along with a digital curation protocol for ownership verification and data set and digital asset transfer. Web3Go is set to release its native asset creation platform, DIN, in beta by the end of this month. By the end of Q3, DIN will feature real-time on-chain trading data for users to generate AI-assisted trading information, strategies, and robots. Web3Go's data solutions are currently utilized by the BNB Chain and Polygon ecosystems.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/07/05/ai-backed-blockchain-data-startup-web3go-raises-4m/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">Crypto Custodian Cobo Argus Scores $100M in Value Locked One Week After Going Live</h2>
    <p>Cobo, a crypto custodian firm, has announced that its Argus protocol has reached $100 million in locked customer funds within one week of launch, according to CEO Discus Fish. Cobo provides institutional clients, including banks, asset managers, crypto funds and mining pools, with secure storage for their token holdings and enables them to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) activities. The recent release of Argus version 2 (V2) in late June introduced features like DeFi strategies authorization, team role delegation, and risk management. Built on Safe, a decentralized crypto wallet, Argus V2 supports all open-source DeFi protocols and allows traders to use DeFi bots for automatic farming rewards monetization, compounding, and token swapping. The term "farming" refers to earning rewards by depositing tokens into a decentralized application (dapp).
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/07/05/crypto-custodian-cobo-argus-scores-100m-in-value-locked-one-week-after-going-live/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Why Lisbon Is Immunefi's Crypto Hub </h2>
    <p>In an interview with CoinDesk, Mitchell Amador, founder and CEO of bug bounty platform Immunefi, discussed why Lisbon, Portugal, is the company's main hub despite being incorporated in Singapore. While Immunefi operates remotely with team members across the globe, the majority of its workforce is located in Lisbon. Amador, a Canada-born crypto entrepreneur, chose Portugal for its social harmony, calm atmosphere, and quality of life. He advised other founders to establish their hubs where they live and to choose a healthy and sustainable environment. However, he also highlighted the importance of incorporating in a location conducive to business growth. Despite Singapore's stringent regulations and cautious stance towards crypto, he praised the country for its robust business infrastructure and reliable corporate documentation, likening it to Delaware in the US context. Amador concluded that while Singapore is an excellent place for business incorporation, Portugal provides a conducive environment for founders to thrive.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/07/05/why-lisbon-is-immunefis-crypto-hub/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Israeli Lawmakers Support Axing Crypto Capital Gains Tax for Foreigners </h2>
    <p>A bill offering tax benefits to Israel's cryptocurrency sector has received preliminary approval in the Knesset, Israel's parliament. If enacted, the law would exempt foreign residents from capital gains taxes on digital currency sales and halve the tax on crypto options for employees to around 25%. The proposal is backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government and aligns with his strategy to attract investors to Israel. The law aims to equalize the tax burden between traditional high-tech industry workers and those in the crypto sector, who currently pay double tax on their options. The move forms part of a broader effort by Israel to integrate cryptocurrency into its economy through regulation, including guidelines for digital assets and stablecoin requirements. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has shown support for the bill, indicating Israel's embrace of cryptocurrency and aligning it with pro-crypto UK and European nations.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/07/05/israeli-lawmakers-support-axing-crypto-capital-gains-tax-for-foreigners/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

Crypto Report - Wednesday July 5th, 2023

<div class="d-none"><p>This article was generated by TOKERObot 🤖.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><ol class="cryptoNewsReportSummaryList"><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-1">First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Crosses $31K After Spot BTC ETF Issuers Begin Refiling</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-2">Pepecoin Knockoffs Turn Dollars to Fortunes in Strange New ‘2.0’ Play</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-3">UK Lords Pass Bill to Help Seize and Freeze Crypto Used for Crime</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-4">Gemini's Cameron Winklevoss Tweets $1.5B 'Final Offer' in Debt Talks Over Crypto Firm Genesis</a></h2><h2><a class="articleSummaryLink" href="#crypto-report-article-5">Bitcoin, Ether Supply on Exchanges Fell in June: Goldman Sachs</a></h2></ol><br /><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-1">First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Crosses $31K After Spot BTC ETF Issuers Begin Refiling</h2>
    <p>Bitcoin began the Tuesday business day in Asia past the $31,000 mark at $31,153 as the world’s largest digital asset rallied following the refiling of several prospective bitcoin ETF applications. The refiling of these applications has spurred enthusiasm in the market, leading to a significant rise in the value of Bitcoin, which currently makes up nearly half of the industry's $1.2 trillion market cap. In contrast, prices of NFTs are becoming disconnected from the price of ether as trading volume decreases, with the Bored Ape Yacht Club's NFT collection hitting a new low since October 2021. Despite the rough year for crypto in 2022, data from Messari shows that 2023 has been much more successful. During the first half of this year, major crypto assets were up an average of 34% compared to a decline of 56% for the same period last year. Bitcoin is up 84.6% compared to a nearly 60% fall for the first half of 2022. Stand-out performers include Bitcoin Cash, up 203%, and Solana, up 93%.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/04/first-mover-asia-bitcoin-crosses-31k-after-spot-btc-etf-issuers-begin-refiling/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-2">Pepecoin Knockoffs Turn Dollars to Fortunes in Strange New ‘2.0’ Play</h2>
    <p>The recent trend in the cryptocurrency market involves betting on microcap tokens, which claim to be the successors of popular meme coins. New tokens such as pepe 2.0, floki 2.0, and bobo 2.0, imitating the well-known pepe, floki, and bobo tokens, have seen their trading volumes skyrocket into the millions of dollars, generating considerable liquidity and transforming minor investments into six-figure fortunes almost instantaneously. However, these tokens typically fade away within a few weeks. Despite this, anyone can issue tokens on blockchain platforms like Ethereum for a small cost, and they can be supplied with liquidity and traded almost immediately on decentralized exchanges. As of a recent Tuesday, pepe 2.0, the most popular of these knockoff tokens, had nearly $7 million traded in the past 24 hours and boasted a market capitalization of $18 million. Notably, one investor transformed a $900 investment in pepe 2.0 into over $176,000 in less than a day. Meanwhile, the original pepecoin (PEPE) continues to attract investors, extending gains of an approximately 80% rally over the past two weeks.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/04/pepecoin-knockoffs-turn-dollars-to-fortunes-in-strange-new-20-play/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-3">UK Lords Pass Bill to Help Seize and Freeze Crypto Used for Crime</h2>
    <p>The UK's Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, designed to aid law enforcement agencies in seizing and freezing cryptocurrency involved in criminal activity, has been passed by the House of Lords. The legislation underwent amendments to include terrorism cases and measures enabling authorities to seize property that could help identify crime-related crypto. The bill also allows courts to order the seizure and freezing of crypto used for illicit purposes. This development is part of the government's three-year economic crime agenda launched in March, which includes the introduction of crypto tactical advisors to police departments across the nation. Once the bill is ratified by the House of Commons, it will need royal assent to become law. The bill is a response to the growing misuse of cryptocurrencies and UK company structures for money laundering and other criminal activities. The move is welcomed by the National Crime Agency, viewing it as a significant step towards combating such abuses.
<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/07/04/uk-lords-pass-bill-to-help-seize-and-freeze-crypto-used-for-crime/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-4">Gemini's Cameron Winklevoss Tweets $1.5B 'Final Offer' in Debt Talks Over Crypto Firm Genesis</h2>
    <p>Cameron Winklevoss, Gemini crypto exchange co-founder, has made a "final offer" in debt-restructuring discussions involving bankrupt digital asset firm Genesis, proposing a plan for $1.5 billion in forbearance payments and fresh loans. This marks the climax of prolonged negotiations. Winklevoss' open letter to Barry Silbert, founder of Digital Currency Group (DCG) which owns Genesis and Grayscale, criticizes DCG's delay in devising a satisfactory repayment plan for Genesis creditors, including Gemini's Earn program users. DCG has reportedly defaulted on a $630 million payment to Genesis. Winklevoss' proposal, involving payments and loans in dollars, bitcoin, and ether totaling $1.465 billion, has a deadline set for 4 p.m. on July 6. Winklevoss accuses DCG of exacerbating resolution delays, inflating professional fees to over $100 million, all paid to lawyers and advisors at the expense of creditors and Earn users. According to Winklevoss, about $1.2 billion is owed to Earn users. Failure to accept this deal could result in lawsuits against DCG and Silbert, and possibly push DCG into default with a "non-consensual" debt-repayment plan.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/07/04/geminis-cameron-winklevoss-tweets-15b-final-offer-in-debt-talks-over-crypto-firm-genesis/">Read more</a></div></p></div><div class="articleSummaryWrapper">
    <h2 id="crypto-report-article-5">Bitcoin, Ether Supply on Exchanges Fell in June: Goldman Sachs</h2>
    <p>In June, the supply of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) on exchanges decreased due to intensified regulations and security concerns, causing holders to favor self-custody, according to a report from Goldman Sachs. The supply of BTC fell by 4%, reaching its lowest level since December 2022, while the supply of ETH dropped by 5.8% to levels unseen since May 2018. Regulatory pressures, cyber attacks, and the rise of staked Ether withdrawals were cited as key reasons for this shift. Meanwhile, June marked a record month for Bitcoin miners' inventory sales, with total BTC inflows from miners to exchanges nearly doubling from May to $99 million as miners capitalized on the cryptocurrency's robust performance. Transaction fees normalized in June after network congestion in May, leading to a rebound in monthly address activity for both Bitcoin and Ether. The report also highlighted an increase in new on-chain activity, with the daily average new address count for Bitcoin and Ether rising by 9.8% and 48.2% respectively compared to the previous month.<br /><div class="readMoreButtonWrapper"><a class="whiteBtn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/07/04/bitcoin-ether-supply-on-exchanges-fell-in-june-goldman-sachs/">Read more</a></div></p></div>

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