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Bitcoin Breaches $65,000 as Yellen Backs ‘Soft Landing’

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Bitcoin tapped $65,000 after the Sept. 26 Wall Street open as United States macro events fueled risk asset gains.

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView indicated that BTC price momentum pushed it to $65,521 on Bitstamp — marking its highest point in nearly two months.

The continued upward movement was spurred by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who increased optimism that the Federal Reserve would achieve a “soft landing” for inflation.

Speaking to CNBC, Yellen portrayed a positive outlook for the US economy, a tone that Fed Chair Jerome Powell did not echo during his prepared remarks at the 2024 US Treasury Market Conference at the New York Fed.

“As I noted when I spoke at this event in 2015, our nation’s entire financial framework has been built around the ability to quickly and efficiently transform Treasury securities into cash liquidity,” he stated.

“I said then that ‘these markets need to keep functioning at a high level, and we all have a stake in making sure that they do.’ I remain wholly dedicated to that goal.”

Additionally, US Q2 gross domestic product data met expectations at 3.0%, while jobless claims fell slightly below anticipated levels.

The S&P 500 set a new intraday record high on the same day, continuing a rally that gained momentum after Powell announced the first interest rate cuts in four years on Sept. 18.

Commenting on the situation, trading resource The Kobeissi Letter attributed the latest gains to China, which announced various fiscal stimulus measures this week.

“This is only the beginning,” it stated in a dedicated thread on X, describing China as “panicking.”

Meanwhile, Bitcoin market participants recognized the need for consolidation around the recent highs before pursuing further upside.

“$65K ask liquidity taken. Next ask liquidity is $66K. Bid liquidity around $62K – $61K,” popular trader Skew informed X followers.

“So given the large gap now, would want to see more structure develop or a nice consolidation before continuation higher. The bad outcome would be a full retrace with weakness.”

Recent data from monitoring resource CoinGlass showed liquidity accumulating on either side of the spot price once more across exchange order books.

Uphold’s Topper Integrates with Ledger Live to Offer Seamless Fiat-to-Crypto Transactions and Disrupt Conventional Banking

San Francisco, California, September 26th, 2024, Chainwire

Uphold’s fiat-to-crypto on-ramp Topper integrates with Ledger, the gold standard in hardware wallets, to disrupt traditional banking and challenge the exclusivity of traditional banking services.

Topper, a fiat-to-crypto on-ramp by the global web3 financial platform Uphold, has announced a partnership with Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security for consumers and enterprises. With this integration, Topper will be the newest onramp within the Ledger Live app, enabling users to manage over 200 digital assets directly through Topper and simplifying the process of buying crypto securely within the app. 

Since their launch in 2014, Ledger has sold 7 million devices and is widely regarded as the most trusted name in the crypto space. Supported by the Ledger Live app, which allows users to monitor, lend, stake, buy, and sell crypto, Ledger offers a comprehensive and secure platform for managing digital assets. 

Uphold is the most compliant by uniquely routing orders across 30 trading venues for optimal execution and superior liquidity, maintaining 100% reserved assets without lending them out, and leading radical transparency by publishing its assets and liabilities every 30 seconds on a public website.

This partnership signals the industry’s larger trend towards financial innovation, which is reshaping how people interact with money and financial services by offering more accessible, flexible, and secure alternatives to traditional banking.

Further aligning with Uphold’s mission to offer modern alternatives to traditional banking, just last year, Uphold launched Vault: an assisted self-custody wallet, combining the convenience of centralized financial applications with the security of self-custody, while also offering a key replacement feature to reduce the risk of irrecoverable fund loss.

“Ledger is the gold standard hardware crypto wallet in ease of use, flexibility, and security has set it apart in the crypto space,” said Robin O’Connell, CEO of Uphold Enterprise. “We’re extremely proud to integrate Topper with Ledger Live, combining our commitment to innovation with Ledger’s renowned reputation to offer users a seamless and secure digital asset management experience.” 

With support for over 5,500 coins and tokens, including NFTs, Ledger’s integration with Topper within the Ledger Live app further enhances its reputation as the go-to platform for secure, compliant, and versatile crypto asset management.

“We are thrilled to bring Topper onboard the Ledger Live ecosystem, strengthening our commitment enabling unparalleled ease of use in crypto,” said Jean François Rochet, Executive Vice-President of Consumer Services at Ledger. “With this partnership, anyone can make fiat-to-crypto transactions with convenience and with their private keys tightly secured in their Ledger devices.”

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Ledger Live, a secure way for our users to purchase a wide range of digital assets with multiple payment methods. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in providing seamless and secure user access globally.” — Frankie Picciano, Global Head of Topper Sales.

For more information on how users can use Topper as their seamless onramp directly through their Ledger Live App, users can visit www.ledger.com/ledger-live. 

About Ledger

Celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2024, Ledger is the world leader in Digital Asset security for consumers and enterprises. Ledger offers connected devices and platforms, with more than 7M devices sold to consumers in 180 countries and 10+ languages, 100+ financial institutions and commercial brands. Over 20% of the world’s crypto assets are secured by Ledger. 

Ledger is the digital asset solution secure by design. The world’s most internationally respected offensive security team, Ledger Donjon, is relied upon as a crucial resource for securing the world of Digital Assets. With over $14 billion hacked, scammed or mismanaged in 2023 alone, Ledger’s security brings peace of mind and uncompromising self-custody to its community.

About Topper

Topper, the easy fiat on-ramp with higher approval rates, is a quick-to-implement web3 payment tool that lets crypto projects process more of their customers’ payments – supporting twice as many digital assets than its competitors. The Topper payment widget is built to simplify the payment process, accept more currencies and deliver higher approval rates, resulting in fewer declines and more revenue. Developed by Uphold, the web3 financial platform, Topper is a reliable, regulated and trusted payment system.

About Uphold 

Ranked #1 in the San Francisco Business Times Fast 100 List, Uphold is committed to making web3 easy. As a web3 financial platform, Uphold serves over 10 million customers in more than 140 countries. It provides businesses and consumers with easy access to digital assets and services. Uphold’s unique “Anything to Anything” interface gives end users seamless access to and between digital assets and national currencies and precious metals. Uniquely, Uphold smart routes orders across 30 trading venues delivering optimal execution and superior liquidity to customers. Uphold never loans out customer assets and is always 100% reserved. The company has pioneered radical transparency and uniquely publishes its assets and liabilities every 30 seconds on a public website (https://uphold.com/en-us/transparency).

Uphold is regulated in the U.S. by FinCen and State regulators. The company is registered in the UK and Canada with the FCA and FINTRAC respectively and in Europe with the Financial Crime Investigation Service under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania. To learn more about Uphold’s products and services, users can visit uphold.com.

Contact

PR Manager
Lauren Bukoskey
Serotonin
lauren@serotonin.co

Huddle01 to Launch Node Sale to Expand its Video Network, after hosting 6 million minutes of meetings

Bangalore, India, September 26th, 2024, Chainwire

The Huddle01 decentralized Real-Time Communications Network is a multi-sided network with Media Nodes, suppliers of dRTC bandwidth for participants and consumers of audio/video meetings

On November 6, 2024, Huddle01, a leading decentralized real-time communications layer, will launch its media node sale. Huddle01 is setting new standards in decentralized communication, offering a robust and efficient solution to the challenges faced by traditional real-time communication (RTC) providers. Since 2023, Huddle01 has hosted 6 million minutes for more than 100,000 events. 

The first dRTC Network 

Huddle01 is the first Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) for RTC or audio/video conferencing. Huddle01 coordinates unused internet bandwidth through node operators to enable seamless audio-video communication via its innovative decentralized, or dRTC network.

Unlike most DePINs, Huddle01 is built from the demand side, addressing the high operational costs and geographical latency issues faced by centralized RTC networks. Founded during Covid-19 as Indian schools moved online, Huddle01 replaced centralized communication systems, which route calls through distant servers — often halfway across the world — causing significant delays and poor performance for video conferencing.

By reducing the reliance on centralized data centers, Huddle01 also minimizes developers’ server costs for audio and video calls by up to 95% compared to AWS, ensuring cost-effective and high-performance communication. 

Huddle01’s app layer Huddle01 Meet integrates Web3-native tools, allowing users to connect wallets, use NFT profile pictures as avatars, and host token-gated meetings. Video recordings can be securely stored on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), emphasizing the platform’s commitment to decentralization and security. 

Led by CEO and Co-Founder Ayush Ranjan and Co-Founder and CTO Susmit Lavania, Huddle01 has an experienced team with 15+ years in RTC and 5+ years of token engineering. Key leadership positions at Huddle01 are held by alumni of BlockScience, ConsenSys, Polygon, Cardano, Persistence, CoinDCX, and Guardian Link.

Nodes lead to improved latency

Huddle01 Media Nodes – the atomic unit of Huddle01’s dRTC network – provide the necessary bandwidth to encode, decode and route audio/video packets for uninterrupted audio and video communication across the globe. 

“Google Meets and Zoom streams 300 million minutes per day. If Huddle01 captures just 1-5% of this market in the next 12 months, we would have triggered the highest web3 adoption ever.” CTO Susmit Lavania explained. 

While latency issues, or lags and glitches, in the developing world hinder innovation, in truth, they hinder productivity everywhere. Distance education, streaming, gaming and healthcare can all be improved by better internet services.

“These nodes will power a network that already outperforms the incumbent web2 competitors on latency where there is a large cluster of nodes, and is capable of improving lags across the globe,” says Ayush Ranjan, CEO of Huddle01. 

“We are excited to launch this node sale, because as we sell more nodes, the benefits for consumers and businesses will only grow. Node operators are incentivized to run a node, allowing them to create more value for themselves but more importantly, they can actually notice the improvement in latency in all their applications,” added Ranjan. 

Huddle01: Revolutionizing Real-Time Communication with DePIN 

Huddle01 Media Node Sale features

  • 46,900 Huddle Media Nodes are available with pricing starting at $320
  • Huddle01 will be doing its Node Sales in 2 Phases
  • Phase 1 will consist of 20,000 nodes to be sold from the November 6th Whitelist and a Public Sale on November 8
  • Phase 1 sale participants are eligible for 2x rewards than Phase 2 participants 
  • Minimum requirement to run the node is a ~250 Mbps Internet connection, however buyers can also delegate to minimize operating expenses
  • The testnet will launch 2 weeks after the sale completes, with node operators earning up to 5 $HUDL per day during the testnet
  • 21% of total TGE supply (200M $HUDL) will be offered as rewards for active nodes during the testnet phase, with immediate vesting and 5% unlocked at TGE

Key dates

  • Whitelist Opens – 9th October
  • Whitelist Sales – 6th November 
  • Public Sales – 8th November 

More details about the public node sale launching on 6th November can be found here, including how to whitelist: HERE.

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About Huddle01 

Huddle01 is a decentralized real-time communication (dRTC) network for audio and video streaming – DePIN for RTC – that has clocked in 6 million+ minutes of meetings to date. The dRTC network eliminates the dependency on centralized servers for real-time communication across the globe. 

Huddle01 is democratizing connectivity over cyberspace by enabling people to access best in class bandwidth without relying on local physical infrastructure. The network has raised $6M to date and is backed by marquee angels like Balaji Srinivasa, Stani Kulechov and leading VC funds like Hivemind, Protocol Labs, Superscrypt, Consensys and others. 

Huddle01 makes it possible to build high-quality audio/video applications in minutes. Leveraging its suite of SDKs, multiple web3 applications have integrated the composable Huddle01 SDKs as their video communication layer. The infrastructure (developer SDKs) has been utilized by 100 projects including Lens Protocol, Solana, and CyberConnect. Soon Huddle01 will be onboarding 1.5M active users to their dRTC network with upcoming integrations.

To learn more visit, www.huddle01.com | Twitter | Website | Medium

Contact

Senior PR Manager
Patrick Kennedy
Serotonin
patrick@serotonin.co

US DoJ Faces Lawsuit Regarding $4.3 Billion Binance Settlement

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The United States Department of Justice must allocate more of its substantial $4.3 billion settlement with Binance into a fund designated for victims of state-sponsored terrorism, according to a recent lawsuit.

On Sept. 25, four individuals, either victims or family members of victims of state-sponsored terrorism, filed a suit against the DOJ in a federal court in Washington, D.C. They claim the DOJ improperly withheld or delayed depositing the proceeds from Binance’s November settlement into the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.

The lawsuit asserts that under the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act, 100% of criminal proceeds and 75% of civil proceeds from cases like Binance’s should be deposited into this fund, which was established to compensate victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

The plaintiffs allege that the DOJ has only deposited just over $898.6 million into the fund and “has asserted that it intends to direct at least $1.5 billion” into a fund for crime victims, which they claim is not legal.

The suit seeks a court order that would require the DOJ to deposit all qualifying Binance proceeds into the Victims Fund.

Additionally, the lawsuit names several defendants, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Treasury Department along with its agencies, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Crypto exchange Binance pleaded guilty in November 2023 to violating U.S. sanctions and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, agreeing to pay approximately $4.3 billion in fines and forfeitures.

Former CEO Changpeng Zhao also agreed to plead guilty to one felony charge related to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, pay a $50 million penalty, and step down as CEO. In April, he was sentenced to four months in jail and is set to be released on Sept. 29.

In May 2023, the DOJ’s national security and crime divisions launched an investigation into Binance for providing services to Russians following sanctions imposed on that country in April 2022.

Kamala Harris Says the US Needs to ‘Remain Dominant’ in Crypto

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Kamala Harris made a public statement advocating for the protection of cryptocurrencies, expressing her desire for the United States to “remain dominant” in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technology sectors.

“We will invest in biomanufacturing and aerospace, remain dominant in AI and quantum computing, blockchain and other emerging technologies, [and] expand our lead in clean energy innovation and manufacturing,” Harris stated in a speech at The Economic Club of Pittsburgh on Sept. 25.

She emphasized, “The next generation of breakthroughs — from advanced batteries to geothermal to advanced nuclear — are not just invented, but built here in America by American workers.”

Unlike her Republican rival Donald Trump, who has actively supported cryptocurrencies, Harris had previously kept her views on crypto under wraps until Sept. 22. On that date, she spoke in favor of fostering new technologies, including “digital assets,” while also highlighting the need for consumer protections during a fundraising event.

In an 82-page economic plan released alongside her Pittsburgh speech, Harris briefly reiterated her stance on crypto. The plan makes a single reference to “digital assets,” stating that her administration will “encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors.”

During her speech, she underscored the importance of the U.S. maintaining its technological edge over rival nations, asserting that the country must lead “the world in the industries of the future and [ensure] America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.”

Analysts have predicted mixed outcomes for crypto assets based on the election results. VanEck analysts noted in a Sept. 19 research note that a Harris victory might be “better” for Bitcoin, as it could help address many structural issues driving Bitcoin adoption. Conversely, they also suggested that another Trump term could be “generally bullish” for the crypto ecosystem due to his pro-industry stance.

Harris and Trump are virtually tied in national polling, with Harris leading by just 2.5 percentage points as of Sept. 25, according to FiveThirtyEight.

BITmarkets Releases End-Year Update Highlighting Key Crypto Game-Changers for 2024

Vilnius, Lithuania, September 26th, 2024, Chainwire

The BITmarkets crypto exchange has published its end-year update for its crypto study on the game-changers for crypto in 2024, entitled “Revisiting the Game-Changers for Crypto”.

Amongst the listed assets, which include cryptocurrencies and other digital assets with the potential to transform the crypto world as we know it, an emerging newcomer is Sui—a blockchain token that is gaining popularity and significance within the decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and technology.

“Sui’s continued innovations and strategic partnerships position it as a leader in the DeFi space. With its low transaction fees, high-speed performance, and growing ecosystem, Sui is set to further expand its influence in the blockchain sector,” commented Ali Daylami, Head of Data Analytics at BITmarkets, on why Sui deserved to be listed among this year’s game-changers, alongside Bitcoin ETFs, Ethereum, Solana and Cardano.

The list of crypto game-changers is part of the updated crypto market study. BITmarkets’ analysis recognizes Bitcoin’s historical significance as a pioneer in the cryptocurrency space, but the exchange does not expect it to be among the assets driving major market shifts in 2024.

About BITmarkets

BITmarkets is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers 24/7 support in 15 languages. Traders can engage in trading more than 200 cryptocurrencies, as well as gain access to daily market updates and diverse educational materials. For more information, explore bitmarkets.com or visit the exchange’s listing on CoinMarketCap.com.

Contacts:

support@bitmarkets.com

marketing@bitmarkets.com

BITmarkets Spot Trading Services are provided by UAB BITmarkets, which is an authorized virtual currency exchange and depository virtual currency wallet operator in Lithuania operating under license no: 306062346, supervised by the Financial Crime Investigation Service and acting under the trademark BITmarkets.

Contact

Ali Daylami
BITmarkets
support@bitmarkets.com

Exploring Stablecoins: The Bridge Between Traditional Finance and Crypto

Are you curious about stablecoins and how they connect traditional finance to the crypto world? It can be confusing at first. As someone who’s been trading crypto for years, I’ve watched stablecoins grow significantly in popularity over the last decade.

They’ve become a cornerstone of decentralized finance. In this article, I’ll explain what stablecoins actually are, the different types you’ll find, and how they’re transforming the financial world as we know it.

Let’s explore the future of money!

Key Takeaways

  • Stablecoins come in three main types: fiat-collateralized (backed by real money), crypto-collateralized (backed by other cryptocurrencies), and algorithmic (using smart contracts to maintain stability).
  • These digital assets offer price stability, enhanced liquidity, and easier movement between fiat and cryptocurrencies, making them valuable for traders and everyday users.
  • Regulatory issues and trust concerns pose challenges for stablecoins, with governments closely watching their impact on financial stability.
  • Popular stablecoins include USDC, Tether (both pegged to the US dollar), and DAI (a crypto-collateralized option).
  • Despite challenges, stablecoins are likely to play a key role in shaping the future of finance, bridging traditional and crypto markets.

Types of Stablecoins

I know three main types of stablecoins. Each type uses a different method to keep its value steady.

Fiat-collateralized

I’ve seen fiat-collateralized stablecoins become a big deal in crypto. These coins are backed by real money held in reserve. For every stablecoin issued, there’s an equal amount of dollars, euros, or yen in a bank account.

This setup keeps the coin’s value steady. Popular examples include USDC and Tether, both pegged to the US dollar.

Central companies usually run these stablecoins. They make sure you can trade your coins for real cash anytime. This promise of stability has made fiat-backed coins a hit with traders like us.

We use them to move money quickly between exchanges or to park funds during market swings.

Crypto-collateralized

Moving from fiat-backed stablecoins, we now explore crypto-collateralized options. These digital assets use other cryptocurrencies as backing. I’ve seen firsthand how they offer unique benefits in the crypto world.

Crypto-collateralized stablecoins often use Ethereum or Bitcoin as collateral. They’re typically over-collateralized to handle market swings. DAI, pegged to the US Dollar, is a prime example.

Smart contracts play a key role in maintaining stability. I’ve used DAI in my trading and appreciate its decentralized nature.

Crypto-collateralized stablecoins bring the best of both worlds: stability and decentralization.

These stablecoins offer more transparency than their fiat-backed cousins. Users can check the collateral on the blockchain anytime. This openness builds trust in the system. I find this feature especially useful when making trading decisions.

Algorithmic

I’ve seen algorithmic stablecoins shake up the crypto world. These coins keep their value steady without using any real-world assets as backup. Instead, they rely on smart contracts and math to stay stable.

DAI is a prime example of this type of coin. It uses complex formulas to adjust its supply based on market demand. This helps it maintain a target price, usually pegged to the US dollar.

But I must warn you, these coins come with risks. They depend heavily on user trust. If people lose faith in the system, the coin’s value can crash fast. Still, many traders love them for their decentralized nature.

They offer a way to dodge the volatility of other cryptos without relying on traditional banks. Next, let’s look at the perks of using stablecoins in today’s financial landscape.

Advantages of Using Stablecoins in Modern Finance

Stablecoins offer big perks in today’s finance world. They bring stability and ease to crypto trading, making it simpler for everyone to join in.

Price stability

I’ve seen firsthand how price stability sets stablecoins apart in the crypto world. These digital assets maintain a steady value over time, unlike their volatile counterparts. They act as a reliable store of value, minimizing the wild price swings common in other cryptocurrencies.

This stability makes them the “rock stars” of crypto, offering traders a safe haven during market turbulence.

Stablecoins provide consistent pricing, which is crucial for day-to-day transactions and long-term planning. Their reduced volatility means I can count on them to preserve value, making them ideal for storing funds between trades.

This steady value is a game-changer, offering predictability in an often unpredictable market. Let’s explore how different types of stablecoins achieve this stability.

Stablecoins are the steady anchor in the stormy seas of cryptocurrency.

Enhanced liquidity

I’ve seen stablecoins boost liquidity in the crypto market. These stable value digital assets make it easy to move between fiat and volatile cryptocurrencies. This smooth flow helps the whole market run better.

Traders can jump in and out of positions faster, which leads to more trades and better prices.

Stablecoins also support quick, small payments. This feature opens up new ways to use crypto in daily life. From buying coffee to sending money abroad, stablecoins make these tasks simple and cheap.

Their role in DeFi is huge too. Many platforms use them as collateral, which helps grow the whole ecosystem.

Challenges Facing Stablecoins

Stablecoins face hurdles in their path to widespread use. Regulators and users alike worry about their safety and reliability.

Regulatory issues

I’ve seen firsthand how regulatory issues pose a big challenge for stablecoins. Global regulators keep a close eye on these digital assets due to their potential impact on financial stability.

As a crypto trader, I know that fiat-backed stablecoins usually follow the rules. But there’s still worry about these coins bypassing traditional banks and financial laws.

My experience shows that regulatory scrutiny can slow down stablecoin growth and adoption. It’s a tricky balance between innovation and compliance. Regulators aim to protect financial stability while allowing new tech to thrive.

This oversight affects how we use and trade stablecoins daily. Next, let’s look at trust and security concerns in the stablecoin world.

Trust and security concerns

Trust and security concerns are major hurdles for stablecoins. I see these issues as crucial for crypto traders to understand. Fiat-collateralized stablecoins face centralization risks, which go against the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies.

This centralization puts a lot of power in the hands of the stablecoin issuer, raising questions about trust.

Smart contract vulnerabilities pose a big threat to algorithmic stablecoins. These flaws can lead to exploits and loss of funds. Counterparty risks also exist, as the stability of these coins depends on the quality of their reserves.

Regulatory uncertainties add another layer of concern. As governments grapple with how to handle stablecoins, sudden rule changes could impact their value and use.

Conclusion: The Future of Stablecoins in Financial Ecosystems

Stablecoins stand at the crossroads of traditional finance and crypto. They offer a unique blend of stability and innovation. I see them as key players in shaping our financial future.

These digital assets will likely grow in importance and use. As the market matures, we must stay alert to new developments and risks.

Exploring Ethereum 2.0: What Investors Need to Know

Are you puzzled by Ethereum 2.0 and its impact on your investments? It can be tricky to wrap your head around this major blockchain upgrade. After diving deep into the research, I’ve uncovered some key insights that will help demystify Ethereum 2.0’s features and potential.

In this post, I’ll break down the essentials that investors need to know about this game-changing update. So grab a coffee and get ready to level up your crypto knowledge!

Key Takeaways

  • Ethereum 2.0 moves to Proof of Stake, offering staking rewards up to 14.2% for investors.
  • The Shanghai Upgrade on April 12, 2023 allowed ETH stakers to withdraw funds, with 228.82K ETH withdrawn and 100.51K ETH deposited in two days.
  • Sharding aims to boost transaction speeds from 12-25 to 100,000 per second, set to launch in 2024.
  • Future upgrades include the Surge, Scourge, Verge, Purge, and Splurge, focusing on scalability, fairness, efficiency, and network improvements.
  • Investors should watch staking rewards, network scalability, and smart contract stability as Ethereum 2.0 develops.

The Transition to Proof of Stake (PoS)

I’m excited about Ethereum’s move to Proof of Stake. This change will bring big benefits for investors, including lower energy use and new ways to earn.

Benefits for Investors

As a crypto trader, I’ve seen firsthand how Ethereum 2.0’s shift to Proof of Stake offers exciting benefits for investors. The new system allows for cryptocurrency staking, providing a passive income stream through validator nodes.

I’ve found that staking rewards can yield an impressive 14.2% return on investment. This network upgrade opens up fresh investment opportunities in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.

Setting up a validator node requires 32 ETH and some hardware, but the potential rewards are substantial. The Shanghai Upgrade on April 12, 2023, was a game-changer, enabling ETH stakers to make withdrawals.

In just two days after the upgrade, 228.82K ETH was withdrawn while 100.51K ETH was deposited. These numbers show strong investor interest in Ethereum staking and highlight the growing appeal of this new passive income option.

The Impact of Sharding on Transaction Speed and Costs

I’m excited about Ethereum 2.0’s sharding plans. This upgrade will boost transaction speeds to a whopping 100,000 per second. That’s a huge leap from the current 12-25 transactions we see now.

Sharding splits the network into smaller parts, making it faster and cheaper to use. It’s set to launch in 2024, and I can’t wait to see how it changes the game for us traders.

Sharding is the key to unlocking Ethereum’s full potential.

One big plus of sharding is the lower hardware costs for validators. They won’t need to store all the data anymore. This means more people can join in, making the network stronger.

Layer 2 Rollups will also help by cutting down the data needed for transactions. While gas fees didn’t drop right after the Merge, I’m hopeful they’ll go down once sharding expands the network’s capacity.

It’s an exciting time to be in crypto, and I’m keeping a close eye on these developments.

Future Developments and Roadmap of Ethereum 2. 0

Ethereum 2.0’s future looks bright with several planned upgrades. These upgrades aim to improve the network’s speed, efficiency, and overall performance.

  1. The “Surge” upgrade will introduce sharding, boosting transaction speeds to an impressive 100,000 per second. This change will greatly enhance Ethereum’s scalability and user experience.
  2. Next, the “Scourge” upgrade will focus on making transaction inclusion more reliable. It will also address centralization risks, ensuring a fairer and more decentralized network for all users.
  3. The “Verge” upgrade will bring in “stateless clients” and “Verkle trees.” These technical improvements will streamline the network’s operation and make it more efficient for all participants.
  4. Following that, the “Purge” upgrade will clean up old network history. This step will reduce hard drive space requirements, making it easier for more people to run Ethereum nodes.
  5. Lastly, the “Splurge” upgrade will include various smaller improvements. These changes will help ensure smooth network operation and enhance the overall Ethereum experience.

Now, let’s explore the impact of sharding on transaction speed and costs.

Conclusion: What Investors Should Watch Moving Forward

Ethereum 2.0 brings exciting changes for investors. I’m keeping a close eye on staking rewards and network scalability. These upgrades could boost transaction speeds and lower costs.

Smart contracts may become more stable, opening new doors for decentralized finance. As an investor, I’ll stay informed about each phase release to make wise choices in this evolving crypto landscape.

Top Crypto Women Entrepreneurs To Follow In 2024

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Women in leadership roles within the blockchain sector—including those of venture capitalists, marketing executives, strategic advisers, and public relations experts—have had great effects in 2024. Through their great leadership, these pioneers have contributed greatly to the ecosystem.

 In this article, we’ll highlight these top women in blockchain for 2024 and showcase their accomplishments, technical expertise, visionary leadership, adaptability, community-building skills, and general contributions to the fields of blockchain technology.

Laura K. Inamedinova

Laura K. Inamedinova is a Partner at $50M crypto VC Illuminati Capital, international keynote speaker, and CEO of an award-winning Crypto Marketing Agency – LKI Consulting, behind Binance, Waves, io.net, Meld, and 250+ other projects. She is an Angel investor in Manta, Cookie3, Pixelverse, Humanity Protocol, SuiPad, and an internationally recognized public speaker with a track record of 156+ speaker engagements in 25+ countries (ETH Denver 2024, Token2049 [2023] and WBS Dubai).

For nine years, Laura has been in crypto, providing unmatched Web3 Growth Advisory services to infrastructure, DeFi, and gaming projects. Voted “Best Web3 Marketing” by Entrepreneur in 2023, Laura combines the power of Web3 marketing with VC investment.

Katarzyna Henel

Katarzyna Henel is a versatile executive in the blockchain and Web3 space, holding key positions as CMO at API-Verse & Synapse Network and CEO of Gold Flamingo. Aside from this, she is a Marketing, PR, and digital expert with 8+ years of experience in the traditional market, having worked with representatives of top brands in the international market.

For more than four years, she has focused on blockchain, Web3, and the DeFi sector, applying her diverse skill set to drive innovation and growth. As a thought leader in the industry, she is a frequent speaker at prominent crypto conferences, including NFT NYC and DeGen Summit, sharing insights on the evolving digital landscape. 

Mary Spio

Mary Spio is a globally recognized deep space engineer, tech innovator, and entrepreneur. As the CEO and founder of CEEK Virtual Reality, she pioneers AI, XR, and blockchain solutions that transform learning and connectivity. 

A US Air Force veteran and digital cinema pioneer, Spio holds over 10 technology patents and has led high-impact projects at Boeing and Intelsat. Her groundbreaking work in real-time streaming and satellite technologies revolutionized movie distribution. Spio’s companies have provided solutions for Microsoft Xbox, Coca-Cola, and Tribune News, among others. She serves on the boards of Oculus VR for Good, Amazon Launchpad, and more, continuing to drive innovation across industries.

Tatiana Maksimenko

When it comes to PR and marketing, it comes to Tatiana. Tatiana Maksimenko is the founder of New Level Agency and is known for her innovative, results-driven approach. Since 2014, she has been helping crypto brands break through the noise by providing them with comprehensive marketing solutions, from influencer marketing to event management.

Specializing in strategic PR, content creation, and brand growth, Tatiana has become a trusted figure for clients navigating both CIS and global markets. Her leadership has made New Level Agency a go-to for crypto projects looking to scale their impact and elevate their presence worldwide.

Mona

Mona is an investor at Tokentus, a leading VC firm in the German blockchain ecosystem. There, she invests in start-ups that leverage blockchain technology. She has several years of experience in venture capital and has been involved in early—and later-stage deals across Europe, the USA, the UAE, and Asia.

Mona’s entrepreneurial credentials include co-founding and leading Fintech, Edtech, and Foodtech companies, complemented by an MBA from INSEAD. She mentors startups at top accelerators and universities and founded Open Alpha, a pioneering web3 investment club. As a recognized expert, Mona frequently speaks at global conferences, podcasts, and online forums, sharing insights on blockchain, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. She also writes a blog about the web3 space and is an active member of the investment DAO Hydra Ventures. 

Leah Callon-Butler

Leah is the director of Emfarsis, a web3 advisory company that invests in early-stage projects and focuses on strategic communications. Its clientele includes BreederDAO, Crypto Unicorns, and Yield Guild Games. Since 2017, Leah has been working to increase blockchain’s worldwide adoption and impact through her collaboration with organizations such as Women in Blockchain, Blockchain Australia, and Games4Change APAC.

As a thought leader in web3, Leah guides public discourse through content and programming for prominent events like Consensus 2023 and the Philippine Web3 Festival. She has authored influential articles, including CoinDesk’s first piece on Axie Infinity, and narrated the award-winning film “Play-to-Earn: NFT Gaming in the Philippines.” She advises on regulatory landscapes, contributing to the V20 Summit and interVASP joint working group. Her company, Emfarsis, partners annually with the Blockchain Game Alliance to produce its Member Survey and Report.

Nadja Beste

Nadja Bester is a renowned entrepreneur, author, advisor, investor, and board member, and co-founder of AdLunam Inc. and Altcoin Observer. As a pioneer in blockchain, she has played a pivotal role in raising over $300 million for Web3 companies since 2017. Her company, AdLunam, is a Web3 investment ecosystem that introduces innovative Engage to Earn and Proof of Attention models, transforming user engagement into IDO allocation.

Nadja’s thought leadership extends to global conferences, media outlets like Crypto Town Hall and TEDx, and top publications such as MSN, Investing.com, Bitcoin.com, Hackernoon, BeInCrypto, and more. She advises the Blockchain Legal Institute and mentors at Startupbootcamp. Her podcast, “The Future of NFTs,” reaches 10,000 weekly listeners. Recognized as one of the “Most Inspirational Women of Web3 and AI,” Nadja is celebrated for her impact on decentralization, digital sovereignty, and advancing the future of data ownership and digital identities.

Conclusion

Women are instrumental in shaping the future of blockchain, utilising their leadership and vision to foster growth and innovation. This milestone signifies a substantial enhancement of women’s impact in crypto, as they transcend conventional fields such as fashion and cosmetics to thrive in various sectors. Their accomplishments exemplify the transformative influence of diversity in technology, facilitating a more inclusive and dynamic industry environment.

Crypto Investing: Unveiling the Future of Finance

Blockchain technology and digital currencies, with Bitcoin blazing the trail, have been around for over a decade. Yet, it was not until recently that the term “crypto investing” became a buzzword. As the world evolves into a digital realm, cryptocurrencies have become a lucrative investment channel, providing significant returns that traditional banking systems can’t match. As of October 2021, the market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies surpassed $2 trillion, underscoring the growing interest and investment in this sector.

Despite the promising returns, crypto investing is not without risk. The volatile nature of digital currencies can lead to substantial losses. However, with the right knowledge and strategies, you can potentially reap substantial rewards from this digital gold rush. This comprehensive guide will dissect the ins and outs of crypto investing, providing you with a robust foundation to start or enhance your crypto investment journey.

Understanding Cryptocurrencies

What are Cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that utilize cryptography for security. They operate independently of traditional banking systems and governments, leveraging blockchain technology for decentralization, transparency, and immutability.

The Evolution of Cryptocurrencies

Since the inception of Bitcoin in 2009 by the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto, the cryptocurrency landscape has grown exponentially. As of 2021, there are over 10,000 different cryptocurrencies traded publicly, according to CoinMarketCap.com. These include Ethereum, Binance Coin, Tether, Cardano, and many more, each offering unique features and uses.

The Merits and Demerits of Crypto Investing

Pros of Crypto Investing

1. High Potential Returns: Cryptocurrencies have shown tremendous growth over the years. For instance, Bitcoin, which was worth a few cents in 2009, reached an all-time high of nearly $65,000 in April 2021.

2. Liquidity: Cryptocurrencies are traded 24/7, providing constant liquidity. Unlike traditional markets, you can buy or sell digital currencies at any time.

3. Accessibility: With an internet connection and a digital wallet, anyone can invest in and trade cryptocurrencies, making them accessible to people in areas without traditional banking systems.

Cons of Crypto Investing

1. Volatility: Cryptocurrencies are infamous for their price volatility. While this can lead to high returns, it can also result in significant losses.

2. Regulatory Risks: Governments worldwide are still grappling with how to regulate cryptocurrencies, leading to potential policy changes that could impact the market.

3. Security Risks: Despite the secure nature of blockchain, digital wallets and exchanges are susceptible to hacking.

Strategies for Crypto Investing

Do Your Research

Before investing, it’s crucial to research different cryptocurrencies, understanding their use cases, technology, and potential for growth. Websites like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko provide detailed information about various cryptocurrencies.

Diversify Your Portfolio

As with any investment, diversification is key in crypto investing. Spreading your investment across different cryptocurrencies can help mitigate risk.

Use Advanced Trading Platforms

Advanced trading platforms like quantum ai offer sophisticated tools and algorithms for crypto trading. They enable users to leverage artificial intelligence for effective trading strategies, potentially maximizing returns.

Case Study: Bitcoin and Ethereum Investment Returns

Investing $100 in Bitcoin at the beginning of 2013 would have yielded over $400,000 by 2021. Likewise, a $100 investment in Ethereum during its initial coin offering (ICO) in 2014 would be worth over $300,000 in 2021. These examples illustrate the potential returns of crypto investing, although it’s important to note that past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

Conclusion

Crypto investing has revolutionized the financial landscape, offering potential high returns and greater accessibility. However, it also presents significant risks due to its volatility, regulatory uncertainties, and security vulnerabilities. As such, potential investors should undertake thorough research, diversify their portfolios, and leverage advanced trading platforms like quantum ai.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Minimum Amount to Invest in Cryptocurrencies?

The minimum amount varies across different exchanges, with some allowing investments as low as $1.

Is Crypto Investing Safe?

While blockchain technology offers robust security, crypto investing does carry risks, including volatility, regulatory changes, and potential hacking.

How Can I Buy Cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrencies can be bought on various exchanges using traditional money or other cryptocurrencies. Some popular exchanges include Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.

Can You Lose All Your Money in Crypto?

Due to the volatility of cryptocurrencies, it’s possible to lose all your investment. Therefore, it’s recommended to only invest what you can afford to lose.

Can Cryptocurrencies Become Worthless?

While unlikely, it’s possible for a cryptocurrency to become worthless if everyone stops trading it or if the project behind it fails.

What Happens to My Cryptocurrencies When I Die?

If not properly planned, cryptocurrencies can be inaccessible after the owner’s death. It’s crucial to include digital assets in estate planning.

How Do I Store My Cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrencies can be stored in digital wallets or cold storage wallets for added security.

Is Cryptocurrency Legal?

Cryptocurrency legality varies by country. While some countries have fully embraced cryptocurrencies, others have imposed restrictions or outright bans. Always ensure to understand your local laws regarding crypto investing.

Remember, the world of crypto investing is complex and continuously evolving. Stay updated, remain vigilant, and most importantly, be patient. Cryptocurrency could be the financial wave of the future. Are you ready to ride it?

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