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Circle is advancing machine-to-machine micropayments through its integration of the Circle Gateway with the x402 ecosystem, enabling lightweight and efficient transactions for autonomous AI systems. The initiative aims to facilitate seamless crosschain payments and support new protocols like Google's A2A and AP2, fostering collaboration in the development of open financial infrastructure for AI agents.
Ant Digital Technologies, a subsidiary of Ant Group, is set to tokenize energy assets worth approximately $8.4 billion, moving operational data from 15 million new energy devices onto its blockchain, AntChain. The initiative aims to enhance liquidity for real-world assets through tokenization, contingent on regulatory approval.
HSBC has launched its Tokenised Deposit Service (TDS) internationally, enabling corporate clients to conduct real-time, cross-border currency transactions with instant settlement using blockchain technology. The service expands from previous domestic implementations in Hong Kong and Singapore to include the UK and Luxembourg, enhancing liquidity management and treasury operations for businesses. TDS allows for customizable cash movements and supports emerging forms of digital money while integrating seamlessly with existing systems.
Fidelity has launched a tokenized treasury fund on the Ethereum blockchain, enabling investors to gain exposure to U.S. Treasury securities in a more efficient and streamlined manner. This initiative aims to enhance liquidity and accessibility for institutional investors looking to invest in treasuries through digital assets.
Japan's second-largest bank, SMBC, is set to launch its own stablecoin in collaboration with Ava Labs and Fireblocks, as reported by Nikkei. Experiments for the stablecoin are scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2025, aiming for a potential launch in 2026. This initiative seeks to enhance cross-border payment efficiency while reducing transaction costs.
Current blockchain architectures rely heavily on trust and require users to download entire chains to verify transactions, which is inefficient and impractical. The author proposes a new approach to blockchain design that emphasizes scalability, privacy, and verification efficiency, allowing users to confirm their account states without overwhelming bandwidth requirements. By utilizing succinct proofs and reducing data needed for verification, a more user-friendly and decentralized blockchain system is envisioned.
Analysts are assessing the potential price trajectory of Ethereum after it surpasses the $4,000 mark, considering various market indicators and trends. Predictions are varied, with some experts optimistic about significant gains while others urge caution due to market volatility.
The article discusses how blockchain technology has the potential to transform private equity and venture capital by enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in investment processes. It explores the benefits of using smart contracts and decentralized platforms for managing investments and fundraising, which could lead to a more democratized investment landscape. Additionally, the article highlights challenges that need to be overcome for widespread adoption in these sectors.
Hyperliquid's EVM-compatible layer-1 blockchain, HyperEVM, is gaining traction with increasing transaction volumes and application development since its February launch. Key updates like the CoreWriter have enhanced integration with HyperCore, positioning HyperEVM as a significant component of Hyperliquid's DeFi ecosystem, despite initial limitations in tooling and incentives.
Tokenization is rapidly transforming capital markets, with over $24 billion in real-world assets now on public blockchains, driven by major players like Robinhood and BlackRock. The shift toward onchain infrastructure is allowing fintechs and corporations to streamline processes, reduce reliance on traditional financial intermediaries, and enhance global liquidity. However, challenges remain regarding full ownership rights and the integration of onchain assets with offchain constructs.
Tether will discontinue its USDT stablecoin services on five legacy blockchains: Algorand, Bitcoin Cash, EOS, Kusama, and Omni. The decision aims to refocus on platforms that support greater scalability and community engagement, with redemptions ending on September 1, 2025. This move comes in light of regulatory pressures and a decline in usage for these legacy chains.
Coinbase is focusing on integrating stablecoins and artificial intelligence to revolutionize the global e-commerce landscape. The company's strategy aims to enhance transaction efficiency and broaden access to digital currencies for online shopping. This initiative reflects a growing trend towards the adoption of blockchain technologies in retail.
Arbitrum Foundation withdrew from the Nvidia-backed Ignition AI Accelerator after Nvidia requested not to be associated with crypto projects in public announcements. The Foundation labeled the decision as a sound business choice, emphasizing their commitment to partners that support blockchain innovation.
The roadmap outlines practical steps to enhance privacy for Ethereum users with minimal consensus changes, focusing on on-chain payment privacy, anonymization of application activity, and secure RPC interactions. Key proposals include integrating privacy tools into wallets, adopting one address per application, and improving RPC privacy through advanced technologies like TEE and PIR. Ultimately, the goal is to create a landscape where private transactions are the default and user activities across applications remain unlinked.
The SEC is reportedly advancing a plan to allow blockchain-based stock trading, which could benefit platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood while raising concerns among traditional financial firms about potential market disruptions and compliance issues. Tokenized stocks would enable investors to purchase shares in the form of tokens, streamlining trade settlements but also introducing new risks. However, legacy financial players may challenge the SEC, delaying the implementation of this initiative.
BlackRock is planning to tokenize exchange-traded funds (ETFs) following its recent success with a Bitcoin fund. This initiative is part of a broader trend to leverage blockchain technology in traditional finance, aiming to enhance liquidity and accessibility for investors.
Malicious npm packages are utilizing the Ethereum blockchain to facilitate malware delivery, raising concerns about the security of the JavaScript package ecosystem. These packages exploit vulnerabilities to deliver harmful code, leveraging blockchain technologies to obfuscate their operations and evade detection. Developers are urged to exercise caution and implement protective measures against such threats.
The DeFi Education Fund and venture capital firm a16z have urged the SEC to establish a regulatory safe harbor for blockchain applications like Uniswap and Coinbase Wallet. Their proposal aims to clarify broker rules, allowing non-custodial and decentralized applications to operate without the burden of broker-dealer regulations.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced the creation of a digital assets advisory council aimed at fostering fintech job growth and exploring innovative solutions for city services, such as using blockchain for vital records. The council will consist of industry experts, with a chair to be named soon, and reflects the city's commitment to embracing technology for the benefit of its residents.
The Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Cannes showcased the growing institutional adoption of Ethereum as a backbone for global finance, with notable announcements such as Robinhood launching tokenized stocks. Industry leaders emphasized Ethereum's stability and security, as firms like Deutsche Bank and Coinbase explore deeper integration with tokenized assets and decentralized finance. The event highlighted Ethereum's evolution from a speculative platform to a trusted infrastructure for the future of finance.
Nasdaq has submitted an application to list an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will track the performance of Avalanche, a blockchain platform. This move reflects the growing interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology within traditional financial markets. If approved, the ETF could provide investors with a new way to gain exposure to the Avalanche ecosystem.
Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon are launching tokenized money market funds for institutional investors, recorded on Goldman's blockchain platform. This innovation aims to enhance efficiency, allowing round-the-clock trading and faster settlements while making these funds more attractive for cash management compared to traditional money market options.
Alpenglow is a proposed new consensus mechanism for the Solana blockchain, aimed at improving its efficiency and scalability. The mechanism leverages a hybrid approach, combining elements from both proof-of-stake and proof-of-history to enhance transaction throughput and reduce latency. By addressing existing limitations, Alpenglow seeks to position Solana as a leading platform for decentralized applications and services.
The document provides a gentle introduction to Timeboost, a feature designed to enhance user experience on the Arbitrum platform. It outlines who can benefit from Timeboost and offers guidance on how to utilize it effectively within the ecosystem.
Arkham Intelligence has revealed that 127,426 BTC, valued at $3.5 billion, was stolen from the LuBian mining pool in December 2020, marking it as one of the largest crypto heists in history. The firm suggests that weak private key generation may have allowed the theft to occur and notes that the stolen funds have largely remained untouched, with LuBian attempting to recover them by sending messages to the hacker. The current value of the stolen Bitcoin has risen to approximately $14.5 billion due to price appreciation since the theft.
Dune has launched Sim, a new product aimed at enhancing the accessibility and speed of onchain data for developers and enterprises. The platform addresses the growing demand for real-time data processing in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape, allowing users to build and innovate without sacrificing speed or depth.
Solana validators have successfully patched a critical zero-day vulnerability that was discovered on April 16, which could have allowed unlimited minting of specific tokens. The issue was addressed within two days, ensuring the safety of funds and confirming that no known exploits occurred.
Hong Joon-pyo, a candidate in South Korea's presidential primary, has vowed to reform regulations on blockchain and cryptocurrencies, aiming to foster the industry akin to the Trump administration's approach in the U.S. He also plans significant investments in AI and other advanced technologies, emphasizing the need for friendlier policies towards crypto.
The article discusses the trend of tokenizing stocks within the fintech sector, highlighting its potential to revolutionize asset ownership and trading. It emphasizes the benefits of increased accessibility and liquidity for investors, as well as the implications for traditional stock markets. The piece also touches on the growing interest in blockchain technology as a driving force behind these developments.
The article discusses the current state and future predictions of the cryptocurrency market as of 2025, highlighting trends in technology adoption, regulatory developments, and economic impacts. It emphasizes the evolving landscape of digital currencies and the importance of innovation in driving growth within the sector.
Superstate, a blockchain company led by Robert Leshner, is launching Opening Bell, a platform to facilitate the issuance and trading of SEC-registered public shares on blockchains, starting with the Solana network. Canadian firm SOL Strategies will be the first to list its shares, aiming to provide 24/7 trading and greater accessibility to both retail and institutional investors. This initiative marks a significant step towards integrating traditional equity markets with decentralized finance (DeFi).
Vitalik Buterin highlights the significance of the PeerDAS feature in Ethereum's Fusaka upgrade, which allows nodes to verify block data without storing it entirely, enhancing scalability. He notes that while the initial rollout will be conservative, PeerDAS is essential for future Layer 1 and Layer 2 scaling, potentially allowing for more efficient data handling and reduced strain on the network.
Fireblocks has acquired Dynamic, a company specializing in blockchain security and compliance solutions. This acquisition aims to enhance Fireblocks' offerings in the cryptocurrency space by integrating Dynamic's technology and expertise.
Account abstraction, enabled by EIP-7702, revolutionizes blockchain wallets by combining the capabilities of traditional wallets and smart contracts, allowing for batch transactions, sponsored gas fees, and enhanced security features. Sonic's unique Fee Monetization system further enhances these benefits, making the user experience seamless and economically sustainable. However, users and developers must be aware of the associated security risks and implement best practices to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.
When a blockchain experiences a lack of users, it can lead to decreased security, slower transaction speeds, and potential obsolescence. The network may struggle to maintain its integrity and functionality, resulting in a diminished value proposition for stakeholders. Ultimately, the survival of a blockchain depends significantly on its active user base and use cases.
Native USDC and CCTP V2 are set to be integrated into Hyperliquid, enhancing its decentralized finance capabilities. This development will facilitate USDC deposits on HyperCore and allow for seamless cross-chain transactions, making it a foundational asset for various use cases within the ecosystem.
Stripe has launched subscription capabilities for stablecoin payments, allowing businesses to accept crypto payments that settle directly in fiat. This new feature aims to streamline cross-border transactions and reduce costs for companies, particularly in the AI sector, by integrating stablecoin payments into their existing subscription models. Initially available in private preview for US-based businesses, it supports payments made in USDC over the Base and Polygon blockchains.
The article discusses the complexities of maximal extractable value (MEV) in blockchain ecosystems and examines the challenges related to scaling while managing MEV. It highlights how the inherent properties of blockchain technology can limit scalability when attempting to mitigate MEV issues.
JPMorgan has launched its JP Morgan Deposit (JPMD) token, marking a significant step in the integration of digital assets into traditional banking. This token is designed to facilitate seamless transactions and improve liquidity management for clients. The initiative reflects JPMorgan's commitment to innovation in the financial sector and its exploration of blockchain technology.
Vitalik Buterin has proposed replacing Ethereum's Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with the open-source RISC-V architecture, claiming it would enhance the efficiency of the network's execution layer and address scaling issues. The transition aims to leverage RISC-V's benefits, including built-in encryption and potential efficiency gains, amidst concerns about Ethereum's competitiveness and recent declines in transaction volumes.
The article discusses the pivotal role of stablecoins in the evolving landscape of digital currencies and their potential to serve as a bridge between traditional finance and the blockchain ecosystem. It highlights how stablecoins can offer price stability and facilitate transactions, thereby playing a crucial role in the adoption of digital currencies by businesses and consumers alike. Additionally, the piece addresses the regulatory challenges and opportunities that stablecoins present in the market.
The SEC has launched "Project Crypto" to modernize securities regulations and facilitate crypto-based trading, aligning with President Trump's vision of making the U.S. a leader in the crypto space. SEC Chair Paul Atkins emphasized the need to adapt rules to support on-chain technologies and prevent excessive regulation that could drive innovation offshore. This initiative follows a report from the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets that outlines strategies to enhance U.S. dominance in digital asset markets.
Home equity loan company Figure is targeting a $4.13 billion valuation for its upcoming IPO, seeking to raise up to $526 million. The company, which uses blockchain technology for home equity loans, plans to issue 21.46 million shares priced between $18 and $20 each, with major underwriters including Goldman Sachs and Jefferies. Founded in 2018, Figure has reported significant revenue growth and has funded $17 billion in loans across the U.S. since its inception.
Analysts at Bernstein highlight that Ethereum is transitioning from speculative investments to real financial innovation, driven by an increasing interest in blockchain applications beyond Bitcoin. With the rise of Ethereum ETFs and significant institutional involvement in stablecoin strategies, the narrative around Ethereum's value is evolving, suggesting a robust future for its use in financial markets.
Arc has launched its public testnet, inviting developers and enterprises to build on its new Economic OS, designed to facilitate real-world economic activity onchain. With participation from major financial institutions and diverse global players, Arc aims to create a more inclusive and efficient global economic system. The platform supports stablecoin issuers and provides essential tools for developers to enhance the digital asset ecosystem.
HYPER is the native token for the Hyperlane network, designed to enhance interoperability among over 140 blockchains by empowering users, developers, and validators through a permissionless architecture. The tokenomics include rewards for message usage, staking, and retroactive incentives for early users, aiming to build a community-owned standard for cross-chain applications. Upcoming events include a preclaim phase and token generation event (TGE) in 2025.
Base has reached Stage 1 Decentralization, enhancing security and trust through the introduction of permissionless fault proofs and a decentralized Security Council for contract upgrades. This milestone is pivotal in their mission to build an open and global onchain economy that fosters innovation and participation.
ENSv2 enhances the Ethereum Name Service with upgraded smart contracts that improve scalability, modularity, and future-proofing. Key features include native Layer 2 support, hierarchical registries for subnames, a flexible permissions model, and the removal of grace periods for name expirations. The architecture allows for easier management of names and subnames, ensuring seamless integration for existing resolvers while promoting true ownership and multi-chain capabilities.
The emergence of Fintech 3.0 is paving the way for a new financial system built on blockchain technology, characterized by instant payments, digital asset control, and regulatory clarity following the GENIUS Act. With the success of stablecoins and the potential for tokenization of various assets, there is a significant opportunity for startups to innovate and build onchain solutions. YC and Coinbase Ventures are eager to support and fund projects that leverage this evolving infrastructure.
Base has evolved from a blockchain to a comprehensive platform that integrates social networking, payments, and app discovery within the new Base app. The platform aims to empower creators and users by allowing them to own their data and monetize their content directly. Key features include fast transactions, mini apps, and enhanced social interactions all within a single app.
The article discusses the intersections between artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, exploring how advancements in AI can impact the blockchain space and vice versa. It highlights various projects and innovations that illustrate the potential synergies between these two rapidly evolving fields.
Swift is set to integrate a blockchain-based ledger into its systems, focusing initially on cross-border transactions. The project, developed in collaboration with Consensys, will involve over 30 financial institutions to streamline payment processes across different networks.
The Loopscale DeFi protocol on Solana suffered a $5.8 million exploit just two weeks after its launch. An audit revealed critical vulnerabilities, including issues with collateral management and token handling, leading to significant financial risks.
The article outlines the steps and criteria involved in getting a digital asset listed on Coinbase, including application submission, business evaluation, core reviews, and communication with issuers. It emphasizes the importance of legal compliance, technical security, and clear project communication to avoid common roadblocks in the listing process.
Stripe has enhanced its payment platform by adding support for stablecoin subscription payments, allowing US-based businesses to process recurring transactions using digital assets like USDC. This feature, powered by a smart contract system, streamlines the payment process and addresses limitations associated with manual transaction approvals, ultimately reducing costs and improving efficiency for companies, especially in the AI sector.
Coinbase has acquired the founders of Sensible to strengthen its onchain consumer roadmap and simplify access to decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. This move aims to make borrowing, staking, and earning rewards more accessible to a broader audience, positioning Coinbase as a comprehensive financial platform.
The blog post introduces the LaGrange Token, a new digital asset designed to facilitate transactions and enhance user engagement within the LaGrange community. It emphasizes the token's innovative features and its potential impact on various applications within the ecosystem.
Figure Technologies, a stablecoin issuer, successfully raised $787.5 million in its initial public offering, selling 31.5 million shares at $25 each. This move highlights the growing acceptance of digital assets in mainstream markets, driven by favorable regulatory conditions and increased corporate adoption.
Base chain is set to enhance transaction speeds to 200 milliseconds with the introduction of Flashblocks, making it ten times faster than its current performance. Developers can integrate Flashblocks on Base Sepolia now in preparation for the full deployment on Base Mainnet, which will provide a snappier user experience. The technology allows for early confirmation and changes transaction ordering, with a focus on reliability and minimal outages.
Ethereum's roadmap aims to achieve 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) through advanced zk-rollup and zkEVM technologies. This guide breaks down the complexities of these innovations, highlighting their potential to enhance Ethereum's scalability and performance. Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping the future of decentralized applications on the Ethereum network.
Early AI investor Elad Gil is focusing on his next investment in AI-powered rollups, a technology that enhances efficiency in blockchain transactions. This shift reflects his ongoing interest in innovative applications of artificial intelligence and the potential for significant market impact.
The article discusses the current state of developer activity in the cryptocurrency space, highlighting its significance in assessing the health and future potential of various blockchain projects. It emphasizes the correlation between active development and innovation, as well as the impact of market conditions on developer engagement.
Stripe is developing a high-performance blockchain named "Tempo" to enhance its crypto offerings, particularly in the realm of stablecoins, which promise to make global payments faster and cheaper. However, this shift towards branded blockchain solutions raises concerns about potential market concentration and the erosion of the open, decentralized ethos that crypto originally aimed to uphold. The ongoing conflict between centralization and decentralization in technology may shape the future landscape of payments and financial services.
Jump Crypto's Firedancer team suggests lifting the compute limit on Solana blocks after the Alpenglow upgrade, enabling scalability based on validator performance. This change aims to incentivize hardware improvements among validators, fostering a competitive environment for transaction capacity. Concerns about potential centralization and network stability have been raised by industry experts.
Societe Generale plans to become the first major bank to issue a publicly tradable, dollar-backed stablecoin named "USD CoinVertible". The stablecoin will be launched on the Ethereum and Solana blockchains, with public trading anticipated to begin in July through its digital asset subsidiary SG-FORGE.
Stablecoins offer a way to facilitate payments without the need for traditional intermediaries, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency in transactions. They provide a stable value that can be utilized in various financial applications, enhancing the overall accessibility and utility of digital currencies in everyday commerce. The adoption of stablecoins could significantly transform the landscape of payment systems and financial services.
Fidelity offers opportunities to build a career in the cryptocurrency sector, leveraging its long-standing history of fintech innovation. The company is actively hiring across various roles in digital assets and blockchain, emphasizing a culture of innovation and stability.
The article discusses Coinbase's four-step plan aimed at supporting builders in Africa, focusing on fostering local innovation, providing educational resources, enhancing payment solutions, and improving access to cryptocurrency. This initiative is set to empower developers and entrepreneurs across the continent, thereby promoting economic growth through blockchain technology.
Circle is set to launch Arc, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain that will use its USDC stablecoin as the native gas token. The announcement follows a strong Q2 performance, with revenue up 53% to $658 million, despite a net loss attributed to IPO-related charges.
Payments companies like Circle and Stripe are creating their own infrastructure, akin to AWS for payments, to address the limitations of existing systems. This shift towards payment-native chains is driven by the need for a more efficient and scalable payment processing environment, leveraging stablecoins and tokenized deposits to enhance compatibility with traditional finance. The article explores the implications of this evolution and the potential for significant changes in how payments are processed and managed.
Ant Digital Technologies hosted the RWA REAL UP Dubai Summit 2025, unveiling its Layer 2 blockchain solution, Jovay, aimed at enhancing funding for Real-World Assets (RWA) and facilitating global liquidity. With its new headquarters in Hong Kong, the company is leveraging Dubai as a strategic hub for fintech innovation, particularly in AI and blockchain technologies, to unlock investment opportunities in renewable energy and digital assets.
Chainlink and Mastercard have partnered to allow over 3 billion Mastercard holders to purchase cryptocurrencies directly on-chain, integrating various platforms like Shift4, zerohash, XSwap, and Uniswap. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between traditional payments and the cryptocurrency space, enhancing Mastercard's ongoing expansion into digital currencies.
Ethereum has evolved significantly over the past decade, overcoming numerous challenges while maintaining its core values. As it approaches a market value of nearly $450 billion, community members reflect on its journey and future potential amid increasing corporate interest.
The article discusses the implementation of on-chain payments using Privy Pay, highlighting its benefits for businesses in terms of transaction efficiency and security. It outlines how this payment solution leverages blockchain technology to streamline financial operations and enhance customer trust. Additionally, it explores the potential for improved user experiences through seamless integration into existing systems.
Dinari has become the first platform to receive U.S. approval to offer tokenized stock trading, allowing digital tokens to track the prices of publicly-listed companies. Competing platforms like Coinbase and Kraken are also seeking similar regulatory approvals, as the tokenized stock market is expected to grow significantly.
The article discusses methods for measuring growth in the cryptocurrency sector, emphasizing the importance of both on-chain metrics and user engagement. It highlights various indicators that can provide insights into the health and sustainability of crypto projects, such as transaction volume, active addresses, and community activity. Understanding these metrics can help investors and developers gauge the potential success of cryptocurrencies in a rapidly evolving market.
BIT Mining is transitioning its operations to the Solana ecosystem, aiming to raise up to $300 million to acquire SOL. The company plans to convert its existing crypto holdings to SOL and run validator nodes to enhance network decentralization while pursuing a long-term holding strategy.
The article discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in hiring within the cryptocurrency industry, highlighting the importance of understanding the specific skills and culture needed in this rapidly evolving field. It emphasizes the need for companies to adapt their recruitment strategies to attract top talent who are not only technically skilled but also passionate about blockchain technology.
Andre Cronje's new crypto project, Flying Tulip, has raised $200 million at a $1 billion token valuation, with plans to raise an additional $800 million through a public sale. The project aims to create an onchain exchange that integrates various DeFi functions, offering investors an innovative "onchain redemption right" for downside protection.
Nine European banks, including ING and UniCredit, have collaborated to create a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin, expected to launch in the second half of 2026. The consortium aims to provide a competitive alternative to US stablecoins, enhancing digital payment efficiency, cross-border transactions, and financial market infrastructure using blockchain technology. A new company will be established in the Netherlands to oversee the project under the supervision of the Dutch Central Bank.
Union is a zero-knowledge infrastructure layer designed for efficient message passing, asset transfers, NFTs, and DeFi, operating without reliance on trusted third parties. It supports interoperability with Cosmos and EVM chains, and governance is decentralized to align with the needs of its users and validators. Developers can build and manage various components using Nix for reproducibility across different environments.
Walmart and Amazon are reportedly exploring the use of stablecoins for payment processing, indicating a growing interest among major retailers in blockchain technology and digital currencies. This move could enhance transaction efficiency and customer experience while providing a secure alternative to traditional payment methods.
Wen Acquisition, a SPAC focused on fintech and blockchain, has filed with the SEC to raise $261 million through an IPO by offering 26.1 million units at $10 each. Led by CEO Julian Sevillano, the company aims to invest in infrastructure firms that integrate blockchain with traditional financial systems and plans to list on Nasdaq under the symbol WENNU.
FIFA has partnered with Avalanche to create a custom blockchain compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, migrating its FIFA Collect NFT collection from Algorand and Polygon. This move aims to enhance speed, scalability, and security for FIFA's digital collectibles.
Base aims to build a global onchain economy by scaling its gas target to 250 Mgas/s by 2025, significantly reducing gas fees. In Q1, it achieved 25 Mgas/s, with plans to reach 50 Mgas/s by the end of Q2. The article outlines progress on scaling bottlenecks, including improvements from the upcoming Pectra hard fork and advancements in client execution speed and fault proof systems.
Blockchain networks can be effectively compared through aggregated metrics, including developer, network, usage, and financial metrics. This approach simplifies tracking changes in smart contract networks by using combined measures such as Total Value Locked (TVL) and Fees, while acknowledging the limitations of these abstractions. The article emphasizes the need for careful interpretation of these scores to understand market dynamics and network performance over time.
AI-powered agents like ElizaOS are being developed to autonomously trade cryptocurrency and execute contracts, but recent research reveals vulnerabilities that could allow adversaries to redirect transactions through simple prompt injections. These exploits pose significant risks if such agents are given control over financial instruments. The framework, while experimental, is seen as a potential catalyst for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
The article explains the concept of Miner Extractable Value (MEV) in the blockchain ecosystem, detailing how miners can exploit transaction ordering for profit. It highlights the implications of MEV on network efficiency and fairness, as well as the challenges it presents to decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Furthermore, it discusses potential solutions to mitigate the negative effects of MEV on users and the broader blockchain network.
Rain has partnered with Visa to join a pilot program for stablecoin settlement, enabling onchain credit card transactions to settle in USDC year-round. This collaboration allows for more efficient capital management and enhances the utility of stablecoins in global payments, while also introducing innovative financing solutions for credit card receivables. Rain aims to integrate blockchain technology with traditional financial systems, improving payment accessibility and operational efficiency.
The Ethereum Foundation has unveiled a new protocol update aimed at creating a seamless experience across Layer 2 networks through an interoperability framework. This update introduces a roadmap with initiatives targeting faster confirmations and trust-minimized cross-chain interactions, alongside plans for enhanced user experience and privacy features.
The article discusses execution dependencies in blockchain technology, particularly focusing on how these dependencies can impact the efficiency and reliability of transaction processing. It examines the implications of execution order and the need for improved mechanisms to manage dependencies effectively in decentralized systems.
Coinbase has introduced Payments MCP, a tool that allows AI agents like Claude and Gemini to access blockchain wallets and perform transactions using cryptocurrency. This initiative follows the launch of the x402 Foundation, aimed at standardizing AI payments and enhancing the integration of AI with decentralized finance.
Polymarket has secured a $2 billion investment from the Intercontinental Exchange, valuing the company at $9 billion and marking its transition into mainstream finance. The partnership aims to integrate prediction markets into traditional finance and explore tokenization initiatives, reflecting a growing interest in prediction markets among investors.
Ant International, backed by Jack Ma, plans to integrate Circle's USDC stablecoin into its AntChain blockchain after meeting U.S. regulatory requirements. This partnership aims to enhance Ant's cross-border treasury and settlement services, potentially expanding USDC's reach to millions of users in various currencies.
In July, Ethereum's onchain transaction volume reached over $238 billion, marking a 70% increase from the previous month and the highest level since December 2021. The network recorded 46.67 million transactions, surpassing its previous monthly record, while active addresses also peaked at 17.55 million. Additionally, the price of ETH climbed to $3,700 by the end of July.
Analysts at Bernstein report that the recent signing of the GENIUS Act is driving substantial investment interest in Ethereum, with ETH's price rising approximately 25% over the past week. The act provides a regulatory framework for stablecoins, which is expected to enhance Ethereum's role in financial markets and increase its institutional adoption.
Tempo, a payments-focused blockchain incubated by Stripe, has successfully raised $500 million in a Series A funding round, achieving a valuation of $5 billion. The funding, led by Thrive Capital and Greenoaks, underscores Stripe's increasing involvement in the cryptocurrency sector as Tempo aims to optimize high-throughput payments on an Ethereum-compatible Layer 1 network.
Sui Group, a digital asset treasury company, is set to launch two stablecoins, suiUSDe and USDi, on its Layer 1 blockchain by the end of the year. The stablecoins are being developed in partnership with Ethena, with suiUSDe offering yield to holders while USDi will not. The move comes as competition in the stablecoin market intensifies.
Solana recently addressed a vulnerability that allowed attackers to exploit a bug and steal tokens from users. The platform has implemented a patch to secure its network and prevent further incidents of this nature. Community members are urged to take precautions and monitor their accounts following the attack.
Venture capitalists are increasingly investing in formal verification, a niche programming skill that ensures software reliability through mathematical proofs rather than traditional testing methods. As software complexity grows, the demand for provably secure systems in fields like blockchain, cloud infrastructure, and AI safety is driving this trend, indicating a shift towards trust and certainty in technology development.