Home Blog Page 969

Cardano targets Chang hard fork launch next week August 27

0



Intersect, a Cardano membership organization, has proposed the Chang hard fork for implementation on Aug. 27.

In an Aug. 20 post, Intersect explained that its proposal was based on a thorough review of the project’s progress, community feedback, and the Chang hard fork working group’s sentiments. It stated:

“SPO-readiness was confirmed last week, the exchange liquidity metric is good and improving, and we have been receiving positive readiness updates from many leading DApps.”

However, the date remains tentative, pending a final decision on Aug. 23. Intersect noted that the timeline could shift if unexpected issues arise, with Sept. 3 as an alternative window.

This update follows the Node 9.1 upgrade, which marked the final step before the Chang hard fork.

According to Cardanoscan, 80% of stake pool operators (SPOs) have adopted Node 9.1.0, meeting the threshold required for the hard fork. However, liquidity is still a concern, with only 34% of exchanges adopting the upgrade—well below the 80% target.

Chang hard fork

The Chang hard fork will introduce significant changes to Cardano’s software, rendering it incompatible with previous versions. So, the community’s meticulous planning for this upgrade is understandable, as it presents a key milestone in the blockchain network’s journey toward the Voltaire era.

Named after the late Cardano evangelist Phil Chang, the Chang upgrade will give Cardano holders a more direct role in the network’s governance. In this era, ADA holders can now actively participate in decisions that shape the platform’s future, marking a critical step in Cardano’s path to full decentralization.

Additionally, the upgrade will enhance smart contracts, particularly with the introduction of the PlutusV3 cryptographic primitive, which aims to bolster data security on the network.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has emphasized the importance of this upgrade, calling it “the most significant milestone” in the crypto industry’s history.

He pointed out that the move will make,

“Cardano a decentralized civilization spanning the entire world with millions of residents. We’ll have the most advanced blockchain governance system, annual budgets, a treasury, and the wisdom of our entire community to guide us.”

Mentioned in this article
Posted In: Cardano, Technology



Source link

Galaxy Digital Buys $82 Million in Bitcoin Amid Market Dip

0


Galaxy Digital has again increased its Bitcoin holdings, purchasing 380 BTC today and an additional 600 BTC on August 20. Arkham Intelligence reports that the wallet address 12QVsf, linked to Galaxy Digital, received Bitcoin valued at approximately $59 million from these two transactions initiated via the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. 

Galaxy Digital Expands Portfolio

According to Arkham Intelligence, Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital has recently increased its Bitcoin assets, signalling strong confidence in the future trajectory of Bitcoin prices. On August 20, the firm added 600 BTC to its assets, followed by a purchase of 380 BTC earlier today. 

This follows another transaction on Monday, when the digital asset manager acquired 400 BTC, amounting to a $23 million investment. These aggressive moves are part of the Novogratz-led firm broader strategy to capitalize on market movements, as it accumulated 1380 BTC worth $82.8 million in just two days.

These acquisitions come when Bitcoin prices have shown some volatility, yet Galaxy Digital’s investment spree indicates a bullish outlook. This purchasing pattern suggests a strategic positioning to leverage potential price increases in the future. Following the massive purchases, the asset management firm’s wallet now holds more than 4000 BTC.

Bitcoin Price Struggles Below $60K

Despite recent purchases from Galaxy Digital, Bitcoin has recently struggled to maintain support at the $60,000 mark. Over the past month, the cryptocurrency has oscillated between $50,000 and $60,000, facing key resistance around the higher threshold. Despite this resistance, the market shows resilience, with significant buying interest noted at lower price levels.

However, market analysts have remained bullish on Bitcoin, citing technical patterns and macroeconomic factors. Recent data from K33 Research suggests an imminent short squeeze due to negative perpetual funding rates, hinting at a potential sharp Bitcoin price rally. 

Veteran trader Peter Brandt notes a megaphone pattern in the charts, suggesting volatility and a possible significant price movement.

This price behaviour underlines the volatile nature of the broader crypto market. Investors and traders continue to monitor these fluctuations closely, as they present both risks and opportunities.

Mt. Gox Exchange Movements

In related developments, the defunct exchange Mt. Gox has also been active, transferring substantial amounts of Bitcoin. Today, Mt. Gox moved 13,265 Bitcoins to unknown wallets as part of its repayment plan. This massive movement is worth approximately  $784 million. 

Moreover, in July only, data shows the exchange transferred 95,523 Bitcoins, valued at approximately $6.14 billion, to various cryptocurrency exchanges, including BitGo, Kraken, and Bitstamp, as part of its repayment efforts. Despite these transactions, Mt. Gox still retains 46,164 BTC, valued at $2.74 billion. 

The continued movement of these coins is part of a broader effort to settle the exchange’s long-standing debts and finalize repayments by the end of the year. This situation remains a critical point of observation for investors and market analysts.

Positive Inflows into BTC ETFs

Despite the challenges in price support, Bitcoin ETFs have seen positive inflows, indicating sustained investor interest. Over the last ten trading days, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded inflows on eight days, with a notable aggregate inflow of $88 million on August 20. The continued inflows into Bitcoin ETFs emphasize investors’ confidence and focus on long-term potential. 

At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s price is $59,485.24, showing a daily decline of 2.17%. The trading volume has also decreased by 8.10%, amounting to $271,190,908,678.

✓ Share:

Ronny Mugendi

Ronny Mugendi is a seasoned crypto journalist with four years of professional experience. He has worked extensively with various media outlets on cryptocurrency trends and technologies. When he’s not analyzing the latest crypto developments, Ronny enjoys the thrill of bike riding, exploring new trails and landscapes.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





Source link

Why Legendary Analyst Says Bitcoin's Consolidation Phase Is Far From Over

0


Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has struggled to gain traction this month. With its price consolidating between $57,000 and $60,000, leading analysts to question whether Bitcoin is nearing the end of this consolidation phase or if further price corrections are ahead.

Bitcoin: Consolidation or Breakout?

Legendary crypto analyst Peter Brandt has highlighted the formation of a megaphone or broadening triangle pattern on Bitcoin’s price charts. This pattern is evident on both weekly and daily charts as Bitcoin remains in its current consolidation phase.

According to Brandt, Bitcoin’s megaphone pattern shows the price testing both ends of its range. The upper boundary of this pattern is near the all-time high (ATH) of $73,835, while the lower boundary has found support between $52,000 and $55,000. This suggests that Bitcoin is experiencing significant volatility as it navigates these key levels.

Further into the analysis Brandt points out that Bitcoin has not yet broken above the $73,835 resistance or fallen below the $52,500-$49,000 support. This indicates that the market is still in a consolidation phase, with no clear direction established for its next major move.

Is Consolidation Nearing End?

Meanwhile, CryptoQuant analyst believes Bitcoin might be close to finishing its market consolidation phase. However, recent data shows increased demand for Bitcoin, with a rise in daily token transfer volume from $650,000 to $765,000 as Bitcoin approached $60,000. 

Although this increase in volume was due to some panic selling, but the market’s stability despite this suggests strong interest in Bitcoin.

Usually, the end of consolidation means smaller price changes and less volatility as investors agree on the asset’s value. For Bitcoin, this could mean the current price range is setting a new lower limit, which might help support future price growth.

Bitcoin Price Movement

As of now, Bitcoin is currently trading at $59,436, reflecting a drop of 2.2% in the past 24 hours. Bitcoin’s market capitalization has fallen to $1.176 trillion, while its dominance remains at 55.81%.

However, Bitcoin continues to struggle to maintain the crucial $60,000 level, which has been a key focus for traders recently. Since July 22, Bitcoin has been fluctuating within a 40% range, moving between a low of $49,842 and a high of $69,799.

If Bitcoin manages to break above the $60,000 mark, it could potentially rise towards $61,000. However, if it fails to maintain this level, the price might decline further toward the $54,000 range in the short term.





Source link

Institutions Are Still Buying Bitcoin ETFs, Bitwise Says

0



Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.



Source link

Ledn Secures Landmark $50 Million Bitcoin-Backed Loan From Sygnum to Expand Retail Lending Operations – News Bytes Bitcoin News

0



Ledn Secures Landmark $50 Million Bitcoin-Backed Loan from Sygnum to Expand Retail Lending OperationsLedn, a crypto lending firm, has secured a $50 million Bitcoin-backed syndicated loan from Sygnum, a Swiss digital asset banking group. This loan will be used to expand Ledn’s retail lending operations, providing additional liquidity to the crypto sector and the $1.38 trillion syndicated loan market. The collaboration highlights the growing integration of crypto assets […]



Source link

Harris loses lead on Polymarket as odds RFK Jr will endorse Trump jump 38%

0


Donald Trump has retaken a lead over Kamala Harris on the crypto prediction market Polymarket, with odds now standing at 52% for Trump compared to 47% for Harris. Harris has lost what was a 10-point lead on Trump before this week’s DNC.

Polymarket odds fluctuate (Polymarket)
Polymarket odds fluctuate (Polymarket)

This shift comes amid a notable increase in the likelihood of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsing Trump, as his chances of doing so this month went from 14% to 46% following comments made by his running mate Nicole Shanahan on the Impact Theory podcast. The podcast revealed considerations of dropping out to endorse Trump, which significantly influenced the prediction market’s perception.

The situation is further complicated by reports that RFK Jr. was exploring potential roles within a Harris administration just last week.

Despite this development on Polymarket, other prediction platforms and polls still show Harris in the lead. On PredictIt, Harris maintains an advantage, and globally, odds have shortened for Trump, though Harris remains slightly ahead, according to OddsChecker. The divergence between Polymarket and other markets highlights the unique forces within crypto-native platforms, where Trump’s pro-crypto stance may resonate more with investors.

Trump’s odds on Polymarket have fluctuated from 72% to 47% before reaching the current 52%. This increase coincided with Harris’s odds dropping from 54% to 49%. A lack of mention of either Bitcoin or crypto in the Democrat policy launched during the DNC could be a factor in the Polymarket swings.

Overall, while Trump’s lead on Polymarket marks a significant development, the broader prediction market landscape still marginally favors Harris, stressing the multifaceted nature of political forecasting in the context of the 2024 US presidential election.

Mentioned in this article



Source link

Mt. Gox Moves $700M in Bitcoin, BTC Unmoved at $59K

0



Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.



Source link

Hong Kong Lawmaker Calls for DAO Regulation to Boost Web3 Investments – Regulation Bitcoin News

0



Hong Kong Lawmaker Calls for DAO Regulation to Boost Web3 InvestmentsHong Kong lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong has called for a legal framework to regulate decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to boost Hong Kong’s Web3 investment landscape. Ng said a recent High Court ruling underscores the rule of law in Web3 operations and sets a significant legal precedent. The Mantra Chain Case A Hong Kong lawmaker, Johnny […]



Source link

PlayDoge Presale Ends in 6 Days, P2E Project Prepares for Potential 10X IEO

0


All eyes are on PlayDoge ($PLAY) as it enters its last six days of presale. The fundraising campaign has been a whirlwind success, recently surpassing the $6 million total raised mark.

But as the team prepares to list $PLAY on exchanges, the window for investors to buy at a fixed presale rate is narrowing.

Raise a virtual pet doge and earn free crypto 

The concept of PlayDoge is drawing a lot of buzz.

It’s a Play-to-Earn ($PLAY) game inspired by the 90s blockbuster Tamagotchi.

PlayDoge is a pet companion game that retains the same 90s-era feel and 8-bit graphics, but it adds colour and more captivating artwork.

So picture this:

Millions of previous Tamagotchi players (now adults) with fond memories of their childhood virtual pets can reconnect with a similar game and get paid for it.

It’s a no-brainer.

However, to appeal to a 21st-century market, PlayDoge has also added some other crucial upgrades.

For instance, it has introduced a competitive element with an in-game leaderboard.

Players will collect XP by caring for their pets and completing mini-games.

This pushes them up the leaderboard and earns them more $PLAY.

$PLAY can also be used for in-game purchases and staking. 

Coupled with its doge-centric meme coin allure, this could create a lot of demand for the token.

Stake your $PLAY tokens to compound your presale investment

For those seeking the biggest gains, staking must not be missed.

Even though PlayDoge has yet to launch on exchanges, investors can already earn compound interest by staking their tokens.

PlayDoge’s staking mechanism launched in unison with its presale.

The staking feature currently provides a whopping 75% APY.

However, rewards won’t stay that high – they’ll gradually decrease as the staking pool grows.

It’s first-come, first-served for the biggest rewards.

playdoge-total-supplyplaydoge-total-supply

According to the PlayDoge website, the team has allocated 12% of the total $PLAY supply to staking rewards.

So far, over 250 million $PLAY have been staked.

Indeed, that’s a big commitment from the community.

It shows investors believe in the project’s long-term future and are hungry to acquire more tokens.

But it’s no surprise – there’s an exciting journey ahead.

Big plans for after PlayDoge’s presale

The $PLAY token will list on decentralized exchanges shortly after the presale. It’ll be the first time supply and demand forces affect its price. Work will also commence on spreading the word of PlayDoge through a “marketing push.” Simultaneously, the team will be working on a beta version release of the game.

The PlayDoge game is slated to launch on the App Store and Google Play Store, ensuring it is widely available to the largest number of players. There’s also chatter on the PlayDoge roadmap about centralized exchange listings. That could also bolster the chances of mainstream adoption.

In the roadmap’s final phase, the team will launch the PlayDoge app, launch mini-games, run an airdrop, and add more centralized exchange listings.

playdoge-roadmapplaydoge-roadmap

PlayDoge’s journey is just getting started. And there’s an unwavering excitement about its price potential.

Jacob Bury is optimistic that PlayDoge could “10x your money.”

He underscored that even though the crypto market has been “boring” throughout the summer, it marks a good opportunity to load up for Q4, a historically profitable period within the crypto market.

For those yet to buy PlayDoge at presale, it’s the final call.

Rest assured – the project has undergone rigorous testing from Solid Proof, a third-party smart contract auditor, who found no security issues. PlayDoge is a BSC-based cryptocurrency, but it is also available on the Ethereum network.

This means investors can buy the presale with BNB, ETH, USDT, and bank cards. Following the presale, investors can claim their tokens on the same day it launches on exchanges.

Don’t miss the last chance to buy $PLAY at presale. 

Follow PlayDoge on X or join its Telegram for updates. Otherwise, visit its website to buy and stake tokens.

Visit PlayDoge Presale



Source link

Germany seizes $28 million in raid on unlicensed crypto ATMs

0



German authorities have confiscated $28 million in cash and 13 crypto ATMs in a coordinated nationwide operation aimed at curbing unlicensed activities.

The latest action, spearheaded by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), is part of a broader initiative to strengthen oversight within the country’s rapidly expanding crypto market.

The operation, conducted in collaboration with law enforcement and the German central bank, highlights Germany’s commitment to mitigating the risks associated with unregulated financial activities, particularly those involving digital assets.

Unlicensed ATMs

The sting was carried out on Aug. 20 and targeted 35 locations where crypto ATMs were reportedly being operated without the necessary licensing.

In an official statement, BaFin highlighted the severity of the risks posed by these unlicensed ATMs, which are often used to conduct scams, fraud, and money laundering.

The regulator reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the integrity of the German financial system and emphasized that the crackdown aligns with ongoing efforts to enforce compliance and enhance consumer protection in the evolving digital finance landscape.

BaFin added that operators found to be in violation of licensing requirements face severe legal consequences, including the possibility of up to five years in prison. The operation marks a significant step in Germany’s broader strategy to regulate the crypto market and prevent its exploitation for criminal purposes.

Regulatory scrutiny

Crypto ATMs, which enable users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin with cash or debit cards, fall under the jurisdiction of Germany’s Banking Act. This law requires operators to obtain proper authorization from BaFin to ensure regulatory compliance.

However, the lack of clear legal guidelines for these machines has raised concerns about their potential use in illegal activities, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

In addition to concerns over legal compliance, German officials warned that crypto ATMs could become hotspots for criminal activities if operators do not enforce adequate Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, particularly for transactions exceeding 10,000 euros.

Germany’s recent actions align with a broader trend of increased scrutiny on crypto ATMs, which have faced regulatory challenges worldwide. Several governments have begun implementing stricter regulations to address the potential risks associated with these machines, including money laundering and fraud.



Source link