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IAMAI to Host World’s Largest Virtual Global Fintech Fest
New Delhi, 01st July 2020: Internet and Mobile Association of India [IAMAI], and its sister organisations, Payments Council of India, [PCI] and Fintech Convergence Council [FCC] are jointly organising the two-day virtual Global FinTech Festival on 22-23 July 2020.
Cryptocurrency is Highly Influencing the Gaming Industry
Cryptocurrency is said to be the payment of the future. Since the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009, many industries have incorporated and accepted cryptocurrency as a reliable option for payment. With rising competition and seeing the concrete future in the business of digital currency, many cryptocurrency service providers are available to choose from.
MetaMask will capture IPs
MetaMask will gather IP addresses and addresses during on-chain transactions. Data gathering applies only if users utilize MetaMask's default RPC app. This information may be shared with affiliates, during commercial negotiations, or to comply with KYC and AML regulations.
Snowtrace to End Etherscan-Powered Service by Nov 30
Snowtrace.io, a blockchain explorer for Avalanche C-Chain, will discontinue its Etherscan-powered explorer on November 30, 2023, due to high EaaS service costs. Users are advised to backup data and Ava Labs suggests a better solution transition.
MetaMask Enables Direct Bank Transfers for Crypto Purchases in Nigeria
MetaMask, a major crypto wallet, has partnered with MoonPay to enable direct bank transfers for crypto purchases in Nigeria, allowing users to access crypto faster and cheaper without using credit or debit cards. Nigeria is a major market for MetaMask, despite current issues with crypto on-ramps in the country.
SEC Files Lawsuit Against MetaMask Owner ConsenSys Over Unregistered Crypto Transactions
The US SEC has filed a lawsuit against ConsenSys, a blockchain software company, for violating federal securities laws by offering unregistered securities through its MetaMask Swaps and Staking platforms, facilitating 36 million crypto asset transactions.
Twitter and Alibaba Enter Global AI Race
Twitter and Alibaba are reportedly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their businesses. Meanwhile, Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have funded their business with a $100 million personal loan. This week’s Crypto Biz also covers MetaMask's new feature for purchasing cryptocurrency and Alibaba's new chatbot assistant.
Bank of Jamaica Collaborates with Local Government to Expand CBDC Adoption
In a recent update, it was reported that the Bank of Jamaica is set to partner with the Government to boost the adoption of its central bank digital currency, JamDex, as a payment method.
Step-by-Step Guide to Importing NFTs from MetaMask to Immutable Passport
Learn how to transfer NFTs from MetaMask to Immutable Passport with this detailed guide.
Meta Llama 3 NIM Revolutionizes Digital Health and Life Sciences
Meta Llama 3, optimized by NVIDIA, transforms healthcare and life sciences applications.
Highlights from SSV Foundation AMA: Key Insights and Community Engagement
Discover key insights from the SSV Foundation AMA, covering updates and community impact.
Niantic Integrates Meta Llama 2 to Enhance AR Pets in Peridot
Niantic leverages Meta Llama 2 to bring smart behaviors to its AR pets in the virtual world of Peridot, according to Meta AI.
Adept AI Announces Strategic Shift and Leadership Changes
Adept AI shifts focus to agentic AI solutions, partners with Amazon AGI, and announces leadership changes to drive future growth.
Anthropic's Claude 3 Haiku Now Fine-Tunable in Amazon Bedrock
Anthropic introduces fine-tuning for Claude 3 Haiku in Amazon Bedrock, enhancing model performance and customization for specialized business tasks.
Llama-3 Fine-Tuning Achieves 90% of GPT-4's Performance at Lower Cost
Llama-3 fine-tuning demonstrates significant performance gains, achieving 90% of GPT-4's accuracy at a fraction of the cost, according to together.ai.
Llama 3.1 Now Optimized for AMD Platforms from Data Center to AI PCs
AMD and Meta's Llama 3.1 brings enhanced AI capabilities to AMD platforms, including Instinct MI300X GPUs and EPYC CPUs.
NVIDIA AI Foundry Introduces Custom Llama 3.1 Generative AI Models for Enterprises
NVIDIA launches AI Foundry service and NIM microservices, enabling enterprises to create custom Llama 3.1 generative AI models for industry-specific applications.
Together AI and NVIDIA Join Forces to Enhance Llama 3.1 Models on DGX Cloud
Together AI and NVIDIA collaborate to optimize Llama 3.1 models for enterprises, enhancing performance and scalability on NVIDIA DGX Cloud.
Meta Unveils Llama 3.1 405B for Advanced Synthetic Data Generation
Meta releases Llama 3.1 405B, enhancing synthetic data generation for various industries using large language models.
Amazon AWS Adds Sui Support to Node Runners Service
Amazon's AWS extends its Node Runners service to support Sui, simplifying the deployment of Sui nodes for infrastructure developers.
Meta Partners with Together AI to Launch High-Performance Llama 3.1 Models
Meta and Together AI launch Llama 3.1 models, offering accelerated performance and full accuracy for inference and fine-tuning.
NVIDIA Enhances Meta's Llama 3.1 with Advanced GPU Optimization
NVIDIA collaborates with Meta to optimize Llama 3.1 across its GPU platforms, enhancing performance and safety for developers.
NVIDIA Unveils Llama 3.1 AI Models for Enterprise Applications
NVIDIA introduces Llama 3.1 large language models to enhance enterprise AI applications, offering customizable generative AI solutions.
Meta Unveils Llama 3.1: Enhanced AI Models with Multilingual Support
Meta introduces Llama 3.1, featuring expanded context length and support across eight languages, including the pioneering 405B open-source AI model.
Llama 3.1 Shows Diverse Results Across Providers, Highlighting Benchmarking Challenges
Llama 3.1, an open model, demonstrates varying performance across providers, emphasizing the importance of benchmarking, according to together.ai.
BitMEX Introduces TRUMP and KAMA Tokens for Spot Trading
BitMEX announces the listing of TRUMP and KAMA tokens for spot trading, starting tomorrow at 04:00 UTC.
BitMEX Spot Adds TRUMP and KAMA Tokens for Trading
BitMEX Spot now supports TRUMP and KAMA tokens for deposit, buying, and trading, enhancing its offerings in the memecoin market.
NVIDIA Enhances Llama 3.1 405B Performance with TensorRT Model Optimizer
NVIDIA's TensorRT Model Optimizer significantly boosts performance of Meta's Llama 3.1 405B large language model on H200 GPUs.
NVIDIA Unveils Llama 3.1-Nemotron-51B: A Leap in Accuracy and Efficiency
NVIDIA's Llama 3.1-Nemotron-51B sets new benchmarks in AI with superior accuracy and efficiency, enabling high workloads on a single GPU.
Project Guacamaya Uses AI and Satellites to Combat Amazon Deforestation
Project Guacamaya leverages AI and satellite technology to protect the Amazon rainforest, monitor deforestation, and preserve biodiversity.
Ollama Enables Local Running of Llama 3.2 on AMD GPUs
Ollama makes it easier to run Meta's Llama 3.2 model locally on AMD GPUs, offering support for both Linux and Windows systems.
Boosting LLM Performance: llama.cpp on NVIDIA RTX Systems
NVIDIA enhances LLM performance on RTX GPUs with llama.cpp, offering efficient AI solutions for developers.
Harnessing AMD Radeon GPUs for Efficient Llama 3 Fine-Tuning
Explore the innovative methods for fine-tuning Llama 3 on AMD Radeon GPUs, focusing on reducing computational costs and enhancing model efficiency.
NVIDIA GH200 Superchip Boosts Llama Model Inference by 2x
The NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip accelerates inference on Llama models by 2x, enhancing user interactivity without compromising system throughput, according to NVIDIA.
AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Enhances Llama.cpp Performance in Consumer Applications
AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series processors are boosting the performance of Llama.cpp in consumer applications, enhancing throughput and latency for language models.
DeFi TVL Surges to $55.365 Billion, Lido Finance Peaks at $22 Billion
Global DeFi TVL reached $55.34 billion in 24 hours, with decentralized exchanges leading volume and Lido Finance reaching a $22 billion milestone, indicating robust DeFi sector growth.
‘Big Four’ Tech Amazon, Google, Apple & Facebook Grilled During US Antitrust Hearing
In an antitrust hearing with the Judiciary Committee of US Congress, the CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google testified, as a continuation of an unfinished legal conversation with lawmakers.
Democrats Request Trump Administration Briefing on Enormous Seizure of Cryptocurrency Terrorism Funding
House Democrats have asked the Trump Administration for a debriefing on the enormous Bitcoin and crypto seizure intended for Hamas, al-Qaeda, and Islamic State terrorists.
Tether Discontinues Support for Kusama, Bitcoin Cash SLP, and Omni Layer
Tether ceases support for Kusama, Bitcoin Cash SLP, and Omni Layer due to evolving crypto needs. The move follows Q2 earnings surpassing $1 billion. Tether remains hopeful for Omni's potential.
PayPal, Visa, Amazon Named as Core Members to Help Bank of England Work on Developing UK’s CBDC
The Bank of England has announced the members of the technology and engagement forums, which will help the central bank coordinate exploratory work on a potential UK’s CBDC.
Top Brazilian Meat Processing Company Leverages Blockchain to Reduce Deforestation
JBS, a leading Brazilian meatpacker, has resorted to blockchain technology to leverage its traceability of tens of thousands of cattle it processes daily.
WhaleFin is being sued by Atletico Madrid for unpaid sponsorship
Atletico Madrid is suing WhaleFin for €20 million over a terminated €40 million sponsorship deal, claiming financial losses and potential reputational damage.
Mastercard Tapped to Issue Prepaid Cards Linked to Bahamas’ Central Bank Digital Currency
Mastercard has partnered with the Central Bank of The Bahamas and Island Pay to issue prepaid cards that would allow people of Bahamas to instantly convert the Bahamas’ CBDC to cash during purchases.
MetaMask Launches "Buy Crypto" Feature
MetaMask has launched a new feature allowing users to purchase crypto with fiat currency directly from its Portfolio Dapp. The "Buy Crypto" feature will enable MetaMask users to purchase a wide range of cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, and it takes into account several factors such as user location and local regulations. The funds will then be deposited directly into the user’s MetaMask wallet.
Kraken Launches Kusama Parachain Auction Platform,Driving it Surging by 19.07%
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken official announced to launch of the Kusama Parachain Auction platform. Kraken will support users of the exchange to bid on the Karura and Shiden projects.
FTC Investigates Big Tech's AI Investments
The US FTC is conducting a thorough investigation into the partnerships and investments between tech giants like Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and AI startups like OpenAI and Anthropic, focusing on their impact on market competition and innovation.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is Worth More Than Bitcoin’s Market Cap
It was recently announced that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’s wealth has surpassed that of Bitcoin’s market cap, meaning Bezos’ wealth has soared up to $171.6 Billion—the icing on the cake to top off his pre-divorce financial record.
The Bahamas Becomes First Country to Launch its CBDC, the ‘Sand Dollar’
The Bahamas has launched the Sand Dollar, making it the first country in the world to officially release a central bank digital currency (CBDC) beyond the testing phase.
Astar, Kabocha Lead in Polkadot and Kusama Auctions
Bill Laboon at Web3 Foundation highlights ongoing parachain lease auctions for Polkadot and Kusama networks, highlighting Astar's strong position and Kabocha's maintaining lead. He also discusses educational opportunities and grant programs.
Asia's First NFT-backed ‘Crypto Keepers’ Drama Series Officially Launches
AMM Global announced a pairing partnership with Phoenix Waters Productions to launch Asia’s first NFT drama named ‘Crypto Keepers’.
Amazon Denies Accepting Bitcoin Payments, BTC Price Drops Afterward
E-commerce giant Amazon denies a rumour from media report that the company may accept Bitcoin payments by the end of this year.
Coinbase Plans to Transition into the AWS of Digital Currencies
Coinbase’s Chief Product Officer Surojit Chatterjee announced the company’s plans to transition into the Amazon Web Services (AWS) of the digital currency ecosystem.
BNB Chain and MetaMask Resolve Glitch Affecting opBNB Gas Fees
BNB Chain and MetaMask have successfully addressed a glitch that led to the display of inflated gas fees for opBNB transactions. The issue was rooted in MetaMask's default algorithm, which set a minimum recommended gas price based on averages across various Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. This has been corrected, and users can now benefit from opBNB's lower gas fees for faster and more cost-effective transactions.
FinCEN Issues Alert to Counter Financing to Hamas and its Terrorist Activities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued an alert to financial institutions, urging vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activities related to the financing of the terrorist organization Hamas. The alert comes in the wake of a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which was funded through various means, including virtual currency.
Elon Musk Endorses Pro-Crypto Republican Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy
Elon Musk endorses pro-crypto candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Amidst tense crypto regulations, the 2024 U.S. elections may shape the future of digital currencies.
BNB Chain Partners with Google Cloud to Enhance Web3 DApps
Layer-1 blockchain technology, BNB Chain has announced its partnership with Google Clouds, a collaboration that will see decentralized applications and smart contracts hosted on the protocol gain access to the cloud service provider’s infrastructures
Crypto.com's $10.5 Million Mistake Leads to Legal Fallout for Australian Couple
A Melbourne couple faces legal repercussions after Crypto.com mistakenly transferred $10.5 million AUD to their bank account. Thevamanogari Manivel and her partner, Jatinder Singh, allegedly spent the funds on property and other assets. Manivel has been sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order, while Singh is set to face a plea trial on October 23, 2023.
MetaMask Launches Ethereum Staking Marketplace
MetaMask Institutional has announced a new staking marketplace that allows institutional clients to manage ETH staking through vendors such as ConsenSys Staking, Allnodes, Blockdaemon, and Kiln. The marketplace aims to simplify access and management of solo staking and enable institutions to become Ethereum network validators.
Binance Sues Bloomberg Businessweek's Publisher for Defamation in HK
Binance CEO, Changpeng Zhao, sued Bloomberg’s Hong Kong media partner- Bloomberg Businessweek's publisher, for allegedly misleading publications resulting in damaging Binance’s reputation.
US Senator Demands Answers from Twitter Over Massive Bitcoin Hack Incident
US senator Josh Hawley has urged Twitter to cooperate with fed agencies and take necessary measures to secure the social media site before the cyber hacking accounts of celebrities, politicians, technology moguls, and major firms in an apparent Bitcoin scam expands further.
Microsoft’s Bill Gates on Big Tech Antitrust Hearing – Government Scrunity Inevitable with Tech Success
Bill Gates discussed the antitrust hearing opposing US congress and Big Tech - Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google (Alphabet) - and gave his input.
MetaMask Adds Apple Pay Integration, Expands Options for Buying Cryptos
ConsenSys-owned crypto wallet MetaMask announced Tuesday the addition of Apple Pay integration, increasing options for buying cryptocurrencies.
ConsenSys Hits $7 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round
ConsenSys has raised $450 million in a Series D funding round, giving the blockchain company a valuation of $7 billion.
Amazon Launches Virtual Clinic Called Amazon Care
Amazon, the world’s largest internet company by revenue, quietly launched a virtual health clinic for Seattle-area employees, CNBC reports.
UK to Host First International AI Safety Conference in November
The United Kingdom is set to host the world's first international conference on AI safety on November 1-2, 2023. The summit aims to position the UK as a mediator in tech discussions between the US, China, and the EU. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will host the event at Bletchley Park, featuring notable attendees like US Vice President Kamala Harris and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. The conference will focus on the existential risks posed by AI, among other safety concerns.
Smart Contract 101: MetaMask
MetaMask is a crypto wallet & gateway to blockchain apps. It also a tool for interacting with decentralized applications (DAPP).
The Top Dapps to Consider Using in 2020
DApps are a significant shift from traditional apps, majorly due to the underlying principle of decentralization, which drives the whole lifecycle. While traditional apps are controlled by centralized authority, DApps run on a decentralized blockchain. Now, let’s look at some of the top useful DApps that consumers should consider using.
Rainforest Foundation Uses Crypto to Protect the Brazilian Amazon
An announcement was made regarding a campaign to fight against the deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon with the aid of the cryptocurrency community. The Rainforest Foundation has developed its own crypto – Bitseed in 2014 and has been embracing cryptocurrencies for years.
Jeff Bezos Amazon Among 5 Partners to Design Digital Euro Prototype
The European Central Bank (ECB), has confirmed Jeff Bezos's tech company AMAZON, as part of the five partners to design a digital euro prototype
The Bank of Jamaica Suggests Court Order Approval Required for Tracking CBDC Transactions
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) believes it must obtain a court order approval for tracking CBDC transactions, apart from wallet holders and issuers.
Demand for Zilliqa Blockchain in Play-to-Earn Games Gains Steam
Zilliqa, a public blockchain that offers solutions to decentralized applications (dapps) and enterprises, is emerging as one of the sought-after networks in the esports industry based on notable partnerships.
ConsenSys Clears Misinformation About MetaMask Tax Collection Claims
ConsenSys, the parent company of MetaMask, took to Twitter today to address and clarify a series of inaccurate claims circulating about changes in their terms of service, specifically around tax collection on crypto transactions.
US Treasury Targets Hamas Financial Networks Post-Israel Attack
In a strategic move following the recent terrorist attack on Israel, the US Treasury designated ten key individuals and entities affiliated with Hamas, targeting their financial networks across several countries. This action accentuates the broader US initiative to choke off Hamas’s financial resources, while spotlighting the emerging challenges posed by virtual currencies in terror financing.
The Bahamas Racing Ahead with the Sand Dollar
The Bahamas are rolling out their Sand Dollar digital currency across the island chain and look to be ahead of some of the larger countries around the world.
MetaMask Denies Involvement in Massive Wallet-Draining Exploit
MetaMask has denied claims that its wallet was exploited in a recent massive wallet-draining operation that resulted in the loss of over 5,000 ETH. The company has confirmed that the funds were stolen from various addresses across 11 blockchains, and that the exploit was not specific to MetaMask.
Fintech not Big Tech: Square is a Greater Threat to Banks than Google and Amazon
A recent survey of 300 senior executives at US-based mid-sized financial institutions found that more than half of bank and credit union executives view Big Tech companies like Amazon and Google as significant threats to the banking industry. Meanwhile only a third believe financial technology (fintech) firms will be a threat in the future, but are they sleeping on Square, Jack Dorsey’s financial technology venture whose stock price recently recorded a 20 month high.
Wyre Limits WithdrawalsTo 90% For All Users
Wyre, a crypto payment company, has changed its withdrawal policy to restrict customers to 90% of their funds, days after two former workers purportedly hinted at a closure. Yanni Giannaros, Wyre's chief risk and compliance officer, is temporary CEO. As Wyre implements new operations, daily withdrawal restrictions will vary.
SBF Submits Fresh Bahamas Supreme Court Bail Application
Sam Bankman-Fried has allegedly applied for bail again in the Bahamas Supreme Court. Money laundering, wire fraud, and securities fraud are among the eight U.S. allegations against the FTX founder. A court granted bail on December 13 because the crypto executive was a flight risk. On December 15, local media reported that he had filed the application and it will be considered in court in January.
Ethereum Will Be Made Available on Amazon Managed Blockchain
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has now brought the benefits of Ethereum blockchain solutions to its users.
Bitcoin on Track to Break $40,000 Resistance as About $1.1B Positions in Crypto Gets Liquidated
Bitcoin is on track to break through the $40,000 price level after receiving several bullish fundamentals over the weekend. BTC has gained a huge pace at its price, forcing over a billion liquidations in the market.
Meta Introduces Purple Llama: Enhancing Generative AI Safety and Security
Meta's Purple Llama project enhances generative AI safety and security through CyberSec Eval and Llama Guard, collaborating with major tech entities for responsible AI development.
ECB Advisor Defends Amazon’s Role in Digital Euro Project
The European Central Bank (ECB) is collaborating with five firms to test “user interfaces” for the central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Elliptic Debunks Claims of Substantial Crypto Funding to Hamas
Elliptic, a blockchain analytics firm, refuted claims of significant cryptocurrency funding to Hamas, following a wave of reports and a letter from US lawmakers to the White House. The firm highlighted the lack of substantial evidence supporting the alleged $130 million crypto funding between August 2021 and June 2023. Despite historical endeavors by Hamas to solicit crypto donations, recent analysis reveals that the amounts garnered remain minuscule compared to the figures cited in misinformed reports.
Ethereum-Based Wallet MetaMask Adds Token Swaps to Its Features
MetaMask recently announced a new add-on to its browser which can facilitate decentralized finance (DeFi) transactions for Ethereum-based tokens.
RSS3 aggregating Farcaster & Lens to MetaMask Snap
RSS3 is developing a MetaMask Snap to aggregate decentralized social information, provide real-time notifications, and enable users to sync and aggregate their graphs.
Bahamas Ranks First as The Country with Most Advanced Retail CBDC Development
The Bahamas narrowly beats Cambodia because its CBDC is available to all citizens.
Amazon Invests $4 Billion in AI Startup Anthropic for Advanced Foundation Models
Amazon and AI startup Anthropic have entered into a $4 billion investment agreement to develop advanced foundation models. The collaboration will provide Anthropic with AWS resources and allow Amazon to build on Anthropic's AI models. Both companies are committed to AI safety and responsible scaling.
Crypto Exchange FTX Relocates its HQ to the Bahamas from Hong Kong
Digital assets derivatives exchange FTX reportedly has relocated their headquarter to Nassau, the Bahamas, from Hong Kong, citing fewer regulation restrictions on the island nation.
Exclusive: How Significant is Consensus As-a-service Model?
While Amazon and Microsoft launched Blockchain as-a-service (BaaS) platform in 1H 2019, Hedera Hashgraph collaborated with IBM to launch consensus as-a-service model! Is this the next upcoming tech trend for giants to follow?
UAE's YallaMarket Now Accepts Crypto Payments
YallaMarket, a grocery delivery startup in the United Arab Emirates, has announced it has started accepting crypto payments for its services.
Jamaica on Track to Launch CBDC, says Jam-Dex
The Jamaican Decentralized Exchange (Jam-DEX), the official name of the Jamaican CBDC is set to go live for domestic use later this month, according to Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles.
Jamaica to Launch Central Bank Digital Currency in 2022
Jamaica’s Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke has announced that the country intends to launch its central bank digital currency (CBDC) in 2022.
US Congress’ Attack on Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook Continues, Can Blockchain Benefit?
As the antitrust hearing with tech giants Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google (Alphabet) continues, the question of whether decentralization will subsequently rise as a result of the legal tech-policy hearing has been brought up.
Russia largest bank is moving forward with the plan
Sberbank, Russia's biggest bank, will begin open DeFi platform testing in April 2023.
Japan Freezes Assets Linked to Hamas Funding
Japan has frozen the assets of nine individuals and a cryptocurrency firm accused of financing Hamas, following US sanctions. This move is part of a global effort to disrupt militant group financing channels, focusing on the challenges of virtual currencies in facilitating illicit financial flows.
Crypto.com Leverages Amazon's AWS Cloud To Enhance Scalability and Security
Crypto.com will now leverage Amazon Web Services, Inc (AWS) cloud provider to provide enhanced scalability and security for its 5 million users,
Polkadot (DOT) Price Analysis - April 21,2021
If the overall crypto market remains bearish, Polkadot (DOT) may follow the broader market trend and continue its current downward momentum, falling below the $30 mark.
The City of Mobile in Alabama State Launches Bitcoin Mining Project
Mobile city in the US has established a partnership with Distributed Ledger, Inc. (DLI) to develop sustainable Bitcoin mining projects.
Panama Looks to Legalize Bitcoin and Ethereum in Line with El Salvador
Panama has introduced a crypto bill with the aim to legalize Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.
Nigerian Blockchain Firm Bitmama Closes $2 Million Pre-Seed Funding Round
Bitmama said the founding round will enable it to open up the continent to more investment and financial opportunities accessible to users.
Avalanche Launches Avaissance to Boost NFT Ecosystem
The Avalanche Foundation has announced the launch of Avaissance, an initiative aimed at supporting digital artists and growing the Avalanche NFT ecosystem. The program includes an Artist in Resident program for over 50 artists and the Mona Lisa Initiative to curate digital art and expand the collections of art-focused DAOs. In other news, Ticketmaster has announced a new feature, token-gated ticket sales, allowing artists to reward NFT holders with exclusive benefits. Popular NFT artist Patrick Amadon withdrew his work from a major auction house to protest a lack of female representation. Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a patent for a framework allowing users to transfer and utilize NFTs across multiple game platforms.
Unidentified Exploit Steals Over $10.5 Million in NFTs and Coins
An unidentified exploit has drained over $10.5 million in NFTs and coins from experienced crypto community members since December 2022. The exploit targets keys created from 2014 to 2022 and those who are "crypto native," with multiple addresses and work within the space. Crypto veterans are advised to use a hardware wallet or migrate their funds to safeguard their digital assets.
MetaMask Launches Bridge Aggregator, Enabling to Move Tokens across Blockchains
Popular self-custodial wallet MetaMask has now launched a bridge aggregator allowing users to bridge across multiple blockchain networks.
Meta's Strategic AI Expansion with Nvidia GPUs and New Llama Model
Meta plans to invest 350,000 H100 GPUs by 2024, enhancing its AI infrastructure, training the Llama 3 model, and restructuring its organization to drive AI-driven innovation.
John McAfee Could be Still Alive, Ex-Girlfriend's Assertion Discloses in Netflix Documentary
A new revelation is now being made as McAfee’s ex-girlfriend, Samantha Herrera, disclosed that the Anti-Virus pioneer faked his own death, is still alive, and currently lives in Texas.
Google Sues Unknown Entities for Malware Scheme Disguised as AI Chatbot Bard
Google is suing individuals for a malware distribution scam involving false AI chatbot ads, aiming to protect users and intellectual property amid growing digital security challenges.
MetaMask Developer ConsenSys Challenges SEC's Proposed 'Exchange' Definition, Citing Blockchain Misunderstandings
Blockchain tech company ConsenSys, represented by lawyer Bill Hughes, has formally objected to the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning the redefinition of a securities "exchange".
Binance Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Support for Hamas in Israel Attack
Three families of victims from the Hamas attack on Israel have filed a lawsuit against Binance, its former CEO Changpeng Zhao, Iran, and Syria, alleging their support for terrorism. The suit claims these parties provided substantial assistance to Hamas, spotlighting the challenges of regulating cryptocurrency in combating terrorism financing.
ConsenSys Completes $200M Funding Round at $3.2B Valuation
ConsenSys, the blockchain startup behind the Metamask wallet has raised $200 million in new funding round, pushing its valuation up to $3.2 billion.
Purse.io Closes its Door After Six Years of Operations
Purse.io the company which was at the forefront of increasing adoption of bitcoin at retail payment outlets such as Amazon, would be closing its door after 6 years of operations, marking the end to an era.
Dubai Real Estate Developer Damac Properties Accepts Crypto as Payments
Dubai Real Estate Developer Damac announced to welcome tokens by accepting cryptocurrencies payment to purchase real estate properties.
MetaMask Developer ConsenSys Responds to European Banking Authority's Consultation on Anti-Money Laundering Measures
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has closed its public consultation on revising guidelines for money laundering and terrorist financing risk factors, extending the scope to include crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). ConsenSys, MetaMask's development lead, defended the EBA's approach, stating self-hosted wallets should not be considered a risk factor and praised the EBA's recognition of blockchain analytics' role in risk mitigation.
U.S. Intensifies Sanctions on Hamas, Targeting Crypto Assets
The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group, following their attack on Israel, focusing on their use of cryptocurrency assets. The sanctions include sanctions on officials, a Gaza-based crypto exchange, and individuals involved in Hamas' financial operations.
ConsenSys Acquires MyCrypto to Strengthen MetaMask and Enhance Product Security
The Ethereum software company ConsenSys has acquired the Ethereum interface MyCrypto, aiming to integrate MyCrypto with the MetaMask wallet owned by ConsenSys and improve the security of all products.
Sui Foundation Reallocates 117M SUI to Bolster Network Growth
Sui Foundation announces the reallocation of 117 million SUI tokens from external market makers to support the growth of its Layer 1 blockchain network, Sui. The move aims to bolster the network's DeFi ecosystem, which recently recorded its highest-ever total value locked (TVL) at approximately $37 million. The reallocation will not impact the circulating supply of SUI tokens.
MetaMask Snaps Elevate Security and Interoperability in the Web3 Space
MetaMask introduces security-focused Snaps, including collaborations with Tenderly and Sayfer, and extends functionality through integration with Hedera, marking a significant enhancement in wallet security and user experience.
Joint Sanctions by U.S., UK, Australia Target Hamas's Crypto Financing Networks
The U.S., UK, and Australia have imposed a fifth round of sanctions targeting Hamas's cryptocurrency transfer networks, aiming to disrupt the financial infrastructure that supports terrorist activities in Gaza.
Panama Congress Passes Crypto Regulation Bill
Panama’s legislature voted 38 in favor, 2 abstentions, and none against a bill to legalize the use of cryptocurrencies on Thursday.
Amazon and Tech Mahindra to Create Blockchain-Based PPE Supply Chain Solutions
Indian based technology company Tech Mahindra announced today that it has partnered with U.S based e-commerce giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deploy blockchain solutions using Amazon’s managed blockchain.
What are the Roles of Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services in BMW Group's Blockchain Pilot?
BMW Group, a famous global premium manufacturer of motorcycles and automobiles, seeks to expand its pilot blockchain project, dubbed PartChain, to its international supply chains that are enshrined in complexity. Blockchain technology will be instrumental in propelling the traceability and transparency of crucial raw materials and parts as it will ease data sharing.
Alameda Accused of Misusing FTX Customer Funds in Court
Key personnel from FTX and Alameda Research, during a trial, revealed concerning financial mismanagement and misrepresentation practices within the organizations. Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison's testimonies provided insights into significant financial instabilities, misuse of FTX funds by Alameda, and personal ventures being funded through loans from Alameda. The trial uncovers a complex scenario of financial misconduct and troubling personal-professional relationships, shedding light on alarming practices within these crypto entities.
MetaMask Users Email Addresses Exposed in Cybersecurity Incident
MetaMask, the popular Ethereum wallet, experienced a cybersecurity incident that exposed the email addresses of some of its users who submitted a customer support ticket between August 1, 2021 and February 10, 2023. The breach may have affected up to 7,000 users and some of the customer support tickets included a free text field where users may have submitted personally identifying information. The company has taken steps to eliminate unauthorized access in the future and is working with a cybersecurity and forensics team to investigate the incident.
Amazon Hires Cryptocurrency Talent to Enhance Crypto Payment Experience for Customers
E-commerce giant Amazon is hiring a digital currency and blockchain expert, hinting that the company may soon launch a new service that enables its users to pay for online products and services using cryptocurrencies.
Indian Finance Minister Urges Banks to Use Web3 Technology to Detect Fraud
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called on banks to use technologies such as Web3 and AI to detect fraud and generate early warning signs at the 75th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Banks Association in Mumbai on September 18.
MetaMask Warns Investors Against Phishing Attempts by Scammers
MetaMask informed customers that it never emails account data or collects KYC information.
Arbitrum Bridge: A Comprehensive Guide
The Arbitrum Bridge is a Layer 2 solution for Ethereum, enabling secure, cost-effective asset transfers to the Arbitrum network. It supports a wide range of assets and networks, ensuring robust security and providing comprehensive troubleshooting guides.
Bahamas’ Sand Dollar CBDC Begins Facial-Recognition Rollout to Authorize Mobile Payments
Millions of Bahamas smartphone users have started using facial recognition technology to authenticate Sand Dollar CBDC payments made through smart devices.
Bahamas Looks to Deploy its CBDC The Sand Dollar Across Borders
The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBOB) has says it wants its digital currency dubbed the Sand Dollars integrated with other countries' currency.
Mixtral 8x7B: Elevating Language Modeling with Expert Architecture
Mixtral 8x7B, a Sparse Mixture of Experts model, outperforms leading AI models in efficiency and multilingual tasks, offering reduced bias and broad accessibility under Apache 2.0 license.
Binance Launches Ramadan Trading Fee Rebate Event with 50,000 FDUSD Pool
Binance celebrates Ramadan with a special event, offering 50,000 FDUSD in trading fee rebate vouchers for users completing set tasks.
The Bahamas Central Bank Digital Currency Will Be Rolled Out in October
The Bahamas Central Bank has announced its CBDC, dubbed Sand Dollars, will be ready by next month for roll out.
Shibarium Enters Fail Safe Mode to Ensure Funds Are Safe
Shibarium, an Ethereum layer-2 blockchain, activated its Fail Safe mode post-launch due to high traffic, ensuring fund safety. The team is scaling to meet user demands.
Sui Foundation Allocates Over $1M to 17 Emerging Projects
The Sui Foundation has earmarked over $1.05 million for 17 new projects aimed at bolstering the development and adoption of Sui. This initiative encompasses a wide range of sectors within the Sui ecosystem, including DeFi, gaming, and on-chain solutions, showcasing the foundation's dedication to fostering innovation and expanding the decentralized platform.
Trump Outraged: Jack Dorsey Faces Senate Subpoena After Twitter Blocks Biden Ukraine Scandal
CEO Jack Dorsey is to testify about the recent incident where Twitter blocked a NY Post news disclosing sensitive information on Joe Biden's scandal in Ukraine.
Crypto Exchange OKX Opens Regional Office in the Bahamas
OKX Exchange has created a new offshoot in the Bahamas after being registered
Amazon Aims to Advance Its Digital Currency Project in Mexico
Amazon has been planning on launching a digital currency project in Mexico, and a job posting revealed that it was looking for engineers and developers for the part.
IBM Unveils NorthPole: An Energy-Efficient AI Chip Prototype
IBM has introduced a new prototype AI chip named NorthPole, exhibiting remarkable speed and energy efficiency, as reported in Science Magazine on October 19, 2023. The chip, showcasing a 25-fold higher energy efficiency and a 22-fold lower time latency on benchmark tests, addresses the longstanding von Neumann bottleneck by melding memory with computation on-chip. This innovation opens up avenues for applications like autonomous surgery and self-driving vehicles, with continued research on this architecture already underway at IBM.
MetaMask to Offer its Users NFT Price Tracking in Collaboration With NFTBank
MetaMask and NFTBank have collaborated to launch an NFT price-tracking product for the wallet's users
Metamask Tops 10M Active Users as NFT Mania Continues
Popular crypto wallet, Metamask has surpassed 10 million Monthly Active Users as powered by NFT growth.
Theta EdgeCloud to Launch with Meta Llama 2, Google Gemma, Stable Diffusion, and Other Popular AI Models
Theta Labs is launching EdgeCloud, a platform offering open-source AI models, aiming to revolutionize the AI industry by providing developers with access to cutting-edge technologies.
US Government Seize Bitcoin Terrorism Funding for Islamic State and Al-Qaeda
The US Justice Department has revealed that it has seized cryptocurrency worth millions of dollars intended to fund the activities of terror groups like the military arm of Hamas, the Islamic State, and Al-Qaeda. This breakthrough is the largest clampdown on online terrorist fundraising,
Tech Adoption Fueled by COVID-19, Will Global Blockchain Adoption Be Accelerated Too?
Coronavirus has driven global economies and businesses to the ground, but one industry that has benefitted from the pandemic appears to be the tech sector.
The Bahamas Regulator Denies Requesting FTX To Manufacture New Tokens
The allegations made by FTX debtors have been rejected by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB), which also expresses worry over the fact that the inquiry has been hampered. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SCB) had to issue a statement on January 3 clarifying that it had to address significant misstatements made by John J. Ray III. According to the attorneys for FTX, the government of the Bahamas is said to have demanded that Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, launch a new cryptocurrency that would be controlled by local authorities.
U.S. Prosecutors Aim to Sideline Asset Recovery Talks in Bankman-Fried Trial
U.S. prosecutors in Samuel Bankman-Fried’s trial have urged the court to disallow any arguments concerning the recovery of misappropriated FTX customer assets invested in AI startup Anthropic. This development arises as Bankman-Fried's investment could now be of higher value, potentially affecting the recovery prospects for FTX customers amidst the ongoing bankruptcy process.
Bank of Jamaica Mints First Tranche of CBDC
The Bank of Jamaica has minted its first batch of its CBDC, the Digital Jamaican Dollar, and has entered a pilot testing phase.
Coinbase Legal Chief Urges Swift US Crypto Legislation Amid Israel-Hamas Tensions
Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, emphasized the importance of preventing cryptocurrency misuse and advocated for sensible crypto legislation in the US amidst geopolitical unrest involving Israel and Hamas. Grewal highlighted Coinbase's proactive measures like KYC checks and law enforcement partnerships to curb illicit activities on its platform. The discourse also spurred reactions from the crypto community regarding asset seizures and the role of other crypto exchanges like Binance.
Circle Formally Refutes Allegations of Illicit Financing and Connections to Justin Sun
Circle denies CfA's allegations of illicit financing and Justin Sun ties, emphasizing regulatory compliance and advocating for stronger stablecoin laws, as clarified by Dante Disparte.
MetaMask's New Beta Portfolio dApp to Provide All-In-One Access to Cryptos, NFTs
MetaMask has launched a beta portfolio dApp that allows users to have an overview of their cryptos and NFT in one place.
Polkadot Announces The Launch of Phase Five with Parachain Functionality
Gavin Wood, the creator of Polkadot and Kusama, announced that the Polkadot mainnet will begin developing phase five-the final phase of Polkadot.
Charles Hoskinson to Airdrop Kanye Coin and Pierce Coin to Demonstrate Cardano’s Multi-Asset Standard
With just one more day to go with the availability of participants being able to interact with the Shelley mainnet launched on June, 30; Charles Hoskinson, the founder, and CEO of Input Output (IOHK), the blockchain engineering firm behind the Cardano blockchain, took it to his “Ask me anything” (AMA) session on Youtube, addressing the recent news on the US Presidential candidates, Kanye West and Brock Pierce.
Mike Novogratz Believes Bitcoin Will Solidify Bill Gates' GOAT Status
Galaxy Digital founder and CEO Mike Novogratz believes Bill Gates could gain and solidify his status if he owned Bitcoin.
Bill Gates Will Not Be Joining The Bitcoin Bandwagon Anytime Soon and Neither Will Microsoft
Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates was probed about his views on Bitcoin in an interview with CNBC's Squawk Box.