Tether and Coins.ph Team Up for Digital Asset Education in the Philippines
Tether Operations Limited Inc. and Coins.ph have partnered to promote financial education in the Philippines, focusing on blockchain technology, bitcoin, and stablecoins. Through workshops, online campaigns, and quizzes, the collaboration aims to raise awareness and understanding of digital assets among Filipinos. Stablecoins like Tether (USDT), designed for stability, offer a reliable asset for various financial activities such as trading and remittances, making them particularly valuable in the Philippines' digital economy. The initiative underscores the commitment of both companies to make financial services inclusive and accessible, aligning with their mission to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving landscape of blockchain technologies. (BitPinas)
Crypto Trading Surges to $5.3 Trillion in Q1 2024
Crypto trading volume reached an impressive $5.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2024, with centralized exchanges (CEX) accounting for $4.8 trillion and decentralized exchanges (DEX) for $523 billion. Both sectors experienced significant growth, with CEX expanding by 96% and DEX by 76.5% compared to the previous quarter. However, the DEX to CEX ratio decreased slightly in Q1 2024 compared to the previous quarter. (Crypto Briefing)
Bitcoin ETF Approvals Drive Demand for Crystal Blockchain Tools
The recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the US has led to increased demand for compliance solutions like those offered by Crystal Blockchain. Marina Khaustova, COO of Crystal, highlights the importance of robust analytics tools amid growing interest from traditional financial companies entering the crypto space. Crystal has experienced heightened interest, particularly from the APAC region, and is now expanding its services under the leadership of Navin Gupta as CEO. Despite regulatory challenges, initiatives like Europe's Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation show promise in simplifying coordination across jurisdictions, while collaboration among blockchain analytics firms is crucial in combating illicit activities like romance scams. (CryptoBriefing)
Circle Introduces Trading of BlackRock Tokenized Fund Shares for USDC
Circle has unveiled a new smart contract allowing holders of BlackRock's tokenized fund shares to trade them for USDC stablecoins on the secondary market. The move comes after BlackRock launched its BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) last month, offering qualified investors US dollar yields through Securitize Markets. Tokenization of physical and financial assets, as demonstrated by initiatives from major players like Citi and JPMorgan, reflects a growing trend in traditional finance circles, with Circle's co-founder highlighting the benefits of asset tokenization in solving investor pain points. The launch of BUIDL follows BlackRock's successful introduction of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), further signaling the asset management giant's commitment to embracing digital innovations in finance. (Blockworks)
Community Labs Pledges $35M Accelerator for Arweave Ecosystem
Community Labs announces AO Ventures, a 10-week incubator program with a $35 million investment, aimed at fostering projects within the Arweave ecosystem. The initiative offers funding, mentorship, and technical workshops to selected Web3 entrepreneurs, with the opportunity to pitch to prominent VCs. Inclusivity is a key feature, with participation open to projects utilizing the AO Computer, a decentralized computing service leveraging the Arweave blockchain, known for its scalability and ability to address vulnerabilities in centralized systems. Arweave, pioneered by Sam Williams and William Jones, tackles data impermanence by offering efficient storage solutions through its unique blockchain variant, Blockweave. (Cointelegraph)
Ubisoft Unveils Gameplay Trailer for Blockchain RPG Champion Tactics Grimoria
Ubisoft has revealed the gameplay trailer for its upcoming blockchain-based game, Champion Tactics Grimoria, offering players a glimpse into its tactical role-playing experience. The game features blockchain-based figurines with unique traits, allowing players to craft teams and engage in turn-based battles. With high-end graphics and strategic depth, the game aims to provide an immersive experience reminiscent of AAA titles, while Ubisoft adopts a patient approach to exploring blockchain integration. The studio's focus on creating a quality Web3 game emphasizes player ownership of digital assets and marks a significant step in mainstream gaming's adoption of blockchain technology. (Cointelegraph)
Uplink Secures $10M Funding to Democratize Internet Access through DePIN Platform
Uplink, a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) company, has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Framework Ventures. With a vision to democratize internet access, Uplink aims to create better distributed and user-operated infrastructure by incentivizing users and enterprises to contribute to or use the network. Prioritizing large enterprise partnerships for initial distribution, Uplink plans to launch a token later this year, aiming to expand connectivity and address areas of need where traditional centralized providers fall short. (CoinDesk)
