Tether Introduces Alloy: A Gold-Backed Stablecoin Revolution
Tether recently launched Alloy (XAU₮), a gold-backed stablecoin pegged to the dollar but tied to the value of physical gold, securely stored in Switzerland. This diversification beyond USDT positions Alloy as a safer option within volatile markets, utilizing the strength of gold as a hedge in the crypto ecosystem. Managed through Moon Gold entities in El Salvador, Alloy targets regions with unique regulatory demands, signifying a pivotal advancement in stablecoin technology. (Blockhead)
North America’s First Solana ETF Proposed by 3iQ
Investment firm 3iQ has filed for North America’s first Solana-based ETF, the Solana Fund (QSOL), offering investors a simplified way to gain exposure to Solana (SOL) while tapping into staking rewards as part of its strategy. As Solana rises in rank within crypto assets, this proposal also raises questions about other cryptocurrency ETFs, with analysts speculating XRP and Solana as potential next approvals from U.S. regulators, thanks to their strong blockchain infrastructure. (Decrypt)
Australia’s ASX Launches First Spot Bitcoin ETF
The Australian Securities Exchange has introduced the VanEck Bitcoin ETF (VBTC), Australia’s first spot Bitcoin ETF. VBTC allows Australian investors to access Bitcoin through their brokerage accounts, simplifying the crypto investment process and meeting demand for regulated Bitcoin exposure. This milestone places Australia alongside a global movement toward mainstream adoption of crypto ETFs, echoing investor demand for secure, regulated digital asset products. (The Block)
Fox Partners with TIME on Polygon’s Verify Protocol for Media Licensing
Fox Corporation has integrated TIME as the first external partner on its Verify Protocol, a Polygon-based media content verification platform. Leveraging blockchain to license and authenticate media, Verify Protocol enhances trust and transparency in digital publishing. As Fox transitions Verify Protocol to a Polygon-powered zero-knowledge (ZK) blockchain, this shift is set to improve efficiency in content verification, making it a revolutionary development for trusted, blockchain-based media distribution. (The Block)
The Future of Telegram Games: Sustainable Models by Notcoin
Notcoin, a pioneer in Telegram gaming, plans to evolve its game model to prioritize sustainable engagement rather than transient button-masher mechanics. Founder Sasha aims to develop subsystems within Notcoin to support user interaction and longer-lasting gaming experiences. Drawing from successful examples like Catizen, Notcoin is set to introduce campaigns and other features that reward user participation across a range of games, driving sustainable growth within the Telegram gaming ecosystem. (The Block)
Hashdex Plans Hybrid ETF for Bitcoin and Ethereum Exposure
Brazilian asset manager Hashdex has proposed a new ETF tracking both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), aiming to meet demand for diversified crypto fund products. Following the recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S., the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF allocates approximately 70% BTC and 30% ETH, reinforcing the shift toward mainstream crypto investment products and capitalizing on this year’s progressive regulatory moves. (Blockworks)
Ronin to Launch zkEVM for Scaling Web3 Gaming
In a major stride for blockchain gaming, Ronin is launching a zkEVM layer-2 chain to support Web3 game transactions on a large scale, leveraging Polygon's development tools. Ronin zkEVM aims to manage billions of daily transactions while offering an open environment for game developers, integrating seamlessly with Ethereum’s zkEVM to provide cross-chain scalability and resilience. With 1.5 million daily users, Ronin’s enhanced capacity is poised to redefine scalability in blockchain gaming. (Cointelegraph)