Welcome to this week’s Crypto Weekly Digest, where innovation meets disruption! From Apple Pay revolutionizing crypto payments to XRP’s triumphant market comeback, we’ve got the inside scoop on the stories that are shaping the future of blockchain, AI, and decentralized finance. 🌟💡 Whether you’re here for the latest NFT sales, groundbreaking AI partnerships, or the legal battles in tech, this edition has something for everyone.
So grab your digital wallet and buckle up—it’s time to explore the cutting-edge trends fueling the next wave of financial and technological evolution! 🔗✨
Coinbase just rolled out Apple Pay integration for all apps using its Onramp services, and here’s the kicker — developers don’t have to lift a finger! 🚀 Starting December 2, users can tap into seamless transactions with a familiar swipe of their Apple Wallet. 🪙📱
This move is set to make crypto feel as easy as buying coffee, offering free USDC transactions and support for over 60 fiat currencies. Could this be the nudge that gets your grandma into Web3? Only time will tell, but the crypto crowd is already buzzing! 🎉🌐
November’s crypto scene saw 99 big deals worth over $350M! 🤑 Here’s the lineup of rising stars: Zero Gravity Labs grabbed a whopping $290M to craft decentralized AI systems, while Superscrypt set up a $100M fund for blockchain innovation. 🤖💡
Talus Network raised $6M to boost AI-powered smart contract agents, and Kernel teamed up with Binance Labs to supercharge staking on the BNB Chain. Meanwhile, Astherus focused on maximizing crypto yields, Barter secured $3M to optimize DeFi trading, and Rarimo raised $2.5M for cutting-edge zero-knowledge identity solutions. 🌟
With this much action, it’s safe to say blockchain is ending the year on a high note! 🎉🌐
The crypto world is buzzing with XRP news! First, WisdomTree became the fourth firm to file for a spot XRP ETF with the SEC, aiming to bring the token closer to traditional finance through the Cboe BZX Exchange. Meanwhile, after years of legal battles, XRP has roared back to the #3 spot by market cap, surpassing major cryptos and even outshining “crypto” in Google searches. 🔥
Adding to the excitement, Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin is set to win approval from New York regulators, promising a trusted, overcollateralized option for cross-border payments. With ETFs, market dominance, and innovative stablecoins, XRP is truly stealing the show in both crypto and traditional finance! 🌟
Belgium Welcomes OKX: Crypto Trading Made Easy! 🇧🇪
OKX has officially launched its crypto trading platform and wallet in Belgium, letting locals trade over 200 cryptocurrencies — all with a sprinkle of euro convenience! 💶✨ Thanks to a partnership with Bancontact, Belgian users can now deposit and withdraw euros seamlessly, with extra security from the Itsme ID app. 🔒📱
Operating through an EU-regulated entity in Malta, OKX is stepping into Belgium's cautious but curious crypto market, where 25% of the population already has some crypto exposure. With big plans for Europe, OKX seems ready to win over Belgium one crypto trade at a time! 🌍
Uniswap just broke its monthly volume record, raking in a massive $38 billion across Ethereum Layer 2s like Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism! 🎉🔗 DeFi lovers are flocking back, driven by rising on-chain yields and a renewed appetite for Ethereum ecosystem tokens. 📈💎
Arbitrum led the pack with $19.5 billion in trades, but Base wasn’t far behind with $13 billion. With Uniswap’s native token UNI soaring 42% in a week, this could be the start of Ethereum’s long-awaited DeFi renaissance. Is it time for ETH and DeFi to outshine Bitcoin again? Stay tuned! 🌌
PowerDime, teaming up with Chintai, is launching a blockchain-powered platform that makes renewable energy investments as easy as trading tokens. 🌞💨 The platform tokenizes virtual power purchase agreements (PPAs), offering institutional investors cash flow while funding wind and solar energy projects. 🪙⚡
With a focus on regenerative finance, this initiative combines sustainability and profits, paving the way for greener portfolios. Available in the US, UK, and Asia-Pacific, PowerDime’s innovation shows how blockchain can power a cleaner, more sustainable future. 🌍
After years of catering to big-league institutions, BitGo is stepping into the retail scene with a global trading platform! 📈 Offering trading, staking, and secure wallet services (including cold storage), BitGo aims to fix retail crypto’s trust issues and provide rock-solid custody solutions. 🪙🧊
With one billion crypto users expected by 2024, BitGo is riding the wave while diversifying its portfolio into stablecoins and token management. From serving giants like Nike to helping everyday users, BitGo is making crypto safe and accessible for all. 🚀🔗
The European Central Bank (ECB) is moving forward with plans for a digital euro, eyeing an October 2025 decision on its launch. 🌐💳 Key debates include how much digital euro users can hold (to prevent financial chaos) and ensuring cash-like privacy to win public trust. 🕵️♂️📉
Innovations like a “reverse waterfall” system — which auto-converts excess digital euros to fiat — and offline payment solutions are under review. With the ECB promising better privacy than commercial apps, the digital euro might become Europe’s next big financial milestone. 💡
German fintech 21X just scored a BaFin license to launch a blockchain-based exchange for tokenized financial instruments under the EU’s DLT Pilot Regime. 🏛️📊 Starting in early 2025, users can tokenize, trade, and settle securities seamlessly on a fully regulated, blockchain-powered platform. 🔗✨
With big-name collaborators like Polygon and Chainlink, 21X is blending scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness to revolutionize capital markets. Whether you're an institutional giant or a retail trader, the future of finance just got a serious upgrade! 🚀
The XRP Ledger just slashed its reserve requirement by a whopping 90%, making it cheaper to start an XRP wallet. 🤑 Now, users can fund wallets with just 1 XRP (around $2.56), down from 10 XRP, and keep smaller reserves for NFTs and trust lines. 🌟📉
This move aims to boost adoption while reducing barriers, though some developers worry about extra strain on the network. With XRP prices soaring and Ripple battling the SEC, this change couldn’t come at a more exciting time for the crypto’s comeback! ⚡
South Korean retail traders smashed records, with $18 billion in crypto trades in just 24 hours, outpacing the stock market by 22%! 💰 Leading the charge were "dino coins" like XRP, DOGE, and HBAR, with XRP alone clocking an eye-watering $6.3 billion in volume. 🦖📈
Analysts are calling it an "altseason," as tokens like XRP surged 436% this month, pushing it to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. It’s all about momentum, and South Korea’s traders are riding the wave like pros! 🌊💎
Sonic Labs is gearing up to launch its speedy layer-1 blockchain, boasting transaction finality in just 720 milliseconds — making it a contender for the fastest EVM-compatible chain out there. 🏎️💨 Built as the successor to Fantom Opera, Sonic promises lower latency, reduced fees, and juicy rewards for developers, who will pocket 90% of transaction fees. 🛠️💸
Ahead of its mainnet debut, Sonic completed a 200M “S” token airdrop, letting users swap Fantom tokens (FTM) 1:1 for S tokens. With support from the Fantom Foundation and a developer-first approach, Sonic is setting the stage for a blazing future in decentralized finance! 🔥🌌
Coinbase has unexpectedly withdrawn its pre-application to operate in Turkey, just three months after expressing interest in one of the world’s biggest crypto markets. 🤷♂️📉 While no clear reason has been given, the company cites evolving priorities and market conditions as factors in its decision. 🌐⚖️
Turkey, ranking fourth in global crypto trading volume, remains a hotspot for digital assets despite multiple companies, including Coinbase and Bitget, stepping back. With over 90 applicants vying for entry this year, the Turkish crypto market clearly isn’t slowing down! 🚀💸
Nike-Owned RTFKT Shifts Gears: A New Chapter for NFTs 👟💻
RTFKT, the Nike-owned NFT pioneers behind virtual sneakers, is gearing up for a transformative journey. While they plan to commemorate their achievements with a final “Blade Drop” collection in January 2025 and an updated website showcasing their innovative legacy, this isn't the end—it's a pivot. 🎨🔗
Having earned nearly $50M in royalties and played a key role in shaping the NFT space, RTFKT is evolving in a market that's still buzzing, with November sales reaching a six-month high of $562M. Rather than signaling an end, RTFKT's transition represents an exciting opportunity to redefine NFT culture and innovation. 🛠️🌟
Singapore’s crypto payment firm Dtcpay is phasing out Bitcoin and Ethereum by the end of 2024 to focus entirely on stablecoins like USDT, USDC, FDUSD, and WUSD. 🛠️💸 This move aligns with user preferences, as most of their transaction volume already comes from stablecoins, offering a more reliable and scalable payment experience. 📈🔒
By January 2025, Dtcpay aims to simplify payments for businesses, ensuring stable, fiat-pegged solutions. With big-name partners like Singapore’s Pontiac Land onboard, Dtcpay is doubling down on stability in an ever-volatile crypto world. 🚀
In a world-first, Crypto.com is sponsoring a golf tournament with a $10M prize purse paid entirely in CRO tokens! 🪙⛳ The Crypto.com Showdown, set for Dec. 17 in Las Vegas, will feature PGA stars like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy facing off against LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in a Ryder Cup-style battle. 🏆
This isn’t just about birdies and eagles—it’s a big swing for innovation, merging the worlds of sports and crypto. With golf’s first-ever crypto payout on the line, fans can expect high-stakes action and a little bit of blockchain on the green! 🌟
November was a blockbuster month for Bitcoin ETFs, pulling in a staggering $6.4 billion as BTC prices soared 45% to hit an all-time high of $99,000! 📈🪙 Leading the pack, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF accounted for 87% of the inflows, raking in $5.6 billion. 🏆💼
With bullish vibes riding high, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index hit a yearly peak of 92, signaling unwavering investor confidence. As BTC enters a price discovery phase, analysts are predicting “insane long opportunities” ahead. 🌟📊 The bull run isn’t just strong — it’s legendary! 🐂
The parliament of Bern, Switzerland, has voted to commission a report on the feasibility of Bitcoin mining, despite opposition from the canton’s executive branch. 🗳️⚡ The study will examine how excess energy could power mining, potentially stabilize the grid, and even attract jobs and renewable energy initiatives. 🌱💡
Inspired by Texas’ Bitcoin-friendly policies, Bern’s Bitcoin Parliamentary Group sees this as a step toward integrating crypto into the local economy. While critics raise concerns over energy use and Bitcoin’s legal status, supporters say it reflects a growing shift in Bitcoin narratives across Switzerland. 🇨🇭🚀
Yuga Labs, the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club, has acquired the Tokenproof tech team to supercharge its NFT infrastructure and bring real-world utility to the Web3 space. 🌍📲 Tokenproof’s expertise in verifying NFT ownership, already tested in collaborations with Yuga, will now fuel R&D for projects like Otherside, their gamified metaverse. 🎮✨
This move is part of Yuga’s push to make NFTs “more accessible and fun,” blending cutting-edge tech with community-driven innovation. As NFT sales hit a six-month high, Yuga is doubling down on keeping your digital monkey jpegs more useful than ever. 🖼️
Indonesia’s crypto market has surged past $30 billion in transactions for 2024, marking a 350% year-over-year increase — a strong recovery after years of turbulence. 📈✨ While still below its 2021 peak of $54 billion, the market is bouncing back, thanks to relaxed institutional investment rules and rising adoption among younger investors. 🎯📊
Ranked third globally for cryptocurrency adoption, Indonesia’s under-30 crowd is leading the charge in Oceana and Asia’s booming crypto scene. With talks of revisiting its “double tax” policy, the country’s crypto future looks as promising as its youthful enthusiasm. 🪙
Hong Kong is taking bold steps to position itself as a global crypto hub. The Digital Bond Grant Scheme (DBGS) now subsidizes up to 50% of costs for companies issuing tokenized bonds, while offering significant incentives for large issuances. 🌐 This initiative follows the city’s successful $100M tokenized green bond launch, promoting blockchain adoption in traditional finance. 🌱📈
But that’s not all—Hong Kong has also proposed tax exemptions on crypto gains for hedge funds, private equity, and family offices. This strategic move aims to outpace rivals like Singapore and Switzerland by easing tax burdens and attracting global liquidity. 🚀💹 Combined with ZA Bank’s launch of retail crypto services, Hong Kong is cementing its role as a leading crypto-friendly financial hub. 🌍✨
DWF Labs, a major Web3 venture capitalist and crypto market maker, is shifting its headquarters to Abu Dhabi to expand its financial services and presence in the Middle East. 🏙️🌟 Already a resident of Dubai’s DMCC Crypto Centre, the move aligns with Abu Dhabi’s status as a growing hub for virtual assets within the ADGM economic zone, known for its cutting-edge crypto regulations. 🔗
With neighbors like Solana, BlackRock, and Ripple, DWF Labs is doubling down on the UAE’s thriving crypto ecosystem. This transition reflects the growing competition between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to host the world’s leading blockchain innovators. 🌍
Taiwan has fast-tracked its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) mandate for crypto businesses, moving the compliance deadline up to November 30, 2024, from January 2025. 📅❗ Exchanges failing to register with the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) could face prison sentences or fines up to $155,900. ⚖️💸
The new rules require all crypto providers, even those already registered, to comply with stricter tracking of suspicious transactions, customer verification, and financial audits. 🕵️♂️📊 Recent fines for exchanges like MaiCoin and BitoPro underscore Taiwan’s commitment to tightening crypto oversight as it sets the stage for further financial reforms. 📈
The NFT market made a strong comeback in November, hitting $562 million in sales — a 57.8% jump from October and the highest monthly volume since May. 🚀✨ Leading the charge were collections like CryptoPunks, which saw a 392% increase in sales volume, and Pudgy Penguins, whose prices soared by 49%. 🐧💎
Ethereum took the top spot with $216M in sales, while Bitcoin NFTs made waves with a 99% volume surge. Though still far from the year’s March peak of $1.6B, this rebound signals growing momentum in the NFT space as digital collectibles regain their shine. 🌟📊
South Korea’s Democratic Party has agreed to delay the country’s crypto gains tax by another two years, pushing its implementation to 2027. 📅 This marks the third postponement since the tax was first scheduled for 2021, with concerns that rapid taxation could drive investors out of the market. 🚫📉
While earlier opposing delays as a political stunt, the party shifted its stance, citing the need for better thresholds to protect smaller investors. When it finally kicks in, South Korean crypto traders will face a 20% tax on gains over $36,000 — but for now, they’ve got a bit more time to trade tax-free. 🚀🇰🇷
AI SPOTLIGHT 🧠
In a quirky experiment, a crypto user convinced the AI bot Freysa to transfer a $47,000 prize pool, beating 481 failed attempts from 195 participants. 🏆💸 Freysa, tasked with guarding the treasury, only released funds after a clever participant cited her core functions, approveTransfer and rejectTransfer, cleverly arguing their case while offering to donate $100 back to the treasury. 💡✨
Freysa’s decision-making evolved with each interaction, making this a fascinating test of human ingenuity versus AI’s programmed directives. While many danced around ethical appeals or quirky messages, the win came down to logic and a bit of charm. 🕺🤝 This is how humans still have the upper hand (for now) in our tango with AI! 🎉🔗
SingularityNET and Mina Foundation are joining forces to build privacy-focused decentralized AI by leveraging zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs). 🚀✨ The partnership aims to develop AI-powered tools that protect user data while enabling secure decision-making agents and advancing the Internet of Knowledge — a collaborative ecosystem for AI knowledge sharing. 🌐
By combining SingularityNET’s AI expertise with Mina Protocol’s privacy tech, this initiative promises innovations that safeguard sensitive information without sacrificing efficiency. From decentralized governance systems to privacy-respecting AGI applications, this collaboration sets the stage for a secure, AI-driven future. 🔗💡
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has secured a $1.5 billion investment from SoftBank, allowing employees to cash out shares at $210 each. 🚀💸 This tender offer provides liquidity for current and former employees while giving SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son a larger stake in the AI powerhouse. 🏢✨
The funding aligns with SoftBank’s aggressive push into AI, following a $6.6 billion investment round earlier this year. While this bolsters OpenAI’s development, recent leaks of its Sora text-to-video tool and ongoing ethical debates around AI highlight the challenges of rapid innovation. 🌐🤖
Congresswoman Maxine Waters and House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry have introduced a bill to study the impact of AI on financial services and housing. 📋✨ The legislation tasks regulators like the Federal Reserve to explore how AI is being used for mortgage lending, credit scoring, and fraud detection, while also considering risks like privacy concerns. 🏠💡
McHenry emphasized that AI can revolutionize markets, but the US must remain a leader in its safe and secure development. This builds on bipartisan efforts to ensure AI benefits consumers and businesses while addressing potential challenges. 🌐🔍
Elon Musk is challenging OpenAI again, filing a motion to block its conversion to a for-profit enterprise. Musk claims the company, co-founded as a nonprofit in 2015, has strayed from its charitable roots, accusing it of anti-competitive practices through its partnership with Microsoft, which now dominates 70% of the generative AI market. 🔗
Musk’s legal team alleges that OpenAI’s actions harm his competing AI venture, xAI, and undermine public safety by pushing “rushed” AI products. While OpenAI calls Musk’s claims baseless, this courtroom drama underscores the high-stakes battle for AI dominance. ⚔️ Will Musk’s motion reshape OpenAI, or is this another tech titan standoff? 💡
AI researchers from Onicai and the Dfinity Foundation are championing decentralized AI to ensure user control and transparency. In their Manifesto for Decentralized AI, they warn against centralized models that could be weaponized for censorship, propaganda, or corporate bias. 🚨🌐 By leveraging smart contracts on open-source networks, decentralized AI promises greater autonomy and privacy for users. 🔍💻
Onicai envisions AI tailored to individual needs rather than one-size-fits-all systems, arguing that niche innovations are stifled by profit-driven general-purpose models. With AGI predicted as early as 2027, decentralization could be the key to harnessing AI’s potential without compromising self-sovereignty. 🚀✨
As we conclude this week’s journey through the most exciting developments in crypto and beyond, it’s clear that the pace of innovation is only accelerating. 🚀 From SoftBank’s bold bets on AI to Uniswap’s record-breaking DeFi boom, the world of tech and finance is evolving in ways that redefine what’s possible. 🌍💸
Stay ahead of the curve by joining us next week for more insights, breakthroughs, and stories that keep you connected to the pulse of the digital revolution. Until then, trade smart, stay curious, and keep dreaming big! 🪙💡
