Welcome to another edition of Crypto Weekly Digest! ย ๐
As the digital currency world continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, we're here to keep you in the loop with the latest and greatest from the cryptosphere.
This week, we've got a mix of security scares, legal dramas, and some smart moves in the market. So, buckle up for a rollercoaster ride through the world of crypto!
In a game-changing partnership, Hitachi America Ltd. has joined the Hedera Council, making waves in the world of decentralized technology! ๐ This collaboration is set to turbocharge innovations in sustainability and supply chain solutions, harnessing the power of Hedera's Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). ๐ค
Hitachi, renowned for its expertise in industrial solutions, is diving into creating proof-of-concepts for end-to-end supply chain and sustainability solutions, slated to kick off within the next year. ๐ญ๐ก This marks a significant stride in advancing real-world applications of Web3 technology as Hitachi leverages its vast experience in electronics, healthcare, energy, and IoT.
The Hedera Council, a consortium of diverse global organizations, is all about innovation and decentralizing the Hedera network. ๐ Each member, including big names like IBM, Google, and now Hitachi, shares equal say in Hedera's direction, contributing to a robust and sustainable enterprise-grade public network.
This partnership isn't just a techy affair; it's a commitment to transparency and accountability in today's complex systems, especially in supply chains. ๐ With Hitachi's history of pioneering technology across various sectors, this collaboration is set to bring groundbreaking advancements and transformative solutions to the forefront of the Web3 era. ๐ซ
source: here
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Last week, Tether briefly lost its peg, stirring up the crypto world. ๐ The incident didn't last long, but it definitely has not gone unnoticed. ๐จ This blip in the stablecoin's stability has people buzzing about the future of these digital dollars. ๐ค The 'Stablecoin Wars' are heating up, and it's anyone's guess how they'll unfold! ๐น๐
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Chainlink recently highlighted that TrueUSD (TUSD) briefly lost its peg to the US dollar, dipping to $0.985. ๐๐ This unexpected move might be tied to TUSD's absence in Binance's latest Launchpool, causing a stir in the crypto community. ๐ค๐ป Adding to the intrigue, Binance reported a significant net outflow of $56.69 million in TUSD's large orders over the past 24 hours. ๐ช๏ธ๐ฐ This incident adds another twist to the ongoing saga of stablecoin stability, keeping the crypto world on its toes! ๐๐ง
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Get ready because Solana Mobile is back with a second-gen crypto smartphone, and it's a game changer! ๐ After their first $1,000 model made waves last year, they're now rolling out a more affordable version. It's got all the cool features like a built-in crypto wallet, custom Android software, and a dApp store, but with a twist in hardware and a friendlier price tag. ๐ฐ๐
Here's the juicy bit: their original Saga phone got a massive boost in sales thanks to the BONK token. ๐ถ๐ Believe it or not, at one point, the returns from this token were higher than the phone's cost itself! This clever move helped skyrocket the Saga's desirability, with prices on eBay hitting a whopping $3,200! ๐๐ธAlthough not the first crypto smartphone in the game - Samsung has already brought a crypto-ready device to the market back in 2020 - Solana's choice to combine sales with the token has hit the jackpot.๐ฐ๐ฐ
With the world of crypto and mobile tech merging faster than ever, Solana's move to introduce a second, more affordable smartphone could really stir things up. ๐ฒ๐ฅ It's not just a phone; it's a gateway to the crypto universe, made more accessible to everyone. Solana is definitely making a statement in the tech-meets-crypto space! ๐
source: here
Mercedes-Benz Goes NFT: Drive into the Digital Future! ๐๐ป๐จ
Mercedes-Benz is revving up the luxury car game with a futuristic twist: introducing the MBUX Collectibles in-car NFT gallery! ๐ This cool new feature, showcased at CES 2024, is part of their popular Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) dashboard, merging classic luxury with the buzzing world of NFTs. ๐๐
Hereโs the scoop: With just a few taps on the dashboard, Mercedes drivers can browse and display digital collectibles related to the brand. Imagine cruising around with your favorite digital art on display! ๐ผ๏ธ๐ This move isnโt just about flashy tech; it's Mercedes-Benz stamping its mark as a pro-Web3 brand, tuning into the younger, tech-savvy crowd. ๐ฒ๐ฅ
Remember Mercedes-Benz's NXT Icon collection? Those 18,860 NFTs sold out in hours last year. And now, they, along with their first โMaschinโ NFT collection, can be part of your rideโs digital decor! ๐๐ฅ This isn't just about adding a cool factor; it's about redefining what luxury in a car can be in this digital age. Mercedes-Benz is driving full speed into the future, combining high-end vehicles with cutting-edge digital innovation. ๐๏ธโจ
source: here
Forbes Dives into Web3: Unlocking a New Era of Digital Interaction! ๐ผ๐๐
Forbes is making a bold move into the Web3 world with its latest collaboration with Magic, a blockchain-based tech platform. ๐ค They're launching the Forbes Connect Wallet, a digital wallet that lets users store, manage, and transfer cryptocurrencies right from their Forbes account. ๐ฐ๐ฑ
This isn't just about holding crypto; it's a gateway to exclusive content and rewards. ๐ Forbes readers can now unlock premium articles, in-depth blockchain analyses, and expert interviews using crypto from their Forbes Connect Wallet. ๐๐
But wait, there's more! Content creators on Forbes aren't left out. They get to monetize their work in crypto, opening up a whole new revenue stream. Plus, Forbes is exploring blockchain for copyright protection, giving creators more control over their work. ๐ ๏ธ๐จ
And to top it off, Forbes is adding a fun twist with gamification. Readers can earn crypto rewards for engaging with content - think sharing articles or participating in surveys. ๐ฎ๐ This move is not just innovative; it's shaping the future of how we interact with content and technology. Forbes is leading the charge, blending traditional media with the exciting possibilities of Web3. ๐๐
source: here
Starbucks Korea is taking a big leap into the world of Web3 with their unique 'STARBUCKS STARโ LIGHT' NFT project. This isn't just about digital art; it's about promoting eco-friendly habits among coffee lovers. ๐ฑ๐ฑ
Customers can earn different tiers of NFTs โ BASIC, CREATIVE, and ARTIST โ by using their own cups for orders and collecting Eco Stamps. ๐ฅค๐ It's a blend of sustainability and tech, where your eco-friendly choices turn into cool digital collectibles, created in collaboration with artists like DADAZ. ๐จ๐
This project is more than just a marketing stunt. It's a call to action for a greener lifestyle, rewarding customers for making eco-conscious choices. Plus, it marks Starbucks' commitment to digital innovation and sustainability in Asia. ๐๐ป
So, next time you're at Starbucks Korea, think of how your coffee can add a splash of digital art to your life while helping the planet. It's a whole new way to experience your favorite brew! ๐๐
source: here
HashKey Group, a digital asset financial services powerhouse in Asia, has just smashed a major milestone by raising nearly $100 million in a Series A financing round. ๐ค This whopping investment rockets their valuation to a staggering $1.2 billion, officially crowning them a "unicorn" in the industry. ๐๐ฆ
This funding frenzy was led by some major players, including OKX Ventures, the investment arm of crypto exchange OKX. ๐ฆ๐ฐ HashKey's not just sitting on this cash; they're planning to turbocharge their Web3 ecosystem, ramp up product diversification in Hong Kong, and spur global growth. ๐โจ
Their approach? Focusing on compliance and security - a strategy which has already proven to pay off. HashKey Exchange, their licensed virtual asset exchange app in Hong Kong, saw over 155,000 registered users and a daily trading volume of a cool $630 million. ๐ฑ๐น
This move isn't just a win for HashKey; it's a massive nod to the potential of blockchain and crypto in the Asia-Pacific market. Despite recent crypto downturns, this shows there's still huge investor appetite and confidence in the future of digital assets. ๐๐ฎ
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McLaren and OKX Speed into the Future: A High-Octane Web3 Partnership! ๐๏ธ๐จ๐
McLaren Racing is shifting gears in the crypto world, doubling down on its partnership with cryptocurrency exchange OKX for the 2024 F1 season. ๐๐ฅ OKXโs logo will blaze on the side pods of McLarenโs F1 car livery, making it a high-speed billboard for crypto in 20 out of the 24 races. ๐๐๏ธ
This deal isn't just about slapping a logo on a fast car; it's about synergy and visibility. OKX and McLaren are creating a 'Stealth Mode' design inspired by their collaboration at the Singapore and Japan Grand Prix in 2023. Think of it as art meets adrenaline! ๐จ๐ฅ
But there's more than just racing glory here. This partnership is a testament to the growing bond between the exhilarating world of F1 and the dynamic realm of crypto. OKX is tapping into McLarenโs fan base with exclusive events, like the OKX Race Club, which drew over 7,000 attendees in Singapore! ๐๐
And for the crypto-curious? The partnership's already sparking interest, with 3,000 OKX Web3 wallets created during a single event. It's a blend of sports, tech, and finance, fueling a new era of fandom. McLaren and OKX are not just racing; they're pioneering a Web3 legacy on the F1 tracks! ๐๐ป
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Hold onto your crypto hats! Bitfinex, a major crypto exchange, recently dodged a cunning cyber attack. ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ๐ฅ An attacker tried to exploit XRP's partial payments feature to hoodwink the exchange, but here's the kicker - they totally flopped. ๐ซ๐
Whale Alert, the blockchain watchdog, initially flagged a mind-boggling $15 billion XRP transaction. That's a hefty 25.6 billion XRP, nearly half of XRP's circulating supply, supposedly moving to Bitfinex. ๐๐ฐ But plot twist: it was all part of this failed exploit attempt.
Hereโs the techy bit: the attacker hoped Bitfinex hadnโt tweaked its system to handle partial payments properly. They wanted to send a tiny amount but make it look like a gigantic one, tricking Bitfinex into crediting them the difference. ๐ค๐ธ But Bitfinex wasn't fooled - they had their 'delivered_amount' data field in check.
And Bitfinex wasnโt the only target. The attacker also tried to pull a fast one on Binance with a whopping 58.9 billion XRP transfer. Spoiler alert: they failed there too. ๐ฆ๐จ It's a high-stakes game of digital cat and mouse, and this time, the exchanges won. ๐๐
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Trezor, the popular hardware wallet brand, found itself in a bit of a pickle on January 17, 2024. They've hit a cybersecurity snag, with an unauthorized intruder gaining access to their system. ๐ฑ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ
This wasn't just a random break-in. The culprit got their hands on the names and email addresses of customers who had chatted with Trezor Support since December 2021. That's a whopping 66,000 users caught in this digital dragnet! ๐ง๐
While no financial info or sensitive wallet data were compromised, it's still a wake-up call for Trezor and its users. It's a reminder of the ever-looming threats in the digital world, especially when it comes to crypto. ๐ก๏ธ๐ฌ
For now, Trezor is on high alert, investigating the breach and urging users to stay sharp against potential phishing attacks. It's a rough spot for a brand built on security, but a crucial lesson in the relentless pursuit of digital safety. ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ๐๐ผ
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Cristiano Ronaldo's partnership with Binance has landed him in hot legal waters. A group of Binance users have filed a class-action lawsuit against the soccer superstar, accusing him of misleading them through his promotion of the crypto exchange. ๐คโ๏ธ
The plaintiffs, feeling duped by Ronaldo's endorsement, are pulling out all stops to serve him. They're using creative methods like emails, social media, and even a dedicated website to deliver their legal notice, as Ronaldo's current address remains elusive. ๐ง๐ป
This lawsuit stems from claims that Binance clients suffered losses because of Ronaldo's promotion, particularly his NFT collections linked to the platform. The suit points fingers at a failure to disclose payments for crypto endorsements, as warned by the U.S. SEC. ๐จ๐
It's a clash of football fame and the volatile world of crypto, highlighting the risks of celebrity endorsements in this high-stakes digital arena. Ronaldo's case is more than a legal tussle; it's a cautionary tale in the rapidly evolving landscape of crypto marketing. ๐
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And that wraps up this week's Crypto Weekly Digest!
From Trezor's tight scrape to Ronaldo's courtroom hustle, and Bitfinex's savvy against an XRP exploit, it's been a week full of surprises and lessons.
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As always, stay vigilant, stay informed, and we'll be back next week with more crypto insights and updates. Keep your wallets secure and your investments savvy! ๐๐
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