Coin overview
IO
Ended--
Last price (USDT)
418.61K
24h total (USDT)
1.46M
Total vol (USDT)
2024-05-10 10:00:00 ~ 2024-06-11 11:30:00
Trading time (UTC+0)
2024-06-12 04:00:00
Delivery time (UTC+0)
Total supply800.00M
Resources
Introduction
io.net is a decentralized AI computing network that enables machine learning engineers to access scalable, distributed GPU clusters at a fraction of the cost of comparable centralized services. io.net is uniquely capable of creating clusters of tens of thousands of GPUs, whether co-located or geo-distributed, while maintaining low latency for deployers.
Content Tokenization Could be the Next Biggest AI Trend – Here’s Why
Leading media organizations are increasingly signing licensing agreements with AI giants. For newspapers like The New York Times, such a deal safeguards their intellectual property and provides an additional revenue stream. Meanwhile, companies like OpenAI and Amazon can train their models on accurate information and avoid lawsuits over copyright infringement. However, experts from IoTeX Network, O.XYZ, and AR.IO told BeInCrypto that existing decentralized alternatives could more transparently and equitably achieve the same results for content creators. The New York Times’ New AI Strategy In a move that drew considerable attention, The New York Times signed a deal with Amazon earlier this month, allowing Amazon to use its editorial content to train the tech company’s artificial intelligence (AI) models. The licensing agreement between The New York Times and Amazon allows the tech company to use articles from the newspaper and its other publications. However, the newspaper’s public announcement about the deal did not reveal the financial terms. Amazon and The New York Times Announce an A.I. Licensing Deal https://t.co/BPDtaxpliI — Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) May 29, 2025 This decision marks a public change in strategy for The New York Times, which had previously opposed large language models (LLMs) using its content without permission. In January 2024, the newspaper sued OpenAI and Microsoft over copyright infringement. The New York Times claimed these companies used copyrighted articles to train their LLMs without permission or compensation. That lawsuit is still ongoing and has not yet reached an outcome. The New York Times is not the first media organization to sue a technological company over unfair use of its intellectual property. “In recent years, many big tech projects have encountered numerous legal challenges and fines. For example, Google has faced over €8 billion in fines from the EU in the past decade due to poor data practices,” Ahmad Shadid, CEO of O.XYZ., told BeInCrypto. As the creators of leading LLMs need more widespread access to accurate information, such deals are becoming increasingly common. The Rise of Licensing Deals Licensing deals are growing in popularity. Last year, OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, signed an agreement with the European multinational media company Axel Springer SE. The deal closely mirrored the one recently made between The New York Times and Amazon. The agreement allows OpenAI to use articles from media organizations owned by Axel Springer, including Politico, Business Insider, and Morning Brew, among other top international publications. Altman later signed similar agreements with the Financial Times, Vogue, and the parent companies of outlets like The New Yorker, Cosmopolitan, and Le Monde, to name a few. OpenAI agreed to backlink all relevant information to the original articles as part of these deals. OpenAI's content licencing dealsCompanies with proprietary content (): pic.twitter.com/7k0sqF4bft — Chief AI Officer (@chiefaioffice) June 4, 2024 As major technological companies face increasing pressure over intellectual property violations and copyright infringement, these situations are a win-win for all parties involved. “After lawsuits like the one The New York Times filed, AI companies are being more cautious about what they train on. Licensing deals offer peace of mind, and for publishers, it’s a chance to turn decades of archived content into steady income. At the same time, AI companies benefit from exclusive access to trusted sources, which helps improve the quality of their models,” Aaron Basi, Head of Product at IoTeX Network, explained. But, is there a better way to achieve the same results with greater transparency? Can Decentralization Bring Transparency to AI Deals? It is becoming increasingly urgent to find a solution that broadens access to trustworthy information when interacting with AI and fairly compensates its creators. Licensing agreements offer one path to this goal. “There is huge strategic value. These deals can include better visibility, like being featured in AI-generated answers or summaries. There’s also access to analytics showing how content is being used or interacted with,” Basi said. It also goes a long way in preventing misinformation when using LLMs. “Training AI without verified, transparent data is like flying blind. If we can’t trace what went in, we can’t trust what comes out. This is how we end up with silent failures crafted by brittle AI models that lack long-term consideration,” Phil Mataras, founder of AR.IO, told BeInCrypto. However, these licensing agreements are often private, making it difficult for smaller content creators to secure similar deals or protect themselves from cases of unfair use. Decentralization has the potential to level the playing field here. “Closed models win short-term sprints. Decentralized models win the marathon. Trust reigns supreme alongside transparency and auditability,” Mataras added. There are several different tools that Web3 has to offer that can achieve such a thing. Tokenizing Content on Decentralized Networks Decentralized technologies can create a more democratic and transparent system for all creators to license their content. This is especially beneficial for those often overlooked in traditional private agreements. “Instead of cutting individual licensing deals behind closed doors, creators can upload content to a decentralized network. Smart contracts can enforce terms and automatically handle payments. This makes it easier for independent creators or smaller organizations to participate. It also creates more transparency around who’s using the data and how,” Basi explained. Tokenization also offers creators a method to track the active use of their content by AI models. “Tokenizing content could give publishers more control and better tracking. For example, they could set rules around access or usage and get paid automatically through smart contracts. It’s still early, but for digital-first media companies, this kind of setup might offer new ways to earn revenue without giving up control,” Basi added. Other blockchain-based solutions can ensure unbreakable record-keeping to strengthen these decentralized options further. Securing Intellectual Property Through Blockchain-Based Systems Another vital aspect of a truly equitable digital ecosystem involves ensuring authenticity, tracking usage, and protecting intellectual property. This is where blockchain-based provenance systems emerge as powerful solutions. Blockchain-based provenance systems are designed to record the history and lineage of digital content meticulously. They leverage blockchain’s core features—its traceability, transparency, and immutability—to create trustworthy and tamper-proof records. Every significant event in a content’s lifecycle, from its creation to any changes or transfers, can be logged on a distributed ledger, creating an unbreakable record of its history. “Provenance systems have been very helpful in the tech industry. Having to depict, precisely, the history of a dataset being utilized or transferred. It helps to dictate the initial owner, who it was sold to, how it was sold, when, and the current holder of that dataset. Blockchain systems already have permanent storage mechanisms— they provide rigidity when it comes to data ownership,” Shadid told BeInCrypto. Building on this foundation of verifiable history, watermarking tools complement provenance systems by embedding hidden, identifiable information directly into digital content. “Watermarking tools play a key role in preventing copyright infringement, data theft, and wrongful claim of ownership... These techniques bring a tougher game for the data thieves and hackers in order to provide data integrity, fairness, and ethics,” Shadid added. The principles of decentralization could also be extended to the collective governance and management of content. Media DAOs: Empowering Creators in Content Licensing Instead of individual creators or the leadership of large media organizations solely making content licensing decisions, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) could empower collectives of creators, such as journalists, to take control of decision-making collaboratively. “A group of creators could pool their work and use a DAO to manage licensing, payments, and governance. This approach gives independent voices a seat at the table when dealing with large AI firms. It also makes it easier to negotiate fair terms and ensures that decisions are made collectively. It’s like a union, but designed for the digital age,” Basi explained. Despite the focus on transparency, licensing agreements between AI models and information sources are still in their early stages. This raises a critical question: Will open-source models lag as AI companies secure exclusive data deals? Licensing Deals vs. Decentralization: Which Path Will Succeed? LLMs’ unauthorized and opaque use of content initially sparked significant discontent among original creators. Licensing agreements have now improved the situation. However, full transparency is yet to be seen. Deals like the one struck between The New York Times and Amazon will not be enough for people who want to know where they get their data from and for creators who wish to understand how their content is being used. “Closed models win short-term sprints. Decentralized models win the marathon. Trust reigns supreme alongside transparency and auditability,” Mataras said. Basi agreed, adding: “Transparency is a powerful advantage. People want to understand what goes into the tools they use, especially in sensitive fields like health or education. Open-source projects can adapt quickly, get help from the community, and build trust through openness. In the long run, that trust might matter more than access to a few exclusive datasets.” Though licensing deals are a good starting point, the real transformation for content creators and AI transparency will likely stem from decentralized and open-source approaches.
The New York Times and Amazon AI Licensing Deal Highlights Potential of Decentralized Models for Content Transparency
Licensing agreements between AI companies and major media outlets like The New York Times are reshaping intellectual property rights and revenue models in the digital age. Experts argue that decentralized frameworks could provide enhanced transparency and fairness, empowering smaller content creators and improving content usage tracking. Blockchain technology and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) hold promise for transforming content licensing through traceability, fairness, and collective governance. Explore how AI licensing deals with media giants like The New York Times are evolving, and why decentralized blockchain solutions could redefine content ownership and transparency. The New York Times’ Strategic Licensing Deal with Amazon AI In a landmark development, The New York Times recently entered into a licensing agreement with Amazon, permitting the tech giant to utilize its editorial content to train advanced artificial intelligence models. This move signals a strategic pivot for the newspaper, which had previously taken legal action against unauthorized use of its content by AI developers. The agreement grants Amazon access to a vast archive of articles, though financial details remain confidential. This partnership not only safeguards the newspaper’s intellectual property but also opens a new revenue stream amid growing concerns over copyright infringement in AI training datasets. Previously, The New York Times filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted material to train large language models (LLMs). This ongoing litigation underscores the complex legal landscape surrounding AI content usage. Industry Reactions and Legal Context According to Ahmad Shadid, CEO of O.XYZ, the media industry is witnessing increasing legal scrutiny over data practices, exemplified by significant fines imposed on tech giants like Google in the European Union. Licensing agreements such as the one between The New York Times and Amazon represent a pragmatic approach to balancing content protection with AI development needs. As AI companies require access to reliable and accurate information, these deals are becoming a vital mechanism to mitigate legal risks while fostering innovation. Expanding Licensing Deals Across the Media Landscape The trend of licensing agreements is gaining momentum. OpenAI, under CEO Sam Altman, has forged similar partnerships with prominent media groups including Axel Springer SE, Financial Times, and Condé Nast. These deals enable AI firms to legally incorporate high-quality journalistic content into their training models. Notably, OpenAI commits to backlinking original sources, enhancing transparency and content attribution. This symbiotic relationship benefits publishers by monetizing archival content and AI companies by improving model accuracy and trustworthiness. Benefits and Challenges of Licensing Agreements Aaron Basi, Head of Product at IoTeX Network, highlights that licensing deals provide publishers with valuable analytics and visibility in AI-generated outputs. However, the exclusivity and opacity of these agreements may limit access for smaller creators and restrict broader transparency in content usage. This raises important questions about the scalability and fairness of current licensing models in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem. Decentralization as a Catalyst for Transparency and Equity Decentralized technologies offer promising alternatives to traditional licensing by fostering openness, traceability, and equitable compensation. Smart contracts on blockchain networks can automate licensing terms and payments, reducing reliance on opaque, private negotiations. Phil Mataras, founder of AR.IO, emphasizes that without transparent data provenance, AI models risk generating unreliable outputs. Decentralized frameworks can ensure that content usage is auditable and trustworthy, thereby enhancing the integrity of AI systems. Empowering Independent Creators Through Tokenization Tokenizing digital content on decentralized platforms enables creators to maintain control over their intellectual property while facilitating fair compensation. Smart contracts can enforce usage policies and automate revenue distribution, benefiting independent journalists and smaller media entities often excluded from large-scale deals. Aaron Basi notes that tokenization also enhances content tracking, allowing publishers to monitor how their work is utilized by AI models in real time, thereby fostering accountability and new monetization opportunities. Blockchain-Based Provenance Systems for Intellectual Property Protection Blockchain’s immutable ledger capabilities are instrumental in establishing verifiable content provenance. By recording every transaction and modification of digital assets, these systems create a transparent and tamper-proof history of ownership and usage rights. Ahmad Shadid explains that provenance systems combined with watermarking technologies provide robust defenses against copyright infringement and unauthorized data exploitation, reinforcing ethical standards in digital content management. Media DAOs: Collective Governance for Content Licensing Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) present an innovative governance model where groups of creators collaboratively manage licensing, payments, and strategic decisions. This collective approach democratizes control, giving independent journalists and smaller media entities a stronger voice in negotiations with AI companies. Such DAOs function similarly to digital unions, fostering fairness and transparency in content licensing while adapting to the unique demands of the digital era. Future Outlook: Licensing Deals Versus Decentralized Models While licensing agreements currently offer a practical solution to intellectual property challenges in AI training, they often lack full transparency and inclusivity. Decentralized and open-source models promise greater trust, auditability, and community involvement, which may prove decisive in the long term. Phil Mataras succinctly captures this dynamic: “Closed models win short-term sprints. Decentralized models win the marathon.” Aaron Basi concurs, emphasizing that transparency and openness are critical to building lasting trust, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare and education. Ultimately, the evolution of content licensing in AI will likely be shaped by a hybrid approach, integrating the strengths of both licensing deals and decentralized technologies to foster a fair, transparent, and sustainable digital content ecosystem. Conclusion The intersection of AI and media content licensing is undergoing significant transformation. Licensing agreements with major outlets like The New York Times provide immediate legal clarity and revenue opportunities, yet they fall short of delivering comprehensive transparency and equitable access. Decentralized solutions leveraging blockchain and DAOs offer a compelling vision for the future—one where content creators retain control, usage is transparent, and collective governance ensures fairness. As the AI landscape matures, embracing these innovative models will be crucial for fostering trust and sustainability in digital content ecosystems. In Case You Missed It: ProCap’s Bitcoin Purchase Signals Potential Corporate Treasury Expansion Ahead of SPAC IPO
Real-World Assets’ Market Value Surges in 2025
Key Points: BlackRock’s BUIDL token leads the U.S. Treasury RWA market. Ethereum dominates RWA activity, hosting 83%+ of overall value. The RWA holder base exceeded 100,000 addresses, showing a 22% increase. Real-World Assets’ Market Value Surges in 2025 In 2025, the real-world asset (RWA) sector reported a dramatic 300% increase in total value locked, primarily driven by institutional investment and improved regulatory clarity in the United States and Europe. On-chain RWA value rose by $7.5 billion in early 2025, highlighting increased liquidity and mainstream adoption through tokenized treasuries and commodities. U.S.-based investment firm BlackRock, with its BUIDL token , has notably taken a lead in the tokenized U.S. Treasury market. Ethereum remains the main platform for these transactions, supporting most of the RWA activity. The integration of traditional finance assets into the DeFi ecosystem has revitalized interest and possibilities within the blockchain space. Institutions show growing confidence in using the technology, which has injected life into a sector previously defined by volatility. As noted in the CEX.IO Industry Report, 2025, “Real-world assets are no longer a side bet in DeFi — they’re becoming the main event. After adding $7.5 billion in on-chain value, the number of RWA holders has also crossed a key milestone, surpassing 100,000 addresses.” Real-world assets are no longer a side bet in DeFi — they’re becoming the main event. After adding $7.5 billion in on-chain value, the number of RWA holders has also crossed a key milestone, surpassing 100,000 addresses. Financial markets are experiencing noticeable shifts with this trend, as the tokenization push influences both DeFi product landscapes and trading volumes. The involvement of substantial entities like Franklin Templeton underscores the changing economic panorama. Significant outcomes include the potential expansion of existing frameworks for asset exchanges, possibly optimizing liquidity pipelines globally. Historical trends support that regulatory clarity spurs growth, with the sector’s trajectory likely continuing its upward momentum.
Trading platforms, crypto VCs, and market makers: Who exactly is affected by Singapore's DTSP Act?
On May 30, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) officially released its final response paper regarding the Digital Token Service Provider (DTSP) licensing regime. Initially, the policy did not draw much attention until a few days later when a WeChat public article caused a stir, making the industry acutely aware of its implications. The paper explicitly states that all projects operating in Singapore without a license must cease their activities by June 30. This has caused considerable anxiety among crypto practitioners in Singapore. What impact will this new regulation have on the crypto space? Are we on the brink of another "The Wandering Earth"-style migration wave? On the evening of June 12, BlockBeats specially invited Christopher Liu, Chief Compliance Officer of Matrixport; Chen Wu, CEO of EX.IO; Ye Su, Founding Partner of ArkStream Capital; and Valentina, BD Director of Herring Global, to discuss the topic "The End of Web3 Paradise? What Does Singapore’s DTSP Act Mean for the Industry?" The panel delved into the regulatory logic behind the act and its profound impact on the industry's future development. BlockBeats: Tonight, we’ve invited several seasoned guests from front-line institutions, including compliance VC firms and trading platforms, to explore the intentions behind Singapore’s new policy and its short-term and long-term effects on the Web3 industry in the region. Let's start by having our guests briefly introduce themselves. Ye Su: Thank you for the invitation. I’m Ye Su, a Partner at ArkStream Capital. We are a crypto fund established in 2020, primarily focusing on early-stage investments and liquidity strategies. Over the past five years, we’ve invested in over 100 projects, including recently launched ones such as Space and Time, Kernel, and Particle Network. We also maintain close collaborations with the organizations of the esteemed guests here today. Although I don't currently reside in Singapore, half of our LPs are based there, many of whom are licensed institutions. Around 20% of our sixth fund is allocated to Singapore. Personally, I lived in Singapore for more than a year in 2022, but due to the regulatory framework and overall lifestyle atmosphere, I eventually chose not to stay permanently. I’m delighted to be here today to unpack this topic with everyone, thank you. Chen Wu: Hello everyone, I’m Chen Wu, the Founder and CEO of EX.IO, a Hong Kong-based compliant crypto exchange. We are one of the currently licensed exchanges in Hong Kong and the only one identified as a key enterprise introduced by the Hong Kong government. We come from a traditional finance background and are committed to developing in a compliant manner. Although we currently do not have an official presence in Singapore, before deciding to apply for a Hong Kong license, we conducted research on compliance pathways in various regions around the world, with Singapore naturally being one of the key areas of focus. The decision to ultimately choose Hong Kong was based on an overall assessment of its history, economic environment, and policy landscape. I’ll also share our thought process behind this decision later. Taking this opportunity, I’d also like to introduce an upcoming four-city tour we are organizing in Mainland China, in collaboration with several institutions, including CTO Lab (City University of Hong Kong) and BlockBeats, the host of this event. The tour will focus on talent cultivation, project incubation, and ecosystem development. This initiative is part of our corporate social responsibility efforts, and we aim to encourage more universities and young people to engage in the Web3 industry. Thank you, everyone. Christopher Liu: Hello, everyone. I’m Chris, the Chief Compliance Officer of Matrixport Group. Matrixport is a crypto asset platform that spans multiple business verticals such as OTC and custody, which many of you may already be familiar with. Personally, I am based in Singapore and have previously worked in banking, payments, and regulatory bodies. I’ve been in the crypto industry for three and a half years now. The views I express today are my own and do not represent the stance of my company. Thank you for the invitation, and I look forward to engaging with everyone today. Valentina: Hi, everyone. I’m Valentina from Herring Global. Our entire team started out in Singapore, including our traders and founders, so from the very beginning, compliance has been our foundational route. After the DTSP regulations were rolled out, our institution was actually included on the official “license exemption list.” As a liquidity provider, we offer liquidity solutions across both centralized and decentralized venues, serving project teams and VC firms. We also collaborate with the institution led by Professor Ye Su. Personally, I’ve worked on DeFi projects in the past, and I’m now with Herring Global. I’m delighted to discuss the latest developments in Singapore’s compliance pathways with all of you today. BlockBeats: The new DTSP regulations in Singapore seem to have triggered quite a strong reaction in public discourse. How do you and the people around you perceive this? Is it really as serious as it seems? Christopher Liu: Sure. In fact, the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSA) isn’t entirely new—it has been in the works since 2020. Even though the enforcement timeline has only recently been clarified, industry insiders in Singapore have been aware for quite some time that this regulatory framework was on its way. The key background here traces back to the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) requirements in 2019, which stated that member states should establish regulatory mechanisms encompassing both locally licensed institutions and companies conducting cross-border business from local jurisdictions. As a result, Singapore issued relevant consultation papers in 2020, initially called the Omnibus Act, which officially evolved into the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSA) in 2022. So, the implementation of this policy is not a sudden move, and the industry has not been caught off guard. MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) engaged in discussions and consultations with industry organizations before and after the policy was announced. Regarding the question, "Is it really that serious?"—if you only focus on the Chinese community or some media reports, the wording might seem alarmist, as if Singapore intends to completely cut off external business. However, after MAS released its document on May 30, it promptly clarified that institutions with existing licenses can still conduct international business and onboard users. The entities truly affected are those conducting international business without a license. MAS also mentioned that they have identified some affected platforms and are assisting them in transitioning, such as applying for licenses. Overall, MAS has not adopted a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Valentina: Our organization is currently operating under an "exempt status." From the very beginning, we have committed to a compliance-first approach and maintained continuous communication with the regulators. Presently, MAS has granted us an exemption during their evaluation process, but this does not mean we can operate without a license indefinitely. The exempt status could ultimately lead to one of three possible outcomes: 1. Obtaining a formal license, which might not necessarily be a DTSP (Digital Token Service Provider) license but possibly another type. 2. The company decides to exit the business and no longer applies for a license. 3. MAS identifies issues during an annual review and requires the business to cease operations. At the initial phase of this policy announcement, there was indeed some panic within the industry, especially among certain exchanges and custodial service providers. However, for institutions already on a compliance pathway and maintaining consistent communication with MAS, the actual impact has been relatively minimal. The core of Singapore’s regulatory approach is not to stifle innovation but to ensure that technological exploration occurs within a compliant framework. MAS continues to support the development of emerging technologies like DeFi, stablecoins, and AI, but the prerequisite is the establishment of anti-money laundering mechanisms and the enforcement of KYC/KYB requirements. Thus, the “severity” of the policy largely depends on whether a company genuinely regards compliance as a key part of its development strategy. Chen Wu: Just to clarify, we are a Hong Kong-licensed exchange, not a virtual asset trading platform based in Singapore. To be honest, when we saw the Chinese community expressing fear towards Singapore's policy changes, we did experience a bit of “schadenfreude.” At the time, we also noticed some KOLs claiming that Singapore might no longer be an ideal hub for Web3 startups, with mentions of returning to Hong Kong, Dubai, or other regions. There has also been significant comparison between Hong Kong’s VATP (Virtual Asset Trading Platform) license and Singapore’s DTSP framework. Some argue that VATP is more lenient and retail-friendly. However, after connecting offline with many projects deeply rooted in Singapore, we found that very few are genuinely planning to leave. Most still hope to continue developing locally. Ultimately, this is because while DTSP has been introduced, its regulatory details, requirements, and scope of application remain unclear. For instance, questions like "Who can apply?", "Who qualifies for exemptions?" and "Which business activities are restricted?" still lack definitive standards. We've observed discussions within the community, such as whether DeFi projects face restrictions, whether they can still operate in Singapore, and whether regulations can be bypassed. Interpretations vary widely among different parties. This has further affirmed my decision to choose Hong Kong in the first place. Although Hong Kong's compliance pathway is stringent, at least its policies are clear and its thresholds well-defined. The VATP license guidelines we applied for are nearly 300 pages long—detailed and highly actionable. This reflects a notable distinction: in Dubai, for instance, the regulatory framework is also continuously being updated. While not very lengthy, it undergoes iterative optimization every year, improving clarity and transparency. In contrast, while Singapore announced its policies three years in advance, it only released specific guidelines a month before the final deadline, leaving significant uncertainties. This ambiguity could impact not only whether existing projects stay but also whether new projects dare to enter and whether capital is willing to invest. Therefore, I believe the real impact of DTSP may not lie in "who gets driven away" but rather in "who can still be attracted." This issue, however, currently lacks sufficient discussion within the community. Later, I'm also very interested in hearing Mr. Su Ye's perspective on this from a VC angle. Christopher Liu: I'd like to add a point. Many people, especially some online KOLs, assumed upon seeing the release of the DTSP framework that this represents Singapore's primary regulatory logic for the entire industry. But that's not actually the case. The primary legislation currently applicable to the crypto industry in Singapore is actually the Payment Services Act (PSA). Over the past two years of our communication with MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore), regulators have repeatedly emphasized that if you plan to offer services in Singapore such as exchanges, custody, OTC, etc., you should apply for a PSA license, specifically the MPI (Major Payment Institution) category. The introduction of DTSP is aimed at addressing the gray areas not covered by PSA—for example, entities registered in Singapore that mainly serve overseas customers but do not hold PSA licenses. The underlying reason for DTSP’s introduction is FATF (Financial Action Task Force) requirements on anti-money laundering (AML). The expansion of the regulatory framework is intended to cover teams previously not under PSA oversight but operating international businesses. However, if you're a practitioner intending to operate Web3 services long-term in Singapore, such as OTC, custody, or trading platforms, the license you need to apply for is still the MPI license under PSA, not DTSP. When MAS issued the DTSP document, they explicitly stated that there would be no "dual regulation"—they would not require the same organization to apply for multiple licenses simultaneously. If you already hold a PSA license or are in the compliance application process, DTSP's impact on you is minimal. Rhythm BlockBeats: Mr. Ye Su, you previously referred to this policy as "regulatory performance" on Twitter. Could you elaborate on your perspective? Ye Su: When I posted that tweet, it was because I noticed some people reacting very strongly to this policy, using terms like "great purge." When I introduced the concept of "regulatory dramaturgy," it wasn’t meant as criticism; rather, I wanted everyone to look at this from a different perspective: this is part of a strategic rhythm orchestrated by the government. Let me use an analogy—similar to how a project might conduct a "farming campaign," which also follows a roadmap. In the first phase, broad user participation is encouraged; in the second phase, participants are required to complete KYC and AML procedures; and in the third phase, the focus shifts to retaining quality users to promote ecosystem growth. I believe Singapore’s regulatory evolution for Web3 follows a similar trajectory. Since 2017, Singapore has encouraged all Web3 businesses to establish themselves locally—that was the "open phase." By 2021, it transitioned into the "filtering phase," emphasizing compliance. Now, with the formal enactment of DTSP (Digital Token Service Providers), Singapore enters the "closing phase," meaning they are now only welcoming genuinely compliant and capable institutions to operate long-term. Looking at the scope of the new legislation, it is extremely broad, encompassing areas such as token issuance, custody, trading, payments, matchmaking, staking, and even considering remote work as part of operational activities. The only exemptions are for pure technical consulting and non-transactional promotional advertising. I also reviewed two similar policy evolution paths in Singapore: one being the 2019 payment industry overhaul, where it was initially announced that 90% of payment institutions would be phased out, but a three-year buffer was provided, and eventually roughly 40% were approved; and the second being the 2023 family office tax exemption policy, where the exemption threshold was raised from 5 million SGD to 20 million SGD. Again, this wasn’t done abruptly—it included a transition period. Essentially, the goals of these policies are highly consistent: to retain compliant enterprises committed to real business and to eliminate those exploiting regulatory loopholes for gray-market arbitrage. On the surface, it appears to be "strict regulation," but in practice, it’s "selective welcoming." That’s why I describe it as a form of "regulatory performance," representing Singapore’s proactive stance in the global compliance narrative. From this perspective, it is a strategic articulation that aligns with their ambition to position themselves as a "global compliance innovation hub." Ye Su’s Tweet Rhythm BlockBeats: Why has Singapore introduced this directive? How do you view the medium-to-long-term impact of this new regulation on the development of the Web3 sector in Singapore? Christopher Liu: In terms of regulatory clarity, Singapore is actually one of the earliest countries in the Asia-Pacific region to establish a licensing framework for the crypto industry. Since accepting PSA licenses in 2020, it has developed a relatively mature regulatory logic. The introduction of the DTSP is an extension of the existing framework, making the overall structure more comprehensive. MAS has also made it clear that institutions that already hold a PSA or are on a compliance pathway can continue to provide services to both local and overseas clients. For institutions with an existing compliance setup, this acts as a further "confirmation." Moreover, MAS has recently expanded the regulatory definition of "digital currencies" and has allowed formal applications for custody business licenses since last year. These details indicate that MAS is not suppressing the industry but rather gradually refining regulatory boundaries, striking a balance between "preventing retail investors from blindly speculating on cryptocurrencies" and "supporting industry growth." In the medium to long term, Singapore will continue to serve as a regulatory hub for Web3, and under this framework, hopes to encourage compliant platforms to use the country as a base to serve the broader Asia-Pacific market. Valentina: Overall, Singapore has consistently sought to strike a balance between "encouraging innovation" and "ensuring financial stability." The introduction of the new DTSP regulations fills some of the regulatory gaps that the original PSA could not cover, especially in light of the frequent crises in the industry in recent years where certain blind spots in regulation became apparent. In the medium to long term, this policy might lead to several impacts: First, it raises the threshold for industry entry. For early-stage projects with limited resources, the cost of compliance will become a barrier to entry. Singapore will increasingly be more suitable for teams that are committed to long-term growth with a strong compliance focus. Second, it accelerates the industry clearing process. Teams unwilling or unable to take the compliance route will be forced to exit, pushing Singapore's digital asset ecosystem towards being "high-quality, transparent, and regulated." Third, it becomes easier to attract traditional financial capital. For large institutions, regulatory clarity is paramount. The introduction of the DTSP effectively opens the door for these institutions. For example, family offices, bank-backed trading institutions, and other traditional players with stringent compliance requirements are expected to formally participate in the Web3 ecosystem under Singapore's clear regulatory policies. In summary, I view the implementation of the DTSP as not a "crackdown" but a "reconstruction." It will help Singapore establish a mid- to long-term ecosystem that truly integrates traditional capital with crypto innovation. Chen Wu: I completely agree with the points made by the previous two speakers. At its core, the government's introduction of this policy aims to optimize and upgrade the country's overall economic structure. The central focus of the DTSP actually revolves around anti-money laundering (AML) issues. The essence of all compliance regulation essentially boils down to two points: the first is AML, and the second is investor protection. Currently, most compliance frameworks around the world start with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) as the first step. Why? Because it serves as the fundamental baseline for the global financial system. From this perspective, to understand why Singapore made this decision, we must consider it from the level of national strategy. Many people mention that Singapore is one of Asia's financial hubs, alongside Hong Kong. However, if you look at the data, Singapore is not as financially "dependent" as one might imagine. The financial sector accounts for approximately 13% of its GDP, whereas Hong Kong's financial sector reached a peak of around 23-24% of GDP. As a sovereign country, Singapore's foundation lies in its irreplaceable geographic position—a critical trade hub that connects East and West. Its economic development journey started with entrepot trade and gradually expanded to high-value-added processing and supply chain services. Coupled with its elite governance, education, technology, real estate policies, and other factors, it has built a robust national system. Therefore, from a macro perspective, Singapore does not need an influx of "low-threshold capital" but instead places greater emphasis on stable, high-quality, and controllable capital. Turning back to the financial sector itself, Singapore has a significant advantage in banking: total assets, profitability, non-performing loan ratios, payment and clearing capabilities, and so on, all outperform Hong Kong. However, in terms of capital markets, Singapore is relatively weaker, with IPO numbers consistently underwhelming and daily trading volumes of approximately 8–10 billion USD, far below Hong Kong's levels. On the other hand, in the field of asset management (Wealth Management), Singapore leads the pack in Asia. The rise of its wealth management industry can be attributed to the influx of high-net-worth individuals and family offices. These investors are drawn to Singapore's wealth security and risk-hedging value. However, this "capital inflow without project-based landing" scenario has also led to certain risks—such as untaxed capital inflows, inflated housing prices, and increased social costs. Especially after the exposure of the "Fujian Gang Money Laundering Case" in 2023, the external perception of the cryptocurrency industry has faced some skepticism. Thus, this regulatory upgrade is not just a response to international pressure but a systematic move at the policy level to "eradicate financial gray areas and enhance the quality of capital." Ye Su: Although our fund is not registered in Singapore, a significant portion of our LPs (limited partners) are based there due to the concentration of Asian LPs in that region. Many of our LPs come from licensed institutions or large enterprises. Overall, Singapore’s policy framework can be distilled into two core principles: AML and investor protection. From a micro perspective, we’ve also observed some tangible social issues: crypto companies renting luxurious offices, not paying local taxes, driving up housing prices and Certificate of Entitlement (COE) costs, while local residents feel excluded from the industry's benefits. This phenomenon of "resource crowding out" has, in practice, prompted the government to respond to public sentiment through regulation. Coupled with 2023’s money laundering cases, the entire regulatory landscape is entering a phase of "precision governance." This is not just about tightening the rules but about the government adjusting the structure of incoming capital and reinforcing social trust. Additionally, from the perspective of institutional distribution, the licensing and exemption list issued by MAS this time includes major platforms such as Circle, Coinbase, and HashKey, as well as platforms involved in OTC, custody, or derivatives. The ones truly impacted are more likely to be project teams and startups. This is because Singapore's startup ecosystem is not as vibrant as that of Hong Kong, and this type of project is the group most affected by the policy adjustments. BlockBeats: What are the thresholds and considerations for applying for a DTSP license? Valentina: In the media statement MAS released on June 6th, there was one very critical sentence: they will set a high threshold for licensing and "will not issue licenses lightly." The meaning is quite clear: applying for a DTSP license is exceptionally challenging. So, my suggestion is to start with understanding the two foundational types of licenses: PSA (Payment Services Act) and CMS (Capital Markets Services). These two license categories currently form the most basic regulatory framework recognized by MAS. If you plan to apply for a license, the first thing to ensure is that your institution has robust KYC/AML protocols and fund segregation mechanisms in place. This is not just a procedural requirement on paper—it must be implemented into daily operations, technical systems, and data management. Singapore places a strong emphasis on technical compliance and operational transparency. Without long-term systematic planning, it would be very difficult to successfully navigate the application process. So, I highly recommend that project teams thoroughly research the scope of PSA and CMS and their paths to compliance before even considering DTSP applications. Christopher Liu: Let me add to that. First, a quick clarification: Matrixport is currently one of the 33 licensed entities in Singapore, and we are also in the process of applying for another type of license. So, we are hands-on participants in this process. I agree entirely with Tina. Singapore’s regulatory framework is very clear: DTSP is designed to supplement what PSA does not cover, but the core of the regulatory system is still PSA. MAS has explicitly stated that there won’t be repetitive regulation, meaning the same business activity doesn’t need to go through multiple license applications. In my years of experience applying for licenses in multiple jurisdictions, one of Singapore’s advantages is centralized regulation: OTC, custody, stablecoins, and exchanges are all managed under a single regulator, MAS. This streamlines communication and ensures consistent processes. However, regulatory requirements are also continuously evolving. Early on, the focus might have been mainly on AML and Technology Risk Management (TRM), but now it encompasses user protection, conflict of interest, and other areas. Especially after the consecutive industry-wide collapses in 2022, regulators have expanded their focal points significantly. Overall, Singapore remains a very rational regulatory environment. Although the media sometimes portrays it in a more dramatic light, DTSP is not a "ban" but rather a "complement." Currently, almost every region in the world is strengthening its licensing mechanisms, and this is set to become an irreversible long-term trend. BlockBeats: Thank you very much, Mr. Liu, for sharing your insights. One final question: Will DTSP have any impact on this year's TOKEN2049 event? Christopher Liu: I don't think so. TOKEN2049 is a commercial event and does not fall under the scope of licensing regulation. Even during the F1 period, when advertising was prohibited, TOKEN2049 was still allowed to conduct various promotions within the venue. This shows that Singapore continues to welcome industry exchanges and technology showcases, though there are higher requirements for financing and operational compliance. So everyone can participate with confidence. BlockBeats: Alright, once again, thank you to all the guests for their wonderful insights. From today's discussion, it is clear that regulatory boundaries are becoming increasingly defined, and compliance is no longer an "optional" consideration, but rather the "entry pass" to the market. The future of Web3 will not be about opposing regulation but about co-building a new order alongside policies. Space link: https://x.com/i/spaces/1ypJdZOleOoKW
Cardano launches its first Bitcoin DeFi protocol ‘Cardinal’
Cardano has launched Cardinal, its first decentralized finance protocol designed specifically for Bitcoin users. The announcement was made by Cardano ( ADA ) founder Charles Hoskinson on June 9 via X. Developed by Input Output, the research and development team behind Cardano, Cardinal allows Bitcoin ( BTC ) holders to access DeFi services such as lending, staking, and borrowing without using traditional custodians or centralized bridges. Welcome to the first Bitcoin DeFi protocol developed for Cardano https://t.co/CoYvrYnIfI — Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) June 9, 2025 Cardinal functions by wrapping Bitcoin, particularly its unspent transaction outputs. UTXOs are bits of Bitcoin that have been left over from transactions and are used to represent ownership. They are converted into wrapped tokens by the protocol, which maintains a 1:1 peg with Bitcoin. Users can redeem their wrapped BTC at any time through a secure, fraud-resistant process. What makes Cardinal different from typical wrapped Bitcoin solutions is its trust-minimized structure. Instead of depending on a central custodian or federated system, Cardinal uses MuSig2, a cryptographic system that allows multiple parties to sign transactions together. This ensures that the original Bitcoin stays locked on its native chain and that the system functions securely, even if only one participant is honest. Another key feature is Cardinal’s approach to rehypothecation. In traditional finance and some crypto systems, rehypothecation allows custodians to reuse user assets, often without full transparency. Cardinal avoids this by allowing users complete control over their assets while preserving the original Bitcoin. In addition, the protocol makes use of BitVMX, an off-chain execution system that maintains decentralization while enabling complex Bitcoin operations. This configuration facilitates safe, easy asset transfers between the two networks when paired with Cardano smart contracts and Bitcoin’s built-in scripting capabilities. The project was showcased during a live demo at the Bitcoin 2025 conference, where IO performed a bridgeless BTC-to-Cardano transfer using BitVMX. The event marked a major step in Cardano’s efforts to become a platform for Bitcoin-native applications. Despite recent progress, Cardano’s DeFi total value locked has declined, from peak of $415 million in May to around $334 million by June 10, as per DefiLlama data . The team hopes Cardinal will help bring in new liquidity by offering Bitcoin holders more ways to use their assets within a DeFi environment, without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem.
IO’s Elverdam says Hitman co-op mode is coming soon with two familiar faces from Agent 47
Developer IO Interactive announced it is developing a co-op mode for Hitman: World of Assassination. The mode is still relatively under wraps but features two names recognized by Hitman gamers: Stone and Knight. IO Interactive revealed that the co-op mode for Hitman: World of Assassination, called Stone & Knight, will allow two players to control agents Stone and Knight to tackle missions together. On this co-op mode’s release, players will be able to pop into “exciting missions” from the Hitman world with their friends by their side. These missions will “challenge” players to rethink how they approach things now they are going in as one of a pair. IO CEO Hakan Abrak said Agent 47 continues to “resonate” with audiences worldwide, proving the franchise’s enduring appeal as it approaches its 25th anniversary. He added that everyone at IOI extended sincere thanks to the global community of players, and they look forward to delivering many more hours of stealth, creativity, and signature assassinations in the years to come. Elverdam confirms the return of Stone and Knight Agents Stone and Knight in the new Hitman co-op. Source: IO Interactive During the IOI presentation, IO Interactive’s Chief Creative Officer Christian Elverdam said that the developer wanted players to team up with a friend and enjoy Hitman in co-op. A quick pop over to the game’s fan wiki revealed that Stone and Knight were both playable characters in the Hitman 2: Sniper Assassin game mode and the Hitman Sniper: The Shadows mobile game. They worked together in both games, so they were a natural fit to bring over to a full-on Hitman co-op mode. See also Ghana and the UAE ink $1B deal to build West Africa’s largest AI and tech hub There are no details on how the mode would work at this point, nor is there a teaser or anything that could be shared. However, a few seconds of gameplay visible while Elverdam was talking revealed picture-in-picture action: One character in the foreground, the other in a smaller window in the bottom left. Specific mechanics are unclear as it is early in development, but it may involve splitting tasks like distracting guards or eliminating targets, building on past modes like Sniper Assassin. “So two new playable characters, Stone and Knight, return from their appearance in our sniper co-op mode to a full-blown Hitman co-op experience…We invite you to play a set of exciting missions across our World of Assassination and challenge you to re-think your approach now that you’re going to play as a duo.” – Christian Elverdam , Chief Creative Officer at IO Interactive Fans were excited, but some worried about balancing the upcoming co-op duo with the game’s solo stealth focus. Both characters traded in their sniper rifles for silenced pistols and had the option of disguising themselves. Elverdamn said it is still early days and added that more news about the new mode will be shared soon. In addition to this little nugget, IO announced that Hitman : World of Assassination had reached the milestone of 25 million units sold. The developer added that the game had registered 80 million players, which took into account players from World of Assassination and its Free Starter Pack. See also Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene flips, now 'adamantly OPPOSED' to Trump's 'big beautiful bill' IO unveils Le Chiffre from Casino Royale as an elusive target Developer IO Interactive also announced that Hitman is currently being updated to include a new elusive target – Le Chiffre from Casino Royale. The news was revealed on June 6, with actor Mads Mikkelsen joining Geoff Keighley and IO boss Hakan Abrak to announce the Hitman x Bond collaboration. Mikkelsen said Le Chiffre is a character he always enjoyed because he is calculating, cold, and ruthless. He added that bringing Le Chiffre into the world of Hitman made for a thrilling collaboration. Players can expect mind games, high stakes, and twists that only this character could orchestrate. To succeed, Mikkelsen said they would need to play their hand wisely. IO’s Hakan Abrak also said the team is beyond thrilled to welcome Mikkelsen to Hitman: World of Assassination. He added that players are really going to enjoy this new mission, which marks the return of Le Chiffre after nearly 20 years. Abrak also said he is excited to see players jump into this small taste of bigger things to come in the Bond franchise from IO Interactive. Your crypto news deserves attention - KEY Difference Wire puts you on 250+ top sites
RootData: IO to Unlock Tokens Worth Approximately $3.4 Million in One Week
According to ChainCatcher, based on token unlocking data from the Web3 asset data platform RootData, io.net (IO) will unlock approximately 4.07 million tokens, valued at around 3.4 million USD, on June 11 at 00:00 (GMT+8).
IO Interactive announces upcoming James Bond game ahead of Friday showcase
IO Interactive has announced the new title of its much-anticipated James Bond game, confirming it will be named 007 First Light. The firm also said it would host its own showcase event, where it will share further details regarding its upcoming titles, such as Hitman and MindsEye. IO Interactive, a Danish developer, has said the title of its upcoming James Bond game will be 007 First Light. The developer had previously named the James Bond game Project 007. IO Interactive said it will host its own showcase event, dubbed IO Showcase, on June 6 to reveal additional details regarding 007 First Light. The developer added that it will also reveal details regarding other projects such as Hitman, MindsEye, and more. IO Interactive says it will reveal more details this Friday The Danish developer said the upcoming showcase will be live-streamed on Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube. The company added that the showcase will feature trailers for the OO7 First Light. IOI also said the showcase will feature some surprises and gameplay demos. The Danish developer announced 007 First Light in 2020, carrying the name Project 007. The firm also said the game would be released on PS5 , PC, and Xbox Series S/X. IO Interactive confirmed that players will need to earn the number 007 status just like James Bond. See also Nvidia's $3.5T all-time high valuation is a giant wager on a very near tokenized future The developer also said 007 First Light is an action game. IO Interactive added that the video game featured a fully original Bond origin story, stating that gamers will need to step into the shoes of the secret agent while playing the game. IOI said the action game will be published under a license from Amazon MGM Studios. The company also stated that the game was inspired by Ian Fleming’s novels. Following the launch of 007 Legends in 2012, the Activision publisher had its license to develop James Bond games canceled by Eon Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, leading to a 7-year hiatus for games adapting the Bond franchise. Eon, MGM, and IOI later announced the creation of a brand new James Bond action game in 2020. The video game entered full development at IO Interactive after the firm completed Hitman 3 in 2021. IO Interactive CEO says the game will have a new bond Hakan Abrak, the CEO and co-owner of IO Interactive, said in October 2024 that the development of the game was progressing well. The IOI boss added that he had no further details regarding the game. Abrak promised that the game would be available soon. The CEO also said the company was following the plans it had laid out for the James Bond game. See also China's industry ministry warns EV makers and automotive giants about price wars The CEO said they had earned the experience of creating a James Bond game from the company’s two decades of developing Hitman games. Abrak said that in Hitman games, gamers get to satisfy their “secret agent” fantasies. The CEO added that the game was based on a popular IP but said the firm was working on a story that featured a new James Bond. Abrak said the company is not interested in utilizing the likeness of any actor featured in the 007 franchise in the past. The IO Interactive co-owner stated that the game is not a direct gamification of a film. Abrak clarified that the James Bond video game is beginning and becoming a complete story. The IOI boss hinted at the company’s intention of making the James Bond game a big trilogy in the future. Abrak said gamers should expect a James Bond that has been built from the ground up. The IOI boss revealed that it was exciting to work together with the entire IO Interactive team to create a young Bond for gamers. Abrak also stated that the game will have a bond gamers could call their own and grow with. Your crypto news deserves attention - KEY Difference Wire puts you on 250+ top sites
Cardano: Input Output and Leading Community Token $SNEK Announce Collaboration
IO and $SNEK collaborate to support decentralized innovation on Cardano. $SNEK accounts for 16% of all-time Cardano trading volume. Market cap spiked on June 2 following strategic announcements and community engagement. Input Output (IO), the firm behind Cardano’s blockchain infrastructure, has entered a partnership with $SNEK. $SNEK stands out as the top community token on the Cardano network after its native ADA coin. This move, according to both parties, aims to effectively support grassroots projects and significantly strengthen the overall Cardano ecosystem. Hoskinson: $SNEK’s Community Model Aligns with IO’s Mission Charles Hoskinson, CEO of IO, said $SNEK’s user-led model fits with IO’s goals. “Snek’s community-driven approach aligns with IO’s mission to foster such innovations on Cardano,” he stated. “This collaboration supports our shared goal of enhancing the ecosystem.” $SNEK Records Strong Adoption Metrics $SNEK launched in April 2023 with no early allocations to insiders or venture capital. Since then, it has grown into the most traded token on Cardano after ADA, contributing 16% of the network’s lifetime trading volume. The project now has more than 40,000 holders and is integrated with over 60 decentralized apps. On social media, it has attracted over 80,000 followers. One of its updates — a listing on Kraken — reached more than 555,000 views, showing broad engagement across the community. More Than a Meme: $SNEK’s Ventures Drive Real Utility Beyond its popularity, the team behind $SNEK is also contributing tangible value. Snek.fun , a token launchpad from the $SNEK team, is tied to nearly one-third of all Cardano trading activity. Another effort, Snek.energy , offers branded consumer goods and has already passed $500,000 in sales. Because of these efforts, $SNEK now ranks among the top memecoins by market cap worldwide. The project’s activity continues to draw attention from developers and platforms within Cardano’s ecosystem. $SNEK Market Cap Surge on June 2. Source: CoinMarketCap $SNEK Team Welcomes IO Partnership as Catalyst for Expansion Goofycrisp, a core team member at $SNEK, welcomed the collaboration. “This partnership with IO validates our work and vision. It gives us the support to expand further while continuing to build within Cardano.” For its part, IO confirmed it remains focused on supporting open, decentralized networks through infrastructure and community-led efforts. Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.
5 signs that suggest Bitcoin price has 'room for further expansion'
Key takeaways: Bitcoin’s price consolidates below its all-time high of nearly $112,000. Whale accumulation, strong ETF inflows and other factors suggest BTC is on track to $120,000. Bitcoin ( BTC ) shows multiple onchain and technical signals that there is still more upside for BTC. Bitcoin whales accumulate more BTC Large Bitcoin investors have been adding to their holdings in anticipation of price increases in the future. Data from market intelligence firm CryptoQuant shows that the percentage of wallets holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC has increased sharply since May 6, accompanying a 16% price increase over the same period. This is a “sign of growing investor confidence,” said CryptoQuant in a May 29 post on X, adding: “It is historically linked to higher prices.” Bitcoin: Total whale holdings and monthly change (%). Source: CryptoQuant Ochain data provider Santiment also highlighted that aggressive accumulation is occurring among wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC. In the past six weeks, this group has added more than 337 wallets, collectively accumulating more than 122,330 BTC, worth about $13.3 billion at current prices. “Over the past 5 years of Bitcoin's history, no tier of wallets has been more price-correlated to crypto markets than the behavior of whales holding between 100 to 1,000 $BTC.” Number of coins held and number of wallets 100-1K BTC addresses. Source: Santiment Additional data from Glassnode data shows the Bitcoin Accumulation Trend Score (ATS) at 1, which signifies intense accumulation by large investors. Overall, this is a positive sign as continued accumulation signals bullish sentiment among this cohort of investors. Strong spot Bitcoin ETF inflows US-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continue to see massive capital inflows, with data from SoSoValue showing these investment products have recorded inflows for 10 consecutive days, totaling $4.2 billion. Spot Bitcoin ETF flows data. Source: SoSoValue Spot Bitcoin ETFs have “seen a sustained period of buy-side pressure that originated in late April, and remains strong today,” said blockchain analytics firm Glassnode in its latest Week Onchain report, adding: “This large and sustained buy-side pressure from both retail and institutional investors suggests a continued confidence in the asset, and has been a meaningful tailwind for the market, supporting all previous ATH breaks since they went live in 2024 .” This is also reflected across other Bitcoin products, with CoinShares pointing out that flows into BTC investment funds totaled $2.97 billion in net inflows during the week ending May 23. Investor sentiment stays positive Social media circles have sustained positive sentiment around Bitcoin and crypto assets. The Crypto Fear Greed Index, a barometer of investor sentiment, stands at a notable score of 74, hinting at prevailing “greed” in the market. Crypto Fear Greed Index. Source: Alternative.me Notably, this index is above 50 after staying below the midlevel between February and April. Sustaining this index in the “greed” zone since May 6 strongly indicates the positive sentiment the market players have for the wider crypto market. This pattern in market sentiment has been a precursor to price rallies in the past and could be an indicator of an upcoming bull run. Interestingly, the index is significantly lower than 82 in March 2024 and 94 in December 2024, marking the local tops. This suggests that the Crypto Fear Greed Index could still rise into the “extreme greed” zone beyond 85, possibly pushing Bitcoin price toward new highs. Related: Bitcoin price will reach $130K or even $1.5M, top bulls say Bitcoin’s OI remains high post-ATHs Open interest (OI) for Bitcoin futures contracts has seen marked growth since the sub-$74,000 local low in April, expanding to a record high of $80.5 billion on May 23 from $50.8 billion on April 8, according to CoinGlass data. The IO is currently at $78.4 billion, reflecting a $27.6 billion or a 54% increase over the last 50 days alone, suggesting a buildup of leverage often accompanying bullish environments. Bitcoin futures aggregate open interest, USD. Source: CoinGlass Also backing BTC’s upside is open interest in options contracts that has surged to a new all-time high of $46.2 billion from $20.4 billion, as per data from Glassnode. Glassnode noted: “The rapid expansion of options open interest reflects a maturing investor base which is increasingly employing option contracts to execute more sophisticated strategies to fine-tune their risk management and trading positions.” Bitcoin options OI across all exchanges. Source: Glassnode Historically, when the OI remains high for an extended period, markets tend to enter a euphoric phase. With Bitcoin price still hovering around all-time highs, investor interest continues to build in the derivatives market, positively impacting the price. Bitcoin price eyes $120K next Liquidation data shows a thick cluster of orders between the $111,000 and $115,000 levels. These positions often act like a magnet, pulling the price toward them as market makers hunt for liquidity. BTC/USDT six-month liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlass If BTC continues climbing, it will pressure short sellers who may be forced to exit, triggering a cascade of buy orders. Liquidity maps often front-run the price. With such dense activity above the all-time highs , the path of least resistance appears upward in the near term. Glassnode argued that the BTC price “still has more room for further expansion before the unrealized profit held by investors reaches an extreme level,” represented by the upper MVRV band around $120,000. “As the market moves into a phase of price discovery, the $120K level appears as a key zone of interest, with sell-side pressure expected to accelerate in and around this zone.” Bitcoin: MVRV extreme deviation pricing bands. Source: Glassnode As Cointelegraph reported , Bitcoin is expected to hit $120,000 in the first half of 2025 en route to $200,000 by year-end. This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Did OpenAI tease Sora2 with Sam Altman, Jony Ives AI-generated launch video?
OpenAI just released a video of CEO Sam Altman and Jony Ive talking in a San Francisco café about merging Ive’s hardware startup Io with the AI lab. Crypto Twitter promptly FOMOed past launching 10,000 IO-INU-DOGE-SAMMA tokens and latched onto the headline question: did OpenAI deepfake its own corporate announcement? Within hours, #Sora2 trended harder than most memecoins. OpenAI io video (source: wh) Altman is spending about $6.4 billion in equity to pull Io under the OpenAI umbrella, promising a device that rewrites personal computing. Yet the internet cares less about the spreadsheet and more about whether the latte foam in the clip was synthetically rendered. The comment section turned into a shitstorm of frame-by-frame forensic threads. One viewer swore the camera shift at 1:10 “isn’t possible yet,” while another countered that sloppy lighting and an overzealous denoise filter can make even carbon-based CEOs look waxy. Open AI video comments (Source: Kristof) The most conclusive evidence that the San Francisco location in the video is not based on real life came from Zak’s who pointed out that “you should be triggered by not seeing even one Waymo here. Sora2 ~= Veo3.” Meanwhile, a balcony “Open AI video comments (Source: Kristof)” video surfaced, which, in 2021, would have ‘proved’ its authenticity. However, this only deepens the confusion because apparently, anyone can fake shaky phone footage now, too. The Altman-Ive duet may be OpenAI’s magnum opus of hype. Conspiracists cite uncanny eye contact, perfectly balanced table reflections, and the fact that neither man spills espresso, a statistical miracle in San Francisco. The cafe itself has been identified as a real place in San Francisco, but so has the Empire State Building, and frontier AI-video models can easily replicate that. cafe image (Source: ChrisUniverse) Then arrived the ethics brigade arguing that releasing an undisclosed AI-generated video would deserve “crippling sanctions,” a phrase usually reserved for rogue states, not press releases. A different camp shrugged: if the clip is synthetic, at least the algorithms finally nailed conversational awkwardness. Somewhere in the noise, a lone account asked whether any of this affects the actual hardware road map; silence. Lost in the discourse is the basic fact that OpenAI and Io now share a cap table and probably a fridge of La Croix. The plan is still to ship something pocketable by 2026. Whether the launch livestream stars real humans or the cartoonishly smooth Altman-Ive avatars will hinge on how much GPU budget survives the bear market. So yes, the video might be real, partly real, or a full Sora fan-edit previewing a world where reality is merely a settings toggle. The internet will keep hitting replay, hunting for the frame where truth blinks. OpenAI probably counts each view as market research, and if the headset-less gizmo ever ships, nostalgia will set in for the days when people still trusted their own eyes. DISCLAIMER: This article is part of CryptoSlate’s initiative to align Bitcoin and crypto events with the front page of the Internet. Stories contain satirical elements and may contain fictitious names or quotes for entertainment purposes. The post Did OpenAI tease Sora2 with Sam Altman, Jony Ives AI-generated launch video? appeared first on CryptoSlate.
OpenAI ventures into hardware with $6.4B deal for legendary designer Jony Ive’s startup io
OpenAI announced on May 21 that it will acquire Jony Ive’s artificial intelligence hardware startup io in an all-equity transaction valued at approximately $6.4 billion, according to a report by CNBC. The acquisition, OpenAI’s largest to date, marks a decisive step into hardware for the company best known for its generative AI models. The deal incorporates io directly into OpenAI. Meanwhile, Ive, a former Apple design chief, will retain independence for his design firm, LoveFrom. Ive is credited with designing the iPhone, iPad, and other key Apple products. He will assume design and creative responsibilities across OpenAI and io. Integration into AI and product teams In a joint statement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive said the io team will relocate to San Francisco to work closely with OpenAI’s research and product teams. The io startup, founded a year ago by Ive and former Apple colleagues Scott Cannon, Tang Tan, and Evans Hankey, was previously operated as part of LoveFrom. OpenAI currently owns a 23% stake in io, contributing $1.4 billion to the deal’s valuation. The remaining $5 billion will be transferred in equity. The transaction will bring io’s device-focused team in-house, adding industrial design capacity to OpenAI’s portfolio. In a statement shared on X, Altman described Ive as “the greatest designer in the world.” The deal comes weeks after OpenAI agreed to acquire Windsurf, an AI coding assistant, for $3 billion. Hardware investments Alongside its in-house efforts, OpenAI has invested in Physical Intelligence, a San Francisco-based robotics startup that raised $400 million in 2024 at a valuation of $2.4 billion. That round included participation from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Physical Intelligence is building general-purpose AI to operate in physical environments, suggesting OpenAI’s broader intent to pair software with tactile systems. The acquisition of io reinforces that direction. While OpenAI did not disclose specific products, the blog post referenced devices that “inspire, empower, and enable,” and emphasized IO’s mission to translate AI capabilities into consumer-oriented form factors. OpenAI’s purchase of io highlights its strategy to build out physical interfaces for its models, as the competitive field in generative AI continues to widen with entries from Google, Anthropic, and xAI. The post OpenAI ventures into hardware with $6.4B deal for legendary designer Jony Ive’s startup io appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Is Going Public the Right Choice for US Crypto Companies?
The sharp drop in shares UnitedHealth experienced over the past month says a lot about the risks companies can face if they decide to go public. In crypto’s case, the consequences can be even worse. The numerous data breaches, security risks, and regulatory uncertainties surrounding crypto raise the stakes for companies contemplating a public offering. BeInCrypto discussed these significant tradeoffs with AR.IO, Naoris Protocol, Galxe, and CyVers. Market Sentiment Drives Sharp Declines for Two Major Companies A healthcare giant and a leading crypto exchange saw their stocks tumble this week after a series of unfortunate events came to light, spooking investor confidence. UnitedHealthcare’s shares dropped 16.5% on Thursday amid an ongoing Justice Department Medicare fraud investigation and the recent resignation of its CEO. That same day, a cybersecurity attack on Coinbase compromised account data for some of its customers. In addition to the company’s projected losses of $180 to $400 million, the incident has triggered widespread security concerns among its user base. The company’s market perception dwindled in response, with its stock 7% lower by the day’s end. Coinbase Stock Price Chart. Source: Google Finance These incidents highlight how strongly market sentiment and company-specific news can affect public companies, with potentially greater repercussions for those in the crypto industry. Are Publicly Traded Crypto Companies Inherently More Vulnerable? Crypto companies, especially exchanges like Coinbase, have historically been vulnerable to user-end security breaches, which can result in data and fund losses. Coinbase’s high profile and the large sums it manages make it a prime target for cybercriminals. “Cybercriminals are aware that crypto is lucrative, with billions stolen every year,” David Carvalho, founder and CEO of Naoris Protocol, told BeInCrypto. Coinbase’s transition to a publicly traded company in April 2021 expanded its exposure to various risks due to its higher profile and increased attractiveness to hackers seeking to make a statement. “Going public makes any company a bigger target for thieves, but it’s perhaps a bigger problem for crypto-related companies because the crypto industry has some of the world’s best– and many are anti-establishment. It’s possible these people wanted to make an example of Coinbase today, and they succeeded,” Phil Mataras, founder of AR.IO, added to the conversation. Exchanges that store all their assets on a single platform become particularly vulnerable to exploitation. The Vulnerability of Centralization in Crypto Data from Chainalysis shows that cryptocurrency fund losses in 2025 have already surpassed the total losses of the previous year. Because of their centralized structure, centralized exchanges are a primary target. Given this reality, crypto firms spend billions of dollars on security to minimize security threats. “Web3 by default inherits Web2’s centralized vulnerabilities, therefore, decentralized security is the only answer– systems must be upgraded urgently now to mitigate these growing risks,” Carvalho said. But sometimes, security isn’t enough of a preventative measure. As hacks become more frequent, so do hackers’ sophistication and professionalism. “Coinbase has demonstrated maturity in areas where the crypto space is most fragile: security, compliance, and user trust. However, as one of the world’s biggest centralized exchanges, it will always be an enormous target for thieves and hackers,” Galxe founder Charles Wayn told BeInCrypto. Firms, however, can better manage their financial exposure to market sentiment. More safeguards are available to protect stock performance. Is Going Public Worth the Risk for Crypto Companies? Crypto companies considering entering the public market following Coinbase’s lead must carefully evaluate the industry’s inherent risks. Frequent data breaches and security threats pose significant challenges for publicly traded entities. Although Coinbase has seen major growth in the stock market following its inclusion in the S&P 500, its news of a data breach caused a significant momentary dip. The rapid negative stock reaction to Coinbase’s data breach illustrates how operational vulnerabilities can directly impact market value. The company’s share prices recovered after transparent communication and urgent risk mitigation efforts. Yet, it shows that crypto’s exposure to risks and the wider impact of an IPO can be a dangerous mix. So, while going public provides benefits, crypto companies must maintain strict security within an industry characterized by unclear regulations. “Going public can boost a crypto firm’s credibility and access to capital, but only if its security posture and compliance framework are rock-solid. In today’s shifting regulatory landscape and face of sophisticated threats, any pre-IPO checklist must include continuous security audits, penetration testing, real-time threat interception, and rigorous fraud prevention,” CyVers CEO Deddy Lavid said. If they dont, the consequences can be irreversible, he warned. “With regulations lagging, these high standards are critical. Otherwise, you risk your assets, traders, and brand,” Lavid concluded. Those who go down this path must learn to tread with care.
Cardano Founder Threatens Legal Action Over Token Allegations
What to Know: Cardano founder faces token manipulation accusations, threatens legal response. Hoskinson denies claims, considers litigation against accusers. 318 million ADA tokens involved in the controversial allegation. Cardano Founder Faces Token Manipulation Accusations Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson has threatened legal action against accusations of manipulating 318 million ADA tokens during the 2021 “Allegra” hard fork. The allegations are critical due to the claimed intentional manipulation, affecting ADA’s reputation and market. Hoskinson’s potential lawsuit underscores the high-profile nature of the dispute. Sections 318 Million ADA at Center of Allegations Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, rejects claims of token misappropriation during the 2021 Allegra hard fork. Legal action has been threatened against those spreading defamatory statements. 318 million ADA coins supposedly redirected during the hard fork are at the heart of these allegations. Hoskinson firmly denies these actions and has sought legal recourse. Community Alarmed by Manipulation Accusations Allegations have triggered concerns across the cryptocurrency community. Hoskinson’s strong denial aims to protect Cardano’s credibility amid potential reputational tolls. The dispute could hold financial implications by impacting investor confidence. Potential litigation highlights the seriousness with which these allegations are being met. Transparency Crucial Amid Crypto Allegations Similar past accusations in the crypto industry emphasize the importance of transparency . Mismanagement claims often arise around technical changes like hard forks. “If you continue to imply that IO stole funds, I will sue you. This is my last warning,” — Charles Hoskinson, Founder CEO, Input Output (IO) Legal actions and transparent reports could determine trust in Cardano moving forward. The resolution is essential for maintaining stakeholder confidence. Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile, and investing involves risk. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Brave Wallet expands support with Cardano integration
Brave has added support for Cardano, bringing the cryptocurrency to the browser-native wallet. The integration follows a partnership between web3 blockchain infrastructure firm and Cardano ( ADA ) developer Input | Output and Brave Software, the company behind the privacy-first browser and multichain crypto wallet Brave Wallet. IO and Brave said in an announcement on May 12 that the strategic partnership aims to bring Cardano native assets to users of the wallet. Full support for ADA also means functionalities suc as send, receive and swap. Apart from token management, Brave Wallet will also offer governance support for ADA holders, with capabilities directly accessible from within the crypto wallet . Brendan Eich, chief executive officer and co-founder of Brave and the Basic Attention Token, noted that the integration goes beyond interoperability. It gives users access to the tools they need to seamlessly engage across decentralized ecosystems. The support also enhances security for users, Eich added. “By bringing Cardano into Brave Wallet, we are not only expanding functionality for Cardano users in the age of on-chain governance, but also advancing a new standard for how blockchain networks should empower individuals—protecting privacy while enabling active, on-chain participation,” said Charles Hoskinson, CEO of Input | Output. Brave’s support for Cardano sees it join cryptocurrency’s top networks like Ethereum and Solana in being accessible via the privacy-focused and browser-native wallet. IO and Brave plan to further their collaboration with future innovation that include engagement with Midnight, a zero-knowledge proofs powered data protection-based blockchain. Brave Wallet also supports decentralized applications on Zcash, Filecoin and Ethereum Virtual Machine chains. Users can access the wallet on desktop and on mobile via Android and iOS. Cardano’s ADA is currently the ninth-largest blockchain network by market cap. Meanwhile, data from DefiLlama shows the total value locked in protocols on the network has increased to $395 million – up from about $259 million in early April.
IO briefly reached 1.171 USDT, with a 16.60% increase in 15 minutes
According to Bitget market data, possibly influenced by the upcoming listing of IO on a Korean exchange, IO briefly reached 1.171 USDT and is currently reported at 0.87 USDT, with a 16.60% increase within 15 minutes.
Tokenised gold nears $2 billion amid tariff-driven demand
The market capitalisation of tokenised gold surged to nearly $2 billion on Thursday, driven by rising physical gold prices and growing investor interest in safe-haven assets amid tariff uncertainties. According to CoinGecko data, gold-backed tokens such as Paxos Gold (PAXG) and Tether Gold (XAUT) have seen significant trading activity, with weekly volumes increasing by 900% and 300%, respectively, since President Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The rally coincided with physical gold briefly reaching a record high of $3,170 per ounce, reflecting heightened demand during periods of geopolitical tension and inflation concerns. A report by digital asset platform CEX.IO noted that tokenised gold has outperformed most crypto sectors in market cap growth since January, rising 21%, compared to an 8% gain for stablecoins and a 19% decline for Bitcoin. “Tokenized gold is emerging as one of the key diversification strategies among crypto-native users,” said Alexandr Kerya, VP of product management at CEX.IO. He added that it provides a stable approach to portfolio management while allowing users to remain within the crypto ecosystem. The broader real-world asset (RWA) trend has also contributed to the adoption of tokenised gold, making exposure to the precious metal more accessible for investors who may not have considered it before. Despite its strong performance, tokenised gold was not immune to market-wide volatility triggered by U.S. tariffs. Prices briefly fell 6% before recovering to record highs.
Revolutionizing Bitcoin: Rootstock’s BitVMX SDKs Unleash Layer-2 Potential
Is Bitcoin about to enter a new era of scalability and programmability? The answer seems to be a resounding yes, thanks to Rootstock’s groundbreaking initiative. Prepare for a seismic shift in the Bitcoin landscape as Rootstock announces the upcoming release of Software Development Kits (SDKs) for building Bitcoin layer-2 networks powered by BitVMX. This isn’t just another upgrade; it’s a strategic move to unlock Bitcoin’s full potential, addressing long-standing challenges and opening up exciting new possibilities for developers and users alike. What is BitVMX and Why is it a Game Changer for Bitcoin Layer-2? BitVMX, a smart contract framework inspired by BitVM, is at the heart of this innovation. But what exactly is BitVMX, and why is it causing such a buzz in the crypto community? Think of BitVMX as a powerful engine designed to supercharge Bitcoin’s capabilities. It allows for more complex functionalities to be built on top of Bitcoin without fundamentally altering the core protocol. This is crucial for maintaining Bitcoin’s security and decentralization while expanding its utility. Here’s a breakdown of why BitVMX is significant for Bitcoin layer-2 solutions: Enhanced Scalability: Bitcoin’s main chain has limitations in transaction throughput. Layer-2 solutions built with BitVMX are designed to handle a significantly larger volume of transactions, easing congestion and reducing fees on the primary Bitcoin network. Programmability Boost: BitVMX brings advanced smart contract capabilities to Bitcoin. This opens the door for developers to create a wide array of decentralized applications (dApps) directly on or closely integrated with Bitcoin, something that was previously challenging. Security First: By building on Bitcoin, Bitcoin layer-2 networks leveraging BitVMX inherit Bitcoin’s robust security model. This is a major advantage compared to layer-2 solutions built on less established blockchains. Innovation Catalyst: BitVMX acts as a catalyst for innovation within the Bitcoin ecosystem. It empowers developers to experiment and build new financial instruments, decentralized exchanges, and much more, all anchored to the security of Bitcoin. In essence, BitVMX is like adding a high-speed, feature-rich highway system to Bitcoin’s existing roads, allowing for faster, more versatile traffic while keeping the foundational infrastructure secure and reliable. Rootstock’s SDKs: Empowering Developers to Build the Future of Bitcoin Rootstock’s announcement of SDKs is the practical step that transforms the potential of BitVMX into reality. SDKs, or Software Development Kits, are essential toolkits for developers. They provide pre-built components, libraries, and documentation that simplify and accelerate the development process. For Bitcoin layer-2 networks using BitVMX, these SDKs are the building blocks for creating a vibrant ecosystem. What can developers expect from these Rootstock SDKs? Simplified Development: The SDKs will abstract away much of the complexity involved in building on Bitcoin layer-2 with BitVMX. This means developers can focus on the logic and features of their applications rather than wrestling with intricate technical details. Faster Time to Market: With readily available tools and resources, developers can build and deploy Bitcoin layer-2 solutions much faster. This rapid development cycle is crucial for keeping pace with the fast-moving crypto space. Standardization and Interoperability: Rootstock’s initiative aims to promote standardization within the Bitcoin layer-2 ecosystem. This is vital for ensuring that different layer-2 solutions can interact smoothly and contribute to a cohesive Bitcoin ecosystem. Community Growth: By lowering the barrier to entry for developers, the SDKs are expected to foster a larger and more active community building on Bitcoin layer-2. This influx of talent and innovation will drive further advancements and use cases. Think of these SDKs as LEGO sets for building sophisticated Bitcoin layer-2 applications. They provide the standardized pieces and instructions, making it easier and more efficient for developers to construct their creations. The BitVMX Force: A Collaborative Push for Bitcoin Evolution The news isn’t just about Rootstock acting in isolation. In a significant show of collaboration, Rootstock, Fairgate, and IO have joined forces to create the “BitVMX Force.” This alliance is dedicated to standardizing protocols and ensuring robust support for future Bitcoin upgrades. Why is this collaborative effort so important? The “BitVMX Force” signifies a united front in driving the evolution of Bitcoin. Here’s why this collaboration is a powerful move: Aspect Significance of BitVMX Force Standardization Ensuring compatibility and interoperability across different Bitcoin layer-2 solutions. This prevents fragmentation and promotes a unified ecosystem. Resource Pooling Combining the expertise and resources of Rootstock, Fairgate, and IO to accelerate development and address challenges more effectively. Future-Proofing Bitcoin Working proactively to adapt Bitcoin layer-2 technologies to future Bitcoin upgrades, ensuring long-term viability and minimizing disruptions. Community Confidence Demonstrating a strong commitment from key players to the long-term success of Bitcoin layer-2 solutions, building trust and encouraging wider adoption. This collaborative approach is reminiscent of open-source software development, where collective effort leads to more robust and widely adopted technologies. The “BitVMX Force” signals a mature and collaborative phase in the development of the Bitcoin layer-2 ecosystem. Benefits of Bitcoin Layer-2 Solutions Powered by BitVMX The combined impact of Rootstock’s SDKs and the BitVMX framework promises a range of benefits for the Bitcoin ecosystem and its users. Let’s explore some of the key advantages: Faster Transactions: Bitcoin layer-2 networks inherently offer faster transaction speeds compared to the Bitcoin main chain. BitVMX-powered solutions will further enhance this, making Bitcoin more suitable for everyday transactions. Lower Fees: By offloading transaction volume from the main chain, Bitcoin layer-2 solutions can significantly reduce transaction fees. This makes Bitcoin more accessible and cost-effective for smaller transactions. Advanced Smart Contracts: BitVMX unlocks the potential for sophisticated smart contracts on Bitcoin. This enables a new wave of decentralized applications, from complex financial instruments to decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Expanded Use Cases: With increased scalability and programmability, Bitcoin can expand its use cases beyond just a store of value. It can become a more versatile platform for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and other innovative applications. Maintained Bitcoin Security: Crucially, these benefits are achieved while preserving Bitcoin’s core security and decentralization. Bitcoin layer-2 solutions inherit the security of the underlying Bitcoin network. In essence, Bitcoin layer-2 solutions built with BitVMX aim to address Bitcoin’s limitations without compromising its fundamental strengths. This is a balanced approach to scaling and evolving Bitcoin for the future. Challenges and Considerations for Bitcoin Layer-2 Adoption While the prospects are exciting, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges and considerations associated with the adoption of Bitcoin layer-2 solutions, even those powered by innovative frameworks like BitVMX. Complexity of Development: Building secure and efficient Bitcoin layer-2 solutions is still a complex undertaking. While SDKs simplify the process, developers will still need specialized skills and expertise. Adoption Hurdles: Widespread adoption of Bitcoin layer-2 technologies requires user education and seamless integration with existing Bitcoin wallets and infrastructure. Overcoming user inertia and simplifying the user experience are crucial. Security Audits and Testing: As with any new technology, rigorous security audits and testing are essential for Bitcoin layer-2 solutions. Ensuring the robustness and security of these networks is paramount to prevent vulnerabilities and maintain user trust. Interoperability Challenges: While standardization efforts like the BitVMX Force are helpful, ensuring seamless interoperability between different Bitcoin layer-2 solutions and the Bitcoin main chain remains a challenge. Regulatory Landscape: The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin layer-2 technologies is still evolving. Navigating regulatory compliance and ensuring legal clarity will be important for long-term adoption. Addressing these challenges proactively will be key to realizing the full potential of Bitcoin layer-2 solutions and ensuring their successful integration into the broader Bitcoin ecosystem. Actionable Insights: What Does This Mean for You? So, what are the key takeaways from this development, and what should you be paying attention to? For Bitcoin Holders: Be optimistic about the future scalability and utility of Bitcoin. Bitcoin layer-2 solutions like those enabled by BitVMX can enhance Bitcoin’s value proposition and make it more practical for everyday use. For Developers: Explore the potential of Rootstock’s SDKs and BitVMX for building innovative Bitcoin layer-2 applications. This is a burgeoning field with significant opportunities for early adopters. For Businesses: Consider how Bitcoin layer-2 solutions can improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Bitcoin transactions for your operations. This could be particularly relevant for businesses dealing with microtransactions or cross-border payments. For the Crypto Community: Support and encourage the development and adoption of Bitcoin layer-2 technologies. This is a crucial step towards realizing Bitcoin’s vision as a global, scalable, and programmable financial system. The launch of Rootstock’s SDKs for BitVMX marks a significant step forward in the evolution of Bitcoin. It’s a development that promises to unlock new levels of scalability, programmability, and utility for the world’s leading cryptocurrency. Conclusion: A Bold Step Towards Bitcoin’s Future Rootstock’s initiative to launch SDKs for Bitcoin layer-2 networks using BitVMX is more than just a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic move that could redefine Bitcoin’s role in the global financial landscape. By empowering developers and fostering collaboration through initiatives like the BitVMX Force, Rootstock is paving the way for a more scalable, programmable, and ultimately, more impactful Bitcoin ecosystem. The journey of Bitcoin layer-2 adoption is still underway, but with innovations like BitVMX and dedicated efforts from key players, the future of Bitcoin looks brighter and more versatile than ever before. This is a revolutionary development to watch closely as it unfolds. To learn more about the latest Bitcoin trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin price action. Disclaimer: The information provided is not trading advice, Bitcoinworld.co.in holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
Crypto fundraising recovers in Q1, with up to $7.3B from 550 funding rounds
Crypto funding is on track to finish a highly active Q1, with up to $7.3 billion in funding rounds. According to Messari, 550 deals were wrapped up in the past quarter. Crypto funding accelerated in March, expanding funding to $7.3B for Q1, 2025. Crypto funding usually follows the expansion stages of a bull market. This time, major assets remained subdued, but VC deals continued. According to Messari’s data, crypto funding closed $154M in funding for just the past week, while the entire quarter was on track to surpass the previous slow months. Despite the shift in focus on meme tokens, new projects and platforms are still building under all market conditions. Investment activity switched to ‘high’ after showing a ‘low’ indicator in January and February. Based on Cryptorank data, activity is up by 13% in the past month. VC deals peaked in March, with a predominance of undisclosed rounds and seed funding. | Source: Cryptorank The top 12 funds have diverse investment portfolios, but all have a focus on AI funding. The projects include both AI agent platforms and AI infrastructure. AI takes up 14% to 22% of the Tier 1 top VC funds. The expansion of AI affected crypto funding as well. Over 30% of deals flowed into AI projects, becoming the biggest investment sector. Over 22% of deals flowed into developer tools. A new trend emerged for payment services, taking up 18% of funding in the past month. VC funds focused on AI projects, while a new payment tech sector emerged. | Source: Cryptorank March was a particularly strong month for VC deals, as revealed by Cryptorank data. By the end of the month, a total of 122 deals were closed, raising a total of $4.84B. After two relatively slow months, March stood out as a period for rapid deal-making, suggesting older narratives may reawaken. The recent growth comes from undisclosed rounds, while seed rounds still make up around 30% of all funding. The most common rounds are for $3M to $10M, followed by smaller fundraising of $1M to $3M. Those types of rounds make up around 60% of all funding activity. Around 6.28% of all deals are for over $50M. Animoca Brands leads with the most funding rounds For the first quarter of 2025, Animoca Brands and OKX Ventures were tied with 14 funding rounds each. Coinbase Ventures completed 13 funding rounds, and Amber Group closed 10 VC deals. Animoca Brands stood out for being the only fund still trying to revive on-chain gaming. GameFi now makes the bulk of fundraising for Animoca Brands, with 177 deals to date. In March 2025, a total of 30 GameFi deals were completed, with another 30 for blockchain services. Animoca Brands completed its biggest round in March for Slingshot, a new GameFi project. The fund led an undisclosed round for $16M. Animoca Brands also supports NFT projects, remaining one of the last backers for this type of activity. Despite the recent revival, VC funding is still down from the levels of 2021. Quarterly funding easily surpassed $10B during the 2021 bull market. The current recovery helped the market reach 50% of that level. Token-based fundraising slows down The first three months of 2025 caused token fatigue after the launch of thousands of meme tokens. For that reason, token launchpads saw a significant outflow of activity and significant losses from most launches. Only Bybit retained its positive ROI, with 700% in gains for the first three months of 2025, while other platforms posted significant losses from their token launches. Overall, private token sales made up just 2.8% of VC rounds, as more projects decided to go tokenless. Offering tokens to early VC backers continues to be a red flag for projects, due to selling pressure over the years. Token creation is more curated, with some of the new TGE happening on the Binance ecosystem. Each launchpad is becoming specialized in different types of tokens. Gate.IO is the leader in launching GameFi assets, while others focus on DeFi tokens.
Watch Out: 18 Altcoins Will Have Massive Token Unlocks in the New Week – Here’s the Day-by-Day, Hour-by-Hour List
Despite the cryptocurrency world being extremely hopeful about this week’s US White House Cryptocurrency Summit, Bitcoin has seen a decline due to the lack of expected announcements and rumors of an increase in tariffs to be imposed by Trump. However, there will be many token unlock events that are expected to affect altcoins in the new week. Here is the weekly token unlock calendar that we have prepared specially for you as Bitcoinsistemi.com. (All times are +3 Türkiye time) March 10, 2025 World (WLD) Market Value: $879.36M Unlock Amount: $2.74M (0.31% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 Cheelee (CHEEL) Market Cap: $439.12M Unlock Amount: $64.53M (14.69% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 12:00 Sei (SEI) Market Value: $954.32M Unlock Amount: $1.07M (0.11% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 18:00 ChainGPT (CGPT) Market Cap: $76.43M Unlock Amount: $1.41M (1.84% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 18:00 Celestia (TIA) Market Value: $1.68B Unlock Amount: $3.11M (0.19% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 21:00 March 11, 2025 Internet Computer (ICP) Market Value: $2.64B Unlock Amount: $13.25M (0.50% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 io.net (IO) Market Cap: $119.14M Unlock Amount: $2.92M (2.45% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 Nereus Token (NRS) Market Cap: $3.42M Unlock Amount: $1.67M (48.83% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 Table (TABLE) Market Cap: $15.12M Unlock Amount: $3.48M (23.07% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 14:00 Moca Network (MOCA) Market Cap: $169.05M Unlock Amount: $15.83M (9.34% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 17:00 Related News Government Shutdown Crisis Could Happen in the US This Week - Here is the Crucial Date and All You Need to Know March 12, 2025 Aptos (APT) Market Value: $3.42B Unlock Amount: $65.44M (1.91% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 Oasys (OAS) Market Cap: $76.18M Unlock Amount: $2.11M (2.80% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 DIMO (DIMO) Market Cap: $19.07M Unlock Amount: $1.55M (8.12% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 21:00 March 14, 2025 UXD Protocol Token (UXP) Market Cap: $102.48M Unlock Amount: $1.09M (1.06% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 March 15, 2025 StarkNet (STRK) Market Value: $430.18M Unlock Amount: $10.08M (2.35% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 15:00 March 16, 2025 Arbitrum (ARB) Market Value: $1.57B Unlock Amount: $33.23M (2.12% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 Valve (VALVE) Market Value: $161.40M Unlock Amount: $6.82M (4.25% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 LimeWire (LMWR) Market Cap: $30.30M Unlock Amount: $4.01M (13.23% Market Cap) Unlock Time: 03:00 *This is not investment advice.
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