Mind The Block | December Week 3

Ramjith S012 mins

Mind The Block: Your Weekly Dose of Web3 News and Insights

Mind The Block Headlines This Week

  • PSG and Matchain launch Joint Innovations Studio
  • HashKey Chain partners with OKX Web3 Wallet
  • Singapore leads global crypto adoption drive
  • Avalanche raises $250M in funding round
  • Foundation launches Passport Prime for digital security
  • Adidas unveils final ALTS NFT collection
  • Fantom breaks resistance and signals bullish growth
  • How to conduct blockchain research?

News

  • PSG and Matchain have launched the Joint Innovations Studio, a unique collaboration that aims to transform PSG’s digital ecosystem.
  • Pluto Studio co-hosted the Blockchain Compliance Summit, featuring industry leaders from TON, Appleby, and Hashkey.
  • Crypto.com has partnered with ALL – Accor Live Limitless to enable users to convert their cryptocurrency holdings into Accor Reward points.
  • Wormhole has expanded its support for Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP), enabling seamless USDC transfers across eight major blockchains.
  • Meru has launched a blockchain wallet in Bolivia. It integrates DeFi tools with traditional financial services like Visa, Mastercard, and MoneyGram.
  • Ripple plans to launch its RLUSD stablecoin on December 17, with an independent auditing firm to create attestations of reserve assets.
  • Lido, a staking protocol, has announced its plans to discontinue operations on the Polygon network following a DAO forum discussion and community vote.
  • Rivalry and Sophon are partnering to create a community-driven blockchain ecosystem for online betting.

Extras By Mind The Block

  • Borderless.xyz, a global payments infrastructure company, has achieved its Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type 1 certification in its first year of operation.
  • Vana, a pioneering network for user-owned data, has launched its mainnet and native $VANA token.
  • Sumsub and Darkex have partnered to enhance blockchain security, providing advanced verification and anti-money laundering capabilities.
  • Pepeto introduces advanced features for memecoin enthusiasts, including a zero-fee cross-chain bridge, exchange for next generation, and staking platform.
  • Ethena Labs has launched USDtb, a stablecoin backed by BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund.
  • Vitreus and Victus Capital have partnered to revolutionize Web3 development and empower developers worldwide.
  • Hex Trust, a fully licensed platform, has extended its collaboration with Stacks Asia Foundation to boost sBTC adoption.
  • CryptoVirally, a one-stop marketing agency, offers holistic coverage packages for global reach in crypto and blockchain projects.
  • Scroll, Axiom, Max Gillet, and the Ethereum Foundation’s Privacy & Scaling Explorations team announce OpenVM.
  • Shardeum, an autoscaling layer-1 blockchain ecosystem, has launched Stage 4 of its Incentivized Testnet (ITN) before the Mainnet release.
  • BetSwirl has partnered with Ethereum layer 2 network Base, owned by Coinbase, to expand its multichain ecosystem.

Major Companies Making Moves

  • HashKey Chain has partnered with OKX Web3 Wallet to enhance user rewards and experience.
  • Forbes Web3 showcases the Forbes Legacy Pass members in its December 2024/January 2025 issue, offering exclusive access to global events.
  • Remote and Stripe enable US companies to pay contractors in 69 countries using USD Coin.
  • FTX plans to repay customers and creditors in early 2025, with the first distribution expected within 60 days of January 3, 2025.
  • Coinbase, the largest US-based crypto trading platform, ranks fifth globally in exchange revenue, generating $5.75 billion over the past year.

Government, SEC & Regulation

  • The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released its final guidance for member states transitioning to the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
  • The US Treasury has sanctioned two individuals and a company in the UAE for facilitating North Korea’s illicit use of digital assets.
  • The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released a discussion paper on crypto market transparency and abuse regulation.
  • Singapore is leading in crypto adoption globally, with 30 licensed digital token services and tax incentives.
  • Indian Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary has not set a definitive timeline for establishing a regulatory framework for Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs).
  • El Salvador has granted Bitget a Bitcoin Service Provider (BSP) license, allowing the exchange to facilitate Bitcoin-related services in the country.
  • BYDFi has joined South Korea’s CODE VASP Alliance, integrating with the Travel Rule compliance solution to ensure adherence to South Korea’s crypto transaction regulations.
  • Anchorage Digital has received approval for a BitLicense from the New York State Department of Financial Services.
  • Nigeria has arrested nearly 800 individuals suspected of being involved in crypto scams.

Raises & Major Investments rounds

  • Avalanche (Ava Labs) raised $250M in a funding round led by Galaxy Digital, Dragonfly Capital, and ParaFi Capital.
  • Stablecoin payment infrastructure provider BVNK raised $50M in a Series B funding round led by HAUN Ventures and Coinbase Ventures.

Trends& Narrative

  • The crypto industry in the US is now focusing on shaping legislation and policies to ensure decentralization.
  • Foundation’s Passport Prime is a consumer-oriented device that offers a comprehensive digital security solution for users.
  • Kaia Blockchain x LINE revolutionizes digital experiences with Web3 integration.
  • ECM Coin is a blockchain-based cryptocurrency that enhances e-commerce by promoting transparency, security, and smooth cross-border transactions.
  • Stanford University’s FDCI and Eliza Labs have announced a research partnership to explore the impact of autonomous AI agents on digital currency systems.

NFTs, Gaming, Metaverse

  • Neon Machine has announced significant staffing restructures for its Shrapnel project.
  • Adidas has revealed its final collection of ALTS by Adidas NFT avatars, blending 75 years of the brand’s history with futuristic style.
  • Animoca Brands Japan has invested in Oasys, a blockchain gaming platform, aiming to expand its presence in Greater China.
  • TOX and Infiblue World have announced a strategic partnership to revolutionize virtual social experiences in the metaverse.
  • Telegram’s successful “mini-app” approach, leveraging its 950 million users, is expected to drive Web3 gaming’s success in 2025.
  • Xsolla and iBLOXX are partnering to launch StrayShot, a PC/mobile third-person shooter.
  • CryptoPunks, once the pinnacle of NFT culture, are now overshadowed by Pudgy Penguins, a new contender in the NFT ecosystem.
  • Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has launched the DMCC Crypto Centre Metaverse.

Onchain Data

  • INJ bulls defend $21.65 support, predicting a 12x surge to $380.
  • Shiba Inu (SHIB) trading volume dropped by $2.8 billion to $708 million, indicating waning investor interest and bearish momentum.
  • Fantom broke a multi-year resistance, signaling bullish momentum and potential for $13+ growth.
  • Cardano’s price has remained sideways this month, but a rare chart pattern suggests a potential comeback in the coming weeks.
  • ALGO’s price pullback reached 34%, $0.40, a key demand zone.
Algorand price prediction

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