Mind The Block | January Week 1

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

Mind The Block Headlines This Week

• Binance launches Solv Protocol (SOLV) Megadrop
• MEXC adds Euro fiat to OTC trading
• WadzPay gets VASP license from VARA
• Bio Protocol raises $65M, $220M FDV
• JPMorgan sees gold, Bitcoin hedge inflation
• Immutable unveils “Perpetual Rewards” for 2025
• Dogecoin’s MVRV hits 4-year high
• Understanding the basics of Crypto Trading

News

• Binance has announced the launch of the Solv Protocol (SOLV) Megadrop, a Bitcoin staking protocol.
• SmartOSC and Avalanche have partnered to introduce Vietnam’s first blockchain loyalty program.
• MEXC has launched its first-ever Launchpool project, Xterio (XTER), with staking rewards and exclusive activities starting January 6.
• WhiteBIT, a European cryptocurrency exchange, has achieved Level 3 certification under the Cryptocurrency Security Standard (CCSS).
• Sanctum plans to launch staking for its governance token, CLOUD, later this month.
• Hamster Kombat is reportedly considering a partnership with TYCHO, a blockchain protocol known for its high-performance capabilities.
• Xenea, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain, focuses on long-term token and data storage solutions for Web3 applications.
• Solana, the first blockchain to develop a quantum-resistant vault, uses Winternitz One-Time Signatures (WOTS) to protect user funds.
• Galxe, web3’s largest onchain distribution platform, has launched Galxe Earndrop.

Extras By Mind The Block

• Stacknova AI, the world’s first AI-powered Bitcoin launchpad, is launching globally, combining advanced AI tools with Bitcoin’s Stacks Layer 2 technology.
• Firefly and RootData have partnered to merge their social and data platforms to enhance Web3 exploration.
• Bithumb Meta, South Korea’s cryptocurrency exchange, has rebranded into Bithumb Partners, focusing on investment operations.
• Seraph Foundation unveils SERAPH tokenomics, a pioneering AI-powered Web3 gaming experience.
• Injective and SVM Sonic are collaborating to launch the Smart Agent Hu.
• Maxbid Pro 2.0, a decentralized leverage trading platform for meme coins, has introduced new features to simplify trading and enhance user experience.
• Rango Exchange has successfully deployed advanced smart contracts across 24 blockchains without downtime.
• Calamos Investments is launching a Bitcoin ETF with 100% downside protection, CBOJ, set to debut on the Chicago Board Options Exchange on January 22.
• Colle AI has launched its iOS app, revolutionizing Web3 with a seamless mobile experience for creating, trading, and managing NFTs across multiple blockchains.
• Cyclean and Arbipad have partnered to launch Cyclean’s Initial DEX Offering (IDO) on Arbipad, a global digital asset exchange.

Major Companies Making Moves

• MEXC has expanded its Over-the-Counter (OTC) trading services to include Euro fiat trading, enhancing accessibility for European users.
• GSR has secured UK FCA approval as a registered crypto asset business, solidifying its leadership in global crypto markets.
• HashKey Global has completed the integration of $HSK on the HashKey Chain.
• Strive Asset Management, co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a Bitcoin Bond ETF.
• Nokia has filed a patent application in China for a device that encrypts and indexes digital assets.

Government, SEC & Regulation

• Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is a significant step forward for the cryptocurrency industry.
• Turkey has implemented a new regulatory framework for the digital asset sector, tightening anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
• MoonPay, BitStaete, ZBD, and Hidden Road have secured Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licenses in the Netherlands.
• China’s People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has emphasized global efforts to regulate digital assets in its 2024 financial stability report.
• WadzPay has secured a VASP license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
• Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigns, allowing the conservative party’s pro-Bitcoin leader to replace him in the upcoming 2025 federal election.
• Chilean lawmakers are advocating for legislation to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), according to mining lobbyist Andrés Villagrán.
• Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel claims a settlement in the Ripple SEC case is likely due to the penalty on hold pending appeal.
• Vietnamese police arrested four individuals for orchestrating a crypto scam, defrauding over 200 victims of $157,300 through fake crypto-mining schemes.
• Guangzhou’s Municipal Financial Work Committee has released an action plan for 2025 to expand the adoption of the digital yuan in public services and trade.

Raises & Major Investments rounds

• Bio Protocol, a decentralized science funding platform, raised $65M in a Public sale round, with a $220M FDV.
• Bitcoin rewards platform Fold closed $20M convertible note financing from ATW Partners.

• Stablecoin payments infrastructure platform AlloyX Limited raised $10M in a Series A funding round from Solowin, Arbitrum Foundation, and Offchain Labs.
• Lightchain AI has raised $9 million, accelerating towards 2025 with its Testnet release.

Trends & Narrative

• JPMorgan predicts that the “debasement trade” in gold and Bitcoin will likely persist as investors seek to hedge against geopolitical uncertainty and inflation.
• Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley believes tokenization could revolutionize equity markets by making it easier for companies to go public and issue shares.
• Vitalik Buterin urges the crypto industry to collaborate with non-cryptotech companies and communities to increase acceptance and build bridges with decentralized projects.
• Atoma CEO Hisham Khan believes decentralization can enable AI to achieve full privacy and verifiability, accelerating Web3 innovation.
• Web3 is reshaping the industry by embracing the feminine community’s potential.

NFTs, Gaming, Metaverse

• Immutable is set to introduce a new feature called “Perpetual Rewards” in 2025.
• PUBG creator Brendan Greene has revealed plans for a new metaverse called Artemis, which may incorporate blockchain technology.
• MetaHub Global and Fruit Ton have partnered strategically to combine blockchain technology, gaming, and innovation in the TON blockchain ecosystem.
• South Korea’s Jeju Island plans to issue non-fungible token (NFT) tourist cards to attract young tourists, particularly millennials and Gen Z South Koreans.
• Ginoa.io has partnered with Aipocalypto to advance the Web3 gaming sector by combining blockchain and AI technologies.
• Holiverse aims to revolutionize personalized health by providing a personalized health map based on individual blueprints rather than generic advice.
• Pentagon Games has partnered with Tron DAO to create a 3D digital world on the Tron network.

Onchain Data

• Dogecoin’s MVRV reached its highest in four years, indicating the potential for a continued upward trend.
• INJ’s bullish breakout signals strong momentum, with the cryptocurrency targeting $33.34 and $50.
• Sui Network’s $SUI token surged 26% over the past seven days, reaching $5.20, making it one of the best cryptocurrencies in 2025.
• WLD/USDT price stabilizes in the disbelief phase, signaling potential growth.
• Mog Coin experienced a 36.39% surge in the past week, reaching a local high of $0.00000297.

Educational Guides and Tips from Mind the Block

• Understanding the Basics of crypto trading: Popular crypto trading strategiesand advanced crypto trading strategies.
• Gold ETF vs Bitcoin ETF: Pros, cons, and key differences explained.
• Who is shytoshi kusama? Background on the brains behind Shiba Inu.
• How can you easily earn passive income every day with BTC?
• USDT vs USDC: Which Stablecoin Offers Cheaper Fees?

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