Mind The Block | January Week 3

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

Mind The Block Headlines This Week

• Ethereum Foundation launches multisig wallet on Safenet
• Bybit launches Copy Trading for Gold & Forex
• Trump’s speech omits Bitcoin and crypto
• Phantom raised $150M in Series C
• Balaji calls meme coins a “zero-sum lottery”
• Machines Arena S3 brings new heroes & maps
• Aptos drops 11.34%, targets $11.50 Jan 25
• How do you buy Bitcoin using ACH transfers?

News

• The Ethereum Foundation has launched a multi-signature wallet on the Safenet platform to improve treasury operations and facilitate defi participation.
• Orderly has deployed its chain-agnostic infrastructure on Sonic’s EVM layer-one, bringing its omnichain orderbook to Sonic.
• Trump launched a cryptocurrency coin, $TRUMP, which significantly increased in value in its first trading days.
• Web3 Antivirus founder Alex Dulub explains how innovative tools detect and neutralize risks in the decentralized web.
• The cryptocurrency market is set for major token unlocks between January 20 and 26, 2025.
• A.R.T Digital has partnered with Forced Physics to improve Bitcoin mining cooling technology, specifically using JouleForce.
• Bitcoin mining difficulty reached a new record high of 110.45T, with eight positive adjustments.
• WAGMI Miami introduces WAGMEME, the world’s first conference token, designed to revolutionize in-real-life (IRL) engagement in Web3.
• Nillion, a decentralized network for AI blind computation, has announced an airdrop of its token, NIL, to reward early adopters and community members.
• DeFi security threats surged in 2024, and over $470 million was lost, mainly due to private key hacks that targeted users directly.

Extras By Mind The Block

• SPACE ID has partnered with CoinStats, a popular crypto portfolio tracker, to streamline portfolio tracking using simple SPACE ID domain names.
• Mountain Protocol has natively deployed its yield-bearing stablecoin USDM on ZKsync Era.
• Wintermute has strengthened its collaboration with TRON DAO to enhance liquidity and trading efficiency within the TRON ecosystem.
• Kaia has partnered with Fireblocks to offer digital asset management solutions for institutional clients.
• Cryptolinks.com is the go-to platform for crypto enthusiasts due to its ability to help navigate the crowded crypto world, avoiding confusion and risky practices.
• Hamster Kombat has partnered with Tycho Protocol to build a private, high-performance blockchain network.
• Agoric is leveraging its Orchestration framework to solve fragmentation in the DeFi ecosystem.
• NEBA Token, launched by global e-commerce innovator NEXT BASKET, aims to transform Web3 e-commerce.
• Jio Platforms has partnered with Polygon Labs to introduce Web3 services and integrate blockchain technology into its applications and services.
• Protofire has integrated Chiliz’s Web3 infrastructure platform, deploying Safe wallets to ensure secure asset management.

Major Companies Making Moves

• KuCoin has appointed BC Wong as its new CEO, aiming to drive the exchange’s growth, innovation, and strategic expansion in the cryptocurrency industry.
• Bybit has introduced Copy Trading for Gold and Forex markets, allowing users to replicate expert strategies on MT5.
• The Uniswap Foundation has introduced a Solidity Smart Contract Developer Certification (SSCD+) program through CyfrinUpdraft.
• OKX Ventures has invested in DuckChain, a blockchain project that aims to transform the Web3 ecosystem.
• CoinGecko has introduced a new category of tokens based on their “significant connections” to the US, attracting American crypto investors.

Government, SEC & Regulation

• Trump’s inaugural speech and a document outlining White House priorities fail to mention Bitcoin or crypto.
• Hong Kong’s central bank has launched a blockchain incubator to support local banks in launching blockchain products.
• ESMA orders CASPs to delist non-MiCA compliant stablecoins, setting a Q1 2025 deadline.
• South Korean regulators have granted a second crypto brokerage a VASP license, which may finally allow companies to buy Bitcoin and other tokens.
• The Senate Banking Committee will vote on the approval of the chair and members for its subcommittees, including the Digital Assets Subcommittee.
• President Trump has appointed Republican Commissioner Mark Uyeda as acting chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
• Turkey is doubling down on national digitization efforts by leveraging blockchain technology for its digital identity system.
• Utah introduced a ‘Strategic Bitcoin Reserve’ bill, led by Senator Jordan Teuscher, making it the 11th US state to propose such a measure.
• Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ X account appears inactive following allegations of a rug pull on the Solana meme coin.

Raises & Major Investments rounds

• Phantom raised $150M in a Series C funding round led by Sequoia Capital, Paradigm, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz.
• Justin Sun has increased his investment in World Liberty Financial (WLFI) to $75 million, bolstering his influence in the growing DeFi sector.
• Gate Ventures has committed $20 million to the BNB Incubation Alliance, a collaborative initiative between Binance Labs and BNB Chain.
• Oshi raised $12.50M in a funding round led by Polychain Capital, Superscrypt, with participation from Folius Ventures and Sfermion.

Trends& Narrative

• Former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan has criticized meme coins, calling them a “zero-sum lottery” that does not create wealth.
• Vitalik Buterin discusses the flexibility of native rollups, highlighting their potential for efficiency and scalability in Ethereum-based applications.
• Michaël van de Poppe discusses Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), a cryptocurrency essentially Bitcoin itself.
• Retail investors are increasingly following trends and influencers, leading to volatility in the market.
• Paolo Ardoino highlighted volatility in cryptocurrency markets, highlighting the need for risk management strategies in trading decisions.
• Blockchain and AI are transforming the music industry, addressing challenges such as fair royalties and artist empowerment.

NFTs, Gaming, Metaverse

• The Machines Arena Season 3 introduces new heroes, enhanced maps, and thrilling tournaments, set to dominate the Web3 gaming scene in 2025.
• GameGPT has launched the Genesis AI NFT Collection, combining AI and blockchain technology for gaming and blockchain.
• BC.GAME has launched its Wukong slot game, inspired by the Monkey King, alongside a “Wukong Gold Legend” event.
• Multi-agent systems (MAS) in the Metaverse, composed of autonomous agents, offer promising solutions to challenges in the digital universe.
• Hungri Games has launched Metahorse Unity on the BASE blockchain, redefining Web3 horse racing gaming.
• CMC Group of Companies Ltd. has launched the Liquid NFT Marketplace, which aims to address liquidity issues in the NFT market.

Onchain Data

• Aptos experienced a -11.34% drop in the last month and is predicted to reach a price of $11.50 by Jan 25, 2025.
• Notcoin has experienced a 20.12% decline over the past month, with analysts predicting a further dip to $0.0031.
• Raydium (RAY) has reached its highest price since 2021, driven by strong trading activity and bullish momentum.
• Virtual Protocol is predicted to rise by 31.48% in the next 5 days, with a 6.38% increase in the last 24 hours.
• AAVE’s breakout rally gains strength, supported by bullish metrics and increasing market confidence.

Educational Guides and Tips from Mind the Block

• Crypto AI Agents explained What they are and how they work.
• How to buy Bitcoin using ACH transfers quickly and securely: A step-by-step guide.
• Ways to earn passive income: Earn Bitcoin(BTC) And Dogecoin(DOGE) with LZMiner free cloud mining in 2025.
• What is a Binance Gift Card? How to buy a Binance Gift Card: A step-by-step guide.

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