Telcoin has formally begun banking operations with the launch of its eUSD stablecoin on Ethereum and Polygon, marking the first time a U.S.-chartered bank has issued a dollar-backed stablecoin directly onto public blockchains.
Announced on December 26, 2025, the rollout follows regulatory approval for Telcoin Digital Asset Bank in November and includes an initial mint of $10 million in eUSD. The move places Telcoin at the intersection of regulated banking and blockchain-based payments, with implications for stablecoins, remittances, and digital asset oversight in the United States.
Telcoin and the Launch of eUSDTelcoin was founded in 2017 with the aim of using blockchain infrastructure and telecommunications networks to deliver low-cost financial services to mobile users. Its platform focuses on payments and cross-border remittances, distributed primarily through partnerships with mobile network operators (MNOs). According to the company, Telcoin works with more than 200 MNOs globally and supports over 2 million wallet users, with much of its activity concentrated on Polygon due to lower transaction costs.
The launch of eUSD represents a structural expansion of Telcoin’s role in financial services. eUSD is a U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin backed 1:1 by cash reserves held at Telcoin Digital Asset Bank. Unlike many existing stablecoins, eUSD is issued directly by a regulated depository institution rather than a non-bank fintech or offshore entity.
The initial issuance of $10 million is modest by stablecoin market standards, but its importance lies less in scale than in structure. The issuance formally activates the bank’s operating authority and demonstrates a regulatory model that blends blockchain settlement with U.S. banking supervision.
What Makes eUSD Structurally Different?Most widely used stablecoins today, including Circle’s USDC and Tether’s USDT, are issued by private companies that hold reserves outside the traditional banking system. While these issuers publish attestations and, in some cases, audits, they are not themselves chartered banks.
eUSD differs in three key ways:
First, it is issued by a U.S.-chartered bank, subject to ongoing supervision by state banking regulators. This includes capital requirements, reserve rules, and compliance with anti-money laundering and consumer protection laws.
Second, reserves backing eUSD are held directly on the bank’s balance sheet in cash or cash-equivalent assets, rather than through a network of custodians. This structure reduces reliance on third parties and narrows counterparty risk.
Third, eUSD operates within a legal framework designed specifically for payment stablecoins, rather than relying on interpretations of existing money transmission or trust laws.
While eUSD is not explicitly FDIC-insured at launch, its regulatory treatment more closely resembles that of a narrow bank deposit than that of a typical crypto-issued stablecoin.
Deployment on Ethereum and PolygoneUSD is live on both Ethereum and Polygon. Ethereum provides broad compatibility with existing wallets, exchanges, and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Polygon offers significantly lower transaction fees and faster settlement, making it more suitable for retail payments and remittances.
This dual-chain deployment reflects Telcoin’s stated focus on practical payment flows rather than speculative trading. The company has indicated that additional chains may be supported over time, particularly where they offer advantages for cross-border transfers or mobile-first applications.
Nebraska’s Regulatory FrameworkTelcoin Digital Asset Bank is the first institution chartered under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act (NFIA) of 2021. The law created a new category of regulated entity: a digital asset depository institution. These banks are permitted to custody digital assets, issue stablecoins, and process payments, but they are restricted from engaging in traditional lending.
Under the NFIA, institutions must maintain full reserves, meet stringent capital standards, and comply with state and federal anti-money laundering requirements. The framework was designed to provide legal clarity for digital asset businesses while limiting systemic risk.
Telcoin received provisional approval for its charter in February 2025, raised approximately $25 million to meet capitalization requirements, and obtained final authorization in November following Jim Pillen's sign-off.
Nebraska’s approach mirrors, but is distinct from, Wyoming’s SPDI regime. While Wyoming has emphasized digital asset custody, Nebraska’s statute places greater emphasis on payment stablecoins and on-chain settlement.
Alignment With Federal Stablecoin LawThe launch of eUSD also aligns with the federal GENIUS Act, passed in mid-2025, which establishes national standards for payment stablecoins in the United States. The law requires issuers to maintain 100 percent reserves in high-quality liquid assets, prohibits stablecoin issuers from paying yield directly to holders, and mandates regular disclosures and audits.
By operating within both the NFIA and the GENIUS Act, Telcoin avoids many of the regulatory uncertainties that have affected earlier stablecoin projects. This alignment may also ease future integration with existing payment infrastructure, including potential access to Federal Reserve settlement systems.
The federal framework was designed in part to address failures in the digital asset sector, including collapses linked to inadequate reserves or opaque governance. eUSD’s structure reflects those lessons by prioritizing transparency and legal enforceability over rapid expansion.
What Does This Mean for Payments and Remittances?Telcoin’s core business has long focused on international remittances, a market estimated at roughly $800 billion annually. Traditional remittance services often charge fees of 6-7%, particularly for transfers to developing markets.
By issuing eUSD directly through a regulated bank and distributing it via mobile wallets, Telcoin aims to reduce settlement times and transaction costs. Transfers using eUSD on Polygon can settle in seconds, with network fees measured in fractions of a cent under normal conditions.
The company’s existing relationships with mobile network operators are central to this strategy. In regions where access to traditional banking is limited but mobile penetration is high, stablecoin-based transfers may offer a more efficient alternative to cash-based systems.
Importantly, while the bank itself cannot pay interest on eUSD balances under federal law, users may still deploy eUSD in third-party DeFi protocols at their own discretion. This separation preserves regulatory compliance while allowing optional on-chain financial activity.
Broader Industry SignificanceThe issuance of eUSD by a U.S.-chartered bank sets a precedent that may influence how other states and institutions approach digital asset regulation. It demonstrates that stablecoins can be integrated into the banking system without relying on offshore structures or regulatory exemptions.
For policymakers, the launch provides a live test case for the GENIUS Act and state-level digital asset banking statutes. For financial institutions, it offers a reference model for combining on-chain settlement with regulated custody and payments.
The development also positions the United States more competitively against other jurisdictions that have moved quickly to regulate stablecoins, including the European Union under its Markets in Crypto-Assets framework.
ConclusionTelcoin’s launch of eUSD on Ethereum and Polygon marks the operational start of a new category of U.S.-regulated digital banking. By issuing a fully reserved stablecoin directly from a chartered bank, Telcoin has established a structure that prioritizes legal clarity, reserve transparency, and integration with existing payment systems.
While the initial issuance is limited in size, the framework behind it carries broader implications for stablecoins, remittances, and the role of banks in blockchain-based finance. The success of eUSD will ultimately depend on execution, adoption, and regulatory continuity, but its launch represents a concrete step toward aligning digital assets with established financial oversight.
Sources:BullDog Law: Nebraska’s Telcoin ApprovalBusiness Wire: Telcoin Begins Digital Asset Banking OperationsWebsite: Digital Asset Bank
After Nebraska’s charter approval, Telcoin Digital Asset Bank begins operations. It launched its eUSD stablecoin on Ethereum and Polygon. With the minting of $10 million in eUSD, Telcoin’s flagship Digital Cash is now live and ready to reach retail markets.
Bringing Blockchain Banking to Life Telcoin CEO Paul Neuner called the launch “phase one” of the bank’s operations, emphasizing that the issuance of eUSD marks a crucial milestone toward offering blockchain-native personal and business accounts. The company plans to begin onboarding customers in early 2026, with personal accounts accessible through the upcoming V5 of the Telcoin Wallet.
Patrick Gerhart, President of Banking Operations, added that this live issuance of eUSD represents the foundation for a regulated, secure rollout of digital cash to the public.
A first for U.S. banking: a dollar-backed stablecoin issued directly on a public blockchain.
Under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act and in line with federal GENIUS Act guidelines, Telcoin Digital Asset Bank has launched the eUSD stablecoin on Polygon.
A meaningful step… https://t.co/Lvx2PfCP0M
— Polygon | POL (@0xPolygon) December 29, 2025
This move positions Telcoin as the first Digital Asset Depository Institution in the United States. This will allow it to operate under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act and federal GENIUS Act guidelines. By combining stablecoin issuance, deposit acceptance, and payment processing under a single charter,
Telcoin can offer a banking-first approach that remains fully compliant while leveraging blockchain technology. The launch reflects a growing trend among fintechs and digital banks integrating blockchain to improve payment efficiency and global accessibility.
Happy holidays!
eUSD from Telcoin Digital Asset Bank is now live on Ethereum and Polygon.https://t.co/R72gAGm4xX
— Telcoin (@telcoin) December 26, 2025
Telcoin operates in 171 countries, merging blockchain, telecommunications, and banking to offer self-custodial payments and financial services. The eUSD stablecoin is designed for real-world use, allowing users to transact globally with secure, blockchain-based money.
More About Stablecoins Ethereum remains the dominant platform for stablecoins, hosting over 53 percent of the total supply. This concentration highlights Ethereum’s role as the go-to blockchain for digital assets that maintain a stable value, such as USDC, USDT, and DAI.
📊 MARKET: Over 53% of all Stablecoins are on $ETH. pic.twitter.com/KvkV9Yuuo2
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) December 28, 2025
Developers favor Ethereum due to its robust smart contract ecosystem, high liquidity, and broad adoption among wallets, exchanges, and DeFi platforms.
Disclaimer The information provided by Altcoin Buzz is not financial advice. It is intended solely for educational, entertainment, and informational purposes. Any opinions or strategies shared are those of the writer/reviewers, and their risk tolerance may differ from yours. We are not liable for any losses you may incur from investments related to the information given. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are high-risk assets; therefore, conduct thorough due diligence. Copyright Altcoin Buzz Pte Ltd.
PANews reported on March 16th that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market has continued to rise recently. Bitcoin (BTC) rose 2.39% in the last 24 hours, breaking through $72,000; Ethereum (ETH) rose 4.40%, approaching $2,200. Meanwhile, the PayFi sector rose 2.67%, with Telcoin (TEL) rising 3.92% and Dash (DASH) rising 3.62% within the sector.
In other sectors, Layer 1 rose 2.59% in the last 24 hours, with Zcash (ZEC) up 7.99%; AI rose 2.47%, with Bittensor (TAO) up 6.57%; CeFi rose 2.45%, with Binance Coin (BNB) up 2.86%; DeFi rose 1.97%, with PancakeSwap (CAKE) up 7.75%; Meme rose 1.73%, with Pepe (PEPE) up 5.07%; and Layer 2 rose 1.58%, with ImmutableX (IMX) up 4.67%.
Ethereum (ETH) price slipped to about $1,711 as spot Ethereum ETF outflows extended to a seventh straight week even as the network’s own data points the other way.
A wider move out of the two largest crypto funds and into newer products looks like a rotation taking shape. Ethereum sits awkwardly in the middle of it.
Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Bleed a Seventh WeekSpot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs booked a seventh straight week of redemptions. The weekly spot ETF flows, the gap between cash entering and leaving the funds, shrank from a $1.72 billion exit on June 5 to $68 million by June 22.
Bitcoin ETF Flows: SoSoValueEthereum ETF outflows matched that run at seven red weeks. The latest $66 million weekly exit was far smaller than the $255 million pulled in mid-May, so the bleeding is slowing. However, the new week has just started and it is important to see how things turn up by Friday.
Ethereum Spot ETF Weekly Flows: SoSoValueBoth majors are losing money, yet the pace is cooling rather than worsening.
The contrast shows up the moment the smaller funds enter the frame.
XRP, Solana and HYPE Funds Catch the BidWhile the majors bled, XRP ETF inflows ran for an eighth straight week, holding green even through early June’s price drop.
XRP Spot ETF Weekly Inflows: SoSoValueSolana (SOL) funds stayed mostly positive since mid-May, with only a couple of minor red weeks and about $836 million in net assets.
Solana Spot ETF Weekly Flows: SoSoValueHyperliquid (HYPE) funds have not printed a single red week since their May 13 launch, drawing about $183 million. The split looks like an early crypto ETF rotation, though the alt inflows are still small.
HYPE Spot ETF Weekly Flows: SoSoValueIf money is fleeing Ethereum, its network has not got the message.
Ethereum Staking Demand Dwarfs ExitsOn-chain signals clash with the ETF exit. The validator exit queue holds about 223,000 ETH waiting to unstake, against roughly 2.68 million ETH waiting to get in.
Ethereum Validator Queue Snapshot: ValidatorQueueThat is about twelve times more Ethereum staking demand than exit pressure, the opposite of what a sell wave looks like. Realized flows agree. Daily validator deposits turned net positive over the last ten days, after exit-heavy days earlier in June.
Validator Deposits Versus Withdrawals: DuneThe unstaked ETH that does reach exchanges stays small. Even the busiest day moved about 24,000 ETH, a fraction of the daily exchange inflows, which suggests exits are not feeding the market.
Exit ETH Reaching Exchanges: DuneExchange balances and the staking token tell the same calm story.
Exchange Outflows Ease and the stETH Peg HoldsThe exchange outflows picture is steady. The exchange net position change, a metric that tracks tokens moving in and out of exchanges, eased from about negative 564,000 ETH on June 9 to negative 442,000 by June 22, still a net withdrawal.
ETH Exchange Net Position Change: GlassnodeThe stETH peg held near 1.0 through ETH’s roughly 20% drop in early June. A clean peg suggests holders were not scrambling to unstake and sell.
stETH To ETH Peg Ratio: DuneSo if the chain looks committed, the rotation question moves to where flow is actually tilting.
A Quieter Rotation the ETF Numbers HideOne direct measure reframes the picture. A custom rotation score tracks ETH’s share of the combined BTC and ETH five-day net flow, then z-scores it against its own 30-day history. The reading is positive 1.05, which flags a tilt toward ETH. The catch is that ETH’s share of that flow is only 21%, so Bitcoin still takes most of it.
Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.
The score fires because it measures change, not level. ETH’s share had been running nearer 12% to 15%, so a jump to 21% sits about one standard deviation above its own norm.
BTC To ETH Rotation Signal: Charlie Quant LabIn plain terms, money is rotating toward ETH faster than usual at the margin, even while every ETF print stays red. Headline fund flows miss this, but a direct read of the flow split catches it. At just over the +1 line, this is an early and weak signal, not a confirmed trend.
That gap between the weekly ETF tape and the on-chain split sets up the real test.
What Would Confirm the Grand RotationFor now the grand rotation is a pattern, not a confirmed move. It needs XRP, SOL and HYPE inflows to scale while Bitcoin and Ethereum keep bleeding.
The thesis breaks in two ways. Green weekly prints for the majors would end it, and stalling alt inflows would do the same.
Ethereum stays the odd one out, with a healthy network and weak ETF demand at once. Continued Ethereum ETF outflows beside a positive rotation score suggest the cash leaving the fund is not all leaving the asset. A return to positive weekly flows separates an Ethereum ETF recovery from a deeper rotation into rival funds.
PANews reported on February 10th that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market saw a slight rebound after a period of continuous decline. Bitcoin (BTC) rose 0.45% in the last 24 hours, fluctuating narrowly around the $70,000 mark. Ethereum (ETH) rose 3.15%, breaking through $2,100. Meanwhile, the GameFi sector performed relatively well, rising 2.24%, with Axie Infinity (AXS) rising 16.31% and The Sandbox (SAND) rising 1.85% within the sector.
In other sectors, the PayFi sector rose 2.10% in the last 24 hours, with Monero (XMR) up 6.22% and XRP (XRP) up 2.06%; the Meme sector rose 1.18%, with MemeCore (M) up 11.41%; the Layer 1 sector rose 0.89%, with Solana (SOL) up 1.58%; the CeFi sector rose 0.84%, with NEXO (NEXO) up 3.47%; the Layer 2 sector rose 0.37%, with zkSync (ZK) up 5.28%; and the DeFi sector rose 0.03%, with River (RIVER) up 7.79%.
PANews reported on March 20th that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market has declined for three consecutive days. The SocialFi sector fell 4.65% in the past 24 hours, with Toncoin (TON) down 5.48%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) fell 0.88% in the past 24 hours, briefly dipping below $69,000 before recovering to above $70,000. Ethereum (ETH) fell 1.94%, breaking below $2,200. Only the GameFi sector performed well, rising 0.24% in the past 24 hours, with Axie Infinity (AXS) rising 3.84%.
In other sectors, the PayFi sector fell 0.50% in the last 24 hours, but eCash (XEC) rose 2.55%; the Meme sector fell 1.15%, with PIPPIN (PIPPIN) surging 12.38% within the sector; the Layer 1 sector fell 1.31%, with Zcash (ZEC) falling 6.13%; the Layer 2 sector fell 1.43%, with Celestia (TIA) falling 3.08%; the CeFi sector fell 1.45%, with OKB (OKB) falling 3.15%; and the DeFi sector fell 1.49%, with Morpho Token (MORPHO) remaining relatively strong, rising 2.15%.
In brief The Ronin blockchain will migrate to Ethereum layer-2 on May 12 after four years as a sidechain. RON token inflation will drop dramatically from over 20% to less than 1%. Ronin’s token is down nearly 98% from peak, reflecting flagging momentum across the crypto gaming industry. Ronin, the gaming-focused blockchain that powers games like Axie Infinity and Pixels, will migrate to become a true Ethereum layer-2 scaling network on May 12, marking a fundamental shift after four years operating as an Ethereum sidechain.
The migration will trigger at block 55,577,490, transitioning Ronin to the OP Stack, Ethereum layer-2 infrastructure that powers millions of transactions daily across other scaling networks. Users should prepare for approximately 10 hours of mainnet downtime between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET during the transition, Ronin developers said, with games potentially unavailable during that span.
The economic restructuring is sweeping. RON token inflation will plummet from over 20% to less than 1%, while marketplace fees flowing to the Treasury jump 2.5x from 0.5% to 1.25%. Additionally, 90 million RON tokens previously allocated for staking will be redirected to the Ronin treasury.
A new "proof of distribution" system launching with the migration will automate RON rewards for developers, replacing manual allocation processes as the network reestablishes itself within Ethereum's ecosystem.
The timing reflects mounting pressure on standalone gaming chains to leverage established infrastructure rather than maintain costly independent networks. Ronin processed billions of dollars worth of NFT trading volume during Axie Infinity's 2021-2022 peak, but sustaining that infrastructure has proven challenging as the crypto gaming market declined.
Ronin launched in 2021 specifically to handle Axie Infinity's transaction demands when Ethereum's mainnet fees made gaming economically unfeasible. The sidechain solution enabled the play-to-earn phenomenon that attracted millions of daily users and generated unprecedented trading volumes for blockchain gaming.
Now, Ronin developer Sky Mavis says that advances in layer-2 technology offer the same benefits—low costs and high throughput—while inheriting Ethereum's security guarantees.
While the RON token is up about 11% over the last week to a recent price of $0.097, it’s had a brutal fall over the last couple of years as crypto gaming momentum largely disappeared. RON has fallen by nearly 81% in the last year, per data from CoinGecko, and is now down about 98% from a peak price of $4.45 set in March 2024.
The tokens of top games on Ronin have also cratered, with Axie Infinity’s AXS token down over 99% from its November 2021 peak, and Pixels’ PIXEL token down just as much from its own March 2024 high. But that’s not an issue isolated to Ronin or its games, with other major gaming tokens like Immutable (IMX) and Gala Games (GALA) also down at least 98% from their respective peaks.
Numerous prominent crypto games shut down over the course of 2025, often with developers citing a lack of funding and player interest to continue operations. That trend has continued into 2026 with the recent closure of games like Forgotten Runiverse on Ronin and Xociety on Sui.
Industry experts told Decrypt in late 2025 that the wave of crypto game closures centered on the disappearance of venture capital funding amid flagging blockchain gaming momentum, driving many projects to either pivot their focus or shut down their games entirely. That downward swing has only persisted into this year, so far.
Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
In brief The Ronin blockchain will migrate to Ethereum layer-2 on May 12 after four years as a sidechain. RON token inflation will drop dramatically from over 20% to less than 1%. Ronin’s token is down nearly 98% from peak, reflecting flagging momentum across the crypto gaming industry. Ronin, the gaming-focused blockchain that powers games like Axie Infinity and Pixels, will migrate to become a true Ethereum layer-2 scaling network on May 12, marking a fundamental shift after four years operating as an Ethereum sidechain.
The migration will trigger at block 55,577,490, transitioning Ronin to the OP Stack, Ethereum layer-2 infrastructure that powers millions of transactions daily across other scaling networks. Users should prepare for approximately 10 hours of mainnet downtime between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET during the transition, Ronin developers said, with games potentially unavailable during that span.
The economic restructuring is sweeping. RON token inflation will plummet from over 20% to less than 1%, while marketplace fees flowing to the Treasury jump 2.5x from 0.5% to 1.25%. Additionally, 90 million RON tokens previously allocated for staking will be redirected to the Ronin treasury.
A new "proof of distribution" system launching with the migration will automate RON rewards for developers, replacing manual allocation processes as the network reestablishes itself within Ethereum's ecosystem.
The timing reflects mounting pressure on standalone gaming chains to leverage established infrastructure rather than maintain costly independent networks. Ronin processed billions of dollars worth of NFT trading volume during Axie Infinity's 2021-2022 peak, but sustaining that infrastructure has proven challenging as the crypto gaming market declined.
Ronin launched in 2021 specifically to handle Axie Infinity's transaction demands when Ethereum's mainnet fees made gaming economically unfeasible. The sidechain solution enabled the play-to-earn phenomenon that attracted millions of daily users and generated unprecedented trading volumes for blockchain gaming.
Now, Ronin developer Sky Mavis says that advances in layer-2 technology offer the same benefits—low costs and high throughput—while inheriting Ethereum's security guarantees.
While the RON token is up about 11% over the last week to a recent price of $0.097, it’s had a brutal fall over the last couple of years as crypto gaming momentum largely disappeared. RON has fallen by nearly 81% in the last year, per data from CoinGecko, and is now down about 98% from a peak price of $4.45 set in March 2024.
The tokens of top games on Ronin have also cratered, with Axie Infinity’s AXS token down over 99% from its November 2021 peak, and Pixels’ PIXEL token down just as much from its own March 2024 high. But that’s not an issue isolated to Ronin or its games, with other major gaming tokens like Immutable (IMX) and Gala Games (GALA) also down at least 98% from their respective peaks.
Numerous prominent crypto games shut down over the course of 2025, often with developers citing a lack of funding and player interest to continue operations. That trend has continued into 2026 with the recent closure of games like Forgotten Runiverse on Ronin and Xociety on Sui.
Industry experts told Decrypt in late 2025 that the wave of crypto game closures centered on the disappearance of venture capital funding amid flagging blockchain gaming momentum, driving many projects to either pivot their focus or shut down their games entirely. That downward swing has only persisted into this year, so far.
Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
Ronin, the gaming-focused blockchain built by Sky Mavis to power titles like Axie Infinity, is migrating to Ethereum on May 12, the team said this week.
The move will end a four-year run as an independent sidechain and bring major upgrades to its ecosystem.
The migration will cut RON inflation from over 20% to under 1% and expand treasury inflows. Ronin also plans to roll out Proof of Distribution, a system that automatically rewards builders based on their contributions.
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Proof of Distribution will reward contributors based on a measurable impact, including gas spend, user growth, and trading activity. Meanwhile, treasury inflows will expand via staking allocations, sequencer revenue, and increased marketplace fees.
The result is a more efficient, secure, and incentive-aligned network for both builders and users, according to Ronin.
The migration requires approximately 10 hours of downtime, during which no on-chain activity will be possible, as noted by the team. Node operators must upgrade before the scheduled hardfork at block #55577490.
What made Ronin independent in the first place When Sky Mavis, the Vietnamese studio behind Axie Infinity, began developing Ronin in late 2020, Ethereum’s layer 2 options were still in their infancy.
With mainnet gas fees becoming prohibitive for the game’s growth, Sky Mavis officially launched the Ronin mainnet in February 2021 to provide the high-throughput, low-cost environment necessary to onboard millions of players.
The move fueled Axie’s massive expansion through early 2022, but independence came with a price. In March 2022, the North Korean-linked Lazarus Group exploited the Ronin bridge and drained roughly $625 million in assets, one of the largest hacks in crypto history.
The Ethereum ecosystem looks nothing like it did six years ago. Layer 2 solutions are battle-tested, data availability costs have plummeted, and the OP Stack processes millions of transactions daily across multiple chains.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Vivian Nguyen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
PANews reported on April 29th that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market continued its correction. Bitcoin (BTC) fell 0.66%, dropping below $77,000, while Ethereum (ETH) fell 0.24%, breaking below $2,300. The AI sector performed strongly, rising 0.96% in the last 24 hours, with Bittensor (TAO) up 4.20%, Unibase (UB) up 18.84%, and SkyAI (SKYAI) up 35.11%. Additionally, the GameFi sector rose 0.40%, with Axie Infinity (AXS) and GALA rising 2.64% and 2.45% respectively.
In other sectors, the Layer 2 sector fell 0.06% in the last 24 hours, but Celestia (TIA) rose 4.05%; the CeFi sector fell 0.44%, while Aster (ASTER) rose 2.55%; the Layer 1 sector fell 0.88%, while Humanity (H) surged 26.66% intraday; the Meme sector fell 1.17%, while Pump.fun (PUMP) bucked the trend and rose 6.66%; the PayFi sector fell 1.21%, while Safe (SAFE) remained relatively strong, rising 1.75%; the DeFi sector fell 1.48%, while Block Street (BSB) surged 18.11%.
Web3 gaming platforms are blockchain-powered ecosystems that provide gamers and developers with tools to play, create, and trade in-game assets. These platforms prioritize security, transparency, and true ownership of assets, thereby enabling users to retain control over their purchases and sales without relying on centralized intermediaries. This guide highlights some of the best web3 gaming platforms worth exploring in 2026.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
➤ Web3 gaming platforms are blockchain-based ecosystems that enable decentralized gameplay, true asset ownership, and player-driven economies.
➤ These platforms often include a play-to-earn (P2E) model to drive engagement by enabling players to earn and trade in-game assets.
➤ Key factors to consider while choosing a web3 gaming platform include variety in the game library, P2E mechanics, and security, among others.
5 top web3 gaming platforms
1. TikTrix
Native token
$TRIX and $WORM
Launched in
2024
TikTrix is a web3 gaming platform that combines short-form media with casual games to offer a unique, engaging, gamified experience. It is built on the Meer Chain, an Arbitrum-based layer-3 blockchain optimized to enhance scalability, reduce costs, and improve performance.
TikTrix brings along an intuitive swipe-based navigation, gamified content, and a transparent rewards system powered by its native token, $TRIX.
At the core of TikTrix’s infrastructure are Meer Nodes, which decentralize content delivery, validate transactions, and reward contributors. These nodes ensure platform scalability and reliability while enabling participants to earn rewards by staking tokens and supporting the ecosystem.
Developers also benefit from TikTrix’s APIs and SDKs, which simplify the integration of games and features, thereby expanding the platform’s content library.
TikTrix has a dual-token economy, with $TRIX for governance and platform utilities and $WORM for in-game activities.
As of late January 2025, the platform plans to enhance its governance structure, expand the Meer Node network, and introduce a marketplace for token transactions. It also aims to integrate AI-driven tools for personalized gaming experiences and host large-scale gaming tournaments.
Pros
Unique combination of short-form media and casual gaming designed for broad appeal. Built on Meer Chain, a layer-3 blockchain offering optimized performance for web3 gaming. Decentralized infrastructure with Meer Nodes enhancing data storage and reliability. Dual-token system for governance, in-game transactions, and ecosystem stability. AI integration supports advanced analytics and ensures fair gameplay. Cons
Some technical elements, like node operations, may require advanced understanding. ➤ Layer-3 blockchain architecture: Meer Chain promises to ensure faster and more efficient processing for decentralized gaming activities. This could significantly improve scalability and performance.
➤ Meer Nodes: Extend IPFS functionality for decentralized storage of assets and AI training datasets.
➤ Dual-token economy: TRIX powers governance and platform utilities, while WORM facilitates in-game purchases and rewards.
➤ AI-powered tools: Analytics, abuse prevention, and leaderboard systems to create a fair and engaging user experience.
➤ Gamified engagement: Offers challenges and rewards designed to keep players involved and incentivized.
➤ Scalable ecosystem: Built to support global expansion with multi-chain compatibility and advanced blockchain infrastructure.
2. Gala Games
Native token
$GALA
Launched in
2019
Gala Games is a web3 gaming platform that aims to revolutionize the gaming industry by giving players true ownership of in-game assets. It was founded in 2018 by Eric Schiermeyer, co-founder of Zynga, the company behind popular games like FarmVille.
Gala Games combines blockchain technology, NFTs, and player-driven economies to create a unique gaming ecosystem.
The platform hosts a diverse portfolio of titles, including the likes of Town Star, Spider Tanks, and Mirandus — each promising engaging gameplay with ample earning opportunities.
At its core lies the GALA token, used for in-game transactions, governance, and rewards. Players can earn GALA and other game-specific tokens by playing games, owning nodes, or participating in the ecosystem. Gala Games supports decentralized decision-making, with node operators having a voice in platform development.
Pros
Provides players with true ownership of in-game assets using blockchain technology and NFTs. Expanding portfolio of games with engaging gameplay. Community-driven governance through player-operated nodes. GALA token supports P2E mechanics and incentivizes ecosystem participation. Strong leadership team with gaming and blockchain expertise. Cons
High entry cost for some games due to expensive NFTs or required assets. Complexity of blockchain elements may challenge non-crypto-savvy users. ➤ Player-owned economies: Gamers retain full ownership of in-game assets represented as NFTs, which can be traded or sold across marketplaces.
➤ GALA token utility: Facilitates in-game transactions, rewards node operators, and enables governance participation.
➤ Node network: Includes Founder Nodes for governance and game-specific nodes to support decentralized gameplay and reduce reliance on traditional servers.
➤ Expanding game portfolio: Offers games like Town Star (P2E farming), Spider Tanks (PvP brawler), and Mirandus (fantasy RPG) that cater to various genres.
➤ Decentralized infrastructure: Player-operated nodes ensure platform security and scalability, with rewards distributed to incentivize participation.
➤ NFT integration: Provides gamers with rare and unique assets. This paves the way for player-driven economies and earning opportunities.
3. Immutable X
Native token
$IMX
Launched in
2021
Immutable X is another popular web3 platform that promises to revolutionize the gaming and NFT markets. It offers a high-performance layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum and promises to effectively tackle high gas fees, slow transaction speeds, and limited scalability.
The platform leverages Zero-Knowledge Rollups (zk-rollups) to ensure instant trade confirmations and gas-free transactions while also maintaining Ethereum’s decentralization and security.
It also provides a developer-friendly infrastructure that includes REST APIs, SDKs, and NFT-enabled wallets. These features collectively ensure a smooth integration of blockchain features into games and applications. At the same time, they also reduce development complexity, making it an attractive choice for game developers.
The Immutable X Marketplace further enhances the platform by offering zero gas fees for NFT trading and a shared global order book. These features boost liquidity, simplify user engagement, and encourage interoperability across marketplaces.
Players, meanwhile, benefit from true ownership of in-game assets, with the ability to trade, sell, and use these items across supported platforms.
Pros
Zero gas fees for NFT minting and trading. Powered by ZK-Rollups for scalability and decentralization. Strong marketplace with instant trade confirmations and high-frequency transaction support. Empowers players with ownership of in-game assets. Growing ecosystem attracting gamers, developers, and collectors. Cons
Limited number of supported games compared to traditional platforms (so far). ➤ Zero gas fees: Enables minting and trading of NFTs without transaction costs, thus lowering entry barriers for users.
➤ Zk-rollups scalability: Ensures faster transactions while maintaining security and decentralization on Ethereum.
➤ User-friendly marketplace: A reliable platform for trading NFTs with instant trade confirmations and high-frequency support.
➤ Cross-game asset ownership: Players can own and utilize assets across various games within the ecosystem.
➤ Developer-friendly tools: APIs and SDKs simplify game integration and encourage ecosystem growth.
4. QORPO
Native token
$QUORPO
Launched in
2018
QORPO is a web3 gaming and e-sports platform that blends blockchain technology with AAA-quality games to create an elaborate decentralized gaming ecosystem. It offers a one-stop hub for gaming, esports, and digital asset management that serves gamers and blockchain enthusiasts alike.
QORPO simplifies web3 gaming by uniting its products under QORPO WORLD, a suite that includes a web3 wallet, an NFT marketplace, a DAO-powered governance system, and advanced gaming mechanics powered by Unreal Engine 5.
This ecosystem combines new technology with community-driven principles to deliver an immersive gaming experience.
Some of the top games and features on the platform include:
➤ Citizen Conflict: A dystopian hero shooter that combines esports-ready mechanics, cyberpunk aesthetics, and a player-driven economy.
➤ AneeMate: A fantasy RPG where players rescue and own mythical creatures as NFTs — it’s a mix of strategy, exploration, and storytelling.
➤ QORPO Marketplace: A transparent, decentralized marketplace for trading in-game assets and NFTs.
Pros
Titles like Citizen Conflict and AneeMate offer immersive gameplay powered by Unreal Engine 5. QORPO WORLD integrates games, a wallet, an NFT marketplace, and governance in one seamless platform. The platform emphasizes decentralization by granting players true ownership of in-game assets via NFTs. Integration with Ethereum, BNB Chain, Immutable X, and more ensures low-cost, scalable transactions. Competitive and spectator modes appeal to esports enthusiasts. Cons
While streamlined, onboarding to blockchain gaming may still pose challenges for beginners. Some high-value assets might limit accessibility for casual gamers. ➤ QORPO marketplace: A decentralized marketplace for secure trading of in-game items, NFTs, and digital assets.
➤ Web3 wallet: Manage cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and stake assets within the QORPO ecosystem.
➤ DAO governance: Users vote on platform development, token listings, and roadmap milestones.
➤ Advanced game development: Powered by Unreal Engine 5 and AWS for high-performance gameplay.
➤ Multi-chain support: Offers compatibility with Ethereum, BNB Chain, Immutable X, and more for seamless transactions.
5. Axie Infinity
Native token
$AXS
Launched in
2018
Axie Infinity is another popular blockchain-based gaming platform that merges play-to-earn (P2E) mechanics with engaging gameplay. Players can collect, breed, and battle creatures called Axies, each represented as a unique NFT. These Axies, along with in-game rewards like Smooth Love Potion (SLP) and governance token Axie Infinity Shards (AXS), form the backbone of the ecosystem.
The gameplay includes virtual land ownership, P2E incentives, and a decentralized economy powered by the Ethereum-based Ronin sidechain. Meanwhile, the Axie Infinity Marketplace serves as a hub for buying, selling, and trading Axies, virtual land, and other in-game items.
Initially launched as Axie Infinity Classic, the game transitioned to Axie Infinity Origins in 2022 to enhance gameplay and accessibility. Despite a fluctuating player base in 2025, Axie Infinity remains a significant force in the GameFi space.
So far, this growing ecosystem has contributed to the rise of blockchain gaming by promoting peer-to-peer engagement and empowering players with ownership and autonomy of in-game assets.
Pros
Players own in-game assets like Axies and virtual land as NFTs The Ronin sidechain reduces gas fees and enhances transaction speed for a smooth user experience. Unique and rewarding P2E dynamics. Includes virtual land, AXS governance tokens, and in-game rewards like SLP. Regular updates and the introduction of Axie Infinity Origins reflect ongoing innovation. Cons
The cost of acquiring Axies or virtual land can deter casual players. Earnings have decreased as market saturation and economic adjustments impacted profitability. ➤ NFT-based gameplay: Each Axie is an NFT that grants players true ownership and the ability to trade or sell their creatures.
➤ Smooth Love Potion (SLP): Can be earned through gameplay. You can use this token for breeding Axies or trading on exchanges.
➤ Axie Infinity Shards (AXS): A governance token enabling holders to vote on platform decisions, stake for rewards, or purchase in-game items.
➤ Virtual Land (Lunacia): Tokenized plots where players can gather resources, earn AXS, and upgrade their Axies and base.
➤ Scholarship Program: Community-driven model where players can lease Axies to new users, thereby expanding access to the game.
How to choose a web3 gaming platform Considering the abundance of web3 gaming platforms out there — some established, others new and emerging — it makes sense to carefully consider the following factors to ensure the best gaming and investment experience:
Game quality and variety: Ideally, you should look for platforms offering engaging, high-quality games with diverse genres. A platform’s ability to deliver an immersive and engaging experience often reflects its commitment to innovation and player satisfaction.
Ownership and asset utility: You also want to ensure the platform provides true ownership of in-game assets via NFTs. Consider how these assets can be used across different games or ecosystems, as this can significantly improve their value and usability.
Blockchain integration: Check the platform’s underlying blockchain technology for scalability, transaction speed, and low costs. Established blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, or Polygon often provide sound infrastructures.
User-friendliness: A good platform should offer intuitive interfaces, easy wallet integration, and straightforward onboarding to make itself accessible to new and experienced users. Community and ecosystem: Platforms with active communities and strong partnerships often have better growth potential. Look for transparency in governance and opportunities to participate in decision-making.
Security and trust: Make sure that the platform undergoes regular audits and adheres to security standards. A track record of safe transactions and transparent operations is essential. Stay safe when gaming in web3 Web3 gaming ecosystems are still in the early stages of development and can’t yet match traditional gaming platforms in quality or game variety. However, many platforms, including some covered in this article, are making significant progress, with some even working to introduce AAA titles to their libraries. That said, what sets web3 gaming apart is its play-to-earn mechanics and true ownership of in-game assets. These aspects offer a unique appeal that compensates for the current limitations in quality and variety.
Each platform on our list offers distinct features and opportunities. So, start by exploring their game libraries, P2E models, and ecosystem dynamics to find the platform that best suits your preferences. Remember to always prioritize your safety when interacting with web3 platforms and never share your crypto wallet’s private keys or click unverified links.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Purchasing in-game tokens for investment purposes is risky and you may lose money.
Frequently asked questions What makes web3 gaming platforms different from traditional gaming platforms? Web3 gaming platforms integrate blockchain technology to offer a decentralized ecosystem where players assume true ownership of in-game assets as NFTs. Unlike traditional platforms, where assets are tied to the game, web3 assets can be traded or sold independently. These platforms also feature decentralized economies that allow users to participate in governance and earn rewards through play-to-earn models.
Can beginners play web3 games? Many web3 platforms are working to simplify onboarding for new users with intuitive interfaces and guides. However, understanding blockchain basics like wallets, tokens, and NFTs is essential for using these ecosystems. Beginners should start with platforms offering free-to-play options and comprehensive tutorials.
How do I pick the best web3 gaming platform? Key factors include the platform’s game library, play-to-earn dynamics, and supported blockchain ecosystems. Check for security measures, user reviews, and token utility to ensure a reliable experience. Assess compatibility with your devices and ease of use for smooth gameplay.
Jefferies: Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix’s example to list in the US via ADRs.
Jeff Kim, Head of Research at Jefferies, said Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix in listing on the U.S. market via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which will boost the share price of the South Korean chipmaker whose valuation lags behind Micron. "Chip stocks are at a turning point. ADRs will serve as an important catalyst to drive their valuations," he added.
9 minutes ago
UBS and TD Cowen sharply raise Arm’s target price, betting on a revaluation of Arm’s AI data center CPU value.
Arm’s stock price pulled back this week alongside the high-valuation AI sector, though some Wall Street analysts say the correction does not alter the company’s long-term standing in AI data centers. UBS sharply raised Arm’s price target from $260 to $470, retaining its Buy rating; TD Cowen lifted its target from $265 to $475, also keeping a Buy recommendation. Both firms share the view that as agentic AI evolves, CPUs could gain greater importance in data center architectures, rather than GPUs continuing to monopolize the investment narrative. TD Cowen believes that over the long term, CPUs could hold a more strategic position in certain AI workloads. UBS, meanwhile, emphasizes that the real debate in the market centers on the revenue potential of Arm’s self-developed or independent CPU business. The bank projects Arm’s CPU-related revenue could reach around $14 billion by 2030, though the company itself has stated this business will not have a material impact on its finances until fiscal 2028. Arm’s strengths lie in low latency and energy efficiency—metrics that major cloud providers are increasingly prioritizing as they expand AI infrastructure. Even with its stock pulling back from recent highs in the short term, analysts still view Arm as one of the key beneficiaries of the server CPU upgrade cycle.
9 minutes ago
Crypto whale who profited over $23.77 million from BAT ICO liquidates 27,586 ETH
According to monitoring by Yu Jing, a whale that earned $23.77 million from participating in the BAT ICO sold 15,000 ETH (valued at roughly $24.29 million) two hours ago. The whale has now fully liquidated all 27,586 ETH it received from selling 35 million BAT on-chain over the past day and a half, converting the proceeds into 44.836 million USDS at an average selling price of $1,625.
9 minutes ago
Sources: Iraqi officials once considered withdrawing from OPEC, but current plans are to remain a member and pursue a higher quota.
A senior Iraqi oil ministry official said that if OPEC quotas are not significantly increased, Iraq will be forced to consider all available options. Sources said Iraqi officials had considered withdrawing from OPEC, but the current plan is to remain a member and push for higher quotas. (Jinshi)
9 minutes ago
Kepler Cheuvreux raises ASML’s European share price target from €1,460 to €1,830.
Kepler Cheuvreux has raised the target price for ASML’s European shares from €1,460 to €1,830.
9 minutes ago
Stifel: U.S. economy in "overheated expansion" as AI investment cycle outweighs consumer pressure
U.S. large diversified financial services holding company Stifel has raised its year-end S&P 500 target and rolled out a stock allocation framework for a "high-growth, high-inflation" environment. The firm lifted its year-end S&P 500 target to 7,800 points, noting the U.S. economy is entering a "running hot" state—where economic growth is strengthening alongside mounting inflationary pressure. Stifel’s models show U.S. growth momentum is picking up while inflation momentum is clearly overheating, a trend that will reshape the market’s leading sector structure in the second half of the year. Instead of traditional consumer sectors, Stifel’s top picks are investment-led cyclical industries, including banks, transportation, materials, energy, semiconductors, software and equipment. The firm adds that fixed-asset investment in AI remains on the rise: large tech firms including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google are projected to combine for roughly $725 billion in total capital expenditures in 2026, some $100 billion higher than prior estimates. This means the AI investment chain is likely to continue outperforming the consumption chain squeezed by inflation. Stifel advises investors to reduce exposure to discretionary consumer, consumer staples, communication services and some financial services sectors, as these areas see weaker earnings revisions. Conversely, the firm favors cyclical value stocks and hedges with defensive value sectors such as insurance, autos, energy and banks.
Jefferies: Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix’s example to list in the US via ADRs.
Jeff Kim, Head of Research at Jefferies, said Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix in listing on the U.S. market via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which will boost the share price of the South Korean chipmaker whose valuation lags behind Micron. "Chip stocks are at a turning point. ADRs will serve as an important catalyst to drive their valuations," he added.
9 minutes ago
UBS and TD Cowen sharply raise Arm’s target price, betting on a revaluation of Arm’s AI data center CPU value.
Arm’s stock price pulled back this week alongside the high-valuation AI sector, though some Wall Street analysts say the correction does not alter the company’s long-term standing in AI data centers. UBS sharply raised Arm’s price target from $260 to $470, retaining its Buy rating; TD Cowen lifted its target from $265 to $475, also keeping a Buy recommendation. Both firms share the view that as agentic AI evolves, CPUs could gain greater importance in data center architectures, rather than GPUs continuing to monopolize the investment narrative. TD Cowen believes that over the long term, CPUs could hold a more strategic position in certain AI workloads. UBS, meanwhile, emphasizes that the real debate in the market centers on the revenue potential of Arm’s self-developed or independent CPU business. The bank projects Arm’s CPU-related revenue could reach around $14 billion by 2030, though the company itself has stated this business will not have a material impact on its finances until fiscal 2028. Arm’s strengths lie in low latency and energy efficiency—metrics that major cloud providers are increasingly prioritizing as they expand AI infrastructure. Even with its stock pulling back from recent highs in the short term, analysts still view Arm as one of the key beneficiaries of the server CPU upgrade cycle.
9 minutes ago
Crypto whale who profited over $23.77 million from BAT ICO liquidates 27,586 ETH
According to monitoring by Yu Jing, a whale that earned $23.77 million from participating in the BAT ICO sold 15,000 ETH (valued at roughly $24.29 million) two hours ago. The whale has now fully liquidated all 27,586 ETH it received from selling 35 million BAT on-chain over the past day and a half, converting the proceeds into 44.836 million USDS at an average selling price of $1,625.
9 minutes ago
Sources: Iraqi officials once considered withdrawing from OPEC, but current plans are to remain a member and pursue a higher quota.
A senior Iraqi oil ministry official said that if OPEC quotas are not significantly increased, Iraq will be forced to consider all available options. Sources said Iraqi officials had considered withdrawing from OPEC, but the current plan is to remain a member and push for higher quotas. (Jinshi)
9 minutes ago
Kepler Cheuvreux raises ASML’s European share price target from €1,460 to €1,830.
Kepler Cheuvreux has raised the target price for ASML’s European shares from €1,460 to €1,830.
9 minutes ago
Stifel: U.S. economy in "overheated expansion" as AI investment cycle outweighs consumer pressure
U.S. large diversified financial services holding company Stifel has raised its year-end S&P 500 target and rolled out a stock allocation framework for a "high-growth, high-inflation" environment. The firm lifted its year-end S&P 500 target to 7,800 points, noting the U.S. economy is entering a "running hot" state—where economic growth is strengthening alongside mounting inflationary pressure. Stifel’s models show U.S. growth momentum is picking up while inflation momentum is clearly overheating, a trend that will reshape the market’s leading sector structure in the second half of the year. Instead of traditional consumer sectors, Stifel’s top picks are investment-led cyclical industries, including banks, transportation, materials, energy, semiconductors, software and equipment. The firm adds that fixed-asset investment in AI remains on the rise: large tech firms including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google are projected to combine for roughly $725 billion in total capital expenditures in 2026, some $100 billion higher than prior estimates. This means the AI investment chain is likely to continue outperforming the consumption chain squeezed by inflation. Stifel advises investors to reduce exposure to discretionary consumer, consumer staples, communication services and some financial services sectors, as these areas see weaker earnings revisions. Conversely, the firm favors cyclical value stocks and hedges with defensive value sectors such as insurance, autos, energy and banks.
PANews reported on June 11 that, according to Bits.media, the NovaBox platform's reward pool was hacked on Ethereum on June 9, resulting in the loss of approximately 56.73 ETH, affecting over 130 depositors. The attackers drained the pool from 65.11 ETH to 0.09 ETH in a single transaction, representing approximately 99.86% of the total. Security firm F12 stated that the incident was not due to a smart contract vulnerability, but rather a flaw in the reward distribution mechanism.
The attacker borrowed 427.5 WETH through an Aave V3 flash loan, exploiting a vulnerability in NovaBox's mechanism where dividends are paid out before the balance is updated upon user deposits and withdrawals. The hacker first deposited a small amount of NOVA tokens to trigger dividend calculation, then deposited a large amount of ETH, significantly increasing the actual share. However, because the system failed to update the balance in time, dividends were still calculated based on the previous small share, but were paid out based on the new large share, resulting in a "phantom dividend" of approximately 145.82 ETH, thus depleting the reward pool.
Jefferies: Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix’s example to list in the US via ADRs.
Jeff Kim, Head of Research at Jefferies, said Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix in listing on the U.S. market via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which will boost the share price of the South Korean chipmaker whose valuation lags behind Micron. "Chip stocks are at a turning point. ADRs will serve as an important catalyst to drive their valuations," he added.
8 minutes ago
UBS and TD Cowen sharply raise Arm’s target price, betting on a revaluation of Arm’s AI data center CPU value.
Arm’s stock price pulled back this week alongside the high-valuation AI sector, though some Wall Street analysts say the correction does not alter the company’s long-term standing in AI data centers. UBS sharply raised Arm’s price target from $260 to $470, retaining its Buy rating; TD Cowen lifted its target from $265 to $475, also keeping a Buy recommendation. Both firms share the view that as agentic AI evolves, CPUs could gain greater importance in data center architectures, rather than GPUs continuing to monopolize the investment narrative. TD Cowen believes that over the long term, CPUs could hold a more strategic position in certain AI workloads. UBS, meanwhile, emphasizes that the real debate in the market centers on the revenue potential of Arm’s self-developed or independent CPU business. The bank projects Arm’s CPU-related revenue could reach around $14 billion by 2030, though the company itself has stated this business will not have a material impact on its finances until fiscal 2028. Arm’s strengths lie in low latency and energy efficiency—metrics that major cloud providers are increasingly prioritizing as they expand AI infrastructure. Even with its stock pulling back from recent highs in the short term, analysts still view Arm as one of the key beneficiaries of the server CPU upgrade cycle.
8 minutes ago
Crypto whale who profited over $23.77 million from BAT ICO liquidates 27,586 ETH
According to monitoring by Yu Jing, a whale that earned $23.77 million from participating in the BAT ICO sold 15,000 ETH (valued at roughly $24.29 million) two hours ago. The whale has now fully liquidated all 27,586 ETH it received from selling 35 million BAT on-chain over the past day and a half, converting the proceeds into 44.836 million USDS at an average selling price of $1,625.
8 minutes ago
Sources: Iraqi officials once considered withdrawing from OPEC, but current plans are to remain a member and pursue a higher quota.
A senior Iraqi oil ministry official said that if OPEC quotas are not significantly increased, Iraq will be forced to consider all available options. Sources said Iraqi officials had considered withdrawing from OPEC, but the current plan is to remain a member and push for higher quotas. (Jinshi)
8 minutes ago
Kepler Cheuvreux raises ASML’s European share price target from €1,460 to €1,830.
Kepler Cheuvreux has raised the target price for ASML’s European shares from €1,460 to €1,830.
8 minutes ago
Stifel: U.S. economy in "overheated expansion" as AI investment cycle outweighs consumer pressure
U.S. large diversified financial services holding company Stifel has raised its year-end S&P 500 target and rolled out a stock allocation framework for a "high-growth, high-inflation" environment. The firm lifted its year-end S&P 500 target to 7,800 points, noting the U.S. economy is entering a "running hot" state—where economic growth is strengthening alongside mounting inflationary pressure. Stifel’s models show U.S. growth momentum is picking up while inflation momentum is clearly overheating, a trend that will reshape the market’s leading sector structure in the second half of the year. Instead of traditional consumer sectors, Stifel’s top picks are investment-led cyclical industries, including banks, transportation, materials, energy, semiconductors, software and equipment. The firm adds that fixed-asset investment in AI remains on the rise: large tech firms including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google are projected to combine for roughly $725 billion in total capital expenditures in 2026, some $100 billion higher than prior estimates. This means the AI investment chain is likely to continue outperforming the consumption chain squeezed by inflation. Stifel advises investors to reduce exposure to discretionary consumer, consumer staples, communication services and some financial services sectors, as these areas see weaker earnings revisions. Conversely, the firm favors cyclical value stocks and hedges with defensive value sectors such as insurance, autos, energy and banks.
Ethereum’s well-known MEV bot JaredFromSubway was drained after an attacker used contracts that made its automated trading system grant token approvals, according to Blockaid.
Summary
Blockaid says attacker-controlled contracts tricked JaredFromSubway’s automated system into granting approvals later used for draining. Jared publicly claimed a $15 million loss, while Blockaid’s public estimate stood near $7.5 million. Crypto.news previously tied JaredFromSubway to Vitalik Buterin’s swap and heavy Ethereum gas use in 2023. The security firm said the incident was not a normal phishing case and not a direct bug in the victim contract.
“This is not a classic phishing attack and not a traditional smart-contract vulnerability in the victim contract,” Blockaid said.
The firm said the bot approved attacker-controlled contracts during routes that appeared to be profitable MEV trades.
Blockaid says approvals stayed open Blockaid said the attacker first tested routes where approvals were used at once, leaving no open allowance. Later, the attacker changed the route design so the bot gave approvals that were not spent or revoked.
One example cited by Blockaid involved an approval of about 92.16 WETH to an attacker helper contract. Etherscan data for the transaction showed jaredfromsubway.eth interacting with its MEV Bot 2 contract before the later sweep. The transaction record also showed ERC-20 movements tied to the same automated route.
Final sweep hit WETH, USDC and USDT The final transaction used the open approvals to pull WETH, USDC and USDT from the JaredFromSubway MEV bot contract through transferFrom. Etherscan showed transfers from “jaredfromsubway: MEV Bot 2” to the attacker wallet beginning with 0x3e37.
Blockaid put the drained amount at about $7.5 million. The JaredFromSubway account later claimed the loss was $15 million and offered a $1 million bounty for the full return of the funds. That difference has not been fully explained in the public posts reviewed.
How the attacker turned the bot’s logic against it The attack appears to have targeted the bot’s own trading workflow. MEV bots watch Ethereum activity and act on transactions that look profitable. In this case, attacker-controlled contracts made the route look useful enough for the bot to approve spending rights.
The attacker used 66 fake token contracts that copied the look and function of WETH, USDC and USDT. These contracts were paired with fake liquidity pools. The setup pushed the bot toward approvals that later became the path for the drain.
JaredFromSubway’s record is back in focus JaredFromSubway is one of Ethereum’s most watched sandwich bots. In a sandwich attack, a bot places trades before and after a user’s swap. This can give the user a worse price while the bot captures the spread.
As previously reported by crypto.news, JaredFromSubway targeted a small swap by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin in April, using about $1.14 million in WETH volume across SushiSwap and Uniswap V2. Crypto.news also reported in 2023 that the bot used 455 ETH in gas within 24 hours and accounted for about 7% of Ethereum gas use during that period.
The exploit now puts attention on token approvals used by automated systems. The case shows how a system built to act quickly on open market data can be steered into unsafe permissions when controls around approvals are weak. It also adds a new chapter to the wider debate over MEV, sandwich trades and user protection on Ethereum.
For now, the key public details remain split between Blockaid’s technical thread, the on-chain records and posts from the JaredFromSubway account. No recovery had been confirmed in the reviewed updates.
An attacker drained more than $7.5 million from the notorious Ethereum MEV bot jaredfromsubway.eth by exploiting its automated trading logic rather than a traditional contract bug or phishing scam.Over several weeks, the attacker lured the bot into approving malicious helper contracts via fake tokens and liquidity pools that mimicked assets like WETH, USDC and USDT, then used those open approvals to pull funds and route some through Tornado Cash.The incident underscores both the scale and risks of industrialized sandwich-bot activity—jaredfromsubway.eth has been responsible for roughly 70% of Ethereum sandwich attacks, which cost traders about $60 million a year—by showing how machine-speed, pattern-based systems can themselves be turned into victims.Jaredfromsubway.eth, one of Ethereum’s most infamous MEV bots, has been drained for more than $7.5 million after an attacker turned the bot’s own automated trading logic against it.
The bot is known for sandwich attacks, a form of maximal extractable value, or MEV, in which an automated trader spots a pending transaction, buys ahead of it, lets the victim trade at a worse price, then sells immediately after.
The result is a small hidden tax on users that can add up across thousands of trades.
Sandwich attackers aren’t typically a form of exploit but are looked upon in crypto circles as a type of predatory behavior, which skims value from users, leads to a spike in gas fees and doesn’t benefit either the network or the user.
Security firm Blockaid said Saturday’s incident was not a normal phishing attack and not a simple bug in the victim contract. The attacker instead targeted the bot’s decision-making system.
The setup was built over several weeks, where the attacker deployed dozens of fake token contracts and fake liquidity pools - a term for a pile of tokens locked on a decentralized exchange - that looked like profitable trades. Some mimicked familiar assets such as wrapped ether (WETH), and dollar-pegged stablecoins USDC and USDT.
That bait did what it was supposed to do. Jaredfromsubway.eth’s bot saw what looked like MEV opportunities and generated approvals for attacker-controlled helper contracts to spend tokens on its behalf. Those approvals were used immediately as part of the trade in earlier tests, but later, the attacker created routes where the approvals stayed open.
This left the attacker with standing permission to pull funds. And they used those open approvals to transfer WETH, USDC and USDT out of Jaredfromsubway.eth’s contracts, draining more than $7.5 million.
Some of the stolen funds were later sent to Tornado Cash, onchain data reveiwed by CoinDesk showed.
The irony was hard to miss, meanwhile.
Jaredfromsubway.eth has long been one of the most visible symbols of toxic MEV on Ethereum. Sandwich attacks cost Ethereum traders about $60 million a year, with 60,000 to 90,000 attacks per month between November 2024 and October 2025.
Roughly 70% of those attacks were associated with Jaredfromsubway.eth, who has been active since early 2023.
CoinDesk reported in May that the same bot had even sandwiched a small swap by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. It put up $1.14 million to frontrun Buterin's trade to make just $4 (after fees, the bot a few dollars money on this particular trade).
The trade was worth only a few dollars, and the loss was tiny, but it showed how industrialized the bot had become. It was scanning the mempool for nearly anything it could insert itself around.
While Saturday's incident does not make sandwich attacks less harmful, but it does show the risk of running systems that approve transactions at machine speed based on pattern recognition and profit signals.
Jaredfromsubway.eth spent years profiting from traders who did not see the bot coming. But on Saturday, the bot did not see the trade coming either.
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In the whirlwind landscape of cryptocurrency, the Mina Protocol has taken center stage with an extraordinary 47% surge in its native token, MINA, within the past week.
Currently riding high at $1.40, a level not witnessed since May 2022, MINA’s impressive rally has ignited contemplation among investors: Can it breach the elusive $2 mark in the immediate future?
MINA price action today. Source: Coingecko Mina’s Surge: CEO Appointment And Swiss Relocation This surge in MINA’s value is not a mere coincidence; it’s the result of a convergence of significant developments that have unfolded in recent weeks.
December 19 marked a pivotal moment when the Mina Foundation announced the appointment of Kurt Hemecker as the new CEO, a distinguished business development specialist in the FinTech space.
Simultaneously, the foundation strategically relocated its operations to Geneva, Switzerland, amplifying the positive sentiment surrounding MINA due to anticipated regulatory benefits and enhanced networking opportunities within the cryptocurrency community.
MINAUSD currently trading at $1.260 territory. Chart: TradingView.com Another driving force behind MINA’s remarkable surge is the introduction of the Paima ZK layer. A collaborative effort involving Paima Studios, Mina, ZekoLabs, and Class Lambda, this layer represents a groundbreaking leap in blockchain gaming technology.
It can deploy Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs to any Layer 1 (L1) ecosystem, supporting both EVM and non-EVM codebases. The layer’s innovative capacity to enable dynamic scaling of on-chain games, akin to the traditional “world select” in web2 games, adds a novel dimension to MINA’s utility.
The Mina Foundation Board appoints Kurt Hemecker (@khem) as CEO to champion adoption of @MinaProtocol’s ZK tech.
Kurt, previously COO, brings two decades of business development experience from major players including @DiemAssociation and @PayPal.
1/3https://t.co/W1old4fmxJ
— Mina Foundation 🪶 (@MinaFoundation) December 19, 2023
MINA Faces Resistance At Recent Highs Despite the positive momentum, MINA encounters initial resistance at its recent peak of $1.48, with additional overhead resistance noted between $1.5817 and $1.6337.
While the broader trend remains upward, cautious optimism is warranted as short-term oscillators hint at early signs of peaking momentum, prompting vigilance among traders and investors alike.
Meanwhile, Sebastien Guillemot, the principal developer at Cardano, alluded to significant advancements for the blockchain in 2024 in a recent X post.
With Ethereum sentiments being in the dumps right now, I’d just like to say working with Arbitrum (@arbitrum) has been a great experience 👍
Expect more projects that combine Arbitrum with @cardano and @MinaProtocol in the 2024 👍
— Sebastien Guillemot (@SebastienGllmt) December 26, 2023
Guillemot’s expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Arbitrum suggests a potential fusion of Cardano with Arbitrum and Mina Protocol.
Paima Studios, under Guillemot’s leadership, has already contributed to the progression of Layer-2 solutions, releasing a solution for Cardano’s on-chain gaming this year.
The alignment with Arbitrum and Mina Protocol points toward a paradigm shift in the blockchain landscape, promising further innovation and seamless integration.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) moved higher, with the cryptocurrency prices trading past the key $43,000 level on Tuesday.
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) also recorded gains, trading above the key $2,300 mark this morning.
Pendle (CRYPTO: PENDLE) was the top gainer over the prior 24 hours, while Manta Network (CRYPTO: MANTA) turned out to be the biggest loser.
At the time of writing, the global crypto market cap rose to $1.67 trillion, recording a 24-hour gain of 2.5%. BTC was trading higher by 2.9% at $43,475 while ETH rose by around 1.9% to $2,315 on Tuesday.
Here are the top ten crypto gainers and losers over the past 24 hours:
Shark tank star and billionaire Mark Cuban is revealing his crypto portfolio, which includes several non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and altcoins built on Ethereum (ETH).
According to ETH search engine EtherScan, Cuban’s top altcoin holdings include data exchange platform Ocean Protocol (OCEAN), cross-chain smart contract protocol Rarible (RARI), the governance token of the Olympus DAO (gOHM), and music streaming blockchain Audius (AUDIO).
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The business magnate has also made a portion of his crypto wallet public and is showing off his NFT collection on the social crypto collectible platform Lazy.
Cuban’s collection includes NFTs built on ETH-competitors Solana (SOL) and Polygon (MATIC), as well as ETH itself.
In a recent interview with comedian Jon Stewart, Cuban reveals that 80% of his most-recent non-Shark Tank investments have been into crypto assets as he believes newer generations are very likely to incorporate cryptocurrencies into their business models.
“The investments I’m making now are not in traditional businesses, 80% of the investments I make not in Shark Tank are in and around cryptocurrencies.”
Cuban then tells Stewart that he’s less of a speculative investor and believes decentralized cryptocurrencies will have legitimate use cases in the business world moving forward.
“Put aside all the speculation you read about with Bitcoin and Dogecoin, all that. Set that aside, that’s just the gamesmanship that’s played with stocks and everything.
A decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) basically says that there is no central organization. It’s all decentralized and trustless. What we mean by trustless is there’s not a management group or board of directors or a CEO making decisions…
And so everybody who owns a token in that application then has an equal, not always equal, but typically equal vote to set the direction of the hull, of the network. That is changing decision-making and that is where I look to invest.”
The meme coin space has not been shy of hype, but the trend in 2025 has been moving away from viral marketing towards practicality. Although Ethereum-based meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB), Pepe (PEPE), and Floki (FLOKI) have remained at the forefront of the conversation.
A new player, Little Pepe ($LILPEPE), which is a Layer 2 meme coin designed for utility purposes, is quickly making a name for itself—and the numbers are beginning to show that it’s worth paying attention to.
Little Pepe has already raised $28,101,728 out of the $28,775,000 goal, selling 16.94 billion tokens out of 17.25 billion. Currently in Stage 13, each token costs $0.0022, with plans for an increase to $0.0023 in the next stage.
Ethereum Meme Coins: Strong Brands, Limited Evolution Various popular meme coins have emerged from the Ethereum platform. For example, Shiba Inu (SHIB) ventured out of its meme coin status by launching Shibarium, its Layer 2 product. PEPE leveraged internet culture to post outstanding returns in the short run, while FLOKI created an ecosystem centred on NFTs and metaverse aspirations.
Nonetheless, in spite of these advancements, most Ethereum meme coins continue to exist as tokens on the Ethereum blockchain platform. As such, they share the same challenges as other Ethereum tokens, including higher transaction costs when the network is congested and dependence on other systems for scaling.
Little Pepe’s Exception in the Market Little Pepe enters the scene with a noticeably different approach. Rather than existing as just another token on Ethereum, it is built as a dedicated Layer 2 EVM-compatible chain, designed to be ultra-fast, secure, and cost-efficient from the ground up.
By controlling its own infrastructure, Little Pepe can offer zero tax trading, faster transactions, and a smoother user experience—something that meme coin traders have long struggled with on congested networks. Add to that staking features and NFT integration, and the project starts to look less like a speculative asset and more like an ecosystem in development.
The staged presale model adds another layer of appeal. Stage 1 investors who bought tokens at $0.001 are already holding profits above 120%, and there is more to come since the token will continue its journey to public release.
Incentives Driving Investor Momentum Furthermore, the current $777,000 presale giveaway contest is also contributing to fostering community engagement. Ten people who will win $77,000 of $LILPEPE coins will be selected based on their contribution of at least $100 and completion of community activities. This is a marketing approach that incorporates real user onboarding and not just speculation.
The Mega Giveaway introduces an additional incentive layer. Buyers participating between Stages 12 and 17 stand a chance to win 15+ ETH in rewards, targeting both large investors and random participants. This dual approach—rewarding both scale and chance—has helped sustain momentum during the later presale stages.
Market Positioning and Forward Outlook
Little Pepe’s roadmap hints at ambitions beyond presale success. Planned listings on top centralized exchanges and Uniswap, combined with discussions around major partnerships, signal an effort to transition quickly into a liquid, accessible asset. The project is also targeting a $1 billion market cap.
The bigger picture of the cryptocurrency market validates this story. As Bitcoin calms down and liquidity flows back into alternative cryptocurrencies, money begins flowing back into risky areas. Typically, meme coins profit from this stage—but the catch here is that investors favour tokens combining hyped up value with utility.
A Shift in Meme Coin Investing? Little Pepe emerges as a success at a time when the market is subtly reshaping the notion of what constitutes a “successful meme coin.” Although tokens built on the Ethereum platform continue to enjoy cult status, emerging projects with built-in technology stack solutions are gaining traction among investors.
While Little Pepe may or may not succeed in realizing its long-term vision, what is clear based on present momentum and presale performance is that it is proving the idea that successful meme coins cannot have both fun and function.
For more information about Little Pepe, visit the links below: Website: https://littlepepe.com/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/littlepepetoken Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken Disclaimer: TheNewsCrypto does not endorse any content on this page. The content depicted in this Press Release does not represent any investment advice. TheNewsCrypto recommends our readers to make decisions based on their own research. TheNewsCrypto is not accountable for any damage or loss related to content, products, or services stated in this Press Release.
While volatile movements in Bitcoin and altcoins continue, cryptocurrency analysis company Santiment announced the most popular altcoins in the cryptocurrency world in its latest post.
Accordingly, Santiment said that investors showed great interest in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), GameStop (GME), Kadena (KDA) and Chainlink (LINK) and named altcoins.
Gamestop is the leader in trending cryptocurrencies in the last 24 hours, followed by Bitcoin, Tether, KDA, LINK and ETH.
The cryptocurrencies that have attracted the most attention in the crypto industry and the reasons are listed as follows: GME: GameStop (GME) stock is trending amid growing discussions focusing on potential short squeeze scenarios similar to past events.
Bitcoin: The word BTC is trending due to the growing discussions about capital rotation from gold to Bitcoin.
Discussions highlight a shift in investment from gold to Bitcoin. Bitcoin's bullish trend and potential for a price double are also being discussed.
Tether (USDT): Tether is trending due to discussions about USDT and Tether Gold (XAUT). Tether is also notable for reaching 500 million users.
Kadena: KDA is trending due to the announcement that Layer 1 blockchain project Kadena will cease all operations and go bankrupt.
This caused the KDA token to lose approximately 60% of its value in a short period of time, resulting in significant losses for its holders.
Chainlink: LINK is in the spotlight with its participation at the Federal Reserve Payment Innovation Conference, where its executives discussed integrating traditional finance with DeFi, stablecoins, tokenization, and crypto payment innovations.
Considered a key player in the next-generation payment systems and crypto prediction markets, Chainlink is attracting interest from major financial and technology companies such as BlackRock, Coinbase, Google Cloud, and Circle.
Ethereum: ETH is trending due to extensive discussions about governance issues within the Ethereum Foundation and its relationship with projects like Polygon.
Key topics include discussions on Polygon's status as an Ethereum Layer-2 solution, comparisons of Ethereum's network efficiency to Bitcoin, and mentions of influential figures like Vitalik Buterin and Sandeep Nailwal.
Institutional investor interest, price movements, ETF outflows, large ETH transfers by the Ethereum Foundation, and Ethereum's role in multi-chain bridges and lending platforms are also contributing to ETH's trend.
*This is not investment advice.
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As the race to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) accelerates, ONDO is quietly positioning itself as one of the most influential players in the growing sector. While the market shifts toward real-world asset tokenization, ONDO has continued to expand its footprint in tokenized finance by building products that bridge traditional financial markets with blockchain infrastructure.
Why ONDO Is Emerging As A Leader In The Real-World Asset Sector ONDO Finance is quietly emerging as one of the most influential players in the rapidly expanding tokenized finance sector. A KOL manager and advisor, known as BitBull on X, has revealed that tokenized US Treasury products have now grown into a $13.7 billion market capitalization, with Ondo already ranking among the largest issuers in the space.
At the same time, tokenized stocks are gaining momentum, surpassing $1.5 billion in total value locked (TVL) as assets such as NCDAon, IBITon, MUon, and IVVon attract growing investor demand through Ondo Global markets.
Source: Chart from BitBull on X Meanwhile, the broader shift happening behind the scenes is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Users can now access the US stocks, ETFs, and treasury products directly on-chain, without relying on traditional brokerage infrastructure.
While Ethereum continues to dominate the tokenized asset landscape, Ondo has rapidly positioned itself as one of the major platforms accelerating real-world asset adoption across crypto markets. BitBull noted that this signals a transition beyond stablecoins, with capital markets slowly migrating onto on-chain, and Ondo aiming to sit at the center of that transformation.
Tokenized Stocks Could Become Ondo’s Biggest Opportunity ONDO is increasingly being viewed as one of the most undervalued opportunities in the tokenized finance sector. According to Not Telling on X, the project originally positioned the ONDO token strictly as a governance asset to avoid potential regulatory issues tied to securities laws, particularly around sharing protocol-generated revenue with token holders.
However, with the introduction of a clearer regulatory framework, such as the CLARITY Act, the landscape may be shifting. The new guidance suggests that distributing protocol revenue to token holders may no longer automatically be classified as a security asset.
At the same time, the evolving stance of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) toward tokenized assets is reinforcing Ondo’s position as the best. The platform is already a dominant player in tokenized stocks, reportedly controlling a significant 60% shares of the market.
If Ondo moves forward with the revenue-sharing protocol with token holders, the combination of real yield and strong positioning in tokenized real-world assets could significantly reprice the token. In that scenario, ONDO’s trajectory toward becoming a top-tier crypto asset, potentially breaking into the top 10 or even top 5, would come into focus.
ONDO trading at $0.37 on the 1D chart | Source: ONDOUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Medium, chart from Tradingview.com
PANews reported on February 23 that the IoTeX team tweeted that on February 21, they discovered an attack on the Ethereum side of their multi-chain bridge ioTube. The attackers stole 410 million CIOTX tokens and approximately $4.4 million in assets through four steps. Currently, over 86% of the CIOTX has been locked or frozen, 12.8% (52.4 million CIOTX) is being frozen in cooperation with Binance and other platforms, and only 0.4% (1.7 million CIOTX) remains at risk after being exchanged on DEXs. Regarding the bridge's reserve funds, the attackers exchanged the stolen reserve tokens (including USDC, USDT, WBTC, WETH, and other assets) for approximately 2,183 ETH . Of this, 1,572 ETH has been transferred to the Bitcoin network via THORChain.
The IoTeX team has taken emergency measures, including distributing patch fixes, freezing related addresses, and working with exchanges to freeze funds. The ioTube bridge service will be restored after an independent security audit, along with a compensation plan and security upgrades. The team is committed to ensuring the safety of community assets and will release a more detailed compensation plan and hold a community AMA within the next 48 hours.
Previously reported, IoTeX suffered a loss of approximately $2 million in assets and is expected to be operational within 48 hours . Upbit has added IoTeX (IOTX) to its transaction alert list .
Jefferies: Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix’s example to list in the US via ADRs.
Jeff Kim, Head of Research at Jefferies, said Samsung is likely to follow SK Hynix in listing on the U.S. market via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which will boost the share price of the South Korean chipmaker whose valuation lags behind Micron. "Chip stocks are at a turning point. ADRs will serve as an important catalyst to drive their valuations," he added.
5 minutes ago
UBS and TD Cowen sharply raise Arm’s target price, betting on a revaluation of Arm’s AI data center CPU value.
Arm’s stock price pulled back this week alongside the high-valuation AI sector, though some Wall Street analysts say the correction does not alter the company’s long-term standing in AI data centers. UBS sharply raised Arm’s price target from $260 to $470, retaining its Buy rating; TD Cowen lifted its target from $265 to $475, also keeping a Buy recommendation. Both firms share the view that as agentic AI evolves, CPUs could gain greater importance in data center architectures, rather than GPUs continuing to monopolize the investment narrative. TD Cowen believes that over the long term, CPUs could hold a more strategic position in certain AI workloads. UBS, meanwhile, emphasizes that the real debate in the market centers on the revenue potential of Arm’s self-developed or independent CPU business. The bank projects Arm’s CPU-related revenue could reach around $14 billion by 2030, though the company itself has stated this business will not have a material impact on its finances until fiscal 2028. Arm’s strengths lie in low latency and energy efficiency—metrics that major cloud providers are increasingly prioritizing as they expand AI infrastructure. Even with its stock pulling back from recent highs in the short term, analysts still view Arm as one of the key beneficiaries of the server CPU upgrade cycle.
5 minutes ago
Crypto whale who profited over $23.77 million from BAT ICO liquidates 27,586 ETH
According to monitoring by Yu Jing, a whale that earned $23.77 million from participating in the BAT ICO sold 15,000 ETH (valued at roughly $24.29 million) two hours ago. The whale has now fully liquidated all 27,586 ETH it received from selling 35 million BAT on-chain over the past day and a half, converting the proceeds into 44.836 million USDS at an average selling price of $1,625.
5 minutes ago
Sources: Iraqi officials once considered withdrawing from OPEC, but current plans are to remain a member and pursue a higher quota.
A senior Iraqi oil ministry official said that if OPEC quotas are not significantly increased, Iraq will be forced to consider all available options. Sources said Iraqi officials had considered withdrawing from OPEC, but the current plan is to remain a member and push for higher quotas. (Jinshi)
5 minutes ago
Kepler Cheuvreux raises ASML’s European share price target from €1,460 to €1,830.
Kepler Cheuvreux has raised the target price for ASML’s European shares from €1,460 to €1,830.
5 minutes ago
Stifel: U.S. economy in "overheated expansion" as AI investment cycle outweighs consumer pressure
U.S. large diversified financial services holding company Stifel has raised its year-end S&P 500 target and rolled out a stock allocation framework for a "high-growth, high-inflation" environment. The firm lifted its year-end S&P 500 target to 7,800 points, noting the U.S. economy is entering a "running hot" state—where economic growth is strengthening alongside mounting inflationary pressure. Stifel’s models show U.S. growth momentum is picking up while inflation momentum is clearly overheating, a trend that will reshape the market’s leading sector structure in the second half of the year. Instead of traditional consumer sectors, Stifel’s top picks are investment-led cyclical industries, including banks, transportation, materials, energy, semiconductors, software and equipment. The firm adds that fixed-asset investment in AI remains on the rise: large tech firms including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google are projected to combine for roughly $725 billion in total capital expenditures in 2026, some $100 billion higher than prior estimates. This means the AI investment chain is likely to continue outperforming the consumption chain squeezed by inflation. Stifel advises investors to reduce exposure to discretionary consumer, consumer staples, communication services and some financial services sectors, as these areas see weaker earnings revisions. Conversely, the firm favors cyclical value stocks and hedges with defensive value sectors such as insurance, autos, energy and banks.
PANews reported on February 24th that, according to CoinDesk, the IoTeX public blockchain project's cross-chain bridge ioTube suffered a loss of approximately $4.4 million on February 21st due to a compromised Ethereum-side validator owner's private key . IoTeX sent an on-chain message to the attackers, promising a white-hat bounty of approximately 10% (about $440,000) for returning the funds within 48 hours, without pursuing legal action or providing their identity information to law enforcement. The project team stated that they have fully tracked the flow of funds, flagged and frozen the relevant exchange deposit addresses, identified four Bitcoin addresses holding approximately 66.6 BTC, and will introduce a malicious address blacklist through the mainnet v2.3.4 upgrade.
Author: PA一线
This content is for market information only and is not investment advice.
PANews reported on February 26 that the IoTeX Foundation announced its latest tracking and full compensation plan regarding the ioTube cross-chain bridge security incident that occurred on February 21. The team stated that it has completed the full-chain tracking of the stolen funds. Most of the CIOTX has been frozen on-chain, and the remaining assets have been converted into approximately 2,183 ETH and crossed over to the Bitcoin network. The relevant BTC addresses are currently under monitoring. The Foundation promises 100% compensation to all users who held USDC, USDT, ETH, and WBTC bridged from Ethereum to IoTeX at the time of the incident: users with losses of $10,000 or less will receive a one-time full compensation; users with losses exceeding $10,000 will receive the first $10,000 immediately, with the remainder distributed over four quarters, plus an additional 10% compensation in the form of 12-month staked IOTX. The platform will open the official recovery address and Claims Portal on February 27. Users need to summarize their affected assets, transfer them all at once, and submit on-chain transaction information to complete the verification and compensation process.
PANews reported on February 27th that, according to an IoTeX announcement, due to an attack on the ioTube cross-chain bridge on February 20th and the unauthorized issuance of CIOTX on the Ethereum side, IoTeX plans to immediately deprecate CIOTX on Ethereum/Base/Solana and permanently close the relevant bridges. The attacker's minting will not be recognized. Eligible holders must submit their transaction hashes through the claims portal; after verification, IOTX will be issued on the IoTeX chain at a 1:1 ratio. BSC/Polygon/IoTeX are unaffected by the issuance and will reopen the bridges after auditing for users to migrate back to IOTX independently, before permanently delisting them. IoTeX will also notify CEX/DEX/DeFi to completely delist or remove CIOTX integrations.
PANews reported on January 14th that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market saw a general rebound after a period of correction, with most sectors rising by approximately 3% to 8% in the past 24 hours. The NFT sector led the gains with an 8.34% increase, with Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) rising 13.36% and ApeCoin (APE) rising 13.17%. Additionally, Bitcoin (BTC) rose 4.34%, surpassing $95,000, and Ethereum (ETH) rose 7.40%, surpassing $3,300.
In other sectors, the Meme sector rose 7.31% in the last 24 hours, with Pepe (PEPE) surging 16.06%; the RWA sector rose 6.95%, with Keeta (KTA) rising 16.69%; the Layer 2 sector rose 6.92%, with Optimism (OP) rising 17.21%; the DeFi sector rose 6.73%, with Ethena (ENA) rising 13.06%; the PayFi sector rose 5.35%, with Dash (DASH) rising 42.84%; the Layer 1 sector rose 4.99%, with Polkadot (DOT) rising 9.48%; and the CeFi sector rose 4.55%, with Binance Coin (BNB) rising 4.81%.
PANews reported on February 12th that, according to SoSoValue data, the overall cryptocurrency market is trending downwards. Bitcoin (BTC) fell 1.97%, dropping below $68,000; Ethereum (ETH) fell 2.83%, dropping below $2,000. Only the NFT, SocialFi, and Layer 2 sectors remained relatively resilient, rising 1.40%, 0.53%, and 0.04% respectively in the past 24 hours. Within the NFT sector, ApeCoin (APE) rose 1.30%; within the SocialFi sector, Toncoin (TON) rose 0.68%; and within the Layer 2 sector, zkSync (ZK) rose 4.38%.
In other sectors, the Meme sector fell 0.29% in the last 24 hours, but PIPPIN (PIPPIN) surged 33.94%; the Layer 1 sector fell 1.35%, while Zcash (ZEC) remained relatively strong, rising 2.41%; the CeFi sector fell 1.46%, while Aster (ASTER) surged 8.90% intraday; the DeFi sector fell 1.71%, while Hyperliquid (HYPE) bucked the trend, rising 4.08%; and the PayFi sector fell 1.88%, while eCash (XEC) rose 4.11%.
PANews reported on April 3rd that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market generally saw a pullback. The NFT sector fell 3.85% in the last 24 hours. Within the sector, Pudgy APENFT (NFT) fell 0.58%, Penguins (PENGU) fell 2.13%, and ApeCoin (APE) fell 5.24%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) fell 1.06%, dropping below $67,000. Ethereum (ETH) fell 2.52%, fluctuating narrowly around $2,000.
In other sectors, the Meme sector fell 0.04% in the last 24 hours, with MemeCore (M) showing relative strength, rising 4.28%; the PayFi sector fell 1.16%, and Dash (DASH) fell 4.01%; the Layer 1 sector fell 1.45%, with Algorand (ALGO) bucking the trend and rising 7.61%; the Layer 2 sector fell 1.88%, but Polygon (POL) rose 0.66%; the DeFi sector fell 2.11%, with EdgeX (EDGE) surging 13.38% intraday; the CeFi sector fell 1.65%, and Binance Coin (BNB) fell 3.34%.
PANews reported on May 14th that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market generally saw a correction, with the NFT sector leading the decline at 3.95% in the past 24 hours. Within the sector, Audiera (BEAT) rose 6.27%, while ApeCoin (APE) fell 4.64%. Additionally, Bitcoin (BTC) fell 1.93%, dropping below $80,000; Ethereum (ETH) fell 1.23%, dropping below $2,300.
In other sectors, the Meme sector fell 0.25% in the last 24 hours, with TROLL (TROLL) showing relative strength, rising 24.93%; the CeFi sector fell 0.60%, with Cronos (CRO) falling 5.54%; the PayFi sector fell 1.69%, with Dash (DASH) falling 6.84%; the Layer 1 sector fell 2.15%, but Canton Network (CC) rose 1.45%; the DeFi sector fell 3.16%, with LAB (LAB) surging 22.84%; the AI sector fell 3.57%, with Unibase (UB) surging 32.63% intraday; and the Layer 2 sector fell 3.60%, with zkSync (ZK) falling 8.37%.
PANews reported on June 12th that, according to SoSoValue data, the cryptocurrency market rebounded across the board, rising 2% to 15% in the past 24 hours. The NFT sector performed particularly well, rising 15.04%, with Audiera (BEAT) up 17.25% and ApeCoin (APE) up 8.68%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) rose 1.90%, breaking through $63,000; Ethereum (ETH) rose 1.32%, breaking through $1,600.
In other sectors, the AI sector rose 7.01% in the last 24 hours, with Velvet (VELVET) surging 83.37%; the DeFi sector rose 5.21%, with LAB (LAB) rising 21.89%; the PayFi sector rose 3.56%, with Monero (XMR) rising 21.65%; the Layer 2 sector rose 2.19%, with Arbitrum (ARB) rising 5.60%; the Layer 1 sector rose 1.83%, with NEAR Protocol (NEAR) rising 5.21%; the CeFi sector rose 1.40%, with Gate (GT) rising 2.20%; and the Meme sector rose 0.98%, with BUILDon (B) rising 8.15%.
A court in Illinois sided with the United States Commodity Futures Trade Commission (CFTC) and recognized two altcoins – Olympus (OHM) and KlimaDAO (KLIMA) as commodities.
Illinois Northern District Court Judge supported the CFTC in the case against Oregon resident Sam Ikurti and his company, Jafia, LLC. The CFTC deemed the company a Ponzi-like scheme.
Judge Imposed a $120 Million Fine on Crypto Ponzi SchemeIn 2022, CFTC accused Ikurti and his colleague Ravishankar Avadanam of fraud and non-compliance with registration requirements. The case against Avadanam was dismissed in 2023 as part of an agreement with the regulator.
The Commission claimed that they organized the Ponzi scheme, which attracted about $ 44 million from at least 170 investors through the company’s website called Jafia LLC and YouTube videos.
Read more: 15 Most Common Crypto Scams To Look Out For
Ikurti and Avadanama developed Jafia LLC, which claimed to bring customers up to 15% returns per annum. However, scammers spent all investor funds on the purchase of altcoins OHM and KLIMA.
Judge Mary Rowland agreed with the CFTC that Jafia, LLC, and its founders were involved in fraud. The defendants are now required to pay more than $120 million in compensation to all victims of the scheme. Specifically, this included $83.7 million in restitution and $36.9 million in disgorgement.
However, the most important point in the case was the court’s recognition of OHM and KLIMA as commodities.
“The order finds not only are Bitcoin and Ethereum commodities within the CFTC’s jurisdiction, but also “OHM and Klima, two non-Bitcoin virtual currencies … qualify as commodities,” CFTC said.
Due to this development, the price of OHM has increased by 0.71% in the past 24 hours despite the broader market downturn. Meanwhile, the price of KLIMA has also increased modestly by 0.47%.
Olympus (OHM) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoDetermining whether crypto assets are securities or commodities is a subject of lively debate. CFTC Representatives consider most cryptocurrency commodities, while the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) believes that all of them are more likely to relate to securities.
Read more: Who Is Gary Gensler? Everything To Know About the SEC Chairman
Representatives of the crypto industry believe that it is precisely because of disputes between the CFTC and SEC in the United States that cannot create a regulatory framework for the crypto market.
In brief OpenSea had a record-breaking January, with more than $5 billion in trading volume between Ethereum and Polygon. Other marketplaces put up sizable numbers last month, as the Bored Ape Yacht Club, Azuki, World of Women, and NBA Top Shot all rose. Leading NFT marketplace OpenSea generated more than $5 billion in total trading volume in January between Ethereum and Polygon sales, breaking the previous record from August 2021.
Public blockchain data collected by Dune Analytics shows that OpenSea had more than $4.95 billion of Ethereum trading volume in January, plus over $79 million on Polygon, a sidechain scaling solution for Ethereum. Both are single-month records for each respective platform.
OpenSea’s previous Ethereum peak came in August 2021 as the NFT market exploded following a subdued summer, topping $3.4 billion in trading volume for the month. Meanwhile, the marketplace’s previous Polygon record was set in December with $76 million, as NFT trading on the scaling solution has steadily increased in recent months.
On the Ethereum front, OpenSea had its best single day in months yesterday, January 31, with $233 million worth of NFT trading. It’s one of four single days above the $200 million mark for Ethereum trading in January for the marketplace.
Daily Ethereum trading volume is on the rise at OpenSea. Image: Dune AnalyticsOpenSea initially appeared to be on track for an even more sizable finish. However, the Dune Analytics dashboard created by Richard Chen, general partner at venture fund 1confirmation, was double-counting transactions sent by newer aggregators like Genie and Gem. It was fixed on January 20, per a tweet from Chen, shaving down some previous trading volume figures.
Even with the data corrected, however, OpenSea still blew past its previous Ethereum record as the NFT market soars to even greater heights. Early in January, OpenSea also revealed a $300 million Series C round that valued the company at $13.3 billion.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for OpenSea in January, however. Some OpenSea users saw their high-value NFT collectibles sold for a fraction of their estimated worth due to a UI exploit, and the firm has thus far paid out $1.8 million worth of ETH to affected customers.
Also last month, OpenSea announced plans to limit the number of NFTs that can be minted with its own smart contract (i.e., computer code), effectively stopping some active projects in their tracks. The news was met with near-universal backlash and OpenSea reversed course, announcing that it would instead pursue other ways to limit the creation of plagiarized and spam NFTs on the platform.
A rising marketOpenSea is a prominent indicator of the NFT market’s momentum, which has continued surging despite a rough month for cryptocurrency prices. Some traders may see valuable, blue chip NFT projects like the Bored Ape Yacht Club and Doodles as a store of value as the crypto market falls. Others may be taking advantage of the dip to buy into NFTs in a big way.
“Investors are currently getting a discount for the most hyped digital asset class, at least on fiat terms,” Dragos Dunica, co-founder and chief data officer of analytics firm DappRadar, told Decrypt earlier in January. “As NFTs maintain their upward trend, this discount might turn into a neat return on investment as crypto prices pick up too.”
An NFT works like a blockchain-verified deed of ownership to a digital item, whether it’s an image, video file, video game item, or something else. The market rose to an estimated $23 billion in total trading volume over the course of 2021, per data from DappRadar.
That momentum has carried into 2022 thus far, and OpenSea is not the only platform that saw significant trading action in January. New Ethereum marketplace LooksRare is a prime example, but it’s one that comes with caveats.
Launched on January 10, the marketplace is built around its own LOOKS token that was airdropped free to select OpenSea users to draw them to the platform. LOOKS tokens are also paid out daily to NFT traders that use LooksRare.
However, some traders have manipulated the system by selling NFTs for highly exaggerated prices back and forth between their own controlled wallets—a form of wash trading. Collections like Meebits and Terraforms, which trade without royalties due to the creators, have generated billions of artificially inflated trading volume via LooksRare in recent weeks.
As of Friday, January 28, crypto analytics firm CryptoSlam said that it had identified more than $8.3 billion worth of wash trading on LooksRare. With Dune Analytics reporting $9.5 billion in total trading volume at the time, that would suggest that about 87% of trading on the site was attributed to manipulated sales as of that date.
Still, that leaves potentially more than $1 billion worth of legitimate trading volume—plus activity from the weekend and Monday—on a brand new NFT marketplace in January. And that comes on top of OpenSea’s own growing Ethereum activity.
Over on the Solana blockchain, top marketplace Magic Eden appears to have had a sizable month, as well. DappRadar’s figures suggest more than $531 million worth of trading volume over the past 30 days, as of this writing—a nearly 89% uptick over the previous 30-day span.
The biggest projectsThe Bored Ape Yacht Club profile picture project—which pulled in celebrities like Justin Bieber and Neymar Jr. in recent weeks—was arguably the biggest winner among NFT collections in January.
According to CryptoSlam, the main collection generated $311 million worth of secondary trading volume last month, a nearly 101% increase over December. Add in secondary sales of the Mutant Ape Yacht Club and Bored Ape Kennel Club collections, and the combined total tops $600 million. Collectively, the three projects have passed the $2 billion total to date.
Meanwhile, brand new profile picture project Azuki has topped $249 million in secondary trading volume to date since launching in January, and the World of Women project rose more than 1,100% to over $69.5 million last month. Earlier in January, World of Women signed veteran music mogul Guy Oseary to represent it with entertainment and licensing initiatives.
Dapper Labs had a big month in January, as well, with its NBA Top Shot project—which runs on the Flow blockchain—notching its best month of secondary trading volume since last April with over $59 million. That’s a 52% increase from December, plus Top Shot logged its most NFT transactions in a single month with more than 1.8 million in total.
Also in January, Dapper launched its UFC Strike platform for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, generating $5 million as it sold through 100,000 NFT packs at $50 apiece. UFC Strike will enable trading when its secondary marketplace opens on February 7.
Not every notable NFT project soared in January, however. CryptoPunks notched its lowest month of trading volume since last June, with $124.2 million—a nearly 28% drop from December. CryptoPunks has been seen as losing ground to the Bored Ape Yacht Club, which provides added perks to holders and has seen prominent holders join of late.
Additionally, Axie Infinity–the leading Ethereum-based game—continued its recent decline in NFT trading volume, dropping to about $126.5 million in January. That’s a 58% drop from December, and a steep fall from November’s tally of nearly $754 million, per CryptoSlam.
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