Echos, the artificial intelligence platform for agentic tokens, is shutting down.
On March 27, the AI agent platform, developed by Cosmos based liquid staking platform Stride, notified its community that operations will cease on May 1, 2025.
Echos, which launched in beta in November 2024, cited low adoption as the main reason for its closure. According to a notice posted on X, the experiment failed to gain meaningful traction, reflecting a broader slowdown in the crypto AI agent space.
“Echos was always an experiment. Unfortunately, Echos has seen little adoption. Also, the overall AI agents market has contracted significantly,” the team stated.
Echos is a Stride app built on Celestia, designed as a rollup.
From vision to sunset At launch, the Stride team envisioned Echos’ AI and memecoin focus as a potential disruptor to the future of decentralized finance. The plan was to evolve Echos from an experimental product into a full rollup ecosystem supporting various use cases within Stride’s liquid staking network.
However, a lack of user traction has brought those ambitions to an end.
The Echos team has urged all users to withdraw their funds before the platform shuts down permanently on May 1.
According to Stride, Echos drew inspiration from Terminal of Truths, the AI agent that saw the memecoin Goateus Maximus (GOAT) explode in the summer of 2024. It went on to hit $1 billion in market cap.
Terminal of Truths, a large language model platform backed by Marc Andreessen of Andreessen Horowitz, gained notoriety after shilling the GOAT token on X—an action that sent the memecoin soaring.
Stride’s vision for Echos was to create a similar AI experience, allowing anyone to launch their own Echo using just a crypto wallet and X account.
While Echos failed to go beyond the first phase of its development, the AI agent sector has since seen several notable projects. Some of the top trending ones include Virtuals Protocol, ai16z, Freysa AI and Delysium.
The Interchain Foundation has announced an investment in Stride to support the development of Stride Swap, a new decentralized exchange (DEX) built natively on the Cosmos Hub
The Interchain Foundation has announced an investment in Stride to support the development of Stride Swap, a new decentralized exchange (DEX) built natively on the Cosmos Hub. Stride Swap is designed to leverage the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, specifically optimized for the Cosmos Hub's IBC Eureka upgrade. This upgrade enables multichain swaps, allowing Stride Swap to serve as a liquidity engine and bridge swap solution within the Cosmos Hub's decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. The initiative marks a new phase for Stride, positioning it as a key player in expanding IBC-enabled DeFi functionalities on the Cosmos network.
This is an AI-generated article powered by DeepNewz, curated by The Defiant. For more information, including article sources, visit DeepNewz.
Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy (MSTR), has announced plans to issue 2.5 million shares of 10% Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock (STRD) to raise funds to expand its Bitcoin holdings and support working capital.
The company aims to raise approximately $250 million from this initial public offering (IPO), based on an initial liquidation preference of $100 per share. Meanwhile, other firms are also advancing Bitcoin treasury initiatives across the globe.
Strategy Plans Major IPO to Raise Funds for Bitcoin Expansion According to Strategy’s official announcement, the offering targets institutional and select non-institutional investors. Holders are eligible for non-cumulative dividends, paid quarterly if declared, at a 10% annual rate.
“Strategy will have the right, at its election, to redeem all, but not less than all, of the STRD Stock, at any time, for cash if the total number of shares of all STRD Stock then outstanding is less than 25% of the total number of shares of STRD Stock originally issued in the offering and in any future offering, taken together,” the statement read.
The offering plan follows Strategy’s latest acquisition of 705 BTC for around $75.1 million yesterday. SaylorTracker data shows that the firm holds 580,955 BTC, valued at over $60 billion.
Strategy’s move comes amid a wave of corporate cryptocurrency adoption. On June 2, Hong Kong-based Reitar Logtech Holdings Limited (RITR), a logistics solutions provider, revealed that it is in advanced negotiations to create a strategic Bitcoin treasury. The initiative aims to purchase up to 15,000 BTC, valued at approximately $1.5 billion.
“Management believes this treasury diversification could provide several strategic benefits including enhanced financial resilience through allocation to a non-correlated digital asset, increased financial flexibility for future strategic acquisitions in logistics technology and automation platforms, and positioning for expansion in high-growth Asian markets where demand for smart logistics infrastructure continues to increase,” the filing read.
Similarly, the Norwegian Block Exchange (NBX) made history as Norway’s first listed company to adopt Bitcoin as a treasury asset. The company has acquired 6 Bitcoin and aims to raise its holdings to 10 BTC by June.
In Russia, Sberbank, the country’s largest bank, launched structured bonds tied to Bitcoin. This product is available to a limited group of qualified investors in the over-the-counter market.
Beyond Bitcoin, other digital assets are also gaining traction. BTCS, a blockchain tech firm, acquired 1,000 ETH, bringing its Ethereum holdings to 13,500 ETH.
“Ethereum remains at the core of our blockchain infrastructure strategy. Our expanding ETH position is not simply a treasury play-it’s a strategic byproduct of our NodeOps and high-growth Builder+ activities. We are focused on building highly scalable, revenue-generating infrastructure,” CEO Charles Allen said.
Meanwhile, Classover, an edtech company, is focusing on building a Solana (SOL) treasury reserve. The company previously bought 6,472 SOL for approximately $1.05 million.
Now, it has entered into an agreement to issue up to $500 million in senior secured convertible notes, with an initial $11 million funding set to close soon. A significant portion of the proceeds, up to 80%, will be allocated to purchasing SOL.
These developments reflect a broader shift among corporations to diversify treasury assets with cryptocurrencies.
The STRD offering marks the company's third preferred instrument as it continues building a structured and diversified capital stack anchored in Bitcoin exposure.
STRD delivers a fixed 10% dividend with perpetual duration and ranks below Strategy's senior preferred instrument (NASDAQ:STRF), but above the firm's common equity.
It is structured to sit at the riskier end of the firm's yield curve but compensates investors with its highest payout to date among Strategy's preferred options.
Unlike (NASDAQ:STRF), which prioritizes capital preservation and mimics the risk profile of investment-grade fixed income, STRD is intended for investors seeking higher returns despite increased subordination.
Meanwhile, Strategy's other product STRK (NASDAQ:STRK) offers an 8% dividend and the added benefit of convertibility, placing it squarely between STRF and STRD in terms of both yield and risk.
Strategy's common stock MSTR remains the base layer of its capital stack, functioning as the firm's core vehicle for leveraged Bitcoin exposure.
The STRD issuance is non-callable in typical market conditions, though it may be repurchased if certain events occur, such as a major corporate restructuring or tax-related change.
Also Read: Michael Saylor’s Strategy To Outperform Bitcoin? Here’s How It Could Happen
Dividends will be distributed quarterly, in cash, but only at the discretion of the board.
The firm claims STRD compares favorably to other high-yield investment vehicles on the market.
This new product aligns with Strategy's broader push to merge structured financial instruments with crypto exposure.
The goal: deliver yield, diversification and exposure to digital assets in formats that fit traditional investment portfolios.
According to the company, the launch of STRD further extends its commitment to modernizing capital formation strategies using a layered and yield-tiered approach rooted in both crypto conviction and financial discipline.
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On June 3, 2025, Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy) introduced a new perpetual called Stride (STRD). The stock will allow investors to get a 10% yield from Bitcoin without buying it directly, while Strategy will get cash to buy more Bitcoin. The new stock received a mixed reception from the crypto community.
What is Stride? Following the release of Strife and Strike, Strategy introduced a new preferred stock offering, Series A Preferred Stock Stride (STRD). Stride is a 10% noncallable non-cumulative perpetual. Its fixed dividend of 10% is above Strike’s 8% dividend, but has a lower seniority if compared to Strife, which has a 10% dividend too.
Stride is a significant addition to Strategy’s so-called three-piston Bitcoin engine, conceived of common stock MSTR and two other preferred stocks, Strike (STRK) and Strife (STRF). This engine was supposed to ensure maximizing Strategy’s profits by playing with Bitcoin’s scarcity and volatility. Seemingly, Strategy found a way to improve this engine by supplementing it with a fourth element.
Stride is fee-free and has a higher yield than most ETFs. This makes it attractive for long-term investors. Stride may be repurchased if the fundamental change takes place or for taxes-related purposes. STRD dividends are discretionary and are paid when the Strategy board makes a declaration.
What are the concerns? The new stock offering was perceived as proof of Strategy’s troubled state by some on the Crypto Twitter. Critics believe that the company is running out of cash and trying to find a way to make quick money.
More than that, CEO and co-founder of CoinBureau, Nic Puckrin, took to X to ask questions regarding the Stride offering. He is interested in the origin of the funds needed to pay dividends, assumes that the new perpetual may dilute common stock if the latter is used to fund STRD, and asks if there is a risk that Strategy will have to sell Bitcoin if the equity is not sold. On top of that, while not saying “Ponzi Scheme,” Puckrin questioned whether it is a good idea to pay current investors with funds taken from future investors. A Bitcoin enthusiast, Shanaka Anslem Perera, responding to these questions via an X post, claimed the offering has clear Ponzi vibes.
The $4.22 billion net loss admitted by Strategy in the first quarter of 2025 only fuels skepticism. If Strategy dumps MSTR stock to fund dividends for STRD investors, it creates tension within the Bitcoin engine and potentially hurts MSTR stock investors.
Why do some say Stride is a genius move? At a current Bitcoin price of over $100,000, Strategy’s $8+ billion debt is not considered a problem. According to Goldman Sachs, investors will stop investing in Strategy only if, by 2027, the BTC price declines by half. That’s why there are many optimistic comments from people who don’t see Stride stock offering as a sign of the inability of Strategy to gain cash for purchasing more Bitcoin or pay off its debt.
Adam Livingston, MSTR investor and author of The Bitcoin Age and The Great Harvest, posted a series of tweets explaining the genius behind the new stock. However, it’s notable how he emphasizes how good the move is for Michael Saylor, co-founder and chairman of Strategy. Livingston puts it that way:
“Saylor gets cheap capital, no dilution, optional payments, and can nuke it whenever he wants.”
Livingston claims that yield serves as a disguise for Bitcoin accumulation. He points out that Strategy will not be obliged to pay dividends if things are getting out of hand and argues that STRD doesn’t dilute the float.
According to him, the new stock is not for bitcoiners, but rather for people who feel reluctant to own Bitcoin but want to yield on BTC. Institutional allocators and pension funds may find STRD interesting, too.
Livingston outlines that STRD offering is a 10% yield for the more TradFi people, while the Bitcoin veterans will rather see it as cheap capital to reduce the market supply. Earlier, Livingstone claimed that Strategy is rewriting Bitcoin’s scarcity, creating a synthetic halving. Although these financial equilibristics raise questions about Bitcoin’s decentralization and the original anti-Wallet Street ethos, it seems that from Michael Saylor’s standpoint, Strategy just cemented its status even better.
Strategy raised $979.7M by pricing 11.76M STRD shares at $85 each. STRD offers a fixed 10% non-cumulative dividend with no conversion option. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) has expanded its preferred stock offering to raise nearly $1 billion for additional Bitcoin acquisitions. The firm priced 11.76 million shares of its 10% Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock (STRD) at $85 each, with an estimated $979.7 million in net proceeds.
Initially targeting $250 million, the Strategy significantly increased the offering in response to investor interest. The STRD shares will settle on June 10, pending standard closing conditions. This marks the third preferred stock product from Strategy in 2025, following STRK and STRF.
Unlike STRF, which offers a 10% cumulative dividend, and STRK, which pays 8% with a conversion option, STRD delivers a fixed 10% non-cumulative dividend. Therefore, missed payments on STRD won’t accrue. Also, unlike STRK, STRD cannot convert to common shares.
Strategy’s $1B STRD Move Fuels Bitcoin Push Michael Saylor, Strategy’s executive chairman, described STRD as the “fourth gear” in the company’s “Bitcoin engine.” According to him, the offering adds a high-yield credit product with limited Bitcoin price sensitivity.
The proceeds will fund general corporate activities, primarily Bitcoin purchases. On June 1, Strategy added 705 BTC for around $75.1 million using proceeds from prior STRK and STRF ATM sales. The firm now holds 580,955 BTC, worth over $60 billion, at an average price of $70,023.
Strategy tapped major financial institutions like Morgan Stanley, Barclays, and TD Securities to manage the STRD offering. The stock is listed on the Nasdaq, ensuring public investor access.
Previously, the company has acquired 4,020 BTC for $427.1 million between May 19 and May 25. However, recent activity suggests a slower pace of accumulation. Analysts at K33 noted reduced momentum, citing MSTR’s narrowing premium and increasing competition in Bitcoin treasury strategies.
Strategy’s shares rose 2.6% in early trading, reaching $378.26. Bitcoin currently trades at $104,638, showing signs of stability following a recent dip. With STRD, Strategy aims to maintain its lead in institutional Bitcoin adoption.
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The world’s largest corporate Bitcoin (BTC) holder is announcing a new stock offering worth hundreds of millions of dollars as a means of accumulating more of the crypto king.
In a new press release, Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, is announcing the stock offering of 11.764 million shares of its 10% Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock (STRD Stock) for $85.00 per share.
[adinserter block="1"]
Strategy estimates that it will acquire about $980 million from the offering, which may give investors quarterly dividends, and intends to use the money for miscellaneous corporate expenses and to acquire more of the top crypto asset by market cap.
Preferred stock offerings, which offer investors higher and more consistent returns as well as stability, are a way for companies to raise funds without weakening their voting rights.
Strategy – which was co-founded by former chief executive and longtime BTC maxi Michael Saylor – currently holds 580,955 Bitcoin worth just over $60.5 billion at time of writing, coming in at an average cost basis of $40,680 per token, according to data from BTC tracking website BitcoinTreasuries.
The data also shows that Strategy currently holds about 2.7% of Bitcoin’s total supply.
Last month, Saylor announced that Strategy doubled the amount of capital it wants to accumulate to purchase more of the flagship digital asset from $42 billion to $84 billion.
Bitcoin is trading for $104,540 at time of writing, a 2.1% rise during the last 24 hours.
Strategy has announced plans to raise up to $4.2 billion through sales of its 10.00% Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock (STRD) to fund additional Bitcoin purchases, marking another major capital raise as institutional Bitcoin adoption accelerates.
According to a company filing on July 7, the at-the-market (ATM) program will allow Strategy to sell STRD shares over an extended period, with proceeds earmarked for Bitcoin acquisition and general corporate purposes. The announcement comes as the firm reported $14.05 billion in unrealized gains for Q2 2025.
“The institutional landscape has fundamentally transformed. From Strategy’s 597,325 BTC holdings to Metaplanet’s 15,555 BTC and Deutsche Bank’s custody plans, we’re seeing unprecedented institutional engagement across markets.
Strategy raised $6.8 billion through various capital markets activities in Q2, including preferred stock offerings and common stock sales. The company maintains significant capacity for future issuances, with $18.1 billion remaining under its 2025 Common ATM, $20.5 billion under STRK ATM, and $1.9 billion under STRF ATM.
The STRD offering represents Strategy’s fourth gear in its Bitcoin acquisition engine, according to Chairman Michael Saylor, targeting yield-focused investors seeking high returns with collateral coverage. The company previously raised nearly $1 billion through STRD sales in early June.
Strategy’s disciplined approach to capital raising has created a blueprint for institutional Bitcoin adoption. Their multi-instrument strategy allows various investor types to gain Bitcoin exposure while funding continued accumulation.
Strategy now holds more than 2.8% of Bitcoin’s total supply, with its holdings valued at approximately $65 billion. The firm’s shares traded down 0.58% while writing this article, as Bitcoin held near $108,000.
Vivek Sen
Vivek has been fascinated by Bitcoin since he discovered it in 2016. He also runs a Bitcoin marketing agency, Bitgrow Lab, and he used to work at a Bitcoin VC fund, Lightning Ventures. He loves growth, marketing, startups, and writing. He is an EU news reporter for Bitcoin Magazine.
Strategy announced on Monday that it entered a $4.2 billion at-the-market (ATM) offering for its Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock (STRD) after breaking its three-month Bitcoin (BTC) accumulation streak last week. This comes at a time when spot BTC demand has dropped despite increasing treasury allocations and continued BTC exchange-traded funds (ETF) inflows.
Strategy paused its nearly three-month Bitcoin buying streak, which began on April 14, as the firm did not announce any new acquisition last week, according to a Monday filing with the SEC. During this period, Strategy purchased over 69,000 BTC for nearly $7 billion, boosting its holdings to 597,325 BTC, valued at over $65 billion. This accounts for more than 2.8% of Bitcoin's total supply of 21 million BTC.
The firm also revealed it entered a sales agreement to issue up to $4.2 billion of its STRD stock, which it intends to use to resume its Bitcoin purchases.
Strategy's newly disclosed acquisition plan comes as Bitcoin ETFs continued their inflow run last week, netting $790 million, according to a report from CoinShares on Monday. However, the figure declined from the prior three weeks' average of $1.5 billion, potentially signaling a slowdown in demand as BTC edged closer to its all-time high price, the report states.
Despite steady Bitcoin ETF inflows and strong buying from treasury companies, spot demand for Bitcoin has slowed in recent weeks. The decline can be traced to a slowdown in market sentiment, keeping BTC caught between bullish speculation and short-term uncertainty, according to Shawn Young, Chief Analyst at crypto exchange MEXC.
"This market dynamics is weighing heavily on market sentiment," Young said in a note, highlighting macroeconomic instability as a major cause for the volatility. He predicts that the upcoming Crypto Week could serve as a catalyst for renewed demand in Bitcoin and potentially trigger a push toward new highs. "Market participants would seek a favorable market vantage position in anticipation of the new policy direction for digital assets," he added.
QCP analysts highlighted that strategic weekend accumulation by firms such as Metaplanet has helped sustain Bitcoin's price despite fears triggered by the sudden activity of eight previously dormant wallets that transferred roughly $8.5 billion worth of BTC on Saturday. However, they anticipate a bullish Q3 based on dynamics from the BTC options market.
"Volumes remain pinned near historical lows, but a decisive breach of the $110k resistance could spark a renewed volatility bid. Some larger players appear to be positioning for just that," wrote QCP analysts. "They are continuing to add exposure to September $130k calls, while steadfastly holding September $115/$140k call spreads, underscoring a structurally bullish Q3 outlook."
Bitcoin is changing hands just above $108,000, down nearly 1% over the past 24 hours at the time of publication.
On Jul. 21, 2025, Strategy offered yet another perpetual preferred stock. It’s called Stretch. It was introduced less than two months after the launch of another Strategy’s perpetual, Stride. Two other perpetuals are Strike and Strife, launched in January and March, respectively. It’s important to realize how different these stocks are and what their differences are from Strategy’s common stock, MSTR.
Summary
Stretch is the latest of the four preferred stocks issued by Strategy this year It is the first Strategy stock with monthly dividend payouts In the event of a financial shakedown in Strategy, payouts will be sent to bondholders first, then to preferred stockholders, and finally to the common stock (MSTR) owners Stretch, Stride, Strike, and Strife are the preferred stocks launched to facilitate Strategy’s long-term Bitcoin acquisition. The company has ambitious plans to gather $84 billion in two years. Dare bets aim to impress potential investors and attract more capital while creating additional burdens, as the company should pay dividends to the holders of preferred shares.
Preferred stocks usually don’t grant holders voting rights or limit them. Preferred stocks give holders a share in the company and the right to earn from the company’s capital. These stocks are reminiscent of bonds as owners get dividends for the shares held. More than that, in the event of bankruptcy of the company, holders of preferred stock are paid before common stockholders. However, its bondholders have a top priority in such situations.
While some of the investors met the new asset with interest, others saw it as “a stretch.” Critics consider Strategy shares to be risky. The company needs to keep the dividend payments in a precise and timely manner. The more preferred shares the company offers to raise money, the more dividends it must pay. It increases the pressure on its balance sheets that tightly depend on the Bitcoin price.
STRC is a USD pegged security that offers a high yield, backed by the BTC held by MicroStrategy
If you haven't realized yet, this is very similar to when Anchor protocol offered 20% yield on Terra Luna's UST
Steady lads, deploying more ATM sales https://t.co/zoAqlkQsmx
— Pledditor (@Pledditor) July 22, 2025 Stretch Initially, Strategy offered $500 million worth of Stretch (STRC) on Jul. 21, 2025. On Jul. 25, the offering was elevated to $2.5 billion. The company offered around 28 million STRC shares. Timing of the Stretch launch indirectly confirms it as on Jul. 29. Strategy bought 21,021 BTC, spending a whopping $2.46 billion on it.
The new Series A Stretch perpetual stock offers adjustable 9% annual dividend payouts. Dividends are paid once every month. It makes STRC unique as dividends for the rest of the preferred shares are paid out quarterly. The company is adjusting the stock price, aiming to keep the stock’s price around $100. Other features include the at-the-market issuance (meaning that Strategy can always sell more STRC, diluting the asset) and the call option feature.
Stride Stride (STRD) was offered on June 3. Unlike Stretch, Stride is a noncallable perpetual stock. It has an annual 10% dividend paid once in a quarter. Just like STRC and STRK, Stride has an ATM program, and Strategy can always sell more STRD shares.
Just like Stretch these days, the emergence of Stride was met ambiguously as critics were warning about the possibility that Strategy may have to sell its Bitcoin holdings to pay dividends to its shareholders. Some even claimed STRD has “Ponzi vibes” as money raised through MSTR sales may be used to pay dividends to the holders of the preferred stock.
Strike Strike (STRK) was the first of Strategy’s preferred perpetuals with 8% annual dividend payouts. The offering took place in early January 2025 when the company offered 2.5 million STRK shares. Strike shares are convertible. Investors may convert them to Strategy’s common stock, MSTR, at a 10:1 ratio whenever they wish.
Strife In March 2025, Strategy started selling 8.5 million Strife shares (STRF). STRF shares grant holders 10% annual dividends paid quarterly. The dividend payment may rise, reaching up to 18%. As Strife has no ATM program, Strategy cannot release more STRF shares to the market.
MSTR common stock MSTR common stock appeared long before the Bitcoin pivot of MicroStrategy and even before the creation of Bitcoin itself. The company sold 36 million MSTR back in 1998. MSTR stockholders are partial owners of Strategy.
Vanguard Group Inc., Capital International Investors, and BlackRock Inc. are the biggest holders of MSTR common stock. They hold between five and 7.8 percent of MSTR.
Who gets compensated first? In the event that Strategy is facing financial problems and has to sell its Bitcoin reserves, the first people to get payments will be Strategy’s bondholders. Then, the payouts will hit the pockets of the preferred stockholders. The seniority of these stocks determines the priority among them. The first ones will be Strife holders, then Stretch holders, Strike holders, and finally Stride holders. The last in line will be MSTR holders. MSTR may have the biggest correlation with BTC prices, but the holders risk more than the holders of the preferred stock.
Oversimplified. But if MSTR doesn’t take action when the price hits that range, it could cause serious issues.
— Ki Young Ju (@ki_young_ju) December 17, 2024 While Strategy is using a sophisticated system to protect its assets if the BTC price volatility increases, there is a risk that, as soon as weaker Bitcoin treasuries start to go bankrupt, it may cause panic that will end up harming Strategy investors’ well-being as well, so it’s always important to get prepared for possible turbulence beforehand.
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PANews reported on August 6th that Stride, the Cosmos ecosystem's liquidity staking protocol, announced on the X platform that following Cosmos' cancellation of its EVM plan, the Stride team has reached a settlement with the other party, settling related obligations and extending the project's operating funding. Existing liquidity staking operations will continue to operate normally, and related revenue will continue to be used to repurchase and burn STRD in the secondary market. Stride plans to explore new revenue-generating product lines outside of the Cosmos ecosystem during August and will announce more information once substantial progress is made.
The Solana Foundation has unveiled a series of new initiatives aimed at strengthening the security of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms running on its network. These efforts come in the wake of a recent major cyberattack on the Drift Protocol, attributed to a North Korea-linked group, which resulted in the theft of $270 million. The incidents have highlighted the urgent need for more robust safeguards across the ecosystem.
Comprehensive audits with Stride and SIRNAt the heart of the Foundation’s efforts is the newly launched Stride program, which is managed by Asymmetric Research. Stride will subject DeFi protocols on Solana to assessments across eight core security domains, with the findings to be made publicly available. Alongside Stride, the Foundation has established the Solana Incident Response Network (SIRN)—a members-only group composed of security specialists designed for real-time crisis intervention. Together, these initiatives seek to increase transparency and provide rapid response capabilities across the Solana DeFi landscape.
The necessity for such measures became evident following the Drift attack, which exposed several security shortfalls. However, investigations have clarified that the breach did not directly compromise smart contracts or audited code. Instead, the attackers focused on human vulnerabilities, infiltrating the system through malicious software and social engineering tactics targeting project team members over a six-month period.
For protocols with more than $10 million in total value locked (TVL) that successfully meet the Stride assessment criteria, ongoing operational cybersecurity monitoring will be provided. The level of monitoring and support will be tailored based on the individual risk profiles of each protocol, reflecting both their asset size and security needs.
Formal verification and operational supportIn the case of protocols managing over $100 million in TVL, the Foundation will lend support for formal verification processes. This advanced method systematically checks all potential smart contract operations using mathematical models, with the aim of ensuring code correctness and reliability before deployment. Such rigorous verification provides added confidence in the underlying smart contracts that form the backbone of leading DeFi protocols.
The founding members of the Stride program include not only Asymmetric Research, but also security firms OtterSec, Neodyme, Squads, and ZeroShadow. The SIRN network, meanwhile, is open to participation from any project within the Solana ecosystem. Nevertheless, in terms of resource allocation, priority will be given to protocols with higher value locked to help mitigate the risk to the most critical infrastructure.
Despite the advanced nature of formal verification, experts caution that it would not have detected the recent attack attributed to North Korean hackers. The breach allowed attackers to access administrative privileges via compromised devices belonging to team members, enabling them to authorize malicious transactions. This type of infiltration typically falls outside the scope of traditional monitoring mechanisms.
On another front, SIRN is expected to significantly improve response times to future incidents. Blockchain security researcher ZachXBT emphasized that Circle Internet, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, faced criticism for waiting over six hours before freezing more than $230 million in stolen assets following the Drift incident, suggesting the need for swifter action during emergencies.
The Solana Foundation highlighted that these new programs are not meant to shift primary security responsibilities away from protocol teams, who remain accountable for their own safeguards. To bolster these efforts, a suite of free security tools has been developed for Solana developers, assisting them in threat detection and conducting attack simulations to stay proactive in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
As fears about the global coronavirus outbreak rock the markets, fueling uncertainty and doubt, Bitcoin investors are hoping BTC shows its strength as an uncorrelated asset.
Meanwhile, a number of crypto analysts are pointing to another move happening behind the scenes that they believe may be equally destructive to the crypto markets.
According to a blockchain researcher known as Ergo, PlusToken scammers are quietly mixing large quantities of stolen Bitcoin to make it harder to trace. The new movement of 13,000 BTC worth $101 million suggests the cyber thieves are not done selling the leading cryptocurrency on the open market.
New mixer deposit via:https://t.co/o7AEPFycAOhttps://t.co/ns9wtHojIT
— ??boxes full of pepe?? (@ErgoBTC) March 6, 2020
Created in 2018 in South Korea, PlusToken was an alleged Ponzi scheme that promised high-yield returns to its investors, produced by “exchange profit, mining income, and referral benefits”. It reportedly drew in three million registered users.
The platform went bust over the summer, with Ciphertrace reporting that investors lost an estimated $2.9 billion when PlusToken’s app and exchange went offline.
Ergo, who has been assessing the total size of the scam, says about 129,000 BTC was already mixed by December. Crypto analyst Kevin Svenson thinks the scammers are currently “slamming the market” with sell orders.
#BTC – this is not your average sell off. Clearly a whale unloading. pic.twitter.com/jCilhe5Ajb
— Kevin Svenson (@KevinSvenson_) March 8, 2020
Though it’s difficult to prove, Ergo and analyst Jacob Canfield also believe the scammers are actively selling BTC. Ergo says he’s convinced the scammers are selling Bitcoin. The question is how much they can offload without getting caught.
“Been looking and theorizing about this for months and I can’t see a scenario where the coins aren’t being sold, at least to some degree. This was likely obvious to the exchanges starting in September. The accounts would have been frozen then.
Why keep sending the other +60k coins over the following 5 months if you weren’t able to actively cash out? Maybe there is a scenario where this is some type of honeypot. Send us the coins, then we catch you when you move to fiat?
Because I can’t imagine scammers keeping over 1$B parked on a few exchanges.”
Never long when plus token moves bitcoin
Never long when plus token moves bitcoin
Never long when plus token moves bitcoin
Never long when plus token moves bitcoin
Never long when plus token moves bitcoin
Never long when plus token moves bitcoin
Bitcoin hasn’t done well in the past two days; since hitting $9,200 on Saturday, the cryptocurrency has plunged as low as $7,600, more than 17% lower than the weekend high, in a move that has liquidated over $200 million worth of BitMEX long positions in the process.
The move undoubtedly caught traders off guard, hence the massive amount of liquidations. But, there are some weighing in on what crashed Bitcoin.
Bitcoin’s Drop May Be Hedge Funds According to Raoul Pal — CEO of finance media startup Real Vision, former Europe hedge fund sales lead at Goldman Sachs, and a long-time Bitcoin adopter (since 2013) — BTC’s weakness may be related to hedge funds. He explained in a tweet published on Monday:
“It feels like any hedge fund that was long bitcoin is having to liquidate. VAR takes no prisoners. (For those new to VAR it is the measure of risk in a portfolio and is connected to volatility, so as vol goes up of all assets, they have to reduce risk).”
It feels like any hedge fund that was long bitcoin is having to liquidate. VAR takes no prisoners. (For those new to VAR it is the measure of risk in a portfolio and is connected to volatility, so as vol goes up of all assets, they have to reduce risk). $BTC #Bitcoin
— Raoul Pal (@RaoulGMI) March 9, 2020
Indeed, BTC’s volatility, per data from Skew, has spiked over the past few days as the market has trended lower, likely shifting allocations.
While Pal sees weakness due to the hedge fund narrative, he did remark that Bitcoin’s drop is a “buying opportunity,” adding that the current situation in the fiat markets is “accelerating the need for a new financial system over time. We know where this is leading to – the digital revolution.”
There Are Other Crypto Catalysts Although this move may partially be hedge funds deleveraging their portfolios, there are other potential catalysts sending Bitcoin lower, as shared by prominent crypto analyst Jacob Canfield.
The COVID-19 outbreak: after an extremely strong rally over the past few months, markets across the board, from American stocks (Dow Jones, S&P 500, etc.) to crypto-assets, were dealt serious blows over the past few weeks. Although some have said that the collapse in the price of Bitcoin is not correlated with the sell-off in other markets, analysts have observed an absence of volume in mainstream crypto markets since the outbreak started. This suggests there is a strong absence of liquidity, increasing the chances of a crash like the one we just saw occurring. Bitcoin miners are hoarding coins: Charlie Morris, founder of a crypto analytics platform, ByteTree, recently suggested that miners hoarding BTC has historically coincided “with negative returns and reflects a weaker market bid.” PlusToken scam moves coins again: Bitcoin blockchain researcher Ergo found that the wallets of PlusToken — the multi-billion-dollar crypto scam that last year folded and purportedly caused the mini bear market — deposited 13,000 BTC (worth over $100 million) into privacy mixers earlier this week. The scammers previously did this prior to sending the mixed funds to exchanges, which were then presumably sold for fiat or a fiat equivalent. Featured Image from Shutterstock
The Bitcoin halving is now less than 46 days away and is the most anticipated one yet. ‘Anticipated’ due to the recent drop in Bitcoin’s price and the sordid state that the miners are in.
Bitcoin Miners are without a doubt the backbone of the community and help keep the network running. For this, the miners are rewarded with Bitcoins which are sold on the open market. Halving is set to take place once every four years, to control the amount of BTC flowing into the market. Hence, every 4 years, the block reward is halved.
Depending on the price, the miners can profit from selling BTC or register a loss. Hence, Bitcoin’s price always plays a crucial role in determining the health of the mining industry. Ergo, in light of the drop in Bitcoin’s price before the halving, it is interesting to see how the miners react. In fact, some argue that miners stood tall and did not falter during the recent dip.
Coup de grâce A study by Blockware Solutions revealed what the next Bitcoin halving could “trigger,” and it is nothing less than a coup. According to the study, the mining network is classified into layers, depending on the electricity costs [since electricity constitutes 95% of the costs miners bear].
At present, miners with lower electricity costs are largely profitable and hence, the need to upgrade to new mining rigs is low. However, miners with higher electricity costs are relatively less profitable.
“For Layers 1 & 2, the opportunity cost of Bitcoin/Balance Sheet depletion in exchange for a lower cost of production by upgrading their mining rigs is not favorable based on the present percentage of old mining equipment still on the network.”
The development of “Next Generation Mining Rigs” like Bitmain’s S17 Pro 50T can give miners in the lower layers an edge, especially since the newer mining rigs produce more hash power while consuming less electricity.
“Each S17 Pro 50T deployed is the equivalent hash power of four S9 13.5T mining rigs.”
Due to the new mining rigs, the advantage of miners with lower electricity costs is reduced. The study concluded by stating that after the halving, “layers 1 & 2 will remain competitive with old mining rigs as long as other layers are using old mining rigs.” However, if other layers move to Next Generation Mining Rigs, then,
“layers 1-2 will then be forced to upgrade… The Halving will likely be the trigger for this event”
Hence, if layers 1-2 slack off, then they might face a coup since mining is about survival and being more competitive than peers.
The Bitcoin halving event is a significant occurrence in the crypto world. It occurs roughly every four years, reducing the Bitcoin mining block reward by half. The history of Bitcoin halvings shows that the event impacts the supply and demand mechanics and price of Bitcoin. Since Bitcoin was created, there have been three halving events, with the fourth expected to occur in April 2024.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bitcoin’s halving history, including what the halving event is, common misconceptions about it, and what to expect in 2024.
Methodology In selecting the best platforms for users to buy Bitcoin BeInCrypto considered factors such as ease of use, security features, trading tools, deposit methods, commissions, and additional features offered by the platforms. BeInCrypto’s product teams tested a number of leading exchanges over a period of six months before narrowing down the top options. Here’s why we chose each.
1. Coinbase:
Coinbase’s user-friendly interface makes it accessible to both beginners and experienced traders. The platform’s intuitive design simplifies the buying process, allowing users to purchase Ethereum with ease.
Coinbase also provides users with advanced trading tools and charts, empowering them to make informed decisions. These tools enable users to analyze market trends and execute trades effectively.
Security is paramount when it comes to purchasing Ethereum and any other crypto. Coinbase employs state-of-the-art encryption protocols to safeguard users’ funds and personal information, providing peace of mind to investors.
2. OKX:
OKX stands out for its support of leverage trades, catering to both casual investors and seasoned traders looking to maximize their returns. This feature enhances the platform’s appeal to a wide range of users.
The global platform also offers multiple deposit methods, providing flexibility and convenience to users worldwide.
OKX also notably offers competitive commissions, allowing users to trade Ethereum cost-effectively. Lower fees translate to higher potential returns for investors, making OKX an attractive choice.
3. BDYFi:
With advanced security measures and an easy to use interface, BYDFi suits crypto traders looking to explore the world of spot markets, derivatives, and leverage. The platform supports over 250 cryptos and allows traders to make transactions without KYC registration, perfect for those looking for privacy.
Whether users prioritize simplicity, trading flexibility, or additional features, these platforms cater to diverse needs, providing a comprehensive solution for Bitcoin investors.
To learn more about BeInCrypto’s verification methodologies, follow this link.
In this guide:
Where to buy Bitcoin before the halving?What is Bitcoin halving?How does the four-year cycle of Bitcoin work?Common misconceptions about Bitcoin halving The history of Bitcoin halvingsOverview of all Bitcoin halvingsBitcoin halving history: Key eventsWhat to expect in 2024’s Bitcoin halving?How many more Bitcoin halvings will there be?What happens after the last Bitcoin halving event in 2140?How to prepare for a halving event How do Bitcoin halvings affect the price of BTC?What can the Bitcoin halving history tell us?Frequently asked questionsWhere to buy Bitcoin before the halving?The Bitcoin halving countdown is on. Before we dive into the history of Bitcoin halving, here are a few recommended platforms where you can pick up BTC ahead of this seminal event.
Coinbase
Platform
Brokerage
Fees
$0.99-$4.19
Availability
100+ countries
• Easy to navigate
• Powerful tools and charts
• Safe and secure
• Regulated
• State-of-art encryption
OKX
Platform
Exchange
Fees
0.08% (maker) | 0.1% (taker)
Availability
160+ countries
• Supports leverage trades
• Supports safe and secure transactions
• Multiple deposit methods
• Competitive commissions
• Low fees
BYDFi
Platform
Exchange
Fees
0.1-0.3%
Availability
170+ countries
• Cross-asset swaps
• Transparent and low fee structure
• One stop easy-to-use trading platform
• Competitive affiliate program
What is Bitcoin halving?The Bitcoin halving event, also called the Bitcoin block reward halving, is a periodic event in which the block rewards are reduced for Bitcoin miners by half.
The halving event occurs once 210,000 blocks have been mined on the Bitcoin blockchain. Each miner receives a specific amount of Bitcoin once they mine a block on the Bitcoin network. When the Bitcoin halving event occurs, this amount is reduced by half.
The Bitcoin halving is an essential part of the Bitcoin ecosystem, so much so that there is an active countdown each time it is expected to occur. Bitcoin was created with a deflationary mechanism and a fixed supply of 21 million coins. This means there can only ever be 21 million Bitcoins. As of mid-April 2024, over 19 million BTC have been mined. The reward halving was programmed into Bitcoin’s code to occur similarly until all 21 million coins were mined.
It’s expected that there will be 32 Bitcoin halving events. To date, there have been three. The first Bitcoin halving event occurred in November 2012, and the block reward was halved from 50 BTC to 25 BTC. In July 2016, the second halving event took place. The block reward was halved from 25 BTC to 12.5 BTC. The third halving event occurred in May 2020, and the block reward was halved from 12.5 BTC to 6.25 BTC.
The fourth Bitcoin halving event is expected to take place in April 2024. The block reward will be halved from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. The last halving event is scheduled to take place in 2140, the year when the last BTC will be mined. Once the last halving event occurs, Bitcoin miners will exclusively earn transaction fees. BTC users will pay this as an incentive to continue securing the Bitcoin blockchain and validating transactions.
How does the four-year cycle of Bitcoin work?As a potential BTC investor, it’s essential to understand how Bitcoin’s four-year cycle works so that you can choose which Bitcoin halving investment strategies to employ and how to invest in BTC.
Halving cycles began in 2009 when Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, mined the first block of Bitcoin. This was known as the Genesis block. In the early days after its launch, bitcoin had no monetary value, and people needed to be motivated to participate in mining. After the Genesis block, early miners were rewarded 50 BTC for every successful Bitcoin block they mined.
It’s important to note that although Bitcoin didn’t really have any value at this point, the launch of the first-ever Bitcoin exchange in March 2010 (BitcoinMarket.com) led to an interest in this new digital currency. The Bitcoin price surpassed $1 in 2011 and experienced an upward trend after that.
With the fourth halving event set to occur this month, the process will continue until all 21 million Bitcoins have been mined. The table below summarizes the Bitcoin halving events so far.
EventDateBlock numberBlock rewardBTC created per dayLaunch of BTCJanuary 2009050 BTC7,200First halvingNovember 2012210,00025 BTC3,600Second halvingJuly 2016420,00012.5 BTC1,800Third halvingMay 2020630,0006.25 BTC900Fourth halving~April 2024840,0003.125 BTC450The halving event creates scarcity, which is supposed to impact the value of Bitcoin, causing it to experience a price increase gradually over time. Its occurrence creates an increased demand for bitcoin despite its diminishing rate of new creation, which results in an upward price increase.
Although the Bitcoin halving history has always shown an increase in the price of Bitcoin around 12 to 18 months after each event, investing in Bitcoin shouldn’t be done mindlessly. An up-to-date Bitcoin technical analysis can help you make an informed buying and selling decision while considering other market drivers.
Common misconceptions about Bitcoin halving Although the Bitcoin halving process is a much-awaited event in the crypto market, it’s also an event that’s shrouded by various misconceptions. Below are some of the more common ones:
Bitcoin halving results in an instant price increase: The halving history has always impacted the price of Bitcoin. However, these price increases have not always been as immediate as many people tend to think. Instead, the gains tend to be influenced by factors beyond the halving event. In addition, the price increase tends to be gradual, spanning several months. Bitcoin halving leads to miner exits: Another big misconception surrounding halving events is that BTC mining will become unprofitable, leading to a mass exit of miners. However, this is not the case. Adjustments in the mining difficulty can help support a miner’s profitability (due to an increasing price) while also maintaining the protocol’s operational stability. Bitcoin halving is specific to Bitcoin: Although the Bitcoin blockchain was the first to implement the halving mechanism, the process is not unique to Bitcoin only. Other digital currencies like Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and Dash have incorporated similar techniques to regulate their coins’ inflation. Bitcoin halving is priced beforehand: Many believe the halving event is always already priced in. While the anticipation of the event can affect the price of Bitcoin, the intricacy of external factors and market dynamics indicate that the impact of the halving event cannot be fully recorded in advance. Bitcoin halving results in increased transaction fees: Some crypto enthusiasts assume that the halving event leads to increased transaction fees, given that the block rewards diminish. However, this is different, as the available block space and demand influence network fees. Although network fees might surge, the change isn’t entirely dependent on the Bitcoin halving events. Bitcoin halving guarantees BTC’s lasting value: While it would be great to see the value of a digital asset like Bitcoin constantly appreciate, halving does not guarantee this. Several factors influence Bitcoin’s value, such as market sentiments, regulatory changes, and technological advancements. The history of Bitcoin halvingsTo date, three Bitcoin halving events have occurred since the digital asset was launched in 2009. Halving events have gradually impacted the price of Bitcoin, a trend that many BTC holders and investors hope will continue.
Every Bitcoin halving event has led to increased media attention, significant price volatility, and speculative anticipation leading up to and after the event. That said, let’s have a look at the overview of all Bitcoin halvings below.
Overview of all Bitcoin halvingsBelow is a table of all Bitcoin halving events and the year they are expected to occur. Please note that some figures have been rounded off.
Est. YearBlock numberBlock rewardNew BTC minedTotal BTC mined2009050002012210,0002510500000105000002016420,00012.55250000157500002020630,0006.52625000183750002024840,0003.12513125001968750020281,050,0001.56256562502034375020321,260,0000.781253281252067187520361,470,0000.390625164062.520835937.520401,680,0000.195312582031.2520917968.7520441,890,0000.0976562541015.62520958984.3820482,100,0000.04882812520507.812520979492.1920522,310,0000.024414062510253.9062520989746.0920562,520,0000.012207031255126.95312520994873.0520602,730,0000.0061035156252563.47656320997436.5220642,940,0000.0030517578131281.73828120998718.2620683,150,0000.001525878906640.869140620999359.1320723,360,0000.0007629394531320.434570320999679.5720763,570,0000.0003814697265160.217285220999839.7820803,780,0000.000190734863280.1086425820999919.8920843,990,0000.000095367431640.0543212920999959.9520884,200,0000.000047683715820.0271606420999979.9720924,410,0000.000023841857910.0135803220999989.9920964,620,0000.000011920928955.00679016120999994.9921004,830,0000.0000059604644752.50339508120999997.521045,040,0000.0000029802322381.2516975420999998.7521085,250,0000.0000014901161187.50.625848770120999999.3721125,460,0000.0000007450580593.750.312924385120999999.6921165,670,0000.0000003725290296.8750.156462192520999999.8421205,880,0000.0000001862645148.43750.0782310962720999999.9221246,090,0000.0000000931322574.218750.0391155481320999999.9621286,300,0000.0000000465661287.1093750.0195577740720999999.9821326,510,0000.0000000232830643.55468750.00977888703320999999.9921366,720,0000.0000000116415321.77734380.0048894435172100000021406,930,0000.000000058207660.888671880.00488944351721000000Bitcoin halving history: Key eventsNow that you have an overview of all Bitcoin halving events, past and future, let’s discuss the three that have already occurred.
The first Bitcoin halving: November 2012The first ever Bitcoin halving event occurred in November 2012, marking an important part of the digital asset’s history. Let’s take a look at the before and aftermath of the first halving event:
Key data:Date: November 28, 2012
Total supply: Before the first halving event, Bitcoin had a total supply of over 10.5 million coins.
Block rewards: Miners were rewarded 50 BTC for every new Bitcoin block they successfully mined before the halving event.
Price of Bitcoin: Before the event, the price of Bitcoin was at roughly $12.35.
Block number: The halving event occurred after 210,000 blocks of Bitcoin had been mined.
Bitcoin price movements According to data on CoinMarketCap, before the first halving event, the price of BTC was around ~$12. Following the halving, the price of Bitcoin began to increase gradually. By the end of March 2013, it had surged to nearly $90. This first Bitcoin halving event paved the way for an ensuing bull run.
Bitcoin price: CoinMarketCapKey takeaways The event reduced the Bitcoin block reward from 50 BTC to 25 BTC. This led to an adjustment to the difficulty of Bitcoin mining, making Bitcoin scarcer as the rate of new BTC entering circulation was reduced. The first halving event created much anticipation for subsequent ones, as it impacted the price of BTC, gradually increasing it. So, while the increase wasn’t instant, 2013 achieved the highest price of over $1,000 since its launch in 2009. This event also set the pace for future halving events. Since the first halving event, Bitcoin has undergone a significant evolution. This has seen it grow to become the biggest digital currency by market cap and innovate to compete fairly with other cryptocurrencies. The second Bitcoin halving: July 2016Four years later, in July 2016, the Bitcoin network underwent its second halving event. Let’s examine what transpired before and after the event.
Key data:Date: July 9, 2016.
Total supply: Before the second halving event, there were around ~15.7 million coins in circulation.
Block rewards: The block rewards for miners reduced from 25 BTC to 12.5 BTC.
Price of Bitcoin: The Bitcoin price was slightly over $650
Block number: The halving event occurred after 420,000 blocks of Bitcoin had been mined.
Bitcoin price movements The second halving event in Bitcoin’s halving history set the momentum for significant price fluctuations. In early 2017, the price of Bitcoin grew to roughly $1,000. At the end of 2017, Bitcoin’s price had surged to over $17,000 by December 2017. The notable price surge was a result of various factors, including market sentiment and media coverage, among others.
Bitcoin price: CoinMarketCapKey takeaways The second halving event reduced the block rewards from 25 BTC to 12.5 BTC, further emphasizing Bitcoin’s scarce nature. Bitcoin’s price surge also highlighted the impact of the halving events on Bitcoin’s price, making BTC an attractive store of value for BTC holders. In addition to the price increase, the second halving received significant media coverage and sparked conversation on social networks. This contributed to its adoption and continued growth and also shaped the Bitcoin narrative. The third Bitcoin halving: May 2020Four years ago, in May 2020, the third halving event occurred. Let’s dive into the before and after effects of the third event.
Key data Date: May 11, 2020.
Total supply: Bitcoin’s total supply was at roughly 18.35 million coins before the halving event took place.
Block rewards: The block rewards were reduced from 12.5 BTC to 6.25 BTC.
Price of Bitcoin: The price of BTC was slightly over $9,000.
Block number: The halving event occurred after 630,000 blocks of Bitcoin had been mined.
Bitcoin price movements The third halving event significantly impacted the price of Bitcoin. The price of BTC gradually rose from around $9,000 before the halving event to around $27,000 by December 2020. 2021 was a good year for Bitcoin holders as it ushered in a bull run that saw the price of BTC skyrocket to trade at over $64,000 before it started declining as the crypto winter took hold.
Bitcoin price: CoinMarketCapKey takeaways The third halving saw the mining reward reduce from 12.5 BTC to 6.25 BTC. In addition, it also helped to push the widespread adoption of Bitcoin among investors, given the diminishing number of coins entering the market. The price increases experienced after this halving event established the role of halving events to the price of BTC. Increased interest from investors also made Bitcoin trend with the help of various memes. Bitcoin continued to be recognized as an important store of value as it garnered increased attention from the general public, institutional investors, and the media. The May 2020 halving event also reinforced Bitcoin’s importance within the wider financial sector. Bitcoin continued to innovate, introducing a wide variety of financial products such as Bitcoin options and futures. What to expect in 2024’s Bitcoin halving?The fourth Bitcoin event is expected to occur in April 2024. There has been much anticipation leading up to it, with the price of Bitcoin rallying to reach an all-time high of $73,750 on March 14, 2024.
Miners production cost for 1 #Bitcoin right now is approx 50k$
In less than one week after halving, it will be approx 100k$
It means buying bitcoin at 60k$~ today is similar to buying it around 30k$ a few months ago
Maybe we chop few days after halving but it won't take much…
— CryptoVikings.HL (@CryptoVikings07) April 15, 2024 Besides the known drivers that impact the price of Bitcoin, a key development that impacted the price of Bitcoin in the last few months has been the approval of the Bitcoin ETFs by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.
“The halving is the ultimate geek event for bitcoiners, but the 2024 iteration takes it up a notch because reduced supply combined with fresh ETF demand creates an explosive cocktail. What makes this halving unique is bitcoin has already surpassed the last cycle’s high — something it’s never done ahead of the quadrennial event — which makes trying to forecast the length and ferocity of this cycle much trickier.”
Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of Nexo: CNBC But even as the crypto community gears up for the fourth halving event, what exactly should you expect from the 2024 Bitcoin halving event?
Potential price volatility: Given Bitcoin’s speculative nature as a digital asset, the period around the halving tends to experience increased price volatility. Ergo, investors need to prepare for potential price swings as the market adjusts to the aftermath of the halved block reward. Reduced block rewards: As with any other halving event, the fourth halving event will see the block reward reduce by half, from the current 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. Speculation and anticipation: The build-up to any Bitcoin halving event is always rife with anticipation and speculation on how the occurrence will impact the price of Bitcoin. If history is anything to go by, Bitcoin’s price has tended to increase in the lead-up to the event. Still, it’s important to note that various factors beyond the halving event influence the crypto market. Investors can use the cup and handle pattern to verify the potential of a price increase. Scarcity and supply: Halving events have always reinforced Bitcoin’s scarcity, attracting many new investors to BTC as “digital gold.” The reduced rate at which new coins enter the market causes an increased demand in BTC. This results in upward pressure on Bitcoin’s price and other digital assets. Nonetheless, this impact is not always instantaneous and tends to unfold over a couple of months and even years after the halving. Heightened institutional interest: The period preceding the event has already experienced growing interest from institutional investors keen on finding suitable Bitcoin and crypto mining stocks to invest in. With the halving, it’s anticipated that the interest will expand and witness increased participation from more established corporations, financial institutions, and investment firms that have adopted BTC as an investment instrument. Regulatory developments: With the hype surrounding halving events, it’s expected that there will be more calls for regulatory developments as BTC continues to experience widespread adoption. How many more Bitcoin halvings will there be?The last Bitcoin halving event is expected to occur in 2140. This is when the last BTC will be mined, and no new BTC will enter the market. In total, there will be 32 halving events. So far, only three halving events have taken place. This means that there are 29 more halving events left.
What happens after the last Bitcoin halving event in 2140?After the last Bitcoin halving in 2140, there won’t be any more Bitcoin that will be mined. It’s anticipated that this will be the year when the 21,000,000th BTC will be mined.
The Bitcoin protocol will transition to fully relying on transaction fees as the rewards that miners will receive. Given that 2140 is still far off, it’s unclear what the long-term impact will be on Bitcoin’s price, security, and overall role in the global financial system. Much of this remains speculative and will depend on various factors, such as broader economic conditions and technological advancements.
How to prepare for a halving event There are various ways that investors can prepare for a halving event. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can prepare for a Bitcoin halving:
Think long-term: Halving events has always resulted in some price volatility for BTC and other coins in the short term while showing significant growth in the long term. As such, investors need to adopt a long-term investment approach. Research: As always, investors need to do their own research before choosing to invest in a digital asset like Bitcoin. In addition, ensure you do your own analysis on broader economic conditions, investor sentiment, and market trends. This will help you have a clear grasp of past and upcoming halving events and historical price movements. Manage your risk: Different investors have different risk tolerance and appetite. Before investing in crypto, ensure that you establish clear investment goals. Consider incorporating a risk-averse investment strategy such as the dollar-cost averaging or create a defense trading strategy based on various technical indicators such as the RSI indicator combined with Bollinger Bands, MACD, and others. Diversify your portfolio: Investors can diversify their investment portfolio to include various digital assets. This will help to mitigate risks, given that Bitcoin’s price can be quite volatile. Although halving events historically have led to gradual price increases, there are no guarantees, and diversification can aid in protecting your investments. How do Bitcoin halvings affect the price of BTC?Bitcoin halvings have historically been associated with bitcoin price increases. The reduced rate with which new BTC creation is achieved helps to create scarcity as the supply of new coins diminishes. This, in turn, tends to drive up the demand for bitcoin and, by extension, its price.
However, a halving event does not always guarantee that it will immediately impact the price of bitcoin. Diversifying your portfolio and deploying various investment strategies can help protect your investments from volatile price swings in the market.
What can the Bitcoin halving history tell us?This guide to the Bitcoin halving history demonstrates that these events play an important role in the entire crypto market. Although they are subject to much-awaited anticipation and speculation, many savvy investors choose to focus on the coin’s long-term performance.
While the halving events tend to bring with them certain benefits, it’s important to note that as the block reward diminishes, there’s a chance that the changes could impact the protocol security and processing times. With the decreasing supply of new Bitcoin, demand tends to increase, which underscores the scarcity principle of bitcoin as “digital gold” and a store of value. The events have been known to be very pivotal and essential in the ongoing development of Bitcoin and its growth as a digital asset.
Frequently asked questions Is halving good for Bitcoin? Yes, halving is good for Bitcoin. Bitcoin halving events have several benefits to the Bitcoin network. Reducing the rate at which new BTC is mined increase the level of scarcity, which impacts the price of Bitcoin. Moreover, halving events also typically attract new crypto investors, leading to increased trading activities.
Is Bitcoin halving every 4 years? Yes, Bitcoin halving was programmed to automatically self-execute roughly every four years once a set of 210,000 blocks had been mined. This will continue until all the 21,000,000 Bitcoin have been mined.
How many Bitcoin halvings are left? Currently, 29 Bitcoin halving events have been left. So far, three halving events have occurred since BTC’s inception in 2009. The first halving occurred in 2012, and the second and third in 2016 and 2020, respectively.
Will BTC go up after halving? Historically, the price of BTC has tended to go up gradually after a halving event. However, there are no guarantees that this will always be the case as the price of BTC is always influenced by factors like investor sentiment, market demand and supply, and technological advances, among others.
How high will Bitcoin go in 2024? As a digital asset, Bitcoin’s price is susceptible to various market conditions that make it volatile. Although the price of bitcoin reached an all-time high in March 2024, it’s nearly impossible to say how high it will be as various factors influence its price.
How much will 1 Bitcoin be worth in 2030? Several industry experts and crypto analysts speculate that Bitcoin’s price in 2030 will potentially be over $250,000, but there is no guarantee. Investors, therefore, need to tread very lightly and avoid investing using speculative prices only.
How high will Bitcoin go in 5 years? Current predictions suggest that Bitcoin could go as high as $100,000 or higher. However, there are no guarantees that this will happen as the price of Bitcoin is affected by several factors. In addition, there’s no way to know how the market will perform in five years.
Who owns the most Bitcoin? Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, is believed to own the most bitcoin at around 1.1 million coins spread across various Bitcoin wallet addresses. This is because he not only created BTC but also kickstarted Bitcoin mining.
Charles Hoskinson debunks FUD, confirms active development of Cardano Hydra
Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, has initiated discussions on X about potentially transforming Bitcoin Cash into a “Cardano Partnerchain” with advanced blockchain technologies. Hoskinson’s proposal aims to integrate Bitcoin Cash with Cardano’s technological features to enhance its functionality as a proof of work chain. Alongside exploring partnerships, the Cardano Foundation continues to support blockchain development through initiatives like PRAGMA, promoting collaboration within the blockchain community. Cardano’s founder, Charles Hoskinson, recently posted on the social network X to see if anyone would be interested in collaborating with Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
Hoskinson asked his followers a question on combining Bitcoin Cash with Cardano’s blockchain technologies, such as Useful Proof of Work Leios, Non-Interactive Proofs of Proof-of-Work (NiPoPoWs), and Ergo tech. The proposal he offers is to turn Bitcoin Cash into Cardano Partnerchain, aiming to make it more functional and efficient.
The discussion, provoked by Hoskinson’s posts, represents the interest in the potential combined power of Cardano’s scientific method of blockchain technology and Bitcoin Cash’s current position in the crypto world. This alliance might turn out to be one of the most sophisticated proof-of-work chains in the market.
Hypothetical Poll:
Would you like to see Bitcoin Cash become a Cardano Partnerchain upgraded with Useful Proof of Work Leios, NiPoPoWs, and Ergo tech, thus being the fastest and most useful proof of work chain ever built?
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) May 4, 2024 The position and community reaction to Bitcoin Cash A fork from the original Bitcoin protocol, Bitcoin Cash, was launched in 2017 to solve some of Bitcoin’s scalability problems by increasing the block size. Over the years, it has formed a unique community and found its place in the digital assets landscape. Not long ago, despite the legal issues suffered by the well-known promoter Roger Ver, the community of Bitcoin Cash has been developing actively, with ongoing projects and enhancements aimed at the network’s usability and adoption.
In another social media post, Hoskinson revealed his curiosity about Bitcoin Cash’s current developments and future roadmap. He asked the community to provide details of these projects and priorities within the BCH ecosystem. This reflects the trend toward greater alliance, as Cardano aims to use its technological advancements in combination with Bitcoin Cash’s well-developed infrastructure.
The persistent attention of Cardano in blockchain development Aside from possible collaborations, Cardano continues to be dedicated to nurturing its ecosystem and promoting blockchain technology usage. The Cardano Foundation recently launched a new not-for-profit association, PRAGMA, to support open-source blockchain endeavors. These activities are one component of Cardano’s wider approach to reaching out to and supporting the developer community in the blockchain sphere, ensuring a platform for cooperation for future technological solutions.
While the discussion between Cardano and Bitcoin Cash is ongoing, both communities are carefully monitoring the potential results of this partnership. Hoskinson’s proactive stance in seeking community input exhibits the role played by transparency and involvement in determining the future of these blockchain platforms.
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Damilola Lawrence
Damilola Lawrence has covered news on crypto markets and tech for over 5 years. He has previously shared crypto insights and analysis for TheShibMagazine, CryptoMode, Qweens Magazine, and The Recording Academy before pivoting into Web3. At Cryptopolitan, he is a crypto price prediction specialist. After finishing a bachelor’s degree, he has segued into a master’s degree in IT Cybersecurity at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has hinted at teaming up with Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
On May 4, Hoskinson posted a poll on X asking people what they thought about Cardano (ADA) partnering with Bitcoin Cash to boost its performance using technology like proof of useful work (PoUW), non-interactive proofs of proof-of-work (NIPoPoW), and Ergo technology.
In Hoskinson’s opinion, such upgrades could make BCH “the fastest and most useful” proof of work chain out there.
Hypothetical Poll:
Would you like to see Bitcoin Cash become a Cardano Partnerchain upgraded with Useful Proof of Work Leios, NiPoPoWs, and Ergo tech, thus being the fastest and most useful proof of work chain ever built?
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) May 4, 2024 At press time, the poll — which still has six days to run — had been voted on more than 11,800 times. Some 66% of the voters want to see the Bitcoin Cash and Cardano partnership become a reality.
A day before putting up the poll, Hoskinson took to X, asking members of the Bitcoin Cash community to clue him in on what was going on on the development side of BCH and what some of the network’s near-term priorities were.
I'm curious about Bitcoin Cash's roadmap. Can anyone from the Bitcoin Cash community point me to what's happening on the Dev side and some of the near-term priorities?
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) May 3, 2024 Hoskinson’s public interest in BCH comes on the heels of an altercation with MicroStrategy chairman and Bitcoin (BTC) maximalist Michael Saylor.
The difference in opinion cropped up after Saylor stated that altcoins like Cardano, Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and BNB will be classified as unregistered securities by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the summer.
Saylor also reportedly claimed that such altcoins will never be accepted by Wall Street in the manner Bitcoin has, following the SEC’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January.
Hoskinson fired back at Saylor on X, making it clear that Cardano can handle whatever comes its way. With a hint of sarcasm, the Cardano founder suggested Bitcoin maximalists had a tendency to look down on other cryptocurrencies, considering all of them “illegal and a scam.”
Bitcoiners: "Why is Charles attacking Bitcoin? Altcoiners are so Toxic."
Bitcoin Maxi's: "Literally everything but Bitcoin is illegal and a scam" https://t.co/Fd0fYyLWjn
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) May 3, 2024 Bitcoin Cash came into existence in 2017 following a prolonged and sometimes heated dispute within the Bitcoin community about how to scale the blockchain.
Bitcoin community members consider the cryptocurrency “digital gold” and emphasize its security and decentralization. They are less worried about the potential high fees and the limitations of using Bitcoin for payments.
On the other hand, supporters of Bitcoin Cash perceive their project primarily as digital cash. They believe BCH can compete effectively in payments without compromising its core properties or principles.
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As the United States approaches its presidential election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Bitcoin market is bracing for significant volatility. In the lead-up to the election, Bitcoin surged to a high of $73,620 on Tuesday, likely reflecting investor optimism over a potential victory for former President Donald Trump. However, by Friday, the BTC price experienced a correction, dipping to $68,830 amid a more cautious, risk-off sentiment as the election looms.
How To Trade Bitcoin During US Election Alex Krüger, an Argentine economist and renowned crypto analyst, shared his strategic framework on how to trade Bitcoin during the US election period via his X account. Krüger outlined scenarios based on possible election outcomes, highlighting that a Trump victory could propel Bitcoin to $90,000 by year-end with a 55% probability, while a win for Vice President Kamala Harris might see Bitcoin settle around $65,000 with a 45% probability. He emphasized that timing will matter: “Expect the move to be fast if Trump wins. Markets rarely waits for laggards on binary events not largely front-run.”
Krüger also noted that the current Bitcoin price, which he anticipated to be in the $65k-68k range leading up to election night, had “overshot” in alignment with the probabilities favoring a Trump victory. He pointed out the uncertainty surrounding the election results, primarily hinging on the Pennsylvania vote count, which could delay the announcement of a clear winner.
“It largely depends on the Pennsylvania count, if it is lopsided or not. It could be as early as Tuesday evening EST, or days later if the count is very tight. The sooner we get clarity, the easier it gets,” Krüger stated.
Regarding market sentiment, Krüger expressed a bullish outlook on equities regardless of the election outcome, unless there is an unexpected “Blue sweep” where Democrats secure both the presidency and congressional majorities. He explained that “equities drag Bitcoin around.”
In his personal investment strategy, Krüger revealed that he is positioned with long spots in Bitcoin and Nvidia, and plans to go long on Solana (SOL) if Trump wins. With this, Krüger is likely betting on a spot Solana Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) approval in the United States.
Krüger’s analysis suggests that the market has partially priced in a Trump victory, anticipating that a Trump administration could bolster the Bitcoin price. “Markets have partially priced a Trump victory in. We (the market, in aggregate) expect Trump to drive crypto prices higher due to increased regulatory clarity and implementation of pro-crypto policies,” the analyst wrote.
Additionally, he expects that Trump’s focus on increased government spending would stimulate short-term economic growth, positively impacting equities—a sector closely linked to Bitcoin’s performance.
Conversely, a Harris victory would likely represent a continuation of existing policies, barring a significant Democratic sweep. Krüger concluded: “Based on betting markets and various election forecasting models, Trump’s probabilities are in the 50% to 63% range. Ergo, it’s “safe” to assume a GOP victory is far from being fully priced in. Such a contested setup is common going into elections. That is why I do not expect ‘sell the news’.”
At press time, BTC traded at $70,402.
Bitcoin price, 1-day chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
AI blockchain Singularity Finance has announced a partnership with Zoth, the leading developer of on-chain tokenized products for institutions. The collaboration has seen the launch of Zoth Tokenized Liquid Notes Prime (ZTLN-P), a tradable RWA backed by U.S. Treasury ETFs and money market funds (MMFs). ZTLN Prime offers institutional investors a secure solution for acquiring treasury assets while generating consistent returns.
ZTLN-P was developed by Cogito, initially under the name of TFUND. Following Cogito’s merger to form Singularity Finance, TFUND will now be issued as ZTLN-P via Cogito’s tokenized fund Ergo Sum SPC. The launch of ZTLN-P will complement Singularity Finance’s product suite, which includes treasury management solutions for individuals and entities, alongside other tokenized funds.
Using the Blackrock-managed iShares ETFs and MMFs, with a focus on U.S. Treasury bills, ZTLN-P delivers low-risk returns with deep liquidity – qualities that are typically in short supply when it comes to DeFi yields.
T-Bills Get the Tokenization Treatment ZTLN-P represents a class of tokenized fund shares managed by established asset managers. This structure offers institutional investors exposure to low-risk, yield-bearing securities.
The launch of ZTLN-P, through a collaboration between Zoth and Singularity Finance, provides a first taste of what the Singularity ecosystem will be bringing to market in the months ahead as its scalable L2 gets up to speed. In addition to supporting AI assets, Singularity Finance will seamlessly integrate RWAs with decentralized infrastructure using secure and compliant onchain infrastructure.
For Singularity Finance, this partnership represents a further step in integrating real-world assets with AI-focused and data-intensive applications. By leveraging its tokenization framework, Singularity Finance aims to eventually facilitate the tokenization of assets tied to the AI economy.
Onchain Treasury Management for Institutional Players One of the reasons why the introduction of ZTLN-P is likely to appeal to institutional investors is on account of the best-in-class treasury management built in courtesy of Singularity Finance combined with Zoth’s sophisticated tokenization framework. This is designed to give investors access to optimized DeFi yields while ensuring strict compliance. As a result, asset managers and institutional investors can efficiently manage their treasury while generating consistent returns.
Zoth CEO Pritam Dutta explains: “ZTLN-P is an industry-driven product that aligns institutional-grade short term investments such as Blackrock iShares Treasury Bond ETF with the efficiency and transparency of blockchain. With Singularity Finance’s one-of-a-kind expertise, this partnership marks the beginning of a new era where DeFi is no longer a speculative market but a legitimate alternative to traditional finance.”
Why RWAs Are on the Rise Until recently, most decentralized finance use cases centered on native crypto assets with inherently volatile prices. The introduction of stable, yield-bearing RWAs onto public blockchains signals the start of a new chapter. Institutional participants are more comfortable engaging with assets they recognize and trust, and the legal clarity provided by regulated structures like Ergo Sum SPC’s mutual fund should further encourage institutional participation.
Instead of relying on complex yield farming schemes or highly volatile crypto assets, institutional players can now turn to tokenized notes representing real-world bonds and treasuries. This structure not only mitigates risk but also opens the door to a larger pool of sophisticated investors who require robust custody and a clear legal framework.
Build It and They Will Come The collaboration between Zoth and Singularity Finance is part of a broader trend for DeFi platforms forming partnerships that marry versatile tokenization frameworks with and strong GTM strategies. As more regulated entities participate, the quality of onchain offerings will improve, further lowering the barriers for institutional capital to enter.
Beyond short-term liquidity and stable yields, these integrations also pave the way for innovative financial instruments. Once the groundwork is laid with simpler, more traditional assets, the same infrastructure can be extended to more experimental territory, including tokenizing AI services, intellectual property, or data streams. By starting with stable, low-risk yields, RWAs can gain credibility and establish best practices that will ultimately help developers and entrepreneurs branch into more complex and data-driven assets.
AI Meets RWAs For Singularity Finance, ZTLN-P marks another milestone in its ambition to tokenize not only RWAs but also the broader AI economy. As AI becomes a key driver of technological innovation, integrating AI-related data, services, and IP into decentralized finance is the next horizon. The synergy between secure, tokenized TradFi instruments and emerging AI-powered solutions could yield a new generation of financial products that provide greater stability and enhanced functionality.
AI-driven models for risk assessment and portfolio optimization could seamlessly interact with tokenized real-world assets, for example, offering algorithmically refined strategies to manage yield and capital allocation. This fusion of AI and tokenized assets highlights how different threads of tech innovation – DeFi, RWA tokenization, and AI – are rapidly coalescing. The future of all this symbiosis is still being mapped out, but the early signs are promising.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
CryptoQuant CEO asserts that China might have already disposed of its PlusToken Bitcoin stash.
There have been several scams in crypto’s decade and a half history, but not many as big as PlusToken, a Ponzi scheme that ran between 2018 and 2019 in China and led to the seizure of over $4 billion in crypto, leaving the government with a 194,000 BTC nest egg, or so some have thought.
China Already Sold? According to Ki Young Ju, CEO of leading crypto analytics platform CryptoQuant, the Chinese government might have disposed of the PlusToken Bitcoin stash almost as soon as it got its hands on it.
In a Thursday, January 23 X post, Young Ju asserted that all 194,000 BTC were sent through mixers and offloaded on exchanges like Huobi in 2019, citing a CryptoQuant chart analyzing the flow of the assets.
CryptoQuant chart showing flow of PlusToken Bitcoin to mixers and exchanges. Source: Ki Young Ju “There’s no point in using mixers and multiple exchanges if they didn’t sell it,” Young Ju stressed.
He further supports his view, citing a 2022 Valkyrie report based on data from CryptoQuant and prominent on-chain sleuth “Ergo BTC.”
The report asserted that PlusToken’s Bitcoin stash peaked at an estimated 171,000 BTC around August 2019 but quickly diminished to less than 50,000 BTC by December 2019 amid government selling after the seizure. The authors argue that this dump contributed to a Bitcoin price drop experienced during this period.
Excerpt of Valkyries 2022 Bitcoin report. Source: Valkyrie Specifically, Bitcoin fell from highs above $12,000 in August 2019 to lows near the $6,000 price point in December 2019.
At the time, Valkyrie described it as the first major indirect liquidity attack on Bitcoin by a government.
At its peak price, the 194,000 BTC sold by China would have been worth about $2 billion. At the time of writing, however, it is now worth about ten times that figure, about $20.2 billion.
A Positive for Bitcoin Holders? Some members of the crypto community may see the suggestion that China has already disposed of bitcoins seized from the PlusToken Ponzi as a positive development, eliminating any fear of a looming sell-off driven by the Chinese government in the future.
The government, of course, has yet to issue any official statement to this effect.
The government has adopted a crypto ban in 2021. At the time, some had feared that the move could mean doom for Bitcoin as most miners were domiciled in the Asian economic giant. However, The Bitcoin network proved resilient, with its hash rate quickly bouncing back amid an exodus of miners.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Kekius Maximus, a viral meme, has evolved into more than just a fleeting internet trend. It has become a symbol of community, innovation, and cultural significance, thanks to its unexpected connection to Elon Musk and its integration into the world of cryptocurrency.
Ergo, this article explores the origin of Kekius Maximus, the creation of its token, and the growth of its community, as well as the broader implications for meme culture, blockchain technology, and decentralized governance.
The Birth of Kekius Maximus GROK AI and Meme Creation The story of Kekius Maximus begins with GROK AI, a cutting-edge tool made available for free to all X (formerly Twitter) users. Alex Lorusso (@ALX), an Executive Producer for The Benny Show podcast, political strategist, and the man behind the prediction of Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, utilized GROK AI to generate three memes. The first among these was Kekius Maximus, which he posted on X.
The Immediate Impact Within just five seconds of the post going live, the Solana-based contract address (CA) associated with the meme was minted, with a distinctive address ending in 42. This rapid success marked the beginning of Kekius Maximus’ journey from a simple meme to a cultural phenomenon.
Elon Musk’s Role in Amplifying Kekius Maximus Musk’s First Interaction As meme coins remain a major topic of discussion in the crypto space, Elon Musk, the CEO of X and a global icon, quickly took notice of the meme. Musk shared the Kekius Maximus meme on his own timeline with a brief but enthusiastic caption: “Amazing.” This endorsement from Musk served as a major catalyst in amplifying the meme’s visibility and reach.
The Autism Capital Boost Just four days later, the X account @AutismCapital, an account that frequently interacts with Musk, created a GROK AI-generated version of the Kekius Maximus meme. Musk again reposted this meme, further expanding its reach and solidifying its place in meme culture.
Musk Adopts Kekius Maximus Musk’s involvement with Kekius Maximus deepened when he adopted Kekius_Maximus as his gaming handle for Path of Exile, an online action RPG. This step connected the meme to Musk’s gaming persona, giving it even more cultural weight.
Musk’s X Account Name Change The meme reached a new level of significance when, 21 days after its creation, Musk changed his X account name to Kekius Maximus. He also updated his profile picture to a new GROK AI-generated image of the meme, further cementing its cultural and personal relevance to Musk.
The Kekius Maximus Token (CA) Alongside the rise of the meme, the Kekius Maximus token was minted on the Solana blockchain. This was the first-ever token associated with the meme, with a unique contract address ending in 42. However, the original deployer abandoned the token shortly after its creation, leading to a small Community Take Over (CTO) of the project.
Early Struggles and the Ethereum Coin Initially, the token struggled to gain traction, especially after a similar token minted 4 days later on the Ethereum blockchain gained more attention. Despite this, the unique aspects of the Solana-based token—including its minting as the first Kekius Maximus token and its distinctive address—began to attract more interest.
The Symbolic Number 42 The number 42, famously known as the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, is a number Musk has publicly embraced in his business ventures and playfully on X. This connection added even more intrigue to the token’s unique contract address ending in 42, giving it a symbolic significance that resonated with Musk’s followers.
Historical Significance Further boosting the token’s cultural weight, the @Kekius_Maximus X handle linked to the Solana token contract address ending in 42, was established before Musk adopted the name for his gaming handle and X account.
This rare alignment of events—being the first, having a contract address ending in 42, and sharing the same handle as Elon—added to the serendipity of the token’s origins, making its story feel almost impossibly improbable.
The Community Take Over (CTO) and Growth With the original deployer’s exit, a dedicated CTO formed around the token, focusing on revitalizing the project and expanding its community. Despite initial challenges, the CTO drew attention to the token’s unique history and connection to Musk, sparking interest.
Expanding the Team As the project grew, a diverse group of individuals with expertise in crypto, Web 3.0, and even Tesla-related engineering projects joined the CTO. Some members identified themselves as “Elon historians,” deepening the narrative around the token and its association with Musk.
Building the Community The CTO has focused heavily on community-building, emphasizing decentralized governance and participation. By creating meme groups and leveraging platforms like X and Telegram, the project has fostered a space where anyone can contribute ideas or suggestions for future memes and direction.
Strategic Goals and Future Vision The team is committed to maintaining a community-driven approach, inspired by successful projects like Niero CTO. The focus is on creating engaging stories and content that resonate with the community, while ensuring that governance remains decentralized and inclusive.
Expanding Token Accessibility One of the key goals for the team is to increase accessibility for the token. The CTO is working on securing token listings across various platforms and jurisdictions to allow a broader audience to participate in the project. Additionally, token giveaway campaigns have been organized to include community members who cannot participate financially.
Long-Term Vision While the project has gained attention due to Musk’s involvement, the team’s focus is on long-term success. As the first-minted token associated with Kekius Maximus, the team believes the token’s value is rooted in its unique history and cultural significance, not just short-term market trends.
Becoming a Meme Leader on Solana
Being built on Solana—often referred to as the “home of memes”—the team aims to position Kekius Maximus as the leading frog/pepe meme token on the network. With a clear gap in the market, the team is ready to step up and claim this position, filling an untapped niche in the meme space on Solana.
Conclusion Kekius Maximus transcends its origins as a viral meme, evolving into a symbol of perfect timing, community, and the surprising intersections of culture, gaming, and blockchain.What began as a meme has grown into a movement, with milestones like Elon Musk’s involvement amplifying its reach. However, the real power of Kekius Maximus lies in its community-driven spirit and forward-looking vision.
As the first minted token of its kind, with a distinctive address ending in 42, Kekius Maximus ($KM on Solana) is primed to make a lasting impact on memes, cryptocurrency, and pop culture. Its journey is just getting started, with influence destined to expand exponentially.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
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Solana (SOL), one of the largest cryptos in terms of market capitalization, has turned bullish in the past few hours. On the other hand, the blockchain’s network activity has been declining after increasing dramatically over the past several months. In the meantime, a new DEX is making headlines with its surge in adoption. Ergo, let’s take a closer look at what’s going on with this new DEX, GRVT.
Solana’s dropping network activity As per Artemis, a popular data analytics platform that provides insights into several blockchains’ network activity, Solana was witnessing a decline in its activity. This was evident from the decline in its daily active addresses in the seven-day time span. During the same time, the blockchain’s daily transactions also dipped—signaling less usage. Apart from that, things in the captured value front also didn’t look good as both Solana’s fees and revenue dropped.
GRVT is now in the limelight! While Solana’s network activity was declining, a newcomer, GRVT, has been making news. GRVT is the world’s first regulated DEX that operates as a self-custodial CEX. By using smart contracts to guarantee self-custody, scalability, and security, the company hopes to make it possible for anybody to purchase, sell, trade, and invest in financial items. In only a month since its mainnet alpha launch, the DEX has gained much traction. GRVT’s daily active traders (DAT) are among the highest for a DEX’s first 30 days, with recent numbers crossing 1,000—a major milestone. Additionally, they have onboarded 33,266 KYCed users to date—more than many DEXes achieve in their lifetime.
In 30 days, GRVT traded a total of $1.3 billion. The platform’s daily volume already surpasses many top DEXs in their first month. Hong Yea, co-founder and CEO of GRVT mentioned, “We’ve shipped over 6 new features including configurable leverage, cross-chain bridging, PnL tracking, and more. GRVT improves daily.”
To sum things up! While Solana faces declining activity, GRVT’s explosive growth and innovation highlight its potential to reshape the DEX landscape. With impressive achievements in as little as 30 days, GRVT is drawing interest from the cryptocurrency world. This points to a bright future for decentralized trading that is regulated. Meanwhile, it’s also worth noting that Solana bulls stepped up their game in the last 24 hours by pushing the token’s price up by 5%. At the time of writing, the token is trading at $237 with a market capitalization of over $115 billion.
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Rosen Bridge announced on Thursday via X that it expects Dogecoin to be integrated into its secure cross-chain ecosystem in around two weeks. This development would allow DOGE holders to access the myriad opportunities DeFi has to offer—such as yield farming, staking, and privacy features—by leveraging Rosen’s high-security bridge technology, which already supports Ergo, Cardano, Ethereum, and BNB.
“Rosen integrating Doge into its secure ecosystem is progressing well, 2 weeks?” the announcement read on X. “DOGE enabling holders to access yield farming, staking, privacy features and other opportunities. This enhances Dogecoin’s utility and adoption while leveraging Rosen’s high-security bridge technology for trusted cross-chain access on Ergo, Cardano, Ethereum, and BNB.”
Rosen Bridge’s forthcoming Dogecoin integration follows the project’s official launch on Ergo Mainnet in December 2023. In a press release at that time, the team underscored the importance of secure, interoperable infrastructure for the future of decentralized finance:
“As the industry has grown, the need for secure interoperable blockchain infrastructure has become increasingly important. In order for the DeFi sector to truly flourish, decentralization and open source tooling must be the priority. With the launch of Rosen Bridge, we establish a new standard in bridge security with clear open assumptions – one that has the potential to revolutionize the industry and establish Ergo as a hub for the intersection of multiple blockchains.”
The release emphasized how cross-chain interoperability can break down the barriers between insulated blockchain ecosystems. By facilitating native asset swaps between blockchains such as Cardano, Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and soon Dogecoin, Rosen Bridge aims to unlock new levels of collaboration and innovation.
Rosen Bridge’s approach is anchored by Ergo’s proof-of-work model, which the team describes as “time tested and robust.” Unlike many existing cross-chain protocols, the core security logic for Rosen Bridge resides on Ergo itself, minimizing the need for external smart contracts that can introduce vulnerabilities on other networks.
According to the team, previous bridge technology on other blockchains has required that the interacting blockchains execute smart contracts on their respective networks – a scenario that can create multiple attack vectors.”
Related Reading: Dogecoin Price Repeats Pattern From 2021 That Could Trigger Rally Above $10
In contrast, Rosen Bridge operates with a two-layer authentication system made up of “Watchers” and “Guards.” Watchers monitor and reach consensus on events across the integrated blockchains. Once a consensus is achieved, Guards verify these events and finalize the transactions. This modular architecture allows Rosen to scale more efficiently while maintaining a strong security posture.
Currently, the Rosen Bridge supports Cardano on the Ergo Mainnet, enabling direct swaps and cross-chain operations without heavily taxing each participating network’s resources. The addition of DOGE means that Dogecoin holders could soon participate in a range of DeFi applications, bridging an asset that has historically been limited in utility to new frontiers of staking, privacy, and yield farming.
At press time, DOGE traded at $0.16
DOGE hovers above the trend line, 1-week chart | Source: DOGEUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
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Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has openly supported Ergo (ERG) following news of its potential delisting from HTX.
Earlier this week, Ergo’s official X account reported that its native token was unjustly being delisted from HTX for failing to meet liquidity requirements.
It emphasized that the listing agreement previously signed with HTX did not include minimum volume requirements. However, Ergo claimed HTX added ERG to its ST list without informing the Ergo team of any policy changes or providing adequate response time.
The Ergo team stated that it discovered HTX’s delisting plan a month after the official notification was expected. Upon learning of the move, Ergo said it quickly made the necessary adjustments to comply with the exchange’s liquidity requirements. Despite this, it claims the exchange still intends to proceed with the delisting.
Cardano Founder Reacts Interestingly, Cardano’s founder, Charles Hoskinson, joined several crypto stakeholders to respond to Ergo’s public outcry, advocating for increased liquidity on decentralized exchanges.
In his X post, Hoskinson stated that he is familiar with how centralized exchanges treat smaller crypto projects. He emphasized that decentralization is the only way small projects can end the mistreatment from centralized trading platforms.
Meanwhile, Hoskinson praised Ergo, describing it as a spiritual successor to Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap. He stressed that the project deserves more respect and love than it currently receives.
Furthermore, Hoskinson suggested that Ergo could thrive as a partner chain within the Cardano ecosystem. He noted that it is challenging for the Cardano team to provide support while Ergo remains a standalone Layer-1 (L1) project.
Is Something Big Coming for ERG? While Ergo has yet to comment on the proposal, Edge Capitalism highlighted the significance of Hoskinson’s recent endorsement of ERG. Edge Capitalism finds it surprising that Hoskinson is commenting on a project like Ergo rather than established competitors such as Solana or Ethereum.
They view Hoskinson’s remarks as a strong endorsement of Ergo’s decentralized model and technology, suggesting that such high-profile validation could pave the way for significant development for ERG in the near future.
This has just happened a few hours ago👇
Yes, $ADA Charles Hoskinson from #Cardano is clearly explaining the descentralized nature and technology of #ERGO 🔥🔥🔥
Yes. Of #ERGO not #SOL or #ETH
You better be prepared. Something big can happen any time with $ERG 👀 pic.twitter.com/xSOVDPRyvJ
— EDGE Capitalism (@EDGECapitalism) September 18, 2025
ERG Still on HTX In the meantime, HTX Global has yet to delist ERG. Of the $351,000 total 24-hour trading volume for ERG, $42,561 was transacted on HTX Global.
The token, which plunged to a 30-day low of $0.7712 yesterday, is currently changing hands at $0.8258. It has surged 4.58% over the past 24 hours, but is down 3.67% in the past week. With a valuation of $67.71 million, ERG ranks as the 492nd biggest cryptocurrency by market cap.
Although Ergo is a separate L1 blockchain, it is compatible with the Cardano network. Like Cardano, Ergo uses the same transaction model, allowing decentralized applications to run on both blockchains. Last year, 624,000 ERG coins, or 0.76% of its 81.96 million circulating supply, moved to the Cardano network.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
Silver (XAG) is outperforming Bitcoin in terms of retail interest, breaking multi-decade records and prompting investors to explore a new frontier: tokenized silver.
With precious-metal liquidity rising, analysts say digital silver may be the next major on-chain asset class.
Silver’s 46-Year High Changes Market PsychologySilver closed the month at $58, its highest monthly close in 46 years, with retail interest in silver surpassing Bitcoin in global Google Trends.
“Silver just hit $58 and gave its highest monthly close after 46 years. We can see a massive amount of liquidity in US stocks, gold, and now silver. Sooner or later, this will likely flow into riskier assets, such as Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. The bull market is not over, it’s delayed,” commented analyst Ash Crypto.
Gold, silver, and Bitcoin interest over time. Source: Google TrendsThe surge reflects a broad shift in capital toward hard assets as global inflation, industrial demand, and supply constraints intensify. At the same time, the Silver-to-Bitcoin Ratio has broken a decade-long downtrend.
This signals a notable shift in how retail and institutional investors evaluate store-of-value assets, setting the stage for the rise of tokenized silver.
The Tokenized Silver Market: Early, Small, and GrowingDespite XAG price’s momentum, the tokenized silver sector remains underdeveloped. Only a handful of projects, Kinesis Silver (KAG) and Gram Silver (GRAMS) appear on CoinGecko.
Tokenized Silver. Source: CoinGeckoYet fundamentals are strengthening. According to Commodity Block research, tokenized silver is “quickly redefining how investors access and interact with the precious metals market, offering:
Fractional ownership of silver 24/7 global trading Immutable provenance and traceability Use as collateral in DeFi The report highlights that the tokenized silver market has reached an estimated capitalization of $200 million, while gold-backed tokens dominate at $2.57 billion.
Silver’s accelerating demand suggests a widening appetite for digital commodities, especially as the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) trades at $52.52, reflecting rising global interest. It is up by almost 3% in pre-market trading.
iShares Silver Trust Pre-Market Trading. Source: Google Finance “Tokenized commodities are shattering traditional ownership models by making physical assets accessible to anyone with an internet connection,” read an excerpt in the report.
Why Investors Care NowThe appeal of tokenized silver aligns with a broader trend: the migration of real-world assets (RWAs) onto blockchain.
Silver’s dual role as both an industrial metal (used in electronics, solar, and medical devices) and an investment hedge makes it uniquely positioned for digital adoption.
Key drivers include:
Growing demand for fractional investing DeFi protocols increasingly accepting silver-backed collateral Rising scrutiny over ethical sourcing, which blockchain transparency supports Global interest in alternative stores of value during economic uncertainty Regulatory clarity remains essential. Jurisdictions such as the UAE, Singapore, and parts of the EU are developing frameworks for digital commodities, while global inconsistencies continue to limit cross-border scalability.
On the other side of the fence, the tokenized gold market now exceeds $3 billion, led by Pax Gold (PAXG), Tether Gold (XAUT), and new institutional products like MKS PAMP’s DGLD.
Silver may follow a similar path if infrastructure, custody standards, and exchange listings continue improving.
With silver prices surging, ratios breaking out, and retail interest climbing, tokenized silver may be poised to become crypto’s next major RWA category.
As liquidity rotates across metals and into digital assets, the question for 2025 is no longer if tokenized silver will grow, but how fast.
Chainlink Price Prediction Jan 2026: Kinesis Silver Hits New Peak, but DeepSnitch AI Preps for a 100X Moonshot After Standard Chartered Flags Stablecoins as Growing Risk to Traditional Bank Deposits
