Day: February 18, 2025

AI-Driven Blockchain Adoption: Pantera’s Insights

Written by Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf on . Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

This post was originally published on this site

Artificial intelligence and blockchain are converging to reshape the crypto landscape. According to Pantera Capital’s general partner, Cosmo Jiang, AI-driven blockchain adoption is accelerating, enhancing security, decentralization, and transparency. As deepfake technology and AI-generated frauds rise, blockchain could serve as a vital solution in verifying identities and preventing manipulation.

AI’s Role in Deepfake Detection and Security

The rapid advancements in AI have led to increased concerns about digital security, particularly with the spread of deepfakes. Jiang highlights BitMind, a project using AI on the Bittensor (TAO) network, to detect and mitigate deepfakes. BitMind employs decentralized AI models that improve detection accuracy and resilience, making it harder for malicious actors to manipulate media.

Unlike centralized platforms that control detection algorithms, BitMind operates through independent miners running classification models. This decentralized approach ensures a robust, censorship-resistant detection system, reinforcing AI-driven blockchain adoption as a crucial defense against digital deception.

Government Regulations on AI and Blockchain

With AI and blockchain becoming more interconnected, regulatory discussions are heating up. Jiang supports proactive collaboration between regulators and the tech industry to craft frameworks that foster innovation while protecting users.

He emphasizes the significance of the newly created White House AI and Crypto Czar position. This move, he argues, acknowledges that AI and blockchain are the two fastest-growing sectors, requiring tailored regulations that balance decentralization and compliance.

Decentralized AI development, in particular, offers an alternative to corporate-controlled AI systems. Blockchain networks provide a structure where multiple independent actors contribute to AI evolution, ensuring a more open and censorship-resistant future.

Pantera’s Investments in AI-Driven Blockchain Projects

Pantera Capital has been actively investing in AI-driven blockchain adoption, believing that crypto offers unique advantages for AI development. Jiang highlights investments in Bittensor (TAO) and Sentient, both of which focus on incentivizing open-source AI contributions.

Traditionally, AI research has been dominated by closed ecosystems like OpenAI. However, blockchain-based models offer a tokenized incentive structure, rewarding contributors and fostering decentralized AI innovation. Jiang compares Bittensor’s development to the early days of Bitcoin, where a passionate community built the foundation for a new financial system.

Decentralized Identity: Verifying Humans in an AI-Dominated World

Another emerging challenge in the AI era is distinguishing between humans and AI-generated entities. Pantera has invested in Worldcoin (WLD) and Humanity Protocol, two projects focused on decentralized identity verification.

Worldcoin, founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, aims to create a scalable system that confirms human identity without compromising privacy. If successful, this could enable fair digital interactions, protect democratic processes, and even lay the groundwork for AI-driven universal basic income (UBI).

Jiang believes that as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, solutions like Worldcoin will be essential in preventing fraud and ensuring the integrity of online interactions.

The Future of AI-Driven Blockchain Adoption

As AI continues to evolve, its integration with blockchain is inevitable. From security enhancements to open-source AI development, AI-driven blockchain adoption is shaping the next wave of technological progress.

With deepfake detection, decentralized identity verification, and tokenized AI incentives, blockchain provides the foundation for a more transparent and secure digital world. As Pantera Capital continues investing in these innovations, the fusion of AI and blockchain is poised to redefine industries and reshape the internet’s future.

Whether through identity verification, decentralized AI research, or fraud prevention, the collaboration between AI and blockchain is not just a possibility—it’s already happening.

Featured Image: Unplash @ Kanchanara

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Milei Cryptocurrency Scandal Sparks Fraud Allegations

Written by Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf on . Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

This post was originally published on this site

Argentina’s President Javier Milei has denied any wrongdoing in what is now being called the Milei cryptocurrency scandal. The controversy erupted after Milei mentioned a newly launched cryptocurrency, $Libra, in a social media post. The digital asset saw a brief surge before plummeting, leaving many investors with heavy losses.

Now, legal authorities are assessing whether the president could face fraud charges. Despite the backlash, Milei remains defiant, comparing investors’ losses to gambling risks. “If you go to a casino and lose money, what’s there to complain about?” he remarked in a recent interview.

Milei’s Social Media Post Under Scrutiny

The Milei cryptocurrency scandal began when the president shared a link to a site selling $Libra on X (formerly Twitter). Investors interpreted this as an endorsement, leading to a rush of purchases. However, after Milei deleted the post just hours later, the token’s value collapsed.

Opposition leaders and investors have accused the launch of resembling a “rug pull,” a fraudulent scheme where promoters abandon a project after raising funds. Although the presidential office insists Milei had no involvement in the development of $Libra, critics argue his actions misled the public.

Investigation into Potential Fraud

A federal judge is now tasked with determining whether the fraud allegations against Milei should proceed. Argentina’s Anti-Corruption Office has also launched an inquiry to assess if the president’s actions violated ethical or legal standards.

Milei, however, remains steadfast in his defense, stating that he acted “in good faith” and had no financial interest in $Libra. He claims he deleted his post after realizing he lacked sufficient information about the project.

Political Fallout and Economic Implications

The Milei cryptocurrency scandal has fueled tensions between the president and opposition politicians, some of whom are now considering impeachment proceedings. While political analysts believe an impeachment is unlikely, the controversy could distract Milei from his ambitious economic reform agenda.

Argentina has been struggling with high inflation and economic instability, and Milei’s administration has pushed for radical changes to stabilize the economy. However, this latest controversy risks undermining investor confidence at a critical time.

Lessons from the $Libra Collapse

The Milei cryptocurrency scandal serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of investing in unregulated digital assets. Cryptocurrency markets are known for their volatility, and political endorsements—whether intentional or not—can influence trading behavior.

Investors should remain cautious and conduct thorough research before committing funds to new tokens. Meanwhile, regulatory bodies worldwide are likely to watch this case closely as governments grapple with how to oversee the rapidly evolving crypto industry.

While Milei continues to defend his actions, the outcome of the investigation will determine whether this scandal leaves a lasting impact on his presidency.

The Future of Crypto Regulation in Argentina

Beyond the immediate legal and political consequences, the Milei cryptocurrency scandal could accelerate discussions about cryptocurrency regulation in Argentina. While Milei has been an advocate for free markets and minimal government intervention, this incident raises questions about the need for greater oversight to protect investors from fraudulent schemes.

If the government fails to address these concerns, Argentina risks becoming a hotspot for crypto-related scams, further damaging investor confidence. Some experts believe that new regulations, such as mandatory disclosures for public figures endorsing financial products, could emerge from this controversy.

For now, the case remains a test of Milei’s leadership. Whether he weathers this storm or faces long-term political damage will depend on how he handles the investigation and reassures both investors and the public about his commitment to transparency.

Featured Image:  Freepik © grvstudio

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Binance Named “Best Crypto App” at Sensor Tower APAC Awards 2024

Written by CryptoCurrencyNews on . Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Binance, the global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the title of “Best Crypto App” at the prestigious Sensor Tower APAC Awards 2024. Binance was recognized as the top application in the cryptocurrency taxonomy, earning the award based on its leading performance among all other applications in the category. This recognition highlights Binance’s exceptional performance, leadership, and impact in the cryptocurrency industry.

Each year, the Sensor Tower APAC Awards recognizes leading apps and games in their respective categories, using insights from Sensor Tower Intelligence. These rankings are based on a variety of key metrics, including Downloads, IAP Revenue, Active Users, Reviews, Ratings, and overall impact on society and the industry.

“With Bitcoin’s price reaching new highs in 2024, Binance, the leading global app in the Cryptocurrency category, saw its downloads soar once again. It stands out as the premier all-in-one crypto solution for trading, staking, earning, and learning. With over 225 million downloads worldwide, it has earned an impressive average rating of 4.8 stars and has led the monthly active user rankings in its category globally since 2022, with particularly strong growth in Asia,” said Donny Kristianto, Principal Market Insights Manager at Sensor Tower APAC Awards.

Andy Goldin, Binance’s Head of Data and Analytics, commented on the achievement: “We are honored to receive the Best Crypto App award at the Sensor Tower APAC Awards 2024. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing the best possible experience for our users and is in alignment with recent data showcasing Binance’s strong performance. According to DefiLlama, Binance safeguards $150 billion in crypto assets for our users, while CCData reported we’ve facilitated over $100 trillion in trading volumes since 2017. We remain committed to innovation and excellence in the cryptocurrency space, and we are excited about the future as we continue to grow and evolve.”

In addition to the Sensor Tower APAC Awards, 2024 was a milestone year for Binance, marked by multiple industry recognitions. Binance was ranked as the most visited cryptocurrency platform of 2024 by Cloudflare’s web traffic report and secured the 6th spot globally in the financial services sector. Fortune also named Binance the No.1 Asia FinTech Innovator in 2024, by virtue of its leadership and ongoing innovation in the fintech space.

ABOUT BINANCE

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 250 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com 

Logo – https://megastockalert.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Binance_Logo_Yellow_4x_Logo.jpg

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/binance-named-best-crypto-app-at-sensor-tower-apac-awards-2024-302378595.html

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My husband and I have been married for 18 years. We share a son — and my husband has a daughter. Why should they get an equal inheritance?

Written by Quentin Fottrell on . Posted in Penny Stocks. Leave a Comment

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My husband and I have been married for 18 years and together for 19 years. We have a son together, and he has a daughter who is 10 years older than our son. 

When we married, we combined all our financial accounts. My husband felt strongly that he should keep a separate life-insurance policy for his daughter that is valued at $100,000. I took out a life-insurance policy through work for a similar amount for our son. That will no longer be available after I retire next year.  

Our wills split our money, with a third going to charity, a third to his daughter and a third to our son. While I have never been a huge fan of this distribution, over the past year I have become unhappy for two reasons.

First, his daughter will receive a separate inheritance from her mother. 

The second, larger issue is emotional. I have treated her like a bonus daughter. She is in every family picture (the same is not true of her mother and her mother’s second family).

I attended every school event and every sporting event, contributed equally to her college fund, included her on every family vacation – even though she is 28, she contributes almost nothing to those trips, and her dad does not wish to force her to as she would otherwise not likely attend, even though we are just talking about a cabin and nothing elaborate. Birthdays and holidays are treated equally for each of the kids.  

I wanted to be sure to wear an understated outfit for the mother of the bride’s sake, and yet be dressed nicely as a person who has been in her life since she was 8 years old.

This year she got married, and I was completely left out of any planning, bridal-shower and wedding activities. Her mother and I get along without drama. In fact, her mother said she wanted me to be included because I was part of her family. When I asked my stepdaughter to go shopping together for my dress, her response was “get whatever you want.” 

I wanted to be sure to wear an understated outfit for the mother of the bride’s sake, and yet be dressed nicely as a person who has been in her life since she was 8 years old. It is obvious to me that my husband’s former wife views me as a person who is her husband’s wife, and not as a friend. That makes me sad as I viewed her differently and we have never had cross words. 

Since my stepdaughter is my son’s only sibling, I do want that relationship maintained. However, I am becoming uncomfortable with her receiving an equal inheritance. I came from almost nothing and have worked extremely hard to be financially secure. She has a job but expects money to be handed to her. My son, on the other hand, is a go-getter and is working very hard. 

When I am gone, I am gone. But I am having a hard time leaving her half of my hard-earned savings. Thoughts?

The Stepmother

Related: My stepdaughter is executor to her late father’s will, and believes she’s now on the deed to my home. Is that possible?

Dear Stepmother,

You can’t be liked by everyone, as much as you try.

You could fly to the moon and back and still not get a “welcome home” from your stepdaughter, or a card congratulating you on your trip from your husband’s former wife. The more you do for your stepdaughter, the more you believe she should appreciate you, respect you and like you. But life doesn’t work that way. In fact, your efforts may be having the opposite effect. She might even consider you pushy, even if that is unjust.

Yes, it would have been nice for her to acknowledge your position in the family during her wedding celebrations, given everything you have done for her over the years, even if she felt agnostic about your presence at her wedding or in her life. But this is a time for her to do things the way she wants them done. Your frustration with her is likely mirrored by her eye rolls. You may have to accept that she’s not going to come around.

You and your husband have two financial hurdles to overcome: the decision about how to split any inheritance, and how you make that decision. 

You and your husband have two financial hurdles to overcome: the decision about how to split any inheritance, and how you make that decision. You could go to battle with him and argue that you would like the satisfaction of knowing that your son will receive as close as possible to 100% of your separate assets. This may be a difficult task given that you have commingled so many of your marital assets, including — I presume — your home.

There are ways you can divert funds to your son. First, if you own your house through tenancy in common, you can deed your 50% share to your son. Second, you and your husband can divide your joint accounts 50/50, and you can add your son as a beneficiary to your own. It may not get him to 100%, but it could get him pretty close. Third, you can set up a trust that becomes irrevocable upon either one of your deaths so that neither of you can alter the terms on their own.

Even if you and your husband come to a mutually agreeable arrangement, taking such precautions would give you peace of mind that your husband won’t have a change of heart if you should die first. If you simply write a will together, your wishes would not necessarily be carried out if he outlived you. He could, for example, decide to split your marital estate 50/50 between your son and his daughter. After all, it might make more sense for him to want to leave each of his kids an equal share.

On the upside, if you did go first, you would never need to know.

Related: ‘Don’t be naïve’: I have a wake-up call for divorcing women — you’ve been giving up too much for too long. Am I wrong?

You can email The Moneyist with any financial and ethical questions at qfottrell@marketwatch.com, and follow Quentin Fottrell on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. 

The Moneyist regrets he cannot reply to questions individually.

More columns from Quentin Fottrell:

‘I’m struggling with grief and loss’: I inherited seven figures after my parents died young. Why do I feel guilty?

I’m 54 and have terminal cancer. I have a wife, 47, and 8-year-old child. How do I split my $1.2 million retirement and life insurance between them?

‘She’s the queen of CDs’: My mother-in-law, 83, opened 12 CDs at different financial institutions. Should I intervene?

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