TON Blockchain Unveils $115M Community Incentive Program

This post was originally published on this site

The Open Network Foundation, the entity behind developing the TON blockchain powering Telegram’s new advertising platform, has unveiled a community incentive program worth $115 million. This initiative will see the allocation of 30 million Toncoin (TON) tokens to reward the community.

As outlined in the announcement on March 20, the incentives will be distributed across four key areas: $38 million for token mining and user incentives, $22 million for airdrops, $15 million for The League developer ecosystem, and $40 million for liquidity pool boosts. Developers stated that the distribution of the 30 million Toncoin will commence on April 1 in monthly seasons, to facilitate a straightforward journey from Telegram user to on-chain participant.

During an initial pilot season, the TON Foundation disbursed 650,000 TON tokens ($2.6 million) through Liquidity Pool boosts and plans to allocate 550,000 TON tokens ($2.2 million) among winning projects in The League Pilot on March 31. Jack Booth, Director of Marketing at TON Foundation, remarked on the positive response from the community during the pilot season, indicating readiness for further engagement.

The Telegram Ad Platform, operating on the TON blockchain, was recently launched in March 2024. This platform enables Telegram channel owners globally to monetize their channels by selling advertising space and sharing revenue in TON tokens.

Originally developed by Telegram, the TON token’s development was halted in May 2020 following a legal dispute with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite this setback, Telegram remains a significant player in the messaging app landscape, boasting over 900 million users globally and ranking as the world’s fourth-largest messaging app.

In recent developments, Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov revealed plans for the company to pursue profitability, with considerations for an initial public offering (IPO). Durov also hinted at potentially offering priority access to loyal users for the firm’s IPO subscription, taking inspiration from Reddit’s approach. Over the past year, TON has seen a notable surge of close to 75% in value, currently trading at $4.12.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

Solana Faces Price Pullback Amid Crypto Regulatory Concerns

This post was originally published on this site

As the broader cryptocurrency market experiences a downturn, with Bitcoin and Ethereum seeing declines, Solana’s price has also pulled back significantly. The token has retreated to a critical support level at $164, leading to discussions about whether Solana (SOL) can maintain its upward trajectory or if further declines are imminent.

The potential for a deeper decline in Solana’s price is exacerbated by news that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating crypto companies as part of its Ethereum probe. The heightened regulatory concerns could amplify the pullback in SOL price.

Solana has been a focal point for investors recently, especially after its price surged past $200 for the first time since November 2021. Over the weekend, Solana experienced a significant surge in network activity, surpassing Ethereum in total trading volume.

On March 16, Solana’s trading volume reached $3.52 billion, surpassing Ethereum by $1.1 billion. This surge was largely driven by increased demand for Solana-based memecoins, with the newly launched Book of Meme (BOME) memecoin achieving a market capitalization of $1.45 billion in just 56 hours.

Solana’s decentralized finance (DeFi) sector has also experienced substantial growth, with its total value locked (TVL) increasing by over 80% in the past month. This surge has propelled Solana’s DeFi TVL to its highest point in two years, placing it among the top five DeFi networks by TVL.

Despite the recent decrease in trade volume, Solana’s market capitalization has reached $91.56 billion. The cryptocurrency has also seen a 9.05% rise in open interest to $3.20 billion, although short traders have been dominant in liquidations as they seek to mitigate losses from the ongoing price rally.

In other developments, the Solana community has begun to voice concerns about meme coin presales, which have become more frequent and dubious. In these presales, crypto traders often send large sums of money to unfamiliar individuals in the hope of getting in early on the next big meme coin like BONK, WIF, or BOME.

Following the multi-billion dollar surges of several Solana-based meme coins over the past three months—a trend that has thrust the blockchain back into the spotlight—many crypto influencers are capitalizing on the atmosphere of fear of missing out (FOMO). They are offering early, discounted allocations of certain meme coins before their launch to traders who send SOL to the promoters’ wallets.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

Robinhood Unveils Crypto Wallet for Android Users: What’s New?

This post was originally published on this site

Robinhood has rolled out its crypto wallet for Android users globally, offering a secure way to manage various cryptocurrencies and stay informed about market trends directly from their Android devices.

The launch of the Robinhood Wallet for Android is a strategic move to accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrencies while enhancing Robinhood’s reputation as a trustworthy and user-friendly platform for crypto transactions.

This release is particularly significant given Android’s dominant 70% market share in the global mobile operating system market. Android users can now securely hold their private keys and take full control of their digital assets through the Robinhood Wallet.

With the Robinhood Wallet, users can store, manage, send, and receive a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism, and Base.

Moreover, the wallet offers features such as cryptocurrency swapping, direct funding from Robinhood balances or other wallets/exchanges, and access to trending tokens and crypto news.

Johann Kerbrat, General Manager of Robinhood Crypto, highlighted the significance of this launch, stating:

“Launching Robinhood Wallet on Android is a significant step forward in our commitment to making crypto more accessible and seamlessly integrated into daily life for millions of people around the world.”

Key Features for Android Users

Android users can now enjoy the following features with the Robinhood Wallet:

Hold private keys and maintain control over digital assets.

Manage a diverse range of cryptocurrencies across multiple networks.

Swap cryptocurrencies on Ethereum, Polygon, and Arbitrum networks.

Fund the wallet directly from Robinhood balances or other sources.

Stay updated on trending tokens and the latest crypto news within the app.

Global Expansion and Future Plans

In December, Robinhood introduced its crypto product for Europe, allowing European customers to trade over 25 tokens, including popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, Solana, and Polkadot.

Looking ahead, Robinhood plans to expand its token selection further and introduce features such as staking.

Research firm Bernstein recently issued an “outperform” rating for Robinhood Markets, with analyst Gautam Chhugani predicting a significant increase in cryptocurrency trade volume at the online brokerage over the next two years.

Featured Image: Freepik @ produtizebro

Please See Disclaimer

Bitcoin Surges Beyond $63,500 Amid Market Volatility 

This post was originally published on this site

In the wake of heightened market volatility, the price of Bitcoin has surged back above the $63,500 threshold. Over the past 24 hours, the crypto landscape witnessed a tumultuous period, with the liquidation of more than $150 million in leveraged bitcoin positions.

After dipping to a recent low of $69,900, Bitcoin’s value rebounded, showing a resilient increase of over 1% within the same period.  As of 7:50 a.m. ET, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was trading at $63,559, according to data from The Block’s Price Page.

The volatility in price action led to significant liquidations across both long and short positions on centralized exchanges. CoinGlass data revealed that more than $78 million in bitcoin longs and over $72 million in shorts were liquidated, totaling over $150 million in liquidations.

While Bitcoin saw a rebound, the second-largest cryptocurrency, Ether, experienced a modest 0.3% increase, reaching $3,262 at 7:48 a.m. ET. Conversely, SOL, the native coin of the Solana network, recorded a decline of over 2% during the same period, according to The Block’s Prices Page.

The broader crypto market witnessed a total of over $275 million in liquidated long positions over the past day, contributing to a cumulative figure of $428 million in liquidations across various centralized exchanges.

Liquidations occur when traders’ positions are automatically closed due to insufficient funds to cover losses. This scenario arises when market movements go against the trader’s position, resulting in the exhaustion of their initial margin or collateral.

Featured Image: Freepik @ biefreepik

Please See Disclaimer

Bitcoin’s Next Halving Nears: Block Rewards to Halve Again

This post was originally published on this site

The countdown to Bitcoin’s next halving event, scheduled to take place in just a month, is underway. As estimated by The Block’s halving countdown, the event is set for April 20, where miners’ block rewards will be slashed from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC.

Approximately 4,450 blocks remain until the anticipated date, based on Bitcoin’s average block generation time of 10 minutes. If the current pace holds, April 20 around 8 a.m. EDT marks the potential moment for the halving event, reducing miners’ rewards per block by half.

Bitcoin halvings occur automatically every 210,000 blocks, approximately every four years, in a programmed event. Following each halving, miners receive 50% fewer bitcoins as a reward for their mining efforts, although they still earn transaction fees per block as usual.

With three previous halving events in Bitcoin’s history, the block reward inflation has decreased from 50 BTC to 25 BTC in 2012, then to 12.5 BTC in 2016, and most recently to 6.25 BTC on May 11, 2020. Ultimately, there will only be 21 million bitcoins in existence, with the halving events set to continue until the last bitcoin is projected to be mined around 2140, after which miners will solely earn from transaction fees.

The Market Impact of Bitcoin Halvings

Bitcoin halvings historically correlate with significant price fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market. Although not directly causal, these events often precede notable bull runs in Bitcoin’s price trajectory.

Jean-David Péquignot, Head of Markets at OSL, remarked on the positive impact of Bitcoin halvings on its price, attributing it to heightened optimism among crypto investors due to the event’s reinforcement of Bitcoin’s scarcity.

Furthermore, a recent report from ETC Group suggests that the forthcoming halving may not be fully priced into the current market. Their analysis indicates a potential increase in Bitcoin’s equilibrium price, projecting figures as high as $215,000 by the end of the next Bitcoin epoch in 2028.

Despite recent fluctuations, with Bitcoin sliding from $68,136 to $61,506 and eventually rebounding to $63,994, analysts at Bernstein view the dip as a buying opportunity ahead of the impending halving event.

Featured Image: Freepik @ fabrikasimf

Please See Disclaimer

Bitdeer Stock Poised for Significant Growth, Analysts Say

This post was originally published on this site

The meteoric rise of Bitcoin (BTCUSD) alongside the continued dominance of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks has been a notable narrative on Wall Street throughout 2024. Despite recent volatility, BTC has recently reached new highs surpassing $70,000, driven by the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs and optimism surrounding the upcoming “halving” event.

While the introduction of Bitcoin-based ETFs initially diverted attention from crypto mining stocks, analysts at Bernstein contend that miners remain the most viable equity proxy for BTC. They argue that the recent underperformance of these stocks, particularly pre-halving, presents an uncommon opportunity to acquire them at a discount. Here’s a closer examination of one such lesser-known Bitcoin mining company poised for substantial growth according to Wall Street analysts.

Overview of Bitdeer Technologies Stock

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ:BTDR) specializes in Bitcoin mining, with a focus on blockchain and high-performance computing. Headquartered in Singapore, the company also provides advanced cloud services catering to clients with significant demand for AI. Bitdeer operates data centers in the U.S., Norway, and Bhutan, with a current market capitalization of $823 million.

Despite a year-to-date decline of 25.9%, BTDR stock has notably underperformed the broader equities market.

Strong Q4 Performance

Bitdeer recently announced its preliminary results for the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year, reporting revenues of $114.8 million, marking a 49% year-over-year increase. Notably, self-mining revenues surged by over fourfold to $46.9 million in the quarter. The company achieved an EPS of $0.11, a significant improvement from the $0.07 loss per share in the corresponding period of the prior year.

Additionally, Bitdeer ended the quarter with a cash balance of $144.7 million, up 7.6% sequentially, and mined approximately 1,299 Bitcoins, a 19.7% increase from the previous quarter. Full results are anticipated to be released on March 22.

Strategic Initiatives

Bitdeer has undertaken several strategic initiatives to bolster its position in the market. The appointment of founder Jihan Wu as CEO received a positive market response, as did the recent opening of a data center in Bhutan, aimed at reducing operating costs through lower electricity expenses.

Looking forward, the construction of the Tydal data center in Norway, equipped with immersion cooling technology, is expected to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, Bitdeer’s partnership with Nvidia to address the growing demand for AI supercomputing underscores its commitment to diversification and innovation.

Analyst Outlook

Analysts are bullish on Bitdeer stock, with Benchmark initiating coverage with a “Buy” rating and a $13 price target, suggesting an upside potential of approximately 103%. H.C. Wainwright analyst Mike Colonnese echoed this sentiment, highlighting the stock’s undervaluation based on forward enterprise value/revenue multiple, with a $20 price target representing a potential upside of 171.7%.

Overall, unanimous consensus among five analysts rates BTDR as a “Strong Buy,” with a mean target price of $14.50, indicating a potential upside of around 97% from current levels.

Featured Image: Freepik @ micrologia

Please See Disclaimer

Bitcoin’s abrupt decline is pulling down crypto stocks such as Coinbase — and even Tesla

This post was originally published on this site

Bitcoin’s recent plunge has had a ripple effect, dragging down major crypto-related stocks, including Tesla and Coinbase. The cryptocurrency saw a sharp 7% decline in its price, tumbling from $73,000 to around $63,000 in just under a week. This downward trend was exacerbated by a record daily outflow of $642.5 million from Grayscale’s spot Bitcoin ETF, GBTC, on Monday.

MicroStrategy, a software company known for its Bitcoin maximalist stance, also took a hit, experiencing a nearly 7.5% loss and trading at $1,384 at the time of writing. The company recently completed another convertible note offering to boost its Bitcoin holdings, selling $604 million in notes to purchase 9,000 bitcoin. This move is part of MicroStrategy’s aggressive Bitcoin buying strategy, with the company now owning 214,246 bitcoin, which represents 1% of the total Bitcoin supply.

Tesla, another prominent player in the crypto space, saw its stock price plummet by 60% from its all-time high, currently trading at $171 with a 1.2% decrease in a day. The stock’s volatility was fueled by an interview in which Tesla CEO Elon Musk was questioned about his alleged drug use, following a story published by The Wall Street Journal. Despite the decline, Tesla holds over 10,500 bitcoin, valued at $336 million.

Coinbase, the largest publicly traded crypto exchange, also faced a 3% decline, trading at $230 at the time of writing. The drop in its price is directly linked to Bitcoin’s sharp decline.

Other stocks in the crypto space experienced similar declines. Square, led by Jack Dorsey, saw a nearly 2% drop, hovering around $80. Robinhood, a crypto-friendly company, witnessed a 5% decline in its shares, which fell to $17. Riot Platforms, a crypto mining company, suffered a more than 2% loss, dropping to $11.

Despite the recent downturn, experts remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s future, believing that it will soon recover and reach new heights.

Featured image: depositphotos © nevarpp

Disclaimer

Crypto Advocates Support Coinbase’s Call for SEC Rulemaking

This post was originally published on this site

Several crypto organizations and lobbying groups have thrown their weight behind Coinbase’s efforts to prompt the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish clear regulations for the cryptocurrency industry. In amicus briefs filed on Monday in the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, these groups highlighted the SEC’s lack of clarity in regulating crypto and argued that existing securities laws are ill-suited for the digital asset landscape.

Among the proponents are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Crypto Council for Innovation, who emphasized the necessity for the SEC to intervene and draft comprehensive rules tailored to the crypto sector. They voiced concerns that without regulatory clarity, more businesses might opt to relocate due to the uncertain regulatory environment in the United States.

This development stems from a protracted dispute between Coinbase and the SEC regarding the need for specific regulatory frameworks for crypto. Coinbase initially requested formal rulemaking from the SEC in July 2022 and subsequently sued the agency in April 2023 to compel a response to its petition. However, the SEC rejected the call for new rules, with Chair Gary Gensler asserting that existing regulations already encompass crypto activities. In response, Coinbase sought relief from the appeals court to compel the SEC to initiate rulemaking for the crypto industry.

Meanwhile, the SEC has been pursuing enforcement actions against numerous crypto firms, including Coinbase, for allegedly operating as unregistered exchanges.

In their amicus briefs, the Crypto Council for Innovation criticized the SEC’s enforcement approach as arbitrary and lacking stakeholder input. They highlighted the challenges faced by industry participants in deciphering the SEC’s stance based on public statements and judicial rulings.

Similarly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expressed concern over the economic repercussions of regulatory ambiguity on investors and the digital asset economy. They criticized the SEC’s reluctance to adapt regulations to accommodate the evolving crypto landscape.

Paradigm, a crypto investment firm, argued in its brief that the SEC’s traditional regulatory framework for securities is incompatible with crypto, given its decentralized nature. They highlighted the inadequacy of issuer-centric disclosures mandated by the SEC for crypto projects, emphasizing the decentralized nature of crypto networks.

Overall, these amicus briefs underscore the pressing need for regulatory clarity in the crypto space and advocate for the SEC to take proactive steps in drafting tailored rules for the industry.

Featured Image: Freepik @ user8531954

Please See Disclaimer

Crypto Market Turmoil: Altcoins Plunge as Bitcoin Dips Below $63k

This post was originally published on this site

In a tumultuous turn of events, the cryptocurrency market saw a significant correction as Bitcoin (BTC) plummeted below the $67,000 mark, hitting a low of $62,460. At present, bullish sentiment is waning, with bears eyeing the $62,000 support level, potentially pushing Bitcoin below the $60,000 threshold.

Altcoins bore the brunt of the downturn, experiencing declines ranging from 20% to 40% from recent highs. Investors scrambled to secure profits amidst the market turbulence, awaiting a stabilization period.

Data from Coinglass reveals that long positions suffered the most during this pullback. The relentless ascent of Bitcoin over the past few weeks led many traders to believe in a one-way trajectory, only to be met with a significant correction.

Monday witnessed negative flows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the first time since March 1, primarily due to a staggering $642.5 million outflow from Grayscale’s GBTC, marking its largest single-day outflow on record.

According to Farside data, GBTC has witnessed total outflows surpassing $12.4 billion, while BlackRocks IBIT recorded inflows reaching $12.96 billion. Combined, these ETFs have seen a net flow of $12 billion, currently holding 836.6k BTC valued at approximately $53.1 billion.

Despite skepticism from some quarters regarding the current bull cycle’s longevity, the looming halving, still over 30 days away, suggests otherwise. Historical trends indicate that peak cycles typically occur six to nine months post-halving.

While ETF inflows have been notable, many investment advisors have yet to advocate for Bitcoin allocations to their clients. Grant Engelbart, Vice President and Investment Strategist for Carson Group, notes that only a few advisors have allocated to Bitcoin ETFs, with an average allocation of 3.5%.

Analysts anticipate the halving to serve as the next significant catalyst for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market, foreseeing sideways price movements until then.

Henry Robinson, Co-founder and Head of Crypto at Decimal Digital Currency emphasizes Bitcoin’s evolving role as a vital institutional asset, driven by substantial weekly net inflows into new Bitcoin ETFs. He predicts further price surges in 2024, attributing them to reduced monthly BTC supply post-halving.

Robinson views the recent correction as an opportunity for leveraged traders to reassess their positions, cautioning against overconfidence amid bullish sentiments. He underscores the growing sophistication and liquidity in the BTC market, thanks to ETFs, which are also educating traditional asset managers about Bitcoin’s potential.

As the market navigates through accumulation phases and price adjustments, Rekt Capital, a market analyst, advises newcomers to brace themselves for the volatility inherent in cryptocurrency bull markets.

Featured Image: Freepik @ produtizebro

Please See Disclaimer

“Solid Projects We Would Love to Work With”: Bybit Affirms its Open and Collaborative Approach in Livestream Event with Solana Ecosystem to Unveil Ecosystem Growth and Prioritize User Value in Web3

This post was originally published on this site

DUBAI, UAE, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, one the world’s top three crypto exchanges by trading volume, and Solana, one of the fastest-growing ecosystems in the blockchain sphere, joined forces for an electrifying livestream discussion with other dApps. The event showcased the remarkable growth of the Solana ecosystem and unveiled exciting plans for the future, with a focus on delivering values to the blockchain ecosystem.

During the livestream, Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit emphasized the importance of partnerships with solid projects, resilience and vision, reflecting Bybit’s strategic approach to collaboration within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. “We’re drawn to projects with a proven track record and a solid foundation,” Zhou said. “Solana really surprised me in how it developed and how resilient it is, and now that the community is super strong, all these new projects are building onto it.”

Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation, spoke about the unique capabilities Solana brings to the table. “Solana stands apart with its ability to execute transactions in a blink of an eye and at minimal cost enabling what was once thought impossible,” Liu said. “This paves the way for innovative applications previously beyond reach.”

Bybit’s commitment to nurturing a robust and innovative crypto ecosystem is underscored by its focus on Web3 initiatives like Solana Fiesta, with planned hackathons, conferences, and collaborative efforts hosted at Bybit’s Dubai Crypto Ark Space designed to expand crypto adoption and spur innovation.

Marius George Ciubotariu, a core contributor to Kamino Finance, a leading decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol on Solana, welcomed the opportunity to offer Bybit users an airdrop of the new Kamino ($KMNO) token, as part of Bybit x Solana‘s Airdrop Arcade. “This is the moment when many will discover Solana for what it is: a seamless, straightforward blockchain experience akin to using the web without cumbersome interfaces or wallets,” he said.

Joe Takayama, YouTube influencer, pointed out the innovative projects on Solana, many of which will be listed on Bybit. “A lot of the coins on Solana are not just tokens. They’re building and investing in the Solana ecosystem. The tools and products they build will appeal to the mass market.”

Bybit’s alliance with Solana is a pivotal step toward creating a more accessible, efficient, and innovative digital asset landscape. Emily Bao, Web3 evangelist from Bybit Web3, summed up the venture, “Our goal is to collaborate with the best in the blockchain world, and Solana is one of our top choices with its innovation and efficiency.”

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BybitWeb3

About Bybit Web3

Bybit Web3 is redefining openness in the decentralized world, creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. We are committed to welcoming builders, creators, and partners in the blockchain space, extending an invitation to both crypto enthusiasts and the curious, with a community of over one million wallet users, over 10 major ecosystem partners, and counting. 

Bybit Web3 provides a comprehensive suite of Web3 products designed to make accessing, swapping, collecting and growing Web3 assets as open and simple as possible. Our wallets, marketplaces and platforms are all backed by the security and expertise that define Bybit as a top 3 global crypto exchange, trusted by 25 million users globally.

Join the revolution now and open the door to your Web3 future with Bybit.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Web3.

About Bybit

Bybit is one of the world’s top three crypto exchanges by volume with 25 million users. Established in 2018, it offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One’s reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube


Bybit Web3 Logo (PRNewsfoto/Bybit)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solid-projects-we-would-love-to-work-with-bybit-affirms-its-open-and-collaborative-approach-in-livestream-event-with-solana-ecosystem-to-unveil-ecosystem-growth-and-prioritize-user-value-in-web3-302092318.html

SOURCE Bybit

Featured image: depositphotos © nevarpp

Disclaimer

Compare