If DEVCON1 proved anything in spades, it was certainly the enthusiasm, creativity, and momentum of the Ethereum developer community. Utilizing the never-before-seen potential unleashed by the Ethereum World Computer, our small-but-growing community is not just re-imagining money (or even just re-imagining the Internet)… It is also re-imagining and delivering alternative models for re-organizing the very fabric of our society around a more transparent and inspectable “stack”.
ÐΞVgrants came into existence on April 7, 2015, in order to ease some of the natural burdens of developing the lower-level tools which will hopefully further the above scenario. At DEVCON1, I presented a very short talk summarizing the projects funded up to this point, as well as presenting a special announcement concerning continued funding.
Omise’s Donation
The good news is that ÐΞVgrants isn’t over, because we now have $100K USD of additional funds to work with through the new year, thanks to a generous donation by Omise.
“We are honored by the opportunity to support the decentralization revolution, beginning with our contribution that will restart the Ethereum ÐΞVgrants program.” – Jun Hasegawa, Omise CEO
It is our hope that this donation will encourage both potential funders to come forward and support ÐΞVgrants and related endeavors, just as much as it may encourage potential applicants. We thank Jun and Omise for their gesture of good will in the space.
Summary of projects
Syng (Ethereum Android) – syng.io
Jarrad Hope
£5K grant awarded
DApp Browser like Mist, for mobile devices
GUI built around the ethereumj-android project, with an iOS port on its way
Goal is a quality end-user experience, available this quarter (Q1 2006)
Grant supported the original port of ethereumj to Android
Eth(Embedded) – ethembedded.com
John Gerryts / Richard Ayotte
£3.6K grant awarded
Ethereum on embedded devices
Ported go-ethereum and cpp-ethereum clients to multiple embedded, ARM-based, dev boards and SBCs (Single Board Computers)
Casper
Vlad Zamfir / L.G. Meredith
$25K grant awarded
Security-deposit based public consensus protocol
Simulation/verification of the convergence properties of Casper’s by-block betting strategy
Implementation of the economics and consensus manager
MetaMask – metamask.io
Aaron “kumavis” Davis
$30K grant awarded
Web-based Ethereum Client
Run DApps in your browser with minimal user friction
Primary goal is to onboard “the rest of the world”
Grant enabled development of browser emulator and extension
And today we are pleased to announce a new grant that has just been approved:
“Snappy” Framework
Slock.it team
€9900 grant
An Ethereum framework for Ubuntu Core (Snappy)
1-click deployment of Ethereum on any Ubuntu Core device
Provides Dapps running on a device all the resources and libraries that they may require
Bulletproof environment for deployment, where reliability is paramount (perfect for IoT)
Creates the possibility to see mass-deployment of Ethereum nodes, across thousands of devices
In conclusion
Providing grant funding to the developers of brilliant, platform-level Ethereum projects has resulted in a flourishing of important new work, in turn enabling and accelerating higher-level developments for others to build upon. With this highly successful experiment once again open for business, please, look over your projects and give thought to what components benefiting everyone, might also benefit from a grant.
A Montenegrin court upheld the extradition of Do Kwon, founder of Terra Labs. The U.S. and South Korea both requested extradition, and a Montenegro minister will decide which country gets him. Montenegro Minister to Decide Do Kwon’s Next Destination The Montenegrin Constitutional Court unanimously dismissed jailed Terra Labs founder Do Kwon’s appeal against his extradition. […]
If anyone asks about the top technology trends in the market now, you are likely to think about AI and blockchain technology. Both of them have been transforming various industries with their unique advantages. The confluence of blockchain and AI has created AI tokens, a new type of digital asset that can revolutionize the way users interact with both technologies. You might bring up questions like ‘what is token in generative AI’ when you hear about AI tokens. Apparently, generative AI uses NLP and tokens in NLP represent distinct letters, words or phrases in natural language. AI tokens are a completely different thing as they are digital tokens created for AI ecosystems. Let us learn more about AI tokens and their different use cases now.
Build your identity as a certified blockchain expert with 101 Blockchains’ Blockchain Certifications designed to provide enhanced career prospects.
The Meaning of AI Tokens
One of the best ways to clear the confusion between AI tokens and NLP tokens is to consider artificial intelligence tokens as AI crypto tokens. The simplest definition for AI tokens paints them as digital assets for AI ecosystems and platforms. You can think of AI tokens as the cryptocurrencies tailored for supporting AI-powered applications, services and projects on blockchain networks. AI tokens serve different roles such as paying for AI services, participating in network governance, incentivizing participants and providing access to proprietary data.
You can know the difference between artificial intelligence tokens and OpenAI tokens from the fact that the tokens in API are pieces of words. The pivotal role of AI tokens in the convergence between AI and blockchain is a notable trait that makes them unique digital assets. artificial intelligence tokens can serve as a medium of exchange in AI applications and platforms to pay for services, participating in platform activities and accessing data.
Another notable function of AI tokens is the facility of incentives for participants who contribute to AI projects. The contributors can receive rewards in the form of AI tokens for offering computational resources, developing AI apps and contributing data. AI platforms can also use AI tokens to promote protocol governance by allocating governance rights to token holders. As a result, AI token owners can play a vital role in determining the future of the AI platform or project.
Similarities and Differences between AI Tokens and Cryptocurrencies
AI tokens gained popularity when researchers explored the possibilities of combining artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. Some researchers have pointed out that the AI tokens crypto interplay will work out perfectly as blockchain and AI complement each other. AI needs trusted data while blockchain offers the assurance of cryptographic security and transparency for data. Therefore, the combination of blockchain and AI can resolve issues pertaining to data sharing and privacy.
Born out of the combination of AI and blockchain, AI tokens might be considered the same as cryptocurrencies. The only similarity between AI tokens and cryptocurrencies is blockchain technology. Cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence tokens rely on blockchain for security and transparency.
AI tokens are different from cryptocurrencies as they are created specifically for AI projects. You can think of a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin that serves as a digital currency. Bitcoin owners can use it to make payments for goods and services, thereby restricting its potential. On the other hand, AI tokens can help you gain access to data resources, machine learning models and AI applications. AI crypto tokens are also tailored to provide governance rights that make token holders invaluable contributors to decisions made for the project.
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are useful for making digital payments and supporting smart contract transactions. On the other hand, AI tokens are specialized for AI projects and deliver exceptional value for anyone working with AI. The special utility of AI tokens makes them the best options for projects that depend on machine learning and intensive data analysis.
Learn the fundamentals, working principle and the future prospects of cryptocurrencies from Cryptocurrency E-Book
Exploring the Working of AI Tokens
The hype around AI tokens also invites attention towards their working. You might have doubts regarding the methods used to create artificial intelligence tokens and how you can use them. AI projects can create their own token system with distinctive rules and intended objectives.
AI projects or platforms develop the AI token on their desired blockchain platform by leveraging token standards such as ERC-20. The AI project also develops smart contracts to define how the AI tokens can be used in the project. Subsequently, the AI project issues their artificial intelligence coin in a token sale or ICO. Users can obtain the tokens through crypto exchanges or contributing to the AI project.
The AI project also links the tokens with different platforms that offer AI services. As a result, token holders can use the tokens to access different AI functionalities, machine learning models and data analysis.
Discovering the Use Cases of AI Tokens
AI tokens can serve as valuable assets for different use cases for AI platforms and projects. AI projects can use artificial intelligence tokens to create decentralized AI marketplaces. The decentralized AI marketplaces can help users in buying and selling AI algorithms, services and datasets directly. It plays a vital role in ensuring that everyone can access advanced AI technologies.
Decentralized AI marketplaces also encourage innovation by supporting AI model development and sharing without any intermediaries. As a result, AI projects will have more transparency and can be developed at lower costs. artificial intelligence tokens ensure direct and secure transactions in the marketplaces thereby safeguarding user data and transactions on blockchain.
The use cases of AI tokens explained in simple words must also focus on their governance features. Artificial intelligence tokens can allow token holders to participate in the decision-making processes of an AI platform. It offers a democratic approach for including the community in every decision on changes and updates in the AI platform. With the power of governance, artificial intelligence tokens ensure that the platform can grow according to the needs of users. Using artificial intelligence tokens for governance ensures that decisions for an AI platform are aligned with the interests of all stakeholders.
Another notable application of AI tokens revolves around encouraging users to contribute to an AI project. Artificial intelligence tokens can serve as incentives for people who share their data for an AI project. Users can receive tokens as rewards in exchange for their data and resources, thereby improving the quality of data for AI training. The crowdsourcing approach to collect data in return for AI tokens promotes AI innovation and collaboration.
Start learning about cryptocurrencies with world’s first Cryptocurrency Skill Path with quality resources tailored by industry experts!
Best Practices for Identifying the Best AI Token Projects
The evaluation of artificial intelligence token projects is an essential requirement before buying any artificial intelligence token. You must pay attention to different factors such as the team behind the project, technology used in the project and collaborations. Let us find out how each factor is crucial for selecting an artificial intelligence token.
Background of Team Working on the Project
The success of any project depends on the team working on it and their background. You can evaluate an artificial intelligence token project by checking the experience of the professionals working on it. It is important to pick projects led by professionals with proven experience in AI and blockchain. You should also look for professionals in the team who bring a blend of business acumen and technical fluency.
Technology Powering the Project
Another crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of an AI token project is the technology used for the project. You should check the blockchain platform used for the project and the flexibility for integrating AI. It is also important to look for scalability as it will come into play when the transaction volume increases. You can learn more about the technology used in an artificial intelligence token by reviewing the technical papers for the technology stack.
Collaborations and Community
An active community and valuable partnerships also push AI tokens crypto projects forward to success. Collaborations with popular companies can bring more credibility and easier access to important resources. The best way to determine whether an artificial intelligence token is here for the long run is to check for an active community. You should check Twitter for community discussions on the artificial intelligence token project and look for community engagement. Projects that have good community engagement showcase that the project team offers support and interacts with participants.
Start learning Blockchain with World’s first Blockchain Career Paths with quality resources tailored by industry experts Now!
Navigating the Path to Future of AI Tokens
The future of artificial intelligence tokens will place them as one of the formidable influences on AI and blockchain landscapes. AI tokens can find applications in the domain of DeFi and prediction markets. Artificial intelligence helps in big data analysis and draws accurate predictive analytics, thereby serving as a valuable asset for DeFi. AI tokens can also have a significant role in the IoT ecosystem by enabling efficient and more secure transactions.
Final Thoughts
The review of AI tokens explained the differences between AI crypto tokens and cryptocurrencies. In addition, you also discovered that artificial intelligence tokens are different from the tokens used in OpenAI API. AI crypto tokens are special cryptocurrencies created for AI platforms, applications and ecosystems. You can use artificial intelligence tokens for decentralized governance in AI ecosystems, payment for transactions and incentivizing participants. As AI tokens grow in scale and popularity, they will find a way to enter different domains such as DeFi and IoT. The blend of artificial intelligence and blockchain has created an innovative digital asset in the form of artificial intelligence tokens. Learn more about some of the top AI crypto tokens in the market to understand their potential now.
*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nippon Steel said on Thursday it revised the closing date for its purchase of U.S. Steel, expressing confidence that the acquisition will protect and grow the American company.
The estimated closing date was revised to the first quarter of 2025 from the third or fourth quarter of 2024 previously.
LCX submitted a pre-application for the MiCA license under Liechtenstein’s Financial Market Authority (FMA).
The MiCA license will allow LCX to operate across 30 EEA countries.
LCX expands its offerings with new tokens like AIOZ, USUAL, BRETT, MOVE, and SERV.
A crypto asset exchange based in Liechtenstein, LCX, has formally submitted a pre-application for the Pan-European MiCA license under the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA). This move further cements LCX’s position as one of the first regulated exchanges in Europe, aiming to meet these upcoming regulations.
LCX is preparing for the new MiCA rules, which will start in Liechtenstein on February 1, 2025. This license will allow LCX to operate in 30 countries in the European Economic Area, including the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, with a population of about 450 million.
The exchange takes compliance seriously, having been registered as a Crypto Assets Service Provider (CASP) under the Liechtenstein authority since 2020. LCX also holds more registrations under the country’s Blockchain Laws and the Trusted Technology Service Provider Act than any other company. It could be said that LCX is well-prepared to operate under the forthcoming MiCA regulation, having met the strict Liechtenstein regulatory standards.
Monty C. M. Metzger, CEO of LCX, said applying for the preliminary MiCA license is a key step in the company’s growth and shows its commitment to following rules. He also mentioned LCX has been a leader in crypto regulation. The CEO stated:
“Filing for the preliminary MiCA license is a pivotal step in our growth strategy and reflects our long-standing commitment to regulatory excellence. We have always been a leader in driving compliance within the crypto industry, and this move will enable us to continue delivering innovative, compliant, and secure services to become the leading crypto exchange in Europe. People are proud of having an account at LCX”
The detailed process through which LCX complied with Liechtenstein regulations demonstrates its proactive approach to smoothly transitioning to MiCA. Formal applications for the MiCA license in Liechtenstein can only be made starting February 1, 2025, when the MiCAR rules take effect. MiCA offers clear regulations while supporting innovation in Bitcoin, digital assets, and blockchain technology.
New Features Enhance Security and Fund Management on LCX Platform
The exchange, founded in 2018, has added a new feature to its platform that will further simplify and secure fund management. The Address Management feature allows users to create a Whitelisted Address Book to store trusted wallet addresses for secure withdrawals, eliminating the risk of errors from copy-pasting addresses. The new addition also ensures that users can withdraw funds only to pre-approved addresses, safeguarding their assets. LCX stated:
“This feature simplifies fund management, reduces mistakes, and adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized withdrawals. It’s one more way LCX prioritizes your safety while enhancing your experience”
LCX has also been expanding its offerings by listing new tokens on its platform, such as AIOZ, USUAL, BRETT, MOVE, and SERV, providing users with more options for trading.
next
Temitope is a writer with more than four years of experience writing across various niches. He has a special interest in the fintech and blockchain spaces and enjoy writing articles in those areas. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in linguistics. When not writing, he trades forex and plays video games.
US Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have faced four consecutive days of withdrawals, ending with notable outflows on Christmas Eve.
Data from SoSovalue on Dec. 24 shows that ETFs saw recorded combined outflows of $338.4 million on Christmas Eve.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF led this decline, suffering its largest single-day outflow of $188.7 million. Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF followed with $83 million in withdrawals, while Ark and 21Shares’ Bitcoin ETF posted net outflows of $75 million.
Bitwise’s BITB fund was the only ETF to record positive net inflows, adding $8.5 million. The remaining funds saw no activity during the day.
Meanwhile, the outflows mark a notable reversal after an extended streak of positive flows. Over the past four trading days, Bitcoin ETFs have seen cumulative outflows of over $1.5 billion, representing their most significant downturn since the November elections that returned Donald Trump to the White House.
Despite the current trend, the ETFs have a cumulative flow of $35.49 billion and hold $110 billion worth of digital assets.
Steady inflows for Ethereum
While Bitcoin ETFs struggled in the past few days, Ethereum-focused spot ETFs continued to attract investor interest.
SoSoValue data showed that the ETH-related investment vehicles had $53.5 million in net inflows, with BlackRock’s Ethereum fund leading the way with $43.9 million in inflows. Bitwise’s Ethereum ETF saw $6.2 million in inflows, while Fidelity’s Ethereum product added $3.45 million.
Since their launch in July, Ethereum funds have steadily gained traction in the market despite their initial performance lagging behind the Bitcoin ETFs.
However, they have recently seen a resurgence, highlighted by a streak of inflows that extended for 18 consecutive days before tapering off.
Analysts at Matrixport explained that these sustained inflows underline Ethereum’s continued appeal among institutional investors and reinforce its status as a key digital asset in the crypto ecosystem.
The Ethereum funds have a collective flow of $2.51 billion as of Dec. 24.
The IMF yesterday announced they have reached a $1.4 billion loan deal with El Salvador. In return, the Central American country that in 2021 made bitcoin legal tender had to remove some of its pro-Bitcoin policies.
I spent about three months in El Salvador around the time the Bitcoin law went into effect. I thought then that it was a positive development for the country, but there were aspects of the law that I strongly disliked. Exactly these aspects are now being removed.
Most importantly, Salvadoran merchants will no longer be obligated to accept bitcoin. Great! I don’t think Bitcoin should be forced on anyone, nor do I believe Bitcoin needs that. Bitcoin is an emergent form of free market money, and adoption should happen voluntarily.
(In practice, this aspect of the law was barely enforced anyways. I’ve heard from one relative insider that some of the big fast food chains received phone calls from the government telling them to comply — which would explain why McDonald’s and Wendy’s did it — but otherwise I don’t think any merchants got in trouble for not accepting bitcoin.)
Additionally, El Salvador will have to wind down operations of its Chivo wallet. Maybe the software has improved over the years, but in 2021 the wallet was incredibly buggy; the open source community and free market are much more capable of building such tools. Good riddance!
That said, it is slightly disappointing that Salvadoran citizens won’t be able to pay tax in bitcoin anymore — though, again, I doubt many did. This is probably little more than a nuisance, however. Now, bitcoin-accepting merchants need to sell some of their BTC for USD before paying the taxman.
To succeed, Bitcoin benefits from an equal playing field. El Salvador still goes a long way to offer just that.
This article is a Take. Opinions expressed are entirely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
I think investors looking to earn a second income should keep an eye on Unilever (LSE:ULVR) shares. A portfolio of strong brands in a defensive sector has a decent chance of providing durable dividends.
The trouble is, the share price climbing this year has caused the dividend yield to sink. But there’s a chance things might be different in 2025 and I think investors should aim to be ready.
Dividends
In 2023, the dividend yield on Unilever shares got close to 4%. Before that, it had been over 10 years since investors last had the opportunity to lock in that kind of passive income return.
Unilever dividend yield 2015-24
Created at TradingView
They can’t do it now. The stock’s up around 20% since the start of the year and the dividend now only accounts for around 3.2% of the current share price.
Unilever has a good record when it comes to increasing its dividend. But it’s fair to say the growth in recent years has been more steady than spectacular.
Unilever dividends per share 2015-24
Created at TradingView
That means it’s more important for investors who want to buy the stock to pay attention to the starting yield. And this falling over the past year as the stock rises makes the opportunity less attractive.
Inflation
The chance to buy Unilever shares with a dividend yield approaching 4% has only come around once in the last decade. But I wonder whether it might come back around in 2025.
Rising inflation in the UK has caused the Bank of England to be cautious when it comes to lowering interest rates. And this is something that could continue into next year.
Inflation’s about the balance between supply (goods and services) and demand (money). And while there’s a lot still to unfold, I can see factors that could push prices higher on both sides of the equation.
Businesses might well try to increase prices to offset costs from the Budget. At the same time, the higher National Minimum Wage could result in increased buying power for consumers.
Second chances
Investors should note that lower interest rates aren’t the only reason Unilever shares have been rising. The company’s done an impressive job of growing its core brands and divesting its weaker ones.
But there’s no guarantee higher-than-expected interest rates will cause the stock to fall to a level where the dividend reaches 4%. But I think investors should be alert to this possibility.
At the current level, I’m not convinced the return on offer’s high enough to offset the risk of consumers trading down. This is a constant challenge with products that have no switching costs – like Unilever’s.
High inflation could exaggerate this risk. But if interest rates stay higher than anticipated in 2025, then the stock could fall to a level where the investment equation becomes much more attractive.
Be prepared
Investing well involves being able to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. And dividend investors who missed out on Unilever shares in 2023 but have been considering them should make sure they’re ready in 2025.
It might take a big drop from today’s levels to get Unilever shares trading with a 4% dividend yield. But with the dividend set to increase next year, it could be more realistic than it looks.
Bitcoin’s historic rally to the $100,000 milestone occurred among many significant crypto redemption stories in a year that further legitimized the industry’s status.
The year’s events brought a resurgence for many notable crypto projects that had faced hardships, including Ripple Labs, which scored a significant legal victory against the United States securities regulator, while the memecoin and asset tokenization sectors were also revived, driven by growing retail interest and robust growth predictions.
Beyond new all-time highs, 2024 brought renewed institutional interest in blockchain from some of the world’s largest institutions, such as BlackRock, which launched multiple crypto-based products.
Moreover, President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 elections bolstered investor appetite for risk-on assets such as cryptocurrencies, as an improved environment is expected to bring more regulatory clarity, especially for tokens like XRP (XRP).
Related: Republican Senate majority signals more ‘pro-crypto Congress’
Ripple Labs and XRP token emerge victorious in 2024
Despite a four-year-plus regulatory battle between Ripple and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the XRP token has proved its resilience amid a robust community of holders.
XRP and BTC, 1-year chart. Source: Cointelegraph
During the past year, the XRP token rose over 251%, more than double that of Bitcoin’s (BTC) 117% returns, according to Cointelegraph data. This makes XRP the second-best performer in the top 10 cryptocurrencies, Cryptobubbles data shows.
Top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap. Source: Cryptobubbles
Beyond the XRP token’s financial returns, Ripple Labs also saw a “significant redemption arc” during the past year, according to Alvin Kan, chief operating officer of Bitget Wallet.
He told Cointelegraph:
“In 2024, Ripple and XRP stand out as a significant redemption arc in the crypto space. After navigating legal challenges, Ripple has solidified its position in cross-border payments, partnering with over 300 financial institutions and achieving a market cap exceeding $30 billion.”
Ripple scored a significant legal victory in July 2023 when a federal judge ruled that XRP was not a security, regarding programmatic sales on digital asset exchanges.
This marked a significant win for Ripple, as the SEC lawsuit sought to compel Ripple to stop offering its XRP token under the premise that it was a security and, thus, required additional regulation.
However, the SEC also managed to notch a victory of its own, as the federal judge has ruled that XRP is a security when sold to institutional investors, as it met the conditions set in the Howey test.
The SEC filed its lawsuit against Ripple in December 2020. In August 2024, a judge found the company liable for a $125 million civil penalty. The commission appealed the ruling, and Ripple filed a cross-appeal, leaving the civil case ongoing at the time of publication.
On Oct. 16, the SEC filed a Form C civil appeal asking the court to review its decisions regarding Ripple’s XRP sales on exchanges and personal XRP sales by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and co-founder Chris Larsen.
Trump’s upcoming inauguration, along with his choice for SEC chair, Paul Atkins, have reignited investor hopes that the SEC may drop its legal case against Ripple Labs amid more innovation-friendly crypto regulations.
Memecoin resurgence: 1,600% PEPE and 1,400% WIF rally attract more retail investors
Memecoins have also seen a significant revival, becoming some of the best-performing cryptocurrencies of the year and creating new crypto millionaires in the process.
Top cryptocurrencies year-to-date. Source: Cryptobubbles.
Year-to-date, the Solana-based Dogwifhat (WIF) meme token rallied over 1,273% as the second-best performer in the top 100 cryptocurrencies. It was followed by Pepe (PEPE), which is up 1,229% as the third-best performer.
PEPE and WIF, 1-year chart. Source: Cointelegraph
Benefiting from Pepe’s rally, a savvy memecoin trader turned a $27 investment into $52 million after holding the coins for 600 days, Cointelegraph reported on Dec. 14.
While 2024 was transformative for the entire crypto industry, the memecoin redemption arc remains a significant development, according to Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain expert.
He told Cointelegraph:
“Memecoins, often dismissed as speculative and frivolous, found new relevance in 2024 by integrating humor, culture, and financial innovation. Tokens like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Neiro gained traction, with Dogecoin even influencing U.S. politics through Elon Musk’s appointment to the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.).”
The redemption arc behind memecoins is a testament to community-driven projects, added Lian.
Some crypto traders see Pepe as this cycle’s Dogecoin (DOGE), which is also gaining traction thanks to Musk’s continued social posts, wrote Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research:
“Dogecoin may be poised for a breakout as Elon Musk’s continued influence keeps DOGE in the spotlight, often triggering price surges. The positive sentiment in the broader crypto market, especially among meme coins, provides additional momentum.”
An excerpt from Donald Trump’s DOGE announcement shared by Elon Musk on X. Source: Elon Musk
On Nov. 27, Dogecoin flipped Porsche’s market capitalization, following Musk’s involvement in creating the nascent Department of Government Efficiency, which further stoked interest.
Related: Bitcoin liquidity index points to $110K local BTC top by January 2025
RWA tokenization poised for trillion-dollar growth leading into 2030
The real-world asset (RWA) tokenization sector has also seen a significant redemption, thanks to its promise of bringing traditional finance onchain to create more liquidity and accessibility for investment products.
RWA tokenization refers to financial and other tangible assets minted on the immutable blockchain ledger, increasing investor accessibility and trading opportunities around these assets.
The launch of BlackRock’s Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) was a pivotal moment for the RWA tokenization sector, according to Edwin Mata, co-founder and CEO of Brickken, who told Cointelegraph:
“BlackRock’s launch of BUIDL on Ethereum was a defining moment, demonstrating how blockchain could deliver real, tangible value to the financial world. It was more than a technological experiment — it restored credibility and trust in the blockchain ecosystem.”
BlackRock’s tokenized treasury fund surpassed $500 million market capitalization as the first such fund to reach this milestone in July 2024.
BlackRock’s BUIDL surpassed the Franklin OnChain US Government Money Fund (BENJI) as the world’s largest tokenized treasury fund in late April — less than six weeks after it launched on March 15. BUIDL has held the top position ever since.
BUIDL’s price is pegged 1:1 with the US dollar and pays daily accrued dividends directly to investors each month through its partnership with real-world asset tokenization platform Securitize.
The tokenized fund brought more transparency, liquidity and accessibility to already trusted financial products, added Mata:
“The crypto industry has faced criticism for its speculative nature and lack of integration with traditional financial systems. BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world, proved that blockchain could enhance, not replace, traditional finance.”
In other notable developments for the RWA sector, Tezos has launched the world’s first Uranium marketplace on the blockchain, enabling retail investors access to tokenized Uranium for the first time in history.
Moreover, RWAs are unlocking new investor opportunities in the $700 billion reinsurance sector following the launch of Nayms, a crypto-native (re)insurance marketplace leveraging RWA tokenization to offer tokenized investor access to insurance risks.
Related: BlackRock’s BUIDL goes multichain
The RWA sector could see more than 50-fold growth by 2030, according to predictions from some of the largest financial institutions and business consulting firms compiled in a Tren Finance research report.
Most firms predict that the RWA sector may reach a market size of between $4 trillion and $30 trillion.
RWA tokenization, market size predictions by 2030. Source: Tren Finance
If the sector achieves the median prediction of about $10 trillion, it would represent more than 54 times growth from its current value.
The year 2024 marked a significant resurgence for the crypto industry in terms of valuations and mainstream trust. Ripple’s legal victory and increasing interest in memecoins and RWAs showcase the industry’s growing legitimacy for retail participants and regulators worldwide.
Magazine: Bitcoin dominance will fall in 2025: Benjamin Cowen, X Hall of Flame
Blue-chip Azuki, a renowned non-fungible token collection in the non-fungible token market, has seen its trading sales volume +40% to over $1.9 million in the past 24 hours. This notable resurgence came shortly after its founder Zagabond revealed ready plans to launch a new non-fungible token coin. This teaser has created a massive frenzy among the non-fungible token and crypto communities.
Blue-chip Azuki Jumps +40% In Daily NFT Sales
Data compiled by cryptoslam.io, an on-chain non-fungible token explorer and a crypto market aggregator renowned for tracking data on crypto prices, volumes, market capitalization, and community growth, shows that Azuki has significantly surged in daily trading sales volume. In the past 24 hours, the Azuki NFT collection raised a trading sales volume of $1.9 million, up 43% from the previous day.
Launched in 2021, Azuki is a non-fungible token collection from the digital asset incubation studio Chiru Labs featuring a limited edition of 10,000 anime-themed NFTs hosted on the Ethereum blockchain network. Each NFT is a unique, hand-drawn digital avatar that can be used as a digital identity in the metaverse. The Azuki has grown to become one of the leading NFT collections in the NFT market.
On the other hand, Azuki Elemental and Beanz, sister non-fungible token collections for the Azuki NFT collection, have also skyrocketed in trading sales volume today after the founder teased the token launch. In the past 24 hours, the Azuki Elemental NFT has amassed a trading sales volume of $997,465, up over 116% from the past day. During this period, the Beanz NFT collection has seen its trading sales volume jump over 94% to $523,687.
In a December 24 blog post, Zagabond, the founder of Azuki, an anime-inspired web3 project, hinted at a potential token launch for the Anime NFT ecosystem. His announcement came a few weeks after other leading NFT collections, including Milady Maker, Pudgy Penguins, and Doodles NFT collections launched their native tokens. Zagabond has criticized other meme coins for lack of real substance, vision, products, and real use cases, claiming that his Animecoin will supersede all.
Most memecoins hit a ceiling because they lack real substance.
Azuki Floor Price Surges 5.4% In The Past 24 Hours
The Azuki NFT floor price has reacted sharply to the Zagabond announcement. Data compiled by CoinGecko.com, another renowned non-fungible token explorer, indicates that the Azuki NFT floor price has significantly surged. In the past 24 hours, Azuki NFT floor price has risen from 11.55 ETH to 12.18 ETH, representing over 5% surge from the previous day. At the time of publishing, the Azuki NFT floor price is finding support at 12.17 ETH.
