Ethereum's white paper, first shared by co-founder Vitalik Buterin in November 2013, has turned 11 years old. This document introduced the world to blockchain-based smart contracts, setting the stage for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications like lending and staking. DeFi now rivals traditional banking by offering trustless and transparent services without intermediaries.
Ethereum's impact extends beyond finance, benefiting industries like travel by streamlining processes with smart contracts. As Ethereum continues to evolve, challenges like cross-chain interoperability and security remain crucial for its future growth and adoption.
Ether (ETH) is facing challenges as it struggles to maintain a price above $2,500, with the cryptocurrency seeing its sixth consecutive day in the red. Despite initial hopes that spot Ethereum ETFs would boost prices, these funds have experienced significant outflows, totaling $478.5 million since their U.S. debut in July. This lack of investor interest is concerning, especially as ETH faces competition from other layer-1 blockchains like Solana and BNB Chain, which offer lower fees. Ethereum's market dominance has hit a 42-month low, raising concerns about its future performance.
Zodia Custody, co-owned by Standard Chartered, is ramping up its global operations with a fresh funding push. CEO Julian Sawyer revealed plans to raise $50 million to broaden their reach and introduce new products. The initiative, launched in October with Architect Partners, aims to attract a diverse pool of investors, including those in payments and tokenization.
Since its 2021 debut, Zodia has become a key player in international crypto custody, with a presence in major financial hubs like London and Singapore. Backed by firms like SBI Holdings, Zodia supports 38 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether.
**Biconomy Acquires Klaster to Simplify Blockchain Development**
Biconomy, a Web3 and DApp account abstraction provider, has acquired blockchain abstraction specialist Klaster to establish a Modular Execution Environment (MEE). This new framework aims to simplify blockchain complexities for developers and enhance user experiences.
The MEE will enable trustless execution of Supertransactions, allowing developers to build cross-chain applications without complex smart contracts. By integrating Klaster's chain abstraction expertise, Biconomy aims to reduce friction in cross-chain operations and support a broader range of applications, expediting Web3 innovation.
In Colorado, scammers posing as police tricked residents into paying fines in Bitcoin. One victim sent $6,000 before real authorities intervened. The local Sheriff's department warns it never demands BTC payments.
Sunray Finance on Arbitrum suffered a $2.7 million exploit. An attacker minted vast amounts of SUN tokens, crashing its value. Sunray is investigating, urging patience.
Ramses Exchange lost $93,000 due to a reward exploit. The flaw allowed repeated reward claims, draining funds. The team assures user balances remain intact.
In India, a scammer allegedly stole $297,000 from 320 people, promising high returns. Police are probing the case.
Deutsche Telekom is diving into Bitcoin mining, marking a significant step in crypto adoption. The telecom giant plans to use surplus renewable energy for this venture, dubbed "Digital Monetary Photosynthesis." Partnering with Bankhaus Metzler, the project will see mining rigs set up in Backnang, Germany, at Riva's premises. Managed by Metis Solutions, this initiative highlights the growing utility of Bitcoin, just a week after its white paper's 16th anniversary. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
Cryptocurrency investment products have seen a significant surge, with $2.2 billion in inflows from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, pushing the year-to-date total to a record $29.2 billion, according to CoinShares. This marks four consecutive weeks of buying, totaling over $5.7 billion. The excitement is partly driven by the potential outcome of the upcoming US presidential election, with speculation around a Republican victory. Bitcoin was the primary beneficiary, attracting $2.2 billion in inflows. The US led the market with significant contributions, while Canada and Sweden experienced outflows.
Recent claims by Tron founder Justin Sun and Fantom Network's Andre Cronje have sparked debate over hefty fees for token listings on major crypto exchanges. Sun alleges Coinbase demanded $330 million in total fees to list Tron (TRX), contradicting Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's assertion that listings are free. Similarly, Cronje claims Coinbase proposed fees up to $300 million for Fantom (FTM). These allegations have fueled discussions on the potential rise of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), as many in the crypto community express frustration with centralized exchanges' practices.
Bitcoin is gearing up for a volatile week as the US Presidential Election looms, with its price battling to reclaim $69,000. Traders are on edge, anticipating a "sell the news" event post-election. Adding to the uncertainty, the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision is set for two days later, potentially stirring more market fluctuations. Bitcoin's market cap dominance is at its highest in over three years, signaling a strong position against altcoins. Meanwhile, Bitcoin's network fundamentals, including mining difficulty and hashrate, are set to reach new all-time highs, underscoring its robust infrastructure.
**Kraken Expands in Australia with New Crypto Derivatives Service**
Kraken, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has launched a licensed brokerage service in Australia, targeting wholesale clients. This new offering allows institutional and large-scale investors to trade crypto-based derivatives, which are financial products linked to cryptocurrency prices without needing direct ownership of the assets.
Available since November 3, the service can be accessed through the Kraken Pro app. It offers features like collateral flexibility and risk management tools. Kraken emphasizes the high risks involved, noting that losses can exceed initial investments.
This move aligns Kraken with local regulations, preparing for potential institutional liquidity inflows.
Bitcoin's price took a wild ride this past week, briefly dipping below $69,000 amid market jitters ahead of the U.S. presidential election. On Nov. 3, the crypto market saw nearly $350 million in liquidations, the highest since Oct. 25, with $259.7 million in long bets and $90.08 million in short bets wiped out, according to CoinGlass.
Bitcoin's value fluctuated significantly, starting at $67,700 on Oct. 28, peaking at $73,300 on Oct. 29, and then dropping to a low of $67,719 before recovering to $69,145, per CoinGecko.
The market's volatility coincides with tightening odds between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on Polymarket. Trump's odds peaked at 67% on Oct. 30 but have since corrected to 56%. The crypto community views Trump as more favorable due to his pro-crypto stance, while Harris supports a regulatory framework.
Analysts speculate that a Trump victory could push Bitcoin to $100,000, whereas a Harris win might lead to a significant drop. As election day approaches, the market remains on edge, with traders bracing for potential major moves in Bitcoin's price.
**Crypto Market Update: Altcoins Face Tough Times Ahead**
Altcoins might be in for a rough ride before seeing any gains, according to ITC Crypto founder Benjamin Cowen. He predicts a "final altcoin reckoning" by December 2024 or early January 2025, comparing it to the bear market of 2019. Cowen believes altcoins will follow a similar recovery pattern seen in 2020, potentially surging in 2025.
Bitcoin's market dominance is at 60.5%, its highest since March 2021, making significant altcoin movements unlikely until BTC's share drops below 50%. Over the weekend, the crypto market's total capitalization fell to $2.4 trillion, with altcoins like ETH, SOL, and BNB taking the biggest hits.
**News Flash: Wiz Khalifa's X Account Hacked, Scam Memecoin Plummets**
Rapper Wiz Khalifa's X account was hacked on Nov. 3, leading to the promotion of a scam memecoin, $WIZ, to his 35.7 million followers. The hackers claimed Khalifa was launching the coin for his crypto fans.
- The memecoin, launched on Solana's pump.fun, surged to a $3.4 million valuation within 15 minutes. - However, it crashed to below $28,000 within an hour as early holders sold off their tokens. - Currently, $WIZ is valued at $8,400.
Blockchain sleuth ZachXBT linked the hack to the same attacker who compromised Truth Terminal developer Andy Ayrey's account on Oct. 29. The posts have been deleted, but it's unclear if Khalifa's account has been secured.
Alibaba is scaling back its metaverse operations, joining other tech giants in shifting focus to artificial intelligence. According to the South China Morning Post, Alibaba has cut dozens of jobs in its Yuanjing metaverse unit, which was established in 2021. Despite the downsizing, the division will continue to provide metaverse applications and services.
This move mirrors a broader industry trend. Companies like Tencent, ByteDance, and Baidu have also reduced their metaverse investments. In recent months, Meta and Microsoft have made similar cuts, reflecting the growing emphasis on AI development over virtual worlds.
**Ethereum's Potential Still Underestimated by Wall Street**
Wall Street investors are yet to fully grasp Ethereum's potential, much like Amazon in the 1990s, says Leena ElDeeb, a research analyst at 21Shares. Despite the launch of spot Ether (ETH) ETFs in July, inflows remain modest compared to Bitcoin ETFs.
- Ethereum's complexity and vast potential are often compared to Amazon's early days. - Ethereum now supports over $140 billion in decentralized finance applications. - With over 200,000 active developers, Ethereum's ecosystem is rapidly evolving.
Major firms like BlackRock, PayPal, and Visa are already building on Ethereum, but many investors remain cautious. However, experts believe that as the market matures, Ethereum's diverse applications will drive sustained growth and investor interest.
**Bitcoin Volatility Expected Amid U.S. Election**
Bitcoin's price could swing by at least 10% depending on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, according to trader Daan Crypto Trades. He noted that Bitcoin's weekly close wasn't ideal, but the election's impact could overshadow this.
Currently, Bitcoin is trading at $68,682, down 0.5% in the last 24 hours. Its volatility index hit a three-month high on Nov. 3, following a brief surge to $74,649 on Oct. 29.
Analyst Tony Sycamore from IG Markets suggests that Bitcoin needs to break above $74,000 to confirm an uptrend towards $80,000. However, a drop below $65,000 could signal a return to its downward trend.
Market sentiment remains optimistic, with positive trends expected regardless of the election outcome. Trump is seen as more crypto-friendly, while Harris has shown some support for digital assets. Additionally, anticipated interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve could further boost crypto assets.
Strive Enterprises, co-founded by former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, has launched a new wealth management unit that integrates Bitcoin into client portfolios. Announced on Nov. 1, this initiative aims to hedge against risks like unsustainable global debt, rising yields, inflation, and geopolitical pressures.
CEO Matt Cole emphasized that integrating Bitcoin offers clients true financial freedom, setting Strive apart from competitors. The unit will be led by Gary Dorfman and Randol Curtis, both seasoned executives from Bernstein and Morgan Stanley, respectively.
Strive's headquarters will move to Dallas, Texas, with most staff relocating by March 2025. This expansion follows a $30 million Series B financing round led by Cantor Fitzgerald, bringing Strive's assets under management to $1.7 billion since its first fund launch in August 2022.
**Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin and Altcoins in Focus**
Bitcoin (BTC) recently faced a pullback near its all-time high, dropping to around $68,000. Analysts remain optimistic, expecting support between $65,000 and $68,000. The upcoming U.S. elections could increase market volatility, especially if results are delayed. FalconX's David Lawant suggests that prolonged uncertainty could shake the markets.
WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka believes Bitcoin's long-term outlook is positive, driven by potential interest rate cuts in the U.S. and Canada. A rise above $70,000 could boost investor sentiment and trigger buying in select altcoins.
**Top Cryptocurrencies to Watch:**
1. **Bitcoin (BTC)**: Currently testing the 20-day EMA at $68,194. A rebound above $70,000 could push BTC to $72,000-$73,777. Failure to hold the 20-day EMA may see a drop to $65,002.
2. **Ether (ETH)**: Hovering near the support line of a symmetrical triangle. A rise above the 20-day EMA ($2,540) could target $3,400. A break below the support line might lead to $2,150.
3. **Dogecoin (DOGE)**: Testing the 20-day EMA ($0.14). A rebound could see a rally to $0.18. A drop below the 20-day EMA might lead to $0.12.
4. **Litecoin (LTC)**: Trading within an ascending channel. A rise above the 20-day EMA ($69.65) could target $77. A break below the support line may lead to $62.
5. **Monero (XMR)**: Trading between $135 and $180. A push above $165 could target $180. A drop below $150 may lead to $135.
Stay tuned for further updates as the market reacts to these key levels and upcoming events. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
MetaWin, an online casino platform, faced a major security breach on November 3, losing around $4 million. The hacker exploited MetaWin's hot wallets via its frictionless withdrawal system, leading to a temporary halt in withdrawals. CEO Skel assured that 95% of users can now withdraw funds again.
Onchain investigator ZackXBT discovered the stolen funds were moved to Kucoin and HitBTC, identifying over 115 addresses linked to the attacker. The hacker's identity and motives remain unknown.
This incident is part of a series of recent crypto hacks, including Radiant Capital's $58 million loss and M2 exchange's $13 million breach.
**News Flash: Web3 Wallets - The Future of Business Integration**
Web3 wallets are becoming essential for businesses looking to bridge the gap between traditional Web2 applications and the emerging Web3 world. These wallets offer more than just a way to handle crypto payments; they serve as digital IDs, dApp browsers, and gateways to decentralized finance.
- **Adoption on the Rise**: Around 36% of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the U.S. now accept crypto payments. - **Beyond Payments**: Web3 wallets enable user authentication, loyalty programs, and peer-to-peer marketplaces without handling sensitive customer data. - **Future-Proofing**: Integrating a Web3 wallet can help businesses stay competitive and explore new revenue streams.
Businesses don't need to dive fully into crypto but should consider integrating Web3 wallets to stay ahead in the evolving digital landscape.