● Mastercard launches new cryptocurrency loyalty rewards program
According to Golden Finance, payment giant Mastercard is working with Swoo Pay, a mobile payment application focused on emerging markets, to launch a new cryptocurrency loyalty rewards program to fill the gap left by companies such as Google in the global payment field. Through the new partnership, Mastercard and Swoo will target emerging regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia, especially those not reached by Google Pay.
● CME Group plans to launch Euro-denominated micro Bitcoin and Ethereum futures on March 18
According to Jinshi.com, CME plans to launch euro-denominated micro Bitcoin and Ethereum futures on March 18.
● BlackRock increases advertising efforts for spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT)
According to the Daily Planet, BlackRock has stepped up its advertising efforts for its Spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), positioning the digital asset as a symbol of "progress." IBIT's promotional campaign adopts a notably low-key style, especially compared to the more flamboyant marketing strategies of its competitors.
● Hack VC raises $150 million to invest in digital asset industry
According to PANews, venture capital firm Hack VC has raised a $150 million fund specifically for the digital asset industry.
Alex Pack, managing partner at New York-based Hack VC, which has invested in blockchain startup Mysten Labs and crypto finance firm Amber Group, said the firm has deployed about a third of its new fund, primarily in early-stage startups.
● MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor: No plans to sell Bitcoin
According to PANews, MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor said in an interview with Bloomberg that he has no plans to sell Bitcoin.
Saylor believes that Bitcoin competes with larger asset classes such as gold, real estate, and the S&P index, but it is a superior product. He believes that capital will continue to flow into Bitcoin because Bitcoin is technically superior to these asset classes. In this case, there is no reason to sell winners and buy losers.
● HKMA plans to provide guidance on tokenized products
According to PANews, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said it believes it is time to provide guidance on activities related to tokenized products and provide clear regulatory requirements for the banking industry.
● Reddit signs $60 million contract, AI company will use its content to train AI models
According to PANews, Reddit Inc. has signed a contract of about $60 million to allow a large AI company to use its content to train AI models as it approaches its initial public offering (IPO). The move is aimed at using the AI boom to attract investors and increase the value of the IPO. Reddit's revenue exceeded $800 million last year, an increase of about 20%, and it is recommended that the IPO valuation be at least $5 billion. The IPO may be launched as early as next month. Details are still under discussion and Reddit declined to comment.
● The total market value of cryptocurrency exceeds 2.1 trillion US dollars
According to Golden Finance, data shows that the total market value of cryptocurrencies has exceeded 2.1 trillion US dollars.
