Compressed NFTs (cNFTs) are revolutionizing the digital asset landscape by offering a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional NFTs.
Leveraging state compression technology, cNFTs significantly reduce storage and minting expenses, making them ideal for large-scale applications like gaming, social media, and metaverse assets.
Key Advantages of cNFTs: 💡Cost Efficiency: Minting large quantities of cNFTs is substantially cheaper than traditional NFTs. For example, creating 1 million standard NFTs on Solana might require about 24,000 $SOL , whereas the same number of cNFTs can be minted for approximately 10 $SOL , representing a cost reduction of over 1000x. 💡Scalability: Designed to handle high-volume use cases, cNFTs enable the minting of thousands or even millions of tokens without compromising performance. 💡On-Chain and Off-Chain Flexibility: While ownership is tracked on-chain, much of the metadata can be stored off-chain, further reducing costs without sacrificing utility.
Platforms like DRiP on Solana have already distributed over 4 million free cNFTs, demonstrating the accessibility and potential of this technology for onboarding new users and reshaping digital art experiences. As the #NFT ecosystem continues to evolve, cNFTs offer a promising solution for creators and businesses seeking scalable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective digital asset management. For a comprehensive understanding of compressed NFTs and their minting process, refer to the detailed guide by #Cointelegraph
🇷🇺 The Moscow Exchange has signaled its readiness to launch cryptocurrency futures. The chairman, Viktor Zhidkov, indicated that such a decision is only possible with the legalization of transactions involving digital assets in Russia.
Zhidkov noted that progress cannot be ignored; however, the introduction of new products related to cryptocurrency currently seems premature. He emphasized that futures can only be issued on assets that are already actively traded in the market. With cryptocurrency, there are certain doubts due to its volatility and the lack of a stable cash flow compared to stocks and bonds, which is concerning.
💁♂️ The situation feels like a dilemma—wanting it and yet hesitating. Indeed, it is necessary for the Central Bank to make a statement that international trade is possible—only then will cryptocurrencies receive the green light! Meanwhile, futures for familiar commodities like sugar, gold, coffee, and even orange juice are already available on the exchange!
However, it seems that something more is required for cryptocurrency. What do you think?
Trump: "We will do something big with cryptocurrencies"
In an interview with CNBC, Donald Trump stated that the United States should lead the cryptocurrency sector before countries like China take the lead. He also expressed that the U.S. must become a leader in artificial intelligence.
"It will require a tremendous amount of electricity, but we can manage it. We need twice as much as we currently have," Trump emphasized.
According to information from Bloomberg, Brian Quintenz, the head of the crypto policy department at the venture firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), has emerged as the leading candidate for the position of chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
If he is appointed, it could lead to significant changes in CFTC's policy regarding the regulation of cryptocurrencies.
What do you think, will Brian Quintenz become the head?
🔶 Binance and Circle Partner to Promote USDC Stablecoin Globally
The largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and company Circle have entered into a partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of the USDC stablecoin worldwide. Over 240 million Binance users will have the opportunity to use USDC for trading, savings, and transactions.
Additionally, Binance will use USDC as its primary stablecoin to manage its corporate fund. Binance CEO Richard Teng noted that this will open access to new trading pairs and unique offerings.
In the face of competition from Tether, which holds a leading position among stablecoins, Circle is positioning its product as more regulated. This partnership also underscores Binance's commitment to comply with global regulations following the resolution of $4 billion in claims in the United States.
A recent study focuses on altseason — a period when altcoins grow faster than Bitcoin 💹
📈 What is Altseason? Altseason starts when Bitcoin's dominance reaches a peak and ends with a new all-time high for the TOTAL2 index, which reflects the market capitalization of 125 altcoins.
⏳ History There have been two altseasons. The first began on March 1, 2017, when Bitcoin's dominance fell from 96% to 36%, increasing the market capitalization of altcoins to $470 billion! 💰
🔍 Duration and Growth The first altseason lasted for 310 days, with the index rising by $470 billion. The second one started in 2021 and lasted for 309 days, with an increase of $1.5 trillion in the index 📊
🌌 Timeline Coincidence Both altseasons had a similar duration. It was also established that Bitcoin's halving occurs at 62% of the cycle 🚀
✨ Role of Halving Halving is crucial for market structure, as both altseasons began after a halving event 💫
Following these trends, investors can better predict movements in the altcoin market.
🚀 Adidas and STEPN GO are launching a limited edition of Ultraboost 5 sneakers, available exclusively for NFT holders. This marks a step forward in their collaboration, which began with the STEPN Genesis NFT collection in April.
👟 Only 1,200 pairs of sneakers featuring the STEPN GO logo will be released, starting December 13. This limited offer is aimed at STEPN and STEPN GO x Adidas Genesis NFT holders.
🛒 The sneakers can only be purchased on the MOOAR marketplace, with giveaways taking place from December 13 to 17. NFT holders will receive priority access, but everyone interested can participate. Winners will be able to pick up their sneakers from January 6 to 22, 2025, with the possibility of resale for three weeks.
Just a reminder, on November 10, 2024, its price first reached $81,000, and then on December 3, it dropped to $93,600.
Since the U.S. presidential elections on November 5, which ended with the victory of Republican Donald Trump, Bitcoin has increased in value by over 30%.
Do you think a "golden era" for cryptocurrency is on the horizon with Donald Trump in power?
🌟 Paul Atkins has been appointed the new chairman of the SEC.
🤝 Donald Trump has officially nominated Paul Atkins for the position of SEC chairman. Atkins, known for his support of innovation and the cryptocurrency industry, previously served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008 and actively advocates for the development of digital assets through the Token Alliance project.
🔍 It's unlikely that significant changes in the SEC's stance toward the crypto industry can be expected. Regulation will probably become more transparent; however, for many crypto projects, this will only create additional challenges as existing laws will still be in effect. Most cryptocurrencies will continue to be treated as securities, regardless of the context.
⚖️ Atkins may end up in the role of a "scapegoat" due to the ongoing tensions between the industry and regulators. Nonetheless, his appointment could help expedite the discussion of rules for digital assets and open new avenues for the growth of the crypto industry.
❓ What do you think this appointment means for the future of cryptocurrencies and their regulation?
Nike has announced the closure of its NFT platform RTFKT, which has been part of their commercial group since 2021 🚫🎨
The official closing date is set for the end of January 2025, which has caused a stir among NFT enthusiasts.
However, Nike is not completely leaving the Web3 space 🌐 The Swoosh platform will continue to evolve, but no new NFT collections will be launched, which has led to a negative reaction from the community 🤔
Soon, RTFKT will introduce its final project, MNLTH X with Blade Drop, details of which are still unknown. Users are curious about the fate of NFTs from the CloneX collection and the reasons behind the division's closure 🧐💔
The situation remains complex, and the community is awaiting clarifications from the company ✨
Bitcoin has temporarily fallen below $95,000, causing concern among investors and analysts 📉
Renowned financial expert Robert Kiyosaki expressed the opinion that if the price of Bitcoin cannot surpass the $100,000 level, it could lead to a drop to around $60,000 💰
Kiyosaki had previously expressed optimism about cryptocurrencies, emphasizing their potential as an alternative asset 🚀 However, his recent comments raise questions about possible volatility and the risks associated with crypto investing ⚖️
What do you think, can Bitcoin maintain its position and return to growth, or should we expect further declines? 🤔
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched a three-year grant scheme for digital bonds (DBGS) to encourage the issuance of tokenized bonds, offering financial incentives of up to HK$2.5 million (approximately $321,200) for eligible issuers 📈
This initiative aims to promote blockchain technology and strengthen Hong Kong's role in the digital securities market. The scheme is part of HKMA's efforts to implement blockchain following the launch of Project Ensemble, which tests tokenized real assets. This project has already successfully trialed the purchase of digital bonds and interbank settlements 🏦
It's interesting to consider whether the Hong Kong market will catch up with the Russian market for digital financial assets (CFA)? 🤔
It has faced scrutiny since being sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2022 for facilitating money laundering 🏦, with claims of processing over $7 billion in illicit funds since 2019
Today it has some concerns over Tornado’s ETH Deposits
A recent Global Ledger report reveals troubling findings about Tornado Cash, with over 60% of ETH deposits in 2024 coming from high-risk sources ⚠️, including accounts linked to major crypto hacks.
From January 1 to November 27, $552 million 💸 in stolen cryptocurrency was laundered through Tornado Cash, which received a total of 457,768 ETH valued at about $1.64 billion 💰Alarmingly, more than 56% of these funds were connected to hacks in 2023 and 2024 🔍, a significant increase from the 314,740 ETH processed in 2023.
What do you think about it?
P.S. The service is believed to have processed more than $7 billion in illicit funds since 2019 👀
Court Overturns Treasury's Sanctions on Tornado Cash 😨
On November 26, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the U.S. Treasury overstepped its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash’s immutable smart contracts. The court determined these contracts are not classified as “property” and therefore cannot be blocked under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
💡 The ruling emphasized that smart contracts operate autonomously without human intervention, distinguished them from services or property. The judges referred to a “trusted setup ceremony” in May 2020, where over 1,000 participants finalized the contracts’ parameters, ensuring their immutability.
⚖️ The court rejected the Treasury’s interpretation, asserting that “Legislating is Congress’s job.” Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, praised the decision, stating that blocking open-source technology due to misuse is not aligned with Congressional intent.
📰 While this ruling is a victory for open-source advocates, other aspects of Tornado Cash may still face scrutiny. The initial sanctions were imposed in August 2022 for allegedly facilitating over $7 billion in illicit transactions, prompting a challenge from users, including Coinbase employees.
As this legal battle unfolds, the ruling represents a significant shift in the conversation surrounding the regulation of decentralized technologies 🔗✨
Hashdex has amended its S-1 application for the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US exchange-traded fund (ETF) for the second time. This revised submission, filed with the SEC on November 25, follows a request for additional evaluation time. Hashdex initially filed on June 24🗓️
The NCIUS ETF aims to include only Bitcoin and Ether 💰, excluding other cryptocurrencies and related assets, with potential for future expansions. If approved, it would be the first diversified spot cryptocurrency ETF in the U.S., providing investors access to multiple digital assets in one fund📊
Other companies, like Franklin Templeton 🏦, have also submitted filings for similar ETFs. Franklin's proposal, the Franklin Crypto Index ETF, is also limited to Bitcoin and Ether, facing a delayed approval decision from the SEC until January 6, 2025, due to a lack of public comments⏳
As the industry trends toward crypto index funds following the success of Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, major entities like Grayscale and Bitwise are exploring diversified offerings 🌟
This comes amid anticipated changes in SEC leadership, as Chair Gary Gensler will resign on January 20, 2025. A new pro-crypto administration led by Donald Trump may usher in more favorable policies for the industry 🔄
Stay tuned for updates on the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency ETFs! 🚀✨
Tether, the world's largest stablecoin issuer, has minted over $3 billion in USDT in the last 24 hours! This brings their total minting to $13 billion since early November 💰
According to LookOnChain, this recent minting consisted of two transactions: $2 billion and $1 billion, both sent to the company's treasury wallet. Major minting events this month include $9 billion on November 8 and $2 billion on November 21 and 23 combined 📈
This minting surge signals positive market sentiment, as increased stablecoin demand often indicates bullish trends 📊
In other exciting news, Tether has partnered with the UAE government to launch a new dirham-pegged stablecoin, fully backed by the UAE's reserves. This initiative aims to position the UAE as a key global economic hub 🌍
Additionally, Tether has collaborated with Quantoz Payment to introduce EURQ and USDQ stablecoins 🎉
Tether's investment arm also took a bold step by funding a $45 million physical crude oil trade, facilitating the transfer of 670,000 barrels from the Middle East 🛢️
Stay tuned for more updates as Tether continues to innovate in the crypto space! 💡
Bitcoin has surged to a new all-time high of $95,672, reflecting a 3.55% increase in just 24 hours. This follows a previous peak of $95,000 on November 21, marking a 42% rise from $67,400 last month and a remarkable 154% over the past year 💰
The rally is attributed to a positive political climate post-Donald Trump's election, raising hopes for favorable crypto regulations. Pro-crypto figures in Trump's cabinet, including Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have contributed to the optimism 🌟
Bitcoin ETF trading options are also boosting prices, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) hitting $1.9 billion in notional exposure. New options from Bitwise (BITB) and Grayscale (GBTC) are set to launch on November 21, sparking more interest 📊
Market watchers are eyeing the $100,000 target, with MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor planning a New Year’s Eve celebration if this milestone is reached 🎉
Bernstein Research has upgraded its Bitcoin target to $200,000 by 2025, up from $150,000, due to increasing institutional demand 📈
Will Bitcoin achieve the coveted $100k mark by the end of the year?💸✨
BlackRock's launch of Bitcoin ETF options on Nasdaq is set to attract a new “wave of institutional investors,” say analysts at QCP Capital 🚀 These options for the iShares Bitcoin Trust may encourage high-net-worth individuals to seek yield on their long-term holdings, paving the way for significant Bitcoin investments💼
In a recent blog post, QCP Capital noted that the introduction of IBIT options could drive new capital into the market and lead to “further compression of implied volatility,” creating a potentially less volatile environment for Bitcoin 📈
This trend underscores growing interest in using traditional assets as proxies for Bitcoin exposure. For instance, MicroStrategy has seen a surge in institutional investors, with Vanguard boosting its stake by 1,000%! 📊
As Bitcoin stabilizes above $90,000, analysts believe it could set the stage for further growth. Currently trading at $92,335, the December $100,000 strike holds the “highest concentration of open interest,” signaling strong bullish sentiment 🌟
Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving crypto landscape! 💫 #CryptoNewss
🌐 UN Expands Blockchain Education Academy for 24,000 Staff
The United Nations is set to enhance blockchain skills among 24,000 personnel through its newly expanded education initiative, developed with the Algorand Foundation 🌟
Announced on November 19, 2023, the expanded Blockchain Academy aims to empower UN staff with knowledge to harness blockchain for a sustainable future. Originally launched in late 2023, the academy certified over 30 personnel and introduced 18 hours of training during its beta 📚
This program now includes all employees within the UN Development Programme, UN Volunteers, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund 🌍
Since 2015, the UNDP has explored blockchain applications, from tracking cocoa supply chains to enabling digital impact investments. This expansion aligns with broader UN efforts, including the upcoming Guardian and Managed Guardian Service platform for carbon markets, developed with the HBAR Foundation ♻️
What opportunities do you think will open up for UN staff after gaining skills in blockchain technology? 🤔
🌟 Today was the last day of the THE TRENDS conference in Moscow, and I finally made it!
What happened at the conference? 💡
Key trends were discussed, such as the development of artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies, startup ecosystems, and sustainable development.
As participants, we had the opportunity to engage in workshops and network with industry professionals — we gained some insights, even if just a few. I also connected with colleagues from the field!
I especially want to highlight the speakers’ presentations, who shared their vision of the future. It’s always interesting to listen to people who have different perspectives on the development of the industries.