Crypto 101 Intro lvl 1

1. What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency that is secured by cryptography. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger called a blockchain, which ensures transparency and security. It is decentralized, meaning it is not controlled by a central authority.

2. Why use cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency provides greater privacy and security compared to traditional payment methods. Transactions are verified and recorded on a blockchain, making them virtually impossible to tamper with or hack. It can also be used for peer-to-peer transactions, which can make transactions faster and cheaper.

The prince of Shakaxulu wants to invest heavily in crypto. Will he buy Ethereum or Binance or Shawarma?

Uproar in the NFT market today as the Famous Nakamigos project unveils the artist behind their pixel made nfts.

Anniversary day cometh and Nakamigos revealed a Huge OG artist of the space as he himself announced it, and The Nakamigos profile shared the tweet.

Famous artist Mills, an OG in the crypto and NFT space is now officially known as the artist behind The OG, Cloak, Crypto Trading Cards and the Froggy Bobblehead.

The Web3 space is pondering whether this would be so big it can not only take on the Crypto Punks but eventually overtake it with loads of sales and sweeps happening since the announcement.

A lot of the fus came exactly because there were so much mystery behind the project. This Fud has now been answered with reveals and KYC's so to say.

What do you think? Are you also Bullish?

Being an OG in the crypto space comes with its ups and downs.

Exactly as crypto. What goes up, eventually must come down.

$BTC hitting new al time highs and going up faster than steam is probably the new thing.

now this is where we need ro focus on when and why it will correct it self.

Do you think it will plummets or descend slowly?

Inevitably it has allways plummeted before halving and then hitting new and unseen milestones.

Albeit the raise being lesser significant everytime.

This time it might be different. The #BitcoinETF💰💰💰 could be a game changer although nothing is certain as allways in this space.

Will people decide to take profits or ride it closer to 100k?

Naturally everything else will follow the trend. $SOL $ETH and even BNB.

Predictions of Bitcoin's demise have been a recurring theme in the world of cryptocurrency. Over the past decade, we've witnessed countless variations of why people believed "Bitcoin is finished," but the ongoing crypto winter has seen a notable absence of such dire declarations.
This time, there appears to be a unique situation. It's challenging to write a eulogy for Bitcoin when its value hovers around $28,000, with the anticipation of a spot Bitcoin ETF on the horizon. Ethereum also shows no signs of being on its deathbed.
Nevertheless, the blockchain industry and its observers seem compelled to search for something to criticize, and they've found their target in the beleaguered nonfungible token (NFT) market. NFTs are being declared as deceased, lifeless, much like the "Norwegian Blue" in Monty Python's Dead Parrot Sketch. The funeral march has begun, and as a recent Rolling Stone headline succinctly puts it, "Your NFTs are actually — finally — completely worthless."
Rolling Stone's assessment is accurate - the majority of NFTs are, in fact, utterly devoid of value.

Mastercard has unveiled a groundbreaking achievement, showcasing a cutting-edge system that facilitates the integration of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) into diverse blockchain networks.
This milestone is the result of a collaborative effort between Mastercard, Cuscal, and Mintable, as they embarked on a research project in partnership with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC).

Users linking their Friend.Tech accounts to real-world X profiles and phone numbers heighten the vulnerability to security breaches.
Several Friend.Tech users recently reported falling victim to SIM swap attacks over the weekend, resulting in successful thefts of thousands of dollars' worth of tokens.
It's important to note that the Friend.Tech code itself remained unexploited, and there is no immediate risk to its users. The application allows individuals to purchase "shares" in accounts associated with X, which confers certain privileges upon the buyers.
SIM swap attacks are unfortunately quite common and occur when malicious actors gain control of a mobile phone by deceiving service providers into transferring the associated phone number to a SIM card under the attacker's control. Once the swap is complete, the compromised phones can be utilized for fraudulent activities.

Four more suspects linked to the JPEX cryptocurrency platform scam have been apprehended by the police in Hong Kong and Macao.
As per a recent report by The South China Morning Post, two Hong Kong residents who were captured in Macao have been returned to Hong Kong for investigation regarding their involvement in the JPEX scandal. The report further disclosed that the arrested pair possessed HK$6.5 million ($830,390) in cash and assets, along with an additional HK$8.2 million frozen in their casino accounts.
Despite the absence of formal extradition agreements between Hong Kong and Macao, Assistant Police Commissioner Chung Wing-man clarified that the ultimate decision regarding the suspects' fate would be determined by the Macao courts.
On Saturday, the two individuals were transported from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan. Their faces were concealed, and they were handcuffed while being transported in police vans to undisclosed locations.
In addition to the two individuals arrested in Macao, two more men, both aged 28, were detained last week in connection with the JPEX case.

Pudgy Penguins, a renowned NFT brand, is making its mark beyond the digital realm by introducing its Pudgy Toys collection in 2,000 Walmart stores across the United States. These toys, which have been available online since May, offer a unique gateway to Pudgy World, a multiplayer digital social experience. This strategic move aims to enhance the visibility and user base of the Pudgy Penguin brand.
In a time when many popular NFT collections have seen their values plummet, Pudgy Penguins is diverging from digital marketplaces to explore new horizons in the physical world, seeking a fresh audience. Despite the bearish NFT market, Pudgy Penguins remains a highly sought-after and valuable NFT collection.
Each Pudgy Toy comes with an exclusive birth certificate that enables users to claim distinctive traits for their digital "Forever Pudgy" character within Pudgy World. This online virtual world is built on the zkSync Era blockchain and can be accessed by scanning a QR code on the toy.
Brittany Smith, the Vice President of Merchandising for Toys at Walmart U.S., expressed excitement about this collaboration, stating, "Pudgy Penguins is bridging the gap between our physical and digital worlds of play for kids in a truly engaging manner."
As the largest retailer in the United States and the world's leading company by revenue in 2022, Walmart's partnership with Pudgy Penguins signifies a significant shift. Pudgy Toys plushies and collectibles will now share shelf space with established consumer brands, further boosting the collection's popularity outside of the crypto industry.
Pudgy World offers an immersive multiplayer digital environment where users can explore, play games, and fully customize their Forever Pudgy characters.
Since its launch in 2021, Pudgy Penguins has achieved an impressive $400 million in sales. Unlike many other NFT collections that faded into obscurity, Pudgy Penguins stood out by leveraging social media and experiential marketing strategies to build a dedicated audience.

The ECB President addressed concerns about CBDCs and government surveillance, emphasizing the digital euro's privacy and user-friendliness. She mentioned that it's at least two years away, with a decision pending in October. Lawmakers in the European Parliament remain skeptical.
ECB Board Member Fabio Panetta assured no issuance until privacy legislation is agreed upon. Privacy concerns were raised about transaction limits and traceability, impacting digital euro acceptance. Germany's Stefan Berger will oversee the digital euro law in the parliament.

A 1998 video featuring Hal Finney, an American software developer and early Bitcoin pioneer, has sparked speculation about his role in creating Bitcoin. In the video, Finney discusses zero-knowledge proofs at a cryptology conference, demonstrating his program to prove knowledge of a hashed message without revealing its content.
Finney credits Ronald Cramer and Ivan Damgard as zero-knowledge proof system inventors, highlighting their importance in blockchain security and scalability. Zero-knowledge proofs are crucial for Zero Knowledge rollups, a blockchain scaling method, ensuring information verification without disclosing sensitive details.
Born in 1956 and passing away in 2014, Finney garnered attention in 2009 when he claimed to be "running Bitcoin" on Twitter and received the first Bitcoin transaction from Satoshi Nakamoto. Some speculate he might be Nakamoto or part of the development team behind the pseudonym.
In 2022, Finney's inactive Twitter account resurfaced under his widow's control. He also discussed non-fungible tokens (NFTs) long before their popularity, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the digital asset field.
Although some consider Finney as Satoshi Nakamoto, no concrete evidence supports this claim. Meanwhile, Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist, asserts himself as Bitcoin's creator, but recent investigations suggest Nakamoto might be a collective entity based on language in the Bitcoin white paper using both "we" and "I."

"Touching grass is nature's 'reboot' button for our chaotic lives. It's like WiFi for your soul, connecting you to the Earth's hilarious 4.5-billion-year-old story.
Feel the grass tickle your toes, and you'll realize that in a world of screens, swipes, and stress, the best things in life are simple, free, and right beneath your feet.
So, go ahead, grasshopper – tap into that ancient wisdom, soak up some Vitamin G(reen), and let Mother Earth remind you that you're stardust with a quirky sense of humor.
Be a 'lawnvoyant' – see the world through blades of grass, and let the laughter bloom like wildflowers in your heart!" 🌱😄🌎 #GrassWisdom #NatureNurtures #BTC #crypto2023

Stanford University is in discussions with FTX's legal representatives to return gifts it received from the troubled crypto exchange. This follows a lawsuit against Sam Bankman-Fried's parents, accusing them of benefiting by millions from their FTX connections. The university confirms talks to return the gifts, emphasizing their pandemic-related nature. Bankman and Fried's attorneys deny fraudulent transfers.

Joseph Bankman, a Stanford professor, distanced himself from the donations despite university knowledge. FTX is now led by CEO John J. Ray III. The lawsuit claims FTX was a "family business" with Bankman diverting millions to Stanford. Bankman allegedly directed a $500,000 donation from a subsidiary in 2021 for tax reasons.

James Tromans, Google Cloud's Head of Web3, sees potential beyond token prices in blockchain technology. He urges the industry to shift focus from token dynamics to solving real business problems with smart contracts. Tromans highlights Google Cloud's Blockchain Node Engine as a crucial offering for accessing blockchain data and deploying smart contracts.

He believes blockchain and smart contracts can drive innovation, cut operational costs, and create new revenue streams, despite market fluctuations. While traditional finance leads the demand, there's growing interest in digital identity and supply chain applications among Google Cloud customers.

PayPal, the renowned global online payment powerhouse, has unveiled an innovative feature aimed at empowering web3 merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments from their clientele residing in the United States.

This groundbreaking capability, aptly named "PayPal On and Off Ramps," represents an integration with PayPal's existing suite of services, allowing American consumers to seamlessly purchase and trade cryptocurrencies backed by PayPal.

The introduction of PayPal On and Off Ramps ushers in an era where digital wallets, decentralized applications (dApps), and non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces can seamlessly link up with PayPal's robust payment platform. This integration facilitates an expeditious and hassle-free means for individuals to engage in cryptocurrency transactions within the United States. Moreover, this feature leverages PayPal's robust fraud management, chargeback resolution mechanisms, and dispute security tools.

PayPal has highlighted the myriad advantages this feature offers to web3 merchants. By tapping into PayPal's trusted payment ecosystem, these merchants can cultivate and expand their user base effectively. Simultaneously, crypto enthusiasts in the United States wielding digital wallets can effortlessly convert their cryptocurrency holdings into US dollars, directly depositing them into their PayPal account. This provides them with the flexibility to shop, send funds, save, or transfer to their bank or debit card at their convenience.

In PayPal's own words, they succinctly express the benefit of the "Off Ramps" component: "Crypto wallet users in the US can convert their crypto into USD directly from their wallet to their PayPal balance, enabling them to shop, transfer funds, save, or execute transactions with their debit or debit card."

This groundbreaking offering, PayPal On and Off Ramps, is currently accessible to web3 merchants and can be seamlessly integrated into MetaMask, one of the most widely used cryptocurrency wallets and browser extensions in the digital landscape.

Bitgamo, a Luxembourg-based crypto exchange, plans to deploy 75 cryptocurrency ATMs across Europe in 2024, offering competitive rates. The exchange gained prominence for its no-KYC crypto-to-fiat service and rates 10% higher than the market average for BTC, LTC, and ETH.

Bitgamo's ATMs will enable users to easily exchange crypto for cash, promising the best market rates. The company has received positive reviews, with 86% approval on Trustpilot. They also aim to distribute cryptocurrencies to regions with crypto-friendly policies through a third-party network.

In Europe, there are 934 crypto ATMs run by 10 operators (63.4%), with Kurant Bitcoin ATM service leading at 15.9%. The UK has tightened regulations on non-registered ATMs due to the lack of a regulatory framework.

Grab, the all-in-one app serving Southeast Asia, has introduced support for a Web3 wallet based on Polygon and non-fungible token (NFT) vouchers. This integration resulted from a collaboration with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), as reported by Tech in Asia, citing a spokesperson from Grab.

This addition is currently in a limited pilot phase, slated to run until the end of this year. Within the app, a newly added Web3 button directs users (currently only in Singapore) to create a wallet on the Polygon blockchain. This wallet feature allows users to receive NFT vouchers for various popular services within the country.

These NFT vouchers can be acquired through the cashback app Fave and can be utilized at events like the upcoming F1 Singapore Grand Prix, as well as at eligible merchants and restaurants. Upon using a voucher, users will automatically receive a digital collectible directly into their wallet.

These collectibles, as mentioned in the report, showcase iconic landmarks in Singapore and also offer additional rewards to their holders.

Notably, these wallets use a PIN for security rather than a private key. Furthermore, the Web3 wallet appears to primarily store specific vouchers and collectibles at the moment. Journalist Colin Wu also noted that it currently supports two types of digital assets, with an indication from an official source that they are exploring the possibility of expanding the range of digital assets that can be stored in the Web3 wallet. However, it does allow users to send digital assets from their Grab Web3 wallet to other wallets.

In an unexpected turn of events, Ripple, the company responsible for the cryptocurrency XRP, has formed a partnership with Jared Isaacman, who is renowned for his association with Elon Musk's SpaceX. Jared Isaacman, the billionaire founder of Shift 4, embarked on a journey to Earth's orbit aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in 2021.

In a recent development, Ripple made an official announcement regarding its collaboration with Isaacman on a charitable donations initiative. Specifically, Ripple announced its participation alongside Isaacman in a project involving XRP and cryptocurrency donations for the Maui Emergency Response Fund. As a result, XRP has been integrated as one of the cryptocurrency donation options available through The Giving Block, a platform specializing in crypto donation solutions.

Ripple stated, "Ripple will join forces with Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman, matching 200% of the next $50,000 USD in cryptocurrency donations made to the Maui Relief Fund."

This partnership revolves around Donation Matching, a practice where one party matches the contributions of another.

In this instance, Ripple has committed to matching contributions alongside Isaacman, effectively doubling the cryptocurrency donations received up to a limit of $50,000. While this collaboration does not definitively indicate a close connection between SpaceX's partner and Ripple, it leaves room for further exploration.

It is worth noting that Elon Musk gained notoriety for his tweets about Dogecoin, and during the cryptocurrency bull run in 2021, his tweets exerted a significant influence on the crypto market.

Both SpaceX and Tesla even integrated Dogecoin as a payment option on their websites for the purchase of company merchandise.

Despite the 2022 crypto crash setbacks, Web3 still piques marketers' interest, especially in activewear and luxury brands. It's rooted in decentralized applications and blockchain tech, giving data and asset ownership, opening new brand innovation opportunities. Dispatch CEO Byron Sorrells believes the crash clarified Web3's utility over speculation, seeing it as a complement to existing practices.

CMOs grapple with the tech abundance. IEX Group CMO Marija Zivanovic-Smith emphasizes Web3 providers addressing real brand issues, like Apple's cookie removal affecting targeting accuracy.

Gartner's Matt Moorut notes Web3 adoption's slower pace due to crypto volatility and inflation fears. Marketers are cautious, seeking value-focused applications, not writing off Web3 but exploring sensible use cases.

Activewear and luxury brands lead Web3 adoption. Nike and Adidas integrate blockchain in loyalty programs, fostering communities. Nike's .Swoosh community, launched in Nov 2022, offers immersive experiences, while the Our Force 1 virtual collection debuted in Apr 2023.

Despite brand successes, Web3 struggles with low consumer engagement, mainly attracting young, affluent males. NFT and crypto wallet users remain limited compared to the general population, making Web3 more niche for marketers.

The Financial Services Agency (FSA), Japan's primary financial regulator, has put forth significant amendments to the nation's tax code concerning digital asset profits. As reported by local news sources, this proposal aligns with calls from industry leaders and observers for reforms in the cryptocurrency sector.

On August 31, the FSA submitted a comprehensive 16-page document outlining its intention to eliminate the "unrealized gains" tax on digital asset firms. Presently, Japanese legal entities are taxed based on the value of their cryptocurrency holdings, even if these assets have not been converted to fiat currency and realized as profits. In contrast, some other jurisdictions do not tax paper profits until they are converted and realized through a sale.

The FSA clarified that this amendment aims to bring Japan in line with global tax standards and reduce the burden on digital asset firms, preventing a potential mass exodus from the country's burgeoning web3 industry.

Although Japan ranks high in terms of global cryptocurrency awareness, its tax code has hindered its potential to become a major cryptocurrency hub. Recent digital asset reforms in Hong Kong have significantly impacted the Asian crypto landscape, attracting more firms and fostering positive regulatory changes.

Observers believe that obstacles to these proposals may have been cleared, as the FSA mentioned the backing of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry for these reforms.