DeFi
New ‘Smart Accounts’ From Cosmos-Based Osmosis Enable 1-Click Trading
(PROTOCOL VILLAGE EXCLUSIVE) July 19: Osmosis, a blockchain project built with Cosmos tech and describing itself as the “only full-service, cross-chain exchange and DeFi hub,” said that one-click trading is now live for all users on Osmosis, powered by the newly implemented “Smart Accounts.” According to the team: “Following the passing of prop 796, Smart Account functionality was rolled out to all Osmosis users. 1-Click Trading lets you trade securely without the hassle of tedious wallet approvals. 1-Click Trading is just the first of many upcoming features that will be enabled by Smart Accounts, like support for Passkeys and Face ID authentication, all intended to streamline user onboarding, and improve UX and account management in DeFi.” (OSMO)
Galaxy Buys Almost All of CryptoManufaktur’s Ethereum Assets to Expand Staking Portfolio
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Shape, Creator-Focused Ethereum L2 in Optimism Superchain, Makes Testnet Available
(PROTOCOL VILLAGE EXCLUSIVE) July 18: Shape, a creator-focused layer-2 network atop Ethereum and part of the Optimism Superchain, announced the availability of its testnet, with GA going live in Q3. According to the team: “The network is an open space where everyone is free to create whatever they want – from high art to weird experiments. Shape ensures creators that thrive on the network share in its success through ‘Gasback.’ This mechanic rewards cultural impact directly by giving 80% of sequencer fees back to smart contract owners. Shape is powered by Optimism and, as part of the Superchain, contributes 15% of sequencer fees to the Optimism Collective to fund public goods.”
Chainlink Releases ‘Digital Asset Sandbox’ for Financial Institutions
July 18: Chainlink, the blockchain oracle project, announced the launch of the Chainlink Digital Assets Sandbox (DAS), “designed to accelerate digital asset innovation within financial institutions.” According to the team: “The Chainlink DAS is the ideal solution for financial institutions that want to quickly innovate and experience the potential of generating new revenue opportunities, increasing efficiencies, improving time-to-market, and more. With the DAS, institutions can seamlessly access ready-to-use business workflows for digital assets.” CoinDesk 20 asset: (LINK)
Bitrue Ventures Launches $40M Fund for ‘Nascent Web3 Companies’
July 18: Bitrue Ventures, the research and investment section of crypto exchange Bitrue, has launched a $40 million investment fund and “is putting out the call to aspiring developers,” according to the team. A blog post reads: “Individual recipients of funding can receive up to $200,000 of investment funds that can be allocated however they feel is most appropriate. In addition, Bitrue will make available their various avenues of expertise to provide further support to these projects. While Bitrue Ventures will consider investing into any niche within the crypto space, we believe that the most successful projects right now are likely to be building in the sectors of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Real World Asset tokenization (RWA), GameFi, Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), and Decentralized Finance (DeFi). As such, projects building within these industries will stand a better chance of receiving funding.”
InfStones, Blockchain Infrastructure Provider, Launches Node-as-a-Service
July 18: InfStones, a blockchain infrastructure provider, “launched its node-as-a-service (NaaS) product, empowering emerging protocols to jumpstart their DePIN projects while making sophisticated blockchain node operations accessible to mainstream users,” according to the team: “Since 2018, InfStones has provided enterprise-grade node management services to industry-leading groups such as Binance, CoinList and BitGo. In the recent node sale for cloud computing platform Aethir, InfStones’ NaaS product helped to successfully convert over 26,000 of its Checker Node license holders into long-term node operators.”
Raise to Provide Payment Rails for Polkadot Mobile App, Enabling Retail Purchases
July 18: Raise, a payments provider and with a white-label gift card infrastructure, has partnered with Parity Technologies “to provide the payment rails for the Polkadot mobile app, enabling DOT payments at over 1 million stores and websites across the U.S.” According to the team: “Users can make purchases and earn up to 20% cash back in DOT. This integration, previewed at Polkadot Decoded, bridges the gap between crypto and retail, making it easier and more rewarding to use crypto for everyday transactions. The app is set to launch in Q3, with plans to expand internationally by the end of the year.” (DOT)
Zivoe, RWA Credit Protocol on Ethereum, Raises $8.35M
July 18: Zivoe, a real-world asset credit protocol atop Ethereum, raised $8.35 million in their last round, aiming to broaden credit access by connecting blockchain liquidity with real-world borrowers, according to the team: “The round comes in tandem with Zivoe launching its RWA credit protocol on mainnet on July 31 and their Initial Tranche Offering (ITO), a unique liquidity bootstrapping mechanism.”
AI-Focused Layer-1 Chain Nuklai Announces Launch of DAO for Governance, Say on Use of Funds
July 18: Nuklai, a layer-1 blockchain built for artificial intelligence, announced the launch of the Nuklai DAO, “a decentralized autonomous organization designed to empower its community and ecosystem,” according to the team: “With this development, the company moves towards greater community-driven governance and collaboration. This initiative allows community to have a direct say in the allocation of these funds through proposals and votes on Commonwealth and Snapshot. The launch of the Nuklai DAO will manage the 400,000,000 NAI Community token allocation.”
Polygon, Google Cloud, Accenture Release White Paper on Web3 Loyalty Programs
July 18: Polygon Labs, in collaboration with Google Cloud and Accenture, jointly released a white paper that highlights how Web3 solutions can build high-margin loyalty programs. According to the team: “The paper highlights how users can enjoy rewards such as tokenized privileges, gamification, collectibles and community-generated content. This not only improves the user experience but also generates new revenue streams for brands while empowering users to actively participate in loyalty programs.” (MATIC)
Chainbase Raises $15M to Grow Omnichain Data Network
July 18: Omnichain data network Chainbase has raised $15 million in Series A funding with Tencent Investment Group, Matrix Partners and Hash Global among the investors. Chainbase is an interoperability layer that is building the “first crypto world model,” to deliver data from across the cryptocurrency spectrum, according to an emailed announcement on Thursday.
Fantom Foundation, Sonic Labs Partner With Alchemy for RPC on Opera Chain
July 18: The Fantom Foundation and Sonic Labs announced a partnership with Alchemy “in which the leading Web3 infrastructure provider immediately contributes RPC support (mainnet and testnet) and key development tools to developers on Fantom’s Opera chain.” According to the team: “Alchemy will also support the new Sonic network in the same capacity, enhancing its performance and scalability when it launches later this year.”
Outlier Ventures Partnership With Morgan Creek Digital Brings Accelerator to Latin America
July 18: Global Web3 accelerator Outlier Ventures has announced a new strategic partnership with Morgan Creek Digital, to launch their first-ever accelerator program in the Latin American region. According to the team: “The program seeks to identify startups developing solutions to drive technological and financial innovation across Latin America. The virtual program starts in September and lasts for 12 weeks, offering selected startups support from Outlier Ventures’ in-house team of experts, tailored mentorship from industry experts, networking opportunities with investors, and up to 200K investment.”
Visa’s Data Partner Allium Labs Raises $16.5M as Their New Findings Show Stablecoin Activity is Back Up
July 18: Data platform Allium Labs, which provides enterprise-grade blockchain data to companies like Visa, Stripe and Uniswap Foundation, has raised $16.5 million in a Series A funding round, it announced Thursday. The funding round was led by venture capital firm Theory Ventures whose founder Tomasz Tunguz will join the board as part of the investment. Tunguz said “The demand for cryptocurrencies and tokens has just started” and that Allium will provide the data to “foster broader adoption.”
Pundi X Launches Payment Solution for Merchants
July 18: Pundi X, a blockchain developer, has launched a crypto payment solution, Pundi X Pay for merchants, according to the team: “This innovative solution is set to transform the landscape of physical store crypto transactions with the omni QR code payment layer, making it easier for merchants and customers to embrace cryptocurrency payments. Pundi X Pay InStore QR Code features include extensive wallet integrations (over 500+ direct wallet apps), flexible payment options, instant digital receipts, and AI-powered multi-chain transactions and security: powered by Pundi X AI.”
BitGo Integrates Stacks, Enabling Delegate and Solo Stacking
July 18: BitGo has integrated Stacks, “enabling delegate and solo stacking for its clients,” according to the team: “This grants them the ability to earn BTC directly within their wallets via a secure and risk-controlled process. Additionally, BitGo now supports the Stacks token standard and acts as a network Signer, contributing to consensus and block production. This Signer role will be crucial for the future launch of sBTC, a decentralized Bitcoin-backed asset.”
Zeebit, Solana-Based Casino, to Rely on Sonic L2 Infrastructure
July 18: Zeebit, describing itself as “Solana’s first on-chain casino,” is “launching the first fully decentralized risk-on gaming platform on Solana using SonicSVM infrastructure,” according to the team: “This on-chain platform features casino classics, PVP games, and novel Web3 experiences with provable fairness and non-custodial settlement. Leveraging Sonic’s scalable L2, Zeebit will migrate its current Solana-based platform, including player histories. Supported by major Web3 VCs and incubated by Solana Labs, Zeebit’s testnet launch will offer various games, followed by a mainnet launch with incentivized campaigns.”
Aethir, DePIN for GPUs, Teams With Beamable for Cloud-Based Game Development, Distribution
July 18: Aethir, a DePIN project specializing in GPUs for AI and pixel streaming, and Beamable, a creator-centric platform for building live games, announced a “strategic end-to-end solution that will empower game studios to develop, build, scale and distribute live games entirely in the cloud,” according to the team: “With the launch of this end-to-end solution, developers will be able to store, manage, and process data all on one platform to create more engaging and scalable gaming experiences.”
TON Foundation Says Trustless Bitcoin Bridge for DeFi Launched
July 17: TON Teleport BTC, a trustless bridge facilitating secure bitcoin (BTC) transfers to and from The Open Network (TON) blockchain, has launched. According to a message from the TON Foundation team: “This development enables BTC holders to securely engage in DeFi on TON and participate in decentralized exchanges (DEXs), lending platforms, and other applications. The TON Teleport BTC process is entirely trustless and transparent, operating without a centralized issuer. Each BTC on TON is 100% backed by actual BTC, pegged through the teleport process, ensuring secure and reliable transactions.” (TON)
IoTeX ‘DePIN Infrastructure Modules’ to Reduce Development Time
July 17: IoTeX, an Ethereum compatible blockchain platform optimized for decentralized physical infrastructure projects (DePIN), is launching its 2.0 platform to democratize access to DePIN by partnering with NEAR, Filecoin, RISC Zero, Espresso and more, “to enhance data availability, storage, computation and sequencing,” according to the team: “IoTeX 2.0 features DePIN Infrastructure Modules (DIMs) and Modularity Security Pool (MSP) to cut development costs and support sustainable growth for DePIN projects, positioning itself as the largest decentralized hub for devices and data that will be deployed by both humans and AI agents.” According to a press release: “The introduction of Modularity Security Pool (MSP) enables DePIN layer-1s to restake their Proof-of-Stake security to DIMs, fueling growth and fostering sustainability within the ecosystem.”
Schematic illustrating how IoTeX’s Modular Security Pool works in conjunction with its DePin Infrastructure Modules (DIMs), designed to reduce development time and initial costs for DePIN applications (IoTeX)
Source
DeFi
DeFi Technologies Appoints Andrew Forson to Board of Directors
TORONTO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – DeFi Technologies Inc. (the “DeFi Technologies”)Business” Or “DeFi Technologies“) (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF), a financial technology company pioneering the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized finance (“Challenge“), is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Forson to its Board of Directors (the “Advice“).
Andrew Forson is a financial and risk engineer, software architect, and trusts and estates specialist. He currently serves as Head of Investments and Ventures for Hashgraph Group, the commercialization and enablement arm of Hedera, where he has been instrumental in driving strategic investments and driving innovation in the digital asset sector.
Mr. Forson brings a wealth of experience gained through his extensive background in developing structured financial products and his deep knowledge of the digital asset landscape. His expertise will be invaluable as DeFi Technologies continues to expand its suite of innovative financial products and services.
“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew to our Board of Directors,” said Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of DeFi Technologies. “His extensive background in financial engineering and forward-thinking approach to digital assets will be a tremendous asset to our company as we continue to lead the way in the digital asset space.”
Andrew Forson holds an MBA from the prestigious Edinburgh Business School. His arrival on the board is part of DeFi Technologies’ drive to strengthen its management team and enhance its strategic capabilities in the evolving digital finance sector.
About DeFi Technologies
DeFi Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA: CHALLENGE) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFAULT) is a financial technology company that is at the forefront of the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). By focusing on cutting-edge Web3 technologies, DeFi Technologies aims to provide investors with widespread access to the future of finance. Backed by a team of esteemed experts with extensive experience in financial markets and digital assets, we are committed to revolutionizing the way individuals and institutions interact with the evolving financial ecosystem. Join the DeFi Technologies digital community on Linkedin And Twitterand for more details visit https://defi.tech/
About Valour
Valor Inc. and Valor Digital Securities Limited (together, “Value“) issues exchange-traded products (“AND P”) that allow retail and institutional investors to access digital assets like Bitcoin simply and securely through their traditional bank account. Valor is part of DeFi Technologies Inc.’s (CBOE CA: CHALLENGE) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFAULT).
In addition to their new digital asset platform backed by physical media, which includes 1Valour Carbon Neutral Physical Bitcoin AND P, 1Valour Ethereum Physical StakingAnd 1Valor Internet Computer Physical StakingValour offers fully hedged digital asset ETPs with low to no management fees, with product listings on European exchanges, banks and brokerage platforms. Valour’s existing product range includes Valour Uniswap (United), Cardan (ADA), Peas (POINT), Solana (GROUND), Avalanche (AVAX), Cosmos (ATOM), Binance (BNB), Ripple (XRP), Toncoin (TONNE), Internet computer (PCI), Chain link (LINK), Heart (HEART), Close (CLOSE), Enjin (ENJ), Valor Bitcoin Staking (Bitcoin), Bitcoin Carbon Neutral (BTCN), Hedera (HBAR), Valor 10 Digital Asset Basket (VDAB10) And 1Valour STOXX Bitcoin Suisse Digital Asset Blue Chip ETPs with low management fees. Valour’s flagship products are Bitcoin Zero and Ethereum Zero, the first passive investment products fully hedged with Bitcoin (Bitcoin) and Ethereum (ETH) as underlyings which are completely free of fees.
For more information about Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates and financial information, visit valor.com.
Caution regarding forward-looking information:
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the appointment of Mr. Forson; the regulatory environment regarding the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ pursuit of business opportunities; and the potential merits or returns of such opportunities. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the growth and development of the decentralized finance and digital asset industry; the rules and regulations relating to decentralized finance and digital assets; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
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SOURCE DeFi Technologies Inc.
DeFi
Is Zypto Wallet a Reliable Choice for DeFi Users?
Zypto wallet is a newcomer in the crypto landscape and has already made waves for its exclusive benefits and security features.
In this article, we will take a look at the Zypto crypto wallet and how it can help users securely manage their digital assets, interact with Web3 applications, and explore the world of Challenge.
What is Zypto Wallet?
Zypto App is a newly launched versatile crypto wallet that supports a wide range of coins and tokens, along with seamless access to Web3 applications, token exchanges, virtual crypto cards, a gift card marketplace, and a payment gateway.
What are the pros and cons of Zypto Wallet?
Benefits
- User-friendly: Zypto’s user interface is very intuitive with a simple setup process.
- Multi-Chain DEX Swaps: Zypto facilitates trading between thousands of cryptocurrencies, thanks to its versatile multi-chain token swap feature.
- Built-in dApp Browser: You can access Web3 applications directly in your wallet using the in-app dApp browser.
- Live Customer Support: The wallet has an in-app live customer support team that responds quickly to all your queries.
- Rewards Program: Zypto has a loyalty program that allows you to earn rewards, improving the overall user experience.
- Virtual crypto cards: The wallet makes it easy and reliable to use digital currencies for everyday transactions through its range of virtual cryptocurrency cards.
The inconvenients
- Limited analysis tools: Zypto offers advanced charting features and limited technical analysis tools that might not appeal to experienced cryptocurrency traders.
What DeFi products and services does Zypto Wallet offer?
Zypto allows you to securely manage a wide range of cryptocurrencies across multiple blockchains, acting as a user-friendly entry point into the Web3 ecosystem.
Multi-Chain Wallet
As a multi-chain wallet, Zypto supports hundreds of thousands of digital assets across different blockchains. Zypto is also committed to adding support for more chains in the coming months, expanding its universe of explorable assets.
Multi-Chain Exchange Functionality
Instead of the tedious process of selling one token on one exchange and buying another of the same type hosted on a different blockchain, Zypto offers a cross-chain swap feature.
DApp Browser
Another easy-to-use feature is the in-app dApp browser. Simply bring up the browser from the small globe icon at the bottom of your screen and it will first take you to the Zypto homepage.
The browser provides all the features under one application so you don’t miss anything that warrants opening a separate browser.
Zypto DeFi Wallet Review
User experience
Zypto’s ease of use is one of its main advantages. Once the app is downloaded, you can view your wallet from the home screen. Other buttons at the bottom of your screen will take you to prepaid virtual cards, an Explore Zypto page, where you can send, receive, exchange, buy and sell tokens, or access the dApp browser and your contact list.
Zypto requires KYC information before processing cards, as it is part of regulatory compliance. Contacts are another benefit: instead of tediously copying and pasting long addresses, simply save them under a contact name.
How to set up your Zypto wallet?
To start using Zypto, simply download the app. Once installed, you’re ready to go.
You can create a new wallet by pressing the Create Wallet button or import an existing wallet by writing (or pasting) your passphrase to verify your identity. You can also import it in read-only mode, in which case you only need the wallet name and address.
Conclusion: The Verdict
Zypto is relatively new in the DeFi space, but it’s already gaining popularity among different types of users. Those who prefer everything neatly organized in one place will find the app appealing, as will those who prefer its rich features and integration with fiat payment methods over on- and off-ramp cryptocurrencies.
DeFi
Switchboard Revolutionizes DeFi with New Oracle Aggregator
Switchboard, a leading oracle network known for its permissionless and fully customizable features, has launched a revolutionary oracle aggregator. This new tool enables seamless integration of data across multiple oracle networks, including household names like Chainlink and Pyth Network. In doing so, it provides users with access to a wide range of data sources, improving the versatility and reliability of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
Addressing security and cost challenges in DeFi
The Oracle Aggregator is designed to address significant security and cost challenges in the DeFi sector. In 2023, the Web3 industry saw losses exceeding $500 million due to price manipulation attacks, a notable increase from $403.2 million in 2022. These attacks accounted for 33% of the total value lost due to hacks. By expanding the diversity and volume of data sources, Switchboard aims to strengthen the resilience of data streams against such malicious activities, thereby improving the overall security of DeFi platforms.
Empowering developers with customizable data streams
Switchboard’s new Oracle Aggregator allows developers to design custom data feeds that draw from a wide range of sources, both within and outside of the Switchboard platform. This flexibility allows developers to create tailored feeds that meet their specific needs, moving away from rigid templates. The platform’s permissionless nature and lack of gatekeepers ensure developers have complete control over the data feeds they create.
Switchboard CEO Chris Hermida noted that the company’s philosophy has always been to empower developers rather than constrain them. By launching Oracle Aggregator, Switchboard allows developers to use data from a variety of sources, including Pyth and Chainlink, enabling innovation and customization of their projects. Hermida noted that this new capability allows developers to break away from traditional models and take a more personalized approach to data integration.
Plug-and-Play approach for enhanced security
Switchboard’s Oracle Aggregator offers a plug-and-play approach that allows users to leverage multiple Oracle networks, enhancing data security and reliability. By aggregating data from multiple sources, developers can improve the scalability and redundancy of their data feeds, setting a new industry standard as the first generalized Oracle aggregator. This scalability ensures that projects can mitigate risks associated with data manipulation and other vulnerabilities.
One of the most notable features of Oracle Aggregator is its customizable nature. Developers can selectively choose trusted data sources, eliminating those that do not meet their standards. This level of control is crucial for projects that aim to protect their operations from potential threats.
Innovative use of secure execution environments
Switchboard uses Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to ensure that data aggregation occurs entirely off-chain. This innovative approach minimizes gas costs associated with on-chain operations while preserving data integrity. Aggregated data is then shared with users in a single on-chain transaction, simplifying the process and reducing operational expenses.
Mitch Gildenberg, Switchboard’s CTO, highlighted the platform’s developer-centric design. He noted that the platform is designed to put developers in control, allowing them to fine-tune each data flow to their specific needs. This approach reflects Switchboard’s commitment to understanding and meeting developer needs.
Expansion and impact on the industry
Since its launch in 2021, Switchboard has seen significant growth, amassing over 180,000 users and achieving a total valuation of $1.6 billion. The company’s commitment to user autonomy and inclusion has been a driving force behind its rapid expansion in the Web3 ecosystem. Earlier this year, Switchboard raised $7.5 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Tribe Capital and RockawayX, with additional support from leading investors including the Solana Foundation, Aptos Labs, Mysten Labs, Subzero Ventures, and Starkware.
Conclusion
As the DeFi industry continues to evolve, tools like Switchboard’s Oracle Aggregator will play a crucial role in building robust and secure decentralized applications. By giving developers the ability to integrate and customize data feeds from multiple sources, Switchboard is setting new industry standards, driving innovation, and improving the overall security of the Web3 ecosystem.
DeFi
Bitcoin is the solution to inevitable hyperfinancialization
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of the crypto.news editorial team.
If there is one thing that is becoming clear, it is that hyperfinancialization is inevitable, and our best chance of achieving it successfully is through Bitcoin (Bitcoin). This decentralized cryptocurrency, known for its fixed supply and robust security, offers a unique solution to the coming problem of wealth inequality and concentrated power. By embracing Bitcoin, we can create a more transparent and resilient financial future, or we risk losing our financial sovereignty to a handful of corporations.
The hyper-financialization of the world has already begun, with the financial sector becoming a relatively larger part of the economy, in terms of size and importance. Financial structures are also expanding rapidly in other sectors.
For example, in 2023, Americans spent more than $100 billion on state-run lotteries, according to According to The Economist, the poorest citizens spent huge amounts on tickets. In addition, the online sports betting market, valued at more than $100 billion, is projected to generate nearly $46 billion in revenue this year, with a user penetration rate of 3.9%.
Moreover, Robin HoodRobinhood, a commission-free investment platform popular with retail investors, saw its funded customers climb to 23.9 million and its assets under custody soar to $129.6 billion, another prime example of the hyper-financialization trend. Robinhood began to gain traction during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the hyper-financialization trend was exacerbated. For people stuck at home, the online world became their primary means of entertainment and social interaction.
Governments then injected billions of dollars into the market, encouraging people to bet their money on the markets. The subsequent surge in inflation and the weakness of the global economy further intensified this trend, with people having to bear the burden of survival.
This has led to an increased proliferation of financial structures in different spheres of life, meaning that both manufacturers and consumers are taking this route.
As we can see, cryptocurrency has grown from less than $150 billion in March 2020 to $2.7 trillion today. This explosive growth not only accelerates the trend towards the hyperfinancialization of finance with yield farming, resttaking, points, rewards and meme coins, but also that of art via NFTs, social dynamics via social tokens and platforms like Friendtech, game with play-to-win conceptsand physical assets through tokenization.
There are also prediction markets that allow people to bet on all sorts of events. These range from the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election to whether Bitcoin will hit $100,000 by the end of the year, whether Drake’s verse in “Wah Gwan Delilah” is an AI, what the opening weekend box office of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” will be, or whether the Fed will raise rates this year.
This growing trend towards hyper-financialization is detrimental to society because it widens already large wealth gaps by increasing wealth concentration and contributing to economic inequality. Not to mention that it will lead to even larger asset bubbles, a focus on the short term at the expense of the long term, and an increased interest in speculative investments.
Here, cryptography can help find a better way to address hyperfinancialization. After all, the wealth is in the middlemen, and using blockchain technology removes this third party from the equation, bringing reliability, traceability, and immutability to the market. Blockchain actually allows hyperfinancialization to be fair and transparent.
Before the advent of cryptocurrencies, not everyone was allowed to participate in markets. But through disintermediation and permissionlessness, cryptocurrencies have made markets more efficient and accessible. Not to mention, everyone gains full control over their data, mitigating the risk of data manipulation and privacy violations.
This is where Bitcoin offers the perfect solution. This decentralized peer-to-peer network enables financial inclusion and censorship resistance, which is critically important in today’s world where organizations and governments are encroaching on people’s rights. This network has a decade-and-a-half-old history behind it, providing a robust and secure platform for people to achieve financial sovereignty.
This trillion-dollar asset class also serves as a hedge against inflation, allowing holders to preserve their wealth over time. Unlike fiat currencies, which are devalued by politicians, Bitcoin’s fixed supply and decentralization protect it from such pressures, making it the perfect asset to own in a world where everyone is competing to extract value.
The largest crypto network is now also seeing experimentation, as developers and investors use it as a foundation to build a truly decentralized future of finance and value.
For so long, Bitcoin has been a low-activity blockchain, with its key role being to store value. While Bitcoin has played a passive role in the blockchain world for all these years, it has finally changed with Taproot Upgrade which brought NFTs into the Bitcoin world. Then there was a growing interest in tokenization, also from institutions like Blackrock.
This drive to expand Bitcoin’s utility has sparked a wave of innovation, and the day is not far when BTC could dethrone Ethereum as the go-to blockchain for decentralized finance. Several aspects, including Bitcoin’s robust security framework, widespread acceptance, and institutional interest, position Bitcoin at the forefront of defi innovation.
So, with these developments, Bitcoin is now evolving to begin its new era of utility and innovation after realizing its original vision of being a peer-to-peer electronic currency system.
As everything becomes a financial asset and tradable, attention, which is a scarce resource, will become even more crucial. Bitcoin has already cemented its position in the attention economy, and the newfound interest in regulatory complaints and widespread adoption of BTC to boost productivity will allow it to lead the future of digital economies. This portends a world where crypto leads the charge towards hyperfinancialization, with BTC in the driver’s seat.
So, to conclude, the resilient Bitcoin network that has spectacularly survived the test of time may have started as a means to facilitate the seamless flow of monetary value, but today, it has become a foundation of hope not only to protect against a future that is going to be super fixated on the financial aspect, but also to take advantage of it to create wealth and prosper.
Jeroen Develter
Jeroen Develter is the Chief Operating Officer at Persistence Labs and a seasoned professional in financial and tech startup environments. With a decade of international consulting, management, entrepreneurship and leadership experience, Jeroen excels at analyzing complex business cases, establishing streamlined operations and creating scalable processes. With Persistence, Jeroen oversees all product and engineering efforts and is deeply passionate about improving the adoption of Bitcoin defi, or BTCfi, and using intents to develop scalable, fast, secure and user-friendly solutions. His work at Persistence Labs addresses the significant interoperability challenges between Bitcoin L2s. In addition, Jeroen is also a co-host of the Stacked Podcast, a platform to gain knowledge about Bitcoin and cryptography from prominent Bitcoin creators.
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