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    Aleph Zero Launches Alephoria: Exciting Airdrops, Tournaments, and Rewards Await Users

    Alephoria invites web3 users to the Aleph Zero ecosystem with an interactive initiative of campaigns as projects launchAleph Zero–the privacy-oriented layer 1 blockchain–is gearing up for a surge of new users with its Alephoria campaign. Newcomers can look forward to airdrops and other promotional activities as they join the expanding ecosystem. Dozens of teams are actively developing groundbreaking solutions on Aleph Zero, spanning DeFi, web3 identity, liquid staking, RWA tokenization, content creation, and gaming, among other areas. At the heart of this innovation is Aleph Zero–a blazingly-fast blockchain that enables all these advancements through its modular and compliant approach to ZK privacy. The network offers instant transaction finally with subsecond speeds, powered by AlephBFT, its proprietary consensus mechanism that integrates Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) technology with Proof of Stake. Moreover, its data confidentiality engine skillfully balances transparency with data protection, aligning with AML/CFT regulations. These fundamental features make Aleph Zero an attractive platform for users, developers, enterprises and regulators worldwide.Staking AZERO offers users the opportunity to earn rewards directly in AZERO coins for participating in the network. For a quick start to staking, users can refer to the concise guide available now. Additionally, AZERO serves as users’ gateway to Alephoria, offering them the chance to participate in significant ecosystem-wide airdrop campaigns from various projects. The campaign will reward participants who are active in staking, both before and throughout the duration of the campaign, with the rewards increasing the longer one participates, based on the daily average of their stake during each round.Simultaneously, Common LP Drops will start rewarding users engaged in liquidity farming. These Drops are non-transferable initially but will be redeemable for CMN—the platform’s token—once it launches, aligning with Common’s vision of enhancing trading efficiency and confidentiality across its multi-chain DeFi suite.About Aleph ZeroAleph Zero is a layer 1 blockchain engineered for speed, data confidentiality, and ease of development. It achieves efficiencies akin to conventional web2 systems, upholds rigorous standards for data protection via ZKP and MPC, and offers a comprehensive toolset for WASM-based web3 development in Rust. Aleph Zero’s versatility is highlighted by over 40 use cases being actively developed, showcasing its adaptability across various sectors and applications. These use cases are part of an engaged community and growing ecosystem of web3 applications that are supported by Aleph Zero programs.For more information, users can visit Aleph Zero’s website or follow Aleph Zero’s Twitter.ContactPR SpecialistAna LezamaAleph [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    XRP Slammed by Max Keiser as ‘Made to Steal Billions From Fools’

    Besides, Keiser also revealed why millions of people are swapping their fiat money for Tether’s USDT.In a recent tweet, Keiser once again stated that he expects XRP to continue declining to zero against Bitcoin.He went even further when he stated that XRP was created by Brad (Garlinghouse), the Ripple CEO, “to steal billions from witless fools.” Keiser chose not to mention that XRP emerged several years before Garlinghouse took the chief executive position at Ripple Labs.He then explained why a lot of people are changing their fiat coins into USDT, which runs on multiple chains, including Tron and Ethereum, to get access to banking services. “Millions of people swap their fiat money for Tether because they don’t have bank accounts or access to banking services,” he tweeted, and “they use Tether like USD.”Over the past 24 hours, Tether has issued a whopping $1 billion worth of stablecoins on the Tron chain. In the past year, 31 billion USDT have been emitted by this company on both Tron and Ethereum, according to a tweet published by the @lookonchain analytics X handle.However, Keiser’s support for Tether may be explained by the fact that recently Tether started to allocate part of its profits to buying BTC.Keiser is positive that these actions are killing the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency “by issuing a fake version that millions use and putting the interest from investing in US Treasuries into Bitcoin.”This article was originally published on U.Today More

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    Minutes from Fed’s May meeting to show members leaning hawkish: BofA

    “The minutes from the May FOMC meeting should sound more hawkish on the margin than Chair Powell’s press conference,” BofA said in a Friday note. At the May Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Fed members voted to keep rates unchanged and Powell, at the press conference that follow the decision, suggested that the next move is unlikely to be a rate hike.  “I think it’s unlikely that the next policy rate move will be a hike. I’d say it’s unlikely,” Powell said at the FOMC press conference on May 1.In the wake of concerns that disinflation could be stalling however, others on the committee were “more concerned about whether policy was doing enough,” BofA added. “Hence, the tone of the minutes may come off slightly more hawkish.”But recent data — including the April consumer inflation data showing a more rapid slowing in price pressures than expected and April retail sales that came in softer than expected — indicate that the “bar for hikes is high, though cuts are still a way off.”About 50% of traders expect the Fed to cut rates in September, according to Investing.com’s Fed Rate Monitor Tool.While signs of slowing inflation were welcomed, services inflation is still running too hot, but that not only points to signs of “robust” demand, BofA says, but knocks back some concerns that stagflation could be resurfacing.””We reject it [the stagflation narrative],” BofA added, we see signs that services inflation is being driven by robust demand.”In the weeks that followed the Apr.30 – May 1 meeting, Fed members have been adamant that rates will have to remain higher for longer to ensure inflation is on sustainable path toward slowing to the 2% target, while others haven’t a ruled out a possible hike. Fed Gov. Bowman said on Friday that she would be willing to back a hike if disinflation stalls, or reverses, added that she was monitoring data to evaluate whether policy was sufficiently restrictive. “While the current stance of monetary policy appears to be at a restrictive level, I remain willing to raise the target range for the federal funds rate at a future meeting should the incoming data indicate that progress on inflation has stalled or reversed,” Bowman said.Others, however, while less vocal about the potential for hike, echoed the current wait and see approach from the Fed to gauge whether slowing inflation in the April report would continue in the months ahead.  While acknowledging that the Fed isn’t yet there on its goal to bring inflation down to 2%, Atlantic Fed President Raphael Bostic said Thursday that his current outlook is for an ongoing fall in inflation, which would make appropriate to cut rates later in the year, but cautioned that nothing is locked in.”I now believe that it will take longer to reach our 2% goal than I previously thought,” St. Louis Federal Reserve president said Thursday, adding that further monitoring of incoming data will be needed.  More

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    Outer Edge Riyadh Wraps Up Web3 Forum Connecting Tech Enthusiasts, Creators and Creatives from All Over the World in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    The opening keynote speech, given by his H.R.H Prince Faisal bin Bandar Bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, was an accolade to gamers, creatives and tech enthusiasts everywhere.Joshua Kriger, co-founder of Edge of Company and Outer Edge, and co-host of Edge of NFT podcast said in the opening ceremony, “The soul of innovation lives within the DNA of the population of the Kingdom and those of you in the room. This is not a conference, this is not a summit, this is a forum. A forum is a gathering where ideas and views are exchanged”. Outer Edge – Riyadh, being one of the first gatherings in the Kingdom to showcase the promise of Web3 and the opportunities that exist within, provides a glimpse into decentralization, blockchain and digital economies. Some of the forum’s notable guests included representatives from the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. In addition, showcased speakers included Paul Pacifico, CEO of The Saudi Music Commission, Malak Alqhtani, CEO and Founder for Valar Club, Michael Figge, Chief Creative Officer of Yuga Labs, Krista Kim, Artist & CEO of Krista Kim Studio and 0Studio.ai, Pierina Merino, Founder and CEO of Flickplay, Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands, Calvin Zhou, Co-Founder of Shrapnel, Salwa Radwi, Founder of Nuqtah, Erick Pulier, Vatom Founder and CEO, Amanda Cassat, Founder and CEO of Serotonin, Yasser N Al Obaidan, Chairman of Jawraa, Sebastien Borget, Co-Founder and COO of The Sandbox. The full list of speakers can be found here.Key partners taking part in the conference included myco, a Web3 video streaming, funding, production and distribution platform, READYgg, operating the world’s leading blockchain gaming ecosystem, Orbit Startups, a Global VC firm focused on breakthrough tech startups. Takadao, offering Shariah-Compliant community-owned savings and community-owned life insurance solutions, Tharawat Technology, a Riyadh-based computer security service company, Nuqtah, Saudi based NFT marketplace and start-up. WNDR, a platform that transforms any device into a portal to an exceptional console, Motorverse, bringing the experience of vehicle ownership to the digital, Flickplay, destination to unlock your favorite digital characters. Hadera, offering performance, security and compliance for tokenized economies, GOQii, cutting-edge tech and expertise in fitness and wellness, Detecon, a leader in tech consultancy, ApeChain, driving web3 culture and innovation; Slingshot Dao, the epitome of community-governed innovation, droppTV, a pioneer in Web3 solutions, and global accelerator VC for Web3 startups Foundership. Full list of partners can be found here.Users can check out full clips, images and highlights from the event here.About Edge of CompanyThe Edge Of Company is a pioneering emerging technology media, event, and advisory venture dedicated to pushing technological boundaries and redefining human potential. With focuses on Web3, technology, and culture, the Edge Of Company aims to bridge the gap between these domains, fostering innovation, collaboration, and exploration. Projects include their event series, Outer Edge, as well top podcasts Edge of NFT and Edge of AI. With over 120k combined subscribers, both podcasts can be found on YouTube, Spotify (NYSE:SPOT), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Podcasts, Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Podcasts, as well as major streaming channels via Defiance Media and more.ContactSharifa AlBadoOuter [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    MetaLend Introduces Cross-Chain Crypto Trading on Ronin Network

    MetaLend, a crypto trading platform for Web3 gaming assets, has announced its latest update: cross-chain trading on the Ronin ecosystem. This new innovative feature gives users the ability to trade gaming assets on Ethereum, Polygon, and the Binance Smart Chain. After launching as the exclusive DeFi partner of the Ronin Chain in 2023, MetaLend is thrilled to now be expanding across chains. Following the sentiment, “gamers are the new traders,” MetaLend continues to work toward its mission to effortlessly merge Web3 gaming with crypto investing. The Gateway to Crypto InvestmentGaming is proving to be a solid entry point to the world of crypto investing, with many gamers transitioning from gaming to crypto trading. Interestingly, gaming stands as the most prominent use case for crypto wallets, with the majority of active wallets being used for gaming purposes. Despite this significant user base, there has been a notable absence of exchange and trading platforms specifically tailored for gamers. The appeal of earning, trading, and owning unique in-game assets is what leads gamers to explore the broader possibilities within the crypto space. This trend highlights the potential of gaming in driving mass adoption of crypto, making MetaLend’s platform an ideal gateway for newcomers looking to venture into crypto trading. Opening Doors for the Ronin Community and Crypto Investors Although crypto gaming is still in its early stages, it’s in a position to see positive growth in 2024 and beyond as traditional gamers are becoming more interested in the space. That being said, MetaLend’s cross-chain trading platform offers investors a unique opportunity to capitalize on this burgeoning market. For the Ronin Community, this expansion presents a golden opportunity to trade gaming assets for popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, enhancing liquidity and broadening investment horizons within a specialized trading environment. Welcoming Collaborators Moreover, MetaLend’s capabilities extend beyond individual users, they’re ideal for B2B gaming collaborations. The platform’s flexibility for listing tokens and facilitating partnerships creates new opportunities, connecting gaming developers and platforms in a thriving ecosystem. By offering flexible token listing capabilities, developers can showcase their unique tokens, promoting diversity and expanding in-game assets available to users. About Ronin Ronin is an EVM-compatible blockchain designed for gaming. Developed by Sky Mavis, the same creators behind the leading blockchain game Axie Infinity, Ronin has achieved remarkable success by scaling a single game to accommodate millions of daily active users. About MetaLend Founded by Sudjeev Singh and Nikhil Bhardwaj, MetaLend is a specialized trading platform for gamers, offering innovative solutions for trading, earning, and borrowing against gaming tokens and NFTs. With users owning over $135M in gaming assets and $10M deposited for yield generation and loans, MetaLend is a trusted name in the crypto gaming landscape. As the exclusive DeFi partner of the Ronin Chain and backed by a $5M seed round from Pantera Capital and Collab+Currency, MetaLend continues to innovate, creating a close link between gaming and crypto trading. For more information, users can visit the MetaLend website and follow the platform’s X and Discord to stay up-to-date on new announcements. MetaLend is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.ContactJamie [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    China moves to revive stricken property sector

    Standard DigitalWeekend Print + Standard Digitalwasnow $75 per monthComplete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.What’s included Global news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts10 monthly gift articles to shareGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionEverything in PrintWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisPlusEverything in Premium DigitalEverything in Standard DigitalGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresFirstFT newsletterVideos & PodcastsFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit app10 gift articles per monthExclusive FT analysisPremium newslettersFT Digital Edition10 additional gift articles per monthMake and share highlightsFT WorkspaceMarkets data widgetSubscription ManagerWorkflow integrationsOccasional readers go freeVolume discountFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Standard DigitalFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Premium Digital More

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    A misguided move on Chinese tariffs

    Unlock the US Election Countdown newsletter for freeThe stories that matter on money and politics in the race for the White HouseWith six months to go until the presidential election, Joe Biden showed this week that he is willing to put America’s longstanding championship of free trade further on the line in order to prevent Donald Trump from returning to the White House. On Tuesday, his administration unleashed a series of protectionist measures, designed to court blue-collar workers and nurture America’s industrial base. This included a quadrupling of the tariff rate on Chinese electric vehicle imports, doubling the levy on solar cells and more than tripling the fee on Chinese lithium-ion EV batteries. At this stage, any political gains are unclear. But for America and the world, it will probably do more harm than good.Biden’s $18bn of additional trade tariffs on Chinese goods builds on the $300bn slapped down under Trump. The new 100 per cent levy on EVs carries more bark than bite, since the US imports just 2 per cent from China. But the tariffs will raise costs for battery makers, which are already struggling with expenses. Other manufacturers will be pinched by higher input costs. In the long-run, the tariff ratchet insulates American industry from competition, stymying innovation and raising costs for consumers. That is before considering any retaliation from China, which dominates supply chains essential to America’s economy.The administration would argue that heavily subsidised Chinese exports are a threat to its efforts to nurture US-made green and strategic technologies, under its Inflation Reduction Act and Chips Act. There is a certain logic to that, but lumping on tariffs is not the answer. First, investments under the IRA and Biden’s Chip Act, which seek to boost American semiconductor production, are also throttled by skills shortages, lengthy permitting processes and political uncertainty. Second, global supply chains are notoriously nimble. After earlier US efforts to block cheap solar panels, some Chinese firms began rerouting panels via south-east Asia. This raises the question of how well America enforces rules for transshipped and lightly processed Chinese goods from third countries.The political logic may also, unfortunately, drive Washington towards even more tariffs: Trump has already said he would put a 200 per cent levy on Chinese automotives produced in Mexico. Biden’s move pressures Europe to follow suit too, lest it face a flood of redirected Chinese products. This threatens to spread the ills of tariffs farther and wider.The measures are a blow to the green transition at home and potentially abroad. With households already pressed by the high cost of living, lower prices for EVs and solar panels now look like a missed opportunity.As for concerns over unfair trade and any national security risks, Biden could have laid out conditions for his actions. Beijing has pursued a cocktail of protectionist measures to tilt trade in its favour. But it seems there is nothing China has been called to do to comply that would produce a lowering of tariffs. Biden’s catch-all approach risks turning a pragmatic policy of de-risking into a dangerous one of decoupling.But this is mostly about optics. Biden’s approval ratings, particularly faith in his handling of the economy, are slipping. The tariffs are targeted at appeasing voters in industrial heartlands, including Pennsylvania and Michigan — both swing states. The measures risk turning the election campaign into a bidding war on China hawkishness, which Trump has made his own. Biden’s flurry of support for manufacturing could, however, rally support from uncertain voters and help him edge out a second Trump presidency that some say could be more capricious than the first. Even so, it is regrettable that global growth and progress on climate change has to be held hostage in the process.Have your sayJoe Biden vs Donald Trump: tell us how the 2024 US election will affect you More

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    Fed Chair Powell tests positive for COVID-19, working from home

    Powell “plans to deliver commencement remarks to Georgetown Law School on May 19 via prerecorded video,” the statement said. “Chair Powell tested positive for COVID-19 late yesterday and is experiencing symptoms.” He is working from home and staying away from others, the statement said, following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  More