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    Markets should beware the normalisation of threats

    $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 edition More

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    Maldives debt slumps after second Fitch downgrade

    $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 edition More

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    ReformDAO Announces $RFRM Token Listing on Gate.io, MEXC, and Bitget

    ReformDAO, a decentralized market maker pioneering the path towards more accessible, transparent, and equitable market-making practices, has announced the listing of its native token, $RFRM, on leading cryptocurrency exchanges Gate.io, Mexc.com and Bitget.com. Signaling a major milestone in ReformDAO’s journey to reshape the market-making landscape in the cryptocurrency industry.This strategic move follows the successful launch of ReformDAO’s innovative market-making platform, which has garnered significant attention from both the cryptocurrency community and institutional investors. The listing of $RFRM on these top-tier exchanges provides a robust foundation for the token’s liquidity and opens up broader access for traders and investors eager to participate in ReformDAO’s decentralized and community-driven approach to market making.Key Project Highlights:Reform’s money flow operates as a circular ecosystem, enhancing Total Value Locked (TVL) and thereby generating increased revenue.Users can learn more in this video$RFRM Token UtilityThe $RFRM token is the lifeblood of the ReformDAO ecosystem, providing utility and governance capabilities that are integral to the platform’s operation. Token holders are granted the ability to participate in the DAO’s governance, influencing key decisions that shape the future of ReformDAO. Additionally, $RFRM tokens can be staked to unlock various benefits, including discounts on platform services, enhanced voting power, and access to exclusive features. The DAO’s commitment to decentralization is further exemplified by its tokenomics, which are designed to incentivize long-term participation and align the interests of all ecosystem participants.Staking and rewards: The staking mechanism in Reform is designed for dedicated holders who are invested in the ecosystem’s success. To reward their commitment, greater returns are provided for those staking their tokens over extended periods. Stakers are also eligible for rewards such as higher staking yields.Governance Participation: $RFRM token holders play a crucial role in the governance of ReformDAO, with the power to vote on proposals that determine the platform’s strategic direction. This decentralized governance model ensures that the community has a voice in shaping the future of ReformDAO, fostering a more inclusive and democratic ecosystem.Buyback Mechanism: To promote long-term value, ReformDAO has implemented a buyback mechanism, where a portion of the realized profits generated from market-making activities is used to repurchase $RFRM tokens from the open market and added to the bonding treasury which are locked ranging from 1 to 5 years.$RFRM Listing DetailsCurrent ReformDAO Partnerships:ReformDAO is redefining the landscape of market making by offering a decentralized, transparent, and equitable platform that empowers projects and traders alike. With a focus on community-driven market making and advanced algorithmic trading, ReformDAO provides a robust ecosystem where all participants can benefit from fair and transparent market practices.The platform’s multi-layered treasury system, comprising the Bonding, Trading, Staking, and Operations Treasuries, ensures that liquidity is efficiently managed and profits are equitably distributed. ReformDAO’s commitment to transparency is further demonstrated by its live trading dashboard, which provides real-time insights into the platform’s market-making activities.Looking ahead, ReformDAO plans to expand its ecosystem by onboarding more projects and enhancing its algorithmic trading capabilities. The DAO is also exploring partnerships with other blockchain networks to further decentralize its operations and increase its impact on the global cryptocurrency market.For more information about ReformDAO and the $RFRM token, visit the official website or join the community on Discord and [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    How open trade saved us from a global food crisis

    $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 edition More

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    Merkle Trade, Gamified Perp DEX on Aptos, Launches TGE Sequence

    Merkle Trade, the first gamified perpetual futures decentralized exchange (DEX) based on Aptos, the secure, scalable and feature-rich Layer-1 blockchain, is introducing its Token Generation Event (TGE) Sequence, uniquely featuring both Genesis Staking and a Liquidity Bootstrapping Auction (LBA). Backed by prominent investors like Hashed and Arrington Capital, Merkle Trade is building off the success of Genesis Staking that began July 25th, to launch its LBA running from August 29th to September 5th. The LBA will offer early users exclusive USDC rewards for staking for an extended period. Merkle Trade differentiates from other perpetual DEXes with its focus on accessible and enjoyable trading for everyone, including casual traders. Users can start trading perpetual futures with as little as $2 in collateral, while enjoying gas-free transactions and a seamless user experience with order execution that doesn’t require constant signatures (i.e. 1-click trading). Its focus on user-friendly features has driven rapid growth, with Merkle Trade surpassing $12.9 billion in cumulative trading volume and attracting over 124,500 traders while becoming one of the top fee-generating protocols on Aptos.Building off this traction, the project has launched a unique Token Generation Event (TGE) Sequence, introducing Genesis Staking and the Liquidity Bootstrapping Auction (LBA) as different ways for users to engage with the platform. These options are tailored to benefit both existing users and newcomers to provide diverse strategies to secure MKL tokens, manage positions, and earn additional rewards.Genesis Staking allows preMKL holders to retain their MKL tokens while earning USDC rewards. These rewards are sourced from a portion of the protocol’s revenue and include access to a special reward pool with up to $200,000 in additional benefits. An impressive milestone has been reached with over 3 million preMKL tokens staked for an average duration of more than 20 weeks, accounting for over 22% of the circulating supply at the time of the token launch.Liquidity Bootstrapping Auction (LBA) offers an opportunity for both existing users and newcomers to deposit USDC and/or preMKL over a 7-day period, during which the ratio between the two assets will establish the initial launch price of the MKL token. In return, participants receive MKL-USDC LP tokens, which come with dual rewards, including a share of 1% of the total MKL supply and trading fees generated by the pool.Participants are encouraged to carefully evaluate their financial goals and the unique benefits of each option within the TGE Sequence. Both Genesis Staking and the LBA are designed to offer valuable opportunities, allowing users to select the path that best aligns with their individual objectives. To assist in making informed decisions, the team has provided an $MKL TGE Cheatsheet, offering clear and concise guidance on navigating these options.For more details and updates on how to participate in the LBA, users are encouraged to stay tuned to Merkle Trade’s official channels (X, Discord, dApp). About Merkle TradeMerkle Trade is the first gamified perpetual futures decentralized exchange (DEX) based on Aptos. It provides omnichain support, including EVM wallet integration via LayerZero. Backed by prominent investors like Hashed and Arrington Capital, Merkle Trade uniquely combines a high-performance, secure perpetual DEX with the engaging, social elements of popular online and RPG games. Believing that making directional bets on volatile assets like crypto should be fun for all, the platform has significantly lowered barriers to entry for crypto asset trading.About Aptos NetworkAptos is the secure, scalable, and feature-rich L1 blockchain of choice for both developers and users—delivering the best performance, the highest throughput, and lowest latency. Aptos is the first blockchain to use the Move programming language, and is designed with simplicity in mind for the best builder experience. Aptos is the top choice for next-gen use cases, real-world applications, and the millions of users that come with them. If it’s happening in Web3, it’s happening on [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    Morph and Foresight Ventures Launch $20M Ecosystem Fund for Early-Stage Consumer Blockchain Projects

    The initiative will support projects building within the Morph ecosystem through financial resources and personalized guidance, helping them achieve long-term successMorph, the global consumer layer for driving blockchain adoption for the mass markets has announced today a partnership with Foresight Ventures, establishing a $20 million Ecosystem Fund which aims to accelerate the development and deployment of consumer blockchain projects within the Morph ecosystem and the industry as a whole. The Morph Ecosystem Fund is a comprehensive program that offers early-stage consumer blockchain projects with advanced blockchain infrastructure and the necessary financial resources and guidance through the likes of capital investment, fundraising, promotional power, technical and operational expertise, and exchange listing. “Our vision is to create lasting strategic alliances that will elevate Morph’s capabilities and expand its influence,” said Cecilia Hsueh, CEO and Co-Founder of Morph.“ This program is not just about financial support; it’s about providing a holistic growth environment for pioneering consumer blockchain projects. By leveraging Morph’s advanced blockchain infrastructure and our investment expertise, we aim to drive innovation and create significant value within the Morph ecosystem.” The program will match projects one-on-one with strategic venture partners and offer fundraising support to help structure deals, secure additional funding, and navigate the complex investment landscape. Projects will be given access to Morph’s technical resources, development tools, and operational expertise and provided with co-promotion on Morph’s media channels, social platforms, and at industry events to boost their brand visibility. Forest Bai, Co-Founder of Foresight Ventures, said “We see consumer applications as the sole gateway to mass adoption and are excited to back an ecosystem so dedicated to consumers. Morph Network offers a highly practical tech stack, an ecosystem acceleration system, and unparalleled advantages in regional markets.”The Morph Ecosystem Fund will select applicants who not only offer innovative real-world consumer blockchain solutions and practical utility to the web3 and broader tech landscape but also align with Morph’s long-term strategic goals and have the potential to enhance the overall blockchain ecosystem.Consumer blockchain projects can apply for the program by visiting www.morphl2.io for more information on eligibility criteria and the application process.About MorphMorph is a fully permissionless EVM L2 that uses a combination of optimistic and zero knowledge rollup technology to enable limitless possibilities in entertainment, social, lifestyle and loyalty. Morph is the first Layer 2 on Ethereum to launch with a decentralized sequencer, aligning it with several core principles of web3—decentralization, censorship resistance, and security. The blockchain was built with mainstream audiences like gamers and social media users in mind, making it a user-friendly option for developers who require a chain to build these types of apps. Bitget, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, is an original investor in Morph that will continue to play a role amongst the other investors in shaping the Morph ecosystem.Morph’s founders bring unique backgrounds and perspectives to the company. Cecilia Hsueh, Morph’s Co-Founder and CEO, previously founded Phemex, a top global crypto derivatives exchange. Azeem Khan, Co-Founder and COO, was formerly Head of Impact at Gitcoin, where he helped lead one of the most notable grant programs in the space. Together they launched Morph to empower people who have historically been excluded by the traditional financial system.About Foresight VenturesA research-driven crypto investment & incubation powerhouse with a premier media network, serving as the most essential bridge connecting Eastern and Western ecosystems. With a track record of supporting early-stage projects and driving technological advancements, Foresight Ventures is committed to partnering with visionary projects that have the potential to reshape the future of digital finance and beyond.ContactTova KaufmannN/[email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    Ancient Bitcoin Whale Pushed to Life with 41,897% Profit Increase

    This whale has seen his BTC stash skyrocket tremendously from merely $14,202 worth of it over all those years.This difference in the fiat value of this Bitcoin lump signifies a massive 41,897% rise.Crypto community members in the comments speculated as to the reason of the wallet’s awakening at this very moment, concluding that this whale is a “diamond holder” and that they are likely to sell the dormant Bitcoin now to make some healthy profits.There have been some more massive BTC transfers reported by Whale Alert today – they were two transfers made from the largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase to unknown new wallets. Those two transfers were cumulatively worth almost $900 million. Each transaction carried 7,999 BTC, with a slight difference in the fiat equivalent – $472,800,932 and $472,800,936.Since both anonymous wallets are brand new, the market is likely witnessing the birth of two new Bitcoin whales.On Wednesday, Bitcoin experienced a staggering decline of 5.57%, falling from $62,000 to $58,650. That was followed by a rise of 2.64%, but then BTC again went down and is currently trading at $59,652.This article was originally published on U.Today More

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    German inflation falls to 2.0% in August, aiding ECB rate cuts

    BERLIN (Reuters) – German inflation fell more than expected in August, declining to its lowest level in more than three years and making it easier for the European Central Bank to cut interest rates in September.Inflation eased to 2.0% in August, its lowest level since June 2021, thanks to lower energy prices, preliminary data from the federal statistics office showed on Thursday.Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a reading of 2.3% in August, after a year-on-year increase in consumer prices of 2.6% in July, based on data harmonised to compare with other European Union countries.”People have more money in their wallets again,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday on social media platform X, noting that inflation was falling and real wages were rising for the fifth quarter in a row. “That’s good, we’ll stay tuned!” Scholz said.The German data comes ahead of the euro zone inflation release on Friday.Inflation in the bloc is expected at 2.2% in August, down from 2.6% in the previous month, according to economists polled by Reuters.”The just-released flash estimate of German inflation in August has everything the European Central Bank needs to continue cutting rates at the September meeting,” said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING. The inflation report shows the first signs of a broader disinflationary trend, which goes beyond energy prices, Brzeski said.Markets have now fully priced in an interest rate cut from the ECB at its next policy meeting next month and at least one more move later this year.In August, energy prices in Germany fell by 5.1% compared to the same month last year. The German economy shrank by 0.1% in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the previous three-month period, spurring recession fears. A technical recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth.”Fading inflationary pressure combined with fading growth momentum offer an almost perfect macro backdrop for another rate cut,” Brzeski said.Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was at 2.8% in August from 2.9% in the previous month. “That paves the way for a September rate cut, but with services inflation still sticky, the easing cycle will be gradual,” said Franziska Palmas, senior Europe economist at Capital Economics. The economic think tank forecasts the central bank will cut rates only once every quarter, until the deposit rate reaches 2.5%.Economists expect a bumpy ride ahead for inflation.”From now on things are unfortunately on the up again,” said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, adding that the inflation rate is likely to move back towards 3% in the next six to 12 months. More