Cryptocurrency

Pi Squared, (Proof of Proof), announced the closure of their first capital raise. Led by Polychain Capital, the syndicate includes ABCDE, Bloccelerate, Generative Ventures, Robot Ventures, and Samsung (KS:005930) Next. Angel investors include Shumo Chu, Harish Devarajan, Justin Drake, Sreeram Kanaan, Csongor Kiss, George Lambeth, Yilong Li, Calvin Liu, Lucian Mincu, Karthik Raju, and Common Prefix.Using zero-knowledge (ZK) technology in a correct-by-construction and fundamentally unique way, Pi Squared will enable trustless remote computing, AI, and interoperable smart contracts for any blockchain or dApp. This will be made possible through the creation of a universal and disarmingly small ZK circuit that checks the integrity of mathematical proofs, which will provide verifiable-computing correctness guarantees to all languages and virtual machines (VMs) alike directly from their formal semantics, without any translation to a common language, VM, or instruction set architecture (ISA).UniversalityComputations can be expressed in any high-level or virtual machine language, without the need for compilers or translators.Provable correctnessComputations verified by the USL are mathematically proven to be correct, and any external entity can independently verify the correctness of the state of the USL.Trust Base MinimalityUSL exposes any trust assumptions in upper-layer computations for increased transparency, end-user awareness, and will minimize the trust base through correctness proofs.App InteroperabilityThe USL will support interoperability between different application modules and networks (e.g. appchains). Determinism and reproducibilityThe validation is reproducible and independently verifiable by any external entity.Pi Squared’s USL therefore provides end-to-end correctness guarantees for generic computations while minimizing the trust base underlying these computations. USL promotes verifiable computing as the standard distributed computing paradigm without requiring or promoting particular domain-specific languages (DSLs), VMs, or execution environments, all while being efficient and scalable.Pi Squared will be presenting and exhibiting at events around EthCC in Brussels from July 8th to 11th. Attendees can listen to Pi Squared’s CEO, Grigore Roșu, speak at Restaking & Infra Day on July 8th and L2con on July 9th.About Pi SquaredPi Squared means ZK proofs of mathematical proofs. Pi Squared uses ZK technology in a correct-by-construction and fundamentally unique way. A universal and disarmingly small ZK circuit provides verifiable-computing correctness guarantees to all languages and VMs alike, without any translation to a common language, VM, or ISA. Pi Squared is led by UIUC professor Grigore Rosu, founder of the K framework and of Runtime Verification, and consists of researchers and founders of successful projects in formal methods, blockchain, and AI/ML.To book a meeting with Pi Squared’s CEO and team, attendees can reach out to contact@pi2.network. To learn more about Pi Squared’s vision and Proof of Proof, visit pi2.network and follow Pi Squared on social media.ContactHead of MarketingChris HazeltonPi Squared Incmedia@pi2.networkThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

SendBlocks, a pioneering startup in blockchain data management, announced today that it is coming out of stealth mode with $8.2 million in seed funding led by Castle Island Ventures with several other institutional investors including Pitango, Illuminate Financial, Laser Digital (Nomura), Starkware and notable ecosystem leaders.SendBlocks makes accessing blockchain data simple. The SendBlocks platform is fully customizable allowing blockchain enterprises, ecosystems, protocols and applications to define the data that matters to them, and leave it to SendBlocks to sift through the blockchain to find their nuggets. As high throughput blockchains emerge, many new use cases for blockchain-based applications are becoming evident thanks to better usability and cheaper transaction cost. “At the end of the day we want to create a reality in which any developer can access any blockchain data they desire, without needing an entire data team or spending thousands of dollars per data need to do so,” shares Itay Shrem, Co-founder & CEO.Existing clients (that can be disclosed) include Bancor and SphereX who have already benefited from SendBlocks’ innovative solution, experiencing streamlined operations and cost savings. With more and more high throughput blockchains emerging, SendBlocks is positioning itself to become the leading data management platform.The challenges with data management in web3While in traditional web2 development, backend engineers build and access databases directly; in the blockchain ecosystem, the blockchain itself acts as the backend, accessed through RPC (NYSE:RES) calls. Resulting in two major challenges:Enter SendBlocks“We believe that starting out in web3 shouldn’t necessitate an extensive data team and that infrastructure costs should align with the application’s user base rather than the blockchain’s throughput,” says Michael Kellner, Co-founder & CTO. “Merley scaling the blockchain isn’t sufficient; the entire stack must be scalable to support the next generation of applications,” he adds.SendBlocks’ innovative approach addresses these challenges head-on. Shrem and Kellner, having spent over a decade each in Talpiot are now leveraging their experience in building secure and resilient infrastructures.SendBlocks aims to significantly reduce backend and indexing efforts for blockchain developers while maintaining flexibility and robustness by consolidating the conventional indexer/RPC process into a single, user-friendly platform. Some simple use cases of the SendBlocks platform have already been a game changer for clients, such as flexible historical data access and fully personalized notifications. By providing customers access to anything happening on-chain, SendBlocks helps developers save billions of API queries, resulting in leaner data teams, regardless of the underlying blockchain.“Current data management solutions and indexers just don’t support fast blockchains,” explains Shrem, “we’re building with scale and ease in mind to ensure ecosystems enjoy engagement and retention” he adds.“By providing enterprises, ecosystems and protocols easy access to on-chain data, SendBlocks enables customers to save tens of thousands of dollars per month in development costs and reduce time to market from months to weeks,” says Sean Judge, General Manager of Castle Island Ventures which led the round. “Itay and Michael’s cyber-security and cryptographic backgrounds make them the perfect duo to deliver on their vision to change the way businesses manage their blockchain data” he adds.With the funds SendBlocks will continue to grow out it’s R&D team to support existing and future clients as well as scale its marketing and sales efforts to attract top protocols and ecosystems.Shrem and Kellner lead a strong team of 9, all coming from notorious web2 enterprises such as Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), AWS and Talpiot intelligence unit as well as web3 orgs such as Bancor and Algorand. Kellner holds a Masters in post-quantum cryptography and Shrem specializes in network coding and security.About SendBlocksSendBlocks is a pioneering blockchain data management startup that simplifies access to blockchain data through a fully customizable platform. Emerging from stealth mode with $8.2 million in seed funding led by Castle Island Ventures, SendBlocks addresses the challenges of data flexibility and scalability in high-throughput blockchains. By enabling enterprises, ecosystems, and applications to define and access the data they need, SendBlocks eliminates the need for extensive in-house data teams or expensive, outsourced, solutions per data point.ContactCEOOmri HurwitzOmri Hurwitz Mediaomri@omrihurwitz.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Ethos plans to extend Ethereum’s existing validation functionality to confirm a user’s credibility on-chain, something Ethos calls “social validation”Ethos, the decentralized social (DeSo) application bringing reputation and credibility on-chain, today announces the close of its $1.75M funding round led by a collective group of prominent web3 angel investors including Bharat Krymo, James Hall, 0xQuit, Tre, Dingaling, Sighduck, Dragos, 0xMakesy, Zeneca, and others. The round will be used to finalize the Ethos product before going live on Base later this summer. Founded in 2023, Ethos Network is a credibility protocol that encourages users to stake their Ethereum in other people, enabling crypto participants to understand who they can trust in web3. Ethos participants will receive credibility scores, similar to credit scores but for social capital, and the determination of a user’s credibility score will be decided by Ethos’s most active and credible users.Ethos can be used across all industries whether it be DeFi, NFTs, trading, gaming, community building, DAOs, etc. About Ethos: Ethos is a decentralized social (DeSo) application bringing reputation and credibility on-chain. It allows users to stake their Ethereum in other people so crypto participants understand who they can trust in web3. ContactMargaretEthosMargaret@mhconsulting.ioThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Cartesi, a modular execution layer protocol that equips developers with access to a full Linux environment, and Avail, a modular blockchain framework designed to unify web3 and optimize data availability (DA) for scalable and customizable applications, are pleased to announce a close collaboration set to significantly advance web3 development.This integration will offer a seamless and intuitive experience for developers by leveraging Cartesi’s RISC-V Linux-based execution capabilities and Avail’s reliable data availability solution, Avail DA. The user-friendly approach will simplify the complexities of decentralized application development, enabling faster and more efficient project deployment.The modular stack allows both protocols to combine their unique properties, resulting in a robust protocol that is more powerful compared to monolithic stacks where all functionalities are integrated. In this sense, the Cartesi-Avail integration will enable developers to benefit from the increased computational power and flexible programming environment of the Cartesi stack, while also utilizing the enhanced data availability capabilities of Avail DA.Cartesi equips developers with access to a full Linux environment through its native virtual machine, and high-performance rollups designed to support next-generation dApps. By bridging the gap between traditional software and blockchain, Cartesi enables developers to create more sophisticated and scalable dApps with ease. Avail DA offers secure data availability guarantees for entire networks of blockchains, enabling them to scale efficiently and in an unlimited capacity. Using validity proofs with data availability sampling provides robust security and enhanced scalability for blockchain applications. About Cartesi: Cartesi is a powerful modular blockchain protocol that supercharges the web3 space. Cartesi equips developers with access to a full Linux environment through its native virtual machine, and high-performance rollups designed to support next-generation dApps. To learn more about Cartesi, users can visit https://cartesi.io/About Avail:Avail is led by Polygon’s former co-founder Anurag Arjun and is building a unification layer to solve rollup fragmentation at scale. Avail addresses this from first principles solving blockchain scalability with Avail DA, a foundational DA layer which implements the same technology planned for Ethereum’s danksharding roadmap, including KZG Commitments and Data Availability Sampling (DAS). Avail Nexus addresses growing fragmentation concerns with permissionless interoperability, leveraging proof aggregation on Avail’s scalable DA layer. Avail’s security is then reinforced with multi-asset staking through Avail Fusion.availproject.orgUsers can learn more about Avail on Discord, Twitter, GitHub, Our BlogContactPR ManagerLindsay (NYSE:LNN) StrebelBlokhaus Inc.lindsay.strebel@blokhaus.ioThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

The term “19b-4” refers to a specific rule under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that outlines the process for reviewing and approving applications for certain types of ETFs. Simply put, it establishes the formal procedure and requirements for filing applications related to ETFs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating the SEC’s evaluation process.Hashdex, known for its previous attempt at a spot Ethereum ETF, withdrew its proposal amid a competitive landscape. Now, the fund is shifting to a combined Bitcoin-Ethereum approach, allocating 70.54% to BTC and 29.46% to ETH. To ensure secure custody of these assets, Hashdex plans to partner with Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) Custody Trust Company and Bitcoin Trust.Investors better be watching this development closely, viewing it as a potential milestone in bridging traditional financial markets with the crypto sector.As the SEC’s “decision clock starts ticking,” industry experts like Nate Geraci anticipate heightened interest and scrutiny leading up to the expected approval date.This article was originally published on U.Today More

Lif3.com (LIF3/USD)(LIF3/USDt), the revolutionary omni-chain DeFi Layer-1 ecosystem that operates on Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Chain, and Fantom through LayerZero bridging, is thrilled to announce its premier partnership with evmOS to launch the world’s first Layer-1 solution, “Lif3 Chain” designed for public permissionless use with curated contract deployment. The partnership sets a new standard in blockchain technology, DeFi safety, allowing for seamless, secure, and efficient deployment of smart contracts while maintaining the highest levels of transparency and accessibility. The evmOS integration marks a further milestone in the evolution of decentralized applications, allowing opportunities for developers and enterprises worldwide.Lif3.com is revolutionizing the blockchain industry with its omni-chain DeFi ecosystem and curated Layer-1 blockchain, now enhanced by their pioneering partnership with evmOS to launch the world’s first public, permissionless use Layer-1 solution with curated contract deployment. The self-custody Lif3 Wallet, available on the App Store and Google Play, empowers users by unlocking the full potential of Web3, transforming consumer DeFi, Gaming, iGaming, music, entertainment, and more.($LIF3) is currently listed on Bitfinex, Bitmart, and MEXC.For more information on LIF3, users can contact:Email: media@lif3.comX | Telegram | Discord | News and UpdatesLogos and brandingUsers can explore Lif3 Chain Mainnet Preview with Blockscout: Lif3 Blockscout portal https://lif3scout.com/About Quantum Fintech GroupQuantum Fintech Group is a private investment group founded in 2020, and is focused on providing superior returns in the alternative asset space focusing specifically on blockchain investments.X: https://x.com/quantumftgAbout evmOSevmOS is an interoperable EVM blockchain designed for cross-chain dApp development.With groundbreaking roadmap features, such as Outposts and the evmOS dApp Store, evmOS allows developers to take advantage of the IBC and connect their smart contracts to the interchain ecosystem. The evmOS chain is built with evmOS and remains its flagship demonstration.evmOS is a production-ready modular solution designed to bring EVM compatibility to web3 businesses. Built with Cosmos SDK, evmOS comes with IBC, CometBFT and enables projects to fully customize their chain logic and go beyond standard generic smart contract platforms. With continuous upgrades and maintenance, evmOS empowers anyone to deliver unmatched experiences with their EVM blockchains.Helpful ResourcesevmOS dApp Store | Website | Developer DocumentationDiscord | GitHub | X | Telegram | Blog | CareersContactMedia RelationsChantel EllowayLif3 Labs Limitedmedia@lif3.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Web3 data platform Archisinal has announced a collaboration with the Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Lab (UBA IALAB) of the University of Buenos Aires. The entities have partnered to develop a Polkadot-based project that will revamp the UBA law facilities.Archisinal will work with UBA’s Web3, Blockchain & IA Lab to apply blockchain technology to design and urbanism. Students, architects, and members of the academic community who wish to be part of the project are invited to participate in a contest to transform the faculty’s Hearing Room into a smart classroom.Through its blockchain platform, Archisinal will leverage Polkadot’s blockchain framework and oversee the contest. It will determine the steps required to execute the work and conduct the project with the aid of collective financing delivered using blockchain.The project will serve as a pilot for Archisinal to validate the value behind its project, allowing it to prove its MVP in a university and collaborative environment. The initiative provides an exemplary use case for blockchain’s application within the academic sector. It will drive and promote community aid within Buenos Aires while contributing to the maintenance and refurbishment of public infrastructure.The University of Buenos Aires has already begun exploring the benefits of applied blockchain technology through its Web3, Blockchain & AI Lab. Archisinal, which is deeply rooted in the Polkadot ecosystem, will build upon this foundation and identify new applications for blockchain technology at UBA.In January 2023, UBA IALAB, together with adLIB! and its Director Marina Marchesotti, established a partnership with Polkadot Blockchain Academy. This academic proposal, created by Dr. Gavin Wood, held its second edition at the UBA Faculty of Law. The partnership with Polkadot Blockchain Academy has brought numerous benefits to the academic and Polkadot communities through their continuous and close collaboration.Archisinal’s collaboration with UBA will provide the impetus for a number of future university initiatives that are in the pipeline. Recent winners of a scholarship program from Decentralized Futures of the Web3 Foundation, Archisinal have won three hackathons in 2024.The partnership between UBA IALAB and Archisinal will serve as a case study for blockchain implementation, aiding academic research and developing future industry leaders. In the process, it will add value to law students by creating a technological and innovative space at one of Argentina’s leading educational institutions.About ArchisinalArchisinal is a pioneer in interactions with real-world assets in the built environment. Through leveraging blockchain and AI, Archisinal eliminates the need for trust by democratizing data. Archisinal enables developers and collaborating parties to easily monitor and interact with Real-World Assets (RWAs) with full transparency, aiding accountability, transparency and dispute resolution.Learn more: https://www.archisinal.io/About University of Buenos AiresThe University of Buenos Aires is a public research university situated in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Established in 1821, it has educated 17 Argentine presidents, produced four of the country’s five Nobel Prize laureates, and is responsible for around 40% of the country’s research output.Learn more: https://www.uba.ar/ContactFounderThomas HumberArchisinaltom@archisinal.ioThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Athena Ins is transforming the decentralized insurance landscape with its advanced protocol, providing users with the means to insure against decentralized finance (DeFi) risks. This innovative platform allows individuals to subscribe to insurance coverage protecting their DeFi investments from various threats, including hacking, smart contract vulnerabilities, and stablecoin instability.Unlike traditional insurers, Athena Ins operates through smart contracts, eliminating the need for centralized intermediaries and ensuring transparency and decentralization. Users can easily secure their deposits on DeFi protocols and receive compensation in the event of a covered incident, marking a significant advancement in DeFi safety and maturity.Key Features of Athena InsSeveral characteristics distinguish Athena Ins in the decentralized insurance market:Athena Ins has partnered with Angle, a DeFi protocol funded by A16Z, to enhance investor security. Thanks to this strategic partnership, Angle users can benefit from innovative insurance offered by Athena Ins, providing protection against the risk of depegging of Angle’s native stablecoin, USDA.ATEN: The Token at the Heart of the Athena Ins Ecosystem with Multiple BenefitsAt the center of the Athena Ins ecosystem is ATEN, a versatile native token that plays an essential role in the functioning and evolution of the protocol. Much more than just a cryptocurrency, ATEN gives its holders real decision-making power and significant influence over the platform.ATEN holders are the main actors in Athena Ins governance. Through a democratic and transparent voting system, they have the power to shape the future of the protocol by actively participating in strategic decisions.From adjusting technical parameters to allocating reserve funds and major updates, every vote counts in building an ever more efficient decentralized insurance ecosystem tailored to the community’s needs.A Key Role in the Insurance Coverage LifecycleATEN is essential for creating new insurance contracts on the platform. Furthermore, ATEN holders actively participate in incident management processes. They assess and validate compensation claims, ensuring fair and transparent claim processing.A Deflationary Economic Model for Sustainable ValueThe Athena Ins protocol incorporates an ingenious burning mechanism that regulates the circulating supply of ATEN. During incident settlements,a deductible is collected on each refund to buy tokens and permanently remove them from the market by destroying them, creating deflationary pressure on the overall supply.This approach aims to support ATEN’s long-term value and align the interests of holders with the platform’s growth and stability.ATEN’s economic model has been meticulously designed to support sustainable and balanced growth of the Athena Ins ecosystem. A total of 3 billion tokens will be progressively circulated, strategically distributed among various stakeholders.The team, ecosystem, liquidity, advisors, reward programs, as well as presale and public sale investors, all play a crucial role in the protocol’s development and mass adoption. With transparent and fair tokenomics, Athena Ins lays the foundations for a thriving and sustainable decentralized insurance ecosystem.Arbitrum Blockchain at the Core of DeploymentAlthough Athena Ins aspires to adopt a multi-chain approach, the protocol was initially deployed on the Arbitrum blockchain. This initial integration with one of the most mature and developed DeFi ecosystems facilitates the protocol’s adoption and accessibility.Ethereum users can thus benefit from Athena Ins insurance coverage while keeping their assets on this leading blockchain. Other major blockchains like BNB Chain and Polygon have also been integrated.Successful Presale and Future PlansAthena Ins completed a public presale raising $375,000, with a second public token sale planned. While ATEN is not yet listed on any exchange, plans are in place for future listings.ConclusionWith its intelligent decentralized insurance system and versatile ATEN token, Athena Ins stands out as a key player in DeFi. Its innovative approach promises to make crypto investments safer and democratize access to on-chain insurance products.About Athena InsAthena Ins is a decentralized insurance protocol designed to protect DeFi investments against hacking, stablecoin depegging, and smart contract vulnerabilities. Built on the EVM blockchain, Athena Ins eliminates intermediaries, automating claims management through smart contracts. Athena Ins stands as a comprehensive solution to DeFi security challenges, offering innovative and transparent decentralized insurance. Its dynamic pricing, flexibility for liquidity providers, and robust risk management make it a vital player in the DeFi ecosystem. Join Athena Ins for secure and peace-of-mind investing in the DeFi sector. For more information, user can visit www.athenains.io.ContactMedia teamAthena Inscontact@athenains.ioThis article was originally published on Chainwire More