Cryptocurrency

During his most recent appearance in a Saipan court, Julian Assange reached a plea agreement that ended his 14-year legal battle. After being freed by a U.S. court under the terms of the plea agreement, Assange arrived in Australia. On Wednesday, just after the 52-year-old entered a guilty plea to an espionage charge in a Saipan court, his plane touched down in Canberra.Because of the judge’s decision Assange was free to leave. Judge Manglona said It seems that he will be able to leave the court room a free man with this pronouncement. Assange had taken a private plane from the U.K. to Saipan, which he was forced to pay for once the plea agreement was reached. Luckily he was able to receive over £300,000 in fiat donations and $500,000 in Bitcoin donations from an anonymous whale very quickly. Speaking to the court, Assange stated that he thought his charges under the Espionage Act went against his First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. He did admit,though, that it might be illegal to pressure sources to reveal classified material for publication. Assange must delete the material he gave to WikiLeaks in accordance with the terms of the plea deal.This article was originally published on U.Today More

Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, announces that Bybit Card brings its customers Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Pay, a safer, more secure and private way to pay that helps customers avoid handing their payment card to someone else, touching physical buttons or exchanging cash — and uses the power of iPhone to protect every transaction.Customers can hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, taxis, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places.Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web in Safari without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information. Apple Pay makes it easier to pay for food and grocery deliveries, online shopping, transportation, and parking, among other things. Apple Pay can also be used to make payments in apps on Apple Watch. Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.Apple Pay can be set on an iPhone by opening the Wallet app, tapping, and following the steps to add Bybit’s credit or debit cards. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the potential rewards and benefits offered by Bybit Card. For more information on Apple Pay, users can visit: http://www.apple.com/apple-pay/ For more information on Bybit Card, users can visit here.About BybitBybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 33 million users. Established in 2018, Bybit provides a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One’s reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions: the Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) Red Bull Racing team.ContactHead of PRTony AuBybittony.au@bybit.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

New Web3 Community Platform Aims to Improve Product Feedback and User EngagementToday, LCA announces the launch of Propeller, the first decentralized application (dApp) built on the open-source communications protocol, River. Propeller is set to transform the way product teams engage with their users, gather meaningful product feedback, and build community.LCA, renowned for collaborating with top brands like Nike (NYSE:NKE), Reddit, Dropbox (NASDAQ:DBX), Opensea, and Moonpay, has been consistently developing innovative, community-centric products. Propeller represents an opportunity for legacy social platforms to step into the next phase of community collaboration, emphasizing purpose-built online spaces designed to meet the unique needs of specific communities.Propeller is a community platform aimed at enhancing user engagement and collaboration between users and product teams. By leveraging the capabilities of the River Protocol, Propeller is creating a new standard between companies and their most dedicated users, ensuring that every voice is heard and every contribution is recognized.For more information about Propeller and to see product examples, users can visit propeller.chat.To get started with River, users can visit river.build. About LCALCA is a product innovation agency under the Late Checkout holding company umbrella. Founded in 2020 by Greg Isenberg and Theo Tabah, LCA is the industry leader in developing ‘Community-Based Products’. Over the last 4 years they have partnered with some of the world’s most notable brands to define their futures and build products their communities love.About HNT Labs Here Not There Labs (HNT) is a web3 venture studio dedicated to digital communication innovation, helping online communities engage more efficiently and effectively. HNT Labs has built the on-chain communication platform, Towns, which is built on the open-source protocol, River. HNT is crafting novel communication models that empower online communities with programmable, self-governed spaces, fostering authentic and meaningful interactions. With a commitment to shaping the future of digital connectivity, HNT is supported by significant investment, including a $25.5 million Series A funding from notable firms like a16z crypto, Benchmark, and Framework.ContactPR ManagerRyleigh EbronSerotoninryleigh@serotonin.coThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

The integration with Sui includes custody support for L1 and L2, built-in staking support, and DeFi connectivity.Copper, a leader in digital asset custody, collateral management, and prime services, is excited to announce its latest integration with Sui, a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform. The strategic partnership will enable robust custody infrastructure support for stablecoin and Real-World Asset (RWA) issuers on Sui such as Ondo (USDY), marking a significant advancement in connecting institutional finance to on-chain opportunities on the Sui Network.With Copper on board, the Sui ecosystem now has built additional foundational infrastructure necessary to enable institutional players to leverage Sui’s industry-leading decentralized technology platform, addressing the need for financial institutions seeking efficient treasury services for their tokens.“This strategic partnership, integrating Copper’s enterprise-grade custody tooling, exemplifies the continued maturation of the Sui ecosystem into a platform capable of supporting the heightened infrastructure needs of Sui’s institutional builders and users,” said Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation. “We are truly excited about the number and diversity of new projects and assets this partnership will enable for both the Copper and Sui ecosystems.”The first phase of support, encompassing SUI and native Sui-tokens is currently complete, making Copper a custodian for these assets. The immediate availability of Copper’s infrastructure on Sui means it is ready to serve the needs of large institutional traders and market makers today. Further features in staking and DeFi are in development and will be integrated soon, significantly expanding the functionality of Copper’s offerings on Sui.“We’re excited to be a part of the SUI ecosystem with Copper as custodian,” commented Dmitry Tokarev, CEO of Copper. “With staking and DeFi features currently in development, we’re looking forward to the evolution of this partnership.”ContactSui Foundationmedia@sui.ioThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

What makes the airdrop marketing strategy so effective? Beyond the clear appeal of free tokens, crypto fund Node Capital warns that while effective for rapid wallet growth, airdrops can be expensive with limited long-term results if not executed properly.According to Node Capital’s “Airdropping: Some Truths” report, clear goals, communication, and a commitment of at least 10% of the token supply are crucial for success. The publication follows a review of top airdrops and their outcomes, offering guidance to help teams reach audiences and maintain engagement. These interactions may include activities such as joining a Telegram group, following the project’s social media accounts, or making small transactions within the project’s ecosystem.“Using many different Web3 platforms as real examples, they share the best metrics to track the particular goals set up for the airdrop.  Measuring wallet activity, collection timelines, how widespread the tokens are distributed, new token holders, and key metrics such as DAUs and MAUs are all important, but priority should be placed on the metrics that best reflect the airdrop goals,”  the report reads.Node Capital also highlights the importance of providing incentives for users to stay engaged beyond the initial attraction of free tokens. It advises measuring key metrics before, during, and after the airdrop to ensure the campaign meets its objectives. Creating an airdrop requires more than distributing tokens via social media, according to Node Capital. Platforms must clearly understand their goals, whether expanding the user base, encouraging user testing, converting token holders into active participants, or decentralizing the token-holding population.The guide also outlines best practices for measuring airdrop success, using various Web3 platforms as examples. Important metrics include wallet activity, collection timelines, token distribution, new token holders, daily active users (DAUs), and monthly active users (MAUs). Priority should be given to metrics that best reflect the airdrop goals.Additionally, Node Capital addresses the need for airdrops to fit within the platform’s tokenomics and the importance of a communication strategy to reach target audiences. It recommends handling complex aspects of airdrops, such as filtering out bad actors, preventing Sybil attacks, and ensuring the campaign reaches the ideal audience. More

HashKey Global achieved profitability within its first two months of launch and has entered the top 10 of global exchanges on CoinGecko’s rankings at the time of this release, becoming one of the fastest-growing licensed exchange globally in 2024. HashKey Global has seen significant growth in trading volume, liquidity, asset quality and user base. The platform will continue delivering a safe and convenient trading experience compliant with regulations for global users.For more details, users can visit: global.hashkey.comAbout HashKey GlobalHashKey Global is one of the flagship global digital asset exchanges under HashKey Group, offering licensed digital asset trading services to users worldwide. HashKey Global has obtained a license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority with the potential to provide mainstream trading and service products such as LaunchPad, contracts and leverage trading.Disclaimer: https://group.hashkey.com/en/disclaimer-globalContactSenior PR ManagerLuna WangHashKey Globalluna.wang@hashkey.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Strength in the dollar weighed on broader crypto prices, as traders remained largely biased towards the greenback in anticipation of key U.S. inflation data this Friday. A reading on first-quarter economic growth is also on tap.Bitcoin rose 0.7% over the past 24 hours to $61,465.7 by 08:29 ET (12:29 GMT). The world’s largest cryptocurrency had fallen as far as $59,000 earlier this week, as risk appetite remained largely negative.Liquidators of the now-defunct crypto exchange Mt. Gox, which had collapsed from a hack in 2014, said this week that they will begin distributing tokens stolen from clients in the first week of July.The liquidators had earlier this year mobilized about $9 billion worth of Bitcoin from cold wallets- an event that was expected to precede a potential distribution. They did not specify in their announcement this week what the scale of the distributions will be.Clients receiving their stolen assets now will do so at a much higher price, which may see them inclined to offload the sell-offs. Such a scenario presents massive selling pressure on Bitcoin.Bitcoin Cash, which will also be distributed by Mt Gox, was also nursing steep losses this week.The token was already under pressure from reports suggesting that German authorities had also begun selling thousands of Bitcoin confiscated from a piracy website. Broader sentiment towards crypto was already under pressure from waning risk appetite, as traders pivoted into stabler assets such as the dollar amid fears of high U.S. interest rates. Crypto investment products, specifically Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, were nursing two weeks of steep outflows. Among broader crypto markets, altcoins marked some gains this week as the potential for increased selling pressure on Bitcoin spurred some flows into other crypto assets. World no.2 token Ether rose 0.2% to $3,378.09, while SOL and ADA added 0.3% and 0.6%, respectively.XRP also lagged, dropping 0.5%.Among meme tokens, SHIB climbed 0.8%, while DOGE added 0.6%.Crypto markets could face a surge in volatility at the end of this week as a significant amount of Bitcoin and Ether options is set to expire on the leading derivatives exchange, Deribit.Specifically, BTC and ETH options worth $6.68 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, will expire on Friday at 08:00 UTC. This represents over 40% of the current cumulative open interest, which exceeds $23 billion.Large quarterly expiries often lead to increased volatility due to higher trading volumes and the closing or rollover of positions.”As we approach Friday’s large quarterly expiry, potentially influenced by ‘quadruple witching’ and related volatility in U.S. stock markets, over 25% of Deribit open interest is set to expire in-the-money, equating to over $2.7 billion. The total notional size of the expiry is over $10 billion,” Deribit CEO said in an interview with CoinDesk.Options are derivative contracts that grant the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the underlying asset at a predetermined price on or before a specific date.A call option gives the right to buy, while a put option gives the right to sell. On Deribit, each options contract represents one BTC or ETH. More

BTIG’s BTC mining basket, comprising 14 companies, has an aggregate hash rate of about 138 EH, which represents 23% of the global hash rate. The hash rate is expected to grow to 153 EH by 2025, driven by new rigs that improve fleet efficiency.Bitcoin’s price currently hovers around $62,000, up 45% year-to-date, with miners’ margins benefiting from higher prices. The global hash rate averaged 582 EH in June, down from 600 EH in May but up 57% from last year. Network difficulty has steadily increased, up 60% over the past year and 16% year-to-date.Meanwhile, Core Scientific announced a 200MW high-performance computing (HPC) contract with CoreWeave, followed by an additional 70MW of data center contracts. This news has driven Core Scientific’s stock up by nearly 90% in recent weeks. BTIG highlighted that the shift to fixed-price multi-year contracts allowed some miners to decouple from Bitcoin prices, which have dropped about 11% since early June.“The pivot to fixed-price multi-year contracts has seen CORZ and some miners decouple from the BTC price, with Terawulf up over 100% and Iris up around 70% over this period,” BTIG stated.The race for power access has intensified among publicly listed BTC miners due to increasing demand from data center companies. “For every 100MW of power converted or powered-up for HPC, that’s 5-6 EH less for the global hash,” BTIG noted.During site visits to Riot’s Corsicana facility, which targets around 1GW, and Core Scientific’s Denton facility, BTIG observed that the industrialization of BTC mining has arrived. Riot’s Corsicana facility is expected to reach 31 EH by the end of this year and 41 EH by 2025.The report shed light on Bitdeer’s investor discussions, which revealed a focus on designing mining rigs and converting existing facilities for HPC computing. “The low-hanging fruit is its Washington facility, near a Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) data center, with potential conversions in Ohio and Norway,” BTIG reported.BTIG estimates the value of Core Scientific’s 286MW of fixed HPC contracts at $9-$10 per share, assuming a 15x EBITDA multiple. “Data center REITs are trading at about 20x EBITDA on 2025,” BTIG added. With a target of 500MW for HPC by 2028, BTIG expects an additional $5 per share value, justifying the new price target of $15. More