Cryptocurrency

Recently, cryptocurrency hedge funds have completely given up on Bitcoin. Throughout the previous 20 trading days, they have decreased their exposure to the BTC market to just 0.37. This is the lowest level since October 2020. The charts show the price trend of Bitcoin from 2019 to 2024, emphasizing notable highs and lows. Hedge funds’ reduced exposure to Bitcoin offers an important reason for the recent steep decline in the cryptocurrency. The lower chart illustrates the rolling one-month beta of global crypto hedge funds to Bitcoin, demonstrating the degree to which hedge fund performance is influenced by changes in the price of Bitcoin. A hedge fund’s performance follows Bitcoin if its beta value is one, whereas a beta of less than one denotes reduced exposure. The drop to a beta of 0.37 indicates that hedge funds are far less vulnerable to changes in the price of Bitcoin than they were a few years ago.Hedge fund exposure was last at this low point in October 2020 just before Bitcoin saw a notable bull run. Hedge funds are well known for their calculated actions and frequently have access to cutting-edge data and industry knowledge. They may have been expecting more drops or volatility based on their withdrawal from Bitcoin.There are a number of reasons for this cautious approach, such as shifting internal investment strategies, macroeconomic conditions or regulatory uncertainties. Since there has been less exposure, there has probably been more selling pressure on Bitcoin, which has pushed the price below the crucial $65,000 mark.Given that they frequently have significant capital under their control, hedge funds have a significant influence on the market. The mood of the market and price action greatly affects the flow of funds.This article was originally published on U.Today More

Debifi, one of the leading non-custodial Bitcoin-backed lending platform, has announced a dynamic growth roadmap during BTCPrague, widely recognized as Europe’s premier Bitcoin event, carries substantial weight. The association with such a reputable gathering further underscores the credibility of Debifi’s growth roadmap and their dedication to revolutionizing the lending industry. The roadmap includes the significant addition of fiat payments for their Bitcoin-backed loans, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion plans.As a global lenders aggregator, Debifi is committed to providing institutional-grade liquidity while maintaining transparency and security. The platform allows any financial institution worldwide to become a lender and compete in the free market. In alignment with their commitment to transparency and community engagement, Debifi plans to release their Debifi App as Open Source this July, embracing the power of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software). This strategic move aims to foster community building and accelerate adoption by allowing individuals to verify the security of the platform’s code.Enhanced Security and PartnershipsDebifi has forged a significant partnership with Coinkite, a renowned provider of secure bitcoin wallets. This collaboration enables users to store their Debifi keys on Coinkite’s MK4 wallets, leveraging NFC technology for account signing and enhancing overall protection. Furthermore, Debifi has joined forces with ACEMA Credit Czech, a.s. the leading provider of secured fiat loans in Central Europe. This partnership aims to augment Debifi’s liquidity, enabling users to access fiat loans directly deposited into their bank accounts by the end of June. By integrating fiat payments into their offerings, Debifi is allowing individuals worldwide to leverage their Bitcoin holdings while retaining ownership.Market Landscape ImpactThe current financial climate is witnessing a growing demand for secure and transparent lending solutions, particularly those that bridge the gap between traditional finance and the burgeoning Bitcoin economy. Debifi’s introduction of fiat payments and their Open Source initiative are poised to set new standards in the market, fostering increased trust and adoption among users and financial institutions alike.Acema, impressed by Debifi’s innovative approach to securing collateral using Bitcoin, has pledged significant support by providing loan liquidity on the platform. Acema’s endorsement underscores the reliability and user-friendliness of Debifi’s solutions, further validating their commitment to security.Leadership InsightsMax Kei, CEO of Debifi, expressed excitement about the partnership with ACEMA, stating, “”Debifi aspires to seamlessly connect traditional banking with the growing Bitcoin economy. By enhancing our liquidity through this partnership, we empower individuals who depend on traditional banking to expand their economic opportunities using Bitcoin.”Credibility and Event SignificanceDebifi’s announcement at BTCPrague, widely recognized as Europe’s premier Bitcoin event, carries substantial weight. The association with such a reputable gathering further underscores the credibility of Debifi’s growth roadmap and their dedication to revolutionizing the lending industry.About DebifiDebifi is a leading non-custodial Bitcoin-backed lending platform that provides institutional-grade liquidity while prioritizing transparency, security, and user-friendliness. By embracing FOSS and collaborating with industry leaders, Debifi aims to bridge the gap between traditional banking and the new bitcoin economy.For more information, users can visit Debifi’s: Official Website | Twitter (X) | LinkedinFor press inquiries, users can contact:communications@debifi.comContactTony NakamotoDebificommunications@debifi.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

FSL, the gaming studio behind the acclaimed ‘Move and Earn’ app STEPN, has officially launched STEPN GO, a new social lifestyle app that integrates gaming and social features. Users can now participate in the Alpha Draw to potentially earn Sneaker NFTs, which are the gateway to earning the new GO GAME TOKEN (GGT) by walking, jogging, and running. STEPN GO is designed to provide an engaging and rewarding fitness experience. The app features easy onboarding with the Haus System, allowing users to lend their Sneakers to friends and family without any crypto knowledge required. Users can walk or run with their Sneakers to earn the new GO GAME TOKEN (GGT). The app will also introduce a PvP game feature where users can potentially earn GMT, the FSL Ecosystem token. Customizable avatars and outfits enable users to craft unique looks for their avatars and show them off on the in-app Interactive Map. Only those who win Sneakers in the Alpha Draw will be able to enter the Alpha Test. Additional opportunities to win Sneakers will be available through the STEPN GO’ers Program, STEPN GO Discord, and the STEPN GO X account. Moreover, a limited number of STEPN GO Sneakers will be available on the MOOAR platform, serving as a bonus prize for the MOOAR Box S2 rewards program.The STEPN GO Alpha Draw is officially live. Users can download STEPN GO now for the chance to win STEPN GO Sneakers and gain early access to STEPN GO and the Alpha Test.About STEPN GO: Building on the success of STEPN, the pioneering move-and-earn platform, STEPN GO revolutionizes social fitness in everyday life. Buy, borrow, or lend users’ Sneakers to earn rewards by staying active. Users’ rewards can be used to level up, cash out, or flex their online appearance, fostering both physical activity and social connections.To learn more about STEPN GO, users can read the whitepaper: STEPN GO Whitepaper. About STEPN:Since its debut in 2021, STEPN has become the leading ‘Move and Earn’ app with over 5.6 million users and 1 million Sneaker NFTs. It has partnered with major brands like ASICS, Steve Aoki, and adidas, and was the first blockchain gaming app to integrate Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Pay, simplifying the onboarding process for Web2 users.ContactMattina HiwaiziFSLmattina@fsl.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Shutter, an open-source protocol initially developed by brainbot and focused on preventing malicious maximal extractable value (MEV) attacks, today announced the launch of a new anti-front running solution using mempool encryption to combat the exploitation of nearly US$900 million taken from crypto trades annually. Partnering with Gnosis, the architects of the fully EVM-compatible Layer-1 Gnosis Chain, Shutter will be integrated into the Gnosis Chain to protect end-user transactions from front running and sandwich attacks, shielding traders from malicious MEV activities that can result in significant monetary loss and unfair influence. Setting a New Standard for MEV Protection with Deep Chain IntegrationMEV attacks are transactions by attackers that manipulate the outcome of the target transaction within a blockchain that maximizes financial gain for malicious actors at the expense of traders and end-users. Common malicious MEV activities include sandwich attacks, where an attacker places their transactions both before and after a victim’s transaction. This manipulates the token price to the attacker’s advantage, typically driving up the price of the token for the victim.Despite the growing incidences of such attacks, existing solutions to this problem often fall short of holistically addressing the complexities of MEV attacks. Many traders still remain unaware that they are victims of exploitation until significant losses are incurred. Even once they are made aware, victims have to take extra steps to protect themselves, often relying on centralized systems that can still censor and extract value. To address this gap, Shutter provides malicious MEV protection and a layer of censorship resistance via the threshold encrypted mempool built into the Gnosis Chain. Distinguishing itself from existing methods of tackling MEV attacks, Shutter integrates its encryption protocol directly into blockchain networks, preventing manipulators from exploiting transactions. This deep integration means block producers must commit to the inclusion and order of transactions while they are still encrypted, making it almost impossible to front run or censor. This also ensures that traders are protected from monetary losses without needing additional measures. Tackling Unchecked Spread of Malicious MEV Attacks with Decentralized Encryption for Fair Trading Shutter’s unique approach is exceptionally critical in today’s maturing Web3 landscape where hundreds of millions of dollars are stolen each year on Ethereum alone through MEV tactics. These attacks exploit the public nature of blockchains and remain largely unchecked, consequently reducing market efficiency, diminishing trust in the system, and making it fundamentally unfair. Shutter’s encrypted mempool also mitigates real-time censorship, ensuring transactions remain private until included in a block. This prevents malicious actors from selectively excluding transactions, reinforcing the core principles of public blockchains—openness, neutrality, and accessibility. By increasing information symmetry through Shutter’s encryption approach, the playing field is leveled. At the same time, the integrity of public blockchains is preserved, providing greater confidence for retail and large institutional investors typically deterred by rampant front running in decentralized finance (DeFi) to enter the space, attracting a broader range of participants in the long run.A Strategic IntegrationGnosis Chain’s integration of Shutter directly tackles the rampant issue of malicious MEV through preventive measures as opposed to many other blockchains that continue to struggle to resolve such growing issues, marking a significant milestone for not just the Shutter community, but the industry at large. Charting towards the shared vision of a more equitable blockchain ecosystem, Gnosis Chain’s relentless focus on decentralization and accessibility harmonizes with Shutter’s efforts to address contemporary industry challenges impeding the adoption of Web3. Ultimately, Shutter will play a vital role in encouraging safer crypto trades, increasing censorship resistance, and preventing value leakage.A Vision for the FutureThis integration is one of many in the pipeline for Shutter that helps build momentum toward combating malicious MEV attacks across the Ethereum ecosystem. Collectively, Shutter and its partners will shield the users from manipulation, ensuring equitable access and maintaining a neutral base layer. About ShutterShutter is a free open-source software designed to protect the crypto community from those manipulating the blockchain for their own gain. Using threshold encryption, Shutter ensures base layer neutrality, information symmetry, and accessibility in trading, voting, and gaming.About brainbotbrainbot GmbH specializes in the development, distribution, licensing, and operation of software, alongside providing a wide range of related services. As the core developer behind Shutter, brainbot plays a pivotal role in advancing blockchain technology.About GnosisGnosis is developed by a world-class team of leading forces in blockchain and payments. The Gnosis Chain is architected with community ownership, resilience, and credible neutrality at its core. The highly decentralized network is secured by 200K+ validators and 2K+ nodes, across 70 countries and 5 continents.ContactWachsmanshutter@wachsman.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

At 05:30 ET (09:30 GMT), Bitcoin traded 0.5% lower at $65,217.0, posting losses of around 4% over the course of the last trading week, having fallen below $65,000 on Tuesday for the first time since May 16.The possibility of higher-for-longer U.S. borrowing costs has dampened enthusiasm for the cryptocurrency market, with bitcoin being the world’s biggest cryptocurrency.A series of Federal Reserve officials have made it clear that they need to see more progress in taming inflation, even after last week’s weaker-than-expected U.S. inflation data, resulting in the U.S. central bank forecasting only one interest rate cut this year, compared to the prior forecast for three cuts.At the same time, recent data, including Tuesday’s U.S. retail sales release, suggested that consumers are feeling the pinch of the elevated interest rates.Activity is likely to be limited Wednesday, with the U.S. celebrating the Juneteenth holiday, but bitcoin could be trading near key levels that could determine the short-term trajectory of the largest crypto asset.Bitcoin now exhibits the potential to rebound toward $67,000, according to the analytics platform Glassnode.However, this level may create resistance, and overcoming it could set the digital currency on a path toward an even higher target of $69,500. On the flip side, the $65,000 mark is being watched as a crucial psychological support level, one that could play a pivotal role in maintaining investor confidence.Bitcoin hit a record of $73,797.68 on March 14, and it last tested that level at the beginning of June.There was more positive news looking at the broader cryptocurrency market, helped by positive legal news.ETH/USD rose 2.4% to $3,547.25 after the software company Consensys stated that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is dropping its investigation into whether Ether is a security.“The Enforcement Division of the SEC has notified us that it is closing its investigation into Ethereum 2.0,” Ethereum developer Consensys said in a June 19 X post.“This means that the SEC will not bring charges alleging that sales of ETH are securities transactions,” which the firm hailed as a “major win for Ethereum developers, technology providers, and industry participants.”Elsewhere, Cardano and DOGE/USD both gained around 1.5%, Solana was largely flat, while XRP fell over 3%.The long-awaited bitcoin exchange traded funds launched in January, and financial advisors are taking their time in adopting them, according to BlackRock’s Samara Cohen.For now, about 80% of bitcoin ETF purchases have likely been coming from “self-directed investors who have made their own allocation, often through an online brokerage account,” she said, at a summit last week.Cohen, BlackRock’s chief investment officer of ETF and index investments, noted that hedge funds and brokerages have also been buyers, based on last quarter’s 13-F filings, but registered investment advisors have been a little more “wary.”However, if increased demand does push bitcoin to a new all-time high, $9.26 billion in shorts could be liquidated, according to Eljaboom, a Bitcoin investor and Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, which would prompt a dramatic price surge. More

Flipster, the leading crypto derivatives trading platform, is excited to announce a partnership with TON (The Open Network). This partnership enhances Flipster’s platform’s capabilities by enabling deposits via the USDT TON network, expanding the range of deposit options available to users.To mark this partnership, Flipster is offering users an opportunity from 19 June 2024 at 08:00 UTC to 18 July 2024 at 23:59 UTC to potentially earn up to 26% APR, on top of other ongoing campaigns. Participants may enhance their APR earnings through multiple tier offerings.For more information and to join the campaign: TON USDT Deposit Campaign In addition to the APR boost, users will have the chance to win a share of the 50,000 USDT pool rewards by minting Soulbound Tokens (SBT) when they make deposits using their TON wallet. Users’ share of the pool will increase based on the number of tickets they collect; the more tickets collected, the greater their share.About FlipsterFlipster is the number one crypto derivatives trading platform in offering lightning-fast perpetual futures listings on the latest cryptocurrencies. The easy-to-use platform provides users with an all-in-one trading experience with leverage of up to 100x on over 250 tokens with the deepest liquidity and zero trading fees. For media enquiries or interview requests with the team, users can reach out to pr@flipster.io or keep up to date with Flipster on their blog.ContactMarketing SpecialistShirlyn TanFlipsterpr@flipster.ioThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

The Asia Blockchain Summit 2024 (ABS2024) is set to take place from August 06-08 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. ABS2024 promises to be a marquee event in this year’s tech calendar. ABS2024 is hosted in vibrant Taiwan, recently described by Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang as one of the most important places in the world for being the center of the AI and computing revolution. The summit is expected to attract over 15,000 attendees from 65 countries. ABS is renowned as the premier global stage for historic moments in the blockchain industry. A highlight was the riveting debate between Arthur Hayes and Nouriel Roubini, which captivated the crypto world and highlighted the intellectual clashes driving the industry forward. Astronaut Chris Hadfield received his first Bitcoin from space via Blockstream satellite at ABS. ABS2024 features a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers and panelists, including Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum; Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s first Digital Minister; Glen Weyl, first author of ⿻Plurality.net and founder of Plurality Institute; Steve Yun, TON Foundation President; Song Hongbing, author of Currency Wars; Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3; Scott Moore, co-founder of Gitcoin; Ray Chan, Founder of Memeland and 9GAG; Dr. Tomicah Tillemann, CEO of Project Liberty; David Yu, co-founder and CEO of VeVe; Abighya Anand, the world-renowned Vedic Astrologer; David Mak, CEO of Catizen; Jamie Lin, CEO at Taiwan Mobile and Partner at AppWorks; Claudia Lopez, Former Mayor of Bogotá. The list of speakers is featured on the ABS2024 website. This year’s summit will feature multiple specialized summits, each dedicated to groundbreaking discussions at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Sustainability. The Plurality Summit: The Future of Decentralized SocietyThe Plurality Summit at ABS2024 will take place on August 08. Attendees will delve into critical discussions on topics like decentralized society, the ethics of digital democracy, and reimagining a future where power is distributed across a diverse collective.”At ABS2024, we’ll explore the ideas of Plurality, focusing on how effective collaboration and continuous democracy can build new bridges across diversity.” said Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s first Digital Minister and co-author of ⿻Plurality.net.The Open Summit: Pioneering TON Event The Open Summit at ABS2024 is the largest TON event in Asia. Sponsored by TONX and the TON Foundation, The Open Summit includes three days of workshops, talks, and activities dedicated to the 900 million-strong Telegram ecosystem. ABS2024 Game Zone: Asia’s Largest Web3 Gaming ExhibitionThe ABS2024 Game Zone, powered by GEDA Esports and Matr1x Fire, features high-profile Web3 games, live tournaments on a professional esports stage, and gaming industry leader panel discussions. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore more than fifty games, including a world-class tournament hosted by Matr1x Fire.Attendees can be prepared to witness visionary leaders, pioneering developers, government officials, and thought leaders from across industries converge and collectively reimagine the world.For more information, users can contact:Asia Blockchain Summit | admin@abs.ioAbout Asia Blockchain Summit (ABS)Asia Blockchain Summit (ABS) is an annual technology event that brings together leading experts, innovators and policymakers from AI, Blockchain, and Sustainability. Hosted in the vibrant city of Taipei, the event serves as a platform to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking among key players ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups in the rapidly evolving global blockchain ecosystem. Asia Blockchain Summit attracts over 10,000 attendees from 60+ countries each year.Website | X | Instagram | LinkedinContactMarketing DirectorShin ChenAsia Blockchain Summit 2024admin@abs.ioThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Licensed digital asset exchange HashKey Global announces that it has received regulatory approval to officially launch its futures trading. In the initial phase, the platform will support BTC and ETH with the potential of up to 10x leverage. To celebrate the launch, HashKey Global will host a limited-time futures trading campaign and a “100% Invitation Rebate on Futures” event. Participants can earn HSK rewards by engaging in futures trading or by inviting friends to trade. HashKey Global aims to provide a secure and user-friendly trading experience, setting a new standard in the “licensed futures” market.Act As A Platform, Not A CounterpartyAs a mature type of derivatives trading, futures trading has a huge demand in the crypto market. However, due to the lack of effective regulation, there are still widespread issues in the market such as platforms trading against their customers and abusive trading causing significant losses for consumers. These practices have long been criticized by the global crypto community.HashKey Global, regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), aims to address these issues by ensuring that customer assets and data are stored separately and independently. The platform does not engage in counterparty trading with customers, thereby reducing the risk of price manipulation and customer losses.Futures Trading Campaign with 100% Invitation RebateHashKey Global futures trading will officially launch on June 19, initially supporting BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT trading pairs with the potential for up to 10x leverage.The first phase of the futures trading campaign will also begin on June 19 at 00:00 (UTC+0). Users participating in futures trading can join the liquidity mining activity to share a prize pool of millions of HSK rewards, maximizing the potential value of their assets. Users will earn 0.3 HSK for every 1,000 USDT traded, and those trading via API can compete for weekly transaction volume rankings, with top prizes reaching up to 300,000 HSK.Additionally, HashKey Global is launching a “100% Invitation Rebate on Futures Trading” campaign. During the promotion period, users will receive 100% of the transaction fees generated by their invited users on perpetual futures trades (non-API transactions) as a rebate reward. The rebate will be converted into HSK and distributed according to the campaign rules.Participation in the campaign is subject to applicable terms and conditions. For details, users can refer to the campaign announcement and campaign page on HashKey Global.About 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.For more details, users can visit global.hashkey.comUsers can follow HashKey on Twitter, Discord, and Instagram.Disclaimer: HashKey Global is a digital asset trading platform operated by HashKey Bermuda Limited under a Type F license granted by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. This information does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation for any investment product. Investing and trading virtual assets involve risks. HashKey Global does not service users from Hong Kong, United States, Mainland China and certain other jurisdictions in compliance with laws and regulations. Certain services, features, and campaigns may not be available in your jurisdiction.Participation in this event does not guarantee eligibility, acceptance, or receipt of any rewards, benefits, or incentives. HashKey Global may impose certain criteria, requirements, or limitations for participation, and it reserves the right to deny or disqualify individuals or entities from participating in the event. Hashkey Global reserves the right to make changes, modify, or cancel the event or the eligibility of any participant at any time at its sole discretion, including due to internal control, system issues or other circumstances, without any prior notice or liability.To the fullest extent permitted by law, HashKey Global, its affiliates, partners, and employees shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from participant’s participation in the event, including but not limited to any loss of funds, profits, business, potential profits, data, or reputation.HashKey Global reserves the ultimate discretion regarding the rules and rewards of the event.RISK WARNING ABOUT HSK: Please be aware that HSK is not currently listed on any exchange and there is no guarantee that it will be listed in the future. As a result, HSK presently has no established market value. The timeline for the potential listing of HSK remains uncertain. In the event that HSK is successfully listed, it may be subject to various trading restrictions in accordance with applicable regulations and laws. These restrictions may include, but are not limited to, limiting the trading of HSK solely to eligible professional investors in select locations and subject to regulatory approval. The value of HSK is subject to substantial risk and may diminish or fluctuate significantly in response to various market conditions and other factors beyond HashKey Global’s control. HashKey Global and its affiliates make no warranties, express or implied, in relation to HSK or any rewards and disclaims any liability relating thereto.ContactSenior PR ManagerLunaHashKey Globalluna.wang@hashkey.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More