currencies

Analyzing Token Sale Models

Note: I mention the names of various projects below only to compare and contrast their token sale mechanisms; this should NOT be taken as an endorsement or criticism of any specific project as a whole. It's entirely possible for any given project to be total trash as a whole and yet still have an awesome token sale model. The last few months have seen an increasing amount of innovation in token sale models. Two years ago, the space was simple: there were capped sales, which sold a fixed number of

D8X Re-Engineers DeFi Derivatives With Launch on Polygon zkEVM

  Supported by Polygon Ventures, D8X targets institutional users with next-gen DEX engine, innovative features, novel white-label approach [Zug, Switzerland - Feb. 6, 2024] - D8X, an institutional-grade decentralized exchange (DEX) for derivatives, has launched on Polygon zkEVM, establishing a new benchmark for decentralized finance. With support from Polygon Ventures and other notable partners, D8X reconceives on-chain derivatives, starting from fundamental financial engineering and extending to its novel white-label business-to-business model–a first for Polygon zkEVM. Until now, users seeking the trading experience offered by D8X have had to resort to

Advancing Financial Inclusion AUC Coins Set to Revolutionize Retail Payments in South Africa

AUC Coins to be Added as a Payment Method for Retail in South Africa Key Highlights: Advanced Project's TIER platform enables direct AUC Coin payments at South African retailers. TIER facilitates payments for goods, services, and even municipal bills, creating a holistic ecosystem for AUC Coin usage. Africa leads the way and Advanced Project's success in South Africa serves as a beacon for wider digital asset adoption across the continent. Cape Town, South Africa – January 2024 – Advanced Project, a leading force in African blockchain innovation, is taking a

Walking the Tightrope

As we stand on the verge of a new era in crypto, it’s crucial to reaffirm the importance of decentralization. Beyond being a mere aspiration, decentralization serves as the lifeblood of the crypto world, standing as the pivotal force that draws the line between freedom and control. Amidst the hype surrounding the impending approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States, accompanied by the influx of capital from behemoths like BlackRock, the immediate market surge raises a serious question for the future of crypto. Are people here for

The Tightrope of Regulation

In a significant move at the recent G20 meeting in India, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) released a joint paper outlining a framework for the global regulation of cryptocurrencies. While the proposals mostly tread familiar territory, what’s new is their conviction in crypto’s unstoppable growth and success. A flurry of optimism greeted the G20’s endorsement of the report because it advocates that countries don’t ban crypto. Hidden in its text, however, are some worrying signs. For example, on the first page, they state, “Widespread

Ex-Singapore Parliamentarian’s Swiss Company Launches Swiss Franc and Euro Stablecoins

Singapore investor and former parliamentarian Calvin Cheng's newly rebranded Swiss company, Anchored Coins, was granted membership in the Swiss VQF in early 2023. VQF is the largest and oldest cross-industry self-regulatory organisation in Switzerland and is officially recognised by FINMA, the country's financial services watchdog. Anchored Coins is launching a Swiss Franc-backed stablecoin (ACHF) and a Euro-backed stablecoin (AEUR), and will be issued on the Ethereum and BNB Chain blockchains. DCS Card Centre in Singapore is planning to issue credit cards collateralised by AEUR and ACHF. ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, Aug 16,

Stablecoins Under Scrutiny

Amidst the market’s recovery from the recent onslaught of SEC crackdowns, rumors swirl over the potential targeting of stablecoins in their crosshairs. Such a move could have profound implications for cryptocurrency prices, making it crucial to gauge the likelihood of this scenario and the approach regulators might adopt. The largest stablecoins by market cap are Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC. Both are pegged to the US dollar and backed by various assets, typically highly liquid instruments like US Treasury bills. In theory, when someone wants to buy stablecoins from an

Beyond the Dollar

The global economy is at a crossroads with the US dollar’s future as the world reserve currency facing fresh challenges. For decades, the stability and dominance of the dollar have given the United States significant advantages in global trade, investment, and geopolitical influence. However, as emerging economies like China and India rise in prominence, their currencies are gaining traction in international transactions, challenging the dollar’s hegemony. China, in particular, has been busy over the past few months, actively promoting the Yuan and seeking to challenge US dominance in the global

International Government Leaders Talk Crypto & Digital Assets in Washington

Washington, DC – The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is set to host an event that will bring together government leaders to discuss the radical changes in money, cryptocurrency, banks, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The conference, titled "The Future of Money, Governance, and the Law," will include law makers, regulators, innovators, and business leaders who are shaping the financial system. "The Future of Money, Governance, and the Law will bring together government leaders during this decisive time to examine changes in money and the laws governing it. We are

Paribus: The Real Danger of Crypto.

Just as maximalists assert one blockchain will rule them all, there’s also a pervasive belief amongst many crypto enthusiasts that the technology will replace fiat currencies. It’s a storyline that appears frequently despite the fact that it’s highly implausible. Since the 1970’s when the US stopped the dollar from being backed by gold it’s been a fiat currency. Fiat means that the currency has value decreed by governments or monarchs rather than being backed by an asset. In this regard fiat currencies are often viewed by some in crypto as

China’s Walled Garden

Continuing our theme of speaking with people in the world of finance and technology we asked insiders at ByteDance in Shanghai their views about blockchain technology. The results give some useful insight into one of the likely narratives of the next bull run. In previous cycles narratives have ranged from Bitcoin being digital gold to NFTs being the cutting edge of the art scene. These topics pull new users into the space and with their added liquidity the value of the market begins to rise. The present decline in value