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Side-dealing allegations put crypto VC funding in spotlight

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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Side-dealing allegations put crypto VC funding in spotlight

The Ethereum Foundation’s Vitalik Buterin drew more than 1,000 people to a room in Brussels at the EthCC conference, and CoinDesk’s Margaux Nijkerk was on the sceneWe have this story and many announcements coming from the largest Ethereum-focused conference in Europe.

But one of the biggest blockchain stories that is making headlines is the revelation (discovered by Sam Kessler of CoinDesk) that a prominent industry developer has been accused by his former employer, the prestigious cryptocurrency venture capital firm Polychain, of violating ethics policies by taking an undisclosed personal allocation of tokens from a project that raised funds from the company. Read on.

This article is featured in the latest issue of The Protocolour weekly newsletter exploring the technology behind cryptocurrencies, one block at a time. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Wednesday. Also, check out our weekly The Protocol podcast.

Polychain claims Ritual co-founder Niraj Pant, a former general partner, violated its policies. (Ritual)

SECOND DEAL? Two months ago, the blockchain development world was rocked by the news that Neel Somani, founder of the ultra-modular blockchain project Eclipseera taking a step back from his role in response to sexual harassment allegations. Now, there are new allegations surrounding the project’s fundraising. The crypto venture capital giant Polychain accused Niraj Pant, the fund’s former general partner, of entering into a secret agreement with Eclipse that violated the fund’s policies, a scoop by Sam Kessler of CoinDesk. According to three sources familiar with the matter and internal Eclipse documents reviewed by CoinDesk, Eclipse’s Somani quietly awarded Pant 5% of an upcoming Eclipse cryptocurrency token in September 2022, just days after Pant had tapped Polychain to lead the firm’s $6 million pre-seed funding round. The allotment was eventually reduced to 1.33%, worth $13.3 million at the token’s most recent fully diluted valuation in a private investment round. Pant insists the deal was completely kosher because it wasn’t finalized until September 2022, the month after Polychain had already invested in Eclipse. According to a copy of an agreement obtained by Kessler and signed by Somani, Pant’s Psychological Operations Co. would receive a grant of Eclipse tokens in exchange for “periodic synchronization meetings via teleconference” as requested by Eclipse. Somani told his inner circle that the generous token grant was intended to incentivize Pant to secure Polychain’s money and the veteran VC’s coveted endorsement, according to two people familiar with the matter. “Polychain’s statement to CoinDesk offers a rare glimpse into the sausage-making process of the cozy world of crypto VC firms and the projects they fund,” Kessler wrote. Sarcastic posters on social media platform X chuckled wryly that they were “shocked“to find out what similar practices might be taking place in the cryptocurrency fundraising landscape.

Former President Donald Trump’s Republican Party has officially has adopted a platform who would try to Support cryptocurrency innovationaccording to the document released Monday by the Republican National Committee. Separately, Multicoin Capitalone of the largest U.S. investment firms focused on cryptocurrencies, is pledging up to $1 million to support Senate candidates with favorable views on the sector.

Residents of the small town of Granbury, Texascomplained of suffering physical symptoms due to a “dull hum” coming from a nearby Bitcoin mining facility that “exceeded legal noise ordinances on a daily basis,” Reported time“A representative for Marathon Digital Holdings, the company that owns the mine, did not respond to questions about health impacts, but told Time it is working to remove noisy fans from the site.”

Blockchain Games “they are emerging fully cooked,” writes David Z. Morris in a guest column: “That is, many are at least as fun as games that have nothing to do with cryptocurrencies.” Another CoinDesk contributor, Jeff Wilser, looked at the success of the tap to earn treasure Hamster Fighta game launched on the TON blockchain that has become so popular in Iran that the country’s deputy military chief described it as part of the West’s “soft war.”

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin gave a keynote speech on strengthening the Ethereum blockchain as a base layer, in front of a packed house of about 1,100 attendees, at a developer conference in Brussels on Wednesday. Buterin he spoke at length during his presentation at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) on the strengths and weaknesses of the world’s largest smart contract blockchain and its sprawling ecosystem, including his concerns about transaction censorship, as well as a proposal to increase the “quorum threshold” from 75% to 80%. Buterin said he believes the Ethereum ecosystem’s strengths include the fact that it is a “large and reasonably decentralized staking ecosystem” and that it is a highly international and intellectual community. (Not sure if he’s referring to Crypto Twitter?)

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin speaks at the EthCC conference in Brussels on Wednesday (Margaux Nijkerk)

Last week’s top picks from Our Protocol Village column highlighting the main innovations and technological updates of blockchain.

Diagram illustrating how Combinder works (Combinder)

1. Combinera DePIN for energy data collection, presented an “AI-based prototype of a Web3-based energy nano-grid, built together with Nevermined and Valory, on behalf of Olas”, according to the team: “Running on peaq, the layer 1 blockchain for DePIN and Machine RWA, the prototype will demonstrate the feasibility of Web3-based nano-grid energy management involving AI agents, intelligent software components that represent individual household devices. Leveraging real-world data to simulate the energy needs of an average household, the project team will build a physical nano-grid involving a plug-in green power source and an AC unit.”

2. Trilitechfocused on the Tezos blockchain, announced what the team described as a “major development”: the introduction of Jstz (pronounced “justice”), a “JavaScript-based smart rollup.” According to the team: “The upcoming layer-2 rollup under development on Tezos will enable developers to utilize JavaScript and its vast resources. But more than enabling the language itself, what sets Jstz apart is that it was designed to be compliant with standard JavaScript APIs, allowing builders to tap into a huge ecosystem of familiar and proven JS tools and libraries.” (Please see our recent article Here on Tezos’ plan for a “canonical cluster”).

3. A new project called TON Application Chain (TAC) is building a level 2 network for the TON Blockchain ecosystem, known for its affiliation with popular messaging app Telegram. The project, backed by The Open Platform, an investor focused on the TON blockchain ecosystem, will rely on technology from Ethereum-focused layer-2 developer Polygon, according to a press release. The team made the announcement Tuesday at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Brussels, Belgium.

4. Union Laboratoriesthe level of modular interoperability, has added support for ArbitrumTVL’s leading layer-2 ecosystem, to connect Arbitrum Orbit chains with IBC-enabled blockchains, as well as other networks that integrate with Union such as Polygon, Scroll, and Movement. According to the team: “This integration will unlock unprecedented liquidity flow between IBC and the Arbitrum ecosystem. This will also enable latency reduction in optimistic cross-chain operations, while maintaining the security and integrity of transactions entering and leaving the Arbitrum ecosystem.”

5. The development company behind the World currency The protocol shared on Tuesday that its next layer 2 chain, World Chain, is now open for use by developers. This means that select developers can apply to build, test and provide feedback to Tools For Humanity, the development company behind Worldcoin, according to a press release shared with CoinDesk. World Chain has leveraged Optimism’s OP Stack, a Customizable tool kit which allows developers to create their own blockchains using Optimism’s technology, to build their own network.

Private Equity (PE) Firms Are Finally Seeing the Value of Bitcoin (BTC) miners, thanks to the growing demand for data centers capable of powering artificial intelligence (AI) machines.

“Even private equity firms that have never done data centers before are looking at this space,” Adam Sullivan, CEO of one of the largest mining firms, Core Scientific (CORZ), said in an exclusive interview with CoinDesk.

Core Scientific recently signed a 12-year, 200 megawatt (MW) contract Deal with cloud computing company CoreWeave for AI-related computing needs, with the ability to further expand capacity.

Since news of the deal broke, Core Scientific has received several proposals from top-tier private equity firms offering funding for additional AI-related partnerships, Sullivan said.

Roma co-founders Anil Kumar (right) and Sattvik Kansal (Roma)

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We are the editorial team of BlockChainGuardian, where seriousness meets clarity in cryptocurrency analysis. With a robust team of finance and blockchain technology experts, we are dedicated to meticulously exploring complex crypto markets with detailed assessments and an unbiased approach. Our mission is to democratize access to knowledge of emerging financial technologies, ensuring they are understandable and accessible to all. In every article on BlockChainGuardian, we strive to provide content that not only educates, but also empowers our readers, facilitating their integration into the financial digital age.

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Hollywood.ai by FAME King Sheeraz Hasan Promulgates a Complete Ecosystem that Unites Web3, Cryptography, AI and Entertainment for Spectacular Global Tech Innovation

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Hollywood.ai by FAME King Sheeraz Hasan Promulgates a Complete Ecosystem that Unites Web3, Cryptography, AI and Entertainment for Spectacular Global Tech Innovation

The one and only FAME King Sheeraz Hasan is launching Hollywood.ai, a revolutionary platform designed to integrate the cutting-edge realms of Web3, cryptocurrency, AI, finance and entertainment. This revolutionary initiative is set to create a seamless, interactive and intuitive ecosystem where the world’s leading technology luminaries can collaborate on innovations, ultimately redefining the future of digital interaction.

Hollywood.ai represents the convergence of the most complex technologies of all time. Fusing Web3 principles, cryptocurrency utilities, AI advances, and financial machinery, Sheeraz’s platform aims to become the nucleus for innovation and modernization. It provides a high-tech environment where technology and creativity collide harmoniously, paving the way for new paths in the digital economy.

A defining feature of Hollywood.ai is the integration of cryptocurrency into the AI ​​ecosystem, transforming AI into a tokenized asset with full cryptographic utility. Sheeraz’s novel approach presents new avenues to leverage the myriad capabilities of AI in the financial realm, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for developers and users alike. Through the amalgamation of AI and cryptocurrency, Hollywood.ai is paving the way for an incredibly interconnected digital space unlike anything seen before.

The platform’s design emphasizes the undeniable symbiosis between various technology sectors. Under Sheeraz’s careful orchestration, Web3 technologies facilitate decentralized collaboration, while AI tools offer enhanced potential for data analytics, content creation, and audience engagement. Additionally, the inclusion of financial innovations ensures rapid mobility of both monetization and investments, providing a holistic environment that meets the ever-evolving demands of the technology and entertainment segments.

Sheeraz’s Hollywood.ai is poised to become the premier hub for industry leaders, developers, and creators to support and empower the next generation of digital experiences. This initiative aspires to drive the emergence of new tools, applications, and services that set new standards for advanced engagement and interaction.

Known for making the impossible possible, Sheeraz envisions a future where global audiences actively participate in designing the next A-list stars from scratch. Hollywood.ai will allow users to watch their creations evolve from simple concepts to 3D talents that can act, sing and perform just like human actors.

The Hollywood.ai platform leverages AI technology to deliver personalized fan engagement, real-time sentiment analysis, and informed content creation. By combining cutting-edge AI capabilities with Sheeraz’s deep understanding of celebrity branding, Hollywood.ai gains immense control over public figures.

Undeniably, FAME’s number one strategist Sheeraz Hasan continues to cement his reputation as a pioneer in the fields of FAME and technology. The power and influence of this latest development brings him closer to total world domination.

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Online Broker Futu Offers Cryptocurrency Trading in Hong Kong, With Nvidia and Alibaba Stock as Rewards

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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Online Broker Futu Offers Cryptocurrency Trading in Hong Kong, With Nvidia and Alibaba Stock as Rewards

Futu Securities International, Hong Kong’s largest online broker, has launched retail cryptocurrency trading in the city, offering shares of Alibaba Holding Group AND Nvidia as a reward in an attempt to attract investors. Futu has begun allowing Hong Kong residents to trade Bitcoin and ether, the world’s two largest cryptocurrencies, directly on the brokerage platform using Hong Kong or U.S. dollars, the company announced Thursday.

The online retail broker said last month that it had received an upgrade to its securities license from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), allowing Futu to offer virtual asset trading services to both professional and retail clients in the city.

Futu’s move comes as Hong Kong seeks to boost its attractiveness as a business hub for virtual assets, with the city government launching a series of new cryptocurrency policy initiatives over the past two years, including a mandatory licensing regime for cryptocurrency exchanges.

In addition to offering cryptocurrency trading on its flagship brokerage app, Futu is also seeking a cryptocurrency trading license for its new PantherTrade platform. That platform is among 11 in Hong Kong that are currently “deemed licensed” for cryptocurrency trading, an arrangement that allows them to operate in the city while they await full approval from the SFC.

Hong Kong’s progress in becoming a crypto hub has encountered various challenges, including exit of the major global platforms and relatively low trading activity for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds offered on local stock exchanges.

Futu is now offering a series of incentives to potential investors, amid a cryptocurrency bull market that has seen the price of bitcoin rise 45 percent this year.

Hong Kong investors who open accounts in August and deposit HK$10,000 (US$1,280) over the next 60 days can receive HK$600 worth of bitcoin, a HK$400 supermarket voucher or a single Chinese stock. e-commerce giant Alibaba. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

By holding 80,000 U.S. dollars for the same period, users can get 1,000 Hong Kong dollars in bitcoin or a share of U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) chip maker Nvidia, whose shares have risen more than 140 percent this year.

A Futu representative said the brokerage firm will also waive cryptocurrency trading fees starting Thursday until further notice.

Futu is the first online brokerage in Hong Kong to allow retail investors to buy cryptocurrency directly on its platform. SFC rules require it to offer this service through a tie-up with a licensed cryptocurrency exchange. Futu is partnering with HashKey Exchange, one of only two licensed exchanges in Hong Kong, according to the representative.

Futu’s local rival Tiger Brokers also said in May that it had begun offering cryptocurrency trading services to professional investors on its platform following a license update. The SFC defines professional investors as those with more than HK$8 million in their investment portfolios or corporate entities with assets exceeding HK$40 million.

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Tech Crash: $2.6 Trillion Market Cap Vanishes as ‘Magnificent 7’ Prices Stumble

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Tech Crash: $2.6 Trillion Market Cap Vanishes as ‘Magnificent 7’ Prices Stumble

A group of seven megacap tech stocks, often called the Magnificent 7, have lost more than $2.6 trillion in value over the past 20 days, or an average of $125 billion per day over the period. In total, these stocks have lost “three times the value of the entire Brazilian stock market.”

This according to the economic news agency Letter from Kobeissiwho noted on the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Magnificent 7 batch “is worth as much as Nvidia’s entire current market cap in 20 days,” with Nvidia itself having lost $1 trillion from its high.

Source:Letter from Kobeissi on the X

The group, which includes Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta and Tesla, has undergone a significant correction: in the last 20 days Nvidia has lost 23% of its value, or about $800 billion, while Tesla has fallen 19%, losing $164 billion.

Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta all posted losses of between 9% and 15%, losing between $257 billion and $554 billion in market capitalization, wiping out a total of $200 billion more “than every single German stock market tock combined.”

Tech titans, which have outperformed the broader S&P 500 index since the market bottom of 2022, are now facing a reckoning as investors grow increasingly wary about the sustainability of their meteoric rise, with Nvidia taking the lead soaring 110% since the beginning of the year and over 2,300% in the last five years.

Earnings reports from these companies, starting with Microsoft and culminating with Nvidia in late August, will be closely watched for signs of weakness. Their performance could set the tone for broader market sentiment, with implications for everything from cryptocurrency to other high-risk assets.

Their poor performance comes after a leading macroeconomist, Henrik Zeberg, reiterated his forecast of an impending recession that will be preceded by a final wave in key sectors of the market, but which can potentially be the worst the market has seen since 1929the worst bear market in Wall Street history.

In particular, the Hindenburg Omen, a technical indicator designed to identify potential stock market crashes, began flashing just a month after its previous signal, raising concerns about a possible impending stock market downturn.

The indicator compares the percentage of stocks hitting new 52-week highs and lows to a specific threshold. When the number of stocks hitting both extremes exceeds a certain level, the indicator is said to be triggered, suggesting a greater risk of a crash.

Featured Image via Disinfect.

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Trump Fights for Cryptocurrency Vote at Bitcoin Conference

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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A large conference hall filled with enthusiastic attendees, Bitcoin logos prominently displayed, and a podium with an American flag

To the Bitcoin Conference 2024 In Nashville, Tennessee, former President Donald Trump delivered a keynote speech.

Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, used the platform to appeal to the tech community and solicit donations for the campaign. During the conference, He said:

I promise the Bitcoin community that the day I take the oath of office, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ anti-crypto crusade will be over… If we don’t embrace cryptocurrency and Bitcoin technology, China will, other countries will. They will dominate, and we can’t let China dominate. They are making too much progress as it is.

Trump’s speech focused heavily on cryptocurrency policy, positioning it as a partisan issue. He said that if reelected, he would fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler on his first day in office, a statement that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. This statement marked a stark contrast to Gensler’s tenure, which has been characterized by rigorous oversight of the cryptocurrency industry.

The former president outlined several pro-crypto initiatives he would undertake if elected. These include transforming the United States into a global cryptocurrency hub, keeping all government-held Bitcoin as a “national Bitcoin reserve,” establishing a presidential advisory council on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, and developing power plants to support cryptocurrency mining, emphasizing the use of fossil fuels.

Trump’s current embrace of cryptocurrencies represents a reversal from his stance in 2021, when described Bitcoin as a “scam against the dollar.” He also noted that his campaign has received $25 million in donations since accepting cryptocurrency payments two months ago.

The event featured other political figures, including Republican Senators Tim Scott and Tommy Tuberville, as well as Democratic Representatives Wiley Nickel and Ro Khanna. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also spoke at the conference.

Trump’s appearance at Bitcoin 2024 reflects growing support for his campaign from some tech leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and cryptocurrency entrepreneurs Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

While Trump has described the current administration as “anti-crypto,” Democratic Congressman Wiley Nickel said Vice President Kamala Harris is taking a “forward-thinking approach to digital assets and blockchain technology.”

This event underscores the growing political importance of cryptocurrency policy in the upcoming presidential election.

Kamala Harris and Democrats Respond on Cryptocurrencies

In a strategic move to repair strained relations, Vice President Kamala Harris’ team has initiated a dialogue with major cryptocurrency industry players. This outreach aims to restore the Democratic Party’s stance on digital assets and promote a more collaborative approach.

THE Financial Times reports that Harris’s advisors have reached out to representatives from industry leaders like Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple Labs. This move comes as the cryptocurrency community increasingly supports Republican candidate Donald Trump, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s cryptocurrency policies.

THE disclosure follows a letter from Democratic lawmakers and 2024 candidates urging the party to reevaluate its approach to digital assets. Harris’s team stresses that this effort is less about securing campaign contributions and more about engaging in constructive dialogue to develop sensible regulations.

The move is part of a broader strategy to reshape the Democratic Party’s image among business leaders, countering perceptions of an anti-business stance. Harris’ campaign aims to project a “pro-business, responsible business” message.

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