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The total value locked (TVL) in real-world asset (RWA) protocols has surpassed $10.2 billion across 79 decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, signaling a growing trend in tokenizing traditional financial assets. Leading the space are Maker RWA, BlackRock BUIDL, and Ethena USDtb, collectively holding 36% of the total TVL, according to DeFiLlama. Analysts predict RWAs will exceed $50 billion in market capitalization by the end of 2025 as investors seek tokenized treasury bonds, stablecoins, and commodities to hedge against crypto market volatility. BlackRock’s BUIDL, a tokenized money market fund, has attracted $373 million in assets, while Ethena USDtb’s TVL surged 1,000% in the past month. The rise of RWAs highlights the increasing integration of blockchain with traditional finance, offering new investment opportunities. Source
The rise of cryptocurrency is transforming the global job market, enabling businesses to hire and pay talent across borders with ease. Traditionally, companies hired locally due to regulatory and logistical challenges, but crypto payments remove these barriers, making international hiring more accessible and cost-effective. As digital nomadism grows, more employees prefer receiving salaries in crypto, pushing traditional businesses to adopt this payment method. Employers now prioritize skills over location, fostering a competitive, global talent pool. While this benefits emerging markets, it may challenge labor markets in high-cost regions like the US and Europe. The trend extends beyond tech, with industries like marketing, design, and finance embracing crypto payments, reshaping the future of work. Source
Vibe coding is the latest AI-driven trend in software development, where developers and non-coders alike use natural language to instruct AI models to generate applications, eliminating the need for traditional coding. Popularized by Andrej Karpathy and quickly embraced by tech influencers, this approach relies on AI assistants to write, refine, and debug code, shifting programming from meticulous syntax work to a conversational, iterative process. Enthusiasts hail it as a creative revolution that democratizes app development, while critics warn of poor code quality, security risks, and skill atrophy. Despite concerns, AI-assisted coding—rather than fully automated vibe coding—remains the most reliable approach for now. Source
NYDIG’s Greg Cipolaro argues that tokenizing U.S. gold reserves on a blockchain could enhance transparency and audits but would still require trust in central entities, unlike Bitcoin’s decentralized model. While blockchain-tracked gold wouldn’t function trustlessly, Cipolaro suggests it could boost awareness of digital assets and ultimately benefit Bitcoin. The discussion comes amid renewed calls for an independent audit of Fort Knox, with figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk questioning the true state of U.S. gold reserves. Despite conspiracy theories, officials maintain that Fort Knox undergoes regular audits and that all gold is accounted for. Source
The U.S. Treasury argues that its removal of Tornado Cash from the sanctions list makes the ongoing lawsuit against it moot, as the legal basis for the challenge no longer exists. However, Coinbase’s chief legal officer, Paul Grewal, contends that the case should proceed, citing legal precedent that voluntary cessation does not necessarily prevent future re-sanctioning. Tornado Cash was originally sanctioned in 2022 for allegedly facilitating North Korean money laundering, but recent court rulings overturned the sanctions, forcing the Treasury to delist it. Despite this, its founders still face legal battles, with Roman Storm awaiting trial and Roman Semenov remaining a fugitive. Source
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Markethive’s R² Principle (Reach and Returns) emphasizes a dual approach to digital marketing within its crypto-powered ecosystem. "Reach" is facilitated through customizable subscriptions offering tools like SEO optimization, social media marketing, and targeted advertising to maximize visibility. "Returns" are achieved through the platform’s tiered KEY qualification system, which rewards users with Hivecoin (HVC) and revenue shares based on their level of participation and investment. This model fosters long-term engagement and community-driven growth, distinguishing Markethive from traditional marketing platforms by integrating blockchain technology, inbound marketing, and social media into a decentralized network. Source
The U.S. authorities are returning $7 million to victims of a social engineering scam where fraudsters deceived individuals into sending money to fake cryptocurrency investment platforms. The scam involved the perpetrators earning victims' trust, then directing them to fraudulent websites that appeared legitimate. Victims deposited funds, which were then funnelled through multiple bank accounts and sent abroad. When victims tried to withdraw their funds, the scammers used tactics like claiming unpaid taxes to coerce more money. The U.S. Secret Service seized some of the stolen funds in 2023, and after a settlement with a foreign bank, $7 million will be returned to the victims. Source
Address poisoning attacks in cryptocurrency involve attackers manipulating or deceiving users by tampering with blockchain addresses, leading to theft, disruption, or deception. Common types include phishing, transaction interception, address reuse exploitation, Sybil attacks, fake QR codes, address spoofing, and smart contract vulnerabilities. These attacks can cause financial losses, erode trust in blockchain networks, and disrupt their operation. To avoid such attacks, users should use fresh wallet addresses, hardware wallets, and reputable services, and consider employing measures like whitelisting, multisig wallets, and blockchain analysis tools. Regular software updates and reporting suspicious activity also help reduce the risk of these attacks. Source
Sonic, a blockchain project, is developing an algorithmic stablecoin offering up to 23% annual yield, reigniting fears of another collapse like the Terra-Luna disaster of 2022. The Terra ecosystem's $40 billion collapse, driven by its unstable algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD (UST), left many wary of such projects. Andre Cronje, co-founder of Sonic Labs, admitted to experiencing PTSD from the previous Terra collapse but remains optimistic about Sonic's algorithmic stablecoin. Despite concerns, the project is gaining attention for its technical innovations, including being touted as the world’s fastest Ethereum Virtual Machine chain. However, the EU's MiCA regulation now bans new algorithmic stablecoins to prevent a repeat of the Terra crisis. Source
A growing number of publicly traded companies are following the example set by MicroStrategy, now known as Strategy, in adopting Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset. The trend was sparked by the success of Strategy's Bitcoin-buying plan, which has contributed to significant profits, including a $42 billion stash of Bitcoin. Among the companies now stacking Bitcoin are Tesla, which holds around $978 million in the cryptocurrency, and Block, which owns over 8,000 BTC. Other firms, including Rumble, LEEF Brands, Semler Scientific, and Fold, have also announced Bitcoin purchase plans. Some companies, like Semler Scientific, are ramping up their acquisitions, while others, like Nuvve, aim to use Bitcoin for both treasury diversification and payment options. This trend reflects growing institutional interest in Bitcoin as a long-term asset, despite the volatile nature of the market. Source
A recent Kaiko Research report highlights the growing threat of market manipulation, particularly sandwich attacks, in decentralized finance (DeFi), which are deterring institutional players from engaging in the space. The report cites incidents, such as a USDC-USDT liquidity pool attack on Uniswap V3, where attackers exploited low liquidity and slippage, causing substantial losses for traders. Experts argue that unless DeFi platforms implement stronger protections, such as transaction privacy and insurance for assets, institutional adoption will remain limited, and market manipulation will persist. While some experts suggest that education and user interface improvements could help mitigate these issues, others, like Robby Greenfield, emphasize the need for regulatory measures to ensure security and build institutional confidence. However, balancing regulation with DeFi's decentralized nature remains a complex challenge. Source
Disclaimer: These articles are provided for informational purposes only. They are not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other advice.
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