While gold reached a record high in May at ,450 per ounce, it has since settled at ,329 per ounce. According to the World Gold Council, China’s demand for gold fell in May to its lowest level in four years. Gold Prices Down from Record High, China Physical Consumption Slumps, Analyst Expects Slight Decline Gold […]
Bitcoin News
Despite $250 Billion Worth of Transactions, Digital Yuan Users Prefer Physical Cash
Some participants of China’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot program, specifically state workers paid in digital yuan (e-CNY), are quickly converting their digital currency to physical cash due to concerns over its utility and lack of incentives like interest on savings. Despite China’s advancement towards becoming a cashless society, the digital yuan faces skepticism […]
Bitcoin News
Developing Countries Need Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks – Karam Lakshman
Karam Lakshman, CEO of Wifi Dabba, asserts that a country like India, which is the world’s fifth-largest economy, needs enhanced connectivity and innovation. He suggests that Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks could be the solution for the country, which currently trails other major economies in fixed broadband connectivity. Using Blockchain to Establish Transparent Networks Lakshman supports […]
Bitcoin News
Crypto Exchange Bitmex Sends Physical Bitcoin to the Moon — Expects to Land on Lunar Surface Next Month
Cryptocurrency derivatives exchange Bitmex is sending a physical bitcoin to the moon. “The bitcoin wallet in the shape of one coin will land on the Moon aboard the Peregrine spacecraft, making this the first financial asset to touch the lunar surface!” Bitmex detailed.
Bitmex Sending Bitcoin to the Moon
Crypto derivatives exchange Bitmex announced Saturday that it is “sending bitcoin to the Moon on January 8 at 02:18 am ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.”
The announcement details: “The bitcoin wallet in the shape of one coin will land on the Moon aboard the Peregrine spacecraft, making this the first financial asset to touch the lunar surface!” Bitmex added: “After an Earth orbit, Vulcan rocket will launch and place Peregrine-1 on a lunar trajectory outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, where Peregrine-1 will power on and continue to the 7-week of lunar orbit phase.” The crypto exchange continued:
The bitcoin carried on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket, and integrated onto Peregrine-1, commercial lunar lander, is scheduled to reach the Moon in late February (tentative arrival date: February 23, 2024).
“The landing of Astrobotics’ Peregrine-1 on February 23 could mark the first Western soft lunar landing since NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972 and the first commercially driven Moon mission,” the crypto exchange noted, adding that the physical bitcoin will remain on the lunar surface with Peregrine.
The crypto firm further detailed: “Bitmex’s physical bitcoin, weighing 43g and loaded with 1 BTC … is amongst the 201 payloads from governments, companies, universities, and NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative to travel to the lunar surface. Engraved with a public address (1MoonBTCixFH3XTrWRCbMpK23o74nQrA1Q) and a private key, this will be the first-ever financial asset sent to the Moon.”
Stephan Lutz, CEO at Bitmex, opined: “The mission is a momentous achievement in space exploration, representing the first step of creating a monetary system for a space economy. Perfectly preserved for future generations, the bitcoin on the Moon is a time capsule that captures one of the most significant human innovations and technological advancements. This decisive leap forward is just the beginning of a new era.”
What do you think about Bitmex sending a physical bitcoin to the moon? Let us know in the comments section below.
Rocket Carrying Physical Dogecoin To The Moon Takes Off, But Why Is Price Struggling?
The highly anticipated space launch that is carrying a physical Dogecoin to the moon has finally happened, but the DOGE price has remained stagnant. The Vulcan Centaur rocket took off earlier today with its impressive cargo with hundreds of thousands of participants dropping in.
Vulcan Launch Goes Off Without A Hitch
The Vulcan Centaur rocket launch carried out by the United Launch Alliance took off in the early hours of Monday. The rocket which carried the Peregrine Lunar Lander which is part of the NASA Commercial Luna Payload Services (CLPS) Initiative also carried other cargo, including a gold-plated DOGE coin.
This launch has been anticipated given the fact that it has been in the works for a while. However, it has not had the desired effect on the price of the meme coin which continues to struggle in the wake of the launch. Dogecoin has declined by more than 3% during the last day and is struggling to hold support above .075.
Meanwhile, the anticipation around this event has since dissipated since it has turned out to be a ‘sell the news’ event. All eyes are now on the DOGE-1 space mission which is the first space mission to be funded entirely in cryptocurrency. However, if the Vulcan mission is anything to go by, then the DOGE-1 space mission could end up being a non-event as well, especially as investors’ interest in the coin begins to decline.
Can Dogecoin Recover From Here?
Despite the lack of interest that has plagued Dogecoin over the last few days, there is seemingly a light at the end of the tunnel for the meme coin. Its trading volume has begun to recover over the last day, registering an over 60% increase during this time.
This could suggest a return of interest in the meme coin especially as lower prices are giving investors an opportunity to get back into the market. From here, the DOGE price is following the general crypto market movement and a recovery in the price of Bitcoin could trigger a ripple effect that ends up causing a surge in the DOGE price.
Interestingly, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index still remains firmly in the greed territory, which suggests that investors are not discouraged from investing in cryptocurrencies. Most likely, investors are waiting for the SEC’s decision on the Bitcoin Spot ETFs on Wednesday to determine the next course of action.
At the time of writing, the DOGE price is trailing at .078 with an over 13% loss in the last week.
Over 100 Physical Attacks on Bitcoin Owners Documented Since 2014, Research Reveals
In light of recent physical assaults targeting bitcoin owners, Jameson Lopp, co-founder of Casa, revealed a substantial list of such attacks on crypto holders, tracing back to 2014. Lopp’s research points out that the list, documenting over a hundred physical assaults, likely represents just a fraction of the actual incidents, as many go unreported and unnoticed by the public.
A Startling Report of Over 100 Physical Assaults on Crypto Owners
Recently, at the beginning of November, a report emerged about the abduction of executives from a Binance client, who were coerced into draining their cryptocurrency wallets. Days prior to this incident, a Swedish couple endured a violent ordeal where they were bound, assaulted, and ultimately compelled to relinquish their cryptocurrency assets.
Casa’s CTO, Jameson Lopp, who has been tracking physical assaults on bitcoin users, noted that there have been 16 such attacks in 2023. Lopp disseminated the list on the social media outlet X, remarking, “Did you know that over 100 physical attacks have been perpetrated against Bitcoiners? You can learn more at this historical archive I maintain.”
The list is extensive, yet Lopp emphasizes its limitations, noting that it “is not comprehensive” and pointing out that “many attacks are not publicly reported.” Additionally, the list encompasses “crypto asset owning entities,” which includes physical attacks on cryptocurrency automated teller machines (ATMs).
Lopp’s compilation clearly demonstrates a correlation between the rising value of bitcoin (BTC) and the surge in robberies and physical assaults. For instance, there was a solitary physical attack in 2014, involving the SWATting of computer scientist and early bitcoin advocate Hal Finney.
The attacks escalated in the following year, totaling five, and in 2016, four incidents were documented. The number soared during the 2017 bull run, with 12 attacks recorded within the year. Notably, 2018 saw a dramatic increase to 25 incidents, with eight occurring in January alone.
In 2019 and 2020, the frequency of physical attacks diminished, yet with the 2021 bull run, they surged to 35 incidents. The subsequent year, 2022, saw 26 such attacks documented in Lopp’s record.
These assaults encompass a range of tactics including home invasions, SWATting, abductions, mishandled in-person bitcoin trades, and raids on cryptocurrency mining facilities. Alongside the list, Lopp provides an educational resource titled “The Hodlguard- a primer on physical security in Bitcoin,” as well as slides for those seeking to enhance their security techniques.
What do you think about the list of physical attacks against crypto holders since 2014? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below.
COZ and Degenz․wtf Join Forces to Launch a Physical NFT Collection for ‘Shadow Brother Sunday’ at Tribeca Festival
PRESS RELEASE. FORT COLLINS, CO / June 9, 2023 – COZ, a pioneering community in the blockchain industry, is excited to announce its collaboration with Degenz.wtf, a leading advisory firm, to support Alden Ehrenreich’s directorial debut, Shadow Brother Sunday, with legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola as executive producer. Produced by Vanishing Angle, the short film is set to make its debut at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival on June 9, 2023.
As part of this partnership, Neo Blockchain and Degenz.wtf will be featured in the sponsoring credits, marking their first endeavors into the entertainment industry to make Web 3.0 more accessible to the general public. Furthermore, an exclusive physical NFT collection featuring original 35mm film frames curated by Degenz.wtf and produced by COZ, will be presented during the festival. These NFTs will provide provenance, tamper-proof authenticity, and transferability to collectors and enthusiasts. The auction featuring the pieces will be held in New York City at an after screening party hosted by COZ and Degenz.wtf, and all proceeds will be donated to the charitable organization Red Eye.
“COZ is thrilled to collaborate with Degenz.wtf in supporting Alden Ehrenreich’s directorial debut, Shadow Brother Sunday. This partnership not only represents a new horizon for COZ’s products, but also showcases the innovative potential and scalability of NFT technology,” announced Daniel Fioravante, Marketing Director at COZ.
“When speaking with Alden about creating an innovative multimedia collaboration for charity involving blockchain technology, we knew that COZ and their innovative NFT technology would be an excellent fit for this venture. We also thought of Red Eye, due to their great reputation for on the ground action in helping the homeless communities,” said Jay Brand, co-founder at Degenz.wtf.
The auction will be powered by COZ’s OneBand ring, an innovative non-fungible item cryptographically bound to an NFT, offering users a secure method for signing transactions. This open-source hardware product holds enormous potential across various industries, including gaming, brand activations, financial transactions, and verification. OneBand features a secure NFC chip housing a censored BIP32 master key, supporting BIP44 derivations for private keys in most relevant blockchains. This groundbreaking technology allows the ring to assert its authenticity across the entire Web 3.0 market segment, offering unprecedented security for collectibles and luxury items, mitigating the risk of forgery and theft.
“We are excited to be at the forefront of this technological revolution, providing individuals with an opportunity to witness the transformative power of blockchain technology firsthand. OneBand not only enhances security and authenticity but also opens up new avenues for developers to create innovative projects,” added Tyler Adams, CEO at COZ.
About COZ
COZ has a proud history dating back to 2017, when a diverse team of developers from around the world came together with a shared vision. This collaboration marked the start of their journey as the group led the way introducing the Neo blockchain to the world. The first-ever light wallet and blockchain explorer, as well as COZ’s contributions in the form of Python and JavaScript SDKs, documentation translation, community management, and workshops across the continents, made it possible for people to experience the full potential of the Neo ecosystem.
As advocates for open source development, the community has helped introduce countless new professionals to the world of Web 3.0. In 2019, they officially incorporated as COZ, Inc. Today, the company is present in seven countries and continues to offer the same level of dedication and expertise that has become synonymous with their name.
For more detailed information, please visit https://coz.io/.
About Degenz.wtf
Degenz.wtf is a cutting-edge creative agency and advisory firm, fueled by disruptive technology and renowned for challenging traditional norms across diverse industries. With a collective 20 years of blockchain experience, and expertise spanning traditional finance, payment processing, marketing, film, and fashion, the team at Degenz.wtf is uniquely equipped to handle innovative projects. They stand as not just experts, but pioneers — consistently redefining possibilities and shaping new standards in the industry.
About Neo
Founded in 2014, Neo is an open-source community-driven blockchain platform designed to welcome developers into the Smart Economy. By enabling developers to digitize and automate the management of assets through smart contracts, Neo is built to realize the optimized digital world of the future. As the most developer-friendly blockchain, Neo meets developers where they are, by integrating seamlessly with the world’s most widely used languages and tools, and providing the most feature-complete blockchain platform for building full-stack decentralized applications. With native support for powerful infrastructure including decentralized storage, oracles, and domain name service, Neo is the ideal foundation for developers to build the next generation Internet.
This is a press release. Readers should do their own due diligence before taking any actions related to the promoted company or any of its affiliates or services. Bitcoin.com is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Richape Mille Launches NFTs That Unite the Physical and the Virtual
As the cryptocurrency waltz continues, so does the rapid rise of the NFT phenomenon. As we focus on investments, every market will eventually hit a resistance level. So, smart NFT-makers are planning ahead to focus on how to overcome it.
We can’t say for sure what the secret to success is with launching an NFT as well as it happens with cryptocurrencies – or we’d already be billionaires – but what we can assert that one of the critical factors to ensure long-term growth is the support of a dedicated community that believes in the project.
This is what Richape Mille thought when he put into the pipeline his new collection of NFTs. Look at them as the first step for constructing a more extensive system that combines the physical and virtual in a great unicum: a real hub dedicated to lovers of luxury watches – which becomes its secret weapon.
Metalus NFT, the new collection by Richape Mille
The Metalus collection pays homage in name and features to the famous Nautilus by Patek Philippe and represents an authentic digital art collection dedicated to the world of watches. One hundred different subjects, finely handcrafted into NFTs, will be available in four rarity classes: Rare, Super Rare, Grail, and Piece Unique. A total of 5711 NFTs will be minted.
If you want to know more or participate in the launch of the collection, which will take place around the end of February, we suggest you pre-register on the Richape Mille website – richapemille.com – to access the Discord channel that will be put online soon. This channel will be open to all watch enthusiasts who want to make a difference. It represents the first step towards building a community that will become the backbone of the most important marketplace in the metaverse.
Among the most active in the channel, who will add experiences and content, making it richer and more enjoyable, a few will receive the invitation for the whitelist. This will allow them to buy up to 2 NFTs per wallet at launch price when the NFTs are minted towards the end of February.
The rest of the NFTs will be placed on the most popular public marketplaces once the whitelist offer expires – obviously at prices different from the launch price and subject to the gas war. A few days after the end of the public allocation, the subjects of the NFTs that have been purchased and their rarity will be revealed.
The creation of ChronoMETA
Richape Mille’s commitment to the project is long-term. The launch of Metalus will allow the creation of ChronoMETA, a marketplace on the metaverse dedicated to all things NFT with a luxury watch theme, both physical and virtual, and which will allow participants – namely, the exclusive club of NFT owners of the Metalus series – to operate on it.
On ChronoMETA – the first marketplace of this kind – it will be possible to buy, sell and exchange NFTs with payment in cryptocurrencies, at lower costs than those of a traditional marketplace, quickly and directly, and without the typical problems of “physical” distribution of timepieces: waiting lists, watch flipping, and excessive surcharge by intermediaries.
Another interesting spin on blockchain technology offered by ChronoMETA is the possibility to acquire fractional ownership of an NFT attached to a physical watch. Anyone will be able to purchase a piece of a Grail watch – which may have been entirely out of their reach before – and resell them in the future on the platform—an innovative and exciting investment vehicle.
To top it off, there will be special initiatives and other perks aimed at members of this “club,” both physical and virtual, offered by ChronoMETA in collaboration with the most exclusive manufacturers of luxury watches.
ChronoMETA’s development will also be accompanied by creating a structure dedicated to developing technology and services to allow the great horology Maisons to enter the metaverse simply and effectively: meta-made.org. And if you think it’s just an idea for the future, it’s already happening.
Richape Mille’s ace in the hole: community building
Richape Mille, as we said, aims high. And it goes to great lengths to create a community that is attractive to all participants right away. So, first and foremost, all subscribers to the Metalus collection will receive a custom hoodie with its logo, complete with its digital version in NFT.
And one of them, the luckiest one, will benefit from a very special perk: a dream watch, a platinum Rolex Daytona, complete with box and papers. Physical, not virtual.
In addition, there is an interesting spin-off dedicated to those who own NFTs from the Bored Ape Yacht Club. If someone holds them and keeps them on the same wallet as the Metalus series, they will receive a completely free NFT derivative that will show their monkey wearing the Metalus series watch that they own.
Richape Mille’s initiative, which combines the physical and virtual worlds into a unique and distinctive project, is in the process of launching. It looks like a perfect example of how value can be created by looking further into the metaverse. This environment will become the new dimension of global business in ways we can only imagine today in early 2022.
A gamble? Maybe so. But those who bet on Bitcoins indeed bet on a horse that turned out to be a winner.
Physical NFTs? A Glimpse at Spellfire’s Gameplay and New Cards
Whether you are an experienced card game player, a fan of collectibles, or just getting into NFTs, Spellfire Re-Master the Magic is a game to keep your eyes firmly trained on.
The creation of a group of crypto developers, Spellfire is a blockchain-based collectible card game (CCG) that finally gives ownership back to its players, in the form of NFT-based cards.
However, they also know that the nostalgic feeling many fans get from physical cards is an essential part of the experience, so the game has been designed to seamlessly blend real-world printed cards with their digital equivalents.
As it stands, Spellfire is a comprehensive package that manages to pack 30 years of history into a CCG fit for the gamers of today. Regardless of whether you feel most comfortable at a tabletop or in front of your monitor, there will be a method of play to call home.
Recent interest in Spellfire has seen its fanbase grow rapidly, and its team now has the happy problem of onboarding hundreds of fans eager to learn more. This week saw the release of the project’s gameplay explainer, which talked viewers through the basics, from character types to each unique phase of gameplay.
Those interested in building their first deck of cards will be pleased to learn that future plans include the possibility of earning free starter decks by participating in Discord community events.
Gaming NFTs Show Their True Potential
The potential of gaming NFTs is starting to come to fruition. In November, users spent 71% more on NFT game items, and Play-to-Earn games now account for close to 50% of all blockchain activity. Gaming NFTs have now been responsible for a staggering .08 billion of NFT trading volume.
This brings us to Spellfires NFTs. In an industry that is constantly shifting, with new developments being witnessed every day, Spellfire’s physical NFTs remain unique in the space.
They are touchable, with each NFT card seamlessly blending its digital form with a physical equivalent. Each card’s value and power can be increased by gaining experience in-game and upgrading them with Spellfire’s currency, MAGIC tokens. Finally, special augmented reality cards help to create a unique sense of immersion via spectacular visuals, gestures and voice commands.
Opensea currently has 115 Prime Edition cards available to purchase, and a brief glimpse of what the lucky owners of the game’s physical cards can expect to receive has recently been released. The first thing to note is how strikingly detailed each illustration is.
The artists have clearly enjoyed the creative freedom they were afforded for this first release, and one can only imagine where they will take things from here. Original NFT Cards have been treated with holographic foil for a final flourish, and the cards are expected to have broad appeal to both gamers and collectors alike.
Not Just Digital Collectibles
Spellfire’s NFTs are so much more than digital collectibles. Although it has been built on the technology of today, at its core, it preserves the same feeling that brought in legions of CCG fans in the early ‘90s. Great importance has been placed on retaining the satisfying experience of building a strong deck, implementing a smart gameplan, and outsmarting an opponent in battle.
The team has ensured that there will be no shortage of reasons to keep coming back for more. In addition to the Play-to-Earn features detailed below, players can compete in high-stakes ranked gameplay against highly skilled opponents. By staking their NFT cards and MAGIC tokens, victorious players can take home even greater winnings.
Play-to-Earn Done Right
As you would expect from a CCG firmly positioning itself in the Play-to-Earn space, players can expect to generate income from their favorite cards and by playing the game they love.
- Buyers of Original NFT Cards earn passively through additional sales of their cards, retaining up to 90% of all profits.
- Once a non-NFT card has been upgraded enough, it becomes a Playing NFT Card, giving the owner the ability to use the Play-2-Earn systems.
- 128,000,000 $MAGIC kept for distribution to Spellfire’s community through tournament play and in-game achievements.
Although Spellfire is yet to release, development is proceeding at a steady pace. When it becomes available for the public to play, CCG players around the world will have a new game to obsess over, built exclusively with them in mind.
By introducing exciting new gameplay, and unique card mechanics that won’t be found elsewhere, Spellfire is ready to set the world on fire.
Join Spellfire’s magical universe, or head over to Opensea to get your collection underway.
Deloitte Survey Shows 76% Of Finance Execs Think Physical Money Is Nearing Its End
A recent survey from Deloitte that collated data from 1,280 senior finance executives in 10 locations across the world produced interesting results regarding the blockchain industry. This survey is Deloitte’s fourth annual Global Blockchain Survey, which focuses on the financial services industry (FSI). Findings from the survey show that there is a need for the industry to turn towards product modernization and distribution in order to see economic growth.
When polled, 76% of the 1,280 respondents said they believed that the end of physical money is near. And that digital assets were set to replace fiat currencies in the next five to 10 years. This will obviously have a significant impact on the financial services industry, but the respondents remained optimistic about the revenue potential of both blockchain and crypto, and digital currencies.
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“The Deloitte ‘Global Blockchain Survey’ shows that the foundation of banking has been fundamentally outlived and financial services industry players must redefine themselves and find innovative ways to create economic growth in the future of money.” – Linda Paw-czuk, Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and global and U.S. blockchain and digital assets leader
Blockchain Is Already Mainstream, Says Survey
The survey also showed that the majority – nearly 80% – of global FSI leaders believed that digital assets are going to be very/somewhat important to their various industries in the next two years. They also see both digital assets and blockchain technologies as a strategic priority now and in the future.
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73% of respondents admitted that a recurring fear was that their various organizations would lose competitive advantage if they failed to adopt digital assets and blockchain technology. Findings also showed that 81% of respondents agreed that blockchain technology is highly scalable, and according to them, has already achieved mainstream adoption.
The world is no doubt headed towards a completely digital world. Things like paper currencies are likely to be obsolete in the near future. Hence, financial services industries need to shift to new business models for revenue generation. Digital assets will be used to simplify payments. And 43% of respondents said that these new payment options represent a “very important” role for digital assets.
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Richard Walker, a principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. financial services industry blockchain leader, had some thoughts on this. “As digital asset disruption rapidly changes the marketplace, global financial services are striving to reinvent themselves, creating businesses to generate new sources of revenue.” Walker went on to add, “Opportunities for real change in several areas of the global financial markets exist for those players that explore new ways to harness the power of blockchain technology and digital assets to reimagine their business modes.”