India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested Manideep Mago under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an “illegal foreign remittances case” involving cryptocurrency. The investigation uncovered that a Delhi-based company sold cryptocurrencies worth over Rs. 1858 crore (3 million) on crypto exchanges and made foreign remittances exceeding Rs. 3500 crore. […]
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Unleash the Fun of Crypto Casino Gaming With Kripty, the New Go-to Source for the Ultimate Player Experience
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Bitcasino.io Player Strikes Gold Twice, Securing $4.5M in Winnings
PRESS RELEASE. February 15, 2024, London, UK — In a remarkable story one Bitcasino.io player has won a huge jackpot and another big win in the space of a few weeks, earning a massive .5 million dollars. Bets were placed in USDT cryptocurrency, with joy found in a Max Win, followed by a Big Win […]
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Bitcoin Spot ETF In January 2024: A New Player Just Joined The Game
In the ongoing Spot Bitcoin ETF mania, Pando has joined the race aiming to seize the opportunities that may arise following the potential approval of BTC Spot ETFs by the US SEC.
Pando Submits Spot Bitcoin ETF Filing
Switzerland-based asset management company, Pando Asset has become the latest entrant into the Spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) race. The investment firm officially submitted its Spot BTC ETF filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 29.
The news of the late filing comes as a surprise to the crypto space, as the final dates for the SEC’s decision on the Spot Bitcoin ETF approval approach.
In the filing, Pando Asset provided a lengthy outline of its Spot BTC ETF, PBTC, highlighting its purpose, offerings, net asset value, regulatory compliance, tax considerations, and other factors.
“The Trust was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on November 16, 2023. The purpose of the Trust is to own bitcoin transferred to the Trust in exchange for Shares issued by the Trust. Each Share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in the net assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust consist primarily of bitcoin held by the Bitcoin Custodian on behalf of the Trust,” the filing stated.
Pando’s BTC Spot ETF brings the total number of filed Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the crypto space to 13. Among them are applications from prominent financial institutions such as Grayscale, BlackRock, Ark Invest, WisdomTree, and others.
The crypto space is presently anticipating the approval of these ETFs, as many crypto experts have predicted that a Bitcoin Spot ETF debut could result in massive inflows for BTC which may trigger a bull run.
Spot ETF Approval Prediction
While the crypto community awaits the US SEC’s final verdict on Spot Bitcoin ETF approval, a Bloomberg analyst, James Seyffart has predicted a favorable approval outcome for BTC Spot ETFs.
According to Seyffart, Spot Bitcoin ETFs could see potential approval by January 10, 2024. His prediction has also been backed by another ETF specialist, Senior Bloomberg analyst, Eric Balchunas who gives a strong 90% likelihood for the approval of Spot Bitcoin ETFs.
“People asking me if we changed the odds. No, we are still holding the line at 90% odds of approval by Jan 10 (aka this cycle), the same odds we’ve had for months (before it was cool/safe). What we are watching for now: more amended/final filings to roll in and clarity on in-kind vs cash creates,” Balchunas stated.
Nigeria Passes ‘National Blockchain Policy,’ Industry Player Says Central Bank Unlikely to Lift Crypto Ban
The Nigerian Federal government said on May 3 it had passed what it called the “national blockchain policy.” The Nigerian minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami, said the new policy is a product of consultations with 56 institutions and personalities. Lucky Uwakwe, the founder of the technology service delivery company Sabi Group, said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is unlikely to reverse its stance on privately issued digital currency.
Blockchain Policy a Product of Widespread Consultations
The Nigerian Federal government recently approved what Isa Pantami, the country’s minister of communications and digital economy, has described as the country’s “national blockchain policy.” According to Pantami, the new policy is a product of widespread consultations with some 56 Nigerian institutions and personalities. Remarking on what this feat means for Nigeria’s blockchain industry, Pantami, who spoke after a Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by outgoing president Muhammadu Buhari, said:
With the approval of the national blockchain policy for Nigeria today, we can safely say that blockchain technology with all its components and types have been institutionalized in the country.
The minister added that the country’s security council and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have been asked to jointly develop and formulate regulatory instruments for all sectors.
CBN Crypto Directive
Following the announcement, some players in Nigeria have speculated that the new policy signals a shift in the outgoing’s government disposition towards technology that underpins cryptocurrencies. In particular, the new policy gives hope to Nigerian crypto traders and enthusiasts still reeling from the effects of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s crypto directive.
Lucky Uwakwe, the founder of the technology service delivery company Sabi Group, said the new policy means the various players in the blockchain industry now have the official backing of the government. According to Uwakwe, the new policy also suggests that the technology is “here to stay.”
However, the Sabi Group founder told Bitcoin.com News that while the announcement is set to excite the blockchain industry participants, players in the crypto space fear that the new policy alone will not force the CBN to reverse its position on privately issued digital currency. This, according to Uwakwe, is because the central bank operates independently.
“The central bank is empowered by the law to act independently. If the CBN decides to see that even with this executive policy that has passed by the Federal executive council, if the central bank still sees it as a threat to financial stability, they still have the power to continue to maintaining that law [CBN crypto restriction],” Uwakwe said. According to Uwakwe, the only way the CBN’s crypto directive can be removed is when the central bank itself “deletes” the Feb. 5, 2021 directive.
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Luck Strikes Again: Player Wins 6 BTC Jackpot on Book of the Fallen at Bitcoin.com Games
A thrilling adventure in Book of the Fallen by Pragmatic leads to a huge win of 6 BTC!
Another Massive Win on Bitcoin.com Games
It seems like the lucky streak on Bitcoin.com Games crypto casino continues with yet another player hitting the jackpot of 1,214 times their initial bet amount, and winning a life-changing amount of BTC. The latest big win came from a player who took a chance on the thrilling game Book of the Fallen by Pragmatic and ended up with a massive 0,000 payout in Bitcoin.
Book of the Fallen by Pragmatic
Book of the Fallen is an action-packed slot game with an adventurous theme that takes players on a quest to discover the hidden treasures of an ancient civilization. With its impressive graphics and unique features, this game offers players an unforgettable gaming experience that’s both exciting and rewarding.
The lucky player who won the 0,000 jackpot was spinning the reels with a bet of 0.005 BTC, proving once again that on Bitcoin.com Games, big multipliers can propel even the smallest of bets into big fortunes. Book of the Fallen offers a high volatility gameplay with the potential to hit a multiplier of up to 5,000x the bet value.
Player lands 1,214x on a bet of 0.005 BTC, wins 0,000!
The player, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they were drawn to the game’s intriguing storyline and impressive graphics. They never expected to win such a large amount of Bitcoin, but were thrilled to hit the jackpot after just a few spins of the reels.
Bitcoin.com Games – A Hub of Big Wins
Bitcoin.com Games offers a wide range of casino games, including popular slots, table games, live casino games, and more. The casino has been gaining popularity due to its impressive array of games with big jackpots and high multipliers. Many players have already won life-changing amounts of BTC by playing on the platform, and with new games being added regularly, there are always new opportunities to hit the jackpot.
Join the Fun and Win Big
Whether you’re a seasoned casino player or just starting, Bitcoin.com Games is the perfect place to test your luck and potentially win big. With Book of the Fallen and other popular games available, players have a chance to experience the thrill of winning big and changing their lives forever. So, don’t wait any longer, head to Bitcoin.com Games and start spinning the reels today!
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Digital Assets Under Management 5.25% Higher in February — Grayscale Still ‘Most Dominant Player’
The value of digital assets under management (AUM) for digital asset investment products in February rose to .3 billion, the highest number recorded since May 2022, according to Cryptocompare stats. The increase came against the background of rising U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement actions against crypto industry players. Bitcoin and ethereum continue to account for the lion’s share of the digital assets under management.
Highest AUM Since May
The total U.S. dollar value of digital assets under management (AUM) in February rose to .3 billion up from approximately .8 billion recorded in January, the latest Cryptocompare data has shown. The latest total makes this the “highest AUM recorded since May 2022,” the report added.
According to a report released by Cryptocompare, a digital asset data provider, the latest AUM increase “signalled the bullish sentiment of investors and the increased appetite for digital assets.” The increase in the investor’s appetite for digital assets came against the backdrop of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-led crackdown on industry players. The report also noted that the increase came against the background of what it described as “macroeconomic setbacks.”
As has been the case in the past, bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH) accounted for the lion’s share of all digital assets under management in February.
“The assets under management (AUM) for Bitcoin and Ethereum-based products saw an increase of 6.06% and 1.72%, respectively, reaching billion and .80 billion. As a result, these products now account for 70.5% and 24.0% of the total AUM market share,” the Cryptocompare report said.
The report also noted that just like BTC and ETH, digital assets that are included in the category of “Other” and “Basket” assets had similarly increased by “14.7% to .16 billion and 2.33% to 3 million, respectively.”
Grayscale Still Rules the Roost
Meanwhile, the Cryptocompare report noted that Grayscale is still the most dominant asset management firm with .8 billion worth of digital assets under management. XBT Provider (.54 billion) and 21Shares (.38 billion) are ranked second and third, respectively.
Concerning the correlation between digital assets investment products and traditional assets, the report noted that this had “recently stabilized and is expected to decrease as innovation fuels interest for digital assets.”
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theBlock Research Pins Stacks as a Key Player in the BTC Network
Bitcoin is widely considered to be the world’s leading cryptocurrency. However, builders can use this technology to develop powerful applications, protocols, products, and services. Several ecosystems emerged on top of Bitcoin over the years, and Stacks continues to note tremendous growth.
The Ongoing Evolution of Stacks
Many people may recall Stacks under its former name of Blockstacks. It is a smart contract layer for Bitcoin tethered to the Bitcoin blockchain through a cross-chain consensus mechanism. The hash of the Stacks state is embedded into every Bitcoin network block. More importantly, Stacks is not limited to Bitcoin’s scaling – or lack thereof – as it relies on a different approach to process transactions.
Under the Stacks hood, the network relies on two types of blocks:
- Anchor blocks: used to tether Stacks to Bitcoin
- Microblocks: powering applications requiring high throughput and low latency.
One of the emerging partners through Stacks is Hiro, an organization focused on building Bitcoin applications. They, too, see merit in further scaling Stacks through Hyperchains and increasing the throughput even further. Hiro proposes using trusted federated hyperchains to evolve into a trustless hyperchain solution.
Stacks Adoption Increases Rapidly
The approach by Stacks immediately gained traction since launching its smart contracts in 2021. That resulted in a Total Value Locked increase following the introduction of native-BTC swaps and support for Non-Fungible Tokens. The current Total Value Locked in Stacks hovers near 0 million, most of which resides in the StackSwap DEX and token launchpad.
Another growth factor, as outlined in the recent TheBlock research, is the number of projects building Stacks to unlock more Bitcoin-oriented potential. The smart contract layer is leveraged by Alex, Gamma, Arkadiko, HeyLayer, Zest, Xverse, Planbetter, Block Survey, Provico, Byzantion, GoSats, and Moon. That confirms overall interest in this technology keeps rising, and more developers want to experiment with Bitcoin-capable smart contracts.
Moreover, the position of Stacks has been solidified by Trust Machines that recently a massed a warchest of 0M. The Trust Machines team wants to become the “ConsenSys of Bitcoin”, which may sound rather ambitious to onlookers. However, it aims to explore all opportunities brought to the Bitcoin ecosystem, and the initial focus will shift to the Stacks ecosystem.
Statistics-wise, the network notes a healthy uptake on smart contracts, NFTs, and other transactions. The coinciding growth of smart contract deployment and NFT events is to be expected, although there will be other use cases for these contracts in the future.
The Push Continues
Although Stacks has seen tremendous growth since its launch, there is more work to do. One focal point is introducing developer incentives. Development for and on Bitcoin will only advance when more people are interested in exploring the available opportunities. So together with GSR, OKCoin, and Digital Currency Group, the Stacks Foundation announced a 5 million incentive dubbed Bitcoin Odyssey. That fund is designed to provide financial support for applications and builders who drive Bitcoin adoption.
Another crucial catalyst to consider is how developers achieve peace of mind when building on Stacks. One of its core benefits is maintaining a design approach that doesn’t require changes to the Bitcoin protocol. That also extends to applications getting “stuck”, as they can resolve those issues quickly and seamlessly.
Overcoming The Early Challenges Of Web3: How This P2E Title Approaches Player Rewards Differently
The last year has proven that the emergence of Web3, NFTs, and play-to-earn are far from a fad. There are cultural shifts taking place today that show immense potential to completely flip traditional models on their heads – from how we look at content, gaming, finance, and more.
Play-to-earn gaming has reaped massive rewards from this shift and is poised to continue to do so as societal adoption grows. However, in the early days of play-to-earn titles earning legitimacy and status, along too has come inherent barriers to entry. The costs of acquiring many of the base-level NFTs just to get involved in some of the biggest P2E titles today have become so high, that there are rent-seekers that have started to gate the experience.
Additionally, some play-to-earn titles have implemented a sort of subscription model, and others merely have entry prices that run into many thousands of dollars. High costs aren’t the only concern, as even some of the biggest play-to-earn titles have faced challenges around blockchain vulnerabilities. Additionally, the traditional gaming environment has been hesitant in accepting the play-to-earn structure, and the costs of developing a strong gaming title are high.
While not all of this is entirely avoidable, one project – OpiPets – is carving their own niche by rewarding their community with crypto, at no cost, whilst offering a gaming first approach to their yet-to-be-released title.
OpiPets: Addressing Price Disparity
OpiPets is bringing to market a free P2E title that will enable users to create, battle, obtain and trade their OpiPet NFTs. The platform will integrate a two token system, one token serving as a governance token and the other as the in-game currency, a “cross-functional” token in the Opis Group ecosystem. For example, the in-game currency will be a token that can also be earned via the Opis Cloud app.
Unlike many current play-to-earn approaches these days, users in OpiPets can earn in-game currency without spending real money – simply through engaging with the game.
The OpiPets team explained the free-to-play structure of the game in a recent AMA, stating; “OpiPets truly is a free to play to earn game and we believe one of the first of its kind. Users can create an account and begin earning in-game tokens without the need to connect a wallet or deposit anything at all.” Users can connect their wallet later when they’re ready to withdraw earnings, mint a custom NFT, or go to battle.
Why It Matters
Play-to-earn titles deserve a level point of entry for new participants, and OpiPets is focused on exactly that – while still bringing P2E project necessities, such as hand-drawn characters, a transparent team, and a clear vision.
“We have a very experienced team, more than capable of delivering on our promises,” stated Vince Howard, Head of Marketing. “Our team comes from prestigious backgrounds, such as; Call of Duty, Epic Games, Swissborg, BBC, NBC Universal, United Nations, Microsoft Azure, KPMG and Sony Pictures.”
OpiPets is in a unique position in comparison to many play-to-earns. Rather than having to rely on an initial token sale offering to develop the game, the OpiPets team is already funded. The game is in development and due to launch in Q3 2022. Consequently, the team has been able to focus on delivering an enjoyable game for their community.
“The thing that really sets us apart from other projects is that we focus on gaming first,” added Vince. “A lot of these ‘games’ feel more like work to earns with no enjoyable features that really define a game. We’re putting the play in play to earns.”
As players explore new treasure drops, dungeon raids, virtual stores, and more, they can do so while engaging with an environment that is focused on keeping a user-first experience. No multi-thousand dollar investment, no renting, no monthly subscription costs – just a true gaming experience that allows you to earn as you play.
Image: Pixabay
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Blockchain-Powered Game WonderHero Sees Average Player Incomes Reach $1,215 Within Weeks Of Launch
As the most recent advancement in the gaming industry, the concept of play-to-earn (P2E) gaming has garnered mainstream popularity, especially as gamers seek new income opportunities during the pandemic. Through P2E, individuals can generate passive returns while playing certain games. The concept has become so popular that scattered cases have emerged worldwide whereby players earn more than their ordinary salaries, leading to an unprecedented rise in the number of P2E games and players alike.
Among the flood of play-to-earn games, WonderHero, a recently launched P2E Mobile RPG, has turned out to be a highly profitable game for early adopters. Within just three weeks of unveiling, WonderHero players are already earning as much as ,215 on a rolling basis since inception – exceeding the minimum salary in the United States.
In this blockchain-powered game, players can earn rare non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and then sell or trade them on a P2P NFT marketplace. Built by a team of professionals with leadership experience across some of the most prominent crypto exchanges, WonderHero maintains a balanced ecosystem where every participant gets access to income opportunities while having fun at the same time.
A Promising Revenue Source For Gaming Enthusiasts
Considering the ongoing bear market in cryptocurrencies, WonderHero offering an income opportunity averaging 1,215 USDT to its community is a clear indication that P2E gaming is set to become even more attractive over the near future.
This substantial income results from WonderHero’s ecosystem, which uses the combination of the platform’s native $WND and $HON tokens alongside NFTs. On average, each player earned a combined $WND and $HON token income of around 3.27 USDT. At the same time, the average NFT in every player’s account currently has an estimated value of 1,150 USDT.
Extremely popular across Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan, WonderHero includes a built-in NFT marketplace as well as an ‘Earn’ section with dedicated DeFi (decentralized finance) tools. Powered by the $WND token, the WonderHero ecosystem enables players to complete battles and win in-game tokens and NFT drops. Since all in-game assets are tokenized as NFTs, players can trade them freely on the marketplace.
Within mere three weeks since its public release, WonderHero players have successfully generated over 200% ROI. Owing to the combination of unique gameplay and rewards, the platform has already amassed more than 11,000 daily active players, collectively recording a total of over 1.4 million battles played.
Based on the total user activity on the platform, the battles have generated over 22.2 million $HON tokens and 129,000 $WND for players. Meanwhile, the average NFT sale has yielded almost 51 USDT, leading to a combined NFT trading volume of .9 million USDT, further underlining the growing popularity of P2E games and this specific ecosystem.
According to the WonderHero team, the demand for weapons and hero skin NFTs is at an all-time high. To date, the most valuable weapon NFT was traded for 2,000 USDT, and the most expensive hero skin NFT bagged 1,999 USDT. On the other hand, equipment NFTs are moderately popular, and the highest sale price for equipment NFT is currently 400 USDT.
In addition to the in-game assets, WonderHero’s ‘Guilds’ feature and the player versus player (PvP) Arena are two of the most hyped additions designed to help drive the platform’s growth much higher. WonderHero is backed by a consortium of industry heavyweights, having already raised .845 million from several successful fundraising rounds ahead of its January launch.