News from the blockchain world #76 | Web3 opportunities & more ??
Welcome to the first edition of the News from the Blockchain World newsletter for 2025! ??
The new year kicks off with exciting developments already shaping the crypto market. From companies securing MiCA licenses to predictions of a market peak, the industry is starting the year at full speed.
We’ll also take a moment to highlight Linity’s achievements over the past year and thank our users for making it all possible. ??
Stay updated as we dive into the first Web3 news of the year. Let’s step into 2025 together!
From this edition, you'll learn, a.o:
? Which crypto companies secured MiCA licenses?
? How much was lost to wallet drainer attacks in 2024?
? One of the largest banks in which country just launched a crypto trading service?
? How much did a new meme coin project raise during its token presale?
? Who predicted that the crypto market peak will happen in March?
For the freshest crypto opportunities, visit our page and explore curated airdrops, testnets, and NFTs.
Happy reading, and see you next week!
What a year 2024 has been for Linity! ??
Here’s a snapshot of our growth:
?? 250K+ users reached (+1,033%)
?? 31,675 registered users (+459%)
?? A global community spanning Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Poland, Portugal, Nigeria, and beyond!
Key highlights of the year:
Thanks to our wonderful users for making 2024 unforgettable. Here’s to building even more in 2025! ??
?? Ripple Partners with Chainlink to Boost RLUSD Stablecoin Adoption.
Ripple has teamed up with Chainlink to improve the adoption and functionality of its RLUSD stablecoin in decentralized finance (DeFi) by utilizing Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network for secure price data on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger. Despite concerns of potential supply shortages affecting RLUSD prices, Ripple aims to position the stablecoin as compliant and composable for institutional DeFi applications.
?? FTX EU acquired by Backpack Exchange, founded by previous FTX and Alameda employees.
Backpack Exchange, founded by former FTX and Alameda employees, has acquired FTX EU after receiving court and regulatory approval. The acquisition allows Backpack to handle FTX EU users' bankruptcy claims, focusing on restoring customer funds. Backpack EU plans to launch in Q1 2025, offering crypto derivatives and perpetual futures across the European Union. The exchange secured a MiFID II license, signaling its commitment to regulatory compliance amid the rollout of MiCA regulations.
?? Dusk Mainnet Goes Live After 6 Years, Bringing Privacy-First RWA Tokenization.
Dusk blockchain has officially launched its mainnet after six years of development, focusing on privacy-first real-world asset (RWA) tokenization using Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). The launch introduces features like Hyperstaking, liquid staking, and DuskPay – a privacy-centric payment platform. Dusk’s roadmap for Q1 2025 includes Zedger Beta (an RWA tokenization platform), Layer 2 Lightspeed, and a partnership with NPEX for centralized exchange integration. Despite market volatility, 84% of DUSK holders have retained their tokens for over a year, reflecting strong community confidence and growing adoption in the rapidly expanding RWA tokenization sector.
?? Filipino-Led Startup Vana Empowers Users to Reclaim and Monetize Their Data.
Vana, a blockchain-based startup founded by Filipino tech expert Arthur Abal and MIT alum Anna Kazlauskas, aims to give users full control over their personal data, turning it into a valuable asset. By allowing users to pool and tokenize their data, Vana enables them to sell it directly to tech companies, bypassing traditional data monopolies. The platform, backed by Paradigm and Polychain, has already made waves with initiatives like the Reddit DataDAO, which attracted 140,000 users in just a week. Vana’s encryption technology ensures user data remains secure, fostering a new, inclusive data economy that empowers individuals while addressing AI's exclusionary gaps.
?? Vaulet Launches Automated Crypto Tax Prep with Yield-Bearing Escrow.
Vaulet introduces an automated crypto tax preparation service that calculates tax liabilities on each transaction and escrows the owed amount into yield-generating DeFi protocols. The platform supports wallet tracking across multiple blockchains without requiring seed phrases and offers tax previews for most countries. Users can prevent last-minute asset liquidations by automatically escrowing funds while earning yield on stablecoins. Vaulet also integrates with TurboTax and HR Block for easy tax reporting, allowing seamless export of transaction data.
?? Quantum-Resistant Tokens: Securing Blockchain from Future Quantum Threats.
Quantum-resistant tokens are designed to safeguard cryptocurrencies against the potential threat posed by quantum computers, which could break traditional encryption methods. By leveraging post-quantum cryptographic algorithms such as lattice-based, hash-based, and code-based encryption, these tokens ensure long-term security for blockchain networks. Projects like Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL), QANplatform, and IOTA are pioneering this shift, integrating quantum-safe mechanisms into their ecosystems. As quantum computing advances, quantum-resistant tokens are essential for preserving the integrity, security, and viability of decentralized assets and transactions.
?? Solana-based restaking protocol Solayer introduces ‘InfiniSVM’ blockchain.
Solayer, a restaking protocol in the Solana ecosystem, is developing InfiniSVM, a hardware-accelerated Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) blockchain designed to confirm transactions in just 1 millisecond. The protocol published a litepaper detailing how InfiniSVM will dynamically scale to meet application demands, leveraging a hybrid “proof of assigned stake” consensus. Solayer, with nearly $400M in TVL, is expanding from securing dapps to building its own high-speed SVM blockchain. InfiniSVM will support yield-bearing assets like sSOL and sUSD, offering decentralized apps increased scalability and throughput up to 100Gbps.
领英推荐
?? Five Crypto Companies Gain MiCA Licenses Across Netherlands and Malta.
MoonPay, BitStaete, ZBD, and Hidden Road have obtained MiCA licenses in the Netherlands, while Socios.com secured one in Malta, allowing them to operate across the EU under new regulations. The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework creates a unified rulebook for crypto firms within the EU, impacting stablecoins like Tether.
?? $494M Worth of Cryptocurrency Has Been Scammed from Wallet Drainer Attacks in 2024.
In 2024, a total of $494 million in cryptocurrency was stolen through wallet drainer attacks, marking a 67% increase from the previous year. Despite targeting 300,000 wallet addresses, the number of victims only increased by 3.7%, suggesting larger amounts were at stake. The attacks primarily targeted Ethereum, with services like Pink Drainer and Inferno playing a significant role in the thefts. To protect against such attacks, users are advised to stick to trusted websites and enable warnings for malicious activities in their wallets.
?? AlloyX Raises $10M to Expand Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure.
Stablecoin infrastructure firm AlloyX secured $10 million in Pre-A funding. The funds will drive AlloyX’s expansion into the UAE, ASEAN, and African markets, focusing on building stablecoin payment systems that connect traditional banking with blockchain technology. AlloyX's platform facilitates stablecoin transactions, asset tokenization, and cross-border payments while ensuring regulatory compliance. Currently operating in over 70 countries, the company provides enterprise-grade solutions for institutional and retail clients, strengthening its foothold in high-growth regions.
?? TONCASH gains TON Ventures backing to expand crypto cashback platform.
TONCASH, a crypto cashback and rewards platform on Telegram, has received strategic investment from TON Ventures to enhance online shopping and rewards in the Web3 space. With over 200,000 users and partnerships with major brands, TONCASH offers up to 80% cashback in Bitcoin, USDT, or TON tokens. The platform aims to aggressively expand across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, leveraging Telegram's large user base to connect global brands with the Web3 community.
?? New Solana Layer-2 Scaling Solution Solaxy Raises $8.9m in Presale Funding.
Solaxy, a new Layer-2 scaling solution for Solana, secured $8.9 million in presale funding to address persistent network congestion and transaction failures. By processing transactions off-chain and settling them on Solana’s mainnet, Solaxy aims to improve scalability during periods of high traffic, such as meme coin surges and DeFi activity. The SOLX token will drive governance, staking rewards, and network operations. Over 2.9 billion tokens have already been staked, with rewards distributed over three years.
?? ZKsync-powered L2 ZKcandy by iCandy Raises $4M to Transform Web3 Gaming.
ZKcandy, a ZKsync-powered Layer 2 blockchain by iCandy, has raised $4 million in a private funding round led by major investors like Animoca Ventures, Wemix, and Spartan Group. The funds will drive the development of a Web3 gaming ecosystem, with over 25 games nearing launch. ZKcandy plans to build a Telegram-based EVM gaming platform, integrate AI agents, and collaborate with IP holders. The platform’s mainnet is set to launch in the first half of 2025, as ZKcandy aims to become a leading force in the evolving Web3 gaming landscape.
?? JAN3 raises $5 million seed round to accelerate Bitcoin wallet AQUA's development.
JAN3, the company behind the AQUA Bitcoin wallet, has raised $5 million in seed funding led by Fulgur Ventures, Tether, and Grupo Salinas to accelerate development of its Bitcoin and Liquid Network wallet. The firm will allocate $1 million from the round to build a bitcoin treasury, acquiring 12 BTC at an average price of $83,333 per coin. With the fresh capital, JAN3 plans to expand AQUA’s integrations, adding features like credit cards, loans, and local on/off ramps to further its mission of onboarding a billion people to Bitcoin.
?? New Meme Coin Wall Street Pepe Raises $42M for Trading Community Platform.
Wall Street Pepe (WEPE), a new meme coin project, has raised over $42 million through its ongoing token presale. The project aims to equip retail investors with trading signals and market analysis tools typically available to professional traders. Over 26 billion WEPE tokens have been staked, with daily rewards distributed over three years. A security audit by Coinsult confirmed no critical issues and a fixed token supply. WEPE token holders can access exclusive communities, presale opportunities, and trading competitions, creating a community-driven platform designed to level the playing field between retail and institutional investors.
?? Crypto whale up $11.5M on AI token position in 19 days.
A cryptocurrency whale recently made a savvy investment by purchasing over $10 million worth of Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) tokens, resulting in an unrealized profit of $11.5 million in just 19 days. The VIRTUAL token, which serves as the utility token for an AI agent launch platform, has seen a surge in value with investor excitement around AI-based cryptocurrencies. With AI-driven investments and decentralized AI agents gaining traction, industry experts predict significant growth in the AI cryptocurrency sector in 2025, despite a recent market downturn.
?? Bitcoin, ether prices dip amid escalating macro fears of prolonged inflation.
Bitcoin dropped 5% to $96,527, and ether plunged 8.5% as inflation concerns rattled markets, causing broader declines across major cryptocurrencies. Analysts pointed to faster-than-expected U.S. economic growth and rising bond yields as drivers of persistent inflation fears. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's firm stance on monetary policy further unsettled investors, with the Fed expected to maintain high interest rates. Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration adds to market uncertainty, with pro-crypto appointments signaling potential shifts in economic policy.
?? Czech National Bank weighs bitcoin purchases for potential reserve asset diversification.
Czech National Bank (?NB) Governor Ale? Michl has floated the idea of buying bitcoin as part of reserve diversification but clarified there are no current plans to do so. Michl noted bitcoin's potential as a hedge against traditional assets but stressed the decision rests with the bank’s full board. While the ?NB focuses on increasing gold reserves, the Czech Republic has recently passed a capital gains tax exemption for bitcoin held longer than three years. This policy, effective January 1, 2025, aims to encourage long-term crypto investment.
?? Arthur Hayes tells risk-takers to go 'degen' mode, predicts crypto peak in March.
Arthur Hayes, former BitMEX CEO, predicts the ongoing crypto rally will extend into mid-to-late March, driven by liquidity injections from the U.S. Fed and Treasury, totaling $612 billion. Despite earlier warnings of a market dump around Donald Trump’s inauguration, Hayes now believes dollar liquidity will sustain the bull run. He anticipates $237 billion from declining Reverse Repo Facility (RRP) balances and additional Treasury spending. Hayes warns of potential market risks after March, including debt ceiling negotiations and tax deadlines.
?? 5th Largest Bank in Turkey to Launch Crypto Trading Service.
Garanti BBVA, Turkey’s fifth-largest bank and a subsidiary of Spain’s BBVA, is set to launch crypto trading services for retail customers through its platform, Garanti BBVA Kripto. Partnering with Spanish crypto exchange Bit2Me, the service will allow users to legally trade cryptocurrencies in Turkey. This move aligns with the rising global adoption of crypto and follows the European Union’s MiCA regulations, providing a legal framework for banks to enter the digital asset market. The initiative reflects a broader trend of European banks, including Deutsche Bank, expanding crypto services, further driving mainstream adoption.
?? Pump.fun Dominates Solana Network, Responsible for 70% of Token Launches and 56% of Transactions.
Pump.fun has cemented its dominance in the Solana ecosystem, responsible for over 70% of all token launches and 56% of decentralized exchange transactions this month. The platform, a hub for meme coin creation, has facilitated over 5.5 million tokens since its launch. Despite controversy over live streaming stunts that temporarily reduced market share, Pump.fun has rebounded, generating nearly $80M in December alone—outpacing major networks like Bitcoin and Tron.