November Nights, Crypto Heights??: PancakeSwap in Chats ?? Bitcoin Nears Google ?? and AI’s Future!??

Welcome to Crypto Weekly! ??

This week’s buzz? Bitcoin’s unstoppable rise, McDonald’s diving into NFTs, and AI shaking things up everywhere. From groundbreaking tech to bold new moves in crypto, the future is here—and it’s anything but boring. Let’s jump in! ???

McDonald's Meets Doodles: A "Happy Meal" for Your Eyes ??

麦当劳 has teamed up with Doodles , the colorful media franchise born from NFTs, to launch limited-edition McCafé cups starting November 18. These aren’t your typical holiday cups—they feature playful Doodles art and come with a chance to win digital wearables, animated goodies, and a nostalgic “pack ripping” experience on the McDonald’s app. ???

The campaign, dubbed “GM Spread Joy,” also spills over onto TikTok and Instagram with social media challenges, making it more than just about sipping coffee—it’s about spreading fun vibes. ?? McDonald’s says this partnership is all about connecting with Doodles’ fearless and creative community. Looks like the golden arches are diving headfirst into the doodle-verse! ??

BlackRock Joins the Action in Abu Dhabi ???

BlackRock , the global investment giant, just got its golden ticket to operate in Abu Dhabi, diving into AI and private markets while eyeing the UAE’s crypto-friendly ecosystem. ??? Though crypto isn’t their main focus here, their ambitions align with Abu Dhabi's growing role as an AI and tech hub.

This move fits perfectly with the UAE’s push for innovation, which has already attracted heavyweights like Microsoft. With a prime location, supportive policies, and a futuristic vibe, Abu Dhabi is shaping up to be BlackRock’s ideal playground for big ideas. ??

Chainlink Bridges the Old and New ????

Chainlink has launched the "Chainlink Runtime Environment," a clever framework that connects old-school financial systems (yes, even COBOL—the tech behind your ATM!) with modern blockchain and smart contracts. ???? This unified system aims to simplify the tangled mess of thousands of financial systems, making blockchain integration smoother and more efficient.

With privacy tools, Swift collaborations, and AI-powered features, Chainlink is setting the stage for traditional finance to step boldly into the digital age—no crypto required. ????

Funding Dips, but Blockchain Startups Keep Rolling ????

Venture Capital funding in blockchain startups fell to $2.4 billion in Q3 2024—a 20% drop—but early-stage innovators stole the show, grabbing 85% of the funds. ?? EIDON AI secured $3.5M to advance decentralized AI and data collection with MemAgents.

Brevis raised $7.5M for offchain ZK-proof solutions addressing blockchain scalability in DeFi and Web3. Multiledgers landed $1M to simplify ESG-linked asset management using blockchain. Alluvial brought in $4.3M to enhance institutional staking with its Liquid Collective protocol. Among the highlights of the quarter were layer-1 blockchain projects, which attracted $341M, or 13.6% of the total capital. Exochain and Story Protocol secured more than half of that amount, demonstrating continued interest in infrastructure solutions.

Meanwhile, Sentient Foundation , CeTI , and Sahara AI collectively raised $188M, fueling the AI and blockchain crossover boom. ?? Early-stage startups are proving that even in a cautious market, innovation continues to shine. ??

Revolut Goes Big: Crypto Now in 30 More European Markets ????

Revolut is turning up the crypto heat, launching its dedicated exchange, Revolut X, across 30 new European Economic Area markets, including Belgium, Denmark, and Cyprus. This platform, designed for both pro traders and curious retail customers, offers access to over 200 cryptocurrencies with advanced tools like TradingView analytics and 24/7 support. ???

With maker fees at zero and a sleek integration into Revolut accounts, the expansion marks a bold step for Revolut in reshaping crypto trading—borderless, streamlined, and ready for everyone in Europe. ????

Solana’s Memecoin Mania Sparks Record Fees ?????

Solana-based DApps are cashing in big, with five of the top 10 fee-earning crypto protocols in the last 24 hours running on Solana. Leading the charge, Raydium raked in $11.3M in fees, while Jito Labs and pump.fun also saw sky-high earnings amid the memecoin frenzy. Even a squirrel-inspired token, Peanut (PNUT), surged 2,700%, hitting a jaw-dropping $2.4B valuation thanks to Elon Musk’s tweets.

With SOL climbing above $240 and memecoins stealing the spotlight, Solana is proving it’s not just fast—it’s furiously fun. ???

Crypto.com Brings Stocks to Aussie Shores ??????

Crypto.com is stepping into traditional finance by acquiring FINTEK Securities, granting it an Australian Financial Services Licence. With this move, Australians can soon trade equities, derivatives, and forex directly through Crypto.com, spanning exchanges like ASX, Nasdaq, and LSE.

The goal? To bridge crypto and traditional finance, letting users manage all kinds of investments under one roof. Crypto.com’s expansion comes as Australia edges closer to clearer crypto regulations, making it a win-win for traders down under. ????

Tether’s Billion-Dollar Moves: Stablecoins and Real-World Assets ????

Tether.io minted $1 billion USDt on the Tron blockchain, paying zero fees thanks to Tron's low-cost network. With $127 billion USDt now circulating, Tron is catching up to Ethereum in stablecoin activity, fueling speculation about bullish market sentiment. Meanwhile, Tether launched Hadron a platform enabling businesses and nations to tokenize real-world assets like stocks, bonds, and commodities, complete with robust KYC/AML tools.

From minting billions to tokenizing global assets, Tether is doubling down on its role as a bridge between crypto and traditional finance—while eyeing the $10.9 trillion tokenized asset market by 2030. ????

Goldman Sachs Spins Into Crypto and Tokenization ????

高盛 is spinning out its crypto platform to form a new company focused on blockchain-based financial instruments, aiming to expand tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) like Treasury bills and bonds. With partnerships like Tradeweb and plans to target institutional clients, Goldman is betting big on blockchain while leveraging the momentum of crypto ETFs.

In parallel, the investment giant has ramped up its Bitcoin ETF holdings to $710M, including $461M in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. Once skeptical of crypto, Goldman is now embracing its potential, blending traditional finance with blockchain innovation for the future of investing. ????

Coinbase Buys Utopia: Scaling Crypto Payments On-Chain ??

Coinbase has acquired Utopia Labs to turbocharge its on-chain payments through the Base network, Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution. With Utopia’s expertise in managing crypto payments, Coinbase aims to integrate seamless stablecoin transactions into Coinbase Wallet, supporting its growing $3.15 billion Total Value Locked (TVL) on Base.

This comes as Coinbase’s stock surges amid expectations of a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under the new U.S. administration. By blending decentralized finance with strategic acquisitions, Coinbase is positioning itself as a key player in both the crypto and traditional financial worlds. ????

Fireblocks and NongHyup Bank Tokenize Tax Refunds in South Korea ????

Fireblocks has teamed up with Nonghyup Bank to revolutionize VAT refunds in South Korea by using blockchain tokenization. Through this pilot project, VAT refunds will be assigned unique digital identifiers, enabling real-time tracking, reducing fraud risks, and cutting operational costs.

With South Korea’s flat 10% VAT rate, this system could streamline refunds for tourists and exempt items, enhancing transparency and trust between banks and clients. Fireblocks is branching beyond custody services, showcasing how blockchain can innovate everyday financial processes. ????

Portal Ventures Powers Up: $75M for Pre-Seed Crypto ??

Portal Ventures has raised $75 million to fuel pre-seed Web3 startups, focusing on Bitcoin programmability, decentralized infrastructure, and MEV business models. Backed by heavyweights like a16z crypto ’s Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon, the fund bets on founders even before they draft a white paper.

With early-stage funding dominating 2024’s crypto scene—85% of all VC investments—Portal joins big players like Paradigm and Pantera Capital in supporting the next wave of blockchain innovation. It’s a bold move to ignite fresh ideas in a challenging market. ????

Nansen and Tron Join Forces for Better Blockchain Insights ??

Nansen 2 is teaming up with Tron to provide developers and investors with real-time analytics through a new Macro Dashboard, showcasing Tron's strengths in scalability, low fees, and its role as the largest USDT hub. With over 270 million user accounts and 22.7 million USDT holders, Tron’s ecosystem is booming, supported by innovations like its memecoin launchpad, Sunpump Marine , which drove $151M in revenue last quarter.

This collaboration is set to enhance transparency, optimize DApp development, and bolster Tron's position as a leader in blockchain adoption—all while making on-chain activity easier to track and analyze. ????

Coincheck Makes History: First Japanese Crypto Exchange on Nasdaq ????

Coincheck, Inc. is set to become the first Japanese crypto exchange to list on Nasdaq , following SEC approval for a merger with Thunder Bridge Capital Partners. The listing, expected as early as December 10, will allow Coincheck to trade under the ticker CNCK, marking a major milestone in global crypto market integration.

This move could inspire other Japanese exchanges to explore international listings, while also highlighting a potentially pro-crypto shift in US regulations under the incoming administration. It's a big step for Japan and the global crypto industry alike! ????

Real-World Assets on the Blockchain: A $30 Trillion Revolution ????

The tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) is on track to explode, potentially hitting $30 trillion by 2030, thanks to the efforts of financial institutions. By bringing assets like securities and treasuries onto the blockchain, institutions are creating new opportunities for trading and investment, with early adopters like family offices leading the charge.

Stablecoins currently dominate the space, but with big players like BlackRock and 瑞银集团 running tokenization pilots, the RWA sector is set to follow crypto’s growth trajectory. It's blockchain meeting the mainstream—and it’s just getting started! ????

MoonPay Bridges Fiat and Crypto for Self-Custodial Wallets ????

MoonPay has launched MoonPay Balance, a new solution allowing users to hold and spend fiat balances like euros and British pounds directly from self-custodial wallets such as MetaMask and Phantom . At launch, it supports 27 European countries (except Germany) with payment methods like SEPA, Faster Payments, and Open Banking, with plans to expand to the U.S. soon.

This innovation empowers users to manage their digital assets independently, making non-custodial wallets feel like personal bank accounts. With zero fees for deposits and withdrawals, MoonPay is setting a new standard for blending crypto and fiat seamlessly. ???

NFTs Ride the Crypto Wave: Sales Soar 94% ??

The NFT market is on fire, with weekly sales hitting $181 million—a massive 94% jump fueled by crypto’s bullish momentum. Ethereum led the pack with $67 million in sales, closely followed by Bitcoin at $60 million, both seeing over 110% increases.

Even smaller players like Solana and Polygon chipped in, bringing the total NFT boom to life. With average sale values up 87% and Bitcoin reaching record highs, it’s clear the NFT market is back in the spotlight! ????

Bitcoin Gets an Upgrade: Bitfinity L2 Brings DeFi to the King of Crypto ?

Bitfinity Network has launched a Bitcoin Layer-2 solution with $12 million in funding, aiming to bring Ethereum-like DeFi capabilities to Bitcoin. Powered by Internet Computer’s Chain Fusion technology, it promises EVM compatibility and enhanced scalability, opening doors for Bitcoin-native assets to interact seamlessly with DeFi ecosystems.

Backed by big names like Polychain Labs and community-driven funding, Bitfinity plans to host DApps like SONiC and Lendfinity while leveraging cutting-edge security protocols. With Bitcoin breaking $92,000 and evolving beyond a store of value, Bitfinity is pushing it further into the decentralized finance spotlight. ????

New MiCA-Compliant Stablecoins Aim to Transform EU Payments ????

Tether.io , Kraken Digital Asset Exchange , and Fabric Ventures have teamed up with Dutch fintech Quantoz Payments to launch EURQ and USDQ, stablecoins fully compliant with the EU’s MiCA regulations. These fiat-backed tokens, licensed as e-money by the Dutch Central Bank, aim to offer secure, transparent, and fast digital payments across the European Economic Area.

With listings on Kraken and Bitfinex starting November 21, these stablecoins promise to streamline both consumer and corporate transactions while building trust in regulated digital finance. Even as Tether warns of potential banking risks, this marks a milestone in Europe’s evolving crypto landscape. ??

Ethena’s ENA Token Gets a Revenue Boost ??

Ethena has approved Wintermute’s proposal to share protocol revenues with stakers of its native ENA token. This move introduces a fee-sharing mechanism, ensuring ENA holders benefit from the protocol’s growing success, including the soaring $3.2 billion supply of its interest-earning stablecoin, USDe.

The initiative addresses a long-standing gap, aligning ENA stakers with Ethena’s financial growth. With USDe now accepted as collateral for advanced trading options, Ethena is doubling down on rewarding its community while solidifying its DeFi presence. ???

PancakeSwap Brings DeFi to Telegram Chats ??

PancakeSwap has launched a Telegram Messenger bot that lets users trade over 3,000 tokens directly from the messaging app. By integrating DeFi with a widely-used platform like Telegram, the bot makes crypto trading more accessible while retaining self-custodial wallet control for security-conscious users.

While concerns about messaging app security persist, PancakeSwap uses encryption to protect trades and personal data. This move highlights a broader trend of simplifying DeFi access, making it easier than ever for mainstream users to join the crypto world. ????

Bitcoin Chasing Giants: Nearing Google’s Market Cap ??

Bitcoin’s recent surge past $90,000 has propelled its market cap to $1.81 trillion, overtaking Saudi Aramco and securing the seventh spot among the world’s largest assets. It now sits just behind 谷歌 ’s parent company, Alphabet Inc. , at $2.2 trillion, inching closer to tech dominance.

The entire crypto market cap, at $3.02 trillion, now rivals global economies, ranking as the eighth-largest by GDP. With Ethereum also climbing the ranks, crypto is making waves in the big leagues of global finance. ????

Arca and BlockTower Merge to Create Crypto Powerhouse ????

Arca and BlockTower Capital are joining forces to build a unified cryptocurrency investment platform, aiming to streamline resources and broaden their offerings in the maturing digital asset space. While BlockTower Venture Capital will remain independent, the merger combines expertise to attract top talent and meet growing investor demand for regulated crypto products.

With consolidation becoming a trend in Web3, this merger reflects the industry's push for scalability and resilience as competition intensifies. It’s a bold move in a rapidly evolving landscape! ????

AI Spotlight ??

Human-Level AI on the Horizon: 2026 Could Be the Year ??

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicts that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—AI matching or surpassing human cognitive abilities—could arrive as early as 2026. Comparing AI’s current progress to education levels, he notes we’re at "PhD level," rapidly advancing from "undergraduate" just last year.

While challenges like data scarcity and geopolitical tensions might delay progress, the current pace suggests AGI is just a few years away. Amodei emphasizes the double-edged nature of such powerful technology, urging responsibility as we approach this transformative milestone. ????

Zero Gravity Labs Raises $290M to Launch Decentralized AI OS ??

Zero Gravity Labs (0G Labs) secured $290 million to develop the world’s first decentralized AI operating system (dAIOS), combining blockchain and AI to revolutionize data handling and computation. The funding includes $40M from VCS like 三星电子 Next and Animoca Brands , plus $250M in liquid credit for onchain token purchases.

The dAIOS aims to reduce costs and complexity for massive data sets, supporting real-time AI computations directly onchain at speeds up to 50GB/s. With its modular, decentralized infrastructure, 0G Labs is paving the way for secure, blockchain-powered AI solutions. ????

Elon Musk Nixes OpenAI’s ICO Plan Over Credibility Concerns ??

Back in 2018, Elon Musk vetoed OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s plan for an initial coin offering (ICO), warning it could tarnish the company’s reputation. Musk reportedly argued that the token idea, pitched mere months after proposing a shift to a for-profit model, was a “get-rich-quick scheme” that could erode trust in OpenAI.

This decision came amidst broader tensions over OpenAI’s transition from nonprofit to for-profit, with Musk pulling funding over disagreements with leadership. While ICOs were the crypto craze of the time, Musk prioritized long-term credibility over short-term gains. ????

AI Tokens Ride Bitcoin’s Bull Wave, Soar 131% ????

Artificial intelligence and big data tokens are on fire, climbing 131% since June and reaching a market cap of $42.1 billion amidst Bitcoin’s roaring rally. Projects like Near Protocol, Internet Computer, and Render are leading the charge, fueled by positive investor sentiment and regulatory clarity.

While still only 1.36% of the crypto market, AI tokens are poised for explosive growth, potentially breaking their $45 billion record by the end of November. With crypto gaining mainstream traction, it seems the future of AI and blockchain is brighter than ever! ????

EU Takes the Lead: Draft AI Rules Aim for Global Benchmark ????

The EU has unveiled its draft General-Purpose AI Code of Practice, setting the stage for a comprehensive framework to govern AI models. Developed by working groups tackling risks like transparency, copyright compliance, and systemic threats, the draft emphasizes safety, accountability, and adaptability to evolving technologies.

Key features include mandatory reporting of serious incidents, risk mitigation measures, and fostering collaboration with independent experts. With the final version due by May 2025, the EU hopes to balance innovation with societal protections, potentially becoming a global standard for responsible AI governance. ????

Speak Like You, But in Any Language: Microsoft’s New Teams Feature ?????

微软 is rolling out Interpreter in Teams, a tool that clones your voice for real-time translations during meetings in nine languages, starting early 2025. This feature, exclusive to Microsoft 365 users, aims to make conversations more personal and engaging by preserving your unique voice, even across language barriers.

While the tech promises to bridge global communication gaps, concerns about potential misuse—like impersonation scams—loom large. With safeguards in place, Microsoft hopes to strike a balance between innovation and security in the age of AI-powered translations. ????

Thanks for reading Crypto Weekly! ??

Big ideas, bold moves, and endless innovation—this week had it all. Stay tuned as we uncover the next wave of crypto and tech magic next time. Until then, keep riding the crypto wave! ????