We’re back! The December conference roadmap & some Luna PR musings
November News and Monthly Recap
What a crazy month it's been! It's great to see market sentiment picking up ahead of the halving, especially with the increasing number of Bitcoin ETF applications under review. It's an exciting time and we’re looking forward to what’s to come!
Even though we are hitting the holiday season, we are going full throttle toward the year-end (Luna PR style).? We are excited to take a closer look at the major headlines, share some must-attend events, and walk you through our company updates.?
So let's kick off with November:?
Breaking News
Your briefing on what’s hot and breaking.?
CZ Bids Goodbye to Binance?
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, has stepped down as CEO of Binance after pleading guilty to federal charges related to money laundering and violating sanctions. Alongside CZ’s resignation, $50 million fine, and a possible jail sentence of up to 10 years, Binance has also been fined to the sum of $4.3 billion. In a heartfelt message shared internally and on X, CZ expressed his pride for the team's achievements and his support for the new CEO, Richard Teng, while reassuring that "Binance will be fine".?
$115M Loss Confirmed in HTX and Heco Chain Hack
A major coordinated attack targeted HTX and the HECO Cross Chain bridge resulting in a theft totaling $115 million. Justin Sun, linked to both platforms, acted quickly to confirm the hack and address the situation, temporarily pausing all deposits and withdrawals on HTX to protect the remaining assets and assuring users of full reimbursement. Blockchain security company Cyver detected abnormal transfers worth $85 million, suggesting a private key leak as the potential cause, giving the attackers access to HTX's Heco bridge. This bridge enables tokens to be transferred between Heco Chain and Ethereum. This incident is not the first for HTX, which had already suffered an $8 million theft last September, with All losses fully covered in the days following the incident.
Mt. Gox to Begin Refunds
Nearly a decade after the exchange collapsed, MT.GOX Exchange will begin to repay the company's creditors in cash. In 2014, Mt. Gox was the target of a hack that resulted in a catastrophic loss of 850,000 Bitcoin forcing the company to file for bankruptcy protection. Since 2018, the firm has been engaged in rehabilitation proceedings to compensate the creditors affected by the hack. Despite efforts, creditors have encountered extensive delays and uncertainty regarding the return of their funds as repayment plans have been repeatedly postponed due to legal disputes and other reasons.
Bullish Completes Purchase of CoinDesk?
Bullish , run by former NYSE President Tom Farley, has bought 100% of CoinDesk from crypto-focused investor Digital Currency Group in an all-cash sale. Farley has confirmed that CoinDesk will operate as an independent subsidiary of Bullish with CoinDesk's current management team remaining in place.
Four Days of Exile for Sam Altman
Sam Altman will return to his position as CEO of OpenAI after 5 tumultuous days of back-and-forth announcements that have had the global AI industry captivated. The reinstatement agreement followed four days of negotiations, an announcement of Altman and Greg Brockman joining Microsoft , and an open letter from almost all of OpenAI’s employees threatening to quit if Altman wasn't reinstated.?
In a shock move over a Friday afternoon Google Meet, Sam Altman was outed by the board, sending one of the hottest tech startups into a spiralling crisis. Whilst there were discussions over the weekend for Altman to return, by Sunday night the company confirmed that talks had broken down, forcing OpenAI to announce the second interim replacement in as many days.?
Both Altman and Greg Brockman have confirmed their return, but as part of the agreement, most of the original board will not be joining them. The initial board will be led by Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo with D’Angelo as the only remaining member of the previous board. This board will not be final, its main priority is to select up to nine new directors, said a person familiar with the negotiations who asked not to be identified. Altman is said to have agreed to not be part of the board initially, although it's likely he will eventually join.?
Rumors have swirled around the details for Altman’s dismissal, with a source stating several staff researchers wrote a letter to the board with concerns about a breakthrough in AI that is powerful enough to threaten humanity. The letter and the AI algorithm were key in ousting Altman. However, publications have been unable to review a copy of the letter and the staff who wrote the letter have not responded to requests for comment.
Whether the letter exists or not, we will likely never know. Either a major advancement in AI is about to take place or have we all been duped in a very clever marketing campaign?
Ferrari Accepts Crypto as Payment?
Ferrari 's recent decision to accept cryptocurrency payments for its luxury sports cars marks a significant milestone in crypto becoming more mainstream. Ferrari holds considerable prestige and heritage and is well known for its reluctance to accommodate the new trends of the world. With waiting lists that extend into 2025, the Prancing Horse brand has little need to accommodate requests for crypto payments. However, Ferrari wanted to test this expanding universe and reach a new client base which might not have been possible. Ferrari has said the decision came in response to requests from the market and dealers as many of its clients are crypto investors.
What does this mean for the industry?
This move reflects a growing trend of companies exploring the potential of accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment, signalling a shift in the traditional payment landscape. In Dubai for example, there is an increase in real estate developers accepting crypto payments for high-end properties.?
At Luna PR, we have the privilege of seeing the rise of some payment solutions that are going to revolutionize the mass adoption of crypto even further. For example, Oobit is one notable company that is set to make crypto payments easier for the masses. Paying for coffee with Bitcoin is closer than you think!
November Conferences
Finance Magnates London Summit ? London, UK
Were you in London for FMLS? You might have seen us there! The Finance Magnates London Summit is a major conference that brings together industry leaders and professionals in online trading, digital assets, payments, fintech, and blockchain. It provides a platform for experts to share insights and expertise while allowing senior executives to close deals and establish future business partnerships.
We were excited to be media partners of FMLS and to attend this promising conference. Additionally, Nikita (Sachdev) Lord took center stage on one of the days for a thought-provoking panel session on ‘Web3 Payments: The Next Frontier’ alongside Kebbie Sebastian , Nabil Manji , and Danat Tungushbayev . We’re already looking forward to next year's event!
Finance Today ? Dubai, UAE
The Finance Today Summit is a prominent event that gathers top executives from regional financial institutions, technology companies, and organizations contributing to the evolution of the finance industry in the Middle East.?
The summit focuses on the future of finance, navigating the transition, unlocking potential, and defining new financial world trends and technologies. It offers insightful sessions, interactive roundtables, and product demos, providing a valuable opportunity to network, share knowledge, and explore emerging trends in the financial sector.
The Luna PR team attended this event and it was great to meet so many like-minded connections!
Abu Dhabi Finance Week ? Abu Dhabi, UAE
The second edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week was held November 27-30th and built on the strong success of the first event in 2022. The first edition hosted over 8,000 visitors from over 100 countries across 31 different events and became a notable conference for the industry.?
The 2023 theme was ‘Investing In The Transition Era’, and gathered global industry leaders together for one of the most important finance, investment, and economic events in the MENA region.?
The Luna PR team was honoured to attend this prestigious event and meet so many industry leaders there!
Client Spotlight?
Chappyz Sells Out NFTs
Congratulations to our client Chappyz who sold out 10,000 NFTs in just 5 days!?
The power of the Chappyz community combined with the NFT’s utility proved to the market that NFTs are most certainly not dead. A lot can be learned from how Chappyz has leveraged its community and combined it with technology that adds value to create a sell-out NFT collection.?
Chappyz is a Web3 platform that connects communities and projects, allowing users to engage, collaborate, and earn rewards through an AI-created ecosystem. The NFTs in the sale reward users with real-world assets and prizes, welcome holders to their dynamic community, and also give them the opportunity to take the NFT and earn passive income.?
It was an amazing result for them and we look forward to many more!
Yachting with Crypto
Continuing the topic of purchasing luxury items using crypto, we can’t talk luxury without mentioning MY OCEAN .
Founded by the visionary Jonny Dodge , MY OCEAN is a world leader in yachting and crypto. Clients can buy, sell, charter, or arrange the management of their yacht all through crypto payments. MY OCEAN is also looking to expand into the Metaverse and NFTs, to create unparalleled experiences for its esteemed clientele.?
In this Cointelegraph AR interview, Jonny Dodge shares details of his journey into crypto, his business among the elite, and why Dubai is the emerging market for millionaires.?
Essential Luna Updates
Our Board of NEDs
We are thrilled to announce that we have launched our Non-Executive Director (NED) program, and welcomed global industry titans to our board. The NED program is designed to infuse the organization with the expertise of accomplished leaders, offering valuable guidance and insight. It marks a notable milestone for both Luna PR and Luna Media Corporation, and the expertise of accomplished leaders, offering valuable guidance and insight helps us to further empower clients to navigate advanced technologies in today's rapidly evolving digital realm.
Joining the board is Michael Alexander , a prominent figure in global capital markets and Web3 innovation with over 25 years of experience. As the Co-Founder and Director of BlockTrust, he drives Web3 technology's transformative potential for brand-customer connections and innovative revenue models.
Abdulla A. , a Cyber Security Specialist from the Abu Dhabi Crisis & Management Center. Notably, Abdulla has made substantial contributions to Cybersecurity and Blockchain Management, which is reflected in his two patented blockchain inventions. His book, "Into the Future of Technologies," stands as a testament to his extensive knowledge and unwavering passion for technology.
Patrick Tsang , Chairman of Tsangs Group, a renowned family office based in Hong Kong. Patrick is also a qualified solicitor in Hong Kong, England, and Wales and a member of YPO Global One, Monaco Private Label Young Leaders, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation World Fellowship.
David J. Namdar, CFA , General Partner at Coral Capital, and the Co-Founder of Kupa AI, is an accomplished investor and entrepreneur with over 15 years of international business and financial market experience. Namdar has been involved in strategy and advisory of dozens of firms and has invested in hundreds of web3 and emerging tech companies.?
Giovanni Everduin , Head of Strategy & Innovation at Commercial Bank International (CBI). As an alumnus of Harvard Business School, he is responsible for building use cases for the future of banking at CBI, where he managed the implementation of cutting-edge Fintech partnerships, web3, AI, and Metaverse strategies that significantly contributed to the Bank's achievement of multiple innovation awards and accolades.
Cardano Summit and Dinner with Charles Hoskinson?
We had the privilege of hosting Charles Hoskinson for a private dinner alongside 25 influential leaders from the UAE during the Cardano Summit. The dinner provided a fascinating opportunity to introduce Input Output (IOHK) to the region and was filled with inspiring conversations as guests shared their visions for the future of blockchain.
IOHK is one of the world's pre-eminent blockchain infrastructure research and engineering companies and specializes in building high-assurance blockchain infrastructure solutions for private, public, and government entities. Additionally, IOHK is the driving force behind Cardano Foundation , a decentralized and smart contract platform.
Abu Dhabi Finance Week and a VIP Private Dinner
During Abu Dhabi Finance Week , we were honoured to host a VIP Dinner for Cardano and several VIP guests. With some of the industry’s most esteemed companies in attendance, including Primal Capital, Struck Capital, DWF Labs, and Cypher Capital, alongside Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Abu Dhabi IPO Fund, Emirates Family Office, and the Cardano team, it truly was a meeting of the minds.?
The caliber of guests in attendance highlights the importance of the region and its commitment to advancing blockchain technology.
Luna PR Takes London?
With a little less drama than our Kardashian counterparts, Luna PR Takes London and opens our new office!
London has long been the financial capital of Europe and has expanded into becoming a key tech hub with thriving Web3, blockchain, and cryptocurrency industries. The UK government has recently published proposals for the regulation of the crypto ecosystem with the aim of making the UK a preferred destination. The proposals include stricter rules for exchanges, custodians that store crypto on behalf of clients, and crypto lending companies. It also suggests stricter regimes for market abuse and crypto asset issuance and disclosures.
London's robust ecosystem offers a unique blend of financial expertise, tech talent, and regulatory frameworks conducive to blockchain and Web3. We’re currently recruiting for roles for our London office, a PR and Communications Account Manager and an Account Manager , if this is you, we’d love for you to apply!
Our Partnership with the Crypto Valley Association?
We understand that the industry we are in is constantly evolving and as such, we are always striving to partner with like-minded organizations to help our clients stay ahead of the curve, expand our reach, and create new narratives. With this in mind, we’re proud to announce that we have partnered with the Crypto Valley Association (CVA), a Switzerland-based blockchain and crypto association.
CVA is a non-profit organization that aims to create the world's leading ecosystem for blockchain and cryptographic technologies. This represents a significant shift in how communities connect, collaborate, and thrive in the digital age.
We look forward to this collaboration and the opportunity it brings to expand our connections with industry leaders, investors, and startups.?
Think Differ3nt: Elevating Fashion Through Blockchain
Our new series ‘Think Differ3nt’ sees the Luna PR teams share their expertise and thought leadership on key topics in our industry. For our first article, we will hear from Yasmeen El Ghalayini , General Manager at Luna Media Corporation on Elevating Fashion Through Blockchain
Yasmeen shares her insights on how blockchain technology can shape the future of fashion. Learn how these two seemingly disparate worlds intertwine and how blockchain technology has emerged as a powerful tool in promoting transparency and traceability in the fashion industry, empowering both consumers and brands with unparalleled transparency.?
“Blockchain revolutionizes the fashion industry by bringing unprecedented transparency to the supply chain. For instance, the quest for authenticity in luxury items. Blockchain enables the tracking of a product's journey from raw materials to finished goods. This transparency ensures customers can verify the origin and ethical production of their fashion pieces.
Welcome to BlockBites - Nephew Edition!
The crypto market cap went over 1.4 trillion dollars this past weeks and Bitcoin surpassed 37k. So what’s causing this uptrend? Hopes that U.S. regulators will soon approve the first spot Bitcoin ETF, which could usher in a fresh wave of retail and institutional investor interest in cryptos. Super exciting!
There are 12 spot Bitcoin ETF filings under review, and while approval is in no way guaranteed, 彭博资讯 ETF analysts James Seyffart and Eric Balchunas predict a 90% chance of approval sometime before Jan 10 next year.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s Financial Services Authority authorized the use of XRP and TON within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), expanding opportunities for virtual assets in the region.
All this institutional and government adoption mixed with the upcoming Bitcoin halving in Q2 2024 has us feeling pretty bullish.
Employee of the Month?
Employee of the month for November is…..drum roll please… Sophia Medel !
Sophia’s proficient management of clients, always going above and beyond to deliver exceptional standards alongside her dedicated work ethic is what has made her the team’s winner this month!
We thank you for your outstanding commitment and dedication! We are grateful to have you as part of our remarkable team.?
A Very Special Diwali Celebration
The Luna PR team loves only one thing more than delivering amazing results for our clients, and that's a good celebration! This month we came together to celebrate Diwali.?
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a celebration that is important to many of our team members and clients. The festival marks the triumph of light over darkness for more than a billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world. Our Diwali was an amazing opportunity for our Luna team members who celebrate it to share their culture with others.?
Sharing Thanksgiving
November gave us a second reason to celebrate, Thanksgiving! The Luna PR team came together to share, give thanks and of course eat some turkey!
Thanksgiving gives us all an opportunity to celebrate the family and friends in our lives and the fall harvest. The holiday holds a deep sense of gratitude and is as exactly as it sounds, to ‘give thanks’.?