BLOCKCHAIN
Blockchains incorporate several important features such as immutability, encryption and distributed storage, which combined makes secure peer-to-peer transactions possible and in turn has created the means to end human dependence on credit and thus credit intermediaries. Due to these features, blockchain has been referred to as ‘the Trust Machine’ and is forecasted to transfer the trust from agencies and institutions which are enforced by law to machine-based networks guaranteed by technology and mathematics.
Privacy blockchain platform Aztec to shut down Aztec Connect
Privacy-oriented blockchain platform Aztec is set to shut down Aztec Connect, its network's privacy infrastructure serving as the encryption layer for Ethereum. Aztec will no longer run a sequencer from March 2024, and the current system will no longer publish rollup blocks processing Aztec Connect transactions.
Nigerian President-elect's Manifesto Includes Blockchain and Crypto Regulations
Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu has released a manifesto proposing the implementation of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in Nigeria's banking and finance sector. The manifesto suggests reforming existing Nigerian Security Exchange Commission regulations to create a more business-friendly framework for regulating digital assets. The proposed regulations would require digital asset companies to register with the SEC and comply with SEC regulations. The release of the manifesto coincides with the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria, with the government hoping that the proposed SEC regulation reforms will attract more investors in the digital and economic sectors and stimulate economic growth.
Safeheron Discovers Security Flaw in MPC Wallets
Safeheron has identified a security flaw in MPC wallets when used with Starknet-based apps like dYdX and Fireblocks. The flaw allows attackers to bypass the security protection of private keys in MPC wallets, potentially leading to unauthorized transactions.
Russian Crypto Advocates Urge Putin to Address Delayed Regulations
The Russian Association of Crypto Industry and Blockchain (RACIB) has written an open letter to President Vladimir Putin urging him to address the risks of delayed cryptocurrency regulations in Russia. The letter argues that Russia has been too slow to implement legal regimes for crypto adoption and highlights the potential complications of proposed amendments to the current crypto law.
Binance NFT Adds Polygon Network Support for Marketplace Trading
Binance NFT has expanded its marketplace by adding support for Polygon network, allowing users to trade NFTs using their Binance accounts. However, only selected ERC-721 NFT Collections on the Polygon network are currently available on the platform, with more to be integrated regularly. Binance also tightened its rules on NFT listings, delisting those with daily trading volume lower than $1,000 and limiting the number of NFTs artists can mint per day. Binance is also exploring AI with the launch of its AI-powered NFT generator, "Bicasso," which minted 10,000 NFTs in just 2.5 hours.
Transform Ventures Co-Invests in Alpha Transform Holdings to Accelerate Blockchain Investment
Transform Ventures has co-invested in Alpha Transform Holdings, a new holding company aiming to support the blockchain ecosystem through investments via two new funds. The merger of select assets from Transform Ventures and Alpha Sigma Capital’s parent company will amount to $100 million in assets under management, with a focus on delivering suites of products under asset management, Alpha Transform products, and Alpha Transform strategies.
Bitcoin Ordinals: Controversial but Here to Stay
Bitcoin Ordinals, the ability to permanently store data on the Bitcoin blockchain, are a controversial topic within the cryptocurrency community. However, builders and CEOs of Bitcoin-focused companies see potential for the technology, despite concerns over blockchain congestion and offensive content. Ordinals offer a new use case for the Bitcoin network beyond peer-to-peer cash, allowing for permanent and censorship-resistant storage of culturally significant events and data.
Argo Blockchain Increases Daily Bitcoin Production Despite Network Difficulty Spike
Argo Blockchain increased its daily Bitcoin production to 5.7 BTC per day in February, up from 5.4 BTC per day in January, despite a 10% increase in network difficulty.
Pakistan Banks Develop Blockchain-based KYC Platform
The Pakistan Banks’ Association has signed a contract to develop Pakistan’s first blockchain-based national eKYC banking platform aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering capabilities while countering terror financing. The blockchain platform will also improve operational efficiencies, mainly focused on improving customer experience during onboarding.
Iran Completes Pre-Pilot Phase for Digital Rial
Iran's central bank has completed a pre-pilot phase for its digital rial, according to an official statement by the Monetary and Banking Research Institute. The CBDC will align with the rules governing the national currency, the Iranian rial, and be distributed among individuals and banks. Ten banks have applied to join the project, and all banks and credit institutions in Iran are expected to start offering electronic wallets for the digital currency.