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.
Orbs Releases Smart Contract for Validators in TON Blockchain
Orbs has released a new smart contract, called the single nominator, designed for validators in the Telegram Open Network (TON) blockchain. The contract allows validators to have an isolated cold wallet for securing their validation process, enhancing their independence, security, and protection against gas-spending attacks.
Rogue Validator Outsmarts MEV Bots, Resulting in a $25 Million Loss
MEV bots attempting sandwich trades lost $25 million worth of digital assets to a rogue validator. The loss included Wrapped Bitcoin, USD Coin, Tether, Dai, and Wrapped Ether. Blockchain security firm CertiK explained that the attack was due to the centralization of power with validators, making them vulnerable to such attacks.
Arbitrum Foundation Proposes Control of $1 Billion in ARB Tokens
The proposed "special grants" program on the Arbitrum blockchain, which would allocate 750 million ARB tokens worth nearly $1 billion to the centralized Arbitrum Foundation without input from token holders, has caused community concerns.
Regulated Stablecoins Likely to Remain in Use by 2030
A panel of digital regulatory experts at the World of Web3 (WOW) Summit in Hong Kong discussed the future of regulated stablecoins. The group concluded that regulated stablecoins are likely to remain in use by 2030 and that their growth rate in the market supports this idea. The panelists acknowledged the growth of the crypto industry and emphasized the importance of both centralized and decentralized approaches to digital assets.
Axie Infinity's Ronin Network Expands with New Games
Sky Mavis has announced that four gaming studios will be launching games on the Ronin Network, expanding its native gaming ecosystem. The move is aimed at creating more community-centric, rewarding, and fun gaming experiences while also attracting more users to the Web3 space.
ZeroSync to Bring ZK-Proofs to Expedite Bitcoin Validation
Swiss-based nonprofit, ZeroSync Association, is developing open-source tooling that enables users to validate the state of the Bitcoin network using zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) without downloading the entire blockchain. ZeroSync uses StarkWare's proprietary Zero-Knowledge Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge (zk-STARK) validity proofs to generate succinct ZK-proofs for the Bitcoin blockchain, promising to overhaul the process of verifying the Bitcoin blockchain, which still requires node operators to download a large amount of data to synchronize the correct state of the Bitcoin network.
China intensifies focus on blockchain despite cryptocurrency stance
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology aims to improve its blockchain technology standards by 2025, calling for public opinion on the draft guidelines. Blockchain is listed as a target industry for growth in the country's 5-year plan.
AllianceBlock and Crunchbase Partner to Enhance Decentralized Business Data
AllianceBlock has partnered with Crunchbase to offer its business data to Data Tunnel users. The partnership will enable blockchain businesses and developers to create applications like default probability models, customer acquisition profiles, and untapped market maps using Crunchbase's investment, funding, and industry trends data. The AllianceBlock Data Tunnel is a public marketplace for standardized data that allows for the sharing and combination of information without intermediaries.
Titanium Blockchain CEO Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
Michael Stollery, the CEO of Titanium Blockchain, has been sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that raised approximately $21 million through an initial coin offering (ICO) in 2018. Stollery pleaded guilty to securities fraud, admitting to falsifying aspects of TBIS’ whitepapers, planting fake client testimonials on the TBIS website, and commingling ICO investors’ funds with his own.
Binance expands with blockchain hub in Georgia
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has opened a blockchain hub in Georgia to promote crypto adoption in the country, create more jobs and attract talent to the blockchain sector.