Author: NBTC
This is a segment from the Lightspeed newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe. Robotics and crowdsourced data startup Frodobots has raised $6 million in seed funding to create BitRobot, which will be a Solana-based embodied AI research network. BitRobot will aim to connect different subgroups in robotics research using a shared token and network to solve resource allocation and data scarcity. Protocol VC led the funding round, which also drew participation from Big Brain Holdings, Solana Ventures, Virtuals Protocol and Solana co-founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, among others. Frodobots previously also raised $2 million in pre-seed funding. Frodobots started…
Ripple’s stablecoin (RLUSD) is now being used primarily on the Ethereum blockchain rather than XRP, as it became known in a report from XRP contributor “Vet_X0.” Currently, $61,823,274 worth of RLUSD is being distributed on Ethereum, which is well ahead of the $21,995,883 held on the XRP Ledger. This 1:3 ratio shows Ethereum’s growing role in the stablecoin infrastructure, which may disappoint many XRP enthusiasts who saw Ripple USD primarily as another way to expand the XRPL ecosystem. This big difference is mainly due to the fact that Ethereum has an established ecosystem, and ERC-20 tokens are used all over…
For the past century, the U.S. has reigned as the economic superpower of the world. The key to this sustained economic might is a regulatory environment that encourages and enables technological innovation. From semiconductors to personal computers to internet 1.0 and 2.0, U.S. companies have led in developing cutting-edge technologies because our country empowers its builders and creators. Unfortunately, when it comes to Web3 – the next generation of the internet built on blockchain, digital assets, and cryptocurrencies – we are trailing and are at risk of falling further behind. In 2023, the European Union passed comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation [americanbar.org],…
Shiba Inu gaming arm, PlayWithShib, announces the launch of a new sprint racing game for mobile users. The PlayWithShib team unveiled the game yesterday in an X post. Dubbed Shibridge, the game requires users to compete in a sprint race with other opponents. OUR NEW GAME: Shibridge! 🪜 🧱 Race to collect bricks, build bridges, and outsmart opponents in this fast-paced Shiboshi showdown! Now on Play Store & App Store! 📲👉https://t.co/RhaOY7WlJ6 pic.twitter.com/86Tf0ZmcHl — PlayWithShib (@playwithshib) February 13, 2025 Shibridge Features During the race, users are required to collect bricks and use them to build bridges faster than opponents. Players can…
A report shared with crypto.news shows that one of the largest crypto exchanges received around $80 million in Tether’s stablecoin from Hamas-linked exchange. Four major cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance and Gate.io, collectively received $78 million in Tether (USDT) through “indirect transactions” linked to a company sanctioned by Israel for allegedly aiding Hamas, according to a recent investigation by blockchain forensic firm Global Ledger shared with crypto.news. In late January, Israel‘s National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing ordered the seizure of crypto wallets and accounts tied to the Dubai Company for Exchange, also known as El-kahira for General Trading. The Jan.…
A recent Polymarket poll shows 40% believe President-elect Trump might create a U.S. Bitcoin reserve, stirring debates on its role in national finances. With nearly 200,000 Bitcoins already held by the government, this move could boost the U.S.’s position in the global crypto market. The concept of a Bitcoin reserve in the United States has pulled the discussion out of the cryptocurrency community and into wider circles, mainly fueled by the latest news and speculation. Polymarket Poll of U.S. Bitcoin Reserve A recent Polymarket poll discovered that 40% of respondents believed President-elect Donald Trump is going to create a national…
Asset manager Hashdex will launch The Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (exchange-traded fund) on Feb. 14, Nasdaq announced. Qualified U.S. investors will have broad, balanced exposure to the crypto market through the instrument. It is the first approved of several applicants for similar ETFs. The Nasdaq Crypto Index follows nine cryptocurrencies that are weighted according to their market capitalizations. The index represents 75% of the market capitalization of all eligible assets and would add more cryptocurrencies to maintain that level, if necessary. A minimum investment of $100,000 is required. The ETF will have a limited start The ETF (ticker…
Dogecoin (DOGE) whales have massively increased their transactions within the last 24 hours, stirring curiosity in the ecosystem. According to IntoTheBlock data, over 60 billion DOGE have been transacted as whales actively engage in trading. DOGE whales on move The whales have moved 60.9 billion DOGE valued at $23.35 billion in the last 24 hours. This represents a 41% surge in the period under review. The transactions factor in inter-wallet transfers, movements between exchanges and outright sales of DOGE. Of these, 9,410 large transactions were recorded, highlighting the frenzy of DOGE whales. Generally, such high-volume transactions indicate preparation for anticipated…
The new boss at the OCC could start dialing back crypto banking policies, further addressing the industry’s complaints about rampant debanking in the U.S. The crypto industry can likely look forward to two more agencies falling into line on its digital assets policy aims: the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which is one of the chief U.S. banking regulators, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where the lights are effectively being shut off. The sector’s dicey relationship with U.S. banking can be expected to be further mitigated with the arrival of a new stand-in chief at the OCC,…
Bitcoin has kicked off 2025 on a strong footing, flirting with the $100,000 mark again on its 16th anniversary. Since losing the $100,000 level on December 19, 2024, the premier cryptocurrency has struggled to gather any significant bullish momentum. However, the price of BTC seems to be in the recovery phase at the moment, with an almost 5% increase in the past week. According to a prominent crypto analyst on the social media platform X, the current price setup suggests that Bitcoin is currently at a pivotal juncture. Bitcoin Price Retests 50-Day MA — What Next? Popular crypto pundit Ali…