On 28th August, 2024, in South Korea, the CEO of crypto company Haru Invest was attacked during his trial for alleged fraud involving over $800 million. Hugo Hyungsoo Lee was repeatedly stabbed in the neck by a man in his 50s, as reported by local media, and was quickly rushed to the hospital. His injuries were not considered life threatening. The assailant was said to be a former client of Haru Invest.

A Controversial Issue

The trial has garnered significant attention and controversy not just due to the substantial sum of money at stake but also because it coincides with updates to South Korean consumer protection laws. Lee was one of three executives apprehended in February for charges related to embezzlement involving 1 trillion Won worth of cryptocurrency (about $748,900,000 USD).

In response to growing concerns over crypto regulations, South Korea introduced its first law aimed at safeguarding crypto investors. The Virtual Asset User Protection Act seeks to address unfair trading practices and follows past incidents such as the Terra-Luna crash and the collapse of FTX. This law came after South Korean crypto exchanges had previously attempted to prevent widespread delistings.

An Effective Response

According to the prosecution, the executives were accused of accepting deposits by approximately 16,000 clients between March 2020 and June 2023, claiming to manage these funds with a stable, diversified investment strategy, but suspending withdrawals without notice after June 2023.

In response to these issues, the South Korean government enacted the aforementioned Virtual Asset User Protection Act in June 2023, which came into effect a year later. This legislation aims to address unfair trading activities, enhance market oversight, and empower the Financial Services Commission to regulate the sector more effectively.

During his keynote at Rare Evo 2024, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson presented major updates for the Cardano (ADA) blockchain, focusing on advancements in technology, governance, and global outreach.

Key Updates And Future Plans

Hoskinson introduced Plutus V3, set to launch soon. He praised its enhanced functionality and security, emphasizing a collaborative approach in development. Plutus V3 will be here in weeks, and with Ouroboros Leios, Cardano has not only addressed but excelled beyond the blockchain trilemma, Hoskinson stated.

He also discussed Hydra, which is a layer-2 scaling solution designed to significantly increase transaction throughput. Hydra is groundbreaking and the team specifically developed the extended UTXO model for it to ensure efficiency and security, Charles added.

Additionally, Hoskinson revealed plans for a massive decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), which will manage a large digital treasury and feature a governance model including a constitutional committee, stake pool operators (SPOs), and elements of liquid democracy. This new governance model is a major step towards decentralized and democratic blockchain management, he claimed.

Global Engagement And Future Events

Charles highlighted recent interactions with Argentine officials and academic institutions, reflecting global interest in blockchain. The team is very excited about visiting the University of Buenos Aires for a Constitutional Convention with delegates representing over 50 countries to discuss Cardano and the future of digital assets, Hoskinson shared.

Looking ahead, Hoskinson previewed the October Cardano Summit, featuring a unique challenge where Hydra could effectively handle one million transactions per second (TPS), a feat which will be demonstrated through a live Doom game with a $100,000 prize for the winner.

Hoskinson concluded by reaffirming his commitment to advancing blockchain technology, highlighting the ongoing innovation and resilience of the Cardano ecosystem. Charles concluded by saying that Cardano will always strive to make blockchain simpler, faster, cheaper, and more impactful, aiming for cryptocurrency to revolutionize the world.

Alameda Research has moved a total of 698,000 Worldcoin (WLD), valued at approximately $1.13 million, to Binance over the past 20 days. The now insolvent crypto trading firm has been liquidating its WLD holdings since August 8th, 2024.

A Costly Venture

Alameda Research initially acquired 25 million WLD through an investment in Worldcoin. Currently, the firm retains 24.3 million WLD, worth $36.69 million. According to EmberCN, these WLD tokens are expected to be sold in stages over an extended period, based on previous liquidation patterns by FTX/Alameda.

Recently, a federal district court in Manhattan ruled that FTX and Alameda Research must pay $12.7 billion to creditors. This sum includes $8.7 billion in restitution and $4 billion in disgorgement. The court found that FTX violated the federal Commodity Exchange Act and trading regulations, and that the firms involved made significant misrepresentations and omissions to customers.

Making Amends

Following the WLD transfer, Alameda Research also moved approximately 36 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at $2.17 million, via its Bitbank hot wallet to its WBTC wallet. Alameda has been trying to make amends and redeem itself ever since the infamous FTX crash in late 2022.

Regarding Worldcoin, the token has been experiencing a steady decline over the past month. WLD is currently priced at $1.50, marking a 35.47% drop over the past month and an 11.97% decrease in the last day.

The Buenos Aires Ministry of Education has teamed up with the ETH Kipu Foundation to integrate Ethereum (ETH) and blockchain technologies into high school curriculums. ETH Kipu announced that this effort aims to equip students with skills for the tech-driven economy.

This initiative reflects an increasing overall interest in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency within Argentina. Previously, Diana Mondino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Argentina, affirmed the decision taken by the local government to acknowledge Bitcoin (BTC) as a legally sanctioned currency for contractual agreements. This development aligned with various reports highlighting an ongoing depreciation in the value of the Argentinian national currency (ARS).

A Novel Initiative

Beginning on August 27th, the program will introduce blockchain concepts to high school students in their classrooms. Students will also gain practical experience through internships with blockchain projects. ETH Kipu Foundation, a non-profit supported by the Ethereum Foundation, aids the Ethereum ecosystem in Latin America and has run numerous developer programs.

The program will offer 500 students aged 18 and older the opportunity to learn Solidity, the programming language for Ethereum smart contracts. The partners hope this will help students develop the skills needed to create decentralized applications that can benefit the local economy. Additionally, the program will train 30 teachers in blockchain technology through a hybrid format.

The government is also hopeful that, once the locals are properly educated about the subject, they will be able to successfully start mining BTC, especially since big names like Giga Energy have expanded their operations into Argentina, aiming to utilize excess energy via natural gas flaring in the local oil fields.

Improving Argentina

This initiative underscores efforts by Argentina to establish itself as a crypto hub in Latin America. The country ranks fourth globally in cryptocurrency ownership and has a thriving crypto ecosystem, with many residents earning in digital assets.

Community-driven projects like ETH Kipu and the Crisciemento movement have fostered the growth of the crypto ecosystem. The election of a pro-crypto president in November 2023 has also introduced critical regulatory frameworks for crypto startups.

Since Javier Milei became President, Argentina has implemented pro-crypto policies, including the Virtual Assets Service Providers Register and regulations allowing companies to accept cryptocurrency. The country is also exploring crypto industry regulations and tax exemptions for up to $100,000 in digital assets.

In addition to Ethereum-focused education, NGO Bitcoin Argentina has recently partnered with crypto exchange BingX to offer Web3 educational courses on various crypto topics, including Bitcoin and stablecoins.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has announced plans to launch a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), aiming to enhance community governance and expand real-world applications. The announcement, made by marketing lead Lucie on August 25th, signifies a major shift in the management of the project.

The announcement comes shortly after the release of the Shiba Eternity closed beta was revealed, which is the first game on the Shibarium blockchain. Lucie, the Shiba Inu marketing lead, announced the update on X, marking a major shift towards a utility-focused ecosystem.

Giving Users A Voice

The DAO will reportedly give all SHIB holders a voice in shaping the future of the initiative, regardless of their stake. Since its 2020 debut, Shiba Inu has grown significantly. It initially began as an experimental token created by the anonymous Ryoshi to a prominent digital asset under the leadership of Shytoshi Kusama.

The introduction of the DAO represents the next step in involving the community more deeply in governance. The DAO will feature two main councils, the Charity Council, focused on philanthropic efforts, as well as the Culture and Heritage Council, dedicated to preserving the uniqueness of Shiba Inu.

Boosting Real World Apps

Shiba Inu also plans to boost its real-world applications, with SHIB already accepted by thousands of merchants globally. The DAO is expected to strengthen the position of Shiba Inu within the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) in addition to enhancing its practical utility.

Furthermore, lead developer Shytoshi Kusama indicated that he might step down by the end of the year, aligning with the launch of the DAO and further decentralizing the project. In summary, the move to a DAO is a significant development for Shiba Inu, emphasizing community governance and practical applications.

On August 25th, 2024, Toncoin (TON) dropped over 20% following news about Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, being detained in France.

Key Details

TON serves as the native cryptocurrency for The Open Network, which Telegram initially developed but left behind in 2020 after an initial legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This latest incident underscores the strong connection between the blockchain project and Telegram itself, even though the messaging app has portrayed TON as an independent platform.

Durov was apprehended in France on Saturday evening, shortly after his private jet touched down at Bourget Airport near Paris, according to a recent Reuters report. The arrest, as reported by broadcasters BFMTV and TF1, was linked to a preliminary investigation concerning insufficient moderation on Telegram, which authorities argued facilitated criminal activities on the platform.

A Significant Impact

While formal charges against Durov have not been filed yet, the news has significantly impacted the TON ecosystem, with the value of the coin plummeting to $5.52 in just two hours. In light of these events, The Open Network reassured users via X, emphasizing that the ecosystem remains functional despite the arrest.

Telegram wants to assure everyone that the TON community remains strong and fully operational following the recent news concerning Pavel Durov. A post on X stated that Telegram users are being encouraged to stay calm, united, and continue building together.

Additionally, TON Ventures, a venture capital firm connected to the project, issued a statement suggesting that the arrest challenges the principles of free speech and decentralization. Others however believe that the situation is not that simple, and that Pavel was indeed involved in illicit activities.

Concerns are rising within the crypto community about the increasing centralization of Bitcoin (BTC), which some fear could undermine the fundamental principles of the flagship cryptocurrency. Recent data by BTC.com shows that two mining pools, Foundry USA and AntPool, now control about 57% of the total Bitcoin Network hashrate.

Growing Influence And Geopolitical Concerns

Bitcoin mining pools are collaborative networks where miners combine their processing power to increase their chances of mining a block, with rewards distributed based on contribution. These pools have become popular due to their stable income compared to solo mining. However, Foundry and AntPool now dominate the space, with Foundry contributing 215.79 EH/s and AntPool 153.55 EH/s out of a total network hashrate of 651 EH/s.

Experts also warn that the competition between Foundry and AntPool could have geopolitical implications. Foundry USA, part of Digital Currency Group (DCG), aligns with US interests, while AntPool, operated by Bitmain Technologies, represents Chinese influence.

Risks of Centralization

The centralization trend raises concerns about the future of Bitcoin and crypto as a whole. Developer Luke Dashjr has warned that large mining pools could compromise the decentralization aspect of BTC, potentially leading to issues like censorship. If a pool gained over 50% of the hashrate, it could execute a 51% attack. Although no pool currently holds such power, the concentration has led to instances of transaction censorship.

Additionally, mining pools must comply with economic sanctions. For example, in 2023, F2Pool censored transactions to adhere to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list but later reversed this decision after community backlash. There is also concern that other countries are entering the crypto mining sphere which could further contribute to increased centralization.

Nautilus Chain raised an undisclosed amount with the help of 3base. Nautilus Chain is a production-ready, modular chain built on Eclipse.

Ark Labs secured $2.50M in Pre-Seed funding with support by Draper Associates. Ark Labs is a Bitcoin Layer 2 payments network designed to simplify user experiences while maintaining self-custody.

Credbull raised $5.20M with Gnosis providing support. CredBull is a financial platform designed to help individuals and businesses access financing options quickly and efficiently.

vooi secured an undisclosed amount with support by Binance Labs. VOOI is an intent-based cross-chain perpetual DEX aggregator.

Arch Network secured $5M in Extended Seed funding with support by Castle Island Ventures. Arch Network is a Bitcoin native application platform that introduces smart contract functionality directly into Bitcoin through a novel architecture.

Fanton Fantasy Football raised $1M in Seed funding with help by Delphi Ventures. Fanton is a fantasy football game fully integrated into Telegram Messenger which features collectible cards of top football players that earn points according to their real-life performances.

g8keep secured $1.25M in Pre-Seed funding with support by Robot Ventures. g8keep addresses the flaws in token launching and trading by providing a secure and transparent platform that protects users from the inherent risks of the current systems.

Starfish Technologies raised an undisclosed amount in M&A funding with support by Humans.ai. Starfish Technologies is a company focused on building modular, scalable, and interoperable technology solutions. Their offerings include advanced frameworks and tools designed to enhance digital infrastructure, enabling efficient data management, system integration, and automation.

Skyfire obtained $8.50M in Seed funding with help by Circle. Skyfire is a financial stack designed for the AI economy, offering an instant, global payment system for AI Agents, LLMs, data platforms, service providers, and other goods and services. It enables autonomous transactions without human oversight, supported by the USDC stablecoin.

GenLayer raised $7.50M in Seed funding with support by North Island Ventures. GenLayer is a blockchain platform that extends the capabilities of traditional smart contracts by incorporating AI, transforming them into Intelligent Contracts.

Bitcoin (BTC) continued its positive price movements when it reached $65,000 for the first time since August 3rd. During the same period, several altcoins also saw significant gains, with SATS climbing 25%, FET rising 19%, and SUI increasing by 15%.

Ethereum (ETH) has gained over 3% in the past 24 hours, now sitting above $2,760. Ripple, Toncoin, Dogecoin, Tron, Cardano, Avalanche, Bitcoin Cash, and Polkadot have all experienced gains up to 5%. Among the larger-cap altcoins, Solana and Shiba Inu stand out. Both have risen approximately 6%, with SOL surpassing $150 and SHIB reaching $0.000015.

BTC On The $65K Path

The end of this business week differed notably to the previous one. BTC had dropped to $56,000 on Thursday but saw some recovery on Friday and through the weekend. Monday, however, began with a pullback as the asset fell to $58,000.

The bulls managed to step in and halt further declines, but the week remained relatively quiet until Friday evening, when positive news emerged which involved Fed Chair Jerome Powell pledging to start cutting interest rates. This news triggered a rally, causing BTC to surge to $64,000. Following a brief correction, it continued its upward trajectory, reaching $65,000 for the first time in over three weeks.

Even though BTC has retraced by around $800 since reaching $65,000, it remains 5% higher for the day, holding steady above $64,000. Its market capitalization has surged to $1.270 trillion, with its dominance over altcoins increasing to 53.8%. The overall crypto market cap has also increased by around $100 billion since yesterday, now totaling $2.360 trillion.

Other Markets

Traders on the NYSE floor are seeing gains in stocks and futures as the easing of the maturity wall, large amounts of debt maturing at once, mitigates default concerns. Central banks are aligning with Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaling potential rate cuts and a shift in focus toward improving employment rates. 

Elsewhere, Zimbabwe continues to adjust post-Mugabe, with warnings of increased blackouts due to power utility faults. Türkiye is investigating false social media claims about the resignation of its Finance Chief, and the Chinese Central Bank is cautioning against risks in bond trading while considering narrowing the rate corridor. Finally, although the African cocoa harvest may improve, factors like disease and low farmer pay are likely to keep chocolate prices stable.

Prometheum has angered nearly everyone in the crypto community, not merely due to their existence, but because of their approach to the industry. While other crypto firms are struggling to navigate tightening regulations, Prometheum has been aligning closely with regulators, causing controversy.

Why is it so despised?

The company began attracting negative attention in May 2023 when it became the first to obtain a special-purpose broker-dealer license by the SEC and FINRA. This license enables them to manage digital assets, a capability that major players like Coinbase and Robinhood have been striving to obtain for years without success. Unsurprisingly, the crypto community reacted negatively to this development.

The Blockchain Association criticized it as a sweetheart deal, and some Republican Congress members even called for a DOJ investigation to uncover how Prometheum achieved this. The situation was further aggravated because Coinbase and Robinhood had been repeatedly denied this license. Prometheum asserts they simply adhered to regulations, but many are skeptical.

Reading Between The Lines

Beyond acquiring the contentious license, Prometheum went on to classify major tokens such as ETH, UNI, and ARB as securities on their platform. This decision sparked outrage because the SEC has not yet clarified the status of Ethereum as a security. By labeling ETH, UNI, and ARB as securities, Prometheum appeared to overstep.

Critics noted the inconsistency, questioning how Prometheum could designate these tokens as securities when the SEC itself has yet to provide clarification. Despite the backlash, the company remained resolute. Ben Kaplan, CEO of Prometheum Capital, the subsidiary with the broker-dealer license, stated that their aim is to integrate the top 50 digital assets into the platform, and that Uniswap and Arbitrum are among them.

The timing is also noteworthy. As the SEC aggressively pursued legal action against various companies for selling unregistered securities, Prometheum managed to launch its services. Following Aaron Kaplan, Prometheum CEO, testifying before Congress, questions about who the early financial backers for the company, including a Chinese crypto firm, and its profitability have intensified.

Sony Group and Startale have unveiled their new joint blockchain venture, Soneium, which is their initial Ethereum Layer-2 solution designed to enhance scalability and user experience with the goal of mainstream adoption.

Last December, SBI Holdings, the primary cryptocurrency finance group of Japan, and Saudi Aramco, the second largest company in the entire world, disclosed a strategic collaboration. The partnership aimed to delve into mutual investment in their respective digital asset portfolios and the development of semiconductor facilities in both countries.

Supporting Web3 Applications

Upon its introduction, Soneium aims to support Web3 applications in various domains such as entertainment, gaming, and finance, according to Sony Block Solutions Labs. Sony Group has robust distribution networks across numerous industries and a large user base in everyday life, stated Sota Watanabe, Founder of Astar Network and Director of Sony Block Solutions Labs.

The venture is currently preparing for an upcoming testnet launch, although the specific date has not yet been announced. Technical details regarding the platform and its tools as well as developer requirements will be revealed in the coming weeks, according to Sony Block Solutions Labs.

Enhancing Liquidity

For the testnet phase, Astar Network will integrate its zkEVM assets and infrastructure with Soneium to enhance the initial liquidity of the new blockchain. Sony Block Solutions Labs mentioned that future applications of Soneium could include safeguarding creator rights and establishing new methods for equitable profit-sharing between creators and their audience.

Additionally, it was reported last month that Sony is working on launching a local cryptocurrency trading platform in Japan. The Asian country is quickly becoming a popular destination for crypto due to its advanced technological infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, and high levels of public interest and adoption in digital currencies.

Recent reports indicate that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to no longer participate in the 2024 US Presidential Election. This news has caused PolitiFi tokens to increase by over 15% in the past 24 hours. While tokens related to RFK Jr. have decreased, Trump-themed meme coins have surged by 40%.

Moreover, it is becoming increasingly likely that Trump will end up winning the election and become United States President once again, especially since Kamala Harris has not done herself any favors by recently stating she will appoint SEC Chair Gary Gensler as Treasury Secretary if she wins.

Endorsing Trump

During this election cycle, meme coins have become a prominent narrative, with the crypto community closely tracking events through these tokens, including the forthcoming November US presidential elections.

Policies surrounding cryptocurrencies have become increasingly important among voters, especially since the Biden administration has often taken stringent regulatory actions against the industry. Consequently, candidates who support crypto have garnered substantial backing by the crypto community.

RFK Jr. has been a notable supporter of Bitcoin and blockchain technology throughout his campaign. However, recent reports suggest he will exit the race and endorse former President Donald Trump. Trump has recently engaged with the crypto industry and has begun accepting various cryptocurrencies for donations.

MAGA Skyrockets

Trump-themed meme coins have led the surge, with PolitiFi tokens rising by 15.5% in the last day.  The leading Trump-themed token, MAGA (TRUMP), experienced a significant increase. After a drop in value since late July, when it traded above $6, TRUMP had fallen to below $3 following market declines in August, marking a 41.5% decrease over the past month.

Nevertheless, TRUMP surged by 55.6% to approximately $4.14 on Thursday, currently trading at $3.70, reflecting a 40% rise in the last 24 hours. Other meme coins associated with Donald Trump also saw notable gains.