LensLinks: Issue 79

A blockchain news roundup, brought to you by Regiment LLC

Author

Len Pacek
January 25, 2023

Today in LensLinks:

  • Ethereum Shanghai Mainnet Shadow Fork Goes Live - Decrypto

  • Unith Signs Digital Avatar Development Agreement

  • Wallet Steals 80,000 ether (ETH) from the Wormhole Portal Token Bridge

  • What is "the Bitcoin Loophole"?

  • Mark Seal on Web3 Games, Crypto/Metaverse, and AI

  • NBA to Get More Games on VR

  • Bitcoin Miner Argo Blockchain back on Nasdaq

  • Pantera: 2023 Crypto Forecast - The Future is DeFi

  • U.S. Regulators Are Cracking Down on DeFi (Bullish Sign?)

  • The Crypto Industry's Favorite Bank Is In Deep Trouble

  • RETRO: The Largest Crypto Hacks

  • And Much, Much, More...

QUOTABLE... 

"(the ability for ETH stakers to withdraw funds as they please) could usher in a new era of staking for major crypto exchange Coinbase".

- Analysts at JP Morgan

NOTABLE...  

Ethereum Shanghai Mainnet Shadow Fork Goes Live - Decrypt

The formal upgrade, which will allow users to withdraw staked ETH, remains on track for a March delivery.

https://decrypt.co/119851/ethereum-shanghai-mainnet-shadow-fork-goes-live

Ethereum users are one step closer to accessing the $26 billion worth (and counting) of ETH staked with the world’s largest smart contract network.

On Monday, Ethereum’s core developers announced the successful deployment of the first mainnet shadow fork designed to test the readiness of ETH staking withdrawal capability, a feature expected to launch by March.

 Metaverse & Gaming

Unith signs digital avatar development agreement with NVISO Japan

Unith (ASX: UNT) (previously known as Crowd Media Holdings) has signed a binding agreement with NVISO Japan KK to integrate behavioural analytics into

https://smallcaps.com.au/unith-signs-digital-avatar-development-agreement-nviso-japan/

Unith (ASX: UNT) (previously known as Crowd Media Holdings) has signed a binding agreement with NVISO Japan KK to integrate behavioural analytics into digital humans in conversational settings for deployment into digital kiosks in Japan.

The new agreement will provide NVISO with access to Unith’s talking head technology for the purpose of building integrations into its own platform which features predictive analytics tied to emotional and transactional outcomes.

 Blockchain, Tokens & DeFi

Swapping More Than $157M of ETH for stETH and Levering Up, the Wormhole Network Exploiter Is a DeFi Degen

The address that hacked one of the most popular cross-blockchain bridges Wormhole started moving capital in the DeFi ecosystem.

https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/01/24/swapping-more-than-157m-of-eth-for-steth-and-levering-up-the-wormhole-network-exploiter-is-a-defi-degen/

The wallet that stole 80,000 ether (ETH) from the Wormhole Portal Token Bridge last year sprung back to life on Monday after 355 dormant days, trading on leverage like a true Crypto Twitter "degen" as it moved a massive amount of capital throughout the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.

 Crypto Trading

What is the Bitcoin Loophole, and how does it work?

Anyone can make money trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies thanks to Bitcoin Loophole, a well-known automated trading platform.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/what-is-the-bitcoin-loophole-and-how-does-it-work

Bitcoin Loophole facilitates Bitcoin trading through automated crypto trading software. It uses trading bots to help users make financially sound decisions in the crypto markets to make large chunks of profits. Cryptocurrency trading has gone mainstream, with traders making large sums of money in the market. Bitcoin Loophole takes this experience one step further.

Metaverse & Gaming - A Little More...

Marc Seal, CEO of Sortium, on Creating Web3 Games, Crypto/Metaverse Trademarks, and AI | Ep. 198

https://cryptonews.com/exclusives/marc-seal-ceo-of-sortium-creating-web3-games-cryptometaverse-trademarks-ai-ep-198.htm

NBA To Get More Games in VR on Meta Quest

Five games will be in 180-degree VR.

https://www.cnet.com/culture/sports/nba-to-get-more-games-in-vr-on-meta-quest/

Blockchain, Tokens & Defi - A Little More...

Bitcoin Miner Argo Blockchain's Shares Climb After Regaining Nasdaq Listing

The miner could return to the Nasdaq after the minimum bid for its stock surpassed $1 for the last 10 consecutive days.

https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/01/23/bitcoin-miner-argo-blockchains-shares-climb-after-regaining-nasdaq-listing/

VC Firm Pantera's 2023 Crypto Forecast Says the Future Is DeFi

The crypto-focused venture capital firm is focused on transaction fees, liquidity and usability.

https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/01/23/vc-firm-panteras-2023-crypto-forecast-says-the-future-is-defi/

U.S. Regulators Are Cracking Down on DeFi. It’s Actually a Bullish Sign, Says Moody’s.

The SEC and CFTC have charged an alleged exploiter of a decentralized crypto exchange. It runs against the grain of DeFi, but could be a tailwind.

https://www.barrons.com/articles/sec-cftc-crypto-defi-regulators-51674572299

Crypto Trading - A Little More...

Crypto Markets Today: Bitcoin Holds Steady Near $23K; Gemini’s Job Cuts Continue

FTX’s FTT token was up 8% for the day. Equities closed higher.

https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/01/23/crypto-markets-today-bitcoin-holds-steady-near-23k-geminis-job-cuts-continue/

The Crypto Industry’s Favorite Bank Is in Deep Trouble

Sam Bankman-Fried once lauded the tiny Silvergate Bank for being a key part of the crypto revolution. Will it survive his scandal?

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/01/silvergate-crypto-industrys-favorite-bank-in-deep-trouble.html

Provenance Blockchain CEO on difference between crypto trading and real world finance migrating to blockchain

Good video with Provenance Blockchain CEO Morgan McKenney on why blockchain is different from crypto trading, the case for digital fiat, and whether banks will adopt blockchain.

https://thebasispoint.com/provenance-blockchain-ceo-on-difference-between-crypto-trading-and-real-world-finance-migrating-to-blockchain/

 Industry Retro (How far we have come)

The Largest Cryptocurrency Hacks So Far

Crypto hacks have become a major problem for the industry.

https://www.investopedia.com/news/largest-cryptocurrency-hacks-so-far-year/#:~:text=The%20first%20major%20crypto%20hack,didn't%20stop%20and%20Mt.

A look back on the largest crypto hacks in history, including the 1st:  The first major crypto hack occurred in 2011 when the crypto exchange Mt. Gox lost 25,000 bitcoins worth approximately $400,000. At that time, the crypto exchange was handling nearly 70% of all bitcoin transactions.

 ESG (Environment, Social & Governance)

Singapore businesses counting on ESG and metaverse to fuel growth in 2023, poll finds

SINGAPORE – Businesses here believe investments in the metaverse and sustainability will fuel growth in what is expected to be an uneasy year, a survey has noted. Read more at straitstimes.com.

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapore-businesses-counting-on-esg-and-metaverse-to-fuel-growth-in-2023-poll-finds

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Disclaimer: This note is distributed by Regiment, LLC for informational purposes only and is sourced from publicly available media reports.  It is not an investment recommendation or solicitation for any investment.  The information is current as of date and subject to change. In such case Regiment, LLC does not undertake to provide any updates.  Recipients must be aware that any private, alternative investments discussed are speculative in nature, often illiquid, and subject to loss of capital.