NewsBriefs - Sam Altman's World project adds chat and crypto payments

Mar 6, 3:56 PM The Block

Sam Altman's World project adds chat and crypto payments

Sam Altman's World project, also known as World App, has introduced chat and crypto payment functionalities, enhancing its super app features and user verification system. With these additions, users can verify their interactions with authentic individuals through a unique World ID. Facilitated by the World App's integrated wallet, these features allow seamless crypto transactions akin to sending multimedia. The platform currently boasts over 24 million users, including more than 11 million verified as genuine humans.

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• Mar 6, 4:56 PM YZi Labs

  YZi Labs invests in Tensorplex Labs to accelerate decentralized AI development

  YZi Labs has invested in Tensorplex Labs to boost advancements in decentralized AI. Tensorplex, focused on integrating AI with blockchain, is expanding its capabilities in AI model training, infrastructure, and tools such as Tensorplex Dojo and Backprop Finance. This strategic investment will help Tensorplex scale its operations, accelerate R&D, and enhance the collaboration between humans and AI, aiming to democratize AI technology.

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• Mar 6, 4:52 PM Serpro

  Cardano Foundation partners with Brazil's largest public IT firm to boost blockchain education

  Serpro, Brazil's largest public IT company, has entered into a Technical Cooperation Agreement with the Cardano Foundation to train its employees in blockchain technology. This partnership aims to increase the adoption of blockchain within the Brazilian public sector to enhance efficiency, strengthen fraud prevention, and integrate the technology into government services. The collaboration includes access to the Cardano Academy and initiatives for innovation and applied blockchain research.

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• Mar 6, 3:56 PM The Block

  Sam Altman's World project adds chat and crypto payments

  Sam Altman's World project, also known as World App, has introduced chat and crypto payment functionalities, enhancing its super app features and user verification system. With these additions, users can verify their interactions with authentic individuals through a unique World ID. Facilitated by the World App's integrated wallet, these features allow seamless crypto transactions akin to sending multimedia. The platform currently boasts over 24 million users, including more than 11 million verified as genuine humans.

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• Mar 6, 2:01 PM The Block

  Bitwise to offer DeFi investment opportunities to institutional clients

  Bitwise, a cryptocurrency index fund manager, has partnered with Maple Finance to offer its institutional clients access to compliant, onchain credit and DeFi investment opportunities. This partnership represents a significant shift as institutional investors increasingly explore onchain credit options tailored to their risk profiles, expanding beyond traditional fixed-income products. The collaboration aims to provide structured, transparent, and yield-generating opportunities as part of a wider trend of capital inflow to digital assets.

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• Mar 6, 11:53 AM The Block

  Trump-backed World Liberty Financial boosts crypto holdings with $21.5 million in ETH, WBTC, and MOVE

  World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance entity with ties to President Donald Trump, has expanded its crypto holdings ahead of the White House Crypto Summit. The venture acquired significant amounts of ether, Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), and MOVE, totaling approximately $21.5 million. This strategic move comes as the summit is set to discuss the future of crypto regulation and the establishment of a US strategic crypto reserve.

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• Mar 5, 8:32 PM The Block

  Bitwise registers with the SEC for an Aptos ETF amidst rising altcoin fund interests

  Bitwise has filed an S-1 registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a spot Aptos exchange-traded fund (ETF), named Bitwise Aptos ETF. This move is part of a broader trend as Bitwise is also pushing to launch ETFs based on other cryptos like Dogecoin and XRP. The filing indicates growing interest and government openness towards altcoin-based ETFs in the crypto market.

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• Mar 5, 4:30 PM The Block

  Noble launches yield-paying USDN stablecoin on Cosmos network

  Noble has officially launched its yield-paying USDN stablecoin. The stablecoin rewards holders with proceeds derived from short-duration US Treasurys, a shift from typical fiat-pegged stablecoins that benefit corporate entities. USDN offers an approximately 4.15% APY, adjustable based on Treasury collateral. Initially, USDN is supported by Keplr Wallet and purchasable via Moonpay.

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• Mar 4, 9:00 AM The Block

  Flowdesk secures $102 million in funding to expand crypto services

  Flowdesk, a France-based crypto trading firm, raised $102 million through a combination of equity and debt to enhance its services, led by HV Capital. The funding, mostly equity, will support the firm's expansion in tokenization, OTC derivatives, and establishment of a crypto credit desk, amidst a bullish crypto market. This move aims to scale Flowdesk's operations and presence globally, including a planned workforce expansion and new office in the United Arab Emirates.

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• Mar 4, 3:03 AM Nasdaq

  Nasdaq files 19b-4 form for Hedera HBAR spot ETF from Grayscale

  Nasdaq submitted a 19b-4 filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the listing of Grayscale's Hedera (HBAR) spot exchange-traded fund (ETF). This filing, part of a two-step process, will commence the SEC's review once published in the Federal Register. The initiative follows similar filings by Nasdaq for other crypto ETFs and marks increasing activity in altcoin ETF proposals in the US.

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• Mar 3, 2:55 PM The Block

  Aave deploys lending markets on Sonic in strategic layer 1 expansion

  Aave has expanded its lending markets to Sonic, marking its first Layer 1 expansion of the year. This move builds on the successful launch of version 3 of Aave following governance approval. Sonic, having rebranded from Fantom, offers innovative fee monetization that could provide a new income stream for Aave. The expansion includes significant liquidity commitments and coincides with Aave ceasing its lending operations on the Polygon PoS chain.

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• Mar 3, 1:00 PM Tether

  Tether appoints Simon McWilliams as new CFO to lead full audit initiative

  Tether, the leading stablecoin issuer, announced the appointment of Simon McWilliams as CFO, signaling a move towards a full audit aimed at enhancing transparency and regulatory compliance. This decision highlights Tether's commitment to reinforcing financial integrity and maintaining its position as a trusted partner in the expanding global role of crypto and the US dollar. The appointment is part of Tether's broader strategy to strengthen financial inclusion and trust worldwide.

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• Mar 3, 9:06 AM Hand-Picked

  Binance to delist non-MiCA compliant stablecoin trading pairs for EEA users by March 2025

  Binance announced that it will cease offering spot and margin trading pairs for non-MiCA compliant stablecoins such as USDT, FDUSD, TUSD, USDP, DAI, AEUR, UST, USTC, and PAXG to users in the European Economic Area (EEA) by March 31, 2025. This decision aligns with the latest EU regulatory requirements under the MiCA framework. Binance advises EEA users to convert their non-MiCA compliant stablecoins to MiCA-compliant assets like USDC and EURI or to EUR. The platform will still support custody and allow conversions post-deadline.

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• Mar 3, 3:39 AM Hand-Picked

  Metaplanet acquires additional 156 Bitcoin, boosting holdings to 2,391 BTC

  Metaplanet Inc. has expanded its Bitcoin holdings by purchasing an additional 156 bitcoins at an average price of 12,952,147 yen per Bitcoin, increasing its total holdings to 2,391 bitcoins. This acquisition is part of the company's Bitcoin Treasury Operations. Metaplanet uses Bitcoin Yield (BTC Yield), a key performance indicator, to evaluate the effectiveness of its acquisition strategy and measure financial gains in yen, enhancing transparency for shareholders.

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• Mar 3, 2:39 AM The Block

  Coinbase CEO suggests Bitcoin as the sole choice for US crypto reserves

  Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong advocates for exclusively incorporating Bitcoin into the US's proposed crypto reserve, aligning with its simplicity and potential as a digital successor to gold. This recommendation comes in response to President Donald Trump's announcement of including various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, SOL, XRP, and ADA in the reserve. Meanwhile, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes and Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao react to the news impacting crypto markets, with significant price surges noted across major crypto tokens.

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• Mar 2, 6:57 PM The Block

  Hyperliquid trader nets $7 million on leveraged BTC and ETH positions

  A trader on Hyperliquid made $7 million in 24 hours by leveraging long positions in bitcoin and ether ahead of Trump's crypto reserve announcement. Using 50x leverage, the trader strategically positioned over $200 million, with the timely announcement boosting token prices and aiding in substantial profits. The market reacted positively, especially with additional price rises after further details of Trump's crypto strategic reserve clarified the inclusion of BTC and ETH.

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