A comprehensive report by Web3Caff Research analyst ShirleyLi analyzes the critical path for privacy computing on-chain. Zama, now a unicorn with a valuation exceeding $1 billion, offers its ‘privacy enhancement module,’ Zama Protocol, which can be deployed on existing EVM chains to address privacy needs for financial assets, identity verification, and governance voting. The fhEVM architecture allows Ethereum smart contracts to operate under encryption, with potential expansions into AI, RWA, and compliant finance. Key challenges for Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) adoption include performance latency, a lack of standardization, and ecosystem maturity.
In significant financial news, Tether’s latest disclosed data reveals its holdings of U.S. Treasury bills have surpassed $120 billion. This figure exceeds the holdings of sovereign nations like the UAE and Germany, positioning the stablecoin issuer as the world’s 18th largest holder of U.S. debt.
Security concerns were highlighted as cryptocurrency exchange BTCTurk confirmed a hack, with abnormal outflows from multiple on-chain hot wallets totaling over $48 million. The incident affected Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), Avalanche (AVAX), Arbitrum (ARB), Base (BASE), Optimism (OP), and Polygon (POL) chains.
The bitcoin mining hardware market is characterized by an oligopolistic structure, with two Chinese firms, Bitmain and Canaan, controlling approximately 97% of the market share. Following the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese goods during the former U.S. administration, these companies relocated parts of their production to Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Solana Mobile, an innovative project by Solana Labs, is developing a smartphone that deeply integrates crypto-native functionalities. The project aims to deliver a user experience comparable to Web2 devices while incorporating Web3 elements, focusing on enhanced usability, security, and performance.
Circle has officially launched its proprietary Arc blockchain, a Layer1 network specifically built for the USDC stablecoin. This move signifies Circle’s entry into the trend of issuing dedicated blockchains, occurring amidst a surge in stablecoin metrics.
An expert analysis delves into the incorporation of cryptocurrency into American 401(k) retirement plans, providing clarity on the functionality of the U.S. pension system and the potential role of digital assets within it.
In Africa, where complex financial environments often hinder business operations, crypto OTC services are emerging as a critical ‘invisible engine’ for stablecoin payments, offering a viable alternative to navigate banking restrictions and currency volatility.
Compliance in the on-chain space requires more than just Blockchain Analysis Tools (BATs). A new approach advocates for integrating on-chain Know-Your-Transaction (KYT) protocols with off-chain fiat transaction monitoring solutions to enhance anti-money laundering (AML) efforts for stablecoin payments.
As crypto-related criminal activity increases, basic on-chain tracing knowledge is becoming essential for all ecosystem participants. Security firm SlowMist has released a handbook on blockchain asset tracking, democratizing what was once a specialized skill.
This week’s notable developments include: a Snapshot vote on the LayerZero Foundation’s proposal to acquire Stargate; Virtuals Protocol upgrading its Genesis mode; Starknet proposing SNIP 33 for decentralized validation; Circle Gateway’s cross-chain infrastructure going live on mainnet; EthSign launching its super-app Orange Dynasty; Arc announcing a stablecoin forex RFQ system; Kaito publishing its H1 update and growth plan; new governance proposals JIP-25 and JIP-XX on the Jito forum; crypto startup Legion closing a $5 million seed round led by VanEck; and on-chain stock trading platform StableStock completing its seed funding round with participation from YZi Labs.
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