Monster CoinMarketCap Acquisition
Earlier this week, The Block reported that Binance is set to close a $400 million acquisition of CoinMarketCap, likely funded via a combination of cash, stock, and BNB tokens.
Some rapid reactions, courtesy of Ryan Selkis at Messari (full breakdown here)... - Props to CMC – they get a massive payout and have been bootstrapped since the beginning (more fun facts about CMC here).
- Binance gets a major "top of funnel" booster as CMC has nearly 40M visits per month (doubling the traffic of Binance's flagship site). Additionally, Binance can now extract more data from projects and dominate the "front page of crypto" for the foreseeable future.
- Data quality will likely rise as well – this is great news for other crypto data companies, and information businesses.
Very bullish news... and a win-win-win for all parties involved (CMC, Binance, and the users)!
| | Difficulty Adjustment
While economic uncertainty lingers and the world goes mad, we still have something to hang our hats on...
Bitcoin's network experienced a -16% difficulty adjustment late last week... and well, the network just kept chugging along (difficulty adjustment makes work easier to stabilize the rate of production until more mining power joins the network).
This once again proves that BTC's incentive system and design works incredibly well.
Blocks continue to be produced... and value is still secured. Not everything is broken. 🙂
| | Microsoft Files Patent Application for Crypto Mining System Powered by Human Activity
Microsoft has proposed a system that can mine cryptocurrencies using physical exertion like exercising or reading.
It's bizarre. They basically took the idea of exercise bikes that power a building and turned it into humans becoming crypto miners via pulse rates, brainwaves, and body sensors.
"Instead of massive computation work required by some conventional cryptocurrency systems, data generated based on the body activity of the user can be a proof-of-work, and therefore, a user can solve the computationally difficult problem unconsciously" the patent application reads.
| | Voice to Receive $150 Million of Capital from Block.one
Block.one, the creator of the EOS protocol, has invested $150 million in Voice, a social media platform launched in June last year. The investment into Voice is to allow the social network to operate independently of Block.one.
Voice, beta-launched in 2019, was branded as a social media platform that allowed real users (not bots) to post and share content for token rewards. To ensure authenticity, the app requires identity verification for every user. All verified users will then receive some Voice Tokens on a daily basis and can use these tokens to boost certain posts. They can also earn additional tokens by creating original content.
The company is looking to officially roll out the app in Q1, 2021.
📝 Pop Quiz: Can you guess how much the company paid for the domain Voice.com? (answer here)
| | It's all coming to an end…
If you haven't heard by now, crypto expert Teeka Tiwari has been pounding the table on 5 altcoins you can buy today. His buy list is available to the public, however, tonight will be your last chance to get it.
If you're at all interested, now is the time for action.
| | $1 Billion Parked in Stablecoins Suggests Crypto Investors Anticipate Lower Prices
On March 3rd, there was just $400 million in USDT and USDC on exchanges. In less than four weeks, the total balance has surged by 150% to over $1 Billion.
On face value this may not seem like a good sign, but parking money in stablecoins is more bullish than pulling money out of the market entirely. It's a clear indication that investors want to re-enter the market at some point in the near future.
| | Latin American Bitcoin Trading Follows the Heartbeat of Venezuela
Matt Ahlborg discovered the massive impact that Venezuela has on other Latin American countries, as shown by Bitcoin trading data during the nation's biggest blackout.
See how Bitcoin is used for remittances and as a vehicle currency to access dollars.
| | Black Swan Events: Short-term Crisis, Long-term Opportunity
Few investors could have predicted that a viral outbreak would end the longest-running bull market in U.S. history.
Black swans are rare, unpredictable and extreme events. When they hit, entire financial systems collapse - at least temporarily.
Once again, we're headed for disaster. And if history teaches us anything, it's that you can't count on Wall Street to steer you right. In plain English, Wall Street tends to underestimate the probability of big moves in the markets.
One analyst, the author of a previous #1 financial book in America has been following the research to its logical conclusion.
Now, he's making his most shocking prediction yet. Those who heed his warning and advice stand to make fortunes. Those who don't could get wiped out.
But here's a fair warning… his presentation will not stay online for long.
Register for free to watch the Black Swan 2020 event now.
| | The CDC Will Set Up a Coronavirus 'Surveillance and Data Collection System'
Last week, we gave examples of politicians leveraging our fears to take away some of our civil liberties. It's called surveillance creep.
This week, that narrative became real.
As part of the Stimulus package, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was given $500M to develop a health surveillance program. Understandably, there's a need for this today. But now the question turns to – will it become the norm?
| | South Korea's Biggest Bank is Set to Launch Crypto Custody Service
KB Kookmin, the largest bank in South Korea, is set to launch a crypto custody service for assets such as bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH).
The bank's entry into the crypto space can reportedly be a catalyst to change South Korea's entire financial sector. It could also see top rival banks Shinhan, Hana and Woori getting into the industry.
| | Request Denied: Judge Says Telegram Can't Distribute Grams to Non-US Investors
New York federal court today denied Telegram's request to distribute tokens, raised in a $1.7 billion ICO for its upcoming blockchain network, to non-US purchasers. This effectively prevents Telegram from launching the Telegram Open Network until further notice.
The SEC wants Telegram to return the $1.7 billion to investors, emptying the coffers of Telegram, which has poured much of its resources into developing the blockchain network.
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