Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a proposal for “partially stateless nodes,” aiming to enhance the network’s scalability and resist centralization. This initiative seeks to empower users to run lightweight nodes, reducing reliance on centralized Remote Procedure Call (RPC) providers and bolstering the network’s decentralization. The Centralization Challenge As Ethereum scales, the increasing resource demands for running full nodes have led many users to depend on centralized RPC providers. Buterin warns that this centralization poses risks of censorship and deplatforming, as these providers might be pressured to exclude certain users or regions. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining trustless, censorship-resistant…
Author: Aladia
In a groundbreaking move, Mastercard and MoonPay have announced a partnership to enable stablecoin payments at over 150 million merchants worldwide. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset economy, offering consumers and businesses the ability to transact using stablecoins seamlessly. A New Era of Digital Payments The partnership will allow users to make payments using stablecoins such as USDC, USDT, and DAI. These transactions will be automatically converted into fiat currency at the point of sale, ensuring a smooth experience for both consumers and merchants. The initiative leverages the infrastructure of Iron, a…
As the cryptocurrency market continues to attract investors, fraudulent platforms are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics. To safeguard your investments, it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs of potential scams. Here are ten red flags to watch out for: 1. Unrealistic Promises of High Returns Be wary of platforms that guarantee substantial profits with little to no risk. Claims like “double your investment in a week” are often indicative of scams. 2. Lack of Transparency Legitimate platforms provide clear information about their operations, team members, and business models. If such details are missing or vague, consider it a red…
In a significant move against cybercrime, Telegram has dismantled Haowang Guarantee, a massive crypto-fueled black market that facilitated over $27 billion in illicit transactions. The shutdown follows investigative reports by blockchain analytics firm Elliptic and inquiries from WIRED, leading to the banning of thousands of associated accounts on May 13, 2025. What Was Haowang Guarantee? Formerly known as Huione Guarantee, Haowang operated primarily in Chinese via Telegram, serving as a hub for cybercriminals across Southeast Asia. The platform offered services including money laundering through Tether (USDT), sale of stolen data, deepfake software, and tools used in scam compounds in…
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s biometric crypto project, Worldcoin—now rebranded as “World”—has officially launched in the United States, sparking renewed scrutiny from privacy advocates and regulators. The initiative, which involves scanning users’ irises to create unique digital identities, aims to distinguish humans from AI bots in the digital realm. However, its expansion into the U.S. market has raised significant privacy and ethical concerns. World’s U.S. Expansion and Operational Hubs On April 30, 2025, Altman announced the establishment of World’s operations in six major U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco. At these locations, individuals can have their…
Hong Kong-based Web3 investment firm Animoca Brands is preparing for a public listing in New York, capitalizing on the pro-crypto regulatory environment under President Donald Trump’s administration. Executive Chairman Yat Siu described the current climate as a “unique moment” for crypto companies to access the world’s largest capital market. A Strategic Pivot to the U.S. Animoca’s decision marks a significant shift from its earlier considerations of listing in Hong Kong or the Middle East. The company is now evaluating various shareholding structures for its U.S. IPO, with an announcement expected soon. Siu emphasized that the move is not contingent on…
On May 11, 2025, Ledger, a leading hardware wallet provider, experienced a security breach on its official Discord server. A malicious actor compromised a moderator’s account, deploying a bot to disseminate phishing links that aimed to deceive users into revealing their wallet seed phrases. This incident underscores the persistent threats facing the crypto community and the importance of vigilance against phishing attacks. The Breach: A Coordinated Phishing Attempt The attacker exploited the compromised moderator account to post messages claiming that Ledger had identified a security vulnerability. Users were urged to verify their recovery phrases through a fraudulent website, a classic…
Ki Young Ju, CEO of blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant, has forecasted the rise of “dark stablecoins”—censorship-resistant digital assets—as global regulatory scrutiny on stablecoins intensifies. In a recent statement, Ju highlighted the potential for these decentralized alternatives to gain traction as traditional stablecoins face increased oversight. Understanding ‘Dark Stablecoins’ Dark stablecoins are envisioned as digital currencies designed to maintain price stability while operating outside the purview of centralized authorities. Unlike conventional stablecoins like Tether (USDT) or USD Coin (USDC), which are backed by fiat reserves and managed by centralized entities, dark stablecoins would prioritize user privacy and resistance to censorship. Ju…
Robinhood makes its move toward European blockchain adoption Robinhood, the popular American trading platform, is building a new blockchain designed to allow tokenized trading of U.S. assets in Europe. This marks a major strategic shift as the company embraces Web3 to gain a foothold in one of the most rapidly evolving crypto and blockchain markets. The move was unveiled by Johann Kerbrat, general manager of Robinhood Crypto, during the Crypto and Digital Assets Summit in London. According to Kerbrat, the company aims to use blockchain technology to offer 24/7 trading of U.S. assets like stocks — bypassing the traditional market…
In a dramatic turn of events, Jeffy Yu, co-founder of the AI-driven crypto project Zerebro, has been found alive, days after a livestreamed video appeared to show him taking his own life. The incident, which unfolded on May 4, 2025, has sparked widespread debate and concern within the crypto community. The Alleged Suicide and Immediate Aftermath On May 4, a video circulated online showing Yu seemingly committing suicide during a livestream on the Pump.fun platform. An obituary was subsequently published on Legacy.com, stating that Yu had died at the age of 22. However, the obituary was soon removed due to…
