Decentralized applications pause Ledger Connect as exploit fix deployed

More decentralized applications (dApps) have temporarily disabled their front-end user interface for Ledger Connect amid today’s exploit.

Developers of nonfungible tokens (NFT) platform OpenSea said on December 14 that users should “not connect to any dApps using Ledger Connect until further notice.”

Meanwhile, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Lido Finance stated its “front-ends have been switched off as a precautionary measure whilst the Ledger connect issue is being investigated.” 

Earlier in the day, the front ends of Zapper, SushiSwap, Phantom, Balancer and Revoke.cash were compromised as part of the Ledger Connect exploit. Ledger has since stated that the exploit had been…

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Block’s Subsidiary Spiral Backs ‘Bitcoin Design Foundation’ to Boost Adoption

In a move towards advancing the role of design in the Bitcoin ecosystem, the Bitcoin Design Foundation emerges with the backing of founding supporters Spiral and BitBox, as well as contributions from individuals who share the belief that effective design is a catalyst for broader Bitcoin adoption.

Since its inception in 2020, the Bitcoin Design Community has fostered a collaborative environment where individual designers and researchers, supported by grants, have worked towards bettering the ecosystem. This collective effort has yielded essential resources such as the Bitcoin Design Guide, the Bitcoin Wallet UI Kit, reference designs, and impactful initiatives like the unified QR code and…

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Top 10 Trending Crypto Coins of The Day

  1. Clearpool: Market Cap of $32 Million.
  2. Yield App: Market Cap of $18 Million.
  3. Tectum: Market Cap of $67 Million.
  4. Bonk: Market Cap of $906 Million.
  5. Only1: Market Cap of $16 Million.
  6. Celestia: Market Cap of $2.0 Billion.
  7. Injective: Market Cap of $2.6 Billion.
  8. FUNToken: Market Cap of $95 Million.
  9. Myria: Market Cap of $142 Million.
  10. Beam: Market Cap of $1.1 Billion.

Disclaimer: Market capitalizations can vary in real-time. The information provided here is intended purely for educational purposes and should not, under any circumstances, be construed as financial advice.

Arthur Hayes repeats $1M BTC price bet

Bitcoin (BTC) and altcoins are a no-brainer bet in the current macro climate, Arthur Hayes says.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 14, the former CEO of exchange BitMEX said that investors have “no excuse” to short crypto.

$1 million Bitcoin still in play in 2024 “great pivot”

Going long crypto is the key to success as markets bet on the United States Federal Reserve lowering interest rates next year, Hayes argues.

On Dec. 13, at the latest meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), Fed policymakers voted to continue a freeze on interest rate hikes.

While broadly expected, a subsequent speech and press conference with Chair Jerome Powell sparked talk of impending rate…

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Cronos broadens scaling roadmap from Cosmos to Ethereum

The network of Ethereum layer-2 rollups using zkSync’s ZK Stack got a new addition Thursday, with the launch of the Cronos zkEVM testnet.

Blockchain developer Cronos Labs is developing its third blockchain, which is the first to use ZK Stack hyperchain to reach a live testnet.

The first chain in the Cronos ecosystem was a Cosmos appchain developed in partnership with the Crypto.com exchange and launched in 2021. Cronos then followed up with an EVM-compatible chain, also built using the Cosmos SDK in 2022. This new effort augments, but does not replace, the prior two chains.

Cronos’ zkEVM is the result of a collaborative effort involving Cronos Labs, Matter Labs (the team behind…

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Self Custody: The Future Of Defense

Imagine a hypothetical world where there is no established medium of exchange. In this imaginary world, people are simply bartering. However, someone approaches you and tells you, “Hey, you know tomorrow we all move to using gold as money, right? You should acquire as much as you can now before tomorrow comes.” Assuming you trust this individual, any rational person would want to run to a gold mine and purchase as much gold as they could reasonably afford. This part is easy; the trouble comes after. Imagine someone, with their horse and wagon, slowly treading down the road home with a mountain of gold shining in their cart. What happens? Bandits spring out of nowhere and rob the person…

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NFT Creator – Cointelegraph Magazine

When the history books are written, and the documentaries are made on the formative days of NFTs, Jimmy McNelis, aka j1mmy.eth, will hold a special place in history as a creator, as a passionate advocate, and for having one of the greatest NFT collections of all time. 

An NFT OG who started his journey on Dec. 5, 2017, when he purchased his first CryptoKitty, the 45-year-old American is also the founder of Avastars, an early PFP project from February 2020 that set the scene for intellectual property (IP) rights being given to holders. 

That was popularized by Bored Ape Yacht Club and the 2021 PFP mania that saw IP rights for holders becoming the standard for most…

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Bitcoin Rewards Platform Lolli Concludes $8M Series B Funding Round

Lolli, a leading bitcoin and cashback rewards platform, has announced the successful closure of an $8 million Series B funding round today, according to a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine. The investment was led by BITKRAFT Ventures, alongside notable contributions from Sfermion, Ulta Beauty’s Prisma Ventures, Hypersphere Ventures, Rahul Pagidipati, 2 Punks Capital, MZ Web3 Fund, and several others.

“We are thrilled to announce this fundraise as we enter this next phase of growth at Lolli,” said Alex Adelman, the CEO and Founder of Lolli. “As bitcoin’s price continues to surge and Lolli users’ rewards go up in value, we look forward to using this ongoing period of growth…

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Play-to-earn was a bust — we need to create-to-earn

Play-to-earn gaming wasn’t fun while it lasted. 

Incentivizing players to earn digital assets in games with little regard for gameplay quality or player needs left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths. 

After 1.13 million unique active wallets connected to decentralized applications in games in 2022, research suggested that the GameFi industry could reach $38 billion by 2028, as hordes were swept away in the hysteria of “getting paid to play the games you love.”

But they didn’t love the games, did they? The quality wasn’t there. Players were stuck in a mining loop, grinding out the value of characters whilst reliant on a Ponzi scheme that required a constant flow of new…

Read more on Blockworks

Navigating the Journey Towards Bitcoin Maximalism: A Roadmap to Crypto Enlightenment

In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, the term “Bitcoin Maximalist” is often heard echoing through the corridors of blockchain discussions. But what does it mean to be a maximalist, and what is the journey one takes to reach such a steadfast belief in Bitcoin? The concept isn’t just about preference; it’s about a firm conviction in Bitcoin’s superiority over other cryptocurrencies. It’s a tale of growth, education, and resilience.

The starting point for many is a place of innocence and curiosity—a stage where Bitcoin is a novel idea waiting to be discovered. At this nascent stage, individuals know virtually nothing about the digital asset. It’s here that the seeds of interest are sown as one stumbles upon the concept of cryptocurrency. This discovery marks the first step on a path that is as much about personal growth as it is about financial insight.

As one’s journey progresses, a significant leap is taken when they move from mere awareness to active involvement. This leap is often characterized by the decision to buy Bitcoin. It’s a commitment that signifies a shift from curiosity to a tentative belief. At this point, confidence in the cryptocurrency is still low, but the willingness to engage with it indicates an open mind.

However, buying Bitcoin is just the beginning. The next critical phase is self-education. In this self-driven learning process, individuals dive into the intricate world of blockchain technology, understanding the nuances of decentralization, the principles of supply and demand in the Bitcoin market, and the philosophies underpinning its creation. With each article read and each video watched, the line on the graph of competence and confidence ticks upward.

Yet, the road to maximalism is not without its challenges. The market’s volatility tests one’s conviction, especially during bear markets. These periods, characterized by falling prices, can be disheartening, but for those who endure, they serve as a rite of passage. It’s in the trenches of these downturns that a Bitcoin enthusiast is “hardened,” much like steel in a forge. The experience of surviving—and sometimes thriving—during these times reinforces belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value.

As one emerges from the trials of market fluctuations, the role shifts from learner to mentor. Sharing knowledge and teaching others about Bitcoin becomes the new norm. This is a testament to the depth of understanding one has achieved—a depth that allows them to simplify complex concepts for newcomers.

Finally, at the pinnacle of this ascension stands Bitcoin Maximalism. Here, confidence in Bitcoin’s potential is at its highest. Maximalists view Bitcoin not just as a cryptocurrency but as a movement, a philosophy, and a solution to financial systems they perceive as flawed. They advocate for Bitcoin as the one true cryptocurrency that stands a chance of fulfilling the early promises of the blockchain revolution.

The journey to Bitcoin maximalism is not a straight line—it’s a path with its peaks and valleys, reflecting the volatile nature of the asset itself. It’s a story of transformation from a curious observer to a knowledgeable guru, one who sees Bitcoin as more than a currency, but as a symbol of potential for a future financial paradigm.

The path to Bitcoin maximalism is as unique as the individuals who walk it, yet it shares common milestones of discovery, investment, education, resilience, and advocacy. It’s a journey that is personal yet shared among those who have chosen to navigate the complex waters of cryptocurrency with Bitcoin as their North Star.