Boosting blockchain adoption by keeping tech on the back end

    Understanding the difference between the front and back end is crucial with Web3 technology. The term “front end” describes the portion of Web3 applications that consumers interact with directly. This includes the technology’s user-facing side, websites and decentralized applications (DApps). The back end, on the other hand, refers to the complex system that supports these…

    Ethereum L2 Starknet aims to decentralize core components of its scaling network

    Ethereum layer-2 scaling network Starknet has outlined plans to improve the decentralization of three core components of its zero-knowledge (ZK) proof rollup solution. Speaking exclusively to Cointelegraph, Starknet product manager and blockchain researcher Ilia Volokh outlined the firm’s intent to address certain centralized elements of its protocol aimed at defending against censorship and making its system…

    Kazakhstan officially launches digital tenge

    The chairman of Kazakhstan’s National Payment Corporation (NPC), Binur Zhalenov, has made the first transaction with the country’s new central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital tenge. During his speech at the XI Congress of Finance in Almaty on Nov. 15, he paid with a debit card tied to the CBDC account, according to local outlet, Kapital.kz….

    Expect some crypto companies to fail in the wake of Bitcoin’s halving

    As we approach Bitcoin’s halving in April, a phenomenon that historically triggers significant market shifts, companies within the space are at a critical juncture. This event is surrounded by speculation and strategic planning, and for some, a sense of uncertainty. While it’s laden with opportunities, it’s vital for businesses to adopt a balanced approach, integrating a…

    Ethereum’s rollups are ‘gold standard’ but Plasma needs a revisit: Buterin

    Plasma, a once-prominent Ethereum layer 2 scaling solution, should be revisited by teams currently working on zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines (EVMs), says Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. Invented in 2017, Plasma diverts data and computation — except deposits, withdrawals and Merkle roots — to an off-chain environment. It was superseded by optimistic and zero-knowledge (ZK)-rollups as…

    NFT sales volume upward trend to continue, industry execs say

    In the weeks leading up to November, nonfungible token (NFT) data showed a consistent upward leap in weekly sales. While the volume is still far from its peak in 2021, executives in the industry believe the upward trend will likely continue. On Nov. 6, data published by blockchain analytics firm Nansen showed that NFT sales volume leaped…

    Australia to impose capital gains tax on wrapped cryptocurrency tokens

    The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued guidance on capital gains tax (CGT) treatment of decentralized finance (DeFi) and wrapping crypto tokens for individuals, clarifying its intent to continue taxing Australians on capital gains when wrapping and unwrapping tokens. In May 2022, the ATO outlined crypto capital gains as one of four key focus areas. Building on the initiative,…

    Starknet releases latest upgrade announcement, is STRK airdrop finally coming?

    On the evening of November 12th, the upgrade announcement about the v0.13.0 version of Starknet sparked wide discussions in the community. The reason behind this is that the upgrade specifically mentioned the STRK tokens generated by Starknet but not yet in circulation (temporarily only used by a few delegates for governance purposes). As a result,…

    First deadline window looms for SEC to approve Bitcoin ETFs: Law Decoded

    The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could approve all 12 pending spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications by Nov. 17. Beginning on Nov. 9, the SEC reportedly has a “window” to approve all 12 spot Bitcoin ETF filings, including Grayscale Investments conversion of its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust product. However, even if the SEC approves spot Bitcoin ETFs…

    History tells us we’re in for a strong bull market with a hard landing

    While the United States Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates at its November meeting, they remain at their highest level since well before the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2008-09. The Federal Funds rate stands at 5.25-5.5%, similar to the United Kingdom’s 5.25%, while in the European Union it is at a record high…