Hong Kong’s HashKey hits unicorn status after $100M funding round

    Hong Kong-based crypto exchange HashKey has now hit so-called “unicorn” status after raising nearly $100 million in a Series A funding round at a pre-money valuation of over $1.2 billion. In a Jan. 16 announcement, HashKey said the funding round included “prominent institutional investors” and “leading Web3 institutions” but didn’t disclose their identities. Its claimed…

    Opening the doors to crypto for a broader audience — Interview with Nino Chanev

    Navigating the complex terrain of decentralized finance (DeFi) toward mass adoption involves balancing technological innovation, user experience and market trust. With the ongoing evolution of Web3 technologies, the importance of developing effective onboarding strategies is more apparent than ever. Changex, an all-in-one personal finance management app, aims to simplify the onboarding process. In this interview, Nino Chanev,…

    On-chain data in a volatile market: How traders stay ahead of the curve

    Market volatility, a defining characteristic of the crypto realm, introduces opportunities and risks, demanding a nuanced understanding and adept strategies for effective decision-making. Within this dynamic environment, the significance of on-chain data emerges as a crucial tool for traders seeking to navigate the intricacies of volatile markets. On-chain data, a term resonating within the realms…

    Fed rate cuts could be a boon for DeFi and stablecoins: Fidelity

    An anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate cut in the United States could renew major institutions’ interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) and stablecoins — as long as the infrastructure develops further this year, says asset manager Fidelity. In its 2024 Digital Assets Look Ahead report released Jan. 13, Fidelity said while it expected institutions to dive into DeFi for their…

    Reported ‘transfer’ of $15B XRP was part of a failed exploit attempt

    A supposed transaction of nearly $15 billion worth of XRP from an unknown wallet to Bitfinex on Jan. 14 never went through and was part of a failed “partial payments exploit” attempt, according to Bitfinex chief technology officer Paolo Ardoino. The transfer was initially highlighted by blockchain tracking X account Whale Alert, which claimed seeing a…

    Bitcoin greed index plummets to ‘neutral’ as ETFs fail to buoy prices

    The Crypto Fear and Greed Index has just plunged back to “neutral” levels — last seen in October 2023 — and just days after the historic approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States. According to the index, Bitcoin’s market sentiment score currently rests at 52 out of a possible 100 — its lowest score since Oct. 19…