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Restoring Faith in BTC in 2024: Let’s Start with Packaging

BlockChainBulletin Staff

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Restoring trust to BTC in 2024: Let’s start with wrapping

Below is a guest post by Aki Balogh, CEO and co-founder of DLC.Link

Bitcoin (BTC) entered 2023 with immense promise. While subject to natural ups and downs, its momentum suggested a maturing asset class ready for mainstream adoption. A year later, that promise has grown even stronger, particularly around the evolution of BTC ETFs. However, while the industry has seen a surge in cryptocurrency adoption, institutional investors remain hesitant and policymakers remain skeptical.

Building Trust

The industry is grappling with a fundamental question: How do we restore trust in BTC and cryptocurrencies? Originally designed to decentralize ownership and control, they have often centralized and pooled assets, often with disastrous results.

One critical area that requires a trust overhaul is wrapped Bitcoin. Designed to integrate BTC with other blockchains, wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) offers undeniable utility in the liquidity of Bitcoin holdings, so it can be used for lending, staking, and investing. Simply put, wrapped BTC holders can leverage the features and benefits of DeFi without having to sell their BTC for ETH or other tokens. However, one glaring flaw, centralized custody, undermines the very purpose of wrapped BTC tokens.

Unlike traditional BTC, wrapped BTC allows people to use their BTC within different blockchain ecosystems (e.g. Ethereum or Solana), allowing the BTC owner to unlock their liquidity for use in financial transactions.

Opening up these benefits to new audiences fosters a greater sense of financial inclusion and attracts new people to the space. Overall, the success of Wrapped BTC may allow institutions to view the sector more positively.

The enigma of custody

However, wBTC has a glaring flaw in that it relies on a centralized custodian. Until recently, there was no way to wrap BTC for use in DeFi without introducing a centralized custodian. This custodian acts as a “trusted” third party responsible for safeguarding user funds, while also allowing compatibility between Bitcoin and any DeFi ecosystem it will be transferred to.

For example, to mint wrapped Bitcoins, BitGo (a US-based custodian) receives 1 BTC, stores it in its private vault, and issues a corresponding wrapped BTC to the owner, so they can move their BTC between chains and ecosystems.

Not surprisingly, there are a number of counterparty risks that can arise in cryptocurrencies when an entire ecosystem depends on a third party. If that custodian unlocks the BTC to someone else, maliciously or incorrectly, the underlying BTC is lost and the wrapped token becomes useless to the rightful owner.

As the value of BTC continues its predicted growth in 2024 (with some analysts suggesting it could peak in $150,000 by the end of 2025) users are becoming increasingly wary of this custodial risk. Imagine a scenario where your life savings, represented in wrapped BTC, disappear due to custodial failures, bad transactions, counterparty risk, seizure by governments/regulators, or embezzlement.

Not to mention that under current law, FDIC deposit insurance coverage does not apply to non-bank custodians, which includes most cryptocurrency companies that offer custodial services.

The Illusion of Innovation

There are many BTC wrapper options on the market, highlighting the demand that exists among BTC holders looking to bring their cryptocurrency to DeFi. The reality is that the vast majority of these options repurpose the same custody models and their inherent risks. In parallel, we have the rise of Bitcoin ‘Layer 2’ (L2) solutions that add another layer of complexity. These solutions entice users with high returns, often without adequately disclosing the underlying risks.

Here’s the truth: These L2s are not true second layers built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain itself, but rather sidechains, separate blockchains connected to Bitcoin. Connecting BTC to these sidechains exposes users to potential exploits and vulnerabilities that simply don’t exist on the secure Bitcoin network. Furthermore, the promised returns offered by these L2s are often unsustainable. They rely on complex incentive mechanisms that cannot be sustained in the long term.

The Path to Trust

In this environment of eroding trust, there is a solution that can ensure that users retain full control of their assets. Using discrete ledger contracts (DLCs) within Bitcoin, cryptocurrency traders can establish a theft-proof bridge to wrap Bitcoin. DLCs, native to Bitcoin, were invented by MIT academic and Lightning Network co-creator Tadge Dryja.

Unlike their custodial counterparts, DLC wrapped Bitcoin allows users to maintain complete self-custody of their BTC during the wrapping process with the support of a federated merchant network (similar to USDC’s design). This ensures the integrity of the wrapped tokens.

This federated model spreads risk across a broad pool of participants, significantly reducing reliance on a single entity, bringing decentralization back to Bitcoin. Just as the US dollar is backed by a diverse set of assets held by the Federal Reserve, wrapped BTC incorporating DLC ​​is backed by a collective of merchants, eliminating the single point of failure inherent in custodial models.

The future is safe

We have seen Bitcoin withstand so many challenges so far and yet it continues to thrive, a testament to its strength. In my view, the future of Bitcoin is undoubtedly secure, especially with the introduction of self-wrapped BTC and the incorporation of DLC. These solutions, aligned with Bitcoin’s core value of self-custody, address a fundamental concern: centralized control over wrapped assets.

While wrapped Bitcoin has seen adoption, its current centralized model focuses risk and security on user control and a commitment to decentralization: Enter DLC. Imagine users holding the reins, wrapping and unwrapping their Bitcoin via secure, permissionless protocols. This promotes trust by empowering individuals, aligning perfectly with Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.

Security, not the pursuit of yield or blind faith in untested solutions, should be the cornerstone of all financial technology. I believe that packaging solutions that empower users, not custodians, are the key to unlocking public trust. Widespread adoption depends on user trust.

By prioritizing security, user control, and responsible innovation, we can unlock Bitcoin’s true potential and completely revolutionize the financial landscape. Let 2024 be the year we move forward and rebuild trust in BTC, one secure shell at a time.

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We are the editorial team of Blockchainbulletin, where seriousness meets clarity in cryptocurrency analysis. With a robust team of finance and blockchain technology experts, we are dedicated to meticulously exploring complex crypto markets with detailed assessments and an unbiased approach. Our mission is to democratize access to knowledge of emerging financial technologies, ensuring they are understandable and accessible to all. In every article on Blockchainbulletin, we strive to provide content that not only educates, but also empowers our readers, facilitating their integration into the financial digital age.

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Cryptocurrency Price August 1: Bitcoin Dips Below $65K; Solana, XRP Down Up To 8%

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Major cryptocurrencies fell in Thursday trading following the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep its key interest rate unchanged. Overnight, the U.S. Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate at 5.25-5.5% for the eighth consecutive time, as expected, while also signaling the possibility of a rate cut at its next meeting in September. The unanimous decision by the Federal Open Market Committee reflects a continued wait-and-see approach as it monitors inflation trends.

CoinSwitch Markets Desk said: “Bitcoin has fallen below $65,000 after the US Federal Reserve announced it would keep interest rates unchanged. However, with markets now anticipating rate cuts at the next Federal Reserve meeting in September, the outlook for a Bitcoin rally by the end of the year has strengthened.”

Meanwhile, CoinDCX research team said: “The crypto market has plunged after the Fed decision. Tomorrow’s US unemployment rate announcement is expected to induce more volatility, with the ‘actual’ figure coming in higher than the ‘expected’ one, which is positive for cryptocurrencies.”

At 12:21 pm IST, Bitcoin (BTC) was down 3.2% at $64,285, while Ethereum was down nearly 4.5% at $3,313. Meanwhile, the global market cryptocurrency The market capitalization fell 3.6% to around $2.3 trillion in the last 24 hours.

“Bitcoin needs to clear its 200-day EMA at $64,510 to consolidate further. Otherwise, a retest of $62,000 could be in the cards,” said Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus.

Altcoins and meme coins, such as BNB (3%), Solana (8%), XRP (5.7%), Dogecoin (5%), Cardano (4.6%), Avalanche (4.3%), Shiba Inu (3.8%), Polkadot (3.4%), and Chainlink (4%) also saw declines.

The volume of all stablecoins is now $71.64 billion, which is 92.19% of the total cryptocurrency market volume in 24 hours, according to data available on CoinMarketCap. Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 54.99%. BTC volume in the last 24 hours increased by 23.3% to $35.7 billion.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, opinions and views provided by experts are personal. They do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

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Altcoins WIF, BONK, RUNE, JUP Down 10% While Bitcoin Drops 4%

BlockChainBulletin Staff

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Altcoins WIF, BONK, RUNE and JUP drop 10% as Bitcoin recedes 4%

Altcoins dogwifhat, Bonk, THORChain, and Jupiter have suffered losses of more than 10%, while Bitcoin is down 4% in the last 24 hours.

After a period of relative calm yesterday, July 31, Bitcoin (BTC) price action has seen a drastic change as the cryptocurrency dropped by more than $3,500, bringing its value to $63,300. At the same time, altcoins mirrored this trend, with the total value of liquidated positions rising to nearly $225 million over the course of the day.

Initially, the week started on a positive note for Bitcoin, which reached its highest point since early June, hitting $70,000. However, this peak was short-lived, as it was quickly rejected, leading to a substantial decline, with Bitcoin falling below $65,500.

The cryptocurrency managed to regain some stability, trading comfortably at around $66,800. However, following a Press conference According to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, the value of Bitcoin has fallen again to $64,300, down more than 3% in 24 hours.

BTC Price Chart 24 Hours | Source: crypto.news

The recession coincided with a relationship from the New York Times stating that Iran had called for retaliatory measures against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, increasing the risk of further conflict in the region.

Meanwhile, on the economic front, the Federal Reserve decided to keep its benchmark interest rates in place, offering little information on a planned September rate cut. Powell also hinted that while no concrete decisions have been made on the September adjustment, there is growing consensus that a rate cut is likely.

Amid Bitcoin’s decline, altcoins have suffered even more significant losses. For example, dogwifhat (Wife) saw a 12.4% drop and (DISGUST) has suffered a 10% drop. Other altcoins such as THORChain (RUNE) also fell by 10%, while Jupiter (JUPITER) and the Ethereum naming service (ENS) decreased by 8% and 9% respectively.

Among the largest-cap cryptocurrencies, the biggest losers are Solana (SOL) with a decrease of 8%, (Exchange rate risk) down 6%, Cardano (ADA) down 4%, and both Ethereum (ETH) and Dogecoin (DOGE) recording a decrease of 4.4%.

Data from CoinGlass indicates that approximately 67,000 traders have been negatively impacted by this increased volatility. BTC positions have seen $61.85 million in liquidations, while ETH positions have faced $61 million. In total, the value of liquidated positions stands at $225.4 million at the time of writing.

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Riot Platforms Sees 52% Drop in Bitcoin Production in Q2

BlockChainBulletin Staff

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Riot Platforms posts 52% decrease in Bitcoin production for Q2

Bitcoin mining firm Riot Platforms has released its second-quarter financial results, highlighting a decline in cryptocurrency mined due to the recent halving.

Colorado-based Bitcoin (BTC) mining company Riot platforms revealed its second quarter financial results, highlighting a significant reduction in mined cryptocurrencies attributed to the recent halving event that took place in early April.

The company reported total revenue of $70 million for the quarter ended July 31, a decline of 8.7% compared to the same period in 2023. Riot Platforms attributed the revenue decline primarily to a $9.7 million decrease in engineering revenue, which was partially mitigated by a $6 million increase in Bitcoin extraction income.

During the quarter, the company mined 844 BTC, representing a decline of over 50% from Q2 2023, citing the halving event and increasing network difficulty as major factors behind the decline. Riot Platforms reported a net loss of $84.4 million, or $0.32 per share, missing Zacks Research forecast a loss of $0.16 per share.

Halving increases competitive pressure

The Colorado-based firm said the average cost of mining one BTC in the second quarter, including energy credits, rose to $25,327, a remarkable 341% increase from $5,734 per BTC in the same quarter of 2023. Despite this significant increase in production costs, the firm remains optimistic about maintaining competitiveness through recent deals.

For example, following the Recent acquisition Cryptocurrency firm Block Mining, Riot has increased its distributed hash rate forecast from 31 EH/s to 36 EH/s by the end of 2024, while also increasing its 2025 forecast from 40 EH/s to 56 EH/s.

Riot Platforms Hashrate Growth Projections by 2027 | Source: Riot Platforms

Commenting on the company’s financials, Riot CEO Jason Les said that despite the halving, the mining company still managed to achieve “significant operational growth and execution of our long-term strategy.”

“Despite this reduction in production available to all Bitcoin miners, Riot reported $70 million in revenue for the quarter and maintained strong gross margins in our core Bitcoin mining business.”

Jason Les

Following its Q2 financial report, Riot Platforms shares fell 1.74% to $10.19, according to Google Finance data. Meanwhile, the American miner continues to chase Canadian rival Bitfarms, recently acquiring an additional 10.2 million BITF shares, increasing its stake in Bitfarms to 15.9%.

As previously reported by crypto.news, Riot was the first announced a $950 million takeover bid for Bitfarms in late May, arguing that Bitfarms’ founders were not acting in the best interests of all shareholders. They said their proposal was rejected by Bitfarms’ board without substantive engagement.

In response, Bitfarms She said that Riot’s offer “significantly understates” its growth prospects. Bitfarms subsequently implemented a shareholder rights plan, also known as a “poison pill,” to protect its strategic review process from hostile takeover attempts.

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Aave Price Increases Following Whales Accumulation and V3.1 Launch

BlockChainBulletin Staff

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Aave price surges amid whale accumulation and V3.1 launch

Decentralized finance protocol Aave is seeing a significant spike in whale activity as the market looks to recover from the recent crash that pushed most altcoins into key support areas earlier this week.

July 31, Lookonchain shared details indicating that the whales had aggressively accumulated Aave (AAVE) over the past two days. According to the data, whales have withdrawn over 58,848 AAVE worth $6.47 million from exchanges during this period.

In one instance, whale address 0x9af4 withdrew 11,185 AAVE worth $1.23 million from Binance. Meanwhile, another address moved 21,619 AAVE worth over $2.38 million from the exchange and deposited the tokens into Aave.

These withdrawals follow a previous transfer of 26,044 AAVE from whale address 0xd7c5, amounting to over $2.83 million withdrawn from Binance.

AAVE price has surged over 7% in the past 24 hours amid buy-side pressure from these whales. The DeFi token is currently trading around $111 after jumping over 18% in the past week.

Recently, the price of AAVE increased by over 8% after Aave founder Marc Zeller announced a proposed fee change aimed at adopting a buyback program for AAVE tokens.

Aave v3.1 is available

The total value locked in the Aave protocol currently stands at around $22 billion. According to DeFiLlamaApproximately $19.9 billion is on Aave V3, while the V2 chain still holds approximately $1.9 billion in TVL and V1 approximately $14.6 million.

Aave Labs announced Previously, Aave V3.1 was made available on all networks with active Aave V3 instances.

V3.1 features improvements that are intended to improve the overall security of the DeFi protocol. The Aave DAO governance has approved the v3.1 improvements, which also include operational efficiency and usability for the network.

Meanwhile, Aave Labs recently outlined a ambitious roadmap for the projectwith a 2030 vision for Aave V4, among other developments.

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