Connect with us

Market

Europe Crypto News: Zondacrypto Launches Educational Center

Published

on



BeInCrypto’s comprehensive Europe Crypto Roundup covers the latest news and trends shaping the continent’s crypto landscape. With reporters across key markets like Germany, France, and the UK, we provide in-depth insights into evolving regulatory environment, adoption rates, major industry events, and market movements. 

This week’s roundup covers the launch of Zondacrypto’s education center in Poland, Telefónica’s integration with Polygon’s identity solution Privado ID, and other stories.

Zondacrypto Launches Poland’s First Cryptocurrency Education Center

Zondacrypto, a cryptocurrency exchange, is launching Poland’s first physical Education Center in Katowice, located at 21 Staromiejska Street. The center will offer free education on cryptocurrencies and safe investments to the public. The goal is to make cryptocurrencies and investments more accessible, even to those unfamiliar with the field.

This initiative marks a big step for the Katowice-based platform, which aims to promote crypto education in Europe. The center will operate from Monday to Friday, providing expert guidance to both beginners and experienced investors. Posts from the company’s X account hinted at the event but kept details under wraps until recently.

Agata Fit, Head of Community Relations & Skills, explained that the center was created to meet the growing demand for education on cryptocurrencies.

“We want to realize our mission and brand vision, which is to popularize cryptocurrencies in an accessible way. Also bring them closer to those who have never dealt with them before or know little about digital currency, but would like to learn more,” she said.

Read more: 4 Best Crypto Learn and Earn Platforms in 2024

Fit also highlighted the center’s role in fostering a closer relationship with Zondacrypto users and people interested in safe investments. Katowice is just the start, with plans for more locations in the future.

Greece Plans New $330 Million Data Center to Boost AI Expansion

Paris-based Data4 is planning to invest around $330 million to build a major AI data center hub in Greece. This project aims to improve the country’s digital infrastructure and economy.

On September 12, Data4 announced that the new data center would be located in Paiania, near Athens. According to Bloomberg, the company’s CEO, Olivier Micheli, mentioned that they are negotiating with existing lenders and local Greek banks. He added that the site would greatly benefit the local economy and digital ecosystem.

Data4 operates several data centers across six European countries, and aims to invest €7 billion in expanding its operations. In addition, the company plans to build two more data centers at the Greek site for an extra €200 million.

Telefónica Tech Joins Polygon’s Privado ID as System Integrator

Spanish telecom giant Telefónica has become a system integrator for Polygon’s identity solution, Privado ID. On September 10, Telefónica Tech announced it will integrate Privado ID’s tools into its managed blockchain service, TrustOS. This collaboration aims to develop proof-of-concept projects for various digital identity applications, including age verification and e-signature solutions.

“This will allow users to automatically issue accreditations — such as training diplomas, academic qualifications, or attendance at seminars — as verifiable credentials, which can then be loaded into digital wallets,” said the companies.

Read more: Decentralized Identity and the Future of Web3: What To Know

The move comes as the EU prepares to introduce the European Digital Identity Regulation, a framework designed to provide citizens, residents, and businesses with a universally recognized digital identity for accessing public services and conducting transactions.

Privado ID relies on zero-knowledge (ZK) cryptography, a technology that allows users to verify information without disclosing additional personal data. This approach will strengthen privacy within the European digital ID wallet system.

“The regulation aims to create a more secure and standardized framework for electronic identification and trust services across Europe, making it essential for businesses and individuals to adopt compliant and innovative identity solutions,” the companies stated.

Polygon recently spun off its digital ID service and tested it through proofs-of-concept with several financial institutions, including Deutsche Bank.

Ireland Investigates Google’s AI Model for Data Protection Compliance

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched a cross-border investigation into Google Ireland Limited to assess whether the company complied with EU data protection laws during the development of its artificial intelligence model, Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM2).

Announced on September 12, the DPC will examine whether Google used EU citizens’ personal data while training PaLM2, which was introduced on May 10, 2023. PaLM2 is an advanced language model known for its multilingual, reasoning, and coding capabilities.

The DPC emphasized the importance of a Data Protection Impact Assessment to ensure individuals’ rights are considered and protected, especially when processing personal data that poses a high risk. The inquiry is part of a broader initiative by the DPC and other EU/EEA regulators to oversee AI development and data usage.

“This statutory inquiry forms part of the wider efforts of the DPC, working in conjunction with its EU/EEA (European Economic Area) peer regulators, in regulating the processing of the personal data of EU/EEA data subjects in the development of AI models and systems,” DPC stated. 

Read more: How To Invest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cryptocurrencies?

Google’s PaLM2 is available in four sizes — Gecko, Otter, Bison, and Unicorn — designed for various use cases, with Gecko optimized for mobile devices, even offline. Google has plans to release updated versions as the model integrates into more products.

This investigation follows the DPC’s recent conclusion of a probe into the social media platform X, which complied with EU data protection regulations.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Market

Will It Lose Dominance in 2025?

Published

on


Ethereum has long been the undisputed king of smart contract platforms. However, as 2025 progresses, cracks in its foundation have begun to show.

The Ethereum Foundation (EF), a nonprofit organization tasked with stewarding the blockchain’s development, is facing one of its most turbulent moments yet.

EF’s Leadership Turmoil: Conflict of Interest and Transparency Issues

Leadership shakeups, internal conflicts, and a controversial $165 million DeFi investment have raised concerns over Ethereum’s governance and neutrality. These struggles have come at a critical moment. The crypto market is changing, and new contenders are emerging as serious challengers for Ethereum’s position as the second-largest cryptocurrency.

Vitalik Buterin recently confirmed a restructuring within the Ethereum Foundation to address long-standing governance issues. This overhaul was prompted by controversies such as the EigenLayer scandal, where two Ethereum Foundation researchers, Justin Drake, and Dankrad Feist, took highly lucrative advisory roles with EigenFoundation.

“What is a core EF contributor doing when he accepts roles on projects that have conflicted incentives with Ethereum? Where’s the credible neutrality,” eMon, a popular user on X, quipped.

EigenLayer, a restaking protocol, allows users to leverage their liquid-staked ETH on other networks. Beyond increasing capital efficiency, this raises concerns about Ethereum’s security model. When crypto trader Cobie leaked that Drake and Feist had received millions in vested EigenLayer’s EIGEN tokens, the community reacted with outrage.

Critics saw this as a clear conflict of interest, with Ethereum insiders profiting from their influence over protocol development. The backlash led the Ethereum Foundation to introduce a formal conflict of interest policy in May 2024.

Drake eventually resigned from EigenLayer, but Ethereum’s credibility had already been damaged. Many questioned whether Ethereum’s researchers and decision-makers could be trusted to act in the network’s best interest rather than their financial gain.

Ethereum Foundation’s $165 Million DeFi Investment

As the EigenLayer controversy unfolded, the Ethereum Foundation made another eyebrow-raising decision. It committed 50,000 ETH (approximately $165 million) to DeFi. The move aimed to replenish EF’s treasury, which had shrunk by 39% over the past three years. The EF allocated the funds through a 3-of-5 multi-signature wallet and deployed them into lending protocols like Aave and Lido.

Ethereum Treasury
Ethereum Treasury. Source: Spotonchain

According to data on Spotonchain, the treasury held $752 million as of this writing.

The Ethereum Foundation avoided staking its ETH for years due to concerns about regulatory risks and network neutrality. However, with ETH struggling against Bitcoin and Ethereum losing ground in developer and user activity and market share, EF decided to take a more aggressive financial approach.

Some see this as a smart move to generate passive income, while others believe it signals desperation amid Ethereum’s declining dominance.

Gas Limit Debate: Scaling Solution vs. Network Risk

At the same time, Ethereum is undergoing another critical debate around increasing its gas limit. The Ethereum gas limit has surpassed 32 million, with nearly 52% of validators signaling support for an increase.

Nearly 52% Support Gas Limit Increase
Nearly 52% Support Gas Limit Increase. Source: Gaslimit.pics

The argument is that raising the gas limit would lower transaction fees and improve network efficiency.

“This will be the first increase under proof of stake. Because PoS is so much more decentralized than obsolete tech like PoW, it took longer to coordinate.  Who will be the hero to put us over the top,” posed Evan Van Ness, the former Consensys director of operations.

However, not everyone agrees. Critics warn that increasing the gas limit too aggressively could destabilize Ethereum. Specifically, they say it would make it harder for smaller validators to participate, potentially leading to further centralization.

Meanwhile, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin calls for the Pectra Fork, which promises better network usability.

“…IMO we should make the blob target also staker-voted so that it can increase in response to technology improvements without waiting for hard forks,” Buterin shared on X.

With Ethereum already grappling with restaking risks, conflicts of interest, and governance disputes, the gas limit debate adds another layer of uncertainty to the blockchain’s future.

Ethereum vs. the Competition: Possibilities of a New #2

With ETH underperforming compared to other assets, investors are looking at potential challengers. Solana, for example, has seen a resurgence, attracting developers and users with its low fees and high-speed transactions. Nevertheless, IntoTheBlock’s senior research analyst Juan Pellicer says Solana still has a long way to go before it can dethrone Ethereum.

“While Solana may continue to grow and potentially challenge Ethereum in specific niches, overcoming Ethereum’s entrenched position as the dominant platform in the immediate future is still unlikely, though the competitive landscape is dynamic and evolving,” Pellicer told BeInCrypto in an exclusive. 

Meanwhile, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Avalanche (AVAX), and even modular blockchain solutions like Celestia (TIA) are gaining traction. Against this backdrop, the question is no longer whether Ethereum will remain the dominant smart contract platform. Instead, it is whether it can maintain its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency.

If Ethereum continues to struggle with governance issues and scalability challenges while competitors offer better efficiency and user experiences, its place in the market could be at risk. Given all these developments, should investors still consider Ethereum in 2025?

Despite its ongoing issues, Ethereum remains the most decentralized and widely adopted smart contract platform. Its strong developer ecosystem, deep liquidity, and established infrastructure give it a significant edge. The recent leadership restructuring, the conflict of interest policy, and treasury management changes indicate that EF is taking steps to correct its course.

However, the risks are undeniable. Ethereum is at a crossroads, where its next moves will determine whether it can maintain its dominance or if a new market leader will dethrone it. Investors should weigh these factors carefully, balancing Ethereum’s strong fundamentals with the uncertainty surrounding its governance and future development.

Nevertheless, Ethereum is changing, and the community must decide whether these changes are for the better or signal the beginning of its decline.

ETH Price Performance
ETH Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

BeInCrypto data shows ETH was trading for $2,812, up by almost 9% since Tuesday’s session opened.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Market

FTX Creditors To Begin Receiving Payouts From February 18

Published

on



Three years after FTX went bankrupt, its creditors are finally going to receive payments. These payouts will begin as early as February 18, starting with claims under $50,000.

These early payments will only begin for creditors in the Bahamas process. Other categories of former FTX users will have a deadline of March 4 to receive payouts.

FTX To Begin Reimbursing Creditors

According to an email circulated among FTX creditors, they will begin getting reimbursed for lost assets. These payouts will begin at 10 AM ET on February 18 and will only apply to claims under $50,000.

According to this email, all repayments in this category will be processed through BitGo, a crypto custody platform.

“The Joint Official Liquidators of FTX are pleased to inform you that you have completed all the required steps to be eligible to receive a distribution related to your Convenience Class claim and that a payment will be made to your nominated account,” the email began.

Apparently, however, these early reimbursements will only go to FTX creditors in the Bahamas process. According to a creditor advocate, former users in other categories will begin receiving payments on March 4.

Since FTX went bankrupt in 2022, its substantial obligations to its creditors have weighed heavily on the crypto market. The lost cryptoassets have greatly appreciated in value since the collapse; creditors will, therefore, receive 9% interest per annum starting from November 11, 2022.

There are still several unanswered questions in this process, especially regarding FTX creditors outside the Bahamas process.

However, after months of positive signals, this is the largest concrete step towards recuperating the investors’ assets. This development will help close a chapter on one of crypto’s darker moments and rebuild overall confidence.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Market

Is Now the Time to Buy?

Published

on


Leading meme coin Shiba Inu (SHIB) has seen a significant drop in value, falling by 20% over the past week. Due to this double-digit price fall, a key on-chain metric suggests that SHIB has become undervalued, indicating it might be a good time to buy.

However, while the MVRV ratio suggests a favorable buying opportunity, SHIB’s downtrend may not be over.

Shiba Inu Becomes Undervalued, But There Is a Catch

An assessment of SHIB’s market value to realized value (MVRV) ratio using a 30-day moving average confirms its undervalued status. According to Santiment’s data, this ratio is -29.35% at press time. 

SHIB MVRV Ratio.
SHIB MVRV Ratio. Source: Santiment

An asset’s MVRV ratio identifies whether it is overvalued or undervalued by measuring the relationship between its market value and its realized value. When an asset’s MVRV ratio is positive, its market value is higher than the realized value, suggesting it is overvalued.

On the other hand, as with SHIB, when the ratio is negative, the asset’s market value is lower than its realized value. This suggests that the coin is undervalued compared to what people originally paid for it.

Historically, negative MVRV ratios present a buying opportunity for those looking to “buy the dip” and “sell high.” However, the strong bearish sentiment plaguing SHIB suggests that the likelihood of a price rebound in the near term may be low. 

Notably, the bearish bias is reflected by the meme coin’s negative funding rate of -0.03% at press time.

SHIB Funding Rate
SHIB Funding Rate. Source: Santiment

The funding rate is the periodic payment exchanged between long and short traders in perpetual futures markets. It is designed to keep the price of a derivative close to the underlying asset. When the funding rate is negative, short traders pay long traders, indicating bearish sentiment as more traders bet on the price going down.

Therefore, while SHIB’s MVRV ratio indicates that the meme coin is currently undervalued, making it an attractive entry point for traders looking to “buy the dip,” the prevailing bearish sentiment suggests that the downtrend may not be over.

SHIB Price Prediction: Will Buyers Step In?

On the daily chart, SHIB’s Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) supports the bearish outlook above. As of this writing, the CMF indicator is below zero at -0.03, indicating a strong selling activity among traders.

An asset’s CMF measures money flow into and out of its market. When its value is below zero, buying activity is minimal. If SHIB’s demand remains low, it will extend its decline to $0.000014.

SHIB Price Analysis.
SHIB Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

Conversely, if coin distribution stalls, it could drive SHIB’s value up to $0.000016.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 coin2049.io