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Rachel Conlan on Binance’s Expansion and Community

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During ETHWarsaw, held on 5-6 September 2024, BeInCrypto had the exclusive opportunity to attend a special event organized by Binance, where key representatives shared insights into the company’s growth and future plans. Among the highlights of the event was an insightful interview with Rachel Conlan, Binance’s Global Chief Marketing Officer, who played a crucial role in shaping the company’s global marketing strategy.

The event, dedicated to select media outlets, offered an intimate setting for discussions on the crypto landscape, particularly in markets like Poland and LATAM. Rachel Conlan shared her thoughts on Poland’s growing role in the European crypto ecosystem, citing high adoption rates and a thriving tech-savvy population. This conversation, held against the backdrop of ETHWarsaw, also touched on the broader global trends impacting Binance, including increased institutional interest and the company’s focus on community-driven growth.

BeInCrypto Meets Rachel Conlan at ETHWarsaw

Jakub Dziadkowiec (JD): Hello Rachel! How are you doing today?

Rachel Conlan (RC): I’m well. How are you doing? Thank you for joining us today.

JD: Thank you. It was a pleasure listening to your speech at the beginning of our lunch here at ETHWarsaw. Could you briefly explain your role at Binance and share some of the most recent developments you’ve been covering?

RC: I am the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Binance. I’ve got the most fun role within the business, but it’s also one of the most challenging because I’m responsible for growing the industry. I’ve been in the role for a couple of years now, and I’m really lucky to work with Richard Teng, our founders, and the broader team.

Binance is in a strong position right now. After seven years, we’ve reached 219 million users, which is an incredible milestone. But it’s also a huge responsibility because it means we must continuously improve our products, optimize what we already have, and ensure Binance is always safe and secure for our users.

JD: That sounds like a lot of responsibility.

RC: It definitely is. But when we think about it, our user base is still in its early stages of growth.

Lukasz Pierwienis (Binance), Jakub Dziadkowiec and Rachel Conlan (Binance)
Lukasz Pierwienis, Jakub Dziadkowiec and Rachel Conlan at ETHWarsaw

The Growth Potential of Crypto Adoption

JD: Yes, this is one of the main points you often emphasize—that crypto is still in the early adoption phase, with a lot of room for growth. What’s your take on that? How much growth potential do you see?

RC: The potential to unlock is still enormous. Currently, global crypto penetration is around 5-6%, representing roughly 500-600 million users. Many users have second or third accounts, but the adoption is still in its early stages.

Recently, we’ve seen significant attention on the industry—since ETF approval in December, the Bitcoin halving, and the influx of institutions into the space. From a marketing perspective, this momentum is a dream.

I was with the Google team last week, and they mentioned that Bitcoin became the most searched financial product globally in the first quarter of 2024. This kind of spotlight is incredibly exciting, and we’re fully committed to supporting our existing community while engaging with the next generation of crypto users, who are entering for various reasons.

Traveling and Expanding Binance’s Global Presence

JD: You’ve been traveling a lot, given your global marketing responsibilities. Can you share some of the places you’ve visited recently, and what your plans are for the next few months?

RC: Over the past year, I’ve probably visited around 25 different countries with Binance. Most recently, I spent time in the LATAM region, which is an important and rapidly growing market for us. The crypto penetration there ranges from 12% to 20%.

People in LATAM use crypto for different reasons, from using stablecoins to protect their assets against high inflation and unstable governments, to institutional trading and high-level training.

However, I arrived here in Poland just yesterday, and it’s my first time visiting. I’m Irish, and I’ve had Polish friends for over 20 years, but seeing the appetite and curiosity for crypto and blockchain here is extraordinary. Poland is far ahead of much of Europe in terms of crypto penetration.

JD: That leads me to my next question. You’ve mentioned that Poland ranks in the top three European countries within the Binance ecosystem. Could you elaborate on how you perceive Poland as a market for Binance, both in Europe and globally?

RC: One thing I love about the crypto industry, having worked in traditional finance for a long time, is how it’s turning the global financial map upside down. When we grew up, cities like New York, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore were seen as financial hubs.

But now, we’re seeing places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi take leading positions in crypto. Poland is another prime example—its crypto penetration is at 11.7%, while most of Europe is at just 5%. That’s a significant difference.

Poland’s Role in the Global Crypto Ecosystem

JD: That’s quite close to the LATAM region penetration rates you mentioned earlier. What do you think drives this high adoption rate in Poland?

RC: I believe there are two main reasons, from an outsider’s perspective. First, Poland has an incredibly tech-savvy and digitally literate population that’s very engaged with the digital world—not just in terms of trading, but in the broader crypto and blockchain industry.

Second, this has led to the rise of incredible businesses and Web3 startups coming out of Poland. Even just walking around the ETHWarsaw conference, you can feel the energy and enthusiasm for the space.

JD: That’s true. As a Pole, it’s great to see how local events are becoming international ones, with esteemed guests like yourself and representatives from top global crypto companies. It’s amazing that we’re establishing new crypto financial centers for the future.

RC: Exactly! The landscape of financial centers could look completely different in the next few decades. Just last night, we had 500 crypto enthusiasts join us for a meet-up, and I got to hear their stories—how they got into the industry. Some were recent adopters, while others were OGs.

There’s so much potential here, and Poland has the appetite and infrastructure to support it. One interesting fact I learned this week is that Poland ranks in the top 10 globally for the number of crypto ATMs. That’s a significant achievement and a big part of making crypto accessible for the next generation.

Accessibility and Community in Crypto Adoption

JD: That focus on accessibility resonates with our traditional banking system as well. Poland has a highly developed payment system called BLIK, which allows users to send money instantly peer-to-peer, without the need for bank interference. This kind of technological development is a great foundation for the growth of crypto adoption.

RC: Yes, it’s a huge opportunity. You’re right — localization is key, not just having a presence but ensuring we’re speaking the local language and addressing the needs of each community. That’s something we’re focusing on at Binance as well. It’s not just about talking to these communities but engaging with them at a grassroots level.

JD: That must be costly, right? Establishing small, local communities requires specialists in each area. But I imagine it’s worth the effort to build these growing communities. For example, I recently met David Princay, who’s been a mastermind in growing Binance communities in France and other European markets.

RC: David is amazing! He was one of our former Binance Angels. Speaking of which, our Binance Angels program operates globally, and we have around 500 Angels who are early crypto adopters dedicated to sharing their knowledge. They volunteer their time, and their incentives are non-monetary.

Poland accounts for 2% of the global program, which is impressive considering we’re in 100 markets. These Angels support our educational initiatives, spending time both online and in person with communities, helping people understand how to navigate what can sometimes be a complex industry.

JD: Rachel, thank you so much for the interview. It’s been a pleasure talking with you.

RC: I really appreciate it. Thank you so much!

Disclaimer

In compliance with the Trust Project guidelines, this opinion article presents the author’s perspective and may not necessarily reflect the views of BeInCrypto. BeInCrypto remains committed to transparent reporting and upholding the highest standards of journalism. Readers are advised to verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content.  Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Vitalik Buterin Promotes Ethereum Layer 2 Roadmap

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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a new roadmap aimed at strengthening the security and finality of Layer 2 (L2) solutions.

His proposal introduces a flexible, multi-proof system designed to support Ethereum’s scalability while preserving its core principles of decentralization and trust minimization.

Ethereum’s New Layer 2 Roadmap

At the heart of Buterin’s technical framework is a “2-of-3” model. This system uses three different proof types—optimistic, zero-knowledge (ZK), and trusted execution environment (TEE) provers.

A transaction is finalized when any two of these agree, significantly reducing the risk tied to relying on a single-proof method. The model offers a pragmatic balance between speed, robustness, and decentralization.

Buterin emphasized the importance of diversification, especially as zero-knowledge systems mature. He warned that shared code among ZK rollups could cause bugs to propagate across implementations, raising systemic risk.

“This means that the finality of rollups can be as fast as zk proving (~<1hr for now) while protecting the system from soundness bugs in the zk system,” Wei Dai, a research partner at 1kxnetwork, explained.

Meanwhile, Buterin’s roadmap also lays out the requirements for what he calls “Stage 2 rollups.” These next-generation rollups would deliver near-instant confirmations, high finality, and strong resistance to failures—even in semi-trusted environments.

Importantly, they would still adhere to Ethereum’s 30-day upgrade delay, a rule that safeguards the network’s stability during transitions.

Buterin Makes Case for Open-Source Funding

Beyond scalability, Buterin is also advocating a cultural shift in how the crypto community approaches development funding.

In a separate blog post, he suggested shifting the focus from “public goods funding” to “open-source funding.”

His concern is that the phrase “public goods” has become politically and socially loaded, often used in ways that prioritize perception over impact.

“A big part of the reason why the term ‘public good’ is vulnerable to social gaming is precisely the fact that the definition of ‘public good’ is stretched so easily,” Buterin argued

He noted that public goods funding is vulnerable to social desirability bias. This often favors those who can navigate community politics over those who deliver meaningful value.

In contrast, open-source funding emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and the building of tools that genuinely benefit the broader ecosystem.

Buterin believes that the goal should not be to fund any open-source project indiscriminately but to support those that create maximum value for humanity.

This stance aligns with his broader vision of a sustainable, community-driven blockchain infrastructure.

Together, Buterin’s proposals could redefine both the technical direction of Ethereum’s scalability efforts and the philosophical foundations of its funding strategies—reinforcing the network’s long-term commitment to decentralization, security, and public benefit.

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.



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US Senators Question Trump’s Involvement in USD1 Stablecoin

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A coalition of US Senators is raising serious concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving President Donald Trump and an upcoming stablecoin project called USD1.

The digital asset, backed by World Liberty Financial (WLF), has drawn scrutiny due to Trump’s reported ties to the company behind it.

Warren-Led Group Flags Risks of Presidential Involvement in USD1 Approval

On March 28, a group of lawmakers led by Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

They asked both agencies to clarify how they plan to uphold regulatory integrity regarding the impending USD1 stablecoin.

The request comes as Congress considers the GENIUS Act, a bill that would grant the Fed and OCC broad authority over stablecoin regulation.

“The President of the United States could sign legislation that would facilitate his own product launch and then retain authority to regulate his own financial company,” they noted.

The Senators warned that allowing a sitting president to profit from a digital currency regulated by federal agencies under his influence poses a major threat to financial stability. They argue that such a situation is without precedent and could erode public trust in the regulatory process.

“The launch of a stablecoin directly tied to a sitting President who stands to benefit financially from the stablecoin’s success presents unprecedented risks to our financial system,” They argued.

The letter outlines scenarios where Trump could directly or indirectly influence decisions involving USD1.

For instance, the President could interfere with the OCC’s evaluation of the stablecoin’s application or discourage enforcement actions against WLF.

They also suggested that Trump could pressure the Federal Reserve to provide emergency financial support for USD1 during market volatility—support that may not extend to competing stablecoins.

“[Trump] could also attempt to direct the Fed to establish a master account at the central bank for WLF. He could intervene to deny such assistance to USD1’s competitors,” the lawmakers stressed.

In addition, the Senators noted that the GENIUS Act contains no conflict-of-interest provisions that would prevent Trump from using his office to benefit financially from the stablecoin’s success.

This absence of guardrails, they say, opens the door to regulatory favoritism and economic manipulation.

Considering this, the lawmakers demanded clarification on how the Fed and OCC would handle key issues. These include the approval process for USD1, the potential creation of liquidity support during crises, and WLF’s oversight of potentially unsafe business practices.

The agencies must submit their responses by April 11, 2025. The letter was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Chris Van Hollen, Jack Reed, and Cory Booker.

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.



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Ethereum Drops As Two Whales Face $235 Million Liquidation Risk

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Ethereum (ETH) is under pressure once again, dropping around 3% in the last 24 hours and falling below the $1,800 level. This decline is putting several large leveraged positions at risk, including two massive whale vaults on Maker that collectively hold over $235 million worth of ETH.

With on-chain indicators flashing warning signs and technical levels being tested, the stakes are rising for both bulls and bears. As ETH hovers near critical support, the coming days could prove pivotal for its short-term price trajectory.

Ethereum Whales Could Get Liquidated

Ethereum has dropped around 3% in the past 24 hours, slipping below the $1,900 mark once again. This decline is putting pressure on large leveraged positions within the DeFi ecosystem.

According to on-chain data from Lookonchain, two major whale vaults on Maker—one of the leading decentralized lending protocols—are now approaching critical levels.

Whale data on DeBank.
First Whale data on DeBank. Source: Lookonchain on X.

Together, these vaults hold 125,603 ETH, valued at approximately $235 million. With ETH’s price nearing their liquidation thresholds, both vaults are at risk of being forcibly closed if the downward trend continues.

In Maker’s system, users can deposit ETH into vaults as collateral to borrow the DAI stablecoin. To avoid liquidation, the collateral must stay above a certain health ratio—essentially a safety buffer.

Whale data on DeBank.
Second Whale data on DeBank. Source: Lookonchain on X.

When that buffer gets too low, the protocol automatically sells off the collateral to cover the debt. In this case, the health ratio of the whale positions has fallen to just 1.07, dangerously close to the minimum threshold.

One vault faces liquidation at an ETH price of $1,805, and the other at $1,787. If ETH continues to dip, these vaults could trigger significant sell pressure, potentially accelerating the downward move.

Indicators Suggest The Downtrend Could Continue

Ethereum’s recent price drop has pushed its Relative Strength Index (RSI) back into oversold territory, currently sitting at 24.37. Just three days ago, the RSI was at 58.92, indicating how quickly sentiment has shifted.

The RSI is a momentum indicator that measures the speed and change of price movements, with readings below 30 typically signaling that an asset is oversold.

ETH RSI.
ETH RSI. Source: TradingView.

While this suggests that Ethereum may be due for a short-term bounce or relief rally, historical data shows that RSI can remain oversold for extended periods—or even drop further—if bearish momentum stays strong.

Ethereum’s Directional Movement Index (DMI), which signals a strong downtrend, adds to the bearish outlook. The Average Directional Index (ADX), which measures the strength of a trend, surged to 38.6 from 23.47 just a day ago, indicating growing momentum behind the current move.

ETH DMI.
ETH DMI. Source: TradingView.

Meanwhile, the +DI (positive directional indicator) has fallen to 10.6, while the -DI (negative directional indicator) has spiked to 40.23, showing that sellers are firmly in control.

This combination—rising ADX, high -DI, and falling +DI—typically suggests an intensifying bearish trend, meaning Ethereum’s price could remain under pressure in the near term despite already being technically oversold.

Will Ethereum Fall Below $1,800 Soon?

If Ethereum’s downtrend continues, the next key level to watch is the support at $1,823. A break below this level could quickly push the price down toward $1,759—a move that would trigger the liquidation of two major whale vaults on Maker, which are already hovering near their thresholds.

These potential liquidations could amplify sell pressure, making it even harder for Ethereum price to stabilize in the short term. Given the current bearish momentum and weak technical indicators, this scenario remains a real risk if bulls fail to step in.

ETH Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

However, if sentiment shifts and the trend reverses, Ethereum could regain ground and test the resistance level at $1,938.

Breaking above that could open the path toward $2,104, a level that has previously acted as both resistance and support. Should buying momentum strengthen further, ETH might continue climbing toward $2,320 and potentially even $2,546.

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.



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