Market
Why Solana’s New Phone Beats the Saga
Solana launched its latest smartphone, dubbed Seeker, promising a more affordable and feature-rich experience compared to its predecessor, the Saga.
With upgraded hardware and potential rewards for meme coin holders, the Seeker aims to attract a wider audience to the Solana ecosystem.
Solana’s New Bet on Crypto Phones
During Token2049 in Singapore, Solana announced the launch of the Seeker mobile, priced at half of what its predecessor, the Saga, sold for. Unlike the Saga, the Seeker is set to adopt a broader approach, featuring an upgraded decentralized app (DApp) store, improved hardware, a higher-quality screen, enhanced cameras, and a stronger battery.
Seeker will also be lighter than Saga, with Solana hoping the revamps will attract buyers. More interestingly, the phone brings crypto-specific improvements, including an in-built digital assets wallet linked to the device’s partitioned Seed Vault key storage.
Other experiences in the lineup, based on what the Solana community envisions, include DeFi, payments, games, NFTs, and others.
Read more: What Is Solana (SOL)?
While it marks the network’s second bet on the smartphone product line, Solana Labs General Manager Emmett Hollyer said the company has no intention of competing against mobile device giants. This comes after users criticized the Saga’s technical abilities, saying it didn’t measure up to devices like the iPhone or Google Pixel.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for whatever the next narrative [in crypto] is, whatever the next use case is — there can be a dozen apps offering that same use case in our store within days,” Hollyer said.
BONK Rescued Saga From Precipice of Failure
As Solana unveils Seeker, it is impossible to ignore the criticism of Saga, whose debut was marred by negative reviews from both technology experts and crypto users.
“The biggest drawback is that Saga only inherently supports Solana and you cannot use other chains with the same ease. Security is also a big concern. Would you ever go around the world with your Trezor in your pocket? My answer is “probably not”, so I would not keep many funds on it. Crypto apart, Saga is pretty average as a phone from a hardware and software point of view. The price is around 1200$ which I think is a bit too much if you want to reach the masses,” read one review on Reddit.
Amid negative feedback, Saga phone sales struggled in the first few months, leading Solana to cut the price from $999 to $599 in August. Sales were so poor that Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko admitted in December he wasn’t confident the device would hit 50,000 units sold.
However, things turned around later that month when sales soared. The spike came as Degens rushed to get a pumped-up BONK airdrop, exclusive to Saga owners. As the BONK token price surged over 1000% in December, Saga phones sold out in the US, with customers eager to claim the token bonus.
“Solana phone sales have > 10x’d in the past 48 hours, and are now on track to sell out before the new year,” Solana co-founder Raj Gokal shared in a post.
In mid-January, Solana announced a second series of Saga phones, called Solana Mobile Chapter 2, which quickly gained interest.
Read more: Top 6 Projects on Solana With Massive Potential
As of this writing, SOL is trading for $138.95, up almost 7% in the last 24 hours, in line with the broader market recovery.
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 Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Legal Drama Fails to Halt CHILLGUY Meme Coin’s 101% Surge
Crypto markets went into disarray after Phillip Banks, the creator of the viral “Chill Guy” meme, announced plans to issue legal takedown notices for unauthorized for-profit uses of his copyrighted character.
This move sent ripples through the community and triggered a sharp decline in the market value of the Chill Guy (CHILLGUY) meme coin before a quick recovery.
Chill Guy Creator’s Legal Threats Shake Up Viral TikTok Meme Coin
In a post on X (Twitter), Banks shared his intentions to pursue copyright infringement legal actions for the unauthorized use of his artwork to make a profit.
“Just putting it out there, chill guy has been copyrighted. Like, legally. I will be issuing takedowns on for-profit-related things over the next few days. Not like brand accounts using him as a trend, that is kind of something I do not really care about (I just ask for credit. or Xboxes.). Mainly unauthorized merchandise and shitcoins,” Banks expressed.
The Chill Guy meme gained traction on TikTok, where its relatable depiction of a laid-back character resonated with millions. The parody meme coin quickly became a sensation on Crypto Twitter and TikTok, with influencers, presidents, sports brands like UFC, LA Clippers, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and everyday users alike using it on social media. The coin’s rapid growth is seen as a sign of the increasing influence of social media platforms like TikTok in shaping crypto trends.
At its peak, the Solana-based coin had over 100,000 holders, breaking records for one of the fastest-growing meme coins by user adoption. However, as is characteristic of meme coins, the hype proved fleeting. Banks’ legal threats and the natural volatility of the meme coin market triggered a nearly 67% drop in market cap, plunging it to around $187 million after a peak of $579 million on Wednesday.
Banks’ lawsuit declaration displays the growing tension within the meme coin sector. While memes like Chill Guy can spark viral trends and generate immense economic activity, their creators often find themselves sidelined, with little to no financial benefit from the frenzy.
Banks clarified that his legal actions would not target non-commercial uses of Chill Guy. For instance, he showed leniency towards brands using the meme, such as when the gaming brand Halo used the artwork in a tweet saying:
“When Master Chief trades you his plasma pistol for your rocket launcher but you’re just a chill marine,” Halo wrote.
Banks humorously responded by asking Halo for an Xbox in return. He said, “Hello, Halo. Since you used my art, can I have an Xbox? Thanks.”
Crypto Community Reacts to Banks’ Demands
Banks’ legal stance was met with humor and advice from the crypto community. Notable figures on Crypto Twitter suggested he monetize the situation rather than litigate.
“Brother, just ask for a 2% token supply as is tradition and be happy,” user Thelema quipped.
Meanwhile, some crypto executives like Solana Legend, the co-founder and managing partner at Frictionless Capital and MonkeDAO, noted the cultural significance of the Chill Guy meme. The prominent figure in the Solana ecosystem noted that the platform offers a unique way for people to discover crypto through relatable memes.
“Chill guy is becoming the Bored Ape Yacht Club / OpenSea moment for normies to be onboarded onto crypto. 5 minutes on TikTok and you can see people discovering memes,” the analyst wrote.
The viral success of CHILLGUY highlights TikTok’s growing role in driving crypto adoption among non-crypto natives (normies). Nevertheless, the latest debacle reflects the volatile nature of meme coins, where hype often outweighs fundamentals. Early investors in CHILLGUY rode a wave of speculation fueled by TikTok, only to see gains evaporate when the momentum shifted.
While Banks’ legal threats have shaken the meme coin’s momentum, they also highlight the challenges of monetizing intellectual property in the digital age. His attempt to protect his creation may set a precedent for other meme creators grappling with the commercialization of their work.
Phillip Banks did not immediately respond to BeInCrypto’s request for comment.
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 Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
South Korea Unveils North Korea’s Role in Upbit Hack
According to local media, South Korea confirmed that North Korea was behind the theft of 342,000 Ethereum (ETH) tokens. The 2019 loot, worth approximately 58 billion Won or $41.5 million, was stolen from the Upbit crypto exchange.
The stolen tokens, now valued at 1.47 trillion Won, represent one of the largest cryptocurrency heists attributed to North Korea.
North Korea’s Involvement Uncovered
Per the report, the National Investigation Headquarters of South Korea’s National Police Agency announced on November 21 that two North Korean hacking groups, Lazarus and Andariel, orchestrated the attack. Both groups are known affiliates of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, a state agency linked to cyber espionage and financial crimes.
Investigators relied on a combination of digital forensics, including tracking IP addresses and analyzing the flow of stolen cryptocurrencies. The probe also identified linguistic traces of North Korean vocabulary.
“It was revealed that traces of the North Korean term ‘Heulhan Il’ (a word meaning ‘unimportant matter’) were found on the computer used in the attack at the time,” another local Korean media corroborated.
This linguistic fingerprint, alongside other technical evidence, strengthened the case against North Korea. According to the report, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) police also aided the investigation. They provided additional evidence linking the attack to North Korea.
Following the theft, the perpetrators exchanged 57% of the stolen Ethereum for Bitcoin on three cryptocurrency exchanges believed to be operated by North Korea. These transactions happened at prices 2.5% below market value, presumably to expedite the sale. They then distributed the remaining Ethereum across 51 overseas exchanges and laundered them to obscure its origins.
In 2020, some of the stolen cryptocurrency was identified at a Swiss crypto exchange. After a four-year effort to prove its source to Swiss prosecutors, South Korean authorities recovered 4.8 Bitcoin (BTC), worth around 600 million won. The recovered funds were later returned to Upbit in October 2024.
Concerns Over North Korea and Upbit Woes
Meanwhile, North Korea’s involvement in cryptocurrency crimes is not new. After a series of reports, authorities have noted a shift in tactics. As BeInCrypto reported recently, hackers linked to the regime are increasingly targeting crypto firms with sophisticated methods. Among the most prevalent techniques are phishing campaigns and supply chain attacks.
“The campaign, which we dubbed ‘Hidden Risk’, uses emails propagating fake news about cryptocurrency trends to infect targets via a malicious application disguised as a PDF file,” a recent report read.
This change of tact highlights the urgency for heightened cybersecurity measures across the industry. Notwithstanding, the confirmation of North Korea’s involvement in the 2019 Upbit hack marks a significant development.
While the United Nations (UN) and foreign governments have previously accused North Korea of funding its weapons programs through crypto theft, this is the first time South Korean authorities have officially linked the regime to a major cryptocurrency heist. The incident highlights the dual vulnerabilities facing the cryptocurrency industry.
First, external threats from state-sponsored hackers and, second, internal risks tied to inadequate regulatory compliance. Against the latter, and as BeInCrypto reported, South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit recently cited concerns about inadequate user verification systems. Specifically, the unit flagged over 600,000 potential KYC violations at Upbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
The discovery of mass KYC violations at Upbit raises questions about whether exchanges are doing enough to prevent illicit activities. Improved oversight, combined with stricter enforcement of anti-money laundering (AML) measures, could help deter future attacks and ensure a safer trading environment for investors.
The exchange is also facing an antitrust investigation by South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission, which is examining potential abuses of market dominance.
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 Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
XRP Price Targets Its Next Move: Will It Break Higher Again?
XRP price is consolidating gains above the $1.00 zone. The price might start a fresh increase if it clears the $1.150 resistance zone.
- XRP price started a downside correction below the $1.120 level.
- The price is now trading below $1.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
- There is a short-term contracting triangle forming with resistance at $1.1380 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken).
- The pair could gain bullish momentum if it clears the $1.150 resistance.
XRP Price Holds Support
XRP price struggled to start a fresh increase above the $1.150 and $1.180 levels. It started a downside correction and traded below the $1.120 level. It underperformed Bitcoin and struggled like Ethereum in the past two sessions.
The price is now trading below $1.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price might face resistance near the $1.1380 level. There is also a short-term contracting triangle forming with resistance at $1.1380 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair.
The first major resistance is near the $1.150 level. The next key resistance could be $1.1680 or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1.2747 swing high to the $0.9988 low.
A clear move above the $1.1680 resistance might send the price toward the $1.200 resistance or the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1.2747 swing high to the $0.9988 low. Any more gains might send the price toward the $1.2250 resistance or even $1.2320 in the near term. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be $1.250 or $1.265.
More Downsides?
If XRP fails to clear the $1.1380 resistance zone, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $1.100 level. The next major support is near the $1.0650 level or the triangle’s lower trend line.
If there is a downside break and a close below the $1.0650 level, the price might continue to decline toward the $1.020 support in the near term. The next major support sits near the $0.980 zone.
Technical Indicators
Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now losing pace in the bearish zone.
Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now below the 50 level.
Major Support Levels – $1.1000 and $1.0000.
Major Resistance Levels – $1.1680 and $1.2000.
-
Altcoin23 hours ago
3 Altcoins to Watch as Altcoin Season Approaches
-
Market8 hours ago
This is Why MoonPay Shattered Solana Transaction Records
-
Market9 hours ago
Steady Climb Toward New Highs
-
Regulation13 hours ago
US SEC Pushes Timeline For Franklin Templeton Crypto Index ETF
-
Market13 hours ago
RENDER Price Soars 48%, But Whale Activity Declines
-
Market17 hours ago
Arkham Spot Trading Platform Set to Launch in the US Market
-
Regulation12 hours ago
BitClave Investors Get $4.6M Back In US SEC Settlement Distribution
-
Market22 hours ago
POPCAT’s Drop Below $1.5 Could Signal Extended Corrections