Top Crypto Stories This Week: From Token2049 Fight Nights to Solana Breakpoint SuperPark
If you're reading this, well done for surviving the craziest week in the crypto calendar. You may still have F1 mayhem to succumb to this weekend but at least the crypto stuff is out of the way.
Kicking off the week with the All Day Crypto Bash, brought to you by Draper Startup House, Metacamp, Hyperglade, Clubout, Sun Zu Lab, and yours truly, the full-day event gave audiences a teaser of what was to come throughout the week.
Starting @token2049 with a blast at Draper Startup House (@DraperNationHQ)'s Crypto Bash.
— Blockhead (@blockhead_co) September 17, 2024
Our co-founder Cohan taking the stage with @pexxme's CEO, @marcus_pexx on 'Evolution of Crypto to Fiat Solutions'. #TOKEN2049Week #Token2049singapore #blockhead #blockhouse pic.twitter.com/hvvS11Pwg7
As expected, Token2049 brought with it a slew of side events. From fine dining networking to drunken club escapades, crypto energy pumped through the streets of Singapore every night... For better or worse.
More unexpected was Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin taking to the stage to sing:
"All the rest of them
It's mathematical
No more double spends
It's encryptable
Put your cash in your
Brain, or it's wearable
A new form of wealth begins!"
Vitalik singing was the bottom signalpic.twitter.com/Gl6WPQiLdm
— LilMoonLambo (@LilMoonLambo) September 20, 2024
Other highlights include Iggy Azalea (who admittedly had only been in the space for four months) turning up twenty minutes late to her panel, and crypto influencers taking to the boxing ring as a key Token2049 side event.
Yo, @IGGYAZALEA… where you at? #Token2024 pic.twitter.com/cQnE9wODkI
— Blockhead (@blockhead_co) September 19, 2024
How we feel after #token2049, #f1, and #solanabreakpoint week pic.twitter.com/NZXqQ313p6
— Blockhead (@blockhead_co) September 20, 2024
When Token2049 finally shut its doors on Thursday night, crypto fans pivoted straight into Solana Breakpoint on Friday morning. This somehow meant an opportunity for Jupiter to take over Singapore's SuperPark - an all-in-one indoor playground for adults and children. But children mainly.
Nonetheless, some serious stuff still went down at Solana Breakpoint, including a fireside chat with Balaji Srinivasan and some serious announcements from Jupiter (see Blockhead for more info).
Meanwhile, in the markets, Bitcoin had a decent week, finally pushing past the $60K mark while Ethereum had a lackluster one, barely increasing over 1.5%.
Risk appetites have cooled significantly, rising from last week's 32, "Fear," to 54, "Neutral."
The Fear & Greed Index uses 5-6 measurements to assess the current sentiment of the market and then rates that level of emotion on a scale of 1-100 – 1 is extreme fear and 100 is extreme greed.
Top Stories (In No Particular Order)
Balaji Srinivasan Says Cloud Real Estate is Next for Solana
Former Coinbase CTO, Balaji Srinivasan, took to the stage to kick off Solana Breakpoint.
With Token2049 closing its doors the day before, Solana Breakpoint welcomed the global Solana community to its two-day event on Friday in Singapore, after previous editions in Amsterdam in 2023, and Lisbon in 2022.
A "Herro" in Disguise - Trump Family's New Crypto Guru
Chase Herro has sold many things over his career, including "Colon cleanses" for weight reduction, the $149/month "get rich quick" course, and weed.
His résumé is expanding, and he is now the crypto expert for the Trump family.
Iggy Azalea Late to the Stage at Token2049 But Early on Celebrity Meme Branding
Turning up around 20 minutes late to her panel at Token2049 in Singapore, rapper-turned memecoiner Iggy Azalea took to the stage to educate the audience about celebrity branding in Web3.
Candidly admitting that she has only been in the crypto space for four months, Azalea nonetheless achieved great success with her $MOTHER memecoin, which reached a market capitalization of $194 million in its first week.
Solana Unveils Web3 Smartphone Saga Successor: Seeker
Solana Mobile, the mobile subsidiary of Solana Labs has unveiled the name and details of the second generation of its Web3 smartphone. Previously stealth launched as "Chapter Two" earlier this year, the Seeker follows Solana's sold-out Web3 smartphone, Saga.
Emmett Hollyer, general manager of Solana Mobile, announced Seeker at Token2049 in Singapore, revealing that presales for the device have surpassed 140,000 units across 57 countries.
Bitget, LaLiga Partner to Boost Crypto Adoption in Southeast Asia
Crypto exchange Bitget has announced a strategic partnership with LaLiga, Spain's top-tier football league, to accelerate crypto adoption in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The multi-million dollar deal will see Bitget become LaLiga's official crypto partner in these regions.
The collaboration unveiled at Token2049 in Singapore on Thursday, aligns with both parties' shared vision of innovation and growth, Bitget representatives said.
Binance CEO Sees a Bright Future for AI, Blockchain
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance's CEO, Richard Teng, expressed optimism about the future of blockchain and AI during a fireside chat at the Token2049 conference in Singapore on Wednesday.
While the crypto industry has faced challenges in recent years, including regulatory scrutiny and market volatility, said Teng remains bullish on its long-term prospects, particularly in its intersection with artificial intelligence (AI).
The Dollar-Yen Dynamic: Arthur Hayes's Key Takeaway From Token2049 Keynote
In a provocative presentation at Token2049 in Singapore on Wednesday, crypto entrepreneur and chief investment officer of Maelstrom family office Arthur Hayes delivered a stark warning about the Federal Reserve's impending interest rate cuts.
Hayes expressed skepticism about the Fed's strategy, asserting, "I think the Fed is making a colossal mistake cutting rates at a time when the US government is printing and spending as much money as they ever have at peace time."
DBS Expands Crypto Offerings With Options, Structured Notes
Singapore's DBS will launch over-the-counter cryptocurrency options trading and structured notes for eligible institutional investors and accredited wealth clients, the bank announced on Tuesday.
This marks a major step for DBS, as it becomes the first Asian-headquartered bank to offer financial products linked to Bitcoin and Ethereum prices. The move aims to broaden access to the crypto asset class while providing clients with tools to hedge against volatility and potentially earn yield, the announcement said.
MicroStrategy to Buy Even More Bitcoin With $700M Debt Offering
MicroStrategy is planning to buy even more Bitcoin with another $700 million worth of convertible senior notes.
In an announcement, the tech giant said it plans to use proceeds from its sale to redeem $500 million in senior secured notes due in 2028, with a total cost of $523.8 million, including interest. Any remaining funds will be used to buy more Bitcoin and for general corporate purposes.
TechLaw.Fest Navigates the Legal Landscape of AI, Blockchain in Digital Assets
The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology is rapidly reshaping the landscape of digital assets. As these two powerful technologies converge, they are unlocking new possibilities for innovation, efficiency, and security, panelists at the TechLaw.Fest's digital assets panel, titled "Nature of Digital Assets in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," said.
The conference, organized by the Singapore Academy of Law and Singapore's Ministry of Law, delved into the specific applications of AI within the legal profession.
Animoca Brands Partners Tokenize Xchange to Invest in Titan Chain
Animoca Brands has partnered with Singapore's Tokenize Xchange, making a strategic investment in its blockchain, Titan Chain.
This partnership will see Animoca offer support to Tokenize's ecosystem by providing market-making services, serving as Tokenize's biggest node validator, and listing its native token, TKX. Tokenize will also have the opportunity to work with other projects in Animoca's Web3 portfolio, according to an announcement on Monday.
Blockcast
This week marks the first iteration of Blockcast hosted by Copper Head of Revenue APAC, Takatoshi Shibayama, who will take on the role of host in upcoming episodes.
Events
GeckoCon (Bangkok, 11 November 2024)
GeckoCon returns, and this year we're diving into the revolutionary world of Web3 Gaming! Discover how the fusion of blockchain and traditional gaming is creating a whole new entertainment layer.Don't miss out—visit CoinGecko now to secure your spot in our first ever Hybrid Conference set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand. Or from the comforts of your home!
Get your tickets now with Blockhead's 40% code: BHGC24
[Limited to 30 redemptions, expires 12 September 2024]
It's All Happening on LinkedIn
Did you know you can now receive Blockhead's juicy daily newsletters directly to your LinkedIn? Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletters for the latest news and insights in the world of Web3!
There also might be the occasional discount code for the industry's hottest events, exclusively for subscribers. So be sure to sign up!