Metaverse gaming: 3 Undervalued coins under the radar

Play-to-earn games have been quite popular in the blockchain in the last 12 months. There is no doubt this is a unique trend, and we expect games to become more integrated into the metaverse in the future. After all, the metaverse brings in new possibilities for blockchain gaming, and here is how:

  • The metaverse will help create a gaming economy in digital ecosystems.

  • The integration of AR and VR in gaming will be possible with the metaverse.

  • The Metaverse is likely to change interactions between gamers forever.

Well, for investors who are looking for undervalued gaming coins that are fully integrated with the metaverse, we have three options below to consider:

Star Atlas (ATLAS)

While everyone else has been talking about Axie and Sandbox, Star Atlas (ATLAS) has been quietly building up its terrestrial game and bringing in a lot of active monthly users. The game is set in a virtual terrestrial world where players build spaceships to fight for the control of space. 

Data Source: Tradingview

It offers one of the most incredible immersive gaming experiences thanks to its strong virtual reality. ATLAS is the in-game currency within the Star Atlas universe. It is also the governance token for the platform, and it is a great investment for people looking for metaverse gaming.

Alien Worlds (TLM)

Still, in the world of terrestrial dominance and outer space, Alien Worlds (TLM) is another metaverse gaming token that offers augmented and virtual reality as well. The good thing about this token is that it also integrates some aspects of DeFi. There is also a fully integrated NFT marketplace.

MetaBlaze (MBLZ)

MetaBlaze (MBLZ) is a relatively newer metaverse token that is hoping to create increased metaverse utility in both gaming and entertainment. The coin so far appears to have a decent list of backers and investors. It is something you should keep an eye on.

The post Metaverse gaming: 3 Undervalued coins under the radar appeared first on Coin Journal.

Oil giant Exxon to expand its gas to power crypto mining pilot program to four countries

Exxon Mobil Corporation is conducting a pilot program using the surplus natural gas from North Dakota oil wells that would otherwise be burned off to power cryptocurrency mining operations. Sources familiar with the program say that the oil giant intends to replicate the project in four other sites across the globe.

As part of the pilot program, Exxon signed an agreement with Crusoe Energy Systems Inc. to use gas from a Bakken Shale Basin oil well to power mobile generators used to run Bitcoin mining servers on-site.

The pilot program was launched in January 2021 and by July the same year had already used up to 18 million cubic feet of natural gas that would have otherwise been burned off because of the lack of enough pipelines to transport the gas.

Expanding the pilot program

Exxon is now considering undertaking similar pilot programs in Alaska, Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale field, Qua Iboe Terminal in Nigeria, Germany, and Guyana.

One of the people privy to the information in an interview with Bloomberg said:

“We continuously evaluate emerging technologies aimed at reducing flaring volumes across our operations,” and Exxon expects to meet the World Bank’s call to end routine flaring by 2030, spokeswoman Sarah Nordin said in an email. She declined to comment on “rumors and speculations regarding the pilot project.”

Exxon’s push comes amid the increasing push to have oil and gas producers reduce their carbon footprint to help in the fight against climate change. One of the ways of reducing the carbon footprint is by reducing the amount of natural gas they burn on site.

At the same time, there is a rash by crypto miners to use the cheap gas from oil wells to power their mining operations instead of going for power from the national grids. Although when using the gas to power crypto mining still involves burning the gas and releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the energy is at least put to use compared to just burning the gas for nothing.

Last month ConocoPhilips acknowledged supplying a Bitcoin mining firm with natural gas from the Bakken shale basin in North Dakota. Shale oil produces a lot of excess gas which is mostly burned off.

The post Oil giant Exxon to expand its gas to power crypto mining pilot program to four countries appeared first on Coin Journal.

Crypto exchange founder asks EU to investigate if Binance is ‘helping’ Russia

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde also said this week that Russians were using digital assets to shirk sanctions.

The founder of Ukraine-based crypto exchange Kuna, and the manager of Crypto Fund of Ukraine Michael Chobanian is suggesting Binance needs to be investigated for potential collusion with Russia over sanctions.

In comments reported by CoinDesk on Thursday, Chobanian asked the European Union to take that step to determine whether indeed the leading crypto exchange had “cooperated” with Russia to help Putin’s government evade sanctions.

Chobanian, also the head of Blockchain Association of Ukraine, told the publication that he would apologise if investigations proved Binance had done no wrong. But he added that if it’s confirmed, then the EU would need to handle it.

The accusations surfaced last week, with Binance moving to refute the Kuna crypto exchange founder’s allegations.  

It’s like a „big bank“

Although Chobanian says there is no proof of anything yet, this is what might be happening. He opined that it’s likely Russia is using Binance as a “bank.” 

Instead of buying Bitcoin or crypto, those seeking to evade sanctions can just “top up” their accounts using rubles, convert that into US dollars and comfortably withdraw the money in a different country.

It could happen even without crypto changing hands, he said. “It is fiat transaction in, fiat transaction out,” he told CoinDesk.

The allegations are in line with some concerns from authorities that Russian oligarchs could turn to crypto to circumvent sanctions. Many industry experts and lawmakers see crypto as being of little help to sanctioned individuals and the Russian government.

However, some regulators and leaders say it’s possible. This week, the European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde warned that Russia was using crypto to dodge sanctions.

The post Crypto exchange founder asks EU to investigate if Binance is ‘helping’ Russia appeared first on Coin Journal.

Why did Dogecoin (DOGE) price jump 13% today?

Dogecoin jumped by over 13% earlier today to hit a daily high of $0.1406 before slightly pulling back to its current price of $0.1353 though still in the green.

The majority of meme coins including Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have been on the red end over the past couple of months but that seems to have changed with the current general crypto market correction.

In this article, we shall take a keen look at why Dogecoin (DOGE) rising.

Factors currently pushing the price of DOGE up

There are a number of factors contributing to the current rise of DOGE prices.

The main factors include the recent announcement by Bitcoin of America, Ukraine donations, and acceptance of DOGE in the entertainment industry.

 Let’s detail some of these factors.

Bitcoin of America announcement

One of the reasons for the current Dogecoin price hike is the recent announcement by Bitcoin of America, a cryptocurrency exchange registered as a money service in the United States Department Treasury. Bitcoin of America said that they will be supporting Dogecoin.

After noting the growing popularity of the Dogecoin community, Bitcoin of America said in a press release that they will allow DOGE to be used in its Bitcoin ATM Machine (BTMs) which are currently over 1800 in different locations of the 31 states in the country.

Dogecoin accepted in Ukraine donations

Another factor that is positively affecting the price of Dogecoin is an earlier report by Ukraine stating that it will be accepting DOGE donations to support its war against Russia.

The move by the Ukraine government threw Dogecoin into the limelight once again pitching it as a worldwide recognized meme coin.

Dogecoin acceptance in the entertainment industry

AMC Theatre, one of the best movie chains in the US, earlier this month allowed Dogecoin to be used as a mode of payment for its tickets.

The post Why did Dogecoin (DOGE) price jump 13% today? appeared first on Coin Journal.

BlackRock is considering crypto services for clients amid rising demand, CEO says

BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager with over $10 trillion in assets under management.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says the investment giant is indeed looking at what’s possible with regard to offering digital asset services and investments to its clients.

“As we see increasing interest from our clients, BlackRock is studying digital currencies, stablecoins and the underlying technologies to understand how they can help us serve our clients,” Fink said in a letter published on Thursday.

He also touched on the benefits of digital currencies and digital currency payment systems amid increased exploration in this area by companies and governments.

„A global digital payment system, thoughtfully designed, can enhance the settlement of international transactions while reducing the risk of money laundering and corruption„, the BlackRock chief added.

According to him, the use of digital currencies has the potential to cut costs associated with cross-border payments. He mentioned the example of how this can greatly help expatriate workers looking to send money to families across the globe.

‚We serve our clients‘

BlackRock has over $10 trillion in assets under management, and Fink said that the firm only manages the money on behalf of its clients.

“The money we manage belongs to our clients. And to serve them, we work to understand how changes around the world will impact their investment outcomes,” he told shareholders.

The comments related to the Russia-Ukraine war, which Fink said had ended the globalisation seen over the past 30 years or so.

But while he still believes in the concept and benefits of globalisation, including global capital markets, Fink is convinced things have changed as a result of the war. The reaction of companies and governments and what could happen next will have far-reaching ramifications, he added. 

According to him, the war adds to the impact of the global pandemic and their impact “will reverberate for decades to come in ways we can’t yet predict.”

The post BlackRock is considering crypto services for clients amid rising demand, CEO says appeared first on Coin Journal.