Masa raises $5.4M in seed round to build a personal data network on Avalanche

  • Masa raised $3.5 million in a pre-seed round in 2022, and the seed funding brings the total to $9.2 million.
  • Masa will use these funds to build its decentralised zk network for personal data on Avalanche.

Masa Network, a platform building a zero-knowledge (zk) data network and marketplace, has raised $5.4 million in its seed round, according to an announcement on Tuesday, January 23.

Anagram, a venture capital platform co-founded by Lily Liu (Solana Foundation President) and Joe Eagan (former Polychain President), led the seed round. Other participants include Digital Currency Group, Avalanche Blizzard Fund, GoldenTree, and OP Crypto among others.

The seed round adds to the $3.5 million Masa raised in a pre-seed funding round closed in 2022. With this funding, the platform has now raised a total of $9.2 million.

Masa plans to use the new capital injection to build its decentralized network for personal data, which it dubs a “decentralized Google.” Per details published today in a Medium post, Masa expects to launch the network as a subnet on Avalanche.

“Masa lets you control and monetize your data on a decentralized marketplace. Own your data, control its use, get paid. The future is data sovereignty. The power is yours with Masa,” Calanthia Mei, co-founder of Masa Network, said.

Since its launch in August 2022, Masa’s zero-knowledge powered data network has been integrated by top crypto projects such as Avalanche, Injective, Celo and QuickSwap.

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Bitcoin, Solana, Pullix price prediction as BTC dives below $40k

  • Bitcoin price has dipped below $40k, extending intraday losses to lows of $38,620.
  • Solana (SOL) is down 10% at the time of writing, trading near $79 as altcoins bleed.
  • Pullix (PLX), a new hybrid exchange in presale, has raised over $4.2 million as it attracts investors.

The cryptocurrency market is mainly red today, with most top altcoins posting price movements that mirror the 4% dive witnessed in the Bitcoin (BTC) market. Per details on CoinGecko, the global crypto market is down 5% to $1.59 trillion as BTC price slipped to lows of $38,620. Solana (SOL) was trading below $80 as bears threatened to pull it further into the woods.

As this happens, both the trading and presale market continue to prove attractive for buying opportunities. Pullix (PLX), a new hybrid exchange token in presale, is among those seeing huge investor interest.

This price prediction article looks at the outlook for Bitcoin and Solana and what that means for PLX.

Bitcoin (BTC) price under pressure below $40k

Amid the broader crypto weakness is the observable pressure that has hit Bitcoin price since the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs and trading commenced on January 11, 2024. 

One of the biggest drivers of the sell-off has been the Grayscale dump that has seen the digital asset manager sell over $2.3 billion worth of BTC to handle GBTC share redemptions.

BTC price reached lows of $38,620 on Tuesday.

FTX, the bankrupt crypto exchange whose affiliate voluntarily dismissed a case against Grayscale, has led the GBTC outflows with over $1 billion. 

While BTC price held above the $40k mark in the wake of the spot ETF-driven pressure, Tuesday’s news that Mt.Gox creditors had confirmed their Bitcoin addresses ahead of a payout, catalysed fresh weakness.

BTC price could now retest lower levels, potentially $35k before establishing a new upside footing. Key to the bullish outlook for the flagship cryptocurrency is the upcoming BTC halving and falling pressure from GBTC dump.

Solana (SOL) price dips below $80

Solana (SOL) was one of the best performing altcoins as 2023 came to a bullish end, with SOL hitting highs above $123.

Meme coin hype and overall growth in the Solana ecosystem saw the token stand out. The altcoin is however back below the psychological $100, extending losses below $80 in the past 24 hours as its value dipped 6%.

While massive profit-taking has fueled the latest dive, repeated rejections at the key level mentioned above has SOL bulls staring at a potential breakdown towards $60. According to crypto analyst and investor Scott Melker (The Wolf of All Streets), SOL prices could revisit the $50 area if things got “ugly.”

Asset manager Franklin Templeton recently shared a bullish outlook for Solana, highlighting key metrics such as DeFi, meme coins and DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). 

If Solana bounces and reclaims the psychological level amid the potential bull market, it could become one of the best altcoin performers.

Pullix (PLX) price outlook as presale hits $4.2 million

Pullix (PLX) is set to launch a new hybrid exchange for DeFi, bring a solution to the ecosystem’s liquidity problem as it combines the best of centralized and decentralized exchanges. 

The hybrid exchange model allows Pullix to offer a unified trading platform where traders can leverage institutional-grade liquidity and trading tools while retaining full control over their assets. Apart from being non-custodial, attractive user features include copy trading, 2FA security options and slippage-free trading.

The native utility token PLX will power Pullix’s “Trade-to-Earn” ecosystem, giving holders access to a unique revenue-sharing opportunity where traders can earn a share of the exchange’s daily revenues. For all daily revenue, Pullix will offer 30% to its customers – 50% will be shared via staking rewards and 50% in a token buy back and burn mechanism.

As the platform moves towards its launch after the presale, interest in PLX has skyrocketed. Currently in stage 6 and with PLX presale price at $0.08, investors see an opportunity. Only 19% of tokens available in the current stage remain.

With early adopters likely to see significant returns post-presale when Pullix launches on exchanges, now could be the time to buy PLX. You can get more details on how to go about it on the presale page.

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Bitget unveils new Messi film as partnership extends to second year

  • Bitget has announced the unveiling of a new Messi film as it celebrates the second year of its partnership with the Argentina soccer star.
  • The exchange will run a $20,000 promotion for its users to mark the film’s launch and undertake football events in LATAM, SEA and Turkey.

Bitget has today unveiled a new film about Argentina football star Lionel Messi.

In a press release, Bitget said the new Messi film kicks off the exchange and the soccer legend’s second-year partnership. The campaign continues the #MakeItCount theme and aims at inspiring the global community towards pushing beyond limits and seizing on opportunities.

#MakeItCount 2024 showcases Messi’s determination and will to overcome adversity, tracing his rise from childhood to stardom as an FC Barcelona star. 

Bitget’s #MakeItCount Campaign 2024

Regarded as the GOAT in the football world, Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. He signed a partnership with Bitget in October that year.

Bitget, one of the top crypto exchanges in the world today, says it shares Messi’s commitment and determination.

“Both the story of Messi and the growth of Bitget serve as a reminder that greatness is not achieved overnight, but through persistent determination to make it count,” said Gracy Chen, Managing Director at Bitget.

“As we continue the #MakeItCount Campaign in 2024, we remain committed to inspiring individuals, whether they are in the football and crypto sector or beyond, to pursue greatness as no dream is too big to achieve. Together with Messi, we are delighted to bring crypto to a bigger global stage, and drive the mass adoption of crypto and blockchain technology,” Chen added.

Bitget has lined up a platform-wise competition and Football Challenge as it marks the film’s launch and continued partnership with Messi. 

From January 23 to January 30, 2024, Bitget users will have a chance to win a share of the $20,000 worth of BGB. The exchange will also offer tickets, giving customers a chance to watch Messi play for Inter Miami. The tickets will be for matches at the DRV PNK Stadium.

The other initiative will see Bitget host Football Challenge events across Latin America, Southeast Asia and Turkey. The on-ground events will target local communities.

That’s not all. Bitget says it will explore further collaboration with Messi with regard to charity. This will be under the Blockchain4Youth initiative, Bitget’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program aimed at empowering youth in Web3 and blockchain.

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US sanctions Bitcoin ETF, NuggetRush set to cross $1.8M in investment

  • Bitcoin ETF has become a reality with the SEC approving its listing on major exchanges in the United States.
  • NuggetRush is the latest crypto sensation that has raised more than $1.8 million from eager investors.
  • As 2024 progresses, both NuggetRush and Bitcoin are expected to perform well this year.

The United States on 10 Jan 2024 decided to include Bitcoin in major investment funds by approving 11 Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). By doing this, the SEC has allowed Bitcoin to be bought by a wide range of investors, from big pension funds to regular people.

Cryptocurrency fans are thrilled with this decision because Bitcoin is the best crypto investment to date. The US financial authority had previously turned down such requests, worried about the possibility of fraud and market manipulation. However, they have now given their nod and it’s finally going to be launched soon. Meanwhile, another development that has been the talk of the town is the massive presale success of an emerging altcoin called NuggetRush. It has crossed $1.8 million in investment till now and is considered a good cryptocurrency ICO for this year.

Let’s find out more about the Bitcoin ETF sanction and the hype around the NuggetRush presale.

Why is Bitcoin ETF news exciting for crypto fans?

ETFs are collections of investments that let people invest in various assets without actually owning them. They are sold on stock markets like regular shares, and their value changes based on the performance of the assets they include. An ETF might have different assets, like gold and silver, or shares from various sectors like technology and insurance. Some ETFs already include Bitcoin indirectly. However, a spot Bitcoin ETF will purchase Bitcoin directly at its current DeFi coin price.

Several investment firms, including big names like Blackrock and Fidelity, have been waiting for the SEC’s approval to include Bitcoin in their ETFs. After some discussion over the details, the first approvals have been granted. This has made it the best crypto for beginners who don’t have much knowledge about this industry. It means a new group of investors can now get into Bitcoin without the hassle of digital wallets or crypto exchanges. It’s expected that a lot of money will flow into the Bitcoin market as these financial firms begin to invest.

Some experts think this won’t greatly change Bitcoin’s price, as spot Bitcoin ETFs exist in other countries. However, with big US players entering the market, many believe Bitcoin’s value will go up due to increased demand.

Some people think this decision marks a significant moment, showing that Bitcoin is being taken seriously, at least as the top crypto to invest in.

NuggetRush looking strong as it crosses $1.8M in investment

NuggetRush is a popular play-to-earn gaming cryptocurrency which is considered the best crypto coin for investment. It has been showing impressive strength as it has gathered an investment of over $1.8 million. For those who might not be familiar, play-to-earn (P2E) games are a type of online game where players can earn real money by playing. NuggetRush is one such game that’s catching a lot of attention in the gaming communities.

The price of each NuggetRush token is currently set at $0.018. This is quite affordable and offers a good opportunity for those interested in how to get into cryptocurrency without a huge investment. NuggetRush’s pre-sale is divided into five rounds, and right now, it’s in the fifth round. This means there’s still an opportunity to get in before the presale ends.

One of the exciting aspects of NuggetRush is its expected launch price, which is projected to be $0.020 per token. This suggests that those who invest now during the presale could potentially see a profit when the token goes live. It’s always good to see a potential for profit in any investment, and NuggetRush seems to offer that. This makes it one of the best altcoins to watch out for this year.

In addition to the play-to-earn aspect, NuggetRush also offers something called NFT staking. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are a kind of digital asset that represents ownership of a unique item or piece of content. By staking NFTs in NuggetRush, players can earn an extra 20% return. This is an attractive feature for those who are into the trending NFT market and are looking for additional ways to increase their earnings.

Another notable feature of NuggetRush is that it has zero tax on buying and selling tokens. In the world of cryptocurrency, it’s common to see some taxes or fees associated with transactions. The fact that NuggetRush doesn’t impose any tax on transactions makes it one of the best NFT cryptos for youngsters. It means that players and investors can buy and sell tokens without worrying about additional costs eating into their profits.

Conclusion

As the SEC has approved Bitcoin ETF in the United States, a lot of people are now happy. Another milestone is also achieved by a notable crypto coin called NuggetRush in the world of gaming and cryptocurrency. With its entry price of $0.018 per token and the bonus of NFT staking, it’s easy to see why it’s drawing significant investment.

For more information on the NuggetRush presale, visit the NuggetRush Presale Website.

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SEC confirms X account hack happened after a “SIM swap”

  • SEC says hacker that compromised its X account used a “SIM swap” attack.
  • The unauthorised access had seen the hacker publish a fake spot Bitcoin ETFs approval announcement.
  • Investigations into the breach are ongoing, but SEC says its 2FA feature had been disabled at the time of the compromise.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed that the hack on the agency’s X account, and the resulting “fake approval” of spot Bitcoin ETFs, happened after an apparent “SIM swap.”

According to the SEC, the attacker used a cell phone number linked to the agency’s X account. The unauthorised entity accessed the phone number via a telecom carrier the SEC uses, and not from the regulator’s system.

However, the SEC notes that at the time of the hack, two factor authentication (2FA) for the social media account was disabled. In a press release, the SEC said 2FA for its X account had been disabled since July 2023.

“While multi-factor authentication (MFA) had previously been enabled on the @SECGov X account, it was disabled by X Support, at the staff’s request, in July 2023 due to issues accessing the account. Once access was reestablished, MFA remained disabled until staff reenabled it after the account was compromised on January 9. MFA currently is enabled for all SEC social media accounts that offer it,” the SEC said in an update published on Monday.

Multi-agency investigation ongoing

The unauthorised access to SEC’s X account on January 9, 2024 drew widespread criticism and condemnation, with calls for investigation as observers pointed to potential market manipulation. The false approval saw Bitcoin’s price swing sharply – rising to highs of $49k before paring all gains within minutes.

While the SEC officially approved the spot Bitcoin ETFs on January 10 and trading commenced on January 11, an investigation involving various regulatory and law enforcement agencies is ongoing.

In its latest press update on the incident, the SEC and its staff continue to cooperate with the FBI, Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Department of Justice (DoJ), and the SEC’s own Division of Enforcement.

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