Uniswap unveils own layer-2 network Unichain, UNI price soars 11%

  • Uniswap has launched its own layer-2 network called Unichain.
  • The OP Stack-powered L2 is in testnet and is designed to improve transaction speed, lower costs and boost liquidity.
  • UNI token’s price surged to $8.14, its highest level in over two months

Uniswap, a leading decentralized exchange platform, has announced a major development for its network and ecosystem. The news helped Uniswap’s native token UNI to soar double digits on Thursday.

On Oct. 10, the Uniswap team revealed that the DEX platform was looking to launch its own layer-2 network on Ethereum. The L2, dubbed Unichain, is earmarked for DeFi.

Per the Uniswap Labs announcement, its a solution to transaction speed and costs for the exchange’s users. Also key to the launch is the question of liquidity.

Unichain is powered by Optimism’s OP stack and offers 1 second block times. Sub-block times of 200-250 milliseconds is also part of the development.

“This type of speed isn’t just great for UX, it also improves market efficiency and lowers value lost to MEV,” Uniswap Labs wrote on X.

Uniswap has partnered with OP Labs for native interoperability, with this enabling implementation of cross-chain messaging and cross-chain liquidity. The platforms plan to bolster the ecosystem’s connectivity with cross-chain swapping across the Uniswap interface and wallet.

According to details in today’s announcement, the Unichain testnet is live, while the mainnet will go live later in Q4, 2024.

UNI price soars 11%

Native Uniswap DEX token UNI is among the top gainers in the crypto market. This follows a price explosion for the cryptocurrency after the news emerged.

With most altcoins down on the day or struggling for upside, UNI spiked more than 11% to hit highs last seen in July 2024. The token’s surge to the multi-month high of $8.14 saw Uniswap rank as the top performing coin among top 100 coins by market cap.

UNI traded around $8.05 at the time of writing, still up by more than 9%.

The post Uniswap unveils own layer-2 network Unichain, UNI price soars 11% appeared first on CoinJournal.

Ripple launches crypto custody solution for banks

  • Ripple has unveiled new features for its custody solution for banks and fintechs.
  • The company is looking to tap into the growing tokenization and RWA market.

Ripple has launched new features that bring digital asset custody to banks and fintechs, the blockchain company announced on Oct. 10.

According to the announcement, the company’s Ripple Custody platform now supports bank-grade custody technology. Customers will be able to tokenize a wide range of assets, including crypto, fiat, and RWAs, all while leveraging Ripple’s XRP Ledger integration.

Other notable features include transaction screening with Elliptic integration and hardware security via AWS Cloud HSM. In this case, Ripple Custody brings banks and other financial technology companies the capacity to build and scale their businesses, tapping into software infrastructure that adds key layers of security for transfers and settlements.

“Ripple’s custody technology offers a single platform for safeguarding and managing digital assets, designed with the security and compliance standards that top global banks and financial institutions have come to rely on, ” said Aaron Slettehaugh, SVP of product at Ripple.

Ripple eyes rapidly growing crypto custody market

The new move aims at helping Ripple make inroads in a global digital asset custody market expected to hit $16 trillion by 2030. The company also targets the tokenization trajectory that will see 10% of the world’s gross domestic product on-chain by 2030.

Currently, Ripple Custody offers its services to major banks across the globe, including in the US, Switzerland, Germany, France, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong. Industry players utilizing Ripple Custody include DBS, BBVA Switzerland, Societe Generale-FORGE, and Archax.

Ripple acquired Swiss-based custody firm Metaco in May 2023, taking steps that have seen it grow its crypto custody business. Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody integrated Metaco’s digital assets custody solution in December 2023.

Earlier this month, the company secured an in-principle approval to expand its services in the United Arab Emirates.

The post Ripple launches crypto custody solution for banks appeared first on CoinJournal.

Poodlana price prediction: will it rise despite the post-presale decline?

  • Poodlana’s niche appeal to East Asian luxury consumers sets it apart in crypto.
  • Upcoming Asian economic announcements could boost trading volume and interest.
  • Plans for staking and partnerships with fashion brands further enhances Poodlana’s appeal.

Poodlana (POODL), a meme-inspired cryptocurrency launched on the Solana blockchain, has gained attention for its unique positioning in the crypto market.

With its poodle-themed concept and strong ties to both the high fashion industry and East Asia’s luxury consumer market, Poodlana presents a combination of cultural relevance and financial potential. Despite experiencing a significant decline after its presale, there are several reasons why Poodlana price is expected to rebound in the near future.

Poodlana’s unique appeal

Poodlana (POODL) stands out in the crowded meme coin market due to its distinct appeal to East Asian investors. The altcoin was designed with a strong emphasis on the region’s fascination with high fashion and toy poodles, both of which are dominant trends in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea.

By combining these themes, Poodlana has successfully differentiated itself from other dog-themed cryptocurrencies such as Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), making it a targeted investment opportunity for fashion-savvy and trend-conscious investors.

Moreover, Poodlana’s connection to the Solana blockchain gives it an advantage in terms of transaction speed and cost-efficiency compared to meme coins on Ethereum, where high gas fees have been an issue.

Solana’s reputation for scalability and speed aligns well with the ambitions of Poodlana, particularly as it plans to introduce staking and other community-focused features.

POODL presale success and post-launch decline

Poodlana’s presale was a major success, raising a whopping $7.1m in a record 30 days. During the presale, Poodlana price rose from an initial $0.02 to a Raydium listing price of $0.06.

The presale helped establish a strong foundation for the coin, with early adopters showing confidence in its potential.

However, like many cryptocurrencies, Poodlana (POODL) experienced a significant price drop after it launched on the open market. Since its listing on major exchanges such as MEXC and Raydium, the coin has faced a sharp decline.

This post-presale decline is not uncommon in the world of cryptocurrencies, especially for meme coins. Early investors often sell off their holdings for a quick profit, causing a temporary dip in the price.

Additionally, concerns over token concentration in a few wallets, as flagged by Rugcheck, have also made some investors cautious. Large holders can potentially manipulate the market by selling significant amounts of the coin, creating volatility and price swings.

Why Poodlana’s price is expected to rise

Poodlana (POODL) has recently faced a considerable price decline, dropping over 70% over the past 30 days. At press time, POODL traded at $0.003788, following a considerable drop from its listing price of $0.06.

This downturn, while concerning, is not uncommon for newly launched cryptocurrencies, especially meme coins that often experience volatility post-launch.

Despite the downturn, several factors suggest that Poodlana may be on the verge of a price rebound.

  • Geopolitical and macroeconomic factors: Geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic conditions are currently driving investors away from traditional fiat currencies. As conflicts intensify and government deficits rise, investors are turning to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as a safe haven. Historically, Bitcoin’s rise often pulls other cryptocurrencies along with it, and Poodlana could benefit from this trend. JPMorgan analysts have even predicted that Bitcoin could see significant gains, and if so, meme coins like Poodlana may follow suit.
  • Upcoming Asian economic announcements: This coming Saturday, important economic plans for the Asian market are set to be revealed. Given that 80% of meme coin trading happens during Asian hours, any positive economic news from the region could lead to increased trading volume and renewed interest in Poodlana. The coin’s strong appeal to East Asian investors, particularly those with a passion for luxury fashion and toy poodles, could result in a boost in demand.
  • Staking platform and roadmap: Poodlana’s development team has ambitious plans that extend beyond being just another meme coin. The upcoming launch of its staking platform will provide holders with a passive income opportunity, potentially driving more long-term interest in the coin. Additionally, Poodlana’s partnerships with fashion brands and influencers are expected to elevate its profile, making it more attractive to a wider audience. These efforts could result in renewed demand and upward price movement.
  • Tailwinds from the fashion industry: As a coin that markets itself as glamour-inspired, Poodlana is also poised to benefit from growth in the global fashion industry. Its plans to partner with high-fashion brands and lifestyle platforms could help establish it as a luxury-oriented cryptocurrency, appealing to a niche market of fashion-conscious consumers.

Conclusion

While Poodlana has experienced a post-presale slump, several factors suggest that the coin may be poised for a comeback. Its strong appeal to East Asian investors, combined with favorable macroeconomic trends, planned technical innovations, and its unique positioning in the fashion industry, make it a coin worth watching.

As geopolitical tensions drive investors toward cryptocurrencies and upcoming economic announcements in Asia create potential tailwinds, Poodlana could see a rise in price in the near future.

Those who are willing to ride out the current volatility may find that Poodlana has significant long-term growth potential. To find out more about the meme coin, you can visit its official website here.

The post Poodlana price prediction: will it rise despite the post-presale decline? appeared first on CoinJournal.

VanEck unveils $30 million fund for crypto and AI startups

  • VanEck says the new $30 million fund targets startups in crypto, artificial intelligence and fintech.
  • The fund will invest in 25-35 early stage companies with both strategic and financial upside.

Global investment manager VanEck has announced a major fund aimed at supporting growth across crypto, artificial intelligence and fintech.

VanEck Ventures is a $30 million fund unveiled on Oct. 9, and will target early-stage projects. According to VanEck, the fund is aimed at founders at the intersection of digital assets, AI and financial technology.

Fund targets 25-35 investments

Wyatt Lonergan and Juan Lopez will lead VanEck’s new fund. Lonergan and Lopez, now general partners at VanEck Ventures, oversaw the investment of Circle’s $50 million early-stage fund. Circle invested in layer-1 blockchain Sei in November 2023.

The two will have support from VanEck’s global workforce and senior leadership as they lead the investment. Wyatt commented on the fund’s launch on X.

Jan van Eck, the chief executive officer of VanEck, also commented on what VanEck Ventures means for the company and the industry.

“From pioneering an approach to gold investing in 1968 to recognizing the disruptive potential of Bitcoin in 2017, embracing a longterm view on transformative opportunities has always been part of our investment philosophy. This fund extends that vision into the early-stage venture space,” van Eck said.

VanEck eyes 25 to 35 investments into projects across various segments, including tokenized assets, payment solutions on stablecoins and web3 financial marketplaces.

The fund’s check sizes will range from $500,000 to $1 million. However, focus will be on startups with both strategic and financial upside. VanEck Ventures’ new fund has already invested in 4 such companies, although it’s yet to make these public.

The post VanEck unveils $30 million fund for crypto and AI startups appeared first on CoinJournal.

Caroline Ellison to forfeit assets in FTX’s settlement proposal

  • FTX seeks court approval for Caroline Ellison to forfeit nearly all her assets.
  • Ellison has agreed to cooperate with investigations into FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried.
  • A hearing for the proposed settlement is scheduled for November 20, 2024.

In a significant development for the FTX bankruptcy proceedings, FTX is seeking court approval for a settlement that will mandate Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, to hand over almost all of her assets to the creditors of FTX.

The settlement, filed in court on October 7, aims to expedite recovery for those affected by the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange.

Betting on Caroline Ellison cooperation

According to the motion, Ellison, who was sentenced to 24 months in prison over FTX fraud in September, will forfeit any assets not already surrendered to the government in her criminal case or earmarked for legal fees. Following the completion of this transfer, she will reportedly possess only a small amount of physical personal property, although the total value of the assets involved has not been disclosed.

In addition to the asset transfer, Ellison has committed to cooperating with ongoing investigations related to FTX and legal proceedings against its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried. Her cooperation is expected to include sharing vital documents and information obtained during her time at Alameda Research, which is pivotal given her close association with Bankman-Fried.

FTX avoiding to file a separate lawsuit against Ellison

FTX maintains that this settlement is a more beneficial route than pursuing a separate lawsuit against Ellison. The company argues that the settlement will enable them to recover almost all of Ellison’s assets, and her collaboration adds significant value to the recovery process.

Legal experts suggest that litigation could drain Ellison’s remaining resources, incurring additional costs for both parties.

Previously, FTX’s bankruptcy estate filed a lawsuit against Ellison in July 2023, accusing her of breaches of fiduciary duty and fraudulent transfers. The estate sought to reclaim $22.5 million in bonuses awarded in February 2022 and $6.3 million from 2021. Additionally, the lawsuit highlighted allegations regarding call options and FTX equity transferred to Ellison.

A hearing on the proposed settlement is scheduled for November 20. Ellison, who has already cooperated with federal prosecutors in the criminal case against Bankman-Fried, received a reduced sentence of two years on September 24 for her involvement in the scandal.

Meanwhile, FTX’s bankruptcy plan was approved on October 7, allowing former customers and crypto holders to recover between 118% and 142% of their claims as of November 2022.

The post Caroline Ellison to forfeit assets in FTX’s settlement proposal appeared first on CoinJournal.