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Keep encryption free | City Journal

Published

2 months ago

30 July, 2024

At the start of this year, it seemed like the cryptocurrency industry would never get a break. In March, a federal judge allowed the Securities and Exchange Commission to proceed with a lawsuit alleging that Coinbase, the nation’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, had been operating as an unregistered securities broker. The next day, Sam Bankman-Fried received a 25-year prison sentence for stealing billions of dollars from customers of FTX, his now-defunct cryptocurrency company. The following month, Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, was sent to prison for four months after pleading guilty to money laundering charges. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors indicted the founders of Samourai Wallet, a cryptocurrency privacy service, alleging that they (like Zhao) failed to take adequate measures to prevent money laundering.

The SEC’s enforcement action against Coinbase, along with parallel lawsuits against Binance and a third major platform, Kraken, threatens to derail the development of the cryptocurrency industry. If the agency gets its way, exchanges will be forced to comply with securities disclosure, custody, and licensing rules. As they apply to cryptocurrencies, many of these requirements are confusing (buyers of crypto tokens don’t need disclosures about an issuer’s financial condition to make informed decisions, for example). Some are nearly incomprehensible (the practical custody of a crypto token is fundamentally different from the legal custody of a security). Some are downright paradoxical (how are exchanges supposed to convince crypto issuers, some of which are deliberately anonymous, to step forward and cooperate with a hostile SEC?). For the SEC, this disconnect between cryptocurrency markets and New Deal-era regulations is a feature, not a bug. The point is to put the industry in an impossible situation.

But the streak of bad news for the cryptocurrency industry finally ended in May, when the House passed a bill (the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act) that would provide the industry was in dire need of clarity, not to mention legitimacy. Under the bill, an entity could issue a digital currency that complies with a set of disclosure rules tailored to cryptocurrencies. Exchanges could then facilitate trading in that currency subject to relatively light regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This provision arguably makes sense because SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, the architect of his agency’s anti-crypto campaign, publicly announced who hates him.

The cryptocurrency industry is attractive to speculators and scammers. Oversight is needed if digital currencies are to become mainstream financial instruments. At the moment, however, regulators are approaching the industry with alarm and animosity. Emboldened by the FTX fiasco, the government has been hard at work scare traditional banks from engaging with cryptocurrency firms. Critics they nicknamed this “Operation Choke Point 2.0,” a nod to how the Obama administration pressured banks to cut ties with politically disfavored players like gun shops and short-term lending institutions.

No one disdains cryptocurrencies more than Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who to brag to lead an “anti-crypto army”. She wants to prevent banks and cryptocurrency exchanges from transacting with unidentified counterparties, such as owners of “unhosted” cryptocurrency wallets. (Major cryptocurrency exchanges already adhere to “know your customer” rules for their customers.) To hammer home her hardline position, she try to play like a national security hawk, expressing her concern “for anyone in Congress who is not concerned about the threat posed by Iran and North Korea and their use of cryptocurrency.” This is nonsense. Warren is not afraid of foreigners. She just wants to control Americans.

For cryptocurrency opponents, the natural end goal seems to be the imposition of a centralized, state-controlled digital currency. Private digital currencies can be designed OR fixed up to cloak transactions in anonymity; government digital currency does the opposite, allowing the state to monitor transactions, as well as block them, remove money from accounts, or exclude individuals from the banking system altogether.

Needless to say, Warren supports the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Surprisingly, some Republicans, including former House Speaker Paul Ryan, have warmed up to the prospect as well as. Most proponents only want a “wholesale” CBDC for interbank transfers. The idea is to create new efficiencies in the banking sector, thereby protecting the dollar’s status as a global reserve currency. But the risks outweigh the potential benefits. Once introduced, a wholesale CBDC, could transmogrify into a “retail” CBDC, then into a mandatory retail CBDC, then into a mandatory retail CBDC that the government monitors and limits. In contrast, the efficiency gains of a wholesale CBDC could to be obtained using one of the existing private stablecoins (digital currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar or some other reference). And in any case, a push to preserve the dollar’s reserve status should begin not with heady proposals for a CBDC, but with a sober effort to address the nation’s growing debt load. If the government devalue the dollara CBDC would not be the right thing.

The virtues of private cryptocurrencies and the dangers of state-run cryptocurrencies are two sides of the same coin (so to speak). Republicans, in their recently released party platform, pledge to end the “crypto crackdown” and oppose the creation of a CBDC. They promise to defend citizens’ “right” to “mine Bitcoin” and “transact free from government surveillance and control.” Led by the likes of Gensler and Warren, Democrats tend to take an extreme position on the other side of the issue. (A cryptocurrency advocacy group from President Joe Biden has a “D” rating.) The split reflects how Republicans increasingly see themselves as countercultural dissidents, outsiders at risk of being de-banked, while Democrats have gradually become the party of institutional elites and authority. But this is a complex and still nascent realignment. Some Democrats they are coming to realize that criticizing cryptocurrencies doesn’t earn him much. Some Republicans persist in seeing the crackdown on cryptocurrencies as a matter of law and order (very like the first (The Trump administration has done so.) Cryptocurrency policy could easily change.

Regardless of what happens in Washington, cryptocurrencies will remain a bulwark against authoritarianism. The Chinese Communist Party has banned digital currencies (except its own), yet its people conduct many billions of dollars in crypto transactions per year. Strengthened by virtual private networks, the Tor browser, PGP encryption, and decentralized exchanges, cryptocurrencies will continue to act as a check on any attempt to build a surveillance state or social credit system.

With a market cap of $2.5 trillion, cryptocurrencies are here to stay. It is in America’s best interest, both as an economic powerhouse and as a country that values freedom, to embrace this reality. We should put fear aside; the SEC’s war on exchanges (and “Operation Choke Point 2.0”) should end. Our legislators should establish sensible ground rules. We should assert preeminence over the global crypto network, to the extent that anyone can.

Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images

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Top 5 Crypto Pre-Sales for August 2024

Published

2 months ago

1 August, 2024

TokenTalk Staff

Have you heard about cryptocurrencies in 2011? Was Bitcoin so popular back then? Well, yes, some forward-thinking people saw its potential early and invested in BTC back then. Investors were skeptical about this new financial element; however, many took the risk and invested what they could risk in the cryptocurrency market.

Going through the list of top presales, we have identified and studied five of the main candidates that can change the game on the trading charts. These new opportunities promise the best returns and a great chance to buy tokens at affordable prices. While 5thScape is at the top of our recommendation, projects like DarkLume and Artemis Coin are pioneers in their respective categories.

Top 5 Crypto Pre-Sales to Add to Your Watchlist in 2024

Below we present the top five cryptocurrency pre-sales that you should consider adding to your investment watchlist.

5th Landscape (5SCAPE) – King of digital VR gaming with AR/VR elements
Dark light (DLUME) – Virtual Metaverse for Social Exploration
SpacePay (SPY) – Versatile Financial Payment Gateway for Seamless Transactions
EarthMeta (EMT) – Replicating our planet on a virtual platform
Artemis Coin (ARTMS) – NFT Marketplace for Digital Real Estate Investment

In-Depth Review: The Best Crypto Pre-Sales of 2024

Now, let’s take a closer look at these pre-sale events and how they can help investors make significant profits this year.

5th Landscape (5SCAPE)

The 5thScape project combines emerging technology using the fundamentals of virtual and augmented reality on the Ethereum platform using its native currency as 5SCAPE. Users of the token experience increased security and interactive gameplay in the digital space.

Here are the potential reasons why investors are admiring the 5thScape ecosystem:

Immersive Gameplay: With over five game titles, the platform is ready to amaze the audience with games ranging from archery, sports, battle and high-speed racing.

Innovative VR Content: 5thScape’s progress in the crypto-gaming space will contribute to the development of educational resources and other VR content on the website.

Motion Control Gadgets: This project is working hard to introduce VR devices such as headsets and gaming chairs with precise controls and high-resolution soundscapes to achieve the best immersive feeling while exploring the ecosystem.

Practical utility: 5SCAPE tokens stimulate participation in various activities and convert the ecosystem into economic value for investors.

Staking Opportunities: Acquiring 5SCAPE tokens after listing on exchanges can generate higher earnings

Free Giveaways and Prizes: The distribution of free coins and VR subscriptions attract investors.

Visit 5thScape for more details>>

Dark Light (DLUME)

We just saw how 5thScape captures investors with its AR/VR digital landscape. DarkLume works on similar VR principles but has a completely new VR metaverse. Its presale is about to hit the $1 million mark and simultaneously increase fund inflows.

What are the specifics that allow DarkLume to lead the metaverse industry?

Native currency: The project has DLUME as a digital currency that can be used for in-game purchases or upgrades. These utility tokens also give their holders the right to vote on the development and expansion of the project.

Benefits of staking: Investors who want to hold and earn from this currency expect to multiply their funds after the stock market listing.

Exploratory Metaverse: Once you enter this world, there is no turning back. There are so many opportunities to find recreational activities and relieve stress. Walking through lush landscapes and stargazing at night can be a memorable experience. If you are a party animal, DarkLume’s virtual discos and clubs will win you over.

Visit DarkLume for more details>>

Payment for space (SPY)

Traditional financial setups face many challenges in daily transactions and are also expensive. To solve these concerns, Maxwell Bunting founded SpacePay by combining cryptocurrency payments and blockchain technology. The London-based startup makes online shopping and payments more seamless by integrating its network with existing card terminals, allowing users to make payments in any digital currency. Merchants can choose to receive payments in conventional currency without having to pay exorbitantly.

SpacePay has designed a user-friendly and convenient interface that supports over 325 crypto wallets. SPY, the native token of this platform, serves to enable all transactions within its ecosystem. Tokens can also be used to generate passive income through staking and additional community rewards.

EarthMeta (EMT)

EarthMeta is a virtual metaverse created to replicate our planet, Earth. It is listed as one of the best crypto pre-sales of 2024, with a focus on creating new NFT platforms and virtual assets in premium cities. The startup encourages users to own and govern virtual landscapes.

Cities are then further broken down into smaller assets such as landmarks, buildings, monuments, parks, schools, and more. NFTs can now be bought and sold in the project’s marketplace. Governors are eligible to earn 1% fees per transaction within their city. EMT token holders can also generate more at once with custom API integrations and participation in DAO activities.

Artemis (ARTMS)

Today we have covered a number of financial projects that you can consider along with 5thScape, the most promising VR coins of the decade. Artemis (ARTMS) is a financial platform that allows investors to transact and trade using its digital asset, ARTMS. Users can also lend, borrow, stake, save, and generate rewards from yield farming.

The project is about to enter Phase 4 of development which will see the launch of the Artemis Crypto System. This system is customized to facilitate a large number of secure and transparent crypto transactions. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts and professional entities can buy and sell products such as smartphones, bicycles and internet services using crypto payments. Early investors have great advantages until the project is available at a discounted price in the pre-sale.

Read this before investing in the next cryptocurrency market

Experienced investors know the factors to consider before investing in this dynamic market. Here are some points that beginners should remember before securing a position in the cryptocurrency universe.

It is essential to verify the project details and the founders.
Read and understand the whitepaper for all the technical information about the ICO, the roadmap and the mission of the project.
The project roadmap will provide greater clarity on milestones and results achieved.
Review the fundamentals of the new technologies involved in the development of the platform.
Before investing in any cryptocurrency, carefully evaluate the benefits and risks to avoid losses and build a profitable portfolio.

Conclusion

5thScape ICO Offers Tokens at Deeply Discounted Prices. Once the presale is over, the token price will skyrocket 434% from the first round and promise 600x returns to early investors. Who wouldn’t want to be part of an innovative and growing VR ecosystem? Check your details, review all the documents and start investing in 5thScape now.

Time flies, and so does the $100,000 prize.

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Best Upcoming Cryptocurrencies for Long-Term Profits: Turn $100 Into $1000 With These Picks

Published

2 months ago

1 August, 2024

TokenTalk Staff

Have you ever wondered how much return Bitcoin has given to investors who bought this gold cryptocurrency a decade ago? In 2014, Bitcoin reached its significant milestone of $1,000 in the first month. Currently, it is trading at around $64k, which is an astonishing 6300% increase in the span of 10 years. No stock, no ETF could ever give you such monumental returns. This simply proves that the cryptocurrency market turns your dreams of investment returns into reality.

While the established giants are not giving so much returns now, the ball is in the court of upcoming cryptocurrencies that are based on the development of projects to provide up to 1000x returns in the near future. In this article, we will explore 5 upcoming cryptocurrencies for long-term earnings that can turn your $100 into $1000 – the only key is strategic investing with a lot of patience!

Best Upcoming Cryptocurrencies For Long Term Profits

Below we list the top 5 cryptocurrencies for long-term gains, which are set to give you returns of up to 1000 times in the coming times.

5th Landscape (5LANDSCAPE)
Dark light (DISGUST)
BlockDAG (BDAG)
eTukTuk (TUK)
WienerAI (WAI)

Take a deeper look at the background of these 5 upcoming cryptocurrencies for long-term gains and see why they could be viable options for your cryptocurrency portfolio.

1. 5° Landscape (5SCAPE)

5thScape is changing the face of entertainment by merging augmented and virtual reality with blockchain technology, offering a VR content ecosystem unlike any other destination on the internet. Its native token, 5SCAPE, is the cornerstone of this innovative ecosystem. With a limited supply of 5.21 billion tokens, 5SCAPE offers early investors a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of a potentially transformative platform.

Combining the immersive experiences of VR technology with a cryptocurrency that has a real-world use case, 5thScape presents a compelling investment proposition. The project’s focus on providing unparalleled user experiences, coupled with its potential to generate substantial returns, makes 5SCAPE an ideal new cryptocurrency to have in your portfolio for long-term gains.

Click here to invest in 5thScape today >>

2. DarkLume (DLUME)

DarkLume is a meticulously crafted metaverse where users can experience a lavish digital lifestyle. At its core is the DLUME token, the currency that powers this virtual economy. By owning DLUME, users gain access to exclusive experiences, from owning virtual properties to attending high-society events and hosting virtual celebrations with their friends.

The metaverse is divided into virtual countries, each with its own citizenship requirements. To become a citizen, users must possess a specific amount of DLUME. Maintaining citizenship involves paying taxes in DLUME and creating a sense of community and responsibility among users.

Unlike other metaverse platforms that are limited to digital interactions only, DarkLume offers a wide range of activities, from leisure and entertainment to social interactions and exciting experiences. The platform’s focus on luxury ensures that every aspect of the metaverse is designed to exceed expectations. As DarkLume continues to grow, its DLUME token is expected to be in high demand. The metaverse concept is supported by renowned names such as Mark Zuckerberg and Satya Nadella. As it is the future of immersive socialization, the DLUME token is expected to appreciate in value over time.

Explore DarkLume’s website to learn more

3. BlockDAG (BDAG)

BlockDAG is an innovative blockchain platform that uses a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure together with blockchain technology to offer fast transaction speeds, lower fees, and better scalability.

Unlike traditional blockchains that process transactions sequentially, BlockDAG processes them in parallel, which allows it to handle a much higher transaction volume. This approach makes BlockDAG an ideal platform for applications that require high throughput and low latency, such as DeFi, gaming, and IoT. Its presale has been a great success so far, and BlockDAG’s adaptability may be an optimistic sign for early investors in the BDAG token.

4. eTukTuk (TUK)

eTukTuk is a new leading crypto project that combines sustainable transportation with blockchain technology. Its main goal is to electrify the famous “tuk-tuk” industry, reducing carbon emissions that cause environmental damage while creating a thriving ecosystem. Its TUK token powers the entire platform.

One of the most notable features of eTukTuk is its Play-to-Earn (P2E) gameplay. Players can earn TUK tokens by completing challenges and missions in the game. This gamified approach not only makes the platform engaging but also incentivizes user participation in building the eTukTuk ecosystem. The primary utility of the TUK token is as a mode of payment for tuk-tuk drivers who use EV charging stations for their vehicles installed across Sri Lanka. The project will soon expand to other countries.

Overall, the value proposition of the TUK crypto token is strengthened by its utility within the platform. It can be used to purchase electric tuk-tuks, charge them at the network’s charging stations, and access various platform services. As eTukTuk adoption grows, demand for TUK tokens is expected to increase, potentially resulting in significant appreciation in the token’s value.

5. WienerAI (WAI)

WienerAI is a new blockchain-based platform that uses next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology to transform the cryptocurrency trading space. Its flagship product is an AI trading bot (with a sausage-themed mascot) designed to analyze market trends, identify potential opportunities, and execute trades with zero errors. With the power of AI, WienerAI provides users with a market edge in the complex and dynamic world of investing.

The platform’s native WAI token is a digital asset that underpins the entire ecosystem. Token holders can enjoy various benefits, including discounted trading fees, priority access to new features, and even a share of the platform’s profits. As WienerAI gains traction and its AI trading bot proves successful, the continued flow of demand for the WAI token will fuel its price.

Final Thoughts: Best Cryptocurrencies for Long-Term Profits

Each cryptocurrency project explored in this article brings a unique and innovative perspective to the blockchain industry. From the immersive worlds of 5thScape and DarkLume to the efficiency gains of BlockDAG and the sustainability focus of eTukTuk, not to mention WienerAI’s AI-powered trading bot with a new approach to investing, these projects are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with blockchain technology.

While all of these projects are promising, 5thScape and DarkLume stand out as particularly interesting investment opportunities. The combination of 5thScape’s robust VR ecosystem tokenomics and unique AR/VR offeringstogether with the fantasy world of the DarkLume metaversehas the potential to appeal to a wide range of investors who may be entertainment lovers, not just cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Given their current presale stages, acquiring 5SCAPE and DLUME tokens at these early-bird prices could prove to be a strategic move for those seeking substantial returns.

This is a sponsored article. The opinions expressed are solely those of the sponsor and readers should conduct their own due diligence before taking any action based on the information presented in this article.

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Avalanche Predicts ‘Most Bullish Unlock’ in Broader Market $1 Billion in Token Release

Published

2 months ago

1 August, 2024

TokenTalk Staff

Avalanche anticipates ‘most bullish unlock’ amid broader market $1 billion in token release

Token Unlocks data shows that several crypto projects:AvalancheWormhole, Aptos, SandboxArbitrum, Optimism and others are set to unlock around $1 billion worth of tokens in August.

Approximately $260 million will be allocated in the first three days of the month.

Crypto projects often schedule token unlocks to control the asset supply and prevent market oversaturation. This gradual release helps avoid significant sell-offs by early investors or team members who hold large amounts of crypto assets.

Wormhole and Avalanche to Release Over $400 Million in Tokens

The biggest news this month will be Wormhole and Avalanche.

On August 3rd, Hole in the walla cross-chain messaging protocol, will release 600 million tokens worth $151.67 million, or 33.33% of its circulating supply.

Avalanche will follow on August 20, unlocking 9.54 million AVAX tokens worth approximately $251 million, or 2.42% of its circulating supply.

The Token Unlocks dashboard shows that 4.5 million AVAX, worth $118.53 million, will go to the Avalanche team, 2.25 million AVAX, worth $59.27 million, will go to strategic partners, and the remainder will go to the Foundation and as an airdrop.

Farid Rached, former head of ecosystem growth at Avalanche, underlined that this planned unlock would be the most bullish in its history because “it is the last big step for the team and public/private investors.”

Other important unlocks

Sui, a layer 1 network, will unlock 64 million tokens worth $50 million, or 2.56% of its circulating supply, on August 1.

Similarly, decentralized exchange dYdX will issue 8.33 million tokens worth nearly $11 million, or 3.65% of its circulating supply. These tokens will be distributed to investors, founders, staff, and future employees.

Aptos will unlock 11.31 million APT tokens worth $74.64 million on August 12. These will be allocated to the Aptos community, top contributors, the foundation, and investors, with top contributors receiving the largest share: 3.96 million APT worth $26 million.

On August 14, Sandbox will release 205.6 million SAND tokens worth $66.75 million. This issuance will be split between the team, advisors, and a corporate reserve.

Finally, Ethereum’s layer 2 networks Referee AND Optimism will collectively unlock over $110 million worth of tokens by August 16 and 31, respectively.

Mentioned in this article

Posted in: Avalanche, Tokens

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Big Tech Beats Bitcoin (BTC) as Trump’s Trade Cancellation Weakens Token

Published

2 months ago

1 August, 2024

TokenTalk Staff

Big Tech Beats Bitcoin (BTC) as Trump's Trade Cancellation Weakens Token

Bitcoin has failed to join the cross-asset rally fueled by dovish comments from the Federal Reserve, as the tight US election race casts doubt on Donald Trump’s ability to implement his pro-cryptocurrency agenda.

The digital asset slipped 2.4% on Wednesday, tracking a Fed-fueled surge in an index of the Magnificent Seven large-cap tech stocks by one of the widest margins in 2024. The token fell further on Thursday, changing hands at $63,750 by 6:10 a.m. in London.

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