BTCFi is revolutionizing the landscape of decentralized finance by leveraging Bitcoin’s unparalleled security and capital potential, aiming to unlock sophisticated financial applications. This emerging sector is rapidly gaining traction as
The world of decentralized finance (DeFi) faced a scare recently when prominent platform Curve Finance confirmed a security incident. This wasn’t a direct smart contract exploit, but rather a sophisticated attack targeting the very entry point for users: the website’s domain name system (DNS). Understanding the Curve Finance DNS Attack On [Insert Date of Attack if known, otherwise state ‘a recent date’], Curve Finance announced via its official X (formerly Twitter) account that its primary domain, curve.fi, had been compromised. The attack vector was identified as a DNS attack . This means the attackers managed to alter the DNS records associated with the curve.fi domain. Instead of directing users to the legitimate Curve Finance servers, the modified records sent visitors to a malicious IP address controlled by the attackers. Think of DNS as the internet’s phonebook. When you type a website address like curve.fi into your browser, your computer looks up that address in the DNS to find the corresponding IP address (the server’s location). A DNS attack essentially poisons this phonebook entry, sending you to the wrong, potentially dangerous, address. The official communication from Curve Finance clarified a crucial point: the platform’s underlying smart contracts and internal systems remained unaffected. The compromise was limited to the domain level, impacting users attempting to access the site through the standard URL. Why a DNS Attack is a Significant DeFi Security Concern While smart contract hacks often grab headlines, a DNS attack on a major platform like Curve Finance highlights a different, yet equally critical, aspect of DeFi security . Here’s why: Targeting the User Interface: These attacks bypass the security of the smart contracts themselves and target the layer users interact with directly – the website. Phishing Potential: The malicious site users were redirected to was likely a sophisticated phishing replica of the actual Curve Finance interface, designed to trick users into connecting their wallets and approving transactions that would drain their funds. Trust Erosion: Such incidents erode user trust in DeFi platforms, even if the core protocol remains secure. If users can’t trust the website they’re accessing, the entire decentralized premise is undermined. Complexity: DNS infrastructure can be complex, involving domain registrars, hosting providers, and various caching layers, making pinpointing and resolving the issue challenging. This incident serves as a stark reminder that crypto security extends beyond just the blockchain layer. The traditional web infrastructure that interfaces with Web3 applications is also a potential attack surface. Immediate Response and Ongoing Investigation Upon detecting the compromise, the Curve Finance team took swift action. They issued public warnings across their official channels, advising users to avoid interacting with the curve.fi domain until further notice. An investigation was immediately launched to understand how the attackers gained control of the DNS records. The team confirmed they were working closely with their domain registrar to regain control and restore the correct DNS configuration. Resolving a DNS attack often requires coordination between the affected party and the registrar, which can sometimes take time depending on the nature of the compromise and propagation delays across the internet’s DNS servers. Actionable Steps for Web3 Security The Curve Finance incident provides valuable lessons for all participants in the decentralized space. Protecting yourself requires vigilance and proactive measures. Here are some key actionable insights for enhancing your Web3 security : Verify URLs Religiously: Always double-check the URL of any DeFi platform or crypto service you are using. Look for subtle misspellings or alternative domain extensions. Bookmark legitimate sites and use those bookmarks. Use Trusted Sources: Access platforms via official links shared on verified social media accounts (like the platform’s official X/Twitter with a gold or blue checkmark) or reputable crypto news sites, but always cross-reference. Be Cautious with Wallet Connections: When connecting your wallet, carefully review the permissions requested. Never approve transactions you didn’t initiate or don’t understand. Consider DNS Security Tools: While primarily for advanced users or organizations, tools like DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) can help prevent some types of DNS manipulation, though their implementation and effectiveness can vary. Stay Informed: Follow official announcements from platforms you use. Security incidents are often first reported on official channels. Use Hardware Wallets: For significant holdings, hardware wallets provide the strongest protection against online threats, as private keys are stored offline. This incident underscores that comprehensive crypto security involves not only safeguarding your private keys and understanding smart contracts but also being aware of the traditional internet infrastructure layers that interact with decentralized applications. Challenges in Preventing DNS Attacks Preventing DNS attacks is challenging because the vulnerability often lies with third-party providers like domain registrars or involves sophisticated social engineering or credential theft targeting platform administrators. Even platforms with robust smart contract security can be vulnerable at the DNS level if their domain management practices are not equally secure. Ensuring robust authentication and authorization mechanisms at the registrar level, implementing multi-factor authentication for domain management accounts, and monitoring DNS records for unauthorized changes are critical steps, but attackers are constantly evolving their tactics. Conclusion: Lessons Learned for DeFi and Crypto Security The Curve Finance DNS attack is a critical reminder that the security perimeter in Web3 extends beyond the blockchain itself. While the platform’s core contracts remained secure, the incident highlights the vulnerability of the user-facing web layer to traditional cyber threats like DNS hijacking. This event underscores the need for continuous vigilance from both platforms, which must enhance their domain security practices, and users, who must adopt rigorous verification habits. Moving forward, strengthening DeFi security requires a holistic approach that addresses vulnerabilities at every layer, from smart contracts and protocols to user interfaces and the underlying internet infrastructure. The incident serves as a catalyst for the industry to collectively improve security standards and educate users on best practices for navigating the decentralized web safely. Staying informed and cautious is your best defense in the evolving landscape of Web3 security . To learn more about the latest crypto security trends, explore our articles on key developments shaping DeFi security practices.
The post How to Track Smart Money Crypto Whales for Better Investments appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News One of the major advantages of blockchain technology is its transparency. On the blockchain’s public ledger, every action is recorded and accessible to anyone who wants to view and analyze transactions in real time. This creates a new era of openness in trading and investing, where users can easily track the moves of prominent investors, crypto whales, and smart money. As new tools proliferate Web3, especially those with real-time AI-driven capabilities, traders will increasingly use this visibility to fine-tune their investment strategies and discover promising market entry and exit opportunities by following the big money. What are Crypto Whales? Crypto whales are individuals or organizations that possess immense cryptocurrency holdings. Although there’s no strict definition for what qualifies as a “whale,” they typically control a substantial share of any given asset’s total supply. These entities are usually either extremely early adapters, or experienced market players with a track record of successful and profitable trades. It’s crucial to understand that not all crypto whales are the same. Some may hold large amounts of crypto but have a history of poor performance or low returns. Others might be wallets belonging to cryptocurrency exchanges that manage assets on behalf of users. Monitoring these types of wallets may not provide meaningful insights for retail traders with smaller portfolios. Why is it Important to Track Crypto Whales? As a crypto investor, identifying your next winning trade can be tricky, but it may be worthwhile to monitor the activities of crypto whales. These large holders often signal upcoming market trends with proven trading strategies, some of them might even be project insiders. If multiple well-known whales begin investing in a particular project, it often signals growing market excitement and potential for strong performance. Whales can sometimes use their substantial holdings to significantly influence market movements, especially for projects with lower market capitalization. Many savvy investors keep an eye on whale activity, believing these players have advanced insights or access to valuable information. When whales act, their moves often spark a chain reaction as a large number of their followers begin to mirror their trades. Being early to identify these shifts can be the difference between making a profit and loss for certain trades. How Does Crypto Wallet Tracking Work? Crypto wallet tracking involves monitoring the balances, transaction history, and overall activity of blockchain wallets. Since blockchain data is publicly available, any wallet address can be tracked. However, efficient tracking for smart money wallets across multiple blockchains often requires the use of dedicated tools. Why Is Wallet Tracking Valuable? Whale Watching: Follow the movements of large holders to gain market insights. Portfolio Management: Monitor asset performance across various wallets and networks Security Monitoring: Spot suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions, which can be useful to identify potential project rug pulls. Tax & Accounting: Access detailed transaction history for accurate tax reporting. Bella AI Agents for Tracking Whales Bella Protocol is on a mission to help our crypto trading community seamlessly infuse advanced artificial intelligence technology into their investing workflow. To that purpose, in the past 6 months we’ve released two AI trading agents, the Bella Signal Bot and LLM Research Bot , which have both garnered loyal subscriber bases. One of the newest features that we’ve added to our LLM Research Bot is the ability for any user to simply ask for the top 100 token holders of over 16 supported tokens . As your personal crypto research concierge, the LLM Research Bot can give you the wallet addresses of the top crypto whales for major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Users can then track the smart money activity for their subsequent trades. In addition to listing the top 100 token holder addresses, our AI agent can also analyze any wallet . Based on the user’s query, it will accurately outline the transaction count, token holdings, total portfolio value, and first and last transactions of a specific wallet. This means that the LLM Research Bot now goes beyond performing only qualitative analyses , but also functions well as both a smart money identifier and wallet tracker. Supplementing the research bot’s whale watching capability with the Bella Signal Bot ’s real-time AI-driven trading signals can give users double the insights. The Bella Signal Bot is a user-friendly tool built to deliver real-time signals generated by five finely-tuned machine learning models. These models help the AI consistently achieve an average Sharpe ratio of 3.2 while providing long and short signals across more than 19 crypto trading pairs . Both the Signal Bot and Research Bot feature UI directly inside Telegram, which is already considered user-friendly and widely adopted by crypto enthusiasts.
US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continued their positive momentum on May 12 (ET), recording net inflows of $5.1 million, marking the fourth consecutive day of net positive flows, market data showed. Bitcoin ETFs Record Inflows for Fourth Day in a Row, Ethereum Funds See Outflows In stark contrast, spot Ethereum ETFs faced sustained selling pressure and recorded a total net outflow of $17.59 million. Notably, none of the nine Ethereum ETFs recorded a net inflow during the session, highlighting waning investor demand despite recent optimism surrounding Ethereum’s ecosystem upgrades. Differential Sentiment Between BTC and ETH The difference in fund flows underscores a growing divergence in investor sentiment between the two leading cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin continues to attract institutional interest, likely driven by macroeconomic tailwinds and its perceived status as a digital store of value, Ethereum appears to be facing near-term headwinds despite the successful rollout of its recent Pectra upgrade. Analysts note that this disparity could be due to volatility concerns, regulatory uncertainty, or capital rotation dynamics as Bitcoin continues to dominate the market’s risk-on environment. As Bitcoin ETFs continue their streak of inflows and Ethereum funds experience steady outflows, asset managers and market participants are closely watching to see if this trend signals a broader shift in allocation strategies or a temporary dislocation amid improving macroeconomic conditions. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Bitcoin ETFs Recorded Fourth-Consecutive Day of Gains! What's the Situation with Ethereum ETFs? Here Are the Details
The world of cryptocurrency is constantly evolving, and its integration into traditional systems, including state governments, is a hot topic. Recent developments in Arizona have put the spotlight on the intersection of state policy and digital assets, as the governor took decisive action regarding several key Arizona crypto bills . What Happened with the Arizona Crypto Bills ? On May 12, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed two significant pieces of legislation that aimed to expand the state’s engagement with digital assets. These vetoes followed an earlier rejection of another crypto-related bill, signaling a cautious approach from the governor’s office towards the rapid integration of cryptocurrencies into state operations and finances. The two bills vetoed on May 12 were: SB 1373: This bill proposed the creation of a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund. The idea was for the state to have a designated place to hold digital assets acquired through means such as law enforcement seizures or legislative appropriations. This would have established a formal mechanism within the state treasury for managing seized or state-owned crypto. SB 1024: This bill sought to enable state agencies to accept payments for fines, taxes, and fees using cryptocurrency. The mechanism would have involved approved third-party providers facilitating the conversion of crypto payments into U.S. dollars before they reached the state’s coffers. This aimed to offer residents and businesses more payment flexibility. These vetoes came after Governor Hobbs had previously vetoed SB 1025 , a bill that would have allowed the state treasury and state retirement systems to invest up to 10% of their funds in Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital assets. Taken together, these actions highlight a clear stance from the governor regarding the state’s direct involvement with digital currencies at this time. Understanding State Crypto Regulation Attempts Arizona isn’t alone in exploring how to incorporate digital assets into state frameworks. Across the United States, state governments are grappling with the opportunities and challenges presented by cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Efforts range from establishing regulatory clarity and consumer protection laws to exploring the use of blockchain for government records or enabling crypto payments for state services. States are motivated by various factors: Innovation and Economic Growth: Attracting crypto and blockchain businesses by creating a favorable legal and regulatory environment. Efficiency: Using blockchain for streamlined processes, supply chain management, or digital identity. Revenue & Treasury Management: Accepting crypto payments or exploring investment opportunities. Asset Management: Handling seized digital assets effectively, as proposed by Arizona’s SB 1373. However, these efforts are often met with significant hurdles, including: Regulatory uncertainty at the federal level. Volatility of cryptocurrency markets. Security risks associated with digital assets. Lack of technical expertise within state agencies. Concerns about illicit use of cryptocurrencies. The vetoes in Arizona underscore the cautious approach many policymakers are taking when balancing the potential benefits with these inherent risks. The governor’s decision suggests that, for now, the perceived risks of direct state exposure to volatile digital assets or the complexities of managing them outweigh the potential advantages these bills offered. What Does This Mean for Arizona Digital Assets and Businesses? The veto of these bills has immediate implications for the landscape of Arizona digital assets and the businesses operating within the state. While Arizona has been considered relatively friendly to blockchain technology in the past, these vetoes represent a pause, if not a step back, for certain types of state-level crypto adoption. For residents and businesses, the possibility of paying taxes or fees directly with crypto via state-approved providers, as proposed in SB 1024, is now off the table for the foreseeable future under the current administration. This means traditional payment methods remain the standard for state transactions. For the state itself, the veto of SB 1373 means there is no dedicated ‘Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund’ yet. The state will need to rely on existing legal frameworks and procedures for handling any digital assets it may acquire through seizures or other means, which may not be specifically tailored for the nuances of crypto. The rejection of SB 1025, the investment bill, indicates that state and retirement funds will not be directly exposed to the volatility of Bitcoin or other digital asset markets based on this legislative push. This aligns with a more conservative investment strategy for public funds, prioritizing stability over potential high growth associated with nascent asset classes. Why Did the Governor Veto Crypto Bills? Potential Reasons While the governor’s explicit, detailed reasons for each veto are typically outlined in official veto letters, common concerns cited by policymakers when rejecting crypto-related legislation include: Market Volatility: The price swings of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are a major concern for managing public funds or accepting payments where value needs to be stable. Regulatory Uncertainty: The lack of a clear and comprehensive federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies makes states hesitant to move too far ahead, fearing potential conflicts or the need for constant adjustments. Security Risks: Concerns about cybersecurity, hacking, and the secure storage of digital assets are paramount when state funds or sensitive payment systems are involved. Consumer Protection: Ensuring adequate safeguards are in place for individuals and businesses interacting with the state using crypto. Complexity and Implementation Challenges: Setting up the necessary infrastructure, training staff, and ensuring compliance for handling digital assets can be complex and costly. Illicit Activity Concerns: Worries that cryptocurrencies can be used for money laundering or other illegal activities, and ensuring the state does not inadvertently facilitate this. Given the nature of the vetoed bills – establishing a state fund for digital assets (SB 1373), accepting crypto payments (SB 1024), and investing state funds in crypto (SB 1025) – it is likely that concerns related to volatility, security, and regulatory clarity played a significant role in the governor’s decision to governor veto crypto initiatives. Comparing Arizona’s Approach to Other States Arizona’s cautious stance, highlighted by these vetoes, contrasts with some other states that have taken more aggressive steps in embracing crypto and blockchain. For example: Wyoming: Often cited as a leader, Wyoming has passed numerous laws providing regulatory clarity for digital assets, including defining different categories of tokens and establishing special purpose depository institutions for digital asset businesses. Colorado: Has moved forward with accepting cryptocurrency for state tax payments, though often through third-party services that immediately convert the crypto to fiat currency, limiting the state’s direct exposure to volatility. Texas: Has seen legislative efforts to clarify the legal status of digital assets and attract crypto miners and businesses. Arizona’s recent vetoes suggest it is adopting a more conservative ‘wait and see’ approach compared to states actively positioning themselves as crypto hubs through specific legislation. This doesn’t mean Arizona is against blockchain technology entirely, but rather that direct state financial involvement with volatile assets is being approached with significant caution. The Future of Arizona Crypto Law and Policy Despite the recent vetoes, the conversation around Arizona crypto law is far from over. The fact that these bills made it through the legislature indicates there is significant interest among lawmakers in exploring the potential of digital assets. Future legislative sessions may see revised versions of these bills introduced, potentially addressing the concerns raised by the governor’s office. This could involve: Adding stricter safeguards and security requirements. Proposing pilot programs rather than immediate statewide implementation. Waiting for greater clarity from federal regulators. Focusing on less volatile applications of blockchain technology rather than direct crypto exposure. The path forward for Arizona digital assets in state operations will likely depend on evolving market conditions, technological advancements, federal regulatory developments, and continued dialogue between the legislature and the governor’s office. Key Takeaways from the Arizona Vetoes The veto of these Arizona crypto bills offers several important insights: Caution Prevails: State governments remain cautious about directly handling or investing in volatile cryptocurrencies, prioritizing financial stability and security. Implementation Challenges are Real: Beyond the concept, the practicalities of securely accepting, managing, and accounting for digital assets within state systems are significant hurdles. Regulatory Clarity is Needed: States are often looking to the federal government for clearer guidelines before fully committing to widespread crypto adoption in state functions. Not a Full Stop: While these specific initiatives were blocked, the legislative interest in digital assets in Arizona is likely to continue, potentially leading to future, more refined proposals. For the crypto industry, this highlights the ongoing need for education and engagement with policymakers at all levels of government to address concerns and demonstrate the responsible potential of digital assets. In Conclusion: A Setback, Not a Halt Governor Hobbs’s decision to veto the recent Arizona crypto bills represents a significant setback for proponents of rapid state-level digital asset adoption in Arizona. The proposed initiatives, ranging from establishing a strategic reserve for seized crypto to allowing crypto payments for state services and investing state funds, aimed to position Arizona at the forefront of integrating digital assets into government functions. However, the vetoes underscore the inherent caution surrounding cryptocurrencies among some policymakers, driven by concerns over volatility, security, regulatory uncertainty, and implementation complexity. While other states have pursued more aggressive paths, Arizona appears to be taking a more measured approach, at least for now. The vetoes do not signal an end to discussions about Arizona crypto law or the potential use of Arizona digital assets in the future. They are, however, a clear indication that significant hurdles remain for the direct financial integration of volatile cryptocurrencies into state operations. The future of state-level crypto adoption will likely involve ongoing legislative efforts, technological advancements, and crucial dialogue addressing the legitimate concerns of policymakers. To learn more about the latest state crypto regulation trends, explore our article on key developments shaping digital assets institutional adoption.
Strategy CEO Michael Saylor offers look inside $7.2 billion Bitcoin strategy of company
Following the recent stunning adoption for scalability on AI tokens, Virtuals protocol has expanded and is now growing to become one of the best liquidity providers for its native token over the past month. Last month marked a significant increase in Virtual’s price after three months of broad correction. Charting over 300% gains in three weeks, it eventually lost steam after failing to overcome $1.9 earlier this month. It initiated a sell and pulled back in the second week of this month. Locating support above $1.27, it bounced back and increased to $2.1 last Friday. Since then, the price has remained stuck due to low volatility, and as we can see, it has currently floated at around $2 over the past few days. A strong daily close above yesterday’s high should set the stage for bigger growth to the top before breaking out to a new high. The reverse would be the case if this small, calm phase turns to distribution. This may trigger a serious rollback to the bottom while the supply level increases. In terms of gain, Virtual remains the leader of the market on the monthly scale as per CoinMarketCap metrics. It is up 251% despite the current drop in the crypto space. A continuous increase could put the asset on a major parabolic move on the short-term scale. Virtual’s Key Levels To Watch Source: Tradingview While deciding the next major move at $2, the potential resistance level for a test is $2.65. The next resistance level to watch is $4.13. Crossing over the $5.25 resistance should fuel a big move to a new high. The close level to considered for a pullback is $1.5, although there’s a close support at $1.23. A drive below these price levels could slipped the price to a lower support of $0.846 and $0.63. Key Resistance Levels: $2.65, $4.13, $5.25 Key Support Levels: $1.23, $0.846, $0.63 Spot Price: $2 Trend: Bullish Volatility: High Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services. Follow us on Twitter @nulltxnews to stay updated with the latest Crypto, NFT, AI, Cybersecurity, Distributed Computing, and Metaverse news ! Image(s): Shutterstock.com
According to recent findings by on-chain analyst Yu Jin, a significant liquidation event has occurred involving the transfer of 30,874 ETH, valued at approximately 77.71 million USD, from a prominent
Binance Wallet enhances participation in Web3 through Token Generation Events. Privasea AI (PRAI) Token is the focus of the latest TGE initiative. Continue Reading: Binance Amplifies Web3 with New Token Generation Events The post Binance Amplifies Web3 with New Token Generation Events appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
Led by former Input | Output (IO) and Parity Technologies executive Fahmi Syed, the Midnight Foundation will support the growth of Midnight’s rational privacy ecosystem and guide its transition to full decentralization. TORONTO, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Consensus 2025 — Today marks the official launch of the Midnight Foundation, an organization committed to supporting the growth of the Midnight blockchain ecosystem. Midnight is a platform enabling decentralized applications that deliver rational privacy – programmable data protection with selective disclosure. The Foundation’s core mission is to foster a thriving developer community, expand access to Midnight’s privacy-first technology, and guide the network’s evolution toward full decentralization. Through a wide range of initiatives—including open-source tooling, education, and targeted funding—the Foundation will support builders developing real-world use cases using Midnight. Crucially, the Foundation will also play a leading role in Midnight’s path to autonomous governance. As the network matures, control over protocol upgrades, treasury allocation, and ecosystem development will transition to NIGHT token holders through on-chain voting. The Foundation will ensure this transition is secure, transparent, and community-driven. These efforts will be key to empowering the Foundation to redefine what Web3 infrastructure can become: private, compliant, decentralized—and ready for real-world adoption. The Midnight Foundation will be led by Fahmi Syed who has been appointed as President. A recognized leader in decentralized governance and digital innovation, Syed brings over two decades of experience in financial strategy, operational leadership, and decentralized technology to the role. Most recently, he supported the development of the Midnight project at IO. Prior to that, he was CFO at Parity Technologies, the team behind Polkadot and Kusama, where he led financial operations during a period of rapid ecosystem expansion. Earlier in his career, Syed was Chief Operating Officer at FIFTHDELTA, Europe’s largest hedge fund launch of 2021. He also held senior leadership roles at Marshall Wace, where he contributed to the firm’s global growth to $45 billion in assets under management. The core development of the Midnight network itself was led by Shielded Technologies, an engineering spinout from IO, the creators of innovations such as Cardano. Shielded Technologies was founded to pioneer privacy-first, regulation-ready decentralized technologies, and continues to play an integral role in supporting Midnight’s technical innovation and ecosystem growth. Commenting on his appointment, Syed said: “The Midnight Foundation has an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of decentralized technology in a way that truly protects users’ rights and privacy. I’m honored to lead this mission at such a critical time. Working alongside Shielded Technologies and its visionary CEO, Eran Barak, we are committed to building a thriving, global ecosystem that brings Midnight’s transformative technology to life for developers, businesses, and communities everywhere.” A new kind of blockchain network, Midnight is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional blockchains that expose all transaction data by default. It uses zero-knowledge cryptography and a cooperative tokenomics design to enable truly private, censorship-resistant, and regulation-ready applications. Its public utility token, NIGHT, enables governance and rewards, while its shielded resource, DUST, powers transactions without exposing metadata or wallet details. Unlike typical blockchain fee models, DUST is renewable, non-transferable, and decays over time – a radical new model that makes the network sustainable, privacy-protecting, and secure from economic exploitation. Moving forward, the Midnight Foundation will look to build a wide ecosystem of partners, builders and token holders, working together to realize the potential of the Midnight blockchain network. We invite you to join us on this journey. Media Contact: Georgia Hanias Midnight Foundation press@ecologymedia.co.uk About Midnight Foundation The Midnight Foundation is an organization dedicated to advancing the development, adoption, and real-world impact of the Midnight network, the privacy enhancing blockchain project developed by Shielded Technologies. Designed for confidential smart contracts, Midnight enables censorship-resistant yet compliant decentralized applications. It leverages zero-knowledge proofs and a cooperative tokenomics architecture- with NIGHT as the utility token and DUST as the shielded transaction resource- to deliver a powerful combination of privacy, security, and decentralization. For more information, visit: https://midnight.foundation About Shielded Technologies Shielded Technologies is an emerging engineering company pioneering privacy-enhancing, decentralized technologies designed for real-world compatibility. A spinout from leading Web3 venture studio Input Output, Shielded brings deep cryptographic expertise as the core technology partner for the Midnight Network — a new blockchain that leverages advanced cryptographic proofs and a cooperative tokenomics design to protect data and metadata while ensuring auditability and compliance. In collaboration with the Midnight Foundation, Shielded is shaping a global ecosystem that upholds the fundamental freedoms of association, commerce, and expression. For more information, visit: https://shielded.io