Daniele Sesta's HeyAnon.AI Drove Devs to “Hack” Into the Presale Early

Daniele Sesta, the mind behind TIME Wonderland, is launching a new AI Agent venture on Sonic and demand for presale access grew so intense, that tech-savvy investors hacked their way into the USDC contribution pool before it had officially opened. The initial coin offering (ICO) pool opened on Dec. 18, with a $21 million maximum market capitalization to be split between S token contributions, and USDC contributions. Sonic is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain that launched on Dec 18. The chain is the successor to Fantom, and as of Wednesday, FTM holders were able to bridge their tokens to Sonic and convert them for S tokens. The chain, still in its infancy, mostly just consists of memecoins as the team prepares for DeFi and stablecoin integrations. To continue reading this as well as other DeFi and Web3 news, visit us at thedefiant.io

Read more

Tether Takes $775M Stake in Video-Sharing Platform Rumble; RUM Shares Soar 41%

YouTube competitor Rumble (RUM) is in a deal for a $775 million strategic investment from stablecoin giant Tether. Rumble will use $250 million of the money to support operations and the remainder to fund a tender offer for up to 70 million shares of its common stock at a price of $7.50, according to a Friday evening press release. That $7.50 is the same price per share Tether is paying for its stake. "I truly believe Tether is the perfect partner that can put a rocket pack on the back of Rumble as we prepare for our next phase of growth," said Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski. "Legacy media has increasingly eroded trust, creating an opportunity for platforms like Rumble to offer a credible, uncensored alternative," said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. "Beyond our initial shareholder stake, Tether intends to drive towards a meaningful advertising, cloud, and crypto payment solutions relationship with Rumble." RUM shares have rocketed higher by 41% in after hours action to $10.13. It is not known if any of the proceeds will be used to put bitcoin (BTC) on the Rumble balance sheet. Pavlovski in November had teased an interest in his company possibly buying bitcoin.

Read more

Hashnote’s USYC Token Achieves Prominent Position in the Bond Market

USYC token has surged to a market value exceeding $1.2 billion. Integration of DeFi applications is pivotal for tokenized products' growth. Continue Reading: Hashnote’s USYC Token Achieves Prominent Position in the Bond Market The post Hashnote’s USYC Token Achieves Prominent Position in the Bond Market appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

Read more

Metaplanet Accelerates Bitcoin Acquisition With New $31M Bond Issuance

Metaplanet Inc. plans to issue ¥5.0 billion ($31.9 million) in ordinary bonds to accelerate its Bitcoin buys. The company announced this in a December 20 post on X, adding that the repayment will be made from exercising its 12th series stock acquisition rights. Details of the 5th Series Ordinary Bonds In a separate post , Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich said the money accrued from the offering will be used to push forward the buying of BTC initially planned for 2025 to before the end of 2024. “These funds will accelerate Bitcoin purchases originally planned for 2025 into the current year.” The bond issuance consists of ¥5 billion in total, divided into units of ¥250 million each. The offering will carry no interest and be redeemed at face value, with each bond worth 100 yen per 100 yen principal amount. The scheduled issuance date is December 20, 2024, with the maturity date set for June 16, 2025. The entire security will be allocated to EVO FUND, a private investment entity, and will be subject to redemption provisions. Further, the bonds can be redeemed early if EVO FUND gives written notice at least one business day in advance or if funds from the exercise of the Tokyo-listed firm’s 12th series stock acquisition rights reach a specified threshold. This development follows Metaplanet’s announcement on December 17, 2024, of a separate ¥4.5 billion ($28.7 million) bond issuance that will also mature on June 16, 2025. It means that in just a few days, the company has raised a total of ¥9.5 billion, or about $60.6 million. Bitcoin-Centred Approach Metaplanet’s Bitcoin-centred approach aligns with its strategic focus on adopting the asset as a hedge against economic instability. In June 2024, it acquired 23.351 BTC for approximately $1.6 million, followed by 42.4 BTC for $2.4 million, bringing its total holdings to 203.7 BTC. The company continued to increase its holdings, purchasing 57.273 BTC for $3.4 million and 106.976 BTC worth $6.6 million in October. Additionally, it made a significant purchase of 156.7 BTC in October, valued at $10.4 million. In addition to its buying strategy, the Japanese investment firm recently established a new Bitcoin treasury operations business line. This division will focus on purchasing, holding, and managing the cryptocurrency through various financial instruments, including loans, equity issuances, and convertible bonds. According to BitcoinTreasuries data, as of December 20, 2024, the outfit holds 1,142 BTC, valued at approximately $109.6 million. Its stock has also seen remarkable growth, with shares trading at ¥3,575, reflecting a 58.05% increase in the past month and a 2,134.38% rise year-to-date, based on data from Google Finance. The post Metaplanet Accelerates Bitcoin Acquisition With New $31M Bond Issuance appeared first on CryptoPotato .

Read more

JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America Customers Lose $870,000,000 To Scammers on Zelle, Forcing Victims To ‘Fend for Themselves’: CFPB Lawsuit

Customers at JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America have collectively lost $870 million to scammers on Zelle in the last seven years, according to a powerful US bank regulator. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says it’s suing the three banking giants and Zelle’s parent firm for allegedly failing to protect people from widespread fraud on the popular payments network. The lawsuit, which has been anticipated for months, alleges hundreds of thousands of the banks’ customers filed fraud complaints and were largely denied assistance, with some being told to contact the fraudsters directly to get their money back. “Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo also allegedly failed to properly investigate complaints or provide consumers with legally required reimbursement for fraud and errors. The CFPB is seeking to stop the alleged unlawful practices, secure redress and penalties, and obtain other relief.” The CFPB alleges widespread consumer losses and security failures on the part of the banks, stating the lenders limited identity verification measures, allowed repeat offenders to hop between banks, ignored red flag warnings from customers and abandoned customers after fraud occurred. CFPB Director Rohit Chopra says the banks, which co-own Zelle, rushed to launch the platform without properly addressing security concerns. “The nation’s largest banks felt threatened by competing payment apps, so they rushed to put out Zelle. By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves.” Zelle says it’s fully prepared to defend itself in court. “The CFPB’s attacks on Zelle are legally and factually flawed, and the timing of this lawsuit appears to be driven by political factors unrelated to Zelle. Zelle leads the fight against scams and fraud and has industry-leading reimbursement policies that go above and beyond the law.” JPMorgan Chase has previously said it may sue the CFPB over the Zelle investigation, stating the agency is going “above and beyond what the law requires.” Don't Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox Check Price Action Follow us on X , Facebook and Telegram Surf The Daily Hodl Mix Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing. Generated Image: Midjourney The post JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America Customers Lose $870,000,000 To Scammers on Zelle, Forcing Victims To ‘Fend for Themselves’: CFPB Lawsuit appeared first on The Daily Hodl .

Read more

Ripple Pledges $5M in XRP to Donald Trump’s Inauguration Fund

Ripple, a prominent blockchain payments company, has announced a $5 million donation in XRP to support the inauguration…

Read more

Rumble announces $775M strategic investment from Tether; shares jump

More on Rumble Rumble Inc. (RUM) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript Rumble: Stay Away From This Stock At All Costs Rumble: Difficulties With Growth, Competition, And Profitability Rumble stock reacts positively after federal court upholds the upcoming U.S. ban on TikTok Rumble GAAP EPS of -$0.15 misses by $0.02, revenue of $25.06M misses by $4.19M

Read more

Will crypto recover? Why this ‘dip’ could be exactly what the market needs

In the last four years, investors' risk appetite has hit a 'burn-out' point, with the rising dollar showing the way. A dip could be the perfect remedy.

Read more

XRP Price Vs. Dogecoin Vs. RCO Finance: Which Token Will Deliver The Highest ROI By 2025

With the market on the verge of another altcoin season, experts have selected XRP, Dogecoin, and RCO Finance as the top cryptocurrencies vying for the highest ROI by 2025. This analysis examines the unique features and recent developments of each token, providing insights to help determine which one may deliver the most impressive gains by the end of the decade. RCO Finance: Outshining XRP Price and DOGE? Amid the recent excitement surrounding the anticipated XRP price rally and Dogecoin, RCO Finance emerges as a compelling alternative for investors seeking substantial returns in 2025. More than just a trading platform, RCO Finance represents a gateway to the future of cryptocurrency trading, highlighted by its distinctive features. One of the noteworthy features is its AI-powered robo advisor, which offers personalized financial services that could revolutionize the trading experience. This intelligent software is able to perform the necessary mathematical calculations for tailoring of trading strategies to specific requirements and targets. The AI trading tool gradually learns trading patterns whether for novice traders or seasoned ones to provide better suggestions. This type of system works without human oversight, allowing users to promptly respond to market fluctuations. Additionally, RCO Finance plans to introduce debit cards post-launch, giving users access to a range of DeFi projects. These cards will allow investors to engage with various DeFi initiatives, unlocking exciting new avenues for earning. The DeFi trading platform prioritizes investor security by conducting thorough audits of its smart contracts through SolidProof, a leading security firm. This commitment to safety boosts investor confidence, ensuring users that their funds are protected against potential risks. The XRP Price Surges As RLUSD Takes Off Ripple has launched its stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD ), available on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger. Initially fluctuating 20% from its $1 target, RLUSD has now stabilized. Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, cautioned about a potential temporary shortage that could affect RLUSD and also the XRP price. Following the launch, the XRP price dipped slightly to $2.63, likely due to users exchanging XRP for RLUSD. However, the XRP price is now on the rebound, having risen by 31% over the past week. If this upward trend continues, market experts predict that the XRP price could achieve a new all-time high by Q1 2025. Dogecoin’s “Age Consumed” Metric Hits Record High Amid Price Rally Currently trading around $0.40, Dogecoin is up 7% over the past week after a significant rise in early November. The “Age Consumed” metric , which tracks old coins traded, reached 1 trillion coins on December 16, its highest since October. Experts note that the activity spike on December 16 aligns with DOGE’s price surge. Transaction volumes have also increased since late October, peaking mid-November and again on December 16, exceeding 5.5 billion transactions. Some experts also suggest that the movement of old coins may influence DOGE’s price, potentially leading to a rise to $0.45 in 2025. RCOF Presale: Your Last Chance to Buy Now! As investors speculate on which token—XRP, Dogecoin, or RCO Finance—will yield the best returns by 2025, the RCOF token presale is gaining significant attention. The RCOF token price is steadily climbing as more investors participate, resulting in impressive profits for early adopters. Currently in Stage 4 of its presale, RCOF is priced at $0.0777 per token. The final stage is projected to increase the price to $0.0214, reflecting a remarkable 174% rise. Analysts anticipate that RCOF could reach between $0.40 and $0.60 by the end of the presale, representing a potential growth of 670%. Additionally, holding RCOF tokens could lead to exciting price surges after the launch. The project operates on a deflationary model, meaning the total supply of tokens will decrease over time. This scarcity is expected to significantly enhance the tokens’ value, with projections suggesting increases of up to 10,000x by 2025. With a limited-time 25% discount available using the promo code RCOF25, now is the perfect opportunity to invest in RCOF! For more information about the RCO Finance (RCOF) Presale: Visit RCO Finance Presale Join The RCO Finance Community

Read more

2025 will be the year of AI agents, Web3 execs say

By 2025, more than 1 million AI agents could populate Web3, with staking and trading as likely early use cases, industry execs told Cointelegraph.

Read more