Crypto corner

At its core, Avalanche is an open-source platform engineered to support decentralized applications (dApps) and enterprise blockchain solutions within a singular, interoperable, and scalable ecosystem. Its inception was motivated by the desire to overcome certain challenges inherent in Ethereum, particularly the slower transaction times and the one-size-fits-all nature of its blockchain structure. Avalanche’s founder envisioned a platform that could cater to diverse needs through modular design, leading to the development of subnets. These innovations have attracted a range of diverse companies such as Visa, Amazon, JPMorgan and CitiGroup to consider and explore implementing Avalanche’s technology.

The innovation of smart contracts is one of the most significant advances in the blockchain space, particularly with the development of Ethereum, which marked a pivotal moment in broadening the applications of blockchain technology beyond Bitcoin's initial scope. Ethereum's creation was driven by the limitations of Bitcoin's scripting capabilities, which restricted the execution of complex agreements. Vitalik Buterin's vision, outlined in the Ethereum white paper in 2013, proposed a platform that could facilitate more sophisticated applications through smart contracts and secondary tokens. This concept was revolutionary, as it extended blockchain utility beyond simple transactions to a broader range of decentralized applications (dApps), funded and developed through an innovative approach that leveraged the potential of blockchain technology for more than just cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrency custody is currently under the spotlight, a development that is both timely and deserved. Following the SEC's green light for spot bitcoin ETFs, a wide range of investors, financial advisors, and institutions are delving into the realm for their initial exploration, aiming to grasp the intricacies of how digital assets are securely stored and safeguarded. With a variety of custody solutions available, understanding the nuances between them is crucial. This article delves into the distinctions between hot wallets, cold wallets, and third-party custody solutions, shedding light on the different techniques used in banking and how entities like Taurus in Europe and Coinbase in the United States are pioneering in the custody space.

In a world where change is a constant, it’s important for businesses to embrace innovation, challenge the status quo and try out new ideas. This is something for which we’ve always stood by at Syz Group. And so, when a group of colleagues suggested tokenising a real asset – in this case a piece of art – it felt like a natural next step to our digital asset journey. In a pioneering move, we have successfully tokenised a piece of art and distributed these unique tokens amongst our employees. This bold initiative is not only a testament to our commitment to innovation but also a development that marks a significant stride in the evolution of wealth management, for the long-term benefits of our clients and the Syz Group.

Binance takes a large punch from the SEC, leaving them bruised, but alive Binance’s labyrinthine operational shady dealings have long been crypto’s ‘known unknown’. For that reason, news that the company has been landed with one of the largest corporate penalties in US history came as no surprise. The crypto industry has been aware its largest exchange has been operating illicitly for years. Binance turned a blind eye to its legal obligations for KYC / AML, enabling the potential for funds to flow to terrorists and other criminals through its platform. This Tuesday, the industry breathed a sigh of relief as Binance took their hit: $4.3bln fine, CZ the CEO stepping down, with an expectation of sentencing later. We are pleased action has finally been taken and believe Binance’s settlement with US regulators is a long-term positive development for a number of reasons.

FTX marked the end of the beginning. In the wake of its dramatic collapse, the cryptocurrency industry awoke to harsh realities. The fevered speculation of skyrocketing NFT prices has been replaced by sober debate around regulation, scrutiny over use cases, value, and environmental impact. While some purists may still harbour hopes that crypto will return to its fully decentralised roots, the truth is that the FTX saga was a seismic moment for digital assets. It has compelled the crypto world to mature and incorporate elements of the traditional financial sector to protect investors.

The price of Ether (ETH) rebounded strongly in July. Renewed risk appetite certainly played a role, but some investors are looking positively at a major change in the way the blockchain Ethereum will operate, starting  19 September. 

The world's largest NFT exchange could go public in late 2023 or early 2024. In today’s Focus, we discuss OpenSea’s value proposition and business model, as well as some threats to its supremacy in a hyper-growth niche market.

An energy crisis and civil unrest threaten the viability of crypto mining in Kazakhstan, the world’s second-largest center for bitcoin mining after the United States.