logo
Telegram's @crypto Handle Gets $25M Offer as Price Surges 70-Fold in 2 Years

Telegram's @crypto Handle Gets $25M Offer as Price Surges 70-Fold in 2 Years

Yahoo7 days ago
An early Telegram and toncoin (TON) user received a $25 million offer for the instant-messaging app's @crypto username on Wednesday, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said in a post on the messaging system.
The username was acquired for just $350,000 in 2023 and the holder of the username recently said: 'If these can't be taken away from me, I want them all,' according to Durov's post.
All Telegram usernames are tokenized on the TON blockchain, meaning that each username is unique and can't be replicated.
In 2024 the most expensive username was @news, which sold for $5.8 million, while @auto sold for $5.2 million, according to Statista.
"When people have direct ownership of their digital assets, magic happens — like this tokenized Telegram handle soaring 70x in value," Durov continued in his post. "Telegram users are sovereign owners: no middlemen, no confiscation, all secured by TON smart contracts."
Toncoin has enjoyed a solid month in terms of price action, rising by 16% to $3.38, in part due to an early month surge on the back of a deal to offer TON holders a golden visa in the UAE.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AI in Africa to Top $16.5B by 2030: Mastercard Explores Path for Continued Digital Transformation
AI in Africa to Top $16.5B by 2030: Mastercard Explores Path for Continued Digital Transformation

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

AI in Africa to Top $16.5B by 2030: Mastercard Explores Path for Continued Digital Transformation

Key insights from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco demonstrate AI's potential to drive financial inclusion, job creation and innovation. Up to 230 million digital jobs projected in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 – but infrastructure, regulation and local talent remain critical gaps. NAIROBI, Kenya, August 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mastercard has today released its latest whitepaper, Harnessing the transformative power of AI in Africa, a pan-African study of the continent's readiness, opportunity and roadmap for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. The whitepaper provides detailed insights into how AI—if deployed responsibly and inclusively—can unlock transformative outcomes across the continent's major industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, energy and finance. With Africa's AI market projected to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2025 to USD 16.5 billion by 2030 according to a recent report from Statista, the paper presents a clear case for multi-stakeholder collaboration and investment. It highlights how Africa's unique demographics, mobile-first infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit position it as an active architect of the future. Mark Elliott, division president, Africa at Mastercard, commented: "Africa's engagement with AI is already reshaping lives — not just in labs, but in farms, clinics and classrooms. To unlock its full potential, we need investment in infrastructure, data, talent, and policy. At Mastercard, we believe responsible, locally rooted AI can drive inclusive growth and connect more people to opportunity." The whitepaper outlines the potential positive impact of AI on digital infrastructure, policy and governance, research and development, local language processing and investment into Africa. It also explores how AI can accelerate job creation, with up to 230 million digital jobs projected by 2030, and increase access to formal finance through AI-enabled credit scoring and fraud prevention. Greg Ulrich, chief AI and data officer, Mastercard, said: "AI is only as powerful as the trust behind it. At Mastercard, we're committed to building AI that's responsible, inclusive, and built to bring value to our customers, partners and employees. This isn't just innovation—it's innovation with integrity." Regional highlights covered in the whitepaper include: South Africa: South Africa attracted USD 610 million in AI-focused venture capital in 2023, with total AI investment expected to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2030. With the highest data and infrastructure readiness in Africa, the country is solidifying its role as a continental leader in AI research and application. It is home to the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa which serves as a gateway for students and professionals to access world-class education, research and industry news. National plans aim to develop up to 300 AI start-ups and train 5,000 AI professionals by 2030, creating the foundation for a vibrant, homegrown AI ecosystem. Kenya: An emerging leader in AI innovation, Kenya has leveraged its "Silicon Savannah" status to securely deploy AI across sectors. Platforms like Tala use mobile data for credit scoring, while Jacaranda Health's UlizaLlama, an AI-powered chatbot, provides maternal health support in five local languages. The newly launched National AI Strategy (2025–2030) outlines the government's commitment to positioning Kenya as a regional leader in AI research and development, innovation and commercialization for socioeconomic development. Nigeria: Nigeria ranks second in the number of AI startups in Africa and secured USD 218 million in VC investment in 2023. As one of Africa's most dynamic AI ecosystems, Nigeria is using AI to personalize learning (Rising Academies), deliver microfinance via and strengthen governance with AI tools that monitor public fund allocation. With a $1.4 billion projected AI market size by 2025, the government's proactive approach, combined with growing private-sector innovation, suggests promising growth in AI applications. Morocco: An emerging AI hub in North Africa, Morocco is advancing AI adoption across healthcare, energy, agriculture, and finance. Institutions such as Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and DeepEcho are driving local innovation, while the MoroccoAI Annual Conference is shaping national dialogue on the future of AI. Under its Digital 2030 strategy, Morocco aims to attract USD 1.1 billion in investment and create 240,000 digital jobs by 2030. Despite this progress, the whitepaper warns that data fragmentation, language exclusion and regulatory inconsistency could deepen the digital divide. Harnessing the potential of AI in Africa will be instrumental in accelerating financial inclusion and driving the continent's digital and economic growth. Strategic collaborations between governments, fintechs, and global partners will be key to unlocking AI's full impact. Mastercard's whitepaper draws on insights from leading African technologists, policymakers, academics and entrepreneurs, including interviews with UNESCO, the African Center for Economic Transformation, and fintech leaders across the region. To download the full whitepaper, click Editor's Note 'Harnessing the transformative power of AI in Africa' has been written by White Paper Media Consulting (WPM) in partnership with the Mastercard EEMEA team. The findings and outcomes presented in this paper are based on interviews of various key stakeholders named in the report. These were put into perspective with contextual research by WPM. Markets covered include Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. Infographic and report design is by WPM. About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on Contacts Kanyi Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

AI in Africa to Top $16.5B by 2030: Mastercard Explores Path for Continued Digital Transformation
AI in Africa to Top $16.5B by 2030: Mastercard Explores Path for Continued Digital Transformation

Business Wire

time2 hours ago

  • Business Wire

AI in Africa to Top $16.5B by 2030: Mastercard Explores Path for Continued Digital Transformation

NAIROBI, Kenya--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mastercard has today released its latest whitepaper, Harnessing the transformative power of AI in Africa, a pan-African study of the continent's readiness, opportunity and roadmap for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. The whitepaper provides detailed insights into how AI—if deployed responsibly and inclusively—can unlock transformative outcomes across the continent's major industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, energy and finance. With Africa's AI market projected to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2025 to USD 16.5 billion by 2030 according to a recent report from Statista, the paper presents a clear case for multi-stakeholder collaboration and investment. It highlights how Africa's unique demographics, mobile-first infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit position it as an active architect of the future. Mark Elliott, division president, Africa at Mastercard, commented: 'Africa's engagement with AI is already reshaping lives — not just in labs, but in farms, clinics and classrooms. To unlock its full potential, we need investment in infrastructure, data, talent, and policy. At Mastercard, we believe responsible, locally rooted AI can drive inclusive growth and connect more people to opportunity.' The whitepaper outlines the potential positive impact of AI on digital infrastructure, policy and governance, research and development, local language processing and investment into Africa. It also explores how AI can accelerate job creation, with up to 230 million digital jobs projected by 2030, and increase access to formal finance through AI-enabled credit scoring and fraud prevention. Greg Ulrich, chief AI and data officer, Mastercard, said: 'AI is only as powerful as the trust behind it. At Mastercard, we're committed to building AI that's responsible, inclusive, and built to bring value to our customers, partners and employees. This isn't just innovation—it's innovation with integrity.' Regional highlights covered in the whitepaper include: South Africa: South Africa attracted USD 610 million in AI-focused venture capital in 2023, with total AI investment expected to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2030. With the highest data and infrastructure readiness in Africa, the country is solidifying its role as a continental leader in AI research and application. It is home to the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa which serves as a gateway for students and professionals to access world-class education, research and industry news. National plans aim to develop up to 300 AI start-ups and train 5,000 AI professionals by 2030, creating the foundation for a vibrant, homegrown AI ecosystem. Kenya: An emerging leader in AI innovation, Kenya has leveraged its 'Silicon Savannah' status to securely deploy AI across sectors. Platforms like Tala use mobile data for credit scoring, while Jacaranda Health's UlizaLlama, an AI-powered chatbot, provides maternal health support in five local languages. The newly launched National AI Strategy (2025–2030) outlines the government's commitment to positioning Kenya as a regional leader in AI research and development, innovation and commercialization for socioeconomic development. Nigeria: Nigeria ranks second in the number of AI startups in Africa and secured USD 218 million in VC investment in 2023. As one of Africa's most dynamic AI ecosystems, Nigeria is using AI to personalize learning (Rising Academies), deliver microfinance via and strengthen governance with AI tools that monitor public fund allocation. With a $1.4 billion projected AI market size by 2025, the government's proactive approach, combined with growing private-sector innovation, suggests promising growth in AI applications. Morocco: An emerging AI hub in North Africa, Morocco is advancing AI adoption across healthcare, energy, agriculture, and finance. Institutions such as Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and DeepEcho are driving local innovation, while the MoroccoAI Annual Conference is shaping national dialogue on the future of AI. Under its Digital 2030 strategy, Morocco aims to attract USD 1.1 billion in investment and create 240,000 digital jobs by 2030. Despite this progress, the whitepaper warns that data fragmentation, language exclusion and regulatory inconsistency could deepen the digital divide. Harnessing the potential of AI in Africa will be instrumental in accelerating financial inclusion and driving the continent's digital and economic growth. Strategic collaborations between governments, fintechs, and global partners will be key to unlocking AI's full impact. Mastercard's whitepaper draws on insights from leading African technologists, policymakers, academics and entrepreneurs, including interviews with UNESCO, the African Center for Economic Transformation, and fintech leaders across the region. To download the full whitepaper, click Editor's Note 'Harnessing the transformative power of AI in Africa' has been written by White Paper Media Consulting (WPM) in partnership with the Mastercard EEMEA team. The findings and outcomes presented in this paper are based on interviews of various key stakeholders named in the report. These were put into perspective with contextual research by WPM. Markets covered include Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. Infographic and report design is by WPM. About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Keysight Recognized on TIME's List of the World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025
Keysight Recognized on TIME's List of the World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025

Business Wire

time5 hours ago

  • Business Wire

Keysight Recognized on TIME's List of the World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025

BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), has been recognized as one of the World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025, listed in the second edition rankings from TIME and Statista. This is Keysight's second consecutive year of inclusion on the ranking of the top 500 most sustainable companies, and the company is proud to announce that it has significantly improved its position in this year's rankings, rising from 247th in 2024 to 127th in 2025. Keysight is also proud to announce that it ranked 11th within the electronics, hardware, and equipment sector. This recognition highlights Keysight's continued commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. The World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025 evaluates over 5,000 global enterprises across more than 30 countries. Companies were assessed using more than 20 key performance indicators, including: Transparency and alignment with international reporting standards Environmental impact, such as emissions reduction and renewable energy initiatives Social responsibility metrics External sustainability ratings and commitments from reputable organizations Companies received a composite score through this multi-layered evaluation, and the top 500 — determined further by revenue, market capitalization, and public prominence — earned placement on this year's rankings. Based on the results, Keysight is pleased to be recognized on TIME's list of the World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025. Jodi Juskie, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, Keysight, said: 'This honor from TIME and Statista underscores our commitment to operating with transparency, driving innovation with purpose, and delivering real — and measurable — benefits to our customers, stakeholders, and the planet. At Keysight, corporate social responsibility is a fundamental component of our strategy and company culture, guiding our actions as an organization.' Resources: About Keysight Technologies At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we're delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We're a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store