Latest news with #ICO
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Meme Era Ends—What Comes After Pump.Fun?
CoinMarketCap's Altcoin Season Index Chart shows Altcoin Season's continued growth as Bitcoin Season ... More begins to steady As Bitcoin flirts with new all-time highs, it's tempting to focus solely on the headlines. But beneath the surface, a more interesting shift is happening in crypto markets—one that could mark the end of one era and the quiet rise of another. Over the weekend, pulled off what can only be described as a staggering feat: raising $600 million in just 12 minutes. That makes it the third-largest ICO in crypto history. Co-founder Elon Cohen confirmed 150 billion tokens were sold at $0.004 in the public sale on July 12, following a 180 billion token private sale. Altogether, the project has now raised $1.32 billion. Major exchanges like Kraken, BitGo, Gate, Bybit, MEXC, etc. were among those allocated tokens—a clear signal that this wasn't just another memecoin sideshow. Experimentation Fuels the Next Crypto Wave This frenzy is not happening in isolation. Plasma, a new Bitcoin-based blockchain designed specifically for stablecoins, is holding its private sale on July 17. Backed by big names like Framework Ventures, Peter Thiel, and Tether's CEO, it already raised $20 million earlier this year. Its core asset is an 'exploit token'—suggesting experimentation is far from over, but the terrain is shifting. Perhaps most notably, Binance has now entered the bonding curve arena, launching a token sale through its wallet. This model allows token prices to rise dynamically as more buyers enter—a gamified pricing system that rewards early entrants. While these tokens aren't tradable during the bonding curve period, they become fully transferable afterward, injecting even more complexity (and potential) into the market. For Binance, this could catalyze a new wave of altcoin experimentation—not just on BNB Chain, but ecosystem-wide. Is the peak or the swan song of the meme coin cycle? Much like DeFi Summer found its bookend in SushiSwap's launch and the NFT boom was crystallized by Blur's airdrop, might be the moment meme coin mania burns its brightest before dimming. History suggests that when the leading platform of a trend tokenizes, the narrative is near its end. has distilled meme speculation into a single tradable vehicle. Why bet on individual coins when you can simply buy exposure to the entire meme phenomenon through its token? But in doing so, it may be cannibalizing the market it helped create. As liquidity shifts from memecoins to meta-memecoins, the once-chaotic playground of high-risk speculation starts to look institutionalized—and exhausted. This meme cycle has already exceeded expectations, lasting around six months, far longer than typical technical narratives that run their course in two to three. Passing the baton to Real-world assets (RWAs) and stablecoins Plasma's architecture and Binance's fair-launch bonding curve model both signal a turn toward utility. Crypto's challenge is no longer just mass adoption—it's about building platforms that distribute value more equitably. In that sense, bonding curve and fair launch format may be its true legacy: a bridge between speculative chaos and structured participation. The meme season may be cooling, but the market isn't. It's simply rotating. As always in crypto, attention flows to what's next.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pump.fun swiftly raises $500M in public sale at $4B fully diluted valuation
Twelve minutes. That's how long it took for token offering to raise roughly $500 million from retail investors across various exchanges, including Bybit, Kraken, and KuCoin. The sale priced 125 billion tokens at $0.004 apiece, implying a $4 billion fully diluted valuation for the Solana-based memecoin launcher's new utility token. For now, holders must wait to get their hands on the token they bought. said the purchased tokens will land in wallets over the next 48–72 hours and will stay locked until distribution ends, blocking trades or transfers. The team shared the official Solana contract address and warned users to shun look-alike assets. In total, ICO was set to sell 33% of PUMP's 1 trillion token supply, with 18% having already been allocated earlier via a private sale. The public allocation was recently lowered from 15% to 12.5%, which sold out in just 12 minutes. Its other allocations include 20% for the team behind the project, 24% for community and ecosystem incentives, 13% for existing investors, 2.6% for liquidity, 2.4% for an ecosystem fund, with the remaining for a foundation fund and live streaming incentives. allows anyone to mint and list a coin with a new token in a few clicks. When a freshly minted token reaches a specific threshold, it gets listed on decentralized exchanges. The sale comes as the token launchpad's metrics show a deepening decline in activity. DeFiLlama data shows that in January launchpad volume was above $11.6 billion, and has since been steadily declining to $3.65 billion last month. Similarly, revenue generated via the launchpad dropped from $133 million in the first month of the year to nearly $34 million last month, according to DeFiLlama data. While launchpad volumes plunged, decentralized exchange PumpSwap, which was launched in March, has been making up for the decline, seeing $14.3 billion of volume in May and $10 billion last month. Revenue for PumpSwap stood at $7 and $5 million for those months, per the same data source. Adds more context throughout. 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
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
South Ayrshire Council email revealed free school meal applicants
South Ayrshire Council has apologised after sending out an email revealing the identities of people applying for free school meals and clothing email, which included names and email addresses, was sent to hundreds of recipients last Wednesday before it was recalled a short time council said it was investigating the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) confirmed it had now received a report of a data breach. It is possible to apply for free school meals or clothing grants if a parent or guardian receives qualifying benefits. This information is confidential and South Ayrshire Council uses a cashless system in schools which anonymises children who receive free school meals. After the email was sent out last Wednesday, the council's benefits and revenues team issued an apology the following day. The team confirmed the previous message was a "genuine email from the council".It read: "Regrettably, due to an administrative error, the email was issued to multiple email addresses rather than to you individually. Please accept my sincere apologies for this error."I have informed the council's data governance team that a data breach has occurred, and this will be investigated by them."I can confirm your application has been approved however please now delete the original email from your email account."A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of a potential data breach and are taking the appropriate action. "We have been in contact with those affected. The matter was reported to the ICO."A spokesperson for the ICO said it was assessing the information provided in the report. Additional reporting by local democracy journalist Kevin Dyson.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Compensation paid by former Bradford Live operators revealed
The original operators of a new music venue paid Bradford Council more than £5m in compensation to end their contract, it has been opening of Bradford Live following the restoration of the former Odeon cinema was delayed after NEC Group pulled out of running the council-owned site last Group had been announced as the operator back in 2017, but were replaced by Trafalgar Entertainment, which signed a 25-year lease to manage Bradford Live in April. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has now ordered the council to release details of the settlement agreed between the two parties. A statement from Bradford Council said: "Until now the £5,371,000 figure that the NEC Group paid to the council in compensation had been withheld as it was prejudicial to commercial interests and subject to confidentiality requirements under the terms of the settlement. "The monies received from the settlement have now been deposited in the council's bank account which has consequently reduced the council's borrowing requirement."Following the successful appointment of new operators for Bradford Live, the council argued that there was no longer any commercial prejudice and it was in the public interest to override the confidentiality clause. "The ICO has supported this view and agreed that it is in the public interest to publish the financial settlement and has required the council to do so." 'Very pleased' Since the withdrawal of NEC Group, Trafalgar Entertainment has invested £3m into the venue, which the council expects to attract 300,000 people a year to the district. The opening season of events begins on 30 August with a show by comedian Bill Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: "We're very pleased that the ICO has ruled that there is public interest in releasing the settlement amount for Bradford Live. "This is the result we wanted. As people can see we secured a significant settlement from the NEC that protected the interests of the Bradford district taxpayer. "We waited for the ICO appeal decision before publishing, given that there was an agreement with NEC which made such information commercially confidential. "With the opening season for Bradford Live under the fantastic new operator Trafalgar Entertainment starting next month we can now all look forward with excitement to a wonderful future for this amazing building." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
North Wales Live
04-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Homeowners with smart doorbells or CCTV could face £100k fine, expert warns
A security expert has issued a stark warning to homeowners with smart doorbells or CCTV, cautioning that they could be hit with fines up to £100,000. Carlos Dhunay, a security specialist at Telcamm, has highlighted the importance of ensuring home security systems are legally compliant and effective, particularly during the summer months. Carlos stressed the need for homeowners equipped with devices like smart doorbells and CCTV cameras to be fully aware of the legalities involved to sidestep hefty fines and potential legal battles. He cautioned: "Many homeowners unknowingly break the law with their security cameras and smart doorbells. While having a security system is a great idea, if it records footage outside your property line, like a public sidewalk or your neighbour's garden, you could face hefty fines (up to £100,000) or even criminal charges for violating data protection laws." The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) holds the authority to enforce actions against homeowners who fail to comply. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Homeowners should consider the following advice to ensure their home security setup remains within legal boundaries and operates effectively: Understanding data protection laws If your security equipment captures images beyond your property's confines, such as neighbouring homes, gardens, communal areas, or public spaces, you must adhere to the Data Protection Act (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Failing to adhere to these legal requirements could result in enforcement measures and fines from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) or legal action from those impacted, reports the Manchester Evening News. Steps towards compliance. Carlos, a home security specialist, stressed the significance of proper signage. He explained: "It's increasingly common for homeowners to install surveillance systems for safety benefits. However, it's essential to follow guidelines to avoid unlawfully filming individuals. Secretly filming, even on private property, is illegal. "To avoid this, put up clear and visible signs at key entry points informing people that recording devices are in operation. This transparency deters crime and fulfils legal requirements." He also underlined the importance of respecting privacy, stating: "For those considering CCTV or smart camera installations, it's vital to inform neighbours and ensure signs are prominently displayed to notify individuals of the recording. "Remember, security shouldn't come at the expense of your neighbours' privacy. Inform them and anyone potentially captured on camera, especially if the camera's view extends beyond your property. This proactive approach not only fosters community awareness but also helps in safeguarding privacy and avoiding misunderstandings or complaints." Discussing the importance of proper storage, he remarked: "When managing recordings, make sure they have accurate timestamps for easy review and have sufficient storage capacity to retain footage as needed. These measures not only support legal compliance but also enhance the effectiveness of security systems in protecting homes and occupants." He further stressed the value of professional assistance in setting up security systems, stating: "When installing CCTV or smart cameras, consider engaging a specialist security firm. They can ensure that your system is set up in compliance with legal requirements, including proper signage and data protection protocols. "Expert installation not only mitigates legal risks but also optimises the effectiveness of your security measures, providing peace of mind during this summer season."
