Latest news with #WBTC
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The End of Bitcoin Maximalism
The launch of Bitcoin in 2009 created a resilient and decentralized monetary asset. Early adherents rallied around it as a singular innovation — immutable, fixed-supply, and leaderless. Over time, this coalesced into a belief system: Bitcoin maximalism. The argument was simple. Bitcoin came first. It had the most Proof-of-Work security. The most conservative monetary policy. All other assets were distractions or regressions. But that framing increasingly diverges from how Bitcoin is now being applied in practice. Today, the crypto ecosystem is no longer a collection of isolated silos or, at least, it needn't be. Interoperability is the backbone of Web3. The same technologies that maximalists once dismissed, like wrapped bitcoin and cross-chain bridges, are now exposing the limitations of that worldview. While these technologies are far from perfect, they prove that users want more than ideological purity; they want utility and functionality. This evolution is particularly significant for Bitcoin, which has historically been limited by its transaction speeds and a lack of smart contract functionality. The watershed moment came with the emergence and explosive growth of DeFi, offering yield farming, lending, and trading opportunities that Bitcoin — at least in its native form — couldn't directly participate in (most early DeFi activity was concentrated on Ethereum). To bridge this gap, solutions like wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) were conceived and launched, tokenizing BTC for use on Ethereum and other chains. While this was a step forward, wrapped tokens came with associated risks, such as centralized custodians, potential security vulnerabilities and an overall departure from Bitcoin's trustless ethos. New systems, including trust-minimized tunneling and Bitcoin-anchored consensus proofs, are enabling BTC to be integrated into smart contract environments without compromising its core properties. These architectures avoid the need for wrapping. Instead, they treat Bitcoin as a foundational, external settlement layer that can interact directly with the rest of the blockchain ecosystem — through tunneling and specialized Bitcoin-aware virtual machines. The result is simple: Bitcoin is no longer isolated. And it no longer needs to be. Bitcoin maximalism asserts that BTC alone is sufficient. But the infrastructure now being deployed across the ecosystem proves otherwise. BTC is being used in DeFi. BTC is supporting NFT standards. BTC is moving across chains. And it is doing so without compromising its consensus layer or monetary properties. The future of crypto belongs to collaboration, not isolation. Blockchain infrastructure will be shaped by interoperability and modular design. Bitcoin need not compete for dominance in such an ecosystem; rather, it can complement and secure a broader multi-chain ecosystem. As developers build bridges between chains rather than walls, they prove that Bitcoin can coexist with other networks, enhancing its utility instead of competing for dominance. In this environment, the maximalist mentality of 'one coin to rule them all' already feels out of touch. Regular crypto users want flexibility and different options to stake, lend, or trade their assets across multiple platforms, which interoperability enables — unlike Bitcoin maximalism that restricts all out-of-the-box use cases. As multi-chain ecosystems mature, users are increasingly drawn to infrastructure that supports cross-chain utility, including secure integrations of BTC. Finally, Bitcoin maximalism has always been rooted mostly in ideology — but the crypto industry is driven by innovation, and new technologies are proving that BTC can evolve without losing its importance or advantages. This way, maximalists risk being left behind if they dismiss these advancements as mere 'distractions.' Bitcoin continues to serve as the most secure and censorship-resistant settlement network in the world. That is not changing. What is changing is the environment around it. Decentralized systems are growing more interoperable. The expectation that networks will remain isolated is no longer viable. BTC is becoming a core layer in a multi-chain stack, and more integrated into systems it once stood apart from. Where once Bitcoin maximalism offered clarity during crypto's early phases of growth, the ecosystem has evolved. Today, Bitcoin can serve as a cornerstone in a broader system emphasizing security, interconnectivity, and composability. As this trend continues to gain momentum, Bitcoin maximalism may fade because the idea that one coin must dominate all others ignores the power of collaboration and innovation. Interoperability isn't a threat to Bitcoin — it's a catalyst for growth. The future of crypto isn't about choosing a single winner but rather about building a decentralized world where every chain, including Bitcoin, plays a vital role. The decentralized future will rely on systems that are secure, interoperable, and modular. Bitcoin's role as a resilient base layer ensures that it will persist as an integral component of that future, not as the only chain, but a fundamental cornerstone among others.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The End of Bitcoin Maximalism
The launch of Bitcoin in 2009 created a resilient and decentralized monetary asset. Early adherents rallied around it as a singular innovation — immutable, fixed-supply, and leaderless. Over time, this coalesced into a belief system: Bitcoin maximalism. The argument was simple. Bitcoin came first. It had the most Proof-of-Work security. The most conservative monetary policy. All other assets were distractions or regressions. But that framing increasingly diverges from how Bitcoin is now being applied in practice. Today, the crypto ecosystem is no longer a collection of isolated silos or, at least, it needn't be. Interoperability is the backbone of Web3. The same technologies that maximalists once dismissed, like wrapped bitcoin and cross-chain bridges, are now exposing the limitations of that worldview. While these technologies are far from perfect, they prove that users want more than ideological purity; they want utility and functionality. This evolution is particularly significant for Bitcoin, which has historically been limited by its transaction speeds and a lack of smart contract functionality. The watershed moment came with the emergence and explosive growth of DeFi, offering yield farming, lending, and trading opportunities that Bitcoin — at least in its native form — couldn't directly participate in (most early DeFi activity was concentrated on Ethereum). To bridge this gap, solutions like wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) were conceived and launched, tokenizing BTC for use on Ethereum and other chains. While this was a step forward, wrapped tokens came with associated risks, such as centralized custodians, potential security vulnerabilities and an overall departure from Bitcoin's trustless ethos. New systems, including trust-minimized tunneling and Bitcoin-anchored consensus proofs, are enabling BTC to be integrated into smart contract environments without compromising its core properties. These architectures avoid the need for wrapping. Instead, they treat Bitcoin as a foundational, external settlement layer that can interact directly with the rest of the blockchain ecosystem — through tunneling and specialized Bitcoin-aware virtual machines. The result is simple: Bitcoin is no longer isolated. And it no longer needs to be. Bitcoin maximalism asserts that BTC alone is sufficient. But the infrastructure now being deployed across the ecosystem proves otherwise. BTC is being used in DeFi. BTC is supporting NFT standards. BTC is moving across chains. And it is doing so without compromising its consensus layer or monetary properties. The future of crypto belongs to collaboration, not isolation. Blockchain infrastructure will be shaped by interoperability and modular design. Bitcoin need not compete for dominance in such an ecosystem; rather, it can complement and secure a broader multi-chain ecosystem. As developers build bridges between chains rather than walls, they prove that Bitcoin can coexist with other networks, enhancing its utility instead of competing for dominance. In this environment, the maximalist mentality of 'one coin to rule them all' already feels out of touch. Regular crypto users want flexibility and different options to stake, lend, or trade their assets across multiple platforms, which interoperability enables — unlike Bitcoin maximalism that restricts all out-of-the-box use cases. As multi-chain ecosystems mature, users are increasingly drawn to infrastructure that supports cross-chain utility, including secure integrations of BTC. Finally, Bitcoin maximalism has always been rooted mostly in ideology — but the crypto industry is driven by innovation, and new technologies are proving that BTC can evolve without losing its importance or advantages. This way, maximalists risk being left behind if they dismiss these advancements as mere 'distractions.' Bitcoin continues to serve as the most secure and censorship-resistant settlement network in the world. That is not changing. What is changing is the environment around it. Decentralized systems are growing more interoperable. The expectation that networks will remain isolated is no longer viable. BTC is becoming a core layer in a multi-chain stack, and more integrated into systems it once stood apart from. Where once Bitcoin maximalism offered clarity during crypto's early phases of growth, the ecosystem has evolved. Today, Bitcoin can serve as a cornerstone in a broader system emphasizing security, interconnectivity, and composability. As this trend continues to gain momentum, Bitcoin maximalism may fade because the idea that one coin must dominate all others ignores the power of collaboration and innovation. Interoperability isn't a threat to Bitcoin — it's a catalyst for growth. The future of crypto isn't about choosing a single winner but rather about building a decentralized world where every chain, including Bitcoin, plays a vital role. The decentralized future will rely on systems that are secure, interoperable, and modular. Bitcoin's role as a resilient base layer ensures that it will persist as an integral component of that future, not as the only chain, but a fundamental cornerstone among others. Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
New temple impact: Digha Rath train WL crosses 100
Kolkata: While Rath Yatra, scheduled on June 27, is still three weeks away, bus and train bookings to Digha, where the occasion will be celebrated for the first time at the Jagannatham Dham complex, are almost full. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The popular Tamralipta Express has a waitlist of over 100. The waitlist begins as early as June 24, with the non-AC bogies seeing a waitlist of 91 and the AC chair car at 20. On June 27, the waitlist stands at 117 and 67, respectively. The chair car tickets for Kandari Express, which leaves Howrah in the afternoon and reaches Digha in the evening, are waitlisted at 15 and 19 on June 26 and 27. Railway officials advise passengers to keep checking for tickets as cancellations might open up seats. "We're monitoring the situation closely and will take necessary steps to accommodate the rush," said a senior Railways official. "I've been trying to book tickets on Tamralipta Express for three days now. Everything seems full," said Shankha Banerjee, a Bhowanipore resident who plans to attend the Rath Yatra at the new temple with his family. "We might have to drive down now, though we are worried about parking and traffic arrangements." For many, this is a unique opportunity. "Witnessing the first Rath Yatra at Digha's new temple complex is special. That's why we booked tickets a month in advance," said Ashok Dutta, a retired government employee from Jadavpur. The pre-bookings have started even on buses to Digha, a rare development given such rush is witnessed only on the Kolkata-Siliguri route but rarely for Digha. There are eight operators, including government ones run by NBSTC and WBTC, and there are queries on apps and even the Esplanade and Howrah terminuses. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Though actual bookings are not as high as trains, queries for reaching Digha on the morning of Rath Yatra and leaving in the evening are coming. We are telling them that we will firm up the plans once the traffic measures are announced as chief minister Mamata Banerjee will be present in Digha on that day," said a private operator that runs four daily services to Digha, including a night service. The state transport department is planning to deploy additional buses. "We are looking at running extra buses from Kolkata to Digha on June 26 and 27 based on the demand," said a WBTC official. "We've never seen such advance bookings for Digha," said Santosh Dutta, who operates bus services. "Usually, people book 2-3 days in advance. But this time, we're getting calls weeks ahead."
Cision Canada
29-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
HTX DAO and HTX Ventures at Bitcoin 2025: Empowering the Global Rise of the Bitcoin Ecosystem
SINGAPORE, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ -- HTX DAO and HTX Ventures, two integral forces within the HTX ecosystem, proudly participated in Bitcoin 2025, the world's premier Bitcoin summit held in Las Vegas. Engaging with global crypto leaders, they actively explored the future of Bitcoin and the broader digital asset industry—while supporting innovation and accelerating transformation across the decentralized ecosystem. Justin Sun, Advisor to HTX and Founder of TRON, joined a high-profile panel discussion during the event, where he shared invaluable insights on Bitcoin's evolution, WBTC's critical role in smart contract integration, and how U.S. policy signals are shaping worldwide adoption. "One of the biggest lessons I've learned since entering crypto in 2012 is: never bet against Bitcoin," said Sun. "We've already seen Bitcoin surpass $110,000, and I firmly believe that as long as we keep building, Bitcoin will continue to hit new highs." Reflecting on his recent engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump, Sun emphasized the significance of political support for the industry, "President Trump's backing is monumental. Without his support, Bitcoin wouldn't have broken $100,000. The U.S. plays a leading role in global financial regulation—once it sets a clear crypto policy, other countries will follow. This will speed up global Bitcoin adoption and bring more people into the crypto space." Sun also spoke in depth about Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) as a gateway for unlocking Bitcoin's potential in the smart contract world, "WBTC enables Bitcoin holders to interact with DeFi, earn yield, and use BTC as collateral across Ethereum, TRON, Solana and more. It transforms Bitcoin into a programmable asset. With proof-of-reserve, on-chain transparency, and cold storage security, WBTC is both safe and powerful." Looking ahead, Sun forecasted that traditional financial products will inevitably migrate onto the blockchain, creating new opportunities for yield and arbitrage, "WBTC is just the first step. In the future, all financial products—stocks, bonds, stablecoins—will be brought on-chain. Transparency and decentralization will define the next generation of global finance." Immersive Community Experience by HTX DAO and HTX Ventures During the event, HTX DAO and HTX Ventures unveiled a life-size replica of Justin Sun's iconic space capsule, inviting attendees to participate in an immersive and shareable experience. Visitors were encouraged to follow @HTX_DAO and @Ventures_HTX on X (formerly Twitter), and post creative selfies using the hashtag #HTXDAOLasVegas. Winners received up to 100 USDT in crypto rewards. The activation quickly became a highlight of the event. Notably, Bitcoin 2025 gathered an impressive lineup of high-profile speakers, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, White House advisor on AI and crypto David Sacks, MicroStrategy Co-Founder Michael Saylor, and BitMEX Co-Founder Arthur Hayes. Throughout the conference, these leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on Bitcoin ecosystem development, regulatory policy, technological innovation, and global adoption—providing valuable direction for the industry's future. Continuing the Mission to Empower Web3 Through thought leadership and creative engagement, HTX DAO and HTX Ventures demonstrated their ongoing commitment to building a smarter, more accessible Bitcoin ecosystem. About HTX DAO As a multi-chain deployed decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), HTX DAO demonstrates an innovative governance approach. Unlike traditional corporate structures, it adopts a decentralized governance structure composed of a diversified group, jointly committed to the success of this organization. This unique ecosystem advocates openness and encourages all DAO participants to propose ideas that can promote the development of HTX DAO. About HTX Ventures HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With more than a decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice. HTX Ventures currently backs over 300 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most active FOF (Fund of Funds) funds, HTX Ventures invests in 30 top global funds and collaborates with leading blockchain funds such as Polychain, Dragonfly, Bankless, Gitcoin, Figment, Nomad, Animoca, and Hack VC to jointly build a blockchain ecosystem. Visit us here.
Business Mayor
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
AAVE whale's $15 mln buy points to recovery – Can it hold $270?
A whale re-entered the market, buying $15M in AAVE after selling 184.4 WBTC via Wintermute OTC. Exchange data revealed three consecutive days of negative Netflow, indicating strong buying pressure across the board. After rallying to a local high of $270, Aave [AAVE] faced strong rejection and retraced. The altcoin dropped to a low of $239. For some investors, however, the pullback opened a window of opportunity—bringing both retail and whales back into the fold. For starters, according to on-chain analyst Ember, a whale that offloaded 184.4 WBTC worth $20.4 million through Wintermute OTC the previous day has returned to the market. In the past 24 hours, the whale accumulated $15 million worth of AAVE via Wintermute, acquiring 57,715 tokens at an average price of $259.9. The whale has been holding AAVE for the past two years, with a total spend of $30.8 million to acquire these tokens. Currently, this whale sits in a floating profit of $26.32 million. Source: IntoTheBlock Besides this whale activity, AAVE whales are highly active in the market with a higher Large Holders Capital Inflows. A higher inflow from whales indicates increased accumulation. After dropping to 89k, whale capital inflow rose to 224.87k in the past day, suggesting that whales are increasingly buying the altcoin. Source: IntoTheBlock Furthermore, large holders' Netflow remained positive. Over the past day, Netflow from whales has surged from 1.4k to 26.86k. A positive netflow suggests that whales are buying more than they are selling, having offloaded 198k AAVE tokens over this period. Source: CryptoQuant Additionally, this buying spree is not only isolated among whales but across all market participants. Read More OKX Approved: A Win For Singapore's Crypto Ambitions? On the exchange level, AAVE has registered three straight days of negative Netflow, implying more withdrawals than deposits. When this trend persists for a sustained period, it reflects strong bullish sentiments among investors. Price reaction and outlook As expected, increased accumulation has positively impacted the altcoin's price movement. In fact, the token climbed to a daily high of $262 before settling around $260, marking a 1.73% 24-hour gain. With the altcoin showing signs of recovery from its recent decline, it suggested that increased accumulation can push prices higher. Therefore, if the market sentiment is witnessed over the past day, we could see the altcoin make more gains. With buyers holding the ground, AAVE will reclaim $270 where it has faced rejection and attempt $284 resistance. Subsequently, if buyers retake the market, the altcoin could drop to $231 support.
