Latest news with #Wormhole
Int'l Business Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Psy Develops First Trustless Bridge from Dogecoin to Solana
Hong Kong, China, May 22nd, 2025, Chainwire Solana users will be able to transact with Dogecoin securely, powered by Psy and Wormhole, tapping into a $36B asset and its vast community for DeFi, gaming & more. Psy (formerly QED Protocol) has developed a trustless bridge connecting Dogecoin to the Solana blockchain. This innovation brings proof-of-work security to Solana while making Dogecoin, the world's largest memecoin, available to Solana's ecosystem of dapps. This innovation allows Solana and Dogecoin to directly 'speak' to each other, with each blockchain able to independently verify the other's transactions and consensus without requiring trust in third parties. The bridge not only enhances security but also creates substantial ecosystem opportunities. Bringing Dogecoin's $36B+ market cap and massive community to Solana opens new possibilities for both networks. Dogecoin users gain access to Solana's DeFi, NFT, and gaming applications, while Solana developers can tap into Dogecoin's extensive user base. Unlike traditional bridges, which often rely on multisig signers or custodians, Psy's next-generation proof-of-work technology validates Dogecoin Proof of Work consensus directly on Solana. This trust-minimized approach helps address a major weakness in crypto infrastructure: bridge hacks, which have caused more than $2.8 billion in losses to date. This positions Psy as the leading proof-of-work innovator for Solana, bridging the security benefits of proof-of-work with Solana's speed and programmability. This integration demonstrates that new proof-of-work chains, like Psy's, can interact with high-performance blockchains without sacrificing security or requiring centralized intermediaries. This bridge continues Psy Protocol's mission to empower developers to build hyper-scalable web3 applications to host the next generation of the decentralized internet. The bridge supports standard Dogecoin wallets and exchange deposits. Quotes 'We have been working hard to find ways to better serve the Doge community, and now we get the chance to offer them even greater utility for their Dogecoin,' Carter Feldman, CEO of Psy Protocol, said. 'This demonstrates the promise of combining best-in-class security with user demand and an established developer base.' 'We're thrilled to announce the DOGE bridge to Solana, a big step in welcoming one of crypto's most iconic communities to the Solana ecosystem,' said Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation. 'DOGE, Bitcoin's beloved pet, embodies the fun, irreverent spirit that drives on-chain culture. By bridging DOGE into Solana's network, we're inviting the Dogecoin community—and all OG crypto enthusiasts—to join us in marrying on-chain culture and decentralized finance.' "Trustless verification has always been the holy grail of interoperability, but achieving it at scale has remained elusive,' said Robinson Burkey, co-founder of Wormhole. 'Seeing Psy and Wormhole come together to build this around an asset like DOGE captures the true cyberpunk spirit of crypto. We're excited to help bring a $36B asset to Solana—soon to be powered by Wormhole." How the Bridge Works The bridge captures and verifies each Dogecoin block header on Solana. Block headers contain essential blockchain data, including the previous block hash, timestamp, difficulty target, the Merkle root of all transactions in the block, and the Proof of Work consensus algorithm. By verifying these headers directly on Solana, the system cryptographically confirms the validity of Dogecoin transactions without intermediaries. When users send DOGE to the bridge, the system verifies the deposit on the Dogecoin blockchain and mints an equivalent amount of QDOGE tokens on Solana. To convert back, QDOGE tokens are burned on Solana, with withdrawal messages securely transmitted through Wormhole's cross-chain messaging protocol, triggering the release of the original DOGE to the user's Dogecoin address. To enable this bridge, Psy has created a suite of infrastructure for developers: txindex: a fully-featured indexer for Dogecoin with effortless handling of forking behavior electrs-doge: the first open-source block explorer for Dogecoin doge-sdk: the first JavaScript SDK for Dogecoin forkr: an easy-to-use tool for simulating forks/re-orgs on Bitcoin and Dogecoin. About Psy Protocol Psy is the leading innovator in next-generation proof-of-work technology, on a mission to restore the security and decentralization principles of blockchain while enabling modern scalability. Psy is bridging the utility gap between Proof of Work and Proof of Stake chains, empowering developers to build hyper-scalable web3 applications, to provide a credible alternative to a centralized internet controlled by a handful of tech monopolies. Contact Mr Josh Adams Serotonin josh@
CNA
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Slideshow and tell: Why PowerPoint parties are addictively fun – and here to stay
It's the end of the year. I haven't seen my friends in ages, and we're finally planning a gathering after rescheduling for the fifteenth time, thanks to our busy and unpredictable lives as Functioning Adults in Society. We're not quite sure what to do, but someone throws out the best suggestion: a PowerPoint party. While versions of PowerPoint parties have been floating around since the mid-2010s, particularly in the United States, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when most of us were stuck indoors and forced to get creative in how we socialised, that the idea took off. Being the social creatures we are, we adapted. We figured out new ways to play and connect. There were a lot of online games like Skribbl, Kahoot, Pictionary, Hangman, and even a digital version of the adult party game Cards Against Humanity. And then there was the PowerPoint party – because all you really need is a computer and a bit of creativity. What's remarkable, though, is how PowerPoint parties have endured, five years since the pandemic started. In 2025, PowerPoint parties are still going strong, often as the main event or at least a key component of any friend reunion, especially if you haven't seen each other in a while. I, for one, am a big fan of the format and have attended – and presented at – a few myself. Even brands and bookstores are getting in on the fun. Take Wormhole, a local online bookstore, or the random individuals who organise PowerPoint parties for strangers. You just sign up, either as a presenter or participant, and show up at a venue to revel in the communal joy of it all. Wormhole ran their first PowerPoint party in 2023, and people loved it so much they brought it back in 2024. In the first half of 2025 alone, they've hosted two parties, each with over 70 attendees and about 10 presenters. The fact that all the tickets sold out within minutes of being released tells you everything you need to know: we're all just looking for a good time, and the PowerPoint party, as a lot of Gen Z folks would say, is delivering. HOW POWERPOINT PARTIES WORK All you need are two things: A computer and enough creativity. Bonus items: a screen large enough to hold your larger-than-life ideas, and a willing, participatory audience that'll cheer you on (even when you start second-guessing your entire existence mid-slide). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wormhole 🐛 (@wormholesg) For friend gatherings, there's an unwritten rule: everyone in the group must present. This rule gets a little more relaxed at stranger parties or in larger groups, like the ones at Wormhole's parties. Planning my own PowerPoint party with five friends (myself included) was easy. A little coercion here and there was needed at first, but everyone got into the zone of presenting fairly quickly. We all had something we wanted to talk about, whether it was a straightforward topic like 'Three Things You Don't Know About My Childhood' or a bit more adventurous, like 'Who Among Us Would Survive The Hunger Games'. The key is to participate. And in 2025, when everyone's still trying to find meaningful (or at least mildly entertaining) ways to connect, participation – or even just the willingness to participate – is all the social capital you need to bond with someone you barely knew five minutes ago. WHAT'S TO LOVE ABOUT POWERPOINT PARTIES But why are PowerPoint parties even a thing in the first place? As an extrovert who feeds off the energy of those around me and lives for meaningful interactions, the first and most obvious reason is that they're just really socially engaging and fun. But even if you're not an extrovert, even if you're not the funniest person in your friend group (listen, I've been there), you can still thrive at a PowerPoint party. Remember how I said the most important ingredient is just the willingness and desire to participate? I meant it. You don't have to be incredibly funny, witty, ridiculously charismatic, or beautiful (though, of course, when has that ever hurt?). You just need to want to do it. And if you're with the right people – none of that toxic group energy here – everyone will give you their full attention and join in the fun. At the party I hosted, one of my close introverted friends, who usually refuses to elaborate on anything in a group setting larger than two people (yes, really), was the one who ended up giving a whole presentation on what would happen if our friend group were thrown into The Hunger Games. She inadvertently roasted and lifted each of us in the same breath. It was glorious. These parties are also wildly versatile. There's no end to the types of topics you can present. Most friend groups use them as a way to catch up after not seeing each other in ages, which is why you'll often find presentations about love lives (or lack thereof), career updates, and other life milestones. But if that's not your vibe, no worries. Your topic can be anything. Like which Singapore neighbourhoods are the most overrated and why is it always somewhere in the East, which Mediacorp show deserves a rerun, or how to survive Singapore's erratic weather without aircon. It's all about presenting on whatever you think is fun, weird, or important, even if it's only important to you. So if, say, you've got a 'Roman Empire' that's been living rent-free in your head, or you've fallen down a hyper-specific internet rabbit hole and want to scream about it to anyone who'd listen, this is your moment. One of my friends once spent five uninterrupted minutes passionately ranking Wingstop flavours – a hill she's still very willing to die on. These parties are also a great way to break the ice, especially among strangers. In the Wormhole PowerPoint party, a few people who had lived in Australia for a while ended up becoming friends after sitting through a presentation on the differences between Singaporean and Australian small talk. Sometimes, all it takes is the person next to you yelling or laughing too hard at a hilarious slide for you to strike up a conversation, and suddenly, you're friends. That's the beauty of these parties and other in-person gatherings fuelled by hobbies, like game nights, running clubs and book clubs. The charm of these programmes is found in the unexpected way you make friends, bonded by an activity all of you genuinely enjoy and possibly find new ones together. The best part? It's comically easy to pull off. You don't even have to prepare much. Take it from me and my friends, who spent about 15 minutes of our gathering in our respective corners rushing to create five-minute presentations on topics ranging from 'How I Got Into Running as Therapy' to 'Cars That Look Objectively Cool and Why.' It's meant to be low-stress and high-fun. You know how your taking the time to create PowerPoint decks for work slowly drains the soul out of your body and how every slide can feel like a mini existential crisis because it's just so stressful (even if you must do it, and you still do)? PowerPoint parties flip that script. They subvert the dreaded format we usually associate with corporate life and turn it into something joyful and silly. They're light-hearted, a little chaotic, and a brilliant means to lovingly laugh at ourselves, at our lives, and at each other. To the uninitiated or an onlooker, it may seem extremely strange that people who want to gather and relax together would spend anywhere between 15 minutes to even an hour preparing for a PowerPoint party, choosing deck designs, crafting content, maybe even rehearsing. After all, it's still a presentation, and presentations usually mean effort. And yes, though I'm a huge fan, I can see PowerPoint parties may not be for everyone. If you're feeling socially burnt out or just want a night of passive, camera-off Zoom lurking, the pressure to be 'on' for a PowerPoint party might feel like a bit too much. Not everyone loves public speaking, even in a low-stakes setting, and if the group dynamic isn't warm or supportive, it can veer into awkward territory. It's also easy for louder personalities to dominate, which is why the best parties are the ones where everyone gets a chance to shine, even the quiet ones. When done right, they're a joy and can even be weirdly therapeutic. They lie in that sweet spot between nostalgia (who else remembers school presentations like Show and Tell?) and novelty (you're finally presenting on something you actually like). So if you're having a gathering soon, whether it's for an upcoming festivity (it's okay that Hari Raya's almost over), a discussion on (ahem) politics, or a long overdue get-together between friends, this is your sign to try out a PowerPoint party. Instead of presenting on KPIs or your company's quarterly growth, you can talk about something that actually lights you up – whether it's favourite ghost stories that haunt our local beaches, niche Singapore reddit drama, or your very specific beef with the MRT's Circle Line. Of course, if quarterly growth is your Roman Empire, by all means, present on that too. Trust me, there will likely be someone in the room who'll find it fascinating.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Savannah Sips: The Wormhole Neighborhood Pub & Music Venue
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Authenticity, grunge and friendly folk are what make Wormhole a hotspot for young Savannahians, along with live rock music. Lesley Smits-Burnett, bartender for Wormhole, added that spontaneity also gives the pub, located on 2307 Bull Street near Starland Yard, its charm. '[Wormhole is] a little hole in the wall dive bar that if you don't know what it is, you're not going to know until you open the door,' Smits-Burnett said. 'And they're going to see things that just remind you of home and you're going to meet the absolute most people in the world.' As for the drink of choice? Nothing is more sacred at Wormhole than a Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) with a shot of Jameson. The bar has even won several awards for how much PBR they've sold. There are a few specialty drinks, like the 'Beetlejuice', which Smits-Burnett described as a 'take on a blackberry Sprite.' Decked out in dark, space-themed decor, what makes Wormhole fit into the Savannah nightlife scene is the live music. It is also what keeps customers, now trending much younger, coming back. 'Every Monday night we have open mic night, which is the longest running open mic in the city,' said Smits-Burnett. Artists that travel all over town specifically come on Monday nights so they can rehearse. Each Friday and Saturday night, Wormhole has some kind of music, either a concert or a local band. 'I will say I like where our location is,' Smits-Burnett said. 'I feel like we're the only thing in this area. That's exactly what we are. We are a dive bar. We are not pretentious. We don't try and be something we're not. We are just Wormhole.' For those with a taste of something off-the-wall and bold, Wormhole Neighborhood Pub & Music Venue is the spot for you. To learn more about this Savannah treasure, click here. Tip from the interviewer: A tall PBR has never tasted better under the purple lights at Wormhole! Especially with Pearl Jam serenading every sip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Factbox-Crypto's biggest hacks and heists after $1.5 billion theft from Bybit
LONDON (Reuters) - Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit said last week hackers had stolen digital tokens worth around $1.5 billion, in what researchers called the biggest crypto heist of all time. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou said the crypto was taken from a "cold wallet" - a digital wallet usually stored offline and so supposedly more secure - that was used for ether tokens. Blockchain research firm Elliptic said the hack was more than double the last-biggest crypto heist and "is almost certainly the single largest known theft of any kind in all time." See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The crypto industry has suffered a series of thefts, prompting questions about the security of customer funds, with hacking hauls totalling more than $2 billion in 2024 - the fourth straight year where proceeds have topped more than $1 billion. Here are some of the other major thefts to have plagued the industry since bitcoin was born in 2008. POLY NETWORK Hackers stole around $610 million in August 2021 from Poly Network, a platform that facilitates peer-to-peer token transactions. The hackers behind the heist later returned nearly all of the stolen funds. The hack underscored vulnerabilities in the burgeoning decentralised finance - DeFi - sector, where users lend, borrow and save in digital tokens, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers of finance such as banks and exchanges. RONIN NETWORK Hackers stole cryptocurrency worth - at the time of the hack - around $540 million from a blockchain project linked to the popular online game Axie Infinity in March 2022. Ronin, a network that allows the transfer of crypto coins across different blockchains, said that hackers stole some 173,600 ether tokens and 25.5 million USD Coin tokens. COINCHECK In January 2018, hackers stole cryptocurrency then worth around $530 million from Tokyo-based exchange Coincheck. The thieves attacked one of Coincheck's "hot wallet" - a digital folder stored online - to drain the funds, drawing attention to security at exchanges. South Korea's intelligence agency said at the time that a North Korean hacking group may have been behind the heist. MT. GOX In one of the earliest and most-high profile crypto hacks, bitcoin worth close to $500 million dollars was stolen from the exchange in Tokyo - then the world's biggest - between 2011 and 2014. which once handled 80% of the world's bitcoin trade, filed for bankruptcy in early 2014 after the hack was revealed, with some 24,000 customers losing access to their funds. WORMHOLE DeFi site Wormhole was hit by a $320 million heist last month, with the hackers making off with 120,000 digital tokens connected to the second-largest cryptocurrency, ether. The crypto arm of Chicago-based Jump Trading, which had the year before acquired the developer behind Wormhole, later replaced the funds "to make community members whole and support Wormhole now as it continues to develop."
Reuters
24-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Crypto's biggest hacks and heists after $1.5 billion theft from Bybit
LONDON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit said last week hackers had stolen digital tokens worth around $1.5 billion, in what researchers called the biggest crypto heist of all time. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou said the crypto was taken from a "cold wallet" - a digital wallet usually stored offline and so supposedly more secure - that was used for ether tokens. Blockchain research firm Elliptic said the hack was more than double the last-biggest crypto heist and "is almost certainly the single largest known theft of any kind in all time." The crypto industry has suffered a series of thefts, prompting questions about the security of customer funds, with hacking hauls totalling more than $2 billion in 2024 - the fourth straight year where proceeds have topped more than $1 billion. Here are some of the other major thefts to have plagued the industry since bitcoin was born in 2008. Hackers stole around $610 million in August 2021 from Poly Network, a platform that facilitates peer-to-peer token transactions. The hackers behind the heist later returned nearly all of the stolen funds. The hack underscored vulnerabilities in the burgeoning decentralised finance - DeFi - sector, where users lend, borrow and save in digital tokens, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers of finance such as banks and exchanges. Hackers stole cryptocurrency worth - at the time of the hack - around $540 million from a blockchain project linked to the popular online game Axie Infinity in March 2022. Ronin, a network that allows the transfer of crypto coins across different blockchains, said that hackers stole some 173,600 ether tokens and 25.5 million USD Coin tokens. In January 2018, hackers stole cryptocurrency then worth around $530 million from Tokyo-based exchange Coincheck. The thieves attacked one of Coincheck's "hot wallet" - a digital folder stored online - to drain the funds, drawing attention to security at exchanges. South Korea's intelligence agency said at the time that a North Korean hacking group may have been behind the heist. In one of the earliest and most-high profile crypto hacks, bitcoin worth close to $500 million dollars was stolen from the exchange in Tokyo - then the world's biggest - between 2011 and 2014. which once handled 80% of the world's bitcoin trade, filed for bankruptcy in early 2014 after the hack was revealed, with some 24,000 customers losing access to their funds. DeFi site Wormhole was hit by a $320 million heist last month, with the hackers making off with 120,000 digital tokens connected to the second-largest cryptocurrency, ether. The crypto arm of Chicago-based Jump Trading, which had the year before acquired the developer behind Wormhole, later replaced the funds "to make community members whole and support Wormhole now as it continues to develop."
