Latest news with #transactions
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Total value of real estate transactions reach $296mln
Doha, Qatar: The total value of real estate transactions recorded in sale contracts with the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice during the period from May 25 to May 29 amounted to QR948,988,281, while the total value of sale contracts for residential units, according to the real estate bulletin for the same period, reached QR132,983,443. According to the weekly bulletin issued by the department, the list of properties traded included vacant plots of land, houses, residential buildings, commercial shops, a residential compound, a residential tower, a petrol station, and residential units. The sales transactions were concentrated in the municipalities of Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Daayen, Al Wakrah, Umm Salal, Al Khor, and Al Thakhira, as well as in the areas of The Pearl Island, Lusail 69, Leqtaifiya, Umm Al Amad, and Ghar Thaileb. In comparison, the total value of real estate transactions recorded during the period from May 18 to May 22 had exceeded QR1bn © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Geek Vibes Nation
a day ago
- Business
- Geek Vibes Nation
Advancements In Bitcoin's Lightning Network
Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash If you think Bitcoin is just a slow old coin sitting pretty at the top, well, it is. But let's not get into how many transactions Bitcoin manages per second (around 7 per second; we couldn't help ourselves). But with the Lightning Network, think again. They've already processed over 100 million transactions in Q1 2025, increasing 28% from Q4 2024. A lot of crypto experts are attributing the lightning speeds (hence the name of the network) to the current Bitcoin price live , sitting at $109,219 at the time of writing. The Lightning Network proves that Bitcoin can move fast, scale better, and power up. This isn't just some off-chain experiment. It's a full-on upgrade that's been quietly growing into something that could change everything. If you've been wondering how Bitcoin plans to handle more users, faster transactions, and lower fees, all while staying decentralized, then read on to learn about the Lightning Network. The Lightning Network is where it's happening. Advancements in Bitcoin's Lightning Network Back in the early days, Bitcoin was cool but clunky. Everyone loved to hate it. It's the OG coin, but it ran so slow, it was initially expensive (and still sort of is compared to other networks), and as cryptocurrency grew and new ledgers formed, Bitcoin became plum last for slow speeds. The whole world wanted to use it, but the poor network just couldn't keep up. Slow speeds. High fees. Long waits. That's where the Lightning Network came in. It's a second-layer solution built on top of Bitcoin . Think of it as the fast lane. It lets users set up payment channels that don't require every transaction to hit the main chain. Instead, you zip your payments through these channels and settle up later. Simple. Developed in 2016 by Joseph Poon and Thaddeus Dryja, the Lightning Network is all about efficiency. And it's working. In September 2024, it had a capacity of 5,382 BTC across thousands of active channels, a big increase from the year before. And we gave you the numbers in the introduction, and the numbers never lie. The network isn't perfect. There's still the risk of fraud, hacks, and congested nodes. But the point is this: it's improving. And if Bitcoin wants to scale for the future, Lightning might be the power-up it needs. Bitcoin's Lightning Network: The Recent Updates Let's talk numbers (again). Since 2020, Lightning's capacity has surged 384%. That's not some fluke; that's institutional money, infrastructure upgrades, and a lot of bullish momentum. According to Fidelity Digital Assets, we're only seeing half the picture. Many Lightning channels are private, meaning actual network capacity could be nearly double what's reported. Public channels will hit over $500 million by January 2025. Add in the stealth activity, and you're looking at serious liquidity. And more institutions are watching. As routing fees drop and reliability climbs, they're starting to dip their toes in. With the right node setup, transaction fees can be as low as 0.04%. Then there's the speed. Payments under one million sats (roughly $1,000) settle in under a second. Bigger ones take around 7 seconds. Compare that to the legacy financial system, and it's a joke. Compare it to Bitcoin's original layer system, and it's still a joke. Lightning's upgrades aren't just about speed and fees. It's about scale. As Bitcoin's price goes up, so does Lightning's value. How the Network Benefits Users If you've ever waited an hour for a Bitcoin transaction to clear, the Lightning Network is basically your redemption arc. First off, it's fast. Really fast. We've already mentioned that. Instant transactions under a second are now common for small payments. That means you could buy a coffee with BTC and not be the weirdo holding up the queue. Then there's the fee structure. It's dramatically cheaper than on-chain Bitcoin transactions. Think fractions of a cent. That's what happens when you don't need to clog the main chain with every transaction. It's also more scalable. By moving thousands of tiny payments off-chain, the Lightning Network clears up space and makes Bitcoin more efficient. The network's overall reliability is now approaching the 95% mark, and with things like watchtowers and retries, we're getting closer to that mythical 100% success rate. Still, there's room for improvement. Channel management can be complex, and the Bitcoin difficulty rating was at 119.12 at the time of writing, up from 83.15 12 months ago. Inbound liquidity is still a pain. But the upside is huge. With the right setup, users can send and receive Bitcoin with near-zero friction, and that's game-changing. Getting the Most Out of the Bitcoin Network Bitcoin isn't valuable because it's shiny or rare. It's valuable because it has the strongest, most widely connected network in the digital asset space. The more people use it, the more useful it becomes. The Lightning Network amplifies that. Every new node, every payment channel, and every successful transaction make the whole system stronger. It's like compound interest for infrastructure. This is what separates Bitcoin from the rest. It's not just a coin—it's a protocol. A settlement layer. A foundation. The upgrades happening off-chain aren't side projects; they're part of the core vision. Bitcoin's community is building something that doesn't just work—it lasts. Bitcoin's Lightning Network isn't just about sending coins faster—it's about building a future. It's already faster. It's already cheaper. And now it's attracting institutions and developers who want to push it further. The Lightning Network is a glimpse into Bitcoin's next era. Caroline is doing her graduation in IT from the University of South California but keens to work as a freelance blogger. She loves to write on the latest information about IoT, technology, and business. She has innovative ideas and shares her experience with her readers.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai real estate market shatters records with historic AED 66.8bln of transactions in May 2025, Property Finder reveals
Primary ready sales reached AED17.9 billion, a 314% increase in value over last year, across 2,400 transactions, clocking up 145% growth. Secondary ready sales also reached a new peak, with 6,078 transactions worth AED24 bn, representing 8% growth in volume and 21% year-over-year growth in value, underscoring strong and sustained demand in the resale market. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Property Finder, the leading property portal in the MENA region, has released its market performance highlights for May 2025, highlighting yet another month of record-breaking activity. Dubai's real estate market witnessed AED66.8 billion in sales transactions across 18,700 deals last month, Property Finder's proprietary data historic achievement represents a staggering 44% year-over-year surge in transaction value and a solid 6% increase in volume, signalling robust market confidence and sustained investor appetite for Dubai properties. The performance was driven by strong growth in ready transactions, for both primary and secondary segments. Primary ready sales more than quadrupled compared to May 2024, reaching AED17.9 billion. This represented a 314% increase in value across 2,400 transactions and a 145% growth. Secondary ready sales also reached a new peak, with 6,078 transactions worth AED24 billion, representing 8% and 21% year-over-year growth in volume and value, respectively, underscoring strong and sustained demand in the resale market. Primary market continues its dominance: Overall, primary ready and off-plan sales skyrocketed, rising by 65% year-over-year to reach AED 37 billion in May 2025. Secondary market shows resilience: Overall, the secondary sales market set a new record in May 2025, with AED 29 billion in transaction value and 8,471 transactions, up 23% and 15% year-over-year, respectively. Strategic investment hotspots Business Bay emerged as a premium investment magnet, capturing 5% of total primary transaction value despite representing only 3% of volume, indicating high-value, sophisticated investment activity. Al Barsha demonstrated broad market appeal, accounting for 2% of total value while commanding 5% of transaction volume, showcasing strong demand across price points. A notable AED 1.5 billion land transaction in Palm Deira further underscored institutional confidence in Dubai's long-term growth trajectory, bolstered by strong resale activity in key communities such as Business Bay, Al Barsha, and Wadi Al Safa 3. Consumer behaviour trends Consumer preferences have stayed steady for the past one year, with apartments dominating demand from home seekers, representing 78% of rental searches and 60% of buyer interest. While studios attracted 21% of rental searches and only 15% of purchase interest, one-bedroom units commanded 35% of purchase searches and 38% of rental searches. This imbalance could potentially suggest that while studios are more attractive for budget-conscious renters, buyers tend to prioritise larger units, due to perceived long-term value, livability, or investment potential. Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, said, 'Just when we thought April was Dubai's most significant month in terms of transaction value at AED62.1 bn, May eclipsed this with AED66.8 billion in transaction value. This underscores the sustainability of the trends driving current growth. Dubai continues to lead real estate innovation by example, as evidenced by the recent launch of the region's first licensed tokenized property investment platform by Dubai Land Department. With the remarkable growth in population this year, welcoming nearly 1,000 new residents each day – double of last year's daily visitor arrivals, demand for housing is poised to reach peak levels. Against this backdrop, the real estate market is enjoying positive momentum, fuelled by digital transformation, international investor appetite, and a surge in demand for premium living. Real estate leaders who participated in Property Finder's recent roundtable are confident of transaction activity picking up throughout 2025, buoyed by unprecedented interest from international investors, alongside a strong off-plan performance and vibrant luxury resale activity. These trends speak to the city's enduring appeal and resilience, even amid global uncertainty. As Dubai shapes the future of real estate, Property Finder remains committed to empowering buyers and investors with the insights they need to move with confidence.' All the latest information for top listings and communities is available on Data Guru by Property Finder that can be accessed at or on the Property Finder app, available for download on Google Play and Apple Store. About Property Finder Property Finder is a pioneering property portal in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, dedicated to shaping an inclusive future for real estate while spearheading the region's growing tech ecosystem. At its core is a clear and powerful purpose: To change living for good in the region. Founded on the value of great ambitions, Property Finder connects millions of property seekers with thousands of real estate professionals every day. The platform offers a seamless and enriching experience, empowering both buyers and renters to make informed decisions. Since its inception in 2007, Property Finder has evolved into a trusted partner for developers, brokers, and home seekers. As a lighthouse tech company, it continues to create an environment where people can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the transformation of real estate in MENA. For more information, please contact: Gambit PR & Communications propertyfinder@
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman's real estate trading value tops OMR833 million
Muscat: The total value of real estate transactions in the Sultanate of Oman reached OMR833.9 million by the end of April 2025, marking a 9.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, which recorded OMR760.2 million, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The data indicate that fees collected from all legal transactions rose by 18.4%, reaching OMR24.3 million compared to OMR20.5 million during the same period last year. The traded value of sales contracts increased by 13.7%, amounting to OMR408.5 million by the end of April 2025, up from OMR359.4 million in the corresponding period of 2024. Meanwhile, the number of sales contracts declined by 1.4%, totaling 21,087 contracts compared to 21,385 contracts by the end of April 2024. On the other hand, the traded value of mortgage contracts rose by 6.1%, recording approximately OMR421.5 million across 7,164 contracts, compared to OMR397.2 million for 6,482 contracts by the end of April 2024. As for exchange contracts, 436 contracts worth OMR3.9 million were traded by the end of April 2025, compared to 465 contracts worth OMR3.6 million during the same period in 2024. The number of issued property deeds increased by 1.7%, reaching 73,432 by the end of April 2025, compared to 72,181 during the same period in 2024.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Drugs, money laundering, scams drives crackdown on crypto ATMs
Skip to main content Australian authorities are cracking down on cryptocurrency ATMs, warning the rapid growth of the industry is fuelled by criminal activity, with concerns as many as one in 10 transactions are being used for criminal or illegitimate purposes.
