MOODENG surged significantly following a donation from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who adopted Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus, and contributed a substantial amount to support wildlife conservation. 

The S&P 500 dropped 0.04%, halting a potential "Santa Claus rally." It has risen 26% in 2024, with attention now turning to the Fed's 2025 policy and geopolitical risks. Coindesk Indices, an index measuring broader cryptocurrency market performance was down by 3.15%, with Bitcoin and Ether dropping by 3.65% and 3.81%, respectively in the past 24 hours.

Today's top performer is ME, which surged 13.9% following the launching of 'Mooz' by Cool Cows on the Magic Eden Launchpad.

Magic Eden (ME), launched in September 2021, is the largest NFT marketplace on the Solana blockchain, allowing users to buy, sell, mint, and manage tokens. Cool Cows announced the launch of "

" on Magic Eden Launchpad on December 27th. They encourage joining their Discord for a chance at WL or OG spots before launch day.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

MOODENG surged significantly following a 

 from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who adopted Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus, and contributed a substantial amount to support wildlife conservation. Despite the explosive price increase, analysts warn that the gains may be temporary due to broader market volatility and overbought conditions. Trading volumes spiked, but technical indicators suggest potential corrections. Overall, market sentiment remains cautious, with predictions of possible price dips before stabilization.

Yesterday, the total flow for BTC Spot ETFs was 418.7 million, with 442.9 million in non-GBTC and a -24.2 million flow in GBTC.

 is scheduled for January, with draft criteria revealed during an AMA. Participants can earn JUP tokens based on their swapping volume, starting at $800 for 50 JUP. Higher volumes can earn up to 20,000 JUP. Additional allocations are available for users of Jupiter's Perps, DCA, Limit Orders, or VA features, as well as JUP stakers and governance participants. These criteria are draft and may change.

Beginner

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MOODENG Soars After Vitalik Buterin's Wildlife Donation

Ripple USD (RLUSD) is a stablecoin designed to provide efficient, low-cost solutions for cross-border payments and DeFi, backed by U.S. dollar reserves.

 are the key to solving major financial challenges such as cross-border payments, and may soon replace many traditional fiat uses. 

 (RLUSD) aims to play a central role in this shift, offering stability and efficiency for global transactions and 

 (DeFi). This article will dive into what Ripple USD is, how it works, its main features, use cases and its potential impact on the broader stablecoin market.

Ripple USD is a stablecoin from Ripple Network, designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar for stability. This stability is achieved through a collateralization mechanism supported by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term government treasuries, and other cash-equivalent assets, offering a secure and reliable digital currency.

Ripple USD is designed to provide a reliable digital currency for everyday use and to solve several challenges in the crypto and financial worlds:

Ripple introduced RLUSD in June 2024 primarily to streamline cross-border transactions for institutional players. The stablecoin has been in beta testing since August on XRP Ledger and the Ethereum blockchain, and achieved a significant milestone in December 2024 when it received approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). This regulatory nod highlights RLUSD's commitment to meeting stringent standards, strengthening its credibility and earning trust from users and investors alike.

With the NYDFS approval in place, RLUSD is set to launch on both the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum’s blockchain. Ripple will follow up with listings on exchanges including Uphold, Bitstamp, Bitso, MoonPay, Independent Reserve, CoinMENA and Bullish, with plans to expand its presence across other platforms and DeFi protocols in the future. Given Ripple's strong reputation for collaborating with financial institutions, RLUSD is poised to give established stablecoins like 

The Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin is built for efficient and reliable cross-border transactions. Each RLUSD is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. Treasuries and cash equivalents, ensuring it maintains a 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar. This backing provides the stability users need for secure and predictable transactions.

RLUSD will run on the XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchains as an 

 token to maximize compatibility with a wide range of wallets and DeFi applications. Transactions are processed via Ripple’s decentralized network, which uses a unique 

 to achieve near-instant settlement times — typically within three to six seconds. Unlike traditional blockchain systems, this process doesn’t rely on energy-intensive mining, making it faster and more eco-friendly.

 integration adds another layer of functionality, enabling RLUSD to power automated financial operations. This opens the door to innovative DeFi products and services, from lending and borrowing to yield farming. Currently in beta testing with enterprise partners, RLUSD is undergoing rigorous testing to meet high standards of security and efficiency before its official launch.

Ripple emphasizes transparency, with third-party audits of RLUSD’s reserve assets and regular progress updates. This commitment positions RLUSD as a trustworthy and versatile player in the growing stablecoin market.

Ripple USD (RLUSD) offers strong liquidity for key trading pairs on select 

 (CEXs). This feature ensures that users can buy and sell RLUSD with ease without causing major price fluctuations, resulting in a smooth and efficient trading experience.

RLUSD is issued on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchain, giving it broad compatibility across multiple ecosystems. This dual issuance ensures that RLUSD can easily be integrated into various platforms and applications, increasing its accessibility and usability across different networks.

With RLUSD, transactions can be settled almost instantly and at minimal cost, no matter where you are in the world. It reduces fees and speeds up cross-border payments and makes the process faster and more cost-effective by cutting out traditional banking intermediaries.

Integrating RLUSD into smart contracts enables automated financial operations, which are more efficient and accessible. This enhanced accessibility empowers users to easily buy, on-ramp, trade and engage in other activities within the DeFi ecosystem. RLUSD thus simplifies financial transaction management to create a more user-friendly DeFi experience.

, a trusted platform for securely managing digital assets, is already widely used by financial institutions and innovators. It combines institutional-grade security with 24/7 real-time execution, ensuring assets are safe while also easily accessible for fast transactions. Ripple Custody’s advanced governance framework streamlines operations, integrates seamlessly into existing technology systems and offers valuable additional services.

Designed for efficiency, Ripple Custody automates manual tasks and simplifies back-office operations, making asset management smoother and faster. The platform also supports flexible deployment options — Software as a service (SaaS), customer-hosted or hybrid models — so organizations can customize it to their needs. Whether for tokenization, stablecoin issuance or overall asset management, Ripple Custody is a key tool for building a strong digital asset strategy.

Ripple Custody plays an essential role in managing the security and integrity of Ripple USD (RLUSD). It ensures the underlying assets — such as U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasury bonds and other cash equivalents — are securely held and transparently managed, providing the stability needed for RLUSD to function effectively.

Ripple USD is designed to streamline various financial applications within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Following are some of the key use cases for RLUSD.

Ripple USD has received final approval from NYDFS and is expected to launch soon. Initially planned for a Dec 4, 2024 release, the launch was delayed due to regulatory processes, but is now anticipated to occur before the end of 2024, as 

Ripple USD is a stablecoin designed to offer a reliable, low-cost solution for cross-border payments and DeFi. Backed by U.S. dollar reserves, it ensures stability while offering quick transactions and broad blockchain compatibility. With regulatory approval and strong institutional backing, RLUSD is positioned to challenge established stablecoins. However, its success will depend upon widespread adoption and effective integration into Ripple's ecosystem, making it a promising yet competitive investment.

Intermediate

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Ripple USD (RLUSD): A Stablecoin Built for Payments

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how you can complete a series of tasks in Suilend for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade.

Task: Complete Suilend Bybit Wallet Check-In for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade

button in the top right corner of the page, and connect your 

: Stake at least 10 SUI to deposit sSUI in Suilend, click on 

 to confirm the transaction request in your Bybit Wallet.

: Once the deposit is completed, you’ll receive a confirmation message. 

10 SUI is now staked as sSUI via Suilend. Please navigate back to the Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade campaign page to check your completion status and earn your reward.

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How to Complete Suilend Tasks for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade

Smart contract platforms serve as decentralized frameworks that enable self-executing contracts, with terms directly embedded in code

Smart contract platforms serve as decentralized frameworks that enable self-executing contracts, with terms directly embedded in code. This functionality is crucial for the operation of numerous on-chain applications, including 

, facilitating transactions without intermediaries. The landscape is divided into Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) networks.

L1 blockchains, such as Ethereum and Solana, provide the foundational infrastructure for 

 (DApps), while L2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism enhance the capabilities of L1s by improving scalability and efficiency. 

Heading into 2025, Ethereum remains the dominant L1, holding a 70% share of total TVL within DeFi. However, the market is evolving, with new entrants like 

The competitive L2 space is also transforming, with 

 leading the pack, boasting a market cap exceeding $5 billion. Newcomers such as 

 are reshaping the landscape, demonstrating a trend toward diversification and innovation in blockchain technology.

Several emerging platforms are redefining the smart contract landscape through unique technological innovations and community engagement. 

, derived from Meta's Diem project, utilizes the Move programming language to enhance security and scalability. With over 200 projects in its ecosystem, Aptos has seen a 13.5x increase in TVL, reflecting strong growth.

Sui, which shares a similar heritage, focuses on scalability through its object-centric model and unique consensus mechanism that allow for individual transaction confirmation. This innovative approach has led to a remarkable 14.9x increase in TVL, signaling Sui’s potential as a formidable player in the market.

 introduces a modular blockchain architecture that bridges Move and 

 (EVM) ecosystems, aiming to enhance DeFi 

 and NFTs. Launched in late 2024, Movement emphasizes community building through hackathons and developer engagement, while its unique features appeal to a diverse user base.

 technologies with Telegram's vast user base, and 

, an L1 solution designed for high throughput and low latency. Finally, Berachain introduces a Proof-of-Liquidity consensus mechanism that focuses on aligning liquidity and security within its DeFi-centric ecosystem.

As the landscape of smart contract platforms continues to evolve, several challenges must be addressed. Security vulnerabilities remain a significant concern, as smart contracts are prone to bugs that can be exploited. Continuous auditing and robust security practices are essential to mitigating these risks.

Market saturation poses another challenge, as the influx of new platforms intensifies competition for developers and users. To stand out, new entrants are forming strategic partnerships and focusing on niche markets to differentiate themselves from established players. 

Centralization is also a critical issue, and governance structures and validator reliance must be scrutinized in order to ensure long-term viability.

Looking ahead, the outlook for smart contract platforms remains promising. Innovations in modular architectures and interoperability are improving user experience within web3, while increasing institutional interest could bring additional resources and innovation to the space. As the ecosystem continues to mature, these platforms are likely to play a pivotal role in redefining interactions with digital assets, driving demand within DeFi and beyond.

Advanced

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Smart Contract Platforms Report: Up-and-Coming Challengers to Ethereum and Solana

Bybit Learn

web3

Aki Network is a web3 influencer network that tracks influencers’ promotion performances using real-time, on-chain data, and supports influencer campaigns.

Crypto influencers play a major role in promoting new and existing projects by directly reaching their extensive network of followers. While major influencers undoubtedly play key roles in the Japanese market and beyond, mid-tier and micro-influencers can also be highly effective in their efforts. Notably, the Japanese market has gained prominence in the 

 arena as a compliant regulatory space with a community-driven environment. Identifying the true performance of crypto influencers through firm data can help individual entrepreneurs and organizations reach their target audiences.

 is a web3 influencer platform that tracks influencers’ promotion performances using real-time, on-chain data. It also supports organizations through its influencer campaigns.

Its decentralized data network uses Aki Protocol to level the playing field for all influencers. From micro to major influencers, Aki Network tracks data to determine the true marketing performance of its users. It then matches these influencers’ actual performance with projects. By doing so, it optimizes the power of influencer marketing and supports the incubation of smaller and mid-level influencers. Its data-driven influencer network is also useful to commercial users who want to find an impact-making influencer.

Aki Protocol provides the infrastructure for quantifiable information flow, which specifically powers this decentralized data network. Because Aki Network is built on the Aki Protocol, it supports both organizations and influencers to increase the impact of influencer marketing. It utilizes a knowledge base that functions with both open and multichain layers to provide a rewards data layer and 

 proofs to make its products verifiable on-chain.

Aki Network was founded at the end of 2021. Since that time, this data-driven influencer network has grown to have more than 22,000 influencers and 400,000 social users. Thus far, the platform has been active in the Japanese market through projects such as 

 and others. Notably, it also supports the largest web3 gaming platform in South Korea, 

Aki Network's second fundraising was recently completed, and the funding was spearheaded by major Japanese venture capital groups and individual entrepreneurs. Thus far, the project has raised more than $50 million.

Aki Network’s web3 platform utilizes quantifiable information flow to assess the true marketing power of all influencers. It then aims to match entrepreneurs to influencers, based on the influencers’ actual performance capabilities. By doing so, it strives to support smaller and mid-level influencers based on their performance. The long-term goal is for Aki Network to be a data-based user hub that allows users to optimize the performance of their campaigns.

To use Aki Network, new users must connect their wallet to the platform and choose projects to promote. These users are given an

 for doing so, and can earn rewards by completing tasks and referring new users to the platform. When major referral milestones are reached, Aki Network users can receive

 rewards and participate in the platform’s airdrop. Projects involved in the network can benefit from influencer analysis, participate in consultation activities and benefit from Aki Network in other ways.

Aki Network currently utilizes three core features to support the functionality and benefits it provides to all of its users.

Entrepreneurs and organizations utilize the campaign engine to recruit influencers for their marketing campaigns. The campaign dashboard lists open and closed campaigns, including their reward pool and reward type. Influencers can directly access each campaign’s referral link via the campaign dashboard.

Aki Network participants can use the StarMap to identify top-performing influencers and their stats, including channels and language used, number of followers, engagements, likes, comments, retweets and others. Influencers can benefit from StarMap by seeing their rankings and stats in real time. Those who are running campaigns can use StarMap to identify top-performing influencers.

Aki InScore is a personal landing page on the platform that supports community members as they onboard to StarMap. In addition, Aki InScore can boost user traffic for influencers and aid in campaign discovery for commercial users.

As users on Aki Network participate in campaigns and contribute to the network, they can earn Aki Badges. These are 

s, or soul-bound, non-fungible tokens. Aki Badge holders can use their SBTs to claim Aki Rewards, which are payable in cash, stablecoins or other incentives.

Aki Network is launching its native token, AKI, which supports rewards campaigns, enhances odds for the network’s raffles and qualifies users for an invitation to the community’s jury panel. Several rounds of airdrops are available. Those who are more active in the platform initially may be more likely to benefit from the airdrops. The claim period for the first airdrop runs from Dec 22, 2023 through Mar 22, 2024. 

To be eligible for the airdrop, users must own an Aki Network profile and hold an NFT for a trending campaign. They must also have completed at least seven Aki Network campaigns, have at least one Aki Badge and have more than 20 referred users. More than 17,400 unique addresses qualify for participating in the first airdrop.

Since its inception, Aki Network has partnered with numerous web3 players, such as 

. a new game from Find Satoshi Lab, the creator of 

. Looking forward, Aki Network will continue to raise funds, and plans to have several more airdrops.

Aki Network’s recently launched native token, AKI, features utilities that include user rewards, access to the community jury panel and improved odds in raffles. The token’s distribution is allocated as follows: 

As of Jan 2, 2024, the price of AKI is $0.032, reflecting a 24-hour price increase of 0.1%. Its 24-hour trading volume is $138,425. According to DigitalCoinPrice, the price of AKI 

 by the end of 2024, with a general rise over the next several years to reach $0.24 by 2030.

Looking to trade Aki Network tokens? Bybit now offers the AKI/USDT Spot trading pair. To get started, you’ll first need to create a Bybit account, fund it with cryptocurrency and navigate to the 

To celebrate this listing, Bybit is holding an 

 from now through Jan 4, 2024, 9AM UTC, in which you can earn a share of the 100,000 USDT prize pool!

If you’re a new user, simply be among the first 4,500 users to complete the following steps to receive 20 USDT:

If you’re already an existing Bybit user before Dec 21, 2023, 10AM UTC, you still have the chance to earn 5 USDT. Simply accumulate a deposit volume of 10,000 AKI, or deposit 100 USDT and buy 100 USDT worth of AKI using your Bybit account. Please note that rewards will be distributed on a first come, first served basis to the first 2,000 users.

Aki Network is a well-designed, data-driven project that benefits both influencers and commercial users. Aki-chan and Aki Protocol allow even beginning influencers to identify and get active on campaigns. Commercial users can benefit from the reduced pain of a cold project launch and performance data on influencers. Aki Network has already benefited tens of thousands of people, and continues to gain popularity through its utility. In addition, the price prediction for AKI tokens is positive through at least 2029. This indicates that AKI may be a good investment. However, each user should 

Influencers continue to play key roles in online marketing, and Aki Network allows new and mid-tier influencers to access more projects and gain exposure based on their actual performance. Whether you’re an influencer or a commercial user, Aki Network can benefit you.

Aki Network (AKI): Empowering Influencers in the Web3 Industry

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards