Is Cross-Chain Technology the Future of Blockchain?
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3 Monaten ago
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An increasing number of crypto projects are now utilizing cross-chain technology, clearing the way to an interconnected blockchain environment.
Cross-chains are beginning to dominate the blockchain landscape, with projects increasingly looking to interoperable solutions. In May a single transaction on Ethereum created more wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) than the entire value of BTC held on the Lightning Network. The strength of wBTC has only continued to grow since, as greater numbers of individuals seek to unlock defi applications with the value of their bitcoin holdings.
The Total Value Locked in wBTC has shown little sign of slowing down since May. Photo: Defi Pulse
Increasing numbers of crypto projects are now utilizing cross-chain technology, clearing the way to an interconnected blockchain environment. Interoperability and communication between chains is rapidly becoming the rule rather than the exception. Cosmos is one of the many projects driving this rapid change, with big name projects such as Binance Chain onboard, also supported by emerging players such as e-Money which is introducing its own range of currency-backed stablecoins to the network.
Fresh Opportunities
KIRA is a decentralized network and one of the most interesting projects supported by Cosmos. KIRA proposes to do far more than simply provide a decentralized exchange on the network. The project will nurture a whole raft of new blockchain projects with cross-chain Multi-Bonded Proof of Stake (MBPoS). What makes MBPoS unique is that it allows for staking in crypto assets, digital fiat and commodities across multiple chains. With cross-chain interoperability the opportunity for investment is greatly improved.
KIRA will leverage this staking method to create the Initial Validator Offering, a new form of crowdfunding in which investors will retain ownership of the startup capital. By staking assets across multiple chains, investors will mine entirely new tokens. This network effect will allow users to stake tokens and assets of one type to receive them as block rewards in the form of an entirely new token.
According to KIRA co-founder Mateusz Grzelak, the future of blockchain will be increasingly interconnected. He explains:
“Multi-bonded Proof of Stake technology is what allows us to tap into the full potential of blockchain. The network effects and decentralization of KIRA’s IVOs offer more secure, stable crowdfunding than was ever previously possible, and with access to greater liquidity too.”
Gateway
Cosmos is by no means the only project thinking in cross-chain terms. Increasingly the defi space requires multi-chain data to fuel its growth. Band Protocol is a rising star in the defi space thanks to its positioning as a blockchain agnostic oracle, reflecting crypto and defi’s shift towards interconnectivity.
Recently the project partnered with TRON, one of the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap, further bolstering its defi credentials. TRON has been making significant inroads into the defi market of late, with its own stablecoin JUST (USDJ) and JustSwap, a decentralized trading protocol for automated liquidity. Band Protocol will bring cross-chain functionality to its growing list of defi apps.
Cross-chain solutions are also being touted as a potential solution to the growing pressure on the Ethereum network. Matic and Loom are among the established solutions offering Ethereum bridges to alleviate pressure on the beleaguered network. One emerging contender to their cross-chain crown is OIN Finance, uses cross-chain technology to support Ethereum, QTUM and multiple other blockchains on the OIN network in a solution which they have called “the gateway to DeFi.”
Last-Mile of DeFi
There is a gateway to DeFi and a last-mile to DeFi. One company, Aleph.im, is a cross-chain scalability network featuring decentralized computing, database storage and a DID framework. Aleph is currently focused on supercharging the DeFi ecosystem by partnering up with projects such as Serum, Jarvis and Orion Protocol.
Thanks to aleph’s transformative technology, DeFi projects can finally decentralize the last mile of their tech stack (remove their off-chain dependencies), leverage the full power of cross-chain composability and tap into the huge source of interchain liquidity. Last but not least, these projects also gain access users from all our supported chains. The currently supported chains are Ethereum, NEO, NULS and Binance Chain.
Having obtained a diploma in Intercultural Communication, Julia continued her studies taking a Master’s degree in Economics and Management. Becoming captured by innovative technologies, Julia turned passionate about exploring emerging techs believing in their ability to transform all spheres of our life.
Grayscale’s AUM Hits $19B, Up from $16.4B Announced Week Ago
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29 Minuten ago
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Dezember 29, 2020
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While it may be too early to project the possible performance of Grayscale in 2021, the spate of patronage the company recorded in the last two quarters of 2020 looks quite inspiring.
In what confirms the continued embrace of Bitcoin (BTC) and altcoins by institutional investors and the big-money clients, Grayscale’s total Assets Under Management (AUM) has been reported to top $19 billion, a significant uplift from the $16.4 billion reported a week ago. According to a report by CoinDesk, Grayscale hit this AUM milestone on December 28, and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust holds by far the largest chunk of the total assets at $16.3 billion.
The recent rally of Bitcoin to new highs as recorded in the past days started as a chain reaction that took its precedent months ago when Wall Street firms and institutional investors began betting big on Bitcoin. The investment made by the likes of MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ: MSTR), Square Inc (NYSE: SQ), and PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: PYPL) did not just help put Bitcoin in the limelight through mainstream media, it also prompted the embrace of the digital assets by other firms.
With this chain reaction, the price of Bitcoin continued to soar in response to boosted demand for the coin, and institutions like Grayscale that serves institutional investors benefited from this new demand, and hence, the continued increase in the firm’s AUM. Besides BTC, Grayscale’s Ethereum (ETH) AUM is now worth $2.1 billion, while the bulk of smaller holdings in Litecoin (LTC), XRP, and ZCash amongst others helped Grayscale’s total AUM to reach the new milestone.
Grayscale’s AUM May See More Boost in 2021
While it may be too early to project the possible performance of Grayscale in the coming year 2021, the spate of patronage the company recorded in the last two quarters of 2020 makes the case for improved performance provided the tempo is sustained.
Just as has been noted earlier, the continued embrace of cryptocurrency assets by highly liquid companies will continue to have a positive reaction on the price of Bitcoin, and by extension, this will even make more people pick interest in BTC. As a relatively young asset class, Bitcoin and altcoins have tremendous room to grow as the adoption rate is still not optimized owing to certain regulatory provisions in most countries, Grayscale and other hedge funds have enough room to compete for new clients entering the space.
With Grayscale been among the institutions at the forefront of helping to drive the acceptance of BTC, ETH, and other digital currencies, enjoying the dividends of its works through impressed AUM figures does not come as much of a surprise.
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Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture.
Following the Bitcoin all-time high on Sunday, December 27, Riot Blockchain stock registered 20% gains on Monday’s trading session. The stock has already appreciated by 13x this year. Apart from BTC, investors of Bitcoin mining companies are making a bomb in the market.
Bitcoin mining giant Riot Blockchain is making all the news in the market at the moment. On Monday, December 28, Riot Blockchain Inc (NASDAQ: RIOT) stock price surged a massive 20% surging past $15.5 levels. One of the biggest milestones with the Monday rally is that the Riot Blockchain has clocked a $1 billion market cap.
The latest price rally comes as Riot Blockchain hints at going aggressively on its Bitcoin mining business. Last week, the Riot Blockchain added new S19 Pro Antimers to its bitcoin mining arsenal. The company announced the purchase of an additional 15,000 Bitcoin (BTC) mining machines from Bitmain. The recent purchase also pushes Riot’s total fleet to 37,640 Next-Generation Bitmain Antminers.
Riot said that the fresh purchase of Antminers will help the mining company to attain a 65% jump in its mining hash-rate. RIOT stock has registered an unprecedented rally this year in 2020. RIOT stock has multiplied by 13x this year registering a 1200% surge so far.
Riot Blockchain has issued nearly 17 million shares since November 2020 with its total outstanding shares going to 67.5 million. It has been a phenomenal journey for Riot ever since it ventured into the Bitcoin mining business in October 2017. With valuations less than $50 million back then, Riot has grown more than 20x in size as of its latest stock price.
RIOT Stock and Shares of Other Bitcoin Mining Companies Profit from BTC Bull Run
The recent Bitcoin (BTC) price rally during Q4 2020 has also pushed the stocks of Bitcoin mining companies to new highs. Earlier on Sunday, December 28, the BTC price hit its all-time high of $28,000 in a massive bull run followed by huge institutional inflows.
Moreover, along with the BTC price rally, the Bitcoin hash-rate has jumped significantly since November 2020. Over the last two months, the BTC hash-rate has surged nearly 30% and is currently at 132 TH/s. The surge in the hash-rate suggests higher mining activity for Bitcoin.
As a result, Bitcoin mining companies have been making massive purchases of the BTC mining machines. In addition to Riot Blockchain, other giants like the Marathon Patent Group have made aggressive purchases over the last few months. Just like RIOT, the Marathon Patent Group (NASDAQ: MARA) has registered a phenomenal rally of 18% on Monday, December 28. MARA stock has multiplied investors’ wealth by 12x in 2020. It means the MARA stock has also given phenomenal 1100% returns year-to-date.
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Bhushan is a FinTech enthusiast and holds a good flair in understanding financial markets. His interest in economics and finance draw his attention towards the new emerging Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency markets. He is continuously in a learning process and keeps himself motivated by sharing his acquired knowledge. In free time he reads thriller fictions novels and sometimes explore his culinary skills.
How low could XRP go? Watch these price levels next
Published
7 Stunden ago
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Dezember 29, 2020
By
XRP price dropped by 30% on Dec. 29 following Coinbase’s decision to suspend trading.
The market sentiment around XRP has become overwhelmingly negative due to the fear of more exchange delistings.
In the near term, XRP faces three key historical support levels at $0.224, $0.1743 and $0.1471.
Where will the XRP price go next?
The ongoing price trend of XRP is not cyclical nor reliant on technical analysis. It is due to investors selling XRP following the suspension of trading across major cryptocurrency exchanges.
On Dec. 29, Coinbase announced that it is suspending the XRP trading pairs on their platform. Paul Grewal, the chief legal officer at Coinbase, wrote:
“In light of the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs, Inc, we have made the decision to suspend the XRP trading pairs on our platform. Trading will move into limit only starting December 28, 2020 at 2:30 PM PST, and will be fully suspended on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time*. We will provide additional updates, if any, through the Coinbase Support Twitter account, including if there are any changes to timing.”
Given the SEC’s recent action against Ripple, all XRP books have been moved to limit only and Coinbase plans to fully suspend trading in XRP on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 10 AM PST. Afterwards, users will continue to retain access to their XRP funds. https://t.co/izreZvgHNl
As Cointelegraph previously reported, analysts anticipated Coinbase to suspend XRP trading after the United States Securities and Exchange Commission filed its complaint.
Coinbase plans to undergo an initial public offering, and it is in the firm’s best interest to remain fully compliant with the regulators in the U.S.
Considering the regulatory uncertainty around XRP, traders have emphasized that technical analysis is of less importance in the short term. Scott Melker, a cryptocurrency trader, said:
“A few people have told me that there’s oversold bullish divergence on the $XRP chart. You are doing it wrong. Charts don’t matter here. You cannot trade in a vacuum. Jesus could come down with Biggie and Tupac and put on a concert for Brad Garlinghouse and I still wouldn’t buy.”
In the foreseeable future, XRP has several major support areas it could potentially recover from. However, these are deep support levels on the weekly chart, which shows that it lacks momentum for a major rebound.
The XRP price has fallen by over 60% in merely two weeks, recording one of its steepest two-week drops in history.
What happens next?
Adam Cochran, a partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, was one of the first to break the story that Coinbase had conversations about suspending XRP trading.
Cochran hinted that the SEC are probably looking into more projects and companies than people realize. He said:
“If you thought my scoop on Coinbase delisting/suspending $XRP was insightful, you’re going to love the next scoop I’m working on, this week. Looks like that SEC is far more active than we thought and sniffing around a number of projects and companies!”