Latest news with #Ethereum-based
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Whatever happened to NFTs?
In 2021, NFTs were everywhere, from pixelated punks to bored apes, they dominated headlines and drew billions in investment. By 2022, celebrities and brands were all in, buying JPEGs on the Ethereum network and even hyping metaverse real estate. But by June 2025, the hype has all but vanished. Floor prices have collapsed, trading volumes have plunged, and the NFT market is now a shadow of its former self. So, what happened to NFTs? Read more: Crypto live prices Yahoo Finance UK sat down with Nansen Research Analyst Nicolai Sondergaard, to find out whether the market is dead, what lessons were learned, and if NFTs left anything of real value behind. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique digital assets stored on the blockchain, which signify ownership or authenticity of a specific item. They differ from cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC-USD) in that they are indivisible and irreplaceable. Their uniqueness gave them value, especially in the world of digital art, music, collectibles, and gaming. Read more: Bored Ape Bar – Inside the $100,000 membership exclusive NFT club in London With the NFT boom, a new digital creator economy briefly flourished. Artists tokenised their work. Musicians experimented with fan-owned tracks. Enthusiasts traded memes. What began as a niche use of blockchain technology quickly turned into a global cultural movement, but also a speculative bubble. "Instead of being used for the potential that NFTs still have, they became memeified and, as such, were instruments for speculation," Sondergaard said. "This is the reason why many, to this day, still do not touch NFTs, they only see and remember the people that got rich quick and the ones that got burned." The collapse has been dramatic. According to analysis reported by NFT Evening, around 96% of NFT collections are now considered 'dead', meaning they show no trading activity, sales, or community engagement. For context, only 30% were considered inactive back in 2023, highlighting just how steep the decline has been. New NFT mints continue to fall month after month. As NFT Evening also reports, weekly trading volume on Ethereum-based marketplaces stands at around $90m, a fraction of the multi-billion-dollar peaks seen in 2021–2022. So, what caused the NFT craze to fizzle out so rapidly, and what does it reveal about how investors engage with hype-fueled technologies? According to Nicolai Sondergaard, the downfall wasn't due to a flaw in the underlying tech, but rather how it was used. 'They became memeified… traded for pure speculation. Many were fully unaware of what NFTs could be used for aside from minting a collection of pixels," Sondergaard said. The pattern reflects a broader trend in tech cycles that when the narrative is louder than the utility, markets can inflate quickly, and pop just as fast. Sondergaard said this dynamic created a lasting stigma: a tale of fast money, rug pulls, and disillusioned investors, as many people associate NFTs with overpriced monkey pictures and not with any meaningful utility. However, are any industries quietly using NFT technology today in ways the public might not notice, or has the entire concept has been shelved? Sondergaard pointed to several real-world use cases that continue to grow beneath the surface. For example, some communities like Bytexplorers use NFTs as gated passes to forums and events. 'Usually minting these NFTs is cheap, and ensures that people that are really interested join,' he explained. In real estate, platforms such as Propy enable people to buy property using NFTs, putting legal documents on-chain for transparent and secure transactions. The gaming industry, while still in its infancy with NFTs, is experimenting by granting players ownership of in-game items like skins, a move that reflects the thriving secondary markets for virtual goods in games like Counter-Strike. Additionally, in brand engagement, Adidas ( has leveraged NFTs to offer holders discounts and exclusive merchandise, creating new ways to connect with customers. Meanwhile, the music industry uses NFTs to streamline royalty payments, allowing artists to get paid more transparently while enabling fans to truly own music tracks. 'There are a few different real-world use cases that are still going today,' Sondergaard said. 'These don't make headlines, but they represent the core utility NFTs always had, verifiable, programmable digital ownership.' While Ethereum remains the dominant blockchain for NFTs, activity has shifted. According to a16z's State of Crypto 2024 report, the trend is moving away from high-volume secondary trading and toward 'low-cost social collecting experiences.' Two Ethereum Layer 2 networks, Base, from Coinbase (COIN), and Zora, are now seeing an increase NFT minting activity. Base, in particular, has averaged over one million daily active transacting addresses since late 2024. NFTs, as a market, are unquestionably in decline. But the underlying technology, the concept of unique digital ownership, continues to evolve and embed itself quietly into products and platforms. 'Ultimately,' Sondergaard said, 'when considering NFTs there is a need to distinguish memetic NFTs, which are traded for the pure purpose of profit, and the ones used to facilitate something else.' Read more: Why pension funds are buying bitcoin What we know about Elon Musk's controversial blockchain vision for US How AI could change the internetError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Ethereum (ETH) Based Meme Coin Little Pepe Raises Over $2 Million in Presale, Gaining Huge Support from Early Investors
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a move that flips the script on what meme coins are actually capable of, Little Pepe (LILPEPE) has launched its own Ethereum-compatible Layer-2 chain. Most meme tokens just lean on hype and ride existing networks, but LILPEPE's doing something way more solid—it's laying down its own tech to support the space it came from. This new Layer-2 network is designed from the ground up for meme communities, aiming to fix the usual headaches like crazy gas fees, slow transactions, and security concerns that have haunted Ethereum-based meme projects for years. Instead of riding trends, LILPEPE's diving head-first into shaping them. By launching its own chain, it's giving meme coins a serious upgrade—making space for faster, cheaper, and safer projects to thrive without losing their viral energy. It's not just a step forward for LILPEPE; it's a whole new lane for the meme coin space. This Layer-2 network isn't just about making transactions faster; it's about creating an affordable, purpose-built foundation for meme coins, where developers and communities can launch, build, and grow without being charged high fees. The LILPEPE chain provides zero trading taxes, sniper bot protection, and near-instant finality—features that genuinely matter when you're building or participating in fast-moving, meme-driven markets. Due to its EVM-compatible architecture, the network will support seamless use of existing tools, wallets, and dApps. It's a practical, well-thought-out setup that gives meme culture the technical support it's always needed, turning viral potential into something with real staying power. Purpose-Built for Meme Utility LILPEPE isn't just another meme coin trying to ride the hype; it's actually the main utility token behind its own Layer-2 chain, built straight-up for meme projects and communities. Instead of depending on big chains like Solana or BNB Smart Chain, LILPEPE is doing its own thing, building out a full-on setup where meme creators actually have the tools and space to build, launch, and grow on their own turf. One of the standout features is a launchpad designed to give new meme tokens a legitimate space to launch—free from rug pulls and sniper bots. On top of that, the chain is rolling out staking, DAO-based governance, and plans to bring NFTs into the mix. This isn't just about pumping hype—it's about giving meme projects a real shot at sticking around. The team's taking all the right steps to make that happen. They're locking up liquidity to prevent rug pulls and putting serious anti-bot measures in place so things stay fair, especially during launches. That kind of security-first approach makes it easier for people to get involved without second-guessing every move. It's clear they're not just tossing out a token and hoping for the best—they're actually building a chain that's built to last and protect the people putting their money behind it. Further, LILPEPE has a total supply capped at 100 billion tokens, with 26.5% set aside for the presale. That gives early supporters a legitimate shot at getting in early and riding the growth as things scale. The rest of the supply isn't thrown around carelessly—it's split up for stuff like chain reserves, staking rewards, and liquidity, all structured to keep the project steady as it grows. Instead of dumping a bunch of extra tokens into circulation and messing with the price, they've kept it balanced to actually help the project grow steadily. Presale Momentum and What's Coming Next Little Pepe's Layer-2 launch couldn't have come at a better time—just as the presale is picking up major momentum. Across the first three stages, the project has already raised over $2 million, with more than 1.89 billion tokens sold out of the 2.25 billion allocated for Stage 3. That means over 84% of the current stage is already completed. Tokens are now priced at $0.0012 in Stage 3, with the price set to rise to $0.0013 in Stage 4. This tiered pricing model not only rewards early participants with better entry points but also fuels steady demand as the project approaches its expected $0.003 listing price and upcoming CEX launches. On top of that, a massive $777,000 giveaway has been kicked off to keep the buzz going. Ten people will win $77,000 worth of LILPEPE tokens, and to improve the odds, participants can complete a few quick social tasks to stack up bonus entries. It's a clean way to build hype while giving the community something real to aim for. What's next? The roadmap looks pretty solid. The team is getting ready for the mainnet rollout of the Layer-2 chain, and they're already laying the foundation for a full-on ecosystem. That includes tools and dApps built with meme projects in mind, so creators and devs don't have to keep bending their projects to fit other networks. It's not just talk—they're building something that actually works for the space they're in. For more information about Little Pepe, visit the links below: Website: Twitter/X: Telegram: Contact Details: James Stephen [email protected] Disclaimer : This content is provided by Little Pepe . The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an 'as-is' basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hackers linked to Israel just emptied Iran's largest exchange
Hackers linked to Israel just emptied Iran's largest exchange originally appeared on TheStreet. Nobitex, the largest crypto exchange in Iran, announced on June 18 that it has detected unauthorized access to a portion of its reporting infrastructure and hot wallet. The incident affected only a portion of the assets in hot wallets, and users' assets are completely secure as per cold storage standards, the exchange told its users on X. All affected users will be compensated through the insurance fund and Nobitex resources, it added. For now, the crypto exchange's website and app are temporarily unavailable. The hacking group Gonjeshke Darande, also known as Predatory Sparrow, claimed responsibility for the attack. Reports have linked the group to Israel. The group threatened to release Nobitex's source code and internal information within 24 hours. The Iranian regime uses the crypto exchange to violate sanctions and "finance terror," the group claimed as the reasons behind the attack on Nobitex. Gonjeshke Darande earlier claimed responsibility for another cyberattack on the data of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' 'Bank Sepah.' Popular on-chain sleuth ZachXBT wrote on Telegram, 'The Iranian crypto exchange 'Nobitex' appears to have been exploited for $81 million across Tron and Ethereum-based network after suspicious outflows were observed from many wallets linked to them.' The hacking group's next post confirmed ZachXBT's claim. As reported earlier, Iran has relied on crypto as a source of fighting Western economic "terrorism." The country is also a popular choice for Bitcoin traders, with several Chinese firms moving there due to relatively cheap electricity and China's crypto crackdown. Iran has an abundance of oil and natural gas resources but has struggled to access global financial markets. Hackers linked to Israel just emptied Iran's largest exchange first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Arabian Post
18-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Bitcoin Reclaims 64% Share as Ethereum Gains Momentum
Bitcoin has surged to command approximately 64 per cent of the global cryptocurrency market, a dominance level unseen since January 2021 and propelled by heavy institutional inflows following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's approval of Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024. This increased dominance has coincided with a resurgence in confidence for Ethereum, which has seen its share climb from around 7.1 per cent in April to approximately 9.3 per cent today. This shift marks a turning point in crypto capital flows. For many investors, Bitcoin remains the safe harbour amid global market volatility and rising macroeconomic uncertainty. According to the Financial Times, heightened Bitcoin dominance is underpinned by 'heightened institutional investment,' with major hedge funds such as Millennium Management and Brevan Howard among top ETF holders. Smaller tokens have lost ground as smart money funnels into the more established and liquid assets. Ethereum's revival reflects this evolving dynamic. Once languishing with just over 7 per cent market share in April, it has rebounded to 9.3 per cent. Analysts attribute the rise to improving investor sentiment and increasing adoption of Ethereum-based applications. Technical indicators also support a bullish outlook: Ethereum's market value has risen nearly 48 per cent over the past three months, compared to Bitcoin's 31 per cent. ADVERTISEMENT Chart patterns signal a potential inflection. Bitcoin dominance has encountered resistance at around 64–65 per cent, hinting at a possible reversal. Analysts such as 'Astronomer' on social platforms point out that Bitcoin's market share is approaching a critical ceiling and may soon recede—a shift that historically precedes renewed altcoin activity. Investor behaviour appears to reflect this emerging balance. Spot Ethereum ETFs have attracted sustained inflows, with over US$1.3 billion entering ETH products across 19 consecutive days. Additionally, 'smart money' whale activity in ETH protocols indicates a strategic accumulation, even as retail traders step back. These large-scale holders are said to control nearly 27 per cent of the total ETH supply—an indication of growing institutional confidence. Market analysts underscore that Bitcoin dominance near 64 per cent still keeps altcoins marginalised. Daan Crypto warns that unless Bitcoin dominance dips below this level, funds will remain weighted toward Bitcoin. The Altcoin Season Index—a metric tracking the performance of top altcoins relative to Bitcoin—currently sits in the 30s, suggesting a fading but not yet full-blown move into altcoins. Historically, a shift above 75 triggers more substantive altcoin rallies. Nevertheless, proponents argue that liquidity rotation is underway. Ethereum's rise is seen as the vanguard, often signalling broader market rotation into high-cap alternatives. As Maxwell Mutuma noted, 'Altcoins have spent a good part of 2025 playing catch‑up…with Bitcoin's dominance at 64 per cent, it's certainly raised some concerns,' even as 'Ethereum's recent surge hints at a broader altcoin rotation'. Despite current trends, caution remains. Analyst Severino has advised that although technical indicators support a pullback in Bitcoin's dominance, any full-scale altcoin rally is not yet assured. He emphasises that meaningful declines below 62 per cent in Bitcoin dominance would be needed to confirm a structural shift in asset allocation. Ethereum stands at the centre of this crossroads. With its market share approaching 9.3 per cent, ongoing technological updates such as the upcoming Pectra upgrade may reinforce investor confidence and drive further capital inflows. The current scene paints a narrative of cautious optimism. Bitcoin remains firmly dominant, buoyed by institutional demand, but Ethereum's resurgence signals that capital is beginning to trickle back into the altcoin space. Whether this marks the vanguard of a broader altcoin resurgence or simply a temporary reprieve will depend on whether Bitcoin dominance retreats from its 64 per cent plateau.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's Driving Ethereum ETF Inflows for the 7th Straight Week?
Ethereum ETFs are making headlines once again, registering robust inflows as institutional and retail interest continues to climb. According to CoinShares, Ethereum products have recorded their seventh consecutive week of net inflows, raking in $296.4 million, signaling a strong resurgence of confidence in the second-largest cryptocurrency by market iShares Ethereum Trust ETHA accounted for the majority of the flows, bringing in $281.3 million and registering 15 consecutive days of inflows. This marks the strongest inflow streak since the U.S. presidential elections in November 2024 (read: 5 ETFs to Ride the Bullish Wave of Ethereum's Pectra Upgrade).The recent surge in inflows represents one of the most significant upward trends for digital asset funds this year. After a period of sluggish performance and regulatory uncertainty, Ethereum is benefiting from a shift in sentiment, particularly among institutional investors. We have highlighted several factors behind the sharp reversal: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently showed a more receptive stance toward Ethereum-based ETFs. With spot Ethereum ETFs now approved for listing on major exchanges, investors are viewing the asset as more legitimate and accessible. These ETFs provide an easy entry point for institutions looking to gain exposure to cryptocurrency without holding the token directly, fueling broader adoption. The rapidly evolving story around stablecoins and tokenization is driving Ethereum inflows. With growing interest from major fintech players like Visa, Mastercard and Stripe, stablecoin-based payment systems are reshaping how public blockchains like Ethereum are viewed. Recent data shows record-high transaction volumes for stablecoins on Ethereum, highlighting its growing relevance in global payments, remittances and decentralized finance. Investor interest in Ethereum ETFs is gaining momentum amid growing speculation that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may soon permit staking within spot ETH ETFs. A pivotal development came on May 29, when the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance indicated that certain staking activities may not be classified as securities, a nuanced but meaningful shift in regulatory has filed for incorporation of staking in its Galaxy Ethereum ETF, joining major players like Fidelity, Grayscale and Bitwise in preparing for a potential green light. If approved, staking could introduce an additional yield component to Ethereum ETFs, significantly boosting their appeal to yield-seeking investors. The U.S. Senate is also playing a role in bolstering Ethereum's investment case. The upcoming GENIUS Act, which aims to regulate stablecoins, could provide the regulatory clarity needed for wider adoption. If passed, it may solidify Ethereum's role as the infrastructure for compliant stablecoin issuance and transactions, further driving ETF flows. With inflation data stabilizing and central banks showing signs of easing monetary policies, risk appetite is gradually returning to global markets. Cryptocurrencies, particularly Ethereum, are benefiting from this shift, with investors rotating back into digital assets amid hopes of a new bullish cycle (read: Ethereum ETFs Outperforming in May). iShares Ethereum Trust ETF seeks to reflect the performance of the price of Ethereum. It is managed by the world's largest asset manager and leverages a multi-year technology integration developed with Coinbase Prime, the world's largest institutional digital asset custodian. ETHA has AUM of $3.8 billion and trades in an average daily volume of 14.4 million shares. It charges 25 bps in annual fees. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
