The L1 Joint Task Force (L1JTF), a group of developers working on the Terra Classic blockchain, has announced that the v2.1.0 upgrade will be delayed from May 31 to June 14. The delay is due to the need for additional testing. The v2.1.0 upgrade is a major update that will introduce a number of new features to Terra Classic, including: The L1JTF team has been working hard on the v2.1.0
Payment giant Mastercard believes that crypto and blockchain technologies have the potential to revolutionize the financial services industry. However, the company says that these technologies need to address security and ease of use issues in order to build trust with consumers and businesses. In a recent speech, Mastercard’s EVP of crypto and blockchain, Raj Dhamodharan, said that the company is “very bullish” on the potential of crypto and blockchain. He
STEPN, a blockchain gaming platform that rewards users with tokens for walking or running, has integrated with Apple Pay. This integration makes it easier for users to purchase STEPN’s NFT sneakers, which are required to participate in the game. To purchase an NFT sneaker using Apple Pay, users simply need to open the STEPN app and select the “Buy Sneaker” option. They will then be prompted to enter their Apple
Mantle Network, an Ethereum Layer 2 solution, has merged with its backer BitDAO. The merger was approved by BitDAO community members through a governance proposal titled BIP-21. The merger will combine BitDAO’s governance framework and treasury with Mantle Network’s technical prowess. This will create a unified ecosystem with the goal of refining branding, tokenomics, and creating a unified product focus. As part of the merger, BitDAO’s governance token will be
Lido, the largest liquid staking protocol, has launched V2 and released staked Ethereum (stETH) withdrawals. This is a major development for Lido and the Ethereum ecosystem as a whole. With Lido V2, users can now withdraw their stETH tokens and receive the equivalent amount of ETH. This was not possible before, as stETH tokens were locked up until the Ethereum 2.0 merge. The ability to withdraw stETH tokens is a
The Ethereum network experienced technical issues, causing the network to stop finalizing blocks for over an hour on Friday. This was the second such incident within 24 hours, raising concerns for users of the second-largest blockchain by market capitalization. However, the network has resumed finalizing blocks, and clients are releasing updates to address the issue, according to Terence.eth, a pseudonymous Ethereum developer. Finalized blocks play a crucial role in providing
On May 11, Cardano’s first Hydra node compatible with the mainnet was launched, ushering in a new era of scalability for the blockchain. According to developer Sebastian Nagel, the launch follows months of rigorous testing to ensure that the layer2 scaling solution is ready for prime time. The Hydra protocol aims to enhance the network’s scalability by increasing transaction speed through low latency and high throughput while minimizing transaction costs.
Decentralized platform MakerDAO has revealed its plan for a major update dubbed Endgame, aimed at enhancing efficiency, resilience, and participation through the use of AI tools and open, scalable processes. The ultimate goal of the update is to become the most widely-used stablecoin project within three years. MakerDAO co-founder Rune Christensen announced that Endgame would streamline and parallelize the Maker Ecosystem, launching a new unified brand identity and six new
MakerDAO, a pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi), has announced the launch of its new lending and borrowing platform, Spark Protocol. The platform, which was launched on May 9, is an end-user, DAI-centered DeFi product built on Ethereum. It allows for supply and borrows functionalities for ETH, stETH, DAI, and sDAI. Spark Lend, the protocol’s first product, is focused on lending and borrowing cryptocurrencies using DAI, Maker’s native stablecoin. Users can
On May 4, Polkadot announced that Deloitte, a leading global accounting firm, had partnered with KILT Protocol on the Polkadot ecosystem. The move will enable the firm to improve its digital identification protocols with cutting-edge technology for digital identities. Deloitte will leverage KILT’s reusable digital identity credentials to support its KYC (know your customer) processes, which are vital in protecting financial institutions against fraud, corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing.
Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK), the company behind the Cardano protocol, has recently launched the first Hydra head on the blockchain’s mainnet, setting a new standard for scalability on the proof-of-stake (PoS) network. This development is considered one of the most important in the Cardano ecosystem for this year, as it is expected to support the adoption of the blockchain in areas where cheap and fast transactions are required. Hydra
Nigeria has approved a national blockchain policy in its bid to shift towards a digital economy. The policy was developed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, with the aim to create a blockchain-based economy that facilitates secure transactions, data sharing, and value exchange among individuals, businesses, and the government. The policy document has not been made public yet, but the government has directed regulators like the Central