3 days ago
4⃣ Mutant Garden Seeder
4⃣ Mutant Garden Seeder
Creator: harmvddorpel
Current Floor: 1.07 ETH
Why It's Undervalued: In my opinion, one of the most exceptional art series to come out of NFTs in 2021 was Mutant Garden Seeder by artist Harm van den Dorpel. In short, each of the 512 pieces in the collection dynamically evolve over time per Ethereum block hashes, making it a really compelling exploration of living art and digital organisms.
All that said, I believe a floor of ~1 ETH is just too low for a collection of this caliber, and I wouldn't be surprised to see these pieces trading around 4 ETH again within a few years as new collectors wise up to Harm's works.
4⃣ Mutant Garden Seeder
Creator: harmvddorpel
Current Floor: 1.07 ETH
Why It's Undervalued: In my opinion, one of the most exceptional art series to come out of NFTs in 2021 was Mutant Garden Seeder by artist Harm van den Dorpel. In short, each of the 512 pieces in the collection dynamically evolve over time per Ethereum block hashes, making it a really compelling exploration of living art and digital organisms.
All that said, I believe a floor of ~1 ETH is just too low for a collection of this caliber, and I wouldn't be surprised to see these pieces trading around 4 ETH again within a few years as new collectors wise up to Harm's works.
4 days ago
BREAKING: The US Supreme Court overturns Chevron Deference🎉
"Chevron deference" is a U.S. administrative law that gives power to Federal agencies ruling when a particular law is ambiguous
This is OVERTURNED
The SEC and Federal agencies no longer have this rulemaking ability
"Chevron deference" is a U.S. administrative law that gives power to Federal agencies ruling when a particular law is ambiguous
This is OVERTURNED
The SEC and Federal agencies no longer have this rulemaking ability
4 days ago
What is 0xMantle cooking up? 👀
Join us Monday as we explore the Mantle ecosystem's latest developments
Set a reminder 🔔👇
Join us Monday as we explore the Mantle ecosystem's latest developments
Set a reminder 🔔👇
5 days ago
Crypto in 2024: Mid-Year Reflections
4 takeaways 👇
Crypto moves fast – like blink-and-you-missed-it fast.
The first half of this year has been no different, with new chains and applications emerging daily and the crypto industry gaining mainstream acceptance in the financial world.
Amid the Twitter echo chambers and the frenzy of bull market price action, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. So, let's zoom out and focus on the signal amid the noise.
TL;DR Crypto is just getting started; don't get shaken out.
Today, we’ll take a step back to reflect on the key developments of H1 2024, exploring the significant events and trends that highlight the progress we've made this year. 👇
1️⃣ Crypto is now mainstream
Remember the days when crypto was a niche plaything for cypherpunks? Those days are well over.
In the first half of 2024, crypto broke through to the mainstream with a vengeance.
The turning point was the long-awaited approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January. Suddenly, Wall Street had a comfortable on-ramp to crypto, and they took it in a big way. Eleven ETFs launched in one day, and volumes broke records.
And it didn’t stop at Bitcoin. The SEC finally greenlit eight spot ETH ETFs in May, further validating the entire crypto ecosystem, and opening the door for even broader institutional adoption.
2️⃣ Crypto Adoption Accelerating
Crypto adoption is accelerating at a remarkable pace. The number of active users across blockchains is up big time, hitting an all-time high of 42.92 million active addresses in April.
Another factor is the resurgence of DeFi. DeFi activity and mindshare are on the rise again, signaling a renewed interest and activity onchain, one that's moving beyond simple speculation to perhaps some real-world utility, like in the form of stablecoins for payments and asset tokenization for RWAs such as government securities.
The momentum is clear: more people are coming onchain, and they're finding more reasons to stay.
3️⃣ Ethereum Still Dominant, But Solana Rising
Ethereum remains the dominant force in crypto. Over 60% of the total value locked in DeFi sits on Ethereum, a testament to the lindy ecosystem, which acts as a foundation for countless applications and chains.
This dominance is not just a matter of capital but also technological progress on the roadmap. Ethereum is scaling through L2s like Base who have seen robust adoption this year, and thanks to the most recent Dencun upgrade, offer users significantly lowered gas fees.
Moreover, Solana’s innovation engine is running hot. Tech advancements like zk-compression and user-friendly features like Blinks are setting the stage for broader adoption, and we can see that Solana’s network effects are taking root in real time.
Make no mistake: Ethereum isn't going anywhere. Its established network effects and vast developer community ensure its continued importance in crypto. But Solana's impressive strides can't be ignored. Both ecosystems are thriving, each in its unique way. This parallel adoption is a win for crypto users, as it accelerates innovations and drives the entire industry forward.
4️⃣ More Chop Ahead, Then Up-Only
Bitcoin broke its all-time high in March, briefly breaching the $70 ,000 mark. While that party seemed to end pretty abruptly, let's not get carried away. This bull market is far from over.
The long-awaited ETH ETFs are nearly here, interest rate cuts are likely on the way, and crypto will likely continue to earn a place on the national stage during the U.S. elections with potential positive policy shifts in play.
💭 Closing Thoughts
So, has the first half of 2024 been all smooth sailing for crypto? Not quite.
The bull market must go
4 takeaways 👇
Crypto moves fast – like blink-and-you-missed-it fast.
The first half of this year has been no different, with new chains and applications emerging daily and the crypto industry gaining mainstream acceptance in the financial world.
Amid the Twitter echo chambers and the frenzy of bull market price action, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. So, let's zoom out and focus on the signal amid the noise.
TL;DR Crypto is just getting started; don't get shaken out.
Today, we’ll take a step back to reflect on the key developments of H1 2024, exploring the significant events and trends that highlight the progress we've made this year. 👇
1️⃣ Crypto is now mainstream
Remember the days when crypto was a niche plaything for cypherpunks? Those days are well over.
In the first half of 2024, crypto broke through to the mainstream with a vengeance.
The turning point was the long-awaited approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January. Suddenly, Wall Street had a comfortable on-ramp to crypto, and they took it in a big way. Eleven ETFs launched in one day, and volumes broke records.
And it didn’t stop at Bitcoin. The SEC finally greenlit eight spot ETH ETFs in May, further validating the entire crypto ecosystem, and opening the door for even broader institutional adoption.
2️⃣ Crypto Adoption Accelerating
Crypto adoption is accelerating at a remarkable pace. The number of active users across blockchains is up big time, hitting an all-time high of 42.92 million active addresses in April.
Another factor is the resurgence of DeFi. DeFi activity and mindshare are on the rise again, signaling a renewed interest and activity onchain, one that's moving beyond simple speculation to perhaps some real-world utility, like in the form of stablecoins for payments and asset tokenization for RWAs such as government securities.
The momentum is clear: more people are coming onchain, and they're finding more reasons to stay.
3️⃣ Ethereum Still Dominant, But Solana Rising
Ethereum remains the dominant force in crypto. Over 60% of the total value locked in DeFi sits on Ethereum, a testament to the lindy ecosystem, which acts as a foundation for countless applications and chains.
This dominance is not just a matter of capital but also technological progress on the roadmap. Ethereum is scaling through L2s like Base who have seen robust adoption this year, and thanks to the most recent Dencun upgrade, offer users significantly lowered gas fees.
Moreover, Solana’s innovation engine is running hot. Tech advancements like zk-compression and user-friendly features like Blinks are setting the stage for broader adoption, and we can see that Solana’s network effects are taking root in real time.
Make no mistake: Ethereum isn't going anywhere. Its established network effects and vast developer community ensure its continued importance in crypto. But Solana's impressive strides can't be ignored. Both ecosystems are thriving, each in its unique way. This parallel adoption is a win for crypto users, as it accelerates innovations and drives the entire industry forward.
4️⃣ More Chop Ahead, Then Up-Only
Bitcoin broke its all-time high in March, briefly breaching the $70 ,000 mark. While that party seemed to end pretty abruptly, let's not get carried away. This bull market is far from over.
The long-awaited ETH ETFs are nearly here, interest rate cuts are likely on the way, and crypto will likely continue to earn a place on the national stage during the U.S. elections with potential positive policy shifts in play.
💭 Closing Thoughts
So, has the first half of 2024 been all smooth sailing for crypto? Not quite.
The bull market must go
6 days ago
PREMIERE:
Is crypto still in a bull run? 🤔
Suddenly sentiment's bearish. Skeptics say the ETH ETF will amount to nothing. Gox will dump on you. There are no new crypto use cases. The list goes on...
Is it just summertime slowness, or is the bull market over? Let's find out👇
Is crypto still in a bull run? 🤔
Suddenly sentiment's bearish. Skeptics say the ETH ETF will amount to nothing. Gox will dump on you. There are no new crypto use cases. The list goes on...
Is it just summertime slowness, or is the bull market over? Let's find out👇
7 days ago
Blast's airdrop is tomorrow
And the stakes couldn't be higher...
Here's what you need to know before tomorrow's drop 👇
It's almost... finally... just about here.
Ethereum’s Blast_L2 has been one of the more innovative protocols when it comes to incentive models for bootstrapping deposits and user activity.
They've been very successful thus far, enabling the network to accumulate over $2B in total value locked (TVL) and become the second-largest L2!
While Blast has transformed into a Goliath among L2s, the imminence of its airdrop – scheduled for tomorrow, June 26 – raises undeniable concerns about the network’s future in the aftermath of this much-anticipated event.
Today, we’re digging into what we know about the airdrop and unpacking the dilemma Blast faces in the post-drop battle to retain existing users and their capital! 👇
What's Happening with Blast?
Many early Blast depositors were shocked when they received a points multiplier instead of liquid tokens at mainnet launched in February, and despite promises to conduct a drop sometime in May, this date was subsequently delayed to June 26 (tomorrow!) for unknown reasons.
Although Blast had not provided complete tokenomics until today, it had committed to setting aside half of the nebulous initial airdrop allocation to recipients of “Points” and the other half to holders of “Gold.”
Further, Blast introduced “Jackpots” to distribute Gold to users; wallets could enter a “deck” of up to eight Blast-native tokens or NFTs into these randomly occurring events to receive Gold if one of their selected items is chosen as the Jackpot winner.
Needless to say, it's been a long, winding road filled with a lot of leaderboards and incentive charades. But now, after all this time, the team finally has to deliver on its airdrop.
$BLAST launches tomorrow at 10AM EST.
Who's Getting Blast's Airdrop?
Blast’s success has primarily hinged on users’ perceptions that interacting with the network will position them to receive lucrative token rewards, making it imperative for Blast to conduct a well-received airdrop to maintain its market dominance.
Although a monster initial airdrop allocation would certainly make users feel valued for their past activities, it would diminish the value of future airdrop incentives and dilute the potency of this airdrop farm. Alternatively, too small of an initial drop risks aggravating users and unraveling the belief that unclear BLAST allocation schemes are worth chasing.
In total, Blast reserved 50% of the total 100B BLAST supply for the community, with 17B of these tokens – roughly one-third of the total community allocation – set to be distributed through the initial, or Phase 1, airdrop.
The top 0.1% of airdrop recipients, about 1k addresses, will have to vest a portion of their airdrop linearly over 6 months and will be subject to minimum monthly Points thresholds based on their Phase 1 activity to fully vest their allocation – a clear effort to keep whales and their capital involved in the network's future.
An additional 8B BLAST subject to a 4-year linear unlock was granted to the recently established Blast Foundation, an organization intended to help the community realize the “Blast Vision,” further details of which are scheduled to be unveiled tomorrow alongside the airdrop.
On the other hand, a successful initial drop would build an outsized aura around the network and likely attract an increased amount of users and capital seeking to farm future incentives to Blast, turbocharging onchain metrics, bolstering the valuation of BLAST, and increasing the attractiveness of this opportunity!
Which future awaits Blast? We'll have a good idea in a few hours!
Written by JackInabinet
And the stakes couldn't be higher...
Here's what you need to know before tomorrow's drop 👇
It's almost... finally... just about here.
Ethereum’s Blast_L2 has been one of the more innovative protocols when it comes to incentive models for bootstrapping deposits and user activity.
They've been very successful thus far, enabling the network to accumulate over $2B in total value locked (TVL) and become the second-largest L2!
While Blast has transformed into a Goliath among L2s, the imminence of its airdrop – scheduled for tomorrow, June 26 – raises undeniable concerns about the network’s future in the aftermath of this much-anticipated event.
Today, we’re digging into what we know about the airdrop and unpacking the dilemma Blast faces in the post-drop battle to retain existing users and their capital! 👇
What's Happening with Blast?
Many early Blast depositors were shocked when they received a points multiplier instead of liquid tokens at mainnet launched in February, and despite promises to conduct a drop sometime in May, this date was subsequently delayed to June 26 (tomorrow!) for unknown reasons.
Although Blast had not provided complete tokenomics until today, it had committed to setting aside half of the nebulous initial airdrop allocation to recipients of “Points” and the other half to holders of “Gold.”
Further, Blast introduced “Jackpots” to distribute Gold to users; wallets could enter a “deck” of up to eight Blast-native tokens or NFTs into these randomly occurring events to receive Gold if one of their selected items is chosen as the Jackpot winner.
Needless to say, it's been a long, winding road filled with a lot of leaderboards and incentive charades. But now, after all this time, the team finally has to deliver on its airdrop.
$BLAST launches tomorrow at 10AM EST.
Who's Getting Blast's Airdrop?
Blast’s success has primarily hinged on users’ perceptions that interacting with the network will position them to receive lucrative token rewards, making it imperative for Blast to conduct a well-received airdrop to maintain its market dominance.
Although a monster initial airdrop allocation would certainly make users feel valued for their past activities, it would diminish the value of future airdrop incentives and dilute the potency of this airdrop farm. Alternatively, too small of an initial drop risks aggravating users and unraveling the belief that unclear BLAST allocation schemes are worth chasing.
In total, Blast reserved 50% of the total 100B BLAST supply for the community, with 17B of these tokens – roughly one-third of the total community allocation – set to be distributed through the initial, or Phase 1, airdrop.
The top 0.1% of airdrop recipients, about 1k addresses, will have to vest a portion of their airdrop linearly over 6 months and will be subject to minimum monthly Points thresholds based on their Phase 1 activity to fully vest their allocation – a clear effort to keep whales and their capital involved in the network's future.
An additional 8B BLAST subject to a 4-year linear unlock was granted to the recently established Blast Foundation, an organization intended to help the community realize the “Blast Vision,” further details of which are scheduled to be unveiled tomorrow alongside the airdrop.
On the other hand, a successful initial drop would build an outsized aura around the network and likely attract an increased amount of users and capital seeking to farm future incentives to Blast, turbocharging onchain metrics, bolstering the valuation of BLAST, and increasing the attractiveness of this opportunity!
Which future awaits Blast? We'll have a good idea in a few hours!
Written by JackInabinet
7 days ago
Is Ethereum the crypto app store?
This is David's 1-minute ETH pitch to Wall Street
This is David's 1-minute ETH pitch to Wall Street
11 days ago
Early Access-- Freedom of Speech 🗣
w/ glukianoff
This is why we can never stop fighting for free speech
Unlock Early Access 👇
http://bankless.cc/Freedom...
w/ glukianoff
This is why we can never stop fighting for free speech
Unlock Early Access 👇
http://bankless.cc/Freedom...
12 days ago
The Open Network has been a rare rocket ship during choppy markets 🚀
Here's how you can get started with the chain 👇
It's been hard to miss the rise of $TON over the past few months
Thanks to its integration with Telegram
& persistent price action The Open Network ecosystem continues to gain traction rapidly
These are the most active areas in the ton_blockchain
:
🎮 Telegram-Based P2E Games
Gaming has become a stand-out feature for TON, first with Notcoin and now with other games like CatizenAI and Hamster Kombat.
In summary, gaming on TON, whether through Catizen or Hamster Kombat, offers some (very) simple entertainment and real-world rewards, making it an attractive option for early speculators.
🔒 Liquid-Stake your TON for additional rewards
Like most PoS ecosystems, liquid staking with Tonstakers or Bemo Finance lets you use your TON to earn additional rewards.
- bemo_finance is another non-custodial liquid staking protocol on TON. It allows users to stake TON tokens and receive $stTON tokens in return that can be freely used in DeFi and increase in value as staking rewards are earned.
Both Tonstakers and Bemo Finance offer excellent opportunities for users to earn rewards through staking, making them valuable tools for maximizing your TON holdings.
🫳 Swap tokens on DEXs
DEXs lie at the center of TON’s DeFi ecosystem to drive the network forward, particularly http://STON.fi and DeDust.
💰 Lend through money markets
Lending platforms on TON offer additional ways to leverage your assets and turn a profit.
- evaaprotocol is a lending platform on the TON network that allows users to lend and borrow assets like TON, stTON, $tsTON , and $USDT directly from Telegram.
With double-digit interest rates for TON and USDT, the platform stands out as a competitive option for participating in DeFi and earning additional yield on your TON — way higher than with staking! The protocol currently has an XP points program, which can be later burned in exchange for the $EVAA token when it launches.
-
daolama_ton offers NFT lending for TON, currently supporting over 35 collections. On the platform, users can choose an NFT they’d like to rent out in exchange for TON, create a proposal, and then, when confirmed, receive TON based on the proposal's guidelines. Additionally, DAOLama’s marketplace offers a Buy Now, Pay Later feature for NFTs, allowing you to purchase NFTs like Anonymous Telegram Numbers 👀 for 41 TON instead of 113 TON.
In conclusion, Evaa Protocol and DAOLama TON offer unique and user-friendly lending solutions, providing even more avenues for earning yield on TON.
🤑 Trade crypto derivatives
For fans of derivatives trading, TON comes ready for platforms for trading crypto assets on up to 50x leverage.
storm_trade_ton is a decentralized derivatives trading platform built on TON and directly integrated with Telegram. Accessible via a web app and Telegram bot, Storm Trade provides trading features like leverage up to x50, instant price updates, and trading pairs with collateral in TON and USDT.
In addition, Storm Trade offers opportunities to earn through tournaments or by providing liquidity. In their daily tournaments, users compete for Storm Trade NFTs, which will whitelist them for the exchange’s token at launch. In their vaults, users can provide liquidity to act as a counterparty to traders on the platform and earn 70% of protocol fees. This can all be done directly from Telegram, making trading available on the go.
Written by
davewardonline✍️
Here's how you can get started with the chain 👇
It's been hard to miss the rise of $TON over the past few months
Thanks to its integration with Telegram
& persistent price action The Open Network ecosystem continues to gain traction rapidly
These are the most active areas in the ton_blockchain
:
🎮 Telegram-Based P2E Games
Gaming has become a stand-out feature for TON, first with Notcoin and now with other games like CatizenAI and Hamster Kombat.
In summary, gaming on TON, whether through Catizen or Hamster Kombat, offers some (very) simple entertainment and real-world rewards, making it an attractive option for early speculators.
🔒 Liquid-Stake your TON for additional rewards
Like most PoS ecosystems, liquid staking with Tonstakers or Bemo Finance lets you use your TON to earn additional rewards.
- bemo_finance is another non-custodial liquid staking protocol on TON. It allows users to stake TON tokens and receive $stTON tokens in return that can be freely used in DeFi and increase in value as staking rewards are earned.
Both Tonstakers and Bemo Finance offer excellent opportunities for users to earn rewards through staking, making them valuable tools for maximizing your TON holdings.
🫳 Swap tokens on DEXs
DEXs lie at the center of TON’s DeFi ecosystem to drive the network forward, particularly http://STON.fi and DeDust.
💰 Lend through money markets
Lending platforms on TON offer additional ways to leverage your assets and turn a profit.
- evaaprotocol is a lending platform on the TON network that allows users to lend and borrow assets like TON, stTON, $tsTON , and $USDT directly from Telegram.
With double-digit interest rates for TON and USDT, the platform stands out as a competitive option for participating in DeFi and earning additional yield on your TON — way higher than with staking! The protocol currently has an XP points program, which can be later burned in exchange for the $EVAA token when it launches.
-
daolama_ton offers NFT lending for TON, currently supporting over 35 collections. On the platform, users can choose an NFT they’d like to rent out in exchange for TON, create a proposal, and then, when confirmed, receive TON based on the proposal's guidelines. Additionally, DAOLama’s marketplace offers a Buy Now, Pay Later feature for NFTs, allowing you to purchase NFTs like Anonymous Telegram Numbers 👀 for 41 TON instead of 113 TON.
In conclusion, Evaa Protocol and DAOLama TON offer unique and user-friendly lending solutions, providing even more avenues for earning yield on TON.
🤑 Trade crypto derivatives
For fans of derivatives trading, TON comes ready for platforms for trading crypto assets on up to 50x leverage.
storm_trade_ton is a decentralized derivatives trading platform built on TON and directly integrated with Telegram. Accessible via a web app and Telegram bot, Storm Trade provides trading features like leverage up to x50, instant price updates, and trading pairs with collateral in TON and USDT.
In addition, Storm Trade offers opportunities to earn through tournaments or by providing liquidity. In their daily tournaments, users compete for Storm Trade NFTs, which will whitelist them for the exchange’s token at launch. In their vaults, users can provide liquidity to act as a counterparty to traders on the platform and earn 70% of protocol fees. This can all be done directly from Telegram, making trading available on the go.
Written by
davewardonline✍️
12 days ago
Is OP_CAT the missing piece for BTC L2s?
This opcode has everyone talking; what does it do?
A beginner's guide 👇
Bitcoin L2s are the talk of the town, but not much of their promise has been realized yet.
What are Bitcoin's builders waiting for?
One significant proposal could help mature the Bitcoin L2 landscape: the reintroduction of OP_CAT. This opcode, which was disabled early in Bitcoin's history, could unlock new capabilities and pave the way for more sophisticated and trustless Bitcoin L2 solutions.
Let's dig into why this opcode could be so transformative for BTC 👇
What is OP_CAT?
Okay, so why is this seemingly random opcode so controversial? OP_CAT, or "Operation Concatenate" is an opcode in Bitcoin's scripting language that allows for the concatenation of two data elements.
Initially proposed by Satoshi Nakamoto, OP_CAT was disabled in 2010 due to security concerns related to its original implementation, specifically potential denial-of-service (DoS) attacks caused by unbounded memory usage.
The introduction of the Taproot upgrade in 2021 has mitigated these original concerns. Taproot enforces a maximum stack element size of 520 bytes, addressing the memory usage issue that led to OP_CAT's deactivation. With this security improvement and resurgent Bitcoin development interest, thanks to Ordinals and Runes, a movement to reintroduce OP_CAT to enhance Bitcoin's scripting capabilities is gaining steam, aiming to put more complex transaction capabilities in reach.
Are Covenants and Smart Contracts Different?
One reason why OP_CAT is so compelling is because it can actualize covenants, i.e. spending conditions, on Bitcoin. Covenants and smart contracts are both mechanisms for controlling the flow of funds in a blockchain network, but they operate in distinct ways.
Covenants:
Purpose: Restrict how funds can be spent in future transactions.
Functionality: Implement specific spending constraints, such as limiting addresses or setting conditions on fund transfers.
Complexity: Generally involves simpler, deterministic logic without loops or complex computations.
Implementation: Can be implemented using Bitcoin Script with enhancements like OP_CAT.
Smart Contracts:
Purpose: Automate a wide range of processes and transactions.
Functionality: Handle complex tasks such as decentralized exchanges, token issuance, and multi-party agreements.
Complexity: Support complex conditional logic, including loops and intricate computations.
Implementation: Commonly implemented on platforms like Ethereum using high-level programming languages.
Why Does OP_CAT Matter for Bitcoin L2s?
OP_CAT would prove crucial for advancing Bitcoin L2 solutions because it enhances the scripting capabilities needed for more complex and trustless Bitcoin infra. First, OP_CAT allows for covenants, enabling the construction of more complex scripts. This is essential for creating advanced transaction conditions and functionalities required for L2 solutions.
Additionally, if OP_CAT is activated, projects like StarkWareLtdare on standby to develop atop it. StarkWare has plans to leverage OP_CAT for bringing zero-knowledge (ZK) scaling to #Bitcoin to enable advanced financial instruments and apps on the network. StarkWare’s involvement here underscores the broader ecosystem's readiness to capitalize on the enhanced capabilities that OP_CAT would introduce.
As such, as the community continues to explore and test the possibilities around this proposal, the future of Bitcoin L2s looks promising and ripe with potential. At this point, reactivating OP_CAT seems like a matter of when not if!
Written by
WPeaster
This opcode has everyone talking; what does it do?
A beginner's guide 👇
Bitcoin L2s are the talk of the town, but not much of their promise has been realized yet.
What are Bitcoin's builders waiting for?
One significant proposal could help mature the Bitcoin L2 landscape: the reintroduction of OP_CAT. This opcode, which was disabled early in Bitcoin's history, could unlock new capabilities and pave the way for more sophisticated and trustless Bitcoin L2 solutions.
Let's dig into why this opcode could be so transformative for BTC 👇
What is OP_CAT?
Okay, so why is this seemingly random opcode so controversial? OP_CAT, or "Operation Concatenate" is an opcode in Bitcoin's scripting language that allows for the concatenation of two data elements.
Initially proposed by Satoshi Nakamoto, OP_CAT was disabled in 2010 due to security concerns related to its original implementation, specifically potential denial-of-service (DoS) attacks caused by unbounded memory usage.
The introduction of the Taproot upgrade in 2021 has mitigated these original concerns. Taproot enforces a maximum stack element size of 520 bytes, addressing the memory usage issue that led to OP_CAT's deactivation. With this security improvement and resurgent Bitcoin development interest, thanks to Ordinals and Runes, a movement to reintroduce OP_CAT to enhance Bitcoin's scripting capabilities is gaining steam, aiming to put more complex transaction capabilities in reach.
Are Covenants and Smart Contracts Different?
One reason why OP_CAT is so compelling is because it can actualize covenants, i.e. spending conditions, on Bitcoin. Covenants and smart contracts are both mechanisms for controlling the flow of funds in a blockchain network, but they operate in distinct ways.
Covenants:
Purpose: Restrict how funds can be spent in future transactions.
Functionality: Implement specific spending constraints, such as limiting addresses or setting conditions on fund transfers.
Complexity: Generally involves simpler, deterministic logic without loops or complex computations.
Implementation: Can be implemented using Bitcoin Script with enhancements like OP_CAT.
Smart Contracts:
Purpose: Automate a wide range of processes and transactions.
Functionality: Handle complex tasks such as decentralized exchanges, token issuance, and multi-party agreements.
Complexity: Support complex conditional logic, including loops and intricate computations.
Implementation: Commonly implemented on platforms like Ethereum using high-level programming languages.
Why Does OP_CAT Matter for Bitcoin L2s?
OP_CAT would prove crucial for advancing Bitcoin L2 solutions because it enhances the scripting capabilities needed for more complex and trustless Bitcoin infra. First, OP_CAT allows for covenants, enabling the construction of more complex scripts. This is essential for creating advanced transaction conditions and functionalities required for L2 solutions.
Additionally, if OP_CAT is activated, projects like StarkWareLtdare on standby to develop atop it. StarkWare has plans to leverage OP_CAT for bringing zero-knowledge (ZK) scaling to #Bitcoin to enable advanced financial instruments and apps on the network. StarkWare’s involvement here underscores the broader ecosystem's readiness to capitalize on the enhanced capabilities that OP_CAT would introduce.
As such, as the community continues to explore and test the possibilities around this proposal, the future of Bitcoin L2s looks promising and ripe with potential. At this point, reactivating OP_CAT seems like a matter of when not if!
Written by
WPeaster
13 days ago
Is Solana's economic security doomed?
aeyakovenko & drakefjustin strongly disagree
Who do you think is right? 👇
aeyakovenko & drakefjustin strongly disagree
Who do you think is right? 👇
14 days ago
Is the $DJT memecoin actually connected to Trump?
The Solana memecoin reportedly launched by Trump's teen son Barron is mooning, but is it real?
Our analysis 👇
- Unverified Report and Market Impact: Tech, politics, and culture publication
PirateWires posted yesterday on Twitter claiming Donald Trump is launching a token named DJT. Following the post, DJT's trading volume hit $363M in the past 24 hours, and its price surged 385%.
- Speculative Connections and No Confirmation: The report suggested Trump's son Barron, a claim further substantiated by (supposedly) Barron’s best friend, Bo. However, the Trump campaign and organization have not responded.
- Suspicious Posting and Unlocked Liquidity: The contract address was shared in replies to the Pirate Wires post, which, upon analysis, showed DJT's liquidity is not locked, a significant red flag for memecoins, and that the token had a “build-the-wall” feature that could be activated to halt trading.
- KuCoin Funding and Limited Visibility: Further potential red flags come from the fact that the token was funded from kucoincom
, which is inaccessible to U.S. citizens. Also, DJT pools had minimal liquidity visibility on platforms like dexscreener
, working correctly only on specific tools like Dextools.
- Concentration and Trump's Silence: The top owner holds 67% of the supply, a high risk of manipulation. Despite his reputation, Trump has not claimed or bragged about the coin's success, which is unusual for him.
Bankless Take:
The DJT memecoin's surge certainly exhibits all of the hallmarks of a classic crypto grift. The sketchy nature of the source, suspicious dissemination of the contract address, unlocked liquidity, KuCoin funding, limited visibility, and high owner concentration are all significant red flags.
All that said, we don't know for sure one way or the other. In a new era of celebrity memecoins, it's not unreasonable that Trump would be dissatisfied seeing unofficial tickers like $TREMP pump without him getting a take. Further, Pirate Wires is operated by the CMO of venture fund Founders Fund which is run by Trump's close 2016 Silicon Valley ally (and outspoken BTC bull) peterthiel
The Solana memecoin reportedly launched by Trump's teen son Barron is mooning, but is it real?
Our analysis 👇
- Unverified Report and Market Impact: Tech, politics, and culture publication
PirateWires posted yesterday on Twitter claiming Donald Trump is launching a token named DJT. Following the post, DJT's trading volume hit $363M in the past 24 hours, and its price surged 385%.
- Speculative Connections and No Confirmation: The report suggested Trump's son Barron, a claim further substantiated by (supposedly) Barron’s best friend, Bo. However, the Trump campaign and organization have not responded.
- Suspicious Posting and Unlocked Liquidity: The contract address was shared in replies to the Pirate Wires post, which, upon analysis, showed DJT's liquidity is not locked, a significant red flag for memecoins, and that the token had a “build-the-wall” feature that could be activated to halt trading.
- KuCoin Funding and Limited Visibility: Further potential red flags come from the fact that the token was funded from kucoincom
, which is inaccessible to U.S. citizens. Also, DJT pools had minimal liquidity visibility on platforms like dexscreener
, working correctly only on specific tools like Dextools.
- Concentration and Trump's Silence: The top owner holds 67% of the supply, a high risk of manipulation. Despite his reputation, Trump has not claimed or bragged about the coin's success, which is unusual for him.
Bankless Take:
The DJT memecoin's surge certainly exhibits all of the hallmarks of a classic crypto grift. The sketchy nature of the source, suspicious dissemination of the contract address, unlocked liquidity, KuCoin funding, limited visibility, and high owner concentration are all significant red flags.
All that said, we don't know for sure one way or the other. In a new era of celebrity memecoins, it's not unreasonable that Trump would be dissatisfied seeing unofficial tickers like $TREMP pump without him getting a take. Further, Pirate Wires is operated by the CMO of venture fund Founders Fund which is run by Trump's close 2016 Silicon Valley ally (and outspoken BTC bull) peterthiel
14 days ago
Top Catalysts for the Top AI Tokens
Crypto's top AI tokens are down bad, but are comebacks ahead? 🤔
AI tokens have dominated the market and mindshare over the past year, leading many to believe that this is the AI x Crypto cycle.
However, in recent months, AI tokens have been on a downward trend, with many down 25-50% from their local highs.
Crypto's top AI tokens are down bad, but are comebacks ahead? 🤔
AI tokens have dominated the market and mindshare over the past year, leading many to believe that this is the AI x Crypto cycle.
However, in recent months, AI tokens have been on a downward trend, with many down 25-50% from their local highs.
17 days ago
Biden may start accepting crypto donations
Despite his wing's anti-crypto stance, Biden is looking to attract financial support from the industry
What to know + our thoughts 🧵👇
Despite his wing's anti-crypto stance, Biden is looking to attract financial support from the industry
What to know + our thoughts 🧵👇
19 days ago
Your daily guide to crypto in 3 mins or less
The Daily Brief is your spotlight in the dark, the #1 crypto guide trusted by 450k+ people going bankless
Subscribe for free:
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The Daily Brief is your spotlight in the dark, the #1 crypto guide trusted by 450k+ people going bankless
Subscribe for free:
https://www.bankless.com/d...
Daily Brief | Bankless
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20 days ago
Trump believes domestic Bitcoin mining will help the U.S. achieve energy dominance. Early Tuesday, Trump met with execs from Nasdaq-listed bitcoin mining firms CleanSpark_Inc and RiotPlatforms, highlighting miners' role in stabilizing the grid.
20 days ago
Trump voiced support for more domestic BTC mining and wants remaining coins 'MADE IN THE USA!!!'
What you should know + our take 👇
What you should know + our take 👇
22 days ago
Hey, anon -- we're hiring
🌐 Social Media Intern
📱 Sr. Product Designer
✍️ Editorial Analysis Intern
✂️ Part-Time Podcast Video Editor/Producer
Fully remote | Competitive pay | Educate on all things crypto
Interested? Apply below (or tag someone who's a good fit)👇
🌐 Social Media Intern
📱 Sr. Product Designer
✍️ Editorial Analysis Intern
✂️ Part-Time Podcast Video Editor/Producer
Fully remote | Competitive pay | Educate on all things crypto
Interested? Apply below (or tag someone who's a good fit)👇
25 days ago
The ETH ETF is coming to Wall Street
But how can we best sell Ethereum's potential to TradFi?
Our Top 6 Narratives 👇
"It's a Tokenization Platform"
"Ethereum is the Onchain App Store"
"It's an Internet Bond"
"ETH is Ultra Sound Money"
"It's Digital Oil"
"It's Internet Money"
But how can we best sell Ethereum's potential to TradFi?
Our Top 6 Narratives 👇
"It's a Tokenization Platform"
"Ethereum is the Onchain App Store"
"It's an Internet Bond"
"ETH is Ultra Sound Money"
"It's Digital Oil"
"It's Internet Money"
