Congressman Demand Clarity on Crypto Airdrops From SEC Chair

Blockdaemon, a blockchain infrastructure provider, is considering a potential initial public offering (IPO) in 2026. CEO Konstantin Richter stated that 2026 would be a suitable timeframe for pursuing an IPO, as the company would be around eight or nine years old by then.

Solana Labs is set to launch the Solana Seeker smartphone in mid-2025, following the success of its previous phone, the Solana Saga. The Seeker, priced at $450, will feature a brighter display, longer battery life, better cameras, and improved performance compared to its predecessor. Solana Mobile, the Labs division behind the hardware, aims to attract new and existing crypto users with the Seeker, which will come with a custom custody solution called the Seed Vault and a software wallet developed in collaboration with Solflare.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump made a historic transaction by using Bitcoin to buy burgers at a Bitcoin-themed bar in Manhattan. Trump was assisted by Bitcoin backers at the bar who helped him with the process of scanning a QR code and approving the transaction. Trump expressed his support for the crypto community and encouraged them to vote in the upcoming election.

Despite Jamie Dimon's criticism of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, JPMorgan Chase, one of the largest banks in the world, is a significant user of blockchain technology. Dimon stated that the bank is a "real" user of blockchain, emphasizing its practical application rather than illicit activities like sex trafficking. JPMorgan Chase utilizes blockchain for its JPM Coin product, enabling automated fund transfers based on predetermined conditions.

Hackers targeted notable Twitter users, including Lenovo, Oliver Stone, Yahoo News UK, and Neymar Jr., to promote a dodgy meme coin called HACKED on Solana. However, the scam didn't gain much traction, with the cryptocurrency only generating $278,000 in trading volume and a market cap of $5,700. Despite the scale of the attack, the hackers likely only made away with $8,000.

The SEC has settled charges against decentralized finance platform Rari Capital and its co-founders for allegedly misleading investors and acting as an unregistered broker. Rari Capital's platforms held over $1 billion worth of assets at one point. The settlement includes various penalties and injunctions against the co-founders and a cease-and-desist order for Rari Capital Infrastructure.

The Federal Reserve has initiated its easing cycle by lowering its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points. This marks the first rate cut in four years and is accompanied by a decrease in the price of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The Fed's decision is driven by a focus on supporting the cooling U.S. labor market and addressing inflation concerns.

Dustin Stockton, lead organizer of the January 6 protest, believes that Barron Trump, the youngest son of former president Donald Trump, is a time traveler. This belief is shared by other Trump supporters and has roots in a late 19th-century novel. Stockton, who is involved in the crypto world, believes that Barron is deeply involved in cryptocurrency trading and has multiple wallets.

BitGo has launched its own U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin called USDS, aiming to prioritize fairness, transparency, and market neutrality. The launch comes as BitGo competes with Coinbase, which recently introduced a wrapped Bitcoin token called cbBTC. Stablecoins are controversial assets in the crypto space, with regulators seeking to control the industry and banks warning of potential risks to financial stability.

The Jekyll Island Club, known as the birthplace of the Federal Reserve, was disrupted Wednesday by a seven-foot-tall inflatable rat bearing the markings of Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. The rat, erected by mathematical artist Nelson Saiers, is a symbol of suspicion towards the banking system and the perception that banks are treated better than the average person. Saiers believes that Bitcoin addresses this angst and offers an alternative to the existing financial system.