At The Moon Mag, we love to keep you up to date on what’s hot, new, and making waves in the crypto.
I’m thrilled to share some exhilarating news from the Coinrunners front!
https://coinrunnersmovie.com/synopsis/
We’ve got a Director announcement coming soon and I’m so excited! What makes this so special is that the pieces of my vision are falling into place. Good things take time, and I’ve begun building a team for Coinrunners that shares my exact vision for the Crypto Movie I’ve written.
And it’s not just about agreeing; it’s about having people on board who can explain back to me what this movie looks like because we share the same vision! It’s like watching a dream take shape, and I can't wait for you to see it unfold. When things align like this, true progress happens, and dreams come to life!
But enough about this, let’s talk MoonMag and we’ve got more exciting content packed into this issue. Don’t miss out on our feature "20 Questions to Help You Trade Better," it’s fantastic because I wrote it, and it is designed to sharpen your trading skills and give you that extra edge in the crypto market. Plus, the latest buzz on the "Pectra Upgrade" is something you absolutely need to read about, along with a must-see article on Carnomaly fresh, new, and exciting. It’s definitely one to add to your bags! 9Not Financial Advicebut I am)
A note from Josh
If you’re into the global scene, we’re covering the European Blockchain Convention, where innovation is sparking all around us. We’ll also help you navigate the latest in bridging blockchains, a crucial tool for staying ahead in this decentralised era.
Grab a coffee, charge your Ipda and start reading! this journey is only beginning, and we’re here to keep you at the forefront!
Lisa
The crossover of crypto to the real world has always been difficult, as would any new industry trying to capture the attention of a global audience, let alone plant itself firmly into cultures. New ideas and change scare people. People love to lead routine lives where they feel in 'control'. I use quotes when mentioning control because, let's be honest, how in control are we? And if we are in control, how limiting is that?
Anyway, crypto. This edition of the Moon Mag has a look at some of the real-world crossovers, such as digital rent and Carnomaly, our feature project. By default, the change is quite seamless - it's obvious how these models work without going into details of 'blockchain this' and 'decentralised that'. This is what I believe it takes to integrate fresh industries into the real world, as it shows effective, smooth merging and does not deter people from accepting it as change.
More and more, we see crypto technology seep into modern-day infrastructure, and this makes me happy. Before long, I can see the industry running and maintaining a good percentage of the economic world, as the digital age really begins to take hold. It does beg the question though, how long before humans eventually strive for the analogue world again? We are not robots (yet.... Thanks, Elon) and fundamentally have an undeniable connection to Nature. Could the digital age disguise itself effectively enough to replace that connection? Second Nature, one might say? Perhaps an article for another day and arguably a great philosophical debate, but until then, enjoy the Moon Mag and don't forget to touch some grass!
SPONSORS
We are incredibly grateful to the following sponsors for their support. We run a ‘Sponsor A Writer’ campaign where crypto projects take part in an altruistic act of sponsoring our talented writers. By doing so, they play a crucial role in keeping the crypto economy alive and thriving, not only for our readership, but for the writers who provide the awesome articles.
DISCLAIMER
All the content provided for you as part of the Moon Mag has been researched thoroughly and to the best of our ability however it is your choice, and your choice only, whether you wish to invest or participate in any of the projects. We cannot be held responsible for your decisions and the consequences of your actions. We do not provide financial advice. Please DYOR and above all, enjoy the content!
CONTRIBUTORS
Daniel
Daniel has been a blockchain technologyevangelist since 2012 and is a faithful believer in the Crypto ecosystem. Daniel also writes for Coin Telegraph!
Samantha
Freelance journalist dedicated to digital media, enthusiast of the crypto ecosystem and disruptive technologies MDC writer since 2018, currently writer for CryptoTrendencia.
Chris
I joined the crypto party in 2017 Worked as a DAO contributor, startup advisor, lead researcher and co-author My superpower? Translating complex blockchain concepts into clear, engaging content that resonates.
TRADERS PERSPECTIVE
20 Questions to Help You Trade Better
written by Lisa N. Edwards
Trading in the cryptocurrency market is exhilarating there's nothing quite like the rush of seeing your analysis pay off with gains or the tension that comes with market uncertainty. But, while technical analysis, chart patterns, and market trends are crucial, selfreflection is often overlooked. Knowing your habits, emotions, and thought processes can dramatically improve your trading strategy. It’s not just about the markets; it’s about you. That’s where trading reflection comes into play.
Taking a step back and asking yourself the right questions can offer insight into your decision-making processes and help refine your approach. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, here are 20 questions you should ask yourself regularly to become a better trader:
1. What is my trading goal?
Are you aiming for short-term gains or playing the long game? Clearly defining your goals helps align your strategy.
2. Am I sticking to my trading plan?
Every trade should follow a well-thought-out plan. Are you following yours, or are you making impulsive decisions?
3. Do I understand the assets I’m trading?
Understanding the fundamentals behind the coins, tokens, and other assets is key. Are you just following trends, or do you truly grasp the value of what you're trading? Again, is this a long-term or short-term plan?
4. How do I manage my risk?
Risk management is the backbone of any trading strategy. Are you risking too much on each trade, or are you overly cautious and missing opportunities?
5. What did I learn from my last trade?
Every trade offers a lesson, win or lose. Are you taking notes and learning from each trade to improve future outcomes?
6. How do emotions affect my trades?
Fear and greed can lead to rash decisions. Are you staying emotionally detached from your trades, or do your feelings dictate your actions?
7. Am I using stop-losses effectively?
Stop-losses can save you from catastrophic losses. Are you using them appropriately or letting your trades run unchecked? Are you moving these up as the trade progresses? Look back at point Number 4
8.
Do
I react impulsively to market news?
Crypto markets move fast, and news can be a major catalyst. Are you acting too quickly on news, or are you taking the time to assess how it truly affects the market?
9. How often do I check the charts?
Obsessively checking charts can lead to anxiety and impulsiveness. Are you giving your trades time to play out, or are you glued to the screen?
10. What timeframes am I trading?
Are you a short-term, day, or swing trader? Knowing which timeframe suits your style is essential for developing a consistent strategy.
11. Am I diversifying my portfolio?
Relying on just one asset can be risky. Are you diversifying to manage risk better, or are you too concentrated on a single coin?
12. How well do I handle losses?
Losses are part of the game. Do you let them discourage you or view them as opportunities to learn and improve?
13. Am I keeping a trading journal?
Documenting your trades can offer invaluable insights over time. Are you tracking your successes, failures, and the reasoning behind each trade?
Download our TRADE TRACKER here https://gettingstartedincrypto.com/start-up-kit/
14.
Am I staying updated with market trends?
The crypto space evolves rapidly. Are you informed about technological advancements, regulatory changes, and macroeconomic factors impacting your trades?
15. How do I respond to market volatility?
Crypto markets are notoriously volatile. Do you panic in the face of large price swings, or do you maintain a level-headed approach?
16. What indicators am I relying on?
There are many indicators like EMAs, RSI, MACD, etc. Are you using the right ones for your strategy, or are you overwhelmed by too much data?
17. Do I seek out the opinions of others too often?
While it’s good to consider others’ perspectives, over-reliance on external opinions can cloud your judgment. Are you confident in your analysis, or do you frequently change course based on others?
18. How disciplined am I with my exit strategy?
Entering a trade is one thing, but knowing when to exit is another. Are you exiting at the right time or holding on too long, hoping for bigger gains?
19. What are my biggest trading mistakes, and how can I avoid them?
Every trader makes mistakes. Have you identified your common pitfalls, and do you have strategies in place to avoid repeating them?
20. Am I taking care of myself outside of trading?
Trading can be mentally exhausting. Are you maintaining a healthy balance between trading and your personal life, or are you burning out?
The Power of Trading Reflection
Self-reflection is your greatest tool for personal and professional growth in trading. While market analysis, technical strategies, and timing are critical to successful trading, the internal mindset of the trader is just as important if not more so. Through selfreflection, traders can identify patterns in their behaviour, strengths they can leverage, and weaknesses they need to address.
This ongoing process of introspection helps traders sharpen their skills and builds resilience and discipline, which are essential when the crypto market is unpredictable.
Regularly asking yourself key questions, you gain insight into your habits, motivations, and emotions. It’s one thing to know how to read a chart or assess market sentiment, but another to understand how your emotions may influence your decision-making. Are you prone to panic when the market moves against you? Do you let greed cloud your judgment when things are going well? Reflecting on these tendencies allows you to spot patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. Over time, you can fine-tune your strategies, both from a technical and psychological perspective, which leads to improved consistency in your trades.
Self-awareness is a trader’s secret weapon. It’s easy to blame the market when things go wrong, but the truth is that many trading mistakes stem from emotional reactions rather than poor market conditions.
Fear, greed, overconfidence, and impatience are common emotions that can cloud judgment and lead to poor decisions. The most successful traders are not just skilled at analysing charts they are masters of their minds. They know how to stay calm in the face of volatility, stick to their plan even when it’s tempting to deviate and maintain discipline regardless of market conditions.
In trading, personal growth is directly tied to professional growth. As you improve your self-awareness, you become more confident in your trading strategy, disciplined in your execution, and more resilient in the face of losses. This kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight it requires consistent selfreflection and a willingness to learn from your wins and losses. The market is ever-changing, but when you understand yourself, you can adapt and thrive no matter what the crypto market is doing.
Success in trading is about more than just understanding the market; it’s about understanding yourself. Those who take the time to reflect, refine, and grow will always have the upper hand, not just in trading but in life as well.
And if you want to get into the essential mindset for trading, my book - Become a Millionaire in one year, could help get you there!
Short-term rentals are undergoing a digital transformation, and it’s shaking up the traditional landscape led by giants like Airbnb or booking.com. New platforms powered by blockchain technology, such as Rentberry ($BERRY) and DTravel ($TRVL), are making waves by addressing some of the industry's long-standing inefficiencies.
Traditionally, platforms like Airbnb have dominated the rental market by offering a centralised solution for hosts and travellers alike. It’s a proven model, but one that comes with its challenges especially around costs, data fragmentation, and users' lack of control. Blockchain, however, is opening the door to a new era where decentralisation and community-led models like Rentberry and DTravel offer more transparency, efficiency, and control over RWAs.
While Airbnb remains a dominant player, its model relies heavily on centralised data silos and complex integration issues. Rentberry and DTravel aim to solve these problems by offering more open, decentralised systems. In this article, we are going deeper into how these blockchain-driven protocols stack up against the traditional giants and why this new era could fundamentally reshape the rental market for both operators and travellers alike.
This is the Digital Rental Race. Let’s see who’s in the running and how they compare.
RWAs and Blockchain Integration
The digital rental space is not just about finding short-term rentals it’s now about merging Real World Assets (RWAs) with blockchain technology. RWAs, such as homes and rental properties, represent tangible assets that can now be tokenised and traded on blockchain platforms. This is where projects like Rentberry and DTravel get in the picture, to decentralise and improve the current silos that plague traditional platforms as we know them.
Rentberry and DTravel serve as bridges between real estate and blockchain, allowing users to rent out properties while utilising the benefits of DeFi and blockchain technology. Rentberry provides a decentralised rental solution, eliminating the need for intermediaries and making the rental process smoother, while DTravel empowers homeowners and travellers with direct peerto-peer bookings. This shift in control reduces costs and increases profit margins for property owners, something traditional platforms like Airbnb can’t compete with due to their reliance on centralised systems and third-party intermediaries.
This blockchain integration represents a trend reshaping the real estate and short-term rental markets. For those familiar with platforms like Airbnb, the transparency, control, and reduced fees offered by decentralised alternatives make them worth watching. RWAs on blockchain could open up new possibilities for real estate investors and casual renters alike, combining the physical and digital in a way that drives innovation and lowers costs across the board.
Rentberry ($BERRY) – Renting Done Right!
Rentberry is shaking up the rental industry by integrating blockchain technology, offering a decentralised and seamless experience for both landlords and tenants. Founded in 2015, Rentberry is a fully operational long-term rental platform that’s committed to solving issues like high-security deposits and a lack of transparency, using the power of blockchain to streamline the entire process.
At the heart of Rentberry’s innovation is its token, $BERRY. This utility token allows users to crowdsource rental security deposits, saving tenants billions of pounds that are otherwise locked in traditional systems. By decentralising this process, Rentberry ensures that both landlords and tenants benefit from more flexibility and efficiency. This is not something you’d find on platforms like Airbnb, which are heavily centralised and reliant on third-party systems.
What sets Rentberry apart is not only its blockchaindriven approach but also its partnerships with major travel players. It’s also backed by Expedia. This collaboration boosts Rentberry’s visibility and credibility, connecting it to the global travel ecosystem in a way that’s hard to ignore. Furthermore, Rentberry’s proven track record, with more than 110,000 users and 180,000 properties, solidifies its position as a major contender in the rental market.
What makes Rentberry especially valuable is its crowdsourced approach. The platform’s mission is to transform the long-term rental industry, offering smart contracts for instant rent payments and decentralised security deposits. This model is built on transparency and efficiency and offers an entirely different value proposition compared to traditional platforms like Airbnb, which can’t offer the same benefits.
So in essence, Rentberry isn’t just your typical rental platform it’s leading a revolution that could redefine the future of renting.
DTravel –A Decentralised Future of Travel
DTravel is setting up the future of the travel industry with a decentralised platform built on blockchain technology. Unlike other similar protocols that rely on intermediaries, DTravel creates a peer-to-peer vacation rental ecosystem where vacation rental operators and travellers can interact directly, bypassing third-party platforms. This is achieved through the Nite Protocol, which provides a single source of truth for data across the travel industry, improving trust, connectivity, and direct bookings.
At the core of DTravel’s ecosystem is its native token, $TRVL, which powers the platform’s various functions. As an ERC-20 and BEP-20 token, $TRVL is used for payments, rewards, governance, and other utilities that support the community-driven nature of the platform. What makes $TRVL stand out is its role in creating an ownership economy where users are not just participants but also stakeholders in the platform. Through governance features, token holders can vote on proposals and help shape the future of DTravel, driving its vision of a fully decentralised, community-owned travel ecosystem.
DTravel’s approach to short-term rentals directly challenges the dominance of centralised platforms like Airbnb. By leveraging blockchain technology, DTravel eliminates the need for intermediaries, allowing rental operators to build their own brands and establish direct booking channels. This not only reduces costs for operators but also increases transparency for travellers. Moreover, the platform’s decentralised model ensures that value is distributed more equitably among users, unlike platforms where the majority of profits go to a large corporation.
Targeting a web3-savvy audience, DTravel appeals to those who believe in decentralisation and community ownership. Its model of P2P rentals and decentralised governance offers an alternative to the centralised giants of the industry, creating a travel experience where users have more control and ownership.
Key Comparisons: Rentberry vs. DTravel and Airbnb
When comparing Rentberry, DTravel and Airbnb, several factors stand out that distinguish these platforms in the rental market:
Ease of Use
User-friendly with blockchain integration but may require learning for new users
Streamlined for Web3savvy users, growing ease of access
Widely known, extremely intuitive and accessible for all users
Fees
Decentralisation
Lower fees due to crowdsourced security deposits and blockchain
Blockchain-based with smart contracts enabling transparency
Minimal fees, no intermediaries, and peer-to-peer payments
Fully decentralised, governed by users through $TRVL token
High service fees for both hosts and travelers
Scalability
Growing user base with potential global expansion through blockchain
Built for global scalability with blockchain infrastructure
Centralised platform with decisions made by Airbnb
Already scaled globally with a massive user base but a lot of limitations
Rentberry and DTravel both leverage blockchain to disrupt traditional rental models. Rentberry stands out by crowdsourcing security deposits, reducing costs for tenants and landlords, while DTravel focuses on decentralised governance and removing intermediaries from transactions. In contrast, Airbnb is currently dominating of course, in ease of use and global reach but faces challenges due to its centralised, fee-heavy structure. As blockchain technology matures, platforms like Rentberry and DTravel offer a transparent, cost-effective alternative, but ease of use remains an advantage for Airbnb as of now at least
Factor Rentberry ($BERRY)
DTravel ($TRVL)
Airbnb
The Future of
Short-Term Rentals:
Who Will Lead?
The future of short-term rentals is wide open for innovation, with blockchain platforms like Rentberry and DTravel challenging the dominance of platforms like Airbnb. By offering lower fees, decentralised control, and greater transparency, these platforms provide compelling alternatives for both travelers and rental operators. However, Airbnb’s global presence and ease of use cannot be overlooked. As the rental market continues to evolve, the question remains whether Airbnb will adapt to new technologies or if blockchain platforms will lead the way.
One thing is certain: the fast pace of technological advancement in the rental market signals a shift toward more user-centric, decentralised solutions. Rentberry and DTravel are already laying the groundwork for this evolution, and their potential to reshape the industry is substantial. Whether blockchain platforms will become the dominant force or coexist with Airbnb, the future of short-term rentals promises exciting developments.
The Digital Rental Race is ON
The rental market is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with blockchain integration driving much of the innovation. Platforms like Rentberry and DTravel are leading the digital shift, offering decentralised solutions that challenge traditional rental giants.
With the potential to transform real-world assets and improve user experiences through tokenisation, this race is just beginning. As blockchain continues to disrupt the industry, it’s an exciting time to see who will lead the future of rentals.
Bridging Between Blockchains
written by Daniel
Key Points
● Crypto bridges enable the transfer of assets or data between different blockchain networks, fostering greater interoperability in the decentralised space.
● Generally, they work through the blocking and minting process, where tokens on one blockchain are blocked, and equivalent tokens get minted on another.
● While many are secure, bridges are targets for hacks and exploits. It is essential to use trusted bridges with robust security audits.
Blockchain is not perfect, and the limitations when you want to move assets between chains naturally and spontaneously, like transferring current money between bank accounts, are proof of this. Therefore, the interoperability between chains appears driven by a common term in crypto: Bridges.
Bridges are the solution to the typical problems encountered by a user who owns BTC in Bitcoin and wishes to use this asset, for example, in Ethereum. When the transfer of native assets between different chains is not possible, bridges connect the technological gap, allowing interoperability between chains to become a reality.
With the growing interest in blockchain technology, crypto bridges are becoming essential connectors for moving assets and data between blockchains.
Investor portfolios typically contain a basket of tokens and assets from different blockchains, and it is sometimes essential to execute appropriate investment strategies to move those assets between blockchains.
Next, we will explain how crypto bridges work and their benefits, risks and innovations modelling their future.
How Do Crypto Bridges Work?
Source: Blaize
Crypto bridges work analogously to real-life bridges: they connect two different paths (blockchains) for the flow of pedestrian (assets) and/or vehicular (data) traffic. In crypto, this means that there are two methods to achieve this connection:
● By minting new tokens on the target chain
● Exchanging liquidity pool tokens containing the assets to be ‘bridged’
In the first case, crypto bridges transfer assets or data from one blockchain to another through the blocking and minting mechanism. On the one hand, tokens are blocked on the source blockchain A, while new equivalent tokens - usually wrapped tokens - are issued (minted) on the target blockchain B.
Most importantly, this process gets reversed when tokens get transferred back, burning minted tokens and releasing locked tokens.
For example, the Hop Protocol, a bridge connecting Ethereum scaling solutions such as Optimism and Arbitrum, enables fast and inexpensive transfers of assets between rollups. Instead of relying on traditional inter-chain swaps with significant waiting times, users receive hTokens, which get quickly exchanged on the destination network.
Other bridges, such as Connext and Portal Bridge, allow the seamless transfer of assets and data between blockchains without centralised intermediaries, making them highly decentralised solutions.
In the second method on which crypto bridges operate, liquidity funds act as a kind of bank, where there is a varied availability of assets supplied according to the user's requirements.
Thus, a user wishing, for example, to transfer POL from Polygon to Ethereum, the bridge allocates funds from its liquidity pool to send the asset to the user on the destination chain.
It is worth noting that protocols such as Cross Chain Bridge use this method to resolve bridging requests from users on different chains, and to get assets into their liquidity pools, they stimulate users with staking and yield farming programmes.
Crypto Bridge Types
Maybe you have used a bridge like Binance or a bridge to move your cryptos between layer2 chains like Arbitrum to Base. Whatever the case, it is imperative that, as a user of this ecosystem, you understand the differences between the various bridges in the industry.
Based on their architecture, bridges fit two broad categories:
Centralised bridges: They rely on a third-party custodian to manage the transfer process. Although fast, they come with trust risks, as the centralised authority controls the assets. Binance Bridge is an excellent example in this category, where users must ‘trust’ the integrity and morale of the company as well as the efficiency of the transaction.
Decentralised bridges: By operating through smart contracts, they eliminate the need for a trusted intermediary. Portal Bridge and Stargate are decentralised bridges that rely on cryptographic proofs and smart contracts to move assets between chains.
Within the latter category, Layer 2 bridges designed to help move assets between Ethereum and the various Layer 2 scaling solutions such as Optimism and ZkSync stand out by allowing the network to scale, saving users time and costs to use the diverse applications offered by Ethereum in its ecosystem.
Risks Associated with Crypto Bridges
While bridges offer a powerful solution for cross-chain interoperability, there are potential risks when using them, like funds getting blocked or exploits that result in fund loss.
Of course, DYOR should get done before falling into the trap of clicking on visually appealing options. Unfortunately, there is one fact that can't be missed, and that is the fact that the principal hacks in crypto have occurred to solutions of this type:
● Ronin Bridge $650 million
● Binance Bridge $570 million
● Wormhole Hack $321 million
● Nomad Hack $200 million
● Multichain Bridge Hack $130 million
Some of the most crucial risks to which you are exposed when using a crypto bridge are:
- Vulnerabilities in Smart Contracts: The lack of genuine and certified audits of many bridging protocols has resulted in opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities found at the code level with critical security flaws routinely exposed by these criminal groups for the loss of millions of dollars in assets.
- Centralisation risk: Centralised bridges introduce custodial control risk, meaning that if the third party managing the bridge gets compromised, funds could be inaccessible to users.
- Liquidity issues: A significant concern among more experienced crypto users when using a new protocol to move assets between chains is precisely the liquidity capacity for the protocol to execute user requests.
According to DeFiLlama, $2.86 billion has been stolen from inter-chain bridges.
- Price difference between assets: Although this has improved considerably thanks to more sophisticated oracles, in some solutions, it is usual to see a price difference between the underlying assets and the asset to be bridged.
- May trigger a taxable event: In some cases, you may have to pay tax on the use of crosschain bridges, depending on the jurisdiction you are in and the classification given by tax agencies.
- Exposure to network risks: You may see a considerable price difference in the cost of your wrapped tokens if people lose trust in the network, causing an adverse network effect on the asset you wish to bridge.
If the cross-chain bridge solution does not have sufficient liquidity to meet the user's requirements, their funds could get blocked with no further use in any chain.
Despite these risks, bridges are taking steps to mitigate potential problems. Security audits, insurance funds and bug bounty programmes are becoming a general practice in considerable bridge projects.
Benefits of Using Crypto Bridges
Despite the risks, cross-chain bridge development has brought several advantages to the ecosystem, especially those linked to decentralised finance (DeFi).
- Interoperability: By connecting different blockchains, cross-chain bridges make it easier for users to access decentralised applications (dApps) and liquidity pools in multiple ecosystems.
For example, bridges allow Ethereum-based DeFi projects to interact with other Layer 1 networks such as Solana, Binance Smart Chain or Avalanche. You can use Crypto A on Network B.
- Lower Costs and Faster Transactions: Bridging can be less expensive than selling cryptocurrencies. For example, bridges that enable fast transfers between Ethereum Layer 2 chains with minimal fees allow users to avoid the high gas costs of Ethereum Layer 1 while enjoying the security of their network.
- Increased Liquidity: By allowing assets to flow between different blockchains, bridges also contribute to deeper pools of liquidity on decentralised exchanges (DEXs), which is beneficial for traders looking to reduce slippage.
- Eligibility for airdrops: We are in airdrop season, and 2024 has proven one constant: Using protocols has its rewards and bridges are no exception. Often, the ecosystem rewards users for their on-chain interactions, which encourages decentralisation as centralised solutions do not offer such benefits.
- Arbitrage Opportunities: Bridges provide an opportunity for diverse DeFi protocols and empower nimble players to capitalise on fleeting disparities in rates across the interoperable landscape.
Notable Use Cases and Applications
At some point, you have used a bridge to move assets from blockchain network A to blockchain network B to use essential applications in this ecosystem. If you still have no idea what bridges are for, let us refresh your memory where cross-chain bridges have found fundamental applications:
- DeFi: A category par excellence where this type of solution has the most use cases. Users need to move assets between different chains to participate in the opportunities offered by decentralised finance: farming, staking, lending, borrowing and others.
In addition, as noted above, bridges allow liquidity to reach different blockchains, especially those relatively unknown.
- NFTs: As noted in our previous issue, NFTs are not dead. This asset class is quietly gaining interest and traction again among average investors. With crosschain bridges, users can move NFTs between different chains, expanding their utility and reach in the market, thus ensuring no limits given by the blockchain that minted their NFT first.
Source: Coinrunners NFT
- Scaling Solutions: Bridges are integral to scaling strategies for Ethereum and other layer1 networks. Solutions such as Arbitrum and Optimism rely on bridges to generate a connection with the Ethereum core network, allowing users to enjoy faster and cheaper transactions while still benefiting from Ethereum's security.
Some considerations when selecting a bridge
● Carefully look at documentation and contract audits to check for red flags.
● Check the platform's uptime and community interaction. Has it been positive, and are there any justified negative comments?
● If it is a centralised option, ask yourself who operates the bridge and what trust assumptions they require from users.
● Check the waiting time for withdrawals. They can vary depending on the protocol and the destination chain.
● Find out how the bridge operates and how transactions get recorded on the bridge.
Are there risk control measures in place in case of a system exploit?
Options in the industry
We are not putting our hands in the fire for anyone, especially when money is at stake. For this reason, always remember to do your DYOR due diligence before trading crypto.
It is important to note that almost all chains have a natively integrated cross-chain bridge solution, so here is a list of some of the most popular options in the industry for moving assets between chains. Let's see!
● Connext: An Ethereum L2 solution that provides interoperability without the involvement of external validators. Compatible with BNB Smart Chain, Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Moonriver, Optimism, Fantom and Gnosis Chain.
● Just Cryptos: Focused on the Tron ecosystem compatible with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin and NFTs.
● Portal Bridge (Wormhole): Initially functioning only as a bi-directional gateway between Solana and Ethereum, it now supports 18 chains, such as BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Terra, Avalanche and Gnosis Chain.
● Stargate: Based on unified liquidity pools to achieve instant finality of assets, thus eliminating the use of wrapped tokens.
● Celer: DeFi, NFTs, governance and other applications are part of the necessary interoperability between networks offered by this bridge.
● Across: This is an optimistic bridge among the EVM-based chains.
● Hop Protocol: enables the portability of tokens from rollups and their respective Layer 1 (L1) chains to Layer 2 (L2) solutions in other networks quickly and without the need to trust anyone.
● Arbitrum Bridge, Sui Bridge and Polygon Bridge: Native solutions for each of these blockchain networks allow the connection of their native tokens with ETH to take advantage of the ecosystem's benefits.
● Poly Bridge: This is one of the most popular options in the industry, with support for 32 blockchains.
● Rhino.fi: Support for 23 blockchains with ultrafast transactions of up to 60 seconds and support for around 500 tokens.
● Graviti Bridge: Launched in the Cosmos ecosystem, it facilitates the transfer of ERC20 tokens using the IBC protocol.
● Defiway: With a fixed transaction size of 0.1% for its operations, this bridge supports almost all blockchain networks.
● Synapse Protocol: intuitive interface and ease of use.
● Superbrige: User-friendly, native bridge for rollups
● Router Protocol: Extensive multi-directional bridge for contract-level data flow across different L1s and L2s
● deBridge: A messaging and cross-chain interoperability protocol enabling the building of cross-chain dapps
● Wrap Protocol: The bridge between Ethereum and Tezos blockchain
● Orbiter Finance: A decentralised cross-rollup bridge for transferring Ethereum native assets
Crossing The Bridge
Bridges are an essential tool for the industry, given that they allow interoperability between chains and improve the functionality of the different platforms focused on the crypto sector, especially those linked to DeFi and NFTs.
While there are alternatives to not using a bridge, users must be aware of the various options for moving assets between chains as the adoption continues to increase.
At the same time, users should be aware of the use and responsibility of moving assets across bridges. In 2022 alone, $2bn was stolen in 13 bridge attacks, representing 69% of all cryptocurrency thefts, according to Chainalysis.
Source: Chainalysis
For this reason, users should remember to choose bridges with rigorous code audits and robust security measures to reduce exposure to options potentially exposed to vulnerability attacks. With continued innovations in decentralised, trustless bridges, the future of blockchain interoperability seems very promising. It would be great to review this topic in a year to see what changes and breakthroughs have been created.
Carnomaly and The $CARR Token
written by Chris
Key Insights
▪ Carnomaly offers a decentralised, blockchain-driven solution to the automotive industry, combining car purchases, sales, and financing in one ecosystem.
▪ The Carnomaly App provides seamless vehicle maintenance scheduling, insurance claims processing, and peer-to-peer vehicle selling with anonymous offers.
▪ Buyers earn CARR tokens on automotive purchases, with rewards scaling based on membership tiers, and enjoy anonymous browsing to avoid unsolicited contacts.
▪ Sellers can easily list vehicles and leverage competitive bidding from dealers, cutting out traditional auction fees and maximising sale opportunities.
▪ The CarrDealer platform empowers dealers to access broader inventories and avoid auction-related costs, while CarrChain uses blockchain technology to store and transfer vehicle records securely.
A Driving Force - Carnomaly
The automotive industry is a cornerstone of the global economy, contributing approximately 3% of the world’s GDP, which translates to $2.83 trillion in 2021 alone!
However, the sector faces mounting challenges, particularly in the online automotive marketplace. With complex supply chains, rising interest rates, and outdated processes, many consumers find themselves needing more money for vehicles or battling through
confusing buying experiences. Carnomaly disrupts this norm by merging blockchain technology and car ownership, offering solutions that enhance transparency, efficiency, and fairness across the board.
Carnomaly stands apart from traditional platforms by addressing issues that plague both consumers and dealers, such as undervalued trades and inaccurate vehicle histories. By leveraging blockchain’s transparency and immutable features, Carnomaly ensures that every transaction whether buying, selling, or trading a vehicle runs smoothly, with complete visibility into the vehicle’s history and condition.
The platform not only simplifies transactions but also introduces a more equitable environment for all parties involved. Its blockchain-powered ecosystem allows for fair tradein valuations, streamlined financing, and reduced administrative headaches. In essence, Carnomaly envisions a future where buying or selling a car isn’t just about a transaction but an empowered, seamless experience that benefits all parties involved.
Background & History
Carnomaly’s journey began with a bold vision in 2020: to reshape the automotive industry through the power of blockchain technology. Launched to bridge the gap between traditional car ownership and blockchain’s innovative potential, Carnomaly quickly established itself as a leader in the space. From the outset, the platform focused on addressing critical pain points in the car buying and selling process, such as undervalued trades, overpaying for vehicles, and confusing purchase procedures.
In Q3 of 2020, Carnomaly released the beta version of CarrChain 1.0, a blockchain-based vehicle history reporting system, along with updates to its whitepaper. The platform also launched a significant digital marketing push, driving awareness and laying the groundwork for its ambitious goals. By the end of the year, Carnomaly had filed for a patent for its unique solutions and announced its first initial exchange offerings (IEO), which would take place in early 2021.
In Q3 of 2020, Carnomaly released the beta version of CarrChain 1.0, a blockchain-based vehicle history reporting system, along with updates to its whitepaper. The platform also launched a significant digital marketing push, driving awareness and laying the groundwork for its ambitious goals. By the end of the year, Carnomaly had filed for a patent for its unique solutions and announced its first initial exchange offerings (IEO), which would take place in early 2021.
So, in January 2021, Carnomaly held two IEOs on the Probit platform, raising $297,980 and $100,000 respectively. This funding allowed the company to accelerate its product development, leading to the release of CarrChain 2.0 Beta in Q1 of 2021, alongside the start of its airdrop campaign for the $CARR token
The company’s development continued at a rapid pace, establishing key partnerships, including one with NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System), and a collaboration with Oven Bits for platform development. By Q3 of 2021, Carnomaly had expanded its reach, and in 2022, the platform took another leap forward by migrating its CARR token to the Polygon blockchain, enhancing scalability and ecosystem utility.
Fast forward to 2024, Carnomaly has successfully launched version 2 of its app, formed strategic partnerships across Europe, and expanded its presence internationally. The company’s continuous evolution demonstrates its commitment to revolutionising the automotive industry, making it a key player to watch in the Web3 space.
Team and Founders
Carnomaly’s success is driven by a team of dedicated professionals who bring decades of experience from the automotive and technology sectors. Each key player at Carnomaly contributes a wealth of knowledge and industry insight, helping to shape the platform’s innovative solutions.
Let’s start with the core team, the CEO and the CPTO
At the helm is Scott Heninger, Founder and CEO of Carnomaly. With over 20 years of experience in retail automotive, Scott has held management roles with some of the world’s leading brands, including Honda, Cadillac, Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, and Hyundai. During his career, Scott gained invaluable insight into the challenges faced by dealers and consumers, including issues like vehicle overpricing and cumbersome purchase processes. His frustration with the traditional system led him to envision Carnomaly as a platform to address these pain points through blockchain technology, providing more transparency and fairness in the automotive marketplace.
Larry Kohlieber, CPTO and Partner, brings over 26 years of experience in tech and automotive. As the Technical Supervisor and CTO at Sirco Inc., Larry was instrumental in managing a broadband ISP and development shop. He later co-founded Elead, a customer relationship management (CRM) system for automotive dealers, which grew to become the largest in its field. At CDK Global, Larry managed multiple software teams and was responsible for growing Elead’s client base to over 7,500. His extensive technical background and industry knowledge are essential in developing Carnomaly’s robust platform and future innovations.
How about the rest of the team though?
Joining the leadership team is Jordan Hoffee, the Blockchain Strategy Officer. Jordan oversees blockchain integration and ensures Carnomaly stays at the forefront of technological advancements. His expertise helps drive the company’s strategy in leveraging blockchain to create a more efficient, transparent, and rewarding automotive experience.
Other notable members include Thishanth Thavarasa, Social Marketing Manager, who spearheads community engagement and digital marketing efforts, and Andrew Hannebrink, Senior Full Stack Developer, who plays a key role in the development of Carnomaly’s platform. Together, this talented team is committed to revolutionising the automotive industry by creating solutions that benefit dealers and consumers.
You can find all team members here
→ https://carnomaly.io/about
The $CARR Token
The $CARR token, or for long, the Comprehensive Automotive Records Repository, is an ERC-20 utility token minted on the Polygon network. It is designed to interact with smart contracts. Essentially the token serves as the primary asset for peer-to-peer transactions and rewards throughout Carnomaly’s digital automotive ecosystem.
source: Carnomaly whitepaper
Utility and Functionality of $CARR
$CARR is central to the Carnomaly platform, offering users and enterprises various opportunities to enhance their experiences by interacting with all of Carnomaly’s products. The token enables users to participate in activities such as reporting vehicle maintenance, updating vehicle information, and buying or selling cars. It also allows users to earn rewards, including additional $CARR tokens or NFTs, which can be utilised for future transactions or participation on the platform.
Users can pledge their $CARR tokens into smart contracts, unlocking perks like exclusive promotions, a showcase filter for vehicle listings, and rewards. These perks are designed to enhance the overall user experience, making vehicle ownership more interactive and rewarding. For instance, when users report vehicle updates like mileage or condition, they can earn rewards, thus encouraging regular interaction with the platform.
Enterprise Benefits
Enterprise users, such as dealerships, can also pledge $CARR tokens to unlock benefits through the Perks & Subscription Smart Contracts. These smart contracts provide various advantages, including discounted platform usage, access to consumer data for buying vehicles, and the ability to offer exclusive promotions to users. Additionally, dealers gain premier access to users looking to sell or trade their vehicles via the Carr Garage, enhancing business opportunities.
Carnomaly’s smart contracts offer flexibility, with features and perks being subject to updates as the ecosystem grows and integrates new partnerships. As more enterprises and users join the ecosystem, the platform will continue evolving, with $CARR remaining at the core of all interactions.
Conclusively, the $CARR token offers a dynamic range of utility, bridging the gap between users and enterprises, providing incentives for engagement, and ensuring that both parties benefit from Carnomaly’s blockchain-powered automotive platform. The versatility of the token allows it to stand out from other tokens, providing real-world use cases in the automotive industry.
Here are the market stats of the $CARR token at the time of writing:
Let’s just say the $CARR token is the glue that binds users and enterprises across the platform together. Deployed on the Polygon network, it can be bridged to any EVMcompatible blockchain, ensuring flexibility and ease of use. The overall distribution is structured to align the interests of various stakeholders while enabling longterm scalability.
TL;DR;
▪ Platform & Rewards (33%): A significant portion of $CARR is allocated for platform users, rewarding vehicle updates and milestones.
▪ Reserve (6%): Reserved for long-term stability, increasing via platform activity fees, with tokens only used in emergencies to ensure rewards flow continues.
Token Distribution Overview
Carnomaly’s tokenomics ensures that both consumer and enterprise users are integrated within a regenerative ecosystem. The $CARR token is designed to support an evolving platform that rewards participants based on platform engagement, car maintenance, and milestones achieved.
Key elements of $CARR distribution:
▪ 33% of the total supply is allocated to platform activities and rewards, ensuring continued user engagement.
▪ A portion of platform activity fees, completed using $CARR tokens, will be directed to the reserve, which can also be referred to as the "vault."
Platform & Rewards
One of the most significant allocations is the 33% assigned to platform activities and rewards. This allocation directly encourages user participation and vehicle reporting through Carnomaly’s platform. Here, users are incentivised with tokens when they reach milestones, such as updating their car’s status or participating in vehicle maintenance reporting. This ensures an active and thriving community of car owners and dealers.
The rewards pool is constantly replenished through several mechanisms, ensuring a sustainable model:
▪ Fees collected from enterprise users and platform activities
▪ Tokens are purchased from decentralised and centralised exchanges.
▪ Payments made for Carnomaly NFTs and maintenance services across the platform.
Reserve Allocation
The 6% reserve allocation functions as a long-term resource pool. The reserve steadily increases as a percentage of platform activity fees are set aside in the vault. These tokens can only be accessed in cases of urgent need to maintain platform rewards, and when this occurs, strategies are put in place to replenish the reserve, ensuring a healthy balance for the platform’s future.
The structure of Carnomaly’s tokenomics has a sustainable flow of rewards and platform activity, creating a self-sustaining model where users, dealers, and enterprises all benefit from the success of the ecosystem. This strategic allocation encourages participation, builds long-term user loyalty, and ensures that the platform remains innovative and scalable.
The Carnomaly Ecosystem: Redefining Automotive Experience
The Carnomaly has a comprehensive, blockchain-powered solution designed to revolutionise how we buy, sell, and maintain vehicles. From the Carnomaly app, CarrDealer and CarrChain, to CarrDeFi and CarrStaking, this ecosystem has it all.
Carnomaly App: The All-in-One Automotive Hub
The Carnomaly app serves as the backbone of this ecosystem. It’s not just an app for buying and selling cars it's a full-service platform designed to cater to every automotive need.
Whether you're a car owner, a prospective buyer, or a dealer, the app offers tools to streamline everything from maintenance scheduling to financing, while also providing a way to earn rewards through the platform’s native cryptocurrency, the $CARR token.
Concierge-Level Service for Every User
The Carnomaly app takes pride in its concierge-level features, making it easier than ever for users to navigate the often complex automotive world. It allows consumers and dealers to communicate directly, cutting out the manipulative middlemen often found in traditional car sales.
Whether you're searching for a car, scheduling maintenance, or tracking insurance claims, Carnomaly provides a user-friendly, intuitive interface to simplify every aspect of vehicle ownership.
Carnomaly also rewards its users. By purchasing vehicles through the platform or using its services, users can earn $CARR tokens. These rewards vary based on membership tiers and can be used within the ecosystem, further incentivising engagement with the platform.
Scheduling Maintenance: Your Personal Car Manager
The Carnomaly app offers more than just vehicle listings; it provides a comprehensive vehicle management solution. With the ability to schedule oil changes, tyre rotations, and other essential services, the app acts as your personal car manager. By enabling location services, users can find nearby service centres and set up maintenance reminders. This reduces the risk of missed appointments, ensuring that your vehicle remains in top condition at all times.
This feature is particularly useful for those with busy lifestyles. By centralising maintenance reminders and scheduling in one app, Carnomaly eliminates the hassle of remembering when your car needs servicing. It’s a seamless way to keep your vehicle in check, saving both time and potential repair costs.
Insurance Claims: Simplified and Stress-Free
Filing insurance claims has traditionally been a cumbersome, drawn-out process. Carnomaly changes that by making it easy to file claims directly through the app. If you're ever involved in an accident, you can record the damage with your mobile device and submit the claim, all within minutes. This not only speeds up the claim process but also removes the frustration often associated with dealing with insurance companies.
The app’s design ensures that the stressful aftermath of an accident is handled as efficiently as possible, offering users peace of mind when they need it most. Streamlining the claims process is yet another way Carnomaly delivers convenience to its users.
CarrGarage: Your Personal Vehicle Lot
Another standout feature of the Carnomaly app is the Carr Garage, where vehicle owners can create their own virtual car lot. Want to sell or trade your car? With just a few taps, you can put your vehicle on the market, either through an anonymous listing or a peer-to-peer sale.
Carnomaly’s anonymous bidding system ensures that sellers aren't bombarded with unwanted phone calls or emails. This is a refreshing change from the typical experience of selling a vehicle, where personal data is often shared too freely with dealers or other buyers. Whether you’re looking to sell a new or pre-owned vehicle, Carnomaly has you covered with its easy-to-use interface and transparent processes.
Moreover, buyers can use the app to search through dealer inventories or peer-to-peer listings, offering a wide range of vehicles to choose from. This flexibility gives users more control over their purchasing and selling experiences.
Crypto-Based Rewards: Earn While You Drive
Carnomaly stands out by offering a cryptobased rewards system for automotive purchases. Both new and pre-owned vehicles bought from Carnomaly-verified dealers qualify for these rewards. This system adds a whole new layer of value to the buying process, where customers are incentivised to
engage with the platform and earn $CARR tokens simply by making purchases they were already planning to make.
This worldwide rewards system differentiates Carnomaly from traditional dealerships and online platforms, offering a modern, forwardthinking approach to car buying. It integrates cryptocurrency seamlessly into everyday consumer activity, bringing blockchain technology closer to mainstream adoption.
Enhancing the Car Buying Experience
One of the most frustrating parts of buying a car is the lack of transparency and endless bombardment of sales pitches. Carnomaly combats this by offering anonymous browsing and smart filters. Shoppers can search for vehicles based on criteria like make, model, year, and price without giving away any personal information. This eliminates the annoying follow-up calls and pressure from dealers and allows users to shop at their own pace.
Another unique feature is the ability to compare different configurations of the same car. Shoppers can see the cost differences between a base model and a fully loaded version, helping them make informed decisions based on their needs and budget. And for those looking for a more traditional purchasing experience, Carnomaly even offers delivery services, with vehicles dropped off right at the customer’s doorstep.
In summary, the Carnomaly app is more than just a car-buying platform. It’s a holistic ecosystem that makes every aspect of owning and managing a vehicle easier, more rewarding, and more transparent. From anonymous browsing to crypto-based rewards, it offers features that cater to the needs of modern consumers while staying true to its mission of making the automotive industry fairer and more efficient.
CarrDealer: Streamlining Inventory and Sales
Carnomaly’s CarrDealer portal offers a game-changing solution for dealers, enabling them to access quality inventory and reduce the overhead involved in traditional car sales. Through this portal, dealers can participate in a broader ecosystem of potential buyers and sellers, expanding their reach while avoiding the hassles of conventional auctions.
Unlike traditional systems where dealers face hefty fees and commissions for unsold vehicles, Carnomaly streamlines the process by eliminating unnecessary auction costs. The platform also hosts online auctions, allowing dealers to quickly sell excess inventory at competitive prices, benefiting both the dealer and the customer. With lower fees and seamless transactions, dealers can focus on offering better value and more affordable pricing to consumers, setting themselves apart from their competition.
CarrChain: Revolutionising Vehicle Records
CarrChain, Carnomaly’s blockchain-based record system, empowers vehicle owners by giving them full control over their car's history. Owners can upload maintenance records, photos, and receipts while the system aggregates data from dealers, insurance companies, and service centres. Each vehicle is assigned a Digital Vehicle Identification Number (DVIN) linked to its traditional VIN, ensuring records are secure and transparent.
By leveraging blockchain technology, CarrChain ensures real-time ownership transfers, reducing risks like misdirected toll charges and legal disputes. Its vision is to become the standard for vehicle ownership transfers globally, making the process safer and more efficient.
Roadmap
The Carnomaly team has been delivering throughout the years with every milestone achieved. Have a better overview of their journey so far here, and what’s coming next:
Driving Forwards
Are you an automotive enthusiast? Looking for the next endeavour or just researching the automotive industry? Carnomaly is definitely a protocol worth looking into. By offering a comprehensive suite of tools and services within its ecosystem, Carnomaly paves the way for a more transparent, efficient, and rewarding experience for buyers, sellers, and dealers alike.
Whether it's earning $CARR tokens, managing vehicle maintenance, or conducting transactions on chain, the Carnomaly platform delivers value across the board. With its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and customer empowerment, Carnomaly is positioned to become a key player in the future of smarter, and more connected automotive experience.
Ethereum Pectra
Update: Key changes, EIPs, and impact on DeFi
written by Daniel
Discover how Ethereum's Pectra Update, divided into PectrA and PectrB, will impact staking, EIPs, and the DeFi ecosystem. Stay ahead with the latest insights.
In Issue 35, we extensively addressed the upcoming Ethereum update, known as Pectra. At that time, we discussed the proposed improvements (EIPs) previously included in the big fork to be carried out on Ethereum.
If you are an Ethereum user or an investor with an appetite for the digital ETH asset, here are some fascinating things that have happened since our last post regarding Pectra Update that we think you should know about!
Ethereum Pectra Update: Key Highlights and Timeline
The developers involved in the latest Ethereum update have decided to divide the scope of the upcoming fork into two stages. As is characteristic of crypto, they have named each stage with a particular slang: PectrA and PectrB. Clever? Maybe.
During the 142nd ACD (All Core Developers) meeting on September 19th, the developers agreed to carry out the first part of the major network upgrade, now renamed PectrA, by the first quarter of 2025. The second part (aka PectrB) is to happen by 2026.
The core developer's reasons are straightforward: Pectra Update is immense and too complex to handle in one fell swoop. There are many elements in the Pectra list that, if launched at the same time, could generate drawbacks at the code level, which would erode the reliability of the network, the trust of users and the "stability" of the ETH price would be at stake with grave consequences for the entire ecosystem and the industry in general.
Ethereum represents more than 58% of the industry dominance in DeFi. More importantly, the industry growth since the last DeFi Summer has been a hundredfold, reaching an LTV of over $100 billion, according to DeFiLlama data.
EIPs in PectrA: Innovations in Validator Staking and Fee Sponsorship
One relevant aspect accompanying meeting#142, besides the split into two Pectra upgrades, is that the first phase will be limited to EIPs involved in devnet-3.
Pectra Devnet-3 is the fourth testnet to test code numbers with reusable components under specifications that aim to improve the user experience and prepare Ethereum for the next fork.
The scope of this first part of Pectra comprises, for the time being, eight EIPs for inclusion:
● EIP-2537: Precompile for BLS12-381 curve operations
● EIP-2935: Save historical block hashes in state
● EIP-6110: Supply validator deposits on chain
● EIP-7002: Execution layer triggerable exits
● EIP-7251: Increase the MAX_EFFECTIVE_BALANCE
● EIP-7549: Move committee index outside Attestation
● EIP-7685: General purpose execution layer requests
● EIP-7702: Set EOA account code for one transaction
As discussed in our previous post on Pectra, the EIP-7702 and EIP-7251 proposals stand out. Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin proposed the first EIP to introduce the most significant change in Ethereum: fee sponsorship.
Pectra Devnets - Source: ethpandaops | Github
This key feature in PectrA will allow users to find sponsors to cover their transaction costs, facilitating access to the network for those with low balances.
The EIP-7702 eliminates the need to hold small balances of ETH in your wallet to execute blockchain transactions, including paying the gas fee on other more versatile cryptocurrencies. The proposal introduces the concept of "account abstraction" to allow users' Ethereum wallets to behave like smart contracts.
On the other hand, EIP-7251 will allow ETH stakers to earn staking rewards for amounts over 32 ETH. So far, if you run a validator on Ethereum with more than 32 ETH, you will only get rewards for the validator's effective balance of the amount for your activation (32 ETH). Any amount of ETH above that amount does not generate additional returns.
That is, if you have 50 ETH staked in Beacon Chain, you currently only generate returns on the balance of 32 ETH. The rest of the staked ETH balance does not generate any additional returns, something that Ethereum developers have labelled as a ‘"dead stake," which they hope to change with PectrA and the introduction of the proposed EIP-7251 enhancement.
EIP-7251 - Source: Hackmd
If you would like to learn more about the scope of all these proposals, we invite you to browse through our 35th issue and read our post dedicated to Pectra Upgrade in this issue.
Issue #35 - The Moon Mag
At the protocol level, the repercussions are immediate in the design of the staking business, especially in pool staking services such as Rocket Pool, Lido and Coinbase.
On the one hand, PectrA through EIP-7251, 6110 and 7002 will force these protocols to reconfigure their validator activation on fewer nodes, simplifying the validator configuration process in ETH while allowing for the first time the possibility of fully automated and permissionless ETH staking pools.
PectrA: The First Phase of Ethereum’s Pectra Fork
According to Buterin's latest proposal, reducing the staking threshold in PectrA from the current 32 ETH to 1 ETH can considerably affect the ecosystem. The staking Infra will face pressure to leverage DVT to enhance security and improve performance resilience, given that the more validators running on a single node infrastructure, the more single failure points.
With respect to users and the average investor with an appetite for ETH, demand for Ethereum may increase as access to the thousands of Dapps making life in the ecosystem is democratised through fee sponsorship, where users with higher financial barriers to acquiring ETH can take advantage of making use of the ecosystem by outsourcing gas fees to any alternative currency paid service.
Additionally, the configuration of the EOA account code for a transaction will allow end-users to execute batch operations, improving the efficiency and flexibility of accounts, with potential use cases for automated payment chain systems.
It is imperative to mention that PectrA still has some EIPs for consideration, such as:
● EIP-7547: Inclusion lists: It seeks to restore some control to the proponents over the transactions included in the blocks, addressing issues of incentives and data availability and establishing a technical framework for their implementation.
Inclusion lists can transform how transactions are handled on Ethereum, improving censorship resistance and proponent control and introducing new challenges in incentives and security.
● EIP-7623: Increase calldata cost: The current price of call data allows blocks of up to 2.8 MB, while the average size is 125 KB. The proposal suggests an increase in the cost of call data for transactions that use Ethereum primarily for data availability.
Regular users will not be negatively affected by the increased cost of calldata; transactions that use Ethereum primarily for data availability will face higher prices, which aims to balance the load on the network and improve its performance.
EIP-7742: Uncouple blob count between CL and EL: EIP-7742 proposes to "decouple" the maximum blob verification between the Consensus Layer (CL) and the Execution Layer (EL) in the Ethereum network, allowing the EL to obtain the target blob value from the CL, thus improving flexibility in blob value management and eliminating redundancies in security verification, which facilitates the process of developing and deploying changes to blob parameters.
PectrB: What To Expect in the Second Phase of Ethereum’s Pectra Fork
Following concerns raised in ACDE#196 about the size of the Pectra fork and the solution on the table to split the scope of Pectra into two forks, the second phase of upgrades inherent in PectrB would be implemented by 2026.
The scope of this phase comprises enhancement proposals focused on the PeerDAS solutions, which improve data availability sampling, with great benefit, for Layer 2 solutions and the solution known as EOF, which will enable codelevel changes to increase efficiency and security in writing smart contract code.
Diagram of how PeerDAS works - Source: Gaudy Lab
After some client compatibility issues emerged, especially with Prysm and Erigon during Pectra Devnet-2, PeerDAS activation got delayed. However, after PeerDAS, network efficiency will increase by raising the number of blobs present in each network block from 6 to 32 blobs in each transaction block, making it cheaper to use Layer 2 solutions.
Remember to browse our issue 35 for a broader scope of EIPs so far included in PectrB
How Pectra is doing so far?
According to the latest Ethereum R&D protocol call focused on the execution layer (ACDE #198), developers are finding and fixing issues in Pectra Devnet-3, with plans to launch a public testnet for the next Devcon to be held in Southeast Asia.
So far, the proposed EIPs include:
○ EIP-7783 gradual increase of the gas cap: can be implemented without an update
○ EIP-7782 reducing the slot time to 8 seconds: alternative to increasing the number of blobs
Regarding the proposed blob increase in Pectra, customer teams generally support increasing the blob target but not the maximum count without PeerDAS
Besides the previous, there are new improvements in PectrA EIPs, such as changes to validator consolidation in EIP7251, deposit flow in EIP-6110 and refactoring of attestations in EIP-7549 and opaque requests in EIP-7685.
What’s next?
With the launch scheduled for early 2025, Ethereum developers continue to set up the details of the planned PectrA upgrade, and all users and investors are looking out on how these proposed improvements included in the upcoming fork will be integrated into the network and what their long-term impact will be on Ethereum's scalability and security.
The Pectra Upgrade seeks to improve the user experience, reinforce Ethereum's position as a leader in the blockchain ecosystem, and drive innovation and mass adoption, which undoubtedly captures more value for its native token within the alternative cryptocurrency market.
Undoubtedly, the most significant change to the Pectra Upgrade has been the split schedule of this upgrade into two stages, which are expected to run smoothly and benefit the entire community.
European Blockchain Convention 2024
written by Samantha
The tenth edition of the European Blockchain Convention was held from September 25 to 26, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain, where the SIt event was crucial in the crypto calendar
For two days, the event gathered many professionals, investors and ecosystem enthusiasts who came to discuss, learn and get up close and personal with the latest market trends
Since 2018 EBC has been growing and this year was no exception.At least 6,000 attendees participated in this conference to network in an exhibition area from the Fira Barcelona facilities.
The event's agenda had countless presentations by influential industry speakers and experts on topics of great interest, including MiCA's impact on the European Union.
MiCA is the definitive boost for the EU's leading role in the cryptocurrency market.
Speakers at EBC10.
Source: The Moon Mag.
Philipp Bohrn from Bitpanda, Eric Viohl from Crypto Finance, Marina Villalonga Cladera from Asensi Abogados, and Ana Carolina Oliveira from Venga, along with Sudhu Arumugam from M2, under the moderation of Gillian Lynch, CEO of Gemini in Europe took the stage as experts from the sector to discuss the impact of the Markets in Cryptoassets Regulation (MiCA), something that could position the European Union as a crypto sector global leader
For Philipp Bohrn, MiCA is a decisive step towards consolidating Europe as a regulated but innovative environment, given that it offers investors the legal security they need. Bohrn also established that, unlike other more restrictive regulatory frameworks, MiCA could position the region as an attractive hub for the crypto businesses' development and expansion
He also argued that we are at a historic moment as MiCA represents the first comprehensive global regulatory framework for cryptoassets by providing a clear and sensitive set of rules that all European countries could follow.
Marina Villalonga Cladera complemented this view by pointing out that MiCA offers a competitive advantage by harmonising regulations across EU countries, reducing barriers and facilitating cross-border expansion. However, he cautioned that effective implementation depends on cooperation between national regulators and companies's adaptability.
Regarding the impact of MiCA on Defi, Eric Viohl stressed that cryptoasset regulation should not stifle innovation but create a balance that allows for decentralised solutions to grow while protecting users from potential risks. In this sense, companies that adapt better and faster to MiCA would benefit from unrestricted access to a massive market.
Finally, Gillian Lynch closed the discussion by noting that while MiCA is a considerable step in the right direction, they must observe how other jurisdictions, such as the US and Asia, evolve to determine whether Europe can maintain long-term leadership in the crypto sector Regulation, while robust, cannot remain static as emerging technologies such as DeFi and NFTs continue to develop rapidly.
While MiCA regulation is a meaningful step towards consolidating Europe as a crypto benchmark, it will not automatically solve all of the industry's challenges
However, its potential to create a precise and predictable regulatory framework could be crucial for the sector's growth and its allure to large institutional investors, which brings us to the next panel, where scalability, education, and sensible regulation were discussed, given their potential role in bringing cryptocurrencies to a global audience
The Future of Adoption: Towards the Next Billion Crypto Users
This panel gathered experts, like Andrea Baglioni, from the Solana Foundation, to discuss the ideal path for cryptos mass adoption, during which Baglioni pointed out that technological infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges to overcome
According to Baglioni, ‘to attract the next billion users, we need infrastructures that can handle large transaction volumes without compromising decentralisation and security’ In this respect, he took Solana as an example, saying that its ability to process miles of transactions per second and its low fees represent one of the most advanced solutions in this field
Another crucial point, they say, lies within education Therefore, Koh Onozawa Martinez, Co-CEO of Bit2Me, insisted that misinformation remains a significant barrier For him, "people need to understand how cryptocurrencies can improve their daily lives." Therefore, financial and technological education would increase confidence in cryptocurrencies and help dismantle harmful myths surrounding this emerging sector
Leeor Groen, CEO of Spartan Group, highlighted the importance of a clear regulatory framework, noting that while regulation could be a threat, it can be a catalyst if implemented correctly.
Indeed, he referred to the MiCA regulation in Europe, stating that a well-designed regulatory framework can attract large financial institutions and promote large-scale adoption.However, he also warned that too many restrictions could stifle innovation, a sentiment agreed by other panellists such as Damien Roch of Blockwall and Michael Stroev of Venga
In short, the panel agreed that the industry's growth will not come from magic but from collaboration between developers, regulators, businesses and users to overcome scalability challenges by providing accessible education and creating a fair regulatory framework, key pillars to attract those next billion crypto users.
Following this analysis, the next panel focused on a key aspect of this adoption: BTC and ETH ETFs. With the promise of facilitating institutional investment, the question was: Are they achieving their goal of encouraging actual institutional adoption?
BTC and ETH ETFs: Are they really driving institutional adoption?
The panellists explored the impact of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs on institutional adoption. Matthew Hougan of Bitwise Asset Management, Adrian Fritz of 21Shares, Elliot Johnson of Evolve ETFs, and Duncan Moir of Abren discussed the challenges and opportunities that these financial products are facing.
While BTC and ETH ETFs had high expectations, institutional adoption has been slower than expected. Hougan believes that while ETFs have captured the interest of retail investors, large institutions are still cautious
"Eighty per cent that flows into cryptocurrency ETFs come from the retail market, but the remaining 20 per cent represents a growing interest among institutions," Hougan explained. Despite this, Johnson noted that adoption is gaining traction, especially among financial advisors and hedge funds.
What’s Holding Back Mass Adoption?
But what is holding back mass adoption? This panel agrees that the obstacles facing ETFs are liquidity and the natural volatility of crypto-assets
Duncan Moir mentioned that one of the main challenges is dollar liquidity. Institutions that wish to allocate large sums of capital in crypto assets need a sufficiently liquid market to facilitate transactions without affecting the price
Institutions face lengthy internal processes before allocating to new asset classes such as cryptocurrencies Investment committees and advisors play a crucial role in strategic decision-making, which can lengthen the response time to new investment opportunities
Adrian Fritz of 21Shares noted that in Europe, the most active institutions in buying crypto assets tend to be family offices and independent asset managers, in contrast to extensive pension funds and insurers, which have not yet made significant investments in cryptocurrencies.
Moir argued that ETFs can help mitigate these problems by providing a more accessible vehicle for trading in highly volatile markets. "ETFs add liquidity to any asset class, which could settle Bitcoin and Ethereum volatility over the long term," Moir said
Although institutional adoption is incremental, experts note that Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs' legitimacy is settling as an investment vehicle and a tool for strategic asset planning.
ETFs and ETPs
To clarify the confusion around the terms ETFs and ETPs (exchange-traded products) in different jurisdictions Fritz of 21Shares explained that, in Europe, ETFs are often referred to as ETPs due to regulatory differences However, both are basically vehicles backed by the underlying assets (BTC or ETH, for example) This distinction does not significantly affect end-investors, who see these products as forms of exposure to cryptocurrencies in the public markets.
The Future of Gaming on Web3
A long-awaited topic of the EBC was undoubtedly this one: The impact of Web3 on gaming. Sébastien Borget from The Sandbox, Bay Backner from Decentraland and Pablo Monti from BingX discussed the latest trends and perspectives of gaming in the blockchain era, offering insights on how this new dimension of gaming is evolving.
The Current State of Gaming on Web3
Sébastien Borget shared data showing that the gaming industry has evolved Gamers do not look solely for financial rewards through play-to-earn models but prioritise quality and the gaming experience, valuing fun over financial compensation, as shown in Cross the Ages and Shrapnel
Borget said the token economy is still attractive, with a focus that has shifted towards building communities and empowering players through ownership of digital assets. It translates into a blockchain technology-given opportunity that allows players to participate in game governance through DAOs.
Challenges and Opportunities in Web3 Gaming
As for Europe and Latin America, they claim that the industry has moved beyond the P2E gaming euphoria phase of 2021, which focused on making revenue "Gaming is a universal activity; millions play video games, and blockchain has a lot to contribute to the industry as a whole," said Monti, emphasising the need to integrate the technology into traditional games.
"The key is to make the experience so seamless that players don't realise they are using blockchain technology," he explained, referring to the need to simplify the integration of cryptocurrencies and NFTs into gaming platforms
Social interaction and the future of gaming
Decentraland's Bay Backner offered a social perspective, noting that in-game interaction is a crucial driver of adoption. "Users invest in NFTs and assets not just for economic reasons but as a form of selfexpression," Backner said. This focus on self-expression and digital identity is fundamental to the future of Web3 gaming.
While social interaction and self-expression in virtual environments have become essential drivers of adoption in Web3 gaming, the impact of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology is not just limited to gaming.
Just as Bay Backner highlighted the importance of digital ownership and identity in gaming, leaders such as Eric Demuth and Frank Halmes also highlight how Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies are reshaping the financial landscape towards 2030, opening up new opportunities for mass adoption and greater economic autonomy.
Digital transformation for 2030
Bitpanda CEO Eric Demuth briefly shared his views on the long-term impact of cryptocurrencies on the financial sector. He highlighted their steady growth and unique way of opening new avenues to enable mass adoption within the economic sphere.
In this sense, he argued that cryptocurrencies create an alternative to traditional financial systems while bringing greater transparency, accessibility and autonomy to many users.
Frank Halmes, CEO of Hive Digital Technologies, compared Bitcoin's decentralised infrastructure to traditional financial systems, marking the robustness and ability of the market's leading cryptocurrency to function without intermediaries. This makes it a key player in reshaping the financial world.
Getting to know emerging platforms
Both agreed that by 2030, cryptocurrencies will have matured to become an integral part of the global financial infrastructure. Not to mention that regulatory and technological challenges will continue to set the pace for this transformation.
During EBC10, we met Venga, one of the most promising emerging platforms in the cryptocurrency space. CEO Michael Stroev explained that Venga's goal is to become the best cryptocurrency app in Europe, focusing on innovation, security, and user experience, seeking to differentiate itself from the rest of the market with a different proposition.
VENGA
Stroev explained that their strategy is clear: ‘If everyone goes right, we go left’, reflecting a philosophy of constant disruption. In his words, Venga does not seek to replicate what other players in the market already do but to do it better
Venga is a Virtual Asset Service Provider and Custodian for The Bank of Spain. This focus on regulation allows them to operate in Multiple Jurisdictions with security and confidence while preparing to apply for the European Markets in Cryptoassets Regulation (MiCA) licence as soon as applications become available.
Stroev also spoke about Venga's exciting future, which wishes to deliver new solutions before the end of the year, such as a simple entry and exit system for euros and the integration of new chains and currencies. Looking forward to 2025, they plan to launch several new crypto applications and Web3 products, along with their own Venga Token.
This experience has allowed them to explore and learn more about what the competition is doing. During the event, they presented a paper focused on the roles of exchanges in Web 3, especially in Spanish-speaking regions.
Part of the CoinEx Central Asia team, Carlota Yuan with her PR Manager Lesme Hernandez.
CoinEx: Boosting education and trust in the crypto ecosystem
We had the opportunity to chat briefly with the CoinEx team, who expressed their enthusiasm for participating in this edition of the European Blockchain Convention.
The team celebrated its position in the top five exchanges in Latin America, noting that users trust their platform and that there is a growing need for alternatives like theirs.
CoinEx also highlighted its educational initiatives, noting its collaboration with five universities in Argentina to offer basic courses on cryptocurrencies and blockchain. In this way, they emphasise the importance of education in the crypto ecosystem.
Featured Startups at EBC10: Innovation at its finest
To conclude, the second day featured the highly anticipated EBC10 Startup Battle, where 50 Web3 startups were selected to present their innovations in front of miles of attendees.
The EBC team and its professional partners selected these startups from hundreds of participants for their revolutionary solutions. This year's winners were Skyline Digital AG, Vaultik and Assisterr.
The winners of the #EBC10 Startup Battle.
These startups demonstrate the potential of the blockchain space to generate solutions that could transform different industries with their innovative ideas that captured the audience and the jury's attention. EBC10 gave these entrepreneurs a space to shine, further cementing the conference's reputation as a significant driver of innovation in Europe
The appointment is for the next EBC11
Source: The Moon Mag
The European Blockchain Convention clarified that the blockchain industry is growing but faces significant challenges With advances in tokenisation, AI and ETFs, along with regulation and education as key pillars, the industry is well on its way to mass adoption.
Cooperation between businesses, governments and educators will be essential to bring cryptocurrencies to many more people hand-in-hand with innovation to transform the future of the crypto ecosystem
