Monkey-themed meme coins are surging as South Carolina residents secure their homes after 43 monkeys escaped a Yemassee research facility. Though used in vaccine development and not a public health risk, the incident has ignited memes, conspiracy theories, and nostalgia for Hollywood’s primate escapades.
CatherineThe Ethereum Foundation launched the Mekong testnet to trial key changes ahead of the Pectra upgrade, focusing on staking workflows and UX improvements. The testnet will help developers and stakers provide feedback before these changes are implemented on Ethereum’s mainnet in early 2025.
WeatherlyLazada Malaysia is launching AI Lazzie, an AI-powered shopping assistant that offers personalised recommendations and fun features for the 11.11 sale. The platform also introduces virtual try-ons and aims to improve the AI shopping experience based on growing consumer demand in Southeast Asia.
AnaisElon Musk hinted at support for abolishing the Federal Reserve by sharing a post from Senator Mike Lee, who called for greater executive oversight of US monetary policy. Musk’s apparent endorsement has stirred debate, with many questioning the wisdom and impact of this proposal.
CatherineCharles Hoskinson has launched a policy office to push for clearer crypto regulations in the US, hoping to work with the incoming Trump administration. The move has sparked a 35% rise in Cardano's ADA price, reflecting investor optimism for regulatory progress.
AnaisDelabs Games, creator of Rumble Racing Star, is diving into Telegram’s TON ecosystem with a Ragnarok release in Q1 2025, followed by Boxing Star in Q3—broadening its gaming presence and fan engagement on the platform.
KikyoPolymarket is considering a token launch to sustain its recent trading surge. However, it faces challenges, including growing regulatory scrutiny. The key question is whether it can maintain its post-election momentum or will be remembered solely for its election-driven success.
CatherineRoman Sterlingov, founder of the Bitcoin Fog crypto mixer, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for laundering over $400 million linked to illegal activities. He was also ordered to forfeit $395.5 million and his share in a Bitcoin wallet holding 1,345 BTC, worth over $103 million.
WeatherlyByteDance is expanding its AI efforts with Doubao, a chatbot now capable of generating realistic videos from text and images. This move strengthens ByteDance's position in China's fast-growing AI market, though it faces tough competition from rivals like Kuaishou.
WeatherlyA South Korean court upheld a bank’s decision to fire an employee for “habitual” crypto gaming and improper private money lending to clients, uncovered in an internal audit. The employee appealed, claiming the dismissal was unjust.
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