Today, the UK’s South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit (SW RCCU) in a joint operation with the Dutch police (Politie), Europol, Eurojust and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested 6 individuals after a 14-month long investigation into a €24 million cryptocurrency theft.
The five men and one woman were arrested in simultaneous warrants this morning at their homes in Charlcombe, Lower Weston and Staverton (UK) and Amsterdam and Rotterdam (the Netherlands).
The theft, which targeted users’ Bitcoin tokens, is believed to have affected at least 4 000 victims in 12 countries, with the numbers continuing to grow.
The investigation relates to typosquatting, where a well-known online cryptocurrency exchange was ‘spoofed’ – or recreated to imitate the genuine site – to gain access to victims’ Bitcoin wallets, stealing their funds and login details.
This case was referred to the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT) hosted at Europol after the British authorities identified possible suspects living in the Netherlands. Operational support delivered by EC3 since February 2018 allowed the J-CAT to coordinate the international cooperation between the different EU Member States involved.
In addition, operational meetings were organised at Europol’s headquarters between the British and Dutch authorities, allowing for the smooth exchange of intelligence and evidence which led to these successful arrests. A coordination meeting was also held at Eurojust to prepare for the action day.
Zeebu, the disruptive Web3 Neobank platform specializing in telecom transactions, proudly announces the ZBU Phoenix Protocol, a strategic initiative focused on optimizing token supply and solidifying its commitment to ecosystem sustainability.
Zeebu is a blockchain-based platform, specifically engineered for telecom transactions. It aims to revolutionize the sector by enabling automated settlements, facilitating seamless global payments, and bolstering efficiency and security through a unified telecom payment ecosystem. The ZBU token is a key component of the Zeebu platform. It plays a pivotal role in enabling smooth global transactions and introducing an on-chain loyalty mechanism. The ZBU loyalty token serves to incentivize and reward partners within the ecosystem for their active participation.
The ZBU Phoenix Protocol, inspired by the phoenix’s symbolic rebirth and renewal, meticulously reduces the total ZBU token supply, fostering market stability and a robust ecosystem. This deliberate approach emphasizes Zeebu’s core values of trust, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
The ZBU Phoenix Protocol focuses on optimizing the ZBU token supply through a dynamic auto-burn mechanism. This mechanism carefully adjusts the burn rate based on the current market price of ZBU and platform usage patterns, ensuring a strategic approach to bolstering the ecosystem’s health and long-term stability.
Transparency and accountability are at the forefront of Zeebu’s operations. Each token burn event will be meticulously recorded and publicly accessible on the blockchain, providing stakeholders with full visibility into the process. Additionally, a portion of the tokens from the accumulated burning pool will be allocated towards new initiatives, further enriching the Zeebu ecosystem.
“The ZBU Token Burn Program reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability in the decentralized finance space,” said Raj Brahmbhatt, the CEO and Founder of Zeebu. “By implementing this initiative, we aim to ensure a stable market presence of $ZBU token, while also promoting ecosystem growth.”
As Zeebu continues to spearhead innovation in the realm of decentralized finance, the ZBU Token Burn Program serves as a cornerstone of its strategic vision. By reducing token supply systematically and transparently, Zeebu is poised to create a more resilient and prosperous financial ecosystem for all stakeholders.
Zeebu is gearing up to release more specifics about the timeline and quantity for the ZBU token burn.
About Zeebu:
Zeebu, the pioneering Web3 Neobank, having settled more than half a billion in telecom transactions, is quickly emerging as a trusted payment and settlement partner for global telecom businesses. The platform, currently serving over 100 active telecom carriers, is revolutionizing the industry with the introduction of blockchain-based settlements and the ZBU loyalty token. The ZBU token is designed to facilitate instant and secure global transactions and reward participants for successful settlements on the platform.
In a significant move that marks a new era of gaming commerce and digital identity, Metropolis has successfully closed a $1.2 million investment round. The funding round saw participation from notable investors, including Cointelegraph Accelerator, Lamina1 Ecosystem Fund, ACS, Outlier Ventures, Protocol Labs, Primal Capital, Zephyrus Capital, Cluster Capital, EthLizards, Acacia Digital, Block Consult, IBC, and multiple strategic angel investors, highlighting the strong market confidence in Metropolis’s vision for the future of commerce in the metaverse and beyond.
Founded two years ago by international siblings Rania and Rashid Ajami, Metropolis is a 360 curated ecosystem that blends unique properties, e-commerce, avatars, gaming, art & experiences that span both the digital & physical world.
MetropolisX, their most recent platform, connects users’ digital identities with tangible, exclusive products, content, and experiences from over 300 notable partners (and growing), including Steve Aoki, Elise Swopes, Bryan Brinkman, Mad Global, and Unstoppable Domains. The platform champions the “build with us and take anywhere” philosophy, transforming simple PFPs into fully interoperable avatars for use across games, virtual worlds, AR/VR, social media, and more, bridging the gap between digital identities and expansive virtual experiences. “We are delighted to achieve this significant initial pre-seed raise for our token,” says Rashid Ajami. “With a roadmap that includes over two years of weekly exclusive drops on Metropolis X, featuring collaborations with leading brands and creators, we’re prepared for significant growth. This partnership roster positions us uniquely in both the Web3 space and the expansive Web2 market, reaching an audience of over 300 million.”
At the heart of MetropolisX is a collaboration marketplace where creators can monetize and launch personalized products and where their fans can have a more immersive connection and access exclusive products, content & experiences. This unique approach combines digital and physical identity, gaming, and immersive experiences. “We are entering a new wave where digital identity is as important as your physical one. This has led us to build a groundbreaking avatar marketplace that easily onboards Web2 audiences while using blockchain technology,” says Rania Ajami.
“The platform allows users to craft their identity using diverse brand and creator IPs, combining elements like a Slime Sunday hoodie, a Sneakerheads background, and a Pet Liger accessory in a single avatar,” says Rania Ajami. “This more truly reflects the real world and the aspirations of our user base.”
Details of Metropolis’s upcoming public token sale will be announced soon, including a community gamified airdrop, retail-focused pre-sale, and launchpad round. Further info will be released via an interactive white paper, which will include tokenomics, ecosystem partners, and a product development roadmap.
Hover, the non-custodial lending and borrowing protocol from the Kava ecosystem, will launch its public sale on DAO Maker on February 14th. The market launch and the public sale follow the success of Hover’s increasing APY Genesis Pools sprint that runs from November 2023 through February 2024 and generated over 15.3M USD total value locked across $KAVA, $ATOM, and $USDt pools. Hover announced that those who deposit to their Genesis Pools before the market launch on February 21st will keep receiving increased APY for 4 more weeks – until March 18th.
With over 100 successful projects and $42 million raised in its portfolio, DAO Maker is a leader in launching and accelerating web3 startups. Hover’s launch on DAO Maker proves that Hover is in for the long-term game, committing to building trustworthy DeFi solutions. This milestone follows multiple audits and security checks Hover and its partners have undergone to build a secure and reliable platform. As a result, DAO Maker opens Hover to a much broader audience beyond the Kava ecosystem.
“The interest and support of Hover’s Genesis Pools have far exceeded our expectations and given the Hover community an appetite for a successful public sale,” said Aileen Dauz, Core Contributor at Hover. “Launching on DAO Maker is a strategic decision that hopes to bring more trusted partners and supporters looking for long-term DeFi solutions. Through Hover’s public launch, we pledge to build an institutional-grade, secure, and inclusive DeFi solution for everyone.”
The public sale of Hover’s native $HOV token, constituting 3.6% of $HOV’s total supply, is an invitation for the public to benefit from the unique tokenomics model built by Hover. Unlike numerous non-custodial lending and borrowing platforms, where traders typically seek the most advantageous deals, Hover provides a more balanced and user-centric experience. Hover’s tokenomics model rewards user loyalty and offers eight tiers of benefits, such as liquidation and borrowing rebates based on the amount of $HOV staked.
“DAO Maker strives to work with projects that make DeFi more accessible and secure, which is the essence of Hover,” said Chris Zaknun, Founder of DAO Maker. “We are excited to accelerate Hover by launching $HOV on our platform as we see the potential for this project in Kava and beyond.”
Hover aims to raise 1M USD through the public sale, while the team has teased plans for the platform’s further expansion in DeFi along with more rewards and loyalty programs for the most engaged users. Both the public sale and deposits to Hover Genesis Pools will close on February 20th.
About Hover
Hover is a revolutionary liquidity market on Kava that facilitates the lending and borrowing of digital assets. With an innovative tokenomics model, 24/7 risk management, and a rewards program to directly benefit its users, Hover empowers retail users and institutions alike to fly into the next generation of DeFi.
Learn more at hover.market.
About DAO Maker
DAO Maker aims to redefine Venture capital by making it accessible to the masses. It develops next-generation digital financial solutions trusted by more than 1M users worldwide and is the Best launchpad with the most KYC-ed users.
To address the latest approach in the landscape of cryptocurrency spending, the company has revolutionized cryptocurrency spending with the Tectum Emission Token listing on Travala. The company empowers $TET holders to use them for payments for their holiday expenses without converting to fiat. The Tectum Emission Token is the driving force behind the Tectum blockchain and its extensive ecosystem, enabling seamless transactions. Validators within the network stake a specific amount of tokens to process transactions on their respective nodes, while merchants conduct transactions and pay commissions in TET. This unique system ensures the sustainability of the cryptocurrency, adding intrinsic value to its use cases.
In addition, Crispmind’s innovative move to list Tectum Tokens aims to eliminate these inefficiencies and enhance how people send cryptocurrencies. With this collaboration, Travala emerges as the ideal platform for this transformative endeavor. The travel agency allows users to pay for tourism and hospitality services without converting their crypto holdings to fiat. Tectum Emission Token is set to be listed on Travala by joining the ranks of well-established cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, USDC, and USDT on the platform. This strategic approach ensures that new and existing users can seamlessly send Tectum Tokens and spend them directly from their Wallets.
Moreover, the $TET token holders can access many services from the specified date and time, such as flight tickets, travel gift cards, hotel bookings, travel credits, tourism-related activities, and commitment to enhancing cryptocurrency usability.
Furthermore, Crispmind’s dedication to making Bitcoin spendable is evident through its innovative applications, such as SoftNote Bills and SoftNote Cash. The listing of TET on Travala serves as a testament to Tectum’s overarching pledge to make cryptocurrencies more accessible and spendable in everyday transactions.
About Crispmind:
Crispmind is a top-notch software development company with decades of experience developing cost-effective and customer-centric solutions. For several years, this establishment has leveraged the experience and expertise of the best developers to create ground-breaking products and services.
This ranges from secure messaging and user authentication to the fastest layer 1 blockchain, distributed ledgers, and cryptocurrency. Its innovative approach has seen Crispmind onboard private companies and governmental institutions as clients. Regardless of the project, the principle of this company has always been to “create simple solutions for complex problems.”
Additionally, this tech company plans its new projects with new approaches and aims to bring innovations as well. The projects include Tectum – the fastest layer 1 blockchain in the world with a proof of utility consensus protocol and zero-knowledge proof system. Tectum Wallet – a comprehensive blockchain wallet that is simple to use and enables people to manage their digital assets in one place. SoftNote Bills – crypto cash that makes Bitcoin more spendable. X-Factor Authenticator – a quantum-proof three-factor authentication protocol that utilizes a human-machine security algorithm to ensure maximum security.
Since its launch on December 27th, 2023, MONSTRO’S DEGENZ!, the latest addition to Monstro’s Universe, has created a significant buzz in the DeFi space and taken in an astounding $1.1M USD in BNB deposits. Renowned for upending traditional approaches, DEGENZ! turns the promise of “too good to be true” daily passive income (2-6%!) into a sustainable reality, steering clear of the problems that have plagued similar ventures.
Recognizing the inherent challenges in “ROI dApps,” which often falter due to dependency on continuous capital influx or fall prey to fraudulent activities, the Monstro team has instituted a robust strategy. This plan is grounded in an understanding of the typical pitfalls for investors in ROI dApps and introduces innovative solutions from the outset.
MONSTRO’S DEGENZ! distinguishes itself through a unique dual-phase approach. Phase One encapsulates the excitement of daily earnings, blending game theory and strategic decision-making. Participants face intriguing choices: reinvesting for multipliers, claiming earnings, or purchasing NFTs to enhance earning rates.
As the influx of fresh capital eventually subsides, DEGENZ! seamlessly transitions into Phase Two. This phase involves halting new deposits and issuing NFT “receipts” to wallets yet to claim their promised profit (ranging from 150% to 300%). These receipts enable holders to earn real, external yield from farming and liquidity operations, paid in USDC weekly. This approach, successfully implemented since August 2023 with Monstro’s Farmz!, leverages a 30% deposit fee reinvested in DEXes like Trader Joe, Orca, Uniswap V3, Sparkswap, and Alienbase.
“It’s not about if, but when you’ll profit. This assurance sets us apart from other projects in the space, a claim few can make,” asserts 0xVarius, a co-founder of Monstro’s Universe.
Enhancing the offering, DEGENZ! features an aggressive referral program. Referrers can earn 5-20% based on the total deposit volume they introduce, with an innovative “cashback” option for their downline. This user-friendly feature allows referrers to automatically share rewards, facilitated by the smart contract, embodying Monstro’s ethos of community and ease.
Monstro’s Farmz! epitomizes passive income, boasting nearly $500,000 USD in Total Value Locked (TVL) and nearly $230,000 USD disbursed to its community in just five months. The platform invites users to effortlessly watch their earnings grow, with USDC payouts every Wednesday. Emphasizing transparency and accountability, all contracts, wallets, and positions are publicly accessible, reflecting the team’s commitment to absolute openness.
About Monstro’s Universe
Monstro’s Universe is crafted for both thrill-seekers and astute investors, blending captivating characters with the promise of steady, passive income. It’s a realm where DeFi is not just profitable, but also enjoyable. Regardless of your investment goals, Monstro’s Universe offers treasures tailored to your ambitions.
Guided by a seasoned team of crypto experts, Monstro’s Universe prioritizes fairness and transparency. All operations are public, recorded on-chain, and uphold the highest standards, underscoring the team’s dedication to the integrity and vitality of Monstro’s Universe.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
$ZKL token realizes high-performance DeFi through zkLink’s cutting-edge zero-knowledge rollup infrastructure and newly launched Nexus platform
zkLink, a trailblazer in the zero-knowledge blockchain sector, today announced the release date for its new token, $ZKL. Following the Community Token Sale on Coinlist, $ZKL will be available to users starting Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 18:00 UTC.
The launch of the $ZKL token, the native utility and governance token for the zkLink protocol, is a significant milestone in zkLink’s mission to eliminate the liquidity fragmentation issues present in the Layer 2 (L2) ecosystem. $ZKL serves as a resource that allows developers to easier access the zkLink rollup infrastructure service, including the zero-knowledge (ZK) proof markets; govern the protocol’s development through the zkLink DAO; and pay for ZK proof computational resources.
“We look forward to presenting the community with an asset that allows them to help shape the zero-knowledge rollup ecosystem’s direction in 2024,” commented Vince Yang, Co-founder, zkLink. “As outlined in our 2024 Technical Roadmap, we have several key developments planned to encourage our community to be more involved in building dApps that enable smoother, lower-cost DeFi experiences.”
The $ZKL token joins the list of native tokens and multi-chain assets across the connected L1s and L2s, including FTs and NFTs that users can trade on a unified user interface. It will be a non-inflationary ERC20 token issued on the Ethereum Mainnet with token supply capped at 1 billion. $ZKL will serve as the default payment token for ZK proof generation services and users can obtain DAO voting rights by staking to obtain veZKL.
Along with announcing the upcoming $ZKL token sale, zkLink recently released details on major upcoming updates to its protocol, highlighted in the 2024 Technical Roadmap. Users can learn more in zkLink’s new whitepaper about how multi-chain ZK-Rollup infrastructure serves as a solution to unify fragmented liquidity across ecosystems and return pricing power to decentralized exchanges (DEXs).
About zkLink
zkLink develops zero-knowledge blockchain infrastructure solutions for high-performance ZK applications. Its flagship zero-knowledge Layer-3 blockchain solution, Nexus, is designed to bridge the gap among different zk-Rollup Layer-2 ecosystems to reduce liquidity fragmentation while providing security and scalability via zk-Proofs.
zkLink is funded by notable backers including Coinbase Ventures, Ascensive Assets, SIG DTI, BigBrain Holdings, Efficient Frontier, and others.
About zkLink Nexus
zkLink Nexus is a Layer 3 solution for native crypto assets from zkRollups, such as zkSync, StarkNet, Scroll, Linea, Taiko, or the Polygon zkEVM, in the Ethereum Layer-2 ecosystem. Now developers looking to deploy their project on Layer 2s no longer need to worry about fragmented liquidity, chain-specific deployments, security risks, or high costs that can result from transferring assets between ecosystems.
