Bitcoin is the world’s most renowned cryptocurrency and it has been shaping several domains. There are several ways to bring the crypto to the people. In our everyday communication using social networks and chat applications, people use emojis to express themselves.

Emojis are simple and short means of expressing ourselves; with them, we don’t need to write words in full. People are calling for the creation of a Bitcoin emoji for the keyboard on Apple iOS.

The desire to have it on the keyboard of Apple iOS led to a new change.org petition. However, some people believe that Apple seemingly will not make a BTC emoji.

Despite that not everybody sees Bitcoin and other digital currencies as a beneficial form of money; people still need to know about it. Therefore, instead of having to type ‘Bitcoin,’ an emoji could be of remarkable interest.

However, at the moment, some operating systems lack access to emojis related to Bitcoin. Since Apple is a big tech firm, the provision of such a solution would be remarkable. Unfortunately, the firm is yet to show interest in exploring such an option.

The purpose of the change.org petition is to assist in changing that narrative a little. Unfortunately, petitions of such nature rarely achieve their aim but it is worth trying.

There is Bitcoin symbol on keyboards and an emoji should also be created. A hundred people need to sign the petition to be considered successful. At the moment, over 50 people have signed it. 

Besides, it seems amazingly unlikely that the firm will attend to this demand. The firm has not shown keen interest on cryptos, not to talk of endorsement in any manner.

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A post published on Monday, the Ethereum Foundation has alerted developers and miners that the “Muir Glacier” upgrade is set to occur at 9.2 million blocks, which is currently on pace for New Year’s Day. The upgrade follows less than a month after Ethereum’s highly anticipated “Istanbul,” update, and marks a series of upgrades for the network as it transitions to Ethereum 2.0.

The official post states, 

The Ethereum network will be undergoing a scheduled upgrade at block number 9,200,000, which is predicted to occur on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. The exact date is subject to change due to variable block times and timezones.

According to a previous post detailing the upgrade, Muir Glacier will serve to delay the planned increase in Ethereum’s mining difficulty by an estimated 611 days. 

Ethereum Cat Herders provided an explanation for the delay,

Once the difficulty increase of the difficulty bomb is too great for the block time retargeting mechanism, it results in an increase in block times for the network. This results in a degradation in the usability of Ethereum due to waiting for confirmation for transactions and Dapps as everything takes longer throughout the network.

Node operators and miners will be required to download the updated client software in order to be in compliance with the network, which some users are bemoaning given the New Year’s Day holiday launch.

On the contrary, an NFT is like Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. It is unique, it is scarce and that is what makes it valuable. One would never wish to trade Mona Lisa for Salvator Mundi as he will lose some value. On a similar basis, each NFT stores some form of Metadata that makes it a unique entry on the blockchain. For the matter of fact, even the NFT’s on similar blockchains are also not interchangeable.

How does non-fungible token empower the owner?

A Non-fungible token comes with a mechanism of storing rich metadata that is beyond the token symbol, supply, name, and balance. It stores the asset and ownership details too. As these details are stored on the blockchain, the owners and future buyers are assured about the provenance.

Non-fungible tokens or NFT’s made a name for themselves in 2017 with the release of CryptoKitties.

Do non-fungible tokens propose any value?

To understand the value it brings to the digital asset ecosystem, we need to peek into the evolution of NFTs. The attempts to create NFTs on blockchain started as early as 2013 with Color Coin built on bitcoin. But in 2017 first technical standard was defined for NFTs known as ERC721 on Ethereum blockchain. The standard is different from ERC20. That is because  ERC721 tracks ownership and movements of individual tokens. And that is what makes a non-fungible token unique and valuable.

CryptoKittes, a cat breeding game was the first successful implementation of ERC721. For Cryptokitties players, each ERC721 represented a unique digital kitten that could not be replicated. And the most expensive CryptoKitty was traded in 2017 for $172,625(600 ETH).

This is when even big giants like Google Ventures realized the power of NFTs.

Recently, a blockchain startup Enjin partnered with Microsoft to create crypto collectibles called Microsoft Azure Heroes. We will use it as an example to explain how NFTs work in the real world.

Value Proposition 

In the real-world NFTs have some highly potential use-cases in art, antiques, vintage, property ownership and more. There were some major reasons why gaming became the first industry to push forward the actual implementation of NFTs. It was because the stakes were low and the gamers were already familiar with the concept of digital collectibles.

Future iterations of NFTs will most likely link the physical assets to these tokens for trustless transfers in the real-world. To state an example, identification certificates and software licenses can be traded as NFTs.

Many projects are already proposing better NFT standards like ERC115, ERC875, and ERC998.

Highlighting the characteristics of a Non-Fungible Token

• They are unique to the owner
• They are not interchangeable with another identical NFT
• Individual NFT has unique characteristics
• Each NFT represents ownership, rights, and privileges.
• NFTs are not divisible

How do they work and how to acquire them?

There are many ways in which an NFT can work. Here we will explain the working of NFT using the latest digital collectibles introduced by Microsoft.

Many developers are working on the Microsoft Azure platform. And now the developers can win blockchain digital collectibles. This will highlight the helpful developers on the platform.

A total of five badges have been developed by Enjin powered by the blockchain. Each badge is available in limited supply and will be rewarded to the individual who makes worthy contributions to the Azure platform.

Source: Microsoft.com

Each badge is basically an ERC-721 token that can be stored in the Enjin wallet and traded just like any digital asset. Every single badge is unique because of its ownership and that would define the future value of the badge.

To acquire a badge (ERC721) token one needs to submit their candidacy and make a valuable contribution to the Azure platform. Once the Microsoft team reviews the “good work done” only then the members will receive the digital badger. The badge can then be claimed by scanning a QR code.

This is just one way of acquiring an NFT. The other NFT platforms like CryptoKitties, WAX, and Qtum have different methods.

Conclusion

The fungible crypto-currencies have already proved their importance in the digital asset ecosystem for over a decade now. The non-fungible tokens represent a very potential opportunity to tokenize the physical assets retaining the unique lineage. NFTs will never interfere with the existence of cryptocurrencies. As a matter of fact, NFTs will broaden the scope of blockchain in the real world.

Source: AltCoinBuzz

Following the departure of founding CEO Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to a United States Senate seat in early December, Blandina has now been promoted to CEO position as he joined Bakkt as chief product officer in April 2019.

As announced by Bakkt’s parent company Intercontinental Exchange on Dec. 23, the appointment came into force on Dec. 20.

Bakkt’s former COO Adam White will now serve as the company’s president

Alongside the new CEO, Bakkt has also appointed Adam White, a former executive at major U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase, as new president of the company. White has been serving at Bakkt as chief operating officer since joining the company in November 2018. The executive is also known for starting his career testing experimental aircraft as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, the announcement notes.

While Blandina will continue to chart Bakkt’s strategic direction, payment products and markets, as well as regulatory issues, as Bakkt’s new president, White will be focusing on digital asset markets, custody and trading, Jeffrey Sprecher, founder and CEO of ICE said in the statement.

CEO Loeffler leaves to join Senate

Former Bakkt CEO Loeffler was appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to replace retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson on Dec. 4. As reported, Loeffler is expected to take office on Jan. 1, 2020, the day after Isakson steps down.

The news comes after Bakkt set a new volume record of 6,226 physically delivered Bitcoin (BTC) futures contracts traded at ICE Futures U.S.. The new record is an increase of over 25% from the company’s previous record of 5,600 BTC and is worth around $47 million at press time, according to Coin360.

Source (Credit): CoinTelegraph

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The World Largest Cryptocurrency Exchange by volume, Binance, announced yesterday its strategic investment in the crypto derivatives exchange FTX.

According to an official blog post by Binance. It has invested an undisclosed amount in the fast-rising crypto derivative platform FTX, Binance has taken a long-term position in the FTX Token, while the derivatives exchange returns the favor by helping to build out the liquidity and institutional product offerings.

Binance’s CEO, CZ said that he believes this partnership will help both companies and that FTX is on its way to becoming a larger player in the cryptocurrency derivatives market:

The FTX team has built an innovative crypto trading platform with stunning growth. With their backgrounds as professional traders, we see quite a bit ourselves in the FTX team and believe in their potential in becoming a major player in the crypto derivatives markets. We are pleased to have an excellent partner joining the Binance ecosystem and aim to grow the crypto market together. – Said CZ.

 FTX Founded in 2019, By Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX is the brainchild of Alameda Research, a digital asset research firm. Situated in the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda, FTX provides four different types of trading. futures ,OTC, spot trading, indexes and . According to reports, the exchange has a daily trade volume of about $1.5 billion.

The firm will help in creating products, especially for Binance.com, also developing Binance over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk.

As a result of this partnership, FTX is sure to enjoy a boost in growth and also widespread adoption. Though Binance only made a minor investment on FTX, it, however, has a long term hold on its native token FTT.

CZ also praised the unique talent and professionalism of the FTX expert team of traders. The exchange is more than confident that it is on the right path.

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The Data Comes From CryptoCompare November Exchange Review, Top-tier cryptocurrency exchanges are those with ratings ranging from “AA” to “B,” according to CryptoCompare’s Exchange Benchmark, while lower rating cryptocurrency exchanges are those with ratings ranging from “C” to “F.”

The volume drop for top-tier exchanges means their aggregate volume currently represents 31.4% of the total market, meaning its still close to one-third of global trading volumes. The top cryptocurrency exchange with fiat currency pairs by total volume last month was P2PB2B with $30.98 billion traded.

It was followed by Coinsbit, which traded $16.37 billion after seeing its volume more than double, and Bithumb which traded $7.42 billion after seeing its volume rise 15.24%. CryptoCompare’s Exchange Review also looks into predominant fee types on the market, derivatives data, stablecoin volumes, trans-fee mining exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and derivative products.

Co-founder and CEO of CryptoCompare said in a press release shared with CryptoGlobe:

CryptoCompare’s high quality, granular analysis, ranking the global exchanges, has brought greater transparency to the crypto asset class, enabling market participants to make better decisions.

DDEX was the top decentralized exchange in November, despite seeing its volume drop over 40% since October. IDEX and BitSquare, the other two top decentralized exchanges, saw their volumes drop 19.97% and 19.81% respectively. DEXs, the reported noted, represent only 0.01% of the global spot volume.

When it comes to regulated bitcoin derivatives trading, CME has been dominating the scene with its volume going from $3.12 billion in October to $4.22 billion last month. Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) saw its trading volume drop 17.5%, the report notes.

The top derivatives exchange in the cryptocurrency space was OKEx, with $91.5 billion traded in November. It was closely followed by Huobi, with $89.52 billion traded.

Source (Credit): CryptoGlobe

In a tweet to Thunberg posted yesterday, Sun said:

“As a young entrepreneur, I share @GretaThunberg’s passion to change the world. Crypto will contribute immensely on reducing carbon footprint by implementing decentralized settlement. I would like to personally commit USD$1 Mil to @GretaThunberg ’s initiative. #cop25”

Sun’s tweet came as a response to the results of the COP 25 conference in Madrid, where leaders from the United Nations discussed a potential long-term response to rising global temperatures, and ended up postponing a decision until the next major conference next year.

A report form the Financial Times notes that the meeting descended into “open bickering” by its end, with lackluster contributions coming from countries like the United States and China being blamed for it.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, tweeted out he was disappointed with the meeting’s results:

Sun tweet was met with criticism by the cryptocurrency community, with many claiming Greta Thunberg was a “poster child” for the climate cause, and that Sun’s business in the crypto space was more important than Greta’s cause.

Most claimed it was a waste of money that could have been donated to other projects, such as those dedicated to planting trees, cleaning up the oceans, and more. Others accused Sun of trying to take advantage of Greta Thunberg’s popularity to further TRX.

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A report Published by Bloomberg Yang Zuoxing, who was the mastermind behind Bitmain’s mining chips until June 2016, has been detained by police in Shenzhen over suspicion of embezzlement. The report cites three anonymous sources familiar with the situation in addition to a police report that excludes Yang’s full name. 

Following his departure from Bitmain, Yang went on to found the crypto-mining company MicroBT, which has grown into a serious competitor for Bitmain over chips being supplied by foundries operated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Samsung Electronics. 

Yang’s arrest comes at an inopportune time for MicroBT, as demand for mining rig hardware increases ahead of next May’s bitcoin halving event. 

According to Report: The arrest of Yang comes as competition between Bitmain and its rivals intensifies. While MicroBT’s flagship Whatsminer 20 series are the best-selling Bitcoin mining rigs so far this year, Yang’s absence has halted his company’s ability to make key decisions including on pricing, said two of the people.

In 2018, Bitmain lost a court ruling against MicroBT after alleging that Yang’s company infringed on its patent rights. 

The BtcTurk Established in 2013, Turkey’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, with all major cryptocurrencies supported. According to the Blockchain Transparency Institute, BtcTurk is a top-25 exchange, with about $3.45 million in 24-hour trading volume.

Dash currently has Turkish lira trading pairs on the Sistemkoin, Vebitcoin, Koineks, Bitci, Ovis, and Koinim exchanges.

Increased adoption of cryptocurrency in Turkey.

The report states that in 2019, Turkey has struggled with currency devaluations of the lira, The rate of inflation reportedly as 20% at the beginning of the year and the latest data showing an annual inflation rate of around 10.5%. While the inflation rate is decreasing, it shows that the Turkish economy doesn’t secure consumers’ and investors’ confidence anymore. The growing accessibility of cryptocurrencies such as Dash enables consumers and merchants to be better able to escape the government-created inflation and currency uncertainty.

Dash consistently manifests an interest in the Turkey cryptocurrency market and the addition by BtcTurk represents progress. The cryptocurrency has made several attempts to take advantage of key conditions for growth in the country. Accordingly, these efforts include creating a Dash Embassy in Turkey. The embassy focused on hosting community outreach events in the region.

Dash’s focus on Turkey is backed up by market research, as the Statista Global Consumer Survey has shown that Turkey has the highest cryptocurrency adoption rate in the world, with 1 in 5 Turks claiming to own cryptocurrency, surpassing This places the country ahead of Latin American countries like Colombia and Brazil.

This, combined with high inflation rates for the lira, Dash seeking to maximize its adoption both in cryptocurrency-heavy markets and countries seeking alternative money due to currency devaluation.