MOODENG surged significantly following a donation from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who adopted Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus, and contributed a substantial amount to support wildlife conservation. 

The S&P 500 dropped 0.04%, halting a potential "Santa Claus rally." It has risen 26% in 2024, with attention now turning to the Fed's 2025 policy and geopolitical risks. Coindesk Indices, an index measuring broader cryptocurrency market performance was down by 3.15%, with Bitcoin and Ether dropping by 3.65% and 3.81%, respectively in the past 24 hours.

Today's top performer is ME, which surged 13.9% following the launching of 'Mooz' by Cool Cows on the Magic Eden Launchpad.

Magic Eden (ME), launched in September 2021, is the largest NFT marketplace on the Solana blockchain, allowing users to buy, sell, mint, and manage tokens. Cool Cows announced the launch of "

" on Magic Eden Launchpad on December 27th. They encourage joining their Discord for a chance at WL or OG spots before launch day.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

MOODENG surged significantly following a 

 from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who adopted Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus, and contributed a substantial amount to support wildlife conservation. Despite the explosive price increase, analysts warn that the gains may be temporary due to broader market volatility and overbought conditions. Trading volumes spiked, but technical indicators suggest potential corrections. Overall, market sentiment remains cautious, with predictions of possible price dips before stabilization.

Yesterday, the total flow for BTC Spot ETFs was 418.7 million, with 442.9 million in non-GBTC and a -24.2 million flow in GBTC.

 is scheduled for January, with draft criteria revealed during an AMA. Participants can earn JUP tokens based on their swapping volume, starting at $800 for 50 JUP. Higher volumes can earn up to 20,000 JUP. Additional allocations are available for users of Jupiter's Perps, DCA, Limit Orders, or VA features, as well as JUP stakers and governance participants. These criteria are draft and may change.

Beginner

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MOODENG Soars After Vitalik Buterin's Wildlife Donation

Ripple USD (RLUSD) is a stablecoin designed to provide efficient, low-cost solutions for cross-border payments and DeFi, backed by U.S. dollar reserves.

 are the key to solving major financial challenges such as cross-border payments, and may soon replace many traditional fiat uses. 

 (RLUSD) aims to play a central role in this shift, offering stability and efficiency for global transactions and 

 (DeFi). This article will dive into what Ripple USD is, how it works, its main features, use cases and its potential impact on the broader stablecoin market.

Ripple USD is a stablecoin from Ripple Network, designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar for stability. This stability is achieved through a collateralization mechanism supported by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term government treasuries, and other cash-equivalent assets, offering a secure and reliable digital currency.

Ripple USD is designed to provide a reliable digital currency for everyday use and to solve several challenges in the crypto and financial worlds:

Ripple introduced RLUSD in June 2024 primarily to streamline cross-border transactions for institutional players. The stablecoin has been in beta testing since August on XRP Ledger and the Ethereum blockchain, and achieved a significant milestone in December 2024 when it received approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). This regulatory nod highlights RLUSD's commitment to meeting stringent standards, strengthening its credibility and earning trust from users and investors alike.

With the NYDFS approval in place, RLUSD is set to launch on both the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum’s blockchain. Ripple will follow up with listings on exchanges including Uphold, Bitstamp, Bitso, MoonPay, Independent Reserve, CoinMENA and Bullish, with plans to expand its presence across other platforms and DeFi protocols in the future. Given Ripple's strong reputation for collaborating with financial institutions, RLUSD is poised to give established stablecoins like 

The Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin is built for efficient and reliable cross-border transactions. Each RLUSD is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. Treasuries and cash equivalents, ensuring it maintains a 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar. This backing provides the stability users need for secure and predictable transactions.

RLUSD will run on the XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchains as an 

 token to maximize compatibility with a wide range of wallets and DeFi applications. Transactions are processed via Ripple’s decentralized network, which uses a unique 

 to achieve near-instant settlement times — typically within three to six seconds. Unlike traditional blockchain systems, this process doesn’t rely on energy-intensive mining, making it faster and more eco-friendly.

 integration adds another layer of functionality, enabling RLUSD to power automated financial operations. This opens the door to innovative DeFi products and services, from lending and borrowing to yield farming. Currently in beta testing with enterprise partners, RLUSD is undergoing rigorous testing to meet high standards of security and efficiency before its official launch.

Ripple emphasizes transparency, with third-party audits of RLUSD’s reserve assets and regular progress updates. This commitment positions RLUSD as a trustworthy and versatile player in the growing stablecoin market.

Ripple USD (RLUSD) offers strong liquidity for key trading pairs on select 

 (CEXs). This feature ensures that users can buy and sell RLUSD with ease without causing major price fluctuations, resulting in a smooth and efficient trading experience.

RLUSD is issued on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchain, giving it broad compatibility across multiple ecosystems. This dual issuance ensures that RLUSD can easily be integrated into various platforms and applications, increasing its accessibility and usability across different networks.

With RLUSD, transactions can be settled almost instantly and at minimal cost, no matter where you are in the world. It reduces fees and speeds up cross-border payments and makes the process faster and more cost-effective by cutting out traditional banking intermediaries.

Integrating RLUSD into smart contracts enables automated financial operations, which are more efficient and accessible. This enhanced accessibility empowers users to easily buy, on-ramp, trade and engage in other activities within the DeFi ecosystem. RLUSD thus simplifies financial transaction management to create a more user-friendly DeFi experience.

, a trusted platform for securely managing digital assets, is already widely used by financial institutions and innovators. It combines institutional-grade security with 24/7 real-time execution, ensuring assets are safe while also easily accessible for fast transactions. Ripple Custody’s advanced governance framework streamlines operations, integrates seamlessly into existing technology systems and offers valuable additional services.

Designed for efficiency, Ripple Custody automates manual tasks and simplifies back-office operations, making asset management smoother and faster. The platform also supports flexible deployment options — Software as a service (SaaS), customer-hosted or hybrid models — so organizations can customize it to their needs. Whether for tokenization, stablecoin issuance or overall asset management, Ripple Custody is a key tool for building a strong digital asset strategy.

Ripple Custody plays an essential role in managing the security and integrity of Ripple USD (RLUSD). It ensures the underlying assets — such as U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasury bonds and other cash equivalents — are securely held and transparently managed, providing the stability needed for RLUSD to function effectively.

Ripple USD is designed to streamline various financial applications within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Following are some of the key use cases for RLUSD.

Ripple USD has received final approval from NYDFS and is expected to launch soon. Initially planned for a Dec 4, 2024 release, the launch was delayed due to regulatory processes, but is now anticipated to occur before the end of 2024, as 

Ripple USD is a stablecoin designed to offer a reliable, low-cost solution for cross-border payments and DeFi. Backed by U.S. dollar reserves, it ensures stability while offering quick transactions and broad blockchain compatibility. With regulatory approval and strong institutional backing, RLUSD is positioned to challenge established stablecoins. However, its success will depend upon widespread adoption and effective integration into Ripple's ecosystem, making it a promising yet competitive investment.

Intermediate

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Ripple USD (RLUSD): A Stablecoin Built for Payments

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how you can complete a series of tasks in Suilend for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade.

Task: Complete Suilend Bybit Wallet Check-In for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade

button in the top right corner of the page, and connect your 

: Stake at least 10 SUI to deposit sSUI in Suilend, click on 

 to confirm the transaction request in your Bybit Wallet.

: Once the deposit is completed, you’ll receive a confirmation message. 

10 SUI is now staked as sSUI via Suilend. Please navigate back to the Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade campaign page to check your completion status and earn your reward.

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How to Complete Suilend Tasks for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade

Smart contract platforms serve as decentralized frameworks that enable self-executing contracts, with terms directly embedded in code

Smart contract platforms serve as decentralized frameworks that enable self-executing contracts, with terms directly embedded in code. This functionality is crucial for the operation of numerous on-chain applications, including 

, facilitating transactions without intermediaries. The landscape is divided into Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) networks.

L1 blockchains, such as Ethereum and Solana, provide the foundational infrastructure for 

 (DApps), while L2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism enhance the capabilities of L1s by improving scalability and efficiency. 

Heading into 2025, Ethereum remains the dominant L1, holding a 70% share of total TVL within DeFi. However, the market is evolving, with new entrants like 

The competitive L2 space is also transforming, with 

 leading the pack, boasting a market cap exceeding $5 billion. Newcomers such as 

 are reshaping the landscape, demonstrating a trend toward diversification and innovation in blockchain technology.

Several emerging platforms are redefining the smart contract landscape through unique technological innovations and community engagement. 

, derived from Meta's Diem project, utilizes the Move programming language to enhance security and scalability. With over 200 projects in its ecosystem, Aptos has seen a 13.5x increase in TVL, reflecting strong growth.

Sui, which shares a similar heritage, focuses on scalability through its object-centric model and unique consensus mechanism that allow for individual transaction confirmation. This innovative approach has led to a remarkable 14.9x increase in TVL, signaling Sui’s potential as a formidable player in the market.

 introduces a modular blockchain architecture that bridges Move and 

 (EVM) ecosystems, aiming to enhance DeFi 

 and NFTs. Launched in late 2024, Movement emphasizes community building through hackathons and developer engagement, while its unique features appeal to a diverse user base.

 technologies with Telegram's vast user base, and 

, an L1 solution designed for high throughput and low latency. Finally, Berachain introduces a Proof-of-Liquidity consensus mechanism that focuses on aligning liquidity and security within its DeFi-centric ecosystem.

As the landscape of smart contract platforms continues to evolve, several challenges must be addressed. Security vulnerabilities remain a significant concern, as smart contracts are prone to bugs that can be exploited. Continuous auditing and robust security practices are essential to mitigating these risks.

Market saturation poses another challenge, as the influx of new platforms intensifies competition for developers and users. To stand out, new entrants are forming strategic partnerships and focusing on niche markets to differentiate themselves from established players. 

Centralization is also a critical issue, and governance structures and validator reliance must be scrutinized in order to ensure long-term viability.

Looking ahead, the outlook for smart contract platforms remains promising. Innovations in modular architectures and interoperability are improving user experience within web3, while increasing institutional interest could bring additional resources and innovation to the space. As the ecosystem continues to mature, these platforms are likely to play a pivotal role in redefining interactions with digital assets, driving demand within DeFi and beyond.

Advanced

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Smart Contract Platforms Report: Up-and-Coming Challengers to Ethereum and Solana

Bitcoin

You can use Bitcoin for cross-border payments, as a store of value, to pay for goods and services and even to earn passive income.

 was the first cryptocurrency ever created, introduced to the world by a pseudonymous creator called Satoshi Nakamoto back in 2009 as an alternative to traditional fiat currency. 

This virtual currency isn’t owned by any one central authority, for instance a bank or government. Instead, it's created, distributed and stored on a decentralized ledger system known as a 

Despite facing numerous challenges (such as mining bans in certain locales), Bitcoin has grown to become a 

 and the world's largest cryptocurrency by 

. Nevertheless, if you’re a beginner, you may find Bitcoin a bit intimidating, despite its global popularity in the crypto space.

The truth remains, however, that interacting with the Bitcoin network isn’t as complex as it may seem. In this article, you'll find everything you need to know about using Bitcoin, including choosing the right Bitcoin wallet and how to use Bitcoin to amplify your profits.

When you buy Bitcoin, you need to find a wallet to store it. Well, not the leather or synthetic kind you probably own. As you may already know, Bitcoin is a virtual currency, which means you can only store it in a crypto wallet. A 

 is a software program that allows you to interact with Bitcoin, but more importantly, it’s the digital vault that keeps your Bitcoin safe. 

. Hot wallets are connected to the internet, while cold wallets operate offline. 

Hot wallets are also called hosted wallets, since they’re automatically created for you when you buy Bitcoin on a third-party platform. They’re the easiest wallets for beginners because they don’t require any more action from you. Hot wallets include web wallets, mobile apps and browser extensions. 

Hot wallets are pretty convenient for storage of small amounts of Bitcoin. Since they provide easy access, users actively trading Bitcoin or withdrawing and depositing frequently will also find them handy. The biggest drawback of hot wallets is that they’re always online, which makes them vulnerable to hacking.

Some of the most popular hot wallets that accept Bitcoin are Exodus, Guarda and Trust Wallet, among others.

On the other hand, cold wallets are tangible objects that include hardware and 

. A hardware wallet is a physical device — usually a USB stick — that requires a software program to run all of its operations. 

Cold wallets are a good storage option for long-term investors, or for users who prioritize security for their large Bitcoin holdings. These wallets come with an extra layer of protection because they’re almost entirely offline. Some popular cold wallets for Bitcoin are 

To choose the best wallet for you, here are a few factors to consider.

Keeping your Bitcoin safe is your first priority. Make sure that the wallet you choose has enhanced security features, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and fingerprint recognition protocols. Ultimately, cold wallets guarantee the best security for your assets.

Before entrusting a company or device with your Bitcoin, refer to different forums, such as Reddit, to see what other users are saying about it. If they flag a wallet for breach or other security flaws, you need to move on to a more reputable option.

There are two types of wallets in this category: 

. Custodial wallets, typically used by centralized platforms such as crypto exchanges, store your private keys on your behalf. This type is suitable for beginners, since it’s easier to use and to recover. A noncustodial wallet gives you access to your private keys, which means you're in complete control of your assets. 

As a beginner, you may have to trade off security for ease of use, but we encourage you to find a cold wallet for your Bitcoin as soon as you get comfortable navigating the crypto space. Among the best Bitcoin wallets to consider are Exodus Wallet, which includes support for cold storage, and Trezor for its robust security.

Your wallet comes with a public and private key. These allow you to conduct transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain. The public key is generated by the wallet, and you can show it to people when they need to send you Bitcoin or other assets. The private key is your password, and you 

 keep it secret. This key proves ownership of your funds and allows you to spend them.

The reasons why you may want to send and receive crypto may include:

This procedure may vary depending upon your wallet, but generally includes the following steps:

To make sure you never lose your Bitcoin due to user error, try the following strategies:

The sender does most of the work here. All you’re required to do is send your address and wait for Bitcoin to reflect in your wallet. Occasionally, the sender may give you the transaction ID, which allows you to monitor the transaction’s progress.

There are two ways you can get Bitcoin 一 buying it or mining it.

Bitcoin mining is the process of validating transactions by generating a cryptographic solution that legitimizes them before they’re packaged into blocks and added to the network. This keeps the integrity of the network in check.

The Bitcoin miner that reaches a correct solution first is rewarded in Bitcoin from the fees. But be warned: 

 isn’t easy. When Bitcoin was first released, it was possible to mine on a personal computer or GPU. However, this didn't last for long because as more Bitcoin miners joined the network, it became harder to solve the mathematical puzzles, also known as 

Currently, you need sophisticated hardware to mine Bitcoin, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which cost thousands of dollars to speed up the process. These machines are built specifically for mining and can generate trillions of hashes per second. 

Safe to say, your chances of mining Bitcoin alone are close to nanoscopic. The other alternative is to add mining software that’s compatible with Bitcoin to your personal computer and join a Bitcoin mining pool, which is a group of miners who use their collective computational power to compete against 24/7-run ASIC farms. Even then, if you solve the problem first, you’ll have to share the returns — currently at 6.25 BTC per block (which will reduce to 3.125 BTC in the next 

). It may not be worth the effort and resources invested.

As a beginner, mining may not be the best option to acquire Bitcoin. It's expensive and lengthy, and as some experts predict, your chances of receiving 1 BTC are 

Let’s get to a more practical way of obtaining Bitcoin. 

Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency, so you can easily obtain it in various ways.

Digital currency exchanges like Bybit allow you to buy Bitcoin, store it in your hot wallet and conduct your transactions. As we discussed earlier, moving your crypto from your hot wallet to a more secure cold wallet is prudent.

Most wallets provide mobile or web-based apps that allow you to purchase Bitcoin at the best market prices. As with exchanges, these wallets can also automatically hold your Bitcoin and facilitate Bitcoin transactions.

 look like regular cash ATMs, except that they allow you to use cash or debit/credit cards to buy Bitcoin. These ATMs are found in malls, airports, restaurants and gas stations. Once you purchase BTC, you can direct it to your preferred wallet. The best option is to have a wallet ready before visiting a Bitcoin ATM.

Of course, you can also buy Bitcoin face-to-face. You can give cash to a willing seller in exchange for an agreed amount of Bitcoin. However, be aware that this poses a certain degree of risk, as you’re purchasing Bitcoin directly from a stranger.

Now that you have your Bitcoin, what can you do with it?

Bitcoin was initially introduced as an alternative P2P payment method. However, its uses have gradually expanded due to its increased value and integration into the mainstream marketplace. 

Here are five ways you can use Bitcoin to explore the crypto space and beyond.

There’s no doubt that Bitcoin is a valuable digital asset. But you may wonder: “Can I use Bitcoin like real money?”

The answer is YES. You can use Bitcoin to pay for goods and services as you would with fiat currency. More companies are increasingly accepting Bitcoin as a mode of payment.

Following are some of the things you can do with it.

Ready to travel the world? You can book your hotel and accommodations on numerous travel sites with your Bitcoin, like Travala and Bitcoin.Travel. You can also book your flights using Bitcoin on Alternative Airlines.

Buy an apartment, house or mansion with Bitcoin in countries like the United States, Switzerland and Italy on popular sites like Bithome. 

Many sports clubs, including the Tennessee Titans, Oakland Athletics and Dallas Mavericks, accept Bitcoin as payment for tickets and purchasing NFTs.

Online shopping sites like Overstock and Newe

 allow customers to pay for items with Bitcoin, including clothing, electronics, toys and other household goods. 

Well, Amazon doesn’t accept Bitcoin. However, cryptocurrency e-commerce stores like Bitrefill let you buy gift cards from Amazon and many other sites with Bitcoin. Another P2P marketplace, PurseIO, connects you to people willing to exchange Amazon’s gift cards for Bitcoin.

Are you into the unique digital entities known as non-fungible tokens (

)? Join the elite club of owners of the new 

 with satoshi inscriptions on popular marketplaces such as Gamma.io and Magic Eden. 

Looking for a card that gives you access to your funds wherever and whenever you need them? The 

 is a physical Mastercard debit card connected to your Bybit account that allows you to pay for all the items listed above at over 90 million Mastercard merchants globally. With a few clicks, you can apply for the card through your Bybit account and begin using the virtual card immediately as you wait for the handy Bybit Card.

If you want to use Bitcoin to make money, two trading opportunities can make you a good profit: spot trading and derivatives trading. 

 is made of two assets that can be exchanged for each other at the present market price. For instance, you can trade your Bitcoin for fiat currency (BTC/USD) or as crypto-to-crypto (BTC/ETH).

 involves a contract agreement to either buy or sell a certain amount of Bitcoin at a specified price and date. The margin between the speculated price and the current market price determines your profit.

With Bybit, you can leverage different types of derivatives, such as 

 contracts. Perpetual contracts are trading agreements that don’t have an expiration date. The terms can remain binding as long as the trader pays the required holding fees. Meanwhile, Options take on the full meaning of a derivative, as you can buy or sell Bitcoin at an agreed-upon price at a predetermined date. 

Don’t worry if all these trading terms seem a bit overwhelming. Bybit is all about making trading experience a breeze for beginners with strategies like copy trading or tools like Grid Bot trading. 

Copy trading allows beginners to follow up to 10 Master Traders at one time, and invest in trades similar those that they've made — hence, the term 

. This strategy helps you to execute trades and maximize profits with the least effort. 

Grid trading requires you to place orders above and below a particular price level. A 

 automatically executes the orders, taking away the hassle of constant market monitoring and manual trading. 

Bitcoin investing can be conducted on both 

 platforms and centralized cryptocurrency exchanges. If you plan to use Bitcoin to 

 on DeFi platforms, you must wrap your Bitcoin. But what does “wrapping Bitcoin” mean?

Investing in the DeFi space is a brilliant investment idea because it holds great opportunity. But herein lies the problem: Bitcoin is incompatible with the major applications found on the Ethereum network — where most of the DeFi ecosystem is built. The only way it can work on this blockchain is to get “wrapped.”

Wrapping Bitcoin simply means making a digital currency representing Bitcoin on the Ethereum network, denoted as 

 that derives its value from Bitcoin. You can use it to invest in 

To acquire WBTC, you need to make a request to a merchant such as DeversiFi. The merchant then mints the token after locking the Bitcoin in reserve. 

Among the investment opportunities you can explore in the DeFi space are:

Meanwhile, centralized exchanges enable beginning crypto investors to easily invest in BTC without having to learn the intricacies of wrapping the crypto. Bybit, for instance, offers you numerous platforms to earn interest directly from Bitcoin:

How to Use Bitcoin in 5 Ways (A Beginner's Guide)

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards