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

Bybit Learn

Bybit Card

Learn how to activate your virtual or physical Bybit Card here. All from ordering to activating your Bybit Card. 

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how to order and activate Bybit Card 2.png

Using credit and debit cards for crypto transactions is more convenient than you may expect. In fact, users are struggling to decide which virtual cards to use as they compare the benefits of both 

. Since you’re reading, chances are you’ve decided on the 

 for a change — and to unlock more rewards in different financial spectrums. 

In this guide, we’ll give you tips and tricks on how to get started with Bybit Card — all the way from card registration and ordering to activation and utilizing it. 

Bybit Card is a Mastercard virtual crypto debit card that lets all cardholders easily spend crypto funds, unlock crypto rewards in each transaction and earn additional yields. 

Bybit Card is available to users in the EEA and CH regions, AIFC, Australia, Brazil and Argentina. The fiat currency that Bybit Card supports is 

automatically denominated based on your Proof of Address (POA) provided during your 

 (KYC) level 2 process. Meanwhile its six supported cryptocurrencies are: 

 your crypto and spend on the go. You can utilize funds earned from trading Spot, Derivatives, Options or Savings on Bybit to spend or pay for shopping expenses. The Bybit Card Loyalty Rewards Program includes cashback rewards, unique offers and exclusive events access 

One of the highlights of this card is its free annual or dormancy fee. Virtual cardholders are exempt from card issuance or account closure fees. However, users will be charged foreign exchange fees of 0.5% and a crypto conversion fee of 0.9% on top of the Spot rate. 

Another key benefit of Bybit Card is its convenience. The card automatically draws funds from your Bybit 

, so all you have to do is to simply deposit funds into your Funding Account. Furthermore, it can be added to digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Finally, you can activate auto cashback to effortlessly enjoy your rewards.

Bybit Virtual Card vs. Bybit Physical Card

The Bybit Virtual Card functions similarly to a physical card, except that a Bybit Physical Card allows you to make in-store purchases that support contactless, chip or PIN payment. 

Bybit users who are eligible for this card and have passed the application process are entitled to use the Bybit Virtual Card instantaneously upon activation. 

However, users who wish to have the Bybit Physical Card must go through the 

The payment will be deducted directly from the user’s Funding Account on Bybit. Card delivery may take up to 30 business days to arrive, based on the preferred delivery method.

The Bybit Card application process is relatively simple and takes only a few minutes to complete. However, for security reasons, Bybit implements stringent requirements for Identity Verification in the card application completion process.

Follow the steps below to order your Bybit Card. 

: Sign up for a Bybit Account by filling in all of the details, such as your mobile number and email, and complete the 

to access the Bybit Card application page. Then, either click on 

: To complete the application, please select your 

: Fill in the details of your registered phone number and email address. If you haven’t set up the verification process, you’ll be prompted with instructions to set up Google two-factor authentication (2FA).

: For security reasons, applicants must set up their 

. Enter your email address and Google 2FA code to submit your application.

Only users who have successfully applied for the Bybit Virtual Card are eligible for the Bybit Physical Card. 

Note that the Bybit Physical Card is currently not supported in Brazil and AIFC.  

To initiate the process, please follow these steps:

: Click on the Physical Card application banner, and you’ll be led to a box to fill in details. 

: Set and verify your card PIN, which will be used for ATM transactions. 

: After confirming your details, click on 

: Once the details are verified, you may be prompted to the application page to complete the process by clicking on 

: Complete the application by paying a 5 EUR/USDT issuance fee for the Bybit Physical Card. Choose the desired payment mode and click on

 The pop-up on the screen should confirm your payment and indicate your application is successful. You may click on 

Card delivery might take up to 30 business days. Currently, only 

 users enjoy the DHL delivery tracking services. Please refer to this 

 if you haven’t received your card within 30 business days.

Which Countries of Residency Are Eligible for the Bybit Card?

Bybit users living in the following countries are eligible to apply for and order a Bybit Card. 

Currently only available for users with a residency from countries in the EEA (excluding Croatia, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein and Romania), Australia and Argentina.

Bybit Card applicants must provide proof of address from the eligible 

(except Croatia, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein and Romania), issued within the last three (3) months, for Level 2 Identity Verification. 

Based on internal risk evaluation, Bybit reserves the final decision to decline any applications at our sole discretion.

The Bybit Card can be used wherever merchants accept Mastercard. Since the Bybit Card is a debit card, you cannot use it for credit card transactions. Users can also withdraw cash with their Bybit Physical Card from any ATM worldwide that supports Mastercard. Illegal use in connection with your Bybit Card is prohibited, and may result in termination of your Bybit Card agreement. 

There is a 2% Bybit Card ATM withdrawal fee for any monthly amount that exceeds 100 EUR in the EEA, 100 USD in Australia and 95k USD in Argentina. 

Bybit Card foreign exchange and/or crypto conversion may also apply (if any). Some ATM merchants may charge an ATM Access Fee, and/or may prompt currency conversion to your card currency. These fees and services are provided by the ATM service provider.

Here’s an overview of the applicable fees: 

Using Contactless Payments With a Bybit Physical Card

You can make contactless payments with your Bybit Physical Card at retail merchants with contactless-enabled point-of-sales (POS) terminals. Please note that in order to initiate contactless payment, you’ll first need to complete a chip and PIN transaction (that is, insert your card into a POS terminal and authorize it with your PIN) using your Bybit Physical Card.

In Europe, contactless payment limits under the PSD2 regulation also apply to your Bybit Card. Currently, the maximum amount for a single contactless payment is 50 EUR, and the maximum cumulative amount for contactless payments is 150 EUR. 

The maximum number of consecutive contactless payments is five (5), and any contactless payment transaction exceeding these limits will be declined. You may reset the limit by performing a chip and PIN transaction on your next payment, after which you can once again make contactless payments.

We understand that accidents do happen, so we’ve streamlined the process to help you get a new Bybit Physical Card. 

To initiate the replacement process, you’ll need to report the loss or damage of your physical card by following the steps below. 

: Log in to your Bybit account and head over to the

Select the cause for the replacement. If your card has been compromised, choose ‘It’s lost or compromised (fraud, stolen, etc.)’. If you still have it in your possession but wish to replace it due to damage, choose the option‘It’s damaged or doesn’t work.’ and click on

 toinitiate the replacement process for a new Bybit Physical Card. 

Need more help or info related to your Bybit Card? We’re here to help. 

The Bybit Card has been created to help you off-ramp your crypto and earn more rewards as you spend. We understand some crypto credit or debit card application processes may be lengthy and complicated, so we’ve simplified everything for you to get started without hassle. Simply prepare your verification documents, such as proof of address and identity and a valid email address, and you’re all set. Start spending and earn with Bybit Card today.

How to Order and Activate Your Bybit Card (A Complete Guide)

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards