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Crypto && Coffee 015 | Buy Crypto with Credit

Technology Recap: 

Bitcoin: 

  • Bitcoin Core v0.19.1 has been released. 
  • Bitcoin developer Bryan Bishop released python-bitcoinlib v0.11.0, now with segwit examples 
  • Developers gathered in Boston last weekend for MIT’s Bitcoin Expo 2020. Until all videos are released, here is Andrew Poelstra’s talk on Taproot and how to contribute to Bitcoin development.  

Ethereum: 

  • With help from Vitalik Buterin and Barry Whitehat, developers are moving towards an MPC-less alternative to adding anonymization to Minimal Anti-Collusion Infrastructure (MACI). This will remove the operator from knowing who took action on-chain and is only responsible for anti-collusion. Full details here. 
  • Ethereum-based developers who have been working on mixer technology, specifically Semaphore, are starting phase 2 of their circuit-specific multi-party trusted setup soon. The first hash used is of block #9619000. Full details on the ceremony here 
  • StarkEX’s EthCC slides on their case study with Ledger and WalletConnect have been released 
  • The fee market change Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) for EIP 1559 update has begun circulating.  

Other Chains:  

  • The Compound governance token COMP has been deployed and is now ready for public review. You can view the token here. 
  • Monero seems to be moving towards Dandelion++ in an upcoming future release, perhaps v0.15.1.0. This change would be the first implementation on a mainnet since Bitcoin core devs decided not to move forward with it due to denial of service (DoS) risks and resource usage.  
  • Prysmatic Labs, which is focused on building the Beacon chain client for ETH2.0, was able to detect the first-ever validator double vote slashing on ETH2.0 testnet 
  • Proposal for Ethereum-based mixer Tornado Cash trusted setup audit was released 
  • Amiti Uttarwar shared her experience getting into Bitcoin development.  
  • A full list of Kyber Network’s reserves has been posted 
  • Wasabi Research Lab released their next Wasabi Research Club presentation on CoinJoin Sudoku. Watch here 

Mainstream Recap: 

  • Blockchain-based gaming infrastructure Horizon raised $5M with support from Initialized Capital, ConsenSys, CMT Digital and Regah Ventures, with continued support from Golden Ventures, DCG and Polychain.  
  • Binance added support to instantly purchase ETH, BCH, DASH, XTZ and ZEC via Visa Card. Full details here 
  • Updated visualization support from Aleth.io added endpoints to provide current and historical analytics for the main DeFi lending protocols.  
  • Exchange provider AlphaPoint has secured $5.6M in new funding it says will finance the development of new trading features.  
  • Exchange INX is targeting an April launch date for its $130M IPO.  
  • Bitcoin now has the official status of money in France. Full report here 
  • Smart wallet company Argent,\ has raised $12M from Paradigm, Compound Finance, and Index Ventures.  
  • The Chinese government has added an additional $4.7M in funding for a blockchain-based trade platform developed and led by the country’s central bank.  
  • Circle Pay is rolling out business accounts denominated in USDC stablecoin and is also introducing a set of developer-oriented platform services. Full details here 

 This Week’s Cup of Coffee: 

This week, as you hide away from COVID-19 in your house, grab a cup of Major Dickason’s Blend from Peet’s Coffee. This premier blend of rich and smooth dark roasts lightens up your day and makes you forget about everything. Cheers! 

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