OKX delisting sparks privacy coin price slump

NADA Protocol, a blockchain content platform and operator of the Play-to-Earn (P2E) NFT game Slime World, has forged a global investment partnership with IT investment firm Algorithm X, according to an article published by South Korean online news site Interview 365.Photo by Chris Liverani on UnsplashStrategic alliance"Through this partnership with AIgorithm X, we will accelerate our efforts to attract global investments. Also, by leveraging Algorithm X's infrastructure, we will expand our presence in the global market and create more partnerships with various companies in the future," NADA Protocol explained. Revolutionizing the blockchain industryNADA Protocol is a platform specializing in the production of blockchain content. It is most known for Slime World, which runs on the NADA Protocol Token – a Hedera-based reward token that is currently priced at approximately $0.03 on CoinMarketCap. The game surpassed one million global downloads in less than a month after the release of the updated version.  Meanwhile, Algorithm X is a company led by a group of financial experts from JPMorgan and professionals in the blockchain industry that manages global digital assets through proprietary trading. The company specializes in discovering and fostering promising projects and companies through global investment consultations and marketing campaigns.

Bitgamo Set to Launch 150 Crypto ATMs in AsiaIn a press release published on Monday, Luxembourg-registered crypto startup Bitgamo outlined its intention to roll out crypto ATMs across Asia.Photo by Monstera Production on PexelsAsian network rolloutDescribing itself as a no KYC (Know Your Customer) exchange for crypto-to-fiat transactions, the firm has the intention of embarking on a crypto expansion initiative that will see it deploy 150 crypto ATMs across key Asian markets.The press release quotes “official sources” as having confirmed that these crypto ATMs will be operational across the region by February 2024. The firm intends to locate the machines within markets such as Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.European expansionIn alignment with its growth strategy, Bitgamo has also unveiled plans to introduce an additional 75 cryptocurrency ATMs across Europe over the course of 2024.Founded in 2020, Bitgamo claims that its objective is to address privacy concerns while promoting the adoption of cryptocurrencies in regions where acquiring and holding digital assets can be challenging.Gabriel Weber, the company’s Director of Communications, expressed his excitement about the expansion initiative. He stated:“We are thrilled to be able to offer this innovative service in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. The addition of our ATMs will make it super easy for users to sell crypto, and we are confident that they will be valuable resources for the thriving crypto communities in these countries.”No KYCThe crypto exchange and ATM business claims to offer a no KYC exchange policy, which sets it apart in an increasingly regulated landscape. As a Luxembourg-registered entity, Bitgamo classifies cryptocurrencies as commodities, adhering it says, to the legal framework of its home country.While the convenience of a no KYC approach is evident, it appears to be going against the current trend and recent regulatory pressures. Earlier this year Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin implemented mandatory KYC. Bitget, another Seychelles-based exchange, followed suit earlier this month, while another Asia-centric exchange, OKX, has tightened its KYC policy.Online concernBitgamo isn’t well known and with that, this recent announcement has sparked some in the crypto community to express doubt. One individual on crypto-Twitter wrote: “This is a scam…don’t fall for it!” . . . “Raising awareness as their paid press releases are currently doing the rounds, trying to lure in victims.”Meanwhile, a YouTuber called “Negocios TV” urged caution relative to what it described as a possible scam. It’s certainly true to say that there’s very little information in the public sphere relative to Bitgamo and with that, market participants will need to do their own due diligence. Equally, we are not aware if these concerns are real or misplaced.If the offering is in fact legitimate, then it’s a very positive development. Crypto ATMs have often acted as the first touch-point for many individuals in accessing digital currency. Recent years have seen a considerable increase in the global network of crypto ATMs, offering those who want to onboard into the crypto sphere easy access to doing so and possibly purchasing their first digital currency.

Abu Dhabi’s Venom Ventures Fund faces market challengesA report by The Block on Friday suggests that Abu Dhabi’s ambitious Venom Ventures Fund, heralded earlier this year with promises of $1 billion investment in Web3 startups, is facing challenges in following through on its mission.Photo by Nazar Skalatsky on UnsplashWhat is Venom?Venom is a collaboration between the Venom Foundation and Iceberg Capital, an alternative asset management company also based in Abu Dhabi. The venture was conceived by Peter Knez, former Co-Chief Investment Officer of BlackRock’s fixed income division and Mustafa Kheriba, Iceberg’s Executive Chairman.In a tweet thread published back in August, the firm described the fund as “old money meets new, the perfect platform for leading the next iteration of blockchain development.” The fund outlined that its approach incorporated venture capital, the offering of a project incubator and a specialist advisory service.Knez has set out lofty ambitions for the fund, stating:“The vision is to drive billions of users into our layer one Blockchain technology by being institutional quality and regulated, and by being such we can actually partner with the government and institutions to help them develop framework for stable coins, for cross-border payment system for tokenization of real world assets and thereby help web2 businesses and citizens move to web3.”At the time of its announcement, Venom Ventures boasted a $20 million investment in Nümi Metaverse and a $5 million strategic investment in Layer 1 blockchain Everscale.Unexpected silenceFurther details on deals struck since January have been scarce, although the fund was reported back in August to have been involved in a blockchain-based carbon credits project, backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).According to The Block, there has been an unexpected silence from the venture as its first year in business comes to a close, despite the initial buzz in the crypto community that greeted the launch of the fund.Venom Ventures positioned itself to cover the entire venture spectrum, from seed to late-stage investments, even offering grants ranging from $25,000 to $200,000. However, a closer look reveals a stark contrast between the fund’s ambitious promises and its current progress. The fund’s website lacks a portfolio section, displaying only a “coming soon” notice.Blockchain mainnet yet to launchThe venture fund has yet to launch its Venom blockchain mainnet, according to Christopher Louis Tsu, CEO of the Venom Foundation. The lack of updates and communication has raised concerns among industry observers about the fund’s overall progress and its ability to fulfill its investment commitments.The broader context of the crypto market adds to the challenges faced by Venom Ventures. Q4 2023 is expected to see a significant drop in venture funding for Web3, down to approximately $2.7 billion from the peak of $13.5 billion in Q1 2022. Market events have left VCs cautious, with notable instances of significant investments being marked down to zero.Amidst these challenges, crypto startups have turned to the Middle East for capital. However, some industry insiders caution that the perceived ease of accessing capital in the Middle East might be a mirage. With that, it remains to be seen whether the fund can revive its initial momentum and deliver on its promise to fuel the growth of Web3 startups in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.