One of the leading stablecoin issuers in the crypto space, Circle, is reportedly exploring the possibility of going public in 2024. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company has been in talks with investment banks and advisors to prepare for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value it at more than $10 billion.
Circle is best known for its USD Coin (USDC), a dollar-pegged cryptocurrency that aims to provide a stable and transparent alternative to traditional fiat currencies. USDC is the second largest stablecoin by market capitalization, after Tether (USDT), and has grown rapidly in popularity and adoption in the past year. As of November 2023, there are more than $50 billion worth of USDC in circulation, up from $2.8 billion a year ago.
Circle’s potential IPO would be a major milestone for the crypto industry, as it would be one of the first companies to go public that is solely focused on digital assets. Circle’s co-founder and CEO, Jeremy Allaire, has been a vocal advocate for the mainstream adoption of crypto and blockchain technology, and has expressed his vision of creating a more open and inclusive global financial system.
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However, Circle’s IPO plans are not without challenges and uncertainties. The company faces increasing regulatory scrutiny and competition in the stablecoin market, as well as potential legal issues related to its involvement in the controversial Poloniex exchange, which it acquired in 2018 and sold in 2019. Moreover, the crypto market is notoriously volatile and unpredictable, which could affect Circle’s valuation and investor sentiment.
Circle has not officially confirmed or denied its IPO intentions and declined to comment on this report. However, some analysts believe that the company has a strong case for going public, given its impressive growth, innovation and leadership in the stablecoin sector. If Circle does decide to pursue an IPO in 2024, it could set a precedent and inspire other crypto companies to follow suit.
Yugalab’s ApeFest Participants suffers eye pain, vision issues and skin irritation.
On Sunday, November 5, Yuga Labs began to receive reports that some ApeFest attendees and staff experienced eye pain, vision issues, or skin irritation following the Saturday night community event. These reports were – and continue to be – deeply concerning to us. We immediately reached out to impacted attendees to learn of their symptoms and to direct our investigation.
Simultaneously, we commenced an investigation that included a thorough review of inventory records, material logs, and spec sheets (including paint and lighting), interviewing contractors who provided and built Ape Fest installations, and conducting testing and on-site inspections.
This comprehensive investigation, undertaken in collaboration with Jack Morton Worldwide, the global brand experience agency that produced ApeFest 2023, has determined that UV-A emitting lights installed in one corner of the event was likely the cause of the reported issues related to attendees’ eyes and skin.
We acknowledge that members of the community and general public have suggested a similar conclusion, and we appreciate the patience of the community as we gathered evidence to support this determination. We continue to encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention and share these findings with their medical provider. We also ask that anyone impacted to direct message us on X.
Community is the heart of Yuga and the purpose of ApeFest is to bring the community together IRL. We are saddened that this incident has detracted from the experience of ApeFest attendees. Along with Jack Morton, we are committed to supporting the recovery of anyone affected.
Binance launches Web3 Wallet and Chat Messenger amid Monero Community Crowdfunding Wallet Hacked of $460,000
Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the launch of its web3 wallet and chat messenger, Binance Connect. Binance Connect is a decentralized platform that allows users to access web3 applications, store and manage their crypto assets, and communicate securely with other users.
Binance Connect aims to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for web3 enthusiasts, developers, and newcomers alike. Users can easily connect to web3 applications such as decentralized exchanges, games, NFT marketplaces, and more, without having to install any browser extensions or plugins.
Users can also store and manage their crypto assets in a secure and non-custodial wallet, which supports multiple blockchains and tokens. Users can also send and receive encrypted messages, voice calls, and file transfers with other Binance Connect users, using the same wallet address.
Binance Connect is part of Binance’s vision to promote the adoption and innovation of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Binance Connect is built on Binance Smart Chain (BSC), a fast and low-cost blockchain that is compatible with Ethereum. BSC also supports cross-chain interoperability with other blockchains, such as Bitcoin, Polkadot, and Cosmos. Binance Connect leverages the power and security of BSC to provide a scalable and reliable platform for web3 applications and users.
Binance Connect is now available for beta testing on desktop and mobile devices. Users can sign up for the beta test on the official website. Users who participate in the beta test will have the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions, as well as earn rewards for testing the platform’s features and functionality.
Binance Connect is an exciting new addition to the Binance ecosystem, which already offers a wide range of products and services for crypto users, such as Binance Exchange, Binance Academy, Binance Charity, Binance Labs, Binance Launchpad, and more. Binance Connect is another step towards Binance’s mission to increase the freedom of money for everyone.
Monero Community Crowdfunding Wallet Hacked of $460,000
Monero, a popular cryptocurrency that claims to offer privacy and anonymity, has suffered a major security breach. According to a post on the Monero Community Crowdfunding System (CCS) website, an attacker compromised the wallet that collects donations for the project and stole about $460,000 worth of Monero.
The incident occurred on November 7, 2023, when the attacker replaced the legitimate donation address with their own on the CCS website. The attacker also modified the CCS proposal files to include the fake address. As a result, unsuspecting donors who wanted to support Monero development sent their funds to the hacker instead of the official wallet.
The Monero team discovered the attack on November 8, 2023, after noticing some discrepancies in the donation amounts. They immediately shut down the CCS website and notified the community about the incident. They also contacted some of the affected donors and offered to reimburse them from the general fund.
The Monero team said that they are investigating how the attacker gained access to the CCS website and wallet, and that they are taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future. They also apologized to the donors and the community for the inconvenience and loss of trust caused by the attack.
The Monero team stressed that the attack did not affect the security or privacy of the Monero network or protocol, and that they remain committed to developing and improving Monero as a decentralized and anonymous cryptocurrency.
