The Metaplex Foundation, the non-profit supporting the Metaplex Protocol, has announced a new decentralized indexing and data availability layer for Solana (SOL).

Metaplex Aura Network is the new platform that Metaplex Foundation introduced on Sept. 23, revealing that the new platform complements the Solana Virtual Machine and the Metaplex Program Library with a decentralised network for real-time data availability.

1/ Introducing Metaplex Aura, a decentralized indexing and data availability network for @solana and the SVM, powered by $MPLX.

SVM + MPL + Aura = the full stack for decentralized applications 🦾

Learn more 👇 pic.twitter.com/AvoyggawKj

— Metaplex 🦾 (@metaplex) September 23, 2024

The Aura Network allows Metaplex to expand its developer solution, giving builders access to three key network components – data availability, multi-program indexing and elastic state management. Major benefits include flexibility, optimization and scalability.

Native Metaplex token MPLX will power the Aura nodes.

Metaplex adopted community approach to launch

According to the details in a blog post, the Metaplex Foundation opted for a “community-driven approach” as it looked to bring the Metaplex Aura Network to market. This included engaging Solana and SVM developers, who offered feedback and a chance for the Metaplex team to explore early implementations.

Moreover, the rollout saw more than 25 unique projects participate, from NFT marketplaces, game development, infrastructure providers and launchpads to creators and SVM layer 2 networks. Metaplex will open-source the Aura platform’s code to allow developers from across the globe to contribute as well as benefit from available tools and protocols.

MPLX, which traded near $0.36 early Monday, rose more than 12% in 24-gains. These gains pushed the token’s price above $0.42. Daily volume was up 87% to over $2.8 million amid buyside pressure catalysed by broader market gains.

Overall upside momentum had helped Aave price hit a two-year high in early trading. Arkham also spiked as AI tokens soared.

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The Arkham (ARKM) price surge comes amid a fresh spark of volatility across crypto, with Bitcoin holding above $63,500 and Ethereum near $2,700.

Arkham surge leads AI tokens

Binance launchpool released project Arkham sees its ARKM spike to rank as the biggest gainer among AI’s leading coins by market cap.

However, there are significant gains for Bittensor (TAO), Near Protocol (NEAR), the Graph (GRT) and ionet (IO). These AI tokens currently post an impressive double digit upside of between 12% and 19%.

However, they lag ARKM whose value is up 27% in 24 hours and 45% this past week at the time of writing. Prices near $1.48 mean bulls could eye $1.75 and then June resistance levels around $2.70.

The native token of blockchain intelligence platform, which leverages AI to deanonymize blockchain and on-chain data, has also seen a 280% spike in daily volume to over $127 million.

Meanwhile, the market cap has surged to over $326 million, up 27% in 24 hours to push ARKM into 159th largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

According to data from Coinglass, open interest for Arkham (ARKM) is up more than 56% to over $39.9 million. Elsewhere, a sudden rise in prices has seen more bearish bets on the token liquidated in the past 24 hours at over $119,000.

Liquidated long positions were $9,900 over the same period at the time of writing.

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DeFi protocol Aave (AAVE) has seen the price of its native token surge to highs last seen in April 2022.

The surge to above $173 represents Aave’s highest price level since the coin traded at around $176 on April 28, 2022.

For AAVE, it was a sharp downturn after bulls reached the all-time high above $670 in May 2021, before a massive accumulation phase for nearly two and half years.

Aave now looks poised above the horizontal line that has constrained buyers for this long.

Part of this recovery comes as the broader crypto market eyes an upward run, led by Bitcoin’s flip above $60k and the rally that includes retesting of bear resolve above $64,800. According to CoinGecko data, AAVE/USD has jumped more than 172% in the past year, including an uptick of over 23% in the past week.

These gains have come as AAVE’s total value locked recovered since the decline to $5.7 billion in January 2023. In a year where the decentralised finance market has benefited from an overall recovery amid greater lending and borrowing, DeFiLlama shows Aave’s TVL has touched $22.1 billion.

Most of the value is on Aave V3, which has seen a lot of key integrations across the market. Total TVL for the network stood around $20.5 billion.

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On September 20, an enigmatic group of developers announced the hard fork of the popular Samourai Wallet, launching a new project called the “Ashigaru Open Source Project.”

Samourai Wallet has been forked. Some brave souls have picked up where Samourai Wallet left off and the fight for privacy lives on.

Excellent work in reigniting this flame in the darkest hour. Running your own Dojo now required.https://t.co/464YMuDoOMhttps://t.co/0QMBUCKVRy

— burn the bridge (@econoalchemist) September 22, 2024

The developers’ move aims to bolster user privacy and security in cryptocurrency transactions, utilizing CoinJoin and other mechanisms to shield users from analytical heuristics and tracking.

Samourai Wallet hard forked into Ashigaru

According to the new project’s website, Ashigaru is committed to developing, releasing, and maintaining free and open-source software that prioritizes security and privacy.

The developers of Ashigaru emphasize their goal of providing solutions with a low technical barrier to entry, ensuring that users can engage in peaceful, voluntary, and private commerce on the internet without facing tracking, surveillance, or censorship.

The developers, who identify as former users of Samourai Wallet, have clarified that they have no connections to the original Samourai Wallet development team. This separation has fueled curiosity about the motivations and identities of the new developers.

The team has indicated that they extensively use code from the public domain and other cryptocurrency projects, further enhancing their commitment to open-source principles.

Original Samourai Wallet founders are facing legal problems

The backdrop of this development is marked by significant legal troubles for Samourai Wallet’s founders, Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill.

In April 2024, both were arrested on money laundering charges in a case initiated by the United States Department of Justice. Keonne Rodriguez, however, entered a plea of not guilty and was released on a $1 million bounty.

Authorities allege that the duo facilitated over $2 billion in unlawful transactions and more than $100 million in money laundering activities. Following the arrests, the FBI seized Samourai Wallet’s website and servers, leading to its removal from app stores.

As the Ashigaru Open Source Project begins its journey, it seeks to reclaim the ethos of privacy-focused digital transactions that Samourai Wallet once represented.

With an emphasis on user empowerment and censorship resistance, Ashigaru could potentially redefine how individuals navigate the complex world of cryptocurrency. As the project unfolds, the crypto community will be closely watching its developments and impacts.

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The Hamster Kombat team has announced that only 43% of its players qualify for the highly anticipated season one airdrop, generating significant buzz in the Web3 community.

With a user base exceeding 300 million, only 131 million players have met the eligibility criteria for the airdrop scheduled for September 26.

✍️ HAMSTER MATH ✍️

🔥 The results of Season 1 have been finalized:

🚀 Over 300 million people have joined Hamster Kombat since March 26, 2024, 131 million qualified for the airdrop on September 26th and around 2.3 million were banned as cheaters.

📤 30.6 million of qualified… pic.twitter.com/LH5eD3i8al

— Hamster Kombat (@hamster_kombat) September 22, 2024

This announcement follows the ban of 2.3 million users for cheating after the game introduced an anti-cheating strategy, underscoring the game’s commitment to maintaining a fair environment.

The Hamster Kombat airdrop

The Hamster Kombat airdrop will distribute a staggering 60 billion tokens from a total supply of 100 billion Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) tokens.

In a bid to foster community engagement, the team has allocated 75 billion tokens to community members, with 60% of the total supply set for distribution after season one with the remaining 15% scheduled for distribution in the upcoming season two.

Eligible players can expect to receive 88.75% of their allocated tokens immediately, while the remaining 11.25% will be vested and released 10 months post-listing on exchanges. This means that approximately 53.25 billion tokens will be distributed instantly, with an additional 6.75 billion to follow 10 months later.

The airdrop is being hailed as the largest in crypto history, emphasizing its significance in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital currencies.

Hamster Kombat’s meteoric growth

Hamster Kombat has experienced meteoric growth, recording 239 million users within its first 81 days of launch on Telegram.

The game’s success has drawn attention from industry leaders, including Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov, who believes it could significantly contribute to Web3 adoption by onboarding millions of new users to the crypto space.

However, despite Hamster Kombat’s impressive user numbers, the reality of the airdrop has raised questions about the fairness of token distribution. With only 43% of players qualifying, many are left wondering what this means for the game’s long-term sustainability and community dynamics.

In a proactive move, the Hamster Foundation has rejected offers from venture capital firms, ensuring that no early investments will influence the token’s market value.

The team asserts that HMSTR’s worth will be determined solely by supply, demand, and community interest, aiming to create a more equitable playing field for all participants.

As the countdown to the airdrop begins, players and crypto enthusiasts alike are watching closely, eager to see how this unprecedented distribution will impact the future of Hamster Kombat and the broader Web3 ecosystem.

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US Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has spoken about crypto during a New York fundraiser on Sunday.

In comments made during her US presidential campaign Harris promised that, if elected, she would help grow investment in artificial intelligence and crypto, Bloomberg reported.

“I will bring together labor, small business founders and innovators and major companies,” Harris said. “We will partner together to invest in America’s competitiveness, to invest in America’s future.”

“We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets, while protecting our consumers and investors.”

Harris’s comments come as presidential rival Donald Trump has become increasingly vocal in supporting the crypto industry.

Earlier this month, Trump – who said he wants to make America the “crypto capital of the planet” – became the first US president to use the Bitcoin network after sending a Bitcoin transaction at PubKey, a crypto-themed bar in New York ahead of his campaign rally in Long Island.

Poor support

Since President Joe Biden announced he was stepping down from his role as POTUS, the crypto industry has been questioning the approach Harris will take. Many have viewed Biden as being unfriendly to the space.

In June, Biden vetoed a bill overturning the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) crypto accounting standards. In a White House statement, Biden argued that a reversal of the decision could undermine broader regulatory efforts aimed at protecting consumers and investors.

Following Harris’s crypto-positive remarks, Jake Chervinsky, chief legal officer at Variant, a crypto venture company, said on X, “This is progress and progress is good.”

This is progress and progress is good…

…but “while protecting our consumers and investors” could mean a lot of things.

The anti-crypto army uses “consumer protection” as a smoke screen to conceal their attempts to destroy our industry.

I, for one, want to see policy details. https://t.co/Zc1aUdOYzl

— Jake Chervinsky (@jchervinsky) September 22, 2024

However, he added that “but ‘while protecting our consumers and investors’ could mean a lot of things. The anti-crypto army uses ‘consumer protection’ as a smoke screen to conceal their attempts to destroy our industry.”

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Travala, a pioneering cryptocurrency-based travel agency, has taken a significant leap forward by integrating the Solana blockchain into its platform.

The partnership was announced by Juan Otero, Travala’s CEO, during the Solana Breakpoint conference in Singapore on September 21.

CEO @joterovila announced @travalacom support for Solana at Breakpoint!

Now you can pay for and book flights and accommodations using stablecoins like USDC and USDT on Solana rails with Travala. pic.twitter.com/TedqElKNVC

— Solana (@solana) September 21, 2024

The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from the crypto community, as many see it as a step toward a more integrated and user-friendly travel experience.

Travala users can book flights and hotels using Solana native tokens

The integration opens up new possibilities for travelers, allowing them to book hotels and flights using Solana’s native token, SOL, and major stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).

The integration of Solana marks a strategic move for Travala, which has long been at the forefront of accepting cryptocurrency payments in the travel sector. With this enhancement, users can now enjoy zero-fee transactions when booking travel services.

Additionally, Travala enables direct deposits and withdrawals of the supported tokens, streamlining the booking process and making it more efficient for crypto enthusiasts.

Solana, known for its high-speed transactions and lower fees compared to its competitor Ethereum, provides a robust infrastructure for decentralized applications and smart contracts. This integration aligns well with Travala’s commitment to enhancing user experience and leveraging blockchain technology for seamless transactions.

Plans to introduce SOL travel rewards

The growing popularity of Solana as a layer-1 blockchain further underscores its potential in the crypto landscape.

In the near future, Travala plans to introduce SOL travel rewards, adding an extra incentive for users to utilize cryptocurrency for their travel bookings.

Moreover, this development coincides with Coinbase’s announcement to bring its wrapped Bitcoin asset, cbBTC, to the Solana network, further solidifying Solana’s role in the evolving cryptocurrency ecosystem.

As more companies embrace blockchain technology, the intersection of travel and crypto promises to unlock exciting opportunities for travelers and investors alike.

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The gaming industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rise of blockchain technology and the concept of community tokenization. This shift is turning players from mere participants into stakeholders, giving them ownership and governance rights in gaming ecosystems. 

The concept of community tokenization, particularly in gaming, is gaining popularity because of the multiple benefits it offers. Projects that adopt this model create more inclusive communities where players have a financial and emotional investment in the platform’s success. 

One of the standout examples of this trend is Catizen, which has successfully transitioned a portion of its player base into token holders, showcasing the ease and benefits of this process.

Introduction to tokenization of communities

Community tokenization involves issuing digital tokens that grant members ownership rights within a platform. 

In gaming, this concept is becoming increasingly common because it aligns the interests of players and developers, fostering a sense of shared ownership. Token holders gain access to exclusive perks, voting rights in governance decisions, and the ability to trade or stake their tokens for additional benefits. 

This decentralized model is advantageous for both the community and the project itself.

For gaming platforms, tokenization creates a powerful engagement tool. Players, who were once passive participants, now have a stake in the platform’s growth and success. This democratization of ownership not only encourages loyalty but also adds economic opportunities for participants. 

Token holders can benefit from the platform’s growth while gaining the ability to shape its direction. This shift in dynamics makes community tokenization an appealing option for both developers and players.

Catizen’s conversion model (6-8% success rate)

Catizen, a play-to-earn (P2E) game integrated within Telegram’s mini-app ecosystem, is a stellar example of how a gaming community can transition into a tokenized ecosystem. 

Launched in 2024 by Pluto Studio, the game allows players to manage virtual cat cafés and earn in-game currency known as vKitty.

By engaging players through unique gameplay mechanics and offering them a chance to own tokens, Catizen has managed to convert 6-8% of its player base into token holders.

Catizen’s success in achieving this conversion rate was driven by strategic efforts. The platform employed a well-publicized airdrop campaign that rewarded loyal players with CATI tokens based on their performance in the game. This airdrop acted as both an incentive and a marketing strategy, creating excitement around the token launch. 

Additionally, Catizen granted token holders benefits such as reduced trading fees, governance participation, and early access to game updates, which encouraged more players to acquire tokens.

The game’s transparency around token distribution and the promise of long-term benefits for players who held onto their tokens further reinforced the platform’s community-driven approach.

Why community tokenization might be easier than it seems

The tokenization of gaming communities may sound complex, but Catizen’s experience shows that the process can be simpler than anticipated. 

One of the reasons behind this ease is the existing loyalty within gaming communities. Many players already feel a deep connection to the games they play, and offering them the chance to own a stake in the platform naturally resonates with their sense of commitment.

Ownership also has a strong appeal for players. The idea of transitioning from a player to a stakeholder gives users a personal and financial reason to stay engaged with the game. Moreover, games like Catizen, which already have in-game economies, make the shift to tokenization seamless. 

By simply converting virtual currencies into blockchain-based tokens, the platform allows players to engage in an ecosystem they’re already familiar with while giving them the additional benefits of token ownership. This alignment between the game’s success and the player’s interests creates an environment where community tokenization feels like a natural progression.

Other examples of gaming communities converting to token holders

Catizen is not alone in its success. Other gaming platforms, such as Axie Infinity and The Sandbox, have also embraced the trend of community tokenization with great results. 

Axie Infinity, a pioneering play-to-earn game, has created an entire ecosystem where players earn real income through gameplay. Its tokens, AXS and SLP, allow players to stake, vote, and participate in governance, turning casual gamers into full-time participants.

The Sandbox, another popular platform, leverages its native token SAND to incentivize creators and players alike. By allowing users to buy virtual land, create content, and monetize their creations, The Sandbox has built a thriving digital economy driven by community engagement. 

Similarly, Decentraland empowers its users to purchase virtual real estate and vote on platform decisions, using its MANA token as both a currency and a governance tool.

These examples highlight the broad potential of tokenization across various gaming platforms. Each of these games has successfully converted large portions of their communities into token holders by providing tangible rewards, governance rights, and opportunities to earn through play.

The challenges of community tokenization in gaming

While tokenizing a gaming community offers numerous benefits, it is not without challenges. One of the primary obstacles is the regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrencies and tokenized economies. 

Many regions lack clear guidelines, which can lead to legal complexities for both developers and players. This can be mitigated by ensuring compliance with local regulations and consulting legal experts during the process.

Another challenge is the technological barrier that some users may face. Not all players are familiar with blockchain technology, and the idea of using cryptocurrency might be intimidating for new users. 

However, platforms like Catizen are making this transition easier by integrating blockchain features without overwhelming the user. Simplified user interfaces and clear educational resources can help onboard users and demystify the technology behind tokenization.

User hesitation is also a common challenge, as some players may be wary of token speculation or concerned about the fairness of token distribution. This can be addressed by maintaining transparency throughout the process, as Catizen did with its airdrop campaign. Offering benefits beyond financial rewards, such as governance rights, also helps create a sense of value for token holders that goes beyond mere speculation.

Conclusion: the future of tokenized communities

The tokenization of gaming communities represents a significant shift in how players interact with the platforms they love. 

As seen with Catizen, Axie Infinity, and The Sandbox, the process of converting players into stakeholders through token ownership is both feasible and rewarding. This model aligns the interests of players and developers, fostering stronger communities and creating sustainable ecosystems where participants have a vested interest in the game’s success.

Looking ahead, the trend of community tokenization is likely to expand beyond gaming, potentially influencing other sectors of the online world. The future may see more decentralized governance models, deeper integration with real-world economies, and greater opportunities for users to participate in the growth of their favourite platforms.

Catizen’s success offers a blueprint for other communities to follow, proving that with the right strategies, any gaming platform can transform its players into engaged and invested stakeholders.

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Rexus Finance (RXS): Rising Beyond RWA Tokenization

While Ethereum faces market fluctuations and short-term uncertainty, the real-world asset (RWA) sector is experiencing significant growth, and Rexus Finance (RXS) is at the forefront of this transformation. By integrating physical assets like real estate, commodities, and art into blockchain technology, Rexus Finance offers a compelling solution for investors seeking stability and diversification.

RWA tokenization makes traditionally illiquid assets more accessible by allowing fractional ownership, enabling investors to contribute as little as $100 or as much as $1 million. Rexus Finance’s model opens up opportunities that were previously out of reach for many, democratizing asset ownership and providing access to a global marketplace of valuable assets. This innovative approach gives Rexus Finance a solid foundation to potentially rival Ethereum in terms of market influence.

Solana (SOL): Attracting Investor Interest

Solana has been gaining attention from investors thanks to its recent price movements, which have sparked optimism in the crypto community. According to several analysts, Solana’s relatively low open interest of $1.76 billion is a positive sign, suggesting that the risk of steep downward price movements is limited. Currently trading around $137, Solana has shown strength in its price recovery and is expected to continue its upward trend.

Despite minor bearish sentiments among short-term traders, Solana’s long-term potential remains strong due to its rapid transaction speeds, low costs, and strategic partnerships. The broader market’s bullish momentum, fueled by Bitcoin’s recent gains, is expected to support further price increases for SOL. With its cutting-edge technology and scalability, Solana is well-positioned to secure a top spot among the largest cryptocurrencies.

Cardano (ADA): A Leading Competitor

Cardano (ADA) has also been generating excitement, with bullish technical signals suggesting its potential to challenge Ethereum’s position. One key development is Cardano’s recognition of the $0.32 horizontal support level, which has held for nearly two years. This stability reinforces investor confidence in ADA, and recent indicators, such as a positive divergence in the Relative Strength Index (RSI), point to an impending trend reversal that could see Cardano’s price rise significantly.

Cardano’s transaction volume recently peaked at $6 billion within a week in September, further highlighting the growing interest in the platform. Analysts have noted a bullish pattern in Cardano’s price action, with some predicting that ADA could reach a minimum of $0.61. In addition to price trends, the expansion of smart contracts on Cardano’s framework and the continued growth of its ecosystem position it as a strong candidate for growth during the current bull market.

Conclusion

Rexus Finance is rapidly emerging as a strong contender for the second-largest cryptocurrency position, thanks to its innovative approach to real-world asset tokenization. By bridging physical assets with blockchain technology, Rexus Finance offers stability, diversification, and liquidity, setting it apart from competitors like Solana and Cardano.

With the potential to revolutionize asset ownership, Rexus Finance has a solid chance of gaining significant market influence and potentially overtaking Ethereum in the race for dominance. However, both Solana and Cardano are also making strides with their technological advancements and market performance, making this competition one to watch closely.

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