VanEck Announces Upcoming Launch of Ethereum Futures ETF (EFUT)

VanEck will not invest in Ethereum directly since the product tracks Ether futures that are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). A leading asset management firm with more than $80 billion in AUM, VanEck, is preparing to launch an Ethereum futures exchange-traded fund (ETF) amid heightened demand for the second-largest digital assets by institutional investors. According to the company, the new product will be called VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT), and will not invest in Ethereum directly. Instead, the EFUT will invest in standardized cash-settled Ethereum futures contracts that…

VanEck releases two ETF ads ahead of possible Monday launch

Investment manager VanEck has fired up the marketing engine for its “upcoming” Ethereum futures exchange-traded fund (ETF), which some analysts expect could be launched as early as Oct. 2. On Sept. 28, VanEck released the two “Enter the Ether” themed TV commercials, revealing that its Ethereum Strategy ETF — tickered EFUT — is “coming soon.” AI, AI, Uh Oh! Follow for updates on how to Enter the Ether. pic.twitter.com/wM69nVtbWC — VanEck (@vaneck_us) September 28, 2023 The commercials came on the same day VanEck published a press statement about its upcoming…

Tecpetrol to launch gas-powered crypto mining facility

Tecpetrol, an Argentinian oil company, has announced plans to launch a crypto mining facility powered by natural gas. The project will be in Los Toldos II Este region, north of Vaca Muerta in Argentine Patagonia. The mining facility will start operating in late October or early November. Tecpetrol has launched an initiative to convert excess gas produced during oil drilling into energy for crypto mining. The goal is to minimize environmental impact by avoiding gas emissions and flaring, which burns off gas that can’t be stored or transported easily. The project will…

CIA to Launch ChatGPT-Style AI Tool for Enhanced Intelligence Analysis

While the CIA is yet to reveal specific details about the model underpinning the soon-to-be-launched AI tool and its privacy safeguards, its director assured that the intelligence agency adheres closely to privacy laws in the United States.  The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is preparing to unveil its own artificial intelligence (AI) bot, similar to ChatGPT, for investigative purposes.  According to a report by Bloomberg, this innovative AI tool is designed to empower CIA analysts in accessing open-source intelligence, efficiently enabling them to sift through vast amounts of publicly…

Circle and SDF Launch EURC on Stellar Network to Enhance European Remittance Network

As with USDC, the EURC on the Stellar network is redeemable at a ratio of 1:1 to the backing fiat currency at any time of the day and week. Leading stablecoin issuer, Circle Internet Financial LLC, and the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) announced the launch of EURC on the Stellar network. The EURC stablecoins now run on three layer one (L1) blockchains including Ethereum (ETH), Avalanche (AVAX), and now Stellar (XLM) network. As a result, DeFi and Dapps developers on the three chains can build financial ecosystems that tap into…

WAGMI Games to Launch Its Founder’s Pack on OpenSea on September 27

Each pack contains a narrative-driven, playable character for WAGMI Defense, the inaugural mobile game from WAGMI Games. The community-driven Web3 entertainment franchise WAGMI Games has revealed that its upcoming Founder’s Packs will be launched exclusively on the NFT marketplace OpenSea on September 27th. These Founder’s Packs, comprise 10,000 unopened card packs. It’s developed in collaboration with Gadget-Bot, the renowned art studio behind designs in popular franchises like Transformers 4, Jurassic World, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty. Each pack contains a narrative-driven, playable character for WAGMI Defense, the inaugural mobile…

CBDC Project mBridge Planning to Bring New Members with MVP Launch

mBridge stands out as the sole international CBDC project in which China has participated. Currently, all participating central banks have CBDCs in the pilot project phase. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) CEO Eddie Yue has revealed plans for significant expansion of the mBridge project, which involves the central bank digital currency (CBDC). In a speech given in Shanghai, Yue stated that tests have demonstrated mBridge’s ability to offer faster, more cost-effective, and transparent cross-border payments. Originally launched in 2021, the project involved the HKMA, and central banks from China,…

mBridge CBDC project preparing for new members, launch of minimum viable product

Project mBridge may soon see significant expansion, according to Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) CEO Eddie Yue. He outlined the plans for the central bank digital currency (CBDC) project in a speech in Shanghai. Yue said tests have shown mBridge to provide faster, cheaper and more transparent cross-border payments. The project was initiated in 2021 with the participation of the HKMA, and the central banks of China, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, as well as commercial banks from each of those jurisdictions and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation…

Huawei Remains Silent of Its Secretive 5G Phone at Product Launch

Chinese tech giant Huawei refrained from unveiling its new 5G smartphone during its recent autumn season launch event. Instead, the company focused on electric vehicles, revealing its first sedan and luxury SUV. On Monday, September 25, Chinese telecommunications and tech giant Huawei remained tight-lipped about its new 5G phone featuring an advanced breakthrough. Rather than unveiling a smartphone, the company provided a glimpse of its upcoming electric vehicles, introducing its inaugural sedan and a luxury SUV. In addition, Huawei has entered into a partnership with an automaker to market vehicles…