A [judge in the Bahamas has refused bail for Sam Bankman-Fried](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63967010.amp), the founder and former boss of the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX. According to the most recent sources, he will be detained by Bahamian authorities following his [arrest](/news/article/former-ftx-ceo-sbf-arrested) on 12 December, 2022.

Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, the judge in the case, has scheduled an extradition hearing for 8 February, 2023. The hearing was arranged in response to the decision to deny the former FTX boss bail.

## Ex-FTX boss in court

During the hearing, the attorney for the former FTX boss asked the judge whether SBF might be released on a $250,000 bond. The lawyer argued that his release is required since he requires daily medication.

Prosecutors in the Bahamas resisted the proposal, claiming it violated a treaty with the United States. The attorneys also stated that defendants should be imprisoned while extradition procedures were underway under the treaty provisions.

Bankman-Fried notified the judge that he would not forgo his right to contest the extradition. He then hinted that he could desire to stay in the Bahamas on purpose.

Bankman-Friend, wearing a blue suit without a tie, dropped his head and hugged his parents when the judge ruled that his danger of flight was "very severe". The judge ordered him to be detained in the Bahamas until 8 February.

## Allegations on FTX boss

After the Royal Bahamas Police was informed of a secret indictment by US prosecutors, they arrested SBF on Monday. The arrest was sparked by an unsealed indictment which included eight charges against SBF. These included conspiracy and wire fraud, for allegedly abusing billions of dollars in client payments before his cryptocurrency empire's stunning collapse last month.

Furthermore, the [SEC](/news/article/sec-crypto-enforcement-warning), CFTC, and the US Department of Justice filed complaints against Bankman-Fried on Tuesday for suspected securities and commodities fraud. Bahamas government officials are conducting civil and criminal investigations against him and FTX.

The day's events concluded a remarkable fall from grace for SBF, who created a fortune worth more than $20 billion as he rode a cryptocurrency boom to grow FTX into one of the world's largest exchanges.


red image of bankman fried in front of image of man in handcuffs. 

Former FTX Boss Denied Bail in the Bahamas

[Invisible Friends](https://invisiblefriends.io/) NFT is a popular collection launched and minted in February 2021 by famous 3D digital artist Markus Magnusson. Each NFT is a unique 3D figure in a collection of 5,000 pieces. The series explores the concept of imaginary friends.

It is one of the first animated NFT series, and its release and immediate success sparked a 3D animated NFT series trend.

The collection was so trendy that KITH, one of the largest global lifestyle brands, collaborated with Markus to create a spinoff series called KITH Friends. This new series was launched in March 2021 and is an ongoing collaborative project between the two artists.

## Utility

NFT holders benefit from the collectible by receiving [airdrops](/news/article/terra-luna-second-airdrop), one-of-a-kind experiences, and membership in their private group. Most notably, the holders will be able to mint an upcoming 3D series called 3D INVISIBLE FRIENDS by prominent artist Nguyen Hunt.

All holders will have access to the whitelist and presale, which means they can purchase the digital [token](/news/article/crypto-coin-vs-token) at a low cost and sell it for a profit. Aside from that, other airdrops of Markus's original artwork are expected in 2023.

## Floor price

Since the start of the [crypto](/news/article/what-is-web-3.0-crypto)-wide bear market in 2022, the Invisible Friends NFTs have been one of the few collections that have maintained relatively strong valuations. The current floor price for the token is 2.4 ETH, or approximately $3,725. This represents a decrease from the project's average floor price of 7.1ETH since its inception.

## Is investing in Invisible Friends a good idea?

In the [crypto market](/news/article/crypto-fear-and-greed-index), Invisible Friends NFT has been one of the most popular and consistent [investments](/news/article/best-exchanges-for-crypto-uk). The series value has held relatively well during the 2022 bear market, indicating a large holder base and interest in the collection.

Long-term holders may be rewarded through airdrops and collaborations with other artists. The latest collaboration with Nguyen Hunt shows that the project is gaining traction among well-known artists.

It is a collection worth considering for your portfolio if you're looking for a comparatively safe and established digital asset investment.



pink iamge of blockchain with invisible friends man in foreground

Invisible Friends NFT: A Guide

In this article, we'll look at the latest Shiba Inu news. Before we do, let's understand what we're talking about. SHIB is a decentralised cryptocurrency founded in 2020 by an anonymous individual Ryoshi.

The SHIB is an Ethereum-based ERC-20 coin designed to compete directly with Dogecoin. The coin does not support smart contracts and has no assets backing it. It can, however, be passed from one user to another.

The latest [Shiba Inu](/news/article/shiba-inu-coin-burn) news reveals that the coin's price could [rise by nearly 150%](https://cointelegraph.com/news/shiba-inu-price-drops-to-record-low-vs-dogecoin-will-history-repeat-with-a-150-rally) compared to its top memecoin rival, Dogecoin, in the coming months, as per technical fractal.

## SHIB sets a new low against DOGE

The bullish setup appears as the SHIB/DOGE pair has recovered slightly after falling to 0.0000841 – its lowest level ever – on 1 November. Since November 2021, the price level has coincided with a descending trendline that has supported the pair.

For example, Shiba Inu's previous drop to the trendline occurred in May 2022, followed by a 100% recovery rally in the following three months. Similarly, the SHIB/DOGE pair recovered by more than 50% in less than a month in January 2022.

Interestingly for followers of Shiba Inu news, all of the SHIB/DOGE's rebound moves had their primary upside targets in the 0.0002186-0.0002536 range.

![Picture1 shib.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Picture1_shib_50fd8b246a.png)
 
If history repeats itself, SHIB could see a sharp bullish reversal versus DOGE, with the upside target in the 0.0002186-0.0002536 range. In other words, a 150% price increase by Q1 2023.

Furthermore, the pair's daily relative strength index (RSI) indicates extreme oversold conditions after falling to its lowest levels in history, implying that a rebound is imminent.

## SHIB price in the USD pair faces greater losses

More hints about an impending SHIB/DOGE pair rally can be found in how these [memecoins](/news/article/memecoins-whats-popular) have performed against the US dollar.

Notably, the [Dogecoin](/news/article/dogecoin-to-gbp) price increased by more than 100% in relation to the dollar in October as traders anticipated its potential integration into Twitter after [Elon Musk](/news/article/elon-musk-twitter-deal) completed his buyout of the social media giant.

Late in October, as a result, DOGE's daily RSI crossed over 95, making it the most overbought since April 2021. As of 3 November, the coin's technical condition was still overbought, suggesting that a price correction could occur soon.

To put it another way, by the end of 2022, [Dogecoin](/news/article/should-i-buy-dogecoin) could decline towards $0.055, or 60%, from current price levels.

On the other hand, Shiba Inu posted a 10.5% profit at the end of October, and, as of right now, its RSI is in the neutral 30-70 range, indicating less sell-side pressure than DOGE.

Based on recent fluctuations inside an ascending triangle range, a 10%–15% short-term price correction to $0.00001088 is still possible for the SHIB/USDT pair.

![Picture2 shib.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Picture2_shib_cca9687281.png)
 
However, a break below $0.00001088 raises the possibility of an ascending triangle breakdown.

When such breakdowns occur during a downtrend, the price is frequently driven to its maximum height.
In the event of a clear breakdown, Shiba Inu's price could plunge to $0.00000682, a 45% correction by Q1.



green image of altcoins and shiba inu dogs in foreground

Shiba Inu News: Will it Rise to 150%?

[Elrond](https://elrond.com/) is a blockchain platform built to handle high transaction volumes. It's native token, EGLD crypto or eGold, is a multi-use cryptocurrency. The platform, which supports decentralised applications via smart contracts, is built to compete with significant blockchains like Ethereum and Zilliqa to create a [decentralised](/news/article/dns-servers) application and cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The blockchain can process up to 15,000 transactions per second. This makes it one of the fastest blockchain networks on the market. On the network, EGLD crypto is used for [staking](/news/article/what-is-staking-crypto), voting, and transacting. It is the primary asset in the incentivisation system that rewards network participants. Elrond also has a six-second latency, can scale with sharding, and has low transaction fees of $0.001.

It was established in 2018. The blockchain employs a Secure Proof of Stake (SPoS) operating protocol, which processes transactions in parallel. It relies on the contributions of multiple participants, each playing multiple roles simultaneously.

## What makes EGLD crypto unique?

Elrond is unique in its use of Adaptive State Sharding, which divides the network into smaller fractions so that nodes can verify transactions and network operations by resolving one partition at a time. This ensures the network can handle thousands of transactions per second while charging only a small fee.

The project aims to build a new digital economy with decentralisation and scalability built into its blockchain infrastructure. Elrond enables users to create new assets and decentralised applications and conduct low-cost transactions. The project also supports enterprise-grade Dapps while allowing for scaling and providing three programming languages to work with.

## How does the platform function?

Elrond is validated rather than mined using SPoS. The network uses open-source software, meaning the source code is available to anyone. The blockchain works as follows:

1.	Validators process and record transactions: Validators stake EGLD tokens in order to earn the right to process EGLD crypto They collaborate to process transactions and to add new blocks to the Elrond blockchain at the same time.

2.	Fishermen are constantly on the lookout for malicious transactions and users: Fishermen in SPoS networks validate new blocks after validators add them to the blockchain. Fishermen are tasked with locating any invalid blocks or malicious actors that may be present on the network.

3.	Observers passively maintain the blockchain's history: The blockchain observers store the blockchain's entire history. Observers are ineligible for EGLD crypto rewards because they are passive network participants who do not create new blocks.
The network is run concurrently by validators, fishermen, and observers. It is highly scalable due to this concurrent participation.

## Use Cases for Elrond

Elrond is designed to support non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and includes a Smart Accounts NFT framework. Smart Accounts operate similarly to any blockchain network account but support key-value data storage at the account level. They enable users to store large amounts of information directly in their Elrond Network accounts, such as emails, private identity data, health data, proof of citizenship, Know Your Customer (KYC) information, and more. 

Furthermore, Smart Accounts are intended to store and prove digital assets ownership without using the Elrond VM, which results in less bloating on the smart contracts that govern user funds.

The network is developing Elrond Standard Digital Tokens (ESDTs), synthetic assets, tokenised stablecoins, and fiat currencies to run on the Elrond network without requiring smart contract functionality. Elrond's scalability and speed prepare the network for the Internet of Things functionality (IoT).

The blockchain provides solutions for data exchange, financial services, and more to a growing list of enterprise blockchain clients worldwide, demonstrating that user adoption of the Elrond network is increasing.

## How to buy EGLD crypto

EGLD is available on cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance.us, [KuCoin](/news/article/kucoin-crypto-metaverse), Gate.io, Bitfinex, OKEx, and [Crypto.com](/news/article/crypto.com-news-uk-approval).

##  Bottom line

Elrond promotes scaling and high transaction speeds as the primary sources of the project's intrinsic value, claiming that the network can process up to 15,000 transactions per second. It is a highly functional ecosystem because of its high transaction speeds, scalability, decentralisation, and full custody over users' funds.

As the project progresses, the network strives to become a model of the new internet economy. The project provides competitive transaction speeds and tools for Dapp development and application deployment for public and enterprise-grade use cases.


EGLD Crypto and Blockchain Platform

[Moonray](https://moonray.game/) is a blockchain game that allows you to earn money. It runs on the Cardano blockchain and is similar to other roleplaying games that use collectable cards as NFT.

It supports various game modes, including 4v4 arenas and large-scale battle royale environments. You can also fight against more than 50 other players in their melee battle royale map while exploring Moonray's captivating world.

## Moonray NFT explained

It is a surreal action roleplaying game that runs on PCs and consoles and employs blockchain technology. It runs on the [Cardano](/news/article/cardano-samsung-climate-change) blockchain and recently raised $3.5 million through the sale of collectable non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that will be used to build the project's [metaverse](/news/article/burberry-collection-minecraft-metaverse). 

The game is similar to hack and slash in that most battles will be melee battles with combat weapons such as swords and blades. Secondary weapons, such as guns, are sometimes used. Before the launch, the developers released a mini-game, Journey to Moonray, to showcase innovative algorithms and fluid movements.

The Moonray NFT project has raised eyebrows in the gaming community due to its use of the industry-leading game engine, Unreal Engine.

This blockchain game is built on [Bitcoin](/news/article/bitex-trade-bitcoin) via Stacks. This means that smart contracts with Bitcoin enable the development of applications while benefiting from the credibility and high security of the Bitcoin network.

It has recently moved to the Ethereum [blockchain](/news/article/what-is-blockchain). Its digital security enables the ledger to be more transparent for its users by using blockchain to authenticate transactions. The developers and creators of Moonray have yet to reveal more information about the game in general.

## What's Moonray's unique point?

Moonray stands out from other NFT games because of its distinctive and engaging soundtrack. Moonray chose the Walking With Elephants soundtrack, designed by Ten Walls, a musician well-known for his highly original music.

Players can anticipate that the soundtrack will flawlessly complement its visuals. Modern visual effects and beat-synchronised shaders abound in Moonray. Your adventure of world exploration includes these effects.

You can purchase dynamic shader skins in the game to personalise your character and gain new abilities with them. Moonray NFT is more appealing to gamers because it is fast-paced that relies on critical thinking rather than how quickly you can smash your keyboard.

## Tokenomics and monetisation strategy

As of right now, no official tokens have been released. Republic Crypto has announced that they will be working on the game's tokenomics. As with other NFT and blockchain games, players can expect two tokens: in-game currency and governance.

According to reports, Moonray will support multiple tokens, including their upcoming MNRY token. The [token](/news/article/time-tokens) is intended to improve the in-game functionality and utility.

## Bottom line

Moonray NFT is quite an ambitious project, in contrast to the vast number of blockchain-based games. It departs from the typical perception of NFT games, where the focus is frequently on trading rather than gameplay, and is something real gamers might be interested in.

The developers have already invested much money and time into the game to create a memorable, distinctive universe. They are still working on it because they want it to be a AAA multiplayer project.

There is every reason to believe that Moonray will become a revolutionary product on the market, serving as a bridge between the NFT trade and traditional games.



Moonray NFT: The Gaming Platform

Uniswap exchange [announced](https://uniswap.org/blog/uniswap-nft-aggregator-announcement) on 30 November the launch of the NFT aggregator. The company said that users can now trade NFTs on its protocol.

The [exchange](/news/article/best-exchanges-for-crypto-uk) claims the aggregator is built to provide users with a first-rate experience, including better prices, safer smart contracts, faster indexing, and efficient execution.

According to Uniswap, as part of its launch promotion, it will airdrop roughly 5M USDC to certain historical customers of NFT aggregator Genie, based on a wallet snapshot taken on 15 April, 2022. It will also provide gas rebates to the first 22,000 NFT users. 

## Uniswap NFT aggregator offerings

1.	Better prices and more listings: NFT aggregator will offer better prices by combining multiple marketplace listings into a single interface. [OpenSea](/news/article/haas-f1-opensea-collaboration), X2Y2, Larva Labs, X2Y2, Foundation, LooksRare, Sudoswap, NFT20, and NFTX will all be supported by the exchange.

2.	Even more gas savings: Unlike other NFT aggregators, Uniswap developers said users could save up to 15% on gas costs. ERC20 and NFT swapping are combined into a single swap router. Users can swap multiple tokens and NFTs in a single transaction while saving money on gas fees.

3.	Open source: Uniswap is committed to being trustworthy, open, and transparent. The company applied the same design principles to its aggregator and open sourced the front-end code, making it the first major NFT platform to do so.

## Gas rebate

[Uniswap](/news/article/uniswap-price-prediction-2025) exchange will offer limited gas rebates to its first 22,000 users on their first transaction as part of the launch until 14 December, 2022. It will be redeemable on 16 January, 2023, through the Uniswap app for 12 months.

The first 22,000 unique wallets that buy an NFT during this promotional period will receive a rebate on their first transaction. Partial transactions are eligible for rebates if users successfully purchase some but not all NFTs. Transactions that fail will be ineligible. The gas rebate is limited to 0.01 ETH.

While the aggregator will initially support only [Ethereum](/news/article/why-is-ethereum-going-down) NFTs, the company said more would be added in the future.

However, Uniswap's new aggregator is not the company's first foray into NFTs. The DEX previously launched Unisocks, a limited collection of "phygital" [Ethereum](/news/article/the-merge-ethereum-nft-impact) NFTs that can be "burned" and claimed for an IRL physical pair.


Uniswap Exchange NFT Aggregator

The Batman Cowl collection debuted on 26 April, highlighting distinctive headpieces that have played a significant role in the 83-year history of the superhero. These NFTs allowed collectors to own a piece of Batman's legacy while participating in the Web3 iteration of DC Comics: DC Universe.

The Bat Cowl NFT launch offered a significant opportunity for Batman and DC fans to interact with their favourite superhero in unexpected ways. The Bat Cowl NFT launch followed the release of The Batman, the biggest blockbuster movie of 2022, with more than $500 million at the worldwide box office and the largest consumer products collection for a Batman movie in more than ten years.

## The Batman Cowl NFT collection

The NFT collection, created in collaboration with Palm NFT studio and Daz 3D, is the first official Batman NFTs to hit the [blockchain](/news/article/how-can-features-of-blockchain-support-sustainability-efforts). 

The collection was released at $300 each. DC Comics had hoped to mint about 200,000 NFTs, but now only about 12,000 are available in the DC Universe store. DC now stands on par with the numerous other 10,000 supply PFPs projects that have achieved commercial success.

Each NFT is unique and comprises 192 materials, 20 backgrounds, three ear mods, and many other features that help determine its rarity level. It is created from more than two billion combinations.

They are, however, not DC Comics' first non-fungible tokens. In 2021, the company unveiled spinning floppy disc NFTs, distributed free to all fans who registered for the DC Fandom event.

## What do Batman NFTs mean for the digital collectables industry?

The release of Bat Cowl NFTs from DC is a significant event, given that Batman (both the character and the franchise) is a significantly potent pop culture phenomenon. 

The Bat Cowl's release, as described by Palm Studio's Chief Content Officer Matt Mason in a press release, "represents a watershed moment for NFTs".

The collection is also likely to increase the interaction between comic book fans, artists, and NFTs. This is because the entry of a superhero like Batman into the [NFT](/news/article/blue-chip-nfts) space is a strong indicator of the growing influence and acceptance of NFTs in the mainstream media.

Even before legacy IP started to appear on the blockchain, projects like [PUNKS Comic](https://punkscomic.com/) and the [HUXLEY Saga](https://huxleysaga.com/) showed how interested Web3 communities were in comic-inspired business models. However, The Bat Cowl might be the first well-known superhero brand to pioneer the market.

## Batman Cowl roadmap

DC claims the collection will eventually consist of much more than just a handful of digital collectables. 
The company intends to incorporate NFTs into future DC comics stories and, as stated in a [press release](https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/03/29/the-bat-cowl-collection-one-epic-drop) accompanying the initial Bat Cowl release, aims to:

"expand utility for Bat Cowl holders every 52 days in areas such as augmented reality, metaverse integration, and expanded wallet capabilities"

Furthermore, these NFTs will give fans access to the brand's fan forum. Fans can explore physical collectables, behind-the-scenes content, merchandise, and selected fan events in this private online space. The company plans to integrate Batman Cowls into the DC metaverse over two years.



The Batman Cowl NFT Collection

[Lazy](/news/article/lazy-monkey-nft) minting is a strategy that is increasingly being used in NFT contracts. It helps in reducing high gas fees on Ethereum.

The process of converting a digital item into a crypto-collectable or non-fungible token on a blockchain is known as minting. It is the process of uploading a particular item and allocating it to a unique token on the blockchain. The digital item is kept in a decentralised database, or distributed ledger, and cannot be edited, modified, or deleted.

## What is lazy minting?

Lazy minting allows NFT artists to sign "minting authorisations", enabling users to mint NFTs later. These mint authorisation signatures are free to create and ensure that no NFTs are minted without prior approval.

It is a method of deferring minting until the non-fungible token is about to be sold. Buyers pay the fee after their NFT has been sold, making digital asset creation more affordable and equitable for creators. 

It is now available on major NFT platforms such as [OpenSea](/news/article/nft-hackers-passports) and [Rarible](https://rarible.com/).

## What is the significance of lazy minting?

It is vital because it allows artists to save money when minting, which is a significant concern when gas prices for [Ethereum](https://ethereum.org/en/) transactions are high.

When the Ethereum blockchain is overcrowded, the gas price can skyrocket. This forces artists to pay large sums of ETH to list their work for sale on digital asset marketplaces.

During hyped NFT launches, bull markets, and market-related headlines where many people try to conduct on-chain transactions, the cost to mint an NFT can become relatively high.

## How does it function?

The creation of off-chain NFTs is used in lazy minting. This implies that until an NFT is purchased, it is not officially on the blockchain. Once the digital item is bought, it is minted on-chain and the buyer is responsible for paying the gas costs to mint the NFT.

It can be broken down into three general steps:

1.	A smart contract is used by the creator to mint an NFT. On behalf of the seller, this contract will mint and sell the NFT.

2.	To approve the lazy procedure, the seller offers a private signature containing a wallet and token information (such as the token ID, price, etc.).

3.	The buyer buys the token and pays a price that includes the NFT and the cost of minting it. After that, the NFT is added to the chain and delivered to the buyer's wallet.

## What advantages does it offer?

It offers several advantages, including:

1.	Reducing the impact of gas fees: By moving the payment of the gas fee to mint NFTs after the sale, sellers can include the fee in their pricing models, reducing the deterrent effect of the high costs on budding artists.

2.	Lowering the entry barrier: One of the chief advantages is the removal of high gas costs required to mint an NFT, lowering the entry barrier and making the process more accessible to developers and artists.

3.	Boosts liquidity: It promotes liquidity because NFTs can only be transferred after being sold. As a result, buyers won't have to wait an eternity for their NFT to be transferred, and sellers won't end up with a stockpile of newly minted, unsold NFTs.

## Bottom line

[Lazy](/news/article/lazy-lions-nft) minting is a thriving trend in the market for non-fungible digital assets, with numerous advantages for artists and developers. It removes the initial cost of minting NFTs, making the process more affordable and accessible. 

Furthermore, because only sold NFTs are minted, and unnecessary power-hungry transactions are removed from the blockchain, the benefits aren't limited to artists and developers.



What is Lazy Minting?

The Star Wars NFT collection includes iconic figures from the Star Wars universe. Read more about the featured NFTs of the collection, C-3PO and R2-D2.

Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have brought massive digital advancements. Disney NFTs have come a long way since the MoonCats and Rare Pepe NFTs when these digital collectables first came to life as a concept in 2012.

More well-known brands are joining the fray, including Disney, the [NBA](/news/article/stephen-curry-nft), and Coca-Cola. 

## Disney NFTs

Official Disney NFTs are available from a collectables company called Veve. Veve is a premium digital collectables-based marketplace where users can buy, collect, and sell characters from their favourite franchises.

As Disney's official partner, Veve is the only place to get Disney NFTs at the moment. This includes digital tokens from newer Disney Plus properties such as I Am Groot. They have something for everyone, whether you want a [Darth Vader NFT](https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e/87832029613577301948440201724316869266320892884719152945259080204900729094145) or a classic version of Pooh and Piglet in gold.

Veve carries the entire catalogue. You can find a Simpsons NFT alongside a Star Wars or Toy Story NFT. New collections are constantly being added, in categories including Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel NFTs.

## Disney Golden Moments 

The Golden Moments collection honours some of the greatest Pixar movie characters from the company's history. The NFT collection includes Star Wars, Lady and the Tramp, Ironman, Homer and Bart, and Elsa.

Each NFT is a digital representation of golden statues featuring fans' favourite characters, courtesy of Veve and Pixar.

The Golden Moments collection will expand as new NFT drops occur throughout the year. The digital collectables are divided into five categories, ranging from common (Star Wars) to ultra-rare (Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse).

## Star Wars NFTs

Star Wars is one of Disney's more well-known corporate brands. The first Veve Star Wars NFT is from the Golden Moments Collection and features C-3PO and R2-D2. Soon after, another NFT appeared with a bounty hunter and one of history's greatest villains.

## R2-D2 NFTs

R2-D2 has a long history of serving Padme Amidala, Anakin, and Luke Skywalker. The versatile astromech droid has persevered through many hardships and has rescued each of his masters as they have fought their way across space.
Disney has created a fantastic digital collectable with the R2-D2 Star Wars NFT. Its rarity is "Uncommon". The drop happened in November 2021, and 8333 NFTs were produced.

During the initial minting, the list price was 60GEMs. However, collectors looking to purchase one today should expect to pay a minimum of 2700 GEMs.

## C-3PO NFTs

Anakin Skywalker created C-3PO as a companion and it was given etiquette and protocol training. The worrywart droid is still involved in intergalactic combat thanks to its ability to understand seven million languages.

The rarity of the C-3PO NFT, which dropped in November 2021,  is 'Common'. In total, 12,333 digital collectables with a 60GEM price tag were produced.

As of this writing, the minimum price to buy a C-3PO NFT is 1250.00 GEMs. 

## Star Wars NFT: Where can you get it?

You must use the Veve app to purchase the Star Wars NFTs. The app is available for both Apple's app store and Google Play for Android phones. After downloading Veve, you must add GEM coins before purchasing NFTs on the Veve market.

All Disney [NFT](/news/article/nft-land) sales are subject to a 6% licensors fee, in addition to the 2.5% fee charged by Veve for all secondary market sales.

## Disney NFTs - future plans

[Disney NFTs](/news/article/next-disney-nft-drop) have only been around since the introduction of the Golden Moments Collection, but it already seems like the company has a strong foothold in the market. They have plans for the Metaverse and have reached a new audience in the cryptocurrency space thanks to their partnership with Veve.

Disney started preparing its strategy for the Metaverse earlier this year as part of the "next generation of storytelling".



Star Wars NFT on Veve

[The UK's](/news/article/uk-crypto-tax-regulations) Starling Bank has tightened its grip on crypto trading, [announcing a ban on all crypto transactions](https://twitter.com/StarlingBank/status/1595095825884930050?t=8EiBd2taolnSd4Wb8VbUvw&s=19) for users, describing the activity as "high risk and heavily used for criminal purposes"'.

Following the collapse of the [FTX exchange](/news/article/ftx-bankrupt-who-to-blame) earlier this month, banks have stressed the need for crypto regulation.

## Starling Bank customers woke up to bad news

Starling Bank crypto customers received a text message stating, "we view the crypto activity as high risk".
The bank said it had decided to halt all card payments to cryptocurrency merchants and "impose additional limitations on outgoing and incoming transfers".

It comes just two weeks after [Santander imposed new limits on Bitcoin and Ethereum](/news/article/santander-uk-news) transactions and warned of the potential consequences of investing in crypto assets.

As of 15 November, Santander's mobile and online banking customers were limited to a £1,000 limit per cryptocurrency transaction and a £3,000 cap on transactions made over a rolling 30-day period. While payments will still be allowed from the cryptocurrency exchange, including Binance, payments sent to Binance will remain blocked.

## Starling is not backing off

A representative of Starling Bank said the institution has had restrictions on cryptocurrency transactions of varying degrees for a long time.

The purpose of this communication, he continued, was to ensure that this was understood by clients who had previously completed such transactions.

He added that while the cutting-edge technology that underlies cryptocurrencies has significant advantages, the high risk and widespread criminal use meant the organisation could no longer support them.

## More banks restrict crypto transactions

The Starling Bank crypto stance is the latest [bank](/news/article/crypto-friendly-banks-uk) move to restrict customer crypto activity. Lloyds, [Barclays](/news/article/barclays-crypto), and RBS have implemented various new measures, such as blocking transactions with cryptocurrency exchanges.

According to finder.com, 47% of UK banks forbid customers from communicating with cryptocurrency exchanges.


Starling Bank Bans Crypto Trading

Reserve Bank of India will launch the retail central bank-backed digital currency ([CBDC](/news/article/india-cbdc-launch) pilot next month. It will be interoperable with existing payment systems.

On [1 November](https://www.reuters.com/article/india-cenbank-digital-rupee-idUSKBN2RQ0WO), RBI debuted the wholesale segment pilot for the digital rupee. According to the RBI, the digital rupee will increase market efficiency by lowering settlement transaction costs.

The settlement of secondary market transactions involving government securities has been the primary use case of the Reserve Bank of India CBDC.

## Reserve Bank of India CBDC to debut

[According](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/rbi-in-final-stages-of-retail-cbdc-pilot-rollout/articleshow/95598347.cms?from=mdr) to the Economic Times of India, the RBI is reportedly finalising plans to launch the retail digital rupee pilot. The participating [banks](/news/article/which-uk-banks-allow-cryptocurrency-purchases) are the State Bank of India, HDFC, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI, Kotak Mahindra, Yes, and IDFC First Bank.

The report stated that the pilot would include all commercial banks currently operating in the country and that the National Payments Corporation of India would host the [CBDC](/news/article/cbdc-uk) platform. It will be similar to the instant real-time payment system formed by NPCI, the unified payments interface (UPI) system.

According to the report, the digital rupee is not intended to replace existing widely used payment systems, but to supplement them. The retail CBCD will be compatible with other payment systems and function similarly to UPI.

Each participating bank will test the CBDC on 10,000 to 50,000 users. The banks will work with the PayNearby and Bankit platforms to implement the new payment option, and the NPCI will be in charge of the CBDC infrastructure.

Customers and merchants will both need to download the CBDC-specific wallets. The retail CBDC of India will initially be offered as a stand-alone product, with the final version integrating with existing mobile and internet banking services.

Plans to launch the CBDC were revealed in February 2022 by Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who claimed that a digital rupee would give India's economy a "big boost". The Reserve Bank of India then suggested a three-step graded rollout strategy, aiming for little or no disruption to the traditional economic system


Reserve Bank of India CBDC Pilot

The Crypto sector is highly volatile and mysterious. The latest secret is the ownership of the [Huobi exchange](https://www.huobi.com/en-us/). 

According to tracker CoinGecko, China-based Huobi Global continues to produce a notable daily trading volume of more than $300 million despite losing its position as the world's leading exchange.

On 7 October, the Huobi exchange platform [announced](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huobi-globals-major-shareholder-completes-share-sale-301644102.html) that About Capital Management (HK) Co. Ltd, a [Hong Kong](/news/article/crypto-hong-kong-etfs) based-asset management company, had become the exchange's controlling shareholder following a successful buyout deal.

While the transaction of an unrevealed amount crowns About Capital as the new controlling shareholder, the [exchange](/news/article/best-exchanges-for-crypto-uk) stated that the transition would have no impact on core operations or business management teams.
About Capital also revealed plans to create a global strategic advisory board "led by leading industry figures", in addition to other initiatives such as establishing a margin and risk provision fund and measures to improve the exchange's competitiveness.

## Justin Sun - The probable owner

According to reports, Justin Sun spent about $1 billion to acquire roughly 60% shareholding through the [Hong Kong](/news/article/is-crypto-legal-in-hong-kong)-based asset manager About Capital.

Sequoia China and ZhenFund transferred 28% of their ownership in Huobi Global to About Capital. According to insiders, Justin Sun hid his name from the agreements to avoid Chinese scrutiny.

Huobi Global rebranded to "Huobi" because Justin Sun's previous acquisition agreement prohibited shareholders from using Chinese trademarks or conducting business in mainland [China](/news/article/china-crypto-ban).

People familiar with the matter revealed a strict agreement between all parties in this equity transfer agreement regarding trademarks, particularly the use of the Chinese brand "Huobi".

In October, it was reported that the controlling shareholder of the exchange completed the share sale, making About Capital's M&A fund the new controller. Justin Sun joined the Global Advisory Committee of Huobi Global and repeatedly stated that he was not the buyer of Huobi.


Huobi Exchange - Who Owns It?

As the World Cup soccer tournament grows in popularity worldwide, Chinese internet platforms are rushing to join the carnival. They want to compete for the massive sports fans community in the country by providing a "[Metaverse](/news/article/harry-and-meghan-news-metaverse)-like" viewing experience enabled by 5G and virtual reality (VR).

[China](/news/article/china-crypto-ban)-based technology firms are reportedly developing technology to allow Chinese soccer fans to enjoy the [FIFA World Cup in the Metaverse VR](https://cointelegraph.com/news/nifty-news-chinese-firms-to-offer-world-cup-metaverse-viewings-x2y2-backtracks-on-royalties-and-more).

The efforts are part of the Chinese government's five-year plan released in early November to boost the capabilities and advancement of the local virtual reality (VR) industry.

The World Cup is being used as a testbed for the emerging tech by China's nascent VR industry. On 1 November, the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and four other agencies unveiled an ambitious plan to accelerate the development of the VR industry, intending to exceed 350 billion yuan ($48.1 billion) in total industrial scale by 2026.

The plan establishes an overall goal of breakthroughs in core technologies such as three-dimensionality and improving the ecosystem so that VR can be used to promote economic development.

The stated plans do not mention whether the Metaverse will use blockchain technology, such as the one proposed by Wuhan city, which was later revised to remove any mention of non-fungible tokens ([NFTs](/news/category/nft-news)).

## Companies to broadcast World Cup VR

Chinese streaming platform Migu, a subsidiary of China Mobile, and Douyin, the Chinese TikTok, are two major firms to broadcast the event. The two streaming platforms have sub-licensed rights to broadcast live and on-demand coverage of the Qatar World Cup via VR. They will share digital coverage of the events with China Media Group, a state-owned broadcaster.

According to reports, Migu and Douyin paid a "sky-high" amount for the broadcasting rights. Only six mainland Chinese channels, including Migu China Mobile and Douyin, were permitted to broadcast World Cup matches in [Metaverse](/news/article/how-to-buy-metaverse-land) VR.

Pico, a VR headset maker owned by tech company ByteDance, announced on Monday that users could watch live World Cup broadcasts through its VR goggles. Soccer fans can invite friends to their virtual rooms to watch matches and interact with virtual anchors.



World Cup VR Viewing Offered

Cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly popular, though there are some legitimate concerns about the industry. As a result, it is not every bank, including UK banks, which will allow customers to make cryptocurrency purchases.

They don't want to risk losing money from customers, primarily if they could be held accountable for allowing it to happen.
If you want to trade crypto, you should reconsider who you bank with. Let's look at the crypto world and the UK banks that allow crypto.

## Is cryptocurrency legal in the United Kingdom?

In the United Kingdom, it is legal to own and trade cryptocurrencies. They are not currently classified as a currency but as a property asset, even though there is no tangible asset to own.

Any cryptocurrency exchange in the UK must be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the industry to prevent money laundering. The [FCA](/news/article/fca-crypto-regulation) is adamant that any trading platform must be able to demonstrate compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.

## Which UK banks allow cryptocurrency purchases?

Here's a list of some banks to consider if you're interested in trading cryptocurrencies:

1.      The Royal Bank of Scotland 
RBS generally supports cryptocurrencies and trading. Customers usually have no trouble buying and selling crypto using a debit or credit card. However, the group restricts access to certain exchanges that are deemed riskier, so you will not have complete freedom.

2.    Revolut
[Revolut](/news/article/revolut-bank-uk-crypto) is one of the more comprehensive banking apps. It offers stock and share trading through its platforms. It is well-known for its positive attitude toward cryptocurrencies, and customers of the bank face no trouble in dealing with exchanges regardless of account level. You also have the advantage of being able to trade cryptocurrency and manage your banking in the same app.

3.      Nationwide
Nationwide claims to have systems to prevent suspicious or unusual member payments. Customers can usually make payments to [crypto exchanges](/news/article/best-crypto-exchange-uk-reddit) using their credit or [debit cards](/news/article/crypto-debit-card-uk). If you have any issues, you should be able to resolve them with the bank and gain access to the trading platforms.

4.      Barclays
[Barclays](https://home.barclays/) has had a tumultuous relationship with cryptocurrency, having formed a partnership with Coinbase only to cancel it in 2019. Despite this reversal, the bank generally accepts payments to and from cryptocurrency exchanges.

5.      Monzo
[Monzo](https://monzo.com/) has declared itself a crypto-friendly bank, stating that customers can use their accounts to buy and sell cryptocurrency on crypto exchanges. However, they state that they will review trading platforms and, if necessary, block access to some if they are deemed too risky.

## Bottom line

Some large financial institutions still regard crypto transactions as highly risky, if not criminal. On the other hand, many progressive banks want to embrace new trends and assist their clients with cryptocurrency transactions.

We believe traditional banks will probably eventually support crypto-related services, particularly as soon as the regulatory clarity improves. Until then, you can use the [crypto-friendly banks](/news/article/crypto-friendly-banks-uk) mentioned in this article to service your customers, make deposits, and lock in profits without fear of an account freeze or ban.


which uk banks allow cryptocurrency purchases

Which UK Banks Allow Cryptocurrency Purchases?

The[ Twitter takeover](/news/article/elon-musk-twitter-deal) by Elon Musk has driven the Dogecoin price higher at various points in the last few weeks. This was because the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has long been a firm supporter of the coin. Several of his tweets and statements have previously been seen to influence the coin's position. However, revelations made recently about Musk's plans for Twitter have not been favourable to [Dogecoin](/news/article/dogecoin-to-gbp).

## Musk wants Twitter to have new leaders.

Musk [revealed](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-says-expects-reduce-163849041.html) on Wednesday that he expects his time at Twitter to be reduced as he looks for new leadership for the company. He previously fired CEO Parag Agrawal, other top executives, and the entire board of directors. Now, the billionaire intends to hire someone to run the social media company in his place.

Musk revealed this during his testimony in Delaware court in defence of Tesla's $56 billion pay package. He explained that he would stay for the time being because the company needed to be reorganised as a result of the acquisition. He does, however, explain that once Twitter is in a strong position, he will bring in new leadership.

Jack Dorsey, the former CEO and founder of Twitter, had responded negatively to a question about whether he would be open to returning as CEO. Dorsey is already working with BlueSky, a decentralised social media competitor to Twitter.

## Dogecoin Twitter impact

Dogecoin's value has recently been tied to the possibility that Elon Musk will initiate a Dogecoin Twitter integration Initially, making DOGE one of the cryptos used for the "Tip Jar" feature was expected. However, there are now calls for the memecoin to be added as a payment mode for "Twitter Blue".

However, Musk has yet to say anything definitive about a Dogecoin Twitter integration. This is despite the Tesla CEO's continued support for DOGE and promotion of it as the ["people" crypto](/news/article/doge-crypto-elon-musk).

[Dogecoin](/news/article/should-i-buy-dogecoin) (DOGE) has dropped 20.10% to $0.08, following the broader market sell-off and in response to [FTX and Binance's](/news/article/ftx-vs-binance-liquidate-funds) moves.

Investors are concerned that Dogecoin's decline could be a starting point for price destruction. These jitters may end the DOGE bull run in 2022 with a year-end price of $0.06.


What do changes to Twitter mean for Dogecoin?

[Fortify](https://fortify-blockchain.com/) NFT boosts the value of your products. It combines blockchain and NFC technology to increase brand trust and engagement.

The platform offers a secure module (NFC crypto chip) that enhances your product by bridging the physical and digital worlds.
All data is stored in an open, [decentralised blockchain](/news/article/dns-servers) network. The platform guarantees transparency and immutability. It offers fully customised mobile applications (Android, iOS) for your customers to interact with your product to strengthen your brand. 

Fortify allows you to: 

1.	Prove your product's authenticity using the NFC crypto chip.
2.	Claim and transfer ownership.
3.	Check on the product's sustainability and provenance, and many other functions.

## Services offered by Fortify 

1.      Genuineness and thriving secondary markets
Artists no longer participate in the secondary market for their works of art because, after a sale, they no longer see the value in doing so. 

Fortify enables a thriving secondary market while returning control to artists. An NFC chip protects each piece of art, and the blockchain is used to track and modify ownership. Every resale generates some profit for the artist.

2.      Trust and participation in the fashion industry
Handbags, shoes, watches, and glasses are a few examples of products plagued by counterfeiting. Furthermore, customer engagement is low. Once purchased, the producer's ability to increase customer interaction with the product or brand is limited.

Fortify alters this by generating a digital twin of each object on the blockchain and encouraging customers to interact with it.

3.      Industrial applications: Track assets as they move through the supply chain
Goods of any kind in industrial processes can be linked to a digital twin on the blockchain using the NFC chip. These goods can be tracked transparently throughout the entire supply chain. 

Costs for identifying, tracking provenance, or obtaining reliable information about previous production steps can be drastically reduced.

4.      Solution for high-end spirits
The counterfeiting of spirits is massive, especially when it comes to high-end products. Fortify's solution for high-end spirits protects bottles of any type from counterfeiting, as demonstrated by a limited edition of 999 bottles of GIN. 

## How can Fortify NFT help your business?

1.      Authenticity 
Fortify’s blockchain-NFC chips embedded in your products serve as an anti-counterfeit solution, protecting your brand.

2.      Customer Engagement
You can use blockchain tokens ([NFT](/news/article/meta-facebook-nft) to prove ownership, purchase and sell goods on the secondary market, collect digital and physical goods, and many other things.

3.      Rarity
You can establish trust by being upfront about the actual number of an item's limited supply.

4.      Supply Chain Transparency
Any asset can be tracked and traced throughout the supply chain using Fortify.

## Bottom line

Have you ever lost track of your product after it was sold in a retail setting? 

Fortify NFT can solve this problem. The application dashboard provides detailed information on customer interaction with your products: When and where was its authenticity established? Is it being resold on the secondary market? Who currently owns the digital and physical assets? All this data is retrieved from NFC chips and the blockchain and displayed in a user-friendly interface.



Fortify NFT Explained

The[ Bitcoin](/news/article/feds-seize-bitcoin-stolen-crypto-scam) market faces volatility issues as FTX's downfall hits another crypto company, Genesis.

## Genesis Global Trading halts withdrawals and new loan originations

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, the largest Bitcoin fund, dropped 7% on Wednesday as investors dumped more digital assets following the high-profile collapse of crypto exchange FTX last week.

Genesis Global Trading, a cryptocurrency investment bank, tweeted that the company was [temporarily halting withdrawals and new loan originations services](https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/bitcoin-price-genesis-crypto-latest-b2226380.html) because of FTX's fall.
 
![genesis crypto tweet](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/genesis1_720fa9e138.webp)

[Genesis](https://twitter.com/GenesisTrading), the most recent victim of FTX volatility, is owned by Digital Currency Group (DCG), which also owns Grayscale.

DCG tweeted that the freezing of Genesis' lending business did not affect the company or its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Grayscale stated that its products would continue to be fully operational, and its underlying assets would be unaffected. Genesis said that it was working to prevent the same fate as FTX.

The company stated that it had hired the best advisors in the business to explore all potential options.

Further, in a tweet, the company said, "We will deliver a lending business plan next week." The crypto firm claimed that it is working tirelessly to figure out the best lending solutions, including, among other things, sourcing new liquidity.

## Bitcoin volatility

Following the news on Wednesday, the price of Bitcoin fell even further, with the cryptocurrency now trading just for $16.5K.

Bitcoin volatility has seen the value fall by more than 75% since reaching an all-time high of around $69,000 in November 2021. 

Following the collapse of FTX, Bitcoin volatility saw the price fall below $16,000 for the first time since November 2020, after several months of stability.

## Impact of FTX collapse

The collapse of [FTX](/news/article/what-is-ftx) shook the volatile cryptocurrency market, which lost billions of dollars in value.

The consequences of the company’s sudden collapse will probably affect cryptocurrencies for a very long time to come and may even cause broader market declines. Many crypto firms are severely affected by the company's[ bankruptcy news](/news/article/ftx-bankrupt-who-to-blame).


Bitcoin Volatility: Price Drops to $16.5K 

Circle, the company behind the US dollar-pegged stablecoin USDC, has added support for Apple Pay to integrate cryptocurrencies and established payment methods.

The company announced the news in a [blog post](https://www.circle.com/blog/apple-pay-is-now-available-on-circle) published on 15 November that stated merchants who accept USDC can now do so with the help of Apple Pay.

The addition will benefit crypto-native businesses by making it easier to accept payments while not excluding non-crypto customers. Furthermore, Circle stated that "traditional" businesses could use the enhancement to "shift more retail payments to digital currency".

According to reports, [Apple](/news/article/apple-crypto-and-nft-rules) Pay is the second most popular digital wallet in the United States, behind PayPal, with more than 1.8 billion active devices worldwide.

## Issuer of stablecoin Circle adds Apple Pay

Circle and Apple's collaboration will benefit cryptocurrency-native businesses that were initially only concerned with digital assets.

This step will assist them in utilising Apple Pay's payment platform. It will also function as a payment gateway for fiat users interested in experimenting with cryptocurrency payments.

The issuer of [stablecoin](/news/article/what-are-stablecoins) Circle stated that enabling this new feature is a quick and easy process with no hassle.
Merchants who meet the criteria can open a free Circle account and be added to an Apple developer account.

## Circle's similar initiatives

Circle has taken similar initiatives to provide its customers with more payment options.

In June, issuer of stablecoin Circle added support for Polygon [USDC](/news/article/usdc-coin-losses) to its payments and treasury platform, allowing developers to automate flows from fiat into Polygon USDC and swap it for native USDC across various blockchain networks.

At Converge22 in September 2022, the company announced plans to launch [USDC on five new networks](/news/article/circle-usdc) by the end of Q1 2023.

They announced that additional merchant services would enable vendors to accept cryptocurrency payments such as Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC). Other features to reduce checkout friction and improve the overall payment experience are also planned.

The issuer of stablecoin Circle also hinted that there could be future improvements.


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