Cardano Midnight is a privacy-focused blockchain set to revolutionize privacy and regulation in the blockchain landscape. The blockchain, a sidechain of Cardano, is yet to be launched.

According to its official website, it will be a [smart contract](/news/article/smart-contracts-blockchain) blockchain that allows users to only share information they want. It will enable users to share highly sensitive information without the fear of data leaks or censorship.

It will also allow developers to create DApps using many commonly used programming languages, making developing and deploying smart contracts easier.

The sidechain aims to protect the fundamental freedom of association by collaborating through open rules agreed upon by its community. It also seeks to protect the freedom of commerce by allowing users to exchange value securely and privately but in a regulatory-friendly way. Thirdly, it aims to protect freedom of expression by allowing users to express ideas and opinions without the fear of censorship.

## Zero-knowledge-proof technology (ZKP)

[Cardano Midnight](https://midnight.iohk.io/) is based on zero-knowledge-proof technology. The technology, which first appeared in computer science and cryptography, works by verifying information with minimal knowledge shared between parties.

The technology is popular because it tries to eliminate issues plaguing other authenticating ways, like hacking and loss of control of user data. Other privacy-focused blockchains using the technology include Monero (XMR) and ZCash (ZEC).

## DUST tokens

DUST token will be the native token of Midnight. Its use cases haven't yet been revealed. However, most project followers believe it will be used to pay gas fees. The token will co-exist with ADA, the native token of Cardano.

Once it launches, stakers on Cardano will earn DUST tokens automatically together with ADA rewards, according to its developers.

## Allegations

After the sidechain's announcement, Monero was quick to point out that it had a "backdoor". The privacy network claimed that the opportunity for authorities to audit, which was mentioned in the announcement of Midnight, is a “backdoor” for regulators.

IOG countered the allegations stating that regulators' interference would only be possible if authorized. Monero later called off its allegations and deleted the tweets that drew suspicion to the project.

The sidechain was [announced](https://twitter.com/IOHK_Charles/status/1593624972001349632) on 18 November, 2022. However, informants reveal that developers have been working on it, in secret, for four years. Charles Hoskinson, the CEO of IOG, admitted that he had to bite his tongue on many occasions not to reveal the project.

## Conclusion

Cardano Midnight and its native token, DUST, are part of the [Voltaire era](https://roadmap.cardano.org/en/voltaire/). If successful, the project is set to revolutionize privacy and regulation in the crypto space and give blockchains like Monero and ZCash a run for their money.

As of writing, not much about the project is known. However, according to Hoskinson, 2023 is set to be a fun and exciting year for the project. Updates are on the way.


blue image of cardano coin and click face showing midnight

Cardano Midnight: A New Privacy Blockchain 

Alongside Play-to-Earn gaming, the faucet concept, as found on the Solana network, has witnessed a record rise in interest over the last few months. In a similar vein to P2E, faucets reward users with micro amounts of crypto in exchange for completing tasks such as viewing ads, completing captchas, or taking surveys. To find out more about P2E, check out [our article](/news/article/play-to-earn).

Faucet sites are funded through advertisement and sponsorship. Many sites have number or time limits that help manage the amount of crypto users can claim. Solana faucets generally have fixed periods in which it is possible to claim, but it is important to check with [each site for its terms and conditions](https://101blockchains.com/top-crypto-faucets/).

Faucets fall into two main categories:

•	Instant output.

•	Recurring payments.

As the name suggests, platforms that offer instant output allow users to 'cash out' their balance at any time they like. Usually more popular with players, this method often comes with various tasks that originate from the same party.

By contrast, platforms that only allow users access to their funds at specific intervals usually offer a wider variety of tasks to complete. Payments, in this case, are usually managed by algorithmic bots, which make managing the platforms easy.

If using this kind of platform isn't for you, you can even build your own Solana faucet to earn passive income. The process is relatively straightforward and within the ability of anyone with basic internet and crypto knowledge.

## Conclusion

Solana faucets, like many other cryptocurrency faucets, are a good way to get people involved with crypto and earning their first tokens. Crypto can be pretty daunting for those new to the industry, so platforms like Solana faucet are a cheap and easy way to get involved for [minimal outlay and invested time](https://www.cryptonewsz.com/gambling/casino/faucet/solana/).


A quick look into the popularity of Solana faucets

[PlayDapp](https://playdapp.io/) is a blockchain-based gaming ecosystem that aims to make crypto assets more accessible to the public through crypto games. It also aims to lead the play-to-earn space. But is it a good investment?

The service provides a platform for users to trade gaming characters and content with a diverse portfolio of games and NFTs. It is a customer-to-customer marketplace. All games on the platform are interoperable and work across multiple chains like Ethereum, Avalanche, and [Solana](/news/article/solana-dex-labs-explained).
Some of the games on the platform include Cryptodozer, Dozerbird, Dozertreasures, Homerun Challenge, and Along with the Gods: Knights of the Dawn.

## PlayDapp SDK (Software Development Kit)

This is a developer's tool that helps developers and companies easily participate in PlayDapp’s ecosystem. It helps developers of companies struggling to build blockchain infrastructure to link their assets or digital items with straightforward system integration. When assets have been designated as blockchain-based [NFTs](/news/article/nft-collaborations), they can be exchanged with other games in the gaming ecosystem.

## PLA

This is the native utility token of PlayDapp. It is an ERC-20 token and the primary payment method in its ecosystem. Gamers can use it to buy NFTs and other gaming items.

As of March 2023, the token is worth $0.2071, according to [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/playdapp/). It is ranked the 244th largest cryptocurrency globally, with a live market cap of $137,944,484.

If you are considering investing in the token, it is listed on several crypto exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase, Bitrue, and BingX. It can also be earned by participating in prize events; developers earn tokens after each in-game purchase or trade.

The tokens have a max supply cap of 700,000,000 PLA coins. There are currently 537,855,941 in public circulation.

## Price history

PLA entered the crypto market in October 2020, priced at $0.17. It, however, struggled to break through $0.20 for the remainder of the year.

2021 was a good year for the token. On 17 February, it hit its first high of $0.73. The price appreciation was attributed to the launch of CryptoDozer, the first game to be launched on the platform.

It continued to enjoy a bullish run and reached several highs in the following months.

Again, its price highs were attributed to announcements including its plans to go into the NFT sector and Metaverse.

On 8 July, PlayDapp launched its second game, the Dozerbird, on the Google Play store Japan, which again helped with token price appreciation.

On 31 October, 2021, the token experienced its all-time high of $3.68, attributed to the launch of the game "Along with the Gods: Knights of Dawn" in 170 countries and a new NFT auction feature. Despite its good start, PLA ended 2021 worth $1.43.

The token began 2022 trading at $1.43. However, by the end of January, it was worth $0.9292. In early February, it traded above $1, only to be worth $0.9694 by the end of the month. By 25 March, it was up to trading above $1. The last time it traded above $1 in 2022 was 6 April, when it was $1.11.

It began 2023 worth $0.1342. By the end of January, it was worth $0.2274. Considering its current price, the token has been showing some noteworthy price appreciation.

## Is PlayDapp a good investment?

Is PlayDapp a good investment option? There are many reasons to answer 'yes'. Firstly, it is an ambitious project that continues to make strides to realize its goals for the gaming community. Since its launch, it hasn't experienced any worrisome setbacks.

Secondly, it’s backed by a great team of developers, operators, marketers, and designers. Sang Chung is currently the head of business of the company. He previously worked at NCSOFT, a world-leading gaming publisher.

Donny is the company’s head of development. He joined PlayDapp with close to 20 years of experience in the IT industry. Kai is the company's head of tournament. He is another veteran in the Korean Gaming industry.

It has also entered many strategic partnerships that continue to help grow its user base and offer more services to gamers. The project has, for example, signed strategic partnerships with IPX (formerly Line Friends), a digital IP platform, JBD entertainment, Hancom Inc, Redbrick, and KB Kookmin Card.

The latest news reveals that the gaming ecosystem bought [ProudNet](https://www.crypto-news-flash.com/playdapp-buys-proudnet-to-bring-reliable-secure-technology-to-us-game-market/), a renowned peer-to-peer server network provider, to enable it to tap into the US gaming market.

As for the PLA token, several crypto prediction platforms view it as a good long-term investment option. 

Bitcoinwisdom predicts the token might trade at an average price of $0.367555 in 2023, $0.577615 in 2024, $0.841534 in 2025, and $1.10 in 2026. Those who hold the tokens even longer might see them trade at an average price of $2.47 in 2031, according to the prediction site.

Technewsleader predicts PLA might trade between $0.37 and $0.41 in 2023, $0.54 and $0.64 in 2024, $0.77 and $0.93 in 2025, and $1.08 and $1.33 in 2026. The site predicts that the longer you hold on to the tokens, the better it may be. According to the site, the tokens might trade between $4.38 and $5.36 in 2030.

According to Priceprediction, PLA tokens might trade at an average price of $0.36 in 2023, $0.50 in 2024, $0.73 in 2025, and $1.02 in 2026. Those who hold to the tokens even longer might see them trade at an average price of $4.89 in 2030, $6.96 in 2031, and $9.92 in 2032, according to the site.

Not all platforms predict a promising future for PLA tokens. WalletInvestor, for example, argues against investing in the tokens. According to the site, PLA might trade at an average price of $0.02 in 2023 and 2024, $0.03 in 2025, and $0.01 in 2026. The tokens have no possibility of ever trading above $1, according to the site.

## Conclusion

Is PlayDapp a good investment? It is a great project that looks to revolutionize the gaming industry. So far, it has lived up to many people's expectations, making it worth looking into.

Its native utility token, PLA, also stands out as a cryptocurrency worth paying attention to. Several crypto prediction platforms view it as a good long-term investment option, despite its current market price.

Before investing in any crypto project or asset, always do your research.


Is PlayDapp a Good Investment 

Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Ape Yacht Club, released new information regarding the second trial of its gamified Otherside [Metaverse](/news/article/metaverse-vr-project-guide) platform on Wednesday.

The "second trip" will [occur](https://news.yuga.com/otherside-2nd-trip) on 25 March and consist of a two-hour narrative adventure led by four team captains from Otherside.

This trip is exclusively available to holders of Otherdeed NFTs, representing land in the unreleased Otherside Metaverse. Each Otherdeed holder, known as a "voyager", can invite a companion to join them in the adventure. The live experience can accommodate up to 10,000 voyagers on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-holders can watch a live stream of the event on the company's YouTube channel.

## Yuga Labs' Otherside an intersection of the brand's umbrella projects

According to an [interview](https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2022/12/21/see-you-on-the-otherside-how-yuga-labs-is-bringing-its-billion-dollar-business-into-the-metaverse/) with CoinDesk in December, Wylie Aronow and Greg Solano see [Yuga Labs’](/news/article/yuga-labs-explained) Otherside as the nexus of all the company's brand portfolio projects. In April 2022, the company hinted at its Metaverse aspirations by introducing a platform where players could possess the land and transform their current NFTs into playable avatars. Yuga Labs launched 55,000 Otherdeed NFTs connected to virtual land ownership, generating approximately $320 million in prior sales.

In July 2022, the company held its inaugural event for more than 4,600 participants, causing significant congestion on the [Ethereum](/news/article/ethereum-pow-price-prediction) network. Those who joined the first trip and are voyagers on the second trip will have the chance to obtain a distinctive [Obelisk Piece](https://otherside.xyz/my-otherdeeds) connected to the broader Otherside storyline. As per OpenSea's data, the total sales of Otherdeed NFTs have amounted to 524,130 ETH, which is approximately $806 million. At the time of writing, the minimum price for an Otherdeed NFT is 1.9 ETH, equivalent to $2,920.

The Otherside ecosystem is built around digital communities and blockchain technology, presenting chances for individuals to own digital land and use the native currency, [ApeCoin](/news/article/ape-coin-price). This currency is critical in powering interactions and transactions within the Metaverse's economy. By possessing digital land through "Otherdeeds", users can curate their immersive events and experiences.


pink image of otherside metaverse trip by yuga labs

Yuga Labs' Otherside Sails Again 

Snoop Dogg is announced as one of the co-founders of Shiller, a Web3-based livestream platform for creators. This investment marks another Web3 collaboration for the well-known hip-hop artist.
Shiller will heavily incorporate blockchain technology, enabling content creators to "token-gate" their streams and promote non-fungible tokens or other e-commerce products. These content creators can receive payment in [Ether](/news/article/ethereum-pow-price-prediction) (ETH) or NFTs, which can be exchanged for fiat currency. 


The Snoop Dogg investment and partnership list includes one with Sandbox in April last year to introduce the "Snoop Avatars" NFT collection. He released the hip-hop track "A Hard Working Man", followed by a 50,000-piece NFT release. He also teamed up with [Yuga Labs](/news/article/yuga-labs-explained), the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and CryptoPunks, to perform on a Metaverse-transformed stage at 'MTV's Video Music Awards'. Furthermore, Snoop Dogg has recently become the "[Chief Ganjaroo Officer](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roobet-announces-partnership-with-entertainment-legend-snoop-dogg-301759861.html)'' at Roobet, a crypto casino, as announced by Roobet on 1 March.

## Shiller launches as part of growing creator economy

The launch of Shiller is likely a part of the broader creator economy movement anticipated to involve Web3 technology. Web1 allowed users to read content and write HTML, whereas Web2 facilitated user-to-user interactions, popularised by a few social media giants, including Facebook, Google, and YouTube. [Web3](/news/article/web3-games-raised-millions) seeks to remove intermediaries by empowering creators to own their content and its revenues fully. Platforms like Shiller emphasise the empowerment of creators to take ownership of their content without the intervention of any centralised intermediaries such as social networking platforms.


Shiller will enable creators to have greater control over the monetisation of their content. According to a [statement](https://shiller.io/dogg/), Snoop Dogg, the co-founder of Shiller, expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with London-based tech entrepreneur Sam Jones to launch the platform. He believes that Shiller allows creators to reach their fans in distinctive ways and monetise their content on their own terms, aligning with his philosophy of directly engaging with his fans.


snoopdog dancing next to Shiller app logo

Snoop Dogg Investment in Shiller 

Calvaria: Duels of Eternity [is a play-to-earn (P2E)](/news/article/nakamoto-games-premier-blockchain-system) battle card game with a Mexican-inspired storyline based in the afterlife and its own crypto token, $RIA. Led by Maxwell Borowski, Jeremy Robb, Paul Reed, Justina, and Co., the goal of the Calvaria team is to accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain gaming.

## Calvaria crypto: What is it?

Supported by KuCoin, Windvane, and Polygon Studios, the Calvaria Universe is set in two cities - Arcilla Divina and Miaquilia - and The Void. The platform is built on Polygon.
 
The Calvaria team claims to serve as a "bridge" between cryptocurrency and the world, saying it is an "ambassador to [gamify the learning process](/news/article/what-is-gamefi), guiding users into crypto". But it fails to get the first thing right: keeping it simple. Arcilla Divina is described in a complicated manner and does not capture the reader’s attention.

What we can decipher from this description is that the 'dark' city will perpetually take new forms, with "the buildings themselves" warping, degenerating, and even seeming to "tremble at times".
 
The main characters of Arcilla Divina are Santa Muerte, El Maldito, and El Pesado.

![calvaria1.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/calvaria1_f475b58119.png)
 
Miaquilia is described as the “greatest of human cities, both a marvel and a testament to mankind's collective imagination”. The futuristic city constantly takes “new forms as architects, engineers, and artists make bids for alterations''. The city boasts of “large dining halls, pleasure domes, and libraries”.
 
The main characters of Maquilia include Quetzalqoatl, Ocelotl, and Yahui.

![calvaria2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/calvaria2_fe1505447e.png)

 
As the name suggests, The Void is an “endless yet murky black expanse” comprising a temple and ivory forests. Those who arrive at The Void are “granted true unconscious and final rest, a sleep to never awaken from”.
 
The character cast of The Void is The Void, Crowing Dusk, and Eye of Void.

![calvaria3.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/calvaria3_49a769b51b.png)
 
These nine characters are part of the Calvaria battle card game. Each character card has a distinguished set of abilities. The game's goal is to defeat opponents using complex tactics and strategies to win rewards in the form of the platform's native currency, $RIA, collectible NFT tokens, and numerous upgrades.

The platform has a dedicated NFT marketplace. Players can compete in the single-player mode, play against one another, and participate in seasonal tournaments.

Each game resource (decks, unique cards, and upgrades) belong to players and can be sold on secondary markets (such as OpenSea and Rarible).

## Calvaria crypto $RIA utility and tokenomics

$RIA is an ERC-20 token that fuels the Calvaria ecosystem, thereby maintaining economic stability. The token can be purchased on BKEX, LBank, Changelly, and Uniswap (TBA at the time of writing). The crypto [asset can also be won](/news/article/crypto-gaming-coins) as a reward upon playing the game.

The crypto token has a fixed supply of 1,000,000,000 $RIA. Here is a breakdown of the tokenomics:

•	Staking pool: 25%

•	Prize pool: 20%

•	Presale: 15%

•	Reserve and Burn: 15%

•	Operations: 8%

•	INO: 6%

•	Team: 5%

•	Liquidity: 4%

•	Advisors: 2%

The $RIA presale (Q4 2022 to January 2023) was successful, with the pledged 150,000,000 tokens being sold and more than $3M being raised over five stages. As per [Coingecko data](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/calvaria-doe), the cryptocurrency is currently trading at $0.033.

Presale investors can now claim their crypto tokens by [visiting the website](https://calvaria.io/) and connecting the same wallet they used to purchase the cryptocurrency. To proceed, click on the “CLAIM” button. You should receive the tokens in your wallet almost immediately.

You must have some Ethereum (ETH) in your wallet for the transaction to take place. Please enter the below information into your wallet to see the deposited $RIA:

Token address: 
0x9b110Fda4E20DB18Ad7052f8468a455de7449eb6
Decimals: 18
Symbol: RIA
Name: Calvaria: Duels of Eternity
INO and seed participants will receive their cryptocurrency via airdrop.

## What is next for Calvaria crypto?

The alpha version of the game will launch in Q2 2023. Meanwhile, several INOs and NFT drops are set to take place in Q1 2023. The official game launch will take place in Q3 2023.

While the game looks fantastic on paper, there are several areas for the team to work on. As mentioned before, simplicity is key. The website content should be worked on.

Recently, upon launching $RIA on BKEX, several users faced issues with deposits and withdrawals of the cryptocurrency on BKEX. With mainstream launch and adoption around the corner, Calvari must take greater onus in such situations.

![calvaria4.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/calvaria4_776b5a040f.png)
 
Source: [Twitter (@CalvariP2E)](https://twitter.com/CalvariaP2E/status/1623187342881333250?cxt=HHwWhIDRhbqS3IYtAAAA)

To put it into perspective, a user commented that “the launch of your token was really bad”.

All said and done, investors are excited, and rightly so.


Calvaria Crypto: An Epic P2E Game

When assessing the top blockchain projects, I would describe 2023 as the year when the "chaff will be separated from the wheat".

After a mixed fortune for [blockchain](/news/article/blockchain-for-dummies) in the fourth quarter of 2022, which saw many scam projects go under, 2023 will be the year of solid projects.

Projects with solid use cases will emerge in the blockchain industry. This article sheds light on the top 5 blockchain projects that have interesting use cases and are worth looking at in 2023.

## Summary of top blockchain projects to look out for in 2023

### Acurast

[Acurast](https://acurast.com/) enables the next wave of Web3 innovation by providing a multi-chain infrastructure that solves the Web3 problem of accessing verifiable, interoperable, and accessible off-chain data.

Acurast uses a trusted execution environment to increase security and lower the required trust in individuals, which leads to lower entry barriers for both data transmitters and developers. Acurast also provides a protocol-native, permissionless marketplace that links data transmitters and data consumers, ultimately enabling a data economy.
The marketplace is directly linked to the protocol-native reputation system, furthering the ecosystem's security.

### CoinFantasy

The gaming industry is rapidly growing, particularly in fantasy gaming. [CoinFantasy](https://www.coinfantasy.io/) is a high-quality, NFT-based fantasy gaming platform that offers a rich and refined game interface. Users can create private leagues, track real-time player results, and predict their favorite coins' outcomes to earn cryptocurrency. The platform offers multiple gaming options, including those that provide instant rewards for a thrilling experience.

### DeepBrainChain

This is one of the few high-performance computing projects to have achieved large-scale implementation in the blockchain industry. It has been utilized in a variety of applications, such as AI, blockchain, and visual rendering. Additionally, [DeepBrainChain](https://www.deepbrainchain.org/) has made significant strides in improving usability and commercialization. More than 50 manufacturers worldwide have deployed high-performance GPU cloud platforms based on the network, serving hundreds of companies and tens of thousands of AI developers.

### VulcanVerse

This is an open-world MMORPG game where players can own in-game assets in the form of NFTs, create new adventures and quests, and battle against other players. It is part of the Vulcan Forged ecosystem, which has a dual-token economy with PYR and LAVA tokens that players can earn through involvement in the ecosystem, upgrading Vulcanites and land NFTs in the game. Vulcan Forged also includes other games like Vulcan Runner and Agora, an NFT art platform that doesn't have gas costs or user complexities. Players can purchase virtual land and use in-game resources in [VulcanVerse](https://vv.vulcanforged.com/) to further their gameplay experience.

### Ocean Protocol

This decentralized data exchange protocol allows individuals and organizations to securely and transparently share and monetize data.

Built on the Ethereum blockchain, [Ocean Protocol](https://oceanprotocol.com/) provides a marketplace for data assets and AI models, enabling developers to access a wide range of data sources for training and testing machine learning models.

The platform uses a token-based system to incentivize data providers and ensure fair compensation for the use of data. By creating a secure and transparent data-sharing ecosystem, Ocean Protocol aims to enable better and more efficient data-driven decision-making in industries such as finance, healthcare, and energy. Overall, Ocean Protocol represents an innovative approach to data sharing that leverages the benefits of blockchain technology to create a more open and collaborative data economy.

## Conclusion

If you look closer at the projects mentioned above, you'll notice they are mainly in the DataOracle, AI, and gaming niches. This shows the direction technology will likely take this year, especially with the [CHATGPT](https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/) emergence that has brought more attention to AI.

These projects are not the only ones that will likely peak this year, and this article is not an endorsement to invest in anyone of them. Always remember the number one rule in blockchain "DYOR" (do your own research).


Top Blockchain Projects for 2023

Police in Massachusetts have charged a civic employee for setting up a scheme for illegal crypto mining in a small crawl space under a local school. Police alleged that 39-year-old Nadeam Nahas unlawfully attached his bank of computers to the electrical system at Cohasset Middle High School, which is at least 10 miles out of Boston.

According to [court documents](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/24/metro/man-accused-running-crypto-mine-out-cohasset-school-appears-quincy-court-arrest-warrant-canceled/), the criminal [crypto-mining](/news/article/mining-company) scheme comprised 11 computers and a multifaceted cooling system that added $17,500 to the school’s electricity bills. Authorities believe Nahas ran his crawl space mine from April to December 2021, when he worked as HVAC coordinator and assistant facilities director beginning January 2021 before resigning in early 2022.

## Items used in crypto-mining operation

In a press statement to the [BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64767178), Cohasset Police boss William Quigley stated that investigations began in December 2021 after the facilities director of the town discovered electrical wires, ductwork, and several computers that looked misplaced during a routine inspection. During the initial investigation, Nahas and his boss, the town's facilities director, reported they had shut off the computers due to the high heat they generated.

However, a subsequent investigation involving the US Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security placed Nahas, initially denying any involvement, at the center of the operation of illegal crypto mining. Police found credit card receipts in Nahas's name that were used to buy Coleman 48qt coolers, extreme weather foil, insulated flex ducts, a water-based sealant tub, and insulation sleeves. All the items were located in the crawl space and used in the illegal crypto-mining operation.

## On high alert about cryptojacking

Crypto mining is a process used to validate cryptocurrency transactions and create new cryptocurrency coins. However, the process consumes [massive amounts of electricity](/news/article/crypto-mining-farms). As cryptocurrency becomes more popular and grows in value, crypto mining also becomes a magnet for crypto thieves. 

Last December, authorities in Thailand seized [3,500 illegal crypto-mining units](https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2455120/thousands-of-illegal-cryptocurrency-mining-units-seized) from 41 commercial buildings and apartments in Bangkok connected directly to power lines. They unlawfully drained more than $14 million worth of electricity.

Big tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have always been on high alert about[ cryptojacking,](https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/what-is-cryptojacking) a different kind of illegitimate crypto mining where hackers hijack a computer's resources without the owners' knowledge to mine cryptocurrencies. Privacy coin [Monero](/news/article/how-to-buy-monero) (XMR), which is famous with Dark Web users, is the most popular coin mined this way.

Illegal Crypto Mining Syndicate Busted

Ocean mining crypto may require you to purchase a mining hardware setup. It is important to factor in the volatility of Ocean Protocol (OCEAN), the number of competing OCEAN miners, the cost and power of the mining rig (note: crypto mining [consumes considerable energy](/news/article/norway-bitcoin-mining), and profitability metrics before investing.

There are many hardware rig options on the market today. We have made it easy to choose one best suited to Ocean mining crypto and your requirements.

![oceanmining.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/oceanmining_9736398af3.png)

## Ocean crypto options: mining hardware rigs

There are several Ocean mining crypto options, but before we explore them, let's revise some crypto mining basics.
The power of a crypto hardware rig is determined in the form of hashrate.

The greater the hashrate, the more guesses your hardware setup can make to solve cryptographic puzzles (and earn cryptocurrency as a reward). When there are a large number of competing miners, mining difficulty increases, and it is beneficial to have a system with greater computational power.

If you are considering investing in a long-term crypto-mining option, we recommend purchasing an ASIC miner. An ASIC rig comprises a motherboard, ASIC chip, and cooling system. Here is a list of the [best options](https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-asic-miners/) for the same.

Avoid mining with a GPU setup, as they are more expensive than ASIC miners and generate less power. DO NOT mine with a CPU!
It should be noted that earning a return on investment (ROI) may take a few months. Mining setups produce significant noise and heat and [consume considerable electricity](/news/article/sustainable-mining) (as mentioned before).
You may also have to invest in repair work, as these setups run 24/7 and are prone to wear and tear.

We have great news for you if you do not want to invest in hardware. [The IQMining platform](https://iqmining.com/) makes it possible to mine OCEAN without purchasing hardware equipment. Simply sign up, purchase a cloud mining contract, and withdraw your profit to a compatible digital wallet (more on this later).

![ocean2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/ocean2_8cae447f68.png)

Source: [IQMining](https://iqmining.com/)

The above chart displays the list of available cryptocurrencies, price in USD, hashrating algorithm, block number, and network H/S. Please study each of these concepts and make an informed investment decision.

IQMining makes it possible to mine hundreds of altcoins from the comfort of your home. The shortest available contract spans a duration of one year. You can avail yourself of a lifetime contract as well!

## Everything you should know about OCEAN

The OCEAN utility token is an ERC-20 token that powers the Proof of Work (PoW) Ocean Protocol ecosystem - an ecosystem of next-gen tools to unlock data at a large scale. You can purchase the cryptocurrency at a number of [popular cryptocurrency exchanges](/news/article/coinmama-crypto-exchange), including Binance, Kraken, Uniswap, and Crypto.com.

The digital asset can be stored in any wallet with ERC-20 compatibility. We recommend hardware wallet options, as they are the safest. [Some wallets to choose from](/news/article/best-crypto-wallet-uk-top-picks) include Ledger, Trezor, and MetaMask. Once you have purchased/mined the digital token, you can earn additional rewards via staking.

The longer you stake OCEAN, the more staking and voting rewards you receive. If you stake OCEAN, you will receive veOCEAN tokens corresponding to the staking period.

For example, if you stake X OCEAN for one year, you will receive 0.25X veOCEAN. For a two-year staking period, you will receive 0.5X veOCEAN. For three and four-year staking durations, you will receive 0.75X and X veOCEAN, respectively. veOCEAN holders will receive rewards from Data Farming and community fees.

The price of the crypto asset at the time of writing is nearly $0.46, according to [CoinMarketCap data](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/ocean-protocol/). Do factor in the digital asset's price, the potential of the ecosystem in the long-term, and each of the listed metrics when making an Ocean mining crypto decision


Ocean Mining Crypto: All You Need to Know 

While a streamlined and cohesive payment system is everyone’s dream, transferring money between nations or accounts on different ledgers or networks is easier said than done. At a time when digitalization is taking over the world, most available services are mainly manual, sluggish, and costly. The solution is a service that guarantees the sender and recipient that the intermediary will perform its function correctly. That’s where Ripple’s [interledger protocol](https://interledger.org/rfcs/0027-interledger-protocol-4/)(ILP), a secure transfer service that helps route payments across digital asset ledgers, comes in. 

## What is the interledger protocol?

Interledger refers to a suite of protocols designed by San Francisco-based [Ripple Labs](https://ripple.com/), the cryptocurrency startup associated with the popular [Ripple](/news/article/market-ripple) (XRP) token. It uses the system to facilitate a seamless transfer of money from one payment system to another. The tool supports a worldwide web of networks for different forms of value, but specifically connects bank systems across borders, primarily where banks use XRP to settle cross-border payments. The system links senders and receivers to expedite money transfers via secure multi-hop payment and intelligent routing.

## How it works

The interledger protocol, currently in its fourth development stage (ILPv4), refers to an entire stack of protocols containing three packet types: Prepare, Fulfill, and Reject. The protocol functions by routing the packets through the interledger network and transmitting encrypted payment information from a sender to a receiver.

Since ILP is a set of rules that define how nodes send value over the network, the packets carry private transaction information to the participating nodes.

The rules are divided into four categories: payment setup, payment, interledger, and settlement/ledger. The person initiating a transaction constructs and sends a Prepare packet to request a connection to the router. The router receives and forwards the packet to the receiver, who can accept or reject it by sending a Fulfill or Reject packet as their response. 

Once the packet is successfully delivered to the recipient, the sender receives a Fulfill packet and sends all remaining Prepare packets until they transfer the total amount. According to the [whitepaper](https://interledger.org/uploads/interledger.pdf), connectors can amend all fields apart from the encrypted data field that contains payment between the sender and the receiver. 

The ultimate goal of this tech is to enable hosts to route money transfers over different interconnected ledgers, allowing payments to pass from one ledger module to another until they reach the intended recipient. The participating modules belong to hosts and connectors within the system who constantly communicate. The protocol leverages assets within the underlying ledgers to safeguard senders and receivers from failed transfers, especially when routing large payments through a system with a trust deficit between connectors and intermediary ledgers.

## How the system is executed  

The interledger protocol is designed to be executed in two different modes: atomic mode and universal mode. 

Atomic mode: Transactions executed in this mode use notaries, referring to a provisional group of individuals that authenticate and confirm transactions occurring between banks or participating financial service companies that might be linked.  

Universal mode: Transactions executed in the universal mode don't require notaries and can be used between untrusted connectors. The transfers are facilitated using XRP, Ripple's native cryptocurrency. Since time constraints accompany such transfers, transactions that don't occur within the specified timeframe become null and void.  

## Benefits of ILP 

The following are some reasons you may choose the interledger protocol:

•	Easy to use over different networks.

•	Faster than traditional methods.

•	Lower prices when compared to the competition.

•	Trustworthy transactions that can be tracked easily.

•	Large transfers split into smaller packets to increase efficiency, security, and interoperability.

## The Bottom Line 

The ILP has wholly transformed the utility of the Ripple network. Any entity using XRP can benefit significantly from this protocol due to its infinite scalability and high-level transaction secrecy. All these are additional benefits to the advantages some banks already enjoy from Ripple’s [blockchain financial technology](/news/article/crypto-impact).


city landscape in green with interledger logo 

Interledger Protocol: What You Need to Know 

The development of blockchain technology over the last couple of years has brought many new and exciting concepts to this nascent asset class. There are none more exciting than the crossover between blockchain, crypto, and gaming, such as UFO Gaming.

Popularly known as Play to Earn (P2E), this novel concept allows gaming fans worldwide to earn rewards while competing in competitions and tournaments. Most [games are free to play](/news/article/free-play-to-earn-games), but players can purchase NFTs from rewards earnt during the game.

One of the [latest P2E games](https://ufogaming.io/about) on the market is UFO Gaming, designed by a team of crypto and gaming enthusiasts to 'bridge the gap' between blockchain and gaming.

The team has managed to create an elaborately exquisite environment they have called the Dark Metaverse, where all the action takes place. Here players can build profiles and earn rewards, which can then be used to buy in-game items that players can own.

UFO Gaming has had a strong start and developed partnerships with some of the biggest names in crypto and gaming making. This a project which has caught my eye.

## Staking

For players to play the game, they must first generate Plasma Points and/or UFO Rewards, which can then be used to purchase in-game items and NFTs. This is achieved by staking your precious UFO Gaming crypto tokens, $UFO, on the in-house smart contract. Once tokens have been acquired, players can purchase Genesis NFT Soldiers, which are required to play the debut game Super Galactic. All staking rewards enter a 12-month vesting period after claiming.

There has already been a fair amount of interest in staking, with some $2.7 million already staked. With an average APR of 40.9%, it is easy to see why. Players can choose between Locked or Flexible staking, which, as the terms suggest, depends on whether they want to claim their rewards straight away. However, Locked Staking generates 2x more rewards than Flexi Staking.

Players only need one NFT to begin playing the game. However, with a maximum number of 10,000 available, it is easy to see why demand has been so high. Once the NFT creation phase completes, interested parties will be able to trade NFTs on the NFT marketplace.

## $UFO token

This all sounds great. Where do I get my UFO Gaming crypto tokens?

In a sign of the size of the project and overall confidence, the native coin is available from several primary sources. Both centralised and decentralised exchanges are listing $UFO. 

However, the main places you can purchase the token are KuCoin, UniSwap, Gate.io, and ShibaSwap. It is also available from BitMart and MEXC. Current statistics show there are 66,636 holders of $UFO, which, according to the latest market data, has a price per coin of $0.00000197.

## Values

The UFO Gaming crypto project has been developed around 4 core values which underline its commitment to the twin realms of blockchain and gaming. These are:

### Community – the project is 100% community-owned and strives to keep decentralisation at the heart of every decision.
Gaming – being gamers at heart, the project has been designed to challenge and empower gamers in all aspects of gameplay.

### Accessibility – The game has been designed to break down any hurdles surrounding blockchain technical jargon making the game accessible to players of all levels.

### Ambition – Not satisfied with maintaining a status quo, the team behind the platform has big plans for the future.

## UFO Gaming crypto partners

Apart from impressive statistics on the amount already invested, the project stood out due to the number of industry partners to have already signed deals. Some of the biggest names in crypto are associated with the project, which points to the project's legitimacy. KuCoin, Chainlink, Polygon, and ShibaSwap are all listed on the website, which gives me confidence in the team and project.

## Conclusion

As you can see, UFO Gaming is in a perfect position to take the P2E world by storm.

The product it has created is slick and fun to play and has so far generated more than $2.7 million in value staked. The recent hosting of a $10,000 gaming tournament and the [acquisition of a first-class e-sports team](https://ufogaming.io/eSports) shows how ambitious the team behind the project really is. This is a project to watch out for in 2023.


UFO Gaming Crypto Staking Explored 

Illuvium is a pioneer in the innovative [blockchain gaming sector](https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/nft-blockchain-gaming-industry). The project is a blockchain-powered decentralised role-playing game (RPG) using non-fungible coins (NFTs). 

The open digital environment of Illuvium allows players to search for in-game objects and animals (Illuvials) in the form of NFTs that users may utilise for battle, gathering, and trade. Illuvium uses Illuvial NFTs to represent combat items, skins, collectables, emotes, and other goods. These NFTs may be purchased and exchanged on sites like OpenSea, in-game, or the IlluvDEX, the linked decentralised marketplace. 

The ILV token is an Ethereum-compliant [ERC-20](https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/erc20-token-standard-ethereum) governance token used to control Illuvium's decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO). The coin also earns money through in-game purchases on IlluviDEX to incentivise token liquidity; ILV tokens are also used as an incentive for locking liquidity within collaborating decentralised finance (DeFi) systems. 

## How the crypto gaming ecosystem works 

Traditional RPGs place players in a universe where they manage a group of characters and are accountable for gaming decisions that affect future events. The more a character is utilised, the faster they may grow and gain new abilities and talents. 

In Illuvium, players (known as Hunters) catch deity-like entities known as Illuvials, which can be kept on Shards. Illuvials are classified (Fighter, Guardian, Rogue, Psion, and Empath) and have affinities (Water, Fire, Earth, Air, and Nature), each with unique abilities. NFTs placed in the player's digital wallet symbolise Illuvials. 

If a user catches many Illuvial types, they can be fused to become more powerful via a [burning mechanism](/news/article/dogecoin-bridge-explained) that shreds the present NFT to mint a more powerful form. 

The blockchain-based game also employs a play-to-earn system in which users may earn in-game incentives through ILV tokens by competing or completing tasks. Users may also catch Illuvials and gather materials to purchase and sell on Illuvidex, the in-game marketplace. 

Illuvium also has a multiplayer combat arena mode where gamers compete for ILV awards and a better rank. 

## Features of Illuvium 

Through the Illuvium website, users may browse non-fungible tokens and purchase them on the OpenSea collectable marketplace. The Illuvium [DAO](/news/article/daomaker-guide) mints these blockchain gaming objects in various formats, including Cosplay and Genesis Promo. 

In addition to typical NFTs, Illuvium's system offers "lands," which are marketable and earnable in-game. The land is divided into five grades based on scarcity and quality. 

Immutable X is a project created primarily to boost transaction throughput for usage with Ethereum blockchain gaming systems and NFTs. Illuvium leverages Immutable X's powerful Layer-2 scalability capabilities to offer rapid transactions and zero gas fees, accomplished through Zero-Knowledge Rollups (zk-Rollups), a type of privacy-focused Layer-2 scaling. Furthermore, to ensure the Illuvium platform's robust security, the system employs Zero-Knowledge Proof cryptography to prevent bad actors from obtaining users' private keys. 

Staking is made feasible for gamers because smart contracts reward users. The staking method employs core and flash pools and the standard (ILV) and synthetic (sILV) versions of the ILV token. The ILV pool and the ILV/ETH pool are the two major core pool types that allow users to stake their ILV. Users may only stake ILV in the ILV token pool, but users can offer liquidity to the ILV/ETH pool (through ILV or ETH) in return for Sushi Liquidity Provider (SLP) Tokens, which users subsequently stake. 

XYZ NFT protocol's XYZ token are two examples. In contrast, flash pools hold tokens from partner projects: the Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) token and the Universe. After staking their tokens, users have the choice of receiving their tokens in ILV or sILV. Those who opt to receive their prizes in ILV face a 12-month lock-up period. Those who prefer to receive their tokens in sILV can spend them instantly within the game to purchase NFTs and other blockchain game products. 

Illuvium has relationships with numerous DEXs, including SushiSwap and 1Inch, with more to come. Once completed, IlluviDEX will allow players to trade in-game NFTs and ultimately have other capabilities. 

The protocol is governed and maintained by ILV holders through the Illuvinati Council. ILV token holders vote to elect council members. Illuvium Configuration Change Proposals (ICCPs) and Illuvium Improvement Proposals (IIPs) allow council members to submit changes to the ecosystem (IIPs). 

## Price Prediction 2023 

In 2022, Bitcoin's price was greatly influenced by high inflation and an exceedingly dangerous macroeconomic environment. When considering the internal crypto difficulties of major firms such as FTX, Celsius, Voyager, and Luna, 2023 seems to be better for the bulls. We're likely to witness a lot of dull sideways price activity, with a tendency to fall lower with each tiny market quake. 

A month-by-month analysis of the final months of 2022 and 2023 is shown below: 
![illuvium dates](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/illuvium_56a342fb18.png)


## Illuvium: Is it a good investment? 

Illuvium, like all other cryptocurrencies, is a high-risk investment. It might hit $39.50 in the near future. In the long run (eight to ten years), it might reach $423.53 or more. Due to the compelling use case, well-designed tokenomics, active community, and a solid team behind it, it has a better possibility of going up than down. 

## What can cause Illuvium to fail?  

For a variety of reasons, cryptocurrency ventures fail. Some of the most common are: a team goes rogue and abandons the project, regulators declare it illegal and press exchanges to delist it, a lack of media attention, more successful competitors, a lack of a well-designed marketing strategy, a loss of community support, a potential vulnerability in the protocol, failing to achieve the expected minimum development activity on the protocol, and failing to attract new developers to build on their platform. 

## Illuvium: The current price 

The current price of Illuvium is $59.31, with a 24-hour trading volume of $14,097,003. In the last 24 hours, Illuvium has been down 8.18%. It now ranks #185, with a live market cap of $119,940,101. There are 2,022,096 ILV coins in circulation, with a maximum supply of 10,000,000 ILV coins. 

If users are wondering where to buy Illuvium, the leading cryptocurrency exchanges for trading Illuvium stock are Binance, BTCEX, Bybit, BingX, and OKX. 

What is Illuvium and How Will it Fare?

Azero is the native crypto of the Aleph Zero network, a blockchain focused on ensuring privacy.

Undoubtedly, blockchain technology has revolutionised the world economy. Its decentralisation has opened the gateway for a transparent financial system. However, transparency can often compromise user privacy. Besides, there are scalability and lack of efficiency issues with conventional blockchains.

Aleph Zero focuses on ensuring privacy. It is an L1 blockchain which also solves the blockchain trilemma. This article will explore Azero crypto and how it maintains privacy, security, and decentralisation. We will also discuss the potential of the coin as an investment.

## What is the Azero crypto network?

Azero crypto is the native cryptocurrency of the Aleph Zero, L1 solution. It is a public blockchain that works with the Proof of Stake mechanism and offers impeccable privacy. It conceals your personal details as it works with [zero-knowledge proof](https://cointelegraph.com/explained/zero-knowledge-proofs-explained). This allows the blockchain to validate transactions without knowing user data. 

Azero's privacy through ZKP sets it apart from standard L2 solutions. This is why the blockchain offers developers and cryptocurrency users various use cases. Moreover, it is shaping an ecosystem of trustless transactions which can be a game changer for blockchain and other industries.

This native cryptocurrency’s protocol can be used in numerous sectors, like [smart contracts](/news/article/smart-contracts-blockchain), Internet-of-Things (IoT), in-game assets, tax payment systems, supply chains, asset digitisation, and others. 

## Aleph Zero tokenomics

Azero crypto is the utility token on the platform, which powers the entire ecosystem by filling various roles. This includes staking, rewarding users, paying fees for the platform, and others.

In terms of its tokenomics, there are a total of 300,000,000 tokens. It is an inflationary token with a circulation supply of 160,000,000 tokens. That's why more than three million tokens are introduced to the market annually, to inflate their price.

The total supply of the tokens is distributed in several parts. These include a percentage for the blockchain foundation, the founding team, and the stakes. More than 80% of the founding team's share is locked for the network's security.

## Azero crypto price prediction

The current price of Azero crypto is $1.86. According to [CoinMarketCap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/aleph-zero/), its current trading volume is $4,306,415, with a [market cap](/news/article/what-is-market-cap-cryptocurrency) of $369,040,554. 

The token is gaining traction in the market because of its unique use cases.
Its privacy-focused blockchain has attracted several DeFi projects, including virtual games, NFT collections, and more. It is the reason investors are looking to buy the asset. So, if you need insights into Azero crypto price prediction, here are estimated prices for 2023, 2025, and 2030.

According to the forecast from [PricePrediction.Net](https://priceprediction.net/en/price-prediction/aleph-zero), the token will be averaging $2.52 in 2023, and its max value will be $2.89. In 2025, Azero's price may reach $5 and go up to $5.93. In addition, the token will probably maintain the average of $32.15 and can hit the max value of $37.33. 

On the other hand, [CoinCodex](https://coincodex.com/crypto/aleph-zero/price-prediction/) also shows bullish sentiments for the cryptocurrency. Its forecast suggests there will be “buy” and “strong buy” signals until 2026. 

## Where to buy the Aleph Zero coin?

Aleph Zero coin is listed on some of the [best-known crypto exchanges](/news/article/best-exchanges-for-crypto-uk), so it is easy for you to buy. Here is the list of exchanges you can get the crypto from:

1.	[KuCoin](https://coinmarketcap.com/exchanges/kucoin/).
2.	[Gate.io](https://coinmarketcap.com/exchanges/gate-io/).
3.	[Huobi Global](https://coinmarketcap.com/exchanges/huobi/).
4.	[Bitrue](https://www.bitrue.com/home/).
5.	[MEXC Global](https://www.mexc.com/).
6.	[Uphold](https://uphold.com/).

## Is the Azero coin a good investment?

The Aleph Zero blockchain is an exciting project in Web3. It is built with ZKP technology which ensures trustless contracts and enhanced privacy. Due to this, the blockchain and its crypto can be used in various sectors while also creating good prospects for Azero as an asset.

The future price predictions of the coin also suggest bullish signals. As more projects enter the network, Azero may attract more users. This mass adoption may strengthen the coin’s position in the market.


green and blue tech background with azero crypto logo

Azero: Exploring the Privacy-Enhanced Crypto 

## Metakings Presale Metaverse: What’s in it for newbies? 

Want to learn more about the Metakings Metaverse presale? You've come to the right place. 

Metaverse, the shared space where users can interact virtually, mimicking the real world, will be the next big thing in tech. According to the [Global Metaverse Market Analysis Report 2022](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230117005761/en/Global-Metaverse-Market-Analysis-Report-2022-Expected-Revenue-of-700-Billion-by-2030---ResearchAndMarkets.com#:~:text=The%20Global%20Metaverse%20Market%20is,momentum%20as%20it%20helps%20in), its market may reach a total revenue of $700 billion in the next seven years. It’s the reason even non-crypto natives are taking a keen interest in it.  

As a beginner, you may find it overwhelming if you want to join the bandwagon. To begin with, the already-established virtual platforms are quite expensive. In this regard, Metakings presale Metaverse can be worth exploring. 

## What is Metakings? 

Before we move on to the [Metakings](http://metakings.ai/) presale Metaverse, it’s crucial to get an idea about the platform. It is an artificial intelligence-based battle game. It has its own crypto, an MTK token, and its gameplay allows the players to earn rewards in its native token.  

Apart from fighting battles, it allows players to get in-game accessories, upgrade characters, and create kingdoms on its land. The blockchain game is built on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC). The project strives to become [the top-ranked game on BSC](/news/article/free-play-to-earn-games) regarding its active users.  

Though the platform is a P2E battle gameplay, it has proved impressive for virtual social interactions. You can buy real estate on the platform, create your virtual kingdom, and enjoy fun battle games with your friends in this digital realm.  

## Metakings presale Metaverse - An opportunity for beginners 

Metakings seeks to bring a new dimension to the Metaverse on BSC. The project is in its presale phase. This is an opportunity for individuals to purchase it at a discounted price. By playing Metakings, you can earn its native MTK tokens and in-game non-fungible tokens. These digital assets represent ownership of [a virtual piece of land](/news/article/nft-land) in its Metaverse. 

You can play to build your land and use it to generate a passive income. Suppose you participate in the presale - in that case, you can become an early adopter of the technology and have a chance to shape the future of this virtual world. It can help you get started with crypto and the virtual world if you are a beginner. 

## How to leverage Metakings presale of Metaverse? 

The presale provides an opportunity for crypto beginners to become part of Metakings’ Metaverse. Here’s how you can leverage it to earn rewards: 

1. One of the most common ways to earn rewards is its PvP combats. If you win these combats, you can push your rank on the leaderboard and earn MTK tokens.  
2. Secondly, you can breed MTK tokens and sell them in the market to earn a markup. . 
3. You can also collect rare Origins and Mystics. 
4. Lastly, you can produce the love potion used for breeding Metakings. 

## Closing thoughts 

Metakings is an imaginative blockchain game that is also introducing a Metaverse. Currently, the platform is running its presale, giving you a chance to purchase land in the [Metaverse](/news/article/how-to-buy-metaverse-land). Playing this interactive game, you can earn incentives in MTK tokens and its digital collectables. 

Metakings Presale Metaverse for Beginners

A revolutionary project in the Metaverse industry, RobotEra, is still offering its native token for presale. The TARO token of the virtual world is up for grabs at only 0.020 USDT.

The sale started in the last month of 2022 and will be completed in Q1 2023.

[RobotEra Metaverse](https://robotera.io/) is still in its initial phase, as it was launched in the last quarter of 2022. It’s a unique take on [GameFi](/news/article/what-is-gamefi) and Metaverse as it introduces an entirely decentralised ecosystem. 

## The RobotEra presale

Though the project is still in its developmental phase, it has gained traction from crypto investors and gamers alike. Since it is an ecosystem of various Web3 offerings, it shows signs of tremendous growth. This is why the TARO presale has received a phenomenal response from the community.

TARO launched in December 2022, and, so far, it has sold more than 46,382,380 tokens out of 90,000,000. The project has accumulated more than $927,647, while the team has set a target of $1.8 million.

## RobotEra - Metaverse, P2E gaming, and NFTs

The project protocol is deployed on the Ethereum blockchain, making it a secure platform for gamers. It is a complete Web3 ecosystem that involves its [virtual world](/news/article/how-to-buy-land-in-metaverse-worlds), blockchain game, and digital collectables.

So, whether you are a crypto enthusiast, gamer, or digital art collector, you will likely enjoy the project.

The blockchain game it offers has the [play-to-earn](/news/article/play-to-earn) (P2E) mechanism. You can earn rewards when you play its games and finish quests. The rewards are usually in the native token, TARO. But it can also offer you an NFT to upgrade your avatar or boost your powers. You can also cash out its crypto through exchanges or swap it with other crypto tokens.

The RobotEra platform works like [The Sandbox](/news/article/buy-sandbox-land-simple-guide), but is a multiverse for robots. You enter it as a robot and can create different experiences, socialise, play, and explore the virtual world.


RobotEra Metaverse Token Presale Update 

## What is DexGuru and how can you use it? 

DexGuru, peculiarly, is not a DEX (Decentralized Exchange) itself, as the name might suggest. Instead, it helps you better understand other DEXs, with a well-executed user interface to make things easier. As the company explains on [its blog](https://blog.dex.guru/DexGuru101) – “DexGuru offers data”. 

There are a lot of complexities and technicalities when it comes to trading – especially cryptocurrency. You need to weigh hundreds of different variables to ensure you have the relevant information to make proper trades. 

To a novice trader, all these 'switches and knobs' won't really make sense, nor will they matter. However, if you're enthusiastic about trading and want to understand how the market works, DexGuru could be the perfect tool. 

You can do much with DexGuru, with [charting](/news/article/understanding-crypto-price-charts) at the core of the feature list. You can play around plenty with the charts on the app, with functions like overlaying various charts on top of each other, looking through different periods for comparison, and multiple indicators to understand trends. Moreover, you can compare and view up to nine different charts simultaneously – a dream come true for avid traders! 

You can also monitor all the trading activity related to your favourite crypto tokens 24/7. It's not just basic information like buying and selling prices; DexGuru can also help you dive in much deeper, like how much of the token whales, sharks, and bots are buying, respectively. 

You can also trade using the DexGuru platform, with a feature referred to as a "swap tool" by the developers. You can buy and sell "spot" assets on the platform without using another DEX. 

## Trading crypto, but it’s not a DEX – how? 

You might have this question in mind, "they said it isn't a DEX, but then how can you buy and sell crypto assets on it?". 

The catch is that it uses the [0x API](https://www.0x.org/) as its foundation to facilitate all crypto-related transactions. This not only helps its users trade “in-house”, but it also provides the best rates on the market. Moreover, because of using 0x, DexGuru itself doesn’t charge any extra fees, as most other DEXs do. 

It's a win-win situation for everyone, making DexGuru a great application for trading. It's insightful, easy on the eye, and facilitates cheap trading for users while providing a mountain of important data – what more could you possibly need? ## 

dexguru logo on blue image of blockchain code

What is DexGuru and How Does it Work?

An Australian software engineer named Anthony Guerrera, going by the name [ynohthna92](https://github.com/ynohtna92) on GitHub, has successfully created a fork for the Bitcoin Ordinals protocol to support the Litecoin network. Consequently, ynohtna92 minted the debut Litecoin Ordinal, a first for one of the oldest cryptocurrencies in the world.

According to an 18 February r[epository posting](https://github.com/ynohtna92/ord-litecoin) on GitHub, the new Ordinals protocol on Litecoin now allows for non-fungible token-like digital assets to be introduced to the Litecoin network, similar to the Bitcoin network a few weeks ago.

## The first-ever Litecoin Ordinal

To get the development in line with Litecoin’s latest MWEB upgrade, the coder [inscribed](https://twitter.com/anthonyonchain/status/1627408947203411969) the Mimble Wimble white paper, known as inscription 0, onto the first Litecoin Ordinal. The Mimble Wimble upgrade on the Litecoin blockchain was launched in May 2022 to improve the network’s privacy and transaction size.

Launched on Bitcoin a few weeks ago, it has created a storm in the crypto sphere. According to [Dune Analytics](https://dune.com/dataalways/ordinals), its ability to mint content besides transactions has already made more than 154,000 inscriptions. The feat took the developer only one week and was incentivized by a "small monetary bounty".

Launched in 2011 as a fork of Bitcoin (BTC), [Litecoin](/news/article/litecoin-news) (LTC) is a peer-to-peer digital asset specifically designed to overcome some of BTC's initial challenges, especially the speed of processing transactions. LTC was the brainchild of former Google employee Charlie Lee, who sold it in 2017 to circumvent potential conflicts of interest. The race to bring in this new fork began on 10 February after an anonymous Twitter user, Indigo Nakamoto, [threw a challenge](https://twitter.com/indigo_nakamoto/status/1624247793438322689) to any coder who could port Ordinals to Litecoin for 5LTC – approximately $500.   

## Dedicated to the MWEB upgrade

Exactly one week later, Guerrera completed forking the GitHub repository and launched it. According to Guerrera, Ordinals could only work on the LTC network because of its soft forks of the SegWit and Taproot technologies associated with Bitcoin, which are required to make Ordinals work.

Guerrera, who calls himself a fan of technology who loves to see privacy introduced in public ledgers, dedicated the first inscription to the Mimble Wimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) upgrade. He added he'd hand it over as he's "got other things on his plate". However, he would keep contributing to the new fork and port all updates from the initial Ordinals.

At the time of writing, [Litecoin](/news/article/litecoin-predictions) is the 14th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, at $6,955,377,781 on [CoinMarketCap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/litecoin/), and trading at $96.19.


Forked Bitcoin Ordinals Brought to Litecoin 

Blockchain is the technology making the headlines, but what are the alternatives to blockchain tech? 

The rise of crypto, blockchain, and decentralised ledger technology is one of the biggest stories of the last five years. From illicit dark web purchases to a viable store of value, the success of Bitcoin is well known. However, it hasn't always been plain sailing. The road forward has been dogged with issues of scalability, security, and speed. This is what is known as the blockchain trilemma. It assumes that to have strength in one, the other two must be compromised. 

As we know, iterations of some of the original chains can be slow and expensive. The expensive cost of [Ethereum gas fees](https://news.bitcoin.com/ethereum-gas-fees-spike-as-eth-value-rises-average-onchain-fees-jump-by-more-than-50/) is well documented. 

This then begs the question – are there any alternatives to blockchain? 

## Centralised databases 

Blockchain fans have long argued that 'decentralisation is better'. However, with significant scalability issues, this is often not the case. Centralised databases can combat this problem due to their ability to focus all of their resources at once. Take VISA, for example. The world's largest payment network can process up to 24,000 transactions per second which, compared to Bitcoin's seven and Ethereum's 20, is still light years ahead. 

## Centralised ledger 

A centralised ledger is a system that tracks and records every transaction controlled or handled by a single authority. This could include assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses. Like a centralised database, a centralised ledger is used to record anything which holds financial value and acts as a central hub for all financial management. While centralised ledgers are good for efficiency and ready access, they are vulnerable to user mismanagement and hacks. 

## Distributed databases 

As the name implies, a distributed database is a database spread across multiple computers and networks. The primary advantage of a distributed database is the ability to provide efficient, low-cost, and secure data access due to the network's design. However, when network traffic is high, distributed databases can also be notoriously slow and expensive to run. 

## Cloud storage 

The volume of data stored in backup files continues to grow as our reliance on digital networks expands. The demand for data storage has seen an exponential rise in cloud solutions from tech giants such as Amazon Web Services and Google Drive. A combination of distributed and encrypted segmentation and the use of blockchain basics such as hashing and public/private keys ensures that cloud storage continues to maintain its reputation for robust security against motivated hackers. 

## Decentralised storage 

In a similar vein to the DLT concept and based on the principle of peer-to-peer technology, decentralised storage solutions provide users with a highly secure and scalable option. As in a nodal network, each user is responsible for managing their portion of the storage system, which provides a resilient and robust filing system. 

## Other DLT 

With Bitcoin recently celebrating its 14th birthday, it is safe to say we are still in the early days of blockchain technology. However, the demand for open-source code and sharing of ideas has meant the industry has developed rapidly since the days of Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper. 

Thousands of blockchains are available on the market, resulting in some fascinating iterations of the original concept of a distributed ledger. One of the major developments is that of the [Directed Acyclic Graph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directed_acyclic_graph) (DAG), often referred to as 3rd generation blockchain technology (Proof of Work being 1st generation and Proof of Stake being 2nd). 

Generally speaking, DAGs rely on a 'conceptual representation' of a series of activities instead of blockchain's linear data structure. With each project developing its own interpretation, DAG-based blockchains are proving infinitely faster than their traditional counterparts. 

For example, IOTA uses a DAG protocol known as The Tangle. It allows transactions to be added in parallel rather than in a linear fashion. Meanwhile, DAG blockchain giant Hedera uses a 'gossip' network design that ensures nodes only transmit the minimum of information at random, leading to lightning-fast speeds of 10,000 transactions per second. 

## Conclusion 

As we can see, the expansion of peer-to-peer technology has led to the growth of a broad range of commercial solutions leaving 1st generation protocols such as Bitcoin exposed and seemingly underdeveloped. It is, therefore, easy to see why upgrades like[ Lightning Network ](https://lightning.network/)are eagerly anticipated. 

Meanwhile, the team behind Ethereum proved the necessity of upgrading dated technology last year when it transitioned from a Proof of Work to a Proof of Stake protocol in an event known as The Merge. The popularity and success of this upgrade, alongside the numerous options, some of which I described above, show that there are [many alternative avenues for blockchain technology](/news/article/the-future-of-crypto-in-the-next-5-years). This shows that it is imperative that blockchain technology adapts to changing demands. 

Alternatives to Blockchain Technology?