The Last Week of 2024: A Year in Review
As we approach the end of 2024, the crypto space has been abuzz with exciting developments, from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s adoption of viral internet sensation Moo Deng to the ongoing legal battle between James Howells and the Newport City Council over a lost hard drive containing $773 million worth of Bitcoin.
Vitalik Buterin Adopts Moo Deng with 88 ETH Zoo Donation
In a heartwarming gesture, Vitalik Buterin has adopted Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus that became an internet sensation due to her expressive personality and charming social media videos. The Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand announced the adoption on December 26, stating that Buterin had joined their Wildlife Sponsorship Program and donated 10 million THB ($292,000) for Moo Deng’s family.
Buterin’s donation was a generous gift, but he may have more to give. In response to the announcement, he stated that he might donate even more than the current 88 Ether ($292,000) to the zoo.
James Howells Battles for $773M in Lost Bitcoin
Meanwhile, James Howells is still fighting a high-stakes legal battle to recover his lost hard drive containing private keys to 8,000 Bitcoin worth approximately $773 million. The IT engineer from Newport, Wales, mistakenly disposed of the drive in a landfill back in 2013.
In an exclusive interview with Cointelegraph, Howells expressed optimism about recovering the lost BTC and plans to compensate stakeholders, contribute to the crypto community, and potentially reinvest in blockchain projects if he succeeds. He is currently barred from accessing the landfill due to environmental permits held by the Newport City Council.
South Korea Sanctions 15 North Koreans for Crypto Heists
The South Korean government has imposed sanctions on 15 North Korean IT organization members and one related group, allegedly involved in procuring funds for North Korea’s nuclear missile development program through "overseas foreign currency-earning activities." This move follows the trend of governments worldwide pursuing hackers responsible for cyber thefts in the Web3 ecosystem.
Crypto Hacks Wipe Out $2.3B in 2024
The crypto space has seen a concerning surge in hacks, with over $2.3 billion worth of assets stolen across 165 incidents in 2024, marking a 40% increase compared to 2023. The majority of the losses were attributed to access control breaches, particularly in centralized exchanges (CEXs) and crypto custodians.
Solana’s Jito Staking Pool Exceeds $100M in Monthly Tips
On a more positive note, Solana staking pool Jito has achieved remarkable success, exceeding $100 million in monthly tip revenues from priority fees and tips in November and December. According to Kairos Research, this growth reflects the Solana network’s surging popularity and validators’ increasing earnings from prioritizing certain transactions over others.
DeFi Market Overview
As we wrap up 2024, let’s take a look at the DeFi market:
- Most of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ended the week in the green.
- The Bitget Token (BGB) rose over 81% as the week’s biggest winner, bolstered by the recent token merger between the previous Bitget Token (BGB) and Bitget Wallet Token (BWB).
- The Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) coin was the week’s second-biggest gainer, up over 51% during the past week.
With this summary of the most impactful DeFi developments in 2024, we invite you to join us next Friday for more stories, insights, and education on this dynamically advancing space.
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