Official marketing lead of the Shiba Inu team, known under the pseudonym Lucie, has addressed the community on several issues in one X thread. Among them was a claim that SHIB has now overtaken Dogecoin as “people’s coin,” about the reluctance of developers to build on Shibarium and a new way of burning Shiba Inu coins.

New way to burn SHIB coins

In the X thread, Lucie mentioned that a lot of projects have been talking abut building something on Shiba Inu and Shibarium, but “so far there is almost nothing made specifically for SHIB.” The reason for this, she stresses, is that building new products costs money.

Lucie admitted that unlike with other blockchains (such as Ethereum or Cardano), there is no specific SHIB treasury to fund any new development. Therefore, “any product for SHIB has to generate its own revenue before it can actually be built.” The SHIB marketing lead also shared what she believes to be the only realistic approach in creating something on a blockchain, and that is “a clear vision and solid execution.”

One of the ways to earn SHIB, per her tweet, is to play the games developed by the SHIB team — they allow earning Shiba Inu. Another positive outcome of playing them is that this helps to burn SHIB coins: “Shibarium burns SHIB with every transaction, and you can use SHIB to play and win in those games.”

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Is SHIB overtaking Dogecoin as “people’s coin”?

Lucie also claimed that “SHIB was, is, and always will be the people’s coin.” Long before that, tech entrepreneur and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, gave a similar definition to Dogecoin (DOGE), when stating that it was superior to Bitcoin in terms of being better designed for payments. Musk referred to DOGE as “the people’s currency.”

Currently, DOGE, which was launched in 2013 and became the first-ever meme coin created, occupies the eighth spot on CoinMarketCap with a market capitalization of $35.4 billion. As for Shiba Inu, it has recently gone down to the 22nd spot on the same scale, having a market capitalization of $7.9 billion.

Silicon-carbon batteries are gaining significant momentum, with all Chinese brands utilizing the tech in their 2025 flagships. It’s easy to see why manufacturers are rushing to utilize these batteries in their phones; switching to silicon provides better energy density — allowing brands to squeeze bigger batteries — alongside increased durability, and it holds up much better in cold weather.

That’s why the likes of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Find X8 Ultra, Vivo X200 Pro, and Honor Magic 7 Pro have considerably bigger batteries than their predecessors without adding too much bulk or weight. These batteries still use a lithium cathode, but the anode sees a mixture of silicon-carbon alongside the usual graphite, and this results in greater density.

Group14 is at the front lines of this push, with the brand’s SCC55 silicon-carbon composite used widely in the industry — Honor’s Magic 7 Pro uses the custom material in its battery. Group14 is now partnering with German industrial giant BASF to deliver a “drop-in-ready solution” that predominantly uses silicon-dominant anodes.

Group14 says this move has the potential to unlock a whole host of new use cases, and I talked to the brand’s VP of Global Market Strategy, Grant Ray, to get a better understanding of the tech.

As a high-level overview, Group14 is using its SCC55 material with BASF’s Licity 2698 X F binder, a custom polymer made of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) with high stress-strain and elasticity that’s designed for silicon-rich anodes. Without getting in the weeds too much, this collaboration makes it easier for phone brands to make the switch to silicon-rich batteries without overhauling their existing manufacturing lines.

This is important, because the current generation of silicon carbon batteries used in phones have just 10% silicon in their anode. While silicon has greater energy density of 4200mAh/g — graphite has 372mAh/g — it expands considerably during charging and discharging. Mixing silicon with carbon — as Group14 is doing with SCC55 — increases the material’s mechanical integrity (thereby reducing swelling) while providing better conductivity.

ay said the next iteration of batteries will see a greater mixture of silicon-carbon in the anode, with work underway on “full displacement” — completely switching to a silicon-carbon anode. While full displacement is still some time away, the advances in mixing higher ratios of silicon-carbon anode should deliver batteries with significantly greater density and faster charging.

It’s not unfathomable to imagine next-gen phones delivering 10,000mAh batteries in roughly the same size as today’s devices, and Ray said that phone manufacturers are not as risk-averse to trying out increasing silicon mixtures. While this tech is being pioneered by Chinese brands, Ray says we may see bigger brands like Samsung switch to silicon-carbon batteries in the near future; the Galaxy S26 is touted to feature the battery next year.

A limitation in this area is availability; Ray says that the demand for the SCC55 material is significantly higher than supply, and the manufacturer is aiming to get its U.S. plant online in 2026 to cater to global demand. The current situation with tariffs is a new hurdle that’s leading to plenty of uncertainty, but Ray notes that Group14 is pushing ahead with its plans.

Using flagships this year made me realize the potential of silicon-carbon batteries, and I’m excited to see how this tech evolves in 2026 and beyond. Most phones these days last at least a day and a half between charges, and I can’t wait until the time comes when I’ll only need to charge my phones twice or thrice a week.

The Doodles community is abuzz over the possibility of a new NFT collection, the Doopies, which has yet to be officially confirmed by the team.

Despite this, a screenshot from the official Doodles App have begun circulating, drawing attention to a potential expansion of the Doodleverse. The characters, which are described as quirky and eccentric, have sparked both excitement and concerns.

In addition to this speculation, the launch of the DOOD token on May 9, has also raised questions about the direction of the project. Whilst the token is part of an effort to expand the Doodles ecosystem, its initial performance has been underwhelming.

What was the community reaction?

Originally shared by Ape Ventures founder Xeer on X, the reaction within the Doodles community has been mixed, with a noticeable shift toward scepticism and concern. Whilst some fans are excited by the prospect of new characters, many are concerned about the impact on the value of existing Doodles NFTs. Some users feel that releasing another collection could lead to brand dilution, making it harder for the project to maintain its prestige in the long term.

A recurring theme in the responses has been the fear of “max extraction”—the idea that Doodles is focused on generating revenue rather than prioritising the interests of its community. Some community members have also questioned whether Doodles is attempting to attract buyers from other established NFT communities, such as Azuki or Bored Ape.

Whilst the Doopies collection remains speculative, this has added fuel to concerns about the project’s direction.

What’s next for Doodles?

Whilst the Doopies collection has not been officially confirmed, its speculation has already brought the project under scrutiny.

The recent launch of the DOOD token currently trading at $0.007—a 20% decrease from its initial price according to data from CoinGecko—has also added another layer of complexity.

Although the token’s initial performance has been underwhelming, it remains a key part of Doodles’ future plans, and its role in the ecosystem will unfold as the project continues to evolve.

The Moto Watch Fit is a fascinating case study. Motorola left smartwatches behind for years, licensing out its watches to another company. Now Motorola seems to be stepping back into the fray with the Moto Watch Fit. But it needs more than the Moto Watch name to make its budget squircle watch stand out in a crowded field.

Long-time Android fans still think fondly about the Moto 360, which was ahead of its time with its cool gesture controls and seamless design in 2014. I wrote in March that Motorola should return to Wear OS with a spiritual successor to the 360.

Instead, a month later, we got the budget Moto Watch Fit, with its 1.9-inch squircle display, 16-day battery life, 100 sports modes, and “real-time fitness stats and intelligent sleep tracking.”

It’s the fifth Moto Watch tracker after the Watch 40, 70, 100, and 120, a mix of circular and squircle watches with the same basic fitness software and Google Fit integration.

Two weeks ago, I sent Motorola a series of questions. I wanted to know how the Watch Fit’s “advanced fitness and wellness assistance features,” how the companion app would work, and other basic questions. I’m still waiting on answers, and the more I research the Moto Watch brand, the more confused I get.

It’s unclear how involved Motorola is in its own watches

The Moto Watch Fit isn’t on sale yet, but the Motorola UK site says this new model is “designed and manufactured by/for Motorola Mobility LLC.”

Given the Moto branding, that should be obvious, right? But the official Moto Watch site lists Calgary-based CE Brands, Inc. as an “official brand licensee of Motorola” that “ensures global sales and support for the products found on this site,” like the Moto Watch 120, 70, and 40.

CE Brands, or Vitalist, says on its site that it “designs, manufactures, and sells” wearables, and lists Moto Watch as “our brand.” And this 2024 Vitalist press release explicitly says the Moto Watch 120 is “the latest addition to [CE Brands’] line of Motorola smartwatches” as Motorola’s “strategic brand partner.”

If you look at the Moto Watch 100 app and Moto Watch 70 app on the Play Store, both are managed by CE Brands, Inc. These apps have some pretty brutal ratings too, with many users calling them “barely functional” because they stopped syncing with Google Fit or allowing phone notifications on the watch without constant resets.

After a little digging, I realized that CE Brands owned eBuyNow, the subsidiary that made the Moto 360 (3rd Gen) in 2020. CE Brands went bankrupt in 2023 before rebranding eBuyNow as Vitalist in 2023, promising to “deliver biometric and biomarker insights to consumers.”

The Moto Watch Fit isn’t listed on the Moto Watch site, and Vitalist didn’t write a press release about this model, either. That suggests Motorola may have taken over the brand, while ditching the numbered names for a Moto Watch revamp.

But it’s also possible that Motorola Mobility designed the old Moto Watches, while CE Brands handled the health and software tools. It’s hard to say, as the licensing deal makes it nebulous. Maybe Vitalist will make the Watch Fit health software, too?

Regardless, that’s really all besides the point. My main point is that Motorola is best known for making flagship phones from everyone else look overpriced by offering similar perks in cheaper packages. However, the Moto Watch lineup has never really stood out against Android watches or fitness watches, and Motorola has a lot to prove with the Watch Fit when it launches.

How will the Moto Watch live up to the Moto name?

Look at the budget fitness trackers out there: companies like Amazfit and Xiaomi have put intense effort into full-fledged health suites, AI coaching, and dedicated fitness tools in an affordable package. And you have bigger names like the Galaxy Fit 3 and Fitbit Charge 6 that sync directly with the biggest health apps, with their own AI insights and (for Fitbit) Google apps.

Motorola phone fans will see the Moto Watch branding and look for something affordable, long-lasting, and straightforward. However, the Watch Fit needs some kind of signature feature to stand out and keep these users happy.

CE Brands had an interesting Effort Points system that, like Fitbit Cardio Load, scored your all-day effort based on your time in HR zones. But the Moto Watch Fit might use an entirely different system, and it’ll have to compete with watch brands that invest huge amounts of money in health & fitness R&D.

One sign of Motorola taking more direct ownership is how the Watch Fit can use Moto AI text prompts to generate watch faces. That’s a unique trick, one I’m hoping Google emulates on Wear OS 6 this year. We’ll see if people see it as a highlight or a five-minute gimmick; however, it’ll depend on how good these AI-made faces are.

Otherwise, the press release mentions “seamless smartphone integration,” but only mentions notifications, music controls, and camera controls. An RTOS watch can rarely do much more than that, even though many people will buy a Moto Watch hoping for actionable notifications and replies. The Amazfit Balance pulls this off with text-to-speech and a keyboard, but I don’t expect it from the Moto Watch Fit.

Ultimately, aside from the Moto AI gimmick, the Moto Watch Fit sounds pretty generic. The built-in GPS on a cheap tracker is a nice perk, but it’s not uncommon these days — see the $99 Amazfit Active 2 — and most fitness trackers have 100+ sports modes and IP68 water resistance.

That said, we’ve reached out to Motorola for more information about the Watch Fit, and we will update this article when we hear back.

Making a watch isn’t as simple as it used to be

The Moto Watch brand is like a time capsule to an early smartwatch era when they didn’t try to squeeze dozens of features and a full AI-backed health suite into a device. Some people will appreciate its simplicity, affordability, and longevity; others will be frustrated by the lack of Motorola flair they’ve come to expect from its foldable phones like the Razr 2025.

It will ultimately come down to whether this Motorola-made wearable delivers a higher standard of quality than past Moto Watches.

I’m not sure why Motorola has been so hands-off with wearables up until this point, selling budget trackers through its licensee for years while spending R&D on wearable phone concepts like the one above.

Maybe Motorola was truly so burned by its Android Wear experience that it never wanted to go back; clearly, Lenovo phone sales are strong enough despite not having a full “ecosystem” of devices. Or maybe it isn’t willing to spend the money on health & fitness necessary to compete with Samsung Health and Fitbit.

Whatever the reason, the Moto Watch Fit needs to be a stepping stone to bigger and better things if Motorola wants to make an impact in the wearable space.

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Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (TMTG) announced on Monday that it has entered into a non-binding agreement with Crypto.com to develop a series of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded products under the Truth.Fi brand. 

New Exchange-Traded Funds To Feature Bitcoin And Cronos

According to Monday’s announcement, the planned exchange-traded funds will be available through Crypto.com’s broker-dealer, Foris Capital US LLC, and are expected to include a mix of digital assets and traditional securities, particularly those with a focus on the US economy.

The collaboration will reportedly leverage Crypto.com’s technological infrastructure, which will handle backend operations, custody services, and supply cryptocurrencies for the ETFs. 

Notably, the exchange-traded funds are set to incorporate a basket of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Cronos (CRO), the utility token for the Crypto.com platform, catering to the growing interest in digital assets among investors.

TMTG’s CEO and Chairman, Devin Nunes, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing a commitment to creating “America First” investment products. “We aim to support innovative crypto ventures and great American companies without the distractions of political posturing,” Nunes stated. 

Nunes highlighted that the funds will focus on firms dedicated to rapid growth and technological innovation, providing investors with options that align with their principles.

International Rollout Planned For Trump Media’s ETFs

Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, echoed these sentiments, noting the company’s pride in partnering with TMTG and Yorkville America to launch these groundbreaking ETFs. Marszalek stated:

We are proud to partner with Trump Media and Yorkville America, and to support the launch of these new ETFs, including the first of its kind basket of tokens including CRO. These ETFs give consumers more options from a brand with a loyal following. Once launched, these ETFs will be available on the Crypto.com App for our more than 140 million users around the world.

In addition to the ETFs, TMTG plans to introduce Truth.Fi Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs), which will also be funded through the company’s cash reserves. 

Per the announcement, the overall financial strategy includes a significant investment of up to $250 million, to be managed by Charles Schwab, thereby enhancing TMTG’s footprint in the financial services sector.

The launch of these ETFs is anticipated later this year, pending definitive agreements and regulatory approval. Once established, these products will be accessible internationally, including in major markets across the United States, Europe, and Asia, further expanding the reach of TMTG’s financial initiatives.

At the time of writing, the TRUMP memecoin is trading at $11.44, which is down over 80% from its current all-time high of $73, reached on the same day of its debut on January 19th of this year.

CRO on the other hand, trading at $0.1017, has seen a massive 24% spike following the partnership announcement, but is also down nearly 90% from its record high of $0.9654.

Featured image from NBC, chart from TradingView.com

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Even though some big brands have stepped back from the NFT world—as Nike did with its RTFKT project—adidas is showing that it’s still eager to explore what’s possible. Their recent final reveal of ALTS by Adidas avatars seems to signal a belief in the future of digital avatars, digital collectibles, and Web3. Instead of retreating, adidas is pressing forward, hoping to give fans and collectors something fresh.

The Birth of ALTS by adidas

The ALTS by Adidas NFT avatar reveal arrived on December 10, 2024, nearly three years after its first mint in 2021. This collection includes 20,066 unique digital avatars—each one designed to represent your “alternate self.” They blend 75 years of adidas history with futuristic style. Picture the brand’s legacy of athletes, creators, and ambassadors, all reimagined in a new, digital form.

This collection is divided into eight different “ALT[er] Egos”: STRIKES (Football), SPRINTS (Running), HOOPS (Basketball), AMPS (Music & Entertainment), THRILLS (Gaming & Action Sports), SOLES (Sneaker Fans), DECOS (Art), and DRIPS (Fashion). Each avatar comes packed with over 250 unique traits, plus more than 80 digital wearables inspired by adidas style codes. When you buy one of these items, you don’t just get something to look at—you get a new digital identity you can show off.

The launch of this project has arrived as the market started looking a bit more upbeat. As of today, its floor price stands at $253.76, with a 24-hour trading volume of 30.30 ETH. The collection includes 20,066 minted NFTs, held by 10,158 unique owners, with a total market cap of $5,092,003, according to CoinGecko.

Source Adidas

Standing Out in a Crowded Field

There are endless types of digital collectibles, and no shortage of hype. Over the last few years, adidas has tested new forms of engagement, partnering with names like Doodles and Pharrell, participating in Onchain Summer on Base, and promoting active lifestyles with STEPN GO on Solana and Polygon.

These experiments have helped adidas learn how to engage fans in on-chain spaces. They’ve also tried fresh launch methods with partners like Prada, BAPE, Moncler, and Bugatti. All this hands-on experience may help the ALTS by adidas collection find its footing, especially as people discover what makes these alts different.

Getting the Most Out of Your ALTS Avatar

For those who already have ALTS by Adidas from previous chapters, now is the moment to check out what you’ve got. Head to an NFT marketplace, such as Magic Eden, to see your fully revealed avatar. If it doesn’t show up right away, just refresh your metadata to receive the latest content.

https://twitter.com/altsbyadidas/status/1866515552044237220

Looking Ahead

According to Adidas, in 2025, the plan is to cut back on vague promises and stick to what’s real and ready. Adidas wants to build trust by sharing updates and benefits only when they are set to go live. The goal is to develop the ALTS IP within emerging on-chain playable worlds, teaming up with select gaming platforms to create new experiences.

According to their website: “No more ambiguous roadmaps or announcements to drive ‘hype’. Our focus will be on delivering updates and benefits only when they’re ready, ensuring clarity, inclusivity and trust.”

In a world where some major players have pulled back, Adidas is stepping forward. Or sticking around, at least.

Editor’s note: Written with the assistance of AI – Edited and fact-checked by Jason Newey.