changed – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:11:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 changed – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 The first ten things I changed on my Google Pixel 10! https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/#respond Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:11:33 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/

So you just got your brand new Google Pixel 10. Congratulations! It’s an incredible piece of hardware, and you’re probably itching to download your favorite apps, sign into your accounts, and start snapping photos.

Before you dive in, though, a handful of settings can drastically improve your day-to-day experience. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, Google leaves them turned off by default. Changing these settings can do everything from improving your battery’s long-term health, saving you storage space, organizing your home screen, and making sure you never miss an important notification again.

Whether you’re a long-time Pixel fan, a seasoned Android user coming from another brand, or switching from iPhone to Android, this guide will walk you through the essential first tweaks. I’ve been using Pixel phones for years, and I have a list of settings I change every single time I unbox a new one. I’ve updated my personal checklist for the exclusive features on the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, and now I’m sharing it with you.

Some of these are fundamental Android settings that I think everyone should use, some are clever features exclusive to the Pixel ecosystem, and a couple are powerful new tools available only on the Pixel 10 Pro models. So let’s dive in and get your new phone tuned to perfection.

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10

Google Pixel 10

Very promising battery specs
6.3-inch display
Loaded with Google AI features

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Top-tier specs with small display
Satellite SOS
Powerful AI tools
Bright display

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Biggest non-folding Pixel phone
Best specs and AI features

1. Never lose a notification again with Notification History

pixel 6 notification history

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Android’s notification system is, without a doubt, one of the best things about the entire operating system. It’s powerful, customizable, and miles ahead of the often-chaotic system you’ll find on iOS. However, it’s not perfect. We’ve all been there: a flood of notifications comes in, and in a rush to clear them, you accidentally swipe away something important. Maybe it was a message from a friend, a shipping update for a package, or a security alert from your bank. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. What do you do?

Never worry again about accidentally swiping away an important alert.

This is precisely why one of the very first settings I enable on any Android phone is Notification History. It’s a simple but incredibly powerful feature that acts as a log for every single alert your phone receives. Turning it on is a lifesaver.

To activate it, follow these simple steps:

  1. Open the main Settings app.
  2. Tap on Notifications.
  3. Tap on Notification History.
  4. Toggle the Use notification history switch to the On position.

That’s it. From now on, a complete record of all your notifications will be kept right here. If you ever accidentally dismiss something, you can just come back to this screen and see exactly what it was.

There’s also a nifty bonus to this feature. The history log doesn’t just show the notifications that appeared in your drop-down shade; it shows all of them, including the silent ones that apps often use to run processes in the background. This makes it a fantastic diagnostic tool. If you ever notice your battery draining faster than usual, you can check your Notification History to see if a specific app is constantly pinging your phone with silent alerts. It’s a great way to identify and rein in misbehaving apps that might be draining your battery without you even realizing it.

2. See your exact battery level (and make it last for years)

Battery Health Assistance on a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL running Android 16 QPR 1 Beta 2.1

Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

With the Pixel 10 series, Google has fully embraced its latest design language, Material 3 Expressive. One of the most noticeable changes this introduces is an updated status bar. While it looks clean and modern (and a bit like iOS), the default battery icon at the top of the screen isn’t as helpful as it could be. It gives you a vague visual idea of how much charge you have left, but it’s hard to tell if you’re at 40% or 25% with just a quick glance. For those of us who like to know the precise number, there’s an easy fix.

The battery icon in your status bar is pretty vague about how much juice you have left, but we can make it better.

You can add a percentage display right inside the battery icon, giving you an exact reading without taking up any extra space in your status bar. Here’s how:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Battery.
  3. Find the toggle for Battery percentage and turn it On.

Instantly, you’ll see the number appear inside the icon, giving you a much clearer picture of your remaining battery life.

Bonus Tip: Limit charging to 80% for better battery longevity

While you’re on the Battery settings page, there’s another crucial tweak you should make to dramatically extend the lifespan of your phone’s battery. Tap on Battery Health and then Charging Optimization. This feature will be on by default and set to “Adaptive charging,” which intelligently learns your daily routine. It charges your phone at a slow pace to hit 100% just before you typically unplug it. This is good, as it helps keep your battery healthy, but we can do better.

You can increase the overall longevity of your battery by limiting its charge to 80% of its capacity.

For maximum battery health, enable the Limit to 80% option. This forces your Pixel to stop charging once it reaches 80%. While it might seem counterintuitive to give up 20% of your daily battery capacity, the long-term benefits are enormous. Lithium-ion batteries degrade fastest when they are held at very high or very low states of charge. By keeping your battery between 20% and 80% as much as possible, you can significantly reduce wear and tear, potentially adding years to the usable life of your phone. Unless you’re a very heavy user who consistently needs every last drop of power, this is a trade-off worth making.

3. Integrate Now Playing and Google Search

Google Pixel 9a now playing history

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Now Playing is one of the coolest and most-loved exclusive features on Pixel phones. When you first set up your device, Google asks if you want to turn it on, and you absolutely should. The feature uses on-device machine learning to constantly listen for music playing around you. When it identifies a song, it discreetly displays the title and artist on your lock screen. It’s been an incredible tool for me over the years, helping me discover new music at coffee shops, stores, or in a friend’s car without ever having to pull out my phone and frantically open Shazam.

Super-charge the Now Playing feature with better recognition and album art.

Recently, Google supercharged this feature by integrating the power of Google Search. Previously, all song analysis happened completely offline on your device, which is great for privacy but could occasionally fail to identify more obscure tracks. With the new enhanced mode, your phone can leverage Google’s massive online database for better recognition. As a bonus, it will also display album art in the Now Playing history, which is a really nice touch.

To make sure this more powerful version is active, do the following:

  1. Head to Settings.
  2. Tap on Display & touch, then Lock screen.
  3. Tap on Now Playing.
  4. First, make sure Identify songs playing nearby is toggled on.
  5. Then, make sure the Enhance Now Playing feature is also toggled on.

With this enabled, you’ll get more accurate results and a richer visual experience, making one of the Pixel’s best features even better.

4. Use cross-device services for your various devices

cross device services 1

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

The idea of a seamless ecosystem where all your devices work together in harmony has long been the holy grail of consumer tech. With cross-device services, Google took a significant step toward making that a reality for Android users. If you own multiple Android devices, like a phone and a tablet, this feature is a must-have. It enables cool new ways for your gadgets to interact. For example, you can be on a Google Meet call on your tablet and, with a single tap, seamlessly transfer it to your phone if you need to leave the house.

Make your Android devices work better together.

Here’s how to get it set up:

  1. Open Settings and tap on Connected Devices.
  2. Tap on Connection preferences, and then Cross-device services.
  3. Follow the setup prompts. Once you’re done, you’ll see a list of all the devices attached to your Google account that are compatible. You can leave them all checked.

The whole concept of cross-device services is relatively new. As such, Google might bring more features to this later on, so it’s a good idea to have this enabled even if you don’t plan on using it for now!

5. Sync your notifications (and make them less annoying)

dismiss notifications across pixel

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Building on the theme of a multi-device ecosystem, here’s a tip specifically for those who own more than one Pixel product. One of the most frustrating small annoyances of having a Pixel phone and a Pixel Tablet is dealing with the same notification on every single screen. You get a Gmail alert on your phone and swipe it away, only to see the same alert sitting on your tablet, waiting to be dismissed again. It’s redundant and, frankly, a waste of time.

Swipe away a notification on your Pixel phone and have it automatically swipe away on your Pixel Tablet.

Thankfully, Google has a solution. You can sync notification dismissals across your Pixel devices, so when you clear an alert on one, it automatically disappears from the others. It’s a simple change that makes managing your digital life feel much more streamlined.

To turn it on, follow these steps on each of your Pixel devices:

  1. Go to Settings, then tap Notifications.
  2. Scroll down and tap Dismiss notifications across Pixel devices.
  3. Turn on the single toggle you find on this screen.

Now, when you swipe away that email on your phone, it will vanish from your tablet a moment later. It’s awesome.

Bonus Tip: Stop the notification barrage with Notification Cooldown

Here’s a bonus tip for everyone, whether you have one Pixel or five. We all have that one friend or family member who sends texts like this:

  • Hey
  • What’s up?
  • You there?
  • Just wanted to ask a question

Each message triggers a separate notification, causing your phone to buzz and beep incessantly. To combat this, you should enable Notification Cooldown. This clever feature detects when you’re getting a bunch of notifications from the same app in quick succession. Instead of alerting you at full volume every single time, it will gradually lower the volume/vibration of the notification sounds, making the experience much less disruptive.

To activate it:

  1. Go to Settings > Notifications.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Notification Cooldown.
  3. Make sure the toggle at the top is turned On.

Your sanity will thank you (but also, please tell your friends to just send one text).

6. Tidy up your home screen by disabling auto-add for apps

google pixel 10 pro and xl display home screen

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

If you’ve ever used an iPhone, you’ll know that it doesn’t have an app drawer. Every app you install gets dumped directly onto your home screen, creating page after page of icons. For many of us who prefer Android, this feels like pure chaos. The app drawer is a core part of the Android experience, providing a clean, organized space where all your apps live, leaving your home screen free for only the most important shortcuts and widgets.

Android shouldn’t be like iOS. Here’s how to make it less like it.

Unfortunately, Android still mimics iOS in one frustrating way by default: as you download new apps from the Play Store, their icons are automatically added to your home screen. This quickly leads to clutter. Thankfully, unlike on iOS, you can easily turn this behavior off.

Here’s how to make your apps go straight to the app drawer, where they belong:

  1. Long-press on any empty space on your home screen.
  2. In the menu that pops up, tap Home settings.
  3. Turn off the toggle next to Add app icons to home screen.

With that simple change, your home screen will remain the pristine, curated space you designed it to be.

Bonus Tip: Fit more on your screen with a smaller app grid

While you’re customizing your home screen, here’s another tweak you might enjoy. By default, the app grid is set to a size that might feel a bit too spacious for some. If you want to fit more app icons or widgets on a single page, you can easily change the grid layout.

  1. Long-press on an empty space on your home screen again.
  2. This time, tap Wallpapers & style.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom where it says Layout and tap it.
  4. Switch to the Small layout option.

This will increase the grid density, allowing you to fit more shortcuts onto each page of your home screen, making it even more efficient.

7. Bring back the pro-level camera controls

google pixel 8 pro camera manual controls vs pixel 7 pro sliders 2

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Back in the day, Google’s beloved camera app featured persistent on-screen controls for fundamental photography settings like brightness, shadows, and white balance. They were always there, giving photographers quick and easy access to manual adjustments. Then, for reasons only Google understands, the company removed them, burying these options in menus.

The Pixel camera app used to have some terrific on-screen controls. Thankfully, you can bring them back.

Google did eventually bring them back…sort of. The controls are available again, but they’re hidden by default. When enabled, you can access them by simply tapping anywhere on the viewfinder inside the camera app. It’s not quite as immediate as having them always on screen, but it’s a huge improvement over digging through menus.

To get these controls back, you need to turn them on first:

  1. Open the Camera app.
  2. Tap the small gear icon to open the settings panel.
  3. Tap the three dots at the top of this panel to go to More settings.
  4. Scroll down to the Fast Access section and make sure the Quick access controls toggle is active.

Now, whenever you’re lining up a shot, just tap on the viewfinder to bring up those classic sliders and fine-tune your photo to perfection.

8. Save space with AV1

google pixel 10 pro camera video format setting av1

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

This next tip is a bit more technical, but it’s an absolute game-changer, especially if you shoot a lot of video or opted for a Pixel 10 with 128GB of storage. The Pixel 10 series introduces the ability to record video using three different codecs (a codec is simply the technology used to compress and decompress digital files). The new third option is called AV1, and you should definitely turn it on.

Use the AV1 codec to conserve space on your phone by shrinking video file sizes.

In essence, AV1 is a newer, more efficient way of compressing the video footage you shoot. It allows you to maintain the same high video quality while creating significantly smaller file sizes. To give you a concrete example, a one-minute video shot in 4K at 60fps using the older AVC codec will be about 550MB. That same video shot with AV1 will be just 440MB. That’s a 20% reduction in file size, which can add up to gigabytes of saved space over time.

So, why isn’t this on by default? The only catch is compatibility. Because AV1 is a newer standard, some older devices, video players, or video editing software might not support it. However, if you’re like most people and primarily watch your videos on your phone or upload them to modern platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, you’ll have no issues at all.

Here’s how to enable it:

  1. Open the Camera app and tap the gear icon at the lower left.
  2. Tap the three dots to open More settings.
  3. Scroll down and tap on Video Format.
  4. Select the AV1 option.

Unless you have a specific professional workflow that requires an older codec, this is a change you should make immediately.

9. Unlock stunning 50MP portraits (Pixel 10 Pro/XL only)

Google Pixel 50MP Portrait Mode Setting

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

If you splurged on a Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL, you have the most advanced camera system ever put into a Pixel phone. As such, you get access to some special features the standard model doesn’t, including the ability to shoot portrait mode photos at a full 50MP resolution.

On other Pixel models (and by default on the Pro), portrait mode shots are binned down to 12MP. This process combines data from multiple pixels on the sensor into one, which is often great for low-light performance but sacrifices some fine detail. While the results are good, other flagship phones have offered higher-resolution portrait modes for a while, providing more detail and often better edge detection (the software’s ability to separate the subject from the background blur).

Harness the full power of your 50MP sensor with this Portrait Mode trick.

With the Pixel 10 Pro, you can finally capture those incredibly detailed, high-resolution portrait shots. The only minor downside is that the image files will be larger, but for important photos of people or pets, the jump in quality is absolutely worth it.

To activate this mode:

  1. Open the Camera app and swipe over to Portrait mode.
  2. Tap the gear icon at the lower left.
  3. Tap the Pro tab.
  4. Switch from the 12MP option to the 50MP option.

You should immediately see a noticeable improvement in the clarity and detail of your portrait photos.

10. Personalize your AOD with wallpaper (Pixel 10 Pro/XL only)

Ambient AOD on Pixel in Android 16 QPR1

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

My final tip is another one exclusive to the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, and it’s all about making your phone feel more personal. On all previous Pixel phones, the always-on display (AOD) has been a stark, utilitarian affair: a black screen with white text for the time, date, and notification icons. It’s functional, but not exactly exciting.

Make your AOD uniquely yours with this new wallpaper feature just for the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL.

With the Pixel 10 Pro/XL, you can now set your lock screen wallpaper to appear on the AOD. It’s a dimmed, power-efficient version of your wallpaper, but it adds a wonderful splash of personality to a screen that was once just black and white. If your wallpaper is a photo of a loved one, a pet, or a favorite landscape, it makes your phone feel much more uniquely yours, even when it’s idle.

Here’s how to enable it:

  1. Go to Settings, then scroll down to Display & touch.
  2. First, make sure the toggle next to Always-on display is active.
  3. Then, tap on the text itself (not the toggle) to open its options.
  4. Inside, make sure the toggle for Show lock screen wallpaper is turned on.

Now, when you lock your phone, your wallpaper will gently fade into view on the always-on display. Keep in mind that this will use slightly more battery than the traditional black-and-white display. In my testing, the difference was negligible and well worth the aesthetic improvement. However, if you’re someone who needs to squeeze every possible minute out of a charge, you might prefer to leave this off. For most people who charge their phone nightly, you’ll be totally fine.

What are your must-have Pixel tips?

google pixel 10 pro moonstone xl obsidian 2

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

And there you have it — the first ten things I immediately change on a new Pixel 10 to get the absolute most out of it. Hopefully, you found a few new tricks in here to try on your own device.

Before you go, I have one last bonus tip: explore the My Pixel app. This app comes pre-installed on your phone (it used to be called Pixel Tips) and it’s an incredible resource. It’s filled with tutorials and information on all the cool things your phone can do, including new features that arrive in Google’s quarterly Pixel Drops. I highly recommend opening it up every few months to see what’s new. You’d be surprised how many powerful features go unnoticed by the average user.

Now, I want to hear from you. What are the first settings you change when you get a new phone? Do you have any essential tips or tricks that I missed? Let me know in the comments below. I’m always excited to see if our readers have any clever suggestions I can add to my own routine!

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10

Google Pixel 10

Very promising battery specs
6.3-inch display
Loaded with Google AI features

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Top-tier specs with small display
Satellite SOS
Powerful AI tools
Bright display

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Biggest non-folding Pixel phone
Best specs and AI features

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/feed/ 0 56557 Venture capital game has changed due to market maturation — VC exec https://earlybirdsinvest.com/venture-capital-game-has-changed-due-to-market-maturation-vc-exec/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/venture-capital-game-has-changed-due-to-market-maturation-vc-exec/#respond Sun, 31 Aug 2025 19:46:31 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/venture-capital-game-has-changed-due-to-market-maturation-vc-exec/

Venture capital (VC) firms have become much more selective with the crypto projects they invest in, representing a shift from the previous cycle due to market maturation, according to Eva Oberholzer, the chief investment officer at VC firm Ajna Capital. 

“It’s harder because we have reached a different stage in crypto, similar to every cycle we have seen for other technologies in the past,” Oberholzer told Cointelegraph.

She added that market maturation has slowed down pre-seed investing, as VCs pivot their attention to established projects with clear business models. Oberholzer said:

“It’s more about predictable revenue models, institutional dependency, and irreversible adoption. So, what we see right now is that crypto is not driven by any memecoin frenzies or other trends, but it’s more about institutional adoption.”

The shift in VC activity reflects the broader trend of institutional crypto investment and the focus on revenue-generating digital asset businesses, as opposed to the price speculation that drove investment during previous crypto cycles, including the 2021 bull market. 

Venture Capital, Investments
Private fundraising deals among blockchain startup companies this week. Source: ICO Analytics

Related: VC Roundup: Bitcoin DeFi surges, but tokenization and stablecoins gain steam

The traditional financial world demands yield and revenue-producing crypto businesses

Traditional financial investors, including Wall Street firms, venture capitalists, and institutional funds, are increasingly demanding crypto projects that provide established, predictable revenue streams.

VC firms are concentrating on stablecoin projects and investing in other forms of payment infrastructure that can generate fees, Oberholzer said. 

Real-world asset tokenization (RWA) platforms are also on the radar of VC firms due to the revenue models associated with minting and managing tokenized RWAs onchain.

Venture Capital, Investments
The tokenized RWA market continues to grow. Source: RWA.XYZ

Matt Hougan, the chief investment officer (CIO) at investment firm Bitwise, recently told Cointelegraph that the quest for yield is driving Wall Street investment in Ether (ETH).

“If you take $1 billion of ETH and you put it into a company and you stake it, all of a sudden, you’re generating earnings. And investors are really used to companies that generate earnings,” Hougan said.

The smart contract layer-1 blockchain hosts the majority of the stablecoin, RWA market, and decentralized finance (DeFi) activity that generates stable revenues through fees and other forms of financial rent for its owners.

Magazine: TradFi is building Ethereum L2s to tokenize trillions in RWAs: Inside story

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/venture-capital-game-has-changed-due-to-market-maturation-vc-exec/feed/ 0 56099 Bitcoin prices regain strength – can the rebound be explosively changed? https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-prices-regain-strength-can-the-rebound-be-explosively-changed/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-prices-regain-strength-can-the-rebound-be-explosively-changed/#respond Tue, 05 Aug 2025 02:46:18 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-prices-regain-strength-can-the-rebound-be-explosively-changed/

Bitcoin prices are recovering from the $112,000 support zone. BTC is rising and may try to clear the $115,500 resistance zone to gain bullish momentum.

  • Bitcoin has begun a decent upward move from the $112,000 zone.
  • The price is trading above $114,000, and is a simple moving average of 100 hours.
  • The hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken) has $114,600 in support, creating a bullish trendline.
  • The pair could begin another increase once they clear the $115,500 resistance zone.

Bitcoin price eye rise break

Bitcoin prices have begun downward movement from the $118,000 zone. BTC went below support levels of $115,000 and $113,500 to enter the short-term bearish zone.

We tested the $112,000 zone priced. The base has been formed and prices are now about to recover. There was a move above the $113,500 and $114,200 levels. Prices surpassed the 23.6% FIB retracement level of the downward movement from a high of $118,918 to a low of $112,000.

Bitcoin is currently trading over $114,200 and trades a simple moving average every 100 hours. Additionally, the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair has $114,600 in support, creating a bullish trendline.

Bitcoin Price
Source: BTCUSD on tradingView.com

Immediate resistance is close to the $115,500 level. This is close to the 50% FIB retracement level of downward movement, from a Swing High of $118,918 to a low of $112,000. The first important resistance is close to the $116,250 level. The next resistance could be $116,800. Over $116,800 resistance could lead to even higher prices. If stated, the price may test a resistance level of $118,500. Any further profit could potentially send the price towards the $120,500 level. The main goal is $121,200.

Another reduction in BTC?

If Bitcoin does not rise above the $115,500 resistance zone, it could begin another decline. Immediate support is close to the $114,600 level. The first major support is close to the $113,500 level.

The following support is located near the $112,000 zone: Any further losses could send the price to $110,500 in the short term. The main support is $108,500 and BTC could continue to decline.

Technical indicators:

HOURLY MACD – MACD is currently increasing its pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – BTC/USD’s RSI is above 50 levels.

Key support levels – $114,600, followed by $113,500.

Major resistance levels – $115,500 and $116,800.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-prices-regain-strength-can-the-rebound-be-explosively-changed/feed/ 0 51523 Ex-OpenSea Employee Cleared in First NFT Insider Trading Appeal — Here’s What Changed https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ex-opensea-employee-cleared-in-first-nft-insider-trading-appeal-heres-what-changed/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ex-opensea-employee-cleared-in-first-nft-insider-trading-appeal-heres-what-changed/#respond Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:37:39 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ex-opensea-employee-cleared-in-first-nft-insider-trading-appeal-heres-what-changed/

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

About Author

Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

Last updated: 


Why Trust Cryptonews

Cryptonews has covered the cryptocurrency industry topics since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts have extensive experience in market analysis and blockchain technologies. We strive to maintain high editorial standards, focusing on factual accuracy and balanced reporting across all areas – from cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects to industry events, products, and technological developments. Our ongoing presence in the industry reflects our commitment to delivering relevant information in the evolving world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews

OpenSea

A former OpenSea product manager has successfully overturned his conviction in what was once hailed as the first insider trading case involving non-fungible tokens.

The ruling by a US federal appeals court on Thursday marks a significant setback for prosecutors hoping to apply traditional financial crime laws to the fast-evolving crypto sector.

The case centered on Nathaniel Chastain, a 35-year-old Massachusetts native who managed homepage curation at OpenSea, the world’s largest NFT marketplace.

In May 2023, Chastain was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering for using insider knowledge to buy NFTs just before they were featured on the platform’s front page, then flipping them for profit.

OpenSea NFT Insider Case Undone by Misguided Jury Guidance

Court filings showed he made roughly $57,000 through 15 such trades, using anonymous wallets to conceal his identity. He later transferred the proceeds into his personal account.

Prosecutors described the scheme as theft of confidential business information, arguing it constituted a misuse of OpenSea’s property.

However, on appeal, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan disagreed. In a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that the jury received flawed instructions, effectively allowing a conviction based solely on unethical behavior rather than actual theft of property with commercial value.

Appeals Court Faults Vague Jury Instructions in OpenSea Case

Judge Steven Menashi, writing for the majority, said the lower court erred by telling jurors that Chastain could be guilty even if the information he used lacked tangible value to OpenSea. He also criticized the instruction that jurors could convict if they found Chastain’s conduct violated broad notions of honesty and fair play.

Menashi warned that using such a standard could make nearly any deceptive act a criminal offense. The appeals court returned the case to US District Judge Jesse Furman for further proceedings. It is not yet clear whether prosecutors intend to retry Chastain.

Court Narrows Definition of ‘Property’ in Wire Fraud Cases

The ruling sharply limited how the government can apply the wire fraud statute to confidential information. The court held that such information must have clear commercial value to the employer—something prosecutors failed to prove in this case.

The featured NFT data, according to the opinion, was not monetized by OpenSea and was not treated as a valuable asset internally. That made it too “ethereal” to qualify as property under the law.

Compounding the problem for the government, the jury was told it could convict based on conduct that was merely unethical. That instruction, the court found, “tainted the verdict beyond repair.”

Judge Jose Cabranes dissented, saying he would have upheld the conviction. The US Attorney’s office in Manhattan has not commented on whether it plans to pursue the case again.

Ruling Undercuts DOJ’s Early Effort to Police NFT Markets

Chastain had already served his three-month prison sentence while his appeal was pending. His legal team welcomed the decision, calling the case a “miscarriage of justice.”

The conviction was announced in June 2022, as the NFT market was booming, estimated at nearly $40b.

Prosecutors had positioned the case as a signal that the digital asset space would not escape scrutiny. Thursday’s ruling, however, may force the government to rethink how it approaches crypto-related offenses.

In a separate matter, OpenSea itself came under regulatory fire last year when the SEC launched an investigation into whether the platform operated as an unregistered securities exchange. That probe closed without action in February, according to co-founder Devin Finzer.


]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ex-opensea-employee-cleared-in-first-nft-insider-trading-appeal-heres-what-changed/feed/ 0 50815 Bitcoin Pizza Day: 15 years since 10,000 BTC bought two pizzas and changed everything https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-pizza-day-15-years-since-10000-btc-bought-two-pizzas-and-changed-everything/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-pizza-day-15-years-since-10000-btc-bought-two-pizzas-and-changed-everything/#respond Thu, 22 May 2025 21:41:40 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-pizza-day-15-years-since-10000-btc-bought-two-pizzas-and-changed-everything/

On May 22, 2010, Bitcoin became more than just an idea. It became real money. Laszlo Hanyecz has posted a casual offer as he is a developer and early contributor of Bitcoin’s codebase. Five days later, someone put him on it. Two Papa John pizzas were delivered. A screenshot has been posted. Bitcoin was in the real world.

10,000 Bitcoin, worth around $41 at the time, is currently valued at over $1.1 billion. And with Bitcoin reaching a new all-time high of $111,999, marking the 15th anniversary of trading, the “Bitcoin Pizza” story weighing more than ever.

It wasn’t just pizza. This was the moment when Bitcoin proved itself as a functioning currency. Until then, it mainly lived in theory and code. It was touched by cryptomen and mined by enthusiasts. Hanyecz’s post and subsequent dealings turned ideas into actions. “This transaction has made Bitcoin realistic for me,” he said in a 2019 interview. “It wasn’t very worth it back then. Weren’t we spent $100 million on pizza?

In the summer of 2010, Hanyecz continued to buy pizza using Bitcoin, eventually spending over 79,000 BTC. It now amounts to nearly $8.7 billion. Some people are making jokes at his expense, but the truth is this. Without these early real-world transactions, Bitcoin may not have proven its use case. Hanyecz helped move Bitcoin from fringe to function.

That legacy still shapes us today. Bitcoin Pizza Day has become a cultural milestone in the crypto world with meetups, pizza parties and educational events taking place around the world on May 22nd. This day reminds us of how far technology has come, and the importance of everyday behavior and the impact they have.

Just this week, fast food chain steak’n shakes have begun accepting Bitcoin through the Lightning network, showing a wave of mainstream adoption. What was once experimental has now become part of everyday commerce.

Bitcoin Pizza Day is about recognition. One simple transaction proved that Bitcoin could work. And 15 years later, the world is still based on its first bite.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-pizza-day-15-years-since-10000-btc-bought-two-pizzas-and-changed-everything/feed/ 0 37754 When DOJ changed its strategy, the cryptocurrency enforcement team disbanded https://earlybirdsinvest.com/when-doj-changed-its-strategy-the-cryptocurrency-enforcement-team-disbanded/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/when-doj-changed-its-strategy-the-cryptocurrency-enforcement-team-disbanded/#respond Thu, 10 Apr 2025 07:49:14 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/when-doj-changed-its-strategy-the-cryptocurrency-enforcement-team-disbanded/ In a move that could raise eyebrows across Washington and Silicon Valley, the U.S. Department of Justice officially pulled out the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) plug. If that sounds like a big deal, then yes.

DOJ says that is the focus of the shift. Instead of chasing Crypto significantly, they aim to narrower people using their digital assets for “serious” crimes, such as drug trafficking, terrorist financing, and hacking.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has made it clear that this is not softening, but rather strategic. He criticized past tactics as overly offensive, and said the DOJ wouldn’t continue what he called “restrictions by prosecution.” From now on, if someone gets caught up in a crypto-related case with no clear criminal intent, the department’s attitude is:

DOJ Crypto Enforcement Team Cancellation: Impact on Crypto Platform

The change could be a breath of fresh air for crypto platforms and developers who have been nervously checking their subpoena inboxes for the past few years. Under the new approach, tools like crypto mixers, cold wallets, or debt platforms are not punished just because bad actors used them.

That’s a pretty big change. The government ultimately suggests that it draws a clear line between high-tech infrastructure and criminal intent.

However, it is not without risk. Critics argue that this opens doors for suspicious operators to exploit space, and enforcement is dialed. For now, it is a balanced act of promoting innovation and maintaining basic accountability.

Exploration: XRP Price Jumps 11% after SEC Crypto Unit XRP ETF Progress

Politics behind the DOJ’s move to disband cryptocurrency enforcement teams

Zoom out easily. This is not happening in a vacuum.

The policy changes are in a clean line with President Trump’s broader agenda to loosen regulations around code. And yes, it’s worth noting: Trump’s family has skin to the game. Family cryptographic involvement has attracted the attention of lawmakers through ventures such as the World Liberty Financial and the launch of its own tokens ($Trump and $Melania).

Congressional Democrats have asked the SEC to keep records related to these ventures, suggesting potential conflicts of interest. Whether these concerns are everywhere or not, they encourage already politically charged debates about cryptography surveillance.

Meanwhile, the SEC also relaxes petrol pedals, acting chairman Mark Ueda. They have filed lawsuits against famous exchanges such as Coinbase and Kraken. The message from Washington is clear. The atmosphere of regulations has changed.

How the crypto industry is responding to DOJ closing its cryptocurrency enforcement team

Naturally, the reactions are mixed. Part of the Crypto world is celebrating its shift as a long-term breathing patio for builders and innovators. But others worry that too much generosity can make the space more vulnerable, scam, money laundering, or even worse.

One case stands out in particular. Roman Storm, developer of CryptoMixerTornado Cash. Storm is accused of allegedly making money laundering possible, but under his defense, the new lens of DOJ, he built a tool rather than a crime ring.

The DOJ shift presents a new chapter on how the US handles crypto crime. Whether this leads to a more balanced and effective framework or just confusion remains to be seen. For now, the crypto world knows that the rules of engagement have changed.

Discover: 20+ Next Cryptographs to Explode in 2025

For the latest market updates, please join us in the discrepancy in 99bitcoins news here

Key takeout

  • DOJ officially closed the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) and shifted away from wider enforcement beyond the crypto space.

  • This focuses on serious crimes such as terrorist financing, drug trafficking, and cyberattacks, rather than everyday developers or infrastructure builders.

  • Deputy Director Ag Todd Blanche criticized the previous approach as “prosecutor’s regulations,” signaling a softer, more strategic enforcement strategy.

  • Crypto mixers, wallets, and debt platforms will not be targeted unless the developer knowingly promotes illegal activities.

  • Critics warn that this could open the door to exploit the decline in scrutiny.

The cryptocurrency enforcement team was disbanded as the DOJ Alters strategy first appeared in 99 Bitcoins.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/when-doj-changed-its-strategy-the-cryptocurrency-enforcement-team-disbanded/feed/ 0 30029 ‘Nothing’s Changed’: Trader Says He’s Still Expecting Bitcoin All-Time Highs This Cycle – But There’s a Catch https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nothings-changed-trader-says-hes-still-expecting-bitcoin-all-time-highs-this-cycle-but-theres-a-catch/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nothings-changed-trader-says-hes-still-expecting-bitcoin-all-time-highs-this-cycle-but-theres-a-catch/#respond Sat, 22 Mar 2025 08:48:29 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nothings-changed-trader-says-hes-still-expecting-bitcoin-all-time-highs-this-cycle-but-theres-a-catch/

Analyst and trader Kevin Svenson says he is still bullish on Bitcoin (BTC) amid a correction that has seen the flagship crypto asset decline by around 23% from the all-time high recorded in January.

In a new strategy session, Svenson tells his 82,800 YouTube subscribers that two indicators, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), are signaling that Bitcoin is primed for more upside after a period of sideways trading.

The RSI indicator is a momentum oscillator used to determine oversold or overbought conditions. The MACD is used to analyze price trends and momentum direction in a bid to identify points to enter or exit positions.

“The MACD on the weekly is showing that the bears are losing momentum and we’re holding that RSI support on the weekly. Well, I’m going to be looking for general sideways price action. Could be higher highs, lower lows. But ultimately sideways before a recovery back to new all-time highs.

Yes, I’ll say it. I guess I’ll be the only one to say it… that I’m still expecting new all-time highs in this cycle. Nothing’s changed in that perspective.”

Source: Kevin Svenson/YouTube

Svenson, however, says that even though Bitcoin is showing signs of bottoming out, the crypto king is “not totally out of the woods just yet” and could head lower before rallying.

“There is a possibility that at some point the market does a final flush before actually recovering. I mean, Bitcoin plays out that type of wacky price action all the time…

…if we were to play out kind of like a final flush into a slightly lower low, this scenario wouldn’t surprise me – testing down to the low $70,000s one more time first, going into the $90,000 range first and then flushing before a full recovery.”

Source: Kevin Svenson/YouTube

Bitcoin is trading at $83,586 at time of writing.

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nothings-changed-trader-says-hes-still-expecting-bitcoin-all-time-highs-this-cycle-but-theres-a-catch/feed/ 0 26548 Bitcoin changed them… literally https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-changed-them-literally/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-changed-them-literally/#respond Fri, 07 Feb 2025 03:52:30 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-changed-them-literally/

Plus: The richest person you’ve never seen

Welcome

GM. Crypto’s feeling like a sour lime? We’re here to zest things up with just enough sweet insights to make it delish.

🟠 MicroStrategy rebrands to Strategy.

🍋 News drops: Satoshi Nakamoto might be richer than Bill Gates, institutional investors are still not feeling crypto + more

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🍍 Market flavor today

The crypto mood’s kinda mid rn – the Fear & Greed Index slid further into neutral territory, now at 49.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin is still hanging out below 100K.

CryptoQuant analyst XBTManager noticed that about 50K BTC that had been untouched for 6 – 12 months just got moved.

And this might actually cause some drama in the market:

  • Possibility of a sell-off: if these coins are heading to an exchange, their owners might be about to dump ’em, which can push prices down;

  • Panic effect: once prices drop, retail might freak out and sell, too, driving the price even lower;

  • After they’ve scared people into selling cheaply, whales can buy those coins at a discount. Then, if the price bounces back up, they can sell at higher prices and profit off everyone else’s panic.

TL;DR: brace for volatility.

Bitfinex analysts pointed out that BTC’s been stuck in a 15% price range since mid-November – and historically, this kind of sideways movement leads to a breakout within 80-90 days.

What makes this period interesting is that despite major macroeconomic pressures (like tariffs), Bitcoin has held above $90K. That resilience suggests that Bitcoin might have stronger underlying support than some expect.

Does that mean the breakout is gonna be upwards? Not necessarily, but analysts remain optimistic.

Marge please meme

Michaël van de Poppe, founder of MN Capital, sees two possible paths for Bitcoin:

1⃣ Boom & bust

  • BTC increases to $300K – $500K this year;

  • The hype forms a bubble;

  • Bubble pops, prices crash;

  • Follows the classic 4-year crypto cycle.

2⃣ Slow & steady super cycle

  • Altcoins have struggled longer than usual – so the normal 4-year cycle might be extended;

  • Instead of peaking this year, the market stretches out for 2 more years;

  • The US dollar weakens, and crypto becomes the top-performing asset;

  • If this plays out, BTC could hit $1M.

Either way, everything still looks cheap now. The bullish take? Stop complaining and hodl tight 💪

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🥝 Memecoin harvest

These tokens pulled up with main character energy – and it’s kinda working.

 

Name

 

24H Change
Test

Test TST

▲
32.4K%
Dog Shit Going NoWhere

Dog Shit Going NoWhere DOGSHIT2

▲
178%
MEMDEX100

MEMDEX100 MEMDEX

▲
41%
The Next Bitcoin

The Next Bitcoin BUTTCOIN

▲
8%

Data as of 09:20 AM EST.

Check out these memecoins and plenty more here.

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Sooo… this one’s gonna take some getting used to 🙃

MicroStrategy – the company that made corporate Bitcoin treasuries a thing – went a size up: they’ve dropped the Micro- and became simply Strategy.

Their logo now includes the BTC symbol, and their main color is Bitcoin orange.

Basically, they’ve stopped pretending they care about enterprise software (which is what they originally did) and are officially full Bitcoin maxi mode.

As of today, Micr… f*ck, sorry – Strategy holds 471,107 BTC, bought for $30B and now worth nearly $46B – a $16B profit.

But despite taking Ws in the Bitcoin game, their Q4 earnings were a little, uh… meh:

  • Revenue: $120.7M, slightly missing expectations of $123.25M;

  • Net loss: $670.8M (or $3.03 per share), compared to a $89.1M profit last year.

😨 Oh… my gosh.

Kidding, don’t freak out.

  • It’s mostly paper losses – they haven’t sold their Bitcoin, so it’s not like they actually lost cash;

  • They’re still buying more BTC = confidence in their long-term plan;

  • Accounting changes will help – next quarter, a new rule will let them report BTC’s fair market value, which should make their numbers look a lot better.

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🍋 News drops

🤑 Satoshi Nakamoto might’ve flipped Bill Gates on the rich list. Their stash of an estimated 1.096M BTC is worth over $108B – more than Gates’ $106B net worth.

💰 The founders of EmpiresX were fined over $130M by a US court. Turns out their so-called investment platform was more of a scam to lure people with fake promises of big returns.

🇪🇺 BlackRock might drop a Bitcoin ETP in Europe. Word is, they’re setting it up in Switzerland.

🤔 A JPMorgan survey shows that 71% of institutional investors still have no plans to trade crypto this year, down from 78% last year. On the bright side, 16% say they might give it a shot, and 13% are already in. Progress? Kinda.

💊 Pump.fun got slapped with a cease and desist. The platform apparently decided to keep tokens featuring the names and logos of two law firms suing them – plus coins mocking their employees and clients.

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🧃 Sip of genius

Learn about the Solus Group Ambassador program with the latest BitDegree Mission, “Solus Group Ambassador Program: Connect & Earn”:

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🍌 Juicy memes

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