An independent investigation commissioned by Input Output found no evidence to support accusations of fraud or misconduct in Cardano’s decade-old ADA Voucher Program, according to a forensic report released on.

The review, conducted jointly by law firm McDermott Will & Emery and accounting firm BDO, examined public claims that insiders misused ADA, manipulated blockchain upgrades to block redemptions, or improperly diverted unredeemed tokens.

The 150-page report, dated Sept. 2, 2025, concluded the allegations “do not have any basis.”

Redemption efforts and findings

Investigators reviewed tens of thousands of documents, carried out blockchain and forensic analyses, and interviewed 18 people ranging from former employees to voucher holders.

Their findings showed that 14,282 vouchers, representing 99.7% of all ADA sold in the program, were successfully redeemed through a mix of on-chain redemptions and a follow-up recovery initiative.

Contrary to claims that elderly investors were disproportionately targeted, only 6.1% of vouchers were sold to people over 65. Of those, just 14 vouchers remain unredeemed.

The report said the program included safeguards to prevent misrepresentation, and distributors who broke rules were suspended. When Cardano’s Byron-era redemption process ended in 2017, 390 vouchers, worth 318 million ADA, remained unclaimed.

The Crypto Investor Blueprint: A 5-Day Course On Bagholding, Insider Front-Runs, and Missing Alpha

Nice Your first lesson is on the way.

Please add [email protected] to your email whitelist.

Input Output launched a “Post-Sweep Redemption Project” that deployed consultants and private investigators to track down voucher holders. That effort raised the overall redemption rate to near totality.

Use of unredeemed funds

The report also addressed concerns about unredeemed ADA. In 2023, 68.25 million tokens judged unlikely to be redeemed were transferred to Cardano Development Holdings, a Cayman-based foundation overseen by the nonprofit Intersect.

Those funds supported ecosystem growth through continuity contracts, grants, and community projects. Intersect was formed in July 2023 by Input Output and EMURGO, which each pledged $500,000 annually to the group’s operating budget.

The report said much of the transferred ADA went toward contracts with Input Output Infrastructure, which in turn paid subcontractors under strict monitoring procedures.

The findings mark the strongest rebuttal to long-running social media accusations that Cardano insiders enriched themselves at the expense of early investors. Input Output said it released the full report to “ensure transparency” and encouraged community members to review it.

The change includes a formal application for a presidential pardon after Zhao served time for violations related to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML) as he seeks to navigate the complexities of the situation in the US in light of his legal agenda.

Does CZ’s strategy result?

As reported by American Crypto, Zhao’s Foundation, Giggle Academy, partnered with American Legion Charities to donate $2 million to create a permanent scholarship for Fallen’s Children of Disabled Us service members.

The initiative is particularly timely, consistent with Trump’s new focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology, according to the report.

Zhaos’ scholarship program aims to empower students by providing grants of up to $20,000 and features an annual competition that encourages participants to address pressing social issues with innovative solutions.

This coincides with the broader objectives of the Trump administration, including strengthening America’s position as a global leader in technology and cryptocurrency, while supporting veterans and their families.

Recently, the presidential administration has further highlighted this commitment by approving a $83.2 billion defense funding bill that includes pay increases and strengthening benefits for service members.

Former Binance CEO’s permit application gains traction

Industry insiders consider Zhao’s “charitable initiative” potentially strategic, suggesting it could be an attempt to gain favor with the president. “CZ knows what he’s doing,” said a civic executive who is well-versed in the landscape. An executive who chose to remain anonymous when dealing with cryptography in US inquiries further said:

The US needs strong leadership from its top interactions and entrepreneurs to maintain its global crypto capital status. Additionally, a skilled workforce is required to drive the economy of the future.

In addition to the complex situation of former CEOs of Binance in the country, recent speculations have emerged about the possibility of receiving a recent presidential pardon.

CZ tops the leaderboard of crypto betting platform Polymarket as the individual most likely to permeate President Donald Trump in 2025, according to a recent poll.

The story gained momentum after Zhao confirmed on his podcast that he officially applied for pardon. This came after a turbulent year in which he faced important legal hurdles.

During the writing, Exchange’s Native Token Binance Coin (BNB) traded for $782, reaching a gap of over 3% from its current record high two days ago.

CNBC featured images, charts on tradingView.com

Ethereum developer Zak Cole is spearheading a new initiative called the Ethereum Community Foundation (ECF), which will primarily work to enhance the digital asset’s economic value.

The initiative was announced during the Ethereum Community Conference in Cannes, France.

Founded by Cole and a group of ecosystem supporters, the ECF has reportedly already raised “millions” and intends to allocate its treasury to projects that enforce immutability, avoid issuing new tokens, and implement mechanisms to burn Ethereum (ETH).

These requirements align with the foundation’s mission to reduce circulating ETH supply and strengthen the network’s monetary policy.

The ECF’s initial initiative, known as the Ethereum Validator Association (EVA), will give validators greater influence in protocol development by enabling them to signal preferences using their staked ETH.

The EVA will also invest in validator infrastructure to improve decentralization and network security.

Beyond validator initiatives, the ECF aims to fund real-world asset integrations that bring traditional financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and real estate onto Ethereum’s blockchain. The foundation views these integrations as critical to institutional adoption, which it sees as a key driver of long-term network value.

Additionally, the ECF will prioritize funding for public goods that address technical challenges within the Ethereum ecosystem, including adjustments to mispriced blob space used in data availability layers.

Funding decisions will be governed by coin voting, allowing the broader Ethereum community to participate in determining grant allocations. The ECF has emphasized that all funding decisions, treasury movements, and project milestones will remain publicly transparent to ensure accountability and alignment with the community’s goals.

The launch of the ECF comes at a pivotal time for Ethereum, as the network undergoes a reorganization following executive changes at the Ethereum Foundation.

The ECF’s mandate extends to engaging with governments, regulators, and policymakers to promote Ethereum as a trusted institutional infrastructure layer. While specific backers of the foundation have not been publicly disclosed, further announcements regarding its supporters and upcoming funding rounds are expected in the coming weeks.

By focusing on projects that reinforce ETH’s economic integrity without introducing new tokens, the ECF is positioning itself as an alternative funding avenue within the ecosystem. It aims to complement but also differentiate from the Ethereum Foundation’s current priorities.

Mentioned in this article

June 19th, 2025 – Hamburg, Germany

NATIX Network unveils its Decentralized Physical Artificial Intelligence (DePAI) strategy, integrating community-powered data collection from smartphones and Teslas with real-time AI model development for smart cities and autonomous systems.

NATIX Network, a pioneer in Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), has officially announced its expansion into Decentralized Physical Artificial Intelligence (DePAI). This initiative represents a significant evolution in how artificial intelligence systems are trained and powered—by replacing traditional, centralized datasets with real-time, community-sourced data streams from smartphones and vehicles.

The NATIX Network currently spans more than 255,000 contributors across 170+ countries, who have collectively mapped over 181 million kilometers. This crowdsourced geospatial data is collected through NATIX’s two flagship platforms: the Drive& smartphone app and the VX360 device for Tesla vehicles.

“The rise of Physical AI requires more than smart algorithms—it demands real-world data diversity at scale,” said Alireza Ghods, CEO of NATIX. “With our community-driven DePIN infrastructure, we’re building the foundation for decentralized AI training that’s inclusive, adaptive, and privacy-conscious.”

The Drive& app turns ordinary smartphones into AI data collectors by detecting traffic events, road signs, pedestrians, and infrastructure anomalies. This Smartphone DePIN approach has made it easy for everyday users to contribute valuable street-level metadata while earning rewards in NATIX, the network’s native token.

For higher-fidelity applications, the recently launched VX360 device integrates directly with Tesla’s built-in camera systems to capture 360-degree driving footage, thus creating Tesla DePIN. This data is particularly useful for simulation-based scenario generation in autonomous vehicle (AV) development and real-time mapping updates.

To enable contributors and developers alike, NATIX leverages DePIN Crypto to reward users and support decentralized governance. The NATIX token operates with deflationary mechanics, including monthly token burns and buybacks—totaling over 318.1 million tokens removed from circulation to date.

By pairing this token economy with its global data stream, NATIX is empowering a wide range of AI applications, from AV safety testing and urban infrastructure monitoring to advanced map-making and autonomous robotics.

“Decentralized infrastructure is no longer an experiment—it’s live, operational, and scaling fast,” Ghods added. “With DePAI, we’re turning everyday drives into datasets that train the next generation of autonomous cars and robots.”

As the physical and digital worlds converge, NATIX believes the future of AI will be built not in isolated labs, but through widespread public participation. The DePAI strategy exemplifies this vision by combining token incentives, decentralized hardware, and real-time data processing into one cohesive system.

About NATIX Network:

NATIX Network is a decentralized mapping and AI infrastructure provider built on the principles of DePIN. Its ecosystem includes the Drive& smartphone app, the VX360 Tesla device, and the NATIX token. With contributors in over 170 countries, NATIX powers real-time geospatial data collection for AI model training, scenario simulation, and next-generation mobility services.

Contact

Marketing Manager
Luis Kuehnemund
NATIX Network
marketing@natix.io

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The past week has been exceptionally favorable to the Ethereum price, which surged by over 50% and now stands at $2.5K. With yesterday’s announcement of a $1 Trillion security initiative, $ETH has its eyes set firmly on the elusive $5K target, which can only be good for ECR-20 tokens, including some of the best presales: Solaxy and BTC Bull Token.

Ethereum to Build Civilization-Scale Infrastructure

The Ethereum Foundation has launched its Trillion Dollar Security Initiative with the aim of upgrading Ethereum’s already impressive security.

The Ethereum Foundation hopes to make Ethereum robust enough so that billions of people feel safe holding over $1,000 onchain.

It also wants large organizations, including businesses and governments, to be able to confidently store over $1T in a single Ethereum app or smart contract.

‘Being the most secure platform in the crypto ecosystem isn’t enough,’ according to the foundation. ‘Ethereum’s ambition is far greater: to be civilization-scale infrastructure that securely underpins the internet and global economy, surpassing the safety and trustworthiness of the world’s legacy systems.’

The initiative has three phases: first, mapping security risks and strengths across Ethereum’s tech stack, from UX to protocol. Next, it will act on key findings with short-term fixes and long-term investments.

Finally, it will improve communication so everyone can understand, evaluate, and benefit from Ethereum’s security compared to other systems.

Aside from this announcement, the $ETH price is also buoyed by its recent Pectra upgrade, which went live on May 7. Pectra introduces increased transaction capacity, lower transaction costs, smart accounts, and advanced cryptographic techniques for even better security, among other improvements.

What Could an $ETH Rally Mean for the Best Presales?

It’s been more than three years since the $ETH price peaked at $4.9K. But with the launch of the Trillion Dollar Security Initiative and Pectra upgrade – not to mention bullish market sentiment overall – $ETH could soon surpass that to reach $5K, and beyond.

The future looks bright for $ETH, and also for ECR-20 tokens. Indeed, many of the best altcoins are Ethereum-based. Grabbing ECR-20 tokens while still in presale, or while they are still brand new and going for low, early-bird prices, could see you rake in explosive gains as $ETH soars.

Here’s a quick look at three of the best presale ECR-20 tokens – from the top meme coins to DeFi – that are worth considering.

1. Solaxy ($SOLX) – The World’s First Solana Layer-2 Ecosystem

The Solana blockchain has a lot going for it. Its speed and low transaction fees have made it the second-most dominant network after Ethereum. But it’s also notorious for traffic congestion and failed transactions. That’s what Solaxy ($SOLX) plans to fix.

This meme coin is introducing the first-ever Solana Layer-2 platform. It will build on Solana’s existing strengths but, importantly, will unleash its speed and scalability. Simply put, if well executed, $SOLX could be a game-changer for Solana.

While built for Solana, Solaxy is an ECR-20 token. That means it bridges the gap between Solana and Ethereum, a win-win for $SOLX holders.

Investor interest in the $SOLX presale has been strong, with $36.2M already raised. That includes whale buys, the most recent being a 150 $ETH or $400K investment in $SOLX. Could Solaxy prove to be one of the best presales of the year? It’s looking like it.

All signs suggest the end of the $SOLX presale is coming soon. So the clock is ticking if you want to get $SOLX at $0.001724 and stake it at 112% APY. Find out how in our comprehensive guide to buying Solaxy.

2. BTC Bull Token ($BTCBULL) – Rewards for Holders in Real $BTC

The $ETH price isn’t alone in its happy place. The Bitcoin price has also seen a strong return to glory. It’s back about the $100K mark, which makes the next contender in the best ECR-20 token presales one worth considering.

The BTC Bull Token ($BTCBULL) is a meme coin – the only one of its kind – that will reward holders with real $BTC.

$BTCBULL is Bitcoin’s biggest champion, with full confidence that $BTC will soon reach $150K, $200K, $250K… All the way to $1M. Each time the Bitcoin price hits those $50K milestones, it will airdrop $BTC to $BTCBULL holders who use the Best Wallet app.

$BTCBULL tokens will also be burnt at regular milestone intervals.

Right now, $BTCBULL costs just $0.002515 – a decent early-bird price that could see explosive gains down the line. And that’s in addition to the $BTC airdrops.

Find out more in our full guide to buying $BTCBULL, including how to stake it for 71% APY.

3. Mutuum ($MUTM) – Powering a DeFi Platform that Rewards Lenders

Ethereum and DeFi go hand in hand, which makes Mutuum ($MUTM) one to watch.

$MUTM is the native token of Mutuum Finance, a decentralized, non-custodial DeFi platform. It enables holders to lend, borrow, or liquidate crypto assets through both pool-based (P2C) and direct (P2P) models.

Lenders earn interest when depositing assets into shared liquidity pools – held in smart contracts – in return for mtTokens. These are tokenized representations of your deposit into Mutuum’s liquidity pools, and the interest grows over time.

Borrowers take out over-collateralized loans using those same pools. Meanwhile, a reserve ensures funds stay available.

And because mtTokens are ERC-20 compliant, they can be traded or used elsewhere in DeFi. This system balances flexibility, transparency, and security for all users. Meanwhile, $MUTM holders who provide capital while keeping liquidity accessible for borrowers will be rewarded.

The $MUTM presale was recently launched, and it’s already raised $8.5M. That means you can currently buy $MUTM for $0.025. And as for staking, Mutuum will share its revenue by buying $MUTM and giving them to users who stake mtTokens.

They will earn passive rewards during each buyback cycle, benefiting from platform growth. For more information on what has the potential to be one of the best presales of the year, take a look at the Mutuum whitepaper.

Always Invest Wisely

We’re holding thumbs that the $ETH price will continue to rally, and that it will surpass its elusive $5K milestone soon. Not only will $ETH holders be smiling, but it’s sure to see a price spike in Ethereum-based tokens, too.

That said, whether you’re off to buy $SOLX, $BTCBULL, or $MUTM, don’t forget to DYOR. While we’re optimistic, the crypto market is unpredictable. Be sure you know exactly what you’re investing in. After all, we’re not in the business of giving financial advice.

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

The stock of a healthcare technology company tanked after it announced a new initiative to use XRP in its treasury reserve and for payments.

Wellgistics Health (WGRX), which specializes in pharmaceutical distribution and healthcare infrastructure, notes in a new press release that it secured a $50 million credit facility to support the use of XRP in real-time settlement as well as a treasury reserve asset.

Wellgistics says it is developing a platform that enables instant payments between pharmacies, suppliers and manufacturers. The platform will also allow smart rebates while introducing XRP-backed credit lines for independent pharmacies.

Says Brian Norton, the firm’s chief executive,

“Our blockchain-enabled payment system and ledger is just the next logical step in healthcare evolution, allowing us to hardwire speed, liquidity, and transparency into a system that’s long been starved of all three. I believe that the future winners in healthcare won’t be the companies with the biggest buildings… they’ll be those with the fastest rails, cleanest data, and most efficient platforms. We’re betting on infrastructure… not inertia.”

It doesn’t appear that shareholders share Norton’s confidence, however. WGRX is down more than 9.5% in the past day and nearly 40% in the past five days.

XRP, by contrast, is up more than 2.5% in the past day and more than 7% in the past week and is trading for $2.35 at time of writing.

Follow us on X, Facebook and Telegram

Don’t Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox

Check Price Action

Surf The Daily Hodl Mix

&nbsp

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

Generated Image: Midjourney

A state-backed bank in France is reportedly launching a multimillion-dollar initiative to invest in crypto projects.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, French government-owned bank Bpifrance – which has nearly $110 billion in assets under its management – is rolling out a $27 million crypto venture fund to invest in digital asset startups.

Not only will the fund target projects that offer tokens in return rather than equity, it will also focus on blockchain protocols with “a strong French footprint” within the fields of decentralized finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), staking and asset tokenization.

Bpifrance deputy CEO Arnaud Caudoux says the bank needs to step up its accumulation strategy to be able to compete with the US now that pro-crypto politician Donald Trump is president once again.

As stated by Cardoux, according to Bloomberg,

“The new US policy is creating massive attractivity for all crypto companies from across the world. We want to keep those companies here because we strongly believe that it’s very important in the future to have our own ecosystem.”

Earlier this month, Trump announced that the US will adopt Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital assets as strategic reserve assets, which at the time caused a “sell-the-news” event.

Bpifrance first became interested in cryptocurrencies in 2014 when it struck a deal with the hardware developer Ledger. In 2022, it went on to invest in the DeFi lending platform Morpho.

Follow us on X, Facebook and Telegram

Don’t Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox

Check Price Action

Surf The Daily Hodl Mix

&nbsp

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

Generated Image: Midjourney