Sales – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Thu, 04 Sep 2025 06:16:09 +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 Sales – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Devcon4 Ticket Sales https://earlybirdsinvest.com/devcon4-ticket-sales/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/devcon4-ticket-sales/#respond Thu, 04 Sep 2025 06:16:09 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/devcon4-ticket-sales/

Friends,

Today, we’re happy to announce some significant updates to the Devcon4 website, and with it we wanted to unveil a bit about the ticketing and discount processes and more!

Applications for scholarships and builder & student discounts are now open!


We hope that expediting this process for builders, students, and potential scholars prior to the release of general tickets will help fast-track approvals and ensure that Devcon grows more diverse, accessible and equitable, even with increased demand.

Then on July 9, 2018, the first wave* of general tickets will go on sale.

To ensure that tickets are not bulk-reserved, or scooped up by the quickest hands, we ask for your support in respecting a limit of one ticket per person and 20 tickets per organization.

To stay tuned for future Devcon4 updates: sign up for the Devcon4 mailing list on the site and follow our new @EFDevcon Twitter account!

We look forward to making this year’s Devcon the best yet!

–dc⟠ıv team

*What is a *wave*? To ensure that the majority of tickets are reserved for the builders we design Devcon for, we are selling small batches of General Admissions tickets in several intervals — which we are calling waves. The first wave will begin at 8am PDT on July 9, 2018. However, applications for scholarships and developer & student discounts will always be open, regardless of the waves.

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Atoms drop sharply amid a large amount of sales https://earlybirdsinvest.com/atoms-drop-sharply-amid-a-large-amount-of-sales/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/atoms-drop-sharply-amid-a-large-amount-of-sales/#respond Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:38:18 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/atoms-drop-sharply-amid-a-large-amount-of-sales/

Atom-USD had sharp volatility between August 15th and August 14th and 14th, with volume surged to 5.62M units, trading between $4.49 and $4.91, with an average of over 322%. After holding the $4.82-$4.85 range and temporarily securing $4.91, the assets faced aggressive selling from 06:00 on August 14th and potential surrender at $4.53 on a massive volume.

The buyers immediately intervened, establishing fresh support of nearly $4.60 and regaining trust in the Cosmos ecosystem. This price level has become a critical threshold as sales pressures eased and transactions stabilized.

On August 14th, in a 60-minute recovery window from 13:20 to 14:19, Atom rose from $4.60 to $4.61, peaking at $4.64 before consolidating in the $4.59-$4.62 range. This confirmed $4.60 in support base, suggesting a potential launch point for future profits.

Resilience is clear, but the $4.91 resistance remains untested. Holding $4.60 is important to maintaining bullish momentum, and breakdowns put updated downside pressure at risk.

(Atom/USD/TradingView)

Technical indicators refer to integration
  • A price range of $0.42, representing 9% volatility between a minimum of $4.91 to $4.49.
  • It has a volume spike of 562 million units, with an average of over 1.33 million units of 24 hours, exceeding 322%.
  • Resistance level established at $4.91 in the early morning hours of August 14th.
  • After collecting from the low of $4.53, it supports base formation of approximately $4.60.
  • Integration patterns between $4.59-$4.62 ranges indicating potential stabilization.

Disclaimer: Part of this article is generated with the support of AI tools and reviewed by the editorial team to ensure accuracy and compliance Our standards. For more information, please refer Coindesk’s complete AI policy.

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Ethereum NFT Sales Surge 56% in July 2025 as Alt-Chains Lose Market Share https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ethereum-nft-sales-surge-56-in-july-2025-as-alt-chains-lose-market-share/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ethereum-nft-sales-surge-56-in-july-2025-as-alt-chains-lose-market-share/#respond Mon, 04 Aug 2025 03:34:49 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ethereum-nft-sales-surge-56-in-july-2025-as-alt-chains-lose-market-share/

In July 2025, Ethereum pulled even further ahead in the NFT market. Its NFT sales rose by 56%, while blockchains like Polygon and BNB Chain struggled. Right now, collectors and creators are choosing to invest where they feel most secure, and that’s Ethereum.

Key Takeaways

  • Ethereum dominated with $275.6 million in NFT sales, growing 56% from June.

  • Polygon’s sales plummeted by 51.1%, raising concerns about its long-term viability.

  • Bitcoin’s NFT ecosystem grew but still couldn’t match Ethereum’s scale.

  • Cardano surprised everyone with a 102% sales jump, showing there’s life in niche chains.

  • Collectors are focusing on Ethereum’s top collections, leaving smaller chains to fight for attention.

Ethereum Pulls Away from the Pack

Ethereum had a standout July, with $275.6 million in NFT sales, a 56% increase from June. These numbers matter, but the real story is about trust in the platform.

Buyers are increasingly focusing on established collections like CryptoPunks, Pudgy Penguins, and Bored Ape Yacht Club. These are projects with real staying power, and they’re all sitting comfortably on Ethereum. As investors get more cautious, they’re putting their money where they see long-term value.

While Ethereum soared, many alternative blockchains had a rough month. Polygon’s NFT sales dropped by a staggering 51.1%. BNB Chain and Mythos didn’t fare any better, each seeing their volumes slashed by more than half.

These figures reveal more than just sales. Liquidity is fading on platforms that once offered lower costs and faster speeds. With fewer active buyers and sellers, creators are moving to Ethereum, where the market remains active.

Bitcoin’s NFT scene, powered by Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens, did grow by 45.8%. But it’s still a niche market. Bitcoin may be a giant in crypto, but it hasn’t yet cracked the code for mainstream NFT adoption like Ethereum has.

Cardano’s Unexpected Comeback

Not all alternative chains are in freefall. Cardano had an impressive July, with NFT sales doubling to about $7 million. It’s still small compared to Ethereum, but this growth shows there’s demand for ecosystems that offer something different.

Cardano attracts users with its community focus and lower transaction fees. For some creators, especially those working on environmentally friendly projects, this is a strong incentive. Cardano shows that smaller platforms can succeed if they offer something different.

Why Ethereum Became the Safe Bet for NFT Investors

Ethereum’s dominance isn’t an accident. Several factors are working in its favor:

  • The biggest NFT collections live on Ethereum. This creates a flywheel of liquidity, where buyers know they can always find sellers.

  • Ethereum’s price rally past $3,900 in July gave a boost to NFT valuations.

  • Developers continue to build marketplaces, tools, and scaling solutions on Ethereum.

  • Ethereum’s NFTs have become digital status symbols. Owning a CryptoPunk or a Bored Ape is now about more than just speculation; it’s a way to show status.

Investors are following the money, and right now, that means anchoring their portfolios in Ethereum-based assets.

Fragmented Market or Flight to Safety?

The NFT market is more unified than it was a year ago. July’s data shows that collectors and serious investors are moving their money into platforms that feel stable and valuable. Right now, Ethereum is earning that trust.

This does not mean alternative chains have no future. Cardano’s recent growth shows there is still interest in niche platforms with unique offerings. However, chains that do not stand out, like Polygon recently, may struggle to keep up.

The trend of quickly moving projects between networks for fast gains is fading. Now, serious participants are looking for depth, reliability, and cultural value. Ethereum is meeting these needs.

The main point is that the NFT market is not shrinking, but maturing. Money is concentrating, collectors are more selective, and only platforms with real value will succeed in this next stage.

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NFT sales surge to $574 million in July, second-highest in 2025 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nft-sales-surge-to-574-million-in-july-second-highest-in-2025/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nft-sales-surge-to-574-million-in-july-second-highest-in-2025/#respond Thu, 31 Jul 2025 09:45:35 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nft-sales-surge-to-574-million-in-july-second-highest-in-2025/

Non-fungible token (NFT) sales surged to more than $574 million in July, the second-highest monthly volume this year, according to data from NFT tracker CryptoSlam. 

The figure represented a 47.6% increase from June’s $388.9 million but trailed January’s $678.9 million, the highest monthly sales volume in 2025. 

The number of transactions dipped from 5.5 million to five million, a 9% drop month-over-month. However, the average sale value climbed to $113.08, the highest in six months, suggesting a growing appetite for higher-value assets.

Unique buyers dropped to 713,085, down 17% from July’s 860,134, while unique sellers increased to 405,505, up 9% month-on-month. The imbalance suggests buyers are consolidating, with fewer participants making larger purchases. 

According to NFT Price Floor, the overall market capitalization for the NFT sector is over $8 billion, up 21% from its valuation of $6.6 billion on July 24. 

Data, Polygon
Top 10 NFT collections by market capitalization. Source: NFT Price Floor

Ether-based collections dominate the NFT space in July

In July, Ether (ETH) surged to over $3,900, a 62% increase from its Aug. 1 price of about $2,400. At the time of writing, ETH maintained a price above $3,800. 

The asset’s rally also influenced an increase in valuations for Ethereum-based collections. In the last 30 days, NFT Price Floor data shows that all of the top 10 collections by market capitalization are Ethereum-based NFTs. 

In terms of total value traded in 30 days, CryptoPunks led the list with over $69.2 million, according to NFT Price Floor. Pudgy Penguins followed with $55.5 million, while the Polygon-based Courtyard NFTs held the third spot with $23.8 million. 

Growth-wise, Pudgy Penguins outpaced even CryptoPunks in July. The collection showed a remarkable 65.44% increase in floor prices. This eclipsed the performance of other blue-chip collections like the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) or the Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC). 

Related: Memecoin $79B rally means capital has nowhere better to go: Exec

Ethereum blockchain records $275 million in NFT sales

Ethereum continued to dominate blockchain-based NFT activity, with $275.6 million in sales. This marked 56% growth in the last 30 days, according to CryptoSlam. Bitcoin and Polygon followed, recording $74.3 million and $71.6 million, respectively. 

Meanwhile, Cardano showed the most significant percentage growth at 102%, while Solana saw modest gains of 8%. 

Despite being one of the top blockchains by NFT sales, Polygon’s sales volume fell by 51.1% from the previous month. BNB Chain had a 54% decrease in sales. 

Magazine: Jack Butcher’s no fan of NFT royalties: ‘You’re getting paid on churn’

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/nft-sales-surge-to-574-million-in-july-second-highest-in-2025/feed/ 0 50657 BAYC Commences Sales of ApeFest Vegas Tickets https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bayc-commences-sales-of-apefest-vegas-tickets/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bayc-commences-sales-of-apefest-vegas-tickets/#respond Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:20:31 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bayc-commences-sales-of-apefest-vegas-tickets/

Yuga Labs, the project behind the BAYC and MAYC NFT collections, has officially kicked off ticket claims for the upcoming ApeFest 2025, one of the most significant NFT events. As announced on July 14, BAYC NFT holders can now secure their spot for the event happening on October 24th at Area15, a popular immersive entertainment venue in Las Vegas.

BAYC members were given a head start to claim their ticket through the official ApeFest site, where they are required to place a $169 refundable deposit. This deposit will be returned once the holder checks in at the event by scanning their wristband. The tickets are free for BAYC holders, but the refundable deposit helps reduce no-shows and scalping.

Just 15 minutes after BAYC claims began, MAYC holders were also invited to claim their own tickets, using the same link and deposit process. The system ensures that both BAYC and MAYC holders have early and fair access, if available, before any public release. Holders can also bring one guest by purchasing a plus-one ticket for $269. However, this ticket is non-refundable unless canceled.

To claim tickets, users must use the Tokenproof app, a secure token-gated platform that verifies NFT ownership. Holders will need to connect their wallet, join a queue, and complete the claim within a 10-minute window.

This year’s ApeFest will take place at Area15, known for its futuristic installations, art experiences, and live events. Unlike past multi-day events, ApeFest 2025 will focus on a single, unforgettable night of entertainment, community bonding, and celebration. Like past ApeFest conferences, the BAYC team would likely debut new features and products that will keep the community engaged with the ape-themed IP.

An added bonus? The first 1,250 attendees who successfully claim their ApeFest tickets will also receive a free pass to ComplexCon Las Vegas, which takes place the weekend following the event. This pass is sponsored by ApeChain, a layer-2 blockchain owned by Yuga Labs.

ApeFest has become a major annual gathering for Yuga Labs and its community, and this year’s Las Vegas edition is expected to bring together thousands of BAYC and MAYC holders from around the world. It also solidifies ApeFest’s connection to the broader NFT and Web3 ecosystem.

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Tesla reports two years of falling sales numbers https://earlybirdsinvest.com/tesla-reports-two-years-of-falling-sales-numbers/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/tesla-reports-two-years-of-falling-sales-numbers/#respond Wed, 02 Jul 2025 22:58:23 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/tesla-reports-two-years-of-falling-sales-numbers/

No one is surprised to see another bad quarter of sales for Tesla; the only question is how Musk will spin it.

Tesla delivered 384,122 vehicles in the second quarter of this year, wrapping up another weak quarter for the company as it struggles to bring the pace of sales back up to 2023 levels.

That represents a 13.5% drop from the number of cars Tesla delivered in the second quarter of 2022, and it means Tesla runs a real chance of underperforming its total sales figure from 2024. If that happens, it would mean Tesla’s sales will have fallen two years in a row — despite the company once promoting the ability to grow deliveries at 50% annually.

TechCrunch

Pausing production, offering sweetheart financing deals, and lowering prices don’t seem to help. Tesla’s advantage in the market wasn’t quality; it was novelty. There are now more, better options to choose from, and Musk’s chemically induced performance on the global stage has not helped. There will be no pivot to selling EVs to coal-rolling weirdos, but that seems to be their only hope?

Previously:
• The Tesla ‘Cyberbeast’ is exceptionally ugly
• Tesla layoffs hit its diversity and inclusivity programs
• Small stickers on the ground trick Tesla autopilot into steering into opposing traffic lane

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Dubai real estate sales hit $18B in May amid tokenization push https://earlybirdsinvest.com/dubai-real-estate-sales-hit-18b-in-may-amid-tokenization-push/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/dubai-real-estate-sales-hit-18b-in-may-amid-tokenization-push/#respond Sun, 08 Jun 2025 08:45:00 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/dubai-real-estate-sales-hit-18b-in-may-amid-tokenization-push/

Dubai’s real estate market surged in May, posting record sales volumes and transaction values that signal growing investor confidence and potential readiness for property tokenization.

According to data shared in a press release with Cointelegraph by real estate platform Property Finder, Dubai’s real estate sector reached a total sales value of 66.8 billion dirhams (about $18.2 billion) across 18,700 transactions in May. The figures indicate a 44% year-on-year surge in transaction value and a 6% rise in sales volume.

The growth was driven by both primary and secondary market activity. Primary sales saw a 314% spike in value compared to May 2024, while secondary sales rose 21% in value.  

The performance comes amid an accelerating push into real estate tokenization, which opens up the market to more investors and reshapes the dynamics of property ownership. 

Dubai sales transactions value in dirhams from May 2024 to May 2025. Source: Property Finder

Dubai’s real estate market performance signals tokenization readiness

Scott Thiel, the co-founder and CEO of the real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform Tokinvest, told Cointelegraph that the record-breaking performance of Dubai’s real estate market signals the city’s readiness for real estate innovation like tokenization. 

“It reinforces what we already knew, Dubai is becoming one of the most active and attractive real estate markets globally,” Thiel told Cointelegraph. “When you see 60 billion dirhams in transactions in a single month, it’s a strong signal that the market is liquid, dynamic and ready for innovation.”

The executive added that real estate tokenization is no longer a futuristic concept but an active development gaining steam. Thiel added that the volume presents a perfect launchpad for fractionalization — dividing properties in smaller, more affordable shares — to meet investor demand locally and internationally. 

Thiel added that tokenization will not just follow market growth but will help accelerate it. “Tokenisation won’t just accompany the next record, we believe, it will help drive it,” he said.

Related: Dubai regulator greenlights Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin

Regulators back tokenized assets

Dubai’s real estate boom in May coincided with major regulatory and industry developments to modernize how properties are sold and bought. 

On May 1, Dubai’s MultiBank Group, real-estate giant MAG and blockchain provider Mavryk signed a $3 billion RWA agreement. The deal will bring MAG’s luxury real-estate projects into the blockchain using a regulated RWA marketplace. 

On May 19, the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), Dubai’s crypto regulator, updated its guidelines to include provisions for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Lawyer Irina Heaver told Cointelegraph these rules give issuers and exchanges a clear path to launch and trade tokenized real estate assets. 

On May 25, the Dubai Land Department (DLD), the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and the Dubai Future Foundation launched a tokenized real estate project in the Middle East and North Africa region. The government institutions launched a platform that allows investors to buy tokenized shares in “ready-to-own properties in Dubai.”

Magazine: Baby boomers worth $79T are finally getting on board with Bitcoin

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/dubai-real-estate-sales-hit-18b-in-may-amid-tokenization-push/feed/ 0 40807 World Foundation secures $135M via token sales to expand biometric Orb-verified IDs globally https://earlybirdsinvest.com/world-foundation-secures-135m-via-token-sales-to-expand-biometric-orb-verified-ids-globally/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/world-foundation-secures-135m-via-token-sales-to-expand-biometric-orb-verified-ids-globally/#respond Thu, 22 May 2025 03:55:19 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/world-foundation-secures-135m-via-token-sales-to-expand-biometric-orb-verified-ids-globally/

World Assets, a subsidiary of World Foundation (formerly Worldcoin), has raised $135 million through a strategic sale of WLD tokens to venture firms Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto, both early supporters of the fast-growing digital identity initiative.

According to the firm, the tokens were sold at prevailing market prices, which proportionately increased the circulating supply of WLD. World Assets conducts recurring tranche-based token sales to trading firms as part of its operations.

Based on CryptoSlate data, WLD was trading at $1.168 as of press time, up nearly 4% over the past 24 hours.

The funding will be used to meet surging demand for Orb-verified World IDs and to expand the World network’s footprint across the US and globally. The transaction follows earlier fundraising rounds backed by investors such as Selini Capital, Mirana Ventures, and Arctic Digital.

Scalable solution

World’s central premise is that as AI continues to evolve rapidly, establishing proof of personhood will be critical to maintaining trust, governance, and economic participation in digital systems.

The company’s core product, World ID, uses biometric verification via its proprietary Orb devices to issue decentralized identity credentials. These IDs allow users to verify their humanity without revealing personal information, a feature the company says will be crucial in mitigating AI-driven fraud, spam, and identity theft.

To date, more than 12.5 million people have received an Orb-verified World ID, and the total user base of the World network has exceeded 26 million.

The company said the funding will accelerate Orb deployment, bolster infrastructure, and improve accessibility to World IDs, particularly in underrepresented regions where digital verification tools remain scarce.

Self-sustaining protocol

Unlike traditional ID systems run by states or corporations, World aims to become a self-sustaining, decentralized protocol.

The organization has indicated that revenue from protocol-level fees and related services could eventually support network operations, allowing it to scale without perpetual dependence on external capital.

While the project has faced regulatory scrutiny over its biometric data collection practices in some jurisdictions, its backers maintain that the protocol’s approach offers a transparent, privacy-preserving alternative to centralized identity systems.

The renewed support from a16z and Bain highlights growing confidence among venture capitalists that decentralized identity may play a foundational role in the coming AI-dominated era.

The World Foundation framed this funding round as a step toward operational growth and a philosophical bet on the need for human-centric verification systems in an increasingly automated world.

Worldcoin Market Data

At the time of press 3:25 am UTC on May. 22, 2025, Worldcoin is ranked #53 by market cap and the price is up 10.79% over the past 24 hours. Worldcoin has a market capitalization of $1.84 billion with a 24-hour trading volume of $401.98 million. Learn more about Worldcoin ›

Crypto Market Summary

At the time of press 3:25 am UTC on May. 22, 2025, the total crypto market is valued at at $3.46 trillion with a 24-hour volume of $184.85 billion. Bitcoin dominance is currently at 63.25%. Learn more about the crypto market ›

Mentioned in this article
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Russia’s ‘Kraken’ Darknet Market Crypto Sales Soar 68% as Global Trade Falls https://earlybirdsinvest.com/russias-kraken-darknet-market-crypto-sales-soar-68-as-global-trade-falls/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/russias-kraken-darknet-market-crypto-sales-soar-68-as-global-trade-falls/#respond Mon, 19 May 2025 19:09:32 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/russias-kraken-darknet-market-crypto-sales-soar-68-as-global-trade-falls/

Key Takeaways:

  • Russia’s darknet markets grew 68% while global sales fell 15%.
  • Strict KYC pushes darknet vendors toward DeFi platforms.
  • Monero gains traction as darknet operators ditch traceable Bitcoin.

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has reported a 15% decline in global cryptocurrency sales across darknet markets in 2024, according to a data-driven blog post on May 16. Altogether, these markets brought in just over $2 billion in Bitcoin, while fraud shops dealing in stolen or counterfeit goods saw around $225 million in inflows.

However, this overall slowdown wasn’t universal. Russia’s darknet market defied the trend, recording a 68% surge in crypto sales, which indicates a sharp regional divergence in illicit crypto activity.

Why is “Kraken” (Darknet Market) Dominating Russia’s Underground Economy?

The global darknet markets continue to evolve, and Russia is at the center of a surprising shift. In 2024, most countries saw crypto sales on darknet markets fall, but not Russia.

Chainalysis revealed that the top Russia-based darknet markets remained dominant, but one stood out.

The “Kraken” darknet market (unrelated to the legitimate Kraken crypto exchange) surpassed Mega to become the highest-earning darknet market of the year.

While Mega’s revenue fell by over 50% year over year, the Kraken darknet market saw a dramatic 68% rise.

By the end of 2024, the Kraken darknet market had generated $737 million in on-chain crypto sales. Meanwhile, Blacksprut, which initially gained traction alongside Mega, saw its revenue drop by 13.6%.

Crypto sales are only part of the story. Russia’s darknet markets are steadily evolving as vendors grow savvier and more coordinated, increasingly outsourcing key functions—hosting, payments, and logistics—to turnkey providers like iKlad.biz and Klad.cc.

When Hydra Market collapsed in 2022, its network didn’t disappear. Former affiliates simply regrouped, tapping into the same shadowy ecosystem now driving Kraken’s expansion.

Authorities are also pushing hard against this underground resurgence. For example, in December 2024, a Russian court sentenced Stanislav Moiseyev, Hydra’s founder, to life in prison. Fifteen of his associates received sentences ranging from 8 to 23 years.

In the U.S., federal authorities arrested Taiwanese national Rui-Siang Lin in May 2024. Lin allegedly ran Incognito Market, a darknet market that disappeared after an exit scam in March. Investigators linked Lin to crypto transfers made to an exchange account in his name. His charges include a wide range of cyber and financial crimes.

But criminals are adapting. Bitcoin, once the currency of choice, now poses a risk due to its traceability.

Many darknet market operators are switching to Monero, a privacy coin that hides transaction details. Monero’s activity, however, lies beyond the scope of the Chainalysis report.

DeFi Creates New Illicit Loophole for Darknet Market Vendors

The report also observed a changing trend. Over the past few years, darknet market vendors used centralized exchanges (CEXs) to convert crypto to cash, but this changed in 2024.

Vendors increasingly moved funds to decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms instead.

Vendors sent more of their earnings to DeFi platforms and personal wallets than ever before. While CEXs still play a major role in the crypto sales cycle, DeFi is now a rising alternative.

The appeal is simple. DeFi offers extra privacy and lighter oversight, letting users bypass KYC checks and other red tape, which makes it a convenient way for criminals to cash out quietly.

Retail vendors are storing more crypto on-chain, while wholesale vendors are leaning heavily on DeFi. This results in a more fragmented and harder-to-trace web of darknet market transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What new strategies are emerging in the darknet market ecosystem?

Following the closure of major darknet markets, new models like Telegram-only marketplaces and platform mergers have appeared. For example, Haowang Guarantee was a massive Telegram-based black market that processed illicit transactions worth $27 billion before Telegram shut it down in May 2025.

What role does AI play in detecting illicit transactions in crypto and DeFi?

AI can help detect money laundering in crypto better than traditional methods. Some newly trained AI models can spot tricky transaction patterns that humans might miss. For instance, Lucinity is an AI-powered graph analysis product that can map wallet connections to find money laundering schemes.

The post Russia’s ‘Kraken’ Darknet Market Crypto Sales Soar 68% as Global Trade Falls appeared first on Cryptonews.

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DEVCON VI: TICKET SALES BEGIN & MORE! https://earlybirdsinvest.com/devcon-vi-ticket-sales-begin-more/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/devcon-vi-ticket-sales-begin-more/#respond Sun, 04 May 2025 07:14:49 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/devcon-vi-ticket-sales-begin-more/

Amigos y amigas!

Today, we want to bring everyone a few details on the ticketing process in advance of Monday’s launch, and we have updates on supporter, volunteer, and discount-ticket applications. As the icing on the cake, we’ll also introduce you to the Devcon Community Hubs!

But first, we hope you’ve heard about the pre-sale of Devcon VI tickets in the Auction & Raffle, and maybe even placed a bid. If not, you have one final day to enter to win a ticket to Devcon VI by placing a minimum bid of 0.25 ETH. The Auction closes on July 14, 07:59 UTC.

All participants that don’t have the 20 highest bids will end up in the Raffle to potentially win one of 80 Devcon VI tickets at the price of 0.25 ETH each (~50% off the regular price)!

TICKET SALES BEGIN! 🎟

Now we have more news for you: Wave 01 of general admission Devcon tickets will go online on July 18, first at 16:00 UTC and again at 23:00 UTC.

Ticket sales will go online here at the times listed above.

Waves have been a bit of a rush in the past, but we’ve made changes to work toward a smoother process with multiple timezone options — something that helped many Devconnect attendees!

To ensure more people a fair chance to attend Devcon, ticket purchases are limited to 2 tickets per order, and there will be more ticketing waves to come following next week’s release.

Ready? Set your alarms and head over to the Devcon.org Ticketing Page when the wave opens!

Builder, Students & Volunteers 👷

As always, we’re working on making Devcon accessible to more people.

More than two thirds of Devcon tickets are (still) either discounted or free and geared toward builders and students among other groups.

We opened builder, student, and volunteer applications way ahead and are working through applications. You can still apply to help as a volunteer or for builder or student discounts.

Closing Supporter Applications 📝

We were excited to announce this year’s Supporter Program in lieu of traditional sponsorships. Instead of sponsoring the event, aligned groups are invited to contribute to donations to Ethereum public goods and as a thank you, they’ll receive Supporter tickets to Devcon VI.

We owe a big thank you to all groups who have already committed to contributing via the Supporter Program and thereby helping grow the Ethereum ecosystem.

We’ve been putting some effort into reviewing all of the groups who have applied to participate in the Devcon Supporters Program, and while we’re still in the reviewing process, (thanks for the patience to everyone still waiting!) we are closing the Supporters applications to new submissions on July 18, 16:00 UTC.


Each year, we try to make Devcon a more holistic experience, and alongside this, make Devcon more decentralized, community-driven and playful. We’re trying to reach this with different initiatives, for example with the Devcon Improvement Proposals (DIPs), with events happening around Devcon organized by aligned groups of the ecosystem, and by adding extra sparkles besides the main programming, like art exhibitions, hacker spaces, and now Community Hubs.

Community Hubs are physical spaces that we want to allocate to dedicated groups from the Ethereum community free of charge, and leave it up to them to organize, facilitate and be responsible for what happens in the Hubs throughout the course of the whole conference.

Community Hubs will be marketing-free, tech or community-focused, dedicated to a specific cause or topic, and they should bring benefit for all Devcon attendees.

We opened a request for proposals (RFP) for Community Hubs!
If you are a community, initiative or interest group, interested in contributing to Devcon VI, head over to the Devcon Forum and apply to get allocated a Community Hub area. You find a full description of the Community Hubs and instructions on how to apply in the RFP.

TL;DR

  • Enter to win in the Auction & Raffle and place a bid before July 14, 07:59 UTC.
  • Secure general admission tickets in Wave 01 starting on July 18, 16:00 UTC & 23:00 UTC.
  • Supporter applications close on July 18, 16:00 UTC. Apply here.
  • Communities, initiatives and interest groups can make a proposal for a Community Hub.

Stay tuned for the next ticket releases, as well as the first news on speakers and programming here on the Blog or on Twitter.


🦄
devcon team

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