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Tim Alper

Author

Tim Alper

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Tim Alper is a British journalist and features writer who has worked at Cryptonews.com since 2018. He has written for media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, and Chosun Ilbo. He has also worked…

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July 23, 2025

Park Gyuri, a founding member of the K-pop girl group Kara, is facing fresh crypto allegations, days after telling a court she did not participate in her ex-lover’s alleged altcoin fraud operations.

The case revolves around a low-cap art-themed altcoin named Pica Coin and its alleged mastermind Song Ja-ho, Park’s ex-boyfriend.

At the time of the launch, Park was reportedly listed as Pica’s Chief Communications Officer and Advisor.

Park Gyuri: Crypto Accusations Continue

Last week, prosecutors summoned Park as a witness in the Song fraud case. She told a branch of the Seoul Southern District Court that she had played no part in any illegal crypto schemes or efforts to manipulate token prices.

She claimed that she thought Pica was an above-board art-technology startup. Park also claimed that she worked as a salaried worker at Pica “for a year as a curator and publicity manager, planning and promoting exhibitions for artists.” The K-pop star added:

“I knew nothing about cryptoassets. And I did not want any photos of me to feature in the Pica Coin white paper. I have never participated in or benefited from illegal coin operations. […] I have never made any profit from [this coin].”

‘I Sold My BTC to Buy Altcoin,’ Star Claims

Furthermore, Park claimed that she had invested 60 million won (currently $43,566) in Pica Coin in April 2021.

She said that she raised the funds for the purchase by selling her personal Bitcoin (BTC) holdings.

But the former Kara member said she “lost everything” when the Pica Coin was delisted from the Upbit crypto exchange two months later, in June 2021.

However, the Pica Coin CEO Seong Hae-joong told the media outlet iMBC that Park’s claims were untrue. Seong said that Song “directly compensated her with 60 million won in cash in December of the same year, acting out of pity for her.”

This was despite the fact that Park and Song reportedly broke up in September 2021. Seung provided the media outlet with screenshots of an alleged conversation about the “compensation” between Park and Song on KakaoTalk.

The screenshots appear to show Park asking Song when exactly he would send her the money on December 8, 2021. To this, he appears to respond: “Before the end of the month.”

Park also appears to “correct” Song’s intention to send 50 million, saying: “It wasn’t 50 million, but actually 60 million.”

Prosecutors Launched Legal Case in 2023

Seong also stated that Park’s claims that she had never made any profit from crypto were “untrue.” He asserted that Park’s assertions were “one-sided” and “lacked credulity.”

The media outlet said that it had contacted Park’s talent agency Big Boss Entertainment with multiple unsuccessful requests for comment.

However, the newspaper Maeil Kyungjae quoted Park’s representatives as stating: “We cannot comment on matters connected to Ms. Park’s private life.”

Park has previously expressed her exasperation with the case on her social media pages, asking rhetorically why she is not being allowed to move on from her involvement with Pica.

Police arrested Song in 2023 on charges of fraud and breach of trust. Prosecutors have accused him of soliciting investments for artworks he did not own.

Officials also think Song may have also manipulated Pica Coin prices to his own advantage.

Park debuted with Kara in 2007, with the group disbanding in 2016. Kara reformed in 2022 and is currently touring Asia, with performances slated for Yokohama, Japan, and Macau in August.

Ninety-year-old University of Washington emeritus physics professor John G. Cramer has volunteered to join a pioneering effort to surpass the 122-year human longevity limit by undergoing bioreactor-grown mitochondrial transplantation. The work is overseen by physicians and scientists from Stanford, UCLA, Northwell Health NY, and Mitrix Bio.

Cramer describes the approach as “the first that seems potentially safe and powerful enough to get someone past 122 in good health” and, if successful, could also aid children with genetic disorders, injured veterans and others.

Cramer holds 300-plus physics papers, three hard-science novels and the first audio recording of the Big Bang among his accomplishments, but he still wants “another 30 years” to pursue new books, experiments and possibly another doctorate.

After evaluating current life-extension methods, he selected mitochondrial transplantation over epigenetic reprogramming, judging the latter too risky for his age. Mitochondria — the cell’s power plants — can now be transplanted to treat sepsis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other conditions; Mitrix Bio aims to scale the process to reverse aging by supplying large volumes of “age-reset” mitochondria.

The project seeks five additional participants aged 55 or older or living with chronic illnesses who can self-fund and are willing to act as early adopters. Data gathered will also assist teams treating pediatric, chronic and neurodegenerative diseases.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” says Cramer. “Isn’t that what everyone would like to do if they could? I and the other volunteers all feel privileged to blaze this new trail.”

May 26th Solana: A new star in the Real Asset Token game?

Tokenization of Actual Assets (RWAS) – The process of turning ownership of physical or non-physical properties into digital tokens has a new breeze as Solana begins to emerge as a potential blockchain for RWA applications. Ethereum has long been a “bright star” thanks to its strong infrastructure, a large development community, thanks to early support from major organizations such as JPMorgan and BlackRock, but expansion and high cost restrictions have led many people to seek alternative solutions. Solana has attracted projects like HomeBase and Credix, with eye-opening deals, ultra-low rates and an increasingly mature ecosystem. Liquid networks, on the other hand, are inferior to attracting projects like Mikrokapital, USTBL, Blockstream Mining Note, and there is a traditional Bitcoin philosophy. Midway through this race, Solana positions herself as a terrifying enemy, focusing on Ethereum’s historic role and liquid Bitcoin. There are all the suggestions that the future of real asset tokens will become the world of chains, each platform contributes to its own strengths.

Solana appearing in RWAS tokens

RWAS assets (RWAS) are the process of converting ownership of tangible assets (real estate, goods, etc.) or intangible (such as intellectual property rights) into digital tokens on the blockchain. This technology offers many benefits, including segmentation ownership, global transfer, and rising liquidity of assets that are inherently difficult to access. Not only that, but tokens turn assets into smart programs. This means that compliance, dividends, or management can be automated through smart contracts.

Large financial institutions and pioneering technology companies quickly seized the opportunity as it could optimize asset management, reduce intermediaries, and expand investment opportunities. Platforms such as Bitfinex Securities may even offer opportunities for both securities publishers and investors.

Initially, Ethereum was the brightest star in the RWA field, thanks to its strong ecosystem and flexible programming capabilities. Large organizations such as BlackRock, JPMorgan, European bank debt, securities and commercial assets on this platform. However, due to the high pricing and slower speed issues, many projects have found other options. This is when Solana joined the game with very fast processing speeds, very low fees and increasingly full infrastructure. Projects such as Homebase (Real Estate), Baxus (Luxury Rows), and Credix (Private Credit) are leveraging the power of Solana to test and extend RWAS tokens.

Liquid Network, a Bitcoin Sidechain developed by BlockStream, offers different options compared to Ethereum and Solana. While Ethereum highlights the flexibility of diverse ecosystems and smart contracts, Solana attracts speed and low cost, Liquid focuses on security, minimalism and belief in the original principles of Bitcoin.

Liquid prioritizes the calculation of security contracts and security transactions decisions and executions – all according to the original Bitcoin philosophy. Instead of chasing Defi’s complexities, Liquid focuses on simple, secure and easy audit contracts. This gives you the ideal choice for financial applications that require high reliability, such as Mikrokapital Bonds, the US Department of Treasury, or Bitcoin Mining Agreements.

Compare RWAS tokens with other blockchains

These three platforms represent three different strategies for integrating traditional finance into blockchain. With its rich defi ecosystem, Ethereum remains the first option for large RWA pilots. However, due to the high cost and speed, many developers switch to Layer 2 or 3rd party chains.

With single-shard and token primitive designs, Solana provides the ideal environment for RWA applications that require real-time speed and interaction. Features such as The Extensions Token allow levy to limit transfers, interest rate automation, and integration with rights at the token level.

Meanwhile, Liquid Network focuses on security and simplicity rather than competing for speed or programming capabilities. Features such as security transactions and low-risk financial agreements make them an attractive option for organizations that require strict audits and transparent reporting.

Where is the organization leaning towards?

Currently, large organizations are primarily based on Ethereum, thanks to their stability and legal compliance. However, Solana is gradually gaining attention from new organizations and fintech companies thanks to its ability to meet mass and low latency.

Liquid Network is not very noticeable in large titles, but is very suitable for bilateral markets and securities tokens.

Ethereum is the default choice for large and complex asset structures, but Solana dominates the minds of young developers with RWA applications that require speed and change state. The liquid is quietly active, but still plays an important role in certain cases. Security, simplicity and compatibility with Bitcoin are top priorities.

in short,: Real Asset Token (RWAS) is appearing in the future of chains where Ethereum, Solana and Liquid Network have their own roles. Ethereum is still a big guy on a large, complicated project. Solana stands out for its slow speed and cost, suitable for dynamic applications. With the traditional Bitcoin philosophy, Liquid Network is the ideal choice for security and simple transactions.

This game is not an exclusion battle, it’s an additional story. Each platform continues to assert its place in the world of real asset tokens and creates a diverse and potential ecosystem.

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/solana-a-new-star-in-the-real-asset-token-game/feed/ 0 38526 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/wandering-supermassive-black-hole-spotted-devouring-star/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/wandering-supermassive-black-hole-spotted-devouring-star/#respond Mon, 12 May 2025 04:17:45 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/wandering-supermassive-black-hole-spotted-devouring-star/

Through the looking glass: The discovery of a supermassive black hole not only challenges assumptions about where these galactic giants reside but also demonstrates the power of combining observations across the electromagnetic spectrum. As new telescopes such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope come online, astronomers expect to uncover more of these elusive wanderers.

Astronomers have identified a supermassive black hole located on the outskirts of a galaxy 600 million light-years from Earth, where it was observed consuming a nearby star.

This extraordinary find, marked by a brilliant cosmic flare, has given scientists their first direct glimpse of a “wandering” black hole consuming a star outside a galactic center – a phenomenon never before observed.

The event, labeled AT2024tvd, was first noticed by the Zwicky Transient Facility at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory, which surveys the northern sky every two days. The flare was as bright as a supernova, but its unique spectral signature: broad emission lines of hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, and silicon, revealing its true origin: a star being torn apart and devoured by a black hole.

This process, known as a tidal disruption event (TDE), occurs when a star ventures too close to a black hole and is stretched into thin streams by its immense gravity, a process scientists refer to as “spaghettification.” The resulting debris heats up and glows in ultraviolet and visible light, creating a spectacular burst of radiation.

What sets AT2024tvd apart from nearly 100 other TDEs recorded by optical sky surveys is its location. Unlike previous events, which all originated from the centers of galaxies, this TDE was found 2,600 light-years from the galactic core. There, a much larger black hole – 100 million times the mass of the Sun – sits at the galaxy’s center, actively consuming gas and shining as an active galactic nucleus.

This six-panel illustration by NASA shows a star being torn apart by a wandering supermassive black hole. First, the black hole drifts through a galaxy, detectable only by its gravitational influence. A nearby star gets caught in its intense gravity, stretched and shredded in a process called “spaghettification.” The stellar debris forms a glowing disk around the black hole, which then begins to feed, emitting energy across the electromagnetic spectrum – from X-rays to radio waves. Seen from afar, the galaxy displays a sudden flash of light offset from its center, where a larger black hole resides.

By comparison, the newly discovered black hole is about one million times the mass of the Sun and is not gravitationally bound to its larger neighbor despite their proximity. This separation is only a tenth of the distance between our Sun and the Milky Way’s central black hole, making the arrangement particularly unusual.

The detection of AT2024tvd was a collaborative effort involving several observatories. After the initial flare was spotted, astronomers used data from Pan-STARRS, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and the DESI Legacy Imaging Survey to catalog the host galaxy.

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory confirmed that the X-ray emissions were offset from the galactic center, and the Very Large Array radio telescope provided additional evidence. Ultimately, it was the Hubble Space Telescope’s optical and ultraviolet precision that pinpointed the event’s exact location and revealed its distinctively blue hue compared to the rest of the galaxy.

The presence of two supermassive black holes in one galaxy raises intriguing questions about their origins. One theory suggests that the wandering black hole was ejected from the galactic center through a gravitational interaction involving three black holes, with the lightest being flung outward.

Another possibility is that it is the remnant of a smaller galaxy that merged with the host galaxy more than a billion years ago. Although Hubble images show no direct evidence of a recent merger, the existence of a second supermassive black hole strongly hints that such an event occurred in the galaxy’s past.

“There is already good evidence that galaxy mergers enhance TDE rates, but the presence of a second black hole in AT2024tvd’s host galaxy means that at some point in this galaxy’s past, a merger must have happened,” explained Erica Hammerstein, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley who examined the Hubble data.

The black hole responsible for the TDE is usually invisible, only revealing itself every tens of thousands of years when it disrupts and consumes a star. After such an outburst, it returns to dormancy, waiting for its next cosmic meal.

Theorists have long predicted the existence of massive black holes away from galactic centers, but until now, none had been directly observed in the act of feeding. “AT2024tvd is the first offset TDE captured by optical sky surveys, and it opens up the entire possibility of uncovering this elusive population of wandering black holes with future sky surveys,” said Yuhan Yao, the study’s lead author.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has settled a lawsuit that arose from his endorsement of the failed crypto exchange FTX.

The former professional basketball player is among the co-defendants in a case against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is now behind bars for misappropriating over $8 billion in customer funds that led to the collapse of the exchange.

The class action complaint filed by Oklahoma resident Edwin Garrison in 2022 accused the celebrities and athletes who promoted FTX of engaging in deceptive practices and failing to perform due diligence prior to promoting the now-defunct trading platform.

The other defendants named in the case also include retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady and his ex-wife, model Gisele Bündchen, NBA player Stephen Curry, MLB pitcher Shohei Ohtani, NFL quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Shark Tank star and investor Kevin O’Leary.

O’Neal, who court documents indicate received nearly $750,000 for endorsing FTX, is now close to resolving the case.

In a joint notice of settlement agreement filed on April 23rd, the counsels representing O’Neal and the plaintiffs inform the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, that the two parties have agreed to an amicable resolution of the suit.

The filing did not disclose the settlement amount, and the agreement is still subject to court approval.

“Pursuant to the Class-Action Settlement Agreement the Parties executed on April 1, 2025, the terms of the agreement will remain confidential until Plaintiffs file a motion seeking preliminary approval of the settlement.”

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A new collaboration between blockchain-based MMO Star Atlas and decentralized cloud gaming platform Shaga aims to break down hardware barriers for gamers and creators alike. The two projects are rolling out a campaign titled “Streaming With Shaga,” offering rewards of up to $100,000.

Designed to showcase how high-fidelity Web3 games like Star Atlas can run smoothly on mobile devices without a gaming PC, this event highlights a growing push to make blockchain gaming accessible to wider audiences.

Bringing Web3 Gaming to Phones and Tablets

Star Atlas, developed on the Solana blockchain and powered by Unreal Engine 5, typically requires high-performance PCs to handle its detailed graphics and complex economy. Under this new initiative, creators can broadcast gameplay from their PC to viewers’ phones or tablets via Shaga’s cloud platform—no powerful computer required on the viewer’s end. In essence, Star Atlas becomes a game anyone can try out from virtually anywhere, as long as they have a smartphone or tablet.

$100K Reward Pool and Airdrop Angle

Central to the campaign is a substantial reward pool that combines $ATLAS tokens, Star Atlas ships, and GLOB points (Shaga’s native reward currency). Participants who register and are accepted into the campaign can earn various digital assets and tokens. GLOB points, in particular, may be of special interest: they’re designed to lead to future airdrops and unlockable perks, reflecting a broader shift in Web3 gaming toward giving active community members meaningful, long-term incentives.

An upfront submission bonus sweetens the deal for creators who move quickly. The next 50 qualifying participants that post a short “Shaga in Action” clip by April 21, 2025, can secure an additional Star Atlas XS Ship—valued at around $135—and $50 in USDC. These lucky early adopters then move on to compete for the full prize pool once the official campaign starts on April 23 running through May 7.

Source: Star Atlas

How Creators Can Qualify

Interested creators need at least 100 followers on major social platforms (e.g., X, Twitch, YouTube, or TikTok). They must have streamed at least four times within the past four months. To enter, they’ll record a 30- to 60-second video demonstrating how one of their viewers uses the Shaga app on a mobile device to access Star Atlas in real-time. Once the video is ready, they must post it on X, tagging @playonshaga and including the phrase “Streaming with Shaga.”

Accepted creators gain access to all of Star Atlas’ in-game assets, enabling them to showcase everything from starships to complex market mechanics. Moreover, each approved participant is promised 100,000 GLOB points, setting the stage for future token airdrops or other unlockable rewards within Shaga’s ecosystem.

Star Atlas: Paving a Way

Star Atlas is a futuristic grand strategy game set in the year 2620, inviting players to explore deep space, conquer new territories, and develop a thriving, player-driven economy. Developed on the Solana blockchain, it delivers fast and affordable transactions, while blending stunning Unreal Engine 5 graphics with decentralized asset ownership.

In Star Atlas, spaceships, virtual land, and in-game characters function as NFTs, meaning they can be bought, sold, or traded on marketplaces like Serum DEX. Players can jump into mining, engage in epic combat, and even shape the political landscape through Decentralized Autonomous Corporations (DACs).

A dual-token system fuels every interaction: $ATLAS covers in-game transactions, while $POLIS drives governance, letting the community make critical policy decisions.

With the help of Shaga’s decentralized cloud platform, Star Atlas hopes to reach an even broader audience by streaming its high-end gaming experience to just about any device. It’s a step toward a Web3 future where top-tier games aren’t restricted by hardware requirements—opening the door for more people to explore.

Web3 grand strategy MMO Star Atlas has partnered with Twitch add-on layer Shaga to launch a $100,000 USD Creator Campaign, with rewards in $ATLAS tokens, Star Atlas Ship NFTs, and Shaga’s GLOB points.

To qualify for the campaign, creators must use Shaga during a Twitch livestream of Star Atlas to allow a viewer to take over their gameplay. By sharing these “Shaga in Action” clips, creators can qualify for the upcoming Creator Campaign – and a share of the $100,000 prize pool on offer.

Qualification is open until 23:59 PST on April 22, with the $100,000 Creator Campaign to be held from April 23 to May 7.

Key Insights

• Star Atlas has partnered with Shaga for a $100,000 USD Creator Campaign
• Shaga lets creators allow their viewers to take over their gameplay live on stream
• To qualify, creators must share clips of Shaga in action before 23:59 PST on April 22
• Successful creators can take part in the Creator Campaign from April 23 to May 7
• The $100,000 prize pool consists of $ATLAS tokens, Ship NFTs, and Shaga’s GLOB points

What is Star Atlas?

Star Atlas is a space-themed grand strategy MMO Web3 game, built in Unreal Engine 5, powered by Solana, and now available on PC via the Epic Games Store for those with a game key.

Players build powerful fleets and assemble a crew to embark on an interstellar journey – exploring distant planets, mining valuable resources and crafting powerful parts and structures – with the ultimate goal of conquering the galaxy.

Taking inspiration from titles such as EVE Online and Star Citizen, the game features a dynamic, community-driven economy. Star Atlas goes a step further by utilising the Solana blockchain as the backbone of an economy that has been meticulously designed by economists, ensuring that players truly own their key assets, and opening up all-new opportunities for players.

Star Atlas is driven by the $ATLAS token – the native currency of the Star Atlas economy. As of writing, $ATLAS has a market cap of over $22.6 million, with a fully-diluted value of more than $43.3 million.

What is Shaga?

Shaga is a co-operative cloud gaming platform and Twitch add-on layer. Owners of powerful gaming PCs can utilise their rigs to livestream video games and host lobbies, earning rewards for allowing viewers to play remotely via their iOS or Android device.

Utilising the latest ultra-low latency technology, Shaga opens access to the latest gaming titles to anyone with a smartphone. This allows creators to leverage their rigs and their community for new revenue opportunities, whilst also opening all-new possibilities for fan interactions and livestream entertainment.

As part of the $100,000 Creator Campaign with Star Atlas, participants will earn $ATLAS tokens, exclusive Ship NFTs, and GLOB points. GLOB is the ecosystem currency of Shaga, earned by completing quests and playing a part in the Shaga Network, and spent on a variety of rewards.

What’s next for Star Atlas?

This partnership with Shaga is the latest development in what has been a buoyant 2025 for Star Atlas so far.

On March 26, Star Atlas announced a partnership with decentralized AI network SingularityNET to integrate AI agents into the game. Powered by two systems named AIRIS (Autonomous Intelligent Reinforcement Interpreted Symbolism) and OpenCon Hyperon, these AI agents will explore, learn and adapt to the environments around them utilising complex decision-making processes.

This will allow for more natural and flexible NPC interactions, as well as opportunities for use in tutorials, contextual mission guidance, and economy management.

The team has also made substantial progress against its public roadmap, with new features, vehicles and updates both added and completed on a regular basis. The community continues to build in anticipation towards the Season 0 release – the first major step in the Star Atlas team fulfilling their vision to create “an immersive, decentralized gaming cybernation… a living galaxy where players don’t just play, but thrive.”

British-American investment management firm BlueCrest Capital is reportedly sitting on massive gains after its owner – billionaire Michael Platt – took a bet on the new White House administration.

Citing “people with knowledge on the matter” who asked not to be identified, Bloomberg reports that BlueCrest is up 20% on the year already, while taking into account fees and expenses.

Platt reportedly used aggressive amounts of leverage to exploit the extreme volatility triggered by President Trump’s trade war, with BlueCrest now on track to complete a decade of consecutive returns.

BlueCrest returned capital to outside investors, turning the firm into a privately owned and managed family office, so its exact assets under management (AUM) is unclear – though court documents show that BlueCrest held $3.9 billion in 2022.

According to Forbes, Michael Platt is Britain’s richest hedge fund manager, worth about $18.8 billion as of December 2024, and currently stands with only a select few who have managed to profit in 2025 despite the global market sell-off induced by President Trump.

Billionaire Warren Buffett also recorded billions of dollars in gains this year, upping his net worth over $11.5 billion this year alone, and his gains come despite this month’s sell off, which reduced Buffett’s 2025 winnings by $14.5 billion.

Buffett, who is now ranked fourth among global billionaires, is one of only two in the top 20 that grew richer this year.

He’s alongside L’Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, who has added $1.8 billion.

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