Weekly News from Polkadot & Kusama #116

1. Khala won the 127th parachain auction on Kusama

Khala has won the 127th parachain auction on Kusama with its funds, 400 KSM worth $16,8k. Khala is already a winner of the auctions no. 4, 32 and 74.

Khala, canary netrowk of Phala, addresses trust concerns within the computation cloud, offering a trustless computation platform that facilitates extensive cloud processing while preserving data confidentiality.

2. Unique Network achieves record NFT minting speed on Polkadot

Powered by Polkadot, Unique Network achieves a groundbreaking NFT minting speed, setting a new standard in Web3 gaming development. With an impressive rate of 4930 NFTs per minute, Unique Network surpasses industry giants like Polygon and Solana, showcasing Polkadot’s scalability potential.

This historic achievement was demonstrated through the mass minting of 100k NFTs for Forever Has Fallen within 19 minutes, a pioneering project merging audio drama with online escape rooms.

Forever Has Fallen leads the charge in Web3 gaming, utilizing Bounty Hunter Tickets (BHTs) to unlock immersive experiences.

Unique Network emerges as the go-to platform for next-gen NFT chains on Polkadot, offering seamless integration and advanced features for unparalleled creativity.

3. W3F introducing “Decentralized Voices” program to shape the future of Polkadot and Kusama governance

Exciting news for Polkadot & Kusama OpenGov. Web3 Foundation Team launches “Decentralized Voices” program both for Polkadot and Kusama, empowering active voters with significant delegations.

If you are passionate about OpenGov and decentralization, this program is for you. W3F is delegating 180,000 KSM and 42 million DOT worth of voting power to active contributors.

Just show your devotion and be part of this amazing program! Full article from W3F, or you can simply apply here.

4. Security incident report: Exploit detected in Starlay Protocol’s USDC pool on Acala EVM platform

A critical security breach has been identified within the Starlay protocol’s USDC lending pool on the Acala EVM platform. The exploit stemmed from irregularities in liquidity index calculations, enabling an attacker to withdraw funds vastly exceeding their initial deposit after borrowing LDOT.

This incident underscores the importance of proactive monitoring and swift remedial actions to safeguard user assets and uphold trust within the DeFi ecosystem. Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds.

5. Hyperbridge unveils async backing upgrade

Hyperbridge takes a leap forward with its latest upgrade to async backing, boasting a lightning-fast 2-second block execution time and 6-second block times. This enhancement enables processing of up to 8 times the cross-chain messages in a slot, leveraging zk light clients for BEEFY.

Powered by Polkadot’s cutting-edge technology, Hyperbridge emerges as the decentralized, swift, and permissionless solution the industry has been longing for, surpassing expectations set by Wormhole, Chainlink, and LayerZero. With asynchronous execution, light clients, and zkProofs, Hyperbridge sets a new standard in blockchain innovation.

6. BOB unveils OptiMine: Bitcoin’s response to Ethereum’s restaking

BOB (short for Built on Bitcoin) introduces OptiMine (short for Optimistically Sequenced Merged Mining), a merged mining protocol harnessing Bitcoin’s PoW to fortify sidechains and ETH rollups.

OptiMine ensures fast block times and high TPS while addressing sparse block space challenges. With no changes required to Bitcoin, OptiMine enhances L2 solutions, decentralizes sequencers, and prepares for the 2024 Bitcoin Halving. This innovation marks a pivotal step towards securing Bitcoin assets on Layer 2 solutions.

7. Tanssi’s Dancebox Snaps: 100 appchains deployed in two weeks

Tanssi celebrates a milestone with 100 appchains deployed using Dancebox Snaps in just two weeks. This achievement signals progress in democratizing the appchain space, encouraging broader developer participation. The achievement shows how Tanssi can make Polkadot more popular and easier to use for everyone.

DanceboxSnaps enables rapid trial deployments of appchains, ideal for projects requiring swift testing setups. Say goodbye to time-consuming traditional approaches; with DanceboxSnaps, deployments take just 10 minutes. Dive into Dancebox Snaps on Tanssi’s TestNet for seamless deployment: http://apps.tanssi.network.

8. Joystream introduced the Ambassador Program with rewards in JOY

Dive into the vibrant world of Joystream as it unveils its dynamic Ambassador Program. This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower enthusiasts to spread the word about Joystream through engaging content creation. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or a social media influencer, this program offers exciting opportunities to earn rewards, gain early access to developments, and bask in exclusive perks.

Monetary:

Tier 1: 4,000 JOY per month
Tier 2: 6,000 JOY per month
Tier 3: 8,000 JOY per month
Tier 4: 10,000 JOY per month

Apply now to be part of the Joystream revolution, check out this article for more info.

9. USDC arrives on Zeitgeist Prediction Market

Zeitgeist Prediction Market achieves a milestone with the seamless integration of USDC, expanding its market offerings and bolstering stability. This move not only enhances accessibility but also solidifies Zeitgeist’s standing in the decentralized prediction market realm.

Users can now leverage USDC for their predictions, unlocking new possibilities and ensuring a more diverse and robust trading environment.

• Enhance Polkadot’s governance process by delegating your DOT or KSM to POLKADOTTERS, dedicated community supporters within the Polkadot ecosystem, enabling seamless participation in on-chain governance through Nova wallet or Polkadot Delegation Dashboard
• Support Polkadotters Shrimp and Polkadotters Octopus on Polkadot and be a part of a more secure Web3 future