Weekly News from Polkadot & Kusama #126: 4th Bitcoin Halving Completed
1. Bitcoin completed the 4th halving, miner rewards halved to 3,125 BTC per block
On April 19th, Bitcoin completed its fourth halving! Bitcoin’s block reward halved from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block, subtly impacting miners while the market remained stable around $64,000.
This event underscores Bitcoin’s deflationary nature, potentially influencing long-term price dynamics. Though significant for miners, it’s often unremarkable for investors initially. However, heightened trading activity preceding halvings suggests growing investor interest.
The next halving is projected in 2028 at 1,050,000 blocks.
2. Gavin Wood presented the JAM Gray Paper at TOKEN2049 in Dubai
Gavin Wood, the co-founder of Ethereum and Polkadot, introduced the Grey Paper of JAM at TOKEN2049 conference in Dubai, a protocol that combines features from both networks.
Positioned as a potential successor to the Polkadot Relay Chain, JAM boasts a modular design aimed at scalability and efficiency by merging a smart contract system (like in Ethereum) with Polkadot’s parachains service that supports existing Substrate-based parachains, allowing devs to continue using Substrate for blockchain development and deployment.
Moreover, JAM will exclusively utilize DOT for interactions, ensuring seamless integration with the Polkadot ecosystem.
The proposal is now open for community review and approval via Polkadot’s decentralized governance mechanism, underscoring the project’s commitment to Notably, JAM will exclusively use DOT for transactions, ensuring seamless integration with Polkadot.
3. BEEFY is now enabled on Polkadot
BEEFY (Bridge Efficiency Enabling Finality Yielder) is now enabled on Polkadot! The BEEFY protocol enables trustless cross-chain bridging and unlocks:
- Polkadot <> Kusama Bridge
- Snowbridge: Ethereum <> Polkadot
- Hyperbridge: L1s & L2s <> Polkadot
4. Agile Coretime goes live on Kusama: Lastic’s blockspace marketplace launches
Agile Coretime is now operational on the Kusama network, marking the beginning of a new era in decentralized transactions. Scheduled to commence in approximately 3.5 days from April 18th, Coretime introduces a pioneering blockspace marketplace concept pioneered by Lastic.
It facilitates primary market activities such as acquiring, splitting, utilizing, and transferring cores, revolutionizing how transactions are conducted on the Kusama network.
5. Polimec unveils the first wave of projects for funding on Polkadot ecosystem
Polimec, a platform for crowdfunding projects on Polkadot, has revealed its initial lineup of projects seeking funding. Among them are:
- APILLON: A user-friendly Web3 development platform designed to simplify blockchain innovation within the Polkadot ecosystem.
- MANDALA CHAIN: A network bridging government, enterprise, and retail applications on decentralized infrastructure. Mandala Chain focuses on expanding blockchain adoption, particularly in emerging markets like Southeast Asia.
- GOTEM: An Investigations DAO platform enabling global collaboration for crowdfunding and crowdsourcing investigative tasks. GotEM empowers users worldwide to participate in solving missions and security challenges through community-driven efforts.
6. Tanssi Network launches incentivized TestNet campaign: Let’s Forkin’ Dance!
Get ready to groove with Let’s Forkin’ Dance! On April 30th, Tanssi Network starts its Incentivized TestNet campaign, blending on-chain and off-chain challenges.
Since its inception, Tanssi has aimed to simplify appchain deployment. The campaign, crucial for the mainnet launch, offers incentives and engages participants in staking and governance roles.
7. KILT completes Polkadot treasury grant, unveils Decentralized Identity Provider (DIP)
KILT announces the completion of all Polkadot Treasury Grant milestones for its Decentralized Identity Provider (DIP), now ready for use. DIP enables a groundbreaking cross-chain decentralized identity system inspired by OpenID functionality. It simplifies appchain deployment and provides a suite of components for integration, promising portability, core competency focus, simplified user management, and decoupling of identities and accounts. With DIP, users gain control over their data, making identity management robust and comprehensive.
8. Centrifuge raises $15M for DeFi expansion in oversubscribed funding round
Centrifuge secures $15M in Series A funding led by ParaFi Capital and Greenfield, doubling down on delivering DeFi to institutions. The oversubscribed round includes backing from Circle Ventures, IOSG Ventures, and others.
Besides that, Centrifuge co-founder Lucas Vogelsang proposes Centrifuge Pools, a lending market on Coinbase’s Base network, aiming to provide on-chain utility for real-world assets. Governance will be decentralized via DAO.
9. Velocity Labs revealed their further direction in Polkadot ecosystem
Velocity Labs aims to bolster DeFi innovation on Polkadot, recognizing its potential as a hub for resilient financial applications.
The ecosystem currently lacks the necessary infrastructure for DeFi to flourish on Polkadot’s blockspace. Velocity Labs plans to fill this gap by offering tailored services, including:
- Tooling & Infrastructure Development
- Infrastructure Business Development for Polkadot
- DeFi Incubation (Engineering, Product and GTM Support)
- Advisory, to empower projects building financial services on Polkadot.
10. HydraDX tokens STINK and DOTA now supported in Nova Wallet
Nova Wallet introduces support for STINK and DOTA tokens on HydraDX, enhancing user accessibility and convenience. With pure degen mode turned on, users can seamlessly manage their shitcoins within the Nova Wallet interface.
11. CoinGecko celebrates 10 years with Polkadot & Zeebu as anniversary partners
CoinGecko commemorates a decade in the crypto space, reminiscing on the journey from inception to becoming the world’s leading independent crypto data aggregator. With over 10 million monthly users and 200 million monthly page views, CoinGecko remains dedicated to providing accurate data and guiding users through the evolving crypto landscape.
CoinGecko celebrates this milestone with Zeebu and Polkadot as partners.
12. Gasp Testnet launches: A milestone in cross-chain interoperability on EigenLayer by Mangata founders
Mangata is now GASP! The Gasp testnet, a project by Mangata founders, is now live on Holesky Ethereum, ushering in a new era of native cross-chain interoperability.
Built on EigenLayer, Gasp introduces gas-free swaps, lightning-fast transactions, and MEV protection.
Moreover, Mangata X users & MGX holders will receive a GASP token airdrop upon launch, replacing MGA tokens, totaling 3% of GASP’s supply. Join the testnet and shape the future of cross-chain interoperability.
13. Trade DED now live on StellaSwap: Polkadot’s memecoin available on Moonbeam Network
DED, one of Polkadot’s much-discussed memecoins, is now tradable on StellaSwap via the Moonbeam Network. To start trading, simply connect your EVM-compatible wallet and dive into the action. Trade DED now at StellaSwap App.
14. HydraDX’s SWAP feature is live on SubWallet
HydraDX’s SWAP feature is now live on SubWallet’s browser extension and web dashboard. With SWAP, you can seamlessly exchange between 9 assets and perform cross-chain transfers, all from one intuitive UI.
Stay tuned for the upcoming mobile release, bringing convenient trading to your fingertips!
- Support Polkadotters Shrimp and Polkadotters Octopus validators on Polkadot and be a part of a more secure Web3 future
- 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
