Crypto Daily Digest - August 26th

Ethereum mainnet Merge countdown: 20 days until the expected date (September 15th).

Infrastructure

• EthereumPoW releases its first testnet Iceberg. Source
• Offchain Labs releases Arbitrum Nitro whitepaper. Source
• The Graph launches multi-chain incentivized program MIPs and will support Gnosis Chain. Source
• Layer1 blockchain Sui launches Sui Explorer. Source

DeFi

• DeFi lending protocol Compound launches Compound III. Source
• Synthetix founder proposes to cap the total supply of $SNX at 300M. Source
• $rETH to $ETH ratio drops to 0.8589 on Curve. Source
• Klaytn-based DEX Klex goes live on mainnet. Source
• QiDAO team releases proposal to add stablecoin $MAI to Aave V3 on Polygon. Source
• Lido Finance supports $ETH Staking on Loopring. Source
• Lending protocol Yeti Finance will introduce Peg Stability Module for $YUSD. Source

CeFi

• SBF denies report that FTX Ventures is merging with Alameda Research's crypto VC business. Source
• Coinbase added $HBAR to the listing roadmap. Source
• Zipmex appoints restructuring firm to forge recovery plan. Source
• Binance will support the Klaytn network upgrade. Source
• Indian exchange CoinDCX launches DeFi mobile app Okto. Source
• CZ and Busan Mayor sign business agreement on blockchain industry cultivation cooperation. Source
• Elon Musk's request for Twitter user data has been rejected by a Delaware chancellor. Source
• FTX lists $STG perpetual futures on August 26th. Source

Metaverse & NFTs

• Magic Eden allows buying Solana NFTs with $ETH or credit cards. Source
• NFT buyers on X2Y2 can now choose the amount of royalties they would like to contribute to projects. Source
• Snoop Dogg and Eminem will bring BAYC NFTs to VMAs in ‘Otherside’ metaverse performance. Source
• Gaming giant Atari will launch its 50th anniversary NFT collection in September. Source

Policy & Regulation

• Monetary Authority of Singapore examines crypto firms ahead of new regulations. Source
• Over 20 crypto-related businesses shut down in Herat, Afghanistan. Source

Fundings

• Animoca Brands Japan raises $45 million. Source
• Alchemy acquires Web3 education platform ChainShot. Source
• Blockchain explorer SolanaFM raises $4.5M in a seed round led by Digital Asset Opportunity Fund. Source
• DeFi Protocol Mellow Protocol closed a $2.75 million seed round led by Robot Ventures, Arrington Capital, and ParaFi. Source
• a16z will provide $300,000 to Gitcoin Grants 15. Source