Taproot Assets:稳定币赛道超越万亿市值的下一个增长点撰文:Evan & Haozhe, Waterdrip Capital; Peter & Boris, BitTap
引言
区块链本质是支付场景的延伸。就支付场景而言,稳定币不仅在加密货币市场中占据重要地位,并且在全球支付、跨境结算等方面正发挥着越来越重要的作用。目前,中心化稳定币市场仍然占据 90% 以上的市场份额。其中,泰达(Tether)公司发行的 USDT 占据稳定币中绝对的统治地位。此外,尽管稳定币已经发行了超过 1500 亿美元,但根据 2024 年美联储报告的 M1 数量 20 万亿美元(包括所有流通中的现金、旅行支票、活期存款账户中的资金等)来说,稳定币市值仅是 M1 的 0.75%。稳定币在支付上的应用仍然任重而道远。Taproot Assets 协议的推出预示着稳定币出现在高频小额的支付场景中具有广阔的想象空间,也预示使用稳定币作为常规支付手段的大规模采用成为可能。
1. 稳定币是未来的下一个万亿美元赛道
稳定币市场的蓬勃发展标志着其赛道成为未来金融领域的一个万亿美元市场的潜力。当前,稳定币市值已超过 1600 亿美元,日交易量更是高达 1000 亿美元以上。主流国家纷纷出台稳定币相关的政策法规;同时,多方机构预测稳定币将引来新的万亿市场,并且新的增量市场主要来自于稳定币在全球化支付的广泛应用。
稳定币可以分为中心化稳定币和去中心化稳定币两大类;其中去中心化稳定币又可以被细分为算法稳定币和抵押加密资产进行发行的稳定币,以及两者兼之的类型。目前中心化稳定币占据市场绝对的统治地位,两大巨头 USDT 和 USDC——Tether 和 Circle 分别发行了发行了 1144.6 亿美元和 341.5 亿美元数量的美元稳定币。其中 Tether 更以 125 人的公司规模,一年毛利就有 45 亿美元。如此诱人的机会自然也吸引了许多大机构进场布局:
贝莱德在以太坊上发行了代币化基金 BUIDL,该基金旨在提供稳定价值并赚取收益,成为市值达 3.84 亿美元的大型代币化基金。
7 月 24 日,据财联社报道,京东币链科技 (香港) 将在香港发行与港元 1:1 锚定的加密货币稳定币。
中心化稳定币已然实现在加密生态中的广泛采用,我们日常在 DEX 或 CEX 的交易和结算都是透过中心化的稳定币来进行结算和交易;而去中心化稳定币背后的抵押资产多为加密资产,通常用于借贷。
虽然稳定币在加密货币的交易和 DeFi 中发挥了重要的作用,但是它跟实体商业相结合的探索还非常早期。从长远来看,稳定币最有潜力的应用场景在于支付领域,尤其是跨境支付。目前,跨境支付涉及多个中介机构,包括发卡行、支付网关、支付处理器等复杂流程,不仅费用高昂,而且结算时间漫长。而稳定币不仅仅是另一种更优选择,更是是经济参与的重要渠道。随着稳定币监管逐渐向合规化发展,其在全球支付场景中的地位将愈发重要。不仅如此,未来伴随稳定币在支付场景的大规模采用,更能与 DeFi 融合催生出 Pay Fi,实现支付场景中的互操作性、可编程性和可组合型,形成传统金融无法实现的新金融范式和产品体验。
2. Taproot Assets 协议 + 闪电网络有望成为全球性支付网络的基础设施
目前稳定币主要流通于 ETH 和 TRON 区块链网络,但是他们手续费一般会超过 1U,链上转账时间超过 1 分钟。相比之下,闪电网络(Lightning Network)具有更快速、低成本和高扩展性的优势。
2.1 什么是闪电网络?
闪电网络是比特币网络第一个比较成熟的二层拓展方案。在闪电网络的白皮书问世之后,多个团队开始独立地开发闪电网络,包括 Lightning Labs、Blockstream 和 ACINQ 等。而 Taproot Assets 正是 Lightning Labs 开发的一个资产发行协议。
那具体是如何实现呢?双方先是建立起一个双向流通的状态通道(State Channel),发起支付的双方 A 和 B 在链上创建一个 2-2 多签的地址,使得 A 和 B 都可以从这个新地址转出或者转入限额内的比特币。在转出之前,双方发送一些锁定数据并记账,形成交易支付,可以多次往来支付。直到交易记账结束,双方结算,新地址的比特币按结算数量被转给双方。因此,只有最新版本才是有效的,这是由哈希时间锁合约(HTLC)实现并强制执行的。任何一方都可以通过将最新版本广播到区块链来随时关闭此条目,而无需任何信任或托管。
因此,双方可以不受限制地进行链下交易,并使用比特币链作为仲裁者,但最终交易完成后或者交易有一方出现错误的情况(比如其中一方钱包里余额不足)出现时,智能合约才会介入并在区块链上执行。这类似于 A 与 B 签订许多法律合同,但不会每次签订合同时都上法庭,只有最终的合同确认后或者不合作的情况发生时,法院才会介入。
2.2 闪电网络成为稳定币全球化支付最好的基础设施
也就是说,用户可以在链下互相发送无限次的交易,而且也不会对比特币本身的网络造成拥堵;同时,还能依托于比特币网络的安全性。理论上来说,闪电网络的 Scalability(可扩展性)没有上限。
目前为止,闪电网络运行了 9 年,并建立在目前加密生态中最具安全性的网络之上 —— 比特币网络(拥有超过 57000 + 节点和 Pow 工作量证明机制),能够最大程度地确保闪电网络的安全性。
截止当前,闪电网络已经超过 5000 个比特币的容量,全球 18000 + 个节点,50000 + 个通道;通过建立双向支付通道实现了即时且低成本的交易,闪电网络正在全球范围内被大量的支付商、商家集成和使用,正在逐渐成为全球化支付最广泛共识的去中心化解决方案。
数据来源:https://mempool.space/zh/lightning
比特币资产占据加密市值的半壁江山,伴随此轮周期回归比特币生态的热潮;闪电网络作为第一个比特币的二层扩展解决方案,真正解决了中本聪所构建的点对点全球化支付的设想。闪电网络已然成为最正统性、共识最强的比特币社区,是理想中的全球化支付最佳解决方案。
2.3 Taproot Assets 协议补齐了闪电网络的最后一公里
美中不足的是,在 Taproot Assets 协议出现之前,闪电网络仅支持比特币作为支付用的货币,应用场景非常的局限。在比特币已然成为数字黄金的今天,绝大部分人不愿意付出自己的比特币。
尽管之前已经有一些比特币一层的发行协议了,例如 Atomical,基于 Odinals 的 BRC20,但他们都不支持直接进入闪电网络,Taproot Assets 协议的推出刚好可以解决这个问题。它是 Lightning Labs 所主导研发,基于比特币网络的资产发行协议。与 Odrinals 协议一样,任何人或者机构都可以使用 Taproot Assets 协议发行自己的代币,同样也支持发行法币对应的稳定币,如 USD,AUD,CAD,HKD 对应的稳定币等。
相对于其他资产协议的优势是,Taproot Assets 协议的资产将跟闪电网络完全兼容,使得在闪电网络上使用稳定币进行支付成为可能。因此意味着未来将会有大量基于比特币网络发行的新资产(特别是稳定币)会流通到闪电网络,此举反过来又赋能了闪电网络在全球范围内的支付布局和影响力。
依赖于比特币的安全性和去中心化,Lightning Labs 所提倡的 「让美元和世界金融资产比特币化」 正在成为现实。Taproot Assets 主网协议的上线,意味着稳定币的万亿支付场景已正式拉开帷幕。
3. Taproot Assets 协议(以下简称 TA)详解
TA 协议的运作原理深植于比特币的 UTXO 模型,并且其实现依托于比特币网络的 Taproot 升级。其两者作为 TA 协议的最核心元素,驱动着协议的有效运行。
3.1 UTXO 模型和 Account 模型的异同与利弊
Account 模型与 UTXO 模型的对比
UTXO(未花费交易输出)是一个很重要的概念,它是所有比特币二层和 Ordi,Runes 协议实现的基础;事实上,几乎绝大部分的公链如以太坊和 Solana 都采用的 Account(账户)模型。以下是两者的概念的诠释和对比:
账户模型很好理解,就和我们的支付宝账户一样;每一笔收入和支出,对应到个人的直观感受就是账户界面里数字的变化。
UTXO 模型可以理解为某个人 「A」 的一个钱包。里面存放着 B,C,D 授权给 A 可以兑换的支票,也包含 A 授权给 E,F,G 可供兑换的支票;此时 A 钱包的余额 =(B,C,D 给 A 的支票面值)-(A 给 E,F,G 的支票面值)。比特币网络就相当于可以承兑这些支票的银行,它可以通过用户互相交易这些支票的最新情况来计算每个用户地址里的最新余额。
由于 UTXO 模型的独特性质,它天然排除了双花问题,相较于基于账户的模型,提供了更高的安全保障。此外,TA 协议完全继承了比特币网络层的安全特性,避免了错误转账或漏转的风险。
此外,TA 协议采用了一次性密封的概念,即每一笔 UTXO 确认花费后就不可以再次使用;确保了资产随 UTXO 移动。在这种机制下,挖到最长链的矿工拥有对该 UTXO 的最终解释权,并能支配其使用。与依赖链下索引识别资产的 BRC20 不同,TA 协议增强了交易的安全性,避免了双花攻击,同时也消除了中心化机构可能导致的错误或恶意行为的风险。这些特性使得 TA 协议 + 闪电网络成为了一个可靠的支付场景基础设施。
3.2 Taproot 升级,实现更复杂的功能
2021 年的 Taproot 协议升级为比特币网络带来了简单的智能合约功能,比如 P2TR 格式的钱包地址能够通过 Bitscript 实现一些较为复杂的逻辑,让新的、复杂的交易类型在链上成为可能。Taproot 升级的示意如下图:
Taproot Mechanism, River: https://river.com/learn/what-is-taproot/
其中最关键的改进是实现了多重签名(多签)。这一功能使机构用户的交易更为安全,在公钥地址上,多签地址与私人钱包地址的长度相同,外界无法区分,从而增强了安全性和隐私保护。这一技术进步也为机构与 B2B(企业对企业)交易提供了坚实的基础,推动了更广泛的商业应用。
呈现在用户前最直观的感受就是钱包地址的格式变化,以 「bc1p…」 为开头的钱包地址即已经支持 Taproot 升级后的钱包地址。
3.3 TA 技术原理
起初,点燃比特币生态的 Ordinal 与衍生的 BRC20 协议都基于账户模型,余额与地址绑定;资产的发行是通过加入特定的标识或数据来 「标记」 比特币的最小单位 「聪」(Satoshi),将 「聪」 映射为某种资产发生的,而资产状态对应的数据以 JSON 格式存储在区块里的隔离见证部分(保存交易签名或见证数据的地方)中。一旦双方发生资产交易,记录资产变化的脚本就会被 「铭刻」(Inscribe)进区块中,并通过链下索引器(Indexer)解释。
然而,这种做法会导致每笔 Ordinals 会 BRC20 资产的交易发生都需要被记录在区块中,这会使区块体积增大,导致无效数据积累并永久存储在比特币链上,最终对全节点的数据存储造成越来越大的压力。相比之下,TA 协议采用了更为高效的方法,资产被标记在每个 UTXO 上,仅在链上存储脚本树的根哈希,脚本则被保存在链下。
此外,TA 资产可以被存入闪电网络的支付通道中,并通过现有的闪电网络进行转移,意味着 TA 资产是可以在比特币主网和闪电网络流通的新型资产。
顾名思义,Taproot Assets 是利用了比特币的 Taproot 升级(BIP 341)开发的协议。Taproot 升级使得花费一个 UTXO,既可以使用原本的私钥,也可以使用默克尔树上的一个脚本。
简而言之,Taproot Assets 协议在 Taproot 升级之上进行扩展,将资产状态的转换记录在 Taproot 的默克尔树上;同时,利用比特币 UTXO 「一次性密封」 的特质,在比特币链上取得资产状态转换的共识,这也使得 Taproot Assets 协议不需要运行其他协议的链下索引器(Indexer)。
Taproot Assets 协议使用了下图的资产管理结构,采用了稀疏默克尔求和树(Merkle-Sum Sparse Merkle Tree, MS-SMT)来管理资产状态,Taproot Assets 协议定义了资产状态转换所要遵循的标准。
Taproot Assets Trees, Lightning Labs: https://docs.lightning.engineering/the-lightning-network/taproot-assets/taproot-assets-protocol
需要注意的是,并不是默克尔树的所有数据都写入到比特币链上,写入到链上的仅仅是默克尔树的根哈希。也就是说,无论资产数据多么庞大,比特币链上的交易长度不变,从这点来说,Taproot Assets 是一个不污染比特币链的协议。
3.4 TA 协议与闪电网络的关系
在 Lightning Labs 的最新产品发布中,Taproot Assets 协议资产已可以无缝进入到比特币二层闪电网络里,这是通过 TA 通道(Taproot Assets Channel)实现的。之前的闪电网络一直是一个点对点的比特币支付网络,网络里面除了比特币之外,没有其他的加密资产流通。Taproot Assets 协议的出现改变了这个情况,允许在比特币主链上通过 Taproot Assets 协议发行资产,尤其是稳定币,然后资产进入闪电网络里进行流通。
如下图所示,通过 Taproot Assets 协议发行了稳定币资产 L-USD,Alice 将价值 $10 的 L-USD 通过闪电网络转给了 Zane。
An example of a Taproot Assets payment made to the wider Lightning Network, Lightning Labs: https://docs.lightning.engineering/the-lightning-network/taproot-assets/taproot-assets-on-lightning
TA 通道的实现原理和状态通道(State Channel)一样,也是基于哈希时间锁合约。因为 Taproot Assets 资产本身就是在一个 UTXO 内,那么 TA 通道的实现机制并没有变,只是之前 Channel 只能流通比特币,而现在的 Channel 还支持流通 TA 资产。
TA 协议使得通过闪电网络流通比特币以外的资产成为可能,实现了稳定币等资产在闪电网络上的无缝转移。
3.5 用户使用成本过高,中心化托管问题仍需解决
尽管 TA 协议仅记录每笔交易的根哈希在链上以保证比特币链的简洁,然而这样做的代价却是资产数据需要保存在链下每一个客户端上。同 RGB 协议一样,需要客户端验证(CSV)资产的有效性。如果用户想要像使用比特币一样使用 Taproot Assets 资产,一是要有资产对应的 UTXO(Virtual UTXO)的私钥(key),二是要有默克尔树上该资产的相关数据。
同时,Taproot Assets 协议的官方实现(Tapd)深度依赖于闪电节点 (LND)的钱包服务,且无账户管理机制,闪电网络独特的架构决定了它的去中心化方式就是用户自建节点,而普通用户很难参与节点的搭建,这也是闪电网络仍未大规模普及的重要原因之一。
所以目前闪电网络上的钱包服务基本上都是托管钱包的解决方案,也就意味着 TA 发行的新资产也会被储存在托管钱包内。未来当 TA 资产上流通大量稳定币时,大额的资产会优先选择存储在 TA 上,也就是比特币主网上,因为主网上的安全性更高、共识度最强;只有小额资产、零钱才会充值到闪电网络来满足支付的需求。所以对于大额资产的存储和安全管理,用更加去中心化的方式让用户可以完全拥有稳定币所有权就显得尤为重要。
4. 自托管解决方案 —— 补齐闪电支付网络的最后一块拼图
目前市场上已经出现了多种团队针对 TA 资产在闪电网络上流通的去中心化解决方案。例如,LnFi 提出了一种云托管方案,可以让用户轻松部署自己的闪电网络节点,有效降低了用户的参与门槛。
以及专注于做 TA 协议生态去中心化基础设施的 BitTap 团队,研发了 TA 的去中心化浏览器插件钱包,为 TA 上的用户提供了自托管钱包的权利。
BitTap 钱包页面展示,来源:BitTap 团队
BitTap 提出的的创新钱包协议(Bittapd),用户的私钥完全掌握在钱包用户手里,在需要对交易签名时由 Bittapd 代表用户与 Tapd 进行交互,进而用户可以享受到类似 Metamask 钱包一样完全去中心化的体验和安全保障。待稳定币在 TA 上发行和流通时,用户可以利用 BitTap 钱包来存储和转移在比特币主网上的稳定币资产,并且可以自由支配将零钱转移到闪电网络。BitTap 的技术原理如下所示:
BitTap wallet architecture, BitTap Docs: https://doc.bittap.org/developer-guides/overview
Bittapd 协议相当于是 TA 协议的去中心化代理,它将 Tapd 原生的中心化托管式账户体系变成了去中心化的解决方案;也充当了插件钱包用户在交易请求时的网络通信和转发任务的角色。
5. 总结
稳定币在全球范围内获得了广泛关注和应用,逐渐从加密货币交易的狭义场景扩展为全球化支付的重要选择。闪电网络(Lightning Network)凭借其低费用、快速交易的特点,成为实现全球支付的理想基础设施,与此同时,Taproot Assets 协议的推出进一步增强了闪电网络的功能,使得在比特币网络上发行和流通稳定币成为现实。这一协议解决了比特币波动性较大的问题,显著提升了其在支付领域的适用性。
此外,针对闪电网络及其钱包服务的中心化问题,市场上出现了如 BitTap 团队开发的去中心化钱包解决方案,为用户提供了更为安全和去中心化的资产管理方式。补齐了 Taproot Assets + 闪电网络成为全球性支付设施的最后一块拼图。
尽管传统支付基础设施如 Alipay、PayPal 和 Stripe 利用本身的交易量,庞大的用户数,和政府合作并受其监管,以及品牌知名度作为背书,但它们托管的特性,和依赖于复杂的互联网和银行系统仍会导致其效率低下,和恶意行为或面临政府制裁的可能发生。此外,在跨境支付领域,由于受到严格的监管政策和机构本身的限制,支付账户往往会受到归属地和转账额度的制约。这些因素共同影响了传统支付方式的安全性和灵活性。
TA 协议 + 闪电网络组成的支付基础设施不仅在即时性比肩传统支付机构;并且通过精巧的代码设计实现了支付的去可信化,同时生态中的自托管解决方案保障了用户对资产的自主权,能支持 TA 协议代币随时随地,无限制条件的自由转账;将支付自由度提升到了一个前所未有的高度。
参考:
Web3 支付万字研报:从电子现金,代币化货币,到 PayFi 未来。
OKX Ventures 研报:一文读懂稳定币发展格局与未来方向。
What Is Taproot and How Does It Benefit Bitcoin?
About BitTap
Taproot Assets Protocol
稳定币十年:给全球发展轨迹、经济影响,货币体系带来了哪些影响?金融资产将开启比特币化进程?Taproot Assets发布作者:Brayden Lindrea,Cointelegraph;
编译:松雪,金色财经
比特币第二层基础设施公司 Lightning Labs 发布了 Taproot Assets 的主网 alpha 版,该协议旨在使稳定币和现实世界资产能够在比特币和闪电网络上发行。
Lightning Labs 业务开发主管 Ryan Gentry 表示,当前版本 Taproot Assets v0.3 将提供“功能完整的开发人员体验”,以发行、管理和探索比特币区块链上的稳定币和其他资产。
“我们相信,在比特币的新时代,将会有无数的全球货币在Taproot Assets发行,全球的外汇交易将通过闪电网络即时结算。”
10 月 18 日,Lightning Labs 在另一篇文章中表示:“通过此版本,开发者可以以可扩展的方式在链上发行金融资产。” “今天标志着多资产比特币的新时代来临。”
此版本的 Taproot Assets 将通过闪电网络上现有的比特币流动性运作。
Gentry表示,这一整合将扩大比特币的网络效应,并使其朝着“美元比特币化”更近一步。 他补充说:
“这就是我们如何使比特币成为货币互联网的全球路由网络。 这就是我们将美元和世界金融资产比特币化的方式。”
Gentry 形容开发者对比特币稳定币应用的需求“势不可挡”——特别是考虑到一些稳定币发行人持有的美国国债比德国、韩国等国家的国债还要多。
“[它]体现了这些资产在全球的重要性,并为全球用户需求提供了规模感,”Gentry 补充道。
据 Gentry 称,在主网 alpha 发布之前的几个月里,测试网上铸造了近 2,000 个 Taproot 资产。
Alpha 版本的发布意味着开发尚未达到最终状态。 Lightning Labs 表示,alpha 标签表明他们希望社区对其进行测试以发现潜在的错误。
Bitcoin Drivechains(通过比特币改进提案 300)、Botanix Labs 的 Spiderchain 和 BitVM 是比特币生态系统中寻求扩展比特币功能的其他开发项目。
New Fidelity Digital Assets Report Advocates Bitcoin Over Gold for Portfolio DiversificationNew Fidelity Digital Assets Report Advocates Bitcoin Over Gold for Portfolio Diversification
The Fidelity Digital Assets report discusses the unique features that position Bitcoin as a separate asset class, comparing it to traditional investment options like gold.
Image by tiero, Adobe Stock
Fidelity Digital Assets brought new light to the subject of cryptocurrency investments in its September 2023 study, focusing particularly on Bitcoin.
Authored by Chris Kuiper, Director of Research, and Jack Neureuter, Research Analyst, the report meticulously dissects why Bitcoin should be considered as a standalone asset class, separate from other digital assets.
Bitcoin's Unique Role in Asset Diversification
"Bitcoin is better than gold," the report states, when it comes to fulfilling specific portfolio requirements.
In the Fidelity report, the unique aspects of Bitcoin are highlighted in comparison to traditional investment optionslike gold and stocks. One of the salient features is its limited supply, capped at 21 million coins.
This scarcity mimics the finite nature of precious metals, making Bitcoin a potential hedge against inflation. Unlike other digital assets that have indefinite supply mechanisms, Bitcoin's fixed limit sets it apart, offering an alternative for portfolio diversification.
The report also speaks of Bitcoin's resistance to "innovative destruction," a term often associated with emerging technologies that lose relevance due to newer, more efficient competitors. Bitcoin has managed to remain a dominant force in the industry, despite the introduction of various other digital currencies and blockchain projects.
Its decentralizednature, not governed by any single entity, gives it resilience against systemic risks that could otherwise plague centralized financial systems.
Fidelity’s Perspective on Bitcoin as a Store of Value
Fidelity's report delves deeper into Bitcoin's role as a store of value as well, asserting that its mathematical underpinning and cryptographic security features give it a distinct advantage.
While gold has been the traditional go-to asset for storing value, Bitcoin offers certain technological advantages that cannot be ignored. For instance, it can be easily transferred across borders without the need for intermediaries, and its ownership can be proven unequivocally thanks to blockchain technology.
"It appears at this point that Bitcoin has found a role in the digital asset ecosystem as a scarce, store of value asset at the very least," the report states.
Fidelity also highlights the importance of Bitcoin's underlying technology, such as the use of the SHA-256 cryptographic algorithm, which provides a robust layer of security.
Additionally, Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, ensuring that once a transfer has taken place, it cannot be undone. This feature provides a level of transactional integrity unparalleled by traditional financial systems.
Regulatory Landscape: A Double-Edged Sword
Regulatory considerations are an important aspect of any financial market, and the crypto industry is no exception. The Fidelity report emphasizes that while regulatory scrutiny can be a hurdle, it can also serve as a catalyst for attracting mainstream investors. In countries where regulations have been clarified, the inflow of institutional money into Bitcoinand other cryptocurrencies has been substantial.
"Regulatory measures can drive away the bad actors," the Fidelity report notes, "while providing a framework that attracts mainstream investors."
The report suggests that a well-defined regulatory framework could drive away bad actors, enhancing the market's reputation. Regulatory measures, such as Anti-Money Laundering(AML) and Know Your Customer(KYC) procedures, can help in making the crypto space more secure and trustworthy, potentially attracting more risk-averse investors.
Long-Term Viability: Risks and Rewards
While the Fidelity report is generally optimistic about Bitcoin's prospects, it doesn't shy away from discussing potential risks. Volatility is still one of the biggest concerns, with Bitcoin's price subject to rapid fluctuations.
Additionally, the report discusses the potential for technological obsolescence. Bitcoin operates on relatively older blockchain technology, and there's always the risk that a more efficient or secure technology could displace it.
However, the report also touches upon Bitcoin's first-mover advantageand the strong community of developers and miners that back it. This combination of early market entry and robust support gives it a unique standing in the market, contributing to its long-term viability.
The report suggests that as long as this community continues to innovate and improve the Bitcoin network, its position as a valuable digital asset is likely to be sustained.
The Fidelity Digital Assets report makes a strong case for considering Bitcoin as a separate asset class. This differentiation from other digital assets is critical, as each asset class carries its unique risks and rewards. While the report is an important contribution to the ongoing discourse, it also opens up avenues for future research.Hamas Reportedly Used Crypto to Finance Attacks; Israeli Officials Freeze Assets on BinanceSummary
Hamas used Binance to fund its attacks on Israel, the exchange says it fully cooperates.
Palestinian accounts are unaffected, only those directly linked to terror organisations.
Hamas is officially designated a terrorist group, requiring all financial institutions and crypto exchanges to comply with authorities.
Binance faces its own legal challenges in several jurisdictions.
As Hamas attacked Israel over the weekend, followed by Israel’s declaration of war, reports indicate that security forces have struggled to keep pace with terrorist funding.
According to theTimes of Israel, Israel Police’s Lahav 433 unit, together with the National Bureau for Counter-Terror Finance (NLCTF) and the Ministry of Defence, the Shin Bet, has frozen several crypto wallets belonging to the terrorist organisation.
Binance Working Around the Clock to Assist
Sourcessuggestthat Hamas had accounts on Binance, and the exchange cooperated with the authorities.
A police statement read, “The Cyber Unit and the NLCTF immediately embarked on locating the accounts and freezing them, with the assistance of the Binance crypto exchange, in order to redirect the funds to the state treasury.”
Reutersreportedthat approximately 190 crypto accounts on Binance have been seized since 2021. At least two accounts were linked to Islamic State and Hamas-affiliated companies in Palestine.
Binance released a statement indicating their close collaboration with law enforcement in combating terror financing. A spokesperson added,
Over the past few days our team has been working in real time, around the clock, to support ongoing efforts to combat terror financing.
Binance Spokesperson
Hamas is The Target not People of Palestine
Hamas is a terrorist organization under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, which has significant implications for banks and financial institutions.
Yi He, co-founder of Binance, clarified that Hamas is not synonymous with Palestine, and Palestinian accounts have not been affected. He emphasized that all exchanges must comply with authorities concerning terror-related financing.
Heexplained, “Palestine has an organised government. Hamas is a local militant group. They kill civilians; that’s the problem. Therefore, any organisation, including banks and trading platforms, will need to cooperate on the receipt of freeze requests. This is not something Binance can decide on its own.“
Binance Facing Legal Challenges
Binance is currently involved in a legalbattlewith the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations of selling unregistered securities. In March 2023, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) also accused Binance of violating the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations.
Additionally, a secretfilingin August in the SEC vs. Binance case has raised some suspicions regarding potential criminal investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
More pressure on Binance "The CFTC claims Binance knew it had facilitated potentially illegal activity, including with the Islamic militant group Hamas. The complaint says Lim received information in February 2019 “regarding Hamas transactions” on Binance" https://t.co/qLGWNW74iH
— Tom Richardson. (@tommyr345) October 10, 2023
In internal communications, Binance’s head of compliance, Samuel Lin, commented that small transactions by groups like Hamas were not of significant concern. This was in response to Binance receiving information about Hamas conducting transfers on the platform.
Lin noted at the time that only larger amounts of money would fall under money laundering provisions. He said, ” [terrorists] can hardly buy an AK47 with $600.”Binance Listed UniLend to onboard Trillions worth of Tokenised Real World Assets (RWAs) to DeFi!In the fast-evolving world of cryptocurrency, a project is gaining momentum, set to redefine the future of decentralized finance. With a groundbreaking vision and a mission to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the blockchain realm, this innovative endeavor is poised to unlock the immense potential of Real World Assets (RWAs). With prominent listings on major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase Custody, this project is rapidly garnering the attention of crypto enthusiasts and investors alike.
Unlocking the Potential of Real World Assets (RWAs)
UniLend Finance’s vision, since its inception in 2020, has encompassed the inclusion of real-world assets within the DeFi ecosystem. The project’s forward-thinking approach aims to bring RWAs, including assets like gold, silver, stocks, and more, into the DeFi ecosystem.
This vision aims to provide crypto enthusiasts and investors with the opportunity to tap into a diverse array of assets beyond cryptocurrencies.
The significance of this move cannot be overstated. It empowers users to access a wide range of assets, diversify their portfolios, and explore new avenues for investment—all while enjoying the benefits of DeFi, such as enhanced liquidity and flexibility. UniLend Finance stands at the forefront of this transformative shift, offering a seamless bridge between the traditional financial world and the DeFi space..
The Permissionless Approach for a Promising Future
UniLend Finance’s permissionless approach is tailor-made for the current crypto landscape. In a world where accessibility, transparency, and community-driven initiatives are highly valued, UniLend Finance ticks all the right boxes.
The project empowers users by providing them with decision-making capabilities through Governance. It fosters an active and engaged community that actively participates in shaping the project’s future. UniLend Finance believes in the power of the community and understands that its success is intricately linked to the collective efforts of its users.
UniLend Finance’s permissionless lending and borrowing solutions are designed to be inclusive, making it accessible to users worldwide. This approach aligns perfectly with the ethos of DeFi, where financial services should be available to anyone with an internet connection.
Prominent Listings on Binance and Coinbase Custody
UniLend Finance’s journey is marked by significant milestones, including listings on Binance and Coinbase Custody. These renowned exchanges are synonymous with trust, security, and accessibility in the crypto industry.
Listing on Binance, one of the world’s largest and most influential crypto exchanges, opens up new horizons for UniLend Finance. It provides global exposure to a vast audience of crypto enthusiasts and investors, further cementing the project’s position as a game-changer in the DeFi landscape.
Coinbase Custody, known for its robust security measures and institutional-grade custody solutions, adds a layer of trust for institutional investors considering UniLend Finance. This listing signifies UniLend’s commitment to catering to a wide spectrum of users, from individual traders to institutional players
Stay Tuned for a DeFi Revolution
As UniLend Finance continues to push boundaries, the crypto community is invited to join the journey. With a commitment to unlocking the potential of RWAs, securing prominent listings, and adopting a permissionless approach, UniLend Finance is set to drive a DeFi revolution.
About UniLend Finance:
UniLend Finance is a pioneering multichain DeFi protocol that specializes in permissionless lending and borrowing solutions. With listings on major exchanges like Binance, Gate.io, HTX and Coinbase Custody, UniLend Finance is at the forefront of the DeFi revolution.
For more information and to stay updated on UniLend Finance’s latest developments, please visit the official website. You can also follow UniLend Finance on Twitter @UniLend_Financeand join the Telegram community here.Matrixport: Bitcoin Is Better than Digital Gold and Huge Cash Inflow to Crypto Assets Is on HorizonThe firm believes the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States will trigger an influx of over $30 billion in subsequent months.
The mainstream adoption of Bitcoin (BTC) by institutional investors has put the gold market on notice with a possible decoupling in the coming few years. According to a report by Matrixport, Bitcoin is about to challengegold as a store of value due to the simple fact that the former has outperformed the latter in the past years. Additionally, the demand for Bitcoin has significantly increased in the past year despite the FTX and Alameda Research collapse that wiped out more than $30 billion from the nascent industry.
Notably, more than 10 fund managers with a combined market capitalization of more than $17 trillion have applied with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF). Interestingly, the SEC lost a case against Grayscale Investments for lacking sufficient evidence on why the former could not convert its GBTC product to spot Bitcoin ETF. As a result, experts believe the chances of a spot Bitcoin ETF approval in the coming six months have exponentially increased.
Matrixport on Why Bitcoin Is Better than Gold
According to Matrixport, an all-in-one crypto financial services platform, Bitcoin has a better shot at becoming the global store of value than gold in the coming years. Moreover, Bitcoin is a better cross-border asset compared to gold, which requires a lot of regulation requirements to facilitate similar services. Additionally, Bitcoin is more versatile and offers cheaper but high-quality services to all users without discrimination.
“Even today, storing assets in the form of gold has not only become unfashionable in the digital age but comes with significant restrictions when crossing borders,” wrote Markus Thielen, head of research at Matrixport, adding that “Bitcoin offers a solution to this dilemma, enabling the swift and relatively inconspicuous movement of value across borders.”
The adoption of Bitcoin to mainstream users has come under scrutiny by global regulators amid claims that the digital asset is being used by different countries to navigate global sanctions. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and recently between Israel and Gaza, has significantly affected the global supply of oil and gas products.
The fact that Bitcoin has a higher volatility due to the high speculation from global investors, Matrixport expects its market capitalization to rally beyond that of gold, which has an uncapped supply.
“Therefore, considering the current state of technological developments, bitcoin’s primary roles are likely as a store of value akin to gold and a speculative financial asset,” the report added.
Market Outlook and Price Action
The Bitcoin (BTC) market value has hovered between $500 billion and $600 billion in the past few months, but experts at Matrixport believe more than $30 billion could flow into the Bitcoin market after a spot ETF approval. Currently, the Bitcoin price action is awaiting the halving event early next year to trigger the larger crypto bull run.
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While early-stage crypto companies may still find willing investors, late-stage tech investors have largely exited the space.
The crypto industry, which once thrived on investor exuberance and rapid growth, has recently hit a rough patch as venture funding for crypto startups in the third quarter of this year plungedto its lowest level since 2020.
According to data from research firm PitchBook, Venture Capitalists (VCs) invested just $2 billion in crypto space during the quarter, marking a staggering 63% decline from the same period in the previous year.
The Decline in Crypto Funding
The dramatic decline in venture funding for crypto startups in Q3 2023 has many factors at play. One of the key reasons, as highlighted by PitchBook analyst Robert Le, is the notable absence of the “big deals” that were once common in the crypto space. The deals have become smaller in scale, leading to a decrease in overall investment volume.
During the crypto bull market, companies like the FTX Derivatives Exchange, OpenSea, and Yuga Labs enjoyed the benefits of mega fundraisers, attracting substantial investments from venture capitalists eager to ride the wave of digital assets and blockchain technology. However, as the crypto industry faces increasing scrutiny and regulatory challenges, the tide seems to be turning, with venture capitalists pulling back significantly.
The declining interest of VCs in the crypto industry poses a critical challenge for startups. Le expressed his concern, saying, “If they’re not able to raise a round, even a down round, they’re either going to go out of business or get acquired at a valuation that’s much, much lower.” This dilemma leaves startups with limited options, making survival a daunting task.
While early-stage crypto companies may still find willing investors, late-stage tech investors have largely exited the space. This shift reflects a broader trend of investors becoming more cautious and discerning in their crypto investments.
SBF’s Trial and the Impact on Venture Capitalists
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the continuing fallout from the FTX scandal. FTX, once a rising star, has faced legal troubles, with its former CEO Sam Bankman-Friedand other executives facing criminal fraud charges. This has raised questions about the role of VCs in the crypto industry and their investments in companies like FTX.
Sequoia Capital, a prestigious VC firm, was among those that had invested heavily in FTX. However, the scandal has forced VCs to reevaluate their involvement in the crypto space. FTX and its trading arm, Alameda Research, had also made their own venture bets and built a diverse portfolio of companies, including stablecoin providers Circle and Paxos, blockchain developer Aptos Labs, and crypto bank Anchorage Digital.
The startup stakes held by FTX and Alameda are now being closely watched as FTX navigates bankruptcy proceedings. The presence of a new funding roundfor AI startup Anthropic, in which FTX invested, has provided some hope that creditors might be compensated through the sale of equity.
However, there is a significant concern that a massive liquidation sale of these startup stakes could lead to a further devaluation of crypto startups.
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Author Benjamin Godfrey
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalist who relishes writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desire to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain media and sites.
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(@binance)巴基斯坦虚拟资产监管局今日截止注册,未提交者须关闭业务Techub News 消息,巴基斯坦虚拟资产监管局(PVARA)设定的加密货币服务提供商注册截止日期为今日(9月5日)。所有已在巴基斯坦运营的虚拟资产服务提供商必须在今日结束前向PVARA提交无异议证书(NOC),否则将被法律要求停止所有相关业务。(CoinGape)比特币挖矿平台 GoMining 遭黑客攻击,超 600 个钱包损失约 280 万美元Techub News 消息,链上监测机构 Specter 发现,比特币挖矿及奖励平台 GoMining 于 9 月 4 日遭遇协同攻击,超过 600 个关联钱包被清空,总损失约 280 万美元。攻击者迅速将盗取的资产跨链转移并兑换,最终整合为约 1,147 枚 ETH。(CoinGape)代币化RWA市场达346亿美元,但89%价值闲置于协议外Techub News 消息,链上代币化现实世界资产市场总价值已达 346 亿美元,但其中仅有 37.9 亿美元被部署在协议中,约 89% 的发行价值处于闲置状态。DefiLlama 数据显示,链上发行的代币化资产价值与协议内实际部署的价值之间存在巨大差距。
Falcon 高管对此解释称,闲置现象源于资产托管、监管合规以及传统金融与 DeFi 之间的整合障碍。尽管市场快速增长,但多数资产仍停留在发行阶段,未能有效进入 DeFi 生态产生收益。 (Crypto.news)比特币与黄金相关性创六年新高,投资者转向避险资产Techub News 消息,由于投资者在经济与货币担忧中寻求稳定,比特币与黄金的相关性已升至六年来的最高水平。这一趋势突显了市场对硬资产的偏好转变。(Crypto Briefing)BitGo 通过 WalletConnect 将自托管钱包与 DecibelTrade 集成Techub News 消息,BitGo 通过 WalletConnect 将自托管钱包与 Aptos 生态 DEX DecibelTrade 集成,允许机构在不转移资产的情况下进行交易。该集成旨在为机构客户提供更安全的交易体验,同时保持资产的自托管状态。(Crypto Briefing)美国财政部制裁土耳其 Golden Global Bank,切断伊朗关键金融生命线Techub News 消息,美国财政部宣布,作为“经济流亡行动”的一部分,已切断伊朗政权在土耳其的关键金融生命线。外国资产控制办公室(OFAC)制裁了总部位于土耳其的 Golden Global Bank 及其子公司,这些机构为伊朗提供了数千万美元的资金便利。
此次制裁旨在阻断伊朗通过土耳其金融系统获取资金的能力,进一步加大对伊朗政权的经济压力。美国财政部表示,将继续与盟友合作,打击伊朗的非法融资网络。(@USTreasury)灰度 Zcash ETF 在 NYSE Arca 上市交易,隐私币获华尔街关注Techub News 消息,隐私币正在监管投资市场中获得一席之地,尽管直接获取其底层资产正变得更加困难。灰度(Grayscale)的 Zcash ETF 现已在 NYSE Arca 上市交易。与此同时,主要中心化交易所减少了对门罗币(Monero)等隐私币的支持。(Crypto.news)阿根廷检察官办公室培训人员追踪与扣押加密资产Techub News 消息,阿根廷公共检察官办公室(MPF)已对检察官、官员和工作人员进行培训,以追踪、分析和扣押虚拟资产。此举是因加密货币在该国刑事调查中扮演越来越重要的角色。MPF表示,此次培训旨在提升执法部门处理加密相关犯罪的能力。
(Crypto.news)Neptune数字资产(OTC: NPPTF)公布了截至2026年2月28日的半年度财务报表。总资产为6840万美元,持有的420枚比特币(BTC)价值约达4500万美元。同时还持有约37500枚Solana(SOL),投资于民营航天领域的资产价值被评估为2090万美元。 然而,本次半年度业绩受到数字资产价格波动的显著影响。毛利润仅为60万美元,由于反映加密货币重估损失,合并基准的总综合损失为2015万美元。换算成韩元,约为2976.5亿韩元。公司方面指出,报告亏损的核心背景是"市场波动性"。 以比特币为中心的资产配置,波动性敞口也随之增大 本次财务报表中最引人注目的部分是以比特币(BTC)为中心的财务策略。公司持有的比特币(BTC)在总资产中占据相当大比重,这是一种账面价值及损益可能随价格走势大幅波动的结构。在此基础上,加上Solana(SOL)持仓及民营航天投资,相较于传统运营业绩,资产价值变动对整体业绩的影响更为显著。 这也是近期加密相关企业中常见的趋势。因为相比业务收入本身,持有资产的评估收益或损失往往更左右季度成绩单。特别是像比特币(BTC)和Solana(SOL)这样波动性大的资产,在上涨行情中能推高业绩,但在调整阶段则可能扩大亏损幅度。 维持信用额度应对流动性 Neptune数字资产还维持着2500万美元规模的循环信用额度。截至半年度末,其中已使用950万美元。按韩元计算,约为1403.4亿韩元。这一信用额度被解读为在市场剧变时确保流动性的机制,但同时也可能成为资产价格长期下跌时的财务负担因素。 公司目前的结构与其说是单纯的挖矿或运营收益型企业,更接近于同时暴露于数字资产和另类投资的"混合型"资产管理公司。这类企业在上涨行情中可期待高杠杆效应,但反之在价格调整期间,账面损失可能迅速扩大。 向市场释放的信号是"重资产防御而非盈利能力" 本次半年度报告显示,Neptune数字资产的核心课题不在于短期营收扩大,而在于资产防御与波动性管理。总资产6840万美元和比特币(BTC)持有量本身展示了其存在感,但鉴于加密货币重估损失严重冲击了业绩,市场很可能同时审视其持有资产的质量和价格敏感度。 归根结底,未来业绩走向可以说主要取决于比特币(BTC)和Solana(SOL)的价格走势,以及投资资产价值的维持情况,而非主业营收。如果加密市场反弹,账面存在恢复空间,但如果波动持续,类似的业绩压力也可能重复出现。 TP AI注意事项 使用TokenPost.ai基础语言模型对文章进行了摘要。可能遗漏了正文主要内容或与事实不符。