Binance announces token drop platform Megadrop after securing Dubai VASP license

Leading crypto exchange, Binance has announced a new airdrop and web3 quest platform dubbed Megadrop. Announced on April 18, Megadrop is primarily a token launch platform that will host airdrops and Web3 quests by integrating the Binance Simple Earn program and the Binance Web3 Wallet. The goal, per Binance, is to make the airdrop experience more engaging for...

Binance eyes return to India as an FIU-compliant platform

Binance is eyeing a comeback to India following a 4-month ban placed on the exchange by the nation’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Two sources familiar with the development claim that the exchange has agreed to pay a $2 million penalty to the regulator for non-compliance. However, they did not confirm how the fine has been calculated. India, according to a...

Token2049 panelists discuss meme coins’ role in crypto industry development

Participants of the Token2049 conference examined trends in consumer web3 applications, noting the growing role of meme coins. During the Emerging Trends in Consumer web3 Apps panel at Token2049 in Dubai, speakers discussed tokenizing user attention and the role of meme coins in this development. Imran Khan from AllianceDAO noted that a new direction is emerging in the blockchain industry today —attention tokenization,...

Token2049: Crypto experts highlight Ethereum blockchain problems

At the Token2049 conference, blockchain experts debated the Ethereum chain’s current problems. Experts from the blockchain industry discussed the latest innovations and development opportunities during a panel discussion at the Token2049 conference in Dubai. The discussion participants also touched upon the Ethereum blockchain, which is considered the dominant smart contract platform. According to the panelists, Ethereum has...

Stacks’ co-founder believes layer 2 will drive adoption for 2nd phase of Bitcoin

Muneeb Ali, co-founder of Stacks, shared his perspective on the rapid shift towards a diverse and active phase of innovation within the Bitcoin ecosystem. Ali highlighted a notable shift in the challenges faced by Stacks within the Bitcoin ecosystem, with an increased focus on creativity and solution diversity at a panel during Dubai’s Token2049 event “The biggest problem with...

Lahad Datu teen shooting: Pistol was stored in locked cupboard

KOTA KINABALU: The pistol that caused the death of Lahad Datu OCPD's teenage daughter was kept in a locked cupboard, say Sabah police. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said that based on their investigations there was no negligence in terms of the firearm's storage. Jauteh said that police investigations looked at aspects of negligence in terms...

Lengthy jail terms sought in Swiss US$1.8bil 1MDB fraud case

Geneva (AFP): Lawyers for two men accused of embezzling US$1.8bil (RM8.61bil) from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB began laying out their case Thursday (April 18) after Swiss state prosecutors sought hefty jail terms. PetroSaudi chief executive Tarek Obaid, and Patrick Mahony, a director at the Saudi oil exploration and production company, are on trial at...

Centuries-old artworks saved from Copenhagen’s stock exchange blaze

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Art conservators are assessing the damage to centuries-old paintings recovered from a blaze that destroyed Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange this week, the National Museum of Denmark said on Thursday. As the blaze ripped through the 400-year-old Copenhagen landmark on Tuesday, passersby jumped off their bicycles to help firefighters, conservators and soldiers retrieve valuable...

Bursa Malaysia snaps 4-day losing streak to end higher

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia snapped four consecutive days of losses to end higher today as bargain hunting emerged following the recent sell-off, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.42 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 1,540.42 from Tuesday’s close of 1,535.0. The benchmark index, which opened 0.05 of-a-point firmer...

Ringgit stages technical rebound to snap 3-day losing streak against US$

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed firmer against the US dollar on Wednesday as it staged a technical rebound after three days of losses, said an analyst. At 6 pm, the ringgit improved to 4.7910/7950 against the greenback from Tuesday’s closing of 4.7945/7970. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that the local currency...