Tag: finance

Chainlink Inks Strategic Partnership With World Liberty Financial to Enhance Cross-chain Capabilities for USD1

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 21:28:19 +0000

The post Chainlink Inks Strategic Partnership With World Liberty Financial to Enhance Cross-chain Capabilities for USD1 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The Chainlink network has attracted first-level investment from traditional financial institutions in the recent past.

The integration of USD1 with Chainlink will increase the global adoption of LINK tokens.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a well-funded DeFi protocol backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, announced a strategic partnership with Chainlink (LINK) network to enhance the mainstream adoption of its recently launched stablecoin dubbed USD1.

Following the collaboration, the World Liberty Financial project will use Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to enable a secure and seamless transfer of USD1 across different chains.

“Chainlink’s battle-tested infrastructure delivers the institutional-grade security and extensive reach needed to deliver USD1 into the hands of millions across a growing number of active, on-chain ecosystems. WLFI’s partnership with Chainlink will accelerate and improve USD1’s utility for cross-border payments and will result in truly useful applications across DeFi and traditional finance,” Zach Witkoff, co-founder of World Liberty Financial, noted.

Previously, World Liberty Financial had collaborated with the Chainlink network to provide reliable data feeds to its AAVE V3 instance.

Market Impact of the Collaboration Between Chainlink and WLFI

The collaboration between the Chainlink network and the WLFI protocol will play a crucial role in the mainstream adoption of LINK tokens. Moreover, the WLFI protocol will enhance the established credibility of the Chainlink network for more institutional investors.

Earlier on Friday, the Chainlink network announced that the Fluid protocol has adopted its CCIP and cross-chain token (CCT) standard to enable the seamless transfer of assets across Ethereum, Base, and Arbitrum.

The rising adoption of the Chainlink products will have a long-lasting impact on LINK price action. The large-cap altcoin, with a fully diluted valuation of about $15.9 billion and a 24-hour average traded volume of around $477 million, rallied over 30 percent in the last four weeks to trade about $15.9 on Friday, May 16 during the late North American trading session.

France ramps up efforts to tackle rising crypto kidnappings after failed attempt goes viral

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 18:05:24 +0000

France is deploying new security measures to protect crypto entrepreneurs after a rash of violent kidnapping attempts raised alarm across the country’s tech sector and ignited political pressure on Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, AP News reported on May 16.

The ministry confirmed that Retailleau met privately with crypto founders to discuss personal safety.

According to the report, the meeting was described as “strictly confidential,” and journalists were asked not to film participants “for reasons of security.”

The government is now offering affected individuals priority emergency support, elite police consultations, and assessments of home security infrastructure.

Retailleau, who is positioning himself as a tough-on-crime candidate for 2027’s presidential race, said in a statement that he is determined to stop these “unbearable” attacks.

Escalating threats

Crypto-linked ransom kidnappings and crime in France have grown more frequent over the past year, with several cases happening in recent months.

According to Eric Larchevêque, co-founder of Ledger, there were 50 known attacks globally targeting individuals in the crypto industry in the past 12 months, 14 of which occurred in France.

Larchevêque, who attended Friday’s meeting, told broadcaster RTL that he felt French authorities “have understood what’s at stake” following the discussions.

The concerns follow a high-profile case in January, when an associate of Larchevêque and his wife were kidnapped for ransom.

More recently, police intervened in a separate case where a hostage, related to a crypto entrepreneur, had a finger severed before officers raided the site. Seven suspects were arrested in that case.

Failed abduction captured on video

The latest incident, captured on video on May 14, involved masked men attempting to shove the daughter of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat into a van in broad daylight.

The footage showed the woman and her husband struggling with the attackers on the pavement as bystanders shouted for help. A local shopkeeper eventually forced the suspects to flee by throwing a fire extinguisher at their vehicle.

Noizat told reporters that his son-in-law required stitches following the attack and accused judges and politicians of a “lack of action.” He warned that these crimes would increase if the government did not make serious efforts to stop them.

The Interior Ministry’s heightened response is aimed at stemming fears that violent crime could derail France’s digital finance ambitions, which have been a centerpiece of President Emmanuel Macron’s economic strategy.

The post France ramps up efforts to tackle rising crypto kidnappings after failed attempt goes viral appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Cardano Price Forecast and Hot New ADA Alternative Making Headlines with an 18900% Rally Forecast

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 15:46:31 +0000

The post Cardano Price Forecast and Hot New ADA Alternative Making Headlines with an 18900% Rally Forecast appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Cryptocurrency markets are showing signs of moving forward in 2025, and Cardano is trying to get back on its feet with more people paying attention to it from a technical point of view. On the same note, Rexas Finance (RXS), which claims to be the largest real-world asset tokenization platform, seems to be coming into the limelight for its projected 18900% surge. This article discusses ADA’s outlook and goes over why Rexas Finance is considered one of the upcoming altcoins in the current bull cycle.

Cardano Price Forecast Remains Positive Despite Market Challenges

Cardano is still garnering interest as a leading Layer-1 blockchain solution. ADA currently stands at $0.615 as of April 17, 2025, meaning it has gained little daily movement but has been in a slight weekly decline. Even though there had been some fluctuations in the stock prices recently, analysts are still optimistic. From the technical perspective, trends highlight Cup-and-Handle formation on two technical indicators. This pattern usually implies a continuation of the trajectory in the higher levels in case of support levels are retained.

Currently, the 100-week Exponential Moving Average can be considered as a support level and prevent the decline anymore. However, Cardano is still a rather emerging ecosystem, having the total value locked in the amount of about $300 million. This has caused discussion among the investors about the level of interaction and deployment of dApps by the developers. Still, new applications such as the BitcoinOS, which is yet to be implemented, could help boost more users and hence demand.

Rexas Finance Emerges as a Promising ADA Alternative

As ADA bounces back, Rexas Finance (RXS) is slowly establishing itself as a formidable player in the altcoin market. It is a platform for the tokenization of the identification of real-world assets (RWAs), such as real estate, arts, or commodities. It also has its tools, such as the Rexas Token Builder and Rexas Estate, where users can tokenize physical assets while using blockchain technology.

As of now, RXS is currently in PRESALE Stage 12, with the funds raised slightly over $47.6million and more than 461 million tokens sold. It has an almost six-fold increase during the presale and intends to list at $0.25 upon its launch. Based on market momentum, token utility, and innovative exchange listings, experts anticipate an 18900% upside potential in trading prospects.

Milestone Alert!

Rexas Finance has successfully raised $47.6 Million! Government bond yields have been in a fluctuating frenzy since President Trump started rolling out a largely erratic tariff policy days after assuming office. The policy’s on-again, off-again nature has spurred uncertainty, shaking investor confidence in the American financial system.

The numbers speak for themselves. Since April 30, the US 10-Year Note Bond Yield has risen from 4.17 to 4.43. The unpredictable behavior of a market historically deemed one of the safest and most stable in the world has set off significant alarm bells.

US 10-Year Treasury Bond Note Yield. Source: Trading Economics.

The reasons behind this increase may vary, but they indicate increased uncertainty over geopolitical turmoil and the fear of an economic slowdown. Rising bond yields are typically associated with higher inflation, but the latest CPI Index, revealing an easing inflation rate, has shown that this is not the current trend.

Hanke pointed to certain factors that can explain this unusual relationship.

“Inflation has moderated over the last 2 years. Since bond yields follow inflation, and inflation is declining, the fly in the ointment that explains the rising bond yields must be either sovereign credit risk or a lack of confidence in fiscal management,” he told BeInCrypto.

The United States’ ballooning fiscal deficit can easily explain the plausibility of both scenarios.

The Return of the Bond Vigilantes

In the past, investors have punished the government over unsustainable spending by selling off their bonds, consequently driving up borrowing costs. These “bond vigilantes,” as the economist Ed Yardeni coined them in the 1980s, take action over fear of an economic downturn or a spike in inflation.

The steep sell-off in the bond market following Trump’s April tariff announcements, combined with the current US economic context, marked by a $36 trillion national debt and a budget deficit of $1.8 trillion, provides ample reason to anticipate the return of bond vigilantes.

Federal Deficit Trends Over Time. Source: US Treasury.

For Hanke, the results of a recent Treasury auction illustrate the extent of dissatisfaction with the United States’ fiscal mismanagement.

“Last month’s ten-year Treasury auction was a disaster. It saw virtually no central bank or primary dealer buying,” he said.

The lack of demand for US economic debt increases fears over steeper borrowing costs and signals that investors are becoming worried about the government’s ability to manage its finances.

That said, Hanke stated that the decreasing amount of money circulating in the economy concerns him even more than the bond sell-off.

Beyond Bond Yields: The Money Supply Crisis

Though a bond sell-off suggests rising interest rates, Hanke suggested that solely focusing on this misses a larger, more systemic issue. What is even more concerning is a reduced money supply.

Commercial banks are the biggest contributors to the amount of money circulating in the economy. However, lending has slowed considerably recently.

“Today, commercial bank credit at a snail’s pace: 2.3% per year. That, and the fact that overall money growth is only 4.1%, indicate that a serious slowdown in the US economy is baked in the cake,” Hanke told BeInCrypto.

The economy slows when less money circulates, making it harder for businesses to get loans and consumers to spend. This situation worsens if government spending is seen as unsustainable, further eroding economic confidence, especially when it fails to compensate for insufficient private sector lending.

Though some translate this lack of confidence into the erosion of US dollar dominance, Hanke discarded the gravity of these claims.

How Secure Is the Dollar’s Future?

Persistent volatility in the US Treasury market, combined with recent moves by G7 nations to reduce their reliance on the dollar, has raised concerns about long-term damage to its dominance.

According to Hanke, these are wild exaggerations.

“Since the 7th century BC, there have only been fourteen dominant international currencies. As this timeline suggests, it’s very hard to knock a dominant international currency off its throne. This suggests that all challengers to the dollar, be it the euro, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, or the yet-to-be-delivered BRICS currency, will find they face a very difficult task. Indeed, even though there is constant talk about de-dollarization, it simply hasn’t happened, as the dollar is the cleanest dirty shirt around,” he said.

Hanke argued that instead of focusing on fluctuating bond yields, attention should focus on addressing the underlying cause: outsized spending. In his view, this responsibility lies not with Trump but with Congress, which has consistently neglected its responsibility in this matter.

Addressing Chronic US Spending

The United States has a long history of periods with significant government spending, often driven by wars, economic recessions, or social programs.

In recent decades, factors like rising healthcare costs, entitlement programs, and increased defense spending have also contributed to the extent of the American fiscal deficit.

Given that this problem is demonstrably chronic, Hanke argues that Congress must create a dedicated Committee to address the issues at heart.

“Congress should enact a statutory Fiscal Sustainability Commission that will actively engage the American people and propose a range of spending reductions and tax reforms necessary to reduce debt-to-GDP to a reasonable and sustainable level. The Commission’s recommendations should receive a guaranteed vote in Congress. Such a Commission should be included in the Budget Reconciliation bill,” he explained.

However, Hanke also acknowledged that Congress has historically refused to act prudently and promptly.

Breaking the Gridlock: The Case for a Constitutional Remedy

Political gridlock often creates a deep divide over how to collectively address the difficult choices required to curb federal expenditures, hindering effective fiscal policymaking.

To curb the problem, Hanke suggested a Constitutional Amendment that would effectively impose long-term fiscal discipline on Congress.

“The only thing that will constrain Congress to avoid unsustainable spending in the future is a Constitutional Amendment,” he said, adding, “Therefore, Congress needs to pass H. Con. Res. 15 that re-enforces Congress’ responsibility and states’ rights to propose such a Fiscal Responsibility Constitutional Amendment under Article V of the Constitution. This should also be included in the Budget Reconciliation bill.”

As the American economy continues to navigate the compound problems of rising bond yields, economic slowdown, and fiscal deficits, the current situation indicates that even short-term solutions aren’t sufficient fixes to systemic problems.

The future course of the United States hinges on the current government and its congressional constituents, who must choose between decisive action and continued uncertainty. Their decision will inevitably have a profound impact on the nation’s future.

Steve H. Hanke is a Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University. His most recent book, with Matt Sekerke, is Making Money Work: How to Rewrite the Rules of our Financial System, and was released by Wiley on May 6.

The post Is the Bond Market Sounding an Alarm That Trump Can’t Silence? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

How Lawmaker Revisions to GENIUS Act Could Impact US Stablecoin Market

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 15:20:32 +0000

It can feel as though every week there’s a new stablecoin announcement from a traditional financial player.

The one thing they all have in common? For the most part, they aren’t taking place in the U.S.

But, as U.S. lawmakers circulate an updated draft agreement on the GENIUS Act, an acronym for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins of 2025 Act, that could all be about to change due to the potential emergence of domestic regulatory clarity around dollar-backed stablecoins.

Negotiations, however, remain ongoing as the GENIUS Act looks to make it to a floor vote. The previously bipartisan bill has, over the past week, generated partisan debate and lost momentum due to backlash against President Donald Trump’s involvement in digital asset ventures.

Senate Democrats are now warning that the bill, as originally drafted, could inadvertently open the floodgates to corruption, foreign threats and a new era of unregulated digital finance.

Democratic lawmakers are asking for amendments to be made around consumer protection, bankruptcy and ethics, as well as “robust financial controls” for private stablecoin issuers, such as tech companies. Meta, for example, is reportedly considering adopting stablecoins as a way to make cross-border payments.

Ultimately, whether the GENIUS Act becomes law, and in what form, could redefine the future of finance in America. The regulatory framework offers the promise of clarity and the peril of loopholes alike, as well as the challenge of reconciling innovation with oversight.

Republican lawmakers are hoping for the revised GENIUS Act to be approved by Memorial Day at the end of the month.

The Paradox of ‘Stability’ in Crypto

Stablecoins are marketed as digital assets with predictable value, typically pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar. The goal is to bridge the gap between the volatility of traditional cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and the reliability of government-backed money. Yet despite the promise of “stability,” the reality has been anything but.

Several stablecoins have experienced dramatic de-pegging events that sent shockwaves through the digital economy. In 2022, TerraUSD (UST) infamously collapsed, wiping out over $40 billion in market value and triggering a domino effect that destabilized the broader crypto ecosystem. The implosion highlighted a disturbing truth: not all stablecoins are created equal, and not all are backed by actual reserves.

Still, there’s widespread recognition in Washington that stablecoins are too big to ignore. With over $230 billion in circulation and growing integration into global payments systems, these digital tokens are quickly becoming a cornerstone of modern finance. Policymakers face the dual challenge of fostering innovation while protecting consumers and national security.

After all, crypto still has a little more “Wild West” to its operations than it does traditional and mainstream protections, as highlighted by the recent data breach and extortion attempt suffered by Coinbase, a publicly listed U.S. company. Hackers managed to get these users’ names, addresses, phone numbers and emails, as well as the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.

The news came weeks after the FBI released a report showing a rise in cryptocurrency fraud, with at least $9.3 billion in losses reported last year, a 66% jump over 2023. These losses stemmed from investment scams, extortion, sextortion and fraudulent activity involving cryptocurrency ATMs and kiosks.

Revisions Take Center Stage for GENIUS Act

At the heart of the Democratic amendments are provisions that fortify federal and state consumer protection laws. The updated GENIUS Act bill explicitly ensures that existing laws enforced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) remain applicable to stablecoin issuers, and prevents the new regulatory regime from becoming a loophole for evading securities laws.

Issuers will also face strict bans on promoting yield or interest-bearing features — a move designed to curb risks akin to those that triggered past collapses in the crypto lending space. Additionally, naming restrictions will prevent companies from using terms like “United States” or “USG” in product branding, reducing the risk of misleading consumers about government backing.

Issuers located in countries under comprehensive U.S. sanctions — or deemed money laundering risks — are barred from operating in the U.S. market, closing potential backdoors for illicit finance.

Democrats also secured tough restrictions on non-financial publicly traded companies — namely tech giants like Meta Platforms Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. — from issuing their own stablecoins unless they meet rigorous standards. The language aims to preserve the separation between commerce and banking, a long-held policy pillar that critics argue could be undermined by digital assets.

The post How Lawmaker Revisions to GENIUS Act Could Impact US Stablecoin Market appeared first on PYMNTS.com.

Algorithmic transparency

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:45:18 +0000

Algorithmic transparency is a crucial concept in today’s data-driven world, where algorithms increasingly influence decisions that affect our lives. From search engine results to credit scoring, the algorithms behind these processes often operate behind a veil of secrecy. Understanding algorithmic transparency not only sheds light on the functioning of these algorithms but also informs discussions on ethics, accountability, and public trust.

What is algorithmic transparency?

Algorithmic transparency pertains to the extent to which the purpose, structure, and functioning of algorithms are openly shared and understood. This transparency is vital as it offers insight into how algorithms make decisions, thereby promoting accountability in systems that influence public and private sectors alike.

The importance of algorithmic transparency

The need for algorithmic transparency is underscored by its potential to foster public trust, particularly in high-stakes applications such as healthcare, finance, and public policy. When individuals understand how algorithms affect their lives, they are more likely to trust the processes behind those decisions. This is especially important in contexts where algorithms have substantial impacts on individual rights and economic opportunities.

Controversy surrounding algorithmic transparency

Despite its importance, algorithmic transparency often ignites debates that balance proprietary rights against the public’s right to know. Many companies argue that revealing too much about their algorithms could compromise their competitive advantage.

The dilemma of credit scoring algorithms

Credit scoring systems serve as a prime example of the transparency challenge.

Intellectual property rights: Companies often assert that their scoring methodologies are trade secrets, which complicates the push for transparency.
Public awareness vs. privacy: There’s a delicate balance to strike between informing the public about how decisions are made and protecting personal data.

Transparency methods in algorithms

To address the transparency issue, various methods have been proposed and implemented, aiming to make algorithms more accountable.

Third-party audits

Third-party audits represent one of the most effective strategies for enhancing algorithmic transparency. These audits involve independent evaluations of the algorithms to assess their fairness and compliance with regulations.

Definition and significance: Known as “qualified transparency,” these audits provide an unbiased assessment of how algorithms function in practice.
Case study: The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) investigations into Google’s algorithms illustrate the implications of third-party scrutiny.

Opacity in algorithms

Understanding why some algorithms remain opaque can clarify the ongoing transparency debate.

Reasons for algorithmic opacity

There are multiple reasons for the lack of transparency in algorithm development and deployment.

Technical complexity: The intricate nature of modern algorithms makes it challenging to present their inner workings in an understandable way.
Privacy considerations: Data protection laws can conflict with transparency, often leading companies to limit the information they disclose.
Intentional secrecy: Some organizations may prefer to keep their algorithms hidden to safeguard their technological innovations.

Global efforts to enhance transparency

Around the world, various stakeholders—from government entities to private firms—are working to improve algorithmic accountability and establish best practices.

Initiatives for algorithmic transparency

Governments and organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for transparent algorithms.

Government actions: Different countries are implementing laws and guidelines aimed at enhancing algorithmic accountability.
Corporate responsibility: Numerous companies are taking proactive steps to improve their own transparency practices, recognizing the benefits of fostering trust with their users.

Chainlink, Kinexys by J.P. Morgan, Ondo Finance to Bring Bank Payment Rails to Tokenized Asset Markets

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:23:26 +0000

Chainlink, the “standard” for onchain finance, Kinexys by J.P. Morgan, the financial services firm’s blockchain business unit, and Ondo Finance, the real-world asset tokenization specialist, announced the completion of a cross-chain Delivery versus Payment (DvP) test transaction. The transaction utilized blockchain deposit accounts “on Kinexys... Read More

Traders Who Bought XRP at $0.60 Are Now Eyeing MUTM Before It Follows a Similar Pattern

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 13:08:55 +0000

The post Traders Who Bought XRP at $0.60 Are Now Eyeing MUTM Before It Follows a Similar Pattern appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

When XRP quietly consolidated near $0.60, many missed the signal. But those who acted early saw it surge past $2, securing significant returns. Now, as XRP cools off and other large-cap assets move sideways, attention is turning toward Mutuum Finance (MUTM)—a new project with similar technical momentum and a clearer fundamental base.

Currently in presale and priced at just $0.025, MUTM is already showing signs of being the next big cryptocurrency to break out. But what makes this moment different is that Mutuum has more than potential—it has a live presale, confirmed platform utility, and a growing community of nearly 10,000 holders.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM)

XRP’s surge was impressive. But Mutuum Finance is lining up to deliver even more. With its confirmed listing price at $0.06 and the protocol’s beta scheduled to launch shortly after the token goes live, analysts are already projecting that MUTM could climb by up to 1,500% in the weeks following launch.

It’s based on presale momentum, real revenue-generating mechanics, and growing market confidence. If that surge materializes, a price increase from $0.025 to $0.40 becomes a realistic short-term scenario.

A $2,000 investment at the current $0.025 presale price positions you for a potential $32,000 return when the token climbs to $0.40 after launch. That reflects a 1,500% gain—simply by securing an early entry before broader market demand drives the price higher.

Currently, Phase 4 is over 83% complete, with more than $8.5 million raised. The price per token remains at $0.025 for now, but not for long. Once Phase 5 begins, that price will increase by 20% to $0.03, and from there, the climb continues toward the confirmed exchange launch at $0.06.

For traders scanning crypto charts and asking what is the best cryptocurrency to invest in today, this is the kind of setup that rarely lasts. The low price, combined with high upside and imminent platform deployment, places MUTM among the top cryptocurrencies to enter before broader exposure.

Mutuum operates on real-world use and substance, not speculation or hype. The platform enables users to generate passive income by participating in decentralized lending and borrowing activities. Lenders receive mtTokens that increase in value as borrowers repay with interest. Borrowers, in turn, can unlock liquidity without selling their assets, giving them flexibility and exposure at the same time.

And here’s where it gets even more appealing: a portion of the interest paid by borrowers is used to buy MUTM tokens on the open market, and those tokens are then distributed to engaged users. This creates organic buying pressure and directly links user activity to token demand.

That’s what separates Mutuum from other presale coins. It has a revenue engine already built into its model.

With growing interest in high-utility projects, investors are now focusing on emerging tokens with strong fundamentals and upside potential. MUTM is steadily positioning itself as a top contender for those searching for what cryptocurrency to invest in right now.

Between the current $0.025 price, the fast-closing Phase 4, and the upcoming listing, the opportunity to get in early is disappearing quickly. A $100,000 giveaway is also live for presale participants (details are available on the official website), adding even more incentive for new buyers to act now.

Investors who entered XRP at $0.60 recognized the opportunity well before it gained mainstream attention. The same story is unfolding again—but this time, it comes with stronger fundamentals and clearer upside.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) combines a strong foundation, thoughtful structure, and well-aligned market timing. And if projections hold, the post-launch surge could easily match or exceed XRP’s historic breakout.

This goes beyond being a typical DeFi token with potential. It may very well be the best crypto to buy now before the next wave of capital hits.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.finance/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

Panathēnea: A gathering of minds on Europe’s tech future

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 11:55:08 +0000

Athens has hosted plenty of spectacles over the centuries, but the city’s first Panathēnea festival offered something fresher than mythology or Mediterranean sun. Run by students and recent graduates, the week-long blend of keynotes, workshops, and street-level networking served as a barometer for how Europe’s next tech cycle might unfold—hopeful, yes, but also clear-eyed about the structural work still ahead.

Panathēnea’s credo is carved into six simple values: be bold, sky’s the limit, be multifaceted, stay foolish, lead with empathy, strive for impact. That ethos permeated every workshop: risk is a feature, craft is a duty, and meaningful scale demands empathy at the core.

1. Mindset first: De-risking risk

Europe’s startup narrative often stalls at the “Series B cliff,” and Panathēnea tackled that head-on. Speakers hammered a single message: without a cultural pivot toward genuine risk sharing, the region will keep exporting its best talent—and its savings—to Silicon Valley.

Later-stage capital. The data are familiar but still jarring: in the U.S., roughly 70 percent of venture capital originates with pension funds; in Europe, it hovers around seven. Athens-based panels argued that relying solely on early-stage micro-funds breeds premature exits. The remedy? Unlock institutional pools—pension funds, insurance portfolios, sovereign vehicles—that can write minority growth checks big enough to let local champions scale before they’re acquired abroad.
Angel density. A second lever is the flywheel of founder-turned-investor capital. Greece is now seeing its first generation of repeat entrepreneurs recycle proceeds back into seed rounds, adding hands-on operator guidance to the cap table. It’s slow, but it is happening—and the festival’s curated “collision” sessions turned that momentum into term-sheet conversations in real time.
A true single market. Finally, founders called out Europe’s regulatory patchwork. Incorporating in six EU states still means six legal teams and six payroll platforms. The ask: an EU-wide one-stop registration passport. If Brussels wants a globally competitive tech stack, simplification is non-negotiable.

The value of a growth fund that takes minority positions is quite vital in this region and country to allow companies to continue their journey and not exit prematurely. Beyond the need for early-stage risk capital, Greece also needs later stage capital and regular private equity to finance companies without them selling out to US companies. The European LP structure is very different from the US. In Europe, big institutions like the EIF and national funds provide a lot of funding. The rest comes from family offices, high net worth individuals, and increasingly, people from the technology side who have had exits.

Some feel the solution is not necessarily relying on pension funds but getting more people to diversify their personal portfolios and invest. However, others strongly argue that pension funds are necessary for later-stage capital. Efforts are being made in Europe to unlock cash from pension funds into private markets, driven by policy initiatives. In France, insurance companies were mandated to put 1% of their assets into tech, which brought significant capital into the ecosystem. There is also discussion about mandating bringing money back to support domestic companies.

Capital follows confidence. Confidence follows proof-of-concept wins. The hardware is already here. Tax incentives, Golden Visas, deep university research… What’s missing is the collective appetite to bet bigger, later, and locally.

2. AI as great equalizer

In Athens, the focus regarding artificial intelligence seemed less on abstract hype and more on demonstrating tangible applications and their real-world impact.

What stood out was a shared insistence on showing, not telling. AI is a tool already at work, applied with urgency, scrutiny, and intent. One of the most recurring themes, and frankly one of the most urgent, was the transition from conversational AI toward what many called agentic systems. The distinction matters. These aren’t chatbots answering your questions. These are systems that can autonomously take action, carry out tasks, and self-orchestrate workflows with minimal human input.

What felt important was that these applications weren’t scattershot. They had depth, vertical relevance, and strategic focus. Take civil protection. A handful of startups showcased wildfire prediction models powered by satellite data and real-time monitoring—a pressing need in Greece’s climate-vulnerable regions.

In health, there was serious talk about the country’s underleveraged national data infrastructure. Greece has a rare asset: curated, centralized datasets from public health screenings. These can serve as a launchpad for clinical-grade health AI, provided there is coordination across institutions.

On the defense front, innovators showed off situational awareness systems and tactical AI applications currently undergoing stress tests through a dedicated innovation center inside the Ministry of Defense. But what gave these technical wins real weight was how openly speakers acknowledged the ethical dimension.

In multiple sessions, concerns were raised about the real-world harms already being accelerated by these tools. Misinformation, deepfakes, the distortion of discourse, and the quiet but growing toll on adolescent mental health… There was a real sense that if Europe does not lead on regulation and ethical safeguards, no one else will.

This idea of an “ethics dividend” came up more than once, and I think it is worth holding onto. If AI is going to reshape everything from logistics to education to governance, then trust becomes infrastructure. And trust is built through transparency, human-centered design, and frameworks that allow us to question what is being built in real time.

3. Founders who cross disciplines

Panathēnea’s most memorable stories were personal.

Jenny Sao, Robyn AI

A former surgeon who traded the OR for an AI-driven “operating system for becoming.” Jenny Sao’s thesis: emotional disconnection is a public-health crisis, and scalable tech can be a first-line intervention.

The inspiration for Robyn AI stemmed from a deeply personal and profound experience: its founder, Jenny Sao, a former surgeon, witnessed a patient with a brain tumor dying alone in an ICU. This moment crystallized the harsh reality that despite being technologically connected, many people are the loneliest and most disconnected generation. Sao realized that the existing medical system was not equipped to deal with this problem at scale. Building Robyn became her way of upholding the Hippocratic Oath she took as a doctor, vowing to do no harm and help those who come to her, by creating something from the ground up that could solve this problem at scale.

Robyn focuses intensely on “the human at the end of it“. The goal is to help people connect with themselves and evolve. The first product is likened to a baby of Jarvis and Samantha from the movie Her. It understands you, evolves with you, and shows insights to help you become a better, more evolved version of yourself. It’s designed to be like a constant partner in becoming.

The development of Robyn is rooted in Sao’s deep humanistic perspective and her background in neuroscience, psychology, and surgery. She sees building Robyn as upholding her oath to do no harm, arguing that current tech models often divide us because they are built for ad dollars rather than for human well-being. The aim is to build something that empowers connection and is a “massive force for good in the world“.

Robyn AI is building an entire ecosystem focused around emotional connection. Phase one is connecting users to themselves. The product is designed to understand the user so it can show them back to themselves and evolve with them. Robyn is built for the 8 billion people with fundamental biological needs for connection in their DNA, not just for “tech bros”.

Naomie Harris, Core

Ex-behavioral scientists reverse-engineering compatibility instead of courting swipe addiction. Hypnotherapy modules and heart-resonance soundtracks replace the usual gamified churn.

Core’s mission is to be the first dating app to “crack the code of compatibility“. It aims to achieve this by combining ancient and modern science to deliver a compatibility algorithm that actually works, addressing the main complaint of users on existing dating apps who struggle to find compatible partners. The app seeks to know users on a deeply personal level, moving beyond superficial data points to understand their inner core, what makes them motivated, and their private persona, as this is where real relationships happen. Naomie Harris emphasizes that Core will offer a highly curated, individualized selection of truly compatible partners.

Unlike other dating apps that are described as potentially using gamification and dopamine hits that are unsustainable and unhealthy, Core embeds features like hypnotherapy, sacred geomatic patterning, and golden mean music to soothe the nervous system and uplift users, rather than leaving them feeling depleted and disposable. The founder believes that ultimately, nothing is more important than love, and the goal is to shift as many people as possible into a state of love.

Kesha, Smash

A rights-management layer for musicians and, eventually, any creator juggling IP across fragmented platforms.

Smash is a venture founded by artist Kesha, born from her deeply personal experiences in the music industry. It aims to ensure that what happened to her never happens to anyone else. The mission is to protect artists and creators.

The inspiration behind creating Smash stems from Kesha’s own decade-long legal battle to regain the rights to her voice. After signing a contract very young and not fully realizing what it meant, she found herself in a situation that became intolerable and inhumane, spending 10 years fighting in litigation to get her rights back.

“So, I have spent the past 10 years in litigation fighting like hell to regain the rights to my voice back. I regained the rights to my voice back. back for the first time in my adult life about one year ago as a 37 years old woman. But I got this freedom and I realized this fight’s not over. I need to make sure that what happened to me never happens anyone else,” Kesha said.

Smash is being built as an ecosystem or platform for artists. Key features and aspects mentioned include:

A marketplace where artists can hire one another.
Safe and transparent contracting, designed so artists don’t get taken advantage of or messed up if they don’t fully understand what they are signing. The infrastructure is being built to erase ambiguity in contracts from the beginning.
Matchmaking to connect artists with similar interests and musical vocabulary. For example, a pop star with an idea but no instrumental skills could be matched with a guitarist.
Smash Studio, described as a “Zoom room” where artists can collaborate remotely, such as a guitarist recording their part and a vocalist adding theirs, to create a demo instantly on the platform. Everything created in this studio is documented, and the artist retains the rights.
A downstream network or vetted network of professionals, including artist-friendly labels, that artists can choose to work with for distribution. The artist gets to choose and has consent over where their art and voice goes while retaining their rights.
A focus on community and support among artists, providing a localized place for them to connect and help each other, which the founder felt was lacking in her own early career. This community network can also allow artists to discuss the reputation of people they are considering working with.

Smash is currently just getting started. It has a small team and is in the process of fundraising and building the team out. The founder sees it as a “revolution”. Mentorship is considered important for founders, and Smash aims to protect “young, naive, talented, beautiful artists“.

The vision for Smash in 5 years is to have millions of people using it to create, play, and make art. Feeling safe is seen as the foundation for creativity, something the founder experienced for a majority of her life. The potential for Smash is seen as extending beyond music into other creator communities, such as film, or even potentially startups, as the ecosystem model could work for various types of creators.

Notes from Panathēnea

None of these startups pitched themselves as silver bullets.

They pitched grit: vision married to execution, diversity positioned as advantage, and a willingness to iterate in public. Underlying these ventures is a capital thesis too big to ignore, diverse investors back diverse solutions that outperform.

Europe doesn’t need to copy Silicon Valley, it needs to bet on itself. Athens proved that what’s missing isn’t talent or tools, but the conviction to scale local wins with local capital.
Agentic AI is here, but trust is the true infrastructure. Without transparent design and ethical safeguards, even the smartest systems will struggle to earn public confidence.
Human-centered design isn’t a UX trend, it’s a leadership model. The most resonant startups didn’t just solve problems, they built from pain with purpose.
The real tech scene doesn’t live on stage, it lives in collisions. Progress happened in the moments between the keynotes, where diverse minds challenged and sharpened each other.
Innovation without inclusion is just replication. The boldest ideas came from those who weren’t “supposed” to build and that’s exactly why they matter.

This Week in Crypto: BlackRock’s Quantum Threat, Pi Network’s $100 Million Fund, Coinbase Data Leak, and More

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 11:30:00 +0000

This week in crypto marked days of reckoning and revelation. BlackRock raised eyebrows with its cautionary stance on quantum computing’s potential to crack Bitcoin.

Meanwhile, Pi Network unveiled a massive $100 million fund to power Web3 startups amid fresh scrutiny. The following is a roundup of all weekly crypto headlines, including Coinbase coming under fire for mishandling a massive insider data leak.

BlackRock Flags Quantum Computing as Existential Risk to Bitcoin

A key highlight this week in crypto was BlackRock’s latest ETF filing update. The submission ignited fresh debate after the asset manager warned that advances in quantum computing could eventually undermine Bitcoin’s cryptographic foundations.

“To be clear. These are just basic risk disclosures. They are going to highlight any potential thing that can go wrong with any product they list or underlying asset that is being invested in. It is completely standard. And honestly makes complete sense,” ETF analyst James Seyffart noted.

The disclosure, embedded in BlackRock Bitcoin ETF’s risk statement, said quantum breakthroughs could render current security standards obsolete. This observation marked a stark admission from a financial giant betting on BTC’s long-term viability.

While the scenario remains hypothetical, BlackRock’s feeling compelled to include it signals growing institutional awareness of risks beyond volatility or regulation.

The sentiment is that, in theory, Bitcoin’s reliance on elliptic curve cryptography could be vulnerable to future quantum decryption. However, some dismiss the threat as distant but agree it is not too early to prepare post-quantum protections.

With trillions of dollars potentially flowing into tokenized markets in the coming decade, BlackRock’s stance adds urgency to ongoing efforts to future-proof blockchain security.

Pi Network Unveils $100 Million Fund But Faces Criticism

Another highlight this week in crypto was Pi Network’s $100 million fund. BeInCrypto reported the network’s bold plan to allocate 10% of its native token supply to support developers building apps within its enclosed mainnet ecosystem.

The fund aims to nurture real-world applications and stimulate long-term utility for its users.

“Pi Network Ventures has officially launched—a $100 million initiative, held in Pi and USD, to invest in startups and businesses that advance the utility and real-world adoption of Pi,” read the announcement.

However, the announcement was controversial, with some critics saying the project lacks transparency. They cite questionable ecosystem progress, missed promises, and referral reward failures, among other shortfalls.

Still, the funding marks a serious commitment to bootstrapping Web3 startups from within, aligning with Pi Network’s long-standing promise of grassroots crypto adoption.

Analysts Say Ethereum Has a Shot at Flipping Bitcoin

Analysts also said this week in crypto that Ethereum may be on the brink of challenging Bitcoin’s market dominance. They say it could challenge BTC in price and fundamental utility.

The analysts pointed to Ethereum’s massive lead in daily active users, network revenue, and ecosystem development as signs that a “flippening” could still happen.

“ETH is absolutely killing Bitcoin right now. Ethereum could become the number 1 digital asset soon at this rate. Bitcoin Maxi’s in disbelief,” Investor Gordon said.

While Bitcoin remains the ultimate store of value, Ethereum is driving innovation in DeFi, NFTs, and layer-2 scaling.

Internet Capital Markets Tokens: Crypto’s Emerging Trend?

As traditional finance (TradFi) creeps onto the blockchain, internet capital markets tokens are becoming a hot new frontier. BeInCrypto reported this week’s standouts, citing Launch Coin (LAUNCHCOIN), Dupe (DUPE), and CreatorBuddy (BUDDY).

These tokens go beyond speculation, actively facilitating the on-chain version of legacy financial products. However, Launch Coin is the highlight, bringing forth the Believe app’s token and standing at the center of the Internet Capital Markets trend.

Launch Coin on Believe transforms meme coin creation on Solana. Users can launch directly from X with a ticker and name, as community hype drives funding. Nevertheless, as Believe controls the backend, risks of exposure loom large.

Data on the Dune dashboard shows the platform boasts over 17,000 tokens launched and 267,386 active traders.

Launchcoin tokens created and volume metrics. Source: Dune

While the total trading volume has reached a substantial $2.2 billion, highlighting the growing interest and participation, momentum may be easing.

LAUNCHCOIN Price Performance. Source: DexScreener

Data on DexScreener corroborates this outlook, showing easy momentum in price action. Nevertheless, the price remains well above its floor, up 1,947% on the 4-hour timeframe.

Coinbase Refused Ransom Demand, Faces Backlash Amid Data Leak Scandal

One of the biggest stories this week in crypto was the Coinbase data breach incident. The exchange confirmed that rogue support agents leaked sensitive customer data, affecting some users.

The perpetrators are demanding $20 million in ransom, which Coinbase has rejected. The platform now offers a $20 million bounty to identify the culprits.

However, with leaked records ranging from government IDs to data as sensitive as home addresses, users have safety concerns. Some customers have reportedly suffered targeted phishing attempts and impersonation scams.

Meanwhile, the real outrage stems from the timeline, with allegations that the breach reportedly occurred in January but was only disclosed recently.

“Coinbase knew they had their user data stolen since January, but said nothing until now? We’ve had endless reports of Coinbase users being drained by impersonators. Now we know why,” wrote Duo Nine, a renowned analyst.

Critics argue the delay left users exposed for months. This incident highlights the risks of centralized data systems and may accelerate calls for decentralized identity and self-custody solutions.

The post This Week in Crypto: BlackRock’s Quantum Threat, Pi Network’s $100 Million Fund, Coinbase Data Leak, and More appeared first on BeInCrypto.

US States Commit $632 Million to Strategy’s Stock In Q1 2025

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 11:12:47 +0000

In the first quarter of 2025, fourteen US states disclosed combined holdings of $632 million in Strategy’s (formerly MicroStrategy) MSTR stock, held within public retirement and treasury funds.

The move highlights a growing trend among states to gain indirect exposure to Bitcoin (BTC) through Strategy, a company known for its substantial BTC reserves.

US States’ Combined MSTR Holdings Reach $632 Million

Bitcoin Laws founder, Julian Fahrer, highlighted the disclosure on X (formerly Twitter). The states increased their MSTR exposure by approximately 91.5% compared to their reported holdings of $330 million in Q4 2024.

“A collective increase of $302m in one quarter. The average increase in holding size was 44%,” Fahrer wrote.

California stands out as the largest investor. The state holds $276 million in MSTR shares across two major funds: the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) and the Public Employees Retirement System.

CalSTRS holds 336,936 shares, reflecting an 18% growth. In addition, the Public Employees’ Retirement System holds 357,183 shares. It increased its stake by 35%, adding 92,470 shares in Q1 2025.

US State MSTR Stock Holdings. Source: Data Curated by BeInCrypto

Florida follows with holdings worth $88 million in the State Board of Administration Retirement System. This represents 221,860 shares and a 38% quarterly growth. North Carolina and New Jersey both have $43 million in MSTR. The former’s Treasurer manages 107,925 shares, and quarterly growth was 41%.

In New Jersey, the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System holds 33,628 shares (40% growth). The Common Pension Fund D has 76,615 shares (14% growth).

Arizona, where the governor recently vetoed a Bitcoin reserve bill, has continued stockpiling MSTR. Its holdings have grown by 25%. As of the latest data, it holds 66,523 MSTR shares ($26 million).

Wisconsin’s Investment Board holds 127,528 shares valued at $51 million, growing 26% in the last quarter. The growth points to increased confidence in MSTR.

Yet, the Investment Board’s decision to fully divest from BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) highlights a cautious approach toward certain crypto investments. According to the latest 13 F filing, in Q1 2025, the board offloaded its entire $300 million stake in IBIT.

“Surprising that State of Wisconsin Investment Board sold their Bitcoin ETF shares for a couple of reasons. One being that they still have a $50 million position in MSTR,” Fahrer said.

Notably, despite holding a more modest 25,287 shares valued at $10 million, Utah has the highest quarterly growth rate of 184%, indicating rapid recent accumulation.

Percentage Growth in MSTR Holdings by State. Source: Data Curated by BeInCrypto

Colorado comes in next, with a strong quarterly growth of 67%. The state’s Public Employees Retirement Association holds 30,567 shares worth $12 million.

Meanwhile, MSTR itself has seen strong gains in 2025. According to Yahoo Finance data, its value has appreciated by 37% year-to-date.

Strategy (MSTR) Stock Performance. Source: TradingView

In fact, with Bitcoin’s recent rally, MSTR prices climbed to $430 on May 9, marking its highest price since December 16, 2024. Nonetheless, the stock fell 19.7% over the past day, closing at $397.

The post US States Commit $632 Million to Strategy’s Stock In Q1 2025 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

17 Best Rural Side Hustles To Make Extra Money

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Do you want to make extra money while living in a rural area?

I hear this question a lot – What rural side hustles can someone do when they don’t live in a very populated area?

Whether you live in the countryside, a small town, or an off-the-grid location, there are many great rural side gigs that can help you make extra income.

I’ve traveled to and lived in many rural areas over the years (and I currently live in a small town), so I know that making money can look a little different when you don’t have a large population or big businesses around.

But, there are still many great options!

Best Rural Side Hustles

Below are the best rural side hustles to make extra money.

1. Start a small farm or sell backyard produce

If you have space at your home (like in your backyard) and are interested, then having a small farm or garden can be a great idea!

You don’t need a huge farm to start making money. It can be a side hustle or a full-time income – it all depends on how much effort you put into it.

You may be able to sell things like:

Eggs, honey, flowers, microgreens, mushrooms, fruit, or vegetables at a local farmers market or roadside stand
Homemade jams, fresh herbs, or goat milk soap – all are doable to make and sell

Some small-scale farmers make $500 to $2,000+ per month selling homegrown products.

I personally have friends and family who sell many different types of products from their homes, such as honey, eggs, mangos (and other fruit), jams, and more.

2. Firewood cutting and delivery

If you live in a rural area with lots of trees, firewood is a great side hustle. Many homeowners rely on wood for heating, and you can sell pre-cut firewood for around $200 to $500 per cord (it depends on where you live, the type of wood, and when the wood was cut – how long it’s been “seasoned”).

All you need is a chainsaw, a truck (or a vehicle that can pull a trailer), trees, and some time!

We recently bought some firewood from a local in our town. He told me that he does it as a side hustle, and he makes several thousand dollars from it in the fall months (when people are typically stocking up for their wood pile). I found him in a local Facebook group, so that can be one easy way to advertise your services!

3. Blogging

If you live in a rural area, then I think finding ways to make extra money online is a great idea. This is because remote and online jobs are available anywhere, as long as you have internet.

If you like writing, you can start a blog. You can even write about homesteading, rural living, or farming if those are topics you are interested in. Or, you can write about anything else, such as family, travel, finance, life, pets, health, and more.

For me, I have been able to blog and make money in the most rural and empty places around the world, so I know that this is very possible!

I have earned over $5,000,000 from my blog over the years, and I really enjoy it. I get to work from home (or while traveling), I can make my own schedule, and I get to be my own boss.

Recommended reading: How To Monetize A Blog: How I Grew A $5 Million Blog.

Also, you can join my How To Start A Blog FREE Course. In this free course, I teach you how to start a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers. Over 80,000 people have taken this!

4. Start an Airbnb on your property

If you have a cabin, guesthouse, or an interesting camping space (even if it’s just a camper), you may want to try renting it out on Airbnb or Vrbo.

Rural stays are in high demand for peaceful getaways and stargazing experiences, and I don’t see this slowing down anytime soon.

Many Airbnb rentals make $500 to $2,500+ per month, depending on location.

5. Proofreading

If you have a good eye for detail, proofreading is a good online side hustle. Many businesses, bloggers, and authors need help checking their content for errors.

I have a proofreader for my website that you’re reading right now, and she is very much needed for my business.

Proofreaders can earn anywhere from around $20 to $50 per hour, and they can work from anywhere (such as at home!).

10Proofread Anywhere

This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.

There are many different types of items that you can make and sell, such as home decor, soap, candles, pottery, quilts, paintings, and more.

Many Etsy sellers make $500 to $5,000 per month selling unique, handmade goods.

7. Sell printables on Etsy

Printables are digital products like wall art, daily planners, logs, kids’ activity sheets, invites, and more.

And the best part is that you only create the file once and sell it over and over. Some Etsy printable sellers can make $500 to $1,000+ per month.

This is a great rural side hustle from home as you just need wifi!

Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy

Free Training: Earn Money Selling Printables

Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.

Many rural pet owners need sitters when they travel!

You can sell services like:

Overnight pet sitting at your home
Drop-in pet care for farm animals
Dog walking services

Sites like Rover and Wag can help you find clients, and pet sitters usually make $15 to $50 per night per pet.

9. Become a photographer

Photography is a great business to get into if you live in a rural area. People everywhere need pictures of their families and weddings, their farms or ranches, real estate photos, and more.

Photographers can earn $500 to $3,000+ per session depending on experience.

Here’s one great story to learn more – How I Make $20,000 A Month As A Family, Maternity, and Newborn Photographer.

10. Flip farm equipment, trucks, or used items

Rural areas usually have old tractors, trailers, and tools that people want to sell.

You can make good money by:

Buying used farm equipment, fixing it up, and reselling it
Finding deals at farm auctions, estate sales, or Facebook Marketplace

Some flippers make $1,000 to $10,000 per month, depending on the items they resell!

11. Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is another online job that you can do from anywhere, so you can definitely live in a rural area for it.

Bookkeepers record income and expenses, pay bills, send invoices, and organize a company’s financial records. They don’t usually do big things like taxes or financial planning.

Companies need bookkeepers to manage their finances part-time, which means you can do this from home on your own time.

And, you don’t need a degree to do this – this is a skill that you can learn at home.

I actually have a friend who lives in a rural area, and she has many side hustles – from selling vegetables and handmade goods like knitted items to the latest one she has started, which is a bookkeeping business!

Recommended reading: How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs As A Beginner

10Bookkeeper Launch Course

This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.

Rural schools usually need bus drivers (kids have to take the bus to school and can come from farther distances). This is a great job for people who want a side income, like by working early mornings and afternoons and still having summers off.

Most school bus drivers make $15 to $30 per hour, depending on the location.

13. Childcare

If your town doesn’t have a lot of daycare options, this can be a great way to make money if you like spending your time with children.

You can provide babysitting services, daycare, or after-school care (such as for elementary school kids) in your home or at the family’s home.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to earn around $100 to $500 each week with this side gig.

14. Snowplowing

If you live in a snowy area, plowing driveways or clearing sidewalks can be a great seasonal side hustle. Many rural homeowners have long driveways (or driveways that they simply can’t manage the snow with) and rely on someone with the right equipment to clear them after a storm.

You may be able to make $50 to $200+ per driveway, depending on where you live, the type of driveway (is it flat or very steep?), and the amount of snow.

There is another rural side hustle idea related to this that you may be interested in as well – snow roof raking – which is where you remove the snow from a homeowner’s roof. In snowy areas, this can be dangerous, so homeowners need it done.

15. Start a mobile repair business

Mobile repair businesses are great to run because many small towns and rural communities don’t have enough repair shops, which means that locals usually have to travel a long way to get their equipment, cars, boats, and small engines (like chainsaws or lawn mowers) fixed.

Another option would be to create an RV repair business, as RVs break down all over the place. As someone who has RVed for around 10 years, it always happens to be in rural areas where it’s hard to find help (I don’t know why, but this has ALWAYS been the case for us).

Mobile repair businesses are exactly what the name implies – you will typically keep your tools in your vehicle and travel to the customer to help them with their issue.

I have seen mobile repair businesses advertised in many places, such as bulletin boards at grocery stores, Facebook groups, campground brochures, Google Maps, word-of-mouth, and more.

16. Rent out your barn or land for events

If you own a barn, a pretty property, or farmland, you may be able to make money renting it out for weddings, parties, or community events.

Barn weddings are popular, and many couples lately are wanting a scenic location over a more traditional indoor venue. Even if you don’t have a finished barn, many people will rent open fields or wooded areas for weddings, reunions, and other gatherings.

To make this work you will need a well-maintained and accessible space. For example, if you already have a barn, you may need to clean it up, add some lighting, and make sure that there’s space for tables, guests, and parking. If you’re renting out land, you’ll want to make sure that you have basic amenities like a parking area, portable restrooms (or, give them a number to call so they can rent it from someone else), etc.

Depending on your location and what you have, you may be able to charge $2,000 to $10,000+ per event. Some barn venues even bring in six figures per year by hosting just a few events each month!

You can start by listing your space on event rental websites, marketing in local Facebook groups, and even working with wedding planners in your area.

Even if you don’t want to rent out your barn for large weddings, smaller events – like birthday parties, company retreats, or farm-to-table dinners (or wedding rehearsal dinners!) – can still bring in a good income.

I personally have a friend who has a small farm and makes money with it. She sells vegetables and homemade goods during most of the months, and in the fall she opens it up for fall weddings as a wedding venue.

17. Hunting or fishing trip guide

If you love hunting, fishing, or spending time outdoors, you can turn that love into a profitable side hustle by selling guided trips for tourists, visitors, and locals who want a great outdoor experience.

As a local guide, you can sell:

Hunting trips for deer, turkey, ducks, or big game
Fishing charters

Many hunting guides charge $200 to $1,500 per day, depending on the game, location, and whether lodging is included. Fishing guides can usually make $200 to $800 per day (it can depend on things like the location, whether you provide the boat and equipment, etc.).

Of course, you will need things like knowledge of local hunting and fishing laws, a boat (for fishing charters) or hunting land (for guided hunts), and quality gear, permits, and insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about making money with rural side hustles.

How do I make money in a rural area?

There are many ways to make money in a rural area, such as by selling homegrown or handmade items, renting out land (such as for weddings), doing yard work, hauling junk, helping with home improvements as a handyman, helping with livestock, or starting an online business like freelance writing or blogging.

What jobs can you get in rural areas?

Rural jobs that you can get include farm work, small business jobs (such as at a local mom-and-pop store), trades, and remote work like virtual assisting or bookkeeping.

What are the best rural side hustles from home?

The best rural side hustles from home include selling digital products like printables, freelance bookkeeping, blogging, and pet sitting.

How to make money in a small town as a kid?

Kids can make money in a small town by mowing lawns, shoveling sidewalks, babysitting, selling baked goods, or helping with farm chores.

How To Make Money With Rural Side Hustles

I hope you enjoyed my article on the best rural side hustles.

Living in a rural area doesn’t mean you have limited ways to make money. In fact, there are plenty of great side hustles that fit perfectly with rural or small-town life, from selling homegrown goods to starting an online business.

I live in a rural area and I work online, and I personally know people who live in a rural area and do each of the side hustles above – so I know they are real and can work!

Do you live in a rural area? What do you think are the best small-town side hustles?

Recommended reading:

The post 17 Best Rural Side Hustles To Make Extra Money appeared first on Making Sense Of Cents.

Sora Ventures joins NASDAQ through strategic merger with Top Win, rebrands to AsiaStrategy

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 10:55:10 +0000

This Friday, Sora Ventures will enter the public markets through a strategic partnership with Top Win International Limited (NASDAQ: TOPW), a Hong Kong-based luxury watch distributor transitioning into the digital assets sector.

Shares are up 25% in pre-market following the announcement.

Rather than launching an independent IPO, Sora will embed itself into TopWin’s publicly traded structure.

Founder Jason Fang will assume the role of Co-CEO alongside Tony Ngai as part of the firm’s broader rebrand to “AsiaStrategy.”

The move follows TopWin’s decision to expand into blockchain and Web3, adopt a Bitcoin-based treasury strategy, and reposition its business model to align with Asia’s accelerating interest in digital assets.

TopWin intends to leverage Sora’s domain expertise, particularly its experience in institutional Bitcoin integration, to lead investment and treasury initiatives across emerging capital markets in the region.

As part of the transition, TopWin has announced plans to incorporate Sora Ventures’ approach to capital deployment, which includes managing a fund dedicated to Bitcoin treasury allocations in public companies across Asia.

Sora Ventures’ rich crypto history

Established in 2018, Sora Ventures has built a reputation for early-stage investments in blockchain verticals such as DeFi, NFTs, and GameFi, and has more recently concentrated on decentralized science and the Bitcoin ecosystem.

It was an early partner of Metaplanet (TYO:3350), helping position the company as Japan’s first public Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) analog. In early 2025, Sora expanded that strategy by initiating a similar model in Hong Kong.

Through a collaboration with UTXO Management, it gained controlling ownership in HK Asia Holdings Ltd (HKG: 1723), setting the stage for further institutional Bitcoin integration across the region.

Fang brings experience from multiple market cycles and a disciplined capital deployment track record.

AsiaStrategy Bitcoin treasury model

Under his leadership, Sora Ventures has committed to investing $150 million in Asian public companies adopting Bitcoin treasury models. By year-end, it plans to back at least ten firms.

TopWin will maintain its core luxury watch distribution business while leveraging Sora Ventures’ Web3 expertise to diversify its portfolio.

The move positions the company to operate across both physical and digital asset classes, aligning with Asia’s accelerating push into tokenized finance.

Pending approval, TopWin’s name change to AsiaStrategy aims to reflect its dual-track operations in legacy and blockchain-based sectors.

The initiative signals increasing institutional coordination around Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, particularly in high-growth regions with receptive regulatory climates.

By integrating a Bitcoin treasury and entering public markets through Sora Ventures, the company aims to establish a durable presence in Asia’s evolving capital market.

Disclaimer: Sora Ventures is an investor in CryptoSlate.

The post Sora Ventures joins NASDAQ through strategic merger with Top Win, rebrands to AsiaStrategy appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Chainlink praises SEC’s guidelines, setting stage for crypto integration in institutional finance

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 10:36:15 +0000

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued fresh guidance that could facilitate broader institutional use of digital assets.

In a May 15 updated FAQ, the agency addressed how existing securities laws apply to broker-dealers and transfer agents involved in crypto services.

Commenting on the development, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce noted that the guidance is “incremental, not comprehensive,” signaling that broader regulatory updates are still underway.

She added:

“Many of the responses to these FAQs should not be controversial, as they simply reiterate what our rules already say or do not say.”

Meanwhile, Chainlink welcomed the update, calling it a significant step forward because it addresses long-standing concerns from financial institutions about using public blockchains for recordkeeping, compliance, and data privacy.

While the SEC’s guidance dropped with little fanfare, sources and records indicate it was shaped, in part, by a pair of closed-door meetings between Chainlink Labs and the SEC Crypto Task Force in March.

Earlier this year, Chainlink’s legal delegation presented workflows demonstrating how smart contracts and privacy-preserving middleware could uphold securities law on public chains. Co-founder Sergey Nazarov then briefed staff on a cross-chain transfer-agent architecture that mirrors legacy processes but with automated compliance baked in.

These sessions reportedly helped the SEC craft language around “unified golden records” and “smart-contract–driven compliance checks,” which now appear in the FAQ itself.

SEC’s crypto guidance

The update outlines how regulatory requirements like custody obligations and capital rules interact with digital assets.

According to the SEC, broker-dealers holding non-security crypto, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, are not subject to the customer protection rules under Rule 15c3-3, which apply only to securities. This distinction gives the firms more precise boundaries on what types of digital assets fall within traditional custody rules.

Additionally, the guidance clarifies how broker-dealers should treat positions in digital assets for net capital purposes.

While the focus remains on BTC and ETH, which currently underlie approved exchange-traded products (ETPs), the SEC notes that this does not imply broker-dealers are restricted to holding only those two assets.

However, the agency also cautioned that digital assets not classified as securities do not benefit from protections under the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA). That means customers may be exposed to additional risk when holding non-security crypto through registered firms.

Beyond broker-dealer guidance, the updated FAQs also tackle how transfer agents can leverage distributed ledger technology (DLT), including public blockchains, to maintain securities records.

The SEC states that transfer agents may use DLT as their official Master Securityholder File, provided they meet all recordkeeping, compliance, and reporting obligations under current securities law.

The Commission added that the specific technology used is at the discretion of the transfer agent, as long as the records remain secure, accurate, accessible to the SEC, and preserved for the required duration.

What this means for markets and Chainlink

The immediate implication is that US financial institutions can begin moving core fund operations on-chain, adopting regulator-approved and battle-tested infrastructure. This opens the door to massive cost savings for the $132 trillion global fund-administration market.

For Chainlink, it’s a vindication. With CCIP now powering real-world institutional pilots and its team having helped shape federal policy, the project looks increasingly like the connective tissue between TradFi and compliant on-chain finance.

Date Event Mar 24 2025 Chainlink legal team meets SEC Crypto Task Force Mar 28 2025 Sergey Nazarov briefs SEC on cross-chain transfer-agent model May 12 2025 SEC Tokenization Roundtable—Atkins sets pro-blockchain tone May 15 2025 Division of Trading & Markets publishes blockchain FAQ Bottom line

After years of regulatory gridlock, the US has effectively sanctioned public blockchains for use in securities infrastructure. Chainlink, already embedded with institutions and now with policy influence in Washington, appears positioned to become the de facto middleware for the future of tokenized finance.

The post Chainlink praises SEC’s guidelines, setting stage for crypto integration in institutional finance appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Ripple News: BRICS Planning a Gold-Backed Financial System with XRP?

admin — Fri, 16 May 2025 10:19:14 +0000

The post Ripple News: BRICS Planning a Gold-Backed Financial System with XRP? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A new theory in the cryptocurrency world suggests that BRICS nations may be quietly working towards a gold-backed global financial system powered by XRP, challenging the dominance of the US dollar. Here’s what you need to know about this bold and controversial theory.

How the West Controls the Global Financial System

The US currently holds unparalleled control over the global financial system, with the US dollar at the center. Three tools give the West significant influence: the US Dollar, the SWIFT system, and liquidity control.

The SWIFT network, which allows banks to communicate securely about financial transactions, is a crucial tool in maintaining this dominance. By excluding countries from SWIFT or freezing their dollar assets, the US can impose financial sanctions and block international trade.

In 2022, several prominent Russian banks were excluded from SWIFT, forcing Russia to seek alternatives. As one of BRICS’ key members, Russia is looking to break free from this US-centric system.

Why BRICS Wants to Move Away from the US Dollar

Each BRICS nation has its own reasons for desiring an alternative to the US dollar system:

Russia is concerned about the US’s ability to freeze its reserves.
China fears losing financial autonomy, especially with its growing global presence.
India, Brazil, and South Africa also seek financial independence, with a particular focus on leveraging their financial systems.

The Need for an Alternative Financial System

BRICS nations require a fast, neutral, and censorship-resistant infrastructure to conduct cross-border transactions. In response to this need, there are rumors that BRICS is testing Ripple’s XRP Ledger.

XRP could become the bridge for transferring money quickly and securely, with no need to create a new token. Instead, it would help settle international trade backed by assets like gold.

How XRP Could Power a Gold-Backed System

Unlike Bitcoin, which is volatile, or Ethereum, which faces congestion, XRP offers a fast and cost-effective solution, built specifically for institutional use. According to the theory, BRICS could create their own digital currency backed by gold. XRP would serve as the bridge to settle trades quickly, reducing reliance on the US dollar and the SWIFT system.

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Also Read :
Why SBI Holdings Is CRITICAL for Ripple (XRP) Global Expansion
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Early Signs of the Shift

Russia and China are already making moves that support this theory:

Russia is working on tokenizing its gold reserves.
China is expanding its gold reserves to back a future financial system.
Ripple is enhancing its regulatory compliance and pushing global adoption through programs and partnerships.

According to a post on X by Pumpius, these actions signal the beginning of a massive transformation, one that could reshape global finance as we know it.

The Future of BRICS and XRP: A New Era of Financial Independence?

This theory points to an emerging shift that could drastically reduce the global financial system’s dependence on the US dollar. With XRP potentially at the center of this change, BRICS nations may be quietly positioning themselves for a new, decentralized financial landscape.

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XRP could act as a neutral, fast bridge for settling cross-border trades in a gold-backed financial system without relying on the dollar.

Can XRP replace SWIFT for global payments?

XRP’s speed, low cost, and decentralization make it a viable SWIFT alternative for instant cross-border payments in a new system.