Gajesh Naik is the developer behind a DeFi protocol that's managed nearly $7 million in cryptocurrency—he's also just 13. Consider the fact that Naik even knows what a “DeFi protocol” is. DeFi is an umbrella term for non-custodial software programs that handle your cryptocurrency for you, without the need for mediators like banks or investment managers. When you entrust your money to a DeFi protocol, you’re funneling it directly into a series of smart contracts—essentially just code that dictates how your funds are invested; PolyGaj is a hub for these sorts of investment mechanisms, asking users to pony up crypto for a risky shot at appealing returns.source

The company tells Decrypt Elon Musk’s tweets sped up its plans to go carbon-neutral, which is planned to happen within a year. Hut 8 has only mined Bitcoin since its launch in 2011. But it will start mining Ethereum as of this week, Sue Ennis, head of corporate development and investor relations at Hut 8, told Decrypt. It makes Hut 8 the first publicly traded North American mining company with a diversified portfolio—Nasdaq-listed miners Riot Blockchain and Marathon Digital Holdings are Bitcoin-only.source

The firm, led by Activision, EA, and Oculus veterans, brings in sizable new funding funding to build out its Blankos Block Party game. NFTs represent a deed of ownership to digital items and surged in popularity earlier this year, thanks in large part to NBA Top Shot and its collectible video highlights, as well as digital artwork sold by celebrities, athletes, brands, and other artists through various platforms.
Mythical is the developer of Blankos Block Party, a blockchain-based, collectibles-centric PC game in which players can create, play, and interact in a shared environment. It’s inspired by the look and design of vinyl toys, and currently available in open beta. Blankos Block Party also lets players design their own worlds and playable games, similar to free-to-play smash Roblox.source

The Tesla CEO’s push for “clean” Bitcoin raises questions over whether it’s possible to know what percentage of mining is powered by renewables. Unfortunately, non-miners cannot join the Bitcoin Mining Council—but its website does provide some transparency to outsiders. “The Bitcoin Mining Council believes that Bitcoin’s energy usage is a feature, not a bug, and provides tremendous network security,” the website’s FAQ section reads. Bitcoin miners that do join the council aren’t obligated to disclose their energy sources if they don’t want to; there is a “voluntary disclosure form” that miners can choose to provide “in the hopes of promoting transparency.”source

Bitcoin rose by 14% following Elon Musk's announcement that Tesla will reinstate Bitcoin purchases once 50% of miners are using clean energy. Musk has been something of a Pied Piper to Bitcoin since the electric car maker announced a $1.5 billion BTC buy in February and said that it would allow cars to be paid for in the cryptocurrency. The move helped to push the cryptocurrency's price to over $60,000 during the following weeks. Soon afterward, however, Musk changed his tune and said that Tesla would no longer accept Bitcoin, citing concerns about the cryptocurrency's energy use. A regulatory crackdown in China added to Bitcoin’s woes.source

The New York Assembly failed to act on legislation passed earlier this week by the Senate. The New York Senate this week had passed a bill to temporarily stop giving permits to Bitcoin mining facilities using carbon-based fuels; existing Bitcoin mining firms in the state would have been frozen at existing levels of electricity consumption. But the New York Assembly didn't get around to voting on its version of the bill, meaning that it must start at the beginning of the process during the next two-year legislative session. The authors of Senate Bill S6486B were nonetheless concerned about the precedent being set in the state, as Greenidge and other Bitcoin mining firms had taken up residence in closed fossil fuel power plants. Those plants, the bill said, were shut down "due to reduced energy demand, improved transmission capacity and non-economic carbon-based fuel sources."source

El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, has embraced Bitcoin—and Bitcoiners are conveniently silent on his track record. Jack Mallers, who introduced Bukele’s announcement at the Bitcoin conference in Miami, tweeted, “Today, the world changes for the better. Today, humanity takes a leap forward in instilling human freedom, financial inclusivity, and so much more.” The only problem? El Salvador is not exactly a shining example of human freedom and financial inclusivity—not even close. And Bukele may not be the hero Bitcoin is seeking.source