NFT

NFTs are unique digital identifiers recorded on a blockchain that certify ownership and authenticity of a specific asset. Moving past the "PFP" craze, 2026 NFTs emphasize utility, representing everything from IP rights and digital fashion to RWA titles and event ticketing. This tag explores the technical standards of digital ownership, the growth of NFT marketplaces, and the integration of non-fungible tech into the broader Creator Economy and enterprise solutions.

13301 Articles
Created: 2026/02/02 18:52
Updated: 2026/02/02 18:52
Berachain Powers an Ultimate Leap in Real-Time Blockchain Performance

Berachain Powers an Ultimate Leap in Real-Time Blockchain Performance

Berachain is a highly performing layer 1 blockchain, which is built on an agreement mechanism. The network has a high transaction speed, which makes it a strong opposition to other blockchain networks. The structure targets both DeFi and real-time applications. The network is built with Cosmos SDK and integrated with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). […]

Author: Tronweekly
Animoca Brands expands into crypto brokerage after Dubai VARA approval

Animoca Brands expands into crypto brokerage after Dubai VARA approval

The post Animoca Brands expands into crypto brokerage after Dubai VARA approval appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Founded in 2014 by Yat Siu and David Kim, Animoca Brands has been a key Web3 player in gamification, metaverses, and NFTs, investing in over 540 companies, but it is now taking a leap into the crypto brokerage scene after receiving an in-principle license approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). On VARA’s website, Animoca Brands, under the name Animoca Brands Middle East Advisory FZCO, has received an in-principle approval for a crypto broker-dealer VASP service license. Animoca Brands enters the UAE to invest in Web3 projects Animoca Brands, which has a large portfolio of investments in Web3 projects — including well-known names like The Sandbox, Axie Infinity, Pudgy Penguins, TrendX, 0G Labs, and projects like Kite AI and Aethir — entered the UAE in 2025, opening an office in Dubai and appointing Omar Elassar as its Managing Director. At the time, Animoca Brands noted that the office would meet the growing demands of Web3 companies moving into the region and serve as a hub to engage with both local and international partners to foster innovation. Back in 2024, Animoca Brands had already led a strategic funding round in UAE-based Param Labs, a Web3 blockchain gaming studio, for $7 million. It had also sought to build strong relationships in the Saudi Arabian blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. It partnered with the NEOM Investment Fund, committing to a $50 million investment to develop Web3 infrastructure in the region. While it might seem surprising that Animoca Brands, a well-known investor in Web3 entities, is now entering into crypto trading, it is not so far-fetched, given that Animoca Brands has a market cap of tokens issued by Animoca’s portfolio companies pegged at more than $45 billion. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them. Source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/animoca-brands-crypto-dubai-vara/

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
The Role of VARA in Regulating Crypto Exchanges in Dubai: What You Need to Know

The Role of VARA in Regulating Crypto Exchanges in Dubai: What You Need to Know

Role of VARA in Regulating Crypto Exchanges in Dubai The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) is key to Dubai’s digital asset world. It sets simple rules for crypto exchanges to follow. Dubai Law №4 of 2022 says VARA manages this space, gives out licenses, and checks that virtual asset service providers (VASPs) play by the rules. VARA aims to keep investors safe, prevent money crimes, and help grow crypto responsibly. This blog looks at how VARA keeps an eye on crypto exchanges, enforces rules, and helps Dubai get global recognition as a safe, regulated place for virtual asset trading. VARA and it’s Legal Basis If you want to start a crypto-business in dubai, you need to follow certain guidelines. This applies to almost any crypto biz, like exchanges, brokers, custodians, wallet services — basically anyone working with digital assets. You’ll need permission to swap crypto for cash, trade crypto, secure crypto, create tokens, and offer advice. VARA has guidelines that spell everything out. VARA RulesVARA made some rules (called Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023, and they’ve updated them). These rules tell crypto companies how to handle risks, avoid money laundering and funding illegal activities, keep their systems safe, be honest with customers, and follow the rules. Get Updations on VARAVARA doesn’t just give out licenses and forget about it. It is necessary to monitor all kinds of transactions happening in VARA. They want to stop scams, market manipulation, or false promises. Why Crypto-Exchanges Require VARA Entering Dubai Easy RulesVARA gives crypto places simple rules, which helps them and their users. Fair and Safe InvestingVARA makes things fair and keeps investors safe by pushing companies to be honest and follow rules, cutting down on scams. Good SecurityCrypto places with VARA licenses must have strong security to fight cyber attacks, money laundering, and terrorism funding so trading is safe. Trust Around the WorldVARA’s approval helps a crypto place get a better name and enter Dubai’s growing digital market and global investment chances. How VARA Works? Getting Licensed and OnboardIt is necessary to get license with VARA before getting started with it. One must need to know all kinds of rules and regulations. Rules of the RoadVARA enforces the Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations. These regulations set the standards for how VASPs should operate, stay compliant, and stay secure. Trading, asset holding, token creation, and user protection are all covered by these rules. Keeping an Eye OutVARA makes certain licensed exchanges are following the rules by checking for weird behavior or rule-breaking. They do this via audits, transaction tracking, and using programs to watch out for bad stuff. PenaltiesIf exchanges don’t play by the rules, VARA can issue fines, yank their licenses, or hit them with other penalties. This ensures market fairness and honesty. Helping New ConceptsVARA backs blockchain startups, DeFi projects, and tokenization platforms provided they stay within legal limits and under close watch. This encourages safe innovation. VARA Mind-Blowing Beneficial Features Full Licensing FrameworkVARA makes sure that only honest and law-abiding companies can do business in Dubai’s virtual asset ecosystem by providing a clear and organized licensing system for all crypto-related businesses. Putting Advanced Regulatory TechnologyThe authority uses AI, blockchain analytics, and tools that let them watch transactions in real time to keep an eye on transactions, find risks, and keep the market honest. International StandardsVARA makes use of certain international standards that fits for money-laundering and terrorism financing. Investors’ Safety and OpennessVARA protects user data and money by requiring full disclosures, keeping assets separate, and following secure custody protocols. Innovation-Driven EnvironmentVARA tells both new and established companies to work on blockchain, DeFi, and tokenization projects in a safe legal environment. This encourages responsible innovation. Keeping the Market Stable and Building a Good Name for YourselfBy always enforcing and regulating the rules, VARA makes Dubai an even better place for crypto businesses that follow the rules, are open, and are ready for the future. Technical VARA working Monitoring that uses the blockchain Blockchain-based audit systems help VARA keep an eye on crypto transactions as they happen. This keeps people from breaking the law and lets you see where digital assets are going. Enforcement of KYC and AMLAt VARA, strict KYC rules are followed which offers a security guideline for the users. How to Figure out What Risks areVARA uses AI models and data-driven analytics to look at possible operational and financial risks. Only businesses that are honest and follow the rules can work in Dubai’s crypto world. Rules for Safe CustodyVARA is the leader in how to keep digital assets safe with its advanced custody solutions. These are things like multi-signature wallets and encryption technologies that keep investors’ money safe. Licensing and Supervision SystemsBefore a crypto business can start working, it needs to get the go-ahead from VARA. Checks on a regular basis make sure that people follow the rules and don’t cheat with their money. Interfaces for Automated ReportingVARA can help businesses that have to follow rules set up automated reporting systems. These systems help you keep track of compliance documents and send data to regulatory databases right away. Future Innovations in VARA Expanded Tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWA)VARA is already working on tokenizing real estate, like PRYPCO Mint, to make ownership more flexible and improve liquidity. As more people use the metaverse, VARA could offer regulatory tools like licenses, dispute resolution, and monitoring right inside those virtual worlds. Tighter Rules and Tools for Risk, Margin, and Leverage ControlsWith its Version 2.0 rulebooks, VARA has made it harder for retail investors to trade on margin. Interoperability of Regulations Across BordersVARA has said it wants to work with other regulators to make it possible for assets to move across borders while still protecting investors and preventing money laundering. In the future, we might see new ideas like systems for recognizing foreign licenses, standardized reporting, or identity/KYC systems that work across borders. Stablecoins and Asset-Referenced Virtual Assets (ARVAs) That are RegulatedClearly define, regulate, and oversee stablecoins and other asset-referenced tokens under the VA regime. In its rulebooks, VARA has already made ARVAs official. We might see new types of digital dirhams, stablecoins that can be used across borders, or regulated ways to issue and distribute stablecoins that are linked to real assets. Better Protection for Consumers and More OpennessNew rules include clearer definitions (like “qualified custodians” and “client assets”) and guidelines for marketing. Innovations could include special areas for DeFi, NFTs, programmable money, or new Web3 models, along with customized oversight and rollback systems. Using AI and Machine Learning for Monitoring and Following the RulesAs more and more transactions involving virtual assets happen, it becomes impossible to keep an eye on them all manually. VARA can use AI and machine learning tools to find fraud, money laundering, and market manipulation in real time. Some of these new ideas could be finding anomalies, giving new tokens a predictive risk score, and automatically sending reports and alerts for non-compliance. More Clear Laws for New Types of Businesses (DAOs, NFTs, etc.)Rules are being changed to deal with NFTs, especially when it comes to security and cross-border issues. New technologies may make the legal status and rules for DAOs, NFT issuers, and virtual world projects more clear, including how they are taxed, who is responsible, contracts, and so on. Virtual Assets that are Good for the Environment and PeopleAs concerns about the environment grow, virtual asset projects may need to follow rules about energy efficiency, green proof-of-stake, carbon footprints, and telling people about their effects on the environment. VARA could make rules or offer rewards for low-energy blockchain architecture or carbon offsetting that can be verified for token issuances. Conclusion In short, VARA is making a big difference in Dubai’s virtual asset scene by bringing in new ideas and better rules. It is setting new global standards for crypto governance by focusing on things like tokenizing real-world assets, integrating the metaverse, using AI to make sure rules are followed, and making sure that crypto works across borders. By supporting stablecoin regulation, investor protection measures, and environmentally friendly blockchain practices, VARA is helping to make the digital economy safe, open, and ready for the future. Dubai is becoming the best place in the world for responsible virtual asset development as these new ideas come to light. By making sure that innovation and regulation go hand in hand, VARA’s forward-thinking approach builds trust and long-term growth in the crypto ecosystem. The Role of VARA in Regulating Crypto Exchanges in Dubai: What You Need to Know was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story

Author: Medium
Crypto 2025: Why Blockchain Became Mainstream

Crypto 2025: Why Blockchain Became Mainstream

2025 marks crypto’s mainstream breakthrough as institutions adopt blockchain, stablecoins rival Visa, and regulation finally clears the path.

Author: Crypto Ticker
How to Buy Blazpay ($BLAZ) – 5 Steps to the Best Crypto Coin to Buy Now in 2025

How to Buy Blazpay ($BLAZ) – 5 Steps to the Best Crypto Coin to Buy Now in 2025

Learn how to buy Blazpay ($BLAZ), one of 2025’s best crypto coins to invest in. Follow our 5-step guide to join the Blazpay presale, explore tokenomics, SDK integration, and why $BLAZ is the best crypto coin to buy now.

Author: Blockchainreporter
1.54 Million Shiba Inu Holders Signal Quiet Accumulation Before the Next Big SHIB Move ⋆ ZyCrypto

1.54 Million Shiba Inu Holders Signal Quiet Accumulation Before the Next Big SHIB Move ⋆ ZyCrypto

The post 1.54 Million Shiba Inu Holders Signal Quiet Accumulation Before the Next Big SHIB Move ⋆ ZyCrypto appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Advertisement &nbsp &nbsp According to Etherscan data, Shiba Inu (SHIB) now boasts 1,547,558 on-chain holders, a testament to its enduring appeal in a volatile crypto landscape. Despite market swings, SHIB’s holder base has grown steadily week after week, underscoring its resilience and sustained community-driven momentum among meme tokens. What makes this milestone stand out is that it reflects sustained investor confidence rather than fleeting hype.  Since its 2021 breakout, SHIB has matured beyond its meme coin roots, bolstered by a robust ecosystem that includes its Layer 2 network, Shibarium, and expanding ventures in DeFi, NFTs, and the metaverse, developments that continue to fuel steady, organic growth in its holder base. Therefore, the rising holder count signals growing decentralization, a healthy sign for Shiba Inu’s network stability.  Advertisement &nbsp While major meme coins often struggle with ownership concentrated in a few wallets, SHIB’s expanding base shows more investors are holding long-term, potentially reducing volatility and reinforcing its community-driven foundation. Shiba Inu Enters Accumulation Phase According to market insights from CRYPTO SHIB, Shiba Inu is quietly positioning itself for a potential breakout as it enters what analysts describe as an “accumulation phase,” the calm before the storm.  Source: CRYPTO SHIB On-chain data and technical patterns suggest that long-term holders are steadily increasing their positions, signaling growing confidence in SHIB’s next major price movement. The accumulation phase often features low volatility and sideways movement as investors buy at perceived discount levels. For Shiba Inu, this pattern is unfolding near strong support zones that have held firm despite market turbulence, with the present price being $0.00001010. Therefore,  CRYPTO SHIB suggests that sustained buying pressure could drive SHIB toward $0.000035, marking a major upside from current levels. The crucial test lies in whether the accumulation trend can persist without significant sell-offs disrupting momentum. …

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
$PING's 100-fold profit has set the market on fire. Will the x402 protocol replicate the inscription craze?

$PING's 100-fold profit has set the market on fire. Will the x402 protocol replicate the inscription craze?

Author: Cookie Yesterday, a special "golden dog" was born on Base: $PING. Based on the cost of a new mint and the current price, a successful mint yields a return of approximately 18x. (With a current market capitalization of $18 million, the return from a new mint is nearly 100x.) What's unique about $PING is that its minting is reminiscent of the inscription from two years ago. The cost of minting a $PING is approximately $1, and if successful, 5,000 $PING are awarded. The minting page for $PING, like the inscription from that year, lacks a sophisticated front-end and appears rather rigid. This is the first token issued through the x402 protocol. So, what is the x402 protocol? Why is the minting process for $PING so unique? And what is the current state of the protocol ecosystem? What is the x402 protocol? x402 is an open payment protocol developed by Coinbase that enables AI agents to complete transactions autonomously. The x402 protocol utilizes the long-standing "reserved" HTTP 402 "Payment Required" status code to require payment before completing an API request or loading a web page. If an API request lacks payment information, x402 returns an HTTP 402 status code, prompting the client to pay and retry the request. The following protocol workflow diagram intuitively explains the operation process of the x402 protocol: A user makes a request to Claude, "Use my Coinbase wallet to buy me a pair of jeans on Amazon." Upon receiving the request, the AI initiates a purchase request to Amazon, which then constructs a preliminary transaction, including the wallet address, blockchain, currency, and amount. The AI then sends this transaction to the x402 protocol's validator, which verifies that the wallet has sufficient assets on the corresponding blockchain, that the item is tradable, and that the user has confirmed authorization. Once this is complete, the transaction is completed, along with proof of payment, by sending the amount and payment verification to the merchant. Overall, the HTTP 402 status code serves as a "message" in the protocol, indicating whether a transaction was successful. Coinbase, based on this status code, added blockchain-based payment functionality, resulting in the x402 protocol. While it may sound simple, the protocol flow above offers two exciting aspects. First, it further simplifies the channels through which on-chain assets are used for actual payments. Users no longer need to withdraw funds into fiat currency for purchases; instead, they can directly use USDT, USDC, or even other on-chain assets. However, achieving this goal requires widespread rollout and sufficient merchant adoption and support. Any web API or content provider (crypto or Web2) that wants to provide a low-cost, frictionless payment path for small or usage-based transactions can integrate x402. The second point is AI agents. As payers and payees, AI agents are well-suited to blockchain payments because, unlike humans, they don't inherently possess bank or payment app accounts through KYC. As AI agents continue to improve their intelligence, we can expect novel consumer and on-chain experiences. This workflow also explains why the minting process for $PING is similar to an inscription, as it requires confirmation by the x402 validator. During the minting process, the large number of minting requests not only repeatedly overwhelmed the minting interface, but also provided the x402 protocol with a real stress test for the first time. Data from the past 30 days shows that $PING's interface has received more than 150,000 x402 transactions, with a total amount of approximately $140,000, far ahead of the second-ranked Questflow. This is the first time in the nearly six months since the launch of the x402 protocol that it has attracted such buzz and recognition. Regardless of the chain or protocol, new asset issuance is always a perennial hot topic in the cryptocurrency world. x402 Ecosystem Overview So, besides $PING, what other projects in the x402 protocol are worth paying attention to? The Ecosystem page on the x402 protocol's official website provides a summary of current projects. Clicking through each project reveals that the protocol is still in its early stages of development. Many projects directly lead to technical documentation or Github links. Here we summarize some projects that already have tokens or are about to issue tokens. Questflow A multi-AI agent work sequencing layer enables multiple AI agents to autonomously coordinate and execute tasks. In July of this year, the company announced the completion of a $6.5 million seed round of financing, led by Cyber Fund, with participation from Delphi Labs, Systemic Ventures, Eden Block, HashKey Capital, Animoca Brands, and Tezos. The company also received grants from Coinbase Developer Platform, Aptos, and Virtuals. There is no official token yet, but in December last year, it jointly launched $SANTA with Virtuals, an autonomous Agent cluster built using Questflow's QDP (Questflow Developer Platform) and MAOP (Multi-Agent Orchestration Protocol). $SANTA's current market capitalization is approximately $4.5 million. AurraCloud AI agent infrastructure for crypto-native applications. Instantly host AI agents using OpenAI-compatible APIs or MCP servers, and monetize AI through the on-chain x402 protocol on Base. In addition, the project also provided x402 verification services earlier this month. The token $AURA was launched through Virtuals and currently has a market capitalization of approximately $1.6 million. Meridian Incubated by uOS, it provides multi-chain settlement and custody services based on the x402 protocol. The token $MRDN currently has a market capitalization of approximately $1.5 million. PayAI Provides multi-chain x402 payment service support including Solana, and also provides x402 verification services. The token $PAYAI currently has a market capitalization of approximately $5 million. Daydreams The LLM reasoning process that supports x402 is provided for applications and AI agents. At the same time, Lucid is being built, a platform where anyone can deploy Daydreams agents to solve problems. Users pay USDC by signing transactions through x402, and agents can pay each other for access. The $dreams token currently has a market capitalization of approximately $6.7 million. Gloria AI A real-time news platform built for traders, creators, AI agents, and automated systems. Services can be paid for in $GLORIA through x402. The current market capitalization of the $GLORIA token is approximately $1.65 million. Kite AI Kite AI is building the foundational transaction layer for the "Agentic Internet," providing unified identity, payment, and governance infrastructure for autonomous agents. Kite AI's work is closely related to x402, having announced support for x402 as early as July. Kite AI is arguably the only project within the x402 ecosystem that can be categorized as a "chain." On September 2, Fortune reported that Kite AI announced it had raised a total of US$33 million in financing, with the latest Series A funding amounting to US$18 million. The round was led by PayPal Ventures and General Catalyst, with participation from 8VC, Samsung Next, SBI US Gateway Fund, Vertex Ventures, Hashed, HashKey Capital, Dispersion Capital, Alumni Ventures, Avalanche Foundation, GSR Markets, LayerZero, Animoca Brands, Essence VC, and Alchemy. Kite AI has not yet issued a token, but the Kite Foundation X account was recently launched, confirming that a token issuance is imminent. Currently, the tradable asset is the official FLY THE KITE NFT, with a floor price of 0.375 ETH. Conclusion In September of this year, Coinbase and Cloudflare announced they would jointly establish the x402 Foundation to promote protocol development. While there are some similar competitors, such as bitGPT's h402 and Radius's EVMAuth, x402 undoubtedly has the strongest background and the highest level of attention. If $PING's market capitalization surges, x402 will gain more market attention. This is good news not only for meme coins but also for infrastructure projects.

Author: PANews
Bitcoin Price Could Reach $150,000: Why AlphaPepe is the Best Crypto to Buy Now for the Bull Run

Bitcoin Price Could Reach $150,000: Why AlphaPepe is the Best Crypto to Buy Now for the Bull Run

Bitcoin is once again dominating headlines. With price momentum holding above $105,000, analysts now believe the world’s largest cryptocurrency could surge toward $150,000 as institutional demand, ETF inflows, and macro optimism align ahead of the 2025–2026 bull cycle. The halving narrative has returned, liquidity is improving, and retail confidence is creeping back into the market. […] The post Bitcoin Price Could Reach $150,000: Why AlphaPepe is the Best Crypto to Buy Now for the Bull Run appeared first on Live Bitcoin News.

Author: LiveBitcoinNews
VyFinance Launches cstAPEX to Bring 10% APY Cardano Staking Yields to Multi-Chain DeFi

VyFinance Launches cstAPEX to Bring 10% APY Cardano Staking Yields to Multi-Chain DeFi

The post VyFinance Launches cstAPEX to Bring 10% APY Cardano Staking Yields to Multi-Chain DeFi appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Although the token is now only available on Cardano, there are already efforts to expand cstAPEX to EVM chains, which will soon link Cardano’s native DeFi yield. Offering Cardano users up to 10% APY, it replicates the staking mechanisms of APEX on Prime and is designed to eventually blend in seamlessly with EVM-based apps. To recreate the projected 10% APY return of staking APEX on Prime, VyFinance, one of Cardano’s most well-known DeFi protocols, has introduced cstAPEX, a staked version of the APEX token. The launch is a significant milestone for Cardano’s decentralized finance sector, strengthening the company’s high-assurance, UTxO-based ecosystem and setting the stage for Apex Fusion’s compatibility with EVM-compatible networks. In keeping with its expanding position within Apex Fusion’s interoperable ecosystem, VyFinance created and implemented cstAPEX exclusively on Cardano. Although the token is now only available on Cardano, there are already efforts to expand cstAPEX to EVM chains, which will soon link Cardano’s native DeFi yield to the larger multi-chain landscape. “This partnership with VyFinance brings Cardano’s DeFi innovation into the heart of the interoperable Web3 world,” said Christopher Greenwood, COO of the Apex Fusion Foundation. “Together, we’re creating a pathway for Cardano-native liquidity to flow across global DeFi, from UTxO-based execution to the broader EVM landscape.” The new cstAPEX token is intended to be cross-chain ready as well as yield-bearing. Offering Cardano users up to 10% APY, it replicates the staking mechanisms of APEX on Prime and is designed to eventually blend in seamlessly with EVM-based apps. This essentially places Cardano at the core of developing multi-chain liquidity flows by making cstAPEX a future-ready, definable DeFi instrument. “We see enormous potential in making Cardano DeFi interoperable through Apex Fusion’s architecture,” said Steven, CEO of VyFinance. “Cardano’s DeFi protocols have built strong fundamentals — stability, security, and yield.…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
Meteora’s MET leads trending tokens after debut

Meteora’s MET leads trending tokens after debut

The post Meteora’s MET leads trending tokens after debut appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Key Takeaways $MET, native token of Meteora, is the top trending token following its recent debut and airdrop. Meteora is a Solana-based protocol focusing on liquidity distribution and offers NFTs for automated positions. $MET, the native token of Meteora, a Solana-based liquidity protocol, leads trending tokens today following its recent debut, according to CoinGecko. $PENGU and $ASTER, the token of Aster DEX, a decentralized exchange formed from a merger, are trending close behind. Meteora recently completed an airdrop and exchange listings for $MET, which enables users to earn fees through liquidity distribution mechanisms. The protocol offers features like Position NFTs for auto-managed liquidity stakes. $MET’s launch coincided with heightened activity in the Solana ecosystem, including integrations with platforms like Jupiter for enhanced liquidity. Source: https://cryptobriefing.com/met-leads-trending-tokens-after-debut/

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews