Although NFTs have existed for five years, the nonfungible token boom didn't start until 2021. It happened at the same time as the debut of the [Bored Ape Yacht Club](https://boredapeyachtclub.com/#/), a collection of 10,000 Lazy Ape NFTs featuring cartoon monkeys that have come to represent the entire industry. The past year has seen BAYC develop into a bellwether for NFTs, much like bitcoin is for the overall crypto market.

## What are Lazy Monkey NFTs?

Yuga Labs' Lazy Ape is an NFT collection built on the Ethereum (ETH) blockchain. Each NFT is known as an Ape.

These digital artworks depict bored simians. They all have a similar appearance and feel, but each monkey has a unique combination of facial expressions, accessories, and outfits, so no two are alike.

This combination of features—or the relative rarity of each variety—could be the driving force behind the Lazy Apes' popularity. "Rarity" is a formal measure of each Ape's uniqueness in the BAYC community.

## What makes Lazy Monkey NFTs so expensive?

1. Utility
Lazy Ape is valuable not only because it serves as a digital identity but also because it comes with commercial usage rights. Lazy monkey NFT owners can not only resell the NFT for a profit but also sell spinoff products based on the art.

One Bored Ape owner created a Twitter account for his Ape and created an entire backstory in which the Ape is Jenkins, a valet at the Yacht Club. Jenkins is personable, crypto-savvy, and tells incredible stories—the ideal combination for a successful Twitter account.
Jenkins' story is enhanced by the fact that he was the cheapest Ape in the collection, which influenced his character as a valet. People are drawn to the classic "underdog rise" story on a basic level.

 2. Limited supply
Basic economics: because there are only 10,000 Bored Apes, the supply of NFT art is quite limited. With the brand's massive popularity, we have a high-demand/low-supply dynamic that will inevitably drive prices up.

Furthermore, some Bored Ape avatars in the same collection are rarer than others. Each monkey is a unique, randomly generated combination of 170 characteristics such as background colour, earrings, expression, headwear, clothing, etc. This derived scarcity also contributes to some Bored Apes' high prices.

3. Celebrity Support
Celebrities nowadays are showing immense interest and support for Lazy Apes. BAYC NFT is owned by Jimmy Fallon, Post Malone, Mark Cuban, Paris Hilton, Stephen Curry, [Snoop Dogg, Eminem](/news/article/snoop-dogg-nft-song), and Shaquille O'Neal. It's also common knowledge that involving celebrities in anything can increase interest—and prices.

Because of the significant celebrity involvement, [Bored Apes](/news/article/how-to-buy-monkey-nft) have become a status symbol — similar to a digital Veblen good — the higher the price, the more people want 
one.

 4. Unique content
BAYC provides Lazy Ape holders with exclusive content benefits, some of which are detailed in the roadmap on the BAYC website. The roadmap is a to-do list that the founders intend to cross off when they reach their sales percentage targets.

5. Early entry to the NFT world
[While Bored Apes NFT](/news/article/bored-ape-nft) is not the first among NFT collections, they are one of the few available. Not to overlook the novelty, but it does contribute to the movement's success. For example, CryptoPunks are valuable because they are the first NFT collection.

 BAYC acquired Cryptopunks in early March 2022, significantly reducing competition and establishing their position as forerunners of the NFT-community movement. BAYC intends to grant CryptoPunks owners intellectual property and commercialization rights, as they have with Bored Ape owners. This will inevitably increase demand, resulting in a price increase.



Why are lazy monkey NFTs so expensive?

NFTs are quickly becoming one of the most in-demand and innovative forms of digital asset ownership. The Moonboys NFT has recently gained a lot of attention. This blog will discuss what makes these particular NFTs unique.

## What is the Moonboys NFT?

Moonboys NFTs are built on the Ethereum Blockchain with a total supply of 11,111 ERC-721 tokens. Each token is distinctive and 3D designed, including great utilities and full membership to a growing community.

These are the most in-demand and innovative NFTs you can find on the Ethereum blockchain. With its 3D-designed graphics and full membership, it is one of the most sought-after tokens in the crypto world.

## How can you buy Moonboys?

If you're interested in getting your hands on a Moonboys NFT, you'll need to head to the [OpenSea](/news/tag/opensea/2) website. You need to know that there is a 5% creator fee. The total sales volume has been around 1.5K Ethereum tokens with 33% unique owners. 

Currently, 11.110 are stored in 3383 different wallets. The largest whale holds 344 Moonboys (approximately 3% of the available supply).
What are some community utilities that come with owning a Moonboys NFT?

When you buy these NFTs, you're not just getting a unique collectable item. You're also joining a community of fans with access to great utilities.

For starters, each [NFT](/news/category/nft-news) holder has a full membership to the official community and channels. Also, there is a special business club provision for the holders. The Business Club offers physical and online conferences for participants who wish to expand their connections and improve their Web3 expertise. You'll find everything from the latest news and updates to fan artwork and discussions.

You will receive a membership to a selected community as soon as you become a holder. Top participants in the [NFT](/news/article/free-nfts) and crypto worlds are present in the community. Being a member of this club gives you access to live events and the chance to interact virtually with influential people.

The official website is also the place to go for all your needs. Here you can buy merch which is coming real soon and more. Also, the NFT creators announced that a contest amongst interested participants would be held to win a ticket for a commercial flight aboard Blue Origin in 2024.

Additionally, owners may stake or burn their Moonboys. They will get $DARK as a result, which they may use to modify their NFTs. Given that this will make users' NFTs more distinctive and the platform is set to attract collaborations from famous NFT musicians, an increase in the value of Moonboys is forecasted.

## Bottom line

When it comes to Moonboys, they appear to be a promising community with a solid roadmap. These innovative NFTs are in high demand, and with good reason. They're unique and come with a ton of membership perks and utilities.

Owning one is a great way to be a part of an ever-growing community and enjoy fantastic bonuses and features.




Moonboys NFT: The NFT with an exciting roadmap

The much-anticipated upgrade to Ethereum, the merge, was completed on [September 15](/news/article/ethereum-merge-date). It transformed the blockchain’s Proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism into Proof-of-Stake (PoS). The market experts were optimistic that this upgrade would positively influence the Ether price. However, it has not been the case as the [Ethereum](https://ethereum.org/en/) price is continually plunging after the merger. 

Perhaps, the reason could be the overall downturn of the crypto market. Bitcoin is also struggling to maintain a price of over $20K. Besides, its worth even dropped under $19K this month. This has affected the entire crypto market, including Ether. Nonetheless, there are several other triggers, too.

## Ether’s nosedive after the merge

ETH was steadily thriving in the last three months when the BTC price struggled to hold its ground. In comparison to BTC, ETH saw a surge of around 60%. However, after the Ethereum merge, it [dropped](https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/09/28917798/bitcoin-ethereum-nose-dive-445m-liquidated-from-crypto-market) significantly. 

Five days before the upgrade, Ether’s price was approaching $1,800. Even up to September 14, Ether was trading at over $1,600. But as it completed the upgrade, it lost over $300 in value. It saw a drop of almost 21% in the last seven days, showing worrying signs for Ethereum investors.

## Ether’s nosedive after the merge

ETH was steadily thriving in the last three months when the BTC price was struggling to hold its ground. In comparison to BTC, ETH saw a surge of around 60%. However, after the Ethereum merge, it [dropped](https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/09/28917798/bitcoin-ethereum-nose-dive-445m-liquidated-from-crypto-market) significantly. 

Five days before the upgrade, Ether’s price was approaching $1,800. Even till September 14, Ether was being traded at over $1,600. But as it completed the upgrade, it lost over $300 in value. Besides, in the last 7 days, it saw a drop of almost 21%. This shows worrying signs for the Ethereum investors.

![ethereum merge.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/ethereum_merge_0d3a08eff4.png)

## Ethereum the merge: Investor sentiment 

Disappointing US economic indicators such as high inflation, looming imminent [securities regulation that may apply to Ether staking](/news/article/ether-staking), and a market downturn have negatively affected crypto investor sentiment. After the completion of the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, the selling pressure increased. Many investors chose to liquidate their funds while the price was high to protect themselves from potential losses. 

Even after this event, ETH investment products saw tremendous outflows. Ether threw up $15.4 million in outflows. However, this was not a market-wide trend, as BTC saw an addition of around $17.4 million in investment in the same period. Time will tell if the Ethereum price has been merely affected by hawkish sentiment or if the Merge is not worth the hype.



Ethereum the Merge: Price plunge & investor sentiment

Ether can be wrapped in several ERC standards. However, wETH (Wrapped Ether) generally refers to Ether's version compatible with the ERC-20 standard.

Originally, Ether was not compatible with the ERC-20 standard. Being the currency of the [Ethereum blockchain](/news/article/eth-to-gbp), Ether was created before the implementation of ERC-20 and several other standards.

The creation of wETH resulted in some peculiarities, and unique use cases, among several other benefits we'll look at.

## What is wETH?

Wrapped Ether(wETH) is created by transferring Ether to a dedicated smart contract, which places the currency on hold while outputting wETH ERC-20 tokens. The exchange of the ETH for wETH occurs at a 1:1 ratio and can be reversed easily in a process called 'unwrapping' at the same ratio.

Thanks to wETH, developers don't have to create systems for two tokens – Ether and ERC-20s. By wrapping Ether, unnecessary complexities are eliminated from smart contract interfaces.

Furthermore, [since a smart contract](https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/blockchain-tutorial/what-is-smart-contract) handles the wrapping, there's no need for trusted third parties or the risk of errors. The protocol has found significant use cases in many Ethereum-based dApps (decentralized applications).

## Understanding The wETH Protocol

The sound protocol facilitating the creation of wETH makes it highly secure and foolproof. Beyond eliminating complexities, the wrapped token allows seamless interactions within the same technical standard. Hence, wETH finds use in highly advanced interactions on Defi applications.

The wrapping Smart Contract locks up ETH within it to maintain a concrete reserve backing the wETH output if the ratio of ETH to wETH shifts from 1:1, some of the latter will be burned when it's being unwrapped.

Both the wrapping and unwrapping processes occur at no additional costs – all you have to pay are transaction fees. Also, since wETH can be easily created and exchanged on platforms like UniSwap, [MetaMask](/news/article/what-is-metamask), etc., it has found some incredible use cases.

## The use cases of wETH

Because the ERC20 standard premises numerous dApps, wETH has been used for several cases. Here are some of the popular uses of wETH:

## Trading

You can easily trade wETH for ERC20 tokens on decentralized exchanges. Though there's a slight restriction here – the trade is only possible on decentralized exchanges supporting ERC20 tokens.

## Payment

The blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystems have redefined the global financial system. A prime example of this is the use of wETH for payments. Supporting dApps allow using wETH to pay for transaction fees and other services.

Furthermore, since wETH is at a 1:1 ratio with ETH, users don't incur extra charges during such transactions.

## Collateral

Decentralized lending platforms allow using wETH as collateral. This is good news for users who don't want to sell their ETH.

## Investment

Like other cryptos, wETH can be used for investment. The 1:1 ratio at which wETH is pegged accounts for the favourable investment opportunity it is. This is because of the value of wETH, which increases in direct proportion to ETH. Hence, wETH is an excellent investment opportunity if you see potential in ETH.

## What are the benefits of wETH?

Created by Will Warren, the co-founder and CEO of Ox Labs, wETH has several advantages. Here are some benefits of wETH:

## Interoperability

Despite wrapping Ether to create wETH, it doesn't lose its interoperability. wETH has interoperability capabilities with other ERC-20 tokens. Hence, you don't have to worry about compatibility and collaboration issues.

wETH makes it possible for decentralized applications to reach a higher level of interoperability. This comes in handy as applications and platforms are aiming for an increased level of collaboration. Furthermore, integration with other blockchains progresses seamlessly.

## Liquidity

wETH is created by a custodian smart contract that ensures stability in its value. Hence, it enjoys increased liquidity than other native tokens. Thanks to the custodian contract, wETH can easily be converted to ETH, which makes it a really attractive asset class to stakeholders.

## Security

Enhanced security is the standard with wETH since its custodians exclusively transact over secure exchanges. Furthermore, there's a reduced risk of users losing their cryptocurrencies since the custodian secures the private keys in a safe location.

## Speed And Lower Transaction Fees

Transactions with wETH also proceed fast and at lower fees against unwrapped ETH.

The Ethereum blockchain is one of the oldest and most developed ecosystems for dApps. This makes wETH an essential token since it facilitates easy usage of different DeFi apps without compatibility issues. Now is the best time if you haven't started using wrapped ETH.



What is wETH, its protocol, use cases, and benefits?

The long-awaited [Ethereum merge](/news/article/ethereum-merge-date) has transformed the blockchain into Proof-of-Stake (PoS). On Thursday, the upgrade was completed, which was welcomed by crypto investors all around the globe. 

Gary Gensler, the chair of the [Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)](https://www.sec.gov/), has also followed the developments. He hinted that Ethereum might be considered security after the upgrade. Gensler also warned that the securities laws might also apply to Ether staking. He shared his points while speaking to the media after testifying before the Senate Committee. 

## Ether staking could trigger securities laws

According to the SEC chair, any digital coin or intermediary that investors can ‘stake’ will be identified as ‘security’ through the Howey Test. The Wall Street Journal [reported](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ethers-new-staking-model-could-draw-sec-attention-11663266224) that Gensler remarked, “From the coin’s perspective … that’s another indicia that under the Howey test, the investing public is anticipating profits based on the efforts of others.”

Though the chair has not mentioned any particular cryptocurrency, the remarks were made the same day as the Ethereum Merger. Many speculate that he was referring to Ether staking as its consensus mechanism has changed from Proof-of-Work to [Proof-of-Stake](/news/article/pos-vs-pow).

Gary Gensler also explained that staking is quite similar to lending. About this, his comments were, “[it] looks very similar—with some changes of labelling—to lending.”  

## SEC stance on securities

A security asset generally includes bonds and stocks. The service providers related to this type of assets in the United States must disclose them per the defined securities laws of the 1930s. That’s why any crypto exchange or brokerage also has to comply with these laws. If any asset is deemed a security, regulators might take legal action against the service provider. 

Previously, the regulating body has charged several firms for violating [securities laws](https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/securities-and-exchange-commission). The [SEC vs Ripple labs](/news/article/xrp-court-case-update) is a highly anticipated lawsuit in the crypto space. 

The regulators deemed the XRP token as a security and charged the firm for irregularities. 

The conclusion of this case might affect several other tokens too. The regulators also penalised BlockFi with a $100 million fine as it failed to register its interest accounts. 



Securities laws may apply to Ether staking, warns SEC

The Raiden Network token (RDN) is the native token of the Raiden Network, an off-chain scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain. It is similar to Bitcoin's Lightning Network. It allows users to initiate fast and low-cost transactions.

## The network

The Raiden Network, unlike the Ethereum blockchain, does not require consensus for its operations. It instead uses digital signatures, and hash-locks called balance proofs to enable token transfers between network participants.

The protocol has a few advantages that make it a worthwhile project.

•	Instant transfers: users can instantaneously send, receive and confirm token transfers. Token transfers are as fast as sending text messages.

•	Low transaction fees: Transaction fees are pretty low. Low transaction fees allow users easily transfer small amounts of ERC20-based tokens.

•	Increased privacy: compared to the Ethereum blockchain, the Raiden protocol provides better privacy levels.

## The token

RDN coins are ERC20 cryptocurrencies used to pay for various services in the Raiden protocol. They can be used for access to micropayments and API (Application Programming Interface). They are also a reward incentive used to reward users for contributing to the protocol.

The tokens were launched on October 18th, 2017. Only 100,000,000 of them will ever exist. As of writing, 66,793,931 RDNs are in public circulation.

According to [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/raiden-network-token/), each Raiden Network token is currently worth $0.06096. They are ranked 1,005th largest cryptocurrencies by market cap. RDN is available on several exchanges, including Gate.io, Bancor Network, Tokenmy, and CoinDCX.

It is worth noting that RDNs can't be bought directly with fiat money. To buy them, you'll first have to buy other cryptocurrencies like ETH or BTC from a fiat-to-crypto exchange. Once you have your ETH or BTC, you'll go to an exchange that lists RDNs and use your ETH or BTC to buy them.

As they are ERC20 tokens, you can store them in any ERC20-compatible wallet, including MetaMask, MyEtherWallet, Trezor, or Ledger.

## Price prediction

RDN coins are currently experiencing a bear run. However, several crypto prediction platforms believe they are worth holding.

Priceprediction.net predicts they may trade at an average price of $0.12 in 2023, $0.17 in 2024, and $0.23 in 2025. If you hold on to them for longer, the site predicts they may trade above $1 in 2029 and above $2 in 2031.

Digitalcoinprice is not as positive as Priceprediction.net, but it does predict some slight positive price appreciation. According to the site, the cryptocurrency might trade at an average price of $0.0870 in 2023, $0.0906 in 2024, and $0.11 in 2025. 

## Bottom line

Overall, the RDN project looks like a promising solution to the scalability issues faced by Ethereum and other [cryptocurrencies](/trade). At the same time, most investors agree that RDN is worth considering as a long-term investment option. Before you spend any of your hard-earned money on this cryptocurrency, do your research. All information shared here is the author's opinion and should not be perceived as financial advice.




Raiden Network token (RDN): What you should know

The WETH vs ETH debate is one of the hottest in the crypto circle. People often think that both tokens have the same value. This brings up the question, why use [WETH](https://weth.io/) rather than ETH?

Ether is the second largest cryptocurrency on the market, built for the [Ethereum blockchain](https://ethereum.org/en/). However, the wrapped Ethereum (WETH) is only a representation of ETH and has the same value. However, it is an ERC-20 token that can be used on numerous blockchains.  

Still confused? Here you can learn how they differ and what is the use of Ethereum’s wrapped version. Let’s dive in!

## Understanding wrapped tokens

Before we move on to WETH vs ETH differences, it is crucial to understand what wrapped tokens are. These tokens are somewhat like stablecoins but backed by another digital currency instead of a fiat currency. 

The central concept behind developing wrapped coins is that they can be used in different ecosystems. They solve one of the biggest problems for crypto developers and investors. They offer them interoperability. 

If you have a native token of a blockchain that is only compatible with the particular blockchain, you would not be able to use it on others. That’s why smart contract coins are employed. As these work on a set standard like ERC20, many other blockchains can support them.

## WETH vs ETH: The difference

Now that you know the concept behind wrapped tokens, it is easier to understand the difference between WETH and ETH. 

Ether is one of the oldest crypto, developed before the token standards. [The Ethereum Request for Comments 20 (ERC20)](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/standards/tokens/erc-20/) technical standard was introduced in 2015, and the digital coin itself does not follow this standard. That’s why other blockchains cannot support the token. 

For this reason, wrapped Ethereum was launched. This allows you to use Ether’s representation on other blockchains. This version helps with the decentralised apps (DApps) on other networks. Also, it helps in NFT trading on different networks. So, even though you cannot use Ether directly, you can use a version on other networks.

## WETH vs ETH: Which is better?

In essence, both these tokens are the same. Ethereum is the second-most valuable crypto with a comprehensive ecosystem. On the other hand, a wrap of Ether can be pretty handy if you have to trade fungible or non-fungible tokens on different ecosystems. That’s why the choice between them would depend on the usage purpose. 

However, if your primary goal is an investment, then going for Ethereum would be ideal. After all, Ether is one of the [altcoins to watch in 2022](/news/article/altcoins-to-watch-2022).

## Bottom line

The wrap of a coin in a smart contract provides compatibility with other blockchains. Though there is no difference between the two coins, wrap versions provided interoperability. Therefore, Ether’s wrap is easy to use on other networks. You can easily convert your ETH to WETH from any cryptocurrency exchange without losing value.



WETH vs ETH: How do they differ?

Chainalysis, the crypto analytics company, released a report concerning ether price prediction, which says that [Ether's price may decouple](https://cointelegraph.com/news/ether-price-could-decouple-from-other-crypto-post-merge-chainalysis) from other crypto assets after the Merge, with staking yields possibly driving significant institutional adoption.

According to a report released on the 7th of September by Chainalysis, the upcoming Ethereum upgrade will give institutional investors access to staking yields comparable to those of some securities, such as bonds and commodities, while also becoming much more environmentally friendly.

Since treasury bond yields offer much less in comparison, the report stated that ETH staking is expected to provide stakers with a 10-15% yield annually, making it an "appealing bond alternative for investors."

As per Chainalysis data, the number of institutional ETH stakers — those who have staked $1 million or more — has "been steadily increasing" from less than 200 in January 2021 to around 1,100 in August this year.

According to the firm, if this number grows faster following [the Merge](/news/article/ethereum-merge), it will support the hypothesis that institutional investors "do indeed see Ethereum staking as a good profitable strategy."

Staked ETH is currently locked up in a smart contract that cannot be withdrawn from until the Shanghai update happens around six to twelve months after the Merge.

As a result, the staked ETH market is currently illiquid, prompting some staking service providers to offer synthetic assets that represent the value of the staked Ether; however, "those synthetics don't always maintain a 1:1 peg," the firm claims.

The report states, "The Shanghai upgrade will allow users to withdraw staked Ether at any time, increasing liquidity for stakers and making staking a more appealing proposition overall."

According to the Ethereum Foundation, following the upgrade, the Ethereum blockchain's proof-of-stake transition will reduce energy consumption requirements by up to 99%.

## Ether price prediction: ConsenSys report

ConsenSys, the company behind the MetaMask wallet and founded by Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin, released a similar report this week examining the "impact of the Merge on Institutions."

The report expresses similar sentiments about ETH staking rewards and environmental sustainability attracting institutions. Still, it also emphasises the importance of the PoS Ethereum chain "producing stronger security guarantees for institutional investors" and ETH's potential to become a deflationary asset.
 



Ether price prediction: ETH price could 'decouple'

According to a recent [report published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)](https://www.crypto-news-flash.com/imf-report-says-crypto-assets-are-no-longer-niche-products-calls-for-comprehensive-regulation/), crypto assets have shifted from being specialized products to being more widely used in recent years (IMF). Therefore, the government must adopt more specific policies to manage the industry.

The report's co-authors, Aditya Narain (director of capital markets at the IMF) and Marina Moretti, his assistant, stated that crypto assets are now valuable as payment tools, speculative investments, and hedges against weak currencies. Both of these observations were made in the report.

In addition, the authors mentioned that the recent failures of virtual asset providers (crypto exchanges, issuers, and hedge funds) constitute the impetus for regulators to adopt applicable crypto policies.

However, Narain and Moretti point out that various challenges make it difficult for regulators to design proper BTC rules. These challenges include the inability of regulators to use their talents effectively, the rapid evolution of the market, and the effort to monitor the actions of the market.

The regulatory bodies have several competing goals, and their resources are quite limited. Because of this, they are having trouble acquiring the knowledge and capabilities necessary to keep up with the rapid rate of industrial change.

The paper also issues a call to action to the various regulatory bodies, urging them to adopt a unified and coordinated strategy regarding cryptocurrency regulation. As a result, there is the potential for a global regulatory framework consistent with cryptocurrencies.

IMF's Narain and Moretti observed that crypto regulation is a "white whale" due to rapid innovation, inconsistent nomenclature, and a lack of staffing and data collecting, and this refers to the ETH merge. So, what are some of the options?

## IMF warns that BTC regulators face many challenges

The above authors also argued that standard financial regulation does not cover various issues of BTC legislation. As a result, they propose that the process of creating the policies be distributed among the many regulators.

The regulators will then be able to merge the policies into a single worldwide crypto policy that is comprehensive. Some people may concentrate on the BTC actors, such as those who build protocols, mine cryptocurrencies, and validate transactions. Others can focus on the safety of consumers, the integrity of the financial system, or both. 

There have been multiple meetings organized by global financial authorities to discuss the most effective methods for regulating the BTC industry. Within the next month and a half, Europe intends to publish the final text of the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) BTC regulation that has received significant attention.

The United States' response to the most pressing concerns regarding BTC business is proposed legislation called the "responsible financial innovation act." Even MPs opposed to BTC, who had previously pushed for a complete prohibition on the use of cryptocurrencies, now embrace the idea of regulating the market rather than outright prohibiting it.

US Congressman [Brad Sherman is the latest anti-crypto congressman to change his position](/news/article/us-crypto-congress-ban), shifting from calling for a complete ban on cryptocurrency to calling for the sector to be regulated. Sherman believes that an absolute prohibition cannot be enacted since the industry has amassed so much wealth and power in recent years. If the authorities consider the recommendations made by the IMF in this study, it will be in everyone's best interest, including investors, players, ETH merge, and regulators.



ETH merge is the obstacle to crypto regulation

It is a [platform](https://changelly.com/blog/gala-price-prediction/#What_Is_GALAnbsp) that aspires to revolutionise the gaming industry by restoring power to gamers. Currently, gamers spend numerous hours playing the game and investing in its in-game purchases, which can be removed anytime. Users may use Gala to purchase things, upgrades, and other in-game assets and as the governance token.

## When was the Gala coin launched?

The project's native token is already popular among gamers and cryptocurrency fans. The play-to-earn principle is applied here: the more tickets you earn, the more you play. Officials noted that it allows them to make free-to-play games lucrative while providing gamers more control over NFT in-game assets. Aside from being a fun and easy method to earn cryptocurrency, they also offer the opportunity to participate in the gaming industry's future by allowing players to vote on critical game development choices.

The ecosystem powers all transactions inside the ecosystem. It offers a diverse selection of games to cater to all sorts of gamers, with all transaction data recorded on the blockchain. The token also powers the marketplace, where players may purchase and trade in-game things. Like an ERC-20 token, users can save [Gala](/news/article/gala-games-explained) on any ERC-20 wallet. The network will let users purchase, sell, or exchange assets using the token.

## Is the Gala coin a good investment?

Firstly, because the token is still relatively new, there is room for price growth. Secondly, the token's organisation has prior expertise in the gaming and blockchain sectors, giving them a distinct viewpoint on applying blockchain technology to produce a more efficient and user-friendly experience. 

Thirdly, they have already worked with several well-known companies in the gaming business, giving them an advantage over their competitors. Finally, factors such as the growing popularity of NFTs and crypto games indicate that this currency is in high demand.

There are only 50 billion tokens, making it an excellent investment: the token's value may increase as demand develops. The game has over 1.3 million players, and the community is growing. The token's staff is continually enhancing the games ecosystem and increasing the number of Gala games accessible, making it an ideal long-term investment with price growth potential.

## Gala coin price prediction

The circulating quantity of Gala tokens is around 7 billion tokens. On the cryptocurrency market, the token achieved an all-time high of $0.8367 on November 26, 2021. It traded in September 2020 for its minimal value of $0.00149.

 The coin's average price will most likely be $1. However, according to projections, this will take at least eight years.



An in-depth look into Gala coin token and its use

Stakemoon coin is an Ethereum-based token that aims to become the cryptocurrency of choice for online gaming. Within this space, there are many problems that need to be addressed.

Gaming platforms charge high transaction fees and offer a limited selection of games. Users have to deposit funds before playing games, which is inconvenient for some players who might only have small amounts of money.

It's also not easy to get rid of tokens once you've lost them in a game - unlike fiat currencies, where you can simply walk into a bank and exchange your money for another currency. These issues will change after the launch of the service on the Qtum blockchain.

Through the Stakemoon platform, users will be able to launch their own games and create an online store through which they can buy virtual goods and sell digital services at market prices.

To put it another way, this will allow gamers to pay real-world prices for virtual goods or services without having to use weird cryptocurrencies with high transaction fees or restricted payment methods.

Let's look at how [Stakemoon](/news/tag/stakemoon-tag) plans to solve these issues and more within this review.

## How the Stakemoon Coin Works

A significant challenge in online gaming is the lack of liquidity. There's no easy way to exchange your tokens for fiat currency and no way to sell your goods or services without using a third party.

Stakemoon plans on solving this issue by offering a wallet that can be used as a marketplace. This will allow gamers to buy, sell, and trade their virtual goods without having to use shady cryptocurrencies or third parties.

The [Stakemoon platform](https://stakecoins.com/) also includes a gamer who offers "game sponsorship plugins," which allow gamers to incorporate their own game into the Stakemoon platform. This means that Stakemoon can provide an easier way for games on other platforms, such as Steam or Xbox Live, to offer stakes through the Stakemoon platform and gain more players.

## The Future of Gaming with STM

Gamers will be able to launch their own games and earn from the transactions made within them. Players can also get a share of the revenue generated from the games launched on the platform, which is something that's not possible with other gaming platforms.

They partnered with QTUM, an up-and-coming blockchain technology company, to make these benefits possible.

Stakemoon Coin is the token of an innovative blockchain gaming platform that uses smart contracts and blockchain power to create new and innovative games that are better and more fun than ever before.

For more breaking crypto news, go to [Latest Moni](/news).


What is Stakemoon Coin?

[Ethereum Classic (ETC)](/coins/etc) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum Classic blockchain, a smart contract platform that allows dApp development.  It is a split from the Ethereum blockchain, the decentralized network supporting the second most popular cryptocurrency [ETH](/coins/eth).

## The ETC Blockchain

The ETC blockchain is an open-source and decentralized platform that features smart contract functionalities to enable creation and deployment of dApps (Decentralized Applications).

It uses Proof of Work consensus mechanism to validate transactions and add new blocks. Miners have to compete to be the first to solve complex mathematical problems to win the block rewards. Proof of Work also helps with its security.

## The Blockchain’s Origin

The ETC blockchain came into existence in July 2016, when the DAO, a decentralised autonomous organisation built on the ETH network, was hacked.

The DAO raised over $150 million USD worth of ether from investors, and was intended to be used to fund projects that would be voted on by the DAO's token holders.

However, due to a flaw in its code, the DAO was hacked, and someone was able to siphon off around one third of the funds that had been raised. A consequence of the hack was a hard fork. The hard fork created two separate blockchains: ETH (the new version) and ETC (the original version). 

ETC has continued to maintain the original vision of Ethereum as a decentralized platform that can be used to build dApps, while the ETH network has become a more general purpose smart contract platform.

## The native token

ETC is the native token of the ETC blockchain Network. It has several use cases in the platform. Its holders can use it to pay for transaction gas, use smart contracts, and interact with dApps. It is also governance token.

The tokens have a max supply cap of 210,700,000 ETC coins. There are currently 136,178,157 of the digital coins in public circulation. The demand and supply of these tokens dictates the price. The current price of ETC (as of 22/08/2022 is 27.31GBP)  The tokens are available for purchase on several crypto exchanges including Binance, OKX, and Bybit.

As per [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/ethereum-classic/), ETC tokens are currently the 19th largest cryptocurrency in the world with a live market cap of $5,139,474,019.

## Notable occurrences

In January 2019 the ETC Blockchain suffered a 51% attack. The hackers who orchestrated the attack later returned the stolen funds.

In July 2020, the network again fell victim to 51% attacks. After the attacks the Ethash epoch duration was increased from 30,000 to 60,000, solving a critical security issue for the platform.

## Bottom line

ETC is one of a few cryptocurrencies performing pretty well in the crypto market. Several cryptocurrency prediction platforms predict better prices are on the horizon for the coin, making it a potentially great investment option.

While the coin’s price doesn’t make it great for beginner crypto investors, it is still worth some consideration. The cryptocurrency can be bought in lots of exchanges with fiat money.

All about the Ethereum Classic and its price

An Ethereum wallet is vital before investing in the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Ether (ETH). The wallet not only stores Ether coins but also allows you to send, receive, and spend the crypto coins.

There are generally two types of Ethereum crypto wallets, hardware, and software crypto wallets. Some of the best options to store your Ethereum include:

## MetaMask

[MetaMask](https://metamask.io/) is one of the best, if not the best Ethereum wallet. It is one of the most widely used Ethereum wallet, and for good reasons. 

The wallet is easy to use, therefore beginner-friendly. Besides allowing you to store and spend your Ether (ETH), it also allows you to access decentralized Ethereum apps.

The MetaMask wallet is available as a browser extension and mobile app. It is a software wallet, therefore best used with a hardware wallet.

## Exodus

The [Exodus Wallet](https://www.exodus.com/) is another beginner-friendly crypto wallet ideal for ETH storage. It is free to use and non-custodial, meaning you maintain full control of your crypto. It also does not require users to register or supply personal information to use it.

The Exodus wallet supports more than 150 cryptocurrencies across seven separate blockchains. It is another software crypto wallet available on desktop and mobile.

## Atomic 

There are many reasons why many Atomic wallet users consider it the best Ethereum wallet. It is decentralized, easy to use, non-custodial, and allows users to store, exchange, and buy ETH with a bank card. Verification and KYC standards are not necessary to access funds stored in the wallet.

The Atomic Wallet supports over 500 crypto assets, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, and [Litecoin](/coins/ltc). It is also available on desktop and mobile.

## Ledger 

Ledger Nano X and Ledger Nano S are two great hardware wallets that support ETH storage. As hardware wallets, both wallets allow users to store their ETH offline.

Both wallets are physical devices in the form of USB drives. They support over 1,800 cryptocurrencies, besides ETH. They also support desktop, Android, and iOS devices.

The Ledger Nano X wallet is considered an upgrade of the Ledger Nano S. It is not only pricier but also has a few features, including a battery and Bluetooth.

## Trezor 

Trezor, like Ledger, offers two hardware crypto wallets, Trezor One and Model T that support ETH storage. Both wallets support more than a thousand cryptocurrencies, besides ETH. They are highly secure and great alternatives to the Ledger wallets.

Compared to the Ledger wallets, the Trezor wallets are lighter and more uniquely shaped. They are also cheaper. The Trezor One wallet is, however, cheaper than the Trezor Model T and all the Ledger wallets. Either of the Trezor wallets can be the best Ethereum wallet for you.

## Bottom line

There you have it, some of the best Ethereum crypto wallets to consider before investing in ETH.

While software wallets like MetaMask, Exodus, and Atomic have their advantages, which include convenience, it’s always best to consider using them with hardware wallets like the Ledger and Trezor crypto wallets for great security.



Best wallets to store your Ethereum

Ethereum merge news is having an impact on the price of digital assets linked to the blockchain.

ETH-based digital asset funds have seen positive inflows for seven straight weeks as institutional investors pile in, according to the latest CoinShares report. There were $16.3 million inflows last week, bringing total inflows to $159 million over seven weeks.

Market sentiment for Ethereum-focused products is primarily due to "greater clarity" regarding the upcoming merge. It is scheduled for September 19, according to CoinShares Head of Research James Butterfill on Monday. A shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in Ethereum's algorithm is credited with the change in investor sentiment.

Finally, Ethereum 2.0 Beacon Chain will be added to the mainnet in the merge, concluding an important transition from PoW to PoS. When Ethereum switches to a PoS consensus mechanism, it should become more secure and use less energy, which will, of course, help make it less harmful to the environment.

The Goerli and Prater testnet merge is also scheduled for this week, and it will be the final dress rehearsal before the mainnet merge takes place in less than six weeks.

## Traders are getting ready for the next round of trading

[Cryptocurrency analysts Glassnode have predicted](https://cointelegraph.com/news/institutions-flocking-to-ethereum-for-7-straight-weeks-as-merge-nears-report) that the anticipated Ethereum merge news will lead to "buy the rumor and sell the news" among traders. For Ethereum, "derivatives traders are placing obvious bets on the upcoming merge."

An analytics firm's newsletter, Betting on the Merge, ETH options and futures are now in "backwardation". That is a situation in which the current price of an asset is higher than the prices trading in the futures market.

When it comes to the Ethereum merge news, futures and options markets are in a backwardation after September, which suggests that traders are anticipating an event like this and have positioned themselves accordingly, the newsletter said. Data from Ethereum options shows professional traders are ready to go long on ETH's Merge, which is relevant.

However, [the merge's impact on Ether's price](/news/article/ethereum-merge) is yet to be determined.

In a recent interview, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin said the "narrative" is likely to remain positive after the merge, which is "an aspect that hasn't yet been priced in."

He added, "I expect morale to soar once the merger is completed. In other words, I believe the merger will not be priced in, and by that, I mean not just in terms of market value, but also in terms of psychological impact and narrative arc. After the fact, I don't think it's going to be factored into the narrative at all."

CoinGecko reports the price of Ethereum is $1,776 at the time of writing, up 8.6% in the last seven days.



Ethereum Merge News Just Around the Corner

The co-founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, claims that [layer 2 rollups will soon cause transaction prices to drop](https://cointelegraph.com/news/vitalik-crypto-payments-will-make-sense-as-tx-costs-fall-to-mere-cents-kbw-2022) to fractions of a cent, making cryptocurrency payments "make sense" once more.

The Cointelegraph team reported on Buterin at Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) saying that blockchain data compression is the last obstacle to scaling down transactions to fractions of a cent.

KBW, Asia's largest blockchain event, started yesterday and runs until August 14 at the Grand Intercontinental, Seoul.
 
He said an example of the "solid work happening" is Optimism's layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum. It has demonstrated results lowering the amount and cost of data in blockchain transactions by introducing zero-byte compression.

Buterin added that, although serving mainly as a speculative store of value, the primary use of [Bitcoin (BTC)](/coins) described in its white paper from 2008 was to offer a "peer-to-peer electronic cash system" that was less expensive than conventional payment methods.

He said that although this remained true until 2013, it was no longer the case by 2018 as usage grew and blockchain transactions became prohibitively costly.

According to the co-founder of Ethereum, scaling solutions, like the Lightning network in the case of BTC, will eventually lower the prices to fractions of a cent, allowing BTC and other currencies to serve this use case once again.

## Use Cases for Cryptocurrency Transactions

Buterin gave examples of where inexpensive crypto transactions will be beneficial.

He pointed to "lower income nations or regions where the present financial system is not very successful", saying it would provide residents with access to crucial payment structures via the internet, which is already being used despite the expense of international remittances.

In the context of Ethereum, he noted that inexpensive crypto transactions would aid in developing Web3 account management systems, non-financial applications such as domain name system (DNS) servers, and humanity proof of attendance protocols.



Crypto Payments to "Make Sense" with Layer 2 Growth 

The [Ethereum Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/) is a highly anticipated event of 2022 in the crypto community. The event will mark the completion of the second phase of the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade. The Ethereum Mainnet will merge with the Beacon Chain, transitioning it from a Proof-of-work to a Proof-of-stake blockchain.

## The Beacon Chain

Launched on December 1st, 2020, the Beacon Chain is a proof of stake blockchain running parallel to the Ethereum blockchain. The chain is a consensus layer that handles a network of stakers. Since its creation, the Beacon chain has been put under various tests to test its reliability and capabilities.

The Ethereum Merge will see the Beacon Chain’s proof of stake consensus replace Ethereum’s proof of stake consensus. The Beacon Chain will become the prime blockchain on the Ethereum network.

## Impact of the Ethereum Merge

There are many reasons to be excited about the Ethereum Merge. The event is not just for crypto holders as its success will see Ethereum reduce its carbon footprint significantly.

The crypto space has for the longest time been under great criticism due to its negative impact on the environment, especially blockchains that use proof of work consensus mechanism.

Some of the benefits of the Ethereum Merge include Ethereum’s transition to proof of stake, better network security, and a possible increased user base.

## Benefits of the Merge

•	Transition to Proof of Stake consensus mechanism
Ethereum like Bitcoin has been using a Proof of Work consensus mechanism to verify transactions, add new blocks, and network security. The problem with proof of work is its high energy consumption rate. Its high energy consumption rate makes it harmful to the environment.

With proof of stake, Ethereum replaces miners with validators. The network no longer requires high energy-consuming hardware for security.
According to research done in 2021 by researchers at the Ethereum Foundation, Ethereum’s transition to proof of stake consensus can cut its energy use by at least 99.95%.

•	Better network security
The proof of stake consensus mechanism eliminates the need for expensive network security hardware. The consensus mechanism introduces staking, where any crypto holder can participate in securing a blockchain network.

Proof of stake makes it easy for anyone to help secure the Ethereum network. The more people participate in security the more robust the chain becomes. More people securing a network increase its decentralization. Proof-of-stake, therefore, also reduces centralization risks.

A plus for Proof of Stake is that it can also enable a network to become more censorship-resistant. Mining hardware tends to be easy to detect and shut down. However, the same cannot be said about computers running validator nodes.

•	Increased user base
There is a high possibility of more people and developers flocking to the Ethereum network after the Merge. High gas fees and slow transaction speeds have kept many people and developers away from the network. However, after the merge, the inefficiencies can become a thing of the past.

## Ethereum Merge Risks

•	Technical challenges
Critics of Ethereum believe the network is taking a huge gamble switching from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake while in operation. There could be many unforeseen bugs with the new blockchain, which puts at risk $183 billion worth of Ether in circulation. 

Solana is a good example of a Proof-of-Stake blockchain that has suffered several complete outages this year (2022).

Proof of stake is also seen as a fairly new consensus mechanism when compared to proof of work. Proof of work has been around for a while. It has been tried and tested and proven to be highly secure.

## Will the Merge affect Ether Prices?

Different investors predict a different outcome for [Ether prices](/news/article/ethereum-news-now) after the Ethereum Merge. Some investors predict a bull run for the digital coins while others predict a bear run.

Considering the current state of the crypto market and that Ether is down by 60% since the beginning of the year (2022), some investors believe once the merge unlocks locked Ether many holders will sell their coins, resulting in their price depreciation.

However, some investors believe Ether prices might go up after the Merge due to Ethereum’s transition to proof of stake. The proof of stake consensus mechanism will enable Ethereum to attract more users and developers.

## When will the Merge happen?

The Ethereum Merge is expected to happen in September this year (2022). Tim Beiko, an Ethereum developer and prominent figure in the Ethereum Foundation, put Sept 19th as the tentative date. The Merge timeline is, however, not final.

The Ethereum Merge date announcement saw Ether prices go up considerably to $1,600, which is a good sign for those who believe the Merge will positively affect Ether prices.

## Bottom line

The Ethereum Merge is a big deal in the crypto space. If it's a success then there are plenty of benefits to look forward to from the Ethereum network and a few risks worth considering.

Considering the Ethereum Merge is happening when the crypto industry is experiencing a downturn, there is a lot of uncertainty about how the market may react. Some investors predict a positive outcome while some are not so sure. Do your research.






The Ethereum Merge: What You Should Know

Fantom (FTM) is the native token of the Fantom network, a smart contract blockchain platform that allows DApp development. The network is among a few blockchain networks giving the Ethereum blockchain a run for its money. It is one of the best alternatives to the Ethereum blockchain.

## The FTM token

The Fantom (FTM) token is the native utility token of the Fantom blockchain. It powers the entire Fantom blockchain ecosystem. Holders of the tokens can use them for staking, payments, transaction fees, and governance. 

FTM tokens are available as ERC-20 tokens and BEP-20 tokens, meaning there are versions of the tokens that conform to Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain token standards.

FTM tokens have a total max supply of 3,175,000,000 FTM coins. According to Coinmarketcap, there are currently (24th July 2022) 2,545,006,273 FTM coins in public circulation. 

Coinmarketcap ranks FTM coins as the 56th largest cryptocurrencies in the world with a live market cap of $861,038,478. Each FTM coin is currently worth $0.338325.

## Where to buy FTM tokens

FTM tokens are listed in several crypto exchanges including Binance, Kraken, Gemini, Bitfinex, Binance.US, Crypto.com, FTX, Bybit, KuCoin, OKX, and Gate.io. The coins [can be bought](/trade) directly with fiat currency where they are listed.

## Where to store FTM tokens

You’ll need a compatible crypto wallet before you can buy FTM tokens. The tokens can be stored in various crypto wallets including fWallet, which is Fantoms Official Wallet, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Math Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet.

Besides hot wallets, FTM tokens can also be stored in cold wallets (hardware wallets). Ledger Nano is the most preferable hardware wallet for FTM token storage.

## FTM coins price predictions

As of the time of writing, Fantom GBP exchange rate is 0.285643 GBP. The price is calculated based on rates on 70 exchanges and is updated live every few seconds.

In the last 24 hours, the FTM GBP price has increased by 8.24%.

Fantom GBP has seen a lot of success in recent months, and its price has increased by over 1000% since December 2020. 

[Several crypto prediction platforms](https://coinpedia.org/price-prediction/fantom-ftm-price-prediction/) see FTM coins as good long-term investment. WalletInvestor and Gov.Capital also see a promising future for FTM coins. 

According to WalletInvestor, FTM coins may trade at $4.486 by the end of 2025. Gov.Capital predicts that the coins may reach a maximum value of $3.602 by the end of 2023 and $9.048 by the end of 2025.

Digitalcoinprice and Coinpedia aren’t as optimistic as WalletInvestor and Gov.Capital but they still predict price appreciation for FTM coins. According to Coinpedia, FTM coins may start trading above $1 by 2024. Digitalcoinprice predicts the coins may still be trading under $1 by 2025 but at $0.75 per coin.

FTM coins may not be get-rich-quick crypto coins but many investors agree they are a great option for long-term investment. Considering what the Fantom network has to offer and is working on, the coins can get the push they deserve to earn well in the future.
Note that this is not financial advice but the opinions of the author. Before investing in any cryptocurrency, always take the time to do your research.


Fantom Coin (FTM): Everything You Should Know

The [Lazy Lions NFTs](https://www.lazylionsnft.com/) were made available on August 7, 2021. NFTs are currently popular and in demand, and they are spread all over the world. NFT collections have gained enormous popularity. The Lazy Lions NFT collection, which operates on the Ethereum blockchain, is marketed on the OpenSea Marketplace. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a hot topic right now, and for a good reason—the market is growing. Lazy Lions is one of the NFT projects booming in the market. Read on to discover all there is to know about the Lazy Lions NFT Collection.

## What are Lazy Lions NFTs?

10,000 different Lion NFTs, the one-of-a-kind digital treasures, make up the Lazy Lions collection. They operate on the [Ethereum](/coins/eth) Blockchain. Each Lazy Lion is unique; therefore, over 160 potential traits are produced programmatically, including attire, mane, expression, and many more. Lazy Lion NFTs are a collection of NFTs that feature a variety of drawn lions with unique qualities created by an algorithm.

Lazy Lion NFTs developed a community that started to drive up its price and make it a well-known NFT project outside traditional cryptocurrency venues on social media platforms. 


## How to purchase Lazy Lions NFT on Opensea? 


1.	You must first fund your wallet with crypto currency before you can buy your NFT. Ether, the native coin on the Ethereum blockchain, is used to buy and sell the bulk of NFTs on OpenSea. Make sure you have enough Ethereum (ETH) in your wallet to pay for the NFT in full as well as any additional costs, like gas. If your wallet needs to be refilled or you're running low on money, compare your options for buying ETH.

2.	You can use OpenSea to find your NFT. Consider browsing collections to assist in limiting your possibilities because OpenSea has thousands of NFTs listed.

3.	Transfer your ETH to a web3 wallet. One popular web3 wallet option is MetaMask.

4.	It's simple to buy the Lazy Lions NFT oversea. When you're ready to purchase, select the NFT you want to participate in by clicking the "Buy Now" button next to it. When making a purchase, OpenSea will show the complete price, including fees. After doing so, confirm the transaction in your MetaMask wallet.


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