Midnight Foundation Partners With Fireblocks for Secure Digital Asset Custody and Settlement Solutions in Web3

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August 23, 2025

The Midnight Foundation, focused on advancing the privacy-centric Midnight blockchain, has partnered with Fireblocks, a leading platform for secure digital asset custody and settlement, to enhance institutional access to Web3.

This collaboration, announced in August 2025, enables Fireblocks’ institutional clients to securely claim, store, and manage $NIGHT, the utility token of the Midnight network, which launches as a Cardano Native Asset.

The integration supports Midnight’s Glacier Drop, a multi-phase airdrop distributing 100% of $NIGHT tokens to participants across eight major blockchain ecosystems, including Cardano, Ethereum, and Bitcoin, aiming for fair and transparent distribution.

Fireblocks’ infrastructure ensures secure and compliant onboarding for enterprises, leveraging its reputation for handling over $10 trillion in digital asset transfers for more than 2,400 institutions. Midnight’s privacy-first approach, utilizing zero-knowledge proofs and a cooperative tokenomics model with $NIGHT and DUST, balances user confidentiality with regulatory compliance, making it appealing for institutional adoption.

This partnership is seen as a step toward bridging traditional finance and decentralized systems, potentially setting a model for privacy-focused blockchains to attract institutional liquidity while maintaining selective disclosure.

Fireblocks’ established infrastructure, serving over 2,400 institutions and handling $10 trillion in digital asset transfers, provides a trusted and secure entry point for institutional players to engage with the Midnight blockchain and its $NIGHT token. This lowers barriers for enterprises wary of Web3’s technical and security challenges.

The integration enables institutions to claim, store, and manage $NIGHT tokens seamlessly, encouraging participation in Midnight’s Glacier Drop airdrop and broader ecosystem activities. Midnight’s use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) offers selective disclosure, allowing users to share only necessary data while maintaining privacy.

This aligns with institutional needs for compliance with regulations like GDPR or AML/KYC, making Midnight a viable option for enterprises balancing privacy and regulatory demands. The partnership demonstrates that privacy-focused blockchains can integrate with institutional-grade platforms, setting a precedent for other Web3 projects to attract regulated entities.

The Glacier Drop’s distribution of $NIGHT tokens across eight major blockchain ecosystems (e.g., Cardano, Ethereum, Bitcoin) promotes cross-chain engagement. Fireblocks’ support for Cardano Native Assets ensures institutions can interact with $NIGHT regardless of their preferred blockchain, fostering interoperability.

Fireblocks’ robust custody and settlement solutions, including multi-party computation (MPC) and secure wallet infrastructure, mitigate risks associated with managing digital assets. This instills confidence in institutions hesitant about Web3’s security vulnerabilities.

The partnership validates Midnight’s credibility, as Fireblocks’ rigorous vetting process signals trust in the Midnight network’s technology and governance. Midnight’s Glacier Drop, distributing 100% of $NIGHT tokens through an airdrop, emphasizes equitable access over centralized sales or pre-mines.

Fireblocks’ infrastructure ensures institutions can participate in this process securely, aligning with Web3’s ethos of decentralization while catering to enterprise needs. This model could inspire other projects to adopt transparent distribution mechanisms, enhancing trust in tokenomics across Web3.

How It Boosts the Web3 Ecosystem

By enabling institutional access to a privacy-focused blockchain, the partnership brings traditional finance (TradFi) closer to Web3. Institutions can leverage Midnight’s privacy features for use cases like confidential smart contracts, private DeFi, or secure data sharing, expanding Web3’s utility beyond retail users.

Increased institutional participation could drive capital inflows, boosting liquidity and market stability in Web3 ecosystems. Midnight’s ZKP-based approach addresses a critical gap in Web3: scalable privacy without sacrificing compliance. Fireblocks’ integration makes these solutions accessible to enterprises, encouraging adoption in sectors like finance, healthcare, and supply chain.

The Glacier Drop’s multi-chain airdrop, supported by Fireblocks, encourages broader community participation across major blockchains. This cross-pollination can drive user growth, developer interest, and dApp creation on Midnight, enriching the Web3 ecosystem.

The partnership showcases how Web3 projects can meet institutional demands for security and compliance without compromising decentralization. This could inspire other blockchains to integrate with enterprise-grade platforms, raising the bar for Web3 infrastructure.

Midnight’s privacy features, combined with Fireblocks’ institutional access, enable new use cases, such as private financial instruments, confidential supply chain tracking, or secure voting systems. These applications can attract diverse industries to Web3, expanding its scope.

The Midnight Foundation and Fireblocks partnership is a pivotal step toward mainstreaming Web3 by bridging institutional finance with decentralized, privacy-focused technology. It boosts the ecosystem by enhancing security, enabling interoperability, and promoting equitable access while addressing privacy and compliance needs.

ZachXBT Exposes a Sophisticated $91M Bitcoin Theft Mixed Via Wasabi Wallet

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Paul Ugbede Godwin

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August 23, 2025

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Blockchain investigator ZachXBT exposed a $91 million Bitcoin theft on August 19, 2025, involving 783 BTC stolen through a social engineering scam.

The attackers impersonated customer support from a crypto exchange and a hardware wallet provider, tricking the victim into sharing sensitive information. The stolen funds were funneled through Wasabi Wallet, a privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet, and multiple Bitcoin mixers to obscure the trail.

ZachXBT’s analysis, shared via X, included the theft transaction hash and the theft address. Notably, this theft occurred on the one-year anniversary of a $243 million Genesis creditor theft. The case highlights the growing sophistication of social engineering scams targeting crypto holders and the importance of blockchain transparency in tracking such crimes.

The use of sophisticated social engineering tactics, such as impersonating trusted entities like crypto exchanges and hardware wallet providers, underscores the vulnerability of even experienced crypto users. Attackers exploit trust, bypassing technical security measures by manipulating human behavior.

Incidents like this erode trust in centralized exchanges and wallet providers, as victims may associate the scam with legitimate platforms. This could drive users toward self-custody solutions or increase demand for enhanced security protocols, such as multi-factor authentication and verified communication channels.

Large-scale thefts draw attention from regulators, potentially leading to stricter oversight of crypto platforms and wallet services. Authorities may push for tighter Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance, especially for services like mixers that obscure transaction trails.

The use of Wasabi Wallet and Bitcoin mixers in this theft highlights the dual-edged nature of privacy-focused tools. While designed to protect user privacy, they are often exploited by bad actors, which could lead to increased regulatory pressure to limit or monitor such services.

This case emphasizes the importance of educating crypto users about phishing and social engineering risks. Awareness of red flags, such as unsolicited support requests or pressure to share private keys, is critical to preventing similar attacks.

While blockchain’s public ledger allowed ZachXBT to trace the stolen funds, it also shows the limitations of recovery once funds are mixed or moved to untraceable addresses. This underscores the need for proactive security measures over reactive investigations.

How Mixers Are Used to Funnel the Process

Bitcoin mixers (also known as tumblers) are services designed to enhance transaction privacy by obscuring the link between sender and receiver addresses. In the context of this theft, mixers were used to launder the stolen 783 BTC, making it harder to trace.

The stolen Bitcoin is sent to a mixer, which pools it with funds from other users. The mixer then redistributes the funds to new addresses, often in smaller, randomized amounts, breaking the direct link between the original theft address and the final destination.

The attackers sent the stolen BTC to Wasabi Wallet and subsequently to mixers, as noted by ZachXBT. Wasabi Wallet’s CoinJoin feature, which combines multiple transactions into one to obscure origins, likely served as an initial step before further mixing.

Mixers split the incoming Bitcoin into smaller chunks and send them through a series of intermediary addresses. These transactions are often spread across multiple wallets and timeframes to further complicate tracing.

In the theft, the attackers likely used mixers to fragment the 783 BTC into numerous smaller transactions, routing them through various addresses to dilute the trail. After mixing, the funds are sent to new wallets controlled by the attackers, often in jurisdictions with lax oversight or to exchanges with weak KYC/AML policies.

In this theft, Wasabi likely served as an entry point to the mixing process, providing an initial layer of obfuscation before the funds were sent to dedicated mixing services. Mixers complicate blockchain analysis by creating a web of transactions that are difficult to unravel.

Even with tools like those used by ZachXBT, pinpointing the final destination of mixed funds is resource-intensive and often inconclusive. The attackers’ use of multiple mixers indicates a deliberate strategy to exploit these challenges, leveraging the pseudonymous nature of Bitcoin to evade recovery efforts.

Blockchain analytics firms like Chainalysis and Elliptic work to deanonymize mixed transactions by tracking patterns, but success is limited against sophisticated actors using multiple layers of obfuscation. High-profile cases like this may lead to increased restrictions on mixers, such as sanctions or mandatory KYC for mixer users, though such measures could infringe on legitimate privacy rights.

The $91 million theft illustrates the sophistication of modern crypto scams and the critical role mixers play in laundering illicit funds. While mixers effectively obscure transaction trails, they also highlight the tension between privacy and security in the crypto space, with significant implications for users, platforms, and regulators.

Bitcoin Surges on Powell’s “Dovish” Signal, Then Falls, As Analysts Eye $200K Before Year-End

By

Ojukwu Emmanuel

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August 23, 2025

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The price of Bitcoin (BTC) rebounded sharply to $117,000 on Friday, gaining more than 2% within minutes after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a potential rate cut during his highly anticipated Jackson Hole speech.

The remarks immediately boosted risk assets, lifted cryptocurrencies, and weakened the U.S. dollar. BTC price surge comes as several crypto industry participants recently shared forecasts for higher prices in the crypto market.

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and Trading View captured the volatility as traders digested Powell’s words. “The current situation with inflation and the labor market may warrant adjusting the Fed’s monetary policy stance,” Powell said at the annual symposium, a venue closely watched for policy direction.

Market Reaction: Crypto and Risk Assets Rally

Markets responded swiftly. Bitcoin bounced off its recent range lows, sparking liquidations of more than 150,000 traders, worth an estimated $259.5 million in ask orders above $117,000.

“Well played bounce from the range low sweep on the back of a dovish Powell,” trader Daan Crypto Trades commented on X, warning that volatility would likely persist throughout the day.

Scott Melker, known as the “Wolf of All Streets,” highlighted Bitcoin’s repeated bullish divergences across the 4-hour, 6-hour, and daily charts, noting the resilience of BTC at its key $112,000 support level.

Ethereum Breaks Key Resistance

Ethereum (ETH) also seized the momentum. Ether surged 7% in an hour, breaking decisively above the $4,350 resistance level it had tested five times earlier in the week. The move formed the confirmation of an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, signaling a short-term bullish break of structure.

ETH quickly pushed into the $4,550–$4,650 supply zone, setting sights on near-term highs above $4,800. Analysts expect sellers to attempt reasserting pressure at those levels, though institutional demand is strengthening Ether’s foundation.

Spot ETH ETFs have become a magnet for capital inflows, recording $5.43 billion in July and $2.45 billion in August—marking the strongest quarter of ETH ETF demand in history. Institutions and corporate treasuries are increasingly adopting Ether, further validating its role as the “second pillar” of crypto.

Policy Tailwinds: Crypto in U.S. 401(k) Plans

Beyond Powell’s dovish tone, another catalyst is on the horizon. On August 7, President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting Americans the ability to include digital assets in 401(k) retirement plans. Analysts believe this move could dwarf even the impact of spot Bitcoin ETF approvals earlier in the year.

Bitwise’s head of European research, André Dragosch, estimates that even a modest 1% allocation of 401(k) portfolios into Bitcoin could unleash $122 billion in fresh capital inflows, potentially driving BTC above $200,000 before year-end.

Analysts See Renewed Bullish Trend

Momentum indicators and policy tailwinds are aligning in Bitcoin’s favor. With Powell signaling a likely September rate cut, ETH ETFs drawing record inflows, and 401(k) access opening new doors for mainstream adoption, analysts agree the crypto uptrend has returned. “BTC’s uptrend is back,” Dragosch noted, “and $200,000 is within reach before the year closes.”

If predictions hold, 2025 could be remembered as the year when monetary policy shifts and structural adoption propelled Bitcoin and Ethereum to historic highs, reshaping the global digital asset landscape.

From SEO to GEO (PEO): Designing Effective Prompt Engine Optimization [podcast]

By

Ndubuisi Ekekwe

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August 23, 2025

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In this Tekedia Daily podcast, I provide a framework for understanding the future of digital visibility. My presentation argues that the dominance of traditional SEO (search engine optimization), while still important, is being challenged by the rise of generative AI. The core concept discussed is Prompt Engine Optimization (PEO) or Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), which is the practice of tailoring your website’s content to be cited and synthesized by large language models and chatbots.

The podcast highlights that users are increasingly turning to these AI platforms for their information, and therefore, businesses must adapt their strategies to ensure their content is discoverable and referenced in these new “search” environments.

I break this new paradigm into four key principles: getting mentioned and cited, improving overall visibility across various AI platforms, conducting competitive analysis within this new context, and paying attention to the sentiment conveyed by AI. It is important to note that SEO and GEO are not mutually exclusive; they are complementary strategies working toward the same ultimate goal: driving traffic and converting customers.

Then, how do you execute that PEO playbook for your digital platform? I provide some practical and logical actionable steps. First, businesses must conduct thorough research to understand the specific questions and needs of their audience. This allows them to create targeted, valuable content. Second, this content must be “AI-friendly” meaning it is clear, authoritative, and easy for a machine to understand and use as a source.

Finally, the physical web page itself must be optimized for speed and accuracy, stripping away unnecessary clutter to allow AI to quickly and accurately pull information. The lecture concludes by underscoring that preparing and building systems for AI is a critical, strategic move for the next phase of any digital business.

Podcast Video: Sign-up at Blucera and check Tekedia Daily podcast category under Training module.

The Camp Foundation Releases ‘The Camp Airdrop Checker’, as Heaven DEX Surpasses $1M in Single Day Protocol Revenue

By

Paul Ugbede Godwin

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August 23, 2025

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The Camp Foundation has launched an eligibility checker for the CAMP token Season 1 airdrop, as announced by Camp Network, a Layer 1 blockchain focused on integrating intellectual property (IP) and AI.

The checker allows users to verify their eligibility and complete registration by August 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, using the same wallet previously engaged with the Camp ecosystem, such as the Summit Series Testnet. Eligible participants include holders of TrailHeads NFTs and verified contributors from the testnet.

Initially, a controversial 0.0025 ETH (~$10) registration fee was required, but due to community backlash, the Camp Foundation removed it and committed to reimbursing those who paid. The airdrop aims to boost the CAMP token’s visibility and attract new users, though its success hinges on smooth execution.

The CAMP airdrop incentivizes participation by rewarding early adopters (e.g., TrailHeads NFT holders and testnet contributors), fostering a decentralized community. This aligns with blockchain’s ethos of distributing ownership and governance.

Airdrops like CAMP’s aim to boost token visibility and attract new users to the Camp Network, which integrates IP and AI. This could drive adoption of its unique use cases, such as tokenized intellectual property or AI-driven applications. By targeting existing ecosystem participants, the airdrop ensures tokens reach engaged users, potentially increasing network activity and value.

Airdrops can create short-term market hype, potentially increasing token demand upon listing. However, poorly managed distributions risk alienating users and harming long-term credibility. The reimbursement of fees demonstrates a commitment to fairness, which could strengthen Camp Network’s reputation in a competitive Layer 1 landscape.

The eligibility checker and wallet-based registration process test Camp Network’s infrastructure. A smooth rollout could signal robust technical capabilities, while issues could deter users and developers. Layer 1 blockchains, like Camp Network, are foundational protocols that process and validate transactions natively.

Modern Layer 1s (e.g., Solana, Aptos, Camp Network) prioritize high throughput and low latency. For instance, Camp Network’s focus on IP and AI suggests optimized transaction processing for data-heavy applications, enabling real-time use cases like AI model training or IP licensing on-chain.

Blockchains are moving beyond Ethereum’s limitations (e.g., high gas fees, slow transactions), supporting mass adoption for applications like DeFi, gaming, and tokenized assets. Layer 1s are increasingly designed with interoperability in mind, allowing seamless interaction with other blockchains.

Camp Network’s IP focus could integrate with platforms like Ethereum or Polygon for cross-chain IP marketplaces. Cross-chain bridges and protocols (e.g., Polkadot, Cosmos) are creating interconnected ecosystems, enabling fluid asset and data transfers. Camp Network’s emphasis on IP and AI exemplifies how Layer 1s are tailoring infrastructure to niche markets.

Tokenizing IP allows creators to monetize assets transparently, while AI integration could enable smart contracts for automated licensing or royalties. Layer 1s are diversifying beyond finance into areas like supply chain (VeChain), gaming (Immutable X), and now IP/AI, broadening blockchain’s utility.

Airdrops, like CAMP’s, are a governance tool to distribute tokens and empower community decision-making. Layer 1s are leveraging such mechanisms to decentralize control and align incentives. DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) and token-based governance are becoming standard, giving users a stake in protocol development.

Newer Layer 1s often use energy-efficient consensus mechanisms like Proof of Stake (PoS) compared to Bitcoin’s Proof of Work (PoW). This reduces environmental impact and transaction costs, making platforms like Camp Network more accessible. Eco-friendly blockchains are gaining traction, appealing to ESG-conscious developers and users.

Layer 1s are simplifying onboarding with user-friendly tools (e.g., Camp’s eligibility checker) and developer SDKs. This lowers barriers for building dApps and engaging users. Web3 is becoming more intuitive, competing with Web2 platforms by prioritizing UX and scalability.

The CAMP airdrop reflects a strategic use of Layer 1 infrastructure to build community and drive adoption. However, its success depends on execution—transparent communication, seamless user experience, and delivering on IP/AI promises. Layer 1s are revolutionizing trends by enabling scalable, specialized, and interoperable ecosystems that empower creators, developers, and users.

Heaven DEX Surpassed $1M in Single Day Protocol Revenue Trailing Only Pump.fun and Axiom Pro

Heaven DEX, a Solana-based launchpad and AMM, has surpassed $1 million in protocol revenue, with reports indicating $1.02 million generated in a single day, making it the third highest-earning protocol on Solana, trailing only Pump.fun and Axiom Pro.

Its “God Flywheel” model, which allocates 100% of revenue to buy back and burn its native token, LIGHT, has driven significant market traction, with $1.4 million spent on buybacks in its first week, burning ~2% of LIGHT’s supply.

This contributed to a 225% price surge in six days, pushing LIGHT’s market cap to $200 million. Despite capturing 15% of Solana’s launchpad market share, challenges like potential liquidity fragmentation and reliance on sustained trading volume remain.

Surpassing $1M in daily revenue, as reported, signals strong adoption and positions Heaven DEX as a top-tier protocol on Solana, trailing only Pump.fun and Axiom Pro. This can attract more users, developers, and investors, enhancing its competitive edge in the crowded DEX and launchpad space.

Token Scarcity and Price Appreciation: The God Flywheel’s buyback-and-burn mechanism reduces LIGHT’s circulating supply, creating deflationary pressure. With ~2% of the supply burned in the first week and a 225% price surge in six days, as noted in the data, this milestone amplifies the model’s effectiveness, potentially driving further price appreciation.

High revenue enables more aggressive buybacks, which can stabilize and boost LIGHT’s value, attracting more projects to launch on Heaven DEX. This creates a virtuous cycle: more launches increase trading volume, which generates more revenue for buybacks, further strengthening the ecosystem.

While the revenue milestone is positive, reliance on sustained trading volume and potential liquidity fragmentation (as multiple pools compete for capital) could strain the model. Maintaining this revenue level will be critical to sustaining the flywheel’s momentum.

Boost to the God Flywheel

The $1.02M daily revenue translates to substantial capital for buying back LIGHT tokens. With $1.4M already spent on buybacks in the first week, this revenue surge allows Heaven DEX to remove tokens from circulation at a faster rate, enhancing scarcity and supporting price growth.

Burning ~2% of LIGHT’s supply in a week significantly reduces the token supply, reinforcing the deflationary mechanism of the God Flywheel. This ongoing reduction in circulating tokens can create a perception of increasing value per token, which may attract more investors and traders, further boosting trading volume and protocol revenue.

The revenue milestone fuels the God Flywheel’s self-sustaining loop. Higher revenue leads to larger buybacks, which reduce supply and can drive up LIGHT’s price (as seen with the 225% surge). This attracts more projects to the platform, increasing trading activity and revenue, which in turn funds more buybacks, perpetuating the cycle.

The $1M revenue milestone, coupled with LIGHT’s market cap reaching $200M, signals strong market traction. This can draw more attention to Heaven DEX, increasing user participation and trading volume, which directly feeds into the flywheel by generating more fees for buybacks.

Crossing $1M in revenue strengthens the God Flywheel by providing more capital for buybacks, accelerating token burns, and reinforcing the deflationary model. This can drive further price appreciation and ecosystem growth, though sustaining high trading volume and managing liquidity risks will be key to maintaining this momentum.