Headlines

Proof of Play Shuts Down Despite a16z Backing

Proof of Play, the Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)-backed Web3 gaming studio behind the fully on-chain RPG Pirate Nation, is shutting down after concluding it could not build a scalable and sustainable blockchain gaming business, marking another high-profile setback for the Web3 gaming industry. The company announced on Aug. 4 that it will cease operations after failing…

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China Says It Cracked the Chipmaking Tech the West Spent Billions Trying to Keep From It

Key Takeaways Chinese Academy hit 3.42% EUV efficiency in 2025, narrowing ASML’s chipmaking lead. ASML’s 2019 China ban still limits sub-7nm chips, pushing domestic EUV efforts toward 2028. Alibaba unveiled 2.4T-parameter Qwen3.8 as T-Head expands post-CUDA AI tools in 2026. The most valuable bottleneck in advanced chipmaking is the EUV light source, and for years…

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Putin signs law opening regulated crypto trading in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive digital asset law on Aug. 4, creating a regulated route for retail and qualified investors to trade cryptocurrencies through approved intermediaries.  Summary Russia will allow tested retail investors to buy liquid cryptocurrencies through regulated intermediaries from September. Nonqualified investors face a 300,000 ruble annual purchase cap through each…

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How Myanmar’s Anti-Scam Law Clamps Down on Gangs Forcing Victims Into Crypto Fraud

Weekly Crypto Roundup Get the weekly briefing for Philippine crypto insiders, from the country’s longest-standing crypto and blockchain news publication. For thousands of job seekers lured across borders with promises of tech employment, Southeast Asia’s lucrative crypto scam industry is, in reality, a hostage situation. Criminal syndicates operating inside Myanmar routinely traffic foreign workers, confiscate…

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Mastercard Closes $1.8B BVNK Deal in Stablecoin Payments Bet

Key Takeaways Mastercard completed its BVNK deal, valued up to $1.8B. BVNK adds stablecoin rails across Mastercard’s 17B endpoints, pressuring global payment rivals. BVNK clients stay unchanged as Mastercard integrates wallets, cards, and 24/7 settlement. Mastercard to Link Stablecoins to 17B Global Payment Network Mastercard has completed its acquisition of BVNK, turning one of the…

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