• Major tech companies including Alphabet, Microsoft, and IBM are leading quantum computing development with billions in investments
• IonQ and D-Wave represent pure-play quantum computing stocks with impressive revenue growth
• Industry estimates suggest quantum computing could reach a $170 billion market by 2040
• Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip and Alphabet’s Willow processor represent recent breakthroughs
• Long-term investors may find more security in established tech giants rather than speculative pure-plays

Quantum computing is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising technological frontiers, with major corporations and startups alike racing to develop commercially viable systems. Despite being in its early stages, the quantum computing industry is already attracting substantial investment and could represent a $170 billion market by 2040.

Alphabet (GOOG), Google’s parent company, has been quietly advancing quantum technology for over a decade. In 2024, the company introduced its Willow quantum processor, which reportedly achieved “quantum supremacy” by performing calculations beyond the capabilities of conventional supercomputers. This breakthrough could position Alphabet as a leader in the quantum space.

Microsoft (MSFT) made headlines with its Majorana 1 quantum chip, which uses innovative topological superconductors. CEO Satya Nadella has highlighted this development as a key step toward reaching a million-qubit processing target, widely considered necessary for transformative enterprise-scale quantum applications.

IBM (IBM) has established itself as an early commercial leader in the quantum space. Since 2017, the company has generated nearly $1 billion in revenue from its IBM Quantum offerings. This success stems from its comprehensive approach, covering hardware development, hybrid-cloud solutions, and open-source software tools.

Pure-Play Quantum Stocks vs. Tech Giants

For investors seeking more focused exposure to quantum computing, several pure-play companies offer intriguing opportunities. IonQ, which utilizes trapped-ion quantum technology, has demonstrated strong growth momentum. The company has doubled its revenue each year since 2021 and projects revenue between $75 million and $95 million for 2025, representing a 97% increase year-over-year.

D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) employs quantum annealing technology that has proven effective for solving complex optimization problems in industries like logistics and manufacturing. The company ended 2024 with 153 customers and saw bookings increase by 128% to $24 million, suggesting accelerated revenue growth in 2025.

Rigetti Computing (RGTI) distinguishes itself with a full-stack strategy that encompasses chip design, fabrication, and cloud-based access. The recent launch of its 84-qubit Ankaa processor positions the company to potentially capture new growth in the evolving quantum computing landscape.

However, industry experts urge caution regarding near-term expectations. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia (NVDA), has suggested that truly useful quantum computers may be approximately 20 years away. This realistic timeline contrasts with the market enthusiasm that briefly drove quantum computing stocks to soaring heights in late 2024.

For investors considering quantum computing stocks, the choice between pure-play companies and established tech giants presents different risk-reward profiles. While companies like IonQ (IONQ) offer focused exposure to quantum technology, their business operations remain limited and their future success uncertain.

In contrast, major technology companies like Alphabet, IBM, and Nvidia bring substantial resources, diverse revenue streams, and established market positions to their quantum computing initiatives. These companies can better withstand research setbacks and are positioned to commercialize quantum technologies once they mature.

IonQ’s stock performance exemplifies the volatility of pure-play quantum investments. The stock rose from under $7 to over $51 in just four months during 2024, before declining after industry experts tempered expectations about the timeline for practical quantum computing applications.

The quantum computing industry remains in its early stages, with many technical challenges to overcome before reaching widespread commercial adoption. Investors should approach this sector with a long-term perspective and consider how quantum computing fits within a diversified portfolio strategy.

Current stock prices reflect the market’s assessment of future potential rather than present commercial reality. As quantum technology continues to develop, companies demonstrating superior technological approaches and strong commercial adoption will likely reward long-term shareholders.

The post Quantum Computing Stocks That Could Soar in 2025 appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Economists expect 135,000 nonfarm payrolls added in April, down from 228,000 in March
• Unemployment rate projected to hold steady at 4.2%
• Report is the first since Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” tariffs announcement
• Recent economic data shows signs of cooling, with GDP contraction in Q1
• Markets pricing 60% chance of Fed rate cut in June

The April jobs report, set for release Friday morning, is expected to show a slowdown in hiring amid growing economic uncertainty following President Trump’s tariff announcements. Economists anticipate the addition of 135,000 nonfarm payrolls, significantly lower than March’s 228,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate is projected to remain unchanged at 4.2%.

This report marks the first major employment data since Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were announced on April 2. Investors are closely watching for signs that the new trade policies might be cooling the labor market.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the data at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday. Wall Street consensus estimates compiled by Bloomberg expect nonfarm payrolls to rise by 135,000 in April, with unemployment holding at 4.2%.

March saw the economy add 228,000 jobs. The unemployment rate for that month stood at 4.2%.

Recent Economic Indicators

Other economic indicators have already begun to show impacts from the tariff announcements. The Bureau of Economic Analysis recently reported that economic growth contracted for the first time in three years during the first quarter.

A surge in imports ahead of the tariff implementation weighed on growth. The manufacturing sector has also shown negative effects from the tariffs in recent activity reports.

Various consumer sentiment surveys have indicated downward pressure as a result of the trade policy changes. However, economists believe the April jobs report may not yet fully reflect these concerns.

“Similar to March, solid April data may feel stale as it reflects labor market conditions during the first two weeks of the month, likely too soon to reflect employment decisions made after the April 2 tariff announcement,” wrote Citi economist Veronica Clark in a preview note.

Some cooling signs have emerged in recent labor market data. Weekly claims for unemployment benefits reached their highest level in two months during the final full week of April.

The number of Americans filing for ongoing unemployment insurance reached the highest level since November 2021. This follows weaker-than-expected private payroll additions reported on Wednesday.

Job openings at the end of March hovered near their lowest level since December 2020, according to data released Tuesday. These indicators suggest potential softening in the labor market.

Market Implications

“Unease is the word of the day,” noted ADP chief economist Nela Richardson in the April private payroll release. “Employers are trying to reconcile policy and consumer uncertainty with a run of mostly positive economic data. It can be difficult to make hiring decisions in such an environment.”

The jobs report will likely influence Federal Reserve policy decisions. Markets are currently pricing in a 60% probability that the Fed will resume interest rate cuts at its June meeting, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Average hourly earnings are expected to rise 0.3% month-over-month, matching March’s increase. Year-over-year, earnings are forecast to grow 3.9%, slightly above the 3.8% seen in March.

The average weekly hours worked is projected to remain steady at 34.2 hours. These wage and hour metrics provide additional insight into labor market strength beyond the headline job numbers.

The April report comes at a time when policymakers are carefully balancing concerns about economic growth with still-persistent inflation pressures. The labor market has been a key strength throughout recent economic uncertainty.

Friday’s data will help clarify whether that strength is beginning to wane as new trade policies take effect and businesses adjust their hiring plans accordingly.

The post April Jobs Report: Tariff Uncertainty and Economic Cooling Ahead appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Kraken has completed its acquisition of futures trading platform NinjaTrader
• Q1 revenue increased 19% year-on-year to $471.7 million
• The acquisition gives US customers access to traditional derivatives markets
• Trading volume fell 9.6% quarter-over-quarter to $208.7 billion
• Kraken is preparing for an IPO in early 2026

Kraken, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has completed its acquisition of futures trading platform NinjaTrader while reporting a 19% year-on-year increase in first-quarter revenue to $471.7 million. The company announced the finalization of the deal on May 1, marking what it called the largest ever merger between a crypto and traditional finance firm.

The NinjaTrader acquisition is a key step in Kraken’s strategy to expand its offerings beyond cryptocurrency. NinjaTrader is a registered Futures Commission Merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, giving Kraken’s US customers access to traditional derivatives markets.

Last month, NinjaTrader rolled out trading capabilities for over 11,000 stocks and exchange-traded funds to certain US clients. This aligns with Kraken’s stated goal of becoming the go-to platform for all types of trading.

Global Expansion Plans

The deal will also allow NinjaTrader to expand its services to the UK, continental Europe, and Australian markets. Kraken plans to operate NinjaTrader as a standalone platform within its suite of trading and payments applications.

Kraken said NinjaTrader capabilities will be integrated into Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop soon. This integration is part of Kraken’s vision to build an institutional-grade trading platform where any asset can be traded at any time.

The company plans to introduce additional asset classes to both platforms in the future. These include stocks, prediction markets, and options, further broadening its service offerings.

Despite reporting strong year-on-year growth, Kraken’s first-quarter revenue of $471.7 million represented a 6.8% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2024. The exchange also reported that trading volume fell 9.6% quarter-over-quarter to $208.7 billion.

The value of assets under Kraken’s custody dropped 18% to $34.9 billion over the same period. The company attributed these declines to a “slowdown in overall market trading activity” linked to US President Donald Trump’s threats of implementing sweeping tariffs.

Market Conditions and Company Performance

These factors contributed to an 18% fall in the overall crypto market cap during the quarter. Kraken was one of several crypto platforms that saw record or near-record trading activity in Q4 2024, driven by market volatility following Trump’s November election win.

Despite what Kraken described as a “softening market,” the company’s adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) increased 1% from the previous quarter to $187.4 million.

The firm also reported that the number of funded accounts on its platform increased 10% quarter-on-quarter to 3.9 million. Kraken said this growth signals “deeper client engagement” despite challenging market conditions.

Kraken is preparing for an initial public offering in early 2026. To facilitate this transaction, the company is exploring a debt package worth between $200 million and $1 billion.

According to Reuters, Kraken has undergone a workforce restructuring since Arjun Sethi was appointed as co-CEO last October. The report indicates that Sethi has laid off around 400 employees during his tenure.

For the transaction, PJT Partners served as financial advisor to Kraken, while Jones Day and Lowenstein Sandler served as legal advisors. On the NinjaTrader side, Jefferies acted as financial advisor, with Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP serving as legal advisors.

The post Kraken’s Biggest Move Yet: NinjaTrader Deal Completed as Revenue Soars appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Avraham Eisenberg sentenced to 52 months in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material
• Eisenberg was previously convicted for a $110 million exploit of Mango Markets in 2022
• Judge considering granting a retrial on the crypto-related fraud charges
• Prosecutors found over 1,200 images of child sexual abuse material on his devices
• He will face 5 years of probation after release with strict monitoring requirements

Avraham “Avi” Eisenberg, known for exploiting the decentralized finance protocol Mango Markets in 2022, has been sentenced to 52 months in prison on charges related to child sexual abuse material. The sentencing took place on May 1 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Judge: He has autism, and 1274 items of CSAM material, including of a young corpse. [3 victim statements read] I Sentence uou to 52 months.
Defense: We request Otisville.
Story coming

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 1, 2025

The prison term stems from Eisenberg’s guilty plea to possession of child sexual abuse material, which was discovered on his devices following his arrest for the Mango Markets exploit. This case is separate from his crypto-related fraud charges.

Judge Arun Subramanian ordered Eisenberg to serve his time at FCI Otisville, a medium-security facility located about two hours from Manhattan. The judge emphasized that a prison sentence was necessary for general deterrence in cases involving such material.

Following his prison term, Eisenberg will face five years of probation with strict conditions. These include installing monitoring software on all electronic devices and completing a drug outpatient program.

The child abuse material case proceeded faster than Eisenberg’s fraud case related to the Mango Markets exploit. In October 2022, Eisenberg manipulated price oracles to drain approximately $110 million from the decentralized exchange.

The Crypto Fraud Case

Eisenberg was arrested by FBI officials in Puerto Rico in December 2022 on charges of commodities fraud and manipulation related to the Mango Markets incident. A jury later found him guilty of wire fraud, commodities fraud, and commodities manipulation in April 2024.

Throughout legal proceedings, Eisenberg maintained that his actions were legitimate. He claimed the exploit was done through “legal open-market actions” and not a cybercrime, but rather a “successful and legal trading strategy.”

Statement on recent events:

I was involved with a team that operated a highly profitable trading strategy last week.

— Avraham Eisenberg (@avi_eisen) October 15, 2022

His defense team filed a motion for acquittal in September 2024, which prosecutors strongly opposed. They argued Eisenberg was correctly convicted based on thorough evaluation of extensive evidence.

During the May 1 hearing, Judge Subramanian indicated there was a “non-zero chance” he would grant a motion for retrial on the Mango Markets-related charges. However, he noted that the bulk of any sentence would relate to the child sexual abuse material charge.

The Mango Markets incident had severe consequences for the platform. The exchange’s native token, MNGO, plummeted 52% within 24 hours of the exploit, forcing the team to suspend deposits.

Details of the Charges

According to court documents, prosecutors discovered that between 2017 and 2022, Eisenberg had downloaded 1,274 sexually explicit images and videos of children. The material included content depicting toddlers and infants as young as two months old, as well as images showing sadistic violence against children.

In their sentencing submission, prosecutors requested that Eisenberg serve between 6.5 and 8 years in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses. They also noted that Eisenberg was well aware his crypto trading actions were illegal, pointing out that he had previously filed a lawsuit against someone else for crypto-related market manipulation.

Prosecutors further highlighted that Eisenberg fled to Israel once his identity as the Mango Markets attacker was revealed, indicating consciousness of guilt.

Eisenberg’s defense team attempted to attribute his actions to his strict religious upbringing and “struggles to conform to social norms.” They described him as a “fundamentally decent person” who had difficulty adapting to jail life.

The case reflects the increasing likelihood of prosecution for hackers and cybersecurity exploiters who target crypto platforms and users. Law enforcement agencies continue to pursue those responsible for malicious attacks in the digital asset space.

Following the Mango Markets exploit, Eisenberg claimed he had negotiated a settlement for the return of user funds, stating that the exchange’s insurance fund had failed to cover the shortfall.

The current status of the Mango Markets platform remains uncertain, as the exploit had long-lasting effects on user trust and platform stability.

The post Mango Markets Exploiter Sentenced to Prison for Child Abuse Material appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Metaplanet has established a new US subsidiary in Miami, Florida with $250 million in operating capital
• The subsidiary aims to accumulate bitcoin and take advantage of Florida’s crypto-friendly environment
• Metaplanet recently issued 3.6 billion JPY ($23 million) in ordinary bonds to fund bitcoin purchases
• The company has already accumulated 5,000 bitcoin and targets 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025
• Metaplanet has gained $200 million in paper profits from its Q1 bitcoin accumulation strategy

Japanese bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet is making waves in the cryptocurrency world with its recent expansion into the United States and aggressive bitcoin accumulation strategy.

The Tokyo-based company announced Thursday that it has established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Miami, Florida. The new entity, Metaplanet Treasury Corp., will operate with $250 million in capital dedicated solely to bitcoin accumulation.

*Metaplanet Issues 3.6 Billion JPY in 0% Ordinary Bonds to Purchase Additional $BTC* pic.twitter.com/e3UIEP7csr

— Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet_JP) May 2, 2025

CEO Simon Gerovich explained the choice of location in a post on X: “The reason for choosing Florida is clear: the state is rapidly emerging as a global hub for Bitcoin innovation.” Florida is considered one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions in the US, alongside Wyoming and Texas.

Strategic Expansion and Leadership

The US subsidiary lists two directors: parent company CEO Simon Gerovich and bitcoin analyst Dylan LeClair. LeClair joined Metaplanet last year to help implement its bitcoin treasury strategy.

According to company statements, the expansion will enhance Metaplanet’s around-the-clock operational capabilities across time zones. It will also strengthen the company’s strategic position in the US market.

Metaplanet appears to be following a similar path to MicroStrategy, another company known for its bitcoin treasury strategy. Recently, Metaplanet appointed David Bailey to its Strategic Board of Advisors, joining Eric Trump in an advisory capacity.

Funding the Bitcoin Buying Spree

The company is not slowing down its bitcoin accumulation efforts. Just days after announcing its US subsidiary, Metaplanet disclosed it had issued 3.6 billion JPY (approximately $23 million) in ordinary bonds.

This marks the company’s 12th issuance of ordinary bonds. The funds raised will be used to purchase more bitcoin, in line with the company’s stated strategy.

The bonds will not bear interest and will be redeemable at face value at the end of October 2025. At current prices, the $23 million raised could purchase around 250 bitcoin.

Metaplanet recently reached the milestone of holding 5,000 bitcoin after buying 145 BTC in late April. The company has set an ambitious target of accumulating 10,000 bitcoin before the end of 2025.

The strategy appears to be paying off. Metaplanet has reportedly gained $200 million in paper profits from its bitcoin purchases in the first quarter of 2025.

These gains come as bitcoin’s price approaches the $100,000 mark. The cryptocurrency has risen to $97,000, climbing more than 4% in the past seven days. Bitcoin futures open interest has also increased by over 8% to $67.70 billion during this period.

Metaplanet’s expansion and investment strategy highlight the growing trend of companies using bitcoin as a treasury asset. Combined, Metaplanet and MicroStrategy have gained over $5.1 billion from their bitcoin treasury strategies in 2025.

The new US subsidiary, with its $250 million in operating capital, has the capacity to purchase up to 2,777 bitcoin at current prices, which would bring the company closer to its 10,000 BTC target.

The post Bitcoin Bull Metaplanet Enters US Market with $250M War Chest appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Mesh is launching Apple Pay integration for crypto transactions this quarter
• Users can pay with cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, or SOL while merchants receive stablecoins
• The system uses Mesh’s proprietary SmartFunding technology for instant conversion at checkout
• Merchants can accept crypto without building their own infrastructure
• Mesh recently raised $82 million in Series B funding to expand globally

Crypto payments startup Mesh has announced plans to roll out Apple Pay support for cryptocurrency transactions. The new feature will allow shoppers to pay with digital assets while merchants receive payment in stablecoins.

The integration was unveiled during Token2049 in Dubai by Mesh co-founder and CEO Bam Azizi. The system will launch later in the second quarter of 2025.

Mesh’s innovation addresses a key challenge in crypto adoption for everyday payments. The feature converts cryptocurrencies to stablecoins at checkout using the company’s proprietary SmartFunding technology.

This approach means brick-and-mortar retailers and online shops can accept crypto payments without building their own crypto infrastructure. Users simply select Apple Pay at checkout and authenticate with Face ID.

“We believe that as soon as crypto payments are as seamless as fiat payments, nothing is left to stop the mass migration of global commerce onto blockchain rails,” said Azizi during the announcement.

How It Works

The system allows customers to pay with popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or Solana (SOL). Merchants then receive payment in stablecoins like USDC, USDT, or PayPal’s PYUSD.

This arrangement solves what Mesh calls the “last-mile problem” in crypto payments adoption. It aligns the different preferences of consumers who want to spend crypto and merchants who prefer stable currencies.

Merchants with physical retail locations can leverage Apple Pay’s NFC capabilities. This offers customers a frictionless experience both in-store and online.

The technology creates a “plug-and-play” payment option through Apple Pay’s familiar interface. No special equipment or technical knowledge is required from merchants.

Stablecoins have become central to payments in the crypto ecosystem. They offer faster and cheaper alternatives to traditional payment channels.

Major financial companies are taking notice of this trend. Payments giant Stripe is testing stablecoin tools following its acquisition of Bridge, while PayPal has launched its own stablecoin.

Mesh’s Apple Pay integration comes shortly after the company secured $82 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Paradigm with participation from Consensys, QuantumLight Capital, and Yolo Investments.

The funds will help Mesh expand its stablecoin-based payments settlement network globally. The company already has over 300 integrations with major crypto platforms.

These integrations include partnerships with Coinbase, Binance, MetaMask, and Phantom. This broad connectivity ensures wide access across the crypto payments ecosystem.

Mesh positions its service as a solution to what it describes as “crypto’s existential last-mile problem.” The company aims to make spending cryptocurrency as simple as any tap-to-pay fiat transaction.

The demonstration at Token2049 showed the technology working in real-time. Azizi presented the first public demonstration of the new capability during his keynote address at the event.

The post Mesh Adds Apple Pay for Crypto Payments with Stablecoin Settlement appeared first on CoinCentral.

With usage-based burning, DAO-governed minting, and a pricing model built on Compute Units, the Shannon upgrade positions Pocket among the most cost-effective data relays in Web3 – while rewarding node operators in a supply-neutral way. Further, to incentivize meaningful adoption, it also introduces a tiered rebate system governed by the DAO.

With many changes coming to the POKT token, already trading on centralized and decentralized exchanges alike, let’s dive into a breakdown of the token changes introduced in the Shannon Upgrade and what they mean for the Pocket Network ecosystem.

Automatic Token Burn and DAO-led Minting

Post-Shannon, Pocket Network will support automatic, on-chain POKT token burning to pay for relay services. Total POKT minting will be equal to POKT burned to ensure a deflationary mechanism, preventing token supply inflation. This adjustment alone puts POKT on the path to new price targets, as it immediately creates ongoing buy pressure in the marketplace while introducing a novel method of supply destruction.

Although the Shannon upgrade will initially have no token supply growth, the DAO can increase the total supply through a reimbursement event if necessary. By enabling only the DAO treasury to mint tokens, the mechanism stops incidents of self-dealing through burn-mint asymmetry.

Mechanism of Action: Emissions, Burn, and Pricing

Pocket Network will implement changes to offer economical relay services and sustainable POKT price growth. By upgrading their tokenomics they can reduce the computational costs making Pocket services cheaper than competitors.

Each relay processed produces a proportional amount of POKT being burned, turning the token into a consumable asset tied directly to network usage – and a true utility token.

The Pocket Network Foundation will introduce service-specific price changes according to supply and demand needs, providing a free and competitive market for accessing data sources.

Besides new POKT minting and burning strategies, the Shannon update will significantly reduce Relay charges – making Pocket Network’s decentralized infrastructure even more competitive among RPC providers and data networks.

Cheaper And Competitive Relay Pricing

Pocket Network will soon become around 30-75% more cost-effective vs its contemporaries.

Currently, Pocket’s “Pay-As-You-Go” Relay service can cost up to $14.30 per million Relays. Pit against today’s other market leaders, Pocket can be up to 2x more expensive than competitors’ $6.58 per million Relays.

But the Shannon upgrade’s “Pay Upfront” model will radically reduce Relay service charges to just $2.50 per million Relays – setting a new pricing floor across the relay market. This will particularly benefit Pocket users who process data requests at scale, while also giving relay operators more predictable revenue.

Volume Rebates To Boost Traffic

During the transition phase to Shannon, Pocket Network will need certain bootstrapping to maintain steady network traffic. Thus, it offers up to a 40% volume rebate to boost network activity and incentivize actors to access Pocket’s services.

Mechanism of Action: Volume Rebates

Since Pocket won’t increase its token supply to prevent inflation, the Shannon update will bootstrap demand through volume rebates. According to the proposed plan:

• No rebates for less than 105 million Relays per day and a 40% rebate for more than approximately 525 million Relays per day
• A progressive rebate of 10-40%, from 105 million to 525 million Relays.
• More Relays will lead to more rebates between the lower and higher traffic levels.

The dual strategy of growing rebate levels and a capped total rebatable claim will minimize unnecessary network traffic and maximize the DAO treasury’s lifespan.

The Pocket Network team has conducted meticulous analysis and mathematical projections to develop its new tokenomics.

This reimagined Pocket economy bolsters  POKT’s utility with ecosystem’s users and contributors, while making for a healthier token economy, and charting a path for a long-term sustainable DAO.

We can’t wait to see Shannon go live and see the effects of this migration play out.

The post Pocket Network’s New POKT Tokenomics Boosts Utility: Burns Supply to Grow Web3 Infrastructure appeared first on CoinCentral.

Industries including finance, healthcare, environmental science, manufacturing, and data analytics are already leveraging these benefits.

A recent example is Pundi AI’s partnership with Conflux Network, a Layer 1 blockchain using a hybrid Proof of Work and Proof of Stake mechanism (Tree-Graph consensus) for fast, secure transactions.

On a broad scale, this partnership will leverage Pundi AI’s best-in-class AI data solutions and channel them through Conflux Network’s capabilities to introduce decentralized AI applications with significantly improved performance.

At a functional level, it will involve the Pundi AI Data Platform and Data Marketplace. Developers will be able to utilize “annotated datasets to deploy models.”

Powered by Conflux’s parallel processing framework, these deployments can achieve transaction speeds of 3000-6000 TPS while benefiting from robust blockchain security.

Since Conflux is EVM-compatible, it also allows AI practitioners to work with familiar Ethereum-based tools.

All these motives will drive the collaboration toward the ultimate goal of empowering and enabling meaningful contributions to AI development worldwide.

The initial offering will include tools that facilitate peer-to-peer sharing of AI training resources and address the computing resource gap—a major roadblock preventing many talented developers from fully participating in the AI revolution awaiting at the world’s doorstep.

For Conflux, this collaboration holds immense significance in attracting best-in-class developers to deploy and operate Pundi AI’s models on Conflux. These models aim to make AI efforts more democratic, inclusive, and accessible by ensuring they are scale-agnostic, cost-efficient, and powerful enough for end-to-end deployment.

The space where AI and blockchain intersect is a space rich with opportunities and possibilities. The collaboration between Pundi AI and Conflux Network is well-positioned to set a compelling example of what’s possible.

The post Pundi AI–Conflux Collaboration to Showcase Real-World AI on Blockchain appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Elon Musk, head of DOGE, claims to have discovered 14 “magic money computers” in federal departments with ability to “print money out of thin air”
• These computers allegedly exist in Treasury, Defense, Health and Human Services, and State departments with blank-check authority
• Musk described these systems as “maybe the biggest scam of all time” during an appearance on Ted Cruz’s podcast
• DOGE has canceled 239 “wasteful” contracts worth up to $1.7 billion as part of government spending cuts
• Bitcoin advocates responded to Musk’s claims, suggesting cryptocurrency could fix the problem of unlimited money printing

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has reported finding what he calls “magic money computers” within several federal departments. These computers allegedly have the ability to create and distribute money without proper oversight.

Musk made these claims on March 17 during an appearance on the “Verdict” podcast hosted by Senator Ted Cruz. He stated that his team has found 14 such computer systems operating across multiple government agencies.

“I call a magic money computer any computer which can just make money out of thin air,” Musk explained during the podcast. “It just issues payments.”

According to Musk, these systems exist in the Department of the Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, and Department of Defense. He suggested these computers operate with what he described as “blank-check authority.”

An absolute bombshell from @elonmusk on the latest episode of Verdict.

He reveals there are 14 magic money computers in the federal government that send money out of nothing.

Don’t miss the latest episode of Verdict wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now!… pic.twitter.com/1tnJmJtiw9

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 17, 2025

The DOGE team has been conducting an aggressive audit of federal government spending. This initiative was established by President Donald Trump, who appointed Musk as his senior advisor for government efficiency.

Musk claims the computer systems don’t properly communicate with each other. This lack of coordination creates gaps in financial tracking and reporting.

“You may think that the government computers all talk to each other, they’re synchronized, they add up what funds are going where and it’s coherent,” Musk told Cruz. But he says this isn’t the case.

While Musk described these computers as potentially “the biggest scam of all time” in a post on X, he clarified they aren’t completely inaccurate. He estimated they might be “off by 5% or 10% in some cases” when reporting government expenditures.

Bitcoin fixes this.https://t.co/1gUJmRHkgh

— Jameson Lopp (@lopp) March 17, 2025

The DOGE investigation has uncovered other issues as well. Musk reported finding departments with more media subscriptions, software licenses, and credit cards than employees.

Musk believes most of these problems stem from waste and incompetence rather than malicious intent. He cited examples where companies continued receiving payments because contracts weren’t properly terminated.

“We saw a lot of payments going out of Treasury that had no payment code and no explanation for the payment,” Musk said. “Then we see that, okay, that contract was supposed to be shut off, but someone forgot to shut off that contract.”

This announcement comes as DOGE continues its cost-cutting mission. Last week, the department canceled 239 contracts it deemed “wasteful,” estimated to be worth up to $1.7 billion.

Among the canceled contracts were a $699,000 study on “cannabis use” among “sexual minority gender diverse individuals” and $740,000 for examining “social networks” among “black and Latino sexual minority men in New Jersey.”

The revelations about government spending have drawn attention from cryptocurrency advocates. Jameson Lopp, chief security officer at Bitcoin custody company Casa, commented on Musk’s claims by stating simply: “Bitcoin fixes this.”

Bitcoin supporters have long promoted the cryptocurrency as a hedge against currency devaluation. Unlike fiat currency, which can be created without limits, Bitcoin has a capped supply of 21 million coins.

Musk’s work with DOGE has reportedly impacted his other business ventures. According to reports, Tesla facilities across the United States have faced vandalism from protesters opposing DOGE’s cost-cutting measures.

Senator Mike Lee of Utah responded to Musk’s claims on social media with humor. “Can a person buy a magic money computer on eBay?” Lee asked. “Asking for a friend.”

The post DOGE: Musk Uncovers “Magic Money Computers” in Federal Government Audit appeared first on CoinCentral.

This has been done because the crypto ecosystem is currently littered with projects that have invested significant resources into airdrop campaigns only to be met with immediate dumps alongside rampant community frustration.

Traditional airdrops follow a transactional approach, such that upon the completion of a specific task, users receive tokens only for them to sell them immediately.

Existing incentive models create a perverse, cyclical loop wherein bots, as well as other airdrop farmers with multiple wallets, extract value from these offerings without contributing to the ecosystem’s overall growth, thus leaving genuine users underrewarded and severely disengaged.

From transactional to transformational

Kevin Liu, co-founder and CEO of GOAT Network, recently wrote about the pending demise of these exploitable, one-time airdrop programs.

In his article, he notes that the extractive, mercenary nature of such airdrops fosters a culture of competition, rather than collaboration.

“What’s the real purpose behind points systems and airdrops?” said Liu. “I believe their core goal should be to unite the community around a shared vision. If the actions of one person on a network can help lift the rest of the community, that’s a much better path to success, and to community happiness.”

GOAT Network’s One Piece Project aims to deliver that collaborative approach cited by Liu. One Piece establishes a relationship rooted in communal objectives and long-term alignment, thus serving as a central hub for all ecosystem activities that are tailored to foster collaboration and incentivize long-term commitment.

Each stage of the One Piece Project will give users the opportunity to participate in activities on GOAT Network, and earn BTC rewards and GOAT Points every step of the way. The more transactions that occur on the network, the higher the rewards – meaning all community members benefit whenever any one community member does anything on-chain.

One Piece began last month with the Assembly stage, giving users the ability to mint a soulbound NFT that they can then level up with more experience and more rewards every time they ape into a dApp or other on-chain activity.

The next phase: One Piece Project Season One

GOAT Network today launched its alpha mainnet, opening the door for users to bridge into the network and begin experiencing the dApps that have deployed on day one. One Piece Season One launched at the same time, giving users opportunities to start racking up GOAT Points with the first cohort of three BTC dApps.

After bridging into GOAT Network, the journey begins with its two launch day DEXes: GOATSwap (GOATSwap.fi) and Oku (Oku.trade). Using native BTC from the Layer 1 Bitcoin network to pay transaction costs of about a penny, users may make their first transactions on GOAT by swapping on either of these top-tier DEXes. By doing so, they will begin to accrue additional GOAT Points, building on totals still racked up during the One Piece Project’s Assembly phase.

Meanwhile, users who stake BTC from Bitcoin Layer 1, BTCB from BNB Chain, or DOGE from BNB Chain may use liquid staking protocol Artemis Finance (ArtemisFinance.io) to deposit those assets, earning a receipt token which can be used in other parts of the GOAT ecosystem. By doing so, they will earn yet another opportunity to earn more GOAT Points, which will become eligible for token rewards after GOAT Network reaches its Token Generation Event (TGE) later this year – and beyond.

How It Works

One Piece gives users the chance to bridge native BTC, BTCB, or DOGE into GOAT Network, mint a soulbound NFT, and begin their on-chain journey. After bridging funds into GOAT, users are invited to transact on launch partner dApps GOATSwap (GOATSwap.fi), Oku (Oku.trade), and Artemis (ArtemisFinance.io). By transacting on those dApps from day one, users will collect two kinds of rewards, which they can add to in later stages of One Piece, as new dApps launch on GOAT and new activities become incentivized.

GOAT Network offers two kinds of point distributions: GEC and GOAT Points

1. GEC  (GOAT Energy Cube)
   GEC tracks your growth on GOAT Network, recognizing your contributions in marketing, community engagement, and on-chain activities (such as liquidity provision and trading).  GEC has multiple utilities, for example: it can be used to mint and update your NFTs on GOAT Network, it stays with you even after GOAT has its TGE and initial rewards disbursement, and GOAT Network will occasionally host airdrop events and lucky draws based on users’ GEC scores.

The total amount of GEC you’ve earned reflects your PoA (Proof of Activity) score.

1. GOAT Points
   GOAT Points primarily track your contributions in liquidity provision and trading activities on GOAT Network, leading up the GOAT’s TGE. These points are a reflection of your engagement and value within the ecosystem. GOAT Points will be converted into GOATED tokens after TGE. The more liquidity you provide and the more active you are in transacting on chain, the higher your GOAT Points total, leading to greater rewards.

Users can check out OnePiece.GOAT.Network to get started.

What It Means

From the outside looking in, One Piece Project’s multi-season structure combines gamified experiences with growth-based rewards, allowing participants to earn rewards by engaging in on-chain interactions across the ecosystem.

These interactions include cross-chain asset transfers, liquidity provision, staking on sequencers, and transactions with partner projects. As users accumulate these rewards, they can upgrade their incentive structures, creating progression mechanics that incentivize continued participation.

By making rewards immediately useful within the ecosystem and creating clear progression paths, the One Piece Project maintains user engagement and trust regardless of external market conditions or exchange listing timelines.

As the crypto industry matures, the limitations of traditional airdrop models are becoming increasingly apparent. By shifting focus from tokenization to genuine community alignment, projects can cultivate not just users, but advocates, thereby defining the next generation of community building.

The post Looking Beyond One-Time Airdrops: How GOAT Network’s ‘One Piece Project’ Redefines Community Engagement appeared first on CoinCentral.