Cryptoasset

The entire technology surrounding the Bitcoin ecosystem continues to fascinate us. Every element and feature is important for ensuring the proper functioning, security, and decentralization of the network. This is the case with the hashrate, which is a measure of the total computational power required by the Bitcoin network to validate new blocks. The hashrate is essential for the Bitcoin mining process. But what exactly is it? How does it work? And above all, what is it used for?

Data security is a crucial issue, especially in a digital world where hacking and privacy breaches are becoming increasingly prevalent. To ensure the protection of digital files, one of the most effective means is the use of hashing algorithms. These have the particularity of transforming any type of data into a unique digital fingerprint that preserves its integrity. In this article, we will explain how this fingerprint is calculated for a file. For this practical case, we will use SHA-256, the hashing algorithm used by the Bitcoin protocol. But first, let's explore the fundamentals of hashing in general, and SHA-256 in particular.

Merkle trees are a fundamental element of blockchain technology. They are used by most protocols, starting with Bitcoin, which relies on the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism. However, they are utilized by most protocols to ensure the security and integrity of data on the network. If you are interested in the queen of cryptocurrencies, you have probably heard of them, but without really grasping how they work. In this article, we will explain to you precisely and in detail what Merkle trees are and their utility for the Bitcoin network. You will also discover the limitations and prospects of this technology.

Solana crypto (SOL) has just crossed a historic milestone by reaching $214, its highest level since December 2021. This spectacular performance marks a rebound of 2,500% since its post-FTX all-time low.

Crypto euphoria is once again gripping the markets as major exchange platforms experience a significant increase in traffic in October 2024, driven by investor optimism and U.S. political prospects.

The French industrial giant Schneider Electric is facing a new cyberattack, the third in two years. The hacker group "Hellcat" threatens to disclose 40 GB of sensitive data, initially demanding an unusual ransom of 125,000 dollars in baguettes before backtracking to demand payment in Monero cryptocurrency.

The U.S. Federal Reserve took a decisive step this Thursday by lowering its key interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to a range of 4.5%-4.75%. This decision, coming the day after Donald Trump's electoral victory, immediately propelled the crypto market to new heights, with Bitcoin reaching an all-time high of $76,951.

In a particularly dynamic crypto market, the memecoin PEPE is showing remarkable performance with over 70% of its holders in positive territory. This spectacular rise comes as the token has just crossed an important psychological threshold by removing a zero from its unit value.

The National Gaming Authority (ANJ) plans to block access to the cryptocurrency betting platform Polymarket in France. This decision comes after record betting during the American presidential election, notably a spectacular gain of 47 million dollars made by a French trader on Donald Trump's victory.

Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election on November 5, 2024, marks a potential turning point for the crypto industry. During his campaign, the freshly elected president of the United States made the crypto sector one of his key arguments, multiplying promises to the community.

Dogecoin (DOGE) has crossed the $0.21 mark, driven by speculation surrounding a possible victory for Donald Trump and Elon Musk's cryptic allusions. This spectacular surge illustrates the growing impact of American politics on the crypto market.

A new study by Bitget Research reveals a significant correlation between the activity of Telegram groups and the growing adoption of crypto, particularly in Africa and Eastern Europe. The analysis, which spans from January 2023 to August 2024, highlights a major transformation in the financial landscape in these emerging regions.

As the crypto market potentially prepares for a new bull run, investors are closely examining projects that offer exceptional performance as well as solid and innovative use cases. In this volatile universe, cryptocurrencies like Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and XRP could stand out, as they combine speed, scalability, and adoption in the financial sector.

As centralized exchanges face increasing pressure, a controversy surrounding Binance erupts over the transparency of its listing policies. Indeed, Binance co-founder Yi He has spoken out to clarify the platform's practices in response to severe accusations made by Moonrock Capital, a consulting firm specialized in crypto investments. The case reveals underlying tensions regarding the governance of exchanges and their ability to convince investors of their impartiality.

The crypto market is holding its breath as the latest polls show a significant decline in Donald Trump's chances of winning the American presidential election. This development directly influences the prices of Bitcoin and the main altcoins, which are pausing in their recent ascent.

Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes challenges conventional wisdom regarding Donald Trump and his purported influence on the crypto market. In an interview with Channel News Asia, he states that the outcome of the U.S. presidential elections will have only a limited impact on the future of digital assets, pointing instead to China as the major catalyst for the upcoming bull cycle.

The asset management giant Fidelity takes the lead over its rival BlackRock in the race for Ethereum ETFs, with capital inflows reaching 5 million dollars. This remarkable performance comes after a two-day period with no notable activity, demonstrating a significant resurgence of interest from institutional investors in the second-largest cryptocurrency.

In response to promising signals in the crypto market, major investors ("whales") are massively accumulating Ethereum. This trend, coupled with a significant increase in new wallets, suggests bullish potential for the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

Crypto markets are experiencing a massive influx of capital in October, with $3.4 billion in investments, including $900 million just last week. This spectacular increase comes amidst a particular political context in the U.S., where favorable polls for Republicans are boosting institutional investor confidence.

The crypto giant Ripple is intensifying its legal battle against the SEC by filing an appeal that could redefine the regulation of digital assets in the United States. This new phase of the conflict comes as the company challenges the classification of some of its XRP sales as unregistered securities.

As the flagship crypto hovers around $67,000, the movements of "whales" are capturing attention. In recent days, on-chain data has revealed a significant increase in the number of these large addresses, reaching an unprecedented level since the bullish market of January 2021. Indeed, this massive accumulation by whales, combined with a strengthening of institutional and retail investors, raises the following question: is Bitcoin on the verge of breaking a new all-time high before the end of 2024?

In May 2022, the crypto world experienced one of its biggest debacles with the spectacular collapse of Terra LUNA, wiping out more than 40 billion dollars in value in just 24 hours. This disaster, which shook the entire ecosystem, will be remembered as one of the largest crashes in the history of digital assets.

The cryptocurrency market capitalization collapsed by 2.2% this Tuesday, reaching $2.34 trillion, amid geopolitical tensions and electoral uncertainties in the United States. Bitcoin, the queen of cryptos, fell below $67,000, dragging the entire market into its downward spiral.

The controversial influencer Andrew Tate is once again making headlines in the crypto world. Most of the memecoins he has supported have lost almost all their value, raising questions about possible market manipulation.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently sounded the alarm about what he sees as "one of the biggest risks" to blockchain: the centralization of staking. In a blog post published on October 18, 2024, Buterin details the potential dangers and proposes solutions as part of the upcoming "Scourge" update to the network.

A recent survey reveals that 59% of cryptocurrency investors prefer the Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) method as their main investment strategy. This approach, which involves regularly investing a fixed amount, is gaining popularity in the face of fluctuations in the crypto market.

The candidates' positions on crypto could play a crucial role in the race for the White House in 2024. A new study reveals the emergence of a significant "crypto voting bloc," potentially representing 26 million American voters.

The crypto world has undergone spectacular changes since 2022. The year 2024 marks a decisive turning point for this industry, with significant advancements in several key areas.