Token2049 Highlights: Vitalik Buterin’s Ethereum Song, Certik’s Free Security Tools, & More

Vitalik Buterin’s Ethereum Song 

Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin surprised the audience by delivering his speech as a song. Despite the entertaining format, he shared vital updates on Ethereum’s progress. 

Key points from his presentation: 

• Layer-2 networks have reduced Ethereum transaction fees. 

• Transaction times now range between 5 to 15 seconds. 

• Ethereum remains committed to decentralization and open-source development. 

Vitalik also touched on Bitcoin, which continues to dominate the market with a 58% share. 

Bitget Partners with LaLiga 

Global crypto exchange Bitget announced a partnership with LaLiga, Spain’s top football league. This partnership aims to leverage blockchain technology in football and expand into AI, virtual reality, and the metaverse. 

Highlights of the collaboration: 

• Bitget’s sixth-anniversary celebration coincided with this announcement. 

• The partnership will help connect millions of football fans globally. 

• It builds on Bitget’s previous deal with Lionel Messi in 2022. 

Bitget CEO Gracy Chen emphasized that this alliance could open new opportunities for crypto in sports, especially in emerging markets. 

Solana Mobile Launches ‘Seeker’ 

Solana Mobile, a subsidiary of Solana Labs, introduced its second-generation Web3 smartphone, named “Seeker.” Set for release in 2025, Seeker aims to promote mobile development within the Solana ecosystem. 

Notable features include: 

• A built-in seed vault wallet. 

• Solana dApp Store 2.0. 

• A Seeker Genesis token. 

• Enhanced hardware for Web3 applications. 

Pre-orders for the device have already surpassed 140,000 across 57 countries. The Early Founder price is $450, available until September 21, 2024. 

Chainlink’s Prediction on Real-World Assets (RWA) 

Sergey Nazarov, Chainlink’s co-founder, highlighted the growing importance of tokenized real-world assets (RWA). He predicted that RWAs could surpass cryptocurrencies in value on Web3. He believes that traditional finance (TradFi) will become decentralized finance’s (DeFi) largest customer. 

Key points from Nazarov’s talk: 

• Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is essential for connecting financial systems. 

• Chainlink’s network has enabled $15.49 trillion in transaction value since 2022. 

• CCIP offers programmable token transfers, combining value and data in single transactions. 

CertiK Unveils Free Security Tools 

Blockchain security company CertiK introduced two free Web3 security tools: Token Scan and Wallet Scan. These tools are designed to improve user asset protection. 

Here’s a breakdown of their functions: 

CertiK’s experience includes reporting over 4,000 security incidents and identifying 115,000 code vulnerabilities. These new tools aim to make Web3 safer for users. 

Criticism of Celebrity Meme Coins 

Andrew Saunders, Chief Marketing Officer of Skale, voiced his criticism of celebrity-backed meme coins. Despite coming from a Hollywood background, Saunders warned that these tokens are risky due to concentrated supply. He compared them to a player-versus-player game where early investors stand to gain the most. 

Looking forward, Saunders predicted a shift toward more meaningful celebrity engagement in blockchain. Instead of meme coins, he suggested creating decentralized applications (DApps) where fans could earn points and redeem them for exclusive experiences or merchandise. 

Solidus Ai Tech Partners with SambaNova for AI in Web3 

Solidus Ai Tech partnered with SambaNova Systems to integrate advanced AI technology into Web3. This collaboration will introduce SambaNova’s RDU stacks into Solidus Ai Tech’s AI marketplace. 

Key highlights: 

• SambaNova’s SN40L microprocessor will power advanced AI models available on the AI marketplace. 

• The collaboration aims to bring unprecedented speeds in AI processing. 

• The marketplace will be available across various industries starting in September. 

New Fund for Aptos Ecosystem 

MEXC Ventures, Foresight Ventures, and Mirana Ventures have launched a fund to support the Aptos ecosystem. The fund will focus on projects that leverage Aptos infrastructure, including Block-STM and other Web3 use cases. The goal is to drive innovation in Web3 and foster stronger integration with key EVM ecosystems. 

Token2049 showcased the crypto industry’s dynamism, with major players pushing the boundaries of blockchain in new sectors. From Ethereum’s growth to partnerships in AI and sports, the event reflected the continuous evolution of the blockchain ecosystem.