A popular social media account belonging to the infamous @_0xDAD1_, otherwise known as 'Kingdom of Twitter', posted on April 11th that they just completed a massive sale of 500,000 BTC, which is worth around US$500 million at the time of writing. It is likely that this was a major crypto-selling spree, which may have included a mix of bitcoin, litecoin and ethereum. He/she then goes on to list several new and established crypto-related businesses, including a prediction market, an aggregator and a personal trading robot.
The Biggest Crypto Exchange Sale Ever
This recent flurry of activity comes after a year dominated by bearish market conditions, which saw the value of many cryptocurrencies plummet. Markets subsequently regained most of their value, leading to a significant increase in cryptocurrency adoption and activity.
The record-breaking 500,000 BTC sale listed above is the culmination of several months of preparation by @_0xDAD1_, who purchased a large number of altcoins on multiple exchanges and then used a tool called a 'tumbler' to mix them together. Tumblers are automated software applications which mix cryptocurrencies and tokens together in order to provide a level playing field for all participants in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Essentially, they ensure a level headstart for new entrants to the cryptocurrency world, while also removing the need for trust between parties, as everything can be checked and verified by a third party.
The Predatory Market
The recent explosion of interest in cryptocurrencies, and the increasing number of businesses and startups emerging within the space, has led to the formation of a predatory market. Some crypto-related businesses have become so successful that they are openly displaying a disdain for traditional markets and financial security practices. Take, for example, Bitconnect, a company which sprung up in early 2018 and promised its users to connect them to the world of mainstream finance, only to be exposed as a Ponzi scheme earlier this year, with many alleging that it was simply an elaborate pump-and-dump scheme. Another notorious example is ShapeShift, the digital asset exchange which is effectively a holding company for several other ventures, such as Changelly and MetaMask. Its co-founder, Erik Voorhees has brazenly stated that his company "doesn't view Bitcoin as a long-term store of value. We consider it more of a medium to short-term store of value,” and proceeded to list several reasons why he believes this. Among these include the fact that a large percentage of the population considers cryptocurrency to be a short-term windfall, followed by a long-term loss.
The Future Of The кракен гидра
While the world of cryptocurrencies and the dark web have always existed in tandem, separated by layers of security measures and distrust, the lines between them are rapidly blurring. The dark web is now frequently used as a catch-all for scamming and illegal activities, while the blockchain and cryptocurrencies provide ideal platforms for conducting business, both legally and ethically. Several large projects already exist which aim to combine the best of both worlds, enabling users to retain their anonymity and security on the blockchain, while accessing trusted services on the dark web. Solutions such as Cloak, which just went live on the Ethereum mainnet, provide users with the ability to hide their IP address and continue to transact on the Ethereum blockchain, even while surfing the dark web. Similarly, Dark Matter, which is currently in alpha testing and only available on the Testnet, operates as a mix of Tor and the Ethereum blockchain, enabling users to browse the dark web anonymously while also conducting transactions and interacting with websites which have implemented the technology.
The Growth Of The Crypto Ecosystem
The industry has also seen an explosion in popularity amongst major retailers, with crypto-friendly businesses cropping up across all sectors, from high-street stores to online shops. This trend is evident, especially amongst the younger generation, although many adults are also beginning to realize the numerous benefits which cryptocurrencies offer.
Bitcoin's incredible rise to popularity in recent years provides a solid case study of the cryptocurrency's incredible growth. The first cryptocurrency was launched in 2008 by an unknown person using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto, and the number of Bitcoin wallets now stands at over 17 million, with around 12 million active daily users. The cryptocurrency's value increased from under $3 per Bitcoin in January 2008 to over $19,800 per Bitcoin today, an increase of over 1,400% in just seven years. Similarly, the value of ether, the blockchain's native currency, increased from around $0.85 per ether in January 2014 to $14.22 per ether today, a rise of over 4,600% in just four years. Like Bitcoin, ether's value is primarily determined by supply and demand, so if you want to buy or sell ether, you'll need to find a match online, which can be somewhat challenging given the digital currency's relative anonymity and growing popularity.
Other cryptocurrencies have also seen similar increases in value. Litecoin's price rose from $3.93 per coin in January 2014 to $45.59 per coin today, a rise of over 1,800% in four years. Similarly, Cardano's price increased from $0.10 per coin to $0.70 per coin over the same period, more than doubling its value.
Anonymity And The Rise Of The Virtual Private Network (VPN)
One of the primary uses for the dark web is to purchase goods and services which you would not want to be easily traced back to you. This is largely due to the fact that most online retailers and websites which utilize the dark web are based in countries such as the US, where the average person would rather keep their identities secret. One of the best tools for maintaining anonymity on the internet is a VPN. Virtual Private Networks are tools used to create a secure, private connection between your device and the internet, enabling you to hide your identity and location while online. Most people use VPNs to keep their personal information secure whilst online, enabling them to work remotely without the fear of getting their personal data compromised. The most popular VPNs enable users to log in and connect to their accounts from anywhere in the world, with some providers offering even more functionality, such as being able to secretly purchase goods and services online, or even send or receive encrypted messages.
The Future Of Finance
The future of finance is in the digital realm, and with the explosive growth of the crypto-economy, it's become a significant topic for investors, bankers, and economists across the globe. The lines once again, between the financial and the digital realms, are blurring as many traditional banking, brokerage, and investment firms have turned to the dark web to fulfill client requests for cryptocurrency services and products, and vice versa. In addition to this, the industry has seen several high profile arrests already this year alone, with many more to come. Many large firms face lengthy legal proceedings, with several individuals facing up to 99 years in prison for cryptocurrency related crimes. In light of this, it's vital that you know the laws pertaining to cryptocurrencies and the dark web, as well as how to stay safe and anonymous online. It's also wise to be mindful of the kinds of activities which are made available through the dark web, and whether or not you want to become a target for cybercriminals and hackers, for whom the dark web is a goldmine.