This Week Noteworthy Events(2024.1.29-2024.2.4)

Google to Revise Cryptocurrency-Related Advertising Policies on January 29, Potentially Including Bitcoin ETF Ads

This Monday, Google will update its policies, allowing certain

cryptocurrency

products to advertise on its main search engine. Bitcoin ETFs appear to meet the criteria, sparking speculation among crypto industry insiders. Reportedly, Google's cryptocurrency and related advertising policies will be revised on January 29 to allow “advertisers offering cryptocurrency trusts targeting the United States” to advertise.

Due to Google's high transaction processing capability in search, crypto analysts are optimistic about the potential inflow for Bitcoin ETFs. According to recent data from DemandSage, Google processes 8.55 billion searches every day. However, it's worth noting that Google has not explicitly specified the products allowed in advertisements for “cryptocurrency trusts.”

VanEck to Close and Liquidate Bitcoin Strategy ETF Product, Shareholders Required to Sell by January 30th

VanEck has announced plans to close and liquidate one of its ETF products. On January 16, 2023, the board of trustees of VanEck ETF Trust approved the liquidation and dissolution of the following fund: VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF (XBTF), traded on the CBOE platform.

Shareholders of the fund may sell their shares on the fund's listed exchange before the market closes on January 30, 2024 (which may result in broker-dealer transaction fees). The fund's shares will no longer trade on the listed exchange after the market closes on January 30, 2024, and will subsequently be delisted.

Shareholders holding shares of the fund will receive a cash liquidating distribution equal to the net asset value of their shares on the fund's liquidation date (expected on or before February 6, 2024). Proceeds from the liquidation are expected to be sent to shareholders on or before February 6, 2024.

SubQuery Announces Public Token Sale Launch on January 30th and Mainnet Deployment on Base

Data indexing infrastructure SubQuery has announced its intention to launch a public token sale on January 30, 2024. Following the token sale, SubQuery Network's mainnet will be launched on Base, a Layer 2 network built by Coinbase. The complete RPC support is planned to be introduced on the Base chain in March, aiming to drive the decentralization of SubQuery in the future of blockchain technology. SubQuery states that by building on Base, it will gain access to Coinbase product integrations, fiat gateways, and tools. Users will also be able to interact with SubQuery's decentralized infrastructure network.

Starknet's Derivatives Trading Protocol ZKX Announces Mainnet Launch on January 30th

The Starknet derivative trading protocol ZKX has announced that it will launch its mainnet on January 30. Users participating in OG Trade Clans and community activities will have the opportunity to receive a second-stage airdrop.

Binance Labs Extends Application Deadline for Seventh Season of MVB Accelerator Program to January 31st

Binance Labs Fund posted on X platform, stating that the application deadline for the seventh season of the MVB accelerator program has been extended from January 15 to January 31.

UniSat: Following the Jubilee Upgrade, Whitepaper to be Released on January 31st

UniSat posted on X platform, stating that they will follow the Ordinals Jubilee upgrade to ensure that BRC-20 continues to operate on Ordinals without splitting into a separate protocol. Additionally, UniSat announced that the whitepaper will be released on January 31 and mentioned, “This could be the most significant gift we can offer to everyone in the BRC-20, Ordinals, Bitcoin, and community since February of last year.”

KyberSwap Reveals Compensation Plan Details, Commencing Fund Distribution to Affected Users from February 1st

The cross-chain DEX project Kyber Network has recently launched the KyberSwap Treasury Grant program to advance compensation for customers affected by a security incident in November last year. The funds are scheduled to be distributed in the form of a USD stablecoin on February 1, 2024. Users affected by the incident need to submit applications and complete KYC between January 11 and January 23, 2024, to be eligible for compensation.

GameStop to Cease NFT Marketplace Operations on February 2nd

Video game and related product retailer GameStop has announced the closure of its NFT marketplace, citing ongoing regulatory uncertainty in the cryptocurrency space. Operations will cease from February 2 onwards.