Cryptocurrency
Security Matters: How’s Zircuit Planning to Mitigate Hacks in Web3 (Interview)
In the rapidly evolving landscape of Layer 2 networks, Zircuit aims to create a new approach to security and scalability. Co-founded by Martin Derka, a seasoned professional with a PhD in algorithms and complexity, sat with us for an interview during EthCC. Derka shared insights into his journey, the founding of Zircuit including the meaning of the whooping $3 billion staked ETH to the project, and above all – the expected launch date for Zircuit’s mainnet.
Multiple well-known investors have taken part in the protocol’s mainnet funding round, including Binance Labs, Nomad Capital, AMBER, and much more.
From Soccer to Crypto
Martin Derka’s journey into the world of crypto began after an unexpected turn in his career. “I have a PhD in algorithms and complexity,” Derka explained, detailing his academic background. “For many years, I was developing software for various companies while still a student.” His transition from academia to entrepreneurship was marked by a stint as CTO of a startup focused on car advertisement photography, which he co-founded in 2013. However, after internal disputes led to his departure in 2017, Derka sought new opportunities, eventually finding his way to the crypto sphere.
“After leaving the startup, I went to clear my head in Argentina and Chile,” Derka recounted. “Upon returning to Canada, I connected with Leo (Leonardo Passos, Ph.D), a former soccer buddy and one of the veteran employees of the crypto auditing giant Quantstamp.” This serendipitous meeting led to Derka joining Quantstamp as one of its earliest hires in 2018, where he delved deep into crypto security.
The Birth of Zircuit
Derka’s tenure at Quantstamp laid the groundwork for Zircuit. “At Quantstamp, we knew rollups would be key to scaling Ethereum,” Derka noted. This realization sparked intensive research into rollups, eventually leading to the inception of Zircuit. “We saw an amazing opportunity to enhance blockchain security proactively,” Derka said. “This is how the feature that now distinguishes Zircuit—sequencer level security—began.”
‘Many Uses of AI Seem Fabricated’
Zircuit’s most striking feature is its AI-driven security mechanism, sequencer-level security, a concept Derka elaborated on extensively.
“Our sequencer evaluates each transaction for malicious intent before inclusion in the block,” Derka explained. “We use AI to simulate transactions and assess their impact, determining if they’re hacks.” This proactive approach allows Zircuit to quarantine potentially harmful transactions, enhancing the overall security of the blockchain.
The sequencer is a privileged node designed to collect user transactions and order them based on predefined rules. In essence, once the transaction arrives at the sequencer, it is then routed to the “Malice Detection” module – something that the team refers to as the “oracle.” It’s designed to determine whether a transaction is benign or it can potentially be malicious. Those that are benign are queued for block inclusion, while those that are flagged are diverted to another module called “Quarantine-Release Criterion” module. It acts as a holding area for the time during which these transactions undergo a rigorous verification process.
The following can be seen in the overview presented by Zircuit:
When asked about the prevalent AI hype, Derka acknowledged the phenomenon but remained pragmatic. “There is a huge level of hype,” he admitted. “Many uses of AI seem fabricated, and AI can be highly inaccurate. But failure is part of innovation. If we don’t try applying AI in all possible areas, we might miss its true potential.”
L2’s: Do We Really Need That Many
Zircuit positions itself as a Layer 2 (L2) solution with a strong emphasis on security, amidst a crowded field of competitors. Derka was clear about the inevitability of multiple L2 solutions. “If we didn’t build another L2, someone else would,” he said. “The better question is why users should choose Zircuit over others, and that comes down to our unique security proposition.”
Despite the competitive market, Derka does not foresee a winner-takes-all scenario.
“Technologists love to build and compete,” he asserted. “There will always be new players challenging the status quo.”
Zircuit: When Mainnet Launch
Zircuit’s immediate focus is on launching its Mainnet, with significant milestones already achieved. “We launched our Testnet last year, which has been very stable,” Derka shared. “We are now in the process of deploying Mainnet, integrating partners, and ensuring security measures are in place.”
The Mainnet Phase 1 launch is scheduled for Augustmid-July in a gated mode, with a broader public launch expected soon afterin mid-August. “We are also working on optimizing zero-knowledge proof generation to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency,” Derka added. This technical enhancement is crucial for the blockchain’s functionality and user experience.
Over $3 Billion in Staked ETH
Derka is mindful of the challenges in sustaining Zircuit’s initial success: With over $3 billion in restaked Ether (at its peak) signaling strong interest, the true test will be retaining these funds post-launch. “It’s the best signal we currently have, but it’s not a guarantee of success,” Derka cautioned. “Our task is to support projects deploying on Zircuit, ensuring they attract and retain capital.”
Zircuit aims to create a robust ecosystem encompassing all essential blockchain functions. “We want a fully functional ecosystem comparable to other chains, with lending protocols, oracles, DEXs, and stablecoins,” Derka explained. The security aspect remains a key differentiator, offering users and developers a more secure environment for their projects.
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER 2024 at BYDFi Exchange: Up to $2,888 welcome reward, use this link to register and open a 100 USDT-M position for free!
TL;DR
- ETH has dropped 11% over the past month, with analysts warning of a possible further decrease to $1,800 if key support levels fail.
- Others predict a potential rebound, citing a “bear trap” pattern and historical trends.
Further Pain for ETH Bulls?
Ethereum (ETH) has been among the worst-performing cryptocurrencies (from the top 10 list) lately, with its price dipping by 11% on a monthly scale. It is down 4% in the past 24 hours and currently trades at around $2,300 (per CoiGecko’s data).
One popular analyst who thinks ETH’s decline could be far from over is X user Ali Martinez. He outlined the $2,290-$2,360 range as a “key support” level, where 1.9 million addresses hold approximately $52.3 million worth of the asset.
The crypto enthusiast believes ETH could crash by 20% to as low as $1,800 should its price dip below that zone. Recall that its valuation briefly plunged to $2,260 a few hours ago.
Certain on-chain metrics also suggest that Ethereum could experience a further correction in the near future. One example is the “In the Money” indicator, which is down by 0.19% daily. It shows the change in the number of ETH investors currently sitting on paper profits. As of now, 54% are in the green, while 39% are underwater.
The Bullish Scenario
Contrary to Ali Martinez’s assumption, numerous other analysts are optimistic that ETH is poised for a revival. The X user Phoenix thinks the asset’s chart has formed a “bear trap,” signaling a potential resurgence in the following months.
JAVON MARKS claimed that Ethereum’s pattern seems to have mirrored the one from 2023, which led to a 165% price increase.
“2023 looks to have been the blueprint for another massive upside that can soon be transpiring in this crypto market. Target is at $4,723.5, and a break above can welcome $8,100+ into play, projecting another near 2X in price, if not much, much more,” the analyst argued.
Last but not least, ETH’s RSI has recently plummeted to a bullish ratio of around 30. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) helps traders assess overbought or oversold conditions and thus predict possible price reversals. Readings below 30 generally indicate that ETH is oversold, which could be a precursor of a rally. Conversely, a ratio above 70 could be interpreted as bad news for bulls since it can be followed by a correction.
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER 2024 at BYDFi Exchange: Up to $2,888 welcome reward, use this link to register and open a 100 USDT-M position for free!
Ethereum is at its weakest level against Bitcoin since early 2021 as the ETH/BTC ratio continues to break down.
The ratio is a measure of the price of ETH in Bitcoin terms, not in US dollars. Despite falling 21% from its all-time high, Bitcoin has remained robust, whereas Ethereum remains down 53% from its peak in 2021.
In a post on X on Sept. 16, ITC Crypto founder Benjamin Cowed predicted that the ETH/BTC ratio will “likely bottom between 0.03-0.04 and then trend up in 2025.”
It’s almost over.
I think #ETH / #BTC will likely bottom between 0.03-0.04 and then trend up in 2025.
It could bottom as early as this week or as late as December
Based on prior capitulations, I think it will happen sooner rather than later
Will make a video about it tomorrow https://t.co/rwqj5u4n8A pic.twitter.com/lc7iMruoqf
— Benjamin Cowen (@intocryptoverse) September 16, 2024
He added that it could bottom as early as this week or as late as December, but “based on prior capitulations, I think it will happen sooner rather than later.”
Whales Offloading ETH
Head of research at Galaxy, Alex Thorn, also observed the disintegration of Ethereum prices, reporting that ETH/BTC just traded on a 0.03 handle for the first time in three and a half years.
ETHBTC just traded on a 0.03 handle for the first time in 3.5 years (apr 2021)
-53% since the merge in sep 2022
what stops this train? pic.twitter.com/Olj6SGEiVe
— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) September 15, 2024
Meanwhile, analyst ‘Master Kenobi’ said that these patterns were cyclical. The ETH/BTC pair historically declined after a Bitcoin halving, with trend reversals occurring 168-224 days following the event in previous cycles. He added that a reversal is expected soon as it is currently around 150 days after the halving.
“Fundamentally, nothing has changed for Ethereum in a negative way,” he said before adding:
“The current movement is artificially driven by a lot of FUD in the market, and the reality is that they want you to sell your ETH at a low price. The underlying strength of Ethereum remains intact, and this downward pressure appears to be a tactic to shake out weak hands.”
On Sept. 16, Galaxy Trading observed that markets are now seeing the lowest sentiment for Ethereum since 2017 before adding:
“In my opinion, people are in such disbelief that they forget how quickly ETH can surge once it starts moving.”
“Right now, ETH is approaching its biggest support line since its inception,” they said before adding, “This isn’t the time to be bearish.”
Half of my feed is ETH FUD at this point.
— antiprosynthesis.eth ⟠ (@antiprosynth) September 15, 2024
ETH Price Outlook
On Sept. 16, industry observer Colin Wu reported that an “ancient whale” who received 16,636 ETH from ShapeShift at $5.23 per coin in February 2016 has now started selling.
This has added to the negative sentiment sending ETH plunging 6% on the day, dumping the asset to an intraday low of $2,260 during Monday morning trading in Asia.
Ethereum has been trading at its lowest level since January, but there is solid support here, which may remain until the overall market sentiment improves.
Even renowned analysts were piling on the ETH FUD:
How it started How it’s going pic.twitter.com/PdLawNI2yT
— _Checkmate ⚡☢️️ (@_Checkmatey_) September 16, 2024
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER 2024 at BYDFi Exchange: Up to $2,888 welcome reward, use this link to register and open a 100 USDT-M position for free!
Cryptocurrency
Onboard Secures Funding from Coinbase Ventures & LAVA to Drive Global Expansion and Unlock Onchain Economy Potential
[PRESS RELEASE – Lagos, Nigeria, September 16th, 2024]
Onboard is excited to announce a significant expansion and rebrand, coupled with a successful capital raise from Coinbase Ventures and LAVA. This expansion marks the evolution of Onboard from a digital money app and a global P2P exchange, to a comprehensive platform and ecosystem designed to empower onchain builders and creators globally.
The world is facing unprecedented challenges, with over 3.5 billion people living below the poverty line, 75-90% currency devaluation, and rampant double to triple-digit inflation across various regions. Onboard believes that rather than battling outdated systems, the way we change this, is by focusing on the transformative possibilities of the onchain economy.
Onboard empowers independent builders and creators to help bring the world onchain. Onboard’s vision is to enable anyone, anywhere to come onchain and live a radically better life. Their gateway enables people to come onchain with as little as $1 in under 2 minutes. However, the true value lies in the applications and experiences that make this economy accessible, engaging, and transformative.
“To truly unlock the potential of the onchain economy, we need to support the creation of actually useful onchain apps and experiences. This is where builders and creators come in. This rebrand signifies our commitment to fostering a thriving onchain ecosystem that benefits everyone.” – Yele Bademosi, Co-Creator of Onboard.
Onboard is dedicated to building the ultimate financial platform and support community for onchain dreamers—those independent builders and creators. We believe that by inviting the world’s best minds to join us, we can create exceptional onchain applications and experiences that will inspire and enable more people to embrace the possibilities of this new economy.
The capital raised from Coinbase Ventures and LAVA will be pivotal in accelerating Onboard’s growth and expanding its offerings to meet the needs of the global onchain community. This funding will support the development of new financial tools, resources, and community initiatives aimed at empowering onchain creators and builders.
The onchain economy holds tremendous potential to empower people around the world. Onboard’s on and offramps enables safe, low-cost, and low-barrier entry to the onchain world, bringing the benefits of this new economy to people who need it most. We’re excited to partner with Onboard in making economic freedom more accessible to all.” – Shan Aggarwal, Vice President, Corporate & Business Development, Coinbase Ventures.
About Onboard
Onboard is building the ultimate financial platform and support community for onchain dreamers—independent builders and creators developing applications and experiences to bring the world onchain. With a mission to expand the onchain economy and make it universally accessible. Onboard is committed to enabling anyone, anywhere, to live a radically better life through the possibilities of the onchain economy.
Website: onboard.xyz
Farcaster: @Onboard
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER 2024 at BYDFi Exchange: Up to $2,888 welcome reward, use this link to register and open a 100 USDT-M position for free!
Forex2 years agoForex Today: the dollar is gaining strength amid gloomy sentiment at the start of the Fed’s week
- Forex2 years ago
How is the Australian dollar doing today?
- Forex2 years ago
Dollar to pound sterling exchange rate today: Pound plummeted to its lowest since 1985
- Forex2 years ago
Unbiased review of Pocket Option broker
- Cryptocurrency2 years ago
What happened in the crypto market – current events today
- World2 years ago
Why are modern video games an art form?
- Commodities2 years ago
Copper continues to fall in price on expectations of lower demand in China
- Stock Markets2 years ago
Morgan Stanley: bear market rally to continue
