Cryptocurrency
DeFi as a solution in times of crisis
The 2020s have been a challenging decade so far, yet the transformative power of blockchain technology offers a better path forward.
Born from crisis
Around the globe, times are tough for many everyday people. Increases in cost of living minimized any growth in wages last year as inflation continues to take its toll. Additionally, world powers such as China and Russia are increasingly challenging the dominance of the USD as geopolitical tensions flare up.
In this precarious new world, decentralized cryptocurrencies can potentially be a source of stability and freedom. Bitcoin first emerged in the wake of the 2008 banking crisis and the impact of events like the Lehman Brothers collapse is evident in the writings of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
While the subprime mortgage crisis was in full swing in February 2009, Nakamoto proposed an “e-currency based on cryptographic proof” that enables secure and effortless transactions without the need for a trusted third-party middleman. But has crypto lived up to its promise so far, and can DeFi help solve the ongoing instability of the 2020s?
A better system is possible
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin indeed help overcome issues with the current banking and monetary system in several different ways. For example, self-custody of DeFi assets protects individual investors against risks like institutional insolvency and bank runs. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023 shows that even large banks are still vulnerable to failure. But instead of requiring trust that their money is still there, Web3 users can verify their holdings directly on chain.
Additionally, blockchain technology allows for a more efficient and decentralized financial landscape. The peer-to-peer network pioneered by Bitcoin means that investors can hold their own assets and transact directly with no middlemen and significantly lower fees. And unlike with traditional banks, the rise of DeFi sectors like DEXs, lending and liquid staking means individuals can now have full control over exactly how their deposited assets are used.
Inflation is yet another ongoing problem that crypto and DeFi help solve. Unlike fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have a fixed total supply. This means that your holdings in BTC cannot be easily diluted like if you hold a currency such as USD. While a return to the gold standard of years past is sometimes proposed as a potential solution to inflation, adopting crypto as legal tender would have a similar effect while also delivering a range of other benefits like enhanced efficiency.
CBDCs: A potential alternative?
As global superpowers battle for financial supremacy, everyday people around the world can benefit from decentralized and censorship-resistant assets like Bitcoin. Yet because cryptocurrencies pose a threat to the dominance of the current monetary system, many governments are taking measures to issue their own centralized digital currency.
Institutions such as the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank have been actively exploring the issuance of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). In some ways, it is possible to equate the benefits of CBDCs with the utility of crypto. For example, a so-called digital dollar could help deliver faster and cheaper transactions while expanding access to the financial system.
However, CBDCs lack several of the key benefits of cryptocurrency. For one, they are still highly centralized like traditional fiat currencies. This means that true self-custody is not possible and your assets can be frozen by financial authorities at any time. CBDCs may also not help stem issues with inflation since they still allow central banks to print money through measures like quantitative easing. Overall, CBDCs only deliver a fraction of the benefits of decentralized cryptocurrencies.
Why not CEXs?
The Web3 community proposes a better alternative. With decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, ordinary people can enjoy the benefits of digital money without facing the same problems that plague existing fiat currencies. Especially in times of crisis, DeFi is a great way to keep your money secure and under your direct control. Yet in order for DeFi to truly explode, the user experience needs to catch up with centralized finance.
Currently, the easiest way to buy and send crypto is with a centralized exchange (CEX). Like CBDCs, users of platforms like Coinbase and Binance must sacrifice some transparency and decentralization for a streamlined user experience. But events like the FTX collapse show centralized exchanges can become over-leveraged and insolvent just like traditional banks. Since many users are unaware of the advantages of DeFi and self custody, further education is key.
While writing down your seed phrase in a secure location is harder than quickly making an account on a CEX, the benefits are definitely worth it. When you have self custody, you can always track your assets directly on the blockchain and even move your funds to a hardware wallet for extra security. Plus, investors can make solid passive income on their investments at the same time with low-volatility DeFi strategies such as stablecoin farming.
DeFi could be the answer
In addition to continued instability within our financial system, the 2020s have also featured a heightened level of geopolitical turmoil. However, decentralized finance offers the chance to safeguard our financial freedom. We must stand up together to build a fair digital economy and a better fiscal world. While DeFi already offers a range of revolutionary opportunities for small investors, the community needs to keep pushing for more applications, improved education and a better user experience in order to achieve worldwide mass adoption.
Bitcoin helped pioneer this new era, but the future envisioned by Satoshi Nakamoto requires our continued efforts. Once the mainstream population can access DeFi as easily as walking into a traditional brick and mortar bank, the sky is the limit for Web3 adoption. In the meantime, it’s important to maintain a critical lens about the potential downsides of CEXs and government attempts to replace crypto with their own watered-down digital currencies.
The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
Wolfgang Rückerl is the CEO of Istari Vision and Entity.global. His expertise is in Web3 startups, DeFi and GameFi.
This article was published through Cointelegraph Innovation Circle, a vetted organization of senior executives and experts in the blockchain technology industry who are building the future through the power of connections, collaboration and thought leadership. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Cointelegraph.
Cryptocurrency
Immerso and Everdome Partner to Drive Innovation in the Metaverse Through AI-Powered Experiences
[PRESS RELEASE – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 5th, 2025]
Immerso, an Eros Innovation company- home to Eros Media and Eros Now, and a global leader in AI innovation and intellectual property (IP), has joined forces with Everdome, pioneers in creating interactive metaverse experiences, to revolutionize digital entertainment.
The partnership combines Immerso’s exceptional IP portfolio, featuring an extensive library of over 12,000 film titles, with Everdome’s immersive technology. Together, they aim to transform how audiences engage with entertainment in the digital era.
Backed by Eros Innovation, Immerso brings unparalleled resources to the table. Eros Media World boasts a 30% market share in the Indian film industry, selling 2.7 billion tickets annually and reaching a global audience in the billions. This partnership unlocks the potential to become the world’s largest film market for metaverse engagement.
Jeremy Lopez, CEO of Everdome, commented, “This partnership propels Everdome’s vision to merge the metaverse with AI tools and intellectual property, setting the stage for the creation of interactive, metaverse-native IP experiences for brands on a global scale. With nearly 50 years of Bollywood history under their belt and a strong commitment to the metaverse and immersive computing, Immerso is the perfect partner as Everdome steps into its next chapter.”
Swaneet Singh, CEO of Immerso added, “We firmly believe in the transformative potential of virtual experiences and Web3 in reshaping the way users connect. By combining immersive experiences with AI-powered hybrid content and user-generated creation, we’re opening up new possibilities – and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this innovation alongside Everdome.’’
Immerso is uniquely positioned to lead large-scale innovation in AI, entertainment, and the metaverse. As one of the first AI Intellectual Property (AIIP) companies, Immerso owns over a trillion AI tokens and has trained models across all LLM platforms. This foundation, coupled with initiatives such as establishing India’s first AI Park and a billion-dollar investment in a Malaysian AI park and film studio, showcases Immerso’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital experiences
Everdome, recognized for its expertise in creating immersive and accessible digital experiences, is dedicated to bringing real use cases and larger audiences to the metaverse. With a proven track record of collaborations with global brands like the Alpine Web3, and Binance Fan Token Everdome is well-versed in bringing established IPs to life in new and engaging ways.
With an initial focus on integrating Indian cinema’s vast library of films, stars, directors, and influencers into immersive virtual worlds, together, Immerso and Everdome will offer audiences entirely new ways to connect with entertainment.
This collaboration marks a significant step toward a future where AI, IP, and immersive technology converge to transform how the world interacts with storytelling and creativity. It sets a new standard for connectivity and engagement in the metaverse and establishes a framework for a thriving creator economy. Immerso and Everdome will offer audiences entirely new ways to connect with entertainment.
The future of the metaverse is driven by collaboration, and this partnership unlocks the potential to become one of the world’s largest film markets for metaverse engagement, revolutionizing how users view, engage with, and interact with traditional media in an immersive digital world.
#ImagineTheMetaverseDifferently
About Immerso AIIP Limited
Immerso AIIP Limited is a global leader in the media and entertainment industry. With a rich history dating back to 1977, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation and creativity.
Immerso AIIP owns a vast library of over 12,000 film titles, commanding a 30% market share over the past two decades. This extensive catalogue forms the foundation for Eros Now, the company’s streaming platform with an impressive 250 million registered users.
Recognizing the transformative power of artificial intelligence, Immerso is focused on pioneering the development of AI-driven content creation tools. Immerso has amassed over a trillion AI tokens, used to train sophisticated language models (SLM and LLM) that empower creators to build the next generation of immersive experiences.
Immerso AIIP is committed to fostering a thriving creator economy on Web 3, leveraging its vast IP library and AI capabilities to unlock new possibilities for content creation and distribution.
About Everdome
Everdome builds future themed metaverse experiences to provide creators, brands, individuals and businesses with immersive, interactive spaces to collaborate on the creation and enjoyment of shared digital experiences.
Launched in 2022, Everdome uses blockchain, advanced real-time 3D creation tools such as UE5, spatial computing and cryptocurrency to build, run and fuel their project, creating a platform to combine metaverse-on-demand tooling with engaging features and high quality environments.
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Cryptocurrency
Ethereum Price Crash? Analyst Predicts Possible 50% Drop
TL;DR
- Ethereum’s price struggles below $2,800, with some analysts warning of a potential drop to $1,200 if key support fails.
- Others, including Michael van de Poppe, remain optimistic, citing Trump-linked investments as a bullish indicator.
ETH Bulls to Suffer More Pain?
Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization – is among the very few leading digital assets that have not charted impressive gains during the bull cycle in the past several months. It currently trades at less than $2,800, representing a 24% decline on a 30-day scale.
And while many industry participants believe the asset has yet to catch up with Bitcoin (BTC) and the rest of the market, some are quite pessimistic. The popular X user Nebrascangooner recently claimed that the “potential cup and handle pattern” witnessed on ETH’s price chart is no longer valid.
The analyst suggested that the valuation formed a double top in the past year, envisioning a collapse to as low as $1,200 if it loses the $2,400 support.
“No breakdown currently, though, and it’s sideways in a large consolidation,” they added.
The Bullish Scenario
As mentioned above, the majority of analysts on X remain optimistic that ETH will hit a new all-time high in the following months. The one using the X moniker MANDO CT thinks the long-awaited rally of the asset “is about to happen,” setting a target of $10,000 per coin.
Michael van de Poppe also chipped in, saying that if Donald Trump “bets massively on ETH, it’s almost foolish not to follow that route at these valuations.”
To the uninitiated ones, World Liberty Financial (WLF) – a DeFi project linked to Donald Trump and his family – has recently made significant investments in Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. Additionally, Eric Trump, the son of the American president, claimed that now is “a great time to add ETH.”
Some key on-chain metrics also signal that the price of the asset might be on the verge of a rally. According to CryptoQuant, ETH’s exchange netflow has been negative in the past three days. This suggests a potential shift from centralized platforms toward self-custody methods, which in turn reduces the immediate selling pressure.
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Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin Price Struggles Below $100K but These Altcoins Outperform (Market Watch)
The most recent price action of Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency markets reflects the disappointment in the most recent press conference held by the crypto and AI czar in the US – David Sacks. Markets are shaky and unconvincing, clearly suggesting that investors were expecting something more.
Bitcoin Price Struggles Below $100K
After recovering above the pivotal psychological and, to some extent – technical level of $100,000, Bitcoin’s price tumbled yesterday. The buyers were unable to defend this point, allowing the bears to take control and push it down to where it currently trades below $98,000. This reflects a decrease of around 1.4% over the past 24 hours.
That said, there’s a clear reason for the decline. The drop coincided with the press conference held by the US crypto and AI czar under Trump’s administration – David Sacks. Speaking for the first time since he was elected, Sacks shed some light on their future plans concerning crypto, and it appears that investors were disappointed. Many expected the confirmation of a Bitcoin-only strategic reserve, while the politicians said they are currently exploring both options – a single-asset reserve and a “digital asset” stockpile- as President Trump has tasked them to explore the feasibility of both.
Moreover, Sacks said their very first priority would be on regulating stablecoins and that he expects laws to pass Congress in six months.
Politics aside, Bitcoin’s dominance – the metric used to gauge its share relative to that of the rest of the market – is currently at a 4-year high, standing tall at 58%.
Some Altcoins Soar
Building on the above, the fact that Bitcoin’s dominance is that high simply means that altcoins are failing to keep up. This can be clearly observed in their weekly performance.
While Bitcoin is down 4.2% on the week, Ethereum is down by 11%, XRP – by 18%, Solana – by 11%, BNB – 14%, DOGE – by 19%, and so forth – you get the gist.
Of course, this doesn’t mean there are no exceptions. On a daily basis, TRUMP – the official token launched by the US President – soared by 10% today, while AAVE, ARB, and SUI are all charting gains of around 5-6%.
Meanwhile, on a weekly scale, Mantra (OM) is up by 26%, while Hyperliquid’s HYPE is up by about 13%.
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