π#112: DeepSeek Leaks
Telegram goes exclusive with TON. DeepSeek leaks user data. Abstract launches on mainnet. Pump.Fun hit with a class-action lawsuit. Venice AI drops a token.
Hey, itβs Marc.
Mark your calendars: On February 6th 12pm EST weβll host a panel on the future of fan engagement with top-tier speakers:
Robert Bryan (Founder Karate Kombat)
Michael Chock (Chief Strategy Officer, Smart Media Technologies),
Mark Epps (Director Comms & Web3, ATP Tour)
John Timoney-Gomez(Co-Founder Uptop)
We'll break down how sports clubs can use new tech to build deeper fan relationships and drive millions in untapped revenue.
Attendees weβll receive early-bird access to our biggest report yet on fan engagement across sport & entertainment with Web3 tech.
π¨ Secure your spot & report below, spots are limited! π
This week is loaded with alpha β donβt miss our top under-the-radar macro signals at the bottom.
βBanks are perfectly able to serve crypto customers. We're not against innovation. We don't want banks to terminate customers that are perfectly legal just because of excess risk aversion.β
β Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States
This weekβs question:
π Keep up with all our signals for Web3 execs on our Telegram channel.
Letβs dive inπ¦
π Our Top Reads This Week
Memecoins: How To Separate Value from Hype. 51 Insights. Link
Abstract, the βconsumerβ L1 developed by Iglu, goes live. Link
AI's Sputnik Moment: DeepSeek v3. Marc Baumann. Link
Inverting The Human-Agent Relationship. Multicoin Capital. Link
OpenAI et al Baby Steps for AI Controlling our Screens. Michael Parekh. Link
A New Internet Architecture: The Post Web Audio Documentary. Link
π¨ βThe best loyalty programs print money β sports teams & brands are missing out.
Weβll drop a big report on how sports clubs can use new tech to build deeper fan relationships and drive massive new revenue opportunities. Be the first to get it: π
Telegram & TON β€οΈ
TON Blockchain becomes the exclusive blockchain infrastructure powering Telegram's mini-app ecosystem. [Announcement]
What you should know:
TON Connect: The exclusive wallet connect protocol for Telegram mini apps.
Toncoin: Only cryptocurrency accepted for non-fiat payments on Telegram for: Telegram Stars, Premium, Ads & Gateway (alternative to SMS verification)
Also the exclusive currency for payments to mini app developers and channel owners for advertisement revenue.
Telegram will tokenize digital assets like emojis, stickers, and limited edition gifts as NFTs exclusively on the TON.
Why it matters: Telegram is pushing TON to 950M users, making it the default blockchain for its mini-apps. However, with Toncoinβs liquidity issues, scaling to 500M+ Web3 users by 2030 remains a challenge.
Wormholeβs $1B Bridge for RWAsπ
Securitize, backed by BlackRock, has made Wormhole its primary interoperability provider. [Announcement]
Why it matters: This enables seamless transfers of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) across chains strengthening liquidity, accessibility, and institutional adoption.
What you should know:
Chains: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, and Polygon
Wormhole, with partners like Google Cloud, Circle, AMD, and Uniswap, has processed $55B+ in cross-chain volume since 2020
Why it matters: With this integration, Securitize (working with BlackRock, Hamilton Lane, and KKR) enables tokenized funds like BlackRockβs BUIDL ($642M in AUM) to move across multiple blockchains, improving liquidity and accessibility. This expands yield and investment opportunities by giving investors faster transfers, on-chain yield, and better fund management options.
By the data: Securitize has surpassed $1B+ in tokenized on-chain assets with over $642M in AUM for its BUIDL fund.
Stepping back: BlackRock backs tokenization, leading a $47M investment in Securitize.
Punchline: Wormhole is now an institutional-grade interoperability platform, enabling $1B+ in fund LP tokens to move seamlessly across chains. This is a game-changer for RWAs, boosting on-chain liquidity, investor flexibility, and institutional adoption.
Prediction Markets Are Heating Upπ₯ π
Kalshi, the first federally regulated prediction market in the US., expands into sports betting across all 50 U.S. states, just two weeks before the Super Bowl (Feb. 9). [Announcement]
Kalshi faces indirect competition from decentralized prediction markets like Polymarket, as it allows USDC bets on its platform.
More about Kalshi:
Operates legally nationwide by taking a cut of placed bets instead of profiting from lost wagers.
Filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for betting contracts on major U.S. sports championships.
Covers multiple sports β Football, basketball, hockey, and even niche bets
Why it matters: Kalshi enters sports prediction markets weeks after Crypto.com, leveraging its nationwide access ahead of the Super Bowl. With Donald Trump Jr. as an advisor, regulatory momentum and new revenue models are in play.
Other players: Polymarket, Azuro, Hedgehog, Drift, Myriad Markets, Crypto.com
π¨ Other Highlights You Canβt Miss
Venice AI, the uncensored AI by Erik Voorhees, drops a token. Link
Infinite Reality (iR) has acquired Obsess, a leading platform for interactive 3D digital stores. Link
PumpDotFun has been hit with a class-action lawsuit alleging violations of U.S. securities laws. Link
MetaMask allows crypto withdrawal directly into fiat via Ramp Network. Link
Major data breach at DeepSeek, exposing over a million lines of sensitive data, including chat history. Link
Major crypto-sports partnerships in January. Link
π Keep up with all our signals for Web3 execs on our Telegram channel.
π° Money Moves
D3 Global: Domain infrastructure company raised $25M Series A led by Paradigm. Link
Cryptio: Crypto infrastructure company raised $25M led by Alven. Link
Sign Protocol: Omni-chain attestation protocol raised $16M Series A by YZi Labs. Link
SignalPlus: Crypto trading platform raised $11M Series B led by AppWorks & OKX Ventures. Link
Pod: Web3 startup raised $10M seed led by CSX a16zcrypto. Link
Thatβs all for now, folks.
Talk soon,
β Marc & Team
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