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Universal Phone, Toncoin’s Web3 Smartphone, Pre-Sale Sells Out Instantly

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The Universal Phone, a Web3 smartphone powered by Toncoin (TON), has generated remarkable excitement. Its pre-sale, announced by Web3 ecosystem Oyster Labs, sold out within seconds. This rapid response highlights the keen investor enthusiasm surrounding Toncoin’s entry into the mobile device market.

Why the Hype? Key Factors Behind the Sell-Out of Universal Phone

  • Aggressive Pricing for Accessibility: Oyster Labs strategically priced the Universal Phone at just US$99 (plus US$30 shipping) to fuel mass adoption of the Toncoin ecosystem, democratizing Web3 technology, and opening access to a broader range of potential users.
  • Toncoin Connection: The Universal Phone seamlessly integrates with the Toncoin blockchain, offering users unparalleled control over their data—a crucial advantage in AI-driven cryptocurrency projects. Besides, the device provides Web3 cashback, data dividends, and rewards, making it a powerful gateway to Ton-based Web3 projects and revolutionizing blockchain interaction.

Refund Process Underway

Oyster Labs has initiated refunds for some unsuccessful pre-sale purchases, which take an estimated five to ten days, with users receiving confirmation emails once complete, demonstrating a commitment to fairness for those who missed the initial pre-sale.

Market Impact: TON Price and Potential

The Universal Phone’s launch positively impacted TON’s price, which rose 6.9% to approximately $5.79 in 24 hours. Toncoin, with a fully diluted market value near $30 billion and roughly $226 million in daily trading volume, remains a Web3 leader. The surge in interest likely stems from increased awareness of Toncoin’s ecosystem and its potential.

Oyster Labs’ Vision: Accessibility and Mass Adoption

Oyster Labs’ affordable pricing strategy for the Universal Phone aligns with the broader aim of widespread Toncoin adoption within the increasingly competitive base layer industry. By expanding the potential user base, it opens the door for increased platform use and growth.

The Rise of Web3 Smartphones: A Paradigm Shift

The Universal Phone isn’t just another smartphone; it’s a catalyst for a significant shift in how we interact with decentralized technologies. Traditional smartphones, while powerful, are often tethered to centralized systems controlled by large tech companies. Web3 smartphones like the Universal Phone aim to break this mold.

By prioritizing data ownership, integrated cryptocurrency wallets, and seamless access to decentralized applications (DApps), Web3 smartphones offer a gateway to a more secure, user-centric internet experience, enabling individuals to take control beyond traditional devices.

Toncoin: More Than Just a Cryptocurrency

Toncoin (TON) stands apart from many other cryptocurrencies. It stems from the Telegram Open Network, a project initially envisioned by the founders of Telegram. 

Toncoin boasts impressive scalability and transaction speeds, making it well-suited for the fast-paced demands of Web3 applications.

Moreover, Toncoin’s focus on user experience through features like user-friendly addresses and streamlined transactions aligns perfectly to make Web3 more accessible.

Universal Phone Use Cases: Beyond the Hype of Universal Phone

  • Secure Financial Transactions: The Universal Phone’s native Toncoin wallet enables frictionless peer-to-peer payments and interactions with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols.
  • Data Sovereignty: Users can store sensitive information directly on the device with enhanced security, moving away from centralized data storage models.
  • NFT Marketplaces: Imagine browsing, buying, and selling NFTs (non-fungible tokens) directly from your phone, opening new avenues for digital art and collectibles.
  • Decentralized Gaming: Access blockchain-based games and rewards systems, potentially creating a new generation of play-to-earn experiences.

The Future: A Web3-Powered Pocket Revolution

The Universal Phone and the broader movement of Web3 smartphones (Solana Saga, Nothing Phone, and HTC Desire 22 Pro) hold the potential to make blockchain technology and its benefits really mainstream. 

By blending the convenience of a smartphone with the power of decentralized networks, Web3 phones can accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrency, NFTs, and DApps.  

Ultimately, this could lead to a more open, transparent, and user-empowered digital landscape.

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Crypto

Strategy Buys $2.5B in Bitcoin, Holdings Surpass 800,000 BTC

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Michael Saylor’s company Strategy has made another massive Bitcoin purchase, pushing its total holdings past 800,000 BTC and reinforcing its position as the largest public holder of the asset.

Massive $2.5 Billion Bitcoin Purchase

Strategy acquired 34,164 Bitcoin for approximately $2.54 billion between April 13 and April 19, according to a recent SEC filing.

The purchase ranks as the company’s third-largest Bitcoin buy ever, highlighting its continued aggressive accumulation strategy.

The coins were bought at an average price of $74,395 per BTC, slightly below Strategy’s overall average purchase price.

Total Holdings Now Above 800K BTC

Following the latest acquisition, Strategy now holds:

  • 815,061 BTC total
  • Purchased for roughly $61.56 billion

This milestone comes just one week after the company revealed a separate $1 billion Bitcoin purchase, showing how rapidly it continues to scale its position.

Funded Largely Through STRC Offering

A significant portion of the latest purchase was funded through Strategy’s preferred stock offering:

  • $2.18 billion (85.7%) came from STRC issuance
  • $366 million came from selling Class A shares (MSTR)

The STRC program has become a core funding mechanism for Strategy’s Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Record-Breaking Buying Activity

The company also set new internal records during the buying period.

On April 13 and 14 alone, Strategy executed massive purchases tied to its at-the-market (ATM) program:

  • ~7,741 BTC in one day
  • ~9,364 BTC the next day

Combined, these two days accounted for over 17,000 BTC, marking a sharp increase compared to previous weekly averages.

Saylor Teased the Move

Michael Saylor hinted at the purchase ahead of time with a cryptic “Think Even Bigger” post, a pattern he has used before major acquisition announcements.

Dividend Strategy to Boost Demand

Alongside its Bitcoin buying spree, Strategy is also exploring changes to its investor offering.

The company recently proposed semi-monthly dividend payments for its STRC preferred shares, aiming to:

  • Stabilize share price
  • Increase liquidity
  • Attract more investor demand

If approved, Strategy would become one of the few companies globally to offer such frequent dividend payouts.

Strategy Doubles Down on Bitcoin Conviction

This latest purchase reinforces Strategy’s long-term bet on Bitcoin as a primary treasury asset.

Despite market volatility and unrealized losses in prior quarters, the company continues to accumulate aggressively, signaling strong confidence in Bitcoin’s future value.

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Crypto

Bitnomial Launches Injective Futures in US, Eyes Potential ETF Path

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Chicago-based crypto exchange Bitnomial has introduced monthly futures contracts tied to Injective, marking the first US-regulated derivatives product for the token and a potential step toward future ETF approval.

The launch gives traders regulated exposure to Injective’s native token without needing to directly hold the asset.

First US-Regulated Futures for Injective

According to the announcement, the new contracts settle in INJ and come with monthly expiries. Traders can gain price exposure while using either crypto or US dollars as margin through Bitnomial’s clearinghouse.

The move establishes a formal trading history for Injective in regulated markets, which could be significant for future financial products.

ETF Eligibility Could Follow

The listing also initiates a six-month track record, a key requirement that could support the approval of a spot exchange-traded fund under US Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Earlier, Canary Capital filed for a staked INJ ETF, with Cboe BZX Exchange submitting a related rule change proposal to the SEC.

Institutional traders can access the futures immediately, while retail users are expected to gain access soon through Bitnomial’s Botanical platform. The exchange also plans to expand its offerings with perpetual futures and options tied to INJ.

Injective’s Role in DeFi Infrastructure

Injective operates on a Layer 1 blockchain designed for financial applications. It features an onchain order book and supports cross-chain functionality with networks such as Ethereum and Solana.

This infrastructure positions Injective as a key player in decentralized finance, particularly for trading and derivatives use cases.

Bitnomial Expands Altcoin Derivatives

Bitnomial, which operates under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight, continues to expand its range of crypto derivatives products.

In January, the exchange launched futures tied to Aptos, marking another step toward bringing altcoins into regulated US derivatives markets.

However, expanding beyond major cryptocurrencies has not been without challenges.

Regulatory Hurdles Persist

US-regulated crypto futures are still largely concentrated around Bitcoin and Ether, with altcoin-based products facing greater scrutiny.

Bitnomial previously attempted to list XRP futures in 2024, but the effort was challenged by the SEC. After legal proceedings, the exchange ultimately launched regulated XRP futures in March 2026, citing a shift in the regulatory landscape.

Other platforms have taken a more gradual approach. Coinbase introduced regulated Bitcoin and Ether futures for institutional clients in 2023 and later expanded access to retail traders. Meanwhile, Kraken strengthened its position in derivatives by acquiring NinjaTrader in a $1.5 billion deal.

Growing Momentum in US Crypto Derivatives

The launch of Injective futures reflects a broader push to expand regulated crypto derivatives offerings in the United States.

As regulatory clarity improves, more exchanges are exploring ways to introduce new products tied to altcoins, potentially paving the way for a wider range of ETFs and institutional investment opportunities.

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Crypto

CoreWeave Signs $6B Deal With Jane Street to Power AI Trading Operations

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CoreWeave has secured a major $6 billion agreement with quantitative trading firm Jane Street, as demand for high-performance AI computing continues to grow across financial markets.

The deal will see Jane Street use CoreWeave’s AI cloud infrastructure to support its trading and research operations, which increasingly rely on advanced data processing and machine learning models.

Jane Street Taps GPU Power for Trading Edge

Under the agreement, CoreWeave will provide computing capacity from multiple data centers, giving Jane Street access to large-scale GPU-powered infrastructure.

The trading firm said it requires this level of computing power to stay competitive as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into trading strategies and research workflows.

In addition to the infrastructure deal, Jane Street also invested $1 billion in CoreWeave, purchasing Class A common stock at $109 per share.

CoreWeave Stock Sees Modest Uptick

Following the announcement, shares of CoreWeave (CRWV) rose about 1.5%, reaching approximately $119.04 at the time of reporting.

The deal adds to growing investor confidence in the company’s role as a key provider of AI-focused cloud infrastructure.

Expanding AI Partnerships

The Jane Street agreement comes just one week after CoreWeave announced a separate partnership with Anthropic.

Under that deal, Anthropic will use CoreWeave’s infrastructure to run its Claude AI models, further strengthening CoreWeave’s position in the AI ecosystem.

From Crypto Mining to AI Infrastructure

CoreWeave originally launched in 2017 as a crypto mining company under the name Atlantic Crypto before pivoting to AI cloud computing in 2019.

This early transition has given the company a significant advantage as demand for GPU-based computing has surged.

The shift also highlights a broader trend in the industry, where former crypto mining firms are repurposing their infrastructure to support AI workloads as mining revenues become less predictable.

Leading the “Neocloud” Market

CoreWeave is now considered a leader in the so-called “neocloud” sector, which focuses on GPU-driven cloud computing designed specifically for AI applications.

Unlike traditional cloud providers that rely on CPUs for general computing tasks, neocloud platforms are optimized for intensive AI workloads such as model training and large-scale data analysis.

Analysts from Bernstein noted that CoreWeave stands out among its peers, including IREN and Nebius, due to its strong commercial performance, diverse customer base, and mix of long-term contracts and on-demand services.

The company also claims that nine of the top ten AI model providers now use its platform, underscoring its growing influence in the space.

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