An unexpected surge in selling pressure resulted in the broader crypto market turmoil, including an XRP price crash. The crypto assets were making significant gains hours earlier, with the Bitcoin price rallying to $107k. However, the shift in investors’ sentiments resulted in this sudden decline, bringing $3.27M in liquidation for the Ripple token in just one hour. Let’s discuss. XRP Price Crash Results in $3.27M Long Liquidations The Ripple token has witnessed an exceptionally serious liquidation event, losing $3.27M in long positions with the XRP price decline. Interestingly, this rate is 36,283% higher than the short positions, revealing that bullish traders were massively affected. Besides, only $9,040 worth of shorts were liquidated in this period, whereas $3.27M were in the long, per CoinGlass reports. This is because short traders actually bet on the price decline, so they avoided liquidation and instead profited from the dip. Experts showed concerns about this… Read More at Coingape.com
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is quickly becoming a notable force in the push for global crypto adoption. With growing participation from institutions and enterprises and supportive regulations for Web3 technology, MENA is set to expand its impact.
BeInCrypto interviewed Stephan Apel, CEO of Outlier Ventures, to explore the characteristics of these tech-driven economies and their anticipated innovations.
Web3 Adoption and Market Growth
MENA has emerged as a significant center for Web3 development, facilitated by a combination of demographic, technological, and cultural factors. The region’s entrepreneurial spirit has also fostered an environment conducive to the adoption of decentralized technologies.
“The MENA market has set a standard for adopting next-gen technologies and using them to boost their economic transformation. This is especially true for Web3 technologies— the region recognised their potential early on, offering the resources needed for these projects to scale and thrive on both regional and global levels,” Apel told BeInCrypto.
Consequently, the region is witnessing an increase in startups, investors, and developers exploring Web3 and its diverse applications.
A 2024 Chainalysis report revealed that MENA was the seventh biggest crypto market worldwide. From July 2023 to June 2024, the region saw $338.7 billion in online crypto transactions, representing 7.5% of all crypto transactions globally.
Share of all cryptocurrency transaction value by region. Source: Chainalysis.
Notably, Turkey and Morocco ranked among the top 30 countries globally in crypto adoption. Turkey secured the 11th spot, while Morocco ranked 27th. These nations alone accounted for $137 billion and $12.7 billion in received cryptocurrency value, respectively.
Furthermore, the MENA region’s crypto activity is predominantly driven by institutional and professional players, as a substantial 93% of all value transferred involves transactions exceeding $10,000.
Meanwhile, Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) members have distinguished themselves through their ambitious technological initiatives.
MENA’s Strategic Shift Towards AI
The onset of artificial intelligence (AI) has prompted governments and businesses within the Middle East to acknowledge the global trend towards related advanced technologies. Countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are considering their strategic position concerning this technological transformation.
According to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030. The consulting firm predicts that the Middle East will bring 2% of the total global benefits, equal to $320 billion.
MENA’s pioneering role in AI development. Source: PwC.
The PwC report also indicates that Saudi Arabia will see the largest absolute gains from AI by 2030, with an estimated US$135.2 billion added to its economy, or 12.4% of GDP. In terms of GDP percentage, however, the UAE is expected to see the greatest impact, approaching 14% of its 2030 GDP. Meanwhile, for GCC states Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, AI is expected to contribute 8.2% of their GDP.
Given the region’s latest initiatives and investments in AI innovation, these numbers come as no surprise.
Saudi Arabia’s AI Development Initiatives
In 2016, the Saudi Arabian government launched Vision 2030, a program to promote economic, social, and cultural diversification. Integral to this vision is a strategic shift towards artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation, a key component of the nation’s economic diversification efforts.
Saudi Arabia is making notable advancements in AI. The country aims to reduce its reliance on oil by developing advanced technology sectors through targeted investments, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
“Fueled by its Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia has already created a thriving startup ecosystem, dedicated significant investment in emerging technologies,and designed policies to attract global talent and entrepreneurship,” Apel told BeInCrypto.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) spearheads Saudi Arabia’s push into artificial intelligence, shaping and implementing the country’s national data and AI strategy. The National Data Bank is a cornerstone of their efforts. It is designed as a central hub for data access and analysis, facilitating AI applications across public and private sectors.
Last November, Saudi Arabia also unveiled Project Transcendence. The $100 billion investment initiative focuses on accelerating the integration of AI and advanced technologies.
Similar to its neighbor, the UAE has actively pursued AI adoption.
UAE’s AI Strategy and Investments
In 2017, the UAE launched its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which aims to make the country a global leader in the field by 2031. The UAE AI and Blockchain Council oversees this strategy, which impacts sectors like education, energy, and tourism.
The UAE is already reaping the benefits of its AI initiatives. In April, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42, an Abu Dhabi-based technology holding company. G42 is known for its data centers and the development of Jais, a leading Arabic-language AI model.
In September, G42 and Nvidia partnered to create AI-driven solutions for improved weather forecasting. The collaboration aims to advance climate-related technologies by using Nvidia’s Earth-2 platform, which enables AI-augmented climate and weather simulations.
Three months later, Abu Dhabi-based global technological ecosystem Hub71 partnered with Google to boost startup growth in the UAE. This collaboration will bring Google’s “Google for Startups” program to Abu Dhabi, including a dedicated accelerator for Hub71 startups in 2025.
He also drew attention to the planned convergence of AI and Web3 technologies in these prominent regions.
Convergence of AI, Web3, and IoT
Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and AI technologies is gaining traction among businesses in the Middle East. By combining these technologies, organizations can access new avenues for growth, increase efficiency, and create novel user experiences.
In 2018, the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority launched Dubai Blink, a platform that integrates AI, blockchain, and virtual licenses to facilitate global trade. This system enhances supply chain innovation through ‘smart commerce’ by expediting trade with a unified online platform. Furthermore, it addressed the cumbersome process of supplier identification by using AI algorithms to streamline and accelerate the validation process.
Ultimately, MENA’s proactive approach to technological advancement, coupled with its strategic focus on Web3 and AI, signals a future where the region will be a pivotal architect in shaping the digital economy.
Pi Coin has had a rough run lately. Prices are low, and users are worried as new concerns have emerged about wallet security. Analyst Dr Altcoin pointed out in a recent X post that some Pi users are reporting compromised wallets and stolen passphrases. He notes that this is a serious issue and the Pi Core Team needs to address it.
Some pioneers are raising concerns about compromised wallets and stolen passphrases. These concerns are valid, and the Pi Core Team should take them seriously by working toward a robust solution.
According to him, relying solely on a passphrase to access a Pi wallet is a major security risk. If that passphrase is stolen or leaked, anyone can access the wallet and drain the funds. To fix this, he proposes implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Pi wallets. He suggests adding a second layer of protection, like fingerprint or biometric verification, after the passphrase is entered.
This would add much-needed protection and prevent unauthorised access. It could dramatically reduce the theft of risk and would help keep Pi wallets secure as the network continues to grow.
Pi Coin Eyes Rebound
Pi coin is currently trading at $0.4409, down 0.1% in the last 24 hours. Pi Coin is facing strong bearish pressure lately. The market sentiment has turned negative for Pi Coin, especially throughout July. There were major token unlocks that have further added to the price instability and weak buying interest.
Dr Altcoin expects Pi coin’s price to start rising organically by the end of August. Previously, he noted that Pi dropping to the $0.40 range was likely its bottom. With less Pi expected to unlock by late August, he believes that it may start rising soon, and may not drop to those levels again.
According to CoinCodex, Pi Coin could rise up to 10% in July, reaching $0.51–$0.55, if it breaks above the 50-day EMA with strong volume. Otherwise, it may stay range-bound between $0.43–$0.48. Looking ahead to August, Pi might consolidate as bulls cool off from earlier highs. The price is expected to hover between $2.05 and $2.10, slowly building momentum for the next move.
The Pi community also expects a potential rebound for Pi in the coming weeks. With July’s unlock wave coming to an end, selling pressure is expected to ease. While other coins have already jumped 20-50%, Pi is still lagging, so a strong move upward is more likely.
Binance Rumors Heat Up
Lately, there have been growing speculations in the Pi community over a potential Binance listing. Users have spotted two new options in the Help section: Binance Connect Support and Binance P2P Support. Although this does not confirm anything, many see it as a sign that Pi Network may be preparing for a major move.
In related news, Swapfone has officially listed Pi coin with the PI/USDS pair, joining major exchanges like MEXC, OKX, Bitget, and more. Pi Wallet’s new fiat on-ramp was also launched recently, which now lets users buy Pi directly with credit/debit cards, Google Pay, or Apple Pay, making access easier than ever.
The post Pi Coin Under Pressure: Security Concerns Rise as Price Hovers Near Lows appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Pi Coin has had a rough run lately. Prices are low, and users are worried as new concerns have emerged about wallet security. Analyst Dr Altcoin pointed out in a recent X post that some Pi users are reporting compromised wallets and stolen passphrases. He notes that this is a serious issue and the Pi …
XRP has been on a steady decline over the past weeks, causing losses for many investors. Despite the falling price, some key holders are actively working to counter the bearish momentum.
Their efforts could play a significant role in stabilizing and potentially reversing XRP’s downtrend.
XRP Investors Are Optimistic
The Network Value to Transactions (NVT) Ratio for XRP has spiked to its highest level in a month. A rising NVT Ratio typically indicates that the network’s valuation exceeds its transaction activity, often signaling an upcoming price correction. This metric warns that XRP might be overvalued relative to its current use.
However, XRP has shown resilience at times in the past by bouncing back after periods of overvaluation. Investors and holders expect a similar rebound this time, fueled by renewed buying interest.
XRP’s Liveliness indicator has been trending downward, signaling active accumulation by long-term holders (LTHs). A decline in Liveliness suggests that these investors are holding onto their tokens despite price drops, aiming to stabilize the market. This behavior contrasts with an uptick, which would indicate increased selling pressure.
LTH accumulation during a price dip shows confidence in XRP’s long-term prospects. These holders are countering bearish trends by absorbing selling pressure and positioning themselves to profit when the price recovers, providing a critical support layer.
XRP is currently trading at $2.30, reflecting a two-week downtrend. It is holding just above a key support level at $2.27. Securing this support is vital for the altcoin to prevent further declines and maintain a foothold for potential gains.
If bullish factors continue to strengthen, XRP could bounce off the $2.27 support level. Breaking through the downtrend could enable XRP to flip $2.38 into new support, paving the way for a rise toward $2.56. This recovery would signal renewed investor confidence.
Conversely, if XRP loses support at $2.27, the price may drop further to $2.12. Such a decline would invalidate the bullish outlook and extend the ongoing downtrend, leading to increased losses for investors and sustained bearish pressure.
