You Can Play Games Like 'Doom' on Bitcoin and Dogecoin—Here’s What That Means

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Major Binance Announcement Concerning Ripple (XRP) In Light of Recent Exploit

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$10,000,000 To Be Handed Out With No Strings Attached As US Counties Prepare to Launch Guaranteed Income Program

Guaranteed income programs are sprouting across the US as two large counties prepare to give millions of dollars to people who are tight on funds. The nonprofit Inland SoCal United Way is teaming up with the California Department of Social Services in a new pilot program designed to give away $10 million to residents of San

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Solana Holds Top Spot in DEX Trading Volume Rankings amid Hayes Projection

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Jennifer Crumbley, mom of Michigan school shooter, testifies in her own defense

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How Taylor Swift could influence the 2024 election

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How Taylor Swift could influence the 2024 election

How Taylor Swift could influence the 2024 election


Walmart to expand brick-and-mortar stores

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Fatal building collapse in Idaho

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Inside US destroyers amid rising tensions in the Middle East

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*Coinbase Takes a Leap Towards Faster Bitcoin Payments*

After a period of extensive public discussion, Coinbase, one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has officially announced its decision to integrate the Bitcoin Lightning Network onto its platform. CEO Brian Armstrong shared this significant development, emphasizing the company's commitment to advancing "faster and cheaper" transactions, made possible by the Lightning Network's innovative technology.

![image](https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/shutterstock_1149286838-coinbase.jpg)

In a statement made on X, formerly known as Twitter, Armstrong underscored the importance of Bitcoin as the foremost asset in the cryptocurrency space. However, no specific timeframe for the integration was provided, and Coinbase declined to comment further on the matter.

![image](https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/61a129daa5ee97c207fc5a2ffe512eb78cebb9ae3d1d55a8669bb2196001e00a/files/1695342211307-YAKIHONNES3.png)

This decision by Coinbase follows in the footsteps of other prominent companies in the cryptocurrency industry, such as Jack Dorsey's Cash App and David Marcus' Lightspark, who have already taken steps towards the adoption of Bitcoin payments. The integration of the Lightning Network marks another vital milestone in the ongoing efforts to make Bitcoin a practical choice for everyday transactions, a concept initially envisioned when Bitcoin was created over a decade ago.

The Lightning Network is a layer-2 solution built atop the Bitcoin blockchain, with a primary goal of enabling swift and scalable transactions. Essentially, it allows two parties to establish a payment channel between them, eliminating the need to record each individual transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain.

The Lightning Network was conceived to address some of the scalability issues inherent in Bitcoin's original design, such as high transaction fees and slow processing times during periods of increased network activity.

Coinbase's decision to explore Lightning integration was made public last month when Armstrong acknowledged the idea's significance, describing it as "non-trivial" but "worth doing." This announcement followed queries from the public, including those from Jack Dorsey, about Coinbase's stance on Bitcoin.

Armstrong asserted that Coinbase has played a pivotal role in introducing more people to Bitcoin than perhaps any other company globally. He expressed his strong support for Bitcoin-based payments and emphasized his desire to see Bitcoin payments gain widespread acceptance.

Jack Dorsey's subsidiary, Cash App, embraced additional Lightning support for Bitcoin in October of the previous year, following its initial integration eight months earlier. Coinbase's commitment to integrating the Lightning Network is a significant endorsement for the technology, as it offers the potential to make Bitcoin transactions faster and more efficient, thereby enhancing its viability as a common method of payment.

Cathie Wood, the head of ARK Invest, Coinbase's second-largest shareholder, celebrated the news on X, emphasizing that the integration with Lightning will provide Coinbase's vast user base of 100 million with a gateway to quicker and more cost-effective Bitcoin transactions. Coinbase's stock witnessed a 1.4% increase following this announcement, reflecting the positive market sentiment surrounding the move.

![image](https://yakihonne.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/61a129daa5ee97c207fc5a2ffe512eb78cebb9ae3d1d55a8669bb2196001e00a/files/1695342413478-YAKIHONNES3.png)

In embracing the Lightning Network, Coinbase is embarking on a transformative journey to make Bitcoin not only a store of value but also a practical means of conducting everyday transactions. This move underscores the industry's commitment to enhancing Bitcoin's usability, marking a pivotal step towards mainstream adoption. As Coinbase paves the way for faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions, the future of digital payments is looking brighter than ever. With the Lightning Network's speed and efficiency, Bitcoin is poised to become a common choice for individuals and businesses worldwide, ushering in a new era of financial innovation and convenience.

Coinbase Embraces Bitcoin's Lightning Network for Faster, Cheaper Transactions


Unlocking New Horizons for Bitcoin Lightning
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In a groundbreaking move, Google Cloud, a leading player in the global cloud and data services industry, has joined forces with Voltage, a specialized infrastructure provider in the realm of the Bitcoin Lightning Network. This strategic partnership not only marks a significant milestone in the adoption of Bitcoin and Lightning but also holds the potential to catalyze their expansion on a global scale.

The collaboration between Google Cloud and Voltage carries substantial implications, extending beyond the realm of technology and finance. Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage, explained that Voltage leverages Google Cloud to expand its services to a broader global audience. This includes deploying Lightning Network nodes in specific geographic regions, such as the U.K. or Asia, to meet the needs of larger customers. Voltage, in essence, serves as Google's outsourced Bitcoin and Lightning team, assisting companies interested in integrating Bitcoin and Lightning into their services.

The announcement has garnered considerable attention on social media, underscoring Google's growing recognition of and openness to Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. Christopher Calicott, Managing Director of venture capital firm Tramell Venture Partners, emphasized that this partnership has generated considerable buzz within Google and the tech industry as a whole. Former Google employees have noted that such unexpected engagement significantly piques the interest of the tech giant.

Importantly, Google's receptive stance toward the Lightning Network stands in contrast to that of its competitor, Apple. Recently, Apple removed Damus, a Lightning-friendly decentralized social media protocol, from the App Store, signaling its reluctance to embrace Lightning technology. Calicott suggested that the tech landscape may be warming up to the potential of the Lightning Network, particularly among companies with a stake in the payments sector.

Calicott stated, "There is a growing and broad-based corporate tinkering with Lightning in particular right now. If they're adjacent to payments, they would ignore Lightning at their peril."

Google Cloud, operating under the umbrella of its parent company, Alphabet, is a major player in the technology and financial sectors. With Google Pay boasting hundreds of millions of users across more than 15 countries, the partnership with Voltage holds the promise of unlocking new horizons for Bitcoin and the Lightning Network on a global scale.

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Google Cloud and Voltage Partner to Advance Bitcoin Lightning Network


This is great !!!


Escaping the 'Fax Era' of Money Transfers
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In an age where information can be effortlessly shared over the internet through email or text, global payments still lag behind in what former PayPal president David Marcus calls the "fax era." While sending an email or a text message takes seconds, transferring money across borders remains a cumbersome and often costly process. Marcus, now the co-founder of Lightspark, a Bitcoin Lightning-focused payment service, believes that Bitcoin's Lightning Network could be the solution to bring global payments into the digital age.

Marcus pointed out the stark contrast between the ease of communication and the complexities of transferring money globally. With email or text, you can instantly reach someone anywhere in the world. However, there is no universal protocol for transferring money over the internet, making global payments a tedious and outdated ordeal.

He explained that if you wanted to send money to someone who is not a U.S. citizen and not using the same fintech apps you are, the process becomes archaic. It typically involves obtaining the recipient's bank account number and physically going to a local bank to initiate an expensive international wire transfer, often costing around $50. Marcus, who co-founded Lightspark in May 2022 and serves as CEO, sees his company in a race to solve this problem using the Bitcoin Lightning network.

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Bitcoin Lightning: The Future of Global Transfers
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While Bitcoin is frequently associated with everyday purchases, Marcus envisions a different role for the cryptocurrency. He believes that Bitcoin, especially through its Lightning Network, will primarily serve as a means to facilitate overseas money transfers. In this scenario, individuals could send U.S. dollars that are seamlessly converted into Japanese yen or euros on the recipient's end, all facilitated by Bitcoin's Lightning Network.

Marcus highlighted the unique capabilities of Bitcoin and Lightning in this context. Bitcoin serves as the settlement layer, ensuring security and reliability, while Lightning enables real-time, low-cost payments. This combination offers a level of efficiency and affordability previously unseen in global money transfers.

The former PayPal president's vision aligns with the growing recognition of Bitcoin as a powerful tool for cross-border payments, particularly in regions where traditional financial systems are inefficient or expensive. As Bitcoin's Lightning Network continues to evolve, it holds the promise of liberating global payments from the outdated 'fax era,' ushering in a new era of seamless, borderless transactions.

Bitcoin's Lightning Network: Revolutionizing Global Payments


**Empowering Africans with Access to Bitcoin**

In the heart of Nigeria, a young entrepreneur by the name of Bernard Parah is making waves in the world of cryptocurrency. At just 30 years old, he is the CEO of Bitnob, a groundbreaking app that is revolutionizing how Africans buy, save, and invest in Bitcoin. Bitnob's unique approach is SMS-based and seamlessly integrates with the mobile money system, providing an accessible gateway for users to send money directly into bank accounts and mobile money
wallets across African countries.

![image](https://js.bitnob.co/web_assets/aboutus-cover.webp)

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Bitnob CEO Bernard Parah and Strike CEO Jack Mallers announcing the launch of ‘Send Globally’ on stage at the Africa Bitcoin Conference in Accra, Ghana.

**A Partnership for Financial Inclusion**

Recently, Bernard Parah forged a strategic partnership with Strike, a Lightning Network payments platform, to introduce a groundbreaking feature called "Send Globally." This innovative feature allows Americans to transfer money to individuals living in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya with unprecedented ease and speed.

The magic lies in the simplicity of the process. Bitnob's "Send Globally" feature employs local fiat cash on both sides of the transaction, while Bitcoin operates under the hood as the conduit to transport funds across borders. Remarkably, the end user never has to deal directly with cryptocurrency, eliminating potential barriers for those unfamiliar with digital assets.

As Parah puts it, "Over time, we've seen that there are still people who really don't understand how to use Bitcoin; who don't care about Bitcoin. What they do care about is their problems getting solved."

**Seamless and Instant Transactions**

The user experience provided by Bitnob's "Send Globally" feature is akin to traditional wire transfers or popular payment apps like Venmo, according to Strike CEO Jack Mallers. Transactions are instant, free from debt, credit checks, or delays. The model succeeds because both Parah and Mallers are willing to shoulder the liability associated with the transfer by holding cash in escrow on either end of the exchange.

Once the money reaches Nigeria, Bitnob, a regulated entity with strong connections to local banks, converts the received Bitcoin into the local currency. This process effectively cuts out excessive fees and offers more competitive foreign exchange rates, providing users with rates that are often superior to those found in traditional forex markets.

Mallers highlights the use of Bitcoin as a price-setting intermediary, referring to it as a "new world reserve currency." This approach enables users to determine how many Bitcoin they can acquire with their dollars and subsequently calculate the equivalent amount in local currency. The result is a more efficient and cost-effective means of conducting international transactions.

**Unlocking Global Interoperability**

The collaboration between Bitnob and Strike extends beyond streamlined cross-border payments. It also paves the way for interoperability with payment apps around the world, many of which boast tens of millions of users. Cash App, for instance, has the potential to interoperate with Bitnob, allowing for instant and fee-free value transfers across borders.

Bitnob's mission is clear: to make it easy for every African and African business to connect with the Bitcoin blockchain. With a commitment to providing secure and reliable services, Bitnob holds at least 90% of the Bitcoin it manages in multi-sig cold storage. The company operates one of the world's most robust Lightning APIs, with a focus on enhancing the usability of Bitcoin in everyday payments, including remittances.

In the grand scheme of the cryptocurrency world, Bitnob may be considered small, but its dedication to empowering billions of people worldwide is nothing short of remarkable. With humility and gratitude, Bitnob continues to contribute to building a better financial future for everyone, one transaction at a time.

As Bitnob continues to evolve and innovate, it stands as a shining example of how cryptocurrency can transform financial services and empower individuals across Africa and beyond.

Bitnob: Simplifying Bitcoin Access and Cross-Border Payments in Africa


**Empowering Africa with Cryptocurrency Accessibility**

In a world where digital currencies are reshaping the financial landscape, Africa is emerging as a significant player in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Among the pioneers leading the charge is Yellow Card, a groundbreaking fintech company with a mission to simplify cryptocurrency access across the African continent.

![image](https://images.prismic.io/yellowcard-website/440218b0-94ed-4006-a1e0-735b406ef8f5_jpeg-optimizer-Yellow+Card+Leadership+%281%29.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,2699,1350&w=4000&h=2000)

**The Yellow Card Revolution**

Yellow Card is not just an ordinary cryptocurrency exchange; it's a catalyst for financial inclusion in Africa. Since its launch in Nigeria in 2018, Yellow Card has been on a mission to make cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT Stablecoin accessible to everyone in Africa, regardless of their location or financial background.

The company's commitment to this vision is underscored by its impressive journey, as it rapidly expanded its services across the continent. Yellow Card now operates in 12 countries, boasting the largest geographical footprint on the African continent. With 110 employees in 16 countries, the company has experienced a nearly 30-fold increase in users across Africa since the start of the pandemic.

**Accessibility and Reliability**

One of Yellow Card's core strengths lies in its commitment to providing accessibility and reliability in the world of cryptocurrencies. As Africa continues to navigate economic uncertainties and inflation, the need for a stable and secure means of accessing digital assets has never been more significant.

Yellow Card's innovative approach allows users to purchase cryptocurrencies using various methods, including cash, mobile money, cards, and bank transfers. This flexibility ensures that anyone on the continent can buy, sell, spend, and store cryptocurrencies with ease. Yellow Card has established itself as a trusted and user-friendly platform, making cryptocurrencies a viable option for everyday financial transactions.

**A Trailblazing Fundraising Journey**

Yellow Card's impact on the African cryptocurrency landscape extends beyond its services. In 2022, the company announced a remarkable achievement—a Series B fundraising round that raised $40 million, bringing its total funds raised to over $50 million. This milestone marked the largest fundraising success by any African cryptocurrency company to date, reinforcing the importance of Yellow Card's mission.

**Support from Prominent Investors**

Yellow Card's journey has been paved with support from prominent investors and strategic partners. Its Series A round, which raised $15 million, was led by Valar Ventures, Third Prime, and Castle Island Ventures. The list of participants includes Square, Inc., Blockchain.com Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, Polychain Capital, BlockFi, Fabric Ventures, Raba Partnership, MoonPay, GreenHouse Capital, Audacity Fund, and many more.

Valar Ventures' James Fitzgerald emphasized the significance of Yellow Card's mission, stating, "Africa is poised to benefit tremendously from cryptocurrency's potential to transform financial services. We believe in Yellow Card's vision of a Pan-African cryptocurrency platform. What cemented the deal is their multinational team, which we believe has the local knowledge, technical expertise, and unequivocal passion to address the basic financial services needs of the continent."

**Africa's Crypto Potential**

Yellow Card's partnership with MoonPay comes at a crucial juncture in Africa's cryptocurrency journey. A recent report from Chainalysis listed six African nations in the top 20 on the Global Crypto Adoption Index, showcasing the continent's growing role in the global crypto landscape. Yellow Card aims to highlight Africa as a prominent region for crypto adoption, emphasizing its potential to thrive in the cryptocurrency industry.

**Unlocking New Possibilities**

As the partnership between Yellow Card and MoonPay unfolds, it promises to unlock new possibilities for Africans, providing accessible, reliable, and user-friendly cryptocurrency services. This collaboration is not just about trading digital assets; it's about empowering individuals, businesses, and communities with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy.

Yellow Card's journey is a testament to the transformative power of cryptocurrencies in Africa. With its unwavering commitment to financial inclusion and accessibility, Yellow Card is making strides in shaping the continent's financial future, one digital transaction at a time.

Yellow Card: Simplifying Cryptocurrency Access in Africa ( Championing Bitcoin for payment)


**Part 1: The Inaugural Africa Bitcoin Conference in 2022**

In December 2022, the vibrant city of Accra played host to an event that would set in motion a financial revolution across the African continent. It wasn't just any gathering; it was the inaugural Africa Bitcoin Conference, and at its helm was none other than Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, joined by other visionaries in the blockchain space. Their mission? To shed light on one of the most potentially disruptive forces reshaping Africa's financial landscape: Bitcoin.

As I eagerly prepare to attend the upcoming Africa Bitcoin Conference in December 2023, it's worth reflecting on the profound impact the first conference had on the continent.

![image](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GettyImages-937679220.jpg?w=1390&crop=1)

**Part 2: Bitcoin's Role in Empowering Africa**

In a continent where the majority of the population remains unbanked, national currencies often fail to serve as reliable stores of value. Remittances form a substantial portion of GDP, and international sanctions complicate economic connections. In this context, Bitcoin emerges as a lifeline, offering individuals a way to navigate the complex financial web without intermediaries' approval.

As I anticipate my participation in this year's conference, I'm reminded of Bitcoin's potential to empower those who have been marginalized by traditional financial systems.

"It doesn't matter if the price goes up or down because I can still use Bitcoin to move money around the world instantaneously," says Mike Brock, CEO of TBD at Block, a unit focused on cryptocurrency and decentralized finance. "There is a market for Bitcoin in every corner of the world today."

![image](https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/107213101-1679490554162-gettyimages-166894459-AFRICA_M-PESA.jpeg?v=1679838459&w=740&h=416&ffmt=webp&vtcrop=y)

**Part 3: Bitcoin's Transformation of Africa's Financial Landscape**

Moving money within Africa can be a costly and convoluted ordeal. Many areas have limited access to commercial banks, and digital banking options remain sparse. Coupled with rampant hyperinflation, governmental corruption, and strict capital controls, the traditional financial system appears increasingly disconnected from reality.

Ray Youssef, CEO of Paxful, points to the problem's root in Africa's quasi-colonial payment structure, with 80% of cross-border payments originating from African banks processed offshore. This reliance on foreign intermediaries translates to higher costs and lengthy processing times.

As I look forward to attending the Africa Bitcoin Conference this December, I can't help but feel excited about the potential for Bitcoin to reshape Africa's financial landscape.

Moreover, the introduction of the Bitcoin Lightning Network is set to revolutionize payments across the continent. This second layer solution promises near-instant transactions with minimal fees, making Bitcoin even more accessible and practical for everyday use.

In this evolving landscape, Bitcoin-focused companies like Qala and yellow card are rising to prominence and making significant strides. The recent acquisition of Qala signifies a growing interest and investment in Africa's Bitcoin ecosystem, further cementing its place as a financial force to be reckoned with.

Africa's $86 billion banking system is on the brink of transformation, and Bitcoin, with the Lightning Network in tow, stands at the forefront of this financial revolution. As I prepare to attend the conference, I am excited about the opportunity to witness firsthand the evolution of Bitcoin adoption in Africa, and to contribute to shaping the continent's financial future.

Bitcoin's Rise in Africa and the Promise of Lightning Network