Blockchain & Web3 Weekly Bytes Edition #63

📈 Bitcoin Hits $100K, Meta Eyes Stablecoins, Cross-Chain Gets Real

May 10, 2025

Hello Blockchain Enthusiast,

Welcome to Edition #63 of Blockchain & Web3 Weekly Bytes! Bitcoin crossed $100,000 for the first time since February. New Hampshire passed a bill to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve—something other U.S. states are now considering. And Meta is exploring stablecoins again, this time to cut cross-border payment costs.

Tech Spotlight: Cross-chain interoperability is no longer a wish list item. Bridges, messaging layers, and modular standards are stitching Web3 networks together—with real apps and real usage.
Weekly Highlights: Coinbase opens 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, banks get the go-ahead to outsource crypto custody, and Sweat taps AI to pair walking with token rewards.
Affiliate Spotlight: 101 Blockchains remains one of the most trusted resources for learning blockchain frameworks—certifications, toolkits, and deep-dive courses, all under one roof.
Chart of the Week: Retail traders pushed Bitcoin past $100K, but rising greed metrics hint that short-term froth may need a breather.

🧠 Weekly Trivia

Which country is actively piloting a blockchain-based electronic voting system that uses zero-knowledge proofs to enhance privacy and trust?

A) Estonia
B) Brazil
C) South Korea
D) France

*Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

🌟 Tech Spotlight – Cross-Chain Interoperability

Blockchains began as closed systems. Each with its own rules, tokens, and logic. That’s changing.

Some of the most active projects today are building the rails for blockchains to exchange value and data without relying on trusted middle layers.

– Polkadot’s XCM lets parachains communicate through shared consensus, skipping external bridges and simplifying transfers between apps and tokens.

– Canton Network, supported by firms like Goldman Sachs and Microsoft, connects finance-focused chains. Each participant runs its ledger, while synchronized settlement keeps everything aligned.

– Mastercard’s Multi-Token Network is testing a common layer for handling tokenized money—covering stablecoins, CBDCs, and bank-issued digital assets across different chains.

These efforts do not use a single standard or architecture. What connects them is the focus on compatibility, coordination, and security without defaulting to central control.

📰 This Week’s Blockchain and Web3 Highlights

New Hampshire Establishes Bitcoin Reserve: Governor Kelly Ayotte signs HB 302, allowing up to 5% of public funds to be invested in Bitcoin and precious metals, marking the first state-level crypto reserve in the U.S.

Bitcoin Surpasses $100,000: Bitcoin crosses the $100K threshold for the first time since February, buoyed by renewed investor confidence and easing trade tensions.

Meta Explores Stablecoin Payments: Meta is reportedly considering the use of stablecoins to reduce payment costs, signaling a renewed interest in blockchain-based financial solutions.

OCC Clarifies Crypto Custody for Banks: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency confirms that national banks can manage and outsource crypto asset services, providing clearer regulatory guidance.

Sweat Wallet Introduces AI Agent 'Mia': The move-to-earn app launches an AI assistant to help users manage crypto rewards across multiple chains, enhancing user engagement and accessibility.

Coinbase Launches 24/7 Futures Trading: Following its acquisition of Deribit, Coinbase now offers around-the-clock Bitcoin and Ethereum futures trading, catering to the growing demand for continuous market access.

T-Rex Secures $17M in Pre-Seed Funding: Web3 platform T-Rex raises significant capital to develop a system that rewards users with cryptocurrency for engaging with online content.

😂 A Little Blockchain Humor Break 🤣

Source: Bitwise

📊 Chart of the Week: Bitcoin Breaks $100K, Greed Floods the Feed

After three months below the mark, Bitcoin just crossed $100,000 again, fueled by a wave of retail hype and social chatter tracked by Santiment.

🟦 On May 5, fear-fueled posts were dominant, and Bitcoin climbed.
🟥 By May 8, the volume of “higher” calls flipped—greed spiked, and analysts flagged a cooling window.

Whether this rally keeps running or takes a breather, one thing is clear: sentiment is back in charge.

Source: Cointelegraph

This edition, Bitcoin pushed past $100K, New Hampshire took the first legislative step toward a Bitcoin reserve, and Meta circled back to stablecoins. The OCC widened the lane for U.S. banks to handle crypto, and Coinbase lit up 24/7 futures trading just one day after snapping up Deribit.

🎯 Trivia Answer: ✅ C) South Korea

Zkrypto’s zkVoting system—approved for pilots in South Korea—uses zero-knowledge proofs to keep ballots anonymous and verifiable.

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Until next Saturday.

Thank you,
Ajay Tomar

Disclaimer:

Content in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, tax, or legal advice. Always do your research and consult with a professional before making financial decisions. As a solopreneur, I may earn commissions from affiliate links in this newsletter at no extra cost to you. This support helps me bring you valuable content. I only endorse products I trust and believe could benefit you.