Episode Details

11th Feb: Blockchain DXB Podcast

🟢Tether.io USDT on Lightning Network 🟠Bitcoin Difficulty 🚀Brazilian Stock Exchange - SOL + ETH options ❗Tron - $26B illicit volumes last year

🟢Tether has integrated USDt into Bitcoin’s base layer and Lightning Network using Taproot Assets by Lightning Labs, enabling fast, low-cost transactions while maintaining Bitcoin’s security and decentralization. Announced at the Plan ₿ Forum in El Salvador, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and Lightning Labs CEO Elizabeth Stark highlighted its potential for remittances, microtransactions, and global payments, strengthening Bitcoin’s financial ecosystem. Info here https://shorturl.at/zZ1w9

Check out the Blockchain DXB episode for today we share our commentary on this. We discuss how Integrating USDt into Bitcoin’s Lightning Network offers several key benefits such as :

- Faster, Cheaper Transactions

- Bitcoin’s Security & Decentralization

- Enhanced Bitcoin Ecosystem

- Microtransactions & Remittances

- Increased Adoption

- Taproot Assets Innovation

🚀 Bitcoin Difficulty Hits Record 114.7T Amid Rising Hash Rate

- Bitcoin’s mining difficulty surged 5.6% to 114.7T, driven by a record-high hash rate on Feb. 4. Difficulty adjusts every 2,016 blocks to maintain 10-minute block times, making mining more competitive. As the difficulty rises, operational costs increase, pressuring miners. Riot Platforms, Inc. was the only major public miner to report production growth in January. 

🚨 Brazil’s B3 Stock Exchange plans to launch Solana and Ether futures this year, expanding its crypto offerings. With $860M monthly in Bitcoin futures trading, demand for more crypto derivatives is growing. B3 may also introduce Bitcoin options, attracting institutional investors. Info here https://shorturl.at/Om4WU

- Felipe Gonçalves, superintendent of Interest and Currency Products at B3. said Just as the bitcoin futures contract was a market demand, the Ethereum futures contract is also a demand,”

🟣 TRM Labs report states over half of the illicit crypto activity in 2024 was on Tron

- Tron hosted more than $26 billion in illicit volumes last year, TRM Labs reported. Of the $45 billion in total illicit volumes recorded in 2024, Tron made up over $26 billion, followed by the Ethereum and Bitcoin networks. Info via DLNews here https://shorturl.at/92gPU 

❗The 2025 Crypto Crime Report can be found here https://shorturl.at/djyH8 Some key findings:

- Illicit crypto volume declined

- Sanctioned entities remain the largest drivers of illicit volume (33%)

- Ransomware reached record highs (5,635 publicly reported incidents)

- Crypto-based terrorist financing expanded

- USD 2.2 billion was stolen in crypto-related hacks

🟠Two UAE news

⚡ G42 & AMD to enable AI innovation in France through strategic investments

⚡ The Ministry of Interior UAE and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority [VARA] Authority (VARA) have signed a MOU to step up collaboration in combating financial crimes related to virtual assets.

For slides click here: