Sup, nerds!

Here’s what you’re getting in today’s edition:

• 💅 This is cool: A Wild Venture Capitalist Appears!

• 🔎 This seems important: SBF gets 25 years in prison!

• 🤝 Partner: Have a Web3 company? You might want to read this…​

• 🔪 Let's dissect this: Crypto folk are generous!

Terms used in this edition (click for an explanation, or ask Web(GPT)3!):
Bear Market, Web3.

💅 This is cool:

A Wild Venture Capitalist Appears!

In one sentence: VC money is coming back to crypto, after the 6+ months of market growth (this is a sign of good health for the broader crypto ecosystem).

…you smell that?

That’s Santal 33.

And…wait, what’s that…

Do you see those figures emerging from the bear market fog?

The ones clad in Patagonia sweater-vests, throwing money at anyone that mutters the words "intersection of AI and cryptocurrency."

That’s right, VC’s are back in crypto baby!

In January alone, there were 176 venture investments made in Web3 companies, for a combined total of $754M.

Why the triumphant return? Simple: cause prices went back up.

And as annoying as it is to see the broader venture capital industry rushing back into crypto, after dropping it like a hot potato in 2022…

This is actually a great thing!

Just like wolves returning to Yellowstone National Park, VC’s returning to crypto is a sign that the ecosystem is healing.

They come bearing money, legitimacy, and connections.

Which is great for all businesses (crypto or not).

🥇 Want the news before anyone else?

🔎 This seems important:

SBF Gets 25 Years in Prison!

In one sentence: SBF got sentenced to 25 years in prison for securities fraud conspiracy, which sits between the defense’s requested 6.5 years and the prosecution’s 40-50 years.

So SBF got sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Which felt like the judge was trying to find a sweet spot between the defense’s recommended 6.5 years (HA! Can you imagine?), and the prosecution’s proposed 40-50 year sentence.

That said, it still feels kinda light, given that:

1. The judge didn’t seem to like Sam’s testimony, at all.

2. This wasn’t a ‘whoops, I messed up’ situation like the defense tried to make it seem - Sam willingly stole $8B from FTX customers.

3. Madoff got 150 years for running his scheme.

(But hey, alls well that ends with SBF doing time for his crime).

We’re assuming everyone here is happy too? Cause this sentencing beat your collective expectations:

P.S. Shout out to Wade. S for his guess of 10-20 years, and the comment:

“Long enough to be in prison for a crime, short enough that his crazy story will have a part 2”

…we’re not sure we’re ready for a part 2 though.

🤝 Partner:

Have a Web3 Company? You Might Want To Read This…

What do these three quotes have in common?

1. “Their team has the most proficient and knowledgeable security experts I know in the [Web3] space.”
   

2. “[They] came back with workable exploits and improvement suggestions in record time.”
   

3. “I can’t recommend this team highly enough for crypto specific security audits.”

They’re all real quotes from past clients of Coinspect. 

It’s hard to stress the importance of security audits in the Web3 space enough – one vulnerability can literally break your company!

And the scary thing is, you won’t even know they exist…until it’s too late.

(It’s enough to lose sleep over!)

Good news is: an audit from Coinspect can help identify and patch those vulnerabilities.

If you have a Web3 company and you’re yet to have an external team do a tailored security audit on your systems, reach out to the Coinspect team today.

They’ll create a customized audit that works specifically for your needs.

Ready to start sleeping better? Hit the big red button 👇

🔪 Let's dissect this:

Crypto Folk Are Generous! (And Also Love Tax Breaks)

In one sentence: Charities have used The Giving Block platform to collect a cool $2B+ of crypto donations, in 2024 alone!

We love ending our week with some feel-good-news…

Top US charities are accepting cryptocurrency for donations and are finding major success!

It may seem off kilter to mix charity and crypto - but it's been working out splendidly:

Most charities accept stock donations, just as they would take cash. But! The process is pretty manual: 

Someone donates stock → the charity accepts it → manually sells it → waits for cash → gets cash → manually adds gift & donor into their CRM platforms. 

Sounds exhausting. 

But! In 2018, The Giving Block was founded, which made it easier to accept crypto as a donation, than it is to accept stocks. 

And, like we said, it’s panning out pretty darn well. 

Charities can accept crypto payments and have them automatically convert into US dollar equivalents (no tedious manual processes, no paperwork).

And since The Giving Block’s founding, 56% of top charities have integrated it — using the platform to collect a cool $2B+ of crypto donations, in 2024 alone!

We love to see it!

The Easiest Way to Convert Cash Into Crypto [partner]

MoonPay offers a fast and simple way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, allowing you to buy crypto with your credit card, bank transfer or even Apple Pay!

If you want a seamless, hands off fiat-to-crypto conversion & payment experience: Click this link to buy crypto right away; or look for the MoonPay logo within your chosen crypto app!

RUIN: Money, Ego and Deception at FTX