Crypto weekly is authored by maaria

PRICE CHANGE: WTD/YTD
- BTC ($8,663): -7% / -35%
- ETH ($732): -3% / +1%
- LTC ($145): -13% / -34%
- XRP ($0.74): -10% / -62%

Found an awesome graphic posted by @cryptokitaLink. that shows the market evolution of the crypto market since January 2017. Bitcoin and Ethereum have maintained their market dominance fairly consistently, though BCH and XRP experienced some significant moves in the beginning of 2018. The entire thing is 1:25. Watch it hereLink.

THIS WEEK IN CRYPTO
- Ethereum releases new consensus code for review, as it moves one step closer to its planned transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. This code is a partial move towards full proof-of-stake consensus, introducing a hybrid system that combines proof-of-work and proof-of-stake. The change would eventually require an Ethereum hard fork. Link.

- Civic, the identity verification blockchain startup, announced it would unveil the world’s first ‘crypto beer vending machine’ at CoinDesk’s Consensus 2018 conference next week. The prototype, developed in partnership with Anheuser-Busch, will allow any conference attendee to walk up to the machine with their Civic app, verify their legal age, and purchase beer. The demo provides a glimpse of the range of devices and services that could connect to Civic’s identity marketplace, which is expected to launch in Q3. Link.

- Robinhood raises $363 million in Series D funding at a $5.6 billion valuation to expand its crypto trading platform, ‘Robinhood Crypto’, across the US. Over 4 million users have opened brokerage accounts with Robinhood since it launched the crypto-specific platform, which is currently available in 10 states. Co-CEO Baiju Beat said the company plans to offer “trading in 16 different cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, Ethereum, ripple, and zcash”. Link.

- Decentralized web developer Blockstack announces it will invest $1 million to fund decentralized social networks projects build on top of Blockstack. The initiative is intended to incentivize developers to build alternatives to major social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and has recommended that developers include features like uncensorable microblogs and community-curated blocklists. Link.

- Rapper Mims has co-founded a project called RecordGram, which uses a token called “tune” to manage artists’ digital rights and automatically track royalties. RecordGram features also allow members to create and store notes or audio clips, as well as listen to materials shared by other musicians. Link.

- CryptoKitties, the dApp that allows users to breed and exchange collectible digital cats, partners with Stephen Curry to launch the first-ever celebrity-branded CryptoKitty (nicknamed “Steph Fur Three”). CryptoKitties gained 1.5 million users and conducted more than $40 million in transaction since March. Link.

- Hollywood producer Andrea Iervolino is launching a new blockchain platform called TaTaTu, which aims to bring a social, crypto economy to the entertainment industry. The platform allows users to get rewarded for the content they watch and share with others through the use of crypto tokens. The TaTaTu token can also be used by advertisers to run their ads on the platform and organizations can earn tokens by uploading content to the platform. TaTaTu plans to share advertising revenue with users. Link.

- Facebook is reportedly planning to launch its own cryptocurrency specifically focused on facilitating payments on the platform. Link.

- Huobi, one of the largest digital currency trading platforms and exchanges, is launching a $1 billion fund for Chinese blockchain companies. In addition to capital, Huobi expects to provide startups technical and strategic support. Link.

- Bitmain announced an ASIC targeted at Zcash last week and already the Zcash Foundation has announced that it will make maintaining ASIC resistance an “immediate technical” priority. Pending community approval, the upgrade will be deployed in late 2018; the ASICs are expected to hit the market in June. Link.

- SparkLabs introduces a security token aimed to democratize investment opportunities by allowing anyone to buy into two of their accelerator programs via the token. The firm wants to raise at least $6 million from the token, but can raise up to $30 million. The company is primarily targeting non-US based investors but the token is open to accredited investors in the US. Link.

- Bloomberg launches a cryptocurrency index with Galaxy Digital Capital Management, a digital assets merchant bank founded by ex-Fortress manager Mike Novogratz. The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index (BGCI) that will track the performance of the largest, most liquid cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, Ethereum, Ethereum classic, monero, XRP, zcash and others. Novogratz told investors at a conference that crypto is the ‘people’s revolution’. Link.

- South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, UPbit, was raided by prosecutors on Friday on allegations of fraud. UPbit is suspected of selling cryptocurrency to customers that it did not actually hold. Link.

- Facebook forms a new blockchain group to be led by David Marcus, the previous head of Messenger and Coinbase board member. One of the most obvious applications could be encrypted data storage. Link.