Buenos Aires’ blockchain IDs & how crypto is reshaping media

gm 👋

After eight months of wrongful detention, Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan has been released from a Nigerian prison following the government's decision to drop money laundering charges amid mounting health issues and diplomatic pressure.

TL;DR

Buenos Aires rolls out blockchain IDs for 3.6 million citizens: QuarkID lets residents securely manage documents like birth certificates via blockchain.

How blockchain is changing media and entertainment: Blockchain boosts transparency, direct payments, and cuts out middlemen for creators.

Crypto betting platform predicts Trump win: Polymarket bettors give Trump 64% odds, sparking debate over real sentiment vs. manipulation.

Presented by Decent.xyz

💸 Accept any crypto, boost revenue—meet decent

Instant cross-chain swaps and transactions with one API. Decent’s no-code tools make crypto payments easy for apps and chains. Get up and running in minutes, track revenue in real-time, and offer the best UX in crypto.

🚀 Start building today with Decent

Buenos Aires rolls out blockchain IDs for 3.6 million citizens

Why it matters: Buenos Aires is leading the charge in digital transformation with QuarkID, a decentralized identity system using blockchain technology. This government-backed initiative offers 3.6 million citizens a new way to securely manage personal documents, like birth certificates and tax records, through cryptographic protections that safeguard privacy.

The big picture: Powered by zero-knowledge cryptography on the Ethereum-based ZKsync Era, QuarkID integrates into the city’s miBA mobile app, giving citizens control over their digital identity. It replaces traditional username-based systems with cryptographic keys, boosting security and privacy.

Yes, but: While testing has been successful, full adoption beyond Buenos Aires, including other provinces and potentially Uruguay, is still in its early stages. Expanding the system to include documents like driver’s licenses will be key to its broader use.

What’s next: As QuarkID scales, it could set a new standard for digital identity in Latin America, cutting government costs and reducing identity theft risks. Other cities and nations will be watching to see if Buenos Aires' blockchain-based approach can be a blueprint for their own digital transitions.

How blockchain is changing media and entertainment

Blockchain and crypto are transforming media by streamlining payments, boosting transparency, and cutting out middlemen. It’s empowering creators and revolutionizing content distribution.

Why it matters: The entertainment market is set to hit $3.4 trillion by 2028. Blockchain’s decentralized nature can accelerate growth, giving creators more control and audiences better access.

Key benefits:

1. Transparency: Blockchain offers secure, public transaction records, reducing fraud.

2. Decentralization: Direct creator-audience connections remove middlemen.

3. Smart contracts: Automatic payments ensure creators get paid instantly.

Real-world use cases:

• Digital Rights Management: Full ownership and protection of digital assets.

• Streaming and distribution: Platforms like Audius let users pay creators directly.

• Micropayments: Small, seamless payments for individual content pieces.

The future: As blockchain adoption grows, it’s reshaping how we create, distribute, and consume media, promising more control for creators and more choice for consumers.

The crypto betting platform predicting a Trump win

Polymarket, a crypto-based betting platform, has seen a surge in pro-Trump election bets, sparking questions about whether the market reflects real sentiment or manipulation. While national polls show Trump trailing, Polymarket bettors now give him a 64% chance of victory. Is this spike the result of market forces or a few big-money players skewing the odds?

Why It Matters: Platforms like Polymarket are increasingly cited alongside traditional polls, influencing perceptions of the election. With $2 billion in wagers on the 2024 election, these predictions are hard to ignore.

The Backstory: The surge in Trump bets began in June, driven by a mysterious high-roller known as "Fredi9999," who poured millions into pro-Trump wagers. While the site's founder, Shayne Coplan, insists this reflects market dynamics, others speculate it could be an attempt to manipulate public sentiment.

The Bigger Picture: While Polymarket's odds have caught attention, its user base remains small and niche, mostly crypto-savvy, non-American bettors. With regulatory hurdles in the U.S. and a limited user base, its predictive power may not be as reliable as it seems.

Will crypto bettors shape the 2024 election narrative? Only time will tell.

News ☕️

💰 Stripe has announced a $1.1 billion acquisition of stablecoin start-up Bridge, expanding its services to include blockchain-based international payments.

🔐 Chirag Tomar, who stole over $20 million by spoofing Coinbase, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after using the funds for luxury cars and lavish vacations.

💸 Azura, a DeFi platform founded by 21-year-old Jackson Denka, launched with $6.9 million from Initialized to streamline decentralized finance.

🔻 The crypto market is taking a hit, with Bitcoin dropping over 2.5% to $65,000, mirroring the broader stock market's downturn, while major altcoins like Ether and Cardano also face significant losses.

WEB3 NOTES

Read: HBO doc reveals Bitcoin creator is Peter Todd—that’s wrong but ‘Money Electric’ is still a good watch (Fortune)

Listen: Anthony Georgiades on the Intersection of AI, Web3, and the Future of NFTs (cryptonews)