Top Story: a16z crypto published a list 7 Big Ideas for 2025. Pay special attention to stablecoins this year !!! Check out the story here.

Blockchain Start-up of the week:

Hypernative: Hypernative is a cybersecurity company specializing in real-time threat detection and prevention for Web3 platforms, including digital assets, protocols, and decentralized applications. Their platform monitors both on-chain and off-chain data sources using advanced machine learning models to identify and mitigate risks such as cyber threats, economic vulnerabilities, governance issues, and community-related dangers. Here is our detailed article on it.

The Week in Crypto:

a. MicroStrategy Buys 1,070 BTC, Plans to Raise Up to $2B Through Preferred Stock Offering. Check out the story here.

b. Why a U.S. Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Is Critical to Fending Off China. Check out the story here.

c. Members of US Congress backed by crypto PACs to take office on Jan. 3. Check out the story here.

d. IRS issues temporary relief on crypto cost-basis method changes. Check out the story here.

Crypto 101:

What is Layer 2?

A Layer 2 is a secondary framework or protocol built on top of a Layer 1 blockchain (like Ethereum, Bitcoin, etc.) to improve scalability, speed, and efficiency while retaining the security and decentralization of the main blockchain.

Think of Layer 1 as a busy highway that gets congested during peak hours. Layer 2 is like a side road or express lane that handles some of the traffic, allowing the main highway to flow more smoothly.

Transactions happen on Layer 2, and the final results are sent back to Layer 1 for security and verification. This approach keeps the system secure while improving speed and reducing costs.

Local Spotlight: Berkeley and Bay Area Scene

Upcoming Events:

a. January 13: CryptoMondays

b. January 12: Bitcoin Meetup

c. Sign up for Openledger’s ideAIthon here.

Reading suggestion: Animal Farm | George Orwell

Opportunities in Blockchain:

Full-Time roles:

a. Senior Software Engineer at Braintrust

b. Head of Payment at Morph

c. Business Development Manager at Starkware

d. Senior Sales Manager, Crypto Natives, Europe at Ripple

e. Engineering Manager - Prime at BitGo

Internships:

a. Data Science Intern at Coinbase

b. Intern-Marketing at Sahara AI

Funding rounds:

a. Fold, Inc. Announces Up To $30 Million Convertible Note Financing

backed by Bitcoin. Check out the story here

b. BIO Protocol Kicks Off 2025 With $64.4m Public Sale. Check out the story

here

Stay Connected.

Twitter: @cesium77

Telegram: @karan_curry, @riadokania

Email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Fun Fact:

Layer 2 scaling once reduced transaction fees to fractions of a penny for sending ETH—cheaper than mailing a postcard! 📨✨

When using Layer 2 solutions like zk-Rollups or Optimistic Rollups, the cost of sending Ethereum can drop to less than $0.01, compared to the much higher fees on Layer 1.

For comparison, sending a postcard in the U.S. costs $0.51, making Layer 2 not only faster but also way cheaper for transactions. Who needs stamps when you have Layer 2? 😄