Next-Gen Betting Platform Bluff Raises $21M Led by 1kx
Bluff has raised $21M in a funding round led by 1kx, with participation from Makers Fund, GCR, MFV, JPEG Trading, and angel investors from Azuki, CoinGecko, and Mask Network.
Bluff is building a social-first betting platform and sportsbook, focused on speed, transparency, and player alignment, featuring instant onboarding, real-time settlement, provably fair games, and ecosystem-based rewards.
ℹ️ Early Traction (Pre-Release)
- 600,000+ sign-ups
- Tens of thousands of daily active users
- 125M+ bets processed in 3 months via beta
ℹ️ Product & Vision
- Unified platform combining sports betting, prediction markets, and binary outcomes
- Creator-led community events and social gameplay
- VIP matching program for users migrating from Stake, Rollbit, and Shuffle
ℹ️ Team
- Former senior executives from Stake, Bet365, William Hill, and Bodog
- Decades of experience operating top global betting platforms
The funding positions Bluff as one of the fastest-scaling new betting platforms, with expansion planned across gaming, prediction markets, and community-driven experiences.
👉 decrypt.co/356760/bluff-raises-21-million-to-power-betting-innovation
Bluff has raised $21M in a funding round led by 1kx, with participation from Makers Fund, GCR, MFV, JPEG Trading, and angel investors from Azuki, CoinGecko, and Mask Network.
Bluff is building a social-first betting platform and sportsbook, focused on speed, transparency, and player alignment, featuring instant onboarding, real-time settlement, provably fair games, and ecosystem-based rewards.
ℹ️ Early Traction (Pre-Release)
- 600,000+ sign-ups
- Tens of thousands of daily active users
- 125M+ bets processed in 3 months via beta
ℹ️ Product & Vision
- Unified platform combining sports betting, prediction markets, and binary outcomes
- Creator-led community events and social gameplay
- VIP matching program for users migrating from Stake, Rollbit, and Shuffle
ℹ️ Team
- Former senior executives from Stake, Bet365, William Hill, and Bodog
- Decades of experience operating top global betting platforms
The funding positions Bluff as one of the fastest-scaling new betting platforms, with expansion planned across gaming, prediction markets, and community-driven experiences.
👉 decrypt.co/356760/bluff-raises-21-million-to-power-betting-innovation
Chronicle Of January 29–30. The Onset of the Market Correction
January 29–30 marked one of the fastest market drawdowns in recent memory, wiping out nearly $10 trillion in global value in just two days.
⏪ January 29 — Microsoft Earnings Spark Risk-Off
Microsoft’s earnings showed AI returns are taking longer to materialize amid rising competition. As a Nasdaq heavyweight, MSFT’s sell-off triggered broad equity de-risking. Investors moved quickly, selling assets where liquidity was deepest — including precious metals, despite their recent strong performance.
⏪ January 30 — Fed Appointment Shifts Inflation Expectations
The announcement of Kevin Warsh as new Fed Chair eased fears of uncontrolled money printing. Markets quickly repriced expectations for monetary policy, reducing demand for inflation hedges. Metals and derivatives faced cascading position closures.
🔤 Market Impact
- Equities: Broad declines across Western markets
- Precious metals: One of the sharpest drops on record
- Crypto: $2.5B+ in liquidations amid macro pressure
January 29–30 marked one of the fastest market drawdowns in recent memory, wiping out nearly $10 trillion in global value in just two days.
⏪ January 29 — Microsoft Earnings Spark Risk-Off
Microsoft’s earnings showed AI returns are taking longer to materialize amid rising competition. As a Nasdaq heavyweight, MSFT’s sell-off triggered broad equity de-risking. Investors moved quickly, selling assets where liquidity was deepest — including precious metals, despite their recent strong performance.
⏪ January 30 — Fed Appointment Shifts Inflation Expectations
The announcement of Kevin Warsh as new Fed Chair eased fears of uncontrolled money printing. Markets quickly repriced expectations for monetary policy, reducing demand for inflation hedges. Metals and derivatives faced cascading position closures.
🔤 Market Impact
- Equities: Broad declines across Western markets
- Precious metals: One of the sharpest drops on record
- Crypto: $2.5B+ in liquidations amid macro pressure
Warden (WARD) will hold its listing today, at 12:00 UTC
Warden is a Layer 1 designed for intelligent applications, combining AI-powered frontends with blockchain-secured backends. It enables adaptive decision-making while ensuring data integrity, decentralization, and automated on-chain execution.
👉 x.com/wardenprotocol/status/2018915610076282931?s=20
Warden is a Layer 1 designed for intelligent applications, combining AI-powered frontends with blockchain-secured backends. It enables adaptive decision-making while ensuring data integrity, decentralization, and automated on-chain execution.
👉 x.com/wardenprotocol/status/2018915610076282931?s=20
Y Combinator will let founders receive funds in stablecoins
Y Combinator will allow founders in its upcoming spring cohort to opt into receiving their standard funding allocation, around $500,000, in Circle-issued USDC.
The option will support multiple blockchains, including Ethereum and Solana, with potential expansion to other stablecoins depending on demand.
👉 x.com/ycombinator/status/2018701008986370333?s=20
Y Combinator will allow founders in its upcoming spring cohort to opt into receiving their standard funding allocation, around $500,000, in Circle-issued USDC.
The option will support multiple blockchains, including Ethereum and Solana, with potential expansion to other stablecoins depending on demand.
👉 x.com/ycombinator/status/2018701008986370333?s=20
Crypto сom Launches “OG”, a new prediction market
The CFTC-regulated prediction market operates under full U.S. regulatory compliance and plans to introduce advanced features such as margin trading and regulated sports event contracts offerings.
👉 x.com/cryptocom/status/2018711371961995430?s=20
The CFTC-regulated prediction market operates under full U.S. regulatory compliance and plans to introduce advanced features such as margin trading and regulated sports event contracts offerings.
👉 x.com/cryptocom/status/2018711371961995430?s=20
MetaMask unveils RWA Hub in collaboration with Ondo
The collaboration enables trading of tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs directly within MetaMask. More than 200 RWAs will be available via MetaMask Swaps on mobile, allowing users worldwide to buy and sell tokenized assets 24/5.
👉 x.com/MetaMask/status/2018705483800903843?s=20
The collaboration enables trading of tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs directly within MetaMask. More than 200 RWAs will be available via MetaMask Swaps on mobile, allowing users worldwide to buy and sell tokenized assets 24/5.
👉 x.com/MetaMask/status/2018705483800903843?s=20
Bitwise to acquire crypto staking provider Chorus One
The deal allows Bitwise to vertically integrate staking services alongside its asset management products as demand for yield-bearing crypto exposure grows. The move reflects growing consolidation across crypto infrastructure as asset managers seek tighter control over yield-generating services.
👉 bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/bitwise-asset-management-to-buy-crypto-staking-firm-chorus-one
The deal allows Bitwise to vertically integrate staking services alongside its asset management products as demand for yield-bearing crypto exposure grows. The move reflects growing consolidation across crypto infrastructure as asset managers seek tighter control over yield-generating services.
👉 bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/bitwise-asset-management-to-buy-crypto-staking-firm-chorus-one
Capital Rotation in 2026: Chains by Capital Outflow
As the broader crypto market sold off, capital rotation accelerated across major chains in 2026. Net outflows reflect de-risking behavior rather than chain-specific failures, mirroring price declines across assets.
As the broader crypto market sold off, capital rotation accelerated across major chains in 2026. Net outflows reflect de-risking behavior rather than chain-specific failures, mirroring price declines across assets.
Opinion Labs Raises $20M Pre-Series A Led by Hack VC & Jump Crypto
Opinion Labs, a blockchain-based prediction market platform, raised $20M in a Pre-Series A round led by Hack VC and Jump Crypto, with participation from Primitive Ventures and Decasonic.
The platform operates fully onchain-settled prediction markets, positioning closer to Polymarket than centralized platforms like Kalshi.
ℹ️ Key Metrics
- 33% of global prediction market volume
- $130M+ in open interest (Dune Analytics)
- $7–10B in monthly global prediction market volume
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/04/opinion-raises-usd20-million
Opinion Labs, a blockchain-based prediction market platform, raised $20M in a Pre-Series A round led by Hack VC and Jump Crypto, with participation from Primitive Ventures and Decasonic.
The platform operates fully onchain-settled prediction markets, positioning closer to Polymarket than centralized platforms like Kalshi.
ℹ️ Key Metrics
- 33% of global prediction market volume
- $130M+ in open interest (Dune Analytics)
- $7–10B in monthly global prediction market volume
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/04/opinion-raises-usd20-million
Aave Labs exits Avara brand to focus on DeFi
Aave Labs is shutting down the Avara umbrella brand and non-lending initiatives, including the Family wallet, to focus on DeFi and the lending protocol amid tensions with the Aave DAO over control.
Previously, Aave took a similar approach by handing over execution of the Lens network’s consumer products to Mask Network, limiting its role in product operations.
👉 x.com/TheBlock__/status/2018854243713573032?s=20
Aave Labs is shutting down the Avara umbrella brand and non-lending initiatives, including the Family wallet, to focus on DeFi and the lending protocol amid tensions with the Aave DAO over control.
Previously, Aave took a similar approach by handing over execution of the Lens network’s consumer products to Mask Network, limiting its role in product operations.
👉 x.com/TheBlock__/status/2018854243713573032?s=20
Kaito Prepares to Open Kaito Studio Waitlist Later This Week
Kaito announced it will open the Kaito Studio waitlist later this week, marking its next phase following the wind-down of its InfoFi business and a strategic reset of X algorithms by Nikita Bier, X product lead.
The platform will launch on X first, with expansion to other platforms planned, aiming to offer creators higher-quality opportunities and performance-based rewards.
👉 x.com/KaitoAI/status/2019010382476578999?s=20
Kaito announced it will open the Kaito Studio waitlist later this week, marking its next phase following the wind-down of its InfoFi business and a strategic reset of X algorithms by Nikita Bier, X product lead.
Kaito Studio introduces a curated, invite-based creator–brand matchmaking model, combining on-chain verification and social data to bring transparency to the crypto attention economy
The platform will launch on X first, with expansion to other platforms planned, aiming to offer creators higher-quality opportunities and performance-based rewards.
👉 x.com/KaitoAI/status/2019010382476578999?s=20
ElevenLabs Announces $500M Series D Round At $11B Valuation
AI voice startup ElevenLabs secured $500M in Series D funding at an $11B valuation, led by Sequoia, with a16z quadrupling down and ICONIQ tripling down.
ℹ️ Key Metrics
- $330M+ ARR projected by end-2025
- 400+ employees
- Enterprise clients: Deutsche Telekom, Square, Deliveroo, Revolut, and the Ukrainian government
🔤 Product & Tech
- ElevenAgents: enterprise conversational AI for CX, sales, and internal ops
- New emotion-aware, faster conversational model (alpha live)
- Core research across text-to-speech, speech-to-text, dubbing, music, and agents
ℹ️ Investors
- Lead: Sequoia
- Follow-on: a16z, ICONIQ
- New: Lightspeed, BOND, Evantic Capital
- Continued backing from BroadLight, NFDG, Valor, AMP Coalition, Smash Capital
ElevenLabs is positioning itself as foundational AI voice infrastructure, scaling enterprise adoption while moving toward IPO readiness.
👉 x.com/elevenlabsio/status/2019048384011854087?s=20
AI voice startup ElevenLabs secured $500M in Series D funding at an $11B valuation, led by Sequoia, with a16z quadrupling down and ICONIQ tripling down.
ℹ️ Key Metrics
- $330M+ ARR projected by end-2025
- 400+ employees
- Enterprise clients: Deutsche Telekom, Square, Deliveroo, Revolut, and the Ukrainian government
🔤 Product & Tech
- ElevenAgents: enterprise conversational AI for CX, sales, and internal ops
- New emotion-aware, faster conversational model (alpha live)
- Core research across text-to-speech, speech-to-text, dubbing, music, and agents
ℹ️ Investors
- Lead: Sequoia
- Follow-on: a16z, ICONIQ
- New: Lightspeed, BOND, Evantic Capital
- Continued backing from BroadLight, NFDG, Valor, AMP Coalition, Smash Capital
ElevenLabs is positioning itself as foundational AI voice infrastructure, scaling enterprise adoption while moving toward IPO readiness.
👉 x.com/elevenlabsio/status/2019048384011854087?s=20
Coinbase has announced multiple new token listings
A new set of assets — Aztec (AZTEC), Espresso (ESP), Rainbow (RNBW), and RaveDAO (RAVE) — span privacy tech, developer infrastructure, and onchain UX.
👉 x.com/CoinbaseMarkets/status/2019171512817766437
A new set of assets — Aztec (AZTEC), Espresso (ESP), Rainbow (RNBW), and RaveDAO (RAVE) — span privacy tech, developer infrastructure, and onchain UX.
👉 x.com/CoinbaseMarkets/status/2019171512817766437
CME Group is eyeing to launch its own 'CME Coin'
CME Group is exploring the launch of a proprietary digital asset, tentatively dubbed a “CME Coin,” according to CEO comments. The token would aim to streamline collateral, settlement, and payments across CME’s financial infrastructure.
ℹ️ Key CME Group Facts
• World’s largest derivatives marketplace
• Operates major exchanges including CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX
• Core markets: futures, options, rates, FX, equities, energy, metals, and crypto derivatives
• Publicly listed on NASDAQ (CME) and considered systemically important financial infrastructure
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/04/wall-street-giant-cme-group-is-eyeing-its-own-cme-coin-ceo-says
CME Group is exploring the launch of a proprietary digital asset, tentatively dubbed a “CME Coin,” according to CEO comments. The token would aim to streamline collateral, settlement, and payments across CME’s financial infrastructure.
ℹ️ Key CME Group Facts
• World’s largest derivatives marketplace
• Operates major exchanges including CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX
• Core markets: futures, options, rates, FX, equities, energy, metals, and crypto derivatives
• Publicly listed on NASDAQ (CME) and considered systemically important financial infrastructure
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/04/wall-street-giant-cme-group-is-eyeing-its-own-cme-coin-ceo-says
TRM Labs has closed a $70M Series C funding round at a $1 billion valuation
TRM Labs is a blockchain intelligence company that provides tools for financial institutions, crypto firms, and government agencies to combat fraud, money laundering, and other crypto-related financial crimes.
ℹ️ Key Features
• Blockchain Intelligence Platform: Monitors and investigates activity across 30+ chains
• Risk Management: Supports 150+ risk categories to customize compliance and AML risk scoring
• Cross-Chain Analytics: Enables tracing and visualization of fund flows across multiple blockchains
👉 x.com/trmlabs/status/2019036556149874936?s=20
TRM Labs is a blockchain intelligence company that provides tools for financial institutions, crypto firms, and government agencies to combat fraud, money laundering, and other crypto-related financial crimes.
ℹ️ Key Features
• Blockchain Intelligence Platform: Monitors and investigates activity across 30+ chains
• Risk Management: Supports 150+ risk categories to customize compliance and AML risk scoring
• Cross-Chain Analytics: Enables tracing and visualization of fund flows across multiple blockchains
👉 x.com/trmlabs/status/2019036556149874936?s=20
Paradigm unveils Prediction Market Data Explorer Tool
Paradigm Predictions is a research and product initiative focused on prediction markets and onchain forecasting mechanisms.
The core of this new tool is a browsable, zoomable, filterable map of the prediction market landscape. It has many features that make the data easy to explore:
• Interactive market map with zoomable topics and subtopics sized by activity
• Platform and metric filters to compare markets like Kalshi and Polymarket
• Time slider to track how prediction markets evolve over days, months, or longer periods
👉 paradigm.xyz/2026/02/introducing-paradigm-predictions
Paradigm Predictions is a research and product initiative focused on prediction markets and onchain forecasting mechanisms.
The core of this new tool is a browsable, zoomable, filterable map of the prediction market landscape. It has many features that make the data easy to explore:
• Interactive market map with zoomable topics and subtopics sized by activity
• Platform and metric filters to compare markets like Kalshi and Polymarket
• Time slider to track how prediction markets evolve over days, months, or longer periods
👉 paradigm.xyz/2026/02/introducing-paradigm-predictions
SBI Holdings and Startale to launch new Layer 1 - Strium
Japan’s SBI and Startale are moving toward a blockchain that could let tokenized stocks and other real-world assets trade on-chain more like crypto — around the clock, with blockchain settlement tech under the hood.
👉 x.com/StartaleGroup/status/2019230389840277940?s=20
Japan’s SBI and Startale are moving toward a blockchain that could let tokenized stocks and other real-world assets trade on-chain more like crypto — around the clock, with blockchain settlement tech under the hood.
👉 x.com/StartaleGroup/status/2019230389840277940?s=20
Tether Invests $100M in U.S.-Regulated Crypto Bank Anchorage Digital
Tether has made a $100M strategic equity investment in Anchorage Digital, valuing the U.S.-regulated crypto bank at $4.2B and deepening an existing partnership around regulated digital asset infrastructure.
Tether pointed to its long-standing use of Anchorage’s banking, compliance, and custody stack and highlighted support for USAT, its newly launched U.S.-regulated stablecoin following the GENIUS Act. Bloomberg previously reported Anchorage explored a $200–400M raise.
👉 theblock.co/post/388639/tether-deepens-ties-with-anchorage-digital
Tether has made a $100M strategic equity investment in Anchorage Digital, valuing the U.S.-regulated crypto bank at $4.2B and deepening an existing partnership around regulated digital asset infrastructure.
Anchorage Digital Bank provides custody, staking, governance, settlement, and stablecoin issuance for institutional clients. The deal coincided with Anchorage’s first employee tender offer, allowing long-tenured staff to sell shares at the same valuation, prioritizing employee liquidity over new capital
Tether pointed to its long-standing use of Anchorage’s banking, compliance, and custody stack and highlighted support for USAT, its newly launched U.S.-regulated stablecoin following the GENIUS Act. Bloomberg previously reported Anchorage explored a $200–400M raise.
👉 theblock.co/post/388639/tether-deepens-ties-with-anchorage-digital
Rainbow (RNBW) Overview. TGE Metrics, Token Features & Auction Details
Rainbow is an open-source, non-custodial Ethereum wallet. Ahead of its TGE, the project is running a Continuous Clearing Auction (CCA) on Uniswap. The total supply is 1B RNBW, with 150M tokens (15%) allocated to a community airdrop.
This overview provides a snapshot of Rainbow’s wallet functionality, token mechanics, and the key metrics shaping its launch.
Rainbow is an open-source, non-custodial Ethereum wallet. Ahead of its TGE, the project is running a Continuous Clearing Auction (CCA) on Uniswap. The total supply is 1B RNBW, with 150M tokens (15%) allocated to a community airdrop.
This overview provides a snapshot of Rainbow’s wallet functionality, token mechanics, and the key metrics shaping its launch.