Friend.tech Launches V2 and Opens $FRIEND Airdrop Claims | Cryptocurrency Trends

1. Mainstream Exchange Trends:

• Coinbase and its CEO Brian Armstrong is facing a new class-action lawsuit from customers who claim the company's business models are illegal, alleging that Coinbase's digital asset sales knowingly violated state securities laws.

2. Cryptocurrency Trends:

• U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 175,000 in April, compared with an expected increase of 243,000 and a previous increase of 303,000. The U.S. unemployment rate for April was 3.9%, compared with the rate of 3.8% and a previous rate of 3.8%.
• LayerZero launches a self-reporting/reporting program for sybil activity. Sybils who self-report will receive 15% of their intended allocation, while users who submit valid reports of sybil activity will receive 10% of that sybil's intended allocation as a bounty.
• MakerDAO plans to launch a stablecoin and governance token with new token symbols to replace DAI and MKR. NewStable (NST) will serve as an upgraded version of Dai, and MKR can be exchanged for NewGovToken (NGT) at a 1:24,000 ratio.
• BounceBit to launch its mainnet on May 13, with the BB points airdrop to be distributed automatically (no additional action required).
• Uniswap: i) Launches a candlestick chart feature where users can click on the Explore tab to track real-time price changes of tokens; ii) Uniswap Labs partners with Robinhood to allow users to purchase crypto directly on the Uniswap mobile app via debit card, bank transfer, or Robinhood balance.
• Friend.tech officially releases its V2 and opens $FRIEND airdrop claims.
• Cardano's founder initiates a vote on X (formerly Twitter) to integrate Cardano with the BCH network, with around 67% in favor of the integration. He stated that the integration will include several new upgrades, leaning towards PoW technologies.

3. Financing Trends:

• VCs invested $2.49 billion in the crypto space in Q1, marking a 29% increase compared to the previous quarter. Trading volumes also rose 68% over the same period.
• According to The Block Research, the average Series A funding for cryptocurrency startups in Q1 2024 reached $26 million, marking the highest level since the end of the last crypto bull market in early 2022.
• Amphor, a DeFi protocol, raises $4 million in seed round funding with participation from over 80 angel investors. The raised funds will be used to expand the team, build the protocol's tech stack, and expand into other blockchain networks.

4. Regulatory Trends:

• No trends of note.