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Urban Clouds
Nov 15

👉Issue #92 of QX Snapshots is out!





Welcome to QX Snapshots - a weekly recap of the key news on emerging technologies. In this newsletter, you will get a "digest" of the latest info on Enterprise Blockchain, AI, Quantum Technology. Hope it brings you value :)


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Every Friday we share key snapshot news on AI, Quantum Technologies, Metaverse, and Enterprise Blockchain/DLT.


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[Blockchain] Tether Launches Hadron for Asset Tokenization, Bitwise Acquires Ethereum Staking Firm Attestant, BlackRock Expands Tokenized Fund to Multiple Blockchains, and Intesa Sanpaolo Enters Crypto Spot Trading.  Tether has launched Hadron, an asset tokenization platform that simplifies the conversion of various assets (stocks, bonds, stablecoins, loyalty points) into digital tokens. It features extensive KYC/AML tools, risk management, and market monitoring capabilities. Hadron supports multiple blockchains and Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions, offering configurable multi-signature wallets and strong cryptography. According to CEO Paolo Ardoino, the platform, which leverages technology securing $125 billion, aims to create new opportunities for businesses and governments while making digital assets more accessible. Meanwhile, Bitwise Asset Management has acquired Attestant Limited, an Ethereum staking provider managing $3.7 billion in staked assets. The acquisition expands Bitwise's investment solutions and establishes their new Onchain Solutions group (Bitwise OS). Attestant's services, will continue uninterrupted under the Bitwise brand with a $10 million minimum stake requirement. The core Attestant team, will join Bitwise, bringing their institutional expertise. Also, BlackRock is expanding its USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), initially launched on Ethereum, to five additional blockchains: Aptos, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, and Polygon. This expansion allows broader access to BUIDL, which became the world's largest tokenized fund by AUM within 40 days of launch. The new blockchain integrations enable 24/7 peer-to-peer transfers, on-chain yield, and dividend distribution. Management fees vary between 20-50 bps across different chains. BNY serves as fund administrator and custodian, while Securitize manages tokenization. Aptos Foundation, Avalanche (BVI), Inc. and Polygon Labs BD Investments (Cayman) Ltd. each have agreed to pay BlackRock a quarterly fee generally based on the average value of the relevant class of shares for such quarter. And, Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank, is expanding its digital assets desk to include cryptocurrency spot trading. The bank established its proprietary crypto trading desk within its corporate and investment banking division in 2023, initially focusing only on crypto derivatives like options, futures, and ETFs. 


[AI] Stripe Unveils SDK for AI Agent Payments, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Adopts AI, and ChatGPT for macOS Integrates with Coding Apps. Stripe has launched an SDK designed for AI agents that enables integration of payment and financial services into LLM-powered automated workflows. The toolkit supports major frameworks like Vercel's AI SDK, LangChain, and CrewAI, and works with any LLM provider supporting function calling. Key features include virtual card generation through Stripe Issuing for automated purchases, usage-based billing capabilities, and simplified API interactions optimized for LLMs. Due to the non-deterministic nature of AI agents, Stripe recommends testing in test mode first and using restricted API keys. The toolkit currently supports a focused subset of Stripe's API functionality. Meanwhile, PG&E's Diablo Canyon nuclear plant has become the first US nuclear facility to implement Atomic Canyon's Neutron Enterprise, a generative AI solution built on NVIDIA's platform. The system transforms document management by enabling rapid search and retrieval of regulatory documentation, reducing search times from hours to seconds. Built using Atomic Canyon's FERMI AI models, developed with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the solution integrates with existing systems to improve operational efficiency. The implementation comes as Diablo Canyon, which provides 9% of California's electricity, extends operations until 2030 after previously being scheduled for closure in 2024/2025. Also, ChatGPT for macOS has launched a new "Work with Apps" beta feature, allowing Plus and Team users to integrate ChatGPT with coding applications. The feature enables ChatGPT to read content from compatible apps like Xcode, VS Code, TextEdit, and terminals, providing more context-aware responses. Users can enable this through the macOS Accessibility API or VS Code extension, and can control which apps to connect with. Content from apps becomes part of chat history and can be used to improve models, though users can opt out. Enterprise and Edu users will get access in coming weeks.


[Quantum Technology] Quantinuum Unveils Real-Time Quantum Error Correction Toolkit, Malaysia Launch First Quantum Computing Centre, and IBM Debuts Quantum Heron R2 Processor with Breakthrough Capabilities. Quantinuum has launched a Quantum Error Correction (QEC) decoder toolkit enabling real-time error correction in quantum computing. The system uses a hybrid approach, combining quantum and classical computing resources to dynamically correct errors instead of relying on traditional lookup tables. The toolkit works with any QEC code and features use cases including Repeat Until Success, Repetition Code, and Surface Code. Leveraging coherence times up to 10,000 times longer than competitors, the system allows for more sophisticated error correction methods. This development marks a significant step toward Quantinuum's goal of achieving universal, fault-tolerant quantum computing by decade's end. Meanwhile, South Korea's SDT Inc. has partnered with MIMOS Technology Solutions to establish Malaysia's first Quantum Computing Centre. SDT, known for quantum communication and precision electronics, will provide computing solutions and cloud services. The initiative involves collaboration with key Malaysian agencies including NACSA, MyQI, MOSTI, and MOD to integrate quantum technology into cybersecurity, healthcare, and finance sectors. MIMOS, Malaysia's national R&D center, through its subsidiary MTSSB, will help implement the project. This partnership aims to position Malaysia as a regional technology leader and quantum-enabled nation. Also, at the first IBM Quantum Developer Conference, IBM announced achieving its two-year goal with the release of Quantum Heron R2, capable of running quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gate operations. The 156-qubit processor features improved reliability, speed (150,000 circuit layer operations per second), and reduced noise through two-level system mitigation. IBM also unveiled quantum-classical coupling innovations including Flamingo (connecting two Heron chips) and Crossbill (three connected Herons). These developments, along with new software tools like Qiskit SDK v1.0 and Functions Catalog, mark significant progress toward quantum advantage and error-corrected quantum computing.


[General technology] New PXA Stealer Targets Gov and Education Sectors, 'Sitting Ducks' DNS Attack Hijacks Thousands of Domains, and Bluesky Sees Surge with 16M. A threat actor has been identified deploying PXA Stealer, a new Python-based malware targeting government and education entities in Europe and Asia. The malware steals sensitive information including credentials, VPN data, financial information, and browser cookies, with a particular focus on Facebook business accounts. The attack begins with phishing emails containing a Rust-based loader and batch scripts. The group, possibly connected to "CoralRaider," sells stolen credentials and tools through Telegram channels. This development coincides with other active stealer malware campaigns like StrelaStealer, RECORDSTEALER, and Glove Stealer targeting various regions. Meanwhile, researchers at Infoblox have uncovered a widespread "Sitting Ducks" attack scheme, where threat actors exploit DNS misconfigurations to hijack legitimate domains. Out of 800,000 vulnerable domains identified over three months, about 70,000 have been hijacked. The attack allows attackers to seize domain control when DNS points to wrong authoritative name servers. Multiple threat actors, including Vacant Viper, Horrid Hawk, Hasty Hawk, and VexTrio Viper, use these hijacked domains for various malicious purposes including phishing, investment fraud, malware distribution, and spam operations. The attacks are difficult to detect due to the domains' positive reputation. Also, Bluesky reported one million new sign-ups in 24 hours, reaching 16 million total users. This coincides with Instagram's announcement that Threads gained 15 million users in November, averaging one million daily sign-ups for three months. Bluesky's surge follows various events including X's Brazil ban, Threads moderation issues, and U.S. election results. The platform temporarily experienced service issues due to ISP problems. While smaller than competitors Threads (275 million users) and X, Bluesky claims higher engagement rates with 30% active posters. The company recently raised $15 million in Series A funding and plans to launch subscriptions.








🚀 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 : 𝐬𝐭𝐄𝐓𝐇-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐑𝐂-6123


In this paper, we assessed the demand, benefits and risks of an Ethereum staking rate swap product within the Lido ecosystem and with the following characteristics:1)   using Lido stETH APR as a benchmark rate2)   using stETH as collateral and settlement asset3)   managed as a smart derivative contract (SDC) using ERC-6123.


This research project has been supported by a grant from LEGO (Lido Finance Ecosystem Grants Organization), to which we extend our sincere gratitude. This support has enabled us to conduct a thorough analysis of the risks and opportunities associated with stETH-based Ethereum Staking Rate Swaps and explore the potential of ERC-6123 smart derivatives within the Lido ecosystem.


👉 Download and read the full report here: https://docsend.com/view/457wiibg6wwd2jrc




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