Vietnam has been ranked among the top 20 best countries in the world for tourists in 2024 by the prestigious American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.
In the recently announced list, Vietnam secured 15th place with a score of 89 points. The rankings are part of Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which evaluate travel experiences based on input from over 575,000 readers. The assessments cover aspects such as culture, landscapes, tourism services, and infrastructure. Another Southeast Asian nation, Thailand, ranked third with 92.29 points, while Japan claimed the top spot with 95.32 points.
Condé Nast Traveler praised Vietnam for its “rustic and charming beauty,” noting that the country has transformed from a hidden gem into a must-visit destination. The magazine highlighted the increasing number of foreign visitors to Vietnam since 2019, a trend that continues to grow.
Foreign tourist traveling in Hanoi by Cyclos
According to Vietnam’s General Statistics Office, the country welcomed over 12.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2024, surpassing the total number of visitors for 2023, which was 12.6 million. The National Tourism Administration predicts that Vietnam is on track to reach its target of attracting 17-18 million international visitors by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Thailand was recognized for its diverse landscapes, efficient transportation network, and vibrant street food culture, including its bustling night markets. As of August 2024, Thailand had welcomed more than 20 million international visitors, a 34% increase compared to the same period last year. The country aims to attract 36-37 million visitors by the end of 2024, generating around $95.5 billion in tourism revenue.
Condé Nast Traveler, established in 1987, is known for its influential travel rankings, such as the Readers’ Choice Awards, which are highly regarded for being based on the opinions of millions of travelers worldwide.
Alexander Nikolas Gierczyk of California says the hedge fund he sold his FTX bankruptcy claim to isn’t paying out what it promised.
A California-based former customer of FTX is suing hedge fund Olympus Peak alleging that the firm’s bankruptcy claims purchasing desk has withheld promised payments on a claim he sold to it.
In documents filed with the U.S. District Court Southern District Of New York, Alexander Nikolas Gierczyk says he agreed to sell a $1.59 million FTX bankruptcy claim at a 42% discount to Olympus Peak Trade Claims Opportunities Fund with an “excess claim provision.”
The agreement provided that “if the Claim is ultimately allowed … in an amount that is greater than the Claim Amount, Buyer will purchase such Excess Claim Amount by paying … the Excess Claim Amount multiplied by the Purchase Rate.”
Gierczyk agreed to the sale only because “the purchase agreement contained a clause that expressly gave him the right to receive additional recovery in the event his claim was paid above par through the bankruptcy proceedings,” according to the filing.
Gierczyk’s attorneys write in the filing that the most recent FTX disclosure statement says that claims similar his are estimated to receive as much as 146% of their value in distributions. But, they allege, Olympus Peak, “made clear that they would not be fulfilling their end of the bargain.”
“We disagree with your position that you have a retained any economic interest in the claim,” an Olympus Peak representative wrote to Gierczyk.
Olympus Peak did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CoinDesk.
In the early days of FTX’s bankruptcy, claims were going for 13 cents on the dollar on bankruptcy marketplaces.
Bloomberg reported on the case earlier.
Ether traders display a stronger inclination to mitigate potential downside risks than bitcoin,
The bearish sentiment toward ether (ETH) remains pronounced relative to bitcoin (BTC) even as DeFi enthusiast Republican candidate Donald Trump extends his lead over Democrat rival Kamala Harris in prediction markets tied to the outcome of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.
At press time, ether’s 25-delta risk reversals for shorter and longer duration expiries were more negative than bitcoin’s, according to data sources Amberdata and Deribit. That’s a sign of stronger bearish sentiment toward the native token of the Ethereum blockchain, which dominates in decentralized finance (DeFi).
Risk reversals measure the premium required to hold a call option relative to a put. Negative values suggest a bias for put options, which reflect expectations of a price drop in the underlying asset.
Traders often use options to hedge their spot/futures market exposure. Therefore, a trader with a bullish spot/futures bet may buy a put option when expecting downside volatility. Both bitcoin and ether traders seem to be doing just that, with ether traders displaying a stronger inclination to mitigate potential downside risks.
The risk reversal for Oct. 11 ether options is -7.3%, while bitcoin’s is -5.8%. A similar pattern is observed for expiries up to the end of October.
A curious pattern has emerged: While BTC risk reversals are positive for Nov. 8 and beyond, ether’s don’t turn bullish until late December. In other words, traders expect upside volatility in BTC once the election results are out on Nov. 8. Ether isn’t expected to turn the corner until later.
DEX traders see limited upside in ETH
On the dominant decentralized exchange (DEX) Derive, Ethereum call options saw a 2.5:1 sell-to-buy ratio in September. The flow was much more balanced in bitcoin options.
The relatively greater interest in writing (selling) ether calls means traders do not foresee a notable upside volatility in the cryptocurrency.
“The skew in ETH open interest, with nearly 2.5 times more calls sold than bought, suggests that traders see the upside as limited for now. This divergence between the two assets will be key to watch as we get closer to election day,” Nick Forster, founder of Derive, told CoinDesk in an exclusive monthly report.
Trump’s lead widens
Trump’s odds of winning the election soared to a two-month high of 55.8% on prediction platform Polymarket, leaving Harris behind at 43.8%.
The popular narrative is that a potential Trump win would be positive for both BTC and DeFi. The perception likely stems from Trump’s decision to debut DeFi protocol World Liberty Financial in September.
On Oct. 9, the protocol submitted a proposal on Aave to link the two projects, focused on providing stablecoin liquidity for ETH and WBTC and growing Aave’s user base.
Still, some observers, including Standard Chartered, say a Trump victory would be better for Ethereum rival Solana, and Ethereum will prosper more under Harris’ presidency.
The issue of sustainability cuts across all walks of life, and even handicraft production is no exception. Sustainability in this regard denotes practices that will enable handicrafts artisans to reduce their impact on the natural environment, while at the same time preserving their traditional knowledge and ensuring the well-being of their livelihood.
The need for sustainability within the craft industry has been felt over time. The artisans only contribute to the conservation of the earth by catering to the increased demand for products made using eco-friendly materials, hence assuring themselves a sustainable source of livelihood.
As global interest in sustainable, Vietnam’s handicraft sector is increasingly noted as a leader in striking a balance between cultural heritage and environmental responsibility, thus enabling this country to position itself as a key player in this growing market.
For a glimpse of some of the finest handicraft and handmade products, this video offers a showroom tour in Vietnam:
Material selection is key to sustainable handmade production. Today, many craftsmen are turning to natural, renewable, and locally sourced materials. which provides environmental and economic benefits. Popular sustainable materials used in crafts include:
The Vietnamese handicraft industry has a long tradition of using sustainable materials, a prime example is bamboo. It is a fast-growing and versatile resource that requires minimal resources to cultivate. This makes bamboo an excellent choice for producing a wide variety of products, from baskets, furniture to home decorations.
Another sustainable material that is popular is jute. Jute is known for its natural strength and biodegradability. It is ideal for producing eco-friendly bags, rugs and textiles.
Vietnamese artisans can also turn used paper and fabric scraps into decorations and household items. This approach not only reduces waste. But it also introduces a new way of thinking about sustainability in handicraft production.
Using local resources such as bamboo and jute reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting materials from remote locations. It also supports the local economy by providing jobs for those involved in collecting and processing these materials.
Environmental Impact
The environmental benefits of manual production are significant. Especially when compared to mass-produced products. Crafting usually uses fewer resources, creates less waste and there is a lower carbon footprint. In many cases, the production process itself is environmentally friendly.
One notable example is the use of natural dyes in textile production. They are natural, biodegradable dyes such as plants, minerals, or insects, rather than synthetic chemicals and do not cause water pollution like chemical dyes.
Consumer Awareness and Demand
In the past few years, consumer demand has shifted toward ethical and environmentally friendly products. This shift is driven by increased awareness of environmental issues, such as climate change and plastic pollution. Nowadays, consumers are looking for products that have values matching their own. Thus, handicrafts made of sustainable materials can do that.
To endorse the sustainability approach, the Vietnamese government has made significant strides forward. Among these initiatives are the popularization of the campaign for green manufacturing, the incentives for enterprises adopting green technologies, and the enactment of laws on waste management stricter than those currently in place. This would allow sustainable development and promote environmental goods.
Social media and marketing play an important role in positioning sustainable handicrafts. The works made by artisans are showcased online directly to the consumer through platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, highlighting their eco-friendly properties. This interaction is thought to build trust and facilitate consumer buying, allowing them to make decisions informed about what they will purchase.
Plus, online marketplaces dedicated to sustainable and fair trade products, such as Etsy, make it easier for consumers to find and buy handmade crafts that suit them.
Challenges and Opportunities
This is despite the increasing demand for sustainable products, many artisans face many challenges in adopting sustainable practices. One of the main obstacles is the cost of durable materials. This can be higher than traditional alternative materials. In addition, switching to environmentally friendly production methods often requires training and investment. This can be difficult for small craftsmen.
But these challenges present important opportunities. This is because consumer demand for sustainable products is increasing. The market for eco-friendly handicrafts continues to grow. Artisans who adopt sustainable practices will have access to this market. Positioning themselves as leaders in the environmentally conscious movement, government organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also increasingly providing support in the form of grants or training programs. To help artisans switch to more sustainable production methods.
Sustainability in the craft industry is not just a trend. It is a necessary development for the future of the environment and the craft community. By sourcing materials responsible maintaining a balance between traditional and modern techniques and respond to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products. Artisans can continue to thrive by contributing to a more sustainable world.
Consumers have an important role to play in this shift by supporting sustainable artisans and choosing products that reflect their values. By making a conscious purchasing decision We can all play our part in a greener future for the craft industry.
Popplife Joint Stock Company has been honored with the prestigious SME100 Asia Award 2024, in recognition of its exceptional business achievements and significant growth. The award ceremony took place on October 9, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City.
Since its inception in 2009, the SME100 Asia Award has drawn participation from thousands of businesses across the region. This year’s theme, “Rise and Roar Above the Best – Breakthrough and Conquer the Peak,” celebrates businesses that demonstrate innovation, impressive achievements, and strong growth potential in both Vietnam and Asia.
To secure its place among the winners, Popplife underwent rigorous evaluations based on international standards, emerging as one of the top-performing businesses in terms of growth among this year’s nominees.
Founded in December 2022, Popplife set out to create a customer loyalty ecosystem, offering users a wide range of benefits and privileges through a seamless technology platform. The platform allows customers to accumulate and redeem points, providing them with exclusive rewards from a variety of brands and services. Users can earn Popp points through purchases in sectors like real estate, retail, travel, and credit card use with Popplife’s partners.
With over 3,000 vouchers from more than 1,000 partners offering discounts of up to 50%, the Popplife app ensures transparency in points accumulation, redemption, and management, while optimizing transaction speeds for both customers and partners. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, accommodating users of all ages on smartphones.
A Breakthrough Solution for Businesses
Popplife’s platform also provides businesses with a fast and efficient solution for launching and managing loyalty programs. The system integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, digital kiosks, and more, allowing businesses to create personalized customer experiences. By centralizing customer data, businesses can design tailored campaigns to strengthen relationships and grow their customer base.
Popplife’s ecosystem further benefits businesses by linking them with other partners, opening up opportunities for cross-selling and collaboration, thereby boosting mutual growth.
In less than two years, Popplife has reached significant milestones, such as developing loyalty platforms for key partners like MSB Bank and the SOJO hotel chain. The company is also finalizing partnerships with major players, including Family Mart, Song Hong business lounges, and TNEX digital bank, broadening its ecosystem and enhancing user experiences.
A Popplife representative stated, “The SME100 Asia 2024 Award is international recognition of our efforts in building a loyalty ecosystem over the past two years. This motivates us to continually improve the customer experience and expand the Popplife model across various sectors.”
A Solid Foundation for Future Growth
As a subsidiary of ROX Group, Popplife benefits from a strong financial foundation and professional management. Its success also allows ROX Group to expand into loyalty and marketing services. Popplife continues to focus on growing its network of partners while leveraging big data to track customer behavior, providing businesses with insights to enhance their customer relationships.
With its customer-centric approach, Popplife is set to expand its ecosystem and further establish itself as a leading player in the loyalty and rewards industry.
The Washington Post, a leading American newspaper, expressed surprise at the recipe for Vietnam’s shaking beef.
Shaking beef made according to Nini Nguyen’s recipe. Photo: Lisa Cherkasky/Washington Post.
Aaron Hutcherson, a food writer for The Washington Post, was surprised to find that the beef, typically used by Americans for steak, is cut into small pieces and stir-fried with vegetables. The paper referenced the recipe for shaking beef from the cookbook Special by Nini Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American chef who competed in Top Chef in 2018.
The newspaper described this dish from Vietnam as being inspired by French cuisine but noted that the preparation is quite different from the original. A proper plate of shaking beef should feature tender beef cubes, cooked to the ideal doneness. The exterior should be slightly seared, browned, and firm, while the inside retains a light pink hue.
To make it, the beef is first marinated with sugar, salt, and pepper before being cooked in a hot pan. Then, the small beef cubes are stir-fried with cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, watercress, and soy sauce.
According to The Washington Post, the dish is also served with French fries, similar to steak.
Shaking beef is inspired by French cuisine. Photo: Lisa Cherkasky/Washington Post.
In her Vietnamese recipe collection, Nini Nguyen shares that most of her culinary inspirations come from her grandmother, mother, and aunts, who are Vietnamese and made a living as nail technicians in the U.S.
“I want to preserve and spread the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine to those living far from home in the U.S.,” the author told The Washington Post.
In addition to shaking beef, other Vietnamese dishes like crab noodle soup, grilled chicken feet, pyramid-shaped dumplings, and spicy beef noodle soup have also left an impression on the American newspaper.
The Washington Post frequently reviews Vietnamese cuisine through restaurants in the U.S., with a focus on preserving authentic flavors.
In 2019, the paper highlighted banh mi as one of the representative dishes of Vietnam’s culinary philosophy, emphasizing the balance of a variety of flavors and key ingredients to create a harmonious meal. A good bread should not be overloaded with pâté and butter, the paper noted.
The Vietnam Bakery Cup 2024, the first-ever International Talented Pastry Chef Competition in Vietnam, aims to create a meaningful and engaging platform for professional chefs in the country.
Vietnamese chefs make many types of western and traditional cakes for diners to enjoy when participating in the international pastry chef competition in Vietnam 2024.
On October 9, the Vietnam Bakery Association (under the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association) along with the Saigon Professional Chefs Association held an event to announce details about the 2024 International Talented Pastry Chef Competition in Vietnam.
This is the first international standard pastry competition in Vietnam, carrying significant meaning not only for Vietnamese chefs but also for the country’s food technology and culinary culture sectors.
The competition will take place from December 11 to 14 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. It is expected to attract about 400-500 contestants from both Vietnam and abroad. According to Tran Thi Hien Minh, Vice President of the Saigon Professional Chefs Association, the participants will include professional pastry chefs, cooks, and sculptors recognized as MasterChefs, certified by the World Chefs Association. Each contestant must maintain the professionalism of an international competition, ensure food safety, hygiene, and security. The judging panel will consist of experienced Vietnamese and international judges, who have participated in numerous domestic and global competitions. These judges come from Vietnam and 20 other countries around the world.
Many young chefs come to learn about the competition.
Nguyen Thi Khanh, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, expressed that the competition offers contestants the opportunity to immerse themselves in Vietnam’s largest culinary event, showcasing their talent, skills, and creativity. For young chefs, this is a valuable opportunity to learn, improve, and prove themselves, thereby contributing to the development of the pastry industry in Vietnam.
“This event is not just a pastry competition; it also serves as a platform to promote and showcase the cultural and economic values of the Vietnamese pastry industry, helping to drive its growth alongside the wider Vietnamese culinary sector,” said Nguyen Thi Khanh.
Japanese Mochi products have been transformed and completely use domestic ingredients to suit Vietnamese tastes.
The event will also feature spaces for showcasing pastry ingredients and ingredients, as well as areas for performance, competition, and serving guests. In addition, attending will be able to participate in workshops, discussions, and talk shows centered around the topic of pastry.
YouTube is experimenting with removing the circular countdown timer that appears before users can skip ads, both on desktop and mobile versions.
YouTube ads will soon no longer have a skip countdown. Photo: Alamy.
Although ads are a major source of revenue for content creators on YouTube, users have become increasingly frustrated with the excessive number of ads on the platform.
Soon, it seems that YouTube ads may become even more intrusive, even for users who are willing to sit through the first few seconds of an ad.
Specifically, according to Android Police, the countdown timer that appears before users can hit the skip button for ads seems to be disappearing.
Last week, YouTube users noticed a blank space or a gray rectangle covering the countdown timer on the desktop version of the platform.
A similar test has also been seen on the Android version of YouTube. The main difference on mobile is that there’s no gray rectangle—rather, the countdown timer has completely vanished.
Even without the countdown timer, the skip ad button still appears after a certain period.
Android Police suggests this may be a deliberate move by YouTube to make users believe the ads are unskippable since they don’t see the skip button right away.
More importantly, Android Police believes this is a small yet significant change that could become a standard practice for YouTube in the future.
In reality, it’s not surprising that YouTube would want more people to watch more ads, as this is how the platform makes a lot of money. This approach could also encourage more people to pay for YouTube Premium, as they become tired of seeing ads.
Since the launch of the Premium package in 2018, YouTube has faced negative feedback from free users regarding the increase in sponsored content. On forums like Quora and Reddit, many account holders have reported seeing more ads than before, ever since YouTube introduced its paid service.
Visitors to My Son Sanctuary in Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam, can now purchase tickets online instead of at the ticket booth.
The My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board has recently launched an online ticketing system for tourists visiting the My Son Sanctuary. Visitors can access the website mysonticketonline.vn to select the appropriate tickets. The admission fee for Vietnamese citizens is 100,000 VND per ticket, while for foreign visitors, it is 150,000 VND per ticket.
A group of international visitors at My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam Province. Photo: Song Chau
According to the Management Board, the online ticketing system aims to offer more convenience for tourists when purchasing tickets to visit the temple complex. This initiative is part of their ongoing digital transformation efforts to improve ticket sales and visitor guidance services.
The My Son temple complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2009. This ancient Champa tower complex, located in a valley, has endured for thousands of years thanks to preservation efforts supported by cooperation between Vietnam and other countries, particularly India.
Recently, scientists announced the discovery of an ancient ceremonial pathway that once existed in the area. This path was used by monks to move between the temple towers, and its direction is opposite to the current visitor entrance to My Son.
This data comes from third-quarter reports by various real estate market research firms. However, according to the Ministry of Construction, the number of apartment and individual house transactions in recent months has decreased compared to earlier this year and the same period last year. The reason is the already high property prices, combined with a “wait-and-see” attitude among buyers.
In Q3 2023, the average primary price (the selling price offered by developers) for apartments in Hanoi was 54 million VND per square meter. Just one year later, in Q3 2024, that price has risen to 69 million VND per square meter, an increase of 15 million VND per square meter. Home buying is becoming increasingly difficult, especially for young people.
“In recent months, prices have skyrocketed very quickly. The same apartment I viewed last month is now hundreds of millions of VND more expensive, and I don’t understand why,” said Le Minh Chi, a Hanoi resident.
Phạm Văn Ngọc, Director of Hanoi Star Land Real Estate Services JSC, commented: “A new wave of investors has entered the market. They’re aggressive and have strong connections with local agents, so they get information quickly. This makes it hard for direct buyers to reach sellers. Most have to go through an intermediary.”
A representative from the Ministry of Construction explained that in addition to supply shortages, rising construction costs and land-use fees are driving the price hikes. There’s also evidence of speculative price manipulation.
As property prices in Hanoi continue to rise, many potential buyers are hesitant. Some are opting to keep renting while waiting for prices to stabilize, while others are choosing to buy homes in other provinces where prices are more affordable.
The People’s Committee of Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province, has announced plans to host the first Putaleng Festival with the theme “Return to the Land of Rhododendrons”.
Rhododendron season on Putaleng peak. Photo: Lang Binh
The Putaleng Festival will take place from November 22 to November 24, 2024, in Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 8:00 PM on November 22 at Muong Lu Lake in Tam Duong town. During the ceremony, the organizers will also announce the recognition of the ancient rhododendron forest concentrated on Mount Putaleng at an elevation of 2,619 meters, which boasts the largest area of its kind in Vietnam.
Another highlight of the festival is the third Putaleng Vietnam Open Cross-Country Paragliding Competition, featuring two categories: powered and non-powered paragliding. The competition will take place at the multifunctional performance hall at the Tam Duong Cultural, Sports, and Media Center and the district’s stadium. The paragliding flights will take off from Si Thau Chai village in Ho Thau commune and land at the Tam Duong district stadium.
The festival will also include a series of other activities such as the second Putaleng Traditional Run, the challenge to conquer Tac Tinh waterfall, a raft race on Muong Lu Lake, a community cooking contest, a photo exhibition showcasing the beauty of Tam Duong, the second Tam Duong Mong Khen (reed pipe) Festival, traditional ethnic sports competitions, and a variety of local tourism promotion activities and OCOP (One Commune, One Product) product displays.
Additionally, visitors to Tam Duong in November will have the opportunity to experience the traditional cultural values of local ethnic settlements through community-based tourism villages, attend highland markets, and go cloud hunting atop Ta Lien Son and Putaleng Mountain.
Recently, Hanoi has successfully surpassed famous destinations such as Bangkok (Thailand), Seoul (South Korea), and Tokyo (Japan) to earn the title of “Asia’s Best Culinary City.”
Recently, Hanoi has successfully surpassed famous destinations such as Bangkok (Thailand), Seoul (South Korea), and Tokyo (Japan) to earn the title of “Asia’s Best Culinary City”.
Screenshot
The World Culinary Awards is a global initiative aimed at outstanding achievements in the culinary industry. The results are based on votes from experts and the public throughout the year.
In the category of “Asia’s Best Culinary City Destination 2024,” Hanoi outshined other contenders like Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo to take the top spot. Several restaurants and hotels in Hanoi also received awards for their culinary services.
The World Culinary Awards is part of the World Travel Awards, which was established in 1993 to honor excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry.
In 2023, Hanoi triumphed over strong competitors like Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Taipei (Taiwan, China) to win the title of “Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City” at the World Culinary Awards.
Hanoi continuously receives international awards honoring cuisine and tourism.
Earlier this year, Vietnam’s capital was also ranked as one of the top 15 culinary destinations in the world by the readers of Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform.
Famous Hanoi dishes such as pho, bun cha, fish cake, and pho roll continue to be popular among international visitors.
The appearance of a sea turtle in the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area suggests that the marine ecosystem of Nha Trang Bay is improving, with signs that sea turtles are returning to their birthplace to lay eggs.
On October 8th, the management of Nha Trang Bay announced that on October 4th, a sea turtle was spotted in the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area in Nha Trang Bay, Nha Trang City. The turtle was captured by a camera carried by a conservation specialist from the Nha Trang Bay Management Board.
Sea turtles are rarely seen in many marine areas, and the presence of sea turtles requires an abundant food supply and clean water quality in the region. Therefore, the appearance of the turtle in the Hon Mun marine area indicates that the ecological environment of Nha Trang Bay is improving, and the sea turtles are showing signs of returning to their birthplace to lay eggs.
According to the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, during its life cycle, a sea turtle experiences various habitats. During the breeding season, sea turtles return to coral reefs and seagrass beds to mate, build nests, and lay eggs. It takes a sea turtle 30 to 50 years to reach maturity, but only one out of every 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood. The migration process takes several months as the turtles both migrate and feed during the day, and at night, they rest in coral reefs and rocky areas.
In 2009, a mother turtle came ashore at Dam Tre to lay three nests of eggs, which were protected by authorities until the hatchlings returned to the sea. Authorities also discovered an adult sea turtle at Hon Tre in August 2015 and a nest of eggs at Dam Tre beach in June 2016. In 2022, the Nha Trang Bay Management Board proposed designating a protected area for turtles to lay eggs at Bai Bang Lon – Dam Tre to further conserve this marine species.
Bitcoin ETFs enjoyed their highest net inflows since Sept. 27, with FBTC and IBIT leading the way.
Ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. saw zero flows on Monday for only the second time since their listing in July, according to data gathered by SoSoValue.
Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs, meanwhile, enjoyed their highest inflows since Sept. 27, adding a net $235.2 million. Fidelity’s product (FBTC) led the gains with $103.7 million while BlackRock’s fund (IBIT) garnered $97.9 million.
In contrast, the nine ether ETFs registered zero flows in either direction. The only other time this has occurred was Aug. 30.
The figures underline the differing fortunes of BTC and ETH products in the U.S. Bitcoin ETFs have seen inflows of nearly $18.75 billion since they listed in January, while their ether equivalents are $500 million in the red since becoming available in July.
New information over the weekend shattered the consensus on who Satoshi Nakamoto might be.
The odds of the late Len Sassaman being revealed as the elusive pseudonymous founder of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, in an HBO documentary slumped to 14% after his wife, Meredith L. Patterson, said he was not and that the company had not approached her when making the documentary.
A Polymarket contract asking bettors who the documentary would name saw the odds on Sassaman, who died in 2011, as high as 55% over the weekend. They dropped sharply after DLNews published an interview with Patterson. The program will be screened at 02:00 UTC on Wednesday (9 p.m. Tuesday ET).
“I kind of wonder whether I’m screwing with the prediction markets by answering honestly when people ask me questions, but long story short, f*ck em,” Patterson told DL News.
The early speculation on Sassaman led to a number of memecoins named after him, and some even after his cat, trending on social media and within crypto circles focused on various blockchains. Some people contacted Patterson for confirmation and received an address on the Solana blockchain for token donations in return.
Patterson was not the only contender. Bitcoin proponent and businessman Samsow Mow said Blockstream CEO and early Bitcoin developer Adam Back would be unveiled as Nakamoto. Another, smart-contracts pioneer Nick Szabo, briefly led odds on Polymarket in the late U.S. hours Monday, before Sassaman retook the flag.
Back refuted Mow’s assertion, calling it a joke and tweeting a denial, saying he doesn’t know who Satoshi is. Mow is expected to appear in the documentary.
Despite no conclusive leak of the reveal, the deluge of rumors and speculaton was enough to move millions of dollars among various candidates on Polymarket in the past 24 hours.
As of Tuesday afternoon Hong Kong time, “Other/Multiple” has over 56%, with Sassaman taking 13%, ahead of Back who has just over 11%, with over $13 million bet on the question.
