Go to space with Justin Sun Crypto exchange HTX (formerly Hu
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Go to space with Justin Sun
Crypto exchange HTX (formerly Huobi) said it will send one user a $6 million ticket to blast off to space alongside Justin Sun in July 2025.
(Justin Sun)
The campaign will select five additional finalists to join seven previous winners to form a 12-person shortlist. One person will ultimately be chosen to participate in the commercial spaceflight.
The exchange has actually been talking about doing this since 2021 when Sun was revealed as the winner of a $28 million auction for a ten minute trip into space. It’s unclear why the trip itself has been delayed so long, but scheduling conflicts have been cited. One bonus for Sun, is that he’s received four years of publicity about the very, very expensive promotion.
The latest announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of space tourism, following Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission in April that sent pop star Katy Perry, TV host Gayle King, and Jeff Bezos’ partner Lauren Sánchez into suborbital flight.
The trip drew backlash from activists and celebrities who questioned its purpose and optics. Others saw the historic all female mission into space as empowering, while many people just thought going into space would really cool especially if someone else is covering the extraordinarily high costs.
Justin Sun has a history of partaking in attention-driving spectacles, including his $4.6 million bid to have lunch with Warren Buffett and eating the banana from a $6.2 million art piece that had been taped to a wall. The banana itself was a replaceable store-bought item worth about a buck, again demonstrating that Sun is the undisputed master of publicity.
Vietnam wants a homegrown layer-1 blockchain
A group of Vietnamese financial institutions has unveiled the 1Matrix initiative to build the nation’s own layer-1 blockchain and reduce reliance on foreign tech platforms.
1Matrix is backed by financial institutions Techcombank and Techcom Securities, real estate firm Masterise Group and One Mount Group, and has joined the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA).
“Having complete control over blockchain technology and intellectual property will not only enable Vietnam to proactively apply the technology in its digital economic, societal and future development, but also strengthen national sovereignty over data, ensure cybersecurity and enhance Vietnam’s position on the global stage,” Phan Duc Trung, chairman of both 1Matrix and the VBA said.
The project is at the other end of the “fun” spectrum to Ronin, a layer-1 blockchain developed by Vietnamese gaming startup Sky Mavis, which found global success through its flagship game Axie Infinity. While Ronin may be Vietnam’s first breakout blockchain, it was built primarily for gaming and backed by international investors such as a16z and Animoca Brands.
By contrast 1Matrix is a general-purpose layer-1 blockchain aligned with Vietnam’s very serious national priorities. The project has formed a strategic partnership with Boston Consulting Group and received public backing from Lieutenant General Dang Vu Son, former head of the Government Cipher Committee.
Launched under the “Make in Vietnam” banner, 1Matrix reflects the goals of Vietnam’s national blockchain strategy, which emphasizes domestic tech development.
Instant crypto withdrawal is convenient for users and scammers
South Korea’s financial authorities are pushing for cryptocurrency exchanges to reinstate delayed withdrawals due to a surge in voice phishing attacks.
Voice phishing damages increased by approximately 11.6 billion Korean won ($8.3 million) following the suspension of the system in July last year.
The withdrawal delay system is a voluntary measure that limits users from withdrawing crypto for a certain period.
Four of the five licensed local exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone and Korbit) ditched the system from July 2024, citing user convenience. Total phishing transactions on those platforms topped 13.24 billion Korean won ($9.4 million), with 11.6 billion Korean won coming after the suspension of withdrawal delays.
Three of the four exchanges (Bithumb, Coinone and Korbit) have agreed to resume withdrawal delays, the Financial Supervisory Service said in a statement.
In such phishing attacks, scammers trick victims into sending fiat to a compromised bank account set up to fund a crypto exchange account. Once the funds are deposited, they are used to buy crypto, which is then immediately withdrawn to an external wallet controlled by the scammer.
Delaying withdrawals can allow exchanges…
cointelegraph.com