TLDR Crypto 2022-04-08

Block has announced three Bitcoin-related features for Cash App. Users who receive their paychecks through Cash App's direct deposit feature can now have all or part of their wages paid in Bitcoin. A new round up Bitcoin option allows users to purchase Bitcoin with change from other purchases. Cash App users in the US, except for those who live in New York, will soon be able to receive Bitcoin on Cash App through the Lightning Network.

Strike has announced partnerships with NCR (the world's largest point-of-sale supplier), payment firm Blackhawk, and Shopify to bring Bitcoin's Lightning Network to merchants. The partnerships could create an explosion in mainstream adoption of the Lightning Network and result in millions of American storefronts accepting Lightning Network payments. Strike's CEO has been working with policymakers on legislation to protect innovation.

The Luna Foundation Guard (LFG), a non-profit aimed at building Terra's reserves, is buying $100 million in Avalanche's AVAX tokens. The LFG recently purchased $1 billion of Bitcoin. These purchases will help the LFG create a reserve to help Terra maintain its peg to fiat. Terra has been able to maintain its peg algorithmically, but the reserve will help it further defend against volatility. LFG's strategy has created upward pressure on Bitcoin's price as the available supply shrinks.

Robinhood has activated its crypto wallet for 2 million eligible customers. Users with access to the wallet can now move cryptocurrencies out of Robinhood. Robinhood will support Bitcoin transactions on the Lightning Network. The wallet can only accept cryptocurrencies on Robinhood's trading list. There are no staking, NFT, or decentralized app features, and no fees for withdrawing cryptocurrencies other than network fees. Users will be limited to withdrawing a maximum of $5,000 every day.

This article covers emerging DeFi technology trends and explains what they are to help with financial planning decisions. It discusses crypto bridges, self-repaying loans, and synthetic securities. As crypto continues to evolve, it will likely create even more opportunities.

This Twitter thread presents a beginner's guide to stablecoins. Stablecoins connect real-world currencies to digital currencies and provide an easy way for users to transact on the internet. The thread covers how stablecoins are designed, the different types of stablecoins, use cases, drawbacks, and more.

The Tokenized Vault Standard (ERC-4626) will allow developers to build apps for one ERC-4626 vault and have it work for all other ERC-4626 tokens. Current DeFi apps require developers to write code for each unique variation in tokens, resulting in many issues. ERC-4626 will be the new gold standard for interest-bearing tokens. A demo ERC-4626 implementation is available.

This Twitter thread contains a list of free DeFi tools. The list includes tools for tracking portfolios, swapping coins, staking stablecoins, bridging, learning about exploits, and more. An eBook with more information on DeFi tools is available.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that a digital dollar could become a trusted money comparable to physical cash in a speech on Thursday. She noted that an extreme divergence of perceptions is often the case with transformative technologies and that the government should step back and let innovation take its course. Part of her speech focused on central bank digital currencies and the effects they could have on the financial system. More details about the Treasury Secretary's speech are available in the article.