Hey there, PoI readers! 🌟 

It's your favorite crypto connoisseur, Mochi, back with another scoop of delicious digital delights! Today, we're diving deep into the world of blockchain blunders, stablecoin surprises, and meme-coin mania. From Ethereum's email escapades to Opera's mini marvel, we've got a smorgasbord of crypto craziness that'll make your head spin faster than a blockchain transaction. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's embark on this wild ride through the wonderland of Web3! 🌐🔍

INTEL BRIEF

🟧 The Ethereum Foundation's email server was hacked, resulting in a phishing scam targeting thousands of subscribers with fake Lido staking offers.

🟧 Opera Mini's MiniPay crypto wallet now supports USDT and USDC stablecoins, introducing a new feature called Pockets for easy swaps.

🟧 Organizers behind the Dogwifhat Las Vegas Sphere campaign remain optimistic about the plan's success despite delays.

🟧 UK voters are calling for political candidates to consider cryptocurrency as the general election approaches, with many concerned about the industry's future.

Ethereum's Email Oopsie Meets Blockchain Blunders

It seems the Ethereum Foundation's email server got a surprise makeover courtesy of some sneaky hacker types. On June 23, these digital ne'er-do-wells broke into the Foundation's "update" email account faster than you can say "decentralized autonomy," and boy, did they have a field day!

Picture this: 35,794 unsuspecting souls received an email that was about as genuine as a three-dollar bill. The message, masquerading as an official Ethereum Foundation announcement, proclaimed a partnership with LidoDAO

The email promised a mouth-watering 6.8% yield on staked Ether, Wrapped Ether, or plain ol' Ether deposits. It was like dangling a digital carrot in front of crypto-hungry rabbits! The cherry on top? A claim that it was all "Protected and Verified by The Ethereum Foundation." Talk about a stamp of artificial approval!

Now, if you were tempted to click that oh-so-inviting "Begin Staking" button (and let's be honest, who doesn't love a good button?), you'd find yourself on a one-way trip to Scam City, population: your wallet. This "Staking Launchpad" was about as legit as a chocolate teapot, with a "Stake" button that was basically asking, "Pretty please, can I drain your wallet?"

But fear not, dear readers! The Ethereum Foundation, like a blockchain superhero, swooped in to save the day. They shut down the attacker's email access faster than you can say "gas fees," and sent out warnings quicker than a bull run in a bull market.

In the aftermath of this digital kerfuffle, it turns out the hacker may have snagged 81 shiny new email addresses. But here's the kicker - despite all this tomfoolery, it seems no crypto was actually lost in this particular campaign. It's like the hacker threw a party, but forgot to order the blockchain punch!

Ethereum Foundation's email server hacked, sending phishing scams to 35,794 people.

Fake partnership with LidoDAO promised 6.8% yield on staked Ether.

No funds lost, but 81 new email addresses potentially exposed.

Opera's MiniPay Adds Extra Stable Goodness

Opera's MiniPay is making waves in the digital ocean, and it's not just because of its adorable name. This pint-sized powerhouse of a wallet has been busy beefing up its stablecoin game, and boy, oh boy, is it stable now!

Since its grand debut in September 2023, MiniPay has been charming the socks off Africa faster than you can say "decentralized finance." With a whopping 3 million users already on board.

But wait, there's more! MiniPay just got a serious upgrade. It's now rolling out the red carpet for the stablecoin royalty - Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC.

And here's where it gets really fancy: they've introduced a feature called "Pockets." No, it's not for storing your spare change (although, who doesn't love a good pocket?). This nifty little tool lets you swap between cUSD, USDC, and USDT faster than you can say "blockchain revolution." It's so easy, it's practically drag-and-drop finance!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But Mochi, what about those pesky gas fees?" Well, hold onto your ice cream cones because MiniPay's got you covered with "sub-cent fees and no hidden costs." It's like getting a bargain at the crypto supermarket!

But why Africa, you ask? Well, according to Opera's big cheese Jørgen Arnsen (or as I like to call him, the EVP of Mobile Magic), Africa's been dealing with some financial frustrations. High fees, unreliable services, and a general lack of transparency in transactions have been raining on their parade. Plus, with internet costs higher than a giraffe's ears, they needed a solution that wouldn't break the bank.

And boy, has MiniPay delivered! It's spreading across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa faster than gossip at a blockchain conference. With nearly 100 million Opera Mini users in Africa.

Opera Mini's MiniPay wallet now supports USDT and USDC stablecoins

New "Pockets" feature allows easy swaps between cUSD, USDC, and USDT

MiniPay has gained 3 million users in Africa since September 2023

Dogwifhat's Vegas Gamble Aims for the Sphere

Remember back in March when the crypto community collectively lost its marbles and raised a cool $700,000 to plaster a dog wearing a hat on the Las Vegas Sphere? Well, folks, we're still waiting for that canine to make its Sin City debut, but fear not! The organizers are more confident than a bull in a china shop... or should I say, a dog in a hat shop?

Mihir, one of the masterminds behind this memecoin madness, is strutting around with 90% confidence that this puppy plan will see the light of day. It's like he's got a crystal ball, but instead of seeing the future, it's just showing him a gif of a dog in a hat spinning round and round.

Now, you might be thinking, “What's the holdup?" Well, it turns out the Sphere folks weren't quite prepared for the crypto carnival to come to town. They've been busy cooking up some "crypto-specific" terms faster than you can say "blockchain." It's like they're trying to teach an old dog new tricks, except the dog is a massive LED sphere and the trick is displaying memecoins.

But wait, there's more! Some contributors have been barking up the Twitter tree, wondering where their hard-earned WIF tokens have gone. Mihir, cool as a cucumber (or a scoop of mint ice cream), reassures everyone that if this sphere scheme goes south, they'll get their doggy dollars back faster than you can say "Who let the dogs out?"

And let's not forget about Achi, the real-life pooch behind the meme. Turns out, his owners are totally cool with their furry friend becoming a crypto celebrity. They even lent out a remake of the original pink hat! Talk about putting the "aww" in "paw-some."

Meanwhile, WIF is sitting pretty as the 54th largest cryptocurrency. Sure, it's down 62% from its all-time high, but hey, that's still a 1,000,000% increase since November. It's like the little memecoin that could, if "could" meant "make people throw money at giant spheres in the desert."

Dogwifhat Sphere campaign organizers 90% confident despite delays

Las Vegas Sphere developing new "crypto-specific" terms

WIF token still up 1,000,000% since launch despite recent price drop

UK Voters Push Crypto Agenda in Upcoming Election

The UK is gearing up for a political showdown that could shake things up more than a double-decker bus hitting a speed bump. On July 4th (because apparently, the Brits wanted to steal America's thunder), voters will decide whether to keep the Conservatives in the driver's seat or hand the keys to Labour for the first time in 14 years.

Now, you might be thinking, "What does this have to do with crypto?" Well, butter my biscuits, it turns out quite a lot! According to a survey, about one-third of young British adults are more worried about the future of crypto than running out of Earl Grey. That's right, these tech-savvy Brits want their MPs to consider the growth of the crypto industry more seriously than their next queue for the loo.

But here's the kicker: some of the crypto-friendly MPs are pulling a French exit (or as the Brits might say, "taking French leave"). Lisa Cameron, the MP who's been waving the crypto flag harder than a football fan at a Man United match, has decided to bow out of the election race. It's like losing your favorite player right before the World Cup!

Now, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had plans to roll out a crypto regulatory framework. But with the surprise election announcement, those plans are now moving slower than London traffic during rush hour.

Neither Starmer nor Sunak addressed crypto or blockchain in their June 26 debate, leaving voters uncertain about their stance on digital assets.

Crypto execs are cozying up to Labour officials faster than you can spread clotted cream on a scone. They're hoping to butter up potential new leaders like Rachel Reeves and Tulip Siddiq. Because in the world of crypto, you've got to hedge your bets faster than a hedgehog on Red Bull!

UK general election on July 4th could impact crypto policies

One-third of young UK adults want politicians to consider crypto industry growth

Crypto-friendly MPs leaving government causes concern among voters

And there you have it, my delightful PoI devotees! We've journeyed through the highs and lows of the crypto cosmos, from email mishaps to spherical spectacles. I hope this edition has left you feeling both informed and thoroughly entertained. Remember, in the world of crypto, today's joke could be tomorrow's billion-dollar idea! 💡

Until our next rendezvous in the digital realm, keep your passwords safe, your wallets secure, and your memes dank. This is Mochi, your trusty crypto correspondent, signing off with a virtual fist bump! 👊✨

P.S. Don't forget to share this newsletter faster than a viral crypto tweet! Your friends might thank you when the next big meme coin takes off. (Not financial advice, just meme advice! 😉) Share the newsletter and spread the PoI love! 📣❤️

🍨📰 Catch you in the next issue! 📰🍨