Hey there, PoI readers! 🎉 

Mochi here again, your trusty guide through the exciting world of tech and web3. Get ready to dive into a treasure trove of news, from Tether's golden twist on stablecoins and Ethiopia's digital currency dreams to TikTok's AI avatar invasion and Coinbase International's pre-launch market adventures. It's time to put on your thinking caps and explore the ever-evolving landscape of digital innovation! 🧠💡

INTEL BRIEF

🟧 Tether introduces Alloy (aUSDT), a gold-backed, U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin on its new tokenization platform.

🟧 Ethiopia's central bank prepares legal framework for potential CBDC introduction as part of its economic reform agenda.

🟧 TikTok introduces AI-powered digital avatars and dubbing tools for brands to create localized ads in multiple languages.

🟧 Coinbase International introduces pre-launch markets, allowing users to trade futures of soon-to-be-listed tokens and coins.

Tether's New Alloy: A Golden Twist on Stablecoins

Tether, the issuer of the popular USDT, is shaking things up with their latest creation: Alloy (aUSDT) 🎉

Now, you might be thinking, "Another stablecoin? What's so special about this one?" Well, buckle up, because Alloy is taking a unique approach by being backed by gold (via Tether Gold, XAUt) while still being pegged to the U.S. dollar. That's right, it's a synthetic dollar that combines the stability of gold with the flexibility of a stablecoin!

Tether says Alloy is just the first step in their grand plan to launch a real-world asset tokenization platform later this year. They're even hinting at the possibility of other tethered assets, like yield-bearing products, being created on the platform.

Minting aUSDT is a breeze, too. Just deposit XUSDT through a smart contract and price oracles, and voila! You can now make transactions with aUSDT while still holding onto your gold-backed Tether. It's like having your cake and eating it too, but with digital assets instead of dessert.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Isn't this just another synthetic dollar?" And you're right, it's not the first of its kind. But Tether is sweetening the deal by offering USDT holders a bonus at a 2:1 ratio, with 10 million aUSDT set aside for this purpose. Who doesn't love a good bonus?

Tether launches Alloy (aUSDT), a gold-backed, U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin.

Alloy is part of Tether's upcoming real-world asset tokenization platform.

USDT holders can get a 2:1 bonus when minting aUSDT.

Ethiopia's Central Bank Paves the Way for a Digital Birr

As part of their grand Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has whipped up two proclamations that could change the game for Ethiopia's financial landscape. The star of the show? A legal framework for introducing a CBDC "as necessary." That's right, folks, Ethiopia might just be hopping on the digital currency bandwagon!

But wait, there's more! The NBE Proclamation also aims to boost the central bank's capital and create a legal basis for consumer protection. Meanwhile, the Banking Business Proclamation is all about liberalizing foreign investment in banking, keeping "problem" banks in check, and setting up a regulatory sandbox for innovative financial solutions. It's like a buffet of economic reforms!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Mochi, what's the deal with crypto in Africa?" Well, it's a mixed bag, really. Some countries, like Nigeria, have already launched their own CBDCs, while others, like the Central African Republic, have had a bit of a rocky start with their crypto endeavors.

But Ethiopia seems to be taking a measured approach, with plans to study the feasibility of a CBDC and even join a mysterious "Cross Border Payment System" by December. Plus, they've already dipped their toes in the blockchain pool, using the tech for large government payments.

Ethiopia's central bank prepares legal framework for potential CBDC

Economic reform agenda includes liberalizing foreign investment and creating a regulatory sandbox

Ethiopia has plans to study CBDC feasibility and join a cross-border payment system

TikTok's AI Avatars: The Future of Advertising or Uncanny Valley?

TikTok is about to get a whole lot more artificial with the introduction of AI-powered "digital avatars" in ads! That's right, brands can now create their own virtual spokespeople using TikTok's new "stock avatars" and "AI dubbing" features.

These avatars are based on real actors (who were paid, don't worry!) and can be dubbed over with AI-generated voices in ten different languages and dialects. It's like having a multilingual virtual assistant at your fingertips!

But wait, there's more! TikTok is also testing "custom avatars" that can clone the likeness of content creators and brand spokespeople. Imagine seeing your favorite TikTok star speaking in multiple languages.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Mochi, isn't this a bit... creepy?" And you might be onto something. The AI clones aren't perfect, and there's a risk of falling into the dreaded "uncanny valley" where things just don't quite look right.

But fear not, TikTok promises to label all videos created with its AI tools as AI-generated "for full transparency." So, if you see a tiny box in the corner saying "AI-generated," you'll know it's not quite human.

TikTok isn't the first to venture into the world of AI avatars, though. Meta (you know, the company formerly known as Facebook) rolled out an AI chatbot last year that cloned the likeness of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg.

TikTok introduces AI-powered digital avatars and dubbing tools for ads

Brands can create virtual spokespeople that speak multiple languages

Custom avatars can clone the likeness of content creators and brand spokespeople

AI-generated videos will be labeled for transparency

Coinbase International Jumps on the Pre-Launch Market Bandwagon

Coinbase International is joining the cool kids' club by creating a launchpad for up-and-coming crypto projects. That's right, they're now offering "pre-launch markets" for all you eager beavers out there!

So, what exactly are pre-launch markets? They allow users to trade perpetual futures contracts on tokens that haven't even launched yet. It's like getting a sneak peek into the future of crypto! When the token finally makes its grand debut on spot exchanges, the instrument transforms into a standard perpetual contract. It's like a caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly! Coinbase revealed on June 17, adding: “When the underlying token is launched on applicable spot exchanges, the instrument converts to a standard perpetual contract.”

Pre-launch markets are not for the faint of heart. Coinbase has capped the initial margin at 50% (or 2x leverage) and a notional position limit of $50,000 per token. They've also warned that these markets are prone to lower liquidity, higher volatility, and increased liquidation risk. It's like riding a rollercoaster without a seatbelt!

And here's the kicker: there's a chance that pre-launch tokens may never even make it to the full listing process. If that happens, the pre-launch market won't be able to convert into a standard perpetual futures market, and it might even be suspended or delisted.

Coinbase International introduces pre-launch markets for trading futures of soon-to-be-listed tokens

Pre-launch markets have higher risks, including lower liquidity and increased liquidation risk.

There's a chance pre-launch tokens may never make it to the full listing process

And that’s a Wrap! We've covered so much ground in this edition, from the glittering halls of Tether's gold-backed stablecoin to the virtual stages of TikTok's AI avatars. I hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as I have, and that you're walking away with a wealth of knowledge and a sparkle in your eye. 😄

Remember, the world of tech and web3 is always spinning, and it's up to us to keep our fingers on the pulse. So, keep exploring, keep questioning, and keep sharing your insights with the PoI community. We're all in this together! 🤝

P.S. Don't forget to share your thoughts, questions, and favorite crypto puns with us. very voice matters in the PoI community! 📣❤️ Share the newsletter

🍨📰 Catch you in the next issue! 📰🍨