Cypherpunk launches Zcash mining fleet controlling 18% of network hashrate
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Sovright launches Argos tool to help early Zcash users recover assets from lost wallets.
According to BlockBeats, on June 30, Sovright, a non-profit organization founded by members of the governance team of the former Zcash developer Electric Coin Company (ECC), launched Argos, a wallet recovery tool to help early Zcash users recover assets in their Shielded Addresses that became inaccessible due to the cessation of maintenance on ZEC Wallet Lite in 2022. Sovright Executive Chairman Michelle Lai stated that users holding the original wallet's seed phrase can recover their funds through Argos. While the exact number of affected addresses cannot be accurately determined, the amount of funds involved is expected to be substantial, primarily impacting early and long-term Zcash users. In addition to Argos, Sovright recently launched a testnet version of the Sovright Mining Pool, which aims to help individual miners participate in mining and improve the problem of excessive concentration of Zcash computing power. Sovright was founded after a governance disagreement between the ECC and the governance body Bootstrap. All former ECC employees left to form the for-profit Zcash Open Development Lab (ZODL), while three former Bootstrap board members formed Sovright to continue promoting the Zcash ecosystem in a non-profit manner.
Polymarket launches Bitcoin Lightning Network instant deposits and integrates the Spark protocol.
BlockBeats reported on July 8th that prediction market platform Polymarket announced support for instant, self-custodied deposits via the Bitcoin Lightning Network, powered by the Spark protocol. Compared to the previous on-chain deposit method, which required 3 to 6 block confirmations and took approximately 10 to 60 minutes, the new solution achieves near-instantaneous deposits, lowering the deposit threshold and transaction costs. According to reports, Spark performs checks for double-spending risk, fees, and Replace-by-Fee (RBF) during transaction broadcasting, achieving "zero-confirmation" deposits. It also supports on-chain, Lightning Network, and stablecoin payment channels, eliminating the need for the platform to operate its own Lightning Network nodes. Polymarket stated that this move will further improve the efficiency of Bitcoin users' fund utilization and enhance its competitiveness against rival Kalshi.
Binance launches zero-fee withdrawal promotion for bStocks BSC network
PANews reported on July 2 that Binance announced that from now until 07:59 on October 1, 2026 (UTC+8), users can enjoy zero transaction fees when withdrawing bStocks tokenized shares through the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) network.
Canton Network mainnet launches "Logical Synchronizer Upgrade," protocol upgrade enables automatic and seamless switching.
Foresight News , Canton Network announced that with the release of Canton 3.5, Logical Synchronizer Upgrades (LSUs) are now live on the mainnet. This mechanism allows the new version of the synchronizer infrastructure to run in parallel with the existing network, automatically transitioning during network switching in just seconds to minutes without requiring data migration or reload, ensuring applications continue to run normally. In terms of specific procedures, the synchronizer operator will deploy a new generation of synchronizer nodes before the upgrade and run them in parallel with the old version; validators will install the new version of the software during the upgrade window. The new software supports both the old and new protocol versions to ensure that message processing is not interrupted before and after the switch; then the on-chain governance will propose an upgrade schedule, the logical synchronizer will send a switch signal to the validators, and the validators will automatically complete the switch and verify consistency after detecting the new generation synchronizer. The application will continue to run under the same logical synchronizer identity; the old version of the infrastructure will be phased out after 30 days. Canton Network stated that it has completed four protocol version upgrades since its mainnet launch in 2024. The LSU mechanism aims to reduce the operational burden on super validators and validators, making protocol upgrades and maintenance routine operations and minimizing the impact on application developers and end-users. This mechanism will pave the way for several new features planned for the next 6 to 12 months, including token standard upgrades, BFT consensus upgrades and scaling, decentralized party management and verification services, and asset discovery capabilities.
SpaceX reportedly tests plans for self-developed mobile phones and mobile communication networks.
PANews reported on July 6th that, according to the Wall Street Journal, SpaceX is exploring larger-scale mobile phone and mobile communications businesses. Investors have already seen a prototype device resembling a mobile phone, thinner than an iPhone, running its own operating system. The report points out that during SpaceX's IPO preparations, President Gwynne Shotwell discussed the possibility of building a terrestrial network to provide mobile services and considered partnerships with carriers. Starlink currently partners with companies like T-Mobile to provide mobile connectivity in remote areas. If it launches its own terminals and builds large-scale terrestrial infrastructure, it will further strengthen its business layout of using satellite-connected mobile devices and put pressure on traditional telecom operators.
SBI's crypto subsidiary will shut down its Bitcoin mining pool service.
According to Mars Finance, Decrypt reports that SBI Crypto, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings, announced it will officially shut down its Bitcoin mining pool service on July 31. Prior to this, the pool will continue normal operations, and customers can continue mining and earning rewards. SBI Crypto's cryptocurrency mining service has been operating since 2017 and currently ranks 11th globally in hashrate rankings on the Hashrate Index. To assist customers with a smooth transition, the platform is in negotiations with other mining pool operators such as Braiins and Luxor. Analysts point out that this move reflects the trend of large mining companies gradually adjusting their business focus in the face of Bitcoin price volatility and changes in the industry environment. Despite divesting its mining pool business, its parent company, SBI, is still increasing its investment in the cryptocurrency market, having just announced the acquisition of Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank for $289 million earlier this week.