Hey Cardanians! Welcome aboard the Weekly Cardano Digest #41!!

We've filtered through all the noise to distill crucial updates into a breezy, 5-minute read. No need for you to sift through endless info — we've got you covered. Ready to delve into this week's top Cardano news? Let’s dive in.

Here are the topics of the week:

• Cardano and Bitcoin Are Now Interoperable

• Project Catalyst Fund 13 is Now Open

• NuFi Partners With Sayfer to Introduce Cardano Wallet Snap on Metamask

• Moneta Officially Opens USDM Beta Test Program

• Weekly Development Report

• & More!

This newsletter is segmented into categories of less technical news topics to those that are more technical, in an effort to make it easier for our readers to follow. The first category will focus on news involving the Cardano ecosystem, while the second category will focus on projects that have been announced recently. The third category, which will be found towards the end of the newsletter, will focus on the most technical topics.

This week on Cardano…

Cardano and Bitcoin Are Now Interoperable

A groundbreaking development has occurred in the blockchain world: a new seamless bridge connecting Bitcoin and Cardano has been created. This bridge, developed by Bitcoin developer and FluidTokens CTO Elraulito, allows Bitcoin wallet holders to interact directly with the Cardano ecosystem.

The bridge leverages Plutus V3, a smart contract language for Cardano. By combining Aiken, a Cardano-specific language, and CIP69 for enhanced address programmability, the bridge enables cross-chain functionality.

A multi-validator system facilitates transactions, delegations, and reward withdrawals. Off-chain transactions are handled by MeshJS, a solution compatible with the latest Plutus V3 framework.

This bridge opens up new opportunities for Bitcoin users, allowing them to send ADA, manage tokens, and participate in Cardano staking pools without needing a separate wallet. The development has significant implications for the broader blockchain landscape, potentially revolutionizing user onboarding and cross-chain interactions. READ MORE

Project Catalyst Fund 13 is Now Open

Project Catalyst, Cardano's community-driven funding platform, has launched its 13th funding round. Cardano community members can now submit proposals in three categories: Cardano Use Cases, Cardano Open, and Cardano Partners.

Project Catalyst has been instrumental in fostering innovation and development within the Cardano ecosystem. It provides funding and support for innovative Cardano projects, encouraging a vibrant community of developers and enthusiasts.

Community members have until October 10th to submit their proposals. Voting will begin on November 28th. This year's categories are designed to stimulate groundbreaking innovation on the Cardano network.

To participate in voting, ADA holders must have a minimum of 25 ADA at the time of the snapshot. This lower voting threshold compared to previous rounds aims to increase voter participation and give more people a voice in the decision-making process. READ MORE

NuFi Partners With Sayfer to Introduce Cardano Wallet Snap on Metamask

NuFi, a non-custodial Web3 wallet provider, has integrated Cardano into MetaMask. This allows MetaMask users to manage ADA, interact with Cardano dApps, and access the full potential of the Cardano ecosystem without needing a separate wallet.

NuFi partnered with Sayfer, a cybersecurity firm that conducts blockchain-specific audits, to ensure the highest security standards for this integration. Cardano, being a non-EVM blockchain, was previously incompatible with MetaMask. However, MetaMask's Snaps feature allows for the development of additional functionalities for non-EVM chains.

The Cardano Wallet Snap provides a seamless solution for connecting to Cardano within MetaMask. Users can activate the Snap from the official MetaMask Snaps directory or connect to a Cardano-supported dApp with a single click. This integration simplifies access to Cardano's DeFi services and NFT marketplaces. READ MORE

Moneta Officially Opens USDM Beta Test Program

Moneta is now accepting applications for its USDM Beta Test Program. This program allows select individuals in the United States to mint and burn $USDM, Cardano's premier fiat-backed stablecoin.

Benefits of Participating:

• Influence product development: Provide valuable feedback to help improve the USDM platform.

• Early access: Experience new features before they are released to the public.

• Contribute to the future of digital finance: Help shape the development of a leading platform.

To join the beta test, you must:

• Complete a thorough KYC process.

• Reside in one of the eligible US states.

• Be from a non-sanctioned country.

• Be prepared for potential transaction delays.

• Transact in USD for minting USDM.

By participating in the beta test, you can contribute to the success of the USDM platform and help make digital finance more accessible and user-friendly. READ MORE

Weekly Development Report

Interesting Stories:

1. Cardano Foundation CEO visits NASA’s Goddard Center for blockchain workshop

2. Helix Labs Secures $2 Million to Advance Cardano Staking in DeFi

3. EMURGO and ReformDAO partner to improve market-making for Cardano Web3 projects

🎊 A Message from Lucas 🎊

We are only a few weeks away from the Argentina Tech Forum! This means that Charles Hoskinson himself will be in my beloved country once again. We are all working hard to guarantee that this visit will be as productive as possible both for IOG and Cardano. Many interesting meetings ahead, will keep updated on those. Taking this opportunity to invite you to Argentina, if you are looking to build your product or do business over here, shoot me a DM on X, would love to facilitate that!

In case you missed it, I wanted to remind you that last week I shared my vision and values for Cardano on X as I continue my campaign for DRep. In that post, I share that believe Cardano should prioritize improving its marketing and business development efforts to attract more users and foster growth.

You can find more information on what I stand for here:

If you share my vision for Cardano and believe in my work, I would be honored if you would vote for me as a DRep.

This is my DRep ID:

drep15nvw9d6zr6m08dpckkx4d3g6dplc5vh7yhekyjw0vq07spk38ak

Thank you.

–Lucas Macchiavelli