At Crypto, World Mobile has launched a drone-based network to provide 5G services, with Unicoin CEO saying US Bank continues to close accounts for Crypto companies under “Operation Choke Points.” Meanwhile, Vitalik Buterin is once again an on billionaire.
World Mobile launches an aerial drone network for telecommunications
World Mobile, a distributed physical infrastructure network (DEPIN) for telecommunications, launched a new initiative with Indonesian telecommunications company Protelindo, providing 5G wireless services through a drone-based platform.
The project, called World Mobile Stratosphere, uses hydrogen-powered drones deployed at 60,000 feet in the stratosphere to provide wireless coverage, Charles Barnett, chief business officer of World Mobile Group, told Cointelegraph.
By beaming data directly to individual devices, World Mobile Stratospheric aims to expand wireless coverage to dead zones and underserved areas ignored by large communication players.
The atmospheric and satellite-based communications sector continues to grow as these solutions present ways of providing online infrastructure to billions of individuals who lack internet connectivity.
Crypto decanking is “still happening” as banks stick to chokepoint policies
Crypto companies have faced closures and denials of banking services accounts under risky labels for years. Many people in the crypto industry believe that leaving the company represents a policy-driven effort to curb digital assets known as “Operation Chalk Point 2.0.”
They believed that the era of many leaving after President Donald Trump’s pro-cryptic team won the election was over. His campaign’s rhetoric and early policy moves demonstrate a friendly environment for digital assets, with some expecting banks to ease restrictions on crypto clients.
However, recent incidents suggest that this practice remains ingrained. Last week, Andreessen Horowitz partner Alex Rampell warned that major banks were narrowing down fintech and crypto apps with Operation Chokepoint 3.0.
Reflecting these concerns, Unicoin CEO Alex Konanykhin told Cointelegraph that US banks continue to close accounts of crypto companies without explanation despite growing political pressure to end their practices.
“Unicoin and its subsidiaries are bailed out by several banks without explanation, so we know first hand about it,” Konanykhin said. He has listed five banks that have severed ties with Unicoin or its subsidiaries over the past few years, including Citibank, Chase, Wells Fargo, Municipal Bank of Florida and TD Bank.
Vitalik Buterin regains the crown of “on-chain billionaires” with ether leading the top 4.2k
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin regained his position as a 10-digit crypto holder just days after Ether crossed the $4,000 price level for the first time in eight months, according to the blockchain intelligence company.
“Vitalik Buterin is now an Onchain billionaire,” Arkham said in a post on Saturday. At the time of publication, Buterin’s portfolio was valued at around $1.04 billion and holds 240,042 ETH along with small stocks in cryptocurrency such as Aave Ethereum (Aethweth), Whiterock (White), Moo Deng (Moodeng) and Wrapped Ethereum (Weth).
On Saturday, the ether rose to another 6.38%, reaching $4,332 after returning to $4,000 on Friday, reaching unseen levels since December 2024. According to Nansen, at the time of publication, Ether is trading at $4,244.
