- U.S. Job Growth Surpasses Expectations, Weighing on Crypto Markets and Fed Rate Cut Speculation
- Arbitrum DAO Approves BoLD Protocol Upgrade to Enhance Network Decentralization
- Pyth Network Partners with Revolut to Integrate Real-Time Digital Asset Data into DeFi
- Fetch.ai Launches $10M Accelerator to Support AI Agent and Tech Startups
The U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in December, well above the expected 160,000, pushing the unemployment rate down to 4.1%. This stronger-than-expected data led to a broad market pullback, particularly affecting the crypto sector, as investors reassessed the likelihood of continued Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025. The surge in job growth sparked a rise in bond yields and a strengthening dollar, further increasing pressure on the crypto markets. The report has prompted growing uncertainty about the Fed's future monetary policy decisions. CoinDesk
Arbitrum’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) has unanimously supported the BoLD protocol upgrade, set to remove centralized validator restrictions and improve dispute resolution within the network. The BoLD protocol introduces a fixed time-bound dispute process, reducing the risk of delays caused by bad actors. Additionally, it opens Arbitrum One’s validation system to anyone, fostering greater decentralization. While Arbitrum One will adopt the permissionless model, Arbitrum Nova will maintain a permissioned structure, with Infura added to enhance security. The upgrade, slated for deployment on February 12, aims to strengthen Arbitrum's ecosystem and resolve issues like sequencer outages. Cointelegraph
Pyth Network has partnered with fintech company Revolut to integrate digital asset price data into decentralized finance (DeFi). Revolut will publish its digital asset prices on Pyth Price Feeds, providing DeFi developers with real-time market data for DApps. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and Web3, offering access to over 500 price feeds across digital assets, foreign exchange, equities, and commodities. Cointelegraph
Fetch.ai has introduced a $10 million accelerator program aimed at supporting startups focused on AI agents, quantum computing, and high-performance technologies. Operated through Fetch.ai's Innovation Lab, the accelerator offers funding, mentorship, and access to Fetch.ai’s agent-based technologies to help startups scale globally. The program includes workshops, boot camps, and lectures in collaboration with organizations like MIT’s Web.lab. CEO Humayun Sheikh emphasizes that AI agents will redefine software development and task execution. Cointelegraph