(COOKIE) Regular Invest

Ever notice how certain traders know which tokens are about to move before everyone else? They’re not magic or lucky. They’re just using better data.

The InfoFi narrative, which gained significant traction in the crypto industry, experienced a sudden collapse following an announcement by X's product lead, Nikita Bier, regarding changes to the platform’s API policy. The new policy prohibits applications that reward users for posting on X, citing concerns over AI-generated spam and low-quality replies. This decision effectively undermines the core functionality of many InfoFi projects that rely on X’s API to access user data and distribute tokenized rewards. Key projects, Kaito and Cookie, quickly responded to the policy shift. Kaito announced it would pivot toward Kaito Studio, a more selective, brand-driven platform that moves beyond the crypto space. Its founder, Yu Hu, emphasized a broader focus beyond cryptocurrency. Similarly, Cookie decided to shut down its Snaps platform but is developing Cookie Pro, a real-time crypto market intelligence tool, while exploring potential future adaptations in line with X’s guidelines. The abrupt policy change highlights the vulnerability of InfoFi models that depend heavily on-platform engagement metrics. While some projects, such as those focused on monetizing narratives rather than direct posting rewards, may remain unaffected, the incident marks a significant shift for the attention economy within crypto. The evolution of InfoFi may continue in new forms, but its current iteration has been severely disrupted.

Recent disclosures from the "Epstein Files" reveal significant, previously unknown connections between the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and the cryptocurrency industry. As early as 2011, Epstein was aware of Bitcoin, calling it a "brilliant idea" with "serious flaws." The documents show he was involved in discussions about Bitcoin's nature, invested in the seed round of infrastructure firm Blockstream, and received updates on market developments from figures like a16z's Steven Sinofsky. The files suggest Epstein may have met with "some Bitcoin creators," potentially including Satoshi Nakamoto, raising questions about Bitcoin's origins and the U.S. government's knowledge. He also proposed creating Sharia-compliant digital currencies to Middle Eastern contacts. Additionally, the documents include a harsh critique of MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor from 2010, describing him as a socially awkward "weirdo" at one of Epstein's parties. The revelations, which also involve investments in projects like Ripple and Stellar, hint at a deeper, hidden history of crypto's early days, with more information potentially yet to be disclosed.

In a recent surge of interest, the "Hook" concept on Uniswap v4 has captured significant attention from the retail crypto community, driven by projects like $upeg, $sato, and Slonks. Despite being introduced over a year ago, Hooks—customizable plugins for the Uniswap protocol—gained mainstream traction only recently. The article argues that earlier Uniswap efforts to promote Hooks focused too heavily on technical improvements and liquidity provider (LP) solutions, which failed to capture the imagination of everyday users. The breakthrough came with projects that introduced novel, engaging gameplay. $upeg combines trading with generative art, where each integer purchase creates a unique image, adding a layer of artistic creation and complexity to tokenomics. $sato leverages a bonding curve on Ethereum, appealing to the network's "diamond hands" culture with a decentralized, zero-intervention model that turns into a "belief game." Slonks uses an AI model to redraw CryptoPunks, creating a gamified ecosystem where users can burn or merge NFTs to earn $SLOP tokens based on how much the AI "deviated" from the original. These examples highlight Hooks' potential to transform Uniswap from a simple swap and LP platform into a vibrant ecosystem of innovative applications. While technically possible to build such projects independently, the synergy with Uniswap’s established user base and infrastructure provides mutual benefits. For "Hook" to become a true catalyst for a bull market, the author suggests that projects need compelling, original narratives, and Uniswap must further commit to positioning itself as Ethereum's premier application marketplace for creative on-chain experiences.