TechCrunch Space: SpaceX’s big plans for Starship in Florida

Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. I hope everyone had a great Independence Day. On to the news!
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Disney Pixel RPG unites classic characters in 8-bit adventure

GungHo Online Entertainment has announced its latest venture, Disney Pixel RPG, an 8-bit adventure game that brings together a host of cherished Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Genie from Aladdin, and Baymax from Big Hero 6, among others. The upcoming title will have multiple worlds converge and feature fast-paced, strategic gameplay designed to appeal to a broad audience.
What to expect from the new Disney Pixel RPG
Disney Pixel RPG will have a turn-based combat system, which is user-friendly and accessible through simple touch controls, complete with an auto-play option. The game also introduces expeditions, so players can dispatch their Disney characters on quests to collect resources and other items, improving the interactive and immersive nature of the game.

An exciting addition for players is the ability to customize their own avatar within the game, adding a personal touch to their gaming experience. As of now, fans in Japan have the exclusive opportunity to pre-register for the game, which is set for a September 9 release.
The game will be available for free on both Android and iOS platforms, but it will include microtransactions, as seen by its listing on Apple’s App Store. The developers have optimized Disney Pixel RPG for tablet devices, in a bid to maximize the advantages of larger screens without compromising on quality by avoiding letterbox formatting.

In a special promotion, Japanese players who pre-register can enter a drawing to win a ¥10,000 Amazon gift card, adding an extra incentive. While GungHo has not confirmed an international release, the presence of promotional materials in English suggests that it could be launched in other regions.
The character lineup for Disney Pixel RPG features icons like Donald Duck, Goofy, Ariel, Maleficent, Stitch, and Sleeping Beauty. In related news, Disney is also collaborating with Sega on another mobile game, showcasing the company’s ongoing expansion into digital entertainment.

Disney Pixel RPG seems reminiscent of the Kingdom Hearts series but offers a more casual, family-friendly alternative. Disney enthusiasts can also look forward to the return of Epic Mickey later this year with the release of Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Kingdom Hearts IV in 2025.
Featured image: Disney
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Taiwan Advances CBDC Development, unveils prototype

Taiwan’s central bank has made significant strides in its central bank digital currency (CBDC) research, revealing a prototype platform.
According to a recent report by a local news outlet, the central bank’s plans to conduct multiple hearings and forums in the coming year to further its CBDC study and development. Central Bank Governor Chin-Long Yang emphasized in a recent research report that developing a digital currency is not a race among nations.
The bank has not set a definitive timeline for CBDC issuance, according to the Central News Agency. Yang is set to present the CBDC development progress report to Taiwan’s parliament, the Legislative Yuan, on Wednesday.
The prototype platform features a two-tier issuance structure and will initially offer a non-interest bearing currency. It will support both anonymous and registered wallet options.
On the retail front, the platform has demonstrated a processing capacity of 20,000 transactions per second. The central bank also plans to develop a wholesale CBDC, which could serve as a clearing asset for tokenized assets.
Taiwan’s interest in CBDC is not new
Taiwan initiated its CBDC research in 2019 and has completed two testing phases. The central bank maintains a cautious approach toward potential CBDC issuance. Notably, the bank distinguishes its CBDC research from cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, which remain largely unregulated in Taiwan. However, crypto service providers must comply with anti-money laundering (AML) laws.
Recent developments in Taiwan’s crypto landscape include the formation of an industry association to create self-supervisory rules and proposed amendments to AML laws. These amendments would require crypto firms to register for compliance, with potential penalties including imprisonment for non-compliance.
Following in The Bahamas’ footsteps
The Bahamas, a pioneer in launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) called the Sand Dollar, is now developing regulations to boost its adoption. As ReadWrite recently reported, the Caribbean nation plans to mandate commercial banks to offer access to this digital currency, aiming to expand its reach. Despite being launched in 2020, the Sand Dollar has seen limited uptake so far.
Recent data shows some growth, with the currency’s circulation volume increasing by 60.8% to $1.7 million by the end of 2023, and personal wallets growing by 20% to reach 118,955. The Sand Dollar’s development began in the late 1990s as part of efforts to modernize the country’s payment systems, with a pilot program launched in 2019 and a nationwide rollout in October 2020.
Featured Image: Pixabay
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BILLY’s Potential Surge to a Billion-Dollar Market Cap – Can This P2E Meme Coin Follow Suit?

The meme coin market is abuzz with a new contender: Billy. This adorable dog-themed coin has seen explosive growth, reaching a market cap of $170 million.
While the broader crypto market experiences a downturn, BILLY surges to new highs, captivating investor attention.
Further bolstering the momentum within the meme coin space, PlayDoge, another emerging project, has generated significant buzz.
Its presale has already secured an impressive $5.4 million, highlighting the ongoing interest in innovative meme coin concepts.

Billy’s (BILLY) price prediction
The Billy (BILLY) token is currently priced at $0.1576, marking a 14.41% increase over the past day, a remarkable 162.35% increase over the past week, and an impressive 148.96% increase over the past month.
Despite other meme coins experiencing price declines, the $BILLY token appears to be on an upward trajectory in the coming days. $BILLY had maintained a steady $100 million market cap for some time, but recent surges have propelled it to all-time highs.
With the current market capitalization now at $170 million, the coin’s rapid ascent underscores strong bullish momentum. Comparisons with other successful meme coins like $WIF token, which achieved a $1.8 billion market cap, indicate that $BILLY holds significant growth potential.

Given the current positive sentiment, there is a realistic possibility that $BILLY could reach a market cap of $1 billion, translating to a substantial 6X return on investment.
While this growth may not occur linearly, achieving intermediate milestones such as $300 million or $500 million market caps would reinforce $BILLY’s path towards becoming a prominent blue-chip meme coin.
The Billy token distinguishes itself with its engaging and memeable branding, centered around a cute dog similar to Doge but with its own unique twist.
One of the standout features of the $BILLY token is the development of a bot that allows users to create their own memes, enhancing its appeal and utility in the meme coin community.
Additionally, Billy has garnered support from various influencers, further driving its popularity and market presence.
With its current trajectory, $BILLY is well-positioned to join the ranks of prominent meme coins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe. Its strong community support and innovative features make it a compelling investment opportunity in the meme coin space.
Best alternative meme coin on presale: PlayDoge (PLAY)
PlayDoge is a new mobile game in the P2E genre that has garnered significant attention during its presale phase. It has raised over $5.4 million and offers a unique combination of nostalgic Tamagotchi-style gameplay with modern cryptocurrency rewards.
Players nurture digital pets within an 8-bit world, engaging in activities such as feeding, training, and mini-games. $PLAY tokens, the primary in-game currency, are earned through these interactions and achievements.
These tokens serve a dual purpose: facilitating in-game transactions and acting as tradable assets on cryptocurrency markets.

Source – PlayDoge Twitter
The P2E mechanics are central to PlayDoge’s design. Players accumulate XP by caring for their pets and succeeding in mini-games. Leaderboard systems reward top earners with additional $PLAY tokens and exclusive in-game rewards, fostering a competitive community.
Participation in PlayDoge is facilitated through MetaMask wallets, allowing users to purchase tokens during the presale or on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) after launch.
The project offers flexibility in purchase options, accepting various cryptocurrencies and even credit card payments. PlayDoge has established a substantial online presence, particularly on platforms like X and Telegram.
This active community fosters discussions, updates, and feedback, contributing to the ongoing development of the PlayDoge ecosystem. To take part in the $PLAY token presale, visit playdoge.io.
Conclusion
Both Billy and PlayDoge exemplify the dynamic opportunities within the meme coin and P2E sectors of cryptocurrency. Billy’s impressive market performance underscores its potential for significant gains.
PlayDoge’s innovative approach to gaming and tokenomics, on the other hand, sets the stage for a promising future. For investors seeking exposure to high-growth segments of the crypto market, Billy and PlayDoge represent compelling choices.
Stay tuned for further developments as these projects continue to make waves. If you’re looking to invest in meme coins, these two are definitely worth considering.
If you’re interested in the absolute best initial coin offerings (ICOs) of 2024, explore our comprehensive guide featuring the most promising options.
Related

Top Meme Coins to Watch During a Bear Market – dogwifhat, PlayDoge, and Pepe Unchained

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San Francisco’s AI boom can’t stop real estate slide, as office vacancies reach new record

Office vacancies in San Francisco hit another record in the second quarter, and rent prices fell to their lowest since 2015, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

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9 Best Microsoft Project Alternatives for 2024

Looking for another tool to use besides Microsoft Project? Use our buyer’s guide to find the best free and paid Microsoft Project alternatives for 2024.

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The 5 Best Web Development Courses Worth Taking in 2024

Web development can be a lucrative and challenging career. See our top picks for courses that can introduce you to the field and kick-start your job search.

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Valuations of startups have quietly rebounded to all-time highs. Some investors say the slump is over. 

Generative AI businesses aside, the last couple of years have been relatively difficult for venture-backed companies. Very few startups were able to raise funding at prices that exceeded their previous valuations.   Now, approximately two years after the venture slump began in early 2022, some investors, like IVP general partner Tom Loverro, are saying that the […]
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Corning shares pop 12% as AI boom drives stronger-than-expected demand for equipment

The company credits the outperformance to demand for its optical connectivity products used in generative artificial intelligence. 

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Apple removes VPN apps at request of Russian authorities, say app makers

VPN makers report having received a notification from Apple that their apps have been removed from the App Store in Russia.
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