The Grimaldi Forum is hosting the Monaco Crypto Summit this week, with speakers and special guests exploring trends in the crypto world as well as announcing new partnerships and products.
The crypto world has been on shifting sands this year, with a dramatic €1.951 trillion drop since its November 2021 high, sending several crypto lending platforms and hedge funds into bankruptcy. But with the dark comes the light, and others have found new opportunities in these new conditions, receiving funding and acquisitions that are springboards for new investors.
For those already involved or looking to learn more about the world of cryptocurrencies, the Monaco Crypto Summit is just the place to check out what the latest trends are and how to take advantage of them. Hosted at the Grimaldi Forum on Friday 29th July, the line-up will include some heavy hitters in the industry as well as some special invitees.
Organisers of the event have announced that HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Al Burgio, the founder of the DigitalBits blockchain, are amongst the evening’s expected special guests and speakers.
The theme of the Monaco Crypto Summit, sponsored by DigitalBits Foundation, is the future of cryptocurrency. The event is expected to create a big buzz with, in addition to Al Burgio, speakers such as Brittany Kaiser, co-founder of Own Your Data Foundation, Kory Hoang, founder and chief executive officer of Stably, Lauren Bissel, founder and CEO of Immutable Industries, Bryan Talebi, founder and CEO of Ahura AI, and many others in attendance.
Burgio posted a recent community update, saying, “There are certain confidential elements under development that are due to be made public on the 29th of July,” adding an air of excitement to the event.
The event will be capped with a VIP dinner that will be hosted by the Yacht Club of Monaco where a celebration is in store for the new partnership with the Monaco virtual racing circuit.
Monaco has been hosting a number of crypto events this year, including CoinAgenda, a global conference series connecting blockchain and cryptocurrency investors with start-ups since 2014, back in May. Stars’n’Bars is also hosting a Crypto Meetup on 30th July, where organisers are inviting people to come and talk about crypto-related experiences and thoughts, including market trends and NFTs.
For those who can’t make the event, theCUBE will be covering it live and will offer on-demand streaming afterwards. To register, go to https://events.cube365.net/monaco/crypto-summit
For more info on the actual event, visit https://monacocryptosummit.com/
Photo by Monaco Life
Charles Leclerc’s title challenge was dealt a huge blow in the French GP on Sunday as the Monegasque crashed whilst leading, gifting Max Verstappen the victory.
Leclerc has previously admitted that he and his team have little margin for error for the remainder of the season. How much will the latest error cost him?
Following his win in Austria a fortnight ago, Leclerc came into the French GP with wind under his sails and with the machinery to pull off consecutive victories.
Having secured pole position on Saturday, Leclerc held the lead off the line at lights out. He also responded well to the pressure exerted by championship rival Verstappen during the opening stint.
As Veratappen’s tyres went off, it seemed as though Leclerc had weathered the storm on a blisteringly hot day near Marseille. However, needing to build a gap to cover off Verstappen’s early pitstop, Leclerc pushed.
He pushed too hard. His tyres heavily blistered, the rear end of Leclerc’s Ferrari stepped out at a high speed corner, sending him into a spin and towards the barriers. From there, he tried to hit the reverse gear, but to no avail. Another pole position would go unconverted.
With Leclerc out, Verstappen inherited the lead of the race and no one ever looked like taking it off him. Lewis Hamilton, in his 300th F1 race, was unchallenged as he took second place, over 10 seconds behind Verstappen.
“Mr. Consistent” George Russell caught Sergio Perez napping after a late safety car to take the final podium place and give Mercedes their first double podium finish of the season.
Driver of the day Carlos Sainz took fifth, but he was left ruing a late Ferrari strategic call, which potentially cost him a fourth place finish.
The day, however, belonged to Verstappen, who nonetheless seemed regretful of the battle that never was between himself and his Monegasque rival.
After trudging back to the paddock, Leclerc was under no disillusions as to the gravity of his latest mistake. “I am performing at the highest level of my career, but if I keep making mistakes it’s pointless. If we lose the championship by 32 points I will know where they are coming from, but it is unacceptable,” he said.
It is too soon to say whether that is curtains on Leclerc’s championship challenge, but as the margin for error narrows further, the pressure on Leclerc to close an increasingly large gap (63 points) increases.
Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office
Passengers at Nice Côte d’Azur airport now have access to smart luggage trolleys, designed to guide them through the airport and to their gate, picking up some deals along the way.
The latest generation trolleys are being trialled at Terminal 2, much to the delight of passengers.
Once a boarding pass is scanned, the interactive screen on the trolley guides passengers to their gate and highlights the products and services that are available along the way.
The trial comes after the airport joined the international ‘Airports for Innovation’ initiative in Rome recently, which aims at designing solutions, as well as proposing and testing effective technologies covering the whole passenger experience in a post pandemic context.
“Airports represent key economic drivers and play a crucial role in restoring global connectivity and travellers’ confidence. As the pandemic has dramatically changed passengers’ behaviours and expectations, the rise of seamless technological solutions and the digital transformation have accelerated, and the focus on sustainability has become even more central,” said the airport in a statement.
Photo source: Nice Côte d’Azur airport
Monaco recorded its first case of monkeypox just days before the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Monkeypox, the latest health scare in a world still traumatised by Covid, has finally made its way to the Principality.
Dr. Olivia Keïta-Perse, head of epidemiology at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, Thursday night revealed on government channel Monaco Info that there has been one confirmed case and three others who are believed to be infected.
On Saturday 23rd July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox to be a global health emergency, the strongest call to action the agency can make. It is the seventh time such a declaration has been made since 2009, the most recent being Covid-19.
A public health emergency of international concern – or PHEIC – is defined as “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”.
There have so far been 16,016 monkeypox cases globally, 4,132 of which were in the past week, according to WHO data. It is now in 75 countries and territories and there have been five deaths.
The European region has the highest number of total cases at 11,865, and the highest increase in the last seven days, with 2,705.
So, what is monkeypox exactly?
Note: this story was updated with the latest information on Sunday 24th July after being originally published on 22nd July. Photo source: Shutterstock
The AS Monaco Basketball team that takes to the court at the Salle Gaston Medecin next season will be scarcely recognisable to last season’s squad, which showed much promise, but delivered no silverware.
Just like last summer, director Oleksiy Yefimov and the rest of the recruitment team have plunged into the market. The Roca Team have already made six signings, whilst also tying down some of the club’s biggest stars to new contracts ahead of a season in which they will hope to build upon their impressive debut season in the Euroleague.
Arrivals
Elie Okobo – The architect of Monaco’s misery in the Betclic Elite final last year will not return to haunt the Roca Team this year. The French international has signed a two-year contract at Monaco, arriving from Asvel with whom he won the domestic championship last year.
The signature is a huge coup for Monaco. Okobo turned down approaches from European giants Real Madrid and Fenerbahçe to join Sasa Obradovic’s side. Speaking in a press release, Okobo said, “I joined Monaco because I saw their performances in the Euroleague last season. There are big objectives for this upcoming season – going further in the Euroleague and winning the French championship. I think I can play a part in this sense. I want to be part of such an ambitious project.”
Jordan Loyd – The American joins from Zenit, where he won the domestic championship with the Russian side. He completes a now frightening-looking back line alongside Mike James and Okobo. Like Okobo, Loyd also joins on a two-year deal.
Asked for the motivation to make the switch, he said, “There are many reasons. Clearly the ambition of the club was one of the major ones. The management directly made me a part of the season’s objectives and that immediately convinced me. I kept an eye on the team last year. Their combativeness in the Euroleague, the seriousness of the staff and of the management gave me the desire to join Monaco. The club has big dreams and I know we can achieve them. I can’t wait to start the season.”
John Brown III – The American winger arrives on a two-year deal from Brescia. He has a reputation as an aggressive defender and an energiser on the court. He also holds the record for the most interceptions in a Euroleague season.
Brown III began the season at Kazan before moving to Italy with Brescia following the outbreak of the war. Arriving in Monaco, he is looking forward to a change of scenery. Questioned on his move away from Kazan, he said, “It was a regrettable situation, especially since we had no control over that as players. So, we just had to make do… In the end, I managed to return to Italy, where I had begun, so it all concluded in quite a satisfying way. Now, I am opening a new page in my career at Monaco and I’m very excited!”
Jaron Blossomgame – Another American added to the Roca Team’s armoury, Blossomgame arrives from German club Ulm on a one-year deal. A versatile player, he can play in the no.3 or no.4 roles. He arrives off the back of a good season in Germany, where he earned himself a place in the Eurocup team of the season.
Like many of the new signings, Blossomgame was also inspired to join the club due to their impressive exploits in the Euroleague last season, but their transfer activity was also a source of motivation. He said, “I closely followed their journey in the Euroleague, with that beautiful performance, which left them just short of a place in the final four. For the upcoming season, with the new signings in recent days, you see that the club has very big ambitions.”
Matthew Strazel – 19-year-old point guard Strazel arrives on a three-year deal from Asvel. He adds further depth to a forward line, which includes James, Okobo, and Loyd. The young Frenchman also featured in that Betclic Elite final against Monaco.
Reflecting on that victory, he said, “It was without doubt the most contested series I have ever played in. The season before, we were champions, but it was in a bit of a complicated format. For my first real play-offs, it was a series of extreme intensity between two teams, who didn’t want to give up.”
Questioned on his objectives for the upcoming season, he said, “We want to go further than last year by winning a French title and reaching the final four in the Euroleague. I think we have the capabilities to do it.”
Adrien Moerman – The veteran Frenchman arrives on a one-year deal with the option for a further year from Euroleague champions Anadolu Efes. Having won everything during a four-year spell in Turkey, Moerman is looking forward to a new challenge.
He said, “Monaco responded to all of the expectations that I could have. It is a team that wants to really grow and target the top level. On a personal level, I really wanted to play Euroleague. At 34, I still have the desire to challenge myself physically. I feel good, without any physical issues and I really wanted to take on this challenge.”
Extensions
Mike James – The star man has extended his stay in the Principality. The American point guard, who was shortlisted for Euroleague player of the season, has signed a two-year extension with the side. Monaco’s stand out player scored at least 20 points in 13 games.
Alpha Diallo – American Diallo has signed a three-year extension at Monaco, where he impressed last season. Obradovic leaned heavily on his defensive efforts, and his absence from the court was often felt.
He said, “My choice to continue my career in Monaco is based on my hunger to be competitive and to win titles in the French league and also in the Euroleague. I think Monaco has a big chance to fight for titles and that’s why I’ve extended. In addition, the ambition will be to improve the team, be there for each other and to continue fighting for the trophy.”
Yakuba Ouattara – The Frenchman is set for his seventh season in Monégasuqe colours. After arriving in 2015, Ouattara has been a mainstay of a Roca Team that has grown exponentially. “I chose to stay because Monaco is my home, began Ouattrara. For me, I am at home around this club where I have grown up and where I know everyone. I have always had a special relationship with the staff, and clearly with the fans too,” he said.
Donta Hall – Fellow American Hall has also been extended for a further three years. The pivot grew in confidence as the season progressed and his influence under the board was pivotal in many matches.
Departures
Will Thomas – Called “the glue” by Yefimov in an interview with Monaco Life. The American’s Monaco adventure has come to an end. After just one year at the club, he departs to join Spanish side Unicaja CB.
Brock Motum – Australian player Motum also leaves after just one-year at Monaco. He has joined Japanese side Levanga Hokkaido.
Rob Gray – Gray departs after two years in Monaco. He was an important part of the club’s successful EuroCup campaign in the 2020/21 season, but his influence waned in his second year at the club. He joins Tofas Spor Kulübü.
Danilo Andjusic – The Serbian leaves after just one year in the Principality. He returns to his native Serbia to join KK Partizan.
Paris Lee – Lee departs after one season at Monaco, in which he lit up the court of the Salle Gaston Medecin. The American was a key element of Monaco’s success last season, but desiring a more prominent role, he has made the move to Greek side Panathinaikos.
Wilfried Yeguete – The Frenchman has been at the club since 2019, but didn’t feature for Monaco last season. He joins Betclic Elite rivals Limoges.
Jerry Boutsiele – Boutsiele has left the club after one season. The Frenchman struggled for gametime after arriving from Limoges, but showed his worth in the back-end of the club’s Betclic Elite campaign. He joins Turkish side Bahçesehir Koleji Spor Kulübü.
Last year’s squad overhaul took Monaco to the next level, as they defied all expectations to reach the Euroleague play-offs. By bringing in a wealth of Euroleague experience and some of the most exciting homegrown talents, Yefimov will be hoping that this year’s recruits will have a similar impact and take the club to the next level.
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