A band from Ukraine – after winning the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this month – decided they would feel more triumphant by selling their trophy in order to help their native country fight the Russian invaders.
The band, Kalush Orchestra — whose song Stefania was selected as the winner in Turin — stated that they generated $900,000 by auctioning off the crystal microphone and an additional $370,000 by holding a raffle for the pink bucket hat worn by band leader Oleh Psyuk during the performance.
Suggested Reading | Crypto Scam Victims Can Recover Their Funds With MetaMask, Asset Reality Mechanism
The proceeds from the sale will be sufficient to purchase three combat drones for the Ukrainian military. According to Reuters, the drone system comprises a ground control center that allows the pilot to direct drones.
Psiuk and his five bandmates were summoned back to Ukraine immediately following their victory. (Luca Bruno/AP)
Bids for the trophy were taken in both fiat and cryptocurrency. Kalush Orchestra revealed that the award was acquired by the cryptocurrency exchange platform Whitebit.
The rap-folk group stated on its Facebook page that it had auctioned off the trophy. “You guys are incredible!” wrote the band.
In a video message, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that cash was being provided to prevent the “collapse” of Ukraine’s economy.
In recent weeks, the German chancellor was criticized at home and overseas for his reluctance to provide Ukraine more lethal weaponry. In recent days, as the Ukrainian army has battled to contain a Russian onslaught in Donbas, the pressure has increased.
Various news agencies stated that Sunday’s sale coincided with an appearance by the Kalush Orchestra at a charity event held at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate to raise funds for medical care and supplies.
Crypto total market cap at $1.25 trillion on the daily chart | Source: TradingView.com
At the event, Psiuk urged the audience not to become accustomed to the war, which according to the United Nations has claimed the lives of 4,031 civilians and wounded 4,735 others.
“We are grateful to everyone who donated to this auction, but we are especially thankful to the @whitebit ua team, who purchased the trophy for $900,000,” the band said.
Suggested Reading | Binance Gets Clearance To Operate In Italy After 2021 Ban
Only weeks before the Eurovision singing competition, the band was fighting as part of the Ukrainian resistance. Their performance earned overwhelming acclaim from around Europe.
“Our bravery inspires the globe; our music dominates Europe! Ukraine will host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Psiuk and his five bandmates were summoned back to Ukraine immediately following their victory.
During the battle with Russia, Ukraine has ordered all men aged 18 to 60 to remain in the nation. However, the all-male group was permitted to leave to participate in Italy.
Featured image from AFP via Getty Images, chart from TradingView.com
Naver and Kakao merge to create Project Dragon Token, a new cryptocurrency set to leverage their extensive user bases. Despite initial challenges, the merger aims to consolidate Asia's blockchain market and inject vitality into the domestic coin industry.
WeatherlyMicrosoft found hackers from Russia, China, and Iran using AI tools from OpenAI for spying. Microsoft then banned these groups from accessing its AI products, stressing the need for better cybersecurity.
JoyDisney aims to tackle ticket fraud with a blockchain-based patent application, ensuring secure ticketing experiences. Industry experts highlight the potential of blockchain to enhance transparency and authenticity in Disney's ticketing system.
MiyukiWWE partners with Panini to introduce digital trading cards featuring wrestling icons on the blockchain, offering fans a new way to collect and engage with their favourite stars. Despite initial setbacks, WWE's venture into the NFT space holds promise for fans and collectors, with affordable pricing and plans for future releases.
WeiliangRevolutApp introduces $BONK incentive programme to educate users about crypto, pending DAO Council approval. The initiative aims to make crypto learning fun and accessible, highlighting the community-driven nature of the Solana ecosystem.
JoyPushd (PUSHD) has attracted significant investment from an anonymous investor, offering tokens at a competitive price in its presale stage, fueling speculation of a potential 20x increase and highlighting its promise in the crypto market as a decentralised peer-to-peer marketplace.
WeatherlyThe potential for AI cooperation between the US and China is hampered by underlying distrust and competition, particularly in military applications and content transparency. Despite efforts to establish common ground, challenges persist, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to address geopolitical tensions and foster mutual understanding.
WeiliangBitcoin hits $50k, bringing profits for investors, while Cardano whales explore Rebel Satoshi for new opportunities, presenting a promising investment frontier with its innovative features and strong community support.
MiyukiWorldcoin's token value surged after launching Sora, an AI model for video generation. The project aims to provide global identity inclusion through blockchain, facing competition and privacy concerns amidst its rapid growth.
WeatherlyConfusion arose on Gate.io when Binance listed $PIXEL, leading to concerns about potential intentional deception due to similarities with PixelVerse's token name. Investors should exercise caution and conduct thorough research amidst uncertainties surrounding Gate.io's listing practices and PixelVerse's credibility.
Weatherly