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Pepeto presale shows early momentum; Investors take notice
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Pepeto presale shows early momentum; Investors take notice

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Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Solana targets $900 by 2026, while memecoin Pepeto is gaining buzz with its blend of culture and utility, offering early investors bigger upside potential.

Summary

  • Pepeto mixes meme culture with real tools like PepetoSwap and PepetoBridge.
  • Presale raised $6m with 242% APY staking and audited contracts.
  • Early-stage positioning offers high upside potential.

Solana (SOL) is a big name in crypto. Some analysts think SOL can reach $900 by 2026, which sounds good for steady gains. But the biggest opportunity right now may be somewhere else. That spot could belong to Pepeto, a memecoin with real utility that wants to change how memecoins work. The real question is: can Pepeto deliver the kind of explosive returns that big coins like Solana no longer can?

Solana’s path to $900

Solana is trading near $184. If it reaches $900 by 2026, that is about a 388% gain. The push comes from talk around US spot SOL ETFs and a first Solana ETF launched in a special structure that can bring in more investors. Solana also led blockchains with about $271 million in revenue in Q2 2025.

In June, its activity was similar to all other L1s and L2s combined, which shows real use turning into fees. If ETFs get approved, if demand grows, and if revenue stays strong, the $900 target is bold but possible. Still, the biggest wins often come from smaller projects at an early stage, where the upside can be much higher.

Pepeto is more than hype

Pepeto is built on Ethereum and mixes meme culture with real products. Many memecoins rely only on hype. Pepeto is building a full platform to fix trader problems and to be a home for all memecoins in one place. PepetoSwap lets people trade with zero fees.

PepetoBridge lets people move tokens safely across chains without middlemen. Holders can stake and earn strong rewards. The contracts are audited for security. This mix of culture and working products helps Pepeto stand out from coins that fade after the first pump.

Presale momentum and investor confidence

Pepeto is in presale at $0.000000147 and has already raised over $6 million. That is a strong sign before any major listings. Staking is live at 242% APY, and more than 42 trillion tokens are already staked, which shows holders are here for the long term. The smart contracts are audited by Coinsult and SolidProof. These independent checks look for hidden risks like mint functions or wallet blacklists and help buyers feel safer.

Beyond the meme, there are real tools. PepetoSwap offers zero-fee trading. PepetoBridge allows safe cross-chain transfers. The token model removes common red flags with no trading tax and no team wallets. Together, steady funding, live products, third-party audits, and a fair structure build trust as the presale moves forward. As stages close and supply tightens, interest increases, and more investors are joining.

The growth potential exceeds SOL

If Solana moves from about $184 to $900 by 2026, that is roughly a 4 to 5x gain, about 388%. That is fine for a large-cap coin. But when coins get this big, the explosive upside becomes harder. That is why many investors look to smaller projects for bigger multiples. Pepeto starts much lower at $0.000000147 in presale. Small moves can create huge results.

A move to $0.00001 is about 68x. A move to $0.0001 is about 680x. Even $0.001 would be more than 6,800x. This is the kind of asymmetric setup traders want. It is an early-stage project with working tools where the upside can be much larger than a mature coin. The trade-off is higher risk and more volatility, but the potential reward is on another level.

Community and meme culture power

In the memecoin market, community is everything, and Pepeto’s is growing fast. Social feeds are full of memes, fan art, and posts from holders that keep the project visible every day. This kind of organic growth is important after launch, because many coins lose attention once the first run ends. Pepeto connects that energy to real utility. The result is a stronger chance of long-term relevance compared to coins that depend only on speculation.

Conclusion: A different kind of bet

For investors chasing the biggest upside, Pepeto offers a different kind of bet. It runs on Ethereum and ships real tools like PepetoSwap for zero fee trading and PepetoBridge for safe cross chain transfers. Staking is live at 242% APY. The contracts are audited by Coinsult and SolidProof. There is no trading tax and no team wallets. The presale price is $0.000000147 with over $6 million raised, giving early buyers a rare entry. Starting this low means even small moves can create large multiples. That is why many see Pepeto as a true breakout candidate for the next bull run.

To learn more about PEPETO, visit its website, Telegram, Instagram, and Twitter.

Disclaimer: To buy PEPETO, use only the official website: https://pepeto.io. As the listing date approaches, be aware of scams using the project’s name to mislead investors. Always verify sources before committing funds.

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.





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Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection’s Full Roster Includes Mythologies Sub-Zero And Special Forces
Game Updates

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection’s Full Roster Includes Mythologies Sub-Zero And Special Forces

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Digital Eclipse has revealed the full roster of games for its retrospective compilation/interactive documentary, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection. This update reveals that the infamously terrible single-player spin-off titles Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces will be part of the bundle.

Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero launched for the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in 1997 and is a side-scrolling action game starring the titular ice ninja (specifically Bi-Han, the first Sub-Zero and eventual Noob Saibot). Spoiler: It’s a very bad game, but it is notable for featuring the series debuts for staple fighters Quan Chi and Shinnok. You can watch former GI editors (including Giant Bomb’s Dan Ryckert) suffer through this game in this classic 2010 episode of Replay, posted below.

 

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces was released in 2000, also for PlayStation 1, and is a 3D action game starring Jax. The game sees him taking on Kano and his crew of baddies, including the debuting Tremor, who would later resurface as a DLC fighter in Mortal Kombat X. Special Forces didn’t exactly light the world on fire; that’s a nice way of saying it’s also terrible. It does have a very funny and strange ‘70s spy-themed intro cinematic going for it, though.

Digital Eclipse also announced that the extremely rare WaveNet Arcade version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is part of the Kollection. This version was originally made to support Midway’s WaveNet online matchmaking service for arcades, and has not been available on any platform since 1997. It’s also the only arcade release to feature Noob Saibot as a playable fighter. 

Check out the Kollection’s new trailer from Gamescom below. 

 

Here is the full list of titles in the Kollection:

  • Mortal Kombat – 1992 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear)
  • Mortal Kombat II – 1993 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, 32X)
  • Mortal Kombat 3 – 1995 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis)
  • Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 – 1995 (Arcade, WaveNet Arcade, SNES)
  • Mortal Kombat Trilogy – 1996 (PlayStation)
  • Mortal Kombat 4 – 1997 (Arcade)
  • Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero – 1997 (PlayStation)
  • Mortal Kombat Special Forces – 2000 (PlayStation)
  • Mortal Kombat Advance – 2001 (Game Boy Advance)
  • Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance – 2002 (Game Boy Advance)
  • Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition – 2003 (Game Boy Advance)

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection launches later this year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. 



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KitchenAid Promo Code: $150 Off in August 2025
Product Reviews

KitchenAid Promo Code: $150 Off in August 2025

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KitchenAid’s strategy is one that maybe we should all live by—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Remaining nearly unchanged since its introduction in 1914, KitchenAid’s stand mixer has become such a legendary kitchen staple that we called the KitchenAid Artisan 7-Quart Lift Stand Mixer an “everlasting” kitchen must-have and put it on our Buy It For Life guide. KitchenAid’s heralded and beloved kitchen appliances luckily run regular sales so that you can get these great, but pricey, essentials for less.

Save Up to $150 With These Limited-Time KitchenAid Deals – No Promo Code Needed

A little mid-summer sale, anyone? Right now, through August 23, you can get $150 off an Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Premium Accessory Pack, as well as 40% off one countertop appliance when you purchase another. Looking for even more savings? Take advantage of KitchenAid’s Labor Day Sale with free delivery and haul away (when logged into your account) on major appliances priced $399+ through September 10. Summer may be coming to a close (boo), but that doesn’t mean deals are going with it.

Score 15% Off With a KitchenAid Professional Discount

Speaking of great offers, there are other KitchenAid promo codes specifically for essential workers, like teachers, students, healthcare workers, military, first responders – and those over 50. If you are a member of one of those groups, all you need to do is verify your account with SheerID to receive the extra discounts (on top of any other accounts if you are an account holder). The verification form is in the “Profile Information” tab under “My Account” on KitchenAid’s site. Don’t fall into one of these categories? No worries! Those who have recently moved can also save 15%.

Enjoy Year-Round Savings at KitchenAid

Even without a discount code on hand, you can still save with regular deals, like great savings on refurbished items and free delivery on all appliances sitewide. Account holders also get access to exclusive perks and discounts sitewide—all you have to do is create an account. Be on the lookout for other great savings events from KitchenAid (like a discount on that mixer you’ve been eyeing all year long).

How to Redeem a KitchenAid Promo Code

Whether you’re shopping for a highly-rated cold brew coffee maker, a 5-speed hand mixer that’s great for saving countertop space, or a quiet electric kettle, we have the best KitchenAid promo codes to help you save on all your for-life kitchen products. When you’ve found a deal you want to use, like one of our promo codes listed above, simply paste the code in the box at checkout to save (remember to double-check whether you need to sign up for an account first). If the deal doesn’t require a special coupon, just put it in your cart, and the sale will be automatically applied—easy as pie.



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A side-by-side image shows Venom Snake and Naked Snake from promotional art for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
Game Reviews

How Much Does The Snake Eater Remake Play Like MGSV?

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I’m far from alone in the assertion that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain featured some of the best stealth mechanics of the series. Were they packaged with a story and overall level design that did them justice? I say no to that, but I can’t deny that MGSV plays like a dream. Oh, and the plot twist was super neat, for the record.

When Delta, the remake of 2004’s Snake Eater, was announced, many an MGS fan hoped that the game would play similarly to MGSV, and would perhaps even run on the celebrated Fox Engine.

Folks, I’m here to tell you that’s not the case. As I alluded to in my review of the fancy new remake, Delta plays much like the MGS3 you remember from just about any of its re-releases over the years. Plus, it runs on Unreal. And in my experience, that worked out well. I experienced very few technical issues during my time with a pre-release build provided by Konami. I was not thinking about graphics engines; I was fully immersed.

But let’s have a chat about how this game plays in its moment-to-moment gameplay and put Delta under the microscope to compare it against The Phantom Pain and the original Snake Eater as it exists in the current Master Collection.

Movement and shooting

Delta and MGSV feel very different in motion, but it does feel like there’s a similar animation framework under the hood. Delta has a slower pace to it. MGSV’s Venom Snake is a bit choppier in his movements (not choppy in a bad way, but he has a kind of rigid urgency in how he moves that doesn’t feel present in Delta). Play some animations next to each other and you’ll see similarities, but to me, both with what I can see and what I have felt while playing Delta for 30 hours, the new remake feels smoother even compared to the impressive, and somewhat speedier, gameplay of MGSV.

© Gif: Konami / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

Unlike MGSV, Delta does not feature a sprint option. Snake’s speed when you’re pushing forward on the analog stick (or the W key on keyboard) without using the stalking feature is his top speed. In my opinion, sprint wouldn’t have worked in the remake as the environments are just too small. They feel as dense and lush as a jungle should be, but even compared to those in MGS4, these environments are smaller. It’s a PS2 game after all!

Snake’s forward roll from the 2000-era MGS games is back and it functions like you remember it. You can roll into enemies to damage them. Rolling is key to non-lethally damaging certain bosses, and is especially important when trying to beat Volgin without “killing” him.

Snake can now hop over waist-high cover like in MGSV, something not possible in the original.

A very odd, basically insignificant change for all but the most diehard MGS freaks (and I’m one) is that flattening yourself against an opened locker door does not close the door. Does this matter? Here, no. There aren’t many lockers in the jungle. Should we ever see a Delta-fied MGS2, however, I’ll make a case for keeping this quirk in that game.

© Gif: Konami / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

Comparing the feeling of guns is a tough gavial to wrestle as MGSV features a wildly different palette of weaponry with different ammo counts, even among similar categories. Also, MGSV let you upgrade weapons to improve their performance. No such mechanic exists in Delta. What you find is what you get.

© Gif: Konami / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

Delta’s shooting feels like it splits the difference between the over-the-shoulder standard we see in every damn third-person shooter these days and what exists in the original Snake Eater. You can swap camera orientation to the left or right on the fly, like in MGSV. And the speed of shooting feels a touch closer to MGSV, but only on a very superficial level. It still feels like the pacing of Snake Eater, and you kinda have to play it to really feel what I’m talking about here. You’ll experience this most directly if you get caught and have to shoot your way out of a situation.

© Gif: Konami / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

A non-animation-related change Delta makes from the original concerns how the tranquilizer pistol functions. There’s a distinct bullet (dart?) drop over a distance, Making this pistol dramatically less OP. To me, this is a huge win as the tranquilizer gun, while essential for the series’ meta commentary on violence, made it too easy to quickly put a number of guards to sleep, often diluting the sneaking experience. In Delta, you’re gonna have to get closer to the enemy if you want to put them to sleep without doing a bunch of physics in your head to calculate where that dart is going to land. This makes for a more challenging and immersive experience.

Close-Quarters-Combat (CQC)

MGS3 introduced CQC to the series, deepening the way you would enter and leave combat. Before this, Snake had a simple punch-punch-kick animation and the ability to flip an enemy or grab them in a chokehold, from which you could either knock them out through strangulation or snap their little digital necks.

MGSV expanded CQC to include all manner of new moves such as throwing an enemy up against a wall, stealing their gun, or going all Neo on a swarm of enemies with a rapid series of punches on multiple targets when surrounded. In Delta, you still get that old familiar punch-punch-kick animation with three taps of the melee button. It feels a little awkward to be honest, being mapped to the right trigger on a controller, but that button serves as your CQC command here, just as it does in MGSV.

© Gif: Konami / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

Snake’s moveset is otherwise just like it was in the original (at least as far as I can tell after 30 hours). You can grab with similar speed and movements; you can toss an enemy down to the ground by combining the CQC button with a directional movement. This feels easier to do in the Remake than it does in the original. Holding enemies up at gunpoint, however, is a little trickier. You have to be real close to do it. I didn’t hold up enemies a whole lot during my playthrough as I found I wasn’t close enough and ended up getting spotted too often. Maybe with future playthroughs I’ll get a better sense of that, but it feels harder than it did in the original, and even compared to MGSV.

© Gif: Konami / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

CQC in Delta sticks very close to how it was in the original game. There’s a more dramatic flair at work in the animation that can sometimes feel different, but Snake typically grabs and tosses enemies at a similar pace as in the original Snake Eater.

It feels like Snake Eater, it tastes like Snake Eater (with a bit of hot sauce)

While Delta has clearly taken some cues from MGSV, and maybe it even borrowed some animations here and there, the experience of playing this remake almost never feels like Phantom Pain. Yes, Snake can now crouch walk and transition to crawling in a way that doesn’t exist in the original Snake Eater, but otherwise everything feels like an analog copy of the original. Analog in the sense that it’s not a pure copy, and features a few quirks of its own.

© Screenshot: Konami / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

When in battle, Delta also feels dramatically more similar to its original in my experience. Phantom Pain is snappier, faster, conceived as a modern third-person shooter. The new camera style of Delta can make things easier (veterans should probably start on Hard mode, as I mentioned in my review), but you’re still in trouble when the enemies spot you and start increasing in number. It is hard, as it was in the original, to shoot your way out of situations. MGSV, in my experience, could let you be more of a bloody menace if you so desired. Delta, however, aims to preserve the outnumbered, outgunned feeling of the original.

Delta’s unique additions to the Snake Eater formula feel grounded in its roots with gentle modern modifications. A Snake Eater mod of MGSV this is not. So if you’re like me and hold that 2000’s-era MGS experience in high regard, get ready for a wildly satisfying modern tweak of a legendary stealth game.



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Volatility Shares launches first XRP futures ETF on Nasdaq
NFT Gaming

Ripple’s RLUSD to launch in Japan through SBI partnership by Q1 2026

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Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin is set to debut in Japan in early 2026 through a distribution partnership with SBI Holdings and its crypto arm, SBI VC Trade.

Summary

  • Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin will be distributed in Japan via SBI VC Trade under a new agreement.
  • The Japan rollout follows Ripple’s RLUSD gaining regulatory approval in Dubai and comes as Japan prepares to issue its first official stablecoin.

Ripple (XRP) announced today that it will begin distributing its U.S. dollar–backed stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), in Japan during the first quarter of 2026 in partnership with SBI Holdings, a Japanese financial conglomerate. The rollout will be handled by SBI VC Trade, the licensed crypto exchange unit of SBI, under a newly signed memorandum of understanding between the two firms.

“The introduction of RLUSD will not just expand the option of stablecoins in the Japanese market, but is a major step forward in the reliability and convenience of stablecoins in the Japanese market, and an important step in further accelerating the convergence of finance and digital technology,” said SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo.

“RLUSD is designed to be a true industry standard, providing a reliable and efficient bridge between traditional and decentralized finance. We are confident that this partnership will not only drive stablecoin utility in Japan but also set a new benchmark for the entire market,” said Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins.

Ripple’s RLUSD: market position and global expansion

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, first launched in December last year, is fully collateralized by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasury securities, and other liquid cash equivalents, with independent monthly attestations. As of August, it holds a market capitalization of $666 million, ranking as the eighth-largest stablecoin by market value, just behind PayPal USD, according to CoinMarketCap’s stablecoin rankings.

The expansion into Japan coincides with the country’s preparations to launch its first officially sanctioned stablecoin. It also follows Ripple securing approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority in early June, which enabled RLUSD’s integration into the region’s payment platforms.



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Decrypt logo
Crypto Trends

Crypto Scam Sites Make Up a Fifth of ASIC’s Two-Year Takedown

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In brief

  • ASIC has removed more than 14,000 scam and phishing websites in two years, with crypto scams making up about 20%.
  • The regulator will now target fraudulent ads on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
  • Investment scams cost Australians nearly $1 billion in 2024, with tactics like “AI washing” emerging as new threats.

Australia’s securities regulator has taken down more than 14,000 scam and phishing websites over the past two years, with crypto schemes accounting for about one-fifth of the total, it said Thursday.

ASIC said it will expand its investment scam website takedown capability to include social media advertisements, in efforts to protect Australian consumers from increasingly sophisticated online fraud schemes. Roughly 3,015 crypto scam websites have been removed, the regulator said.

“ASIC could play a more active role in highlighting the differences between unregulated trading platforms (where investors are much more exposed to scam activities and bad actors) and regulated instruments,” Bridget Nichols, chief commercial officer at Australian crypto asset manager Monochrome, told Decrypt.



The regulator continues removing an average of 130 malicious sites weekly, it said, with the expanded powers aimed at disrupting scammers who use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to direct victims to fraudulent investment sites, according to the statement.

Regulated instruments provide “standard protections for investors,” including disclosures, custody rules, and conflict management, Nichols added.

Investment scams remain the most financially damaging type of fraud affecting Australians, with victims losing $945 million to these schemes in 2024 alone. 

“Expanding our investment scam takedown capability to social media ads will help safeguard Australian consumers,” ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said in a statement.

ASIC identified five prominent trends in online investment fraud over the past six months with

“AI washing” is emerging as a key tactic where scammers falsely claim their trading bots use artificial intelligence to generate guaranteed returns, exploiting public interest in the technology.

Scammers are deploying slick website templates and third-party tools like live trading charts, alongside fake news with AI-generated celebrity endorsements and “cloaking” tactics to evade detection.

“ASIC’s traditional toolkit—investigations, court actions, administrative actions—are important, but they can’t combat the scourge of online scams on their own,” Court said.

The crypto enforcement component comes as the assets face increased regulatory scrutiny in the country.

Earlier this month, ASIC charged four Victorian men, including a former barrister, with money laundering offenses linked to moving proceeds from large-scale investment scams to crypto  exchanges.

Australia’s financial intelligence agency last month declared crypto a top threat in financial crime crackdown, calling  it the “most ambitious overhaul of Australia’s anti-money laundering laws in a generation.”

Security vulnerabilities plague the wider crypto ecosystem, with Mitchell Amador, CEO of Immunefi, telling Decrypt, “This year, if we just look at the first half, we’re on track to lose about 3.6–4% of the entire sector’s assets to hacks, which is insane.”

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Chris Tilly
Esports

The Thursday Murder Club review: Starry cast makes this the Avengers of ageing sleuths

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The Thursday Murder Club is a movie mystery that’s perfect for armchair detectives who like their crime cozy and their comedy broad.

Published in September 2020, The Thursday Murder Club was TV presenter Richard Osman’s debut novel, and it quickly became a sensation.

The book flew off shelves, sequels followed – as did an acclaimed radio adaptation – and now the movie version has arrived courtesy of Netflix.

Home Alone helmer Chris Columbus directs, while the cast is filled with the best pensioners money can buy; a cavalcade of stars clearly having a ball bringing Osman’s weird and wonderful characters to life.

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What’s The Thursday Murder Club about?

Netflix

The Thursday Murder Club is set in a beautiful retirement community called Cooper’s Chase, where the sun always shines, and there’s everything a retiree could want, from support llamas, archery classes, and a jigsaw room, to life drawing lessons that feature hot men with their tops off.

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It’s idyllic and quaint beyond belief, but every Thursday, a group of residents commandeer said jigsaw room, and investigate cold cases from the past.

They start with an unsolved 1973 mystery concerning “the woman in white who fell out of a window.” But then murder rears its head in the present, via a fresh mystery involving dodgy businessmen and even dodgier gangsters, as well as the ownership of Cooper’s Chase itself.

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So using age and experience to their advantage – plus a healthy dose of cunning, and less healthy slices of cake – the Thursday Murder Club set about solving the case and saving their home.

Who is in the club?

NetflixRichard Osman flanked his Thursday Murder Club cast.

Each member of the Thursday Murder Club possesses a different and very specific set of skills, making them a bit like the Avengers of elderly sleuths, or a geriatric Justice League.

Helen Mirren is Elizabeth, the group’s leader, who very possibly worked as a government spy. Ben Kingsley is Ibrahim, a former psychiatrist who is usually the smartest person in the room. While Pierce Brosnan is Ron, a retired trade union leader who’s as tough as nails.

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They’re an investigative trio at the start of the movie, and our way into the story is through Celia Imrie’s Joyce, a former nurse who is new to Cooper’s Chase, and whom the club brings onboard for her medical expertise.

Brosnan’s dodgy cockney accent aside – the second time he’s offended our ears following the MobLand debacle – the Thursday Murder Club is cast well, and make a winning team when working together.

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But it’s Mirren who delivers the standout performance, not when she’s barking orders at her crew or the local constabulary, but rather when Elizabeth is with husband Stephen (Jonathan Pryce), who suffers from dementia. Played to perfection by the pair, their touching scenes are both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Mays bring the biggest laughs

NetflixNaomie Ackie and Daniel Mays play police officers.

But while there are sad moments spread throughout the movie, they’re outnumbered by some big laughs.

Accent notwithstanding, Brosnan gets some of the biggest, most notably when he’s glimpsed exercising with old dears in the pool, but also when scruffy Ron is fooling the coppers, or smart Ron is giving them a dressing down in his wedding suit.

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Other highlights including a cracking Queen Elizabeth II gag, a funny sequence involving the drinking of gin on a bus, and a shocker concerning the aforementioned life drawing that needs to be seen to be believed.

The movie also mines mirth from local coppers being outthought and outwitted by the TMC, with Daniel Mays hilarious as the increasingly confused and frustrated DCI Hughes.

Is The Thursday Murder Club good?

Netflix

The Thursday Murder Clubs is a solid murder-mystery that keeps you guessing until the final few reels, while Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcoate’s tight script ensures that the 118 minute run-time flies by.

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There’s the odd contrivance, involving a dictaphone, bunches of flowers, and an awkward boxing pose. While it gets a little heavy-handed at times, through literal blood on a character’s hands, and a sexism sub-plot that feels tacked on.

But the jokes come thick and fast, while the movie’s best scenes happen in the quieter periods, when touching on more serious themes of loneliness, ill health, and the indignities of old age.

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They’re fleeting moments, handled with sensitivity by Columbus and his cast, and they might just leave you with something in your eye when the credits roll.

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The Thursday Murder Club score: 4/5

The Thursday Murder Club is twee beyond belief, but it’s also a faithful adaptation of Richard Osman’s novel; one that delivers the requisite murder and mystery, as well as laughter and the odd tear.

The Thursday Murder Club hits Netflix on August 28, 2025, while you can head here for more of the best thrillers on the streamer.



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Kanye West’s Yzy Meme Coin Boosts Meteora Dex Trading Volume To $1.18B
GameFi Guides

Kanye West’s YZY Meme Coin Boosts Meteora DEX Trading Volume to $1.18B

by admin



The Solana-based decentralized exchange (DEX) Meteora has become a trending crypto trading platform in the past 24 hours with it seeing a drastic surge in daily trading volume . The climb was supported by the trend linked to Kanye West’s YZY token which set a buzz within the crypto community. 

During the YZY trend, Meteora handled over $1.183 billion in trading volume. Raydium, the long leading Solana DEX, trailed behind during the same period with less than $1 billion in trading volume in the last 24 hours—as per DeFillama data.

Fees and Market Impact

With the notable spike in trading volume, Meteora also collected over $16 million in fees in 24 hours. That figure was second only to Tether, placing Meteora ahead of other major platforms across the wider crypto market.

The YZY token has been central to the attention with its launch bringing a surge of traders, sending record liquidity through Meteora. Some say meme tokens create quick surges while others argue the event shows Solana’s ability to attract new demand and keep users engaged.

Competition among Solana-based DEXs

Raydium’s fall from the top spot is significant as the exchange has been the backbone of Solana trading for years. Its drop shows how quickly traders shift when new tokens or incentives appear.

The bigger picture is rising competition. Solana DEXs are battling for liquidity, and tokens often decide where traders move. Also, we can see the rivalry growing as more platforms fight for users and fees.

Meteora’s trading volume rise shows the influence of meme tokens in DeFi. On Solana, hype can move liquidity almost overnight. For investors and developers, the question is whether the momentum lasts or fades once the YZY hype cools. As of press time, YZY token price has declined over 70% in the last 24 hours.  

Also Read: CFTC Launches Second Crypto Sprint to Implement Trump Plan



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A single developer has remade Call of Duty 2's Carentan level with photo-scanned models, ray tracing and more
Game Updates

A single developer has remade Call of Duty 2’s Carentan level with photo-scanned models, ray tracing and more

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As well as boosting its GeForce Now cloud streaming with PS5 Pro-beating hardware and new peripheral options, Nvidia has also detailed some of its recent RTX Remix successes at Gamescom 2025. If you’re not familiar, RTX Remix is a set of tools for remastering old games with modern graphics techniques, converting ancient engines to support ray-traced lighting, shadow and reflections, new particular effects, higher-quality materials and so on. Specifically, the firm is announcing the winners of its RTX Remix contest, and showing off exactly what makes each fan-made graphics mod worthy of recognition. I took a look at some of the winning entries at Nvidia’s booth here in Cologne, and was particularly impressed by the RTX Remix of a seminal classic, Call of Duty 2.

The project is the work of a single developer, tadpole3159, who has been painstakingly photo-scanning real-world WW2 weaponry in order to produce a version of the game that holds up against modern competitors. Like other RTX Remix projects, the aim is to use physically-correct materials, tagging different assets in the game with what they’re made of so that they have realistic roughness, reflectivity and so on. With that in place, objects in the world can react realistically to changing lighting conditions, cast appropriate shadows and produce rough or clear reflections as appropriate.

Digital Foundry looked at the Call of Duty 2 RTX Remix project a little while back. Watch on YouTube

Descriptions of the mod state that tadpole3159 is a lead artist at a UK game studio, which perhaps explains how a single person has been able to create assets (at least for the Carentan level of the game) unassisted. The demo that I saw included hotkeys for changing the time of day, allowing you to see how the game world can change drastically from bright sunlight, to the dead of night, to varying levels of overhead cloud. (The developer is British, the Nvidia reps explained, so they found it easier to produce lots of convincingly realistic grey skies.) As well as the material upgrades, rooms are being upgraded with period-appropriate contents, walls get new details and foliage is expanded to lush excess. It dramatically changes the look of the game, and is an impressive effort for a project made in around two months.

The other RTX Remix projects highlighted by Nvidia are also worth perusing, as they’re all free downloads from the mod.db site. The ones I saw were Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, which uses more of a “use AI to upscale everything, then hand-make the really important stuff” approach, which manages to convincingly recreate the atmospheric feel of the game while ensuring the entire thing looks at least OK. Painkiller, by contrast, went for a more selective approach, with the developer creating full 3D replacements for what were previously flat textures or static objects, allowing for swinging torches that splash light around the room as they are shot into motion, and intricate ceiling supports that cast complex shadows to produce real depth. That approach requires a lot of research and insight into the original intents of the developers, but produces sterling results.

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Nvidia is also continuing to upgrade the capabilities of the RTX Remix suite, with a particle editor that arrives next month. The demo I saw was quite straightforward, showing a half-finished fire effect that was tweaked and tuned by adjusting sliders for particle size, number and gravity. The Nvidia rep explained that most games in the DX8 and DX9 era lacked proper particle editors, so modders normally have to create their own or work around the limitations, but the new tool should make creating particle effects like smoke, sparks, steam or fire much quicker.

If you’ve not played around with RTX Remix before, I’d recommend checking out some of the contest entries and seeing what you think of them – especially if you’re a fan of games in that 2002-2012 era. The full list of winners are as follows:

Image credit: Nvidia

Nvidia also announced that its newish Nvidia app would soon include an overlay for showing what DLSS and other overrides are active – making it much easier to go “did that actually work?” when upgrading to a newer preset – and RTX Hair is coming soon to Indiana Jones: The Great Circle, bringing fancier and more efficiently rendered follicles.

Have you played any RTX Remix projects? What’s your dream game to remake? Let us know in the comments below.



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Product Reviews

The best noise-canceling headphones for 2025

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Whether you’re working in a noisy office, commuting on a packed train or just trying to focus at home, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. The best noise-canceling headphones block out distractions and let you enjoy your music, podcasts or calls in peace — all while delivering great sound quality and all-day comfort. From models with plush cushions to wireless cans with loads of extra features, there’s something here for every style and budget.

Table of contents

Best noise-canceling headphones of 2025

Billy Steele for Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC type: Hybrid Adaptive | Customizable ANC: Yes | Max battery life with ANC: 30 hours | Transparency mode: Yes | Weight: 254 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat but do not fold inward)

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review

Sony’s 1000X line has been our top pick for best wireless headphone for a long time now. Until another company can pack in as many premium features as Sony, and do so with a mix of excellent sound quality and effective ANC, the crown is safe. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony subtly redesigned its flagship headphones, making them way more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. This is an important factor to consider when purchasing over-ear headphones. We also noticed in our tests that the company made noticeable improvements to the active noise cancellation, thanks to a new QN3 chip. There are now 12 total ANC mics as well – the previous model only had eight. This all combines to better block background noise at medium and high frequencies, including human voices.

The M6 also has improved sound quality, thanks to new drivers, some help from mastering engineers and spatial audio upmixing. Its battery life remains the same 30 hours as its predecessor, which is more than enough to get you through several days of work or long international flights. Speak-to-Chat still reduces volume and activates ambient sound when you talk and the M6 can automatically change noise settings based on your location or activity. The only real downside is that they’re $50 more than the WH-1000XM5 at full price ($450).

Pros

  • Improved sound
  • Better ANC performance
  • Tons of handy features
  • Supremely comfy

Cons

  • Price has increased again
  • Speak-to-Chat still needs work
  • Call quality suffers in loud environments

$448 at Macy’s

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC type: Hybrid Adaptive | Customizable ANC: Yes | Max battery life with ANC: 24 hours | Transparency mode: Yes | Weight: 254 grams | Collapsible: Yes (folds both flat and inward)

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra review

Bose’s unique take on spatial audio may be the headline feature on its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, but the company didn’t overlook ANC on this model. Described as “the quietest quiet” available on any of its headphones yet, the ANC here is noticeably better than the Bose 700 and iconic QuietComfort Headphones. This is due in part to microphone enhancements that also improve call quality. The changes are especially apparent when dealing with the hard-to-combat frequency range of people talking. The company also offers presets that mix ANC, transparency mode and its spatial Immersive Audio, allowing you to quickly switch the sound to match your surroundings. And if that wasn’t enough, the touch controls make these over-ear headphones a breeze to use — so you get good noise cancelation, good sound and extra convenience bundled in this package.

While the spatial sound feature is a bit of a mixed bag, the stock tuning on the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is still good – even before you switch on Immersive Audio. Bose has generally lagged the competition in terms of sonic prowess, but these over-ear headphones show that gap is narrowing. There’s a dash more bass to enhance a default sound profile that’s warmer, clearer and more inviting than previous Bose models, resulting in good sound overall. When Immersive Audio hits, it’s amazing and the audio quality is truly remarkable. But, the company is relying on signal processing rather than specially crafted content so the results vary.

Pros

  • Excellent ANC
  • Improved audio
  • Clearer transparency mode
  • Comfy

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Immersive Audio is inconsistent
  • No USB-C audio

$449 at Macy’s

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC type: Hybrid | Customizable ANC: Yes | Max battery life with ANC: 35 hours | Transparency mode: Yes | Weight: 192 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat but do not fold inward)

Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review

The WH-CH720N won’t win any design awards with these over-ear headphones, but what you get for the price is well worth some aesthetic sacrifices. Due to their all-plastic construction, the CH720N are super lightweight and comfy, allowing you to wear them for hours at a time. The ANC isn’t as robust in these budget headphones as that in more expensive headphones, but it’s above average for products in this price range. Toss in customizability and a handy transparency mode, and you’ve got a solid device that costs only $150 — and regularly goes for around $100.

In addition to decent noise reduction for a small investment, the CH720N has 35-hour battery life, physical controls, DSEE upscaling and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. You can also adjust both the EQ and the level of ambient sound. Plus, the company’s ever-present Adaptive Sound Control can automatically switch the sound settings based on your activity or location. Last but not least, the overall sound quality is really impressive for headphones at this price. There’s plenty of detail and subtlety in the audio; you can really hear the gritty texture of distorted guitars and near-pristine acoustic instruments.

Pros

  • Affordably priced
  • Lightweight and comfy
  • Great sound quality
  • Some handy features

Cons

  • ANC struggles in certain environments
  • Lots of plastic
  • No automatic pausing
  • Advanced features reserved for pricier models

$150 at Amazon

Billy Steele for Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC type: Adaptive | Customizable ANC: No | Max battery life with ANC: 30 hours | Transparency mode: Yes | Weight: 300 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat but do not fold inward)

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review

If you seek to pair excellent sound quality with capable ANC performance, the Px7 S3 are the best option. Sure, you can find more impressive noise-blocking abilities elsewhere, but if you want pristine audio as well, Bowers & Wilkins is the way to go. An adaptive ANC setup uses eight microphones to capture unwanted noise and automatically adjust to any changes. 40mm dynamic full-range bio cellulose drivers pipe in balanced tuning that provides you with the finest detail of any song.

You’ll also get up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, although you will probably surpass that figure. Plus, handy tools like transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth and an adjustable EQ cover the basics on the Px7 S3. You won’t find more advanced features than those, but what Bowers & Wilkins does offer here is finely tuned and carefully polished.

Pros

  • Excellent sound quality
  • Comfy fit
  • Sophisticated design

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Awkward button locations
  • A lack of advanced features

$449 at Macy’s

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC type: Hybrid Adaptive | Customizable ANC: Yes | Max battery life with ANC: 60 hours | Transparency mode: Yes | Weight: 292.9 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat but do not fold inward)

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review

Sure, there are headphones that will last longer than Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless, but they don’t offer the combo of great battery life, ANC and good sound quality you’ll find here. On this model, the company made big improvements to its active noise cancellation, catching up to rivals like Bose and Sony. Specifically, the ANC on the Momentum 4 handles constant distractions more effectively than previous models in the series.

I don’t care for the design Sennheiser introduced on the Momentum 4 as the company ditched what was a quite novel look for something much more generic and plastic. However, the change comes with the bonus of increased comfort. You’ll also get excellent sound quality, in fact, it’s some of the best you’ll find in wireless headphones. There’s noticeable depth to the audio profile with a wide soundstage that complements all genres. You might even discover finer details you previously missed. And, of course, its 60 hours of battery life with ANC on is double what a lot of flagship headphones offer these days.

Pros

  • Impressive 60-hour battery life
  • Better ANC performance
  • Great sound quality
  • Improved comfort

Cons

  • Pinch gesture feels unnecessary
  • Standout design is gone
  • Auto on/off needs work

$380 at Adorama

How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for you

Design

When you’re shopping for the best wireless headphones, the first thing you’ll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the purposes of this guide, I focus on the over-ear style as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear, active noise-canceling headphones are much more effective at blocking outside sounds since your ears are completely covered.

For gamers, there are also gaming headsets that feature noise cancellation — some even have detachable microphones, so they can double as over-ear headphones. However, for the purpose of this article, we’re only going to be focusing on noise-canceling headphones rather than headsets. Look for models with a comfortable headband and memory foam ear cups to ensure you can wear them for long periods without discomfort.

Many headphones also come with a range of color options, so if aesthetics matter to you, you’ll find plenty of choices beyond just black or white. Whether you’re looking for something neutral or a bold pop of color, brands now offer a variety of styles to match your personal taste.

Finally, if you’re planning to wear your headphones for long periods of time, it’s important to pick a model with a comfortable fit. Memory foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and lightweight materials can make all the difference during extended listening sessions. After all, great sound is only part of the equation; comfort matters just as much.

Type of noise cancellation

Next, you’ll want to look at the type of ANC a set of headphones offers. You’ll come across terms like “hybrid active noise cancellation” or “hybrid adaptive active noise cancellation,” and there are key differences between the two. A hybrid ANC setup uses microphones on the inside and on the outside of the device to detect outside noise and cancel it out. By analyzing input from both mics, a hybrid system can combat more sounds than “regular” ANC, but it does so at a constant level that doesn’t change.

Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step further by continuously adjusting the noise cancellation for changes in your environment and any leakage around the padding of the ear cups. Adaptive noise-canceling also does a better job with wind noise, which can really kill your vibe while using headphones outdoors. Some high-end headphones also support Dolby Atmos, which enhances spatial audio and makes everything from music to movies sound more immersive. For the purposes of this best headphones list, I’m only considering products with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups because those are the most effective at blocking noise and improving your overall listening experience.

Customization

You’ll also want to check to see if the ANC system on a prospective set of headphones offers adjustable levels of noise cancellation or presets. These can help you dial in the amount of ANC you need for various environments, but it can also help you save battery life. Master & Dynamic, for example, has ANC presets that provide both maximum noise blocking and more efficient cancellation that is more energy efficient. Other companies may include a slider in their companion apps that let you adjust the ANC level to your liking. Some high-end models even allow you to fine-tune the ANC for specific types of environments.

How we test noise-canceling headphones

The primary way we test headphones is to wear them as much as possible. I prefer to do this over a one-to-two-week period, but sometimes deadlines don’t allow it. During this time, I listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the headphones to take both voice and video calls.

Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, I drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). Due to the longer battery estimates, I’ll typically power the headphones off several times and leave them that way during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps me from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours.

To test ANC performance specifically, I use headphones in a variety of environments, from noisy coffee shops to quiet home offices. When my schedule allows, I use them during air travel since plane noise is a massive distraction to both work and relaxation. Even if I can’t hop on a flight, I’ll simulate a constant roar with white noise machines, bathroom fans, vacuums and more. I also make note of how well each device blocks human voices, which are a key stumbling block for a lot of ANC headphones.

ANC-related features are something else to consider. Here, I do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as I work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones I’m testing are an updated version of a previous model, I’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that I review.

Other noise-canceling headphones we tested

AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate all of the best features you find on standard AirPods: solid noise cancellation, spatial audio and easy Siri access. However, their $550 starting price makes them almost prohibitively expensive, even for Apple users. There are better options available at lower prices, but if you can pick up the AirPods Max at a steep discount, they might be worthwhile for the biggest Apple fans among us.

Dyson On-Trac

The On-Trac headphones have an almost infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most unique about them. The sound profile offers some nice detail, but lacks dynamic range overall. ANC is average at best and there aren’t any advanced features that will make your life easier. Well, except for the hearing health monitor, which is actually handy. All told, that’s not a lot for a set of $500 headphones.

Sonos Ace

The Sonos Ace is an excellent debut for the company’s first headphones. The combination of refined design, great sound quality and home theater tricks creates a unique formula. However, ANC performance is just okay and key functionality is still in the works for many users.

Sony ULT Wear

If most headphones don’t have the level of bass you desire, the ULT Wear is an option to consider. The low-end thump isn’t for everyone, but there are also plenty of handy features and a refined look to make the $200 set more compelling than many in this price range.

Beats Studio Pro

The Studio Pro lacks basic features like automatic pausing, and multipoint connectivity is only available on Android. Moreover, they’re not very comfortable for people with larger heads. Overall sound quality is improved, though, and voice performance on calls is well above average.

Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)

The MH40 are a great set of headphones if you favor crisp, clear and natural sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the company’s affinity for leather and metal too, but limited customization and short battery life for non-ANC cans kept this set from making the cut.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

The company’s trademark pristine sound is on display here, but the Px8 is more expensive and not nearly as comfortable as the Px7 S3.

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

While this is my top pick for overall sound quality in our main guide to the best wireless headphones, the ANC performance is less impressive than the Px7 S3. Bowers & Wilkins gets the nod here for its improved noise cancellation over the Px7 S2 and Px7 S2e, and its overall excellent audio quality.

Noise-canceling headphones FAQs

Does noise cancellation block all noise?

Noise cancellation doesn’t block out all noise, though it does drastically reduce the volume of most external sounds.

Is there a difference between wired vs wireless noise-canceling headphones?

In terms of sound quality, if you have two headphones — one wired and one wireless — with similar specs, the difference is going to be very minimal. However, wireless headphones offer more convenience, allowing you to move around more freely with your headphones on, which is why they often feature noise cancellation to minimize external sounds.

Does noise cancellation impact sound quality?

ANC does bear some weight on sound quality, but the impact of this often doesn’t outweigh the benefits. Noise cancellation reduces ambient noise, allowing a greater focus on audio detail. For audiophiles, however, there may be a small difference in sound fidelity when ANC is turned on.



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