In 2023, only 1% of adults in the United States reported utilizing cryptocurrency for payments or money transfers.
Illicit cryptocurrency addresses experienced a notable decline in their received value within the cryptocurrency industry. The proportion of crypto transaction volume linked to illicit activities also saw a decrease. Cybercriminals are increasingly favoring stablecoins, while Bitcoin continues to play a prominent role in darknet market sales and ransomware incidents.
Olivia Rodrigo's album "Guts" has been acclaimed as the top album of 2023 by critics, marking her second album's success.
England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has been named Sports Personality of the Year 2023, topping the public vote. The 30-year-old athlete expressed her desire "to change the world" and sees herself as a game-changer, aiming to inspire and be a role model for people of all ages.
In a remarkable achievement, Pakistani actor Wahaj Ali has earned the prestigious title of the top celebrity of 2023, according to the esteemed UK showbiz publication, Eastern Eye. Wahaj secured the ninth position globally in the coveted "Top 50 Asian Celebrities In The World" list, underscoring his exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry.
Actor Timothée Chalamet, known for his role in "Wonka," announced the Game of the Year at the video game industry's prominent awards ceremony. The Los Angeles event saw the fantasy RPG Baldur's Gate 3, based on Dungeons and Dragons, securing the top prize. Belgian developer Larian, accepting the award, described the epic fantasy RPG as a labor of love. Baldur's Gate 3 dominated the awards with six wins, including Best Performance, Best RPG, and Player's Choice. Chalamet, introduced as "ModdedController360," a reference to his deleted teenage YouTube channel, has expressed his passion for gaming in interviews and recently visited legendary developer Hideo Kojima's Japanese studio.
The TikTok trends of 2023 have been unveiled in the platform's annual report, Year on TikTok, showcasing the most popular and influential themes that captivated users throughout the year. Among the highlights, Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi emerged as the most-viewed UK artist on TikTok, amassing 8.4 million followers and nearly 182 million likes for his content. Other notable trends include the Wes Anderson aesthetic, discussions about the Roman Empire, and the "girl dinner" phenomenon.
The prestigious British Fashion Awards took place at London's Royal Albert Hall, drawing top models, designers, and Hollywood stars, including Pamela Anderson, Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Stormzy. At this glamorous event, designers Sarah Burton and Jonathan Anderson, along with model Paloma Elsesser, emerged as winners in their respective categories.
In 2023, Taylor Swift is experiencing a remarkable year, achieving the Official Chart Double with the release of "1989 (Taylor’s Version)." The re-recorded album debuts at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart, surpassing the original 1989's opening-week sales. This marks Taylor's 11th chart-topping album in the UK, making her the woman with the most Number 1 albums this century and the female with 11 consecutive Number 1 albums in the quickest time.
The Latin music industry is booming with talent, and the Latin Grammys 2023 did not disappoint. The prestigious award ceremony, held on [date], brought together the biggest stars in Latin music to celebrate their achievements. Among the night's winners were two powerhouse women who stole the show: Shakira and Karol G.