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Tornado Cash co-founder just got out of prison
Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm has been released from prison after facing charges related to money laundering and sanctions violations. U.S. authorities accused him of facilitating illicit transactions through the crypto mixing service, which was allegedly used to launder billions, including funds linked to North Korean hackers. Storm maintains his innocence, arguing Tornado Cash is open-source software beyond his control. His release comes amid growing debates over financial privacy, regulatory overreach, and the legal implications of developing decentralized protocols. The case remains ongoing, with significant implications for crypto developers and privacy-focused projects worldwide.
ByBit Settles Penalty and Expands Crypto Education in India
ByBit has settled a regulatory penalty and is now focusing on expanding crypto education initiatives in India. The exchange aims to rebuild trust by promoting awareness about blockchain technology, trading strategies, and responsible investing. This move aligns with India’s evolving crypto landscape, where regulatory clarity remains uncertain. ByBit’s education programs target retail investors and developers, emphasizing compliance and security. The initiative is also seen as a strategic effort to strengthen its presence in a high-growth market. Despite past challenges, ByBit remains committed to fostering crypto adoption in India through knowledge-sharing and regulatory engagement.
Ethereum Price Prediction: Bitcoin Dominance Looks Close To Topping
Analysts suggest Bitcoin's dominance in the crypto market may be nearing a peak, potentially signaling a shift in momentum toward Ethereum. As Bitcoin’s rally slows, Ethereum could gain traction, especially with increasing institutional interest and network upgrades like Danksharding. Historically, Ethereum benefits when Bitcoin dominance tops out, leading to an altcoin surge. Factors such as ETH’s staking yields, Layer 2 adoption, and potential ETF approvals could further drive price appreciation. While Ethereum remains below its all-time high, improving fundamentals and market trends suggest a bullish outlook, contingent on broader macroeconomic conditions and regulatory developments.
MicroStrategy raises another $600 million from preferred stock sales to buy bitcoin
MicroStrategy has raised an additional $600 million through preferred stock sales to purchase more Bitcoin. The company, led by Michael Saylor, continues its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy, reinforcing its position as the largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency. This move aligns with its belief that Bitcoin is a superior store of value compared to traditional assets. MicroStrategy has consistently leveraged debt and equity financing to expand its Bitcoin holdings, reflecting strong institutional confidence in the asset. The latest investment underscores its long-term bullish stance on Bitcoin despite market volatility and regulatory uncertainties.
Kanye West Says No to $2M Crypto Fraud Offer
Kanye West reportedly rejected a $2 million offer to endorse a cryptocurrency project that turned out to be fraudulent. The scam sought to exploit his influence to attract investors, but West declined, avoiding potential legal and reputational risks. The offer was part of a broader trend where celebrities are approached to promote questionable crypto ventures. West’s refusal highlights growing awareness of crypto scams and the importance of due diligence. Many celebrities have faced lawsuits for endorsing fraudulent projects, making West’s decision a prudent one. His stance reinforces caution in the volatile and often deceptive cryptocurrency market.
CFTC fines EmpiresX founders $130M in crypto fraud case
A U.S. federal court has ordered the founders of EmpiresX, Emerson Pires and Flavio Goncalves, to pay over $130 million in penalties and restitution for operating a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that the court imposed permanent injunctions and financial penalties after the defendants failed to respond to the charges. EmpiresX falsely promised high returns to investors, misappropriating at least $40 million for personal expenses and luxury purchases. Investigators recovered approximately $22.8 million in digital assets. The court also banned the defendants from trading in U.S. financial markets.
Winklevoss Twins' Crypto Exchange Gemini Considers IPO
Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, is considering an IPO in 2025. The company is in early discussions with advisers but hasn’t made a final decision. This move aligns with a growing trend of crypto firms, like Circle and Bullish Global, exploring public listings amid renewed market interest. Gemini previously considered an IPO in 2021 but did not proceed. The decision comes as digital assets regain momentum, potentially providing a favorable market environment for public offerings.
Berachain Price Prediction: BERA Forecast Pre-TGE
Berachain's native token, BERA, is attracting attention ahead of its Token Generation Event (TGE), currently trading at $8.03 in pre-launch markets. Analysts predict an initial price range of $5–$10 post-TGE, depending on adoption rates. Some forecasts suggest BERA could reach $28.56 by late 2025. Market conditions, adoption, and technological developments will influence its future value. While some expect strong growth, others caution against speculative risks. Investors should conduct due diligence before investing.
Tokenized funds go on-chain as Sui, Libre Capital expand blockchain finance
MANTRA, a Layer 1 blockchain specializing in tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs), has partnered with Libre Capital, a UAE-based financial instruments tokenization and issuance platform, to offer institutional and accredited investors on-chain access to a variety of investment funds. This collaboration aims to provide opportunities in hedge funds, private credit funds, and money market funds by leveraging Libre's tokenization capabilities and MANTRA's blockchain infrastructure. The partnership will utilize Libre's Gateway DeFi decentralized applications (dApps) on MANTRA Chain, enabling compliant access to these tokenized funds.
The Economist Highlights $500 Billion Crypto Scam Industry
The Economist has highlighted the escalating issue of cryptocurrency-related fraud, with losses reaching $5.6 billion in 2023—a 45% increase from the previous year. Investment scams are the most prevalent, accounting for 71% of these losses. Notably, individuals over 60 suffered the most, with losses totaling over $1.6 billion. The rapid, irreversible nature of crypto transactions makes them attractive to criminals, leading to sophisticated, corporate-like scam operations. This surge in fraudulent activity has significantly damaged public trust in cryptocurrencies, prompting calls for stricter regulations to protect investors and ensure market integrity.
Cardano Founder Hints at Major Crypto Developments
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has hinted at major crypto developments for February 2025, including potential collaborations and AI integration. He suggested discussions with Ripple Labs regarding its RLUSD stablecoin, fueling speculation about future partnerships. Additionally, Hoskinson teased upcoming announcements that could significantly impact the blockchain space. While details remain undisclosed, the move aligns with Cardano’s ongoing efforts to expand its ecosystem and technological capabilities. The potential AI integration further signals Cardano’s ambition to enhance blockchain efficiency. As excitement builds, the crypto community eagerly awaits further updates on these initiatives and their implications for Cardano’s future.
Peter Thiel-backed crypto exchange Bullish eyes IPO
Peter Thiel-backed crypto exchange Bullish is considering an IPO, collaborating with Jefferies Financial Group for a potential listing. This follows its failed 2021 SPAC merger. The move aligns with improving market conditions and clearer crypto regulations. Bullish, led by CEO Tom Farley, holds $10 billion in digital assets and cash, employing over 275 people globally. The IPO would position it among other crypto firms going public, amid expectations of a pro-crypto stance from the U.S. government. Discussions continue, with no official comments from Bullish or Block.one. The exchange’s success depends on market sentiment and regulatory developments.
Onyxcoin Price Prediction 2025: XCN Targets Rebound After Recent Volatility
Onyxcoin (XCN) recently surged over 1,400% in two weeks, reaching around $0.037, following the resolution of a dispute involving Justin Sun and HTX Global. Currently trading near $0.0309, analysts predict potential targets of $0.08 or even $0.097 by March 2025 if momentum continues. However, the market remains highly volatile, and such forecasts are speculative. Investors should conduct thorough research before making decisions. XCN’s future growth depends on broader market conditions, adoption, and ecosystem developments. While optimism exists, caution is advised when investing in Onyxcoin or any cryptocurrency due to inherent risks and market fluctuations.
Bitcoin OP_CAT Proposal Gets Boost From Taproot Wizards' $30M Fundraise
The Bitcoin OP_CAT proposal, aimed at enhancing Bitcoin's programmability, gained momentum after Taproot Wizards raised $30 million. OP_CAT, a proposed Bitcoin opcode revival, would enable more flexible smart contracts by allowing concatenation operations in Bitcoin scripts. Taproot Wizards, known for promoting Bitcoin-native applications and Ordinals, sees OP_CAT as a key step toward expanding Bitcoin’s functionality. The funding round, led by major investors, underscores growing interest in Bitcoin’s smart contract potential. While OP_CAT remains a debated topic among developers, this financial backing could accelerate discussions and development toward integrating advanced scripting features in Bitcoin’s ecosystem.
Phishing Crypto Scams Wiped $10.2M in Jan
In January 2024, phishing scams stole $10.2 million in cryptocurrency, targeting users through malicious links, fake websites, and social engineering tactics. These scams primarily affected Ethereum and Solana users, with attackers using wallet-draining exploits. The increase in phishing attacks highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals leveraging deceptive airdrops, fake customer support, and compromised Discord and Twitter accounts. Security experts urge users to enable two-factor authentication, verify links, and avoid signing suspicious transactions. As phishing techniques evolve, crypto investors must stay vigilant and use hardware wallets for enhanced security to mitigate risks associated with such fraudulent activities.