Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Prenetics Global Limited has paused its daily Bitcoin (BTC) purchase program as of Dec. 4 and will redirect capital into scaling its Beckham-backed consumer health brand IM8. The company will retain its existing 510 BTC and more than $70 million in cash and equivalents but will stop incremental BTC accumulation. Prenetics began its bitcoin treasury strategy in June, initially investing $20 million to buy roughly 187 BTC at an average price near $106,712 per coin; with BTC trading near $88,200 at reporting, that tranche shows an unrealized loss of about 17% (~$3.4 million). Following the pause announcement, Prenetics shares fell about 3.3% intraday but remain up roughly 170% year-to-date. The company says IM8 reached over $100 million in annualized recurring revenue within 11 months of launch, prompting the reallocation. Market context: corporate BTC treasury strategies have come under pressure amid recent price declines and volatility, compressing premiums for listed ’digital asset treasury’ firms; 192 public companies hold nearly 1.1 million BTC collectively per BitcoinTreasuries.net. For traders: Prenetics’ halt removes a potential incremental corporate buyer from the market, but the firm retains full exposure via its 510 BTC holding — a limited immediate selling signal but a reduction in future corporate demand; compare with firms like MicroStrategy that continue active accumulation. Key SEO keywords: Bitcoin, BTC, corporate treasury strategy, Prenetics, IM8, Beckham, Bitcoin treasury.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s Dec. 9–10 meeting revealed sharp divisions among officials over the timing and magnitude of future rate cuts. The Fed reduced the benchmark rate to 3.50–3.75% in December (third consecutive 25bp cut) with three dissents: one for a larger cut and two for no change. Officials split between prioritising labour-market protection and guarding the 2% inflation mandate. Incomplete data after a government shutdown complicated deliberations, though later labour and inflation reports provided additional context. Market pricing shows just a 15% chance of a January cut. Bitcoin, which had established bearish chart patterns ahead of the minutes, traded around $88,175 on the release and moved only modestly. Key macro figures cited: US Q3 GDP +4.3% and November unemployment at 4.6%. Traders should note elevated policy uncertainty and mixed rate-path projections for 2025 — factors likely to keep risk assets, including BTC, sensitive to incoming economic data and Fed commentary.

Federal Reserve minutes from the Dec. 9–10 meeting show clear disagreement among policymakers about when to cut interest rates again. The Fed voted 9–3 to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points to a 3.50–3.75% range — the third consecutive cut — but several officials said the decision was “finely balanced.” Governor Stephen Miran pushed for a larger 50-basis-point cut, while Chicago Fed’s Austan Goolsbee and Kansas City’s Jeff Schmid voted to hold rates steady. The Fed’s median projection now shows just one 25-basis-point cut next year, though individual forecasts vary widely. Key indicators since December add to the confusion: unemployment rose to 4.6% in November and consumer prices were softer than expected (supporting cuts), but third-quarter GDP surged at a 4.3% annual pace (fueling inflation concerns). Policymakers noted that a recent government shutdown reduced the flow of economic data, making choices harder. Traders and markets should expect continued uncertainty over Fed policy and timing, with market pricing (futures) differing from the Fed’s median path.

Binance has temporarily suspended Visa and Mastercard withdrawals for users in Ukraine after its fiat payment partner Bifinity (UAB) stopped processing crypto-related card payouts following regulatory changes. The suspension affects only card withdrawals; Ukrainian customers can still deposit and buy crypto via Visa, Mastercard (for deposits), Apple Pay, Google Pay, SWIFT and P2P trading, but recurring buys and active card-linked fiat limit orders are disrupted. Binance says it is seeking alternative payment partners and channels and urges affected users to use other withdrawal methods, but provided no firm timeline for resumption. Separately, Zen.com — used for euro and Polish zloty transactions — paused full deposit and withdrawal services and expects to restore them by January 6, 2026. The incident underscores operational risk from centralized exchanges’ reliance on third-party fiat rails and may temporarily constrain fiat on‑ramps and off‑ramps and reduce liquidity for Ukraine-based users until alternatives are deployed.

BlackRock transferred 2,201 BTC to Coinbase, according to Arkham Intelligence, prompting concerns about potential selling pressure as BTC trades below a key resistance level. The move followed a recent outflow from BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF and comes amid a reported seven-day streak of net outflows from Bitcoin ETFs. Market observers also flagged large sales by other major players — Martini alleged Binance, Wintermute, Coinbase and Fidelity sold substantial BTC — which together could amount to billions of dollars of supply hitting markets. Price volatility spiked over the weekend with short- and long-position liquidations; BTC briefly broke resistance on Dec 28 but slipped after the BlackRock transfer. Some analysts warn of further downside, while others note improving on-chain indicators — including a halt in long-term holder selling — and technical signals that could indicate a bottom relative to equities and gold. At the time of reporting BTC was slightly up over 24 hours. Key data points: 2,201 BTC moved to Coinbase, prior weekly deposit of 6,174.39 BTC for ETF redemptions, reported multi-day ETF outflows, and claims of additional large sell-offs (examples cited: Binance 12,779 BTC, Wintermute 10,855 BTC, Coinbase 9,781 BTC, Fidelity 4,008–figures reported by market commentators).

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) closed 2025 with tangible progress in smart contracts, interoperability and tokenization, but stakeholders say 2026 must fix user friction, DEX liquidity and funding for consumer apps. Key developments in 2025: smart contracts reached an alpha testnet developers can deploy to; Wormhole and Axelar bridges went live, enabling bridged yield-bearing assets; tokenization expanded with RLUSD and new stablecoins and tokenized funds; wallets and app UX improved though no single flagship app emerged. Shortcomings highlighted for 2026 include the need for batch transactions and sponsored fees/reserves to reduce onboarding friction, more quality real‑world assets (RWAs) such as yield‑bearing stablecoins and tokenized stocks/commodities, stronger DEX/AMM liquidity, and a serious grant/incentive program (XRPL Foundation involvement) to fund scalable consumer apps. Community voices quoted include Vet (XRPL dUNL validator) praising shipped features and Panos Mekras (Anodos Finance CEO) calling for infrastructure and incentives. At press time XRP traded near $1.86. Primary keywords: XRPL, XRP Ledger, smart contracts, tokenization, interoperability, DEX liquidity. Secondary/semantic keywords: batch transactions, sponsored fees, RWAs, bridges, Wormhole, Axelar, RLUSD, developer tools. Traders should note that infrastructure upgrades and improved liquidity are prerequisites for larger DeFi activity and token distribution; funding and UX changes could materially affect on‑chain volume and price action in 2026.

Midnight (NIGHT) has rebounded after a deep December retracement, rising about 18% over the past week and ~2.5% in 24 hours as renewed buying and social attention supported price action. The token fell from roughly $0.120 to $0.0718 (≈40% drop) then recovered ~34%, flipping $0.083 from resistance into support. Technicals on the 4‑hour chart show a bullish structure break and Fibonacci extensions put a near‑term upside target at $0.134 — contingent on reclaiming $0.10 as support. On‑chain and market signals are mixed: CoinGecko trending status and endorsements from Cardano figures (notably Charles Hoskinson) have bolstered sentiment, but trading volume has weakened and Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) shows only modest inflows, indicating fragile demand. Clusters of leveraged long liquidations sit near $0.088–$0.09, so brief pullbacks to that range could present lower‑risk accumulation opportunities but also risk cascade selloffs. A Bitcoin pullback would likely undermine momentum. Key trading takeaways: watch $0.083 (support), $0.10 (critical flip level), volume/CMF for conviction, and nearby liquidation clusters for entry and risk management.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) acknowledged at Bitcoin MENA 2025 that escalating U.S. and global investigations forced him to plead guilty in the United States and step down as CEO to prevent further legal fallout. Following intensified scrutiny after the FTX collapse, multiple simultaneous probes and Bloomberg reporting increased market fear and pressured Binance into paying billions in fines and settlements. CZ said his decision to admit guilt aimed to limit wider implications for others tied to Binance and described the period as a tumultuous “simulation.” Despite regulatory penalties and his temporary imprisonment, CZ stressed Binance’s historical role in making crypto globally accessible since 2017 by offering deep-liquidity pairs and an easy interface, which accelerated retail adoption. He noted a recent easing of U.S. legal pressure after leadership changes but highlighted that ongoing regulatory scrutiny is inevitable for the largest exchange. The article underscores Binance’s aggressive early expansion using regulatory gray areas, the costly consequences in the 2020s, and CZ’s continued significance in crypto history. Keywords: Binance, Changpeng Zhao, CZ, regulatory probes, fines, CEO resignation, crypto market impact.

The provided article content consisted solely of cookie-consent and website metadata and contained no substantive reporting about crypto or Hollywood. No concrete events, figures, projects, dates or statistics were present. As such, there is no factual news to summarise beyond the headline implication that crypto and Hollywood intersect. Primary SEO keywords: "crypto", "Hollywood", "Web3". Suggested brief take: crypto-Hollywood collaborations (Web3 partnerships, NFT projects, token-backed financing) are increasingly discussed across media, but this specific source offered no verifiable details.

A crypto researcher (SMQKE) revisited Ripple’s official documentation and highlighted XRP’s protocol-level utility as the network’s native liquidity asset. The document describes XRP as a bridge currency that enables fast, efficient value movement across currencies and systems, supports liquidity provisioning, and carries a security function within the protocol. It notes that institutions and new payment corridors increase transactional flow and therefore ongoing demand for XRP to source liquidity quickly. Wider protocol adoption, the paper argues, would raise demand for XRP and could exert upward pressure on price as supply meets growing functional demand. The analysis frames XRP as infrastructure whose value links to network usage rather than short-term market narratives. The article includes a standard financial disclaimer and cites the original researcher’s post.

Grayscale has filed a Form S‑1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to convert its Bittensor Trust into an exchange‑traded product (ETP) under the ticker GTAO, aiming to give regulated institutional exposure to the Bittensor native token TAO. The filing follows an earlier Form 10 submission that made the Trust an SEC reporting company and steps Grayscale outlined to facilitate conversion: OTC quoting, audited financials, and shortening private‑placement holding periods to six months. If approved, GTAO would be the first U.S.‑listed ETP offering direct TAO exposure, providing institutions and traders a regulated vehicle without requiring direct custody of tokens. The move comes ahead of Bittensor’s halving event and amid similar European productisation, such as Deutsche Digital Assets’ planned STAO ETP on SIX. TAO’s market cap is roughly $2.3 billion with ~24‑hour volume near $72 million; its price is down about 52% year‑to‑date and roughly 70% from its all‑time high. Approval by the SEC is not guaranteed, but the S‑1 signals growing productisation of AI‑related crypto assets and could improve on‑ramp liquidity and institutional adoption for Bittensor if granted.

Tokyo-based investment firm Metaplanet purchased 4,279 BTC (about $116m at time of purchase) across November and December, increasing its bitcoin holdings as markets faced short-term weakness and low trader conviction. The buys were executed at market prices as part of an opportunistic accumulation strategy during price dips and follow the company’s broader campaign earlier in the year to build a sizable BTC position. The purchases reinforce a wider trend of institutional and corporate bitcoin accumulation and may reduce available sell-side liquidity from large holders while signalling institutional confidence. Traders should note potential support to bitcoin prices from diminished selling pressure and the signalling effect on market sentiment, but also weigh ongoing volatility and short-term market weakness that accompanied the buys.

South Korea has postponed the Digital Asset Basic Law until 2026 after deadlock between regulators over stablecoin oversight, reserve rules and licensing authority. The draft law aims to strengthen investor protection with stricter standards for digital-asset operators, potential no-fault liability for user losses, and a rule that stablecoin issuers hold reserves exceeding 100% of circulating supply at banks or approved custodians and keep those reserves off issuers’ balance sheets. Disputes between the Financial Services Commission and the Bank of Korea — notably who enforces reserve rules and which body pre-authorises stablecoin issuers — are the core reasons for the delay. Officials also disagree on whether custodial roles should be limited to banks or opened to tech firms to encourage industry participation. The postponement increases regulatory uncertainty for exchanges, payment providers and stablecoin issuers, and may delay product launches and institutional onshore liquidity improvements. President Lee Jae-myung has pushed for a Korean won–pegged stablecoin as a strategic priority to reduce reliance on US-dollar-linked stablecoins. Traders should monitor revised drafts for custody rules, issuer authorisation frameworks and whether banks or tech firms will dominate issuance, because these details will materially affect onshore fiat-crypto rails, stablecoin liquidity and institutional flows.

ElizaOS and its founder Shaw Walters had their X (formerly Twitter) accounts reinstated after a six‑month suspension, triggering a rapid rally in the project’s native token. The token surged roughly 150–175% within 24 hours of the restoration, trading near $0.0064 and lifting market capitalisation to about $48 million — still roughly 83% below its November 2025 peak near $0.039. The rebound coincided with Walters sharing development updates confirming completion of the Eliza framework and the project’s November migration from the AI16Z token at a 1:6 swap ratio, which expanded total supply to 11 billion. On‑chain metrics and market data showed heightened trading volume and volatility following the account reinstatement. The restoration also revives a prior legal dispute: Eliza Labs and Walters previously accused X of deplatforming and anti‑competitive conduct during partnership talks, while X cited terms‑of‑service breaches. For traders: this is primarily a social‑media‑driven liquidity event. Expect sharp short‑term price swings, elevated volume and thinning order books; monitor on‑chain flows, liquidity pools and official project channels for confirmation of sustained activity before positioning. Key SEO keywords: ElizaOS, ElizaOS token, X reinstatement, token surge, AI agents.

Whales transferred roughly 4,658 BTC (about $415 million at the time) out of Coinbase in two large transactions — 3,858 BTC and 800 BTC — detected by Whale Alert on December 30. The BTC left via unknown wallets, a pattern often associated with off-exchange accumulation by institutions or large holders. Coinglass data showed a net positive exchange flow of about +3,307 BTC (purchases exceeding sales across tracked exchanges), suggesting diminished selling pressure and growing buy interest. Market commentary frames the moves as year-end positioning that could support a short-term price rebound and signal renewed longer-term optimism among large holders. The article notes that on-chain withdrawals from exchanges can precede price appreciation when funds move to private custody or custodial wallets tied to long-term holders. Traders should watch on-chain flows, exchange balances, and liquidation metrics for confirmation; large off-exchange withdrawals combined with net buy flow often correlate with bullish momentum but require confirmation from price action and volume.

Bitcoin traded between roughly $85,000 and $95,000 as 2025 drew to a close, climbing toward $90,000 twice but failing to sustain gains. The token is down about 5% year-over-year after an early‑October sell-off erased some of 2024’s gains; it rallied about 30% earlier in the year and hit a record high in early October. ETF outflows pressured price, with Bitcoin-focused exchange-traded funds losing approximately $6 billion in Q4. Despite lighter spot trading in December (a roughly 40% drop), derivatives Open Interest rose by around $2.4 billion — Bitcoin OI moved from $22B to $23B while Ethereum OI grew from $13B to $15B — suggesting leveraged positions were added on major exchanges such as Binance, OKX and Bybit. Traders and market strategists warn of potential large swings on low volume through the New Year and advise caution in interpreting short-term patterns. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, BTC price, Open Interest, ETF outflows.

VOOI DEX has integrated Chainlink’s Cross‑Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to enable secure native transfers of its token across Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Mantle. Backed by EZ Labs, VOOI’s smart contracts on each chain are now CCIP‑enabled, allowing tokens to be locked on a source chain and minted or released on destination chains via Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network and risk management services. The integration aims to reduce reliance on custom bridges, lower security risk, and consolidate liquidity across multiple ecosystems. Immediate user benefits include simplified on‑platform asset movement, improved access to liquidity pools across the three networks, and a stronger security posture derived from Chainlink’s established infrastructure. Analysts say adopting CCIP aligns with industry best practices for multichain DeFi and could serve as a template for other DEXs. This move may make VOOI more competitive by improving UX and cross‑chain capital efficiency while reducing technical and security overhead.

Bitcoin (BTC) slipped below the $88,000 psychological support level, trading around $87,995 on OKX after an intraday decline of approximately 1.13%. Earlier reporting showed BTC near $88,976 (a 0.84% decline), indicating a modest continuation of profit-taking and short-term pullback from very high price levels. The updates provide only market-price data without on-chain metrics, exchange flow information or commentary from major participants. Traders should monitor short-term price action and liquidity across major spot and derivatives venues for follow-through: a sustained break below $88,000 could trigger additional selling or stop-loss cascades on leveraged positions, while a quick rebound would suggest temporary rotation or profit-taking rather than trend reversal. Primary keyword: Bitcoin; secondary keywords: BTC price, OKX, price support, spot and derivatives liquidity.

Long-term Bitcoin holders (LTH) have sharply reduced selling pressure after peak monthly outflows exceeding 400,000 BTC in mid-December, with Glassnode and CryptoQuant data showing LTH flows have tapered and turned positive. U.S. spot BTC ETFs, which were net sellers in November, have materially reduced outflows, lessening institutional selling pressure and helping stabilise price near $90,000. Market hedging shows concentrated put activity around $80k–$83k support, while calls cluster at $88k and $94k, per Arkham. Key near-term risks for January 2026 include MSCI index eligibility decisions (notably for MicroStrategy), Federal Reserve policy and rate updates late month, and the U.S. government funding deadline — any negative outcomes could reintroduce volatility and push BTC below the $80k hedge zone. Analysts note some ETF and tax-motivated “heartbeat” trades may cause short-term churn independent of sentiment. For traders: monitor LTH flow trends, ETF inflows/outflows, MSCI rulings, Fed announcements, and option skew around $80k–$95k for directional cues; a confirmed resumption of positive institutional flows or index inclusion could be bullish, while adverse macro or index decisions could trigger renewed selling.

Venture capitalists surveyed by TechCrunch — including partners from Databricks Ventures, Asymmetric Capital, Norwest and Snowflake Ventures — expect most enterprises to raise AI spending in 2026 but to concentrate budgets on a small number of proven, high-ROI products. Respondents (24 enterprise-focused VCs) foresee a shift from broad experimentation to targeted deployment and tool rationalization. Key spending themes: data foundations, model post-training optimization, governance and safeguards to make AI production-safe, and vendor consolidation. VCs warned this reallocation may compress funding and adoption for many AI startups, especially commoditized or easily replicated offerings and those directly competing with large suppliers (eg. AWS, Salesforce). However, startups with hard-to-replicate vertical products or proprietary data may still attract capital. The survey notes VCs invested a record $192.7 billion into AI startups in 2025, indicating strong overall interest even as 2026 spend concentrates. For crypto traders: the shift favors established AI infrastructure and enterprise-focused vendors, plus firms offering governance, data-platform, or optimization tools — areas that intersect with blockchain projects providing enterprise data solutions or AI orchestration. Commoditised AI tooling or small startups without defensible moats could face funding headwinds that reduce M&A or token-linked partnership activity.

Analysts argue Bitcoin could surprise markets by peaking in 2026 rather than repeating the 2022 pattern. Recent selling by experienced investors—prompted by expectations of a repeat market cycle from 2021—drove price weakness despite limited negative news. The article highlights several cyclical frameworks supporting a 2026 upswing: the Bitcoin four-year halving cycle, correlations between the business cycle and Bitcoin (affected by delayed Fed rate cuts), an 18-year real estate cycle showing rising trends, and the 200-year Benner Cycle, which maps long agricultural/industrial cycles and forecasts a peak in 2026 followed by a decline. The piece warns that some traders expecting a 2022-like repeat through 2026 may be misreading these broader macro cycles. No specific price targets or trading signals are provided. Disclaimer: this is not investment advice.

The ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) is rated Hold by Crimson and Gold Research. Key concerns: a high 0.76% management fee, significant portfolio concentration (top 10 holdings >48% with Tesla ~9.6%), substantial tech and digital-currency exposure, and elevated active turnover (~44%). ARKW trades at a material valuation premium versus broad tech ETFs, supported by higher projected earnings and cash-flow growth but accompanied by elevated risk if market leadership shifts toward value stocks. The fund’s active management and high fees may hinder future returns, particularly if ARKW’s concentrated, innovation-heavy holdings underperform in a more value- or macro-driven 2026. Traders should note the ETF’s crypto exposure and concentration risk when sizing positions and managing volatility expectations into 2026.

Bitcoin cycle analysis warns of a potential deep correction into 2026, prompting some traders to seek higher-return alternatives. An analyst cited historical post-peak drawdowns (around 70–81% in prior cycles) and suggested BTC could fall toward $25,000 from current levels near $88,887. In response, Mutuum Finance’s presale token (MUTM) is being promoted as an inexpensive speculative play: Phase 7 price is $0.04, up 300% from the $0.01 Phase 1 price, with Phase 7 nearly sold out and Phase 8 set to start at $0.045. The project reports $19.5M raised and 18,560 presale holders. Mutuum offers lending/borrowing features, daily user-engagement rewards, and a Halborn audit underway for its lending contracts — elements presented to justify demand beyond pure hype. The article is a paid press release and includes a standard disclaimer advising due diligence before investing.

Storage and data-center infrastructure stocks outperformed traditional AI chip and tech giants in 2025 as hyperscalers poured capital into building capacity. SanDisk led the S&P 500 with a near-580% gain; Western Digital and Seagate also landed among the top performers. By contrast, Nvidia—which historically dominated AI-related gains—rose about 40% and ranked 71st. Investors rotated toward “AI picks-and-shovels”: companies supplying storage, power, cooling, wiring, and construction for data centers. Notable names include SanDisk, Western Digital, Seagate, Amphenol, Corning, NRG Energy, GE Vernova, Vertiv and Eaton. Analysts expect storage demand to remain strong into 2026 but see mixed upside (SanDisk ~8% upside; Pure Storage ~38% potential). Contractors and power-infrastructure firms (Quanta Services, MYR Group, MasTec, Emcor) and specialist HVAC/water suppliers (Comfort Systems, Xylem, Ecolab, American Water Works) are also beneficiaries. Bitcoin miners are increasingly pivoting to high-performance computing/data-center hosting — examples: Bitdeer, Riot, Cipher Mining — leveraging existing low-cost power to secure long-term HPC contracts. The shift suggests traders should watch storage and data-center infrastructure stocks for AI exposure, monitor analyst targets and capex announcements from hyperscalers, and track miner conversions that could reallocate electricity away from crypto mining. Key implications for traders: sector rotation toward AI infrastructure, narrower upside for some winners as valuations reprice, and potential volatility if hyperscaler spending slows (historical parallels include post-pandemic supplier gluts).

Declining U.S. housing starts — a leading indicator of construction activity — may signal improving liquidity and a rotation of capital into risk assets, potentially supporting Bitcoin (BTC) via its historical correlation with the S&P 500. Analysts cited in the piece note housing starts have trended lower and often precede equity strength; past episodes (2012–2024) show BTC and the S&P 500 moving together in most years, with notable divergences in 2014 and 2018. Global M2 liquidity is highlighted at roughly $147 trillion, creating a backdrop for a risk-on shift if financial stress eases. The article argues any BTC rally tied to this dynamic could unfold gradually, possibly extending into 2026, and recommends traders monitor housing starts, M2, and financial stress indicators for rotation cues. Key data points: historical BTC–S&P alignment (most years 2012–2024), BTC year-to-date drop (~32%) versus S&P 500 gain (~5.8%), and global M2 ≈ $147T. Primary takeaway: falling housing starts may presage equity and Bitcoin upside via improved liquidity; traders should watch macro releases for rotation signals and adjust risk exposure accordingly.

This guide ranks the five best crypto casinos for altcoin users based on native altcoin support, network speed, fees, deposit/withdrawal performance and swap functionality. Top picks: CryptoGames (best overall for multi-altcoin native support, jackpots, monthly wagering contests and native withdrawals across 12+ altcoins); Stake (best liquidity and game variety with deep altcoin acceptance and on-site swap tools, but requires KYC); BC.GAME (best multi-chain support and 80+ altcoins, wallet-connect logins, BCSwap and Vault Pro APR); Rollbit (best for Solana users — native SOL deposits/withdrawals, NFT lootboxes and fast/cheap transactions); Cloudbet (most trusted payouts, decade-long track record, 30+ altcoins and fiat on-ramps). The article notes differences in game selection, KYC policies, withdrawal times and regional restrictions. Recommended use cases: CryptoGames for diverse crypto portfolios and casino-only play; Stake for high-volume players and traders switching coins; BC.GAME for multi-chain users and smaller-cap altcoin holders; Rollbit for SOL-focused fast transactions; Cloudbet for security-conscious bettors and large withdrawals. Key takeaways for traders: choose casinos with native chain support to avoid conversion slippage and delays, prefer platforms with deep liquidity for large wins, and expect faster, cheaper transactions on chains like Solana. The guide reminds readers gambling carries addiction risk and to verify licensing and local legality before using these services.

On-chain investigator ZachXBT published a year-long probe tying a Canadian social engineer known as “Haby” (aka Havard) to more than $2 million in thefts from Coinbase users through customer-support impersonation scams. ZachXBT linked stolen funds by matching screenshots Haby posted in private chats to historical wallet balances and traced multiple XRP thefts (including a 21,000 XRP incident). He tracked swaps of stolen XRP into BTC via instant exchanges and identified Bitcoin addresses with matching historical balances. Traced incidents include roughly $500,000 from XRP-linked thefts and about $560,000 from three Coinbase impersonation scams, with total attributable losses exceeding $2 million. Leaked call recordings and other materials allegedly show Haby actively social engineering victims and exposing contact details. ZachXBT also reports Haby flaunted proceeds on Instagram and Telegram, frequently bought and deleted Telegram accounts to hide activity, and appears to live in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The investigation urges Canadian authorities to act, citing abundant open-source evidence and prior swatting incidents linked to the suspect’s personal data. The report reinforces a broader industry pattern: ZachXBT previously attributed approximately $65 million in Coinbase impersonation losses between Dec 2024–Jan 2025, and industry figures point to billions lost in 2025 with over 80% tied to social engineering and insider-related attacks. For traders: the case highlights persistent custodial risk from support-impersonation scams, the typical laundering paths (instant exchanges, gambling sites, privacy coins), and the importance of strong personal OPSEC. Expect potential regulatory or platform responses aimed at reducing impersonation fraud and increased on-chain scrutiny of funds moving through exchanges and mixers.

The Bank of Russia has emphasised the digital ruble’s potential to enhance payment efficiency and serve as a modern retail settlement instrument. Bank officials outlined use cases including instant peer-to-peer transfers, online and point-of-sale payments, and programmable payments for merchant settlements. The central bank said the digital ruble can complement existing cash and non-cash systems rather than replace them, and highlighted benefits such as reduced transaction costs and improved settlement speed. Officials also noted technical and legal requirements remain under development, including privacy safeguards, interoperability with banking infrastructure, and regulatory oversight. The announcement reiterates the bank’s commitment to piloting the digital ruble and preparing the payments ecosystem for broader adoption.

Crypto analyst Killa says the true Bitcoin supercycle will begin only when capital structurally rotates from gold into Bitcoin, not merely when BTC posts strong short-term gains. Sharing a chart comparing gold’s 1972 setup to Bitcoin’s current structure, Killa argues BTC’s recent pullback is a consolidation inside a rising channel and that a sustained multi-year gold downtrend coupled with Bitcoin breaking to new highs would mark the generational shift. He highlights market-cap disparity — roughly $1.83T for Bitcoin versus $31.7T for gold — as room for BTC upside and suggests the next cycle could see BTC outpace major asset classes. Killa also warns fresh fears (quantum computing, AI, regulation, energy concerns) may force participants out before the move, calling the present cycle a possible last chance to accumulate BTC below $100,000. He says he will continue buying into weakness and expects a decisive upward trend toward the next cycle, with targets discussed around $200,000 and analysts projecting larger long-term gains by 2027.