Shipping operators navigating the Strait of Hormuz are ringing alarm bells warning the emergence of fraudulent actors who impersonate Iranian authorities and demanding cryptocurrency payments in exchange for so-called safe passage.
XingChiDrift Protocol was hit by a major exploit that drained about $295 million from its platform on Solana. It is also shifting its settlement system from USDC to USDT as part of the relaunch.
WeatherlyIran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, saw crypto outflows surge 700% to nearly $3 million in just 48 hours following coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes, signaling a frenzied dash for safety as traders scrambled to protect their assets from both war and domestic restrictions.
XingChiTether has invested $200 million in digital marketplace Whop, giving the platform a $1.6 billion valuation. The deal will integrate Tether’s stablecoins into Whop, allowing creators to receive payments directly and expand globally.
AnaisUS federal agents in North Carolina seized more than $61 million in USDT linked to a crypto romance investment scam after tracing the money through multiple wallets with support from Homeland Security Investigations. Tether helped authorities freeze the funds, which are now subject to forfeiture.
WeatherlyInternal investigators at Binance found that billions of dollars may have flowed through the exchange to Iran-linked entities, including groups tied to the Houthis, but several staff involved in the probe were later suspended or dismissed.
AnaisTether’s USDT may be on track to surpass both Bitcoin and Ethereum in market capitalization as stablecoins continue expanding despite broader crypto market weakness, according to Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone.
XingChiTether is expanding globally, hiring around 150 more staff and investing in sectors from sports to AI as USDT adoption grows to $185 billion. The company is also seeking regulatory footholds outside the US while rivals like Block reduce staff amid market pressures.
AnaisTether has bought a $150 million, 12% stake in Gold.com and will integrate its gold-backed token XAUt into the platform. The companies are also exploring ways for customers to buy physical gold using Tether’s stablecoins USDt and USAt.
AnaisPolymarket is thinking about launching its own stablecoin or cutting a deal with Circle to earn interest from the funds users keep on the platform. This would give Polymarket more control over its money system as it grows and prepares to reenter the US market.
WeatherlyTelegram has launched a built-in crypto wallet for users in the US, allowing them to send, receive, and manage digital money inside the app. The wallet, called TON Wallet, works without extra apps and gives users full control of their funds.
AnaisElon Musk may return to a government role, according to new investor documents from SpaceX. The company warned that his political involvement could affect business, especially given its strong ties to the US government.
AnaisThe SEC first approved, then suddenly paused Bitwise’s plan to turn its crypto index fund into a spot ETF, leaving the decision under full Commission review. This move delays what could have been the first U.S. spot ETF holding a mix of Bitcoin, Ether, and other altcoins.
WeatherlyPark Gyuri denied being involved in the Pica Coin fraud case linked to her ex-boyfriend and said she only helped promote art. She told the court she lost money after buying the coin and claimed she didn’t know it was part of a crypto project.
WeatherlyOzzy Osbourne’s NFT collection CryptoBatz saw a big jump in sales and price after news of his death. Trading volumes surged over 100,000% in one day, briefly raising the floor price to around $295.
AnaisGoogle’s parent company, Alphabet, beat earnings expectations in Q2 2025 with strong growth in ads, cloud, and AI tools. However, it stayed away from holding Bitcoin or crypto, even as rivals like Tesla and MicroStrategy continue to invest in digital assets.
WeatherlyOver half of the public companies that added Bitcoin to their balance sheets in 2025 have seen their share prices fall by more than 50%. The drop follows a sharp decline in Bitcoin’s value, exposing firms to heavy losses and sparking concerns over the risks of using crypto as a treasury asset.
AnaisA rare 100 BTC Casascius bar bought in 2012 for $500 was finally redeemed in 2025, now worth over $10 million. The owner kept it sealed for 13 years before transferring the Bitcoin to a digital wallet, making a huge profit while preserving its historical value.
AnaisThe US SEC has approved in-kind trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, letting firms trade crypto directly instead of using cash. This change is expected to cut costs, improve trading, and make it easier for big investors to enter the crypto market.
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