Author: driver789

Key takeawaysPrivacy coins are just a step in a broader laundering pipeline after hacks. They serve as a temporary black box to disrupt traceability.Hackers typically move funds through consolidation, obfuscation and chain hopping and only then introduce privacy layers before attempting to cash out.Privacy coins are most useful immediately after a hack because they reduce onchain visibility, delay blacklisting and help break attribution links.Enforcement actions against mixers and other laundering tools often shift illicit flows toward alternative routes, including privacy coins.After crypto hacks occur, scammers often move stolen funds through privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. While this has created a perception of hackers…

The global non-fungible token (NFT) sector fell below $1.5 billion in total market capitalization, returning to levels last seen before the sector’s rapid expansion in 2021. The retracement unfolded alongside a broader crypto market downturn over the past two weeks, CoinGecko data shows. On Jan. 23, total crypto market capitalization stood at about $3.1 trillion, before falling to $2.2 trillion on Friday.Major assets like Bitcoin (BTC) slid from around $89,000 to about $65,000, while Ether (ETH) fell from $3,000 to near $1,800 throughout the same time frame. Bitcoin and Ethereum are the top two networks for NFTs in terms of 30-day…

By Omkar Godbole (All times ET unless indicated otherwise)Friday’s crypto markets are a sea of green, bouncing from yesterday’s brutal drubbing in a classic oversold rebound. But real risks linger, threatening any lasting recovery.Bitcoin has climbed back to $65,000 after flirting with $60,000, with BlackRock ETF action hinting at capitulation, that is, long-term holders dumping at a loss, often the bear market’s final gasp. The broader market has perked up, too, with XRP, SOL, ETH and other tokens regaining some poise, while the CoinDesk 20 Index added nearly 9% since midnight UTC.Still, put options on bitcoin remain in demand, signaling…

On March 20, 2000, Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) co-founder and then-CEO Michael Saylor lost $6 billion in one day — ​​more money than any public company executive had ever previously lost in a single day. He — and Strategy shareholders — lost even more yesterday. Strategy opened for trading yesterday at a 52-week low after missing out on a $33 billion profit. Somehow, things got even worse by dinnertime. By 5pm, Saylor’s company admitted to losing $42.93 per share of MSTR in diluted earnings within the final three months of 2025. The stock also declined another 20% to below $102 —…

What to Know: The integration of banks and crypto is shifting focus from regulation to long-term security infrastructure. ‘Harvest now, decrypt later’ attacks pose a significant threat to institutions holding assets for long durations. BMIC utilizes post-quantum cryptography and zero public-key exposure to secure assets against future computing threats. Early traction shows over $433K raised, signaling market demand for preventative security solutions. The ‘banks versus Bitcoin’ war? It’s over. With ETFs approved and Washington’s stance softening, that old rivalry has dissolved into a frantic race for integration. Signals from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggest traditional banks are gearing up to…

Ethereum price failed to hold above the $3,000 mark once again, with price slipping back toward the lower end of its weekly range as U.S. demand indicators weaken. Summary Ethereum slipped below $3,000 after another failed breakout attempt, extending weekly losses. Coinbase Premium fell to its lowest level since 2023, showing weak U.S. institutional interest. Derivatives open interest rose even as volume declined, increasing downside risk near $2,800 support. ETH was trading at $2,930 at press time, up 1.9% on the day. Price is down 7% on the week and nearly 40% from the $4,946 all-time high set in August…

Bitcoin’s long-term investment case relative to gold has strengthened, according to JPMorgan, even as the cryptocurrency suffers one of the sharpest market pullbacks in its history. In a new note, JPMorgan analysts reportedly said Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted profile versus gold has improved after gold’s strong outperformance over the past year and a notable rise in volatility for the traditional safe-haven asset. The divergence between the two assets has been stark. Since October 2025, gold has climbed roughly a third, while BTC has fallen nearly 50% from its peak above $126,000.  The downturn marks four consecutive months of declines — a stretch…

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continued to see outflows on Thursday, shedding almost $1 billion over the past two days as debate grows over their potential impact on the market.Data from SoSoValue shows that spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs recorded $434 million in net outflows on Thursday, following $545 million in redemptions the previous day.Monday’s $561 million in inflows was not enough to offset losses, leaving net weekly outflows at about $690 million as of Friday morning. Spot Bitcoin ETF flows since Monday. Source: SoSoValueThe latest withdrawals came amid a sharp drop in Bitcoin’s price, which briefly touched $60,000 for the first…

Solana’s validator count has fallen dramatically over the past three years, raising concerns about the blockchain network’s decentralization as the economics of running a node squeezes out smaller operators.The number of Solana validators fell 68% to 795 as of Wednesday, from a peak of 2,560 validator nodes in March 2023, according to Solanacompass data.Validators are responsible for adding new blocks and verifying transactions in proposed blocks, playing a vital role in the operations of the decentralized ledger.While some of the decline reflects the removal of inactive or “zombie” nodes, industry participants say increasing operating costs and fee competition are forcing…

Jefferies says the latest crypto selloff shows few signs of an imminent bottom, even as bitcoin and ether hover near levels that have historically drawn dip buyers.In a research note this week, the bank described the downturn as a liquidity-driven correction rather than a collapse in blockchain activity, pointing instead to continued network usage and selective corporate bitcoin accumulation as evidence that the sector’s underlying infrastructure remains intact.This comes as bitcoin trades near $64,800, roughly 47% below its October 2025 peak of about $123,500, while ether trades around $1,900, down nearly 60% from its prior cycle highs.Jefferies wrote that sharp…