Category: crypto

Irish authorities recovered another 500 BTC from wallets linked to convicted drug trafficker Clifton Collins, bringing the total seized funds to 1,500 BTC. Europol assisted in accessing dormant wallets with lost private keys. The case traces back to Collins hiding keys in a fishing rod case. Recovery efforts with Europol support have been ongoing, with…

Binance is set to lead a new funding round for Mesh, a crypto payments and settlement company, at a valuation of up to $2 billion. This investment could double Mesh’s valuation from $1 billion. Mesh’s payments network targets digital asset transfers globally, driven by growing demand for crypto settlement infrastructure providers.

Riot Platforms transferred 500 BTC to NYDIG Custody, prompting speculation of potential sales. The miner has already sold a significant amount of BTC in Q1 and continues to face pressure on margins. This move follows earlier transfers to NYDIG and highlights the ongoing trend of public Bitcoin miners selling reserves due to rising mining costs.

The SEC is looking to streamline the process for approving ETFs due to a sharp increase in new product filings, including those related to crypto and prediction markets. Officials are considering confidential filings to protect issuers from copycats. The review also covers regulation of prediction market ETFs and innovative assets.

CACEIS, the custody banking arm of Crédit Agricole, is in talks to acquire French crypto investment platform Meria. The deal would allow CACEIS to expand into brokerage and staking services. Meria’s MiCA license provides regulatory access across Europe’s crypto market. The move reflects a trend of banks buying crypto firms due to regulatory changes.

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives has endorsed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, becoming the first major law enforcement group to publicly support the legislation. The endorsement challenges concerns from other law enforcement groups and the bill still needs Senate approval before final passage. Industry groups are also pushing for Senate action.

Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen reportedly invested in a derivatives startup founded by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s son, while lawmakers negotiate the CLARITY Act. The bill is expected to impact the regulatory framework of the crypto industry. The Senate is working to pass the legislation before the upcoming state work period in August.

Bitcoin options traders saw a large expiry on July 3, with 31,000 BTC contracts settling at $1.9 billion. The market remains defensive, with a focus on $60K support. Ether options show a stronger need for hedging. ETF flows and cautious derivatives positioning keep crypto’s Q3 outlook under pressure.

Humanity Protocol is shifting focus to enterprise AI after a $36 million security breach. The project is introducing new tokens and focusing on building products for AI customers. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with law enforcement involved in investigations. The breach was due to compromised private keys, not smart contract vulnerabilities.

Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old dual U.S.-Estonian national, has been extradited to the United States for his involvement in the Scattered Spider hacking group, which is linked to crypto ransom demands. Stokes faces charges related to a jewelry retailer breach and an $8 million failed ransom demand. The DOJ has connected Scattered Spider to over $100…