CFA Report Pegs US Crypto Fraud Losses at $80.7B

Tether Investments has strategically invested in LayerZero Labs, the developer of an interoperability protocol called LayerZero. This move supports the technology behind USDt0, a blockchain-agnostic version of Tether’s dollar-pegged token, facilitating seamless cross-blockchain transactions.

Mandiant's report reveals North Korean hackers using AI-generated deepfakes in sophisticated attacks on crypto companies, including a recent intrusion at a fintech firm. The attackers employ tailored techniques like spoofed Zoom meetings to deceive victims and execute malware infections for financial theft.

The CFTC's Chicago office, once staffed with 20 enforcement attorneys, now only has one remaining lawyer. This reduction occurred as the agency expanded its jurisdiction to include the crypto and prediction market sectors.

Kraken has replaced its CFO, Stephanie Lemmerman, with Robert Moore, who now holds the position of deputy CFO. The company has also promoted Curtis Ting to chief operating officer and Kamo Asatryan to chief data officer, signaling a shift in the finance department's focus.

Bitcoin's value has dropped by 45% from its peak, now stabilizing around $68,500, leading to debates on short-term rebounds and long-term macroeconomic impacts. Analysts predict a potential sharp rally or months of consolidation as the market adjusts to recent changes.

USD1, the Trump-linked stablecoin, has surged over 50% in the past month, making it the fifth largest stablecoin in circulation with $5.4 billion. Binance holds 89% of USD1 tokens, emphasizing its central role in liquidity and custody.

Bithumb is pursuing $9 million in unreturned Bitcoin after mistakenly sending out $43 billion in Bitcoin rewards. Regulators warn of potential criminal proceedings for those who do not return the funds, citing unjust enrichment.

U.S. bitcoin ETFs have seen consecutive net inflows after a redemption streak since mid-January, with $471.1 million and $144.9 million recorded on Friday and Monday. Despite Bitcoin's drop from $98,000 to a recent low of $60,000, investors remain confident in its long-term prospects.

Vitalik Buterin advocates for an AI development path focused on decentralization, verification, and privacy, rather than a blind pursuit of AGI. He emphasizes the need for integrating AI and crypto philosophies to ensure human empowerment and safety in the AI era.

A U.S. court sentenced Daren Li, a crypto scam organizer, to 20 years in prison for his role in a $73 million global fraud scheme. Li, a fugitive, was convicted for targeting victims through social media and spoofed trading websites.