CFA Report Pegs US Crypto Fraud Losses at $80.7B

ING Deutschland now allows customers to purchase crypto products linked to bitcoin, ether, and solana through their bank-linked securities accounts. These products are real crypto-backed exchange-traded products issued by companies like 21Shares, Bitwise, and VanEck, providing an easy on-ramp for everyday investors.

Tether has introduced MiningOS, an open-source operating system for bitcoin mining, aiming to simplify infrastructure and reduce reliance on closed software. The system offers transparency, scalability, and peer-to-peer communication, allowing operators to manage mining without centralized services. Tether's CEO describes it as a versatile platform for various mining scales.

Arizona's Attorney General Kris Mayes has issued a warning about the rise in crypto ATM scams targeting consumers, resulting in over $177 million in losses in 2024. Victims are pressured to deposit cash into these machines following urgent calls from scammers posing as authorities or loved ones.

The merger between SpaceX and xAI has brought attention to SpaceX's significant bitcoin holdings, valued at around $650 million. This move could impact accounting, disclosure, and investor perception as SpaceX prepares for a potential IPO, unlike Tesla's handling of its BTC holdings.

Bitcoin's recent sell-off has sparked a debate on its status as a store of value, with analysts differing on whether the drop is temporary or signals a deeper issue. Despite the decline, some experts believe Bitcoin remains a viable store of value over gold in the long term.

GameStop's CEO hinted at a potential shift away from Bitcoin as the company explores transformative acquisitions, sparking speculation about the fate of its $500 million Bitcoin treasury. Despite GameStop's recent transfer of its BTC holdings, the company has not sold any Bitcoin yet.

Bitcoin experienced a significant drop over the weekend, falling below $80,000 to around $74,500 before a slight recovery to $78,500. The Fear & Greed Index hit "extreme fear" territory due to macro chaos, with traditional safe havens like gold and silver also plummeting.

Igor Runets, founder of BitRiver, Russia's largest crypto mining firm, faces house arrest for tax evasion. Runets, 39, built BitRiver into a major player in the industry, but now faces legal challenges and potential bankruptcy.

Opera's shares surged by nearly 18% after integrating Tether's USDT into its MiniPay wallet, reaching a high of $14.87 before closing at $14.10. MiniPay aims to grow active usage and become a daily tool for more users worldwide.

JPMorgan Private Bank's 2026 Global Family Office Report reveals that 89% of family offices do not have exposure to cryptocurrencies in their portfolios. Despite geopolitical risks, most family offices opt for traditional hedges like gold over digital assets.