Crypto Startup Apologizes for Using Polymarket to Bet on Fundraising, Catching Backers Off Guard

Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, publicly regrets selling his XRP before it surged to an all-time high, missing out on potential millions. Despite launching his own Solana meme coins and dabbling in crypto, he continues to share his investment missteps.

Labour MP Pat McFadden suggested banning crypto donations in the UK to prevent illicit or foreign funding of political campaigns, following Nigel Farage's announcement of accepting crypto donations for Reform UK. Crypto UK's Ian Taylor argued that requiring sender identification could address concerns over "dark" money.

Robert Leshner's takeover of LQR House resulted in a 266% stock surge followed by a sharp crash, causing significant losses for investors. Despite facing challenges, Leshner aimed to transform the company into a crypto treasury firm, a plan that eventually gained traction.

A former NCA officer was sentenced to five and a half years for stealing 50 BTC during a dark web investigation. He exploited his position to transfer and conceal the stolen Bitcoin, using crypto mixer services to obscure the trail.

The total value of all cryptocurrencies topped $4 trillion for the first time, driven by Bitcoin and Ethereum. Regulatory victories in the U.S. and investor demand fueled this milestone, with Bitcoin hitting $120,336 and Ethereum reaching $3,647.

Shane Donovan Moore, a former semi-pro rugby player, has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for defrauding over 40 investors of more than $900,000 through a fake crypto mining business. Moore used investor funds for personal expenses, perpetuating a Ponzi scheme that targeted fellow rugby players.

Recent crypto price surges are attributed to positive developments in Washington, D.C., with XRP leading the top 20 cryptos, up nearly 20% in a day and over 43% in a week. The House of Representatives passed three crypto bills, including the GENIUS Act, awaiting Senate approval.

Kraken has launched a regulated crypto futures platform for U.S. clients, coinciding with the House's passage of digital asset legislation. The new service allows American users to trade CME-listed Bitcoin and Ethereum contracts on Kraken Pro.

Nasdaq has requested a rules change to allow BlackRock's Ethereum Trust to incorporate staking, enabling the fund to earn yield by validating transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Other issuers like Fidelity and Grayscale are also seeking approval for staking in their funds.

The GENIUS Act, a federal framework for stablecoins, passed the House with bipartisan support and heads to President Trump for signing. The CLARITY Act, regulating other crypto assets, also passed, with a surprising number of Democrats voting in favor. CLARITY now heads to the Senate.