CFA Report Pegs US Crypto Fraud Losses at $80.7B

Malicious code was inserted into a Mistral AI software package distributed through PyPI, running automatically on Linux systems to download and launch a second malicious file. The malware primarily stole developer login information and access tokens, avoiding Russian-language systems and targeting files in Israel or Iran.

Privacy Filter, an AI model by OpenAI, was copied by a fake account named "Open-OSS" on Hugging Face, attracting significant downloads and likes through deceptive tactics. The malware disguised as a helpful tool steals sensitive information from users' devices without detection.

MARA Holdings sold 20,880 Bitcoin for $1.5 billion in Q1 2026 to pivot towards AI and high-performance computing. The company also reduced its debt by 30% and acquired Long Ridge Energy for $1.5 billion.

A plan to end "blind signing" in Ethereum's transaction flow has been proposed by a group of developers and advocates. This open standard, called "clear signing," aims to provide users with transparent information before approving transactions, enhancing security and accessibility in the Ethereum ecosystem.

Block Inc.'s Square has enabled over 1 million merchants to accept Bitcoin payments, with a new business activating the feature every eight seconds. The Lightning Network facilitates near-instant settlement in USD, removing currency risk for merchants.

Kevin Warsh was confirmed to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, inching closer to potentially becoming the next chair of the U.S. central bank. If confirmed, he will replace Jerome Powell, who plans to stay on the board until a federal probe concludes.

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation will integrate Chainlink's infrastructure into its digital collateral platform to enable near real-time collateral management across global markets and blockchains. This collaboration aims to modernize collateral mobility and reduce delays in today's systems by tokenizing collateral and automating workflows through smart contracts.

A strategic collaboration between Payward, the parent company of Kraken, and Franklin Templeton aims to bring mainstream financial products onto blockchain networks. This partnership combines Franklin Templeton's asset management expertise with Payward's crypto trading and custody services, offering new tokenized products to institutional investors.

Bhutan has been steadily selling off its Bitcoin holdings, with recent transfers totaling $8.1 million, part of a trend that began last year. The country, known for its state-backed mining, has sold around $230.39 million worth of Bitcoin in 2026 alone.

XRP exchange-traded funds saw significant inflows following Ripple's $200 million debt facility announcement and successful pilot tokenized U.S. Treasury settlement. The funds now total $1.35 billion in net inflows, representing 1.3% of XRP's market cap.