CFA Report Pegs US Crypto Fraud Losses at $80.7B

Peken Global Limited, the operator of KuCoin, has been permanently barred from allowing U.S. participants access to its platform unless it registers as a foreign board of trade. The settlement includes a $500,000 civil penalty and follows a lawsuit by the CFTC for operating an unlicensed digital asset derivatives exchange.

Bitcoin is approaching a record of six consecutive monthly losses, with a 1% rally needed to close above the starting level for the month. The downtrend has seen declines in October, November, December, January, February, and March, with historical precedents for potential recovery.

Chainalysis is integrating artificial intelligence agents into its platform to simplify blockchain investigations for both law enforcement and traditional finance professionals. The new tool will enable users to create custom AI agents for tailored investigations, drawing from a vast database of past investigations.

Base, a layer-2 network by Coinbase, is focusing on expanding markets, payments, and developer ecosystem by the end of 2026. It aims to support tokenized assets, stablecoin payments, and AI-driven applications, signaling differentiation from Ethereum's scaling strategy.

Uniblock has secured $5.2 million in funding to support its "managed infrastructure layer" for over 300 blockchains, streamlining routing and failover processes. The platform offers access to 3,000 APIs and boasts customers like Plume Network and Apechain.

Google researchers have warned about the threat quantum computing poses to cryptographic systems, particularly elliptic curve cryptography used in blockchain networks. Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography is recommended to enhance security and stability before potential quantum attacks occur.

OpenFX, a fintech startup founded in 2024 by Prabhakar Reddy, raised $94 million in funding to expand the use of stablecoins in global payments. The company facilitates large money transfers using stablecoins, bridging traditional banking systems with digital assets for faster and cheaper FX conversions.

Keyrock, a digital asset services firm based in Brussels, has secured a Series C funding round led by SC Ventures and Ripple, with the potential to reach $100 million. The capital will be used to enhance services, expand offerings, and pursue acquisitions.

JPMorgan plans to double daily transaction values on its blockchain platform to $10 billion, with Mitsubishi being the latest firm to join Kinexys. The expansion of Kinexys reflects Wall Street's increasing adoption of crypto and blockchain technology.

A proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Labor aims to provide a safe harbor for 401(k) fiduciaries considering alternative investments, including cryptocurrencies. The rule, following a directive from President Trump, seeks to expand access to alternative assets in retirement plans.