DL News
Verified Creator
Accurate, honest and responsible news and analyses on cryptocurrency and DeFi | The news arm of
DefiLlama
0 Following
9.5K+ Followers
2.1K+ Liked
348 Shared
Inside DeFi exchanges caught in North Korea’s $1.4bn laundering spree
The team at Chainflip had already called it a day and went out for drinks when crypto exchange Bybit was hit by a record $1.4 billion heist.
Initially, they weren’t too worried that the hacker would use Chainflip, a smaller decentralised crypto exchange, to transfer the stolen funds.
That all changed when later that evening they found out that the Lazarus Group, the state-sponsored North Korean hackers, were behind the attack.
“They know us,” Shaun van Vuuren, Chainflip’s head of marketing, t
Initially, they weren’t too worried that the hacker would use Chainflip, a smaller decentralised crypto exchange, to transfer the stolen funds.
That all changed when later that evening they found out that the Lazarus Group, the state-sponsored North Korean hackers, were behind the attack.
“They know us,” Shaun van Vuuren, Chainflip’s head of marketing, t
Circle says stablecoin bill is key to ‘level playing field’ — Tether sees ‘attacks’
A version of this story appeared in our The Guidance newsletter on March 3. Sign up here.
When it comes to dominance in the stablecoin market Circle has long played the tortoise to Tether’s hare.
Now Circle’s go-slow-and-comply approach has left it well poised for growth as the US Senate considers potential landmark stablecoin legislation — and its no holds barred rival seems to be fuming.
As DL News reported, Circle’s compliance with regulation in Europe and the US will make it relatively ea
When it comes to dominance in the stablecoin market Circle has long played the tortoise to Tether’s hare.
Now Circle’s go-slow-and-comply approach has left it well poised for growth as the US Senate considers potential landmark stablecoin legislation — and its no holds barred rival seems to be fuming.
As DL News reported, Circle’s compliance with regulation in Europe and the US will make it relatively ea
Cardano flew 78% after Trump’s crypto reserve plan. Here’s what to expect next
Cardano proponents are buzzing in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s announcement to include the cryptocurrency in a proposed strategic crypto reserve alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana.
Whales rushed to increase their holdings, buying $134 million worth of the cryptocurrency after the announcement.
“We earned this on the fact that we showed up on the bad days, and there will be more to come, and we will win,” Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson said in a Sunday livestream.
Carda
Whales rushed to increase their holdings, buying $134 million worth of the cryptocurrency after the announcement.
“We earned this on the fact that we showed up on the bad days, and there will be more to come, and we will win,” Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson said in a Sunday livestream.
Carda
Bitcoin on path to $500,000 after Trump reserve plan after worst month since 2022: Standard Chart...
On Sunday, Donald Trump paved the way for Bitcoin to hit $500,000 by sharing more details about his planned national crypto reserve.
That’s according to UK bank Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrick.
He argued that the rally triggered by the president’s announcement signals that the White House is actively putting its thumb on the scales in favour of digital assets.
This is “the first solid data point of a Trump Put for crypto,” wrote Kendrick, suggest
That’s according to UK bank Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrick.
He argued that the rally triggered by the president’s announcement signals that the White House is actively putting its thumb on the scales in favour of digital assets.
This is “the first solid data point of a Trump Put for crypto,” wrote Kendrick, suggest
Bitcoin maxis fume at Trump’s addition of altcoins to strategic reserve
On Sunday, President Donald Trump shook up the crypto community by making a YUGE adjustment to the nascent Bitcoin strategic reserve.
The top cryptocurrency will now have to make room for Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano.
While the announcement instantly drove up the prices of all five assets, Bitcoin purists were not happy that DeFi tokens would be added to the stockpile.
“The US taxpayer should not be exit liquidity for cryptocurrencies that are decentralised in name only,” Naval Ravikant
The top cryptocurrency will now have to make room for Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano.
While the announcement instantly drove up the prices of all five assets, Bitcoin purists were not happy that DeFi tokens would be added to the stockpile.
“The US taxpayer should not be exit liquidity for cryptocurrencies that are decentralised in name only,” Naval Ravikant
Saylor’s Strategy big winner from Trump reserve as Bitcoin hits $200,000: Bernstein
Strategy will be one of the biggest winners from Donald Trump’s plans to create a national crypto stockpile.
That’s according to Bernstein. On Monday, the research firm told investors that the software company previously known as MicroStrategy will be a “big beneficiary” of any national crypto reserve.
Why? Because Bitcoin will likely make up the bulk of those holdings, which they say will catapult the price as high as $200,000.
“It remains hard to ignore the timeline. We are in a new era,” a
That’s according to Bernstein. On Monday, the research firm told investors that the software company previously known as MicroStrategy will be a “big beneficiary” of any national crypto reserve.
Why? Because Bitcoin will likely make up the bulk of those holdings, which they say will catapult the price as high as $200,000.
“It remains hard to ignore the timeline. We are in a new era,” a
House investigates Biden-era crypto debanking claims that FDIC was ‘closed for business’ on block...
The House Oversight Committee is investigating whether the Biden-era Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation discouraged banks from engaging with crypto businesses.
Lawmakers are demanding unredacted records after the FDIC’s new Acting Chairman, Travis Hill, acknowledged that the agency’s past approach created a “general perception” that it was “closed for business” on blockchain.
Chairman James Comer is requesting access to previously redacted FDIC documents related to so-called “pause letters,
Lawmakers are demanding unredacted records after the FDIC’s new Acting Chairman, Travis Hill, acknowledged that the agency’s past approach created a “general perception” that it was “closed for business” on blockchain.
Chairman James Comer is requesting access to previously redacted FDIC documents related to so-called “pause letters,
Circle’s slow response to freeze Bybit hack funds fuels ‘bad actor’ accusations
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire is being criticised for delaying freezing USDC stablecoins linked to the $1.5 billion Bybit hack.
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT called out Circle for taking over 24 hours to blacklist an address tied to the North Korean-affiliated hackers, while Tether had frozen USDT linked to the exploit within hours.
“How hard is it to do the right thing as a leading centralized stablecoin issuer?” ZachXBT posted on X, arguing that Circle’s reluctance to act swiftly on clear-cut
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT called out Circle for taking over 24 hours to blacklist an address tied to the North Korean-affiliated hackers, while Tether had frozen USDT linked to the exploit within hours.
“How hard is it to do the right thing as a leading centralized stablecoin issuer?” ZachXBT posted on X, arguing that Circle’s reluctance to act swiftly on clear-cut
Trump’s first crypto summit comes on the heels of $1 trillion market rout
The crypto market is licking its wounds after a $1.2 trillion wipeout.
Over the past month, digital assets have steadily bled value, but the downturn accelerated this past week as Bitcoin fell below $79,000 and Ethereum skidded another 21%.
Now, President Donald Trump is stepping in.
On March 7, the White House will host the first-ever crypto summit, a gathering of industry leaders, venture capitalists, and regulators.
The event will be led by White House artificial intelligence and crypto c
Over the past month, digital assets have steadily bled value, but the downturn accelerated this past week as Bitcoin fell below $79,000 and Ethereum skidded another 21%.
Now, President Donald Trump is stepping in.
On March 7, the White House will host the first-ever crypto summit, a gathering of industry leaders, venture capitalists, and regulators.
The event will be led by White House artificial intelligence and crypto c
These two states are racing to the Bitcoin reserve finish line while others bow out
Arizona and Utah are leading the push for state-level Bitcoin reserves, advancing key legislative proposals while similar efforts in other states have stalled.
In Utah, a bill allowing up to 5% of several major state funds to be invested in digital assets is one step away from becoming law, according to Bitcoin Laws.
The measure has already passed the House and a Senate committee, putting Utah in pole position in the race to establish a state-backed Bitcoin reserve.
The state’s House Economic
In Utah, a bill allowing up to 5% of several major state funds to be invested in digital assets is one step away from becoming law, according to Bitcoin Laws.
The measure has already passed the House and a Senate committee, putting Utah in pole position in the race to establish a state-backed Bitcoin reserve.
The state’s House Economic
BlackRock says new Bitcoin ETF allocation to win investors with ‘higher risk budget’
BlackRock, the largest global asset manager, announced today it would be adding allocations of its iShares Bitcoin Trust exchange-traded fund, or IBIT, to a small number of its clients’ model portfolios.
Within BlackRock’s model portfolio product, what’s called “target allocation portfolios that allow for alternatives” will now be weighted 1-2% towards IBIT, a company spokesperson told DL News.
That number is directly in line with a recommendation made by BlackRock last year on what percentage
Within BlackRock’s model portfolio product, what’s called “target allocation portfolios that allow for alternatives” will now be weighted 1-2% towards IBIT, a company spokesperson told DL News.
That number is directly in line with a recommendation made by BlackRock last year on what percentage
Bitcoin dominance of crypto hits four-year high. Here’s what it means for prices
In rocky markets, spooked investors tend to flock to the safety of gold. In rocky crypto markets, they flock to the crypto version of a haven: Bitcoin.
Those moves have made Bitcoin dominant over the total cryptocurrency market — the top crypto now takes up more than 60% of the $2.9 trillion industry.
That’s the highest since February 2021. Bitcoin’s total market value sits at $1.9 trillion.
“Rising Bitcoin dominance typically signals a risk-off environment, where investors prioritise Bitcoin
Those moves have made Bitcoin dominant over the total cryptocurrency market — the top crypto now takes up more than 60% of the $2.9 trillion industry.
That’s the highest since February 2021. Bitcoin’s total market value sits at $1.9 trillion.
“Rising Bitcoin dominance typically signals a risk-off environment, where investors prioritise Bitcoin
Why Bitcoin traders remain bullish despite $1.2tn wipeout
A version of this story appeared in our The Roundup newsletter on February 28. Sign up here.
Hi! Eric here,
The crypto class of 2025 had a rude awakening, as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies shed over 13% of its total market value — representing about $450 billion — over the past week.
It’s now down to its lowest since November, as $1.2 trillion, or 25%, was wiped since its December record high.
Buoyed by Donald Trump’s promises to relax crypto laws, many who piled into digital assets this
Hi! Eric here,
The crypto class of 2025 had a rude awakening, as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies shed over 13% of its total market value — representing about $450 billion — over the past week.
It’s now down to its lowest since November, as $1.2 trillion, or 25%, was wiped since its December record high.
Buoyed by Donald Trump’s promises to relax crypto laws, many who piled into digital assets this
Searching for causes of 25% market crash, experts agree on one thing: ‘the Trump pump has vapour...
In December, crypto was riding high as the incoming Trump administration promised an end to Washington’s crackdowns and an influx of capital from institutional players.
The market is not riding high anymore.
Investors, spooked by a raft of worries, are running for the hills as the crypto market shed a staggering $1 trillion in market value since the December peak.
Bitcoin is down 15% in the last seven days and has lost a quarter of its value since Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20. A
The market is not riding high anymore.
Investors, spooked by a raft of worries, are running for the hills as the crypto market shed a staggering $1 trillion in market value since the December peak.
Bitcoin is down 15% in the last seven days and has lost a quarter of its value since Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20. A
Bitcoin seen falling as low as $69,000 as ‘panic selling’ risk continues
Bitcoin fell below $79,000 on Friday, but the crypto wipeout isn’t over yet.
That’s according to Geoffrey Kendrick, head of crypto research at UK bank Standard Chartered.
He told DL News on Friday morning that he expects the top cryptocurrency to fall between $69,000 and $76,500 before it bounces back.
The comments came on the back of a Friday research note, where he predicted that Bitcoin would continue to fall even as the price sunk below $79,000 that day.
Kendrick rejected the idea that B
That’s according to Geoffrey Kendrick, head of crypto research at UK bank Standard Chartered.
He told DL News on Friday morning that he expects the top cryptocurrency to fall between $69,000 and $76,500 before it bounces back.
The comments came on the back of a Friday research note, where he predicted that Bitcoin would continue to fall even as the price sunk below $79,000 that day.
Kendrick rejected the idea that B
Coinbase, Strategy among crypto stocks crashing as Trump trades flip
The crypto crash has wiped out over 40% of Strategy and Coinbase’s stock price as the industry has taken a hammering — and they are not alone.
The plunges come as the total crypto market’s value has tumbled 28% from its $3.9 trillion December all-time high to $2.8 trillion today.
President Donald Trump’s election win fuelled digital assets’ surge at the end of 2025 as traders counted on his promises to relax crypto rules to trigger a huge bull run.
Crypto stocks rose in tandem, but those gain
The plunges come as the total crypto market’s value has tumbled 28% from its $3.9 trillion December all-time high to $2.8 trillion today.
President Donald Trump’s election win fuelled digital assets’ surge at the end of 2025 as traders counted on his promises to relax crypto rules to trigger a huge bull run.
Crypto stocks rose in tandem, but those gain
North Korea laundering $1.5bn Bybit hack at ‘unprecedented rate’
The North Korea-affiliated hacker who stole $1.5 billion in Ether from crypto exchange Bybit has been laundering the token at an “unprecedented rate,” according to security researchers.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Thursday confirmed a hacking outfit affiliated with North Korea, dubbed TraderTraitor, was behind the February 21 exploit.
In the week since the hack, TraderTraitor has laundered more than $400 million in stolen Ether, according to blockchain forensic firm TRM Labs.
“The
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Thursday confirmed a hacking outfit affiliated with North Korea, dubbed TraderTraitor, was behind the February 21 exploit.
In the week since the hack, TraderTraitor has laundered more than $400 million in stolen Ether, according to blockchain forensic firm TRM Labs.
“The
Bitcoin shorts win big payday as bearish bets mount to $264m
Traders who piled into bearish bets on Bitcoin’s price are winning a payday amid a shock plunge that dragged the top cryptocurrency to its lowest price since the start of the year.
The value of options contracts that pay off during price declines, or puts, that expire at the end of March rose to $264 million on crypto options exchange Deribit.
Those contracts represent some $2.8 billion worth of Bitcoin.
Calls — or bullish bets — are valued at less than half that figure, just $114 million.
T
The value of options contracts that pay off during price declines, or puts, that expire at the end of March rose to $264 million on crypto options exchange Deribit.
Those contracts represent some $2.8 billion worth of Bitcoin.
Calls — or bullish bets — are valued at less than half that figure, just $114 million.
T
Why the SEC says memecoins are more like Beanie Babies than securities
Memecoins aren’t just useless.
They also aren’t securities, the US Securities and Exchange Commission said on Thursday.
In a memorandum, the SEC explained that memecoins — ironic cryptocurrencies tied to celebrities, internet communities, or jokes — do not generate yield or promise holders future income.
As a result, they do not meet the definition of a security or investment contract under federal securities laws.
Instead, they behave more like baseball cards, collectible comic books, or vi
They also aren’t securities, the US Securities and Exchange Commission said on Thursday.
In a memorandum, the SEC explained that memecoins — ironic cryptocurrencies tied to celebrities, internet communities, or jokes — do not generate yield or promise holders future income.
As a result, they do not meet the definition of a security or investment contract under federal securities laws.
Instead, they behave more like baseball cards, collectible comic books, or vi
SEC dismisses lawsuit against MetaMask developer Consensys
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has dropped its lawsuit against Consensys, the developer of the popular MetaMask crypto wallet, the company said on Thursday.
Separately on Thursday, the SEC confirmed it had dropped its lawsuit against crypto exchange Coinbase. On February 21, Coinbase said the agency had “agreed in principle to dismiss its unlawful enforcement case.”
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce cited the pending work of the agency’s month-old Crypto Task Force as the reason for dr
Separately on Thursday, the SEC confirmed it had dropped its lawsuit against crypto exchange Coinbase. On February 21, Coinbase said the agency had “agreed in principle to dismiss its unlawful enforcement case.”
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce cited the pending work of the agency’s month-old Crypto Task Force as the reason for dr
Login to explore more contents