‍AI Pranks Highlight Need for Blockchain's Verifiable Truth A recent viral prank using AI-generated images to simulate intruders has caused panic and prompted emergency calls, underscoring the growing threat of AI-driven deception. For the crypto community, where trust and security are paramount, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated threats posed by AI-driven misinformation. Blockchain technology, with its inherent properties of immutability and transparency, offers powerful tools to counter this rise in deception. Solutions like NFTs for authenticity verification, immutable records, decentralized identity, and enhanced security protocols can help establish verifiable truth in a world increasingly polluted by synthetic content.
‍Arthur Hayes' Maelstrom Seeks $250M for Crypto Acquisitions Maelstrom, the family office associated with BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, is reportedly raising $250 million for a new private equity fund. The capital will be used to acquire crypto companies, focusing on trading infrastructure and analytics platforms. The fund aims to deploy $40-$75 million per acquisition and complete fundraising by September 2026. Co-founder Akshat Vaidya stated the fund addresses investor demand for crypto exposure without in-house execution capabilities. This move signals a resurgence in crypto M&A, with other recent deals including Ripple's acquisition of GTreasury and Coinbase's planned purchase of Deribit.
‍Stripe’s Tempo Blockchain Secures $500M Funding, Gains Ethereum Talent Payment giant Stripe has announced a $500 million Series A funding round for its new blockchain project, Tempo. The Layer-1 blockchain aims to integrate crypto solutions into mainstream finance. Tempo also announced the acquisition of Dankrad Feist, a key Ethereum researcher, who cited a desire to accelerate crypto payment adoption as his motivation. This move has sparked debate in the crypto community regarding corporate influence versus open-source development. The funding round reportedly values Tempo at $5 billion.
‍Ethereum Holds Firm Amidst Market Volatility Despite a recent 9.5% price drop and over $232 million in liquidations, Ethereum (ETH) whales show limited bearish conviction. While macroeconomic headwinds, including credit concerns and US-China trade tensions, create unease, derivatives data suggests a cautious rather than overwhelmingly bearish sentiment. Top traders, particularly at Binance, are increasing ETH exposure, indicating underlying strength. The $3,700 support level remains critical for a potential recovery.
‍MrBeast Explores Crypto Frontier: YouTube Star Trademarks Financial Services YouTube personality MrBeast has filed a trademark for "MrBeast Financial," signaling a potential entry into the cryptocurrency space with plans for an app offering crypto exchange and payment processing. The application also includes investment banking, insurance, and microfinance. Navigating regulatory waters, including FinCEN registration and state licenses, will be crucial. MrBeast has prior engagement with crypto since 2021. This move follows similar trademark filings by Ripple Labs and JP Morgan, highlighting growing mainstream interest in digital finance.
‍Ondo Finance Urges SEC to Delay Nasdaq's Tokenized Stock Proposal Ondo Finance has requested the SEC delay or reject Nasdaq's proposal for trading tokenized securities, citing a lack of transparency regarding the Depository Trust Company's (DTC) blockchain settlement plans. Ondo argues that this opacity creates an unfair advantage for established players and prevents proper regulatory and investor evaluation. They emphasize the need for open collaboration and transparent standards before approval. Nasdaq's proposal, filed September 8th, seeks to permit trading of tokenized shares on its platform, with settlements managed by DTC's future system. This comes amid a broader trend of RWA tokenization, with platforms like Robinhood, eToro, and Kraken also expanding tokenized stock offerings.
‍The Four-Year Cycle Debate: Is an Outdated Playbook Driving Crypto's Recent Dip? Recent market volatility, with Bitcoin down over 9%, has reignited the debate on the four-year Bitcoin cycle's influence. Some retail traders may still follow this pattern, contributing to sell-offs. However, a growing consensus suggests this cycle is outdated due to diminished halving impact, increased institutional adoption, and new market drivers like ETFs. Analysts believe the market is evolving beyond the traditional halving model.
‍North Korean Hackers Employ "EtherHiding" for Stealthy Crypto Theft North Korean hacking groups are utilizing a sophisticated technique called "EtherHiding," embedding malicious code within smart contracts to steal cryptocurrencies. This method, combined with social engineering, targets developers with fake job offers. The attack involves a "Loader Script" on a compromised website, triggering malicious JavaScript in a smart contract. This allows attackers to interact with the blockchain via a "read-only" function, minimizing detection and fees. Victims are directed to download malicious files or software patches, leading to data exfiltration by malware like "JADESNOW." The CryptoNews editorial board strongly advises users to verify sources, be cautious of unsolicited communications, inspect URLs, use security software, and stay informed about evolving scam tactics.
‍gTrade Launches $400,000 'Trick or Trade' Contest Exclusively on Arbitrum Gains Network's gTrade is hosting a Halloween trading contest with $400,000 in rewards, running from October 22 to November 19. The event is exclusively on the Arbitrum network, leveraging its strong liquidity and trading volume for the platform. The contest features two prize pools of $200,000 each: one for Profit & Loss (P&L) and another for trading volume, with a time-weighted multiplier for sustained engagement. "We designed this competition to celebrate our Arbitrum traders and continue building on the network where our liquidity is strongest," stated Nathan, Project Lead at Gains Network. gTrade offers non-custodial trading across various markets with no KYC requirements.
‍Bitcoin Recovers Amidst Banking Stability & Geopolitical Easing Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a dip below $105,000 due to US banking concerns but has since stabilized. Positive earnings from US regional lenders like Truist Financial and Regions Financial have eased credit fears. Additionally, President Trump's signal of reduced tariffs on Chinese goods and plans for a summit with Xi Jinping have boosted global market sentiment. This geopolitical easing supports risk appetite, indirectly benefiting Bitcoin. However, some analysts, like CryptoBird, caution that the current bull run may be nearing its end within days, highlighting the influence of historical cycles. Investors are advised to exercise due diligence.