Seven companies ran fake crypto platforms and WhatsApp investment clubs, tricking US investors out of over $14 million with false trading claims and AI-driven tips. Victims were pressured to pay extra fees to withdraw funds, and the stolen money was sent through overseas bank accounts and crypto wallets.
AnaisA Brazilian music project will turn real-time Bitcoin price changes into live orchestral performances using an algorithm to guide the instruments. The initiative has received government approval and funding through Brazil’s tax incentive programme to bring the concept to life in Brasília.
WeatherlyTrust Wallet confirmed a security incident affecting version 2.68 of its Chrome extension after users reported unauthorised wallet drains following a recent update. The company told users to disable the extension and upgrade immediately, saying its mobile app and other versions were not affected while the investigation continues.
WeatherlyPudgy Penguins projected its animated characters on the Las Vegas Sphere for a week-long holiday campaign, promoting its physical products rather than NFTs. The display helped the crypto-born brand reach mainstream audiences, supporting merchandise sales and boosting recognition despite a struggling NFT market.
JoyKeonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, began serving a five-year federal prison sentence and shared a personal account of his first days, describing the intake process and adjusting to prison life just before Christmas.
WeatherlyItaly’s competition authority has ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp while investigating possible abuse of its dominant position. Meta plans to appeal, saying the policy protects its systems, but regulators worry it could limit competition and innovation in the AI market.
AnaisGrok, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot on X, has been praised by Vitalik Buterin for giving unpredictable responses that challenge users’ political biases and promote more truthful interactions.
AnaisThe Atlas memecoin, themed around US Vice President JD Vance’s pet dog, has nearly half of its supply controlled by 68 wallets showing signs of coordinated buying and potential insider activity. The token was heavily promoted by the influencer Whale Insider, raising concerns that retail investors could be at risk from price manipulation.
AnaisOver $35 million in cryptocurrency stolen from LastPass users since 2022 has been traced to Russian cybercriminals using weak master passwords and laundering funds through mixers and Russian exchanges. TRM Labs found the thefts continued for years, showing that even encrypted vaults can be compromised if security practices are weak.
WeatherlyMirae Asset Group is in talks to buy South Korea’s fourth-largest crypto exchange, Korbit, in a deal worth about 100 to 140 billion won ($70–$100 million).
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