CryptoNewsFlash

The Kelp DAO attacker laundered about 34,500 ETH (~$80M), largely swapping to BTC via THORChain; partial freezes spurred cross-chain movement, distorting THORChain activity.
An analysis of the Kelp DAO exploit shows 34,500 ETH (~$80M) laundered after roughly $175M was moved off Ethereum. Most proceeds were swapped into BTC through THORChain, causing a sharp rise in its 24-hour swap volume and fee revenue. The Arbitrum freeze of 30,766 ETH appears to have pushed the attacker to accelerate remaining transfers, illustrating how partial interventions can influence attacker behavior. Once funds move into high-liquidity cross-chain rails, tracking and enforcement become significantly harder, highlighting the difficulty of exploit cleanup when permissionless liquidity pathways are involved.

South Korea's new BoK chief prioritizes digital money infrastructure, expanding CBDC and deposit tokens via Hangang, stressing payment stability and deemphasizing stablecoins.
Abstract: Shin Hyun-song opens his tenure by placing the BoK's digital money agenda at the center of policy, announcing expanded CBDC and deposit-token use under Project Hangang, broader global collaboration under Agora, and a focus on payment/system stability with limited attention to stablecoins.

Japan, with Mizuho and Nomura, will test on-chain transfer and real-time collateral for Japanese government bonds on Canton Network, aiming cross-border use under the FSA’s Payment Innovation Project.
Abstract: The article outlines a proof-of-concept by Japan Securities Clearing Corporation, Mizuho, and Nomura to transfer and manage Japanese government bonds on-chain via Canton Network. It evaluates real-time collateral transactions and cross-border use within the Financial Services Agency's Payment Innovation Project, highlighting urgency as overseas markets advance blockchain-based infrastructure tests.

W3.io and Space and Time have launched a live production partnership to provide end-to-end verifiable infrastructure for enterprise financial workflows.
The integration is already processing more than 200,000 workflows per day, with Creatorland serving as an early production test case.
W3.io

Abstract: The article reports that Zodia Custody has added BitMEX to its Interchange network, enabling institutional clients to trade on BitMEX without moving assets to the exchange. The off-venue settlement model keeps assets in custody while reserving them for trading, reducing exchange-side risk and enhancing institutional liquidity. BitMEX's integration strengthens its institutional positioning and signals a broader shift toward custody-centric market structure in institutional crypto trading.
Summary: Zodia Custody adds BitMEX to Interchange, letting institutions trade on BitMEX while assets stay in custody via off-venue settlement, reducing exchange-side custody exposure.

Coinbase has launched its USDC borrowing service in the UK, allowing users to borrow against Bitcoin, Ether, and cbETH. Utilizing Morpho smart contracts, the product offers variable rates and rapid loan disbursement, integrating crypto-backed borrowing into a user-friendly app experience.

Startale Group is expanding into Abu Dhabi after joining Hub71's Digital Assets cohort, enhancing its blockchain and stablecoin initiatives. This move aligns with the UAE's crypto ambitions, facilitating regulatory clarity and access to key partners.

Major U.S. law firms are advising clients that AI chatbot conversations, like those with Anthropic’s Claude, may be discoverable in court, following a ruling that such chats lack attorney-client privilege. This has led firms to include warnings in client contracts.

Grinex has halted trading following a significant cyberattack, alleging foreign state involvement, particularly from Western entities. Linked to the sanctioned exchange Garantex, Grinex's ties to the ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 elevate the situation's geopolitical implications.

Circle has launched USDC Bridge, a service designed to simplify cross-chain transfers of USDC through a burn-and-mint model. It promises upfront fees, live tracking, and automatic gas handling, aiming to reduce user uncertainty and streamline the transfer process.

Bitcoin surged past $77,000 as Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping, easing market fears and triggering a risk-on rally. Stocks rose and oil prices fell sharply, reflecting renewed investor confidence despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Flow Capital Partners plans to tokenize its $150 million private credit fund via DigiFT, aiming to raise an additional $30 million this year and scale to $250 million by 2026. This move highlights the growing trend of real-world asset tokenization beyond pilot projects.

The Ethereum Foundation supports Ketman, which identified 100 suspected North Korean IT workers infiltrating crypto firms via fake identities. The project suggests hiring honeypots to detect threats early, emphasizing the need for security measures at the recruitment stage, not just post-attack.

Alcoa is close to selling its dormant Massena East smelter in New York to NYDIG, enhancing the latter's Bitcoin mining presence. The site offers valuable infrastructure and hydropower, signaling a shift in industrial usage.

Charles Hoskinson critiques the Bitcoin quantum protection proposal, asserting it may leave 1.7 million BTC unrecoverable, particularly older coins before 2013. He challenges claims of recovery, emphasizing the risk to Satoshi Nakamoto's holdings.

Major U.S. law firms are advising clients that AI chatbot conversations, like those with Anthropic’s Claude, may be discoverable in court, following a ruling that such chats lack attorney-client privilege. This has led firms to include warnings in client contracts.

Circle faces a lawsuit from Drift investor Joshua McCollum over its handling of $230 million in USDC linked to the Drift Protocol hack, claiming the company failed to intervene during stolen fund transfers. The case raises questions about the legal responsibilities of crypto firms in similar situations.

Grinex has halted trading following a significant cyberattack, alleging foreign state involvement, particularly from Western entities. Linked to the sanctioned exchange Garantex, Grinex's ties to the ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 elevate the situation's geopolitical implications.

The Ethereum Foundation's Ketman Project identified 100 suspected North Korean IT workers in Web3 firms and warned 53 projects about potential threats. The findings highlight the security risks posed by hiring embedded malicious developers, emphasizing the need for vigilance in crypto security beyond mere technical defenses.

Flow Capital Partners plans to tokenize its $150 million private credit fund via DigiFT, aiming to raise an additional $30 million this year and scale to $250 million by 2026. This move highlights the growing trend of real-world asset tokenization beyond pilot projects.