Officials reported that scammers had used crypto to pay for fake digital asset investment ads on social media platforms, leading to more than $1 million in losses for victims. New York officials reported an investigation resulting in the recovery of $140,000 and freezing $300,000 in stolen funds as part of a cryptocurrency investment scam using fake ads on social media. In a Wednesday notice, authorities with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, the New York State Attorney’s office and the New York State Department of Financial Services said they had disrupted a scheme to defraud members of the Russian community in the state and nationwide. According to officials, the scammers used cryptocurrency to pay for fake digital asset investment ads on Facebook and other platforms, leading to the seizure of $140,000 and freezing $300,000 worth of crypto. Read more
The “ancient” Bitcoin cohort is growing faster than the amount of new coins mined, and with institutional flows accelerating, the path to $1 million BTC is starting to take shape. Key takeaways: The number of Bitcoin held for over 10 years is increasing faster than new coins are mined—550 BTC/day versus 450 issued BTC/day. 17% of BTC is already considered illiquid, and projections suggest up to 30% by 2026. Read more
Ethereum staking yields are falling as yield-bearing stablecoins and DeFi protocols offer more competitive returns. Can ETH regain the upper hand in the yield wars? Key takeaways Ethereum’s staking yield dropped under 3%, putting it behind many DeFi and RWA protocols. Yield-bearing stablecoins like sUSDe and SyrupUSDC now offer 4–6.5% returns and are rapidly gaining market share. Read more
China has been looking to challenge the US dollar’s reserve status and wants to expand the digital yuan’s reach to include domestic and international payments. China’s central bank chief Pan Gongsheng has pledged to expand the footprint of the digital yuan, reaffirming the country’s vision for its central bank digital currency (CBDC). According to a Reuters report, China is creating an international operations center in Shanghai for the digital yuan, also known as e-CNY. Pan made the remarks at the Lujiazui Forum, a professional forum for high-profile local and international finance regulators and executives. China envisions a “multipolar” currency system where multiple currencies support the global economy, Pan said. This vision contrasts with the current system, where a few currencies, like the US dollar and the euro, play large roles in the global financial system. Read more