Ethereum developers are pushing forward a new proposal aimed at making it significantly easier and more affordable to run a node on the Ethereum network. This initiative could transform the way users interact with Ethereum by reducing hardware requirements and making nodes accessible to a broader audience. Breaking Barriers to Node Participation Currently, running a full Ethereum node requires a large amount of disk space, memory, and bandwidth—resources often beyond the reach of everyday users. This limits network participation to those with advanced hardware setups or technical knowledge. However, the new proposal aims to eliminate these barriers. The goal is…
Author: Blockto Team
Metaplanet, a Japan-based investment firm, has made another major move in the cryptocurrency market by purchasing 1,004 Bitcoin (BTC) worth approximately $104 million. This marks the company’s second-largest Bitcoin purchase to date and brings its total holdings to 7,800 BTC, valued at over $800 million at current prices. The acquisition solidifies Metaplanet’s status as Asia’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder and one of the top 10 public companies globally in terms of BTC reserves. Consistent and Aggressive Accumulation Strategy This latest purchase follows a series of significant Bitcoin buys by the company. Earlier this month, Metaplanet acquired 1,241 BTC for $129…
Coinbase, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, is now at the center of a class-action lawsuit filed in Illinois. The suit accuses the platform of violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and using customers’ biometric data without proper consent—raising significant concerns around data privacy in the crypto industry. Biometric Data Collection Under Scrutiny According to the lawsuit, Coinbase’s identity verification process—designed to meet regulatory “Know Your Customer” (KYC) requirements—requires users to submit a government-issued ID and a selfie. These images are allegedly scanned using facial recognition software to extract biometric identifiers, such as…
Bitcoin (BTC) has just made history by locking in its highest-ever weekly close, just days after printing its strongest daily candle close of all time. These back-to-back technical milestones are clear signs of powerful bullish momentum returning to the crypto market. BTC Breaks Through Key Technical Levels On Sunday, Bitcoin closed the week above $71,200, setting a new weekly record and breaking through previously stubborn resistance. Just prior to that, BTC also printed its highest daily close ever, marking another bullish breakout on the charts. “This is a textbook continuation signal,” said a top crypto trader. “Both daily and weekly…
El Salvador’s controversial Bitcoin gamble is now reaping massive paper profits. With Bitcoin flirting near its all-time high of $69,000, the Central American nation’s crypto holdings are sitting on an unrealized gain of over $357 million. President Bukele’s Strategy Proves Profitable In 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to make Bitcoin legal tender under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele. Despite international backlash, the government continued to accumulate BTC, buying the dips during market crashes and holding firm. As of mid-May 2025, the country’s Bitcoin holdings exceed 2,800 BTC, purchased at an average cost of around…
In a landmark cybercrime enforcement move, Australian Federal Police (AFP) have seized a luxury Melbourne mansion and a significant amount of Bitcoin, allegedly tied to a large-scale international crypto exchange hack. Multi-Million-Dollar Mansion and Bitcoin Confiscated The AFP revealed that the property, located in one of Melbourne’s most affluent neighborhoods, was purchased using funds traced back to the proceeds of a cryptocurrency hack. Alongside the mansion, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Bitcoin were also seized, making this one of the largest digital asset confiscations in Australia. “This operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling tech-enabled financial crimes,” an AFP…
In a major development for the fintech and crypto sectors, Russian authorities have arrested Vladimir Smerkis, the co-founder of digital asset platform Blum, on serious fraud charges. The arrest has sparked widespread speculation and concern within the crypto industry. Who Is Vladimir Smerkis? A prominent entrepreneur and blockchain advocate, Vladimir Smerkis rose to fame as the co-founder of Blum, a platform focused on simplifying digital investments for everyday users through AI and DeFi technologies. His work helped position Blum as one of the most user-friendly investment tools in the emerging Web3 space. Fraud Allegations Surface Local Russian news outlets report…
Echo, a new crypto project launched by popular crypto influencer Cobie, has quickly captured the attention of the industry’s biggest venture capital firms. With top crypto VCs backing Echo’s early funding rounds, the project is being hailed as one of the most promising developments in the Web3 space this year. What is Echo? Echo is a decentralized social platform aimed at redefining online identity, interaction, and reputation in the crypto ecosystem. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Echo is built on-chain, meaning user data, interactions, and status are verifiable, immutable, and owned by users themselves. The project’s vision resonates with the…
Bitcoin (BTC) transaction fees have surged to their highest levels in 2025, driven by increased network activity and growing interest as the cryptocurrency approaches its recent $106,000 price top. This spike comes amid a broader bullish trend that has captivated investors and reignited mainstream attention on the world’s largest cryptocurrency. Record-High Fees in 2025 According to on-chain data, average Bitcoin transaction fees have climbed over $40, marking the highest point seen this year. The surge in fees is a direct result of heightened demand for block space, largely due to increased trading activity, speculative interest, and the continued rise of…
As the global adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to grow, crypto executives have become high-value targets for criminals. A recent wave of kidnappings and extortion attempts has prompted many industry leaders to beef up their personal and professional security protocols. Crypto Executives Under Threat In recent months, reports have emerged of crypto founders and executives being kidnapped, threatened, or targeted by criminal gangs. Most notably in France, multiple incidents involving prominent figures in the crypto space have made headlines. Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium, was the target of a failed kidnapping attempt involving his daughter and grandson in…