Author: Tristan Lodenberg

Resolv Labs’ USR stablecoin lost its peg to the US dollar after an attacker exploited the protocol to mint millions of tokens. The incident reportedly allowed the attacker to create 50 million USR initially, followed by an additional 30 million, with at least $25 million cashed out in other stablecoins and Ether. Protocol Response and Pause Resolv Labs confirmed that all protocol functions were paused to prevent further malicious activity. The exploit appears to have been enabled by a vulnerability in the USR contract, which may have involved a manipulated oracle, compromised off-chain signer, or missing validation in the minting…

A wave of layoffs has hit the crypto industry in early 2026, with firms citing weak token prices, global macro uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) as primary reasons. Companies including Algorand Foundation, Gemini, Crypto.com, OP Labs, PIP Labs, and Messari have collectively cut around 450 employees in recent weeks. Messari, which now positions itself as AI-first, has undergone three rounds of layoffs since 2023, shrinking from a target of 1,000 staff to roughly 140 employees. Market Declines and AI Pivot Drive Job Cuts Algorand’s reduction, roughly 25% of its workforce, was attributed to the broader crypto downturn…

Brazil’s Finance Minister Dario Durigan has decided to delay the country’s crypto tax policy consultation until after the October 2026 presidential election. The move aims to avoid introducing “divisive” tax measures during an election year while incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva seeks re-election. Sources indicate the consultation, originally planned for later this year, may now take place in 2027, but the issue remains under review by regulators. Current Crypto Tax Framework in Brazil Since June 2025, Brazil applies a 17.5% flat tax on cryptocurrency capital gains, including profits from offshore or self-custodial holdings. Previously, residents earning up to 35,000…

A Nevada state judge has issued a 14-day temporary restraining order preventing Kalshi from offering sports, election, and entertainment event contracts in the state. The ruling comes after the Nevada Gaming Control Board argued that Kalshi’s contracts could be classified as unlicensed gambling, which is illegal under Nevada law. Carson City District Court Judge Jason Woodbury sided with state authorities, finding that Nevada regulators are likely to prevail in the ongoing legal dispute. Federal Preemption and State Licensing Dispute Kalshi has contended that its contracts fall under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s jurisdiction. However, Judge Woodbury rejected claims of federal…

The options market for Bitcoin is showing signs of heightened caution as traders increase spending on downside protection. Data released by VanEck shows the put/call open interest ratio climbed to 0.84, marking its highest level since June 2021. This shift reflects growing demand for put options, which are commonly used to protect portfolios against falling prices. Over the past 30 days, traders spent approximately $685 million on put options, while call option premiums declined by 12% to around $562 million. Relative to spot trading activity, put premiums reached roughly 4 basis points, the highest level recorded in available data. Volatility…

Hormuz Strait Ultimatum and Threat to Iran Power Plants President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted navigation. He warned that failure to restore safe passage would result in strikes on Iranian power plants, beginning with what he described as the largest facility. The warning followed continued disruptions in the waterway, a vital corridor for global oil shipments, which has contributed to rising energy prices and increased pressure on international markets. President DONALD J. TRUMP said on truth social; Iran Response Targets US Energy Infrastructure Iranian military officials responded by…

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a controversial statement suggesting the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would not have occurred if the 2020 United States election had resulted differently. The remarks linked the origins of the ongoing war to political developments involving former U.S. President Donald Trump. Such comments have added to the already tense geopolitical environment surrounding the prolonged military conflict. Russia Supports Iran and Sends Nowruz Greetings During the same period, Putin confirmed that Russia stands with Iran and views Tehran as a loyal and trustworthy partner. The Russian leader also extended greetings to Iranian leadership on the occasion…

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has released additional guidance outlining expectations for firms participating in its crypto collateral pilot program. The clarification follows earlier staff letters issued in December that introduced a controlled framework allowing certain cryptocurrencies to be used as collateral in derivatives markets. According to the notice, futures commission merchants planning to participate must submit formal notification to regulators, specifying the date they intend to begin accepting crypto assets as margin collateral. The agency also emphasized that eligible digital assets must be properly valued and monitored to ensure accurate collateral requirements for trading positions. Bitcoin, Ether, and Stablecoins…

Authorities in Hong Kong have reported a major crypto fraud case involving a 66-year-old retiree who lost HK$6.6 million (about $840,000) after falling victim to three related scams over six months. Police said the victim was first contacted in September 2025 through the messaging app WhatsApp by a self-described “virtual currency investment expert” promising consistent profits. Trusting the claims, the retiree transferred approximately $180,000 and deposited cryptocurrency into a wallet controlled by the fraudster. The scammer later disappeared, leaving the victim to report the incident to authorities. Recovery Scam Leads to Further Financial Losses After the initial loss, the retiree…

Google Threat Intelligence has discovered a new malware called “Ghostblade,” part of the “DarkSword” suite, designed to steal crypto private keys and sensitive user data on Apple iOS devices. Written in JavaScript, Ghostblade activates briefly to extract information before shutting down, making detection difficult. Data Theft and Capabilities The malware can access messaging apps, including iMessage, Telegram, and WhatsApp, as well as SIM card details, identity data, multimedia files, geolocation, and system settings. It also deletes crash reports from compromised devices to avoid detection by Apple’s security systems. Ghostblade operates without plug-ins and stops after extracting data, highlighting its stealth-focused…