Author: Tristan Lodenberg

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…

Strategy is on track to deliver its second largest Bitcoin buying quarter, maintaining an aggressive accumulation pace despite a recent decline in market prices. Since the start of 2026, the company has purchased 89,618 BTC, raising its total Bitcoin holdings to 761,068 BTC. With two Mondays still remaining in the current quarter, additional purchases remain possible, which could further increase the total. The only quarter that exceeded current buying levels was fourth quarter 2024, when the firm acquired 194,180 BTC during a period when Bitcoin prices surged nearly 40% to $100,000. While purchases remain strong, the broader market environment has…

Ledger has appointed John Andrews, formerly of Circle, as its new chief financial officer while opening a New York office. Andrews brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate finance and investor relations, including leadership of Circle’s capital markets division. His appointment is intended to support Ledger’s growth, particularly in strengthening relationships with banks, asset managers, custodians, and stablecoin issuers. New York Office Supports Institutional Expansion The New York office represents a multi-million-dollar investment in Ledger’s U.S. operations and will serve as a hub for its institutional division, Ledger Enterprise. The expansion is expected to create numerous roles across…

Bitcoin extended its recent losses, dropping nearly 5% as investors reduced exposure to risk assets while the US and Israel Iran conflict entered its fourth week. The decline came alongside weakness in major US stock indexes, including the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq. In contrast, crude oil prices moved sharply higher, rising 7.30% in recent sessions and climbing about 53% since the conflict began on Feb. 28, highlighting strong demand for energy amid geopolitical tension. Capital Outflows Accelerate From ETFs and Crypto Markets Large scale withdrawals from major exchange traded funds signaled a shift in investor sentiment. Over the…

Bitcoin mining difficulty recorded a notable decline of 7.7% on March 20, falling to 133.79 trillion at block 941,472. This marks the second major reduction of 2026 and the sharpest drop since February. Earlier in the month, difficulty levels stood near 145 trillion, compared with roughly 148 trillion at the beginning of the year. The decline followed slower block production across the previous 2,016 blocks, with average block times reaching 12 minutes 36 seconds, exceeding the network’s 10-minute target. As designed, Bitcoin automatically adjusts difficulty to maintain consistent block generation timing. Miner Profitability and AI Competition Impact A lower mining…

Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a total net outflow of $52.1 million on March 20 (ET), marking the third consecutive day of withdrawals, according to SoSoValue data. The largest outflow came from BlackRock’s IBIT, which saw $45.94 million leave the fund, accounting for the majority of the daily decline. Despite the broader negative trend, some funds recorded gains. VanEck’s HODL ETF posted a net inflow of $2.96 million, showing selective investor interest even as overall sentiment remained cautious. Ethereum ETF Flows Also Remain Negative Spot Ethereum ETFs mirrored Bitcoin’s trend, logging their third straight day of net outflows totaling $41.97 million.…

A pro-technology super PAC, Think Big PAC, has launched a campaign against New York Assemblymember Alex Bores in the crowded NY-12 Democratic primary. Mailers allege Bores received over $100,000 in support from Sam Bankman-Fried’s 2022 political network, linking the first-term legislator to the former FTX CEO. The mailers criticize Bores’ campaign financing and frame him as disconnected from constituents, stating that “Bankman-Fried’s buddies are bankrolling Bores for Congress.” Think Big PAC backs candidates aligned with pro-technology policies and AI innovation, and it has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on digital and television ads targeting Bores, including references to his…

The United States has issued a 30-day waiver allowing the sale of Iranian oil at sea in an effort to reduce rising global energy prices. The decision comes as oil prices surged above $100 per barrel, reaching their highest levels since 2022 amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Treasury officials said the waiver could release approximately 140 million barrels of oil into global markets, easing supply shortages. The authorization permits limited transactions to complete delivery of Iranian oil already in transit, with restrictions excluding regions such as Cuba, North Korea, and Crimea. Energy Markets React to War Disruptions Oil prices…

Gold prices suffered a steep decline this week, falling 3.5% to $4,488 per ounce on Friday and recording an 11% weekly loss the largest weekly drop for the precious metal since 1983. The sharp fall comes as geopolitical instability linked to the ongoing US and Israel–Iran conflict continues to influence global markets and investor positioning. War-Driven Volatility and Oil Disruptions Pressure Gold Prices Gold has dropped more than 15% since Feb. 28, when military strikes on Iran began, reversing part of the strong rally that pushed prices to nearly $5,500 in late January. Market data confirmed that the March 16–20…