Critical wallet bug found in Bitcoin Core v30, users urged to backup

  • Legacy wallets risk deletion during Bitcoin Core v30 migration.
  • Back up wallet and data directories before attempting upgrades.
  • Modern wallets and hardware wallets remain largely safe.

A critical bug has been discovered in Bitcoin Core v30, raising alarms for users planning to upgrade their wallets.

The issue specifically affects the wallet migration process, which is designed to transfer old wallets to the latest software version.

Under certain conditions, this migration can delete wallet files, putting users’ funds at risk.

Developers have confirmed that the bug primarily impacts older legacy wallets, particularly those that have not been renamed or updated in years.

Modern wallets and hardware wallets are largely unaffected, according to official sources.

However, the risk remains significant for anyone running a node with outdated wallet files and attempting a migration.

The Bitcoin Core wallet bug

The problem arises when Bitcoin Core tries to migrate an unnamed legacy wallet located in a custom wallet directory.

If pruning is enabled, the software can misinterpret the migration process and inadvertently delete all files in the wallet directory.

This is not a network-level bug, so the Bitcoin blockchain itself remains secure.

Instead, the threat is local: users may lose access to their funds if no external backup exists.

The vulnerability only triggers during migration attempts.

Simply running the software or syncing the blockchain is not enough to cause file deletion.

Developers quickly responded by removing v30.0 and v30.1 binaries from the official download page.

Users are now urged to avoid running any wallet migrations until a fixed version is released.

Steps users should take

The Bitcoin Core v30 bug is dangerous but avoidable, provided users follow official guidance and prioritise backups.

Bitcoin Core recommends backing up the entire wallet and data directories before attempting any upgrades.

This precaution can prevent potential loss, especially for legacy wallet users.

It is also advised to check whether the wallet is classified as “legacy” or “modern.”

For those with legacy setups, extra care should be taken when handling migration procedures.

Users should also verify their directory configurations, including the -walletdir parameter, to ensure files are not accidentally removed.

Keeping offline or external backups remains the safest way to protect funds.

While the bug does not compromise the network, the risk to individual wallets is real and immediate.

The community is awaiting the release of Bitcoin Core v30.2, which will address the migration bug and restore safe upgrade procedures.

Until then, cautious users are strongly advised to pause any wallet migrations and secure backups externally.

The discovery of this bug serves as a reminder that software updates, while necessary for security and performance, can introduce unforeseen risks to legacy systems.

By taking simple precautions, users can avoid potential losses and ensure their Bitcoin holdings remain safe.

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Morgan Stanley files a Form S-1 application for Solana Trust in the US

  • Morgan Stanley files S-1 for a trust tracking Bitcoin(BTC) and Solana (SOL).
  • The trust will stake SOL, reflecting rewards in its NAV.
  • SOL price rises 2.44%, breaking key Fibonacci resistance.

Morgan Stanley has officially filed a Form S-1 application with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish Bitcoin and Solana Trusts.

The move highlights the bank’s growing interest in the cryptocurrency sector. It also reflects Morgan Stanley’s strategy to provide clients with diverse investment opportunities in digital assets.

The proposed Solana Trust will allow investors to gain indirect exposure to Solana (SOL) without holding the cryptocurrency directly.

Morgan Stanley’s institutional push into Solana

The S-1 filing outlines plans to structure the Solana Trust as a Delaware statutory trust.

Shares in the trust are expected to track the performance of SOL through a designated pricing benchmark.

The trust will also stake a portion of its Solana holdings through regulated third-party providers.

This staking mechanism allows rewards to be reflected in the fund’s net asset value (NAV).

Morgan Stanley’s involvement signals regulatory confidence in Solana-based financial products.

It mirrors the adoption path of Bitcoin ETFs, which saw significant inflows after bank-backed launches.

The trust is passively managed, meaning it will hold Solana without active trading or leverage.

Custody arrangements will involve regulated third parties to safeguard investor assets.

The S-1 filing remains preliminary, with sales permitted only after SEC effectiveness.

Investors seeking exposure to Solana through traditional brokerage accounts now have a potential path via this trust.

Implications for the crypto market

Institutional adoption like this tends to reduce sell pressure on staked assets.

Already, over 563 million SOL are staked across the network, supporting price stability.

The bank’s Bitcoin product will be called Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust.

The trust will hold Bitcoin outright similar to the Solana Trust, without the use of derivatives or leverage, and will calculate its net asset value daily based on a pricing benchmark drawn from major spot exchanges.

The fund will follow a passive strategy and will not actively trade Bitcoin in response to market conditions.

Notably, Morgan Stanley’s filing follows Bitwise’s $16.8 million Solana ETF inflows earlier this week.

It also coincides with a broader trend of altcoin rotation, as Bitcoin dominance dips and investors seek high-beta opportunities.

Regulators’ response will be closely watched, particularly in relation to the VanEck Solana ETF decision due by October 2026.

Market participants see this as a positive signal for Solana’s long-term growth and liquidity.

Solana price reaction

Solana’s price has responded to these developments with a notable rally.

In the past 24 hours, Solana (SOL) has risen by 2.44% to $138.77, outperforming Bitcoin (BTC) and closely tracking Ethereum (ETH).

The altcoin’s trading volume has also surged 43% to $5.1 billion, marking the strongest trading activity since December 2025.

Technical analysis shows SOL has cleared the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $138.45 and the 7-day SMA at $130.5.

Solana price analysis
Solana price analysis | Source: TradingView

The MACD histogram has also turned positive, confirming bullish momentum, and RSI-14 is also bullish, although nearing the overbought region.

The next resistance is at $151.18, with support at $117.88, aligning with Fibonacci levels.

The market will likely monitor whether SOL holds above the $138.45 support level to confirm continued bullish momentum.

The upcoming options expiry on January 7, however, adds a layer of short-term volatility, with $145 million in SOL contracts set to expire.

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South Korea weighs preemptive crypto account freezes to curb market abuse

  • The proposal would let regulators suspend transactions before gains are laundered or moved.
  • Authorities want to extend stock market-style enforcement tools to crypto trading.
  • Recent actions by tax and financial regulators show tighter alignment with traditional finance rules.

South Korea’s financial regulators are reviewing whether to allow transactions to be suspended before suspected price manipulators can move or launder gains.

The idea is to act earlier in fast-moving crypto markets, where profits can be transferred quickly and become harder to trace.

If adopted, the change would mark a significant step in the country’s second phase of crypto regulation, which is expected to expand beyond user protection and address market abuse more directly, alongside work on stablecoin rules that are yet to be formally introduced.

Early intervention tools

The Financial Services Commission, or Financial Services Commission, is reviewing a payment suspension system that would allow regulators to block crypto transactions at an earlier stage.

Local outlet Newsis reported on Tuesday that the proposal would enable authorities to act before suspected manipulators cash out or launder potentially illicit profits.

Under the current framework, freezes often depend on court warrants.

That process can take time, giving suspects room to conceal funds. Regulators argue that crypto markets move faster than traditional assets, making delays more costly.

The proposed system would mirror tools already used in South Korea’s stock market, where accounts linked to suspected manipulation can be frozen before profits are realised.

Closing enforcement gaps

Market watchdogs have flagged specific tactics that can generate large but unstable gains in crypto trading.

These include front-running, automated wash trading, and placing high buy orders that inflate prices.

Such profits can vanish quickly once assets are moved off exchanges.

Regulators say crypto markets require stronger tools because assets can be transferred into private wallets with relative ease. This mobility, they argue, makes early intervention critical.

Lessons from capital markets

South Korea has already expanded its powers in traditional finance. Amendments to the Capital Markets Act, an Capital Markets Act, took effect in April 2025.

These changes allow account freezes for suspected unfair trading or illegal short sales.

According to reports, the FSC discussed extending similar measures to crypto during a closed-door meeting in November.

The talks took place while authorities were reviewing the first price manipulation case handled under the amended capital markets rules.

South Korea adds on regulatory tightening

The proposal builds on a series of measures highlighting South Korea’s effort to bring crypto regulation in line with standards applied in conventional financial markets.

On Oct. 10, the National Tax Service warned that cryptocurrency holdings kept in cold wallets remain subject to enforcement, noting its authority to conduct home searches and seize offline storage devices in tax evasion investigations.

On Dec. 7, the Financial Services Commission examined the idea of applying bank-style liability to crypto exchanges, which would require platforms to compensate users for losses caused by hacks or system failures even in the absence of proven negligence.

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