Kategorie: Ethereum News

Ethereum news about the ETH blockchain and its crypto ecosystem.

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Kraken boosts global strategy as Citadel joins fresh investment wave with $200 mn funding

  • Citadel Securities made a strategic investment at a $20 billion valuation.
  • Institutional investors led the first tranche of funding.
  • Kraken plans to grow across Latin America, APAC, and EMEA.

Kraken is entering a new phase of global expansion after securing fresh capital that places the company at a valuation of $20 billion.

The update outlined how this raise will support the firm’s plans for 2026 and strengthen its position across regulated markets, tokenized products, and institutional services.

The company also linked the funding to its broader push into global regions, deeper derivatives activity, and new financial tools.

The announcement signalled a shift toward long-term growth supported by new infrastructure and a wider product lineup rather than short-term market conditions.

Institutional backing drives Kraken capital raise

Kraken raised $800 million through two funding tranches.

The first tranche was led by major institutional players, including Jane Street, DRW Venture Capital, HSG, Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management, and Tribe Capital.

The company added that Kraken Co CEO Arjun Sethi’s family office made a significant commitment to the round.

A further $200 million strategic investment came from Citadel Securities at the confirmed $20 billion valuation.

Kraken said the new capital will support its vertically integrated model that includes equities, derivatives, spot markets, tokenized assets, staking, custody, clearing, and payments.

The company had raised only $27 million in primary capital before this round and continued to operate profitably, reporting $1.5 billion in revenue for 2024 and surpassing that figure in the first three quarters of 2025.

Sethi posted on X that the raise reflected long-term conviction in the company’s strategy.

He noted that more than $100 million for the round came from his family office.

Product growth strengthens derivatives and tokenized asset plans

Kraken linked the funding to several important developments that took place across its ecosystem in recent months.

On Nov. 14, the company reported strong Q3 results that included $198 million in adjusted EBITDA, up 28% from the previous quarter, and more than $1.5 billion in revenue over the first nine months of 2025.

Kraken also completed its latest proof of reserves audit, confirming 1:1 plus backing for major assets.

This audit was the first to use distributed validator technology for Ethereum staking within the platform.

The company expanded its US derivatives presence through the acquisitions of NinjaTrader and Small Exchange.

Small Exchange was a $100 million transaction finalised in early October.

These acquisitions give traders new ways to access crypto-connected futures in addition to existing stock and commodity contracts.

To support high-frequency and institutional traders, Kraken introduced a new colocation service in partnership with Beeks Exchange Cloud.

The company said this upgrade offers faster and more direct trading connectivity.

Expansion plans target global markets

Kraken outlined its next steps across key regions as it works toward its 2026 strategy.

The company plans to enter new markets in Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, and EMEA.

Kraken said these expansions will coincide with the launch of new asset types, upgrades to staking services, and new trading features that widen customer use cases.

The company also plans to strengthen its payments network and expand its institutional product suite.

Kraken said these steps will help bridge traditional and open finance through regulated global infrastructure.

Wider financial ecosystem supports long term growth

Kraken positioned the new funding as part of a broader plan to support a growing financial ecosystem that connects regulated markets, tokenized assets, and cross-border financial services.

The company said its vertically integrated approach provides the structure needed for sustainable product development and regional expansion.

The funding also helps the firm invest in infrastructure, compliance systems, and service lines that support both retail and institutional customers.

Kraken said it aims to use this momentum to build a wider presence across global markets while continuing to advance tokenized financial products and regulated trading.

The post Kraken boosts global strategy as Citadel joins fresh investment wave with $200 mn funding appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Crypto loopholes across Canada enable silent cash transfers

  • A Toronto outlet handed over $1,900.00 in cash using only a $5 bill for verification.
  • Ukraine-based exchange 001k offered to deliver $1,000,000.00 in cash in Montreal.
  • Over 20 crypto-to-cash services were found operating unregistered across Canada.

A report by CBC has revealed how Canada is witnessing the rise of unregulated crypto-to-cash services that enable large-scale anonymous financial transfers.

These operations not only bypass anti-money laundering laws but also establish an untraceable money trail that financial intelligence agencies are unable to track.

Across cities from Toronto to Montreal, crypto platforms are facilitating discreet cash handovers worth thousands and even millions, without requiring any identification from users.

Despite rules that demand full verification for transactions over $1,000.00, services continue to hand over cash using only minimal confirmation.

Experts have raised alarm over the role of these services in enabling potential money laundering, illicit trade, and financial crime.

Investigative efforts have now revealed how this silent financial movement is escaping oversight in plain sight.

Crypto-for-cash deals avoid ID checks

In one midtown Toronto branch of a registered money transfer business, a $1,900.00 cash pickup was arranged through encrypted messages using the Telegram app.

The only verification required was a photo of a Canadian $5 bill.

The customer, who had earlier transferred 2,000 tether tokens to Ukraine-based crypto exchange 001k, showed the physical bill and received $100 notes from the teller with no further questions.

Such transactions breach Canada’s anti-money laundering regulations, which require personal identification and transaction documentation for any transfer exceeding $1,000.

The company later claimed that the arrangement had been made by a rogue manager using personal funds off the official books.

The teller involved, they said, acted without knowledge of the transaction’s real nature.

001k is not registered with FINTRAC, the Canadian financial intelligence agency, and therefore is not legally permitted to conduct business with Canadians.

Yet the transaction went ahead and passed under the regulatory radar.

Platforms offer million-dollar handovers

The same pattern was uncovered in Montreal.

Journalists engaged in anonymous conversations with crypto services, including 001k and another unnamed provider.

Both offered to deliver $1,000,000.00 and $890,000.00 in cash, respectively, in exchange for tether sent to designated wallets.

No identification was asked for at any stage.

These platforms operate online, contactable via web directories and Telegram channels.

Many advertise in plain sight and offer face-to-face cash deals in locations ranging from Halifax to Vancouver.

According to experts, more than 20 such services were found in Canada, most operating without proper registration or regulatory checks.

Despite Canada’s attempt to regulate the sector through FINTRAC, enforcement remains limited.

The agency oversees over 2,600 registered money service businesses, but lacks the resources to track unregistered and underground operators.

A growing global laundering channel

Crypto analysis firm Crystal revealed to CBC that crypto-to-cash services in Hong Kong alone processed $2.5 billion in 2024.

Canada’s rapidly growing market could mirror that figure if enforcement continues to lag.

With the rise of digital tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether, it has become easier for money to move across borders and be converted into untraceable cash.

Law enforcement depends on access to user identity at the point where crypto enters or exits the system.

When transactions are carried out without registration, those points vanish, and the blockchain’s transparency becomes meaningless.

Investigators lose visibility once digital assets are converted into physical currency anonymously.

The flexibility of these services creates risk.

Anyone can now move large sums in or out of Canada without detection, including organised crime networks and individuals involved in illegal activity.

Without active compliance monitoring, these transactions take place without leaving any traceable connection.

Canada struggles to enforce crypto regulations

Canadian regulators are under-equipped to deal with the scale of the problem.

Crypto platforms can connect users in seconds, bypassing traditional financial systems and enabling instant access to large volumes of cash.

FINTRAC’s oversight is stretched, and its inability to track foreign operators or monitor encrypted platforms like Telegram leaves a major gap in financial security.

The use of small signals, like a $5 bill serial number, to validate multi-thousand-dollar exchanges highlights just how far removed these services are from compliance.

Unless significant regulatory action is taken, Canada could continue to serve as a silent hub for crypto cash transfers that avoid scrutiny, recordkeeping, and legal obligations.

The post Crypto loopholes across Canada enable silent cash transfers appeared first on CoinJournal.

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AI-driven phishing scams and hidden crypto exploits shake Web3 security

  • SBI Crypto was breached, losing $21 million in assets via a suspected laundering operation.
  • A phishing scam targeting GMGN tricked 107 users into approving fake transactions.
  • Honeypot token scams rose 600% month-on-month, with over 2,100 tokens detected.

Web3 has entered a new phase of cyber threats, with attackers now leveraging artificial intelligence, automation tools, and complex social engineering to exploit users across decentralised networks.

According to GoPlus Security, over $45.84 million was lost in October alone from a surge of scams, phishing attacks, token exploits, and wallet hacks.

The data reveals how scammers are evolving their methods, creating high-impact exploits that have affected thousands of users and platforms across Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Base.

Hackers use AI and automation to boost phishing campaigns

GoPlus observed a sharp increase in phishing attacks that led to more than $3.5 million in losses.

A growing number of these scams are powered by “Phishing-as-a-Service” platforms, where threat actors use AI tools to rapidly generate fake websites and deploy large-scale campaigns with lower operational costs.

One of the largest phishing cases involved the trading platform GMGN.

In this incident, 107 users were misled by a fake third-party website into authorising harmful transactions. Losses totalled more than $700,000.

The phishing scam replicated legitimate wallet interactions, tricking victims into signing approval requests that gave attackers control over their funds.

In another case, a trader approved a malicious “increaseAllowance” command, resulting in a $325,000 loss in Coinbase Wrapped Bitcoin.

Separately, another user was hit with a $440,000 loss after signing a fraudulent “permit” transaction.

Both exploits highlight the rise in fake contract approvals, often enabled by deceptive interfaces mimicking trusted apps.

Sophisticated exploits linked to state-style laundering tactics

The single largest exploit came from SBI Crypto, which suffered a breach that drained $21 million worth of digital assets. The losses included Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin Cash.

Although SBI Crypto did not officially confirm the source of the breach, a joint investigation by ZachXBT and Cyvers suggested patterns similar to those used by North Korean hacker groups.

The attackers allegedly funnelled funds through Tornado Cash, a known crypto mixer previously sanctioned for its role in laundering state-sponsored thefts.

This laundering method closely mirrors activity linked to the Lazarus Group, though the report stressed that the connection remains unverified.

Web3 platforms under attack from honeypot tokens

Alongside phishing and exploits, the report found a dramatic spike in honeypot tokens.

These are malicious smart contracts that allow users to buy tokens but prevent them from selling or withdrawing funds.

Honeypot tokens surged 600% last month, reaching 2,189 identified tokens—though still far fewer than the 40,000 recorded in June 2025.

Goplus honeypot tokens
Source: GoPlus Security

The Binance Smart Chain accounted for the bulk of these tokens at 1,780, followed by 216 on Ethereum and 131 on Base.

These tokens are embedded with hidden restrictions that block transactions, stranding investor funds in illiquid assets.

Their increase underscores a shift toward embedded contract-level fraud, which can bypass basic security tools.

Tokens and socials compromised in wider exploits

The wider ecosystem also saw losses from social media and platform-based breaches.

Astra Nova’s official social account was hijacked, triggering a large-scale sell-off of its native token RVV and causing losses of approximately $10.3 million.

In a separate exploit, decentralised finance platform Garden Finance was hit with a vulnerability that cost users around $10.8 million, according to ZachXBT.

These incidents reflect a widening surface of attack across both user-facing interfaces and backend contract code.

The post AI-driven phishing scams and hidden crypto exploits shake Web3 security appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Altcoins: ETH supply hits record lows, SOL price at key juncture, ZEC dips 25%

  • Ethereum exchange supply hit multi-month lows, indicating substantial accumulation.
  • Solana price weakens as bears threaten a move below $163 – $165.
  • ZEC lost 25% the past 24 hours after robust gains over the previous few sessions.

Cryptocurrencies displayed mixed performances on Tuesday, with most tokens losing momentum after yesterday’s gains.

The value of all digital tokens lost 2% the last 24 hours to $3.51 trillion as Bitcoin hovered at $104,340.

This article evaluates the current altcoin landscape by analyzing Ethereum, Solana, and Zcash.

Ethereum exchange supply hits record lows

The second-largest cryptocurrency exhibits a bullish catalyst amidst broader market sluggishness.

CryptoQuant reveals that the amount of Ethereum on the leading crypto exchange by volume, Binance, has plummeted continuously in the past few sessions, now at levels last seen in May this year.

ETH reserves on exchanges peak in June and July, before steady declines.

Notably, this trend indicates asset movement into private or cold wallets, which is bullish as it reduces selling pressure.

CryptoQuant analyst added:

If the current trend of declining Ethereum supply on Binance continues, we may see a decrease in liquidity available for sale. This could support the possibility of price stabilization and potentially a return to an upward trend as market risk appetite improves.

Thus, Ethereum remains poised for impressive recoveries once the broader market regains momentum.

The current whale activity signals investor conviction in ETH’s potential rebound in the upcoming sessions.

ETH is trading at $3,544 after a 1.75% dip in the last 24 hours.

Solana tests vital support

SOL traded in the red today after shedding over 3% of its value on the previous day.

Hovering at $162 during this publication, the digital token trades at a key support zone that could shape its trajectory in the coming sessions.

Crypto analyst @LordOfAlts highlights a visible ascending trendline that SOL has tested several times, confirming robust support at the $163 – $165 region.

Solana is trading just below this barrier, indicating significant weakness.

A confirmed breakdown could trigger sharper declines.

SOL has its next support zone at $155, below which it can plunge to the $150 psychological zone.

On the other side, reclaiming $170 could shift Solana’s short-term bias to bullish.

Zcash leads the downside

ZEC recorded one of the most bearish performances today.

It lost more than 25% of its value as the privacy-crypto hype fades amid profit-booking.

ZEC is trading at $485, with an over 150% uptick in daily trading volume, highlighting amplified activity possibly from profit-takers.

Zcash could slide further amid bull exhaustion after an over 275% increase in the past month.

Failure to steady above $488 could lead to deeper slides to $371, a roughly 23% slump from ZEC’s market price.

Meanwhile, broader market sentiments continue to influence altcoins’ trends.

Bitcoin, which sets the tone of the market amid uncertainty, trades at $104,501.

Failure to hold above $103,000 could trigger slides to the psychological mark at $100,000, where buyers can catalyze bounce-backs.

Amplified selling pressure could drop Bitcoin’s price to $90,000 – $93,000.

The post Altcoins: ETH supply hits record lows, SOL price at key juncture, ZEC dips 25% appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Strategy IPO redefines corporate Bitcoin strategy with euro-denominated offering

  • The company will issue 3.5 million STRE shares, each priced at €100 ($115).
  • Investors will receive a 10% annual dividend, paid quarterly beginning 31 December.
  • Strategy currently holds 641,205 BTC, valued at approximately $47.49 billion.

Strategy, the crypto treasury company known for its methodical accumulation of Bitcoin, has unveiled plans for a euro-denominated perpetual stock under the ticker STRE.

The initial public offering (IPO) signals a refined integration of traditional capital markets with the Bitcoin economy.

Strategy’s latest move extends its long-term model of raising capital through equity and debt to expand its Bitcoin reserves, consolidating its position as the largest corporate holder of the asset.

Euro-denominated IPO targets professional investors

The company plans to issue 3.5 million shares of STRE, each priced at €100 ($115), with a 10% cumulative annual dividend payable quarterly from 31 December.

Proceeds will be used to acquire additional Bitcoin (BTC), currently trading at $104,603, and for general corporate purposes.

Strategy stated that the shares will be available only to qualified investors in the EU and UK, excluding retail participants.

The structure reflects the company’s preference for institutional capital and adherence to regulated financial frameworks while maintaining exposure to digital assets.

Refining the Bitcoin corporate treasury model

Founded by Michael Saylor, Strategy adopted its Bitcoin-first balance sheet model in mid-2020.

The company raises capital through market instruments, converts it into Bitcoin, and holds the cryptocurrency as a strategic reserve.

This approach has made Strategy the largest Bitcoin-holding public company, with 641,205 BTC worth about $47.49 billion.

Earlier in November, it added 397 BTC to its holdings as part of its ongoing acquisition plan.

Saylor’s framework has influenced a wave of similar corporate treasury models, with firms issuing equity or credit to build crypto reserves.

Many now hold Bitcoin and Ether (ETH), trading at $3,502, as balance sheet assets.

Together, these companies have raised billions, indicating a shift in how institutions view cryptocurrencies: not as speculative bets, but as reserve assets with long-term strategic value.

Market competition and acquisition restraint

Analysts have warned that the rapid growth of the crypto treasury sector could lead to consolidation as new entrants compete for investor capital.

Some expect companies to acquire rivals to preserve scale and relevance.

However, Strategy has confirmed it will not pursue mergers or acquisitions, even where they might appear beneficial.

The firm intends to expand organically, focusing on disciplined balance sheet growth and direct communication with investors.

This stance separates Strategy from its peers. While others diversify or seek acquisitions, it remains committed to a singular mission of strengthening its Bitcoin position.

The company’s discipline and transparency have become central to its investor relations strategy.

Major banks back the offering

The IPO will be managed by global financial institutions including Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Moelis, and TD Securities.

Their participation underscores growing confidence among traditional finance players in Bitcoin-linked products.

The STRE stock represents a rare hybrid between fixed income and digital asset exposure.

It offers predictable returns while channelling proceeds into Bitcoin, effectively linking the traditional yield-seeking investor base with the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

As institutional participation in Bitcoin deepens, Strategy’s euro-based IPO may define a new template for corporate finance.

The company’s ability to merge compliance-driven capital markets with a decentralised asset base demonstrates how digital currencies are being absorbed into the core of global finance.

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