Balancer unveils $8M reimbursement plan for LPs after the $128M V2 exploit

  • Balancer will return $8M to affected liquidity providers after the V2 exploit.
  • Whitehat and internal teams recovered part of the stolen $28M.
  • Reimbursements will be distributed pro rata in the same tokens via a 180-day claim.

Decentralised finance protocol Balancer has unveiled a plan to reimburse liquidity providers (LPs) following the massive exploit that drained over $128 million from its V2 pools.

The reimbursement plan comes after an extensive recovery effort led by whitehat hackers and internal teams, aiming to restore funds and rebuild trust within the platform’s user community.

The plan has been submitted to the Balancer DAO for community feedback and will require approval through a formal voting process before distribution begins.

The Balancer exploit

The Balancer exploit, which occurred in early November, targeted a rounding function flaw in Balancer’s Composable Stable Pools (CSPv5).

Attackers combined this vulnerability with batched swaps, allowing them to manipulate token price calculations and drain multiple pools across Ethereum, Polygon, Base, and Arbitrum.

Despite 11 previous security audits conducted by four different blockchain security firms, the vulnerability went unnoticed.

The breach sent shockwaves through the DeFi sector, causing Balancer’s total value locked to fall from $775 million to $258 million, while its native BAL token lost roughly 30% of its value.

Portions of the protocol were paused immediately after the attack to prevent further losses, while whitehat and internal recovery operations began working to salvage funds.

Recovery efforts and whitehat contributions

Overall, approximately $28 million of the stolen funds was recovered.

Whitehat hackers played a significant role, reclaiming around $3.9 million, while internal Balancer teams, including coordination with security firm Certora, retrieved another $4.1 million from vulnerable metastable pools that had not yet been exploited.

Among the whitehat contributors, an anonymous actor dubbed “Anon #1” recovered $2.68 million on Polygon, including various tokens such as WPOL, MaticX, TruMATIC, and stMatic, as detailed in the unveiled reimbursement proposal.

Some rescuers on Arbitrum declined to identify themselves and waived their bounty claims, highlighting the voluntary and community-driven nature of these recovery efforts.

The remaining $19.7 million in osETH and osGNO tokens was recovered through StakeWise, an Ethereum liquid staking protocol, and will be returned to users via StakeWise’s own governance mechanisms.

The $8M reimbursement plan

Balancer’s reimbursement plan focuses on the $8 million recovered directly by whitehats and internal teams.

The framework adopts a non-socialised approach, meaning funds are returned only to liquidity providers in the specific pools affected.

Reimbursements will be distributed on a pro-rata basis according to each user’s Balancer Pool Token holdings at a snapshot block taken before the exploit.

Payments will be made in-kind, allowing users to receive the exact tokens that were stolen, avoiding any mismatches or unintended losses due to price fluctuations.

Whitehat contributors are entitled to a 10% bounty of the recovered funds, capped at $1 million per operation.

To receive their reward, Whitehat participants must complete identity verification, KYC, and sanctions screening under Balancer’s SEAL Safe Harbour Agreement.

Notably, internal recovery operations, including Certora’s involvement, are excluded from these bounties due to pre-existing service agreements.

If the distribution plan is approved, affected liquidity providers will have a 180-day window to claim their funds, during which they must digitally accept Balancer’s updated terms of use.

These terms require users to release Balancer Labs, the DAO, the Foundation, and affiliated parties from legal liabilities related to the exploit.

Unclaimed funds after 180 days will be considered dormant and may only be reallocated through a governance vote.

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Turkmenistan joins global crypto regulation push with sweeping new digital asset law

  • The rules include licensing, AML checks, cold storage, and strict state authority over token issuances.
  • Crypto assets are classified as backed or unbacked and are not legal tender in Turkmenistan.
  • The move follows a Nov. 21 government meeting focused on digital asset policy.

Turkmenistan has taken a major step towards formalising its digital asset sector, joining a wave of countries introducing detailed crypto regulations as global frameworks evolve.

The move was confirmed in a Nov. 28 report by Business Turkmenistan, which said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov had approved a new law that will come into effect in 2026.

The legislation introduces a tightly controlled structure for digital assets in a country long known for strict information policies and limited access to outside technologies.

It places crypto exchanges, custodial services, and mining under clear state-defined rules, positioning Turkmenistan within a growing international effort to manage crypto adoption more systematically.

Sweeping rules

The new law establishes licensing procedures for exchanges and custodial platforms.

It sets know your client and Anti Money Laundering checks as standard requirements, along with mandatory cold storage obligations for service providers.

The framework also prevents credit institutions from offering crypto services. The state can stop, void, or enforce the refund of token issuances, placing digital asset activity squarely under government authority.

Mining is a central focus of the legislation. Individuals and organisations must register mining and mining pool operations. Covert mining activity is banned.

The central bank is also given the power to authorise distributed ledgers or operate its own, opening the door to permissioned systems that could direct transactions and digital asset activity through state-managed infrastructure.

Strict classifications

Turkmenistan’s law also defines the legal status of crypto assets. Digital currencies are not considered legal tender, currency, or securities within the country. Instead, the law divides them into two categories: backed and unbacked.

Regulators will later set rules for the liquidity of the backing, settlement requirements, and emergency redemption arrangements for assets in the backed category.

This structure hints at a system in which any asset with underlying backing will face closer supervision, while unbacked assets remain strictly delineated in legal terms.

The legislation was introduced following a Nov. 21 government meeting.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Hojamyrat Geldimyradov presented a report outlining the legal, technological, and organisational basis for the introduction of digital assets.

The report was accompanied by a proposal to establish a special State Commission that will oversee the sector and coordinate regulatory decisions as the framework is implemented.

Global context

Turkmenistan’s shift mirrors a wider push among governments to tighten their regulatory approaches to crypto and stablecoins.

Earlier this week, the United Kingdom’s tax authority outlined a new plan that allows decentralised finance users to defer capital gains taxes on crypto lending and liquidity pool activity until they sell the underlying token.

The move reduces the administrative burden on users and brings policy closer in line with how traditional assets are taxed.

In another development, Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden said she expects the UK to move in parallel with the United States on stablecoin policies.

This suggests that major economies may establish similar frameworks as stablecoins become more integrated into payment and settlement systems.

International bodies are also reassessing earlier positions.

Erik Thedéen, governor of Sweden’s central bank and chair of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, recently indicated that the group may need a different approach to its current risk weighting for crypto exposures after some countries resisted adopting the 1,250% standard.

This reflects rising pressure for coordinated regulatory models as digital asset markets expand.

Political backdrop

The regulatory shift comes against the backdrop of Turkmenistan’s tightly controlled political landscape.

The former Soviet republic, home to around 6.5 to 7 million people, relies heavily on natural gas exports and maintains one of the world’s most centralised presidential systems.

It appears in lists of countries where X and Telegram are banned.

The country is also known for distinctive landmarks, including a permanently burning natural gas crater known as the door to hell, the white marble architecture of its capital, Ashgabat, and a national holiday dedicated to melons.

These features sit alongside heavy state oversight, making the introduction of a structured crypto law a notable change in approach.

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Basic Attention Token price soars as Brave Browser activity rises: how far can BAT coin rise?

  • BAT coin price jumps 20% in 24h, driven by Brave browser user growth.
  • On-chain activity spikes 72%, boosting BAT coin demand and utility.
  • Technical breakout from descending channel signals further bullish momentum.

Basic Attention Token has emerged as one of the standout performers in the cryptocurrency market today.

The Basic Attention Token price has surged 20% past $0.27, adding to its 60% growth during the past week.

This price surge places BAT coin well ahead of broader altcoin recovery trends and highlights the growing impact of the Brave Browser ecosystem on the token’s utility.

Brave Browser milestone fuels BAT price rally

The rally in BAT coin price is closely tied to the increasing adoption of the Brave browser, which recently announced it had surpassed 101 million monthly active users.

With 42 million daily users, the platform boasts a DAU/MAU ratio of 0.42, indicating strong user engagement and retention.

Brave continues to expand its ecosystem by integrating privacy-first features such as ad-blocking, tracker prevention, storage partitioning, and a dedicated AI assistant named Leo.

The Brave Wallet also supports shielded Zcash transactions and Web3 interactions, positioning the browser as a comprehensive digital ecosystem rather than merely a privacy tool.

Furthermore, BAT plays a central role in this environment, powering the browser’s rewards system.

Users earn tokens by viewing privacy-respecting ads and can tip content creators or convert BAT into other cryptocurrencies.

The combination of increasing user numbers and high engagement has amplified on-chain activity, with a 72% surge in BAT transfers and consistent accumulation from large holders.

As a result, the BAT coin price has benefited from both the scarcity of circulating supply and the heightened demand from a rapidly expanding user base.

Trading competitions and technical signals add momentum

The price surge has been further supported by short-term trading catalysts.

Biconomy recently launched a BAT trading competition with an $8,000 prize pool, driving significant volume to the market.

Over a 24-hour period, BAT trading volume increased by more than 200%, reflecting both retail and institutional interest.

While competition-driven activity can inflate short-term trading, on-chain data suggests that much of the trading has been sustained by genuine interest from investors rather than purely speculative movements.

From a technical perspective, BAT coin has broken out of a descending channel, closing above key support levels near $0.21.

The MACD histogram turned positive, and the 7-day SMA has now flipped to provide support, signalling bullish momentum.

Basic Attention Token price analysis
Basic Attention Token price analysis | Source: TradingView

Traders are targeting the 161.8% Fibonacci extension at approximately $0.2896, though the RSI is nearing 74, suggesting that some consolidation may occur before further upward movement.

The key support levels to watch remain around $0.2410, reflecting a 50% retracement of November’s rally.

A social token and a privacy-focused cryptocurrency

Beyond technical and trading factors, BAT coin occupies a unique position as both a social token and a privacy-focused cryptocurrency.

The Basic Attention Token ranks as the 14th most widely distributed token on-chain, with over 437,000 holders, highlighting its broad reach.

Its integration with Brave allows users to engage in privacy-respecting digital interactions, providing a sustainable use case that extends beyond speculative trading.

The platform’s ability to handle nearly 20 billion annual searches, including AI-generated queries, demonstrates that Brave is evolving into a digital ecosystem capable of supporting significant BAT utility.

While BAT faces competition from other privacy-first browsers and must navigate regulatory changes, its combination of strong on-chain activity, expanding user base, and structural adoption trends indicates potential for sustained growth.

As the market approaches year-end volatility and trading competitions conclude, eyes are on whether the Basic Attention Token price can maintain momentum or experience consolidation.

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XRP price prediction: ETF inflows, CME futures, and technical pressure align

  • XRP gains support from strong ETF inflows and institutional interest.
  • CME futures and options flows add momentum to the current setup.
  • Technical pressure builds as XRP tests midband resistance.

XRP is entering a decisive phase as new institutional products, shifting derivatives dynamics, and tightening technical structures converge around a market that has struggled to find a clear direction.

The XRP price currently stands at $2.23, having gained 1.6% in the past 24 hours, and continues a strong seven-day climb that has pushed its weekly performance above 17%.

Notably, despite being nearly 40% below its July all-time high of $3.65, XRP remains up around 50% this year, outpacing both Bitcoin and Ethereum over the same period.

Institutional momentum builds

A wave of new XRP ETFs has reshaped expectations among investors.

The last nine days alone brought in $643.91 million in spot XRP ETF inflows, according to data from Coinglass, while Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw heavy outflows.

XRP ETFs inflows
Total XRP Spot ETF Net Inflow | Source: Coinglass

Major firms, including Canary Capital, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Bitwise, have launched XRP funds, and early traction has been stronger than many expected.

These inflows reflect the wider structural shift that analysts at NOBI and other platforms have highlighted.

The analysts point to a growing appetite among institutional traders, who now see regulated exposure to XRP as a viable strategy in a market preparing for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts.

In addition, Fed officials have signalled openness to reducing borrowing costs in December, a macro backdrop that often supports risk assets like XRP.

Some forecasts suggest that if inflows remain steady, XRP could rally strongly, pushing it towards its previous high, though conditions would still depend on broader market sentiment and regulatory clarity.

Derivatives signal shifting pressure

The derivatives market is adding another layer to the setup.

CME futures tied to XRP are scheduled to launch on December 15, pending regulatory approval.

This move places XRP alongside Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) within the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, reinforcing its role in institutional portfolios.

At the same time, XRP options have influenced short-term behaviour.

$15 million XRP options expired on November 28 with a put-call ratio of 0.41, favoured bullish positioning, forcing market makers to buy spot XRP as hedges unwound.

Open interest dropped sharply afterwards, reducing the risk of volatile swings and leaving the market in a cleaner state ahead of new catalysts.

These intertwined factors show how futures, options, and ETF flows are beginning to align in a way that could support stronger price action.

But whether that alignment delivers immediate results will depend on how much follow-through traders are willing to commit to in the coming sessions.

XRP price forecast

On the charts, XRP has broken out of a 4-week falling channel, giving bulls an early signal that momentum may be shifting.

The MACD has flipped positive, and the 7-day moving average now acts as support near $2.11.

Perhaps the most telling structure is the Bollinger Bands setup.

XRP price analysis
XRP price analysis | Source: TradingView

XRP has been stuck under the midband for nearly two weeks, a pattern that often indicates a buildup of pressure that can trigger sharp moves.

The upper band near $2.50 marks the probable target for a breakout, while the lower band at $1.92 outlines the risk if another rejection occurs.

Such compression can precede rallies, including the possibility of a 13% push toward $2.51.

But for that scenario to unfold, XRP would need a decisive close above the midband, something the market has struggled to achieve.

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Flare Network’s major upgrade is here: what’s the outlook for FLR price?

  • Flare Network’s price rose amid momentum ahead of a key mainnet upgrade.
  • The upgrade has been activated on Songbird and is scheduled for December 2, 2025, on mainnet.
  • Gains across crypto and the upgrade buzz could boost FLR price.

Flare, a layer 1 blockchain known for its interoperability and support for decentralized applications (dApps), is on the brink of a significant transformation.

The network, which allows users to tap into its ecosystem to put XRP to work in decentralized finance, is on the verge of a major network upgrade. Could the Flare (FLR) price explode amid this development?

Flare readies for major network upgrade

As noted, Flare is preparing for two pivotal hard forks.

The upgrade has already been successfully activated on the Songbird testnet.

On Wednesday, the Flare team confirmed the mainnet upgrade is set for December 2, 2025, at 12:00 UTC.

FLR price is up amid the successful completion of the Songbird network upgrade and the impending Flare mainnet upgrade.

These upgrades are part of a broader strategy to integrate key components of the Cancun/Dencun fork, promising a more efficient and cost-effective environment for smart contracts.

For investors and enthusiasts, the critical question is what this could mean for FLR.

Notably, the upgrades introduce advanced Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) features.

Co-founder Hugo Phillion commented on the development via X.

The aim is to boost performance, efficiency, and scalability.

Key enhancements include the MCOPY opcode, which accelerates memory operations through chunk-based data transfers.

There’s also TSTORE/TLOAD (Transient Storage), offering cost-effective temporary storage for high-throughput applications.

According to the project, these improvements introduce critical capabilities and enhancements.

Other than supporting a more efficient and scalable dApps ecosystem, it means reduced execution costs and innovative protocols, including modular lending systems.

Additionally, the P-chain will introduce dynamic staking fees based on gas consumption and current gas prices, alongside upgrades to supporting libraries like flarejs.

As a comprehensive overhaul, the upgrade positions Flare for the next generation of dApps.

It also adds to the current traction that includes FXRP.

FLR price outlook

Historically, significant protocol upgrades have sparked investor optimism.

Often, this has led to price surges due to increased utility and adoption potential.

In this case, the successful Songbird upgrade may serve as a confidence booster, suggesting a smooth transition for the mainnet upgrade.

Enhanced scalability and lower costs could attract more dApp developers.

Potentially, this increases demand for FLR tokens used in transaction fees and governance.

Given the current price has jumped from lows of $0.011 to above $0.015 and seen over 24% gains in the past week, the upgrade could catalyse a short-term price rally.

FLR testing higher resistance levels in the coming months will depend on the next moves and overall price outlook.

The token reached highs of $0.035 in December 2024 and the all-time peak of $0.079 in January 2023.

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