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Ethereum Foundation contributed $30k via quadratic funding round supporting privacy and anti-censorship projects across 10 orgs.
Funding backed Tor Project and Funding the Commons, reinforcing open internet infrastructure and privacy tooling initiatives.
Concerns grow over Ethereum funding gap and leadership changes as ~$30M annual shortfall and treasury shifts are reported.
The Ethereum Foundation has contributed $30,000 to an Internet Freedom quadratic funding round supporting privacy, anti-censorship, and secure journalism projects. The contribution backed efforts led by The Tor Project and Funding the Commons, with donations directed to 10 organizations. The round ended yesterday, according to the Ethereum Foundation.
Internet Freedom Funding
The Ethereum Foundation said the funds will support an open and free internet through its matching pool contribution. The organization frequently provides $30,000 grants through its Ecosystem Support Program for early-stage, open-source, and community projects.
Notably, the program has supported small grants, translation efforts, and key software dependency funding. The foundation has used similar funding amounts for experimental projects, global documentation translation prizes, and infrastructure initiatives connected to Ethereum development.
However, the funding announcement comes as concerns grow around Ethereum’s future development financing. Trenton Van Epps, a former Ethereum Foundation contributor, warned that new funding sources may become necessary within the next three to nine months.
Ethereum Funding Concerns
According to Van Epps, Ethereum core development faces an estimated annual funding shortfall of about $30 million. He based the estimate on discussions with core contributors, although the figure has not been independently verified.
Van Epps also noted recent spending reductions and the April end of the Client Incentive Program. The program provided rewards for teams developing Ethereum client software, which supports network operations.
Meanwhile, Ethereum Foundation leadership has seen changes. Hsiao Wei Wang, one of the foundation’s co-executive directors, announced her resignation on Thursday. The departure brings the estimated number of foundation role changes this year to 19.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin also discussed the foundation’s resources in a May 24 post on X. He said the foundation holds about 0.16% of the total Ether supply and was created with a narrower role focused on core software and roadmap milestones.
Treasury Changes and Leadership Shifts
The Ethereum Foundation changed its treasury approach in 2025. In late April, it unstaked 17,000 ETH, followed by another 21,270 ETH in early May. The second withdrawal was worth about $50 million at the time. The foundation also sold 10,000 ETH through an over-the-counter deal on May 1 to Bitmine.
According to Arkham, the unstaking activity may have supported protocol development funding. The foundation’s updated policy, effective June 2025, allows staking participation to help finance development while limiting future ETH sales after earlier community reactions.
The post Ethereum Foundation Backs Internet Freedom Funding Round appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

Charles Schwab is launching S&P 500 binary options, allowing traders to predict whether the index ends above or below targets.
The product uses traditional options infrastructure and focuses solely on financial market outcomes rather than events.
Cboe's Plus Zone structure may offer partial payouts, reducing the all-or-nothing nature of standard binary contracts.
Charles Schwab is preparing to launch a new binary options product tied to the S&P 500, marking its entry into the fast-growing market for outcome-based trading. According to The Wall Street Journal, Schwab is working with Cboe Global Markets on contracts that let investors make yes-or-no predictions on index performance, with the rollout expected in the coming months across the United States.
New Product Targets S&P 500 Outcomes
According to The Wall Street Journal, the planned contracts will allow traders to take positions on whether the S&P 500 finishes above or below a specific level. If the prediction proves correct, the contract pays a fixed amount. However, if the outcome misses the target, the contract expires without value.
The offering will operate through traditional options-market infrastructure rather than standalone prediction-market systems. As a result, Charles Schwab is focusing on financial benchmarks instead of political, sports, or entertainment events.
That approach differs from platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, which offer contracts tied to a broader range of real-world outcomes. Instead, Schwab's product centers exclusively on measurable market results.
Cboe Structure Adds Alternative Payout Feature
As development continues, Schwab and Cboe are also evaluating a model linked to Cboe's "Plus Zone" structure. Unlike traditional binary contracts, the feature can provide partial payouts when traders do not hit the exact target.
Consequently, the design reduces the strict all-or-nothing outcome commonly associated with binary options. The structure still maintains a straightforward format while introducing an additional payout layer.
Notably, the contracts remain tied to the S&P 500, keeping the focus on financial market performance. Schwab has not announced a final launch date, although reports indicate the rollout could occur within months.
Competition Intensifies Across Trading Platforms
The launch arrives as demand for prediction-style trading products expands across the brokerage industry. Over recent years, platforms including Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase, and Robinhood have increased their presence in the sector.
Schwab CEO Rick Wurster previously expressed concerns about prediction-style products tied to sports and entertainment events. However, he recently acknowledged that offering similar products has become a competitive necessity as rival firms expand their offerings.
Meanwhile, Schwab's partnership with Cboe provides an established framework for introducing binary-style contracts without creating a separate prediction-market business. The planned product adds another competitor to a market that continues to attract both retail traders and major financial firms.
The post Charles Schwab Takes On Kalshi With New S&P 500 Binary Trades appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

UE va impune o limită de plată în numerar de 10.000 € în toate statele membre și va cere verificări de ID pentru tranzacții în numerar de peste 3.000 €.
Firmele crypto trebuie să aplice verificări KYC îmbunătățite pentru anumite tranzacții de 1.000 € sau mai mult și să interzică conturile anonime.
Transferurile din portofele de auto-păstrare rămân scutite, în timp ce AMLA va coordona aplicarea AML în întreaga Uniune Europeană.
Uniunea Europeană a aprobat un cadru major anti-spălare a banilor care va intra în vigoare în iulie 2027, introducând o limită de plată în numerar de 10.000 € în între toate statele membre și reguli de conformitate mai stricte pentru afacerile crypto. Conform Regulamentului (UE) 2024/1624, reglementatorii vor extinde supravegherea activităților financiare, vor întări cerințele de transparență și vor impune noi standarde de verificare a clienților pentru anumite tranzacții cu criptomonede.

Aave's latest V4 audit reviewed the ERC-4626 Tokenization Spoke, enabling standardized tokenized liquidity integrations.
The V4 security program spanned 345 days, combining audits, formal verification, and extensive public testing.
More than 900 bug bounty participants reviewed Aave V4, with no critical or high-severity vulnerabilities reported.
Aave has released a new security audit for its V4 Tokenization Spoke, adding another review to its broader V4 security program. According to Aave, ChainSecurity conducted the audit, which examined an ERC-4626 compliant vault that converts Liquidity Hub deposits into fungible ERC-20 share tokens, a feature designed to support integrations connecting to Aave V4.
ChainSecurity Reviews Tokenization Spoke
The latest review focused on the Tokenization Spoke, a component within Aave V4's architecture. According to Aave, the Tokenization Spoke wraps Liquidity Hub asset deposits into ERC-20 share tokens.
Those tokens provide liquidity providers with claims on the underlying liquidity. The structure follows the ERC-4626 vault standard. As a result, developers and external protocols can interact with tokenized liquidity through a standardized framework.
Aave founder and CEO Stani Kulechov highlighted the audit on social media. He said the vault interface is particularly important for integrations seeking access to Aave V4.
Security Program Spans Nearly One Year
The newly published report forms part of a wider V4 security initiative that lasted 345 days. According to Aave, the review process included multiple audit rounds, formal verification efforts, and public security testing. The program focused on validating the protocol's new Hub and Spoke architecture.
Certora led continuous formal verification throughout development. Meanwhile, ChainSecurity, Trail of Bits, and Blackthorn conducted manual security assessments across several review stages. Notably, Blackthorn's final audit cleared the submitted codebase without reporting any findings.
Multiple Reviews Examined Final Code
Beyond private audits, Aave also opened the protocol to public testing. The project hosted a six-week bug bounty through Sherlock. More than 900 participants joined the contest and reviewed the code.
According to Aave, the program produced no critical or high-severity findings. The broader audit process also reported zero high-severity vulnerabilities after code finalization. However, auditors identified several minor and low-level issues during reviews.
Teams addressed those findings before publishing final reports. The latest ChainSecurity assessment adds another layer to that process. It specifically examines the ERC-4626 vault interface that connects Liquidity Hub deposits with fungible tokenized strategies inside the Aave V4 ecosystem.
The post Aave Publishes New V4 Audit as Security Review Expands appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

Senate negotiations continue over stablecoin yield, DeFi provisions, and bipartisan compromises within the CLARITY Act.
Lawmakers and administration officials are addressing concerns around the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act.
Crypto advocacy groups have increased lobbying efforts as Congress faces a shrinking timeline before the August recess.
U.S. Senators, industry groups, and administration officials are working to resolve remaining CLARITY Act disputes before Congress leaves for the July 4 recess. According to journalist Eleanor Terrett, discussions now center on stablecoin yield provisions, DeFi rules, and bipartisan negotiations on the bill aimed at securing a Senate floor vote when lawmakers return.
Stablecoin Yield Debate Remains Active
While lawmakers continue negotiating broader crypto legislation, stablecoin yield remains under discussion behind the scenes.
According to Terrett, state bankers associations have coordinated outreach efforts with Senate lawmakers on the issue. A banking source familiar with those meetings said stablecoin yield remains "very much in play."
However, attention on Capitol Hill has recently shifted elsewhere. Current discussions focus on securing an ethics agreement, addressing differences between Banking and Agriculture Committee proposals, and refining the bill's treatment of decentralized finance.
Even so, the source noted that senators outside the relevant committees continue learning about the legislation. As a result, stablecoin yield could receive renewed attention when the measure reaches the Senate floor.
Lawmakers Work Through Outstanding Issues
As negotiations continue, a bipartisan group of senators from the Banking and Agriculture Committees met Friday to address unresolved matters.
Later that day, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with law enforcement organizations. The discussions focused on the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, a provision that remains one of the most debated parts of the legislation.
The measure would clarify that certain non-custodial software developers are not responsible for third-party use of their code. An exception would apply when developers knowingly intend to facilitate illicit activity.
However, some law enforcement officials have raised concerns. According to Terrett, several Democratic senators want those issues addressed before offering support.
Industry Groups Increase Pressure
Outside Congress, crypto advocacy groups have increased engagement with lawmakers. On Wednesday, Stand With Crypto organized a Capitol Hill fly-in involving advocates from more than a dozen states.
Participants met with 18 Senate offices and urged lawmakers to advance the Clarity Act. Meanwhile, the Digital Chamber plans a similar lobbying event on Tuesday. CEO Cody Carbone said the effort comes as the legislative calendar shortens.
Rep. Dusty Johnson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Digital Assets Subcommittee, also stressed the timeline. He said lawmakers must finish the process before August, noting that relying on a later session would be difficult.
The post Crypto Lobbying Intensifies as Senate Eyes CLARITY Act Vote appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

Hsiao-Wei Wang a demisionat după opt ani la Fundația Ethereum, lăsând ambele roluri de co-director executiv vacante.
Plecatul ei marchează cel puțin opt ieșiri senior în cinci luni, alimentând discuțiile despre guvernanță și leadership.
Wang a contribuit la etapele majore ale Ethereum, inclusiv Beacon Chain, The Merge, upgrade-urile Shapella și Dencun.
O altă plecare senior a lovit Fundația Ethereum, deoarece co-directorul executiv și membru al consiliului, Hsiao-Wei Wang, a demisionat începând de joi. Plecarea lui Wang urmează după demisia colegului său co-director executiv, Tomasz Stańczak, lăsând ambele poziții de leadership vacante. Demisia marchează de asemenea cel puțin opt ieșiri senior din Fundație în decurs de cinci luni, intensificând atenția asupra schimbărilor de guvernanță și leadership.

Portofelele balenelor și-au redus deținerile cu peste 30 de milioane de token-uri în decurs de cinci zile, reflectând o activitate de distribuție măsurată.
XRP s-a tranzacționat aproape de 1,12 $ în timp ce finanțarea derivatelor a rămas neutră, în ciuda unei scăderi prelungite a prețului pe parcursul mai multor luni.
Deținătorii mari încă controlează solduri substanțiale, în timp ce traderii așteaptă semnale de piață mai puternice în direcția corectă.
Semnalele de pe piața XRP rămân sub observație pe măsură ce activitatea de vânzare crește. Traderii monitorizează comportamentul balenelor și poziționarea derivatelor. Participanții la piață continuă să evalueze condițiile în jurul nivelurilor actuale de preț.

Tokenized stock markets could connect local exchanges with broader global liquidity networks and investor participation.
National stablecoins may expand currency utility through blockchain-based payments and cross-border transactions worldwide.
Regulatory frameworks remain central to implementing tokenized equities and sovereign digital currency strategies safely.
Crypto Adoption Roadmap gained attention after recent discussions with Asian regulators. The proposal focuses on tokenized stock markets and national stablecoins. It presents a framework for broader blockchain integration within national financial systems.
Tokenized Markets Take Center Stage
BSCN shared comments from Binance founder Changpeng Zhao on adoption. His remarks followed meetings with regulators and government officials. The discussion centered on financial infrastructure rather than retail trading.
https://twitter.com/BSCNews/status/2067487976469237845?s=20
CZ proposed tokenizing national stock markets for broader accessibility. Tokenized equities could represent traditional shares on blockchain networks. This structure may support faster settlement and ownership transfers.
The proposal seeks to connect local markets with global investors. Smaller exchanges could potentially reach wider capital pools. Access barriers may also decline through fractional ownership models.
Market participants continue exploring tokenization across several asset classes. Financial institutions have tested tokenized bonds and securities. CZ extended that discussion toward entire national exchanges.
Stablecoins Enter National Policy Discussions
Another major component involves government-backed digital currencies. CZ suggested countries issue national stablecoins on blockchain networks. The goal is expanding currency utility across digital ecosystems.
Stablecoins strive to remain at a fixed value for an extended period of time. The majority of them are tied to traditional paper currency. Their structure supports predictable transactions and settlement activities.
National stablecoins could strengthen international payment efficiency. Cross-border transfers may become faster and less costly. Such systems could also increase currency accessibility abroad.
Countries with limited global currency reach may benefit. Blockchain networks provide continuous access across jurisdictions. That access may support broader participation in digital commerce.
Governments Explore Blockchain-Based Financial Infrastructure
The proposal is aligned with new priorities in the cryptocurrency industry. Recent discussions increasingly focus on institutional and government adoption. Infrastructure development now attracts greater attention than speculation.
Tokenized equities require updated regulatory and legal frameworks. Policymakers would need standards covering custody and compliance. Investor protection rules would remain an important consideration.
Governments may also evaluate capital flow management carefully. Global accessibility creates opportunities alongside regulatory challenges. Financial stability concerns remain part of policy discussions.
The BSCN report presented a vision centered on modernization. Tokenization and stablecoins form the foundation of that strategy. The Crypto Adoption Roadmap positions blockchain within national economic planning.
The post Crypto Adoption Roadmap Centers on Tokenized Markets appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

Stockholm, Sweden, June 19th, 2026, Chainwire
PremiumBlock brings leveraged prediction markets, liquid 24/7 FX perpetuals and Web3 poker together in one wallet-native platform via premiumblock.org
PremiumBlock today announced the launch of its non-custodial risk hub for decentralized prediction markets, perpetual futures and Web3 poker, giving crypto users one wallet-native destination to create markets, trade outcomes, access perps and participate in on-chain poker without relying on a centralized custodian.
PremiumBlock is built around a simple idea: the next generation of crypto speculation will not be limited to order books or one-directional prediction markets. Users want to price real-world events, express conviction with leverage, trade crypto volatility, and control their bankroll from the same wallet. PremiumBlock brings those use cases together in a single interface designed for speed, maximal liquidity and instant withdrawals.
The platform’s prediction market layer allows users to create and participate in markets around crypto, sports, politics, culture, macro events and world news. Unlike platforms where market creation is tightly curated, PremiumBlock is designed for user-created markets, giving communities the ability to surface the questions they believe deserve liquidity.
PremiumBlock also supports leveraged prediction-market positions, with up to 2.5x leverage available on selected markets. The feature gives experienced users a way to express stronger conviction on event outcomes while operating inside a defined collateral framework. As with any leveraged product, participants should understand volatility, liquidation risk, and market-resolution rules before entering a position.
Alongside prediction markets, PremiumBlock offers crypto perpetual futures for traders who want long or short exposure without traditional expiry dates. The perps layer brings a familiar derivatives format into the same wallet-native environment as the platform’s event markets, reducing the need for users to move capital between separate prediction-market, exchange and gaming applications.
PremiumBlock’s Web3 poker product adds a third pillar to the platform’s risk ecosystem. Built for crypto-native users who value bankroll control, the poker experience is designed around fast deposits, instant withdrawals and non-custodial fund management. The goal is to offer a transparent alternative to legacy poker rooms where withdrawal delays, account controls and operator custody can create unnecessary friction.
“PremiumBlock was built for users who want direct market access without waiting on approvals, custodians or withdrawal queues,” said Baqir Hussain at PremiumBlock. “Prediction markets, perps and poker all revolve around information, timing and risk. Bringing them together in one non-custodial environment gives users a more flexible way to participate in the markets they understand.”
PremiumBlock enters the market as prediction platforms continue to move further into mainstream crypto conversation. Polymarket helped popularize event markets for crypto-native users, while Kalshi brought regulated event contracts into broader public discussion. PremiumBlock expands the category with a model focused on user-created leveraged markets, perpetual futures and wallet-based bankroll control.
The platform is available now for users seeking a crypto-native environment where event markets, leverage, perps and poker can exist side by side. PremiumBlock does not provide investment advice. Users are responsible for understanding applicable laws, smart contract risk, market volatility and the rules of any market or game before participating.
About PremiumBlock
PremiumBlock is a non-custodial risk hub for decentralized prediction markets, perpetual futures and Web3 poker. The platform combines user-created event markets, up to 2.5x leverage, crypto perps and instant withdrawals in a wallet-native experience designed for crypto users who want direct control over funds.
ContactFarhat
Chadi
PremiumBlock
team@premiumblock.org
Disclaimer: Any information written in this press release does not constitute investment advice. Crypto Front News does not, and will not endorse any information about any company or individual on this page. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and base any actions on their own findings, not on any content written in this press release. Crypto Front News is and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the use of any content, product, or service mentioned in this press release. For more details, visit our disclaimer page.
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Bitcoin is trading below $65K support, allowing bears to maintain their dominance over the $60K demand area.
Market liquidations soared past $436 million in just 24 hours as the market volatility ramped up across Bitcoin and leading altcoins.
Trading volume increased over 25%, and resistance at $65K is a key recovery level.
Bitcoin Market Outlook is staying prudent after the cryptocurrency fell short of support at around $65,000. Traders still keep an eye on lower demand levels and volatility and liquidations determine near-term market moves across the broader digital asset market.
Bitcoin Breakdown Shifts Focus Toward Lower Support
A recent post from Crypto Candy described the bearish Bitcoin setup. The analyst highlighted that Bitcoin failed to maintain above the $65,000 mark. That development strengthened expectations for additional downside pressure.
Source: X
The chart showed Bitcoin closing below a key support area. Technical traders often assign greater weight to daily closes. Therefore, market sentiment weakened following the confirmed breakdown.
For months, the zone acted as an important buyer defense area. Previous pullbacks repeatedly attracted demand near that level. However, recent selling pressure eventually overwhelmed market support.
The chart also reflected a broader corrective market structure. Bitcoin formed lower highs after reaching springtime peaks. Lower lows then emerged as momentum gradually weakened.
Resistance Emerges as Traders Watch the $60K Zone
Crypto Candy's analysis suggested a possible relief bounce ahead. However, the projected recovery remains technically unconfirmed. Former support frequently becomes resistance after a breakdown.
The next major downside target sits near the $60,021 area. That level represents a notable demand zone on the chart. Buyers may attempt another defense if prices revisit it.
Failure to hold that support could trigger further weakness. The chart identifies another important zone near $54,837. Traders often monitor such levels for renewed demand.
Meanwhile, bulls face a straightforward technical challenge. Bitcoin must reclaim the lost support region convincingly. Until then, the bearish structure remains intact.
Liquidations Reflect Elevated Volatility Across Markets
Bitcoin as of the time of writing, was trading at $63,983. The asset declined approximately 1.05% over 24 hours. Earlier gains faded after a rejection near resistance.
Buyers were initially favored in the early trading as the intraday move started. Price moved around the $64,700 level towards the $66,000 zone. Sellers later reversed most of those gains.
Trading activity remained active throughout the session. Daily volume reached approximately $31.43 billion. That represented an increase exceeding 25% from prior levels.
Liquidation data pointed to heavy leverage across markets. The total liquidations hit approximately $436 million in 24 hours. There were instances of more than 110,000 traders having their positions closed.
The Bitcoin heatmap shows around $1.15 million in liquidations. Several alternative cryptocurrencies also posted notable liquidation totals. Activity extended across multiple market sectors.
Aggregate liquidation figures favored losses among leveraged longs. Long liquidations totaled approximately $306.88 million. Short liquidations reached roughly $129.20 million during the period.
Short-term liquidation activity accelerated throughout the trading day. Twelve-hour liquidations climbed above $110 million. The largest liquidation occurred on Hyperliquid's BTC-USD market.
Market participants continue watching several technical levels closely. Resistance remains concentrated near the previous support zone. Support areas below remain central to near-term trading expectations.
The post Bitcoin Market Outlook Weakens After Key Support Loss appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

Bitcoin Income ETF begins trading with exposure linked to BlackRock’s IBIT fund structure.
IBIT manages over $100 billion in assets and holds more than 700,000 BTC.
The new product signals broader institutional development around Bitcoin-based investment products.
Bitcoin Income ETF enters the market as BlackRock broadens its Bitcoin offerings. The new fund links income generation to IBIT exposure, marking another step in institutional crypto adoption.
BlackRock Expands Its Bitcoin Product Line
BlackRock is preparing to launch the Bitcoin Income ETF. The product is scheduled to begin trading tomorrow. It is tied directly to exposure from the firm's IBIT fund.
A post shared by CryptosRus outlined the launch details. The update focused on the fund’s income-oriented structure. It also pointed to BlackRock’s growing Bitcoin presence.
https://twitter.com/CryptosR_Us/status/2066724968688169276?s=20
The product arrives after strong demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs. Institutional participation has increased since regulatory approvals. Asset managers have continued introducing new crypto-related offerings.
This latest launch broadens BlackRock’s Bitcoin investment range. Investors now have access to another strategy. The offering moves beyond simple spot exposure.
IBIT Continues to Attract Institutional Capital
According to information shared in the post, IBIT exceeds $100 billion. The fund has become one of the largest Bitcoin investment vehicles. Its growth has drawn attention across financial markets.
The same update noted holdings exceeding 700,000 BTC. Those holdings represent a substantial share of circulating supply. Large allocations have supported ongoing institutional engagement.
IBIT has served as a gateway for traditional investors. Many institutions prefer regulated investment products. Exchange-traded funds provide that access structure.
As assets have increased, product development has accelerated. Asset managers often expand successful investment franchises. Bitcoin-related products are now following that pattern.
Bitcoin Ecosystem Moves Beyond Spot Exposure
The CryptosRus post described a broader market trend. Wall Street is no longer focused only on buying Bitcoin. Firms are creating additional investment products around it.
The Bitcoin Income ETF reflects that development. The fund seeks to offer income-related exposure. It does so through a structure connected to IBIT.
Traditional financial markets often build multiple products around demand. Equities and commodities provide similar examples. Bitcoin appears to be entering a comparable phase.
The launch represents another milestone for institutional participation. Asset managers continue adding new investment vehicles. Bitcoin-related financial infrastructure is steadily expanding around investor demand.
The post Bitcoin Income ETF Expands Wall Street Crypto Reach appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

CZ praised Hyperliquid’s non-KYC decentralized model, calling it innovative but incompatible with centralized exchange regulation.
Star Xu questioned whether Aster mirrors Hyperliquid while maintaining ties to Binance-related entities and former staff.
The dispute highlights ongoing rivalry over DEX structures, compliance tradeoffs, and regulatory boundaries in crypto markets.
A public dispute has emerged between Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and OKX founder Star Xu over decentralized exchanges and regulatory risks. Xu questioned Zhao’s support for Aster after CZ praised Hyperliquid during an interview. The debate focused on whether Aster follows a similar model while operating through separate structures.
CZ Praises Hyperliquid
During an interview with Galaxy Digital Head of Research Alex Thorn, CZ described Hyperliquid as an impressive decentralized exchange innovation. He said Binance could not compete with Hyperliquid because the platform operates without KYC requirements.
CZ explained that KYC rules help centralized exchanges meet anti-money laundering requirements. He added that he would not operate in the same way, based on his previous regulatory experience.
The comments referenced Binance’s 2023 settlement, which involved a $4 billion fine and concerns over weak anti-money laundering controls. CZ said Hyperliquid likely has strong legal advisers because of its operating model.
However, OKX founder Star Xu challenged CZ’s statements through a post on X. Xu asked whether CZ was giving conflicting messages about decentralized exchange structures.
Star Xu Raises Questions About Aster’s Links
Xu claimed Aster appears to copy Hyperliquid’s model while sharing connections with the Binance ecosystem. He pointed to reported links involving resources, team members, and CZ’s public promotion of Aster.
Xu questioned whether creating a separate entity could allow a similar business approach while addressing regulatory concerns. However, the claim that Aster is only a shell has not been independently confirmed.
Public information shows some connections between Aster and Binance-related entities. CZ previously confirmed that former Binance employees work at Aster. YZi Labs, formerly Binance Labs, holds a minority stake and lists Aster as an investment.
Aster has developed as a competitor in perpetual trading. The platform combines non-custodial trading with BNB Chain distribution and token incentives. Its total value locked previously exceeded $2 billion.
Exchange Rivalry Returns Amid DEX Competition
The disagreement adds to a long-running dispute between CZ and Star Xu. The two founders have exchanged accusations linked to events from CZ’s earlier time at OKCoin.
In April, their dispute expanded into claims involving honesty and contract issues. CZ later offered a $1 billion bet related to statements from his prison memoir, “Freedom of Money.” Xu rejected the proposal.
Meanwhile, Hyperliquid has created the Hyperliquid Policy Center to support regulatory discussions. The platform has also started restricting sanctioned entities.
CZ’s comments placed attention on the differences between decentralized exchanges and regulated centralized platforms. Xu’s response focused on whether similar models can operate through different structures.
The post OKX Founder Star Xu Questions CZ’s Aster Support After Hyperliquid Remarks appears on Crypto Front News. Visit our website to read more interesting articles about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets.

Eightco treasury composition as of June 18, 2026: $90M OpenAI equity (indirect), $18M Beast Industries equity, 16,278 ETH, 283 million WLD holdings, and $149M cash and equivalents, totaling approximately $472 million
OpenAI recently announced that it submitted a confidential S-1, setting itself up for an initial public offering
World offers a solution to the 'double human' problem in a world proliferating with deepfakes
Eightco provides indirect exposure to some of the most innovative private companies including OpenAI and Beast Industries
EASTON, Pa., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) ("Eightco" or the "Company") today provided an update on its total holdings, highlighting its growing position across digital assets and strategic investments in leading private technology companies.
As of June 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET, ORBS' holdings include a $90 million investment (indirectly, through SPVs) in OpenAI, an $18 million funded investment in Beast Industries, a $1 million investment in Mythical Games, 283,452,700 Worldcoin (WLD) at $0.66 per WLD (per Coinbase), 16,278 Ethereum (ETH), and approximately $149 million in total cash and stablecoins, for total holdings of approximately $472 million.
Top Headlines Driving the News:
ORBS management believes the Company's treasury portfolio holds some of the most critical components for the future AI and digital financial system. Among the holdings, key highlights in recent weeks are:
Recently, SpaceX announced a $60 billion acquisition of Cursor to strengthen its AI software and coding capabilities through its AI division. Cursor is one of the fastest-growing AI coding platforms and has become a major enterprise AI product. This acquisition continues to reinforce investor appetite for AI infrastructure and productivity software (Reuters).
This week, MrBeast broke another record by reaching 500 million subscribers on Youtube, becoming the first creator to achieve this milestone (TheWrap).
"AI companies going public is a positive development for the entire sector. As investors gain more exposure to AI leaders, interest often expands across the ecosystem, creating greater visibility and opportunity for companies like ORBS," said Thomas "Tom" Lee, Board Member of Eightco.
Eightco: Exposure to key mega-trends
Eightco is built around three mega-trends the Company expects to shape the next decade of innovation: artificial intelligence, digital identity, and the creator economy, with positions in each trend through indirect investment in OpenAI (19% of ORBS' treasury holdings), Worldcoin (39%), and Beast Industries (4%).
Artificial Intelligence — OpenAI
Eightco has invested approximately $90 million in special purpose vehicles with exposure to equity interests in the parent company of OpenAI, representing approximately 19% of treasury assets, one of the highest disclosed concentrations of any listed vehicle.
ChatGPT, OpenAI's consumer app, is the #1 consumer AI app worldwide (Sensor Tower) and crossed 900 million weekly active users in February 2026, making it the fastest-scaling consumer technology in history (UBS via Reuters).
Digital Identity — WLD Token
Eightco holds over 283 million WLD, approximately 8.3% of circulating supply, the largest publicly disclosed institutional position globally and approximately 39% of the Eightco treasury's assets.
Worldcoin is the native token of World, a global Proof of Human network built by Tools for Humanity (co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania) and stewarded by the World Foundation. Its Orb devices issue a privacy-preserving World ID that verifies a user is a unique human, not an AI agent.
Under World's announced business model, applications pay per-verification fees while end-user verification remains free, with both credential issuers and the World protocol monetizing verified-human authentication. World identifies a $6.35 trillion combined addressable revenue opportunity across 13 industries spanning banking, e-commerce, gaming, social media, and agentic AI (per Tools for Humanity).
Creator Economy — Beast Industries
Eightco has invested $18 million in Beast Industries equity, approximately 4% of treasury assets.
Beast Industries operates one of the largest direct-to-consumer reach footprints in the world, with a combined 500 million-plus follower base across platforms, anchored by MrBeast as the most-watched person on YouTube globally. As AI commoditizes content production, distribution and audience trust become increasingly scarce assets.
About Eightco Holdings Inc.
Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) is a publicly traded company executing a first-of-its-kind Worldcoin (WLD) treasury strategy, providing investors single-ticker indirect exposure to three of the defining trends of this cycle: artificial intelligence through its indirect investment in OpenAI, digital identity through its position as the largest public holder of WLD and the Proof of Human protocol, and the creator economy through its equity stake in MrBeast's Beast Industries. Backed by leading institutional investors including Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE: BMNR), MOZAYYX, World Foundation, CoinFund, Discovery Capital Management, FalconX, Payward/Kraken, Pantera, and GSR, Eightco is building the infrastructure layer for human verification in the agentic AI era.
For more information:
X: @iamhuman_orbs
Website: 8co.holdings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ORBS stock?
Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) is a publicly traded company on Nasdaq. ORBS provides indirect exposure to: OpenAI and Beast Industries.
Who owns the most Worldcoin (WLD)?
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) holds 283 million WLD, approximately 8.3% of circulating supply and the largest publicly disclosed institutional position globally.
What is Proof of Human?
Proof of Human is cryptographic verification that a user is a unique, living person, not a bot or AI agent. It is foundational infrastructure for social networks, banking, agentic commerce, and any system requiring "one person, one account" in the agentic AI era.
How does Eightco (ORBS) relate to Proof of Human?
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) is the largest publicly disclosed institutional holder of Worldcoin (WLD), the token powering World's Proof of Human network.
Who is the CEO of Eightco Holdings?
Kevin O'Donnell is the CEO of Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS). The Company's Board includes Tom Lee (Managing Partner and Head of Research at Fundstrat, and Chairman of Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NYSE: BMNR)) and, as an advisor to the Board, Brett Winton (Chief Futurist at ARK Invest).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact could be deemed forward-looking, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the Company's expectations that artificial intelligence, digital identity, and the creator economy will shape the next decade of innovation; the Company's belief that its treasury portfolio holds some of the most critical components for the future AI and digital financial system; statements regarding the potential for a direct listing or initial public offering of OpenAI following its submission of a confidential S-1; Tom Lee's statement that AI companies going public is a positive development for the entire sector and that as investors gain more exposure to AI leaders, interest often expands across the ecosystem, creating greater visibility and opportunity for companies like ORBS; statements regarding ChatGPT being the fastest-scaling consumer technology in history; beliefs that Proof-of-Human verification is becoming essential infrastructure for social networks, banking, agentic commerce, and financial systems in the agentic AI era; statements that World offers a solution to the "double human" problem in a world proliferating with deepfakes; statements regarding World's addressable revenue opportunity of $6.35 trillion across industries spanning banking, e-commerce, gaming, social media, and agentic AI; statements regarding the Company's position as the largest publicly disclosed institutional holder of WLD globally; statements that distribution and audience trust become increasingly scarce assets as AI commoditizes content production; and statements regarding the Company building the infrastructure layer for human verification in the agentic AI era. Words such as "plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "continue," "expand," "advance," "develop," "believes," "guidance," "target," "may," "remain," "project," "outlook," "intend," "estimate," "could," "should," and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the Company's inability to direct the management or operations of private businesses where the Company is not a controlling stockholder, including OpenAI and Beast Industries; risk of loss or markdown on the Company's strategic investments, including its indirect position in OpenAI equity (held through special purpose vehicles), its position in WLD, and its position in Beast Industries equity; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing requirements; unexpected costs, charges or expenses that reduce the Company's capital resources or otherwise delay capital deployment; inability to raise adequate capital to fund or scale its business operations or strategic investments; volatility in digital asset prices, including WLD and ETH, which could materially affect the value of the Company's treasury holdings; regulatory changes, future legislation and rulemaking negatively impacting digital assets, artificial intelligence adoption, or biometric data collection; risks related to the development, adoption, and market acceptance of Proof-of-Human technology and the World network; uncertainty regarding the pace and trajectory of agentic AI deployment in enterprise and consumer applications; uncertainty regarding OpenAI's product roadmap and the timing or success of any IPO or direct listing; risks related to Beast Industries' ability to achieve its growth projections; competition in the digital identity and AI infrastructure markets; reliance on third-party sources for the valuation of certain investments; uncertainty regarding MrBeast's continued success and the performance of Beast Industries' creator-driven business model; risks related to the Company's concentrated positions in certain digital assets and private company investments; and shifting public and governmental positions on digital assets or artificial intelligence-related industries. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause Eightco's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements herein, see Eightco's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the risk factors and other disclosures in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2026 and other publicly available SEC filings. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Eightco undertakes no duty to update this information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.
Disclaimer: Any information written in this press release does not constitute investment advice. Crypto Front News does not, and will not endorse any information about any company or individual on this page. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and base any actions on their own findings, not on any content written in this press release. Crypto Front News is and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the use of any content, product, or service mentioned in this press release. For more details, visit our disclaimer page.
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New York, United States, June 18th, 2026, Chainwire
Stratosphere, Pudgy Penguins and Streamex hosted a private Founders Table VIP Dinner in New York City during ETHConf 2026 and NYC Tech Week, bringing together leaders across digital assets, tech, AI, traditional finance and institutional capital.
The invite-only dinner took place on June 9th and gathered a curated room of founders, operators, funds, C-level executives and institutional leaders for an intimate evening of dinner and conversation.
Guests in attendance included leaders from Citi, BitMine, BitGo, Mirae Asset Securities USA, Experian, Pyth Network, Space and Time, MegaETH, B3, Stable, Antler, Delphi Digital, Fun, Linera, Vanta Trading, Streamex, PolyData, Horizen Labs, World Foundation, Zipcode, OpenLedger, Onyx, Definitive, Notalone Ventures and more.
The Founders Table format is intentionally simple: a selected guest list, a private room and no stage agenda. The goal is to bring the right people together in a setting where conversations can happen naturally.
The dinner was hosted by Stratosphere with Pudgy Penguins and Streamex. Stratosphere brought its network across founders, operators, investors and institutional teams. Pudgy Penguins added one of the strongest consumer brands and communities in digital assets. Streamex brought the institutional and real-world asset side of the conversation, with its focus on tokenized gold and commodity markets.
The Stratosphere team and its CEO, Hassan Shaikh, have continued to build Founders Table into a private dinner series around major industry conferences. After previous editions during Digital Asset Summit and Consensus, the New York dinner continued the same idea: high-quality rooms, selected attendance and conversations that are hard to recreate on a conference floor.For Stratosphere, the dinner reinforces the company’s position as an ecosystem partner for leading brands across tech, finance and digital assets. Established projects work with Stratosphere to deepen cultural relevance, strengthen market narratives and connect with founders, investors, institutions and operators across the industry.
"I’m optimistic about the next phase of digital assets, especially around the tokenization of commodities," said Hassan Shaikh, CEO of Stratosphere. "These dinners give us a way to bring funds, institutions, and founders into the same room to talk about where the market is heading."
The Founders Table series is expected to continue around major global conferences throughout the year, with future editions focused on bringing together founders, capital, institutions and leading brands in private, relationship-driven rooms.
For those interested in attending or getting involved in future Founders Table editions, reach out to the Stratosphere team.
About Stratosphere
Stratosphere is an ecosystem partner and growth consultancy for industry leaders in tech and finance, building the narratives, ecosystem partnerships, and distribution flywheels that create sustainable, repeatable growth.
Website: www.stratosphere.vip
X: @StratosphereVIP
ContactYaroslav Provada
max@movimentum.io
Disclaimer: Any information written in this press release does not constitute investment advice. Crypto Front News does not, and will not endorse any information about any company or individual on this page. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and base any actions on their own findings, not on any content written in this press release. Crypto Front News is and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the use of any content, product, or service mentioned in this press release. For more details, visit our disclaimer page.
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Grayscale estimates Aave could generate about $60 million in revenue in 2026, supporting a fair value of $80–$100.
The firm sees potential for AAVE to reach $175 if regulatory clarity boosts tokenized asset adoption in DeFi.
Grayscale views AAVE as a cash-flow-based crypto asset, valuing it through revenue and earnings analysis.
Grayscale Research said the lending protocol Aave may trade below its estimated value. In a recent report, Grayscale projected Aave’s 2026 revenue at about $60 million and placed AAVE’s current fair value between $80 and $100. The firm also said AAVE could reach roughly $175 within a year if clearer regulations accelerate tokenized assets into decentralized finance lending markets.
Grayscale Revisits AAVE Valuation
According to Grayscale Research, valuing crypto assets remains difficult, especially during a market downturn. However, the firm said some digital assets resemble financial claims and can be assessed using cash flow analysis.
Against that backdrop, Grayscale focused on Aave, one of the largest blockchain-based lending platforms. The report described Aave as an established protocol with transparent financial information despite recent operational challenges.
Grayscale noted that Aave experienced a difficult period that included the departure of key contributors and deposit outflows. Even so, the firm evaluated the protocol using traditional valuation methods commonly applied to financial companies.
Revenue Estimates Support Higher Valuation
Based on its analysis, Grayscale estimated Aave could generate approximately $60 million in revenue during 2026. Using a fintech earnings multiple of 20x to 25x, the firm calculated a current fair value range between $80 and $100 for AAVE.
The report also outlined a more bullish scenario. According to Grayscale, AAVE’s fair value could rise to about $175 within the next year.
That estimate depends on stronger regulatory clarity around digital assets. Specifically, the firm pointed to the possibility of more tokenized assets entering decentralized lending markets through platforms such as Aave.
AAVE Grouped With Cash-Flow-Based Assets
Grayscale also categorized AAVE alongside UNI and SKY as crypto assets supported by cash flow characteristics.
Notably, the report distinguished those tokens from commodity-like digital assets such as Bitcoin. The firm said assets tied to protocol revenue may offer additional valuation frameworks beyond supply-and-demand dynamics.
As a result, Grayscale’s analysis centered on revenue generation and financial performance rather than treating AAVE as a commodity-style crypto asset.
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CME CEO Terrence Duffy argues crypto perpetual futures should be regulated as swaps rather than futures contracts.
The dispute follows CFTC approvals that enabled platforms like Kalshi and Coinbase to offer regulated crypto perps.
The lawsuit could shape how U.S. regulators classify and oversee crypto derivatives markets in the future.
CME Group CEO Terrence Duffy announced plans to sue the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over its approval of crypto perpetual futures. Duffy revealed the decision on CNBC, arguing the products should fall under swap regulations. The challenge follows the CFTC’s approval of perpetual futures offerings tied to platforms including Kalshi and Coinbase.
Duffy Challenges Perpetual Futures Classification
At the center of the dispute is the legal status of perpetual futures, often called perps. These contracts allow traders to speculate on prices without owning assets and carry no expiration date.
According to Duffy, perpetual futures meet the definition of swaps under the Dodd-Frank Act. He argued that when two parties exchange payments, the arrangement qualifies as a swap rather than a futures contract.
Duffy also stated that CME holds exclusive licensing agreements with benchmark providers. As a result, he said products tied to those benchmarks should pass through CME regardless of structure.
Notably, Duffy said CME and its board have worked on the legal challenge for eight months. He rejected claims that the lawsuit emerged from recent competitive developments.
CFTC Defends Approval Process
The conflict follows the CFTC’s approval of Kalshi’s BTCPERP contract in late May. The decision allowed the platform to launch a regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures product in the United States.
Soon after, Kalshi expanded its perpetual offerings to additional cryptocurrencies. Coinbase also gained a regulated path for certain crypto perpetual products available to U.S. traders.
However, Duffy criticized the regulator’s approach and argued that the approval relied on legal precedents established before Dodd-Frank. He said the current regulatory framework requires a different interpretation.
Meanwhile, CFTC Chair Michael Selig defended the agency’s position earlier this week. Speaking on CNBC, Selig said regulated perpetual futures should be available in U.S. markets while remaining under domestic oversight.
Legal Fight Expands Across Crypto Markets
The lawsuit adds another layer to growing competition within crypto derivatives markets. CME previously described crypto perpetual futures as carrying risks tied to leverage, funding costs, and automatic liquidations.
Reuters reported that a CFTC spokesperson called the planned lawsuit frivolous and said the agency looks forward to addressing the claims.
For now, the legal battle places CME and the CFTC on opposing sides of a debate over whether crypto perpetual futures belong under futures regulations or swap rules. The case will focus on how U.S. law classifies the fast growing derivatives product.
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Star Xu a argumentat că o reglementare mai amplă a Binance ar putea reduce arbitrajul reglementar în întreaga industrie crypto.
El a spus că exchange-urile ar putea concura din ce în ce mai mult pe produse, guvernanță, conformitate și încrederea utilizatorilor, mai degrabă decât pe reglementare.
Discuția vine în contextul în care Binance continuă să caute o licență MiCA în mijlocul unei supravegheri reglementare crescute în Europa.
A apărut o nouă discuție după un raport Reuters care sugerează că Comisia de Piață de Capital din Grecia ar putea respinge cererea de licență MiCA de la Binance. Răspunzând la raport, fondatorul și CEO-ul OKX, Star Xu, a spus că o supraveghere mai strictă a Binance ar putea reduce arbitrajul reglementar și ar putea schimba competiția din industrie către produse, guvernanță, conformitate și încrederea utilizatorilor, mai degrabă decât avantajele reglementărilor.

LayerZero has processed $260B across 830+ OFTs, supporting assets from memecoins to tokenized treasuries and stablecoins.
Projects like USDT0, USDe, and Ondo use LayerZero to expand stablecoins and tokenized assets across multiple blockchain networks.
Institutions including PayPal, Fidelity, and Deutsche Telekom use DVNs for compliance, verification, and cross-chain asset control.
LayerZero has processed more than $260 billion across over 830 Omnichain Fungible Tokens (OFTs) on 170-plus chains, according to the protocol. The network supports assets ranging from memecoins to tokenized financial products and state-issued stable tokens. It allows builders to set their own security, verification, and compliance requirements for cross-chain transfers.
Crypto Teams Use LayerZero For Market Expansion
Crypto-native projects use LayerZero mainly to bring assets into new markets. More than $40 billion in crypto-native assets, including L1 tokens, wrapped Bitcoin, and memecoins such as PENGU, CAT, and WIF, operate as OFTs.
Notably, teams use the protocol to reach trading venues, lending platforms, and new blockchain ecosystems. PENGU expanded from Solana to Abstract and later to Hyperliquid for spot and leveraged trading. Additionally, assets such as SEI, TRON, and APT used LayerZero when Pump.fun launched on Solana.
However, different projects select different verification settings. Teams can adjust Decentralized Verifier Networks (DVNs) and security thresholds based on their requirements. When Plasma launched its stablecoin chain, more than $15 billion moved through LayerZero into the network.
Token Issuers Add Security Rules Across Chains
Tokenized asset issuers use LayerZero to distribute stablecoins, tokenized treasuries, yield products, and equities across multiple networks. The protocol allows issuers to control security settings, including transaction approvals, supported chains, and contract ownership.
Tether’s USDT0 and XAUT0 expanded across more than 24 chains using LayerZero. Ethena also launched five assets across over 30 chains, including USDe, sUSDe, ENA, and USDtb, a tokenized fund created with BlackRock.
Meanwhile, Ondo connected its $500 million tokenized T-bill product across six chains. It also launched 150 tokenized equities across four chains, including Hyperliquid. Dinari and Theo use the same infrastructure for tokenized equities and gold.
Institutions Use LayerZero For Compliance Controls
Financial institutions use LayerZero to carry compliance rules across blockchain networks. A DVN can verify transaction data, provide attestations, and enforce requirements such as sanctions screening and jurisdiction checks.
PayPal adopted the OFT Standard for PYUSD in November 2024, with Paxos, Google Cloud, and LayerZero Labs involved as required signers. Fidelity’s Center for Applied Technology launched a DVN in February 2026 for Ondo’s USDY product.
Additionally, Worldpay and Global Payments launched a Payments DVN in March 2026. Deutsche Telekom operates an on-prem DVN focused on data sovereignty and GDPR compliance. Fireblocks later integrated LayerZero into its Tokenization Engine, supporting regulated asset issuance across 170-plus chains.
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A joint probe by Ghana, the UK, Europol, and private partners led to the seizure of $15.1 million in crypto assets.
Blockchain analysis traced 119.4 BTC, 93 ETH, and 2.85 million USDT linked to an alleged laundering network.
Authorities are preparing victim restitution after liquidating recovered assets and securing funds in Ghana.
A crypto-linked investment scheme that attracted thousands of users in Ghana has led to the recovery of roughly $15.1 million in assets. According to Chainalysis, Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), Europol, and private-sector partners traced and seized funds tied to a Chinese-Malaysian organized crime group that allegedly laundered proceeds through cryptocurrency.
Investigation Began With Exchange Alert
The case started when OKX compliance teams detected suspicious activity connected to an apparent investment scheme. According to OKX, the exchange reported the activity directly to Europol.
https://twitter.com/okx/status/2067057412431835548?s=20
From there, Europol passed the information to the UK NCA. Investigators then traced operational links, including mule accounts and a physical office, back to Ghana.
As the investigation advanced, the NCA’s International Liaison Officer in Accra shared intelligence with EOCO. That cooperation launched a multi-agency operation involving financial analysis and blockchain tracking.
Meanwhile, EOCO moved quickly to prevent funds from leaving identified accounts. According to EOCO Executive Director Raymond Archer, Ghana’s administrative freeze powers played a key role during the early stages of the case.
Blockchain Analysis Mapped The Network
After freezing accounts, investigators turned to blockchain analysis to identify the full scope of the operation. According to Chainalysis, EOCO and the NCA used Chainalysis Reactor to connect multiple wallets and transactions linked to the scheme.
The analysis revealed what appeared to be separate accounts were part of one coordinated network. Investigators identified proceeds totaling 119.4 BTC, 93 ETH, and 2.85 million USDT.
Notably, the assets had moved through nearly 20 cryptocurrencies and tokens. Investigators also found that a significant portion had previously been held in DOGE before consolidation.
According to Matthew Perfect of the UK National Economic Crime Centre, analysts in Ghana and the UK reviewed the same blockchain data simultaneously, accelerating the investigation.
Assets Prepared For Victim Restitution
Following the seizure, authorities worked with ComplyCrypto and custodian Zodia Custody to liquidate the recovered assets. The proceeds, totaling approximately $15.1 million, were transferred into a dedicated exhibit account in Ghana.
EOCO is now screening victims and preparing a restitution process. According to Chainalysis, some victims are British citizens, meaning part of the recovered funds will ultimately return to the United Kingdom.
The case was recently highlighted during the UNODC Global Fraud Summit by James Lee of Chainalysis, Raymond Archer of EOCO, and Matthew Perfect of the UK NECC.
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Binance said its MiCA application has progressed through regulatory review and awaits further developments in Europe.
The exchange emphasized compliance efforts, including a global team of over 1,500 compliance professionals.
Binance plans to provide another update before June 30 as the EU moves toward full MiCA implementation.
Binance said it remains committed to securing a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Europe and plans to provide another update before June 30, 2026. The exchange disclosed its position as regulatory reviews continue, while emphasizing ongoing engagement with European authorities and its goal of operating under a unified EU framework. The update comes after months of discussions surrounding its MiCA application process.
https://twitter.com/binance/status/2066936341342933215?s=20
Binance Details Regulatory Progress
According to Binance, the company submitted a MiCA application and worked with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission over several months. The exchange said it understands that the Greek regulator completed its review and considered the application compliant with MiCA requirements.
The company also stated that the application underwent review at the European Securities and Markets Authority level. However, Binance did not provide details regarding the current status of that process.
As attention turns to the next stage, Binance said it will continue engaging with regulators across the region. The company added that it remains ready to operate under what it described as a fair and harmonized European framework.
Compliance Efforts Remain Central
While discussing its regulatory path, Binance highlighted changes made across its compliance operations. The company said it now employs more than 1,500 compliance professionals worldwide.
In addition, Binance noted that it secured a comprehensive set of licenses under the Abu Dhabi Global Market framework. The exchange also stated that its compliance systems helped prevent nearly $7 billion in potential fraud losses.
According to Binance, those investments included technology upgrades, stronger internal controls, and dedicated compliance teams. The company said those efforts support its broader regulatory objectives.
Users Remain The Focus
As the licensing process continues, Binance said minimizing disruption for users remains its primary objective. The company stated that it will provide additional details as more information becomes available, including possible next steps and available options.
Meanwhile, Binance reiterated that Europe remains central to its long-term plans. The exchange said it supports clear and consistent regulations and views MiCA as an important framework for the European Union's digital asset market.
The company added that it intends to support an orderly process while continuing operations in compliance with applicable laws across the region. It said another update will be provided before June 30, 2026.
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