Iran drone attack ripples through crypto markets, Bitcoin plunges 8%

After Iran’s April 13 drone attack on Israel, the crypto market reacted; Bitcoin (BTC) dropped more than 8% from its value to trade at $61,514. The latest correction marked the continuation of a trend that started on April 12 and worsened the next day. Analysts estimate the crypto market liquidated more than $860 million in assets over two days;...

Ethereum startup Aligned Layer clinches $2.6m in venture capital

Aligned Layer, a startup touted as a “universal verification layer for Ethereum,” confirmed Sunday, April 14, that it raised $2.6 million in seed funding. Lemniscap, a seven-year-old firm that has backed multiple companies in the crypto blockchain space, led the effort. The firm previously led the $2.4-million funding round for web3 startup Safary in January. Bankless Ventures...

Biden, Trump meme coins are on wildly different trajectories

A meme coin parodying President Joe Biden is up almost 271% over the last 30 days. Meanwhile, digital assets tied to former President Donald Trump — scheduled to appear in criminal court Monday, April 15 — are plummeting in value. Sales volumes for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Ethereum hit $536 million in the last 30 days, according to...

Hong Kong approves spot Bitcoin, Ethereum ETFs by Bosera and HashKey

HashKey and Bosera International have received conditional approval from the Hong Kong regulator for two spot crypto ETFs, marking a pivotal moment for Asian investors. HashKey Capital and Bosera International have secured conditional approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to offer spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the region. In...

New phishing Exodus campaign targets Chinese crypto investors

Cybersecurity analysts have uncovered a new phishing campaign targeting crypto users by deploying FatalRAT alongside Clipper and Keylogger malware. Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs have uncovered a novel phishing campaign targeting Chinese crypto investors and organizations, with an emphasis on users of the Exodus crypto wallet. In a blog article, the cybersecurity experts revealed that unidentified threat actors...

KPMG says Germans ramping crypto investments as Bitcoin halving nears

A recent KPMG study shows a renewed enthusiasm among German investors for the cryptocurrency market. The latest uptick in investment comes after a challenging year for the sector and just as the market anticipates the upcoming Bitcoin halving event in mid-April 2024. The report, which surveyed approximately 2,400 private crypto investors across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, sheds light...

German federal bank to offer crypto to institutional and corporate clients

Germany’s largest federal bank is set to launch crypto custody services in collaboration with crypto exchange Bitpanda, targeting institutional and corporate clients. Germany’s biggest state-backed lender with over $350 billion in assets under management, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), will launch crypto custody services for its institutional and corporate clients in the second half of 2024 in a...

Thailand’s K-pop princess Lalisa of Blackpink joins top American outfit RCA Records

BANGKOK: Fans of Thailand’s very own K-pop princess Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban can now expect more international billboard hits from her, as she has just signed up with US record label RCA Records, it was reported by The Nation Thailand this week. “LLOUD is excited to share that Lisa is joining the RCA family. Please visit LaLisaOfficial.com to be the first...

Singapore’s ComfortDelGro investigating case of passenger getting into boot of taxi

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): ComfortDelGro is investigating after a video circulating online showed a passenger getting into the boot of its taxi. In a video posted on Singapore road safety Facebook group SG Road Vigilante on April 12, four young men are seen near a blue ComfortDelGro taxi at a VivoCity pick-up point. Two of them...

Ringgit seen remaining soft and trade around RM4.76 against the US dollar this week

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The ringgit is expected to remain soft and trade around RM4.76 against the American dollar next week ahead of talks by US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials on inflation and the US retail sales data. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said a slew of Fed officials are scheduled for...