News
13 May 2026, 22:00
How will Ethereum’s ‘What You See Is What You Sign’ security model prevent hacks?

The Ethereum Foundation seeks to control the fate of assets on the blockchain.
13 May 2026, 21:07
ZachXBT Links Teen Crypto Flaunter to $19M Theft Network

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has linked US-based alleged threat actor Dritan Kapllani Jr. to more than $19 million in crypto thefts carried out through social engineering attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders. In a series of posts on X, ZachXBT alleged that Dritan frequently showcased luxury cars, designer watches, private jets, and nightlife activities across social media while interacting with other threat actors online. Crypto Laundering Network Exposed According to the investigator, Dritan was recently recorded during a Discord “band 4 band” (B4B) call on April 23, 2026, wherein he displayed an Exodus wallet allegedly holding $3.68 million in cryptocurrency in an attempt to prove he possessed more funds than another individual on the call. ZachXBT identified the Ethereum wallet address shown during the exchange and connected it to a major Bitcoin theft that took place on March 14, 2026. The investigator claimed the address traced back to the theft of 185 BTC, worth around $13 million at the time, from a victim targeted through social engineering tactics. According to the findings, Dritan’s wallet allegedly received approximately $5.3 million from the theft on March 15. ZachXBT stated that by the time the Discord call took place, six weeks later, nearly $1.6 million had already been spent or laundered. The allegations surfaced one day after US authorities unsealed a criminal complaint against Trenton Johnson for his alleged role in the 185 BTC theft. ZachXBT claimed Dritan was identified in the complaint as “Co-Conspirator 1,” although he has not been formally charged. The investigator also noted that meme coin influencer “yelotree” was charged for allegedly helping launder stolen funds through a Miami-based rental car business and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Link to “Lick” Investigation ZachXBT further connected Dritan to an earlier January 2026 investigation involving John Daghita, also known as “Lick,” who was accused of stealing $46 million from the US government. According to the prominent on-chain sleuth, one of Dritan’s previously used wallet addresses was exposed in a deleted Telegram post shared by Daghita. ZachXBT claimed the wallet was tied to at least five additional social engineering thefts in 2025 that stole more than $5.85 million. The investigator said he delayed publicly sharing his findings until charges connected to the 185 BTC theft became public and added that Dritan had avoided prosecution partly because he was a minor until recently turning 18. The post ZachXBT Links Teen Crypto Flaunter to $19M Theft Network appeared first on CryptoPotato .
13 May 2026, 21:00
Upbit to Temporarily Halt ATOM Deposits and Withdrawals for Cosmos Network Upgrade

BitcoinWorld Upbit to Temporarily Halt ATOM Deposits and Withdrawals for Cosmos Network Upgrade South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Upbit has announced a temporary suspension of deposits and withdrawals for Cosmos (ATOM) tokens, effective May 20 at 6:00 a.m. UTC. The pause is intended to support an upcoming network upgrade on the Cosmos blockchain. Details of the Suspension According to Upbit’s official notice, the suspension will begin at 6:00 a.m. UTC on May 20. During this period, users will be unable to deposit or withdraw ATOM tokens from the exchange. Trading of ATOM on Upbit is expected to continue as normal, though users should verify the latest status on the platform. The exchange has not specified an exact end time for the suspension, noting that services will resume once the network upgrade is complete and the blockchain is deemed stable. Upbit advised users to complete any pending ATOM transactions before the cutoff time to avoid delays. Why the Upgrade Matters Cosmos is a decentralized network of independent parallel blockchains, each powered by Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) consensus algorithms. Network upgrades are routine but critical events that introduce protocol improvements, security patches, or new features. Exchanges like Upbit suspend services during these upgrades to prevent transaction failures or asset loss due to blockchain instability. For ATOM holders, the temporary halt means no transfers in or out of Upbit during the maintenance window. However, balances remain secure on the exchange, and trading pairs may still be active. Users planning to move ATOM to other wallets or exchanges should do so before the deadline. Implications for Cosmos Users This suspension is a standard operational procedure for major exchanges during blockchain upgrades. It reflects the need for coordination between exchange infrastructure and the underlying blockchain network. While short-term inconvenience is possible, the upgrade is intended to improve the Cosmos ecosystem’s long-term security and functionality. Upbit is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea by trading volume, and its actions often set a precedent for other regional platforms. Users should monitor Upbit’s official announcements for updates on when services will resume. Conclusion Upbit’s temporary suspension of ATOM deposits and withdrawals on May 20 is a precautionary measure tied to a Cosmos network upgrade. Users are advised to plan their transactions accordingly and check for updates from the exchange. The event underscores the routine but important coordination between centralized exchanges and decentralized blockchain networks. FAQs Q1: When does the ATOM suspension start on Upbit? The suspension begins at 6:00 a.m. UTC on May 20. Deposits and withdrawals for ATOM will be paused at that time. Q2: Will ATOM trading still be available on Upbit during the suspension? Upbit has indicated that trading of ATOM may continue as normal, but users should verify the latest status on the platform as conditions can change. Q3: How long will the suspension last? Upbit has not provided a specific end time. Services will resume once the Cosmos network upgrade is complete and the blockchain is confirmed stable. This post Upbit to Temporarily Halt ATOM Deposits and Withdrawals for Cosmos Network Upgrade first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
13 May 2026, 20:40
Circle Mints 250 Million USDC: A Signal of Growing On-Chain Demand

BitcoinWorld Circle Mints 250 Million USDC: A Signal of Growing On-Chain Demand Blockchain tracking service Whale Alert reported the minting of 250 million USD Coin (USDC) at the USDC Treasury on [Date of event]. The transaction, a standard procedure by the stablecoin issuer Circle, adds a significant amount of liquidity to the Ethereum ecosystem. While large mints often draw attention, they are a routine part of managing the stablecoin’s supply in response to market demand. Understanding the Mint: Supply and Demand Mechanics Circle issues USDC through a process where fiat currency is deposited, and an equivalent amount of tokens are minted on the blockchain. This specific mint of 250 million USDC indicates that institutional or retail demand for the stablecoin has increased. The funds are typically used for trading, decentralized finance (DeFi) activities, or as a safe haven during market volatility. This event is a direct reflection of capital flowing into the digital asset space. Market Implications and Liquidity Analysis An increase in USDC supply is generally considered a bullish signal for the broader cryptocurrency market, as it suggests fresh capital is ready to be deployed. Historically, periods of significant stablecoin minting have preceded upward price movements in Bitcoin and other major assets. However, it is important to note that this mint could also be for specific institutional treasury management purposes rather than speculative trading. The market will be watching closely to see if this liquidity is absorbed by trading volumes or remains idle. What This Means for Traders and Investors For active market participants, this mint provides a clear indicator of available buying power. The 250 million USDC adds to the already substantial liquidity pool, potentially reducing slippage on major trading pairs. Investors should monitor whether this capital flows into spot markets or remains within DeFi protocols, as the destination will offer further clues about market sentiment. Conclusion The minting of 250 million USDC is a standard operational move by Circle, but it carries weight as a metric for market liquidity and demand. While not a guarantee of a price rally, it signals an influx of capital into the crypto economy. As with all market indicators, context is key, and this event should be viewed alongside other on-chain data for a complete picture. FAQs Q1: What does it mean when USDC is minted? It means Circle has created new USDC tokens on the blockchain, backed by an equivalent amount of fiat currency held in reserve. This is done to meet market demand. Q2: Is a large USDC mint always bullish for crypto prices? Not always, but it is often viewed as a positive signal because it represents new capital entering the ecosystem. The actual impact depends on whether that capital is used for trading or remains idle. Q3: How does this affect the average crypto user? Increased liquidity generally leads to more efficient markets and lower transaction costs. For DeFi users, more USDC supply can mean better lending and borrowing rates. This post Circle Mints 250 Million USDC: A Signal of Growing On-Chain Demand first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
13 May 2026, 19:30
Moody’s Rates Fidelity’s Ethereum-Based USD Liquidity Fund at Highest Aaa-mf Level

Moody’s Ratings assigned its highest money market fund assessment to Fidelity International’s new tokenized liquidity fund on May 13, 2026, placing a top-tier Aaa-mf grade on the USD Digital Liquidity Fund SP, a digitally native vehicle designed for institutional investors. Fidelity’s Tokenized Money Market Fund Earns Top Moody’s Grade The fund is structured as a
13 May 2026, 19:10
AI agents and token-driven business growth reshape digital business

For three decades, internet companies made money by encouraging consumers to visit their websites and click on advertisements. A different approach is now taking control, one based on tokens, which are tiny pieces of data used by AI systems to interpret and generate content. TikTok revealed big changes at its sixth annual TikTok World conference, including new tools that let AI systems conduct advertising campaigns without human intervention. The company developed the TikTok Ads Model Context Protocol Server , which enables businesses to integrate their AI systems directly into TikTok’s ad marketplace. These artificial intelligence systems can now create, run, and improve commercials on their own. Other major technology businesses are doing the same. Google released its own open-source version of its advertising system, while Meta developed one that integrates with Claude and ChatGPT. According to Shirley Marschall, an advertising technology specialist, these organizations are hurrying to establish standard methods so they can track how AI programs use their platforms and generate revenue. TikTok has launched several new tools to make this process easier. TikTok Ads Skills gives developers the tools they need to build AI systems for creating ad campaigns, analyzing content, and managing budgets. TikTok One and Creator AI Search look through campaign plans and creator profiles to connect brands with the right content creators. The company also added Symphony AI Integration, which uses ByteDance’s Dreamina Seedance 2.0 tool to create high-quality videos. Updates to Smart+, including Auto Selection and Asset Manager, automatically chooses the content that performs best. Token economy drives rapid growth TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is investing heavily in this technology through its cloud division, Volcano Engine. The division introduced ArkClaw, a cloud-based system built on OpenClaw. ByteDance believes that making AI tokens cheaper and quicker to process will help fuel the next stage of AI growth. The data shows how quickly this technology is growing. By March 2026, ByteDance’s Doubao models were processing around 120 trillion tokens each day, about 1,000 times more than when they started in 2024. AI agents still make up less than 10% of total token usage, but their share is rising rapidly. Developers have even started a trend called “lobster-raising,” inspired by the OpenClaw logo. Jensen Huang said he expects companies to charge $150 for every million tokens used in advanced AI services in the future. Alibaba has even created a separate division called Token Hub to manage token-related operations across the company. Companies reshape operations around AI These changes are creating new ways for companies to make money. TikTok GO lets users find and book travel directly in the app through AI-targeted ads. TikTok Growth Max helps media and game companies get users interested through Mini Series and Mini Games on the platform. Some companies are changing how they operate completely. Yao Jinbo, who runs 58.com, said his company is becoming an “AI-native enterprise.” The company now uses nearly 200 billion tokens every day , replacing entire departments with constant AI work. Traditional software companies are struggling to keep pace with these rapid changes. Programs that were once bought, installed, and permanently maintained are now being generated instantly by AI whenever they are needed. Businesses are no longer competing only on the speed of their computer chips, but also on how efficiently they manage computing power, electricity, data flow, and what many now call “token factory efficiency” in the growing AI economy. Tokens began as a means to monitor how much computational power AI consumes. They are now being used as a currency to trade intelligent services. The amount of AI work done is increasing faster than the cost per token is decreasing, implying that the market will continue to rise. This shift is more than just a technology upgrade; it represents the full industrialization of intelligence, with tokens becoming a new global commodity. Traditional advertising has turned into a high-speed, algorithm-driven system, greatly changing the rules of digital business, efficiency, and modern online competition worldwide. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .









































