Invest ideasNews
13 May 2026, 14:33
$6.75 billion stolen since 2016: CertiK flags North Korea as crypto's biggest theft threat
The May 12 report by CertiK has put every crypto project and exchange on alert after the blockchain security firm pointed out the scale of the damage that North Korean hackers have masterminded since 2016. The results are in, and the picture is grim: an estimated $6.75 billion in cryptocurrency has been lost across 263 incidents. Certik’s report landed just days after TRM Labs implicated North Korean actors for about 76% of the money lost to crypto hacks through April 2026. Just as in 2025 when they hit Bybit for $1.5 billion, DPRK actors were named in the KelpDAO and Drift Protocol hacks, two of the largest exploits in 2026. DPRK hackers have become a problem for the crypto sector. Source: CertiK. Most notably, neither of the reports from the security intelligence firms implied that crypto’s most persistent and costly adversary is slowing down. North Korea’s hackers are moving with better precision, causing far more losses in fewer incidents. North Korean hackers cash bigger payouts on fewer attacks According to CertiK’s report , North Korean-linked actors were behind just 12% of total crypto theft incidents and roughly 60% of all stolen value in 2025, which came up to $2.06 billion out of $3.4 billion in total losses. 2026 has started out on the same trajectory, with North Korean groups on the hook for 55% ($620.9 million) of the losses that projects have taken this year. Counting the $285 million Drift Protocol breach on April 1 and the $292 million KelpDAO bridge exploit on April 18 alone, that’s 3% of incident count and 76% of loot stolen in 2026, according to TRM Labs. North Korea-linked hackers allegedly stole the most from crypto projects. Source: TRM Labs. North Korean actors are everywhere Both TRM Labs and Certik cautioned that a big majority of North Korea-linked exploits are not even due to software vulnerabilities. Rather, they exploit people in old-fashioned social-engineering schemes . “Most major DPRK operations begin with human manipulation, including fake job offers, VC impersonation, and malicious repositories,” CertiK stated in its report. TRM Labs reported that North Korean proxies held in-person meetings with Drift employees before the breach. Between March 23 and March 30, the attacker exploited Solana’s durable nonce feature to get Drift’s multisig signers to pre-authorize transactions. Come April 1, the protocol was drained in 31 withdrawals that took roughly 12 minutes. The $1.5 billion Bybit hack in February 2025, the largest single crypto theft ever recorded, demonstrated that “even institutional-grade multisig wallets can be compromised by targeting trusted third-party infrastructure rather than smart contracts,” according to CertiK. The FBI attributed that attack to North Korea’s TraderTraitor group. ZachXBT traced $16.58 million in direct crypto payroll payments to North Korean operatives posing as developers between January and July 2025, according to Cryptopolitan’s reporting . CertiK’s latest report echoed the concern, stating that “DPRK operatives have infiltrated DeFi teams under false identities, in some cases directly enabling the theft of funds from within.” The KelpDAO breach followed a different playbook. The attackers, TraderTraitor, a Lazarus Group-affiliated operation, exploited a single-verifier design flaw in a LayerZero bridge. After Arbitrum froze roughly $75 million of the stolen funds, the hackers pivoted to laundering through THORChain, converting stolen Ether (ETH) to Bitcoin (BTC), according to TRM Labs . Since then, LayerZero has denied and issued a public apology, as reported by Cryptopolitan. North Korean hackers follow similar exit routes CertiK reported that within one month of the Bybit hack, 86.29% of stolen ETH was converted to Bitcoin using mixers, cross-chain bridges, decentralized exchanges, and over-the-counter brokers. TRM Labs noted that THORChain processed the majority of proceeds from both the Bybit breach and the KelpDAO hack, “converting hundreds of millions in stolen ETH to Bitcoin with no operator willing to freeze or reject transfers.” U.S. intelligence assessments have indicated that funds stolen by North Korean cyber operations support the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, according to CertiK. North Korea has denied involvement. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson called the allegations “absurd slander” spread by U.S. “government organs, reptile media organs and plot-breeding organizations,” according to Cryptopolitan’s May 4 report on Pyongyang’s rebuttal . If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
13 May 2026, 13:25
Binance Founder Sees Web3 and Traditional Finance Conflict Fading as Institutions Embrace Blockchain
BitcoinWorld Binance Founder Sees Web3 and Traditional Finance Conflict Fading as Institutions Embrace Blockchain Changpeng Zhao, founder and former CEO of Binance, stated today that the long-standing friction between the Web3 ecosystem and traditional finance is nearing its end. Speaking at a ‘Binance Online’ event, Zhao argued that as conventional financial institutions increasingly integrate blockchain technology, the perceived divide between the two sectors will become obsolete. Zhao’s Vision of Technological Convergence Zhao explained that the future of finance does not lie in a binary choice between decentralized and centralized systems, but rather in the inevitable adoption of blockchain as a foundational technology by traditional financial players. ‘The conflict between Web3 and traditional finance will soon cease to exist,’ Zhao said. ‘Financial firms will ultimately adopt blockchain as a technology, making the distinction between the two sectors unnecessary in the future.’ This perspective marks a significant shift from earlier narratives that framed Web3 as a direct challenger to established financial systems. Zhao’s comments suggest a more integrated path forward, where blockchain serves as an upgrade to existing infrastructure rather than a replacement. Growing Institutional Demand as Evidence Zhao pointed to the accelerating trend of institutional interest in blockchain as concrete evidence of this convergence. ‘This trend is already emerging, with institutional demand for blockchain growing daily,’ he noted. This observation aligns with recent market data showing increased involvement from major asset managers, banks, and payment processors in blockchain-based products, including tokenized assets, stablecoins, and decentralized finance protocols. The shift is particularly visible in the United States and Europe, where regulatory clarity is gradually improving, allowing traditional financial institutions to explore blockchain applications with greater confidence. The approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) earlier this year is widely cited as a pivotal moment that bridged the gap between crypto-native assets and regulated financial markets. Implications for the Crypto Industry and Investors For the broader cryptocurrency industry, Zhao’s remarks signal a maturation of the market. If traditional finance fully embraces blockchain, it could lead to deeper liquidity, more robust infrastructure, and wider user adoption. For retail and institutional investors, this convergence may reduce volatility and increase the legitimacy of digital assets as an asset class. However, the transition is not without challenges. Issues of regulatory compliance, interoperability between legacy systems and blockchain networks, and the need for standardized security protocols remain significant hurdles. Zhao’s optimistic outlook assumes that these obstacles can be overcome through continued collaboration and innovation. Conclusion Changpeng Zhao’s prediction that the conflict between Web3 and traditional finance will dissolve highlights a pivotal moment for the financial industry. As blockchain technology moves from the periphery to the mainstream, the lines between decentralized and centralized systems are blurring. For market participants, the key takeaway is that the future of finance may not be about choosing sides, but about leveraging the best of both worlds to create a more efficient, accessible, and transparent financial ecosystem. FAQs Q1: What did Changpeng Zhao say about Web3 and traditional finance? Zhao stated that the conflict between the two sectors will soon end as traditional financial institutions adopt blockchain technology, making the distinction unnecessary. Q2: Why is institutional demand for blockchain growing? Growing regulatory clarity, the success of Bitcoin ETFs, and the potential for operational efficiencies are driving traditional financial firms to explore blockchain-based products and services. Q3: What are the main challenges to this convergence? Key challenges include regulatory compliance across jurisdictions, technical interoperability between blockchain networks and legacy systems, and the development of standardized security protocols. This post Binance Founder Sees Web3 and Traditional Finance Conflict Fading as Institutions Embrace Blockchain first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
13 May 2026, 13:25
Shiba Inu (SHIB) Exchange Flows Are Negative for First Time in 7 Days
Shiba Inu is finally net negative in exchange netflows that brings the realistic possibility of a market recovery.
13 May 2026, 13:12
BlackRock transfers BTC, ETH worth $172M to Coinbase amid ETF redemptions
More on BlackRock BlackRock: Time To 'Buy' This Eventual Dividend Aristocrat Now BlackRock: Not Adding Despite A Stellar Q1 2026 BlackRock, Inc. 2026 Q1 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Here's the full list of business executives invited to go with Trump to China What's BlackRock planning? Led Q1 ETF rally; now moves $124M BTC & ETH
13 May 2026, 13:02
Solana News: Coinbase Just Added Solana as Loan Collateral Alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum: Is SOL Finally Getting Its Moment?
Coinbase has added Solana as eligible collateral for its crypto-backed lending service, allowing U.S. users to borrow up to $100,000 in USDC against their SOL holdings. Bullish news for Solana. The integration was on May 12, confirming SOL joins Bitcoin and Ethereum as accepted collateral on Coinbase’s non-custodial loan product built on the Morpho protocol over Base. The maximum loan-to-value ratio for SOL is set at 70%. That number is the key variable; it determines how much borrowing power a holder unlocks, and it sets the distance to liquidation in a volatile asset. Holding SOL? SOL-backed loans are now available on Coinbase. Instantly borrow up to $100K in USDC against your Solana without selling. pic.twitter.com/rfZBZ0KiH6 — Coinbase (@coinbase) May 12, 2026 In practice: a holder with $10,000 in SOL can draw up to $7,000 in USDC. Collateral is locked in a smart contract on-chain. No repayment deadline applies, but if the LTV hits the liquidation threshold, which carries a 4.38% penalty, the position is auto-liquidated, and the remaining collateral is returned. Borrowed USDC cannot be used for trading on Coinbase directly. Solana (SOL) 24h 7d 30d 1y All time Discover: The best pre-launch token sales Solana Price Momentum Makes the integration News Timing Deliberate, Breakout to $100 Soon? SOL is sitting at $95.69 on the 4h chart, and the price action since early May has been the most decisive upside move since the February collapse, with price breaking out of the $82 to $92 range that had been containing it for weeks and pushing toward the $98 to $100 zone that has been the ceiling since January. The structure of higher lows from the $77 bottom in late February through March and April built a solid base, and the breakout that is now unfolding has real momentum behind it rather than looking like another fakeout. The $94 level is now the immediate support to watch on any pullback, as it marks the breakout zone from the prior range. Holding that on a retest would confirm the move is genuine and not just a wick into resistance. Source: SOLUSD / Tradingview Above the current price, $98 to $100 is the next meaningful wall, and a clean break there opens the path toward $106 and $110, where heavier resistance sits from the January distribution. What makes this move more interesting than a mere technical breakout is the Coinbase lending news behind it. SOL being added as the third major collateral tier after Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside $2.3 billion in cumulative crypto-backed loan originations, means holders with unrealized gains can now access liquidity without selling, which structurally reduces sell pressure while demand stays intact. The long-term trend recovery is still incomplete with price below its 200-day moving average, but the short and medium-term setup is the most constructive it has been all year. Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with The post Solana News: Coinbase Just Added Solana as Loan Collateral Alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum: Is SOL Finally Getting Its Moment? appeared first on Cryptonews .
13 May 2026, 13:00
CoinMarketCap Warns Users About Fake CMC Token Scam
The company confirmed it has never launched an official token or coin and said all such promotions are scams. CoinMarketCap also warned about impersonators using fake accounts, emails, messages, and branded links to target users. The alert comes amid growing phishing activity in the crypto sector. Crypto Users Warned Over Fake CoinMarketCap Coin CoinMarketCap issued a fresh warning to crypto users after scammers began promoting fake “CMC Tokens” and falsely claiming they were connected to the popular cryptocurrency tracking platform. The company made it clear that it has never launched an official token or coin and warned users that any project or advertisement suggesting otherwise should be treated as a scam. According to CoinMarketCap, fraudsters are using social media posts, advertisements, direct messages, and fake promotions to trick users into believing that the platform is introducing its own cryptocurrency. The company directly stated that “CoinMarketCap does NOT have a Token/Coin” and any promotion involving a so-called CMC token is fake. CoinMarketCap also shared more details about the growing issue of impersonation scams in the crypto industry. The company explained that scammers have been pretending to represent CoinMarketCap by contacting users through fake accounts, emails, and messages. In another public notice, the platform reminded users that it does not operate through phone calls and has no official support phone number. Users were advised to contact official support channels whenever they are uncertain about suspicious communication. The platform dealt with similar scams in the past. CoinMarketCap previously revealed that fake accounts impersonated former contributors and staff members in attempts to deceive crypto projects and users. Some scammers reportedly used fake domains, branded scheduling links, and even video calls to appear legitimate. Announcement from CoinMarketCap Phishing attacks and social engineering scams have been plaguing the cryptocurrency market. Security firms and exchanges repeatedly warned that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated in the way they target crypto users. Binance security data recently revealed that close to 23 million phishing attempts were blocked during the first quarter of 2026 alone.
