Invest ideasNews
28 May 2026, 08:00
Wintermute Donates $200,000 to Ethereum Security Fund Tied to TheDAO Hack Proceeds
BitcoinWorld Wintermute Donates $200,000 to Ethereum Security Fund Tied to TheDAO Hack Proceeds Cryptocurrency market maker Wintermute has contributed $200,000 to a Quadratic Funding (QF) round dedicated to Ethereum security projects, the firm announced via X. The donation comes in the wake of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s recent statement that he intends to narrow the Ethereum Foundation’s (EF) core focus to four principles: Censorship Resistance, Open Source, Privacy, and Security — collectively referred to as CROPS. Quadratic Funding Round for Security Infrastructure The QF round, which concluded on May 12, marks the first initiative by TheDAO Security Fund. This fund was established using unclaimed Ether (ETH) from the 2016 TheDAO hack, a landmark event in Ethereum’s history that led to a contentious hard fork and the creation of Ethereum Classic. Wintermute, in its announcement, noted that while security infrastructure is utilized by nearly all participants in the Ethereum ecosystem, it remains a chronically underfunded area. The firm urged other industry players to join the effort to close this funding gap. Vitalik Buterin’s CROPS Vision and EF Restructuring Buterin’s renewed emphasis on CROPS represents a strategic recalibration for the Ethereum Foundation. The founder has indicated that the EF will more tightly align its resource allocation with these core values, potentially deprioritizing other initiatives. This shift has been met with mixed reactions from the community, with some praising the focus on foundational principles and others questioning the potential impact on broader ecosystem development. Wintermute’s donation aligns directly with the Security pillar of this new framework. Why This Matters for Ethereum Users and Developers Security funding is a critical but often overlooked component of blockchain infrastructure. Vulnerabilities in smart contracts, bridges, and layer-2 solutions can lead to significant financial losses, as seen in numerous high-profile exploits over the past year. By channeling funds through a Quadratic Funding mechanism, the initiative aims to democratize support for smaller, high-impact security projects that might otherwise be overlooked by traditional venture capital. For developers and users, this could mean more robust and resilient applications built on Ethereum. Conclusion Wintermute’s $200,000 donation to TheDAO Security Fund’s QF round represents a concrete step toward addressing a recognized funding gap in Ethereum security infrastructure. The initiative, born from the unclaimed assets of one of the network’s most defining events, now serves to protect its future. As the Ethereum Foundation refocuses under Buterin’s CROPS vision, contributions like this may set a precedent for how the broader industry supports the security layer that underpins its operations. FAQs Q1: What is the TheDAO Security Fund? The TheDAO Security Fund was established using unclaimed Ether from the 2016 TheDAO hack. It is designed to support security-related projects within the Ethereum ecosystem, and this Quadratic Funding round is its first public initiative. Q2: What is Quadratic Funding? Quadratic Funding (QF) is a mechanism that matches small donations from many individuals with a larger central pool of funds. It prioritizes projects that have broad community support, rather than those backed by a few large donors. Q3: What does CROPS stand for? CROPS is an acronym introduced by Vitalik Buterin representing the four core values he believes the Ethereum Foundation should prioritize: Censorship Resistance, Open Source, Privacy, and Security. This post Wintermute Donates $200,000 to Ethereum Security Fund Tied to TheDAO Hack Proceeds first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
27 May 2026, 03:40
Binance to Temporarily Halt Base Network Deposits and Withdrawals for Upgrade
BitcoinWorld Binance to Temporarily Halt Base Network Deposits and Withdrawals for Upgrade Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced a temporary suspension of deposits and withdrawals for tokens on the Base network. The pause, scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. UTC on May 28, is required to support an upcoming network upgrade and hard fork on the Base blockchain. Scheduled Maintenance Details The suspension will take effect one hour before the Base network upgrade is set to commence at 6:00 p.m. UTC on the same day. Binance stated that the halt is a standard precautionary measure to ensure the integrity of transactions during the upgrade process. The exchange has not yet specified an exact time for when services will resume, but such maintenance typically concludes within a few hours after the network upgrade is completed and stability is confirmed. Why This Matters for Users For traders and investors using the Base network—a layer-2 scaling solution built on Ethereum by Coinbase—this temporary disruption means that any pending transactions or transfer requests during the window will be queued and processed once the network resumes. Users are advised to plan their activity accordingly, particularly if they intend to move funds in or out of Binance around that time. The upgrade itself is expected to introduce improvements to the network’s performance and security, which could benefit long-term users. Broader Context of Network Upgrades Network upgrades and hard forks are routine events in the blockchain ecosystem, often implemented to enhance scalability, fix bugs, or introduce new features. Exchanges like Binance typically coordinate with these schedules to minimize risk to user funds. Similar suspensions have occurred on other networks, including Ethereum and Arbitrum, during past upgrades. The Base network, launched in 2023, has grown rapidly in adoption, making such maintenance events increasingly significant for the broader crypto market. Conclusion Binance’s temporary suspension of Base network deposits and withdrawals is a routine but important operational step to support a scheduled network upgrade. Users should be aware of the timing and plan accordingly to avoid any inconvenience. The upgrade is expected to strengthen the Base network, reinforcing its role in the layer-2 ecosystem. FAQs Q1: When exactly will Binance suspend Base network transactions? The suspension begins at 5:00 p.m. UTC on May 28, one hour before the network upgrade starts at 6:00 p.m. UTC. Q2: How long will the suspension last? Binance has not provided an exact end time, but similar suspensions typically last a few hours after the upgrade is complete and the network is deemed stable. Q3: Will my funds be safe during the suspension? Yes. Funds on Binance are not at risk. Transactions will be queued and processed automatically once services resume. This post Binance to Temporarily Halt Base Network Deposits and Withdrawals for Upgrade first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
25 May 2026, 14:03
New research reveals the number of quantum-exposed Bitcoins
A new on-chain analysis has quantified the portion of Bitcoin ( BTC ) currently exposed to potential quantum computing risks while sitting at rest on the blockchain. In this case, approximately 6.04 million BTC, or 30.2% of Bitcoin’s issued supply, has publicly visible keys on-chain, making those coins theoretically vulnerable to future quantum attacks. The remaining 13.99 million BTC, or 69.8%, has no public-key exposure at rest, according to data published by Glassnode on May 20. The study identified two exposure categories, including structural and operational. Structural exposure accounts for 1.92 million BTC, or 9.6% of supply, covering coins inherently exposed by design, including early Pay-to-Public-Key outputs, bare multisig structures, and Taproot outputs. Bitcoin supply by quantum safety chart. Source: Glassnode Operational exposure totals 4.12 million BTC, or 20.6% of supply, stemming from practices such as address reuse, partial UTXO spending, and certain custody setups that unnecessarily reveal public keys. At the same time, cryptocurrency exchanges account for a large share of this exposure, holding roughly 1.63 million to 1.66 million BTC of the operationally exposed supply. Bitcoin quantum operational exposure Exposure levels vary across custodians, with some sovereign holdings, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, and El Salvador, showing near-zero exposure. Operationally unsafe Bitcoin by entity. Source: Glassnode Glassnode also noted that the risk applies only to coins with publicly visible keys. While current cryptography remains secure, a sufficiently advanced quantum computer using Shor’s algorithm could theoretically derive private keys from known public keys. Coins without visible public keys are not considered exposed under the at-rest model. This distinction matters because at-rest exposure reflects Bitcoin that could be targeted without waiting for a transaction, while on-spend exposure occurs only when coins are moved. Glassnode said operational exposure can be reduced through better wallet practices, including avoiding address reuse, rotating change addresses, and improving custodial reserve management. However, structural exposure tied to older inactive coins may persist. Meanwhile, the research did not predict when quantum attacks on Bitcoin could become practical or assess the security of any exchange or custodian. Instead, it provided a data-driven snapshot of current public-key exposure across Bitcoin’s supply and highlights how improved wallet hygiene and future protocol upgrades could reduce risks. The post New research reveals the number of quantum-exposed Bitcoins appeared first on Finbold .
25 May 2026, 09:25
Bhutan Transfers $237 Million in Bitcoin to SegWit Addresses, Holdings Now at $233 Million
BitcoinWorld Bhutan Transfers $237 Million in Bitcoin to SegWit Addresses, Holdings Now at $233 Million The Bhutanese government has transferred approximately $237 million worth of Bitcoin to SegWit addresses so far this year, according to on-chain data monitored by Arkham Intelligence. A recent transaction involving 90 BTC, valued at around $7 million, has drawn attention from market analysts and fueled speculation about the government’s intentions with its digital asset reserves. On-Chain Activity and Market Reaction Blockchain analytics firm Arkham flagged the movement of 90 BTC from an address linked to Bhutan to a SegWit-compatible address. SegWit, or Segregated Witness, is a protocol upgrade that reduces transaction size and fees, often used for more efficient transfers. While such moves are not inherently indicative of a sale, they often precede a change in custody or an exchange deposit. Bhutan’s current known Bitcoin holdings stand at approximately $233 million, a slight decrease from earlier this year, suggesting a net outflow. The timing and scale of these transfers have led to varied interpretations. Some analysts view them as routine portfolio management or a shift to more secure storage. Others speculate that the government may be preparing to liquidate a portion of its holdings or transfer them to a separate institutional custodian. Bhutan’s Position in the Crypto Landscape Bhutan is one of the few sovereign nations known to hold Bitcoin as part of its national reserves. The country’s foray into cryptocurrency began through state-backed mining operations, leveraging its abundant hydroelectric power. This positions Bhutan uniquely among small economies, as it has accumulated digital assets without direct market purchases. The government’s recent transactions highlight a growing trend of sovereign entities actively managing their crypto holdings. While Bhutan’s holdings are modest compared to corporate or national treasuries like those of El Salvador, the moves are closely watched for signals of broader adoption or divestment by state actors. Implications for the Market For cryptocurrency markets, government-level transactions can introduce volatility, especially when large sums move to addresses associated with exchanges. However, Bhutan’s relatively small position—roughly 0.01% of Bitcoin’s total market cap—limits its direct market impact. The more significant takeaway is the precedent set by a nation-state actively using advanced blockchain features like SegWit for treasury management, which may encourage other governments to adopt similar practices. Readers should note that on-chain data provides transparency but not complete context. Without official confirmation from the Bhutanese government, the purpose of these transfers remains speculative. Conclusion Bhutan’s continued movement of Bitcoin to SegWit addresses underscores the growing sophistication of sovereign crypto management. While the recent 90 BTC transfer has sparked debate, the country’s overall holdings remain substantial for its economic scale. As blockchain analytics become more integral to tracking institutional activity, such movements will likely offer ongoing insights into how nations interact with digital assets. FAQs Q1: What is a SegWit address? A SegWit address is a Bitcoin address format that uses segregated witness technology, which reduces transaction fees and increases block capacity by separating signature data from transaction data. Q2: Why did Bhutan transfer Bitcoin to SegWit addresses? The exact reason is unconfirmed, but common motivations include reducing transaction costs, improving security, or preparing for a transfer to another institution or exchange. Q3: How much Bitcoin does Bhutan currently hold? Based on on-chain data, Bhutan’s known Bitcoin holdings are approximately $233 million, though this figure may change with future transactions. This post Bhutan Transfers $237 Million in Bitcoin to SegWit Addresses, Holdings Now at $233 Million first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
25 May 2026, 08:57
Vitalik Buterin pushes Ethereum Foundation toward AI-verified code
Vitalik Buterin has made clear his view of the current transition process the Ethereum Foundation (EF) is undergoing, which aims to adopt strategies to increase longevity, specialization, and expertise in technical matters. In a lengthy post on X, the Ethereum co-founder elaborated that the EF is not focusing on its broad coordinating role. Instead, it is becoming a specialized node in the wider Ethereum ecosystem. This aligns with ensuring the organization focuses on functions critical to the sustainability of Ethereum as a censorship-resistant, privately secure, open, and private technology—a concept abbreviated as CROPS—which can benefit from AI formal verification technology. Vitalik Buterin stands ground on EF’s evolving role in the crypto market To start off, Buterin has clarified that the perspectives stated were his own contributions on technical matters and did not reflect a board-level directive. Currently, the foundation board is growing significantly, especially under the leadership of @aerugoettinea, and Buterin was deliberately reducing his involvement in running the foundation as it was now in his best interests. He further stated that 2025 had been quite a successful year, with increased competence, efficiency, and a focus on realistic objectives that solved several operational challenges faced by the foundation earlier. Comparing Google’s early motto of “don’t be evil” to Buterin’s emphasis on the need for some organizations within the sector to resist the general trend of greed and fast-paced superintelligence. Vitalik’s thoughts on the efforts to save and strengthen EF. Source: X . Buterin reiterated that the foundation was just another node and not a central authority like Ethereum. It was consistent with its original objective during the token sale era, which was completed with the help of the Serenity upgrade. Fiscal responsibility is at the heart of the pivot. At present, the EF owns only about 0.16% of the total ETH in circulation—significantly less than even some individuals or corporations—and is certainly not set up to be an everlasting guardian of the entire ecosystem. To maximize effectiveness, it will focus on longevity rather than breadth, meaning it will sell less ETH. Vitalik boosts EF’s technical vision, taking on CROPS Buterin’s vision starts and ends with the need for Ethereum to be “deeply impressive” within CROPS, not speed alone, which would simply make it mediocre. He flat-out rejects 250ms latency and 1 million TPS as a recipe for failure, as it would render Ethereum no more decentralized than its competitors. Instead, the team will aim to achieve three key objectives with respect to technology, all of which can be done with the aid of high-throughput and scalable L2 systems: Provably bug-free software via AI-assisted formal verification: What was once deemed to be an impossibility for cybersecurity researchers is now possible within the last few months, all because of AI innovations. The EF’s goal is to make Ethereum one of the frontrunners in having bug-free code. Available chain consensus: Ethereum, on the other hand, provides BFT security in an asynchronous setting, coupled with Bitcoin-like security in a synchronous setting (up to 49% Byzantines). Buterin pointed out that he had always been averse to using social consensus or hard fork as a solution to even 34% Byzantine failure. Intermediary minimization : Current efforts related to FOCIL, EIP-8141, EIP-7701, and other projects aim to address the need for intermediaries to include transactions on Ethereum. This will be especially helpful for smart contract wallets, privacy-oriented systems such as Railgun, and higher-level applications like Kohaku. The broader implications for ETH and its ecosystem Buterin highlighted that about $250 billion in ETH was secured on Ethereum, which remained the single most significant financial asset. About 90% of his net worth was invested in ETH, while the rest was invested in open-source biology, software, and hardware development projects. Nevertheless, some of the market-related responsibilities pertaining to the ETH coin lay outside the ambit of EF’s new focus area. Buterin encouraged “other heroes” – including organizations that held more ETH than the Foundation – to take responsibility, with the latter willing to provide any necessary support initially. Through this model, it would be ensured that Ethereum remained decentralized, with the EF preserving the integrity of the blockchain and others promoting ETH as the market leader. This will be hard to achieve. As reported by Cryptopolitan , EF appears to be experiencing a major talent exodus, with at least six individuals already leaving or going on leave since April and May 2026 alone. Among recent departures are Carl Beek and Julian Ma, two of EF’s leading researchers, who stepped down on May 18. Seven-year veteran Carl Beek, who was among those who helped create the Beacon Chain and perform the KZG ceremony, confirmed that May 29 will be his last working day. Four-year-old cryptoeconomics researcher Julian Ma said he was leaving, expressing gratitude for cooperation in some important projects. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
21 May 2026, 19:10
Satoshi’s 1.1M bitcoin and millions more can be saved from quantum attack, says expert
Researchers at the privacy-centric blockchain startup say their multi-layer quantum defense will feature a soft fork to freeze and protect dormant BTC.
