hodler

26 May 2026, 03:40

JPYC to Launch Japan’s First Credit Card Point-to-Stablecoin Swap Service in June

BitcoinWorld JPYC to Launch Japan’s First Credit Card Point-to-Stablecoin Swap Service in June Yen-backed stablecoin issuer JPYC has announced the launch of what it describes as Japan’s first service enabling credit card holders to convert reward points directly into stablecoins. The service, developed in partnership with Mitsui Sumitomo Trust Club and blockchain infrastructure firm HashPort, is scheduled to go live on June 1. How the Service Works Initially, the service will be available to holders of Diners Club and TRUST CLUB credit cards issued by Mitsui Sumitomo Trust Club. Cardholders will be able to exchange their accumulated reward points for JPYC, a yen-pegged stablecoin. The swaps will be processed through HashPort’s non-custodial wallet, giving users direct control over their digital assets without an intermediary holding the private keys. This move represents a practical bridge between traditional loyalty programs and the growing digital asset ecosystem in Japan, where stablecoin regulation has been gradually clarified under the country’s revised Payment Services Act. Why This Matters for Japan’s Crypto Market Japan has historically taken a cautious approach to cryptocurrency regulation, but the introduction of stablecoin-specific rules in 2023 opened the door for licensed issuers like JPYC to operate more freely. By allowing credit card points—a widely used form of consumer reward—to be converted into a regulated stablecoin, the service could accelerate mainstream adoption of digital currencies among everyday users. The partnership with Mitsui Sumitomo Trust Club, a major financial institution, also signals growing institutional comfort with stablecoin infrastructure. For JPYC, which already issues yen-backed tokens, this expands its utility beyond crypto-native users into the broader consumer finance space. What This Means for Cardholders For consumers, the service offers a new way to use credit card rewards. Instead of redeeming points for merchandise, travel, or cash back, users can convert them into JPYC, which can then be transferred, spent, or held within the decentralized finance ecosystem. The non-custodial nature of the wallet means users retain full ownership of their funds after conversion. However, users should be aware that stablecoin values, while pegged to the yen, may carry different risks compared to traditional reward points, including platform risk, regulatory changes, and market liquidity. JPYC has stated that all conversions will be conducted at transparent rates. Conclusion JPYC’s upcoming service marks a notable step in the integration of traditional financial rewards with digital assets in Japan. By leveraging partnerships with established financial players and a regulated stablecoin, the initiative could serve as a model for similar services in other markets. The launch on June 1 will be closely watched by both the crypto and payments industries. FAQs Q1: Which credit cards are supported at launch? Initially, the service supports Diners Club and TRUST CLUB cards issued by Mitsui Sumitomo Trust Club. Q2: What wallet is used for the stablecoin swap? The conversion is processed through HashPort’s non-custodial wallet, meaning users control their private keys. Q3: Is JPYC regulated in Japan? Yes, JPYC is a yen-backed stablecoin issued under Japan’s regulatory framework for stablecoins, which was clarified in 2023. This post JPYC to Launch Japan’s First Credit Card Point-to-Stablecoin Swap Service in June first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 May 2026, 02:25

Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets

BitcoinWorld Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets The Ethereum Foundation’s privacy-focused initiative, Kohaku, has released a software development kit (SDK) designed to integrate privacy protocols directly into Ethereum wallets, eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries. The tool, first reported by The Defiant, allows wallet developers to embed protocols such as Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools natively into their applications. How the Kohaku SDK Works The SDK currently supports integration with Railgun, a protocol that enables private transactions by decoupling sender and receiver addresses. Kohaku has also launched a version that includes a 4337 mempool relay, which facilitates private transaction processing through account abstraction. This allows users to send transactions without exposing their wallet address or transaction history to the public mempool. Integration for Tornado Cash and Privacy Pools is reportedly under active development, though no timeline has been provided for their release. The Ethereum Foundation originally announced Kohaku last year as an open-source privacy initiative aimed at enhancing security and confidentiality within the Ethereum ecosystem. Why This Matters for Ethereum Users Privacy remains one of the most debated topics in cryptocurrency. While Ethereum’s public ledger offers transparency, it also exposes transaction data to anyone with blockchain access. For users who require financial privacy—whether for personal security, business confidentiality, or regulatory compliance—the lack of native privacy tools has been a persistent gap. By offering an SDK that allows developers to integrate privacy protocols directly into wallets, Kohaku lowers the technical barrier for implementing these features. Instead of relying on external services or complex manual processes, wallet providers can now offer built-in privacy options, potentially increasing adoption among mainstream users. Implications for Wallet Developers and the Ecosystem For wallet developers, the SDK provides a standardized framework for adding privacy features without building the underlying cryptographic infrastructure from scratch. This could accelerate the availability of privacy-preserving wallets across the Ethereum ecosystem, from self-custodial mobile wallets to browser extensions. The inclusion of account abstraction (ERC-4337) support is particularly noteworthy, as it enables more flexible transaction models. Combined with privacy protocols, this could pave the way for wallets that offer both privacy and advanced features like social recovery, batched transactions, and gas sponsorship. Regulatory and Industry Context The release comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of privacy tools in cryptocurrency. Tornado Cash, for example, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022, leading to legal challenges and debates about the legality of privacy-preserving smart contracts. By providing an open-source SDK, the Ethereum Foundation positions itself as a facilitator of privacy technology while leaving implementation decisions to individual developers and jurisdictions. Industry observers note that the Kohaku SDK could also serve as a foundation for future compliance-focused privacy solutions, such as zero-knowledge proof-based identity verification that preserves user anonymity while satisfying regulatory requirements. Conclusion The Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku SDK represents a significant step toward making privacy a native feature of the Ethereum wallet experience. By enabling direct integration of protocols like Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools, the initiative addresses a long-standing user need while maintaining the open-source ethos of the ecosystem. Developers and users alike will be watching closely as additional protocol integrations roll out in the coming months. FAQs Q1: What is the Kohaku SDK? The Kohaku SDK is a software development kit released by the Ethereum Foundation’s privacy initiative, Kohaku, that allows wallet developers to integrate privacy protocols like Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools directly into their wallets without relying on third-party intermediaries. Q2: Which privacy protocols are currently supported? As of the initial release, the SDK supports Railgun integration, along with a 4337 mempool relay for private transactions. Support for Tornado Cash and Privacy Pools is under development. Q3: Why is this SDK important for Ethereum users? The SDK simplifies the process of adding privacy features to wallets, making it easier for developers to offer built-in transaction privacy. This helps users protect their financial data without needing to use external tools or services, potentially increasing the adoption of privacy-preserving practices in the Ethereum ecosystem. This post Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

25 May 2026, 16:05

BNB Chain unveils Agent Survival Toolkit for autonomous AI agent payments

BitcoinWorld BNB Chain unveils Agent Survival Toolkit for autonomous AI agent payments BNB Chain has introduced the Agent Survival Toolkit, a new infrastructure designed to enable autonomous on-chain payments for artificial intelligence agents. Developed in collaboration with six AI-focused partners, the toolkit allows AI agents to execute transactions independently using BNB or BEP-20-based cryptocurrencies, with settlements processed on the BNB Smart Chain (BSC). What the Agent Survival Toolkit offers The toolkit is built to streamline how AI agents interact with blockchain networks for financial transactions. Instead of relying on manual approvals or centralized intermediaries, these agents can now initiate and complete payments autonomously, provided they hold the necessary digital assets. The system leverages BSC’s low transaction fees and high throughput to make microtransactions practical for AI-driven use cases. Participating projects can run on-chain incentive programs without additional registration, lowering the barrier for developers looking to integrate AI agents into decentralized applications. This removes a layer of administrative friction, allowing projects to focus on functionality rather than compliance overhead. Collaborating partners and ecosystem support BNB Chain partnered with six AI projects to develop and test the toolkit: Alt AI, Pieverse, Bankr, WorldClaw, B.AI, and AEON. Each partner brings a distinct focus area, ranging from AI-powered financial tools to decentralized identity and autonomous trading systems. The diversity of use cases suggests the toolkit is designed for broad applicability across the BNB Chain ecosystem. The initiative reflects a growing trend within blockchain networks to accommodate AI agents as first-class participants in on-chain economies. As AI models become more capable of executing complex tasks, the ability to pay for services, access data, or reward other agents autonomously becomes a critical infrastructure requirement. Why this matters for the broader crypto ecosystem The launch of the Agent Survival Toolkit signals a shift toward more autonomous, machine-driven economic activity on public blockchains. While AI agents have historically been limited to off-chain environments, on-chain payment capabilities open the door for decentralized AI marketplaces, automated data procurement, and self-sustaining agent economies. For developers and projects building on BSC, the toolkit reduces the complexity of integrating payment logic into AI workflows. For the broader industry, it represents an early step toward the convergence of AI and decentralized finance (DeFi), a space that is attracting increasing attention from both developers and investors. Conclusion BNB Chain’s Agent Survival Toolkit is a practical infrastructure update that addresses a real bottleneck in AI-blockchain integration: autonomous payments. By partnering with established AI projects and leveraging BSC’s existing capabilities, the initiative positions BNB Chain as a serious contender in the emerging AI agent economy. The toolkit is now available for developers, with no additional registration required for participating projects. FAQs Q1: What cryptocurrencies can AI agents use with the Agent Survival Toolkit? AI agents can use BNB or any BEP-20-based cryptocurrency for payments. All transactions are settled on the BNB Smart Chain. Q2: Do projects need to register separately to use the toolkit? No. Participating projects can run on-chain incentive programs without any additional registration process, according to BNB Chain’s announcement. Q3: Which AI partners collaborated on the toolkit? The six collaborating partners are Alt AI, Pieverse, Bankr, WorldClaw, B.AI, and AEON. Each brings different AI capabilities to the ecosystem. This post BNB Chain unveils Agent Survival Toolkit for autonomous AI agent payments first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

25 May 2026, 14:43

$3 Million Drained In Two Hours: SquidRouterModule Exploit Exposes Hidden Risks In Third-Party Wallet Integrations

Within a span of two hours, attackers had siphoned almost $3 million from several wallets during a fast and coordinated DeFi exploit that has disrupted parts of the ecosystem. The firm Blockaid says the attack targeted a vulnerable wallet module for smart wallets called SquidRouterModule, used by users on Ethereum and Base networks. Overall, the attack hit 86 Gnosis Safe wallets. Within seconds after the attack, the attacker transferred funds from various checks to pools that the attacker controls on Uniswap V3 in exchange for DAI. The speed and reach of this exploit show how quickly attackers can go from discovery to exploitation once vulnerabilities are found in wallet infrastructure. In less than a blink, assets were drained, exchanged and routed through liquidity pools, scuttling countless users without offering them much time to react. Blockaid detected an ongoing exploit targeting the SquidRouterModule on Ethereum and Base. 86 Gnosis Safes drained for ~$3M in ~2 hours. All stolen tokens swapped to DAI via attacker-controlled Uniswap V3 pools. More details in — Blockaid (@blockaid_) May 25, 2026 Exposure Found In Third-Party Module, Not Core Protocol During the course of investigation, it was realised that the exploit did not originate from the core infrastructure of Squid Router. Rather, the flaw was in a module developed outside of Squid but linked with it. This contract was initially reported as the main contract being attacked, in which case it can be confusing when hearing about a report on Basescan with the name SquidRouterModule. Squid quickly explained that, despite the similar names, this module was a separate piece of functionality and not integrated. The team reiterated the importance of clarifying that even a minor change turning out to be unauthorized did not impact its official router contract, which remains secure: in a later statement shared via Squid’s Twitter Space However, user funds or approvals or integrations that directly tied with Squid’s core infrastructure remained secure. This distinction is crucial. However, despite the exploit involving substantial losses, it did not arise from issues in Squid’s protocol itself. Instead, it illustrated an inherent risk with third-party integrations, a growing aspect of modular DeFi architecture. This incident is unrelated to Squid’s core protocol and contracts. All Squid users and integrators are unaffected and no action is needed. A third-party Gnosis Safe module was exploited today across Base and Ethereum, resulting in approximately $3.2M in losses. The vulnerable… https://t.co/I3gGmdBvE9 — squid (@squidrouter) May 25, 2026 Vulnerable Validation Logic Allowed Attack At the heart of the exploit, however, was an egregious design issue in the validation logic of a third-party module. The contract used a constant string provided by the caller as proof to construct message authenticity. But this string was available publicly in the verified source code of the contract. Thus an attacker could provide anything that matched the expected string as a way to circumvent all security layers built into the software. After recovery, the contract allowed all calls without selective calldata to go through, and this gave the attacker total control to interact with any transaction from within the wallet. The affected users added this module to their Gnosis Safe as a trusted component, so the contract was allowed to perform fund transfers without additional signatures. The attack unfolded as follows: The attacker provided the string known to pass validation The contract accepted the request as a valid Arbitrary transactions were executed Moved funds out from their wallets This vulnerability shows how simple oversights in auth logic can lead to multi-million dollar losses. Trusted Module Permissions Made The Damage Bigger One of the most important elements that amplified the damage caused by this exploit was the extent of access assigned to the compromised module. Within the Gnosis Safe, trusted modules can make transactions without requiring user signatures. This architecture allows for flexibility and automation of complex workflows. But it comes with some substantial risks too, if a badly designed or malicious module. Here, it turns out users who had enabled the vulnerable SquidRouterModule were inadvertently sending the total control of their wallet assets to the contract. The attacker completely bypassed additional security layers, since the permissions were already in place at that point. What followed was a swift, massive outflow of funds with virtually no opposition. Market Impact and Fund Movement After the exploitation, the attacker had finally drowned all of their stolen assets in a false manner through DEX. By routing funds into DAI via Uniswap V3 pools, they were able to stabilize the value of the stolen assets and reduce exposure to volatility. The total losses are estimated to be between $3 million and $3.2 million, with about $3 million being drawn within less than 120 minutes. The operation’s efficiency demonstrates a very high level of preparedness and knowledge both of the targeted system, as well as DeFi liquidity mechanics. Despite the scale of the attack, its overall impact on the market was limited. The containment is primarily the result of the exploit being confined to certain wallets, rather in broad-based protocol or asset action. Clearing Up Misunderstandings About Squid’s Function Some news reports were linking the exploit to Squid’s core router due to its name as a vulnerable contract. But it is important to separate the third-party module from the official protocol in order for an accurate reading of the incident. It also did not refer instead to Squid’s own official router contract, which is architecturally different and has a separate identifier. Funds that could be traced back to its operations were not impacted and there was nothing wrong found in its code. This case highlights a long-standing issue in DeFi: the challenge of distinguishing between official infrastructure and third-party integrations. With increased connection between ecosystems, having overlapping names and branding can cause confusion around security incidents. Security and DeFi Integration Lessons For Wallets The SquidRouterModule exploit is a reminder that DeFi security goes beyond core protocols. In fact, ever-brightening primary systems can still be at risk if terminated screens or other connected components have foreseeable vulnerabilities. Several lessons emerge: First, users need to be careful when they enable third-party modules or integrations. Wallet level permissions have a broad impact. Secondly, there are many ways developers can put in place strong validation. The presence of publicly accessible constants or weak authentication can be utilized as a vulnerability. Thirdly, it is important to be transparent about ownership and responsibility. Having a clear distinction between official and unofficial components can eliminate confusion in case of incidents and help with panic control. This event also reinforces the most universal truth, security is only as strong as the weakest link in a composable ecosystem like DeFi. With the increasing interconnection between protocols, quality of every element, and not just the core, will become important. The exploit is quantifiable in millions in terms of immediate loss, but the longer-term implications may be less tangible; a shift in how users and developers formulate trust, permissioning and integration abstractions shapes their relationship with decentralized finance. Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services. Follow us on Twitter @nulltxnews to stay updated with the latest Crypto, NFT, AI, Cybersecurity, Distributed Computing, and Metaverse news !

25 May 2026, 14:26

Bhutan's 2026 Bitcoin sales cross $237 million with latest 90 BTC move

In a fresh move, Bhutan reportedly transferred another 90 Bitcoins (approx worth $7 million) to a Segwit address. The steady series of transfers has now crossed more than $237 million since the start of the year. On-chain data shows that Bhutan moved BTC to an address that is different from the three P2SH wallet clusters. The country has used those wallets to hold most of its Bitcoin reserves. This has added to the speculation that the Himalayan kingdom may be quietly reducing its Bitcoin exposure. Bhutan’s Bitcoin selloff fears keep growing Bhutan has been caught shifting smaller amounts of BTC to a wallet that is not part of its primary sovereign holdings. Arkham data shows that Druk Holdings’ stash has fallen by around 10,000 Bitcoins from their October 2024 peak of around 13,390 BTC. It now holds approximately $233 million worth of Bitcoin. The latest transaction doesn’t come as a shocker, as the authority has been doing this throughout the year . Back on April 29, Bhutan transferred 100 BTC (worth nearly $8 million) out of its holding wallets. At that point, data suggested that the country had already moved around $206.98 million in Bitcoin since January. IS BHUTAN SELLING BITCOIN? Bhutan just moved 90 BTC ($7M) to a Segwit address which may indicate a transfer of BTC to a separate entity or sale. They’ve moved $237.39M of BTC from their wallets to Segwit addresses since the start of this year, and currently hold $233.18M BTC. pic.twitter.com/cch0Dc2mqu — Arkham (@arkham) May 25, 2026 Some analysts now believe Bhutan could fully unwind its sovereign Bitcoin position before the end of the year if the pace continues. However, it has remained one of the most unusual sovereign crypto experiments globally. April 11 saw 319.7 BTC (worth $22 million) leave the wallet. Around 250 BTC from that transaction reportedly moved into wallets previously associated with routing funds toward Galaxy Digital and OKX. So, the sell-off fear seems very real. Cryptopolitan reported that Bhutan had sold around 285 BTC in different batches during February. Why Bhutan may be moving away from Bitcoin mining Countries usually accumulate Bitcoin through seizures or treasury purchases. Meanwhile, Bhutan built its reserves through hydropower-backed mining operations. This is reportedly managed by Druk Holding and Investments. However, questions are now emerging around whether the mining operation itself is still active. It is being argued that the model pushed by Bhutan was working well when Bitcoin was trading above $90,000, and mining difficulty remained lower. After the 2024 halving, block rewards dropped to 3.125 BTC, and mining competition got wild. Bitcoin has been dealing with high selling pressure since the beginning of the year. BTC price is running down by almost 12% on a YTD basis. It is trading at $77,271 at press time. The recent price dip has already made it difficult for most of the Bitcoin holders to survive in the market. It is expected that Bhutan may earn more revenue exporting hydropower electricity to neighboring countries. Mining Bitcoin under the current scenario will only lead them to a loss. However, Druk Holding and Investments has not publicly commented on either the transfers or the status of its mining infrastructure. The global crypto market has shown small signs of stabilization amid the ongoing US-Iran dispute. Most of the biggest cryptos remained marginally up over the last day. Bitcoin managed to regain the crucial $77K mark after last week’s dip to the $75K levels. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

25 May 2026, 12:00

XRP Heats Up Again: Why Is the Expansion of the BTC Ecosystem Driving a Surge in Cloud Mining Users?

Over the past few years, Bitcoin has remained the central focus of the cryptocurrency market; however, as we enter 2026, an increasing number of investors are beginning to turn their attention toward XRP. Especially against the backdrop of increasingly clear global payments, cross-border finance, and crypto regulations, XRP has once again become one of the most discussed digital assets in the market. Compared to traditional cryptocurrencies, XRP tends to be more susceptible to market sentiment; whenever news emerges regarding ETFs, regulatory developments, or banking partnerships, market enthusiasm typically surges rapidly. This is why more and more trading platforms, analytics websites, and investment communities are increasing the frequency of their XRP-related content updates. Why Is XRP More Appealing to Retail Investors? Compared to Bitcoin—which already commands a high price—many retail investors find it much easier to develop an interest in XRP. The reason is quite simple: Many investors believe that, unlike BTC—which has already undergone multiple rounds of appreciation—the lower-priced XRP appears to offer greater potential for growth. Furthermore, XRP inherently possesses strong conversational appeal and market traction; any significant news development tends to readily capture the market’s attention. Particularly within the short-term trading arena, XRP’s high volatility makes it a key asset of focus for many investors. Precisely because of this, an increasing number of users are now seeking to engage with the XRP ecosystem through a more long-term approach, rather than limiting themselves solely to short-term trading. Why Are More and More People Turning to Cloud Mining? In the past, the majority of crypto investors relied primarily on frequent trading to generate profits. However, as market volatility has intensified, many users have begun to realize that high-frequency trading is not necessarily suitable for the average investor. This is particularly true in emotionally charged market environments, where frequently chasing rallies and panic-selling often leads to financial losses. Consequently, an increasing number of people have started seeking a more stable and long-term approach to participating in the market. As a result, the BTC ecosystem has once again captured the market’s attention. Compared to traditional cryptocurrency trading, the biggest advantage of cloud mining is that users can participate in the digital asset ecosystem without purchasing expensive equipment or mastering complex technologies. Why Is Cloud Mining Emerging as a New Trend? Traditional mining operations typically entail substantial hardware requirements, electricity consumption, and maintenance costs; cloud mining platforms, however, leverage shared computing power to enable users to participate in digital asset mining online, thereby significantly lowering the barrier to entry. Particularly within the current market landscape, an increasing number of investors are prioritizing “long-term yield models” rather than relying solely on short-term market fluctuations. Consequently, cloud mining is gradually transitioning from a niche practice into a mainstream phenomenon. Advantages of the BTC Ecosystem According to publicly available information regarding the current market landscape, the BTC Ecosystem primarily focuses its operations on green energy mining farms and delivers cloud mining services through a globalized computing power network. Compared to traditional platforms, the BTC Ecosystem places a greater emphasis on stability, long-term operational sustainability, and a real-time experience for monitoring earnings. Its features include: Green energy powered (solar/wind/hydropower) Global computing network (deployed in multiple countries) User-defined computing power allocation Daily revenue model No hardware requirements for participation The platform supports mobile management, allowing users to conveniently monitor the performance of their computing power and track changes in their earnings. This model is becoming increasingly attractive to many users who want to participate in the crypto ecosystem long-term while lowering the barriers to entry for traditional mining farms. Why are XRP users more receptive to cloud mining? Many XRP investors are inherently more focused on market opportunities, asset appreciation, and potential future growth upside. However, an increasing number of users are simultaneously realizing that relying solely on frequent trading makes it difficult to generate stable, long-term profits. Consequently, this is a key reason why a growing number of users with an interest in XRP have begun to take an interest in cloud mining within the BTC ecosystem. How to Choose a More Stable Platform? There are many cloud mining platforms on the market. When choosing one, users should pay more attention to the platform’s security, transparency, and regulatory background. According to publicly available information, the BTC Ecosystem official website is headquartered in Australia and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Compared to platforms that lack transparent information, those backed by legitimate regulatory oversight typically offer users a more stable and secure service experience. Consequently, for users engaged in the cryptocurrency market for the long term, a platform’s regulatory compliance and long-term operational viability are often far more important than the promise of high short-term returns. Behind the Rising Popularity of XRP As global interest in XRP continues to surge, an increasing number of investors are beginning to reconsider a fundamental question: What truly warrants a long-term strategic allocation—short-term trading, or sustained engagement with the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem? With green energy mining operations gradually emerging as a dominant industry trend, platforms such as the BTC Ecosystem are attracting a growing number of users seeking long-term participation in the crypto market. In the future, what truly matters may no longer be merely “how high XRP will rise,” but rather who can be the first to establish their own sustainable, long-term digital asset income system. BTC Ecosystem PR Team Email: [email protected] Website: https://btcecosystem.com/ Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press release for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Times Tabloid, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. The post XRP Heats Up Again: Why Is the Expansion of the BTC Ecosystem Driving a Surge in Cloud Mining Users? appeared first on Times Tabloid .