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11 Feb 2026, 19:30

Flow and HTX Confirm Full Protection of User Assets, Restore Full FLOW Services Following Security Resolution

BitcoinWorld Flow and HTX Confirm Full Protection of User Assets, Restore Full FLOW Services Following Security Resolution Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Flow, a consumer-first blockchain, and HTX, a leading global crypto exchange, today confirmed the full restoration of FLOW trading, deposits, and withdrawals on HTX following the December 27, 2025 security incident on the Flow network. Since the incident, Flow validators and core contributors executed a coordinated remediation process that contained the exploit, patched the vulnerability, and restored normal network operations, preserving the integrity of legitimate user balances at the network level. Concurrently, HTX activated its internal risk management and asset verification procedures, maintaining close and continuous coordination with the Flow team to assess impact, reconcile asset status, and safeguard user interests. Through these joint efforts, both parties affirm that all FLOW assets held by users on HTX remain intact and fully validated. Upon completing its internal reconciliation process, HTX resumed full FLOW services on its platform, confirming successful resolution of the incident and the continuation of standard listing status. “The complete protection of user assets is non-negotiable for HTX. This outcome underscores our steadfast user-first philosophy and the value of constructive engagement across the blockchain ecosystem,” said Molly Fu, Spokesperson of HTX. “We appreciate the close collaboration with the Flow team throughout this process and remain committed to working with partners to strengthen security practices, governance coordination, and long-term ecosystem resilience.” “HTX is a valued global partner for Flow, and we look forward to growing together,” said Roham Gharegozlou, CEO of Dapper Labs and Board Member at Flow Foundation. “Disney, the NBA, and the NFL chose Flow for a reason — and that reason hasn’t changed. Flow is where the world’s biggest brands meet the next generation of consumer products. And we’re just getting started.” The restoration arrives on the heels of news that the Flow network recently surpassed 40 million unique user accounts and 950 million transactions processed. Flow remains the most widely adopted consumer blockchain, with leading applications in sports, entertainment, and digital finance. As an important partner of the Flow ecosystem and leader in the blockchain industry, HTX will continue to uphold the highest standards of asset safety and disciplined risk management. Guided by a user-first approach, the platform is dedicated to reinforcing the trust, operational rigor, and resilience essential to sustainable growth in Web3. About Flow Flow is a consumer-first blockchain, trusted by today’s top global brands, powering 40 million accounts and 950 million transactions across sports, entertainment, and digital finance. Flow is the home of leading consumer platforms including NBA Top Shot, NFL ALL DAY, and Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs. Built for scale, usability, and reliability, Flow is expanding the types of consumer applications it supports, including new financial experiences designed for everyday users. For more info, visit Flow.com . About HTX Founded in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses. As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide. To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow HTX on X , Telegram , and Discord . For further inquiries, please contact [email protected] . cc(at)wearetheuntold.com This post Flow and HTX Confirm Full Protection of User Assets, Restore Full FLOW Services Following Security Resolution first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

11 Feb 2026, 11:00

Crypto Con Empire Collapses As Mastermind Faces 20 Years

A man accused of running a large-scale crypto romance scam was given a heavy federal sentence this week. According to court records and Justice Department statements, Daren Li, a dual national of China and St. Kitts and Nevis, received 20 years in prison for his role in a scheme that sent more than $73 million out of victims’ hands. Trust Built Online Li and a group of associates set up fake trading sites and copied the look of real platforms to make everything appear legitimate. They reached out through social media and dating apps, building friendly or romantic ties that made victims comfortable enough to move money. The approach was slow and patient; messages were exchanged for weeks, sometimes months, before the ask came. Reports note the team used a practice the industry calls “pig butchering” — grooming targets until they trusted the strangers on the other end of the chat. How Crypto Moved Court filings show the cash did not simply disappear. Money flowed into bank accounts tied to shell companies inside the US, then onward to other conduits. Nearly $60 million was routed this way, according to prosecutors. Eight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, while the investigation continues to map out additional links. Some transfers were hidden with layers of banking moves. At points funds were converted into cryptocurrency and moved through wallets to complicate tracing. Investigations And International Work Multiple federal agencies are on the case. The US Secret Service Global Investigative Operations Center led the probe, with help from Homeland Security Investigations’ El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force and the US Marshals Service. Coordination across borders was required because suspects and servers were often overseas. Li slipped an electronic ankle monitor and fled in December 2025, a fact officials say made the job of bringing him to justice harder. He was captured and later admitted to conspiring to launder the money. Bigger Pattern Of Crime Reports say crypto-related scams spiked at the start of 2026, with one security firm estimating $370 million stolen in January alone. Phishing and social engineering ate up most of that total; a single social hack accounted for roughly $280 million. #CertiKStatsAlert Combining all the incidents in January we’ve confirmed ~$370.3M lost to exploits. ~$311.3M of the total is attributed to phishing with one victim losing ~$284M due to a social engineering scam. More details below pic.twitter.com/uXhi0P6dl5 — CertiK Alert (@CertiKAlert) January 31, 2026 Losses of this size show how attackers combine online trust-building with technical tricks to drain accounts. Back in February 2025, attackers netted about $1.5 billion in one month when a major exchange was hacked, underscoring how varied the threats can be. The punishment handed down in the Central District of California sends a message that courts view these crypto crimes as serious. Victims will not get all their money back. Some restitution may be ordered. More prosecutions are likely as investigators follow money trails and coordinate with overseas partners. Featured image from Cayman Compass, chart from TradingView

11 Feb 2026, 05:00

South Korean lawmakers questioned Bithumb’s CEO after the exchange mistakenly transferred 620,000 Bitcoin, more than 12 times its actual holdings.

South Korea’s National Assembly lit into Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won after the exchange mistakenly transferred 620,000 Bitcoin, a number more than 12 times its actual holdings. That mistake, worth around $40 billion, triggered sharp questions about the exchange’s sloppy internal systems and how this kind of mess was even possible. Appearing before the National Policy Committee on the 11th, Jae-won admitted that Bithumb only reconciles its internal ledger with actual crypto assets once per day. “The time it takes for Bithumb to align its virtual currency holdings and circulation volume is one day,” he said. The exchange basically collects transaction data for 24 hours, then adjusts the real holdings the next day, meaning there’s always a full-day blind spot. “We acknowledge that the system for cross-verifying the amount to be transferred and the held amount was not reflected in this incident,” Jae-won added. Regulator blasts Bithumb’s outdated system and demands new laws Meanwhile, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS)’s chief Lee Chan-jin told lawmakers that real-time verification must become the standard. “Even 5 minutes is not short but rather very long,” Chan-jin said, referring to Upbit, a rival exchange that reconciles holdings every five minutes. He called for lawmakers to include mandatory real-time systems in the next stage of digital asset regulation. “Only when interlinked systems are in place where actual holdings and ledger balances align in real time can systemic safety be ensured,” Chan-jin told the Parliarment. The core problem is that Bithumb stores all its data in internal ledgers, not directly on-chain. Unlike blockchain records that are distributed across users’ computers and take time to confirm, Bithumb’s ledgers work more like spreadsheets. That delay is what allowed them to send out 620,000 Bitcoin they never actually owned. And that’s a lot more than just a technicality. Jae-won had earlier admitted that the company had no system in place to prevent that transfer in real time. Bitcoin fire sale triggered price drop, liquidations, and lawsuits In the 35 minutes before Bithumb froze affected accounts , 86 users sold about 1,788 Bitcoin. Some transferred proceeds to personal bank accounts. Others used the crypto to buy different tokens, according to local reports. This unexpected dump tanked prices temporarily on Bithumb’s platform. Jae-won acknowledged the two biggest areas of damage were the “panic selling” and the forced liquidation of over 30 users who had pledged Bitcoin as collateral. The CEO said, “We are considering two areas as targets for damage relief.” The sharp price fall triggered automatic margin calls and liquidations for people who had no clue the platform was malfunctioning. Chan-jin called the whole thing “catastrophic” for affected customers. Since Bitcoin has since bounced higher, anyone who has to return coins now might lose money. The government fears lawsuits may follow. Bithumb says it has already fixed 99.7% of the errors internally by reversing ledger entries. It’s now talking directly with around 80 customers who cashed out, asking them to return the Korean won equivalent… voluntarily, for now. The exchange is trying to avoid lawsuits, because under civil law, courts could demand that customers return the original Bitcoin rather than the cash. In a public apology, Bithumb said, “Bithumb takes this incident very seriously and will do its utmost to prevent recurrence by redesigning the entire asset payment process and enhancing the internal control system.” The company also claimed, “This incident is unrelated to any external hacking or security breach, and does not pose any issues with system security or customer asset management.” Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.

11 Feb 2026, 00:30

While Researchers Say Bitcoin Has Time on Quantum Security, Not Everyone Agrees

A new report from Coinshares argues that quantum computing poses a manageable, long-term risk to Bitcoin, but a pointed rebuttal from a post-quantum security advocate says that confidence may be misplaced. Post-Quantum Security Debate Heats up After Coinshares’ Bitcoin Report The Coinshares report, titled “Quantum Vulnerability in Bitcoin: A Manageable Risk,” contends that while future

10 Feb 2026, 21:07

John Karony from the SafeMoon debacle has finally been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison

Braden John Karony, famously known in crypto circles as John Karony, the former CEO of SafeMoon, has just been sentenced to 100 months behind bars. That amounts to about 8 years and 4 months in a federal prison, a major legal conclusion for one of the key figures linked to the SafeMoon incident. Closer to theft than fraud Karony was convicted of his crimes in May 2025 following a jury trial that took place in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The court found him guilty on three counts, including conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to court proceedings from today, February 10, 2026, Karony’s total offense level was 37, and he was put in criminal history category 1 with a guideline of 210 to 262 months. The proceedings today involved victims sharing their experiences with SafeMoon and specifically Karony, whom several of them claimed had been the one to convince them the project was trustworthy and would not rugpull. “We believed in Mr. Karony, what he said – it gave us a sense of false security. Our investment changed the trajectory of our life. We have not been able to buy a house. To this day, we have not been able,” one victim claimed. Karony’s defense defended his position by claiming that it all went down when Karony was just 25, and his brain was just developing. His defense tried to attract sympathy by diving into his family history, but that did little to help. He had already been convicted. After the court went on recess and resumed session, the Judge in charge, United States District Judge Eric R. Komitee of the Eastern District of New York, called what happened with SafeMoon a “massive fraud.” “I’d describe it this way: the defendant and co-conspirators went to great pains to earn the trust of people who bought it, assuring there would not be a rug-pull. That happened,” Komittee said. The judge also pointed out that the incident was more similar to “theft than fraud,” especially since it was not a small loss per person, as is the case in many securities frauds. “I sentence you to 100 months in the custody of the AG. On count 1, 60; count 2, 100 concurrently,” Komittee concluded . The hearing for the third count of money laundering will reportedly take place on April 23 at 10 in the morning. What happened to the SafeMoon project? According to SEC documents , Karony and his co-conspirators misrepresented various material aspects of the SafeMoon offering to investors. They lied that SafeMoon relied on “locked” liquidity pools that would automatically increase in size due to a 10% tax imposed on every SafeMoon transaction; that the “locked” SafeMoon liquidity pool meant the defendants and other insiders at SafeMoon would not be able to “rug pull” SafeMoon investors by removing liquidity from the SafeMoon liquidity pool. They also claimed that tokens in the liquidity pool would only be used for limited pre-defined business purposes, not personal enrichment; that the defendants would manually add token pairs to the SafeMoon liquidity pool when transactions of SafeMoon occurred on specific centralized exchanges; and that the developers were not and had not been holding and trading SafeMoon for their benefit. In truth, Karony and his co-conspirators had access to the SafeMoon liquidity pools, which they used to intentionally divert and misappropriate millions of dollars’ worth of tokens for their personal benefit. Also, although they publicly denied that they personally held or traded SafeMoon, they repeatedly bought and sold SafeMoon, sometimes at the height of SafeMoon’s market price, earning themselves millions of dollars in profits. They masked their movement of the fraudulent proceeds via numerous private un-hosted crypto wallet addresses, complex transaction routing, and pseudonymous centralized exchange accounts. Other company executives are in trouble too Karony reportedly walked away from the scheme with over $9 million in crypto assets, some of which he used to purchase luxury vehicles and real estate, including a $2.2 million home in Utah, additional homes in Utah and Kansas, a $277,000 Audi R8 sports car, another Audi R8, a Tesla, and custom Ford F-550 and Jeep Gladiator pickup trucks. His co-conspirator, Thomas Smith, previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, while his other co-conspirator, Kyle Nagy, remains at large. “As proven at trial, the SafeMoon digital asset was anything but safe and turned out to be pie in the sky for investors who were deliberately misled by Karony, a man who sought to get rich quick by stealing and diverting millions of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. The maximum possible sentence for his crimes could have been up to 45 years. Prosecutors had reportedly recommended 12, while the defense pushed for about a year. The decision to settle on the 100-month term has taken into account federal sentencing guidelines, forfeiture orders, and some other factors like restitution considerations. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

10 Feb 2026, 18:45

Trump’s Critical Warning: Second Carrier Deployment Looms as Iran Talks Face Collapse

BitcoinWorld Trump’s Critical Warning: Second Carrier Deployment Looms as Iran Talks Face Collapse WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a move escalating global tensions, President Donald Trump has signaled a potential decisive military escalation , suggesting he might order a second U.S. aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf if critical negotiations with Iran fail. This statement, first reported by Axios, arrives at a pivotal moment for Middle Eastern stability and nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Consequently, analysts worldwide are scrutinizing the strategic calculus behind such a formidable naval deployment. Trump’s Iran Carrier Threat: A Strategic Analysis President Trump’s remarks underscore a persistent pressure campaign against Tehran. Historically, the United States has maintained a significant naval presence in the region. However, deploying a second carrier strike group represents a substantial intensification. Each Nimitz-class carrier typically serves as the centerpiece of a battle group comprising guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, and attack submarines. Therefore, a dual-carrier presence projects overwhelming force, capable of enforcing a no-fly zone, conducting sustained air operations, and providing layered missile defense. This potential deployment follows a pattern of heightened activity. For instance, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2019 amid similar tensions. Military experts note that dual-carrier operations are rare and reserved for demonstrating unmatched capability or preparing for high-intensity conflict. The table below outlines the core components of a standard U.S. carrier strike group. Component Typical Number Primary Role Aircraft Carrier 1 Flight operations & command Guided-Missile Cruisers 1-2 Air defense & strike Guided-Missile Destroyers 2-3 Multi-role escort Attack Submarine 1 Anti-submarine & stealth strike Supply Ship 1 Logistics & replenishment Context of Faltering Nuclear Diplomacy The diplomatic backdrop is the fraying Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. The U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018, reinstating severe economic sanctions. Since then, Iran has incrementally breached the deal’s limits on uranium enrichment. Recent negotiations in Vienna, aimed at reviving the pact, have repeatedly stalled. Key sticking points include the scope of sanctions relief and verification measures for Iran’s nuclear activities. Trump’s carrier statement functions as a stark warning. It explicitly links diplomatic outcomes to military posture. This coercive diplomacy aims to leverage maximum pressure. European allies, while concerned about Iran’s nuclear advances, often express apprehension about such overt military threats. They argue it could harden Tehran’s position and reduce negotiating flexibility. Meanwhile, regional partners like Israel and Saudi Arabia have historically supported a firm stance against Iran. Expert Perspectives on Escalation Risks Security analysts provide critical context on the risks. “A second carrier is not a routine patrol,” notes Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a senior fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses. “It’s a potent signal of readiness for major combat operations. The Iranian military would likely interpret it as preparation for a first strike, potentially triggering pre-emptive maneuvers.” Furthermore, the congested waters of the Persian Gulf increase the risk of miscalculation. Incidents like the seizure of tankers or confrontations with fast-attack craft could spiral rapidly. Historical precedent offers cautionary tales. The 1988 “Operation Praying Mantis” saw the U.S. Navy engage Iranian forces after a mine damaged a warship. Today’s environment is even more complex due to Iran’s advanced drone and missile capabilities. These systems, some sourced from Russia, pose a significant asymmetric threat to even the most powerful naval formations. Consequently, any deployment would necessitate robust defensive planning. Economic and Global Security Impacts The potential for disruption extends far beyond the military sphere. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint guarded by Iran, facilitates about 20% of the world’s oil trade. A major confrontation could sever this vital artery, triggering a global energy crisis. Oil prices would likely spike, impacting economies still recovering from recent instability. Insurance premiums for shipping lanes would soar immediately. Global markets remain highly sensitive to Middle Eastern volatility. Key impacts would include: Energy Security: Spiking crude oil and natural gas prices worldwide. Supply Chains: Disruption to maritime logistics and increased transport costs. Defense Posture: Allied nations reassessing their own naval deployments in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Non-Proliferation: Potential collapse of the nuclear treaty framework, incentivizing regional arms races. Moreover, such a crisis would divert immense U.S. diplomatic and military resources. It could impact strategic priorities in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Adversaries might seek to exploit the distraction, testing American resolve in other theaters. Therefore, the decision carries weight for global power dynamics beyond the immediate region. Conclusion President Trump’s suggestion of a second carrier deployment to Iran represents a critical juncture in U.S. foreign policy. It highlights the direct linkage between stalled nuclear diplomacy and credible military threat. While intended to pressure Tehran, this move carries profound risks of miscalculation and regional escalation. The coming weeks will test the resilience of diplomatic channels and the strategic patience of all involved parties. Ultimately, the world watches to see if this powerful naval demonstration will force a breakthrough or deepen a dangerous standoff. FAQs Q1: How many aircraft carriers does the U.S. typically have near Iran? The U.S. often maintains one carrier strike group in the Middle East region as part of its Fifth Fleet. Deploying a second one simultaneously is a notable escalation used for major exercises or high-threat scenarios. Q2: What is the status of the Iran nuclear deal talks? As of this reporting, indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by European powers, are stalled. Disagreements persist over the sequence of sanctions relief and guarantees on future compliance. Q3: What military capability does a second carrier add? It doubles available aircraft for strikes, surveillance, and air defense. It also complicates an adversary’s targeting, provides redundancy, and allows for sustained, round-the-clock operations, which is a key marker of intent for a major campaign. Q4: How has Iran responded to previous U.S. carrier deployments? Iran has typically condemned them as provocative, sometimes responding with its own military exercises, missile tests, or harassment of commercial shipping. It often leverages proxy forces in the region to signal its reach. Q5: Could this lead to a full-scale war? While neither side appears to seek a total war, the concentration of forces increases the risk of an accidental clash escalating. History shows that conflicts often start from unintended incidents during periods of high military alert. This post Trump’s Critical Warning: Second Carrier Deployment Looms as Iran Talks Face Collapse first appeared on BitcoinWorld .