Invest ideasNews
18 May 2026, 05:33
Verus Ethereum Bridge Exploit Drains Over $11 Million in Crypto
Investigators said the attacker drained assets including tBTC, ETH, and USDC before swapping the stolen funds into ETH. Security researchers also pointed out that the attacker’s wallet was initially funded through Tornado Cash shortly before the exploit took place. Hackers Drain $11.5M From Verus DeFi protocol Verus is reportedly dealing with a major exploit involving its Ethereum bridge. Blockchain security firms estimate that attackers have already drained approximately $11.58 million in digital assets. The incident was first pointed out late Sunday by on-chain security platform Blockaid, which identified suspicious activity tied to an attacker wallet beginning with “0x5aBb” and noted that the stolen funds were being stored in another address ending in “C25F9.” Security researchers from PeckShield later provided more details about the attack, and claimed that the Verus-Ethereum bridge lost around 103.6 tBTC, 1,625 ETH, and 147,000 USDC during the exploit. According to the firm, the attacker quickly swapped the stolen assets into approximately 5,402 ETH, valued at roughly $11.4 million at current market prices. PeckShield also revealed that the attacker’s wallet was initially funded through Tornado Cash, the crypto mixing service often associated with anonymous transactions. The address received 1 ETH around 14 hours before the exploit occurred. Another blockchain security company, GoPlus, suggested that the exploit may have involved a sophisticated flaw in the bridge’s transaction validation system. The firm stated that the attacker seemingly sent a low-value transaction to the bridge contract before triggering a function that enabled the batch transfer of reserve assets directly to the drainer wallet. GoPlus added that the incident could be linked to cross-chain message validation failures, signature forgery vulnerabilities, withdrawal logic bypasses, or access control weaknesses in the bridge infrastructure. These types of vulnerabilities have become very common targets for attackers in decentralized finance, particularly for cross-chain bridges that manage large pools of locked liquidity. Verus launched in 2018, and is a privacy-focused blockchain network that operates using a hybrid “proof-of-power” consensus mechanism that combines proof-of-work and proof-of-stake elements. Its Ethereum bridge was introduced in October of 2023, and was designed to allow users to transfer and convert assets between the Verus ecosystem and Ethereum.
18 May 2026, 05:30
Clarity in a K-Shaped Economy – Week in Review
This editorial is from last week’s edition of the newsletter Week in Review. Subscribe to the newsletter to get this weekly editorial the second it’s finished. The newsletter also includes the biggest stories of the week with a comment on each story. Week in Review Bitcoin finished the week stubbornly battling with $80,000, while ethereum
18 May 2026, 05:30
Metaplanet CEO Meets Japanese Lawmaker to Discuss National Bitcoin Strategy
BitcoinWorld Metaplanet CEO Meets Japanese Lawmaker to Discuss National Bitcoin Strategy Simon Gerovich, CEO of Metaplanet, a Japanese publicly traded company known for accumulating Bitcoin, revealed on social media platform X that he recently met with Junichi Kanda, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The discussion centered on Japan’s approach to Bitcoin strategy, signaling a potential shift in the country’s regulatory and adoption landscape. Background of the Meeting Junichi Kanda, who previously participated in a Metaplanet-hosted event in March 2024, is a lawmaker with a growing interest in digital assets. Metaplanet, often compared to MicroStrategy for its corporate Bitcoin treasury strategy, has been actively advocating for clearer cryptocurrency policies in Japan. The meeting, announced by Gerovich on August 15, 2025, adds to a series of dialogues between industry leaders and policymakers in Tokyo. Implications for Japan’s Crypto Policy Japan has historically been a cautious but progressive market for cryptocurrencies. The LDP, which has shown openness to blockchain innovation, is currently reviewing its stance on digital assets amid global regulatory developments. This meeting suggests that corporate voices are being heard in shaping future legislation, particularly regarding Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset and its broader economic role. Why This Matters For investors and observers, the dialogue between Metaplanet and a key LDP lawmaker indicates that Japan may be moving toward more favorable regulatory frameworks for Bitcoin. This could influence other Asian markets and global corporate adoption trends. The meeting also underscores the growing intersection of corporate strategy and government policy in the cryptocurrency space. Conclusion While no specific policy changes have been announced, the meeting between Metaplanet’s CEO and LDP lawmaker Junichi Kanda represents a meaningful step in Japan’s evolving Bitcoin conversation. As the country navigates its regulatory path, such engagements will be critical in shaping a balanced approach that fosters innovation while addressing financial stability concerns. FAQs Q1: What is Metaplanet? Metaplanet is a Japanese publicly listed company that has adopted a Bitcoin treasury strategy, similar to MicroStrategy. It holds Bitcoin as a primary reserve asset and advocates for cryptocurrency adoption in Japan. Q2: Who is Junichi Kanda? Junichi Kanda is a member of Japan’s House of Representatives from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He has shown interest in digital assets and previously attended a Metaplanet event in March 2024. Q3: Could this meeting lead to policy changes? While the meeting signals dialogue between industry and policymakers, no immediate policy changes have been announced. It may, however, influence future discussions on Bitcoin regulation in Japan. This post Metaplanet CEO Meets Japanese Lawmaker to Discuss National Bitcoin Strategy first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
18 May 2026, 05:26
Bitcoin slips below $77k as oil surge, rising yields hit risk appetite
18 May 2026, 05:25
Jupiter Deposits $62K in JUP to Litterbox Trust as Protocol Revenue Accumulation Continues
BitcoinWorld Jupiter Deposits $62K in JUP to Litterbox Trust as Protocol Revenue Accumulation Continues Jupiter (JUP), the Solana-based decentralized exchange aggregator, has added 315,152 JUP tokens — worth approximately $62,000 — to its Litterbox Trust, the project announced via X on May 18. This deposit is part of a broader two-year initiative in which Jupiter commits 50% of its protocol revenue to accumulating JUP tokens through the trust. May Accumulation Accelerates According to the project’s latest update, the May contribution brings the monthly total to 8,392,832 JUP, valued at roughly $1.65 million. Since the program began, Jupiter has deposited a cumulative 113,508,785 JUP into the Litterbox Trust, representing approximately $24.45 million at current market prices. The Litterbox Trust functions as a transparent on-chain treasury mechanism. By funneling a fixed percentage of protocol-generated revenue — primarily from swap fees and routing services — Jupiter systematically buys back and holds JUP tokens. This approach reduces circulating supply over time and signals long-term confidence in the protocol’s native asset. Mechanism and Market Implications Jupiter’s accumulation strategy differs from traditional buyback-and-burn models. Instead of permanently removing tokens from circulation, the Litterbox Trust retains them as a reserve. This allows the protocol to potentially deploy the accumulated JUP for future governance initiatives, ecosystem incentives, or strategic partnerships without diluting existing holders through new issuance. The move reflects a growing trend among DeFi protocols to use revenue for native token support. Unlike discretionary buybacks, Jupiter’s automated, on-chain approach provides verifiable transparency — all transactions are recorded on Solana and can be audited by anyone. Why This Matters for JUP Holders For JUP token holders, the accumulation program introduces a predictable demand side to the market. Each month, regardless of market conditions, Jupiter directs half of its revenue toward purchasing JUP. This creates a structural buying pressure that may help stabilize price fluctuations over the program’s duration. However, investors should note that the trust does not lock tokens permanently. The governance structure behind the Litterbox Trust could theoretically authorize future distributions, meaning the accumulated supply may re-enter circulation. Jupiter has not disclosed specific unlock schedules or governance parameters for the trust. Broader Context for Solana DeFi Jupiter remains the dominant aggregator on Solana, processing billions in monthly volume. The protocol’s ability to generate consistent revenue from swap fees has enabled the accumulation program without external funding. Other Solana-based projects, including Orca and Raydium, have implemented similar revenue-sharing or buyback mechanisms, but Jupiter’s Litterbox Trust is notable for its scale and automated execution. As of May 2025, the trust holds over 113 million JUP, representing roughly 5.6% of the total circulating supply. If the program continues at current revenue levels, Jupiter could accumulate an additional 50-60 million JUP over the next 18 months. Conclusion Jupiter’s latest deposit to the Litterbox Trust reinforces its commitment to a structured, transparent token accumulation strategy. By dedicating half of protocol revenue to JUP purchases over two years, the project aims to align incentives between the protocol and its token holders. While the long-term impact depends on governance decisions and market conditions, the program provides a clear, verifiable mechanism for reducing sell pressure and building a protocol-owned reserve. FAQs Q1: What is the Litterbox Trust? The Litterbox Trust is an on-chain treasury managed by Jupiter that accumulates JUP tokens using 50% of the protocol’s revenue. It operates transparently on Solana and is designed to hold tokens for potential future use by the protocol. Q2: How much JUP has been accumulated so far? As of May 18, 2025, the trust holds 113,508,785 JUP, valued at approximately $24.45 million. This includes 8,392,832 JUP added in May alone. Q3: Will the accumulated JUP ever be sold or distributed? Jupiter has not specified detailed governance rules for the trust. The accumulated tokens could potentially be used for future ecosystem initiatives, grants, or other protocol needs, subject to governance votes. The tokens are not permanently burned. This post Jupiter Deposits $62K in JUP to Litterbox Trust as Protocol Revenue Accumulation Continues first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
18 May 2026, 05:21
Bitcoin Crash Wipes Out $660 Million
A sudden Bitcoin plunge below $77,000 has wiped out over $660 million in leveraged positions, catching overwhelmingly bullish traders completely off guard.
