THORChain said developers and security teams are still working to bring the network back online after the May 15 incident. 

In its latest update, the protocol said the focus is on restoring the network safely, “without rushing any steps.”

The update comes after THORChain’s official exploit report said the network lost about $10.7 million from one of five vaults. The report said a newly churned node operator entered the network two days before the exploit and used a GG20 Threshold Signature Scheme vulnerability to drain the affected vault. The remaining four vaults were not affected.

THORChain said nodes have upgraded to v3.18.1, a patch that also restores Rujira Network’s ability to manage credit accounts, including borrowing and repayments. The next step is cutting and testing v3.19.0, which will include more changes before any mainnet push.

The protocol said the release is expected to move to stagenet by the end of the following day, but added that an “exact timeline is yet to be confirmed.” Once the mainnet version is ready, node operators will be asked to upgrade quickly so the network can restart safely.

ADR028 approval activates hacker bounty

The latest update said ADR028 has been approved by nodes, moving THORChain’s recovery plan into its next phase. The proposal had opened for voting after the incident and set the main recovery direction for the protocol.

As previously reported by crypto.news, ADR028 was designed to restart THORChain after the exploit without minting new RUNE, selling RUNE, or diluting holders. The plan uses protocol-owned liquidity first, with any remaining shortfall spread across synth holders.

With ADR028 now approved, THORChain said the bounty window is active. That gives the attacker a chance to return part of the stolen funds. The protocol also said it plans to cover the remaining loss using protocol-owned liquidity, though final figures will be shared later.

The recovery plan also includes full slashing of the attacker’s node. THORChain previously said innocent nodes that were in the same vault would be protected, while recovered RUNE would be paired with recovered assets from the affected vault. Any surplus RUNE would be burned.

Security audit shifts tss-lib behind closed doors

THORChain also said tss-lib has been moved to closed source for a few weeks. The protocol said the move gives THORSec time to complete a full security audit without exposing active remediation work.

That decision marks a short-term shift for a protocol built around open development. THORChain said the repository will reopen after the audit is complete. The move is tied to the security review after the GG20-related exploit.

The official exploit report said automatic solvency checks detected the vault imbalance within minutes. Node operators then used manual pauses and Mimir governance votes to stop trading, signing, chain observation, and churning within about two hours of the community alert.

THORChain’s report also said v3.18.1 was released as an immediate precaution to protect remaining vaults while the investigation continues. The longer recovery path will now depend on v3.19.0, node adoption, audit work, and governance follow-through.

DeFi exploit pressure remains high

The THORChain incident first drew wider attention when blockchain investigator ZachXBT warned that losses could top $10 million across Bitcoin, Ethereum, BSC, and Base. Crypto.news reported on May 15 that THORChain paused trading and used a global emergency halt after the exploit alert spread online.

The same report noted that RUNE dropped sharply after the warning as users waited for clearer information from protocol operators. Early estimates placed the loss above $7.4 million, before updated tracking pointed to at least $10 million stolen.

The restart process now carries two tests. The first is technical: developers need to confirm that the patched releases can support safe network operations. The second is financial: the protocol must finalize loss coverage, bounty terms, and recovery figures without creating new RUNE supply.

At the start of the week, the US currency continues to trade near significant levels amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding negotiations between the United States and Iran. Markets are closely monitoring reports suggesting a possible prolongation of the negotiation process and an increased US military presence in the Middle East, both of which are supporting demand for safe-haven assets, including the dollar.

Additional support for the US currency comes from rising US Treasury yields and expectations surrounding upcoming macroeconomic data releases, which could influence further market expectations regarding Federal Reserve policy.

At the same time, the dollar’s movement remains mixed. Despite the recent strengthening of USD/JPY and USD/CAD, both pairs have approached important technical resistance levels, where buying activity is beginning to slow. The market is now assessing whether the current momentum can develop into a broader continuation of dollar strength, or whether the advance in the US currency will remain merely a short-term reaction to geopolitical risks.

USD/JPY

Buyers in USD/JPY have managed to establish the pair above the key 159.00 level. If the 158.70–159.00 range retains its status as support, further growth towards 159.80–160.20 remains possible. A loss of this zone could trigger a downward correction towards 158.00–157.80.

Key events for USD/JPY:

• today at 11:00 (GMT+3): speech by Dallas Fed representative Lorie K. Logan;
• today at 15:15 (GMT+3): US ADP non-farm employment change;
• tomorrow at 02:50 (GMT+3): foreign investment in Japanese equities.

USD/CAD

USD/CAD is also trading within a range after reaching major resistance near 1.3800. Should strong US data be released or demand for the dollar remain firm, the pair may consolidate above 1.3820 and continue rising towards 1.3870. Conversely, weaker interest in the US currency could push the pair below 1.3800 and towards the 1.3750–1.3770 area.

Key events for USD/CAD:

• today at 15:30 (GMT+3): Canadian wholesale sales data;
• today at 23:30 (GMT+3): weekly US crude oil inventories from the American Petroleum Institute (API);
• tomorrow at 15:30 (GMT+3): Canada’s current account balance.

Overall, the dollar continues to retain an advantage amid geopolitical uncertainty and expectations of fresh macroeconomic signals from the United States. Nevertheless, the approach of USD/JPY and USD/CAD towards key technical resistance levels increases the likelihood of the current momentum slowing, while the next directional move will largely depend on incoming US economic data and developments surrounding negotiations between the US and Iran.

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EUR/USD started a downside correction from 1.1650. USD/CHF is rising and might aim for a move toward 0.7880 or 0.7900.

Important Takeaways for EUR/USD and USD/CHF Analysis Today

· The Euro struggled to clear 1.1650 and corrected gains against the US Dollar.

· There is a key bullish trend line forming with support at 1.1630 on the hourly chart of EUR/USD at FXOpen.

· USD/CHF is showing positive signs above the 0.7830 zone.

· There was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at 0.7830 on the hourly chart at FXOpen.

EUR/USD Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of EUR/USD at FXOpen, the pair gained pace for a move above 1.1600. The Euro tested 1.1650 and recently corrected gains against the US Dollar.

The pair dipped below 1.1635 and the 38.2% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the 1.1588 swing low to the 1.1652 high. However, the bulls were active above 1.1620. There is also a key bullish trend line forming with support at 1.1630.

The pair is again above the 50-hour simple moving average. Immediate resistance on the upside could be 1.1650. The next key hurdle for the bulls might be 1.1675.

An upside break above 1.1675 might send the pair toward 1.1705. Any more gains might open the doors for a move toward 1.1740. If the bulls fail to push the pair above 1.1650, there could be another bearish reaction.

On the downside, immediate support on the EUR/USD chart might be near the trend line at 1.1630. The next major area of interest could be near the 50% Fib retracement level at 1.1620. A downside break below 1.1620 could send the pair toward 1.1550.

USD/CHF Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of USD/CHF at FXOpen, the pair declined from the 0.7900 barrier and tested the 0.7810 zone. The US Dollar traded as low as 0.7808 and recently started a fresh increase against the Swiss Franc.

The pair climbed above 0.7820 and the 50-hour simple moving average. There was a break above the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the 0.7903 swing high to the 0.7808 low. Besides, there was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at 0.7830.

The bulls are now facing hurdles near the 61.8% Fib retracement at 0.7865. The next major area of interest could be 0.7880. The main sell region could be near 0.7900.

If there is a clear break above 0.7900, the pair could start another increase. In the stated case, it could test 0.8000. If there is another decline, the pair might test the 50-hour simple moving average at 0.7835.

The first major support on the USD/CHF chart could be 0.7830. A downside break below 0.7830 might spark bearish moves. The next major support might be 0.7800. Any more losses may possibly open the doors for a move toward 0.7765 in the near term.

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TLDR

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared the Strait of Hormuz will be accessible again “one way or the other” after recent U.S. military operations targeting Iran
• Negotiated framework under discussion features ceasefire lasting 30-60 days with provisions for Iranian oil exports
• Administration officials forecast dramatic energy price drops upon strait’s reopening
• Energy sector experts caution about extended “Hormuz Hangover” with normalization potentially requiring multiple quarters or years
• Oil futures fluctuating in $90-$100 range amid ongoing diplomatic uncertainty

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a firm declaration Tuesday that the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor will be restored to operation “one way or the other,” speaking after American military forces conducted strikes on Iran’s southern territory overnight. His remarks coincided with ongoing indirect diplomatic exchanges between U.S. and Iranian representatives in Qatar’s capital.

The strategic waterway has faced operational constraints since combined U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran commenced on February 28, initiating the current conflict. Tehran’s subsequent restrictions on maritime traffic have been a significant factor in escalating fuel costs worldwide.

Rubio emphasized that Washington’s position requires unrestricted, cost-free navigation through the strait. He condemned Iran’s implementation of passage fees, asserting that Tehran stands isolated internationally in supporting such a maritime toll structure.

Tehran has rejected characterizations of the fees as tolls, with foreign ministry representatives explaining the charges compensate for navigational assistance and environmental safeguards.

What a Deal Would Look Like

Emerging reports indicate the diplomatic framework being considered encompasses a ceasefire extension of either 30 or 60 days, during which maritime access would be restored and Tehran would receive authorization to sell oil. Discussions regarding nuclear capabilities would be deferred to subsequent negotiations.

Wolfe Research analysts characterized the proposal as a “skinny” agreement, observing that financial markets “won’t care one bit about the deferral of the nuclear file.” Their assessment is direct: strait accessibility alone would trigger favorable market responses.

President Trump indicated over the recent weekend that an announcement regarding a deal would come “shortly,” though he subsequently revised expectations, acknowledging negotiations require additional time.

Rubio stated Tuesday that finalizing any agreement would require “a few days,” even as fresh confrontations between American and Iranian military forces erupted near the strait. U.S. Central Command confirmed conducting strikes partially to neutralize Iranian vessels attempting to deploy naval mines.

Why Analysts Are Cautioning Against Optimism

Despite confident projections from administration officials, energy sector analysts are advocating measured expectations. Wolfe Research projected that replenishing commercial and strategic petroleum reserves “will stretch well into 2027.” Henrietta Treyz from AGF Investments introduced the concept of a “Hormuz Hangover,” arguing recovery duration should be “measured in quarters and years.”

Capital Economics assessed that any market surge following reopening would likely prove constrained because energy pricing won’t immediately normalize.

Administration officials have contested this conservative outlook. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, stated on Fox Business that “as soon as the straits are open, energy prices are going to plummet like nothing you’ve ever seen before.” He projected refinery replenishment could occur within one to two months.

Approximately 1,500 vessels are currently stationed in the Persian Gulf awaiting clearance through the strait. Physical infrastructure damage to regional energy facilities compounds the projected recovery period.

Brent crude alongside West Texas Intermediate futures maintained trading ranges between $90 and $100 per barrel Tuesday as diplomatic discussions progressed.

Yardeni Research analysts identified an additional long-term consideration. Even following conflict resolution, equity markets will likely incorporate a “Strait of Hormuz premium” into oil valuations, reflecting the persistent possibility of future Iranian closures.

Iranian legislators introduced additional stipulations Tuesday, with the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee chairman detailing confidence-building requirements the United States must satisfy before finalizing any accord.

As of Tuesday evening, no agreement had been concluded, and the timeline for potential announcements remained undetermined.

Chainlink is drawing fresh market attention after Binance outflow data showed a sharp rise in large LINK withdrawals. 

CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost said the top 10 LINK outflow transactions on Binance have climbed to their highest level of 2025.

The analyst said the largest daily outflows averaged more than 3,600 LINK through May, with several days showing more than 5,000 LINK withdrawn. Such moves often suggest investors are moving tokens away from exchanges and into external wallets for longer holding.

The broader altcoin market has also started to recover from its February low. Darkfost noted that Total3, which tracks the total crypto market cap excluding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins, has risen more than 15% from that local bottom.

Still, the recovery remains uneven. Some tokens have strongly outperformed, while many assets continue to trade far below previous highs. 

Chainlink price trades below key recovery level

The crypto.news price page showed Chainlink trading near $9.42, down 82.13% from its all-time high of $52.70 reached on May 10, 2021. Daily trading volume stood at about $293.28 million, with LINK ranking among the most actively traded crypto assets.

The token had a market capitalization of about $6.84 billion and a circulating supply of 727.09 million LINK. Chainlink has a maximum supply of 1 billion LINK, which keeps supply data in focus for long-term investors.

Technical data showed LINK trading below the 20-day Bollinger Band midline at $9.87. The upper band sat near $10.76, while the lower band was near $8.99.

That setup shows the token is stabilizing above lower support, but buyers have not yet gained clear control. A move above $9.65, cited by CryptoWZRD as a short-term trigger, could open room for more upside. A drop below $8.95 would put support back in focus.

Whale wallets add to accumulation signal

Just 2 days ago, Santiment data also pointed to rising whale activity. The analytics platform said Chainlink now has 805 wallets holding at least 100,000 LINK, an all-time high. Those wallets have increased by 8.2% over seven weeks.

This adds weight to the exchange outflow signal. When large wallets grow while tokens leave exchanges, traders often read it as accumulation. It can suggest that large holders are preparing for a longer-term move rather than short-term selling.

However, the setup is not a confirmed reversal. Darkfost cautioned that “a single indicator alone is not enough to confirm a structural market reversal.”

That caveat matters because LINK still trades in a weak technical zone. The Chaikin Money Flow was near -0.07, showing mild negative money flow. Selling pressure remains present, even if it is not extreme.

Chainlink fundamentals remain active

Recent network data gives the price setup more context. Chainlink’s CCIP stack recently passed $110 billion in total value secured, including about $60 billion tied to cross-chain tokens and $50 billion in DeFi data feeds.

The same report noted that Chainlink had enabled $30.31 trillion in cumulative transaction value and published 19.39 billion verified on-chain messages as of late May 2026.

As earlier reported by crypto.news, Chainlink earned Deloitte SOC 2 Type 2 certification, a compliance step aimed at strengthening trust among institutional users. The report noted that CCIP had averaged about $90 million in weekly token transfers, while Chainlink infrastructure had enabled more than $28 trillion in cumulative transaction value at that time.

For now, the LINK price setup remains mixed. Exchange outflows and whale growth point to accumulation, while technical indicators show consolidation between $9 and $10. Bulls need a clean move above $9.65 and then $9.87 to show stronger recovery momentum.

Key Highlights

• Base network from Coinbase has introduced Base MCP, enabling AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Claude to interface with cryptocurrency wallets.
• Through conversational commands, users can transfer assets, exchange tokens, view account balances and engage with decentralized finance platforms.
• Initial integration includes support for DeFi protocols such as Uniswap, Morpho, Moonwell and Avantis.
• All transactions require explicit user approval — AI assistants never gain access to private wallet keys.
• The x402 agentic payment system, which Base MCP builds upon, has recorded only $1.1 million in transaction volume during the last 30 days.

The Ethereum Layer 2 solution from Coinbase, known as Base, has unveiled Base MCP, an innovative integration that enables artificial intelligence platforms including ChatGPT and Claude to communicate directly with cryptocurrency wallets and decentralized financial applications.

This integration leverages the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an established framework designed to facilitate secure connections between AI systems and external applications.

Through simple conversational requests, users can instruct an AI agent to execute various operations including fund transfers, token swaps, balance inquiries, or transaction history reviews — all without navigating traditional cryptocurrency interfaces.

The initial release supports multiple DeFi protocols operating on Base. These encompass lending services Morpho and Moonwell, decentralized trading platform Uniswap, and derivatives exchange Avantis. Additional supported platforms include Aerodrome, Bankr and Virtuals.

Transaction Execution Process

When users submit requests, the AI assistant formulates a proposed action within the chat interface. Subsequently, the Base wallet appears in a separate window where users can either approve or reject the transaction.

Private keys remain exclusively under user control. Each operation undergoes the identical verification process used for standard Base account transactions. Additionally, asset modifications are previewed through simulation before user confirmation.

Lincoln Murr, who leads AI Product development at Coinbase, emphasized that the Base Account maintains continuity across platforms. He distinguished it from “isolated agentic wallets confined to terminal environments,” noting that trading activity, transaction records, and portfolio information remain synchronized across both the AI agent interface and the Base application.

Base positioned this release as advancing toward AI-integrated internet experiences. The organization expressed confidence that conversational agent interfaces will emerge as a primary channel for users to explore and utilize blockchain-based applications.

Development Phase and Security Considerations

Base MCP also advances the adoption of x402, an agentic AI payment framework introduced by Coinbase in May 2025. Murr characterized MCP as a “convenient wrapper” built upon existing application programming interfaces.

Combined with x402, this technology aims to facilitate small-scale cryptocurrency micropayments executed by AI agents. Nevertheless, x402 remains in nascent stages. Information from x402scan indicates the framework has handled merely $1.1 million in total volume throughout the previous 30 days.

The deployment of AI agents for cryptocurrency transactions has attracted scrutiny. Recent research from Google alongside multiple academic institutions cautioned that AI agents should be regarded as potentially untrusted system elements. Researchers emphasized that agents must maintain clear boundaries between instructions and untrusted information to prevent attackers from embedding malicious commands.

Just days ago, developer infrastructure provider Socket identified malware specifically designed to target cryptocurrency developers. This malicious software embedded concealed instructions intended to compromise AI-powered coding tools.

While Base has not addressed these particular security discoveries directly, the organization confirmed that every Base MCP transaction undergoes its established user verification protocol before any asset movement occurs.