The European Union proposed banning transactions on 11 crypto platforms as part of its 21st sanctions package against Russia.

Kaja Kallas, vice president of the European Commission and the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, outlined measures targeting banks, weapons manufacturers, oil traders, refineries and other entities outside the bloc.

“We will also tighten our ban for crypto-asset services to certain third countries, add new designations, and ban transactions on 11 crypto platforms,” Kallas said in a post on X.

The proposal would widen the EU’s sanctions campaign beyond Russian banks and energy revenues to crypto firms accused of helping Moscow circumvent restrictions imposed over its war in Ukraine.

Source: Kaja Kallas

The Commission did not identify the 11 crypto platforms in its public statements. Cointelegraph sought clarification on which platforms would be affected, but the Commission did not provide additional details before publication.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the package includes bans on 31 additional Russian banks and 20 entities in third countries, including banks, crypto platforms and oil traders.

She said the targets had served sanctioned Russian individuals and entities or helped circumvent EU measures.

EU proposal follows UK sanctions against HTX

The EU proposal follows the United Kingdom’s May 26 sanctions against Huobi Global S.A., the Panamanian company behind HTX, over alleged support for Russia-linked financial networks.

UK authorities said there were reasonable grounds to suspect HTX had supported the Russian government through financial services and funds facilitated by A7 Limited Liability Company and Garantex, both sanctioned entities.

Related: MiCA architect says EU should prioritize tokenization over DeFi rules

HTX has denied the allegations, saying the sanctioned entity is separate from the online exchange. A Global Ledger report later said HTX processed about $21.06 billion in high-risk crypto flows between 2021 and May 2026. Of that total, at least $7.64 billion was linked to Russian high-risk entities and darknet markets, including Garantex, its successor Grinex, A7A5 and Hydra.

The UK sanctions drew criticism from blockchain researchers, who warned that broad exchange-level tainting could freeze legitimate users and make crypto compliance tools less effective at tracing illicit funds.

Magazine: Vietnam preps crypto pilot, HK pushes tokenization: Asia Express

Botanix, a Bitcoin scaling network that set out to bring “real utility” to BTC without token incentives, is winding down after four years in operation.

In a Tuesday post on X, Botanix told users to withdraw all Bitcoin and other assets by July 9, after which remaining assets will be swept and “be unrecoverable.”

The decision comes despite integrations with major crypto infrastructure providers, including Chainlink, Fireblocks and Galaxy, and the launch of a consumer-facing Bitcoin neobank app.

Botanix’s Spiderchain architecture combines an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible chain with proof-of-stake-style consensus.

That structure allowed it to offer Ethereum-like programmability for Bitcoin while relying on a set of validators and a dynamic federation, rather than purely on Bitcoin’s own consensus for security and settlement.

In its shutdown notice, the team said the technology and products worked but failed to achieve sustainable product-market fit or economics.

Botanix shut-down notice. Source: Botanix

Botanix said most users still treat Bitcoin primarily as a reserve asset and yield vehicle rather than something they want to use frequently in onchain applications, and that existing demand for Bitcoin-backed decentralized finance (DeFi) is largely being met by wrapped BTC on Ethereum.

Related: Bitcoin payments held back by tax policy, not scaling tech: Crypto exec

The team also cited a broader concentration of attention and trading volume on large exchanges, trading platforms and traditional financial intermediaries, which left infrastructure-heavy networks like Botanix struggling to generate enough fee revenue to cover their costs.

Users have until July 9 to withdraw assets

Botanix has warned that anyone who does not remove their Bitcoin and other assets by July 9 will lose access, highlighting the practical risks for retail users when experimental DeFi platforms are wound down.

The shutdown comes as other projects seek to extend Bitcoin’s programmability, including Stacks and Rootstock, which operate independent blockchains linked to Bitcoin, and newer efforts such as Citrea that use different mixes of Bitcoin anchoring, proof-of-stake-style designs and token incentives

Citrea co-founder and chief executive Orkun Mahir Kılıç told Cointelegraph Botanix’s experience is less an indictment of Bitcoin DeFi than of “a cloning-first approach” that largely replicated existing EVM protocols without offering long-term BTC holders a distinct value proposition. 

He argued that Citrea is instead focused on applications that “fundamentally require Bitcoin’s specific architecture and trust-minimized settlement,” rather than competing as one more general-purpose chain, pointing to use cases like private payments and Bitcoin-native capital markets rather than generic lending and trading forks.

Cointelegraph reached out to Botanix for comment but did not receive a response by publication.

Magazine: Bitcoin will not hit $1M by 2030, says veteran trader Peter Brandt

Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and DOGEBALL enter focus as investors seek utility, transparency, and resilience amid market uncertainty.

The crypto market is moving very fast. A recent NDTV report shared a big warning for everyone. It showed how President Donald Trump and his family made $500 million from a crypto deal right before AI Financial Corp crashed. 

That sudden crash left normal investors with massive losses. This news teaches us a major lesson for those who are looking for the top crypto to buy now. Hype can disappear in one night. Because of this, smart buyers are moving away from risky coins. They are choosing tokens with real daily use, clear math, and true safety. This easy guide looks at the data behind Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and a new asset called DOGEBALL to help make a smart choice.

What is DOGEBALL?

DOGEBALL is a highly useful crypto network. It is built on its own fast blockchain called DOGECHAIN, which is an Ethereum Layer 2 system. It mixes online gaming with global payments. These fields are known as GameFi and PayFi. Unlike tokens that rely only on hype, this project fixes real daily problems. 

Its main service is called DOGEPAY. It lets users send crypto anywhere in the world, and the person getting it receives local cash straight into their bank account. It works with over 30 global currencies. The transactions take under a second, there are zero foreign exchange fees, and do not need slow banks or payment apps.

People are joining this project because it offers safety and high demand. The DOGEBALL token is the main fuel used to pay all network transaction fees. This setup creates constant buying pressure. The token also runs a play-to-earn gaming world with a $1,000,000 total prize pool. The top player can win up to $500,000 and cash out instantly into real money. The smart contract has a perfect 100% security audit score. This makes it a very stable and safe digital asset for your portfolio.

High yield math: Analyzing the DOGEBALL presale growth potential

The DOGEBALL crypto presale 2026 is built to reward people who get in early. The project has already raised more than $302,000 from over 1,050 buyers. On Monday, May 11, 2026, the team permanently burned 4,000,000,000 tokens. That removed 20% of the presale supply to make the remaining tokens scarcer. The crypto presale has 22 stages in total. Each stage lasts a maximum of 7 days and ends every Monday at 21:00 UTC. When the stage ends, unsold tokens are burned and the price goes up.

Buying at the current Stage 7 price of $0.000845 gives investors a huge mathematical advantage. The token will launch on big crypto exchanges at $0.015.

Let us look at the basic return on investment (ROI) calculation:

• Current Stage Price: $0.000845
• Planned Launch Price: $0.015
• Expected Launch Gain: 1,675.14%

These gains can be grown even more by using the special bonus code DB30. This code gives a 30% bonus on tokens. For example, putting $1,000 into the project today gets around 1,183,431 tokens. By typing the code DB30, the total amount jumps to 1,538,460 tokens. When the token hits the exchange at the $0.015 launch price, the investment becomes worth $23,076. That is a total profit of 2,207.6%. Prices go up every single Monday at 21:00 UTC. This means today is the best chance to buy at this low price before the next weekly increase.

How to join the DOGEBALL presale right now

Joining the presale is easy and takes less than five minutes. Follow these quick steps to get tokens before the price steps up:

Step 1: Get a Crypto Wallet

Download a free digital wallet like MetaMask or Trust Wallet on a phone or computer.

Step 2: Add funds to the Wallet

Buy or transfer Ethereum (ETH), USDT, or BNB into the new digital wallet.

Step 3: Link to the Website

Go to the official DOGEBALL website and link the wallet using the live presale widget.

Step 4: Use the Code and Buy

Type in how much to buy. Enter the code DB30 to get 30% extra tokens, and click confirm.

Bitcoin Cash: Stable performance with limited growth

Bitcoin Cash is a well-known coin used for daily payments, but its fast growth has slowed down. According to the latest price prediction data from CoinCodex, Bitcoin Cash is in a flat trend. Its long-term moving average has been pointing downward since late May 2026. This shows that the market is hitting a wall.

The coin faces tough resistance around the $540 to $550 price levels. CoinCodex charts show that the token is expected to trade between $439.79 and $642.10 over the coming months. It is still a safe network for sending decentralized payments. However, its chance for massive short-term gains is very small. It cannot scale microtransactions as fast as newer Layer 2 systems.

Litecoin: Slow recovery in a quiet market

Litecoin is often called the silver to Bitcoin’s gold, but it is dealing with short-term price drops. CoinCodex market data shows that Litecoin recently fell from 14,408.40 PKR down to 11,819.97 PKR. That is a quick 17.96% drop in value in early June 2026. The network is now working to find a steady price floor.

Market experts state that Litecoin’s relative strength index is sitting in a completely neutral zone. This means that while the coin is safe from huge crashes, it does not have the momentum to spike upward quickly. It lacks built-in features like automatic crypto-to-bank cash-outs. This makes it less exciting for buyers who want large returns.

Conclusion: Finding the top crypto to buy now

For those who want the top crypto to buy now, they should avoid overhyped projects that can crash. Legacy networks like Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin are safe, but they offer small, slow returns. The DOGEBALL presale gives a clear and transparent entry point at just $0.000845 today. Because the exchange launch price is locked at $0.015, early buyers can lock in large predictable gains before public trading opens. Do not wait and miss out on this rate. Use the code DB30 right now to claim a 30% token bonus before the price jumps this Monday at 21:00 UTC.

For more information, visit the official website, Telegram, and X.

FAQs for top crypto to buy now

What is the best crypto to invest in right now?

DOGEBALL is an excellent choice because it pairs a low-priced crypto presale with massive real utility. Its Layer 2 system runs an app that sends crypto straight to global bank accounts as fiat cash, creating constant market demand.

Which crypto has 1000x potential?

Early presale coins with real utility have the best upside. Buying DOGEBALL at $0.000845 before its $0.015 exchange debut gives a strong head start. Regular weekly supply burns keep cutting down the total token numbers to drive value.

Which crypto has the most potential?

Tokens that fix real financial problems hold the most potential. DOGEBALL removes expensive middlemen and cuts global wire fees to zero. This operational use attracts real businesses and users, giving it an advantage over hype coins.

What is the best way to double $1000?

Putting money into the DOGEBALL presale is a highly efficient move. Entering the presale at today’s low price and applying the bonus code DB30 instantly increases the token count by 30% for a much higher launch value.

Which coin has the best future?

Coins built on specialized, high-speed blockchains have the strongest future. DOGEBALL runs on a custom Ethereum Layer 2 called DOGECHAIN. This setup means near-zero gas fees and instant speeds, making it perfect for long-term global growth.

Bitcoin layer-2 network Botanix is being wound down a year after its mainnet went live.

The project cited market conditions and broader indifference within the cryptocurrency industry towards establishing greater utility on the Bitcoin network, in a post on X on Tuesday.

“It did not work,” Botanix summed up. “At least not in this market and not in this timeline.”

The aim of Botanix was to bring Ethereum-equivalent functionality to the Bitcoin network, allowing applications and smart contracts to be effectively copied and pasted onto the world’s first blockchain. The project raised $14.4 million across two funding rounds in 2023 and 2024. Despite this, its total value locked (TVL) at closure was a mere $119,500, according to data from DeFiLlama.

Botanix was one of many layer-2s and protocols to emerge in recent years, aiming to expand Bitcoin’s utility and help it evolve beyond being just a store of value.

The idea was that holders of bitcoin don’t have to just let their asset sit idle and hope for price appreciation. They can also use decentralized finance to generate income on the side. This could involve staking tokens on other blockchain networks or using smart contract-enabled DeFi tools, such as lending or decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

Botanix post-mortem

However, it didn’t go as planned, at least not for Botanix.

The protocol highlighted that “making Bitcoin programmable, productive and integrated into real financial activity isn’t where real-world users sit right now.”

This post-mortem may raise questions about the broader viability of the Bitcoin development sector, which includes other layer-2s like Rootstock or rollups like Citrea, during an extended period of muted sentiment in the crypto market.

CoinDesk reached out to these two projects for comment, but none were received as of press time.

BTC has lost more than 50% of its value since hitting its all-time high of nearly $125,000 last October, which may leave investors wondering why they should be interested in developing bitcoin’s use when it’s not currently serving its more basic function of storing value very effectively.

“It’s possible that bitcoin’s role as a reserve asset is simply where it settles. If that’s true, there will never be a market for what we are building and no amount of time or capital would change that,” Botanix said.

A simpler route to combining the secure store of wealth offered by BTC with the programmability and utility of other blockchain networks may lie in synthetic or “wrapped” bitcoin tokens. These are tokens that represent BTC on a 1:1 basis that can be traded and staked on networks like Ethereum.

The most established of these is wBTC, which was introduced in 2019, but more recently, Coinbase and Circle have developed their own synthetic bitcoin tokens to appeal to institutional investors and traders.

“For lending, yield, leveraged exposure, wBTC on a mature general-purpose L2 is genuinely sufficient,” Botanix said.

“Users have voted with their behaviour, and the verdict is that the trust assumptions of a wrapped representation on Ethereum are acceptable to almost everyone who wants Bitcoin-denominated DeFi.”

With its stock down 42% year-to-date and 85% over the past 12 months, Metaplanet, Japan’s largest bitcoin (BTC) treasury company, is looking to restore investor confidence.

On Monday, its CEO Simon Gerovich broadcasted, “when mNAV is below 1.0x we will strongly consider repurchasing common shares.”

The acronym mNAV refers to the premium that investors pay for Metaplanet’s common stock relative to its BTC holdings. It stands for multiple-to-Net Asset Value, a colloquial and imprecise phrase borrowed from the common use of the NAV term by managers of publicly-traded funds.

Metaplanet is the largest public company in Japan to follow the same model as Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) in pivoting to a digital asset treasury (DAT) focus.

The $1.8 billion company has amassed 40,177 BTC worth $2.5 billion.

Because the value of its BTC exceeds its market capitalization, its mNAV is below 1x. Gerovich, alongside many other shareholders, are obviously disappointed in that reality.

Humanity Protocol has identified a malware-infected developer machine as the source of the security breach that led to the theft and unauthorized minting of roughly 447 million H tokens across Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain.

According to Humanity Protocol’s incident report, an attacker gained root access to a developer device and obtained seven private keys that had been inadvertently backed up during the project’s June 2025 mainnet launch. 

The keys included the admin hot wallet key, three Ethereum Safe owner keys, and three BSC Safe owner keys, giving the attacker access to critical infrastructure from a single compromised machine.

The findings add new details to an attack that previously caused H to plunge sharply before staging a partial recovery. On June 10, the token traded near $0.163, up 23.7% over 24 hours, although it remained down 74.1% over the previous week following the exploit.

Humanity Protocol said the incident was not caused by a flaw in its bridge contracts, token contracts, or Safe architecture. Instead, the attacker used valid private keys to authorize transfers, Safe transactions, and contract upgrades after obtaining control of the credentials.

Attacker used stolen keys to seize bridge controls

Based on the report, the attack unfolded across three separate actions between June 8 and June 9.

During the first wave, 6.04 million H were drained from an Ethereum admin hot wallet after its private key was compromised. From there, the attacker moved against the protocol’s bridge infrastructure.

Using three stolen keys from a six-member Ethereum Safe, the attacker transferred ownership of the Bridge ProxyAdmin to an attacker-controlled wallet. After obtaining administrative control, the attacker upgraded the bridge to a malicious implementation and drained 141.18 million H in a single transaction.

Humanity Protocol said the transaction carried the signatures needed to meet the Safe’s threshold requirements, allowing the upgrade to appear as an authorized action rather than a smart contract exploit.

On BNB Smart Chain, a separate set of three compromised Safe keys gave the attacker control of the token’s ProxyAdmin. After deploying a malicious implementation, the attacker executed three mint transactions of 100 million H each, increasing the token’s supply from about 141.1 million to 441.1 million H.

Investigation points to single point of compromise

While the Ethereum bridge assets were drained, the report described the BSC token as unrecoverable because the attacker still controls the ProxyAdmin and can continue minting additional tokens. Humanity Protocol said the attacker retains ownership of both the bridge and token administration contracts affected in the incident.

Earlier disclosures from the project focused on compromised employee devices and stolen Safe keys. The latest forensic findings narrowed the cause to one malware-infected developer machine that stored multiple sensitive backups. According to the report, investigators believe all seven private keys were obtained from that single device.

Several questions remain unanswered. Humanity Protocol said it has not yet determined when the attacker first gained access, how the machine was compromised, or how long the stolen credentials were held before the attack was carried out.

In response to the incident, the project halted deposits and withdrawals through the affected bridges, launched a public recovery tracker, and offered a $1 million USDT bounty for information that leads to asset recovery. Humanity Protocol previously said any recovered funds would be used to buy back H tokens.