The obvious objection is that this is leveraged speculation in new language, and that traditional markets keep their frictions for good reasons. Both points have force. A funding rate is not a substitute for the price discovery that settlement enforces, and continuous leverage on volatile assets concentrates risk in ways periodic markets do not. But those are arguments for building the structure carefully, not for assuming it will not be built. The demand is already here, and it moves toward the venue that offers universal access to global assets, whether stocks, crypto or FX.

There is one place crypto’s progress this cycle has not yet reached. Over the past year, tokens acquired real economic rights, revenue shares, buybacks and votes, while projects with nothing behind them were delisted and some of the strongest teams chose IPOs over token launches. Even the IPO no longer sits outside this system: SpaceX’s shares changed hands as synthetic pre-IPO perpetuals on Hyperliquid for weeks before its June 2026 listing, trading tens of millions of dollars a day in May and swelling to roughly $1.3 billion on debut day as investors shut out of the traditional allocation turned to crypto rails. The market structure beneath perps has not fully followed. The next stage is to build that alignment in, with the transparency now expected across the rest of crypto. That consolidation is happening on centralized venues as much as onchain: the largest exchanges now run multi-asset books where equities, crypto and FX clear side by side, and a single centralized platform accounted for more than half of all real-world-asset perp volume in May 2026. The pull is structural rather than speculative, with 52% of Bitget’s users already holding both stocks and crypto.

Galaxy Research, the research arm of Galaxy Digital, has expanded the on-chain footprint linked to the Coldcard wallet incident that reportedly resulted in the loss of 1,082.65 bitcoin. In a new analysis, the firm identified 1,196 addresses that were involved in transactions tied to that event, widening the estimated scale beyond earlier preliminary figures.

The activity Galaxy Research points to took place between 1:10 AM and 1:51 AM UTC on July 30, spanning blocks 960,183 to 960,191—roughly 30 hours before Coldcard published its first security advisory, as referenced in Galaxy Research’s post on X.

Key takeaways

• Galaxy Research traced a cluster of 1,196 addresses tied to the Coldcard incident, connected to losses of 1,082.65 BTC.
• The movements were observed across blocks 960,183–960,191 between 1:10 AM and 1:51 AM UTC on July 30.
• Galaxy Research says the transactions share a recognizable on-chain pattern (including identical fees and no change outputs), though later attacks may not reuse the same fingerprint.
• Earlier estimates from Rob Hamilton and related analysis suggested a smaller, tighter window of activity that has since been superseded by the larger Galaxy Research mapping.
• Coinkite has said it released a hotfix for a firmware bug, but users who created seeds using the vulnerable firmware may still need to move funds to a new seed.

Galaxy Research widens the address set

According to Galaxy Research, the incident’s impact is visible on-chain in a larger set of wallets than first documented publicly. The firm said it identified 1,196 addresses linked to the Coldcard wallet incident that ultimately resulted in 1,082.65 BTC being moved in the span it analyzed.

Galaxy Research’s tracing work focused on how those funds moved through the network during a specific period. It reported that the key transaction activity occurred between 1:10 AM and 1:51 AM UTC on July 30, crossing blocks 960,183 to 960,191.

That timing is also notable in terms of disclosure. Galaxy Research indicated this took place about 30 hours before Coldcard’s first security advisory was published.

From a smaller estimate to a larger on-chain pattern

Prior to Galaxy Research’s broader mapping, a preliminary view of the incident suggested a more limited sweep. Earlier analysis by AnchorWatch CEO and co-founder Rob Hamilton estimated that 594.48 BTC—worth around $38 million at the time—moved across roughly 500 transactions within a narrow three-block window.

Galaxy Research’s later work does not necessarily contradict the existence of that tight burst; instead, it expands the scope of what can be linked to the event by pointing to a repeatable transaction fingerprint.

In posts on X, Galaxy Research said the identified transactions share specific characteristics, including identical 30 satoshis per virtual byte fees and the absence of change outputs. Galaxy Research described these features as part of the method that allows the initial attack activity to be identified on-chain.

Importantly for users trying to assess exposure, Galaxy Research also cautioned that future attacks targeting Coldcard-generated addresses may not always follow the same on-chain “fingerprint.” That means wallet owners should not assume that the first set of identifiable traits will be reused in later attempts.

What Coinkite says about the firmware bug and the limits of updates

Coinkite co-founder Rodolfo Novak publicly addressed the issue via an X post on Friday, saying the company takes responsibility for the firmware bug and is working to determine the full scope of the problem.

Novak also said Coinkite released a hotfix intended to remove the software fallback path. However, he warned that installing the fix does not retroactively protect seeds that were generated using vulnerable firmware.

In practical terms, Novak advised users who created seeds on the vulnerable firmware to move their funds to a new seed. That distinction—between fixing a flaw going forward and securing already-generated keys—appears to be central to how users should interpret the incident response.

This is also a reminder that “device firmware updates” and “seed security” are not always interchangeable. If the vulnerability affected how seeds were generated or handled, a patch may stop new risk but cannot undo the exposure that may have occurred when the vulnerable firmware produced the original seed material.

Why the expanded tracing matters for incident assessment

The difference between Hamilton’s earlier estimate of 594.48 BTC and Galaxy Research’s later identification of 1,082.65 BTC underscores how incident accounting can evolve as analysts refine clustering techniques and expand time windows. Early on-chain forensics often focus on the clearest bursts; later work may connect additional wallets and transactions using shared traits like consistent fee patterns and transaction structure.

For traders and users, this matters because it changes how incident exposure can be understood. Wallet owners who are evaluating whether they need to move funds may face a moving target: a larger set of addresses suggests that more wallets could have been impacted than initially thought, while Galaxy Research’s warning about fingerprint variability implies that on-chain searches may not capture everything using a single pattern.

For developers and auditors, the episode also highlights the importance of both preventive controls and disclosure timing. Galaxy Research’s observation about the 30-hour gap between the analyzed activity and Coldcard’s first advisory publication frames the timeline in which users may have been acting on incomplete information.

As more details are verified, the key question for the broader ecosystem will be whether subsequent investigations confirm additional waves of activity beyond the identifiable on-chain pattern described by Galaxy Research—and whether Coinkite’s technical findings fully explain how the firmware behavior led to the reported losses.

Readers should watch for further updates from Coinkite on what the bug impacted at the seed level and for additional on-chain analysis that tests whether other clusters of transactions match or diverge from the fee and “no change output” fingerprint outlined by Galaxy Research.

The crypto industry suffered 30 major hacking incidents in July, leading to losses totaling $210.3 million, a significant increase from the $75.87 million reported in June.

The industry has lost $1 billion during the first half of the year, and recorded a record number of hacks within six months, with Ethereum and Solana leading the losses.

Crypto Industry Reports A Surge In Hacking Incidents

PeckShield has reported that the cryptocurrency industry suffered a loss of $210.3 million from 30 major exploits in July, a 177.2% increase from the $75.87 million reported in June. The exploits highlight the persistent security challenges faced by the industry. The losses were driven by a handful of high-profile incidents. The Coldcard Wallet exploit was the largest incident this month, and the third-largest this year, resulting in $70 million in losses.

Other notable security incidents in July include the AFX Trade exploit ($24 million), Ostium ($24 million), BONK ($21.2 million), Wanchain ($13 million), Triple-A ($10 million), Bonzo Lend ($9.05 million), Verus ($7.5 million), WEMIX ($6.25 million), and Summer.fi ($6 million).

Crypto Hacks Cross $1 Billion For 2026

According to Blockaid, an on-chain security platform, the cryptocurrency industry recorded a record number of exploits in the first half of 2026, with losses from these hacks exceeding $1 billion. The attacks were primarily concentrated on Ethereum and Solana, which lost $332 million and $326 million, respectively, to various exploits. Hackers used code exploits to target Ethereum-based protocols, and key and infrastructure breaches on Solana-based protocols.

Hackers Target Ethereum And Solana-Based Applications

Hackers targeted vulnerabilities in Ethereum-based applications. BlockAid stated in its Q2 2026 report that code exploits were the most common tactic used by hackers. However, Ethereum-based protocols such as Humanity Protocol and StablR were targeted through private-key exploits. BlockAid also highlighted other attack vectors on Ethereum, including privilege account exploits, market manipulation, smart contract, and bridge vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, Drift Protocol, a Solana-based protocol, was targeted through social engineering, with hackers spending months building a relationship with the protocol team before using Solana’s “durable nonces” feature to get members to sign transactions giving them admin control. This allowed the hackers to drain $285 million, over half its TVL, from the protocol. On-chain indicators suggest North Korean hackers were behind the heist. The Step Finance exploit was also attributed to North Korean hackers. The hackers siphoned off $40 million after gaining access to devices belonging to the project’s team. The team then unstaked 261,854 SOL and moved them, causing the value of the STEP token to plummet 80%. However, Solana also saw code-based exploits involving Volo and Raydium.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Russia is tightening its cryptocurrency mining rules by expanding a ban that will apply in Moscow and surrounding areas. The restriction takes effect on Aug. 15, 2026, and is scheduled to run through Dec. 31, 2032, according to a government resolution published on Pravo.ru.

The updated measure, signed July 25, 2026 by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, amends earlier restrictions adopted in December 2024. It broadens the list of regions where mining is prohibited, citing electricity supply and demand pressures in power-constrained territories.

Key takeaways

• Russia’s Resolution No. 936 (signed July 25, 2026) extends crypto mining restrictions to Moscow and the Moscow Region.
• The Moscow-area ban starts Aug. 15, 2026 and runs through Dec. 31, 2032.
• Additional affected areas include several territories within Russia’s Kursk Region, plus eight municipal districts and the city of Lgov.
• The Kremlin-linked restrictions build on an earlier Dec. 2024 mining curbs order, and follow region-by-region bans introduced since early 2026.

Resolution expands mining ban into Moscow and nearby territories

Under the revised framework, mining restrictions now include Moscow, the Moscow Region, and multiple areas within Russia’s Kursk Region. The document also lists eight municipal districts and the city of Lgov as part of the restricted zone.

The changes are formalized in Resolution No. 936, referenced in records published on Pravo.ru. The resolution amends an earlier order issued in December 2024, which had already established limitations on cryptocurrency mining in specific parts of Russia.

Electricity demand remains the policy rationale

Russian officials have previously connected mining restrictions to grid strain and rising electricity demand. According to reporting by TASS, the Moscow Region’s energy authorities said a ban was needed as consumption increased.

TASS also cited power infrastructure figures, stating that Moscow and the Moscow Region have 65 data centers linked to the grid with a combined capacity of 734 megawatts (MW). Within that total, 19 data centers are located in the Moscow Region, totaling 233 MW of capacity.

While the new resolution expands the restricted geography, the underlying logic mirrors earlier steps: authorities are attempting to limit additional load from mining activities in areas where power supply and demand are already under pressure.

Earlier regional restrictions set the stage for a broader move

This Moscow-focused expansion follows a broader pattern of state action against crypto mining in selected regions. The updated rules amend the December 2024 restriction order, which had already begun shaping where mining could operate.

Earlier restrictions were also introduced in parts of Russia, including areas in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai. As described in the Pravo.ru records, those bans were set to run from April 1, 2026 through March 15, 2031.

In other words, Russia is not simply imposing a new nationwide approach; it is layering restrictions by region—first in selected territories and now into major urban and power-dependent areas like Moscow and its surrounding region.

What to watch next for miners and operators

For mining companies and energy-intensive operators, the key practical implication is that compliance will depend heavily on location rather than a single countrywide rule. With the start date set for Aug. 15, 2026 and a long time horizon through 2032, operators in or near the newly restricted areas will need to plan for regulatory compliance well ahead of implementation.

Investors, traders, and builders should watch whether authorities continue expanding the banned geography beyond Moscow and Kursk, and whether grid-capacity reporting becomes more central to future policy decisions. Additional region-specific amendments would further reinforce Russia’s approach of using electricity supply constraints as the deciding factor for mining permissions.

Bitget has upgraded its Bitcoin-backed BGBTC asset with daily BTC-denominated rewards, cross-chain transfers through Chainlink CCIP, and independent oversight from Gauntlet.

Bitget adds daily Bitcoin rewards to BGBTC

Bitget said the upgraded BGBTC will distribute daily rewards denominated in BTC to token holders. The asset is designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with Bitcoin while allowing users to earn yield without selling their underlying exposure.

The exchange is positioning BGBTC as an alternative to holding idle Bitcoin or moving BTC into separate yield strategies. Those strategies can require users to transfer assets between platforms, manage additional protocols, or accept reduced liquidity.

BGBTC already has several uses within the Bitget ecosystem. Holders can use the asset as futures margin, lending collateral or for participation in the exchange’s Launchpool and PoolX products.

The upgrade also introduces support for large-volume and faster redemptions, according to Bitget. The company said it has added institutional-grade risk controls and greater transparency, although specific reward rates and redemption thresholds were not provided in the announcement.

Rewards remain tied to the performance and sustainability of the underlying yield strategies. A Bitcoin-backed token can also carry platform, custody, smart-contract and liquidity risks that differ from holding BTC directly.

Chainlink CCIP supports cross-chain BGBTC transfers

Bitget selected Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol as the canonical infrastructure for distributing BGBTC across multiple blockchain networks.

CCIP provides the messaging layer needed to move the asset between supported chains. The integration could allow holders to access decentralized applications and financial services outside Bitget’s centralized platform while retaining exposure to the Bitcoin-backed token.

Bitget already uses Chainlink Proof of Reserve to verify the assets supporting BGBTC. Proof of Reserve provides on-chain data intended to help users assess whether sufficient collateral exists behind the issued supply.

Combining Proof of Reserve with CCIP addresses two separate functions. The reserve system focuses on collateral verification, while CCIP handles communication and token transfers across blockchains.

Bitget did not identify every blockchain that will initially support BGBTC through CCIP or provide a schedule for additional network deployments.

Gauntlet will oversee BGBTC yield strategies

Gauntlet has been appointed as BGBTC’s independent curator and will supervise the strategies used to generate rewards for holders.

The quantitative risk-management firm will monitor the underlying portfolio, assess risks and help determine how capital is deployed. Bitget said the framework is intended to support the long-term sustainability of BGBTC’s yield rather than relying on an unmanaged set of strategies.

Independent curation adds another layer of oversight, but it does not eliminate losses. Reward levels may change based on market conditions, available strategies, and the performance of the assets or protocols involved.

Bitget is also working with infrastructure providers, including Chainlink and Morph, as it seeks to connect centralized and decentralized financial services through a broader Bitcoin yield network.

The company cited USDGO Holderyield as another part of its effort to let users earn returns from assets that would otherwise remain idle.

What the upgrade means for Bitcoin holders

BGBTC combines Bitcoin exposure, daily rewards and cross-chain utility in a single token. Users can potentially earn BTC-denominated returns while deploying the asset as collateral, margin or capital in supported decentralized applications.

For US investors, access to BGBTC and related Bitget services may depend on geographic and product restrictions. Users should confirm whether the exchange, token, and associated yield products are available in their jurisdiction before transferring funds.

Yield paid in BTC may also create tax-reporting obligations for US holders, depending on how the rewards are classified and when users gain control of them. Bitget did not announce any US-specific rollout or regulatory approval alongside the upgrade.

Future adoption will depend on the reward rate, redemption performance, supported networks, and transparency around the underlying strategies. Bitget has not yet disclosed a fixed annual yield or a complete cross-chain deployment timeline.

SpaceX stock remained under pressure near a record low as traders prepared for the company’s first post-IPO earnings report and the release of 911.5 million insider shares.

SpaceX stock extends its post-IPO decline

SpaceX stock closed July 31 at $108, down 3.41% during the session and about 36% from its July 1 price of $171. The decline left the shares at their lowest closing level since the company’s June 12 initial public offering.

SPCX has now fallen by more than 50% from the record high of $225 reached on June 16. The sustained pullback has raised the prospect of a move below $100 as two major catalysts approach.

SpaceX is scheduled to publish its first quarterly results as a public company on Aug. 4. Two days later, restrictions covering 911.5 million insider shares are expected to expire, allowing their holders to sell the stock.

Those events could produce large price swings because investors must assess the company’s operating performance while preparing for a possible increase in available supply.

Earnings and short sellers drive the move

Wall Street expects SpaceX to report quarterly revenue of between $6.72 billion and $6.9 billion. Results above that range could ease concerns about the company’s valuation and encourage buyers to return after four consecutive weeks of losses.

A revenue miss could have the opposite effect, particularly because the stock has not established a reliable support base. Traders will also watch management’s guidance for Starlink, launch operations, and the company’s emerging data-center business.

Short positioning has added pressure. S3 Partners data showed that investors had shorted 219.3 million shares, representing about 39% of the stock available for public trading.

The large position means short sellers could continue benefiting if SPCX falls. However, unexpectedly strong earnings could force some traders to cover their positions, creating a short-term rebound.

Bernstein recently maintained an outperform rating and a $239 target after SpaceX completed its 13th Starship test flight. William Blair also reportedly increased its adjusted earnings-per-share estimate from $8.20 to $8.60, citing potential growth from the company’s data-center operations.

Share unlock threatens to increase selling

The Aug. 6 unlock represents the main downside risk because it will make 911.5 million insider shares eligible for sale. At a price of about $108, those shares would carry a market value approaching $98.4 billion, although eligibility does not mean that all holders will sell.

S3 Partners research director Sam Pierson argued that the additional supply could outweigh a positive earnings report.

“There won’t be anything announced on earnings that will overcome the volume of unlocked shares coming to market,” Pierson said.

Actual selling will depend on insider decisions, liquidity and market demand. Even so, the scale of the unlock may discourage investors from buying before Aug. 6, particularly while short interest remains elevated.

For US investors, both events fall within the same trading week. That concentration could increase volatility, widen intraday price ranges and make execution prices less predictable around the earnings release and unlock date.

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SpaceX stock tests $107.10 support

The one-hour SPCX chart shows the stock trading around $108.39 after declining within a broad descending channel. Price is now testing the $107.10 Fibonacci level, which forms the most immediate support.

A confirmed break below $107.10 would remove the final marked retracement support on the chart. That could expose the psychological $100 level, followed by the descending channel’s lower boundary near $97.

Trend indicators continue to favor sellers. Aroon Down stands at 92.86%, compared with Aroon Up at 7.14%, showing that recent lows are occurring much more frequently than recent highs.

The Awesome Oscillator is also negative at minus 3.98. Its red histogram bars indicate that bearish momentum remains active as SPCX trades near the bottom of its recent range.

The first upside barrier sits at the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level of $121.09. Reclaiming that price would weaken the immediate bearish setup, but it would not reverse the broader downtrend.

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Further resistance appears at $132.08, corresponding to the 61.8% retracement, followed by $139.80 at the 50% level. SPCX would need to move above the descending channel and hold those levels before the chart supports a more durable recovery.

What comes next for SPCX

The near-term direction will likely depend on whether earnings demand can absorb the potential supply created by the share unlock. A revenue beat and stronger guidance could help SPCX defend $107.10 and challenge $121.09.

Failure to hold $107.10 would increase the risk of a decline below $100. Conversely, a sustained break above $121.09 would provide the first meaningful technical evidence that selling pressure is easing.

With earnings due Aug. 4 and the unlock expected Aug. 6, traders face two separate catalysts capable of moving the stock sharply. Until SPCX reclaims nearby resistance, its descending trend and negative momentum indicators leave sellers in control.

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Russia is tightening its cryptocurrency mining policy again, extending restrictions beyond the regions it targeted earlier and adding Moscow and nearby areas to a long-running ban schedule. A new government resolution takes effect on Aug. 15, 2026, with the prohibition set to run through Dec. 31, 2032.

The update is set out in Resolution No. 936, signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on July 25, 2026, according to records published on Pravo.ru. It revises an earlier mining restriction order from December 2024 and updates the list of places where mining activities are limited due to local electricity concerns.

Key takeaways

• Resolution No. 936 introduces a mining ban for Moscow, the Moscow Region, and parts of Russia’s Kursk Region, beginning Aug. 15, 2026.
• The restrictions will remain in force through Dec. 31, 2032, effectively creating a multi-year compliance horizon for operators.
• The rules follow earlier regional bans launched in December 2024 and other orders that began in 2026 across select parts of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai.
• Officials have previously justified the approach by citing rising electricity demand and the power grid pressure associated with growing data-center loads.

Moscow and Kursk move into the restricted zone

Under the amended framework, the restricted geography expands to include Moscow, the Moscow Region, and additional territories listed within Russia’s Kursk Region. The rules also cover eight municipal districts and the city of Lgov in that region, broadening the affected footprint beyond the original set of localities.

The stated objective remains consistent with earlier restrictions: to limit cryptocurrency mining in areas considered to be facing strain on electricity supply. For miners and infrastructure providers, the practical impact is straightforward—new or continued mining operations in the designated areas may need to pause or restructure well before the Aug. 15, 2026 start date to avoid enforcement risks.

Resolution No. 936 revises the December 2024 order

Resolution No. 936 was signed on July 25, 2026 and amends an earlier prohibition order issued in December 2024. According to Pravo.ru, the change is not a one-off ban: it updates the list of jurisdictions where mining restrictions apply and extends the same restriction concept to additional regions.

That matters for market participants because Russia’s approach is being refined through successive legal instruments rather than replaced wholesale. In practice, operators are being pushed to manage regulatory uncertainty through long planning windows and contingency plans, especially in data-center-heavy regions where power allocation decisions can determine feasibility.

Why authorities linked the bans to power demand

In an earlier statement covering the Moscow Region’s rationale, the energy ministry said the ban was needed because of growing electricity demand. As reported by TASS, the ministry estimated that Moscow and the Moscow Region have 65 data centers connected to the power grid, with a combined capacity of 734 megawatts (MW). The same reporting cited 19 data centers in the Moscow Region with 233 MW of capacity.

Even though the mining restrictions are aimed at cryptocurrency operations, the logic used by officials is tied to the overall electricity system—particularly the growing load from digital infrastructure. For miners, that creates an indirect but significant link between crypto activity and broader regional power planning: where electricity is already earmarked for data centers and other high-consumption uses, regulators may treat mining as additional pressure that the grid cannot easily absorb.

Not the first wave: bans already planned in other regions

This latest expansion builds on restrictions introduced earlier in other parts of Russia. The earlier framework referenced by Pravo.ru points to mining restrictions being introduced in several regions in a prior phase, including parts of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai.

As indicated in the published records, the bans in those areas are scheduled to run from April 1, 2026 through March 15, 2031. That staggered timing creates a rolling pattern: some jurisdictions begin restrictions in 2026 while others—like Moscow—enter a later phase starting Aug. 15, 2026, but continuing for longer overall through 2032.

Investors and operators watching Russia’s policy direction should note the implication: rather than lifting restrictions once an initial window expires, the government is instead layering in additional territories and sustaining multi-year prohibitions. That tends to shift mining activity away from restricted power grids and toward jurisdictions not covered by the latest legal orders—or toward arrangements that can demonstrate compliance with local limits.

For the next phase, the key question is how enforcement will work in the newly included jurisdictions, and whether regulators will continue expanding the restricted map beyond Moscow and Kursk or refine exemptions for specific infrastructure arrangements. Miners with assets near the updated boundaries should monitor local implementation details closely as Aug. 15, 2026 approaches.