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And It Just Happened Again

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And It Just Happened Again


Bitcoin slipped 3% the last time this whale made a substantial deposit, is another decline on its way?

Bitcoin’s overall market state has been more than dire for the past several weeks, with the asset plummeting from over $90,000 on January 28 to its lowest position in over a year at $60,000 last Friday.

While this is a painful decline of its own, the broader market’s state has not improved much since then, and Lookonchain just published another potential sell signal.

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The analytics company noted that the unknown whale had transferred 8,200 BTC (worth roughly $560 million) into Binance in the past 2 days alone.

Shortly after their previous deposit to the world’s largest exchange, the cryptocurrency’s price dipped yesterday by 3% within minutes, going from nearly $69,000 to $65,000.

In a subsequent post, Lookonchain added that the whale continued to transfer BTC to Binance, sending another batch of over 2,000 units with the likely intention to sell.

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In contrast, Binance just completed the conversion of its entire $1 billion SAFU fund into bitcoin by purchasing roughly 15,000 BTC. Additionally, Strategy continues to make weekly acquisitions, but BTC’s price fails to rebound in a meaningful manner.

More volatility is expected later today when the US January CPI numbers are released.

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Stocks and crypto markets on edge as US inflation cools, Trump eyes steel tariff cuts

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Stocks and crypto markets on edge as US inflation cools, Trump eyes steel tariff cuts

The stock and crypto markets remained on edge today, February 13, as participants reacted to the latest US consumer inflation report, which continued moving downwards in January.

Summary

  • The stock and crypto markets retreated after the US published the latest US consumer inflation report.
  • Data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the headline Consumer Price Index fell to 2.4%.
  • Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy prices, fell to 2.5%.

US stock indices retreated, with the futures tied to the Dow Jones. Nasdaq 100, and S&P 500 falling by over 35 basis points, continuing a trend that has continued on Thursday.

Similarly, crypto prices like Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to $66,000, while top altcoins like LayerZero (ZRO), Canton, Internet Computer, Uniswap, and Kaspa dropped by over 5% in the last 24 hours. The market capitalization of all tokens dropped to $2.29 trillion.

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US consumer inflation retreated in January 

A report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the headline Consumer Price Index retreated from 2.7% in December to 2.4% in January, the lowest level in months. It retreated from 0.3% in December to 0.2% on a MoM basis.

The report showed that the core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy prices, dropped to 2.5% from the previous 2.6%. These numbers mean that US inflation has not surged as during President Donald Trump’s tariffs as most economists were expecting.

The report came a few hours after the Financial Times reported that Trump’s administration was considering tweaking his massive steel and aluminum tariffs, a move that will lead to lower prices in the long term  

The data came two days after the BLS released strong non-farm payrolls data, which showed that the economy created 130k jobs in January, while the unemployment rate slipped to 4.3%. 

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Still, it is unclear whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates more times this year, even as inflation retreats. A Polymarket poll has the odds of no cuts in March at 93%. Another poll estimates that there will be just two cuts this year.

Stocks and crypto markets do well in periods of low interest rate 

In theory, the stock and crypto markets do well when the Fed is cutting interest rates. A good example of this happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when these assets jumped as the Fed slashed rates to zero.

The assets then plunged in 2022, with Bitcoin moving below $16,000, as the Fed hiked interest rates to combat the elevated inflation.

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However, the current Federal Reserve cycle has happened amid a divergence in the two assets. The stock market has soared to a record high, while Bitcoin and most altcoins are stuck in a bear market.

One reason for this is that the market has had some major moving parts in the past few months. The stock market has been driven be the ongoing AI boom, while the crypto market crash has happened because of the elevated risks, including on Iran. 

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How would Michael Saylor refinance Strategy’s $8.2B debt?

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How would Michael Saylor refinance Strategy’s $8.2B debt?

On a recent CNBC interview, Michael Saylor casually mentioned that if bitcoin (BTC) fell 90%, he would easily refinance his company’s debts. His company, Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), owes creditors $8.2 billion.

Skeptics, however, were unconvinced that Saylor would be able to accomplish that feat so easily.

Although the company owns 714,644 BTC worth $47.4 billion at current prices, if it crashed 90%, Strategy holdings might only be worth $4.7 billion — far lower than its debt.

CNBC anchor Becky Quick, for example, was immediately unconvinced by Saylor’s flippant answer to her question about his plan for an extended bear market. 

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Crypto values have halved in four months, losing over $2 trillion since October 6. Maybe the worst is yet to come.

As Saylor was visibly laughing about how obvious it should be that Strategy would be able to refinance its debt after a 90% decline in the price of BTC, Quick asked a simple question. 

“Refinance where, Michael?”

Saylor responded that he would “just roll it forward” to extend maturity dates on his principal repayments.

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Unconvinced, Quick repeated her simple question. “You think banks would lend to you at that point?”

‘Just roll it forward’

Indeed, Saylor’s company isn’t particularly creditworthy by conventional metrics even today. S&P Global rates it at B-, which means that its bonds are speculative-grade, or colloquially, “junk bonds.”

If BTC were to decline 90%, the company would have far more debt than assets, and the company has a track record of losing money.

Indeed, its operating loss in its most recent quarter was $17.4 billion — a 16.4x increase year-over-year. Its “product support” and “other services” revenues also declined in Q4 2025 versus the prior year, as another sign of weakness.

Saylor’s confidence in his ability to roll-over his bonds is justifiable given the company’s current asset levels and his $2.2 billion in cash today, but if the price of BTC continues to collapse, those figures will deteriorate rapidly.

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Read more: Michael Saylor’s Strategy sheds $6 billion in a day — again

Michael Saylor’s debt problem

With very little operating income to speak of relative to over $8 billion in bonds, hundreds of millions of dollars in annual dividend obligations, interest payments due to bondholders, salaries, and other operating expenses, Saylor might have a tough time convincing any lender to extend his credit during the depths of a bear market.

“I don’t think it’s going to $8,000,” Saylor retorted about BTC, without further explanation, at the end of that CNBC segment. “But the credit risk is de minimis at this point.”

While true, those beliefs do not answer the anchor’s question. How, exactly, does Michael Saylor plan to refinance $8 billion in debt if BTC crashes?

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Again, and as many critics on social media have realized, he will not need to renegotiate the debt at all if BTC rallies. Only if BTC crashes will he need to renegotiate. At that point, it might have become impossible.

Got a tip? Send us an email securely via Protos Leaks. For more informed news, follow us on X, Bluesky, and Google News, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Top Trends Followed by Crypto-Friendly Neobanks in 2026

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Inside the System Powering the Next Wave of ETH Backed Stablecoins

Why does sending money internationally still feel like mailing a letter in the age of instant messaging? A wire transfer takes three days, costs $45 in fees, and loses another chunk to unfavorable exchange rates. 

Freelancers struggle to access basic banking services because traditional institutions can’t process cryptocurrency income. Small businesses watch profits evaporate in currency conversion fees while waiting for payments to clear.

These are not minor obstacles; they’re symptoms of a financial system built around outdated infrastructure. Banking currently moves more slowly than the digital world requires, while cryptocurrency systems are far too unpredictable for living, day-to-day lives. This disconnect can be filled by a crypto Neo bank development company having deep expertise in blockchain technology. 

Now, let’s have a look at the statistics. 

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According to Mordor Intelligence, the global Neobanking market is set for strong growth, rising from USD 7.38 trillion in 2025 to USD 8.18 trillion in 2026, and further accelerating to USD 13.67 trillion by 2031, at a CAGR of 10.82%.

Crypto-friendly Neobanks do not symbolize incremental improvement; they symbolize the rebuilding of finance from scratch. Blockchain technology and bank stability are no longer topics of the future; they are happening right now, and the year 2026 will be the year of essential digital banking trends and not experimentation.

How Decentralized Banking is Reshaping Finance

Decentralized banking is the act of removing the old gatekeepers who managed our monetary systems for centuries. The simple question being asked is, why should anyone need permission to access their own money?

  • Self-Custody Meets User-Friendly Design

Modern crypto banking solutions combine blockchain’s security with interfaces that feel familiar. Users maintain ownership of assets through private keys while navigating apps that look and function like traditional banking platforms. This removes the technical barriers that held mainstream acceptance at bay during the early days of crypto.

  • Smart Contracts Enable Programmable Finance

Money becomes dynamic through smart contracts. Savings accounts can automatically invest surplus funds when balances exceed thresholds. Bills pay themselves on schedule. Emergency reserves are released only under predefined conditions. White label crypto Neo bank platform development is bringing these capabilities to regional providers who lack the resources to build proprietary systems.

  • Geographic Borders Become Irrelevant

A user in Lagos accesses the same crypto-friendly Neobanks available in London or Los Angeles. This matters tremendously for the 1.4 billion unbanked adults worldwide. They are the people for whom traditional finance has systematically failed. The decentralized infrastructure is location-neutral and therefore allows financial services to become global for the first time.

6 Game-Changing Trends Defining Crypto Neo Banking in 2026

The landscape of crypto banking solutions is transforming rapidly. These six emerging trends are reshaping how a crypto Neo bank development company builds platforms and how users experience digital finance.

Trend #1: Agentic Banking & AI Financial Copilots

The role of artificial intelligence in crypto banking solutions is no longer limited to mere automation. Today, intelligent agents carry out complex financial maneuvers without any assistance. For instance, they analyze every spending situation and optimize every transaction.

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  • Transaction Routing Optimization

AI copilots evaluate gas fees, exchange rates, and settlement times in real-time. When paying an invoice in euros, the system automatically converts cryptocurrency at the optimal moment through the most cost-effective channel. No manual intervention required.

  • Proactive Financial Management

A top crypto Neo bank development company uses Artificial Intelligence to forecast cash flow problems before they happen. The tools can help track forgotten subscriptions, make suggestions on how to revise the budget based on impending expenses, and flag questionable transactions, which may be evidence of fraud.

Trend #2: Embedded Finance Ecosystems

Banking is becoming integrated into systems that are frequented by the people daily. The shift represents a fundamental change in how crypto banking solutions reach users.

  • Social Platform Integration

Restaurant bills get split in group chats with automatic currency conversion. Payments are routed via these kinds of messaging apps along with social networks without any detour to banking interfaces. This makes these apps popular among many people who fear accessing banking apps.

E-commerce sites integrate the crypto-friendly Neobanks directly into their payment systems. Consumers get instant stablecoin financing, rewards on pending orders, and payment options via multiple digital currencies without the need to leave the site. Those indulged in White label crypto Neo bank platform development enable this integration without merchants becoming licensed financial institutions.

Trend #3: Cross-Border Banking & Multi-Currency Wallets

International payments are finally catching up to the internet’s borderless nature. Modern crypto banking solutions treat geography as irrelevant.

Cross-border transactions are processed within minutes, not in days. A freelancer in Vietnam invoices a Canadian client and receives payment in the preferred currency before lunch ends. The three-day wire transfer is becoming as outdated as the fax machine.

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  • Intelligent Currency Management

In advanced wallets, assets are held in multiple denominations at any given time, allowing them to optimize based on spending patterns as well as market conditions. This means that they avoid any need for manual rebalancing while benefiting from optimal currency exchange rates.

Trend #4: Crypto-Fiat Hybrid Accounts

The distinction between cryptocurrency and traditional money is no longer absolute. Users want unified financial management, and a seasoned crypto Neo bank development company promises to deliver it without fail.

  • Consolidated Financial Views

Modern platforms show traditional, crypto, and asset tokens in a singular screen or dashboard. Money is money, and the distinction between “crypto” and “fiat” matters less than how each serves specific financial needs.

Users can specify how they want their money allocated, for example, with 70% stablecoins, 20% bitcoin, 10% traditional currency, and accounts will regularly update as values shift. Similarly, portfolio management, which is only accessible to certain high-net-worth individuals, can now be found in new crypto-friendly Neobanks.

Trend #5: Mainstream Stablecoin & Tokenized Asset Integration

Stablecoins have shifted from experimental technology to financial infrastructure in 2026.

  • Yield-Generating Transaction Accounts

Checking account balances earn competitive yields through stablecoin protocols. Money waiting to pay bills generates returns instead of sitting idle at zero percent interest. This represents a fundamental shift in digital banking trends, and transactional accounts are becoming productive assets.

  • Fractional Asset Ownership

Tokenization enables ownership of real estate fractions, startup shares, or artwork portions, and everything is accessible through standard banking apps. White label crypto Neo bank platform development democratizes access to asset classes that once required significant wealth to enter.

Trend #6: Quantum-Safe Security & Invisible Biometrics

Security infrastructure in crypto banking solutions is evolving faster than threats emerge.

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A forward-thinking crypto Neo Bank development company can employ quantum-proof algorithms, a process that is advantageous as upgrades will be done before a quantum threat actually occurs.

  • Behavioral Authentication

Continuous verification is carried out through typing rhythms, device interactions, and walking gaits. Security works transparently in the background. Passphrase tension is done away with, and illegal activity is out of the question.

Develop A Compliant Neo Bank Platform Designed For Global Financial Markets

Why Regulation Will Make or Break Crypto Banking This Year

It is expected that the level of clarity that will be achieved by regulators in 2026 will be used to separate those who are viewed as legitimate crypto-friendly Neobanks from those who do business in gray areas. The framework emerging across jurisdictions will determine which platforms thrive and which disappear.

  • Compliance Becomes Competitive Advantage

Clear regulations enable partnerships between crypto banking solutions and traditional financial institutions. Banks that previously avoided cryptocurrency due to uncertainty now actively pursue white label crypto Neo bank platform development partnerships to enter markets safely.

  • Navigating Fragmented Requirements

The EU’s MiCA regulation, evolving US frameworks, and diverse Asian approaches create complex compliance landscapes. Successful crypto Neo bank development companies build flexible systems that adapt to multiple regulatory regimes simultaneously, turning fragmentation from an obstacle into a moat.

  • License Acquisition Drives Consolidation

Multiple banking licenses and operational permissions enable broader market access. This advantage accelerates industry consolidation as smaller players either scale rapidly or face acquisition by larger licensed operators. Regulatory compliance infrastructure becomes as valuable as technical capabilities in determining which digital banking trends gain traction.

How to Create the Ultimate Digital Bank

The development of a successful crypto-friendly Neobank in 2026 demands this balance:

Different stakeholders, like cross-border workers, cryptocurrency traders who require fiat currency access, and businesses with multiple currency systems, require separate features. Serving all of these stakeholders makes the features less effective.

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  • Strategic Build-vs-Buy Decisions

Building proprietary systems offers maximum customization but demands enormous resources. White label crypto Neo bank platform development provides proven infrastructure and faster market entry. A successful crypto Neo bank development company adopts hybrid approaches, customizing white label platforms for specific market segments.

Architectural decisions are to be made about multi-signature wallets, hardware security modules, verification of smart contracts, and audit trails. It is a fact that security bolted onto existing systems creates vulnerabilities that sophisticated attacks will exploit. Every element of crypto banking solutions should consider security implications from the initial design.

Infrastructure should handle 100x the initial user base without architectural changes. Digital banking trends demonstrate that successful platforms grow exponentially. The appropriate selection of blockchain networks, putting in place effective scaling solutions, and designing flexible databases determines whether platforms can leverage growth opportunities or collapse under success.

Concluding Thoughts

The financial services market is split into two segments: those who adjust to change and those who formulate new paradigms of their own. Crypto-friendly Neobanks represent the convergence of blockchain’s potential with banking’s practical necessity.

AI financial copilots, quantum-safe security, embedded finance ecosystems, and tokenized assets aren’t isolated developments. They’re interconnected components of fundamental transformation in how people interact with money. Geographic Borders, banking hours, and even gatekeepers are becoming less relevant, whereas speed, transparency, and self-serve are becoming a minimum expectation.

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The development of such infrastructure requires specialized expertise in blockchain technology, regulation, security configuration, and user experience. Not many teams have such a pool of expertise within their own organization, and partnerships with experts become important for success.

Ready to Launch a Neo Bank?

Antier holds expertise in white-label crypto neo-bank platform development, enabling faster market entry without compromising security and usability. As a quality crypto neo bank development company, we have successfully implemented crypto bank solutions across multiple continents.

Recognizing the rapid pace of digital banking trends and innovations, our team helps take that pace one step forward by implementing extensive crypto banking solutions that include smart contract development and highly scalable, compliant solutions.

Let’s partner together and make banking relevant for the way we live and work today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

01. Why do international wire transfers take so long and cost so much?

International wire transfers can take up to three days and incur fees of around $45, along with losses from unfavorable exchange rates, due to outdated banking infrastructure that struggles to keep pace with modern digital demands.

02. What challenges do freelancers face with traditional banking systems?

Freelancers often struggle to access basic banking services because traditional institutions typically cannot process cryptocurrency income, limiting their financial options.

03. How are crypto-friendly Neobanks changing the financial landscape?

Crypto-friendly Neobanks are revolutionizing finance by combining blockchain technology with user-friendly interfaces, allowing users to maintain ownership of their assets while benefiting from features like smart contracts for automated financial management.

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Is Aave Labs’ proposal ‘extractive’? DAO debate heats up

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Is Aave Labs’ proposal ‘extractive’? DAO debate heats up

Since December, the DeFi sector’s largest protocol has been wrestling with an existential question, pitting Aave Labs against the DAO: who owns Aave?

What began as a discussion over swap fees rapidly escalated into an existential debate about ownership of the Aave brand, as well as the rights to monetize it.

Yesterday, Aave Labs published a “temperature check” entitled “Aave Will Win Framework” on the Aave governance forum.

Their headline is “100% of product revenue to the Aave DAO,” but the post, which runs to almost 4,000 words, doesn’t end there.

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Read more: Aave brand dispute rumbles on as founder buys £22M London property

At a high level, the post proposes that all of Aave product revenue will be directed to the DAO. A foundation would also be set up to “assume responsibility for holding and stewarding” the Aave brand.

This addresses the DAO’s concerns around Labs’ potential brand capture on products including the front end, Aave’s app, card and institution-focused Horizon market.

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These concessions are accompanied by a funding request for considerable sums, namely $25 million in stablecoins and 75,000 AAVE.

Further grants totaling $17.5 would be “payable upon specific product launches.”

The initial payment of stablecoins would be partially ($5 million) upfront, with the remainder streamed over the following year. AAVE tokens would unlock linearly over two years.

It clarifies “all funds will be spent on Aave-related efforts” such as “user acquisition, marketing, and ongoing development.”

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Correct destination, but the route ‘needs work’

While DAO advocates generally see the proposal as directionally positive, concerns remain over the calculation of revenue. That, and the vast sum of tokens requested, both stables and AAVE.

Vocal DAO delegate Marc Zeller reacted harshly to begin with, calling Labs’ proposal “extractive” and a “gaslight.” He sees it as “raiding” DAO tokens “for zero actual enforceable commitment.”

A longer follow-up post was more positive, recognising “victory” for the DAO, while also recognizing that the move is essentially “four proposals in a trenchcoat.”

However, Zeller warns that, in calculating revenue, “deductions are at Aave Labs’ sole discretion. No independent audit. No cap. No DAO approval threshold.”

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He also underlines that the $50 million worth of tokens requested represents “31.5% of the entire treasury. For a single service provider. In a single vote.”

Furthermore, the additional 75,000 AAVE tokens would further increase Labs dominance of DAO voting.

AAVE voting power

Aave Labs isn’t shy about flexing its muscles during sensitive votes.

In what was branded a “disgraceful” move, Labs triggered a surprise vote on contributor Ernesto Boado’s proposal over the Christmas holidays.

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The proposal was voted down with 55% against, while the majority of DAO delegates abstained.

Additionally, Zeller suspects that today’s narrowly-rejected vote on “mandatory disclosures” was, ironically, heavily influenced by undisclosed Labs-linked wallets.

Forking over another 75,000 tokens would only increase Labs’ ability to swing future votes in its favor.

Got a tip? Send us an email securely via Protos Leaks. For more informed news and investigations, follow us on XBluesky, and Google News, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Three Arrested After Binance France Employee Home Break-In

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Three Arrested After Binance France Employee Home Break-In

Three suspects were arrested in France after a reported break-in targeting the home of a senior figure at Binance’s French unit, with the company confirming to Cointelegraph that one of its employees was the victim of a home invasion.

Local outlet RTL, citing anonymous police sources, reported that three hooded individuals attempted to enter an apartment in Val-de-Marne around 7:00 am CET Thursday and were carrying weapons.

RTL said the suspects first forced their way into the apartment of another resident, forcing them to direct them to the home of the head of Binance France. RTL reported the suspects searched the apartment and stole two mobile phones before fleeing.

Two hours later, the three suspects were reportedly arrested during a second home invasion attempt in Hauts-de-Seine after residents alerted authorities, RTL said. Authorities recovered the stolen phones and a vehicle that RTL said linked the suspects to the earlier break-in.

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Related: 22 Bitcoin worth $1.5M vanish from Seoul police custody

Binance confirms a break into an employee’s home

Binance confirmed the incident to Cointelegraph but declined to identify the employee involved.

“We are aware of a home break-in involving one of our employees. There is an ongoing investigation with the local police,” a Binance spokesperson said. “The safety and well-being of our employees and their families is our absolute priority. We are working closely with law enforcement and further enhancing appropriate security measures.”

David Prinçay is the President of Binance France, but Cointelegraph was unable to independently verify the identity of the employee targeted in the break-in. Binance declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation and safety concerns.

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Related: Binance completes $1B Bitcoin conversion for SAFU emergency fund

Crypto wrench attacks rise 75% in 2025, as France sees most attacks

Physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency investors, also known as “wrench attacks,” have risen over the past year.

Wrench attacks increased by 75% during 2025, to 72 verified cases worldwide recorded last year alone, according to cybersecurity platform CertiK.

Wrench attacks accounted for at least $40.9 million in confirmed losses in 2025, but the value could be much larger due to unreported incidents, according to CertiK.

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France recorded the largest number of attacks last year, with 19 confirmed incidents, while Europe accounted for about 40% of all attacks globally in 2025.

Magazine: Meet the onchain crypto detectives fighting crime better than the cops