Bitcoin (BTC) passed $65,000 at Monday’s Wall Street open as exchange order-book liquidity dictated price moves.

Key points:

• Bitcoin hits a new week-to-date high despite US stocks rolling over at the start of trading.
• Traders’ targets include a move toward $70,000 next.
• Liquidations are described as “completely insane” as both long and short BTC positions get chopped up.

Bitcoin surfs $65,000 as oil eyes new lows

Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD hitting $65,555 on Bitstamp — its highest since Wednesday.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The move contrasted with US stock markets, which opened lower on continued uncertainty over the fate of the US-Iran peace deal. The mood settled as the US allowed Iranian oil trading for two months.

“Iranian oil is officially returning to global markets for the first time since 2018,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter responded in a post on X.

US WTI crude returned to near $73 per barrel, marking some of its lowest levels since early March and the start of the war.

CFDs on WTI crude oil one-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

For Bitcoin traders, it was all about nearby pockets of liquidity around the spot price on the day.

“Took out that thick liquidation cluster above $65K. Right after the US Market open. Going to be important where this moves in the next few hours,” Daan Crypto Trades commented alongside data from CoinGlass. 

BTC liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlass

“If it rejects here, it will likely try to clean up some liquidity lower. So this is $65K area is a good level to gauge for low timeframe strength/weakness I’d say.”

Trader CrypNuevo eyed a potential trip toward $70,000 should bulls manage to sustain the low-time frame breakout.

BTC/USDT one-hour chart. Source: CrypNuevo/X

BTC sees “insane” multibillion-dollar liquidations

Trading and liquidity analysis account CryptoReviewing, meanwhile, described recent liquidations as “completely insane.”

Related: US dollar strength hits highest since May 2025: Five things to know in Bitcoin this week

Bitcoin, it noted, had liquidated $2.5 billion in just seven days.

“Now, $65,000 – $67,000 has sizable liquidity above that could be swept next – potentially leading to higher levels,” an X post read. 

“However, $61,000 – $63,000 has significantly larger liquidation clusters stacked up, making this the ‘higher probability’ zone to visit next.”

“Over the past six weeks, 6 out of 6 Mondays have marked a local pivot high before price moved lower. Worth keeping an eye on if we start seeing strength and a push higher heading into Monday,” they told X followers.

BTC/USD with Monday peaks marked. Source: Killa/X

Ondo Global Markets has integrated with LI.FI to widen access to tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs across major crypto applications. The integration covers Ethereum and BNB Chain at launch, while Solana support will follow later. Ondo says the platform now gives LI.FI’s partner network direct access to more than 438 tokenized securities. The move places tokenized equities deeper into cross-chain wallets, apps, and trading infrastructure.

Ondo Adds LI.FI Access for Tokenized Securities

Ondo Global Markets brings tokenized exposure to U.S. public securities through blockchain-based tokens backed by underlying assets. The available products include tokenized versions of Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple shares. The platform also lists broad market ETFs such as QQQ and SPY.

LI.FI gives Ondo a distribution route across more than 1,000 partner platforms in its ecosystem. These partners include wallets and apps that already use LI.FI for execution. The integration allows users to access tokenized stocks and ETFs without leaving supported applications. It also gives partner platforms a ready route to add equity-linked assets through existing LI.FI connections.

Ondo reports more than $1 billion in total value locked on Ondo Global Markets. The platform also reports tens of thousands of holders and more than $20 billion in cumulative trading volume since its September 2025 launch. Those figures show the scale of activity behind the tokenized securities platform.

LI.FI Connects Partners Across Ethereum and BNB Chain

LI.FI operates as a cross-chain execution network for same-chain and cross-chain token transfers. The protocol uses an intent-based model where users set their desired outcome, while professional solvers handle routing and execution. That design removes the need for users to choose bridges or routes manually. It also supports best-price, gasless, and near-instant execution where the connected application enables those features.

The network has processed more than $80 billion in volume across over 100 million transfers. LI.FI also powers infrastructure for platforms such as MetaMask, Robinhood Wallet, and Binance. Its role gives Ondo a wider route into crypto applications that already serve large user bases.

Ethereum and BNB Chain support start the integration, while Solana support remains planned for a later rollout. This staged approach gives Ondo access to two active blockchain ecosystems before expanding to another major network. The integration also connects tokenized securities with users who already move assets across chains.

Key Insights

• Ondo Global Markets integrated LI.FI across Ethereum and BNB Chain, with Solana support planned soon.
• LI.FI’s 1,000-plus partners can now access 438 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs directly today.
• Available assets include tokenized Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, QQQ, and SPY through Ondo Global Markets now.
• Ondo reports over $1 billion in TVL and $20 billion in cumulative volume since launch.
• LI.FI has processed over $80 billion across more than 100 million crypto transfers to date.

Tokenized Stocks Expand Across Crypto Apps

Ondo Global Markets tokenizes U.S. public securities and makes them usable in DeFi-compatible formats. Each tokenized asset has backing from underlying securities held with one or more U.S. broker-dealers. Ondo also says the assets use daily verification and investor protection standards.

The LI.FI integration gives developers and platforms a direct path to add tokenized equity exposure. Wallets and applications can present tokenized stocks and ETFs alongside other digital assets. This structure may reduce integration work for platforms that already connect with LI.FI. It also keeps tokenized security access inside familiar crypto products used by retail and institutional users.

The development comes as tokenized real-world assets draw more activity from crypto platforms and traditional finance firms. Ondo’s tokenized stock platform focuses on listed U.S. equities and ETFs, while LI.FI focuses on cross-chain access and execution. Together, the integration links tokenized securities with a wider app network across Ethereum and BNB Chain, with planned Solana support.

1. Search results are becoming part of the crypto attack path

Search engine results have quietly become one of the most underestimated weaknesses in cryptocurrency security.

The usual understanding of crypto security focuses on protecting seed phrases, using hardware wallets, enabling multi-factor authentication and being careful with suspicious links sent through email or direct messages. What is often missed is the role of search engines as an entry point for attacks.

For years, platforms such as Google have been seen as neutral gateways to the internet. Users are used to searching for their bank, favorite restaurant or a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, assuming the results are reliable. Scammers are now taking advantage of that behavior in crypto.

Recent incidents involving fake ads that impersonate major cryptocurrency platforms show that search engines are no longer just neutral information tools. Scammers have turned them into part of the attack surface targeting crypto users.

A wallet compromise does not always begin when a user connects to a malicious site. It may start several minutes earlier, with a normal search query and one wrong click.

2. How search engines became a crypto security risk

Traditional cyberattacks usually focused on technical weaknesses, such as software flaws, server exploits and malware. Modern crypto fraud works differently.

Instead of targeting systems, attackers target behavior.

Decades of internet use have trained users to trust search results, especially the ones that appear at the top of the page. A “Sponsored” label does not always make users more careful. Some may even see it as a sign that the listing is legitimate. They may also wrongly assume that the company behind the ad has been verified.

Neither assumption is always safe.

Search engines are designed to organize information and sell ads. Skilled bad actors understand both systems well. They can buy ad placements, manipulate visibility, copy trusted brand identities and reach users when they are most likely to act.

In crypto, that can be dangerous. A single transaction can move large sums instantly and usually cannot be reversed. That means one wrong click can have serious financial consequences.

Did you know? Google was not originally called Google. Its founders developed it as a research project called “BackRub,” named after its ability to analyze backlinks. Today, that same search system influences trillions of dollars in online activity, including crypto transactions.

3. The Uniswap impersonation campaign

A recent incident shows how effective this method can be. According to recent reports, attackers stole at least $400,000 from a trader through fake Google ads that impersonated the decentralized exchange Uniswap. 

The method was simple. A user searching for “Uniswap” would see what appeared to be an official sponsored listing near the top of the results. The branding looked familiar and the message seemed credible. This gave users little reason to be suspicious.

Clicking the ad took users to a cloned interface that closely copied the real Uniswap platform. From there, the experience looked genuine. Users connected their wallets, started what seemed like normal transactions and granted the required approvals.

The consequences became clear only later. The users had unknowingly approved permissions that allowed the attackers to withdraw funds directly from their wallets.

What makes this attack different is the lack of technical intrusion. The attackers did not need seed phrases, malware or broken encryption. The victims themselves signed the transactions that enabled the theft.

4. Why even experienced users fall victim

It is easy to assume that only newcomers to cryptocurrency fall for such schemes. In reality, even experienced users can be tricked under the right conditions.

One reason is authority bias. People naturally place trust in established institutions and systems. Google, in particular, is widely seen as a reliable way to find information. Users often assume that top search results are checked carefully before they appear.

Habit makes the problem worse.

For decades, the search bar has been the default way to move around the internet. Many users no longer memorize URLs. They simply search for the platform they want to visit.

Convenience also encourages speed.

Regular DeFi users often move quickly between exchanges, staking services, governance portals and bridge interfaces. The more urgent the action feels, the less likely users are to check every detail in front of them.

Attackers know this. They spend time and money creating convincing copies of trusted platforms. A fake interface that closely matches a familiar platform can lower even an experienced user’s guard, especially when that user is distracted or in a hurry.

There is also optimism bias. People may know that a threat exists but still believe they are unlikely to become the victim. Crypto’s track record gives little reason for such confidence.

5. The limits of hardware wallets

Hardware wallets are often described as the gold standard in cryptocurrency security. In many ways, that label is fair. By keeping private keys offline, they offer strong protection against many types of malware and unauthorized access attempts.

However, they have one major limit.

A hardware wallet cannot reliably judge whether a transaction benefits the user. If a user approves a malicious request through a phishing interface, the device will usually carry out the instruction exactly as submitted.

The hardware wallet protects the keys. It cannot always protect the judgment of the person using them.

This difference has become more important. The main threat is not always an attacker stealing credentials by force. Sometimes, the attacker simply persuades the target to use those credentials on a compromised platform.

Did you know? The first phishing attacks predate Bitcoin by decades. In the mid-1990s, attackers targeted AOL users by pretending to be employees and asking for passwords. The techniques have changed, but the basic idea remains similar: exploiting trust rather than technology.

6. Why search advertising appeals to bad actors

Search ads give criminals a mix of advantages that few other channels can match. For crypto scammers, that makes them especially attractive.

First, they offer access to large audiences. Millions of users search every day for terms linked to crypto wallets, exchanges and DeFi protocols.

Those users also have clear intent. A person searching for “Uniswap,” “MetaMask download” or “Ledger Live download” is already trying to take action. The attacker does not need to create interest. The possible victim is already ready to engage.

The barrier to entry is also relatively low. Phishing emails may be blocked by spam filters or ignored by recipients. Search ads, however, reach users at the exact moment they are looking for a destination.

Fraudulent campaigns can also be rebuilt quickly. When fake ads are taken down, attackers often return with new accounts, newly registered domains or slightly changed versions of the same scheme.

For criminals, the economics can be hard to ignore.

Did you know? Search results can vary from person to person. Location, browsing history and device type can all affect what users see. A scam ad seen by one crypto user may not appear for another user making the same search.

7. A problem that goes beyond Google

Search-based fraud is part of a much wider problem facing online platforms. It is not limited to search engines.

Redditors have repeatedly reported seeing fake cryptocurrency ads next to legitimate community discussions. YouTube has struggled with impersonation scams involving fake livestreams that promise giveaways.

Social media platforms continue to deal with scam accounts that copy official project profiles in reply threads. Telegram channels are also often targeted by people pretending to be support representatives.

Across all these cases, the pattern is the same. The same systems built to spread legitimate content can also be used to spread fraud. Advertising systems are designed to optimize for engagement and relevance. Scammers try to exploit those systems by weakening user trust. 

8. SEO poisoning and how the threat has changed

Avoiding sponsored ads may seem like an obvious solution. Unfortunately, scammers have adapted.

Search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning is the deliberate manipulation of organic search rankings so malicious pages appear near the top without paid promotion. Attackers may publish fake educational content designed to rank for popular search terms. They may also buy expired domains that already have search authority.

Others use typosquatting, which means registering domains with small spelling changes that are easy to miss at a quick glance. More advanced scams use lookalike characters from other alphabets to make fake URLs appear legitimate.

For the average user, the difference can be almost impossible to spot. As a result, even people who avoid paid ads may still land on phishing pages through normal search results.

9. Crypto security as a user experience challenge

Crypto security advice has traditionally focused on protecting sensitive information: safeguarding seed phrases, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication and storing backups carefully. These recommendations still matter.

However, they are no longer enough on their own.

Many losses today do not happen through stolen credentials. They happen through deceptive experiences that are designed to look almost identical to legitimate ones. In these cases, the weak points are often simple user actions: searching, clicking, approving and trusting familiar-looking interfaces.

As a result, crypto security is becoming a user experience problem as much as a technical one. Real protection requires reducing confusion and deception at every step of the user journey, not just strengthening the final transaction screen.

10. Practical steps to reduce exposure

Simple precautions can greatly reduce a user’s exposure to search-based attacks. They also make rushed decisions less likely.

Bookmarking official websites directly, instead of searching for them each time, removes a major weak point. Sponsored links for wallets, exchanges and DeFi apps are best avoided entirely.

Users should check URLs carefully before connecting a wallet, with special attention to spelling errors and unusual characters. Links should come from verified project accounts and official documentation whenever possible.

Transaction requests should be reviewed carefully instead of approved quickly. When available, users should also use wallet tools that can simulate transactions and flag unusual permissions. Token approvals that are no longer needed should be revoked from time to time.

Above all, it is worth slowing down. Scammers deliberately exploit urgency. A few extra seconds spent checking details can be the difference between a normal interaction and an irreversible loss.

Key Highlights

• South Korea’s central bank advances digital deposit token initiative for market launch.

• Enhanced pilot phase introduces peer-to-peer transactions and expanded payment acceptance.

• Financial institutions demand improved compliance infrastructure and extended development periods.

• Government subsidy distribution through digital tokens will undergo practical evaluation.

• Parallel blockchain initiatives demonstrate Korea’s commitment to digital payment innovation.

The Bank of Korea is advancing its digital currency testing program as regulators lay groundwork for uninterrupted service and mainstream adoption. The upcoming testing cycle will integrate electronic payment platforms with traditional banking infrastructure while incorporating peer-to-peer transactions, retail payments, and clearance mechanisms. This initiative signals a strategic pivot from experimental trials to comprehensive digital financial infrastructure.

Financial Institutions Ready for Uninterrupted Digital Token Operations

Korea’s central banking authority and partner financial institutions have engaged in strategic planning to enable seamless Deposit Token operations between developmental stages. These deliberations focus on establishing necessary technological frameworks and regulatory parameters for official deployment. The Korea Federation of Banks delivered comprehensive documentation detailing these strategies to parliamentary member Lee Heon-seung.

Each token issued by commercial banking institutions represents digitized funds secured within traditional deposit accounts. The framework functions through wholesale digital currency infrastructure managed by the central monetary authority. This arrangement maintains commercial banks’ accountability for client deposits while leveraging centralized settlement support.

Initial testing phases provided select participants with digital payment applications from cooperating financial institutions. Users conducted transactions using tokenized balances at designated retail locations under controlled conditions. The evaluation primarily assessed application functionality, transaction execution, and inter-institutional settlement processes.

Enhanced Testing Phase Incorporates Peer Transactions and Extended Banking Functions

The forthcoming evaluation stage will broaden consumer and merchant participation throughout the payment network. Additional features include direct user-to-user fund transfers and authorization for banks to establish proprietary token services. Financial institutions will integrate these capabilities with fundamental account infrastructure and established settlement procedures.

The augmented initiative demands reinforced financial crime prevention protocols and enhanced transaction monitoring frameworks. Banks must implement sophisticated fraud prevention mechanisms and upgrade supporting technology infrastructure before broader implementation. Consequently, participating institutions have requested allocated funding and extended development timelines from monetary authorities.

Financial institutions contended that the enhanced evaluation constitutes a distinct initiative beyond simple pilot continuation. Direct user transfers and expanded merchant acceptance introduce substantial regulatory compliance and operational demands. The central bank subsequently modified scheduling parameters and authorized advisory services connected to commercialization strategies.

Electronic Voucher System Enables Government Disbursement Evaluation

The program will additionally assess corporate treasury transactions through electronic vouchers connected to governmental funding initiatives. According to implementation plans, officials will distribute designated electric vehicle infrastructure subsidies via tokenized payments. Businesses can subsequently receive and process governmental assistance within the participating financial network.

The second evaluation cycle will examine how tokenized funds operate within conventional banking accounts and financial ecosystems. It will also analyze whether digital token infrastructure can facilitate policy disbursements and monitored public expenditure. These capabilities could deliver enhanced transaction transparency and accelerated settlement across authorized governmental programs.

Korean financial entities are simultaneously exploring public distributed ledger systems for alternative payment solutions. Toss Bank recently formalized collaboration with the Solana Foundation encompassing cross-border remittances, settlement operations, stablecoins, and tokenized securities. This initiative remains distinct as it utilizes public blockchain infrastructure rather than the central authority’s CBDC architecture.

The central bank’s program constitutes a component of South Korea’s comprehensive examination of tokenized currency and digital settlement mechanisms. Its forthcoming phase will evaluate payments, transfers, vouchers, and commercial banking operations within a unified regulatory framework. Findings will inform policymakers regarding specifications for comprehensive digital token deployment.

Key Highlights

• Stock+ enables qualified traders to purchase authentic US equities using cryptocurrency holdings.
• Platform provides genuine share ownership with dividend rights and stock split participation.
• Digital assets are converted to USDC prior to executing US equity transactions.
• Stock+ complements rTokens within Bitget’s comprehensive Stocks 2.0 initiative.
• This rollout reinforces Bitget’s expansion into traditional financial markets via crypto integration.

Bitget has introduced Stock+, a new offering that permits qualified traders to purchase authentic US stocks and exchange-traded funds using digital currencies through a unified account interface. The platform transforms cryptocurrency holdings into USDC before transmitting equity orders via authorized brokerage partners. This initiative broadens Bitget’s approach to integrate digital currencies, tokenized securities, commodities, and traditional equities within a single ecosystem.

Stock+ Delivers Authentic Ownership with Fractional Trading Capabilities

Bitget explained that Stock+ grants ownership of actual underlying securities instead of synthetic products or derivative instruments. Traders receive cash dividend payments, gain from stock split events, and obtain shareholder privileges through compliant custody frameworks. The platform additionally accommodates purchases starting from 0.0001 shares, reducing barriers for participants with limited capital.

Transactions flow through RQD Clearing and Atomic Vaults Securities before arriving at prominent US exchange venues. Traders can execute orders during pre-market, standard, after-hours, and overnight periods, subject to market conditions and instrument availability. Bitget further offers complimentary Level 1 market information, while commission rates begin at 0.1% for each completed trade.

The system accepts incoming transfers from compatible brokerage firms, enabling traders to consolidate current equity positions with digital asset portfolios. Nevertheless, Bitget has not yet clarified if outgoing stock transfers will be accessible immediately following the product debut. Availability will vary according to regional regulations, brokerage partnerships, and client qualification standards across different territories.

Stocks 2.0 Framework Advances Bitget’s Diversified Asset Approach

Stock+ represents a component of Bitget’s broader Stocks 2.0 initiative, which focuses on conventional markets and tangible assets. Previously in June, the organization unveiled Reality, a compliant tokenization infrastructure supporting its expanding rToken product suite. These instruments deliver blockchain-powered exposure to over 500 US equities and ETFs through broker-connected frameworks.

Bitget reported that total assets under management throughout its tokenized equity offerings have surpassed $50 million following their debut. The current service now positions direct equity ownership alongside tokenized options within the identical account framework. Traders can select regulated brokerage shares or blockchain-based exposure based on their preferred ownership model.

This release positions Bitget in competition with platforms already merging cryptocurrencies with equities and additional traditional financial instruments. Kraken, Robinhood, eToro, Interactive Brokers, and Public deliver various configurations of cryptocurrency and equity market connectivity. Concurrently, numerous exchanges and protocols continue advancing tokenized securities, stablecoin settlement systems, and comprehensive multi-asset trading capabilities.

Bitget employs stablecoins as a funding intermediary while preserving regulated execution for direct equity acquisitions. This framework minimizes transfers across banks, brokerages, and cryptocurrency platforms for qualified traders already maintaining digital asset positions. Stock+ consequently advances Bitget’s mission to deliver cryptocurrency and traditional market exposure via a consolidated trading interface.