Crypto World
ChangeNOW Review 2026: Fast Crypto Swaps With Real Trade-Offs
Despite all its progress, crypto still has a big learning curve. And trading complexities and fear are often the first reasons why many still don’t want to commit to this space. ChangeNOW is one of the many exchanges trying to solve this through simplicity.
A crypto swap on ChangeNOW starts with a familiar promise: choose what you are sending, paste a wallet address, and wait for another asset to arrive. There is no order book to learn and, for many crypto-to-crypto swaps, no account to open.
That stripped-down flow is the product’s strongest argument. It makes moving between blockchains feel closer to a transfer than a trade.
However, simplicity has limits. ChangeNOW folds its fee into the quote, relies on outside companies for fiat payments, and can request identity checks after a user has sent funds.
ChangeNOW works best when convenience and pair coverage matter more than seeing every component of the price. Large, fee-sensitive swaps and users who want predictable verification rules deserve a closer look at the terms before sending anything.
The Short Verdict
| Best for | Direct wallet-to-wallet swaps and less common cross-chain routes |
| Main strengths | Simple flow, broad asset coverage, fixed or floating quotes, permanent exchange addresses |
| Main drawbacks | Embedded rather than itemised pricing, regional limits, recovery fees |
| Account | Usually unnecessary for standard swaps in permitted regions; required for Pro and some users |
| Operator | CHN Group LLC, registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Bottom line | A convenient swap router whose least visible details matter most when a transaction stalls |
Key Takeaways
- ChangeNOW advertises access to more than 1,500 assets across 110+ blockchains, although availability changes by pair, network and region.
- Its price is easy to see as a final receiving amount, while the service does not break out a standalone swap fee. Comparing live quotes is essential.
- Standard swaps usually require no account, but compliance checks can still pause a transaction, making regional eligibility and refund terms worth reviewing before sending funds.
The Swap Screen Gets to the Point
ChangeNOW’s crypto super app has operated since 2017. The company says it has served eight million clients and now connects more than 1,500 crypto assets across over 110 blockchains. That reach is the practical reason to use it: a route that would otherwise require a bridge, a centralised exchange, or several wallet steps may appear in one interface.
The standard flow is straightforward. A user selects the two assets, enters a receiving wallet address, and sends funds to the deposit address generated for the transaction. ChangeNOW then sources the conversion and pays the new asset to the destination wallet.
The service describes this as non-custodial because users do not leave an ongoing account balance on the platform. That distinction matters, though it should not be stretched too far. ChangeNOW still handles the deposited funds while the swap is being executed, and its terms allow it to hold them during a compliance review.
Self-custody also leaves less room for error. The asset, network, destination address, and any required memo must match.
Pricing is Simple to Read and Hard to Audit
ChangeNOW offers floating and fixed rates. A floating quote follows the market while the swap is processed, so the final payout can move. A fixed quote reserves enough room to protect the displayed receiving amount, although that certainty can produce a less favourable rate.
The service includes its remuneration and the relevant routing costs inside the quoted rate. That keeps the confirmation screen clean, but it prevents users from separating the platform’s margin from liquidity-provider charges and network fees.
For a user, the useful number is the amount expected in the destination wallet. Compare that figure across providers at the same moment, using the same amount and network. A percentage advertised elsewhere may look cheaper while producing a worse final payout.
ChangeNOW says its average exchange takes about one to two minutes and that 98% of swaps beat the estimate or finish within a 0.5% deviation. Those are company figures rather than independently audited performance data.
Its own FAQ gives a wider normal range of five to 30 minutes, and blockchain congestion can push a transaction beyond it.
The Accountless Promise Has a Catch
Many users can start a crypto swap without the lengthy onboarding, where every transaction still passes through automated risk screening. ChangeNOW can request an identity document and proof of funds when a transfer is flagged, when local rules require it, or when a fiat partner asks for it.
Under the current terms, if a transfer gets flagged, it stays paused until identity checks are complete. If a user chooses not to verify, a 3-day refund window is opened. However, suspicious activity may cause payout delays.
Geography changes the experience as well. The terms prohibit standard access for UK users. US users can use the service only after creating an account under separate terms. Availability may differ elsewhere, so the eligibility check belongs before the deposit, not after it.
ChangeNOW is operated by CHN Group LLC, which is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The company’s own AML document says the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit does not supervise companies that provide cryptocurrency services. Users seeking the protections of a locally licensed exchange should treat that as a material distinction.
Fiat Access Adds Convenience
ChangeNOW connects card and bank payments through providers such as Transak, Simplex, Banxa, and Guardarian. Its wider platform advertises support for more than 70 fiat currencies, with methods that can include Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Pix, ACH, and Revolut.
The list looks broad, but the actual offer depends on the country, currency, payment method, and asset. The third-party provider sets its own KYC checks, limits, fees, and processing rules.
This setup gives newcomers a familiar way to buy crypto. It also divides responsibility across more than one service when a payment is delayed or rejected.
Permanent Addresses Solve a Real Repeat-Use Problem
The permanent exchange address is one of ChangeNOW’s more practical features. A user chooses a pair and destination once, then reuses the same deposit address for future conversions. That can simplify mining payouts, recurring transfers, or regular treasury movements.
Feature Updates in 2026
ChangeNOW expanded its product range during 2026 with several additions covering market research, tokenized assets, private transfers and more advanced trading. These features extend the platform beyond instant crypto swaps while remaining accessible from the same interface.
Price Predictions
ChangeNow has recently integrated prediction markets, which means users can directly access major platforms like Polymarket through the exchange. This adds an extra layer of convenience as users can access different trading functions directly from their ChangeNOW wallets.
Real-World Assets
The Real-World Assets section focuses on tokenized versions of traditional financial assets, including gold, government bonds, real estate and other asset classes. Users can explore this category in one place and exchange supported RWA tokens alongside more established cryptocurrencies.
- Private Transfers
Private Transfers route transactions through ChangeNOW before funds reach the destination wallet. This reduces the visible connection between the sender and recipient on public blockchains and gives users additional transaction privacy. The company describes the feature as a privacy tool rather than a guarantee of anonymity.
Crypto Trading
The Crypto Trading section expands the platform beyond instant swaps with additional trading tools. Users can access features such as limit orders, transaction history, portfolio tracking and cashback through ChangeNOW Pro, giving active traders access to more functionality within the same ecosystem.
ChangeNOW Pro Changes the Risk Model
A free Pro account adds transaction history, cashback, staking access, one monthly AML address check, and crypto loans. Paid plans lift some limits and add more screening tools.
Plan
Monthly price
Cashback
AML address checks
VIP
$0
0.1%
1
Emerald
$15
0.1%
40 per month
Brilliant
$100
0.2%
Unlimited
The paid subscriptions are charged in NOW tokens at the current dollar-equivalent price and renew monthly. Cashback also arrives in NOW. That token exposure is small for some users and relevant for others, especially when calculating whether a plan pays for itself. The full plan details sit on the ChangeNOW Pro page.
Pro’s reduced-cost off-chain conversions require users to fund an account balance. That is a different arrangement from the standard no-balance swap flow. The convenience improves, while the user accepts custody and account risk that the basic product was designed to avoid.
NOWLoans currently advertises a fixed 50% loan-to-value ratio and 10% annual interest, paid when the loan closes. The open-ended term may look flexible, but the user still gives up control of collateral and takes liquidation and counterparty risk. The feature deserves the same scrutiny as any other crypto-backed loan.
Support Scores Well, but Edge Cases Define the Experience
ChangeNOW offers round-the-clock support. As of July 24, 2026, its Trustpilot page showed a 4.6 rating from 13,555 reviews. Eighty-seven percent were five-star reviews and 6% were one-star reviews. Trustpilot also said the company replied to all negative reviews and typically responded within 24 hours.
The review feed contains many reports of fast, simple swaps. Recent criticism also mentions slower execution, weaker rates, and the $50 recovery fee for deposit mistakes. User reviews are useful signals rather than controlled tests, and the strongest rating cannot remove the need to read the terms.
Who Should Use ChangeNOW?
ChangeNOW makes the most sense for users who:
- already understand wallet addresses, memos, and network selection;
- need a direct cross-chain route or an asset that is awkward to find elsewhere;
- value a simple receiving quote more than an itemised fee schedule.
A centralised exchange, regulated broker, or on-chain aggregator may fit better when a user needs:
- transparent trading fees and an order book;
- advanced orders, portfolio tools, or deep liquidity for a large trade; or
- consumer protection under a specific local licence.
Final Verdict
ChangeNOW succeeds at the part users see first. The exchange flow is clean, the asset range is broad, and fixed or floating quotes make the immediate choice easy to understand. Permanent addresses and transaction records give the service more value for repeat users.
The important weaknesses sit behind that interface. Pricing is embedded rather than itemised. Compliance checks can interrupt the accountless experience. Fiat payments depend on third parties, and recovery from a deposit mistake can be costly.
For a straightforward, modest swap, those trade-offs may be acceptable.
For a large transfer, the sensible approach is slower: confirm regional eligibility, compare final receiving amounts, read the onboarding requirements, and test the route with an amount the user can afford to have delayed.
Review basis: Public product pages, legal terms, pricing pages, and recent user-review data checked on July 24, 2026. BeInCrypto did not independently execute a live swap for this assessment.
The post ChangeNOW Review 2026: Fast Crypto Swaps With Real Trade-Offs appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Trump earned over $1 billion through cryptocurrency; this is how an ordinary investor can earn $17,700
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
SHRMiner highlights growing interest in cloud mining as digital asset markets evolve, offering users access to mining services without specialized hardware.
Summary
- Trump’s crypto pivot highlights the industry’s growing influence as SHRMiner promotes accessible cloud mining.
- SHRMiner has launched a free cloud mining service, offering crypto holders a way to access mining without owning physical equipment.
- Cloud mining is gaining traction in 2026 as SHRMiner targets BTC holders with automated mining and passive-income services.
Trump publicly criticized Bitcoin in 2021 but rapidly shifted his stance during the campaign, proposing to make the United States the “global cryptocurrency capital.”
After returning to the White House, he signed an executive order supporting the development of the digital asset industry. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Trump and his associated businesses have generated over $1 billion in gains through cryptocurrency.
As we enter 2026, cloud mining is emerging as a new area of interest amidst the continued development of computing infrastructure and digital asset markets. For the average investor, the question arises: how can one generate $17,700 in passive income — or even more — despite constant market volatility?
Cloud mining, represented by platforms like SHRMiner, is rapidly gaining market attention. By providing rentable computing power services and earning mining rewards, it allows users to access the complete cloud mining process and earn passive BTC income without purchasing expensive equipment or specialized skills.
Recently, SHRMiner, a UK-based cloud mining platform, officially launched a new “free cloud mining service.” This service is designed for holders of mainstream cryptocurrencies such as BTC, XRP, DOGE, LTC, and EHT, providing users with a new opportunity to participate in cryptocurrency mining without any entry barriers.
How to earn passive income from BTC through SHEMiner cloud mining
Start earning returns in just three simple steps:
1. Register an account
By visiting the official SHRMiner website, users can register for a free account in less than two minutes and receive a $15 sign-up bonus; this bonus allows them to quickly experience the platform’s services and earn a daily return of $0.60 from a complimentary trial contract.
2. Select a cloud mining plan
Choose a cloud mining plan that suits specific needs and budget. The platform offers flexible plans ranging from $100 to $200,000 to meet the investment goals of different users.
3. Start earning returns
After purchasing a contract, earnings are automatically settled within 24 hours without requiring additional management or action; users can withdraw their earnings to their cryptocurrency wallet addresses at any time or reinvest the profits to benefit from the compounding effect.
The primary advantage of this model is that it significantly lowers the barrier to entry. Users do not need to research specific mining hardware models or hashrate configurations, nor do they need to set up their own system environments; simply by registering an account, depositing assets, and selecting a mining plan, they can start earning returns.

SHRMiner Platform Advantages:
- Supports daily automatic settlement
- No additional electricity or maintenance costs required
- Utilizes advanced ASIC mining hardware, powered by renewable energy sources including hydropower, wind power, and solar power
- Supports mining for multiple currencies: earn mainstream cryptocurrencies such as BTC, XRP, ETH, DOGE, USDC, USDT, SOL, LTC, and BCH.
- Equipped with SSL encryption and DDoS protection, a real-time earnings dashboard for easy monitoring of mining performance
- 100% remote access, fully accessible via the SHRMiner application or browser without hardware requirements, and 24/7 online technical support.
- Affiliate Program: The Affiliate Program allows users to earn up to 4.5% commission by referring friends, with the opportunity to earn an additional bonus of up to 30,000.
Examples of common contracts:
Contract Name
Price
Profit
Days
Principal + Total Return
New User Experience Agreement
$100
$4
2
$100+$8
Bitdeer Sealminer A2 Pro
$500
$6.25
5
$500.00 + $31.25
Litecoin Miner L9
$1000.00
$13.00
10
$1000.00 + $130
Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Imm
$5000.00
$70.00
25
$5000.00 + $1750
Bitcoin Miner S21e XP Hyd
$10000.00
$150.00
35
$10000.00 + $5250
ANTSPACE HW5
$50000.00
$900.00
45
$50000.00 + $40500
After purchasing a contract, earnings will be automatically credited to the user’s account within 24 hours. Upon contract expiration, the principal will be returned in full. Users may withdraw the principal or reinvest it to benefit from compound returns, click here for more details regarding the mining contract.
Unimaginable money-making opportunities
What sets SHRMiner apart is its extraordinary daily passive income; users have the opportunity to earn $10,700 or even more each day, turning the dream of online wealth into reality. Imagine generating substantial income without the need for ongoing investment or complex setups — that is exactly what SHRMiner offers.
Safety and Sustainability
In the mining sector, trust and security are paramount; SHRMiner fully recognizes this and prioritizes user safety above all else. Committed to transparency and legitimacy, SHRMiner ensures investments are protected, allowing users to focus on profitability. All mining facilities utilize clean energy, making this a carbon-conscious cloud mining operation. Renewable energy protects the environment from pollution while providing a powerful energy source.
In short
For those who are looking for ways to generate passive income, cloud mining is an excellent choice. When approached correctly, these opportunities allow them to effortlessly build cryptocurrency wealth on “autopilot” with minimal time investment. At the very least, they are far less time-consuming than any form of active trading. Passive income is the ultimate goal for every investor and trader, and with SHRMiner, maximizing passive income potential is easier than ever.
To learn more about SHRMiner, visit the official website.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
Crypto World
Stacks Bitcoin Staking Upgrade Vote Passes With 99%, Muneeb Says

The Stacks community approved SIP-045, the Bitcoin Staking upgrade, with more than 99% of votes cast in favor, Stacks co-creator Muneeb Ali said, setting up a hard fork targeted for around July 29 at roughly Bitcoin block 907,740. The upgrade, formally "PoX-5: Bitcoin Staking and Emission Schedule… Read the full story at The Defiant
Crypto World
You can lose real BTC trying to sell coins from BIP-110 fork
Bitcoin developer Kevin Loaec, who flagged the risk on X this week, said large holders could be targeted first. Doing nothing will be a safer option, he stated, as coins that never move cannot be replayed because there is no signed transaction to copy.
⚠️IMPORTANT⚠️In the next couple of days, a new shitcoin will fork off Bitcoin. It is a big security risk for people who just believe they will get an “airdrop” and want to sell it, to get more bitcoin.
I will write more about it, but here is the TLDR: 👇— Kevin Loaec 🧙♂️🐟 (@KLoaec) August 6, 2026
How BIP-110 makes this possible
The reason any of this is happening is a proposal called BIP-110, which would keep pictures, text and other non-payment data out of bitcoin transactions for a year.
Changing bitcoin’s rules requires miners to agree, and they register that agreement by marking the blocks they produce. BIP-110 needs 1,109 marked blocks out of a 2,016-block stretch, or 55%. (A block is the batch of transactions miners add to the ledger roughly every ten minutes.)
That route is closed but the proposal has a second one written into it. From block 961,632, expected this weekend, computers running BIP-110 software will reject any block that does not carry the mark, whether miners agreed or not.
Almost every block being mined right now does not carry it. So those computers will start rejecting the chain that nearly all of bitcoin’s mining power is building.
If some miners continue building a BIP-110-compatible branch while the rest keep mining bitcoin as usual, two competing versions of the transaction history could emerge. It stalls if nobody keeps extending the minority branch, it stalls.
Crypto World
Breaking Down the Time-Slip Ending of My Royal Nemesis
Mun-do’s karma comes around too. Se-gye and Seo-ri work with the police to prove Mun-do’s role in the death of a nurse he paid off to poison Se-gye. He ends the series in jail, away from his beloved son and his beloved corporation. Seo-ri visits him to explain that he lost his one chance to redeem himself, implying that he should have prioritized taking care of his son over vying for money and power.
In the Joseon era, we see that both Yi Heon and Dan-shim survived their fall from a great height. They are now in disguise, but free to live their lives together as nobodies. It’s a bit of a sloppy ending for the two, given that Dan-shim was in Se-ri’s body when Yi Heon met Dan-shim. Presumably, Dan-shim did not meet Yi Heon until she woke up, wet with an arrow wound. However, if we’ve learned anything from My Royal Nemesis, it is that a soul connection can supercede reason.
In Seoul, Seo-ri and Se-gye live happily ever after. With Mun-do in jail, Se-gye is in line to become the next CEO of Chail Group. And Seo-ri is already studying her lines for her next K-drama. Most importantly, the two have promised to stay by one another’s side.
Crypto World
Ex-Sushi CTO Joseph DeLong to Launch Order Book DEX on Robinhood Chain

Joseph DeLong, the former SushiSwap CTO who now runs stablecoin card startup Colossus, said he will launch a decentralized exchange called Deepstate on Robinhood Chain next week. "I have a decentralized exchange side project that outgrew nights and weekends. I'm gonna launch it next week on… Read the full story at The Defiant
Crypto World
India Orders GitHub to Remove Jack Dorsey's Bitchat Code

India's Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an arm of the Ministry of Home Affairs, ordered GitHub to remove three code repositories of Bitchat, the Bluetooth mesh messaging app backed by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, giving the Microsoft-owned platform three hours to comply. Dorsey published the… Read the full story at The Defiant
Crypto World
XRP ETF sees $3.58 million outflow and price plunge; how XRP holders can earn $7,000 daily
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
XRP faces renewed pressure after its first ETF outflow, while EX DeFi gains attention from investors seeking cloud mining and yield opportunities.
Summary
- XRP ETF records its first monthly outflow as weakening price action raises concerns over short-term market sentiment.
- EX DeFi gains attention from XRP holders seeking cloud mining and yield strategies amid ongoing market volatility.
- Despite recent ETF outflows and price weakness, long-term optimism for XRP remains supported by institutional adoption.
XRP price has recently remained weak, and the first significant outflow from XRP ETF since their launch has further heightened market caution.

Recently, XRP has underperformed relative to other top-ten digital assets by market capitalization; its price has repeatedly retested previous support levels, and upward momentum has slowed noticeably. Meanwhile, the latest data from SoSoValue indicates that XRP spot ETF recorded a net outflow of approximately $3.58 million during the last trading session — the first such outflow in nearly a month — sparking market attention regarding shifts in short-term capital sentiment.
Driven by market sentiment, XRP price briefly dropped to a recent low, causing its market capitalization to retreat and resulting in the temporary loss of its position as the world’s fourth-largest digital asset. Intensified short-term volatility has prompted some investors to re-evaluate their future investment strategies for XRP.
At the same time, an increasing number of XRP holders are considering alternatives: while maintaining a long-term bullish outlook on XRP, is there a way to mitigate the impact of short-term price volatility while generating continuous additional returns on their holdings?
It is against this backdrop that the EX DeFi cloud mining platform has garnered increasing attention from investors seeking to hedge against market volatility and boost their earnings through cloud mining and yield aggregation mechanisms.
XRP ETF outflows occur, yet the long-term growth thesis remains intact
Although the initial net outflow from XRP ETF has raised concerns among some market participants regarding short-term capital flows, many industry analysts believe this primarily reflects a decline in current market risk appetite rather than a fundamental shift in XRP long-term fundamentals.
In recent years, as the global regulatory environment has matured, Ripple has continued to build out its global payment network and expand into areas such as Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, cross-border payments, and digital financial infrastructure, thereby providing new growth momentum for the XRP ecosystem.
Despite a recent dip in secondary market trading activity and cautious sentiment among retail investors, institutional demand for long-term digital asset allocation persists, and the market’s overall foundation for growth remains fundamentally unchanged.
As XRP volatility increases, EX DeFi emerges as a new option for investors
Amidst recent heightened volatility in XRP prices, an increasing number of XRP holders are turning to EX DeFi. They seek to explore more stable and sustainable yield models — leveraging cloud mining and yield aggregation mechanisms — while maintaining their long-term digital asset holdings.
Unlike high-volatility leveraged trading or strategies relying solely on price appreciation, the EX DeFi cloud mining platform offers a more convenient way to engage with digital assets. Users do not need to deploy mining rigs or maintain hardware; they simply select a hashrate contract to participate in mining services. This allows them to maximize the utility of their digital assets while keeping an eye on the long-term prospects of XRP.
About EX DeFi
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in the UK, EX DeFi operates in compliance with European regulatory frameworks such as MiCA and MiFID II. The platform continuously enhances transparency, operational standards, and user protection mechanisms to deliver a secure and seamless cloud mining experience.
The platform employs a multi-layered security architecture, featuring:
- Annual financial and security compliance audits by PwC;
- Digital asset custody insurance from Lloyd’s of London;
- Enterprise-grade network protection via Cloudflare and McAfee® security systems;
- Multi-layered encryption, AI-driven risk management, and 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication).
EX DeFi currently supports a wide range of mainstream digital assets — including XRP, BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, DOGE, LTC, and SOL — offering users flexible and diversified services.
How to start earning daily returns?
Step 1: Register an Account
Visit the official EX DeFi website and sign up using an email address to receive a $17 trial bonus.
Step 2: Select a mining package
Choose a cloud mining contract that suits a particular budget and timeframe, then start automated mining with a single click.
Step 3: Start earning returns
Once the contract is activated, the system automatically allocates hashrate, and earnings are settled on a 24-hour cycle. Users can withdraw their earnings at any time or continue participating to achieve long-term asset management goals.
Popular yield contracts
BTC (Beginner Trial Contract): Investment $100, Duration: 2 days, Daily Return: $4, Total Profit: $100 + $8
DOGE (Golden Shell Mini-Doge Pro): Investment $500, Duration: 6 days, Daily Return: $6.5, Total Profit: $500 + $39
BTC (Canaan-Avalon-A1466): Investment $1,000, Duration: 10 days, Daily Return: $13.4, Total Profit: $1,000 + $134
LTC (Bitmain Antminer L7): Investment $5,000, Duration: 20 days, Daily Return: $73.5, Total Profit: $5,000 + $1,470
BTC (Bitmain S19K-Pro): Investment $10,000, Duration: 30 days, Daily Return: $161, Total Profit: $10,000 + $4,830
Please visit the official EX DeFi website to view more yield-generating mining contracts.
Summary
Although XRP ETF recently saw a net outflow of approximately $3.58 million — impacting short-term market sentiment — long-term prospects remain supported by a maturing regulatory environment, increased institutional participation, and ongoing development within the XRP ecosystem. The general market consensus is that short-term volatility will not alter the long-term growth trajectory of the digital asset industry.
For long-term XRP holders, the market focus is shifting from a reliance on price appreciation alone toward more diversified ways of engaging with the asset. EX DeFi cloud mining services offer users additional options for long-term participation in the digital asset ecosystem, allowing them to explore more stable and sustainable yield management strategies while focusing on the asset’s long-term value.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
Crypto World
Perp DEX Dango to Wind Down, Will Halt Trading July 29

Dango, a perpetuals exchange built on its own Layer-1 blockchain, said it will shut down, halting trading on July 29 and switching off its chain on Aug. 13. "Despite our best effort, various reasons have led us to conclude there is no viable path to a lasting commercial success," the team posted on… Read the full story at The Defiant
Crypto World
Where Everyone Ends Up in the Series Finale of The Bear

Ever since executive chef Carmen Berzatto attempted to transform the Original Beef of Chicagoland into a Michelin-starred restaurant, the Bear (and, to an extent, The Bear) survived as a chaotic, quixotic idea—a fine-dining mirage built on dysfunction in an arid restaurant landscape. But in the show’s fifth and final season, Carmy, Sydney, Richie, and the rest of their bruised-but-breathing kitchen staff get one last shot at keeping their aspirational vision alive. Which is to say: They bicker, they cook, and they try not to drown during a torrential downpour for a final dinner service that might determine everything.
This time, though, Carmy isn’t in charge. Season 5 picks up the morning after the Season 4 finale, when Sydney has taken reluctant control alongside Richie and Natalie, attempting to orchestrate an impeccable multi-course meal for the Michelin inspector they’re convinced is arriving that night. All they have is a dwindling supply of ingredients, a flooded building, and staff aware that their jobs are in jeopardy. And yet, in their quest for culinary perfection, and as Carmy evaluates his decision to retire, the group pulls together without resorting to the profane, deafening chaos that characterized their previous work, almost entirely thanks to Sydney’s opposite-in-every-way leadership style. Every dish gets out, every table leaves happy, and the math finally works, even if just barely.
So, what does that mean for the Bear going forward? In the Season 5 finale, titled “The Original Beef of Chicagoland,” the restaurant’s fate shines brighter than expected. The next morning, Carmy discovers that the Michelin “Star Man” never showed up the previous night. Instead, during a call, he learns the real inspector, Peter Clark, had quietly visited months earlier. His verdict: the food was “exceptional and creative,” the “talent was undeniable,” and the dining room “felt alive without being precious or tryhard.” When Carmy relays the news to Sydney, she can’t help but ask: “Did we get a star?”
Carmy slowly shakes his head, before breaking into a soft smile.
“We got two.”
After processing this enormous badge of honor, Sydney and Carmen eventually share an intimate, meaningful embrace in the dining room (sorry Reddit theorists, no kiss), bathing in the morning sunlight and realizing a dream that sometimes never seemed possible between them. “You did it,” Carmy tells her.
Over the next week, the rest of the staff sinks into stability, making good on all the sweat, ambition, and belief it took to get there. The restaurant has a real foundation now—it has leadership, vision, a seal of excellence that will guarantee an endless flood of reservations, and a franchised sandwich shop. And, as Luca (Will Poulter) notes, the Bear has something even more difficult to find in a fine dining establishment: family. It’s a sweet, satisfying ending that makes it hard to say goodbye to this tight-knit, trauma-bonded kitchen staff. Here’s where each “family” member stands now that series creator Christopher Storer has closed up shop.
Carmen Berzatto

Carmy leaving the Bear right as the restaurant earns its Michelin stars feels like a bittersweet personal decision—and risky considering that he’s never worked a “real job” in his life. “Do you have any skills outside of this?” Sydney asks him, slightly concerned. “Have you ever had to write down a real resume?” The standout chef has his reasons for quitting. He also hopes to become an architect, or at least, for now, an intern at an architecture firm, where he lands a job interview thanks to an assist from Stevie (John Mulaney).
During the interview, he shares a moving monologue about his entire existence as a chef. “I didn’t want to know my coworkers. I didn’t care to care for them,” he says. “I saw them as tools to help me survive in the kitchen.” The previous night’s service, in which the entire kitchen pulls together under Sydney’s leadership, crystallized his need to move on. As Carmy shares with Jimmy (Oliver Platt) earlier, leaving the Bear is the only way he can end the vicious traumatic cycle that threatened to devour everyone in his life. “Lee was right,” Carmy says of his belligerent uncle. “To break patterns you have to break patterns.” Who knows? Maybe he’ll design the next great restaurant.
And yes, for those wondering about his love life: Claire Bear shows up to Richie’s daughter’s birthday party in the final scene, offering hope that their relationship is on the road to repair.
Sydney Adamu

It was always clear that Sydney was the brains behind the Bear, thanks to her dexterity and creativity in the kitchen. But even she can’t believe the Michelin stars bestowed upon the restaurant. Never one to take credit, she enjoys a few quiet moments taking in the individual praise and team’s achievements—further validation that staying at the Bear instead of jumping to Adam Shapiro’s new venture last season was the right choice. As revealed by her uber-proud father over breakfast, Sydney’s photo graces a front section of a Chicago newspaper celebrating the Bear’s turnaround. After doubt about her future caused strain in their relationship, it appears Sydney has finally found the place she belongs with the dad she always wanted.
Richie Jerimovich

This season started out poorly for Richie when his car got T-boned on the way to work in a surprise pre-season episode. Luckily, it ended much better for him—and in an upgraded mode of transportation. Earlier in the day, Natalie informs him that he’s been invited to an international hospitality seminar in Japan, which initially causes a panic attack. Richie has never left the country, let alone flown in a plane. Thanks to some rocky reassurance from Carmy, and full clearance from Sydney to miss a week of work as long as he brings her back stickers and weird snacks, Richie ultimately relents and takes the next big step in his career.
Luckily, Jess (Sarah Ramos) eases his fear of flying and journeys with him, with a few subtle hand touches all but confirming a budding romance that most of the kitchen had already sussed out. Before they go, Richie, now a master of hospitality, throws a surprise birthday party for his daughter Eva (Anabelle Toomey), convening the whole family—including Lee (Bob Odenkirk), Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis), Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs ), her husband Frank (Josh Hartnett), and even Claire Bear (Molly Gordon)—in celebratory harmony.
Natalie Berzatto

While everyone has been fussing in the kitchen and dining room, Natalie a.k.a. Sugar has been quietly managing the books in the back, making sure the lights stay on. That was a near-impossible task with Carmen in charge, especially when her brother demanded that the restaurant’s menu change every night (a mandate that required new, expensive ingredients and made profitability impossible). As she notes in the finale, the rain-soaked dinner service didn’t net them any extra revenue. Still, with Sydney in charge, she seems more optimistic about the restaurant’s future. “Usually, I’m filled with dread with numbers, but today I’m not worried, because we have a captain,” she tells Sydney. And with a healthy baby, a loving husband and doting father (Chris Witaske), and a reformed mother trying to finally be of service, Natalie looks like she’s forging the family and business she’s always wanted.
Marcus Brooks

Throughout the previous night’s dinner service, Marcus was in a bad headspace spurred on by his estranged father’s solo visit to the Bear. It impacted his mood, his work, and his relationship with Luca, turning a typically even-keeled, good-natured pastry chef into an anxious, defensive liability. But after sharing some meaningful time with his father (which included a special candle-poured dessert) and Sydney (who commiserates with him about losing their respective mothers), Marcus finds some catharsis and begins to make inroads with his dad. As he drops Luca off at the airport for his return to Copenhagen, he admits he plans to spend his off day in the lab, attempting to create another otherworldly confection. It’s the kind of grind that’s made him one of the most exciting new chefs in the city.
Tina Marrero

Tina came dangerously close to jumping ship and pursuing another, more secure chef job, but Sydney convinced her that she’d be her right-hand woman in the kitchen should they make their restaurant a profitable endeavor. It’s a fitting end to Tina’s evolution—from someone who joined the Beef with hardly any skills to middle-aged culinary craftswoman. In the weeks after learning about their Michelin status, Tina fantasizes about her new life as the Chef de cuisine with her husband beside her (played by the actor’s real-life husband David Zayas). “You think I can do it?” she asks him. “I know you can,” he replies.
Ebraheim

Ebraheim stayed in the margins of the show this season, but it’s clear his prospectus on the sandwich business and its franchising plan will be key to keeping the Bear alive. Despite the fact that Ebra anxiously rehearsed his pitch for hours, Carmy cuts him off and tells him that his plan to franchise the Beef side window into a few suburban locations is a perfect idea, having been tipped off by his Uncle Jimmy. “I want you to do it,” Carmy tells him and the Beef staff. “You guys are the reason this place is what it is.” The next step will be furnishing their “ghost kitchens” and bringing their signature sandwiches to the greater Chicago area.
Neil Fak (and family)

In what turns out to be the biggest moment in Neil’s young serving career, the handyman and Berzatto family friend keeps his composure and colorfully chats up the diner everyone believed was the Michelin-star inspector. The superb, improvisational interaction only bolstered Neil’s confidence as a server, setting him down a hospitality path he never realized could bring him so much joy. As for his brother Theodore (Ricky Staffieri) and the rest of the extended clan, there’s easy reason to believe that they’ll continue to shadow the Berzattos wherever they go.
Jimmy Kalinowski

It’s hard to count how many times Uncle Jimmy and Computer uttered the words “air rights” this season, but the repetitive phrase should seemingly be useful now that the Bear is a Michelin-certified restaurant. The financial investment into the restaurant has sunk Jimmy’s bank account, but Ebra’s franchise projections give him reason to hope there’s light at the end of this dark, clogged tunnel. (He also has his sights set, romantically, on Deedee, with whom he interacts affectionately at Eva’s shindig.) Then again, the Bear might still work out, too. “This place is going to be OK. She’s the real deal,” Carmen says of Sydney. “How do you know?” Jimmy asks him. Carmy replies matter of factly: “I’ve been in a few of them.”
Crypto World
Bybit sues North Korea over $1.5B Lazarus hack
Bybit has sued North Korea, its intelligence agency and the Lazarus Group in a U.S. federal court as the exchange seeks to recover assets stolen in the record $1.5 billion crypto hack.
Summary
- Bybit filed its case against North Korea, the RGB and Lazarus Group in Washington, D.C.
- A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction freezing certain stolen assets held by unidentified defendants.
- The FBI previously attributed the $1.5 billion February 2025 attack to North Korean actors.
- Bybit said the civil case remains separate from ongoing U.S. criminal investigations.
Bybit takes Lazarus Group to US court
Bybit filed the civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, naming the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, its Reconnaissance General Bureau intelligence agency and the Lazarus Group as defendants.
The case concerns the Feb. 21, 2025, breach that drained more than 400,000 Ether (ETH) and staked Ether from the Dubai-based exchange. The assets were valued at about $1.5 billion at the time, making the incident the largest recorded cryptocurrency theft.
The FBI attributed the attack to North Korea shortly after the breach. U.S. authorities track the actors involved under the name TraderTraitor and urged exchanges, validators and blockchain firms to block transactions connected to addresses identified in the laundering operation.
Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou said the exchange had worked with investigators, regulators, other trading platforms and law enforcement agencies since the attack.
“Our focus has never changed: protect our users first, recover what we can, and make sure the people behind these attacks are held accountable,” Zhou said.
Court freezes assets linked to Bybit hack
Alongside the lawsuit, Bybit secured a preliminary injunction covering certain stolen assets held by unidentified individuals and entities listed as John Doe defendants.
The order prevents those defendants from transferring, selling or otherwise disposing of the identified assets while the litigation continues. A preliminary injunction preserves property during a case but does not represent a final ruling on liability or ownership.
Bybit said it would seek further relief as the lawsuit progresses. The company is pursuing the civil claim separately from criminal investigations being conducted by U.S. law enforcement agencies.
The order gives Bybit another route to pursue the stolen funds after months of relying on blockchain tracing, voluntary freezes by industry participants and a bounty program for information leading to recoveries.
Stolen funds became harder to trace
Crypto.news reported in March 2025 that 88.87% of the stolen funds remained traceable, while 7.59% had gone dark and 3.54% had been frozen.
The traceable share later declined as the attackers converted assets into Bitcoin and dispersed them across thousands of wallets. By April 2025, Zhou said 27.6% of the stolen funds could no longer be tracked.
Lazarus-linked wallets used services including cross-chain protocols and crypto mixers to make the transaction trail harder to follow. Bybit previously offered rewards to platforms and investigators that helped identify or freeze the funds.
The exchange also covered the shortfall following the attack through Ether purchases, loans and deposits from industry counterparties, allowing it to continue processing customer withdrawals.
Lawsuit adds to US action against North Korean hackers
The case gives Bybit access to a U.S. civil process while federal agencies continue investigating North Korea’s crypto operations. Any recovery will depend on whether the defendants, exchanges or custodians controlling the identified assets comply with the court order.
North Korean groups stole an estimated $2.02 billion in cryptocurrency during 2025, according to Chainalysis data previously covered by crypto.news. The Bybit attack accounted for most of that amount and pushed the country’s estimated cumulative crypto theft to about $6.75 billion.
The threat continued into 2026. As reported by crypto.news, Lazarus-linked attacks allegedly drained another $577 million from Drift Protocol and KelpDAO in April.
Bybit’s next step will be seeking permanent relief and attempting to recover the assets covered by the injunction. The court has not yet issued a final judgment in the civil case.
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