Crypto World
Crypto Griefing: Profiting by Losing
Crypto is built on a powerful idea: align incentives correctly, and rational actors will secure the system.
Most protocol design rests on this belief.
But there’s a blind spot few teams model seriously:
What if harming the network is rational — just not within the network itself?
This is the foundation of what we can call crypto griefing markets: situations where actors willingly lose money on-chain because they profit elsewhere.
Not hacks.
Not exploits.
Not rug pulls.
But economically rational sabotage.
Defining Crypto Griefing
In game theory, griefing refers to behavior where an actor accepts a cost in order to impose a cost on others. Traditionally, it’s seen as irrational or malicious.
In crypto, however, griefing can be rational when:
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The attacker has off-chain exposure (derivatives, venture positions, competitive businesses).
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The damage creates external financial gain.
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The cost of sabotage is lower than the external payoff.
The protocol may observe a net loss from the attacker’s wallet.
The attacker sees a net gain across their portfolio.
This distinction is crucial.
Most tokenomic models assume participants optimize within the system. Crypto griefing breaks that assumption by introducing cross-market incentives.
Why Incentive Alignment Breaks Down
Protocols often rely on the principle that:
If attacking costs money, rational actors won’t attack.
This only holds if:
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Actors are exposed primarily to the protocol’s token.
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There are no correlated positions elsewhere.
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There are no strategic non-financial motives.
In modern crypto markets, these assumptions rarely hold.
Large participants often maintain:
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On-chain token exposure
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Off-chain derivative positions
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Venture stakes in competitors
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Business models dependent on specific governance outcomes
When incentives extend beyond the protocol boundary, alignment becomes fragile.
Common Forms of Economically Rational Sabotage
1. Short-and-Destabilize Strategies
An actor builds a significant short position on a token via centralized derivatives or OTC markets.
They then:
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Thin liquidity depth through aggressive trading
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Increase volatility during sensitive periods
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Trigger liquidation cascades in leveraged markets
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Amplify panic during narrative inflection points
They may incur direct losses from destabilizing trades.
But if the short position profits significantly from price collapse, the strategy becomes rational at the portfolio level.
From the protocol’s perspective, it appears irrational.
From a cross-market view, it is calculated.
2. Governance Griefing
DAO governance assumes token-weighted voting aligns long-term incentives.
However, voters may:
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Operate competing protocols
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Run businesses dependent on alternative outcomes
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Hold asymmetric exposure elsewhere
A voter might rationally support a proposal that harms token value if it protects off-chain revenue.
The DAO sees a participant voting against their own economic interest.
In reality, they are protecting a broader one.
3. Oracle and Liquidation Engineering
In tightly coupled DeFi systems, small price distortions can cascade.
Actors may:
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Push thin markets during low-liquidity windows
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Exploit Oracle update timing
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Trigger liquidations to create reflexive price drops
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Profit from correlated positions outside the affected protocol
Even temporary distortions can cause lasting reputational damage.
The attacker does not need perfect control — only sufficient pressure to tip a fragile system.
4. Network Congestion and Launch Sabotage
During high-profile launches, congestion becomes an attack surface.
A competitor or short-exposed fund could:
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Spam transactions degrade user experience
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Drive gas prices higher
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Cause failed transactions during critical moments
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Create a public perception of instability
The attacker may lose transaction fees.
But if the reputational damage reduces adoption or weakens funding prospects, the indirect payoff may justify the cost.
In narrative-driven markets, perception has measurable economic value.
Why Fully On-Chain Systems Are Especially Vulnerable
Transparency is a core strength of crypto systems.
But transparency also enables precise attack modeling.
On-chain data reveals:
When attack costs are visible, they become quantifiable.
When costs are quantifiable, they become tradable.
Protocols optimize for capital efficiency.
Attackers optimize for cross-market asymmetry.
The protocol sees only the visible ledger.
The attacker sees the entire financial landscape.
Destructive Equilibria in Reflexive Markets
Crypto markets are reflexive: price influences confidence, and confidence influences price.
This creates conditions where:
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Small shocks cascade into large moves.
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Liquidity dries up rapidly under stress.
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Panic spreads faster than fundamentals can correct.
If multiple actors benefit from a downturn — such as through short positions — destructive equilibria can form.
In these scenarios, sabotage doesn’t need to be large. It only needs to initiate reflexivity.
Defensive Design Strategies
While eliminating griefing may be impossible, protocols can reduce vulnerability.
1. Nonlinear Cost Structures
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Dynamic fee adjustments during congestion
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Escalating governance deposits
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Anti-spam economic filters
The goal is to make sabotage costs rise faster than external payoffs.
2. Anti-Reflexive Mechanisms
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Time-weighted average price (TWAP) oracles
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Smooth liquidation curves
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Circuit breakers during extreme volatility
Reducing cascade effects lowers the leverage of small attacks.
3. Governance Hardening
Increasing commitment reduces opportunistic interference.
4. Cross-Market Risk Modeling
This is the most difficult defense.
Protocols must consider:
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Correlated derivatives markets
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Concentrated token ownership
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Competitive industry dynamics
However, off-chain incentives are inherently opaque.
Complete visibility is impossible.
The Emergence of Griefing Risk Markets
If griefing risk becomes measurable, it may also become insurable.
Potential future developments include:
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Insurance products covering congestion or governance attacks
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Derivatives tied to network performance degradation
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DAO treasury hedging strategies against sabotage risk
If hacks created smart contract insurance markets, economic sabotage may create new meta-markets around strategic risk.
Once risk can be priced, it becomes financialized.
Conclusion
Crypto is often described as a system that aligns incentives through code.
But code cannot contain incentives that exist outside its boundaries.
As protocols grow in importance, they become strategic assets.
Strategic assets attract strategic behavior.
Griefing markets do not require criminals.
They require rational actors operating across interconnected markets.
The lesson is not that crypto is broken.
It is that incentive alignment only works within the scope you model.
And in a globally interconnected financial system, that scope may be far smaller than we assume.
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Crypto World
Turkey’s ruling party unveils 10% crypto income tax proposal
Turkey’s ruling AK Party has introduced a sweeping economic bill in parliament that would formalize crypto taxation while revising a range of tax and spending rules.
The draft, now before the Turkish Grand National Assembly, would amend the Income Tax Law and Expenditure Taxes Law to create a new framework for cryptocurrencies, the country’s state news agency Anadolu Ajansı reports.
Crypto platforms regulated under the country’s Capital Markets Law would withhold a 10% tax on gains each quarter, regardless of whether the investor is an individual or company, resident or non-resident.
Service providers would also pay a 0.03% transaction tax on the sale amount or market value of crypto assets they broker.
Crypto brokers and other intermediaries would be on the hook for tax checks based on the records they keep. If a user provides wrong or incomplete information, tax authorities would pursue that person for any shortfall, the news outlet writes.
The bill also makes clear that key terms such as “crypto asset,” “wallet,” and “platform” carry the same meaning as in Turkey’s Capital Markets Law, tying the tax regime to existing financial rules.
The country’s president would also have the power to lower the 10% withholding tax to 0% or raise it to 20%, depending on the type of token, how long it was held, who issued it, or the type of wallet used.
The bill exempts crypto deliveries subject to the transaction tax from value-added tax (VAT) and excludes foundation university hospitals from corporate tax exemptions starting in 2027.
The crypto provisions would take effect two months after publication if approved.
Crypto World
Coinbase (COIN) Drops 20% in 2026 Amid Weak Earnings and Declining Crypto Trading
Key Takeaways
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COIN shares have dropped approximately 20% year-to-date in 2026 amid weakening cryptocurrency valuations and reduced market-wide trading activity.
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Fourth-quarter financial results fell short of Wall Street projections, driven by diminished transaction volumes and weaker digital asset demand.
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The exchange operator is diversifying its platform through the “Everything Exchange” initiative, introducing traditional stock and ETF trading.
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Major institutional stakeholders maintain substantial positions in the company, collectively owning approximately 69% of shares.
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Wall Street analysts have reduced their price objectives while the overall consensus remains at a Hold recommendation.
Coinbase (COIN) stock has experienced a roughly 20% decline through the first months of 2026 as digital currency valuations softened and market participants pulled back from trading. The shares have encountered selling pressure after the company’s latest quarterly report disappointed investors.
During the fourth quarter, the cryptocurrency exchange posted earnings of $0.66 per share, falling short of the $0.83 consensus estimate. Revenue for the period reached $1.78 billion, trailing the anticipated $1.86 billion and representing a 21.6% decline from the prior year.
The stock has been trading near the $175 level, giving the company a market valuation of approximately $46 billion. This price point sits significantly below the 52-week peak of $444.64.
Institutional investment firms control roughly 68.8% of Coinbase shares outstanding. Multiple asset managers have modified their stakes in the company throughout recent reporting periods.
Sierra Summit Advisors established a fresh position comprising approximately 20,302 shares worth around $6.85 million. Additional institutional investors have disclosed modest acquisitions or stake increases.
Diversification Push and New Services
Coinbase is broadening its service portfolio beyond digital currency transactions. The platform now supports trading of U.S. equities and exchange-traded funds as part of its “Everything Exchange” vision.
This strategic direction aims to create multiple revenue streams and boost overall platform engagement across various asset categories. The technical backbone for these expanded trading capabilities comes from Apex Fintech Solutions.
Coinbase has additionally introduced prediction market functionality through a collaboration with Kalshi. These developments are meant to broaden the spectrum of available trading instruments.
The platform maintains its role as a digital asset custodian serving institutional clients. It also functions as the safekeeping provider for numerous cryptocurrency investment funds.
In 2023, Coinbase introduced its Base blockchain infrastructure to facilitate decentralized finance applications and asset tokenization projects. This network has found adoption in payment systems, tokenized securities, and decentralized applications.
The firm is marketing Crypto-as-a-Service solutions targeted at traditional financial institutions. These offerings enable banks and asset managers to integrate digital currency capabilities leveraging Coinbase’s existing technology.
Wall Street Outlook and Trading Trends
Research analysts have reduced their price objectives following the disappointing quarterly report and increased market turbulence. However, most firms continue to recommend either buying or holding the shares.
The mean price target among covering analysts sits at approximately $270.67. The aggregate recommendation across Wall Street research desks currently registers as a Hold.
Several brokerage houses pointed to shrinking cryptocurrency spot trading volumes as a short-term challenge. Reduced platform activity directly impacts the company’s transaction-driven revenue streams.
Executive stock sales also took place over the recent three-month period. Company leadership offloaded roughly 513,775 shares totaling approximately $95 million.
Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong and Chief Financial Officer Alesia Haas participated in these share dispositions. Company executives and directors collectively own about 16.56% of outstanding equity.
Coinbase continues advancing its product diversification initiatives while navigating fluctuations linked to cryptocurrency valuations and market participation rates. The stock’s performance remains closely correlated with broader digital asset market trends and user engagement patterns.
Crypto World
China’s Regulation 42 forces Tether to kill its CNHT stablecoin
Tether has never been in a better place than it is right now, at least when it comes to its position in the crypto industry in America.
It’s been the largest stablecoin for nearly a decade, numerous executives and equity holders are billionaires, Howard Lutnick (who used to purchase all of Tether’s t-notes) is now the financial whisperer to President Donald Trump, and it just launched a sister version of tether (USDT) that’s available for US customers to redeem.
In the US, things are looking good.
However, in China a completely different story is unfolding — and it looks bad.
Regulation 42 and the end of Yuan stablecoins
China released new regulatory banking guidance regarding virtual currencies and stablecoins known as Regulation 42 of 2026.
Only three cryptocurrencies are explicitly named in these new regulations: bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), and USDT. This suggests that they’re the most widely used and available cryptos in Mainland China.
Regulation 42 replaces 2021’s Regulation 237, placing stricter rules and harsher criminal sentences on issuers of real world tokenized assets and cryptocurrencies.
It states, “Without the approval of relevant departments in accordance with laws and regulations, no entity or individual, whether domestic or foreign, may issue stablecoins pegged to the Renminbi overseas.”
While there may be other companies that have issued stablecoins pegged to the yuan, by far the most prominent and important is Tether, which chose to create CNH₮, pegged to the price of offshore Renminbi, in 2019.
The Yuan-pegged stablecoin has rarely been used by traders, with only 20.5 million ever being put into circulation and a few dozen individuals choosing to interact with it.
Nevertheless, shortly after the rule change in China, Tether announced that it would issue no more CNH₮ and would give anyone holding the stablecoin one year to redeem what they have.
Tether announcement fails to mention Chinese regulations
Tether claims in its announcement that the reason for the discontinuation of CNH₮ is due to “low interest in the product, and limited sustained community demand relative to other supported assets.”
It added, “CNH₮’s usage levels don’t justify the continued operational support required to maintain it at the standards Tether applies across its products.”
Read more: The family affairs shaping Tether’s $180B empire
While true that there has been little-to-no interest in CNH₮, with the last major issuance occurring when Tether added support for it on the TRON blockchain in 2022, it failed to mention that if it continued to issue the stablecoin, it would be in direct violation of Chinese law and could face criminal prosecution, arrest, and likely years in prison if any executives or shareholders ever set foot in the Chinese mainland.
Bitfinex shareholder, Chinese OTC trader, and convicted criminal Zhao Dong, who was one of the early cheerleaders of the concept of CNH₮ before his arrest in 2020, is set to be released from Chinese prison between late 2026 and early 2027.
This just so happens to line up with the redemption period for CNH₮. Tether will allow no redemptions beyond February 20, 2027.
Read more: China wants a yuan stablecoin, but why?
Chandler Guo, another Chinese crypto trader, has publicly stated that Zhao “is getting out [of prison] by the end of 2025” in September of 2025, but there’s been no confirmation of his release, nor any activity on any of his social media accounts.
It could be that Bitfinex and Tether executives are looking to keep a shareholder appeased by allowing him to cash out whatever CNH₮ is still under his control once he’s released.
Questions about Tether and the US government
Although Tether has gotten the boot from China in regard to both issuing Yuan-pegged cryptocurrencies and the usage of its far more popular dollar-pegged stablecoin, the US government hasn’t bothered to investigate or attempt to hinder the stablecoin issuer for years.
A Department of Justice investigation was ongoing but has presumably died off with no action ever taken.
Meanwhile, having Howard Lutnick, who purchased US Treasuries for Tether when he was leading Cantor Fitzgerald, in charge of the Department of Commerce has all but ensured that Tether will never face any prosecution or proper audits.
China’s strict rules and regulations stand in stark contrast to the US, which has allowed Tether to issue over $180 billion worth of its stablecoin in a dollar denomination without any oversight whatsoever.
Protos reached out to Tether for comment and is yet to hear back. If Tether responds the article will be updated.
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Crypto World
MEXC USAT Flexible Savings achieves 14x growth from launch to peak
- This event is one of many ways MEXC creates financial opportunities for its users.
- The USAT Flexible Savings event ran from January 27 to February 26, 2026.
- It offered users the opportunity to stake USAT and share a 300,000 USAT reward pool.
MEXC, the world’s fastest-growing digital asset exchange and a pioneer of true zero-fee trading, concluded its limited-time USAT Flexible Savings event.
The event attracted 11,254 subscribers and drove total assets under management (AUM) past $10 million within three days of launch.
The USAT Flexible Savings event, which ran from January 27 to February 26, 2026, offered users the opportunity to stake USAT and share a 300,000 USAT reward pool, with new users eligible for up to 300% APR.
Participation surged throughout the event: subscription volume grew 14x, while AUM climbed more than 1,380%.
According to CoinGecko data as of February 27, 2026, MEXC ranked first in USAT spot market liquidity, recording a +2% buy depth of $1,512,954 and a bid-ask spread of just 0.01%, reflecting a liquidity structure that outperforms major exchanges.
As the first exchange to list USAT, MEXC provides industry-leading trading depth and liquidity for the asset.
The USAT Flexible Savings event is one of many ways MEXC creates financial opportunities for its users.
By removing fees, expanding asset access, delivering deep liquidity, and rewarding users with competitive yield opportunities, MEXC empowers users to discover more and act faster on market opportunities.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.”
Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees.
Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets.
MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website| X | Telegram |How to Sign Up on MEXC
For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR team: [email protected]
Risk Disclaimer:
This content does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, project fundamentals, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.
This article is authored by a third party, and CoinJournal does not endorse or take responsibility for its content, accuracy, quality, advertisements, products, or materials. Readers should independently research and exercise due diligence before making decisions related to the mentioned company.
Crypto World
How investors are generating income as XRP adoption expands
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
The tokenization of real-world assets is rapidly advancing as attention turns to blockchain networks like the XRP Ledger for large-scale financial settlement.
Summary
- As institutions explore asset tokenization, the XRP Ledger is recognized for its fast settlement speeds and low costs, positioning it for potential widespread adoption.
- Increased on-chain asset volumes necessitate scalable network infrastructure, prompting interest in productive network participation beyond mere asset ownership.
- BI DeFi offers a cloud-based computational contract model that simplifies infrastructure participation, enhancing accessibility while providing operational safeguards for users.
The tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) is accelerating. Current estimates suggest that nearly $400 trillion in traditional financial assets, including equities, bonds, real estate, and private equity, remain off-chain. Only a small fraction has been tokenized so far.
As institutions increasingly explore asset tokenization, attention is shifting toward a critical question: Which blockchain networks are capable of supporting large-scale financial settlement?
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is increasingly viewed as one of the infrastructures capable of handling this transition. Its fast settlement speed, low transaction costs, and built-in compliance features position it as a practical framework for institutional-grade activity.
If a meaningful portion of tokenized assets begins issuing, settling, or circulating on XRPL, network utilisation could rise significantly. In that scenario, value would be driven not only by market sentiment, but by actual usage.
This represents a structural shift, from price-driven speculation to adoption-driven demand.
Network expansion means growing infrastructure demand
As on-chain asset volumes expand, the underlying network must scale accordingly.
Greater transaction flow requires:
- More computational resources
- Stable validation capacity
- Efficient processing infrastructure
For this reason, some market participants are beginning to look beyond simple asset ownership. Instead, they are asking: How can we participate in the productive layer of the network itself?
BI DeFi: A gateway to infrastructure participation
BI DeFi, a UK-registered platform, offers a cloud-based computational contract model designed to simplify infrastructure participation.
Rather than purchasing and operating hardware, users can participate through structured computing contracts. The model removes the operational burdens typically associated with mining infrastructure, such as equipment management, cooling systems, and electricity contracts.
Key features include:
- Entry starting from $100
- $17 registration reward
- Support for major assets, including BTC, ETH, XRP, and SOL
- Automated 24-hour settlement cycles
- Cold storage custody structure
- Insurance-backed digital asset protection
The platform positions itself as a streamlined alternative to hardware-intensive models, aimed at improving accessibility while maintaining operational safeguards.
A structural transition underway
If even a fraction of global financial assets transitions on-chain, the implications extend beyond asset pricing.
The more fundamental question becomes:
- Which networks support settlement?
- Which infrastructures enable scalability?
- Who participates in the network’s productive capacity?
As digital asset ecosystems mature, infrastructure participation may become an increasingly important part of strategic positioning.
In that context, platforms such as BI DeFi are aligning with the broader shift toward network-level engagement rather than purely speculative exposure. To learn more, visit the BI DeFi.
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
South Korea probes $4.8 million crypto theft after tax seizure photo blunder
South Korean tax authorities lost $4.8 million of seized crypto after displaying the relevant wallets’ seed phrases in a photograph covering the Feb. 26 event.
The crypto was taken immediately after the National Tax Service (NTS) shared a photo that included hardware wallets and their secret phrases. The service apologized for the incident, Asia Business Daily reported on Sunday.
“In an effort to provide more vivid information, we did not realize that sensitive information was included and carelessly provided the original photo,” the tax office said. “This is entirely the fault of the National Tax Service (NTS), with no excuse.”
This is at least the second time something like this has occurred in the country. South Korean authorities faced scrutiny over a separate failure in which Seoul’s Gangnam police allegedly lost 22 BTC (roughly $1.5 million) in a 2021 hacking case after leaving the funds and seed phrase with a third-party custodian. The authors of that theft were recently detained.
The new case involves a taxpayer who owed the NTS capital gains tax, which led to the individual’s home being raided. The authorities took control of at least four hardware wallets and cash. They then photographed the seized items, which included at least two seed phrases, and shared the unblurred photo publicly..
The NTS requested police intervention to recover the stolen cryptocurrency. The tax authority also revealed plans to conduct an external review of its overall security system and to overhaul the entire manual for the process from the seizure to the sale of virtual assets.
Koo Yun-cheol, South Korea’s deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy, confirmed the leak in an X post on Sunday.
Koo said several government agencies, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service would investigate the leak. He also said they would scrutinize how government agencies and public institutions seize and manage digital assets to prevent recurrence.
Crypto World
Tokenized gold PAXG, XAUT jump as missiles fly, BTC stalls near $66.2k
Tokenized gold PAXG and XAUT climb about 1–2% toward $5.4k as Middle East conflict sends BTC, ETH and SOL lower in 24h risk‑off trade.
Summary
- PAXG trades around $5.4k with a 24h range near $5.33k–$5.44k and a market cap close to $2.6b, while XAUT changes hands near $5.32k with roughly $932m in daily volume and a $3.0b market cap.
- Over the same window, BTC sits near $66.2k after a 3% daily drop inside a $64.35k–$68.24k band, ETH hovers around $1.97k after slipping about 2.5%, and SOL trades close to $83, down roughly 4% on almost $4.4b volume.
- CoinGecko data show PAXG and XAUT among the most‑viewed tokens during the US–Israeli conflict with Iran, as crypto X users describe a “gold panic bid” and note that “real gold wins when bombs fly” while BTC stagnates.
Tokenized gold is suddenly back in fashion as geopolitical risk flares, with on‑chain proxies for bullion emerging as the market’s preferred panic hedge.
Tokenized gold jumps on Middle East shock
In a post on X, CoinGecko noted that “tokenized commodities such as $PAXG and $XAUT are among the most viewed cryptocurrencies today amid the ongoing US–Israeli conflict with Iran.” The spike in attention tracks a sharp move higher in gold‑backed coins. As of Monday, PAX Gold (PAXG) changes hands near $5,409, after trading between roughly $5,326 and $5,439 over the past 24 hours, with a market cap around $2.6B. Tether Gold (XAUT) trades close to $5,318, up about 0.7% over the day, with 24‑hour volumes near $932M and a market cap of roughly $3.0B. Earlier coverage described PAXG “up 6.13% day on day at $5,513.28,” while XAUT was “up 4.62% to $5,403.82, with risk assets weakening and risk appetite strengthening for coins linked to safe‑haven assets.” A Reuters report similarly highlighted that “PAX Gold (PAXG) is currently leading the charge at $5,344/oz (+2.2% since Friday), while Tether Gold (XAUt) has climbed to $5,292/oz (+1.2%).”
On crypto X, the mood is blunt. “If there are crisis gold is mostly the favorite,” wrote MEXC’s Phil Herrmann. Another user observed that there is a “gold panic bid while crypto’s supposed inflation hedge sits frozen at 66k… Shows you who actually trusts btc when missiles fly vs who just talks about it on podcasts.” “Real gold wins when bombs fly,” added one Web3 commentator, while another summed up the moment as “safe havens szn. Gold always wins, WAGMI.”
Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana lag
While tokenized gold rallies, major cryptocurrencies are softer to sideways. Bitcoin is trading around $66,200, down roughly 3% over the last 24 hours, with an intraday range near $64,350–$68,235. Ethereum hovers around $1,970, having slipped about 2.5% on the day, after swinging between roughly $1,940 and $1,980. Solana trades close to $83, down about 4% in 24 hours, with a session range between roughly $81.9 and $86.7 and a market cap near $47B.
Broader crypto market
This parabolic move comes as digital assets continue to trade as the purest expression of macro risk appetite. Bitcoin (BTC) is hovering around $66,200, with a 24‑hour range near $64,350–$68,235 and deep, exchange‑wide volumes. Ethereum (ETH) changes hands close to $1,970, on more than $21B in 24‑hour turnover and price action rotating inside the $1,940–$1,980 band. Solana (SOL) trades around $83, off roughly 4% on the day, with almost $4.4B in volume.
The renewed bid for tokenized bullion underlines a simple allocation truth: when missiles fly, markets still grab for gold—only this time, they are doing it on‑chain. For readers tracking these flows, live pricing is available via crypto.news pages for PAX Gold (PAXG) and Tether Gold (XAUT).
Crypto World
Mantle hits $1B market size milestone on Aave: will MNT price explode next?
- Mantle has crossed the $1 billion total market size threshold on Aave.
- If inflows persist, bulls could target resistance in the $0.85-$0.92 range.
- MNT can rally toward the bulls’ key target of $1.
Mantle, a layer-2 blockchain network connecting traditional finance and on-chain liquidity, has surpassed $1 billion in total lending and borrowing volume on the Aave protocol.
The milestone coincides with a sharp rise in Mantle’s total value locked (TVL) in decentralized finance, despite the crypto market’s bearish outlook.
Can the lending and TVL milestones bolster the price of the native token MNT?
Mantle hits $1B lending milestone on Aave
The Mantle-Aave lending market rocketed past the $1 billion mark following a blockbuster launch that injected $800 million in just one day last week.
According to details, the staggering jump in market size, achieved in under three weeks, saw a new uptick as a dynamic weekend brought more than $200 million in organic capital inflows.
Beyond these gains, the Aave integration has ignited broader ecosystem momentum.
Notably, Mantle’s DeFi TVL has jumped from around $455 million to over $755 million, a 66% increase in just one week.
Emily Bao, a key advisor for Mantle, emphasized the achievement:
“Crossing $1 billion in total market size in under three weeks is a clear signal and not just of what Mantle and Aave have built together, but of where institutional and retail DeFi is heading. Mantle was built to be the distribution layer where real-world finance flows, and these milestones are proof that the ecosystem is delivering on that vision. The MoMNTum is real, and we’ve barely even started.”
What could these network milestones mean for MNT? Market experts say the integration of Mantle on Aave is critical to users seeking opportunities and incentives across DeFi.
As such, the surge highlights Mantle’s growing appeal as a scalable and efficient platform for DeFi activities.
MNT price could eye gains as the ecosystem expands and attracts inflows.
Mantle price forecast: can bulls target $1?
MNT’s price has hovered around $0.65-$0.70 over the past month, with current prices well below the all-time high of $2.85 in October 2025.
While buyers have shown resilience, early signs of recovery have faded amid a broader market downturn.
However, the $1 billion milestone could act as a powerful catalyst for MNT, potentially drawing more liquidity and boosting token utility.
The TVL surge also highlights increased value bet on Mantle growth.

If bulls hold current levels, a fresh bounce could bring the supply zone around $0.85 and $0.92 into play.
The $1 level is a key bullish target.
However, technical indicators suggest sellers may continue to exert downside pressure in the coming days and weeks.
Mantle token trading below key moving averages and being neutral-to-sell leaning oscillators support this outlook.
RSI is at 42, and suggests seller conviction, while the price also hovers below the parabolic SAR.
If the downside proves to be the path of least resistance, the next support levels could be $0.57 and Feb. 6 lows at $0.52.
Crypto World
Is the Bottom In for XRP? The Critical Levels You Need to Watch
XRP is still trading in a broader downtrend, and the rebound attempts keep getting capped at lower highs. The asset is now trying to establish a bottom near the lower part of the range, so the next move likely comes down to whether buyers can defend the recent floor and reclaim the first resistance band.
Ripple Price Analysis: The USDT Pair
On the daily XRPUSDT chart, the trend remains bearish inside a descending channel, with the price holding below the 100-day moving average and the 200-day moving average. The most important overhead supply is the $1.80 zone, which has acted as a pivot area and now lines up with dynamic resistance from the moving averages and the channel structure.
Above that, the next heavier resistance level sits around $2.40 to $2.50, where sellers previously stepped in and where a larger trend shift would need to prove itself.
Support is concentrated around $1.20, which is the area that has been repeatedly defended after the recent flush. As long as XRP stays above this band, the market can keep forming a base and attempt a recovery leg. A clean daily breakdown below $1.20, however, would weaken the structure and increase the odds of a deeper drop toward the next support region near $1.00 or even lower.
The BTC Pair
On the daily XRPBTC chart, XRP is trading around 2,050 sats and still sits below key resistance levels and the key 100-day and 200-day moving averages, after failing to hold the prior recovery swings. The first resistance to watch is the 100-day moving average around 2,200, followed by the 200-day moving average around 2,400 sats.
These elements have repeatedly rejected the price and also overlap with the moving averages, acting as pressure from above. If XRP can reclaim that zone and hold it, the next upside target becomes the 2,500 to sats supply area.
The main support is also located near the 2,000 sats region, which has been tested multiple times and is clearly a line bulls are trying to defend. If the 2,000-sat level fails on a clean break and close, the next major demand pocket sits much lower around 1,400 to 1,500 sats. That is the type of move that usually happens when Bitcoin strength outpaces altcoins, so XRPBTC is still the key risk gauge for bulls here.
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Crypto World
CVX Shares Surge in Early Trading as Crude Oil Soars on Middle East Turmoil
Quick Summary
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CVX shares gained approximately 4% before the market opening bell on rising crude prices
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Brent crude surged up to 13% following strikes on Middle East energy infrastructure
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The company’s Leviathan natural gas facility was shut down after regional attacks
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Maritime traffic slowdowns near the Strait of Hormuz sparked supply worries
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Market participants are monitoring petroleum stockpiles and regional tensions
Chevron (CVX) shares experienced upward momentum during Monday’s premarket session as crude oil prices rallied sharply following fresh military strikes across the Middle East.
The stock advanced around 4% in early morning trading as oil markets responded to renewed supply uncertainty and reduced maritime activity near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The rally came as both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate futures posted significant gains.
Brent reached a peak increase of 13% during the opening moments before moderating somewhat as the session progressed.
Energy sector equities rallied swiftly as market participants factored in regional supply threats.
Chevron concluded Friday’s trading session at $186.76, posting a 1.41% increase.
Early Monday activity pushed the stock toward $194 as petroleum prices continued climbing.
Exxon Mobil alongside other prominent energy firms also experienced premarket gains.
The energy sector outperformed even as broader indices faced headwinds.
Supply Disruption Fears Fuel Oil Rally
Crude prices rocketed higher after recent strikes hit critical energy infrastructure and maritime passages throughout the Middle East.
Trading resumed with markets pricing in elevated risk premiums for potential supply interruptions.
Saudi Aramco suspended operations at its Ras Tanura refinery following a drone strike.
The installation has daily processing capacity of approximately 550,000 barrels, industry sources indicate.
Market observers characterized the attack as a significant escalation targeting crucial Gulf energy assets.
Maritime operations near the Strait of Hormuz experienced slowdowns in the wake of the strikes.
Approximately 20% of worldwide petroleum supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Any impediment to transit through this waterway can rapidly influence global energy pricing.
Petroleum markets are currently responding to Gulf region events and shipping patterns.
Industry experts noted that price trajectories will depend significantly on disruption duration.
OPEC+ recently authorized a 206,000 barrel per day production boost beginning in April.
Traders emphasized that this supply addition remains modest when weighed against present geopolitical uncertainties.
Chevron’s Regional Exposure and Market Outlook
Chevron maintains significant exposure to regional events through its Middle East operations.
Israel’s Energy Ministry mandated temporary shutdowns of domestic natural gas production following the strikes.
Chevron’s operated Leviathan offshore gas field went offline in response to the attacks.
Industry sources attributed the closure to elevated security concerns.
The company’s financial performance correlates strongly with oil and gas pricing trends.
Elevated energy prices typically bolster upstream revenue for integrated producers.
Energy equities rallied broadly across the sector as petroleum prices advanced.
Occidental Petroleum and ConocoPhillips similarly registered substantial premarket increases.
Market participants are tracking whether Hormuz shipping volumes normalize in coming days.
Attention is also focused on potential resumption timelines for Israeli natural gas operations.
Domestic traders await Wednesday’s weekly petroleum inventory figures from regulators.
The Energy Information Administration is scheduled to publish the data at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
CVX shares maintained premarket gains as oil markets continued processing supply concerns and operational interruptions stemming from Middle East developments.
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