Amid a shift in capital flows from Wall Street, US spot XRP ETFs recorded net inflows for 11 consecutive trading days, attracting a total of approximately $170 million during that period. 

Recent data indicates that since the launch of these products, US spot XRP ETFs have seen cumulative net inflows of around $1.68 billion. What do these inflows signify? The sustained influx of capital has heightened market focus on the long-term investment value of XRP, prompting many holders to consider a question: beyond simply waiting for asset appreciation, is it possible to generate additional returns on these digital assets while holding them?

From “holding XRP” to “growing asset value”

As US spot XRP ETFs continue to attract capital, XRP is emerging as an asset of interest for both institutional and individual investors in the cryptocurrency market. For the growing number of long-term XRP holders, generating additional returns from their digital assets has become a key priority. Against this backdrop, FTMINING is gaining attention among XRP holders. Rather than simply waiting for price appreciation, investors are increasingly exploring ways to generate extra cash flow through digital asset yield models. While the market remains bullish on XRP’s growth potential, FTMINING’s digital asset management and cloud computing platform offers XRP holders a reliable source of passive income. Users can achieve continuous asset appreciation through an intelligent computing system and daily earnings settlements, all without the need for complex operations.

Mining services provided by FTMINING

A model of participating in digital asset mining through remote computing power. Users do not need to purchase mining machines, deploy equipment or maintain mines by themselves. They only need to choose the appropriate computing power solution, and professional mines will be responsible for equipment operation, operation and maintenance management and mining operations. Users will receive corresponding mining benefits based on the purchased computing power.

The FTMINING platform is powered by new or clean energy sources such as hydropower, wind power, and photovoltaics, which not only improves energy utilization efficiency, but also helps reduce operating costs and carbon emissions. Compared with the traditional self-built mine model, cloud mining has lower investment threshold, convenient operation, no need to maintain equipment, and it is easy for novices to participate.

FTMINING getting started guide:

Visit the official website: https://ftmining.com

[ Register Account ] ──> [ Select Contract ] ──> [ System Allocates Hashrate ] ──> [ Automatic Payouts ]

(Quick email sign-up)    (Choose currency & term)    (Remote miner connection)    (Daily earnings settled to wallet)

1. Visit the official website: https://ftmining.com. New users receive a $15 sign-up bonus and a $0.75 reward for logging in daily.

2. The platform supports BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDC, XRP, SOL, DOGE, and BCH, eliminating complex currency conversions and making deposits and withdrawals more convenient.

3. Choose the best contract plan; FTMINING offers a variety of contracts to meet different budget and goal requirements. Whether you are seeking short-term gains or long-term returns, we have the right option for you.

(For further details regarding the contract, please visit the official website.)

4. Once the contract is activated, your earnings will accumulate automatically, allowing you to use the service with confidence. The platform automatically records your earnings on a daily basis, and you can monitor changes in real-time via your mobile phone.

FTMINING: A safe, transparent, and trustworthy investment

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in the UK, FTMINING is an innovative platform specializing in digital asset management and cloud computing services. It operates within the regulatory frameworks of the UK and the EU, adhering to principles of compliance, security, and transparency, while undergoing regular financial and security audits by third-party organizations.

Technologically, the platform employs multiple security mechanisms—including bank-grade firewalls, cloud security certifications, multi-signature cold wallets, and asset segregation systems—to provide multi-layered protection for user funds.

Conclusion

Continued capital inflows into US XRP spot ETFs are further boosting market interest in XRP. Meanwhile, digital asset holders are increasingly seeking yield opportunities beyond mere passive income and capital appreciation. Through the FTMINING platform, investors can generate steady passive income amidst market volatility and achieve dual-layer asset growth, offering an innovative and sustainable investment pathway for long-term investors.

For XRP holders looking to explore yield-generating models for their digital assets, FTMINING presents a compelling option worth considering.

Official Website:https://ftmining.com

Customer Support Email: [email protected]

XRP Healthcare said 4,011 XRPH Wallet accounts were affected by unauthorized transactions beginning Sept. 3, with approximately $452,000 in XRP and related assets removed.

XRP Healthcare traces stolen funds to Ethereum

XRP Healthcare initially confirmed unauthorized transactions involving XRP, XRPH, XRPHAI and other assets. The company instructed users to stop using XRPH Wallet until further notice while its developers investigated the compromise.

A subsequent update placed the affected wallet count at approximately 4,011 and the estimated loss at $452,000. The company said investigators traced the assets to one Ethereum address and contacted exchanges and other parties about freezing or recovering them.

Independent on-chain researcher Handy Andy reported that the affected accounts lost 267,664 XRP and approximately 23.2 million XRPH tokens. The researcher said the assets were converted into roughly 445,198 DAI on Ethereum and remained in the destination wallet at the time of the update.

Investigators examine a possible seed phrase leak

Independent investigators attributed the XRPH Wallet breach to its staking function. Their analysis alleged that activating staking caused users’ seed phrases to be transmitted to a remote server.

XRP Healthcare had not published source code, server logs or an independent forensic report confirming that explanation when this article was prepared. The seed phrase exposure therefore remains a researcher finding rather than a company-confirmed root cause.

A seed phrase provides control over every private key generated by a wallet. Anyone obtaining it can reproduce the wallet and authorize transactions without accessing the victim’s phone. Crypto.news previously explained how seed phrases function as master recovery keys and why they should never leave the user’s secure environment.

The reported failure resembles a July incident in which a compromised software package transmitted private keys through a fraudulent telemetry function. However, no evidence currently connects the two cases or their perpetrators.

Former Ripple developers revive earlier concerns

The breach prompted public criticism from developers previously associated with Ripple and the XRP Ledger ecosystem. BiasGoose said he had rejected an earlier grant application from the project because the application showed what he considered clear warning signs.

He later alleged that the team had misrepresented partnerships in its application. Hazard Cookie said earlier reviewers had identified risks that were not publicly visible at the time.

Former Ripple developer Matt Hamilton also referred to the project’s earlier reputation within the community. These statements represent the developers’ accounts. Public grant records or complete audit documents substantiating every allegation were not available.

XRP Healthcare rejected the tone of the criticism and accused former developers of celebrating another team’s losses. Its response called that conduct “genuinely pathetic” and said the company had put its own reputation and capital at risk. The exchange did not resolve the technical questions surrounding the wallet.

Users need new wallets before moving remaining assets

XRP Healthcare must now establish the precise entry point, determine when seed information may have been exposed and identify which application versions were affected. A full postmortem should also explain whether the reported server retained seed phrases and who could access them.

Users who created or imported seed phrases into the affected application cannot rely solely on an app update if those phrases were exposed. Remaining funds should be transferred to newly generated wallets using trusted software. Reusing an old seed would preserve the attacker’s access.

The company has not announced a reimbursement program or recovery deadline. It also has not confirmed whether law enforcement or any exchange successfully froze the traced funds. Users should rely on official channels and reject unsolicited recovery offers requesting keys, seed phrases or payments.

The incident follows a wider rise in wallet and infrastructure compromises. As crypto.news reported, operational security failures caused 74% of stolen funds during the first half of 2026. Separately, Ripple’s recent audit program identified 96 vulnerabilities across proposed XRPL amendments, showing the value of testing before software reaches users.

What is cloud mining?

Since the emergence of Bitcoin in 2009, cryptocurrency mining has become a well-known method of earning profits.

However, the steep costs involved in acquiring the necessary equipment, understanding the technical aspects, and consuming high amounts of energy often deter potential investors. Cloud mining is stepping in as a solution to these barriers, offering a new and accessible way for individuals to participate in Bitcoin mining without the need for expensive hardware or deep technical expertise.

Cloud mining has become the preferred method for individuals and investors to earn Bitcoin. Among the top platforms in 2026, poweralgo stands out for its highly profitable investment plans, secure transactions, and user-friendly mobile applications.

Poweralgo: A leader in cloud mining

Among the companies making waves in the cloud mining space, poweralgo stands out for its innovative approach to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in cryptocurrency mining. The platform provides a legal, transparent, and environmentally friendly service that allows users to mine Bitcoin efficiently. With the integration of AI, poweralgo reduces operational costs while enhancing the mining process, ensuring users can focus on maximizing their returns.

AI integration for better efficiency

The success of AI integration in cryptocurrency mining has been a cornerstone of poweralgo’s growth. AI systems help optimize the use of resources, manage equipment more efficiently, and monitor the performance of mining hardware. These improvements result in significant cost savings, enabling the company to pass on benefits to users in the form of more profitable mining operations.

Easy access for global users

One of the most appealing aspects of poweralgo is its simplicity. With a smartphone, users from any corner of the world can access the platform and start mining Bitcoin. The platform’s user-friendly interface, which is available through the poweralgo app, allows individuals to monitor their earnings in real-time, making cloud mining accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or expertise.

1. Poweralgo (9.8 Rating) 

Advantages of poweralgo：

(1) $15 registration bonus.(click to register in one click).

(2) Daily automated payouts.

(3) No additional costs for electricity.

(4) Commission of up to 3.5% via the affiliate program.

(5) A wide range of cryptocurrency contracts.

(6) Enhanced security with SSL and DDoS protection.

(7) 24/7 customer support.

How to Get Started with poweralgo：

①Sign Up: Visit the poweralgo website and sign up using a valid email address. New users receive a $15 bonus immediately upon successful registration.

②Choose a Contract: Browse the available cloud mining contracts and select the one that suits your investment level and goals. Contracts vary in price, duration, and daily rewards, providing options for all types of investors.

③Start Earning: Once a contract is purchased, daily profits are automatically deposited into the user’s account. poweralgo ensures easy withdrawals, letting users transfer earnings to their wallets effortlessly.

Trending contracts：

poweralgo offers a variety of contracts to meet different investment needs. Whether you’re starting small or making a large investment, poweralgo offers tailored plans with transparent details on payouts and durations.

Please visit for additional information: https://poweralgo.com/.

2. Binance (9.7Rating)

Globally known as a crypto exchange, Binance is well-known for its daily transaction volumes. One of the largest exchanges, Binance enables customers mine straight from any internet-connected device—including PCs, cell phones, and tablets.

3. Ecos (9.6 Rating)

Ecos, established in 2017, is a trusted Armenian mining farm. It offers various cloud mining contracts with a minimum purchase of $500. Unlike other platforms, Ecos doesn’t provide exact yield estimates due to the many variables affecting Bitcoin’s price. However, users can access a mining calculator to estimate potential returns.

4. BitFuFu (9.5 Rating)

Supported by mining hardware giant Bitmain, BitFuFu offers short- and long-term cloud mining plans. It focuses on transparent pricing, high performance, and institutional-grade reliability.

The future of Bitcoin mining

As the Bitcoin mining industry continues to evolve, poweralgo remains at the forefront, providing innovative solutions for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. With the new cloud mining plans, users can participate in Bitcoin mining without technical expertise or heavy upfront costs.

For more information, visit www.poweralgo.com and explore the available cloud mining contracts today.

Solana price fell 1.4% on Sept. 7 after another rejection near $107, while weakening capital flows and nearby liquidation clusters increased the risk of further volatility.

Solana price retreats after $107 rejection

According to data from crypto.news, Solana (SOL) price traded lower on Sept. 7 as buyers failed to push the token through a resistance cluster between $106.80 and $107.50.

SOL opened the daily session at $106.46 and rose to an intraday high of $106.80 before reversing. The token subsequently fell as low as $104.22 and closed at $104.97, representing a 1.4% daily decline.

The move kept Solana near the psychological $105 level, which now separates a renewed test of recent highs from a deeper pullback toward its short-term moving averages.

Price action on the 4-hour chart shows that SOL has entered a period of consolidation after a strong rally from around $75 in mid-August. The token reached approximately $110 on Aug. 28 before losing momentum and falling toward $98 at the start of September.

Buyers defended that correction and drove SOL back above $106, but repeated failures around $107 suggest that sellers remain active below the August peak.

Trading activity also appeared to weaken during the latest advance. Reduced participation makes it more difficult for buyers to absorb sell orders and can produce sharper moves around leveraged positions.

SOL remains above key moving averages

Despite the daily decline, Solana continues to trade above all four moving averages shown on the 4-hour chart.

The 20-period simple moving average stands at $103.93, while the 50-period average sits slightly lower at $102.98. Those levels form the first important support area between $103 and $104.

SOL’s 100-period moving average is positioned at $101.26. A decisive 4-hour close below that level would weaken the current recovery structure and expose the psychological $100 mark.

The broader trend remains strong while Solana holds above its 200-period moving average at $89.21. A wide gap between the market price and that longer-term average reflects the scale of the rally that began in August, although it also leaves room for a larger correction if short-term support fails.

Moving-average alignment remains bullish because the shorter averages are positioned above the longer ones. However, Chaikin Money Flow has fallen to -0.15, showing that selling pressure has exceeded buying pressure over the indicator’s measurement period.

Negative CMF readings do not confirm an immediate breakdown, but the divergence between price and capital flows suggests that the latest rebound lacks strong spot-market support.

Liquidation map puts $108 and $103 in focus

CoinGlass’ 24-hour liquidation heatmap shows the largest nearby concentration of leveraged positions around $108.

The bright liquidity band at that level could attract price if SOL recovers above $106 and breaks through the $107 resistance area. Such a move could force short sellers to close positions, potentially accelerating an advance toward $109 and the recent peak near $110.

Additional overhead liquidity appears around $108.80, $109.50, and $110. A sustained breakout above $110 would establish a higher high and support an extension of the August rally.

Downside liquidity is more dispersed. The closest notable clusters appear between $103 and $104, followed by another concentration around $102.50. A break below $104 could therefore trigger long liquidations and pull SOL toward the $102.98–$103.93 moving-average zone.

The $101.26 average would become the next technical defense if that area fails. Below it, $100 represents both a psychological level and the approximate base of Solana’s latest rebound.

Daily signals show momentum is cooling

The daily chart presents a mixed outlook. Solana remains above its Supertrend support at $90.68, leaving the wider recovery structure intact despite the rejection from $109.

Aroon readings, however, show that near-term momentum has weakened. The Aroon Up indicator stands at 0%, while Aroon Down is at 21.43%. Neither reading signals a strong trend, but the lack of a recent high explains why buyers have struggled to extend the rally.

The chart places the next major Supertrend resistance near $110.68. SOL would need to close above that level to strengthen the bullish case and open a possible move into the $115 region.

A daily close below $100 would shift attention toward $95 and the Supertrend support near $90.68. That level also marks the point below which the broader bullish structure would face a more serious test.

Analysts see another Solana move developing

Analyst Wayne Liang said Solana could begin another upward leg after the token’s roughly 45% rally from an earlier buy signal near $75 to a sell signal around $109.

Liang said his indicator may be approaching another buy signal, although the chart had not confirmed one at the time of the post. The analyst’s view supports a possible continuation scenario but depends on SOL maintaining its rising trend structure.

Team LAMBO Charts separately described the $70–$95 range as an accumulation zone preceding an expansion phase. However, the post said SOL was already above $140, a figure that conflicts with both the attached chart and the observed market price near $105. The broader accumulation-to-expansion interpretation may still apply, but the stated price cannot be treated as current.

For US traders, expectations around Federal Reserve policy remain an external risk for SOL and other high-beta crypto assets. Higher-for-longer interest rates generally reduce demand for speculative assets, while any shift toward easier financial conditions could improve the backdrop for an upside breakout.

In the short term, $103–$104 is the main support zone, while $107–$108 remains the first barrier. Whichever side breaks first could determine whether SOL retests $110 or returns toward $100.

Fidelity Investments’ latest Retirement Analysis for the second quarter of 2026 shows that U.S. retirees continue to maintain strong long-term savings habits. The data shows that average balances in 401(k), 403(b), and IRA accounts have all reached historically high levels. Specifically, 401(k) account balances increased by 10.5% from the previous quarter, and the average savings rate among 401(k) participants reached 14.4%, approaching Fidelity’s recommended annual savings target of 15%. Meanwhile, IRA contributions rose by 36% compared to the same period last year.

One key message these data reveal is that investors are placing “long-term savings” at the center of their retirement planning.

However, for investors who already hold traditional retirement assets, another issue is also drawing increasing attention:

In addition to stocks, mutual funds, and cash savings, can cryptocurrency assets serve as a complementary option in retirement portfolio allocation?

From retirement savings to cryptocurrency asset accumulation

Traditional retirement investments emphasize long-term holding, consistent contributions, and diversified portfolios. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, XRP is gradually gaining traction among institutional investors thanks to increased institutional interest and the emergence of related ETF products. For investors who are bullish on the XRP ecosystem in the long term, beyond simply waiting for the price of XRP to rise, the question is how to find new ways to achieve sustained asset accumulation while holding XRP.

This is one of the reasons why ASDeFi has attracted the attention of XRP holders.

ASDeFi: Encouraging XRP holders to focus on “continuous accumulation”

ASDeFi positions itself as an AI-powered cloud computing and cryptocurrency asset service platform. Through AI-driven computing power allocation, automated operations, and cryptocurrency settlement, it offers users a way to earn returns on their crypto assets without having to purchase, deploy, or maintain specialized hardware themselves. For long-term XRP holders, the core philosophy is not frequent trading, but rather to transform crypto assets from mere “static holding” into “continuous accumulation” through long-term allocation and a mechanism for sustained returns.

What does 10,000 XRP a month mean?

If investors hope to achieve a cumulative monthly target of 10,000 XRP, the focus should not be solely on pursuing a fixed return figure, but rather on building the capacity for long-term, sustained accumulation. The monthly target can be further broken down into approximately 2,500 XRP per week and about 333 XRP per day; however, this is for planning purposes only and does not imply that any platform can guarantee a fixed return. Actual results will be influenced by factors such as contract size and investment budget.

How do I get started with an XRP accumulation plan?

For users who want to learn more about ASDeFi, here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Go to the ASDeFi official website to register: https://asdefi.com

Familiarize yourself with the platform’s computing power contracts, yield rules, supported crypto assets, and relevant terms of service.

Step 2: Deposit cryptocurrency assets

Go to the platform’s deposit page to deposit major cryptocurrencies such as XRP, BTC, USDT, ETH, LTC, USDC, and BCH.

Step 3: Select a contract

Select the appropriate asset yield contract based on your capital size, investment term, and budget.

Examples of available contracts:

Step 4: Continuously Monitor Your Earnings

Use the platform to check your hashrate performance and earnings settlements, and adjust your asset allocation based on market changes.

User feedback: Earnings experience and ease of use

Michael Weber (47), an XRP investor from Germany, said:

“In the past, I mainly held XRP for the long term, waiting for the market to rise. After using ASDeFi’s hashrate contracts, the entire process has become more automated. I can check the changes in my account earnings every day without having to manage the mining rigs myself, which is very convenient for me.”

Sophie Martin (39), a cryptocurrency investor from Canada, added:

“I value ease of use. Once I’ve completed registration and set up the contract, the system runs automatically, and I just need to check my account periodically. Compared to buying my own equipment to mine, this approach feels much less of a hassle.”

Conclusion

As retirement savings continue to grow, long-term asset accumulation and diversified portfolios are becoming key topics of interest for investors. For investors who are bullish on XRP in the long term, in addition to monitoring market price fluctuations, they can also explore ways to increase their holdings of cryptocurrency assets through various means.

Through AI-powered computing capabilities and automated operations, ASDeFi offers users a way to earn returns on crypto assets without having to manage specialized mining equipment themselves, allowing them to focus on both “long-term holding” and “continuous accumulation” simultaneously. For more details, visit: https://asdefi.com

App Download: https://asdefi.com/xml/index.html#/app

Customer Service Email: [email protected]

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is reportedly in discussions about whether to ease its long-standing ban on prediction market platforms for retail investors, according to a report from The Times.

The FCA imposed the restriction in April 2019, arguing that many prediction markets resemble binary options—products it had prohibited from being sold to retail consumers. Now, if the FCA were to move away from that position, platforms that have been operating primarily outside the UK could see their compliance models and market access in the country change significantly.

Key takeaways

• The FCA’s retail ban on prediction market-style binary options dates back to April 2019.
• According to The Times, the FCA has contacted prediction market companies to discuss potentially lifting the restriction for UK-based retail investors.
• UK retail users have reportedly used VPNs to access platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, both operating in the US.
• Any UK regulatory shift could expose platforms to a similar regulatory patchwork risk that exists in the US.

Why the FCA’s 2019 ban matters

The original FCA prohibition was tied to how prediction markets can be structured—often as event-based contracts that pay out based on whether a specific outcome occurs. In its April 2019 action, the FCA said companies were “prohibited from selling, marketing or distributing binary options to retail consumers,” a category that includes binary options offered to individuals outside a more restricted framework.

At the time, the FCA’s executive director of strategy and competition, Christopher Woolard, described binary options as “gambling products dressed up as financial instruments.” That framing helped justify a permanent retail ban rather than a limited restriction or additional disclosure requirements.

Contact signals potential regulatory shift

In Friday’s Times report, the FCA is said to be weighing lifting the ban for UK retail investors and has reached out to prediction market companies as part of those discussions.

While the details of the proposal are not specified in the report, the fact that the regulator is engaging directly suggests the FCA may be re-evaluating whether prediction markets should remain grouped with binary options as retail products. For investors and traders, the practical implication would be the possibility of regulated or at least more clearly permitted access pathways in the UK, rather than relying on offshore services.

For platforms, regulatory engagement can be a turning point: it signals that market access could become less dependent on workarounds and more dependent on compliance with UK rules—if the FCA decides the product structure can be reconciled with its retail-protection framework.

UK users reportedly bypass restrictions

The Times report also highlights how some UK retail participants may have already been finding ways around the FCA’s limitations. It says many have used virtual private networks (VPNs) to access prediction market trading—executing trades on Kalshi and Polymarket, both of which operate in the United States.

That matters because a ban that prompts consistent circumvention can become harder for regulators to enforce in the real world. It can also create a compliance mismatch: retail users may be actively participating in markets that the UK regulator views as unsuitable, even if those users are technically accessing platforms from outside the UK’s jurisdictional boundaries.

The report notes that market analysts have projected strong growth for the broader prediction market industry. Bernstein Research, as reported by CNBC, previously speculated that total prediction market trading volume could reach around $240 billion in 2026 and about $1 trillion by 2030.

If the FCA were to loosen the UK retail prohibition, the UK could become part of that growth story—though whether it does so through outright permission or a more restrictive licensing model would likely determine how quickly retail participation expands.

US legal pressure could foreshadow the next regulatory test

Any UK relaxation would not necessarily eliminate legal uncertainty for prediction market operators. The main reason is that the industry’s structure—event contracts that resemble wagers—has triggered a regulatory and legal debate in the US between state-level gaming authorities and federal oversight.

The article notes that US challenges are already unfolding through lawsuits. Last week, New Jersey officials petitioned the Supreme Court to hear their case against Kalshi, potentially leading to clarification over how state and federal authority apply to prediction markets.

That dynamic illustrates what could happen if the FCA revises its approach: even if the UK decides to allow retail participation, the global industry still has to contend with unresolved questions about classification—whether these contracts are best treated as financial instruments, regulated derivatives, or gambling products.

As a result, UK policy changes may shift where the compliance burden falls, but not necessarily remove it. Operators could still need to design products and distribution methods that satisfy multiple regulators across jurisdictions.

What to watch next

UK readers should watch for any formal FCA consultation, guidance, or policy statements that specify what changes—if any—would be required for platforms to offer prediction market products to retail investors. Until then, the key open question remains whether the FCA will distinguish prediction markets from binary options in practice, or keep the same underlying treatment while adjusting enforcement or access channels.

Organized crime groups in Ireland have been storing cryptocurrency private keys and seed phrases in rented vaults alongside cash and luxury goods as criminals spread their assets across different forms, according to the head of the country’s Criminal Assets Bureau.

The Sunday Independent reported that Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins, who heads the Criminal Assets Bureau, said investigators had encountered the practice during their own cases and had raised the issue with Ireland’s Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee.

Gubbins said rented vaults can contain access credentials for cryptocurrency wallets alongside assets traditionally associated with criminal proceeds.

“Could be cryptocurrency keys or cash or watches or could even be passports,” he said. “Again, it’s from our experience, what we would have seen around those matters.”

Private keys allow users to authorize transactions from crypto wallets, while a seed phrase can be used to restore access to a wallet. Losing either can permanently prevent an owner from accessing funds, while someone who obtains them may be able to take control of the associated cryptocurrency.

Irish crime gangs are spreading assets across crypto and cash

Gubbins said criminal groups have turned to cryptocurrency partly to spread the risk of having their assets seized and because they believe digital assets provide anonymity.

“They believe there’s an anonymity attached to it,” he said.

The CAB chief pointed to drawbacks for criminals using crypto, including price volatility and the possibility of losing passwords or other credentials needed to access their wallets.

Despite its increased presence in investigations, Gubbins described crypto use among Irish criminal groups as “still quite basic.” Cash continues to dominate the proceeds generated by organized crime, particularly drug trafficking.

“It’s still a cash business for those engaged in drug trafficking,” he said.

Ireland has already identified digital assets as a significant financial crime risk. As crypto.news previously reported, the Department of Finance classified crypto assets as a “very significant” money laundering and terrorist financing risk in its 2026 National Risk Assessment.

The assessment cited risks including crypto-related fraud, sanctions evasion and difficulties surrounding tax enforcement, while the government set out plans for further standards covering crypto-related sources of funds.

Ireland followed the assessment in August with its first national AML strategy, which runs through 2030 and places additional attention on digital asset transactions involving self-hosted wallets and overseas crypto firms.

Under the framework, regulated crypto service providers must conduct enhanced checks on certain transfers involving private wallets. For transfers above €1,000, firms must take steps to assess whether a customer owns or controls the self-hosted address involved.

EU anti-money laundering rules tighten cash and crypto checks

The findings reported by CAB come as Ireland prepares for another stage of the European Union’s anti-money laundering framework.

EU rules taking effect in July 2027 will impose a €10,000 maximum on cash payments for goods and services, although member states can adopt lower limits. Obliged businesses handling occasional cash transactions of at least €3,000 will have to identify and verify the customer.

Crypto-asset service providers face separate customer due diligence requirements under the regulation. They will need to conduct customer checks on occasional crypto transactions worth at least €1,000, while applying identification measures to transactions below that level.

The framework brings crypto-asset service providers, crowdfunding operators and several other sectors within the EU’s updated anti-money laundering regime. It contains measures covering self-hosted crypto addresses, requiring service providers to identify and assess money laundering and terrorist financing risks linked to transfers involving them.

Ireland’s Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee is part of the preparation for the changes. Chaired by the Department of Finance, the committee brings together agencies including the Criminal Assets Bureau, Central Bank of Ireland, An Garda Síochána and Financial Intelligence Unit Ireland.

Ireland’s MiCA transition period ended in December 2025, meaning firms previously operating under domestic registrations needed authorization under the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework or another lawful route to continue providing covered services. The country’s latest crypto compliance rules have since placed more attention on transactions involving self-hosted wallets.

Professional money launderers remain part of Irish crime networks

CAB investigations have encountered professional money launderers who move funds on behalf of criminal groups, according to Gubbins.

Some operators use hawala, an informal value transfer system where money deposited with one operator in one country can be paid through another operator elsewhere without the original cash physically crossing the border.

Gubbins said professional laundering services can charge commissions of roughly 6%.

During one investigation involving the system, CAB seized €230,000 from a safe deposit box held at a private vault company.

The use of vaults for cash, luxury goods and crypto credentials gives investigators another physical component to cases involving digital assets. Although cryptocurrency itself exists on a blockchain, control ultimately depends on the credentials required to authorize access to the associated wallet.

Irish authorities have confronted that problem directly while trying to recover one of the largest cryptocurrency holdings seized in the country.

CAB works through 6,000 BTC seized from cannabis grower

CAB has been trying to access 12 Bitcoin wallets containing a combined 6,000 BTC seized from convicted cannabis grower Clifton Collins in 2019.

Collins had acquired the Bitcoin in late 2011 and early 2012 using proceeds from his cannabis operation. He divided the holdings across 12 wallets containing roughly 500 BTC each and wrote the private keys on paper before hiding them inside the aluminum cap of a fishing rod case at a rented property.

The fishing equipment disappeared after the property was cleared following his arrest, leaving authorities unable to access the Bitcoin despite having seized the assets.

Progress came in March when CAB, working with Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, accessed the first wallet containing 500 BTC. Europol provided technical expertise and decryption resources for the operation, though authorities did not disclose how they recovered access.

A second 500 BTC wallet was secured in May, taking the recovered amount to 1,000 BTC. By July, authorities had gained control of another 500 BTC, raising the total accessible amount to 1,500 BTC.

Activity connected to the holdings continued in late August, when another Collins-linked wallet moved 500 BTC worth nearly $40 million at the time. No statement from CAB, An Garda Síochána or Europol accompanied that transaction, leaving its purpose unconfirmed.

Gubbins told the Sunday Independent that more than €130 million of the roughly €360 million holding has now been realized as CAB continues working through the seized wallets.

The agency returned almost €15 million in recovered assets to the Irish exchequer last year.