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Trust Wallet Adds Real-Time Scam Address Checks for Crypto Users

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Trust Wallet has rolled out a proactive defense against address poisoning, introducing an automated screening feature that checks destination addresses against a live database of known scam and lookalike wallets. The noncustodial wallet provider said the protection will run in the background as users initiate transfers, aiming to thwart attempts to misdirect funds to illicit addresses. The rollout covers 32 Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible chains at launch, including Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum, Avalanche and Base, with the team signaling plans to expand over time. The move comes as the ecosystem contends with increasingly sophisticated phishing attempts that rely on users copying and pasting addresses from their transaction history.

Trust Wallet described address poisoning as among the crypto space’s fastest-growing threats, citing figures that place the total number of attacks at over 225 million and losses nearing $500 million to date. In address poisoning scams, perpetrators typically send a harmless, small amount to a target to establish a history, then capitalize on users who replicate addresses from their own transaction history, inadvertently sending larger sums to the attacker’s wallet. The new screening mechanism seeks to disrupt this attack chain by preventing outbound transfers to detected poison addresses before they are executed.

Beyond automated checks, the broader industry has been pushing for preemptive safeguards across wallets. Notably, several wallets already employ transaction-filtering tools designed to curb malicious transfers—for instance, Rabby Wallet, Zengo Wallet and Phantom Wallet have each introduced similar layers of screening to reduce exposure to scam addresses. The emphasis on preventative controls mirrors growing calls for a more defensive stance from the wallet ecosystem, especially as attackers increasingly rely on social engineering and lookalikes that mimic legitimate counterparts.

The topic has taken on renewed urgency in light of high-profile incident data. In December 2025, a single USDt (USDT) transfer tied to a poisoning scheme underscored the potential scale of losses, prompting calls from industry figures for more robust wallet-level defenses. Analysts and security researchers have long argued that users should not copy addresses from transaction histories, a practice that continues to contribute to successful exploits. Security firm Hacken has highlighted the importance of circumventing copy-paste habits as part of a multi-layered defense strategy.

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Security researchers have pointed to the conflicts between convenience and protection in wallet design. The push for stricter verification aligns with expectations that wallets should act as the first line of defense—filtering out poison addresses and preventing users from inadvertently participating in scams. Some commentators have called for wallets to proactively block any receiving address that appears on a known poison list, a stance that aligns with broader calls for universal adoption of blockchain-querying checks at the point of interaction.

In parallel, discussions around address poisoning—both the technical mechanisms and the user-behavior patterns it exploits—continue to evolve. The episode underlines why exchanges, wallets and service providers alike must invest in robust address-checking capabilities, while users remain urged to verify recipient addresses through independent channels and avoid relying solely on transaction histories when copying addresses from trusted sources. As the ecosystem expands, the balance between user experience and security will remain a focal point for developers and regulators alike.

Why it matters

The introduction of address-poisoning protection marks a meaningful step in reducing on-chain losses and encouraging safer transaction practices across major EVM networks. For users, the feature represents a real-time safety net that can prevent inadvertent transfers to illicit wallets if a recipient address matches a known scam pattern or closely resembles a legitimate one. For builders and wallet providers, it sets a benchmark for proactive risk management and cross-wallet collaboration on threat intelligence, potentially reducing the volume of successful attacks that rely on social engineering and address lookalikes.

From a market perspective, the development reinforces the idea that security enhancements are increasingly becoming a differentiator among wallet ecosystems. As hackers refine their techniques, the emphasis shifts from purely cosmetic features to verifiable protections that can be audited and verified by users and independent researchers. The industry’s collective response—combining automated screening, user education and responsible disclosure—could contribute to a more resilient infrastructure over time, even as the crypto landscape remains sensitive to regulatory signals and macro risk sentiment.

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For investors and users, this shift underscores the importance of risk management in wallet selection and usage. While no single protection can eliminate all threats, multi-layered defenses—complemented by best practices such as avoiding address copy-paste from transaction histories—can materially reduce exposure to address-poisoning schemes. The broader narrative is one of maturation: as wallets adopt more rigorous checks, the friction between speed and security may gradually tilt toward safer, more reliable user experiences.

What to watch next

  • Expansion of the poisoned-address database to cover additional chains beyond the initial 32 EVM-compatible networks, with a timeline for rollout on non-EVM platforms.
  • Independent audits or third-party attestations validating the accuracy and speed of the destination-address screening feature.
  • Adoption metrics across wallets that implement similar protections, including user feedback and impact on attempted phishing campaigns.
  • Updates from Trust Wallet or partner security teams regarding any zero-day findings or refinements to the poisoning-detection database.

Sources & verification

  • Trust Wallet official announcement: address poisoning protection and rollout details.
  • On-chain data and public logs illustrating address-poisoning incidents (e.g., notable large transfers cited in December 2025).
  • Binance Square commentary by Changpeng Zhao advocating universal poison-address checks across wallets.
  • Security research from Hacken’s Extractor team on best practices not to copy addresses from history.
  • Industry coverage of Rabby, Zengo, and Phantom Wallets’ transaction-filtering approaches.

Trust Wallet rolls out address poisoning protection across 32 EVM chains

Trust Wallet has introduced a proactive defense against address poisoning by adding a destination-address screening feature that checks outgoing transfers against a live database of known scam and lookalike wallets. The aim is to stop users from accidentally sending funds to illicit addresses before the transaction is confirmed. The company emphasized that the protection operates automatically, running in real time as a user initiates a transfer. The initial scope includes 32 EVM-compatible networks, with Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) at the forefront, along with BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum, Avalanche and Base. The firm noted that address-poisoning attacks have emerged as a fast-growing threat within crypto markets, and it cited figures indicating more than 225 million attacks and roughly $500 million in confirmed losses to date.

Address poisoning, a form of phishing, exploits the habit of users copying and pasting addresses from transaction histories—a behavior that can enable attackers to divert funds to malicious wallets. By cross-referencing recipient addresses with a database of poison addresses, Trust Wallet’s system can halt transactions before they leave a user’s control. This approach aligns with broader industry moves toward preemptive risk controls, particularly as scammers increasingly rely on social engineering and ambiguous address representations to mislead victims.

Industry observers point to complementary protections already available across wallets. Rabby Wallet, Zengo Wallet and Phantom Wallet have implemented early-warning systems or blacklist-based checks aimed at stopping transfers to flagged addresses. The emphasis on prevention reflects a broader trend toward user-centric security features that do not rely solely on post-incident recovery. In tandem with these protections, security researchers and users alike continue to advocate for best practices, such as avoiding direct copying of addresses from transaction histories and verifying recipients through independent channels.

The December 2025 incident involving a USDt (USDT) transfer underscored the ongoing risk, drawing attention to the need for wallet-level defenses that can catch poisoned addresses before funds move. Industry voices have stressed that wallets should not display or reproduce harmful transactions in the first place, a stance echoed by prominent figures who argue for a universal, automated filter at the point of interaction. While no solution is flawless, the convergence of automated screening, user education and cross-wallet sharing of threat-intelligence signals a maturing security posture across the crypto ecosystem.

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As the rollout unfolds, the crypto community will be watching for how well these protections scale across networks and how quickly users adapt to new prompts or warnings when initiating transfers. The goal is a safer user experience that preserves the speed and convenience that attract new participants, while delivering meaningful guardrails against one of the space’s oldest and most persistent attack vectors. In a rapidly evolving threat landscape, Trust Wallet’s move signals a continued push toward stronger, more transparent security practices that could shape wallet design choices for years to come.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Bitcoin hits $71,500, CRCL, BTGO, FIGR rally as oil shock fears fade

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Bitcoin hits $71,500, CRCL, BTGO, FIGR rally as oil shock fears fade

Cryptocurrencies are extending their advances on Tuesday as easing concerns about a potential oil supply shock improved risk sentiment across global markets.

The sentiment shift came after the International Energy Agency (IEA) said it would convene an extraordinary meeting of its member countries to consider releasing emergency oil reserves.

Bitcoin climbed above $71,500 for the first time since Thursday, before easing back to the current $71,300, up 3.2% over the past 24 hours. The broad market CoinDesk 20 Index was up by a similar amount, with XRP (XRP), , and Hyperliquid’s native token (HYPE) leading gains among major crypto assets.

WTI crude oil extended its decline on the news, dropping to $82 after spiking to near $120 over the weekend. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 were up roughly 0.5% at midday.

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Most crypto-related stocks mirrored the advance. Stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL) was up another 6%, now nearly 100% higher in two weeks, while digital asset infrastructure firm BitGo (BTGO) climbed more than 8% and blockchain firm Figure (FIGR) rallied 12%.

Since Nigel Farage was announced as joining U.K. bitcoin treasury firm Stack BTC (STAK) on Monday, that stock has surged more than 200%.

Bitcoin decoupling from software

Bitcoin appears to be losing its correlation with the software stock ETF (IGV), as BlackRock’s IBIT is up around 3% over the past 24 hours while IGV is down more than 2%.

However, over the past five days, IGV is up about 1.5% while IBIT is down roughly 2%, suggesting IBIT may still have some catching up to do if the correlation with software stocks is to re-establish itself.

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A weakening correlation could also be notable, as it may signal bitcoin beginning to trade more independently from software and tech equities, potentially becoming a more uncorrelated asset during periods of macro uncertainty. While still outperforming gold and U.S. equities since the war began.

‘Cautiously optimistic’ for BTC

Zooming out, bitcoin’s recent price action has been relatively resilient despite the ongoing macro turbulence, said James Harris, CEO of crypto yield platform Tesseract Group.

After briefly testing the low-$60,000 area, BTC recovered even as broader risk markets struggled with geopolitical uncertainty, he said. Meanwhile, ETF inflows have remained broadly supportive, while a sharp deleveraging earlier in the month helped clean up excessive positioning in derivatives markets.

The mix of washed-out sentiment, flushed-out leverage and support around the $66,000 zone suggests bitcoin may be entering a bottoming process, Harris said. However, downside risk persists as the crypto market remains fragile.

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“If support in the mid-$60k area fails, we could easily see another test lower, but for now we remain cautiously optimistic on BTC,” he said.

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Why crypto’s privacy problem is a total dealbreaker for mainstream users

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Why crypto's privacy problem is a total dealbreaker for mainstream users

We all know the problem with a public ledger. Most of us living inside the crypto ecosystem can’t actually bring ourselves to say it.

But find a normie on the street, one with some knowledge of blockchain (good luck with that), and they’ll tell you straight. It’s public. A public ledger is public.

We’ve spent almost two decades trying to sell pork pies to vegans, trumpeting “public” as a virtue, when people actually crave privacy.

Out there in the real world, normies don’t see radical transparency. Many perceive insanity. They see data breaches. They are in no doubt that sharing a permanent and immutable record of every transaction they’ve ever made is utterly absurd.

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You wouldn’t use a credit card if your neighbor could see every transaction you made. You wouldn’t run a business if your competitors could see exactly who your suppliers are and what you’re paying them.

To put it simply, on-chain is too public, off-chain is too private. There has to be a balance. Some information needs to be made public for audit and regulatory purposes. Some information needs to remain private to enable businesses to function effectively.

Businesses need to shield their proprietary moves from competitors while providing a “viewing key” to regulators or auditors. It’s a balance between complying with the law and functioning effectively in the market.

There are some good reasons why institutional finance hasn’t fully embraced blockchain–why the hedge funds, asset managers and corporate treasuries with billions to invest haven’t been red-pilled. One of those reasons is that they understandably don’t want to hand their proprietary strategy to the entire world, and simply cannot do so. It would be like broadcasting their alpha for free.

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The corporate reality check

Stablecoins promise speed and efficiency for B2B transactions. The cost is low, but the price is high. Privacy. A transparent ledger means everyone–friend or foe, ally or rival–can see a company’s business. Which vendor they’re using, the volume of the orders and the price per unit. There are no secrets; everything’s on display, and they’re effectively leaking their entire supply chain. Businesses have to find ways around the problem by enhancing privacy while remaining compliant.

What we need is the blockchain equivalent of the internet’s SSL moment. We didn’t get a functional web until encryption became a standard layer, allowing us to send credit card info without the whole world watching.

From theory to practice

We are finally seeing this infrastructure move from whitepapers to the real world. For example, the Canton Network has had some success in bringing privacy to enterprise finance, albeit in a permissioned form. I’ve been involved in one of the latest privacy advances. It’s the newly announced plan to launch strkBTC on Starknet. We have spent years treating Bitcoin as digital gold—a great store of value, but one that is largely static and totally exposed if you try to use it in DeFi.

For the first time, you can have the security of Bitcoin with a “confidentiality layer” that protects your balances and counterparties from public view. It is the first proof that we can have an “active” Bitcoin that respects the commercial need for privacy, all with selective disclosure for reasonable risk management.

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The path forward

One of the values of early crypto adopters was privacy, but that ambition will remain unfulfilled if we don’t build for the systemically important capital flows that move the world. Public blockchains will only scale if they can support private finance.

Through selective disclosure and protocol-level confidentiality, we aren’t just adding a feature. We are finally building a system that the world can actually use. The technology is here—the remaining question is which networks will set the standard for the next era of global finance.

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Crypto shouldn’t “die on the hill” of stablecoin yield, Rick Edelman says

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Crypto shouldn’t “die on the hill” of stablecoin yield, Rick Edelman says

Latest developments: Edelman told CoinDesk’s Jennifer Sanasie on Markets Outlook that the dispute over whether stablecoins can offer yield is threatening progress on market structure legislation.

  • Banking groups argue allowing stablecoin issuers to offer yield would siphon deposits from traditional banks.
  • Edelman said banks are opposing the provision largely because stablecoins pose a competitive threat to their business models.
  • The issue has become a sticking point in negotiations around the Clarity Act, a proposed crypto market structure bill in Washington.
  • Despite siding with crypto on the economics, Edelman said the banking lobby is politically strong and “likely to win the argument.”

Why it matters: Edelman argues the industry should compromise rather than risk losing regulatory clarity altogether.

  • “I don’t think it’s the hill to die on,” Edelman said about the fight over stablecoin yield.
  • He said the broader legislation would provide long-awaited regulatory certainty for crypto companies and investors.
  • Prediction markets currently suggest the bill will pass, he said, though the timeline remains uncertain.
  • Edelman warned the bill could stall if it doesn’t pass before midterm elections.

The market outlook: Edelman believes regulatory clarity could quickly revive crypto markets.

  • If the bill fails, he expects a sharp but temporary drop in crypto prices as investors react.
  • Over the long term, crypto would still grow but at a slower pace without supportive legislation.
  • If clarity arrives, Edelman predicts crypto prices could surge and quickly reach new all-time highs.
  • He reiterated his long-term forecast that bitcoin could reach $500,000 by the end of the decade.

Reading between the lines: Edelman also pushed back on fears that quantum computing threatens Bitcoin.

  • Claims that quantum computers will break the Bitcoin blockchain are “one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard anybody say,” Edelman said.
  • He argued the industry would develop defensive cryptography alongside any advances in quantum computing.
  • Even if such machines emerge, attackers would likely target larger financial systems or infrastructure before Bitcoin.
  • Edelman continues to recommend investors allocate up to 40% of portfolios to crypto broadly, focusing mainly on major assets such as bitcoin, ether and solana.

Looking ahead: Edelman expects consolidation among cryptocurrencies as the market matures.

  • He predicts roughly a dozen major cryptocurrencies will ultimately dominate the sector.
  • At the same time, tokenization could create hundreds of thousands of blockchain-based tokens representing assets like real estate, commodities and collectibles.
  • That shift could dramatically expand diversification opportunities for investors.

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Alphabet (GOOG) Stock: Pentagon to Receive Gemini AI Agents for 3 Million Defense Personnel

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Key Highlights

  • Pentagon’s complete 3 million-person workforce will gain access to Google’s Gemini AI agents
  • Initial rollout targets unclassified systems, while discussions progress for classified network integration
  • Platform offers eight pre-configured agents designed for budget creation, meeting notes, and strategic planning
  • Defense Department users have generated 40 million prompts through Google’s AI interface since its December debut
  • Training completion remains limited to just 26,000 personnel despite significantly higher adoption rates

Google, owned by Alphabet, has initiated a comprehensive deployment of its Gemini AI agent technology throughout the United States Department of Defense, encompassing approximately three million personnel.


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Alphabet Inc., GOOGL

The initial phase focuses on unclassified network infrastructure, where the majority of Defense Department personnel operate daily. Emil Michael, serving as under secretary of defense for research and engineering, indicated this strategic starting point.

Michael revealed that negotiations with Google are currently active regarding expansion into classified and top-secret cloud computing environments.

Google Vice President Jim Kelly made the announcement public through a Tuesday blog entry. Defense personnel will have the capability to create customized AI agents through natural language commands, eliminating any programming requirements.

The platform launches with eight ready-to-deploy agents. These automated assistants handle functions including meeting documentation, financial planning, and verification of proposed initiatives against national defense objectives.

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Certain agents are designed to provide operational value, assisting with logistical planning and resource forecasting for military operations — capabilities available even on unclassified infrastructure.

Google’s conversational AI interface on the GenAI.mil website has been operational since December. During this period, 1.2 million Defense Department personnel have engaged with the system, generating 40 million distinct queries and submitting over four million documents.

The usage volume demonstrates significant adoption. The Gemini agent platform becomes accessible through this identical portal starting Tuesday.

Personnel Education Falls Short of Adoption Rates

A significant challenge exists. Just 26,000 Pentagon employees have completed formal instruction on appropriate AI utilization. Upcoming educational programs have reached capacity, a Pentagon representative confirmed.

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Michael emphasized the importance of proper training. “It saves you a lot of time in the middle, but you have to review at the end to make sure there’s no hallucinations,” he said.

Bridging the divide between actual usage and completed training represents a priority as the Defense Department expands agent availability.

Military Exercise Planning Sees Dramatic Efficiency Gains

The technology has already demonstrated measurable impact in operational settings. Kenneth Harvey, who directs the Mission Training Complex at Fort Bragg, explained that developing a military exercise scenario accommodating up to 50,000 simulated troops previously required his nine-member team six months.

Leveraging the AI platform, a comparable exercise for US Southern Command reached completion within six weeks.

Harvey emphasized that “human eyes vetted every word” throughout the process.

This latest initiative represents a significant expansion of collaboration between Google and the Pentagon, a relationship that has experienced turbulence. In 2018, thousands of Google staff members protested the corporation’s participation in Project Maven, an AI-powered drone surveillance initiative. Google declined to continue that contract.

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The technology company subsequently revised its policies regarding military contracts. Michael characterized Google as a “trusted” and “supportive” partner.

The Pentagon has simultaneously broadened its artificial intelligence partnerships. Recent agreements with OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI enable operations on restricted networks — developments that coincided with deteriorating relations with Anthropic.

The Department of Defense designated Anthropic a supply-chain security concern last week following the company’s objections regarding potential AI applications. Anthropic has responded by filing legal action against the government challenging this classification.

Prior to this conflict, Anthropic maintained exclusive status as the sole AI vendor with access to the Pentagon’s classified cloud infrastructure.

GOOG was trading at $308.84, up 0.81% on the day at the time of writing.

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Canaan Boosts Bitcoin, Ether Treasury as Miners Sell BTC

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Canaan Boosts Bitcoin, Ether Treasury as Miners Sell BTC

Bitcoin mining company Canaan increased its digital asset holdings to record levels in February, signaling a long-term accumulation strategy despite challenging market conditions for miners.

In its February unaudited mining update issued Tuesday, Canaan said it produced 86 Bitcoin (BTC) during the month, bringing its total holdings to 1,793 BTC, a new record for the company.

Canaan’s Ether (ETH) holdings also reached a record high of 3,952 ETH, with the combined value of its digital asset treasury totaling roughly $128 million at current prices.

The company’s Nasdaq-traded shares (CAN) were up 1% in late Tuesday morning trading. Sector-tracking exchange-traded fund CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF (WMGI) was up 2.5%.

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Chairman and CEO Nangeng Zhang said the company remains focused on a long-term strategy of building its digital asset reserves.

“We maintain a long-term perspective on building and managing our digital asset treasury,” Zhang said.

Canaan’s Bitcoin holdings over time. Source: BitcoinTreasuries.NET

Canaan also expanded its mining operations, with its installed hashrate reaching 14.75 exahashes per second (EH/s).

The update follows Canaan’s recent expansion in the United States. In February, the company acquired a 49% stake in three Bitcoin mining projects in West Texas for $39.75 million, a move aimed at increasing its North American mining capacity.

The Texas facilities are expected to boost Canaan’s presence in one of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining regions.

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Related: Bitcoin miner production data reveals scale of US winter storm disruption

Miners ramp up Bitcoin sales as margins tighten

Canaan’s update comes as Bitcoin miners increasingly sell portions of their reserves amid worsening market conditions.

The trend has accelerated since October, when the biggest crypto by market capitalization peaked around $126,000 before falling by more than half to the low-$60,000 range, squeezing mining profitability.

The downturn has compounded what some analysts describe as the harshest margin environment the sector has faced, with rising operational costs and lower BTC prices weighing on miners’ balance sheets.

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Data from TheEnergyMag’s Miners Weekly shows that publicly traded mining companies have sold more than 15,000 BTC since October. The total includes several large transactions, such as Cango’s February sale of 4,451 BTC and Core Scientific’s plan to sell up to 2,500 BTC this quarter.

Bitcoin miners have offloaded a growing share of their BTC holdings since October. Source: TheEnergyMag

The shift marks a departure from the trend seen earlier in 2025, when many miners adopted a de facto treasury strategy, choosing to retain a larger share of the Bitcoin they mined rather than selling it immediately.

Related: Bitcoin mining’s 2026 reckoning: AI pivots, margin pressure and a fight to survive