Cybersecurity researchers are warning that a powerful iPhone exploit kit is increasingly being used in cybercrime campaigns targeting cryptocurrency users.

Hackers deploy iPhone exploit kit to harvest crypto wallet data

According to a new report from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, the exploit framework, dubbed “Coruna,” contains five full iOS exploit chains and 23 vulnerabilities capable of compromising iPhones running operating systems between iOS 13 and iOS 17.2.1.

The exploit kit allows attackers to execute malicious code through web content by exploiting vulnerabilities in Apple’s WebKit browser engine and other components. Once a victim visits a compromised website, the framework fingerprints the device to identify the exact iPhone model and software version before deploying the most effective exploit chain.

Researchers say the malware can then deliver additional payloads designed to harvest sensitive data from the device, including cryptocurrency wallet information.

In some campaigns, the exploit kit was deployed through fake gambling and cryptocurrency websites that specifically targeted iPhone users.

The malicious payload was capable of scanning images and files on the device for keywords such as “backup phrase” or “bank account,” allowing attackers to extract recovery phrases and access crypto wallets.

Google’s investigation shows the exploit kit circulated among several threat actors over the past year. It was first observed in 2025 in surveillance operations, later used in watering-hole attacks against Ukrainian users by a suspected Russian espionage group, and eventually adopted by financially motivated hackers linked to China.

Security analysts say the case highlights a worrying trend where sophisticated spyware-grade exploits migrate from government or commercial surveillance tools into the broader cybercrime ecosystem.

Researchers recommend updating devices to the latest iOS versions, as the exploit kit does not affect the newest software releases.

The findings underscore the growing intersection between mobile security threats and cryptocurrency theft, with attackers increasingly targeting digital wallets stored on smartphones.

Key Highlights

• Bitcoin breached the $73,000 threshold Thursday, fluctuating between $72,500 and $73,187 during trading sessions
• Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States attracted $155M Wednesday, contributing to a two-week accumulation totaling $1.47B
• Legendary market analyst Peter Brandt indicated current market dynamics could represent a reversal from October’s highs
• BTC has outpaced gold performance following Iranian military strikes, gaining over 10% versus gold’s nearly 2% decline
• Glassnode blockchain analytics reveal caution signals: approximately 57% of circulating BTC remains profitable

Bitcoin has successfully reclaimed the $70,000 threshold this week, touching an intraday peak of $73,544 throughout Asian market sessions before experiencing a modest correction to approximately $72,500 during Thursday’s London trading window.

The upward momentum accompanies a comprehensive rally across risk-sensitive assets following market volatility triggered by coordinated U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iranian targets this past weekend.

The cryptocurrency advanced 8% Wednesday during American trading windows before experiencing a 1.8% decline Thursday. South Korea’s Kospi index surged 11% while Japan’s Nikkei climbed 4.2% simultaneously, demonstrating widespread market stabilization.

Bitcoin’s Coinbase premium indicator — which had briefly turned negative Sunday — has now inverted. Market analyst Ted Pillows observed it achieved its strongest reading since October 2025, suggesting robust demand from American institutional participants.

“Market sentiment is experiencing a bullish transformation within cryptocurrency circles,” stated Caroline Mauron, Orbit Markets co-founder.

From the trading session preceding Iranian strikes, Bitcoin has appreciated more than 10%. Conversely, gold declined nearly 2% during this identical timeframe. This represents a notable departure from recent monthly patterns, where gold consistently established new records while Bitcoin experienced downward pressure.

Bitcoin ETF Capital Flows Continue Strong Momentum

U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded approximately $155 million in net positive flows Wednesday. This continues a sustained two-week pattern accumulating roughly $1.47 billion in fresh capital deployment, based on SoSoValue analytics.

March has already witnessed more than $1.1 billion channeled into American Bitcoin ETF products, including a remarkable $462 million single-day allocation, according to Bloomberg intelligence.

Bitfinex market strategists have cautioned that ETF capital inflows don’t necessarily correlate directly with immediate spot market purchases, considering authorized participants can establish ETF shares prior to acquiring underlying Bitcoin assets.

Veteran Trader Peter Brandt Adjusts Market Outlook

Seasoned market veteran Peter Brandt, who maintained pessimistic positioning since October’s approximate $127,500 peak, shared on X platform this week that present market structure represents “the significant change of price behavior since the top in Oct.”

Bitmine executive chairman Tom Lee responded to Brandt’s commentary, characterizing it as a “potential inflection/change Bitcoin” development.

Market commentator Milk Road highlighted $225.2 million in ETF accumulation on a single day and $458.2 million the preceding session — approaching $700 million across 48 hours — suggesting this volume could fundamentally alter supply-demand equilibrium.

Near-term resistance zones exist between $75,000 and $78,000 levels. Downside support appears established at $65,000 and $60,000 thresholds.

Notwithstanding the recovery, Glassnode data indicates approximately 57% of Bitcoin circulating supply currently trades above acquisition cost — a metric historically associated with early bearish market phases. Short-term holder cost basis clustering near $70,000 could function as resistance, potentially converting upward movements into selling opportunities.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a 15% universal tariff implementation will likely commence this week, potentially creating market headwinds.

Dogecoin price is close to confirming a bullish breakout from a symmetrical triangle pattern amid a surge in demand on the derivatives market.

Dogecoin (DOGE) price shot up 17% to a weekly high of $0.103 on Thursday morning Asian time before settling at $0.096 at press time.

Dogecoin’s rally was supported by investor fears cooling off after reports surfaced that Iran has secretly been negotiating a deal with the U.S. to de-escalate the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

A look at its futures market shows that more investors are now betting in favor of a Dogecoin rally.

According to CoinGlass data weighted funding rate for Dogecoin has turned positive, signalling that long traders are paying short traders to maintain their positions as they anticipate further gains. Such conditions tend to influence retail sentiment positively.

On the daily chart, Dogecoin price is close to confirming a breakout from the upper side of a symmetrical triangle pattern. When an asset breaks out from the upper side of a symmetrical triangle, it is viewed as a very positive signal and typically marks the beginning of a sustained bullish trend.

For Dogecoin, a breakout from the pattern could trigger bulls to aggressively push the price to reclaim its February high of around $0.117.

Momentum indicators like the MACD and RSI seem to support the bullish path. The MACD lines were moving upwards while the RSI was close to breaking out of the neutral threshold, which is often the spark needed for a massive rally during periods of high market volatility.

However, it should be noted that a break below the $0.080 support would invalidate the bullish setup.

Meanwhile, a major headwind for Dogecoin is the weak demand for spot ETFs tied to the meme coin, which could limit any sustained rally.

Notably, the three spot DOGE ETFs have so far managed to draw in only $7.45 million in net inflows since their launch in November. These institutional products had gone through a month of no flows before attracting only $779,000 in inflows on March 2.

Traders may see the muted involvement from major investors as a sign that institutional players remain unconvinced about the meme coin’s long-term prospects, even as retail demand stays strong.

Solana and XRP are holding key technical levels as traders prepare for the release of the February U.S. employment report, a major macro event that could influence risk sentiment across financial markets, including cryptocurrencies.

Investors closely watch the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report because strong labor market data could reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated for longer.

Conversely, weaker data may strengthen the case for rate cuts later this year, potentially boosting demand for risk assets such as cryptocurrencies.

Against this backdrop, several altcoins have entered consolidation phases following February’s market turbulence, when geopolitical tensions and broader risk-off sentiment weighed on crypto prices.

Solana price outlook

Solana is trading near $90.9 after recovering from a sharp early-February decline that briefly pushed the token toward the $70 region.

The daily chart shows SOL forming a gradual recovery structure as buyers step in near lower levels. The Accumulation/Distribution indicator is trending higher, signaling that investors may be steadily accumulating the token.

Meanwhile, the Bull Bear Power (BBP) indicator has turned positive, suggesting improving bullish momentum after weeks of persistent selling pressure.

If momentum continues, SOL could test resistance near $95, with a stronger breakout potentially opening the door toward the $100 psychological level.

However, downside risks remain. A break below $85 support could expose the token to renewed selling pressure and potentially send it back toward the $80–$78 region.

XRP price outlook

XRP is currently trading around $1.42, where it has been moving sideways after a prolonged decline from earlier highs near $2.

Technical indicators suggest bearish momentum may be fading. The Awesome Oscillator is gradually turning positive, while the Chaikin Money Flow indicator is stabilizing, signaling that capital outflows are slowing.

If buying pressure strengthens, XRP could attempt a move toward resistance near $1.50, followed by a potential test of the $1.60 zone.

On the downside, the key support level sits near $1.35, and a breakdown below that threshold could send XRP toward the $1.25 area.

With both tokens consolidating, the upcoming U.S. employment report may act as the next major catalyst determining whether Solana and XRP extend their recovery or face another round of volatility.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has reportedly reopened negotiations with the US Department of Defense in a last-minute effort to secure continued access to Pentagon contracts as the company faces the possibility of being labeled a supply chain risk by the Trump administration.

Amodei has been holding discussions with Emil Michael, the US undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, to finalize terms governing the military’s use of Anthropic’s artificial intelligence models, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

A new agreement would allow the Pentagon to keep using the company’s technology and could prevent a formal designation that would force contractors in the defense supply chain to cut ties with the AI developer, per the report.

The talks follow a sharp breakdown in negotiations last week. Michael reportedly accused Amodei of being a “liar” with a “God complex,” while discussions collapsed after the two sides failed to agree on language Anthropic said was necessary to prevent misuse of its technology.

Related: Ex-OpenAI researcher’s hedge fund reveals big Bitcoin miner bets in new SEC filing

Pentagon negotiations stall over bulk data analysis clause

In an internal memo to staff seen by the FT, Amodei reportedly wrote that near the end of negotiations, the Pentagon offered to accept Anthropic’s broader terms if the company removed a clause restricting the “analysis of bulk acquired data.” He said this phrase was meant to guard against potential mass domestic surveillance, a scenario Anthropic treats as a red line, alongside the use of AI in lethal autonomous weapons.

The dispute escalated after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Anthropic could be designated a supply chain risk, a move that would effectively freeze the company out of US military procurement networks.

The standoff came despite Anthropic’s existing ties to the defense sector. The company was awarded a contract worth up to $200 million by the US Defense Department in July 2025 and it became the first AI provider whose models were used in classified environments and by national security agencies.

As Cointelegraph reported, the US military even used Anthropic’s Claude AI model to support a major air strike on Iran hours after President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to stop using the company’s systems.

Related: Mining companies move deeper into AI, HPC as MARA may sell Bitcoin

Tech groups warn risk label could hurt US AI leadership

Meanwhile, in a Wednesday letter to Trump, tech groups warned that labeling a domestic AI company a supply chain risk could undermine US leadership in AI. The groups argued that treating a US technology company “as a foreign adversary, rather than an asset,” could discourage innovation and weaken America’s ability to compete with China in the global AI race.