CEO Sentenced to 20 Years for $200M Bitcoin Ponzi Scheme Ramil Ventura Palafox, CEO of Praetorian Group International (PGI), has received a 20-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating a cryptocurrency investment fraud. The scheme, which operated between December 2019 and October 2021, defrauded over 90,000 investors worldwide of an estimated $62.69 million. PGI promised daily returns of 0.5% to 3% through automated Bitcoin trading, but investigations revealed no legitimate trading occurred. Instead, funds from new investors were used to pay earlier ones, with Palafox misappropriating money for personal expenses, including luxury vehicles and real estate.

Cryptovka

PGI Global CEO Sentenced to 20 Years for $200M Bitcoin Ponzi Scheme

Ramil Ventura Palafox, the Chief Executive Officer of Praetorian Group International (PGI), has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for...

Federal Reserve Proposes New Margin Weights for Crypto Derivatives The Federal Reserve has published a report proposing a specialized regulatory framework for cryptocurrency derivatives, suggesting digital assets be classified as a distinct asset class for initial margin requirements in unsettled derivatives markets. The proposal, released February 11, 2026, highlights the unique volatility of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, deeming existing risk classifications insufficient. It recommends differentiated risk weights for floating assets versus stablecoins, addresses liquidity gaps from 24/7 crypto trading, and suggests excluding crypto assets from standardized initial margin models for legacy assets. A benchmark index of floating digital assets and stablecoins is proposed for risk calibration. These changes aim to enhance financial system stability amid increasing integration of blockchain-based assets.

Cryptovka

Federal Reserve Proposes New Margin Weights for Crypto Derivatives

The Federal Reserve has released a new analytical report proposing a specialized regulatory framework for cryptocurrency derivatives....

Coinbase Reports $667 Million Net Loss in Q4 Amidst Market Downturn Coinbase Global, Inc. has announced its fourth-quarter financial results, revealing a net loss of $667 million, a significant shift from a $1.3 billion profit in the prior year. Total revenue stood at $1.8 billion, down 20% year-over-year, primarily due to a decline in spot trading activity. Despite these figures, Coinbase noted its trading volume outperformed market averages. The company is focusing on diversifying its revenue streams beyond transaction fees, with growth in its derivatives business and the introduction of new financial services, aiming for sustained revenue across different market cycles.

Cryptovka

Coinbase Reveals $667M Net Loss in Q4 as Trading Volumes Decline

The prominent cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global, Inc. has released its financial results for the fourth quarter, highlighting the severe impa...

Bitdeer Reports $70.5M Q4 Profit Amid Infrastructure Growth Bitdeer Technologies Group has announced a significant financial recovery, reporting a net profit of $70.5 million for Q4 2025, a stark turnaround from a $532 million loss in Q4 2024. Total revenue for the quarter reached $224.8 million. The company's self-operated mining division generated $168.6 million in Q4, mining 1,673 BTC. Bitdeer now holds a reserve of 2,017 BTC. Beyond mining, Bitdeer is expanding into High-Performance Computing (HPC) and AI. Global power capacity stands at 3.0 GW, with 1.66 GW operational across the US, Bhutan, Ethiopia, and Norway. This diversification aims to mitigate crypto market volatility and maximize shareholder value.

Cryptovka

Bitdeer Reports $70.5M Q4 Profit Amid Major Infrastructure Growth

The prominent Bitcoin mining firm Bitdeer Technologies Group has released its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the full fisca...

‍Binance CEO: October 11 Market Crash Was Systemic, Not Binance-Caused Binance CEO Richard Teng addressed the October 11, 2025, market crash at Consensus Hong Kong, attributing the industry-wide liquidations to global macroeconomic shifts and technical frictions, not Binance itself. The downturn coincided with China's rare earth export controls and new U.S. tariffs, causing a $1.5 trillion loss in the U.S. stock market. Crypto saw approximately $19 billion in liquidations. Teng also cited a stablecoin de-pegging event and transfer delays as exacerbating factors.

Cryptovka

Binance CEO Richard Teng Clarifies Roots of October 11 Market Crash

Richard Teng, the CEO of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has addressed the industry-wide liquidations that occurred on O...

‍Ethereum: Over 60% of Supply Staked in ETH2 Contract A recent analysis shows over 60% of Ethereum's total supply, amounting to 76.3 million ETH (approx. $240 billion), is now staked in the ETH2 deposit contract. This demonstrates a strong commitment to the network's Proof-of-Stake consensus. Major holders include Binance with 4.1 million ETH, BlackRock with 3.4 million ETH, and Bitmine with 2.9 million ETH. The loss of private keys by individual holder Rain Lohmus, resulting in inaccessible assets, highlights the risks of self-custody and the impact of lost credentials on the circulating supply.

Cryptovka

Ethereum Holdings Report: Over 60% of Supply Staked in ETH2 Contract

A comprehensive analysis of the Ethereum (ETH) ecosystem has revealed a significant concentration of assets within the network's staking infra...

‍UAE Central Bank Licenses DDSC Dirham-Backed Stablecoin on ADI Chain The UAE Central Bank has officially licensed and approved DDSC, a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the UAE Dirham (AED). The digital asset, a collaboration between International Holding Company (IHC) and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), operates on the institutional-grade Layer 2 blockchain, ADI Chain. First Abu Dhabi Bank will provide custody for fiat reserves. The DDSC project aims for instant settlement, 24/7 availability, and transparent cross-border flows, with plans to integrate with M-Pesa Africa to streamline remittances. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/40/uae-central-bank-licenses-ddsc-dirham-backed-stablecoin-on-adi-chain

‍Ether Poised for V-Shaped Recovery Despite Recent 37% Price Drop Fundstrat's Head of Research, Tom Lee, anticipates a swift rebound for Ether (ETH) following a recent 37% decline. He notes historical patterns of rapid recovery after significant drawdowns, citing eight instances since 2018 where ETH fell over 50% and subsequently recovered. Technical analysis points to $1,890 as a critical support level. Concurrently, record demand for Ethereum staking, with 4 million ETH in the validator queue and 30.3% of the total supply staked, is creating a significant supply restriction. This illiquidity, combined with potential buyer demand, could fuel the predicted V-shaped recovery. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/39/ether-poised-for-v-shaped-recovery-despite-recent-37-price-drop

‍Artmarket.com Integrates AI and Blockchain for Art Market Transformation Artmarket.com has fully integrated its AI system, Intuitive Artmarket®, leveraging NVIDIA Grace Blackwell superchips and data tokenization. This move has reduced operational staffing by 47% while expanding its Artprice department's analytical capacity for 9.3 million members. The company's strategy includes tokenizing 18 million artworks, enabling visual pattern recognition across 181 million images and laying groundwork for digital certification and blockchain-based provenance. Artprice is also employing a Vertical AI strategy with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), developing tools like Artprice GPT and partnering with Perplexity AI to correlate art market data with macroeconomic indicators. Furthermore, Artmarket.com is expanding its B2B licensing and institutional services, with AI valuation models used for insurance risk management and AML compliance, alongside collaborations with customs authorities to combat art trafficking. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/38/artmarket-com-integrates-ai-and-blockchain-for-2026-art-recovery

‍Russia Escalates Digital Sovereignty: WhatsApp Restrictions Amid Push for State-Backed Max App Russia is reportedly restricting access to WhatsApp, impacting an estimated 72 million users, as part of a strategic effort to promote the state-backed messaging app Max. Launched in March 2025 by VK, Max is now mandatory on all new smartphones sold in the country since September 1, 2025. Reports indicate WhatsApp domains are inaccessible without VPNs, with potential for a total block by the end of 2026 if the platform does not comply with Russian laws. This move highlights the growing trend of "splinternet" and underscores the importance of decentralized messaging protocols and Web3 technologies for secure, cross-border communication in the face of increasing regulatory pressure. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/37/russia-targets-whatsapp-to-promote-state-backed-messaging-app-max

‍US Banks Urge OCC to Halt Crypto Charters Amid Regulatory Gaps The American Bankers Association (ABA) has formally requested the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to delay approving national bank charters for digital asset firms. The ABA argues that granting federal licenses before Congress establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework poses significant risks to financial stability. Concerns include the timely implementation of the GENIUS Act, potential systemic risks from novel business models, and the need for robust operational standards. The ABA also proposed barring non-bank trust companies from using the term "bank" to prevent consumer confusion. This move impacts major players like Circle, Ripple, Paxos, and Coinbase, who seek federal charters for regulated native settlement, potentially bypassing traditional systems like SWIFT. The ABA's intervention, citing collapses of FTX and Celsius, emphasizes the need for enhanced oversight. The outcome depends on legislative progress for stablecoin regulations. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/36/us-banks-urge-occ-to-halt-crypto-charters-amid-regulatory-gaps

‍Bitcoin Awaits Crucial CPI Data Amidst Volatility Concerns The cryptocurrency market is closely monitoring the upcoming January CPI inflation data, set for release on Friday. Following strong labor reports, investors are looking for signs of cooling inflation that could prompt a shift in monetary policy. Bitcoin (BTC) is currently consolidating around $67,200, with this macro data expected to significantly influence digital asset trajectories. Lower-than-expected inflation could increase pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut rates sooner, benefiting risk assets. Conversely, persistent inflation might lead to a "higher-for-longer" interest rate environment, impacting Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH). Market analysts highlight that strong U.S. labor market data provides the Fed with little incentive for early easing. Bitcoin has maintained a range between $62,822 and $72,000 despite economic uncertainties. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/35/bitcoin-braces-for-volatility-ahead-of-january-cpi-inflation-data

‍Ethereum Devs Propose ZK-Proofs for AI Interaction Privacy Ethereum Foundation developers Davide Crapis and Vitalik Buterin have introduced a framework to enhance privacy when interacting with AI models. The proposal utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK-proofs) and smart contracts to allow anonymous usage of Large Language Models (LLMs), addressing concerns about data harvesting and exploited usage logs. The new system aims to overcome the limitations of current AI API access methods, which are either privacy-invasive or traceable. It proposes a deposit into a smart contract, enabling users to make thousands of anonymous API calls securely and efficiently. To prevent abuse, a dual-staking mechanism with slashing is suggested for violations of usage policies, ensuring accountability without compromising user anonymity. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/34/ethereum-devs-propose-zk-proofs-to-anonymize-ai-model-interactions

‍Strategy’s STRC Reclaims $100 Par Value, Eyes Bitcoin Expansion Strategy's perpetual preferred shares (STRC) have recovered to their $100 face value, a crucial threshold for utilizing at-the-market (ATM) offerings to fund Bitcoin acquisitions. This rebound follows a market correction that saw Bitcoin drop from $97,000 to $60,000, impacting STRC's valuation. The STRC product features a monthly dividend reset and an 11.25% annualized yield to stabilize price and align with the $100 par value. Analysts view this recovery as a positive signal for Strategy's Bitcoin accumulation strategy, potentially enabling them to expand their digital asset investments. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/33/strategy-s-strc-reclaims-100-par-value-eyes-bitcoin-expansion

‍Thailand Integrates Crypto into Regulated Derivatives Market The Thai Cabinet has approved amendments to the Derivatives Act, allowing digital assets to serve as underlying instruments for regulated derivatives products. This move aims to embed cryptocurrencies into Thailand's capital markets framework, providing a legal structure for institutional and retail participation. The Thai SEC will oversee the integration, with plans to amend licenses for digital asset operators, review exchange requirements, and coordinate with the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) to define contract specifications for digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This initiative aligns with a broader three-year capital markets plan targeting tokenization and crypto ETFs, seeking to balance innovation with investor protection. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/32/thailand-sec-to-integrate-crypto-into-regulated-derivatives-market

‍Paxful Fined $4M for Facilitating Illicit Crypto Trades The peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange Paxful has been sentenced to pay a $4 million fine by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The company pleaded guilty to knowingly profiting from criminal activities due to a failure to implement effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols. This lack of oversight allowed Paxful to become a hub for illicit funds, processing over 26 million trades valued at approximately $3 billion between January 2017 and September 2019. The exchange generated over $29.7 million in revenue during this period, with $2.7 million specifically from partnerships with illicit advertising sites. Paxful ceased operations in November 2025 due to compliance costs and legacy misconduct. The case serves as a warning to the P2P crypto sector about the importance of stringent regulatory compliance. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/31/paxful-fined-4m-following-failure-to-prevent-illicit-crypto-trades

‍Elon Musk Sets Timeline for X Money Launch, Aims for "Everything App" X, formerly Twitter, is preparing to launch X Money, an integrated payment system, in a limited external beta within the next one to two months. This move is a key step in Elon Musk's vision to transform X into an "everything app," akin to WeChat, by consolidating financial transactions within the platform. The service aims to leverage X's 600 million monthly active users for daily transactions. While the initial focus will be on fiat currencies, industry observers anticipate future integration of blockchain-based assets, potentially including Dogecoin, which Musk has previously supported. Concurrently, the "Macroharder" AI data center is expanding its GPU capacity to support the growing X ecosystem. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/30/x-money-external-beta-set-for-launch-as-musk-eyes-everything-app-goal

‍BlackRock: 1% Allocation in Asia Could Unlock $2 Trillion for Crypto BlackRock executive Nicholas Peach estimates that a mere 1% allocation of Asian household wealth, totaling $108 trillion, towards digital assets could inject nearly $2 trillion into the cryptocurrency market. This significant capital influx, primarily driven by traditional wealth management adjustments and institutional integration, could substantially expand the current digital asset landscape. Peach highlighted that the vast scale of capital within traditional systems means monumental shifts are possible without requiring widespread retail adoption. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/29/blackrock-1-crypto-allocation-in-asia-may-unlock-2-trillion

‍Bitcoin Faces Stalemate: Demand Corridor vs. Unrealized Losses Bitcoin's price is currently range-bound, situated between its Realized Price (~$55,000) and True Market Mean (~$79,200). Significant overhead resistance exists from investors holding assets at higher valuations, particularly in the $82,000-$97,000 and $100,000-$117,000 ranges. Short-term holders are notably vulnerable due to net losses. Institutional investors are showing a trend of synchronized net outflows, indicating a de-risking strategy. While a demand corridor between $60,000 and $72,000 offers support, overall market participation appears reactive. Sustained institutional inflows and clearing overhead supply are crucial for a definitive breakout. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/28/bitcoin-market-analysis-demand-corridor-battles-unrealized-losses

‍FCA Takes Legal Action Against HTX for Unauthorized Promotions The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched legal proceedings against cryptocurrency exchange HTX. The regulator alleges HTX persistently violated financial promotion rules by targeting UK consumers without authorization, despite prior warnings. HTX reportedly used its website, TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook, and Instagram to disseminate unauthorized promotional content, defying regulations designed to ensure crypto advertisements are fair and clear. The FCA expressed concern over HTX's opaque corporate structure and lack of transparency. While HTX has restricted new UK registrations, the FCA deems these measures insufficient and notes existing users still have access to promotional materials. This action sets a precedent for how UK authorities will handle global platforms ignoring local compliance. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/27/fca-launches-legal-action-against-htx-over-unauthorized-promotions