Latest Crypto News & Market Updates

WikiBit Exchange Exit Risk List #28: BTCC — The “Living Fossil” of Crypto with 15 Years of Zero Security Incidents. So Why Are Users Still Saying, “I Can’t Withdraw My Money”?

Introduction: One of the Oldest—and Most Controversial—Exchanges　　Over the first 27 editions, we have investigated a wide range of exchanges, from HashKey to WhiteBIT. For Edition #28, we are taking a closer look at a genuine “living fossil” of the crypto industry—BTCC.　　First, one important clarification: there are “two BTCCs” in the crypto space.　　One is BTCC.com, founded in 2011 and formerly known as “Bitcoin China,” one of the earliest cryptocurrency exchanges in China.　　The other is BTCC Global (Bitop Global), which has no direct connection with the former. On Tianyan complaints, it has already been flagged for issues including “withdrawal failure” and being a “scam platform.”　　Today, we are investigating the former—BTCC.com (btcc.com).　　Its résumé is certainly “old-school” by crypto standards:“Founded in 2011”“One of the worlds longest-operating cryptocurrency exchanges”“15 years with zero security incidents”“More than 12 million users worldwide”Named the “Safest Digital Asset Exchange” by Pan FinanceOfficial regional sponsor of the Argentine Football AssociationGlobal brand ambassador for NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr.BTC trading volume reached $125.8 billion in Q2 2026Continuous Proof of Reserves reports, with a reserve ratio of 129% in JulyA $25.5 million risk reserve fund　　Sounds like the perfect profile of a long-established, stable major exchange, right？　　But there is another side to the story.　　In

09-18Deep Dive

US sanctions Iran‘s BitBank, saying it processes ’Hormuz Safe Bitcoin payments

US authorities on Thursday announced sanctions against Iranian crypto exchange BitBank, accusing it of processing Bitcoin paid by ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.　　The US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control said that as of June, the Hormuz Safe Marine Services Authority used BitBank to transfer payments it received to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Treasury alleged it is part of the architecture used by Iranian financier Babak Zanjani to move hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin to the IRGC.　　Treasury has previously alleged Hormuz Safe is part of an IRGC-backed scheme forcing vessels to buy maritime insurance for passage, including coverage against seizures by Iran itself.　　“Today‘s designations of Iranian digital asset infrastructure make perfectly clear that efforts to finance the Iranian regime using cryptocurrencies are not beyond OFAC’s reach,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.　　The designation is the latest Treasury action aimed at isolating Iran from the international financial system, including through sanctions on digital asset exchanges.　　The OFAC designations include BitBank, its developer Pishtaz Simorgh Electronic Trade Company and three associates of Zanjani, with the Treasury calling them “key components of the Iranian regimes digital assets-based sanctions evasion infrastructure.”　　Cointelegraph reached out to BitBank for comment.　　Iran‘s

09-18Industry

Bitcoin Faces $80,000 Ceiling as Fed and CLARITY Risks Mount

Bitcoin may struggle to break decisively above $80,000 as tighter U.S. monetary policy and the CLARITY Act setback weigh on near-term conditions. Coinshares sees both headwinds delaying a stronger crypto recovery.　　Key TakeawaysCoinshares sees a sustained bitcoin move above $80,000 as unlikely.The Fed raised rates as policymakers kept a restrictive outlook.The CLARITY Act setback adds uncertainty, particularly for altcoins.　　Bitcoins $80,000 Breakout Faces a Tougher Fed　　Bitcoin faces a more difficult path above $80,000 after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates and signaled that monetary policy could remain restrictive longer than markets previously expected, according to James Butterfill, head of research at digital asset manager Coinshares. His Sept. 17 market assessment identified the Fed and the CLARITY Act setback as the two main obstacles to a stronger near-term crypto recovery.　　The analyst argues that the more significant signal came from policymakers‘ rate projections rather than the increase itself. The Fed’s September projections put the median federal funds rate at 4.1% for both 2026 and 2027, compared with June projections of 3.8% and 3.6%, respectively. The Federal Reserves latest economic projections show a substantially higher expected rate path.　　He said:　　“This creates a difficult setup for bitcoin into year-end. In our view, a decisive break above US$80,000

09-18Industry

British Pound flatlines above 1.3350, UK Retail Sales data in focus

The GBP/USD pair trades on a flat note around 1.3360 during the early Asian trading hours on Friday. Traders continue to assess the latest interest rate decisions and policy cues from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE). The UK August Retail Sales data will be published later on Friday.　　The BoEs Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 6-3 to hold the Bank Rate at 3.75% on Thursday, despite inflation rising well above its 2% target. However, policymakers warned a hike was becoming increasingly likely. The three dissenters voted to enact a hike of 25 basis points (bps) to 4.0%.　　A hike of at least 25 bps is widely anticipated at its next meeting in November, according to LSEG data.　　On the other hand, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) announced a quarter-point hike on Wednesday, its first hike since 2023. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said on Wednesday that “the plain fact is that inflation is too high and has been for too long.” “This summers inflation readings do not tell me that underlying trends have meaningfully improved,” he added.　　Traders are now pricing in nearly a 53.1% probability of another US rate hike when the Fed meets next in October, compared

09-18Industry

From Kaiko to OpenZeppelin, S&P Global is quietly preparing for markets that never close

S&P Global agreed to acquire smart contract security firm OpenZeppelin, expanding its digital asset business into the technology underpinning tokenized finance.　　On Sept. 17, the financial data and ratings company said that OpenZeppelin will continue operating under its own name as a separate business unit. Chief Executive Demian Brener will remain in charge and report to S&P Global Ratings President Yann Le Pallec.　　Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction remains subject to closing conditions.　　The deal gives S&P direct exposure to the security layer behind stablecoins, tokenized funds, and decentralized-finance applications. OpenZeppelins open-source contracts have supported more than $37 trillion in transferred value, while the company has completed more than 900 security engagements and identified over 10,000 vulnerabilities before production.　　The acquisition follows a broader push by S&P into digital assets as round-the-clock markets create demand for the data, benchmarks and risk infrastructure needed to support institutional capital on blockchain networks.　　S&P adds smart-contract risk to its institutional toolkit　　As more financial products move onto blockchains, institutions face an additional layer of risk around the software that issues, transfers and manages those assets.　　S&P said OpenZeppelin will expand its capabilities in what it described as the “on-chain technology-risk layer,” including security assessments and benchmarks for

09-18Industry

WTI drops as Middle East supply fears ease

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price remains subdued for the third successive day, trading around $96.40 per barrel during the Asian hours on Friday. Crude oil prices have declined as concerns over Middle East supply disruptions ease, bolstered by growing hopes for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and restore stable energy flows.　　Saudi Arabia is actively working to restore its energy infrastructure, targeting the recovery of roughly half the capacity of its East-West pipeline within days, with a full return to operations anticipated within six weeks. To maintain supply in the interim, the kingdom is rerouting a portion of its crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz. By utilizing shuttle vessels to transport crude through the strait before loading tankers waiting outside, Saudi Arabia is effectively limiting its fleets exposure to potential Iranian attacks.　　Diplomatic pressure is also mounting behind the scenes. Reports indicate that China urged Iran to help restrain Houthi militants following an appeal from Riyadh, responding to the rebel groups intensified attacks on Saudi energy facilities. Concurrently, President Donald Trump stated he is evaluating whether to resume military attacks on Iran, speaking ahead of an upcoming meeting with Gulf leaders in New York.　　Lower oil and gas prices

09-18Industry

Revolut says no direct contact from hackers after $3M public ransom demand

Revolut said Thursday it had received no direct contact from those claiming responsibility for a customer data breach despite multiple public ransom demands.　　A group calling itself “IAmNotAVillain” publicly demanded 6,000 Monero (XMR), worth about $3 million, from Revolut within 24 hours, threatening to sell the customer records to other criminal groups, the Financial Times reported Wednesday.　　“Revolut has not received any direct contact or demand from the individuals or group making these claims,” a Revolut spokesperson told Cointelegraph.　　The public ultimatum is the latest development in a data breach Revolut first disclosed last week, with Italian authorities now widening their investigation into how a government email account was allegedly used to obtain customer data.　　One breach, multiple ransom demands　　Revoluts claim that it has received no direct contact adds to uncertainty over who is behind the public ransom demand, as “IAmNotAVillain” is not the only name linked to claims of responsibility for the incident. Its website, iamnotavillain.xyz, was unavailable when checked by Cointelegraph at the time of publication.　　An earlier group calling itself “Revolut Smilik” reportedly demanded 10,000 Bitcoin, worth about $780 million at the time, vastly more than IAmNotAVillains current $3 million Monero demand.　　IAmNotAVillain disputed the competing claim in a notice on its website,

09-18Industry

Kevin OLeary Sees CLARITY Act Returning to Congress in

Veteran investor Kevin OLeary expects Congress to revisit the CLARITY Act next year after the Senate blocked the bill from advancing this week.　　Speaking at the Avalanche Summit in New York, O‘Leary said lawmakers could return to the legislation as soon as early 2027. He said he expected Tuesday’s procedural vote to fail, describing the bills chances of passing as “zero.”　　Tax Bill Adds Pressure　　The Senate needed 60 votes to advance the CLARITY Act, but the measure fell short during Tuesdays vote. The setback came as lawmakers advanced separate crypto tax legislation.　　Related: US Opens Door to 100% Tariffs on Russian Oil Buyers; India Pushes Back　　The House Ways and Means Committee approved the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act on Wednesday. The bill would address tax treatment for staking and mining, reporting requirements, small transactions and wash-sale rules.　　O‘Leary linked the tax legislation to the broader regulatory debate, saying clearer rules are needed as Congress determines how digital assets should be taxed. “Once you tax, you’ve got to have policy,” he said.　　Market Rules Remain Unresolved　　OLeary also said Congress would need to clarify the roles of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission in overseeing crypto markets.　　The CLARITY Act remains stalled after failing

09-18Industry

Venice Tokens 15% rally meets record staking - Can VVV reach $30？

As the overall cryptocurrency market reacted to the FOMC rate hikes, Venice Token [VVV] has also reaped the gains. VVV has surged by 15% over the last 24 hours, with trading volume climbing to $67.90 million over the same period.　　More interestingly, the token rallied as the networks Open Interest (OI) surged, while long positions slightly outweighed shorts across the derivatives market. So, can the bulls sustain the momentum？　　OI rises as longs take the lead　　According to the recent derivative data, VVVs OI jumped by 15% to $125 million over the past 24 hours as of writing, signaling increased participation in the derivatives market.　　Source: Coinalyze　　Going hand in hand, long positions account for 50.58% of total market exposure, giving buyers a narrow edge as the token extends its rally.　　Source: CoinalyzeStaking activity reaches a new high　　On the long-term sentiments data, Venice Token‘s staking volume has also reached a new all-time high of $874 million, at press time. That points to the stronger participation in VVV’s staking ecosystem.　　Meanwhile, network revenue has climbed to its highest level this month as a result of increased market activity, adding another positive fundamental backdrop to the recent price surge.　　Notably, the VVV integration with the NEAR protocol could have played

09-18Industry

North Korea drives onchain malware surge, CoinEx shuts: Asia Express

State hackers drive 420% surge in onchain malware, Chainalysis finds　　North Korean and Iran linked hackers were responsible for the majority of the 420% increase this year in malware on public blockchains according to a Chainalysis report.　　State-linked hackers accounted for roughly two-thirds of new activity whereby attackers stored malware instructions or infrastructure information on public blockchains.　　Chainalysis also identified UNC5342, a North Korea linked group, to previously unattributed activity spanning Tron, Aptos and BNB Smart Chain.　　Chainalysis said using public blockchains increases the durability of malware campaigns because the stored information remains accessible after domains, servers or code repositories are taken down. In 2025, North Korean hackers used a similar technique called EtherHiding to place crypto-stealing code in smart contracts.　　North Korea using foreign talent to help infiltrate US companies: Report　　North Korea (DPRK) is now using remote workers from third countries, including Iran and Lebanon, to pass job interviews, after which the positions are taken over by North Korean operatives. The aim is infiltrate US companies and obtain money to fund its weapons programs, NBC reported.　　KOREA　　Polymarket users referred to prosecutors in South Korea: Report　　South Korean police have referred 18 Polymarket users to prosecutors in an illegal gambling investigation that had identified 26 users in

09-18Industry

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