Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has become the victim of a cyberattack that compromised his X account and used it to send phishing messages to his followers. The attackers managed to steal around $700,000 worth of cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from unsuspecting users who clicked on the malicious links.
The incident was reported by Buterin on his Twitter account, where he warned his followers not to trust any messages coming from his X account until further notice. He also apologized for the inconvenience and said he was working with the X team to recover his account and prevent further damage.
FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, has disclosed some of the details of its sponsorship deals with celebrities and sports teams in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to the document, FTX paid millions of dollars to Shaquille O’Neal, Naomi Osaka, David Ortiz, and other famous figures to promote its brand and products.
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FTX also revealed that it has agreements with Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Football League (NFL) to display its logo on various platforms and venues. The filing shows that FTX is investing heavily in marketing and expanding its user base in the US and abroad.
Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the US, has recently expressed his interest in flatcoins, a new type of stablecoins that are backed by fiat currencies. According to Armstrong, flatcoins could offer more stability and scalability than traditional stablecoins, which are often pegged to volatile assets like gold or cryptocurrencies.
Flatcoins could also enable faster and cheaper cross-border payments, as well as more financial inclusion and innovation. Armstrong believes that flatcoins are the “next iteration of stablecoins” and that they could play a key role in the future of the crypto industry.
A legal battle is brewing between FTX estate, the company behind the failed crypto exchange FTX, and LayerZero Labs, a blockchain startup that received $86 million from FTX estate just days before it filed for bankruptcy. FTX estate claims that the transfer was fraudulent and seeks to recover the funds, while LayerZero Labs argues that it was a legitimate investment and that FTX estate is trying to scapegoat them for its own mismanagement.
However, CEO of LayerZero, a decentralized derivatives exchange, has responded to the lawsuit filed by FTX, alleging that it is based on false allegations and misrepresentations. In a statement released on Monday, the LayerZero boss said that the suit was an attempt by FTX to stifle competition and innovation in the crypto space, and that LayerZero had not infringed any of FTX’s intellectual property rights or trade secrets.
The statement also claimed that LayerZero had developed its own technology and protocols independently, and that it had no prior knowledge or involvement with FTX’s products or services. The LayerZero boss said that he was confident that the court would dismiss the suit and vindicate LayerZero’s position.
Mocaverse, a web3 identity project developed by Animoca Brands, has secured $20 million in a funding round led by prominent investors. The project aims to create a decentralized platform for users to create, own and monetize their digital identities across various metaverse applications. Animoca Brands, a leading blockchain gaming company, plans to use the funds to expand the Mocaverse team, develop new features and partnerships, and grow the user base of the platform.
Sushi, the popular decentralized exchange and automated market maker, has announced that it will expand its operations to the Aptos blockchain, a scalable and interoperable platform for decentralized applications. According to a blog post by Sushi, the expansion will enable users to access a variety of liquidity pools, yield farming opportunities, and cross-chain swaps on Aptos, as well as benefit from its low fees and fast transactions.
Sushi stated that it aims to become a multi-chain ecosystem that supports innovation and collaboration in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. The integration with Aptos is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Ripple, the company behind the popular cryptocurrency XRP, has announced that some of its customers have been affected by a security incident that occurred during the acquisition of Fortress, a blockchain security firm. According to a statement from Ripple, the incident involved unauthorized access to a database containing personal information of some Fortress customers, such as names, email addresses and phone numbers. Ripple said that it has notified the affected customers and is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and prevent further damage.
Ripple also said that it is taking steps to enhance its security measures and protect its customers’ data. Ripple acquired Fortress in July 2023, in a deal that aimed to strengthen its position in the blockchain industry and provide more security solutions for its customers. Fortress is known for developing advanced tools for detecting and preventing cyberattacks on blockchain networks and applications. Ripple said that the acquisition was part of its vision to create a more secure and reliable global payment system using blockchain technology.
In a bizarre incident, a bitcoin user paid a staggering $500,000 in transaction fees to move just $200 worth of the cryptocurrency. The transaction, which took place on September 10, 2023, was recorded on the blockchain and sparked curiosity and speculation among the crypto community.
Some suggested that it was a mistake, while others speculated that it was a money laundering scheme or a deliberate publicity stunt. The identity and motive of the sender remain unknown, as do the fate and reaction of the recipient. This incident highlights the volatility and unpredictability of the bitcoin network, as well as the need for caution and diligence when dealing with large sums of money in digital form.