🚨 LIVE FROM COURT: Do Kwon, in a yellow prison jumpsuit, pleads guilty to Counts 1 & 4 in the $LUNA / Terra case. This marks a dramatic turn — and could tie directly into behind-the-scenes talks speculated with Trump’s $USTC links. 👀🔥 Judge Engelmayer confirms Do Kwon is waiving his right to trial. Age: 33. Calm demeanor. The plea could open doors for negotiated outcomes — and if Trump’s holdings are real, the political-crypto crossover gets very real. ⚖️ With Do Kwon’s guilty plea now official, the question isn’t just “what happens to him?” — it’s “what happens to $USTC & $LUNC TerraClassic?” Could this be the setup for a market shock and revival play?
The decision regarding Do Kwon will be made on December 11, 2025. Do Kwon admitted to committing fraud between 2018 and 2022.
He stated that he would adhere to the agreement made with the prosecution and that the signatures belong to him.
Do Kwon faces a maximum of 12 years in prison and will pay a $19 million compensation penalty... The judge's decision will come on December 11, 2025.
🔔 We don’t know if this is the justice that investors affected by the LUNA and UST collapse deserve, but the legal process regarding Do Kwon is now coming to an end.
After TFL is removed from the equation, $LUNC and $USTC will continue their journey freely. A new era is beginning.
xStocks,Tokenised Stocks, and the New Era of Onchain Investing
What Are Tokenised Stocks? My Take on xStocks.com and What’s Coming Next
I’ve been exploring xStocks.com, and I think it’s one of the more exciting developments at the intersection of traditional finance and crypto. For anyone new to the concept, here’s a simple breakdown.
What Are Tokenised Stocks? Tokenised stocks are digital tokens that represent real shares of companies like Apple, Tesla, or Google. Each token is backed 1:1 by an actual share held by a trusted custodian. That means every token corresponds directly to a real-world stock, and the price of the token follows the stock price exactly. If Tesla’s stock price rises, the Tesla token (for example, $TSLAx) rises too.
Where Can They Be Traded? This is where things are getting really interesting. As of 30 June 2025, xStocks are going live across several platforms: ✅ Kraken — Trade over 55 xStocks in 185+ countries, 24h a day, 5 days a week, with direct withdrawals to self-custodial wallets. ✅ Bybit — Trade tokenised equities directly, enjoy fractional ownership, and tap into onchain liquidity, all inside your Bybit account. ✅ Solana ecosystem — xStocks are being rolled out across Solana. You’ll be able to swap them via Kamino Swap, provide liquidity on Raydium, or access them through Jupiter Exchange (the top aggregator on Solana). ✅ Byreal (new hybrid DEX) — Combining centralized liquidity with decentralized execution, offering tokenised stocks via RFQ. And what’s available so far? Big names like $SPYx, $AAPLx, $NVDAx, $TSLAx, $METAx, $GOOGLx, $COINx, $QQQx, $CRCLx, $MSTRx — with more on the way. You can check the full list at xstocks.com/products. You can hold these tokens in popular Solana wallets like Phantom, Solflare, or Jupiter Mobile, swap them directly in-wallet, or use them on Solana dApps. Liquidity pools are also being deployed, so you can earn fees and incentives by providing liquidity.
The Advantages
🌍 Global access — Invest from almost anywhere in the world. 🕒 24/7 trading (especially once onchain liquidity is fully live) — no waiting for market hours. 💸 Fractional ownership — Own a piece of a share without needing to buy a full stock. 🔗 Seamless integration — Move between tokenised stocks and crypto, or use them as collateral on lending protocols.
The Risks
Of course, it’s not without risks: ⚠ Custodian risk — The real shares are held by a custodian. If something goes wrong there, the backing could be compromised. ⚠ Regulatory uncertainty — Tokenised stocks are still a grey area in some jurisdictions. ⚠ Platform risk — If a trading platform or protocol fails, you could lose access to your tokens or liquidity.
Final Thoughts xStocks feel like a major step forward — blending real-world equities with the speed, flexibility, and openness of DeFi. They give people more choice, control, and accessibility than ever before. But like with any new innovation, it’s important to understand how they work, verify token addresses, and stay aware of the risks. This is what investing looks like when it’s designed for everyone. You can read more directly from BackedFi’s announcement. #Binance
JUST IN: Phantom Technologies Sued Over Alleged Wallet Vulnerabilities
Phantom Technologies is facing a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York over serious wallet security concerns. Attorney Thomas Liam Murphy and 13 plaintiffs accuse the company of gross negligence, fraud, and deceptive practices after a hacker allegedly exploited a major flaw, stealing over $500,000 in crypto.
According to the lawsuit, Phantom stored users’ private keys in unencrypted browser memory, making them vulnerable to malware. The attacker reportedly accessed three wallets without bypassing multi-factor authentication and used Phantom’s Swapper feature to liquidate stolen Wiener Doge tokens into Solana — crashing the token’s value from over $1 million to nearly zero.
The suit also names exchange OKX, alleging it enabled unauthorized swaps. Phantom has denied all claims, emphasizing its noncustodial design and ongoing collaboration with law enforcement.
The case has sparked broader concerns about wallet security as digital assets continue to gain mainstream traction.
Cathie Wood Warns: Most Memecoins Will Become Worthless
Ark Investment CEO Cathie Wood has issued a stark warning about the future of memecoins, predicting that most of them will eventually become worthless.
Speaking with Bloomberg Television, Wood highlighted how blockchain technology and artificial intelligence are fueling the creation of millions of new memecoins, many of which lack real value. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, she believes these speculative assets will not survive long-term.
Despite their popularity, memecoins remain highly volatile, often driven by trends rather than fundamental utility. The U.S. SEC’s decision in February to leave memecoins unregulated reinforces the risks involved.
"Buyer beware," Wood cautioned. "There’s nothing like losing money for people to learn. The SEC is not taking responsibility for these assets."
While she acknowledges that some may become digital collectibles, she remains bullish on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, citing their growing real-world applications.
As the crypto market surpasses $2.6 trillion, investors may soon see a natural selection process, where only the strongest projects survive.
Elon Musk’s Twitter Gamble: How Tesla Stock Became Collateral for a Risky Bet
When Elon Musk acquired Twitter (now X) for $44 billion in October 2022, he didn’t simply write a check. Instead, he leveraged a significant portion of his Tesla stock to secure loans from major banks like Morgan Stanley, Barclays, and Bank of America. This high-stakes move has left Musk in a precarious position, as the fate of his social media empire is now tightly intertwined with Tesla’s stock performance.
Musk’s Collateral Play According to reports from The Washington Post, Musk had already used more than half of his 170 million Tesla shares as collateral for loans even before the Twitter purchase. By 2024, financial filings revealed that Musk had pledged over 238 million Tesla shares—roughly one-third of his total holdings—to cover his personal debts. Musk’s vast wealth is primarily tied up in his ownership stakes in Tesla and SpaceX, meaning liquid cash isn’t readily available. Instead of selling shares and paying massive tax bills, he uses them as collateral to secure loans. This strategy has worked well for him in the past until now. The Risk of a Falling Stock Price While Musk remains one of the richest people in the world, his financial empire is built on the assumption that Tesla’s stock will remain strong. However, Tesla’s stock has faced turbulence, and if the decline continues, the banks holding Musk’s loans could force him to sell his shares or even seize control of Twitter/X. Tesla itself acknowledged this risk in its 2022 annual filing, warning that if its stock price dropped low enough, Musk might be compelled to offload shares. Such a sell-off could trigger a downward spiral, further weakening Tesla’s valuation and putting even more pressure on Musk’s financial commitments. Could Twitter Be Repossessed? The most alarming possibility is that Musk’s creditors could end up repossessing Twitter/X if he fails to meet his debt obligations. Given that his loans have already been on the banks’ balance sheets for nearly two years, longer than some unsold deals from the 2008 financial crisis, there is growing concern that lenders may soon demand repayment. If Tesla’s stock continues to drop, Musk could face a situation where he is forced to choose between liquidating more of his Tesla holdings or surrendering control of X. Either scenario could have significant consequences, not just for Musk personally, but for Tesla’s stability and the future of Twitter itself. In short, Musk’s $44 billion Twitter gamble has turned into a high-stakes game where a crashing Tesla stock could cost him far more than he anticipated. #ElonMusk #Tesla #doge⚡ $BTC $DOGE
🚨BREAKING: RIPPLE CEO BRAD GARLINGHOUSE POSTS “THIS IS IT – THE MOMENT WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR. THE SEC WILL DROP ITS APPEAL – A RESOUNDING VICTORY FOR RIPPLE, FOR CRYPTO, EVERY WAY YOU LOOK AT IT. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. LET'S BUILD”
Binance is pleased to introduce zero-fee trading on all trading pairs in Binance Wallet from 2025-03-17 08:00 (UTC).
Promotion Period: 2025-03-17 08:00 (UTC) to 2025-09-17 08:00 (UTC)
Notes: During the Promotion Period, trading fees for all swaps are waived. However, users will still need to pay for network gas fees.
Only swaps conducted through the integrated Swap and Bridge features or Quick Buy in Binance Alpha within Binance Wallet qualify for zero trading fees. Transactions made via third-party dApps do not qualify.
To participate in this Promotion, users must trade using a backed-up keyless address in Binance Wallet. Imported wallets are not eligible.
How to Get Started:
Update your Binance App to the latest version and ensure you’ve created a Binance Wallet and backed it up.
Log in to your Binance App and tap [Assets]. Go to [Wallet].
Tap [Trade] and go to [Swap] or [Bridge]. Choose any available trading pairs and swap with zero trading fees.
Donald Trump Names $XRP , $SOL, ADA, as Part of U.S. Crypto Reserve
The U.S. president provided the first details about what a crypto reserve may look like.
U.S. President Donald Trump named XRP, Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) as three assets to be contained in a strategic crypto reserve on Sunday, providing the first details about what this reserve may look like.
Not included were Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), the two largest digital assets by market capitalization. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, his social media platform.
"A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets directed the Presidential Working Group to move forward on a Crypto Strategic Reserve that includes XRP, SOL, and ADA," the post said. "I will make sure the U.S. is the Crypto Capital of the World. We are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
The executive order, signed in January, directs his working group to evaluate a crypto reserve, but did not explicitly call for the U.S. to create one outright. However, Trump has been discussing the idea since the 2024 presidential campaign.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis has previously introduced a bill to create a strategic bitcoin reserve for the U.S., and has advocated for since Bitcoin Nashville, where Trump also spoke. A number of U.S. state legislatures have already introduced bills to create their own crypto reserves, though these efforts have faltered in several.
Few minutes later another post from @realDonaldTrump SAYS $BTC , $ETH H AND OTHER VALUABLE CRYPTOCURRENCIES TO BE INCLUDED IN CRYPTO RESERVE
The Dark Side of Crypto: Fraud, Scams, Rug Pulls & How to Fight Back
The cryptocurrency industry is known for its innovation, financial freedom, and wealth-building opportunities. However, it has also become a breeding ground for fraud, scams, rug pulls, and systematic money extraction schemes. Scammers and bad actors have found countless ways to manipulate users into sending their funds to wallets, either by promising rewards, creating illusions of potential profits, or even using psychological tricks to make people believe they’re part of something exclusive. Yet, despite the widespread financial harm, most users never take action. Why? Because they wrongly believe nothing can be done, or they simply don’t know where to start. In this article, I will break down: ✅ Common crypto fraud tactics & how they work ✅ How to gather evidence and expose bad actors ✅ How to file complaints with authorities like the FBI, SEC, DOJ & centralized exchanges ✅ How to take legal action, even anonymously, with class-action lawsuits ✅ How the Whistleblower Pilot Program works and why it matters ✅ The importance of fighting back and demanding accountability The Most Common Crypto Scams & How They Work Fraud in crypto has many forms, but the most common patterns include: 1️⃣ Rug Pulls A rug pull happens when a team or individual hypes up a project, collects user funds, and then disappears, leaving investors with worthless tokens or lost funds. Rug pulls often include: Promises of a revolutionary protocol or tokenomicsEncouraging massive deposits or purchases of tokensSudden removal of liquidity or team vanishing overnightProtocol community funds off-ramped to swapping protocols, exchanges, Uniswap, and other DeFi systems, without justification, transparency, or proof that they were actually used for the purposes the team alleged. 2️⃣ Fake Airdrops & Wallet Drainers Users are tricked into signing malicious smart contracts that drain their wallets.Airdrop scams pretend to distribute free tokens but require users to “connect their wallet” to claim them—resulting in full wallet access for the scammer. 3️⃣ Money Extraction Through Wallet Transactions A common and subtle scam method is when bad actors convince users to send funds to their wallets with the illusion of participating in a mining process, staking system, or exclusive project. Even if they don’t explicitly promise rewards, they create a system that makes users believe something will come in return. 4️⃣ Manipulation & Fake Promises Influencers & project leaders promise rewards that never materializeThey claim “the community will be rewarded,” but only insiders profitFake roadmaps & false partnerships to build hypeFake audits, fake KYC, and fake documentation to appear legitimate What To Do If You Were Scammed? If you find yourself financially harmed by one of these situations, it’s critical to act fast. The majority of fraud victimsfail to take action because they believe it’s pointless. However, there are real steps you can take to expose fraud and claim damages. ✅ Step 1: Gather Your Evidence The first step is to document everything. Keep records of: Wallet transactions (TX hashes)Project promises & announcementsScreenshots of tweets, Discord chats, Telegram messagesSmart contract addressesWebsite URLs, project whitepapers, GitHub repositories These documents will be critical in filing a complaint with the proper authorities. 📢 Step 2: File Complaints with Authorities 🔹 Centralized Exchanges (CEXs) - Report the Fraud Most fraudsters off-ramp stolen funds to centralized exchanges (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Gemini, OKX etc.). Contact the exchange’s fraud department and report the scam.Provide TX hashes to show how the funds were funneled. 🔹 File Reports with U.S. Authorities Even if you are not in the U.S., you can still report crypto fraud to the following: 1️⃣ FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) - Report internet crime 2️⃣ SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) - File a complaint 3️⃣ DOJ (U.S. Department of Justice) - Report financial fraud ⚖️ Step 3: Consider Legal Action (Class-Action Lawsuits) If you and other victims have suffered damages, you can file a lawsuit individually or as a group. Many law firms specializing in securities fraud will take these cases for free and only charge if you win compensation. 📌 How to Proceed with Legal Action: Contact an attorney specializing in Securities Law, Investigation & Financial FraudIf you are not a U.S. citizen, let them know (some laws still apply)Attorneys handle DOJ interviews, subpoena processes, and lawsuits on your behalfYou remain anonymous while they file on contingency (you only pay if you win) The Bigger Picture: Crypto Fraudsters Are All Connected It is important to understand that crypto fraud is not random. Many of these bad actors are connected through: ✅ Past project teams, insiders, and known fraudsters ✅ Shared Telegram groups, private DAOs, and “whale” circles ✅ Recurring blockchain wallets & addresses ✅ Centralized exchanges used for off-ramping stolen funds Crypto is not as decentralized as people think. Many scammers operate in the same circles—this is why exposing fraud matters. Why Taking Action Matters Most victims assume they can’t do anything, but that’s exactly why scammers keep running the same playbook. If more users: ✅ File complaints with authorities ✅ Expose fraud publicly with evidence ✅ Report scams to centralized exchanges ✅ Pursue legal action with specialized attorneys Then we increase accountability and make the crypto industry safer for everyone. Attached below are some useful links to help you move forward and claim damages if you have been affected by crypto scams, rug pulls, or fraud. Stay informed and protect yourself. 🚨 If you're a U.S. or European citizen affected by cryptocurrency scams, rug pulls, or fraud, it's crucial to act promptly to protect your interests and seek potential remedies. Below are detailed steps, legal resources, and reporting links to assist you in pursuing justice and reclaiming lost funds.
🇺🇸 If you're a U.S. citizen affected by cryptocurrency scams, rug pulls, or fraud, it's crucial to act promptly to protect your interests and seek potential remedies. Here are some steps and resources to assist you: 1. Report the Incident: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): File a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). They provide guidance for cryptocurrency scam victims and recommend submitting a report with as much transaction information as possible. IC3.GOV Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report fraud and other suspicious activity involving cryptocurrency to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. CONSUMER.FTC.GOV U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): If the fraud involves securities, report it to the SEC. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): For fraud involving commodity investments, file a complaint with the CFTC. 2. Seek Legal Assistance: Specialized Law Firms: Silver Miller: Focuses on representing victims of cryptocurrency fraud and scams, assisting in recovering losses. SILVERMILLERLAW.COM Berg Plummer Johnson & Raval, LLP: Offers services to victims of cryptocurrency scams or fraudulent schemes, aiming to reclaim stolen funds. BERGPLUMMER.COMHamilton & Associates Law Group, P.A. Securities Lawyers | Corporate Finance3 securitieslawyer101.com . Stay Informed and Educated: Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Provides resources on recognizing and avoiding cryptocurrency scams. CONSUMER.FTC.GOV U.S. Secret Service: Offers information on digital asset and cryptocurrency scams and how to avoid them. SECRETSERVICE.GOV 4. Monitor and Protect Your Identity: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Individuals aged 60 or older can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) to assist with filing an IC3 complaint. IC3.GOV 🇪🇺 If you're a European citizen affected by cryptocurrency scams, rug pulls, or fraud, it's essential to take immediate action to protect your interests and seek potential remedies. Here are some steps and resources to assist you: 1. Report the Incident: Europol: Europol provides guidance on reporting cybercrime, including cryptocurrency fraud. They recommend contacting your national police authorities to file a report. For more information, visit their cybercrime reporting page. EUROPOL.EUROPA.EU European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF): OLAF investigates fraud against the EU budget, corruption, and serious misconduct within EU institutions. If your case involves EU funds or interests, you can report it to OLAF. Details on how to report fraud are available on their website. ANTI-FRAUD.EC.EUROPA.EU 2. Seek Legal Assistance: Specialized Law Firms: Kangs Solicitors (UK): Offers services related to cryptocurrency investigations and disputes, including assistance with FCA regulations, compliance, and recovery of funds lost due to fraud. KANGSSOLICITORS.CO.UK Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte (Germany): Provides legal advice on cryptocurrency and blockchain matters, including fraud cases. SE-LEGAL.DE Navas & Cusí (Spain): Specializes in cryptocurrency scams and capital recovery, offering forensic services for both individuals and companies. NAVASCUSI.COM 3. Stay Informed and Educated: Europol's Report on Criminal Use of Cryptocurrencies: This report provides insights into how cryptocurrencies are misused by criminals and offers guidance on prevention and detection. EUCRIM.EU 4. Monitor and Protect Your Identity: National Cybersecurity Agencies: Many European countries have dedicated agencies to handle cybercrime reports and provide resources on protecting your digital identity. For instance, in the UK, Action Fraud is the national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime. By taking these steps promptly, you can enhance your chances of mitigating the impact of the fraud and protecting yourself from future incidents.