📰 Major Headlines in Crypto
1. Trump’s$TRUMP Crypto Ventures Spark Ethics Concerns
Former President Donald Trump's deep involvement in cryptocurrency, including launching ventures like World Liberty Financial (WLF) with his sons, has raised serious ethical and legal concerns. Trump and his family have reportedly amassed nearly $3 billion from crypto ventures within a year, aided by foreign investments—particularly a $2 billion deal involving WLF, an Abu Dhabi financial fund, and Binance, a crypto exchange previously convicted for money laundering. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and watchdog groups, warn of unprecedented conflicts of interest and potential corruption, as Trump deregulates the crypto industry while directly profiting from it. Trump's promotion of his personal memecoin, $Trump, at high-dollar events with top buyers—many foreign—further underscores allegations of influence-peddling. Justin Sun, a controversial crypto investor and legal target of the SEC, is among the largest backers. Despite ethics pledges, Trump’s active participation in crypto events and push for industry deregulation while in office has led to bipartisan criticism and legislative efforts like the End Crypto Corruption Act, aiming to curb abuse.
2. $ELIAS Coin Launched in Disturbing Tribute to DC Shooting Suspect
A disturbing development followed the arrest of Elias Rodriguez, 31, who is accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. Within six hours of the murders on Wednesday night, cryptocurrency traders launched a meme coin called $ELIAS on the Solana blockchain in mock tribute to the suspect. The coin momentarily reached a market cap of $368,000 before dropping to $24,000 by Friday, purchased by around 550 users. Rodriguez is accused of executing the victims as they left a diplomatic event, with harrowing surveillance footage showing him firing multiple times, even continuing after the couple was down. He has been formally charged in federal court with first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, and multiple firearm-related crimes. The incident and the subsequent creation of the token have sparked outrage over the exploitation of a violent tragedy for financial gain.
3. Crypto Magnate Accused of Torturing Tourist for Bitcoin Password
John Woeltz, a cryptocurrency magnate with a net worth of $100 million, has been accused of kidnapping and torturing Italian tourist Michele Carturan in a bid to force him to reveal his Bitcoin password. The disturbing incident occurred at a luxury Soho residence Woeltz rented for $30,000–$40,000 a month, described by law enforcement as a "crypto commune" adorned with stripper poles and high-end champagne. Authorities allege that Woeltz and an accomplice confiscated Carturan’s passport and electronics, then subjected him to prolonged abuse, including t
