Equuleus

📊 Gold at a high, S&P 500 near record — markets finish the week on a high note

🟡 Gold:
Gold futures in New York surged to an all-time high — $3,534 per ounce 📈
The reason — tariffs on bullion introduced by the USA. This hit exports from Switzerland and other hubs. The spread between futures and spot prices has sharply increased.

Will there be such positive progress with cryptocurrencies in Ukraine as in the USA, given that the hryvnia is devaluing faster than the US dollar?
In Ukraine, there are no plans to recognize bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as a means of payment. Only the hryvnia can be one, as otherwise, it threatens to undermine the capabilities of the National Bank (NBU) as the main financial regulator.

James Howells from Wales, who lost a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins and had unsuccessfully tried to find them at the landfill for over 12 years, officially ended his search.
This is reported by the scientific and technical publication Dailygalaxy.
James Howells, an IT specialist from Newport in South Wales (United Kingdom), once owned 8,000 Bitcoins. In 2013, according to him, his ex-girlfriend accidentally threw away the hard drive containing the keys to the Bitcoin wallet while cleaning the office. At that time, Bitcoin was still considered a speculative asset with relatively low value. No one could have predicted its explosive growth. The disk with the Bitcoins, which are now valued at $742 million, ended up in a municipal landfill and disappeared forever. The IT specialist was ready to fund the search for the disk himself and only asked for permission from the Newport city council.

📉 Markets are turning upwards: investors are betting on Fed rate cuts

After the worst day since May, S&P 500 futures +0.6%, and Stoxx 600 +0.5% — markets revived amid hopes that the Fed will cut rates in September. The reason is a weak labor market report in the US on Friday, which intensified expectations of a monetary turnaround.

$CFX
Based on the latest available information, here is a summary of recent news and developments regarding CFX tokens and the Conflux Network:

**Major Upgrades and Price Surge:**
* Conflux's native token, CFX, has seen significant price increases recently, with a notable jump of over 29% in a single day.
* This surge is largely attributed to the upcoming **Conflux 3.0 mainnet upgrade**, scheduled for launch in August 2025. This upgrade is expected to dramatically improve the network's performance.
* Key enhancements of the 3.0 upgrade include a potential increase in transaction throughput to 15,000 transactions per second (TPS), improved decentralization, and enhanced support for on-chain AI agent calls and cross-border payments.

**Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Expansion:**
* Conflux is making strides in its strategic positioning, particularly in Asia. The network is collaborating with **AnchorX** and **Eastcompeace** to launch **AxCNH**, an offshore yuan-pegged stablecoin. This project is seen as a major step in promoting the internationalization of the yuan and facilitating cross-border trade.
* The launch of AxCNH is particularly significant as it is designed to be compliant with Hong Kong's new stablecoin regulations, which are scheduled to take effect in August 2025.
* Conflux is also expanding its ecosystem through partnerships in various sectors, including Web3 gaming with **Broken Bound** and AI-based payment solutions with **OrcaMind.AI**.

**Market and Technical Analysis:**
* The recent positive news has led to a major increase in trading volume and a rally in the CFX price. Some analysts believe that if the bullish momentum continues, CFX could reach new price targets.
* The price surge has also led to the liquidation of a large number of short positions, indicating a shift in market sentiment.
* However, some technical analysts warn that the price action may be losing steam and a potential correction could occur if the token fails to maintain its current support levels.
* The Conflux Foundation has also taken steps to optimize the token economy by burning 76 million CFX tokens and implementing a staking plan that reduces the annual yield, aiming to alleviate inflationary pressure.
$CFX

#BTCReserveStrategy A Bitcoin reserve strategy involves a government, corporation, or other institution holding a significant amount of Bitcoin as a reserve asset. This is similar in concept to how nations have traditionally held reserves of gold, foreign currencies, or other commodities.

Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of this strategy:

### Pros of a Bitcoin Reserve Strategy

* **Hedge Against Inflation:** Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, which is often cited as its most significant advantage. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks, Bitcoin's scarcity makes it a potential hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
* **Portfolio Diversification:** Holding Bitcoin can diversify a reserve portfolio, reducing reliance on traditional assets like the U.S. dollar, gold, or government bonds. Its price movements are often uncorrelated with other financial markets, providing a buffer against certain economic risks.
* **Financial Sovereignty and Decentralization:** Bitcoin's decentralized nature means it is not controlled by any single government or central authority. For a country or institution, this can be a way to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar and other centralized financial systems, providing a degree of financial autonomy.
* **Transparency and Security:** The Bitcoin blockchain is a transparent and immutable ledger of all transactions. This can help reduce the risk of corruption and increase trust in the management of reserves. Secure custody solutions, such as cold storage and multi-signature wallets, can also protect these holdings from cyberattacks.
* **Potential for High Returns:** Historically, Bitcoin has shown significant long-term growth, outperforming many traditional assets. While volatile, a strategic reserve could potentially appreciate in value over time, providing a source of revenue for the holder.
* **Demonstrates Forward-Thinking Financial Strategy:** Adopting a Bitcoin reserve strategy can position a country or company as a leader in financial innovation, potentially attracting technological investment and boosting its reputation in the digital economy.

### Cons of a Bitcoin Reserve Strategy

* **Extreme Volatility:** This is arguably the most significant risk. Bitcoin's price is notoriously volatile, and a sharp market downturn could lead to substantial losses, potentially affecting financial stability. This unpredictability makes it a risky asset for a reserve, which is typically meant to be a stable buffer.
* **Security Risks:** While the blockchain itself is secure, the storage of large quantities of Bitcoin is a high-value target for sophisticated cyberattacks and theft. The management of private keys and the security of custodial solutions are paramount, and any breach could result in catastrophic losses.
* **Regulatory and Political Uncertainty:** The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies is still evolving. Governments holding Bitcoin may face legal and political challenges. There can also be concerns about whether such a strategy serves the public's best interest or is driven by political motives.
* **Lack of Intrinsic Value:** Unlike commodities like oil, which have practical uses, or a currency backed by a government, Bitcoin's value is derived from market demand and its network effect. Critics argue that it lacks the fundamental intrinsic value that makes traditional assets a reliable reserve.
* **Sustainability Concerns:** The energy consumption of Bitcoin's proof-of-work mechanism is a major concern for some. Holding a reserve of Bitcoin could be seen as supporting an environmentally unsustainable technology, leading to public and political backlash.
* **Market Manipulation:** A government or large institution accumulating a significant Bitcoin reserve could exert influence on the market, potentially leading to accusations of manipulation or creating instability.

#CreatorPad Binance CreatorPad is a feature within Binance Square that rewards content creators, traders, and crypto enthusiasts for their participation and contributions to the platform. It's designed to be a "content monetization engine" that focuses on rewarding quality, original content and genuine engagement, rather than just post volume.

Here's what makes it special:

**1. Rewards for Content and Engagement:**
Instead of just relying on traditional metrics, CreatorPad offers a reward system where users can earn crypto tokens by creating posts, joining campaigns, and completing simple tasks. The more valuable and engaging your content is, the better your chances of earning.

**2. Campaign-Based Rewards:**
CreatorPad is structured around specific campaigns. These campaigns often center on new token launches or projects within the crypto space. To earn rewards, users participate in these campaigns by:
* Creating original content (e.g., posts, articles, videos) about the featured project.
* Using specific hashtags and mentioning the project's official Binance Square profile.
* Sometimes, even completing a small trade in the project's token.

**3. The "Mindshare" Leaderboard:**
A key element of CreatorPad is its leaderboard system, which uses a "Mindshare" formula to rank creators. This formula takes into account factors like post volume, engagement (likes, replies, reposts), and overall campaign activity. This transparent system aims to reward creators who truly contribute to the conversation and provide value.

**4. Ecosystem Integration and Support:**
CreatorPad benefits both creators and the projects featured. For creators, it's a way to build a presence on one of the largest crypto platforms, earn tokens, and discover new projects. For projects, it provides a powerful way to gain exposure, engage with the community, and drive adoption. Binance also provides support and advice to these projects, helping them with everything from marketing to token distribution.

**5. Transparency and Fairness:**
The system is designed to be fair and transparent, with rules for each campaign clearly outlined. It aims to combat "engagement farming" by rewarding authenticity and quality. Rewards are typically distributed as token vouchers after a campaign ends, ensuring a clear and verifiable process.

In essence, Binance CreatorPad is a platform that leverages the power of its large user base to foster a vibrant content ecosystem. It provides a unique and structured way for users to earn crypto while contributing to the growth and discussion of new and innovative projects.

Technologies continue to radically change the labor market. According to the World Economic Forum's forecast, a number of professions will disappear at particularly fast rates over the next five years – primarily due to automation, digitalization, and the development of artificial intelligence.
In a new infographic, Visual Capitalist presented 15 professions that will see the most reduction in the next five years. This data is based on a survey of over a thousand international companies, covering a total of more than 14 million workers.

Supplies of Russian gas by the Gazprom monopoly to Europe through the Turkish Stream in July increased compared to June, when their volumes decreased due to repair work, by 37%, from 37.6 million to 51.5 million cubic meters per day.

This is reported by Reuters.

After the cessation of gas supplies through the Yamal-Europe and Nord Stream pipelines and the closure since January of this year of the route for transporting Russian gas through Ukraine, Gazprom has only one branch left to Europe — through Turkey with a capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters per year.

$BNB BNB reaches a new ATH amid market optimism.
BNB reached an all-time high of $804, breaking a seven-month consolidation.
BNB reached a new all-time high of $804, completing a seven-month consolidation period and confirming strong investor confidence.
The recent increase is attributed to consistent accumulation activity over the past seven weeks, indicating steady demand for the altcoin, reports BeInCrypto.

#CryptoScamSurge The crypto landscape, while exciting, is unfortunately a prime target for scams. The decentralized nature and rapid technological advancements can make it challenging to distinguish legitimate opportunities from fraudulent ones. Here's a comprehensive look at how the crypto community and everyday users can fight back and avoid falling victim to the latest scam tactics, especially relevant in Ukraine given recent reports of increased crypto fraud.

## How the Crypto Community Can Fight Back

A collective effort is crucial to make the crypto space safer.

1. **Education and Awareness Campaigns:**
* **Community-Led Initiatives:** Regular discussions, warnings, and sharing of scam experiences on popular crypto forums (Reddit, Telegram, Discord, X/Twitter), especially local Ukrainian crypto communities.
* **Accessible Content:** Creation and dissemination of easy-to-understand articles, videos, and infographics explaining various scam types (phishing, rug pulls, "pig butchering" scams, pump-and-dump schemes) and how to spot their red flags.
* **Webinars and Workshops:** Hosting online sessions with experts to discuss emerging threats, answer user questions, and provide practical tips.
* **Translations:** Ensuring that all educational materials are readily available in Ukrainian to reach a wider audience.
* **Collaboration with Local Media:** Working with Ukrainian news outlets to publish warnings and educational pieces about crypto scams.

2. **Improved Security Measures by Exchanges and Platforms:**
* **Robust KYC/AML:** Implementing and strictly enforcing Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures to make it harder for scammers to create anonymous accounts and move illicit funds.
* **Advanced Fraud Detection:** Employing AI and machine learning to detect suspicious transaction patterns, flag potential scam addresses, and identify anomalous account activities.
* **Strong Authentication:** Encouraging and sometimes mandating the use of strong Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) methods (e.g., hardware security keys, authenticator apps) for all user accounts. SMS 2FA is less secure.
* **Withdrawal Monitoring:** Implementing temporary holds on large or unusual withdrawals, or requiring additional verification for such transactions, to allow time for review and intervention.
* **Proactive User Alerts:** Notifying users of suspicious login attempts, unusual activity on their accounts, or attempts to change security settings.
* **Warning Labels:** Clearly labeling projects or tokens known to be high-risk or associated with scams.

3. **Community-Driven Reporting and Blacklists:**
* **Centralized Reporting Platforms:** Utilizing and promoting platforms like Chainabuse (and similar local initiatives if they emerge) where individuals can report illicit activity across blockchains, contributing to shared databases of known scam addresses and tactics.
* **Crowdsourced Intelligence:** Encouraging users to share information about suspicious emails, websites, or social media profiles in real-time within trusted community groups.
* **Developer Audits:** Reputable crypto projects should undergo regular security audits by independent third-party firms. The community should promote and verify these audits.
* **Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs):** Some DAOs are exploring ways to collectively identify and blacklist scam addresses or fund recovery efforts.

4. **Support for Law Enforcement and Regulators (especially in Ukraine):**
* **Cooperation with Cyberpolice of Ukraine (Кіберполіція України):** Crypto companies and platforms should actively cooperate with the Cyberpolice by providing requested data to trace stolen funds and apprehend scammers. Recent reports from Ukraine's Cyberpolice indicate successful operations against crypto fraud rings, highlighting the importance of this collaboration.
* **Advocacy for Clear Regulations:** Supporting the development of clear, protective, and effective regulations that aim to safeguard users without stifling innovation. This makes it easier for authorities to take legal action against fraudulent schemes.
* **Information Sharing:** Facilitating secure channels for sharing threat intelligence between industry players and law enforcement.

## How Everyday Users Can Spot and Avoid the Latest Scam Tactics (2024-2025 and Beyond)

Scammers are constantly evolving their methods, often leveraging new technologies like AI. Vigilance and critical thinking are paramount.

### **General Principles to Live By:**

1. **If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.** This is the golden rule of scam prevention. Guaranteed high returns in a volatile market like crypto are a massive red flag.
2. **Verify everything.** Never take information at face value, especially if it involves your money.
3. **No legitimate entity will ever ask for your private keys or seed phrase.** Your private keys/seed phrase are the absolute control to your crypto. Anyone asking for them is a scammer.
4. **Don't let emotions drive your decisions.** Scammers exploit fear of missing out (FOMO), greed, loneliness, and urgency.

### **Latest Scam Tactics and How to Avoid Them:**

1. **"Pig Butchering" Scams (Нарізка свиней / Романтичне шахрайство):**
* **Tactic:** Scammers build a long-term "relationship" (often romantic, sometimes just friendship) with the victim, usually on dating apps or social media. Over weeks or months, they gain trust, then introduce a fake "investment opportunity" in crypto, convincing the victim to deposit increasing amounts into a fraudulent platform. They might even allow small withdrawals initially to build confidence before the large "butchering."
* **How to Avoid:**
* Be extremely wary of anyone you meet online who quickly brings up crypto investments, especially if they discourage you from discussing it with others or demand secrecy.
* Never invest money with someone you've only met online.
* Always do independent research on any investment platform they recommend. If it's not a well-known, regulated exchange, be highly suspicious.
* Reverse image search profile pictures. Scammers often use stolen photos.

2. **AI-Powered Deepfakes and Impersonations:**
* **Tactic:** Scammers use AI to create highly convincing fake videos or audio of celebrities, influential figures, or even your friends/family promoting scams, asking for crypto, or giving "investment advice."
* **How to Avoid:**
* Be skeptical of any unsolicited video or audio message asking for crypto, even if it appears to be from someone you know.
* Verify the source through official channels (e.g., call the person directly using a known number, check their official social media with a verified badge).
* Look for subtle inconsistencies in visuals or audio (e.g., unnatural movements, strange pauses, robotic voices).
* Remember that legitimate figures rarely give out crypto in "giveaways" or directly solicit funds via DMs.

3. **Wallet Drainers / Malicious Smart Contracts:**
* **Tactic:** Users are tricked into connecting their crypto wallet to a malicious website or signing a seemingly innocuous transaction (a "smart contract") that, in reality, grants the scammer permission to empty their wallet of all connected assets. This often happens via phishing links, fake airdrops, or fraudulent NFT mints.
* **How to Avoid:**
* **Be extremely cautious about connecting your wallet to any website.** Only connect to well-known, legitimate platforms.
* **Read the transaction details carefully before signing anything.** Understand exactly what permissions you are granting. If it asks for approval to spend *all* your tokens, it's a huge red flag.
* **Use a hardware wallet:** For significant holdings, a hardware wallet provides an extra layer of security, as you have to physically confirm transactions.
* **Revoke permissions:** Regularly check and revoke unnecessary token approvals given to dApps using tools like Etherscan (for Ethereum-based tokens) or similar explorers for other chains.

4. **Fake Airdrops and Giveaways (підроблені роздачі/ейрдропи):**
* **Tactic:** Scammers impersonate legitimate projects or exchanges, announcing fake airdrops or giveaways to lure users into visiting phishing sites, connecting their wallets to malicious contracts, or sending a small amount of crypto to receive a larger amount back (which never happens).
* **How to Avoid:**
* Always verify airdrop announcements on the *official* social media channels and websites of the project or exchange. Look for verified badges.
* Never send crypto to "receive" crypto. Legitimate airdrops don't require you to send anything.
* Be wary of any link asking you to connect your wallet directly to claim an airdrop without going through a reputable platform.

5. **Phishing Scams (Фішинг):**
* **Tactic:** Scammers create fake websites, emails, or messages that look identical to legitimate crypto exchanges, wallets, or services. Their goal is to trick you into entering your login credentials, private keys, or seed phrase.
* **How to Avoid:**
* **Always double-check the URL** before logging in or entering any sensitive information. Look for subtle misspellings (e.g., `binance.org` instead of `binance.com`).
* **Bookmark official websites** and use those bookmarks instead of clicking links from emails or social media.
* **Be suspicious of urgent or threatening emails/messages.** No legitimate service will demand immediate action to avoid account closure.
* **Verify email senders:** Check the full email address, not just the display name.
* **Never click on links in unsolicited emails or texts.**

6. **Pump-and-Dump Schemes (Памп і Дамп):**
* **Tactic:** Scammers artificially inflate the price of a low-liquidity cryptocurrency (often a newly created, worthless "meme coin") through coordinated buying and hype on social media (Telegram groups, Discord). Once the price skyrockets due to new investors buying in, the scammers (who bought low) sell off their holdings, causing the price to crash and leaving late investors with worthless assets.
* **How to Avoid:**
* Be extremely wary of projects promoted with extreme hype and promises of unrealistic gains, especially from anonymous sources or private groups.
* Do thorough research on the project's whitepaper, team, technology, and actual utility. If these are absent or vague, it's a red flag.
* Understand that cryptocurrencies with low liquidity are highly susceptible to manipulation.

### **Essential Security Practices for Every User:**

* **Use Strong, Unique Passwords:** Use a password manager and create complex, unique passwords for every crypto-related account.
* **Enable 2FA Everywhere:** Use authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator, Authy) or hardware keys (YubiKey) for 2FA. Avoid SMS 2FA where possible.
* **Hardware Wallets (Cold Storage):** For any significant amount of crypto, invest in a hardware wallet (e.g., Ledger, Trezor). This keeps your private keys offline and provides the highest level of security.
* **Be Skeptical of "Support" Messages:** Never trust unsolicited "tech support" calls, emails, or messages. Legitimate support will not ask for your private keys, seed phrase, or remote access to your device.
* **Regular Software Updates:** Keep your operating system, browser, antivirus software, and crypto wallet apps updated to patch known vulnerabilities.
* **Secure Internet Connection:** Avoid accessing your crypto accounts on public Wi-Fi networks.
* **Double-Check Addresses:** Always double-check recipient wallet addresses before sending crypto. Malware can sometimes swap addresses in your clipboard.
* **Beware of Social Media Bots and Fake Accounts:** Scammers often use bots and fake accounts to amplify hype or impersonate support staff. Look for verified badges and engagement patterns.

By adopting these practices and staying continuously informed about new scam tactics, the crypto community in Ukraine and globally can significantly strengthen its defenses against malicious actors.

The creator of Replit promised to refund the lost money to the victim.
Imagine that you have been working for months on an important project, and then at one moment the artificial intelligence you trusted simply deletes everything.

That's exactly what happened to Jason Lemkin, a venture investor and entrepreneur in the SaaS field, who decided to try the trending approach called vibe coding, where the developer does not write code manually but relies on an AI assistant.

Ozzy Osbourne died just a few weeks after reuniting with his Black Sabbath bandmates and holding a major farewell concert for fans.
At the age of 76, the famous British rock musician Ozzy Osbourne has died. This was reported by Sky News.

It is noted that Ozzy Osbourne died just a few weeks after reuniting with his Black Sabbath bandmates and holding a major farewell concert for fans.