The best crypto writing from the last 24 hours.
AI agents read 35+ crypto blogs, newsletters, news desks and forums around the clock and keep only what’s worth your time. The top five land in your inbox at 6:30 a.m. Central.
- 1
XRP Ledger’s Payment Engine Had a Counterfeiting Bug Hiding Since 2015
A integer overflow bug in the XRP Ledger payment engine, dormant since 2015, could have let attackers mint XRP beyond total supply.
- 2
Most Tokenized Stock Trading Happens Outside U.S. Market Hours, IMF Finds
IMF study finds most tokenized stock trading happens outside US market hours, with most trades under one share.
- 3
XRP Ledger Fixes Bug That Could Have Broken the Token’s Fixed Supply
XRP Ledger patched a bug that could have broken its fixed supply, shipped without an amendment vote, a notable protocol security event.
- 4
ESMA Calls for Noncompliant Stablecoin Wind-Down by Jan. 8
ESMA opinion calls for noncompliant stablecoins to wind down by Jan. 8, extending past guidance to cover custody and transfers.
- 5
Ledger says unauthorized implant found in at least one device sold by CryptoBilis
Ledger confirmed an unauthorized hardware implant in at least one device sold by reseller CryptoBilis, linked to crypto losses; it says its own systems are unaffected.
- 6
Critical XRP Ledger Bug Could Have Allowed XRP to Be Minted From Nothing
A critical XRP Ledger bug could have allowed XRP to be minted from nothing, a major security disclosure for the network.
- 7
US seizes 2,814 bitcoin from darknet Empire Market founders, adding to its strategic bitcoin reserve.
US authorities are seizing 2,814 BTC from Empire Market founders, with forfeited bitcoin slated for the strategic reserve under the 2025 executive order.
- 8
XRP Ledger defends emergency patch for unlimited XRP bug
The XRP Ledger Foundation says its emergency patch for the unlimited XRP bug was not forced on operators, responding to criticism of the rollout.
- 9
Ledger attack spreads to EU, AI finds ’18 trillion XRP’ bug: Hodler’s Digest
Hodler's Digest covers a Ledger attack reaching Europe and AI researchers finding a major XRP bug that earned only a $250K bounty.
- 10
IMF Finds Most Tokenized Equity Trading Happens Outside Regular Hours
IMF research finds most tokenized equity trading happens outside regular hours, showing real demand for 24/7 access but challenges in building liquid markets.
- 11
The key to getting more institutions onchain: Rethinking KYC
a16z argues institutions need to avoid redundant KYC rather than KYC itself, a useful framing for onchain onboarding.
- 12
XRPL branded ‘cheap’ for paying infinite XRP exploiter just $250K
ZachXBT criticizes the XRPL for paying an infinite-mint exploiter only $250K, raising questions about bug bounty economics and security.
- 13
Ledger Investigates Fund Losses Tied to Southeast Asian Reseller After Implant Found in Device
Ledger investigates fund losses tied to a Malaysian reseller after an implant was found in signing devices; a supply-chain security warning for hardware wallet buyers.
- 14
Ledger Says All Confirmed Cases in Suspected $87M Drain Tied to Reseller CryptoBilis
Ledger says all confirmed cases of an $87M drain trace to reseller CryptoBilis, which has stopped selling hardware wallets; its direct sales are unaffected.
- 15
OneKey drops CryptoBilis and offers replacements after $86 million Ledger wallet incident
OneKey is dropping CryptoBilis as a vendor and offering replacements following an $86M Ledger wallet incident, a notable security-supply-chain development.
- 16
Buyer Reports Second Tampered Ledger From MediaMarkt, Calls for Recall
A buyer reports a second tampered Ledger bought from MediaMarkt via distributor Aqipa and calls for a recall; the device is going to Ledger for analysis.
- 17
Ledger implant tests Bitcoin ETFs as safer custodial solutions than hardware wallets
An unauthorized implant found in a Ledger device prompts a debate on whether Bitcoin ETFs are safer custody than hardware wallets.
- 18
Ledger spyware scare spreads beyond Southeast Asia
Mark Karpelès reports spyware found in Ledger wallets bought from resellers across several regions, widening the security scare.
- 19
Bitquery Says $10 Million Frozen in CryptoBilis-Linked Wallet Drains
Bitquery estimates $93.2M in losses across six chains tied to CryptoBilis-linked wallet drains, with about $10M frozen. Ledger has offered no repayment plan for affected buyers.
- 20
Ledger claims CryptoBilis cases are limited as up to $93M is traced, $10M frozen
Ledger says CryptoBilis cases are limited to one Southeast Asian reseller, with up to $93M traced and $10M frozen; critics question the authorized sales channel.
- 21
ZachXBT Slams $250K Bounty for XRP Ledger Bug That Could Have Minted 18 Trillion XRP
ZachXBT criticized a $250K bug bounty for an XRP Ledger flaw that could have minted 18 trillion XRP, raising questions about bounty sizing and ledger security.
- 22
Global financial watchdog calls for cross-border information sharing, planning for stablecoin crisis
A global financial watchdog calls for cross-border info sharing and crisis planning for stablecoins, noting multi-issuer coins can trap reserves across jurisdictions.
- 23
South Korea just got its first traditional bank loans backed by bitcoin
South Korea's first traditional bank loans backed by bitcoin use third-party custody and court-ordered sales on default.
- 24
SEC’s Token Offering Exemptions Enter Final Comment Days as Agencies Rebuild Crypto Market Structure
SEC token offering exemptions are entering final comment, a material step in US crypto market structure rulemaking.
- 25
CFTC Writes Prediction Markets Into Swap Rules and Carves Sportsbooks Out
CFTC proposed bringing sports, politics and weather prediction contracts under its swap definition while exempting sportsbooks.
- 26
CZ Alleges Hackers Bought CryptoBilis as Ledger Probes Wallet Drains
CZ alleges hackers acquired CryptoBilis, a reseller tied to Ledger wallet drains, and the former founders say operations changed hands in March.
- 27
ENSv2 Activation Proposal Would Halt New ENSv1 Registrations
A proposed ENSv2 activation would halt new ENSv1 registrations while letting existing .eth holders keep names with no migration deadline, handing remaining admin roles to the DAO.
- 28
Critical Decade-Old Vulnerability in XRP Ledger Resolved
A decade-old vulnerability in the XRP Ledger has been fixed, a meaningful security disclosure and resolution.
- 29
Global watchdog flags stablecoin risks, AI threats ahead of G20
The Financial Stability Board warns of cross-border stablecoin risks and AI-related cyber threats ahead of the G20 meeting.
- 30
MAS Chief Says Stablecoins May Not Be Fit for Large Wholesale Settlement
A Monetary Authority of Singapore official argues stablecoins may not suit large wholesale settlement, a notable regulatory stance on institutional payments.
- 31
Trader nets $1.28 million on new 1,000x exchange Papertrade by moving Hyperliquid’s ETH prices
A trader reportedly made $1.28M on the new Papertrade exchange by moving Hyperliquid's ETH price, then lost $450K when 30 shorts were liquidated. A useful look at manipulation and risk on a new venue.
- 32
Ledger confirms hidden chip in crypto wallet amid $92M theft claims
Ledger is responding to claims of a hidden chip in its wallet tied to a $92M theft allegation; the story is still developing and the evidence is thin so far.
- 33
(Post-Quantum) Cryptographic Right Answers
Filippo Filippo's practical guide to choosing post-quantum cryptography primitives; a useful technical reference, though the post is only lightly socially validated so far.
- 34
CFTC’s new crypto framework could face 2028 election deadline, says TD Cowen
TD Cowen argues proposed CFTC rules for leveraged and margined crypto trading may arrive too late for the 2028 election cycle.
- 35
Robinhood Reports $15B in Stock Token Trading as Chain Passes 100 Days
Robinhood says its stock tokens reached $15B in trading and 200,000 holders in 100 days, while Morpho data shows about $1.1B deposited on the chain.
- 36
Citi Details Stablecoin Checkout With Coinbase and Fiat Payouts
Citi outlines a US-first stablecoin checkout with Coinbase that would pay institutional merchants in fiat without them holding crypto; token support and availability are unspecified.
- 37
US accounting overhaul could make stablecoins more attractive to corporations: Tempo
Tempo report explains how proposed US accounting rules could change which stablecoins corporations can treat as cash.
- 38
Ripple-Backed Evernorth Hits Nasdaq Holding 473 Million XRP Worth Far Less Than It Paid
Evernorth's XRP treasury SPAC closed with most investors cashing out and holdings worth about 40% less than at signing.
- 39
Bitcoin miners face widening AI financing costs as lenders scrutinize deals
Bitcoin miners need roughly $50B for AI infrastructure, with funding gaps at IREN, Riot and HIVE and lenders scrutinizing deals.
- 40
ZachXBT renews his “cheap Ripple” criticism over a $250K bounty for an 18-trillion-XRP bug
ZachXBT criticizes Ripple over a $250K bounty for an XRP Ledger bug affecting a huge supply figure, raising questions about bounty economics.