Uncategorized

A new fraud scheme has emerged in which scammers claim to offer ships safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.

They are reportedly impersonating Iranian officials and sending encrypted messages that request Bitcoin or USDT transfers.

Fraudulent Messages Target Stranded Vessels

Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS has alerted shipping companies about suspicious messages aimed at vessels stuck west of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the firm, these messages demand cryptocurrency payments in return for transit clearance. MARISKS confirmed that the messages are fake and not connected to Iranian authorities.

One example message claims that after reviewing submitted documents, a fee in Bitcoin or USDT would be determined before allowing the vessel to pass at an agreed time.

Rising Tensions Disrupt Maritime Traffic

Ongoing tensions in the region have significantly affected shipping activity. The United States continues to enforce restrictions on Iranian ports, while Iran has repeatedly closed and reopened the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.

As a critical route for global energy trade, disruptions in this area have left hundreds of ships stranded along with roughly twenty thousand seafarers. Security concerns, unclear transit regulations, and fears of confrontation have made navigation through the strait increasingly difficult.

On April 18, Iranian authorities briefly permitted some vessels to pass following inspections, but the situation remained unstable. Several ships attempting to cross reported hostile encounters.

At least two vessels, including a tanker, said they were fired upon by Iranian boats and were forced to retreat. MARISKS also noted that one ship connected to a recent incident may have received scam messages requesting cryptocurrency before being granted clearance.

Use of Crypto Payments Raises Sanctions Concerns

Earlier reports suggested that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been charging ships fees for safe transit through the strait.

Shipping companies are reportedly required to coordinate with intermediaries linked to the group before passing. They must submit detailed information about the vessel, including ownership, flag, cargo, destination, and crew.

After this process, a transit fee is negotiated, starting at about one dollar per barrel of oil, and is paid using yuan or stablecoins. In return, ships receive a permit code and escorted passage.

Additional reporting from the Financial Times cited Hamid Hosseini, a spokesperson for Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters Union, who said tankers must send cargo details to Iranian authorities. A transit fee is then assigned and must be paid using digital currencies such as Bitcoin. He noted that payments need to be completed quickly to reduce the risk of sanctions exposure.

Scam Exploits an Already Volatile Situation

The fraudulent scheme takes advantage of the uncertainty and tension surrounding one of the world’s most important shipping routes. By posing as officials and demanding cryptocurrency, scammers are attempting to exploit ship operators already dealing with heightened risks and limited options for safe passage.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Kaspersky has warned iPhone users about 26 fraudulent cryptocurrency wallet apps on Apple’s App Store that could lead to stolen digital assets.

These apps are designed to look authentic but ultimately redirect users to phishing pages, where they are tricked into installing malware that can drain their crypto funds.

Fake Apps Disguised as Trusted Wallets

Kaspersky’s Threat Research team discovered that the malicious apps mimic well known wallets such as MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet, Coinbase, TokenPocket, imToken, and Bitpie. They replicate names and visual designs to appear legitimate.

Once launched, the apps redirect users to phishing pages that resemble the App Store. Users are then prompted to download another app, which is actually a compromised wallet capable of stealing funds.

How the Attack Unfolds

According to Kaspersky, the campaign has been active since at least late 2025 and is likely connected to the group behind SparkKitty, a known iOS malware strain.

Many official wallet apps are not available in the Chinese App Store, and most of the fake apps were distributed to users in China. However, the malicious payload does not have regional restrictions, meaning users in other countries could also be affected.

Kaspersky has reported all identified apps to Apple.

To avoid detection, these fake apps include simple unrelated features such as games, calculators, or task managers. This helps them pass initial review checks and appear harmless.

After installation, users are guided through steps that open a fake App Store page and encourage them to download what looks like the real wallet application.

Use of Developer Profiles to Install Malware

The process closely resembles the SparkKitty attack method and relies on Apple’s enterprise developer tools. Users are asked to install a developer profile on their device, which allows apps to be installed outside the App Store.

Attackers depend on users ignoring the risks of this step, which enables malicious software to be installed.

Once the trojanized wallet is in place, it behaves like the real wallet it imitates and targets both hot wallets and cold wallets.

Kaspersky expert Sergey Puzan explained that while the initial apps may not contain harmful code, they act as entry points in a larger attack chain that leads to malware installation. He warned that attackers can target any iOS device if users fall for the phishing process and advised users to stay cautious even on devices they consider secure.

Counterfeit Ledger Device Raises Additional Concerns

In a related case, a fake Ledger Nano S Plus device sold online was recently uncovered as part of a sophisticated phishing scheme by a Brazilian cybersecurity researcher.

The device appeared authentic and was priced like a genuine product, but it failed verification when connected to Ledger Live.

When examined internally, the hardware showed clear signs of tampering. It contained components that do not exist in legitimate devices, including a modified chip and added WiFi and Bluetooth antennas.

Further analysis of the firmware revealed that PIN codes and seed phrases were stored in plain text and linked to external servers, indicating that the device was built to capture and transmit sensitive data.

The researcher clarified that this attack does not exploit any weakness in Ledger’s security. Instead, it relies on counterfeit hardware, malicious applications, and phishing techniques to deceive users and steal their information.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

A sharp increase in open interest combined with stronger positioning signals suggests that new capital is flowing into Bitcoin futures markets.

The Bitcoin Positioning Index has risen to 40.1, while its thirty day simple moving average has climbed to 4.5, marking the highest level in four months. At the same time, the thirty day change in open interest has grown by 14.5 percent, one of the strongest increases seen in the past one hundred twenty days.

Together, these indicators point to growing risk appetite as traders continue to open new leveraged positions, according to crypto analyst Axel Adler Jr.

Clear Shift Toward Higher Risk Exposure

The Positioning Index, which combines directional trading activity, open interest trends, funding rates, and exchange positioning into a single measure, has shown frequent short term spikes over the past month.

Even with this daily volatility, the thirty day average has steadily trended upward, rising from 0.4 at the end of March to 4.5 now. This gradual increase suggests the market is moving past short term reactions and is building a more stable positioning base.

Earlier in February, the same average dropped to minus 10.9 as Bitcoin fell below sixty three thousand dollars. Since then, it has recovered by more than fifteen points, signaling a strong improvement in market positioning.

The rise in open interest supports this trend. The thirty day change shows that total exposure in futures markets is expanding at a double digit rate, confirming that the movement is driven by new capital entering rather than short covering.

Alignment of Key Indicators Strengthens the Trend

Adler highlights that the combination of a rising thirty day average and increasing open interest is crucial in evaluating the strength of the signal. If positioning were rising while open interest declined, it would suggest traders were closing existing positions. Instead, both metrics are increasing, indicating fresh accumulation of risk.

Data also shows that twenty three of the past thirty days recorded positive changes in open interest, reinforcing the idea that leveraged activity is growing.

This pattern differs from earlier movements in January, when the Positioning Index briefly jumped above twenty and thirty but quickly reversed without support from open interest. The current setup reflects a more coordinated trend, with both the smoothed positioning data and open interest confirming continued inflows.

Conditions That Could Weaken the Trend

According to the analysis, the signal would start to lose strength if the thirty day change in open interest turns negative, which would indicate deleveraging, or if the thirty day average falls below zero.

Until either of these conditions appears, the data suggests that the market is actively building new positions, supported by stronger positioning trends and rising leverage in Bitcoin futures.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin recently reached an eleven week high after moving above seventy eight thousand dollars on Wednesday.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

The key takeaway for Bitcoin is not about interest rate cuts but about Kevin Warsh’s plan to reduce the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet and drain liquidity from the financial system.

Warsh Faces the Senate and Outlines His Approach

On Tuesday, Kevin Warsh, selected by Donald Trump to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair, appeared before the Senate Banking Committee. He emphasized that he would operate independently from the White House. However, he stopped short of committing to immediate rate cuts, leaving investors uncertain about how his leadership might affect liquidity and risk assets such as Bitcoin.

Focus Shifts From Interest Rates to Balance Sheet Reduction

The hearing produced several notable moments. Warsh stated that the Federal Reserve has lost direction and requires deep structural reform. Under oath, he claimed that Trump had never asked him to guarantee rate cuts at any particular meeting. This contradicted Trump’s earlier remarks to CNBC, where he said he would be disappointed if rate cuts did not happen immediately.

Senator Ruben Gallego challenged this inconsistency directly, suggesting that either Warsh or Trump was not telling the truth. Senator John Kennedy also pressed Warsh on whether he would act independently, to which Warsh firmly responded that he would not serve as anyone’s puppet and would act independently if confirmed.

On cryptocurrency, Warsh acknowledged that it is now integrated into the US financial system and stated that he would not support the creation of a central bank digital currency.

Quantitative Tightening Emerges as the Real Signal

While much attention focused on interest rates, analysts at XWIN Research Japan highlighted a more significant theme. Warsh’s remarks pointed toward balance sheet reduction, also known as quantitative tightening. This approach reduces the Federal Reserve’s bond holdings and removes liquidity from the system.

Unlike rate adjustments that influence the cost of money, this policy directly affects the amount of liquidity available. Analysts warned of a challenging scenario where short term rates decline while long term yields rise, a combination that has historically put pressure on risk assets.

Warsh reinforced this perspective by stating that the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet is too large and should be reduced. He also argued that the central bank should not hold long term Treasury securities. Additionally, he expressed opposition to the practice of signaling future rate decisions in advance, noting that it can lock policymakers into outdated expectations.

Bitcoin Market Reaction and On Chain Trends

Bitcoin initially reacted with volatility during the hearing, falling below seventy five thousand dollars before recovering to around seventy eight thousand dollars. At the time of writing, it showed gains of roughly 2.7 percent over the past day and 5.4 percent over the week.

Despite this price movement, XWIN Research pointed to underlying on chain data that suggests a different narrative. The Long Term Holder SOPR metric is currently near 1.0, indicating that holders are not aggressively selling at a profit.

Historically, this level reflects lower selling pressure and limited supply growth. In simple terms, even as macroeconomic conditions tighten, the available supply of Bitcoin is not increasing significantly.

Diverging Signals Suggest Accumulation Phase

The overall picture shows weakening macro liquidity alongside stable internal Bitcoin metrics. According to XWIN Research, this divergence may indicate an accumulation phase rather than a market breakdown. If liquidity conditions improve and demand from exchange traded funds returns, Bitcoin could be positioned for a strong upward move.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Justin Sun has filed a lawsuit in a California federal court against World Liberty Financial, a crypto initiative linked to Donald Trump, seeking to protect his rights as a holder of WLFI tokens.

Sun stated that he remains supportive of Trump and his administration’s efforts to promote a more crypto friendly environment in the United States, adding that the legal action does not change his political stance.

Dispute Over Token Control and Governance Rights

According to Sun, members of the World Liberty Financial team froze all of his WLFI tokens, stripped him of his voting rights in governance decisions, and threatened to permanently destroy his holdings by burning them without proper justification.

He explained that he attempted to resolve the matter privately, requesting that his tokens be unfrozen and his participation rights restored. However, these requests were denied, leaving him with no option but to pursue legal action.

Sun emphasized that he is simply seeking equal treatment as an early investor, without preferential treatment or unfair disadvantage. He also claimed that certain individuals managing the project are acting in ways that contradict the values associated with Trump, suggesting that such actions might not be supported if fully understood.

He further noted that he is unable to vote on a proposal introduced on April 15, which he considers harmful to the community, due to the restrictions placed on his tokens.

Background on the Token Lock Dispute

The controversy stems from a proposal to convert 62.28 billion WLFI tokens from an indefinite lock into a structured vesting schedule. Under the proposal, holders who do not agree to the new terms would have their tokens locked indefinitely, although they could still participate in governance subject to future decisions on unlocking.

Sun strongly criticized the proposal, calling it one of the most extreme governance abuses he has encountered. He argued that it punishes dissenting voices and transforms participation into coercion rather than open governance. He also described the project as operating like a centralized authority disguised as a decentralized autonomous organization.

World Liberty Financial has rejected these claims, accusing Sun of misrepresenting the situation and attempting to portray himself as a victim. The platform stated that it possesses contractual evidence to support its position and expressed confidence that the dispute will ultimately be resolved in court.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Volo Protocol, a liquid staking platform built on the Sui network, has reported a security breach that resulted in losses of დაახლოებით 3.5 million dollars from its vaults, according to an official update from the team.

The exploit affected three vaults holding Wrapped Bitcoin, XAUm, and USD Coin.

Response and Recovery Measures

The team stated that it detected the attack quickly and responded by alerting the Sui Foundation along with other ecosystem partners. The affected vaults were immediately frozen to prevent further losses, and all vault operations have been paused while a full investigation and recovery process is underway.

Volo confirmed that the vulnerability was limited to the three impacted vaults. The remaining vaults, which hold about 28 million dollars in total value locked, are reportedly secure and unaffected, with no shared weakness identified.

The protocol is working with on chain investigators and partners to track and recover the stolen funds. It also plans to publish a detailed report once the investigation is complete.

In follow up updates, the team revealed that around 500,000 dollars linked to the exploit has already been frozen. It also successfully blocked an attempt by the attacker to move 19.6 WBTC across chains, effectively removing those assets from the hacker’s control.

Volo stated it is coordinating with ecosystem participants to determine how to return the recovered funds and emphasized that it intends to absorb the financial loss rather than pass it on to users. The team noted that it is currently focused on damage control and will outline a full remediation plan soon.

Wave of DeFi Exploits in April

The incident adds to a series of major exploits affecting decentralized finance platforms throughout April. Drift Protocol reportedly lost about 285 million dollars in a rapid attack, with most of the funds later moved to Ethereum. Suspicious activity tied to that exploit had been observed as early as March 11.

In another case, Rhea Finance on the NEAR Protocol suffered losses of approximately 7.6 million dollars due to an oracle manipulation attack.

Meanwhile, KelpDAO experienced the largest DeFi breach of the year, with attackers stealing around 292 million dollars from its cross chain bridge built on infrastructure developed by LayerZero Labs.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

The cryptocurrency market has gained strong momentum following recent developments in the Middle East, pushing prices higher across major assets.

Bitcoin climbed above 78,000 dollars, reaching its highest level since early February. At present, it is trading near 78,000 dollars, reflecting a daily increase of about 2.5 percent and a weekly gain of roughly 6 percent.

This latest upward move comes after Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire involving Iran, allowing more time for negotiations toward a unified proposal. The easing of tensions helped lift overall market sentiment.

Following the rally, Bitcoin’s market capitalization has surpassed 1.56 trillion dollars, while its dominance over alternative cryptocurrencies remains steady at around 57.8 percent.

Altcoins Lead the Gains

While Bitcoin posted solid growth, several altcoins delivered even stronger performance over the same period. The standout performer is MemeCore, which surged by 22 percent to reach a new all time high of 4.30 dollars. The token has now positioned itself among the leading meme coins, behind Dogecoin and ahead of Shiba Inu.

Other notable gainers include RAIN with an 11 percent increase, PENGU up 7 percent, Monero rising 7 percent, and Bitcoin Cash gaining 6 percent.

On the losing side, DeXe dropped by 11 percent, followed by Kaspa with a 2 percent decline and Hyperliquid which slipped by 1.5 percent.

Overall, the total cryptocurrency market capitalization has increased by about 1.6 percent over the past day, reaching approximately 2.7 trillion dollars.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

The crypto market experienced a sharp rebound over the past 24 hours, leading to nearly 110,000 traders being liquidated during that period.

Tensions in the Middle East eased after Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran would be extended. He stated that Iran’s government appears significantly weakened, while Pakistan has asked for a pause in hostilities to allow time for a unified proposal to be developed.

Trump added that the military would maintain its blockade while remaining prepared, with the ceasefire continuing until discussions are finalized.

This easing of geopolitical pressure sparked a strong rally across the cryptocurrency market. Total market capitalization climbed above 2.7 trillion dollars, with Bitcoin rising beyond 78,000 dollars. Major altcoins such as Ethereum, Monero, and Bitcoin Cash recorded daily gains ranging from 4 percent to 9 percent.

This is not the first time digital assets have reacted positively to such developments. Earlier in the month, the market also turned upward after the United States and Iran agreed to temporarily halt hostilities.

However, the rally has come at a cost for leveraged traders. Data shows that total liquidations over the past day reached approximately 460 million dollars, with short positions making up about 70 percent of the losses.

Liquidations involving Bitcoin accounted for around 212 million dollars, while those tied to Ethereum reached about 123 million dollars. The single largest liquidation occurred on Bitget and exceeded 7.5 million dollars.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

A recent article published by The Motley Fool suggested that XRP could fall below one dollar within five years. However, this outlook does not align well with historical data or current market dynamics.

There have been countless premature predictions about the decline of Bitcoin over the years, many of which proved inaccurate. Similarly, this bearish outlook on XRP may not hold up over time. Here are several reasons why the argument appears weak.

Market Cycles and Price Movements

One of the main points raised in the article is that XRP has dropped more than sixty percent from its July peak. While this may sound alarming, such corrections are common in both crypto and traditional markets.

Rapid price increases often lead to overheating, followed by sharp pullbacks. This pattern is not unique to XRP. Even the Nasdaq Composite experienced a decline of around eighty percent after the early 2000s dot com bubble. Volatility is a natural part of growth cycles, especially in emerging and high growth sectors like cryptocurrencies.

XRP’s decline after reaching previous highs reflects this broader cycle behavior. Many investors expect that in a future macro cycle, prices could rise again, potentially exceeding previous peaks.

Fundamental Growth and Network Activity

The article also argues that expected demand from banks using XRP for cross border payments has not materialized. This claim overlooks recent developments within the XRP Ledger ecosystem.

By December of last year, the network recorded its highest level of activity, and by mid March it reached a record number of wallets. These metrics indicate growing usage and demand tied to real network activity rather than speculation alone.

Institutional interest also adds weight to XRP’s fundamentals. Goldman Sachs disclosed holdings of XRP valued at 153 million dollars, signaling that major financial players are engaging with the asset.

Institutional and Government Signals

Beyond private institutions, there are indications of growing recognition at the government level. Under a policy initiative associated with Donald Trump, XRP has been named as one of several digital assets considered for inclusion in a proposed national digital asset reserve.

While it remains uncertain how this initiative will ultimately impact the market, it reflects a level of institutional acknowledgment that contrasts sharply with predictions of long term decline.

Overall, while bearish forecasts can generate attention, they often fail to account for market cycles, evolving fundamentals, and increasing institutional involvement.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit targeting the prediction market operations linked to Coinbase and Gemini. The case alleges that these platforms are violating state laws related to illegal gambling.

Court filings submitted in Manhattan state court claim that both companies failed to secure the necessary licenses from the New York State Gaming Commission, which are required to legally operate such markets.

The Attorney General argues that the event based contracts offered on these platforms effectively function as gambling. According to the complaint, users are placing bets on outcomes that are beyond their control or are largely based on chance, making them comparable to traditional gambling activities.

James emphasized that simply labeling these activities differently does not change their nature, stating that gambling remains subject to regulation under state laws and the constitution.

In response, Paul Grewal said that Coinbase plans to continue advocating for federal oversight of prediction markets, which the company believes aligns with congressional intent.

This legal action comes as prediction markets gain significant traction. Platforms like Polymarket are reportedly seeking to raise 400 million dollars at a valuation of 15 billion dollars, reflecting strong investor interest and ongoing expansion. Meanwhile, Kalshi, a key competitor, recently secured 1 billion dollars in funding at a valuation of 22 billion dollars, underscoring the rapid growth of the sector.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic