Mois : février 2021

Today in crypto, German authorities seized $38 million of digital assets from an exchange linked to the Bybit hack in February, US Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw blasted a settlement agreement between the SEC and Ripple, which she says could erode SEC lawyers’ credibility in the court, and Democrats in the US block the GENIUS stablecoin bill from advancing.Germany seizes $38 million in crypto from Bybit hack-linked eXch exchangeGerman law enforcement seized 34 million euros ($38 million) in cryptocurrency from eXch, a cryptocurrency platform allegedly used to launder funds stolen after Bybit’s record-breaking $1.4 billion hack.The seizure, announced on May 9 by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and Frankfurt’s main prosecutor’s office, involved multiple crypto assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) and Dash (DASH). The move marks the third-largest crypto confiscation in the BKA’s history.The authorities also seized eXch’s German server infrastructure with over eight terabytes of data and shut down the platform, the announcement added.In the statement, the BKA described eXch as a “swapping” service that allowed users to exchange various crypto assets without implementing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) measures.The platform had operated since 2014 and reportedly facilitated about $1.9 billion in crypto transfers, some of which were believed to be of “criminal origin,” including assets laundered during the Bybit hack.Example of flow of Bybit exploit funds moving through eXch and bridging back and forth between Ether and Bitcoin. Source: TRM Labs“Among other things, a portion of the $1.5 billion stolen from the Bybit crypto exchange, which was hacked on Feb. 21, 2025, is said to have been exchanged via eXch,” the authorities wrote.SEC’s Crenshaw slams Ripple settlement, warns of “regulatory vacuum”A crypto-skeptical commissioner at the US Securities and Exchange Commission has blasted her agency over its settlement letter that could finally end the Ripple legal saga.The SEC and Ripple filed a joint settlement letter in a New York court asking for the August 2024 injunction against Ripple to be dissolved and $75 million of the $125 million in civil penalties held in escrow to be returned to the crypto firm, according to a May 8 statement from the SEC.Caroline Crenshaw’s statement on the agency’s settlement with Ripple. Source: SECSEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw blasted the pending deal in a May 8 statement, saying it would damage the regulators’ ability to keep crypto firms in line and undermine the court’s ruling.“This settlement, alongside the programmatic disassembly of the SEC’s crypto enforcement program, does a tremendous disservice to the investing public and undermines the court’s role in interpreting our securities laws,” she said.“In the meantime, the settlement joins a line of dismissals that collectively erode the credibility of our lawyers in court who are being asked to take legal positions today contrary to the ones taken just months ago.”GENIUS stablecoin bill blocked in US SenateThe Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) of 2025 Act was blocked by Democrat lawmakers in the Senate on May 8, stalling the bill’s progress.Although the bill initially received bipartisan support from US lawmakers, Democrats opposed the bill last minute due to concerns over President Donald Trump pushing crypto policies for self-benefit.Senior officials in the Trump administration have repeatedly stated that using stablecoins to protect the US dollar’s global reserve status was a key policy objective.Following the stalling of the GENIUS stablecoin bill in the Senate, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote: »This bill represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand dollar dominance and US influence in financial innovation. Without it, stablecoins will be subject to a patchwork of state regulations instead of a streamlined federal framework. »The Treasury Secretary added that if the US does not encourage innovation in digital assets then crypto firms will move offshore.Source: Scott Bessent

The Ethereum Foundation, the nonprofit that supports development across the Ethereum blockchain, distributed $32.6 million in grants in the first quarter of 2025. In an allocation update, the organization reported spending on various initiatives through its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP). Categories included community and educational grants, zero-knowledge and cryptography. Other allocations included execution layers, developer experience and tools, layer-2 networks and overall ecosystem growth and support. Ethereum Foundation focuses on education and communityOf the 101 grants awarded, 32 went to community and education-focused initiatives. Recipients included educational content creators, conference organizers, bootcamps and hackathons such as ETHPrague and ETHiopia. Sixteen projects focused on improving the developer experience and tooling. Beneficiaries included projects focusing on creating software-development kits (SDKs), building analytics platforms and validator tooling. Several projects addressed Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) accessibility, ecosystem tools and language support libraries. In addition, 14 grants were awarded to projects in the cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) category. These projects focused on developing cryptographic techniques, building ZK-proof technology and researching security and post-quantum cryptography. Meanwhile, seven grant beneficiaries are focused on execution layer projects, while another seven are focused on the consensus layer. Nine grant beneficiaries were focused on protocol, general growth and support. An additional 13 grants fell under an “other” category, encompassing areas including decentralized finance, DApps, stablecoin infrastructure and business development. Related: Vitalik Buterin outlines vision as Ethereum ecosystem addresses hit new highEthereum’s Pectra upgrade goes live on the mainnetOn May 7, Ethereum’s much-anticipated Pectra upgrade went live. The update went live on the mainnet at about 10:00 am UTC, starting on epoch 364032. The upgrade included three EIPs, which are EIP-7702, EIP-7251 and EIP-7691. The upgrade focuses on improving layer-2 scaling data storage, validator user experience improvements and smart account wallet user experience features. Since the upgrade, Ether (ETH) prices have recovered from a slump, reaching a 30-day high of $2,400 on May 9. At the time of writing, the crypto asset traded at $2,345. Magazine: ChatGPT a ‘schizophrenia-seeking missile,’ AI scientists prep for 50% deaths: AI Eye

Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has received regulatory approval to expand crypto derivatives trading across Europe.Gemini secured a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), allowing the exchange to offer crypto derivatives in the European Union, it announced on May 9.“Once we commence business activities, we will be able to offer regulated derivatives throughout the EU and EEA [European Economic Area] under MiFID II,” said Gemini’s head of Europe, Mark Jennings.According to the exec, the MiFID II license is a big milestone in Gemini’s European expansion, putting it one step closer to offering derivatives to both retail and institutional users.Advanced traders will get perpetual futuresGemini’s upcoming derivatives offering in the EU and EEA will include perpetual futures and other derivatives, which will be available to advanced users of Gemini, Jennings noted.“Over the coming months, we will be working toward meeting the required conditions to launch these products across Europe,” he added.Source: MFSAAccording to MFSA records, Gemini’s Maltese entity, Gemini Intergalactic EU Artemis, was issued a license on May 8.MiCA license yet to be issuedGemini’s latest license builds on the growing regulatory progress of the US-based exchange in Europe.In January, Gemini officially announced that it would choose Malta as its hub for compliance with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.The move came shortly after Gemini received its sixth European virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration from the MFSA in December 2024. However, the exchange has not yet obtained full MiCA licensing.Related: Coinbase’s Deribit buy shows growing derivatives marketDerivatives are a hot trend in cryptoGemini’s upcoming crypto derivatives launch in Europe is yet another milestone in a growing trend toward derivatives in the global crypto industry.Coinbase, the biggest crypto exchange in the US by trading volume, on May 8 announced the $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit, one of the world’s largest crypto derivatives platforms.The deal came just a few days after rival exchange Kraken confirmed plans to purchase the derivatives trading platform NinjaTrader to offer futures trading on May 1. The firm previously said it had agreed to acquire NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion.Magazine: 12 minutes of nail-biting tension when Ethereum’s Pectra fork goes live

What is TapSwap on Telegram? TapSwap is a tap-to-earn Web3 application that lives inside Telegram — no separate download required.Are your crypto friends obsessed with tapping their phones all the time? Welcome to the world of TapSwap. TapSwap is a tap-to-earn game released in mid-2024 in the Telegram Mini Apps ecosystem. The game quickly catches your attention: one minute you’re just curious… the next, you’re tapping away at 2 am trying to squeeze out one more energy boost. At its core, TapSwap is simple:You tap your screen.You earn TAPS tokens.Repeat.It’s built as a Mini App inside Telegram, which means no downloading or setting up complicated wallets just to play. Just hit “Start” and you’re in. Launched in early 2024, it quickly amassed over 72 million users, with 3 million daily active participants as of February 2025, as per the official website. As of late April 2025, the platform has a strong presence on social media, with 6 million followers on X and 5 million on Telegram. Built on The Open Network (TON), TapSwap rose to popularity due to its simple tapping mechanics, which, combined with word-of-mouth and social media sharing, allowed it to grow fast among Telegram’s massive user base.While TapSwap currently operates primarily through its tap-to-earn mechanics on Telegram, the platform has ambitious plans to expand into a full-fledged gaming ecosystem. Per TapSwap, new games like Treasure Hunt and Warrior’s Legacy are expected to launch soon.In addition to expanding its gaming catalog, TapSwap is also focusing on attracting third-party developers. It has introduced an SDK and various tools to help game creators easily integrate their games into TapSwap’s ecosystem. This will allow developers to reach TapSwap’s massive Telegram user base and unlock new monetization opportunities.TapSwap’s shift toward becoming a developer-friendly, multi-game platform hints at a larger ambition: transforming from a simple tap-to-earn project into a Web3 gaming hub.In this article, you’ll find out exactly how TapSwap works, how to play smarter and tap faster, whether it’s legit, and what’s next for this viral sensation.Did you know? By June 2024, TapSwap had surpassed 59.7 million users, establishing itself as the second-largest player in the tap-to-earn industry, just behind Hamster Kombat. How to play TapSwap on Telegram Playing TapSwap is simple, and it’s designed for mass adoption, especially among users new to crypto.Here’s how it works:Open Telegram: You must have a Telegram account. TapSwap operates as a Mini App within Telegram.Find the TapSwap bot: Search for “TapSwap bot” in Telegram or access it through an invite link from another user.Start the game: Tap “Start” to launch the TapSwap Mini App. Grant basic permissions to connect.Tap to earn energy: The core gameplay involves tapping your screen repeatedly to generate “Energy” or points. The more you tap, the more points you accumulate.Upgrade and boost: Use earned Energy to upgrade your in-game equipment (like tap strength or auto-tapper speed). Upgrades allow you to generate Energy faster without manual tapping.Complete tasks: Daily missions, social media tasks and inviting friends can earn additional bonuses and multipliers.Climb the leaderboard: Players can compete for higher rankings, which could influence future token rewards and airdrop eligibility. Did you know? By mid-2024, TapSwap players had collectively executed over 2.7 trillion taps within the game, showcasing the platform’s immense engagement. How to maximize your TapSwap rewards If you want to make the most out of your TapSwap journey, here are some key strategies to boost your Energy production, leaderboard ranking and eventual TAPS token rewards. Daily codes: TapSwap releases daily codes that give free Energy or multipliers. Find them in the TapSwap app and redeem daily to stay ahead.Watch videos: Take advantage of the “Watch Video” feature to earn bonus Energy. Most of the videos are educational or promotional in nature. Upgrades: Use your earned Energy wisely to upgrade key attributes like Tap Strength and Auto-Tapper speed. Higher upgrades mean you earn more Energy even while idle, making your gameplay more efficient.Complete daily tasks and missions: Daily missions offer bonus rewards, XP boosts and sometimes even special upgrade opportunities.Invite friends: TapSwap has a referral system where you can earn extra bonuses.Participate in events: TapSwap occasionally hosts time-limited events, challenges or contests with exclusive prizes. Keep an eye on announcements to join early and maximize benefits. Common mistakes new TapSwap players make While TapSwap is easy to start, many new users make avoidable mistakes that could cost them.Using fake bots: TapSwap’s popularity has led to the rise of fake Telegram bots pretending to be official. Always double-check the bot’s username and verify through TapSwap’s official channels.Expecting immediate payouts: Energy points earned in-game are not instantly withdrawable. These are convertible to tokens, and TAPS can be staked to earn in the ecosystem. Falling for withdrawal scams on Telegram: If a bot or user asks for upfront payment or private keys for “faster withdrawal,” it’s a scam. TapSwap has stated that no fees are required to claim tokens.Ignoring game updates: TapSwap frequently announces changes (such as tokenomics or blockchain updates). Players who ignore updates may miss important steps like Know Your Customer (KYC) verification or instructions for claiming their airdrop or rewards. Is TapSwap legit or just a hype train? When evaluating whether TapSwap is legit or not, it’s important to weigh the positives and the concerns carefully. Let’s get to the big question: Is TapSwap legit?Favorable factors include:Massive user base: TapSwap has attracted over 72 million users worldwide, including 3 million daily active players, a sign of strong organic growth.Official token audit: TapSwap partnered with security firm Hashlock to conduct an audit of its smart contract in 2024. Minor issues (low-severity issues, minor inconsistencies in event parameter ordering, the use of default return values, etc.) were identified. Importantly, no critical vulnerabilities were found, and the minor concerns were corrected following the audit.KYC compliance: TapSwap requires users to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for airdrop claims and larger transactions, aligning with global regulatory practices.Active communication: TapSwap maintains verified channels on Telegram and X, regularly posting updates, fixes and clarifications to user concerns.Roadmap and white paper: TapSwap has published a detailed roadmap and white paper outlining the project’s goals, tokenomics and future plans, indicating a serious long-term vision.Some reasons for concern:Anonymous founding team: TapSwap’s core team remains undisclosed to the public, which raises questions about accountability and transparency.Telegram bot issues: Users have frequently reported bugs, downtime and access issues with the TapSwap bot, especially during high-traffic periods.Scam impersonators: The popularity of TapSwap has led to a surge of fake Telegram bots and phishing scams pretending to be official TapSwap channels.Withdrawal delays: Token withdrawals and airdrop claims have faced multiple delays, with users sometimes waiting months for updates and timelines to be clarified. What’s next for TapSwap? As the platform matures and cements its place, the team behind it has hinted at a much bigger vision. Here’s what’s reportedly on the roadmap:Transition to skill-based gaming: TapSwap is evolving into a skill-based gaming platform, moving beyond simple tapping mechanics. This shift aims to introduce competitive gameplay where players can participate in tournaments and earn rewards based on their performance, fostering a more engaging and merit-based environment. TON, the official blockchain of TapSwap, has hinted at fight-to-earn models in upcoming skills. TAPS token listing and trading: The TAPS token was officially launched on Feb. 14, 2025, with trading commencing on exchanges like Bitget under the trading pair TAPS/USDT. There is a growing push for more listings across social media, and these will enhance liquidity, enabling users to trade their earned tokens. Introduction of staking mechanisms: TapSwap plans to implement staking features, allowing users to lock their TAPS tokens in exchange for rewards. This initiative aims to incentivize long-term holding and contribute to the platform’s stability, while users earn passive income. Enhanced user interface and features: To improve the user experience, TapSwap is working on integrating new features such as comprehensive leaderboards, integrated wallets for seamless transactions and social features that allow players to showcase their achievements and progress.Community engagement and governance: TapSwap is focusing on strengthening its community by encouraging user feedback and participation in decision-making processes. Holders of TAPS tokens may gain governance rights, allowing them to vote on future developments and upgrades within the platform. ​Developer engagement: For developers who want to build their games inside TapSwap, there will be a full developer kit to create games that plug directly into TapSwap’s Mini App structure. Builders may benefit from the instant access to TapSwap’s massive Telegram audience, solving for adoption hurdles that Web3 game developers often face. Guides, documentation and API references, integrated options for revenue sharing and microtransactions will further enable developers to make onboarding seamless. TapSwap may have started as a simple tap-to-earn game, but recent updates suggest it’s evolving beyond just casual tapping. Whether you’re playing for casual fun, the upcoming skill-based tournaments or potential token rewards, there’s plenty of action (and taps) ahead.Of course, like anything in Web3, it’s smart to stay cautious. Keep an eye on official updates, watch out for scams, and stay on top of your game.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott blamed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act’s failure on partisan politics during a Senate speech on May 8.Scott said the vote, which failed to reach cloture in the Senate, was expected to mark a step toward greater affordability and innovation. Instead, he said, political divisions took precedence. “Instead, we witnessed a disappointing display of political gamesmanship that puts partisan politics above policy, and obstruction above innovation, “Scott said.The bill had previously undergone multiple amendments to address concerns raised by Democrats, including stricter requirements for stablecoin issuers and further provisions for Anti-Money Laundering.Related: Trump tricked into pushing XRP for crypto reserve: ReportScott criticizes last-minute oppositionScott, a South Carolina Republican, said that “the GENIUS Act was a bipartisan achievement at the Banking Committee.” By working on it, he claimed those involved “made the decision to make America’s economy safer and cheaper for the American people.” In his view, Democrats changed their minds when the “light and cameras were watching.”Scott alleged that the shift was driven not by changes in the bill, but by efforts to deny President Donald Trump a legislative win:“It was a vote against President Trump and President Trump’s legislative agenda. It was a vote to stop President Trump from having a victory in the digital asset space.“Related: Democrat lawmakers object to hearing, citing ‘Trump’s crypto corruption’Democrats cite corruption concernsMassachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a leading voice on crypto regulation, raised concerns that the Trump family-linked stablecoin, USD1, had surged in market value due to a “shady crypto deal with the United Arab Emirates.”She said, “The Senate shouldn’t pass a crypto bill this week to facilitate this kind of corruption. “On May 1, Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX used the Trump-linked stablecoin USD1 to settle a $2 billion investment in Binance. According to CoinMarketCap data, the stablecoin’s market cap shot up from under $137 million on May 1 to nearly $2.13 billion on May 2.USD1’s Market Capitalization. Source: CoinMarketCapDemocrats voiced concerns around Trump’s crypto-related activities and have sponsored multiple bills to address those concerns. Four of the five pro-crypto Democrats who passed the GENIUS Act in the Senate Banking Committee signed their names to a statement on May 3, saying that they do not feel comfortable with the direction stablecoin legislation is taking. While the letter did not mention Trump directly, Representative Maxine Waters was more explicit in her opposition.“If there is no effort to block the President of the United States of America from owning his stablecoin business […] I will never be able to agree on supporting this bill, and I would ask other members not to be enablers,” Waters said.Democrats propose stricter crypto lawsDemocrats also recently sponsored the Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement Act, or the MEME Act, to prevent federal officials from profiting from memecoins. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also introduced the End Crypto Corruption Act earlier this week.The End Crypto Corruption Act would ban the president, vice president, senior executive branch officials, members of Congress and their immediate families from financially benefiting from issuing, endorsing or sponsoring crypto assets, including memecoins and stablecoins.In a statement published on Merkley’s website, he said that “people who wish to cultivate influence with the president can enrich him personally by buying cryptocurrency he owns or controls.”“This is a profoundly corrupt scheme. It endangers our national security and erodes public trust in government. Let’s end this corruption immediately,” Merkley added.In a statement to CBS News, Warren echoed that sentiment, saying that both Democrats in favor of and opposed to the GENIUS Act “agree that green-lighting Donald Trump’s corrupt stablecoin deals is wrong.”She said, “The GENIUS Act will simply facilitate Trump’s crypto corruption.”Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions