According to Chainalysis's estimates, crypto-related scams and fraudulent activity may have caused over $17 billion in losses in 2025 The blockchain data firm also highlighted a concerning trend, as scammers are increasingly turning to impersonation schemes to deceive unsuspecting users. According to the report, impersonation scams rose by nearly 1,400% year over year. Crypto Crime Hits New Highs in 2025, Losses May Top $17 Billion 2025 has gone down as the worst year on record for crypto crime, with a ...

Core Viewpoint - 21shares, in collaboration with A&G Banco, has launched the 21shares Flexible Crypto Index ETP (FLEX), aimed at providing diversified and risk-adjusted exposure to leading digital assets through a single ETP [1]. Product Overview - FLEX is designed to offer structured exposure to the most liquid and established cryptocurrencies while minimizing concentration risk and adapting to market conditions [3]. - The ETP tracks the 21Shares Flexible Crypto Index, developed with MarketVector Indexes™, which selects cryptoassets based on size, liquidity, and regulatory criteria [4]. - A&G Banco's proprietary model determines portfolio allocation using a minimum-variance framework and positive momentum signals, optimizing the risk-return profile of the crypto ecosystem [4]. Risk Management Features - FLEX includes a built-in risk management framework that allows for up to 30% of the portfolio to be allocated to cash via USDC, enhancing defensive positioning during market volatility [5]. - This tactical cash allocation enables the strategy to remain agile and capture growth opportunities when market conditions stabilize [5]. Strategic Collaboration - The launch of FLEX combines 21shares' expertise in crypto ETP infrastructure with A&G Banco's quantitative investment knowledge, targeting regulated advisory frameworks in private banking and wealth management across Europe [5][6]. - The product is fully physically backed and supported by 21shares' institutional-grade custody infrastructure, marking a significant advancement in the professionalization of crypto investing in Europe [7]. Market Demand - There is a growing demand from investors for diversified, systematic crypto exposure that aligns with institutional risk standards, which FLEX aims to address [6]. - The allocation model of FLEX reflects how professional investors manage risk in volatile markets, combining minimum-variance construction, momentum signals, and a dynamic cash component [7]. Company Background - 21shares AG is a leading provider of cryptocurrency ETPs, with a mission to bridge traditional finance and decentralized finance, having launched the first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018 [10]. - A&G Banco, founded in 1987, is a prominent independent financial services group managing over 17 billion euros as of December 2025, with a strong track record in wealth advisory and asset management [11].

KARACHI, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Pakistan has signed an agreement with a firm connected to World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of the family of ​U.S. President Donald Trump, to explore using World Liberty’s stablecoin for cross-border payments, ‌a source involved with the deal ​said on Wednesday. The deal represents one of the first publicly announced tie-ups between World ‌Liberty, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024, and a sovereign state. It also comes amid a warming of ...

Core Viewpoint - Precious metals like gold and silver continue to perform well into 2026, reaching new highs, prompting the CME to adjust margin requirements to curb speculative trading [2][4][12]. Margin Adjustments - CME has changed the margin requirements for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium from fixed amounts to a percentage of the contract's nominal value, effective January 13 [2][12]. - For gold, the initial margin requirement is now set at 5%, resulting in a margin of $23,000 for a standard contract, slightly lower than the previous fixed amount of $24,000 [2][12]. - For silver, the margin requirement has increased to 9%, leading to an initial margin of $38,700 for a standard contract, significantly higher than the previous fixed amount of $32,500 [4][14]. Market Reactions - Despite the margin adjustments, silver prices have surpassed $88, and gold remains above $4,600, indicating strong market demand [4][14]. - Historical trends suggest that frequent margin adjustments by exchanges may signal the nearing end of a bullish phase in the market [4][14]. Bitcoin Developments - Bitcoin has surpassed $95,000, marking a two-month high, with significant purchases by Strategy, which acquired 13,627 bitcoins valued at approximately $1.25 billion [4][14]. - This acquisition has led to a rise in the company's total bitcoin holdings, estimated to exceed $60 billion, positively impacting its stock price [4][14]. Economic Indicators - The U.S. December CPI remained stable at 2.7%, with core CPI at 2.6%, aligning with expectations and limiting the Federal Reserve's room for interest rate cuts [5][15]. - Market expectations indicate a 97% probability that the Fed will maintain current rates in January, supporting the dollar's strength [5][15].

吴说获悉，Strive, Inc.（纳斯达克: ASST）公告称已获得 Semler Scientific（纳斯达克: SMLR）股东批 准，将以全股票方式收购后者；交易完成后 Strive 将获得 Semler 持有的 5,048.1 枚 BTC，使合并后总持 有量达 12,797.9 枚 BTC，并称将成为全球第 11 大企业比特币持有者。Strive 还计划在交易后 12 个月内 变现 Semler 的医疗设备业务，并偿还其 1 亿美元可转债及 2000 万美元 Coinbase 贷款。 来源：市场资讯 （来源：吴说） ...

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA) founder Charles Hoskinson slammed the Trump administration’s handling of the cryptocurrency industry in an interview aired Sunday, particularly targeting David Sacks, the White House cryptocurrency czar. Hoskinson Attacks Sacks Appearing on The Wolf Of All Streets Podcast, Hoskinson voiced skepticism about the passage of the cryptocurrency market structure bill, a key piece of legisl ...

Stablecoin issuers will be forbidden from paying passive yield under the latest version of a landmark crypto bill filed by US Senators on Monday night, marking a major victory for banks that had warned the tokens could undermine their ability to lend to businesses and homebuyers. But it includes significant protections for software developers such as Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, who was found guilty of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business after a three-week criminal trial in New Yor ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the evaluation of success and growth in crypto protocols, emphasizing the need for tailored marketing strategies in the crypto space compared to traditional Web2 approaches [1][2][3] Group 1: Growth Metrics - Key growth metrics for crypto protocols include user count, transaction volume, and Total Value Locked (TVL), which reflects the total value of assets deposited in smart contracts [2][3] - Active Monthly Addresses (MAA) and the number of applications built on Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) networks are crucial for assessing growth, ideally showing synchronized growth [1][2] - The concept of "active TVL" and its capital cost is introduced, indicating the rewards needed to achieve a certain level of locked value [2] Group 2: Customer Metrics - Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is defined as the total cost to acquire a customer, which includes both paid marketing and organic growth costs [5][6] - Lifetime Value (LTV) measures the present value of a customer's net profit contribution over their lifecycle, which is more complex in crypto due to pseudonymous wallets [7][8] - The LTV:CAC ratio is essential for understanding the cost-effectiveness of customer acquisition, with no established benchmark in the crypto space yet [10] Group 3: Marketing Funnel - The marketing funnel in crypto differs from traditional models, with unique strategies and behaviors at each stage, including on-chain actions and community-driven dynamics [11] - Awareness generation is the first stage, where brand visibility is crucial, and metrics like reach and CAC are measured [14] - Influencer marketing can be effective when aligned with project values, while traditional advertising faces challenges due to policy ambiguities [15][16] Group 4: User Engagement and Retention - Post-conversion engagement is vital for understanding user retention and community health, with metrics tracking online and offline interactions [24][25] - Retention rates measure the percentage of users remaining active over time, with a focus on distinguishing between long-term and short-term behaviors [27][28] - Churn rates indicate the percentage of users lost, with alternative metrics like inactive wallets providing insights into user engagement [29][30] Group 5: Wallet Share and Market Dynamics - Wallet share tracks the proportion of customer spending allocated to a specific product, revealing insights into user behavior and potential marketing opportunities [31] - The article emphasizes that growth measurement in crypto requires adapting effective strategies while discarding ineffective ones, focusing on the unique advantages of blockchain technology [32]

BitGo Holdings and some of its backers are seeking to raise as much as $201 million in an initial public offering, becoming the first crypto company to proceed with listing plans in 2026. The Palo Alto, California-headquartered startup is offering 11.8 million shares for $15 to $17 each in its IPO, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday. Bloomberg's Monique Mulima speaks on "Bloomberg Crypto". ...

Core Viewpoint - Brazil's crypto industry is prepared to take legal action against the government if a new tax on stablecoin transfers is implemented, as stablecoins constitute up to 90% of crypto trading in the country, impacting users significantly [1][6]. Group 1: Legal and Regulatory Dispute - The industry group Abcripto argues that the Finance Ministry lacks the legal authority to impose this tax, claiming it would violate the constitution [2]. - Lawmakers and regulators view stablecoins as a means to facilitate transactions under existing currency regulations, highlighting a significant disagreement [2][4]. - The Finance Ministry intends to classify stablecoin transfers similarly to foreign currency exchanges, which are currently taxed under the IOF tax [4]. Group 2: Impact on Users - The proposed tax on stablecoin transfers could lead to increased costs for regular users, including freelancers, small businesses, and families sending money abroad, as it would affect a large portion of the crypto market [6][7]. - Brazil has already replaced its tax-free limit on crypto gains with a flat 17.5% tax, and the addition of a transfer tax could make using stablecoins feel like incurring fees for every transaction [7]. Group 3: Future Regulatory Landscape - New central bank regulations set to take effect in February 2026 would categorize stablecoin payments as foreign exchange activities, which the industry claims exceeds congressional approval [5]. - The situation in Brazil reflects a broader global challenge, as governments worldwide are grappling with how to tax and regulate digital currencies, similar to issues faced in India and the U.S. [8].