The United States needs to establish a competitive moat around highly secure tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) to remain competitive in the age of borderless, permissionless finance, according to Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov.

In an interview with Cointelegraph’s Turner Wright at the Digital Asset Summit in New York, Nazarov said that blockchain is a global phenomenon that relies on open-source software and distributed technology, unlike previous technological shifts.

The executive added that the shift to online commerce, which gave the US a competitive advantage due to a five- to 10-year head start on the development of internet infrastructure, is not applicable in the age of digital finance. The executive told Cointelegraph:

“The US really has to push its other two advantages of a very strong domestic market and the ability for it to create these highly reliable financial assets. And this is what I think the administration and the people in the legislature are now starting to understand.”

Real-world tokenized assets could become a $100-trillion market in the coming years, as the world’s assets come onchain, the Chainlink executive predicted.

Sergey Nazarov takes part in a panel at the 2025 Digital Asset Summit. Source: Turner Wright/Cointelegraph

Related: Ethena Labs, Securitize launch blockchain for DeFi and tokenized assets

Tokenized RWAs reach all-time highs

According to RWA.xyz, real-world tokenized assets, excluding stablecoins, hit an all-time high in 2025, topping $18.8 billion.

Private credit took up the lion’s share of the total RWA market capitalization, with over $12.2 billion in tokenized private credit instruments permeating the market at the time of this writing.

Total tokenized real-world assets, excluding stablecoins. Source: RWA.xyz

Asset tokenization can make previously illiquid asset classes, such as real estate, more liquid, eliminating the illiquidity discount inherent in physical properties.

In February, Polygon CEO Marc Boiron told Cointelegraph that tokenizing real estate could fractionalize ownership, eliminate intermediaries, and lower settlement costs —transforming the slow-moving sector.

This real estate overhaul can be seen in Turkey, with projects such as Lumia Towers, a 300-unit mixed-use commercial real estate development that was tokenized using Polygon’s technology.

It’s also taking place in the United Arab Emirates, which is considered one of the hottest property markets in the world. Proactive digital asset regulations are driving a tokenized RWA boom in the Gulf state as institutional investors and developers flock to tokenization as an alternative method of capital formation.

Magazine: Real life yield farming: How tokenization is transforming lives in Africa

The United States needs to establish a competitive moat around highly secure tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) to remain competitive in the age of borderless, permissionless finance, according to Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov.

In an interview with Cointelegraph’s Turner Wright at the Digital Asset Summit in New York, Nazarov said that blockchain is a global phenomenon that relies on open-source software and distributed technology, unlike previous technological shifts.

The executive added that the shift to online commerce, which gave the US a competitive advantage due to a five- to 10-year head start on the development of internet infrastructure, is not applicable in the age of digital finance. The executive told Cointelegraph:

“The US really has to push its other two advantages of a very strong domestic market and the ability for it to create these highly reliable financial assets. And this is what I think the administration and the people in the legislature are now starting to understand.”

Real-world tokenized assets could become a $100-trillion market in the coming years, as the world’s assets come onchain, the Chainlink executive predicted.

Sergey Nazarov takes part in a panel at the 2025 Digital Asset Summit. Source: Turner Wright/Cointelegraph

Related: Ethena Labs, Securitize launch blockchain for DeFi and tokenized assets

Tokenized RWAs reach all-time highs

According to RWA.xyz, real-world tokenized assets, excluding stablecoins, hit an all-time high in 2025, topping $18.8 billion.

Private credit took up the lion’s share of the total RWA market capitalization, with over $12.2 billion in tokenized private credit instruments permeating the market at the time of this writing.

Total tokenized real-world assets, excluding stablecoins. Source: RWA.xyz

Asset tokenization can make previously illiquid asset classes, such as real estate, more liquid, eliminating the illiquidity discount inherent in physical properties.

In February, Polygon CEO Marc Boiron told Cointelegraph that tokenizing real estate could fractionalize ownership, eliminate intermediaries, and lower settlement costs —transforming the slow-moving sector.

This real estate overhaul can be seen in Turkey, with projects such as Lumia Towers, a 300-unit mixed-use commercial real estate development that was tokenized using Polygon’s technology.

It’s also taking place in the United Arab Emirates, which is considered one of the hottest property markets in the world. Proactive digital asset regulations are driving a tokenized RWA boom in the Gulf state as institutional investors and developers flock to tokenization as an alternative method of capital formation.

Magazine: Real life yield farming: How tokenization is transforming lives in Africa

Data center infrastructure provider Hive Digital is doubling down on its long-term Bitcoin treasury strategy and is using the recent market sell-off to expand its mining capacity and acquisition targets, signaling a growing shift among public miners to retain their mined assets. 

In an interview with Cointelegraph, Hive Digital’s chief financial officer, Darcy Daubaras, said the company remains focused on “retaining a significant portion of its mined Bitcoin to benefit from potential price appreciation.” 

This requires an active approach to treasury management to optimize liquidity in the face of steep market corrections, such as Bitcoin’s (BTC) recent 30% drop. However, a long-term Bitcoin hodl strategy is better than “[relying] more on debt or equity dilution for funding,” which is common in the mining industry, said Daubaras.

As Cointelegraph reported, public miners have increasingly shifted to equity dilution — or issuing new shares to raise capital — as part of a broad deleveraging process due to high interest rates and declining creditworthiness. 

Absent these strategies, miners are usually forced to aggressively sell their mined Bitcoin to fund their operations or expansion. 

While Hive isn’t opposed to selling some of its Bitcoin holdings — it did so to fund the acquisition of Bitfarms’ 200-megawatt facility in Paraguay — it’s better to “selectively sell Bitcoin to fund accretive investments, [which] creates a balance of growing our operations and positioning ourselves for long-term success,” said Daubaras.

Source: Frank Holmes

Hive added more Bitcoin to its balance sheet in the final quarter of 2024, increasing its “hodl” position to 2,805 BTC.

Related: BTC miners adopted ‘treasury strategy,’ diversified business in 2024: Report

Importance of diversification, scalability

Bull market conditions make it easier for miners to stack their Bitcoin, but long-term success requires navigating the minefield of volatile prices, growing competition, and rising electricity and hardware costs. 

To combat these and other challenges, Hive has revamped its business model to include AI data centers and has prioritized renewable energy sources.

Hive Digital executives told Cointelegraph in September that the company repurposed a portion of its Nvidia GPUs for AI tasks, which can generate more than $2.00 per hour compared to just $0.12 per hour for crypto mining.

Other miners have followed suit, including Core Scientific, Hut8 and Bit Digital. Their pivot was emphasized in an October mining report by asset manager CoinShares, which said less profitable Bitcoin mining “may explain the rising trend of mining companies diversifying their income streams to include AI.”

The cost per mined Bitcoin has essentially doubled following the April 2024 halving. Source: CoinShares

Miner diversification was also a key takeaway from a January report by Digital Mining Solutions and BitcoinMiningStock.io, which listed high-performance computing and AI as offering a “predictable revenue stream to buffer against mining volatility.”

High-performance computing and AI applications account for a growing share of miner revenues. Source: Digital Mining Solutions

Magazine: ETH whale’s wild $6.8M ‘mind control’ claims, Bitcoin power thefts: Asia Express

Data center infrastructure provider Hive Digital is doubling down on its long-term Bitcoin treasury strategy and is using the recent market sell-off to expand its mining capacity and acquisition targets, signaling a growing shift among public miners to retain their mined assets. 

In an interview with Cointelegraph, Hive Digital’s chief financial officer, Darcy Daubaras, said the company remains focused on “retaining a significant portion of its mined Bitcoin to benefit from potential price appreciation.” 

This requires an active approach to treasury management to optimize liquidity in the face of steep market corrections, such as Bitcoin’s (BTC) recent 30% drop. However, a long-term Bitcoin hodl strategy is better than “[relying] more on debt or equity dilution for funding,” which is common in the mining industry, said Daubaras.

As Cointelegraph reported, public miners have increasingly shifted to equity dilution — or issuing new shares to raise capital — as part of a broad deleveraging process due to high interest rates and declining creditworthiness. 

Absent these strategies, miners are usually forced to aggressively sell their mined Bitcoin to fund their operations or expansion. 

While Hive isn’t opposed to selling some of its Bitcoin holdings — it did so to fund the acquisition of Bitfarms’ 200-megawatt facility in Paraguay — it’s better to “selectively sell Bitcoin to fund accretive investments, [which] creates a balance of growing our operations and positioning ourselves for long-term success,” said Daubaras.

Source: Frank Holmes

Hive added more Bitcoin to its balance sheet in the final quarter of 2024, increasing its “hodl” position to 2,805 BTC.

Related: BTC miners adopted ‘treasury strategy,’ diversified business in 2024: Report

Importance of diversification, scalability

Bull market conditions make it easier for miners to stack their Bitcoin, but long-term success requires navigating the minefield of volatile prices, growing competition, and rising electricity and hardware costs. 

To combat these and other challenges, Hive has revamped its business model to include AI data centers and has prioritized renewable energy sources.

Hive Digital executives told Cointelegraph in September that the company repurposed a portion of its Nvidia GPUs for AI tasks, which can generate more than $2.00 per hour compared to just $0.12 per hour for crypto mining.

Other miners have followed suit, including Core Scientific, Hut8 and Bit Digital. Their pivot was emphasized in an October mining report by asset manager CoinShares, which said less profitable Bitcoin mining “may explain the rising trend of mining companies diversifying their income streams to include AI.”

The cost per mined Bitcoin has essentially doubled following the April 2024 halving. Source: CoinShares

Miner diversification was also a key takeaway from a January report by Digital Mining Solutions and BitcoinMiningStock.io, which listed high-performance computing and AI as offering a “predictable revenue stream to buffer against mining volatility.”

High-performance computing and AI applications account for a growing share of miner revenues. Source: Digital Mining Solutions

Magazine: ETH whale’s wild $6.8M ‘mind control’ claims, Bitcoin power thefts: Asia Express

Key takeawaysAccepting crypto payments reduces transaction fees, eliminates chargebacks, and enables seamless global transactions.Businesses of all sizes, from e-commerce to real estate, are integrating cryptocurrency payments to attract new customers.Risks like price volatility and regulatory compliance can be managed with trusted payment processors like BitPay, CoinsPaid and Coinbase Commerce.Setting up crypto payments is easier than ever, with zero upfront costs and user-friendly integration options for small businesses.The rapid adoption of cryptocurrencies has led businesses of all sizes to increasingly embrace digital currencies like Bitcoin as a legitimate payment method.

And it’s not just a rehash of old news. For years, you might have seen luxury brands like Gucci and telecommunications companies like AT&T accepting Bitcoin. But today, crypto payments are much more than an easy bit of PR — they’re seamlessly integrating into e-commerce, hospitality, travel and even your neighborhood coffee shop.

What started as a niche trend in the early 2010s has accelerated over the years. As of 2025, over 659 million people worldwide — roughly 1 in 13 individuals — are using cryptocurrency. Moreover, approximately 15,000 businesses globally accept Bitcoin (BTC), including around 2,300 in the United States.

While there are considerations to keep in mind, many view accepting BTC and other cryptocurrencies, even as a small business, as a win-win. The benefits often outweigh any challenges, with minimal downsides and significant potential rewards.

The following sections explore the whos, the whys and the hows.

What companies are currently accepting cryptocurrencies?

As briefly touched upon, it’s not only niche crypto-specific sectors that are accepting Bitcoin payments. Here are some sectors that you might not have considered, with accompanying case studies.

E-commerceShopify enables merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments through various payment gateways, including BitPay and Coinbase Commerce.Newegg accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for electronics purchases, integrating crypto payments into its checkout process.Rakuten Japan allows users to convert Rakuten Points into Bitcoin, Ether (ETH) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH), effectively incorporating crypto into its rewards ecosystem.Food and beverageSubway accepts Bitcoin at selected locations, with franchises in Europe and North America processing crypto payments.Burger King franchises in Brazil and Venezuela allow customers to pay for meals with Bitcoin and select altcoins.Starbucks supports Bitcoin payments through the Bakkt app, enabling customers to reload their Starbucks cards with cryptocurrency.RetailHome Depot accepts Bitcoin payments via Flexa, allowing customers to use cryptocurrency for home improvement purchases.Whole Foods processes crypto payments through the Spedn app, which enables Bitcoin and other digital currency transactions at checkout.Nordstrom integrates crypto payments into its in-store and online shopping platforms, supporting purchases with Bitcoin and Ethereum.Real estateIn Miami, a $22.5-million penthouse in the Arte Surfside complex was purchased entirely with Bitcoin, one of the largest real estate transactions involving cryptocurrency.Magnum Real Estate Group sold a retail condo in Manhattan for $15.3 million in Bitcoin, marking one of the first large-scale commercial real estate deals in crypto.Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty in Texas completed a home sale using Bitcoin, expanding crypto transactions into the residential property market.Hospitality and travelMirai Flights processes cryptocurrency payments for private jet charters, catering to high-net-worth individuals.Travala accepts BTC, ETH and other cryptocurrencies for hotel and flight bookings, partnering with major travel service providers.Expedia facilitates crypto payments for hotel bookings through Travala, offering Bitcoin payment options on select accommodations.AdvertisingClaimr, a Web3 marketing platform, processes approximately 8 million euros annually, with the majority of transactions conducted in cryptocurrency.Accessible.org began accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in 2025, allowing clients to pay for digital accessibility services with crypto.Black Iris Social Club in Richmond accepts Bitcoin for event bookings and memberships, integrating cryptocurrency into its operations.

Did you know? The first-ever real-world transaction using Bitcoin took place on May 22, 2010, when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC. Today, those 10,000 BTC would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, making it one of the most expensive pizza orders in history. This event is now celebrated annually as Bitcoin Pizza Day in the crypto community.

Why are businesses accepting crypto payments?

So, all the big brands are in. But what’s driving this trend, and can small businesses benefit, too?

One of the most significant advantages is lower transaction fees. Traditional payment processors and credit card companies typically charge businesses between 2% and 4% per transaction, while crypto payment gateways often reduce this to less than 1%. For businesses processing high volumes of transactions, these savings can be substantial.

Another key factor is the ability to access a global market without the restrictions of currency exchange rates and international banking fees. Cryptocurrency payments enable seamless cross-border transactions, allowing businesses to serve international customers without friction. This is especially beneficial for industries like travel, luxury goods and digital services, where cross-border commerce is common.

Security and fraud prevention also play a role. Cryptocurrency transactions are final, eliminating chargebacks — something that costs businesses billions of dollars annually in fraudulent disputes. This makes crypto payments particularly appealing to merchants in industries where chargebacks are common, such as e-commerce and online services.

Did you know? In 2025, chargeback fraud, particularly friendly fraud, has become a significant concern for merchants. Notably, a recent survey revealed that 55% of Generation Z and 49% of Millennials earning over $100,000 annually admitted to engaging in digital shoplifting — a form of first-party fraud where consumers falsely claim issues with online orders to secure refunds or avoid payments. 

Additionally, businesses recognize that accepting cryptocurrency aligns with the preferences of a growing demographic of crypto users. Companies integrating crypto payments position themselves as forward-thinking and innovative, appealing to solvent, tech-savvy consumers who prefer digital transactions over traditional banking systems.

Finally, some businesses are drawn to the potential of holding crypto as an asset. While many use payment processors that instantly convert cryptocurrency into fiat currency to avoid volatility, others see it as an opportunity to gain exposure to a growing asset class. With major corporations like Tesla and MicroStrategy holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets, smaller businesses are following suit, recognizing the potential long-term value.

Small businesses stand to benefit the most here, as accepting crypto payments is an easy way to carve out a niche for the brand, reaching far more customers than would be possible by offering only fiat payments. The strategy might well mean the difference between failure and success in a competitive startup environment.

Did you know? A survey by Deloitte found that 85% of merchants see crypto payments as a way to reach new customers.

Risks of accepting cryptocurrency payments

While accepting crypto payments is often seen as a win-win, businesses must also be aware of potential risks in doing so on their own, without proper accounting systems and crypto processing partners.

Price volatility

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are known for significant price fluctuations. For example, in early 2025, Bitcoin’s price dropped from $109,071 to around $80,000 — a nearly 25% decline within a short period. Such volatility can impact the value of received payments if not promptly converted to stable currencies.

Regulatory and tax compliance

The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies varies by jurisdiction and is continually evolving. For example, in the United States, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classifies cryptocurrencies as property, not currency, which introduces complexities in tax reporting and compliance. Businesses must stay informed about applicable regulations to ensure adherence to tax obligations and avoid potential legal issues.

Security concerns

Accepting cryptocurrencies necessitates the use of digital wallets and exchanges, which can be susceptible to cybersecurity threats.Without robust security measures, businesses risk unauthorized access and theft of digital assets. Implementing strong cybersecurity protocols is essential.

Technical barriers

Integrating cryptocurrency payment systems requires technical knowledge that some small business owners may lack. Establishing digital wallets and navigating digital currency exchanges can be challenging, potentially leading to operational inefficiencies or errors. Investing in employee training or consulting with experts may be necessary to overcome these hurdles.

Market acceptance and perception

Despite growing adoption, cryptocurrencies are not universally accepted or understood. Some customers may be hesitant to use digital currencies due to concerns about security or unfamiliarity, potentially limiting the perceived benefits of offering crypto payment options. Businesses should assess their customer base to determine if accepting cryptocurrencies aligns with their clientele’s preferences.

Use a crypto payment provider 

It’s unlikely that, as a small business, you’ll take this road alone — especially when leading crypto payment processors offer zero up-front integration costs:

These processors offer immediate conversion services, transforming volatile cryptocurrencies into stable fiat currencies upon receipt, thereby shielding businesses from price fluctuations.They also assist in navigating complex regulatory landscapes by providing tools for accurate tax reporting and ensuring compliance with evolving laws.To address security concerns, reputable processors implement robust cybersecurity measures, safeguarding digital assets against potential threats.Additionally, they offer user-friendly platforms that simplify the technical aspects of cryptocurrency transactions, making integration accessible even for those with limited technical expertise.

The next section will explore a number of crypto processing providers that you may wish to choose from as a small business.

Which crypto payment gateway to choose in 2025 BitPay

Founded in 2011, BitPay is a pioneering cryptocurrency payment processor. As of 2024, it holds a 6.26% market share in the Bitcoin payment processing sector, serving over 523 customers. 

BitPay caters to a diverse clientele, including retailers, investment banking firms, and nonprofit organizations. The company offers direct crypto-to-fiat settlements, helping businesses avoid volatility while ensuring seamless integration with existing accounting systems. 

Its security infrastructure includes two-factor authentication (2FA) and encrypted transactions, making it a trusted option for enterprises looking to accept cryptocurrency payments.

CoinsPaid

Established in 2014, CoinsPaid has grown into a comprehensive crypto payment gateway, processing over 41 million transactions worth 23 billion euros. The company facilitates approximately 8% of all onchain Bitcoin transactions, making it a major player in the crypto payments sector. 

Supporting over 30 cryptocurrencies, CoinsPaid serves industries such as IT, marketing, financial services, real estate and gambling. The platform offers a business wallet, an over-the-counter (OTC) desk for large-volume transactions and software-as-a-service solutions tailored for crypto integration. 

CoinsPaid is licensed in Estonia and complies with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations while undergoing regular independent security audits to maintain its reputation for secure and compliant processing.

Coinbase Commerce

Launched in 2018 by Coinbase, Coinbase Commerce enables merchants to accept multiple cryptocurrencies directly into a user-controlled wallet. It provides seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing businesses to accept ETH, Litecoin (LTC) and USDC (USDC). 

Notably, in February 2024, Coinbase Commerce ended support for Bitcoin and other unspent transaction output (UTXO)-based coins. To make Bitcoin payments, users will need a Coinbase account. The decision comes as Coinbase faces challenges in implementing updates to its Ethereum Virtual Machine payment protocol for Bitcoin.

While specific market share data is limited, Coinbase Commerce is widely used by small to mid-sized businesses across sectors such as computer software, utilities and telecommunications. 

The platform offers a straightforward setup with no transaction fees apart from standard network costs, making it an attractive option for businesses looking for a simple crypto payment solution without intermediaries.

Binance Pay 

Binance Pay, introduced by Binance, is a cryptocurrency payment solution that enables merchants and users to conduct transactions using various cryptocurrencies. It supports over 30 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH and BNB (BNB), allowing for versatile payment options. 

The platform offers zero transaction fees for both merchants and users, making it an attractive option for businesses aiming to integrate crypto payments without incurring additional costs. Binance Pay also emphasizes security by incorporating features such as 2FA and encrypted transactions, ensuring safe and reliable payment processing.

Step-by-step guide to set up a crypto payment gateway 

Despite a run-in with the Lazarus Group last year, CoinsPaid continues to operate as a major crypto payment gateway, maintaining competitive setup costs and fees. As such, this section will walk you through the steps you’d be expected to take when integrating any crypto payment processor, using CoinsPaid’s flow as an example.

Request a consultation: Businesses can begin by submitting a request on the CoinsPaid website. A CoinsPaid representative will promptly reach out to schedule a meeting and discuss requirements.Receive a free demo and proposal: The CoinsPaid team provides a detailed demonstration of the system, answers any questions, and prepares a tailored proposal based on the company’s specific needs.Onboarding: To finalize the agreement, businesses must complete the Know Your Business (KYB) verification by submitting the necessary documents for compliance with regulatory standards.Integration: CoinsPaid’s team assists in integrating the payment gateway into the company’s existing infrastructure, ensuring a smooth and efficient setup.Start accepting crypto: Once integration is complete, businesses can begin offering cryptocurrency payments, providing customers with an additional payment option while potentially expanding their market reach.

By following these steps, you can effectively integrate CoinsPaid into your business, offering your customers the option to pay with cryptocurrencies. 

Integrating cryptocurrency payments is a forward-thinking investment

With lower transaction fees, access to a global customer base and protection from chargebacks, crypto payments provide clear advantages over traditional payment methods.

The risks associated with crypto payments — such as volatility, regulatory compliance and security concerns — are easily mitigated by using a trusted payment processor like CoinsPaid, BitPay or Coinbase Commerce. These platforms handle everything from instant fiat conversion to security and compliance, making the transition to crypto seamless and low-risk.

With major brands already embracing digital currencies, there’s no reason for small and medium-sized businesses to be left behind. Crypto payments are fast, borderless and cost-effective, making them a no-brainer for any forward-thinking business. 

Whether you’re a startup looking to gain a competitive edge or an established company seeking new revenue streams, integrating cryptocurrency payments is an investment in the future.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Opinion by: Georgii Verbitskii, founder of TYMIO 

Memecoins have dominated the crypto narrative over the past year, leading to a series of high-profile events where most traders lost money while insiders profited. The Libra token alone, by some estimations, resulted in $4.4 billion in public losses. Unlike previous crypto cycles where broad market growth rewarded holders, today’s memecoin speculation has created an environment where the average trader’s chances of success are slim. How did memecoins happen to drive the market to a dead end, and will this ever end?

Speculation or investment?

Investing and speculation are fundamentally different games with distinct rules. Investing isn’t about making quick money. It is about purchasing the right assets to protect capital in the long haul. Usually, investors don’t wait for the right “entry point” but purchase assets to be held for years. Such assets grow relative to fiat currencies based on fundamental factors. For example, stocks, gold and Bitcoin (BTC) rise against the US dollar, which faces unlimited issuance and inflation.

Some assets have extra growth drivers — rising property demand, growing company profits or even Bitcoin adoption by governments — but these are bonuses. The key point is that your investment is not supposed to lose all its value against the fiat. Investors follow long-term macroeconomic trends, which helps them preserve purchasing power.

On the other hand, speculation is a zero-sum game where the skilled minority profits because of the uninformed majority. Typically, such people are chasing quick profits. This is what happens with memecoins. Unlike traditional investments, they lack intrinsic value, dividends or interest returns. While in the case of Bitcoin, the “greater fools” who buy after a trader could be companies adopting the Bitcoin standard, followed by entire nations establishing strategic Bitcoin reserves after the US, in the case of a token like LIBRA, the greater fool is the one who bought it after Javier Milei’s announcement on X. That’s it — there are no more buyers.

Unregulated gambling

Memecoins operate similarly to online casinos. They provide entertainment and promise quick profits but favor only those who create and promote them. Unlike regulated gambling, where risks are well-known, memecoins are often hyped by influential figures — starting from the famous crypto influencer Murad and ending with the US president — and, consequently, social media narratives. The harsh reality is that, like in a casino, the odds overwhelmingly favor insiders and early adopters while the majority suffer losses.

Recent: Solana’s token minting frenzy loses steam as memecoins get torched

The memecoin craze clearly thrives on speculation and psychological triggers — this is the game that evolves emotions and leaves players’ wallets empty. Platforms like Pump.fun, which facilitate memecoin launches, have reaped massive profits, proving that selling shovels is the best way to profit from a gold rush. How can opening a casino require a license and choosing a location in strictly designated areas, while anyone can launch their own memecoin? 

Well, the situation is likely to change soon.

Will this ever end?

The lack of regulatory oversight has enabled the explosive growth of memecoins. How did we get here? Let’s remember the SEC’s activities in recent years, namely lawsuits against major decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and large crypto companies that tried to play fair. Another serious step was Operation Chokepoint 2.0, directed by the previous US administration against the crypto industry as a whole. All this not only stifled well-intentioned companies that created something meaningful in crypto but also indirectly triggered a counterweight in the form of other players who took advantage of unclear rules.

As a result, crypto exchanges have recently been listing mostly memecoins almost immediately after their release. Chaos in the field of regulation has turned the crypto industry into a sizable global casino. While earlier, everyone hoped to win in this gamble, now, along with the losses, it seems that general disappointment is setting in.

There is a ray of hope. The current US administration can unequivocally be called “crypto-friendly,” which means we will likely see significant regulation progress this year. This is especially crucial for the DeFi sector, which has long found its product-market fit and is rapidly developing, capturing the markets of traditional finance (banks, brokers and other intermediaries).

It is essential to rewrite outdated financial regulations as quickly as possible. The old rules were designed for a system based on trust in centralized intermediaries, whereas the new framework must incorporate smart contracts — in other words, executable blockchain code.

Stronger regulatory frameworks could introduce stricter requirements for token launches, including mandatory disclosures of creators’ personalities and restrictions on centralized exchange listings. 

Yet market participants may learn through costly mistakes even without direct intervention and become more cautious about memecoin investments. After a series of harsh but sobering memecoin rug pulls, the Web3 community should finally realize that such projects rarely reward risk-takers. If someone still decides to take a chance, they should treat it like a trip to the casino: only bringing the amount they are prepared to lose and making the most of the joy from this experience. 

For those to whom this approach doesn’t appeal or those truly serious about growing their net worth to pass it on to future generations, welcome to the real world of bland, regular Bitcoin purchases. It seems the market is only now starting to realize this.

Opinion by: Georgii Verbitskii, founder of TYMIO.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

The February hack against Bybit sent ripples through the industry after $1.4 billion in Ether-related tokens was stolen from the centralized exchange, reportedly by the North Korean hacking collective Lazarus Group, in what was the most costly crypto theft ever.

The fallout from the hack has left many people wondering what went wrong, whether their own funds are safe, and what should be done to prevent such an event from happening again.

According to blockchain security company CertiK, the massive heist represented roughly 92% of all losses for February, which saw a nearly 1,500% increase in total lost crypto from January as a result of the incident.

On Episode 57 of Contelegraph’s The Agenda podcast, hosts Jonathan DeYoung and Ray Salmond speak with CertiK’s chief business officer, Jason Jiang, to break down how the Bybit hack happened, the fallout from the exploit, what users and exchanges can do to keep their crypto secure, and more.

Are crypto wallets still safe after Bybit hack?

Put simply, Lazarus Group was able to pull off the massive hack against Bybit because it managed to compromise the devices of all three signers who controlled the multisignature SafeWallet Bybit was using, according to Jiang. The group then tricked them into signing a malicious transaction that they believed was legit.

Does this mean that SafeWallet can no longer be trusted? Well, it’s not so simple, said Jiang. “It is possible that when the Safe developer’s computer got hacked, more information was leaked from that computer. But I think for the individuals, the likelihood of this happening is rather low.”

He said there are several things the average user can do to drastically increase their crypto security, including storing assets on cold wallets and being aware of potential phishing attacks on social media.

Source: CertiK

When asked whether hodlers could see their Ledger or Trezor hardware wallets exploited in a similar manner, Jiang again said that it’s not a big risk for the average user — as long as they do their due diligence and transact carefully.

“One of the reasons that this happened was that the signers were like a blind-send-signing the order, just simply because their device did not show the full address,” he said, adding, “Make sure that the address you are sending to is what you’re intending to, and you want to double check and triple check, especially for larger transactions.”

“I think after this incident, this is probably going to be one of the things the industry will try to correct itself, to make the signing more transparent and easier to recognize. There are so many other lessons being learned, but this is certainly one of them.”How to prevent the next multibillion-dollar exchange hack

Jiang pointed to a lack of comprehensive regulations and safeguards as a potential element contributing to the ongoing fallout from the hack, which fueled debates over the limits of decentralization after several validators from crosschain bridge THORChain refused to roll back or block any of Lazarus Group’s efforts to use the protocol to convert its funds into Bitcoin (BTC).

“Welcome to the Wild West,” said Jiang. “This is where we are right now.”

“From our view, we think crypto, if it is to be flourishing, it needs to hug the regulation,” he argued. “To make it easy to be adopted by the mass general here, we need to hug the regulation, and we need to figure out ways to make this space safer.”

Related: Financial freedom means stopping crypto MEV attacks — Shutter Network contributor

Jiang commended Bybit CEO Ben Zhou on his response to the incident, but he also pointed out that the exchange’s bug bounty program prior to the hack had a reward of just $4,000. He said that while most people in cybersecurity are not motivated by money alone, having larger bug bounties can potentially help exchanges stay more secure.

When asked about the ways exchanges and protocols can motivate and retain top-tier talent to help protect their systems, Jiang suggested that security engineers don’t always get the credit they deserve.

“A lot of people say that the first-degree talent goes to the developers because that’s where they will get most rewarding,” he said. “But it’s also about us giving enough attention to the security engineers. They carry a huge responsibility.”

“Cut them some slack and try to give them more credit. Whether it’s monetary or whether it’s recognition, give them what we can afford, and make it reasonable.”

To hear more from Jiang’s conversation with The Agenda — including how CertiK carries out audits, how quantum computing and AI will impact cybersecurity, and more — listen to the full episode on Cointelegraph’s Podcasts page, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And don’t forget to check out Cointelegraph’s full lineup of other shows! 

Magazine: Bitcoin vs. the quantum computer threat — Timeline and solutions (2025–2035)

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Bitcoin may stage a recovery above the key $90,000 psychological mark amid easing monetary inflation concerns in the world’s largest economy.

Bitcoin’s (BTC) over-two-month downtrend has raised numerous alarms that the current Bitcoin bull cycle may be over, defying the theory of the four-year market cycle.

Despite widespread investor concerns, Bitcoin may be on track to a recovery above $90,000 due to easing inflation concerns in the United States, according to Markus Thielen, CEO of 10x Research.

“We can see some counter-trend rally as prices are oversold, and there is a good chance that the Fed is mildly dovish,” Thielen told Cointelegraph, adding:

“This is not a major bullish development, rather some fine-tuning from the policymakers. We think BTC will be in a broader consolidation range, but we could trade back towards $90,000.”

Bitcoin daily RSI indicator. Source: 10x Research

Investor confidence may also be improved by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments indicating that the Fed will “remain on hold amid rising uncertainty among households and businesses,” wrote 10x Research in a March 17 X post, adding:

“Powell also expressed doubts about the sustained inflationary impact of Trump’s tariffs, referencing the 2019 scenario where tariff-related inflation was temporary, and the Fed eventually cut rates three times.”

Meanwhile, investors are eagerly awaiting today’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting for cues on the Fed’s monetary policy for the rest of 2025, a development that may impact investor appetite for risk assets such as Bitcoin.

Related: Crypto market’s biggest risks in 2025: US recession, circular crypto economy

FOMC meeting crucial for BTC’s trajectory: Analyst

Traders and investors will be watching for any hints about the ending of the Fed’s quantitative easing (QT) program, “a move that could boost liquidity and risk assets,” according to Iliya Kalchev, dispatch analyst at Nexo digital asset investment platform.

“The upcoming Fed decision could be a major catalyst for further movements,” the analyst told Cointelegraph, adding:

“If Chair Powell spreads his dovish wings, Bitcoin could take flight on renewed bullish momentum.”

“However, persistent inflation concerns or a reaffirmation of tight financial conditions, such as elevated interest rates or continued liquidity tightening, could limit upside potential,” added the analyst.

Related: Rising $219B stablecoin supply signals mid-bull cycle, not market top

Fed target interest rate probabilities. Source: CME Group’s FedWatch tool

Markets are currently pricing in a 99% chance that the Fed will keep interest rates steady, according to the latest estimates of the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

Still, investors have slashed their exposure to US equities by the most on record by 40 percentage points between February and March, according to Bank of America’s latest survey, raising concerns that recession fears may hurt Bitcoin’s price action.

Magazine: ETH may bottom at $1.6K, SEC delays multiple crypto ETFs, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 9–15

The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s multi-year enforcement action against Ripple is finally coming to an end, according to the company’s CEO.

“This is it — the moment we’ve been waiting for. The SEC will drop its appeal — a resounding victory for Ripple, for crypto, every way you look at it,” Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse wrote on X on March 19.

Source: Brad Garlinghouse

“I’m finally able to announce that the case has ended; it’s over,” Garlinghouse said in the attached video to the X post.

The end of a long-running legal battle between Ripple and the SEC comes four years after the US securities regulator sued the company over an alleged $1.3-billion unregistered securities offering in December 2020.

Garlinghouse announces the news at the Digital Asset Summit

Garlinghouse’s announcement on the end of the SEC-Ripple case came amid the Digital Asset Summit in New York.

“Just a few minutes ago, right before I walked up here, I posted on X that we can now announce that the SEC is no longer pursuing their appeal in the Ripple case,” the CEO stated.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse at the Digital Asset Summit 2025. Source: Cointelegraph

“We’re now closing a chapter in crypto history,” Garlinghouse said in the video on X, adding that “it’s time to make the United States the crypto capital of the world.”

“Ripple’s main message is about gratitude”

In the statement, Garlinghouse praised the new SEC leadership and executive and legislative branches of the US government for “seeking a rational and constructive way forward on crypto.”

The CEO emphasized that his main message is about gratitude, stating:

“It’s gratitude to everyone who stood by us, to every Ripple employee, to the incredible legal team here at Ripple, led by the best chief legal officer in the business. To all the gratitude, certainly to the XRP family, to our customers, to our partners.”

Garlinghouse expressed confidence that Ripple’s legal victory sends an “ominous sign for innovation around cryptocurrency in the United States” following years of “intimidation and terror” from Gary Gensler-headed SEC.

XRP spikes about 9% amid the news

Ripple-issued XRP (XRP) has recorded significant action amid the news, with its price surging about 9% in the first hour following the announcement, according to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView.

By publishing time, XRP is the third-largest crypto asset by market capitalization, at $146 billion.

XRP price surged 9% following SEC’s backdown. Source: TradingView

The news has also triggered a broader rally in crypto markets, with multiple tokens reacting with minor gains in the first hour following Garlinghouse’s statement.

Additional reporting by Turner Wright.

Magazine: Classic Sega, Atari and Nintendo games get crypto makeovers: Web3 Gamer

Victims of address poisoning scams were tricked into willingly sending over $1.2 million worth of funds to scammers, showcasing the problematic rise of cryptocurrency phishing attacks.

Address poisoning, or wallet poisoning scams, involves tricking victims into sending their digital assets to fraudulent addresses belonging to scammers.  

Pig butchering schemes on Ethereum have cost the crypto industry over $1.2 million worth of funds in the nearly three weeks since the beginning of the month, wrote onchain security firm Cyvers in a March 19 X post:

“Attackers send small transactions to victims, mimicking their frequently used wallet addresses. When users copy-paste an address from their transaction history, they might accidentally send funds to the scammer instead.”

Source: Cyvers Alerts

Address poisoning scams have been growing, since the beginning of the year, costing the industry over $1.8 million in February, according to Deddy Lavid, co-founder and CEO of Cyvers.

The growing sophistication of attackers and the lack of pre-transaction security measures are some of the main reasons for the increase, the CEO told Cointelegraph, adding:

“More users and institutions are leveraging automated tools for crypto transactions, some of which may not have built-in verification mechanisms to detect poisoned addresses.”

While the higher transaction volume due to the crypto bull market is a contributing factor, pre-transaction verification methods may stop a significant amount of phishing attacks, said Lavid, adding:

“Unlike traditional fraud detection, many wallets and platforms lack real-time pre-transaction screening that could flag suspicious addresses before funds are sent.”

Related: August sees 215% rise in crypto phishing, $55M lost in single attack

Address poisoning scams have previously cost investors tens of millions. In May 2024, an investor sent $71 million worth of Wrapped Bitcoin to a bait wallet address, falling victim to a wallet poisoning scam. The scammer created a wallet address with similar alphanumeric characters and made a small transaction to the victim’s account.

However, the attacker returned the $71 million days later, after he had an unexpected change of heart due to the growing attention from blockchain investigators.

Related: Ledger users targeted by malicious ‘clear signing’ phishing email

Phishing scams are a growing problem for the crypto industry

Phishing scams are becoming a growing threat to the crypto industry, next to traditional hacks.

Pig butchering scams are another type of phishing scheme involving prolonged and complex manipulation tactics to trick investors into willingly sending their assets to fraudulent crypto addresses.

Pig butchering schemes on the Ethereum network cost the industry over $5.5 billion across 200,000 identified cases in 2024, according to Cyvers.

The average grooming period for victims lasts between one and two weeks in 35% of cases, while 10% of scams involve grooming periods of up to three months, according to Cyvers data.

Pig butchering victim statistics and grooming periods. Source: Cyvers

In an alarming sign, 75% of victims lost over half of their net worth to pig butchering scams. Males aged 30 to 49 are most affected by these attacks.

Phishing scams were the top crypto security threat of 2024, which netted attackers over $1 billion across 296 incidents as the most costly attack vector for the crypto industry.

Magazine: Down to $200 one day, Pixels founder had $2.4M the next: Luke Barwikowski, X Hall of Flame