Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has warned of a new form of crypto-stealing malware hidden inside a “cracked” version of TradingView Premium, software that provides charting tools for financial markets. 

The scammers are lurking on crypto subreddits, posting links to Windows and Mac installers for “TradingView Premium Cracked,” which is laced with malware aimed at stealing personal data and draining crypto wallets, Jerome Segura, a senior security researcher at Malwarebytes, said in a March 18 blog post.

“We have heard of victims whose crypto wallets had been emptied and were subsequently impersonated by the criminals who sent phishing links to their contacts,” he added.

Fraudsters claim the programs are free and have been cracked directly from their official version, but they are actually riddled with malware. Source: Malwarebytes

As part of the snare, the fraudsters claim the programs are free and have been cracked directly from their official version, unlocking premium features. It actually contains two malware programs, Lumma Stealer and Atomic Stealer.

Lumma Stealer is an information stealer that’s been around since 2022 and primarily targets cryptocurrency wallets and two-factor authentication (2FA) browser extensions. Atomic Stealer was first discovered in April 2023 and is known for its ability to capture data such as administrator and keychain passwords.

Besides “TradingView Premium Cracked,” the scammers have offered other fraudulent trading programs to target crypto traders on Reddit. 

Segura said one of the interesting aspects of the scheme is that the scammer also takes the time to assist users in downloading the malware-ridden software and help resolve any issues with the download.

“What’s interesting with this particular scheme is how involved the original poster is, going through the thread and being ‘helpful’ to users asking questions or reporting an issue,” Segura said.

“While the original post gives a heads-up that you are installing these files at your own risk, further down in the thread, we can read comments from the Original poster.”

In this case, the scammer sticks around to assist users in downloading the malware-ridden software. Source: Malwarebytes

The origin of the malware wasn’t clear, but Malwarebytes found that the website hosting the files belonged to a Dubai cleaning company, and the malware command and control server had been registered by someone in Russia roughly one week ago.

Segura says that cracked software has been prone to containing malware for decades, but the “lure of a free lunch is still very appealing.”

Common red flags to watch out for with these types of scams are instructions to disable security software so the program can run and files that are password-protected, according to Malwarebytes. 

Related: Microsoft warns of new remote access trojan targeting crypto wallets

In this instance, Segura says the “files are double zipped, with the final zip being password protected. For comparison, a legitimate executable would not need to be distributed in such fashion.”

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis reported in its 2025 Crypto Crime Report that crypto crime has entered a professionalized era dominated by AI-driven scams, stablecoin laundering, and efficient cyber syndicates. In the past year, the analytics firm estimates there was $51 billion in illicit transaction volume. 

Magazine: Ridiculous ‘Chinese Mint’ crypto scam, Japan dives into stablecoins: Asia Express

Three Trump Media & Technology Group executives are heading up a company that could look to buy a US-based crypto or blockchain firm, citing the Trump administration’s backing of the sector.

The trio is targeting a $179 million public and private offering through the Cayman Islands-based special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Renatus Tactical Acquisition Corp I, according to a March 14 regulatory filing first reported by Forbes.

Renatus Tactical’s CEO, Eric Swider, is a director at Trump Media and was the CEO at Digital World Acquisition Corp., a SPAC that merged with the firm, allowing it to go public. Renatus Tactical’s operating chief, Alexander Cano, was Digital World’s president, while Trump Media CEO and chair Devin Nunes also chairs Renatus Tactical.

Renatus Tactical wasn’t specific about what it was looking to buy. It said it could acquire “one or more businesses” and is also looking to invest in data security and technology used for both military and non-military applications.

It said it could pursue a business in any of the industries anywhere in the world but intends to focus its search “on high-potential businesses based in the United States.”

Renatus Tactical aims to raise over $178.94 million through 17.5 million public shares at $10 each and over 3.94 million private placement warrants at $1 each. Source: SEC

In the filing, Renatus Tactical said US President Donald Trump’s administration “has taken unprecedented steps to integrate digital assets into the national financial strategy,” citing Trump’s early March executive order to create both a Bitcoin (BTC) reserve and a crypto stockpile and his January order tasking a working group to propose crypto laws.

Related: Kraken nears $1.5B deal allowing it to offer US crypto futures: Report 

However, the company said that its Trump ties could be a problem, as some “may not want to engage with us to provide services due to the affiliation of our management team and our board of directors” with Trump and Trump Media.

That’s been an issue for car maker Tesla, which has seen its share price tank over 40% this year due in part to its CEO Elon Musk taking up a role as White House cost-cutting czar, which has sparked attacks that have burned Tesla cars and vandalized dealerships across the US.

Trump has a majority stake in Trump Media, which runs the social media platform Truth Social. 

Forbes estimates that Trump is worth about $4.8 billion, while Bloomberg has put his wealth at over $6.5 billion, but both said his 114.75 million shares in Trump Media account for the bulk of his wealth, worth $2.36 billion at the company’s current closing price of $20.59.

Trump put the shares into a trust in December in an effort to dampen a conflict of interest ahead of his inauguration.

Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions 

Crypto exchange Bitnomial has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against the US Securities and Exchange Commission ahead of launching its Ripple XRP futures in the United States.

The Chicago-based firm said in a March 19 statement to X that its XRP (XRP) futures are regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and will be available from March 20 for current users.

“Bitnomial is launching the first-ever CFTC-regulated XRP futures in the US — physically settled for real market impact,” Bitnomial said.

“Plus, we’ve voluntarily dismissed our case against the SEC as regulatory clarity improves,” it added.

Source: Bitnomial 

The exchange filed a self-certification with the CFTC to list XRP futures contracts on its exchange in August 2024. However, the SEC blocked the move, pushing for Bitnomial to register as a securities exchange before it could list the futures.

Bitnomial sued the SEC and its five commissioners on Oct. 10, accusing the agency of overextending its jurisdiction by claiming that XRP is a security.

Bitnomial’s XRP futures launch follows Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s March 19 announcement the SEC opted out of continuing an appeal against a ruling that found XRP is only a security for retail sales.

A July 13, 2023 judgment from Judge Analisa Torres deemed XRP is not a security for retail sales; however, she opined it was when sold to institutional investors, as it met the conditions set in the Howey test. The SEC was appealing Torres’s decision.

The SEC initially launched legal action against Ripple Labs in December 2020, accusing the firm of illegally selling its token as an unregistered security.

Related: Vermont follows SEC’s lead, drops staking legal action against Coinbase

Under the Trump administration, the SEC has slowly been walking back its hardline stance toward crypto forged under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s reign, dismissing a growing number of enforcement actions against crypto firms.

The agency’s acting chair, Mark Uyeda, who took the reins after Gensler resigned on Jan. 20, flagged plans on March 17 to scrap a rule proposed under the Biden administration that would tighten crypto custody standards for investment advisers.

Uyeda also said in a March 10 speech that he had asked SEC staff for options to abandon part of proposed changes that would expand regulation of alternative trading systems to include crypto firms, requiring them to register as exchanges. 

Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

Crypto exchange Bitnomial has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against the US Securities and Exchange Commission ahead of launching its Ripple XRP futures in the United States.

The Chicago-based firm said in a March 19 statement to X that its XRP (XRP) futures are regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and will be available from March 20 for current users.

“Bitnomial is launching the first-ever CFTC-regulated XRP futures in the US — physically settled for real market impact,” Bitnomial said.

“Plus, we’ve voluntarily dismissed our case against the SEC as regulatory clarity improves,” it added.

Source: Bitnomial 

The exchange filed a self-certification with the CFTC to list XRP futures contracts on its exchange in August 2024. However, the SEC blocked the move, pushing for Bitnomial to register as a securities exchange before it could list the futures.

Bitnomial sued the SEC and its five commissioners on Oct. 10, accusing the agency of overextending its jurisdiction by claiming that XRP is a security.

Bitnomial’s XRP futures launch follows Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s March 19 announcement the SEC opted out of continuing an appeal against a ruling labeling XRP as not a security for retail sales.

A July 13, 2023 judgment from Judge Analisa Torres deemed XRP is not a security for retail sales; however, she opined it was when sold to institutional investors, as it met the conditions set in the Howey test. The SEC was appealing Torres’s decision.

The SEC initially launched legal action against Ripple Labs in December 2020, accusing the firm of illegally selling its token as an unregistered security.

Related: Vermont follows SEC’s lead, drops staking legal action against Coinbase

Under the Trump administration, the SEC has slowly been walking back its hardline stance toward crypto forged under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s reign, dismissing a growing number of enforcement actions against crypto firms.

The agency’s acting chair, Mark Uyeda, who took the reins after Gensler resigned on Jan. 20, flagged plans on March 17 to scrap a rule proposed under the Biden administration that would tighten crypto custody standards for investment advisers.

Uyeda also said in a March 10 speech that he had asked SEC staff for options to abandon part of proposed changes that would expand regulation of alternative trading systems to include crypto firms, requiring them to register as exchanges. 

Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

BlackRock’s head of digital assets, Robbie Mitchnick, says that Bitcoin will most likely thrive in a recessionary macro environment, contrary to what some analysts may think.

“I don’t know if we’ll have a recession or not, but a recession would be a big catalyst for Bitcoin,” Mitchnick said in a March 19 interview with Yahoo Finance.Mitchnick said Bitcoin (BTC) is catalyzed by increased fiscal spending, deficit accumulation, lower interest rates and monetary stimulus — all of which tend to happen in recessions.

“And it’s catalyzed to some extent over fears of general social disorder,” Mitchnick pointed out. “And that, too, unfortunately, is something that can happen in a recession.”

🚨 LATEST: BlackRock Global Head of Digital Assets Robbie Mitchnick says, “If you look at Bitcoin fundamentally on a long-term basis, it really seems like an asset that should be uncorrelated or even inversely correlated against certain risk factors that exist.” pic.twitter.com/bC0zKqF3xB

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) March 19, 2025

The BlackRock executive said the market is “not particularly well calibrated” for Bitcoin, and many still view it as a risk-on asset.

Risk-on assets, such as stocks, commodities and high-yield bonds, tend to suffer during times of economic crises, but Mitchnick said in September that he believed the asset was mislabeled.

“But that’s where the opportunity comes in for education in a market and asset class that’s still very nascent.”

Mitchnick said BlackRock has been helping some of its clients see through some of these conflicting narratives.

He added that some of BlackRock’s more “sophisticated long-term Bitcoin accumulator” clients see the market correction as a buying opportunity and aren’t bothered by the current economic headwinds.

Meanwhile, researchers from cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase were less bullish, saying crypto’s positive outlook for the first quarter had “clearly been misplaced” by recession fears and the recent tariffs imposed.

“Fears of a dramatic US economic slowdown or even recession have caused sentiment to turn sharply,” Coinbase Institutional said in its monthly outlook report on March 17.

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

BlackRock has played a key role in the institutional and wealth advisory adoption of Bitcoin through its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, which holds the most net assets of any Bitcoin investment product at $48.7 billion.

Mitchnick isn’t worried about the mass net outflows across most spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds of late — pointing out that it has mostly come from hedge funds’ unwinding of the spot futures arbitrage trade, not the long-term buy-and-hold investors.

Bitcoin is currently trading at $86,000, up 3.8% over the last 24 hours.

Magazine: Meet lawyer Max Burwick — ‘The ambulance chaser of crypto’

BlackRock’s head of digital assets, Robbie Mitchnick, says that Bitcoin will most likely thrive in a recessionary macro environment, contrary to what some analysts may think.

“I don’t know if we’ll have a recession or not, but a recession would be a big catalyst for Bitcoin,” Mitchnick said in a March 19 interview with Yahoo Finance.Mitchnick said Bitcoin (BTC) is catalyzed by increased fiscal spending, deficit accumulation, lower interest rates and monetary stimulus — all of which tend to happen in recessions.

“And it’s catalyzed to some extent over fears of general social disorder,” Mitchnick pointed out. “And that too, unfortunately, is something that can happen in a recession.”

🚨 LATEST: BlackRock Global Head of Digital Assets Robbie Mitchnick says, “If you look at Bitcoin fundamentally on a long-term basis, it really seems like an asset that should be uncorrelated or even inversely correlated against certain risk factors that exist.” pic.twitter.com/bC0zKqF3xB

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) March 19, 2025

The BlackRock executive said the market is “not particularly well calibrated” to Bitcoin, and many still view it as a risk-on asset.

Risk-on assets, such as stocks, commodities and high-yield bonds, tend to suffer during times of economic crises, but Mitchnick said in September that he believed the asset was mislabeled.

“But that’s where the opportunity comes in for education in a market and asset class that’s still very nascent.”

Mitchnick said BlackRock has been helping some of its clients see through some of these conflicting narratives.

He added that some of BlackRock’s more “sophisticated long-term Bitcoin accumulator” clients see the market correction as a buying opportunity and aren’t bothered by the current economic headwinds.

Meanwhile, researchers from cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase were less bullish, saying crypto’s positive outlook for the first quarter had “clearly been misplaced” by recession fears and the recent tariffs imposed.

“Fears of a dramatic US economic slowdown or even recession have caused sentiment to turn sharply,” Coinbase Institutional said in its monthly outlook report on March 17.

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

BlackRock has played a key role in the institutional and wealth advisory adoption of Bitcoin through its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF — which holds the most net assets of any Bitcoin investment product at $48.7 billion.

Mitchnick isn’t worried about the mass net outflows across most spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds of late — pointing out that it has mostly come from hedge funds’ unwinding of the spot futures arbitrage trade, not the long-term buy-and-hold investors.

Bitcoin is currently trading at $86,000, up 3.8% over the last 24 hours.

Magazine: Meet lawyer Max Burwick — ‘The ambulance chaser of crypto’

A crypto trader warns that going heavy on leverage before the monthly United States interest rate decision is a surefire way to lose money in crypto trading. 

After the Federal Reserve’s statement confirmed that the US central bank intended to leave interest rates unchanged in its target range between 4.25% and 4.5%, Bitcoin’s price barely moved, as the market had already widely expected no change in the interest rate.

However, after Fed chair Jerome Powell said the probability of a recession is “not high,” despite independent economists raising the odds of one, the overall crypto market saw an upswing, leaving traders betting on the downside caught off guard. 

“A guaranteed recipe to lose money,” MN Trading Capital founder Michael van de Poppe said in a March 19 X post. 

CoinGlass data, which tracks a 12-hour window, shows $188.77 million was liquidated from the crypto market, with $127.80 million of that being short positions.

Approximately $257.03 million in short positions have been liquidated over the past 24 hours. Source: CoinGlass

Bitcoin (BTC) surged 3.84% in six hours after Powell’s speech to hit $87,427 before pulling back to $85,760 by publication. Ether (ETH) climbed 2.27% in the same period, while XRP (XRP) gained 2.40%, adding to its 7.50% rally leading into the interest rate announcement, according to CoinMarketCap data.

“The initial statement isn’t as important. The words from J. Powell are,” van de Poppe said, adding, “That’s what likely defines Bitcoin price action for the coming period.” 

Bitcoin is up 3.49% over the past 24 hours. Source: CoinMarketCap

Related: Bitcoin risks new ‘death cross’ as BTC price tackles $84K resistance

Crypto analyst says the Bitcoin rally will not continue in the near term

Crypto trading account BitcoinHyper said, “FOMC meeting made Bitcoin pump directly into the big liquidation level.”

“Even if BTC goes higher, this is not a good level to look for new long positions,” the trading account said.

Matt Mena, crypto research strategist at 21Shares, made a similar forecast, saying that while the US Federal Reserve’s “dovish shift” on interest rates could give Bitcoin a short-term boost, it may not be sustainable.

“Bitcoin is likely to remain in consolidation mode until a clear catalyst emerges,” Mena said. “Looking further ahead, the broader macro environment remains supportive of a bullish case for BTC,” Mena said in a statement viewed by Cointelegraph.

According to Powell, the median forecast from FOMC members is that interest rates will be at 3.9% at the end of 2025 and 3.4% at the end of 2026.

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

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.

A crypto trader warns that going heavy on leverage before the monthly United States interest rate decision is a surefire way to lose money in crypto trading. 

After the Federal Reserve’s statement confirmed the US central bank intends to leave interest rates unchanged in its target range between 4.25% to 4.5%, Bitcoin’s price barely moved, as the market had already widely expected no change in the interest rate.

However, after Fed chair Jerome Powell said the probability of a recession is “not high,” despite independent economists raising the odds of one, the overall crypto market saw an upswing, leaving traders betting on the downside caught off guard. 

“A guaranteed recipe to lose money,” MN Trading Capital founder Michael van de Poppe said in a March 19 X post. 

CoinGlass data, which tracks a 12-hour window, shows $188.77 million was liquidated from the crypto market, with $127.80 million of that being short positions.

Approximately $257.03 million in short positions have been liquidated over the past 24 hours. Source: CoinGlass

Bitcoin (BTC) surged 3.84% in six hours after Powell’s speech to hit $87,427 before pulling back to $85,760 by publication. Ether (ETH) climbed 2.27% in the same period, while XRP (XRP) gained 2.40%, adding to its 7.50% rally leading into the interest rate announcement, according to CoinMarketCap data.

“The initial statement isn’t as important. The words from J. Powell are,” van de Poppe said, adding, “That’s what likely defines Bitcoin price action for the coming period.” 

Bitcoin is up 3.49% over the past 24 hours. Source: CoinMarketCap

Related: Bitcoin risks new ‘death cross’ as BTC price tackles $84K resistance

Crypto analyst says the Bitcoin rally will not continue in the near term

Crypto trading account BitcoinHyper said, “FOMC meeting made Bitcoin pump directly into the big liquidation level.”

“Even if BTC goes higher, this is not a good level to look for new long positions,” the trading account said.

Matt Mena, crypto research strategist at 21Shares, made a similar forecast, saying that while the US Federal Reserve’s “dovish shift” on interest rates could give Bitcoin a short-term boost, it may not be sustainable.

“Bitcoin is likely to remain in consolidation mode until a clear catalyst emerges,” Mena said. “Looking further ahead, the broader macro environment remains supportive of a bullish case for BTC,” Mena said in a statement viewed by Cointelegraph.

According to Powell, the median forecast from FOMC members is that interest rates will be at 3.9% at the end of 2025 and 3.4% at the end of 2026.

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

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.

A crypto trader warns that going heavy on leverage before the monthly United States interest rate decision is a surefire way to lose money in crypto trading. 

After the Federal Reserve’s statement confirmed the US central bank intends to leave interest rates unchanged in its target range between 4.25% to 4.5%, Bitcoin’s price barely moved, as the market had already widely expected no change in the interest rate.

However, after Fed chair Jerome Powell said the probability of a recession is “not high,” despite independent economists raising the odds of one, the overall crypto market saw an upswing, leaving traders betting on the downside caught off guard. 

“A guaranteed recipe to lose money,” MN Trading Capital founder Michael van de Poppe said in a March 19 X post. 

CoinGlass data, which tracks a 12-hour window, shows $188.77 million was liquidated from the crypto market, with $127.80 million of that being short positions.

Approximately $257.03 million in short positions have been liquidated over the past 24 hours. Source: CoinGlass

Bitcoin (BTC) surged 3.84% in six hours after Powell’s speech to hit $87,427 before pulling back to $85,760 by publication. Ether (ETH) climbed 2.27% in the same period, while XRP (XRP) gained 2.40%, adding to its 7.50% rally leading into the interest rate announcement, according to CoinMarketCap data.

“The initial statement isn’t as important. The words from J. Powell are,” van de Poppe said, adding, “That’s what likely defines Bitcoin price action for the coming period.” 

Bitcoin is up 3.49% over the past 24 hours. Source: CoinMarketCap

Related: Bitcoin risks new ‘death cross’ as BTC price tackles $84K resistance

Crypto analyst says the Bitcoin rally will not continue in the near term

Crypto trading account BitcoinHyper said, “FOMC meeting made Bitcoin pump directly into the big liquidation level.”

“Even if BTC goes higher, this is not a good level to look for new long positions,” the trading account said.

Matt Mena, crypto research strategist at 21Shares, made a similar forecast, saying that while the US Federal Reserve’s “dovish shift” on interest rates could give Bitcoin a short-term boost, it may not be sustainable.

“Bitcoin is likely to remain in consolidation mode until a clear catalyst emerges,” Mena said. “Looking further ahead, the broader macro environment remains supportive of a bullish case for BTC,” Mena said in a statement viewed by Cointelegraph.

According to Powell, the median forecast from FOMC members is that interest rates will be at 3.9% at the end of 2025 and 3.4% at the end of 2026.

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

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.

Crypto exchange Kraken is reportedly closing in on a $1.5 billion acquisition of trading platform NinjaTrader, a move that would expand Kraken’s customer base and enable it to offer crypto futures and derivatives in the US.

The deal could be confirmed by the morning of March 20 in the US, The Wall Street Journal said in a March 19 report, citing people familiar with the matter.

Kraken’s expanded offerings would be made possible through NinjaTrader’s registration as a Futures Commission Merchant. 

The move would help Kraken’s strategy to work across several asset classes — including plans for equities trading and payments — while enabling NinjaTrader to expand into the UK, continental Europe and Australian markets, the sources told WSJ.

NinjaTrader is expected to remain a standalone platform under Kraken.

Cointelegraph reached out to Kraken and NinjaTrader for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Source: Wall Street Journal Markets

Kraken posted $1.5 billion in revenue and $665 billion in trading volume from 2.5 million funded customer accounts on its platform in 2024, while NinjaTrader recently said its futures trading tools are used by over 1.8 million customers.

Kraken announced its intention to broaden its product offerings and services last November when it shuttered its non-fungible token marketplace.

Related: Australia fines Kraken operator $5M for regulatory breaches

It comes as the US Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its lawsuit against Kraken on March 3 after it initially alleged that the crypto platform acted as an unregistered broker, dealer, exchange and clearing agency. 

The suit was dismissed with prejudice, with no admission of wrongdoing, no penalties paid and no changes to Kraken’s business. 

Kraken is one of many firms that stand to benefit from a more relaxed regulatory environment in the US under President Donald Trump, who has promised to make America the “crypto capital” of the world.

The crypto exchange was founded in 2011 by Thanh Luu, Michael Gronager and former CEO Jesse Powell, who handed the reins over to former data analytics executive Amir Orad last July.

Kraken consistently ranks among the top seven to 15 largest crypto exchanges by spot trading volume, handling between $390 million and $4.4 billion in daily trades over the past three months, according to CoinGecko data.

Magazine: Deposit risk: What do crypto exchanges really do with your money?