WazirX, one of the most popular crypto exchanges worldwide, was hacked earlier this year. According to PeckShield, a renowned security firm, the perpetrators of this major hack have reportedly moved a staggering 2,600 ETH, worth approximately $6.5 million, to Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixer that is currently sanctioned by the United States. This move aims to obscure the trail of stolen funds, making it significantly harder for law enforcement to trace and recover the assets.

A Complicated Process

Mixers like Tornado Cash are frequently utilized by cybercriminals as a method to complicate the process of tracking stolen cryptocurrency. By obscuring the origins and destinations of the funds, these mixers effectively muddy the waters, presenting additional challenges for those trying to reclaim the stolen assets.

The attack on WazirX, which was originally confirmed on July 18th, 2024, targeted the multi-signature wallet of the exchange, resulting in a staggering financial loss exceeding $230 million. The breach has had severe repercussions for the platform, disrupting its ability to maintain balanced collateral against its assets. As a result, withdrawals have been frozen, and trading has been suspended since July 21st while the WazirX team focuses on recovery efforts.

Bad To Worse

Unfortunately, this situation means that users may face substantial losses. The ongoing restructuring process could lead to users not receiving the full value of their cryptocurrency held on the platform at the time of the attack. The extent of these losses is still unfolding, as the exchange works to stabilize its operations and manage the fallout due to this significant breach.

Compounding the gravity of this incident is the suspicion that it may have been orchestrated by the Lazarus Group, a notorious hacking organization linked to North Korea. Known for its high-profile and devastating cyber exploits, including a $600 million theft via the Ronin sidechain in 2022, the Lazarus Group being involved would signal a new level of sophistication and menace in the world of cybercrime.

September could very well be pivotal for the cryptocurrency market with significant events like presidential debates and Federal Reserve decisions scheduled. Historically, September has been challenging for cryptocurrencies. In September 2023, Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to between $26,000 and $27,000. The same trend occurred in 2022, when the flagship crypto fell to $18,000 and fluctuated around $22,000 during a market decline.

Upcoming Key Events

Notably, after reaching its peak in 2021, Bitcoin also decreased to a range of $41,000 to $48,000 in September. This year, several forthcoming events could influence the broader crypto market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release a jobs report on September 6th, which could impact the crypto market. Previous reports have shown the potential to move crypto prices, as evidenced by the decline in Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH) following the August report.

Additionally, a presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is scheduled for September 10th. This event might influence the crypto industry given the differing cryptocurrency policies of the candidates, with Trump advocating heavily for Bitcoin and claiming he will fire Gary Gensler if re-elected.

Interest Rate Decision Looms

Another significant development is the Federal Reserve finally making a decision about the interest rates, which is expected on September 18th. The market anticipates a rate cut of 25 to 50 basis points. Brian Dixon, CEO of OTC Capital, noted that while 67.5% of market participants foresee a 25 basis point cut, a larger reduction could have a negative impact on the market.

Furthermore, the introduction of euro-backed stablecoins, such as EURI and EURC, is on the horizon in Europe. Considering past volatility, September could prove to be a crucial month for the cryptocurrency sector, though the exact market response will become clear only after evaluating the outcomes of these significant events.

Cardano (ADA) has recently implemented the Chang hard fork update, marking a significant advancement in its governance structure. This upgrade signifies a major shift towards decentralized decision-making, allowing ADA token holders to actively participate in voting on proposals and selecting governance representatives.

The update comes shortly after Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson discussed several major updates during Rare Evo 2024, where he talked about focusing on advancements in technology, governance, and global outreach.

Enter Voltaire

The development heralds the beginning of the Voltaire era, a new phase aimed at enhancing governance for Cardano. The upgrade also introduces CIP-1694, a key improvement that transfers governance control and gives it to community-led organizations.

These include the Constitutional Committee, Delegate Representatives, and Stake Pool Operators, which are all designed to ensure a more democratic and decentralized approach. By doing so, Cardano aligns itself more closely with the broader decentralized ethos of the blockchain industry and increases the utility of the ADA token.

Governance Overhaul

Cardano, launched in 2017 by Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK), is known for its research-driven approach and commitment to security and scalability. Its ADA token, named after Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician, serves as the native cryptocurrency for the platform and is used for transactions, staking, and governance.

The Chang hard fork is the initial phase of this governance overhaul, with the full implementation of governance powers expected within the next 90 days. This positions Cardano as a leader in on-chain governance, setting a new standard for blockchain networks in terms of community involvement and decentralized control.

Bitcoin (BTC) miners experienced their lowest revenue month since September 2023 in August, due to a decrease in the number of coins mined. Last month, their revenue reached $827.56 million, a decline of over 10.5% compared to$927.35 million in July, but an increase of 5% relative to August 2023, according to Bitbo data.

Meanwhile, concerns are rising within the crypto community about the increasing centralization of Bitcoin, which some fear could undermine the fundamental principles of the flagship cryptocurrency. Recent data by BTC.com shows that two mining pools, Foundry USA and AntPool, now control about 57% of the total Bitcoin Network hashrate.

A Substantial Drop

The August figures represent a 57% drop compared to the peak experienced this past March where they were just under $1.93 billion, coinciding with Bitcoin experiencing an all-time high of over $73,500 on March 13th. This is the lowest revenue month for Bitcoin miners since September 2023 when they earned $727.79 million while Bitcoin was priced around $25,000.

Monthly revenues for Bitcoin miners have been on the decline throughout 2024 after reaching a peak in March. The number of BTC mined also saw a slight decrease, falling to 13,843 BTC last month compared to 14,725 BTC in July.

The Main Reason

The decline in revenue is attributed to decreased transaction volumes and increased mining difficulty, which was exacerbated by the Bitcoin halving in April that reduced rewards by 50% to 3.125 BTC. In August, median fees accounted for 2% of a block reward, and the 30-day average of daily confirmed transactions reached a year-to-date high of nearly 631,648 on July 31st before falling to 594,871 by August 31st.

According to Bitbo and Blockchain.com data, mining difficulty also continued to rise, reaching an all-time high of 89.47 trillion in August compared to 86.87 trillion in July. As a result of increased difficulty and lower profitability, some miners have shifted their computing power to artificial intelligence (AI) projects, with some agreements generating billions of dollars.

IDA raised $6M in Seed funding with assistance by Hashed Fund. IDA is a digital asset technology company to spearhead the widespread adoption of blockchain finance and empower businesses to integrate between Web2 and Web3.

Kredete secured $2.25M in Seed funding with support by Blockchain Founders Fund. Kredete is a financial platform focused on empowering African immigrants by enabling them to build credit and send money home with low fees.

Adot raised an undisclosed amount in Strategic funding with help by Aptos Foundation. Adot is a decentralized search network for the AI Internet, enhancing Web3 content search and empowering developers to create personalized search features. Its goal is to surpass traditional search engines, making high-quality data openly accessible.

Odos secured an undisclosed amount in Series A funding with support by PAKA. Odos is a cutting-edge platform that caters to both institutional and retail traders, empowering them with a competitive edge in swaps. 

Verofax secured $3M in undisclosed funding with support by Plug and Play Tech Center. Verofax leverages advanced Web3 technologies, such as AR, AI, and blockchain to enhance marketing experiences for tourists, shoppers, and brands.

Bridge raised a whopping $58M in undisclosed funding with assistance by Sequoia Capital. Bridge is building a stablecoin-powered money movement platform, offering services such as payouts, cross-border payments and exchanging foreign currencies.

Mereo. secured an undisclosed amount in Strategic funding with support by Aptos Foundation. Mereo is a platform designed to enhance fan engagement by rewarding fans for their interactions and reputation. It allows users to create dynamic tickets that evolve based on fan actions, facilitating event creation, ticket sales, and attendee management.

Edge Matrix Chain (EMC) raised $20M in undisclosed funding with help by P2 Ventures. EMC is a blockchain and P2P (Peer-to-Peer) network-based edge computing protocol that encompasses features such as smart contracts.

Quai Network obtained $5M in Strategic funding with assitance by MH Ventures. Quai Network is designed to create radically more efficient blockchains. Since Quai Network is modular, it can scale horizontally to accommodate more users as the network grows.

Bware Labs raised an undisclosed amount with support by Alchemy. Bware Labs aims to tackle Web3 challenges and boost global adoption by offering high performance and reliable infrastructure services and development tools. The ultimate goal is to create a development and infrastructure ecosystem that can support builders throughout their entire Web3 journey.

The disappointing price trajectory of Bitcoin (BTC) persisted as it once again dropped below $58,000, only to slightly rebound to just over $59,000. Similarly, many major altcoins are experiencing declines, with ADA, NEAR, and TRX all falling by more than 2% each day. Interestingly though, FET, UNI, AAVE, and LTC are among the few altcoins in the green, defying market sentiment. ETH, XRP, DOGE, and BNB have also shown minimal gains.

Bears Triumph

The leading cryptocurrency had a rough week despite early positive signs. Last Friday, Bitcoin surged over $64,000 by Saturday due to favorable news in the United States. It then reached a three-week peak above $65,100 on Monday, but things started to deteriorate thereafter.

By Wednesday, Bitcoin had lost more than $7,000, falling to $58,000. Despite a failed attempt to bounce back to $61,200 on Thursday, bearish pressure led to another drop, bringing it down to $57,750 (on Bitstamp), its lowest point in roughly two weeks.

Although the flagship cryptocurrency has managed to defend this level and recover over $1,000, it remains 0.5% lower for the day and a significant 8% down since last Saturday. Furthermore, its market capitalization has fallen below $1.170 trillion, with its dominance hovering around 54% according to CoinGecko.

Other Markets

Wall Street has revived its big-to-small trade strategy in light of Federal Reserve speculations, with a rare rally heightening expectations for a smooth economic transition. Data on US manufacturing, durable goods orders, and initial jobless claims will likely influence market sentiments further.

Concurrently, Warren Buffett has once again sold Bank of America stock, potentially signaling upcoming discreet transactions. Meanwhile, upcoming US job reports are poised to guide the Federal Reserve in fine-tuning its policies. Landlords are facing a significant $1.5 trillion deadline for commercial real estate maturities, adding financial pressure. Thyssenkrupp is set to release its annual financial results soon, with the US steel industry anticipating a revival by 2025.

In India, forecasts of ample monsoon rain next month are expected to boost crop yields. The Nigerian Naira has plunged on the parallel market due to a surge in dollar demand, while the Turkish economy is experiencing its sharpest drop in consumer inflation since 2022. As September challenges loom, the question remains whether the current momentum of gold can overcome these hurdles.

The Brazilian Supreme Court has mandated that X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, be suspended due to the company repeatedly failing to appoint a legal representative within the country. Meanwhile, Brazil has recently attracted attention with its active support for Solana ETFs. The country is set to list its first Solana-based ETF on the B3 exchange, with a second one receiving regulatory approval.

Growing Pains

According to the ruling issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Internet service providers in Brazil, which is home to approximately 215 million people, must block access to X. This decision escalates the ongoing conflict between Musk and the Brazilian government. Earlier this week, X removed its legal representatives in Brazil after Moraes threatened arrest. Moraes then gave X a 24 hour deadline to appoint a new legal representative, which the company did not meet.

The suspension order also includes potential fines for users who try to circumvent the ban using VPNs, with penalties reaching 50,000 reais, or about $8,900, according to BBC. The failure by X to adhere to local regulations and its refusal to remove specific accounts further strained relations, leading to this severe court action.

Impact On The Brazilian Crypto Community

Brazil is a crucial market for X, with around 40 million Brazilian users engaging with the platform each month, as reported by CNN. Since Musk acquired the platform in 2022, it has faced numerous challenges, including a sharp drop in advertising revenue.

This suspension could also significantly impact the burgeoning Brazilian cryptocurrency community. X serves as a vital digital forum for crypto enthusiasts, facilitating discussions, information sharing, and market updates. The ban might disrupt the flow of cryptocurrency news and hinder communication among traders and investors in the region, where interest in digital assets has been growing. Recently, asset management firm BlackRock expanded its Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in Brazil, highlighting the importance of this market.

The Blockchain Association has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to investigate if the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is secretly advising certain banks on avoiding SAB121, potentially giving preferential treatment to traditional banks.

Examining Possible Favoritism 

Previously, the association sought information on the de-banking of crypto firms in the US, focusing on allegations of unfair account closures and refusals. The Blockchain Association has filed a FOIA appeal to explore whether the SEC is guiding specific custody institutions to evade SAB121 requirements.

This could indicate a new strategy, potentially offering exemptions to a few traditional banks while leaving crypto service providers at a disadvantage. SAB121, introduced in 2022, requires companies holding crypto to list it on their balance sheets, creating significant capital implications. Despite strong bipartisan support to repeal the bulletin, President Biden vetoed the repeal.

De-Banking Concerns

In March 2023, the Blockchain Association requested documents that the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and OCC have in order to investigate claims of unjust account closures and denials affecting crypto firms, including those linked to the failures of Signature, Silicon Valley Bank, and Silvergate.

Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, highlighted the need for fair treatment of crypto businesses and encouraged impacted parties to share their experiences confidentially. This is especially important as centralized exchanges are becoming increasingly controlled by the government and large conglomerates, something which the crypto community wants to do away with if possible.

The controversies continue to pile up for Binance as the exchange has come under scrutiny for seizing cryptocurrency assets, such as BTC and ETH, linked to Palestinian accounts. This action, reportedly undertaken at the request of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), has sparked significant debate within the cryptocurrency community and beyond.

The seizure is connected to the Israeli Anti-Terrorism Law of 2016, which grants the government broad powers to confiscate property linked to groups designated as terrorist organizations. According to various reports, a seizure order labeled T56/23 was issued on November 1st, 2023, based on this legislation.

Alienating Users

Ray Youssef, a notable figure in the crypto space, has claimed that Palestinian cryptocurrency wallets have been affected because they allegedly received funds via a group identified by Israel as a terrorist organization. This group, known as the Dubai Exchange Company, was flagged by Israeli authorities in 2022.

His statements also suggest that Binance choosing to comply with this order has extended to other users in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He argues that these actions could potentially impact Lebanese and Syrian users as well, highlighting broader concerns about the security and accessibility of cryptocurrency assets on centralized platforms.

Compounding these concerns are allegations that Binance may have shared user information with the IDF without appropriate legal processes, such as warrants or subpoenas. These claims, if verified, would raise serious questions about data privacy and the protection of user rights on centralized exchanges.

Staying Informed

This controversy underscores the broader debate about the risks and responsibilities associated with centralized cryptocurrency exchanges. While these platforms offer significant convenience and liquidity, they also introduce points of vulnerability where user assets could be subject to governmental actions, potentially without adequate legal recourse.

As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for users and investors in the cryptocurrency space to stay informed and consider the implications of geopolitical and legal dynamics on their digital assets. The unfolding events serve as a reminder of the complex interplay between technology, law, and global politics in the evolving landscape of digital finance.

The TON blockchain, developed by Telegram, is experiencing its second outage within two days. According to the team, block production issues began at 19:19 UTC and were shared with users via Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. The team attributes the disruption to high demand related to DOGS token minting, with TON Core actively working on a resolution.

What Went Wrong

As previously mentioned, block production on TON has faced interruptions since 19:19 UTC, primarily due to the high load related to DOGS token minting. TON Core is addressing the issue, and updates will be provided as the situation progresses.

More importantly, Telegram has reassured users that their assets remain safe and issued an urgent call on X for mainnet validators to update and restart their nodes. According to Tonscan block explorer, the last recorded blocks were at 12:23 Eastern Time (16:23 UTC).

Not The First Time

At the time of reporting, the price of the TON token showed minimal change, decreasing by 0.99% over four hours and 4% over 24 hours. One user commented on the ordeal, claiming that as long as he can finally withdraw his dogs, he can wait.

The previous outage occurred during Asian trading hours on Wednesday and lasted about six hours, also having a minor impact on the price of TON, which had already declined earlier due to Pavel Durov being arrested in France. This earlier downtime was partially linked to the DOGS airdrop.

On 28th August, 2024, in South Korea, the CEO of crypto company Haru Invest was attacked during his trial for alleged fraud involving over $800 million. Hugo Hyungsoo Lee was repeatedly stabbed in the neck by a man in his 50s, as reported by local media, and was quickly rushed to the hospital. His injuries were not considered life threatening. The assailant was said to be a former client of Haru Invest.

A Controversial Issue

The trial has garnered significant attention and controversy not just due to the substantial sum of money at stake but also because it coincides with updates to South Korean consumer protection laws. Lee was one of three executives apprehended in February for charges related to embezzlement involving 1 trillion Won worth of cryptocurrency (about $748,900,000 USD).

In response to growing concerns over crypto regulations, South Korea introduced its first law aimed at safeguarding crypto investors. The Virtual Asset User Protection Act seeks to address unfair trading practices and follows past incidents such as the Terra-Luna crash and the collapse of FTX. This law came after South Korean crypto exchanges had previously attempted to prevent widespread delistings.

An Effective Response

According to the prosecution, the executives were accused of accepting deposits by approximately 16,000 clients between March 2020 and June 2023, claiming to manage these funds with a stable, diversified investment strategy, but suspending withdrawals without notice after June 2023.

In response to these issues, the South Korean government enacted the aforementioned Virtual Asset User Protection Act in June 2023, which came into effect a year later. This legislation aims to address unfair trading activities, enhance market oversight, and empower the Financial Services Commission to regulate the sector more effectively.

During his keynote at Rare Evo 2024, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson presented major updates for the Cardano (ADA) blockchain, focusing on advancements in technology, governance, and global outreach.

Key Updates And Future Plans

Hoskinson introduced Plutus V3, set to launch soon. He praised its enhanced functionality and security, emphasizing a collaborative approach in development. Plutus V3 will be here in weeks, and with Ouroboros Leios, Cardano has not only addressed but excelled beyond the blockchain trilemma, Hoskinson stated.

He also discussed Hydra, which is a layer-2 scaling solution designed to significantly increase transaction throughput. Hydra is groundbreaking and the team specifically developed the extended UTXO model for it to ensure efficiency and security, Charles added.

Additionally, Hoskinson revealed plans for a massive decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), which will manage a large digital treasury and feature a governance model including a constitutional committee, stake pool operators (SPOs), and elements of liquid democracy. This new governance model is a major step towards decentralized and democratic blockchain management, he claimed.

Global Engagement And Future Events

Charles highlighted recent interactions with Argentine officials and academic institutions, reflecting global interest in blockchain. The team is very excited about visiting the University of Buenos Aires for a Constitutional Convention with delegates representing over 50 countries to discuss Cardano and the future of digital assets, Hoskinson shared.

Looking ahead, Hoskinson previewed the October Cardano Summit, featuring a unique challenge where Hydra could effectively handle one million transactions per second (TPS), a feat which will be demonstrated through a live Doom game with a $100,000 prize for the winner.

Hoskinson concluded by reaffirming his commitment to advancing blockchain technology, highlighting the ongoing innovation and resilience of the Cardano ecosystem. Charles concluded by saying that Cardano will always strive to make blockchain simpler, faster, cheaper, and more impactful, aiming for cryptocurrency to revolutionize the world.