Bitcoin vs XRP: 2026 Outlook and the Bridge-Currency Advantage

Bitcoin vs. XRP: two very different 2026 bets. Bitcoin is the deep‑liquidity, ETF‑friendly store‑of‑value that could see $100k–$150k in bullish ETF/inflow scenarios; XRP is a smaller, higher‑beta payments play that can outperform if banks, tokenized settlement rails and regulatory clarity materialize — but it carries greater liquidity and execution risk. This concise analysis lays out catalysts, risk profiles and practical trade ideas (core‑satellite, event‑driven execution) so you can position for safety with BTC and optionality with XRP — read the full post.

Crypto Tax Shakeup 2025: IRS 1099-DA and DeFi Rule Repeal

IRS rolling out Form 1099‑DA in January 2025 — and crypto reporting just got real. Major exchanges must rebuild back‑end pipelines to classify transactions, compute cost basis, and report proceeds, while the repeal of the DeFi Broker Rule leaves decentralized platforms in a legal gray zone. Investors face bigger IRS visibility (and higher short‑term tax risk), and smaller Web3 teams must choose between costly reconciliation tech or outsourcing tax work. Read the full post for concrete steps, timelines, and what teams should do now to stay compliant.

North Korean Hackers Hit Record $2.02 Billion Crypto Theft in 2025

North Korean-linked actors stole at least $2.02 billion in crypto in 2025 — a 51% jump over 2024 and pushing cumulative thefts to about $6.75 billion — but the story is fewer attacks, much bigger hits. Criminals are targeting custodians, bridge liquidity pools and centralized services using insider-backed social engineering and long-term access, then laundering funds through Chinese-language onramps, cross-chain bridges, mixers and DEX routing. The shift demands zero-trust personnel controls, real-time bridge monitoring, broadened AML coverage of non-English channels, and fast recovery playbooks for institutions, insurers and compliance teams.

Crypto Kiosks: The Hidden Scam Driving Losses

Cryptocurrency kiosks—now common in stores—have quietly become a major on-ramp for scammers: over 90% of kiosk transactions are linked to fraud and consumers lost an estimated $9.3 billion to crypto scams in 2024. Scammers pose as officials, demand immediate payment, and insist victims buy crypto at a nearby kiosk and share voucher codes—transactions that are fast, anonymous and nearly impossible to reverse. Learn the red flags, why kiosks attract criminals, and what to do if you’re targeted.

Bitcoin Dips, XRP Slips: A Turbulent Year for Crypto

Trump-era optimism sparked a crypto rally, but macro worries cooled the surge — Bitcoin stays the “digital gold” with deep liquidity and inflation-hedge appeal yet remains vulnerable to sharp macro-driven swings, while XRP, buoyed by regulatory relief, is a payments-focused, adoption-dependent underdog. Dive in to see how tokenomics, liquidity and risk-sizing should shape allocations between BTC’s stability tilt and XRP’s high-alpha, event-driven upside.

North Korea’s 2025 Crypto Heists Reach Over $2 Billion

North Korea just posted its biggest year of crypto thefts — $2.02 billion in 2025 (about 50% more than 2024), pushing total takings since 2016 to roughly $6.75 billion, including a single $1.5B February hit on Bybit. State‑backed hackers now use sophisticated DeFi laundering — chain‑hopping, tokenization, staged swaps and bridges — that obscures provenance, raises systemic risks for exchanges and insurers, and has prompted Senate probes into cross‑chain and sanctions blind spots.

Saylor Sees Bitcoin Surging to $1 Million by 2029

Bold claim: Michael Saylor projects Bitcoin at $1 million by 2029 — roughly a 1,049% jump from today — betting on accelerating institutional adoption, new spot ETFs and custody solutions, and Bitcoin’s emergence as digital gold. The post explains how institutional flows and product mechanics could tighten liquidity and drive multi-year price discovery, what to watch (ETF/custody inflows, regulatory clarity, macro liquidity), and practical investor tactics to manage volatile upside. It also contrasts predictable token-design alternatives and flags key risks — timing, policy, and market-structure shocks — that could derail the thesis.

Ethereum’s Long-Term Bet on DeFi Dominance

Ethereum’s been a rollercoaster — soaring to an all-time high then sliding ~40% — yet its unmatched developer base, DeFi and stablecoin dominance, and post‑merge tokenomics keep it central to crypto’s next phase. Layer‑2 scaling and booming stablecoin use could fuel long-term scarcity, but liquidity cycles, competition and regulation mean volatility will persist.

Feds Seize $8.5 Million in Crypto Linked to North Carolina Investment Scams

Federal agents in North Carolina seized nearly $8.5 million in cryptocurrency tied to coordinated investment scams that left some victims stripped of life savings. Scammers groom targets via texts or dating apps, push them onto fake trading sites that show bogus gains, then freeze accounts, demand more money, and launder proceeds — but blockchain analytics helped trace and seize the funds. Read the full post to learn the scam mechanics, spot red flags, and get practical steps to protect your money.

Regulatory Uncertainty Triggers Crypto Capital Exodus

Regulatory uncertainty from a stalled Clarity Act sparked a $952M exodus from crypto investment products in a week — a selective pullback that hit Ethereum ($555M) and Bitcoin ($460M) but funneled fresh demand into Solana (~$48.5M) and XRP (~$62.9M). Investors and startups are favoring compliance-ready rails, custody and token designs that limit sell pressure; watch Congressional action on the Clarity Act, SEC signals on custody and staking, and shifts between pooled funds and exchange-held assets.