Kraken has raised concerns over the lack of basic security awareness among crypto users attending industry events. Kraken’s security team observed unlocked devices, unattended phones, and careless talk of personal wealth at conferences, exposing attendees to potential exploitation.
Head of Security Nick Percoco warned that these behaviours compromise individual assets and the safety of entire projects.
Percoco highlighted how scammers easily blend in by posing as legitimate attendees. Tactics include juice jacking, compromised Wi-Fi networks, and malicious QR codes.
He advised using burner wallets with minimal funds during conferences, locking all devices, and avoiding unsecured public connections.
There has also been a rise in offline threats targeting crypto holders. Kraken observed attendees casually discussing trades while wearing conference badges with full names and company details.
With reports of kidnappings and in-person crypto thefts increasing globally, experts say discretion and strong operational security are more crucial than ever.
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Bo Hines, head of Donald Trump’s advisory council on digital assets, recently met with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to explore joint opportunities in the crypto sector. Their meeting focused on digital asset growth and plans to reshape global finance.
El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office confirmed talks on Bitcoin and wider digital asset collaboration between the two nations. The visit comes shortly after Bukele’s White House meeting with Trump, which focused on regional security rather than crypto.
However, Hines’ presence in El Salvador has reignited attention on Trump’s crypto strategy.
Trump’s administration previously announced plans for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which would be built using funds from criminal seizures and other cost-neutral sources.
While no official US Bitcoin purchases have occurred, Hines’ visit may signal early steps toward adopting elements of El Salvador’s model.
El Salvador, which made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, continues to push for digital literacy. Its government has launched education programmes on Bitcoin, artificial intelligence, and ethics, aiming to develop a new generation of tech-savvy leaders.
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Romania’s national postal service has taken a digital leap by installing its first Bitcoin ATM in Tulcea. The move is part of a wider effort to modernise Poșta Română and bring cryptocurrency services to less connected regions.
The initiative was launched in collaboration with Bitcoin Romania, one of the country’s leading crypto exchanges.
Additional Bitcoin ATMs are scheduled for deployment in Alexandria, Piatra Neamț, Botoșani, and Nădlac. Placing ATMs in post offices signals a shift in public attitudes, as institutions embrace modern financial tools in everyday settings.
The goal is to boost accessibility while embracing a broader digital transformation.
Although the number of Bitcoin users continues to rise, global adoption remains low. A recent River report found that just 4% of the global population owns Bitcoin, with 14% of users based in the United States.
Despite this, Bitcoin’s market cap—currently just over $2 trillion—remains a fraction of its estimated potential.
Researchers believe Bitcoin could one day capture up to 50% of the global store-of-value market, which is valued at around $225 trillion. With adoption still lagging, analysts argue that Bitcoin has significant room for future growth.
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New SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has committed to creating a clear regulatory framework for the crypto sector. He aims to replace ambiguity with investor protection and support for innovation.
Speaking before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on 3 June, he said outdated and unclear rules have held the industry back.
Atkins stressed that his approach would end the former administration’s ‘regulation-by-enforcement’ model. He plans to use structured rulemaking, with notice-and-comment procedures guiding the creation of clear, tailored regulations for the crypto market.
He also reaffirmed support for the recently launched Crypto Task Force. Atkins praised the leadership of Commissioners Uyeda and Hester Peirce, often referred to as ‘crypto mom’, adding that the SEC’s divisions would act swiftly to provide regulatory certainty.
Appointed under the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly agenda, Atkins’ policy direction signals a significant shift. It embraces digital asset innovation while ensuring strong investor safeguards.
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Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States faced $278 million in outflows on 5 June, reversing gains made earlier in the week. The shift followed a public feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, sparking wider uncertainty across markets.
The Cryptocurrency Fear & Greed Index dropped to ‘Fear’ on 6 June, as both Tesla and Trump Media shares also fell sharply.
The recent ETF downturn added to previous losses totalling $1.2 billion between 29 May and 2 June. Among the hardest hit was ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, which recorded $102 million in outflows. No Bitcoin ETFs saw any inflows that day, highlighting investor caution.
In contrast, Ether ETFs continued their positive run with $11.3 million in inflows on 5 June, extending a 14-day streak. Although inflows were lower than earlier in the week, interest in Ether remains strong, supported by network upgrades and robust ETH futures activity.
Institutional interest also persists, with BlackRock acquiring $50 million worth of Ether on 3 June. Meanwhile, global Bitcoin ETPs saw net outflows of $8 million over the past week, suggesting that Bitcoin is facing a temporary setback while Ether enjoys relative strength.
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Moroccan police arrested 24-year-old dual French-Moroccan Bajjou Badiss Mohamed AmiDe, wanted for kidnappings of cryptocurrency holders in France. An Interpol red notice issued by French authorities led to his identification and arrest.
Charges include organised crime, kidnapping, and extortion. Due to his dual nationality, he will face trial in Morocco, with French prosecutors sharing the case files.
The arrest follows a recent surge in violent attacks on crypto entrepreneurs in France. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has introduced emergency security measures, including private consultations and home risk assessments for those at risk.
France has seen 14 of the world’s 50 known attacks on crypto figures over the past year, according to Ledger co-founder Éric Larchevêque.
High-profile incidents include the attempted abduction of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat’s daughter and the arrest of seven suspects linked to a victim found with a severed finger. Officials stress the urgency of judicial action to prevent further violence.
French authorities have thanked Morocco for its cooperation, while proceedings against Bajjou will continue under Moroccan jurisdiction.
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JPMorgan will start accepting Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as collateral for loans, signalling a growing institutional embrace of digital assets. The bank will include crypto holdings alongside equities and fine art when assessing clients’ net worth and assets.
The initial programme will include BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust and be available globally to trading and wealth-management clients soon. JPMorgan’s new policy formalises earlier practices and is expected to expand to include other Bitcoin ETFs over time.
The move reflects a broader shift in the US regulatory landscape, with President Donald Trump’s administration supporting pro-crypto policies that encourage greater bank involvement.
Despite CEO Jamie Dimon’s personal scepticism towards Bitcoin, the bank remains committed to serving clients interested in digital asset exposure.
As crypto investment products gain traction among retail and high-net-worth investors, JPMorgan’s new approach highlights the increasing convergence of traditional finance and digital markets.
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The Czech government faces a no-confidence vote after Justice Minister Pavel Blazek resigned amid controversy over a Bitcoin donation. The digital contribution, worth millions, came from Tomas Jirikovsky, a convicted drug trafficker linked to Sheep Marketplace.
The donation, made in March, was sold for over $45 million at a public auction, sparking political backlash.
Blazek denied any wrongdoing in accepting the donation but stepped down amid growing pressure. Opposition party ANO criticised the government’s handling of the affair, calling for immediate resignation.
The scandal adds to mounting concerns as the October elections approach, with polls showing the ruling coalition trailing behind ANO.
Jirikovsky was convicted in 2017 and released in 2021, after which he sought to reclaim seized Bitcoin. Investigations revealed a dark web trail tied to the donation, but no formal links to other marketplaces were confirmed.
Political analysts suggest Prime Minister Petr Fiala could also face scrutiny due to his close association with Blazek.
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The Ethereum Foundation has introduced a stricter treasury policy as it prepares for a crucial 18-month period.
Spending will now be based on Ether reserves and market conditions, with just 2.5 years of runway remaining, according to director Hsiao-Wei Wang.
To improve transparency, the Foundation will publish quarterly and annual reports. Its treasury, worth around $970.2 million in October, was mostly held in ETH. Recent asset sales sparked backlash from the community.
In a shift from neutrality, the Foundation is now engaging with audited DeFi protocols. In February, it allocated 45,000 ETH to platforms like Aave, Spark and Compound. Internal restructuring also led to staff redundancies, though exact numbers were not revealed.
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Coinbase is under scrutiny after revealing a data breach tied to its contractor TaskUs. The incident reportedly involved insider misconduct at a support centre in India.
Though the breach was disclosed in May, insiders say Coinbase had knowledge of the issue as early as January.
The incident was traced to a TaskUs agent who allegedly photographed customer data and sold it to hackers. TaskUs fired two staff, saying the breach seemed part of a broader campaign targeting several Coinbase service providers.
Operations in Indore were suspended, impacting 226 staff, most of whom received severance.
Hackers accessed names, addresses, masked banking data, and ID documents, but no funds or passwords were compromised. On 11 May, Coinbase received a $20 million ransom demand.
CEO Brian Armstrong rejected the threat and instead offered a $20 million reward for information leading to the attackers’ arrest.
The breach, which affected under 1% of users, has triggered a shareholder lawsuit accusing Coinbase of failing to disclose the incident promptly.
Although its stock dipped 7% after the news, it has since recovered, supported by the company’s recent inclusion in the S&P 500 index.
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