Ethereum developer Federico Carrone, known as Fede’s Intern, was detained in Turkey over allegations of helping misuse the Ethereum network. The incident happened at Izmir airport, where authorities informed him of a pending criminal charge likely linked to his privacy protocol work.
After intervention from the Ethereum community and legal support, Carrone was released and allowed to leave. The case seems tied to blockchain privacy tools, which face rising government scrutiny.
Carrone’s team previously came under attention for Tutela, a study on Ethereum and Tornado Cash user privacy. He emphasised that creating privacy code does not make developers criminals, comparing it to blaming software creators for misuse.
Growing legal challenges face developers building privacy and self-custody tools. Tornado Cash co-founder Alexey Roman recently received a criminal conviction and may face prison.
Crypto advocates warn lawsuits against developers risk stifling innovation and highlight ongoing legal uncertainty.
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Blue Origin has opened its doors to cryptocurrency enthusiasts, allowing passengers to pay for suborbital spaceflights in Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, USDt and USDC. Partnering with Shift4 Payments, Blue Origin will take direct wallet transfers from MetaMask and Coinbase for New Shepard flights.
The move adds to a growing trend of blockchain ventures in aerospace. Past projects have ranged from NFTs sent to space to the launch of satellites hosting decentralised networks.
Spacecoin XYZ recently began building an orbital blockchain network. World Mobile is also rolling out a decentralised 5G system using hydrogen-powered drones to deliver affordable, high-speed internet to underserved regions.
Blue Origin’s ties to crypto go back years. In 2021, Tron founder Justin Sun purchased a $28 million ticket for a Blue Origin flight, with the funds benefiting 19 space-related charities.
Following the journey, Sun called for global action to protect Earth, a message that resonates as technology and space exploration continue to intersect.
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A recent report by Chainstory analysed 80,000 crypto news articles across five leading sites, revealing that 48% of them disclosed some form of AI use during 2025. Investing.com and The Defiant led in AI-generated or assisted content among the sites studied.
The extent of AI use across the broader industry may vary, as disclosure practices differ.
Editors interviewed for the report highlighted AI’s strengths and limitations. While AI proves valuable for research tasks such as summarising reports and extracting data, its storytelling ability remains weak.
Articles entirely written by AI often lack a genuine human tone, which can feel unnatural to audiences. One editor noted that readers can usually tell when content isn’t authored by a person, regardless of disclosure.
Afik Rechler, co-CEO of Chainstory, stated that AI is now an integral part of crypto journalism but has not replaced human reporters. He emphasised balancing AI help with human insight to keep readers’ trust, since current AI can’t manage complex, nuanced stories.
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US President Donald Trump has extended the pause on tariffs against Chinese goods by 90 days, postponing the deadline initially set for 12 August. The announcement triggered a sharp rise in Bitcoin’s price, which climbed to nearly $119,800 before returning to around $119,000.
Market watchers remain cautious, debating whether the price surge represents a lasting rally or a brief ‘Dead Cat Bounce.’ A CME futures gap below $119,000 may need to be filled before Bitcoin can sustain an uptrend.
The crypto market also awaits key US inflation data, with consumer and producer price figures expected in mid-August. These statistics could influence the Federal Reserve’s decisions, with a rate cut forecast for September growing more likely.
Crypto analyst Altcoin Sherpa outlined two possible paths for Bitcoin’s near-term movement. One scenario expects a gradual pullback to form a stable base, while the other anticipates a quick liquidity test near $120,000 influenced by treasury and economic factors.
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Hackers have stolen over $1 million in cryptocurrency using AI-generated malicious Firefox extensions disguised as legitimate wallet tools.
The group, known as GreedyBear, created over 150 fake add-ons for platforms like MetaMask and Phantom, bypassing security checks to drain funds from thousands of users. Analysts say AI enabled the attackers to automate coding and deployment at an industrial scale.
The theft comes amid a record-breaking year for crypto crime, with Chainalysis data showing over $2.17 billion stolen so far in 2025. Many incidents exploit smart contract flaws and human error, with access control attacks accounting for the most recent losses.
Security experts warn that AI is now a double-edged sword, helping attackers and defenders. They urge exchanges, developers, and users to adopt AI-powered monitoring, stronger verification, and collaborative defences to restore trust in digital assets.
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Bo Hines, executive director of the White House Crypto Council, has announced his departure to return to the private sector. Appointed in December 2024, Hines thanked the crypto community, calling his role ‘the honour of a lifetime’ and pledging ongoing support.
The council, formed to shape US digital asset policy, released a regulatory action plan in July. Despite progress, critics argued it failed to implement a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Deputy director Patrick Witt is expected to succeed Hines, though no official appointment has been made.
Hines strongly backed expanding the government’s Bitcoin holdings through budget-neutral strategies, which is in line with Trump’s January executive order that created a national crypto stockpile.
He previously suggested revaluing US gold reserves, which are priced far below market value. Part of the gains could then be converted into Bitcoin without impacting the federal budget.
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Google is testing a new AI-powered version of its Finance page, offering users advanced tools to explore stock market, financial, and cryptocurrency information.
The platform enables users to ask natural language questions about finance and receive detailed answers, accompanied by source links.
The new page features three main components: research, charting tools, and real-time data and news. Users can visualise financial data using technical charts such as moving averages and candlestick charts, and access live updates and news feeds related to financial markets and cryptocurrencies.
Google plans to roll out the AI-powered Finance page over the coming weeks via Google.com/finance, aiming to provide a more interactive and insightful experience for users interested in financial data and market trends.
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Paying rent in Bitcoin is no longer a niche concept, with cities worldwide embracing digital currencies for property leases. Remote workers, nomads, and tenants seeking alternatives to traditional banking are finding it easier to settle monthly payments in Bitcoin.
Blockchain-powered rental platforms and smart contracts have brought speed, security, and transparency to the process, reducing disputes and enabling global accessibility.
Tenants and landlords can choose between direct Bitcoin transfers and indirect payments via third-party services. Direct payments offer lower fees and decentralisation but carry price volatility risks.
Indirect transactions convert cryptocurrency to fiat, protecting landlords from market swings and ensuring regulatory compliance. Both methods are gaining traction as awareness and infrastructure improve.
Cities leading the Bitcoin rental movement include Miami, Lisbon, Berlin, Toronto, and Paris. Each offers varying degrees of direct and intermediary-supported payments, catering to crypto-savvy tenants and forward-thinking landlords.
Beyond these hubs, hotspots like El Zonte in El Salvador and Rosario in Argentina showcase how crypto rentals are gaining ground in emerging markets.
For tenants, the appeal lies in avoiding costly currency conversions, accessing flexible housing, and navigating global moves without banking hurdles.
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Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting TikTok Shop users through a phishing and malware campaign known as ‘ClickTok‘. The scheme uses fake Meta ads and AI-generated TikTok videos imitating influencers to lure victims to fraudulent domains resembling real sites.
These domains are used to steal credentials and distribute trojanised applications. More than 10,000 fake sites have been identified, luring shoppers with heavily discounted products and urgency tactics such as countdown timers.
Victims are prompted to make payments in Tether, allowing scammers to exploit the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions. The fraudulent storefronts are designed to appear convincing, encouraging rash purchases.
TikTok Shop affiliate members are also being targeted with advance fee scams. Criminals pose as TikTok affiliates on WhatsApp and Telegram, convincing victims to deposit funds into bogus wallets in exchange for fake commission payments.
The report warns that the younger demographic on TikTok, particularly those aged 18 to 34, may be more vulnerable to such schemes. The trend shows scams shifting from Facebook and X to new e-commerce platforms.
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The United Arab Emirates is moving closer to a unified regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies after the SCA and the Dubai VARA announced a formal partnership. The agreement aims to harmonise crypto oversight nationwide while maintaining robust compliance and security standards.
Mutual recognition of virtual asset service provider (VASP) licences forms the partnership’s core. However, automatic passporting between emirates will not be permitted.
Each VASP licensed by one authority will undergo coordinated regulatory assessments, including Anti-Money Laundering and operational checks, to ensure national standards are upheld.
The collaboration promises more precise regulation, faster market entry, and reduced duplication for crypto firms operating in the UAE. Officials highlight the deal as a milestone that strengthens the country’s position as an innovation-focused and credible crypto hub.
Ongoing talks with regulators like Abu Dhabi Global Markets support the UAE’s broader strategy for regulatory alignment and cross-border cooperation in virtual assets.
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