Russian state-linked hackers, operating under the unit Star Blizzard, have launched a new phishing campaign targeting the WhatsApp accounts of government ministers and officials worldwide. According to Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Star Blizzard, linked to Russia’s FSB spy agency, aims to undermine political trust in the UK and other similar nations.
Victims receive an email impersonating a US government official, inviting them to join a WhatsApp group. The email contains a QR code that, when scanned, links the victim’s WhatsApp account to an attacker-controlled device or WhatsApp Web, granting the hacker access to sensitive messages. Microsoft confirmed that this tactic allows hackers to exfiltrate data but did not specify whether data was successfully stolen.
The campaign has targeted individuals involved in diplomacy, defence, and Ukraine-related initiatives. This marks the latest attempt by Star Blizzard, which had previously targeted British MPs, universities, and journalists. Microsoft noted that while the campaign seemed to have wound down by November, the use of QR codes in phishing attacks, or ‘quishing,’ shows the hackers’ continued efforts to gain access to sensitive information.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, emphasised that users should avoid scanning suspicious QR codes and should only link their accounts through official services. Experts also recommend verifying suspicious emails by contacting the sender directly through a known, trusted email address.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has raised concerns about the competitive risks posed by collaborations between major technology companies and developers of generative AI tools. In a staff report issued Friday, the agency pointed to partnerships such as Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI and similar alliances involving Amazon, Google, and Anthropic as potentially harmful to market competition, according to TechCrunch.
FTC Chair Lina Khan warned that these collaborations could create barriers for smaller startups, limit access to crucial AI tools, and expose sensitive information. ‘These partnerships by big tech firms can create lock-in, deprive start-ups of key AI inputs, and reveal sensitive information that undermines fair competition,’ Khan stated.
The report specifically highlights the role of cloud service providers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, which provide essential resources such as computing power and technical expertise to AI developers. These arrangements could restrict smaller firms’ access to these critical resources, raise business switching costs, and allow cloud providers to gain unique insights into sensitive data, potentially stifling competition.
Microsoft defended its partnership with OpenAI, emphasising its benefits to the industry. ‘This collaboration has enabled one of the most successful AI startups in the world and spurred unprecedented technology investment and innovation,’ said Rima Alaily, Microsoft’s deputy general counsel. The FTC report underscores the need to address the broader implications of big tech’s growing dominance in generative AI.
Meta announced the launch of a new video editing app called Edits, set to release next month for iOS, with an Android version to follow. The app comes after ByteDance’s CapCut was removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store amid the ongoing TikTok ban. Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared the news on Threads, emphasising the company’s focus on providing creators with the best tools for video-making.
Edits will offer a suite of creative tools, including a dedicated inspiration tab, an idea tracker, a high-quality camera, and the ability to share drafts with collaborators. Users will also have access to insights on video performance after publishing on Instagram. Mosseri clarified that the app is geared more toward serious creators than casual video makers.
Meta has a history of launching products to fill gaps in the market, such as Instagram Reels in 2020 when TikTok was banned in India. The company likely sees Edits as an opportunity to capture video creators after CapCut’s removal, positioning itself as a key player in the video editing space. Meanwhile, competitors like Captions are also stepping up, shifting to a freemium model to attract users.
Donald Trump’s newly launched meme coin, $TRUMP, has seen explosive growth, reaching a market cap of approximately $9 billion after peaking at over $15 billion on Sunday. The coin, which was announced on Truth Social ahead of Trump’s second presidential inauguration, quickly surged by more than 300% shortly after its release. By Sunday evening, the price had settled at just over $46, with a market cap of $9.36 billion. The coin, which operates on the Solana blockchain, is limited to an initial 200 million coins, with plans to expand to 1 billion over the next three years.
The $TRUMP token’s meteoric rise was accompanied by massive trading activity, hitting a 24-hour trading volume of $36.15 billion. However, the coin’s developers, including Trump’s affiliates CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC, have made it clear that $TRUMP is not an investment opportunity, nor is it tied to any political campaign or government entity. Despite this, its launch has sparked interest, particularly in light of Trump’s ongoing political influence and support from cryptocurrency industry backers.
Trump’s meme coin is the latest in a series of merchandise ventures, including luxury items such as Trump-branded watches, perfumes, and NFTs. His administration has also expressed plans to reduce regulatory burdens on crypto firms and create a Bitcoin reserve. The growing anticipation surrounding Trump’s second term, along with his pro-crypto stance, continues to fuel optimism within the crypto market.
Additionally, Melania Trump entered the crypto space with the launch of her coin, $MELANIA, based on the Solana blockchain. The collaboration between the Trumps further aligns with their vision of a flourishing digital economy as they approach the new administration.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Nova Labs with conducting unregistered securities offerings and making false claims about its business partnerships to mislead investors. According to the SEC’s complaint, Nova Labs sold unregistered investment contracts since April 2019, primarily through its Hotspots and Discovery Mapping Program, which promised returns through network expansion and increased demand for its crypto tokens.
The company allegedly misled investors by claiming that large companies like Nestlé, Salesforce, and Lime were using its wireless network, despite no such partnerships existing. When these companies discovered the false claims, they issued cease-and-desist letters to Nova Labs. The SEC argues that these fraudulent statements were material to investor decisions and violated federal securities laws.
As a result, the SEC is seeking multiple remedies, including permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten profits, and civil penalties. This case is part of the SEC’s ongoing efforts to regulate cryptocurrency companies operating without proper securities registration and making misleading claims to attract investors.
Bitcoin has achieved a new all-time high, reaching $109,300 and nearing the $110,000 milestone. The surge, representing a 5% increase in just an hour, also lifted other major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, XRP, and Solana, each gaining over 3%. The rapid rise triggered significant losses for traders holding short positions, as Bitcoin shorts alone accounted for over $60 million in losses.
The crypto market experienced liquidations exceeding $1.2 billion in the past 24 hours, with short sellers collectively losing $900 million. This momentum aligns with growing optimism surrounding Donald Trump’s second term as US President. Investors anticipate his administration will introduce policies favourable to the crypto industry, positioning the United States as a global leader in blockchain innovation.
With Trump signalling full support for the emerging crypto sector, market sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, driving a fresh wave of enthusiasm and record-breaking gains for Bitcoin and other digital assets.
World Liberty Financial, a decentralised finance platform supported by Donald Trump, has released an additional 5 billion tokens for sale following the success of its initial presale. The new tokens, priced at 5 cents each, mark a significant increase from the presale rate of 1.5 cents. The platform’s first token sale raised $300 million by selling 20% of its 100 billion WLFI tokens, and the current offering aims to raise an additional $250 million.
The surge in demand has also attracted increased investment from notable backers. Tron founder Justin Sun, who previously invested $30 million, announced an additional $45 million investment, bringing his total stake to $75 million. Despite barring US retail investors from participating, the presale drew significant interest globally, with WLFI positioned as the governance token for the platform’s future decentralised trading system.
In a move to expand its ecosystem, World Liberty Financial partnered with TRUMP, a meme coin tied to Donald Trump. The collaboration followed a volatile market debut for TRUMP, which briefly surged to $73 before falling to $41. Meanwhile, Melania Trump launched her memecoin, adding further intrigue to the platform’s strategy. As the project pushes ahead, the new token sale reflects strong market interest and ambitious growth plans.
Social network X is introducing a dedicated vertical video feed for users, aiming to capitalise on the removal of ByteDance apps like TikTok and Lemon8 from US app stores. The new video tab, added to the app’s bottom bar, provides users quick access to immersive video content.
X users could scroll through short videos by tapping them in their timeline, but the new tab creates a dedicated space for videos. This marks the platform’s latest effort to enhance video experiences, following the launch of a standalone TV app last year to showcase content from creators and organisations.
As TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, other social networks are seizing the opportunity. Meta recently announced a video editing app, Edits, to rival ByteDance’s CapCut, while Bluesky introduced a custom feed for vertical videos, further intensifying competition in the short video market.
Melania Trump has unveiled her cryptocurrency, $MELANIA, just ahead of her husband Donald Trump’s inauguration as the US president. The token, hosted on the Solana blockchain, debuted with a market valuation of $1.7 billion, following the earlier release of $TRUMP, which currently boasts a $12 billion valuation.
Announcing the launch on social platform X, Melania’s post invited users to join the ‘Official Melania Meme’ movement. Both $MELANIA and $TRUMP websites include disclaimers stating the tokens are not intended as investment opportunities or securities, adding a layer of caution to their promotional efforts.
These developments highlight a shift in the Trump family’s stance on digital assets, with Donald Trump previously labelling crypto a ‘scam.’ During his campaign, however, he embraced the industry, pledging to reduce regulatory barriers and create a strategic Bitcoin reserve. His victory fuelled optimism in the market, driving Bitcoin to a record high of $107,000.
The crypto world continues to watch as the Trumps’ venture into digital currencies unfolds, with broader implications for regulatory policies and market dynamics under the new administration.
The European crypto market is on the verge of a major transformation as the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) takes centre stage. The comprehensive framework aims to enhance transparency, anti-money laundering measures, and consumer protection, setting new standards for the industry. However, with the 2025 deadline approaching, concerns over readiness are mounting. Recent findings reveal that less than 5% of crypto businesses in countries like Poland, Czechia, and the Baltics are fully prepared, leaving many at risk of non-compliance.
While nations such as Malta, France, and Liechtenstein benefit from existing laws closely aligned with MiCA, others face steeper challenges. Poland, for example, must harmonise its lenient regulatory environment to meet the demands, impacting over 1,500 registered VASPs. On the other hand, Estonia stands out as a proactive leader, with fewer firms needing to adapt due to its stringent crypto regulations. The disparity in readiness underscores the urgent need for a cohesive effort across Europe.
For crypto companies, compliance is no longer optional but imperative. Non-compliance could mean losing access to the EU market or facing operational shutdowns, especially for smaller firms. Yet, embracing MiCA offers a significant upside, including greater consumer trust and competitive advantage. Companies like Kyrrex are stepping in to provide solutions, enabling a smoother business transition through sublicensing and advanced regulatory tools.
With 2025 drawing closer, the focus shifts to how quickly the industry can adapt to unlock MiCA’s potential. For Europe’s crypto market, this is not just about surviving regulatory changes but thriving in a future defined by transparency and innovation.
