Cybercriminals reportedly breached the New York Post’s X account. They targeted cryptocurrency enthusiasts by luring them into a Telegram-based scam, disguised as a podcast invitation.
The fraudulent message, impersonating journalist Paul Sperry, invited users to a supposed editorial feature, offering both in-person and virtual interview options.
Kerberus CEO Alex Katz flagged the issue, confirming the scam was being pushed from NYP’s verified X profile.
Cybersecurity expert ‘Drew’ noted the attackers blocked replies to prevent the real NYP team from spotting the breach. He warned users not to respond to Telegram messages, emphasising that the invite was fake.
Unlike typical crypto scams involving phishing links or wallet drainers, this attack focused on private messaging and trust manipulation.
Victims reported that the scammer used detailed, personal references and staged interviews. These interviews enabled audio-triggered suspicious pop-ups, including one labelled ‘WiFi.’
Security experts say such methods exploit user trust built through prior interactions. As social engineering tactics evolve, crypto users are urged to verify every identity, even those they communicate with regularly.
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Donald Trump is hosting two crypto-themed dinners in May, raising ethical concerns among lawmakers. A $1.5 million-per-plate ‘Crypto & AI Innovators Dinner‘ was held at his Virginia golf club, featuring guests such as David Sacks.
He also confirmed a 22 May gala for top holders of the $TRUMP meme coin. The top 220 wallets qualify, with the highest 25 promised a private reception and a White House tour. Access is based solely on wallet holdings, most of which are pseudonymous.
Lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, accuse Trump of selling access. She also criticised the Trump-linked stablecoin USD1, co-founded by his son Eric, calling it a vehicle for personal gain.
Watchdogs warn that the token system lacks transparency and may involve foreign actors. Despite the backlash, $TRUMP tokens surged by over 50% after announcing the dinner.
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Digital twins are virtual models of real-world objects, systems, or processes. They enable real-time simulations, monitoring, and predictions, helping industries like healthcare and manufacturing optimise resources. In the crypto world, cybercriminals have found a way to exploit this technology for fraudulent activities.
Scammers create synthetic identities by gathering personal data from various sources. These digital twins are used to impersonate influencers or executives, promoting fake investment schemes or stealing funds. The unregulated nature of crypto platforms makes it easier for criminals to exploit users.
Real-world scams are already happening. Deepfake CEO videos have tricked executives into transferring funds under false pretences. Counterfeit crypto platforms have also stolen sensitive information from users. These scams highlight the risks of AI-powered digital twins in the crypto space.
Blockchain offers solutions to combat these frauds. Decentralised identities (DID) and NFT identity markers can verify interactions. Blockchain’s immutable audit trails and smart contracts can help secure transactions and protect users from digital twin scams.
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Vitalik Buterin has suggested replacing Ethereum’s Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V to simplify the network and improve its performance. In a 3 May blog post, he stated that Ethereum could become as simple as Bitcoin within five years.
RISC-V is an open-source instruction set that would allow Ethereum to run faster. By cutting out extra translation steps, it could make operations up to 100 times quicker. Unlike the EVM, RISC-V would allow applications to work directly on the execution layer.
Buterin also believes the switch to RISC-V would reduce infrastructure costs and minimise risks, like bugs and security breaches. However, the change could break backwards compatibility and require retraining developers.
Despite these challenges, some experts are optimistic. Thad Pinakiewicz from Galaxy Research says Ethereum’s success lies in its foundational technology, not just its price.
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Marks & Spencer has confirmed that a cyberattack has disrupted food availability in some stores and forced the temporary shutdown of online services. The company has not officially confirmed the nature of the breach, but cybersecurity experts suspect a ransomware attack.
The retailer paused clothing and home orders on its website and app after issues arose over the Easter weekend, affecting contactless payments and click-and-collect systems. M&S said it took some systems offline as a precautionary measure.
Reports have linked the incident to the hacking group Scattered Spider, although M&S has declined to comment further or provide a timeline for the resumption of online orders. The disruption has already led to minor product shortages and analysts anticipate a short-term hit to profits.
Still, M&S’s food division had been performing strongly, with grocery spending rising 14.4% year-on-year, according to Kantar. The retailer, which operates around 1,000 UK stores, earns about one-third of its non-food sales online. Shares dropped earlier in the week but closed Tuesday slightly up.
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The new asset would be introduced as part of a broader rewards programme. It could be used to pay for subscriptions before expanding to other offerings within the company’s ecosystem.
Other components of the ‘Truth ecosphere’ include Truth Social, a social network favoured by Donald Trump, and Truth.Fi, a recently launched fintech platform. Truth.Fi is developing investment products with an ‘America-First’ theme.
It aims to combine cryptocurrencies and traditional assets in customised ETFs by the end of the year.
Despite declining prices of Trump-affiliated meme coins, including those linked to Donald and Melania Trump, Trump Media remains committed to crypto.
The firm has already pledged up to $250 million of its cash reserves to Bitcoin and similar assets. Its annual meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
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France has publicly accused Russia’s military intelligence agency of launching cyberattacks against key French institutions, including the 2017 presidential campaign of Emmanuel Macron and organisations tied to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The allegations were presented by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot at the UN Security Council, where he condemned the attacks as violations of international norms. French authorities linked the operations to APT28, a well-known Russian hacking group connected to the GRU.
The group also allegedly orchestrated the 2015 cyberattack on TV5 Monde and attempted to manipulate voters during the 2017 French election by leaking thousands of campaign documents. A rise in attacks has been noted ahead of major events like the Olympics and future elections.
France’s national cybersecurity agency recorded a 15% increase in Russia-linked attacks in 2024, targeting ministries, defence firms, and cultural venues. French officials warn the hacks aim to destabilise society and erode public trust.
France plans closer cooperation with Poland and pledged to counter Russia’s cyber operations with all available means.
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Beijing has unveiled a two-year plan aimed at promoting blockchain development and adoption across various sectors. The initiative, announced on 29 April, is supported by local bodies like the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Cyberspace Administration Office.
The project will span from 2023 to 2027, with a focus on integrating blockchain into infrastructure and industries.
The plan recognises blockchain as essential for industrial digitalisation and digital infrastructure. Among its objectives is enhancing the value extraction from digital assets, potentially hinting at crypto mining opportunities.
The initiative also focuses on advancements in cryptography, confidential computing, and distributed systems. It includes developing blockchain infrastructure, such as national hubs and digital identity platforms.
Key industries identified for blockchain application include healthcare, education, AI models, financial services, and transportation.
By 2027, the project is set to introduce blockchain chips and a trusted identity system with a user base of over 100 million.
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The service, called Bunq Crypto, is now live in six European countries, with further expansion planned.
CEO Ali Niknam said the decision was driven by customer demand and a more supportive regulatory environment. The feature is powered by Kraken, one of the largest crypto exchanges globally.
Bunq plans to expand the crypto service across the European Economic Area, as well as to the UK and the US. The move reflects a wider trend among financial firms to offer all-in-one platforms that integrate banking, saving and investing.
According to Bunq’s research, 65% of Europeans want a single app to manage traditional and digital finance.
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Bitcoin ticked up slightly on Tuesday as markets reacted to hints of trade progress from President Trump’s cabinet ahead of his rally in Michigan. Bitcoin climbed 0.5% to around $95,400, while Ethereum and Solana posted stronger gains of 3% and 2%, respectively.
The president is set to speak in Macomb County, Michigan, celebrating his administration’s first 100 days. Analysts say the event could impact crypto markets if Trump reinforces a pro-Bitcoin stance or hints at institutional integration of digital assets.
Trade optimism also played a role. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a new deal had been reached with one country impacted by Trump’s tariffs, although full details remain under wraps. Trump echoed this optimism, noting progress in talks with India.
Markets are also watching for inflation updates, with the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure due Wednesday. Economists warn that Trump’s tariffs could fuel inflation and dampen growth, factors likely to influence crypto alongside broader risk assets.
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