Market
Tornado Cash Sees $50M in Laundered Funds in September
Blockchain analytics firm SpotOnChain reported that malicious actors have been using the sanctioned crypto mixing service Tornado Cash heavily this month to launder stolen funds.
Tornado Cash, a crypto mixing tool that conceals transaction details, remains a favored platform for cybercriminals aiming to obscure illicit funds. Despite US government sanctions imposed in 2022, its usage has surged recently.
4 Hackers Move $50 Million Through Tornado Cash
On September 8, SpotOnChain reported that four hackers moved a total of 20,561 ETH (approximately $50 million) through Tornado Cash in September. These funds are tied to significant breaches involving Penpie, WazirX, Bo Shen, and LiFi.
The hacker responsible for the Penpie attack transferred 11,261 ETH, valued at about $26.7 million. This sum represents the entire amount stolen from the decentralized finance (DeFi) platform last week.
Penpie had offered a 10% bounty — around $2.7 million — for information leading to asset recovery. However, the attacker chose to launder the full amount through Tornado Cash.
Read more: Tornado Cash: Everything You Need To Know
Similarly, the perpetrator behind the WazirX breach moved 7,600 ETH, worth $18.51 million, via the mixing service this month. WazirX experienced a $235 million hack in July, which forced the exchange to halt operations.
Experts have linked this incident to the North Korea-backed Lazarus Group. Despite laundering a portion of the stolen assets, the hacker still controls 54,155 ETH, approximately $123 million in value.
Additionally, hackers associated with Bo Shen and LiFi transferred 1,500 ETH and 200 ETH, respectively — collectively worth $4 million — into the sanctioned mixer during this period.
These events indicate that Tornado Cash continues to be a preferred tool for laundering stolen assets, even after efforts to curb its use. Although activity on the platform declined following the sanctions, recent data suggests a resurgence. Lookonchain noted that as of September 6, three hackers had deposited 17,800 ETH — equivalent to $42.7 million — into the platform over three days.
Read more: Top 7 Privacy Coins in 2024
Meanwhile, crypto attorney Josh Lawler has highlighted potential legal challenges to the sanctions against Tornado Cash. He pointed out that the Fifth Circuit Court is skeptical about classifying open-source software as an “entity” subject to sanctions.
“Tornado Cash may be outside of Treasury ability to sanction: 5th Circuit skeptical of argument that open source software is an “entity”; finally getting this on the correct path. Maybe we get a point for privacy,” Lawler stated.
This legal discourse emerges amid the US government’s criminal prosecution of Tornado Cash co-founders Roman Semenov and Roman Storm. According to the indictment, they are accused of conspiring to launder money and facilitating transactions with sanctioned entities.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Trump Taps Pro-Crypto Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary Role
Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has nominated Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary for his administration. This decision has generated enthusiasm in the emerging industry due to Bessent’s pro-crypto reputation.
Bessent and Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick had been considered strong favorites for the position. However, Lutnick was eventually nominated as Commerce Secretary.
Crypto Industry Welcomes Scott Bessent’s Nomination for Treasury Secretary
In a November 22 announcement on Truth Social, Trump praised Bessent as the ideal candidate to support his administration’s economic goals. The President stated that Bessent will play a pivotal role in strengthening the US economy, fostering innovation, and maintaining the dollar’s status as the global reserve currency.
“Scott will support my policies that will drive US competitiveness, and stop unfair trade imbalances, work to create an economy that places growth at the forefront, especially through our coming world energy dominance,” Trump added.
Wall Street veteran Bessent, who founded the international macro investment company Key Square Group, brings extensive experience to the role. He had previously served as the chief investment officer for the prominent investor George Soros.
While President Trump’s announcement did not directly reference cryptocurrencies, many in the digital asset space view Bessent’s appointment as a positive sign. In past statements, Bessent has described crypto as a symbol of financial freedom. He also called Bitcoin an alternative investment for younger investors disillusioned with the traditional financial system.
“I have been excited about the president’s embrace of crypto and I think it fits very well with the Republican Party, crypto is about freedom in the crypto economy is here to stay,” Bessent stated.
His pro-crypto stance has led many to believe his leadership could encourage a more balanced approach to digital asset regulation. This would contrast with the outgoing administration’s enforcement-heavy tactics, such as its controversial sanctions on decentralized platforms like Tornado Cash.
Indeed, crypto industry leaders have responded enthusiastically to Bessent’s nomination. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commended Bessent’s nomination, calling it a win for innovation. He noted that Bessent’s leadership could mark a turning point for crypto-friendly policies in Washington.
Similarly, Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, highlighted the importance of Bessent working with Congress to establish clear regulations, ensure fair tax treatment, and protect self-custody rights for digital assets.
“Critical to this nomination would be working with Congress on a regulatory framework for digital assets, protecting the right to self custody, pushing for clearer tax treatment of digital assets, and working closely with industry experts to protect our nation’s security,” Smith remarked.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Will the Cardano Coin Price Rally Continue?
ADA, the native coin of the Cardano blockchain, has made a significant price breakthrough. It has surpassed the $1 mark for the first time in two years. As of this writing, the altcoin trades at $1.09, a price level last observed in April 2022. `
Over the past 24 hours, ADA’s price has rocketed by 24%, and its trading volume has increased by 131% during the same period. With heightening buying pressure, the Cardano coin price rally is poised to continue.
Cardano Holders See Green
Cardano’s ascent above the $1 price mark has put many of its holders in profit. According to IntoTheBlock’s Global In/Out of the Money indicator, 3.15 million addresses, which comprise 71% of all ADA holders, are “in the money.”
An address is said to be “in the money” if the current market price of the asset it holds is higher than the average cost at which the address acquired those tokens. This means the holder would profit if they sold their holdings at the current market price.
Conversely, 715,230 addresses, which comprise 16% of all ADA holders, are “out of the money.” These addresses would incur a loss if they sold at the current price. Per IntoTheBlock’s data, this cohort of investors acquired their coins when ADA sold above $1.40.
Notably, with many addresses now holding unrealized profits, long-term holders (LTHs) of ADA are repositioning, potentially to secure gains. This activity is reflected by the spike in ADA’s age-consumed metric, which, per Santiment’s data, skyrocketed to a monthly high of 86.91 billion on November 22, when the uptrend began.
This surge is notable because long-term holders rarely move their coins around. When they do, it often hints at a shift in market trends. Therefore, as in ADA’s case, if the spike is accompanied by increased trading volume and positive price action, it suggests that long-term holders are taking profits. This may fuel further price increases as new buyers enter the market.
ADA Price Prediction: The Upward Trend Is Strong
On the daily chart, ADA’s Aroon Up Line is at 100%. The Aroon indicator measures the strength and direction of a trend. When the Aroon Up line is at 100%, it indicates a strong upward trend, suggesting a recent high and a potential continuation of the bullish momentum.
If this holds and new demand continues to enter the market, the Cardano coin price rally will continue toward $1.24, a price high it last reached in March 2022.
On the other hand, if profit-taking intensifies and buying pressure weakens, ADA’s price may fall to retest support at $1. Should this level fail to hold, the downtrend will be confirmed, and ADA’s price will plunge to $0.85.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
ADA Sights More Growth After Breaking $0.8119
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