Market
Hong Kong Battles Counterfeit Currency Surge Amid Crypto Frauds

Hong Kong police have issued new warnings about the surge in counterfeit banknotes. This alarming trend has seen such fakes used in elaborate crypto frauds.
As currency and digital assets continue to evolve, the intertwining of traditional counterfeiting with modern financial scams presents a complex challenge for law enforcement and regulatory bodies.
Hong Kong Authorities Crack Down on Counterfeit Banknotes
According to the South China Morning Post, authorities confiscated 3,396 fake notes between January and April this year. This is a stark increase from the 553 bills seized during the same period last year, which had a total face value of approximately HK$2.55 million (~ $326,130).
This rise in counterfeiting includes many fake notes specifically intended for use in crypto transactions. Police reported the seizure of 1,693 “training notes” and 347 low-quality counterfeit bills in connection with three major crypto scam cases. Subsequently, the police arrested three individuals.
These training notes, typically used to educate bank staff, closely resemble legitimate currency. However, the Chinese characters on the notes read “practice coupons.”
Read more: What Is Fiat Currency? How Does It Differ From Cryptocurrency?
Moreover, the increase in counterfeit HK$1,000 notes has been particularly concerning, with the total reaching 2,053 this year. Additionally, the number of fake HK$500 notes more than quadrupled to 919. Other denominations, such as HK$100, HK$50, HK$20, and HK$10, were also affected, albeit to a lesser extent.
A police spokesperson highlighted the poor quality of most counterfeits. They advised the public to check security features like the dynamic shimmering pattern and windowed metallic thread, which are distinctive to genuine Hong Kong currency.
“On receiving a counterfeit banknote, you should immediately hand it over to the police or a bank and do not attempt to reuse it. Otherwise, you might commit the offence of passing counterfeit notes,” the police spokesman warned.
In parallel with these enforcement efforts, Hong Kong is also advancing its crypto regulatory framework. Indeed, given the city’s high crypto penetration, the need for vigilance and effective regulation is evident.

Recently, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) listed 11 crypto exchange platforms as “deemed to be licensed.” These measures are designed to prevent money laundering and ensure a secure trading environment. They explicitly bar services to mainland Chinese users, aligning with local bans on crypto.
Additionally, discussions are underway to potentially integrate staking mechanisms into Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This initiative could provide innovative investment opportunities and enhance Hong Kong’s appeal as a financial hub.
Read more: Crypto Regulation: What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks?
The ongoing efforts to bolster security measures and regulatory oversight are crucial. They help maintain public trust and ensure the integrity of both financial and digital marketplaces.
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
Is CZ’s April Fool’s Joke a Crypto Reality or Just Fun?

On April 1, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) shared an amusing hypothetical on social media platform X (Twitter).
He posed the hypothetical scenario of a user generating a cryptocurrency wallet address commonly used for token burns, which permanently remove tokens from circulation.
Binance’s CZ Shares Cryptic Hypothetical on April Fools Day
Changpeng Zhao’s April Fools’ joke about generating a token burn address sparked discussions. However, the chances of it happening are astronomically low. CZ shared the post during the early hours of the Asian session, kickstarting an interesting discourse.
“Imagine downloading Trust Wallet and finding your newly generated address is: 0x000000000000000000000000000000000000dead. Theoretically speaking, it has the same chance as any other address. Alright, enough imagining. Not gonna happen. Get back to building. Happy Apr 1!” Changpeng Zhao wrote.
It comes in time for April Fools’ Day, celebrated annually on April 1, dedicated to practical jokes, hoaxes, and playful deception. Trust Wallet, integrated as Binance’s non-custodial wallet provider, played along with the joke.
“Happy April Fool’s Day,” wrote Trust Wallet.
While the idea seems far-fetched, CZ was not technically wrong. Theoretically, there is an infinitesimally small probability that someone could randomly generate a wallet address matching “0x000…dead” using software like Trust Wallet.
However, the chances are comparable to winning the lottery multiple times. To put things into perspective, one can generate blockchain addresses using cryptographic hashing functions that produce 160-bit outputs.
This means there are 2¹⁶⁰ possible Ethereum addresses—a number so vast that generating any specific address, such as “0x000…dead,” is practically impossible.
“Haha, imagine the odds! That is a 1 in 2^160 type of vibe. Good one, CZ—back to work now, no distractions from the code,” Synergy Media wrote, putting the rarity into context.
While CZ’s April Fool’s joke entertained the crypto community, the reality remains unchanged. The likelihood of generating a wallet address identical to “0x000…dead” is close to zero. This means the post was a fun thought experiment but nothing more.
“Imagine that you can randomly generate a Bitcoin private key every second, and suddenly one day the private key you generated happens to correspond to Satoshi Nakamoto’s wallet or Binance’s wallet. That’s terrifying,” another user quipped.
However, the joke does highlight the fascinating cryptographic underpinnings of blockchain technology. While every address is technically possible, some are rare and might as well be myths. Crypto users will have to keep burning their tokens the old-fashioned way.
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
XRP Bulls Fight Back—Is a Major Move Coming?

XRP price started a fresh decline below the $2.080 zone. The price is now recovering some losses and might face hurdles near the $2.150 level.
- XRP price started a fresh decline after it failed to clear the $2.20 resistance zone.
- The price is now trading below $2.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
- There is a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2.10 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken).
- The pair might extend losses if it fails to clear the $2.150 resistance zone.
XRP Price Faces Resistance
XRP price failed to continue higher above the $2.20 resistance zone and reacted to the downside, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price declined below the $2.150 and $2.10 levels.
The pair even declined below the $2.050 zone. A low was formed at $2.023 and the price is now attempting a recovery wave. There was a move above the $2.050 level. The price cleared the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $2.215 swing high to the $2.023 low.
The price is now trading below $2.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price might face resistance near the $2.10 level. There is also a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2.10 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair. The trend line is near the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $2.215 swing high to the $2.023 low.
The first major resistance is near the $2.150 level. The next resistance is $2.1680. A clear move above the $2.1680 resistance might send the price toward the $2.20 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $2.220 resistance or even $2.250 in the near term. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be $2.2880.
Another Decline?
If XRP fails to clear the $2.120 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2.050 level. The next major support is near the $2.020 level.
If there is a downside break and a close below the $2.020 level, the price might continue to decline toward the $2.00 support. The next major support sits near the $1.880 zone.
Technical Indicators
Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now losing pace in the bearish zone.
Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now above the 50 level.
Major Support Levels – $2.050 and $2.020.
Major Resistance Levels – $2.120 and $2.150.
Market
CFTC’s Crypto Market Overhaul Under New Chair Brian Quintenz

Brian Quintenz, the incoming Chair of the US CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission), has begun meeting with Capitol Hill lawmakers before his nomination hearing.
On Monday, Quintenz met with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to discuss key regulatory issues, including the CFTC’s role in overseeing crypto spot markets.
CFTC Targets Crypto Spot Market After Derivatives
Brian Quintenz met with Republican Senator from Iowa Chuck Grassley to discuss another element in the CFTC’s crypto market structure regulation agenda. This time, the focus is on crypto spot markets.
“It was wonderful to meet with you Chuck Grassley and discuss your leadership on whistleblower issues as well as the future of the agency,” Quintenz stated.
Grassley also commented on their discussion. He highlighted the CFTC Whistleblower Protection Program for spot crypto markets as part of the agenda. Notably, Grassley is a member of the Senate AG Committee, the legislative body overseeing the CFTC.
Eleanor Terrett, host of the Crypto America podcast, indicated that the Senate AG Committee will have a significant role in part of the CFTC’s crypto regulation agenda. Specifically, it would have an outsized say in whether the CFTC could gain expanded jurisdiction over crypto spot markets.
The meeting comes as the CFTC moves closer to expanding its role in crypto regulation. US President Donald Trump tapped Quintenz, a former executive at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), to lead the agency.
His appointment is part of Trump’s broader plans to reshape crypto oversight. This could potentially give the CFTC greater authority over digital asset markets.
Meanwhile, regulatory developments surrounding crypto have accelerated in recent weeks. The CFTC eased regulatory hurdles for the crypto derivatives market only days ago. The move will enhance market efficiency and attract institutional investors.
Beyond derivatives and spot markets, the CFTC is also exploring other areas of crypto oversight. The agency recently announced plans to host a roundtable discussion on prediction market regulation. It aims to address the regulation of decentralized prediction platforms.
Stablecoins are also on the agency’s radar. The CFTC also revealed a forum to discuss stablecoin regulation and potential risks associated with their widespread adoption.
Additionally, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the CFTC revoked previous crypto-related guidelines, signaling a shift in regulatory strategy.
Crypto markets can also not rule out the possibility of further collaboration between key agencies in the broader industry. Reports indicate that the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and the CFTC have discussed reviving a joint advisory committee to coordinate on crypto regulation.
If revived, the committee could serve as a bridge between the agencies. This would address concerns over jurisdictional overlap and streamlining oversight efforts.
As Quintenz prepares for his nomination hearing, his meetings with lawmakers suggest that crypto regulation will be a top priority for the CFTC moving forward.
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.
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