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Crypto Industry Losses Top $1 Billion Due to Major CeFi Hacks

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According to a recent Immunefi report, the crypto industry has faced significant financial setbacks since the beginning of 2024. Losses due to hacks and fraud have exceeded $1.19 billion.

The losses recorded in the first seven months of this year showed a notable 16.3% increase compared to the same period in 2023, when losses amounted to $1.02 billion. These numbers highlight the persistent and growing threat cybercriminals pose to the crypto industry.

CeFi Suffers Most as Crypto Losses Skyrocket in July

In July, Immunefi reported that the crypto sector suffered losses of $269.4 million in 14 separate incidents. This reflects a 90% increase from June, making July the second most damaging month of 2024. The most significant losses were in May, reaching $358 million.

Despite the monthly rise, the year-over-year comparison shows a 15.9% decrease in July losses. The bulk of these recent losses can be attributed to a major hack on the Indian centralized exchange WazirX, which suffered a devastating $235 million loss.

Read more: 15 Most Common Crypto Scams To Look Out For

Crypto Losses in June vs. July 2024.
Crypto Losses in June vs. July 2024. Source: Immunefi

Centralized finance (CeFi) has borne the brunt of these attacks, surpassing decentralized finance (DeFi) in terms of the total volume of funds lost. In July, CeFi accounted for 87% of the total losses, while DeFi platforms saw $34.4 million in losses spread across 13 incidents.

Furthermore, the report pointed out that hacks remain the predominant cause of these losses, with $266.5 million lost to such incidents in July alone. In comparison, fraud and scams only accounted for 1.1% of the total losses for the month.

Immunefi’s report also sheds light on the involvement of North Korean hacker groups, particularly the notorious Lazarus Group, in some of the most significant attacks. The WazirX hack, for instance, is suspected to be orchestrated by North Korean hackers.

The report reveals that Ethereum and BNB Chain were the most targeted blockchain networks in July. These blockchains collectively accounted for 71.4% of the total losses. Ethereum alone suffered seven attacks, representing half of the total incidents, while BNB Chain experienced three significant breaches.

ChainSwap’s founder and CEO, Fitzy, shared his perspective with BeInCrypto regarding this situation. He acknowledges that while Web3 technology drives innovation, it also opens avenues for financial crimes and fraud. He clarifies that Web3 tools aren’t inherently criminogenic but rather are exploited as new mediums by scammers.

“Web3 tools do not cause crime, it is just used as a new medium to commit some scams. The common thing across all these mediums is that the best way someone can protect themselves from scams and fraud is to proceed with caution. Victims of scams and fraud are usually the ones who do not know any better,” Fitzy explained.

Additionally, Slava Demchuk, CEO of AMLBot, pointed out that the significant losses due to hacker attacks and fraud in this industry show the urgent need for strong security measures. He suggested that beyond implementing general software security and encryption, conducting frequent audits and penetration tests is crucial.

“Personal training in handling sensitive data and stricter employee hiring processes are crucial as well. For instance, the Fractal ID hack exposed vulnerabilities in KYC data handling, leading to leaked information on the dark web. Similarly, the Coinspad hack illustrated the risks associated with inadequate employee vetting when a new, well-paid employee exploited the system from within,” Demchuk said.

Read more: Top 5 Flaws in Crypto Security and How To Avoid Them

Echoing Demchuk, Fitzy also cautioned individual investors to protect themselves from scams and fraud, particularly in decentralized applications.

“For centralized companies and systems, governments need to find new ways to monitor activities for this new asset class and companies around it. For decentralized applications, the best way for people to stay safe is to have caution and knowledge for themselves. Indicators like volume, number of people in the community, credible founders or partners – are all good indicators for an application that is likely safe to use,” he added.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Is Cardano Price Set to Break $0.47?

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Cardano (ADA) has seen a 5% increase in price over the past 24 hours. This reflects the general cryptocurrency market’s positive trajectory since the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday.

This surge is also fueled partly by the actions of ADA short-term holders, who appear to be holding onto their coins. Over the past 30 days, their reluctance to sell has positioned the altcoin to potentially break through the resistance level at $0.47.

Cardano Short-Term Holders Remain Resolute

According to IntoTheBlock, the number of ADA short-term holders who have held the coins for less than 30 days has increased over the past month. Often referred to as “paper hands,” these holders tend to sell their coins at the slightest sign of trouble. 

However, they have adopted a more bullish approach over the past month. Their decision to refrain from selling reflects a gradual shift in market sentiment toward ADA.

Read more: How To Stake Cardano (ADA)

cardano addresses by time held
Cardano Addresses by Time Held. Source: IntoTheBlock

ADA’s attempt to rally above its Ichimoku Cloud on a one-day chart supports this outlook. As of this writing, the altcoin is poised to breach the Leading Span A of its Ichimoku Cloud indicator, which tracks its price trends, support and resistance levels, and potential market reversal points.

The Leading Span A has served as a resistance level where Cardano’s price has encountered significant selling pressure over the past few months. A successful breach of this level would confirm that bullish momentum is strengthening in the ADA market, signal increased buying interest, and hint at the potential for a further uptrend.

cardano ichimoku cloud
Cardano Ichimoku Cloud. Source: TradingView

ADA Price Prediction: $0.47 Is Likely Only If This Happens

Cardano’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) is climbing, signaling increasing demand for the altcoin. Currently at 51.52, the RSI shows that buying pressure is building.

If ADA breaks through Leading Span A, it could rally toward Leading Span B, a stronger resistance level. Successfully surpassing this would position Cardano for a potential 31% gain, targeting a price of $0.47.

Read more: 6 Best Cardano (ADA) Wallets You Should Consider in September 2024

cardano price prediction
Cardano Daily Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if demand slows and ADA fails to break Leading Span A, its price could drop to around $0.27.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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$1.6 Billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum Options Expire After Fed Cut

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The crypto market is bracing for heightened volatility as nearly $1.6 billion worth of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) options expire today.

This event coincides with the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates by 50 basis points (bps).

Fed’s Decision Fuels the Crypto Market Rally Ahead of Major Options Expiry

According to data from Deribit, 20,037 Bitcoin options contracts worth approximately $1.26 billion will expire on September 20. These contracts have a put-to-call ratio of 0.85 and a maximum pain point of $58,500.

Expiring Bitcoin Options.
Expiring Bitcoin Options. Source: Deribit

Similarly, Ethereum’s options market is set to expire with 125,046 contracts worth $308.16 million. Today’s expiring Ethereum contracts have a put-to-call ratio of 0.65, with a maximum pain point of $2,350.

Read more: An Introduction to Crypto Options Trading

Expiring Ethereum Options.
Expiring Ethereum Options. Source: Deribit

In options trading, the maximum pain point refers to the price level at which option holders would suffer the largest losses. It is essentially the price at which the highest number of options (both calls and puts) would expire worthless, inflicting maximum financial “pain” on traders. On the other hand, the put-to-call ratio gauges market sentiment by comparing the number of put options (bets on price declines) to call options (bets on price increases).

Greeks. live’s recent analysis outlined the impact of the Fed’s decision to cut rates for today’s expiring crypto options contracts. The analysts noted that the Fed’s move was largely expected and aligned with macroeconomic forecasts.

“Implied volatility declined significantly across all major maturities, with ultra-short-term IVs falling by over 25%, as short-term short-selling expectations by large investors fell short,” they wrote.

Looking ahead, Greeks.live also noted that there will be another interest rate meeting on November 8 and December 19 this year, where the market expects a cumulative 100 bps rate cut. The next rate cut could coincide with the US election, increasing the likelihood of heightened market volatility.

BeInCrypto reported that this week’s rate cut has positively impacted the crypto market. Following the decision, Bitcoin surged from the $59,000 level to surpass the $63,500 mark.

Similarly, Ethereum also experienced a significant increase during the period. Data showed that ETH skyrocketed from $2,293 to as high as $2,482.

However, both assets have now stabilized. At the time of writing, Bitcoin and Ethereum are trading at $62,890 and $2,450, respectively.

Read more: 9 Best Crypto Options Trading Platforms

Despite the positive momentum, traders are advised to remain cautious. Historically, options expiration often leads to short-term instability in the market. The next few days will be crucial in determining whether Bitcoin and Ethereum can sustain their upward trends or if a period of correction is imminent.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Crypto Pundit Predicts Historical 9,468% Pump To $27

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Este artículo también está disponible en español.

A new XRP price prediction by popular crypto pundit Egrag Crypto projects that the cryptocurrency could experience a historical price surge of about 9,468%. This predicted price gain would push XRP from its current price of $0.58 to $27, marking new All-Time Highs (ATHs).  

XRP Price Forecasted To Pump To These Targets

Egrag Crypto has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express his bullish outlook on XRP, predicting the cryptocurrency could surge as high as $27. On Wednesday, September 18, the crypto analyst shared a price chart illustrating a speculative breakdown of potential price movements for XRP using five distinctive color indicators to represent various price increase scenarios. 

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XRP price
Source: X

Each of these scenarios has been carefully analyzed, grounded on historical price trends and past price pumps. Additionally, the color indicators — white, yellow, red, blue, and green, are all arranged respectively to represent the ascending price potential of XRP. 

The white color indicator predicts that XRP is set to witness a 932% pump from the analyst’s predicted cycle low of $0.28. While this scenario is relatively conservative compared to other projections, if XRP can achieve the predicted pump, its price could surge to $3, nearing current all-time highs. 

The yellow color indicator foresees XRP increasing by 1,538%, potentially driving its price to fresh all-time highs of $4.85. While this target is much higher than the white scenario, it is still within the realm of possibility if the cryptocurrency maintains a positive momentum.

The red indicator projects that XRP’s price will jump to $6.22, marking a 2,035% increase. This massive surge would signal a strong bull run for the cryptocurrency, likely reflecting the influence of major external factors such as mass adoption and more legal clarity

In the blue color scenario, XRP is set to reach a higher price of $7.68, representing a whopping 2,536% increase. At this price, XRP would likely be seen as a major player in the market with potential long-term viability. 

Finally, the green color indicator predicts that XRP could witness a 9,468% price surge, potentially driving the cryptocurrency to a staggering $27. Although this ambitious prediction would be a historic achievement, it remains a far-fetched possibility with XRP’s current market dynamics

XRP Community Express Skepticism

While Egrag Crypto’s bullish projections for XRP raise the hopes of investors who have been HODLing the coin for years now despite its low value and persistent consolidation phase, many have also expressed doubts. A few crypto members criticized the analyst, calling him out for his overly bullish forecasts for XRP. 

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Other members found the ambitious price predictions humorous, declaring that XRP is a “shit coin” and would remain so for a long period. Additionally, one crypto member underscored XRP’s long-term stagnant growth, highlighting that he had bought $1,000 worth of the cryptocurrency early last year but only accrued a profit of $100. 

XRP price chart from Tradingview.com
XRP shows a lot of volatility | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com



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