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$73 Million Stolen Funds Recovered by Binance in 2024

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Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, announced that its security team has recovered or frozen over $73 million in user funds from external hacks as of July 31 this year.

This amount surpasses the $55 million secured during all of 2023.

$73M Stolen Funds Recovered by Binance

According to Binance’s press release, about 80% of these recoveries and freezes are related to hacks, exploits, and thefts happening externally, while the remaining 20% are linked to scams taking place outside the platform.

Although the exchange didn’t specify whether the increase in recovered funds was due to an actual rise in the amount of stolen crypto or a result of overall price gains in the crypto market, the announcement aligns with its recent efforts to present itself as a compliant financial institution, following its deal with the US Department of Justice in November.

“Market growth and volatility, as observed in recent months, often bring an influx of new investors who may be more susceptible to scams and hacks. Blockchain technology offers us a powerful tool in gathering essential evidence and taking action against scammers, paving the way for a more secure and safer investment environment,” Jimmy Su, Chief Security Officer at Binance, said in the statement.

Read more: Binance Review 2024: Is It the Right Crypto Exchange for You?

Binance agreed to pay a $4 billion penalty to resolve the DOJ’s investigation into alleged violations of US financial laws. Changpeng Zhao, co-founder and former CEO, pleaded guilty to failing to implement an effective money laundering program. In April, a federal judge sentenced Zhao to four months in prison. He began his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California, in June.

In addition to the prison sentence, Changpeng Zhao agreed to pay a $50 million fine, a modest amount compared to his reported net worth of approximately $33 billion. He also resigned as Binance’s CEO but still holds a controlling stake.

Under new leadership, Binance has pledged to cooperate fully with regulatory bodies and ensure it meets all compliance requirements.

Crypto Losses Surpass $1.5B in H1 2024

Despite Binance’s efforts, the broader trend remains discouraging. The first half of 2024 has been turbulent for the crypto market, marked by a sharp increase in major hacks.

PeckShield’s H1 annual report highlighted over 200 significant incidents, resulting in $1.56 billion in losses — a 293% increase from the $480 million lost during the same period in 2023.

Read more: Top 9 Safest Crypto Exchanges in 2024

PeckShield Crypto Security Report
PeckShield Crypto Security Report. Source: X/Twitter

Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols are the main targets for hackers, accounting for 59% ($81 million) of the total stolen crypto assets. The complexity and vulnerabilities in smart contract code make these decentralized applications (DApps) particularly enticing.

Flash loan attacks, exploiting unsecured borrowing, comprised 24% of the hacks, while the remaining 76% involved other sophisticated techniques.

More than 20 public blockchains were targeted, with Ethereum, Bitcoin, and XRP suffering the most. Ethereum and BNB Chain were the most popular among hackers, each accounting for 31.3% of the total hacks, followed by Arbitrum with 12.5% in losses.

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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Crypto Brands Return to Sports Sponsorships With 26 Deals

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Crypto sports sponsorship is cautiously rebounding in 2024, signaling a modest revival from the downturn following the boom in 2021. Despite these signs of recovery, the sector still falls short of reaching the highs witnessed during the peak year.

The increase in sports sponsorship also indicates a recovery of the crypto market. Brands are sponsoring sports teams because they have additional funds available for such marketing activities.

The crypto industry started heavily investing in sports sponsorship in 2021. During that year, the industry saw an unprecedented expansion with 42 new deals, representing 45.6% of the total 92 sports sponsorships from 2021 to 2024.

This growth was propelled by a bullish digital currency market, which led to significant agreements. Notably, Crypto.com secured a $700 million deal for the naming rights of Staples Center, renaming it to Crypto.com Arena.

Additionally, FTX entered into a $210 million sponsorship with esports group Team SoloMid. The aggressive sponsorship came as firms sought mainstream visibility and adoption.

Read more: 14 Best Crypto Marketing Agencies for 2024

However, the narrative shifted drastically in 2022 with the market’s downturn. The sector saw a severe reduction in new deals, dropping to 25. The collapse of FTX, previously a key player, led to canceled deals, including its partnerships with the Miami Heat and other sports platforms.

Despite the downturn, some firms like Bybit and Vechain managed to secure substantial agreements; Bybit secured a $150 million deal with Red Bull Racing, and Vechain signed a $100 million contract with UFC.

The downward trend persisted into 2023, with only 8 new sponsorships signed, though 14 existing deals were renewed. Amidst prolonged bearish market conditions and the FTX fallout, the industry remained cautious, limiting substantial financial commitments. However, OKX demonstrated resilience by securing a $70 million deal with Manchester City, illustrating that strategic investments could still thrive.

By 2024, the industry witnessed a gentle recovery, with 26 new sponsorships and 16 continuing from prior years. Noteworthy among these was Crypto.com’s sponsorship with the UEFA Champions League and BlockDAG’s $10 million deal with Borussia Dortmund (BVB). Additionally, Bitget announced a new partnership with LaLiga to enhance crypto adoption in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

“The volume of new sponsorships has not surpassed the 2021 levels, but the uptick in activity suggests crypto firms are slowly re-entering the sports space,” CoinGecko said.

Read more: Top 5 Crypto Companies That Might Go Public (IPO) in 2024

Crypto Sponsorships in Sports
Crypto Sponsorships in Sports. Source: CoinGecko

Specifically, crypto sponsorships have primarily focused on football, with early adopters including prominent clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City. The strategy extended to global events such as the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup, leveraging football’s massive international following.

Despite the market’s volatility, some partnerships, like Crypto.com’s diverse sponsorships and Bybit’s strong presence in Formula 1, have become long-term success stories.

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All the information contained on our website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Any action the reader takes upon the information found on our website is strictly at their own risk.



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TradFi To Become Biggest DeFi Customer

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Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov predicts that tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) will soon be more valuable than cryptocurrencies. He points to the increasing involvement of traditional finance in decentralized finance, driven by a growing interest in tokenization.

Nazarov also noted that Chainlink is ready to take advantage of this shift in the blockchain space.

TradFi Interest in Tokenized RWAs To Alter Blockchain

Nazarov anticipates an interconnected world where decentralized finance (DeFi) and TradFi actively transact with each other. Acknowledging the growing interest in tokenized RWAs, he says TradFi would be DeFi’s largest customer.

Speaking at Token2049 in Singapore, Nazarov highlighted DeFi’s ability to generate yield and create reliable markets for RWAs. He urged the industry to prepare for this shift, noting that it’s already happening, driven by asset tokenization. According to Nazarov, blockchain technology is giving TradFi exactly what it needs.

Chainlink co-founder also highlighted how decentralized infrastructures like Chainlink and smart contracts are transforming the digital space by removing the need for traditional counterparty relationships. Instead of relying on human decision-making, automated code ensures outcomes, improving efficiency and reducing risks that traditional finance models often face.

Read more:  Real World Asset (RWA) Backed Tokens Explained

Chainlink co-founder on TradFi, DeFi, and tokenized RWA during Token2049 in Singapore

Nazarov emphasized that this represents a major shift from the current TradFi model, where delays and risks stem from human intervention.

His remarks align with his statements from late August, when he predicted that tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) would surpass crypto in value by 2027, driven by institutional interest and TradFi integration. Currently, the RWA market is growing, with RWA.xyz data showing it is already a $2.22 billion industry.

Tokenized RWA
Tokenized Securities Industry Valuation. Source: RWA.xyz

This development comes as blockchain technology continues to tackle the infrastructure challenges faced by traditional finance, while also opening up new investment opportunities. Blockchain’s ability to streamline workflows and significantly improve settlement times is especially appealing — echoing what Sergey Nazarov explained about the efficiency and certainty that decentralized systems offer.

“TradFi needs all kinds of different data that allow those traditional finance smart contracts to function properly…the Net Asset Value (NAV) data of tokenized funds is an example of a dashboard live on production showing the proof of Reserves of one of the many ETF funds use to prove things about them,” Nazarov said.

Read more: What is Tokenization on Blockchain?

Notwithstanding, the road to a complete transition to digital infrastructure is marred with challenges. Among them are legal considerations, identity standards, and data privacy, which would demand careful evaluation with regulatory systems in mind.

Accordingly, TradFi and DeFi players and the broader financial services industry must work to build infrastructures capable of supporting broader tokenization adoption while ensuring security and compliance before Nazarov’s dream can become a reality.

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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