Market
BingX Hack, HMSTR Airdrop Drama, and More
This week brought turmoil and development across the crypto space. A $42 million hack at BingX rattled the market, raising questions about security vulnerabilities in major exchanges. Meanwhile, Hamster Kombat’s controversial airdrop sparked outrage after millions of players were disqualified from receiving tokens.
These developments highlight the industry’s promise and perils as it continues to evolve and capture the attention of regulators and innovators.
BingX Restores Services After $42 Million Crypto Hack
On September 20, crypto exchange BingX suffered a hack. This incident resulted in an over $42 million loss in digital assets.
The breach initially revealed suspicious transactions totaling $13.6 million. As further investigation unfolded, the losses escalated to over $26 million, eventually totaling $42 million.
Read more: Crypto Project Security: A Guide to Early Threat Detection
The stolen assets included a wide range of cryptocurrencies, notably 4.44 million USDT ($4.4 million), 1 million WUSD ($1 million), 608,660 USDC ($608,660), and 9.38 BTCB ($590,000). PeckShield and other security experts confirmed that the attackers transferred the funds to a wallet address identified as ‘0xF7e8.’ On-chain data also revealed that these bad actors quickly exchanged the stolen assets for Ethereum (ETH) and BNB.
Despite the heavy losses, BingX Chief Product Officer Vivien Lin assured users that the firm would cover the full amount with its capital reserves.
“Our technical team detected abnormal network access, suspecting a hacker attack on BingX’s hot wallet. We immediately started our emergency plan, including the urgent transfer of assets and withdraw suspension. There has been minor asset loss, but the amount is small and still being calculated,” Lin wrote on X (Twitter).
Following this incident, BingX has resumed its service. Withdrawals for major assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and USDT resumed on September 21, with full deposit services restored by September 22.
Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR Airdrop: Controversy Unfolds
Hamster Kombat, a popular tap-to-earn game on Telegram, faced a massive backlash this week after disqualifying over 63% of its players from the highly anticipated HMSTR token airdrop. Set to launch on September 26, the airdrop aimed to distribute 60 billion tokens to 131 million qualified players from the game’s first season.
However, the controversy began when Hamster Kombat implemented last-minute anti-cheat measures. This new approach resulted in the ban of 2.3 million accounts for allegedly exploiting the game’s reward system.
Many players who had invested significant time to accumulate Points Per Hour (PPH) were suddenly disqualified. The decision led to outrage on social media.
The controversy deepened as the HMSTR token’s price faced significant volatility after trading began on major exchanges. It started trading at $0.014 but quickly fell by 20% to $0.011 within hours. As market sentiment declined further, the price continued its downward trend, reaching approximately $0.0068506.
Regardless of the backlash, Hamster Kombat developers remain confident that their anti-cheat system will ensure a fair distribution of rewards. While the token’s value has dropped significantly, developers remain optimistic about its long-term prospects.
Kamala Harris Supports Crypto and AI in Campaign Speech
Vice President Kamala Harris shook up the tech and crypto industries this week with her first direct endorsement of cryptocurrencies as part of her presidential campaign. Speaking at a fundraising event in New York, Harris emphasized the importance of fostering innovation in AI and digital assets, positioning them as crucial to maintaining America’s global competitiveness.
“We will partner together to invest in America’s competitiveness, to invest in America’s future. We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors,” she stated.
This statement marks a significant shift in Harris’ policy platform, aligning her with key figures in the crypto industry, such as Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, who has publicly endorsed her campaign. Larsen, a proponent of blockchain regulation, believes Harris’ stance could help push forward much-needed regulatory clarity in the digital assets space.
Binance Denies Alleged Data Breach Involving 13 Million Users
This week, rumors swirled around Binance, one of the largest global crypto exchanges, regarding a potential data breach affecting 13 million users. Reports surfaced on dark web forums claiming a group of cybercriminals, known as “Greavys,” has access to sensitive user information. This information includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, and residential details.
The alleged data was offered for sale via Telegram channels, fueling concern within the Binance community. However, Binance swiftly responded to these claims, denying any data breach.
“Our security team has thoroughly investigated the matter, and there is no evidence of a data leak. We remain committed to protecting our users’ information,” a Binance spokesperson explained in a statement to BeInCrypto.
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), co-founder and former CEO of Binance, is scheduled for early release from federal custody after serving a four-month sentence. CZ was imprisoned for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, with charges stemming from Binance’s failure to enforce adequate know-your-customer (KYC) measures.
Originally, CZ’s release was scheduled for September 29. However, due to federal rules that allow for early release when the official date falls on a weekend, recent reports suggest he will be released earlier, on September 27.
CZ initially faced a possible 36-month sentence. Yet, his sentence was significantly reduced through a settlement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
Despite his legal troubles, CZ remains a highly influential figure in the crypto industry. Many within the industry anticipate that he will return to focus on new ventures in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and biotech.
Read more: Who Is Changpeng Zhao? A Deep Dive Into the Ex-CEO of Binance
While marred by legal issues, his legacy at Binance is still widely regarded as pivotal to the growth of global crypto liquidity. Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, commented on CZ’s impact.
“Don’t underestimate CZ. He deserves respect for his contributions. While Binance faced challenges, CZ’s achievements far outweigh his mistakes,” Ju said.
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
Dogecoin Holding Time and Whale Activity Spikes
Dogecoin (DOGE), a leading meme coin, is signaling a potential breakout from its narrow trading range.
If this momentum continues, it could reclaim its multi-year high of $0.48, fueled by extended holding periods and increased accumulation by large holders.
Dogecoin Investors Reduce Distribution
The on-chain assessment of DOGE’s performance has revealed a significant spike in the holding time of all its coins transacted in the past seven days. According to IntoTheBlock, this has climbed by 302% during the review period.
The holding time of an asset’s transacted coins represents the average duration tokens are kept in wallets before being sold or transferred.
Longer holding periods like this reduce selling pressure in the DOGE market. This reflects stronger investor conviction, as investors choose to keep their coins rather than sell them.
In addition to reducing selling activity, DOGE whales have increased their holdings over the past week. This is reflected by the 112% uptick in its large holders’ netflow during that period.
An asset’s large holders’ netflow metric tracks the movement of coins into and out of wallets controlled by whales or institutional investors. When this metric spikes, it suggests that these large holders are accumulating more of the asset, signaling increased confidence in its future price movement.
DOGE Price Prediction: Bullish Run Could Continue
If this bullish momentum is maintained, DOGE will extend its weekly 3% spike. As buying pressure strengthens, the meme coin could revisit its four-year high of $0.48.
However, this bullish outlook will be invalidated if accumulation stalls and selling activity recommences. In that scenario, DOGE’s price could slip to $0.29.
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
Base DEX Volume Approaches $3 Billion Amid Growing Adoption
Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 (L2) blockchain solution, has reached new heights, setting an all-time high daily decentralized exchange (DEX) trading volume near $3 billion.
This milestone reflects Base’s growing prominence in the L2 space and its role in scaling on-chain transactions for Coinbase users.
Base Hits New Milestone in DEX Volume
Blockchain analyst Dan Smith highlighted Base L2’s record-breaking volume of $2.9 billion, including $1.3 billion in ETH-USD trading, which also hit an all-time high. Other trading pairs, such as ETH-cbBTC and BTC-USD, were close to breaking their own records.
The $2.9 billion DEX volume reflects Base’s growing appeal among traders, particularly in ETH-USD pairs, which benefited from recent price volatility. Alexander, another blockchain enthusiast, noted that this milestone marked the first time Base nearly tagged $3 billion in daily volume, alluding to the development as evidence of L2’s growing adoption.
AerodromeFi, a liquidity-focused decentralized protocol on Base, also recorded an all-time high of $1.68 billion in volume, further emphasizing the ecosystem’s momentum.
“This is the first time Base nearly passed $3 billion and AerodromeFi set a new ATH of $1.68 billion in volume,” Alexander commented.
Base’s success is particularly notable because it operates without a native token. Coinbase explicitly ruled out launching a token for Base, prioritizing ecosystem growth and user adoption instead. This approach has likely contributed to its traction by focusing on utility and reducing speculative risks that could deter long-term users.
“There are no plans for a Base network token. We are focused on building, and we want to solve real problems that let you build better,” Base lead developer Jesse Pollak stated recently.
Consistent Growth in Transactions and TVL
The recent achievement follows Base’s earlier milestones, including reaching one billion transactions two months ago and surpassing six million daily transactions in October. More closely, the network recently outpaced Ethereum in user growth amid growing crypto markets.
Additionally, Base’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has seen consistent growth, indicating increased user participation, asset inflows, and liquidity within its ecosystem. A rising TVL signals greater confidence in the platform, fostering a stronger and more sustainable DeFi environment.
Despite its impressive growth, Base has faced some criticism. The network was accused of copying aspects of an NFT project, sparking concerns over originality and intellectual property. While this controversy did not deter adoption, it highlights the challenges of rapid innovation in the competitive blockchain space.
Base’s trajectory positions it as a serious contender in the L2 space, competing with established players like Arbitrum (ARB) and Optimism (OP). Its emphasis on utility, combined with rising user participation and liquidity, paints a promising picture for its future.
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 a Drop Below $0.92 Inevitable?
Cardano’s recent sideways price action has led to a surge in demand for short positions among futures traders.
As the coin’s momentum slows, traders are increasingly betting on a price decline, signaling a bearish sentiment toward ADA.
Cardano Traders Bet on a Price Decline
According to Coinglass, ADA’s Long/Short Ratio is at a monthly low of 0.82, indicating a high demand for short positions.
An asset’s Long/Short Ratio compares the number of its long (buy) positions to short (sell) positions in a market. As with ADA, when the ratio is below one, more traders are betting on the price falling (shorting) rather than rising. If short sellers continue to dominate, this can increase the downward pressure on the asset’s price.
Additionally, ADA’s Weighted Sentiment remains negative, currently standing at -0.074, reinforcing the bearish outlook for the altcoin.
Weighted Sentiment gauges the overall market bias by analyzing the volume and tone of social media mentions. A negative value signals growing skepticism among investors, often leading to reduced trading activity and downward pressure on the asset’s price.
Notably, ADA whales have reduced their trading activity over the past week, with the coin’s large holders’ netflow dropping by 90.29%, according to IntoTheBlock.
Large holders, defined as addresses holding more than 0.1% of an asset’s circulating supply, play a significant role in market movements. A decline in their netflow indicates reduced buying activity, adding to the downward pressure on ADA’s price.
ADA Price Prediction: Recovery to $1 or Decline to $0.80?
ADA is currently trading at $0.98, hovering just above its support level of $0.90. If bearish pressure intensifies, the price may test this support. A failure to hold at $0.90 could see ADA’s decline extend further, potentially dropping to $0.80.
Conversely, if buying activity resurges, ADA’s price could stabilize above the $1 mark.
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.
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