Author: Tristan Lodenberg

The plugin ecosystem of the open-source AI agent framework OpenClaw is facing a significant security threat after hundreds of malicious plugins were discovered, according to a recent cybersecurity report. Hundreds of Malicious AI Plugins Identified Blockchain security firm SlowMist revealed that attackers have been actively uploading poisoned plugins, known as “skills,” to OpenClaw’s official plugin hub, ClawHub. The firm identified 472 AI skills containing malicious code, triggering high-severity alerts through its Web3 threat intelligence system. The issue is attributed to weak or absent review processes, allowing harmful plugins to be distributed to unsuspecting users. How the Supply Chain Attack Works…

Bitcoin mining firm Cango has sold a significant portion of its Bitcoin holdings as part of a broader effort to reduce leverage and reposition its business toward artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Cango Cuts Bitcoin Exposure to Strengthen Balance Sheet The company disclosed that it sold 4,451 Bitcoin, generating approximately $305 million in net proceeds. The funds were used primarily to partially repay a Bitcoin-backed loan and to reinforce Cango’s balance sheet amid challenging mining conditions. The decision was approved by the board following a review of market dynamics and capital requirements. Cango had already sold more Bitcoin than it…

French authorities have arrested six suspects following a failed kidnapping attempt involving a magistrate and her mother, in a case linked to a cryptocurrency ransom demand. Magistrate and Mother Escape After 30-Hour Ordeal The incident unfolded overnight in the Drôme region, where a 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother were abducted and held in a garage for more than a day. Investigators said the kidnappers contacted the magistrate’s partner, sending a photograph of the victims along with a demand for payment in cryptocurrency. The partner was reportedly away at the time and is known to hold a senior role at…

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has reignited debate around what qualifies as genuine decentralized finance, arguing that many popular yield-based stablecoin strategies miss DeFi’s core purpose. DeFi Should Redesign Risk, Not Just Chase Yield In recent comments, Buterin emphasized that the real value of DeFi lies in how it redistributes and decentralizes financial risk. According to him, stablecoin products that simply generate yield on centralized fiat-backed assets do little to change the underlying risk structure. These models often remain dependent on centralized issuers and custodians, leaving users exposed to the same counterparty risks DeFi was meant to reduce. He specifically criticized…

Strategy, the bitcoin-focused treasury firm led by Michael Saylor, made a modest addition to its bitcoin holdings just before last week’s broader crypto market downturn. Strategy Bitcoin Purchase Details The company acquired 1,142 bitcoin for approximately $90 million, paying an average price of $78,815 per coin. The purchases were funded through the issuance of common stock and were completed early in the week, prior to the sharp decline that later pushed bitcoin prices toward the $60,000 level. Following the latest acquisition, Strategy now holds a total of 714,644 bitcoin. The firm’s cumulative investment stands at roughly $54.35 billion, translating to…

Binance has boosted its emergency reserves by purchasing $300 million worth of Bitcoin, signaling confidence in the crypto asset while markets face volatility. SAFU Reserve Expansion The world’s largest crypto exchange added 4,225 BTC to its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU), raising the fund’s Bitcoin holdings to over $720 million. Binance announced the continued accumulation as part of a plan to fully convert the $1 billion fund into Bitcoin within 30 days of the original strategy. The SAFU fund acts as an emergency reserve to protect users, and its shift to Bitcoin exposes it to price fluctuations. Binance indicated…

Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted performance has deteriorated sharply, with a key metric now hovering near levels historically associated with late-stage bear markets. Bitcoin Sharpe Ratio Signals Extreme Risk-Reward Conditions The Bitcoin Sharpe ratio, a measure that compares returns against volatility, has dropped to around -10, marking its weakest reading since early 2023. Negative values indicate that investors are taking on elevated risk without being adequately compensated by returns. Historically, similar readings have appeared near major market lows. Comparable conditions were observed during the depths of the 2018–2019 downturn and again in late 2022, both periods that preceded longer-term recoveries. While this does…

A cryptocurrency wallet associated with the $50 million Infini exploit has resurfaced after months of inactivity, using the recent market downturn to acquire millions of dollars worth of Ether. Dormant Infini Exploiter Wallet Becomes Active Again Arkham data shows that the wallet, previously tied to the Infini breach, purchased approximately $13.3 million worth of Ether as prices dipped near $2,100. This marked the address’s first notable activity since August 2025, when it sold Ether close to the asset’s yearly peak. Shortly after the purchase, the newly acquired Ether was routed through a crypto mixing service, a move commonly used to…

A Chinese-language crypto guarantee marketplace known as Xinbi continued to process significant transaction volumes despite platform bans and law enforcement pressure, highlighting the adaptability of crypto-based laundering services. TRM Labs Finds Sustained Onchain Activity Blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs reported that wallets attributed to Xinbi processed approximately $17.9 billion in onchain transaction volume after coordinated enforcement actions and messaging platform bans in 2025. The figure represents gross transaction activity, including inflows, outflows, and internal transfers within Xinbi’s escrow and wallet infrastructure, rather than confirmed illicit proceeds. According to the report, activity did not disappear after bans on major communication channels.…

Tether has emerged as one of the world’s largest non-sovereign holders of physical gold, with its bullion reserves now rivaling those of mid-sized countries, according to new estimates from Wall Street investment bank Jefferies. Tether Gold Reserves Climb to 148 Tonnes Jefferies estimates that Tether holds at least 148 tonnes of physical gold as of the end of January, valued at roughly $23 billion. The crypto firm reportedly acquired around 26 tonnes in the final quarter of 2025 and added another 6 tonnes in January alone. During that period, only Brazil and Poland were estimated to have purchased more gold…