Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: August 3, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on August 3, 2026.
40 stories
All crypto news
U.S. FBI intelligence agent arrested in connection with theft of $1 million in crypto
A U.S. FBI intelligence agent with top secret clearance is being held for allegedly stealing $1 million in cryptocurrency from agency wallets under investigation. The agent, working at FBI headquarters, is accused of exploiting their position to access and steal the digital assets. The breach raises concerns about internal security and trust within law enforcement agencies.
Marmot Researchers Turn to OnlyFans for Funding—And There Are Meme Coins Too
Researchers are leveraging OnlyFans to secure funding for their marmot research, a project spanning decades. Unofficial memecoins inspired by the endeavor have appeared on the Solana blockchain. These coins, created by enthusiasts, are not directly affiliated with the research team. The project's reliance on unconventional funding methods highlights the evolving landscape of scientific financing.
Former FBI Agent Charged With Stealing Nearly $1 Million in Crypto and Using ChatGPT for Investment Advice
A former FBI counterintelligence supervisor is charged with stealing nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency from wallets tied to FBI investigations. Prosecutors claim the agent used stolen funds to seek investment advice from ChatGPT, a conversational AI, and planned to relocate to Europe.
Coldcard wallet losses may near $114 million as possible fourth sweep emerges
Coldcard wallet users face potential losses nearing $114 million as a possible fourth sweep emerges, with pending transactions signaling replace-by-fee. Those whose addresses appear in the mempool have minutes to pay a higher fee and move funds first to avoid being replaced. This situation poses a significant risk to Coldcard users, underscoring the importance of timely action and security measures.
Bessent’s top crypto adviser Tyler Williams exits US Treasury: Report
Tyler Williams, a top crypto adviser to the US Treasury, is exiting his position as Congress grapples with landmark crypto legislation. Williams was a key architect of the Trump administration's digital asset agenda, shaping the department's stance on cryptocurrencies. His departure comes as lawmakers face challenges in advancing the legislation, which could impact the crypto market's regulatory landscape.
What Is an Air-Gapped Bitcoin Wallet? Why the Coldcard Exploit Changes the Conversation About Offline Security
The Coldcard exploit has exposed vulnerabilities in air-gapped Bitcoin wallets, which were previously thought to be secure by keeping private keys offline. Despite their isolation, these wallets are not immune to threats, highlighting the need for continuous security updates and monitoring. This development changes the conversation about offline security, emphasizing the importance of ongoing protection.
DEXs capture record 24% of spot crypto trading as CEX volumes sink
Spot exchange volumes are plummeting, on track to set a new 12-month low at $670 million, a drastic drop from the annual high of $2.23 trillion. Centralized exchanges (CEXs) are shouldering the decline, while decentralized exchanges (DEXs) capture a record 24% of spot crypto trading, a significant shift in market dynamics that may reshape industry landscape.
Blockchain Association counters National Sheriffs’ group claims as pivotal week for Clarity Act unfolds
The Blockchain Association is countering claims made by the National Sheriffs' Association, stating that the Clarity Act would support law enforcement efforts, while the sheriffs' group claims it would hinder their ability to seize assets.
HashKey receives JPMorgan approval to open client money account
HashKey Exchange has received approval to open client money accounts with JPMorgan, a significant milestone for the exchange, weeks after launching customer fund accounts with DBS Bank. This approval allows HashKey to expand its custodial services, providing clients with increased security and liquidity. The move is expected to boost investor confidence in the exchange.
South Korea’s Bithumb officially targets 2028 IPO, outlines multi-year roadmap
Bithumb is officially targeting a 2028 initial public offering, outlining a multi-year roadmap for its growth. The South Korean exchange plans to request a preliminary listing review in 2027, with local authorities set to review its application. This move aims to increase transparency and legitimacy in the crypto market, potentially paving the way for more mainstream adoption.
Ripple invests in ZILO and Licuido to deepen tokenized capital markets push
Ripple is investing in ZILO and Licuido to expand its tokenized capital markets capabilities. The deals will integrate regulated transfer agency, issuance, and collateral mobility into Ripple's XRP Ledger infrastructure. This move aims to enhance liquidity and accessibility for tokenized assets, potentially increasing adoption and usage of XRP Ledger for financial institutions and investors alike.
Solo Bitcoin miner nets $200,000 as Coldcard hardware wallet drains rocks sentiment
A solo Bitcoin miner has successfully extracted $200,000 worth of BTC, sparking a mix of emotions among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. This rare success story contrasts with the recent downturn in sentiment, partly attributed to the Coldcard hardware wallet's draining issue, which has left some users concerned about their assets' security and stability, impacting investor confidence.
Trumps’ American Bitcoin reports record BTC output, narrower Q2 loss
Trumps' American Bitcoin is reporting a record BTC output, producing 932 BTC in Q2, an 8% increase in mining revenue, and narrowing its net loss from the previous quarter. This significant improvement reflects the company's efforts to optimize operations and increase efficiency, potentially positioning it for future growth and profitability in the competitive cryptocurrency mining market.
Proof of Attendance Protocol is shutting down after 5+ years
Proof of Attendance Protocol is shutting down after more than 5 years of operation, impacting 46,210 issuers such as Coinbase and American Express who utilized POAP to create on-chain mementos that users could mint, resulting in a significant loss for creators of unique digital collectibles and potentially disrupting the non-fungible token market's reliance on POAP.
Kalshi CEO invokes Nasdaq, Uber and Airbnb in defense against New York lawsuit
Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour is defending his company against a New York lawsuit, drawing parallels with established companies like Nasdaq, Uber, and Airbnb. He suggests the lawsuit's claims could be applied to these firms, implying a lack of understanding of the unique nature of Kalshi's prediction market platform, which operates in a gray regulatory area.
FBI agent accused of stealing $1 million in crypto, allegedly turned to ChatGPT for vacation plans
An FBI agent is currently under arrest for allegedly stealing approximately $1 million in cryptocurrency from adversarial accounts. The agent's motive remains unclear, but the breach of trust is significant. This incident highlights the vulnerability of cryptocurrency to insider threats and underscores the importance of robust security measures to protect digital assets.
BlackRock Launches Tokenized Money Market Funds on Solana, Ethereum
BlackRock is launching tokenized money market funds on Solana and Ethereum, utilizing stablecoin reserves for the first time in its history, with an initial $1 billion investment. This move marks a significant expansion into the decentralized finance space, as BlackRock seeks to tap into the growing demand for digital assets, potentially disrupting traditional financial markets.
FalconX cuts 10% of workforce amid prolonged crypto market slump: Report
FalconX is cutting 10% of its workforce as the prolonged crypto market slump forces cost trimming. The digital asset prime broker is refocusing its Singapore strategy, withdrawing its local license application, and adapting to the industry's downturn. This move reflects the broader trend of crypto companies reassessing operations and reducing expenses in response to market conditions.
BitGo launches Link, connecting clients to Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com and more
BitGo is launching Link, a platform connecting clients to major exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and Crypto.com, providing a unified interface for viewing and moving digital assets held in BitGo custody and on centralized exchanges. This integration aims to simplify asset management for institutional clients. The market implication is increased convenience for large-scale investors.
Bitget set to exit Japan, close all remaining positions by year-end
Bitget is set to exit Japan, ranking fifth on CoinGecko, by shutting down all remaining positions by December 31. The crypto trading platform stopped accepting new registrations on Sunday, signaling its intention to discontinue operations in Japan. This move will likely impact Japanese traders and may affect Bitget's global market share and reputation in the crypto industry.
Tom Lee's Bitmine bought more ether, added to stock buyback last week
Tom Lee's Bitmine is buying more ether, adding to a stock buyback announced last week. Chairman Tom Lee believes ether's outperformance against the Nasdaq in July signals strengthening crypto fundamentals, a positive indicator for the industry. This move suggests Lee's confidence in ether's growth potential, potentially boosting investor sentiment and driving market momentum.
Kenya moves 30 million academic credentials onto Avalanche blockchain
Kenya is moving 30 million academic credentials onto the Avalanche blockchain, a digital verification platform aimed at reducing forged certificates. Employers and universities can now authenticate academic records onchain, ensuring legitimacy and preventing counterfeiting. This initiative is expected to streamline academic verification processes and provide a secure environment for academic credentials, benefiting the education sector and the economy.
Michael Saylor says he’s never sold his personal bitcoin after Strategy dumps more BTC
Michael Saylor claims he's never sold his personal bitcoin despite Strategy Inc's recent sale, which disclosed 1,638 bitcoin sold for $104.7 million, reducing its total holdings to 842,138 BTC. This sale represents a 0.19% decrease in Strategy's total holdings. The market is closely watching Saylor's actions, awaiting any potential impact on the company's bitcoin holdings and valuation.
Jameson Lopp says Coldcard exploit exposes limits of Bitcoin’s ‘don’t trust, verify’ mantra
Jameson Lopp highlights a Coldcard exploit that exposes the limitations of Bitcoin's 'don't trust, verify' mantra, emphasizing the need for constant security audits. Lopp notes that AI is rapidly changing wallet security, enabling attackers to find bugs more efficiently and developers to audit code faster, shifting the balance in favor of potential exploits.
Solo Bitcoin Miner Hits Jackpot, Scoring $200K BTC Reward
A solo Bitcoin miner has hit a jackpot, scoring a $200,000 BTC reward after solving a block at an unusually high hashrate of 100 petahashes per second, described as "wildly variable" and likely rented, with the developer of CKPool noting the exceptional performance, underscoring the ongoing competition in the Bitcoin mining space.
Crypto Privacy Tools Serve ‘Essential Protective Functions’: Report by ChangeNOW, CoinRabbit
Authoritarian regimes increasingly resort to oppression, corporate treasuries exploit personal data, and malicious actors launch "wrench attacks" to compromise user security, highlighting the growing need for robust crypto privacy tools, according to a new report by ChangeNOW and CoinRabbit, emphasizing the essential protective functions these tools serve in safeguarding users' financial freedom and security.
BlackRock launches two tokenized money market funds for stablecoin reserves
BlackRock launches two tokenized money market funds for stablecoin reserves, joining Morgan Stanley, State Street, and Fidelity in catering to this growing demand. These funds, BRSRV, will hold stablecoin reserves and offer investors a tokenized alternative to traditional money market investments. The move is expected to further boost adoption of stablecoins in the financial sector.
XRP Holders Can Now Borrow Ripple's RLUSD on Ethereum Without Selling Their Crypto
XRP holders can now borrow RLUSD on Ethereum without selling their crypto, thanks to Flare's FXRP being approved as collateral in a $280 million RLUSD lending vault. This milestone enables XRP holders to access Ethereum's lending markets, potentially unlocking new financial opportunities and increasing liquidity. Market implications are positive for XRP and DeFi adoption.
BlackRock expands tokenized cash with new blockchain-based money market offerings
BlackRock is expanding its tokenized cash offerings with new blockchain-based money market funds, aiming to qualify as eligible reserve assets for U.S. payment stablecoin issuers under the GENIUS Act. The funds will likely provide liquidity to stablecoin issuers, potentially boosting the adoption of digital currencies in mainstream finance. Market implications are expected to emerge as stablecoins gain traction.
Bernstein sees another leg lower for crypto markets if Clarity Act stalls
Bernstein expects another leg lower for crypto markets if the Clarity Act stalls this year, potentially leading to a decline in prices. The broker anticipates U.S. regulators will accelerate rulemaking regardless of the Act's outcome, which could further exacerbate market uncertainty and potentially lead to a significant price drop in the crypto space.
Circle slides after Morgan Stanley downgrade, cut in price target
Morgan Stanley downgrades Circle, citing potential earnings pressure from tokenized money market funds and slower USDC growth. The bank cuts Circle's price target, which could impact investor confidence and influence its market share. This move may also affect Circle's ability to compete with other stablecoin issuers, potentially impacting the broader digital asset market's stability and adoption.
US hints at more yen intervention: Five things to know in Bitcoin this week
The US hints at more yen intervention for the first time since 2011, coordinating with Japan on currency stabilization. This move could impact global markets, potentially affecting Bitcoin's price volatility. Bitcoin traders are bracing for a historically rough August, with the US dollar's strength and yen's weakness possibly influencing cryptocurrency prices and market sentiment.
U.S.-Japan intervention revives yen carry trade fears for bitcoin
The U.S.-Japan intervention is sending the yen sharply higher, with a 2% surge against the U.S. dollar. However, bitcoin's recent correlation with the U.S. dollar suggests dollar strength may pose a bigger risk to the cryptocurrency. This could impact global market sentiment and potentially lead to increased volatility in the cryptocurrency market, affecting investor confidence and market stability.
Hashdex to shut smallest Bitcoin ETF after more than two years
Hashdex is shutting its smallest Bitcoin ETF, a spot price exchange-traded fund, after more than two years, unable to attract more than $18 million in net assets. The fund will pay out investors and sell its 225 BTC holdings in the coming weeks. This move reflects the ongoing challenges in the ETF space, impacting investor confidence and market participation.
Trump-linked American Bitcoin president Matt Prusak departs for Giga Energy
Matt Prusak, president of American Bitcoin, is departing the Eric Trump-backed miner to join Giga Energy, an AI power infrastructure firm. Prusak's departure highlights the growing focus on energy and data center infrastructure within the crypto industry. This shift is expected to drive demand for specialized equipment and services, impacting the market for mining hardware and data center solutions.
Tom Lee’s Bitmine Buys More Ethereum, Adds to Stock Buyback
Tom Lee's Bitmine is actively accumulating Ethereum, purchasing 10,399 ETH last week to bring its holdings to nearly 5.8 million ETH, a significant step toward its goal of owning 5% of Ethereum's circulating supply. This aggressive buying strategy suggests a strong conviction in Ethereum's long-term prospects, potentially influencing market sentiment and price stability.
BlackRock launches tokenized money market funds for stablecoin reserves
BlackRock is launching two blockchain-based money market funds, qualifying them as stablecoin reserve assets under the US GENIUS Act. The funds will be designed to hold stablecoins, providing a new investment option for institutional clients. This move is expected to increase adoption of stablecoins in the US financial system, potentially boosting their market value and legitimacy.
Trump Family’s American Bitcoin Tops 8,000 BTC After Record Mining Quarter
The Trump Family's American Bitcoin subsidiary, Hut 8, has surpassed 8,000 BTC in its holdings after a record mining quarter, with a 14% increase in Bitcoin reserves despite a decline in Bitcoin's price. This significant growth underscores Hut 8's resilience and efficiency in the face of market fluctuations, solidifying its position in the cryptocurrency mining landscape.
CLARITY Act failure could send crypto valuations lower: Bernstein
Bernstein warns that Congress' failure to pass the CLARITY Act could send crypto valuations lower, potentially triggering another leg down in prices. This development could accelerate policy support from US regulators, as they may feel compelled to act in the absence of legislative guidance. The crypto market may experience increased volatility as a result.
Michael Saylor’s Strategy sells another 1,638 BTC for $105 million, reducing total holdings to 842,138 BTC
Michael Saylor's Strategy sells another 1,638 BTC for $105 million, reducing total holdings to 842,138 BTC. This sale accounts for around 4% of the 21 million bitcoin supply cap, worth roughly $53 billion. The strategy's reduced holdings may impact its market influence, while the sale's substantial size could affect overall market sentiment and potentially lead to a slight price correction.