🚨 Arrest of Dutch Law Student Linked to €4.5 Million Crypto Fraud

⚡ A 24-year-old law student from the Netherlands has been arrested for allegedly running a multi-million euro cryptocurrency investment scheme that defrauded nearly 300 investors out of €4.5 million ($4.6 million). The suspect, identified as a crypto trader from Hengelo, reportedly went into hiding after his scheme collapsed last year amid investor harassment.

🔍 The arrest was confirmed by police spokeswoman Chantal Westerhoff, who noted that a raid was conducted at the suspect's residence. Investigations revealed that there was intentional wrongdoing involved in the operation of the crypto scheme.

📈 Initially, the scheme appeared profitable, leading many to view the accused as a "crypto genius." He also received significant investments from local footballers. However, in 2024, he and his brother sent an email to almost 300 investors announcing that all investments had been lost, including his own capital.

▶️ This prompted hundreds of investors to unite under the Stichting Onderzoeks Collectief Hengelo to file a complaint, spearheaded by lawyer Arjon Tieman. Evidence gathered from victims in the weeks leading up to the arrest indicated that the suspect continued to solicit new investors even after the scheme's failure.

⚖️ Lawyers have accused the student of operating a crypto Ponzi scheme, using funds from new investors to pay earlier ones. The scheme required a minimum investment of €5,000 ($5,146), with the accused taking 50% of the profits as fees.

🗣 The police stated,

The Hengelo man will be questioned extensively in the coming days.

🌟 Ronin Partners with Virtuals Protocol to Introduce AI Agents

🌐 Ronin, a blockchain tailored for Web3 gaming, has teamed up with Virtuals Protocol to integrate an artificial intelligence (AI) agent into its platform. Virtuals Protocol aims to streamline the creation and deployment of AI agents that can function in various roles, such as social media personas, onchain traders, or in-game non-playable characters (NPCs).

👤 The partnership's highlight is Jaihoz, an AI agent inspired by Jeffrey Zirlin, co-founder of Sky Mavis and Axie Infinity. Designed to reflect Zirlin's online persona with added autonomy, Jaihoz will engage with users on Ronin's platform. However, the impact of these interactions remains uncertain as the popularity of such agents has surged recently.

💰 Central to this initiative is the JAIHOZ token, a digital asset available on the Ronin and Base blockchains. With a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens, it plays a vital role in the collaboration. To generate interest, over 100,000 wallets from the Ronin and Virtuals communities received an airdrop.

➡️ Airdrop eligibility was based on specific snapshot dates and included holders of certain non-fungible tokens (NFTs) like Cyberkongz Genkai and Moki Genesis, as well as Ronin stakers and guild participants. While this distribution aims to involve these groups in the AI agent project, its overall effectiveness is still unclear.

🔴 This partnership is part of Ronin's strategy to expand its blockchain use cases by early 2025. While Ronin seeks to diversify beyond gaming and attract innovative blockchain projects, the outcomes of this approach remain uncertain. Virtuals Protocol's focus on AI agents is highlighted as a key aspect of this vision, but whether it will meet the high expectations surrounding crypto AI agents is yet to be seen.

🔥 $LINGO: Your Ticket to the Next Bull Run?

Betting on a market surge with Trump back in office? $LINGO could be the dark horse you’re looking for.

Why $LINGO?
➜ Held $0.31 support during the dip while whales accumulated at $0.30.
➜ Now up nearly 10% today with a solid volume spike — smart money is moving in.
➜ Largest #RWA community with 8M+ users, ranking #1 on Base after Uniswap.
➜ Upcoming Solana deployment + celebrity-backed product launch for mainstream adoption.

TA Insight:
Breaking resistance, momentum is strong. A run to $0.40+ looks likely.

🐸 Don’t wait — join the $LINGO wave now!🐸

X: https://x.com/Lingocoins

▶️ SEC Delays Decision on Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF

⏳ The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has postponed its decision regarding the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index exchange-traded fund (ETF), extending the review period from January 17, 2025 to March 3, 2025. This extension is aimed at allowing the SEC more time to thoroughly assess the proposal, which seeks to list and trade the ETF on NYSE Arca.

📈 Managed by Bitwise Asset Management, the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF aims to replicate the performance of the Bitwise 10 Large Cap Crypto Index, which includes the ten largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. The index is recalibrated monthly to adapt to market changes and reduce risks. The ETF is designed to provide both institutional and retail investors with easier access to the cryptocurrency market while addressing concerns about security and liquidity.

📊 Since its launch in November 2017, the fund has shown significant growth despite market volatility, achieving an annualized return of 32.2% as of late 2024. However, the SEC has been cautious about approving cryptocurrency ETFs due to ongoing concerns about market manipulation, liquidity, and investor protection.

📝 The proposal for the ETF was submitted by NYSE Arca in November 2024 and has not yet received any public comments. Federal regulations require the SEC to review such filings within 45 days but allow for an extension of an additional 45 days if more analysis is needed.

🔍 The decision to delay reflects the ongoing regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrencies under the current administration, even as interest in digital asset investments grows. The SEC stated that the postponement will facilitate a more thorough evaluation of the proposal and its potential impact on market integrity and investor protection.

✨ The new deadline of March 3 is seen as a crucial moment for supporters of cryptocurrency ETFs, as it could influence the adoption of these products and the development of regulatory frameworks in the digital asset market.

🔐 $DEFI MajorCEX Listing on January 28

👑 DeFi: A Promising Venture Backed by Industry Leaders

🚀 The De.fi project is supported by prominent figures from major cryptocurrency platforms such as Binance, Coinbase, OKX Ventures, and ConsenSys (Metamask). This backing highlights the project's credibility and potential within the decentralized finance space.

📣 Recent announcements on the project's website and Twitter have stirred speculation about an upcoming significant listing on a centralized exchange (CEX). Many are wondering if this will be on Binance, OKX, or Coinbase, which are the three largest crypto exchanges. Such a listing would be a bullish indicator for $Defi.

🔍 The frequent activities and events surrounding $Defi demonstrate that the team is dedicated to advancing and expanding the project. This commitment is crucial for building trust and attracting more users in the competitive DeFi landscape.

Source: https://x.com/DeFi/status/1879106268838924704

🇺🇸 US CPI Comes in At 2.9%, Will Bitcoin Price and Crypto Market Slump Or Surge? 📊

The US CPI inflation report reveals 3rd consecutive increase but Bitcoin price and crypto market saw further recovery as Treasury yield drop

👉 Read more

🤯 $LINGO Breaks Out: Time to Pay Attention!

$LINGO has officially broken resistance at $0.42, flipping it into support!

💡 Even without being a TA expert, the signs are clear:
- Strong contender in the RWA space with unmatched potential.
- Market cap is 100x smaller than established RWA giants like Ondo and Pendle, leaving huge room for growth.

⚡️Momentum is building fast — don’t miss the next leg up. $LINGO is leading the charge!

X: https://x.com/Lingocoins
Website: https://lingocoin.io/

Solv Protocol: The Future of BTCFi Starts Today ON BINANCE!
BTC has reached $102K, signaling a comeback in the bull market! Today marks the launch of SOLV, BTC's leading project, which is set to revolutionize the space. Here are the key highlights:

✅ Over $300M in Funding: Supported by Binance Labs, OKX Ventures, and Blockchain Capital!
✅ Integration Across 16 Chains and 50+ Protocols
✅ Transparent and Profitable Model: Offers real earning opportunities for users!

Strong Vision for BTCFi

🔹 Breaking down barriers for Bitcoin holders
🔹 Combining TradFi, DeFi, and CeFi with a reserve of 25,000 BTC

📈 Timing is Crucial

🔹 Trump’s return on January 20 is expected to boost Bitcoin support
🔹 Dual Listing on Binance TR and HyperLiquid

For more information:

👉 https://x.com/SolvProtocol
👉 https://2jmtt.com/kol/2412/202412307658.html

🌟 The journey to dominate the BTC ecosystem begins NOW!

📈 Wintermute Reports 313% Growth in OTC Trading Volumes Amidst Crypto Market Surge

📊 A recent report from Wintermute, a leader in algorithmic market-making and high-frequency trading (HFT), highlights a remarkable 313% increase in the company's over-the-counter (OTC) trading volumes, surpassing the overall 142% growth in crypto exchange activity. The firm also provided insights for 2025, predicting significant momentum in institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies.

Wintermute’s spot OTC trading desk experienced substantial growth across all key metrics,

the report stated. It noted a significant expansion in market coverage, which grew by 64% to include 946 unique trading pairs.

📈 Wintermute revealed that contracts for difference (CFD) volumes increased to represent 4.3% of its total OTC trading activity within just nine months. The report also addressed the potential establishment of a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve, stating,

The U.S. will begin consultations to create a strategic bitcoin reserve; China, UAE, and Europe will be forced to follow.

💰 The firm predicted that a publicly listed company might issue debt or equity to acquire ethereum (ETH). It also anticipated that significant corporate events, such as dividend payouts or mergers, would be conducted using stablecoins. Additionally, Wintermute forecasted the launch of a meme coin exchange-traded fund (ETF), specifically focusing on dogecoin (DOGE).

🏦 Furthermore, Wintermute expected a ‘systemically important bank’ to start offering spot cryptocurrency trading to its clients. The firm also predicted that non-EVM layer-1 and layer-2 solutions would gain market share, while Ethereum would continue to dominate the sector.

⚡ Wintermute’s forecasts for 2025 suggest a transformative shift in the financial landscape, with digital assets poised to play a crucial role in corporate and institutional frameworks. If these predictions materialize, they could lead to a redefinition of market operations and a significant adjustment of traditional finance (tradfi) in response to rapid advancements in blockchain technology.

💰 Don't Miss Out on $DEFI After $TRUMP and $MELANIA

🚀 If you missed the opportunity with $TRUMP and $MELANIA, now is your chance to get in on $DEFI.

🔗 Here are the contract addresses for Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana:

- Ethereum: 0x6B0FaCA7bA905a86F221CEb5CA404f605e5b3131
- BNB Chain: 0x6d106C0B8d2f47c5465bdBD58D1Be253762cBBC1
- Solana: HXwh9i8D1LKkVK8WfMjFPyiyVZ4Auh9aLD5ut4LCRqqR

▶️ Ethereum Foundation Adopts Safe Multisig Wallet for DeFi Engagement

✨ The Ethereum Foundation has announced the establishment of a new multi-signature wallet utilizing the Safenet platform to improve its treasury operations and enhance its involvement in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. This wallet operates on a 3-of-5 multisig structure and is located at the address “0x9fC”. A transaction has been initiated to transfer 50,000 ether (ETH) to this wallet; however, Hsiao-Wei Wang from the foundation mentioned that delays in the signing process may extend the transfer time by several days.

💼 The foundation has expressed its commitment to using this wallet for DeFi activities and has already conducted a test transaction on the Aave lending protocol. The announcement indicated plans for a gradual migration of additional funds to the Safe wallet, highlighting its strong security features and user-friendly interface.

📈 This move represents a significant step in the foundation's ongoing efforts to manage its treasury effectively while leveraging DeFi tools. Further updates regarding this transition are anticipated, with Wang encouraging stakeholders to stay informed.

⚠️ The Ethereum Foundation has faced various challenges, including criticism over ETH sales for operational funding, decreasing ecosystem activity, and competition from other blockchains like Solana. Recent leadership restructuring aims to enhance transparency and collaboration, while concerns about neutrality arise from staking its $1 billion ETH. Efforts to increase community engagement and clarify Ethereum's unique value proposition are crucial for maintaining its market dominance.

🔴 Okx Moves Closer to Full MiCA License with Pre-Authorization

🌟 Okx Exchange has received pre-authorization under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) for Virtual Financial Assets (VFA), bringing it closer to obtaining a full MiCA license. This license will enable Okx to offer localized crypto services to over 400 million Europeans through its European Economic Area (EEA) hub in Malta.

➡️ The full MiCA license will allow Okx to provide regulated crypto exchange products, including spot and bot trading for more than 240 cryptocurrency tokens across 260 trading pairs and 60 Euro-based trading pairs.

🌍 Okx plans to obtain the full MiCA license from its Malta hub, which can be utilized across all 30 EEA member states. The exchange chose Malta as its MiCA hub due to the country's comprehensive regulatory approach and high standards for blockchain and cryptocurrency, as well as its strong technology infrastructure.

We currently hold a Class 4 VASP license from the MFSA

said Okx.

📉 Bitcoin's Price Drop Triggers Major Liquidations

📉 On Sunday, bitcoin's price fell to an intraday low of $101,957 after reaching a high of $105,424 earlier in the day. This decline led to the liquidation of over $128 million in bitcoin long positions across crypto derivatives markets within a four-hour period.

🔵 As of 8 p.m. ET, the cryptocurrency market is valued at $3.5 trillion, despite a 2.56% decrease in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin, which had been trading steadily between $104,800 and $105,400, began to lose ground around 2 p.m. ET.

🔴 The leading cryptocurrency now has a market capitalization of $2.04 trillion, reflecting a 1.7% decrease against the U.S. dollar, with individual coins trading at $102,052. In the past 24 hours, bitcoin recorded a global trading volume of $21.80 billion, with late-afternoon selling pressure contributing to a moderate increase in activity.

🌟 Total liquidations across crypto derivatives markets reached $371.94 million during this time frame, including $132 million in bitcoin long positions, with $128 million occurring in just four hours. Despite these sell-offs, open interest in bitcoin futures markets remains high, exceeding $64 billion.

▶️ Within the crypto economy’s overall trading volume of $83.94 billion, tether (USDT) dominated with $67 billion, reaffirming its status as the day’s most-traded token. Bitcoin currently commands 57.9% of the crypto market’s aggregate value, while ethereum accounts for 11.1% as of Sunday.

⚠️ The Crypto Fear and Greed Index, published by Alternativeme, stands at 71, indicating a prevailing sentiment of “greed.” Recent fluctuations in bitcoin’s price highlight the ongoing tug-of-war between bullish optimism and market uncertainty as January nears a close.

❗️ While long liquidations and selling pressure indicate investor caution, the sustained high trading volumes and open interest suggest that confidence remains a significant force.

🎉 Celebrating 6 Years of WBTC: A Milestone for the Community

💼 On January 20, 2025, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a DeFi platform associated with President Donald Trump, made a significant move by purchasing over $100 million in crypto tokens. This included a substantial investment of $47 million in Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC). Just a few days later, on January 23, 2025, WLFI continued its crypto buying spree with an additional acquisition of $9.84 million in WBTC. As a result of these transactions, WLFI now holds a total of $67.6 million in WBTC.

🗓 On January 31, 2025, WBTC will mark the 6th anniversary of its first token minting. As the largest and longest-running wrapped Bitcoin asset, this event holds great significance for both WBTC and its community.

📢 In preparation for this milestone, WBTC has undertaken several initiatives:

❗️ Organized a "Share to Earn" story contest
❗️ Published a review highlighting our growth milestones and record achievements
❗️ Released a recount of Bitcoin’s history

WLFI’s purchase is a significant win for both WBTC and the crypto community in general, signalling growing support for wrapped Bitcoin products.

⁉️ Bitwise Seeks SEC Approval for Dogecoin ETF Amid Growing Crypto Interest

🚫 Bitwise Investment Advisers LLC has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed Dogecoin ETF. This fund aims to provide investors with direct exposure to Dogecoin's (DOGE) market price, holding the cryptocurrency itself rather than derivatives. The ETF will use the CF Dogecoin-Dollar Settlement Price as its pricing benchmark, which is based on aggregated trade data from major Dogecoin exchanges.

🔍 If approved, the ETF's shares will be listed on an exchange yet to be determined. It is designed to be passively managed, without active trading strategies to respond to price fluctuations. Shares will be issued and redeemed in 10,000-share increments by authorized participants, allowing investors to buy and sell on the open market, although prices may vary from the fund's net asset value (NAV).

🔒 Coinbase Custody Trust Company LLC will manage the secure storage of the fund's DOGE holdings. Notably, the filing specifies that the ETF will not engage in staking or lending activities, distinguishing it from other cryptocurrency investment vehicles that seek to generate additional income.

📈 This filing comes at a time of increasing interest in cryptocurrency-based ETFs, particularly following the approval of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Asset managers are optimistic about the potential for more cryptocurrency funds to gain regulatory clearance after the departure of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Other digital assets like XRP, Solana (SOL), and Litecoin (LTC) are also being considered for future ETFs as the industry moves towards greater integration of crypto assets into traditional investment markets.

▶️ Hungary Threatens to Block EU Sanctions Against Russia Over Energy Security Concerns

⚠️ Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that Hungary may block further extensions of European Union sanctions against Russia if the European Commission fails to uphold its commitments regarding energy security. Orban stated on Kossuth radio that sanctions have cost Hungary billions of euros, amounting to €19 billion over three years.

Hungary is interested in sanctions [imposed by the EU against Russia] being lifted as in three years we lost 19 billion euros due to them,

Orban explained. He emphasized that continued cooperation with the EU depends on Brussels fulfilling its promises about Hungary's energy needs.

🌐 Brussels had previously assured Hungary of energy security by preventing disruptions to oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline and ensuring the safety of the Turkstream gas pipeline. In exchange for supporting the extension of EU sanctions against Moscow, Hungary was promised these protections. However, Orban expressed concerns that these commitments may not be fully honored.

If the European Commission fails to do as we agreed, sanctions will be lifted,

he declared. He also pointed out that Ukraine's suspension of Russian gas transit to Central Europe has heightened the urgency of securing stable energy supplies.

🔄 Hungary has consistently sought exemptions in the energy sector to maintain access to Russian oil and gas despite broader EU restrictions. The country relies on oil delivered through the Druzhba pipeline and gas supplied via Turkstream and its extensions in Bulgaria and Serbia.

💬 Following Hungary's warning, Brussels committed to addressing Budapest's concerns regarding energy security. Orban noted that EU sanctions against Russia are renewed every six months based on consensus, and Hungary's position is crucial in that decision-making process. If the European Commission does not uphold its commitments, he stated, Hungary will push for sanctions to be lifted within six months.

🚨 Coinbase Users Lose Millions to Scams Amid Allegations of Inaction

💰 Pseudonymous onchain analyst Zachxbt has claimed that Coinbase users, particularly the elderly, have lost over $300 million annually to social engineering schemes orchestrated by sophisticated Indian scam artists and a cybercriminal network known as "The Community". Social engineering involves manipulating individuals to gain access to private information, with one notable case involving hackers creating a clone of Coinbase's website to deceive victims.

📉 In the past two months alone, users reportedly lost over $65 million to these scams. Zachxbt criticized Coinbase for failing to take adequate measures to address this issue, stating,

Coinbase needs to urgently make changes as more and more users are being scammed for tens of millions every month.

He emphasized that most of the responsibility lies with the company's leadership.

🔍 When questioned about these allegations, Coinbase referred to a blog post published on the same day, which provided tips for mitigating social engineering risks. The post acknowledged that social engineering attacks are a significant cause of customer losses and noted a 10x increase in such attacks targeting financial institutions over the past year. However, it did not confirm or deny Zach's $300 million figure.

⚖️ Zach pointed out that other exchanges like Kraken, OKX, and Binance do not face the same issues. He cited a report from Binance revealing that it had prevented scams that could have cost its customers $129 million. He criticized Coinbase for not reporting theft addresses used by hackers to launder stolen funds and for providing inadequate customer support to victims.

🛠 To combat the rise of scams, Zach suggested several measures Coinbase could implement, including making phone numbers optional for users with an authenticator app, allowing beginners and the elderly to disable withdrawals on their accounts, and ensuring 24/7 availability of support agents. He also urged Coinbase to establish better communication channels with its customer base.

💪 Despite these challenges, Zach asserted that Coinbase has the resources to take legal action against members of The Com network and set a positive example in the industry. He stated,

Coinbase is in a position where they have the power to make these changes and set a good example, but they have chosen to do little to nothing.

How Much Are Crypto Exchanges Really Worth?

The valuation of cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and others is gaining attention in global media. A new approach has been introduced to estimate their market worth—not just based on trading volumes but through a broader set of key metrics.

This method considers six important factors:

🔍 Transparency – How openly exchanges share information about their operations.
📊 Activity – User engagement and trading volumes.
💰 Capital – Financial strength and available reserves.
🛡 Security – Measures in place to protect users and funds.
✅ Compliance – Adherence to regulatory standards.
📈 Proof of Reserves – Verification of solvency and financial backing.

By analyzing these elements, the formula offers a structured way to assess exchanges beyond surface-level figures. While not a definitive valuation model, it provides useful insights into how different platforms operate and manage risks in the crypto space.

Read more in the article 👉 https://coincodex.com/article/58281/unveiling-the-metrics-understanding-the-market-value-of-leading-crypto-exchanges/