📉 Telegram Stars Scam Hits Users Hard!

A massive scam involving Telegram’s in-app currency, Stars, has rocked the platform, with users reporting significant losses due to a flood of counterfeit Stars and gifts. Scammers are exploiting this by:
1. Selling Telegram Stars and gifts on third-party platforms.
2. Requesting a refund through the App Store.
3. Telegram deducts the stars from the victim’s balance.

Estimates suggest that between 20 to 30 million counterfeit Stars entered circulation with One seller on FunPay making $50,000 in just a week, even collecting 5,000 positive reviews. Telegram has since initiated a mass refund process to address the issue, but the damage has already been done for many.

The exploit has affected thousands of users, with losses reaching thousands of dollars. The community expresses frustration and warns against third-party Star transactions, advocating for official platforms only.

While Telegram is working to clean up the mess, the platform has yet to release an official statement.

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Cracked.to Returns as Cracked.sh After Seizure 🆕

On January 29, 2025, Cracked.to was seized in the international law enforcement operation dubbed Operation Talent, alongside several other platforms. The site went offline without warning, sparking speculation about the extent of the breach.

Now, a few months later, Cracked has resurfaced under a new domain: Cracked.sh. In an official statement, the administration confirmed the site is back online using a backup dated January 25, 2025.

They reassured users that although servers were encrypted during the seizure, law enforcement did not gain access to user data, posts, or passwords. Users are still advised to take precautionary measures like changing passwords or deleting private messages.

👥 Cracked.sh is now operated by Liars, a long-time staff member, following structural changes after the seizure.

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❌ eXch.cx Shuts Down

eXch.cx, the no-KYC crypto swap site known for anonymous BTC, ETH, and XMR trades, is shutting down on May 1, 2025. Swaps will stop a day earlier, on April 30.

The platform recently made headlines after being linked to the Lazarus Group’s $35M ETH laundering from the February Bybit hack. While the team didn’t say why they’re closing, many are pointing to regulatory pressure following that incident.

In a final move, eXch is donating 50 BTC to open-source privacy projects—excluding anything written in Java, JavaScript, Go, or C#, which sparked mixed reactions.

The shutdown follows a broader trend: 36 unlicensed exchanges were closed by Kazakhstan in March, and others like DMM Bitcoin and OKX Nigeria have also gone down recently. eXch handled $2B+ in 2024 alone—its closure hits hard for the privacy crowd.

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🆕 Got News? Send It In!

We just launched a bot for community submissions.
Got news, leaks, or something worth sharing?

Drop it here: @SubmitAlert_bot

🔔 Monthly Community Recap: April 2025

• 04/02/25: Lion Exit Scams $135,000+!
Lion, known on Telegram as @lock (now deleted), has exit scammed what's estimated to be over $135,000+, across multiple deals. [Read More]

• 04/03/25: Telegram Stars Scam Exposed
Scammers flooded Telegram with fake Stars, duping users out of millions through a refund exploit. [Read More]

• 04/10/25: Cracked.to Returns After Seizure
Cracked has resurfaced under a new domain: Cracked.sh. In an official statement, the administration confirmed the site is back online using a backup dated January 25, 2025. [Read More]

04/14/25: 4chan.org Hacked and Taken Offline
A hacker from soyjak.party exploited a PDF upload vulnerability, breaching 4chan’s servers, source code, and database. The site displayed "U GOT HACKED" before shutting down. [Read More]

04/15/25: Breachforums.st Outage — DDoS or Law Enforcement?
The Dark Storm Team claimed responsibility for a DDoS attack that took BreachForums offline. The site briefly resurfaced at breached.fi, but continued attacks and internal issues hindered its relaunch. Rumors of an FBI seizure and the arrest of IntelBroker remain unconfirmed. [Read More]

• 04/17/25: eXch.cx Announces Shutdown!
eXch, a controversial crypto exchange known for its no-KYC policy and privacy-focused transactions, announced it will cease operations on May 1, 2025, [Read More]

04/25/25: 4chan.org Returns Amid Struggles
After nearly two weeks offline, 4chan resumed operations under strained conditions. The /f/ board remains disabled due to .swf file risks, and financial woes persist, with the site citing insufficient funds for proper security updates. [Read More]

​• 04/30/25: Bitcoin's Price Action
In April 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) demonstrated a strong recovery from March's volatility. The month began with BTC trading around $83,000. It reached a monthly low of approximately $74,500 on April 8. Subsequently, Bitcoin experienced a steady ascent, culminating in a monthly high of about $95,600 on April 25. The month concluded with BTC closing at approximately $94,200 on April 30. The average closing price for April was around $86,448. ​

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Bitcoin Surpasses Amazon in Market Value 📈

Bitcoin has officially overtaken Amazon, becoming the 5th largest asset in the world by market cap.

This milestone marks a major step forward for cryptocurrency, as Bitcoin climbs the global asset rankings—now sitting just behind giants like Apple and Microsoft.

The rise reflects growing institutional interest and investor confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.

🪙 1 BTC = $103,000
💰 Market Cap: $2.05 Trillion

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🚩 As many of you saw, @Sector was wrongfully banned yesterday. After speaking with Durov, we were back up and running within just 5 hours.

However, we lost nearly 1,000 subscribers during the downtime — so if you were affected, make sure to rejoin: t.iss.one/sector

Thank you all for the continued support. We’ll be hosting a huge giveaway to celebrate once we hit 10,000 subscribers!

— SECTOR 🐸

Bitcoin has officially smashed its all-time high — now trading at $111,456 as of May 22, 2025...

💸 BTC is King!

🔤 The Most Expensive Semi Username?

The Telegram username @Middlemen has been sold by @Middleman owners, @cold and @fame, to @spider for what's said to be around $150,000.

However, this handle comes with some history. Back in 2023, @Middlemen was owned by @Laugh, a long-term middleman in the space. He decided to auction his handle on fragment.com to convert it into a collectible (NFT) username. During the auction, the TON blockchain experienced major issues and downtime. As a result, Laugh lost the handle, and the auction ended for just $42—far below its true market value.

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🚀 Grok AI X Telegram

Telegram has agreed to a one-year partnership to implement Grok into Telegram!

Telegram reportedly bagged $300M in cash plus 50% of all xAI subscription revenue in the deal.

Could we see Elon on Telegram in the near future? 🎁

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🔔 Monthly Community Recap: May 2025

• 05/08/25: Bitcoin Surpasses Amazon in Market Value
Bitcoin has officially overtaken Amazon, becoming the 5th largest asset in the world by market cap. [Read More]

• 05/11/25: Coinbase Hack Exposes 69,000+ Customer Accounts
Hackers bribe Coinbase support agents to steal data from 69,461 users, including names, IDs, and account balances, demanding $20M in ransom. Coinbase refuses payment, offers a $20M bounty, and faces $180M-$400M in costs. [Read More]

• 05/13/25: Telegram Shuts Down $35B Crypto Black Markets
Telegram bans thousands of accounts tied to Haowang and Xinbi Guarantee, dismantling marketplaces linked to $35 billion in illicit crypto transactions, including money laundering and scams. [Read More]

• 05/19/25: Telegram Crypto Project Co-Founder Arrested for Fraud
Vladimir Smerkis, co-founder of Telegram-based Blum, arrested in Moscow for alleged $15M fraud, shaking user trust in Telegram’s crypto Mini Apps ecosystem. [Read More]

• 05/21/25: The Most Expensive Semi Username?
The Telegram username @Middlemen has been sold by @Middleman owners, @cold and @fame, to @spider for what's said to be around $150,000. [Read More]

• 05/22/25: Bitcoin All-Time-High
Bitcoin has officially smashed its all-time high — now trading at $111,456 as of May 22, 2025.. [Read More]

05/27/25: Grok AI X Telegram
Telegram has agreed to a one-year partnership to implement Grok into Telegram!. [Read More]

05/27/25: Trump Media Announces $2.5B Bitcoin Investment
Trump Media & Technology Group (Truth Social’s parent) secures $2.5B to build a “Bitcoin Treasury,” integrating crypto into its ecosystem to counter financial institution discrimination. [Read More]

05/28/25: Telegram Raises $1.7B in Bonds
Telegram issues $1.7B in 5-year bonds at 9%, maturing June 2030, with $950M of 2026 bonds exchanged. Strong demand from investors like BlackRock surpasses the $1.5B target. [Read More]

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📱 X LAUNCHES "XCHAT": TELEGRAM RIVAL?

Elon Musk just rolled out XChat, a new messaging system on X, supposedly packed with privacy-focused features and "Bitcoin style" encryption.

Key Features:
• End-to-End Encryption: Built with the kind of encryption used in crypto wallets, promising top-tier security.
• Vanishing Messages: Messages that disappear after a set time.
• File Sharing & Calls: Send any file type and make audio/video calls without a phone number, across all platforms.
• Rust-Powered: A new architecture using Rust for speed and safety, rolling out to premium users this week (if no scaling issues).

The Catch: Some question the “Bitcoin-style” encryption claim. Bitcoin doesn’t use encryption for transactions, only signing. XChat’s closed-source nature has sparked trust concerns.

Will it deliver on privacy and potentially rival Telegram? 🤔

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🚨 BREAKING: CoinMarketCap Compromised

CoinMarketCap’s frontend appears to have been compromised. The site is currently prompting users to connect their wallets.

Do not interact. Stay safe and spread the word.

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🔔 Monthly Community Recap: June 2025

• 06/01/25: Ritual Banned on OGUser.com [Read More]

• 06/02/25: BitPro Exchange Hit by $11.5M Exploit
Taiwan-based crypto exchange BitPro confirmed an $11.5 million loss from a security breach, affecting hot wallets on Ethereum, Tron, Solana, and Polygon. Funds were moved to DEXs and laundered via Tornado Cash. [Read More]

• 06/03/25: X Launches "XChat"
Elon Musk just rolled out XChat, a new messaging system on X, supposedly packed with privacy-focused features and "Bitcoin-style" encryption. [Read More]

• 06/04/25: BidenCash Dark Web Marketplace Seized
The dark web marketplace, with 117,000+ users and $17M in crypto revenue, trafficked 15M stolen cards. The FBI announced the takedown on X, sparking discussions on crypto crime. [Read More]

• 06/04/25: Binance Faces $87M Tax Evasion Fine in India
Binance was fined $87 million by India’s Enforcement Directorate for violating anti-money laundering laws, marking a significant regulatory blow to the crypto exchange’s operations in the region. [Read More]

• 06/15/25: Telegram’s TON Blockchain Hits 1B Transactions
The Open Network (TON), tied to Telegram, surpassed 1 billion transactions, fueled by Mini Apps and decentralized finance growth, solidifying its role in crypto ecosystems. [Read More]

• 06/18/25: Nobitex Exchange Hacked for $90M - $100M, Services Begin Recovery
Iran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, was hit by a $90M-$100M hack on June 18, with pro-Israel group Gonjeshke Darande claiming responsibility, alleging sanctions evasion ties. [Read More]

• 06/20/25: CoinMarketCap Compromised
CoinMarketCap’s frontend appears to have been compromised. The site is currently prompting users to connect their wallets. [Read More]

• 06/25/25: Crypto Hackers Steal $1.4B in Q2 2025
Crypto scams and hacks surged, with $1.4 billion stolen in Q2, including a $200M exploit on a DeFi protocol. Phishing and rug pulls remained top threats. [Read More]

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⚠️ XSS.IS Forum Seized by Authorities

Russia’s largest cybercrime forum, xss.is, has reportedly been taken down in a coordinated federal operation. Visitors are now greeted with a federal seizure banner. xss.is was one of the longest-running markets for exploits, malware, and hacking services.

🔍 Background:
• XSS (formerly DaMa) has been a central hub for Russian-speaking cybercriminals since 2018.
• Known for exploit sales, credential dumps, malware-as-a-service, and brokering ransomware deals.
• It hosted high-profile threat actors and was one of the few surviving forums post-RaidForums & BreachForums shutdowns.

ℹ️ Details:
• The domain now displays a Russian government seizure notice, allegedly from the FSB or Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Admins and core users are rumored to have been arrested, though this is still unconfirmed.
• Telegram chatter and underground sources say credentials and user data may have been seized.

💬 Will this lead to more takedowns… or just more decentralization?

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🚨 BREAKING: Security Warning

Ledger’s CTO has issued an urgent warning about a large-scale supply chain attack.

• A compromised NPM account has pushed malicious packages (already downloaded over 1B times) that can swap crypto addresses on the fly to steal funds.
• This potentially impacts the entire JavaScript ecosystem and the broader crypto community.

⚠️ What you should do:

Hardware wallet users: Double-check every transaction before signing.

Software wallet users: Avoid making on-chain transactions until further notice.

Stay cautious and protect your funds.

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⚠️ Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T experiencing nationwide outages.

Users across the US are reporting widespread service issues, including loss of signal and phones entering SOS mode.

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💎 Changes to Fragment mints

Fragment has introduced fixed mint values for all fragment usernames.

• Four-letter Usernames: $8,000 (currently ≈ 💎5,500)
• Generic Usernames: $800 (currently ≈ 💎550)
• Non-generic usernames: $160 (currently ≈ 💎110)

Usernames are still sold via auction, these are not buy-now prices.

Is this good or bad for the username market? 🤔

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🚨BREAKING: U.S. DOJ Finalizes Massive $400M+ Forfeiture from Darknet Bitcoin Mixer Helix

• The U.S. Department of Justice has officially seized legal title to over $400 million in assets tied to Helix, one of the most notorious darknet cryptocurrency mixers from the early 2014.

• Helix (operated 2014–2017) laundered over $300 million in Bitcoin, much of it from darknet markets dealing in drugs and other illegal goods. Operator Larry Dean Harmon pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in 2021, was sentenced to 3 years in prison in November 2024, and ordered to forfeit the assets.

• On January 21, 2026, Judge Beryl A. Howell (U.S. District Court, D.C.) issued a final forfeiture order. This transfers ownership of seized cryptocurrencies, real estate, and other monetary holdings to the government.

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📉 Massive Market Crash Wipes Out Trillions!

President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair on January 30 strengthened the U.S. dollar and ended bets on aggressive rate cuts / inflation hedges. This triggered profit-taking, over-leveraged positions unwinding, and a chain reaction of forced selling across crypto, gold, and silver.

• Bitcoin liquidated over $1.6+ Billion over the last 2 days
• Gold and Silver lost a combined $3.15 Trillion from their market caps
• Silver plunged 40%, wiping out massive holder value
• Bitcoin dropped out of the top 10 global assets by market cap

Fun Fact: Toncoin (TON) crashed to $1.32 — its lowest since June 2023, first time in over 2.5 years.

💬 What do you think about this crash?

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