π How a Hacker Stole Crypto From the U.S. Government for Years
In 2024β2025, funds were quietly moving out of wallets controlled by the U.S. government to unknown addresses. The transfers looked routine β like normal asset movements β and raised no red flags.
βͺοΈ The scheme unraveled after a dispute broke out in the hacker community over who stole more crypto. During the argument, one participant accidentally exposed wallets that had been receiving funds from U.S. government addresses.
π΅οΈββοΈ According to blockchain investigator ZachXBT, the transfers were linked to John Daguete. His father owns CMDSS, a company that provides services to the U.S. Marshals Service, including managing and selling seized and confiscated crypto assets.
After the investigation went public, the wallet tied to the thefts launched a dusting attack against ZachXBTβs public address.
In the end, a βgenius hackerβ who siphoned over $90 million from the U.S. government and other victims was exposed by a careless online argument. π€·
In 2024β2025, funds were quietly moving out of wallets controlled by the U.S. government to unknown addresses. The transfers looked routine β like normal asset movements β and raised no red flags.
βͺοΈ The scheme unraveled after a dispute broke out in the hacker community over who stole more crypto. During the argument, one participant accidentally exposed wallets that had been receiving funds from U.S. government addresses.
π΅οΈββοΈ According to blockchain investigator ZachXBT, the transfers were linked to John Daguete. His father owns CMDSS, a company that provides services to the U.S. Marshals Service, including managing and selling seized and confiscated crypto assets.
After the investigation went public, the wallet tied to the thefts launched a dusting attack against ZachXBTβs public address.
In the end, a βgenius hackerβ who siphoned over $90 million from the U.S. government and other victims was exposed by a careless online argument. π€·
πΎ4
βοΈπ Winter Storm Hits Bitcoin Mining in the U.S.
πͺπΊπΈA severe winter storm in the U.S. knocked out ~200 EH/s of mining power, sending Bitcoinβs hashrate down to 706 EH/s, the lowest in six months. Block times briefly stretched to ~12 minutes.
American miners were hit hardest: Foundry USAβs pool saw a ~60% drop in hashrate due to electricity restrictions. π
The network remains secure, but this highlights how weather and power limits can temporarily disrupt mining operations.
πͺπΊπΈA severe winter storm in the U.S. knocked out ~200 EH/s of mining power, sending Bitcoinβs hashrate down to 706 EH/s, the lowest in six months. Block times briefly stretched to ~12 minutes.
American miners were hit hardest: Foundry USAβs pool saw a ~60% drop in hashrate due to electricity restrictions. π
The network remains secure, but this highlights how weather and power limits can temporarily disrupt mining operations.
β6
π° Strategy Adds More Bitcoin to Its Stack
Strategy has purchased 2,932 BTC for $264.1M, paying an average price of $90,061 per coin.
As of January 25, the company now holds 712,647 BTC, acquired for a total of $54.19B at an average price of $76,037.
Strategy has purchased 2,932 BTC for $264.1M, paying an average price of $90,061 per coin.
As of January 25, the company now holds 712,647 BTC, acquired for a total of $54.19B at an average price of $76,037.
π9
CryptoQuant: Capital Is Leaving Crypto
π According to CryptoQuant, the total market cap of stablecoins is declining, signaling that investors are withdrawing funds from the crypto market rather than rotating within it.
π³ Analysts call this a very negative signal: as crypto continues to correct, some investors are fully exiting and redirecting capital into precious metals, which are still rallying.
This trend suggests weakening liquidity in crypto and a shift toward traditional safe-haven assets like gold and silver.
π According to CryptoQuant, the total market cap of stablecoins is declining, signaling that investors are withdrawing funds from the crypto market rather than rotating within it.
π³ Analysts call this a very negative signal: as crypto continues to correct, some investors are fully exiting and redirecting capital into precious metals, which are still rallying.
This trend suggests weakening liquidity in crypto and a shift toward traditional safe-haven assets like gold and silver.
π3π1
π BTC & ETH Growth Is Inevitable β Just Not Yet
Tom Lee believes the rise of Bitcoin and Ethereum is inevitable, but only after the rally in precious metals cools off.
In a recent interview, he explained why crypto remains weak while gold and silver keep hitting new ATHs:
βΈ The market is still digesting the October 11 shock, with lingering risk-off sentiment
βΈ Precious metals are absorbing attention and liquidity, pulling capital away from crypto
βͺοΈ Fundamentally, crypto remains strong:
β«οΈTraditional finance continues to embrace crypto
β«οΈCrypto uses less leverage than metals, slowing rallies but making them more sustainable
β«οΈThe U.S. dollar is weakening, and the Fed plans rate cuts
β«οΈHistorically, when gold and silver move sideways, crypto often starts its next rally
Patience may be required β but the setup for BTC and ETH remains intact. π
Tom Lee believes the rise of Bitcoin and Ethereum is inevitable, but only after the rally in precious metals cools off.
In a recent interview, he explained why crypto remains weak while gold and silver keep hitting new ATHs:
βΈ The market is still digesting the October 11 shock, with lingering risk-off sentiment
βΈ Precious metals are absorbing attention and liquidity, pulling capital away from crypto
βͺοΈ Fundamentally, crypto remains strong:
β«οΈTraditional finance continues to embrace crypto
β«οΈCrypto uses less leverage than metals, slowing rallies but making them more sustainable
β«οΈThe U.S. dollar is weakening, and the Fed plans rate cuts
β«οΈHistorically, when gold and silver move sideways, crypto often starts its next rally
Patience may be required β but the setup for BTC and ETH remains intact. π
π4π1
π CryptoQuant: Bitcoin Realized Losses Hit 3-Year High
π According to CryptoQuant, Bitcoin has recorded $4.5B in realized losses, the highest level in the past three years.
The last time BTC saw similar realized losses, the price was trading around $28,000, followed by a prolonged correction lasting nearly a year. π
This data highlights growing capitulation pressure and suggests the market may be entering a deeper consolidation or correction phase, depending on how demand responds from current levels. π€
π According to CryptoQuant, Bitcoin has recorded $4.5B in realized losses, the highest level in the past three years.
The last time BTC saw similar realized losses, the price was trading around $28,000, followed by a prolonged correction lasting nearly a year. π
This data highlights growing capitulation pressure and suggests the market may be entering a deeper consolidation or correction phase, depending on how demand responds from current levels. π€
π€3π2
π Ethereum Fees Hit Multi-Year Lows
According to Glassnode, transaction fees on the Ethereum network have dropped to their lowest level since 2017. β¬οΈ
This reflects reduced on-chain activity and lower congestion, making Ethereum cheaper to use than itβs been in years. While great news for users and developers, historically such low fees can also signal weaker demand and quieter market conditions. π§
Low costs, low noise β a calm phase for Ethereum.
According to Glassnode, transaction fees on the Ethereum network have dropped to their lowest level since 2017. β¬οΈ
This reflects reduced on-chain activity and lower congestion, making Ethereum cheaper to use than itβs been in years. While great news for users and developers, historically such low fees can also signal weaker demand and quieter market conditions. π§
Low costs, low noise β a calm phase for Ethereum.
π4π1
π₯ Hyperliquid Takes the Lead in Price Discovery!
Hyperliquid is surging: the DEX has overtaken Binance to become the most liquid venue for crypto price discovery, a major milestone for decentralized trading.π
Liquidity on BTC perpetuals is now deeper on Hyperliquid than on Binance, highlighting a shift in where real price formation is happening. On the back of this momentum, HYPE is up +24% today βοΈ
With HIP-3 teams driving growth, Hyperliquid has also become the most liquid platform for perpetuals on TradFi assets, expanding beyond pure crypto.π
Hyperliquid is surging: the DEX has overtaken Binance to become the most liquid venue for crypto price discovery, a major milestone for decentralized trading.π
Liquidity on BTC perpetuals is now deeper on Hyperliquid than on Binance, highlighting a shift in where real price formation is happening. On the back of this momentum, HYPE is up +24% today βοΈ
With HIP-3 teams driving growth, Hyperliquid has also become the most liquid platform for perpetuals on TradFi assets, expanding beyond pure crypto.π
π7β€1
β οΈ User Data Leak Hits Binance Accounts
A massive 96GB database containing credentials from 149 million accounts has surfaced online. Among them are ~420,000 Binance accounts, including logins, passwords, autofill data, and keystroke history.
π₯· The breach was caused by infostealer malware β viruses that infect user devices and steal data directly from browsers. These are commonly spread via fake game mods/cheats, bogus software updates, and malicious browser extensions.
Other affected services include:
βͺοΈ Gmail β 48M
βͺοΈ Facebook β 17M
βͺοΈ Instagram β 6.5M
βͺοΈ Yahoo β 4M
βͺοΈ Netflix β 3.4M
βͺοΈ Outlook β 1.5M
βͺοΈ iCloud β 900K
βͺοΈ TikTok β 780K
βͺοΈ Even ~100K OnlyFans passwords
A massive 96GB database containing credentials from 149 million accounts has surfaced online. Among them are ~420,000 Binance accounts, including logins, passwords, autofill data, and keystroke history.
π₯· The breach was caused by infostealer malware β viruses that infect user devices and steal data directly from browsers. These are commonly spread via fake game mods/cheats, bogus software updates, and malicious browser extensions.
Other affected services include:
βͺοΈ Gmail β 48M
βͺοΈ Facebook β 17M
βͺοΈ Instagram β 6.5M
βͺοΈ Yahoo β 4M
βͺοΈ Netflix β 3.4M
βͺοΈ Outlook β 1.5M
βͺοΈ iCloud β 900K
βͺοΈ TikTok β 780K
βͺοΈ Even ~100K OnlyFans passwords
π’4β€1
π§ Vitalikβs βAnti-Madnessβ Strategy on Polymarket
Vitalik Buterin revealed that last year he earned around $70,000 on Polymarket, using roughly $440,000 in capital. π΅
He describes his approach as βanti-madness modeβ: identifying prediction markets driven by irrational hype and panic, then betting that the craziest outcomes simply wonβt happen.
In short, when the crowd loses its mind, Vitalik calmly bets on reality β and gets paid for it. π
Vitalik Buterin revealed that last year he earned around $70,000 on Polymarket, using roughly $440,000 in capital. π΅
He describes his approach as βanti-madness modeβ: identifying prediction markets driven by irrational hype and panic, then betting that the craziest outcomes simply wonβt happen.
In short, when the crowd loses its mind, Vitalik calmly bets on reality β and gets paid for it. π
π3π2
π Will the Silver Bubble Burst?
According to Saifedean Ammous in The Bitcoin Standard (written back in 2018), the answer is likely yes β and he even anticipated todayβs surge in silver prices. π§
Ammous argues that silver has a structural weakness: when monetary demand rises, producers can quickly ramp up supply, flooding the market. This extra supply eventually crushes prices, wiping out the purchasing power of savers in the process. π
In other words, silver tends to boom when capital flows in β but unlike Bitcoin, its elastic supply makes sustained price appreciation fragile. History suggests that if a βsilver bubbleβ inflates too much, itβs only a matter of time before it pops. π€·
According to Saifedean Ammous in The Bitcoin Standard (written back in 2018), the answer is likely yes β and he even anticipated todayβs surge in silver prices. π§
Ammous argues that silver has a structural weakness: when monetary demand rises, producers can quickly ramp up supply, flooding the market. This extra supply eventually crushes prices, wiping out the purchasing power of savers in the process. π
In other words, silver tends to boom when capital flows in β but unlike Bitcoin, its elastic supply makes sustained price appreciation fragile. History suggests that if a βsilver bubbleβ inflates too much, itβs only a matter of time before it pops. π€·
π4β€2
Crypto soothsayer
π Hereβs what the Bitcoin Burger menu from Steak βn Shake looks like Steak βn Shake has rolled out a special Bitcoin Burger, leaning fully into crypto-culture. Their promo slogan: βyou wish you had three handsβ β hinting at just how stacked this burger is.β¦
π Steak βn Shake Serves Bitcoin on the Menu
Customers of the fast-food chain Steak βn Shake have started receiving $5 gift coupons in BTC with their Bitcoin Meal orders.
A simple burger run now comes with a taste of crypto adoption β turning fast food into a Bitcoin onboarding tool. π
Customers of the fast-food chain Steak βn Shake have started receiving $5 gift coupons in BTC with their Bitcoin Meal orders.
A simple burger run now comes with a taste of crypto adoption β turning fast food into a Bitcoin onboarding tool. π
π3
β οΈ Geopolitics Rising β Bitcoin Too
Donald Trump announced that a powerful U.S. naval strike group, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, is heading toward Iran β larger in scale than the forces previously sent to Venezuela. π§
According to Trump, the fleet is ready to act quickly if needed, but the U.S. hopes Iran will choose negotiations and a non-nuclear deal instead. He emphasized that time is running out for Tehran to make a decision. π€
Meanwhile⦠Bitcoin is already above $90,000.
Coincidence β or markets reacting to rising geopolitical risk? ππ
Donald Trump announced that a powerful U.S. naval strike group, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, is heading toward Iran β larger in scale than the forces previously sent to Venezuela. π§
According to Trump, the fleet is ready to act quickly if needed, but the U.S. hopes Iran will choose negotiations and a non-nuclear deal instead. He emphasized that time is running out for Tehran to make a decision. π€
Meanwhile⦠Bitcoin is already above $90,000.
Coincidence β or markets reacting to rising geopolitical risk? ππ
π3π3β€1
π¦ Fed Meeting: No Surprises, Bitcoin Dips
Yesterdayβs Federal Reserve meeting brought no surprises β the interest rate was left unchanged at 3.75%. π
Following the decision, Bitcoin slowly drifted lower overnight, slipping toward the $88,000 level. π
Markets took the outcome calmly, with price action reflecting a typical βno news, no momentumβ reaction after a predictable Fed decision.
Yesterdayβs Federal Reserve meeting brought no surprises β the interest rate was left unchanged at 3.75%. π
Following the decision, Bitcoin slowly drifted lower overnight, slipping toward the $88,000 level. π
Markets took the outcome calmly, with price action reflecting a typical βno news, no momentumβ reaction after a predictable Fed decision.
β€3π3
π Glassnode: Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Are Selling Again
According to Glassnode, long-term Bitcoin holders have sold 143,000 BTC over the past 30 days, worth roughly $12.8B. π§
This marks the largest wave of selling since August 2025, coming as Bitcoin price performance continues to lag behind traditional markets. π΅
The data suggests renewed distribution from long-term holders, potentially adding near-term selling pressure, even as BTC remains near elevated price levels.
According to Glassnode, long-term Bitcoin holders have sold 143,000 BTC over the past 30 days, worth roughly $12.8B. π§
This marks the largest wave of selling since August 2025, coming as Bitcoin price performance continues to lag behind traditional markets. π΅
The data suggests renewed distribution from long-term holders, potentially adding near-term selling pressure, even as BTC remains near elevated price levels.
π3
π Silver Hits New All-Time High
Silver has reached a new ATH at $120, delivering a 29-day return thatβs 4Γ higher than the S&P 500βs entire 2025 performance. π
Yes, itβs outperforming stocks β and yes, we wonβt mention Bitcoin this time πΆ
But thereβs an important caveat: silver supply can be ramped up relatively easily. Historically, when prices surge and capital flows in, increased production tends to follow β often cooling the rally. βοΈπ
Silver has reached a new ATH at $120, delivering a 29-day return thatβs 4Γ higher than the S&P 500βs entire 2025 performance. π
Yes, itβs outperforming stocks β and yes, we wonβt mention Bitcoin this time πΆ
But thereβs an important caveat: silver supply can be ramped up relatively easily. Historically, when prices surge and capital flows in, increased production tends to follow β often cooling the rally. βοΈπ
π₯4
π§ BTCβs 4-Year Cycle Is Over? A Supercycle Theory
Kim Ung-Yong believes the classic 4-year Bitcoin cycle no longer works. According to him, the market is now entering a long-term supercycle that could last a decade. π³
π» Kim Ung-Yong is a well-known South Korean prodigy, often cited as having one of the highest IQs ever recorded. While online myths claim his IQ reached 276, the officially recognized figure listed in the Guinness Book of Records is 210. π
Kim Ung-Yong believes the classic 4-year Bitcoin cycle no longer works. According to him, the market is now entering a long-term supercycle that could last a decade. π³
π» Kim Ung-Yong is a well-known South Korean prodigy, often cited as having one of the highest IQs ever recorded. While online myths claim his IQ reached 276, the officially recognized figure listed in the Guinness Book of Records is 210. π
π₯±2π1
π¦ Bybit Is Turning Into a Crypto Neo-Bank
Crypto exchange Bybit is moving closer to traditional finance by launching bank-like accounts that allow users to hold USD and other fiat currencies.
The new βMyBankβ accounts will come with IBANs, enabling transfers in 18 fiat currencies. The rollout is expected in February, pending regulatory approval, and is being done in partnership with licensed banks. π
This shift positions Bybit as a neo-bank-style platform, but with crypto at its core: once fiat hits the account, users can instantly move it into crypto.
In parallel, Bybit plans to launch a custody product for institutional investors, focused on banks and large players tokenizing real-world assets.
With 81M+ users globally, Bybit is expanding beyond pure crypto β while eyeing U.S. expansion and a potential future IPO. π΅π
TradFi and crypto continue to blur π
Crypto exchange Bybit is moving closer to traditional finance by launching bank-like accounts that allow users to hold USD and other fiat currencies.
The new βMyBankβ accounts will come with IBANs, enabling transfers in 18 fiat currencies. The rollout is expected in February, pending regulatory approval, and is being done in partnership with licensed banks. π
This shift positions Bybit as a neo-bank-style platform, but with crypto at its core: once fiat hits the account, users can instantly move it into crypto.
In parallel, Bybit plans to launch a custody product for institutional investors, focused on banks and large players tokenizing real-world assets.
With 81M+ users globally, Bybit is expanding beyond pure crypto β while eyeing U.S. expansion and a potential future IPO. π΅π
TradFi and crypto continue to blur π
π5