Elon Musk’s D.O.G.E initiative under Trump aimed to cut federal spending, but costs still climbed. Despite shutting 11 agencies, ending foreign aid, and cutting $10B from education, the budget grew—and 240,000 government jobs were lost. Was D.O.G.E a cost-cutter, or just a reshuffle?
CatherineThe SEC has closed its investigation into PayPal’s stablecoin PYUSD without taking any action. This clears the way for PayPal to expand its crypto plans, including partnerships and a new rewards programme for users.
AnaisAvi Eisenberg was sentenced to 52 months in prison for possessing over 1,200 CSAM images, while still facing legal fallout from his $110M Mango Markets exploit. Though convicted of crypto fraud, his lawyers seek a retrial—raising questions about whether the punishment fits the scale of his crimes.
CatherineMalaysian authorities seized 45 illegal Bitcoin mining machines worth $52,145, part of a broader crackdown on operations causing $8,342 in monthly electricity theft. While no arrests were made, investigations continue amidst rising losses tied to international groups exploiting the region’s power grid.
KikyoKraken caught a North Korean hacker trying to get a job by spotting inconsistencies during the interview process. The crypto firm used the opportunity to uncover a network of fake identities linked to state-backed cybercrime.
AnaisMesh has partnered with Apple Pay to enable seamless crypto payments for consumers, with merchants receiving stablecoin payouts—no crypto infrastructure required. The integration will launch for both online and physical retailers by Q2 2025.
CatherineEthereum R1 launched as a new layer-2 solution without a token or central control, aiming to keep Ethereum scaling neutral and decentralised. It runs on donations and has sparked debate about whether token-free models could shape the future of Ethereum’s ecosystem.
WeatherlyA licensed Black Mirror token is launching, using AI to assign dynamic reputation scores based on blockchain and social activity. Powered by a virtual assistant named Iris, the system rewards high-scoring users with airdrops and perks—blurring the line between digital behaviour and real-world incentives.
KikyoBithumb has been added to South Korea's conglomerate watchlist, requiring stricter financial regulations due to its rapid growth in 2024. The Fair Trade Commission also included four other companies, while moving Dunamu to a lower category, as part of its ongoing efforts to regulate large firms in key sectors like crypto and defence.
AnaisThe U.S. Treasury has proposed cutting off Cambodia’s Huione Group from the American banking system due to its role in laundering billions linked to cybercrime, including funds tied to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. Authorities say Huione helped move stolen money through scams and crypto platforms, making it a key player in global online fraud.
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