Microsoft to cease local operations in Pakistan

Microsoft has announced that it will be closing its operations in Pakistan, marking the end of its 25-year presence in the country. The company, based in Redmond, confirmed to media outlets that it is planning on changing its operational model in the South Asian country. According to reports, Microsoft will begin to serve its users in Pakistan through resellers and other closely located Microsoft offices. In a detailed statement by a spokesperson of the company, its customer arrangements and services will not be affected. The spokesperson also added that the company has always adopted this model in other countries and it has been successful. “Our customers remain our top priority and can expect the same high level of service going forward,” the spokesperson added. Microsoft set to wind down its Pakistan operations According to reports, the decision is expected to affect five Microsoft employees in Pakistan, with the report noting that the company did not set up any engineering base or resources in the country, unlike its bases in India and other growing countries. Instead, its employees in Pakistan were only tasked with selling Azure and Office products. The development comes amid a broader restructuring move from the company. According to Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Microsoft’s exit is part of a wider workforce optimization program. “This would reflect a long-signaled strategy, consolidating direct headcount and moving toward a partner-led, cloud-based delivery model, rather than a retreat from the Pakistani market,” the body said. It also noted that it recognizes the value of having leading global technology providers active in the country. “We will continue to engage Microsoft’s regional and global leadership to ensure that any structural changes strengthen, rather than diminish, Microsoft’s long term commitment to Pakistani customers, developers, and channel partners,” the agency said. Western firms struggle as Asian tech firms dominate Earlier this week, Microsoft announced a reduction in its workforce, cutting it by 4% globally. Also, in preparation for its transition in Pakistan, the company had moved licensing and commercial contract management for Pakistan to its European hub in Ireland in the last few years, while certified local entities have been in charge of the handling of its day-to-day service delivery. Former Microsoft executive and its first lead in Pakistan Jawad Rehman discussed the company’s exit in a recent post. “This is more than a corporate exit. It’s a sobering signal of the environment our country has created … one where even global giants like Microsoft find it unsustainable to stay. It also reflects on what was done (or not done) with the strong foundation we left behind by the subsequent team and regional management of Microsoft,” Rehman said. The exit comes days after the federal government of Pakistan announced its plan to provide IT certifications from several tech companies, including Google and Microsoft to 500,000 youths. The announcement was in contrast to that of Google, with the company announcing a $10.5 million investment in the country’s public education last year and is also looking at Pakistan as a location to produce half a million Chromebooks by 2026. The recent development reveals the broader challenges to the tech sector in Pakistan. Unlike India and other markets in the region, Pakistan has struggled to establish itself as a major engineering outsourcing destination for Western tech companies. Instead, the country has been dominated by two main firms, local companies that have developed their engineering capabilities and Chinese firms like Huawei , which has gained a considerable amount of market share by providing enterprise-grade infrastructure to communications firms and banks. Your crypto news deserves attention - KEY Difference Wire puts you on 250+ top sites

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The Cryptocurrency Market Faces Turbulence as Old Bitcoin Whales Act

Old Bitcoin whales' actions cause a notable cryptocurrency market downturn. Significant sales create additional selling pressure, affecting investor strategies. Continue Reading: The Cryptocurrency Market Faces Turbulence as Old Bitcoin Whales Act The post The Cryptocurrency Market Faces Turbulence as Old Bitcoin Whales Act appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

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Bitcoin Liquidation Intensity Could Surge to $592M if Price Breaks $109,000, Coinglass Data Reveals

According to data from Coinglass on July 5th, a significant liquidation event is anticipated in the Bitcoin market. Should Bitcoin’s price dip below $107,000, the total liquidation intensity of long

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Bitcoin's Sleeping Giants Stir: $8.6B in 'Satoshi Era' BTC on the Move

Eight Bitcoin wallets that had been inactive for over 14 years have collectively moved 80,000 BTC, worth more than $8.6 billion at current prices. These wallets received their coins in 2011, when Bitcoin was trading at just $0.78, highlighting a staggering appreciation of over 13.9 million percent. The transfers were first flagged by blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence, which noted that the coins were moved to new addresses using a modern, lower-fee format. Despite the significant movement, the identity of the wallet owner remains unknown, and the funds have not been moved further since the initial transfer.

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Ancient Bitcoin Whales Abruptly Come Alive, Move $2,183,000,000+ in BTC After Lying Dormant for 14+ Years: On-Chain Data

Two Bitcoin ( BTC ) whales have come out of a long slumber and moved billions of dollars worth of the flagship crypto asset, according to on-chain data. Blockchain tracking firm Lookonchain says the two Bitcoin addresses that each had 10,000 BTC were each emptied within minutes of each other on the 4th of July. The two wallets had received their respective Bitcoin on April 3rd of 2011 when BTC was trading at $0.78 a piece. The value of the Bitcoin in the slightly older wallet had risen from $7,805 to $1,092,370,050.73 at the time of the transfer, a gain of 13,995,672%. In the newer wallet, the value of the Bitcoin had jumped from $7,805 to $1,090,670,006.39, a 13,973,891% gain. The total value transferred from the ancient addresses adds up to $2,183,040,056. Bitcoin is trading at $109,061 at time of writing. While the wallets were dormant since April of 2011, they also received trace amounts of Bitcoin during the intervening period, possibly due to dusting attacks conducted to try to sniff out the entities behind the addresses. Dusting attacks are typically conducted by researchers, law enforcement officials or criminals. The phenomenon of long-dormant addresses suddenly getting active spurs media interest due to their potential link to the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, who remains a mystery more than one and a half decades since the crypto king was introduced to the world. The last known publicly verifiable online activity linked to Satoshi Nakamoto leads back to December of 2010 when the pseudonymous creator took to the BitcoinTalk forum to discuss a software update for Bitcoin meant to forestall denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Follow us on X , Facebook and Telegram Don't Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox Check Price Action Surf The Daily Hodl Mix Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing. Featured Image: Shutterstock/Moksha Labs/Sensvector The post Ancient Bitcoin Whales Abruptly Come Alive, Move $2,183,000,000+ in BTC After Lying Dormant for 14+ Years: On-Chain Data appeared first on The Daily Hodl .

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XRP Shatters Multi-Month Descending Triangle Pattern Amid Bullish Spike in Trading Volume

As various bullish on-chain metrics continue taking center stage, the 4th-largest cryptocurrency based on market capitalization might be gearing up for its next leg up. Is XRP Gearing up for a Bullish Break? According to market analyst Lingrid, “XRP is breaking out from a multi-month descending triangle after reclaiming the upper boundary with a clear bullish break. Price action shows a sequence of compression patterns, with each breakout gaining strength from underlying support levels.” Since a descending triangle typically forms during a downtrend and consists of lower highs and a relatively flat support level, price breaking above the descending resistance line signals that selling pressure is weakening and buyers are taking control. Therefore, XRP is experiencing a shift in market sentiment. Lingrid added, “A clean move above the triangle now points to a potential climb toward the $2.60–$2.70 target zone. As long as the price stays above $2.15, this rally may gain traction with increasing momentum.” At the time of this writing, XRP was hovering around the $2.22 zone , representing a 6.6% increase in the past week. As bullish momentum builds for the 4th-largest cryptocurreny, it remains to be seen whether XRP will soar to the psychological price of $5 . XRP Trading Volume Explodes Coinglass reports a surge in trading volume across major exchanges, led by Binance at $2.77B, followed by Bitget ($2.11B), Bybit ($1.20B), and MEXC ($674.81M). When XRP's trading volume explodes across major exchanges, it signals a significant shift in market activity and investor interest. Therefore, when aligned with upward price movement and positive news, it reflects increased interest, potential institutional activity, and a possible trend acceleration. Interestingly, breakouts from descending triangles are often accompanied by a spike in trading volume, which confirms the strength of the breakout and suggests that more participants are entering the market, supporting the move higher. Therefore, XRP might be eyeing a notable bullish run with its dominance skyrocketing . XRP Holders’ Conviction Plays Out According to crypto pundit Edo Farina, “ XRP holders have been proven right time and time again. We had the courage to speak the truth, even when the facts pointed the other way. The SEC lawsuit and XRP stuck at $0.50 felt like an eternity. But we were on the right side of history. We deserve prosperity.” As XRP holders continue to show their strong conviction, why are they positioned for considerable long-term prosperity? 1. On‑Chain Growth & Holder Base Expansion XRP started 2025 strong, adding 58,000 new wallet addresses, marking the fastest relative growth among top cryptocurrencies at a 1% rise in holders. More impressively, recent data shows XRP surpassed 7.1 million holders, a milestone driven by robust retail adoption. This surge signals a broadening user base and deeper network effect. 2. Institutional & Regulatory Clarity Institutional interest in XRP is accelerating. In Q1 2025, average daily trading volume surged to $1.73 billion, up from $1.42 billion in Q1 2024. Notably, 19% of this volume moved via OTC—a hallmark of institutional trading. Whale accumulation continues too: over 610 million XRP valued at $1.33 billion was scooped up by large holders. Legal clarity is advancing. Ripple and the SEC edged closer to resolution: Ripple has dropped its cross‑appeal while the SEC is expected to follow, simplifying the regulatory landscape. Although one judge recently rejected a proposed settlement fine reduction, the core ambiguity has been largely lifted. 3. Technological Advances & Real‑World Use Ripple is actively building infrastructure to boost XRP’s utility: Introduction of an EVM-compatible XRPL sidechain, enabling Ethereum-style smart contracts on XRP Ledger. Escrow strategy enactment—locked 400 million XRP in early July—which ensures predictable and transparent token release. Ripple’s pursuit of a national trust bank charter and integration with Federal Reserve systems will deepen its institutional backbone 4. Price Catalysts & Outlook With whales accumulating and institutional inflows rising, short‑term price momentum shaped around the $2.23‑2.40 resistance zone is promising. Historical patterns indicate July returns averaging 6.9%, hinting at seasonal upside. Optimistic forecasts peg XRP at $3–$5 by late 2025, with some long‑term models stretching toward the $8 level as adoption compounds. Conclusion XRP holders stand at the crossroads of technology, finance, and regulation. With a burgeoning user base, institutional adoption, and a clear roadmap, XRP is no longer just a speculative asset, it’s becoming a financial infrastructure staple. Having broken out of a multi-month descending triangle, it remains to be seen if this will be the catalyst to new heights.

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Ethereum Price Tinkers Around $2,550 As Market Drops, Is $3,000 Still On The Cards Or Are Bigger Losses Incoming?

Ethereum Price prediction is drawing fresh attention as ETH trades around $2,550, reflecting a cautious market mood after a brief rally. The asset dipped to as low as $2,499 last month amid broader market weakness before rebounding above key resistance. Over the past 24 hours, Ethereum has rejected its $2,550 resistance zone, hinting at potential deeper losses toward $2,220 if bulls fail to regain control. Meanwhile, a new token is defying the odds and is set to challenge more established tokens within the next few months. Ethereum Price prediction: Road to $3,000 or Slip to $2,200? Currently, ETH trades around $2,554.13 after a sharp rally of 3% over the past week, breaking past the two-week high of $2,535. This move flipped the 76.4% Fibonacci retracement level of the prior drop from $2,523 to $2,372, signaling a potential shift in momentum. However, the asset faces strong resistance near $2,665 and $2,720, where past highs have capped further advances. A sustained break above $2,735 could pave the way to $3,000, a target many bulls eye based on past breakout patterns . Conversely, failure to hold above $2,550 risks a new leg down toward $2,310 and even $2,220, where key support levels lie. Experts like Wizz Trades on X (formerly Twitter) have said that “ even the worst case scenario is bullish ” for ETH. Remittix: A Game-Changer in Crypto Ecosystems Remittix delivers a fresh approach to digital finance with its multi-layered ecosystem, built to empower users with smooth cross-chain transactions and governance tools. Its protocol supports cross-chain staking and DeFi integrations that aim to unify liquidity. This week, the project unveiled its new Remittix wallet, showcasing an intuitive interface and advanced security features ahead of its planned Q3 launch. When reviewing Ethereum Price prediction models, it is clear that Remittix’s forecasted growth trajectory often outpaces traditional assets thanks to its novel tokenomics. The project’s tiered bonus structure and capped supply create a compelling case for long-term value. Compared to other tokens like Ethereum or Solana, Remittix offers faster confirmation times and lower fees, making daily transactions more efficient. Its active governance framework invites token holders to vote on upgrades, a level of community engagement rare among its peers. With its planned Q3 launch and proven momentum, Remittix stands poised to deliver stronger returns and broader adoption. Secure Your Remittix Tokens Today Don’t miss your chance to join the Remittix ecosystem at the best possible price during the current period. With a 50% bonus offer ending soon and the project nearing its softcap, now is the time to act. Purchase your Remittix tokens today to secure access to advanced features and governance rights when the wallet goes live in Q3. Visit the official platform to reserve your allocation before prices increase. Get more details about the project here: Website: https://remittix.io/ Socials : https://linktr.ee/remittix

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Tether’s last stand? GENIUS Act leaves USDT with 3 doors AND a ticking clock

The GENIUS Act may have finally cornered crypto’s biggest stablecoin. Will it bend or break?

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$AIN added to Binance alpha projects

$AIN added to Binance alpha projects

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Brazil Central Bank Connector Hacked, $140 Million Stolen

C&M Software, the service provider linking Brazil Central Bank to local banks and financial institutions, suffered a significant security breach on Wednesday. The hack led to the theft of 800 million Brazilian reais (around $140 million) from six financial institutions connected to the central bank, in what is emerging as one of the country’s largest recent financial cyber incidents. According to Brazilian outlet São Paulo, the breach reportedly occurred after a C&M employee sold their login credentials for around $2,700, providing the attackers with access to critical software systems. The stolen funds were taken from reserve accounts within the system and swiftly moved out, causing alarm among stakeholders and regulators monitoring financial infrastructure in Brazil. Crypto Laundering Through LATAM Exchanges Onchain investigator ZachXBT reported that between $30 million and $40 million of the stolen funds were converted into Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Tether (USDT). The attackers laundered these assets through various Latin American crypto exchanges and over-the-counter (OTC) desks, making fund recovery and tracing efforts significantly harder for authorities. This incident underlines the vulnerabilities that centralized software systems face, particularly those managing financial flows at a national level. Centralized systems carry single points of failure that can result in significant data theft or financial loss if exploited, and the problem is only growing as hackers refine their techniques with the help of artificial intelligence tools and dark web marketplaces. Calls for Privacy Tools and Decentralization Grow Cybersecurity experts note a sharp rise in attacks on centralized crypto exchanges in late 2024, according to Chainalysis, as hackers increasingly target platforms with large asset pools and consolidated control points. Eran Barak, CEO of Shielded Technologies, emphasized the need for privacy-preserving tools to guard against advanced AI-assisted hacking attempts. Barak argued that decentralized systems, particularly those leveraging zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), can reduce hackers’ incentives by requiring them to attack individual wallets rather than centralized vaults holding millions of credentials or billions in capital. “Their return on investment would be one record instead of millions, making these attacks far less attractive,” Barak explained. As the investigation unfolds in Brazil, this incident reinforces the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity and privacy infrastructure in the global financial sector, particularly as attackers expand their focus on centralized systems that remain high-value targets for financial crime . The post Brazil Central Bank Connector Hacked, $140 Million Stolen appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .

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