Aleksei Andriunin, founder and CEO of Gotbit, has been sentenced to 8 months imprisonment by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts for orchestrating crypto market manipulation and
BitcoinWorld Shocking Persistence: Huione Group Remains Active Despite Shutdown and FinCEN Ban Proposal In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency and online activity, news often moves fast. But what happens when an entity declares its closure, yet continues to operate behind the scenes? A recent report shines a spotlight on just such a case, involving the Cambodia-based Huione Group , a platform known to operate in the darker corners of the internet. Huione Group: A Darknet Entity Under Scrutiny The Huione Group has been identified as a significant player, particularly associated with darknet activities. Operating out of Cambodia, this entity gained notoriety for facilitating various online transactions, often outside the purview of traditional financial systems. Its connection to illicit activities has brought it under the watchful eye of international regulatory bodies and blockchain analysis firms alike. The platform recently made headlines when it reportedly announced its intention to shut down. However, the reality, as revealed by on-chain data, appears to be quite different, raising questions about the effectiveness of public declarations versus actual operational status. The Regulatory Hammer and Platform Bans Before the shutdown announcement, significant pressure was mounting on the Huione Group . A key development occurred on May 1st when the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ( FinCEN ) took a decisive step. FinCEN proposed banning the Huione Group from the U.S. financial system entirely. The serious allegation behind this proposed ban was that Huione Group facilitated cryptocurrency laundering, specifically for the infamous Lazarus Group . Here’s a quick breakdown of the regulatory actions and their context: May 1st: FinCEN proposes banning Huione Group from the U.S. financial system. Allegation: Facilitating crypto laundering for the Lazarus Group. Lazarus Group: A state-sponsored hacking group reportedly linked to North Korea, known for sophisticated cyberattacks and large-scale cryptocurrency thefts. May 13th: Huione Group reportedly announces its shutdown. Concurrent Action: Telegram bans thousands of accounts related to Huione Group, impacting its public communication channels. These actions were clearly intended to disrupt Huione Group’s operations and cut off its access to the global financial infrastructure, particularly concerning cryptocurrency flows linked to entities like the Lazarus Group . Chainalysis Uncovers Persistent Activity Despite the public shutdown announcement on May 13th and the loss of communication channels following the Telegram ban, blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis has presented compelling evidence that the Huione Group remains operational. According to a recent report by Chainalysis , cited by Cointelegraph, the platform is still actively processing transactions. The scale of these transactions is significant, reportedly amounting to billions of dollars. What does this tell us? The Chainalysis findings indicate a resilient operation. Even with public announcements of closure and disruptions to their usual communication methods, the core function of the darknet marketplace appears largely unaffected. This highlights the challenges regulators face in truly dismantling such entities, as merely cutting off public-facing elements or making announcements may not impact the underlying infrastructure and operational flows, especially when dealing with sophisticated groups potentially linked to state actors like the Lazarus Group . Challenges in Combating Illicit Crypto Activity The case of the Huione Group underscores the ongoing challenges in the fight against illicit activity leveraging cryptocurrencies. While blockchain provides transparency through immutable ledgers, obfuscation techniques, mixers, and layered transactions make tracing funds complex. Entities operating as a darknet marketplace thrive on anonymity and often utilize sophisticated methods to evade detection and disruption. The fact that Huione Group can continue processing billions despite regulatory actions and public announcements shows: The difficulty in truly dismantling decentralized or semi-decentralized operations. The potential for these groups to operate outside traditional communication channels. The persistent demand for the services offered by such platforms, regardless of their legal status. This scenario reinforces the critical role played by blockchain intelligence firms like Chainalysis . Their ability to analyze on-chain data provides essential insights into the actual flow of funds and operational status of entities, cutting through public declarations and identifying ongoing risks. What Does This Mean for the Crypto Ecosystem? The continued activity of the Huione Group , particularly its alleged links to the Lazarus Group and crypto laundering, serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with illicit finance within the cryptocurrency space. For users, businesses, and regulators, this means: Increased Scrutiny: Regulatory bodies like FinCEN will likely continue to enhance their focus on identifying and sanctioning entities involved in crypto-related financial crime. Importance of Compliance: Legitimate crypto businesses must maintain robust Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to avoid inadvertently interacting with sanctioned entities or funds. Value of On-Chain Analysis: Tools and services provided by firms like Chainalysis are indispensable for tracking illicit flows and understanding the true operational status of suspicious entities. Ongoing Threat: State-sponsored groups and criminal organizations will continue to exploit vulnerabilities and use cryptocurrencies for illicit purposes, requiring constant vigilance. Conclusion: The Unseen Operations Persist The situation surrounding the Huione Group is a compelling example of how entities operating in the shadows can demonstrate surprising resilience against official pressure and public declarations. Despite announcing a shutdown and facing regulatory actions from bodies like FinCEN and platform bans from services like Telegram, the core operation, as revealed by Chainalysis , continues to facilitate billions in transactions. This highlights the complex and ongoing battle to curb illicit financial activity in the digital asset space, emphasizing the need for advanced tracing capabilities and persistent regulatory efforts to counter sophisticated actors like the Lazarus Group and dismantle persistent darknet marketplace operations. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends , explore our article on key developments shaping cryptocurrency regulations and their impact . This post Shocking Persistence: Huione Group Remains Active Despite Shutdown and FinCEN Ban Proposal first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
Here we go again. Hot on the heels of Polkadot’s proposal to diversify into Bitcoin, Cardano (ADA-USD) co-founder Charles Hoskinson just floated hi...
Bitcoin (BTC) extended its losses for a third consecutive day, plunging to a low of $102,832 as markets turned bearish thanks to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Tensions flared up after Israel conducted preemptive strikes on Iranian military facilities, worsening market sentiment. Traders hopeful of a move past $111,000 were stunned as geopolitical realities meant bullish sentiment around BTC evaporated. The flagship cryptocurrency has rebounded to reclaim $105,000 but remains trading in the red. Bitcoin (BTC) Traders Prepare For Volatility Bitcoin (BTC) traders and holders are bracing for increased volatility after on-chain data revealed a steady decline in exchange and OTC balances, indicating a tightening supply as traders begin accumulating the asset. Retail investor activity is also subdued, making it an unusual backdrop for an asset pushing towards all-time highs. As demand grows, centralized exchanges have reported substantial declines in their Bitcoin balance. Balances have plunged over 14% since the beginning of 2025 to 2.5 million BTC , a level last seen in August 2022. A declining supply of Bitcoin on centralized exchanges typically indicates growing investor confidence as they move their assets into cold storage. However, this also reduces the liquid supply of the asset, leading to a spike in prices. Over-the-counter (OTC) Bitcoin numbers are also showing a drop in supply. While OTC desks operate by matching buyers and sellers, they rely on BTC reserves to facilitate quick and credible transactions. However, these reserves are also at historic lows, with CryptoQuant data revealing OTC addresses associated with miners have reported a 19% drop in Bitcoin balances since January. With exchange and OTC reserves drying up, the supply is shrinking rapidly. This could amplify price movements as demand for an increasingly scarce asset rises. Liquidations Rattle Crypto Bitcoin (BTC) slumped below $106,000 on Thursday as bearish sentiment intensified. The decline continued on Friday, falling to an intraday low of $102,832 before rebounding. Bitcoin’s sudden decline sent alarm bells ringing across crypto, with the mood gloomy as sellers hold a distinct advantage. The drop dragged the crypto market down as well, with its market cap plummeting to $3.24 trillion. A total of $645 million in long and short positions were wiped out in the past 24 hours, with $297 million tied to Bitcoin longs alone. Data from Coinglass highlighted a massive $201 million liquidation on a BTC /USDT trade. GameStop’s Bitcoin Bid Sends Shares Into Freefall GameStop’s plan to add more Bitcoin to its balance sheet by boosting its private convertible note offering to $2.25 billion sent its share tanking 22%. The move by the video game and consumer electronics retailer indicates a firm commitment to building its corporate Bitcoin treasury. The sale of the boosted convertible note offering is expected to conclude on Tuesday. GameStop expects to raise $2.23 billion from the offering or $2.68 billion if the purchasers exercise their right to purchase additional notes in full. The boosted offering is a $500 million increase from the initial $1.75 billion announced on Wednesday. The funding round comes after the retailer announced the purchase of 4,710 BTC , valued at around $513 million. The purchase came two months after the company announced plans to build a Bitcoin treasury. GameStop plans to use the funds raised from the offering for general corporate purposes, including investments consistent with GameStop’s investment policy, hinting at more Bitcoin purchases in the future. The video game retailer is currently the 11th largest corporate holder of Bitcoin. However, the company's shareholders are unhappy with the pivot towards Bitcoin, with the share price plunging 22% following the announcement. The firm's share price has struggled to maintain its upside momentum since it announced mixed earnings for the first quarter of 2025. GameStop reported a revenue of $732.4 million, slightly lower than the expected $754.2 million. Czech Government Faces No-confidence Vote After Bitcoin Scandal The Czech Republic's main opposition party has called for a No-confidence Vote against the ruling party, accusing it of corruption over a $45 million Bitcoin payment from a convicted criminal. Alena Schillerova, Vice Chair of the right-wing ANO Party, stated on X that her party felt there was no choice but to submit the no-confidence motion scheduled for Tuesday. The country's Justice Ministry announced on May 28 that it had sold almost 500 Bitcoin for 1 billion Czech koruna ($45 million) in an auction after receiving it from Tomas Jirikovsky. Jirikovsky ran an online black market and was convicted of embezzlement, drug trafficking, and weapons violations in 2017. The opposition has demanded a probe into the auction and the ministry's conduct. It has also asked for information about who sanctioned the transaction. They also alleged that the winners of the Bitcoin auction were demanding their funds back and wanted to know how they would be compensated. The Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek was forced to resign because of the scandal. However, he denied any wrongdoing, adding that he resigned to protect the government's reputation in an election year. Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis Bitcoin (BTC) extended its losses for a third consecutive day as escalating tensions in the Middle East plunged the markets into chaos. The flagship cryptocurrency surged past $110,000 at the beginning of the week, fueling speculations of a move past $111,000 and a new all-time high. However, global tensions flared after Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iran, targeting its military and nuclear facilities. As a result, BTC plunged below $105,000, falling to a low of $102,832. BTC’s sudden decline sent shockwaves through the market, dragging the broader crypto ecosystem down. As a result, the crypto market cap fell over 4% to $3.24 trillion. 10x Research discussed Bitcoin’s price action in a post on X, stating, “Bitcoin Just Lost Its Breakout — Here’s the Support Level That Matters Now. Bitcoin’s breakout above $106,000 didn’t hold, and that could mean more than just a failed rally. Bitcoin needed to hold above the $106,000 breakout level. Falling back below this threshold invalidates the Monday breakout signal and reinforces our cautious stance.” The decline caught an optimistic market, buoyed by recent positive price action, completely off guard. As a result, over $427 million in long positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, according to data from CoinGlass. BTC was trading around $109,000-$110,000 a day prior, fueling speculations about a move to a new all-time high. While BTC has dropped substantially, gold and oil prices have surged. However, analysts believe this trend could reverse soon if historical trends are anything to go by. Bitcoin entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano highlighted the same in a post on X, stating that “Oil up. Gold up. Bitcoin down. The initial reaction follows exactly what happened when Iran shot 300 missiles at Israel. Bitcoin ended up outperforming the other two over the first 48 hours in that situation. Will be interesting to see what happens here.” BTC faced selling pressure and volatility on Monday (June 2), falling to an intraday low of $103,768 before recovering to reclaim $105,000 and settle at $105,902. The price fell back into the red on Tuesday, falling 0.44% to $015,436. Sellers retained control on Wednesday as BTC fell almost 1%, slipping below $105,000 and settling at $104,752. Bearish sentiment intensified on Thursday as BTC plunged 3%, falling to a low of $100,424 before settling at $101,614. It recovered on Friday, rising nearly 3% and settling at $104,378. Source: TradingView Buyers retained control over the weekend as BTC rose 1.15% on Saturday and registered a marginal increase on Sunday to reclaim $105,000 and settle at $105,784. Bullish sentiment intensified on Monday as BTC surged over 4%, crossing the 20-day SMA and $110,000 and settling at $110,251. Bulls lost momentum after reaching this level, and the price fell to an intraday low of $108,335 on Tuesday. However, it recovered to reclaim $110,000 and settle at $110,253. Bearish sentiment returned on Wednesday as BTC fell 1.42% to $108,687. Selling pressure intensified on Thursday as BTC plunged nearly 3%, slipping below the 20-day SMA and settling at 105,828. The price fell to a low of $102,832 during the ongoing session as markets turned bearish but has made a marginal recovery to move to $104,816. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Dubai, UAE, June 13th, 2025, Chainwire Leading web3 investor DWF Ventures has published an analysis of Binance Alpha and Spot listings. It examines the performance of projects that have reached the exchange’s spot market following a token launch on Binance Alpha. DWF Ventures has comprehensively analyzed the projects that have featured on Binance Alpha following the introduction of the listing mechanism in 2024. It highlights the increased transparency that Alpha brings by enabling users to appraise the merits of emerging tokens, some of which have the potential to migrate to a Binance Spot listing. Research conducted by DWF Ventures has found that of the more than 190 projects to have been selected by Binance Alpha to date, more than 70% are currently trading at below $50M market cap, while a handful of outliers such as Ondo and Virtuals have surpassed $1B valuation. DWF Ventures’ analysis also shows that memecoins and AI agents have dominated Binance Alpha projects with DeFi in third place. Memecoins and AI agents surpass all other onchain sectors featured in Binance Alpha combined. DWF further found that Solana was the most popular chain for featured projects, followed closely by BNB Chain and Ethereum. Key findings from DWF Ventures’ Binance Alpha report include the fact that around 10% of Alpha projects converted to a Spot listing, with a total of 19 making the grade. DeFi and memecoins had the highest conversion rate, while the most valuable projects after Ondo and Virtuals were Maple Finance and Cookie DAO. DWF Ventures summarizes its report by noting that projects that migrate from Alpha to Spot are typically defined by active social media engagement, high trading volume, and are category leaders in popular onchain verticals. The full DWF Ventures report can be read here . About DWF Labs DWF Labs is the new generation Web3 investor and market maker, one of the world's largest high-frequency cryptocurrency trading entities, which trades spot and derivatives markets on over 60 top exchanges. Learn more: https://www.dwf-labs.com/ ContactVP of CommunicationsLynn ChiaDWF Labspr@dwf-labs.com Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press release and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Crypto Daily, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.
Bitcoin slipped to a low of $103,100 in the past 36 hours, a 4.0% decline from its weekly high. The downturn coincided with a 10-point drop in the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, now sitting at 61, its lowest in the week. According to a poll conducted by market intelligence platform Santiment Feed on social platform X, more than 50% of respondents are in support of “buying the dip.” Meanwhile, 28% said they expect prices to fall further below $100,000 and are prepared to sell their holdings. Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index is 61. Greed Current price: $104,493 pic.twitter.com/u3EeLb7fhN — Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index (@BitcoinFear) June 13, 2025 Even after Friday’s sell-off, Bitcoin has recovered modestly to trade near $105,000, ahead of the expiration of roughly 28,000 Bitcoin options contracts, worth an estimated $3 billion. Similar expiries last week had minimal impact on the spot market, but BTC’s recent price action shows there could be a further pullback in prices. On-chain data mulls accumulation amid pullback On Tuesday, June 11, Bitcoin briefly surged back to $110,000, testing its all-time high last reached in late May. Yet, per CryptoQuant contributor Crypto Dan, whales refrained from profit-taking. On-chain data from the analytics platform showed that large holders added to their positions instead of exiting the market. That day alone, accumulation wallets received 30,784 BTC, worth approximately $3.3 billion, raising their collective holdings to 2.91 million BTC. The average entry price for these wallets now stands around $64,000. Amr Taha, an on-chain analyst, indicated a growing divergence between Bitcoin’s price and Binance’s Open Interest (OI). Although the price retested all-time highs on June 11, Binance’s OI failed to match levels seen during the previous peak in late May. This discrepancy hints at weakening participation in the futures market, often a precursor to short-term volatility. Stablecoin withdrawals and negative net taker volume spell red Over $750 million worth of stablecoins were removed in recent days, a move reminiscent of similar outflows on May 29. Analysts say such large-scale withdrawals often reflect de-risking behavior or capital rotation when they align with price highs. Binance’s Net Taker Volume, a measure of selling versus buying, spiked to -$197 million, the most negative reading since June 6. The metric shows traders could be dumping Bitcoin at market prices rather than placing passive orders, also deemed as panic-selling. BTC Net Taker Volume Chart | Source: CryptoQuant The seven-hour moving average of this indicator has remained negative since June 12. Still, looking at previous occurrences, such extreme net-taker sell-offs have also marked short-term bottoms. For instance, after a similar reading on June 6, Bitcoin rebounded by 4% within 24 hours. “ The net taker volume and geopolitical panic have created a high-risk, high-reward setup. While short-term volatility may persist, the conditions resemble past recovery scenarios ,” analyst Tah commented. Friday’s downturn was compounded by an early morning military strike by Israel on Iran, triggering sell-offs across global risk assets. Crypto markets were hit especially hard, with leveraged long positions unwound en masse as traders scrambled to exit positions. Analysts note that high-risk assets like Bitcoin are liquidity sources during times of crisis, which could be why exit positions and liquidations spiked during the early Asian trading sessions. The combination of fear and technical exhaustion may have driven Bitcoin’s drop from $110,000 to $103,000. Cryptopolitan Academy: Coming Soon - A New Way to Earn Passive Income with DeFi in 2025. Learn More
BitcoinWorld Explosive Criticism: Better Markets Slams SEC Crypto Oversight for Lack of Transparency In the fast-evolving world of digital assets, regulatory clarity is paramount. However, a recent development has cast a spotlight on the perceived lack of transparency in how U.S. regulators are approaching this space. Better Markets, a prominent nonprofit investor advocacy group, has voiced strong criticism regarding the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) methods for handling SEC crypto oversight . What is the Core Criticism of SEC Crypto Oversight? On June 11, Better Markets sent a detailed letter to the SEC, specifically targeting the agency’s Crypto Task Force. The central point of contention? The SEC’s apparent preference for using informal staff guidance rather than adhering to formal notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures. This approach, according to Better Markets, fundamentally undermines key principles of effective and democratic regulation. Here’s a breakdown of their concerns: Lack of Transparency: Informal guidance often lacks a clear public record of its development or the reasoning behind it. Limited Public Input: Unlike formal rulemaking, there’s no mandated process for receiving and considering feedback from the public, industry participants, or affected stakeholders. Weakened Accountability: Guidance documents may not carry the same legal weight or undergo the same internal review as formal rules, potentially leading to inconsistent application or enforcement. Erosion of Regulatory Legitimacy: When rules feel arbitrary or developed behind closed doors, it can diminish public trust in the regulatory body. Better Markets argues that this reliance on informal methods for significant regulatory stances on complex issues within SEC crypto oversight creates uncertainty and can be perceived as regulation by enforcement or by opaque directive. Why is Formal Rulemaking Preferred by Advocates Like Better Markets SEC? Formal notice-and-comment rulemaking is a cornerstone of the U.S. administrative process. It’s designed to ensure that significant regulatory actions are developed transparently and with public participation. The process typically involves: The agency publishes a proposed rule in the Federal Register (the “notice”). The public is given a specific period to submit comments on the proposed rule (the “comment” period). The agency reviews and considers all submitted comments. The agency publishes a final rule, often including responses to the significant comments received, explaining any changes made from the proposal. This structured process allows for diverse perspectives to be heard, potential unintended consequences to be identified, and the final rule to be more robust, legally defensible, and understood by those it affects. For an area as novel and rapidly evolving as cryptocurrency, many argue that this rigorous process is essential for building a sustainable regulatory framework. The Meme Coin Example: A Case Study in Questionable SEC Guidance Better Markets didn’t just make general claims; they provided a specific example of what they see as flawed SEC guidance . They pointed to a statement made by SEC staff in February regarding meme coins. This statement labeled meme coins as “collectibles” despite their widely acknowledged speculative and volatile nature, which often drives their trading activity more than any intrinsic collectible value. Labeling something with significant trading volume and speculative interest purely as a “collective” through informal guidance, without a formal analysis or public input, raises questions about the basis for that classification and its implications for how these assets might be treated under securities law. Better Markets views this as an instance where informal guidance sidestepped a more thorough and transparent process needed to appropriately characterize such assets. What are the Implications of Lacking Crypto Regulation Transparency? A lack of transparency in crypto regulation transparency has several potential negative consequences for the market and its participants: Market Uncertainty: Businesses and investors struggle to understand what is and isn’t allowed, hindering innovation and investment. Uneven Playing Field: Regulatory actions might seem unpredictable, favoring some entities over others based on interpretations of informal guidance. Reduced Investor Protection: Without clear rules developed through a public process, investors may not have adequate safeguards or understanding of the risks involved. Chilling Effect: Companies may be hesitant to develop new products or services in the U.S. due to fear of falling afoul of unclear or unpublished regulatory stances. International Standing: A lack of clear, transparent rules can impact the U.S.’s position as a leader in financial innovation compared to jurisdictions with more defined frameworks. Better Markets argues that restoring trust and fostering healthy market development requires the SEC to commit to formal public rulemaking for significant regulatory decisions impacting the crypto asset class. The Path Forward: Demanding Formal Rulemaking The call from Better Markets is clear: the SEC should revert to its established processes for developing significant regulations. This means: Issuing proposed rules for public comment. Providing clear rationale for regulatory decisions. Allowing stakeholders to provide input and for the agency to consider it meaningfully. While informal guidance can be useful for minor technical points or clarifying existing rules, applying it to fundamental classifications of novel assets like meme coins or establishing broad regulatory stances on digital assets is seen by critics as inappropriate and detrimental to good governance and market clarity. The debate between relying on SEC guidance versus pursuing formal rules is likely to continue as the regulatory landscape for crypto evolves. Conclusion: The Critical Need for Transparent Crypto Regulation Better Markets’ criticism highlights a fundamental tension in regulating a rapidly changing technology like cryptocurrency. While regulators face pressure to act quickly, sidestepping established processes designed for transparency, public input, and accountability can erode trust and create more problems than it solves in the long run. The call for the SEC to embrace formal rulemaking is a call for a more predictable, understandable, and democratically legitimate approach to integrating digital assets into the existing financial framework. How the SEC responds to this criticism will be a key factor in shaping the future of SEC crypto oversight and the broader crypto market in the United States. To learn more about the latest crypto regulation trends, explore our article on key developments shaping the regulatory landscape for digital assets. This post Explosive Criticism: Better Markets Slams SEC Crypto Oversight for Lack of Transparency first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
The surge in altcoin ETF applications in 2025 signals growing institutional interest and regulatory optimism in the US crypto market. With over 30 filings targeting altcoins like XRP, BNB, and
Invesco and Galaxy Digital have taken a significant step by filing for a Solana ETF, marking a pivotal development in crypto investment options. This move aims to provide investors with