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South Korean prosecutors have recovered about $21.4 million worth of Bitcoin that was stolen from their custody last year. The 320.88 BTC was originally seized from a gambling platform but went missing in August 2025 after investigators were tricked by a phishing site that exposed wallet keys. Authorities froze transactions tied to the theft, making it hard to liquidate the funds, and the hacker ultimately returned the Bitcoin. While the assets are now secured, officials continue trying to identify the unknown hacker.

The UAE‑linked Citadel Mining has mined and held about 6,782 Bitcoin ($453.6 million), according to on‑chain data tracked by Arkham Intelligence. The mining push began in 2022 and leverages Abu Dhabi’s low‑cost energy and industrial facilities, with no major Bitcoin outflows in the past four months, suggesting a long‑term stance. After accounting for energy costs, unrealized profit on the holdings is around $344 million. The accumulation ranks the UAE among the world’s notable Bitcoin holders and reflects a broader national strategy of using mining to build digital reserves rather than simply trading assets.

The White House will host its third stablecoin yields meeting at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, following two earlier sessions that failed to resolve tensions between banks and crypto firms. Banks argue that yield-bearing stablecoins drain deposits, while crypto companies say yields drive innovation and user returns. The talks are linked to the stalled bipartisan CLARITY Act, which would define crypto oversight roles. Optimism is building, with Polymarket odds near 70% for passage in 2026.

World Liberty Financial is launching a tokenized investment tied to the Trump International Hotel & Resort in the Maldives through a partnership with Securitize and DarGlobal, aiming to bring real-world assets onto blockchain. The luxury resort, set for completion in 2030 with about 100 beachfront and overwater villas, will offer eligible accredited investors exposure to loan revenue and potential fixed returns. Announced at the World Liberty Forum, the initiative reflects WLFI’s broader strategy to expand decentralized finance into traditional real estate markets.

Bitcoin is trading sideways around $68,000, stuck in a $65K-$72K range since early February. Outflows of $105 million from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs are capping short-term rallies, while low volatility keeps the market in a holding pattern. Bulls highlight strong support near $50K and undervaluation versus gold, but bears warn of potential drops to $48K-$42K if key levels break. Recent $193 million in liquidations show risks are still high as traders wait for the next big move.

On-chain analyst Willy Woo outlined Bitcoin’s bear cycle in three phases. Phase 1 began with a Q3 2025 liquidity breakdown, while Phase 2 is expected once broader market weakness sets in, leading eventually to capitulation and recovery. Bitcoin has fallen 47% from its $126K peak to $67.3K, with volatility levels not seen since the 2022 FTX crash. Critics cite Woo’s past missed calls, but bulls highlight softer inflation and ETF inflows as potential stabilizers, suggesting the market could weather this bear cycle.

Ethereum’s Beacon Deposit Contract has reached 80.97 million ETH, now holding over 50% of the total supply for the first time in its 11-year history. This growth from 77.85 million a month ago reflects continued deposits following the 2022 Merge, where users lock ETH to secure the network and earn rewards. Long-term holders show commitment with steady inflows, while analysts note that rising staking reduces liquid supply, signaling tighter liquidity ahead for trading.

XRP is trading near $1.48, holding a $90 billion market cap, and remains the fourth-largest crypto behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. Technical indicators show weekly and monthly RSI in oversold zones, signaling a potential rebound. Enthusiasts who held through February’s $1.36 dip are cheering a recovery, while Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlights growing institutional interest and 2026 adoption prospects. Analysts like Standard Chartered caution with a $2.80 target, watching support at $1.42–$1.48 for stability.

Sam Bankman-Fried has argued that FTX was financially sound at the time it filed for bankruptcy, claiming the platform held sufficient assets to meet customer balances even after withdrawals were frozen. Speaking amid his prison sentence, he maintains that users have since been repaid in full and says this should be considered in his request for a reduced sentence. His remarks have reopened debate over the exchange’s liquidity, asset management, and the true state of its finances before the collapse.

Billionaire investor Peter Thiel and his firm Founders Fund have fully sold their stake in ETHZilla, reducing ownership from about 7.5 percent to zero by the end of 2025, according to SEC filings. The company had raised 425 million dollars to build an Ether treasury after rebranding from 180 Life Sciences, and Thiel’s backing once pushed shares above 174 dollars before they later fell sharply. Following market weakness and the sale of Ether to repay debt, ETHZilla shifted focus toward tokenized jet engine leases, while Thiel chose to step away completely.