Markets, Money, and Mayhem, Your Weekly Crypto Briefing

This week in crypto has been packed with high-impact developments, from Coinbase rolling out new products to serious security breaches affecting major platforms. With institutional holdings crossing new milestones and geopolitical threats targeting crypto professionals, the digital asset space is experiencing rapid changes. Here’s a roundup of the top 10 stories you need to know.

Coinbase Launches Crypto Card with 4% BTC Cashback

Coinbase has unveiled a new crypto debit card that offers users 4% cashback in Bitcoin, aiming to increase mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency in everyday transactions. This marks a strategic move by the exchange to position itself as not just a trading platform, but also a facilitator of real-world crypto utility.

The card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, allowing users to spend their crypto just like fiat currency. Cashback is paid in BTC, reinforcing Bitcoin’s position as the most desired digital asset. With inflation concerns growing globally, the ability to passively earn BTC through spending may appeal to both newcomers and seasoned investors alike.

Tron Prepares for U.S. IPO

The Tron Foundation, led by founder Justin Sun, is reportedly preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the United States. This move would mark one of the first major blockchain projects attempting to go public in a highly regulated financial market.

If successful, the IPO could lend significant legitimacy to Tron and set a precedent for other crypto organizations. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will likely scrutinize the offering closely, especially given Tron’s past controversies involving regulatory gray areas.

Nevertheless, a public listing could boost institutional trust and help Tron raise capital for further development and expansion.

Meta Pool Suffers $27 Million Hack

Meta Pool, a staking and liquid staking platform, has fallen victim to a devastating security breach. Hackers managed to exploit a flaw in its smart contract system, siphoning off 9,700 mpETH tokens valued at around $27 million.

The platform has since halted all operations and is working with blockchain security experts to trace the stolen funds. This incident adds to the growing list of DeFi platforms targeted in 2025, raising concerns about the robustness of decentralized protocols. Meta Pool has stated that it will consider compensation options for affected users once the internal investigation concludes.

Trader Sells 1 SPK for $19,600 Due to Pool Error

An unusual trade caught the crypto community’s attention this week when a user unknowingly purchased 1 SPK token for 19,600 USDT due to a faulty liquidity pool configuration. The price anomaly was caused by an incorrect token-to-token ratio set in the automated market maker (AMM), which created an opportunity for an accidental overpayment.

This highlights the importance of proper pool setup and monitoring, especially in decentralized finance environments where code execution is irreversible. Community developers have since flagged the protocol and submitted corrections. The incident serves as a costly reminder that even small misconfigurations can lead to massive unintended consequences in DeFi.

Nobitex Loses $48.65 Million in Hack

Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, has confirmed a massive hack resulting in the loss of over $48.65 million worth of crypto assets. The attackers reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in the platform’s wallet infrastructure, siphoning off large sums in BTC and ETH. Nobitex has suspended trading and withdrawals while it conducts a forensic investigation and collaborates with cybersecurity firms.

The hack has sparked fears about the security practices of exchanges operating in regions with limited regulatory oversight. It also adds to the mounting global total of crypto thefts in 2025, which is already exceeding the previous year’s figures.

Coinbase Unveils Coinbase Payments for Merchants

Coinbase is expanding beyond trading with the launch of Coinbase Payments, a new service designed to facilitate instant USDC transactions for merchants, available 24/7. This offering aims to simplify and speed up digital payments, especially for businesses looking to reduce reliance on traditional banking infrastructure.

With built-in wallet support and API access, the platform will enable seamless checkout and settlement in USD Coin, a fully backed stablecoin. The move positions Coinbase as a key player in the evolving crypto payments ecosystem and opens up new utility for USDC outside the exchange. Analysts view this as a direct challenge to legacy payment processors like PayPal and Stripe.

830,000 BTC Held by Just 100 Companies

Recent blockchain data reveals that over 830,000 BTC, valued at more than $55 billion, are held by just 100 corporate entities. This trend underscores the growing institutional appetite for Bitcoin as a long-term asset and inflation hedge. Companies such as MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Galaxy Digital have helped set the tone, with others quietly accumulating BTC in treasury reserves.

While this centralization trend raises questions about wealth distribution in crypto, it also indicates confidence in Bitcoin’s future value. Critics warn that large-scale holdings could influence market movements, while proponents argue it brings maturity to the asset class.

North Korea’s ‘Famous Chollima’ Targets Crypto Pros

Cybersecurity researchers have identified a renewed campaign by North Korea’s state-sponsored hacker group, Famous Chollima, targeting professionals in the crypto space. The group is using fake LinkedIn profiles and phony job interviews to deceive developers, project leaders, and analysts into downloading malware or revealing sensitive data.

These operations are believed to support the DPRK’s effort to fund its weapons programs through crypto theft. Victims are often lured with offers from reputable companies like Binance or Coinbase, adding to the attack’s credibility. Experts urge firms and individuals to verify contacts and use secure channels for communication.

Tether Introduces PearPass

Tether has launched PearPass, a local-first, open-source password manager that stores data only on the user’s device. Unlike cloud-based tools like LastPass or 1Password, PearPass avoids external servers, minimizing the risk of mass data leaks.

It’s designed for privacy-conscious users who prefer offline security solutions in a time of growing digital surveillance. The tool is free and open-source, enabling community contributions and peer-reviewed security auditing. This move reinforces Tether’s broader push into utility products beyond stablecoins.

Tether Prints Another $2 Billion USDT

Tether has minted an additional 2 billion USDT, continuing its streak as the dominant stablecoin issuer. The newly printed tokens are expected to be distributed across exchanges and institutions for liquidity provisioning, trading, and arbitrage.

This has sparked fresh debates about the transparency and reserves backing USDT, especially as total supply now exceeds $110 billion. Critics worry about potential market manipulation, while supporters argue that new issuance reflects real demand from growing trading activity. Tether maintains that all tokens are fully backed and subject to independent attestation reports.

About Paybis

Paybis is a global cryptocurrency exchange platform that provides fast, secure, and user-friendly digital asset transactions. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat conversions, enabling users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.

With a strong focus on security and compliance, Paybis is registered with regulatory authorities and implements industry-leading AML/KYC procedures. The platform is known for its intuitive interface, 24/7 customer support, and competitive exchange rates, making it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

Summing Up

From institutional momentum to escalating security threats, this week reflects both the promise and peril of the crypto ecosystem. As companies like Coinbase and Tether push innovation forward, the community must stay vigilant against increasingly sophisticated attacks. Whether you’re an investor, developer, or casual user, staying informed is more important than ever.

Written by

Sergey Zhuk

Sergey Zhuk is a developer at Paybis and a passionate advocate for Web3 and blockchain technology. With hands-on experience in crypto development, he writes about the latest trends, innovations, and insights in the blockchain space. When he's not coding, he enjoys exploring new use cases for decentralized technologies.