Royal Bitcoin Holdings and the Lightning Network Explosion

The UAE Royal Family owns $454 million in Bitcoin through mining operations. The Lightning Network is processing over $1 billion monthly in transactions. Bank of America increased crypto mining investments by 17 times to $86 million. Meanwhile, Russian banks are losing deposits to Coinbase, hackers stole $4 million from IoTeX, and Vitalik Buterin just bet $148,000 that aliens won’t be confirmed by 2027. Here’s a clear look at the most important crypto and tech stories making headlines.

UAE Royal Family Owns $454 Million in Bitcoin

The Royal Family of the UAE reportedly owns $454 million in Bitcoin connected with mining company Citadel Mining. The holdings represent one of the largest known Bitcoin positions held by a sovereign family.

When royal families hold nearly half a billion dollars in Bitcoin, crypto has moved beyond speculation. This is generational wealth diversification at the highest levels of power. UAE royalty doesn’t park $454 million in assets they think will disappear.

Lightning Network Processes Over $1 Billion Monthly

The Bitcoin Lightning Network is processing over $1 billion monthly in transactions, showing significant growth since 2025. The second-layer payment network enables instant, low-cost Bitcoin transactions.

The Lightning Network hitting $1 billion monthly proves Bitcoin can scale for everyday payments. Critics said Bitcoin was too slow and expensive for regular transactions. Lightning solves both problems and is already processing serious volume.

Bank of America Increases Crypto Mining Holdings 17x to $86 Million

Bank of America significantly increased its holdings in cryptocurrency mining firm BitMine by 17 times, reaching approximately $86 million. The massive position increase signals major institutional confidence in crypto mining infrastructure.

When one of America’s largest banks increases crypto mining exposure by 1,700%, that’s not a small bet. Bank of America manages trillions in assets. They don’t accidentally 17x a position. This is deliberate exposure to Bitcoin mining at institutional scale.

Russian Banks Lose $78.3 Million to Coinbase Migrations

Russian banks are losing deposits as customers transfer funds to Coinbase, with $78.3 million migrated this past year. The outflow shows Russians moving money out of traditional banking into crypto platforms.

Seventy-eight million dollars walking out of Russian banks into Coinbase reveals how people vote with their money during economic instability. When your local bank feels risky, moving funds to a global crypto exchange becomes the safer option.

1.5 Million SOL Worth $126 Million Unlocked

Over 1.5 million SOL worth $126 million were unlocked from an unknown wallet. The massive unlock raises questions about who controls the tokens and what they plan to do with them.

When $126 million in SOL suddenly unlocks, markets pay attention. Large unlocks create selling pressure if holders decide to cash out. Token unlocks this size can move prices significantly in either direction.

IoTeX Loses $4 Million in Private Key Leak

A presumed private key leak in the IoTeX network led to over $4 million in stolen assets from the project’s token vault. The breach highlights ongoing security challenges in crypto infrastructure.

Private key leaks are the crypto equivalent of someone stealing your vault combination. No amount of security measures matter if the keys themselves get compromised. Four million dollars gone because someone got access to what should have been the most protected information.

Bitdeer Sells 943 BTC, Depleting Reserves

Major mining company Bitdeer sold 943 BTC, depleting their reserves amid tough conditions post-halving. The sale signals financial pressure on mining operations as revenue dropped after Bitcoin’s recent halving event.

Mining companies selling their entire Bitcoin reserves means they’re struggling to cover operational costs. Post-halving economics are brutal. When miners get half the Bitcoin for the same electricity costs, the ones without deep pockets start selling everything just to keep machines running.

Vitalik Buterin Bets $148,000 Against Alien Confirmation

Vitalik Buterin placed a $148,000 bet on Polymarket that the US will not confirm the existence of aliens by 2027. The Ethereum co-founder’s large wager on the prediction market gained significant attention.

When Vitalik drops $148,000 on a bet about aliens, he’s doing two things. First, he genuinely thinks disclosure won’t happen. Second, he’s promoting prediction markets as legitimate financial tools. You don’t bet six figures on something as a joke.

Coinbase Launches Lending Program Up to $100,000 in USDC

Coinbase launched a new lending program allowing US clients to borrow up to $100,000 in USDC using various cryptocurrencies as collateral. The program expands crypto’s utility beyond trading into traditional financial services.

Coinbase competing directly with traditional lenders means crypto is becoming full financial infrastructure. Borrow against your Bitcoin to get stablecoins for expenses without selling your holdings. This is how crypto becomes banking.

Moonwell Protocol Loses $1.78 Million in AI Code Error

A hack on the Moonwell protocol led to a loss of $1.78 million due to an AI-generated code error. The incident highlights risks of relying on artificial intelligence for smart contract development.

AI writing code sounds efficient until it costs you $1.78 million. Smart contracts need perfect code because bugs can’t be patched after deployment. When developers trust AI-generated code without thorough audits, expensive mistakes happen fast.

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.

Wrapping Up

These stories show crypto reaching new levels of institutional adoption while facing the same security challenges. UAE royalty holds $454 million in Bitcoin. Bank of America 17x’d their mining exposure. Lightning Network processes $1 billion monthly. The biggest players are going deeper into crypto. But AI-generated code errors cost $1.78 million. Private key leaks still drain millions. Mining companies are selling reserves to survive. The gap between institutional confidence and infrastructure security remains the industry’s biggest contradiction.

Written by

Rem Vasilenko

Rem Vasilenko is a Growth Operations Manager at Paybis. With a keen interest in FinTech, Rem brings a unique perspective to the evolving digital finance landscape. He combines his passion for FinTech with his marketing and business skills to drive innovative strategies. Find him on LinkedIn.