The Shib Crypto Recap: Friday

Friday’s top news headlines bring a wave of security issues within the Web3 ecosystem, highlighting the persistent challenges that threaten the safety of digital assets. Concurrently, there are significant developments in regulatory frameworks, particularly with the introduction of stricter Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidelines designed to safeguard against illicit activities. Alongside these developments is a growing trend towards integrating traditional financial systems with digital currencies, paving the way for a more cohesive financial landscape.

Stolen Fortunes: $750 Million Lost in Q3 2024 Web3 Hacks and Michael Terpin’s $24 Million Lost in Recent SIM Swap Scam

In its Q3 2024 Hack3d report, CertiK found that Web3 security breaches resulted in over $750 million lost from 155 incidents. This brings the total losses for 2024 to almost $2 billion. Phishing and private key compromises led to $668 million in losses. One major phishing incident involved a whale losing $238 million in Bitcoin. Private key attacks resulted in $324.4 million lost over ten incidents. The report highlighted two key breaches: WazirX lost over $231 million in July, and a whale lost 4,064 BTC valued at $238 million in August. Ethereum was the top target in Q3 2024, with $387.89 million lost due to various hacks and scams.

On the subject of scams, prominent cryptocurrency investor Michael Terpin has sued a teen for allegedly stealing $24 million worth of digital assets via a SIM swap scam. He claims the thief exploited a vulnerability in his two-factor authentication (2FA) system. Additionally, Terpin is pursuing $45 million in damages from AT&T, accusing it of negligence in preventing the attack. The teenager reportedly gained control of Terpin’s SIM card, which allowed him to bypass the 2FA safeguards. A SIM swap attack involves stealing a person’s phone number, enabling the attacker to intercept calls and messages. This tactic undermines security measures that rely on SMS for verification, often using public data or social engineering, similar to incidents involving Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin.

Taiwan’s FSC Tightens Grip on Crypto: New Anti-Money Laundering Regulations Announced

Taiwan’s FSC has unveiled stricter anti-money laundering (AML) measures for cryptocurrency services. They have created a draft titled the “Money Laundering Prevention and Registration Measures for Virtual Asset Service Providers” or VASP Registration Measures. This includes amendments to existing regulations and introduces new anti-terrorism measures. Key aspects cover business categories, registration procedures, and industry compliance. The FSC will eliminate the current compliance statement system, requiring all service providers to register under the new framework.

A New Era in Banking in 2025: Swift to Test Digital Asset Transactions and Spain’s BBVA to Launch Own Stablecoin

Starting in 2025, banks across North America, Europe, and Asia will conduct live trials of digital asset transactions using the Swift network. Swift intends to link central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) globally while merging digital asset and cash networks. The trials will focus on payments, foreign exchange, securities, and trade, allowing multi-ledger Delivery-versus-Payment and Payment-versus-Payment transactions. With 134 countries exploring CBDCs, the tokenized asset market could hit $16 trillion by 2030. These trials aim to integrate digital assets with traditional currencies, enhancing transaction efficiency.

In a similar development, BBVA, Spain’s second-largest bank, plans to launch its own stablecoin in 2025 in partnership with Visa. Stablecoins, which are digital currencies pegged to assets like the U.S. dollar or euro, are increasingly popular among businesses and consumers. BBVA is currently testing its stablecoin in the sandbox phase of Visa’s new project. The aim is to move to the prototype and operational phases by next year. Chainalysis reports that users have utilized stablecoins for over half of all on-chain transaction volume involving centralized services from June 2022 to July 2023.

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Malaya has positions in SHIB, ETH, USDT, MATIC, etc. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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