Malaya Ruiz
Today’s top cryptocurrency headlines are focused on developments affecting regulatory scrutiny, potential Bitcoin trends in 2025, and the biggest crypto heists in December 2024.
Recent Developments That Can Impact Regulatory Shifts
Since its launch in September, the Tron T3 Financial Crime Unit, in partnership with Tether and TRM Labs, has frozen $100 million in USDT. The unit focuses on detecting and preventing illegal activities involving the stablecoin. It has reviewed millions of transactions globally and recently tracked over $3 billion in USDT transactions. Investigations have uncovered connections to North Korean operatives, with around $3 million in USDT possibly funding the regime’s activities.
As for updates on Do Kwon’s case, the co-founder of Terraform Labs faces a new money laundering charge. A superseding indictment was revealed on January 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Attorney Damian Williams claims Kwon facilitated transactions over $10,000 linked to illegal activities, knowing they were proceeds from unlawful actions. This case mirrors the prosecution of Sam Bankman-Fried who also faced extradition after being detained abroad.
Related: Strategy Sells $1.4B in Stock to Cover Bills Amid Bitcoin Slump
Analyst’s Bitcoin Predictions
Mike Colonnese from H.C. Wainwright & Co. predicts a significant Bitcoin rally in 2025, and it could potentially reach $225,000. This increase is expected due to better regulatory clarity and more institutional involvement. His forecast follows a trend of rising Bitcoin predictions after the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Colonnese warns, however, that Bitcoin often experiences sharp corrections and there may be dips of up to 30%.
December 2024 Biggest Crypto Heists
Blockchain security firm PeckShield recently reported 25 hacks in the crypto sector in December 2024, with total losses reaching $24.7 million. The attacks targeted DeFi platforms and exchanges among other areas. Among these incidents, five hacks were responsible for most of the losses. LastPass suffered the biggest hit as a breach from 2022 resulted in the theft of about $12.38 million in crypto.
Related: The History of Altcoins: How Bitcoin’s Rivals Changed the Crypto Game
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MALAYA RUIZ
Malaya is dedicated to helping individuals share meaningful narratives about crypto, blockchain, and future tech. Her extensive experience in editing, copywriting, and publishing gives her a deep understanding of the craft of storytelling and collaboration, which she channels through Shiba Inu's official publications. Malaya owns two dogs and therefore has a special admiration for the Shiba Inu breed.
