SparkKitty, a dangerous new malware, is targeting mobile devices to compromise crypto wallets. It searches through users’ image data to uncover and steal seed phrases.
In recent cases, the malware infected phones through compromised apps, with several bait programs catering to lure crypto users. Thankfully, app store moderation has removed many of SparkKitty’s attack vectors.
How SparkKitty Targets Crypto Wallet Apps
Popular security firm Kaspersky identified this new malware today after months of observation across different mobile operating systems.
Earlier in February, the firm discovered SparkCat, an earlier iteration of this malware. After the previous discovery, the malicious developers repackaged this trojan through new apps.
Our researchers uncovered #SparkKitty, a stealthy Trojan targeting both #iOS and #Android devices.
It captures images and device data from infected phones and transmits them to the attackers. The Trojan was embedded in apps related to #crypto, gambling, and even a trojanized… pic.twitter.com/2CjjSwcpeo
According to the company’s full report, this piece of malware is specifically focused on targeting crypto users, especially in China and Southeast Asia.
Hackers embedded SparkKitty into crypto-related apps, like price trackers and messengers with crypto-buying functionality. One such compromised messenger, SOEX, was downloaded over 10,000 times before removal.
SparkKitty’s operators also branched out to include casino apps, adult sites, and fake TikTok clones. Even if a user downloaded a contaminated app, the malware wouldn’t automatically start looking for crypto.
Instead, the app would ostensibly function normally, asking for access to users’ photos. It would continue appearing normal even after gaining this permission.
In other words, this malware would repeatedly scan image data for signs of a crypto seed phrase, double-checking the compromised device periodically.
Kaspersky’s researchers have several reasons to believe that SparkKitty is an upgraded SparkCat. For example, they share several debug symbols, code construction, and even a few compromised vector apps.
However, SparkKitty is more ambitious than SparkCat. The earlier malware would focus on penetrating crypto security, while the upgraded version can compromise many types of sensitive data.
SlowMist TI Alert
A new malware named #SparkKitty that steals all photos from infected iOS & Android devices — searching for crypto wallet seed phrases.
Nonetheless, SparkKitty’s main priority is still in uncovering seed phrases.
Overall, the best caution for users is never to store seed phrases digitally. Don’t even take a photo of it.
There’s no shortage of recent scams and malware that can compromise this password, thereby allowing attackers to steal all your crypto. It’s important not to give sketchy apps access to your devices, but it’s doubly vital to protect your seed phrase.
Bitcoin (BTC) is hovering below the $94,000 level while still showing sensitivity to US economic indicators. Accordingly, this week’s US economic data could spark volatility in the crypto market.
From consumer confidence to labor market strength, economic indicators could influence sentiment and sway crypto prices.
US Economic Data To Watch This Week
The following US economic indicators could affect the portfolios of crypto market traders and investors.
“Let me try to help you make sense of everything that’s going on: Tariff madness, plunging consumer confidence, rising recession odds, market fragility and all the ways that the economy will shape your life,” economist Justin Wolfers remarked.
Consumer Confidence
The Consumer Confidence report will start the list of US economic indicators with crypto implications this week. On Tuesday, April’s Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index will show whether households are optimistic about financial conditions.
March’s 92.9 index signaled a relatively pessimistic outlook among US consumers concerning the economy and their financial situation.
According to data on MarketWatch, the median forecast is 87.4. Strong confidence often correlates with risk-on sentiment, driving investment into Bitcoin and altcoins.
Accordingly, reading below expectations might trigger profit-taking, denting confidence in the economy’s overall strength.
With global trade tensions, an unexpected decline could amplify safe-haven demand for Bitcoin, though volatility remains a risk.
“The soft data suggests that the hard data is set to fall. Consumer Confidence can lead the unemployment rate (inverted). If that ends up being the case this time around, we’re looking at around 6% or higher,” wrote Markets and Mayhem.
JOLTS Job Openings
This week, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLT), which tracks demand, adds to the list of US economic indicators.
The last JOLTS report was released on April 1, covering February 2025 data. It reported job openings at 7.6 million, hires at 5.4 million, and total separations at 5.3 million. The next JOLTS report, for March 2025, is due on Tuesday, with a median forecast of 7.4 million.
A rebound above 7.6 million for crypto could signal economic resilience, boosting risk assets like Bitcoin. Strong openings suggest hiring confidence, potentially increasing disposable income for crypto investments.
However, a weaker-than-expected figure, potentially below the median forecast of 7.4 million, might stoke recession fears. Such an outcome would drive investors toward Bitcoin as a hedge.
Crypto markets react to labor market signals as they influence Federal Reserve (Fed) policy expectations. With rates at 4.25%–4.5%, a tight labor market could delay cuts, pressuring speculative assets.
ADP Employment
The ADP National Employment Report tracks private-sector job growth and will be out on Wednesday. March 2025’s 155,000 jobs beat expectations, signaling labor market strength despite tariff concerns.
A strong reading above 160,000 for crypto could ignite bullish sentiment, as job growth fuels consumer spending and risk appetite. If employment data suggests economic expansion, Bitcoin could gain more upside potential.
However, a miss below the March reading of 155,000 or below the median forecast of 110,000 might spark fears of a slowdown. This could push investors toward stablecoins or Bitcoin as safe havens.
Unlike the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Non-farm Payrolls (NFP), ADP’s payroll-based methodology excludes government jobs. This methodology offers a granular view.
With markets eyeing Fed policy, ADP’s outcome will set the tone for Friday’s NFP.
Q1 GDP
The advance estimate for Q1 2025 GDP will be released on Wednesday. This data also measures economic growth.
Q3 2024’s 2.8% annualized rate fell short of expectations, pressured by trade deficits. Meanwhile, Q4 2024’s 2.4% reading came following a downward revision to imports.
Strong GDP growth above 3% in crypto signals economic health, often boosting Bitcoin as investors embrace risk. Nevertheless, crypto markets are sensitive to GDP revisions and influence Fed rate decisions.
With inflation concerns lingering, a strong GDP, higher than Q4’s 2.4%, might reduce rate-cut hopes, pressuring speculative cryptos. Conversely, sluggish growth could spur expectations of monetary easing.
PCE
The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge is the Core PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) Price Index. This US economic indicator, covering March, will come out on Wednesday this week after the March 28 data covering February.
After February 2025 saw a 2.5% year-over-year (YoY) PCE index, economists anticipate a modest drop to 2.2% for March, reflecting persistent price pressures.
Nevertheless, a PCE reading below 2.5% for Bitcoin could signal cooling inflation, raising hopes for rate cuts and boosting sentiment toward Bitcoin.
A hotter-than-expected figure above the previous reading of 2.5% might tighten Fed policy expectations. PCE’s exclusion of volatile food and energy prices offers a stable inflation view, making it a key driver of crypto sentiment.
With markets sensitive to monetary policy shifts, traders should monitor services spending, as it reflects consumer resilience. Nevertheless, volatility is likely, as PCE shapes the Fed’s rhetoric.
“March PCE inflation (out on Wed Apr 30) should read 2.1% (rounded). April PCE (out in late May) should read 2.0% (rounded). Tariffs are a boss but this is the Fed’s target measure. It could be time to cut, to be honest, politics aside,” wrote hedge fund manager Ophir Gottlieb.
Initial Jobless Claims
This week, the Initial Jobless Claims, reported every Thursday, adds to the list of US economic indicators. This data measures weekly unemployment filings. Claims are a high-frequency indicator, offering real-time labor market insights, and crypto markets often react swiftly to surprises.
For the week ending April 18, 222,000 claims indicated a steady labor market despite tariff chaos. Accordingly, claims below 222,000 could signal growing employment, fostering risk-on sentiment, and lifting Bitcoin.
However, higher claims above 222,000 could spark concerns of economic softening, driving investors to stablecoins or Bitcoin for safety. With the Fed closely monitoring labor data, an unexpected spike might fuel rate-cut speculation.
Non-farm Payrolls
The Non-farm Payrolls (NFP) report will be released on Friday. March 2025’s 228,000-job gain exceeded expectations, with unemployment at 4.2%.
A strong NFP could drive bullish momentum, as job growth signals consumer spending power. A weak report below the median forecast of 130,000 might trigger recession fears, pushing capital to Bitcoin as a hedge or stablecoins for stability.
NFP’s broad scope, covering 80% of GDP-contributing workers, makes it a market mover. Key interest will also be on wage growth, as 0.3% monthly increases suggest inflation pressures, potentially capping crypto gains.
With markets pricing in Fed policy, surprises could spark sharp volatility.
BloFin strengthens its position as a global leader in futures trading liquidity and slippage control, outperforming mid-tier competitors and matching the performance of top-tier exchanges.
BloFin Exchange has achieved a significant milestone in future market performance, establishing itself as a top-tier competitor in both liquidity and trade execution quality.
According to the latest official data collected via API monitoring from June 16 to June 19, 2025, BloFin’s futures market depth and slippage performance position the exchange alongside long-established industry leaders such as Binance, OKX, and Bybit, further solidifying its reputation among global futures market participants.
Tier-1 Futures Liquidity Achieved, with a Top-Two Global Ranking Across Depth Metrics
In cumulative futures depth at both the 0.1% and 0.05% price deviation levels, BloFin ranked firmly among the top three global exchanges. Its liquidity performance not only outpaced all mid-tier platforms but also closely matched or exceeded several tier-1 competitors.
At the 0.1% depth level, BloFin secured the second position in overall futures liquidity with a total cumulative depth of 92.6 million, surpassing OKX and coming in just behind Binance.
At the 0.05% depth level, BloFin maintained a strong second-place ranking with a cumulative depth of 46.1 million, outperforming both OKX and Binance under tighter market conditions.
These results demonstrate BloFin’s consistent capacity to support high-volume, low-slippage trading activity for institutional participants and large-volume retail users.
Whale-Grade Slippage Control Delivers Execution Quality on Par with Leading Exchanges
In addition to liquidity depth, BloFin exhibited robust trade execution metrics under stress-tested conditions. The exchange delivered highly competitive slippage rates for both BTC and ETH futures, alongside a wide range of over 15 actively traded altcoins, including SOL, XRP, DOGE, PEPE, ADA, and TRUMP.
BloFin’s slippage performance for major assets under two levels of simulated stress remained in line with top-tier platforms, confirming the exchange’s ability to maintain price stability and execution efficiency in volatile or high-demand trading environments. Notably, BloFin also offered lower slippages for trending, volatile altcoins — an area where many mid-tier competitors face significant execution gaps.
A New Global Contender Reshaping the Futures Trading Landscape
BloFin’s performance in this report affirms its standing as a rising leader in the global futures market. By delivering futures market depth and slippage control on par with tier-1 exchanges, BloFin strengthens its appeal to whales, institutional traders, and high-frequency participants seeking deep liquidity and reliable trade execution across both dominant and emerging digital assets.
As the exchange continues its expansion into key global markets and strategic event sponsorships, this achievement further enhances BloFin’s credibility as a serious futures market contender.
About BloFin
BloFin is a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange that specializes in futures trading. The platform offers 480+ USDT-M perpetual pairs, Coin-Margined Perpetual Contracts, spot trading, copy trading, API access, unified account management, and advanced sub-account solutions. Committed to security and compliance, BloFin integrates Fireblocks and Chainalysis to ensure robust asset protection. By partnering with top affiliates, BloFin delivers scalable trading solutions, efficient fund management, and enhanced flexibility for professional traders. As the constant sponsor of TOKEN2049, BloFin continues to expand its global presence, reinforcing its position as the place “WHERE WHALES ARE MAD
SlowMist TI Alert
Delivered via:
“币coin” (App Store)
