Crypto Outflows Surge to $1.7 Billion as Bitcoin Bears the Brunt of Withdrawals

The crypto market continues to face a sustained period of capital flight. According to the latest CoinShares report, digital asset investment products experienced a fifth week of outflows.

It comes amid continued bearish sentiment, with Bitcoin (BTC) bearing the worst as seen in its price, which remains well below the $90,000 threshold.

Crypto Outflows Surge to Nearly $1.7 Billion

The report indicates that total crypto outflows reached $1.687 billion, bringing cumulative losses over this negative streak to $6.4 billion. This also marks the 17th straight day of outflows, the longest unbroken period of capital withdrawals since 2015.

Despite the sustained downturn, year-to-date (YTD) inflows remain positive at $912 million. However, the latest market correction and consistent investor withdrawals have resulted in a $48 billion decline in total assets under management (AuM) across digital asset investment products.

Per the report, the US remains the epicenter of the ongoing crypto outflows, accounting for $1.16 billion in outflows. This represents approximately 93% of all outflows during this negative streak. In contrast, Germany experienced a modest inflow of $8 million, indicating regional variations in investor sentiment.

Bitcoin continues to withstand the worst of investor withdrawals, with an additional $978 million in outflows over the past week, bringing its five-week total to $5.4 billion. Meanwhile, short-Bitcoin positions also saw $3.6 million in outflows, indicating a general decrease in bearish bets against the pioneer crypto.

Crypto Outflows Last Week
Crypto Outflows Last Week. Source: CoinShares Report

While most digital assets have declined, XRP continues to attract investment. It recorded an additional $1.8 million in inflows, standing out as one of the few assets seeing positive momentum.

This optimism likely draws from abounding hope of an imminent conclusion to the longstanding legal battle between Ripple and the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). There is also hope that the SEC may reclassify XRP as a commodity.

One of the most striking developments during this market downturn was the Binance exchange’s near wipeout of assets under management. A key seed investor’s exit drained almost all of Binance’s AuM, leaving the exchange with just $15 million in remaining AuM.

Meanwhile, this sustained sell-off follows a weeks-long pattern of negative sentiment. The previous week, crypto outflows hit $876 million, with US investors leading the charge in market liquidations.

Before that, outflows had already neared $3 billion, driven by weak investor sentiment and rising market fears.

The persistent crypto outflows and declining AuM figures suggest that confidence in the crypto sector is yet to recover. However, pockets of resilience—such as XRP’s inflows and minor gains in Germany, indicate that investor appetite has not vanished entirely.

The post Crypto Outflows Surge to $1.7 Billion as Bitcoin Bears the Brunt of Withdrawals appeared first on BeInCrypto.

3 Altcoins to Watch in the Third Week of March 2025

The crypto market’s volatility has left altcoins in limbo, uncertain about potential gains or losses, and heavily reliant on external factors. These influences could determine whether a recovery rally occurs.  

BeInCrypto has analyzed three key altcoins for investors to watch in the third week of March and what direction they could take.

Solana (SOL)

Solana’s price is currently at $129, positioning itself for a potential bullish breakout. On March 17, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will launch SOL Futures, a significant event for the altcoin. As CME is one of the largest derivatives exchanges globally, this could drive substantial institutional inflows into Solana.  

This development could inject bullish momentum into SOL, pushing the altcoin higher. The critical resistance level to watch is $161, which would require a 24% price surge. However, for this rally to materialize, SOL must first breach the $135 and $148 resistance levels, paving the way for continued gains.  

Solana Price Analysis.
Solana Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If Solana fails to break through either $135 or $148, its price could retrace. A drop below these levels could send SOL back to $126 or lower to $118. This scenario would invalidate the bullish outlook, delaying any potential recovery and exposing the altcoin to further downside risk.

Mantle (MNT)

MNT price has surged 25% over the past week as anticipation builds for Mantle’s upcoming network upgrade. On March 19, the Mantle Network Mainnet will undergo a hard fork upgrade, activating EigenDA and ensuring compatibility with Ethereum’s future Pectra upgrade. This event is driving strong bullish sentiment for MNT.

In response to the upgrade, MNT is expected to see further gains, potentially reaching $1.00. Currently trading at $0.83, the altcoin needs to breach the $0.87 and $0.94 resistance levels to sustain its rally. A successful breakout above these levels could confirm the bullish trend.

MNT Price Analysis.
MNT Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, failure to surpass $0.87 could keep MNT stuck in consolidation. If the altcoin loses support at $0.79, it risks falling further to $0.71. A drop to this level would invalidate the bullish outlook and shift market sentiment toward a bearish trend.

BNB 

Another altcoin to watch in March, BNB’s price surged 19.5% this week, reaching $635 at the time of writing. The altcoin successfully broke through the key resistance block between $587 and $619. With bullish momentum building, BNB appears poised for further gains, provided market conditions remain favorable in the coming days.

One major catalyst is the upcoming Pascal hard fork on March 20. The upgrade will introduce EIP-7702 smart contract wallets, enhanced Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, and improved developer flexibility. These enhancements could drive investor confidence, pushing BNB above $647 and potentially toward the $686 mark.

BNB Price Analysis.
BNB Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if the anticipated rally fails to gain traction, BNB could retreat to $619. Losing this support level may trigger further declines, sending the altcoin back through the resistance block and potentially testing the $550 support level, which would invalidate the bullish outlook.

The post 3 Altcoins to Watch in the Third Week of March 2025 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

POPCAT Price Struggles to Recover from 48% Drop; Could Robinhood Listing Trigger a Rally?

POPCAT has faced significant challenges since the beginning of February, as attempts at recovery have failed to materialize. Despite some price rallies, the meme coin has struggled to regain its losses, with a 48% drop weighing heavily on its performance. 

While the altcoin is still attempting a recovery, a lack of strong support and market optimism is causing delays in any significant rebound. But the meme coin did have a key bullish moment this week.

POPCAT Needs Investors’ Backing

The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator has remained stuck below the zero line for the past three and a half months. This suggests that inflows into POPCAT have been weak since early December 2024, with little buying interest. The lack of conviction due to fear of losses from investors has contributed to a lack of momentum, keeping the meme coin from experiencing a recovery.

The weak CMF reading signals that investors are not pouring money into POPCAT, which is preventing a meaningful price increase. This has led to the coin’s struggle to maintain any positive price action, further delaying the recovery. 

POPCAT CMF
POPCAT CMF. Source: TradingView

Technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) also reflect POPCAT’s struggle to find sustained momentum. The RSI has remained below the neutral line of 50.0 for the past three months, indicating weak bullish signals. This reinforces the notion that broader market cues are not supporting a strong recovery for the meme coin.

Without support from the broader market, POPCAT has found it difficult to break out of its current downtrend. Until the market improves, POPCAT is unlikely to break its bearish cycle.

POPCAT RSI
POPCAT RSI. Source: TradingView

POPCAT Price Is Likely Consolidating

Over the last four days, POPCAT has rallied nearly 20%, currently trading at $0.180. A key catalyst was Robinhood’s POPCAT listing on Thursday, which is expected to drive more investment into the asset and expose it to more investors.

The altcoin has bounced off the support level of $0.140 and is now under the resistance of $0.203. While this recent recovery is encouraging, it will face significant challenges in breaching the $0.203 barrier.

Given the weak market conditions and investor sentiment, POPCAT could struggle to break through the $0.203 resistance. It is more likely that the altcoin will consolidate within the range of $0.140 to $0.203, at least until stronger market cues emerge. This could delay any potential recovery further.

POPCAT Price Analysis.
POPCAT Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if market conditions and investor behavior improve, POPCAT may push past the $0.203 resistance. A successful breach of this level could see the altcoin test $0.238, invalidating the current bearish outlook. This would signal a shift in market sentiment and possibly set the stage for a more sustained recovery.

The post POPCAT Price Struggles to Recover from 48% Drop; Could Robinhood Listing Trigger a Rally? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Hoodi Testnet to Test Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Before Mainnet Launch

Ethereum will launch the Hoodi testnet on March 17, addressing Pectra testing issues encountered on the Holesky and Sepolia testnets.

This move comes as developers work to troubleshoot bugs that could potentially delay the Sepolia fork.

Ethereum Unveils Hoodi Testnet for Pectra Testing

The Ethereum network has been working on the Pectra upgrade to introduce key Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). These proposals will enhance staking mechanisms and improve the wallet user experience.

However, Ethereum conducts tests in the run-up to its various EIPs. These probes ensure seamless upgrades and mainnet launches, citing methodical testing strategies.

The Sepolia testnet upgraded to Pectra just a week ago, marking a significant milestone in the development process. Additionally, Ethereum launched the Mekong testnet in early November to preview Pectra fork updates. This allowed developers to evaluate its features ahead of broader implementation.

However, in a February 25 post, Christine Kim, a researcher at Galaxy, highlighted the challenges faced in the testing phase of Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade.

“Pectra is live on Holesky…Seeing a slight uptick in missed blocks but the network participation rate looks strong…some client teams are reporting issues with invalid blocks in the Eth R&D discord… lots more missed blocks and the network isn’t finalizing…Devs are troubleshooting what the issues are. Depending on the scale of the bugs, devs could delay the Sepolia fork… network is still not finalizing, the participation rate has dropped to ~50%,” Kim explained.

To establish whether these creases have been ironed out, Ethereum will launch the Hoodi testnet on Monday, March 17. If testing on Hoodi proves successful, the Pectra upgrade could go live on Ethereum’s mainnet by late April. However, according to Tim Beiko, a key Ethereum developer, delays extending into May remain possible.

“A new testnet, Hoodi, is going live Monday to wrap up Pectra testing. If you need to test validator exits, be on the lookout for it! Everything else can be tested on Sepolia & Holesky. Pectra will be scheduled 30+ days after Hoodi forks successfully, pending infra and client testing. Fusaka planning will run in parallel, with a deadline of March 24 to propose EIPs, and a tentative date of April 10 for a scope freeze,” Beiko articulated.  

Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade timeline
Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade timeline. Source: Tim Beiko on X

This means that the Ethereum Pectra Upgrade is contingent on successful testing on Hoodi after previous testnets. With the Hoodi testnet slated for March 17 and Pectra Upgrade at least 30 days thereafter, the update could go live as soon as April 17 or later. Some users expressed dissatisfaction with this delay.

“Pectra delayed by a month. Core devs really can’t ship anything in time,” one user remarked.

Nevertheless, others seemed unsurprised by the timeline, an understanding that likely appreciates the rigorousness of delivering seamless mainnet launches. The launch of the Hoodi testnet next week represents a crucial step in ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the Pectra upgrade.

With developer scrutiny intensifying and planned improvements in staking and user experience, Ethereum’s roadmap focuses on long-term scalability and security enhancements for its network.

“I’m stoked this could make ETH even sharper and more efficient,” a user on X remarked.

Fusaka, the next major upgrade, will follow in 2026. While details remain scarce, Fusaka promises to refine Ethereum’s scalability and efficiency further. This will advance the network’s evolution toward greater usability and adoption.

The post Hoodi Testnet to Test Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Before Mainnet Launch appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Ripple’s RLUSD Can Be Frozen to Comply with GENIUS Act, Confirms CTO

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has confirmed that the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin can be temporarily halted or reversed to comply with legal or regulatory requirements.

Schwartz’s statement comes after Senator Bill Hagerty updated the GENIUS Act. The bill requires stablecoin issuers to implement technology that allows freezing, seizing, or stopping transfers when legally mandated.

Ripple Technology Enables Freezing of RLUSD Stablecoin

The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act was introduced on February 4. On March 10, Senator Hagerty unveiled an amended version of the bill, which included several key changes. The bill,

“Requires the permitted payment stablecoin issuer to seize, freeze, burn, or prevent the transfer of payment stablecoins issued by the permitted payment stablecoin issuer.”

Attorney Jeremy Hogan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to question the bill’s practical implications. He particularly stressed the technological capabilities required for stablecoin issuers to implement the proposed rule.

“So, can Ripple or Circle actually freeze RLUSD or USDC once it’s transferred? I didn’t think that was possible for either,” Hogan posted.

In response, Schwartz confirmed that this is indeed possible. 

“RLUSD can be frozen or clawed back,” he answered

Schwartz clarified that this functionality is essential to ensure that the balances on the ledger remain aligned with the legal obligations of the issuer. Since off-ledger events, like court orders, can change or nullify those obligations, it’s important for issuers to have the ability to update the ledger as needed.

It should be noted that in January, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) activated the clawback amendment. This followed a 90% vote from its community. 

This change allows token issuers to retrieve tokens from wallets that have been deposited into Automated Market Maker (AMM) pools. This, in turn, helps maintain adherence to regulatory requirements. Given that RLUSD is natively issued on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum (ETH) blockchains, the clawback functionality applies to it as well.

The bill also stipulates federal oversight for stablecoin issuers with market values exceeding $10 billion. At present, only Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) meet this threshold. 

Meanwhile, RLUSD is a relatively new stablecoin. Ripple launched it on December 17, 2024. In addition, BeInCrypto data shows that it currently has a market capitalization of 135.1 million.

Therefore, as per the act, it will remain under state regulation. However, the state should also follow a framework comparable to federal standards.

The post Ripple’s RLUSD Can Be Frozen to Comply with GENIUS Act, Confirms CTO appeared first on BeInCrypto.

CertiK Discusses the Growing Frequency of Social Engineering Crypto Scams

The state of security across the crypto and blockchain space has changed significantly in the past few months. Traditional smart contracts exploited or brute force attacks on blockchain networks are being superseded by crypto scams like rug pulls and pump-and-dump schemes. 

BeInCrypto spoke with a spokesperson from security firm CertiK to understand how blockchain and security threats are evolving and how projects and users can safeguard against future exploits.

Social Media Hacks on the Rise

Over the past few months, the crypto community has seen a rise in social media-related hacks. This increasingly common tendency has pivoted away from the orchestration of more sophisticated blockchain attacks that have traditionally plagued headlines. 

Whereas smart contract exploits or blockchain hacks require more knowledge, hackers have found an easier avenue by targeting social media accounts instead.

“Social‬‭ media‬‭ accounts‬‭ have‬‭ become‬‭ attractive‬‭ targets‬‭ due‬‭ to‬‭ their‬‭ broad‬‭ reach‬‭ and‬‭ the‬‭ trust‬‭ followers‬‭ place‬‭ in‬‭ verified‬‭ profiles.‬‭ Compared‬‭ to‬‭ complex‬‭ blockchain‬‭ attacks,‬‭ hijacking‬‭ a‬‭ social‬‭ media‬‭ account‬‭ offers‬‭ a‬‭ quicker,‬‭ less‬‭ technically‬‭ demanding‬‭ way‬‭ to‬‭ spread‬‭ scams‬‭ to‬‭ a‬‭ massive‬‭ audience.‬‭ The‬‭ growing‬‭ frequency‬‭ of‬‭ such‬‭ breaches‬‭ suggests‬‭ hackers‬‭ are‬‭ focusing‬‭ more‬‭ on‬‭ social‬‭ engineering‬‭ and‬‭ credential theft over direct blockchain exploitation,” a CertiK spokesperson told BeInCrypto.

The accessibility of social media hacking has, in turn, expanded the pool of malicious actors capable of these attacks.

“‬This‬‭ trend‬‭ may‬‭ also‬‭ be‬‭ due‬‭ to,‬‭ in‬‭ part,‬‭ a‬‭ skills‬‭ gap‬‭ among‬‭ malicious‬‭ actors.‬‭ For‬‭ instance,‬‭ drainer-as-a-service‬‭ has‬‭ opened‬‭ doors‬‭ to‬‭ scammers‬‭ who‬‭ don’t‬‭ necessarily‬‭ understand‬‭ how‬‭ to‬‭ manipulate‬‭ smart‬‭ contracts.‬‭ Many‬‭ of‬‭ these‬‭ scammers‬‭ are‬‭ from‬‭ the‬‭ younger‬‭ generation,‬‭ which‬‭ means‬‭ they‬‭ are‬‭ more‬‭ likely‬‭ to‬‭ speak‬‭ about‬‭ their‬‭ financial‬‭ pursuits‬‭ online,‬‭ which‬‭ fuels‬‭ more‬‭ users‬‭ attempting‬‭ to‬‭ use‬‭ social‬‭ media‬‭ for‬‭ malicious‬‭ purposes,” the spokesperson added. 

X (formerly Twitter) has quickly become the social media platform of choice among Web3 hackers.

Social Media is Now a Prime Target for Web3 Hackers

After US President Donald Trump launched his meme coin only two days before assuming office, hackers began to take advantage of the hype to hack high-profile X accounts and convince followers to invest in scam meme coins.

Last month, anonymous hackers took over the X account of the former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to promote MALAYSIA, a fake meme coin promoted as the country’s official cryptocurrency. 

The post was removed within an hour, but the damage was done. Analysis shows that these hackers were probably related to the infamous Russian Evil Corp and that they stole $1.7 million in this rug pull.

“Given‬‭ that‬‭ X‬‭ is‬‭ the‬‭ most‬‭ popular‬‭ crypto‬‭ social‬‭ media‬‭ application,‬‭ it‬‭ makes‬‭ sense‬‭ that‬‭ popular‬‭ accounts‬‭ on‬‭ the‬‭ platform‬‭ have‬‭ been‬‭ targeted‬‭ to‬‭ attract‬‭ the‬‭ most‬‭ victims,” Certik spokesperson said. 

The MALAYSIA token scam happened only two weeks after hackers exploited former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s social media account. In that instance, scammers promoted the BRAZIL token, which rose over 10,000% in minutes, netting the scammers over $1.3 million.

These scams have also affected technological companies.

Attacks on Tech Companies

In December, AI research and development company Anthropic also saw its X account hacked. A fraudulent post claimed that a fake token called CLAUDE would incentivize AI and crypto projects and included a wallet address for investors.

Attackers managed to collect around $100,000 from speculative investors. 

“The‬‭ trend‬‭ is‬‭ real‬‭ and‬‭ concerning.‬‭ The‬‭ breaches‬‭ of‬‭ accounts‬‭ belonging‬‭ to‬‭ global‬‭ leaders‬‭ and‬‭ tech‬‭ companies‬‭ highlight‬‭ how‬‭ threat‬‭ actors‬‭ are‬‭ targeting‬‭ platforms‬‭ with‬‭ wide-reaching‬‭ influence,‬‭ using‬‭ them‬‭ to‬‭ amplify‬‭ fraudulent‬‭ crypto‬‭ schemes.‬‭ It‬‭ reflects‬‭ a‬‭ shift‬‭ in‬‭ tactics‬‭ where‬‭ social‬‭ media‬‭ is‬‭ becoming‬‭ a‬‭ primary‬‭ vector‬‭ for‬‭ crypto-related‬‭ scams,” the CertiK spokesperson told BeInCrypto.

These situations also highlight a broader issue of weak account security on social media platforms. As a result, even prominent individuals are susceptible to security breaches that directly affect the crypto community.

TRUMP Meme Coin Launch Was a Catalyst For Crypto Scams

After the launch of TRUMP, the frequency of socially engineered scams has become more apparent. In January, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin published a cathartic social media post criticizing TRUMP and meme coins.

“Now is the time to talk about the fact that large-scale political coins cross a further line: they are not just sources of fun, whose harm is at most contained to mistakes made by voluntary participants, they are vehicles for unlimited political bribery, including from foreign nation states,” Buterin claimed.

Buterin highlighted the tokens’ role in enabling scams and political corruption in crypto and blamed a regulatory loophole former SEC Chair Gary Gensler created for allowing bad actors to exploit governance tokens.

However, these crypto scams extend beyond political themes. 

Growth of Social Engineering Exploits

A week after Buterin cautioned against political meme coins, a Coinbase user lost $11.5 million after falling victim to a social engineering scam on Base. 

Crypto sleuth ZackXBT uncovered the exploit, pointing out that this incident is part of a growing trend, with multiple Coinbase users suffering similar losses. He also estimates that crypto scams of this nature have drained at least $150 million from Coinbase customers. 

“Coinbase has a serious fraud problem. I just uncovered many more recent thefts from Coinbase users. The $150 million stolen from Coinbase users in a year is just from thefts I independently confirmed. So it’s more than likely multiples of this number,” ZachXBT stated.

In social engineering scams, attackers use phishing emails, spoofed calls, and other deceptive tactics to trick victims into revealing private keys or login credentials. Once they gain access, they drain wallets, move funds, and take control of accounts.

For CertiK, these situations stipulate the need for stronger security measures. 

“Web3‬‭ security‬‭ platforms‬‭ are‬‭ adapting‬‭ by‬‭ expanding‬‭ their‬‭ focus‬‭ beyond‬‭ smart‬‭ contract‬‭ vulnerabilities‬‭ to‬‭ include‬‭ broader‬‭ threat‬‭ detection,‬‭ particularly‬‭ around‬‭ social‬‭ engineering‬‭ risks.‬‭ Many‬‭ are‬‭ integrating‬‭ AI-driven‬‭ monitoring‬‭ tools‬‭ to‬‭ flag‬‭ unusual‬‭ account‬‭ activity,‬‭ especially‬‭ on‬‭ social‬‭ media,‬‭ and‬‭ are‬‭ educating‬‭ users‬‭ about‬‭ the‬‭ dangers‬‭ of‬‭ impersonation‬‭ scams.‬‭ The‬‭ evolving‬‭ threat‬‭ landscape‬‭ has‬‭ prompted‬‭ a‬‭ more‬‭ holistic approach to security, blending traditional blockchain defenses with social platform safeguards,” the spokesperson said. 

Addressing these security challenges is crucial as new crypto projects increase exponentially.

Prioritizing Proactive Security in a Rapidly Growing Industry

The Web3 sector is experiencing consistent growth, marked by a surge in new crypto project launches. This innovative momentum is expected to continue, but it’s also fueling security concerns.

Notably, the increasing rate of scams and hacks in the first three months of 2025 makes it clear that security efforts are struggling to keep up with innovation.

A study by Precedence Research estimates the Web 3.0 market will expand from USD 4.62 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 99.75 billion by 2034, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.18% during that period.

Predicted market size of Web3 in the next ten years.
Predicted market size of Web3 in the next ten years. Source: Precedence Research.

Yet, CertiK believes that project developers are pushing security considerations toward the end of the priority list.

“Despite‬‭ the‬‭ surge‬‭ in‬‭ new‬‭ projects,‬‭ adherence‬‭ to‬‭ proper‬‭ audit‬‭ protocols‬‭ remains‬‭ inconsistent.‬‭ While‬‭ some‬‭ projects‬‭ prioritize‬‭ thorough‬‭ smart‬‭ contract‬‭ audits,‬‭ others‬‭ rush‬‭ to‬‭ the‬‭ market,‬‭ sidelining‬‭ security‬‭ to‬‭ capitalize‬‭ on‬‭ market‬‭ trends‬‭ in‬‭ an‬‭ attempt‬‭ to‬‭ generate‬‭ rapid‬‭ profits,” said the CertiK spokesperson.

Understandably, the considerable rise in Web3 projects makes it more difficult for security firms to keep up with the pace and width of demand.

“Although‬‭ there‬‭ is‬‭ growing‬‭ awareness‬‭ around‬‭ the‬‭ importance‬‭ of‬‭ audits,‬‭ the‬‭ pace‬‭ of‬‭ new‬‭ launches‬‭ often‬‭ outstrips‬‭ the‬‭ capacity‬‭ of‬‭ security‬‭ firms,‬‭ leading‬‭ to‬‭ such‬‭ gaps.‬‭ Consequently,‬‭ many‬‭ projects‬‭ are‬‭ vulnerable‬‭ to‬‭ exploits,‬‭ highlighting‬‭ the‬‭ need‬‭ for‬‭ more standardized auditing requirements across the space,” the spokesperson concluded. 

As the Web3 ecosystem evolves, a proactive and adaptive security approach is critical. Prioritizing both blockchain integrity and social media vigilance will be essential for safeguarding the growing Web3 ecosystem.

The battle against these exploits requires a future where security is not an afterthought but a foundational pillar of every Web3 project and user interaction.

The post CertiK Discusses the Growing Frequency of Social Engineering Crypto Scams appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Blockchain for Everyone: Making Decentralization Accessible

In a rapidly evolving world, few innovations have captured the imagination and transformative potential of people like blockchain. For Alessio Vinassa, CEO of BlockTechGroup, this technology is more than just a breakthrough in digital transactions—it represents an opportunity to foster shared success, bridge gaps, and create a more inclusive future. His vision is simple but profound: blockchain should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or expertise.

The Power of Shared Success in Blockchain

Alessio Vinassa has long advocated for an approach he calls “shared success.” In an industry often focused on individual gains, he believes the true strength of blockchain lies in its ability to bring people together. “Blockchain is more than a financial tool—it’s a connector,” he asserts. “When we embrace collaboration, we multiply the potential for innovation.”

This philosophy extends beyond words. At BlockTechGroup, the principle of shared success is embedded in the company’s foundation. Working with over 35 projects, Alessio and his team foster an environment where knowledge-sharing and collaboration thrive. By encouraging developers, entrepreneurs, and users to support each other, they create a culture of resilience and sustainable growth.

Breaking Down Barriers to Blockchain Adoption

One of the greatest challenges facing blockchain today is accessibility. While its potential is immense, the complexity of blockchain technology often deters new users. Alessio envisions a future where onboarding is seamless, and participation is intuitive. “Blockchain has the potential to be as transformative as the internet, but for that to happen, we need to lower the barriers to entry,” he explains.

This means building platforms that are easy to use, offering educational resources, and fostering communities that welcome newcomers. Alessio and his team are committed to simplifying blockchain interactions so that anyone—from first-time users to seasoned developers—can engage with and benefit from decentralization.

The Future of Blockchain in Everyday Life

Looking ahead, Alessio believes blockchain will become a foundational part of how people interact, transact, and share knowledge. While financial applications are at the forefront today, he sees the real impact emerging in decentralized services that empower individuals. From secure data sharing to peer-to-peer solutions, blockchain’s role in daily life is only beginning to take shape.

“The future of blockchain isn’t just about technology—it’s about people,” Alessio emphasizes. “It’s about creating systems where users have greater control, where transparency is the norm, and where communities drive progress.” He envisions a world where open-source collaboration fuels meaningful solutions to real-world challenges, making blockchain a truly democratizing force.

A Call to Action: Join the Movement

For those new to blockchain, Alessio’s advice is straightforward: start with the fundamentals. Understanding key principles like decentralization, transparency, and community-driven innovation provides a strong foundation. More importantly, he encourages individuals to find like-minded communities, ask questions, and actively participate.

“Blockchain is still evolving, and there’s a place for everyone,” he says. “Whether you’re a developer, an artist, or simply curious, you have something to contribute. The key is to learn together and grow as a community.”

Driving Innovation with Purpose

At the heart of Alessio Vinassa’s work is a commitment to making blockchain more than just a technology—it’s about impact, empowerment, and shared growth. “The real motivation comes from the people,” he reflects. “The visionaries, the builders, and those who believe in blockchain’s potential to create a better future. That’s what drives me forward.”

As blockchain continues to evolve, leaders like Alessio remind us of its core purpose: to unite, empower, and create opportunities for all. The future of decentralization isn’t just about code—it’s about people coming together to shape a more inclusive digital world.

To know more about Alessio Vinassa and his business philosophies, visit his website at alessiovinassa.io. You can also find and follow him on the following social media channels:InstagramFacebook – X

The post Blockchain for Everyone: Making Decentralization Accessible appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Pi Network Pioneers Risk Losing Their PI Coins Over KYC Issues As Pi Day Approaches

As PI Day approaches, many Pi Network users or Pioneers could lose their accumulated Pi coins.

The risk comes following widespread complaints about the inability to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process.

Growing Frustration Among Pi Network Users

In a late February announcement, the Pi Network team stated that users who fail to complete KYC and migrate their balance to Mainnet within the extended grace period—ending at 8:00 AM UTC on March 14, 2025—”risk losing most of their mobile balance.”

“…the end of the Grace Period is inevitable to make sure the network can move on in its new phase without large sums of unverified and unclaimed mobile balances. Thus, this is the last chance for any Pioneer to complete the required steps to avoid forfeiting their past mobile balances,” read the announcement.  

This announcement has sparked widespread frustration among Pioneers. Based on discontent shared on X (Twitter), many claim they have attempted but failed to complete KYC. Crypto enthusiast Rod Thompson called the situation the biggest con job of crypto, with up to 10,000 PI Coins on the line for him.

“The Pi Network has been earning ad revenue for every one of my daily mining sessions, but I’m going to lose over 10,000 pi coins because people I haven’t spoken to in two years haven’t done KYC. At least one of them passed away over a year ago. That’s over $10,000 due to me for my efforts,” Thompson lamented.

Thompson is not the only Pioneer questioning the fairness of the Pi Network system. Another user, S.O.H., described the situation as “mass social engineering on blockchain.” Meanwhile, others, such as Ahmady Ala, reported that despite mining Pi for six years, they have yet to be allowed to complete KYC.

Pioneer’s screenshot on KYC issues with Pi Network
Pioneer’s screenshot on KYC issues with Pi Network. Source: Ahmady Ala on X

In the same tone, some users have had their KYC documents pending for over two years without resolution.

“My KYC verification has been pending for 2.5 years. Even if it won’t be approved, shouldn’t there be an option to reapply?” user H. Ibrahim posed in frustration.

Unfair Reward Distribution, Centralization, and Migration Delays

In addition to KYC-related frustrations, many users have reported balance inconsistencies. They claim their unverified balance keeps increasing while their transferable balance is significantly reduced.

This makes the migration process confusing, and the lack of transparency leads some to label Pi a “scam network.” Another major concern is the alleged unfair distribution of rewards.

“I mined consistently for 4 years, stayed loyal to Pi Network, brought in 39 people, and even completed KYC for 17 of them—yet I got nothing. Meanwhile, others with no referrals and irregular mining have more Pi than me. How is that fair?” another user, Mango Fan Token, stated.

Meanwhile, despite claiming a user base of 60 million, on-chain data indicates only about 11 million active users. This led to concerns over Pi Network’s actual adoption rate.

Pi Network Statistics from X vs. on-chain
Pi Network Statistics from X vs. on-chain. Sources: X account, Pi Explorer, and Piscan.io

Additionally, questions about centralization have emerged. Some critics argue that the project’s control mechanisms limit the potential for a truly decentralized network. Another issue plaguing the network is the failure of many users to migrate their Pi coins to Mainnet.

BeInCrypto reported recently that Pioneers have struggled with transferring their balances, even after fulfilling all required steps. Some users, frustrated by prolonged lockup periods, have resorted to selling their PI Coin accounts on unofficial markets, raising further concerns about the platform’s credibility and long-term viability.

While criticism of the network continues to mount, Pi Coin has recently seen double-digit gains as investors gear up for Pi Day. Some analysts speculate that the surge is driven by optimism surrounding potential developments on March 14.

Pi Network (PI) Price Performance
Pi Network (PI) Price Performance. Source: CoinGecko

CoinGecko data shows that PI Coin’s price was $1.71 as of this writing, up nearly 15% in the last 24 hours. However, whether the price momentum can be sustained in the face of ongoing technical issues and community dissatisfaction remains uncertain.

The post Pi Network Pioneers Risk Losing Their PI Coins Over KYC Issues As Pi Day Approaches appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Ripple Gains Full Approval to Offer Regulated Crypto Payments in Dubai

Ripple has received full approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to offer regulated crypto payments in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

It makes Ripple the first blockchain-enabled payments provider licensed by the DFSA, significantly expanding its operations in the Middle East.

Ripple Receives Full Approval from the DFSA

This development follows Ripple’s in-principle financial services approval from the DFSA in October. With its regional headquarters in Dubai since 2020, Ripple continues strengthening its presence in a region known for its regulatory clarity and fintech-friendly environment.

The DFSA license enables Ripple to offer its global payment solutions to businesses in the UAE. This would reinforce its role as a trusted partner for financial institutions looking to leverage blockchain technology for faster and more cost-effective transactions.

“We are entering an unprecedented period of growth for the crypto industry, driven by greater regulatory clarity around the world and increasing institutional adoption. Thanks to its early leadership in creating a supportive environment for tech and crypto innovation, the UAE is exceptionally well-placed to benefit,” a press release shared with BeInCrypto read, citing Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse.

Indeed, Dubai has established itself as a global hub for blockchain and fintech innovation. It boasts a $400 billion international trade market. The UAE has seen growing demand from both crypto-native firms and traditional financial (TradFi) institutions looking for solutions to inefficiencies in cross-border payments. These include high fees, slow settlement times, and lack of transparency.

“Securing this DFSA license…will enable us to better serve the growing demand for faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border transactions in one of the world’s largest cross-border payments hubs,” Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Reece Merrick, emphasized.  

In the same tone, DIFC Authority CEO, His Excellency Arif Amiri, said this milestone presents Ripple with new growth opportunities across the region and beyond. Ripple’s regulatory approval in Dubai adds to its growing list of over 60 regulatory licenses worldwide.

Among them are a Major Payments Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and a New York Department of Financial Services Trust Charter. Ripple also has a Virtual Asset Service Provider registration from the Central Bank of Ireland and Money Transmitter Licenses across multiple US states.

Despite its success in Dubai, Ripple remains embroiled in a legal battle with the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). However, recent reports indicate that the case may soon be resolved. Reportedly, Ripple’s legal team is negotiating more favorable terms regarding an August 2023 district court ruling.

The ruling imposed a $125 million fine and restricted Ripple from selling XRP to institutional investors. Ripple’s team argues that the firm should not be penalized for past regulatory uncertainty. This contention is based on the SEC’s reconsideration of its enforcement stance against other crypto firms.

“…Accepting the Torres ruling as it stands would mean that Ripple is essentially agreeing to admit to wrongdoing — but now the SEC itself is seemingly unsure whether any wrongdoing occurred. There’s no real playbook for this kind of thing, which could explain why this case is taking longer to resolve than the rest,” crypto journalist Eleanor Terret reported, citing two well-placed sources.

Ripple (XRP) Price Performance
Ripple (XRP) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

BeInCrypto data shows that XRP price was trading for $2.23 at press time. This represents a modest 2.32% in the last 24 hours.

The post Ripple Gains Full Approval to Offer Regulated Crypto Payments in Dubai appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Story’s (IP) Bull Run Continues: 17% Weekly Gains Amid Market Weakness

Story’s IP has extended its bullish streak, recording another day of gains as its uptrend continues. In the last 24 hours alone, IP has surged 11%, making it the second-highest gainer during this period.

Over the past week, the altcoin has climbed 17%, bucking the broader market decline and solidifying its position as one of the strongest performers.

IP’s Short-Term Outlook Remains Bullish as Buying Pressure Builds

Readings from the IP 12-hour chart hint at a sustained price growth in the short term. For example, the coin’s Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) supports this bullish outlook. 

IP MACD
IP MACD. Source: TradingView

After spending an extended period below the signal line (orange), IP’s MACD line (blue) flipped above it during Wednesday’s trading session, posting a green histogram bar.

This bullish crossover suggests a bullish shift in momentum, indicating increasing buying pressure. The appearance of a green histogram bar reinforces the strength of this trend, signaling that IP’s uptrend could continue. If sustained, this momentum may attract more traders, potentially driving the coin’s price even higher.

Additionally, IP’s Aroon Up Line, which tracks the strength of its trends, confirms that the current rally is still intact, indicating that the uptrend may not be slowing down anytime soon. At press time, this indicator is at 92.86%.

IP Aroon Up Line.
IP Aroon Up Line. Source: TradingView

When an asset’s Aroon Up Line is close to 100%, it indicates a strong uptrend. The metric suggests that IP is consistently reaching new highs within the review period. This is true of the coin, which currently trades at $5.91, its highest since March 8.

IP Holds Strong Above Support—Can It Reclaim Its $7.95 All-Time High?

At its current price, IP trades strongly above the support floor formed at $5.54. If the bullish pressure in its spot markets remains, IP could continue its upward trend and attempt to revisit its all-time high of $7.95. 

IP Price Analysis.
IP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

On the other hand, a resurgence in profit-taking among IP holders would invalidate this bullish projection. In that scenario, the coin could lose its recent gains, fall below the $5.54 support, and drop toward $4.05.

The post Story’s (IP) Bull Run Continues: 17% Weekly Gains Amid Market Weakness appeared first on BeInCrypto.