Crypto
North Korean Hackers Used AI-Driven Social Engineering in Zerion Attack
Crypto wallet provider Zerion has revealed that North Korean-linked hackers used AI-powered social engineering tactics in a targeted attack that resulted in the theft of around $100,000 from its hot wallets last week.
In a post-mortem released on Wednesday, Zerion confirmed that no user funds were affected, and its apps and infrastructure remained secure. The company also temporarily disabled its web app as a precautionary measure.
AI-Powered Social Engineering Targets Internal Access
Although the financial loss was relatively small compared to other crypto hacks, the incident highlights a growing trend. Zerion described the attack as an “AI-enabled social engineering” operation tied to a threat actor linked to North Korea.
The attackers were able to gain access to internal systems by compromising team members’ active sessions, credentials, and even private keys associated with company hot wallets.
According to Zerion, the incident underscores how artificial intelligence is reshaping modern cyberattacks.
“This incident showed that AI is changing the way cyber threats work,” the company noted.
Second Major Incident This Month
This marks the second major social engineering attack involving North Korean actors this month. Earlier, the Drift Protocol suffered a $280 million exploit described as a highly coordinated intelligence operation.
Unlike traditional hacks that exploit smart contract vulnerabilities, these attacks focus on human targets, making employees and internal systems the weakest link.
Sophisticated Multi-Platform Campaigns
Security Alliance (SEAL), which investigated similar incidents, reported that it had tracked and blocked 164 domains connected to the North Korean group UNC1069 between February and April.
The group is known for running long-term, low-pressure social engineering campaigns across platforms like Telegram, LinkedIn, and Slack. Attackers often impersonate trusted contacts or reputable organizations, sometimes using compromised accounts to build credibility.
SEAL noted that these campaigns rely heavily on patience and trust-building, making them particularly difficult to detect.
AI Enhances Deception Techniques
Cybersecurity researchers have also pointed to the use of AI tools to enhance these attacks. Google’s Mandiant unit previously reported that threat actors have used fake Zoom meetings and AI-edited images or videos to appear more convincing during interactions with targets.
This added layer of realism makes it harder for victims to distinguish between legitimate and malicious communications.
Expanding Threat Across the Crypto Industry
Experts warn that the threat is not limited to exchanges or large firms. According to security researchers, North Korean IT operatives have been infiltrating crypto companies and decentralized finance projects for years.
Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic noted that the combination of advanced social engineering and AI tools significantly broadens the attack surface. Developers, contributors, and anyone with access to crypto infrastructure could become targets.
The growing reliance on human-focused attack vectors signals a shift in how cyber threats are evolving in the crypto space.
Crypto
ZachXBT Pressures MemeCore Over Token Supply and Valuation
Onchain investigator ZachXBT has publicly challenged MemeCore to justify both its token valuation and supply distribution, raising fresh concerns about transparency in the wake of recent market turbulence.
Questions Over $6B Valuation
ZachXBT called on MemeCore to explain how its M token achieved a multibillion-dollar valuation.
At the time of scrutiny:
- CoinMarketCap valued the token at around $4.3 billion
- CoinGecko placed it closer to $6 billion
Despite the strong market cap, ZachXBT questioned whether there is any fundamental data supporting such a high valuation.
Insider Supply Concerns
A central issue raised was token concentration.
ZachXBT claimed that over 90% of the token supply may be held by insiders, asking the project to clarify:
- How supply is distributed
- What portion is actually circulating
- Whether large holders are team-controlled wallets
Blockchain analytics platform Bubblemaps showed significant concentration among top wallets, though analysts noted that some holdings could be allocated but not yet in active circulation.
No Definitive Proof Yet
While ZachXBT has not provided conclusive onchain evidence confirming the 90% insider claim, he has indicated that further investigation is underway.
MemeCore has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
Scrutiny Follows RAVE Token Collapse
The investigation comes shortly after the dramatic سقوط of the RAVE token, which:
- Surged from $0.25 to nearly $28
- Then crashed more than 90% within days
ZachXBT previously alleged that RaveDAO may have orchestrated a pump-and-dump scheme, pointing to concentrated holdings and unusual exchange flows.
RaveDAO has denied these accusations, while exchanges including Binance and Bitget are reviewing the situation.
Wider Probe Into Suspicious Tokens
ZachXBT suggested that the issue may extend beyond a single project.
Other tokens flagged for questionable activity include:
- SIREN
- MYX
- COAI
- M (MemeCore)
- PIPPIN
- RIVER
He indicated that these projects may show similar patterns of rapid price increases followed by sharp declines.
Growing Focus on Transparency
The situation highlights ongoing concerns in the crypto market around:
- Token distribution transparency
- Insider control of supply
- Market manipulation risks
As new tokens continue to launch with high valuations, scrutiny from onchain analysts is becoming an increasingly important check on market behavior.
Crypto
Strategy Buys $2.5B in Bitcoin, Holdings Surpass 800,000 BTC
Michael Saylor’s company Strategy has made another massive Bitcoin purchase, pushing its total holdings past 800,000 BTC and reinforcing its position as the largest public holder of the asset.
Massive $2.5 Billion Bitcoin Purchase
Strategy acquired 34,164 Bitcoin for approximately $2.54 billion between April 13 and April 19, according to a recent SEC filing.
The purchase ranks as the company’s third-largest Bitcoin buy ever, highlighting its continued aggressive accumulation strategy.
The coins were bought at an average price of $74,395 per BTC, slightly below Strategy’s overall average purchase price.
Total Holdings Now Above 800K BTC
Following the latest acquisition, Strategy now holds:
- 815,061 BTC total
- Purchased for roughly $61.56 billion
This milestone comes just one week after the company revealed a separate $1 billion Bitcoin purchase, showing how rapidly it continues to scale its position.
Funded Largely Through STRC Offering
A significant portion of the latest purchase was funded through Strategy’s preferred stock offering:
- $2.18 billion (85.7%) came from STRC issuance
- $366 million came from selling Class A shares (MSTR)
The STRC program has become a core funding mechanism for Strategy’s Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
Record-Breaking Buying Activity
The company also set new internal records during the buying period.
On April 13 and 14 alone, Strategy executed massive purchases tied to its at-the-market (ATM) program:
- ~7,741 BTC in one day
- ~9,364 BTC the next day
Combined, these two days accounted for over 17,000 BTC, marking a sharp increase compared to previous weekly averages.
Saylor Teased the Move
Michael Saylor hinted at the purchase ahead of time with a cryptic “Think Even Bigger” post, a pattern he has used before major acquisition announcements.
Dividend Strategy to Boost Demand
Alongside its Bitcoin buying spree, Strategy is also exploring changes to its investor offering.
The company recently proposed semi-monthly dividend payments for its STRC preferred shares, aiming to:
- Stabilize share price
- Increase liquidity
- Attract more investor demand
If approved, Strategy would become one of the few companies globally to offer such frequent dividend payouts.
Strategy Doubles Down on Bitcoin Conviction
This latest purchase reinforces Strategy’s long-term bet on Bitcoin as a primary treasury asset.
Despite market volatility and unrealized losses in prior quarters, the company continues to accumulate aggressively, signaling strong confidence in Bitcoin’s future value.
Crypto
Coinbase Expands to UK With Crypto-Backed USDC Loans
Coinbase has launched crypto-backed loan services in the United Kingdom, allowing users to borrow USDC using digital assets like Bitcoin, Ether, and cbETH as collateral.
The move marks another step in Coinbase’s push to expand lending products globally as the UK develops its crypto regulatory framework.
Borrowing Against Crypto Holdings
The new service lets UK users access loans of up to $5 million in USDC, depending on the value of the collateral they provide.
Bitcoin-backed loans offer the highest borrowing limits, while Ether and Coinbase Wrapped Staked Ether can also be used.
Loans are issued through Morpho, a decentralized lending protocol operating on Coinbase’s Base network.
Flexible Terms With Market-Based Rates
Coinbase said interest rates are variable and determined by market conditions on Morpho.
There is no fixed repayment schedule, giving borrowers flexibility, but users must manage their loan-to-value ratios carefully.
If collateral values drop too much, positions may be liquidated to cover the loan.
Building on US Rollout
The UK launch builds on Coinbase’s earlier rollout of crypto-backed loans in the United States.
Since 2025, US users have been able to borrow up to $1 million in USDC using Ether as collateral, with similar lending mechanics.
The expansion reflects Coinbase’s broader strategy of integrating decentralized finance into its product offerings.
Launch Comes Amid Regulatory Developments
The timing aligns with ongoing regulatory progress in the UK.
The Financial Conduct Authority recently opened consultations on a comprehensive crypto framework expected to take effect in 2027.
Until then, the UK operates under partial regulation, mainly covering financial promotions and anti-money laundering requirements.
Expanding Coinbase’s UK Presence
The lending product adds to Coinbase’s growing suite of services in the UK.
The company secured FCA registration in 2025, allowing it to offer both crypto and fiat services to retail and institutional users.
Since then, it has introduced features such as decentralized exchange trading and crypto savings accounts in the region.
Bridging DeFi and Traditional Finance
Coinbase is also exploring broader use cases for crypto-backed lending.
Earlier this year, the company partnered with Better Home & Finance to allow borrowers to use Bitcoin or USDC as collateral for mortgage-related loans.
Growing Role of Onchain Finance
The UK launch highlights a larger trend of bringing traditional financial services onto blockchain infrastructure.
By enabling users to borrow against crypto assets without selling them, Coinbase is positioning itself at the intersection of DeFi and mainstream finance.
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