Crypto Weekly Roundup: The Biggest Stories You Missed

A $23 billion-dollar hack nearly tanked Ethereum’s biggest player, and you didn’t even hear about it.

That’s not your fault. The past week has been nothing short of insane for crypto. But in just a few minutes, we’ll give you EVERYTHING you need to know to stay ahead.

If you’ve got digital dollars or dreams of going full crypto — pay attention. This is YOUR financial future on the line.

And some of these stories are nothing short of game-changing — one law in the U.S. could change how every stablecoin in your wallet works.

The Coinbase Situation…

We know — the Coinbase breach has been all over your feed, so there’s no use boring you with it. Here are the fast facts:

Hackers bribed overseas customer support agents to access sensitive customer data. The stolen information includes names, addresses, phone numbers, government ID images, and partial Social Security numbers.

And what did the hackers want?

They demanded a $20 million ransom to prevent the public release of the data. Coinbase refused to pay and instead offered a $20 million reward for information leading to the attackers' arrest.

Coinbase says no login credentials, two-factor authentication codes, private keys, or direct access to customer accounts were not compromised.

So what is Coinbase doing about it?

Coinbase is cooperating with law enforcement, has terminated the involved personnel, and is pressing criminal charges. They estimate that they’ll be spending up to $400 million USD to compensate affected users.

This is a perfect example of why you need to custody your own crypto.

That means holding your coins in your own secure wallet. Check out this article to learn the safest way to store your crypto in 2025.

Mastercard + MoonPay = Swipe Your Crypto IRL

Buying coffee with crypto? It’s finally here. Mastercard and MoonPay just teamed up to launch virtual cards that let you spend stablecoins like USDC at over 150 million stores — anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Your wallet becomes a fiat-spitting machine at checkout. Instant conversions, zero friction, and no surprise fees.

You’re not just “hodling” anymore — you’re living on crypto.

From groceries to gadgets, crypto just made the leap into everyday life. 

And if you're new? This is the easiest way to spend like a pro, without touching a bank.

Bitcoin Gets Lightning-Fast in Asia

Bitcoin’s not just digital gold anymore — it’s turning into your daily currency.

Thanks to Lightning Network’s Neutron teaming up with Cobo, instant, near-zero-fee BTC transactions are coming to Asia.

Think about sending Bitcoin across borders in seconds, for pennies. This is big for markets like Southeast Asia, where crypto is booming and access to traditional banking is patchy.

What does this mean for holders?

That BTC in your cold wallet could soon be your daily spending money.

Drop a comment below: Would YOU pay for dinner with Bitcoin?

Lido’s $23 Billion Hack Dodge — ETH Holders Breathe Easy

Imagine a hacker almost cracking into a digital vault holding $23 billion in ETH. That’s not a movie plot — that’s what just happened at Lido, Ethereum’s top staking platform.

One of Lido’s “gatekeeper” validators got compromised — a huge security scare. The hacker only got away with $4,200, but this was inches away from catastrophe.

Lido isn’t some niche project — it powers 25% of all staked ETH, holding billions in trust. A successful hack here would’ve shaken the entire Ethereum network.

But thanks to a rapid response, the threat was shut down fast. Think of it as a test — and DeFi passed. Your ETH? Still safe. But this was a chilling reminder:

Crypto security isn’t optional — it’s the whole game.

Tether vs The EU — Crypto’s Regulatory Showdown

A war is brewing. The EU’s new MiCA law — set for January 2025 — demands stablecoin issuers get licensed to stay in the European market.

But Tether, the giant behind USDT, says “No thanks.”

They’re refusing to apply, which means USDT could vanish from EU exchanges by next year. That’s no small thing — USDT is the #1 stablecoin on the planet.
Its potential exit could send shockwaves through markets, and push users towards rivals like USDC.

This is regulators vs rebels, and your money’s caught in the crossfire.
Europe wants control. Crypto says not so fast.
Stay tuned — this battle could reshape stablecoins forever.

Cardano Levels Up With Brave Wallet

Big win for the Cardano crowd: ADA is now live in Brave Browser’s built-in wallet.
That’s 60 million users who can now store and spend Cardano right from their browser, just like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This isn’t just convenience — it’s exposure. More wallets, more users, more demand. And that can mean one thing: price action.

Pi Network’s $100M Bet on the Future

The mobile-mining darling Pi Network just made a power move — $100 million in grants to developers building new apps on its blockchain.

We’re talking games, DeFi tools, even NFTs — all powered by the Pi you’re already mining on your phone.

It’s like investing in the next big thing before it blows up.

And since mining Pi is still free, this could be your zero-risk entry into the crypto world.

Panama Eyes Bitcoin Reserves — Another Nation Going Full Crypto?

Panama’s mayor just linked up with El Salvador’s Bitcoin team — and he’s seriously considering creating a Bitcoin reserve for the city.

It’s like a national piggy bank, but filled with BTC instead of dollars.

If Panama moves forward, they’ll join El Salvador in treating Bitcoin as both a hedge and a statement:

Crypto is freedom.

This could trigger a domino effect — what country will be next?

U.S. Stablecoin Law Is (Finally) Coming

After years of hand-wringing, the U.S. Senate is ready to drop a stablecoin law that will set strict rules for digital dollar issuers like Circle (USDC).

First, the big update: after years of delays, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, or GENIUS Act, is expected to pass by the end of May 2025 — potentially this week! 

This bipartisan bill, backed by Senators like Bill Hagerty and Kirsten Gillibrand, is ready to bring clarity to the wild world of stablecoins.

So, what does it do? The GENIUS Act sets strict rules for stablecoin issuers. They’ll need to hold 1:1 cash reserves, get licensed by the OCC, and follow tough anti-money laundering laws.

Big Tech like Meta? Barred from issuing stablecoins unless they meet high standards.

The goal is to make stablecoins safer, transparent, and bank-like, opening the door for billions in institutional cash and mainstream use—like paying for coffee with USDC!

Now, why has this been so hard to pass? Stablecoins handle trillions in transactions, but they’ve been stuck in a legal gray zone. Democrats initially blocked the bill, worried about weak oversight, foreign issuers, and even ties to Trump’s crypto ventures. After intense negotiations, the bill was revised to tighten AML rules and clarify consumer protections, finally winning bipartisan support.

If this passes, crypto will never be the same. You might as well kiss your debit card goodbye.
That’s the week in crypto — hacks dodged, cards swiped, and nations stacking sats.

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