Iranians were able to access more than 1,500 Binance accounts last year, and $1.7 billion was transferred from two of them to terrorist proxies, The New York Times reported Monday.
Crypto
The Ultimate Cryptocurrency to Buy With $1,000 Today | The Motley Fool
Investors should keep it simple and consider the world’s premier digital asset.
Bitcoin‘s (BTC -0.79%) earliest investors, particularly those who have been able to hold on through the wild volatility, are probably rich beyond their wildest dreams. The monster gains have continued in recent times, with this top digital asset rising 594% just in the last five years, a much better gain than the Nasdaq Composite index.
Bitcoin is trading just 10% off its peak price, and I still believe it’s the ultimate cryptocurrency to buy with $1,000. Here are three reasons why.
Fixed supply cap
Perhaps Bitcoin’s defining characteristic is its fixed supply cap: There always will be only 21 million coins in circulation. This limit is etched into the Bitcoin source code, and unless the majority of nodes approve a change, it will stay this way. For what it’s worth, I don’t see the hard cap ever being altered because if it did change, it would undermine the value of the entire network.
Bitcoin’s fixed supply is precisely what makes it stand out, versus fiat (government-backed) currencies, such as the U.S. dollar. The Federal Reserve, our central bank, has immense power when it comes to controlling the money supply. Historically, the number of dollars in circulation has gone up astronomically.
This setup is what makes Bitcoin superior to the current monetary network. A constantly debasing currency is troubling enough and a situation in which your dollars lose value over time. But in the U.S., the world’s most powerful economy, the debt problem is becoming too hard to ignore. As of this writing, the country has $35 trillion in outstanding debt, a figure that will only expand due to ongoing fiscal deficits.
It’s anyone’s guess if Bitcoin will one day become the new global-reserve currency. However, you can see why a decentralized and digital monetary network with absolute scarcity has tremendous value. And this warrants making a small investment.
Powerful catalysts
What’s remarkable is that Bitcoin went from an obscure internet money for tech geeks to a legitimate mainstream financial asset. This has never been more obvious than when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January 2024.
The launch of these spot ETFs can also be viewed as a stamp of approval, one that shows that Bitcoin has arrived and should be taken seriously by leaders on Wall Street and in Washington.
Bitcoin is also becoming a popular political campaigning tool. For example, during the Bitcoin 2024 Conference, which is happening right now in Nashville, former President (and 2024 candidate) Donald Trump is the keynote speaker. It’s difficult to envision a winning president who doesn’t embrace Bitcoin, given that it may be able to attract voters.
Another recent catalyst was the April halving, which reduced Bitcoin’s new supply rate by half. This event happens about every four years and is exactly what enforces the crypto’s fixed supply cap of 21 million coins. Historically, its price has soared in the year-and-a-half after a halving has occurred.
Return potential
Businesses that sell products and services to customers generate revenue and profits. Bitcoin, of course, isn’t set up in the same way. That makes it hard to figure out what its value should be.
Bitcoin is often viewed as a digital version of gold. But I’ve argued before how this cryptocurrency is superior to the precious metal. Gold has a market value of $16 trillion, which is 12 times higher than Bitcoin’s $1.3 trillion. Over time, I don’t think it’s out of the question that the digital asset will match or even eclipse gold.
Therefore, even though Bitcoin has skyrocketed since its launch, it could still produce fantastic returns for investors who can buy and hold for the next 10 or 20 years. This makes it the ultimate cryptocurrency to buy with $1,000.
Neil Patel and his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Crypto
Debate Brews Over Crypto Kiosks As Lawmakers Consider Potential Ban
Lawmakers Consider Crypto ATM Ban as Scam Losses Rise — Including in Central Minnesota
Minnesota lawmakers are considering banning cryptocurrency kiosks as scam losses continue to rise across the state—including in Central Minnesota.
There are currently about 350 crypto kiosks operating statewide, located in places like gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. These machines allow users to deposit cash and convert it into cryptocurrency, which can then be sent electronically.
Law enforcement officials say scammers are increasingly directing victims to use these kiosks because once the money is sent, it is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to recover.
Police say scams often begin with a phone call, text, or online message. In many cases, scammers pose as government officials, tech support workers, or even romantic partners. Victims are eventually told to withdraw cash and deposit it into a crypto kiosk to “protect” their money or resolve a supposed emergency.
Central Minnesota has seen similar cases. Because St. Cloud serves as a regional hub for shopping and services, crypto kiosks are available locally, giving scammers access points to target area residents.
Some say kiosks also serve legitimate users
Despite the concerns, crypto kiosks do offer legitimate benefits. They allow people to purchase cryptocurrency quickly using cash, without needing a traditional bank account, credit card, or online exchange. Supporters say this can make cryptocurrency more accessible, especially for people who prefer cash transactions or have limited access to banking services.
Crypto kiosks can also be used to send money quickly, including international transfers, without relying on traditional wire services. Some users view them as a convenient way to invest in cryptocurrency or move money electronically without going through a bank.
Companies that operate the machines say the vast majority of transactions are legitimate and that kiosks include warnings about scams. They argue the focus should be on stopping scammers, not banning the machines entirely.
Lawmakers weighing next steps
Supporters of the proposed ban say removing the kiosks could help prevent fraud and protect vulnerable residents, particularly older adults. Law enforcement officials told lawmakers that crypto kiosk scams have resulted in significant financial losses statewide.
Minnesota passed regulations in 2024 requiring some safeguards, including limits on deposits for new users and refund requirements in certain fraud cases. But officials say scammers have continued to adapt.
The bill remains under consideration at the Capitol.
In the meantime, authorities urge Central Minnesota residents to be cautious. Officials emphasize that legitimate government agencies, law enforcement, and businesses will never ask someone to deposit cash into a cryptocurrency kiosk.
As cryptocurrency becomes more common, lawmakers are now weighing whether the risks to consumers outweigh the convenience and accessibility these machines provide.
10 (More) Hilariously Bad Google Reviews of Central MN Landmarks
Crypto
Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud: Bizman loses Rs 2.6 cr to crypto, investment fraud | Hyderabad News – The Times of India
Hyderabad: A 69-year-old businessman from Somajiguda lost 2.65 crore allegedly in a cryptocurrency and stock investment fraud. Based on his complaint, Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have registered a case.The complainant was first contacted by a fraudster posing as Ramya Krishnan on Aug 30, 2025 through Facebook. She persuaded the victim to invest in a cryptocurrency and stock trading platform, Polyus Finance PFP Gold, hosted at the domain pfpgoldfx.vip, promising high returns to finance his proposed resort and apparel ventures.Fraudsters provided the victim a contact number for daily communication and sent screenshots showing notional profits credited in his wallet in USDT cryptocurrency. To build trust, the fraudster even allowed the victim a token withdrawal of 4,300 on Sept 12, 2025.Encouraged, the victim transferred over 2.65 crore in 10 transactions between Sept 10 and Dec 39, 2025 to various current accounts provided by the accused.When he attempted to withdraw his ‘earnings’, the accused demanded an additional 15% conversion commission. After he refused, the website became inaccessible and calls to the fraudsters went unanswered.Realising that he was duped, the victim filed an online report on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) before approaching the Cyber Crime police on Feb 25.Based on his complaint, a case was registered under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act and Sections 111(2)(b) (Organised crime), 318(4) (Cheating), 319(2) (Cheating by personation), 336(3) (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 338 (Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.) and 340(2) (Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on Wednesday. Police were analysing financial transactions to identify and arrest the accused.
Crypto
Terror groups receive $1.7b. from Iran through Binance | The Jerusalem Post
That was a potential violation of global sanctions, the report said, citing company records and documents collected by internal investigators.
The cryptocurrency exchange site reportedly fired or suspended at least four employees cited in the internal investigation. The company blamed “violations of company protocol” relating to its clients’ data, the Times reported.
The report came days after The Jerusalem Post spoke with experts from blockchain intelligence platform NOMINIS.io about how the Iranian regime was evading Western sanctions through cryptocurrencies.
The regime maintains a steady income using cryptocurrency through oil sales to Russia and China, NOMINIS CEO Snir Levi said at the time.
Regarding the latest scandal, he told the Post this week: “The latest allegations about Binance come months after the lawsuit by the victims’ families of October 7 – the ongoing Balva [versus] Binance case.
The majority of the allegations can be easily confirmed by on-chain data. There are thousands of cases where money has been sent and received to and from wallets that have clear connections to Iran.”
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao is being sued by the families of American victims and hostages of the October 7 massacre. He has been accused of knowingly enabling Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to transfer more than $1b. through its platform, including more than $50 million after the October 7 massacre.
Zhao pleaded guilty to anti-money-laundering violations in connection with Binance in 2023. US President Donald Trump pardoned him last October.
“They say what he did was not even a crime,” Trump told reporters last October. “It wasn’t a crime. That he was persecuted by the Biden administration, and so I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people.”
Binance representative Rachel Conlan said the accounts linked to the $1.7b. in Iranian transactions have been removed and the relevant authorities were informed.
“Any suggestion that Binance knowingly allowed sanctionable activity to continue unchecked is incorrect and defamatory,” she said, despite Zhao’s earlier admission of anti-money-laundering violations.
More than half a dozen compliance officials have left Binance, including a sanctions manager and the leader of the enterprise compliance team, over the past few months, the Times reported.
“No investigator was dismissed for raising compliance concerns or for reporting potential sanctions issues,” Conlan said in a statement to The Guardian.
Democrat senator opens inquiry into cryptocurrency company
While Conlan insisted there was no wrongdoing, US Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) opened an inquiry into Binance on Tuesday, seeking records of the company’s dealings in Hong Kong , where funds have previously been transferred in a network against sanctions.
“Binance appears to have ignored warnings and recommendations to prevent Iranian money-laundering schemes on its cryptocurrency exchange,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter to Binance co-chief executive Richard Teng.
“According to documents obtained by the Times and the Journal, Binance was even warned that Hexa Whale was financing terrorist organizations such as the Yemeni Houthis, and internal investigators found cryptocurrency transfers to wallets associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and payments to crew members of Russia’s sanctions-evading shadow fleet of oil tankers,” he wrote.
“Instead of actually preventing illicit use, Binance has sought to evade accountability and influence the White House through lobbying and a financial partnership with World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the cryptocurrency firm owned by the sons of President Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff… This influence campaign has worked: In May 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it was dismissing a lawsuit against Binance for lying to regulators and mishandling funds, followed in October by the stunning Presidential pardon of founder Changpeng Zhao.”
“The scale of the newly revealed illicit transfers – uncaught until nearly $2 billion flowed to sanctioned entities – and the unexplained firing of internal investigators call into question Binance’s compliance with American sanctions and banking laws, and its 2023 agreement to resolve the previous federal investigation,” Blumenthal wrote.
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