Crypto
Bitcoin trader loses almost $70 million after sending crypto to wrong online account address
A cryptocurrency trader reportedly lost tens of millions of dollars in a so-called “address poisoning” scam.
Address poisoning scams are carried out by thieves who make spoof accounts of their victim’s online crypto “address,” which they use to send a small amount of currency to the victim in hopes that they will accidentally send money to the fake address later, according to Transak, a crypto trading platform.
Because blockchains are public, it’s easy for scammers to find people’s crypto addresses and send out spoof transactions to phish for victims.
CertiK, a blockchain security firm, confirmed it detected a transfer of $69.3 million worth of Bitcoin to an address “linked with address poisoning” in a post on X.
The victim’s crypto wallet now shows a total loss of around 97% of its assets on Coinbase. The account is now worth just more than $1.6 million.
Peckshield, another security firm, wrote on X that the scammers traded the stolen Bitcoin for 23,000 Ethereum and then transferred the funds. Ethereum is trading at $3,116 a coin, according to The Daily Hodl.
Trezor, another crypto trading platform, recommends double-checking every address before sending a transaction and never copying an address from transaction history when transferring funds to avoid address scams.
Sending a small test transaction before making a large transfer is also an effective method of verifying the address, the company says.
Cryptocurrency-related scams are on the rise, according to the FBI’s 2023 internet crime report. Crypto-related frauds cost investors $3.94 billion last year, the report says, making up more than three-quarters of the year’s investment scam losses.
One study showed that crypto “pig butchering” scams cost investors $75 million from 2020 to 2024. The fraud starts with criminals sending a wrong-number text that they use as a way to build trust with victims.
Then, they send small payments to them and lure them into making fake crypto investments, only cutting off contact once the victim has sent a large amount of money to the thief.
The scam’s name refers to fattening a pig up before the slaughter.
Most cryptocurrency scams involve scammers trying to get victims in unrelated scams to pay them in Bitcoin so that their crimes cannot be traced, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
The best way to spot a crypto scam is to never trust someone who will only accept payment in crypto or who is promising big profit returns on a fishy investment, the agency says.
“Investment scams are one of the top ways scammers trick you into buying cryptocurrency and sending it on to scammers,” the FTC says. “But scammers are also impersonating businesses, government agencies, and a love interest, among other tactics.”
Key Takeaways
- IHC executed a landmark $30 million transaction using the new DDSC token on ADI Chain.
- This milestone expands the UAE crypto market, following approvals for Mbank’s AE Coin and Zand’s AEDZ.
- Developers now plan to connect the Middle East with global markets via new DDSC digital trade corridors.
Major Institutional Transaction Executed
The Abu Dhabi-based global investment company, International Holding Company (IHC), has executed a $30 million (AED 110 million) transaction using a stablecoin backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dirham, marking the first major institutional use of the stablecoin since receiving regulatory approval. The transaction was carried out using the DDSC stablecoin on ADI Chain, an institutional Layer-2 blockchain developed by the ADI Foundation.
Officials said the multimillion-dollar transaction demonstrates the digital currency ecosystem’s operational readiness and ability to handle institutional volumes. DDSC was created through a partnership among IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding, with technological support from the ADI Foundation.
The Central Bank of the UAE’s approval of the DDSC stablecoin earlier this year is part of a broader regulatory push that has already seen multiple dirham-backed tokens clear licensing hurdles. As per one report, the first AED stablecoin to secure central bank approval was the AE Coin, issued by Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank). Additionally, Zand Bank recently obtained a license for AEDZ, distinguishing itself as the UAE’s first regulated, multi-chain AED-backed stablecoin designed to operate natively on public blockchains.
According to a media statement, the project aims to provide secure and regulated digital transactions for corporations and individuals while speeding up cross-border payments and trade settlements.
“This transaction demonstrates that the UAE’s digital infrastructure is live, resilient, and ready to support real institutional financial activity,” Syed Basar Shueb, chief executive officer of IHC, said in a statement. “Executing 110 million DDSC on ADI Chain is a clear signal that we are entering the next phase, where institutional-grade digital assets are not only viable, but operational at scale.”
Proponents of stablecoins argue they reduce the high costs, delays and complexities associated with traditional international banking systems, particularly in emerging markets.
Following the successful transaction, developers said they plan to expand institutional participation and establish new digital trade and payment corridors connecting the Middle East with global markets.
This week was a rollercoaster ride in the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs. From Michael Saylor and Kevin O’Leary sharing their insights on Bitcoin, to the surprising performance of XRP ETFs and SpaceX revealing its Bitcoin holdings ahead of its IPO. Not to forget, the popular NFT brand Pudgy Penguins is extending its partnership with Manchester City Soccer Club.
Let’s dive into the details.
Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin Perspective
Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy Inc., stated that Bitcoin would have been trading between $40,000 and $50,000 without his company’s involvement. MicroStrategy is the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, owning approximately 818,000 units. Saylor believes that even without his company, Bitcoin would have found success, but MicroStrategy’s involvement accelerated its price appreciation.
Read the full article here.
Kevin O’Leary’s Take On Bitcoin
Kevin O’Leary, the “Shark Tank” star, emphasized the need for a crypto bill to pass for Bitcoin and tokenization to move beyond the fringes for major institutional players. He believes that global compliance within the SEC through the passage of a bill will change everything. With the midterms approaching in November, O’Leary sees the present as the perfect opportunity to pass this bill.
Read the full article here.
XRP ETFs Vs Bitcoin ETFs
While Bitcoin ETFs saw a loss of $1.4 billion, XRP-linked funds attracted $42 million. This stark contrast in performance has left many wondering about the future of these cryptocurrencies. XRP held near $1.37, down 1% on the day.
Read the full article here.
SpaceX’s Bitcoin Holdings
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, revealed that it holds more than $1 billion in Bitcoin on its balance sheet. The company disclosed 18,712 BTC on hand as of March 31, recognized at a fair value of $1.29 billion. At current prices, this stash would be worth $1.45 billion.
Read the full article here.
Pudgy Penguins And Manchester City
The popular NFT brand Pudgy Penguins announced the extension of its collaboration with English soccer club Manchester City. This follows the successful launch of a limited-edition collectible and hoodie earlier this year. The brand promises to create exciting experiences at the intersection of physical and digital, bringing Pengu and Pudgy Penguins to City fans worldwide.
Read the full article here.
Binance In The Eye Of The Storm
Read the full article here.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock
Key Takeaways
- The Libra Trust got 71 apps and will next fund Argentine firms seeking to grow.
- To fight scam claims, Hayden Davis sent funds on Nov 22 to the trust, which will distribute grants by November.
- To restore market trust, the fund could next pay Viva La Libertad victims filing claims before Nov 22, 2025.
Libra Trust Set up to Empower Argentine Companies After the Token’s Demise
Over a year after the Viva La Libertad project, also known as the Libra token, faced its demise, leaving thousands of investors affected, the funds kept from token purchases seem to be, at last, fulfilling its original purpose.
Proceeds from Libra’s token sale, infamously promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei on social media, are now in the hands of the Libra Trust, which received the funds from alleged Libra creator Hayden Davis on November 22 as a defense strategy to disprove the scam allegations made against Davis in a lawsuit.
According to Argentine media, the trust, whose purpose is to bring these funds to Argentine companies seeking grants to support their growth, has already received 71 applications to access part of these funds.
In the next few days, the Trust will begin organizing these applications and running checks on their feasibility and origin before delivering any funds. While there are no set dates for this, the Trust indicated that the grants will start being delivered before November.
“The timing of the distributions will depend on the promptness with which funding applicants respond to the questions that will be sent in the coming days,” the Trust stated.
“Financing decisions will be made based on the needs of the selected applicants. The trust funds will be managed prudently to enable the financing of strong applications that merit support,” it revealed, without giving further details on how this support would be distributed.
Nonetheless, the trust also opened a path for Libra’s victims to apply for compensation, for Argentine nationals who filed claims regarding alleged losses arising from the investment in the Libra token before November 22, 2025.
Even so, there is no certainty in how many of these funds will be distributed.
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