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Crypto star BitBoy who claimed to be worth $40M saw his life implode after he created currency named after HIMSELF and cheated on wife with quadruple divorcee

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Crypto star BitBoy who claimed to be worth M saw his life implode after he created currency named after HIMSELF and cheated on wife with quadruple divorcee

A cryptocurrency YouTuber who once claimed his business was worth $40 million during the digital currency boom 2021, has seen his empire collapse and his wife leave him. 

Ben Armstrong, 41, who went by the online handle BitBoy, has since lost his production company, most of his friends and his wife has filed for divorce. 

His downfall came just six years after he got into cryptocurrency as an amateur, quickly becoming a big name by posting YouTube videos where he’d share advice with the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency community. 

The downfall began in August when his friends and business partners ousted him from his company HIT Network after he created a cryptocurrency named in his honor – BEN coin. 

Previously, the former graphic designer and car wash owner had claimed to be worth a cool eight figure amount, although that cash belonged to an investment firm set up in his name.  

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Since then he has been accused of extortion, theft, sexual harassment and workplace violence, the New York Times reported. 

After learning of his affair with a four-time divorcee, his wife filed for divorce and has hired a forensic accountant. 

His wife Bethany Armstrong filed for divorce in October, just months after the couple posted a video stating that they would be working through the crisis together

Known for wearing a green Gucci suit and driving a Lamborghini, Armstrong lost the sportscar in a bizarre signing over of the deed with one of his former fans and an investor of his BEN cryptocurrency

Known for wearing a green Gucci suit and driving a Lamborghini, Armstrong lost the sportscar in a bizarre signing over of the deed with one of his former fans and an investor of his BEN cryptocurrency

Armstrong lost much of his fanbase after coming up with his own cryptocurrency called BEN coin, whose logo is pictured

Armstrong lost much of his fanbase after coming up with his own cryptocurrency called BEN coin, whose logo is pictured 

‘Ben lost track of the person he used to be,’ T.J. Shedd, his former business partner, who was part of the ousting and is suing him, said in a statement. 

He caused enormous damage to both his professional and personal relationships.’ 

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Shedd filed a lawsuit against Armstrong for ‘unlawfully directing and diverting’ as much as $50,000 a month to Cassandra Wolfe, with whom he was having an affair.

The lawsuit opened the floodgates and Armstrong has now been accused of abusing steroids, inappropriate violent behavior at the office, from sexual harassment to ‘throwing filled bottles of protein shake’ at staff.

Three male employees at HIT Network have also accused him of touching them sexually, according to police reports reviewed by The New York Times. 

His wife Bethany Armstrong filed for divorce in October, just months after the couple posted a video stating that they would be working through the crisis together. 

Bethany could be seen looking supportive next to her love rat husband as he spoke about himself and his failings at length.

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He said: ‘Obviously a lot of people know at this point and if you don’t you’re gonna know now I had an affair. 

‘I did and I know that I have a family brand…and it went on for a while and you know the other person is not a bad person. I want to say that I take full responsibility for all of this.’

But Armstrong subsequently showed no loyalty to the mother of his three children, saying: ‘I like her better than my wife,’ of his glamorous mistress.

‘Not to be too crass, but we have a really, really great relationship.’ 

Armstrong has been accused of 'unlawfully directing and diverting' as much as $50,000 a month to Cassandra Wolfe, with whom he was having an affair

Armstrong has been accused of ‘unlawfully directing and diverting’ as much as $50,000 a month to Cassandra Wolfe, with whom he was having an affair

Armstrong is pictured in Las Vegas with Wolfe last fall, when he claimed the pair had just won a Tesla Cybertruck

Armstrong is pictured in Las Vegas with Wolfe last fall, when he claimed the pair had just won a Tesla Cybertruck

Just last year Armstrong signed a contract worth $1 million a month with the gambling company Stake

Just last year Armstrong signed a contract worth $1 million a month with the gambling company Stake

Wolfe herself has already been married and divorced four times, before meeting Armstrong at a crypto conference in 2022, where he was promoting his own cryptocurrency, BEN, named after himself.   

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Known for wearing a green Gucci suit and driving a Lamborghini, Armstrong lost the sportscar in a bizarre signing over of the deed with one of his former fans and an investor of his BEN cryptocurrency.  

The transaction was subject to a lawsuit, in which Armstrong claimed he was extorted.

A judge ruled in favor of the new owner, after Armstrong was not able to confirm whether payment for the car had been made out of his personal funds or a business account.

‘The judge is corrupt, there’s no win ever for me,’ he shouted, before storming out of court.  

Armstrong has claimed in recent social media posts to have become the victim of a ‘criminal conspiracy’ and ‘terrorists’ who took over his YouTube channel, which once had more than 1 million subscribers. 
Just last year Armstrong signed a contract worth $1 million a month with the gambling company Stake, which lets users wager crypto in casino-style games.

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Now, he says, ‘I’m going through a midlife crisis, a spiritual crisis.’ 

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ADI Foundation and Settlemint Launch ADGM Tokenization Rail for $30.9B RWAs

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ADI Foundation and Settlemint Launch ADGM Tokenization Rail for .9B RWAs

Integrated Infrastructure for Institutional Adoption

ADI Foundation and Settlemint announced a partnership on May 13 to launch a new digital securities infrastructure on the ADI Chain, aiming to streamline the tokenization of assets within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) regulatory framework.

The collaboration integrates ADI Foundation’s compliance-ready Layer-2 blockchain with Settlemint’s digital asset lifecycle platform (DALP). The combined system is designed to handle the entire lifespan of a digital security, from initial token creation and on-chain recording to post-trade servicing and management.

The move addresses a primary hurdle for institutional investors: the difficulty of coordinating issuance, trading, settlement, and custody across fragmented jurisdictions. By providing an integrated architecture, the partners aim to offer a unified pathway for institutions to move traditional assets onto the blockchain.

“The future of investment and trading will not only be digitized, but also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Andrey Lazorenko, CEO of ADI Foundation. “Our partnership brings together market infrastructure, institutional-grade blockchain, and a digital asset lifecycle platform to tokenize equities and trade them on secondary platforms.”

According to a media statement, the platform utilizes Settlemint’s implementation of the ERC-3643 standard—a protocol specifically designed for security tokens to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. While the partnership is initially focusing on equity tokenization, the infrastructure is built to support a variety of other tokenized securities and financial instruments, pending regulatory approval.

The announcement comes as institutional interest in real-world assets ( RWAs) on-chain continues to accelerate. According to data from RWA.xyz, tokenized RWAs currently represent approximately $30.92 billion in on-chain value, with tokenized U.S. Treasuries accounting for roughly $15.20 billion of that total. Market analysts expect this trend to scale significantly. A 2026 analysis by BCG suggests the digital asset market could surge from $0.6 trillion in 2025 to $18.9 trillion by 2033.

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Matthew Van Niekerk, co-founder and president of Settlemint, characterized the partnership as a “blueprint” for the broader financial industry.

“This partnership proves that regulated, multi-asset tokenization at national scale on public blockchains is not just feasible, but live,” Van Niekerk said. He added that the infrastructure is intended to be a model that central securities depositories (CSDs), exchanges, and clearing houses can adopt to integrate digital assets into existing operations.

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BlackRock COO: Cryptocurrency Demand Surpasses Firm’s Expectations, Signaling a Shift in Value

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BlackRock COO: Cryptocurrency Demand Surpasses Firm’s Expectations, Signaling a Shift in Value

BlackRock Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldstein revealed that demand for cryptocurrency has significantly exceeded the firm’s initial projections, marking a notable shift in institutional sentiment toward digital assets. Speaking during a Binance online stream, Goldstein addressed the market’s reception of BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), IBIT, and outlined the asset manager’s broader strategic outlook on blockchain-based finance.

Demand Driven by Value Proposition, Not Speculation

Goldstein emphasized that the global demand for IBIT was stronger than anticipated, describing the interest not as fleeting speculative enthusiasm but as a recognition of a new value proposition rooted in emerging technology. He noted that investors are increasingly viewing cryptocurrency as a distinct asset class with potential for long-term portfolio diversification, rather than a short-term trading vehicle. This perspective aligns with BlackRock’s broader push to integrate digital assets into traditional investment frameworks.

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Tokenization and the Future of Capital Markets

Goldstein predicted that the tokenization of capital market instruments remains in its early stages, with future growth expected to be measured in multiples rather than incremental percentages. He argued that blockchain infrastructure could fundamentally reshape how assets are issued, traded, and settled, reducing friction and increasing transparency. This view is consistent with growing industry interest in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, a trend that major financial institutions are beginning to explore.

AI Agents and Digital Rail Transactions

In a forward-looking comment, Goldstein suggested that artificial intelligence agents will eventually conduct transactions directly via digital rails, or blockchain infrastructure, rather than logging into traditional bank accounts. This vision points to a future where automated systems interact with decentralized finance protocols, potentially streamlining operations across supply chains, payments, and asset management. While still conceptual, the statement underscores BlackRock’s attention to the convergence of AI and blockchain technologies.

The Education Gap Remains a Key Obstacle

Goldstein identified the primary barrier to broader adoption as a lack of investor education regarding the technical aspects of virtual assets and efficient portfolio allocation. Many institutional and retail investors remain uncertain about how to evaluate cryptocurrencies, assess risks, and integrate them into existing investment strategies. BlackRock’s emphasis on education suggests that the firm sees informed participation as critical to sustainable market growth.

Conclusion

BlackRock’s acknowledgment that cryptocurrency demand has exceeded expectations carries significant weight, given the firm’s status as the world’s largest asset manager with over $10 trillion in assets under management. Goldstein’s comments reflect a maturing institutional perspective that views digital assets not as a passing trend but as a structural evolution in finance. For investors, the key takeaway is that major financial players are moving beyond skepticism and actively building infrastructure for a tokenized future, even as educational gaps persist.

FAQs

Q1: What did BlackRock’s COO say about cryptocurrency demand?
Rob Goldstein stated that demand for cryptocurrency, particularly through BlackRock’s IBIT Bitcoin ETF, has exceeded the firm’s expectations, driven by a recognition of its value as an emerging technology rather than mere speculation.

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Q2: What is BlackRock’s view on tokenization?
Goldstein described tokenization of capital market tools as still in its infancy, with future growth expected to be exponential. He believes blockchain infrastructure will play a key role in transforming how assets are managed and traded.

Q3: What is the biggest obstacle to cryptocurrency adoption according to BlackRock?
The main challenge is a lack of investor education on the technical aspects of virtual assets and how to allocate them effectively within a portfolio, according to Goldstein.

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MEXC Commits to 1,000 BTC Purchase as Guardian Fund Targets $500M Expansion

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MEXC Commits to 1,000 BTC Purchase as Guardian Fund Targets 0M Expansion

Key Takeaways

BTC and USDT to Serve as Dual Reserve System for Market Stability

Crypto exchange MEXC is deepening its focus on reserve strength and user protection, announcing plans to expand its Guardian Fund fivefold to $500 million and acquire 1,000 bitcoin as part of a broader risk management strategy.

The exchange said the initiative will be rolled out over the next two years and is designed to create a dual-reserve structure combining liquid stablecoin holdings with long-term BTC reserves. The framework is intended to bolster platform stability and improve resilience during periods of market stress.

The announcement comes as MEXC continues to attract new capital and users. According to data from Defillama, the exchange recorded $271.6 million in net inflows over the past month through May 11, reflecting increased trading activity and participation across global markets.

Under the revised structure, the Guardian Fund will continue to hold significant USDT reserves to ensure immediate liquidity and operational flexibility. The addition of bitcoin is intended to provide a longer-term store of value capable of preserving purchasing power across market cycles.

Transparency Remains Key for MEXC

MEXC said the strategy is part of a disciplined reserve management approach rather than a reaction to short-term volatility. The company framed the expansion as an effort to build infrastructure comparable to institutional-grade financial safeguards increasingly expected in the digital asset industry.

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“Trust has to be capitalized, not just claimed. The expansion of the Guardian Fund and the addition of bitcoin reserves reflect our commitment to building protection infrastructure that helps users access infinite opportunities with greater confidence,” CEO Vugar Usi said in a statement.

The exchange also emphasized transparency. Wallet addresses tied to the Guardian Fund’s USDT and bitcoin holdings have been disclosed publicly, allowing users to verify reserve balances on-chain in real time. The move highlights a broader trend among large trading platforms seeking to differentiate themselves through stronger balance sheets and more visible proof-of-reserves mechanisms.

For MEXC, the Guardian Fund expansion forms part of a wider push to position itself as a global platform capable of supporting long-term growth. The company said the initiative aligns with its broader strategy of improving transparency, strengthening risk management, and protecting users during periods of heightened market uncertainty.

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