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
Cryptocurrency Price Today: Bitcoin Touches $64,000 For The First Time Since November 2021
Bitcoin (BTC), the oldest and most valued cryptocurrency in the world, briefly touched the $64,000 mark for the first time since November 2021, before settling down at around $62,500 early Thursday. The excitement among investors around BTC exchange-traded funds (ETF), which saw a daily trading volume of over $7.7 billion, is driving the latest rally. Other top coins, including the likes of — Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and Litecoin (LTC) — saw notable gains across the board. Memecoin BONK emerged to be the biggest gainer of the lot, with a 24-hour jump of over 56 percent. Bitget Token (BGB) became the biggest loser, with a 24-hour dip of nearly 6 percent.
The global crypto market cap stood at $2.29 trillion at the time of writing, registering a 24-hour gain of 6.42 percent.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Today
Bitcoin price stood at $62,538.10, registering a 24-hour gain of 9.37 percent, as per CoinMarketCap. According to Indian exchange WazirX, BTC price stood at Rs 54 lakh.
Ethereum (ETH) Price Today
ETH price stood at $3,268.95 marking a 24-hour gain of 1.20 percent at the time of writing. As per WazirX, Ethereum price in India stood at Rs 2.99 lakh.
Dogecoin (DOGE) Price Today
DOGE registered a 24-hour jump of 5.41 percent, as per CoinMarketCap data, currently priced at $0.09517. As per WazirX, Dogecoin price in India stood at Rs 10.99.
Litecoin (LTC) Price Today
Litecoin saw a 24-hour dip of 0.83 percent. At the time of writing, it was trading at $74.32. LTC price in India stood at Rs 6,999,79.
Ripple (XRP) Price Today
XRP price stood at $0.5816, seeing a 24-hour jump of 4.61 percent. As per WazirX, Ripple price stood at Rs 51.
Solana (SOL) Price Today
Solana price stood at $122.69, marking a 24-hour dip of 1.05 percent. As per WazirX, SOL price in India stood at Rs 9,991.
Top Crypto Gainers Today (February 29)
As per CoinMarketCap data, here are the top five crypto gainers over the past 24 hours:
Bonk (BONK)
Price: $0.00002142
24-hour gain: 56.47 percent
JasmyCoin (JASMY)
Price: $0.02259
24-hour gain: 38.69 percent
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Price: $0.1253
24-hour gain: 31.29 percent
Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Price: $0.00001325
24-hour gain: 22.18 percent
Aptos (APT)
Price: $12.32
24-hour gain: 22.14 percent
Top Crypto Losers Today (February 29)
As per CoinMarketCap data, here are the top five crypto losers over the past 24 hours:
Bitget Token (BGB)
Price: $0.9495
24-hour loss: 5.35 percent
ApeCoin (APE)
Price: $1.90
24-hour loss: 4.87 percent
Pyth Network (PYTH)
Price: $0.6594
24-hour loss: 4.83 percent
Dymension (DYM)
Price: $6.04
24-hour loss: 4.36 percent
Theta Network (THETA)
Price: $1.90
24-hour loss: 4.25 percent
What Crypto Exchanges Are Saying About Current Market Scenario
Mudrex co-founder and CEO Edul Patel told ABP Live, “Bitcoin climbed above the $63,000 level in the past 24 hours gaining 7%. This surge is attributed to the ten spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US registering a new daily record by surpassing the $7.7 billion trading volume as retail investors jump on crypto rally. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF traded $3.3 billion on Wednesday, twice as much as its previous volume record. Bitcoin surged over 50% on a year-to-date surpassing the $60,000 threshold level for the first time since Nov 2021. Currently, Bitcoin is trading at the $61,000 level and is eyeing $65,000. If this momentum continues, it is likely that Bitcoin will beat its previous all-time high soon.”
CoinSwitch Markets Desk noted, “In the last 24 hours, unprecedented volumes were seen in Bitcoin spot ETFs with a total of $7.5 billion being traded, doubling the previous record as BTC hit an all-time high in the Indian markets. Bitcoin is now up by more than 44% in February which is the highest monthly move since December 2020. All Indian investors who had previously invested in Bitcoin are now in a profitable position with the market sentiment slowly moving towards the ‘extreme greed’ category. A glimpse of what might happen if you are too late was visible yesterday. After BTC reached $64k, there was a sudden dip due to sudden profit booking and BTC’s price fell below $59k within minutes, causing close to $200 million worth of liquidations within just one hour. Simultaneously, the world’s largest fiat-based exchange Coinbase went down for a bit.”
Rajagopal Menon, Vice President, WazirX, said, “Bitcoin’s volatile ride saw a sudden 7% plunge from its $64,000 peak, causing chaos for leveraged traders. After briefly soaring above $60,000 for the first time since November 2021, BTC dropped to $59,400, rebounding to $61,587. The major cryptos, including ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, DOGE, and AVAX, also faced 4% to 9% declines within an hour. The market turmoil led to $700 million in liquidations, marking the most significant wipe-out since last August. Despite the crypto carnage, spot bitcoin ETFs, notably BlackRock’s IBIT, experienced record-breaking volumes, reaching $3.3 billion.”
Sathvik Vishwanath, CEO and co-founder of Unocoin, said, “Bitcoin’s bullish trajectory extends to its performance against the Indian Rupee (INR), with key resistance levels identified at $61,544, $64,848, and $68,242, mirroring its USD counterpart. Notably, the INR’s previous ATH is also surpassed, indicating broader market strength. Support levels at $54,425, $52,597, and $47,572 offer stability against pullbacks, while the RSI at 85 suggests heightened buying pressure, warranting caution for potential corrections. The formation of the “three white soldiers” candlestick pattern and the INR’s upward trendline support reinforce bullish sentiment, augmented by the 50-day EMA at $47,818. Breaking resistance at $61,500 could signal continued bullish momentum, emphasizing careful monitoring amid potential fluctuations despite overall positive market sentiment.”
Shivam Thakral, CEO of BuyUcoin, said, “Bitcoin has gained more than 10% in a day, briefly touching $64,000 for the first time since November 2021. The cryptocurrency price is one step closer to its all-time high as Bitcoin ETFs broke their trading volume record with a huge day at $7.69 billion. Blackrock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, IBIT, broke its own trading volume records at $3.3 billion. Ethereum hasn’t matched the pace of Bitcoin but is steadily rallying, crossing $3,400. It may be possible to see a new all-time high in Bitcoin before halving this year.”
CoinDCX Research Team told ABP Live, “BTC surged to $64,000, nearing its all-time high, while ETH reached $3,400, marking new highs for the year. This rally is driven by historical trends before halving events, strong inflows into BTC spot ETFs, and support from major institutions. Following its ascent to $64,000, BTC experienced a rapid drop to $59,000, triggering high-leverage liquidations on both sides. It has since stabilized above $61,500. This volatile movement led to liquidations in altcoins as well. BTC’s stability is crucial for altcoins to regain momentum. The next key levels for BTC are $65,000-$66,000, followed by its all-time high at $69,000. Despite attempting to breach the $3,500 level, ETH underperformed BTC as the ETH/BTC pair weakened. Currently, ETH is holding slightly above $3,400.”
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Disclaimer: Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions. Cryptocurrency is not a legal tender and is subject to market risks. Readers are advised to seek expert advice and read offer document(s) along with related important literature on the subject carefully before making any kind of investment whatsoever. Cryptocurrency market predictions are speculative and any investment made shall be at the sole cost and risk of the readers.
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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