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
Pi Network cryptocurrency crashes 55%: Pi Coin price falls below $1.5 as KYC deadline looms—Can Binance listing help?
At the time of writing, Pi Coin trades at $1.41, a modest 1.6% rise in 24 hours. However, volumes have dropped by nearly half to $379.1 million. Its market capitalisation stands at $10.18 billion, but with prices still down 53% from its peak of $2.98 on 26 February, investors are on edge.
March 14: The Make-or-Break Deadline
Adding to the uncertainty is Pi Network’s KYC and migration deadline on 14 March 2025—its sixth anniversary. The project has extended this grace period multiple times to allow as many users as possible to verify their balances. However, this is the final chance for Pi holders to complete the required steps before forfeiting their mobile balances.
Pi Network has long marketed itself as a community-driven digital currency, aiming for widespread adoption. However, delays and unclear timelines have cast a shadow over its long-term viability. The upcoming deadline could be a turning point for the project—either bolstering confidence or sparking mass sell-offs.
Binance Listing: The Big Question Mark
A potential Binance listing has been the biggest talking point in the Pi Coin community. According to a recent Binance survey, an overwhelming 86% of users voted in favour of listing Pi. Despite this, Binance has yet to make an official statement, keeping the market in suspense.
A Binance Crypto PM noted on the platform, “PI has already secured listings on multiple CEXs, but Binance has kept the community waiting.” The note further highlighted that Pi has been on a downward trend, falling 20% to around $1.40 in the past week. However, the analyst added, “A Binance listing could be the game-changer needed to push its price back to $3—or even higher.”Another Binance user, PortableDetective07, pointed out that price predictions for Pi Coin remain uncertain. While some analysts believe it could stabilise between $2-$5, others are more bullish, predicting a surge to $30-$70 by the end of the year—assuming major exchange listings and mass adoption. However, the massive volume of mined Pi coins could also send prices tumbling below $1 if selling pressure outweighs demand.
The Wider Crypto Market: Bitcoin and the Trump Factor
Pi Coin’s price drop coincided with a 10.46% decline in the overall crypto market. This came despite the announcement of the US Crypto Reserve, established by former President Donald Trump. According to CoinSwitch Market Desk, the market’s reaction was negative, as investors had expected the US government to inject fresh capital into cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin has also felt the heat, slipping amid uncertainty surrounding the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve order and ongoing tariff disputes. While long-term projections remain optimistic, the near-term outlook remains shaky, with traders bracing for further fluctuations.
Pi Network’s Future: Where Does It Go from Here?
Pi Network’s success so far has hinged on its unique mobile mining model, allowing users to earn tokens without expensive hardware. This accessibility has drawn millions of users, creating a vast community eager to see Pi Coin succeed. However, the project’s repeated delays in launching a fully functional mainnet have raised concerns.
According to Fortune India, if Pi Network becomes a widely accepted digital currency with real-world use cases, its price could exceed $500 by 2030. Some experts predict that if Pi surpasses $1.90 with strong volume, it could trigger a rally towards $10. However, failure to break past this level could result in further declines, with analysts warning that support above $1.74 is crucial for a bullish breakout.
The Rise of Lightchain AI: A New Challenger?
As Pi Network grapples with uncertainty, investors are looking for the next big opportunity. One project gaining traction is Lightchain AI, which merges blockchain with artificial intelligence to create a decentralised ecosystem with real-world applications.
Lightchain AI has already raised over $17 million in its presale, attracting significant investor interest. Its ability to process AI computations on-chain sets it apart from traditional cryptocurrencies, offering a scalable and efficient ecosystem for developers and businesses. With AI adoption accelerating, blockchain projects integrating intelligent automation are gaining momentum.
Could Lightchain AI Replicate Pi’s Success?
Pi Network’s rapid rise demonstrated the power of early investment in crypto. Early adopters benefited from its growing popularity, even as the project faced delays. Lightchain AI now presents a similar opportunity—an innovative, early-stage blockchain project with massive growth potential.
Investors eyeing Lightchain AI should research its roadmap and vision. With its advanced AI integration and growing recognition, some believe it could surpass Pi’s success. However, as with any emerging project, risks remain. Strategic early entry and long-term holding could be key to maximising potential returns.
Pi Coin remains one of the most talked-about cryptocurrencies, but uncertainty looms large. Will a Binance listing spark a rally? Will the March 14 deadline trigger a sell-off or renewed confidence? Meanwhile, Lightchain AI is making waves, offering an alternative investment opportunity with AI-powered blockchain solutions.
The crypto market is evolving rapidly, and while speculation drives short-term price movements, long-term success depends on real-world adoption. As investors weigh their options, one thing is clear: the search for the next big crypto success story is far from over.
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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