Coin Bytes Archives - Timescrypto

Monero Rolls Out Client Update to Strengthen Security Against “Spy Nodes”

Monero, the well-known privacy-focused cryptocurrency, has rolled out a new client update to better protect users from so-called “spy nodes.” The move aims to protect against malicious participants on the network that try to track transactions and uncover user identities, threatening the anonymity that Monero is built on. The update brings improved features and protocols designed to make it much harder for these spy nodes to succeed, keeping transaction data and user identities secure. For the Monero team, protecting privacy isn’t just a feature is the foundation of the network. The latest update shows their commitment to staying ahead of potential threats, giving users confidence that they can continue transacting safely, privately, and anonymously within the Monero ecosystem.

State Street: Institutional Crypto Exposure Set to Double as Tokenization Gains Momentum

State Street says institutional investors are becoming increasingly confident about the future of crypto assets, with most expecting their crypto exposure to double within the next three years. More than half also believe that by 2030, between 10% and 24% of global investments will be tokenized, as blockchain technology transforms traditional finance. According to the bank, private equity and private fixed income assets are likely to be the first to move on-chain, since tokenization can make these traditionally illiquid investments more transparent and easier to trade. The findings highlight a clear trend: major financial players are no longer sitting on the side lines. They’re preparing for a world where blockchain and traditional finance work hand in hand.

Coinbase Lets NY Users Stake ETH and SOL After State Approval

Coinbase users in New York can now stake Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) directly on the platform, thanks to newly received state approval. Staking lets users lock up their crypto to help secure the network and earn passive rewards in return. The process makes it simple for New Yorkers to get involved in staking without dealing with complicated setups or third-party services. It also shows how Coinbase is expanding its offerings while staying fully compliant with local regulations. By enabling native staking, the platform gives users an easy, secure way to grow their crypto holdings and encourages broader adoption of Ethereum and Solana in one of the U.S.’s most regulated markets. It’s a win for convenience, security, and earning potential.

Citi Invests in Stablecoin Startup BVNK as Banks Expand Crypto Footprint

Citi has taken a step deeper into the crypto world by investing in BVNK, a startup building infrastructure for stablecoins. Stablecoins are digital currencies tied to traditional money and backed by real assets like bonds, with USDC and Tether (USDT) being the most well-known. BVNK’s technology acts like a global payments rail, making it easy for users to move money between fiat and cryptocurrency seamlessly. The partnership can aid individuals and businesses who can convert cash into stablecoins, and back again, quickly and securely. Citi’s investment shows how big banks are increasingly exploring ways to integrate digital assets into their services. As more financial institutions embrace stablecoins, tools like BVNK could become essential for bridging traditional finance with the fast-growing world of crypto.

DeFi Dev Corp, Superteam Japan Launch Japan’s First Solana Treasury Project

DeFi Development Corp has teamed up with Superteam Japan to launch the country’s first Solana-powered treasury project. The move marks a major step toward bringing blockchain innovation into Japan’s financial landscape. The project is designed to help local institutions and decentralized organizations (DAOs) manage their digital assets more efficiently using Solana’s fast and affordable network. Beyond simplifying fund management, it will also enable on-chain governance and transparent financial reporting. The partnership highlights Japan’s growing embrace of Web3 and decentralized finance, marking a crucial shift towards more open, tech-driven financial systems. By combining Superteam Japan’s local expertise with DeFi Development Corp’s blockchain know-how, the initiative aims to make Japan a key player in the expanding Solana ecosystem.

Indonesian International Schools Hit by Bomb Threats Demanding $30K in Bitcoin

Three international schools in Indonesia were thrown into panic after receiving bomb threats from an unknown sender who claimed to have planted explosives on school grounds. The schools reportedly received the same broadcast message via WhatsApp, demanding a ransom of $30,000 in Bitcoin. Local media said the message came from a phone number starting with the +234 country code, suggesting it may have originated from Nigeria. Written in English, the note threatened to detonate the supposed bombs if the payment wasn’t made. Authorities are investigating the source of the messages and have increased security at the affected schools. So far, no explosives have been found, but the threats have sparked concern among students, parents, and school staff across the region.

Dubai’s VARA Imposes Fines on 19 Unlicensed Crypto Firms

In a sign of stepped-up enforcement in one of the key regional centres for the crypto sector, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has fined 19 companies for operating without licenses and violating marketing laws. In accordance with the gravity and extent of the infractions, VARA issued cease-and-desist orders and fines ranging from AED 100,000 to AED 600,000 (about $27,000 to $163,000), the agency said in a statement on Tuesday. According to the regulator, its enforcement division is still actively seeking out and looking into unlicensed activity. The identities of the companies that were fined or any particular infractions other than unauthorised operations and marketing offences were not made public by VARA.

BNB Chain DEX Volume Hits $6B as PancakeSwap Dominates Market

On October 7, BNB Chain saw a huge spike in activity on its decentralized exchanges, with total trading hitting $6.051 billion. The milestone marks the second-highest daily volume of the year, according to DeFiLlama. The surge was largely driven by a wave of on-chain memecoins capturing traders’ attention. At the forefront was PancakeSwap, the biggest DEX on BNB Chain, which handled nearly $4.29 billion of the total volume in just 24 hours. The numbers show just how powerful memecoins can be in driving short-term excitement and trading frenzy across the network. PancakeSwap’s dominance also highlights its role as the go-to platform for BNB Chain users.

Bit Digital Holds $500M in ETH, With 82% Staked Earning 3.37% Yield

Nasdaq-listed Bit Digital, Inc. has revealed that as of September 30, it held 122,187 ETH, worth more than $500 million. Impressively, about 82% of that or roughly 99,936 ETH, is staked, earning the company steady passive income. During the staking period, Bit Digital generated 291 ETH in rewards, which translates to an annualized yield of around 3.37%. Staking, which involves locking up tokens to help secure the Ethereum network, has become a popular way for institutions to earn yield while holding long-term positions. Bit Digital’s move underscores its growing confidence in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model and its strategy to make crypto holdings more productive. For investors, it’s another sign that traditional firms are getting smarter about maximizing their digital assets.

$BNB Overtakes $XRP

In a surprising turn of events, BNB has surpassed XRP to become the third largest crypto worldwide. BNB’s 5% increase to a new all-time high above $1,280 was fuelled by the BNB Chain’s booming activity and indications of increased institutional demand. Overtaking Solana, the BNB Chain announced a record 58 million monthly active addresses. The decentralised exchange Aster was the main driver of the increase, seeing its total value locked leap more than 500% to $2.4 billion. The price change builds on general optimism across cryptocurrency markets, with BNB beating the market, and co-occurs with a collaboration between BNB Chain and Chainlink to put official US economic data on-chain.

MANTRA’s Future, Products, and Plans After the OM Crash | Interview with Ekin Gultepe