This week in the cryptocurrency world has been eventful, marked by significant incidents, regulatory updates, and advancements in blockchain technology. Highlights include a massive security breach at WazirX, Terra setting a crucial bankruptcy claims deadline, OKX establishing its EU operations hub in Malta, Floki Inu achieving a major milestone, and 1inch releasing a key wallet update. Let’s dive into the details below for a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the crypto space.
$230M in Crypto Assets Stolen from Indian Exchange WazirX’s Wallet
This week, the crypto industry witnessed a shocking hacking incident. Over $230 million in assets were illicitly transferred from WazirX’s wallet to the wallet “0x04b2,” causing widespread concern within the cryptocurrency community. The stolen assets include 5.43 trillion SHIB tokens ($102 million), 15,298 Ethereum (ETH) coins ($52.5 million), 20.5 million MATIC tokens ($11.24 million), 640.27 billion PEPE tokens ($7.6 million), 5.79 million USDT ($5.79 million), and 135 million GALA tokens ($3.5 million). These assets represent a significant portion of WazirX’s funds, one of India’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.
The hacker has been actively dumping the stolen tokens on the market, raising concerns about potential market impacts and devaluation of the affected cryptocurrencies. He has also converted some of the assets into ETH. This incident highlights significant security vulnerabilities at WazirX. The exchange is expected to take immediate action to mitigate the damage and enhance its security protocols. The ongoing sale of stolen assets is likely to cause further market volatility, with the community closely monitoring the situation.
Terra Announces August 9 as Deadline for Bankruptcy Claims
Terra, a blockchain protocol dealing with algorithmic stablecoins, has announced August 9 as the deadline for submitting bankruptcy claims for Terraform Labs Limited and Terraform Labs Pte Ltd. In an official X post, Terra clarified that claims against Terraform Labs Pte Ltd must be submitted for issues arising before January 21, and those against Terraform Labs Limited for issues before July 1.
Missing this deadline could result in exclusion from the bankruptcy proceedings, except for specific crypto claims, which will have a separate deadline. Terra advises claimants to review the claims procedure information and ensure proper submission by the deadline. The platform will notify claimants accordingly.
OKX Selects Malta for EU Crypto Operations
OKX, one of the leading crypto exchanges, has selected Malta as its strategic hub to comply with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. This announcement was made on 18th of this month. Malta’s high regulatory standards and OKX’s existing presence, operating under a Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Class 4 license since 2021, make it an ideal choice. This move aligns with OKX’s commitment to stringent EU regulations and prepares the company for the upcoming MiCA standards.
OKX aims to harmonize its operations across the EU’s 27 member states, enhancing services such as spot trading and staking for European users. Transactions in Euros and USDC will be facilitated through Okcoin Europe Ltd. The seamless transition to MiCA standards reflects OKX’s proactive strategy to strengthen its European market presence and build trust among customers.
$FLOKI Enjoys Success as it becomes World’s Largest ‘Play to Earn’ Cryptocurrency
This week proved an ideal week for the Floki Inu memecoin. Floki Inu ($FLOKI) has officially become the world’s largest ‘Play to Earn’ cryptocurrency, surpassing competitors like $AXS, $SAND, $MANA, and $GALA, as confirmed by CoinMarketCap.
The rise of $FLOKI comes ahead of the launch of Valhalla, Floki’s NFT metaverse game, set to debut on the mainnet later this year. This milestone positions Floki for significant impact in the Play to Earn (P2E) landscape. Floki’s success and the upcoming game launch mark a new era in blockchain gaming, inviting the community to shape the future of this innovative sector.
1inch Releases Wallet Update v1.26 with Enhanced Interface and Scam Protection
The last news featured in our weekly review is about 1inch. 1inch has launched version 1.26 of its Android wallet, featuring a refined user interface and improved security measures. The updated wallet offers a streamlined Swap interface, making cryptocurrency trading more intuitive and efficient for both novice and experienced traders.
A major highlight is the Enhanced Scam Protection, designed to safeguard users from phishing attacks and other crypto-related frauds with advanced alerts and checks. General improvements and bug fixes ensure a stable and reliable user experience across Android devices.
This week’s developments in the cryptocurrency space highlight both the risks and the advancements within the industry. From the significant security breach at WazirX to regulatory preparations by Terra and OKX, and the remarkable milestones achieved by Floki Inu and 1inch, it’s clear that the crypto world is rapidly evolving. As we move forward, these events underscore the importance of robust security measures and regulatory compliance, while also showcasing the potential for innovation and growth in the blockchain sector. Stay tuned for more updates and continue to navigate the crypto landscape with caution and optimism.
