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180,000,000 ADA in Massive Buying Spree, Price Up 9%

by admin August 23, 2025

After multiple days of mimicking the broader crypto market downtrend, Cardano has suddenly flipped to the gainers’ side on August 22nd.

This positive trend witnessed today appears to have been spurred by the massive Cardano whale activity recorded over the last two days, according to data shared by popular crypto analyst Ali Martinez.

According to Ali, Cardano whales have scooped up 180,000,000 ADA in the last 24 hours, a bullish move signaling resilience among large investors despite the recurring market bloodbath.

$167 million in ADA in 2 Days

While the market had only flipped positive today with Cardano seeing a sudden shift in investors’ sentiments, the data suggests that the whales had doubled down on ADA while it was on the downside.

Per ADA’s price as of press time, the total ADA tokens scooped by Cardano whales over the last 2 days is worth over $167 million, signaling renewed confidence among investors.

While whales play the role of large investors who own a significant amount of the concerned cryptocurrency, the sustained interest by the large holders despite negative trends hints at a decisive attempt to buy the dip on Cardano.

Following the massive price surge witnessed today, ADA touched a notable low of $0.82 on August 22nd and surged massively by over 9% a few hours after then. As such, the tenth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization has hit an intraday high of $0.93 on the same day.

IRS Crypto Head Trish Turner Resigns From The Agency

by admin August 23, 2025

Trish Turner has resigned as head of the United States Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) digital assets division after roughly three months in the role.

“After more than 20 years with the IRS, I have closed an extraordinary chapter of my career with deep appreciation for those who shaped my journey and made the work so meaningful,” Turner said in a LinkedIn post on Friday.

“Together, we navigated complex challenges, built lasting programs, and laid the groundwork for the IRS’s digital asset strategy as it shifted from niche to mainstream,” Turner added.

Turner is reportedly moving to the private sector

Turner did not say in her post where she will go next, but explained she looks “forward to continuing this mission from a new vantage point and to building bridges between industry and regulators.”

Bloomberg Tax reported on Friday that Turner told the publication during an interview that she will become the tax director at the crypto tax firm Crypto Tax Girl. On the same day, Crypto Tax Girl founder Laura Walter said in a LinkedIn post that Turner will join the firm.

“With all of the big crypto tax and compliance changes on the horizon, we are excited to have Trish on board to help advise our clients,” Walter said.

Source: Crypto Tax Girl

Turner’s resignation comes just over three months after she was tapped to lead the digital asset’s division in May, after Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee and Seth Wilks, two private-sector experts brought in to lead the IRS’s crypto unit, exited after approximately a year in their roles.

Economist Timothy Peterson commented on the announcement, saying, “Trish Turner left the Dark Side to become a Crypto Jedi Knight.”

Crypto tax has become a key focus in the US

It follows the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) proposal in March to cut the IRS workforce by 20% and several recent developments around US crypto taxation.

Related: 5 countries where crypto is (surprisingly) tax-free in 2025

On July 11, Cointelegraph reported that the House Committee on Ways and Means and Oversight Subcommittee leadership said they had scheduled a July hearing to focus on “affirmative steps needed to place a tax policy framework on digital assets.”

Just days before, on July 4, the US Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration recommended reforms to the IRS criminal investigation division’s handling of digital assets, citing repeated failures to follow established protocols.

Meanwhile, on April 11, US President Donald Trump signed a joint congressional resolution overturning a Biden administration-era rule that would have required decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to report transactions to the IRS.

Cointelegraph reached out to Trish Turner for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Magazine: Bitcoin’s long-term security budget problem: Impending crisis or FUD?

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

Elon Musk alongside Ghislaine Maxwell at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter on March 2, 2014 in West Hollywood, California.

Gaming Gear

Ghislaine Maxwell Says She First Met Elon Musk at Sergey Brin’s Birthday Party

by admin August 23, 2025

Elon Musk infamously threw Donald Trump under the bus in June when he insisted that the president was “in the Epstein files,” a reference to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But a newly released interview with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell might put the spotlight back on Musk when it comes to all things Epstein.

Maxwell, who’s in prison for sex trafficking a minor, was recently interviewed by Todd Blanche, the president’s former personal attorney and now a top official at the U.S. Department of Justice. Redacted transcripts of the interview, along with audio recordings, were published to the DOJ website on Friday.

Brin’s birthday bash

Blanche asked Maxwell about several powerful people, according to the transcripts, including Elon Musk:

TODD BLANCHE: Okay. So I want to just — we went through several individuals yesterday and I want to go through just a couple of more names and ask if you — if you know them. And if you do know them, how you know them. Do you know Elon Musk?
GHISLAINE MAXWELL: I do.
BLANCHE: And how did you meet Mr. Musk?
MAXWELL: I met him in — I don’t remember the year, but it’s going to be in 2010, ’11, something like that, I think, if my memory serves. And I was at an event for Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google. And Sergey had arranged for — it was for his birthday. And we were — or a bunch of us, I don’t even remember how many we were, but not many of us. Maybe — I don’t know. If I say 40, I could be wrong. If it was 30 or 50, I don’t remember. I’m sorry. Went to another friend’s island. Somebody called Mr. Pigozzi in the Caribbean and — not with Epstein, he was not there, to celebrate Sergey’s birthday. And we were there together for, I want to say, three or four days, something like that in my memory. And Mr. Musk was present for that.
BLANCHE: And that was the first time you met him, as far as you know?
MAXWELL: As far as I remember, yes.

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2023 that Epstein advised Sergey Brin on tax matters in 2007. But Musk and Brin have their own drama. In 2022, Musk denied having an affair with Brin’s then-wife Nicole Shanahan, who would go on to become Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate in the 2024 presidential campaign. Brin divested from all of Musk’s companies after the alleged tryst, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The photograph

Blanche then went on to ask Maxwell about Elon’s brother Kimbal, who was reportedly set up with a girlfriend by Epstein many years ago, according to a report from Business Insider in 2020.

BLANCHE: Did you meet — did you know his brother, Mr. Musk’s brother?
MAXWELL: I don’t know if I’ve ever met him. I know that he has a brother and I don’t think I met him.
BLANCHE: Aside from that time in — around 2010, on the island in the Caribbean for a couple days, did you — have you seen — do you know Mr. Musk beyond that time?
MAXWELL: We met at — I was at the Oscars and we met at the Oscars.
BLANCHE: What year was that, earlier or later?
MAXWELL: It was post that event, I believe.
BLANCHE: And do you know whether Mr. Epstein knew Mr. Musk?
MAXWELL: I believe they did. And the only reason I say that is not from my memory, but because I saw — I think I saw — my memory is that in discovery, they were communicating on email.
BLANCHE: So you have no personal knowledge of that?
MAXWELL: I have no —
BLANCHE: It’s just what you’ve — what you’ve seen from the press or from discovery?
MAXWELL: And I believe his brother as well, actually.
BLANCHE: Excuse me?
MAXWELL: Mr. Musk’s brother as well. But I don’t — my — like I said, my memory is not — it’s not as good as I would like it to be. And I just want to say that.

Maxwell seems to be referring to a Vanity Fair Oscars party on March 2, 2014, where she and Musk were photographed together. Musk has previously suggested she photobombed him during that event.

Writing in a tweet from 2020, Musk insisted, “Don’t know Ghislaine at all. She photobombed me once at a Vanity Fair party several years ago. Real question is why VF invited her in the first place.”

But the fact that Maxwell claims they met years earlier, in 2010 or 2011, seems to be new information, provided Maxwell is telling the truth. Prosecutors alleged that she perjured herself, but dropped those charges after she was convicted of sex trafficking.

The President and that other birthday

This new interview will obviously be highly scrutinized, given the number of people who are named. But it’s also important to keep in mind what kind of incentives are at play for Maxwell, Blanche, and Trump. Not only was Blanche Trump’s former attorney, but he was also pretty damn chummy with Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus. Blanche appeared on Markus’s podcast twice, according to ABC News.

Trump has been cagey when asked about Maxwell, even giving a bizarre answer to questions during his first term when she was first sent to prison. During a White House briefing in July 21, 2020, Trump said, “I haven’t really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly. I’ve met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, but I wish her well, whatever it is.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t really been following it too much. I just wish her well frankly. I’ve met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, but I wish her well whatever it is.” (July 21, 2020)

[image or embed]

— Matt Novak (@paleofuture.bsky.social) May 27, 2025 at 6:49 PM

The Wall Street Journal and New York Times recently reported on a birthday album made for Epstein in 2003 that included friendly letters from men like billionaire Leslie Wexner, attorney Alan Dershowitz, and President Trump. The letter included a line that the two men “have certain things in common,” and reportedly states that “enigmas never age,” ending with the line “Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

A photo of the letter hasn’t been made public, but fake versions of the letter have gone viral online. Trump was friends with Epstein for at least 15 years before they had some kind of falling out. Trump defenders insist it was because Epstein was being a “creep” at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, while others believe it had more to do with a real estate deal where the men were competing to buy a property.

It’s extremely unusual for a high-ranking official at the DOJ to personally interview someone in prison. But these are extremely unusual times.

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

CFTC’s ‘Crypto Sprint’ Launches 2nd Phase, Seeks New Input

by admin August 23, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced the next phase of the agency’s “Crypto Sprint” initiative, which aims to examine and implement recommendations from the White House.

CFTC Launches New “Crypto Sprint” Phase

On Thursday, CFTC acting chair Caroline Pham announced that the agency would begin the next phase of its initiative to advance President Donald Trump’s vision and is seeking the public’s feedback on the recommendations in the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets report.

Pham announces second phase of CFTC’s “Crypto Sprint”. Source: Caroline Pham on X

Pham highlighted that the Trump administration has “made it clear that enabling immediate trading of digital assets at the Federal level is a top priority,” adding, “The Trump Administration has ushered in a new dawn for crypto, and it’s up to market participants to seize this opportunity to be a part of the Golden Age of innovation.”

The agency has initiated stakeholder engagement and invited all interested parties to submit feedback and suggestions on all recommendations for the CFTC in the White House’s recent digital assets report by October 20, 2025.

“The public feedback will assist the CFTC in carefully considering relevant issues for leveraged, margined or financed retail trading on a CFTC-registered exchange as we implement the President’s directive,” Pham stated.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the CFTC unveiled its “Crypto Sprint” on August 1, which started with a spot crypto trading initiative. Following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) launch of its “Project Crypto,” Pham revealed that the agency would work closely with SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce to provide regulatory clarity and foster innovation in the digital assets market.

“I am pleased with the many thoughtful letters from stakeholders in support of the CFTC’s listed spot crypto trading initiative, which, in coordination with the SEC’s Project Crypto, answers President Trump’s call to action for American leadership,” said the CFTC acting chair on Thursday.

Chaos In The Regulatory Agency?

The CFTC’s initiative comes amid rumors of chaos in the regulatory agency. On Friday, Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, affirmed that “turmoil continues as the agency’s responsibilities, and the potential market risks, are multiplying.”

According to the report, enforcement has significantly slowed, and the commissioner’s shortage has allegedly made it difficult to carry out critical agency business. “The CFTC’s curtailment coincides with a looming expansion of the agency’s responsibilities,” Bloomberg noted, as the highly anticipated market structure bill is expected to shift most of the crypto market oversight to the CFTC.

A White House spokesperson denied that the agency is in disarray, telling the news media outlet that “President Trump has made it a priority to make America the crypto capital of the world, and in doing so has called for the revitalization of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to play a larger role in securing this promise. Acting Chairman Caroline Pham has done a good job beginning this effort, and the Trump Administration is thankful for her leadership and dedicated public service.”

Meanwhile, the agency also remains in a leadership limbo after the US Senate Agriculture Committee delayed the vote on President Trump’s nominee for CFTC chairman, Brian Quintenz, days before the August recess.

The committee reportedly delayed the vote following a request from the White House. Notably, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Gemini exchange co-founders, allegedly pressed President Trump in July to reconsider his CFTC nominee, arguing that Quintenz wouldn’t “shake up the CFTC enough” and is not “aligned with Trump’s agenda.”

Earlier this week, a group of crypto organizations sent a letter to the US President in support of Quintenz, arguing that installing a permanent chairman is “absolutely critical” to realize the agency’s goals.

“Mr. Quintenz possesses a singular capacity to advance sound and clear regulation that will foster responsible growth and innovation. He is, quite simply, the right person at the right time to lead the CFTC,” the letter concluded.

Bitcoin (BTC) trades at $115,195 in the one-week chart. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView

Featured Image from Unsplash.com, Chart from TradingView.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

U.S. Government Now ‘Controls’ 10% of Intel, Trump Says

by admin August 23, 2025

President Donald Trump announced Friday that the U.S. government would be taking a 10% stake in Intel, the struggling U.S.-based chip manufacturer. But the president’s choice of words will definitely raise more than a few eyebrows, especially since the Trump regime has previously said the federal government will have no corporate governance role at the tech company.

“It is my Great Honor to report that the United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL, a Great American Company that has an even more incredible future,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The government taking a 10% ownership stake in Intel shouldn’t be surprising, as rumors about the deal leaked last week. But what might surprise people is Trump’s use of the word “control.” Nobody seems to know what that means yet.

“I negotiated this Deal with Lip-Bu Tan, the Highly Respected Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The United States paid nothing for these Shares, and the Shares are now valued at approximately $11 Billion Dollars,” Trump continued.

“This is a great Deal for America and, also, a great Deal for INTEL. Building leading edge Semiconductors and Chips, which is what INTEL does, is fundamental to the future of our Nation,” according to Trump. The president ended his post with the now-customary, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” and “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Lutnick’s denials on Tuesday

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was asked about the plans for a government stake in Intel during an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. Lutnick was specifically quizzed whether the government would get a governance role at Intel, something the Commerce Secretary insisted would not happen.

“Do you get governance here?” CNBC host David Faber asked.

“No, no, no, no, no…” Lutnick said over and over to the question, suggesting the entire idea was absurd. “Come on, stop that stuff. It’s not governance, right, we’re just what was a grant under Biden into equity for the Trump administration, for the American people.”

Faber pointed out that any other entity owning 10% would expect to have a say in how that company was run. “Why wouldn’t you want some…” Faber started to say before Lutnick drowned him out by repeatedly saying “non-voting, non-voting.”

Faber noted that the U.S. government got a so-called “golden share” when Japan-based Nippon Steel tried to buy U.S. Steel, meaning that Trump can potentially veto corporate decisions he doesn’t like. It’s unclear at this point what kind of influence Trump can have at Intel with this new 10% stake, which likely involves converting $10.86 billion in grants for Intel from the Biden-era CHIPS ACT into equity, according to reporting Tuesday the New York Times.

Who actually negotiated the deal?

Lutnick was the first to break the news on social media in a tweet shortly before Trump, though the Commerce Secretary’s announcement obviously carries less weight in an increasingly authoritarian country like the U.S. It’s not real until Dear Leader says it’s real.

“BIG NEWS: The United States of America now owns 10% of Intel, one of our great American technology companies. This historic agreement strengthens U.S. leadership in semiconductors, which will both grow our economy and help secure America’s technological edge,” Lutnick wrote.

BIG NEWS: The United States of America now owns 10% of Intel, one of our great American technology companies.

This historic agreement strengthens U.S. leadership in semiconductors, which will both grow our economy and help secure America’s technological edge.

Thanks to Intel… pic.twitter.com/AYMuX14Rgi

— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) August 22, 2025

Lutnick’s tweet was sent at 4:10 p.m. ET and included a photo of him with Intel CEO Lip Bu-Tan. That presumably irked Trump, who sent his own post on Truth Social almost an hour later, at 5:04 p.m. ET, and included the claim “I negotiated this Deal with Lip-Bu Tan” in the second sentence.

Trump reportedly met with Tan last week after the president called for the Intel CEO’s resignation over alleged links to China. Trump insisted there was “no other solution to this problem” but changed his tune after the meeting.

What do the Dems say?

Folks on the left have been divided on whether Trump’s plan for Intel is a good one for America. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with the Democrats, said earlier this week that he supports the plan for the U.S. government to take an equity stake.

“If microchip companies make a profit from the generous grants they receive from the federal government, the taxpayers of America have a right to a reasonable return on that investment,” Sanders told Reuters.

But Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, wouldn’t commit so emphatically one way or another. In an email to Gizmodo, Warner said taking an equity stake “may or may not be the right approach,” while emphasizing that cutting-edge chips should not “flow to China without restraint” if that undercuts investments made in the U.S.

“We need a strategy that protects American innovation, strengthens our workforce, and keeps the technologies of the future firmly in American hands,” Warner said. “Additionally, given the administration’s recent approach to other high-profile technology transactions, Congress must apply thorough scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest or undue interference in private-sector decisions unrelated to national security.”

Intel is a drop in the ocean

Warner is absolutely right that Congress needs to look into any conflicts of interest or “undue interference” on private companies. But given the current trajectory of the U.S.—where we’ve got armed troops on the streets of D.C. and harassment campaigns against the president’s opponents—it seems unlikely that Congress will be deploying any checks or balances soon.

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Don’t let an apathy towards trucks drive you away from American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 now they’re heading to PS5 and Xbox

by admin August 23, 2025

If I had to make a list of the things in life I have absolutely no interest in, trucks would be pretty near the top. And yet, I am obsessed with developer SCS Software’s Truck Simulator series of games. And so, following the news both American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 are at long last making their way to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, I’m here to convince you their soothing expanses of endless virtual highway might also be for you, even if you don’t know your backhaul from your bill of lading.

The downside to this whole not-being-into-trucks thing is, of course, that I’m a terrible guide through the series if you’re here for proper hobbyist reasons, so apologies in advance. For me, though, the appeal is not so much the allure of a Hopper Body and the promise of a lubricated Glad Hand, as it is the pure ASMR pleasures of hours spent in empty minded tranquility with naught for company but the swoosh of scenic vistas, the tick of an indicator, the quiet hum of an air-conditioned cabin, and the lulling rumble of rubber on road.

I’m being a little reductive, admittedly. Well, a lot actually. Even without delving deep into the Truck Simulator games’ more specialist particulars, there’s a lot to love. There’s the fundamental progression system that sees you doing odd jobs in loaned trucks and then scrambling up the XP tree to unlock new missions, or stockpiling enough cash that you’re able to buy your own truck, even start your own business with your own HQ. It’s not necessarily a particularly flashy package, but its basic structure is sound enough that it provides an additional layer of focus to your life on the open road. Chuck in the kind of cabin customisation that lets you scatter tatty souvenirs and pizza boxes around the place (honestly, I love this kind of nonsense), occasional community events, and a multiplayer mode enabling up to eight friends to form a convoy – a wonderfully, surprisingly hilarious recipe for chaos with the right (or wrong, depending on your perspective) people – and it’s brilliantly compelling, even if you don’t give a truck about trailers and the like.

ATS and ETS 2 are coming to consoles.Watch on YouTube

As for the different flavours of sim coming to Xbox and PlayStation, both – if you’re not already aware – are fundamentally the same experience, just with a very obvious change of scenery between them. Personally, I’m far more partial to the big skies and breathtaking wilderness of American Truck Simulator than its European counterpart (the sheer uncanny weirdness of ETS2’s deeply unconvincing UK expansion was a bit of a turn-off when I tried it a fair few years back), but your mileage – no pun intended – will almost certainly vary.

Unfortunately, SCS’ Truck Simulator console announcement is almost completely devoid of specifics, so pretty much all we can say with certainty right now is that ATS and ETS 2 are on the way. I’d assume both will be pretty close to their PC counterparts (minus, perhaps, extended peripheral support and mod availability), especially after all the work SCS has done to improve controller support and upgrade the interface over time. It will, though, be interesting to see how the studio handles the games’ years of paid cosmetic, truck, and map expansion DLC. A couple of free packs-ins to help consoles catch up? Starter bundles? Nothing of the sort? Time will reveal all.

So there you go; American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 are finally making their way to Xbox Series X/S and PS5. And if the thought of the open road and an endless shifting horizon stirs even the faintest twinge of latent yearning, you’d do well to lean in. You too might discover a love for a virtual four-wheeled life of adventure hitherto unknown.

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

NFT Gaming

Taiwan Indicts 14 in BitShine Fraud Case

by admin August 23, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Taiwanese authorities have wrapped up a major investigation into one of the country’s most high-profile crypto-related fraud cases, filing charges against 14 individuals linked to the BitShine exchange.

Prosecutors allege the group conspired with criminal networks to siphon NT$1.27 billion (approximately $41 million) from more than 1,500 victims through a scheme that combined fraudulent investment pitches with unlicensed cryptocurrency operations.

According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, BitShine operated under the cover of legitimacy, having reportedly passed financial compliance checks, while using its brand to conceal the activities of another firm, Biying Technology, which had not been approved by regulators.

Investigators allege that the two entities worked in tandem to funnel customer deposits into crypto purchases, particularly USDT, before moving the funds overseas through a series of complex transfers designed to obscure their origins.

Structure of the Fraud Network

Prosecutors identified a man surnamed Shih as the head of the operation in Taiwan, with his wife serving as Asia-Pacific director and another suspect, surnamed Yang, responsible for business management.

Working with organized crime affiliates, the group allegedly instructed victims to transfer funds into wallets controlled by the network. The tokens were then routed through multiple layers of transactions in what officials described as deliberate efforts to launder the money and evade detection.

Between January 2024 and April 2025, investigators estimate the operation laundered more than NT$2.3 billion ($75 million). Of that, NT$1.27 billion was directly tied to 1,539 identified victims.

Law enforcement seized NT$60.49 million in cash, 640,000 USDT, additional digital assets, and luxury items including cars during raids earlier this year.

Authorities stated that the group misled investors by claiming to be the only exchange authorized by Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), a tactic that helped attract significant deposits.

They also reportedly established more than 40 franchise-style storefronts across Taiwan under the names CoinW and BiXiang Technology Co., Ltd., collecting over one million yuan in fees and deploying “deposit machines” to process victims’ cash.

Indictments and Sentencing Requests

The Shilin District Prosecutor’s Office indicted Shih and 13 others on charges of fraud, money laundering, providing unregistered virtual asset services, and organizing a criminal enterprise under Taiwan’s Organized Crime Prevention Act.

Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year sentence for Shih, citing his refusal to plead guilty and lack of remorse. Other defendants who confessed or pledged to return illicit gains may face reduced penalties.

In addition to confiscating the seized digital assets and cash, prosecutors have asked the court to order the forfeiture of NT$1.275 billion in criminal proceeds.

The case was overseen by Chief Prosecutor Luo Weiyuan, who emphasized that the suspects had conducted unlicensed financial operations in violation of Taiwan’s anti-money laundering laws.

The investigation also uncovered a separate fraud targeting the BitShine operators themselves. Prosecutors said a man surnamed Gu defrauded Shih and his associates of NT$3 million by falsely promising he could secure anti-money laundering registration approvals. Gu has also been indicted.

The global digital currency market cap valuation. | Source: TradingView.com

Featured image create with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Ethereum Price Surges to $4,830 with Trading Volume Spiking 93%

by admin August 23, 2025

Ethereum (ETH) is knocking on the door of the $5000 milestone after a powerful surge saw its price climb to $4,830. The impressive rally, which gained momentum on Friday, has the cryptocurrency community buzzing with anticipation for a potential new all-time high over the weekend.

The latest data confirms a staggering 14.2% gain in the last 24 hours alone, but the most telling sign of the current frenzy is a massive 93% explosion in trading volume, which has surged to nearly $70 billion.

The upward momentum appears to be fueled by a confluence of positive market sentiment and growing institutional interest. A key catalyst was the dovish stance from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which has bolstered investor confidence across the broader financial markets, including cryptocurrencies.

Institutional Moves and On-Chain Catalysts

The recent surge in the market didn’t just happen by chance. Whales and corporate investors have been quietly stacking up on ETH, even while BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale ETFs were offloading their shares.

Buyers have taken in $148 million worth of Ethereum, which has helped maintain the upward momentum. In addition, DBS Bank tokenized $1 billion in notes directly on the Ethereum network.

This makes it the first time a major Asian bank deployed regulated products on ETH’s blockchain. As a result, Ethereum’s role as financial infrastructure keeps strengthening.

Additionally, the Pectra upgrade is still attracting validators. Improved staking efficiency has become another magnet for institutional demand. The upgrade’s momentum, with whale activity, has provided a solid foundation for Ethereum’s rapid climb.

Will ETH Soar to $5000 Over the Weekend?

Technical indicators are also flashing bullish signals for Ethereum. Short-term technical analysis reveals a strong buying sentiment, with daily and weekly charts indicating continued upward potential.

The dramatic increase in market activity and the intense buying pressure and conviction behind the current move, adding significant weight to the possibility that ETH could conquer the $5,000 level this weekend.

A technical analysis of the recent price action further bolsters the bullish case. An Elliott Wave chart pattern, a popular tool for tracking market cycles, suggests that Ethereum is currently in its fifth and final upward wave of the present cycle.

This analysis projects a potential target well beyond $5,000, with some traders eyeing a move towards the $6,000 level in the near future. The Relative Strength Index (RSI), a momentum indicator, is currently at 66.75, indicating strong momentum without being in immediate overbought territory, leaving room for further upside.

Analysts Outline Ethereum’s Cycle Blueprint

Crypto analyst Merlijn The Trader explained on X that Ethereum’s price cycle has followed a clear pattern. He wrote: “2017: Range. Expansion. Mania 2020: Range. Expansion. Mania 2025: The same structure is complete. The next move? Not sideways. Not down. But up into the most explosive phase $ETH has ever seen.”

Moreover, analyst Javon Marks pointed out that Ethereum has broken through a critical resistance. “After a nearly +300% increase from our original analysis at ~$1,215 and plenty of patience, prices of $ETH has met and broken our $4,811.71 target and is now above it!” He added that ETH could climb another 75% toward $8,557.68 if momentum holds.

Hence, analysts view Ethereum’s current setup as a continuation of its decade-long rhythm of sharp rises, corrections, and explosive recoveries.

Institutional investors have recently been procuring large amounts of Ethereum while major banks continue to adopt it. Also, there have been some interesting underlying historical trends, with the majority of crypto analysts eyeing higher highs.

Ethereum is moving at full speed, and the market is reacting to it. The global crypto market cap has jumped to $4.02 trillion, a 5.29% daily rise. Trading activity also exploded, with $224.85 billion exchanged in 24 hours, a 46.18% surge.

Also Read: Trump’s World Liberty Scoops Up $5M in Ethereum at $4,670

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

US Open 2025: How to Watch a Free Tennis Livestream

by admin August 23, 2025

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The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center looks primed to serve up a blockbuster finale to the Grand Slam season, as the world’s top players head to Flushing Meadows for two weeks of top tennis action at the 2025 US Open.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to watch every match of the tournament as it happens, along with a full US Open schedule.

The men’s tournament looks likely to provide another chapter in the burgeoning rivalry between defending US Open champ Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.

Ranked No. 1 in the world, Italy’s Sinner claimed the Australian Open title in January and followed that up by dethroning Alcaraz to win his first Wimbledon final in June. Meanwhile, Alcaraz, ranked No. 2, took the French Open title in an exhilarating final showdown with Sinner, described by many pundits as the greatest ever final at Roland Garros.

Outside of the big two, this year’s tournament also gives Novak Djokovic possibly a final opportunity to land a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, with the Serbian star hitting the grand old age of 38 back in May.

Defending champ Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff, meanwhile, headline a wide-open women’s field.

Sabalenka will be looking for redemption after suffering agonising defeats in the finals of the Australian and French Opens, followed by a disappointing semifinal exit at Wimbledon. The main threat to her crown looks set to come from No. 2 seed Świątek, with the in-form Pole following her Wimbledon win in July with victory at the recent Cincinnati Open.

This year marks the 139th edition of the US Open, with the men’s and women’s champions both set to earn $5 million.

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US Open 2025: Where and when is it?

The US Open 2025 takes place between Sunday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Sept. 7, at the iconic Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Play usually begins at 11 a.m. ET each morning (8 a.m. PT, 4 p.m. BST in the UK and 1 a.m. AEST in Australia) and continues through the afternoon and sometimes well into the evening.

A full schedule for this year’s event can be found further down.

Livestream the US Open 2025 in the US

Linear TV coverage of the US Open this year will chiefly be shown on ESPN. The women’s singles will be shown on ESPN, ESPN Plus and ESPN Deportes, and the men’s singles final will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN Plus and ESPN Deportes.

Those wanting comprehensive coverage of this year’s tournament will need to consider the all-new ESPN streaming service and its corresponding app. The platform will show every match of the tournament live, broadcasting each day at 11 a.m. ET and continuing until the close of play.

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Watch the US Open 2025 in the US for $30 per month.

ESPN’s new flagship streaming service and app, called simply ESPN, costs $30 as a standalone service or $36 a month if bundled with Disney Plus and Hulu.

The new streaming service gives you access to the full suite of ESPN networks and services in one subscription, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network and ACC Network, as well as ESPN on ABC, ESPN Plus, ESPN3, SECN Plus and ACCNX.

Sling TV/CNET

Sling TV’s Orange plan includes ESPN, while its Blue plan offers ABC only in a few select markets. Either option costs $46 per month. If you get ABC where you live and want all three channels for the US Open, you’ll need the combined Orange-and-Blue plan, which now costs $61.

It’s worth noting that Sling has recently introduced Day, Weekend and Week passes for Sling Orange, with prices starting from $5 for 24 hours’ worth of viewing. Read our Sling TV review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

YouTube TV costs $83 a month and includes ESPN and ABC. Plug in your ZIP code on its welcome page to see which local network affiliates are available in your area. Read our YouTube TV review.

Hulu

Hulu with Live TV costs for its With Ads plan and $96 per month for its No Ads plan and includes ESPN and ABC. Click the “View channels in your area” link on its welcome page to see which local channels are offered in your ZIP code. Read our Hulu with Live TV review.

Fubo

Fubo’s Pro plan costs $85 a month and includes ESPN and ABC, but Fubo charges an RSN fee (either $13 a month if you get one RSN or $16 a month if you have two or more in your area) that raises the monthly charge to $98 or $101. Click here to see which local channels you get. Read our Fubo review.

Most live TV streaming services offer a free trial or discounts during the first month and allow you to cancel anytime. All require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

Livestream US Open 2025 in the UK

Viewers in the UK can once again stream US Open action through Sky Sports, which has the exclusive live broadcast rights for this year’s tournament.

If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream matches via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the action from New York.

Now TV

Sky subsidiary Now (formerly Now TV) offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for £15, or sign up to a monthly plan from £35 a month right now.

Stream the US Open 2025 in Australia for free

Tennis fans Down Under can watch live coverage of select US Open matches, including the men’s and women’s finals, on free-to-air Channel Nine’s streaming service 9Now.

For dedicated tennis fans, pay-TV service Stan Sport is livestreaming every match on every court, ad-free.

Channel 9’s streaming service 9Now is free to use for viewers in Australia, with dedicated apps for Android and Apple devices, as well as Amazon Fire, plus a wide range of smart TVs.

Stan Sport

Stan Sport will set you back AU$20 a month (on top of a AU$12 Stan subscription), but the streaming service is currently offering a seven-day free trial.

A subscription will also give you access to Premier League and Champions League soccer action, as well as international rugby and Formula E.

Stream the US Open 2025 in Canada

TSN will provide comprehensive live coverage of the US Open 2025 in Canada.

TSN

TSN boasts exclusive coverage of PGA Tour Live golf, NFL games, F1, NASCAR and the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Ideal for cord-cutters, the service is priced at CA$20 a month or CA$200 a year.

The US Open 2025: Men’s and women’s singles full schedule

Sunday, Aug. 24: First round
Monday, Aug. 25: First round
Tuesday, Aug. 26: First round
Wednesday, Aug. 27: Second round
Thursday, Aug. 28: Second round
Friday, Aug. 29: Third round
Saturday, Aug. 30: Third round
Sunday, Aug. 31: Round of 16
Monday, Sept. 1: Round of 16
Tuesday, Sept. 2: Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Sept. 3: Quarterfinals
Thursday, Sept. 4: Women’s semifinals
Friday, Sept. 5: Men’s semifinals
Saturday, Sept. 6: Women’s final
Sunday, Sept. 7: Men’s final

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

Esports

McDonald’s delays One Piece Happy Meal promotion after Pokemon card chaos

by admin August 23, 2025

McDonald’s Japan has delayed its upcoming Happy Set toy promotion after complaints that its recent Pokemon card giveaway caused food waste and resale problems.

The company announced Thursday that its collaboration with the manga and anime series One Piece, originally scheduled to begin on August 29, has been postponed. Customers will instead receive toys from past Happy Set meals.

The decision comes after the Pokemon promotion earlier this month, which saw limited-edition cards given away with Happy Meals. The campaign led to long queues, bulk purchases, and images of discarded food as buyers sought to secure the collectible cards.

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McDonald’s said many outlets ran out of cards on the first day despite the campaign being planned for three days. The company later apologized and pledged to review its promotional strategy after the cards began appearing for resale online, with some listed for tens of thousands of dollars.

One Piece collaboration put on hold

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency has instructed McDonald’s to improve its sales practices and reduce food waste. The company has since introduced limits on the number of Happy Meals that can be purchased in a single order.

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The One Piece promotion was intended to feature toys tied to the long-running franchise. The series began as a manga in 1997 before expanding into an anime two years later, with related games and merchandise becoming major hits in Japan.

McDonald’s has not confirmed when or if the One Piece Happy Set promotion will be rescheduled.

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August 23, 2025 0 comments