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GameFi Guides

Kraken In Investment Talks, Targeting $20B Valuation Ahead of IPO: Report

by admin September 27, 2025


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

Crypto exchange Kraken is reportedly in talks with a strategic investor to raise capital that pushes its valuation to $20 billion ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO). This development comes amid the crypto firms’ IPO frenzy in the US under a rather supportive administration of President Donald Trump.

Kraken Stays Focused, Follows $500M Raise With New Funding 

On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Kraken has begun advanced negotiations to boost its value to $20 billion as part of fundraising efforts in view of a planned IPO. Impressively, this move follows a recent $500 million raise, which took Kraken’s valuation to $15 billion.

Bloomberg first reported on Kraken’s IPO valuation in March 2025, stating the exchange was targeting a public listing in the first quarter of 2026. Beyond capital raising, the US-based trading platform has displayed other behaviors seen in IPO preparation, such as financial statement disclosure. 

Furthermore, Kraken has also expanded its product line beyond digital asset trading to include access to stocks and exchange-traded funds. While the reported funding talks remain in progress. Bloomberg expects a $200 to $300 million commitment according to sources familiar with the matter, allowing Kraken to potentially reach its target $20 billion valuation ahead of 2026. 

The media house also reports that the crypto exchange has engaged the advisory services of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in regard to this planned IPO. Kraken is now expected to soon file an S-1 registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, as expected of any entity aiming to launch a public offering.

Crypto IPO Frenzy Continues 

Kraken joins a growing list of crypto/blockchain firms seeking public funding. In 2025 alone, four other companies, namely USDC issuer Circle, blockchain lender Figure, and exchanges Bullish and Gemini, have successfully launched IPOs, indicating a significant step-up in wider investors’ interest in digital asset-focused firms. 

This public market approach is widely buoyed by the pro-crypto policies of Trump. Notably, the Republican has upheld promises of creating a friendly regulatory environment for digital assets operations, as indicated by strategy changes by regulators, including the SEC and CFTC.

The 47th US President has also popularly established a Federal Bitcoin Reserve, prompting similar actions from state governments. In terms of regulations, Trump also famously signed the GENIUS Act into law, creating a regulatory framework for stablecoin issuance, operations, and use. 

At press time, the total crypto market cap is valued at $3.73 trillion following the market crash seen in the last week. Notably, there has been a slight recovery of 1.11% in the past 24 hours.

Total crypto market cap valued at $3.73 trillion on the daily chart | Source: TOTAL chart on Tradingview.com

Featured image from Flickr, chart from Tradingview

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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September 27, 2025 0 comments
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India’s It Department Uncovers $19M Crypto Fraud Targeting Farmers
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India’s IT Department Uncovers $19M Crypto Fraud Targeting Farmers

by admin September 26, 2025



The Income Tax (IT) Department has unwrapped a fraudulent crypto scheme in the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The scheme involved identity theft, where the fraudsters used the identities of unsuspecting ordinary citizens to carry out trading activities.

According to a Times of India report, this was uncovered after the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) flagged 20 suspicious cases. Following this lead, officials from the Income Tax Department visited several remote villages across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Investigators have been able to verify nine cases where the trading amount reached INR 170 crores, approximately $19.31 million.

In each case, investigators found that ordinary citizens such as farmers and delivery workers were linked to high-value crypto trades. Several people whose names came up in the investigation were astonished when they were approached by officials. When questioned, these individuals denied any involvement, revealing that they had zero knowledge about cryptocurrencies and that they also had no idea their IDs were being used for trading cryptocurrencies. 

From farms to fraud 

The investigators carried out a probe in more than five districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Sources also confirmed that most individuals linked to these trades are from lower socioeconomic strata, having no financial literacy, let alone knowledge of cryptocurrencies. 

S Narasimha, a farmer whose identity was stolen for the purchase of a cryptocurrency worth INR 9.5 crore, claimed, “We don’t even know what Bitcoin is.” In another case, Shiva Pamula, a food delivery partner being shown to carry out massive volume trades, said he didn’t have an idea about crypto or the trading. 

Larger identity theft suspected 

The IT officials have cautioned that these verified nine cases may represent only a small fraction of a far larger fraudulent scheme. The racket appears to operate via the theft or falsification of Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards, an identification card issued by the IT department, and other personal details of ordinary citizens. All individuals whose names were used reportedly were non-filers of income tax returns, suggesting the misuse was designed to avoid detection through standard tax filings. The case raises serious concerns about fraud, cybersecurity, and regulatory oversight in India’s rapidly growing crypto sector. 

Crypto crimes on the rise across the globe

This is the latest addition to the increasing crypto-related crimes across the world. European nations such as France and the UK have become a hotspot for crypto-related crimes. Earlier this month, the French police detained seven people in relation to the kidnapping of a 20-year-old Swiss man. 

Additionally, in August, an Indian court sentenced a former Parliamentarian and senior police officers to life imprisonment in connection with a 2018 Bitcoin extortion and kidnapping case. These incidents highlight the call for strict laws for crypto space. 

Also Read: XPL Price Surges 58% as Plasma Mainnet Goes Live with Tether



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September 26, 2025 0 comments
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Decrypt logo
GameFi Guides

Thai Police Bust $15M Crypto Scam Ring Targeting Hundreds of Koreans

by admin September 23, 2025



Thai authorities have busted a $15 million criminal enterprise that victimized over 870 South Koreans, in what one expert calls a case study of “multi-layered laundering.”

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Economic Crime Investigation Division announced Monday the arrest of 25 members of “Lungo Company,” a fraud ring that deployed multiple scam tactics, including romance schemes, crypto fraud, and fake lottery compensation offers.

 Thai police separately detained the ringleader and eight core members, who remain in custody pending extradition to South Korea, according to a local media report.



“Unlike previous crime rings that usually relied on a single method, this group used multiple tactics in a systematic way,” a police official said.

Victims were reportedly manipulated into depositing money on fake platforms or purchasing worthless crypto under the guise of compensation for data breaches.

Cybercrime consultant David Sehyeon Baek told Decrypt, the group would leverage “extensive OTC broker networks operating throughout Thailand, particularly in tourist areas like Pattaya,” noting these unlicensed operations “facilitate crypto-to-fiat conversions while bypassing traditional banking oversight.”

The Lungo Company likely employed chain-hopping tactics, he said, “rapidly swapping funds across different blockchains to obscure transaction trails” by converting various crypto across multiple networks.

“Cross-chain crime has surged globally, tripling in the past two years,” as decentralized exchanges, cross-chain bridges, and no-KYC coin swap services enable rapid anonymous transfers, Baek said.

That effectively forces “investigators to spend countless hours manually tracing funds across multiple protocols.”

The organization would exploit nested services—unauthorized trading operations within regulated exchanges that allow clients to trade “while hiding any connection to the underlying regulated infrastructure,” Baek noted. 

“Technically, these schemes involve shell companies opening accounts across multiple major exchanges using fraudulent credentials, then offering custom interfaces that allow clients to trade while hiding any connection to the underlying regulated infrastructure,” he added.

These “parasite exchanges” process nearly “100 times more illicit volume than their mainstream host platforms,” the expert said, and charge premium fees, typically between “7% and 15%,” in exchange for anonymity.

Baek said additional techniques likely included crypto-funded prepaid cards for ATM withdrawals, casino laundering to produce “clean” winnings, and micro-transactions split into thousands of transfers to stay “below detection thresholds.”

For final cash-out, the expert said the network almost certainly turned to unregulated OTC brokers in Thailand and neighboring jurisdictions, providing “high-volume cash-out with minimal scrutiny,” and likely coordinated via encrypted apps like “Telegram and WeChat.”

Just last month, Seoul police dismantled an international hacking ring that stole $28.1 million from South Korea’s wealthiest individuals, including BTS member Jungkook and top business executives, after breaching their financial and crypto accounts.

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September 23, 2025 0 comments
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(Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)
Crypto Trends

Plasma Unveils First Stablecoin-Native Neobank, Targeting Emerging Markets

by admin September 23, 2025



Plasma has launched Plasma One, the first neobank built entirely around stablecoins, aiming to make saving, spending, and earning in digital dollars seamless, the company said in a press release Monday.

The platform is designed to fix what the company calls a broken user experience for stablecoin holders, who often face clunky interfaces, limited local options, and friction when converting to cash.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies whose value is tied to another asset, such as the U.S. dollar or gold. They play a major role in cryptocurrency markets, providing a payment infrastructure, and are also used to transfer money internationally.

“The dollar is the product, and most of the world is desperate to access it,” said Plasma CEO Paul Faecks.

“Plasma One is our answer to the distribution problem as it puts us directly in the hands of people who face financial exclusion, delivering permissionless access to saving, spending, earning, and sending digital dollars,” Faecks added.

Plasma One offers card payments with rewards, zero-fee USDT transfers, and fast onboarding, all built on Plasma’s own blockchain and payments stack.

The company is focusing on emerging markets where dollar access is most critical, using local teams and peer-to-peer cash networks to drive adoption.

The rollout comes ahead of Plasma’s mainnet beta launch on Sept. 25, with access set to expand in stages.

Read more: Plasma to Launch Mainnet Beta Blockchain for Stablecoins Next Week



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September 23, 2025 0 comments
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Zambia dismantles $300m app crypto fraud targeting tens of thousands: Interpol
NFT Gaming

Zambia dismantles $300m app crypto fraud targeting tens of thousands: Interpol

by admin August 22, 2025



Interpol reported a massive crypto fraud in Zambia that exploited 65,000 victims through a sophisticated app infrastructure. The criminals used targeted ads to acquire users, then funneled them through a series of applications, mirroring the funnel of a real SaaS company but built on fraud.

Summary

  • Zambian authorities dismantled a $300 million crypto fraud targeting 65,000 victims through a complex app ecosystem.
  • Operation Serengeti 2.0, coordinated by Interpol, led to 15 arrests in Zambia and the seizure of critical digital evidence.
  • Angola simultaneously saw 25 illegal crypto mining centers and 45 illicit power stations confiscated, with equipment worth $37 million.

On August 22, Interpol unveiled the details of a sweeping, multi-national takedown dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, which included Zambian authorities arresting 15 individuals connected to a sophisticated modern crypto investment scheme.

The operation exposed a criminal tech stack that leveraged extensive online advertising to lure victims with promises of high-yield returns, before guiding them through a meticulously designed series of proprietary applications that gave the entire operation a veneer of legitimacy.

A coordinated strike on digital crime’s infrastructure

The scale of the Zambian operation is staggering in its precision and impact. Authorities confirmed the scam siphoned an estimated $300 million from its 65,000 victims, a figure that lays bare the devastating efficiency of the app-based model.

In their crackdown, Zambian officials seized the critical digital fingerprints of the operation: key evidence including control domains, mobile numbers, and the bank accounts used to funnel the illicit gains. Investigations are now focused on tracing the international networks that supported the scheme.

Simultaneously, Angola saw a crackdown targeting illicit cryptocurrency mining operations. There, authorities targeted the physical infrastructure of digital asset mining, uncovering 25 illegal centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals.

The operation went beyond seizing mining rigs; it struck at the power source, identifying and confiscating 45 illicit power stations that were diverting national electricity. The total value of the confiscated mining and IT equipment exceeded $37 million, according to Interpol.

Notably, the Angolan government has stated this hardware will be repurposed to support power distribution in vulnerable communities, turning the tools of crime into public utility.

A continental effort against cybercrime

Overall, Operation Serengeti 2.0 led to the recovery of $97.4 million and the dismantling of 11,432 malicious infrastructures, a clear testament to its scope.

Ahead of the operation, Interpol said it facilitated the sharing of intelligence, including suspicious IP addresses, domains, and command-and-control servers, with investigators from 18 African nations and the United Kingdom.

The participating countries included Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.



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August 22, 2025 0 comments
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Chamath Palihapitiya Returns With $250M Spac Targeting Ai
GameFi Guides

Chamath Palihapitiya Returns With $250M SPAC Targeting AI

by admin August 20, 2025



Chamath Palihapitiya, former Facebook executive and once-called SPAC king, is making a high-profile return with American Exceptionalism Acquisition Corp. A, a $250 million blank-check company. 

The special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) will seek mergers in artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized finance (DeFi), energy production, or defense, according to its latest regulatory filing. 

As per the filing, the plan is to offer 25 million shares at $10 each. It will be listed under the ticker ‘AEXA’ on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Banco Santander will lead the offering. Further, Steven Trieu, Group CFO at venture firm Social Capital, has been appointed as the CEO, with Palihapitiya acting as Chairman. 

Palihapitiya, Founder of Social Capital, has invested in key startups across these sectors, including AI firm Groq, clean-energy company Palmetto Clean Technology, and defense innovator Saildrone Inc. He also backs crypto-related ventures and has been a long-time advocate of Bitcoin, blockchain, and stablecoins.

Investors are chasing high-growth sectors. CoreWeave Inc. shares have jumped 132% since March, Nvidia Corp. added $1.1 trillion in market value over the past year, and DeFi platforms like Circle Internet Group Inc. and Bullish surged after recent IPOs. Defense stocks, including Palantir Technologies Inc., soared nearly 400% in the past year.

Despite the excitement, Palihapitiya warned retail investors about the high risks, noting that five of his previous SPACs, including Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., lost significant value post-merger.

Experts say Palihapitiya’s profile and connections could help the SPAC succeed. Louis Camhi of RLH Capital noted that “serial dealmakers like Chamath often attract investors eager for high-growth exposure.” 

Jay Ritter, finance professor at the University of Florida, added that the SPAC’s success depends on finding a quality target at a fair price.

Also Read: TeraWulf Lands $3.7B AI Data Deal with Google-Backed Fluidstack



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August 20, 2025 0 comments
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