3 Shocking Ways Hackers Exploit Ethereum Smart Contracts for Malware

Ethereum Devs Targeted by Malware Hidden in Smart Contracts

Hackers are stepping up their game, and this time they’re using Ethereum smart contracts to pull off sneaky malware attacks. Researchers from ReversingLabs spotted two fake NPM packages, “colortoolsv2” and “mimelib2,” that hide malicious commands inside Ethereum smart contracts to bypass normal security scans.

Ethereum Smart Contracts Turned Into Malware Tools

Here’s the trick: once developers install these packages, the code pings the Ethereum blockchain to grab secret URLs. Those URLs then deliver second-stage malware directly onto the victim’s system. Since blockchain traffic looks legit, the attack flies under the radar, making it harder for cybersecurity tools to spot.

What makes this even scarier is that hackers have been upgrading their tactics. Groups like the Lazarus Group have used ETH contracts before, but now the hidden-URL method makes attacks way more sophisticated. It’s not just random code drops either scammers are building fake GitHub projects with polished descriptions, multiple “maintainers,” and fake updates to look authentic.

ReversingLabs researcher Lucija Valentić explained that this is part of a growing wave of crypto-related scams targeting open-source platforms. In 2024 alone, 23 scams tied to malicious software were found across developer tools and crypto projects. From fake Solana trading bots to compromised Bitcoin libraries, hackers are targeting multiple ecosystems.

The bottom line? Even seasoned developers can get caught if they don’t double-check their sources. With hackers now weaponizing Ethereum smart contracts, open-source coding just got a lot riskier.

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Bitcoin Price Holds Near $111K Despite Bear Market Warning Could $50K Be Next?

Bitcoin price consolidates near $111K amid mixed signals—bulls reassert control but analysts warn of possible bear phase with a $50K bottom by late 2026.

Bitcoin Price Faces Crossroads Amid Mixed Signals

On one side, bulls can point to a rebound above $112K resistance, which preserved the longer-term bull-market support channel. Short liquidations triggered a bounce, and macro sentiment is leaning dovish with a likely Fed rate cut priced in. Analysts say BTC still has path to $120K–$128K if it climbs past this range.

On the flip side, crypto cycle veterans are cautioning of an approaching bear phase. A Bitcoin bear market could begin this October under historic four-year cycle theory, potentially driving the price down to $50K by late 2026—even if short-term momentum holds.

Add to this a record-high hash rate (showing network strength) and crypto’s growing role as macro hedge alongside gold, and you’ve got a market that’s calm for now but primed for volatility.

So yeah, Bitcoin price is stable for now, but while bulls are flexing, cycle watchers are reminding everyone: this rhythm has played out before.

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Ethereum Price Falls 3.6% After Whale-Caused Flash Crash, But Year-to-Date Gains Hold

Ethereum tumbled 3.6% following a whale-induced flash crash, yet maintains strong YTD gains of 31% amid institutional ETF flows and market resilience.

ETH took a nosedive—dropping 3.6% after a major “whale” sold off 24,000 BTC (around $2.7B), sparking a flash crash across crypto markets. This dump triggered widespread sell-offs, tanking ETH to around $4,400 after briefly touching its recent all-time high near $4,954.

Ethereum Grapples with Flash Crash, but Bulls Still Smile

Despite the sudden pullback, Ethereum is still flexing its strength—showcasing a robust 31% year-to-date gain. Quantified by over $296M in ETH liquidations, the crash may have shaken short-term traders, but institutional interest remains solid, with ETF flows and growing corporate treasuries painting a bullish backdrop.

Market insights suggest this drop could act like a “reset button” for ETH, clearing out weak hands and setting up more stable footing. Analysts argue fundamentals remain intact—DeFi usage, staking yields, and ETH’s role in smart contracts all point to resilient demand.

Crypto insiders say these kinds of sharp corrections are expected in increasingly complex markets. With ETF traction building and regulation looking friendlier, the next stage of Ethereum’s cycle may be quietly forming under the volatility.

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Bittensor Surges 13% While Analysts Eye $461 Target Institutional Momentum Builds

Bittensor (TAO) is riding a wave this week, outperforming many Layer-1 peers with a 13% surge in 24 hours, even though it’s down roughly 7% over the past week. It’s trading around $346.18 with a market cap near $3.32 billion—still well below its all-time high of $760, but showing signs of revival.

Bittensor Makes Waves Amid Institutional Adoption

On-chain momentum isn’t the only force pushing TAO higher. Safello just launched Europe’s first regulated TAO ETP, now trading on major exchanges like SIX Swiss and Xetra. That adds visibility for both retail and institutional players. TAO Synergies (Nasdaq: TAOX) also recently revealed it’s stockpiled 42,111 TAO (~$13.5M) and is actively staking to earn yield in the Bittensor ecosystem.

From a chart perspective, TAO has formed a bearish engulfing at the daily high ($375) before pulling back to $342. But with support around the 61.8% Fibonacci level ($349) and MACD showing bullish crossover on longer charts, techs see potential for upside. Analysts are calling for a rally to $461.44 by 2026 and even see the $947 mark by 2031 if decentralized-AI demand grows.

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Bitcoin Price Pops 1.2% After Fed Hints at Rate Cuts Bulls Still Eye $200K

Bitcoin jumps after Powell signals possible rate cuts — analysts now foresee a potential run to $200K amid institutional demand and ETF inflows.

Bitcoin Price Climbs After Powell Signal Momentum Gears Up for Next Leg

BTC is on the move again, ticking up 1.2% to around $114,942 after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that interest rate cuts might be on the horizon during his Jackson Hole speech . Lower rates typically lift risk assets like crypto and weaken the dollar, giving BTC a tailwind.

Bitcoin Price Rebounds with Rate Cut Buzz

This rebound comes after Bitcoin retraced from its August high above $124K a reminder that crypto remains hyper-sensitive to macroeconomic cues. Meanwhile, analysts at Bernstein are pushing the bullish case even further, projecting Bitcoin could reach $200,000 within 6–12 months, powered by institutional demand and regulatory tailwinds like the U.S. GENIUS Act .

Asia’s wealthy investors are doubling down too putting more into crypto amid rising confidence and better regulations. UBS reports that Chinese family offices are upping crypto exposure to about 5% of their portfolios .

Put it all together: bullish signals from the Fed, long-term price targets getting more ambitious, and deep-pocketed investors leaning in the BTC price may have more runway than skeptics think.

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China Considers Yuan Stablecoin to Challenge U.S. Dollar Dominance

China is weighing the launch of a yuan-backed stablecoin, with Shanghai and Hong Kong as pilot hubs, to expand its digital currency’s global influence.

China Weighs Yuan-based Stablecoin Amid Global Market Shift

China is considering launching a yuan-backed stablecoin, a move that could reshape digital finance and challenge U.S. dominance in global payments.

The People’s Republic of China is reviewing the launch of a yuan-based stablecoin as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen the global role of its currency. The State Council is expected to review and approve a roadmap later in August, marking a major shift from China’s earlier hardline stance against cryptocurrencies.

From Ban to Potential Launch

In 2021, China banned cryptocurrencies and mining, citing financial risks. However, recent developments indicate a change of direction. According to Reuters, citing anonymous sources, Shanghai and Hong Kong are expected to be the first cities for pilot rollouts if the plan is approved.

This aligns with Hong Kong’s new stablecoin ordinance, which came into effect on August 1, 2025, and Shanghai’s growing infrastructure for the digital yuan.

Yuan’s Global Position

Despite China’s ambitions, the yuan’s share in global payments fell to 2.88% in June, its lowest in two years, according to SWIFT data. By contrast, the U.S. dollar dominates with 47.19%.

U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly supported dollar-pegged stablecoins since his January inauguration. Initiatives like the GENIUS Act are also establishing clearer rules to boost the legitimacy of U.S.-backed digital assets.

Next Steps and Global Implications

Details of China’s stablecoin plan will be unveiled in the coming weeks, with the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) expected to oversee implementation. The issue is also scheduled for discussion at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin (Aug 31–Sep 1, 2025), attended by leaders from India, Pakistan, and other member nations.

If launched, a yuan stablecoin could deepen China’s influence in cross-border trade and digital finance, directly challenging U.S. dominance in the space.

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Meta Freezes AI Hiring After $100M Talent Spree and Llama Setbacks

Meta has frozen AI hiring after spending $100M on talent and facing Llama model setbacks, as restructuring sparks investor concerns over high costs.

Meta Freezes AI Hiring Amid Cost Concerns and Restructuring

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has frozen hiring across its artificial intelligence (AI) division following months of aggressive recruitment. More than 50 top AI researchers and engineers were brought in from rivals like OpenAI and Google. The freeze, which began last week, also blocks internal transfers within the AI unit, according to sources.

While Meta confirmed the hiring halt, a spokesperson framed it as a routine organizational adjustment tied to budgeting and building a stable structure for its superintelligence initiatives. External hires during this period require approval from Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang.

Investor Pressure & Costly Talent War

The move follows Meta’s headline-grabbing recruitment blitz, which included lavish compensation packages. Some researchers reportedly received offers exceeding $100M, with one offer rumored to be worth more than $1.5B—but still declined. CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally contacted top researchers through email and WhatsApp.

Meta has reorganized its AI division into Meta Superintelligence Labs, split into four teams:

Superintelligence (TBD Lab)
AI Products
Infrastructure
Fundamental AI Research

The underperforming AGI Foundations team, which had worked on Meta’s Llama model, was dissolved earlier this year after disappointing results.

Rising Market Concerns

Investors are increasingly wary of Meta’s massive AI expenditures. Morgan Stanley warned that growing stock-based compensation could erode shareholder returns if breakthroughs don’t materialize quickly. While Zuckerberg remains focused on building AI systems that surpass human cognition, analysts suggest the market is paying closer attention to spending as tech valuations come under pressure.

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Bitcoin Price Falls Below $113K Amid SEC Probe, AI Disappointment, and Tariff Worries

Bitcoin price dropped under $113,000 for the first time in two weeks, with SEC scrutiny, AI revenue fears, and new tariffs driving investor panic.

Bitcoin Price Dips Below $113,000 Amid SEC, AI, and Tariff Fears

Bitcoin (BTC) slipped below $113,000 on Tuesday, triggering over $100M in liquidations as regulatory pressure, AI doubts, and new U.S. tariffs spooked investors.

The dip came just days after Bitcoin touched an all-time high of $124,196 on August 14, raising questions about whether momentum in the bull cycle is slowing. At the time of writing, BTC traded at $113,632, down 1.12% in 24 hours, with daily trading volume of $72.7 billion, per CoinMarketCap data.

Why Bitcoin Price Dropped

The sell-off gained speed after the SEC reportedly began investigating alleged fraud and stock manipulation at Alt5 Sigma, a firm tied to a $1.5B deal with World Liberty Financial (WLFi), co-founded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Market sentiment worsened as:

AI disappointment: MIT NANDA research showed 95% of AI pilots failed to deliver quick revenue, dragging the Nasdaq 100 down 1.5%.
Tariff fears: Washington’s new 50% import tariffs on 407 products increased inflation worries.
Overleveraged bets: Futures markets saw record open interest, leading to forced selling when BTC pulled back.
Options fear: Glassnode reported the 30-day delta skew spiking to 12%, its highest in four months, signaling traders rushing for downside protection.

Safe Havens & Outlook

With risk sentiment fading, UBS raised its gold forecast to $3,700 by 2026 as investors looked for safer assets. Still, analysts argue that Bitcoin’s long-term bull market remains intact and that short-term fear often overshoots fundamentals.

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Breaking ! Mark Cuban Warns Crypto IPOs (6% fall), Could End Up Like Memecoins After Bullish Stock Crash

Mark Cuban questions the future of crypto IPOs after Bullish shares plunge 6% post-listing, raising doubts about token-forward IPOs gaining wider trust.

Mark Cuban Questions Future of Crypto IPOs As Bullish Stock Drop

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban is casting doubt on the future of crypto IPOs after shares of Bullish (BLSH) slid more than 6% just a week after going public.

Cuban, who made his fortune during the dot-com boom and owns the Dallas Mavericks, has been a longtime supporter of blockchain projects like Polygon, Aave, and OpenSea. But after watching Bullish stumble during its highly anticipated debut, he took to X with a sharp post: “Will crypto IPOs be treated like a meme coin now?”

Bullish’s public listing was touted as a landmark for token-forward IPOs, which combine traditional stock offerings with digital asset exposure. The idea was to give investors access to web3 without directly holding tokens. But with prices already tumbling, Cuban’s concern highlights a bigger problem: investor sentiment still dominates this market segment.

Future of Crypto IPOs

For many analysts, Bullish’s performance is a warning shot. If volatility continues, future token-linked IPOs could struggle to gain traction with institutional players. Retail-driven swings have already shaken confidence, and Cuban’s cautious tone signals that even strong backers are rethinking the playbook.

For now, the fate of crypto IPOs may hinge on whether companies can prove they offer more than just hype.

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ARK Invest Doubles Down on Crypto Stocks With $37M Bet Despite Market Slump

ARK Invest Buys $21M Bullish (BLSH) and $16M Robinhood (HOOD) Stocks

Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest has doubled down on crypto-linked stocks, snapping up Bullish and Robinhood shares even as the sector faces steep declines.

According to Tuesday’s trade disclosures, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) picked up 356,346 shares of Bullish worth $21.2 million and 150,908 shares of Robinhood valued at $16.2 million. The move follows ARK’s massive $172 million Bullish buy last week, signaling unwavering confidence in the company after its high-profile NYSE debut.

ARK Invest Keeps Buying Despite the Dip

ARK has been aggressively adding Robinhood stock for three straight sessions, grabbing $14 million worth on Monday and another $9 million last Friday. This marks a sharp reversal from 2024, when ARK was forced to sell Robinhood holdings due to SEC exposure limits.

But the timing is bold. On Tuesday, Bullish fell 6.09% to $59.51 (down another 3.24% after hours) while Robinhood slipped 6.54% to $107.50 with further post-market losses.

Crypto Equities Face Sector-Wide Pressure

The buys come during a broad crypto-equity sell-off. Major players like Coinbase, Galaxy Digital, MicroStrategy, and Circle also posted heavy losses. The Nasdaq Composite slid 1.46%, reflecting fading optimism after last week’s rate-cut hype.

For Cathie Wood, however, the pullback looks like a buying opportunity. ARK’s latest moves suggest the firm is betting big on a long-term rebound in crypto and fintech stocks.

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