This Coin Soars 54%—What's Fueling the Rally?

Hello and welcome to Crypto Intel, the twice-weekly newsletter covering the latest updates, breaking news, and exciting opportunities in the crypto world.

If you’re not looking for more emails from us, just click here to unsubscribe!

Today, we're following a record-breaking exploit that has the entire industry on high alert, a regulatory move that could redefine digital asset classifications, and a strategic partnership signaling growing institutional interest. As the crypto landscape evolves at lightning speed, these developments are set to shape the next wave of market dynamics.

A Hidden Gem in the AI Boom (Sponsored)

The Secret Behind Nvidia’s Next Big Move

In 1999, Sutter Hill Ventures made a bold bet on Nvidia before anyone had heard of it.—now, they’re backing a hidden player behind Nvidia’s groundbreaking Blackwell chip.

This little-known company is at the center of AI’s next evolution, attracting major investment from those who helped fuel Nvidia’s 100,000% rise.

The opportunity is unfolding fast, and early investors could see massive upside.

Click here to uncover the company behind AI’s future.

Exploits & Hacks

🚨 Bybit Hacker Launders Over $605M in ETH

On February 21, Bybit experienced the largest crypto hack in history, losing over $1.4 billion worth of digital assets. Blockchain analytics firms, including Arkham Intelligence, identified North Korea's Lazarus Group as the primary perpetrator behind the exploit. Despite on-chain analysts exposing the attacker's identity, the hacker managed to launder more than $605 million in ETH, over 54% of the stolen funds, using cross-chain protocols to obscure transactions.

The stolen funds were funneled through THORChain, a decentralized cross-chain swap protocol known for its privacy-preserving features. Following the exploit, THORChain's swap volume surged to a record $1 billion, raising concerns about its role in facilitating illicit transactions. This controversy intensified as some validators voted to block North Korean-linked transactions, but the proposal was reverted, leading to significant internal conflicts within the protocol's governance structure.

The situation escalated when Pluto, a core THORChain developer, resigned, citing the protocol's handling of the situation as the reason for his departure. Meanwhile, US authorities, including the FBI, urged crypto validators and exchanges to freeze assets tied to the Lazarus Group. Despite calls for action, THORChain founder John-Paul Thorbjornsen defended the protocol, arguing that the blockchain's decentralized nature makes censorship impractical. The hack has sparked debates on privacy, security, and governance in decentralized finance.

Regulation

📜 SEC Clarifies Memecoin Stance, Not Securities

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has clarified its position on memecoins, stating that they are not considered securities under US law. This announcement aligns with earlier comments from SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who argued that memecoins, inspired by internet memes, characters, and trends, lack the traditional characteristics of securities. The SEC described memecoins as more akin to collectibles, emphasizing that they do not meet the requirements of the Howey Test, which determines whether an asset is a security.

The informal policy statement highlights that memecoins generally offer limited or no utility, functioning mainly as speculative assets. As a result, they fall outside the SEC's regulatory jurisdiction. However, the agency cautioned investors that they would not be protected if they incur losses from memecoin investments, as these tokens are considered high-risk and lack traditional investor safeguards. This stance reinforces Peirce's earlier remarks about the importance of personal responsibility in speculative trading.

Despite excluding most memecoins from its regulatory reach, the SEC warned that it retains the right to take enforcement actions if memecoins are used to evade federal securities laws. This could apply to cases where projects disguise securities as memecoins to bypass legal scrutiny. The agency emphasized that its evaluation would focus on the "economic realities" of specific transactions, ensuring that securities laws are enforced where applicable. The announcement underscores the SEC's balanced approach, promoting market freedom while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Insider Stock Picks (Sponsored)

Man Who Called Nvidia Says "Buy These Five AI Stocks"

In 2016, Jeff Brown called Nvidia at a split-adjusted 66 cents.

The company just became the world's third $3 trillion company...

And the stock is up massively since Jeff's recommendation.

Now, Jeff has found five under-the-radar stocks which could power your retirement.

And it's in large part because these companies are connected to Elon Musk and Nvidia.

Adoption

🏦 Boerse Stuttgart Enables Crypto Trading for DekaBank 

Boerse Stuttgart Digital, the digital asset arm of one of Germany's largest stock exchanges, has partnered with DekaBank to provide regulated cryptocurrency trading services to institutional clients. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for DekaBank, a prominent German asset manager with over €411.5 billion in assets, as it enters the crypto market. Boerse Stuttgart Digital's fully regulated infrastructure, licensed under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, will facilitate secure and reliable crypto trading for DekaBank's institutional investors.

DekaBank's journey into crypto trading follows its initial exploration of blockchain technology in 2023 when it partnered with Swiss digital asset firm Metaco to build a blockchain-based tokenization platform. With the MiCA regulatory framework providing clear guidelines, DekaBank's entry into the crypto market appears strategic and timely. The collaboration with Boerse Stuttgart Digital is expected to enhance institutional access to digital assets in Europe, reflecting growing confidence in regulated crypto trading solutions.

The partnership is also significant for Boerse Stuttgart Digital, which generated 25% of its total revenue from its crypto business in 2024. The firm continues to advocate for "smart regulation" in the crypto market, with CEO Matthias Voelkel emphasizing the importance of transparent guidelines to foster innovation and investor trust. As the EU progresses with MiCA regulations, the partnership between Boerse Stuttgart Digital and DekaBank is poised to strengthen Europe's position in the global digital asset market, highlighting the growing institutional adoption of crypto.

The Next Big Energy Shift (Sponsored)

The AI Energy Miracle

All the Energy You Need to Power Your Entire Life... Could Fit Inside This Single Soda Can.

Three Companies Set to See Enormous Profit Potential. See Full Details Here.

⏩ Future Forward

Exciting developments are unfolding in crypto! From game-changing events to much-awaited token launches and airdrops, here's what's coming up. Keep an eye out—you won't want to miss a thing! 📅

Crypto Conferences:

💎 Crypto Wallet Setup Workshop (Mar 1, 2025)

💎 Bitcoin Bucharest 2025 (Mar 1, 2025 - Mar 2, 2025)

💎 DogeCon Denver 2025 (Mar 1, 2025)

Upcoming Airdrops:

🎁 GAMBL Airdrop (Mar 2, 2025)

🎁 LTO Network (LTO) Airdrop (Mar 3, 2025)

🎁 Rejuve.AI Airdrop (Mar 3, 2025)

Upcoming Token Launches:

🚀 Kayen Protocol (KAYEN) SHO on DAO Maker (Mar 3, 2025)

🚀 Agentwood (AWS) IDO on Polkastarter (Mar 3, 2025)

🚀 BitSwapix (BITS) Presale (Mar 15, 2025)

Which event are you most excited for? Let us know!

🧠 Crypto Know-How: Crypto Lending

Crypto lending allows users to borrow or lend digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Borrowers can use their crypto as collateral to get a loan in another cryptocurrency or even in fiat money. Meanwhile, lenders earn interest by providing their crypto to borrowers, making it a way to generate passive income.

The process is simple: borrowers lock up their crypto as collateral, and lenders provide the funds. Smart contracts on blockchain platforms automatically manage the loan terms, ensuring security and transparency. If the collateral's value drops too much, it can be liquidated to protect the lender's investment.

While crypto lending offers attractive returns, it also comes with risks. Market volatility can affect collateral value, leading to liquidation. Additionally, lending platforms can be vulnerable to hacks or smart contract bugs. Still, crypto lending remains a popular option for earning interest and accessing quick liquidity in the crypto world.

Everything Else

• Lazarus Group has stolen over $6 billion in crypto since 2017, making it the most notorious hacking group in the industry, with the recent $1.4 billion Bybit heist adding to its legacy.

• A new proposal suggests using modern privateers to combat state-sponsored crypto hackers like Lazarus Group by legally sanctioning private entities to seize stolen funds.

• The UAE's proactive crypto regulations are driving a boom in real-world asset tokenization, especially in the real estate sector, positioning the region as a leader in blockchain adoption.

• Coinbase, NEAR, and other blockchain firms have formed the Open Agents Alliance to develop open AI services aimed at ensuring secure, fair, and decentralized access to artificial intelligence.

• Bitcoin's correction may continue until April due to macroeconomic trends and a stronger US dollar, according to Matrixport's latest analysis.