US game spending declines by 15% in January 2025 – WholesGame

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February 24, 2025

US game spending declines by 15% in January 2025 – WholesGame

The US video game market experienced a significant downturn in January 2025, with overall consumer spending dropping 15% year-over-year to $4.5 billion. This decline, however, was partly influenced by the fact that Circana’s tracking period for January 2025 was a week shorter than the five-week span of January 2024. Even with this consideration, spending across multiple segments struggled to maintain last year’s levels.

Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth Climbs the Charts Following Steam Launch

One of the biggest shifts in the gaming charts came from Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, which surged to the No.3 position following its Steam debut. This resurgence came after Square Enix had previously stated that the game’s initial release in February 2024 underperformed compared to expectations.

Additionally, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake & Rebirth Twin Pack saw a dramatic rise, catapulting from a distant No.265 to No.16 in the top 20 rankings. The Steam release provided a crucial boost to the game’s overall performance, drawing in players who may have waited for its PC availability.

Top Performers and New Entrants

Despite these shake-ups, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 continued to dominate as the best-selling game for January, holding its No.1 ranking on PlayStation’s individual chart and securing the second position on Xbox Series X|S. Meanwhile, Madden NFL 25 retained its No.2 position.

The only major new release of the month, Donkey Kong Country Returns, debuted at No.8 in the overall rankings. It performed exceptionally well on the Nintendo Switch, taking the top spot on the platform’s individual sales chart.

Mobile Gaming Landscape

In the mobile gaming sector, Monopoly Go led the charts, followed closely by Roblox and Candy Crush Saga. Pokémon TCG Pocket saw a slight dip, dropping three positions, but still managed to achieve its second-highest revenue week in late January after a significant update.

An interesting new entrant in the mobile gaming space was ReelShort – Short Movie & TV, which made its way into the top ten. The app, a hybrid between streaming content and interactive story games, saw a sharp rise in popularity over the past two years, highlighting the growing trend of entertainment and gaming convergence.

Declining Spending in Key Areas

Content spending in the video game industry fell by 12% year-over-year, despite some areas showing resilience. Subscription services that exclude mobile platforms saw a 13% increase, and mobile gaming spending grew by 2%. However, these gains were insufficient to counterbalance the overall downturn in content-related expenditures.

Hardware sales suffered the most significant decline, plummeting 45% from the previous year to $205 million, marking the lowest January total since 2020, when sales hit $131 million. All major platforms saw steep drops: PlayStation 5 sales fell by 38%, Xbox Series X|S by 50%, and Nintendo Switch by 53%.

While game sales showed some bright spots with Steam-fueled surges and continued strength from major franchises, the overall picture reflected a weaker start to the year. With declining hardware sales and shifts in consumer spending habits, the industry will be looking toward upcoming releases and potential hardware refreshes to reinvigorate growth in the coming months.

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Political Memecoins: A Repeating Pattern of Boom and Bust

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February 24, 2025

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Political Memecoins: A Repeating Pattern of Boom and Bust

Political memecoins have become a recurring trend in the crypto market. They follow a familiar cycle: an initial surge driven by hype, followed by a steep decline. Many investors jump in early, hoping for quick profits, but most see their holdings collapse in value.

Melania Meme Coin: A Brief Surge

In relation to former First Lady Melania Trump, the Melania Meme coin peaked at $7.8 billion. But the thrill was short-lived because the coin’s value plummeted, wiping off nearly all of its profits. The rapid decline highlights the highly speculative nature of political memecoins.

Source: CoinGecko

Official Trump Coin: A Familiar Story

The Official Trump coin, linked to former President Donald Trump, also experienced an initial pump before suffering a sharp decline. Investors drawn in by its political branding saw major losses as the coin failed to sustain its early momentum.

Source: CoinGecko

LIBRA Coin: Argentina’s Crypto Controversy

In Argentina, the Libra coin, promoted by President Javier Milei, saw a quick rise and a dramatic crash. The repercussions, known as “cryptogate,” led to an official probe and more than 110 investor complaints. Milei is under political pressure as a result of the scandal, including calls for his impeachment and worries for the stability of the nation’s economy.

Learn more: Recap of $LIBRA Token’s Shocking Rug Pull and Fallout

LIBRA Coin: Argentina’s Crypto Controversy

Source: CoinGecko

Kekius Maximus Coin: The Elon Musk Connection

The Kekius Maximus coin, associated with Elon Musk, followed the same pattern. After initially rising in value, it is currently down 6.2% over the past day at $0.01211. Despite having a market value of almost $12 million, the coin is still quite dangerous and volatile.

Source: CoinGecko

The allure of political memecoins lies in their initial novelty, sparking rapid speculative surges. However, this pattern consistently reveals a precarious investment landscape. These tokens often lack intrinsic value, relying solely on fleeting political narratives for their appeal.

Consequently, their long-term viability is severely compromised. While early adopters capitalize on the initial hype, the majority of investors face substantial financial risks, as these coins are prone to dramatic price fluctuations and eventual decline. The absence of genuine utility renders them highly susceptible to market sentiment and political volatility. Therefore, prudent investors must exercise extreme caution, recognizing that political memecoins are primarily speculative assets with a high probability of significant losses.

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‘Delighted’ Strictly star announces she’s joining Countryfile as fans thrilled: “Yet another reason to watch!”

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February 24, 2025

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Radio 1 presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing star Vick Hope will bring her love for the outdoors to BBC’s Countryfile.

The 35-year-old broadcaster is married to Scottish DJ Calvin Harris. She will make her debut on the long-running countryside series on March 9 alongside fellow Tynesider Matt Baker.

The BBC confirmed the exciting news in a statement shared on Twitter.

“It’s official! Vick Hope is joining @BBCCountryfile,” the statement said. “Vick’s first episode will air Sunday 9 March on @BBCiPlayer and @BBCOne as she joins fellow Tynesider Matt Baker to explore Kielder Forest.”

BBC Factual has announced that TV and radio presenter Vick Hope will be joining #Countryfile as a permanent presenter, bringing her passion for nature and her personal connection to the countryside to the long-running show. https://t.co/kk5qEiemPn pic.twitter.com/eh8m1Q4OMF

— Jonn on TV www.jonn.co.uk (@JonnOnTV) February 24, 2025

Vick Hope joins Countryfile

Vick, who grew up not far from Northumberland’s Kielder Forest, expressed her excitement about joining the iconic show.

“I’m delighted to be joining the Countryfile team,” she said in a statement to the BBC.

“Spending time in nature has always been hugely important to me, so the chance to learn even more about the world around us from such beautifully diverse perspectives and such a passionate mix of people who live and breathe country life across the UK will be so special and enriching.”

Her first assignment will take her back to Kielder Forest, a place she holds dear from her childhood.

“I grew up not too far from Kielder Forest, and I have fond memories of orienteering there as a child,” Vick shared. “The opportunity to return and champion an area that has meant so much to me as my first assignment is an incredible full circle moment – I can’t wait.”

Vick Hope is no stranger to television. Her impressive resume includes stints on Strictly Come Dancing, I’m A Celebrity: The Daily Drop and Pointless.

The TV star was partnered with former Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima in the 2018 series, but they were the fourth couple to be eliminated.

She currently hosts BBC Radio 1’s Drivetime alongside Kate Thistleton and Jamie Laing.

Now, she’s bringing her skills and passion for nature to Countryfile.

The presenter is known for her stint on Strictly in 2018 (Credit: Cover Images)

‘Vick has a genuine connection to the countryside’

Countryfile’s series editor, Mark Beech, also expressed his enthusiasm about Vick’s addition to the team.

“Growing up in rural Northumberland, Vick has a genuine connection to the countryside,” he explained. “We’re excited for her to bring that personal insight, alongside her vibrant energy, to the show. We look forward to seeing her lace up her boots, brave the elements, and head out to visit the people and places of our beautiful countryside.”

Helen Skelton was quick to share her congratulations: “Congratulations!! Fabulous show with fabulous people. I hope you enjoy it.”

“Congrats! I love your curiosity and passion for new experiences!” said another fan.

Another added: “Suddenly want to watch Countryfile!” “Congratulations! Yet another reason to watch a great show!” another said.

Vick’s new role on Countryfile follows a lot of change in her personal life.

In September 2023, she married DJ Calvin Harris in a private ceremony at a sprawling estate in northeast England.

The couple went public with their relationship in 2022. They have kept much of their romance private, but their lavish wedding made headlines.

Read more: Matt Baker nearly died while filming TV show: ‘My buddy saw exactly what was going on and saved my life’

Vick Hope & Graziano Di Prima dance the Jive to Feel It Still - BBC Strictly 2018

So what do you think of Vick on Countryfile? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.

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XT.COM Partners With Rolling Stone China For Hong Kong VIP Night, Driving Global Vision With #BeyondTrade

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XT.COM Partners With Rolling Stone China For Hong Kong VIP Night, Driving Global Vision With #BeyondTrade

by
Alisa Davidson

Published: February 24, 2025 at 12:10 pm Updated: February 24, 2025 at 6:16 am

by Ana

Edited and fact-checked:
February 24, 2025 at 12:10 pm

In Brief

XT.COM has partnered with Rolling Stone China to host the Hong Kong VIP Night, marking the highlight of the first day of the Consensus conference.

Cryptocurrency exchange XT.COM announced its collaboration with Rolling Stone China, a prominent brand in the music and pop culture industry, to host the Hong Kong VIP Night, which marked the highlight of the first day of Consensus Hong Kong 2025.

Consensus Hong Kong 2025, which opened on February 18th, attracted widespread attention from the global blockchain and cryptocurrency community. The VIP Night, co-hosted by XT.COM and Rolling Stone China, became a key focus of the conference’s opening day, bringing together leaders, investors, and innovators from technology, finance, culture, and other sectors. The event allowed guests to explore the latest trends in digital assets, understand the integration of diverse communities, and gain a deeper insight into XT.COM’s “#BeyondTrade” vision.

The event offered a mix of technological insights and cultural energy. Rolling Stone China’s musical and cultural background added a unique touch, while XT.COM used the event to demonstrate its core values of innovation, inclusion, and global connectivity, reinforcing its vision of going beyond traditional cryptocurrency trading.

A highlight of the evening was a performance by Chinese rap icon MC Jin (Ouyang Jing). As a rap culture pioneer, MC Jin’s performance, along with audience interaction, creatively showcased the potential of merging music and technology. Additionally, Japanese artist SHUZO delivered a vibrant performance, further emphasizing the international scope and multicultural appeal of the event. The performances infused the event with youthful energy and aligned with XT.COM’s “#BeyondTrade” message.

XT.COM’s annual theme “#BeyondTrade” reflects its broader vision to move beyond digital asset trading. The platform aims not only to offer trading services but also to foster strategic partnerships, encourage user-driven community development, and dismantle industry barriers. The collaboration with Rolling Stone China exemplifies this vision. The event brought together thought leaders from finance, technology, art, entertainment, and more, creating a unique cross-industry experience.

Throughout the event, XT.COM showcased not just the intersection of blockchain and music, but the full range of its platform’s capabilities through interactive experiences. Attendees were able to explore XT.COM’s innovative products and services while learning how the platform empowers users and partners through community engagement, education, and inclusivity.

As one of the world’s leading blockchain and digital finance events, Consensus Hong Kong 2025 offered an ideal platform for XT.COM to demonstrate its forward-thinking approach. By hosting this high-profile event on the first day of the conference, XT.COM amplified its brand presence while injecting cultural and artistic energy into a conference traditionally centered on business discussions.

Guests from around the world witnessed how digital asset platforms can integrate technological innovation with cultural heritage through cross-industry partnerships. Industry leaders and influencers gained a deeper understanding of XT.COM’s cutting-edge vision, including its user-centric tools and services, as well as its expansive “#BeyondTrade” vision across various sectors.

As XT.COM’s global influence continues to grow, its partnership with Rolling Stone China further cements its commitment to establishing a solid worldwide presence. By choosing Hong Kong as the venue—where global finance and culture converge—XT.COM aimed to foster deep interactions with diverse communities, create new opportunities, and build lasting connections. Through this collaboration, XT.COM showcased its innovation in cross-industry cooperation and its dedication to making digital financial solutions more accessible while promoting a more inclusive cryptocurrency ecosystem. The event is a testament to XT.COM’s goal of engaging cryptocurrency enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders to shape the future of blockchain and digital assets.

Following the successful completion of the Rolling Stone China – Hong Kong VIP Night, XT.COM is set to continue its progress by focusing on platform optimization and expansion. The company aims to explore new features, technologies, and cooperative opportunities, all while striving to redefine how individuals and businesses interact with digital assets. Whether through launching new trading pairs, enhancing user education, or supporting charitable initiatives, XT.COM is committed to its core principle of “#BeyondTrade,” which emphasizes creating lasting value and fostering meaningful connections.

On a global scale, XT.COM will continue to engage with diverse communities, firmly believing in the high potential of cryptocurrencies across various industries and cultural contexts. The next phase of the platform’s strategy involves strengthening collaborations with key stakeholders, introducing innovative products and services, and promoting deeper discussions on how digital finance can contribute to positive societal change.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

“A fun example of a bug becoming a feature” Destiny 2 is technically a bit broken right now, and Bungie has no plans to fix it

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February 24, 2025

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“A fun example of a bug becoming a feature” Destiny 2 is technically a bit broken right now, and Bungie has no plans to fix it

If you noticed an odd bug in Destiny 2 recently, don’t worry about it, because Bungie isn’t fixing it on purpose.

There are lots of things that separate games from other mediums out there, but I think one of the biggest are bugs and glitches. The closest thing you could maybe find elsewhere is in live theatre, because accidents can happen, but it’s not exactly the same given the way games work. Sometimes, little bugs can find their way into games and just get embraced by the devs, like how in Celeste players discovered certain walls of spikes had single-pixel-wide windows you could dash through, and the devs added in a custom animation to show you’re doing the trick right. It’s neat! And while Bungie isn’t going quite that far with Destiny 2’s latest bug, it is still embracing it.

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In recent weeks following Heresy’s launch, some players noticed that three exotic glaive weapons, the Edge of Intent, the Edge of Concurrence, and the Edge of Action, amongst others, which were typically class-specific could be used on any class. And, as it turns out, Bungie has been “seeing some great celebrations with the removal of these constraints,” as it explained in a blog post last week.

“Our first reactions were focused more towards fixing the issue as we want to retain strong class-based fantasies within Destiny, and the removal of class locks muddies the water a bit,” Bungie continued. “As an example, it’s a bit weird to see a Warlock or a Hunter spawning a mini-bubble or seeing a Titan running like a ninja. After some discussions between team members, we’ve arrived at a new decision: we’re going to let this ride. A fun example of a bug becoming a feature.”

Now, one thing Bungie did want to note is that some animations might not look right given that certain combos aren’t meant to happen. On top of that it found from talking amongst the team, “class-based Glaives open up some interesting new buildcrafting opportunities. In the future, we will be keeping a close eye on how these Glaives are performing across all three classes.”

Bungie did also make it clear that it “won’t always look at weird bugs and decide to support them as a feature,” but this one “felt appropriate”, so don’t pointlessly hope that it’ll keep the next weird bug that rolls around (even though you probably will).

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Crypto Expert Predicts New Altcoin Solaxy Will Outperform XRP in 2025

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February 24, 2025

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Crypto Expert Predicts New Altcoin Solaxy Will Outperform XRP in 2025

Popular analyst Borch Crypto has high hopes for XRP this cycle, but he says Solana layer 2 crypto Solaxy ($SOLX) could outperform.

He anticipates XRP could hit $10 on the back of new ecosystem developments, marking over a 3x gain from its current price. However, the prominent trader anticipates a whopping 50x ROI for Solaxy.

Solaxy is undergoing a presale where it has raised $22 million so far. The current $SOLX presale price is $0.001642, but this will rise throughout the ICO, with the next increase in under two days.

Ecosystem developments give XRP 3x potential

XRP’s founding company, Ripple, has made numerous market-shaking moves in recent months, positioning it for substantial gains.

It’s currently trading at $2.66, up 376% in the last year. The altcoin market’s demise since December has pinned down the XRP price, but it has held up better than some of its competitors. XRP is down 16% this month, but Ethereum is down 17%, Solana is down 31%, and rival payments cryptocurrency Stellar is down 22%.

This is primarily thanks to XRP’s numerous ecosystem advancements in recent months, beginning with the regulatory approval and subsequent launch of Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD.

Other ecosystem developments include the closure of the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs, and a partnership with real-world assets crypto project Ondo to bring BlackRock-backed tokenized US Treasuries to the XRP ledger.

This exciting outlook prompted Borch Crypto to provide a $10 price prediction. It’s also worth noting that if it does reach this price, XRP’s market cap will be over $570 billion, which is bigger than Ethereum’s current valuation.

XRP’s already massive market cap is what limits its growth potential to under 4x. In contrast, Solaxy’s current low valuation is exactly why it has such substantial room for growth.

Borch Crypto says $SOLX can 50x in 2025

In another video, Borch Crypto hailed Solaxy as the best presale to buy now. He points to the project’s revolutionary potential to change the Solana ecosystem with its first-ever layer 2 blockchain.

Solaxy will use off-chain computation and transaction bundling technology to make transacting on Solana cheaper, faster, and more reliable. Historically, Solana has grappled with congestion issues. This happens when network activity is high, and there is not enough computing power to meet demand. It leads to longer wait times and failed transactions.

With Solaxy’s increased scalability, Solana can continue to grow without worrying about congestion. As Borch Crypto explained:

“These guys are building it to withstand any amount of transactions per second (TPS).”

He then pointed to the project’s roadmap, which involves centralized exchange listings and the launch of the Solana layer 2 blockchain.

Because of these factors, Crypto Borch believes Solaxy could provide 50x gains this year, well outpacing XRP and other well-known cryptocurrencies.

Solana sees AI and RWA adoption, good news for $SOLX

When the Solaxy presale launched in December, all eyes were on Solana meme coins. But now, the pendulum is swinging toward Solana-based utility projects.

This month, Solana headhunted crypto’s leading AI agent launchpad, Virtuals Protocol. It resided on Coinbase’s Ethereum layer 2 network Base, but it closed up shop on Base and migrated to Solana, lured by its vibrant ecosystem and more active community.

Now, developers can create AI agents with text-based prompts on crypto’s most powerful agentic launchpad, directly from their Solana wallet.

Another major win is that $1.5 trillion asset manager Franklin Templeton recently expanded its $594 million money market fund to Solana, which will bring real-world assets to the network.

In addition, traders are looking toward a Solana spot exchange-traded fund (ETF), which has an 84% chance of approval according to predictions market Polymarket. If this occurs, it will unlock another source of institutional liquidity flows for the Solana ecosystem.

As Solana attracts new major projects, the need to resolve its congestion issue only becomes stronger. This makes Solaxy one of the most crucial projects within the ecosystem, which is good news for presale investors.

Solaxy 179% staking APY and smart contract audits

Solaxy presale investors have the added advantage of being able to stake their tokens before the project is listed on exchanges. Currently, staking offers a 179% APY, which could provide substantial gains, even before the presale ends.

The project also shows a strong commitment to security, having undergone a smart contract audit from Coinsult, which found no issues with its code.

Those wishing to participate in the Solaxy presale can do so from the project’s website or the Best Wallet app.

Best Wallet also allows users to stake and track their presale purchases within the app, offering a unified investing experience.

Follow Solaxy on X or join its Telegram for the latest news and updates.

Visit Solaxy Presale

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Auditoria.AI Secures $38M in Series B Funding to Transform Agentic AI for Enterprise Finance – Web3oclock

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February 24, 2025

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Auditoria.AI Secures M in Series B Funding to Transform Agentic AI for Enterprise Finance – Web3oclock

Auditoria.AI, a pioneer in agentic AI solutions designed for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has closed an oversubscribed Series B funding round with $38 million in new capital. The round was led by Innovius Capital, with Dell Technologies Capital, Sentinel Global, and current investors like Venrock, NeoTribe Ventures, Engineering Capital, and KPMG Ventures joining in. The investment will fuel Auditoria.AI’s growth, and product innovation, and expand its international market reach.

“This funding is an important milestone for Auditoria.AI as we keep scaling and delivering innovative AI-powered autonomous solutions empowering CFOs and finance teams to drive efficiency, reduce risk, and speed up decision-making,” said Rohit Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of Auditoria.AI. “We are thrilled to welcome Innovius Capital, Dell Technologies Capital, and Sentinel Global as partners. Their expertise and resources will be invaluable in propelling our mission forward. This investment strengthens our vision, and we’re just getting started.”

Auditoria.AI recorded triple-digit growth in 2024 as the leader in agentic AI solutions for corporate finance. The firm provides real-time financial insights, automates routine accounting processes, and maximizes vendor and customer relationships through the application of agentic AI driven by deep natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and generative AI. Its platform enables finance teams to attend to strategic purposes while maintaining seamless automation of finance, accounting, and procurement operations.

Organizations from key industries and sectors such as healthcare, financial services, retail, technology, and consumer hospitality have embraced Auditoria’s AI offerings across a broad spectrum. Auditoria’s smart systems are programmed to fit harmoniously into enterprise environments, using contextual knowledge and machine learning to enhance collaboration, increase efficiency, and enhance shared services teams’ innovation.

The Emerging Need for AI in Finance:

As per the 2024 Gartner AI in Finance Survey, almost all finance leaders believe that the expense and effort required for deploying AI in financial operations will increase over the next two years. Over 53% of them predict an increase of over 10% in the cost and resources required for AI. With growing pressure on CFOs and finance teams to optimize efficiency while managing increasingly complex workflows, Auditoria. Ai’s Smart Customer and Smart Vendor AI solutions are revolutionizing accounts receivable and accounts payable automation.

Enlarging its scope, Auditoria.AI now accommodates more than 300 languages and currencies, accessing markets that account for over 80% of the world’s GDP. The platform handles more than $2.4 billion in collections and over $9 billion in invoicing per year, bringing substantial operational gains to finance departments globally.

Industry Leaders Endorse Auditoria’s Impact:

“With competition for top financial talent higher than ever before, companies need to unlock their current teams by automating bulk tasks,” added Michael Conway, CFO at TIH Insurance Holdings. “Auditoria.AI facilitates this by liberating finance professionals to deliver high-impact work. Having rolled out their solutions at two organizations, I have seen their huge value for myself.” This new funding round highlights the increasing need for AI-powered finance automation, and I am pleased to witness Auditoria leading the charge.”

“Finance leaders today require AI-powered automation that is secure, intelligent, and natively integrated into current workflows,” said Justin Moore, CEO and Co-Founder at Innovius Capital. “Auditoria is leading this next generation of AI-powered finance transformation. In an industry notoriously slow to embrace AI and cutting-edge technology, Auditoria is providing agentic AI solutions that deliver radical change. We are thrilled to help their continued growth and innovation.”

About Auditoria.AI:

Auditoria.AI is an innovator of agentic AI solutions for corporate finance, optimizing business processes to improve financial performance and cash efficiency. The solution automates the mundane while taking care of intricate finance functions within the Office of the CFO, establishing a new benchmark in enterprise AI. Auditoria’s proprietary Specialized Language Model operates alongside leading large language models (LLMs) such as GPTs from OpenAI, Azure, LLaMa, and Google Gemini, ensuring that finance teams have access to best-in-class generative AI capabilities.

Auditoria’s SmartBots integrate with enterprise systems of record and finance inboxes, optimizing vendor management, streamlining collections, reinforcing procurement controls, accelerating data extraction, and automatically managing finance-related inquiries.

Accounting and corporate finance teams at large organizations including Rocket Companies, RingCentral, Truist Insurance Holdings, Match Group, Ochsner Health System, StockX, Denny’s, Blackbaud, Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospitals, and Iowa State University depend on Auditoria to build business resilience, lower IT burden, and accelerate financial insights.

For more insights and updates on Metaverse, DeFi, Blockchain, NFT & Web3, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter. Stay informed on the latest trends and developments in the decentralized world!

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Bybit Closes $1.4B ETH Deficit After Historic Hack, CEO Confirms

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February 24, 2025

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Bybit Closes .4B ETH Deficit After Historic Hack, CEO Confirms

Bybit has nearly fully restored its Ethereum (ETH) reserves following one of the largest cryptocurrency hacks in history.

The attack, which was linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, resulted in the theft of $1.46 billion in ETH and stETH from the exchange’s cold wallets. However, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou confirmed that the platform has now closed the ETH deficit through a combination of loans, whale deposits, and direct purchases.

According to on-chain analytics platform Lookonchain, Bybit has acquired 446,870 ETH, worth approximately $1.23 billion, bringing the exchange’s total replenishment to nearly 88% of the stolen funds. In addition, Bybit has assured users that a new proof-of-reserves report will be published soon, demonstrating that all client assets remain fully backed on a 1:1 basis.

Bybit Closes $1.4B ETH Deficit After Historic Hack, CEO Confirms — Source: ByBit

How did the ByBit hack happened?

The breach was first detected on February 21, when blockchain investigator ZachXBT reported suspicious outflows from Bybit’s Ethereum cold wallet. The attackers exploited a vulnerability in the exchange’s multisignature security system, using a “masked” transaction that altered the smart contract logic whilst displaying a legitimate recipient address.

As a result, Bybit’s security team unknowingly approved a transaction that handed control of the funds to the attackers. The stolen assets were then transferred to unidentified addresses, with portions swapped for ETH, Bitcoin (BTC), and stablecoins across multiple decentralised exchanges.

Further investigation linked the attack to Lazarus Group, a North Korean cybercriminal organisation known for targeting cryptocurrency firms. Blockchain intelligence firms have also found on-chain connections between the Bybit hack and a recent exploit of the Phemex exchange, suggesting a broader, coordinated attack against multiple trading platforms.

Following the attack, Lazarus Group moved the stolen funds across various DEXs and privacy protocols, making asset recovery more difficult. The stolen ETH was split across multiple wallets, converted into Bitcoin, and further dispersed through privacy mixers and cross-chain bridges.

Blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic has tracked over $140 million of the stolen funds being converted into Bitcoin. Meanwhile, eXch mixer, a crypto mixing service, has refused to cooperate with Bybit’s efforts to trace the funds, complicating further recovery attempts. Despite this, Bybit has led a coordinated effort with major industry partners to freeze $42.89 million of stolen assets.

What is the status of Bybit now?

In the aftermath of the hack, Bybit faced over $5.3 billion in withdrawals within a single day, significantly impacting the exchange’s liquidity. However, the company took swift action to replenish its reserves.

According to Lookonchain, Bybit purchased large quantities of ETH through over-the-counter (OTC) deals with major crypto investment firms Galaxy Digital, FalconX, and Wintermute, whale deposits from institutional investors and direct purchases from centralised and decentralised exchanges. A wallet linked to Bybit, identified as “0x2E45…1b77”, purchased 157,660 ETH for $437 million in OTC transactions, beginning on February 22. Another wallet, “0xd7CF…A995,” acquired 304,000 ETH, further contributing to closing the deficit.

Bybit has also secured $4 billion in liquidity support from external sources, including 63,168 ETH (~$170 million), $3.15 billion USDT, $173 million USDC, $525 million CUSD, and transfers from Binance, Bitget, and MEXC. As a result, Bybit has fully reopened all deposit and withdrawal services.

In an effort to recover the stolen assets, Bybit has launched a Recovery Bounty Program, offering up to 10% of recovered funds to cybersecurity experts and blockchain analysts who assist in asset retrieval. If the full amount is recovered, this could mean a bounty of up to $140 million.

The program invites ethical hackers, security researchers, and forensic analysts to contribute to the investigation. Interested participants can contact Bybit at [email protected].

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Why Smart Investors Are Turning to Bullionz for Crypto & Gold Rewards?

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February 24, 2025

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Why Smart Investors Are Turning to Bullionz for Crypto & Gold Rewards?

by
Gregory Pudovsky

Published: February 24, 2025 at 10:46 am Updated: February 24, 2025 at 10:47 am

Bullionz offers unparalleled advantages, providing exclusive perks, premium features, and a secure, transparent ecosystem for gold trading and cryptocurrency exchange. More than just a trading platform, Bullionz embodies the evolution of innovative investment strategies, blending traditional assets with modern digital opportunities.

A Dual Investment Opportunity: Crypto & Gold in One Platform

Bullionz seamlessly integrates gold investment with cryptocurrency trading, offering modern investors a unique, all-in-one solution. This dual-asset approach enhances portfolio diversification by balancing cryptocurrency volatility with gold’s intrinsic stability. By combining these asset classes, Bullionz enables users to hedge against market fluctuations while promoting long-term financial growth.

To further engage investors, Bullionz features a robust loyalty rewards program. Participants earn points and exclusive incentives for trading, vaulting, yielding BTXG tokens, and executing crypto-to-fiat or crypto-to-crypto transactions. This reward structure encourages continuous participation and maximizes financial benefits within the Bullionz ecosystem.

Earn While You Trade: Bullionz’s Rewards System That Actually Pays

Bullionz redefines the trading experience by ensuring every transaction generates tangible returns. Its dynamic rewards system transforms routine trades into profit opportunities, promoting financial growth while navigating the gold and crypto markets. By integrating a seamless and rewarding framework, Bullionz empowers investors to optimize their portfolios and achieve lasting financial stability.

The platform is designed to accommodate both novice and experienced traders. Beginners can explore digital assets with reduced risk, while seasoned investors can leverage higher trading volumes and enhanced incentives to maximize their overall returns.

Access To Exclusive Features With Bullionz’s Premium Rewards

Bullionz sets itself apart by offering premium benefits tailored to active traders. Exclusive promotions and enhanced rewards boost returns, particularly for VIP-tier investors who benefit from lower fees and superior financial services. A standout feature is gold yielding, which allows investors to generate passive income in addition to benefiting from the natural appreciation of gold prices.

Beyond trading advantages, Bullionz provides quick access to funds through streamlined onboarding and withdrawal processes. Its digital wallet further enhances flexibility, enabling instant cryptocurrency-to-fiat conversions. Collectively, these premium features optimize asset management and reinforce Bullionz’s reputation as the preferred platform for serious investors.

Secure & Transparent: A Platform You Can Trust

Security is paramount at Bullionz, with advanced measures in place to protect both physical and digital assets. Gold holdings are stored in highly secure, fully insured cold storage facilities, eliminating the risks of theft or unauthorized access. On the digital side, blockchain technology ensures transaction immutability and transparency, significantly reducing the chances of fraud and manipulation.

Bullionz employs advanced encryption protocols, multi-signature authentication, cold storage solutions, and routine security audits to strengthen its defenses against cyber threats. These industry-leading protections give investors peace of mind, knowing that their assets are safeguarded by stringent security measures.

Transparency is also a core principle of Bullionz’s operations. Every gold and cryptocurrency transaction are recorded on a tamper-proof ledger, allowing for real-time tracking and validation. The platform promotes fair pricing, eliminates hidden fees, and fully discloses market movements, reinforcing its commitment to integrity and investor trust.

The Future of Wealth Building: Bullionz’s Vision for Long-Term Returns

Bullionz is designed for investors who prioritize long-term financial growth over short-term speculation. By participating in every transaction, users gradually build their holdings and adopt a strategic approach to cryptocurrency and gold investment.

Looking ahead, Bullionz remains committed to innovation, with upcoming features aimed at increasing cryptocurrency engagement. A key initiative involves expanding cryptocurrency payment options, offering users greater convenience in leveraging their digital assets. This aligns with Bullionz’s mission to create a dynamic and rewarding investment ecosystem, ensuring traders benefit from market trends and advanced financial tools.

Overall, Bullionz has evolved beyond conventional trading platforms. With its steadfast focus on security, transparency, and investor empowerment, it is shaping the future of intelligent investing—making it a top choice for those seeking stability and growth in their investment portfolios.

VISIT HERE: BULLIONZ.COM

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Gregory, a digital nomad hailing from Poland, is not only a financial analyst but also a valuable contributor to various online magazines. With a wealth of experience in the financial industry, his insights and expertise have earned him recognition in numerous publications. Utilising his spare time effectively, Gregory is currently dedicated to writing a book about cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Justin Bieber Fights With Ex-NHL Star At Charity Hockey Game

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Metaverse Fashion Week Online

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February 24, 2025

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Despite growing concerns over his health, Justin Bieber hit the ice in Los Angeles on Sunday for a charity hockey game, where he even squared off in a playful fight with NHL legend Jeremy Roenick.

Bieber’s participation in the Skate for LA Strong event wasn’t entirely surprising, given his well-documented love for hockey.

However, Justin Bieber’s decision to play comes at a time when rumors about his well-being have been swirling, forcing his representatives to shut down speculation about drug use.