Wallet

Unauthorized access to cryptocurrency exchange accounts requires immediate action to prevent permanent asset loss. Security protocols include securing all access points, documenting transaction details, and reporting incidents to exchanges and authorities. Blockchain tracking tools can trace stolen funds before they enter mixing services.

Mastercard is collaborating with Ripple and Gemini to trial a blockchain-based credit card settlement system using the RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger. The pilot connects Gemini's WebBank-issued credit card to on-chain infrastructure, replacing conventional bank clearing processes with stablecoin transfers. This marks a rare instance of a regulated U.S. bank engaging with public blockchain settlement.

Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are seeking maximum five-year prison sentences for Samourai Wallet co-founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill. Both pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. Prosecutors allege the platform facilitated at least $237 million in criminal proceeds between 2015 and April 2024.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced the x402 protocol on November 2, enabling stablecoin payments to integrate directly with web requests. The protocol's ecosystem has surpassed $1.19 billion in market cap, with transaction volume exceeding 932,000 within one week of launch. Armstrong described the growth trajectory as "crazy," reflecting strong early engagement.

Payment infrastructure leader Stripe has partnered with crypto venture firm Paradigm to launch Tempo, an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible layer-1 blockchain designed for stablecoin operations and payment applications. The network can process approximately 100,000 transactions per second with low fees, according to data from respective block explorers. Tempo raised $500 million in a Series A funding round at a valuation of approximately $5 billion, Fortune reported in October.

Coinbase is in advanced talks to acquire London-based stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK for $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion, according to Bloomberg sources. The deal, currently under due diligence, could close in late 2025 or early 2026. Terms remain subject to change and completion is not guaranteed.

Electric Coin Co. has released its fourth-quarter 2025 development roadmap, prioritizing wallet infrastructure and privacy features for the Zcash network. The plan includes ephemeral address generation, automated transparent address rotation, and Pay-to-Script-Hash multisig support. ZEC currently trades near $420, with over 4.1 million tokens held in the Orchard shielded protocol.

A federal appellate court ruled that the Federal Reserve retains full authority to deny master account access to crypto-focused institutions. The Tenth Circuit upheld the Kansas City Fed's rejection of Wyoming-based Custodia Bank, citing operational risks tied to digital asset custody. The decision may deter similar litigation from blockchain-focused institutions seeking direct access to U.S. payment infrastructure.

Coinbase is in advanced negotiations to acquire BVNK, a London-based stablecoin payment infrastructure provider, in a deal valued at approximately $2 billion. The acquisition would give the U.S. exchange control over merchant payment systems connecting blockchain and traditional finance. Sources familiar with the matter say the transaction could close before the end of 2025, subject to completion of due diligence.

Venezuela is developing a national banking infrastructure that will allow citizens to hold, transfer, and convert Bitcoin and stablecoins through regulated financial institutions. The system, expected to launch by December 2025, aims to formalize widespread informal crypto usage driven by hyperinflation. Financial technology provider Conexus, which processes nearly half of the country's digital transfers, is building the blockchain infrastructure to connect local banks with crypto networks.