Newest Market Updates: As of seventeenth April 2026.
France Prepares Crackdown on Crypto Kidnappings
French authorities are stepping up efforts to guard cryptocurrency traders amid a pointy improve in violent, focused assaults.
Talking at Paris Blockchain Week, Jean-Didier Berger, minister delegate to the inside minister of France, stated the federal government has already launched preventive steps. Particularly, these embrace a devoted platform to cut back so-called “wrench assaults,” through which criminals use drive to entry digital property.
The initiative is already seeing robust uptake, with hundreds of customers reportedly signing up. Berger additionally confirmed ongoing coordination with Inside Minister Laurent Nuñez on a broader nationwide safety technique, which is predicted to be developed within the coming weeks.
The urgency behind these measures is mirrored in latest figures. French outlet RTL reported 41 crypto-related kidnappings to date in 2026. This implies an incident roughly each two and a half days.
Past France, the development seems world. Cybersecurity agency CertiK recorded 72 verified wrench assaults in 2025, a 75% year-on-year improve. France led with 19 circumstances, whereas Europe accounted for about 40% of all incidents.
US Courtroom Arms 23-Yr Sentence in $20M Meta-1 Crypto Rip-off
In distinction, authorities in the USA are persevering with to crack down on previous abuses by the authorized system.
Robert Dunlap has been sentenced to 23 years in jail by District Decide LaShonda Hunt, in line with the Illinois US Legal professional’s Workplace. Particularly, he was convicted on two counts of mail fraud linked to the Meta-1 Coin scheme.
Prosecutors stated the operation ran from 2018 to 2023 and defrauded almost 1,000 traders of roughly $20 million. Dunlap and associates promoted the token by a belief construction designed to draw investor funds.
To construct legitimacy, the scheme allegedly promoted false claims of asset backing. These included a supposed $1 billion artwork portfolio that includes works by Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. It additionally claimed $44 billion in gold reserves.
Authorities added that Dunlap and his alleged associates used automated buying and selling bots to govern the buying and selling quantity and value of Meta-1 Coin on a proprietary trade he developed, generally known as the Meta Change.
Tether Commits $150M to Drift Protocol Restoration
In the meantime, as regulators pursue enforcement, the crypto business continues to grapple with the fallout from main safety breaches.
In response to a $280 million exploit affecting Drift Protocol earlier this month, Tether has introduced its help for a $150 million restoration initiative. The corporate will contribute $127.5 million, with the remaining funds anticipated to come back from undisclosed companions.
Drift Protocol is ready to play an energetic position in reimbursing affected customers and is getting ready to renew regular buying and selling operations. This growth alerts a gradual restoration.
Moreover, as a part of its relaunch technique, the platform will transition its settlement asset from USDC (issued by Circle) to USDT. This shift aligns it extra carefully with Tether as its new backer.
Singapore Gulf Financial institution Introduces Enterprise Stablecoin Companies
On the identical time, institutional adoption of digital property continues to advance.
Singapore Gulf Financial institution has launched a brand new stablecoin-focused service for company and high-net-worth shoppers. It allows steady conversion between fiat currencies and digital tokens.
Initially, the service permits customers to trade US {dollars} for USDC on the Solana blockchain at a 1:1 ratio. This seeks to offer seamless, around-the-clock liquidity.
Wanting forward, the financial institution additionally plans to increase entry to particular person customers by the tip of Q2. As well as, it goals to broaden help to further stablecoins, together with USDT, sooner or later.
DisClamier: This content material is informational and shouldn’t be thought of monetary recommendation. The views expressed on this article could embrace the creator’s private opinions and don’t mirror The Crypto Primary opinion. Readers are inspired to do thorough analysis earlier than making any funding choices. The Crypto Primary is just not liable for any monetary losses.
