Hackers Cash Out Big as Google Strikes Down on Crypto 💥
How often do we get to see the world’s biggest search engine enter the crypto wallet game? They’re in and they obviously want to play crypto police, while hackers are out there having the time of their lives, turning stolen loot into a $72M payday.
Guess hackers are not the only ones getting a payday, thanks to Ethereum $4.5K lap while promising a sweet $5K, and it’s looking like we might just have more paydays ahead. Meanwhile, Thailand is asking everyone to come spend their internet money in the country…. Some just love it, and others hate to love it.
Here are the Highlights:
- Google Play Store bans crypto wallets in 15 jurisdictions, requires new licensing compliance
- Crypto Hackers Capitalize on ETH Surge, Offloading $72M This Week
- Thailand Launches Crypto Payment Program for Foreign Tourists
- Ethereum Price Aims at $5,000 As Exchange Balance Falls To 9-Year Low
Google Play Store bans crypto wallets in 15 jurisdictions, requires new licensing compliance
Google Play Store introduced licensing requirements for cryptocurrency wallet applications across 15 jurisdictions, including the US and the EU. According to a report by the Rage, developers must obtain regulatory approvals before publishing apps on the platform. Furthermore, the policy requires software wallet developers to comply with local financial regulations “to ensure a safe and compliant ecosystem for users.” The requirements apply to both custodial and non-custodial wallets, creating compliance burdens that many developers cannot meet.
Crypto Hackers Capitalize on ETH Surge, Offloading $72M This Week
Ether's (ETH) recent rally to $4,780 has delivered a wealth of profits to several high-profile hackers, who have capitalized on the surge by offloading their ill-gotten gains. In three separate case, on-chain data, revealed by X account EmberCN, shows hackers strategically liquidated their ETH holdings for tens of millions in profit. The Radiant Capital exploiter, who the protocol alleges is a North Korean entity, drained around $53 million in assets from the DeFi protocol last October. They converted much of their haul into 21,957 ETH at roughly $2,414 per coin, only to sell 9,631 ETH for $44 million worth of stablecoins this week.
Thailand Launches Crypto Payment Program for Foreign Tourists
Thailand has come up with a bold strategy to aid the tourism industry. The government will introduce TouristDigiPay, a program that will allow foreign travelers to exchange cryptocurrency into Thai baht to make everyday spending on August 18. According to the statement, tourism in Thailand has slowed considerably, with Chinese visitors reducing sharply in 2025. The initiative will be unveiled at a press conference by the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
Ethereum Price Aims at $5,000 As Exchange Balance Falls To 9-Year Low
Ethereum has been climbing steadily since the beginning of the month, gaining strength as market momentum builds. At the time of writing, ETH is trading near $4,477, just shy of the $4,500 resistance. Despite failing to break past this barrier, investor sentiment suggests that the altcoin king may be gearing toward a run to $5,000. Ethereum’s sentiment index is currently below 2.00, a level that has historically indicated elevated fear, uncertainty, and doubt among retail investors. When traders lean heavily into FUD, the price often moves in the opposite direction, catching skeptics off guard.
Other Highlights Worth Mentioning
Coinbase Completes Acquisition of Deribit - BeInCrypto
Kraken suspends Monero deposits after 51% attack - Cryptoslate
BtcTurk halts withdrawals amid suspected $48M crypto hack - Binance
Fed Ends Supervisory Program Overseeing Banks' Crypto Activity - Decrypt
COINIGY FACT OF THE DAY.
On this day in 2008, August 18th, the Bitcoin.org domain name was registered, marking the very first documented step in Bitcoin's history.
This domain registration occurred over two months before Satoshi Nakamoto published the famous Bitcoin whitepaper on October 31, 2008. The registration of Bitcoin.org represents the earliest tangible evidence of the Bitcoin project's development, laying the groundwork for what would become the world's first cryptocurrency and spark the entire blockchain revolution that followed.
COINIGY MEME OF THE WEEK
