Key facts
- A cryptocurrency phishing campaign named Operation Asterix has targeted approximately 885,000 phone numbers worldwide.
- The campaign aimed to steal cryptocurrency assets by impersonating legitimate platforms and wallets.
- Senator Ruben Gallego warned that a hasty Senate vote on the CLARITY Act could impede crypto market structure legislation.
- Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick forecasts Bitcoin could reach $100,000 by the end of the year.
- Improved liquidity from US Treasury bond buybacks is cited as a potential catalyst for Bitcoin's price increase.
A significant cryptocurrency phishing campaign, dubbed Operation Asterix, has been uncovered by cybersecurity firm Rapid7, targeting approximately 885,000 phone numbers across several countries with the aim of stealing digital assets. The campaign involved fake emails and phone inquiries impersonating entities like Crypto.com and wallets such as Ledger, Trezor, and Exodus, seeking to obtain users' seed phrases. Recovered logs indicated that over 5,500 accounts on the Binance exchange were identified as targets.
In parallel, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego has cautioned against expediting the CLARITY Act to a Senate vote, suggesting that unresolved disputes regarding ethics and stablecoin yields could impede the progress of crypto market structure legislation. He emphasized the need for continued negotiation to build bipartisan support.
Separately, Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick expressed a bullish outlook for Bitcoin, predicting it could reach $100,000 by the end of 2026. This forecast is partly attributed to anticipated improvements in market liquidity stemming from the U.S. Treasury's decision to increase buybacks of longer-dated government bonds. Kendrick noted that such interventions have historically benefited Bitcoin, and its fixed supply may enhance its role as a hedge against monetary debasement.