XRP goes big in New York

The top U.S. exchange, Gemini, is making the most of its XRP product with a new billboard in the heart of the Big Apple.

• “Spend Dollars, Earn XRP.” That is the message behind the exchange’s massive new billboard in the USA’s biggest city.

Founded by the Winklevoss brothers, the U.S. cryptocurrency exchange has really upped its advertising game for its new XRP card, launched earlier this week. As U.Today reported, this helped Gemini briefly overtake its biggest competitor, Coinbase, on Apple’s App Store.

• Success is questionable. Gemini cards received a mixed response from the XRP community.

Some XRP enthusiasts criticized Gemini’s solution for not really bringing anything new to the table. Despite the negativity, a bunch of Ripple executives and CEO Brad Garlinghouse in particular were not against showing off their XRP cards, which were launched in partnership with the enterprise blockchain company.

Ignoring the backlash from the community, the latest ad campaign shows that Gemini is serious about staying competitive in the U.S. crypto exchange market and sees XRP as a valuable asset in its efforts to compete with Coinbase, Kraken and Binance U.S.

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Star investor Ray Dalio reveals why crypto is real alternative to dollar

The hedge fund veteran says the clock is running out on what he calls the “big debt cycle.” Interestingly, cryptocurrencies — Bitcoin in particular — are at the center of attention, just as Satoshi Nakamoto designed it to be in 2008.

The star investor points to crossroads. If banks step back, it will be the natural market forces that push interest rates higher. That could cool inflation. But it would push households and companies into default as debt would become harder to carry.

The flip side is printing more money through quantitative easing, which might keep the system alive but chips away at trust in fiat, and Dalio warns of a loop where rising debt forces even more money creation, eating into the dollar’s credibility as a safe store of wealth.

He still prefers gold but is also open to crypto, recently saying up to 15% of a portfolio could go into Bitcoin or gold for the best risk-return mix. Some may see it as a far cry from his earlier stance, but the sign that hard-capped assets like BTC are moving up the ladder in Dalio’s playbook is evident.

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Dogecoin rockets 617% in liquidation imbalance as DOGE bulls take $7 million hit

Dogecoin, the “meme coin king,” has started September with $8.11 million in liquidations, hitting bulls the hardest as the DOGE price plunges back to 21 cents.

• What happened? A whopping $8.11 million in liquidations were accounted for by Dogecoin in the last 24 hours, with $6.98 million coming from longs, while shorts lost just $1.13 million — a stunning 617% liquidation imbalance.

According to CoinGlass, this DOGE wipeout was part of a wider $371 million flush-out across the entire crypto market. It was the long positions that suffered the most, showing how fragile all the optimism was. In an evident display of how risky leverage can be in historically choppy September conditions, bulls took the biggest hit.

As market analysts point out, the $0.208 zone has been tested five times and is now seen as a critical support level for the coin. On the upside, $0.225 — a price that lines up with the 50-day moving average — stands as the first major resistance. If Dogecoin breaks above that, a stronger recovery might be in the cards. But there’s a chance that if it keeps being rejected, there could be more selling pressure.

• September promises to be busy. Usually, this month is one of the weakest for crypto, but will 2025 be any different for Dogecoin?

There are quite a few checkpoints that might have the answers you are looking for. The first thing to watch is the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on Sept. 16-17, which is likely to have a big impact on crypto prices.

With the big picture still looking totally uncertain, it seems like Dogecoin’s next big move might have more to do with how global markets react to the Fed’s message than how much retail investors are feeling it.

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Mike Mignola’s new dark folklore universe, Lands Unknown, is expanding, and if the next installment is anything like the first, we’re all in for a wonderfully weird ride.

Following the critical and commercial success of Bowling with Corpses and Other Strange Tales from Lands Unknown — an anthology of short, eerie, and shadowy tales (that sold out its first printing almost instantly) — Dark Horse Comics has just announced the follow-up. Uri Tupka and the Gods is a 104-page graphic novel written and drawn by Mignola, with colors once again by longtime collaborator Dave Stewart. The book arrives February 24, 2026.

Where Bowling with Corpses introduced us to a strange new world via a series of loosely connected tales, Uri Tupka zeroes in on one oddball character: Uri Tupka, a former Doctor of Theology turned fugitive heretic, wandering the lands in search of evidence that the gods are real. In classic Mignola style, the search quickly becomes far more than it seems.

“This is the first of two books tracing the life of Uri Tupka…” explains Mignola. “See Uri barely escape one disaster after another—pirates, bandits, witches and demons, giants and monsters. There is also a talking cat and a queen of the vegetables because, of course, why wouldn’t there be?”

If Bowling with Corpses was a pitch-perfect mash-up of folklore, dark fantasy, and the macabre — equal parts Italo Calvino and Edward Gorey — Uri Tupka and the Gods looks to expand that scope with a full-blown theological quest. But don’t expect a somber meditation on the divine order. This is Mike Mignola we’re talking about. The gods here look like they were doodled in the margins of a medieval apocalyptic manuscript after too much bog ale — and that’s a feature, not a bug.

Mignola describes Uri Tupka and the Gods as “some of the most fun I’ve ever had drawing comics.” With each new release, he seems ever freer to wander down increasingly bizarre narrative alleys, pairing his minimalist lines and dark shadows with an expanding menagerie of haunted knick-knacks, cursed body parts, and tragic figures trying (and often failing) to make sense of an unknowable world.

So, pack your haversack with hard tack, say your prayers (to gods who may or may not be listening), and prepare to follow Uri Tupka into lands unknown.

The leaders of a Brazilian crypto Ponzi scheme have reportedly been handed a combined sentence of over 170 years behind bars.

According to a new report, the three leaders of Braiscompany, which perpetrated the scheme, were sentenced for defrauding investors out of nearly $190 million, or $1.1 billion Brazilian Reals.

The report says the company’s main operator, Joel Ferreira de Souza, was handed a sentence of 128 years behind bars, while the other two perpetrators, Gesana Rayane Silva and Victor Augusto Veronez de Souza, were given sentences of 28 and 15 years, respectively.

According to authorities, the trio promised “exorbitant” returns on the crypto investments of their victims in order to initially get their funds and engaged in money laundering.

Ferreira de Souza was found to be controlling crypto portfolios through third parties, as well as using shell companies to facilitate his crimes. He was convicted of 11 counts of money laundering, while Reyane Silva, the firm’s broker, was found responsible for intermediating financial transactions and transporting funds. De Souza, Joel’s son, was also found guilty of being involved with one of the companies involved in the illegal transactions.

The judge in the case said that proceeds from the scam should go directly to the government. However, Artêmio Picanço – the lawyer representing the victims of Braiscompany – argued on one of his social media accounts that the fund should go directly to the victims.

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In a nutshell: As Intel prepares for the arrival of its new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, a recent regulatory filing has revealed details of his comprehensive compensation package. Tan will receive a base salary of $1 million, with the potential to earn an annual bonus of up to $2 million. However, the bulk of his compensation comes from long-term equity awards and stock options, totaling approximately $66 million.

The package includes a long-term equity grant valued at $14.4 million and a performance grant of $17 million in Intel shares, set to vest over five years. Notably, Tan will only receive these shares if Intel’s stock price does not decline over the next three years, with the potential to earn additional shares if the company outperforms the market.

In addition, Tan will receive stock options worth $9.6 million and a new-hire option grant valued at $25 million. This comprehensive package is designed to align his incentives with long-term shareholder value creation. Intel emphasized that Tan’s compensation is competitive within the industry and reflects his extensive experience as a technology leader.

Given the broader industry trend of linking executive compensation to performance and equity growth, Tan’s package is substantial but not unusual compared to other tech CEOs. Many top executives in the sector receive the bulk of their compensation through stock options and grants, often contingent on meeting specific performance benchmarks.

To qualify for the grants and bonuses, Tan agreed to purchase $25 million in Intel shares within his first month as CEO. Additionally, the compensation package includes provisions for accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control, as outlined in Intel’s recent SEC filing.

As Tan takes the helm, Intel is counting on his deep industry expertise to drive a turnaround and sustain the recent momentum in its stock price, which has risen nearly 20 percent in 2025. In a statement, he reaffirmed Intel’s commitment to reclaiming its status as a premier foundry, underscoring the company’s dedication to the sector despite growing competition from TSMC and Samsung.

Tan previously served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a leading electronic systems design company, from 2009 to 2021, and was a board member from 2004 to 2023. Having stepped down last August, he will now also rejoin Intel’s board of directors.

An all-new industry event, CoinFerenceX, is set to disrupt the Web3 industry, with the conference to be held in Dubai from April 28-29, 2025.

Over 150 high-profile speakers will be joined by an expected audience of 7,000 attendees for this first-of-its-kind decentralised summit, where blockchain visionaries, crypto innovators, investors and startups will connect to shape the future of the blockchain industry.

In stark contrast to traditional industry events, CoinFerenceX features a decentralised governance model. A group of 10 select Board Partners will share strategic opportunities from the event and benefit from a 10% revenue pool, ensuring that attending companies – and not just the organisers – will shape the direction, conversation and opportunities available for all attendees.

What is CoinFerenceX?

CoinFerenceX is a first-of-its-kind decentralised Web3 conference, set to take place in Dubai on April 28-29, 2025.

Over 150 of the biggest names in the blockchain industry will be joined by an expected audience of 7,000 attendees for flagship talks, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities and more. Ample booth space and sponsorship opportunities also provide attending VCs, innovators, leaders and more with the perfect opening to promote their apps, tools and services.

10 companies in attendance will be designated as Board Partners. These Board Partners will benefit from a 10% revenue pool, and will also be able to make decisions on event flow and structure – a collaborative approach that intends to maximise value for participants.

Rather than intangible benefits, CoinFerenceX is focused on delivering measurable returns for attendees, with ample support for sponsors and participants alike. Combining high-profile speakers, and with ample startups and companies and attendance, CoinFerenceX is designed to be an ideal melting pot of ideas and opportunities, empowering participants with impactful exposure and meaningful connections.

“CoinFerenceX isn’t just another event; it’s a movement,” said Prince Gupta, Chairperson of CoinFerenceX. “We’re creating a model where companies actively shape the event, ensuring unparalleled value for everyone involved. This is the future of industry gatherings – decentralized, transparent, and focused on real ROI.”

How can I attend CoinFerenceX?

CoinFerenceX offers three tickets types, giving prospective attendees a range of inclusive and accessible ways to attend the conference.

These three ticket types are:

• Explorer Pass (FREE): Entry to the Expo Hall, access to keynote sessions and selected networking opportunities
• Standard Pass ($99 USD): Explorer Pass benefits, plus full networking lounge access, workshop opportunities, a digital swag bag, and the exclusive Web3 startup pitch competition
• VIP Pass (399 USD): Standard Pass benefits, plus priority access to all areas, exclusive one-on-one meetings with investors, premium seating in key sessions and other on-site VIP benefits

Limited-time sponsorship and Board Partner opportunities are still available, giving participants the opportunity to shape CoinFerenceX and showcase your brand to a global audience. For further information on these limited-time opportunities, interested parties can reach out to the CoinFerenceX team at [email protected], or via Telegram: t.me/CoinferenceXHQ

Secure your tickets today: https://coinferencex.com/tickets

A former payroll processing staff member at Bybit, Ho Kai Xin, has recently been sentenced to nine years and 11 months in jail on February 20.

The charges stemmed from her fraudulent activities that involved defrauding ByBit Fintech, a Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange, of over $5.7 million.

The Charges And How The Fraud Happened

According to news media Straits Times, Ho was convicted on multiple charges, including cheating, dealing with the proceeds of criminal conduct, and providing false information to authorities.

In January, Ho had already served a six-week jail sentence for contempt of court after spending a portion of the misappropriated funds despite a court order.

Between October 2021 and October 2022, Ho’s role at Wechain Fintech Singapore gave her access to payroll data for around 900 ByBit employees.

Using this position, she manipulated Microsoft Excel files to create false payment records, funneling cryptocurrency payments intended for employees into her personal electronic wallets. ByBit transferred over 4.2 million USDT into Ho’s wallets in eight transactions over a span of four months.

The report noted:

To deceive ByBit into paying out these amounts, Ho inserted the names of its employees together with her electronic wallet addresses. She then received the money from ByBit in her electronic wallets before converting her ill-gotten gains into fiat currencies. From May 31 to Aug 31, 2022, ByBit made eight cryptocurrency transfers from its electronic wallet to Ho’s four wallets, amounting to more than 4.2 million USDT. After committing multiple counts of cheating involving $5.7 million in total, she laundered over $4.3 million of her criminal proceeds.

Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Fraudulent Transactions

Just as every other fraudsters, Straits Times reported that Ho used the stolen funds to finance a luxurious lifestyle. She placed a substantial down payment on a multimillion-dollar penthouse, purchased high-end items from brands such as Louis Vuitton, and even acquired a Mercedes-Benz.

Despite being ordered by the court to refrain from using the stolen assets, she spent nearly $840,000 on various luxury goods, resulting in her earlier contempt of court sentence.

Authorities eventually recovered more than $330,000 worth of assets from Ho, including the vehicle and over 1.1 million USDT from her wallets. However, a significant portion of the stolen amount remains unrecovered, and Ho has yet to offer repayment.

During sentencing, the court noted the calculated nature of Ho’s scheme. She operated multiple bank accounts and electronic wallets to divert the fraudulent funds, using sophisticated methods to avoid detection.

Although her defense argued for a reduced sentence, citing her role as a mother of two young children, the severity of the crimes and the deliberate manner in which they were carried out led to the nearly decade-long prison term.

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