Decentralized Security: Crypto’s Defense Against Hacks
In late 2024 and early 2025, two major cybersecurity incidents shook the crypto world and highlighted serious security flaws in popular platforms. Trust Wallet lost nearly $7 million due to a hacked Chrome extension, while Ledger suffered another data breach through its e-commerce partner. These events have pushed the crypto industry to explore new and stronger ways to protect users.
On December 24, 2025, Trust Wallet’s Chrome extension (version 2.68) was compromised. Attackers used malicious code hidden in the update to steal nearly $7 million from hundreds of users. Victims were those who imported their recovery phrases into the affected extension. The stolen funds included around $3 million in Bitcoin and over $3 million in Ethereum, which were laundered through exchanges like KuCoin, FixedFloat, and ChangeNOW.
Cybersecurity firms PeckShield and SlowMist found that the malicious code secretly sent wallet data to a fake website, metrics-trustwallet.com. This phishing domain had been registered just days before the attack. Trust Wallet’s CEO, Eowyn Chen, confirmed that hackers uploaded the corrupted extension using a stolen Chrome Web Store API key, which bypassed internal checks. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao said victims would be reimbursed and hinted at possible insider involvement or even a nation-state attack.
Meanwhile, in January 2026, Ledger informed customers about a new data leak. This time, the breach happened at Global-e, its payment processing partner. The leaked information included names, emails, and mailing addresses of some buyers from ledger.com. Ledger clarified that its own systems, devices, and user funds were safe. Global-e didn’t have access to recovery phrases or private keys.
Even though no funds were stolen, this leak is concerning. In 2020, Ledger had a similar breach that exposed data from over 270,000 users. That incident led to phishing scams and physical threats like “wrench attacks” (real-world robbery targeting crypto holders). Internal reports show that social engineering attacks went up by 40% in 2025, with attackers using leaked personal info to trick users.
Both these incidents show how dangerous it is to rely on single points of failure. At Trust Wallet, one stolen API key allowed hackers to upload malicious software. At Ledger, trusting one outside vendor opened the door to a major data leak.
According to Chainalysis, over $3.4 billion was stolen from crypto in 2025 alone. Most attacks now target users directly rather than exploiting smart contracts. CertiK confirmed this shift—hackers are focusing more on human errors and system weak spots rather than code vulnerabilities.
To fight back, the crypto security industry is trying new ideas beyond traditional audits and security checks.
CertiK is a leader in smart contract auditing and has raised $296 million while protecting over $300 billion in assets across 3,200 clients. Its Skynet platform provides real-time monitoring and uses formal verification tools to catch bugs before code goes live. However, audits only work at a single point in time—they don’t protect against future threats or infrastructure attacks.
Other firms like Hacken and Quantstamp offer audit services too. Exchanges like Bybit EU use Hacken for transparency with proof-of-reserves audits. But these services also share the same limitation—they can’t prevent real-time attacks or evolving threats.
A new player bringing a fresh approach is Naoris Protocol. Instead of relying on central systems or one-time audits, Naoris turns every connected device into a security validator through something called a “Trust Mesh.” Founded in 2018 by David Carvalho, this protocol lets devices check each other for threats in real time.
Naoris uses a special consensus method called dPoSec (Decentralized Proof of Security), where all nodes validate each other’s behavior continuously. It also uses SWARM AI—an intelligent system that helps coordinate responses and roll out security updates instantly.
What really makes Naoris stand out is its post-quantum security. While today’s encryption (like RSA and ECC) could be broken by future quantum computers, Naoris uses quantum-resistant cryptography based on standards from NIST and NATO (including Dilithium-5). In fact, in September 2025, the U.S. SEC cited Naoris as a model for quantum-safe blockchain systems.
Naoris launched its testnet in January 2025 and has shown strong results: over 100 million post-quantum transactions processed, 3.3 million wallets created, 1 million validator nodes online, and 600 million threats blocked. The project raised $31 million from investors including Tim Draper and has high-level advisors from IBM, NATO, and even the White House.
In the Trust Wallet case, if a Trust Mesh had been used, it could have flagged the suspicious behavior—like sending data to an outside domain—before any money was stolen. Every device on the mesh would have worked together to spot and stop the threat early.
For Ledger’s data breach, depending on one vendor like Global-e proved risky. A decentralized system like Naoris could have checked third-party systems for weaknesses and helped prevent data leaks before they happened.
The “zero-trust” model behind Naoris doesn’t just protect one piece of the puzzle—it strengthens the whole system. This idea can be applied not just to wallets but also to DeFi apps, DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations), and important governance systems in Web3.
As cyberattacks become smarter and more personal, it’s clear that traditional security isn’t enough anymore. The future of blockchain safety may lie in decentralization—not just of money—but of security itself.
Bitcoin Surges Past $97K, Boosting Crypto Stocks
Bitcoin is on the rise again, and investors are taking notice. The price of Bitcoin surged above $97,000 on Wednesday, marking its highest level since last November. This price rally is bringing major benefits to crypto-related stocks, especially those involved in Bitcoin mining and blockchain infrastructure.
Companies like Bitdeer, CleanSpark, and Riot Platforms saw their stock prices jump as Bitcoin climbed. Bitdeer, a Singapore-based Bitcoin mining and AI services company, gained over 15%, closing at $14.76. CleanSpark, a mining and data center operator, rose 6.3% to $13.34. Riot Platforms also saw a 3.2% increase, ending the day at $17.30.
Another big mover was Bakkt, which recently announced it is acquiring a stablecoin services firm. Its stock jumped 12% to close at $21.01. Meanwhile, Ethereum-focused firm BitMine Immersion Technologies saw a 4.7% boost to $32.68 after it added $76 million worth of ETH to its already massive $13 billion treasury.
Strategy, known for being the first publicly traded Bitcoin treasury company, also benefited from the bullish market. Its shares rose 3.6%, closing at $179.33.
The main reason behind this surge in crypto stocks is Bitcoin’s strong price momentum. According to CoinGecko, Bitcoin has gained 7% in the past week and about 3% in just one day. Its trading volume has also spiked by 29%, reaching $117 billion, based on data from CoinGlass.
One of the key factors driving this momentum is growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency. Many large investors are now turning to Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds), which have seen increased inflows in recent weeks. On-chain data also suggests that big holders are accumulating more Bitcoin, signaling long-term confidence in the asset.
Analysts point to renewed optimism in the crypto space, partly due to a more favorable regulatory environment under the Trump administration. This shift has boosted investor confidence and pushed more money into crypto markets.
Bitcoin is now just 23% away from its all-time high of over $126,000 set last October. Ethereum is also showing signs of recovery, with a 7.5% gain over the past week. However, it’s still down around 32% from its peak last August.
Bitcoin futures are also heating up. Open interest—a measure of total outstanding contracts—has risen by 3.6% in just one day, reaching $66.2 billion according to CoinGlass.
In short, the crypto market is gaining steam again, with rising prices, increased trading activity, and more institutional money flowing in—all pointing to a renewed bullish trend for Bitcoin and other digital assets.
ChatGPT Predicts XRP, ETH, and SOL Prices by 2026
**Disclaimer:** Crypto is a high-risk investment. This article is for informational purposes only and does not offer financial advice. You could lose all of your money.
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**ChatGPT Shares Bold Crypto Price Predictions for XRP, Ethereum, and Solana by 2026**
OpenAI’s powerful AI tool, ChatGPT, has shared some big predictions for three of the most popular cryptocurrencies: XRP, Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). These forecasts are giving hope to investors expecting a strong bull market in the near future. If U.S. regulations become more crypto-friendly, these digital assets could reach new all-time highs.
Here’s a breakdown of where ChatGPT thinks prices could go during the next major bull run expected by 2026.
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**XRP Could Hit $10 by 2027**
Ripple’s XRP started the year on a high note, gaining 19% in the first week and recently hitting $2.15 after a 4% jump in 24 hours. ChatGPT believes that if bullish momentum continues, XRP could rise to $10 by 2027. That would mean a massive 365% price increase from current levels.
XRP has been one of the top-performing major cryptocurrencies. Last year, it reached $3.65—its first new high in seven years—after Ripple won a major court case against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This win removed a lot of doubt about XRP’s legal status and helped it gain more investor trust.
Another boost for XRP is the launch of U.S.-based XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have started attracting institutional money, similar to what happened with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
Right now, XRP’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 54, which is considered neutral. To hit $10, the crypto market would need to continue its upward trend and see strong investor demand.
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**Ethereum Might Surge to $9,000**
Ethereum (ETH), the world’s leading smart contract platform and the backbone of DeFi and Web3, is currently priced around $3,290. Its all-time high was $4,946.05, set back in August.
According to ChatGPT, if Ethereum breaks past strong resistance at $5,000, it could open the door for a new ATH between $6,000 and $9,000 during the next bull cycle.
Ethereum is the top platform for decentralized applications and has over $75 billion locked in DeFi protocols. With a market cap close to $400 billion, it remains one of the most dominant crypto projects.
Ethereum’s strong security, reliable infrastructure, and growing role in tokenizing real-world assets make it a top pick for future institutional adoption—especially if the U.S. passes clearer crypto regulations.
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**Solana Expected to Climb to $600**
Solana (SOL) is gaining momentum as one of the fastest-growing smart contract networks. It currently holds over $9.2 billion in total value locked and has a market cap exceeding $81 billion.
After a big dip in late 2025, SOL bounced back and is now trading around $144 after a 5% rise last week. ChatGPT forecasts that Solana could reach $600 in 2026—a 200% increase from where it is now and double its previous high of $293.
What’s driving this optimism? Big players like Bitwise and Grayscale have launched Solana-focused ETFs, drawing fresh investor interest. Meanwhile, institutions like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton are exploring how Solana can be used to tokenize real-world assets.
Solana continues to attract developers and users due to its speed and scalability. The platform’s strong narrative and growing ecosystem make it one of the most talked-about altcoins heading into the next cycle.
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**Maxi Doge (MAXI): A Wild Meme Coin with Big Hype**
On the more speculative side, there’s Maxi Doge ($MAXI), a meme coin getting lots of attention during its presale phase. So far, it has raised over $4.4 million before launching on exchanges.
MAXI puts a bold twist on the original Dogecoin meme—with a muscular version of Doge leading an army of crypto traders who are all-in on memes and high-risk strategies.
Built on Ethereum’s proof-of-stake network, MAXI is more eco-friendly than Dogecoin, which uses proof-of-work. The current presale offers staking rewards up to 69% APY, though this reward drops as more people join in.
MAXI tokens are currently priced at $0.000278, with automatic price increases planned as more presale rounds sell out. Buyers can use wallets like MetaMask or Best Wallet to join in.
MAXI aims to shake up the meme coin scene and challenge Dogecoin’s dominance.
For updates, check out Maxi Doge’s official Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) pages.
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**Key Takeaways:**
– XRP could reach $10 by 2027 if momentum continues.
– Ethereum may hit between $6,000–$9,000 with strong institutional support.
– Solana might climb to $600 thanks to ETF launches and growing adoption.
– Maxi Doge is making waves as a new meme coin with high upside (and high risk).
Truebit Hack: $26M Lost Due to Smart Contract Flaw
Truebit, a blockchain project that helps with off-chain computation, recently faced a major security breach that cost $26 million. A flaw in one of its smart contracts allowed a hacker to create a huge number of TRU tokens almost for free. This caused the price of the TRU token to crash by 99%, nearly wiping out its value.
The issue came from an error in the way Truebit’s smart contract calculated token prices. According to security firm SlowMist, the contract didn’t have proper protection against what’s known as an “overflow” error. This happens when a calculation goes beyond the limit of what the system can handle, causing it to reset and produce incorrect results. In this case, the system thought the cost to mint new tokens was zero, so the attacker was able to create $26 million worth of tokens without spending any ETH.
The vulnerable contract was written using Solidity version 0.6.10, which doesn’t automatically check for overflow errors. Because of this, the attacker exploited the mistake and drained the protocol’s reserves.
This exploit is a reminder that even older and established blockchain projects can have dangerous bugs hiding in their code. Truebit has been around since April 2021 and was seen as a trusted platform until this happened.
Smart contract security has become a hot topic lately. A recent study by Anthropic showed that AI systems, like Claude and GPT-5, were able to find $4.6 million worth of vulnerabilities in smart contracts during testing. This shows how powerful both AI tools and hackers can be when looking for weaknesses.
In 2025, smart contract bugs were the biggest source of crypto attacks, responsible for 56 incidents. Account hacks came in second with 50 cases, according to a year-end report by SlowMist. Smart contract flaws made up 30.5% of all crypto exploits, followed by hacked social media accounts at 24%, and leaked private keys at 8.5%.
Hackers are also changing tactics. Instead of just attacking code, many are now targeting people directly through phishing scams. These scams trick users into giving away sensitive info like wallet recovery phrases or private keys through fake websites or messages.
Phishing was the second biggest threat in 2025, causing $722 million in losses across 248 incidents. While that number is huge, it’s actually down 38% from the $1 billion lost to phishing in 2024—showing that more users are becoming aware of these dangers.
This Truebit hack is another wake-up call for the crypto industry about how important it is to keep smart contracts secure and up-to-date. As more value moves onto blockchain networks, even small coding mistakes can lead to massive financial damage.
Top Crypto Picks for 2026: DeepSnitch, BitGo & More
BitGo’s IPO Push Shows Crypto Is Going Mainstream
BitGo, a well-known crypto custody company, is planning to go public in the U.S. The company recently filed paperwork with the SEC to launch its initial public offering (IPO) and list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BTGO.” BitGo plans to offer around 11.8 million Class A shares at a price between $15 and $17 per share. If successful, the IPO could raise up to $201 million and value the company at nearly $2 billion.
This move is another big step for the crypto industry as more companies aim to enter traditional markets and attract long-term investors. BitGo’s IPO shows how crypto is becoming more accepted by mainstream finance.
But while institutional investors focus on BitGo, seasoned crypto players are looking at what’s next — and many believe that DeepSnitch AI could be the next big opportunity.
DeepSnitch AI: A Game-Changer for Everyday Crypto Traders
DeepSnitch AI is getting a lot of attention from early investors for its real-world use and smart tools. The platform is built to help over 100 million crypto traders make faster and safer investment decisions. It already raised over $1.2 million in funding, showing strong support from the community.
One of its key features is AuditSnitch, which allows users to scan and audit smart contracts instantly. This helps detect scams and honeypots before any money is lost. Tools like this are usually only available to professionals, but DeepSnitch brings that power to retail traders. Some call it the “Bloomberg Terminal” for regular crypto users because it gives high-level insights in a simple way.
Momentum is building quickly. The token’s presale price has already increased to $0.03401 — a 125% gain for early buyers. Plus, more than 28 million DSNT tokens have been staked by users, showing strong belief in the project.
The project is now entering Stage 4 of its presale, which could be the final chance to invest before it hits public markets. For those looking for the best crypto to invest in 2026, DeepSnitch AI stands out with real tools, rising interest, and early-stage pricing.
Ethereum: Mixed Signals But Whales Are Buying
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, was trading around $3,120 as of January 12. Although price movement has been flat, some signs suggest a potential comeback. On Binance, buying pressure increased as net taker volume turned positive — something not seen since July.
Big investors (whales) also bought roughly 360,000 ETH in just one week, a move that usually signals confidence and possible price recovery.
However, retail investors are showing less interest. Over 800,000 ETH was sold recently by smaller holders, and U.S.-based investors pulled back as Ethereum-focused funds saw $116 million in weekly outflows.
So while whales are accumulating ETH, retail activity may hold back any strong price rally for now.
Monero: Privacy Coin Hits New Highs
Monero (XMR), known for its focus on privacy, is having a strong start in 2026. While most altcoins are moving sideways, Monero jumped about 15% in one day and nearly 39% over the past month. It reached a new all-time high near $630 on January 12.
Market interest is growing fast. Futures open interest climbed to $177 million — a record high — showing traders expect more upside. Retail demand has also increased steadily since October due to rising concerns about privacy in tighter regulatory environments.
On the technical side, Monero remains very strong. It trades above its 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages. RSI is high but still signals strength rather than weakness. As long as it stays above $560, it could move toward $600 soon. Any dip near $525 would likely be temporary profit-taking.
Final Thoughts: Where Smart Money Is Going
The best crypto investments are usually found before they go mainstream. That’s why DeepSnitch AI looks so promising right now. It’s already live with helpful tools, has raised over $1.2 million, and is gaining traction among everyday traders.
With listing plans coming soon and institutional interest rising, this may be one of the last chances to get in early before prices take off.
To stay updated on DeepSnitch AI’s progress or join the community:
– Visit the official website
– Join the Telegram group
– Follow them on X (Twitter)
FAQs
What are the best long-term crypto investments right now?
DeepSnitch AI stands out with working AI tools, early access pricing, and growing user adoption — making it a top long-term pick.
Which are the best cryptos for 2026?
DeepSnitch AI is ranked highly due to its real utility, strong presale momentum, and timely launch ahead of wider exposure.
What are the top portfolio growth picks in crypto?
DeepSnitch AI leads with real demand and asymmetric upside potential — perfect for high-growth portfolios.