How Social Media Is Changing the Way We Invest
In 2021, something unexpected happened in the world of investing. A bunch of regular people on Reddit came together and sent GameStop’s stock price soaring. It wasn’t because the company was doing great—it was simply because people on social media started talking about it. This moment changed how we think about investing. It showed that markets aren’t just moved by experts or company news anymore, but by influencers and online buzz.
Today, more and more people are turning to social media platforms like TikTok, Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter for financial advice. These creators—sometimes called “finfluencers”—talk about stocks, cryptocurrencies, AI investments, and trading strategies. They’re not always professionals, but their content can go viral fast and influence real market moves.
For example, after the GameStop craze, other stocks like AMC, Nokia, and BlackBerry also saw big price jumps. These weren’t caused by better business performance but by people hyping them up online. The same thing happened with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. When enough people pay attention to something online at the same time, they can push prices up or down just through sheer hype.
This new way of investing has made it easier for younger people to get involved in the markets. Social media has opened doors that used to be closed to those without financial backgrounds. A simple video or post can now introduce someone to investing for the first time.
But there’s a downside. Some of the advice shared online is overly optimistic or even misleading. It’s easy for prices to rise based on hype, not real value. And when excitement fades, those prices can crash just as fast—leaving investors with big losses.
A major concern is that many finfluencers aren’t licensed financial advisers. They often share personal stories or opinions rather than expert guidance. Some even promote risky products like leveraged trades without clearly explaining the dangers involved. This is especially risky for young investors who may trust these influencers more than they should.
Regulators around the world have started to take this seriously. In Australia, financial authorities have warned influencers that they can’t give financial advice without a license. In 2025, several Australian finfluencers were officially warned for promoting risky investments without proper qualifications.
This isn’t just happening in Australia. Financial regulators in the UK, Canada, Europe, and other countries are now working together to crack down on unlicensed advice online. Some influencers have faced arrests, warnings, and content takedowns. The message is clear: promoting financial products without proper approval can have serious consequences.
So what does this mean for you?
If you’re following someone online for money tips, be careful. Always ask yourself: Is this person qualified? Are they trying to sell me something? What are the risks if I follow their advice?
Social media can be a great place to learn about investing ideas. But when it comes to making big financial decisions, it’s smarter to talk to licensed professionals who understand the risks and rewards.
Investing today moves fast—faster than ever before. But with speed comes risk. Stay informed, stay cautious, and always double-check your sources before making a move with your money.
BitMEX Launches 24/7 Stock Trading With Crypto Collateral
BitMEX is stepping outside the crypto-only world by launching a new product called Equity Perps. These are special types of trading contracts that let users get 24/7 exposure to big U.S. stocks and indexes like Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, the S&P 500, and Nasdaq—using crypto as collateral. Unlike traditional stock markets that operate only during business hours, these contracts allow round-the-clock trading with high leverage, similar to how crypto perpetual swaps work.
**Growing Interest in Onchain Stocks**
There’s a growing demand for accessing traditional assets like stocks directly through blockchain. For example, Bitget recently revealed that trading of tokenized stocks on its platform has crossed $1 billion in volume. Interestingly, 95% of that activity happened in December, thanks to rising interest in gold and silver-linked products as those metals hit all-time highs in traditional markets.
Bitget’s CEO, Gracy Chen, explained that this surge was linked to excitement around U.S. tech stocks and AI developments, which created a strong appetite for active trading.
Other platforms are also making moves in this direction. Kraken’s xStocks has already passed $10 billion in total trading volume across centralized and decentralized exchanges. Meanwhile, Coinbase is adding support for stocks, prediction markets, and tokenized assets. This shift suggests that stocks, ETFs, and commodities could soon trade more like cryptocurrencies—fast, liquid, and always available.
**Designed for Crypto Traders and the Next Generation**
BitMEX is aiming its new Equity Perps at younger traders who prefer tech-savvy investment options. Recent data shows Gen Z investors in the U.S. are less likely to buy traditional individual stocks and more interested in speculative assets like crypto.
BitMEX CEO Stephan Lutz said that younger traders want flexibility and control over their investments. Equity Perps let them trade major U.S. stocks with leverage while keeping their crypto holdings intact—since they can use crypto as collateral instead of cashing out.
This product is built for both experienced crypto derivatives traders and retail investors who may not have easy access to U.S. stock markets or who live in different time zones from Wall Street.
**Navigating Regulatory Challenges**
Equity Perps are offered through a Panamanian entity and come with features like 2.5 basis point maker rebates, zero funding rates when prices are stable, and support for multiple types of crypto collateral including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, and stablecoins.
However, trading tokenized stocks and equity-based contracts still lives in a regulatory gray area. Authorities in the U.S. and Europe have raised concerns about investor protections, ownership rights, and how these new products fit into current securities laws.
BitMEX says it’s committed to following legal rules and emphasizes that Equity Perps are cash-settled—meaning traders don’t actually own the stock—making them simpler than buying tokenized shares.
Bitget’s Chen added that different countries have different rules, but sees this as part of the growing pains of a fast-evolving market that’s blending crypto with traditional finance.
**Key Takeaways:**
– BitMEX launches Equity Perps for 24/7 leveraged stock trading using crypto as collateral.
– Tokenized stock trading is booming, with Bitget and Kraken seeing billions in volume.
– Younger investors prefer flexible trading with high-tech tools.
– Equity Perps cater to global traders who want access to U.S. equities without selling crypto.
– Regulatory issues remain unclear, but platforms are working within legal frameworks.
Crypto Hacks Surge: $27M Stolen, Tornado Cash Used
A skilled hacker recently drained $27.3 million from a multi-signature crypto wallet and has already laundered $19.4 million of that through Tornado Cash, a popular crypto mixing service used to hide transaction trails. Despite the theft, the hacker still holds a leveraged trading position worth nearly $10 million.
The attack was discovered by blockchain security experts and is just one of several major crypto hacks reported in early 2026. The hacker withdrew 1,000 ETH (worth around $3.24 million) from the lending platform Aave and sent it through Tornado Cash. In total, they’ve moved 6,300 ETH ($19.4 million) through the privacy tool so far.
At the same time, the attacker continues to manage a $9.75 million leveraged long position—essentially a high-risk bet that the price of Ethereum will go up. They’re using $20.5 million in ETH as collateral against a $10.7 million loan in DAI, a stablecoin.
This wallet breach is part of a larger wave of crypto exploits happening almost back-to-back. In another case, an address (0xB8b4…) has been actively laundering 2,479 ETH (roughly $7.9 million) through Tornado Cash. These funds came from multiple TRON wallets and were later moved to Ethereum, suggesting ties to a common scam called “pig butchering.” This type of fraud typically involves fake online relationships that trick victims into investing before stealing their funds.
In a separate incident linked to a previous hack of UXLink in September, an attacker converted 248 wrapped Bitcoin into 23 million DAI within an hour, further moving stolen crypto from an earlier exploit involving billions of unauthorized tokens.
Another $1.4 million exploit was also detected on the Arbitrum network, related to an unverified contract tied to TMXTribe. In this case, attackers repeatedly minted and staked liquidity tokens using USDT, swapped them for USDG, then unstaked and sold more tokens in a loop to drain funds—including wrapped SOL and WETH.
These events follow closely behind a data breach involving hardware wallet maker Ledger. On January 5, personal customer data such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers were accessed due to a breach at their payment processor Global-e. Although Ledger confirmed that no sensitive wallet information or payment details were stolen, security experts warn this kind of personal info can be used for phishing and targeted attacks.
This is especially concerning given Ledger’s past issues with data leaks—most notably in 2020 when 1.1 million email addresses and detailed info for nearly 292,000 customers were exposed and later published online.
There’s growing fear among the crypto community about real-world threats. Physical attacks against crypto users—sometimes referred to as “wrench attacks”—are reportedly on the rise. These are violent incidents where attackers target individuals to steal their crypto by force.
Some researchers believe these attacks will become more frequent if global economic conditions worsen. The use of leaked customer data for phishing scams and social engineering makes it even easier for criminals to find high-value targets.
Experts also point out that many crypto services still rely on centralized infrastructure like payment processors and email systems—making them vulnerable points of failure. While Ledger itself wasn’t hacked this time, the leak of customer information still poses serious risks.
In December 2025, crypto-related hacks actually fell by 60% compared to the previous month—dropping from $194.2 million in November to $76 million. However, major incidents are still occurring regularly. These include a $50 million “address poisoning” scam, a $27.3 million private key leak (likely related to the current attack), and a Christmas Day exploit on Trust Wallet that stole $7 million using a compromised browser extension.
Security professionals are now urging anyone whose data was exposed to be extra cautious. Tips include watching out for phishing emails, avoiding sharing personal info online, using temporary delivery addresses, and even considering relocation if safety is a concern.
Crypto users are reminded that even though digital assets offer privacy and control, they also come with real-world risks—especially when basic security practices are overlooked or when central systems get compromised.
Dogecoin and Meme Coins Surge Amid Market Rebound
Dogecoin (DOGE), the leading meme cryptocurrency, has jumped over 17% this past week as the overall crypto market sees a rebound. Bitcoin’s recent surge to nearly $95,000 has helped lift other coins, including DOGE, which climbed above $0.15 for the first time since early December. On Tuesday, it briefly hit $0.155 before dipping slightly to around $0.146, following the broader market trend.
This price surge also aligns with growing interest in Dogecoin ETFs. New DOGE exchange-traded funds saw positive inflows on January 2 and January 5, pulling in a total of $3.9 million, according to data from SoSoValue. This indicates that more investors are starting to back DOGE through traditional financial tools.
It’s not just Dogecoin seeing gains—meme coins as a category are having a strong week. According to CoinGecko, meme coins are up more than 24% overall. Pepe (PEPE) is leading the charge with a massive 56% jump, while Shiba Inu (SHIB) has risen by 27%. These gains are outpacing major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which rose 4.8% and 9.2%, respectively.
Solana-based meme coins are also making waves. Bonk (BONK) is up by 52%, and Pudgy Penguins-themed token PENGU has gained 41%. These tokens are seeing renewed interest thanks to Solana’s fast and low-cost blockchain network, which has become a hotspot for meme coin activity.
Last year ended with a slowdown in meme coin excitement. In September, new token launches often exceeded 25,000 per day. But in the last three months of 2025, that number dropped significantly, only passing the 25,000 mark three times. This decline in activity was visible on popular meme coin platforms like Pump.fun and LetsBonk.
However, things are turning around in early 2026. Since January began (excluding New Year’s Day), every day has seen over 25,000 new meme tokens created. This revival shows that interest in meme coins is bouncing back as prices rise and traders return.
Launchpad trading volumes are also picking up speed again. Daily volumes have climbed back over $100 million after dropping as low as $57 million in November. Established meme coins like Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) and Dogwifhat (WIF) have also seen big trading spikes—both hitting over $1 billion in volume within the last 24 hours, based on CoinGlass data.
The overall mood around meme coins is improving too. According to Kaito AI, meme coins are the top trending topic in crypto on social media platform X this week. Additional data from Cookie.fun shows that PEPE, BONK, and DOGE are among the top 10 most talked-about coins online.
As excitement returns to the meme coin market, both new and old tokens are gaining traction once again—with investor interest growing across trading platforms and social media alike.
Own Your Web3 Identity with the New .yellow Domain
**.yellow Web3 Domain Launches: A New Way to Own Your Digital Identity**
The world of Web3 just got a major upgrade. Yellow, a powerful Web3 infrastructure provider, has teamed up with Unstoppable Domains to launch a brand-new top-level domain (TLD): .yellow. This new domain extension is built specifically for the decentralized internet, giving users full ownership of their digital identities—no renewals, no middlemen.
### What Is .yellow?
.yellow is a blockchain-based domain name that lives entirely in the Web3 space. It allows individuals, creators, and businesses to claim a unique digital identity that they fully control. Unlike traditional web domains, .yellow names are permanent. Once you buy it, it’s yours forever—no yearly fees.
Each .yellow domain comes with:
– Human-readable crypto wallet addresses (e.g., yourname.yellow)
– On-chain website hosting
– UD.me profile pages
– Decentralized messaging features
This means you can use your .yellow name to send or receive crypto, host a website on the blockchain, or share content—all while maintaining full control over your digital presence.
### Why Yellow?
Yellow is more than just a name—it’s an entire Web3 ecosystem built for speed and scalability. At its core is a Layer-3 protocol that enables fast, secure trading across different blockchains. This happens off-chain in real time, with only the final result recorded on-chain, making it efficient and cost-effective.
The Yellow SDK (Software Development Kit) provides developers with advanced tools to build user-friendly decentralized apps (dApps). The goal? To make Web3 as easy and accessible as the traditional internet, while keeping everything decentralized and secure.
With the launch of .yellow, Yellow expands its mission by adding digital identity to its growing toolkit. Now, users can not only build and trade using Yellow’s tools—they can also create a branded online presence that reflects their values and aligns with the Web3 future.
### A Vision for the Future of the Internet
Shyla Khan, Chief Marketing Officer at Yellow.com, shared the bigger picture: “In Web2, people borrow their identity from platforms like Facebook or Google. With Web3 and .yellow, you actually own your identity. It’s more than just a domain—it’s your personal brand in the decentralized world.”
Sandy Carter, Chief Business Officer at Unstoppable Domains, added: “Yellow has built some of the strongest Web3 infrastructure we’ve seen. The .yellow domain brings their vision to life—giving people a place to build trust, creativity, and community in this new digital era.”
### Who Should Use .yellow?
The .yellow TLD is perfect for:
– Artists and creators working in AI or blockchain
– Businesses looking for a unique Web3 brand identity
– Online communities built around shared values
– Individuals who want a secure, self-owned digital identity
Whether you’re building a dApp, sharing your work online, or setting up a crypto wallet address that’s easy to remember—.yellow gives you a flexible and secure way to do it all.
### Get Your .yellow Domain Now
Claim your piece of the decentralized web today with a .yellow domain. It’s fast, easy, and once you buy it, it’s yours forever.
Get started here: https://get.unstoppabledomains.com/yellow/
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**About Unstoppable Domains**
Unstoppable Domains is a leading provider of blockchain-based domain names. Founded in 2018, they offer permanent digital identities that simplify crypto payments and Web3 access. With over 4.7 million domains registered and recognition from Forbes as one of America’s Best Startup Employers four years in a row, Unstoppable Domains is paving the way for user-owned online identities.
Learn more: https://unstoppabledomains.com/
**About Yellow**
Yellow is a next-generation Web3 ecosystem focused on creating fast, secure financial applications. Its technology enables real-time trading across multiple blockchains using off-chain channels for efficiency. With tools like the Yellow SDK and now the .yellow TLD, Yellow is building the foundation for mass adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital identity.
Explore more: https://www.yellow.org/