Wallet

Thailand's Personal Data Protection Commission has ordered World Network to halt biometric data collection and delete records of 1.2 million local users. The regulator cited violations of the Personal Data Protection Act, stating the blockchain project allegedly transferred iris scan data to third parties in exchange for cryptocurrency tokens without proper authorization.

KakaoBank has advanced its Korean won-pegged stablecoin project into active development, according to Newspim. The digital bank, part of South Korean tech conglomerate Kakao, is recruiting blockchain backend developers with expertise in smart contracts and token standards. The move follows similar initiatives by competitor Naver, which is reportedly pursuing a merger with Upbit, the country's largest cryptocurrency exchange.

Swedish fintech company Klarna introduced KlarnaUSD, a USD-pegged stablecoin on the Tempo blockchain developed by Stripe and Paradigm. The token targets the approximately $120 billion in annual fees generated by international payment transactions. KlarnaUSD is currently operational on Tempo's testnet, with a mainnet launch scheduled for 2026.

Exodus is acquiring W3C Corp for $175 million to transition from a wallet-focused company into a provider with integrated payment processing capabilities. The deal brings subsidiaries Monavate and Baanx under Exodus's control, enabling direct card issuance and transaction processing. The transaction is expected to close in 2026 pending regulatory approval.

Charles Guillemet, Chief Technology Officer at Ledger, has issued a security alert about zero-click vulnerabilities being exploited to compromise cryptocurrency wallets. State-sponsored groups are deploying commercial spyware against messaging apps to gain unauthorized phone access. He advises against storing significant crypto assets on mobile devices due to escalating threats.

More than 300 victims and families connected to the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel filed a lawsuit Monday against Binance, founder Changpeng Zhao, and executive Guangying Chen. The complaint alleges the exchange knowingly processed over $1 billion in cryptocurrency for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other designated terrorist groups. The 284-page filing invokes the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act and claims transactions continued after Binance's 2023 guilty plea to money laundering violations.

North Korean operatives could be working at up to 20% of cryptocurrency companies, according to Pablo Sabbatella, founder of Web3 audit firm Opsek and Security Alliance member. Between 30% and 40% of job applications at crypto firms may come from such operatives, who use stolen identities and freelance platforms to gain employment. The threat extends beyond financial theft to unauthorized access to critical infrastructure supporting major platforms.

Jack Mallers, chief executive of Strike, said JPMorgan Chase terminated his personal banking accounts last month without advance notice. The bank cited "concerning activity" but declined to provide specifics, telling Mallers it was "not allowed" to disclose details. The closure has renewed debate over whether banks continue to restrict services for cryptocurrency industry executives.

North Korean agents have infiltrated the cryptocurrency industry at unprecedented levels, with 15% to 20% of digital asset firms potentially employing state-backed operatives, according to Security Alliance member Pablo Sabbatella. Between 30% and 40% of job applications to crypto companies may originate from North Korea-linked actors. These individuals gain access to internal systems, production environments, and sensitive infrastructure after being hired through fraudulent recruitment channels.

A 10-month cross-border investigation traced criminal funds through Binance, OKX, Coinbase, Kraken, Bybit, and KuCoin, according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Researchers documented over $408 million in transfers from Huione Group to Binance between July 2024 and July 2025. OKX received more than $226 million from Huione in the five months following its February 2025 guilty plea for operating an unlicensed money transmitter.