North Korea-linked hacking group Kimsuky has been found setting up locally hosted large language model environments to incorporate AI into cyberattacks targeting the cryptocurrency and financial sectors. In the first half of 2026, North Korean hackers stole about $609 million—roughly 55% of the $1.1 billion lost across crypto hacks in the period—and Humanity Protocol lost $32 million. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT previously reported that North Korean IT workers earned more than $3.5 million in crypto by posing as developers, while leaked records showed the operation generated about $1 million a month.

European benchmark gas futures surged more than 10% on Monday as traders remained unconvinced that negotiations involving Iran and Oman would quickly restore global LNG flows via the Strait of Hormuz. Europe’s storage sites are just under 59% full, well below the five-year seasonal norm of 76% and at the lowest seasonal level in records dating back to 2009. Citigroup strategists including Maggie Xueting Lin expect inventories to reach about 74% by the end of October if Middle East LNG exports gradually resume from mid-August, but warned of demand-spike risks if El Niño brings extreme cold spells, according to Bloomberg. Dutch TTF front-month futures settled at €61.24 per megawatt-hour, while US gas futures also posted their biggest gain in more than two months on short-covering tied to swings in weather forecasts.

Chicago wheat futures climbed as traders positioned for the US Department of Agriculture’s monthly supply-and-demand report, which is expected to show tighter global grain supplies. The most-active contract rose as much as 2.5% intraday to its highest level since July 30 before giving back some gains. The Black Sea remains the main export gateway for Russia and Ukraine, which together account for over a quarter of global seaborne wheat shipments and a 10th of corn. Markets are focused on the prospect of a tighter supply outlook.

Nasdaq has issued a delisting warning to Avalanche Treasury (ticker AVAT) after its closing price stayed below $1 for 33 consecutive business days and its market value of listed securities remained under $35 million. AVAT shares are around $0.32, meaning the stock would need to more than triple to meet the $1 minimum. It would also need its market value of listed securities to recover to at least $35 million to regain compliance. A related report said Eric Trump’s American Bitcoin plans a 1:15 reverse stock split to avoid delisting and holds 8000 BTC.

USBC increased a Bitcoin-backed loan to $18 million in late July and pledged 479 Bitcoin worth about $30.1 million, implying a 59.8% loan-to-value ratio. Under the agreement, if Bitcoin falls below $45,094, Kraken would have the right to immediately liquidate the full collateral. A 130% collateral-call ratio corresponds to an illustrative Bitcoin price near $48,852, and hitting that level would require the borrower to post additional margin to restore the ratio to 150%.

Kinaxis reported second-quarter results with total revenue of US$158.8 million, up 16% year over year, while SaaS revenue rose 20% to US$106.5 million. Usage of scenario-planning activity on its platform continued to climb, with July up 30% from a year earlier. Average deal size nearly doubled from a year ago, annual recurring revenue increased 19% to US$465.6 million, and the company said it is winning large contracts more frequently.

Hims reported its latest quarterly earnings, posting revenue above market expectations. However, the company’s net loss came in far larger than analysts had projected. The results disappointed investors, sending the stock sharply lower.

International crude prices jumped about 5% on Friday as expectations for a Strait of Hormuz agreement faded, settling at $82.13 a barrel. U.S. equities ended lower, with the Nasdaq down 0.32%, the Dow off 0.13% and the S&P 500 edging down 0.06% after the benchmark had set a record closing high earlier in the week. Intel shares declined after the chipmaker said it plans to raise $15 billion through a share sale. Energy stocks outperformed, with Apache and Marathon Petroleum among notable gainers.