The hard fork will introduce a new, competing layer-1 blockchain and seven layer-2 scaling networks, according to Sztorc's announcement.
Bitcoin (BTC) approached two-week highs near $62,700, testing the 200-week moving average. Traders noted a short squeeze and warned of historical Monday weakness, while renewed inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs and softer US macro data suggest potential tailwinds for crypto.
ARK Invest purchased $77 million in crypto stocks in June, including Coinbase, Circle, and Bullish, during Bitcoin's worst month in four years. This strategy offers regulated equity exposure to digital assets, but analysis shows these stocks experienced higher volatility and company-specific risks compared to Bitcoin directly.
Mac users seeking the Maccy clipboard manager are being targeted by a fake version distributing PamStealer, a new Rust-based infostealer. The malware, distributed via lookalike websites and malicious ads, can steal passwords, crypto keys, and sensitive data by exploiting macOS features and requesting Full Disk Access.
Prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket experienced record trading volumes in June, with nearly $9.4 billion on Kalshi and $4.3 billion on Polymarket, largely driven by activity surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This surge occurs amidst ongoing legal and regulatory debates in the US regarding the oversight of these markets.
TRM Labs reported a record 207 crypto hacks in H1 2026, yet total losses fell to $972 million. This shift highlights that while more protocols are targeted, significant losses stem from operational system compromises like key management and custody, not just smart contract exploits.
South Africa's Revenue Service (SARS) has released draft guidelines clarifying crypto asset taxation under existing income and capital gains tax laws. Most crypto activities like trading, swapping, and spending are considered disposals triggering tax events, with taxpayer intention being a key factor in classification.
