Quantum Threat to RSA, Global Crypto Incidents, and Macro Risks Unveiled
Quantum computers can now break RSA 20× faster, the US leads in crypto theft, BitVM and Maxwell upgrades accelerate DeFi, SEC debates a DeFi sandbox, and US credit delinquencies and budget deficits hit new highs.
Quantum Computers Threaten RSA Security
A new study reveals that breaking a 2048-bit RSA key now requires 20× fewer qubits than previously thought. This means quantum attacks on the encryption protecting Bitcoin wallets and banking transactions could succeed in under a week, urgently driving the need for post-quantum cryptography.
Crypto Thefts: US Leads by Value, Asia & Europe Lead by Count
Since 2019, the United States tops the list for total value stolen, but Asia (62 cases) and Europe (59) surpass North America (48) in the number of recorded crypto theft incidents, underscoring the global scale of the problem.
Bitlayer Partners to Deploy BitVM
Bitlayer has teamed up with mining pools Antpool, F2Pool, and SpiderPool to roll out BitVM, a Bitcoin-based virtual machine capable of on-chain complex computations, paving the way for advanced decentralized applications on BTC.
BNB Chain Activates Maxwell Hard Fork
On its testnet, BNB Chain successfully activated the Maxwell hard fork, reducing block times to 0.75 seconds, enabling 16 sequential block support, and dramatically enhancing network throughput and scalability.
MOVE Token Claim Platform Launches
The Move Industries foundation launched a dedicated site for claiming $MOVE tokens. 10% of the total supply is reserved for the Movement Network community via an airdrop, incentivizing participation and broad distribution.
SEC Explores a DeFi “Regulatory Sandbox”
The SEC’s crypto working group met with Nasdaq, Plume Network, and Etherealize to discuss tokenized securities regulation. Plume proposes a Regulatory Sandbox for DeFi startups, while Etherealize advocates recognizing blockchains as official shareholder registries.
Indian Crypto Lobby Pushes for Lower Taxes
India’s crypto industry is pressuring its government to cut capital gains tax from 30% and transaction levy from 1%, arguing that high rates stifle innovation and drive capital into unregulated channels.
Trump Media Denies $3B Bitcoin Fundraising Report
Trump Media & Technology Group publicly refuted a Financial Times report claiming it planned to raise $3 billion to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, labeling the article “false and unfounded.”
Sonic’s FeeM Mechanism Overhauls Fee Distribution
The Sonic protocol introduced FeeM, shifting 90% of transaction fees to developers and reducing validators’ share from 45% to 10%, realigning incentives within its ecosystem.
Inferno Drainer Launches EIP-7702 Phishing Attack
The hacker group Inferno Drainer exploited Ethereum’s EIP-7702 to craft a sophisticated phishing scheme, tricking users into signing malicious requests and stealing $150,000. Users are warned to verify all contract approvals and update wallets.
Fluence Social Account Compromised
The Fluence team’s Twitter (X) account was hacked, and attackers posted phishing links. This incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of social channels and underscores the need for strong multi-factor authentication.
Macroheadwinds: Delinquencies, Unemployment Fears & Budget Deficit
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90+ day delinquencies are surging across mortgages, home equity lines, auto loans, credit cards, and student debts.
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67% of Americans expect a rise in unemployment over the next year—a peak since 2008 and more than double the level five months ago—surpassing pre-recession pessimism of the early ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s.
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The U.S. budget deficit reached 7% of GDP over the past 12 months and averaged 9% over five years, with government spending at $7.1 trillion (24% of GDP), exceeding levels during major past recessions.
Conclusion:
From breakthrough quantum threats and global crypto crime patterns to cutting-edge DeFi upgrades and urgent macroeconomic alarms, the cryptocurrency and financial landscapes are in flux. Stakeholders must adapt swiftly—upgrading cryptography, engaging with regulators, reinforcing security, and preparing for wider economic headwinds—to navigate these converging challenges.