Raapril27

I need to talk about something that's been keeping me up at night, and honestly, it should concern every single person holding cryptocurrency right now.

Just recently, one of South Korea's biggest crypto exchanges got hit—hard. We're talking about Upbit losing approximately ₩44.5 billion Korean won, which translates to roughly $36 million USD. But here's the thing that makes my stomach turn: this wasn't just any random attack. The cybersecurity experts are pointing fingers at the Lazarus Group again—yes, the same hackers who managed to steal Ethereum from Upbit back in 2019.

Breaking Down What Actually Happened
Let me walk you through this step by step, because understanding how these attacks work is crucial for protecting yourself.
The hackers specifically targeted Upbit's Solana hot wallet. For those who might not know, a hot wallet is basically a cryptocurrency wallet that stays connected to the internet—convenient for quick transactions, but also more vulnerable to attacks. The thieves didn't just grab Solana tokens; they drained multiple tokens from across the entire Solana ecosystem.
What makes this particularly scary is the sophisticated method they used afterward. Security researchers discovered they employed something called "hopping and mixing" techniques. Imagine trying to follow someone who keeps jumping between different cars, changing disguises, and taking random detours—that's essentially what these hackers did with the stolen funds to make tracking nearly impossible.
The Lazarus Connection: A Pattern We Can't Ignore
Here's where things get really troubling. The Lazarus Group isn't some small-time operation. These are the same sophisticated actors who've been linked to numerous high-profile cryptocurrency thefts over the years. Their fingerprints were all over Upbit's 2019 Ethereum theft, and now experts believe they've struck again.
This isn't coincidence—it's a pattern. And patterns tell us something important: if it happened before, and it's happening again, what makes us think it won't happen in the future?

The Question Everyone's Avoiding: Where Is Your Crypto Actually Safe?

This brings me to the uncomfortable question that's been circulating in every crypto community I'm part of: Do you feel safer keeping your assets on a centralized exchange or in self-custody?
I know what the traditional advice says. "Not your keys, not your crypto." It's been repeated so many times it's practically a mantra. And there's absolute truth to it—when your cryptocurrency sits on an exchange, you're essentially trusting that platform to protect your assets.
But here's the real talk: self-custody comes with its own risks too. Lost seed phrases, phishing attacks, hardware wallet failures—I've seen people lose everything because of one simple mistake.
What This Hack Teaches Us About Digital Asset Security
Every single hack that happens in the crypto space serves as a brutal reminder of one fundamental truth: if your assets aren't in your direct control, you're relying on someone else's security measures to protect your investment.
Think about it this way. When your money sits in an exchange's wallet, you're trusting:

Their security infrastructureTheir employee screening processesTheir response protocols during emergenciesTheir insurance policies (if they even have adequate coverage)

That's a lot of trust to place in any organization, no matter how reputable they seem.
So What Should You Actually Do?

I'm not here to tell you there's one perfect solution, because honestly, there isn't. But I can share what's helped me sleep better at night:
Diversify your security strategy. Don't keep all your crypto in one place—whether that's an exchange or a single wallet. Think of it like not keeping all your cash under one mattress.
If you're using exchanges, choose ones with proven track records, strong security measures, and insurance coverage. But never store more there than you're prepared to potentially lose.
If you're going the self-custody route, invest time in learning proper security practices. Use hardware wallets, store your seed phrases securely (and I mean REALLY securely—not on your phone or computer), and consider multi-signature setups for larger amounts.
Stay informed. Hacks like this Upbit incident aren't just news stories—they're education opportunities. Understanding how attacks happen helps you avoid becoming the next victim.
The Bigger Picture We Need to Face
The cryptocurrency world keeps promising us financial freedom and independence from traditional banking systems. And in many ways, it delivers on that promise. But with that freedom comes responsibility—responsibility for your own security that many of us weren't prepared for.
The Upbit hack isn't just about one exchange losing money. It's about understanding that in this digital frontier, threats are real, sophisticated, and constantly evolving. The Lazarus Group and other cybercriminal organizations are getting smarter, more coordinated, and more aggressive.
Your Security Is Your Responsibility
Here's my final thought: whether you decide to trust a centralized exchange or take the self-custody path, make it an informed decision. Don't just follow what everyone else is doing or what sounds easiest.
This $36 million hack should serve as your personal wake-up call. Review where your crypto currently lives. Ask yourself if you're comfortable with the level of risk you're taking. And most importantly, have a plan for what you'd do if the platform you trust suddenly became the next headline.
The truth is, in the world of cryptocurrency, absolute safety doesn't exist. But informed, cautious, and strategic security practices can make all the difference between protecting your investment and watching it vanish in someone else's security breach.
Stay safe out there, and remember—every hack is a lesson if we're willing to learn from it.

This is the Lazarus Group.

A group of specially trained hackers committing various cyber frauds worldwide.

Their total stolen amount is $3 billion.

Yesterday, they stole $1.5 billion more from @Bybit_Official.

Here’s the full story of how they did it and why you CAN'T be safe too 👇

The Lazarus Group has been behind many major cyberattacks.
Worldwide, they are linked to thefts totaling around $3 billion.
It's believed that the stolen money helps fund North Korea's military and nuclear projects.
But let's go back to the beginning...

Lazarus, a hacking collective endorsed by North Korea, has executed cyber raids on banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, and DeFi platforms, amassing billions.
Recently, they've achieved the largest crypto theft ever recorded.
Let's delve into the details.

There was no code breach yesterday.

Private keys remained secure.
Transactions received approval from Bybit's own multisig custodians.
They believed it was just a standard transfer.
Without knowing it, they handed over their entire cold wallet to hackers...

But that raises a terrifying question:
How did #Lazarus know exactly whom to target?
A multisig wallet requires multiple signers. If even one refused to sign, the hack would fail. But they all signed.
This means Lazarus didn’t just hack Bybit... They knew whom to manipulate.

Gaining access to this type of data is limited to a few tactics:

• Insider leak:
An individual disclosed the list of signers.

• Manipulative tactics:
Lazarus analyzed their communication and habits.

• System breach:
Malware infiltrated one or more signer devices.

This suggests that other exchanges could face similar threats.

Yesterday, Lazarus stole nearly 0.5% of all #Ethereum
This means they now possess:
1. More than Fidelity.
2. More than Vitalik Buterin.
3. And even more than the Ethereum Foundation.
However, laundering that much $ETH undetected is no simple task...

Earlier cyber attacks by Lazarus involved:

➬ Cross-chain bridging
➬ On-chain mixers
➬ Over-the-counter trades through unauthorized dealers

Could they repeat these strategies?
Indeed, they did.

Detectives quickly found the 53 wallets holding the stolen ETH.
Any attempt to sell or trade these assets would immediately set off alerts.
However, Lazarus appears unconcerned about time.

In 2022, Chainalysis discovered that Lazarus was still holding onto $55 million from hacks dating back six years.

They play the long game, biding their time.
Victims never recover their funds. Not a single case.
Lazarus is not in the business of bargaining or refunding.
So, what's the fate of the users?

Ben Zhou, the CEO of Bybit, publicly addressed the issue:
➬ "We ensure a 1:1 backing for client funds."
➬ "Our liquidity is sufficient to handle all withdrawals."
➬ "The security of all other wallets is intact."
Up to now, there has been no mass withdrawal.

Such events have occurred before and are bound to happen again.
Want to protect yourself?
Here are some straightforward tips 👇

By the way, in the end I want to say this:

Those who watched the Bybit CEO's livestream yesterday immediately noticed the amazing composure and calm of a man who had just lost $1.5B.

A few hours later, Ben transferred $3B in one transaction, writing about it on Twitter at the same time.

He seems to have no nerves at all.

I've read many posts on the topic that described it as a master class. Industry leaders agree that Bybit demonstrated the best crisis response the crypto market has ever seen.

Bybit did not limit the withdrawal of funds, although many, including #CZ , suggested temporarily taking such a measure. Today, CZ writes that "Ben did a great job".

The largest hack in the history of crypto did not collapse the market.

I'm Bullish!

If you found this Article helpful, don't forget to:

➬ Follow me @Ram of Crypto for more.

➬ Like/Bookmark/Repost below if you can:

Thanks 🙏

In my first bull run, I lost 90% of my net worth because I was stupid and didn't take profits...

Many can tell you when to buy, but nobody says when to sell.

I spent months studying how to sell crypto at its ATH.

Here's my ultimate strategy
👇🧵

Every crypto bull run tends to follow the same pattern: 99% of people either lose everything or simply leave the market at break-even.

This happens because the crypto market is a prime example of human emotions at play, driven by FEAR, GREED, and our "dear" friend called FOMO.

While predicting every crypto move with precision is impossible, having a solid understanding of market structure and some rules can help you secure profits and close positions at the best possible times.

Today, we will delve into the following topics:

👉Market cycle model

👉When to sell BTC/ETH/altcoins/memes

👉Important rules to keep in mind

How Market Cycles Work:

The price of BTC, like any other asset, moves following specific patterns.

This cycle repeats due to human emotions, particularly FOMO.

The diagram below illustrates the emotions traders go through at different time intervals.

While minor variations may occur with each token, the underlying emotions remain consistent.

It's crucial to recognize when alts are starting to really skyrocketing.

During a bullish phase for altcoins, you could potentially earn 100x times more than with BTC or ETH, as they have the potential to yield not just 2x but up to a 1000x return.

You may know how things work in the market and in this world, but if you don't have a system and you can't manage your emotions...

You will get rekt!

Check out my list of rules that help me sell close to ATH and make consistent profits:

① ➬ Think of market profits as your paycheck, not as a lottery win.

Respect your money.

Don't treat it like you're in Las Vegas or some strip club where you can throw money around left and right.

There are no get-rich-quick schemes in this world.

Only slow and steady wins the race.

② ➬ Buy on expectations, sell on the news.

Don't be the person who shows up after the party's over.

When news breaks, it's time to sell, not buy.

By buying late, you're just feeding those who got in early and are now laughing in their new Lambos.

③ ➬ Would you buy a token from your portfolio right now if you weren't already holding it?

As humans, we don't like losses or realizing we've made poor investments, even when they're truly bad.

We often come up with countless justifications for why we're holding onto particular tokens.

You might be astonished by the amount of sh*t assets in your portfolio if you simply pose this question to yourself.

✪ ➬ BONUS

To hit the real jackpot, consider these factors when analyzing a promising token:

· What is the upside potential?
(compare the token with others in the sector)

· Who are the big holders and top VCs involved?

· What is the roadmap, partnerships, team, etc?

· Are there upcoming listings on CEXs for the token?
(listings usually lead to liquidity and price increases, especially upon announcement)

Thank you for reading this article, so please like and follow if you found it helpful

#BinanceLaunchpool #bitcoinhalving #Memecoins #InvestmentStrategies #HotTrends

Trump’s back in the White House, and European leaders are anything but thrilled. He beat Kamala Harris, leaving EU officials with a lingering sense of dread.

After watching him disrupt international relations and slap tariffs on European goods in his first term, they know what to expect: more economic warfare. They’ve been planning for this for over a year, but now that it’s real, they’re scrambling.

EU leaders scurry to shield Europe from tariffs

The day after the election results, European diplomats and leaders woke up with a shared anxiety. “I am seeing it, [and] not wanting to believe,” one anonymous EU official said. Another diplomat added, “It is not great, again.” But there was no shock this time, just reluctant acceptance.

They’ve seen Trump’s playbook before, and they know it won’t be kind to Europe. The United States and the EU share the world’s largest bilateral trade relationship. In 2021, their trade and investment exchange topped 1.2 trillion euros ($1.29 trillion), a very important economic connection for Europe.

But Trump’s “America First” stance has always pushed for more American goods in European markets, and he’s ready to make the EU “pay a big price” for not stepping up. He’s proposed a fresh 10% tariff on European imports, which would hammer industries across the continent.

For Germany, this is a serious threat. German automakers rely heavily on exports to the U.S., and Trump’s tariffs could devastate an already fragile industry. In a recent report, ING analysts called Trump’s win Europe’s “worst economic nightmare.”

“A looming new trade war could push the euro zone economy from sluggish growth into a full-blown recession,” they said. Economic growth across the EU is already slow, and adding new trade barriers would be catastrophic.

European leaders aren’t waiting for things to unravel. They’re meeting Thursday and Friday in Budapest to hash out their response. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are all expected to attend.

For most, this isn’t a celebration, but an urgent planning session. The mood in Brussels is tense, as leaders focus on keeping the EU economy stable. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is the outlier, though. A long-time Trump fan, Orban hinted he’d be popping open champagne to celebrate. But for the rest of Europe, it’s damage control time.

“There will be a first discussion [on the outcome of the U.S. election] in Budapest,” a third EU source confirmed. They’ll talk trade, but Trump’s comeback raises another big issue for Europe: security.

Ukraine in limbo, NATO’s future in question

One of Trump’s biggest promises during the election was to cut U.S. military aid to Ukraine, and this has European capitals on edge. Without American support, Ukraine’s position against Russian aggression would weaken significantly.

European officials know they don’t have the resources to replace the billions in military aid Ukraine currently gets from the U.S. Losing that support could push Ukraine into a disadvantageous peace settlement with Russia—a win for Putin and a nightmare for Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are preparing to make a stand, calling for “a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe.” They’re doubling down on a shared defense strategy and pushing NATO to reinforce European security.

The stakes are high, and NATO leaders know it. The alliance, long a key piece of Europe’s defense, depends heavily on American involvement, and Trump’s return has revived fears of a fractured NATO.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who previously served as Dutch prime minister, said he was ready to work with Trump, but he didn’t hide the alliance’s concerns. “NATO helps advance U.S. interests, multiplies American power, and keeps Americans safe,” he reminded Trump, subtly signaling that NATO isn’t just a European security blanket.

Germany’s transatlantic coordinator, Michael Link, shares these concerns, warning that Europe can’t sit back and wait for Trump’s next move. “We have to make clear what we expect of the U.S., that it must fulfill its NATO obligations,” Link said on German radio. The big fear here is a disengaged America, with  a more aggressive Russia and an emboldened China.

EU faces tough choices

“Our big focus is to keep the European unity,” said a third diplomat who spoke about the upcoming EU discussions. ING analysts put it bluntly: the combination of tariffs and dwindling U.S. military support for Ukraine is Europe’s worst-case scenario.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke out last month, saying that if the U.S. goes down this path, Europe would have to “consider retaliation.”

Trump’s proposed blanket tariffs could slam German automakers like Volkswagen and BMW, dealing a huge blow to a sector that’s already struggling.

Lindner emphasized the need for diplomacy, urging EU leaders to work together to prevent a U.S.-EU trade conflict. “It’s not in the best interest of the U.S. to have a trade conflict with [the] European Union,” he argued.

And then there’s the question of tech. Europe has already started passing new regulations targeting American tech giants, which will likely inflame Trump’s administration. European leaders know they need to tread carefully here; adding fuel to an already tense trade environment could tip the scales toward an outright trade war.

Diplomatic balancing act: A tightrope walk

While some leaders, like Macron, are trying to keep a diplomatic front, the atmosphere among European officials is grim.

Macron has already signaled he’s willing to work with Trump, saying, “Ready to work together as we have done for four years.”

But he and Scholz also know that Europe needs to be stronger than ever if they’re going to keep up with the U.S. under Trump.

The EU is pushing to make its voice heard, but in the end, Europe is heading into a new economic reality, one marked by tension, instability, and a whole lot of unknowns.

The EU’s unity, economy, and very sovereignty are on the line. Trump’s back, and this time, Europe is feeling the squeeze harder than ever.

Liquidity is one of the key factors in financial markets, including the crypto market. However, many novice investors often overlook the importance of liquidity when investing in digital assets. Liquidity refers to how easily an asset can be bought or sold in the market without significantly affecting its price. In the context of the crypto market, liquidity plays a vital role in determining price stability, transaction convenience, and the attractiveness of the market to investors. This article will explain the concept of liquidity in the crypto market and why it is an important factor to consider.

In the crypto market which is known for its high volatility, price movements often create scenarios that are difficult to predict. Crypto traders often experience confusion between fake outs and break outs, two conditions that are similar but have different impacts. Understanding the differences and characteristics of the two can help traders avoid the trap of false signals (fake outs) and be more confident when valid price movements (break outs) occur.
This article will discuss in depth about fake outs and break outs in crypto trading, including definitions, how to detect them, causes, supporting indicators, and practical tips for identifying and managing risks in dealing with both.

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