Ether Drops Nearly 8.5% to Its Lowest Since October 2024

Aethir says it halted a bridge exploit on its Ethereum-linked contracts, keeping losses below $90,000. Security firm PeckShield had earlier estimated the damage at about $400,000; Aethir pledged to compensate affected users.

Japan’s cabinet has reclassified cryptocurrencies as financial instruments and will introduce bans on insider trading plus annual disclosure requirements for token issuers. The measures aim to strengthen investor protection and bring crypto closer to regulated markets.

BlackRock has tapped Galaxy Digital to serve as a validator for ETHB, its staked-Ethereum ETF, after the fund’s assets topped $435 million on April 8. The appointment broadens the ETF’s validator roster and reflects rising institutional interest in ETH staking.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury will allow cryptocurrency companies to enroll in a program that delivers timely cybersecurity threat and hacker warning alerts, enabling faster information-sharing with federal authorities.

BitMine Immersion Technologies, the Ethereum-focused treasury vehicle associated with Tom Lee, said Thursday it has increased its share buyback authorization to $4 billion and completed an uplisting to the New York Stock Exchange. The moves are aimed at tightening supply and expanding access to institutional investors.