Feb 24, 2025: Our weekly Institutional Insights explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

 explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

Weekly Highlight — Mixed Economic Data Leads to Risk-Off Strategies

For the past two months, the strong U.S. economy has given investors confidence to invest in markets, even amidst looming tariffs and a stricter Federal Reserve Board. However, recent data indicates that this support may be weakening.

Last Friday, several reports on consumer sentiment, housing and services contributed to the S&P 500's largest loss of the year as it fell 1.7%, wiping out its weekly gains. In contrast, bonds experienced a rally, driving the yield on 10-year Treasuries down to 4.43%. The VIX {

the Chicago Board Options Exchange's (CBOE) Volatility Index

, known as the "fear gauge"] spiked, but remained below 20, signaling increased market anxiety.

Previously, optimism among investors was fueled by speculation regarding U.S. president Trump’s policies promoting disinflationary growth. However, mixed economic signals are now causing concern, particularly a report showing a decline in consumer sentiment alongside rising long-term inflation expectations — the largest drop since 1995. Additionally, existing U.S. home sales fell for the first time since September 2024, further complicating the outlook.

While January's job growth appeared solid, with 143,000 jobs added and the unemployment rate stable, institutional investors began the year with a pro-risk stance, optimistic about the U.S. economy’s trajectory. Yet, the recent volatility in economic data has prompted a reevaluation of strategies.

Weekly Crypto Highlight — SEC May Drop Lawsuit Against Coinbase

Coinbase announced that the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed to drop its lawsuit accusing Coinbase of operating an illegal exchange, pending Commissioners’ approval. Following this news, Coinbase shares initially surged in premarket trading, but fell by 4% to $246.30 as of midday in New York. Bitcoin also declined by about 1%, trading at around $97,000.

This decision signals a shift from the aggressive regulatory stance of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who faced criticism from the crypto industry for enforcing regulations through lawsuits. Last week, the SEC likewise requested a pause on a similar case against Binance, highlighting ongoing developments regarding a regulatory framework for digital assets.

The SEC's complaint will be unfairly dismissed, meaning it cannot be refiled. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated that this dismissal will entail no fines or changes in the company’s operations.

Coinbase has actively engaged in Washington, D.C., donating millions to support pro-crypto candidates and recently adding Chris LaCivita, a former Trump campaign manager, to its advisory council. Armstrong has also communicated with Trump directly.

The SEC initially sued Coinbase in June 2023 amidst a broader crackdown on the digital asset industry following the 

. Gensler had claimed that many tokens fell under SEC jurisdiction. 

The dismissal alleviates a significant burden on Coinbase, allowing it to list more tokens and refocus on product development, rather than legal defenses. This outcome removes a key litigation risk, enhancing Coinbase's capacity to innovate. The company recently reported strong fourth-quarter earnings, and now aims to collaborate with Congress and regulators in order to establish clearer rules for the crypto landscape.

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Weekly Institutional Insights: Mixed Economic Data Rattles Market; SEC May Dismiss Lawsuit

Learn everything you need to know about Bybit's recent security incident and the next steps in this article.

Security breaches have shaped the cryptocurrency industry for over a decade, forcing exchanges to evolve, users to become more cautious, and regulators to tighten their oversight. From the infamous 

 collapse to the Binance security breach and 

, history has shown that while no platform is immune to threats, those that respond swiftly and transparently can emerge stronger than ever.

 where over $1.5 billion worth of ETH and stETH were compromised, and while any breach is a serious concern, our rapid response and transparency set us apart from past incidents. Unlike FTX, where billions disappeared in mere hours due to mismanagement, Bybit immediately secured assets, froze affected wallets, and maintained full platform operations. Funds remain backed 1:1, and users can continue to trade, withdraw, and deposit without disruption.

Looking at past events, we can understand how crypto security has evolved, what lessons were learned, and what the industry must do next to ensure a safer future.

A Look Back: The Most Notorious Crypto Hacks That Changed the Industry

One of the earliest and most devastating exchange hacks, 

 — valued at $450 million at the time, but worth over $36 billion today. The platform’s weak security, lack of cold storage, and failure to detect suspicious transactions led to its downfall.

The lesson was clear: Exchanges must prioritize secure wallet management, rigorous internal controls, and transparency. The Mt. Gox collapse led to better industry-wide custodial practices, ensuring that no single exchange could operate without proper security measures in place.

 due to a smart contract vulnerability. In a surprising turn of events, the hacker returned the funds, proving that on-chain tracking and community response could play a key role in recovering stolen assets.

The attack showed that DeFi projects need more rigorous security audits and multi-signature controls to prevent exploits at the smart contract level.

Unlike traditional exchange hacks, FTX’s downfall wasn’t due to external attackers but rather internal mismanagement and misuse of customer funds. In just two hours, billions of dollars were withdrawn, leaving users helpless as the platform collapsed.

This event reshaped the industry by accelerating Proof of Reserves (PoR) adoption, a transparency measure that allows users to verify an exchange’s solvency. FTX’s failure highlighted the need for stricter regulations, better internal accountability, and clear asset-backing policies.

In October 2022, Binance suffered a $570 million hack after attackers exploited a vulnerability in BSC Token Hub, a cross-chain bridge used to transfer assets between blockchains. The exploit allowed hackers to move 2 million BNB tokens off the network. 

Binance’s swift response helped limit the damage, with the exchange pausing the BNB Chain for several hours. This attack highlighted the risks associated with cross-chain bridges, reinforcing the need for stricter smart contract audits, real-time threat detection, and stronger validator coordination to prevent similar exploits in the future. 

Each of these incidents led to major security advancements and industry-wide improvements. Now, Bybit faces its own challenge — and just like Binance and other top exchanges, we are committed to coming back stronger than ever.

How Exchanges Have Improved Security Over Time

The best exchanges don’t just survive hacks—they emerge stronger by adopting new security protocols, improving transparency, and prioritizing user protection.

One of the most significant changes has been the shift to cold storage dominance, where most exchanges now keep 90% or more of user funds in offline wallets to minimize exposure to potential attacks. Security audits have also become an industry norm, with regular penetration testing, bug bounty programs, and white-hat hacker collaborations helping to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

User protection funds, like Binance’s SAFU, have set a new standard for ensuring users don’t bear the cost of security breaches. AI-powered fraud detection and real-time transaction tracking have also become essential tools for identifying suspicious activity before it escalates.

Beyond individual exchange improvements, the broader industry has adapted through regulatory changes. Proof of Reserves (

) has become a key transparency measure, allowing users to verify an exchange’s solvency. Licensing requirements and exchange accountability frameworks have also become more stringent, making it harder for bad actors to operate unchecked.

How Bybit’s Response to the Crypto Hack Sets a New Standard

The way an exchange responds to a security incident defines its long-term reputation and user trust. Over the years, some platforms have struggled to manage hacks transparently, while others have turned crises into opportunities to strengthen security. Bybit’s response to this incident demonstrates our commitment to transparency, operational resilience, and user protection.

The speed of response is one of the most critical factors in mitigating damage during an attack. Bybit acted immediately, isolating affected wallets and preventing further losses. Unlike past incidents where breaches went undetected for hours or even days, Bybit’s security teams responded in real time. The ability to contain the situation quickly is a testament to our proactive monitoring systems, robust security protocols, and dedicated cybersecurity team.

Full Transparency and Real-Time Communication

Many users lose confidence in exchanges when there is a lack of clear communication during a crisis. From the start, Bybit has maintained full transparency, providing regular updates to reassure users that their assets remain secure and backed 1:1.

Rather than delaying information or releasing vague statements, Bybit has been upfront about the incident, outlining the exact steps taken to contain the breach and reinforce security. This level of openness is crucial in maintaining user trust and setting a new industry standard for responsible crisis management.

One of the biggest concerns during an exchange hack is whether users will face withdrawal restrictions or see trading halted. Bybit ensured that trading, deposits, and withdrawals remained fully operational throughout the incident.

This highlights the exchange’s financial strength and liquidity, ensuring that user funds were not affected. No restrictions were placed on withdrawals, and all assets remained backed 1:1. 

Bybit isn’t just focused on resolving the immediate issue; we are using this incident as a catalyst to further enhance security across the platform. While we already implement industry-leading security measures, we are now working with top blockchain security firms to audit our systems and implement even more advanced security solutions.

Bybit remains financially strong, with all user funds fully backed and secure. Our commitment to industry-leading security practices, user transparency, and rapid response times ensures that we will emerge from this incident stronger than ever.

As the crypto industry continues to evolve, Bybit is setting a new standard for how exchanges should handle security challenges — with transparency, operational resilience, and an unwavering commitment to user protection.

While exchanges continue to improve security, users must also take proactive steps to safeguard their assets. Here’s how you can strengthen your crypto security:

 or SMS-based 2FA to add an extra layer of protection. This prevents unauthorized access even if your password is compromised.

Use withdrawal whitelisting to ensure only pre-approved wallet addresses can receive funds. This minimizes risks from phishing scams or unauthorized transactions.

If you’re holding large amounts of crypto, consider hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor. Unlike exchange hot wallets, cold storage keeps assets offline and safe from cyberattacks.

Hackers often exploit major security incidents by impersonating exchange support teams. Always:

Enable transaction alerts to receive real-time notifications for any account activity. Report any suspicious actions immediately to Bybit support.

By following these best practices, you can further protect your assets even during uncertain times.

The Bybit incident reinforces the need for continuous security improvements across the industry. Moving forward, we can expect:

Stricter Security Standards for Exchanges

Regulators may push for mandatory insurance funds to protect users in the event of security breaches. Additionally, exchanges will be expected to adopt stronger internal controls and more frequent security audits.

To combat sophisticated attacks, exchanges will likely invest in AI-driven risk monitoring that detects anomalies before a hack can escalate.

Greater Transparency and Proof of Reserves

 to ensure their funds are secure. Bybit remains committed to maintaining full backing of user assets and transparent operational updates.

More exchanges may introduce hybrid custody models, where users can trade while maintaining partial self-custody of their assets.

Crypto’s Strength Lies in Solidarity: Bybit’s Gratitude to Partners and Users

One of the most powerful takeaways from this incident has been the overwhelming support from our partners, industry leaders, and users. As soon as the news broke, top security firms, blockchain analytics teams, and exchange partners reached out, offering their expertise and assistance to track the stolen assets and enhance security.

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community. Crypto has always been an industry built on resilience and collaboration, and this event has reinforced that when one exchange is attacked, the industry stands together to protect users and strengthen security.

Bybit would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our partners, users, and the broader crypto ecosystem for standing with us during this time. Your trust, patience, and unwavering support fuel our commitment to come back stronger, set new security benchmarks, and continue providing a safe and innovative trading experience.

Bybit’s Commitment to a Stronger Future

Despite this setback, Bybit remains one of the strongest and most well-respected exchanges globally. Our response to this incident proves that:

Bybit’s journey doesn’t end here. We will continue to improve, evolve, and set new security standards for the industry.

The crypto space must learn from every challenge, and with greater security, transparency, and resilience, we can build a safer, more trustworthy future for all users.

The road ahead is clear — Bybit is here to stay, and we are stronger than ever.

For real-time updates, you may refer to our official channels such as the 

Beginner

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Hacks That Strengthened Crypto: Responses That Build a Safer Future For All

As of mid-February 2025, the cryptocurrency market is experiencing movements driven by economic pressures and regulatory movements. 

As of mid-February 2025, the cryptocurrency market is experiencing movements driven by economic pressures and regulatory movements. Recent inflation data has rattled financial markets, leading to a sharp reassessment of expectations for Federal Reserve policy. A higher-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) report has caused Bitcoin to dip below $94.2K before rebounding to approximately $98.1K. This fluctuation illustrates how macroeconomic factors are increasingly influencing digital assets, mirroring trends seen since early 2022 when the Fed began raising interest rates.

Santiment data reveals that discussions around the terms “CPI” and “inflation” surged to 1.75% of all crypto conversations, the highest level since 2022. This heightened sensitivity indicates that when markets are stagnant or declining, economic news is met with increased concern and fear, often leading to sell-offs. Despite the increased uncertainty, Bitcoin has demonstrated resilience, staying above the $98K mark. Nevertheless, continued inflation could lead to further volatility in risk assets such equities and crypto.

The LIBRA scandal has further complicated the crypto landscape. Argentine President Javier Milei's endorsement of the cryptocurrency led to a dramatic rise — and an even more significant fall in value, as it plummeted by 80% within days. Allegations of fraud surrounding Milei have intensified scrutiny of speculative assets, particularly meme coins, leading to a crisis of confidence among investors.

The fallout from this scandal reflects a broader trend of growing impatience with high-risk assets. Retail sentiment has turned bearish, as evidenced by increased mentions of selling across social media platforms. This shift highlights the need for thorough research before investing in speculative projects. The LIBRA incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with relying solely on endorsements for investment decisions, prompting many traders to seek more stable and established cryptocurrencies.

Emerging Opportunities and Investor Behavior

Litecoin is gaining traction, driven by the possibility of a spot ETF approval that could pave the way for broader access to altcoins, further maturing the crypto market. As discussions around the term “Litecoin ETF” spike, market analysts are optimistic about the likelihood of approval, which could enhance investor interest in Litecoin and similar assets.

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Bybit x Santiment: LIBRA Scandal Gives Rise to Meme Coin Crisis; Litecoin ETF Anticipations Build Up

KAITO is the core currency of Kaito AI’s InfoFi ecosystem, enabling transactions, governance, staking, and community engagement.

The S&P 500 fell 0.43% amid Walmart’s weak outlook, with investors eyeing PMI and home sales data next. Gold rose 0.23% to $2,939 on safe-haven demand but retreated from a $2,954 high. Traders await S&P Global Flash PMIs. Coindesk Indices, an index measuring broader cryptocurrency market performance was up by 0.02%, with Bitcoin and Ether rising by 2.46% and 0.69%, respectively in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today’s top performer is BERA, which surged nearly 15.8% after The Graph integrated Berachain Mainnet on day one, enabling seamless onchain data access.

Berachain (BERA), founded in 2021, is a Layer 1 blockchain with Proof-of-Liquidity consensus, ensuring security and liquidity while maintaining full Ethereum compatibility. The Graph has 

 support for the newly launched Berachain mainnet from day one. Developers can now query Berachain data using Subgraph Studio, making it easier to organize and access onchain data. This integration enables the creation of fast and efficient frontends for Berachain-powered dapps.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

 is the core currency of Kaito AI’s InfoFi ecosystem, enabling transactions, governance, staking, and community engagement. The total supply is allocated as follows: 56.67% to community and ecosystem initiatives (including ecosystem growth, creator incentives, and liquidity rewards), 25% to core contributors, 10% to the foundation, and 8.3% to early backers. Distribution is merit-based, using AI-driven assessments of engagement, governance participation, and long-term alignment with Kaito’s vision. Staking provides rewards and voting rights, ensuring active participation. A claim process for KAITO will be announced soon.

Yesterday, BTC Spot ETFs recorded a net outflow of $252.8M, including $33.5M from GBTC and $219.3M from non-GBTC funds.

. With $43 million in funding, this presents a valuable opportunity. To maximize your points, complete the "Generate at least one transaction on Sahara Testnet" task by sending a small amount of SAHARA via Metamask. This earns 20 points, a significant amount compared to other tasks. Ensure you take full advantage of this opportunity.

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KAITO Powers the InfoFi Ecosystem with Governance Staking and Community Rewards

Bybit Learn

web3

Explainers

Altcoins

Blockchain

DuckChain (DUCK) is a Layer 2 blockchain integrating AI and cross-chain interoperability, transforming Telegram into a crypto super-app with seamless DeFi access.

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 (TON) blockchain in 2024 has focused the crypto industry's attention on the Telegram messaging app and its potential 

 use cases. The Open Network, frequently referred to as TON, became the first major blockchain project to tightly integrate the worlds of crypto and Web 2.0–based social media. And Telegram, with its nearly 1 billion active monthly users and popularity for one-to-one and one-to-many interactions, can be an absolute goldmine for web3 projects.

It was only a matter of time before other blockchain technology projects recognized the messenger's massive potential, and rushed to leverage opportunities. One of the earliest among these projects is DuckChain (DUCK) — a 

 network. DuckChain aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, 

 (EVM) compatibility and cross-chain interoperability with a unified gas system, and to close integration with Telegram to become a significant bridge between Web 2.0 and web3 environments.

 (DUCK) is a high-performance, AI-powered Layer 2 chain designed for tight integration with the Telegram social media network.

 It’s based on Arbitrum Orbit technology, a framework for building highly scalable and cost-efficient Layer 2 chains with EVM compatibility. As a Layer 2 platform, DuckChain links to TON’s Layer 1 network while also providing the functionality to integrate assets from the Ethereum and 

DuckChain's Arbitrum Orbit–based foundation supports its platform’s high throughput and low transaction costs. Naturally, the use of the Arbitrum Orbit stack also ensures EVM compatibility. In fact, DuckChain is one of the first, if not the first, web3 solutions within the wider TON ecosystem that features direct compatibility with EVM. As of yet, TON’s underlying blockchain has no built-in compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem, making DuckChain a pioneer in bridging these two major blockchain environments.

DuckChain is not only fully EVM-compatible — it’s also connected to Bitcoin, allowing assets from Ethereum and Bitcoin ecosystems to be utilized on the platform. Additionally, 

 — social tokens widely used on Telegram for monetization — can be tokenized on DuckChain for further use within its 

 (DApps). In the future, the platform also hopes to implement cross-chain interoperability with 

DuckChain’s network has also integrated several AI-supported functions. These include AI-driven governance, personalized AI assistants for token holders, AI analysts that assist users in navigating the 

 (DeFi) ecosystem and AI-driven cross-chain operations.

The DuckChain team has made AI integration a key focus for its platform. In January 2025, the project’s communications began frequently referring to DuckChain as the “Telegram AI Chain,” highlighting the importance of AI functionality for the platform's future direction and vision. DuckChain — or the Telegram AI Chain, if you will — is building up an impressive network of partner platforms to realize its AI vision. Among the key AI partner platforms are 

 (FLOCK). Each of these partners will support specific functions and use cases for DuckChain’s AI agents.

DuckChain’s Layer 2 network uses the underlying TON blockchain for finalized transaction settlement. Built using Arbitrum Orbit, it enjoys EVM compatibility, high scalability and low transaction costs. The chain’s architecture includes three primary layers — aggregation, execution and data.

DuckChain’s Aggregation Layer is a component of its blockchain’s architecture, serving as a bridge between DuckChain and TON’s Layer 1 network. It’s made up of three elements: 

The Execution Layer is DuckChain's main processing engine, powered by Arbitrum Orbit technology. In addition to transaction processing, this layer is also responsible for keeping DuckChain synchronized with the Telegram environment.

DuckChain's Execution Layer can handle around 5,000 

 (TPS) thanks to Arbitrum Orbit technology, which facilitates the processing of high volumes of transactions in a scalable and cost-efficient way.

The third component of DuckChain’s architecture, the Data Layer, ensures that all transaction data is securely stored and accessible for verification. DuckChain’s platform uses a distributed mode for its data storage. The Data Layer allows Layer 1 validators to access and securely verify transaction data from the DuckChain Layer 2 network.

DuckChain’s close integration with Telegram creates access to on-chain opportunities for the messenger's nearly 1 billion active users. Telegram users can generate a DuckChain account in a streamlined way, without the usual procedures involved in setting up a blockchain network address. Thanks to DuckChain's integration with the core Telegram app, tedious procedures, such as 

Its blockchain also provides a mechanism to deposit Telegram Stars 

social tokens widely used on the messenger to pay for digital goods 

 and convert them into native crypto assets for DeFi purposes, such as gas payments, 

DuckChain also features a unique unified 

. Besides enabling Telegram Stars for gas payments, its system also lets users pay transaction fees on the network using The Open Network's native TON coin and tokens from compatible EVM chains.

TON coin is among the top twenty crypto assets on the market (as of Feb 10, 2025) by market cap, and features high liquidity levels. Gas payments in TON and popular EVM tokens provide the DuckChain network with sufficient levels of liquidity for transactions at all times.

The Layer 2 chain is a unique platform, offering 

 via DuckChain bridges for three large ecosystems 

 Ethereum, Bitcoin and TON. This cross-chain functionality is of particular note for two reasons. First, it creates opportunities for using DApps among holders of BTC, the world's most-capitalized cryptocurrency. And secondly, it provides a common platform for assets from two large ecosystems — TON and Ethereum — that aren’t natively compatible.

DuckChain's AI module supports several features powered by 

, a technology that’s currently experiencing explosive growth, including in the world of web3. One of these features is AI Governance DAO, powered by the Quack AI protocol. It supports members of the platform's governance DAO by assigning them personalized AI agents that assist the DAO members in analyzing proposals, suggesting new ideas and carrying out other governance processes.

In Q1 2025, the DuckChain project aims to introduce personalized AI agents for all holders of the platform's native token, DUCK. In addition to governance power, these agents will provide their owners with services such as blockchain education, guidance on user procedures and financial analytics.

DuckChain also integrates AI agents for cross-chain interoperability processes and the analysis of DeFi opportunities.

The platform’s native cryptocurrency, DUCK, had its token generation event (TGE) in mid-January 2025. DUCK runs on multiple chains — T

— and its utility functions include the following:

DUCK is currently priced at $0.0032 (as of Feb 11, 2025), and has a total and maximum supply of 10 billion. Its current circulation is 5.9 billion. Supply allocation shares are per the chart below.

In January 2025, DuckChain announced its first 

 campaign, with eligibility criteria determined on Jan 7, 2025. The airdrop was designed to reward two groups of early adopters: 

The airdrop allocation criteria included various factors, such as using on-chain Telegram Stars, the number of friends invited to the platform, using testnet 

 (NFTs), staking earnings, accumulating loyalty points and participating in the asset bridging event.

 as a Perpetual contract with USDT. Under the contract, you can trade DUCK with up to 50x leverage.

The DuckChain project is unique in several ways. First, it’s one of the first Layer 2 platforms for The Open Network — often referred to as TON. It also connects the ecosystems of three major blockchain environments — TON, Ethereum and Bitcoin — thus allowing holders of TON, BTC and Ethereum-compatible tokens to utilize them within DuckChain’s DApps. Very few (if any) web3 projects operating in the industry provide this kind of diversified connectivity.

At the same time, the most crucial feature of DuckChain is undoubtedly its integration with Telegram. The use of Telegram Stars within the platform is a unique feature that should act as a major driver for crypto adoption by the messenger's extensive user community. DuckChain isn't the first blockchain project to leverage Telegram, but it does represent the first major web3 initiative to provide easy monetization of Telegram Stars 

 the primary digital currency of the Telegram social network — within the world of 

If you've stocked up on some Telegram Stars, and are thinking of crypto-related opportunities, DuckChain might be an intriguing platform for you to peruse.

DuckChain (DUCK): Transforming Telegram Into a Crypto Super-App

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards