Bitcoin and most altcoins rose on Wednesday as investors cheered the upcoming US-China trade talks. The market also reacted positively to a drop in crude oil prices ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. Bitcoin (BTC) rose to $97,000,…

Here’s why altcoins like Stacks, Flare, Jasmy, and Dogecoin rising

Almost 60,000 Bitcoin addresses tied to LockBit&#8217;s ransomware infrastructure 
have been leaked after hackers breached the group&#8217;s dark web affiliate panel.
The leak included a MySQL database dump shared publicly online. It contains 
crypto-related information that could help blockchain analysts trace the 
group&#8217;s illicit financial flows.
Ransomware is a type of malware used by malicious actors. It locks its 
target&#8217;s files or computer systems, making them inaccessible. The attackers 
typically demand a ransom payment, often in digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC), 
in exchange for a decryption key to unlock the files.
LockBit is one of the most notorious crypto ransomware groups. In February 
2024, 10 countries launched a joint operation to disrupt the group, saying 
that the organization caused billions in damages to key infrastructure.
_Source:__ReyXBF_
## No Bitcoin private keys leaked
While almost 60,000 Bitcoin wallets were leaked, no private keys were leaked. 
One X user shared a conversation with a LockBit operator, confirming the 
breach. However, the LockBit personnel said no private keys or data were lost.
Despite this, analysts at Bleeping Computer said the database contained twenty 
tables, including a &#8220;builds&#8221; table. This contains individual ransomware builds 
created by the organization&#8217;s affiliates. The data also included some of the 
target companies for the builds.
In addition, the leaked database also included a &#8220;chats&#8221; table. This table 
contained over 4,400 negotiation messages between victims and the ransomware 
organization.
_**Related:**__**Crypto crime in 2024 likely exceeded $51B, far higher than 
reported: Chainalysis**_
## LockBit hack tied to Everest ransomware breach
It&#8217;s unclear who was behind the breach and how they got into LockBit&#8217;s 
operations, but Bleeping Computer analysts said the message used in the 
Everest ransomware site breach matches the one used in LockBit. The analysts 
suggested that there may be a link between the two incidents.
The breach highlights the role that crypto plays in the ransomware economy. 
Each victim is usually assigned an address to pay their ransom, allowing the 
affiliates to monitor payments while attempting to obscure ties to their main 
wallets.
The exposure of the addresses allows law enforcement and blockchain 
investigators to track patterns and potentially link past ransom payments to 
known wallets.
_**Magazine:**__**Adam Back says Bitcoin price cycle &#8217;10x bigger&#8217; but will 
still decisively break above $100K**_

60K BTC addresses leaked as LockBit ransomware gang gets hacked

Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat) has announced a partnership with 
Crypto.com to introduce cryptocurrency services at its service stations, 
pending regulatory approval. The collaboration will initially integrate 
Crypto.com services at 10 Emarat stations, with plans for further expansion 
across the company&#8217;s network of over 155 locations in the UAE. As part of this 
initiative, the two […]

Fill up Your Car With Crypto at Dubai Gas Stations Through New Crypto.com and Emarat Partnership

Binance published its updated monthly proof of reserves report for May 2025, 
showing the exchange&#8217;s backed assets remain over 100% for major tokens such as 
Bitcoin, USDT and Ethereum. On May 8, the leading crypto exchange released the 
latest update…

Binance’s latest proof of reserves report reveals over 100% backed assets for major tokens

David Bailey, the CEO of crypto media company BTC Inc. and a close adviser to 
US President Donald Trump on digital assets, has reportedly raised $300 
million to launch a new Bitcoin investment firm.
The venture, named Nakamoto after the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, aims to 
become a publicly traded company focused on acquiring and holding the 
cryptocurrency, CNBC reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The 
Information was first to cover the story.
The funding round, which has been quietly in motion since January, includes 
$200 million in equity and $100 million in convertible debt, a source familiar 
with the matter told CNBC.
While the firm has not officially announced the raise, an official reveal and 
merger with a Nasdaq-listed company is expected as early as next week. The 
combined entity is set to go public this summer, per the report.
&#8220;No comment,&#8221; Bailey wrote in a May 7 post on X, apparently in response to the 
news around his new Bitcoin (BTC) investment firm.
_Source: David Bailey_
 _**Related:**__**Texas House committee passes Bitcoin reserve bill for full 
floor vote**_
## New Bitcoin firms are launching
Nakamoto&#8217;s strategy is modeled on that of companies like Strategy, which 
transformed itself into a Bitcoin-holding powerhouse under Michael Saylor.
The firm will invest in and acquire businesses globally, in countries such as 
Brazil, Thailand and South Africa, while deploying Bitcoin as part of its 
capital structure.
The venture is reportedly backed by high-profile investors and includes an 
advisory board featuring several prominent figures from the financial and 
crypto sectors.
Bailey&#8217;s move comes amid renewed enthusiasm for institutional Bitcoin 
investment, following a series of major fundraising announcements from firms 
like Twenty One and Strive Asset Management.
_**Related: **__**Trump-linked Strive files for &#8216;Bitcoin Bond&#8217; ETF**_
On April 24, Twenty One Capital, led by Strike founder Jack Mallers with the 
support of Tether, SoftBank and Cantor Fitzgerald, said it is looking to 
supplant Saylor&#8217;s Strategy to become the &#8220;superior vehicle for investors 
seeking capital-efficient Bitcoin exposure.&#8221;
On May 7, Strive Asset Management, founded by entrepreneur and former 
presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, also revealed plans to transition into 
a Bitcoin treasury company.
_Source: David Bailey_
The firm is going public through a reverse merger and plans to use the 
combined company&#8217;s stock to accumulate Bitcoin. Once the deal closes, Strive 
plans to issue approximately $1 billion in equity and debt and use the 
proceeds to accumulate BTC.
&#8220;The pace of these new BTC companies launching is accelerating,&#8221; crypto 
influencer TylerD said in a post on X.
_**Magazine: **__**Bitcoin &#8216;s $100K push wakes taxman, Vitalik visits real 
Moo Deng: Asia Express**_

Trump crypto adviser David Bailey raises $300M for Bitcoin investment firm

Bitcoin climbed to $98,933 on May 8, rising 2.6% in 24 hours, as markets 
reacted to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a coming trade agreement. 
The surge follows a May 8 announcement on Truth Social by U.S. President 
Donald Trump,…