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The PancakeSwap V2 pool for OCAUSDC on BSC was exploited in a suspicious transaction detected today. The attack resulted in the loss of almost $500,000 worth of USDC market, drained in a single transaction. According to reports from Blockchain security platforms, the attacker exploited a vulnerability in the deflationary sellOCA() logic, giving them access to manipulate the pool’s reserves. The final amount the attacker got away with was reportedly approximately $422,000. The exploit involved the use of flash loans and flash swaps combined with repeated calls to OCA’s swapHelper function. This removed OCA tokens directly from the liquidity pool during swaps, artificially inflating the on-pair price of OCA and enabling the drainage of USDC How did the OCA/USDC exploit happen? The attack was reportedly executed via three transactions. The first to carry out the exploit, and the following two to serve as additional builder bribes. “In total, 43 BNB plus 69 BNB were paid to 48club-puissant-builder, leaving an estimated final profit of $340K,” Blocksec Phalcon wrote on X about the incident, adding that another transaction in the same block also failed at position 52, likely because it was frontrun by the attacker. Flash loans on PancakeSwap allow users to borrow significant amounts of crypto assets without collateral; however, the borrowed amount plus fees must be repaid within the same transaction block. They are primarily used in arbitrage and liquidation strategies on the Binance Smart Chain, and the loans are usually facilitated by PancakeSwap V3’s flash swap function. Another flash loan attack was detected weeks ago In December 2025, an exploit allowed an attacker to withdraw approximately 138.6 WBNB from the PancakeSwap liquidity pool for the DMi/WBNB pair, netting approximately $120,000. That attack demonstrated how a combination of flash loans and manipulation of the AMM pair’s internal reserves via sync() and callback functions is capable of being used to completely deplete the pool. The attacker first created the exploit contract and called the f0ded652() function, a specialized entry point into the contract, after which the contract then calls flashLoan from the Moolah protocol, requesting approximately 102,693 WBNB. Upon receiving the flash loan, the contract initiates the onMoolahFlashLoan(…) callback. The first thing the callback does is find out the DMi token balance in the PancakeSwap pool in order to prepare for the pair’s reserve manipulation. It should be noted that the vulnerability is not in the flash loan, but in the PancakeSwap contract, allowing manipulation of reserves via a combination of flash swap and sync() without protection against malicious callbacks. Get 8% CASHBACK when you spend crypto with COCA Visa card. Order your FREE card.

BitcoinWorld USDC Minted: Stunning 250 Million Stablecoin Injection Signals Major Market Shift In a significant move for digital asset markets, blockchain observers witnessed a massive 250 million USDC minted by the official USDC Treasury on March 21, 2025. This substantial creation of the world’s second-largest stablecoin immediately captured analyst attention, sparking discussions about liquidity flows and potential strategic deployments within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Whale Alert, a prominent blockchain tracking service, first reported the transaction, highlighting its scale against typical daily minting activity. USDC Minted: Decoding the Treasury’s Massive Transaction The act of minting 250 million USDC represents a direct expansion of the stablecoin’s circulating supply. Consequently, Circle, the principal entity behind USDC, initiates this process by depositing an equivalent amount of U.S. dollar reserves. These reserves then receive verification from regulated financial institutions. Following this verification, the corresponding digital tokens are created on the blockchain. This mechanism ensures that every USDC token remains fully backed by liquid cash and cash equivalents. Therefore, such a sizable mint often precedes anticipated demand from institutional clients, cryptocurrency exchanges, or decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Historically, large-scale mints correlate with strategic movements. For instance, exchanges frequently request bulk stablecoin minting to replenish liquidity pools ahead of major trading volumes. Similarly, institutional investors might secure large USDC positions to execute sizable trades without causing excessive market slippage. This recent 250 million mint follows a pattern observed in previous bull and bear market cycles, where treasury activity signals shifting capital allocation. Stablecoin Creation and Its Role in Crypto Liquidity Stablecoins like USDC serve as the essential lifeblood of the cryptocurrency economy. They provide a stable medium of exchange and a store of value, bridging traditional finance with digital asset markets. The process of creating these digital dollars directly influences market liquidity and trading dynamics. When the treasury mints new tokens, it essentially injects digital dollar liquidity into the ecosystem. This liquidity then facilitates smoother trading, lending, and borrowing activities across countless platforms. Expert Analysis on Treasury Movements Market analysts consistently monitor treasury minting and burning events for clues about broader trends. “Large mints are not random; they are demand signals,” notes a report from blockchain analytics firm IntoTheBlock. The firm’s data indicates that previous mints of similar scale, particularly those exceeding 100 million USDC, have often preceded periods of increased trading volume or capital rotation into other digital assets. Furthermore, the transparency of the Ethereum blockchain allows anyone to verify the transaction and track the initial movement of these new funds. The table below contrasts recent notable USDC minting events for context: Date Amount Minted Notable Market Context March 21, 2025 250 million USDC Reported by Whale Alert; context under analysis. January 15, 2025 180 million USDC Preceded a weekly options expiry on major exchanges. November 30, 2024 300 million USDC Coordinated with a large institutional onboarding announcement. Key reasons for substantial stablecoin creation include: Exchange Liquidity Provision: Major trading platforms require deep stablecoin pools to handle user deposits and withdrawals efficiently. Institutional Entry: Traditional finance entities often convert fiat to USDC as their first on-chain transaction. DeFi Protocol Funding: New or expanding decentralized finance applications may secure large stablecoin allocations for their treasuries or liquidity mining programs. Market Making: Professional market makers need stablecoin inventory to facilitate trades across multiple asset pairs. Broader Implications for the Cryptocurrency Market The injection of 250 million new USDC units carries several potential implications for market structure. Firstly, it increases the total supply of readily deployable capital within the crypto space. This capital can reduce volatility by providing more counter-party liquidity for large trades. Secondly, it reflects confidence from regulated entities like Circle in the underlying demand for digital dollar tokens. Importantly, the mint does not directly cause inflation in the traditional sense, as each token is reserve-backed. However, it does expand the digital representation of those reserves on-chain. Market participants will now closely watch the subsequent flow of these funds. Tracking the initial receiving address and its subsequent transactions can reveal the mint’s ultimate purpose. Often, funds move to an intermediary address before distribution to end destinations like exchange hot wallets or smart contracts. This movement pattern provides tangible evidence of where new liquidity enters the trading ecosystem. Evidence-Based Market Impact Historical data provides a framework for understanding potential outcomes. Analysis from CoinMetrics shows that in 2023 and 2024, over 70% of USDC mints larger than 200 million were followed by a measurable increase in total stablecoin trading volume across top exchanges within a 7-day period. This trend suggests that new supply typically meets immediate utility. Furthermore, the stability of USDC’s peg to the U.S. dollar during and after such events demonstrates the robustness of its reserve-backed model, even under significant supply changes. Conclusion The event of 250 million USDC minted by the official treasury is a significant data point in the cryptocurrency market. It underscores the growing infrastructure and demand within the digital asset space. While the immediate purpose of this specific liquidity injection will unfold on the public blockchain, its occurrence highlights the critical role stablecoins play in facilitating modern finance. This transaction reinforces the importance of transparent, reserve-backed assets like USDC in providing the liquidity necessary for a mature and functioning market. Observers will continue to monitor the flow of these funds for deeper insights into institutional and market-maker strategies. FAQs Q1: What does it mean when USDC is “minted”? Minting USDC is the process of creating new tokens. Circle deposits U.S. dollar reserves with regulated banks, and after verification, an equivalent amount of USDC tokens are issued on the blockchain, increasing the circulating supply. Q2: Who reported the 250 million USDC mint? The blockchain tracking and analytics service Whale Alert reported the transaction. This service monitors large transactions across multiple blockchains and publicly reports them. Q3: Does minting new USDC cause inflation? No, it does not cause monetary inflation. Each newly minted USDC is backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar reserves or cash equivalents held in regulated financial institutions. The mint expands the digital supply but not the underlying reserve base. Q4: Why would the USDC Treasury mint such a large amount? Large mints typically signal anticipated demand from major market participants. Common reasons include replenishing exchange liquidity, fulfilling requests from institutional clients, funding DeFi protocols, or providing inventory for market makers. Q5: How can I track where these newly minted USDC go? You can use a blockchain explorer like Etherscan. By searching for the transaction hash reported by Whale Alert, you can see the receiving address and then monitor its subsequent transactions to trace the fund flow. This post USDC Minted: Stunning 250 Million Stablecoin Injection Signals Major Market Shift first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

This year, the stablecoin economy notched a record peak of $311.837 billion roughly 27 days ago, only to cool to $300.722 billion by Feb. 1. Over the last two weeks, however, the sector added $7.251 billion back to its tab, with most of that expansion unfolding within the past seven days. $307B and Climbing Between

The year 2025 marked a decisive turning point in the online gambling industry. While bitcoin and ethereum have long been the flag bearers of blockchain transactions, a major shift is now underway towards more predictable assets. Stablecoins, these digital tokens backed by fiat cu...

Coinbase head Brian Armstrong said a ban on stablecoin rewards would “ironically” make the company more profitable. He even argues that the policy would harm customers. This comes in when the crypto market is dealing with increased selling pressure and sentiments dipping in “Extreme Fear.” In a recent post, Armstrong wrote that if a crypto rewards ban became law, Coinbase would benefit financially. This is because the exchange currently pays out large amounts in rewards to users holding USDC. The stablecoin market cap is on a surge and hovers around $314 billion. Coinbase defends USDC yield payouts Coinbase CEO in a post mentioned that “But we don’t want this to happen,” as customers should continue receiving rewards. He added that the regulated US stablecoins should remain competitive globally. These comments landed as lawmakers are debating the provisions in the pending market structure legislation bill that could restrict interest or rewards paid on stablecoins. Banks have reportedly pushed for language prohibiting such payouts. They argue that yield-bearing stablecoins could draw deposits away from insured lenders. In a way, it could threaten financial stability, they insist. Meanwhile, crypto firms say that rewards are essential to attracting users and competing with offshore platforms. Coinbase offers USDC rewards as a headline feature. As of February 2026, the platform advertises a 3.50% annual yield on USDC balances. However, this benefit is limited to Coinbase One subscribers which is a paid membership on the platform. Free accounts no longer earn rewards. Tether’s USDT is the biggest stablecoin in the market. It holds a circulation of more than 183 billion. Circle’s USDC stands 2nd in the tally with a circulation of over 73.4 billion. The Trump family-backed stablecoin, USD1, went on to hit the 5.28 billion circulation mark. Coinbase margins in focus Taking a look at it from the financial outlook, a ban could reduce Coinbase’s costs. The exchange generates revenue from USDC held on and off its platform. This is done through its partnership with issuer Circle. The exchange earns a share of interest income from the dollar reserves backing the stablecoin. If rewards were eliminated, then it would retain more of that interest spread rather than distributing a portion to users. Data shows that the stablecoin operations have become a growing contributor to Coinbase’s revenue mix. Its fresh quarterly results show that subscription and services revenue rose 13.5% to $727.4 million. Stablecoin revenue increased to $364.1 million from $225.9 million. Amid this growth, Cryptopolitan reported that Coinbase printed a net loss of $666.7 million, or $2.49 per share, for the quarter ended Dec. 31. Transaction revenue fell sharply as digital asset prices slumped in the final months of 2025. The global crypto market retreated from early October highs. It was a reaction to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese imports and expected export controls on critical software. Bitcoin price has dropped by almost 30% in the last 30 days. It is running down by more than 45% from its all time high (ATH) of $126,198 recorded on October 7 2025. BTC is trading at an average price of $68,868 at the press time. The stablecoin debate has bagged the spotlight among the investors. The GENIUS Act, which was passed last year, created a federal framework for stablecoins. On the other side, there is the Clarity Act that aims to define regulatory boundaries between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). It has been stalled amid disagreements over stablecoin rewards. Coinbase withdrew its support over certain provisions. This has been cited as a factor in the delay. A recent White House meeting tried to fix the differences between banks and crypto firms. But it ended without a breakthrough. Earn 8% CASHBACK in USDC when you pay with COCA. Order your FREE card.

Anthropic’s user base increased by 11% after its viral Super Bowl ad, which bashed rival OpenAI and earned it bragging rights, according to BNP Paribas. Visits to the Claude chatbot maker’s website jumped 6.5%, pushing Anthropic into the top 10 free apps on the Apple Store to beat competitors Meta, Gemini, and OpenAI. According to the data analyzed by BNP Paribas, OpenAI’s daily active users also saw a 2.7% bump post-game, and Google’s Gemini added 1.4%. AI brand ads took center stage at the Super Bowl, reaching an audience of about 125 million in the U.S. alone. However, Claude’s user base still lags behind those of ChatGPT and Gemini. Meanwhile, the rivalry between Anthropic and OpenAI added a new layer with the dueling ads as the AI firms head toward potential IPOs later this year. Both companies have become more publicly vocal in recent weeks, with executives openly slurring each other’s businesses. Anthropic’s snarky ad wins AI Super Bowl BNP Paribas said Anthropic’s cheeky Super Bowl ad, which indirectly took aim at OpenAI, led to the highest increase in visits and users, beating all other AI firms to win the “AI Super Bowl.” Meta, Google Gemini, OpenAI , and Anthropic all aired commercials during the Super Bowl in the battle for more customers. Paul Smith, chief commercial officer at Anthropic, said his company is focused on growing revenue rather than spending money. He also noted that Anthropic is even less interested in flashy headlines. The senior Anthropic executive, speaking during an AI partnership signing with Man Group, took a light swipe at OpenAI’s spending and plans to test ads in ChatGPT. “It was a conscious decision not to include ads in Claude. Advertising would take Anthropic in directions where you’re optimizing for the wrong things.” – Paul Smith , Chief Commercial Officer at Anthropic Smith said his company is “unconflicted” because it does not run ads, focusing instead on selling its AI to businesses. He added that, without ads, Anthropic can focus on areas such as making AI models more intelligent, trusted, helpful, and safe. The AI firm has committed $50 billion to building data centers in the U.S., but it is also buying compute from Google and Microsoft. Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, has also reinforced a do-more-with-less mindset and said the company is taking a more disciplined approach to spending than others. Smith pointed out that Anthropic is looking to buy compute as close to the correct amount as possible, without going too much or too little. He emphasized that his company is not buying ahead of demand. OpenAI CEO calls Anthropic’s Super Bowl ad deceptive OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded in a lengthy X post, calling Anthropic’s Super Bowl funny but deceptive. He further stoked the fire in an interview with the tech news show TBPN, reiterating that Anthropic was clearly being dishonest. Altman emphasized that his company would never run ads in the way Anthropic depicted them, adding that OpenAI users would definitely reject that. The OpenAI boss also threw small jabs at Anthropic, claiming that more Texans use ChatGPT for free than the total number of people who use Claude in the U.S. He noted that Anthropic offers an expensive product to rich people. Individual plans for ChatGPT range from free to $200 a month, while Anthropic’s individual plans for Claude range from free to $100 a month. Altman also defended his company’s decision to show ads on ChatGPT, stressing that OpenAI has differently-shaped problems than Anthropic. He pointed out that no ads are shown for ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscribers. The OpenAI executive also accused Anthropic of wanting to control what people do with AI, adding that Anthropic blocks companies it does not like from using its coding product. He further noted that the rival company also wants to tell others what their business models can be, calling it a dark path. Earn 8% CASHBACK in USDC when you pay with COCA. Order your FREE card.

Lawmakers faced pressure to finalize crypto rules as stablecoin debates and Senate delays held back institutional investment.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said he continues to lobby for the American customers even as a ban on stablecoin yield could help his firm in the long run.

What Has Stripe Introduced? Stripe has unveiled a payment system designed for AI agents, allowing autonomous software to pay for digital services using USD Coin (USDC) on the Base blockchain. The feature, revealed on 11 February 2025 by a Stripe product manager, is currently avai...