In 2024, crypto scammers received at least $9.9 billion.The most common schemes remain Financial pyramid and romance scams, which continue to bring billions of dollars in revenue to fraudsters.

This was reported by analytics firm Chainalysis. Experts note that this amount may increase as new illegal addresses linked to financial fraud are identified throughout the year.

One of the most popular schemes remains high-yield investment fraud (HYIS), based on the principles of the financial pyramid. In 2024, this scheme is responsible for 50.2% of all funds received by fraudsters, although its share in the total fraud volume decreased by 36.6% compared to 2023.

At the same time, the so-called pig slaughter, also known as romance fraud, is becoming increasingly popular. Its share of the total fraud volume increased by 40% and reached 33.2%. In this scheme, attackers build trusting, often romantic relationships with victims and then convince them to invest in fictitious cryptocurrency platforms or fundsinvest.

Analysts note that fraudsters are actively using artificial intelligence to enhance their schemes. Generative neural networks help them create fake documents for verification on exchanges and financial services. According to Alterya, 85% of fraud cases involve accounts that traditional identity verification systems successfullybypass.

Most illegally obtained funds are transferred to centralized exchanges (CEX). However, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols are also actively used, including on the Ethereum, Tron and Solana blockchains. In addition, since mid-2023, the role of the Huione Guarantee platform has increased, facilitating not only money laundering, but also a wide range of illegal services forprovides crypto criminals.

Given the scale of fraud, financial regulators and analytics firms are stepping up their efforts to combat cryptocrime. They are using artificial intelligence and new methods to identify suspicious transactions and thus track illicit cash flows more effectively.

Although preliminary estimates indicate some decline in fraudsters' income in 2024, the actual numbers could be record-breaking. Analysts note an average growth of 24% in fraudulent revenue in the annual reporting period. Thus, losses to victims of crypto fraudsters could exceed $12 billion by the end of the year.

Libdogecoin v0.1, a Dogecoin building block C library that enables direct and easy integration of Dogecoin into various platforms without requiring developers to have extensive blockchain knowledge, was recently released in early August, according to an announcement by core developer Michi LUMIN. Libdogecoin makes it easy for everyonemake to develop a product that conforms to the Dogecoin standard as it is a pure library without the ability to “run” a node.

The introduction that follows the integration highlights the Dogecoin Foundation's core, utility-focused approach. This is believed to be possible by supporting the community's ability to innovate by exposing Dogecoin's core functionality as a simple C library with bindings for multiple languages. Libdogecoin also serves as the foundation for projects such as RadioDoge and GigaWallet that aim toTo bring Dogecoin ecosystem to a state ready for rapid mass adoption.

Image: Watcher Guru

However, this type of trading officially began in 1998, when the US Securities and Exchange Commission permitted the use of electronic devices in stock market trading to transmit, receive and process orders.

Algorithmic trading has gained popularity both in the foreign exchange market and in the stock and derivatives markets, as well as among institutional investors who work in hedge funds and seek large capital turnover in order to make speculative profits. With the development of the crypto industry, high-frequency trading is actively used in this area. The largest and most reliable cryptocurrency exchanges, including Bitfinex and Poloniex, even promote this type of trading, among other things because they are responsible for each transactionreceive a commission regardless of whether the client loses or makes money. According to some data, high-frequency trading accounts for up to 40% of stock trading volume in the US and about 80% in the crypto industry.

It should be noted that high-frequency trading (HFT) is only intraday trading and all investor positions must be closed by the end of the session. However, this type of trading has a number of advantages: transactions are executed at the highest speed, information is processed incredibly quickly, and the placement and cancellation of orders also occurs almost instantaneously (transactions are opened and closed in tenths and sometimes hundredths of a second).Among the big onesAdvantages of such trading also include the opportunity to check the effectiveness of a trading strategy and achieve larger profits per unit of time.

In addition, the automation of work allows the investor to save a lot of time and provides the opportunity to trade on several platforms at the same time. At the same time, unlike people, trading robots are devoid of emotions, which often prevent traders from making informed decisions. Virtual traders are always one step ahead because they are able to quickly and in a timely manner see what a normal investor cannot see on their platformIdentify trading triggers that may go undetected by others, even experienced traders.

The key competencies of a high-frequency trader therefore include: hedging risks, automating processes, searching for market inefficiencies, high transaction speed, data analysis, ensuring stable profit growth over long distances, and searching for market patterns. At the same time, such a trader completely lacks professional burnout.

However, to use high-frequency trading, an investor cannot use a regular computer with standard programs installed. This type of trading requires high performance, as well as the installation of special software, which requires significant investments.At Finam broker you can rent a virtual PC.Connect to the stock exchange using your own trading robot.Choose between renting a personal computer and a virtual server in the colocation zone of the Moscow Stock Exchange with a speed of 10 Gbit/s.

High-frequency trading can be learned at any age, but to understand it you need perseverance, persistence and attention. All this can bring tremendous results, as it greatly simplifies the investment process. A trader who has learned this type of trading analyzes the algorithm throughout the day, monitors changes in the operation of the exchange, examines new opportunities or looks for new inefficiencies, sets the predetermined rules and then loads them into the algorithm.After giving authority to the robothas delegated, the trader can do whatever he wants, or even sleep, and the robot executes transactions according to a ready-made scheme. Since the robot can handle more tools than a person in a day, the return on investment is many times higher.

Despite the fact that algorithmic trading offers huge advantages that allow you to increase trading profits and reduce the burden on the investor, robots still have their problems and this type of trading carries certain risks. One such risk is an unexpected failure of the exchange or algorithms, as a result of which the trader can suffer large losses (since robots carry out a large number of transactions in a short period of time). One such example is the history of the hedge fundKnight Capital, which took place in August 2012. Due to a technical error in the trading algorithm, the fund lost about $ 460 million in literally 40 minutes. To minimize such risks, risk control is required - market participants must monitor the quality of their algorithms and regularly carry out professional audits.

In addition, an unexpected loss of Internet connection can also cause a disruption in the algorithm. In this context, HFT data transmission technologies are of great importance. For HFT robots, where every microsecond of delay is crucial, microwave communication is faster than fiber optic communication and connects large financial centers. For this reason, many HFT companies use microwave technology to achieve a speed advantage. In this case, the optimal solution may include both technologies at the same time: microwave forcritical connections and fiber optic for the transmission of large amounts of data as a backup channel.

For investors using algorithmic and HFT trading, Finam broker provides direct access to exchanges using a range of DMA services.Direct Market Access allows you to send orders directly to the exchange and receive market information directly from trading platforms without using the broker's trading systems. This set of services allows quick execution of orders and access to market data - 1000-5000 times faster than a standard connection through a brokerage system.Exchanges are accessed in less than 50 microseconds.

At the same time, the trader can get access through proprietary and universal protocols, and margin trading is also available with post-trade collateral control and accounting technologies.It is worth noting that other advantages of direct access to exchanges include: asingle connection point to all markets of the Moscow Stock Exchange, low network latency when accessing markets and the ability to establish a redundant connection.

Australia's Federal Court has ordered local cryptocurrency exchange operator Kraken to pay a fine of A$8 million (US$5.1 million), according to Australia's corporate watchdog Reuters.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) last year brought civil proceedings against Bit Trade, which operates the Kraken exchange in Australia, for failing to comply with the rules for yourMargin Trading Product.

ASIC stated that Bit Trade failed to identify the right customers for a new margin trading product, resulting in losses of more than $5 million.

"Bit Trade released its product and made it available to over 1,100 Australians who were charged over $7 million in fees and interest without first checking whether the product was suitable for them," the statement said.ASIC.

Product Bit Trade enables enhanced margin, a form of credit or loan that can be issued and repaid in either digital assets such as Bitcoin or national currencies such as US dollars.

The regulator, however, said the fine was the first of its kind against an organization that had not defined its target market.

• PIPPIN rises by 31 percent: Memecoin euphoria drives up short-term price
• Exchange stocks are falling: Investors secure 2.2 million PIPPIN tokens
• Futures traders remain cautious: financing rates now neutral to negative

The PIPPIN price has risen sharply in the last 24 hours and is up 31 percent after falling for several days.This increase corresponds to the better developments in memecoins.

Although this move is drawing attention, many traders are cautious.You are wondering whether this can lead to a sustainable trend change.

Pippin holders continue to buy - price jump causes a stir

The demand for PIPPIN has increased significantly in the last 24 hours.On-chain data from Nansen shows PIPPIN holdings on centralized exchanges are declining.

Decreasing stocks on exchanges often show that many coins are being transferred to private wallets.This may be an indication of collecting coins and not an immediate sale.

During the same period, investors purchased approximately 2.2 million PIPPIN tokens.This buying behavior shows more confidence after the price rise.

Fewer coins on the exchanges can temporarily reduce selling pressure.This gives the price support while market participants reconsider their opinion on the token.

However, data on derivatives shows a less positive mood.Futures markets suggest that traders are not very bullish.Funding rates were briefly positive at the end of January third.This means that there were more long positions than short positions when the price began to rise.

But the positive mood didn't last long.At this point in time, financing rates are again neutral or even negative.This shows that traders are more likely to prepare for falling prices than for further increases.

This uncertainty makes it clear that PIPPIN's direction is unclear.When traders hesitate on futures, spot market rallies also struggle to sustain. The lack of bullish pressure shows that many are expecting a decline rather than a breakout.

Course: Still great catch-up potential

PIPPIN is currently at around USD 0.488, just below the resistance at USD 0.514.The memecoin has risen sharply from the support at $0.366, which explains the current gain of 31 percent.However, the price is now at an important limit as buyers reach a familiar hurdle.

Whether the increase continues depends on whether the community continues to invest.PIPPIN is still around 47 percent below the previous record of USD 0.720.In order for the price to attack this level, it would first have to make $0.600 support.This probably requires more conviction and greater participation in the market.

If the break above USD 0.514 fails, the previous pattern could repeat itself.If sellers regain control, PIPPIN could fall below USD 0.434.A sharper decline towards $0.366 would refute the bullish assumption and make the increase appear to be a short recovery.

But what is this process and what does wine have to do with it and how can you make money from it?Let's look at it in detail.

What is wine tokenization?

Tokenization is, first of all, about transferring ownership of a physical bottle of wine into digital form. This is possible thanks to blockchain technology, which is used to create NFTs - unique digital tokens associated with a specific asset. Such tokens store data about the bottle: origin, characteristics and ownership history.

How does it work?

1.The manufacturer creates an NFT tied to a specific bottle of wine.

2.The token is recorded in the blockchain - a database in which the data cannot be changed or falsified.

3.The physical bottle remains in the custody of the manufacturer or in a special storage facility.Token holders can transfer their rights to others, sell the token or exchange it on the platform that issues it.

For example, you buy a token for a bottle of collectible wine. This token gives you the right to remove the bottle from storage in the future or sell it on a digital platform. Storage facilities are usually under the control of certified companies, which eliminates the risk of product damage. At the same time, owners often insure their bottles to protect them from unforeseen situations.

What is the value of tokenization

At first glance, tokenization may seem overkill for an industry that deals in a physical product. However, the technology has several key advantages.

1.Anti-counterfeiting

Fake wine remains one of the main problems in the market. This is especially true in the premium segment. Blockchain data ensures complete transparency of the supply chain: from the winery to the final buyer. That is, with the help of an NFT tied to a specific bottle, the buyer can check the history of verified records of each stage of its production and movement.

2.Simplify your investment

Collectible wines have traditionally been an attractive asset for investors, but physically owning bottles carries risks: they must be properly stored, insured and protected from damage. Tokenization eliminates these problems.

In addition, an investor who has purchased a token can sell it on a digital platform without even interacting with the physical product.

3.Scalability and availability

Tokenization reduces the barrier to entry into the collectible wine market. For example, you can buy a token that represents a portion of a barrel of wine, rather than the entire bottle. This makes the market more accessible to younger investors or those who want to dabble in this space.

How does this fit with the investment market?

It is important to understand how wine tokenization differs from other forms of investment. For example:

• Traditional wine funds: Such funds require significant investments and their liquidity is limited. Tokenization allows assets to be sold faster on digital platforms.

• Physical purchase of wine: The classic form of ownership requires storage and transportation costs, which makes it less convenient. Tokenization solves these problems.

However, like any asset, tokens are dependent on market liquidity. Unlike funds or exchange-traded instruments, demand for wine tokens is limited to investors and collectors, which can impact their value.

Usage Examples

BlockBar

This platform partners with brands like Hennessy and Bacardi to offer buyers NFTs that prove ownership of premium beverage bottles. Physical products are stored in professional vaults and token holders can trade them or gain access to exclusive events.

Château Angélus

A French winery offered tokens tied to barrels of 2020 Angelus wine. Buyers not only received the right to the products, but also exclusive privileges - such as the opportunity to visit the farm during the harvest.

Project from Russia: “Chardonnay 2019”

In 2024, Nikolaev and Sons Winery, together with PSB Bank, launched a wine tokenization project. Token holders can either physically pick up the bottle or sell the token on the Tokeon platform. This project became one of the first examples of the use of technology in the Russian market.

Unlike NFTs, which are more commonly used on international platforms, this project uses so-called Digital Financial Assets (DFAs). Technically, these are also tokens on the blockchain, but they were developed in accordance with Russian legislation.

Advantages and Limitations

Every new technology has its advantages and risks. Wine tokenization is no exception.

Why it is beneficial:

• Transparency: The blockchain system allows complete verification of the origin of the product.

• Easy transactions: Transferring ownership takes place in just a few clicks.

• Reduced storage risks: Bottles remain under the control of professionals, preventing damage.

What are the restrictions:

• Legal uncertainty: Russian DFAs already fit into the legal framework and are regulated by the Bank of Russia, but remain illiquid for the global market. And vice versa: NFT is a universal token format that can be traded not only on the market of the issuing platform, but also on common crypto platforms or generally directly between userscan.But the regulation of this market as a whole is still in limbo.

• Technical Difficulties: You must understand platforms, software, wallets and digital signatures and also take responsibility for storing the token.

• Limited liquidity: Unlike other financial instruments, wine tokens do not yet have sufficient liquidity.

Who is this for?

Wine tokenization is a tool for investors, collectors and producers.For investors, this is an opportunity to invest in world-class assets without unnecessary complications.For collectors, this is a way to protect their collections from counterfeits.For producers, a new way to interact with their audience.

However, mass adoption of the technology will take time. Legal and technical hurdles remain a serious obstacle. Therefore, tokenization remains a niche tool, but one that offers growth potential, especially in the premium segment of the market.

New York, Dec. 11 (Jiji Press) - Holding company Coincheck Inc. debuted on the Nasdaq Global Market, becoming the first Japanese cryptocurrency exchange to list in the United States

Coincheck, controlled by Japanese online broker Monex Group Inc., intends to expand its presence in the US and Japanese markets, where there is active growth in the cryptocurrency sector. The expansion is planned to be financed with funds raised in the initial public offering of shares of the holding company Coincheck Group NV.

On the first day of trading, Coincheck Group shares closed at $13.35, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 billion (approximately 260 billion yen). It entered the American market through a merger with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC).

According to Monex Group Chairman Matsumoto Oki, publicly traded stocks will be used as a "currency" to acquire new assets as part of Coincheck's growth strategy to be implemented next year.

• S&P500 has grown since December ~80% of the time since 1950
• "Santa Rally": last week of December + 2 days of January
• US data (Q3 GDP, bids) may impact markets
• Low November inflation Inflation raises hopes of interest rate cuts
• Important dates: December 23rd GDP, December 24th Applications, December 25th December – closed

December is historically one of the strongest months for the S&P500: The index has delivered positive returns almost 80% of the time since 1950.

In addition to the holiday rally, U.S. stocks may be influenced by key data, including the delayed U.S. GDP report and many other indicators. With U.S. inflation unexpectedly falling in November, more data supporting rate cuts could support U.S. stocks in the final weeks of 2025.

Event calendar:

US GDP – US500

A weaker-than-expected U.S. GDP report could bolster the case for lower interest rates in the first quarter of 2026. Traders are now pricing in about a 23% chance the Fed will cut rates in January. The chance of a rate cut in March is about 42%.

US Initial Unemployment Claims - NAS100

US markets close early on Christmas Eve, but claims data could see a final bout of volatility.Signs of a weakening labor market could give the NAS100 further lift.

So in July the price slightly did not reach the lower limit of the zone (6500-6900), from which I expected a downward reaction. It all started a little earlier. First of all, you should pay attention to the fact that the beginning of the month is below the growth potential line (upper, dotted line). According to my strategy, this can be the beginning of a corrective wave or its conclusionan upward wave.Therefore, now you need to be prepared for the scenario of a market relief of at least 5-10% and a maximum of 25-30%.This period can last on average for several months, in case of negativity even up to a year (of course with the formation of 3-5 waves of theCorrection cycle).

PositiveScenario

1) You need to see the reaction to touching zone 5800 - 6000 (during the next local correction). If there is an upward recovery from here, it will be possible to create a new line of growth potential, which will allow us to determine the moment at which it will be possible to trade the short setup and reduce long positions.
2) According to wave analysis after the ATN update, we are still in an active growth wave. The scope for an increase remainsup to the values indicated in the previous review.Could the decline begin earlier?Perhaps.But in this situation, reaching the indicated grades will still be relevant, just before that we will see a test of the zone according to point 1.
3) The volumes of buyers are starting to fall, but still look convincing.Do not forget that trading away from highs with increased risksis connected.

NegativeScenario

1) Due to the ATN update, the 3-wave correction structure was canceled. To calculate the decline, the price must changenow consolidate below 5800-6000 (ideally with a test from below and a recovery in the same direction).
2) The opening price of the month was below the growth potential line (upper, dotted line). According to my strategy, this can indicate the beginning of a corrective wave or the completion of an upward wavepoint out.
3) Buyer volumes are starting to fall, but buyers still dominate.
4) Signs of divergence in indicators are emerging, which may also indicate the beginning of the market transitiona downward structure.

Result: My plan has not changed since the last check. I will not cancel the orders, but underTaking into account the new data, I will open shorts for a small amount on Monday. If the price rises, that's good, the volume will be achieved, and if it immediately falls, that's also good - I'm capable. The main goals will be in the first scenario, i.e. i.e.this is a decline of 5-10%.When these marks are reached, I will leave 10% of the position for the second scenario, with the price moving around 25-30%.
At the same time, I will select places to buy the drawdown into the long position both by index and by individualCompany.

Follow the reviews for the index distribution and the places where I record positionsmiss!

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