Security researchers have uncovered a flaw in MediaTek’s mobile chipsets that could enable attackers to harvest crypto seed phrases from vulnerable devices simply by connecting a phone to a computer via USB. The vulnerability targets the secure boot chain, a layer designed to boot devices only with authorized software, and was disclosed by Ledger’s white-hat security team, Donjon. A patch was rolled out by MediaTek on January 5, but users who have not updated their devices remain exposed to potential attacks. In practical terms, an assailant with physical access could bypass a device’s protections and access sensitive wallet data without needing to unlock the device, underscoring how far security gaps in consumer hardware can reach in the crypto era. Ledger notes that roughly a quarter of Android devices rely on MediaTek processors paired with the Trustonic Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), a combination the research found to be particularly exploitable. Donjon demonstrated the proo...

US-based prime brokers are quietly positioning themselves to give hedge funds and large institutions direct access to Kalshi’s prediction markets, a move that signals growing institutional interest in event-based betting markets. A Bloomberg report from March 11, 2026, indicates that Clear Street and Marex Group Plc are both lining up access for their clients in the near term. Clear Street, valued at over $12 billion, is expected to clear Kalshi trades as early as late March, while Marex, with a current valuation around $2.6 billion, plans a staged rollout over the coming months. The development underscores a broader shift as predictively driven markets gain traction among mainstream financial players, even amid regulatory ambiguity surrounding their legality and oversight. Key takeaways Prime brokers plan to enable client access to Kalshi’s prediction markets within weeks, signaling rapid institutional onboarding. Kalshi’s leadership frames 2026 as a tipping point for institutiona...

Regulators in the United States are signaling a pivot from fragmented supervision toward a more coordinated approach to oversee evolving markets. In a joint memorandum released this week, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said it is a pivotal moment to regulate harmoniously as new technologies—especially crypto—reshape how markets function. The document emphasizes that “new trading models, digital infrastructure, and onchain, automated systems increasingly blur traditional jurisdictional lines,” creating a need for consistent, technology-neutral rules that can cover participants operating across platforms and asset classes. The joint effort aims to reduce duplication, close gaps, and accelerate the path to regulatory clarity. Key takeaways The SEC and CFTC formalized a cooperative framework through a memorandum of understanding to coordinate oversight across crypto, digital assets, and related financial technology. The agencies comm...

Ripple Labs is pursuing a strategic move to buy back private shares, aiming to provide liquidity for investors and employees while signaling confidence in the company’s long-term value. A Bloomberg report on March 11, 2026, indicated Ripple plans to tender up to $750 million of its private stock, a program that would value the company at about $50 billion. The tender is expected to run through April, aligning a significant repurchase with a financial picture that has not always reflected the company’s ambitions. The plan sits against a backdrop of a volatile crypto market and a company that has been expanding beyond its core payments rails into broader financial services and technology initiatives. Despite a higher valuation from the buyback, Ripple’s publicly traded token price has faced pressure, illustrating the gap between private market activity and public market sentiment. Key takeaways Ripple plans a private share buyback of up to $750 million, pegged to a $50 billion valuatio...

Revolut has received regulatory clearance to operate a fully licensed bank in the United Kingdom, launching Revolut Bank UK after approval from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). The bank will offer deposit accounts to individuals and businesses, with insured deposits capped at 120,000 pounds by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The transition for existing Revolut UK customers will be rolled out gradually over several months to integrate the new banking framework, while the fintech outlines a roadmap that includes lending and other services beyond basic accounts. In a broader push, Revolut also disclosed that it had filed for a full banking license in Peru and a federal US banking charter in January, signaling a multi-jurisdictional strategy to blend digital finance with traditional banking regulation. Details of the PRA approval were echoed by Revolut in a post on X, linking to the announcement from the company. The step marks a notable milestone for a fintech...

The February CPI data came in broadly as anticipated, reinforcing that higher inflation remains a factor but not a surprise driver for markets. Analysts at 21Shares argued that the macro picture had already priced in the March print, shifting attention to how the Federal Reserve would respond. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported shelter costs rose 0.2% in February, while food climbed 0.4% and energy rose 0.6%; the core measure excluding food and energy rose 0.2%. Those numbers underscore a broad, uneven inflation trajectory. In crypto markets, the Total 3 market indicator — which tracks the broader crypto capitalization outside the two largest assets by market cap — dipped about 1% from an intraday high near $722 billion as traders absorbed the data. For readers tracking the macro narrative, the CPI release keeps the Fed in sharper focus while liquidity remains a driver for risk assets across crypto landscapes. CPI release . Key takeaways The February CPI print aligned with estim...