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MSCI Introduces Index Exclusion Rules That Could Remove Strategy

MSCI has moved to tighten the rules governing which companies can remain in its flagship global benchmarks, adopting a methodology that could remove “non-operating companies” from the MSCI Global Investable Market Indexes. The change raises the risk of forced selling for certain crypto-linked treasury firms—most notably Strategy, along with other entities that MSCI has flagged for closer review. Under the new framework announced Thursday, MSCI will evaluate firms using operating asset metrics and five financial ratios. Companies that fail the criteria could become ineligible, with removal potentially triggered after additional annual reporting periods. MSCI says the final affected list will be released on Nov. 11, taking effect Nov. 30, 2026. Key takeaways MSCI is adopting a “non-operating companies” screening methodology for its Global Investable Market Indexes, which could change benchmark constituents for certain crypto treasury firms. MSCI will assess operating assets and five ...
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Bitget and Liquid Breaches Drive Q3 Crypto Hacks Toward $1.2B

Crypto hacks drove an estimated $1.18 billion in losses across 107 recorded incidents in the third quarter of 2026, according to a report by security firm Hacken . While that figure reflects a particularly heavy quarter, the same dataset also suggests that a meaningful share of stolen value was later returned, reversed, or covered. Hacken’s analysis points to a breakdown in responsibility: 77% of the total—about $906 million —was linked to compromised third-party suppliers, developer tools, publicly disclosed vulnerabilities that had not been deployed, or other components outside typical security review scopes. The quarter also featured several headline-grabbing breaches, including a $387 million Bitget hack , a $320 million Liquid Network exploit , a $120 million Tectonic exploit , and a Coldcard firmware vulnerability associated with an estimated $115 million loss. Key takeaways $1.18 billion was reported lost in Q3 2026 across 107 crypto hack incidents, with the quarter des...
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Scammer Loses $4.8M After Tampered Ledger Devices in Asia Express

Ledger is responding to a hardware wallet supply-chain compromise that, according to blockchain analytics, has now spilled into another layer of the ecosystem: at least one suspected crypto scammer may have fallen victim to the same tampered Ledger products used to steal funds. This week, Ledger asked resellers to halt sales across parts of Southeast Asia and Hong Kong after attackers reportedly inserted tampered devices into the supply chain. Chainalysis later said one of the “victims” identified in its investigation was tied to a scam operation—an outcome that has raised uncomfortable questions about how tainted wallets can spread through crypto’s gray-market channels. Key takeaways Ledger suspended sales via its reseller network in multiple Asian markets after tampered devices were allegedly shipped to at least 530 addresses. Chainalysis reports a suspected scammer lost 60 Bitcoin (about $4.8 million) after buying three newly purchased Ledger devices containing seed-phrase spywa...
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Starknet Launches Vote on Ethereum L2 Exit Plan Citing Quantum Risk

Starknet has launched a seven-day, non-binding governance vote that asks STRK holders whether the Ethereum layer-2 should investigate turning itself into an independent layer-1 built with post-quantum security in mind. The poll was opened Thursday and will run until Oct. 22, with results published afterward. The proposal does not authorize a transition on its own. Instead, a “Yes” vote would indicate support for additional research into a possible path toward becoming a post-quantum layer-1, while further proposals and formal governance steps would still be required. A “No” vote would oppose the idea, and voters can also choose to remain neutral pending more information. Key takeaways Starknet opened a non-binding seven-day STRK vote to explore whether it should pursue an independent, post-quantum layer-1 future. Voting closes Oct. 22; the outcome signals research preference, not approval for an immediate migration timeline. StarkWare says Starknet’s current reliance on Ethereum—...
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HEX Sellers Liquidate $160M After Richard Schueler Arrest Reports

Hex’s HEX token plunged nearly 30% over the past 24 hours after Turkish media reported that founder Richard Schueler, known as Richard Heart, was detained in Istanbul. The selloff accelerated late Wednesday, with the token trading around $0.0006 by 11:28 am UTC on Thursday, according to CoinMarketCap, wiping out roughly $160 million in market value. News coverage cited an Istanbul operation in which authorities reportedly seized multiple devices, hardware wallets, jewelry and handguns. The report also arrives against a backdrop of long-running legal and enforcement actions involving Schueler, including prior international alert notices and US regulatory proceedings. Key takeaways HEX fell about 30% in 24 hours to roughly $0.0006 as of 11:28 am UTC Thursday, per CoinMarketCap. Ihlas Haber Ajansı (IHA) reported Schueler and his wife were detained in Istanbul. The detention report follows years of enforcement pressure, including Interpol’s Red Notice and a US SEC lawsuit that was di...
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Mastercard Adds Stablecoin Balances to Card Payments Infrastructure

Mastercard has introduced a new platform aimed at making stablecoin payments easier for businesses and financial institutions to deploy through familiar banking and card rails. Announced Thursday, the “Global Money Platform” is positioned as Mastercard’s first major integration with BVNK, the stablecoin infrastructure provider Mastercard acquired in August. Instead of requiring companies to build their own stablecoin custody, conversion, and payment routing systems, Mastercard says the platform enables businesses to hold and convert both fiat currencies and stablecoins, issue stablecoin-linked cards, and pay recipients’ local bank accounts using stablecoin balances. Key takeaways Mastercard’s Global Money Platform is built to let businesses use fiat and stablecoin balances across card payments and local bank transfers. The launch follows Mastercard’s August acquisition of BVNK and represents its first major integration with BVNK’s stablecoin infrastructure. Payments are routed th...
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Ex-Trump Adviser Bo Hines’ Firm Profited After GENIUS Stablecoin Bill

A former White House crypto adviser who later joined Tether is at the center of fresh scrutiny after a Wall Street Journal report alleged he held a significant stake in an investment vehicle that benefited from the passage of the United States’ stablecoin framework. According to the Wednesday report from The Wall Street Journal , Bo Hines—previously a Trump administration adviser and later a Tether “strategic adviser”—kept a roughly one-third stake in the investment company he co-founded, Nxum. The report also claims that while Hines was still serving in government, Nxum received $6.3 million under a deal tied to Tether’s USDt (USDT) stablecoin, with the first payment occurring before his exit from office. Key takeaways The Wall Street Journal alleges Bo Hines maintained a substantial stake in Nxum while he was pushing stablecoin legislation in the White House. The report says Nxum received $6.3 million from a Tether-linked arrangement, with the first payment reportedly made while ...
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