Nollywood actress Sharon Francis has been deeply touched by a heartfelt birthday tribute from her colleague, Destiny Etiko.
On her Instagram page, the birthday celebrant shared stunning photographs while conveying her appreciation to her Creator. She emphasized that gratitude is essential and that expressing thankfulness is always the right approach.
Sharon articulated her thankfulness for the opportunity to celebrate another year, particularly for her family and health. The actress conveyed her humility and sense of fortune, encouraging her fellow Zodiac sign to continue embodying boldness, gentleness, and authenticity.
“Being grateful is the KEY, so showing gratitude is always the move!
I am blessed and grateful to see another year.
I am grateful my family and I are healthy.
I made it another day. That’s enough for me.
Feeling hella happy humbled & really lucky.
To all my fellow Aquarius, keep being bold, gentle, and true.
Here’s to finding more balance in self-expression from personal and professional life.
God Bless”.
Destiny expressed her affection for Sharon and designated her as her best friend in the comments section.
“Happy birthday, my friend.
My bestie.
My own
More life baby
Love u plenty”.
Sharon disclosed her emotional state in response to her comment.
“Awww!! I am emotional”
In other news, Nollywood star Judy Austin has released a video as Valentine’s Day 2025 approaches.
In the clip, she is seen sitting on a sofa, listening to music and singing solo
She wrote in the caption that her love for her husband is eternal, calling him “baby” and adding some love emojis.
Judy Austin said that every day with her husband feels like Valentine’s Day.
A love song played softly in the background as she gently touched her growing baby bump.
At times, she pointed to their photos and echoed the song’s message that being in love can make someone seem foolish for loving so deeply.
It’s important to note that Yul Edochie and Judy Austin have not stopped publicly sharing their affection, even with the backlash they face.
Judy regularly celebrates her husband in Igbo whenever she can.
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The hospitalization of the lottery winner marked a turning point in his new life and a necessary "wake-up call" for his health.
Adam Lopez, a forklift driver from the village of Mattishall in Norfolk, England, experienced both the highest and lowest moments of his life within just a few months. Last July, he noticed something unusual in his bank account. One of the five lottery tickets he had bought for five pounds—just over five dollars—had won the National Lottery.
According to the BBC, his bank balance skyrocketed from £12.40 (about $16.60) to £1,000,012.40—equivalent to approximately $1,340,017. He had purchased the winning ticket at a corner shop near Norwich. “When I saw the million pounds, I didn’t know what to do, so I just put the scratch card in the glove compartment without thinking,” he told the outlet.
The 39-year-old’s life changed instantly. “Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine this would happen to me. I feel so blessed,” he said. With his newfound fortune, López saw a chance to enjoy life, treat his loved ones, and save for the future.
At first, the forklift driver seemed clear about how he wanted to spend his winnings—on what he called “well-deserved fun.” He began by showering his family with gifts, including new Range Rovers for himself and his mother, and treating them to a vacation in Barbados.
But after the initial generosity, López began spending the rest of his money on nonstop parties that lasted three months. He quit his job—a decision he still regrets—and gradually lost control of his life. “It was a complete disconnection from the life I was leading,” he admits.
The constant partying soon took a toll on his health. Several months later, López found himself in the back of an ambulance on the way to the nearest hospital. Doctors at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital diagnosed him with a bilateral pulmonary embolism after a blood clot in his leg spread to his lungs.
“I allowed myself to live a life I’d never lived before, but I think I made a mistake,” he confessed in the interview. During those months of celebration, he had been thrilled with his new lifestyle but neglected his health. “I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t breathe. I called the ambulance, they wheeled me out of my house, and what really changed my life was lying in the back of the ambulance hearing the sirens,” he recalled.
The health scare became a much-needed wake-up call. “It just makes you look at both sides of life,” López reflected. “Because it doesn’t matter if you have a million, a hundred million, a billion, or a trillion—when you’re in the back of that ambulance, none of it matters.”
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Jakarta, Pintu News – More than 15.7 million Pi Coin from Pi Network have been withdrawn from OKX in the last 24 hours (6/10), after the exchange reopened withdrawals after temporarily halting them.
Typically, large exchange outflows are considered a positive sign as they indicate investor confidence and a propensity forlong-term holding.
However, interestingly, the price of Pi Coin has actually decreased over the same period, signaling that market sentiment is still cautious despite the optimistic signals from the large withdrawal activity.
Then, how is Pi Network’s current price movement?
On October 7, 2025, the price of Pi Network was recorded at $0.2656, an increase of 1.8% in 24 hours. If converted to the current rupiah ($1 = IDR 16,572), then 1 Pi Network is IDR 4,401.
Read also: 3 Unlock Tokens to Watch out for in the Second Week of October 2025
Over the past 24 hours, the price of PI moved within the range of $0.2597 – $0.2682, showing relatively stable volatility. Daily trading volume reached $36.89 million, signaling active transaction activity among traders and the user community.
Pi Network’s market cap now stands at around $2.18 billion, while its fully diluted valuation stands at $3.36 billion.
OKX, which was the first exchange to list Pi Coin, recently suspended withdrawals – an issue that has been discussed by Pioneers on the X (formerly Twitter) platform.
Based on screenshots shared by users, the withdrawal pause was caused by wallet maintenance, which is claimed to be done to improve system security.
#OKX does not allow withdrawal of #pi to wallet because the exchange holds the remaining pi and then pushes the price down (so they can sell off. Pioneers should switch to #BitGet exchange. Cheaper fees, more free trading#pinetworkhttps://t.co/rFwvfYwKyI pic.twitter.com/vslSilYloP
Interestingly, it’s not just OKX that is doing this. Some Pioneers have also reported that crypto exchange Pionex implemented a similar suspension, further fueling users’ concerns.
While initially frustrating, this pause in withdrawals has led to speculation about the possibility of technical updates or new integrations relating to the Pi Network mainnet transition.
“There is no official reason yet, but based on previous experience, this kind of thing often happens before a major integration or upgrade,” said one Pioneer.
Pi Withdrawals Paused on OKX & Pionex
What’s Next?
⏸️ Withdrawals temporarily suspended on OKX and Pionex
🔍 No official reason yet — but history tells us:
This often happens before major integrations or upgrades#PiNetwork #OKX #Pionex #CryptoUpdate pic.twitter.com/tMoVDIwR7j
After OKX reopened withdrawals, there was a huge spike in outflows. Based on data from PiScan, more than 15.7 million PI tokens were withdrawn from OKX in just 24 hours, with a total of more than 17.5 million PI exited from various platforms in the same period.
While these outflows lowered balances on exchanges, Pi Coin’s total reserves on various exchanges actually increased – from 263 million PI in March to 409 million in August, and has now surpassed 433 million PI, or an increase of about 65% since March.
This increase indicates that more tokens are being held on the exchange, a trend that could be interpreted as increased potential selling pressure in the market, although the large outflows from OKX signal significant movement among investors.
Read also: ASTER Crypto Price Rebounds to $2 Before Binance Listing – Early Sign of Uptober Rally?
Meanwhile, the selling sentiment towards Pi Coin was evident from its market performance, where even a massive surge in withdrawals from exchanges was unable to push the price up.
While many other cryptocurrencies recorded gains during the month, PI prices fell 1.4%, moving in the opposite direction of Bitcoin and most other altcoins.
Pi Network’s continued expansion – including the launch of various new DeFi tools and token generation features – has also not managed to drive price increases in the market. Based on BeInCrypto Markets data on October 6, the price of PI fell 1.03% in the last 24 hours and is now around $0.259.
Adding to the pressure, oversupply concerns still loom over Pi Coin. It is noted that around 138.2 million PI tokens will be unlocked throughout October, which has the potential to further depress prices amidst the already fragile performance of the altcoin market over the past few weeks.
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Highlights
An expert has touted Pi Network as a potential “rug pull” project. This comes as the project, which once carried a valuation of over $20 billion, has reportedly shed more than $18 billion in just six months.
Investor confidence in Pi Network has declined significantly following a 90% drop from its all-time high. Prominent community expert Mr. Spock Ape described the crash as “basically a rug pull.” He also noted that many Pioneers continue to mine without realizing the scale of the project’s loss.
Mr. Spock shared that, despite the decline, some community members still cling to the long-standing “Global Consensus Value” (GCV). It claims that one Pi would equal $314,159. He argued that the GCV narrative has become a myth that keeps miners hopeful, while the real market struggles to find liquidity or external listings.
Building on the rug-pull calls, the project’s leadership has consistently been under scrutiny. As CoinGape previously reported, former executive McPhilip accused the Pi core team of mishandling roughly $20 million in project funds and claims he was unfairly dismissed.
Court filings reportedly show tension between co-founders Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis and Chengdiao Fan, with insiders describing a “toxic work environment.” These allegations, dating back to 2020, have resurfaced as the project faces calls for more transparency in how its funds and mining rewards are being managed.
Pi Coin also fell out of the top 50 crypto assets as a lack of major ecosystem developments erased billions in its paper value.
Despite efforts to reduce supply, the token has continued to see a downturn. For example, the Pi Network reduced the base mining rate to 0.0027405 π per hour in September, a 1.23% cut from the previous month. It now takes over 15 days to mine a single Pi without bonuses.
The project’s latest technical strides are failing to boost investor confidence as Pi Coin continues to shed value. For instance, Pi Network added DEX and AMM tools to its testnet. The purpose of these tools is to assist developers in simulating DeFi activity in a controlled setting.
Pi also upgraded its testnet to version 20, with advocates calling it a “key milestone” toward the eventual mainnet release. This upgrade enhances the blockchain’s structure to support additional applications and increase network activity.
In another recent move, the team introduced its “Fast Track KYC” feature aimed at accelerating user verification. Prior to applying for KYC, Pioneers had to finish 30 mining sessions, which caused months of delays. The new AI-powered system now enables earlier verification and faster access to mainnet wallets.
Despite these developments, its financial credibility remains under strain. Many are wondering if the project can win back the trust of investors after its $18 billion value loss.
CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
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October 7 2025
Together with Scan to Pay’s 650,000 merchants and Luno Pay’s existing network of over 30,000 merchants, this expansion unlocks access to major household retailers, including Checkers, Makro, Vodacom, and Shoprite, bringing crypto payments into the mainstream and marking a major step for cryptocurrency adoption.
Additionally, Luno Pay users earn up to 10% back in Tether (USDT) instantly when paying with USDT at any of these nationwide merchants. Tether is a popular stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.
Christo de Wit, South Africa country manager for Luno, says, “We’re moving from niche acceptance to the mainstream, giving our users the freedom to spend their crypto anywhere they shop while also earning meaningful rewards. Luno is making crypto payments as simple as traditional card transactions, but without extra fees, yet with the added flexibility of paying directly from over 50 different crypto assets and the benefit of instant USDT rewards.”
The expansion builds on Luno Pay’s already impressive track record since its launch in November 2024. Over 48,000 completed payments have been processed across more than 1,600 merchants, representing a transaction volume of over R28 million. Notably, 70% of Luno Pay users are repeat customers.
The integration leverages existing payment infrastructure, ensuring merchants don’t need to make technical changes or investments to accept Luno Pay. For consumers, paying with cryptocurrency is simple: scan the QR code displayed at checkout using the Luno app, confirm the payment details, and select the cryptocurrency you wish to use for payment. Rewards in USDT are automatically applied to your purchase.
This development positions Luno Pay at the forefront of South Africa’s digital payment evolution, while rewarding customers for adopting innovative payment technology. Luno Pay users can confidently use crypto for daily purchases, from groceries and electronics to telecommunications and online shopping.
Access to all Scan to Pay merchants has been made possible through Luno’s payments partner, MoneyBadger.
Carel van Wyk, MoneyBadger co-founder and CEO, says, “South Africans are increasingly moving from holding Bitcoin as an investment vehicle to using their Bitcoin for day-to-day expenses. This move expands the number of places where South Africans can pay with Bitcoin significantly, and we believe it will benefit everyone.”
Christo de Wit
Luno
Carel van Wyk
MoneyBadger
Luno
MoneyBadger
The Fintech Magazine
Fintech TV
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Crypto
Together with Scan to Pay’s 650,000 merchants and Luno Pay’s existing network of over 30,000 merchants, this expansion unlocks access to major household retailers, including Checkers, Makro, Vodacom, and Shoprite, bringing crypto payments into the mainstream and marking a major step for cryptocurrency adoption.
Top Story
TerraPay, a global money movement company, today announced the launch of stablecoin-native flows in partnership with Fipto, the regulated infrastructure layer powering secure, compliant blockchain-based treasury operations.
Top Story
The crypto industry is facing a fresh reckoning over security following a series of high-profile breaches. Some of the largest breaches included hackers stealing $1.5bn from Bybit, Phemex losing out on $69m in a crypto heist, and WazirX losing £230m. Despite the rapid mainstreaming of digital assets, vulnerabilities in exchange infrastructure continue to leave billions of pounds at risk.
Top Story
dtcpay, a licensed Major Payment Institution (MPI), today announced a strategic partnership with WalletConnect , the connectivity layer for the financial internet. The collaboration will accelerate the adoption of secure, frictionless onchain payments and reinforce dtcpay’s role in shaping the next generation of onchain finance.
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Global-leading exchange traded product issuer 21Shares and new personalised wealth management platform, Stratiphy have partnered to unlock regulated access to cryptocurrencies and digital assets for UK investors once the FCA changes have been introduced to UK investors.
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Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume and users, today announced the inaugural launch of The Blockchain 100. This new annual awards show is designed to recognize and celebrate the most influential creators advancing blockchain education, innovation, and community engagement.
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A new research report from global payments infrastructure platform Mercuryo and Web3 research firm Protocol Theory shows that while cryptowallet adoption is accelerating among affluent users, lower-income groups face costly access points and risk being excluded.
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New research commissioned by Affirm, the payment network that empowers consumers and merchants with flexible and transparent payment options, reveals that payment flexibility is now one of the most important factors influencing travellers when booking flights and holidays.
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Big Issue has partnered with open banking payment provider fumopay to offer its vendors an innovative new way to take cashless payments.
Top Story
Together with Scan to Pay’s 650,000 merchants and Luno Pay’s existing network of over 30,000 merchants, this expansion unlocks access to major household retailers, including Checkers, Makro, Vodacom, and Shoprite, bringing crypto payments into the mainstream and marking a major step for cryptocurrency adoption.
Top Story
PayPal has announced that U.S. customers will earn 5% cash back on PayPal Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) purchases between now and the end of the year1. As 60%2 of shoppers feel more financial stress heading into this holiday season, PayPal, one of the leading BNPL providers worldwide, is helping to make it easier to manage spending this holiday season.
Top Story
Blue Ocean Technologies, a capital markets fintech leader in global trading and data, announced today the promotion of John Willock to Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately.
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