Hackers linked to the North Korean government have stolen more than $2 billion worth of cryptocurrency so far this year, marking the largest annual total on record, according to TechCrunch citing blockchain analytics firm Elliptic on October 7.
Elliptic’s latest report identifies over 30 separate cyberattacks in 2025, targeting crypto exchanges and individual investors.
The company noted that “the majority of the hacks in 2025 have been perpetrated through social engineering attacks,” where victims are deceived or manipulated into granting access to their digital assets.
In its statement, Elliptic emphasized that North Korea’s hacking activity represents “the largest annual total on record, with three months still to go.” The firm added, “The actual figure may be even higher. Attributing cyber thefts to North Korea is not an exact science.”
The company said the regime’s hackers are increasingly shifting from exploiting software vulnerabilities to targeting people directly. “This shift highlights that the weak point in cryptocurrency security is increasingly human, rather than technical,” Elliptic wrote.
According to Elliptic, North Korea’s operations in 2025 have primarily focused on cryptocurrency exchanges but now also include attacks on “high-net-worth individuals” who hold substantial digital assets.
The new estimate surpasses the previous record set in 2022, when North Korea stole $1.35 billion. Since 2017, the regime has reportedly amassed at least $6 billion through cryptocurrency thefts.
Elliptic also noted that many additional thefts likely remain unreported. “We are aware of many other thefts that share some of the hallmarks of North Korea-linked activity but lack sufficient evidence to be definitively attributed,” the report stated.
Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled a new defense strategy centered on expanding both nuclear and conventional military capabilities, signaling a major policy shift ahead of the ninth Party Congress, according to state media.
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The XRP Price Prediction has become a key discussion point again after recent market shifts. As XRP continues to draw institutional and retail attention, investors are beginning to explore new altcoins building real-world payment solutions similar to Ripple’s early vision.
One such project gaining traction is Remittix (RTX), often described as XRP 2.0 for its focus on crypto-to-bank transfers and DeFi utility. With growing momentum in cross-border payments, many investors see RTX as a potential complement or successor to XRP’s original mission in the PayFi space.
The XRP Price is $2.88 down by 0.54% from yesterday. XRP is in the market with a capitalization of $178.18 billion and a trade volume of $6.51 billion, up by 40.5% in the last 24 hours. Volumes such as these indicate investors’ confidence in the use of XRP both on decentralized exchanges and centralized trading platforms.
However, many analysts believe XRP’s price action is entering a consolidation phase, as attention shifts toward projects with additional DeFi integrations and low gas fee crypto transactions. This shift has pushed tokens like Remittix (RTX) into the spotlight, as they merge blockchain payments with fiat accessibility, a model appealing to businesses, freelancers, and remitters seeking real-world use cases.
Remittix has now launched its Beta Wallet, allowing users to send cryptocurrencies directly to bank accounts in 30+ countries. Supporting over 40+ cryptos and 30+ fiat currencies, the wallet enables real-time FX conversion, transparent rates and low gas fee crypto transactions.
The Remittix DeFi project has already raised $27.2 million+ in its presale, with over 676 million+ tokens sold at $0.1130 per token, making it one of the top crypto under $1 with high adoption potential.
Remittix’s growing credibility is reinforced by a full team verification from CertiK, ranking #1 for pre-launch tokens on the platform, a rare achievement that boosts transparency and trust. Following this, the team has revealed two future centralized exchange (CEX) listings BitMart after crossing the $20 million mark and LBank after reaching $22 million paving the way for global liquidity and accessibility.
What’s Driving Renewed Confidence in Remittix:
As XRP price predictions remain steady, investors are diversifying into crypto with real utility. With a deflationary token model, real-time FX and cross-border payment tools, Remittix (RTX) stands out as an early stage crypto investment positioned to redefine the PayFi category.
Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their project here:
Website: https://remittix.io/
Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix
$250,000 Giveaway: https://gleam.io/competitions/nz84L-250000-remittix-giveaway
What does it say about the future of public safety when governments require panic buttons…
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Key Points
Three key catalysts could determine the fate of XRP during the next 12 months.
While XRP (XRP -3.40%) is up about 45% for the year, it’s hardly been on a straight upward trajectory. XRP, just like every other cryptocurrency, took a hit after sweeping global tariffs were announced by the Trump administration. And after an impressive summer rally, much of the hype and buzz surrounding XRP has suddenly fizzled.
So where will XRP be in one year? Let’s take a closer look at three key catalysts that could determine the trajectory of XRP in 2026.
First and foremost, the Securities and Exchange Commission is scheduled to consider approving a handful of new spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications. All told, six different spot ETF applications could get the green light this month, starting on Oct. 18.
These spot XRP ETF approvals would give XRP instant mainstream acceptance and make it much easier for large institutional investors and individuals to add it to their portfolios. According to some estimates, as much as $8 billion in new money could pour into XRP once the spot ETFs start trading.
Image source: Getty Images.
The big question, though, is just how much of this catalyst has already been priced into XRP. After all, investors have been talking about these spot ETF approvals since the beginning of the year. So there’s not going to be a positive surprise when they are actually approved.
Right now, just about everyone thinks that there is a 95% or better chance of approval. It’s really just a matter of when, not if, they are approved. Thus, the short-term price impact on XRP might be less than many people expect.
Although the Trump administration has taken a decidedly pro-crypto stance, that doesn’t guarantee that XRP is going to play a key role in future crypto developments within the U.S. during the next year. Banks and major financial institutions need to feel comfortable using its blockchain technology to move money around the world.
For that reason, market participants are keeping a close eye on the new Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (i.e., the Clarity Act), which is supposed to be the next major piece of crypto legislation passed by the U.S. Congress. In July, the Congress passed the Genius Act to regulate stablecoins, and the thinking was that the Clarity Act would soon follow.
But the federal government shutdown puts all of this at risk. Right now, market participants think the shutdown will last weeks, not days. And the amount of political infighting involved could lead to an unwelcome setback for this major piece of crypto legislation. So keep an eye on how events unfold in Washington during the next few months.
For quite some time, crypto enthusiasts have proposed that the XRP blockchain (known as the XRP Ledger) might provide an alternative to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) payment network. The XRP blockchain ledger provides near-instantaneous settlement of transactions and charges only minimal fees.
That’s exactly why many now think XRP could one day replace SWIFT, which is using 50-year-old technology and is currently facing pressure to implement change. With that in mind, SWIFT is now testing various blockchain solutions to aid in creating faster, cheaper, and easier cross-border payments.
The good news is that SWIFT has already announced plans for a trial of the XRP payment network. If the trial goes well, then there could be a new uptick in adoption of XRP over the next 12 months.
Roughly $150 trillion in transactions flows through SWIFT on an annual basis, and if only 1% of that gets redirected to XRP, it could provide a huge $1.5 trillion spike in demand for the XRP token.
Just keep in mind: Any convergence of legacy technology and blockchain technology will likely involve many different blockchains. In other words, all the spoils of war won’t just go to Ripple (the company behind the XRP token). Other blockchains, including Ethereum, could also play a role in helping to replace or revitalize SWIFT.
In a worst-case scenario, XRP might continue to trade around the $3 mark. If the new spot ETFs turn out to be a nothing-burger, and if Congress can’t put together another piece of comprehensive crypto legislation by the end of the year, that might be the case.
In a best-case scenario, the combination of all three catalysts might send XRP close to its all-time high of $3.84. Right now, online prediction markets are giving XRP a 47% chance of breaking through the $3.75 price level by the end of 2025, and a 42% chance of hitting $4.
Longer term, it’s possible to see XRP going even higher. For example, the U.K. multinational bank Standard Chartered recently predicted that it might hit $5.50 by the end of this year, before rallying to the $12.50 by 2028.
There’s obviously a lot to be hopeful about when it comes to XRP. But investors should definitely keep their expectations in check. A lot still needs to go right for it to finally hit its full potential over the next year.
Dominic Basulto is a contributing Motley Fool crypto analyst covering cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and crypto-related companies. Prior to The Motley Fool, Dominic was a technology and innovation journalist at The Washington Post and Fortune. He holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University and an MBA in finance from Yale School of Management.
Dominic Basulto has positions in Ethereum and XRP. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ethereum and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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The Pi Network price is again on everyone’s lips as market sentiment is highly unpredictable. Once considered a project that could push blockchain adoption into millions in terms of phone-mining, Pi Network is increasingly under attack from parts of the crypto space.
Recent controversy amongst analysts raises serious questions regarding transparency, liquidity of the token even as more recent projects like Remittix (RTX) continue to dominate the scene. Despite its robust online presence, however, most believe that the project’s long-sought exchange listing and uncertain roadmap may limit its long-term prospects.
As of writing, Pi Coin is currently valued at $0.2632, having posted a 1.13% gain over the past day. Its market cap is at $2.17 billion, with trading volume jumping 86.07% to $35.26 million. These figures suggest more speculation than actual growth. 
Several crypto analysts now predict that Pi Network could lose most of its value by 2026 if it fails to establish a genuine market presence. Some believe its community-driven mining model has not evolved quickly enough to compete with new DeFi projects, low-gas-fee crypto tokens, and Layer 2 Ethereum alternatives that provide measurable use cases and active ecosystems.
In contrast, Remittix (RTX) is drawing strong attention from investors seeking crypto with real utility. The token, currently priced at $0.1130, has raised over $27.2 million during its ongoing presale, with more than 676 million tokens sold. The project enables users to send cryptocurrency directly to bank accounts in over 30 countries — bridging digital and traditional finance in a way that Pi Network has yet to demonstrate.
The Remittix team is now verified by CertiK and ranked #1 among pre-launch tokens, validating its commitment to transparency and security. The platform has also revealed future listings on BitMart and LBank, two major centralized exchanges, while the Remittix Wallet beta is already live for community testing.
The Pi Network price story reflects how hype-driven tokens struggle to maintain credibility without tangible use cases. Meanwhile, Remittix has become one of the best crypto presales of 2025, offering practical cross-border payments and a clear product roadmap. As analysts predict major corrections in speculative assets, attention is turning to crypto solving real-world problems — projects designed for scalability, security, and utility.
With mobile mining facing uncertainty, the next wave of growth may belong to DeFi projects like Remittix that combine accessibility with working infrastructure. For investors comparing future potential, the difference between promise and performance is becoming unmistakably clear.
Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their project here:
Website: https://remittix.io/
Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix
$250,000 Giveaway: https://gleam.io/competitions/nz84L-250000-remittix-giveaway
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Spot ETF approvals could lead to billions of dollars from institutional investors flowing into XRP.
New crypto regulation could provide a boost for market adoption of XRP.
While XRP may never replace SWIFT, there is potential for it to play a much greater role in cross-border payments.
10 stocks we like better than XRP ›
While XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is up about 45% for the year, it's hardly been on a straight upward trajectory. XRP, just like every other cryptocurrency, took a hit after sweeping global tariffs were announced by the Trump administration. And after an impressive summer rally, much of the hype and buzz surrounding XRP has suddenly fizzled.
So where will XRP be in one year? Let's take a closer look at three key catalysts that could determine the trajectory of XRP in 2026.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
First and foremost, the Securities and Exchange Commission is scheduled to consider approving a handful of new spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications. All told, six different spot ETF applications could get the green light this month, starting on Oct. 18.
These spot XRP ETF approvals would give XRP instant mainstream acceptance and make it much easier for large institutional investors and individuals to add it to their portfolios. According to some estimates, as much as $8 billion in new money could pour into XRP once the spot ETFs start trading.
Image source: Getty Images.
The big question, though, is just how much of this catalyst has already been priced into XRP. After all, investors have been talking about these spot ETF approvals since the beginning of the year. So there's not going to be a positive surprise when they are actually approved.
Right now, just about everyone thinks that there is a 95% or better chance of approval. It's really just a matter of when, not if, they are approved. Thus, the short-term price impact on XRP might be less than many people expect.
Although the Trump administration has taken a decidedly pro-crypto stance, that doesn't guarantee that XRP is going to play a key role in future crypto developments within the U.S. during the next year. Banks and major financial institutions need to feel comfortable using its blockchain technology to move money around the world.
For that reason, market participants are keeping a close eye on the new Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (i.e., the Clarity Act), which is supposed to be the next major piece of crypto legislation passed by the U.S. Congress. In July, the Congress passed the Genius Act to regulate stablecoins, and the thinking was that the Clarity Act would soon follow.
But the federal government shutdown puts all of this at risk. Right now, market participants think the shutdown will last weeks, not days. And the amount of political infighting involved could lead to an unwelcome setback for this major piece of crypto legislation. So keep an eye on how events unfold in Washington during the next few months.
For quite some time, crypto enthusiasts have proposed that the XRP blockchain (known as the XRP Ledger) might provide an alternative to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) payment network. The XRP blockchain ledger provides near-instantaneous settlement of transactions and charges only minimal fees.
That's exactly why many now think XRP could one day replace SWIFT, which is using 50-year-old technology and is currently facing pressure to implement change. With that in mind, SWIFT is now testing various blockchain solutions to aid in creating faster, cheaper, and easier cross-border payments.
The good news is that SWIFT has already announced plans for a trial of the XRP payment network. If the trial goes well, then there could be a new uptick in adoption of XRP over the next 12 months.
Roughly $150 trillion in transactions flows through SWIFT on an annual basis, and if only 1% of that gets redirected to XRP, it could provide a huge $1.5 trillion spike in demand for the XRP token.
Just keep in mind: Any convergence of legacy technology and blockchain technology will likely involve many different blockchains. In other words, all the spoils of war won't just go to Ripple (the company behind the XRP token). Other blockchains, including Ethereum, could also play a role in helping to replace or revitalize SWIFT.
In a worst-case scenario, XRP might continue to trade around the $3 mark. If the new spot ETFs turn out to be a nothing-burger, and if Congress can't put together another piece of comprehensive crypto legislation by the end of the year, that might be the case.
In a best-case scenario, the combination of all three catalysts might send XRP close to its all-time high of $3.84. Right now, online prediction markets are giving XRP a 47% chance of breaking through the $3.75 price level by the end of 2025, and a 42% chance of hitting $4.
Longer term, it's possible to see XRP going even higher. For example, the U.K. multinational bank Standard Chartered recently predicted that it might hit $5.50 by the end of this year, before rallying to the $12.50 by 2028.
There's obviously a lot to be hopeful about when it comes to XRP. But investors should definitely keep their expectations in check. A lot still needs to go right for it to finally hit its full potential over the next year.
Before you buy stock in XRP, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and XRP wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $621,976!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,150,085!*
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Dominic Basulto has positions in Ethereum and XRP. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ethereum and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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The Blue Line Rail will start operating commercially next week, on Monday, September 4, 2023, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Gistlover recalls that Governor Sanwo-Olu officially opened the Blue Line Rail in December 2022, which was eight months ago.
The Blue Line Rail will run from Marina to Mile 2, as it was announced at the project’s launch.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is anticipated to be the first passenger on Monday at precisely 9 am at the Marina station, according to Abimbola Akinajo, managing director of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, who was speaking on Tuesday at the Blue Rail Line Terminal in Marina.
She also said that beginning on Tuesday, September 5, partial passenger operations would run from 6:30 am to 10 am for the morning peak and from 4 pm to 9:30 pm for the afternoon peak.
Akinajo claims that these operations will begin with 12 trips for a period of two weeks before increasing to 76 trips each day.
Additional information will be provided soon.
Breaking news: dear Lagosians, the Blue Line Rail transport will commence full commercial operations from Monday September 4th, 2023. We will move passengers on return journey from Mile 2 to Marina.@jidesanwoolu
@MetroLagos @MobilePunch @vanguardngrnews @lindaikeji @an24TV pic.twitter.com/zyRiU1oKMb
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