Law enforcement dismantled a dark web murder-for-hire plot, convicting Ron Ilg for funding the scheme with Bitcoin and attempting to conceal his identity using mixers. FBI agents leveraged blockchain analytics to trace fund flows, obtained records from cryptocurrency exchanges and Bitcoin ATMs, and recovered critical physical evidence, including seed phrases and device data during searches. This combined approach overcame anonymity efforts, leading to Ilg's plea deal and an eight-year prison sentence. The case establishes a precedent for direct attribution in cryptocurrency crimes, increasing scrutiny on mixer exposure, accelerating law enforcement data requests, and requiring Web3 compliance teams to deploy real-time transaction monitoring, enhance wallet hygiene, and update subpoena response protocols. 

Source: https://theweb3.news/crypto/fbi-murder-for-hire-crypto-case/

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Ohio Representative Max Miller advances new cryptocurrency tax legislation, aiming to clarify the federal treatment of digital assets, generate revenue, and signal U.S. support for the asset class. The proposed bill addresses current ambiguous tax rules that hinder innovation and investment for Web3 entrepreneurs, exchanges, and approximately fifty million Americans interacting with digital assets. It specifically clarifies tax treatment for charitable contributions, airdrops, on-chain lending agreements, and digital asset inclusion in qualified retirement plans. This legislative effort standardizes income recognition, establishes clear basis rules, and sets information reporting requirements, aligning with broader congressional work to define digital asset tax rules and unlock industry growth. 

Source: https://theweb3.news/policy/max-miller-crypto-tax-plan/

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Show description: Crypto mergers and acquisitions reached new record highs in October 2025, completing 21 publicly disclosed deals. Coinbase acquired Echo for $375 million. Kraken purchased Small Exchange for $100 million. Modern Treasury secured Beam for $40 million. By the end of October, 144 deals completed in 2025, establishing a new annual record and doubling the previous year's pace. Increased institutional participation and acquirers securing technology and licenses for 2026 roadmaps drove deal activity. Disclosed deal value in the third quarter of 2025 topped $10 billion, marking a thirty-fold increase from Q3 2024. The market now emphasizes distribution, liquidity, and compliant infrastructure. Larger platforms build full-stack services, raising industry standards for service quality and risk controls. This consolidation trend continues, with regulated distribution and resilient infrastructure providing decisive advantages. 

Source: https://theweb3.news/crypto/crypto-ma-record-oct-2025/

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Elon Musk's Grok chatbot seeks its own opinions prior to providing answers. This behavior indicates the chatbot utilizes a method of self-referential processing. The design aims to enhance response relevance and accuracy by grounding answers in its own learned beliefs. The approach highlights ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The interaction underscores challenges in AI development, specifically regarding opinion formation and information retrieval.

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Cities play a crucial role in addressing extreme poverty. Urban areas host a significant portion of the world's population, creating unique challenges and opportunities. Local governments implement policies to enhance access to education, healthcare, and employment. Collaboration between public and private sectors strengthens initiatives targeting poverty. Technology supports data collection and analysis, allowing cities to identify needs and measure progress. Community engagement fosters participation in decision-making, ensuring that solutions align with residents' concerns. Investment in infrastructure improves living conditions and promotes economic activity. Key issues include housing affordability, transportation access, and social services. By leveraging resources and partnerships, cities can effectively combat extreme poverty.

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On July 11, 2025, global startup investors ramped up their activities in the second quarter, completing more financing rounds and investing larger amounts. Nine of the top ten active venture investors increased their deal counts compared to the first quarter, with 80% of the leading investors exhibiting heightened activity. Notably, SoftBank did not participate in Q2 rankings after making significant headlines in Q1 for its investment in OpenAI. Accel and General Catalyst emerged as the lead venture investors with 20 and 16 deals, respectively, including substantial investments in generative AI and spacetech. Meta topped financial contributions with a $14.3 billion deal for Scale AI, followed by Founders Fund and Andreessen Horowitz with major rounds for defense tech and an AI startup. Y Combinator led seed-stage investments with 50 deals, while the deal frequency among various investors indicated bullish sentiment in the startup landscape, potentially leading to more IPO activity. International investor engagement may shape future trends.

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https://theweb3.news/news-bites/why-did-accel-and-general-catalyst-dominate-the-venture-capital-scene-in-q2/

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In the second quarter, startups in Europe raised twelve point six billion dollars, a decline from previous highs in 2024. Germany secured the highest investment amount, surpassing the UK for the first time in over a decade, with two point eight billion dollars raised. UK startups raised two point five billion, marking the lowest quarter since 2019, while France attracted one point eight billion dollars. Mergers and acquisitions reached seven point two billion dollars, with significant acquisitions including Deribit by Coinbase and Hidden Road by Ripple. Late-stage investments totaled five point seven billion dollars across seventy-five deals, while early-stage companies raised five billion dollars from over two hundred seventy rounds. Seed funding reached one point nine billion dollars in eight hundred forty-five rounds. Europe's share of global venture capital dropped to thirteen percent, down from nineteen percent, with a total decrease in funding of eleven percent year over year. North American funding rose to one hundred forty-five billion dollars, particularly in AI.

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https://theweb3.news/news-bites/germanys-unprecedented-rise-in-venture-capital-leaving-the-uk-behind/

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Monad Foundation aims to transform stable coin infrastructure. The organization develops innovative protocols and frameworks to enhance efficiency and reliability. Monad Foundation addresses existing challenges in scalability and interoperability within the stable coin ecosystem. The initiative focuses on creating a more decentralized and secure environment for stable coins. Monad Foundation collaborates with industry stakeholders to refine standards and encourage adoption. The goal is to improve user experiences and promote broader use of stable coins in various financial applications.

Learn more on this news visit us at: https://theweb3.news/crypto/what-is-monad-foundations-bold-move-to-reshape-stablecoin-infrastructure/

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Monad Foundation aims to transform stablecoin infrastructure. The organization develops innovative protocols and frameworks to enhance efficiency and reliability. Monad Foundation addresses existing challenges in scalability and interoperability within the stablecoin ecosystem. The initiative focuses on creating a more decentralized and secure environment for stablecoins. Monad Foundation collaborates with industry stakeholders to refine standards and encourage adoption. The goal is to improve user experiences and promote broader use of stablecoins in various financial applications.

Learn more on this news visit us at: https://theweb3.news/crypto/what-is-monad-foundations-bold-move-to-reshape-stablecoin-infrastructure/

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The episode examines the connection between human psychology and investment behavior during uncertain economic periods. It explores the concept of risk perception and how it shapes decision-making. Research indicates that emotional responses often drive financial choices rather than rational assessments. The discussion highlights the impact of environmental cues on investment strategies. Additionally, the episode addresses the importance of social influences on investor behavior and how group dynamics can sway individual decisions. Data suggests that a deeper understanding of these psychological factors can enhance investment outcomes.

Learn more on this news visit us at: https://theweb3.news/crypto/how-our-aquatic-brains-influence-investment-decisions-in-uncertain-times/

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Oprah Winfrey announces her book club selection that addresses perspectives on artificial intelligence. The chosen book encourages readers to reflect on the implications of AI in society. Winfrey highlights the importance of engaging with critical themes presented in the literature. This selection aims to stimulate discussions about technology and its impact on human experiences.

Learn more on this news visit us at: https://theweb3.news/news-bites/oprah-winfrey-reveals-her-book-club-pick-that-challenges-our-views-on-ai/

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CoreWeave acquired Core Scientific, positioning itself as a key player in the blockchain and cloud computing sectors. This acquisition enhances CoreWeave's capabilities in providing GPU-accelerated cloud services. The consolidation aims to boost efficiency and scalability in blockchain infrastructure. CoreWeave's strategy focuses on meeting growing demand for decentralized applications and cryptocurrency mining. The acquisition signals a shift in the competitive landscape and highlights the trend of consolidation within the blockchain industry.

Learn more on this news visit us at: https://theweb3.news/news-bites/what-does-coreweaves-bold-acquisition-of-core-scientific-mean-for-the-future/

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Investors shift focus to crypto stocks as the value of crypto tokens declines. Analysts observe trends where institutional interest in crypto-related equities increases, driven by the desire for exposure to the crypto market without direct investment in tokens. Companies within the crypto space, such as exchanges and blockchain firms, attract attention due to their business models. Market fluctuations contribute to this trend, as crypto tokens experience volatility, prompting a preference for more stable investment vehicles. This movement indicates a strategic adaptation among investors seeking to capitalize on the potential of the cryptocurrency sector.

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Effective ChatGPT prompts enhance user interaction and improve outcomes. Clear and specific prompts yield better responses. Experimentation with wording and structure can optimize results. Users should provide context to guide the model's responses effectively. Incorporating examples and asking open-ended questions generates more detailed replies. Iterative refinement of prompts aids in achieving desired outputs. Understanding the model's strengths and weaknesses supports better prompt creation.

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Machine DeFi integrates artificial intelligence with decentralized finance, creating automated financial solutions. This approach enhances efficiency and transparency in transactions. Real-world assets gain representation on blockchain platforms, enabling broader access to investment opportunities. Smart contracts streamline interactions, reduce costs, and minimize reliance on intermediaries. The combination of these technologies supports financial inclusivity and innovation in the finance sector. Stakeholders can leverage new tools to optimize investment strategies and increase market liquidity. Key benefits include enhanced security, improved accessibility, and real-time data analysis.

Learn more on this news visit us at: https://theweb3.news/defi/discover-the-future-of-finance-with-machine-defi-and-real-world-value/

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The Senate evaluated proposed legislation to ban AI regulation but ultimately rejected it. Senators expressed concern over the implications of restricting AI development. Key factors included the need for innovation, economic growth, and the competitive landscape with global technology peers. Some senators highlighted the importance of establishing a framework that balances regulation and technological advancement. The Senate also reviewed public opinion and industry feedback regarding AI's impact on society and the economy. The rejection of the ban indicated a commitment to ongoing discussions and potential future regulations on AI.

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The episode examines the current state of the cryptocurrency market. It highlights increased trading volume and price fluctuations. Analysts report a potential buildup of market sentiment leading to a significant price movement. Factors influencing this sentiment include regulatory developments, macroeconomic trends, and technological advancements. Experts note historical patterns that suggest market shifts may occur after periods of low volatility. Observers track developments in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as they impact overall market dynamics. The conversation points to the possibility of upcoming events that could trigger changes in market behavior.

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xAI, the generative AI startup founded by Elon Musk, raised $10 billion through debt and equity. The funding included $5 billion from a strategic equity investment and additional funds from term loans and secured notes. Prior to this, xAI raised $6 billion in a Series C funding round, achieving a $50 billion valuation, and another $6 billion in May 2024 during a Series B round with a valuation of $24 billion. The current valuation after this latest funding round remains undisclosed. xAI plans to enhance its chatbot, Grok, using data from Musk's other company, X, which it acquired earlier this year. xAI competes with startups such as OpenAI, which recently announced a $40 billion funding round and a valuation of $300 billion, and Anthropic, which secured $3.5 billion in a Series E round, reaching a valuation of $61.5 billion.

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https://theweb3.news/news-bites/elon-musks-xai-shatters-records-with-new-funding-amid-ai-competition/

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European startups increasingly aim for global markets from their inception. A shift occurs as many founders emphasize international ambitions rather than retreating. The current landscape in European tech enables the creation of global champions, with companies preparing to enter the U.S. market earlier.

Founders employ various strategies for international growth, identified as five archetypes: 

- **Magnets** align quickly with the U.S. for revenue.  

- **Pendulums** balance operations across continents.  

- **Anchors** maintain a European base while targeting the U.S.  

- **Telescopes** capture U.S. market share with minimal presence.  

- **Transplants** establish operations in the U.S. from the beginning.

Ambition drives these strategies, with mindset influencing future outcomes. The "mid-sized country trap" impacts larger European markets, where initial growth from the home market can inhibit global outreach. Inward-looking tendencies and local optimizations may slow adoption of a global perspective, posing challenges for internationalization.

Successful companies from smaller ecosystems tend to adopt a global outlook, gaining competitive advantages through exposure to international markets. Traits common among effective European firms include:

- Urgent embrace of global opportunities to avoid local specialization.  

- English as the company language to enhance scalability.  

- Investments in systems designed for multiple markets.  

- Focus on sector expertise over geographic expansion for quicker results.  

- Nurturing a global culture through diverse hiring practices.  

- Understanding market dynamics to inform product introduction strategies.

Companies that plan their expansion effectively can optimize timing and approach, with success often linked to their readiness for international markets.

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https://theweb3.news/news-bites/why-are-european-startups-choosing-global-expansion-from-day-one/

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