Uzbekistan launched a Crypto Mining Zone in Karakalpakstan on April 22, 2026, with strict revenue controls. The Besqala Mining Valley offers tax incentives and flexible power options, allowing foreign sales but locking funds locally. The initiative aims to promote growth while maintaining tight oversight of cash flows, reflecting Uzbekistan’s cautious approach to expanding its crypto mining industry.
Lazarus, a North Korean hacking group, is reportedly using multiple blockchain bridges, including LayerZero, to launder stolen funds. The group moves loot quickly, exploiting these bridges for money laundering. The report highlights the differing responses from the bridges, with LayerZero identified as one of the tools Lazarus employs to facilitate illicit transactions.
Pudgy Penguins' PENG token has experienced significant gains, posting double-digit increases amid a surge in utility memecoins. The rising interest in memecoins reflects growing enthusiasm in the Web3 space, with PENG gaining attention as a notable example. The trend highlights the increasing popularity of memecoins and their potential for substantial short-term gains in 2026.
Tencent has joined Alibaba in pursuing a stake in DeepSeek, a startup valued at over $20 billion. This move underscores the increasing competition among tech giants to secure AI investments amid rising geopolitical and scaling challenges. The funding shift highlights the growing importance of AI startups in the Web3 ecosystem and the strategic focus of major companies on AI development.
Upshift, an onchain vault provider, has partnered with Securitize Fund Services to enhance transparency through independent reporting, auditing, and performance verification. The collaboration aims to improve trust and accountability for Upshift’s vaults, though specific financial amounts or dates were not disclosed. This move reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency in the Web3 ecosystem.
Vertiv (VRT) stock fell over 5% after its revenue forecast disappointed Wall Street. In Q1, Vertiv reported adjusted EPS of $1.17, beating estimates by $0.17, and revenue of $2.65 billion, up 30% year-over-year. The company raised full-year EPS guidance to $6.30–$6.40, but its revenue guidance of $13.75 billion was slightly below expectations.
Stratiphy has gained UK IFISA approval, enabling investors to access crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) tax-free. This move aligns with recent UK regulatory changes that now allow Crypto ETNs within IFISAs. The company’s integration offers a compliant, tax-efficient way for investors to participate in crypto markets, amid rising demand for such financial products.