Unchained Crypto

CoW Swap suspended its protocol on April 14, 2026, after a DNS hijacking redirected users to a phishing site. The platform's security firm alerted users to revoke wallet approvals. The underlying smart contracts were safe, but backend and APIs were paused as a precaution.

Bitcoin prices fell to $70,981 amid uncertainty over a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, affecting market confidence. While Bitcoin saw a minor decrease, altcoins like Ether and Solana faced sharper declines, and global risk assets struggled with tightening monetary policy.

This week, major prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi faced significant backlash, highlighting the divide between regulatory approval and public acceptance. Polymarket withdrew controversial betting markets after public outcry, while Kalshi's contract offerings were banned in Nevada, stressing the industry's legitimacy challenges.

Franklin Templeton is launching a cryptocurrency division, Franklin Crypto, by acquiring active crypto firm 250 Digital. Led by CoinFund's Christopher Perkins, this initiative aims to enhance institutional access to actively managed crypto products amid growing demand in the market.

CoinShares, Europe's largest crypto asset manager, began trading on Nasdaq under ticker CSHR with a valuation of $1.2 billion. The firm aims to expand in the U.S. crypto market despite current market challenges, offering a unique investment opportunity in a European asset manager.

A Texas judge dismissed a lawsuit by crypto developer Michael Lewellen regarding non-custodial donation software and federal money transmitter laws, ruling he lacked evidence of imminent prosecution. This highlights ongoing legal uncertainties for DeFi developers and their calls for clearer regulations.

Cipher Digital has shifted focus from bitcoin mining to AI infrastructure, securing a 15-year lease for a high-performance computing data center and a $200 million credit facility. This move bolsters investor confidence in its new direction.