The Lincoln, Nebraska Police Department is teaming up with AARP to tackle a growing problem that hits older adults especially hard: cryptocurrency scams.

Lincoln may not be a major tech hub or a sprawling metropolis, but that hasn’t spared it from modern financial fraud. With a population of just over 291,000, residents reportedly lost more than $11 million to scammers, according to Police Chief Michon Morrow. A significant portion of that damage, authorities say, comes from schemes that target older adults who may be unfamiliar with how digital currency works—but trust the official-looking machines used to buy it.

To address the issue, the Lincoln City Council approved a new ordinance, Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 9.70, on November 17. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird signed it into law a week later. The goal isn’t to ban cryptocurrency ATMs, but to make sure people—especially seniors—understand the risks before they use one.

Under the ordinance, any business that operates or provides access to a cryptocurrency ATM must display clear, written warnings about the potential for fraud. Business owners have until December 24 to post the warning stickers, which are being provided by the Lincoln Police Department. The city estimates there are about 100 of these machines scattered across Lincoln.

Police Chief Morrow says the focus is prevention through education, not punishment...

“The Lincoln Police Department understands how devastating it is to become a victim of financial fraud,” Morrow said. “We encourage everyone to have conversations with loved ones about scams so we can all work together to be part of the solution. Our goal is to prevent more people from losing their hard-earned money.”

AARP Nebraska is playing a hands-on role in that effort. In mid-December, 20 AARP volunteers will fan out across the city to deliver information packets and warning stickers to every cryptocurrency ATM location. Those packets are designed to explain, in plain language, how crypto scams work and why these machines are often used by criminals.

“AARP Nebraska remains dedicated to partnering with communities statewide to protect older Nebraskans from these scams,” said Todd Stubbendieck, State Director for AARP Nebraska. “Our volunteer Fraud Fighters are raising awareness about how scammers exploit cryptocurrency kiosks because once money is sent through a digital wallet, it is nearly impossible to trace or recover.”

Alongside the new ordinance, the Lincoln Police Department has launched a dedicated webpage with up-to-date information on financial and cryptocurrency scams, tailored for people who may be encountering these technologies for the first time.

The department is also backing up education with enforcement. In January, LPD plans to add a fifth investigator to its Technical Investigations Unit, a team created specifically to focus on cryptocurrency-related fraud.

For seniors—and their families—the message is straightforward: if a stranger is rushing you to use a crypto ATM, something is wrong. And now, thanks to a mix of local lawmaking and community education, Lincoln is making sure that warning is harder to miss.

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- Miles Monroe
Washington DC Newsroom
GlobalCryptoPress.com

NASA has already put an expiration date on the International Space Station, with plans to decommission the ISS in 2031. After that, the agency intends to rely on private companies to keep humans living and working in orbit—a shift that’s turning low-Earth orbit into a surprisingly competitive business.

One of the companies hoping to step into that role is Vast, a Long Beach-based startup with roughly 1,000 employees. Vast has largely been bankrolled by Jed McCaleb, the billionaire co-founder of cryptocurrency projects Ripple and Stellar. Now, the company is aiming even higher: building what it hopes will become the world’s first commercial space station.

According to Forbes, which cited a person familiar with the matter, Vast is in talks to raise a $300 million funding round that would value the company at around $2 billion. The round is expected to be led by Balerion Space Ventures, though the source cautioned that negotiations are still ongoing and terms could change.

McCaleb has already made it clear he’s willing to go deep into his own pockets to make this work, previously saying he could invest up to $1 billion of his personal fortune. In October, Vast also disclosed that In-Q-Tel—the venture capital arm backed by the CIA—had made an undisclosed investment and taken on the role of board observer.

Neither Vast nor Balerion Space Ventures commented on the potential funding round.

On the hardware side, Vast plans to launch its first prototype station, Haven-1, in 2026. The company says it will begin sending components of a larger follow-on station, Haven-2, into orbit by 2028. The goal: a private replacement for the ISS once NASA pulls the plug.

Vast isn’t alone in chasing that opportunity. McCaleb joins a growing list of billionaires betting that space stations are the next big infrastructure play. Axiom Space, founded by billionaire Kam Ghaffarian, is also racing to build a commercial station, though Forbes reported last year that the company was facing challenges getting its plans off the ground. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin—better known for its rivalry with Elon Musk’s SpaceX—has also been quietly working on its own space-station ambitions.

If NASA’s plan holds, whoever wins this race won’t just be building a station. They’ll be building the future address for humans in orbit.


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Author: Oliver Redding
Seattle Newsdesk  / Breaking Crypto News

Binance founder and former Chief Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has received a presidential pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump, closing the book on one of the most closely watched cases in digital-asset enforcement.

Zhao was sentenced in April 2024 to four months in prison after pleading guilty to a single count tied to U.S. anti-money-laundering compliance. He completed that sentence in September 2024. As part of the broader resolution with U.S. authorities, Binance agreed to pay $4.3 billion and implement enhanced controls after investigators said the exchange enabled some users to evade sanctions.

In announcing the pardon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed Zhao’s prosecution—initiated under the previous administration—as emblematic of a wider “war on cryptocurrency,” arguing there were “no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims,” and that an earlier push for a multi-year sentence had harmed U.S. credibility. “The Biden Administration’s war on crypto is over,” she said.

What Makes This Case Unusual...

Supporters note Zhao is, by their accounting, the first known first-time offender to receive a custodial sentence for this particular non-fraud charge. The sentencing judge found no evidence Zhao knowingly facilitated illicit transactions and said it was reasonable for him to believe illicit funds were not present on the platform. The pardon doesn’t rewrite that record, but it does erase remaining federal consequences for Zhao personally.

Policy Context: A Clearer Pro-Crypto Pivot...

The move aligns with the Trump administration’s more accommodating posture toward digital assets. Since taking office in January, the President has:

Pledged to make the U.S. the world’s “crypto capital.”

Floated the concept of a national cryptocurrency reserve.

Backed efforts to make it easier for Americans to allocate retirement savings to digital assets.

Released his own token ahead of inauguration, placing crypto squarely in the political mainstream—supporters call it pragmatic adoption; critics see it as performative.

The Road Ahead...

Zhao stepped down as Binance CEO in November 2023, calling the decision “not easy to let go emotionally” but “the right thing to do.” Binance—registered in the Cayman Islands—remains the largest venue globally for trading crypto and other digital assets by volume. The company has reportedly pursued clemency for nearly a year, while fielding ongoing regulatory obligations under its settlement.

Separate reports have described conversations between representatives of the Trump family—whose World Liberty Financial is active in crypto—and Binance. Those talks, as characterized publicly, centered on the sector’s direction and policy environment rather than any announced transaction.

Why Markets Care...

Regulatory temperature check: A presidential pardon doesn’t alter the compliance requirements facing exchanges, but it does signal a friendlier top-down stance—potentially easing perceived headline risk for U.S. institutions on the sidelines.

Talent gravity: With the cloud over CZ lifted, founders and executives may view the U.S. as incrementally less adversarial, provided firms invest in controls and cooperate early.

Policy runway: Initiatives like a crypto reserve or retirement-account access still require legislative and agency follow-through. Today’s signal is political; the operational changes will come down to rulemaking and inter-agency coordination.

The Other Side of the Ledger...

Critics of the pardon will argue that compliance lapses at major platforms have real national-security implications and that accountability at the top deters future abuse. Expect renewed debate on whether executive clemency undermines deterrence—or simply corrects an outlier outcome for a non-fraud case.

Bottom Line...

Zhao’s pardon is a symbolic endcap to a multi-year saga and a strong indicator of where the current administration wants crypto policy to go: normalization instead of stigmatization, with an emphasis on building within the rules rather than litigating against the industry. The regulatory playbook hasn’t vanished; the posture has.

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Author: Jules Laurent
Euro Newsroom | Breaking Crypto News 

Supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau and arranged in association with Times of Blockchain, the Global Blockchain Show enhances the UAE's reputation as a world hub for blockchain innovation and quality.

This year's schedule is packed with high-level discussions, technical courses, and well-selected networking opportunities. The agenda includes in-depth discussions of tokenization, DeFi, digital assets, Web3 gaming, AI-blockchain convergence, enterprise blockchain adoption, and regulatory clarity. The program's objective is to create a collaborative setting where policymakers, startups, investors, and entrepreneurs can exchange ideas and create new growth opportunities.

The pace is being accelerated by the speaker schedule, which features some of the most prominent names in the industry.

One of the exceptional speakers scheduled for this year's event is Yat Siu, a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Animoca Brands, a world leader in intellectual property rights for gaming and the open metaverse. Siu has been instrumental in encouraging the broad use of NFTs and blockchain-based gaming.

Sergej Kunz, co-founder of the popular decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator 1inch Network, has made significant progress on DeFi by giving customers safe and effective ways to exchange digital assets.

Akshat Vaidya, a managing partner and co-founder, oversees Maelstrom's venture, liquid, and buyout investment deal strategy. Akshat brings a wealth of strategic investment experience to the table, having led M&A at BitMEX and carried out leveraged buyouts at Granite Creek Capital Partners. He has established himself in the blockchain investment community since graduating from the Wharton School.

Andy Tang, the managing partner of Draper Dragon, has over 20 years of experience in venture capital. Tang has seeded more than 15 unicorn companies in the domains of software, blockchain, fintech, AI, and healthcare. His insightful observations and venture capital experience have made him a respected voice in the global innovation ecosystem.

Tether co-founder and stablecoin pioneer Reeve Collins. To bridge the gap between fiat and blockchain, Collins, a seasoned businessman, developed Tether, one of the most innovative digital assets ever. Currently, he is in charge of projects like TreasuryX, WeFi, and SuperSol that are pushing the boundaries of Web3 adoption.

"The Global Blockchain Show is proud to have played a part in Abu Dhabi's rapid ascent to prominence as a leading center for Web3 innovation. This year's event will highlight technology while also highlighting the crucial collaborations that drive real adoption and impact.” stated Vishal Parmar, VAP Group's Founder and CEO. 

The exhibit depicts the UAE's growing status as a global hub for blockchain innovation and is set against the technologically sophisticated backdrop of Abu Dhabi.

Early-bird pricing is offered for a limited period, and tickets are now available. Sign Up Now

About the Global Blockchain Show

The Global Blockchain Show is one of the most important international gatherings focused on the future of decentralized technology. It brings together regulators, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to shape the narrative of blockchain adoption across industries.

The Global Blockchain Show 2025 is anticipated to draw thousands of attendees, making it a historic event that will influence the relationships, discussions, and tactics that will shape the blockchain landscape for years to come.

Event Details:
Venue: Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi
Date: 10–11 December 2025
Official Partner: Times of Blockchain
Wesbite : Global Blockchain Show

About VAP Group: A leading AI, Blockchain, and Gaming consulting giant driving AI and Web3 solutions over the past 12 years under the flagship events that are globally renowned under the brand of Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show. With a strong footprint in the UAE, UK, India, and Hong Kong, our expert team of over 170 professionals ensures that our clients remain at the forefront of innovation. We drive innovation through Strategic PR and Marketing, Bounty Campaigns, and Global Events that showcase the brightest minds in the transformative fields of Web3, AI, and Gaming. We also offer services in advertising and media, as well as staffing.

Press Contact:
Public Relations Team | media@globalaishow.com

Thanks to government incentives boosting wind and solar investments, Brazil is now generating more energy than they can use. But energy storage hasn't quite caught up, so if the energy generated isn't being used, it's just wasted, with some plants wasting up to 70% of their juice. Enter crypto miners: flexible energy consumers who can scale operations up or down faster than you can say "blockchain," helping balance supply without stressing the grid.

Crypto mining companies are making a beeline for Brazil's surplus renewable energy — with several firms negotiating deals with local electricity providers to tap into wind and solar power that otherwise goes to waste.

Renova Energia is already investing $200 million in a massive mining project powered by wind farms in Bahia. Meanwhile, companies like Enegix have proposed building mobile data centers plugged directly into power plants — turning previously wasted energy into profit. 

Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows; concerns about water use during droughts and regulatory gaps linger. Still, Brazil's clean energy boom is turning crypto mining from an energy hog into a potential diamond in the rough.

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Author: Adam Lee 
Asia News Desk / Breaking Crypto News

Walmart’s fintech affiliate OnePay is planning a crypto upgrade. According to AInvest the company will add Bitcoin and Ethereum trading to its mobile app later this year as part of its ambition to build a U.S.‑style “super app”

The expansion will let users hold, buy and sell digital coins and convert them to cash for shopping at Walmart or paying card balances.

OnePay launched in 2021 as a joint venture between Walmart and Ribbit Capital and already offers high‑yield savings, credit and debit cards, BNPL loans and wireless phone plans

OnePay isn’t going it alone...

The company will partner with Zerohash, a crypto‑infrastructure startup, to handle custody and trading. This avoids the headache of building a trading stack from scratch. The app currently ranks No. 5 among free finance apps on Apple’s App Store and already has a built‑in advantage: Walmart’s network of roughly 150 million U.S. shoppers per week

Adding crypto support should help close the competitive gap with rivals like PayPal and Cash App, most of which already offer some form of crypto services. The move reflects a broader trend — even Morgan Stanley’s E‑Trade is preparing to offer direct crypto exposure to clients.

Zerohash recently raised $104 million to scale its platform as more banks and fintech firms chase the crypto crowd.

The 'Super App' Concept is Also Elon Musk's Goal for X...

It's now a race between Musk and Walmart, this move puts Walmart ahead in the race when it comes to payments, and X leaps ahead when it comes to the app being used for people to communicate.

It seems much easier for Musk to add payment features than it will be for Walmart to get customers to even think of their app as a social platform.

Both are trying to make a US version of China's WeChat, which is a messenger app that Chinese citizens now use for a huge portion of financial transactions. 

My take..

Partnering with Zerohash is a smart move for OnePay — better to rent the plumbing than to reinvent it. 

The bigger question is whether grandma will really trade Bitcoin while picking up groceries, probably not, but frankly, grandma won't be here forever and younger generations are a lot more comfortable blurring the lines between paper money in a wallet and digital currencies in a virtual wallet.

Still, with 150 million shoppers in its orbit, Walmart can introduce crypto to middle America in a way that crypto‑native apps can only dream of. If successful, OnePay’s move could make crypto spending as mundane as buying milk — which is both exciting and oddly depressing for those who remember Bitcoin’s rebellious roots.

On a final note, when attempting to sign up to OnePay to take a look,  I was rejected despite putting in completely accurate information - it's safe to say I'm pretty unimpressed by any app that tells me I am not really me. 

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Author: Oliver Redding
Seattle Newsdesk  / Breaking Crypto News

 “We’re changing finance” they said... well, they did. Now another round of repayments to clean up the mess is that made is on the way. This time, they’re dishing out $1.6 billion to creditors on September 30.

This marks the third big distribution since Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto empire imploded back in November 2022. For those keeping score, previous payouts have already sent more than $6 billion back into the hands of people who once logged in expecting to trade crypto, not accidentally fund a real-life cautionary tale.

The FTX Recovery Trust, the team babysitting what’s left of crypthe empire, says payments will flow through BitGo, Kraken, or Payoneer. As long as creditors have jumped through the verification hoops on the claims portal, they should see the money land in their accounts within three business days. Smooth sailing—well, smoother than the last time they dealt with FTX.

Where things stand:

- FTX.com Customers (Class 5A): Getting an extra 6% this round, which brings them up to about 78% repaid overall.

- FTX.us Customers (Class 5B): A hefty 40% payout this time, pushing them up to 95% repaid in total.

- General Unsecured + Digital Asset Loan Claims (Classes 6A & 6B): Both groups are seeing a 24% distribution in this round, bringing them to 85% overall.

- Then users with under $10k (Class 7) should have recouped 120% following this payment - more than they lost. 

But worth noting, this is based on USD value of their account the on the day FTX shut down, and in many cases users would have earned much more if it all remained in crypto.

When the exchange went under, it didn’t just bruise investor confidence. It helped shove the entire crypto market into a nasty bear phase. And, of course, Sam Bankman-Fried himself ended up convicted on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. The man who once charmed Congress and celebrities alike now has fewer freedoms than his onetime favorite video game character in League of Legends.

While Some Prison Time is Deserved, The Facts in the End Got Me Thinking...

Thinking back to the day when Sam was sentenced to 25 years in prison -  the courtroom heard gut-wrenching testimony. Several FTX users explained how they’d lost their life savings, their security, their futures—gone overnight. The judge, right after hearing all this devastation, handed down a quarter-century prison term. Case closed, right?

But... none of that ended up happening. 

Fast-forward to now, and the math looks different. Thanks to a little timing and some lucky investments (hello, Solana at under $1), creditors aren’t just being made whole—they’re being paid back at about 125% of their original U.S. dollar balances. In other words: nobody actually lost their life savings after all.

But here’s the kicker—Sam is still serving a sentence fit for someone who ruined thousands of lives. Make no mistake, what he did was fraudulent, reckless, and criminal. He absolutely deserves years behind bars. But 25 years - that's a bill to the taxpayer for roughly $1,100,000! That’s where things feel messy.

Imagine instead: house arrest, an ankle monitor, zero unsupervised internet access, and the entire bill picked up by Sam and his wealthy parents. He’s not a violent offender, I don't think anyone fears him. Keeping him caged for decades doesn’t make us any safer - it just has us paying for his meals really.

The irony is hard to miss: the victims are walking away with more than they lost,  but taxpayers still foot the bill to warehouse Sam for 25 years. Justice? Maybe. Efficient? Not even close.

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Author: Oliver Redding
Seattle Newsdesk  / Breaking Crypto News