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Check Point Research revealed that the North Korean advanced persistent threat (APT) group, KONNI, has been targeting blockchain developers in Japan, Australia, and India. The hackers are using AI-generated PowerShell backdoors.
According to reports released on January 21, 2026, the attack starts when KONNI uses Discord to offer a link that prompts developers to download a ZIP file. This archive contains elements that start a multi-stage infection process on the victim’s computer.
The ZIP file includes a Windows shortcut and an apparently authentic PDF file. The Windows shortcut initiates scripts that launch a PowerShell script in memory, generate scheduled tasks, and unpack other files. This script then connects to servers under the attackers’ control, creating a permanent backdoor on the compromised system.
Check Point Research reveals that the PowerShell backdoor possesses unique features linked to the development of large language model (LLM) code. Additionally, the script is renowned for its modular design, excellent English documentation, and educational placeholders.
Also, it includes a comment that indicates where to put a unique project identification (UUID). Every 13 minutes, while waiting for more instructions from the attackers, the backdoor transmits system information to a remote server using this UUID to identify the project instance on each compromised device.

Since at least 2014, KONNI has been active. Previous efforts have targeted South Korean governmental and diplomatic institutions as well as organizations associated with the Korean Peninsula.
The organization’s attention has recently switched to the cryptocurrency industry, namely targeting blockchain developers who oversee the infrastructure and code for initiatives using digital currencies.

The Tezos protocol has been successfully upgraded, following an on-chain governance process with broad participation from bakers (validators) and community members. 
Developed by Nomadic Labs, Trilitech, and Functori, Tallinn is the 20th protocol upgrade, marking 20 evolutions of the Tezos blockchain, proposed, adopted, and seamlessly activated by the protocol itself.
“Adapting to market demand 20 times over 7 years without network disruptions, and in a fully decentralized way, is undeniable proof of Tezos’ reliability and future-proof design,” said Yann Régis-Gianas, Head of Engineering at Nomadic Labs. ”
The Tallinn upgrade shortens Tezos Layer-1 block time to 6 seconds, reducing latency and speeding up finality on the network’s censorship-resistant settlement layer. This pairs naturally with Etherlink, Tezos’ EVM-compatible Layer-2, which already confirms transactions in under 50 milliseconds, now backed by Layer-1 finality in two blocks, or 12 seconds.
Tallinn also enables all bakers (network validators) to attest to every block, instead of a subset of bakers, which brings stronger security and more predictable staking rewards. This is achieved through the use of BLS cryptographic signatures, which aggregate hundreds of signatures into just one per block. By lightening the load on nodes, it also opens the door to further block time reductions.
Finally, Tallinn introduces an ‘Address Indexing Registry’ that can improve storage efficiency by up to 100x for apps using the Michelson runtime. It is done by eliminating redundant address data, and apps adopting this feature will benefit from lower costs and higher potential throughput. 
“Based on inputs from Tezos builders, our development team is excited to be able to offer such drastic improvements for enterprise-scale apps, large NFT ledgers, and other setups storing many addresses,” said Yann Régis-Gianas, Head of Engineering at Nomadic Labs. 
Since launching in 2018, the Tezos blockchain has continued to evolve seamlessly through protocol upgrades, with each activation introducing a series of features designed to improve the overall experience of using and building on the network. Tallinn is another forkless step forward in making Tezos faster, more secure, and optimized for enterprise use, with no compromise on decentralization, and further proof of the network’s ability to quickly adapt to user needs and ensure longevity through continuous innovation and optimization. 
About Tezos
Tezos is an open-source and energy-efficient blockchain designed to empower institutions, developers, and businesses and facilitate value transfer in a digital environment. It is designed for the scalable deployment of decentralized applications. As one of the first Proof of Stake blockchains, Tezos is globally supported and valued for its strong governance, long-term upgradability, and smart contract capabilities. For more information about Tezos, visit http://www.tezos.com. 

As payments, finance, and blockchain infrastructure continue to converge a new paradigm of value circulation is taking shape.

1. From DeFi to PayFi: The Inevitable Evolution of Blockchain Applications
In the early stages of blockchain development, industry focus was largely centered on asset transfers and financial derivatives.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance) proved that blockchain could build financial systems without intermediaries.
However, it did not solve a more fundamental problem: everyday payments and settlement.
No matter how advanced technology becomes, the real economy ultimately revolves around one core activity:
Payment.
PayFi (Payment Finance) emerged precisely in this context.
It is not a rejection of DeFi, but a natural extension toward the real economy.
2. What Is PayFi? It Solves Payment Problems, Not Speculative Finance
PayFi = Blockchain × Payments × Financial Infrastructure
Unlike DeFi, which focuses on how capital is lent, traded, or structured into derivatives, PayFi addresses far more fundamental and high-frequency use cases:
Digital Currency PaymentCrypto PaymentUSDT Payment / Stablecoin PaymentDigital Currency SettlementDigital Currency Online AcquiringCross-Border Payment
PayFi does not aim to create new speculative financial instruments.
Its purpose is to make digital currencies scalable tools for real-world payment and settlement.

3. The Real Foundation of PayFi in 2025: Data Is Driving the Shift
PayFi is widely discussed in 2025 not because of hype, but because of data.
Key Industry Indicators in 2025 (Aggregated Market Trends)
Global annual stablecoin settlement volume has reached multiple trillions of USD, with more than half used for payments, remittances, and settlement, not speculation.Emerging markets — Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa —are experiencing the fastest growth in stablecoin payments, with annual growth rates commonly exceeding 40%–60%.The cross-border payment market continues to expand, while traditional systems still charge 3%–6% average fees, compared to sub-1% total costs for stablecoin-based settlement.In multiple countries, USDT has effectively become a cross-border unit of account, especially in tourism, freelancing, international trade, and e-commerce settlement.
These data points make one thing clear:
The question is no longer whether PayFi will happen —but who will be able to absorb and scale this demand.
4. Why Stablecoins (USDT) Became the Core Carrier of PayFi
PayFi depends on one essential condition: stability.
Historically, cryptocurrencies struggled as payment tools due to price volatility.
The maturity of stablecoins fundamentally changed this assumption.
Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC offer:
Stable value anchoringNear-instant on-chain transfersGlobal accessibilityDeep liquidity and market depth
This allows USDT payments to gradually take on monetary characteristics in the real world,
forming the settlement foundation of the PayFi ecosystem.

5. PWC’s Role in the PayFi Framework:
The Real-World Payment Connectivity Layer within the PayFi ecosystem, not every participant directly faces users or merchants.
What truly determines real-world adoption is the intermediate layer connecting on-chain systems to real-world commerce.
PWC (PayWithCrypto) is one of the representative players in this layer.
What Is PWC?
Functionally, PWC is neither an exchange nor a simple wallet.
It is a payment network and settlement system connecting crypto payments with real-world merchants.
It solves a critical mismatch:
Users want to pay with digital currency while merchants want to receive local fiat currency.
How PWC Operates (PayFi in Practice)
User side:
Users complete crypto payments using USDT and other stablecoins
System layer:
On-chain settlement and clearing mechanisms handle digital currency settlement
Merchant side:
Merchants receive local fiat currency without bearing volatility risk. This structure allows Digital Currency Online Acquiring to scale in a manner similar to traditional online acquiring systems.
As of 2025, PWC has completed large-scale deployment across multiple Southeast Asian markets, covering tens of millions of merchants, making it one of the most tangible real-world PayFi implementations.
6. PayFi Is Changing More Than Just Payment Methods
From a long-term perspective, PayFi’s significance extends far beyond “faster and cheaper payments.”
As payments and settlement move fully on-chain, several structural shifts emerge:
Payment equals settlement, dramatically improving capital efficiencyTransparent, verifiable transaction data, enabling new credit systemsLower cross-border barriers, allowing SMEs to directly participate in global commerceFinancial services built around real transactions, rather than speculative activity
PayFi is becoming a core infrastructure layer connecting the real economy with blockchain-based systems.
7. Conclusion: PayFi Changes the World Through Adoption, Not Disruption
PayFi will not replace banks or traditional payment systems overnight.
It resembles the early TCP/IP protocols of the internet — initially a supplement, eventually one of the default standards.
When people become accustomed to paying with USDT, merchants routinely accept digital currency payments, and businesses settle cross-border transactions using stablecoins, PayFi will have fulfilled its most important mission.
PayFi is not a slogan.
It is a payment infrastructure already being adopted by the real world.

River, the first chain-abstraction stablecoin system designed to connect assets, liquidity, and yield across ecosystems, today announced $8 million in strategic investment from TRON DAO Ventures.
River will deploy its chain-abstraction stablecoin infrastructure and expand its integration across the TRON ecosystem, strengthening TRON’s position as a leading blockchain network for stablecoin activity.

River will enable cross-ecosystem assets and liquidity to enter the TRON ecosystem through its chain-abstraction stablecoin infrastructure. The integration will further accelerate the flow of cross-ecosystem liquidity into TRON, extending access to one of the world’s largest blockchain networks.
By abstracting underlying network complexity, users will be able to move assets across blockchain ecosystems without navigating individual chains, simplifying cross-chain participation and settlement.
The initiative aims to build a more unified and interoperable infrastructure to support activity across the TRON network.
As part of the initiative, satUSD will be introduced across several core protocols within the TRON ecosystem. It will be deployed in stablecoin liquidity pools alongside USDT and USDD on SUN, with price feeds provided by WinkLink, and will be made available on JustLend for lending and borrowing.
The integration will extend across a range of assets and dApps across the TRON ecosystem, including TRX, USDT, wBTC, BTT, JST, SUN, WIN, and select NFT use cases. River also plans to introduce a Smart Vault and an institutional-grade Prime Vault.
TRON is one of the most actively used public blockchain networks globally, processing approximately 56 percent of all retail-sized USDT transfers in the fourth quarter of 2025, the highest share among major blockchains.
According to Tether’s latest transparency report, the network currently hosts approximately $83.4 billion in USDT liquidity, reflecting its role as a primary blockchain infrastructure supporting stablecoin activity worldwide.
By combining River’s cross-ecosystem connectivity with TRON’s scalable blockchain infrastructure, the collaboration aims to support the development of a more integrated network for liquidity, yield, and asset deployment.
The initiative reflects a shared focus on strengthening blockchain infrastructure to support scalable settlement, cross-ecosystem liquidity, and institutional participation.
About River
River is building the first chain-abstraction stablecoin system that connects assets, liquidity, and yield across ecosystems.
Website: https://app.river.incX: https://x.com/RiverdotIncTelegram: https://t.me/river_incDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/river-inc

Disclaimer: Any information written in this press release does not constitute investment advice. Optimisus does not, and will not endorse any information about any company or individual on this page. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and base any actions on their own findings, not on any content written in this press release. Optimisus is and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the use of any content, product, or service mentioned in this press release.

How Digital Currency Reduces Global Payment Friction from Real-World Demand
When capital can cross borders as easily as information, the way global commerce operates will fundamentally change.

1. Cross-Border Payment: The Most Inefficient Link in the Global Financial System
Among all financial services, cross-border payment has long been regarded as one of the most expensive, complex, and inefficient areas.
For businesses and individuals, cross-border payments often mean:
Multiple intermediary banksOpaque fee structuresForeign exchange conversion lossesSettlement cycles ranging from hours to several days
Even in today’s highly digitalized world, the underlying logic of cross-border payments still relies heavily on clearing systems built decades ago.
This is precisely why cross-border payment has become the first and most practical entry point for PayFi.
2. Why Traditional Cross-Border Payments No Longer Meet Today’s Needs
1️⃣ Globalization Has Not Slowed — It Has Decentralized
Cross-border payment demand no longer comes only from large enterprises.
In fact, the fastest-growing demand originates from individuals and SMEs:
Freelancers working with international clientsSmall and medium-sized cross-border e-commerce businessesDigital nomads and remote teamsInternational travel and service consumption
However, traditional systems were designed for
large-value, low-frequency, institution-level transactions, making them poorly suited for high-frequency, low-value, fragmented global payments.
2️⃣ Cost and Time Have Become Competitive Barriers
In many industries, payment speed and cost now directly impact business competitiveness.
3%–6% cross-border transaction feesHidden FX conversion lossesUnpredictable settlement times
For individuals and SMEs operating on thin margins, these costs create significant pressure.
3️⃣ Financial Infrastructure Is Unevenly Distributed
In many emerging markets:
Bank account penetration remains lowForeign exchange regulations are complexInternational remittance thresholds are high
Ironically, these regions are also among the most active in cross-border labor, trade, and tourism.

3. Stablecoins and Digital Currency Offer a New Path for Cross-Border Payments
At its core, cross-border payment is cross-national value transfer.
Blockchain networks and stablecoins are inherently borderless by design.
Why Are Stablecoins Well-Suited for Cross-Border Payments?
Price stability: suitable for settlement and pricingOn-chain transfer: no need for intermediary banksGlobal circulation: not restricted by a single national monetary system
This is why USDT payments and stablecoin payments (Stablecoin Payment) have been rapidly adopted in cross-border scenarios.
In real-world usage, stablecoins have already become the de facto cross-border settlement medium in multiple emerging markets.
4. How Does PayFi Restructure the Cross-Border Payment Process?
PayFi is not simply about “moving money faster.”
It fundamentally rebuilds the entire cross-border payment logic.
Traditional Cross-Border Payment Flow:
Initiation → Multiple Intermediaries → Clearing → Settlement → Funds Received
PayFi Cross-Border Payment Flow:
Initiation → On-Chain Transfer → Instant Settlement → Funds Received
By dramatically compressing intermediary layers, PayFi unlocks the core advantage of digital currency settlement (Digital Currency Settlement).
5. Real-World Cross-Border Use Cases of PWC SuperApp
PWC SuperApp is not a theoretical concept — it is a tool already widely used in real-world scenarios.
  International Travel & Consumption
Travelers can use USDT to pay directly for hotels, dining, and services, without currency exchange or multiple transaction fees.
  Cross-Border E-Commerce & Online Services
Merchants accept overseas payments through digital currency online acquiring, achieving faster settlement and controlled costs.
  Freelancers & Remote Work
International clients settle payments directly in stablecoins, avoiding bank delays and high remittance fees.
 SME International Settlement
Supplier payments, service fees, and cross-border transfers are settled via stablecoins, significantly improving capital efficiency.
6. How Does PWC SuperApp Lower the “Adoption Barrier” for Cross-Border Payments?
Many stablecoin payment solutions struggle because they place excessive requirements on users or merchants.
PWC SuperApp takes the opposite approach:
Users pay with digital currencyMerchants ultimately receive local fiat currencyThe system automatically handles on-chain and off-chain conversion
From a user experience perspective, cross-border payment is no longer a “financial operation,” but simply a regular payment action.
This enables PayFi’s cross-border capabilities to scale meaningfully in real-world commercial environments.
7. Beyond Cross-Border Payments: The Long-Term Significance of PayFi
As cross-border payment costs continue to fall and speeds increase, the impact extends far beyond payments themselves:
SMEs can directly participate in global marketsIndividuals gain broader international opportunitiesGlobal service pricing becomes more standardizedDigital currency shifts from an asset into infrastructure
PayFi is not intended to replace existing systems, but to build a more efficient layer on top of them.
8. Conclusion: Cross-Border Payment Is Becoming PayFi’s First Core Building Block
Among all application scenarios, cross-border payment exposes the limitations of traditional systems most clearly and highlights the real value of blockchain most directly.
What PWC SuperApp demonstrates is not a future vision, but a reality already unfolding:
When cross-border payments become as simple as sending information, the boundaries of global commerce will inevitably change.
And PayFi, through this process, is steadily moving toward a central role in the real economy.

Multi-year strategic partnership to redefine digital wealth on the world’s most prominent stageThe partnership unites two brands that stand for innovation and precisionNexo will activate globally through premium money-can’t-buy experiences and digital-first engagement 
Audi Revolut F1 Team today announced a multi-year partnership with Nexo, the leading digital assets platform. The strategic partnership sees Nexo become the team’s inaugural official digital asset partner, placing Nexo’s next-generation digital tools on a global stage.
The partnership marks a pivotal moment for both organisations as Audi Revolut F1 Team enters Formula 1 and Nexo accelerates its growth as a premium digital asset platform. Ambitious and performance-driven, both brands are aligned around a shared trajectory of innovation and disciplined execution, underpinned by a common engineering mindset and a focus on performance at the highest level.
Over the course of the partnership, Nexo will activate globally through premium experiences and digital-first engagement. Exclusive opportunities designed to bring fans and Nexo clients closer to Audi Revolut F1 Team will include exclusive access, co-created content and education, and next-generation immersive brand experiences.
Stefano Battiston, Chief Commercial Officer of Audi Revolut F1 Team: “Today, we are proud to welcome Nexo as our official digital asset partner at a moment of strong growth for both organisations. The partnership reflects a shared ambition to scale with discipline and innovation, and to create tangible value — from exclusive experiences to new ways of engaging our global fanbase and Nexo’s clients.”
Antoni Trenchev, Co-founder, Nexo: “Nexo was built for a demanding reality: instant, self-directed, and always on. Partnering with Audi Revolut F1 Team at the start of their new era is a statement about how we see the future. As the team’s official digital asset partner, we will bring meaningful utility and premium experiences to a global audience, grounded in the same discipline and precision that defines success in motor sports.”
Contact:
Nexo Communications team
[email protected]
About Nexo
Nexo is a premier digital assets wealth platform designed to empower clients to grow, manage, and preserve their crypto holdings. Our mission is to lead the next generation of wealth creation by focusing on customer success and delivering tailored solutions that build enduring value, supported by 24/7 client care.
Since 2018, Nexo has provided unmatched opportunities to forward-thinking clients in over 150 jurisdictions. With over $11 billion in AUM and over $371 billion processed, we bring lasting value to millions worldwide. Our all-in-one platform combines advanced technology with a client-first approach, offering high-yield flexible and fixed-term savings, crypto-backed loans, sophisticated trading tools, and liquidity solutions, including the first crypto debit/credit card. Built on deep industry expertise, a sustainable business model, robust infrastructure, stringent security, and global licensing, Nexo champions innovation and long-lasting prosperity.
Official website: nexo.com
About Audi Revolut F1 Team
Audi Revolut F1 Team is the official factory team of Audi, as the brand enters the FIA Formula 1 World Championship for the first time in 2026. This project, in which Audi will create its own hybrid drive system (‘power unit’) developed in Germany, represents the ultimate expression of the manufacturer’s ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ philosophy and embodies a long-term commitment to compete at the pinnacle of motorsport with the clear objective of challenging for world championships by 2030. Audi Revolut F1 Team is based in three locations: the power unit is developed by Audi Formula Racing GmbH at the Audi Competence Center Motorsport in Neuburg, Germany; the chassis is engineered and race operations are managed from the state-of-the-art facilities of Audi Motorsport AG in Hinwil, Switzerland; while the Audi Motorsport Technology Centre UK in Bicester, United Kingdom, provides a foothold in the heart of ‘Motorsport Valley’, with direct access to top F1 talent and key strategic partners. This integrated structure provides complete control over the project, embedding a culture of precision, innovation, and relentless performance. Audi’s entry is strategically timed to coincide with new Formula 1 regulations focused on increased electrification, as the electric share of the hybrid drive is raised to almost 50%, and the introduction of 100% sustainable fuels. The entry into Formula 1, one of the most important platforms in the world, serves as a high-tech catalyst for the entire Audi brand, acting as a global stage to demonstrate technological leadership and connect with new, diverse audiences by creating cultural impact that resonates far beyond the race track.

On Monday, U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden introduced the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act. This bipartisan effort aims to exempt non-custodial blockchain developers and infrastructure providers from federal money transmitter regulations.
This law aims to encourage innovation in blockchain and follow federal guidelines. In addition, it seeks to make sure that non-custodial developers are not treated like banks or financial institutions under regulations.

Furthermore, the proposed bill states that developers who make software, manage distributed ledgers, or offer essential infrastructure without controlling users’ funds will not be considered money transmitters according to federal law.
Senator Lummis, the chair of the Senate Banking Digital Assets Subcommittee, highlighted that developers who simply write code and manage open-source systems have been subjected to unfair regulatory pressures. She said that calling them money transmitters doesn’t make sense because they don’t manage user funds, and this label hinders innovation.
Senator Wyden pointed out the constitutional issues with the current regulations. He argued that treating developers the same way as exchanges or brokers is not only a poor fit for technology but also violates Americans’ privacy and free speech rights. The law aims to create a clearer set of rules by matching federal standards with state laws. This will help boost the U.S. digital finance sector.

Currently, many blockchain developers are facing unclear rules. As a result, some move their innovations to other countries and create different regulations in various states. Recent legal actions against developers, like the prosecutions of Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet, have caused worries in the crypto community.
In these situations, prosecutors argued successfully that managing and overseeing code could categorize developers as financial institutions, making them subject to the Bank Secrecy Act.

The NYC Token, a cryptocurrency started by former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has seen a big drop in value soon after it was launched in the market. At first, the token was valued at $730 million, but it quickly declined by more than 80% to about $90 million in just an hour. However, it has since bounced back to over $110 million.

Adams announced the NYC Token at a press conference in Times Square, calling it a “commemorative asset” that showcases the innovation and diversity of New York City. The total supply of the token is one billion. At launch, 80 million will be available for trading, with plans to increase that amount to 300 million.
The project plans to use some of its earnings to support youth education in cryptocurrency, promote anti-hate efforts, and provide scholarships for students in need. The project has come under scrutiny because it lacks important information, like details about its partners and a whitepaper, which are usually necessary for transparency in cryptocurrency projects. Some critics have expressed worries about the ethics of how the token was launched and managed.

BubbleMaps has flagged unusual activities in the liquidity pool linked to the NYC Token. This involves a large $1 million being moved in and out, as well as a puzzling $2.5 million taken out of USDC when the token was at its highest value. Analysts have compared this situation to the launch of Facebook’s LIBRA, which also dealt with claims of manipulating liquidity.