Hey there, PoI readers! 💫

It's your favorite crypto connoisseur, Mochi, back with another electrifying dive into the digital universe! 🌐 In this Newsletter, we're unpacking some seriously spicy stories that'll make your tech-loving heart race. From sophisticated cyber attacks to global financial power plays, we're breaking down the most jaw-dropping moments in tech and web3. Grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and prepare for a rollercoaster ride through the latest and greatest in the digital frontier!

INTEL BRIEF

🟧 Manta Network co-founder Kenny Li narrowly escaped a sophisticated phishing attack by the Lazarus Group on Zoom using eerily realistic impersonation tactics.

🟧 Italy's Finance Minister warns that US stablecoins could pose a more significant threat to Europe than trade tariffs, calling for proactive digital currency strategies.

🟧 Former President Trump intensifies criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, calling for interest rate cuts and challenging the central bank's traditional independence.

🟧 Kyrgyzstan's president signs a law authorizing the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the "digital som," with plans for testing this year.

Manta Founder Reveals Shocking Zoom Hack Attempt by Lazarus Group

Manta Network co-founder Kenny Li has revealed a hair-raising encounter with what he believes to be the notorious Lazarus Group. This isn't your run-of-the-mill phishing attempt – we're talking about a cyber-attack so sophisticated it could make even the most tech-savvy professional do a double-take.

A Zoom call that seems completely legitimate. Familiar faces on camera, everything looking picture-perfect – except something's just not quite right. Li found himself in exactly this situation, facing an attack that was more Hollywood thriller than typical cyber threat. The attackers used live recordings of real team members, creating a video call so convincing it would make a deepfake look like child's play.

No sound. A suspicious prompt to download a script. A request that screamed "too good to be true". When the impersonators asked him to download a file – claiming it was a Zoom update – Li did what any cyber-savvy professional would do: he bolted.

In a move straight out of a cyber-espionage novel, the attackers tried to erase their digital footprints. After Li suggested moving the call to Google Meet, they deleted all messages and blocked him.

His golden rule is crystal clear: "If you need to download something to continue a conversation, don't do it." It's a warning that resonates throughout the crypto community, where mental fatigue and constant communication can make even the sharpest minds vulnerable.

Li isn't alone. Other crypto community members have reported similar experiences. One ContributionDAO member shared an identical encounter, with hackers insisting on a specific Zoom link

Group attempted a sophisticated Zoom phishing attack on Manta Network co-founder

Hackers used live recordings of real people to create a convincing impersonation

Key takeaway: Never download files from suspicious sources, no matter how legitimate they seem

Finance Minister Warns About Dangerous US Stablecoins Threatening European Markets

Italy's Minister of Economy and Finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti, just dropped a financial bombshell that's got European policymakers scrambling. Move over, trade tariffs – there's a new economic disruptor in town, and it's coming in the form of dollar-backed stablecoins.

Giorgetti isn't mincing words. At a recent event in Milan, he painted a picture of a looming financial threat that's more dangerous than traditional economic weapons. US stablecoins are essentially becoming the financial equivalent of a Trojan horse, allowing Europeans to dive into cross-border payments without ever setting foot in a US bank.

A digital euro that's being cooked up by the European Central Bank (ECB). Giorgetti is pushing hard for European lawmakers to take action, essentially saying, "We need our own digital currency weapon!"

Meanwhile, in the United States, things are getting interesting. The legislative gears are turning with two key bills:

ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone is singing a similar tune. He's basically waving a digital red flag, warning about the growing popularity of US stablecoins and their potential to erode European monetary sovereignty.

What makes this story spicy is how stablecoins are becoming a geopolitical chess piece. It's no longer just about crypto – it's about financial dominance, cross-border power, and the future of money itself.

Italy warns US stablecoins could undermine the euro's financial position

European Central Bank pushing for a digital euro as a counterattack

US lawmakers advancing comprehensive stablecoin legislation

Trump Launches Fierce Criticism Against Powell for Delaying Interest Rate Cuts

In a classic Trump-style blast, the former president has once again trained his rhetorical fire on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, turning the typically buttoned-up world of central banking into a political thunderdome.

Trump isn't holding back, launching a full-scale verbal assault on Powell with his trademark bluntness. "Too Late Powell" is the latest nickname in Trump's arsenal, with the former president accusing the Fed chair of dragging his feet on interest rate cuts. His battle cry? "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough!"

Even Florida Senator Rick Scott has jumped on the bandwagon, calling for "new leadership at the Federal Reserve". It's like a political reality show, but with economic policy as the backdrop.

This isn't just another Twitter rant. Trump is challenging a decades-long tradition of keeping the Federal Reserve politically neutral. Typically, the Fed operates in a hallowed zone of independence, insulated from political pressure. Powell himself has firmly stated that Fed independence is "a matter of law," essentially throwing down the gauntlet.

The Federal Reserve's monetary decisions have become increasingly crucial for crypto markets. A recent academic paper revealed that dollar liquidity now accounts for over 65% of Bitcoin's price movements. Talk about market interconnectedness!

The financial markets are playing a high-stakes waiting game. Current projections suggest:

Trump launches aggressive criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell

Calls for immediate interest rate cuts intensify

Crypto markets closely watching Fed's monetary policy decisions

Kyrgyzstan Moves Forward with Digital Som by Signing Groundbreaking CBDC Law

Kyrgyzstan is making waves in the crypto world with a bold move that's got everyone talking. President Sadyr Zhaparov has just signed a game-changing law that could transform the nation's financial landscape.

The new law gives the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic the ultimate power to create and manage the "digital som". It's not just another crypto experiment – this is a full-blown constitutional green light for a national digital currency.

The final decision on officially launching the CBDC won't come until the end of 2026. But don't worry – the country plans to start platform testing this very year.

While 115 nations are dabbling in CBDC projects, only four have actually launched their digital currencies. Kyrgyzstan is playing the long game, carefully crafting its digital currency strategy.

Former Binance CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao has signed on to advise Kyrgyzstan on blockchain and crypto regulations.

Kyrgyzstan is a hidden gem for crypto mining. With over 30% of its energy from hydroelectric power and only 10% of its hydropower potential tapped, this mountainous nation could become a renewable energy crypto haven.

Crypto purists are raising red flags about potential privacy concerns and government overreach. It's the eternal battle between innovation and individual freedom.

Kyrgyzstan signs law for "digital som" CBDC

Testing expected this year, full launch by 2026

CZ joins as blockchain advisor

And that's a wrap, my lovely PoI readers! 🌟 I hope this edition left you feeling like a digital detective, armed with insider knowledge that'll make you the smartest person in any crypto conversation. Remember, in the world of tech and blockchain, knowledge is your most powerful currency. Stay sharp, stay curious, and never stop questioning the digital landscape around you! 🌈 Until next time, this is Mochi, signing off with a virtual high-five!

P.S. Don't forget to share your thoughts, questions, and favorite crypto puns with us. very voice matters in the PoI community! 📣❤️ Share the newsletter

🍨📰 Catch you in the next issue! 📰🍨