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MetaMask Announces Native Bitcoin Support Amid MoonPay’s Commerce App Launch for Solana Seeker

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MetaMask officially rolled out native support for Bitcoin (BTC), a major milestone in its transition from an Ethereum-focused wallet to a true multi-chain platform. This integration, first teased in February 2025, allows users to:Buy BTC directly with fiat via card, Apple Pay, etc.

Send and receive BTC on-chain. Swap BTC with EVM-compatible tokens or Solana assets. Manage BTC in the same wallet as other networks. Currently supports native SegWit addresses, with Taproot coming soon.

Bitcoin transactions will appear in your asset list but may take longer to confirm than on faster networks like Ethereum or Solana.To encourage adoption, swapping into BTC earns MetaMask Rewards points.

MoonPay Releases Exclusive Commerce App for Solana Seeker

MoonPay launched the MoonPay Commerce app, built exclusively for the Solana Seeker smartphone— Solana Mobile’s second-gen Web3 phone.

The app provides a curated shopping directory of brands and creators accepting crypto payments via MoonPay Commerce and Solana Pay integration on Shopify. Launch partners include Fortune Magazine, Pudgy Penguins, and Doodles, with holiday discounts available for Seeker users.

This pushes real-world crypto commerce directly on mobile, leveraging the Seeker’s built-in blockchain features. Both announcements highlight the ongoing push toward seamless multi-chain and mobile-first crypto experiences as of mid-December 2025.

With over 30-100 million users estimates vary by source, this exposes Bitcoin to a massive DeFi-oriented audience without requiring separate wallets or wrapped assets like WBTC. Users can now manage BTC alongside Ethereum, Solana, and other assets in one interface.

This lowers barriers for retail users entering Bitcoin, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption and cross-chain flows. Direct swaps between BTC and EVM/Solana tokens encourage bridging Bitcoin liquidity into DeFi protocols.

This could spur development of Bitcoin-based apps, especially if future updates include Bitcoin L2s, Ordinals, Runes, or Taproot features.

Competitive pressure on wallets intensifies rivalry with multi-chain competitors (e.g., Phantom, Trust Wallet). MetaMask’s rewards points for BTC swaps tied to a $30M program incentivize usage, potentially shifting market share.

Broader ecosystem signal reinforces Bitcoin’s role beyond “digital gold” – as a base layer for building and liquidity. Community reactions highlight excitement for Bitcoin ecosystem growth (e.g., Runes, memecoins).

Implications of MoonPay’s Commerce App for Solana Seeker

MoonPay’s exclusive Commerce app launch for the Solana Seeker phone targets mobile-first crypto commerce, integrating MoonPay Commerce and Solana Pay for seamless payments on Shopify stores.

Curated directory of brands (e.g., Fortune, Pudgy Penguins, Doodles) with holiday discounts makes crypto spending feel like traditional e-commerce. This drives practical adoption beyond speculation.

Exclusive to Seeker (Solana’s second-gen Web3 phone), it adds tangible utility, potentially increasing device demand amid pre-orders and airdrop hype. Low-cost, instant payments via Solana encourage more brands to accept crypto, expanding MoonPay’s infrastructure.

Mobile crypto trend acceleration highlights growing focus on hardware-integrated blockchain experiences, positioning Solana as a leader in consumer-facing payments.

These announcements align with a maturing multi-chain landscape interoperability win: MetaMask bridging Bitcoin to DeFi + MoonPay enabling Solana-based commerce signal convergence across chains. Easier tools for holding/swapping BTC and spending crypto could onboard more users, especially retail.

Bitcoin trading around $86K down ~4% in 24h, off 2025 highs. No massive price spike tied directly to this news, but positive sentiment for long-term utility. Overall, both moves advance seamless, user-friendly crypto experiences – from unified wallets to everyday payments – setting the stage for wider 2026 growth.

Spanish and Danish Police Dismantle Cross-Border Gang Behind Crypto-Motivated Kidnapping and Murder

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In a joint operation announced in mid-December 2025, Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in collaboration with Danish authorities, dismantled a transnational criminal organization responsible for a violent kidnapping and murder targeting cryptocurrency holdings.

The crime occurred in April 2025 in Mijas, Málaga province, southern Spain. A couple— the man of Dutch origin, aged 37, and his Colombian partner, aged 29 was ambushed by 3-4 masked assailants armed with handguns, dressed in black with gloves and balaclavas.

The man was shot in the leg while attempting to escape. Both victims were forced into a vehicle and taken to a house, where they were held for several hours.

The attackers demanded access to the couple’s cryptocurrency wallets in an attempt to steal their digital assets. The woman was released around midnight and immediately reported the kidnapping to police.

The man’s body was later found in a wooded area near Mijas, showing multiple signs of violence beyond the gunshot wound.

Police Operation and Arrests

Spanish police conducted raids in Madrid and Málaga, arresting five suspects. Seized items included firearms— one real, one simulated, clothing with blood stains, a balaclava, an extendable baton, and biological evidence linking to the crime scene.

In Denmark, four additional suspects were charged; two were already imprisoned for similar offenses. The operation, sometimes referred to in media as “Operación Lambo/Urus” possibly due to the victim’s luxurious lifestyle, including a high-end Lamborghini, effectively dismantled the network.

Rise of “Wrench Attacks”

This case exemplifies a growing trend known as “wrench attacks” — physical assaults or kidnappings to forcibly extract private keys or transfer funds from crypto wallets, bypassing digital security.

Security experts, such as Jameson Lopp CTO of Casa, tracked at least 66 physical crypto-related assaults in 2025 alone, with reports indicating a significant spike globally. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis noted that violent personal wallet attacks are on track for record levels in 2025.

The successful international cooperation highlights increasing efforts to combat crypto-related violent crime across Europe, as high-value digital asset holders become targets for organized gangs. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities process seized materials.

Similar to the Spanish case involving a violent kidnapping and murder targeting cryptocurrency holdings, the United States has seen a sharp increase in “wrench attacks” — physical assaults, home invasions, kidnappings, and torture aimed at forcing victims to transfer crypto assets.

Attacks correlate strongly with Bitcoin’s price boom, making high-value holders prime targets. Many cases go unreported due to embarrassment or fear.

Crypto investors John Woeltz and William Duplessie allegedly held an Italian visitor captive for weeks in a luxury SoHo townhouse, torturing him including electric shocks and dangling over stairs to access his Bitcoin wallet worth millions.

Brothers Raymond and Isiah Garcia allegedly held a family hostage at gunpoint for nine hours in Grant, MN, kidnapping one member and stealing $8 million in cryptocurrency. The incident forced a local school to cancel homecoming events for safety.

Scene from the Minnesota family kidnapping where armed suspects stole $8M in crypto. Three Florida teenagers allegedly abducted a crypto entrepreneur after a conference, drove him to the desert, and stole $4-4.8 million in crypto and NFTs. Two were charged as adults with kidnapping and robbery.

Remy St. Felix led a gang targeting crypto holders in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and New York. Victims were kidnapped, assaulted, tortured, burned with irons, objects under fingernails, and forced to drain wallets. St. Felix received a 47-year sentence.

Other incidents include burglaries coordinated via hacked iCloud accounts and opportunistic assaults on known holders. Chainalysis projects 2025 could see twice as many physical attacks as previous record years, with the US among top victim countries.

Lopp’s database logs over 225 global attacks since 2014, with accelerating frequency. Criminals often research victims via social media flaunting wealth or on-chain data, then use violence for quick, irreversible transfers.

These cases underscore growing physical risks for self-custody holders, prompting some to shift toward institutional custody or enhanced personal security. Law enforcement responses have led to arrests in several high-profile incidents, but the trend continues amid crypto’s mainstream adoption.

Preparing Your Home for a Successful Open House

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Want to draw serious home buyers to your home and get the most money?

Open houses are back. In a big way.

Despite all the internet listings, virtual tours, and home videos – buyers still want to see and walk through a property in person. In fact, they really want to.

The problem?

Most people who put their house on the market have no idea how to prepare the home for an open house. They open the doors, turn on the light and cross their fingers. That almost never works.

The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way.

Prepping a home for an open house is free to do, easy to implement, and can have a huge impact on how quickly the home sells.

In This Guide We Cover:

  • Why open houses matter in today’s real estate market
  • The open house prep checklist no one can ignore
  • Home staging tips that actually work
  • How to make open house day a huge success

Why Open Houses Still Matter In Today’s Market

Walk into any open house right now and you will see the changing nature of real estate.

The traditional open house has evolved a bit. Gone are the days of a few for-sale signs in the yard and an “open” sign on the door.

Buyers want serious sellers to take the sale of their home just as seriously as they do. That is good for sellers, because it really is a win-win.

Case in point:

According to the Zillow Consumer Housing Trends Report – 65% of sellers hosted 1-3 open houses in 2024. That is a big jump from just 44% in 2021.

In other words: buyers are craving the in-person home buying experience. They are looking for the chance to visit a property in person before putting an offer in.

A good open house provides the buyer with the best possible experience during the real estate home search process.

And that matters.

An open house does more than just show off the home. It creates urgency and competition among buyers. Buyers start seeing their competition right in the home. That competition leads to serious offers.

Open houses give buyers a chance to visualize their future home.

But all of that is only possible if the home is ready.

A cluttered, dirty or unfinished home not only turns buyers off – it hurts the sale. Buyers remember a house that was messy, smelly, or had needed repairs. Those negative impressions last through to the offer.

Open houses are big time investments for serious buyers. Help them out a little bit. Do the work and make the home look its best.

Selling your home? Working with the MN Nice home buyers team means getting an experienced agent on your side that has worked with hundreds of home buyers in the region.

This team has the inside scoop on what home buyers are looking for.

Preparing the Home For The Open House

The reality is – there are certain things that must be done for a home to be ready for open house.

Ignore these critical steps and you are setting the house up for a sub-par showing.

Step 1: Deep Clean Everything

The number one thing you must do before an open house is this.

Clean, clean, clean.

We are not talking about a regular cleaning of the home here. Buyers will look under the sink, in cabinets, in closets, behind furniture.

Everything has to be spic and span.

Pay particular attention to:

  • Clean the grout, mirrors and fixtures. Don’t forget the inside of the toilet.
  • Kitchen appliances – the outsides are important, but so is the insides of the fridge, stove, oven, etc.
  • Windows and natural light sources – these often get overlooked. Buyers want to see natural light.
  • Carpets and flooring – they get dirty and people notice.

The easier you make it on buyers eyes to see the space, the faster the home will sell.

Step 2: Declutter Like Your Life Depends On It

There is a lot of advice out there on staging a home. Not everything has to be done. At the end of the day staging a home is simply done to help buyers see themselves living there.

The biggest single thing you can do to stage a home is to declutter.

Remove at least 50% of everything visible in the house.

Buyers will try and make their life in the home in their mind. Packing up the things that get in the way, forces buyers to focus on the home itself instead of all the clutter.

Step 3: Do Necessary Repairs

These small issues are red flags to buyers that things are not quite right with the home.

Fix that leaky faucet. Repair the door that sticks. Change the lightbulb that will not turn on. Buyers see these things as signs the home has bigger problems that the seller has not addressed.

Do not fall into this trap.

Final Tips For Staging a Home

Don’t want to do the full staging process? Here are a few tips that will help you get it close without too much fuss.

Stage Key Rooms First

While the whole house should be decluttered, not all rooms need full staging.

Focus on the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen.

These three spaces sell homes. Prioritize these three rooms when preparing the home for an open house.

Create Flow

Move furniture to create clear walking paths through the home. Buyers need to be able to walk through the home without hitting furniture.

Take out large or bulky furniture that makes rooms feel cramped. Space equals money.

Neutralize Personal Style

Neutralize any personal style in the home.

Family photos should be removed. Bold or personalized paint colors should be toned down. Religious or political items should be removed.

Buyers need to be able to see the home as their future place of residence.

Add Finishing Touches

Small finishing touches go a long way when preparing a home for an open house. Consider adding some fresh flowers on the dining table. Lemons in a bowl in the kitchen. Clean white towels in the bathrooms.

Open House Day Checklist

The day of an open house is not the time to get lazy.

Make sure you prepare the property before the open house and do the following on the day:

  • Turn on all the lights, open all blinds and curtains, even during the day.
  • Control the temperature. Adjust the thermostat to a comfortable temperature at least one hour before buyers start arriving.
  • Make sure the home smells great. Use less potent smells. Baking cookies or brewing fresh coffee are great ways to have a nice smell in the home.
  • Take prescription medications off the property.
  • Lock up jewelry, cash, electronics and valuable items in the home. Open houses bring strangers in, protect your valuables.
  • Sellers should not be present at an open house. Buyers will not open closets, check all the spaces and are unlikely to ask questions with the homeowner present. Take the dog out too. Not everyone loves animals and some people have allergies.

Conclusion: Making The Most Of Open Houses

Open houses should never be left to chance. They need to be carefully planned out and implemented to ensure a good turnout and experience for potential buyers.

The most important step is preparation. Preparing the home for an open house needs to be on top of the seller’s to-do list.

Clean the home top to bottom. Declutter and depersonalize. Tackle those lingering repairs and needed touch ups.

Stage the home, or at least the key areas of the home, to create that visual impact for buyers.

And on open house day make sure you make the home look and smell great.

Buyers are seriously investing their time to visit an open house. They want to know the seller is taking the sale of their home just as seriously.

By taking care of these simple tasks and following this guide the home seller can increase the chance of a successful open house and the offer to come.

Navigating the Claims Process for Extended Car Warranties

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Submitting a claim on an extended warranty on your car is no picnic…

Vehicle owners rarely understand the ins and outs of the claims process. They purchase the coverage, pay their premiums, and cross their fingers…

Until they actually need to make a claim.

Suddenly, they’re floundering…

The paperwork! Coordinating with the repair facility! Following up to see what’s going on!

But here’s the thing…

Preparing for a claim before it happens makes everything a whole lot easier. Following the prescribed process cuts down on time and frustration and greatly increases the likelihood that repairs will be approved.

Here’s What You Should Know:

  • How Extended Warranty Claims Work
  • The Step-By-Step Claims Process
  • The Top Reasons For Claim Denials
  • Avoiding Claim Rejections

How Extended Warranty Claims Work

A claim on an extended car warranty is a formal request to have repairs covered by the warranty provider.

When a covered part fails, the warranty should take care of it. But there’s a certain process involved. Purchasing subscription cover for extended car warranties is becoming more popular as drivers try to protect themselves from unexpected repair costs. Purchasing proper cover ensures that your car is protected after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

Simple enough, right?

Well, different providers work differently. Some pay the repair facility directly. Some require the policyholder to pay for the repairs out of pocket and then get reimbursed.

Knowing exactly what kind of cover is in place before you need to use it is essential.

The Step-By-Step Claims Process

Submitting a claim doesn’t have to be a headache. Here’s how the process works…

Step 1: Detect the Problem

Once something isn’t working right with the vehicle, stop driving it. Continuing to drive it will just make the problem worse.

And here’s the kicker…

The additional damage from not stopping could be denied by the warranty provider.

Step 2: Contact The Warranty Provider

Call the warranty company before doing anything else. They will tell you what to do next.

Most providers have a claims line that can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Step 3: Take The Vehicle To An Approved Facility

A lot of warranty providers have a network of repair facilities they have vetted. Failing to use one of those shops can lead to a denial.

Always call the warranty provider and confirm which repair facilities are approved.

Step 4: Get Authorisation

The shop will diagnose the problem and contact the warranty provider. According to Motor1, an extended warranty provider should take anywhere from 3 to 5 days to authorize the repairs after a claim has been filed.

Once approved, the repairs can be started.

Step 5: Pay The Deductible

Extended car warranty plans usually come with a deductible. The deductible is the amount paid out of pocket before the policy takes over.

Deductibles on extended warranties usually range from $0 to $250.

Step 6: Collect The Vehicle

When the repairs are complete, pick up the vehicle. Be sure to keep all the documentation. Repair orders, invoices, receipts.

You never know when you might need them in the future.

The Top Reasons For Claim Denials

Not all claims get approved. Understanding the most common reasons for failure helps to avoid them.

According to a MarketWatch survey, 18% of respondents who own a car warranty said that their provider failed to cover the damaged part. That’s nearly 1 in 5 claims that come up against coverage issues.

Here are the most common reasons for claim denials:

  • The repair isn’t covered. Warranties have lists of covered components. If the broken part isn’t on that list, the claim will be rejected. Reading the contract carefully before signing up is always a good idea.
  • Missing maintenance records. Warranty providers need to see proof the vehicle has been properly maintained. No proof? No approval. Maintain digital copies of oil changes, tire rotations, and all scheduled services.
  • Pre-existing conditions. If a problem existed prior to the start of the warranty, it will not be covered. Some providers have a waiting period, usually 30 days, before the start of coverage.
  • Unauthorised modifications. Aftermarket parts and performance upgrades can void coverage. This can include lifted suspensions, oversized wheels, and upgraded exhaust systems.
  • Repair by an unauthorised facility. Taking the vehicle to a repair shop outside of the provider’s network is usually grounds for a claim denial. Always double check authorised facilities before having any work done.
  • Neglect or abuse. Misuse such as racing, off-roading in a vehicle not designed for it, or overloading a vehicle beyond manufacturer recommendations can all void a warranty.

Avoiding Claim Rejections

Nobody likes dealing with a denied claim. Following these steps can greatly improve the odds of approval…

  • Read the contract carefully. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you are clear on exactly what is and isn’t covered. Look for exclusions, waiting periods, and deductible amounts.
  • Keep excellent maintenance records. Document everything. Oil changes, brake checks, fluid top-offs, everything. Store digital copies in the cloud so you have backups.
  • Use authorised repair facilities. Even if there’s a trusted mechanic around the corner, use repair facilities approved by the warranty provider.
  • Report issues promptly. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse. As soon as something doesn’t feel right, contact the warranty company and get the vehicle inspected.
  • Avoid modifications. As much fun as it might be to put a cool exhaust system on your vehicle, modifications make headaches during the claims process.

What To Do If A Claim Gets Denied

If you receive a denial letter from the warranty company, don’t freak out.

The first step is to request a written explanation from the company. Knowing exactly why the claim was denied makes it easier to appeal.

Gather all relevant documentation. Maintenance records, repair invoices, any correspondence with the warranty company.

If you still think the denial was unjustified, file a formal appeal. Present the supporting documentation clearly and reference the contract terms which back up the claim.

Still coming up empty handed? Contacting consumer protection agencies or getting legal advice may be warranted. Some warranty disputes fall under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Pulling It All Together

The claims process for extended car warranties comes down to one thing.

Preparation.

Knowing what is covered, what the process involves, and keeping proper records makes the claims process easy. Saves:

  • Time – no unnecessary back and forth with the provider
  • Money – repairs that should be covered actually get paid
  • Stress – no surprises

The claims process itself follows a logical progression. Detect the problem, contact the warranty provider, use an approved repair facility, get authorisation, pay the deductible, and collect the vehicle.

The most common claim denials are the result of missing documentation, uncovered components, or unauthorised repairs. Steering clear of those three things goes a long way in improving approval odds.

Extended car warranty subscriptions are an excellent way to protect yourself and your wallet. Just make sure to read the fine print, maintain the vehicle as recommended, and follow the process precisely.

That’s all there is to it.

Future Security Innovations at Pinco Casino: What Awaits Players

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Online protection is no longer optional, and that’s exactly why the next step for Pinco deserves a closer look. Digital safety is becoming a signature topic for modern platforms, yet few brands treat it as seriously as Pinko casino, which quietly invests in tools designed to reduce friction and strengthen trust. Somewhere between updated interfaces and smarter login flows, the brand keeps expanding its approach to security without turning it into a flashy marketing move. Instead, the platform adapts its ecosystem so it feels steady, predictable, and—most importantly—transparent for players in Turkey.

New Protective Technologies in Online Casino Ecosystem

While many online services rely on generic security add-ons, Pinco builds its system around adaptive tools created specifically for its structure. This helps the brand react to unusual activity faster and keep access consistent across versions like Pinco giris or the mobile-oriented Pinco APK.

How the platform’s tools evolve

The platform’s team focuses on technology that learns over time. It measures context, not just static entries, and adjusts thresholds automatically. This makes the protective system quieter, less intrusive, and more flexible.

A simplified look at the platform’s security layers:

Pinco Component Purpose Innovation Direction
Access control Secure giri? Adaptive identity checks
Data encryption Information safety Multi-layer encoding
Monitoring tools Activity oversight Pattern-based alerts
Mobile security App protection Device-aware filters

 

Why this matters

Instead of forcing players through endless checks, the platform uses behind-the-scenes processes that activate only when necessary. This balance helps the platform stay protective without interrupting the overall experience.

Enhanced Giri?: The Core of Security Model

In Turkey, giri? has become a kind of trust indicator, and Pinco takes this seriously. Its updated access system, known under options like Pinco casino güncel giri?, keeps evolving in response to real behavior patterns rather than theoretical risks.

What the platform changes in the giri? flow

Small upgrades accumulate into noticeable improvements:

  • Temporary session tokens for safer logins.
  • Device-based checks that run silently.
  • Minimal data collection, focused on essentials.
  • Clear prompts that avoid overwhelming users.

Every part of this architecture aims to make entry smooth but controlled.

Human-Centered Security Culture

Even with strong technology, Pinco emphasizes clarity. The brand avoids burying explanations under jargon, instead offering short guides, simple visuals, and contextual notifications that appear only when needed.

Features shaping the experience

The platform pays special attention to how people actually navigate. This creates an environment where protection tools feel natural rather than restrictive—something especially noticeable on versions like Pinco oyun sitesi or when using features tied to Pinco promosyon kodu.

These changes might seem subtle, but they build a consistent atmosphere: stable, predictable, and easy to follow.

What’s Next for Pinco

Looking ahead, the platform’s development strategy focuses on refining what already works: faster reactions, clearer dashboards, and increasingly flexible protection layers. Nothing loud or dramatic—just steady improvements that help the brand remain one of the more forward-thinking names in Turkey’s online entertainment space.

As the online casino brand continues refining its systems, the direction stays unchanged: less noise, more clarity, and a safer environment for anyone who enters the platform through Pinco casino giri?.