Weekly Article Recap: 4/14-4/18

The Stories that You Can’t Afford to Miss This Week

As the DeFi and crypto space continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it's essential to stay informed 

about the latest developments and trends. Our weekly recap provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the most significant news and trends in the DeFi and crypto space, helping you stay informed and up-to-date with the latest happenings.

​​What Vitalik Buterin’s New Privacy Strategy Means for Ethereum

Vitalik Buterin has outlined a new roadmap to boost privacy on Ethereum without changing its core protocol. Shared on April 11 via the Ethereum Magicians forum, the plan targets private on-chain payments, anonymous dApp actions, confidential data reads, and network-level anonymity. The approach leans on wallet improvements and gradual protocol updates, aiming to make privacy the default for Ethereum users.

Find details here. 

What Led to the Collapse of Mantra OM?

The Mantra OM token plunged over 90% on April 13, wiping out nearly $6 billion in market cap. Mantra CEO John Patrick Mullin denied any wrongdoing, blaming centralized exchanges for triggering a mass liquidation during low-liquidity hours. He claimed "reckless forced closures" caused a cascading sell-off. 

Mullin criticized the unchecked power of CEXs, warning their actions risk destabilizing projects and investor confidence.

Read the full story. 

Who Are the Winners of the BNB Chain AI Hack Q1?

Launched in February 2025, the BNB Chain AI Hack is fast becoming a global catalyst for AI and blockchain integration. The ongoing hackathon offers $50,000 per winning team, MVB incubator support, and ecosystem-wide exposure. So far, 13 projects have stood out—delivering real products, landing exchange listings, and capturing attention across the Web3 space.

Find out who the winners are.

XRP Secures Its First Asian Tracker Fund Through HashKey Capital

HashKey Capital has rolled out Asia’s first XRP tracker fund targeting institutional investors. The regulated fund, backed by Ripple’s seed investment, allows exposure to XRP without direct ownership. HashKey plans to expand its partnership with Ripple across blockchain and DeFi products.

The best places to enjoy Web3 gaming

Top Gaming Platforms

Learn about the XRP tracker fund in the article. 

How Big is Nigeria’s CBEX Crypto Exchange Collapse? 

CBEX, a supposed AI-powered crypto exchange, has collapsed after luring thousands of Nigerian and Kenyan investors with promises of 100% returns in 30 days.

Though it claimed U.S. FinCEN registration and displayed official-looking documents, the platform has vanished—along with users’ funds, its website, and Telegram groups.

Investigations by Techpoint Africa tracked around $6.1 million into CBEX wallets. Other estimates, like The Nation Online, suggest losses as high as ₦1.3 trillion ($822 million). The actual figure remains unclear, but the scam has left a trail of financial ruin.

Full details here.