Former OpenAI researcher predicts brain-controlled AI coding agents by 2027

Bitcoin holds steady at $64,300 ahead of the US jobs report, with oil prices resurfacing as a headwind for the cryptocurrency market. The stability of the leading digital asset comes as inflation concerns, reignited by stalled Hormuz Strait negotiations, continue to cap Bitcoin's upside potential throughout the summer.

The return of oil as a pressure factor arrives at a critical moment for the crypto market, with US employment data serving as the next catalyst. Investors are closely watching the payroll numbers, which could directly influence Federal Reserve decisions and consequently, appetite for risk assets like Bitcoin. The geopolitical tension in the Persian Gulf adds a layer of complexity to price analysis.

The hacker behind the Coldcard wallet exploit, believed to hold 2,055 BTC (approximately $130 million) in stolen bitcoin, has resumed activity after weeks of silence, transferring 30.185 BTC (about $1.94 million) to a new wallet. This movement marks a significant development in the ongoing saga of one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts, raising concerns among exchanges and security platforms monitoring illicit funds.

The vulnerability in Coldcard, one of the most respected hardware wallets in the market, exposes significant risks to the cryptocurrency security ecosystem. With the total stolen value exceeding $130 million, authorities and blockchain analytics firms are intensifying efforts to track the funds and prevent them from being laundered or converted to fiat currency. The cryptocurrency community now awaits with anticipation the hacker's next moves and how this could impact trust in offline storage devices.

The artificial intelligence race reached a fever pitch this week as OpenAI dramatically expanded access to its flagship GPT-5.6 Sol model while semiconductor powerhouse AMD bolstered its AI infrastructure ambitions with the acquisition of AI startup Taalas. These parallel moves signal a major escalation in the battle for dominance in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape.

These strategic developments underscore the intensifying competition that is reshaping the future of technology. The broader availability of GPT-5.6 Sol represents a significant step toward democratizing advanced AI capabilities, while AMD's acquisition positions the company as a direct challenger to NVIDIA in the lucrative AI chip market. Industry analysts predict this corporate arms race will accelerate innovation and potentially drive down costs for businesses and consumers increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence solutions.

A Maryland woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly using counterfeit Connecticut driver's licenses to secure a $250,000 home equity loan against a property owned by a Connecticut couple, creating an unexpected lien on the homeowners' assets. The incident, which is now under investigation by authorities, reveals significant vulnerabilities in identity verification and documentation processes used by financial institutions when approving secured real estate loans.

According to the report, the suspect presented forged documents that initially passed through verification systems, allowing her to access a credit line against a property she did not own. For the Connecticut couple, the situation has created a bureaucratic and legal nightmare, requiring immediate legal action to contest the fraud and remove the improper lien from their property. This incident serves as a warning to all property owners about the importance of regularly monitoring property records and being aware of potential signs of fraud.

Wintermute, one of the most prominent crypto market makers, has secured crucial SEC and FINRA approval to launch a U.S. broker-dealer operation, representing a significant milestone for institutional crypto market access. The new entity will enable Wintermute to provide direct brokerage and trading services to large investors and funds in the United States, significantly expanding its already substantial presence in the American market.

This strategic expansion comes at a critical time for the crypto sector as traditional financial institutions gradually increase their exposure to digital assets. The regulatory approval serves as a vote of confidence in Wintermute's compliance protocols, potentially accelerating institutional crypto adoption in the U.S. The move could pressure other major market players to follow a similar regulatory path, bringing greater legitimacy and liquidity to the global crypto ecosystem.