Bobby Ong, the co-founder and CEO of cryptocurrency data platform CoinGecko, has issued a public warning about a new phishing scam. The fraudulent scheme uses fake emails that appear to come from Booking.com, inviting recipients to a non-existent “Exclusive Crypto Travel Summit” in Dubai. A Deceptive Invitation The phishing attempt, which Ong shared on social media, presented itself as a legitimate conference announcement, with the fake email claiming that Booking.com and Coinbase have formed a strategic partnership to launch a crypto travel service. It listed an impressive roster of keynote speakers, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, for an event supposedly happening in November 2025. A key red flag is that the RSVP deadline for this future event was set in the past, for September 30, 2025, which pointed to recycled or hastily constructed scam content. Ong advised anyone receiving such an email to delete it immediately and urged Booking.com to escalate the issue to its security team. The official Booking.com account later acknowledged the issue in a reply to Ong’s post, saying, “We regret to hear that you are receiving fake emails,” and requested details via direct message to investigate. A Persistent Threat in Crypto This incident is not an isolated one but part of a wider pattern of scams targeting crypto users. In September, Binance issued two separate warnings about different types of fraud. In the first one, the exchange alerted the public about fake “listing agents” who were purportedly promising projects a spot on the platform for a fee. A few days later, company CEO Richard Teng detailed a phone scam where impersonators posed as customer support agents. He said that the fake helpers then guided users through changing their account’s API settings, a process that allowed the scammer to steal funds. The community’s reaction to Ong’s warning was one of recognition and frustration. One social media user, SkylineETH, commented on the increasing complexity of these schemes, writing, “appreciate the warning, these scams keep leveling up.” Another user, Kevin Lee, expressed a common concern, questioning if there was a better way to handle email security to avoid even clicking ‘unsubscribe’ links in suspicious newsletters. This sentiment was echoed by Ong, who noted that the adversarial nature of the crypto world requires people to carefully check every email they receive. The post CoinGecko CEO Warns of Fake Crypto Summit Scam Using Booking.com appeared first on CryptoPotato .
Crypto Potato
You can visit the page to read the article.
Source: Crypto Potato
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed here is not investment advice – it is provided for informational purposes only. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of BitMaden. Every investment and all trading involves risk, so you should always perform your own research prior to making decisions. We do not recommend investing money you cannot afford to lose.
Harbour Industrial Capital Leads Investment in N3MUS, a Leading Gamer Acquisition Platform
The company aims to tackle the challenge of gamer acquisition as the gaming industry continues to expand United States, October 28, 2025 / Mintfunnel, a Coinbound Company – The way we play, connect, and entertain ourselves online is evolving before our eyes. Game studios are spending billions every year on user acquisition, yet most new players churn within weeks. On top of that, cheating continues to erode trust and drive revenue loss across gaming communities. And while professional esports attract the spotlight, the vast majority of gamers, the very communities that keep these games alive, are left without a place to truly compete and connect. At N3MUS , we’re changing that. Our platform empowers gaming communities through automated tournaments , AI-driven anti-cheat , and community engagement tools, making player acquisition , retention and engagement easier for game studios, esports teams, and blockchain networks. Since launching 10 months ago, we’ve seen incredible growth, hosting 190+ tournaments , engaging 35,000+ players , and processing over 2.5 million transactions , with a steady 90% month-over-month increase in player activity. These milestones confirm what we’ve believed from day one: communities crave fair, accessible, and rewarding competition . With a new fundraising round being led by Harbour Industrial Capital (https://www.harbourindustrial.com), we are ready for our next chapter of expansion across the gaming industry. This will include scaling player distribution across multiple games, helping studios reach new audiences and seamlessly redistributing players across our network when engagement drops. Our AI ensures every participant is a real gamer, not bots or token farmers, fostering genuine competition and driving higher retention across partner games. “The N3MUS team is addressing a key issue that is critical to every new game launch and we believe N3MUS is taking a unique approach to add value to the growing online gaming movement”, said Mario Altenburger, Co-founder and CIO of Harbour Industrial Capital. “The team has deep expertise in both gaming and web3 and we are thrilled to be supporting their next wave of growth.” We’re also advancing our AI-powered anti-cheat technology and expanding developer integrations to deliver automated, transparent, and verifiable competition to millions of players worldwide. This fundraising round follows early investment from Arrington Capital, Borderless Capital, Moonbeam Foundation and others who shared our vision from the start, alongside N3MUS’ participation in leading Web3 accelerator programs across Moonbeam, and Techstars.The future of online competition belongs to the players. About Harbour Industrial Capital Harbour Industrial Capital is a BVI-approved manager led by Max Rebol and Mario Altenburger. It is currently operating two separate Cayman Island limited partnerships: HIC Fund I LP launched in 2022 with LPs from Asia, Europe and the Middle East; HIC Fund II LP launched in 2025 and is currently open for subscriptions to professional investors. Both funds are focused exclusively on early stage venture investments in the Polkadot ecosystem. About N3MUS N3MUS provides infrastructure for running scalable, on-chain tournaments that prioritize transparency, verified player activity, and long-term engagement. Designed to support studios of all sizes, N3MUS enables competitive formats that are fair, automated, and accessible, without requiring players to manage wallets or understand blockchain. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press release for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Times Tabloid, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. The post Harbour Industrial Capital Leads Investment in N3MUS, a Leading Gamer Acquisition Platform appeared first on Times Tabloid . Crypto Potato
Dollar Stablecoin Adoption: ZAR’s Remarkable $12.9M Funding Boosts Emerging Markets
BitcoinWorld Dollar Stablecoin Adoption: ZAR’s Remarkable $12.9M Funding Boosts Emerging Markets In a significant development for the global fintech landscape, Pakistani startup ZAR has successfully raised an impressive $12.9 million in a recent funding round. This substantial investment is specifically earmarked to accelerate dollar stablecoin adoption among consumers in emerging markets. The news, initially reported by Cointelegraph, highlights a growing interest from major venture capital firms in leveraging digital currencies for financial inclusion. Why is Dollar Stablecoin Adoption a Game-Changer for Emerging Markets? Many individuals in emerging economies face significant financial challenges. High inflation rates can erode savings, while traditional cross-border remittances often involve steep fees and slow processing times. This is where dollar stablecoin adoption offers a compelling solution. Stability: Stablecoins pegged to the US dollar offer a reliable store of value, protecting users from local currency devaluation. Accessibility: They provide a pathway for individuals without traditional bank accounts to access global financial services. Efficiency: Transactions are typically faster and cheaper than conventional banking methods, particularly for international transfers. Imagine a world where sending money across borders is as simple and inexpensive as sending a text message. Stablecoins make this a reality, offering financial freedom and security to millions. How ZAR Plans to Accelerate Dollar Stablecoin Adoption in Pakistan and Beyond ZAR’s mission is clear: to empower consumers by making dollar stablecoins readily available and easy to use. The company plans to achieve this through innovative technological solutions tailored for local contexts. Their platform aims to simplify the process of acquiring, holding, and transacting with stablecoins, removing common barriers to entry. This strategic focus on user experience is crucial. For dollar stablecoin adoption to truly take off, the technology must be intuitive and seamlessly integrate into daily financial activities. ZAR is poised to build bridges between traditional finance and the decentralized world, offering a robust and secure environment for its users. Major Investors Signal Confidence in ZAR’s Vision for Stablecoins The success of ZAR’s funding round is a testament to the strong belief in its potential. The round was led by the renowned venture capital firm a16z , known for its early investments in transformative tech companies. Their participation alone sends a powerful signal to the market. Moreover, the involvement of other prominent investors like Dragonfly Capital , VanEck Ventures , and Coinbase Ventures further underscores the strategic importance of ZAR’s work. These firms bring not only capital but also invaluable industry expertise and networks, which will be instrumental in driving widespread dollar stablecoin adoption . This collective backing validates ZAR’s innovative approach and its potential to disrupt traditional financial services. Navigating the Future of Dollar Stablecoin Adoption: Challenges and Opportunities While the path to widespread dollar stablecoin adoption presents immense opportunities, it is not without its challenges. Regulatory frameworks are still evolving in many jurisdictions, and user education remains a key hurdle. However, ZAR’s proactive approach, combined with robust security measures and a clear focus on compliance, positions it well to overcome these obstacles. The potential for stablecoins to foster greater financial inclusion and economic stability in regions susceptible to currency volatility is enormous. ZAR’s efforts could pave the way for a new era of financial empowerment, allowing individuals to participate more fully in the global economy. This is a truly transformative moment for fintech. A Compelling Summary of ZAR’s Impact ZAR’s remarkable $12.9 million funding round marks a pivotal moment for dollar stablecoin adoption , especially within the dynamic markets of Pakistan and other emerging economies. With the backing of industry giants like a16z and Coinbase Ventures, ZAR is well-equipped to tackle the complexities of digital finance and deliver accessible, stable financial tools to millions. This initiative is not just about technology; it’s about empowering communities and building a more inclusive financial future. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ZAR and Dollar Stablecoins Q1: What is ZAR and what is its primary goal? A1: ZAR is a Pakistani fintech startup that recently raised $12.9 million. Its primary goal is to promote and facilitate dollar stablecoin adoption among consumers in emerging markets, offering a stable and accessible alternative to traditional financial systems. Q2: Who are the key investors in ZAR’s funding round? A2: The funding round was led by a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), with significant participation from Dragonfly Capital , VanEck Ventures , and Coinbase Ventures . Q3: Why are dollar stablecoins beneficial for emerging markets? A3: Dollar stablecoins offer stability against local currency inflation, provide greater accessibility to financial services for the unbanked, and enable more efficient and cost-effective cross-border transactions compared to traditional banking methods. Q4: What challenges might ZAR face in promoting dollar stablecoin adoption? A4: ZAR may encounter challenges related to evolving regulatory landscapes in different countries, the need for extensive user education, and ensuring robust security measures. However, its strong backing and clear strategy aim to address these. Q5: How does ZAR contribute to financial inclusion? A5: By making dollar stablecoins easy to use and accessible, ZAR helps individuals in emerging markets, especially those without traditional bank accounts, gain access to a stable digital currency, thereby participating more effectively in the global economy and managing their finances securely. If you found this article insightful, consider sharing it with your network! Help us spread the word about the transformative potential of ZAR and dollar stablecoin adoption in emerging markets by sharing on social media. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping stablecoins institutional adoption. This post Dollar Stablecoin Adoption: ZAR’s Remarkable $12.9M Funding Boosts Emerging Markets first appeared on BitcoinWorld . Crypto Potato

