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Good Morning Crypto Enthusiasts!

Glad to have you back for another edition of the UseTheBitcoin.com newsletter.

1. Iran Buys USDT: Iran’s central bank quietly acquired over $507 million in USDT to stabilize its collapsing currency, routing funds through Nobitex and cross-chain bridges. Tether later froze $37 million linked to these wallets, revealing how the rial was propped up using a “digital dollar.”

2. Solana SKR Airdrop: Solana Mobile launched its SKR token airdrop for over 100,000 Seeker phone users, distributing nearly 2 billion tokens.

3. Trump’s Crypto Push: At Davos 2026, Trump said the U.S. must become the world’s crypto capital to counter China’s digital yuan. He backed the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts, framing crypto as a tool for dollar dominance.

4. 💡Feature of the Day - Linux Wallet Attack: Hackers targeted Linux users by hijacking trusted Snap Store publisher accounts and pushing fake wallet updates. The malicious apps impersonated Exodus, Ledger Live, and Trust Wallet to steal recovery phrases.

   
   All this and more in today’s headlines!

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📰 News Highlights:

Iran Buys USDT [Source][Source]

Iran’s central bank quietly acquired over $507 million in USDT to stabilize the collapsing rial, according to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic. The funds moved through the Nobitex exchange and cross-chain bridges, with Tether later freezing about $37 million tied to central bank wallets.

Researchers found that the bank used USDT as a “digital dollar” to buy back its own currency during a period when the rial lost half its value. Even after routing funds across multiple blockchains, the transactions were still traceable back to the Central Bank of Iran.

Both the government and citizens in Iran are turning to crypto amid hyperinflation and sanctions. Iran’s crypto market reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with Bitcoin and stablecoins acting as a store of value for everyday users.

However, Tether’s intervention underscores the limits of stablecoin sovereignty. The episode reflects a growing tug-of-war between sanctioned states using crypto to bypass restrictions and centralized issuers controlling the digital “off switch.”

Solana SKR Airdrop [Source][Source][Source]

Solana Mobile has launched its SKR token airdrop for more than 100,000 Seeker smartphone users, distributing nearly 2 billion tokens. Claimants have a 90-day window to secure their tokens, which can be staked immediately for rewards.

The token surged 38% shortly after launch, reaching a market cap of around $81 million. The airdrop is designed to reward early adopters and shift Solana Mobile toward a community-driven ecosystem.

The Solana Seeker, launched in late 2025, combines smartphone functionality with hardware wallet-grade security. SKR serves as the platform’s utility token for governance, staking, and app curation under the new “Guardian” model.

Early stakers benefit from zero commission and inflation-based rewards distributed every 48 hours. The project aims to challenge Apple and Google by positioning mobile hardware as a decentralized infrastructure layer.

Trump’s Crypto Push [Source][Source][Source]

At the 2026 Davos summit, President Trump said the U.S. must become the “crypto capital of the world” to counter China’s growing digital currency influence. He reaffirmed support for the GENIUS Act, framing crypto as a geopolitical tool to protect dollar dominance.

Trump also hinted that the CLARITY Act could be signed soon, despite delays caused by industry concerns. He warned that once digital asset leadership is lost, it may never be recovered.

The debate is intensifying as China’s digital yuan begins offering interest, while U.S. banks oppose stablecoin yields. Industry leaders like Brian Armstrong and Jeremy Allaire are lobbying for balanced regulation that supports innovation without sacrificing safety.

Critics argue that limiting U.S. stablecoins while foreign rivals expand incentives could weaken American competitiveness. The clash highlights growing tension between national security goals and private-sector innovation.

💡 Feature of the Day: 

Linux Wallet Attack [Source][Source][Source]

Blockchain security firm SlowMist has flagged a new attack targeting Linux users through the Snap Store. Hackers hijacked trusted publisher accounts by re-registering expired domains and pushing malicious wallet updates. The compromised apps impersonate popular wallets like Exodus, Ledger Live, and Trust Wallet. Once installed, they prompt users for recovery phrases, allowing attackers to drain funds without detection.

The attack exploits trust in software update channels rather than smart-contract vulnerabilities. SlowMist confirmed two compromised publisher domains tied to fake wallet apps.

The incident reflects a broader shift toward supply-chain attacks, which caused major crypto losses in 2025. As protocol security improves, attackers are increasingly targeting infrastructure and distribution platforms to maximize impact.

😂 Crypto Meme of the Day: 

Meme of the day provided by @devere-group

And that’s it for this today.

See you all tomorrow’s edition!

Jonathan Gibson
UseTheBitcoin.com