IronWallet

https://ironwallet.io/news/tech-investors-home-infiltrated-in-11m-crypto-robbery-by-man-posing-as-delivery-driver/
An $11 million cryptocurrency theft unfolded Saturday evening in San Francisco when a gunman—disguised as a delivery worker—forced his way into the home of a local tech investor who once dated OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, according to police sources and individuals familiar with their past relationship.

Doorbell camera footage shared on social media shows the suspect carrying a white package as he buzzes the $4.4 million Dorland Street residence. Posing as an employee of a UPS partner, he tells the resident he has a delivery for “Joshua.” When the homeowner confirms his identity, the man asks him to sign for the parcel and then claims he needs to borrow a pen. As Joshua leads him inside, a loud noise is heard—marking the beginning of the attack.

Once inside, the intruder allegedly drew a gun, subdued the victim with duct tape, and proceeded to empty his crypto accounts. Police say the robber also took the victim’s laptop and phone. Officers arrived around 6:45 p.m. to find the resident injured, with noticeable bruising.

Investigators believe the theft—targeting both Bitcoin and Ethereum—was carried out by an organized crime network. A source familiar with the investigation said the attacker tortured the victim while keeping a phone on speaker, with unknown voices feeding him personal details about Joshua. The ordeal lasted roughly an hour and a half. At one point, the suspect reportedly poured liquid on the victim before completing the transfers.

Property records indicate the home belongs to venture capitalist Lachy Groom, 31, who previously dated Sam Altman, 40, before Altman married in 2024. Groom purchased the property in 2021 from Altman’s brother for $1.8 million. Their past relationship had not been publicly disclosed before this incident. Attempts to reach Groom for comment were unsuccessful.

Joshua, the victim, is said to be a fellow tech investor who shares the four-bedroom Mission District home with Groom.

Groom and Altman have a long professional history as well. Groom has praised Altman publicly, calling him “the most supportive, generous, inspiring person I know” in a 2023 post on X. The two have invested together in multiple startups. Groom, once described by Australian media as a prodigy who launched four startups and sold three before turning 18, also gained recognition as part of the so-called “Stripe Mafia”—a group of former Stripe employees who went on to launch notable venture-backed companies. Altman himself wrote in 2019 that Groom was among the small handful of people he turned to for career advice.

The upscale Mission District neighborhood, home to many in the tech industry, has seen high-profile residents before; Mark Zuckerberg once owned a multi-million-dollar house in nearby Dolores Heights.

Tech investor’s home infiltrated in $11M crypto robbery by man posing as delivery driver An $11 million cryptocurrency theft unfolded Saturday evening in San Francisco when a gunman—disguised as a delivery worker—forced his way into the home

https://ironwallet.io/news/spains-ruling-coalition-floats-47-crypto-tax-critics-call-it-a-direct-blow-to-bitcoin/
Spain’s left-wing Sumar alliance has put forward a series of amendments that could significantly reshape how cryptocurrencies are taxed and regulated in the country. According to Spanish media reports, the proposal would modify three key pieces of legislation — the General Tax Law, the Income Tax Law, and the Inheritance and Gift Tax Law — introducing some of the most aggressive crypto tax measures in Europe.

Under the suggested reforms, profits from digital assets would no longer be treated like gains from traditional savings. Instead, they would fall under Spain’s general income tax system, pushing the maximum tax rate on crypto earnings to 47%, up from the current top rate of 30%. Companies holding crypto would face a flat 30% tax on their gains.

Sumar, which holds 26 seats in the 350-member Congress and serves as the junior partner in the country’s governing coalition, argues that stricter rules are needed. As part of the plan, Spain’s financial watchdog — the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) — would be required to introduce a “traffic light” risk indicator for cryptocurrencies that platforms must display to investors.

Another highly controversial element of the proposal is the suggestion that all digital assets should be categorized as attachable property, meaning they could be legally seized. Lawyer Cris Carrascosa described this idea as unrealistic, pointing out that certain tokens — such as Tether’s USDT — cannot be held by licensed custodians under Europe’s MiCA regulations, making enforcement almost impossible.

Backlash: “an attack on Bitcoin”
Not everyone is convinced. Economist and tax expert José Antonio Bravo Mateu criticized the amendments on X (formerly Twitter), calling them “pointless attacks on Bitcoin.” He argued that lawmakers appear to misunderstand how decentralized currencies function. Bitcoin stored in self-custody, he noted, cannot be seized or controlled like assets held in the traditional banking system.

According to Bravo, policies like these will simply push Spanish crypto users to leave the country whenever BTC surges high enough that relocation becomes financially trivial.

Interestingly, some tax officials in Spain have recently advocated for the opposite approach. Inspectors Juan Faus and José María Gentil proposed creating a more favorable tax framework dedicated specifically to Bitcoin. Their concept would allow investors to categorize wallets separately and choose between FIFO or weighted-average cost methods, with value adjustments when transferring assets to avoid manipulation.

Spain’s tax authorities have already been taking a tougher stance on crypto oversight. In 2023, they sent 328,000 tax warning letters to crypto holders for the 2022 tax year — a number that jumped to 620,000 the following year.

Meanwhile in Japan: a push to lower taxes
As Spain weighs steeper taxation, Japan appears to be moving in the opposite direction. The country’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has proposed a sweeping change that would cut crypto taxes dramatically. Instead of treating digital asset earnings as “miscellaneous income” — a category that can lead to taxation of up to 55% — Japan aims to introduce a flat 20% capital gains tax, aligning crypto with stock investments and making the Japanese market more competitive for traders and companies.

Spain’s ruling coalition floats 47% crypto tax, critics call it a direct blow to Bitcoin Spain’s left-wing Sumar alliance has put forward a series of amendments that could significantly reshape how cryptocurrencies are taxed and regulated in

https://ironwallet.io/news/who-accepts-bitcoin-in-2025-a-practical-guide/
Disclaimer
Cryptocurrency is a high-risk asset class. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. You can lose all your invested capital. Some links on this page may generate affiliate commissions for 99Bitcoins at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on our independent review process.

Bitcoin has come a long way from being a quirky experiment discussed on internet forums. What started as a niche digital asset is now a widely recognized payment method used for buying everything from groceries to luxury watches—and even space travel.

The real question in 2025 isn’t “Who accepts Bitcoin?” but rather “Who doesn’t accept it yet?”

More brands are adding Bitcoin at checkout every month, and companies are experimenting with creative ways to integrate blockchain payments. As Bitcoin’s presence in daily life grows, more people naturally ask:

What can I actually buy with Bitcoin today?

This guide breaks down the companies, industries, and trends shaping Bitcoin adoption—and how crypto payments are quietly becoming part of everyday consumer behavior.

Quick summary: major companies accepting Bitcoin in 2025
Some of the most recognizable names now supporting Bitcoin or other crypto payments include:

PayPal
Microsoft
AT&T
Apple (via third-party services)
Tesla (selected merchandise, via Dogecoin)
Starbucks
Whole Foods
Home Depot
Shopify
Chipotle
Printemps
Hublot
TAG Heuer
Gucci (select stores)
Netflix (pilot program as of early 2025)
Useful tools for finding Bitcoin-friendly stores:

BitPay – Merchant directory + crypto gift cards
btcmap.org – Live map of global BTC-accepting merchants
Map.Bitcoin.com – Worldwide directory of crypto-accepting retailers...
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https://ironwallet.io/news/bitcoins-new-role-in-retail-how-crypto-is-quietly-reshaping-everyday-shopping/
Bitcoin is often talked about in terms of volatility, bull runs, and speculation—but that focus tends to overshadow a quieter shift happening in day-to-day life. Beyond the dramatic price charts, cryptocurrency is steadily slipping into ordinary shopping routines. Whether it’s an online checkout, a point-of-sale terminal, or a reloadable gift card, Bitcoin is becoming less of a sci-fi payment method and more of a realistic alternative to traditional cards.

Where crypto and shopping already intersect
More major retailers now accept Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, either directly or through payment processors. Companies like Whole Foods, Nordstrom, GameStop, and Starbucks use services such as Flexa or BitPay to process crypto payments behind the scenes.

E-commerce platforms are following the trend, adding crypto options at checkout as consumer interest grows. Even when stores don’t accept Bitcoin outright, services like Bitrefill let users convert crypto into gift cards for hundreds of retailers, effectively expanding where Bitcoin can be spent.

The shift is happening not only online but also in physical stores. Point-of-sale systems from companies like Square and PayPal now support crypto payments, making it easier for smaller businesses to opt in. From the customer’s perspective, choosing to “pay with crypto” is now almost indistinguishable from using any other digital payment method.

Why people are spending Bitcoin on everyday purchases
Bitcoin payments appeal to shoppers for reasons that go beyond novelty. International customers appreciate fast transactions without the long delays or currency-conversion fees that come with traditional banking. Privacy-minded consumers like that crypto payments don’t share full financial profiles with merchants the way credit cards do.

For businesses, settlement finality removes chargeback risks, which are a constant headache in card-based payments. As more merchants adopt crypto, consumer willingness to spend it rises—creating a gradual network effect. Progress may be subtle, but it’s undeniably steady.

Faster access is fueling adoption
The supporting infrastructure around crypto commerce has strengthened dramatically. Bitcoin ATMs and multi-crypto ATMs provide easy, physical on-ramps for buying or cashing out digital currency, which helps demystify crypto for newcomers who find exchanges overwhelming.

Mobile wallets have also evolved, offering sleek, intuitive interfaces that feel as polished as conventional banking apps. Layer-two solutions like the Lightning Network now enable near-instant Bitcoin transactions with extremely low fees, addressing the scalability issues that once made small purchases impractical. As these pain points disappear, crypto becomes a real competitor to traditional payment systems—rather than a novelty.

What could shape the next phase of crypto commerce
As crypto spending becomes more common, several factors will influence how quickly adoption grows. Governments are still developing regulatory frameworks, and tax expectations remain confusing for many casual users. According to The Fintech Times, businesses still worry about price volatility, accounting complexity, and evolving compliance rules.

Fees and transaction times must stay competitive with credit cards for crypto adoption to keep rising. Education is another barrier—many would-be users still struggle with concepts like private keys, wallets, and basic security.

The bottom line: crypto spending is quietly becoming normal
Bitcoin hasn’t fully integrated into everyday shopping yet, but it’s getting closer every year. With better infrastructure, wider merchant acceptance, and more consumer familiarity, the gap between “crypto users” and “regular shoppers” keeps narrowing.

If the trend continues, paying with Bitcoin might someday feel as ordinary as tapping your credit card at checkout.

Bitcoin’s new role in retail: how crypto is quietly reshaping everyday shopping Bitcoin is often talked about in terms of volatility, bull runs, and speculation—but that focus tends to overshadow a quieter shift happening in

https://ironwallet.io/news/the-eurozones-financial-watchdog-sounds-alarm-stablecoins-a-growing-threat/
The European Central Bank (ECB) isn’t holding back on its worries about the growing world of stablecoins. In a recent report, Europe’s central banking authority doubled down on its warning that these digital assets, designed to maintain a stable value, could actually pose a significant risk to global financial stability. The core worry? They could take important money away from regular banks in the eurozone.

The heart of the concern: bank deposits at risk
Imagine your savings account. Now imagine a significant chunk of those deposits moving out of traditional banks and into stablecoins. That’s precisely what the ECB is worry about. They argue that as stablecoins gain more traction and grow in popularity, they could draw valuable retail deposits away from established eurozone banks.

“Significant growth in stablecoins could cause retail deposit outflows,” the ECB stated plainly, warning that this shift could “diminish an important source of funding for banks and leave them with more volatile funding overall.” In simpler terms, banks could find themselves with less stable funding, making them more vulnerable to economic shocks.

The rise of stablecoins: a double-edged sword
Stablecoins have seen an explosive surge in popularity, now boasting a combined market capitalization exceeding $280 billion. This impressive figure represents about 8% of the entire cryptocurrency market, a testament to their growing influence. Giants in this space, like Tether (USDT) and Circle Internet (USDC), have become significant players, notably holding substantial amounts of U.S. Treasury bills as part of their reserves.

This concentration of assets leads to the ECB’s next big fear: what if there’s a “run” on stablecoins?

The “fire sale” scenario and a potential crisis
The nightmare scenario painted by the ECB involves a sudden rush by investors to redeem their stablecoins for traditional currency. To meet these redemption demands, stablecoin issuers would be forced to sell off their reserve assets, potentially leading to a “fire sale.”

And here’s where the global implications truly hit home. Given that major stablecoin issuers hold large portfolios of U.S. Treasury bills, a mass sell-off could severely disrupt the functioning of the U.S. Treasury markets – widely considered among the safest and most liquid in the world. Such a shock to this foundational market could, according to the ECB, even trigger a broader financial crisis.

Not an isolated concern
These aren’t just isolated worries coming from a single institution. The ECB’s stance echoes concerns voiced by other financial leaders, including Olaf Sleijpen, Governor of the Dutch National Bank (DNB) and a key decision-making member of the ECB board.

However, this analysis isn’t without its detractors. Faryar Shirzad, Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase, offered a contrasting view last October. He argued that the very nature of stablecoins – being backed by full reserves – actually makes them “safer than banking.” Furthermore, Shirzad suggested that the broader adoption of stablecoins could, in fact, reinforce financial stability, rather than undermine it.

As stablecoins continue to integrate into the global financial landscape, the debate between their potential benefits and perceived risks is clearly far from over.

The Eurozone's financial watchdog sounds alarm: Stablecoins a growing threat? The European Central Bank (ECB) isn't holding back on its worries about the growing world of stablecoins. In a recent report, Europe's central banking

https://ironwallet.io/news/finlands-quiet-revolution-how-data-centers-are-warming-a-nations-homes/
In the crisp, often biting cold of southern Finland, a silent revolution is underway, transforming the hum of technology into tangible warmth for thousands of homes. While most nations view massive data centers as mere consumers of energy, Finland has begun to ingeniously re-engineer them into active, vital contributors to its energy ecosystem, turning what was once waste heat into a precious resource.

Take Mäntsälä, a Finnish town where winter can stretch for half the year. Here, nearly two-thirds of residences are now comfortably heated by the surplus warmth emanating from a 75-megawatt data center just outside its borders. The process is almost imperceptible to residents; their radiators fill with warmth piped through an underground network, a testament to how effectively waste heat can be harnessed.

The finnish blueprint: a national strategy
Finland’s success isn’t accidental. It’s the result of a deliberate strategy to integrate district heating systems with digital infrastructure. The core idea is simple yet brilliant: use water to absorb the intense heat generated by thousands of servers. This warmed water is then elevated to usable temperatures by heat pumps and electric boilers before being distributed through extensive district heating pipes. The outcome is a silent, efficient energy transfer that elevates technological byproduct to a public utility.

While neighbors like Sweden and Denmark have experimented with similar concepts, Finland has scaled this model with remarkable intent. This national push is supported by a confluence of factors: a strong commitment to renewable energy, robust grid infrastructure, and a cultural embrace of industrial symbiosis – where different industries collaborate to share resources and minimize waste.

The government, through agencies like Business Finland, actively promotes investments in digital infrastructure, with a clear focus on the environmental co-benefits. These partnerships are crucial, forming part of a broader national plan to decarbonize urban heating, a sector that still contributes significantly to carbon emissions across Europe.

Microsoft’s grand plan: warming Helsinki’s doorstep
One of the most ambitious implementations of this strategy is currently unfolding near Helsinki. Microsoft, in collaboration with energy giant Fortum, is constructing what they describe as the world’s largest heat-recycling data center cluster. This colossal project is set to fulfill the heating needs of Espoo, Kauniainen, and Kirkkonummi.

Once operational, this initiative is projected to supply up to 40% of the local district heating demand, serving roughly 250,000 people, or over 100,000 homes. Fortum estimates that this innovative heat reuse system will slash annual carbon emissions by approximately 400,000 tonnes – an environmental benefit equivalent to taking nearly 100,000 cars off the road each year.

Microsoft isn’t alone in this endeavor. Google, which has operated a high-efficiency data center in Hamina since 2009, is also expanding its heat reuse efforts. A new partnership with Haminan Energia, launched in 2024, will see external heat transferred to the local district heating system, with full operation expected by 2025.

The benefits are clear and measurable: cities enjoy more stable heating prices, operators reduce their environmental footprint, and the entire system offers a powerful case study in local energy security, born from public-private collaboration.

A warming trend, or a niche solution?
While district heating itself is not new, its application for recycling waste heat from data centers remains a relatively rare phenomenon globally. Most data centers worldwide continue to simply vent their thermal byproducts into the atmosphere. In regions lacking a mature district heating network, the economic viability simply isn’t there.

According to the International Energy Agency, district heating systems currently serve only about 9% of residential and industrial heating needs worldwide. This number could grow significantly, but only where crucial elements align: robust infrastructure investment and supportive regulatory frameworks.

Finland, therefore, stands not just as an experiment, but as a fully functioning example. Its cold climate, abundant green electricity, and existing infrastructure create a unique context where this model can thrive at scale.

Policy, practicality, and the path ahead
This innovative approach isn’t without its critics. Some Finnish policymakers are re-evaluating tax incentives for data centers, questioning their limited employment generation relative to their substantial energy consumption. Others caution that while reusing waste heat is commendable, it doesn’t fully address the underlying issue of rapidly increasing global data center electricity consumption, projected to more than double by 2030.

Nevertheless, repurposing waste heat is an undeniable and significant step in the right direction. The conversation is evolving from abstract notions of digital sustainability to the concrete, physical integration of technology into urban life. In Mäntsälä, for instance, local utilities report that integrating waste heat has stabilized seasonal energy costs for their customers, fostering a paradigm where technological infrastructure genuinely contributes to community well-being.

The crucial question now isn’t if this model can be replicated, but where. While district heating exists in parts of Europe, China, and some North American cities, it remains absent in many regions. Even where it does exist, retrofitting infrastructure to accept industrial heat sources can be complex. Zoning laws, energy policies, urban planning, and crucially, public trust, all play a role. These systems work best with long-term agreements between data center operators and local utilities.

It also demands a fundamental shift in mindset. Data centers have traditionally been sited based on network latency, land costs, and power availability. Incorporating heat reuse as a primary siting criterion is still rare. Yet, the Finnish example powerfully suggests that long-term value is maximized when waste output becomes a valuable commodity.

Globally, the environmental footprint of digital infrastructure, from cloud services to AI and crypto mining, is under intense scrutiny. The challenge isn’t just about how power is generated, but what becomes of its byproducts. Finland offers a compelling answer: redirect them. Make digital systems contribute directly to physical well-being, not as a mere public relations gesture, but as a fundamental design principle. The real test will be whether other nations are willing to plan and build with this foresight, rather than attempting to retrofit solutions later. What works in a chilly Finnish city could very well inspire similar models in dozens of other cold-climate urban centers worldwide.
̈ntsälä

https://ironwallet.io/news/tether-gold-xaut-bridging-the-ancient-lure-of-gold-with-the-modern-power-of-blockchain/
In an age where digital assets are rapidly reshaping finance, Tether Gold (XAUt) stands out as a unique offering, marrying the timeless appeal of physical gold with the agility and accessibility of blockchain technology. Imagine owning gold without the hassle of physical storage or worrying about its authenticity – that’s the promise of XAUt. It’s a blockchain-based token, with each unit representing direct, verifiable ownership of a specific amount of physical gold held in secure Swiss vaults.

Why XAUt matters: modernizing gold ownership
Historically, gold has been a cornerstone of wealth preservation, a trusted hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. However, traditional gold ownership often comes with significant hurdles: storage costs, insurance fees, geopolitical risks associated with physical transportation, and the sheer difficulty of dividing and trading it easily.

XAUt seeks to dismantle these barriers. By tokenizing gold, it offers investors a seamless way to access its intrinsic value without ever having to touch a physical bar. Each XAUt token is meticulously backed 1:1 by one troy ounce of LBMA Good Delivery gold, ensuring that every digital unit has a tangible counterpart. Unlike gold ETFs or futures contracts, which often involve synthetic exposure or complex derivatives, XAUt grants you direct, legal ownership of the underlying gold bars. You’re not just investing in gold; you actually own it, albeit in a digitally managed form.

The tech behind the shine: how XAUt works
Tether Gold leverages the power of various blockchains, including Ethereum, Tron, and TON, to deliver gold’s stability with cryptocurrency’s efficiency. This multi-chain approach enhances its reach and utility.

Key features that make XAUt compelling include:

Fractional ownership: Gone are the days when you needed to buy a full gold bar. XAUt allows for incredible divisibility, letting you own as little as 0.000001 troy ounces. This makes gold ownership accessible to a wider range of investors.
24/7 trading and global accessibility: Like other cryptocurrencies, XAUt can be traded around the clock, anywhere in the world, without the constraints of traditional market hours.
Physical redemption: For those who eventually desire the physical asset, XAUt offers a clear redemption path. Holders can redeem their tokens for the actual physical gold bars, which can then be delivered in Switzerland (subject to verification processes). This bridge between the digital and physical world provides an extra layer of confidence.
Omnichain flexibility: With the introduction of the XAUt0 upgrade, powered by LayerZero, the token boasts seamless cross-chain transfers without the need for wrapped tokens. This significantly enhances liquidity and interoperability across different blockchain ecosystems.
Standing out from the crowd: XAUt’s edge
In the growing landscape of tokenized gold, XAUt has carved out a distinct position, particularly when compared to competitors like Pax Gold (PAXG):

Broad blockchain support: XAUt’s availability across six or more major blockchains provides greater flexibility and accessibility compared to PAXG’s current Ethereum-only design.
Transparent fee structure: Tether Gold prides itself on its straightforward fee model, charging only a 0.25% transaction fee during purchases and redemptions, with zero ongoing custody fees.
Institutional integration: XAUt has seen considerable adoption within institutional platforms such as Nexo and Bridgers, enabling users to engage in activities like yield farming, secure loans, and derivatives trading using their gold-backed assets.
The future of digital gold?
Tether Gold represents a fascinating evolution in how we perceive and interact with precious metals. It successfully merges the millennia-old tradition of gold as a store of value with the borderless efficiency and innovation of blockchain technology. As tokenized assets continue to gain mainstream acceptance, XAUt’s robust regulatory compliance, combined with its expansive multi-chain reach, positions it as a strong contender to become a leading digital gold standard in the global financial landscape. Is XAUt the definitive answer to making gold ownership truly modern? The market’s adoption suggests it’s certainly on the right path.

Tether Gold (XAUt): bridging the ancient lure of gold with the modern power of blockchain In an age where digital assets are rapidly reshaping finance, Tether Gold (XAUt) stands out as a unique offering, marrying the timeless appeal of physical