Top Tech Headlines for August 01, 2025
From AI security risks to crypto policymaking and Ethereum upgrades, today's tech news delivers big moves across cybersecurity, blockchain, and open-source intelligence. Here's what you need to know now.
OpenAI May Launch a Budget-Friendly ChatGPT Subscription
OpenAI appears to be testing a more affordable ChatGPT plan named “Go”, catering to users who don’t need the full $20/month Plus experience. While official details are still limited, reports suggest this could bring advanced AI to a broader audience, an important shift in the increasingly competitive AI assistant market.
SonicWall Devices Targeted in Akira Ransomware Blitz
Akira ransomware gangs are now exploiting SonicWall firewalls, using what seems to be a zero-day vulnerability. The surge in attacks has triggered alarm in enterprise environments. Organizations using SonicWall gear should patch aggressively and consider hardened offline backups—preferably with bootable USBs for ransomware recovery.
Cursor AI Editor Faced Dual Exploits — Now Patched
A security flaw dubbed CurXecute in the Cursor IDE allowed prompt injection, letting attackers run remote code with developer-level access. Another bug linked to Slack/GitHub integrations had similar risks. Users are advised to update to version 1.3 without delay.
Pi-hole Data Breached via WordPress Donation Plugin
The popular ad-blocking project Pi-hole disclosed a data leak caused by a vulnerability in the GiveWP plugin. Names and email addresses of donors were exposed, serving as a reminder that even niche plugins can pose mainstream risk if left unpatched.
Pwn2Own Offers $1M for WhatsApp Zero-Click Exploit
The Zero Day Initiative has put a million-dollar reward on the table for anyone able to demonstrate a zero-click exploit of WhatsApp at the upcoming Pwn2Own competition in Ireland. The record bounty underscores growing concerns over silent threats to popular communications apps.
OpenAI Leak Reveals Imminent Open-Source AI Release
Rumors are swirling that OpenAI is about to release a powerful open-source AI model, potentially within hours. While details are scarce, the open-source community is already buzzing about what this could mean for third-party integrations and research access.
Deep Cogito v2 Takes Reasoning AI to the Next Level
Open-source AI is heating up with Deep Cogito’s release of Cogito v2, a new model designed to evolve its own reasoning skills. It reflects a promising direction in AI development: systems that iteratively improve without outside help.
Reddit Sees Gains Driven by AI, Search Features
Reddit’s stock jumped with record-breaking ad revenue, thanks in part to increased engagement tied to AI and enhanced internal search. However, analysts caution that Reddit’s overdependence on Google traffic from non-logged-in users may limit long-term value.
US Telcos Demand Protection Amid Network Attacks
Major telecom providers are calling on the government to address escalating cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. They warn that vulnerabilities in internet backbone systems could pose national security risks if left unchecked. It's a clear signal that your home and office networks deserve better defensive planning.
Fake OAuth Apps Breach 900+ Microsoft 365 Environments
Hackers managed to compromise over 3,000 Microsoft 365 accounts using fraudulent OAuth apps in 2025, according to new reports. The attacks affected dozens of organizations via cleverly disguised login portals optimized with AI kits. Always review app permissions, even when they look legitimate.
Malicious npm Package Steals Solana Wallet Funds
An AI-generated npm package sneakily drained funds from 1,500+ Solana wallet users. The malware exploited postinstall hooks and ran on both Windows and macOS. This highlights how easy it’s becoming for AI to weaponize common dev tools.
You Are What You Feed Your AI Security Tool
A deep dive into SOC tools reveals that AI-driven defenses are only as smart as the data they get. Legacy logs and poor training sets are leaving defenders blind while attackers adapt rapidly. The takeaway? Better data hygiene means better AI results.
Storm-2603 Deploys Ransomware via SharePoint Flaws
An APT group named Storm-2603 is leveraging Microsoft SharePoint vulnerabilities to inject ransomware via DNS-controlled backdoors. Victims in APAC and Latin America have been hit hardest. If your backup isn’t air-gapped, now’s the time to double-check it.
Crypto’s Token Count Explodes to 18.9 Million
The crypto universe has grown by 945x since 2022, with 18.9 million tokens now tracked—mostly thanks to explosive minting on Solana, Base, and BSC. While innovation abounds, liquidity per token has plummeted, making most assets illiquid and risky for real investment.
DEX Activity Surpasses $1 Trillion in Monthly Volume
July saw decentralized exchanges hit their first-ever $1 trillion mark, led by perpetuals on Hyperliquid and spot growth on BNB Chain and Uniswap. It’s a milestone that showcases DeFi's maturing footprint—but also one that demands stronger checkpoints for users navigating high-volume DEXs.
Sanctioned Nations Turn to Bitcoin Mining
Reports suggest several sanctioned countries are secretly mining Bitcoin as a workaround to financial restrictions. Evidence includes fluctuations in global hash rates tied to geopolitical conflicts. As governments look toward crypto for sovereignty, the line between node and nation continues to blur.
SEC Launches Nationwide Crypto Roundtable Tour
The U.S. SEC is taking its crypto policy tour on the road starting August 4. By hosting face-to-face forums countrywide, the agency aims to gather feedback from early-stage Web3 devs—especially those often left out of Washington circles.
UK FCA Lifts Ban on Retail Crypto Exchange Notes
The UK’s financial regulator now allows crypto exchange-traded notes (cETNs) for retail investors, reversing its 2021 ban. While the move expands access, these remain high-risk products not covered by financial compensation schemes. Be smart about risk exposure—even in regulated markets.
Bitcoin Drops 3% as Short-Term Sellers Take Profits
Bitcoin dipped below $115K, triggered largely by short-term holders cashing out. Glassnode data shows that 85% of recent BTC volume came from newer wallets, not long-term investors. Despite the drop, 90%+ of coins remain in profit territory—signaling a still-strong market base.
MicroStrategy’s Saylor Defends 628K BTC Position
Michael Saylor argued that Strategy’s ownership of 3% of all Bitcoin is competitive, not excessive. The firm now holds 628K BTC and has launched a series of yield-generating instruments backed by its Bitcoin treasury, pushing "Bitcoin as digital credit" into new territory.
Vitalik Buterin Proposes Ethereum Finality Overhaul
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin unveiled a proposal to decouple fork choice and finality, aiming to speed up block confirmations while maintaining network security. The introduction of a two-tier validator system could also help Ethereum scale to millions of validators over time.
Bitcoin Donation Scandal Shakes Czech Government
The Czech Ministry of Justice is under fire for accepting a Bitcoin donation from a convicted dark web operator. The oversight triggered resignations and intensifying audits. It’s a reminder that on-chain donations require off-chain diligence.
El Salvador Enables Indefinite Re-election Amid Crypto Push
The Salvadoran legislature passed reforms enabling President Nayib Bukele’s indefinite re-election. Critics warn of democratic backsliding, while crypto advocates say it ensures continuity in the country’s bold Bitcoin experiment. Expect more headlines from "Bitcoin Nation."
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