Record Binance hack, Trump switches to phone rallies, Houthis target Saudi oil sites
Binance says a hack hit about $6.3 billion in crypto, President Trump trades weekend rallies in Kansas and Iowa for phone rallies, Yemen's Houthis claim attacks on Saudi oil sites and airports as oil rises, South Korean stocks slide on AI worries, and the Packers beat the Panthers.
Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, said the estimated total impact of a hack that began Thursday afternoon is around $6.3 billion, which it believes is the largest crypto heist on record; it said the figure could change. About $3 billion has been identified and frozen, including more than $1.5 billion frozen by Tether. Binance said the attack began with a compromised staff laptop and found no evidence of a wallet private key leak. It suspended deposits and withdrawals and says user funds are safe and it will cover all losses. The previous record was about $1.5 billion stolen from the exchange Bybit in February 2025. Bitcoin fell after the news. Who carried out the attack has not been confirmed.
President Trump canceled in-person rallies planned for Saturday in Kansas and Sunday in Iowa. The Republican National Committee announced a "72-hour sprint" of telephone rallies for nearly 20 states, with more possibly to come. His in-person rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday is still planned. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The RNC saysRNC Chairman Joe Gruters said the phone rallies are more efficient and reach more voters, and that "voters across the country want to hear from President Trump before Election Day."
President Trump saysAsked whether health was the reason, he said, "I feel perfect," and "I don't feel I have to go to Kansas."
Yemen's Houthis said Thursday they attacked six targets in Saudi Arabia, including the Ras Tanura and Rabigh refineries, an Aramco facility in Abqaiq, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. There was no independent confirmation of the claims. The Saudi-led coalition said two ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed; Saudi civil defense said one person had minor injuries and a house and a vehicle were damaged. Brent crude rose to about $116 a barrel early Friday.
The Houthis saySpokesman Yahya Saree said they struck "vital commercial and military infrastructure" across Saudi Arabia with missiles and a drone.
Saudi Arabia saysThe Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired toward the capital.
South Korea's KOSPI closed down 3.48% at 5,730.74 on Friday after falling more than 5% at one point, which triggered a sell-side "sidecar" that briefly halted program selling. Chipmaker SK hynix fell about 7% and Samsung Electronics about 3%. Reports tied the drop to weaker-than-expected results from Alphabet and Amazon, which raised concerns about heavy AI spending. Amazon shares fell more than 6% after hours Thursday.
The Green Bay Packers beat the Carolina Panthers 27-19 at Lambeau Field. Jordan Love threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Christian Watson was taken to a hospital after a chest injury on a 53-yard catch, returned, and finished with eight catches for 113 yards. Green Bay is 5-3 and Carolina 3-4.
