Was late 2017 cryptocurrency spike artificially inflated?
A new report stemming from the University of Texas at Austin claims that the big surge in cryptocurrency values during 2017 was artificially created using a digital currency called Tether. The report focuses on Bitfinex, one of the largest unregulated digital currency exchanges on the market.
What is Bitcoin?
What is Bitcoin? It's a question that many recent investors might struggle to answer effectively because cryptocurrencies are a whole world unto themselves. Getting your head around the basics is important if you want to know what you're getting into before buying buying into the latest crypto-craze.
Now you can buy a classic Ford Mustang with cryptocurrency
Classic Recreations, known for rebuilding and upgrading vintage Ford Mustangs, now accepts cryptocurrency as a form of payment. That means you can buy an 800-horsepower muscle car with Bitcoin. The company hopes this will help it expand its customer base internationally.
Facebook changes its cryptocurrency rules by easing its ad blocking policy
Facebook changed its mind about banning cryptocurrency-related ads from the social network. Starting June 26, the updated policy will allow advertisements that promote cryptocurrency and related content, but only from pre-approved advertisers. Ads for ICOs and binary options are still banned.
A look into Bitcoin’s troubled year
Last year, Bitcoin seemed nearly unstoppable, but things have changed and not for the better. The currency recently dropped to less than $6,000 which is a far cry from the lofty heights of last year or even earlier this year.
Cryptocurrency may be why you still don’t have Nvidia GTX 11 Series graphics
Unnamed sources point to the current overabundance of add-in graphics cards as to why you’re not already seeing Nvidia’s new GeForce GTX 11 Series on store shelves. Nvidia reportedly has around one million chips ready for release but is holding back because there is simply no room for next-gen cards.
Hackers allegedly used cryptocurrency in attack against Clinton campaign
An 11-count indictment filed against 12 Russian military intelligence officers reveals that the group allegedly used cryptocurrency to remain anonymous in a scheme against the Clinton campaign in 2016. They used these digital coins to pay for the website used to release stolen election-related documents.
Money-laundering ‘Bitcoin Maven’ receives one-year prison sentence
Theresa Tetley of Los Angeles, also known as the Bitcoin Maven, gets sentenced to one year in prison. The prison term is down from the 30 months that she faced for running an unlicensed money transmission business and, in at least one instance, exchanging Bitcoin for cash that came from illegal means.
What is Ethereum?
New cryptocurrencies are sprouting out of thin air all of the time, but only a few have had a lasting impact. Ethereum is one such cryptocurrency, despite only being a couple of years old. It's one of the most valuable and has enabled the creation of many others. What is Ethereum? It's one of the most exciting cryptocurrencies.
Congressman says we should be banned from mining, using cryptocurrency
Congressman Brad Sherman believes the government should prohibit U.S. citizens from mining and using cryptocurrency. He made the statement Wednesday, adding that as a medium of exchange, cryptocurrencies accomplish nothing except facilitating narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and tax evasion.
Photo FOMO: Fujifilm ramen, KodakCoin DOA, and Nikon’s secret sensor lab
In the latest photo industry news, Fujifilm has released a limited-run of Provia-branded instant noodles as a promotional stunt, Kodak's 'Kashminer' and KodaCoin cryptocurrency is DOA, and Imaging Resource takes a detailed look inside the 'super-secret' sensor development lab at Nikon.
The browser-based Monero miner Coinhive generates around $250,000 each month
A report reveals that despite a dramatic fall in cryptocurrency mining, the Coinhive JavaScript-based miner is still highly active, generating around $250,000 worth of digital Monero coins each month. Coinhive also contributes 1.18 percent of the total mining power behind the Monero blockchain.
Researchers hack John McAfee’s ‘unhackable’ Bitfi cryptocurrency wallet
John McAffee had teamed up to promote the security of Bitfi's cryptocurrency wallet by inviting hackers to attempt to break in with a bug bounty reward. It seems that researchers took the bait, and McAffee's Bitfi wallet can now be deemed successfully hacked.
Those $1 Bitcoins at Walmart have one big catch — they’re made of chocolate
Walmart's new Bitcoin chocolate coins are priced at just $1 a pack, giving cryptocurrency investors the chance to hold something real in their hands for the first time. Better yet, if they ever get tired of 'holding' their investment, they can always just tear off the faux-gold wrapper and eat them.
Cat got your wallet? CryptoKitties virtual feline fetches $170K in crypto cash
If you thought you paid a lot for in-app purchases to enjoy your latest mobile game, think again. A CryptoKitty named Dragon was recently sold on Etherum-based CryptoKitties, a game that's based on blockchain, for the equivalent of $170,000. In case you were wondering, that's a record.
A vigilante botnet is taking out crypto-jacking malware
A new botnet with links to the Satori botnet has been spotted in the wild by security researchers. Known as Fbot, it doesn't look to spread malware though. It destroys it. It searches websites for a particular piece of crypto-jacking malware, takes it over, and then destroys it, deleting itself in the process.
Ripple cryptocurrency jumps 70 percent in 24 hours after news of bank deal
A tease that the Ripple (XRP) cryptocurrency might soon be adopted by a number of banks to speed up and ease international money transfers has sent its value skyrocketing. In 24 hours, it reached its highest value in 2018, jumping more than 70 percent in some cases and XRP trades even top Bitcoin in the past 24 hours.
What’s the point of a blockchain phone? We asked an expert
We cut through the hype and look at the reasons behind the current wave of blockchain phones, what they can do, and what they might be do in the future. You’ll find out what exactly what a blockchain phone is, how it can handle crypto assets, and who might want to buy one.
If we want to slow down climate change, we should change how we mine Bitcoin
Bitcoin mining isn't good for climate change. According to a new study coming out of the University of Hawaii Manoa, provided that Bitcoin continues its current trajectory it could produce enough emissions to raise global temperatures by 2 degrees Celsius as soon as 2033.
Sirin Labs’ Finney is no token effort — it’s a full-fledged crypto-phone
The Sirin Labs Finney phone is unusual. Rather than being about the camera or a bezel-less design, it's all about cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain, and that makes it about as cutting-edge as tech gets. The $1,000 phone is for the cryptocurrency crowd at the moment, but that may change in the future.
415,000 routers worldwide reportedly infected with cryptojacking malware
A cryptojacking malware that was initially discovered affecting more than 200,000 routers in Brazil now has grown to infect more than 415,000 routers worldwide. The malware's goal is to steal resources from computers to mine cryptocurrency in a scheme known as cryptojacking. Fortunately there is a fix.
This cryptocurrency wallet for kids isn’t nearly as stupid as it sounds
So you’ve taught your 6-year-old child to read, write, and play nice with others. What’s next? Give them a basic understanding of how cryptocurrencies function, of course. Called Pigzbe, this Kickstarter smart wallet for youngsters aims to help. Here's how it all works.
Mining cryptocurrency for Razer Silver isn’t worth your computing power
Razer has launched its own cryptocurrency mining scheme, but instead of offering hardware to mine with, it's paying those who use its mining software with Razer Silver, which can be traded for hardware and loot crate codes. The trade-off is unlikely to be worth it, so consider carefully before joining.
Canada’s winters inspired a startup to warm homes with cryptomining heat waste
Consuming massive amounts of electricity and generating tons of waste heat has become the price we’re paying to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It’s a problem that gets worse at scale. But Quebec-based Heatmine thinks there may be a way to replace existing hot water heating systems with mining rigs, solving two problems at once.
Coinstar machines will let you swap cash for Bitcoin at your local grocery store
Coinstar, the company which owns the cash exchange machines found at grocery stores and elsewhere, will soon let you easily buy Bitcoin with your money. Here's what the company recently announced -- and why this is potentially big news for the 10-year-old cryptocurrency.
Think crypto’s dead? JPMorgan to offer first cryptocurrency backed by a U.S. bank
J.P. Morgan Chase is rolling out a trial in the next few months of the first cryptocurrency backed by a large United States bank. Dubbed JPM Coin, the cryptocurrency will be used by big business across the world to "instantly settle payments between clients," according to a report from CNBC.
Crypto exchange founder dies with sole password, leaving $190 million locked up
A missing password and a crypto exchange founder's death has left the exchange’s unable to repay the $190 million it owes its clients. To avoid bankruptcy QuadrigaCX has recently filed for “creditor protection.” Clients of the crypto exchange have been unable to withdraw their funds for months.
Bitcoin mining profits are on the rise. But don’t buy your own hardware just yet
Gross margins for Bitcoin miners are on the rise again after a year of continual downfalls. While this doesn't guarantee it will remain profitable forever, it seems as if the downturn may have been reversed for now, while trades in the cryptocurrency continue to grow from month to month.
Age-verification tech could usher in vending machines for beer and weed
Ever dreamed about being able to get an ice cold beer from a conveniently placed vending machine? One of the problems with this idea is how customers prove that they're of drinking age. San Francisco-based startup Civic thinks that it's come up with the perfect solution.
Facebook’s crypto isn’t a new Bitcoin, it’s Disney Dollars for a new world order
Facebook's new cryptocurrency ambitions might prove popular, but it won't pull in many existing cryptocurrency fans. The famously decentralized medium hasn't shown much love for more controlled alternatives, and Libra could be the latest attempt to legitimize the prototypically uncontrolled crypto space.
Congress already wants to block rollout of Facebook’s cryptocurrency
It only took a few hours after Facebook announced the details of its Libra cryptocurrency on Tuesday morning for lawmakers in Congress to tell the social media giant to pump the breaks. Rep. Maxine Waters asked Facebook to stop development until Congress could weigh in.
Facebook’s Libra could be dead on arrival, if India stands by its proposed ban
The government of India has announced that it is considering a ban on Facebook's new cryptocurrency, Libra. Without this key market, the success of the burgeoning cryptocurrency is in serious doubt. Will Libra end up being dead upon arrival?
The U.S. Senate really doesn’t like Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency plans
Facebook Libra had its first big regulatory test on Tuesday when Calibra head David Marcus appeared before the Senate Banking Committee. It didn’t go well. Senators of both parties had major concerns about Facebook's proposed cryptocurrency. It’s looking increasingly likely that Libra might be delayed.
In SEC filing, Facebook admits Libra cryptocurrency may not happen after all
Facebook’s drive to create its own worldwide cryptocurrency might have hit a brick wall. In a new SEC filing, the company said that Libra’s planned 2020 launch might be delayed – or it might not ever happen at all – now that government regulators have expressed concerns.