PRESS RELEASE. Bitlight Labs Launches Public Release of Bitlight Wallet, the First Self-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet Supporting RGB Assets Bitlight Labs, a pioneer in RGB protocol and Lightning Network infrastructure development and a board member of the LNP/BP Association, announced the launch of its flagship product, Bitlight Wallet, on April 27, 2024, at 14:00 UTC. Bitlight […]
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Bitcoin.com Announces Launch of Verse Voyager NFTs With Exclusive Airdrop — Public Sale to Start April 24
Bitcoin.com, a trailblazer in the cryptocurrency domain since 2015, is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated Verse Voyager NFT collection, which has officially launched with an exclusive airdrop of nearly 10% of the collection’s supply to early community participants. The public sale is scheduled to commence on April 24th at https://voyager.verse.bitcoin.com/, making this innovative series […]
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Owner of Thailand’s Largest Cryptocurrency Exchange Set to Go Public in 2025
Bitkub Capital Group Holdings, the owner of Thailand’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, reportedly plans to go public in 2025. Jirayut Srupsrisopa, the CEO of the holding company, revealed that Bitkub Capital Group is currently hiring financial advisers to assist with the listing. Enhancing Bitkub Capital Group’s Profile Bitkub Capital Group Holdings, the owner of Bitkub Online […]
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Tokenized US Treasury Bonds Hit $1 Billion Milestone on Public Blockchains
This week, 21.co’s onchain data analyst Tom Wan presented figures revealing that tokenized U.S. Treasury bonds on public blockchains have surpassed the billion mark. The analyst highlighted that Blackrock’s BUIDL experienced significant growth of 400%, escalating from million to 0 million within a span of a week. The Rise of Tokenized Real-World Assets […]
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El Salvador Has More Bitcoin Than Public Estimates With Multiple BTC Revenue Sources, President Bukele Indicates
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has indicated that his country’s bitcoin holdings may exceed public estimates. He revealed that El Salvador has been generating bitcoin-related revenue from various sources in addition to the capital gains from bitcoin purchased since its legalization as a legal tender in the country. ‘El Salvador Is Bitcoin Country’ El […]
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Bitcoin Soars Above $52K, Yet Public Interest Shows Decline, Google Trends Data Reveals
As bitcoin’s value surged to ,545 this week, the fascination with it appears subdued, with Google Trends indicating a low level of interest. Currently, global metrics from the last 90 days reveal the search term “bitcoin” holds a score of 36 out of 100, significantly less than when bitcoin first exceeded the K threshold nearly […]
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EIA Launches ‘Emergency Survey’ on Crypto Mining’s Power Use Amid Concerns of Alleged ‘Public Harm’
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has gained clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct an urgent survey regarding electricity usage by cryptocurrency mining firms across the U.S. The EIA submitted this request on the grounds that “public harm is reasonably likely” should standard operations persist.
Biden’s OMB Approves EIA’s Emergency Survey on Crypto Mining Energy Impact
The Biden administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has greenlit the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the U.S. government to initiate a survey among mining enterprises. Starting next week, the EIA aims to gather information from specified commercial crypto mining companies, mandating their cooperation in disclosing energy consumption details. The authorization for this emergency data collection request was granted by the OMB on Jan. 26, 2024. Additionally, the EIA plans to invite public feedback regarding the data gathering on the energy usage of cryptocurrency miners.
“We intend to continue to analyze and write about the energy implications of cryptocurrency mining activities in the United States,” Joe DeCarolis, the EIA administrator said. “We will specifically focus on how the energy demand for cryptocurrency mining is evolving, identify geographic areas of high growth, and quantify the sources of electricity used to meet cryptocurrency mining demand.”
Biden has declared a Federal “emergency” because #bitcoin is winning pic.twitter.com/NwxLxHynQ9
— Pierre Rochard (@BitcoinPierre) January 31, 2024
The justification for the approval presents a compelling case, with the EIA highlighting that “public harm is reasonably likely” should the current course remain unaltered.
Currently diving into this edict from the EIA against bitcoin mining operations in the US. It is extremely Orwellian.
It seems like they are trying to create a hyper-detailed registry of miners in the US down to particular ASICs. pic.twitter.com/tfZRhjugHe
— Marty Bent (@MartyBent) February 1, 2024
“As evidence, the price of bitcoin has increased roughly 50% in the last three months, and higher prices incentivize more crypto mining activity, which in turn increases electricity consumption,” the reasoning behind the emergency request notes. “At the time of this writing, much of the central United States is in the grip of a major cold snap that has resulted in high electricity demand.”
Furthermore, the request elaborates:
The combined effects of increased crypto mining and stressed electricity systems create heightened uncertainty in electric power markets, which could result in demand peaks that affect system operations and consumer prices, as happened in Plattsburgh, New York in 2018.
Glenn McGrath, an EIA spokesperson conveyed to Reuters that the request is warranted. “We do think it is a significant source of demand which is worthy of our efforts to quantify it,” McGrath said. “However, until we are able to substantiate the activity with better data, we, too, have more questions than answers.”
What do you think about the EIA’s emergency mandate? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below.
Ripple IPO: Wall Street Veteran Explains Why Shares Could Surge 2000% Before Public Listing
Pro-XRP Wall Street financial analyst Linda Jones recently shared her thoughts on a potential Ripple Initial Public Offering (IPO). Specifically, she elaborated on her belief that the crypto firm was currently undervalued and how the company’s stocks could still rise before it went public.
Why Ripple’s Stock Could Be Worth 20 Times Its Current Price
Linda Jones used Coinbase’s IPO as a mirror to explain why Ripple’s stock could be worth 20 times its current valuation. She noted that Coinbase was valued at billion when it initially went public, and its stocks traded for as high as 9 during that period. If Ripple were to follow a similar path, then its stock price would be worth more than the , which it is currently valued at by private equity platform Linqto, Jones claimed.
Interestingly, the analyst factored in Ripple’s escrowed XRP holdings while trying to estimate how much the crypto firm could eventually be valued. According to her, Ripple could be valued as high as 7 billion if those escrowed funds (said to be worth billion) are added to the billion (if Ripple were to be valued similarly to Coinbase).
Going by Jones’ analysis, Ripple having a valuation of 7 billion means that the company’s stocks could trade at 0 on the first day of being publicly listed. The analyst then went on to lay out a possible scenario where Ripple is valued at more than 7 billion, the amount under consideration.
How Ripple Could End Up Being Worth Half A Trillion
Linda Jones also mentioned that Ripple could end up being worth half a trillion if the SEC’s case against Ripple were to end soon and XRP rises back to its all-time high (ATH). If the latter happens, Ripple’s escrowed XRP holdings will be worth around 0 billion. That could ultimately increase Ripple’s value to about 0 billion, the analyst claims.
Jones believes that Ripple being valued at 0 billion during the IPO isn’t farfetched, considering that there are companies that are already valued at up to a trillion. She further compared Ripple to the likes of Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, suggesting that the crypto firm could match up to these blue chip companies.
The financial analyst’s belief in Ripple’s potential is why she boldly claims that purchasing Ripple’s stock now is a great investment, as it will only go “up” from here. She also predicts that there could be a new record for a company at its valuation, and Ripple could be that company.
Kaspersky Alerts Public About Mac Specific Malware Targeting Crypto Wallets
Kaspersky, the cybersecurity firm based in Russia, has issued a public warning regarding a new malware strain that particularly targets Mac users, focusing on their crypto wallets. This malicious software, which infiltrates computers via counterfeit applications, sets up a backdoor aimed at bitcoin wallets, including Exodus. It then substitutes these wallets with fraudulent versions designed to extract the critical information required to drain the crypto assets stored within.
Kaspersky Alerts About Cryptocurrency Stealing Malware In Mac Operating Systems
Kaspersky, a Russian security company, has alerted the public about a new malware targeting cryptocurrency wallets installed in Apple computers. The malware targets computers with the Mac operating systems with versions 13.6 or above, focusing on newer devices expected to be used by crypto-savvy users.
The malware, distributed through pirated applications, is bundled with an activator app to patch the previously compromised pirated application to run on the targeted computer. If the patch is not applied, the application will not run.
After getting administrative rights, the malware scans the PC for installed cryptocurrency wallets attempting to substitute them with compromised apps, intending to get the access keys to these apps and siphon the cryptocurrency held in them.
While malware targeting cryptocurrency wallets is not new, Kaspersky explains that the novelty of this software resides in two aspects: using DNS records to deliver its malicious scripts and replacing the wallet application with another infected version. The malware was observed to target Bitcoin Core and Exodus wallets in this way, but it is unknown if it can target other cryptocurrency wallet apps.
Sergey Puzan, a security researcher at Kaspersky, stated:
The macos malware being linked to pirated software highlights the serious risks. Cybercriminals use pirated apps to easily access users’ computers and get admin privileges by asking them to enter the password.
Furthermore, Puzan advised users to be extra cautious with cryptocurrency wallets, recommending avoiding downloading apps from unofficial sites and using security software solutions for better protection.
What do you think about the Macos-specific malware discovered by Kaspersky? Tell us in the comments section below.
Bank of England, HM Treasury Respond to Digital Pound Consultation Amid Strong Public Interest
Amidst public interest, the Bank of England and HM Treasury have addressed key concerns regarding the digital pound, reassuring the public of stringent legislative measures for privacy and control, alongside the maintenance of traditional cash.
HM Treasury and Bank of England Respond to Public’s Digital Currency Concerns, No Final Decision yet on Digital Pound
The Bank of England and HM Treasury have unveiled their response to the public consultation on the potential introduction of a digital pound, following engagement from the public and industry experts. Over 50,000 responses were received, indicating the public’s interest in the future of digital currency in the United Kingdom.
Key concerns raised by the respondents centered around privacy and control of funds, along with the continued availability of traditional cash. The authorities have assured that robust legislative measures will be implemented to safeguard user privacy and control before the roll-out of any digital pound. This includes primary legislation to ensure that neither the Bank of England nor the government will have access to users’ personal data.
The digital pound is envisaged as a supplement to existing forms of money, not a replacement. Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Bim Afolami said, “We will always ensure people’s privacy is paramount in any design, and any rollout would be alongside, not instead of, traditional cash.“
Sarah Breeden, Deputy Governor for Financial Stability, underscored the importance of trust in all forms of money and pointed out that, “[i]t is essential that we build that trust and have the support of the public and businesses who would be using it if introduced.”
No final decision has been made to pursue the digital pound, also known as a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The ongoing work involves exploring the feasibility and potential design choices of a digital pound in the UK economy. This phase will focus on how the digital currency can provide greater choice, convenience, and innovation for everyday payments.
The digital pound aims to coexist with cash in a digital era, offering an alternative for everyday transactions. It would be issued by the Bank of England and designed to be convenient, widely available, and easily exchangeable with other forms of money. The proposed digital currency would be accessible through digital wallets and intended primarily for transactions rather than savings, without paying interest. Initial restrictions on how much an individual or business could hold are also part of the plan.
Before the launch of a digital pound, detailed legislative processes and further public consultations are planned. The proposed design of the digital pound has been generally well-received, but concerns about access to cash and control over personal data led to the commitment to introduce primary legislation for user protection. The future legislation will also prevent the government from programming the digital pound.
The Bank of England currently proposes a holding limit of 10,000-20,000 British pounds, though this may be subject to future reviews. The digital pound is expected to be accessible in several countries, barring those under sanctions. Experiments and further public consultations are planned to test the digital pound in real-world scenarios.
Would you be open to using the digital pound if it were available? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below.