The financial services firm Unchained and the University of Texas have partnered to launch a long-term endowment fund in bitcoin (BTC). Joseph Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Unchained, set the ball rolling with a personal donation of two bitcoins. The bitcoin financial services firm also intends to connect UATX faculty and their research with key […]
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Swiss University Introduces 16-Day Bitcoin Course; Critics Question Exorbitant Fee
The Zurich University of Applied Sciences has said it will kickstart a 16-day Bitcoin economy training course in March 2025. The short course aims to help students understand how bitcoin influences the financial system. Understanding Bitcoin’s Impact on the Financial System The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (HWZ), a Swiss institution, has said it is […]
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Zimbabwean University Partners With Web3 Hub to Host Its First-Ever Blockchain Hackathon
On Dec. 8 and 9, the University of Zimbabwe in partnership with the South Africa-based Mzansi Web3 Hub, held the learning institution’s inaugural blockchain hackathon. Taurayi Rupere, the chairman of the institution’s computer science department, said the hackathon’s goal is to produce “open-minded” developers who “think outside the box.”
Overwhelming Interest in the Hackathon
The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) recently partnered with South Africa-based Mzansi Web3 to hold the learning institution’s first hackathon. About 175 students from different faculties and stages of their courses registered to participate in the Dec. 8 and 9 hackathon.
Taurayi Rupere, the chairman of the institution’s computer science department, told Bitcoin.com News that the hackathon’s goal is to produce “open-minded” developers who “think outside the box.” While organizers of the two-day event were initially targeting students from the computer science faculty, Rupere said the excitement sparked by the hackathon eventually forced his department to extend the invitation to students from other fields.
During an interview, the UZ’s computer science department chairman discussed some steps that the university can take to help both students and non-students learn more about blockchain technology.
“We need to run a course to conscientize the market itself, we need to do this for two or three months. We can also do this via the research projects that our students do,” Rupere said.
He added that both the UZ and students are hopeful that the hackathon is not going to be a one-off event but the first of many more to come.
Enhancing Younger Generations’ Understanding and Skills
Shaheer Karrim, the founder of Mzansi Web3 Hub, told Bitcoin.com News that he is hopeful the educational initiatives his organization is currently undertaking in Southern Africa “will enhance the younger generations’ understanding and skills in blockchain technology.” They will also enhance “Africa’s active participation in the global digital revolution.”
Karrim also spoke of the ongoing role of the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) in making blockchain technology popular not just in Southern Africa but across the continent. He said:
“The rise in blockchain technology adoption by African governments and corporates indicates a recognition of its potential to revolutionise various sectors. The Internet Computer Protocol, known for its advanced technological stack, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide.”
According to Karrim, teaching the continent’s future generations about blockchain technologies will ensure that African countries’ youth are well-prepared to benefit from “the impending digital revolution.” Confidence Nyirenda, the lead ambassador of Mzansi Web3 Hub in Zimbabwe, said the purpose of this and upcoming hackathons is to introduce the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) to students.
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Stanford University Vows to Return $5.5M FTX Donations; Funds Initially Allocated for Pandemic Prevention
In the wake of a lawsuit targeting the parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, Stanford University’s spokesperson has announced intentions to give back the millions garnered from FTX and its affiliates. Records indicate that a whopping .5 million in gifts to Stanford traces back to the FTX empire.
FTX’s Pandemic Protection Push Pauses: Stanford Announces Donation Reversal Amid Legal Drama
Nestled in Stanford, California, Stanford Law School ranks among the nation’s premier law institutions, renowned for its progressive stance. A recent Bloomberg report reveals that FTX is retracting .5 million in contributions made to the university through both the company and its high-ranking officials.
The parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, forged their relationship at Stanford University, crossing paths as educators in 1988. Bankman presently holds the title of Ralph M. Parsons professor of Law and Business at Stanford Law School, while Fried is designated as the William W. and Gertrude H. Saunders professor at the university.
“We have been in discussions with attorneys for the FTX debtors to recover these gifts and we will be returning the funds in their entirety,” a university spokesperson told Bloomberg reporters Amelia Pollard and Jonathan Randles on Tuesday. The school’s spokesperson added:
Stanford received gifts from the FTX Foundation and FTX-related companies largely for pandemic-related prevention and research.
FTX’s commitment to pandemic prevention runs deep, notably with SBF’s sibling, Gabe Bankman-Fried, at the helm of “Guarding Against Pandemics” (GAP). Reports suggest that FTX’s substantial financial backing powered GAP, and as the Washington Post highlighted, the group allocated million to influence Congress and brought on 26 lobbyists.
The latest revelation from Stanford comes on the heels of a lawsuit targeting Bankman-Fried’s parents, alleged to have profited handsomely from FTX’s coffers. The pair of Stanford law professors staunchly refute the allegations aimed at them.
What do you think about Stanford returning millions it reportedly received from FTX? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below.
ETH Boston Conference and Hackathon Returns April 28-30 at Boston University
PRESS RELEASE. ETH Boston and The Boston DAO are thrilled to announce the return of ETH Boston, a conference and hackathon event taking place at Boston University on April 28-30, 2023.
The conference will feature three stages of 50+ industry experts, founders, and builders, technology-specific workshops, networking events, and a hackathon. We are excited to bring to you high quality discussions with tracks covering DeFi, Infrastructure, Data, Identity, Zero-Knowledge, DAOs, DeSci, Institutional Adoption, Regulation, and more!
ETH Boston aims to build awareness and directly impact developers, investors, students, and companies who are creating the next generation of infrastructure and applications that will power the decentralized web.
The ETH Boston Hackathon provides an opportunity for builders to display their technical abilities and creativity across a 3-day competition where hackers will work to create innovative ideas and products to be judged for cash prizes and funding.
We are excited to invite you to participate in this upcoming event and contribute to the growing ecosystem of the decentralized web. Please join us in Boston for ETHBoston 2023, and be a part of the future of web3.
Register for ETH Boston and buy your tickets at https://www.ethboston.xyz/. Use code NEWS10 for a discount.
This is a press release. Readers should do their own due diligence before taking any actions related to the promoted company or any of its affiliates or services. Bitcoin.com is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
University of California Falls Prey to $1.15M Crypto Ransom Scam
It’s no secret that the crypto industry is rife with scams, hacks, and other nefarious activities, with the decentralized and private nature of many digital assets being conducive to these types of undertakings.
The latest group to fall victim to one of these scams is a school within the University of California system, who paid an online gang .14 million to gain access to files that were encrypted due to malware that spread throughout their computer system.
UC San Francisco Pays Cyber Gang .15 Million in Crypto
According to a recent report from BBC – who followed the conversation between the two parties thanks to an anonymous source – the Netwalker criminal gang extorted over million in Bitcoin from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) earlier this month.
Shortly after the malware had infected the university’s computer system, the IT department was directed to a page on the dark web the resembled a standard customer service page.
Netwalker's website. Image courtesy of BBC News
They then engaged the criminals in a conversation on the site, who instructed that they pay million in crypto to have access to their files and computers restored. Otherwise, they threatened, the files would all be wiped clean.
The University offered to pay 0,000, but the hackers claimed that this is not enough considering that the university makes “billions per year” and demanded they pay .5 million in crypto.
The university eventually offered a total of ,140,895, which was accepted by the hackers.
The next day, 116.4 Bitcoin was transferred into the gang’s crypto wallets.
These actions run counter to recommendations from most law enforcement agencies across the globe, who argue against making contact or sending payment to any of these digital ransom rings.
Despite this, the university claims that it was imperative to send the crypto due to the locked files being valuable to “serving the public good.”
“The data that was encrypted is important to some of the academic work we pursue as a university serving the public good. We therefore made the difficult decision to pay some portion of the ransom, approximately .14 million, to the individuals behind the malware attack…”
Here’s Why Law Enforcement Argues Against Sending Crypto to Ransom Hackers
Ransom schemes are becoming commonplace, and law enforcement officials remain ardent in their stance against victims sending Bitcoin or any other crypto to these criminals.
Jan Op Gen Oorth – a Europol agent – stated that paying the ransom just encourages more of it to take place.
“Victims should not pay the ransom, as this finances criminals and encourages them to continue their illegal activities.”
Because crypto-assets like Bitcoin can easily be sent through a “mixer” that makes it incredibly difficult to track, it is unlikely that victims who pay these organizations will ever be able to recover the stolen funds.
Featured image from Shutterstock.
Maltese University Students Turn to Blockchain Voting App for Student Election
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Ripple Announces University Blockchain Research Initiative Parternships with Kyoto and Tokyo Universities
Blockchain firm and creator of the XRP digital currency, Ripple, has announced that its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) has partnered with two Japanese higher education institutions. With the inclusion of Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, the initiative is now 33 strong.
The aim of UBRI is to further academic research into blockchain technology. Ripple is hoping to equip the developers and computer scientists of tomorrow with the necessary knowledge to support its vision of a future digital economy.
Ripple Spreading Blockchain Education in Japan with UBRI
According to a press release by Ripple, the firm’s University Blockchain Research Initiative has just expanded into Japan. The enterprise’s latest partnerships, Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, are the first higher education institutions from the nation to join the group.
The release details that the latest UBRI partners have already been collaborating with Ripple across all levels of study. The Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability at Kyoto University has held workshops as well as fund-raised for research projects exploring blockchain’s application in addressing various global issues. These relate to diverse fields of study such as engineering, business, and public policy.
Specific topics studied include how blockchain could overhaul current remittance services, digital identity management systems for refugees, and supply chain management.
![ripple blockchain university](https://www.newsbtc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Blockchain-University.jpg)
Ripple believes blockchain will be a vital technology in the future and is investing heavily in education.
Meanwhile, the University of Tokyo’s Department of Economics will host public seminars focusing on blockchain and settlement, along with various professor-organised research projects. These will focus on the evolving financial system and regulatory approaches to it. The institution will also be awarding scholarships to students partaking in blockchain research.
Eric van Miltenburg, SVP of Global Operations at Ripple, commented on the partnerships with the Japanese high education centres:
“University partners will continue to increase positive awareness of the transformative impact that blockchain technology will have across various industries. As the industry matures, the academic community plays a pivotal role in paving the road for innovative companies and entrepreneurs leveraging blockchain technologies and digital assets.”
The UBRI has so far partnered with numerous top universities from around the world. Its membership currently boasts a total of 33 institutions from 14 nations. The press release states that each of the universities partnering with Ripple’s blockchain education initiative are free to determine their own research topics and key focus areas. It states that Ripple provides financial services to help promote blockchain education at the institutions, as well as direct collaboration with expertise and technical resources when they are needed.
The Senior Director of Global Operations at Ripple, Emi Yoshikawa, also provided comment on the UBRI and its decision to expand into Japan:
“Japan is quickly becoming a leading force in crypto assets and blockchain. The region has always been forward thinking and exploring ways to improve the current financial system.”
Related Reading: Ripple Execs Begs US Congress for Lenient Crypto Regulations
Featured Image from Shutterstock.
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