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.
Why a 19-year-old Bitcoin millionaire built a working Dr. Octopus suit
What would you do if you were a 19-year-old kid with $3.3 million? There are few people more equipped to answer that than teenaged bitcoin millionaire Erik Finman. His answer? You use some of that cash to build a Doctor Octopus-style exosuit and try and shake up the education system.
Hackers prove how powerful computers can cheat Bitcoin and blockchain
A 51 percent attack on the ZenCash cryptocurrency shows that proof-of-work blockchains like Bitcoin are vulnerable to large-scale computing power. As just one of several recent attacks, it's possible that those behind it are growing bolder and more ambitious with their targets.
Scotland has a rehab clinic for people who are addicted to trading bitcoin
Can't help yourself when it comes to Bitcoin? Castle Craig Hospital is starting to treat cryptocurrency addicts like gambling addicts, and they think they can help you break the "hold on for deal life," or HODL trap. The treatment involves a rather expensive residential program, however.
This website lets you earn cryptocurrency by picking World Cup winners
With the 2018 World Cup tournament looming, a new website called Cryptocup allows users to earn cryptocurrency by predicting the winners of the 64-team tournament, earning tokens for each game they select, with those tokens being thrown into a pot that will be awarded to the winner. Tokens can be sold on the crypto market as well.
The Justice Department is now cracking down on cryptocurrency scams
The Justice Department is now working with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to launch a criminal investigation to determine if digital coin traders are manipulating prices using illegal practices such as spoofing and wash trading. Sources say the federal probe is in the early stages.
How much energy does Bitcoin mining require? Experts are unsure
How much energy is required to mine Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies? A recent study estimates that Bitcoin mining uses as much energy as Ireland, but some experts disagree with those findings.
New cryptocurrency is backed by global financial giant Goldman Sachs
Circle, a payment startup that’s backed by multinational investment banking leviathan Goldman Sachs, has just announced the launch of its very own bitcoin rival. Called Circle USD Coin, it’s the first cryptocurrency to be created and released by one of the world’s leading financial giants.
Bitcoin’s profitability called into question as energy consumption rises
Growing interest in Bitcoin is wielding a double-edged sword against cryptocurrency operations. Bitcoin mining is estimated to consume 0.5 percent of the world's energy consumption this year, and rising cost needed to cool mining facilities may make cryptocurrency mining unprofitable.
A German bank is using Bitcoin to handle international loans
A German bank, Bitbond, is using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to facilitate international loans. The bank's founder believes that Bitcoin can make for quicker and more affordable loans while lowering the risk of falling victim to cryptocurrency volatility.
KodakOne uses blockchain and web crawlers to spot stolen images
Kodak licensee Wenn Digital is using blockchain to create a registry of images called KodakOne and cryptocurrency to pay photographers for images. While KodakOne is slated to arrive late this year, the cryptocurrency KodakCoin will launch on May 21 with SEC-registered broker-dealers.
Facebook confirms it’s making a big move with many of its executives
Facebook's leadership structure looks a bit different now -- but even users that don't care about the who's who of Facebook could see the effects as the company creates teams for privacy tools and blockchain technology. The change creates three divisions for Facebook, each with a number of different teams.
Volition is a blockchain-powered collectible card game that you print at home
Developed by veterans of The Spoils, Volition is a collectible card game from Cryptogogue that uses blockchain technology. It lets players customize their play with upgrades, augments, and customized fan art. It will even have its own cryptocurrency, using miners to discover new cards and booster packs.
Cryptojacking hackers infected 400 major websites with stealth miners
Coinhive's javascript cryptocurrency miners have been found installed on more than 400 websites that contained a vulnerability in the Drupal content management system. The cryptojackers behind it have made off with heaps of cryptocurrency off of the backs of unwitting website owners and visitors.
Games from Space lets you loan your GPU to earn free games
Games from Space is a new PC gaming service that allows users to loan the power of their GPU to earn free digital games. The selection of titles includes newer releases like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, and the time it takes you to earn a new game will vary depending on the power of your GPU.
What is Sweatcoin and how does it work?
A lot of fitness buffs are curious about Sweatcoin but many people don't fully understand how to use the app. In fact, a lot of folks don't even know what it is at all. So what is Sweatcoin? Here, we've explained all about the exercise-based cryptocurrency and how to use it.
From vaping to drones, 8 tech trends we may look back on and cringe
Believe it or not, folks used to insulate their homes with asbestos and smoke on airplanes without worry. What is the technology we use today which may prompt similar 'what were they thinking?' reactions in just a few decades' time? Here are our picks for eight such trends.
Miner One takes Bitcoin mining to new heights with space mission
Miner One launched a new initial coin offering (ICO) campaign that sent the Space Miner One cryptocurrency mining rig to space to mine for bitcoin. Miner One expects to raise $10 million as part of its ICO to build a cryptocurrency mining center in Sweden and share the benefits with investors.
Blockchain-based GLN hopes to challenge Steam and Apple gaming platforms
Over the years, there have been many challenges seeking to take Steam's throne as the leader in PC gaming distribution. Now, a blockchain-based startup is hoping it can use the new technology to provide an alternative to Steam.
Inside a Bitcoin mine, fans, silicon, and frigid temperatures keep crypto pumping
Ever wondered what it's like inside a bitcoin mine? Since it's a digital currency, you can't just dig it up with a pickaxe -- so to get an inside look at how it works, we packed up our cameras and drove up to Wenatchee, Washington to see a mine in person. Check out the video to get an inside look!
IBM’s blockchain for jewelry will steer consumers clear of blood diamonds
Outside of cryptocurrency, IBM's use of blockchain in jewelry manufacturing will give greater transparency to this business and help consumers choose ethically sourced gems. Consumers will soon be able to scan a QR code using their smartphone to see the origins and manufacturing of their jewelry.
John McAfee-backed cryptocurrency platform leaks personal details
The Bezop cryptocurrency ecommerce platform might promise security for users, but early investors have become victims of a preventable leak in the form of an unsecured database which contained reams of personal information, including names, email addresses, and email driving license and passport scans.
Quantum mechanics could save the blockchain from quantum computers
A new type of 'quantum blockchain' that effectively acts like a time machine could make it possible to avoid the problem faced by developers when quantum computers can easily break traditional encryption systems. Such a system could, in theory, protect blockchain platforms like Bitcoin in the future.
Bitcoin put him on the street. Then it made him a fortune
Paxful co-founder Ray Youssef wants to give back to world with Bitcoin after the cryptocurrency helped him go from homeless to a major Bitcoin success. His high-minded ideas about what Bitcoin can accomplish have helped him help himself, and others, but hasn’t kept Youssef away from controversy.
Amazon patent wants to unmask Bitcoin users, sell data to law enforcement, others
An Amazon patent filing from 2014 that has only just been given approval suggests that the retail giant is interested in identifying both parties behind Bitcoin transactions by teaming up with telecom companies. This suggests Amazon could sell access to that information to groups like law enforcement.
Cambridge Analytica designed cryptocurrency to sell back your personal data
Two wrongs don't make a right, and that's especially true for Cambridge Analytica, which had collected information from more than 87 million Facebook users. Now, a former employee reveals that the company has been working on its own cryptocurrency designed to sell your own personal data back to you.
DT Daily: Tesla pauses Model 3 production to untangle robot assembly lines
Tesla hits the brakes on Model 3 production just when it needs to ramp it up, Apple eyes a broader news focus (and business), we explain that ever-mysterious 'blockchain' thingie.
The PlayTable blockchain console brings digital board games back to the tabletop
The PlayTable blockchain console is more than just a tablet, it’s a distributed digital toybox for you and your kids.
What are smart contracts?
What are smart contracts? They're like traditional contracts, but instead of being backed by lawyers at either end, they're backed by computing algorithms and they could change the way many industries operate.
Blockchain may power future elections, but it’s no silver bullet for fraud
It seems likely that blockchain technology will be introduced to voting systems in the US in the next couple of years. Here’s what it will look like.
With this browser, ads can’t steal your attention — they have to pay you for it
The creator of Javascript and founder of Mozilla, Brendan Eich, thinks he has a blockchain-based solution. It’s secure, private, technologically advanced and, best of all, ensures everyone involved in online ads receives payment – including you.
The tech behind cryptocurrency could save lives by fixing medical records
There’s a research group at MIT aiming to bring order to the chaotic world of medical records, with a little help from the blockchain.
Is there horse in your hamburger? How blockchain could fight food fraud
In the global economy, people often don’t know where the products they consume come from. One company thinks blockchain can change that