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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The IRS is cracking down on people who didn’t pay taxes on Bitcoin earnings
If you've been trading Bitcoin and haven't been reporting your earnings to the IRS, you might be getting a surprise in your mailbox. The IRS is cracking down on cryptocurrency traders who didn’t report their earnings on their taxes. Around 10,000 people are expected to get letters.
Bitcoin has a massive carbon footprint. This clever new cryptocurrency doesn’t
Bitcoin mining is bad for the environment. Researchers from Switzerland’s Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne believe they have come up with a new low-energy approach to current cryptocurrency approaches. Here's what their concept does differently -- and why it matters.
Ethereum vs. Bitcoin: What’s the difference?
Ethereum vs. Bitcoin: That's the question many are asking themselves when it comes to investing. What's the difference and how do they stack up when compared?
Litecoin vs. Ethereum
When you pit Litecoin vs. Ethereum, which is the better cryptocurrency? Both have fast block times and low transaction costs, but does one come out victorious?
How to buy Ripple
Ripple is an exciting cryptocurrency for buyers, sellers, and traders. In this guide, we break down just how to make your first XRP purchase and keep it safe.
Bitcoin struggles as it tries to change e-currency
The P2P online currency shirks regulation or outside influence, but security woes and an unstable worth are among its current hangups.
Bitcoin developer halted at US Customs for lack of real cash
Bitcoin experiences some growing pains as its underground aura plagues users and anonymous network is called into question.
Bitcoin prices plummeting, costs more to mine the digital currency
While Bitcoin users continue to build advanced computer rigs to mine for the digital currency, the advantages to mining are quickly slipping away with the falling price of Bitcoins.
DT Debates: Is it time to cut out cash and cards and go all in on digital dollars?
In this week's edition of DT Debates, we discuss whether or not it's time to get rid of physical currency and get on board with all-electronic money system.
The future of money: It’s not in your hands
Deep in the heart of the world's least fiscally responsible city, Digital Trends searches for the future of money at a conference starring Suze Orman, Google Wallet, and a gazillion reasons to worry about the financial services industry's long term plans for us all.