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Гость эфира - Андрей Игоревич Масалович, подполковник КГБ в отставке, эксперт в области информационной и кибербезопасности Побеседовали о безопасности популярного мессенджера Telegram, интервью Дурова...

В мире криптовалют значение безопасности трудно переоценить. Особенно на фоне того, что предлагаемые продукты становятся все более сложными. Одной из мер, ставшей стандартом безопасности, является аудит смарт-контрактов.

Главный научный сотрудник Internet Computer и DFINITY Foundation Доминик Уильямс заявил, что главной проблемой крипторынка является синдром “змеиного масла”. По его словам, 95% существующих блокчейн-проектов — хлам.

Australia is poised to welcome a series of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on its main stock exchange by the end of 2024, mirroring initiatives previously seen in the United States and Hong Kong. Key players in the financial industry, including Van Eck Associates Corp. and BetaShares Holdings Pty, are actively preparing for these launches, with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) expected to grant approvals soon.

According to sources who wished to remain anonymous, ASX Ltd., which facilitates approximately 80% of the country’s equity trading, is anticipated to give the green light to the first spot Bitcoin ETFs before 2025. This development comes as the global interest in cryptocurrency ETFs grows, spurred by significant accumulations in similar funds in the United States, where players like BlackRock and Fidelity Investments dominate.

“The inflows into the US digital assets market prove that digital assets are here to stay,” stated Justin Arzadon, head of digital assets for BetaShares. He also mentioned that the firm has reserved ASX tickers for spot-Bitcoin and spot-Ether ETFs, signaling strong preparations for imminent listings.

An ASX spokesperson confirmed the exchange’s engagement with several issuers eager to launch Bitcoin based ETFs, though a precise timeline for these approvals remains undisclosed.

Bitcoin’s Potential Impact On Australia’s Pension Market

The introduction of spot-Bitcoin ETFs could have a transformative effect on Australia’s $2.3 trillion pension market. Approximately 25% of the country’s retirement assets are managed through self-managed superannuation programs that permit individuals to choose their investments. These programs are viewed as potential key buyers of the new spot-crypto funds.

“Self-managed super funds, brokers, financial advisers, and platform money create a large enough addressable market to support substantial ETF growth,” noted Jamie Hannah, deputy head of investments and capital markets at VanEck Australia.

However, Australia’s journey towards embracing spot-Bitcoin ETFs has been fraught with challenges. Earlier attempts to launch similar products on the smaller CBOE Australia platform yielded limited success. Cosmos Asset Management’s ETF was delisted due to low inflows, and the Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, also launched on CBOE Australia, has only accumulated about $62 million in assets to date.

Despite these setbacks, the move to the more prominent ASX platform is expected to provide these ETFs with greater visibility and potentially higher inflow, due to the ASX’s more substantial trading volume and broader investor base.

The push for spot Bitcoin ETFs in Australia comes at a time when global markets are increasingly open to digital assets. Regulatory bodies worldwide are gradually shaping the frameworks that allow for cryptocurrencies to be included in mainstream financial products, reflecting a significant shift in their perceived stability and viability as investment options.

BetaShares and other firms are actively preparing for regulatory approval, with an emphasis on addressing critical issues such as the secure custody of tokens. “ASX is the exchange we want to list on,” said Arzadon, signaling the strategic importance of ASX’s robust regulatory environment and established market presence.

Lisa Wade, CEO of DigitalX, suggested that Australians could allocate up to 10% of their investment portfolios to cryptocurrencies, indicating a strong belief in their long-term potential as alternative financial instruments. “Cryptocurrencies have the potential to act as financial rails that could redefine the future of money,” Wade commented.

At press time, BTC traded at $62,508.

Депутат фракции «СПРАВЕДЛИВАЯ РОССИЯ - ЗА ПРАВДУ» в Госдуме РФ, экономист Михаил Делягин отвечает на вопросы подписчиков Радио АВРОРА Ведущий: Георгий Фёдоров Подробнее о книге М.Г.Делягина "Цивилизация...

The Akita Inu, a majestic breed hailing from Japan’s northern prefecture of Akita, has gained international acclaim in recent years. To combat rising concerns about pedigree forgery and lost documents, the Akita Inu Preservation Society is embracing the digital age. They’ve partnered with a tech firm to develop a secure system using blockchain technology, the same system that underpins cryptocurrencies.

Akita Goes Global: Digital Pedigrees Meet International Demand

The Akita Inu Preservation Society has witnessed a surge in overseas membership, with numbers jumping from 300 in 2022 to nearly 500 in 2023. This international interest presents a challenge – ensuring the secure and efficient delivery of pedigree certificates.

Traditionally issued on paper, these documents were prone to getting lost in transit, especially for overseas recipients. The society even encountered a case of forged paperwork in China a few years ago, highlighting the need for a more robust system.

Blockchain Unleashed: Secure Pedigrees For The Modern Dog Owner

Enter blockchain technology. Partnering with Meta Akita Inc., a local IT firm, and Heirloom Inc., a US company, the dog preservation society has developed a revolutionary system for issuing digital pedigree certificates.

Blockchain, known for its secure and transparent nature, creates a digital ledger that tracks every transaction – in this case, the ownership history of an Akita. This eliminates the risk of forgery, as any attempt to tamper with the data would be immediately recognizable.

The benefits extend beyond security. Digital certificates are issued via a smartphone app, drastically reducing the waiting time for owners compared to traditional paper documents that could take weeks to arrive.

“In addition to the convenience of digitalization, we hope that owners will also have peace of mind in knowing that their dog is purebred,” society board member Yuki Shoji said. Looking Ahead: A Tail-Wagging Example For Other Breeds

The society’s foray into blockchain technology sets a precedent for other dog breed organizations worldwide. As globalization continues to connect dog lovers across borders, secure and efficient pedigree management becomes increasingly crucial.

This innovative approach not only safeguards the integrity of Akita bloodlines but also streamlines the process for international owners. With a wag and a woof, the Akita Inu Preservation Society is proving that sometimes, the best way to protect tradition is to embrace the future.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Госдума готовится рассмотреть законопроект, который прямо ограничивает свободную работу криптовалютных бирж/обменников и неподконтрольный российскими властям майнинг. Редакция Bits.media собрала мнения экспертов о законопроекте: «Скорее за», «Против» и «Может быть».

The US Department of Justice has released a rebuttal to Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm’s motion to dismiss the criminal charges levied against him by the government. In a filing submitted on Friday, the DOJ rebuffed several arguments made by the defendant’s lawyers while nudging the court to ensure the case undergoes a proper trial.

DOJ Fires Back At Roman Storm

On August 23, the DOJ announced an indictment against Storm and fellow Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Semenwov for their role in the “creation, operation, and promotion” of the popular crypto mixer platform. The US prosecutors charged both parties with conspiracies to commit money laundering, breach the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), and operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. 

In response to such accusations, Storm, who is currently in the custody of US authorities, filed a motion to dismiss on March 29. One of the defendant’s arguments stated that Tornado Cash could not be classified as a money-transmitting business as the platform does not acquire control of users’ funds at any point.

However, the DOJ has rebuffed this argument stating a money-transmitting business does not necessarily have to exhibit control user funds according to guidelines of the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and Section 1960 of the US Constitution. The plaintiff states that according to FinCEN, money transmitters in the crypto space are platforms that ensure the transfer of value between two customers while maintaining their anonymity. 

In addition, the US prosecutors also highlighted that Storm and his fellow developers maintained control over certain user transactions on Tornado Cash between August 2019 to March 2022, which is the timeframe referenced in the indictment. This statement counters Storm’s earlier claim that developers had little influence on users’ actions on the mixer.

A statement from the petition read: 

… the Tornado Cash founders personally approved each individual relayer who was authorized to process withdrawals and maintained a list of these relayers. Later, in or about February and March 2022, they designed and deployed a “relayer algorithm,” which used a formula to assign relayers to particular customer withdrawals.

 

Legal Battle Over Tornado Cash Intensifies

The DOJ’s latest petition represents a new twist to what could be a crucial lawsuit for web3 developers.

While the DOJ has built an argument on the access of Tornado Cash to sanctioned parties such as the North Korea Lazarus hackers group, the attempt by the US prosecutors to hold the developers responsible for the use of their platform has stirred many emotions in the crypto community.

These concerns have so far translated into three pro-crypto organizations each filing an amicus brief in support of the defendants. In clear trams, this is a pivotal case capable of setting a precedent in US crypto. 

Total crypto market cap valued at $2.312 trillion on the daily chart | Source: TOTAL chart on Tradingview.com

Phoenix Wallet, a Bitcoin wallet provider for Lightning Network payments, has announced its impending removal from US application stores. This development comes as the wallet’s founding company, ACINQ, criticizes the regulation of self-custodial wallets in the US.

Related Reading: Custodia To File Appeal Over Denied Access To Fed Master Account Phoenix Wallet Terminates US Services Over Regulatory Discrimination

On April 26, ACINQ, developers of Phoenix Wallet, expressed disappointment on the non-inclusion of self-custodial wallet providers, Lightning service providers, and Lightning nodes as money services businesses. ACINQ’s statement was driven by a recent announcement by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, which cautioned users against engaging in unregistered crypto money-transmitting businesses.

Recent announcements from US authorities cast a doubt on whether self-custodial wallet providers, Lightning service providers, or even Lightning nodes could be considered Money Services Businesses and be regulated as such.

— ACINQ (@acinq_co) April 26, 2024

The US authorities specifically highlighted self-custodial wallets, which require no know-your-customer procedure, as the primary type of such money-transmitting services. Following the initial message, ACIQN has now announced the removal of the Phoenix wallet app from all US application stores on May 3rd, 2024. 

In preparation. Phoenix Wallet has advised US-based users to empty their wallets. They also advised not to “force-close” channels to avoid significant on-chain fees. Through an  X post,  Phoenix released specific instructions for users: should empty their wallets by going to ‘Settings’ and selecting ‘Close Channels’ on Android devices or ‘Drain Wallet’ on iOS devices.

Alongside ACIQN, zkSNACKs has also banned US citizens from accessing its Wasabi crypto wallet and all associated products and services. While the crypto company didn’t give a specific reason for such action, they highlighted “recent announcements by US authorities” to be a contributing factor to their decision. 

However, it remains to see if these recent voluntary exits could trigger a massive exodus of crypto businesses from the US which is continuously criticized for lacking a clear regulatory framework for the nascent industry.

With the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) constant crackdown on crypto exchanges and the Department of Justice now going after developers over the misuse of their platforms by sanctioned entities, crypto enthusiasts can only seek the immediate legislative intervention of the US Congress.

Crypto Market Overview

In other news, the cryptocurrency market has performed well in the last day, gaining by 2.70% to attain a market cap of $2.38 trillion. Notably, Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) lead the way among the top 10 largest tokens, with daily gains of 6.20% and 5.34%, respectively.  Meanwhile, Bitcoin, which ranks as the world’s most valuable digital asset, now trades at $63,855 having also risen by 1.46% within the same time frame.

Total crypto market cap valued at $2.314 trillion | Source: TOTAL chart on Tradingview.com

Криптоаналитик под псевдонимом TechDev заявил, что биткоин, несмотря на временное снижение цен, готовится повторить параболического ралли ноября 2020 года.

Famed trader Peter Brandt has thrown a wrench into the gears of Bitcoin’s celebratory parade. In a recent analysis titled “Does history make a case that Bitcoin has topped?”, Brandt throws cold water on the idea of a limitless price surge, suggesting the cryptocurrency might be nearing the summit of its current bull run.

Bitcoin And The Exponential Dampener

Brandt’s analysis hinges on the concept of “exponential decay.” He dissects Bitcoin’s history, identifying four distinct bull cycles, with the current one being the fifth. Here’s where things get interesting: Brandt observes a concerning trend – each successive cycle has exhibited a diminishing level of exponential growth. In simpler terms, the price gains haven’t been as explosive as in previous cycles.

This “exponential dampener” paints a potentially bearish picture. By applying this trend to the current cycle, Brandt arrives at a sobering prediction – a peak price of around $72,723, a figure the top crypto already achieved in recent trading.

While acknowledging the historical price boosts associated with halving events (predetermined reductions in new Bitcoin creation), Brandt emphasizes the undeniable force of exponential decay. This, he argues, suggests a 25% chance that Bitcoin might have already hit its zenith for this cycle.

Brace For Impact? Potential Price Retracements On The Horizon

If Brandt’s analysis holds true, cypto investors might be in for a bumpy ride. The veteran trader anticipates potential price retracements, with Bitcoin potentially plummeting to the mid-$30,000 range, or even revisiting the 2021 lows.

A Long-Term Play? The Bullish Case For A Correction

Drawing parallels to historical price patterns observed in the gold market, Brandt argues that a correction could pave the way for long-term bullishness. He views similar chart patterns in gold as instances where corrections were followed by renewed growth surges.

By analogy, a price correction in Bitcoin could act as a springboard for a future bull run, weeding out short-term speculators and attracting long-term investors seeking a lower entry point.

So, Should You Panic Sell Your Bitcoin?

Not necessarily. Brandt’s analysis offers a valuable perspective, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The cryptocurrency market thrives on volatility, and unforeseen events can significantly influence price movements.

Investors should consider this analysis alongside other market indicators, conducting their own research before making any investment decisions. Remember, the cryptocurrency market rewards patience and a strong stomach for volatility. As Brandt himself acknowledges, “The data speak for itself,” but the future remains unwritten, and it’s anyone’s judgment if Bitcoin has reached its peak, or if a healthy correction is on the horizon.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Lookonchain has revealed insights into what might be new transactions by Justin Sun, founder of the TRON blockchain. Whale transactions are very rampant in the crypto industry.

It is common practice for on-chain analytics platforms and cryptocurrency investors to keep a careful eye on the buying and selling activity of whales, as their movement tends to influence the price of cryptocurrencies. 

Ethereum has particularly been subjected to attention from crypto investors in the past few days, sparked by transaction activity from Justin Sun. Interestingly, Lookonchain has observed what might be another Ethereum whale activity from the crypto pioneer, as 7,402 ETH worth $23.3 million and 95.67 million worth of USDT make their way out of crypto exchange Binance.

Fresh Accumulation From Binance

As noted by Lookonchain, 95.67 million USDT and 7,402 ETH worth approximately $23.3 million were recently withdrawn from Binance today into a new wallet.

Although the identity of the new wallet is unknown, the accumulation pattern is similar to the previous transactions of two other wallets that withdrew large amounts of ETH and stablecoins from Binance in the past few days. 

Just now, #JustinSun bought another 21,547 $ETH ($67.5M)!

He has bought 176,117 $ETH($559.7M) at $3,172 since Apr 8.https://t.co/lxsT5vVe32 pic.twitter.com/GGadHk6rYO

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) April 25, 2024

Interestingly, the two other wallets can be linked to Justin Sun. Perhaps the crypto executive is now accumulating into a new wallet.

Mysterious whale wallets linked to Sun have recently been accumulating Ethereum and USDT from Binance, the latest being the transfer of 7,128 ETH worth $22.34 million into wallet “0x4359.” Notably, wallet 0x4359 has bought 154,570 ETH worth $492.23 million since April 8.

Demystifying The Nature Of The Transfers

The recent accumulation linked to Sun has come amidst what might be the return of bullish sentiment into Ethereum, especially with the bulls working to push the crypto higher.

In fact, NewsBTC recently reported that investors have been withdrawing large amounts of ETH from centralized exchanges in the past few days.

On-chain data shows that over 260,000 ETH worth $781 million have been withdrawn from exchanges in the past seven days after the recent approval of Spot Ethereum ETFs in Hong Kong.

Ethereum’s price has been consolidating in a range between $2,900 and $3,700 a month now. However, the crypto has reported positively to the accumulation trend in the last few days.

At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $3,308, up by almost 5% in the past 24 hours. This price rebound could continue into the coming week, which in turn would push Ethereum into positive gains in the monthly timeframe.

Featured image from Justin Sun/Twitter, chart from TradingView

Два конгрессмена из сената штата Оклахома предложили законопроект, который должен «защитить владельцев биткоинов от усиливающегося нормативного давления со стороны властей США».

Инвесторы материкового Китая не смогут приобретать паи биткоин-ETF в Гонконге, поскольку правительство КНР запретило любые операции с криптовалютами много лет назад. Точку зрения высказал представитель Bloomberg на конференции, посвященной продуктам ETF в Гонконге.

Эксперты по криптобезопасности компании Certik обнаружили уязвимость аукционного контракта Ember Sword NFT, которая привела к убыткам 159 пользователей на сумму $195 000.

ZkSNACKs, developer of privacy-preserving Bitcoin wallet Wasabi Wallet, has announced that users from the United States will be blocked from accessing its products and platforms until further notice. This move has sparked interesting discussions and speculations in the crypto community, with many debating its connection to the recent arrest of Samourai Wallet’s founders.

Why Did Wasabi Wallet Block US Users?

On Saturday, April 27, zkSNACKs revealed via a blog post that citizens and residents of the United States will be barred from visiting its websites and using the Wasabi Wallet indefinitely. The software company will also disable other services and products, such as APIs and RPC interfaces.

The statement read: 

“U.S.” refers to “United States” and includes the several states of the United States and related territories. If you are a United States Citizen or United States Resident, you are not allowed to visit any sites aforementioned, download Wasabi Wallet or use the Wasabi Wallet coinjoin feature. This includes if you are a U.S. permanent resident or if you are an individual that holds a U.S. passport.

In the blog post, zkSNACKs highlighted “recent announcements” by the US authorities as its primary reason for this decision. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact announcement the company was referring to, their exit from the US markets is believed to have been provoked by the recent arrest of founders of privacy-focused Samourai Wallet.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the co-founders of Samourai Wallet, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, were arrested by US law enforcement for allegedly running an unlicensed money-transmitting business and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The duo were charged for facilitating the laundering of over $100 million in criminal proceeds, including funds from the Silk Road and Hydra Market.

Consensys, creator of the MetaMask wallet, has also faced regulatory scrutiny from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in recent weeks. The financial watchdog seems to be targeting specific wallet features in MetaMask, such as its swap and staking functionalities.

Phoenix Wallet Leaves The US Market

ACINQ’s Phoenix Wallet also recently disclosed its plans to exit the US market by the following month. The wallet provider told users in the United States to remove their assets and drain their wallets before May 3rd, 2023.

ACINQ wrote in a post on X:

Recent announcements from US authorities cast a doubt on whether self-custodial wallet providers, Lightning service providers, or even Lightning nodes could be considered Money Services Businesses and be regulated as such.

The exodus of these self-custody crypto wallets and projects from the United States only further highlights the regulatory challenges and instability surrounding the cryptocurrency industry and privacy-enhancing technologies.

Министерство юстиции США (DOJ) раскритиковало ходатайство адвокатов соучредителя Tornado Cash Романа Семенова, поданное в ходе длящегося сейчас судебного разбирательства.

Эксперты платформы для отслеживания транзакций в сети блокчейнов Spotonchain представили прогноз изменения цены биткоина на краткосрочную и среднесрочную перспективу. Для составления прогнозов был использован сервис Vertex AI от Google Cloud.

Соучредитель и генеральный директор компании TeraWulf заверил, что увеличивший комиссии в сети Биткоина запуск протокола Runes обеспечил серьезную поддержку доходов майнеров на фоне последствий халвинга.

Прокуратура Тайваня потребовала 20 лет тюремного заключения для основных фигурантов дела криптовалютной биржи ACE Exchange. Им вменяют мошенничество и отмывание денег, полученных незаконным путем.