Highlights: Brave adds new privacy features to its browser, another charitable crypto project takes shape, and the U.S. goes undercover in a dark web sting.
Brave Adds Tor In New Update
Source: Brave
The Brave browser has released an update for its desktop browser, which includes a beta version of a new feature called Private Tabs. Private tabs integrate Tor technology to provide a browsing experience better protected from various network surveillance methods. Brave will also be adding bandwidth to the Tor network.
Status Beta Release
Source: Status
Status, a mobile messaging app, has released the Beta version of its mainnet. Users are now able to tip in-chat. The release also includes a number of updates to the user interface and additional language support.
Developer Organizing BTC Airdrop in Venezuela
Source: CoinDesk
A former Goldman Sachs employee is attempting to facilitate a mobile airdrop of Bitcoin to Venezuelan citizens in an effort to provide relief to a country in economic crisis. To that end, developer Jonathon Wheeler has co-founded a non-profit which he hopes will attract a high volume of donations. Further details at the moment are sparse; the Venezuelan regime isn’t exactly friendly to those with dissenting political opinions.
Chinese Venture Capital Firm to Open in U.S.
Source: CoinDesk
Node Capital, a China-based investment firm, is looking to open a branch in the U.S. They plan to invest $86 million in ETH in blockchain startups. Node, which is already invested in over 150 cryptocurrency startups, will be focusing its capital on Silicon Valley tech in a likely push to diversify their holdings.
48 BTC Transferred For Less Than A Nickel
Source: Twitter
While Ethereum has been racking up double-digit transaction fee percentages, a Bitcoin user managed to move $300 million for a mere $0.04. Burn.
Trezor Adds Monero Support
Source: Twitter
The Trezor hardware wallet will add support for Monero (XMR), announced today on its Twitter page. No availability date was provided.
Bithumb Hack Update
Source: Bithumb
Bithumb posted another official update to its website, updating the total loss from the hack (now under $20 million). They will also host a “compensational event,” an airdrop for their customers. Details on how to participate in the airdrop can be found at the source link above.
Binance to Open Ugandan Fiat Exchange
Source: Coin Telegraph
Binance will soon operate in Uganda, according to CEO Changpeng Zhao. CZ intends to explore the African market further, citing the low rates of residents with bank accounts as a potential opportunity for cryptocurrency adoption. This will Binance’s first fiat gateway in operation, though it has plans to open others in Malta and Jersey.
Coinbase Adds GBP Support
Source: News BTC
Coinbase UK will be adding support for the pound in the coming weeks. The exchange currently supports the Euro, which complicates the withdrawal process for customers in the UK. Support for the GBP comes from Barclays, an English bank that entered into a partnership with Coinbase in March.
Coinbase Coming To Portland
Source: Coinbase
Coinbase announced today that it will be opening an office in Portland, Oregon. They are hiring now for upwards of 100 positions.
Line to Launch Cryptocurrency Exchange
Source: Tech In Asia
Line, a mobile messenger service, will launch its own cryptocurrency exchange. The exchange, called BitBox, will be available globally, with the notable exceptions of Japan and the U.S. It will not support fiat pairs, and will open for trading in July.
Blockchain Evidence Admissible in Chinese Courts
Source: CoinDesk
A Chinese court has ruled that evidence captured by blockchain services is admissible on a case-by-case basis. The case in question concerns copyright infringement, in which the plaintiff had encoded screen captures onto a blockchain. Future admissibility decisions will depend on the integrity of the blockchain service in question, including any conflicts of interest.
South Korean Government Releases Guidelines for Cryptocurrencies
Source: CCN
The South Korean Financial Services Commission has released new regulations for the cryptocurrency market, potentially signifying the government’s acknowledgement of the market as a legitimate financial sector. The new framework tightens KYC/AML rules and also places three banks involved in account creation for exchanges under investigation.
Swiss Town Pilots Blockchain Voting
Source: Swiss Info
The town of Zug, Switzerland, launched a trial of a new blockchain voting system this week. The trial vote, asking residents their preference on town festival activities, could potentially open up other issues to blockchain voting if successful. The trial period will end July 2nd.
Dark Web Undercover Operation Results in Seizure of $20 Million in Crypto
Source: U.S. Justice Department
The U.S. Department of Justice published a press release today detailing the initial results of the “first nationwide undercover operation” targeting the dark web. Officials from various federal and state entities collaborated to pose as a money launderer exchanging USD for cryptocurrencies. The operation resulted in 35 arrests, the seizure of various illicit drugs and firearms, including a grenade launcher (??), digital mining equipment, and $20 million in crypto. It's troubling that the language seems to suggest that "exchanging U.S. currency for virtual currencies" constitutes money laundering in and of itself. The investigation is ongoing.
FBI Has 130 Open Cryptocurrency Cases
Source: Bloomberg
The FBI currently has 130 open investigations on cryptocurrencies associated with trafficking, drugs, and ransomware attacks. One special agent said that while the Bureau has noticed an uptick in illicit activities, particularly related to the opioid epidemic, 130 cases represents a “small sliver” of the thousands of ongoing FBI inquiries.
Judge Rules: Centra Tech Tokens Are Securities
Source: Finance Magnates
A Florida district court judge has ruled that tokens issued by Centra Tech, a defunct ICO on the wrong end of a class-action fraud suit, are securities. This expands Centra Tech’s liability in the suit, as their token was not registered with the proper authorities and its holders sustained significant financial losses.
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