Savvy attackers might be able to “loot” bitcoin from others by way of the Lightning Network if users aren’t careful, a new cybersecurity report warns. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem computer scientists Jona Harris and Aviv Zohar have taken a closer look at a “systemic” Lightning Network attack that could […]
Bitcoins
24 posts
Ever since its inception, bitcoin has been dubbed “digital gold,” given it is durable, fungible, divisible and scarce like the precious metal. However, while gold has a strong track record of rallying in times of stress in the global equity markets, bitcoin is yet to build a similar reputation as […]
Bitcoin’s mining difficulty just posted the smallest percentage change in 10 years. The bitcoin network adjusted its difficulty level at 01:18 UTC on July 1 to 15.7842 trillion – down a mere 0.0033% from the previous level of 15.7847 trillion set June 17. The percentage change is small enough that […]
Balancer fell victim to a “flash loan” exploit, a mining conglomerate sees potential in blockchain and a shareholders association said EY should have caught Wirecard’s multi-billion-dollar blackhole earlier. Flash loans are one of many novel financial products made possible through decentralized technologies. But with innovation comes risk. Here’s the story: You’re […]
New York officials have instituted a three-strike rule for crypto firms applying for the BitLicense, the Sovrin Foundation is now fun by volunteers and Aussies can now buy BTC at their post office. Here’s the story: You’re reading Blockchain Bites, the daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and […]
A popular narrative argues the massive stimulus programs from the Federal Reserve, launched to counter a coronavirus-induced recession, could hyperinflate the economy and fuel a major rally in bitcoin. However, that bullish theory, which suggests the cryptocurrency would be viewed as a hedge asset in dire economic times, has been […]
Bitcoin’s often criticized for its volatile and unpredictable nature – now analysts are saying that, and more, about the pound sterling. In a shock-inducing note to clients on Tuesday, currency analysts at Bank of America (BoA) said sterling had devolved into an emerging market currency in all but name during […]
The number of bitcoin whales is at its highest level since 2017, as the network adjusts its difficulty setting for the first time post-halving. Elsewhere, Canada is hiring a CBDC expert, Thailand is using a blockchain to issue bonds and Kraken is expanding into Australia. Here’s the story: You’re reading Blockchain […]
Ethereum was created to carry out complex applications Bitcoin supposedly couldn’t handle. A new app brings the idea full circle. Pseudonymous developer Fiatjaf has created Etleneum, which he describes as a “centralized” version of Ethereum that runs on payments from Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. Hence the name, a portmanteau of “Ethereum” […]
The tensions that have spilled over into the streets of U.S. cities this week are a heartbreaking expression of a long-standing problem that has the whole world in its grip. Inequality is not specific to the U.S. Nor is it limited to a handful of relatively well-off geographies. It stratifies […]
Bitcoin underwent a protocol update to make the network more resilient to state attacks, while researchers separately found Ethereum may be losing its anonymity. Elsewhere, “Crypto Mom” Hester Pierce has been tapped for a second term at the SEC, and an ex-Yang advisor is making crypto a cornerstone to his […]
The most popular way to use bitcoin off-chain is on Ethereum, recent data indicates. Since 2016, software engineers have worked to extend the oldest and largest cryptocurrency’s use cases through a variety of companion protocols, like the Lightning Network for payments or the Liquid Network for trading. But to date, […]
London-listed Argo reported a dip in May revenue, possibly as a result of the bitcoin halving event. Per the mining firm’s monthly operational update, monthly mining margins – revenue minus operating costs – was roughly 34% in May, down from 39% in April. Overall, the company mined 252 bitcoin (~$2.4 million […]
Bitcoin’s network difficulty adjusted downwards today, making older mining machines profitable once again, while Tokensoft distributed $4 million in tokenized equity to investors and technology firms are calling upon the Department of Defense to invest in the blockchain arms race. Here’s the story: You’re reading Blockchain Bites, the daily roundup of […]
Frances Coppola, a CoinDesk columnist, is a freelance writer and speaker on banking, finance and economics. Her book “The Case for People’s Quantitative Easing,” explains how modern money creation and quantitative easing work, and advocates “helicopter money” to help economies out of recession. On May 11, block 630,000 on the Bitcoin […]
CoinDesk columnist Nic Carter is partner at Castle Island Ventures, a public blockchain-focused venture fund based in Cambridge, Mass. He is also the cofounder of Coin Metrics, a blockchain analytics startup. Much ink has been spilled on the question of Bitcoin’s energy footprint. But amid the clarifying details and the energy mix calculations […]
A widely tracked bitcoin price indicator is about to turn bullish – potentially accelerating the recent uptrend of the top cryptocurrency by market value. The 50-day moving average (MA) of bitcoin’s price looks set to cross above the 200-day MA within two to three days. The resulting “golden crossover,” a […]
Bitcoin’s rally last week as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index of U.S. stocks floundered served to underscore just how different the conversations are right now in digital asset markets and traditional finance. As high-profile investors including Stanley Druckenmiller and David Tepper were warning of looming bankruptcies, overvalued stocks and the increasingly distant chances of a rapid economic […]
Bitcoin is rallying again, and some analysts are looking at a potential driver of even higher prices: new data showing that mining pools are hanging onto the cryptocurrency rather than sending it to exchanges for a quick sale. But as with a lot of bitcoin analysis, the interpretation isn’t always […]
Bitcoin has seen steady gains in price since the halving took place on May 11. The number of institutional investors trading in the CME crypto options market is a sign of continued interest in this asset class. At press time, bitcoin’s price has risen 12% since the reward for bitcoin […]
While bitcoin is fast reversing its pre-halving price drop, some miners still look to be leaving the network. At time of writing, the top cryptocurrency by market value is changing hands at $9,730, representing a 20% gain on the low of $8,100 observed Sunday – the day before Bitcoin underwent […]
Bitcoin’s price is starting to make gains after what turned out to be a rather dull halving event. With daily active bitcoin addresses at the highest level since 2018, interest in bitcoin could be heading even higher. The world’s first cryptocurrency is now trading above its 10-day and 50-day moving […]
With fewer than four days left till bitcoin’s halving, popular interest in the once-every-four-years event is reaching a fever pitch. Google Trends, a barometer for gauging interest in trending search topics, shows searches for “halving” or “bitcoin halving” at five times the peak in 2016, when the blockchain underwent its previous halving event. You’re […]
Bixin, one of the earliest bitcoin miner operators and wallet startups, is dedicating 6600 bitcoin, worth $66 million, to a new fund of funds. The company announced the fund of funds with its proprietary capital on Friday and said it aims to invest in global quantitative trading funds whose strategies […]