You probably don't need a hardware wallet
Some counter-arguments against the overly present HW wallets in bitcoin.
https://allesvoorbitcoin.substack.com/p/you-probably-dont-need-a-hardware
Hardware wallets have long been the go-to method for secure Bitcoin storage, with the Trezor leading the way since its introduction in 2014-15.
However, this article raises a valid concern about software and firmware updates that may not be compatible with older hardware.
If these updates are only reliable for a few years at most, it calls into question the longevity of such wallets as a store of value for Bitcoin holders.
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has found a unique way to prevent fraud: simply upload 42 million car titles to the blockchain. The move allows more than 39M Californians to claim and access their vehicles through a mobile app in early 2025, a first for the U.S.
To better understand L2 on Bitcoin L1
Second layers and other projects on top of bitcoin
https://braiins.com/blog/second-layers-and-other-projects-on-top-of-bitcoin
World grapples with fallout from CrowdStrike outage
CrowdStrike blames bug for letting bad data slip through, leading to global tech outage
One company's significant impact on the internet stems from a lack of trust in the underlying technology.
Computers, despite appearing to be individual devices, often rely on numerous third-party plug-ins and dependencies, which can contribute to widespread disruptions like the recent global outages.
This is why Bitcoin node software does not automatically update; doing so would introduce systemic risks that could compromise the entire network's stability.
RFK Jr. Says He'd Make the Government Buy $615 Billion in Bitcoin
If elected, Kennedy says he wants the United States’ Bitcoin reserves to match its gold reserves.
https://decrypt.co/241670/rfk-government-buy-615-billion-in-bitcoin
BITCOIN IS CASH FOR THE INTERNET
Bitcoin is more than a payment system like Paypal, it is digital cash, a system you cannot be shut out of when you need it most.
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/bitcoin-is-cash-for-the-internet
Bitcoin Design - Daily Wallet
https://bitcoin.design/guide/daily-spending-wallet/
The Bitcoin Design Guide offers a valuable reference implementation for daily Bitcoin wallets, emphasizing user-friendliness, a lightning-first approach, and minimal Bitcoin jargon.
This guide provides a comprehensive blueprint for creating easy-to-use wallets that cater to the needs of everyday users, and its high level of detail suggests a strong commitment to improving the overall Bitcoin user experience.
The hope is that more products will adopt these UX principles and contribute to a more accessible and user-friendly cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Stratum.work
This website introduces a visualization tool that provides insight into the mining activities of various mining pools.
By examining headers, first non-coinbase transactions, and other statistics, users can understand the specific blocks each pool is targeting and compare them to the blocks shared with their pool members.
This unique perspective offers valuable information for monitoring and analyzing the mining behavior of different pools in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Domains hijacked for multiple crypto project websites
Researchers: Weak Security Defaults Enabled Squarespace Domains Hijacks
Domain hijacking, a cybersecurity threat where malicious actors take control of legitimate domain names, can have significant implications for internet users, particularly through potential phishing attacks.
In such cases, the attackers use the hijacked domain to obtain login credentials by creating a fraudulent version of a trusted website.
The urgency to act upon receiving unsolicited communications, often sent via email, increases the likelihood of falling victim to these attacks.
Users must exercise caution and remain vigilant when receiving emails, even from reputable sources, to protect their personal information and prevent unauthorized access to their accounts.
Leaked Cellebrite Tool Docs Reveal List of Phones That Can Be Unlocked
https://cybersecuritynews.com/phones-cellebrite-tool-can-unlock/
Documents leaked from Cellebrite, a digital forensic solution provider created in Israel, have revealed a list of smartphones that can be unlocked using their tools.
The leaked document, obtained by Cybersecurity News, includes models from various manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, and Google, as well as devices running on different operating systems.
Cellebrite's tools are widely used by law enforcement agencies and governments worldwide, raising concerns about the potential impact on user privacy and security, especially given Israel's reputation for producing surveillance technology.
The leak highlights the importance of addressing the security and privacy implications of these technologies and ensuring that user data is protected from unauthorized access, particularly when used by governments with a history of surveillance.
BREEZ LIGHTNING SDK INTEGRATING SUPPORT FOR LIQUID NETWORK
A new option for using Bitcoin is coming to the Breez SDK.
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/technical/breez-lightning-sdk-integrating-support-for-liquid-network
The Breez Lightning SDK, a popular open-source platform for integrating the Lightning Network into Bitcoin applications, is set to introduce support for the Liquid Network.
This development, as reported by Bitcoin Magazine, will provide users with an alternative Bitcoin option through the Breez SDK.
The Liquid Network, a federated sidechain built on Bitcoin's blockchain, enables faster and more confidential transactions.
The integration aims to enhance the functionality and flexibility of the Breez SDK, catering to the diverse needs of developers and users within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Global cyber outage. Cybersecurity platform CrowdStrike is "down" worldwide, causing global IT problems, Microsoft crashes, 911 outages across several US states, and disruptions in international airlines, banks and media outlets.
So you are sill using Microsoft Windows?
"We shouldn’t count on hearing the truth about the attempted assassination from the mainstream media. No wonder the elites remain determined to censor social media sites like Twitter/X and TikTok. We live in an empire of lies, propped up by the mainstream media. And seeking the truth in this empire of lies is the greatest challenge for us in the moral bankruptcy in which we live."
Why We’ll Never Know What Really Happened in Butler, PA
by Ron Paul
https://ronpaulinstitute.org/why-well-never-know-what-really-happened-in-butler-pa/
High bandwidth Tor network. Incentivized by the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
More decentralized. More Secure. Relays earn sats. Powered by Bolt12 offers.
https://devpost.com/software/el-tor?ref_content=my-projects-tab&ref_feature=my_projects
The inspiration behind building El Tor was to create a high bandwidth Tor network incentivized by the Bitcoin lightning network. We need a more private internet and a fast way for our Lightning nodes to communicate with each other. We also need to “Make Hidden Services Great Again”.
The Petrodollar will become the #Bitcoindollar.
You have been warned.
Wake-up, read or listen.
“Much like the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders program has facilitated the placement of its trained, ideological allies in positions of top political power around the world, groups like Endeavor and their equivalents help ensure that similarly controlled business leaders dominate the private sector and become the public face of emerging market monopolies that are, ultimately, part of a broader network.” -- Mark Goodwin & Whitney Webb
The article discusses a network of powerful governments and billionaires potentially influencing emerging markets globally through public-private partnerships, impacting policies and governance in developing countries.
It highlights connections between tech giants, philanthropists, intelligence agencies, and other institutions vying for control over these markets and political systems, as well as their involvement in the Bitcoin world.
The article is an insightful investigation by Mark Goodwin and Whitney Webb that should not be missed.
The Chain of Custody: The “Mafia” Holding The Elite's Bitcoin
The companies poised to dominate the digital financial infrastructure of Latin America have arisen courtesy of the self-described “mafia” multiplier, Endeavor.
Flush with funds from billionaires linked to the US intelligence and organized crime, Endeavor’s influence over the CEOs it has championed promises that, with the ushering in of a new financial system, a wave of covert dollarization will shortly follow.
Money in, Data out
The freest market of data-processing AIs in the world
What are Data Vending Machines?
Data Vending Machines are data-processing tools. You give them some data, a few sats, and they give you back some data.
Proton launches Docs for private collaborative document editing
Introducing Docs in Proton Drive – collaborative document editing that’s actually private
https://proton.me/blog/docs-proton-drive
The increasing use of personal data for surveillance and AI training is concerning.
It's refreshing, therefore, to see productivity tools like Venice.ai that prioritize user privacy and empower individuals with control over their data.
it's great to see productivity tools emerge that keep the power in your hands.
Proton launches Docs for private collaborative document editing
Introducing Docs in Proton Drive – collaborative document editing that’s actually private
https://proton.me/blog/docs-proton-drive
The increasing use of personal data for surveillance and AI training is concerning.
It's refreshing, therefore, to see productivity tools like Venice.ai that prioritize user privacy and empower individuals with control over their data.
Hackers accessed cell phone numbers of 2FA app Authy users
Twilio says hackers identified cell phone numbers of two-factor app Authy users
A phone number in the hands of a hacker poses significant security risks. Hackers can exploit this information through social engineering tactics or by colluding with unethical carrier employees to execute a SIM swap attack. This allows them to hijack your phone number, potentially bypassing two-factor authentication (2FA) systems that rely on text messages. Such breaches can lead to unauthorized access to various accounts and sensitive information. To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to take proactive measures to secure your phone number. One recommended approach is to use a secure provider like Efani or Cloaked Wireless, which offer enhanced protection against SIM swapping and other phone-based security threats.