The cryptocurrency sector has many criticisms. One is that it can appear impenetrable to newcomers. Another is that it is probably easier to lose money investing in crypto than in most other areas of finance. What’s more, these issues can combine to create a lucrative environment for hackers with nefarious intentions. Chrome browser extension makes a stink By virtue of the fluctuations and hype that influence the markets, investors are often highly motivated to buy certain cryptocurrencies. Regardless of their background, all face the same initial hurdles: Where to buy the cryptocurrency and where to store it? Due in part …

Bitcoin (BTC) benefiting from the Iran crisis has captured the imagination of internet users worldwide, with its Google search popularity up almost 5,000%. According to data from Google Trends, the search term “Bitcoin Iran” surged 4,450% in the seven days to Jan. 8. Bitcoin search popularity follows price The term “Bitcoin” itself also saw a significant uptick around the globe, reaching a normalized score of 100 on Wednesday versus 40 a week ago. Nigeria topped the list for both terms’ most frequent country of origin. Canada, Singapore and the United States also generated significant interest for “Bitcoin Iran.” 7-day search …

Twitter user and software architect WizardofAus (@BTCSchellingPt) has warned cryptocurrency holders against a Chrome extension for Ledger crypto wallets that allegedly contains malware. In a tweet posted on Jan 2., WizardofAus claimed that: “Malware Chrome extension alert. If you have "Ledger Secure" installed - REMOVE IT. The @ChromeExtension "Ledger Secure" contains malware that passes your seed phrase back to the extension's author. This is *not* a @Ledger product. Successfully used against @hackedzec.” “@hackedzec”’s Twitter handle was notably created in Jan. 2020; both the handle’s novelty and the chosen name suggest that he created the account specifically to spread awareness following …

Major Ethereum browser extension and wallet service Metamask has something to celebrate as 2020 kicks off, notifying its users that Google has now reversed its short-lived ban on the browser add-on. In a tweet posted on Jan. 1 2020, the MetaMask team revealed that: “Upon careful consideration, Google has permitted The MetaMask mobile app back on the Google Play (Android) store! Thanks to all the believers in an open web for speaking out in our support!” Google mistook MetaMask for a mining app MetaMask is a browser extension for Google Chrome that includes a built-in crypto wallet enabling to run …

After Google removed Ethereum-based decentralized application (DApp) browser MetaMask from its Android application store, Apple may now force Coinbase to remove the DApp browser feature from its crypto wallet application. According to a Reddit post published on Dec. 28, United States-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase warned its users that in order to comply with Apple’s mobile App Store policy, it might be forced to remove the DApp browser feature from its wallet application. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong commented on the post: “Coinbase CEO here. This is really unfortunate to see. Apple seems to be eliminating usage of Dapps from the App …

Google has banned Ethereum (ETH) wallet and decentralized app (DApp) browser Metamask’s android client from its Play app store. The MetaMask team took to Twitter on Dec. 26, where they announced that Google had suspended MetaMask’s android client from Google Play’s app store, claiming MetaMask was in violation of Google’s financial services policies. Google reportedly cited their policy prohibiting cryptocurrency mining on mobile devices. The MetaMask team attempted to appeal Google’s decision to ban MetaMask from its app store to no avail, as Google promptly rejected the appeal. MetaMask co-lead developer Dan Findlay told Cointelegraph: “I very much hope that …

Former PayPal and Google veteran Mike Blandina has been appointed as the new CEO of major cryptocurrency trading platform Bakkt. Following the departure of founding CEO Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to a United States Senate seat in early December, Blandina has now been promoted to CEO position as he joined Bakkt as chief product officer in April 2019. As announced by Bakkt’s parent company Intercontinental Exchange on Dec. 23, the appointment came into force on Dec. 20. Bakkt’s former COO Adam White will now serve as the company’s president Alongside the new CEO, Bakkt has also appointed Adam White, …

Bitcoin (BTC) investors and mainstream consumers are paying more attention to the cryptocurrency’s block reward halving in May 2020. According to data from Google Trends on Dec. 17, worldwide searches for “Bitcoin halving” have significantly increased in the course of 2019, over a year before the halving occurs. BTC halving can provide bullish narrative Within the context of the past five years, interest is palpably higher, with only a brief period around the previous halving in 2016 seeing higher global search volumes. By contrast, results for “Bitcoin” have declined in recent months, echoing the lack of interest associated with the …

Quantum supremacy is officially here, whether we’re ready for it or not. This fall, a research paper from Google was prematurely leaked, claiming just that — quantum supremacy — including the results of a test where its 54-qubit processor performed in 200 seconds a computation that it says would have previously taken 10,000 years, kicking off this century’s version of the space race. With Amazon also getting into the quantum game on a consumer level by launching its own quantum computing service called Braket, allowing developers to run simulations on a “cloud” of quantum computers from D-Wave, IonQ and Rigetti, …

Promon security researchers have uncovered a vulnerability that could allow cybercriminals to access private data on any Android phone. 500 most popular apps are at risk On Dec. 2, the Norwegian app security firm Promon revealed the discovery of a dangerous Android vulnerability called StrandHogg, which has reportedly infected all versions of Android and has put the top 500 most popular apps at risk. Promon CTO Tom Lysemose Hansen commented: “We have tangible proof that attackers are exploiting StrandHogg in order to steal confidential information. The potential impact of this could be unprecedented in terms of scale and the amount …

Bitcoin (BTC) has sparked fresh interest from mainstream consumers after its price nosedived to its lowest levels since May this week. According to data from Google Trends, “Bitcoin” and associated terms have increased in popularity conspicuously over the past week. “Bitcoin halving” back in the spotlight Currently, “Bitcoin” is at its highest search ranking since late October, when BTC/USD traded at close to $10,000. Google search interest for “Bitcoin.” Source: Google Trends Geographically, interest appears to be coming from Africa, with Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana forming the top three sources. Austria and Switzerland complete the top five. Attention is …

A peculiar phenomenon is occurring within the economic sector. In fact, it’s been transpiring over the past few decades. After the rise of the internet and the development of effective communications, the financial industry underwent a technical reconstruction. Those formerly disbarred due to a lack of capital found refuge in this revolution. Internet brokers and e-commerce start-ups with little more than a “.com” suffix proliferated. Some even threatened to subvert entrenched financial institutions. Among those attempting a banking coup was Confinity — now Paypal — one of the first online payment processors. Unbeknownst to most, financial disruption was the firm’s …