Amid Risk of Power Deficit, Ukraine Shuts Down Another Crypto Farm

With а growing threat of electricity shortages in the winter months, Ukraine has busted another large coin minting facility illegally drawing power from the grid. The country’s security agency announced it’s stepping up efforts to ensure the nation’s energy system is well-protected from such consumers. Large-Scale Illegal Mining Operation Uncovered in Central Ukraine The Security … Read more

Ukraine Security Service Busts Criminal Group Selling Bitcoin-Stealing Malware 

Law enforcement authorities in Ukraine have exposed a crime ring specializing in cryptocurrency theft and laundering of illicit funds for hackers. The gang, which provided services to clients on the darknet, has been dismantled as a result of a joint operation carried out with the United States. Cybercriminals From Ukraine Launder Millions, Offer Flash Drives … Read more

Deep Web Confusion: Ostensible Alphabay Admin ‘Desnake’ Claims the Darknet Market Has Returned

In mid-July 2017, the largest darknet marketplace (DNM) Alphabay went dark and patrons didn’t know if the administrators were busted by law enforcement or if it was an exit scam. Not too long after the site went dark, law enforcement disclosed that an organized police task force, from various jurisdictions, infiltrated Alphabay alongside the DNM … Read more

Former Monero Developer Spagni Released From US Prison, Pledges to Address Fraud Allegations

Former Monero developer Riccardo Spagni has been released from a U.S. prison where he reportedly spent “sixty-one days in solitary confinement.” The developer’s release was prompted by the failure of South African authorities “to make a timely submission in support of an extradition request.” South African Government Fails to Submit Extradition Documents As previously reported … Read more

Payments Giant Mastercard Acquires Blockchain Intelligence Firm Ciphertrace

Mastercard, the American multinational financial services corporation, announced the company is dipping further into the digital asset ecosystem by acquiring the blockchain intelligence firm Ciphertrace. The partnership announcement says the firm will help bolster Ciphertrace’s and Mastercard’s cyber security solutions. Mastercard Purchased Ciphertrace for Undisclosed Sum On Thursday, the financial payments giant Mastercard (NYSE: MA) … Read more

Mastermind of Zimbabwean Bitcoin Pyramid Scheme Vanishes With $6 Million

Reports from Zimbabwe suggest that an individual by the name of Martin Mhlanga, who is the mastermind behind the Cryptoshares bitcoin pyramid scheme, has disappeared along with over $6 million in investor funds. In addition to Mhlanga’s disappearance, the individuals thought to be managing Cryptoshares’ social media channels have similarly vanished. Unrealistic Cryptoshares Promises As … Read more

Seychelles Law Enforcement Receives Request to Probe Transfer of 230K Onecoin Bitcoins

The Seychelles Police Financial Crime Investigation Unit (FCIU) recently confirmed receiving a request for an investigation into several transactions linked to the transfer of 230,000 bitcoins. The cryptocurrency is said to be associated with pyramid scam Onecoin. Onecoin Loot in Dubai Besides investigating the transfer of the crypto assets, the probe is expected to examine … Read more

Mining Hardware Thief Gets 3-Year Sentence in Russia

Russian authorities have investigated a number of cases involving the theft of crypto mining equipment in the past months. A resident of Yaroslavl has just been found guilty of stealing mining hardware worth over $20,000 and sentenced to three years in prison. Russian Convicted of Stealing Mining Rigs Receives Prison Sentence A 34-year-old man from … Read more

Kenyans Cautioned Against Investing in BTC Company Promising Returns of 400% in Six Hours

A Kenyan regulator, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), has cautioned investors and Kenyan citizens against investing with Fxbitinvest, a bitcoin trading company. The warning was issued after the regulator noted Fxbitinvest’s use of exaggerated return-on-investment promises to lure unsuspecting Kenyans. Unrealistic Promises According to a CMA statement issued on August 12, Fxbitinvest is offering prospective … Read more

US Government Now Offers Informants Crypto Rewards in Addition to Bank Wires, Suitcases Full of Cash

Attendees of the Black Hat hacker conference in Las Vegas were introduced to a new advertisement crafted by the U.S. State Department. According to individuals who accessed the government advertisement via an open Wi-Fi network called “#Rewardsnotransoms” they discovered the U.S. government is offering to pay crypto rewards to individuals who give up information concerning … Read more