Crypto Thieves Launch New Attack with Trojanized Telegram & WhatsApp

• ESET researchers discovered copycat Telegram and WhatsApp websites targeting Android and Windows users with trojanized versions of these popular instant messaging apps.
• These malicious apps are classified as clippers, a form of malware that either steals or alters clipboard contents.
• Additionally, some of these apps employ optical character recognition (OCR) technology to identify text within screenshots saved on the infected devices.

Hackers Target Crypto Through Trojanized Apps

ESET researchers recently discovered many copycat Telegram and WhatsApp websites targeting Android and Windows users with trojanized versions of instant messaging apps, all designed to steal victims‘ cryptos. The malicious apps are classified as clippers, a form of malware that either steals or alters clipboard contents in order to intercept cryptocurrency wallet addresses from victims‘ messaging interactions and substitute them with those controlled by the attackers. Some of these apps also employ optical character recognition (OCR) technology to identify text within screenshots saved on the infected devices.

Clipper Malware: A New Frontier for Cyber Criminals

This is the first time that Android clippers have been found built into instant messaging apps, marking a new frontier for cybercriminals targeting the growing number of people using cryptocurrencies. The primary objective of these clippers is to intercept victims‘ cryptocurrency funds, allowing cybercriminals to pilfer funds from unwitting users who rely on the trojanized apps for conducting cryptocurrency transactions. Additionally, there were also malicious Windows versions of these same apps bundled with remote access trojans (RATs), which provide attackers with even more control over the victims‘ devices in order to steal sensitive information and perform other malicious activities.

Google Play Enhances Security After Discovery

Prior to the establishment of App Defense Alliance, ESET researchers discovered the first Android clipper on Google Play. As a result of this discovery, Google enhanced Android security by limiting system-wide clipboard operations for background apps on Android versions 10 and above. This was done in order to protect unsuspecting users who unknowingly download malicious applications through unofficial sources rather than through legitimate app stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Tips For Avoiding Clipper Malware Attacks

In order to avoid becoming a victim of this type of attack it is important for users not only be aware but also practice good cybersecurity hygiene practices such as:
• Only installing applications from official app stores; • Regularly updating mobile operating systems; • Using two-factor authentication when available; • Utilizing strong passwords and password managers; • Implementing endpoint security software solutions;

SVB Bank Plunges, Crypto Investors Urge Firms to Pull Assets

• Silicon Valley Bank’s stock offering of $1.75 billion and General Atlantic’s purchase of $500 million common stock have caused investors to sell their shares, leading to a dramatic decrease in the shares of SVB Financial Group.
• Hedge funds such as Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Pantera Capital have recommended that portfolio firms remove their cash from the bank.
• Several cryptocurrency firms are now looking for other banking choices as difficulties arise with Silicon Valley Bank.

Silicon Valley Bank Stock Plummets

The announcement of a stock offering of $1.75 billion by Silicon Valley Bank and a separate purchase of $500 million common stock by private equity firm General Atlantic has caused investor panic and led to a dramatic decrease in the shares of SVB Financial Group, the bank’s parent business, which plunged by more than 60%. Pre-market trading on March 10 saw an additional 44% loss in SVB Financial Group’s shares.

Hedge Funds Recommend Removing Assets

Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Pantera Capital, both hedge funds and venture investors, have recommended that portfolio firms remove their cash from Silicon Valley Bank due to its uncertain financial state. Bloomberg reported that five more venture capital investors in cryptocurrency have also given this advice but requested that their names not be used owing to the commercial sensitivities involved.

Crypto Firms Seeking Alternatives

With the failure of Silvergate Bank earlier this week, crypto-focused businesses are looking for alternative banking options as issues arise with Silicon Valley Bank. Several users have brought difficulty logging into accounts at SVB to Twitter’s attention. Despite working with over 2,600 customers in the financial technology industry alone according to its website, difficulties remain for many crypto companies seeking banking services from Silicon Valley Bank.

Widespread Panic Among Traders

The sudden plunge in SVB Financial Group’s shares has led to widespread panic among traders investing both in stocks and cryptocurrencies alike. As uncertainty continues over Silicon Valley Bank’s ability to remain solvent, some venture capital investors fear further losses if assets are not removed quickly enough from the bank’s balance sheet.

Future Uncertainty For Crypto Companies

It remains unclear whether or not Silicon Valley Bank will be able to successfully recover from this financial crisis or what consequences further losses could bring for venture-backed technology businesses located in the United States who depend upon it for secure banking services moving forward

Ethereum Update Enables Smart Wallets: Account Abstraction Now Available

• Ethereum developers have released a new software feature called EntryPoint that allows wallets to act as smart contracts.
• EntryPoint is an optional feature offered by crypto wallet providers to enable features like automated payments, account recovery, and two-factor authentication recovery options.
• The security of the architecture allowing for account abstraction on various Ethereum based protocols relies on how securely it is implemented in one contract.

Ethereum Update Enables Wallets as Smart Contracts

Ethereum (ETH) developers have recently released a software feature called EntryPoint that allows wallet accounts to operate as smart contracts. This feature enables users to take advantage of „account abstraction,“ which simplifies complex tasks without the need for manual blockchain interaction. Account abstraction can provide users with advanced features such as automated payments, account recovery, two-factor authentication recovery options and native multi-signatures.

Security Audit

EntryPoint has undergone a thorough security audit conducted by OpenZeppelin and is now available on multiple blockchain networks including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum and BNB Chain. Entry Point functions as a smart contract meant to be used by third parties; ensuring safe implementation of wallet abstractions within the protocol level. It is described in detail in Ethereum Request for Comments (ERC) 4337 which explains further features such as automated payments and two-factor authentication recovery options.

User Experience Improvement

The overall user experience of cryptocurrency wallets will be improved thanks to the introduction of EntryPoint due to its ability to provide “smart wallet” features like two-factor authentication recovery options and native multi-signatures making them more accessible and intuitive for users.

Audit Requirements

In order for the architecture enabling account abstraction across all these protocols to be secure, it must go through a rigorous auditing process described in ERC 4337 before being implemented into one contract known as “EntryPoint” which holds all trust points associated with this system.

Conclusion

The development of EntryPoint is great news for cryptocurrency users looking for additional convenience when using their wallets while maintaining high levels of security due to the extensive auditing process conducted prior its launch.

: Crypto Alert: Altcoins Could Tank, Warns Trader Pentoshi

• Well-known cryptocurrency trader and analyst Pentoshi has tweeted a warning to investors and traders, stating that he is feeling less confident in the market than he was a week ago due to concerns over momentum and tired altcoins.
• Pentoshi’s opinion carries a lot of weight, so his decision to be „less aggressive“ in the market is a sign that he’s taking a more cautious approach to trading.
• This could be a sign that we’re entering a period of consolidation, where prices stabilize after a period of growth. Alternatively, it could mean that the hype around cryptocurrency is starting to die down, which could lead to a decrease in demand.

Pentoshi’s Warning

Well-known cryptocurrency trader and analyst Pentoshi has tweeted a warning to investors and traders, stating that he is feeling less confident in the market than he was a week ago due to concerns over momentum and tired altcoins. Cryptocurrency can be a wild ride, with prices that can soar one day and then plummet the next. So when someone with as much experience in the crypto industry as Pentoshi takes such an action, it carries significant weight.

Cautious Approach

Pentoshi’s decision to be „less aggressive“ in the market means that he will click less than before but also become more careful when trading. This could be beneficial for other traders who need to stay alert and ready for changes within the crypto community. Their actions should reflect what Pentoshi does as this could have an impact on wider market sentiment going forward.

Period of Consolidation?

The current state of the market may indicate that we’re entering into period of consolidation – where prices stabilize after experiencing rapid growth – or alternatively it may signal waning hype around cryptocurrencies leading to decreased demand overall. It is hard to predict exactly what will happen moving forward but following Pentoshi’s words closely could provide some insight into how best respond within this situation.

Impact on Market Sentiment

Pentoshi’s tweet serves as reminder of just how quickly things can change within cryptocurrency markets – particularly when experienced opinions are voiced by those with knowledge on how best respond during these times. His words will undoubtedly have an effect on wider sentiment within this domain going forward so staying alert for further updates from him is essential if attempting remain ahead of potential price movements from hereon out.

Conclusion

Overall, Pentoshi has provided insight into his opinion about current state of affairs within cryptocurrency markets – particularly with regards to altcoins – which should not be overlooked by those attempting make informed decisions about their investments moving forward . Therefore being aware of any new comments from him regarding this topic is highly advised for any individual wishing trade successfully within this space .

CZ Refutes Bloomberg Report: Binance to End US Partnerships, Delist Tokens

• Reports emerged that Binance Global intends to end partnerships with U.S.-based firms and terminate listing tokens linked to U.S.- based projects as regulators cast the net deeper.
• Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) refuted these claims, however, stating they were “false”.
• An undisclosed source noted that Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Internal Revenue Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service are on Binance’s radar and the company is looking for possible ways of ending ties with US-based firms.

Bloomberg Report Claims

Reports emerged that Binance Global intends to end partnerships with U.S.-based firms such as banks and terminate listing tokens linked to U.S.-based projects as regulators cast the net deeper.

CZ Refutes Claims

In a quick rejoinder to the news from Bloomberg, Binance CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), has refuted the claims terming them as „false.“

Binance Regulated by US Authorities

An insider noted that Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Internal Revenue Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, Justice Department, and the Internal Revenue Service are on Binance’s radar. The aggressiveness of the U.S. authorities will continue to claim more causality as the intensity increases while causing shake-up in Binance Holders of the largest crypto exchange contemplate repealing relationships with major financial partners in the U.S..

Terminating Ties With US Business Partners

The source said Binance Holdings has no authority to serve U.S. customers but will consider de-listing tokens from any US-based projects including Circle’s stablecoin USD Coin according to an unnamed individual associated with the company who noted that it is looking for possible ways of ending ties with US-based firms, especially banking and service entities such as delisting of tokens such as USD Coin stablecoin is on table“.

Continued Services By BinanceUS

On the other hand, BinanceUS – a smaller exchange – will continue its services in the U

SEC to Vote on Rules to Oversee Crypto Firms as Qualified Custodians

• The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is proposing new regulations this week that could affect the services crypto firms offer their clients.
• The five-member SEC panel will vote on the proposal on Feb. 15 and if approved, the proposal must be voted officially by the rest of the SEC.
• If the new rule is implemented, hedge funds, private equity firms, and pension funds would have to move their clients‘ holdings elsewhere.

SEC to Vote on New Rule for Crypto Firms

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is planning to propose a new rule this week that could affect how crypto firms operate as qualified custodians. A five-member SEC panel will vote on the proposal on February 15th that could make it difficult for these companies to hold digital assets for their clients. If approved, it must then be voted on officially by all members of the SEC before being implemented.

Who Could Be Affected?

This proposed change could make it tougher for hedge funds, private equity firms, and pension funds who use crypto firms to hold their clients‘ assets. It would mean they would have to find alternative means of storing them instead of relying on crypto companies.

Previous Attempts at Regulation

In 2020, an SEC staff said that they were looking into who could become a qualified custodian of crypto assets and asked for feedback from the public before making any official decisions. This latest attempt at regulation aligns with its plans to reduce risks associated with cryptocurrency in order to protect the broader financial system from failure or abuse.

Official Voting Process

If it passes through approval from the five-member panel, then it will be put out for public comment before being finalized by another vote from all members of the SEC. This process has been scheduled for February 14th 2023 at 9:55 am EST so interested parties can submit feedback or questions concerning its implementation until then.

Consequences

If passed into law this rule could have significant consequences on how crypto companies do business as well as those who use them as custodians for their digital asset holdings or trades in general

South Korea Sets Guidelines for Security Token Regulation

• The South Korean financial services commission (FSC) has published guidelines outlining which digital assets will be regulated as securities in the country.
• These regulations support innovation and consumer protection, and will be submitted for assessments during the first half of 2023.
• South Korea has been taking steps to promote blockchain and cryptocurrency usage in their country, such as developing a blockchain-based virtual power plant, creating an internationally consistent crypto regulatory framework, building a decentralized digital commodity market, and launching a virtual currency tracking system to curb money laundering.

South Korean Regulatory Body Gives Security Token Guidelines

The financial services commission (FSC) of South Korea has recently released guidelines that outline which digital assets will be regulated as securities in the country. According to these regulations, all blockchain-based tokens that have inherent characteristics that fit into the country’s capital market act will be treated and regulated as securities. Assets like stablecoins that fall outside this category will operate following upcoming digital asset regulations.

Regulations Support Innovation & Consumer Protection

The FSC stated that security-like financial assets related to cryptocurrencies and other digital assets would be assessed on a case-by-case basis with issuers and brokers such as crypto exchanges held accountable for evaluating them according to the rules. With these new guidelines, not only does it support innovation but also ensures consumer protection. These proposed guidelines are set to go through assessments during early half of 2023 in order for them to go into effect.

South Korea’s Friendly Disposition Towards Crypto

South Korea has had a long history of encouraging cryptocurrency usage within their nation. On December 10th 2018 Yonhap news reported that South Korea was planning on investing four billion Korean won in developing a blockchain based virtual power plant. September 20th 2022 saw the national assembly host policy discussions surrounding ICOs with focus being placed on creating an internationally consistent crypto regulatory framework. Busan announced on January 19th 2023 plans to build out the world’s first decentralized digital commodity market by mid-2023 with products being tokenized and traded via blockchain technology while 29th January saw justice minister Park Sang Ki announce plans launch ‘virtual currency tracking system’ curbing money laundering while increasing recovery of crypto related proceeds from crime activities..

Crypto Regulations Will Be Assessed in Early Half of 2023

The proposed guidelines are set to go through assessments during early half of 2023 in order for them to go into effect. This period is expected allow for intensive promotions alongside institutionalization before any final decisions can be made regarding adoption or rejecting certain aspects of regulation change around cryptocurrencies within South Korea .

Conclusion

It is clear from recent events that South Korea is showing interest towards incorporating cryptocurrencies within its current finance infrastructure by introducing regulations aimed at protecting consumer rights alongside promoting innovation . As such ,the fate of these proposed laws depends on how well they perform when put through necessary tests during early half of 2023 .

Chinese New Year: Bitcoin Price Set to Soar Above $25,000

• Matrixport’s new research report shows the price of bitcoin (BTC) has increased over 9% on average during every Chinese new year (CNY) since 2015.
• The report, entitled “Chinese New Year, a Buy Signal for Bitcoin”, states that investors who purchased BTC at the end of the first day (Jan. 22) of this season’s Chinese new year and sold it exactly 10 days later (Feb. 1) would have made a decent 9%+ on their BTC holding.
• The bitcoin price is currently hovering around the $22,900 level, and if history repeats itself, BTC could surpass the $25,000 mark by Feb. 1.

Bitcoin has been on a steady rise over the past few years, and the recent research conducted by Matrixport has revealed that this trend is expected to continue during the Chinese New Year. According to the report, entitled “Chinese New Year, a Buy Signal for Bitcoin”, the price of bitcoin (BTC) has gained over 9% on average during every Chinese new year (CNY) since 2015. This indicates that investors who purchase BTC at the end of the first day (Jan. 22) of this season’s Chinese new year and sell it exactly 10 days later (Feb. 1) are likely to make a decent profit on their BTC holdings.

The report also notes that the 10-day trading period after the Chinese Lunar New Year of 2017 returned a 15% profit for traders, while 2021 and 2016 returned 14% and 13% for investors, respectively. The current bitcoin price is hovering around the $22,900 level, and if history repeats itself, BTC could surpass the $25,000 mark by Feb. 1.

This news has been welcomed by many investors who have been eagerly awaiting the start of the Chinese New Year, as they anticipate a significant increase in their BTC holdings. The strong growth in the cryptocurrency market has also been bolstered by institutional investors entering the space, who have been investing heavily in the asset class. This influx of money, along with the promise of future returns, has made bitcoin an attractive investment opportunity for many.

In addition to the potential for price appreciation, the blockchain technology that underpins bitcoin has also been making strides in the corporate world. Many companies have been utilizing the technology to improve their operations, and this has further strengthened the case for investing in the asset.

The coming weeks are sure to be interesting, as investors await the outcome of the Chinese New Year and the performance of their BTC holdings. With Bitcoin’s price continuing to rise, and the increasing acceptance of the asset as a legitimate form of investment, there is no telling how high the price may reach.

Tutto quello che c’è da sapere sugli scambi di criptovalute

Con l’ascesa della criptovaluta, gli scambi di criptovaluta sono diventati molto popolari, aiutando alla diffusione della moneta digitale e fornendo agli utenti modi semplici ed efficienti per acquistare e vendere criptovalute. In questo articolo esamineremo cosa sono gli scambi di criptovaluta, come funzionano, quali sono i principali esempi e come scegliere uno scambio di criptovaluta. Ad esempio, Bitcoin Pro offre agli utenti una varietà di opzioni di trading, incluso il trading di cfd, per consentire agli utenti di trarre profitto dal trading di criptovaluta.

Che cos’è uno scambio di criptovalute?

Uno scambio di criptovaluta è una piattaforma che consente agli utenti di acquistare, vendere e scambiare criptovaluta per altre criptovalute o valute fiat. Gli scambi di criptovaluta sono piattaforme centralizzate che forniscono agli utenti accesso a un mercato di criptovaluta volatili, dove possono acquistare criptovalute utilizzando valuta fiat come euro, sterline e dollari americani. Gli utenti possono anche scambiare criptovalute tra loro sulla piattaforma.

Come funzionano gli scambi di criptovaluta?

Gli scambi di criptovaluta funzionano come una piattaforma di trading online. Una volta che un utente si è registrato su uno scambio di criptovaluta, può acquistare o vendere criptovaluta per valuta fiat o altre criptovalute. Gli utenti possono anche scambiare criptovalute tra loro sulla piattaforma.

Quali sono i principali scambi di criptovaluta?

Ci sono molti scambi di criptovaluta tra cui scegliere, tra cui Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Bitstamp, Bitfinex e Gemini. Ognuno di questi scambi offre una gamma di servizi diversi, inclusi supporti per l’acquisto e la vendita di criptovalute, diverse funzionalità di trading e commissioni di trading.

Sicurezza degli scambi di criptovaluta

La sicurezza è una delle principali preoccupazioni quando si tratta di scambi di criptovaluta. La maggior parte degli scambi di criptovaluta offre agli utenti una forma di protezione contro le frodi e le perdite di fondi, adottando misure di sicurezza come la verifica dell’identità, la crittografia SSL e l’autenticazione a due fattori.

Come scegliere uno scambio di criptovaluta

Quando scegli uno scambio di criptovaluta, è importante considerare alcuni fattori come la sicurezza, le funzionalità, le commissioni, la disponibilità dei servizi e la reputazione dello scambio. Dovresti anche assicurarti che lo scambio offra supporto per la criptovaluta che desideri acquistare o vendere.

Come registrarsi su uno scambio di criptovaluta

La maggior parte degli scambi di criptovaluta richiede agli utenti di registrarsi e verificare il proprio identità, prima di poter iniziare a utilizzare la piattaforma. Durante la registrazione, dovrai fornire informazioni di base come il tuo nome, indirizzo, data di nascita e una copia di un documento di identità valido. Dovrai anche impostare un nome utente, una password e una frase di sicurezza.

Come acquistare e vendere criptovalute su uno scambio

Una volta registrato su uno scambio di criptovaluta, puoi acquistare criptovaluta utilizzando valuta fiat o altre criptovalute. Per acquistare criptovaluta, dovrai prima depositare fondi sullo scambio utilizzando un metodo di pagamento supportato come una carta di credito o un portafoglio elettronico. Una volta depositati i fondi, puoi acquistare criptovaluta sulla piattaforma. Per vendere criptovaluta, dovrai prima trasferire la criptovaluta dal tuo portafoglio al tuo account sullo scambio, quindi procedere con la vendita.

Come gestire i tuoi fondi su uno scambio di criptovaluta

Una volta che i tuoi fondi sono stati depositati su uno scambio di criptovaluta, è importante gestirli in modo sicuro. Dovresti sempre conservare le tue criptovalute in un portafoglio di criptovaluta sicuro e non lasciare le tue criptovalute sullo scambio per periodi di tempo prolungati. Puoi anche impostare un limite di trading sullo scambio, che limiterà le tue operazioni sulla piattaforma.

Conclusione

Gli scambi di criptovaluta sono una delle più importanti piattaforme di trading di criptovaluta, offrendo agli utenti un modo semplice ed efficiente per acquistare e vendere criptovaluta. Dovresti sempre fare attenzione alla sicurezza quando si tratta di scambi di criptovaluta e scegliere uno scambio che soddisfi le tue esigenze.

Polygon & Xtrenity Partner to Migrate Synergy Lands Assets to Ethereum VM

• Polygon has partnered with Xtrenity, a web3 gaming development platform, to migrate Synergy lands assets onto the Ethereum Virtual Machine chain.
• Xtrenity has a migrating tool that can help projects or games migrate to other chains, which Synergy will be utilizing in its move away from Solana, a blockchain platform that enables crosscutting and scalability, to Polygon.
• Polygon has seen massive traction in the crypto ecosphere, accumulating branded deals such as former U.S. president’s (Donald Trump) digital trading card clusters, Starbucks and Reddit.

Polygon, an Ethereum-based layer two scaling solution, has recently announced its collaboration with leading blockchain gaming platform Xtrenity, to aid in the migration of Synergy lands assets onto the Ethereum Virtual Machine chain. The cause for the shift is the shortages experienced on the blockchain-based network (Solana), and its losses after its partnership with FTX fell apart.

Synergy, a blockchain game, will utilize the migrating tool offered by Xtrenity to transfer away from Solana, a blockchain platform that enables crosscutting and scalability, to the Polygon network, which focuses on vast interactivity with the Ethereum blockchain. In order to successfully make the move, game consumers are encouraged to link up their Solana wallets, such as MetaMask and Phantom, then burn their Solana resources and receive Polygon’s native MATIC tokens in return.

The move to the Ethereum Virtual Machine chain is the latest in a series of major developments for Polygon, which has seen rapid traction in the crypto world. Notable partnerships such as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s digital trading card clusters, Starbucks and Reddit have all been announced in recent times. Synergy will be joining a rapidly growing list of games in the Polygon environment, which currently includes Planet IX, Zed Run, Ice Poker, Mint World, and many others.

The partnership between Polygon and Xtrenity has come at a time when the blockchain gaming industry is booming, with an increasing demand for various gaming platforms that offer scalability and crosscutting solutions. The ability to move between different blockchains and to access the Ethereum Virtual Machine chain is expected to provide a much needed boost to the industry. With the migration of Synergy onto the Ethereum Virtual Machine chain, Polygon is further cementing its position as a leading Ethereum layer two scaling solution provider.