national security
Trump's National Security Council Sees DLT as Critical Weapon in US-China Tech War
The United States National Security Council has named distributed ledger technology (DLT) as one the most critical focus areas in its tech war with China and Russia.
Will Hong Kong's Status as an International Digital Financial Hub be Affected by the National Security Law?
2020 has been quite a year for Hong Kong, marked by months of political unrest, the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, and a sweeping new national security law that China imposed on the city. The national security law, unanimously passed by China’s ruling Communist Party, sets up against secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.
President Trump Instructed Clamp Down on Bitcoin, Alleges Former National Security Advisor
John Bolton, a former national security advisor in the Trump administration, has purported that the US president ordered Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to crack down on Bitcoin in mid-2018.
Hong Kong’s National Security Law Triggers Exodus of Wealthy Society’s Capital, Is Gold Being Dumped for Bitcoin?
Hong Kong’s rich and affluent are reportedly moving large amounts of gold out of the major financial hub following Beijing’s imposed national security law. According to well-known Bitcoin bull Max Keiser, Bitcoin is a better way to export your fortune.
China Unlikely to Approve Oracle and Walmart’s TikTok Deal – Blockchain and Bitcoin Implications
China appears to be on edge regarding Oracle and Walmart’s deal with parent company ByteDance for TikTok’s US operations, calling it an “unfair deal.”
US Lawmakers Question Tron Founder Justin Sun and DLive CEO on Extremist Content Following Capitol Riots
Two U.S. lawmakers have questioned Tron founder Justin Sun and DLive CEO Charles Wayn in the wake of the Capital riots—asking them how they moderate extremist content.
US National Security at Risk Due to China Dominance in Mobile Payments, says former State Department Official
Former Department of State official Anja Manuel warns that if the US loses its dominance in financial innovation and payments, it could impact its national security policy, specifically on sanctions. Manuel stated that China is catching up on dominance in mobile payments, which could make enforcing sanctions against “bad actors” like Iran or North Korea more challenging.
CFTC Report Underscores DeFi Risks and Calls for Action
The CFTC report on DeFi underscores significant risks to the U.S. financial system, national security, and consumer protection, emphasizing the need for increased understanding, regulation, and collaboration in the sector.
US Congress Proposes Bill to Restrict Government Interactions with Foreign Adversarial Blockchain Networks
US Congress introduces H.R.6307, limiting government interactions with Chinese blockchain networks, addressing national security and data privacy concerns, and urging increased scrutiny in the technology sector.
US National Security at Risk Due to China’s Dominance in Mobile Payments, says former State Department Official
Former Department of State official Anja Manuel warns that if the US loses its dominance in financial innovation and payments, it could impact its national security policy, specifically on sanctions. Manuel stated that China is catching up on dominance in mobile payments, which could make enforcing sanctions against “bad actors” like Iran or North Korea more challenging.
Court Upholds OFAC's Designation of Tornado Cash Under IEEPA
The US District Court upheld the OFAC's designation of Tornado Cash under the IEEPA, rejecting plaintiffs' claims of overreach and First Amendment violations, highlighting legal challenges for privacy-oriented blockchain entities.
Coinbase Bolsters Advisory Board with Security Experts
Coinbase has enlisted four national security experts to its Global Advisory Council, including former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, former U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy, Counterterrorism Advisor Frances Townsend, and strategist David Urban.
China Alerts on Foreign Mapping Firms Using Crypto Rewards for Sensitive Data Collection
The Chinese Ministry of State Security issues a warning about foreign mapping companies using cryptocurrency rewards to encourage unauthorized sensitive geographical data collection in China, posing a threat to national security.
US Authorities Uncover Chinese-linked Bitcoin Mining Operations
US authorities have identified a significant number of Chinese-linked Bitcoin mining operations across the United States, sparking national security concerns. Published by The New York Times on October 13, the report highlights the close proximity of some of these operations to critical military and infrastructure sites. Amidst escalating US-China political tensions, the surge in Chinese Bitcoin mining operations in the US, coupled with their substantial energy consumption, poses critical questions regarding cybersecurity, energy sustainability, and geopolitical dynamics.
US Officials Warn of AI's Role in Cyber Crimes
U.S. authorities are actively addressing the challenges posed by AI in cybersecurity and the legal system, balancing innovation with the need for safety, security, and ethical considerations.
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Stricter Export Controls on Advanced Semiconductors to China
Two senior Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have called on the Biden administration to tighten export controls on advanced semiconductors to China. The lawmakers, Michael McCaul and Mike Gallagher, chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Select Committee on China respectively, expressed concerns over the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) lax enforcement of existing rules. The call for action comes amid advancements by China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and Huawei Technologies.
Chinese Government to Consider Cross-Border East-Asian Stablecoin for Hong Kong Amid Implementing Controversial National Security Law
Chinese officials to consider a cross-border stablecoin in Hong Kong, to facilitate a cross-border payment network between three Asian countries, and four currencies China, Japan, and South Korea. The world’s second-largest economy is aiming to build Hong Kong into an international financial center in the digital economy era. At China’s annual “Two Sessions,” also known as the National People’s Congress, China’s most important annual political event in Beijing, officials set the decision to impose new national security legislation on Hong Kong.
Sierra Leone Revamps National ID Infrastructure with Blockchain
According to Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, the nation intends to use blockchain technology in restructuring the national ID system.
Director of National Intelligence Warns US SEC of China’s Cryptocurrency Dominance
National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe has warned the US Securities and Exchange Commission that China’s cryptocurrency dominance could put the US at a disadvantage.
Vietnam Launches a National Enterprise Blockchain Platform as it Eyes a Global Top 50 Slot
The Ministry of Information and Communications in Vietnam is building an enterprise blockchain platform dubbed akaChain in line with its national program.
SEC Charges App Developer Abra for Unregistered Security-Based Swaps
Abra and Plutus Tech have agreed to a cease-and-desist order and a combined penalty of $150,000 after being charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission for selling unregistered security-based swaps to investors in 2019.
First Ever Blockchain-Based IPO Launches on National Stock Exchange
The shares are available on the MERJ exchange platform as well as through broker-dealer Jumpstart and crypto custodian Prime Trust, which are both based in the US and via Globacap.
Ukrainian Security Department And Law Enforcement Uncover a Crypto Mining Farm in a Railway Subdivision in Lviv
According to a report, Ukrzaliznytsia has uncovered a hidden cryptocurrency mining farm in the Lviv railway subdivision, which has been making use of the country’s electricity without paying for it. This secret mining company was discovered by Ukrzaliznytsia's security department, in conjunction with law enforcement officials.
World's First National Digital Currency to Be Built on Algorand
World’s First National Digital Currency to Be Built on Algorand