Russia-Ukraine war: Will bitcoin help or hinder Ukraine’s fight against Russian invasion?

By Matthew Sparkes The value of bitcoin rose on the expectation that it might gain traction during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images Cryptocurrencies are playing a role on both sides of the conflict caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their ability to cross borders regardless of rules or regulations is helping … Read more

Bitcoin: El Salvador use of the cryptocurrency draws rich tourists but angers locals

The adoption of cryptocurrency as legal tender by El Salvador’s government has attracted enthusiastic tourists, concern from financial institutions and scorn from locals Technology 1 March 2022 By Luke Taylor A store owner in surfing hotspot El Zonte, now known as Bitcoin Beach JOSE CABEZAS/REUTERS/Alamy “Fifty cents for a pupusa,” says Carolina Reyes, a food … Read more

Cryptocurrency crimes have got too big for the US government to ignore

As more money pours into cryptocurrency crimes and scams, government agencies are increasingly cracking down, as the launch of dedicated Department of Justice and FBI enforcement teams demonstrates Technology | Analysis 18 February 2022 By Chris Stokel-Walker Bitcoin is just one of many cryptocurrencies Shutterstock/Coyz0 Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have continued to rise in profile, … Read more

What is bitcoin and how does it work?

Bitcoin is a digital currency which operates free of any central control or the oversight of banks or governments. Instead it relies on peer-to-peer software and cryptography. A public ledger records all bitcoin transactions and copies are held on servers around the world. Anyone with a spare computer can set up one of these servers, … Read more

Bitcoin: El Salvador revamps cryptocurrency wallet after complaints of theft and fraud

The Central American country’s experimental adoption of bitcoin has been beset by problems including identity theft and missing funds. Now the system is being relaunched with a US company providing the infrastructure Technology 3 February 2022 By Matthew Sparkes A vendor holds a sign showing that bitcoin is accepted at a store in San Salvador … Read more

Bitcoin hacking: Quantum computers are no threat to cryptocurrency

Bitcoin is theoretically vulnerable to being cracked by quantum computers, but calculations show they would need to be a million times larger than those that exist today Technology 25 January 2022 By Matthew Sparkes Bitcoin could one day be threatened by quantum computers – but not yet blackdovfx/Getty Images Quantum computers would need to become … Read more

Bitcoin: Hundreds of Salvadorans claim money is disappearing from their government-backed digital wallets

El Salvador’s attempt to become the world’s first state to adopt bitcoin as legal tender hits another stumbling block as hundreds of citizens claim that funds are disappearing from their accounts Technology 23 December 2021 By Matthew Sparkes El Salvador adopted bitcoin as legal tender on 7 September Rodrigo Sura/EFE/Alamy Live Hundreds of Salvadorans claim … Read more

Web3: What is it and how will it change the way we use the internet?

By Chris Stokel-Walker Web3 might be the future of the internet Allan Swart / Alamy Yet another new buzzword has got the internet excited, but what exactly is Web3? Here’s everything you need to know. What is Web3? At a basic level, the idea behind Web3 is to take the world wide web as we … Read more

Cryptocurrencies: Ethereum delays emissions-slashing upgrade again

Ethereum is using almost as much electricity as Ecuador, according to a new analysis, and a long-awaited upgrade to slash its energy use has been delayed once again Technology 15 December 2021 By Matthew Sparkes A coal-fired power plant in Germany Hans Blossey/Alamy A long-awaited upgrade to the Ethereum network which developers promise will slash … Read more