• Chainalysis goes unicorn
    How big is crypto? Even firms that track transactions liker Michael Gronager's Chainalysis are going unicorn (Photo: U.S. State Department)
    Cryptocurrencies,  Regulation

    Chainalysis goes unicorn

    The blockchain intelligence firm’s latest fundraising round valued it north of the VC magic number: $1 billion

    November 23, 2020 /

    Along with cryptocurrency exchanges and financial firms, Chainalysis' bitcoin and cryptocurrency tracking tool have been used by law enforcement agencies including the FBI, IRS, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security in a number of high-profile cases, including the closure of the largest-ever child pornography ring, “Welcome to Video.” Other cases included operations targeting bitcoin fundraising by terrorist groups Al-Qaeda and Hamas.

    Read More
  • CipherTrace crack Monero privacy
    CipherTrace says it is closer to cracking privacy coin Monero's anonymity—and that this is good for Monero (Photo: Pixabay)
    Cryptocurrencies,  Regulation

    CipherTrace: We’re closer to cracking Monero’s privacy

    The blockchain analytics firm claims two new patents will allow it to detect and track criminals using the leading privacy coin

    November 23, 2020 /

    The Nov. 20 announcement covers a number of tools and methods that bring CipherTrace closer to being able to track Monero transactions—although not break the privacy of individual users, the firm stressed. CipherTrace said it has been working on those tools since early 2019, as part of a Department of Homeland Security project. The firm claims that the new developments have laid the groundwork for future tools “like entity transaction clustering, wallet identification, exchange attribution, and other functionality that will provide law enforcement with even more tools for investigating Monero transactions and addresses related to criminal activity.”

    Read More
  • Chainalysis shortage bitcoin skyrocketing price
    The mainstream investors are charging into bitcoin (Photo: PxFuel)
    Bitcoin

    Chainalysis: A worsening shortage is behind bitcoin’s skyrocketing price

    Big and smart money investors are buying up and holding onto BTC far faster than miners can produce it as the first cryptocurrency comes into its own as an inflation hedge

    November 19, 2020 /

    The amount of liquid bitcoin—that held by wallets that trade as oppose to hold—"is similar to what it was during the 2017 bull run,” the blog said. “ But the amount held in illiquid wallets is much higher, currently representing 77% of the 14.8 million Bitcoin mined that isn’t categorized as lost... That leaves a pool of just 3.4 million Bitcoin readily available to buyers as demand increases.”

    Read More
  • Fidelity Digital Assets addresses Bitcoin’s critics
    Fidelity Digital Assets makes the case for Bitcoin (Photo: Pixabay)
    Bitcoin,  Commentary,  Education

    Fidelity Digital Assets addresses Bitcoin’s critics

    With Bitcoin’s price soaring along with mainstream interest from hedge fund legends and PayPal alike, FDA Research Director Ria Bhutoria takes on six main criticisms of the first cryptocurrency

    November 13, 2020 /

    In a Nov. 13 blog post, Bhutoria said that while the conversation is not new, the rapidly growing interest in the main cryptocurrency by mainstream investors and retail-focused payment processors alike, it’s time for an update.

    Read More