
Stories by Luke Edwards


Crypto Draining Fake Wallet Extensions Flood Firefox Store
A malware campaign is leveraging malicious Firefox add-ons that impersonate legitimate crypto wallets in a bid to steal unwary users’ funds, according to a new study. Koi Security discovered that more than 40 malicious extensions were impersonating real crypto wallets as part of the “FoxyWallet” campaign, including Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Phantom, Exodus, OKX, Keplr, and MyMonero. The malware campaign sees malicious code used to exfiltrate wallet secrets to attacker-controlled...

Norwegian Mineral Mining Firm Eyes $1.2 Billion Raise for Bitcoin Treasury
Norway’s Green Minerals, will—along “with its partners”—invest up to $1.2 billion to establish a Bitcoin treasury, the Euronext Growth Oslo-traded company announced Tuesday. In a statement, Green Minerals, which mines deep sea minerals, said it aims to acquire its first Bitcoin over the "next few days," as it pursues a wider strategy to invest more in blockchain integrations. "Bitcoin’s decentralized, non-inflationary properties make it an attractive alternative to traditional fiat,” said Green...

Ledger Introduces Physical ‘Recovery Key’ NFC Backup for Wallets
Ledger has introduced a new type of backup that it calls a “spare key” for your crypto wallet. The Ledger Recovery Key works with the Ledger Flex and Ledger Stax wallets as a way to recover access to your assets. The Recovery Key incorporates NFC connectivity alongside a Secure Element that stores a PIN-protected backup key. Once paired with a Ledger Flex or Ledger Stax hardware wallet, users can recover their crypto wallets by tapping the card against the device and entering a PIN. The device...

ESA Predicts Humans Living in ‘Space Oases’ on Mars in 2040
The European Space Agency (ESA) has outlined expectations for humans living on other planets as soon as 2040 in a newly published document. Technology 2040 Vision envisages humans living in “autonomous habitats beyond Earth” on the Moon, Mars and beyond, following what it predicts will be a "rapid evolution of technology" in the coming years. In a tweet, ESA Director-General Josef Aschbacher billed the document as a "call to action," as part of a roadmap to building a "resilient European presenc...

Interpol Infostealer Malware Crackdown Leads to 32 Arrests
Police forces around the world have made 32 arrests as part of a major operation cracking down on infostealer malware led by Interpol. Operation Secure saw law enforcement agencies from 26 countries work to locate the servers, map physical networks and ultimately execute the targeted takedowns, according to a statement released by Interpol. 20,000 malicious IPs and domains taken down in #INTERPOL infostealer crackdown During Operation Secure law police from 26 countries worked to locate servers...

Cypherock X1 Review: A Crypto Hardware Wallet With a Slick Card-Based Security Model
The Cypherock X1 is something of a newcomer in the crypto hardware wallet space, with an open beta in 2022 ahead of its full launch in 2023. With an unusual joystick-based control setup, and promises of super-secure self-custody thanks to its NFC based cards and shard-based security model, the X1 has a lot to live up to as it tries to muscle in on a market dominated by wallets like the Ledger Nano X and the Trezor Safe 5. In this review, we’ll find out whether it can do exactly that. What is the...

While LA Burns Waymos, London Teases Driverless Car Pilot
The UK government has announced plans to begin trialling self-driving taxi services on its roads, just as there’s been blow-back in LA where several self-driving Waymo cars were torched. Several vehicles were set on fire Sunday during a protest against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles and the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard into the region. The initial plan in London, as put forward by the Department for Transport, involves a limited number of...

Hong Kong Opens Door to Crypto Derivatives in Bid to Rival Global Hubs
Hong Kong could soon offer virtual asset derivatives trading for professional investors. This news, reported by China Daily, comes as the Hong Kong securities regulator announces plans to introduce the option as part of its plan to expand product offerings while ensuring risk is kept under control. Security is an important part of this focus as the Securities and Futures Commission, or SFC, points out it will ensure trades are carried out "in an orderly, transparent and secure manner." According...

Crypto Payments to California State Agencies Inch Closer to Reality
A new bill has been passed by the California State Assembly which will mean state agencies are able to accept crypto payments if it comes into law. The vote was a unanimous 68-0 and now moves to the Senate where it can be taken further. Assembly Bill 1180 (AB 1180), passed on June 2, will require the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to further develop rules to permit the state fees and transactions under the Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL), so cryptocurrencies can be...

Netflix Doubles Down on Generative AI With Adverts in the Middle of Streams
Streaming media juggernaut Netflix has announced plans to use generative AI to deploy interactive adverts to subscribers within streams on its platform. According to a report in industry trade publication Media Play News, Netflix plans to deploy generative AI across its midroll and pause ad formats, starting next year. The streamer, which launched its own in-house ad platform earlier this year, said it was working towards more "creative" ads from its in-house team, thanks to the use of new ad te...

ILM Makes ‘Star Wars: Field Guide’ Short Film Using Generative AI
Visual effects house Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has showcased a new “Star Wars” short film made using generative AI. Presented as part of a TED talk by ILM’s Chief Creative Officer Rob Bredow, the two-minute short “Star Wars: Field Guide” showcases a menagerie of weird alien hybrids created using imagery of Earth animals and AI. Billed as a test, rather than a final product, the aim of the piece, Bredow said, is to “see the trajectory we are on and the trajectory we want to be on next.” Bre...

Fake AI Tools Used to Spread Noodlophile Crypto Wallet Stealing Malware
People are being tricked into downloading fake AI tools as a way to spread the information stealer malware Noodlophile. This malware is able to harvest browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallet information and more sensitive data, according to a security researcher. Morphisec researcher Shmuel Uzan said, in a report, "Instead of relying on traditional phishing or cracked software sites, they build convincing AI-themed platforms – often advertised via legitimate-looking Facebook groups and viral...

Inferno Drainer Malware Returns, Stealing $9M from Crypto Wallets in Six Months
Crypto-stealing malware Inferno Drainer remains in operation despite publicly shutting down—and has has been used to snatch over $9 million from crypto wallets over the past six months. According to cybersecurity firm Check Point Research, over 30,000 crypto wallets have been drained by the resurgent malware campaign, whose developers claimed to have ceased operations in November 2023. Deep Dive into Inferno Drainer Reloaded: tracing malicious smart contracts, decrypting drainer configs, and fu...

Trezor Safe 5 Review: A Flagship Hardware Crypto Wallet With Haptic Touchscreen Smarts
Trezor is one of the more well-established names in the crypto hardware wallet space, and the latest iteration of its flagship device builds on the manufacturer’s years of experience. The Trezor Safe 5 isn’t just trading off past glories, though, aiming to offer an experience that's simple enough for those new to crypto self-custody with the security and features to keep more seasoned users happy. So can this new hardware wallet secure your affections? What is the Trezor Safe 5? The latest Trezo...

FCA Asks for Public Feedback on UK Crypto Legislation
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is seeking views around crypto assets as part of steps towards more legislation. The FCA specifically wants views on intermediaries, staking, lending, borrowing and DeFi, or decentralized finance, according to a discussion paper released today. The plan, according to the FCA, is to setup clear crypto legislation as a way to boost confidence and support growth in the sector. This is a first step towards legislation following a draft paper set out by the...

Duolingo Is Adopting an 'AI-First' Approach, Says CEO Luis von Ahn
The CEO of Duolingo has said the company plans to adopt an "AI-first" approach to work. This means the language learning app is going to "gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle," according to CEO Luis von Ahn. The message went out in an email to all staff before being posted to the Duolingo LinkedIn account. Despite this bold claim, von Ahn was clear to say that, "Duolingo will remain a company that cares deeply about its employees” and that “this isn’t about replacing Du...

Crypto Lender Nexo Returns to U.S. Citing Crypto-Friendly Trump Policies
Crypto lender Nexo has returned to the U.S. market after leaving in 2022 due to regulatory friction. The move to start operating in the U.S. market once again comes as the Trump administration makes for a more favorable environment for innovation, says Nexo co-founder Antoni Trenchev. Nexo has said it manages over $11 billion in assets and plans to offer its complete range of services to U.S. retail and institutional clients as part of the return. These include high-yield savings products, asset...

North Korean Hackers Create Fake U.S. Businesses to Target Crypto Devs
Multiple victims have been attacked by what appears to be a North Korean campaign that targets cryptocurrency developers using fake U.S. companies. According to a Reuters report, two fake companies, Blocknovas LLC and Softglide LLC, were created by North Korean cyber spies to infect developers in the crypto industry with malicious software. 🚨 NEW THREAT REPORT: Contagious Interview (DPRK) Launches a New Campaign Creating Three Front Companies to Deliver a Trio of Malware: BeaverTail, Invisible...

Malware Campaign Targets Crypto Wallets With Fake PDF Conversion Software
A malware campaign is using fake PDF to DOCX converters as a vector for sneaking malicious PowerShell commands onto machines, enabling the attacker to access crypto wallets, hijack browser credentials and steal information. Following an FBI alert last month, CloudSEK Security Research team has carried out an investigation revealing details about the attacks. The goal is to trick users into executing a PowerShell command which installs the Arechclient2 malware, a variant of SectopRAT, an informat...
