News – Page 53

European Parliament Votes to Protect Journalists from Spyware Surveillance

The European Parliament is progressing towards the final stages of the draft of the European Media Freedom Act. The act aims to establish a set of rules for European member states to safeguard journalists, media freedom, and independence. The draft prohibits the use of spyware surveillance against journalists. This form of surveillance targets an individual’s device, violating their privacy, and poses a significant risk of exposing their sources and networks, particularly for journalists. It may be justified if an independent judicial authority orders its use to investigate severe crimes such as terrorism.

Source: Written by Erika Di Benedetto, 2023-10-08; https://www.occrp.org/en/daily//en/daily/18104-european-parliament-votes-to-protect-journalists-from-spyware-surveillance

Tip Allows Brazilian Drug Lord to Evade Arrest for the Second Time

Mota texted his concerns to his now-detained chief bodyguard, Iuri da Silva Gusmão. Investigators had received a tip suggesting that he might be hiding at his uncle’s rural property in a border town between Brazil and Paraguay. Mota explained that someone had switched on a “dirty” (unsecured) cellphone, and that police would be watching. “They already know,” Mota confirmed to his bodyguard when asked about the police operation the next day.

Source: Written by Vinicius Madureira, 2023-10-04; https://www.occrp.org/en/daily//en/daily/18086-tip-allows-brazilian-drug-lord-to-evade-arrest-for-the-second-time

Cosmos-Based Stride Governance Token, STRD, Surges 330% YTD, Outperforming ETH and LDO

Cosmos-based Stride has been on a roll lately. Despite the prolonged market-wide bearish trend, Stride’s governance token – STRD – has surged 330% year-to-date. According to a recent Nansen report, the protocol currently commands more than 80% of the market share within the Cosmos ecosystem. STRD has a market cap of around $72.29 million and an FDV of $82.58 million, making its FDV/TVL ratio just 2.1.

Source: Chayanika Deka, 2023-10-09; https://cryptopotato.com/cosmos-based-stride-governance-token-strd-surges-330-ytd-outperforming-eth-and-ldo/

Addresses Holding 0.1% of BTC Supply Saw Strong Net Inflows in Q3 2023: Report

A Q3 2023 on-chain report by crypto market intelligence firm IntoTheBlock revealed that addresses holding at least 0.1% of bitcoin’s (BTC) supply saw strong net inflows. These addresses recorded a single-day inflow of $600 million despite BTC plunging to $25,000, showing they are quietly bullish. The patience of the holders may be tested if the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) delays its decisions on the applications for Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Source: Mandy Williams, 2023-10-07; https://cryptopotato.com/addresses-holding-0-1-of-btc-supply-saw-strong-net-inflows-in-q3-2023-report/

$3 Million in AVAX Swiped in Hack Against Avalanche-Based Social App

Stars Arena, an Avalanche-based social app, has been hacked. According to early estimations, the perpetrators have swiped almost all funds (roughly $2.9 million in AVAX) from the platform. Stars Arena later apologized and raised hopes to make users whole again. There has been a major security breach with the smart contract. We’re actively checking the issue. DO NOT deposit any funds. — Stars Arena (@starsarenacom) We are deeply sorry for what happened.

Source: Jordan Lyanchev, 2023-10-08; https://cryptopotato.com/3-million-in-avax-swiped-in-hack-against-avalanche-based-social-app/

Coinbase Granted License for Crypto Payment Services in Singapore

Coinbase has obtained a major payment institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The license builds on its in-principle approval granted by the state regulator in October of the previous year. This significant milestone grants the company the authority to provide regulated digital payment token (DPT) products and services. As a result, the exchange is poised to expand its offerings of DPT services to a broader spectrum of clients, encompassing both individuals and institutions, as stated in an announcement on October 2nd.

Source: Wayne Jones, 2023-10-03; https://cryptopotato.com/coinbase-granted-license-for-crypto-payment-services-in-singapore/

Argentina Seizes Over 17 Tonnes of Soybeans That Were to be Smuggled to Brazil

Argentine naval authorities seize more than 17,000 kilograms of soybeans. The shipment, valued at more than four million Argentine pesos (nearly US$11,500) Authorities detained one suspect who was involved in another smuggling case and placed another under investigation. El Soberbio, in the Misiones Province, has in recent years become a hub for the transport of contraband soy to Brazil, a country that is working to keep its dominance of the soybean market.

Source: Written by Lieth Carrillo, 2023-10-05; https://www.occrp.org/en/daily//en/daily/18094-argentina-seizes-over-17-tonnes-of-soybeans-that-were-to-be-smuggled-to-brazil

Galxe Website Compromised, Balancer Hackers Likely Responsible

Galxe, a Web3 credential project, instructed users not to interact with the platform following a security breach on its website. Meanwhile, on-chain sleuth ZachXBT says the hackers are likely the same as the rogue actors that recently attacked Balancer’s front end. The issue will be resolved shortly, thank you for your patience! — Galxe (@Galxe) “Your safety remains our utmost priority,” Galxe said on Twitter.

Source: Anthonia Isichei, 2023-10-08; https://cryptopotato.com/galxe-website-compromised-balancer-hackers-likely-responsible/

Daughter of Former Uzbek President Indicted in Switzerland

Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of late President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, is charged with organized crime and money laundering. She is already serving a term in an Uzbek prison. The unnamed former general director of a Russian telecommunication company’s Uzbek subsidiary was indicted at the same time. According to the charges, from 2001 to 2013 Karamova was at the top of a criminal organization made up of dozens of people and numerous companies known as “The Office”

Source: Written by OCCRP, 2023-10-02; https://www.occrp.org/en/daily//en/daily/18079-daughter-of-former-uzbek-president-indicted-in-switzerland

Russia Reaches Out to Latin America in an Effort to Dodge Sanctions

The conference drew over 200 attendees, including MPs from various Latin American and Caribbean nations, experts, public personalities, and diplomats. “We are convinced that a new world order is being built, and Russia is one of the pillars of this order,” said the Special Representative of the President of Nicaragua for Russian Affairs, Laureano Ortega Murillo. He expressed his belief that the development of direct engagement at the legislative level provides excellent potential for developing and expanding collaboration through new areas of joint cooperation.

Source: Written by Zdravko Ljubas, 2023-10-06; https://www.occrp.org/en/daily//en/daily/18098-russia-reaches-out-to-latin-america-in-an-effort-to-dodge-sanctions

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