For the fourth day in a row, Bitcoin hit a new high, this time above 40K, while researchers from a cybersecurity company discovered 3 desktop applications that can steal your cryptocurrencies silently. This and more news in this handy daily summary so that you are always informed with the most recent events that occur within the crypto world.
📍 The bullish rally of Bitcoin (BTC) It won't end soon, he says Stack Funds. Asia's leading provider of Bitcoin funds and cryptocurrency index funds notes in its weekly report that the bullish journey of BTC is just beginning, so in the coming days users, investors and traders of the cryptocurrency can expect another “explosive bullish movement”. At press time, Bitcoin has marked a new all-time high of $40.180 USD. The cryptocurrency is trading at $38.870 USD.
📍 Ethereum (ETH), The second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, ETH is also experiencing glorious days as it approaches its 1.448 all-time high of $2018 USD. With growth of almost 70% in the last week, ETH debuts a new 2021 high of $XNUMX USD. $1.288 USD, while it is trading at $1.188 USD per unit at the time of this edition.
With this new value, and a market capitalization of more than $135 billion, ETH enters the list of the 100 largest assets in the world, published by CompaniesMarketCap.comOn this list, ETH currently sits at #97, while Bitcoin has moved up a notch, ranking #11, as of press time.
📍 XRPRipple's cryptocurrency is also showing clear signs of recovery, after having gone through some tough days due to the SEC lawsuit against the company. At the time of writing, XRP is showing a 45% growth in the last 24 hours, going from a value of $0,22 USD to $0,36 USD. This new value leads XRP to regain the position No. 4 before Litecoin, as the fourth largest cryptocurrency in the market by capitalization.
📍 A report published by researchers at the cybersecurity firm Intezer, reveals that there are 3 desktop applications designed for Windows, MacOS and Linux that have been stealing cryptocurrency for a whole year without being detected. Known as jam, eTrade y DaoPoker, the first two applications are dedicated to trade management with cryptocurrencies, , while the third is a cryptocurrency poker app. All of these have been promoted on cryptocurrency and technology related forums blockchainas the Bitcointalk y SteemCoinPan, in addition to social networks such as Twitter y Telegram.
Researchers say that the victims of these apps are related to MetaMask wallets; they also point out that the number of downloads has been exponential, so they believe that the number of victims may be considerable. The applications are written in the Golang language and are part of an entire malware and ransomware campaign called “Operation ElectroRAT”, dedicated to the theft of cryptocurrencies, especially BitcoinThe campaign includes fake domains, websites, trojanized applications and social media accounts.
📍 The software and cybersecurity company in Artificial Intelligence BOTS, that acquired A “Bitcoin ATM” patent, on Bitcoin ATMs in November 2020, continues its goal of establishing a fee for commercial transactions carried out with cryptocurrencies from these devices in the United States. In the past, the company reported that it intended to create a consortium of Bitcoin ATMs in the country, which manufacturers and operators could join to reach friendly agreements on the value of the fee.
Now, the company reported about the engagement from the law firm Henry Park to manage intellectual property rights and enforce its patent. There are about 11.400 Bitcoin ATMs in the United States, processing between $18 and $20 million in transactions each month, and the company is aiming for more, as it also said it is developing new systems to license other patents that are related to Bitcoin as a digital payment system.
📍 In South Korea, the government announced which will establish a 20% tax on transactions and commercial operations carried out with cryptocurrencies, which exceed the threshold of 50 million South Korean won, equivalent to about $45.690 USD. While for those operations that exceed the 300 million won, approximately $273.950 USD, the tax will be 25%.
The government also announced that it will extend the deadline for applying these taxes until 2023, to give cryptocurrency companies and businesses, and the National Assembly, the opportunity to prepare their infrastructure to comply with the new tax collection requirements in the country.
📍 In Kyrgyzstan, the country's central bank he presented new regulatory proposals on cryptocurrencies and digital assets that recognize the exchanges and cryptocurrency exchanges as legal entities in the country, which must operate under a license. Interested parties have until February 21 to submit comments and suggestions on the proposed laws.
📍 China has already started its third lottery to test its digital currency DCEP, or digital yuan. The country launched another lottery to distribute a total of 20 million digital yuan among 100.000 citizens of the city of Shenzhen. In addition, there is throwing a new smart digital wallet, in the form of a plastic card, that helps its users make payments with the CBDC easily, quickly and reliably. The new product does not require an internet connection, and users do not need to download the bank's app to use their DCEP.
The card is being implemented by medical students at Jiaotong University and is designed primarily to facilitate payments with the new digital currency for seniors.
Continue reading: US regulation will increase hack risks, says Chainalysis
