The IMF has proposed an 85% tax on electricity for cryptocurrency mining

In its report, the IMF highlighted the issue of carbon dioxide emissions generated by these sectors.

According to the report, AI and mining account for 2% of global electricity consumption, and this figure could rise to 3.5% over the next three years. By 2027, these industries could contribute 1% of global carbon emissions. The IMF warns that increasing energy consumption in these sectors could exacerbate current climate change issues and raise greenhouse gas emissions.

To address this and reduce environmental impact, the IMF has suggested that governments impose an 85% tax on electricity for AI and mining companies. The fund believes this measure will not only help reduce carbon emissions but also encourage the development of more eco-friendly technologies and practices in these rapidly growing industries.

Crime in Malaysia against cryptans

Criminals kidnapped a Chinese national for a $1 million ransom in crypto assets.

Police in Malaysia have arrested and charged six people involved in the kidnapping of a Chinese national for a $1 million ransom in crypto assets. All detainees refused to admit guilt.

According to the case materials, the crime was committed on July 11, 2024. On July 15, the victim, as well as the woman who was with him, was released. The victim’s brother paid $1.1 million in bitcoins as ransom.

The suspects face 30 to 40 years in prison and caning.

TRON has launched a platform for creating memecoins

The TRON ecosystem has introduced a new platform for issuing meme tokens called SunPump, which is expected to become a significant player in the memecoin market.

The project is closely connected to TRON’s founder, Justin Sun. In an interview with CoinDesk, he emphasized that SunPump not only provides a platform for launching meme tokens but also carefully selects projects before their launch to ensure they meet certain standards of integrity. This helps to exclude questionable projects and build trust in the platform.

Additionally, the statement mentions that the new service will compete with a similar platform, PumpFun, which operates on the Solana network. SunPump plans to attract more developers and investors by offering more transparent conditions and higher verification standards. The competition between SunPump and PumpFun could heat up the memecoin market, offering users new exciting opportunities and potentially higher returns.

In August, Bitcoin’s returns fell behind gold

According to Kaiko, on August 5th, the Bitcoin-to-gold return ratio reached its lowest level since February, indicating a decline in the cryptocurrency’s attractiveness compared to traditional assets during market turbulence.

Gold demonstrated greater resilience, continuing to hold its position as a safe haven for investors. Meanwhile, Bitcoin experienced a drop, falling to just below $50,000. However, thanks to support from traders who prevented further declines, the price quickly recovered.

Analyst Ali Martinez notes that the $60,000 level remains a key target for investors. If the bulls manage to push the price up to $59,700 in the coming days, there is a chance for further growth to $62,200 and even $64,000. Martinez views these levels as potential local peaks in Bitcoin’s current cycle.

Despite recent fluctuations, many analysts continue to see significant growth potential in Bitcoin, especially in the long term. Investors are closely…

Australian Regulator Reports Closure of Fraudulent Websites

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), in its new report on combating financial fraud, announced that 7,300 phishing and fraudulent online resources were shut down last year. These resources were used to deceive citizens, steal personal data, and distribute malicious software.

Authorities successfully dismantled 5,530 fraudulent schemes related to fake investment platforms that promised high returns but ultimately deprived users of all their invested funds. Additionally, the total number of websites containing links to malware that were shut down reached 1,065. These sites posed a serious threat to users’ cybersecurity by installing viruses and spyware on their devices.

“Australians lose billions of dollars every year due to fraud. Fraudsters are criminals targeting the pockets of honest Australians,” said ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court. She emphasized the importance of efforts to protect citizens from …

In Colorado, a chapel worth $2.5 million is planned to be tokenized

The religious organization Colorado House of Prayer announced its intention to tokenize a chapel to raise funds for its purchase for $2.5 million. This was reported by Forbes, citing Pastor Blake Bush, who leads the project.

“God called me to tokenize this building. I didn’t even know what that meant. I prayed for years, and in response, I was told to go and take this chapel,” the pastor said.

To achieve this goal, Bush and his team created a digital asset called Stone Coin. They utilized the services of the Retokens platform, which specializes in real estate tokenization on the Polymesh blockchain.

It is reported that they have already raised about half of the necessary amount. To further advance the project, the team plans to attract additional funding through crowdfunding campaigns and active involvement of the local community. They believe that tokenization will not only help preserve the building but also draw…