Coinbase is selling blockchain analytics software to the US Secret Service
> the Secret Service awarded a four-year contract to Coinbase in May in order to use its blockchain analytics software, called Coinbase Analytics. The contract is worth $183,750 in total and ends on May 9, 2024.
https://www.theblockcrypto.com/amp/post/71261/coinbase-is-selling-blockchain-analytics-software-to-the-us-secret-service
> the Secret Service awarded a four-year contract to Coinbase in May in order to use its blockchain analytics software, called Coinbase Analytics. The contract is worth $183,750 in total and ends on May 9, 2024.
https://www.theblockcrypto.com/amp/post/71261/coinbase-is-selling-blockchain-analytics-software-to-the-us-secret-service
Zap Desktop v0.7.0 released
- LND v0.10.2-beta
- Payment probes
- Multi Part Payments
- Keysend
- gRPC over Tor
- LNURL channel
- Hold invoices
- Routing info
download: https://github.com/LN-Zap/zap-desktop/releases/tag/v0.7.0-beta
- LND v0.10.2-beta
- Payment probes
- Multi Part Payments
- Keysend
- gRPC over Tor
- LNURL channel
- Hold invoices
- Routing info
download: https://github.com/LN-Zap/zap-desktop/releases/tag/v0.7.0-beta
RoninDojo v1.5 released
- Dojo v1.6
- Whirlpool CLI v0.10.6
- Electrs v0.8.5
- BTC Explorer v2.0.0
- Addrsindexer v0.3.0
source: https://code.samourai.io/ronindojo/RoninDojo/-/releases/v1.5
download: https://ronindojo.io/downloads/
- Dojo v1.6
- Whirlpool CLI v0.10.6
- Electrs v0.8.5
- BTC Explorer v2.0.0
- Addrsindexer v0.3.0
source: https://code.samourai.io/ronindojo/RoninDojo/-/releases/v1.5
download: https://ronindojo.io/downloads/
Zeus v0.3.0 released
- lndhub
- c-lightning Spark
- onboarding tour
- option to force system verification of self-signed certs
- change units on the Send view
- change units when drafting an invoice
- WhatTheFee table when making on-chain transactions
- detect lndconnect strings on the user's clipboard and prompt to import
- handle multisig on-chain addresses
Android APK: https://zeusln.app/zeus-v0.3.0.apk
iOS TestFlight: https://testflight.apple.com/join/gpVFzEHN
Dev Sig: https://zeusln.app/zeus-v0.3.0.apk.asc
PGP Key: https://zeusln.app/PGP.txt
Full release notes: https://github.com/ZeusLN/zeus/releases/tag/v0.3.0
- lndhub
- c-lightning Spark
- onboarding tour
- option to force system verification of self-signed certs
- change units on the Send view
- change units when drafting an invoice
- WhatTheFee table when making on-chain transactions
- detect lndconnect strings on the user's clipboard and prompt to import
- handle multisig on-chain addresses
Android APK: https://zeusln.app/zeus-v0.3.0.apk
iOS TestFlight: https://testflight.apple.com/join/gpVFzEHN
Dev Sig: https://zeusln.app/zeus-v0.3.0.apk.asc
PGP Key: https://zeusln.app/PGP.txt
Full release notes: https://github.com/ZeusLN/zeus/releases/tag/v0.3.0
BLW lightning wallet for android
features: https://xn--57h.bigsun.xyz/blw.html
download: lightning-wallet.com
features: https://xn--57h.bigsun.xyz/blw.html
download: lightning-wallet.com
Counting Down Thunder.pdf
373.3 KB
Counting Down Thunder: Timing Attacks on Privacy in Payment Channel Networks
> the privacy guarantees of the Lightning Network may be subverted by an on-path adversary conducting timing attacks on the HTLC state negotiation messages. To this end, we provide estimators that enable an adversary to reduce the anonymity set and infer the likeliest payment endpoints. We developed a proof-of-concept measurement node that shows the feasibility of attaining time differences and evaluate the adversarial success in model-based network simulations.
source: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2006.12143.pdf
> the privacy guarantees of the Lightning Network may be subverted by an on-path adversary conducting timing attacks on the HTLC state negotiation messages. To this end, we provide estimators that enable an adversary to reduce the anonymity set and infer the likeliest payment endpoints. We developed a proof-of-concept measurement node that shows the feasibility of attaining time differences and evaluate the adversarial success in model-based network simulations.
source: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2006.12143.pdf
Following the Blockchain dot com feerate recommendations
> Transactions sent with Blockchain [dot] com wallets make up for about a third of all Bitcoin transactions.
> Most of these transactions share the same fingerprint. Only P2PKH outputs are spent. No SegWit and neither multisig are spent. With every transaction, either one or two outputs are created. When two outputs are created, then at least one of them is a P2PKH output. The transactions are not time-locked, have a version of one, and do not signal BIP-125 replaceability. However, all are BIP-69 compliant.
https://b10c.me/mempool-observations/3-blockchaincom-recommendations/
> Transactions sent with Blockchain [dot] com wallets make up for about a third of all Bitcoin transactions.
> Most of these transactions share the same fingerprint. Only P2PKH outputs are spent. No SegWit and neither multisig are spent. With every transaction, either one or two outputs are created. When two outputs are created, then at least one of them is a P2PKH output. The transactions are not time-locked, have a version of one, and do not signal BIP-125 replaceability. However, all are BIP-69 compliant.
https://b10c.me/mempool-observations/3-blockchaincom-recommendations/
Samourai Dojo v1.7.0 released
- optional "strict mode" enforces additional checks before transaction broadcast
- whirlpool v0.10.8
full release notes: https://code.samourai.io/dojo/samourai-dojo/-/blob/develop/RELEASES.md#1_7_0
download: https://code.samourai.io/dojo/samourai-dojo/-/tags/v1.7.0
- optional "strict mode" enforces additional checks before transaction broadcast
- whirlpool v0.10.8
full release notes: https://code.samourai.io/dojo/samourai-dojo/-/blob/develop/RELEASES.md#1_7_0
download: https://code.samourai.io/dojo/samourai-dojo/-/tags/v1.7.0
Tallycoin v2.1 released
- Send messages with transactions
- Reply to contributor messages
- Realtime notifications
tallyco.in/s/version2/
- Send messages with transactions
- Reply to contributor messages
- Realtime notifications
tallyco.in/s/version2/
Zap Desktop v0.7.1-beta released
- bug fixes
full release notes and download: https://github.com/LN-Zap/zap-desktop/releases/tag/v0.7.1-beta
- bug fixes
full release notes and download: https://github.com/LN-Zap/zap-desktop/releases/tag/v0.7.1-beta
Mitre Corp. runs some of the U.S. government's most hush-hush science and tech labs
> a prototype tool that can hack into smartwatches, fitness trackers and home thermometers for the purposes of homeland security; software to collect human fingerprints from social media websites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the FBI; support in building what the FBI calls the biggest database of human anatomy and criminal history in the world; and a study to determine whether someone’s body odor can show they’re lying.
> During his time at Mitre, Edman partnered with the FBI, using his hacking skills to help take down the infamous Silk Road dark web drug bazaar. Shortly after he left Mitre, he was allowed to finish the job in October 2013, and was in Reykjavik, Iceland, alongside FBI agent Ilhwan Yum, to shutter the site run by the Dread Pirate Roberts (real name: Ross Ulbricht), who is now serving a life sentence.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2020/07/13/inside-americas-secretive-2-billion-research-hub-collecting-fingerprints-from-facebook-hacking-smartwatches-and-fighting-covid-19/
> a prototype tool that can hack into smartwatches, fitness trackers and home thermometers for the purposes of homeland security; software to collect human fingerprints from social media websites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the FBI; support in building what the FBI calls the biggest database of human anatomy and criminal history in the world; and a study to determine whether someone’s body odor can show they’re lying.
> During his time at Mitre, Edman partnered with the FBI, using his hacking skills to help take down the infamous Silk Road dark web drug bazaar. Shortly after he left Mitre, he was allowed to finish the job in October 2013, and was in Reykjavik, Iceland, alongside FBI agent Ilhwan Yum, to shutter the site run by the Dread Pirate Roberts (real name: Ross Ulbricht), who is now serving a life sentence.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2020/07/13/inside-americas-secretive-2-billion-research-hub-collecting-fingerprints-from-facebook-hacking-smartwatches-and-fighting-covid-19/
A few thoughts about Signal’s Secure Value Recovery
> Signal has been rolling out a raft of new features to make its app more usable. One of those features has recently been raising a bit of controversy with users. This is a contact list backup feature based on a new system called Secure Value Recovery, or SVR. The SVR feature allows Signal to upload your contacts into Signal’s servers without — ostensibly — even Signal itself being able to access it.
> I want to delve a little bit deeper into why these decisions have made me so concerned, and what Signal is doing to try to mitigate those concerns.
https://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2020/07/10/a-few-thoughts-about-signals-secure-value-recovery/
> Signal has been rolling out a raft of new features to make its app more usable. One of those features has recently been raising a bit of controversy with users. This is a contact list backup feature based on a new system called Secure Value Recovery, or SVR. The SVR feature allows Signal to upload your contacts into Signal’s servers without — ostensibly — even Signal itself being able to access it.
> I want to delve a little bit deeper into why these decisions have made me so concerned, and what Signal is doing to try to mitigate those concerns.
https://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2020/07/10/a-few-thoughts-about-signals-secure-value-recovery/
Paradigm investment firm announces funding for bitcoin core developer Anthony Towns' ongoing open source work
> As an investor in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Paradigm has a vested interest in Bitcoin's success, and we believe it is our responsibility to help fund Bitcoin development.
> Paradigm will pay his salary, but Anthony will have complete freedom to choose what he works on.
https://www.matthuang.com/funding_bitcoin_development
> As an investor in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Paradigm has a vested interest in Bitcoin's success, and we believe it is our responsibility to help fund Bitcoin development.
> Paradigm will pay his salary, but Anthony will have complete freedom to choose what he works on.
https://www.matthuang.com/funding_bitcoin_development
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URDemo: Animated QR Research from Blockchain Commons
> Explanation of the URDemo iOS application, which demonstrates Blockchain Commons research into transmitting different sizes of UR data, from small single QR codes to large animated fountain codes.
youtube: https://youtu.be/t-GGZ9FyuT8
source: https://github.com/BlockchainCommons/URDemo
> Explanation of the URDemo iOS application, which demonstrates Blockchain Commons research into transmitting different sizes of UR data, from small single QR codes to large animated fountain codes.
youtube: https://youtu.be/t-GGZ9FyuT8
source: https://github.com/BlockchainCommons/URDemo
Bisq v1.3.6 released
- better signed witness propagation
- increase suggested btc deposits
- implement payouts for security incident victims
release notes: https://github.com/bisq-network/bisq/releases/tag/v1.3.6
download: https://bisq.network/downloads/
- better signed witness propagation
- increase suggested btc deposits
- implement payouts for security incident victims
release notes: https://github.com/bisq-network/bisq/releases/tag/v1.3.6
download: https://bisq.network/downloads/
BTCPay Server v1.0.5.3 released
- download PSBT button in the PSBT's screen of the wallet
- upload PSBT button now support both, a file with base64 PSBT in it, or the raw bytes
- payjoin works with hardware wallets
- better design for 2FA config screens
- UI cleanup and bug fixes
full release notes: https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver/releases/tag/v1.0.5.3
- download PSBT button in the PSBT's screen of the wallet
- upload PSBT button now support both, a file with base64 PSBT in it, or the raw bytes
- payjoin works with hardware wallets
- better design for 2FA config screens
- UI cleanup and bug fixes
full release notes: https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver/releases/tag/v1.0.5.3
What It’s Really Like to Live on Bitcoin in the Middle East
> Syrian developer Ghass Mo has been living off freelance bitcoin gigs from Kurdistan, Iraq, for nearly two years.
> “I rely on providers abroad,” Mo said. “I’ve had to work several part-time jobs as a graphic designer and web developer to provide financial support for my family. … I’ve finished 10 online courses at Edx, four at Udemy and read more than 10 books about programming and bitcoin.”
https://www.coindesk.com/what-its-really-like-to-live-on-bitcoin-in-the-middle-east
> Syrian developer Ghass Mo has been living off freelance bitcoin gigs from Kurdistan, Iraq, for nearly two years.
> “I rely on providers abroad,” Mo said. “I’ve had to work several part-time jobs as a graphic designer and web developer to provide financial support for my family. … I’ve finished 10 online courses at Edx, four at Udemy and read more than 10 books about programming and bitcoin.”
https://www.coindesk.com/what-its-really-like-to-live-on-bitcoin-in-the-middle-east
Samourai Wallet: Investigating Address Reuse within Post-Mix spend transactions
> The number of transactions that are impacted by Unintentional Address Reuse appears to be very limited and contained based on our in depth and widespread investigation. However, any address reuse is not desirable and an effort has been made to eliminate all forms of Address Reuse where ever we can.
https://medium.com/samourai-wallet/investigating-address-reuse-within-post-mix-spend-transactions-44b0647dee65
> The number of transactions that are impacted by Unintentional Address Reuse appears to be very limited and contained based on our in depth and widespread investigation. However, any address reuse is not desirable and an effort has been made to eliminate all forms of Address Reuse where ever we can.
https://medium.com/samourai-wallet/investigating-address-reuse-within-post-mix-spend-transactions-44b0647dee65
This El Salvador Village Adopts Bitcoin As Money
> On the coast of El Salvador, lies a small rustic beach town of 3,000 locals, known as El Zonte. A surfer’s paradise, the village is frequented by those seeking an authentic and rustic vibe. Like so many Central-American beach towns, the families of El Zonte were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. While other tourist hot-spots continue to struggle as borders remain closed, the people of El Zonte have forged their own path forward, thanks to its newly formed Bitcoin economy.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tatianakoffman/2020/07/14/this-el-salvador-village-adopts-bitcoin-as-money/
> On the coast of El Salvador, lies a small rustic beach town of 3,000 locals, known as El Zonte. A surfer’s paradise, the village is frequented by those seeking an authentic and rustic vibe. Like so many Central-American beach towns, the families of El Zonte were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. While other tourist hot-spots continue to struggle as borders remain closed, the people of El Zonte have forged their own path forward, thanks to its newly formed Bitcoin economy.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tatianakoffman/2020/07/14/this-el-salvador-village-adopts-bitcoin-as-money/