BTQ Technologies has deployed Bitcoin Improvement Proposal BIP-360 on its Bitcoin Quantum Testnet v0.3.0, marking the first live test of the proposal. The upgrade introduces a quantum-resistant transaction model, Pay-to-Merkle-Root, designed to strengthen Bitcoin’s long-term security.
BIP-360 focuses on mitigating a vulnerability linked to Taproot’s key-path spending mechanism, which can expose public keys on-chain. Such exposure may become a risk if future quantum computers are capable of exploiting cryptographic weaknesses using advanced algorithms.
The testnet adds new consensus rules, post-quantum signatures, and full transaction lifecycle testing. Faster one-minute block times and adjusted fee structures have been introduced to accommodate larger and more complex signatures.
Growing global attention on quantum threats adds urgency to the development. US, EU, and Canadian authorities are setting timelines for post-quantum cryptography to protect future system security.
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Tether has launched an AI framework that runs large language models on smartphones and non-NVIDIA GPUs. The system is part of its QVAC platform and uses Microsoft’s BitNet architecture, along with LoRA techniques to reduce memory and computational requirements.
The framework enables cross-platform training on AMD, Intel, Apple Silicon, and mobile GPUs, allowing models with up to 1 billion parameters to be fine-tuned on phones in under 2 hours.
Larger models with up to 13 billion parameters are also supported on mobile devices. BitNet’s 1-bit architecture reduces VRAM requirements by nearly 78%, enabling larger models to run on limited hardware.
Performance improvements benefit inference, with mobile GPUs outperforming CPUs, enabling on-device training and federated learning. By reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure, the system offers more flexible AI development for distributed environments.
Tether’s expansion into AI mirrors a broader trend in the crypto sector, where companies are investing in AI infrastructure, autonomous agents, and high-performance computing.
Industry activity includes record revenue growth for AI and HPC operations, blockchain-integrated AI agents, and new tools for secure on-chain transactions.
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The US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued joint guidance confirming that most crypto assets are not securities. Move marks a coordinated effort to clarify how digital assets are classified and regulated across the US.
New interpretation establishes a clearer framework, distinguishing between securities and commodities. While tokens linked to investment contracts may fall under securities laws, many assets can transition out of that category over time, reducing long-standing legal uncertainty.
Earlier approaches relied on enforcement and court rulings, leading to inconsistent treatment of similar assets. Updated guidance introduces defined categories, including utility tokens, stablecoins, collectables, and commodities, and aligns oversight between the two agencies.
Clearer rules are expected to support innovation and reduce compliance risks for firms. Guidance supports broader efforts to build a unified digital asset framework, advancing more predictable and structured crypto regulation in the US.
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Australia is advancing plans to regulate digital asset platforms under its financial services framework. The Senate committee recommended passing the Digital Assets Framework Bill 2025, bringing Australia closer to licensing crypto exchanges and tokenisation platforms.
Industry groups have raised concerns about definitions such as ‘digital token’ and ‘factual control.’ Broad wording could inadvertently cover infrastructure providers, including multi-party wallet systems, potentially classifying them as financial service operators.
Ripple Labs emphasised the need for precise language to avoid unintended regulation.
The committee supported the Treasury’s approach while planning to refine technical details through future regulations. Coinbase welcomed the progress but noted ongoing banking challenges for crypto firms.
The bill now proceeds to the Senate for debate and a final vote, which could reshape digital asset operations in Australia.
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Australia’s financial regulator has warned young investors to be cautious with social media influencers and AI chatbots. A survey by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission found one in four Gen Z Australians invest in crypto, often guided by online content.
The survey of 1,127 participants aged 18 to 28 showed 63% use social media for financial information, 18% rely on AI platforms, and 30% consult YouTube. AI was the most trusted source at 64%, but over half still trust influencers and social media despite possible misinformation.
ASIC previously issued warnings to 18 influencers suspected of promoting high-risk products without a licence. Commissioner Alan Kirkland said some social media marketing promotes crypto scams or risky super switches that threaten young people’s key assets.
The regulator is also watching AI financial guidance. Personalised advice from unlicensed sources is illegal, and young investors should carefully check sources, especially as crypto exchanges increasingly use AI bots for trading guidance.
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The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled Appia, a strategic roadmap for developing Europe’s tokenised financial ecosystem anchored in central bank money. The initiative aims to guide the shift from traditional finance to tokenised markets while ensuring stability and interoperability.
A key component of Appia is Pontes, the Eurosystem’s distributed ledger technology (DLT) settlement solution. Pontes, set for Q3 2026 pilots, will enable central bank money transactions and connect DLT infrastructures with the Eurosystem’s TARGET2, T2S, and TIPS services.
The ECB has opened a public consultation inviting feedback and proposals from both public and private sector stakeholders. Respondents’ input will help refine the roadmap and shape the long-term blueprint for Europe’s tokenised financial system.
Appia also complements ongoing efforts on the digital €, with payment service provider selection planned for 2026 and a 12-month pilot trial in the second half of 2027.
The initiative highlights the ECB’s commitment to integrating emerging technologies while preserving financial stability.
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A new Android malware called BeatBanker is targeting users in Brazil through fake Starlink and government apps. The malware hijacks devices, steals banking credentials, tampers with cryptocurrency transactions, and secretly mines Monero.
Infection begins on phishing websites mimicking the Google Play Store or the ‘INSS Reembolso’ app. Users are tricked into installing trojanised APKs, which evade detection through memory-based decryption and by blocking analysis environments.
BeatBanker initially combined a banking trojan with a cryptocurrency miner. It uses accessibility permissions to monitor browsers and crypto apps, overlaying fake screens to redirect Tether and other crypto transfers.
A foreground service plays silent audio loops to prevent the device from shutting down, while Firebase Cloud Messaging enables remote control of infected devices.
The latest variant replaces the banking module with the BTMOB RAT, providing full control over devices. Capabilities include automatic permissions, background persistence, keylogging, GPS tracking, camera access, and screen-lock credential capture.
Kaspersky warns that BeatBanker demonstrates the growing sophistication of mobile threats and multi-layered malware campaigns.
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Mastercard has introduced the Crypto Partner Program, a global initiative connecting more than 85 crypto-native companies, payments providers, and financial institutions. The program aims to create a forum for collaboration that aligns innovation in digital assets with traditional payment systems.
Enterprise use cases such as cross-border remittances, payouts, and settlements are growing, underscoring the practical potential of on-chain payments. Participants will collaborate with Mastercard to design products that combine the speed and programmability of digital assets with existing card rails and global commerce.
The initiative builds on Mastercard’s long-standing approach to blockchain and digital assets, including Start Path and the Engage platform, which provide opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth.
The program focuses on turning technical innovation into scalable, compliant solutions that can operate across markets and everyday commerce.
Partners in the Crypto Partner Program include Binance, Circle, Crypto.com, Solana, Ripple, PayPal, and over 80 other industry leaders, demonstrating the growing ecosystem of companies working together to shape the future of digital payments.
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Security researchers uncovered a malicious npm package impersonating an Openclaw AI installer, designed to infect developer machines with credential-stealing malware.
JFrog Security Research identified the attack in early March 2026 after the package appeared on the npm registry and was downloaded roughly 178 times.
The deceptive package mimics legitimate Openclaw tools and contains ordinary-looking JavaScript files and documentation. Hidden scripts run during installation, displaying a fake command-line interface and a fabricated system prompt that requests the user’s password.
Entering the password grants the malware elevated access and allows it to download an encrypted payload from a remote command server. Once installed, the payload deploys Ghostloader, a remote access trojan that persists on the system and communicates with attacker servers.
Researchers say the malware targets sensitive information, including saved passwords, browser cookies, SSH keys, and cryptocurrency wallet files. Developers are advised to remove the package immediately, rotate credentials, and install software only from verified sources.
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Tron has joined the Linux Foundation’s Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF) as a governing member to support the development of AI agent infrastructure. The network aims to enable collaboration and interoperability among systems that efficiently manage high-volume, low-value transactions.
Founder Justin Sun highlighted Tron’s speed, scalability, and low fees as key advantages for AI-agent use cases. He noted that as AI agents move to mainstream machine-to-machine commerce, transaction volumes could rise, increasing demand for robust blockchain networks.
The AAIF encourages open-source agentic AI development and establishes standards for governance, safety, and interoperability. Tron joins major members like Circle and JPMorgan while building tools and infrastructure to support AI, including the Bank of AI with AINFT.
Tron currently leads in blockchain revenue, with data showing strong performance over 24 hours, seven days, and 30 days. Sun confirmed that AI activity is contributing to this growth, reflecting the rapid adoption and scaling of agentic AI on the network.
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