Europol Takes the Lead in Dismantling Ransomware Operations
The largest-ever operation against botnets, dubbed “Operation Endgame,” was successfully carried out by Europol, the top law enforcement agency in the European Union. Between May 27 and 29, four individuals were arrested, and over 100 servers linked to a group of hackers and malware creators were taken down. The targeted botnets, including IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, Bumblebee, and Trickbot, were responsible for deploying malicious software, particularly ransomware. These programs, known as “droppers,” entered systems through phishing links sent via email before dropping malicious code, allowing the attackers to carry out their activities.
The hackers in this case infiltrated the networks of well-known companies and then sold access to these networks to other hackers, according to the Security Service of Ukraine. The operation involved the participation of law enforcement agencies from Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Ted Cruz Ventures into Bitcoin Mining
Texan Senator Ted Cruz made headlines when he revealed his purchase of three Bitcoin (BTC) miners. Cruz shared pictures of his acquisition on May 31, stating that he was proud to join the ranks of Texas Bitcoin miners. The photos showcased three Bitmain Antminer S21 195T mining rigs, which appeared to be located at a hosted mining facility in Iraan, Texas.
While Cruz did not disclose the price he paid for the units, these mining rigs typically sell for between $3,500 and $4,500. On average, they generate approximately $10 worth of BTC per day, excluding any additional operational costs. Cruz has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin in Congress and has consistently advocated for Texas to become a haven for crypto mining. In January 2023, he introduced a resolution to require vending machine and food service contractors in the U.S. Capitol to accept crypto as a payment option, although no action has been taken on the resolution since its introduction.
Tokenized Fundraising Struggles for El Salvador Airport Hotel
Inversiones Laguardia S.A. de C.V. (HILSV), the developer of a Hampton by Hilton hotel near the El Salvador International Airport, has encountered difficulties in raising the targeted $6.25 million through a tokenization offering. As reported by Protos, during the 30-day fundraising period, the project has managed to raise only $342,000 thus far.
Bitfinex Securities El Salvador is hosting the fundraising effort, which aims to utilize the funds to construct an 80-room hotel equipped with a pool, restaurant, and gym. The fundraising is being conducted through a five-year debt security, wherein investors provide funds to the business in exchange for the promised yield. HILSV claims that investors can expect a 10% yearly return with a minimum investment of $1,000. However, an investment of $1 million is required to receive a free year-round stay at the hotel.
Gensler Faces Criticism Over Clinton Ties
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler has once again come under fire due to his connection to the scandal involving Donald Trump and the payment of hush money to a porn star. Gensler, who served as the chief financial officer for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, was involved in a settlement with the Democratic National Committee in 2022, resulting in a $133,000 fine to resolve a Federal Election Commission investigation into misreported spending on research that contributed to the Steele dossier.
The Steele dossier, an opposition research report containing unverified claims of Trump’s collusion with Russia, was published by Buzzfeed News in January 2017, two months after the 2016 presidential elections. Despite widespread claims that it influenced the election, Gensler stated during a testimony before a House Appropriations Subcommittee in April 2023 that he was unaware of the payments related to the Steele dossier.
Additional News
Google is making another attempt at developing metaverse goggles, despite laying off hundreds of workers in its augmented reality department earlier this year. Ethereum layer-2 builders Matter Labs faced backlash and ultimately abandoned their attempt to trademark the term “ZK,” short for “zero knowledge” proofs. And on a lighter note, there is a $2,500 documentary about the FTX collapse available on Amazon Prime, with some assistance from the filmmaker’s mom.