Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Ericsson and Beyon reduce energy use by 30%
What happened: Ericsson and Beyon cut energy use Ericsson and Beyon have successfully reduced energy consumption on Batelco’s network in Bahrain by 30%, marking a significant step towards sustainability. This achievement stems from their renewed collaboration, which focuses on minimising environment…
SvarDOS: the new open-source DOS for retro computing
What happened: SvarDOS emerges as new open-source DOS The SvarDOS project has evolved into an independent open-source operating system, breaking away from its roots in FreeDOS. This shift follows the recent open-sourcing of MS-DOS 4 by Microsoft, prompting a renewed interest in DOS variants. SvarDOS…
37% of UAE retail investors aim to boost crypto holdings in 2025
What happened: eToro survey highlights rising crypto interest in UAE A recent survey conducted by global trading platform eToro has revealed that 37% of retail investors in the UAE plan to increase their cryptocurrency holdings in 2025. The findings underscore the region’s growing enthusiasm for dig…
DeFi hacks decline 40% in 2024, CeFi losses reach $694M
What happened: DeFi hacks decline, but CeFi breaches soar in 2024 According to a new report from Hacken, decentralized finance (DeFi) hacks dropped by 40% in 2024 compared to the previous year, signaling advancements in security practices and increased adoption of audits across DeFi protocols. This …
MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin buying spree: Risk or revolution?
Jason Calacanis warns MicroStrategy’s massive Bitcoin buying spree risks disrupting decentralisation and harming overall market dynamics
Michael Saylor gives $299M Bitcoin gift to MSTR holders
What happened: Michael Saylor announces $299M Bitcoin gift Michael Saylor, the founder of MicroStrategy, recently announced a remarkable $299 million Bitcoin “gift” to the company’s shareholders. This substantial benefit stems from the firm’s treasury operations, which generated a yield of 0.72%, eq…
Top tech news today: December 26, 2024
News Summaries 1. Fiserv acquires Payfare in $147M deal Fiserv enhances its fintech portfolio by acquiring Canadian earned wage access firm Payfare for $147 million. The move strengthens its position in digital payments. Fintech Futures 2. CFPB sues Zelle operator over fraud The CFPB has sued Zelle’…
XRP price surges on Christmas Eve, signaling bullish momentum
What happened: XRP gains momentum with a bullish rally on Christmas Eve XRP has turned bullish on Christmas Eve, with its price rallying after weeks of market uncertainty. Renewed investor interest has driven significant trading activity, pushing XRP into the green zone. The price recovery is suppor…
Hyperliquid sees $256M outflows over North Korea hacking fears
Hyperliquid faces $256M in outflows following allegations of North Korean hackers exploiting its platform for trading
Microsoft Edge claims victory with robust 2024 usage stats
What happened: Microsoft Edge 2024 milestones market share Microsoft has released a year-in-review report for its Edge browser, highlighting impressive stats like over 10 billion AI-powered chats with Copilot and 38 trillion characters auto-translated. The company also claims to have saved seven tri…
US probes China’s chip dominance: Tech supply risks
What happened: US launches China chip probe The US has launched a probe into China’s dominance in legacy semiconductor manufacturing, escalating the tech rivalry between the two nations. The Biden administration alleges that China’s market control stems from unfair practices such as cyber intrusions…
ARIN shares key updates in December 2024 newsletter
What happened: ARIN’s latest updates focus on internet In the December 2024 edition of “ARIN Bits,” ARIN provides a comprehensive overview of its activities and developments over the past quarter. Key highlights include the successful conclusion of the ARIN 54 meeting, where critical policy discussi…
Bitget joins TRON and SunPump to boost blockchain growth
What happened: Bitget boosts blockchain adoption through strategic collaborations Bitget, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, announced strategic collaborations with TRON and SunPump to enhance blockchain innovation and adoption. As part of the partnership with TRON, Bitget acquire…
Top tech news today: December 25, 2024
Tech News Summaries 1. PancakeSwap sees growth in 2024 crypto trading volume PancakeSwap’s crypto trading volume surges as decentralized exchanges gain more market share in 2024, highlighting continued growth in DeFi space. Cointelegraph 2. DeFi security improvements vs. Cefi losses in 2024 DeFi pla…
Parker Solar Probe’s hot encounter with the Sun on Christmas Eve
What happened: Sun encounter reveals solar secrets NASA‘s Parker Solar Probe is set to make its closest approach to the Sun on Christmas Eve, reaching approximately 3.8 million miles from its surface. This historic flyby is unprecedented, as no human-made entity has ventured this close to a star. Th…
IRS confirms that crypto staking tokens are taxable income
What happened: IRS rules on taxability of staking tokens The IRS has declared that tokens received from crypto staking are taxable, countering a lawsuit from Tennessee investor Joshua Jarrett. Earlier this year, Jarrett won a favourable settlement from a 2022 case, but the IRS is prepared to contest…
EE survey reveals children’s smartphone demands
What happened: EE survey highlights rising smartphone demand among young children EE’s recent survey highlights the growing pressure parents face during the festive season as young children increasingly request smartphones. According to the study, one-third of children under 11 hope to receive a sma…
Bitcoin faces pressure as price tests critical support
What happened: Bitcoin tests key support level Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped to an intraday low of $93,054, down 2.7% in the past 24 hours and nearly 13% for the week. According to Andrew Thrasher, portfolio manager at The Financial Enhancement Group, the cryptocurrency is now testing its 50-day moving …
Odds rise for Magnificent 7 company investing in Bitcoin
Magnificent 7 firms, including Amazon and Microsoft, have a 70% chance of investing in Bitcoin by 2025, signalling a corporate crypto shift.
Nvidia’s AI dominance challenged by AMD and Custom Silicon
What happened: AMD gains traction as cloud giants embrace custom AI silicon Nvidia retained its leadership in AI hardware throughout 2024, with shipments of its Hopper GPUs surpassing two million units among its top 12 customers. This milestone underscores Nvidia’s dominance in the AI acceleration s…
XRP emerges as Binance’s most-traded altcoin in December
What happened: XRP tops Binance altcoin trading in december XRP has become the most-traded altcoin on Binance this December, achieving over $116.6 million in trading volume on Binance Futures. Despite a broader cryptocurrency market downturn, XRP maintained its momentum, ranking as the fifth most-tr…
Binance Australia sued, Interpol issues Red Notice for Hex founder
What happened: Binance and Hex founder face major legal actions Binance Australia is under legal fire as authorities pursue a lawsuit alleging regulatory breaches tied to its operations in the country. The lawsuit claims Binance failed to comply with local financial regulations, including issues rel…
ICANN’s 2024 vision: Driving innovation in internet policies
What happened: ICANN’s recent developments and changes As 2024 draws to a close, ICANN enters a new chapter under the leadership of Kurtis Lindqvist, the newly appointed president and CEO. This year has seen significant achievements, including the publication of the Registration Data Policy in Febru…
Claim RIPE NCC certification vouchers before year-end
What happened: Exam vouchers for RIPE NCC certifications expire on 31 December The RIPE NCC Certified Professionals programme is reminding members to redeem their 2024 exam vouchers before 31 December. Each member is entitled to three vouchers, which can be used to schedule exams in various networki…
New chapter for Internet decentralization at ACM CoNEXT 2024
Experts at ACM CoNEXT 2024’s DIN workshop highlight technology services to tackle Internet centralisation
Bitcoin slides further from $100K as whale activity declines
What happened: Whale sell-offs hinder Bitcoin’s $100K goal Bitcoin’s much-anticipated rise to $100,000 has hit another roadblock, as the leading cryptocurrency struggles to maintain momentum. A key driver of this decline is reduced exposure by whale investors, who play a critical role in influencing…
FullCtl receives $20,000 ARIN grant for innovative registry tools
What happened: FullCtl develops tools to improve internet infrastructure FullCtl, a company dedicated to enhancing secure interconnection through automation and information sharing, received a $20,000 grant from the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) in 2023. The funding supported the cre…
Malaysia declares Atomic Wallet as unauthorized operation
What happened: Malaysia flags Atomic Wallet for unlicensed activities Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) has issued a public warning against Atomic Wallet, declaring it an unauthorized operation in the country. According to the SC, the wallet provider has been offering its services without the re…
Top tech news today: December 24, 2024
Latest Tech News Summaries 1. Palantir raises 2024 revenue forecast again on robust AI adoption; shares surge Palantir’s forecast for 2024 revenue has been increased once more, driven by strong demand for AI solutions, leading to a surge in stock prices. FinTech Global 2. Robot AI startup Physical I…
Virgin Media connects 13,000 homes to fibre in Stoke
What happened: Virgin Media launches fibre in Stoke Virgin Media has successfully connected 13,000 homes in Stoke to its gigabit broadband network, introducing full-fibre broadband with speeds of up to 2Gbps. This upgrade promises to transform internet access in the area, offering speeds 25 times fa…
LACNIC’s role in shaping the future of technology
What happened: LACNIC’s journey to RFC 9660 standardisation LACNIC‘s Hugo Salgado reflects on the lengthy process of standardising RFC 9660, a significant proposal aimed at improving DNS by tracing the origin of data. First presented five years ago, the idea evolved through extensive community feedb…
Arm’s licensing clash with Qualcomm ends in mistrial
What happened: Qualcomm’s legal victory over Arm dispute A jury in the US District Court for the District of Delaware delivered a significant verdict in a licensing dispute between Arm and Qualcomm, which began over a $50 million royalty issue. The case arose after Qualcomm acquired Nuvia in 2021, a…
Bitcoin prices hit new highs this week as various factors drive gains
What happened: Bitcoin surges and pulls back Bitcoin prices surged to a new all-time high during the week ending December 20, reaching over $108,000 on December 17, according to Coinbase data. This rally was driven by several factors, including expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts and a strong …
Serverfarm and IPTO launch Gemini in Greece
What happened: Hyperscale data centres drive digital transformation in Greece Data centre operator Serverfarm and Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) have announced a joint venture, Gemini, to construct hyperscale data centres across the country. The collaboration begins with a 1…
Jump Crypto settles SEC case with $123M fine
What happened: Jump Crypto resolves SEC case linked to Google Pay competitor TerraUSD Tai Mo Shan, a subsidiary of Jump Crypto, has reached a $123 million settlement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations of misleading investors about the stability of TerraU…
Quantum computing to fortify Bitcoin signatures: Adam Back
What happened: Bitcoin and quantum computing security Adam Back, co-founder of Blockstream and a leading cryptographer, believes quantum computing could strengthen Bitcoin’s security in the future. In a Dec. 21 post on X, Back stated that advancements in post-quantum (PQ) signature research will ena…
APNIC participates at CNIRC 2024 in Beijing
APNIC strengthens ties with CNNIC at CNIRC 2024 in Beijing, promoting collaboration on IPv6, RPKI, and Internet development.
Spacecoin launches satellite for blockchain in space
Spacecoin XYZ launches its first satellite, advancing an ultra-secure blockchain network in space for decentralised innovation
Chime prepares for potential 2025 IPO in US
Chime Financial plans a 2025 IPO, leveraging its $25B valuation and leadership in digital-first banking to drive growth.
Brevan Howard and Galaxy Digital reap gains from crypto surge
Brevan Howard and Galaxy Digital thrive as Bitcoin hits $100k
ARIN awards grant to Internet2 for IPv6 Test Pod project
What happened: Internet2 receives $7,000 ARIN grant for IPv6 project The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) has provided a $7,000 grant to Internet2, a non-profit advanced technology community, to support its IPv6 Test Pod project. The initiative focuses on accelerating global IPv6 adopti…
CFPB sues major banks over Zelle fraud allegations
What happened: CFPB takes legal action over Zelle fraud issues The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed lawsuits against three major US banks—JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo—over allegations of failing to prevent and address fraud on the Zelle payment platform. The …
ACM CoNEXT-2024 workshop tackles Internet Decentralization
What happened: Experts discuss challenges for decentralizing the web The Decentralization of the Internet (DIN) workshop at ACM CoNEXT-2024 gathered network researchers, digital rights activists, and policy experts to explore the growing centralization of Internet services, infrastructure, and appli…
Best practices task force shapes networking standards
What happened: BCOP TF tackles IPv6, IoT security, and operational challenges The Best Current Operational Practices Task Force (BCOP TF) was established in 2013 at RIPE 67 to address operational challenges in networking and create standardised guidelines for technology deployment. The task force co…
Craig Wright gets suspended sentence for court contempt
What happened: Craig Wright sentenced for court contempt Craig Wright, who claims to be the creator of Bitcoin, has been sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for contempt of court. This ruling follows his blatant violation of a March 2024 court injunction that barred him from ma…
IANA to host webinar on PTI 2025–2030 Draft Strategic Plan
What happened: Discuss PTI 2025–2030 draft strategic plan The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is hosting a public webinar on January 14, 2025, at 16:00 UTC to discuss its strategic plan for 2025–2030. This session will focus on IANA’s proposed strategic objectives for the Public Technical…
Top tech news today: December 23, 2024
Tech News Summaries 1. UK fraudsters sentenced after stealing £220,000 via SIM farm scheme Two individuals in the UK have been sentenced for orchestrating a SIM farm fraud scheme that led to the theft of £220,000. The fraudsters targeted mobile networks for illicit gains. The Fintech Times 2. Paymob…
Tech leaders gather at Digital Infrastructure International Cooperation Conference in Beijing
What happened: Tech execs discuss IT future at GIDCC in Beijing The Digital Infrastructure International Cooperation Conference, hosted by IDCNova, recently concluded in Beijing, drawing an impressive roster of global leaders from the data centre, cloud computing, and telecommunications industries. …
Vodafone and Google boost upload speeds on Pixel devices with advanced 5G tech
Vodafone and Google boost upload speeds on Pixel phones with 5G MIMO and Uplink Carrier Aggregation
Crypto crash: Bitcoin, XRP, and Dogecoin lose $1.17B
Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies face a severe correction with losses up to 20%, leading to $1.17 billion in liquidations