Privacy
Blockchain Firm Millicent Wins UK Government Funding to Develop CBDC
London-based blockchain-powered firm Millicent has won a prestigious research grant from the U.K. government to develop a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Kene Ezeji-Okoye, co-founder and president of Millicent, shares his insights into the firm's latest projects, including creating regulator complaint stablecoins and a "highly secure blockchain." Plus, addressing privacy concerns of a potential digital pound.
Aleo Blockchain CEO the Largest Fundraising Round Ever In the Zero-Knowledge Space
Pledging to launch its private, programmable Aleo blockchain network “later this year,” crypto startup Aleo Systems raised $200 million in a Series B funding round led by SoftBank, Tiger Global, and others. Aleo’s Series B represents the largest fundraising round ever in the zero-knowledge space. Aleo CEO and CTO Howard Wu shares insights into his pitch, the Aleo community and the state of privacy-focused DeFi programmability.
Crypto Donations to Tor Surged 841% in 2021
Crypto donations to privacy-focused nonprofit the Tor Project surged 841% in 2021 from 2020 to $940,000. Of the nearly $1 million raised, 58% of the donations were in cryptocurrencies. The Tor Project Fundraising Director Al Smith discusses the potential factors driving the surge in charity to Tor.
Could Central Bank Digital Currencies Threaten Privacy?
The adoption of China’s digital yuan is expanding ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics, despite some analysts warning central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) could threaten consumer privacy. CoinDesk’s David Morris shares insights into the path towards a digital dollar and privacy considerations.
Monero: The Privacy Coin Explained
Justin Ehrenhofer, VP of Operations at Cake Wallet, an open-source, noncustodial crypto wallet for bitcoin, litecoin, and privacy coin monero, explains monero and zero-knowledge proofs, and their benefits to preserving privacy on the blockchain. “Monero is the easiest way to transact privately,” Ehrenhofer said.
US Treasury: Unhosted Crypto Wallet Rule Will Be Considered in 2022
The U.S. Treasury Department revealed a controversial rule enforcing know-your-customer (KYC) rules on unhosted or self-hosted crypto wallets might be considered in its semiannual agenda of regulations, set to be formally published in the Federal Register on Jan. 31. The rule was first proposed in late 2020 by U.S. money-laundering watchdog FinCEN. "The Hash" squad discusses the latest in crypto regulation threatening user privacy.