Yearly Archives: 2013

Feds reveal the search warrant used to seize Mt. Gox account

"In the warrant, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), states that there's probable cause to believe Mt. Gox is engaging in 'money transmitting' without a license, a crime punishable by a fine or up to five years in prison. The warrant goes on to demand that Dwolla hand over the keys to account number 812-649-1010, which is owned by Mt. Gox subsidiary Mutum Sigillum LLC, and held in the custody of Veridian Credit Union. The funds in that account 'are those of Mt. Gox customers that withdraw said funds from Mt. Gox and direct their transfer to Dwolla.'" Continue reading →

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Amazon Launches Its Own Virtual Currency Called Coins

"Amazon has launched its own currency called Amazon Coins, MailOnline reports. It's currently only available for US Kindle Fire owners, but the Coins can be used to pay for games, apps and in-app purchases from the Amazon Appstore. One Amazon Coin is worth one penny, and Kindle Fire owners are getting 500 Coins ($5) for free as part of the launch. The Coins will also be able to be used on the company's retail site when they become more widely available. Amazon Coins can be bought in batches of 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10,000. The more you buy, the bigger the discount and 10,000 Coins costs $90, for example." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmazon Launches Its Own Virtual Currency Called Coins

Granite State ‘Bitcom’ trio counting on virtual currency Bitcoin

"Their invention, the Bitcoin Machine, is gaining widespread attraction within the community of Bitcoin users after its debut at the third international Bitcoin conference, 'The Future of Payments,' in San Jose, Calif., May 17-19. The machine allows users to insert currency into a bill validator, a common component of any vending machine. The machine calculates the value of the currency and displays a QB code (those fancy bar codes that mobile devices can read). Customers 'read' the QB code with their mobile device, and Bitcoins are deposited into their virtual 'wallet' based on the value of Bitcoin per dollar at that moment." Continue reading →

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Homeland Security Seizes Funds Associated with Dwolla Account of Bitcoin Dealer Mt. Gox

"The Department of Homeland Security has served a court order to the money exchange service Dwolla, in regard to its dealings with Mt. Gox. Earlier today, I reported on news that the Department of Homeland Security ordered the money transfer firm from transacting with the Bitcoin dealer Mt. Gox. More details are now emerging. A representative for Dwolla told Betabeat that, 'The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a ‘Seizure Warrant’ for the funds associated with Mutum Sigillium’s Dwolla account (a.k.a. Mt. Gox).'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomeland Security Seizes Funds Associated with Dwolla Account of Bitcoin Dealer Mt. Gox

Donations, lobbying by high-speed traders on the rise

"High-frequency trading firms increased their campaign contributions to federal lawmakers by 673 percent from the 2008 to the 2012 election cycle, according to a report that sheds light on their political connections in Washington and efforts to impact policymaking. It compiles the campaign and lobbying records for 48 different firms like Citadel Investments, Getco, Knight Capital (KCG.N), Virtu Financial LLC and Tradeworx which engage in high-speed trading, a strategy that uses lightning-fast computers to search for ways to take advantage of tiny price moves in the marketplace." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDonations, lobbying by high-speed traders on the rise

Cables reveal American diplomats lobbied aggressively overseas for genetically modified food crops

"The review of more than 900 diplomatic cables by the campaign group Food and Water Watch showed a carefully crafted campaign to break down resistance to GM products in Europe and other countries, and so help promote the bottom line of big American agricultural businesses. The cables, which first surfaced with the Wikileaks disclosures two years ago, described a series of separate public relations strategies, unrolled at dozens of press junkets and biotech conferences, aimed at convincing scientists, media, industry, farmers, elected officials and others of the safety and benefits of GM products." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCables reveal American diplomats lobbied aggressively overseas for genetically modified food crops

The Digital Trap in your Offshore Plan

"It is concerning to see people contacting their offshore lawyers, real estate agents, investment professionals, bankers, etc. using their Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail account. Even more concerning is how many offshore professionals were using these free US email accounts themselves. When I told these providers that US law enforcement authorities could access any emails over 6 months old without a warrant in any US-based email account, they were, by and large, surprised. Many discussions took place on how to help protect themselves and their customers by moving their email communications offshore, just like other services." Continue reading →

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Skype with care – Microsoft is reading everything you write

"Back in January, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Reporters without Borders expressed concern that the restructuring resulting from the takeover meant that Skype would have to comply with US laws on eavesdropping and would therefore have to permit government agencies and secret services to access Skype communications. In summary, The H and heise Security believe that, having consented to Microsoft using all data transmitted over the service pretty much however it likes, all Skype users should assume that this will actually happen and that the company is not going to reveal what exactly it gets up to with this data." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSkype with care – Microsoft is reading everything you write

*Action Alert* Medicaid Expansion Battle Pt. 2 “Lipstick on a Pig”

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is argument of tyrants.It is the creed of slaves.”–William Pitt in the House of Commons November 18, 1783 “The appropriation of public money is always is perfectly lovely until some one is asked to pay the bill..” President Calvin Coolidge–New York Herald Tribune, August …

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Continue Reading*Action Alert* Medicaid Expansion Battle Pt. 2 “Lipstick on a Pig”

New Hampshire city suing ‘Robin Hood’ for paying parking meters of strangers

"The six 'Robin Hooders' named in the suit troll downtown Keene — often tracking parking enforcement officers — in search of cars parked at expired meters. When they find one, they pay the meter and slip notes under the windshield wiper of the vehicle that says: 'Your meter expired; however, we saved you from the king’s tariffs, Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Please consider paying it forward.' The note includes an address where people can send donations for the effort. The city claims in the lawsuit that the 'Robin Hooders' are causing the city’s three parking enforcement officers so much anxiety and distress that they’ve considered leaving their jobs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Hampshire city suing ‘Robin Hood’ for paying parking meters of strangers