Bitcoin Core software v26.0 is live
The latest upgrade to Bitcoin Core, the primary open-source software for connecting the blockchain behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency, is now live.
The v26.0 upgrade contains experimental support for the “v2” transport protocol as defined by Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 324 (BIP324), which seeks to encrypt communication between nodes reducing the risks of attacks via tampering with transactions.
“This proposal for a new P2P protocol version (v2) aims to improve upon this by raising the costs for performing these attacks substantially, primarily through the use of unauthenticated, opportunistic transport encryption,” according to the proposal. A key benefit is that “encryption, even when it is unauthenticated and only used when both endpoints support v2, impedes eavesdropping by forcing the attacker to become active.”
BIP324 was introduced by prominent Core contributor Dhruvkaran Mehta, who stepped away from the project in April this year to focus on a Bitcoin-related startup idea.
Source: CoinDesk
Lugano now accepts tax payments in bitcoin and USDT
Lugano, a picturesque Swiss city nestled on the shores of Lake Lugado, is making waves in the financial world by becoming one of the first municipalities to embrace digital currencies for tax payments.
Lugano has opened its doors to bitcoin and USDT as legitimate forms of payment for municipal taxes. This decision aligns with the global trend of integrating digital assets into mainstream financial activities.
Notably, the move is not merely symbolic, as it reflects Lugano’s recognition of the benefits cryptocurrencies offer. Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, is known for its decentralized nature and security features. Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, provides stability in a volatile market, making it an attractive option for businesses and individuals.
Significantly, Lugano’s decision to accept cryptocurrency payments is not just a nod to innovation. It also streamlines the tax payment process.
Source: TheCoinRise
European commission’s sinister plot threatens to shut down bitcoin miners
The European Commission (EC) is facing criticism from the cryptocurrency community as it unveils its proposed methodology to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of bitcoin mining.
Critics, including Daniel Batten, co-founder of CH4 Capital, argue that the EC’s approach is flawed and could potentially lead to an EU-wide mining ban with global repercussions.
Batten raises concerns about the methodology’s scientific validity and suggests that it may be driven by a desire to protect entrenched interests rather than promote sustainability.
Batten suggests that the EC’s motivations may go beyond environmental concerns and could potentially label Bitcoin as an “environmentally harmful asset.” Such a classification could pave the way for stringent regulations or even a mining ban within the European Union.
Source: CryptoPolitan