Today’s top stories include a global IT outage caused by a faulty CrowdStrike update, Binance.US receiving court approval to invest in U.S. Treasury bills, South Korea’s new crypto law, and options traders betting on a Bitcoin upswing ahead of the U.S. elections.
Points
- CrowdStrike update leads to a global IT outage affecting Microsoft devices.
- Binance.US gains court approval to invest customer assets in U.S. Treasury bills.
- South Korea’s first crypto law comes into effect, focusing on investor protection.
- Options traders speculate on a Bitcoin upswing surrounding the U.S. elections.
- Telegram introduces a mini app store as blockchain gaming gains popularity.
Global IT Outage Hits Microsoft Devices
A faulty update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike led to a global IT outage on Friday, affecting thousands of Microsoft Windows-based systems. The update caused the notorious “Blue Screen of Death” （BSOD）, rendering systems unable to reboot or function properly. The issue stemmed from an update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor security product. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz assured the public that this was not a security incident or cyberattack. Polygon Labs’ CISO Mudit Gupta noted that they were not impacted due to thorough testing of updates before rollout.
Cointelegraph
Binance.US Gets Court Approval to Invest in U.S. Treasury Bills
In a significant development, Binance.US received court approval to invest certain customer fiat assets in U.S. Treasury bills. This decision, overseen by Judge Amy Berman Jackson, allows Binance.US to enhance its asset management strategy. The order is part of an ongoing case where the SEC accused Binance of multiple violations, including operating as an unregistered exchange. Binance must also transfer crypto to a third-party custodian not affiliated with the exchange.
South Korea’s Inaugural Crypto Law Takes Effect
After a one-year grace period, South Korea’s first crypto regulatory framework, the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, is now in full effect. This law, fast-tracked after the Terra ecosystem collapse and FTX’s downfall in 2022, aims to ensure the safety of cryptocurrency investors. Local exchanges must safeguard at least 80% of user deposits in cold storage, separate from their funds, and maintain reserves equal to customer deposits. Crypto services must also enroll for adequate insurance or establish a reserve fund for hacks or liquidity crises.
Options Traders Bet on Bitcoin Upswing Ahead of U.S. Elections
QCP Capital analysts have observed that options traders are betting on a potential Bitcoin upswing surrounding the U.S. elections. Significant long positions in Bitcoin options with strike prices of $67,000 expiring in July and $100,000 in December suggest optimism for a price rally. Analysts predict that a Republican victory, particularly for Donald Trump, could lead to a more favorable regulatory and mining environment for Bitcoin.
Telegram Introduces Mini App Store
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced plans to enhance its blockchain initiatives by launching a mini app store and an in-app browser with web3 support. The messaging app has become a popular platform for tap-to-earn games like Hamster Kombat, Notcoin, and Yescoin, which utilize the TON blockchain. Durov emphasized Telegram’s role in familiarizing millions with blockchain technology.
Conclusion
Today’s developments highlight the intersection of technology and finance, from the challenges of IT infrastructure to regulatory advancements in the crypto space. As the market adapts to these changes, opportunities for growth and innovation continue to emerge.
解説
- Blue Screen of Death （BSOD）: An error screen displayed on Windows computers following a fatal system error, indicating the system cannot operate safely.
- Cold Storage: A method of storing cryptocurrency offline to protect it from hacking.
- Strike Price: The fixed price at which the owner of an options contract can buy or sell the underlying asset.
- Tap-to-Earn Games: Mobile games that allow users to earn cryptocurrency by completing in-game actions.
- Web3: The next generation of the internet, focusing on decentralized applications and blockchain technology.