Ransomware payments dropped in 2024 as victims refused to pay hackers
Ransomware payments fell by more than one-third in 2024 as an increasing number of victims refused to negotiate with hackers. In a report published Wednesday, crypto forensics firm Chainalysis said that while ransomware gang leak sites posted more victims than in previous years during 2024, fewer victims gave in to
Read moreStripe makes $1.1 billion crypto bet as it closes on Bridge acquisition
Stripe has closed on its $1.1 billion purchase of stablecoin platform Bridge – marking the payment giant’s largest acquisition to date and tangible push into crypto. Co-founded in 2022 by Coinbase and Square alumni Zach Abrams and Sean Yu, San Antonio, Texas-based Bridge built an API that helps companies accept
Read moreThe Elon Musk Act aims to ban ‘special government employees’ from having federal contracts
U.S. Democratic Representative Mark Pocan plans to introduce a bill designed to ban “special government employees” like Elon Musk from having federal contracts so they can’t steer spending towards their own self-interest. The proposed bill is called the ELON MUSK Act, which stands for Eliminate Looting of Our Nation by
Read moreiOS App Store apps with screenshot-reading malware found for the first time
Apps distributed through both Apple and Google’s app stores are hiding malicious screenshot-reading code that’s being used to steal cryptocurrency, the cybersecurity software firm Kaspersky reported today. It’s the “first known case” of apps infected with malware that uses OCR tech to extract text from images making it into Apple’s
Read moreNew target of Paragon spyware comes forward
The latest target of Paragon spyware openly questions if he was targeted by the Italian government. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Read more‘The biggest heist in American history’: DC is just waking up to Elon Musk’s takeover
Demonstrators hold signs during a protest against Elon Musk outside of the US Department of Treasury building in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025. The long block outside of the US Treasury Department on Tuesday was lined with protesters. They flooded across the street with signs bearing slogans: âNobody
Read moreAI’s biggest stage awaits – TechCrunch Sessions: AI tickets available
AI is heating up, and we’re diving in! TechCrunch Sessions: AI is officially open for registration. Secure your spot now and save up to $300 on select tickets before prices rise From startup founders to AI investors to aspiring innovators — TC Sessions: AI is where the entire AI ecosystem
Read moreTickets on sale: TechCrunch All Stage 2025, formerly known as Early Stage
Founders and investors, it’s time! TechCrunch Early Stage has evolved into TechCrunch All Stage 2025, returning to Boston on July 17. Get your tickets now and save up to $310 on select ticket types, securing your spot at the best rates. Register here for your All Stage ticket at unbeatable
Read moreGoogle launches new AI models and brings ‘thinking’ to Gemini
Google launched its much-anticipated new flagship AI model, Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental, on Wednesday. The announcement was part of a series of other AI model releases. The company is also making its “reasoning’ model, Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, available in the Gemini app. Notably, Google is releasing these AI models
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