South Koreans Paid in Crypto for 'Revenge' Attacks Involving Human Waste, Say Police: Report
Police in South Korea have arrested people in a "revenge" group that were paid in crypto to make threats and vandalize property, per a local report.
AI Regulation Crusader Alex Bores Faces Devastating $10M Attack from Tech Billionaires in Congressional Race
BitcoinWorld AI Regulation Crusader Alex Bores Faces Devastating $10M Attack from Tech Billionaires in Congressional Race NEW YORK, NY — In a stunning display of Silicon Valley’s growing political influence, former Palantir executive Alex Bores finds himself at the center of a $10 million campaign to thwart his congressional bid, revealing the explosive battle between AI regulation advocates and tech industry titans determined to shape America’s technological future. The New York assembly member’s background in artificial intelligence development has made him both uniquely qualified and particularly threatening to billionaires who view any regulatory framework as an existential threat to their industry dominance. AI Regulation Crusader Faces Unprecedented Opposition Alex Bores represents a new breed of political candidate emerging in the age of artificial intelligence. With a computer science degree and firsthand experience at Palantir, he possesses technical credibility that most politicians lack. However, this very expertise has made him the primary target of Leading the Future, a super PAC backed by some of technology’s most powerful figures. The organization has raised $125 million specifically to oppose candidates advocating for AI legislation. Bores resigned from Palantir in 2019 over ethical concerns regarding the company’s work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This principled stand now informs his legislative approach. “I actually deeply understand the technology and I can’t be dismissed as this person just doesn’t understand it,” Bores explained during an exclusive interview. His technical background provides him with significant advantages in crafting effective legislation. The RAISE Act: Light-Touch Legislation That Sparked a Firestorm Bores incurred Silicon Valley’s wrath after sponsoring the RAISE Act, which Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law in December 2024. This legislation represents what many consider moderate regulation. It requires large AI labs generating over $500 million in annual revenue to maintain publicly available safety plans and report catastrophic safety incidents. The law emphasizes disclosure rather than restrictive oversight. Despite its moderate nature, the RAISE Act triggered massive opposition. Leading the Future immediately targeted Bores, committing at least $10 million against his campaign. The PAC’s backers include Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and AI search startup Perplexity. These industry leaders view even minimal regulation as problematic. Silicon Valley’s Political Spending Reaches Record Levels The 2025 election cycle has witnessed unprecedented political spending by technology companies and their executives. Industry groups and top AI executives donated at least $83 million to federal campaigns and committees this year alone. Meta has allocated $65 million to two super PACs focused on electing state-level candidates friendly to AI and technology interests. This spending represents a dramatic escalation in technology industry political engagement. “The average assembly race in New York raises maybe $100,000 total, maybe less,” Bores noted. “For one company to be spending $65 million on state races, let alone everything they’re doing in Congress — I think it’s tough for people to understand how much that is above the norm.” The table below illustrates key political expenditures by technology entities in the 2025 election cycle: Organization Amount Focus Leading the Future PAC $125 million Oppose AI regulation candidates Meta Super PACs $65 million Support tech-friendly state candidates AI Industry Executives $83 million Federal campaigns and committees Public First Action $450,000 Support Alex Bores specifically The Federal Versus State Regulatory Battle Leading the Future advocates for federal rather than state AI regulation, arguing that a patchwork of state laws creates compliance challenges for companies operating nationally. However, Bores contends that federal inaction necessitates state leadership. “They have committed to spending at least $10 million against me…because they know I am their biggest threat in their quest for unbridled control,” he stated. The conflict intensified in December 2024 when President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to challenge “onerous” state AI laws. This executive action specifically targeted legislation like Bores’s RAISE Act, creating tension between state and federal approaches to artificial intelligence governance. Bores’s Comprehensive AI Governance Framework Beyond the RAISE Act, Bores has proposed a national AI governance blueprint spanning eight issue areas with forty-three specific policy recommendations. His legislative agenda includes measures that would: Require training data disclosure from AI companies Establish metadata standards for synthetic content traceability Create public oversight mechanisms for high-risk AI systems Implement safety testing protocols before deployment Develop workforce transition programs for displaced workers This comprehensive approach has garnered support from Public First Action, an Anthropic-backed PAC spending $450,000 to support Bores’s campaign. Unlike Leading the Future, Public First Action describes itself as pro-AI but with emphasis on transparency, safety, and public oversight. The Grassroots Tech Worker Movement Interestingly, Bores has gained support from employees at the very companies whose leadership opposes him. This reflects a broader pattern of internal organizing within technology firms regarding AI ethics and deployment. Tech workers increasingly question how artificial intelligence serves society versus corporate interests. “Among Bores’s base of supporters are tech workers at the very firms whose leaders want to thwart his campaign,” observed technology policy analyst Dr. Miranda Chen. “This represents a significant shift in how technology professionals engage with political processes surrounding their industry’s products.” The Broader Implications for American Democracy The massive spending against Bores raises fundamental questions about money’s role in American politics. When a single industry can allocate more money against a candidate than most congressional races raise in total, it creates power imbalances that concern democracy advocates. “This is not a ‘We want to have a piece of the conversation,'” Bores argued. “This is: ‘We want to intimidate elected officials and browbeat anyone who doesn’t agree with us.'” Leading the Future represents what Bores calls “an extremely small minority of voices” who view any regulation as threatening AI progress. Conversely, he distinguishes his approach from those who “want to pretend AI never existed and put the genie back in the bottle.” Most Americans, he believes, occupy a middle ground—using AI while worrying about its rapid advancement. “[They] wonder if the government is up to the task of ensuring we have a future that benefits the many instead of the few,” Bores reflected. This sentiment captures the central tension in contemporary AI policy debates. Conclusion The congressional race in New York’s 12th district has become a microcosm of America’s struggle to govern artificial intelligence responsibly. Alex Bores’s campaign represents a crucial test case for whether candidates advocating for AI regulation can withstand unprecedented financial opposition from technology billionaires. The outcome will signal whether meaningful oversight of transformative technologies remains politically viable or whether industry interests can effectively veto regulatory approaches through massive campaign spending. As artificial intelligence continues reshaping society, this battle over AI regulation in Congress may determine who controls one of history’s most powerful technological tools. FAQs Q1: Why are AI companies spending millions against Alex Bores? AI companies, particularly through the Leading the Future PAC, oppose Bores because he sponsors AI regulation legislation like the RAISE Act. They prefer minimal oversight and view even moderate regulation as threatening to industry growth and innovation. Q2: What is the RAISE Act that Bores sponsored? The RAISE Act requires large AI labs with over $500 million in revenue to maintain public safety plans and report catastrophic safety incidents. It represents light-touch regulation focused on transparency rather than restrictive oversight. Q3: How much money has been spent against Bores’s campaign? Leading the Future has committed at least $10 million specifically against Bores’s congressional bid. The PAC has raised $125 million total to oppose candidates advocating for AI legislation nationwide. Q4: What is Bores’s background in technology? Bores holds a computer science degree and worked at Palantir until 2019, when he resigned over ethical concerns regarding the company’s work with ICE. He would be only the second Democrat in Congress with a computer science background if elected. Q5: How does this race reflect broader trends in AI politics? This congressional race exemplifies the escalating conflict between AI regulation advocates and industry interests. It demonstrates how technology companies are increasingly using political spending to shape regulatory environments favorable to their business models. This post AI Regulation Crusader Alex Bores Faces Devastating $10M Attack from Tech Billionaires in Congressional Race first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
CFTC chair teases crypto perpetual futures in ‘the next month or so‘
SEC Chair Paul Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig addressed market structure, prediction markets and perpetual futures at a Tuesday event.
MARA exec pushes back on Bitcoin treasury sell-off narrative
MARA has "fact checked" claims it adopted a Bitcoin sell-off strategy, clarifying its filing allows flexible sales but does not signal a majority liquidation.
Los Angeles Court Convicts Ex-Police Officer in Violent Bitcoin Kidnapping and Robbery
An ex-Los Angeles police officer was convicted over a bitcoin-targeted home invasion in 2024. The crime involved impersonating police, kidnapping, and stealing a hard drive holding $350,000 in bitcoin. Continue Reading: Los Angeles Court Convicts Ex-Police Officer in Violent Bitcoin Kidnapping and Robbery The post Los Angeles Court Convicts Ex-Police Officer in Violent Bitcoin Kidnapping and Robbery appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
Shielded Labs Warns Zcash Must Act Now To Win Long-Term Investors
Shielded Labs is urging the Zcash community to move quickly on long-term sustainability changes, arguing that the network has a near-term opening to attract patient capital and should not wait for that window to close. The pitch is not just technical. In Shielded Labs’ telling, protocol-level clarity around future security and emissions could itself become an investment signal for ZEC. The argument surfaced in a Zcash Community Forum discussion around the proposed Network Sustainability Mechanism, or NSM, where Shielded Labs pushed back on the idea that the work lacks short-term relevance. “We believe there’s an opportunity right now to attract long-term investors. In conversations we’ve had over the past year, investors respond positively to the fact that we’re thinking about and actively addressing long-term sustainability. Broad consensus from the community and coinholders for implementing the NSM in the next network upgrade would send a clear signal that we have a credible path forward,” the group wrote. Zcash Could Miss Its Moment Without Fast Action That framing matters because the current debate is not simply about whether Zcash should strengthen its future security budget, but how. In a separate governance post, Shielded Labs said recent polling showed a split between support for the overall direction of the NSM and resistance to one of its more sensitive design choices, issuance smoothing. According to the group, “There were two separate questions: one related to the NSM and issuance smoothing, and another focused on burning 60 percent of transaction fees to support network sustainability.” It added that the issuance-smoothing question won “broad support from panels but not from coinholders,” while the fee-burning component drew broad support from both panels and coinholders. On that basis, Shielded Labs said it sees “clear support” for the elements that remove ZEC from circulation, including ZIP 233 and ZIP 235, and intends to push those parts toward the next network upgrade. Shielded Labs also acknowledged that resistance from coinholders is not irrational. “For some coinholders, the existing emissions schedule is viewed as a defining part of Zcash’s monetary identity, similar in principle to the 21 million supply cap . That is a rational position,” the post said, adding that the team remains open to alternative designs that preserve the halving schedule while still improving sustainability. Still, the core message from the newer forum exchange was unmistakably urgent. Shielded Labs argued that upcoming network developments could make the timing more consequential than it appears today. “Tachyon could increase aggregate fees in the near term by allowing a much higher rate of transactions, which makes the timing especially important. NEAR Intents integrations and additional Maya DEX activity could also increase fee demand. If several of these developments gain traction at the same time, aggregate network usage could rise meaningfully. In that scenario, it would be better to already have the NSM in place rather than trying to introduce it later.” The broader strategic claim is that Zcash can differentiate itself by confronting a question many proof-of-work networks still treat as a future problem. Shielded Labs explicitly tied the issue to the wider debate over Bitcoin’s long-term security budget , arguing that a mechanism “explicitly defined at the protocol level” could matter for how users and investors evaluate network durability. Whether that case is enough to win over skeptical coinholders remains unresolved, but the direction of travel is clearer: Shielded Labs wants Zcash to present sustainability not as an abstract research topic, but as part of the asset’s investment thesis now. At press time, ZEC traded at $216.59.
US Stocks Close Lower: A Sobering Session Sees Major Indices Retreat Across the Board
BitcoinWorld US Stocks Close Lower: A Sobering Session Sees Major Indices Retreat Across the Board NEW YORK, NY – In a broad-based retreat that captured investor attention, US stocks closed lower today, marking a significant down day for the three major equity benchmarks. The S&P 500 fell 0.94%, the Nasdaq Composite declined 1.02%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.83%, reflecting widespread pressure across market sectors. This movement arrives amid a complex tapestry of economic data and shifting monetary policy expectations, prompting analysts to scrutinize the underlying drivers. US Stocks Close Lower: Dissecting the Day’s Market Performance Today’s session delivered a clear downward trajectory for Wall Street. Consequently, every major index finished in negative territory. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the declines, a typical signal of reduced risk appetite among market participants. Meanwhile, the benchmark S&P 500, representing 500 of the largest US companies, posted a nearly one percent loss. Similarly, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, comprising 30 stalwart corporations, saw a substantial drop. This synchronized decline suggests a market-wide reassessment rather than isolated sectoral weakness. To illustrate the scale of the pullback, consider the following table of key index performances: Index Percentage Change Point Change (Approx.) S&P 500 -0.94% -47 points Nasdaq Composite -1.02% -160 points Dow Jones Industrial Average -0.83% -330 points Market breadth, a measure of advancing versus declining stocks, was decidedly negative. Furthermore, trading volume surged above recent averages, indicating conviction behind the sell-off. This data collectively paints a picture of a decisive risk-off shift during the trading day. Contextualizing the Market Pullback Understanding why US stocks closed lower requires examining several concurrent factors. Primarily, investors are digesting recent commentary from Federal Reserve officials. Their statements have reinforced a patient stance on interest rate cuts, dousing earlier hopes for imminent policy easing. Additionally, a slight uptick in Treasury bond yields exerted pressure on equity valuations, particularly for growth-oriented stocks. The 10-year Treasury yield, a crucial benchmark for global borrowing costs, edged higher throughout the session. Simultaneously, corporate earnings season continues to deliver mixed signals. While many companies have surpassed profit expectations, forward guidance has occasionally disappointed. Specifically, concerns about consumer spending resilience and input cost inflation have surfaced in management commentary. Geopolitical tensions also remain a background concern, influencing commodity prices and global trade expectations. These elements combined to create a cautious atmosphere on the trading floor. Expert Analysis and Sector-Specific Impacts Financial analysts point to sector rotation as a key feature of today’s decline. For instance, the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors, which are sensitive to interest rate expectations, were among the worst performers. Conversely, more defensive sectors like utilities and consumer staples showed relative strength, though they still ended the day lower. This pattern aligns with historical behavior during periods of economic uncertainty or rising rate fears. “Today’s market action reflects a recalibration of expectations,” noted a senior strategist at a major investment bank, referencing the collective analysis from their morning briefing. “The market is processing the reality of ‘higher for longer’ interest rates alongside robust but not accelerating economic data. It’s a healthy consolidation after a strong first-quarter rally.” This perspective is echoed by several market observers who view the pullback as a normalization rather than the start of a deeper correction. The decline also impacted key market segments: Mega-Cap Technology: Shares of several trillion-dollar companies contributed significantly to the Nasdaq’s drop. Small-Caps: The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies underperformed the major averages, often a sign of tightening financial conditions. International Markets: European and Asian indices also faced pressure, highlighting the global nature of current market sentiment. Historical Comparisons and Market Psychology Historically, single-day declines of this magnitude are not uncommon within a bull market trend. In fact, data from market research firms shows that the S&P 500 experiences an average of three to four 1% down days per month, even in positive years. Therefore, today’s movement falls well within normal volatility parameters. However, the context is crucial. This drop follows a period of low volatility and steady gains, making it more psychologically pronounced for market participants. Market technicians are watching key support levels. For example, the S&P 500’s 50-day moving average now represents an important technical benchmark. A sustained break below that level could signal further downside, whereas holding above it would suggest underlying strength. The volume profile of today’s selling will be analyzed overnight to gauge whether it was driven by institutional rebalancing or broader sentiment shift. This technical analysis provides a data-driven framework beyond the headline numbers. Conclusion In summary, US stocks closed lower in a session defined by broad-based selling and heightened investor caution. The declines in the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones reflect a market adjusting to the prospects of sustained higher interest rates and evaluating mixed corporate fundamentals. While the day’s losses are notable, they represent a standard fluctuation within the ongoing market cycle. For long-term investors, such periods often present opportunities for strategic portfolio assessment. The key focus now shifts to upcoming economic reports, particularly inflation data, which will likely dictate the market’s next major directional move. FAQs Q1: Why did US stocks close lower today? The primary drivers were heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain higher interest rates for longer, a rise in Treasury yields, and some cautious forward guidance from companies during earnings season. These factors combined to reduce investor risk appetite. Q2: Which index performed the worst? The Nasdaq Composite, with a decline of 1.02%, saw the largest percentage drop. This is typical in risk-off environments, as the Nasdaq is heavily weighted toward growth-oriented technology stocks that are more sensitive to interest rate changes. Q3: Is this a sign of a coming bear market or recession? A single-day decline of this size is not, by itself, a reliable predictor of a bear market or recession. It is a normal occurrence within market cycles. Analysts view it more as a consolidation or pullback following a period of gains, though continued monitoring of economic data is essential. Q4: How does this affect the average investor’s portfolio? Most diversified portfolios will see a decrease in value on such a day. However, for investors with a long-term horizon, short-term volatility is expected. The event underscores the importance of asset allocation and having an investment strategy that can weather market fluctuations. Q5: What should investors watch for next? Key indicators to watch include upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) reports for inflation trends, continued commentary from Federal Reserve officials, and the next wave of corporate earnings reports for clues about economic health. This post US Stocks Close Lower: A Sobering Session Sees Major Indices Retreat Across the Board first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
Core Scientific Sells Bitcoin Reserves to Fund Ambitious AI Data Center Expansion
Core Scientific is liquidating almost all its Bitcoin to fund large-scale AI data centers. The company is shifting away from mining amid falling revenues and tighter profit margins. Continue Reading: Core Scientific Sells Bitcoin Reserves to Fund Ambitious AI Data Center Expansion The post Core Scientific Sells Bitcoin Reserves to Fund Ambitious AI Data Center Expansion appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon says stablecoin issuers paying interest should be regulated as banks
Dimon argued stablecoin issuers paying interest should meet bank standards as talks continue in Washington about the CLARITY Act.