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The most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), is filled with conspiracy theories, ranging from the plausible to the downright absurd.

Lets take a quick look at the most common Bitcoin conspiracy theories for a good laugh or - if you choose to believe them - a peek down the rabbit hole.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, a new block was mined on the Bitcoin blockchain. It was a typical block, except that its hash was 00000000000000000021e800c1e8df51b22c1588e5a624bea17e9faa34b2dc4a.

It caused a massive uproar among the community, with Twitter and Reddit awash with speculations concerning the origins and meaning of the number.

The reason for the excitement around this particular block hash, something many within the community are already familiar with, is a number. First, upon a cursory glance, the number of zeros at the beginning of the block hash was similar to the ones in the block hash of the Genesis Block, or the first block of Bitcoin ever mined.

Given the lengths supposedly undertaken by the pseudonymous creator of BTC, Satoshi Nakamoto, to achieve that hash in the Genesis Block, some believe it to be meaningful. Additionally, it was pointed out that it is highly improbable for the June 2018 hash to be generated at random.

Secondly, the number that came after the first zeros was 21e8. This number is an important one in physics because it refers to the E8 Theory, which is an attempt to describe all known fundamental interactions in physics and to stand as a possible theory of everything.

Possible explanations for the event ranged from a simple chance to AI or Nakamotos resurgence and even time travel.

Possibly, the biggest mystery (together with when moon?) in the Bitcoin world is its creator Satoshi Nakamoto. It is assumed this was either a person or a group of people working in concert to create the worlds first decentralized digital currency. The people listed as possible Nakamoto candidates reads like the whos who of the cypherpunk movement, such as Hal Finney, Adam Back, and Nick Szabo, computer scientist, legal scholar, and cryptographer known for his research in cryptocurrency.

Meanwhile, Finey, who died in 2014, was the first-ever recipient of a BTC transaction sent from Satoshi. Also, he was identified as a possible Nakamoto ghostwriter by Newsweek and the New Yorker. In fact, shortly before his death, Forbes wrote about the fact that Finney, a cryptography pioneer, had a neighbor named Nakamoto.

Also, Adam Back, CEO of major blockchain technology firm Blockstream, was one of the first two people to receive an email from Satoshi, and he was also cited in the Bitcoin white paper.

Another computer scientist, Craig S. Wright has infamously claimed to be Nakamoto but has never been able to prove it.

Given the complexity of Bitcoin and the deep understanding of economics showcased by Nakamoto, many are of the opinion that Nakamoto was actually a group of people. Many contend that it is improbable that one person could be so well versed in many different areas of scholarship to create a technological tool so robust that it continues to stand the test of time today.

The etymology of Satoshi Nakamoto corresponds to knowledge or enlightenment and the middle or center. The vague nature of the words can mean one of two things, either awoken by being at the source or central intelligence. The latter is a much-speculated theory, that the US National Security Agency (NSA) (or some other government intelligence operation) created the cryptocurrency.

The most quoted evidence backing this theory is the fact that Bitcoin employs a common cryptography tool to create its public and private keys. The theory is that this in itself could provide the NSA with a back door to the Bitcoin blockchain.

Another reason cited by pundits of this theory is the fact that social media threads, on sites like Reddit, which question the NSA/Bitcoin connection are deleted. Finally, even Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin (before his ETH career even started) reportedly said that he wouldnt be surprised if [Nakamoto] is actually an American working for the NSA specializing in cryptography. Then he got sick of the governments monetary policies and decided to create Bitcoin. He also added: Or the NSA itself decided to create Bitcoin.

However, several years later, Buterin clarified that his opinions have changed a lot since his NSA-related statements in 2011.

Blockstream is a blockchain technology company staffed by well-known and well-regarded developers. It is led by aforementioned Adam Back, a cryptographer aligned with the cypherpunk movement. It is through these endeavors where he interacted with Satoshi Nakamoto, corresponding with him, which led to him being cited in the Bitcoin whitepaper.

Blockstream describes itself as the global leader in Bitcoin and blockchain technology. Founded in 2014, the company aims to create a range of products and services which should ease the use and adoption of bitcoin and other blockchain-based digital currencies. Blockstream has raised large amounts in its funding rounds since its inception.

To the onlooker, Blockstream should be a well-regarded institution within the space. Meanwhile, for a number within the space, Blockstream seems to be hell-bent on destroying the original intent of Bitcoin with its driving motivations being profit.

However, these accusations can be heard from the Bitcoin Cash (BCH), which is a hard fork of Bitcoin, camp mostly. They claim that Blockstream is against any changes that may scale Bitcoin because they want users to use their proprietary sidechains, such as the Liquid Network.

Given that many of the Bitcoin Core developers also work at Blockstream, this is an "interesting" accusation, to say the least. While it is an old conspiracy theory, it keeps morphing with time.

In 2018, a Danish firm called BiChip (which, ironically, seems to be spreading vaccines-related conspiracy theories by itself) released an update to their subdermal chip, allowing people to store the XRP token inside themselves. By writing the chip, users could transact with their XRP holdings. The chip has since expanded its abilities and can now be used by BTC users too.

Conservative and religious circles were quick to point out the similarities between the emerging tech and the mark of the beast.

The mark of the beast references a theme in the Book of Revelations where people in the end times will be unable to trade without having the mark of the beast, either in their hand or on their forehead. Given the subdermal nature of the chip, speculation was rife and the theory took hold quickly.

That speculation inspired even more end-time related theories, with people claiming that Bitcoin was intended to usher in the New World Order where artificial intelligence would be lord to all. The theory is that AI created Bitcoin, using the prospect of profit as a lure to trap humanity into worshipping it.

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In either case, despite all these conspiracists, Bitcoin is about to turn 12 on January 3, the anniversary of the first block in the Bitcoin blockchain mined, and it looks ready to ignore even more and even crazier conspiracy theories going forward.

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Learn more: Bitcoin Wheel Cannot Be StoppedCrypto in 2021: Bitcoin To Ride The Same Wave Of Macroeconomic ProblemsCrypto Adoption in 2021: Bitcoin Rules, Ethereum Grows & Faces RivalsCrypto in 2021: Institutions Prefer Bitcoin, Retail Open to Altcoins

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Satoshi Nakamoto from NSA, AntiChrist and Other Bitcoin Conspiracy Theories - Cryptonews

Sheep producers are invited to find out more about post-Brexit trade and future agricultural policy at a series of virtual events starting next month.

The events, organised by the National Sheep Association (NSA), will take place each Wednesday morning at 8.30am for four weeks from January 20.

With so much still to be announced on how the UKs departure from the EU will shape our future sheep industry, combined with changes to agricultural legislation and support payments, there will no doubt be many sheep farmers out there seeking some support and guidance as we start the new year, said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker.

NSA is excited to launch this new series of short webinars to help the nations sheep farmers keep up to date on the latest announcements affecting them.

We will be welcoming industry leaders from across the UK as well as NSA office holders and some of our corporate supporters to present what we hope will be engaging and useful short sessions that can be enjoyed over breakfast before the days jobs really begin.

Farmers and crofters interested in finding out more about the events are asked to register their interest online here.

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Trade and policy in spotlight at webinars for sheep producers - Press and Journal

Dehradun: Giving an all new twist to the controversy surrounding the construction of 88-kilometre-long Kandi Road, a proposed stretch cutting through the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) to reduce the distance between Garhwal and Kumaon regions by around 70 kilometres, Harak Singh Rawat, forest and environment minister of Uttarakhand, on Sunday said that the road has a strategic value and is of national importance. The minister said that the proposed road will be crucial for the safety of the country and ensure swift movement of Army troops during any emergency. Rawat has also written a letter to national security advisor Ajit Doval in this regard. Speaking with TOI, Rawat said, Uttarakhand has the headquarters of the Indian Armys Garhwal Rifles in Lansdowne and the headquarters of Kumaon Regiment in Ranikhet. Our state holds strategic importance and therefore, swift movement of Army troops is needed here. In case of an emergency, our forces might need a shorter and quicker route to Pithoragarh or Champawat. Here, the proposed Kandi Road can be of immense significance. Therefore, I have written to national security advisor Ajit Doval. Also, I intend to meet defence minister Rajnath Singh and discuss the issue with him very soon. In 1998, the Supreme Court had rejected the proposal of Kandi Road and had agreed upon the construction of an alternate road through Uttar Pradesh. While hearing the writ petition Navin M. Raheja Vs. Union of India and Others filed in 1998, the apex court had stated that it is the duty of the state to preserve and protect the Corbett National Park as it is a national asset. If constructed, the Kandi Road will cut through the 24-km-long buffer zone between Ramnagar and Khara Gate areas, a 21-km-long core breeding area of CTR, and a 32-km-long buffer zone between Kalagarh and Pakhro in CTR. Notably, Corbett has the highest tiger density in the world. On an average, the reserve has 19.7 big cats per 100 square kilometres. According to WII scientists, the proposed Kandi Road may lead to more incidents of animals getting hurt in accidents. Earlier on December 18, Rawat had announced a bus service through Pakhro-Morghatti-Kalagarh-Ramnagar route (Kandi Road stretch). We are not yet opening up the stretch for public use as there are several legalities to it but it is my understanding that the road is of immense strategic importance and therefore, I want it to be constructed on priority for the safety of our nation, added Rawat. Kandi Road is seen as the dream project of the incumbent state government as it would cut down the travel time for people of Kumaon and Garhwal regions. It was announced by the chief minister after assuming office in 2017. If the road is constructed, people will not have to pass by Najibabad, Nagina and Afzalgarh pockets of Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh to travel between Garhwal and Kumaon regions. Back in 2017, WII scientists had stated that Kandi Road should ideally see the daylight soon as both Uttarkhand and Uttar Pradesh have BJP-led state governments. Also, the saffron party has a comfortable majority in the Centre as well. And an alternate route road through Amangarh, Badapur, and Sauwala of Uttar Pradesh would do the needful rather than passing through Kandi Road by fragmenting habitat of big cats.

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Now, Ukhand forest minister calls road through Corbett of strategic value, writes to NSA Ajit Doval ci - Times of India

Trump talking about trying to split up the cyber command from the national security agency, in the midst of a crisis to be talking about that type of disruption makes us vulnerable again, House Armed Services Chair Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said Saturday night during an interview with CNN.

On Friday, Smith sent letters to acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, warning them against severing the leadership of NSA and Cyber Command. The two agencies have shared leadership under a so-called dual-hat arrangement since the Pentagon stood up Cyber Command in 2009.

Nakasone has led the militarys top digital warfighting unit and the federal governments largest intelligence agency for roughly two and a half years. He has re-imagined how both organizations can deploy their own hackers and analysts against foreign adversaries via a doctrine of persistent engagement putting U.S. forces in constant contact against adversaries in cyberspace, including tracking them and taking offensive action.

The four-star is beloved by both Democrats and Republicans, especially after defending the 2018 and 2020 election from foreign interference. Some lawmakers even joke they wish they could put Nakasone in charge of more parts of the federal government.

Trump, meanwhile, has churned through the leadership of several federal agencies since losing the presidential election last month, including the Pentagon and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The president fired the agencys widely-respected chief, Chris Krebs, last month via Twitter.

Breaking up Cyber Command and NSA is now prohibited under a previous defense policy bill. The measure says the two cannot be split unless the Defense secretary and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff jointly certify that such a move wont hinder the effectiveness of Cyber Command, which is co-located with NSA at Fort Meade, Md.

A Democratic congressional staffer said there is concern on Capitol Hill that Miller and other DoD leaders might simply state that the assessment is complete in order to ram the split through without going through the required steps.

A defense official cautioned that even if the leadership change should go through, President-elect Joe Biden and his defense team could simply reverse the decision and rejoin the offensive digital unit and the intelligence gathering organization.

Originally posted here:
Democrats cry alarm over proposal to split up NSA, Cyber Command amid hacking crisis - POLITICO

NSA warns hackers are forging cloud authentication information | 2020-12-22 | Security Magazine This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more. This Website Uses CookiesBy closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn MoreThis website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.

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NSA warns hackers are forging cloud authentication information - Security Magazine