The Moss Piglet Dilemma: Paypal Bans Payments to Merchants Using the Word ‘Tardigrade’
The popular payment provider Paypal has been known for cutting off a number of merchants and organizations over the years. This week, the public found out that Paypal has been censoring merchants that sell items related to the name “tardigrade” just because a Balkan arms dealer uses the same name. The story shows just how beneficial censorship-resistant money is today and how centralized monetary systems are ultimately doomed. Ever...
NFT Economy Grows Exponential: $1M in Non-Fungible Token Sales Last Week
While a number of people are focused on decentralized finance (defi), the non-fungible token (NFT) industry has also exploded in demand in 2020. Last week, NFT sales soared nearing a million dollars in volume, as the blockchain-based Sorare fantasy soccer card game saw over $221,000 in sales during the last seven days. When Satoshi Nakamoto created the blockchain, the innovative technology allowed for permissionless money, but also a...
Rapper TI Cryptocurrency Fraud: Charged and Fined $75,000 by SEC
Rapper TI and four other people, including film producer Ryan Felton, have been charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over fraudulent token sales. TI, or Tip as the rapper is also known, is also fined $75,000 by the securities regulator. Rapper TI and Film Producer Charged The SEC announced Friday the charges against rapper and actor Clifford Harris Jr. (often known as TI or Tip), film producer Ryan Felton, and...
Apple Censors Some Cryptocurrency and Defi Features of Coinbase App
Apple Inc. has censored some cryptocurrency features of the Coinbase app. Specifically, Apple has blocked Coinbase from adding to its iOS app the ability to earn money using cryptocurrency and access to decentralized finance (Defi) apps. Apple vs. Coinbase Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has been struggling to get some functionalities approved for its iOS app, CEO Brian Armstrong detailed his company’s experience dealing with Apple...
Students at Private Universities Pirate Much More Than Their Public Counterparts
Two decades ago, piracy was booming at university campuses where high-speed Internet access was readily available. This threat was quickly recognized by copyright holders, who swiftly took action in response. The RIAA and MPAA, for example, helped to lobby in favor of more strict legislation including the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). This law requires institutions to issue an annual anti-piracy warning to all students...
