14,000 Illegal Bitcoin Miners Stole $1.1 Billion in Electricity Since 2020
14,000 Illegal Bitcoin Miners Stole $1.1 Billion in Electricity Since 2020
⚡ Billion-dollar mining heist
A government report exposed massive electricity theft by cryptocurrency miners operating without authorization.
Key findings:
- 14,000 illegal mining operations identified
- $1.1 billion worth of electricity stolen from national grid
- Theft occurred over 5-year period starting in 2020
The scale of unauthorized power consumption highlights ongoing challenges with unregulated crypto mining activities draining public infrastructure resources.
Trump Names Silicon Valley Veteran as White House AI and Crypto Czar
**David Sacks appointed as White House AI and Crypto Czar** Trump has selected David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley figure, for the newly created role overseeing AI and cryptocurrency policy. **Key details:** - First major Silicon Valley representative in Trump's new administration - Position combines oversight of both AI and crypto sectors - Sacks is known to hold Bitcoin personally **Potential impact:** - Could reshape U.S. regulatory approach to crypto - May influence AI policy development - Signals tech-friendly stance from new administration This appointment represents a significant shift toward Silicon Valley influence in federal tech policy.
Trump's Crypto Turnaround Smooths Path for U.S. Government Adoption
**Trump's policy shift on cryptocurrency has significantly eased the path toward U.S. government adoption** of digital assets. Without this turnaround, the road to governmental embrace would have been much steeper. The administration's changed stance has: - Broken through previous policy gridlock - Fueled greater acceptance across government agencies - Created momentum for broader crypto integration This represents a dramatic shift from a year ago when regulatory uncertainty dominated the landscape.
Rep. French Hill Drives Forward US Crypto Legislation Behind the Scenes
**Rep. French Hill emerges as key driver** behind U.S. crypto legislation, working behind the scenes to advance regulatory frameworks. While his name may not appear on final bills, Hill has been **instrumental in pushing crypto law forward** in Congress. His efforts represent ongoing bipartisan momentum in crypto regulation. Previous collaboration with Democrat Rep. Jim Himes showed **strategic approach to Senate engagement**, focusing on floor votes to build broader legislative support. Hill's work highlights the **complex legislative process** where key contributors often remain unnamed on final legislation despite driving significant progress.
Tennessee Republican Makes History with First U.S. Stablecoin Law
A **Tennessee Republican** has achieved a legislative milestone by sponsoring the **first stablecoin legislation** to become U.S. law. This historic development marks a significant step forward for cryptocurrency regulation in America. The legislation provides a legal framework for stablecoin operations within the United States. **Key points:** - First-ever federal stablecoin law in U.S. history - Sponsored by Tennessee Republican representative - Establishes regulatory clarity for digital assets The law comes after months of congressional debate over cryptocurrency oversight and represents a bipartisan effort to modernize financial regulations for the digital age.
New Platform Enables Trading of Locked Solana Staking Positions
A new platform is launching to address a key limitation in Solana staking - the inability to trade locked positions. **Key Features:** - Creates an **onchain marketplace** for locked staking positions - Allows stakers to trade their positions before unlock periods end - Could increase liquidity in the Solana staking ecosystem This development builds on previous infrastructure improvements, including the recent launch of $LOCK token with cross-chain swap capabilities. **Why This Matters:** Currently, Solana stakers must wait for unlock periods to access their funds. This marketplace could provide much-needed flexibility for stakers who need liquidity before their positions mature. The platform represents another step toward making DeFi positions more liquid and tradable across the Solana ecosystem.