A database containing over a half-million usernames and passwords of Bitcointalk users is being sold by a vendor. The breach actually occurred in May of 2015 through a social engineering attack, and the vendor shared a portion of the database with HackRead.com. The database contains a total of 514,408 accounts and the vendor indicated that decrypting the database's sha-256 password encryption was relatively easy using standard brute-force methods. Bitcointalk administrator Thermos (WOT:theymos) has promised an upgraded forum software, dubbed EpochTalk, since 2014 but as yet has not delivered on his promise despite spending in excess of $500,000 USD in donations from the community. (archived)
Category Archives: Altcoins
Not Quite News Roundup Xtend 5 (TM)(R)
Welcome to the fifth edition of the Qntra Not Quite News Roundup Xtend (TM)(R). The below events are alleged to have happened, but they are innocent of newsworthiness.
- Under pressure, the number of United States dollars that fiat/Bitcoin interfaces report it takes to purchase a Bitcoin have climbed modestly from the range the stabilized t in the aftermath of the BitfinExodus.
- The above price movement lead to diminished discussion of altcoins with none in particular meriting any special mention.
- Oil futures moved up on news that stocks of West Texas Intermediate were less than expected.
- Giraffes suffered "species inflation" when the "Giraffe Conservation Foundation" began to allege that there are four distinct species of Giraffe. All four of the alleged species are capable of interbreeding.
- CoinTelegraph author Rebecca Campbell asked "If Bitcoin Had Sex, Could It Be Female?"
- Univision deleted six posts on their newly acquired Gawker media properties which are subject to pending litigation.
- General Motors issued a recall of 4.3 million vehicles from the 2014-2017 model years due to a software bug that prevents airbag deployment during collisions.
- Bitfinex has established it's BFX convertible debt token to be equivalent to one United States dollar of equity in the firm while valuing itself at 120 million United States dollars. This means that if all BFX notes were redeemed for equity existing management would still retain ~60 percent of the firm. At the time of this writing traders on Bitfinex value the BFX token at 0.5462 United States dollars, a figure that raises serious questions about Bitfinex's self valuation while still seeming absurdly high.
- This week at a dinner party for the United States National Policy Institute.
- Lords of the Most Serene Republic began a focused discussion on the future of communication.
- The unsuitability of Cisco networking equipment for computer networks is creating a whole new class of torts (archived).
Parasitic Flatworm Named To Honor Hussein Bahamas
In a twist of irony surely not lost to Qntra readers, US president Hussein Bahamas now has the honor of a newly discovered parasitic flatworm named after him. The two-inch long parasite, dubbed "Baracktrema obamai" lives in turtles blood and was discovered by Thomas Platt, a retired biology professor at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana. Professor Platt assured the public that bestowing the name was not meant as an insult, but rather meant to honor the current president. However, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a parasite as " something that resembles a biological parasite in dependence on something else for existence or support without making a useful or adequate return" which accurately describes the legacy left by Bahamas during his eight-year tenure.
Well Fargo Fined Over Non-Consensual Account Openings
Infamous fiat institution Wells Fargo bank has been fined over $100 million USD by The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for "the widespread illegal practice of secretly opening unauthorized deposit and credit card accounts." The bank stands accused of allowing thousands of employees to open more than 2 million unauthorized deposit and credit accounts in secret, in order to hit sales targets, according to investigators. Fines and penalties imposed in the case total $185 million USD, with an additional $5 million being required to be paid as restitution to affected customers. Wells Fargo officials said managers and employees involved in the scheme had been fired, and that $2.6 million dollars in customer fees collected as a result of the deceptive activities has been refunded. Wells Fargo & Co is the fourth largest U.S. bank by assets, and the U.S. Treasury still holds warrants to buy about 110 million shares related to the 2008 financial crisis and bailout.
Hussein Bahamas Cancels Duterte Meeting At ASEAN Over Hurt Feelings
A planned meeting at ASEAN between United States Oval Office bench warmer Hussein Bahamas and Phillipine President Rodrigo Duterte has been cancelled over Duterte's refusal to be lectured by Bahamas over so called "human rights" with Duterte rejecting Hussein Bahamas as "a son of a whore." The mainstream press in the United States is spinning this clearly mutual decision not to meet as Hussein Bahamas cancelling the meeting. This is the second major show of weakness on the international stage by Hussein Bahamas this week.
Peace in our time.
Brazzers Hacked, ~800,000 User Records Leaked
Following a hack on an online forum run by the pop-pornographers at Brazzers email addresses, usernames, and passwords of ~800,000 Brazzers users have been leaked. Sorry for your loss.
Bankrupt Hanjin Desperately Fighting To Prevent Seizure Of Ships
Shipping giant Hanjin filed for receivership in South Korea and filed for bankruptcy in the United States last week after its finances collapsed. This week news is emerging that Hanjin is trying to file for bankruptcy protection in 40 different jurisdictions as they desperately work to prevent any more of their ships from being seized in port. Hanjin operated the world's seventh largest container line at a loss in four of the last five years. The number of Hanjin ships which have been denied access to ports stands at 79. Hanjin claims a fleet of 141 ships, of which 128 are operating. Spot shipping prices on routes conveying cargo from Asia to North America have been holding ~40% higher than they were immediately before Hanjin's initial bankruptcy filing. The firm's current crisis follows the recent refusal of creditors to lend Hanjin any more capital to finance its operating expenses. Sorry for your loss.
Bahamas G20 Landing Brouhaha
United States Oval Office seat warmer Hussein Bahamas after arriving in Hangzhou, China for the G20 conference disembarked from his plane using the belly staircase rather than a roll up staircase. De-planing Air Force One by the more common roll up staircase indicates confidence in the security of the de-planing situation and indicates a positive relationship between parties to the landing and de-planing.
By contrast a belly staircase de-planing indicates tension between parties and a lack of confidence defined by feelings of insecurity. The official verified Twitter account of the United States Defense Intelligence Agency made light of the tension by tweeting "Classy as always China" and linking a New York Times piece about the tense situation featuring a full frontal picture of Hussein Bahamas engaged in belly de-planing. The tweet making light of Hussein Bahamas' engagement in a supremely submissive act has already been deleted. Peace in our time.
California Plans Anti-Cattle Legislation
California lawmakers are targeting cows in their latest front on "Global Warming". Democratic Senator Ricardo Lara, author of the legislation, blames bovine flatulence and manure for producing copious amounts of methane emissions and seeks to send current levels to 40 percent below their 2013 levels by the year 2030. Senate Republicans mostly opposed the measure, which passed near the end of the legislative session Wednesday in Sacramento, claiming it will harm local dairy businesses and cause increased milk prices.
Musk Rocket Goes Boom Destroying Zuckerberg Satellite
Yesterday a rocket from Elon Musk's (WOT:nonperson) startup SpaceX exploded on its launchpad. Onboard the rocket was an Israeli made satellite intended to bring Mark Zuckerberg's (WOT:nonperson) Facebook to more Africans, a desperate move to counter Facebook's falling usage figures. Elon Musk ventures have been struggling with safety lately. Sorry for your loss.