The US State Department has barred former EU commissioner Thierry Breton and several online hate and disinformation researchers from entering the country, targeting foreign figures involved in moderating content on social media platforms.
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Apple will let iPhone users in Brazil install apps from third-party stores and use outside payment systems starting next year, after a deal with the country’s competition regulator. Apple has 105 days to make the changes or face fines.
ServiceNow will buy cybersecurity firm Armis for $7.75B, aiming to plug Armis’ real-time threat data into its software so companies can spot and fix security holes automatically. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Newly released Epstein documents are driving a surge in betting activity on online prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi, according to Bitcoin News, reflecting rising public interest in the case and its potential outcomes.
Cyber firm ServiceNow is buying security startup Armis for $7.75B in cash. Armis makes software that protects critical infrastructure used by major companies and governments, and will boost ServiceNow’s cybersecurity tools.
Brazil has approved a project to turn live Bitcoin price movements into orchestral music, allowing organizers to raise up to about $197,000 under a cultural tax-incentive program for a concert in Brasília that sonifies Bitcoin’s market ups and downs.
OpenAI is using an AI “automated attacker” to stress-test its ChatGPT Atlas web browser, simulating hacker tricks to find hidden commands that could make the agent act against users, while warning that these AI browser attacks can’t be fully stopped.
Hackers stole a record $2.7 billion in crypto in 2025, mostly from exchanges and DeFi projects, data shows. A single breach at Dubai-based exchange Bybit accounted for about $1.4 billion, with North Korean state hackers blamed for much of the theft.
IMF praises El Salvador’s stronger-than-expected growth and does not call for a halt to its Bitcoin strategy. The country has nearly 7,500 BTC after buying over 1,000 bitcoin in November and is on track for about 4% economic growth this year.
The FCC has banned new foreign-made drones and parts in the U.S. over security concerns, adding them to its prohibited equipment list. Existing drones are unaffected, but future models from major Chinese brands like DJI will face new restrictions.
IMF says El Salvador is in advanced talks to sell the state-run Chivo Bitcoin wallet as part of a wider loan deal. The move could mean the government sells some or all bitcoin held in Chivo, while it continues to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender.
US insurer Aflac says hackers stole personal and health data from about 22.65 million people, including Social Security and ID numbers plus medical and insurance details, in a June cyberattack now linked to an organized criminal group.
Bitcoin’s October jump above $126,000 did not break $100,000 after inflation, according to Galaxy Digital’s Alex Thorn. In 2020 dollars, bitcoin’s real peak this year was about $99,848, highlighting the gap between headline prices and inflation-adjusted value.
The US FCC has banned new drones and key parts made abroad, targeting major brands like DJI and Autel. Existing models can still be used for now, but no new foreign-made drones can enter the US market due to national security concerns.
Bitcoin is trailing behind gold, silver and major stocks, which have all seen stronger recent gains. Traders are noting that Bitcoin’s price has been slower to rise compared to these traditional markets.
OpenAI says attacks that trick AI agents into doing harmful actions will likely remain a long-term security problem for AI browsers. To fight this, it built an AI system that acts like an attacker to find and help fix these weaknesses before they’re abused.
Bhutan is using surplus clean hydropower to run state-controlled Bitcoin mining, treating mined bitcoin as a foreign-currency reserve that has helped fund government salaries, under a tightly regulated framework tied to its Gelephu Mindfulness City project.
Google has launched Android’s Emergency Location Service in India, starting in Uttar Pradesh. Android phones (6.0 and up) can now automatically send precise location data to 112 and other emergency numbers to help responders find callers faster, even on weak calls.
A record $23B in Bitcoin options expires Dec. 26, the largest BTC options event so far. Most traders are betting on higher prices, and the holiday timing with low trading activity could lead to sharp Bitcoin price swings as contracts close.
Microsoft will turn on extra message protections in Teams by default starting Jan 12, 2026, blocking risky file types, flagging suspicious links, and letting users report mistakes, as part of wider efforts to curb phishing and malware on the platform.