hodler

20 May 2026, 10:04

Trump's Truth Social Pulls Bitcoin ETF Application From SEC Review

Trump Media & Technology Group has withdrawn its Form S-1 registrations for Bitcoin and Bitcoin-Ethereum ETFs.

20 May 2026, 03:50

BNB Chain Says Quantum-Resistant Security Is Feasible but Will Cut Throughput by Up to 50%

BitcoinWorld BNB Chain Says Quantum-Resistant Security Is Feasible but Will Cut Throughput by Up to 50% BNB Chain has confirmed that its network can be upgraded to defend against future quantum computer attacks, but the security measure will come at a significant cost to performance. In a recently published test, the team applied a next-generation signature method to BNB Smart Chain (BSC) and found that while the transition is technically feasible, it would reduce native transfer throughput by 40% to 50%. The Quantum Threat and the NIST Solution The test focused on implementing a quantum-resistant signature algorithm certified by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These algorithms are designed to withstand the computational power of quantum computers, which could theoretically break the cryptographic systems currently securing most blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. BNB Chain’s engineers confirmed that integrating a NIST-approved signature into BSC is possible. However, the new signature’s data size is approximately 35 times larger than the current one. This increase means that blocks fill up much faster, directly reducing the number of transactions the network can process per second. Performance Trade-Off: 40-50% Throughput Reduction The most immediate impact of the upgrade would be on native transfer throughput, which the team estimates would drop by 40% to 50%. For a network like BSC, which prioritizes low fees and high speed, this represents a substantial trade-off. The consensus layer does help mitigate the burden by compressing data to roughly 1/43rd of its original size, keeping the load on validators manageable. Still, the overall capacity loss is significant enough to require careful planning before any potential migration. Why This Matters Now Quantum computing remains a nascent threat. BNB Chain itself noted that current quantum computers are not yet capable of decrypting existing cryptographic systems. The test was described as a preemptive measure for long-term preparedness, not a response to an imminent danger. Nevertheless, the blockchain industry is increasingly aware that the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography will take years. By conducting this test now, BNB Chain is gathering critical data that will inform future network upgrades. Other major blockchains, including Ethereum, are also researching similar post-quantum security measures, though few have published concrete performance benchmarks. Conclusion BNB Chain’s quantum defense test provides a realistic preview of the challenges facing the entire crypto industry. The technical path to quantum resistance is clear, but the performance trade-offs are steep. For now, the threat remains theoretical, but the groundwork laid by this test positions BSC to adapt when quantum computing matures. FAQs Q1: Is BNB Chain currently vulnerable to quantum attacks? No. BNB Chain states that current quantum computers are not capable of breaking existing cryptographic systems. This test was a proactive measure for future preparedness. Q2: What is a NIST-certified quantum-resistant signature? It is a cryptographic algorithm approved by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology that is designed to be secure against attacks from both classical and quantum computers. Q3: Will the throughput reduction affect everyday users? If implemented, yes. Native transfer throughput could drop by 40-50%, meaning slower transaction processing and potentially higher fees during peak usage. The team is exploring compression techniques to minimize the impact. This post BNB Chain Says Quantum-Resistant Security Is Feasible but Will Cut Throughput by Up to 50% first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

19 May 2026, 21:50

You can now talk to your Gmail inbox: Google IO 2026 unveils Gmail Live

BitcoinWorld You can now talk to your Gmail inbox: Google IO 2026 unveils Gmail Live Google isn’t finished infusing AI into your inbox. At its IO 2026 developer conference on Tuesday, the company announced a significant expansion of its AI Inbox functionality for Gmail, introducing a conversational voice feature called Gmail Live. Instead of typing keywords into a search box, users can now ask natural-language questions aloud about the contents of their inbox — and the AI will respond. The feature, powered by Google’s Gemini AI, is designed to quickly surface information buried in email threads, such as flight details, appointment times, door codes, or school event specifics. According to Google, Gmail Live can understand nuanced follow-up questions, pivot between topics, and even infer details like hotel room numbers or the people you’re referring to, even when they aren’t explicitly named in your query. How Gmail Live works During a press briefing ahead of Google I/O, Devanshi Bhandari, product lead for Gmail, demonstrated the tool by asking a series of questions about items in an inbox: a child’s show-and-tell project, a class field trip, and hotel and flight information for a trip to Detroit. The AI responded accurately, distinguishing between similar terms like “field trip” and “trip,” and seamlessly jumping from one topic to another. “Gmail Live can answer naturally phrased questions, respond to follow-up questions, and pivot if you need to interrupt it,” Bhandari explained. The voice-driven experience mirrors stand-alone AI chatbots like Gemini or ChatGPT, but is integrated directly into the email interface. Google emphasized that Gmail Live is not replacing traditional Gmail search — it is an additional option. The company appears to have learned from past missteps: when Google Photos introduced an AI-only search upgrade, user backlash forced a rollback to make the AI optional. Gmail Live is designed as a complementary tool, not a mandatory replacement. Broader AI Inbox expansion Beyond the voice feature, Google is expanding its AI Inbox experience, which launched earlier this year. Previously limited to Google AI Ultra subscribers, the AI Inbox overview — which surfaces tasks and items needing attention on a single page — will now also reach Google AI Pro and Plus subscribers. Additionally, Gmail is gaining ready-to-send drafts, instant file access, and the ability to mark individual tasks as done directly within the inbox. Similar voice technology is also coming to Google Keep, the company’s to-do list app, though specific timing was not announced. Why this matters At a time when many consumers question the real-world value of AI — especially as new data centers drive up energy costs — Google is betting that a simple, practical use case can demonstrate the technology’s utility. Finding a lost email is a near-universal pain point, and making that process faster and more intuitive could be a persuasive argument for AI adoption. Gmail Live is scheduled to roll out later this summer, initially limited to Google AI Ultra subscribers. Pricing for the tier remains unchanged. Conclusion Gmail Live represents Google’s latest effort to embed conversational AI into everyday productivity tools. By allowing users to talk to their inboxes in natural language, the company aims to reduce friction in information retrieval — a small but meaningful improvement for millions of users. The feature’s success will depend on accuracy, user adoption, and whether it can avoid the backlash that has greeted some of Google’s previous AI-first design choices. FAQs Q1: When will Gmail Live be available? Gmail Live is expected to roll out later in summer 2026, initially for Google AI Ultra subscribers. Q2: Will Gmail Live replace traditional Gmail search? No. Google says Gmail Live is an additional option, not a replacement for the existing search bar. Q3: What other apps are getting similar voice features? Google Keep, the company’s to-do list app, will also receive voice-powered AI capabilities, though the timeline has not been announced. This post You can now talk to your Gmail inbox: Google IO 2026 unveils Gmail Live first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

19 May 2026, 21:35

From teen hacker to Iron Dome researcher: founder raises $28M to build AI-powered email security platform

BitcoinWorld From teen hacker to Iron Dome researcher: founder raises $28M to build AI-powered email security platform Shay Shwartz knows email phishing from both sides. As a teenager, he made money as a hacker — until he was caught at age 16. That turning point led him to use his skills defensively, eventually spending a decade in elite Israeli defense and intelligence units, including work tied to the Iron Dome missile defense system. Now, two years after founding his own startup, he is stepping into the spotlight with a $28 million funding round to combat a new wave of AI-generated email threats. From Iron Dome to inbox defense Shwartz’s journey is unusual even by cybersecurity standards. After his teenage hacking stint, he shifted to defensive roles, leading major projects for Israel’s top cyber units. He later joined Axis, a startup later acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprise. But the itch to build his own company never faded. In 2023, he launched Ocean, an agentic email security platform designed specifically to counter AI-powered phishing attacks. The company emerged from stealth mode with $28 million in total funding. Lightspeed Venture Partners led the round, with participation from Picture Capital and Cerca Partners. The investor list also includes high-profile angel investors: Wiz co-founder and CEO Assaf Rappaport, and Armis co-founders Yevgeny Dibrov and Nadir Izrael — the latter company recently sold to ServiceNow for $7.75 billion. Why AI phishing requires a new approach Traditional email security vendors like Proofpoint and Mimecast, along with newer players like Abnormal Security, are effective against standard phishing. But Shwartz argues that generative AI has fundamentally changed the threat landscape. In the past, spear-phishing required significant manual research and effort, limiting its scale. AI automates the entire process. “AI just made the entire process automatic, so the scale is much, much bigger now,” Shwartz told Bitcoin World. “I can instruct LLM to go and understand exactly who you are, harvest large amount of public information, and create those phishing attacks very targeted against you.” Ocean claims its platform uses a small language model — not a massive general-purpose LLM — to analyze the context of every incoming email. It evaluates the sender’s intent against the recipient’s organizational role, communication history, and typical behavior patterns. The system is already processing billions of emails monthly for customers including Kayak, Kingston Technology, and Headspace. How agentic security differs from traditional filters Traditional email filters rely on rules, reputation scoring, and known threat signatures. Ocean’s approach is agentic: the system actively reasons about each email’s context rather than matching it against a database of known attacks. Shwartz describes it as “a guard in every door.” The model is trained to detect impersonation, social engineering, and subtle anomalies that indicate an AI-generated attack, even if the email contains no malicious links or attachments. Market implications and competitive landscape The email security market is crowded, but AI-powered threats are creating a new category of defense. According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, phishing remains the most common vector for initial access, and AI-generated phishing emails are becoming harder to distinguish from legitimate messages. Ocean’s funding round, backed by prominent cybersecurity founders, signals that investors see agentic security as a necessary evolution. Shwartz’s background — from hacker to Iron Dome researcher to founder — gives the company a credibility that matters in the security industry. His co-founder and CTO, Oran Moyal, brings additional technical depth. The company plans to use the funding to expand its engineering team and accelerate product development. Conclusion Ocean’s emergence reflects a broader shift in cybersecurity: as attackers adopt AI, defenders must do the same. Shwartz’s personal story — from teenage hacker to building a platform backed by some of the most successful founders in Israeli cybersecurity — adds a compelling narrative to a serious technological challenge. Whether Ocean can carve out a significant share of the email security market remains to be seen, but its approach and backing suggest it is a company worth watching. FAQs Q1: What makes Ocean different from existing email security platforms? Ocean uses a proprietary small language model to analyze the context of each email, focusing on sender intent and organizational behavior, rather than relying on rules or known threat signatures. This is designed to catch AI-generated spear-phishing attacks that traditional filters may miss. Q2: How much funding has Ocean raised and who invested? Ocean raised $28 million in total funding, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Picture Capital and Cerca Partners. Angel investors include Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport and Armis co-founders Yevgeny Dibrov and Nadir Izrael. Q3: Is Ocean currently available for businesses? Yes, Ocean is already processing billions of emails per month for customers including Kayak, Kingston Technology, and Headspace. The company emerged from stealth mode with the funding announcement and is actively onboarding new clients. This post From teen hacker to Iron Dome researcher: founder raises $28M to build AI-powered email security platform first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

19 May 2026, 21:25

Vitalik Buterin Says AI Could Strengthen Crypto Security

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has responded to increasing concerns that AI-based bug hunting will overwhelm developers and create non-stop exploitation opportunities on blockchains. According to him, in the near future, the use of this technology might actually make crypto systems more secure. He says that AI-assisted formal verification may become one of the strongest defenses against security failures in crypto and internet infrastructure. AI Could Strengthen Security Instead of Breaking It Formal verification is the practice of writing mathematical proofs about software that a computer can automatically verify instead of people reviewing them. This concept has been available for decades; however, it has never caught on because generating such proofs manually was rather tedious for software developers, so many of them never bothered. Now, Buterin is saying that AI has changed this equation, and instead of developers writing the proofs themselves, they can ask an AI to write both the code and accompanying proofs. They then simply check that the final statement proved is actually the thing they wanted to prove. The developer described a scenario where AI models become powerful enough to automate finding bugs in existing code and then asked what that would mean for systems where a single flaw can cost users everything. His answer was that formal verification, done end-to-end, lets you mathematically prove that a piece of code behaves exactly as intended, so that a sufficiently powerful AI looking for flaws would be looking at code that has already been proven not to have them. He also called out specific Ethereum infrastructure projects where this approach is already being attempted. One of them is Arklib, which is working toward a fully formally verified STARK implementation. Another is evm-asm, which is building an EVM written in low-level RISC-V assembly and verifying its correctness against a human-readable reference implementation. On the question of which AI models are actually useful for this, Buterin said he found Claude and Deepseek 4 Pro both sufficient for writing Lean proofs. He also flagged Leanstral, a smaller open-weights model fine-tuned specifically for Lean, as capable of running locally and outperforming much larger general-purpose models on formal verification benchmarks. But There Are Limitations Despite his enthusiasm for formal verification, Buterin also devoted a substantial part of his essay to explaining the ways it has failed in practice. This includes bugs in verified compilers; libraries where only part of the code was proven, and the unproven parts turned out to be the problem; and specifications that were technically proven but simply did not capture what the developer actually wanted to guarantee. However, his broader framing is that formal verification is not a replacement for all security practices but one powerful tool in a longer-running trend toward fewer bugs per line of code. The background is relevant here, considering that on the day Buterin’s post appeared, the crypto sector was reeling from a third major exploit in just four days after a hacker made off with more than $76 million worth of crypto from the cross-chain bridge of the Echo Protocol. Days earlier, reports emerged regarding a hack on THORChain, which cost the platform more than $10 million. Another attack happened after that one, targeting the Verus-Ethereum Bridge, whereby a hacker took advantage of the lack of a validation check to steal $11.58 million. That is the kind of specific, localized flaw that a formal proof check may have caught. The post Vitalik Buterin Says AI Could Strengthen Crypto Security appeared first on CryptoPotato .

19 May 2026, 18:45

Google’s Gmail Live lets you talk to your inbox — here’s how it works

BitcoinWorld Google’s Gmail Live lets you talk to your inbox — here’s how it works Google is expanding its artificial intelligence integration into Gmail with a new feature called Gmail Live, allowing users to search and interact with their inbox using natural spoken language. Announced during the company’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, the tool is designed to surface information buried in emails without requiring precise keyword searches. What Gmail Live does differently Instead of typing fragmented search terms into Gmail’s traditional search bar, users can ask conversational questions aloud. For example, “What time is my dentist appointment next Tuesday?” or “What’s the door code for the Airbnb in Portland?” The AI, powered by Google’s Gemini model, can interpret context, handle follow-up questions, and pivot between unrelated topics mid-conversation. Devanshi Bhandari, product lead for Gmail, demonstrated the feature during a press briefing ahead of Google I/O. In the demo, Gmail Live correctly distinguished between a child’s “field trip” and a separate personal “trip” to Detroit, pulling relevant flight and hotel details from different emails. The system also inferred room numbers and identified people mentioned indirectly in messages. Voice search comes to Google Keep too Google confirmed that similar voice-powered AI capabilities are also coming to Google Keep, its note-taking and to-do list app. This suggests a broader strategy to embed conversational AI across Google’s productivity ecosystem, not just email. Why this matters for everyday users For many people, searching through years of accumulated emails remains a frustrating experience. Traditional Gmail search often returns cluttered results, especially when keywords appear across multiple threads. Gmail Live aims to solve this by understanding intent rather than matching exact words. The feature is particularly useful for travelers, busy professionals, and anyone managing family logistics through email. Google is positioning this as a practical, low-stakes use case for AI at a time when public skepticism about the technology’s real-world value is growing. By making inbox search faster and more intuitive, the company hopes to demonstrate tangible benefits that go beyond novelty. Not replacing traditional search — yet Importantly, Gmail Live is not replacing Gmail’s existing search functionality. Users can still type queries manually. This cautious rollout may reflect lessons learned from Google Photos, where an AI-only search overhaul generated significant backlash and was later made optional. Google appears to be offering voice search as an alternative rather than a forced upgrade. Availability and rollout timeline Gmail Live will begin rolling out later in summer 2026. Initially, it will be limited to Google One AI Ultra subscribers, the company’s highest-tier AI plan. The broader AI Inbox experience — which provides a summary view of tasks and unread items — will expand to Google One AI Pro and Plus subscribers around the same time. Google has not yet announced pricing for the Ultra tier or confirmed whether the feature will eventually reach free Gmail accounts. Additional Gmail updates Beyond voice search, Google is introducing several other Gmail enhancements: ready-to-send AI-generated drafts, instant file access from within the inbox, and the ability to mark individual to-do items as completed directly from the email view. Conclusion Gmail Live represents a meaningful step in making AI feel less like a gimmick and more like a utility. By solving a common pain point — finding specific information in a crowded inbox — Google is betting that natural language voice search will become a habit for millions of users. The summer rollout will test whether that bet pays off. FAQs Q1: Is Gmail Live free? No. Initially, Gmail Live is available only to Google One AI Ultra subscribers. Pricing for the Ultra tier has not been announced, but lower-tier Pro and Plus subscribers will gain access to the broader AI Inbox feature. Q2: Can I still use regular Gmail search? Yes. Gmail Live is an optional voice-based interface that works alongside the existing text search. Users can choose either method. Q3: When will Gmail Live launch? Google plans to roll out Gmail Live in summer 2026, starting with AI Ultra subscribers. A wider rollout timeline has not been confirmed. This post Google’s Gmail Live lets you talk to your inbox — here’s how it works first appeared on BitcoinWorld .