InnovationSoftwareTechnology

Bitcoin’s New Protocol Aims to Simplify Payments and Expand Financial Use Cases

A new Bitcoin protocol called Arkade has entered public beta, promising to combine Bitcoin’s decentralization with user-friendly payment experiences. The protocol also enables decentralized finance functionality previously associated with alternative cryptocurrency networks. Early ecosystem partners include major Bitcoin exchanges and wallet providers.

New Bitcoin Protocol Launches in Public Beta

Ark Labs has reportedly launched the public beta of Arkade, a new upper-layer network protocol built on Bitcoin’s base blockchain, according to industry reports. Sources indicate this represents the most significant Bitcoin protocol rollout since the Lightning Network debuted in 2018, particularly appealing to Bitcoin purists seeking expanded functionality while maintaining core blockchain principles.

AISoftwareStartups

AI Escrow Officer “Agent Avery” Aims to Transform Real Estate Transactions

Propy has unveiled Agent Avery, an AI escrow officer designed to automate the entire real estate closing process. The company reportedly plans to acquire title firms nationwide and retrofit them with blockchain and AI technology, potentially revolutionizing how properties change hands.

AI Enters Real Estate Closing Process

In what analysts suggest could be a transformative moment for property transactions, Propy has launched what it describes as the first AI escrow officer capable of managing real estate closings. According to reports, the company is backing this innovation with a $100 million expansion plan targeting the fragmented U.S. title industry.

BlockchainCybersecurity

Hackers Weaponize Public Blockchains for Indestructible Malware Distribution

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a sophisticated attack method where hackers embed malicious code directly into blockchain smart contracts. This technique creates nearly indestructible malware distribution channels that evade traditional security measures.

Blockchain Technology Repurposed for Cyberattacks

According to reports from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, hackers are exploiting the fundamental properties of public blockchain networks to create resilient malware distribution systems that security teams cannot dismantle. The technique, which researchers call EtherHiding, represents what analysts describe as next-generation bulletproof hosting that leverages the immutable nature of distributed ledger technology.