Security experts have discovered a group of harmful extensions in the Visual Studio Code (VSCode) marketplace that are targeting software developers and cryptocurrency enthusiasts with sophisticated attacks designed to compromise their systems and steal sensitive data. The attackers have created their extensions to appear legitimate by using fake reviews, linking to reputable repositories, and inflating download counts. Investigations have shown that this malicious activity is part of a larger campaign aimed at developers working in blockchain and cryptocurrency environments. Malicious VSCode extensions can pose a direct threat to users storing cryptocurrency on desktop wallets by logging keystrokes, intercepting clipboard activity, and injecting phishing-style prompts. It is crucial for users to be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions to safeguard their cryptocurrency.

Financial technology platform, ChainwireKAST, has raised $10 million in seed funding led by HongShan Capital Group and Peak XV Partners. The platform offers payment cards and USD-denominated accounts to users in over 150 countries, as well as the ability to send and receive cash. KAST aims to launch savings and remittance products without the need to use fiat currency. Stablecoins are predicted to have over 1 billion users and a supply exceeding $1 trillion by 2030, making KAST's use of stablecoin technology a promising investment.

Franzi, a cleaning robot, has been employed by a Munich hospital to not only keep the floors clean but also to uplift patients and staff during the pandemic. The UCL Dawes Centre for Future Crime recently held a seminar on the future of crime, focusing on robots and social robots. The article highlights concerns about socially intelligent robots potentially creating new forms of crime that are not yet covered by legal frameworks, as well as the possibility of abuse when robots interact with vulnerable humans. While advanced technologies like robots and drones have potential for exploration, surveillance, and protection, they can also be misused for criminal activities.

The US stock market is currently at a historic high, but a potential "diplomatic crash" could occur due to the Trump presidency's acceleration of a multipolar world. This could devalue diplomatic investments made by countries, such as the "special relationship" between the UK and the US, which may be at a historic low. Ireland may also suffer a diplomatic crash due to the potential ineffectiveness of the UN in dispute resolution and the changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. A market crash in finance can cause investors to become risk averse and retreat to safe assets, which may also happen in diplomacy, leading to a less engaged diplomatic world and a disregard for international law.

Nvidia Corp. is scheduled to release its earnings report on Wednesday after the market closes. The company's stock has reached a record high of $149.77/share in 2024 and is currently trading near $145. Analysts predict that the company will report a profit of $0.74/share on $32.81 billion in revenue, while the Whisper number is a profit of $0.78/share. Nvidia's earnings have grown significantly in recent years, largely due to strong demand for its A.I. and crypto-related chips.

The article discusses Nvidia's dominant position in the tech sector, with its stock up 200% year-to-date in 2024 and consistently outperforming. The company offers graphics, compute, and networking solutions for various markets and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The author advises keeping an eye on how the stock reacts to news.

Nvidia Corporation provides products for gaming, professional visualization, data center, and automotive markets. Their products are sold to various types of companies, including original equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and cloud service providers. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in Santa Clara, California. It is important to observe how the market and the company react to news during earnings season. The author discloses that they have a position in NVDA and that the stock has been featured on FindLeadingStocks.com.

Gemini has launched its services in France, allowing users to deposit, trade and store digital assets. This move comes ahead of the implementation of EU's MiCA regulations, which will enable registered companies to expand their services across the trading bloc. The Gemini crypto exchange has opened up to users in France, paving the way for a potential expansion across the 27-nation trading bloc.

President Donald Trump received significant financial backing from the cryptocurrency industry, promising to make the US the "crypto capital of the world" and receiving over $135 million in campaign contributions. However, fulfilling these promises may prove difficult due to legal constraints, bureaucratic inertia, and navigating a complex governance process. Trump's pledge to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler on "day one" is legally impossible, and acting appointments may lack the legitimacy and authority needed for lasting reforms. Alternative strategies, such as appointing crypto-friendly commissioners, proposing legislative reforms, and promoting regulatory experimentation, may be necessary to implement Trump's crypto agenda. The crypto industry may face frustration as regulatory processes often take longer than expected, requiring consideration of feedback and legal scrutiny.

Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced enhanced ByVotes features that empower the community and builders. ByVotes offers benefits for both voters and project teams, providing a more rewarding way to support projects on Bybit's Spot exchange while empowering budding crypto entrepreneurs. ByVotes' simple mechanisms and clear rewards system encourage closer bonds between stakeholders in the crypto ecosystem and project teams. The upgraded version adds dimensions to the listing criteria and introduces more community elements and rewards. Voting is now open for NEIROCTO fans who want to help it reach "listed" status on Bybit's Spot exchange.

Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, has won the Arizona Senate seat, defeating Republican Kari Lake. Although the Democrats lost control of the Senate in the 2024 election, Gallego's victory helped to mitigate some of the losses. Republicans will have control of 53 seats for the next two years, having won Pennsylvania, Ohio, Montana, and West Virginia in the recent election. Gallego received $10 million in support from Fairshake, a crypto-focused super political action committee, and was predicted to win by both prediction markets and polling.

The Republicans are expected to maintain control of the United States House, thus gaining complete control of the government after winning the Senate and the presidency. Decision Desk HQ has projected that the GOP will win the 218 seats needed for a majority, with only eight seats left to call. The new Congress and White House will not take over until January 2021, marking the first time the Republicans have held a government trifecta since 2019. Two Republican-backed crypto bills have been stalled in Congress but may have a chance to progress next year with the most pro-crypto Congress ever expected to take office.