Bitcoin Daily: Bitcoin ATM Installations Approach 10K Globally; Homeland Security Runs Contest For Digital Wallet Development

Bitcoin Daily: Two Russians Allegedly Spoofed Websites To Steal Crypto

Two individuals from Russia who were recently sanctioned by the Treasury Department purportedly put into place copycat websites for cryptocurrency exchanges that that tricked people into providing login information, CoinDesk reported. After that time, they purportedly stole ether, bitcoin and NEO to the tune of $20 million. Most of the funds reportedly arrived in one of the individual’s accounts. A forfeiture complaint for digital currency funds that were confiscated in the past outlined the purported thefts, target exchanges and marks of the two individuals.

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    In separate news, the overall count of bitcoin automated teller machines (ATMs) approached 10,000 at the beginning of September, aksjebloggen.com reported. There were 9,680 bitcoin ATMs as of the start of the month, marking a 167 percent year-on-year rise. The site reported that 1,932 BTMs were in the world in December 2017, while there were 4,009 by the close of 2018. Countries with the most sizable count of BTMs are developed nations like Britain, Canada and the United States. But they have grown in popularity in markets that are not stable. There, people need to change a nation’s money for cryptocurrency that isn’t regulated by a government or connected with it.

    On another note, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is running a contest for the development of a digital wallet, CoinDesk reported. S&T has discovered and backed blockchain firms via the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) for a long time, but the contest is said to be the first time it’s taken a design challenge to the general populace as it is currently doing. S&T Prize Program Manager Kathleen Kenyon told the outlet, “We’re trying to reach that freelance designer.” Prizes of $25,000 are for the taking with the new challenge, and contenders can apply up to Oct. 15, while finalists in the first phase will be announced on Oct. 27 at a digital event.


    CarParts.Com leverages App and Paid Memberships While Exploring Potential Sale

    CarParts.com CEO David Meniane led the company’s Tuesday (Aug. 12) earnings call by saying that it remains engaged in exploring strategic alternatives and is “highly confident” that it is nearing completion of this process.

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      “We’re currently evaluating several different transaction structures, including a potential sale of the company and strategic investments that we believe have the potential to strengthen our capabilities and unlock new growth,” Meniane said.

      Meniane added that there is no certainty that the company will complete a deal.

      CarParts.com announced in a March 5 press release that it was exploring strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company, to “maximize value for our shareholders.”

      In the meantime, CarParts.com is pursuing strategic initiatives to boost the company’s value, Meniane said Tuesday.

      The company achieved positive adjusted EBITDA in June and delivered second-quarter results that showed improvement over the previous quarter, Meniane said.

      Meniane attributed the improved results to the company’s mobile app surpassing 1 million users and accounting for 12% of eCommerce revenues; services like products and shipping protection, paid memberships and roadside assistance contributing high-margin fee income; and its eCommerce and mobile app product roadmap delivering improvements in conversion rates, units per order and average order value.

      For the remainder of the year, CarParts.com is focused on expanding its product offering, generating high-margin fee income, scaling its B2B offering, continuing to grow its mobile app business and managing cash flow and inventory levels, Meniane said.

      “We know this transformation is a multiyear effort,” Meniane said. “We’re focused on rebuilding the core foundation of CarParts.com, one that can scale, innovate and deliver a seamless, high-quality customer experience, while driving greater discipline in both our cost structure and capital deployment.”

      Meniane also highlighted challenges faced by CarParts.com. These include noncompliant products imported from China driving a “race to the bottom,” tariffs and inflation weighing on consumer demand, and the macroeconomic environment requiring the company to seek new opportunities for growth.

      “As we progress through the remainder of the year, we’ll continue to navigate a dynamic macro environment, including ongoing tariff and impact and pricing volatility, with discipline and agility,” Meniane said. “Our focus remains on profitable growth, anchored by the strong foundation we’ve built.”