Bitcoin Gets a Decentralized File-Hosting Service

A Bitcoin developer has introduced a new decentralized file hosting solution that offers an alternative fee model to existing solutions that have run into “computational overhead” issues.

On Nov. 12, Robin Linus — a developer at Bitcoin zero-knowledge proofs creator ZeroSync — published the “BitStream: Decentralized File Hosting Incentivised via Bitcoin Payments” white paper.

Linus explained that Bitcoin-based atomic swaps for files would enable the open market for content hosting in which anyone can “monetize their excess bandwidth and data storage capacities.”

Decentralized file hosting networks are alternatives to centralized solutions like Google Cloud, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox. It typically involves splicing data into tiny pieces and storing it on nodes linked to a subset of computers or nodes.

BitStream is looking to offer a better revenue model than existing solutions with a decentralized structure, Linus said.

He pointed out a flaw in the file hosting service used by the decentralized social media platform Nostr, claiming that its fee model burdens the network.

“Users are paying to upload their data, so servers are not paid per download. If a server fulfills too many download requests from various users, then the server can become overwhelmed from the bandwidth costs outweighing their earnings.”

Linus argues that a pay-to-download approach will instead enable a server’s revenue to scale while the social media platform grows which he claimed would create a “balanced and profitable ecosystem.”

Compatible payment systems like the Lightning Network, Ecash, and other systems that support hash-timelock contracts will be able to implement BitStream, Linus noted.

$27 million in stablecoins drained in alleged hack

A cryptocurrency wallet tied to Binance allegedly lost $27 million in Tether (USDT) on Nov. 11, according to on-chain analyst ZachXBT.

The crypto sleuth isn’t sure if it was a planned hack but noted the recipient wasted no time transferring USDT to Ether (ETH) and then transferring to noncustodial exchanges like FixedFloat and ChangeNow before bridging the funds to Bitcoin (BTC) via THORChain.

The recipient transferred $2.7 million to 10 new addresses within eight minutes of the alleged exploit, according to Etherscan. The first transfer was made in less than two minutes.

Etherscan data also shows the alleged victim received $26 million from “Binance 16” — one of Binance’s hot wallets — on Nov. 5.

Onlookers such as X (Twitter) user “Cashyol” pondered if a Binance team member was hacked or if Binance’s systems were compromised. Others noted the alleged victim put themselves in a vulnerable position by storing $27 million worth of USDT in a hot wallet.

Ransomware attack forces bank to use USBs for trading

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) suffered a ransomware attack on Nov. 9 which prevented it from clearing swathes of United States Treasury trades in its typical fashion, instead forcing it to use USBs.

The operational change was part of an effort to limit the damage done by cybercrime organization Lockbit, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 11. Lockbit confirmed it was the perpetrator behind the ICBC attack, according to Reuters.

The incident impacted ICBC’s United States unit, according to Bloomberg.

Ransomware groups like Lockbit continue to instill fear in many large banks worldwide, said Marcus Murray, the founder of Swedish cybersecurity firm Truesec.

Other News

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