Northern Data, which is majority-owned by Tether, sold its Bitcoin mining arm to businesses owned by Tether executives, the Financial Times reports. The Tether-backed data centre operator Northern Data reportedly sold its Bitcoin mining business, Peak Mining, to three companies run by Tether executives. Northern Data was sold for up to $200 million to Highland Group Mining, Appalachian Energy, and an Alberta-based company, run by Giancarlo Devasini, Tether co-founder and chair, and its CEO, Paolo Ardoino, the Financial Times reported on Friday. Filings reportedly show that Highland Group’s directors are Devasini and Ardoino, and the sole director of the Alberta company is Devasini, while it remains unclear who runs Delaware-based Appalachian Energy. Read more
Lawmakers led by Republican Mike Carey argue that current IRS rules penalize stakers with an administrative burden and potentially over-tax unrealized gains. A group of 18 bipartisan US House lawmakers is pushing the country’s tax agency to review its rules on crypto staking taxes before the start of 2026. In a letter sent to Internal Revenue Service acting commissioner Scott Bessent on Friday, the lawmakers, led by Republican Mike Carey, asked for a review and update guidance on “burdensome” crypto staking tax laws. “This letter is simply requesting fair tax treatment for digital assets and ending the double taxation of staking rewards is a big step in the right direction,” Carey said. Read more
Kaspersky found a new malware, dubbed Stealka, that disguises itself as game mods and pirated software to steal crypto wallets, passwords, and browser data. New malware has been discovered that targets crypto wallets and browser extensions while disguising itself as game cheats and mods, said cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. Kaspersky reported on Thursday that it had uncovered a new infostealer dubbed “Stealka,” which targets Microsoft Windows user data. Attackers have used the malware, which was discovered in November, to hijack accounts, steal cryptocurrency, and install crypto miners on their victims’ computers while masquerading as video game cracks, cheats, and mods. Read more