The adoption of TEEs in crypto is accelerating. But what does this technology truly offer? Amid growing interest in practical ways to scale and safeguard blockchains, hardware‑based approaches are coming into focus. The role of Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) in blockchain systems has gradually expanded from privacy-preserving projects to applications that improve scalability and enable secure offchain computation. Currently, over 50 teams are working on TEE-based blockchain projects. In this article, Cointelegraph Research explores the technical foundations of TEEs in blockchain systems and examines key use cases of this technology. Most blockchain technology relies on cryptography and distributed computing to maintain security. TEEs add a different approach, namely, hardware-level trust. A Trusted Execution Environment is an isolated area within a device processor that is designed to keep data and code tamper-proof and confidential during execution. The resulting secure enclave is inaccessible to the ...
The European Union is looking to block Russian crypto transactions, marking the first time that sanctions have directly targeted cryptocurrency platforms. The European Union will include cryptocurrency platforms in its latest financial sanctions against Russia, marking the first time digital asset services have been directly targeted. The measures, part of the bloc’s 19th sanctions package, prohibit all cryptocurrency transactions for Russian residents and restrict dealings with foreign banks tied to Russia’s alternative payment systems, according to a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen published Friday. The package also seeks to block transactions with entities operating in Russian special economic zones. Read more
Bitcoin’s price pumped on news that the US Federal Reserve would cut rates by one quarter of a point. Crypto markets are up after the US Federal Reserve cut rates. But in other parts of the world, the picture isn’t so rosy. Thai bank customers are experiencing massive bank lockouts, and France says it could block companies operating on crypto licenses obtained in other parts of the European Union. Meanwhile, in Australia, securities regulators have made things easier for stablecoin distributors by scrapping a license requirement. Read more