Latest PIVX Medium

Aussie Ransomware Victims Now Forced to Confess Payments

Following legislation enacted last Friday, Australian victims of ransomware attacks are now legally required to declare any payments made to cyber criminals.

The new mandate is not universal but targets organizations with an annual turnover of over AUS $3 million and a select group of entities operating within vital critical infrastructure sectors. Notably, the threshold is expected to encompass approximately 6.5% of all registered businesses in Australia, collectively representing roughly half of the nation’s economic activity.

These designated entities are now obligated to report any ransomware payments to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) within a tight 72-hour window. Failure to comply could result in substantial penalties.

However, the government will focus on extreme cases for a start and engage with other victims until next year when a stricter regulatory stance will be adopted.

The primary driver behind the legislation is the need for enhanced visibility into the ransomware threat landscape. Until now, reporting such incidents and payments has largely been voluntary, leading to a significant underestimation of the true scale and financial impact of these cyberattacks. “Current voluntary reporting mechanisms are underutilised and consequently, ransomware and cyber extortion attacks remain significantly underreported,” the Australian government highlighted when the bill was first proposed last year.

Data from the Australian Institute of Criminology suggests that only one in five victims of a ransomware attack report the incident.

The rule follows a series of high-profile cyberattacks that have plagued Australian private businesses, including major breaches affecting Optus, Medibank, and MediSecure, pushing cybersecurity to the forefront of the national political agenda.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

Aussie Ransomware Victims Now Forced to Confess Payments was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Understanding and Mitigating Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

Compared to 10–15 years ago, cybercriminals have gotten pretty crafty. Gone are the days when hackers only tried to break through firewalls with brute force attacks. Today’s cybercriminals are exploiting the human element. And that’s where phishing and social engineering come into play, and honestly, they’re becoming the go-to methods for digital bad actors worldwide.

Do you know that nearly 60% of organizations globally experienced a ransomware attack in 2024, with over 90% of businesses experiencing a phishing attack in the same year?

Social Engineering: The Art of Human Manipulation

Social engineering is psychological manipulation designed to trick people into giving away confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. It is actually a broad term that includes things like ransomware attacks, phishing, whaling, smishing, and scareware, among others.

These attacks work because they exploit fundamental human traits — our desire to be helpful, our tendency to trust authority figures, and our fear of getting in trouble. Social engineers are like digital con artists who study human psychology to make their scams more effective.

Phishing: The Digital Bait and Switch

Think of phishing as the online equivalent of a con artist pretending to be someone they’re not. These attacks typically involve sending fake emails, texts, or creating bogus websites that look legitimate — like they’re from your bank, favorite shopping site, or even your workplace.

The goal is to get you to hand over sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.

The name “phishing” is a play on “fishing” — because these attackers are essentially casting a wide net hoping to catch unsuspecting victims. Pretty clever wordplay for criminals, right?

The Many Faces of Digital Deception

Email Phishing: The Classic Approach

This is probably what most people think of when they hear “phishing.” You get an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate source — maybe your bank saying there’s a problem with your account, or a shipping company claiming they couldn’t deliver a package. The email usually contains a link to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.

What makes these particularly tricky is how authentic they can look. Modern phishing emails often use official logos, proper formatting, and even mimic the writing style of legitimate companies.

Phishing emails are alarmingly effective. You may be surprised to learn that the median time for users to be compromised is under one minute.

Spear Phishing: The Targeted Strike

While regular phishing casts a wide net, spear phishing is more like using a sniper rifle. These attacks target specific individuals or organizations and are highly personalized. The attacker might spend weeks researching their target, gathering information from social media, company websites, and public records to craft a convincing message.

For example, they might send an email to a company’s CFO that appears to be from the CEO, requesting an urgent wire transfer. Because the email includes personal details and company-specific information, it seems legitimate.

Whaling: Going After the Big Fish

Whaling is spear phishing aimed at high-profile targets such as CEOs, politicians, or celebrities. The attacks are often extremely sophisticated because the potential payoff is huge. A successful whaling attack might give criminals access to an entire company’s financial systems or sensitive government information.

In the fall of 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment suffered a devastating phishing attack initiated the previous year. Hackers, impersonating Apple, sent emails to top executives containing a malicious link that prompted them to enter their Apple ID credentials. These stolen credentials were then used to gain employee login information and deploy “Wiper” malware, ultimately crippling Sony’s network, leading to the theft of over 100 terabytes of sensitive data, and costing the company over $100 million.

Vishing: Phishing Over the Phone

Voice phishing, or “vishing,” involves phone calls instead of emails. The caller might pretend to be from your bank’s fraud department, claiming they’ve detected suspicious activity on your account. They’ll then ask you to “verify” your account information, including passwords or PINs.

These calls can be particularly convincing because the caller might already have some of your personal information (obtained from data breaches or public records), making their story seem credible.

Smishing: SMS-Based Attacks

With smishing (SMS phishing), attackers send text messages containing malicious links or requesting personal information. These might look like package delivery notifications, bank alerts, or even COVID-related health updates. Since people tend to trust text messages more than emails, smishing can be surprisingly effective.

Pretexting: Creating False Scenarios

Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario to engage with victims and steal their information. The attacker might pose as a coworker, IT support person, or customer service representative. They’ll create a believable story about why they need your information — maybe they’re “updating the system” or “verifying your account for security purposes.”

Baiting: Offering Something Too Good to Refuse

Baiting attacks offer something enticing to spark curiosity or greed. This could be a free USB drive in a parking lot (loaded with malware), a too-good-to-be-true online deal, or a “free” software download. The bait hooks victims into taking actions that compromise their security.

Why Do Social Engineering Attacks Work So Well?

We’re Wired to Trust

Humans are generally trusting creatures — it’s how we function in society. We assume that the person calling from “the bank” actually works there, or that the urgent email from our “boss” is legitimate. Attackers exploit this natural tendency to trust authority figures and familiar brands.

Information Overload

In our fast-paced digital world, we are constantly bombarded with emails, messages, and notifications. When rushing through our inbox, it’s easy to miss the subtle signs that something might be a scam. Attackers count on this — they know that busy people are more likely to click first and think later.

Fear and Urgency

Many successful attacks create a sense of urgency or fear. “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!” or “Suspicious activity detected — act now!” They pressure people into making quick decisions without thinking things through.

Social Media Intelligence

Social engineering attacks have become more sophisticated partly because there’s so much personal information available online. A quick scan of your social media profiles can reveal your employer, family members, hobbies, and recent activities — all valuable information for crafting a convincing attack.

Red Flags: Spotting the Scams

Email Warning Signs

Keep an eye out for generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name. Legitimate companies usually personalize their communications. Also, watch for urgent language, threatening consequences, and requests for sensitive information via email — real companies rarely ask for passwords or account numbers through email.

Check the sender’s email address carefully. Scammers often use addresses that look similar to legitimate ones but have subtle differences — like using “arnazon.com” instead of “amazon.com” or adding extra characters.

Too Good to Be True Offers

If someone is offering you something that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Whether it’s a “Nigerian prince” wanting to share his fortune or a “limited time offer” for a luxury item at 90% off, extreme offers should trigger your skepticism.

Pressure Tactics

Legitimate businesses don’t typically pressure you into immediate action with threats. If someone is insisting that you must act “right now” or face dire consequences, take a step back and verify their claims through official channels.

Be also wary of any unsolicited request for personal information, especially passwords, Social Security numbers, or financial details. Legitimate organizations have secure ways of handling this information and won’t ask for it through email or unsolicited phone calls.

Building Your Defense Strategy

Email Security Best Practices

First, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your important accounts. Even if someone gets your password, they’ll still need access to your phone or authentication app to get in. It’s like having a deadbolt in addition to your regular door lock.

Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them all. I know it seems like a hassle, but it’s much less hassle than dealing with a compromised account.

Be cautious with email attachments and links. If you receive an unexpected attachment, even from someone you know, verify it’s legitimate before opening it. When in doubt, contact the sender through a different communication method to confirm they actually sent it.

Verification Procedures

Develop a habit of verifying suspicious communications through independent channels. If you get an email claiming to be from your bank, don’t click the links in the email. Instead, go directly to your bank’s website or call the number on your credit card to verify the communication.

This independent verification is crucial for phone calls too. If someone calls claiming to be from a company and asks for personal information, hang up and call the company’s official number to verify the request.

Technical Safeguards

Keep your software updated. Those annoying update notifications exist for a reason — they often include security patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates when possible.

Use reputable antivirus software and email filters. These tools can catch many phishing attempts before they reach your inbox. However, don’t rely on them completely — human judgment is still your best defense.

Creating a Security-Conscious Culture

Whether at work or at home, foster an environment where it’s okay to be cautious and ask questions. Create a culture where “better safe than sorry” is the norm, not the exception. Encourage family members or colleagues to double-check suspicious communications rather than risking it.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org

Understanding and Mitigating Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Join our next Privacy Roundtable Event!

June 12th is the Day!

PIVX, Firo: Private cryptocurrency infrastructure, The Particl Project and BasicSwapDEX host the Private Roundtable with special guest Edge.

Topics:
Edge Wallet, and AI vs. scammers, social tricks, and attacks; local AI boosts privacy
Time:
June 12th, 09:00 am EDT
Xspace link:
https://x.com/i/spaces/1PlKQMXVmqdKE

We are so excited! Can’t wait to see you there.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org

Join our next Privacy Roundtable Event! was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 23rd, 2025 — May 29th, 2025)

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 23rd, 2025 — May 29th, 2025)

Stay in the loop with your weekly PIVX update! Get insights into market trends and discover what’s new with the community.

Market Pulse

• Masternode Count: The number of active PIVX masternodes currently stands at 2,088, a small decrease from last week’s total of 2,121. It looks like a few masternodes have gone offline in the past week.

• Price Check: The Daily USD Value of PIVX experienced a further decline this week, with daily prices ranging between $0.14 and $0.15. The weekly average settled at $0.15, down from last week’s $0.1609. While the precise reason for this sharper drop isn’t fully clear, it likely reflects the broader volatility in the crypto market, as assets like Bitcoin also saw losses of over 4% in the last seven days.

• Trading Buzz: Amidst a growing bearish sentiment among traders, PIVX’s total weekly trading volume saw a further dip, decreasing from $13.4 million to approximately $12.9 million. Nevertheless, daily trading activity remained robust, consistently exceeding $1.5 million.
• New Listings: Despite weakening prices and market action, the PIVX team continues its strong development push. This past week saw PIVX land new listings on both ExPlace and Intercambio. Furthermore, the integration with Edge Wallet is complete, enabling users to seamlessly store, send, and receive PIV coins through the Edge wallet.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 23rd, 2025 — May 29th, 2025) was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Beyond KYC: Is Your Bank Spying on Your Couch Cushions?

Imagine waking up to a message from your bank asking you to explain the source of your wealth and why you held cash at home. You’d probably shove this off as one of those phishing emails but this wasn’t the case for Louis Christopher, a respected property researcher.

Back in April, SQM Research managing director Christopher received an email from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) threatening to close his long-term account unless he updated his personal information. While this may be considered a routine KYC procedure, the bank demanded extensive personal information, including details about his source of wealth and the reason for holding cash outside the financial institution.

The email reportedly warned of account restrictions or closure if he failed to comply. Initially fearing a scam, Christopher confirmed the authenticity of the request directly with the bank, only to find the questions genuine and far-reaching. The case has brought to light the increasing intrusiveness of “Know Your Customer” (KYC) requirements and raised serious questions about privacy, financial autonomy, and the evolving relationship between Australians and their banks.

Although Australian banks are legally bound by the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Act 2006, enforced by AUSTRAC, to collect and verify customer information, the depth and nature of CBA’s inquiry have been met with widespread public backlash. Many view the demand to explain personal cash holdings as an overreach, blurring the lines between legitimate financial oversight and an invasion of privacy.

A CBA spokesperson stated that these measures are designed to deter fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing, and that having up-to-date customer details helps protect them. However, critics, including Christopher, argue that such aggressive interpretations of AML/CTF obligations can feel disproportionate and lack common sense, especially for customers with long and unremarkable banking histories. Christopher reportedly asserted that how he generates his wealth is his business unless there is a genuine suspicion of wrongdoing, which should warrant a court order.

This incident is not isolated. Social media has been abuzz with similar experiences from other customers reporting comparable demands from various Australian banks, with some even having accounts frozen after providing what were deemed “ambiguous” answers or missing emails. The consequences of non-compliance can be severe, ranging from restricted access to accounts to outright closure, which can significantly disrupt daily life for individuals relying on their banking services.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

Beyond KYC: Is Your Bank Spying on Your Couch Cushions? was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Do I need a VPN?

Ever tried to access a website, only to be blocked by a message saying it’s unavailable in your region? While a VPN can help you bypass those digital “brick walls,” its benefits stretch far beyond just accessing restricted content. It’s a powerful tool offering significant protection and flexibility for all your online activities. So, the real question is: Do you really need a VPN?

Read on to discover what a VPN is, its pros and cons, and when one is needed.

What Is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a tool that protects your online privacy. It creates a secure encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. When you connect to a VPN, all your internet traffic is routed through this encrypted tunnel before reaching its destination.

To keep things simple, there is a four-step process whenever you use a VPN — encryption, tunnelling, IP masking, and decryption.

• Encryption: When you connect to a VPN, all data leaving your device is immediately encrypted. This scrambles your information into an unreadable code, making it indecipherable to anyone who might intercept it.
• Tunneling: Your encrypted data then travels through a “tunnel” (the virtual private network) to the VPN server.
• IP Masking: The VPN server acts as an intermediary. Your original IP address is hidden, and your online activity appears to originate from the VPN server’s IP address. This effectively masks your real location and identity.
• Decryption: The VPN server decrypts your data and sends it to its intended destination (e.g., a website). When the website sends data back, it goes to the VPN server, which encrypts it again and sends it back through the tunnel to your device for decryption.

Pros of Using a VPN

Enhanced Security, Especially on Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks in cafes, airports, hotels, or libraries are notoriously insecure. They are often unencrypted, making it easy for cybercriminals to intercept your data through “man-in-the-middle” attacks or by setting up “evil twin” networks. A VPN encrypts your connection, making your data unreadable to anyone else on the same network.

Protecting Your Online Privacy

Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can typically see and log your browsing history, online activities, and even sell this data to third parties. A VPN encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address, preventing your ISP from monitoring your online behavior. This also shields you from targeted advertising based on your browsing habits and makes it significantly harder for websites and other entities to track your online footprint.

Bypassing Geo-Restrictions and Censorship

One of the main reasons why people use VPNs is to circumvent geographic restrictions. It’s no news that many streaming services and online content are geo-restricted, meaning they are only accessible from specific geographic locations. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, you can effectively “spoof” your location and gain access to content that would otherwise be unavailable. This is crucial for individuals living in countries with strict internet censorship, allowing them to bypass government firewalls and access a free and open internet.

Avoiding Censorship and Content Blocking

Speaking of internet censorship, in countries or organizations with restrictive network policies, VPNs can help bypass these limitations. By routing your traffic through servers in different locations, you may be able to access blocked websites and services. However, it’s important to note that using VPNs to circumvent restrictions may violate local laws or organizational policies.

Cons of Using a VPN

Reduced Internet Speed

The encryption process and the routing of your traffic through a remote server can introduce some latency and reduce your internet speed. The extent of this slowdown depends on the VPN provider’s server quality, the distance to the server, and the encryption protocols used.

High Cost

I’ll tell you for free, quality VPN services typically come with a subscription fee. While free VPNs exist, they often come with limitations such as data caps, slower speeds, intrusive ads, and, most critically, may compromise your privacy by logging and selling your data. The saying “if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product” often applies to free VPN services.

Not a Catch-All Security Solution

A VPN enhances your privacy and security online, but it’s not a silver bullet. It won’t protect you from malware, phishing scams, or viruses. Good cybersecurity practices, including strong passwords, antivirus software, and cautious clicking, remain essential.

Security Breaches

VPNs are not infallible. Research from Specops claimed that over 2 million VPN passwords were stolen in 2024. You are essentially routing all your internet traffic through the VPN provider’s servers. That said, choosing a reputable VPN provider with a strong “no-logs” policy and a proven track record of security and transparency is crucial.

Do I Need a VPN?

Given the pros and cons, there are specific scenarios where VPNs are highly recommended. For instance, a VPN is a must if you regularly work from coffee shops, airports, hotels, or other locations with public Wi-Fi. The security risks of unsecured public networks are significant, and a VPN provides essential protection for your sensitive data.

Similarly, if you live in or frequently visit countries with strict internet censorship, government surveillance, or limited access to global content, a VPN can be an essential tool for maintaining internet freedom and accessing information. Other instances where you may need a VPN include access to sensitive information such as confidential work documents or banking details, anonymity during p2p file sharing, and access to greater online privacy.

Ultimately, the decision to use a VPN rests on your personal risk assessment and how much you value your digital footprint and freedom.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

Do I need a VPN? was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 16th, 2025 — May 22nd, 2025)

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 16th, 2025 — May 22nd, 2025)

Your weekly PIVX update is here! Get the latest on market activity and all things community.

Market Pulse

• Masternode Count: The number of active PIVX masternodes is currently 2,121. This represents a slight dip from last week’s total of 2,123.

• Price Check: The Daily USD Value of PIV saw a decline this week, fluctuating between $0.16 and $0.17. The weekly average price settled at $0.1609, a notable decrease from the previous week’s $0.1758. This downward swing occurred despite the generally bullish cryptocurrency market. However, looking at the broader picture, PIV remains up by over 20% on a month-on-month basis.

• Trading Buzz: The total weekly trading volume for PIVX saw a pullback this week, dropping from $16.5 million to approximately $13.4 million. While daily trading volume remained healthy, it occasionally dipped below the $2 million benchmark.
• New Listings: PIVX has continued to consolidate its presence and strengthen listing efforts under the leadership of Jeffrey, Head of Business Development. Over the past week, the leading privacy coin got listed on two new platforms — SecureShift and ChainSwap.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 16th, 2025 — May 22nd, 2025) was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

EU Court Declares Tracking-Based Ads Illegal

In a landmark ruling delivered last Wednesday, the Brussels Court of Appeal ruled that tracking-based online advertising was illegal, directly challenging the pervasive practices of tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and X across the European Union.

The decision pivots on the finding that the widely adopted consent mechanisms for this type of advertising fail to meet the rigorous standards set by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The court’s judgment specifically targets the Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF), a ubiquitous standard within the online advertising ecosystem. The TCF is designed to solicit user consent for the processing of their personal data for targeted advertising through a system known as Real-Time Bidding (RTB). In RTB, advertisers engage in lightning-fast auctions to display ads to specific users based on their digital footprint and inferred interests.

The court’s decision echoes the prior conclusions of the Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) from 2022, which determined that the technology underpinning tracking-based ads contravenes several core tenets of the GDPR. The fundamental issue, as the court affirmed, lies in the absence of genuine and informed consent from users. The prevalent pop-up consent requests, the court reasoned, fall short of providing adequate transparency or control regarding the collection and dissemination of user data among the myriad companies involved in the RTB process.

Hannah Storey, Amnesty International’s Policy Advisor on Technology and Human Rights, lauded the ruling as “a major win for the right to privacy and a clear message that the tech industry should move away from surveillance-based advertising to a more rights-respecting model.” She asserted that the current practice of amassing and processing personal data via the TCF is incompatible with the fundamental right to privacy.

Dr. Johnny Ryan, Director of Enforce at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, a key figure in the legal battle against the ad tech industry, asserted that the court’s decision “shows that the consent system used by Google, Amazon, X, Microsoft, deceives hundreds of millions of Europeans.” He contended that the tech industry has sought to mask a “vast data breach behind sham consent popups,” effectively turning the GDPR into an inconvenience rather than a safeguard for individuals.

While the EU court’s ruling marks a crucial victory for privacy advocates, the practical implementation and the response from the tech industry remain to be seen.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

EU Court Declares Tracking-Based Ads Illegal was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“The Future for Privacy Projects is Bright,” PIVX’s Business Dev Lead Asserts

With major shifts in regulatory landscapes and a growing awareness of digital privacy, the privacy coin market is poised for significant expansion. We speak with Jeffrey, the Head of Business Development at PIVX, to gain insights into their strategic vision, the key trends they anticipate, and how PIVX is positioning itself for robust growth in this evolving sector.

How do you see the privacy coin market evolving in the next 3–5 years? What key trends and challenges do you anticipate?

I believe we are now entering the stage of adoption in the privacy coin market. Major security breaches and recent crackdowns on privacy have sparked an interest in privacy and privacy coins.

Recently, Tornado Cash won a major legal battle for privacy in the USA, making people more comfortable with the idea of using obfuscation for funds. It is no longer perceived as a tool for criminals but as a tool to protect oneself from prying eyes. Privacy is a human right, and coins such as PIVX simply provide the tools to protect this right.

The biggest challenge to this is regulation at the moment. PIVX has overcome this by introducing exchange addresses to allow those who operate a business that requires transparency to only engage with transparent PIVX transactions.

There are also discussions with a few major cryptocurrencies to integrate privacy. I truly believe it will become the norm soon, as it’s simply the safest option for anyone. PIVX, being one of the first, has set a standard, and this is going to make PIVX shine especially with the optional privacy, which resolves many issues around regulation.

Ultimately, I believe the future for privacy projects is bright. Many of our new and upcoming partnerships have all embraced us and our privacy protocol. In the past, we faced scrutiny, but this is mostly not the case now, a clear indicator of privacy becoming a standard. I am excited for the future of PIVX in this sector.

Where do you believe PIVX currently stands in the market, and what are its biggest opportunities for growth?

PIVX dimmed out in recent years, largely due to the influx of memecoins. We also had a lack of funding and no dedicated business development activities. This has completely changed since the introduction of our new budget, which introduced new team members and roles.

Since taking on the role of business development head, we have successfully established major partnerships, such as NowPayments, Travala, Coinomi, as well as new exchange listings on top exchanges such as MEXC, Binance (USDT), BitMart, Lbank, and more. This shows major strength in a coin that was created at the beginning of the cryptocurrency cycle and will allow us to slowly but surely overcome all future challenges and to secure PIVX as a top privacy cryptocurrency.

Regarding our position from a technical standpoint, PIVX became the first-ever proof-of-stake cryptocurrency to incorporate ZK-Snarks and is currently working on becoming the first to allow private staking and masternodes. I believe we blaze the trail by providing sound security, fast transactions, functionality, and ease of use, with an expanding team that is going to introduce PIVX to many more. The future for PIVX is bright.

What are your thoughts on the role of regulatory compliance in PIVX’s business development strategy, and how would you navigate potential challenges?

It is key that we pay attention to regulatory demands so that we can provide PIVX globally without issues in terms of exchanges. However, as a decentralised project, our blockchain will go on regardless.

Because we care about following regulations, we keep in touch with our exchange partners. Binance recently asked for “Exchange Addresses,” a feature that limits them to receiving only the basic, transparent PIVX. This would make PIVX completely compliant due to a lack of privacy on said exchanges. This doesn’t remove privacy on our blockchain. Users who value protecting their financial data can always withdraw and send it to a SHIELD address.

Our team is active and willing to work with all of our partners and regulatory environments to deliver our project globally without issues, and most of all, to give our users a secure and sound blockchain that protects their financial data.

What are your thoughts on the integration of privacy features into other blockchain ecosystems and the potential for interoperability?

I believe it is very transformative and in the right direction for projects to integrate privacy features. It would also be a great introduction for PIVX as it is one of the earliest projects to incorporate privacy and the first-ever Proof of Stake blockchain to integrate ZK-Snarks (SHIELD) as a privacy protocol. I also believe PIVX, with its optional privacy integration, would be an inspiration for many existing and new projects that want to integrate privacy.

Having the freedom of choice makes things easier for those who require a transparent ledger, versus having some transactions that need to remain out of public sight, such as retail or savings. Having this model also makes PIVX regulatory compliant and a great example to replicate.

Allowing for interoperability would be a great way to incorporate seamless value transfer across other blockchains, whilst preserving privacy through PIVX. I am all for it since it would introduce PIVX to a much wider audience and grow the use of the network. Perhaps it is something that we as a PIVX team can look at and discuss once we achieve our milestone v6.0 release.

What are some common misconceptions about privacy coins that you would like to address?

The most common I’ve seen is the narrative that those who engage with privacy coins have something illicit to hide. I usually combat this with a simple question, “If a stranger were to ask to see your bank statement, would you let them?” This usually results in an immediate no; I then proceed with: “Well are you okay with the entire world seeing your cryptocurrency transactions without your permission?”

Most people fail to realise that relying on a transparent ledger can compromise one’s security and potentially lead to being harmed.

Using private blockchains such as SHIELD by PIVX helps you separate your crypto to prevent malicious parties from tracking your portfolio. I’ll end by saying that privacy coins do not facilitate crime, criminals facilitate crime, and privacy protects you from criminals.

What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned during your time leading business development at PIVX?

Even for a project with a minimal budget, big dreams can be achieved. I have worked alongside many amazing new partners for PIVX, such as Travala, MEXC, NOW Group, and many more, and each has provided a new use case for PIVX.

It is hard, but having a community that unites behind my thinking process and choices makes everything much smoother. I have also learnt that everything in this industry has a ripple effect. What I mean by that is that one small listing or integration for PIVX can lead to another quite easily, as they may work together or use each other’s services.

It has also given me the time to reflect on PIVX and to identify weaknesses and to see that the biggest factor to growth is liquidity. This is now a key focus point for me. I am working alongside major exchanges that support PIVX to identify their liquidity needs so that we may attain other listings on their platform, such as Perpetual contracts, and thus far it has succeeded.

There is a lot to learn, however, I feel that the knowledge that I have gained through numerous conversations with like-minded people will be the driving factor for me to bring PIVX to new audiences, heights, and more use cases.

Beyond privacy, what other unique technological or community-driven advantages does PIVX offer potential partners and users?

A strong selling point I always highlight to our partners is the DAO and self-funded treasury that PIVX has. This mechanism allows for partners to submit their own proposals and to seek funding for work they may want to collaborate on with PIVX. This self-funded treasury guarantees constant development and funding for proposals that pass.

An example of this would be a recent partnership with Coinomi, which has now submitted a proposal for funding through our DAO. Participation in the DAO through such proposals, whether by submitting them or voting on them, is a key strength of the PIVX project. This also helps with our next advantage which is the community. Because PIVX is a DAO, our community has grown used to the fact that they do indeed have a voice when it comes to the decisions made for PIVX and are therefore active and do support us and our partners.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

“The Future for Privacy Projects is Bright,” PIVX’s Business Dev Lead Asserts was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 9th, 2025 — May 15th, 2025)

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 9th, 2025 — May 15th, 2025)

Keep up with PIVX! Get your weekly dose of key market insights and community updates.

Market Pulse

• Masternode Count: Demonstrating continued network strength, the number of active PIVX masternodes has risen to 2,123, up from last week’s 2,117.

• Price Check: While the Daily USD Value showed a period of consolidation this past week, with values holding steady between $0.16 and $0.18, the overall narrative remains encouraging. This week’s average price of $0.1758 represents a tangible step forward from the $0.1694 recorded in the preceding week. The upward trajectory, even amidst daily stability, likely reflects the unwavering commitment of the PIVX community and the tailwinds of a generally bullish cryptocurrency market providing a supportive environment.

• Trading Buzz: The total weekly trading volume for PIVX witnessed a significant pullback this week, registering at approximately $16.5 million, a stark contrast to the previous week’s $40 million. Nevertheless, the daily trading volume maintained a healthy pace, consistently exceeding $2 million.

PIVX. Your Rights. Your Privacy. Your Choice.
To stay on top of PIVX news please visit PIVX.org and Discord.PIVX.org.

PIVX Weekly Pulse (May 9th, 2025 — May 15th, 2025) was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.