# Surveillance Related Articles

Kalshi, Polymarket Tighten Rules to Curb Insider Trading

Kalshi and Polymarket, two major prediction market platforms, are implementing new rules to combat insider trading and market manipulation amid increasing regulatory scrutiny. Kalshi has introduced new screening tools to prevent individuals, including elected officials and those in sports (athletes, coaches, referees), from trading on events they are involved in. The platform is shifting from a reactive enforcement approach to a more proactive one and has added a feature for users to report suspicious activity directly. Similarly, Polymarket has updated its policies to explicitly prohibit trading on stolen information, illegal tips, and by individuals who can influence an event's outcome. It has also broadened its rules against market abuse like spoofing and wash trading. Both platforms are enhancing surveillance, aligning more closely with traditional financial market standards due to concerns about manipulation in prediction markets.

TheNewsCryptoYesterday 10:33

Polymarket tightens rules on insider trading and manipulation across DeFi, U.S. platforms

ambcryptoYesterday 16:02

Crypto Surveillance Surge? South Korea’s Tax Office Rolls Out Aggressive New Profit‑Tracking

South Korea's National Tax Service (NTS) is developing an AI-powered system to track cryptocurrency investment profits for taxation, set to launch in 2027. With a budget of $2 million, the "Comprehensive System for Virtual Asset Transaction Analysis" will aggregate data from exchanges and blockchain analytics to detect tax evasion. The move follows previous delays and recent crypto scandals, intensifying pressure for stricter oversight. Once operational, the system will monitor high-value transactions across borders, making tax avoidance riskier. This model may influence other high-tax jurisdictions, challenging crypto's status as an off-grid asset class.

bitcoinist03/12 14:31

The Person Building Robots for OpenAI Sees a Terrifying Future

Caitlin Kalinowski, head of hardware and robotics engineering at OpenAI, resigned in March 2026 in protest against the company's contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, which she believed could enable domestic surveillance and autonomous weapon applications. Her departure came shortly after OpenAI signed a deal allowing the Pentagon to use its AI models in classified networks—a contract that rival Anthropic had previously refused on ethical grounds. The announcement triggered a #QuitGPT movement, causing a 295% surge in ChatGPT uninstalls and boosting Anthropic’s Claude to the top of app stores. Under public pressure, CEO Sam Altman revised the contract to include wording against "intentional" use in domestic surveillance, though experts noted legal loopholes remained. Kalinowski’s role involved developing physical AI systems, making her particularly concerned about the potential militarization of embodied AI. Her resignation reflects broader internal dissent at OpenAI, where ethics and safety teams have seen a 37% attrition rate due to disagreements over military use and company values. The situation highlights a growing tension in Silicon Valley between commercial expansion and ethical boundaries. While Anthropic chose principle over partnership—and gained user trust—OpenAI’s acceptance of the contract signals a strategic shift that risks alienating talent and compromising transparency. Kalinowski’s exit poses a fundamental question to the industry: How far are builders willing to go in taking responsibility for what they create?

marsbit03/09 08:45

CBDC Fight Escalates As US Lawmakers Call For Permanent Ban

US lawmakers are escalating their fight against a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). A group of 29 representatives, led by Congressman Michael Cloud, sent a letter to congressional leaders demanding a permanent ban on a digital dollar. This was in response to a housing bill that included a temporary ban lasting only until 2031. The lawmakers argue this temporary measure is a weak version of a stronger, stalled bill (HR 1919) that would have completely prohibited a CBDC. They warn a CBDC would grant the Federal Reserve unchecked control over money and enable government surveillance of private finances, calling it "inherently anti-American." The push for a permanent ban signals this political battle is far from over.

bitcoinist03/09 01:02

CBDC: Senator Pushes For Permanent Ban In Housing Act Amendment

US Senator Ted Cruz is pushing for a permanent ban on a US central bank digital currency (CBDC) by amending the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The original bipartisan housing bill included a temporary CBDC prohibition until December 31, 2030, introduced by Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren. Cruz aims to remove this sunset provision to enforce a permanent ban, aligning with his 2025 Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which cites concerns over privacy and government surveillance. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna also supports a permanent ban, warning of potential legislative conflict. Critics argue CBDCs could enable state control over spending, while proponents highlight benefits like financial inclusion and efficiency. Over 100 central banks are researching CBDCs, but only 11 have launched one. The crypto market cap stands at $2.33 trillion.

bitcoinist03/08 07:06

Anthropic Open Letter: The Hypocritical Sam Altman, Master of PUA

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei accuses OpenAI and Sam Altman of hypocrisy and "safety theater" in a leaked internal memo. The email follows the Pentagon’s termination of its contract with Anthropic over safety terms, while OpenAI secured a deal with the Defense Department hours later. Amodei claims OpenAI’s model has "no legal use restrictions" and relies on a superficial "safety layer"—such as refusal mechanisms or third-party classifiers—which he deems 80% performative and only 20% effective. He argues these measures fail to prevent misuse in mass surveillance or autonomous weapons, as models lack contextual awareness and are vulnerable to jailbreaks. He reveals the Pentagon rejected similar safety clauses proposed by Anthropic, particularly one targeting "analysis of bulk acquired data." Amodei alleges the Pentagon and OpenAI coordinated narratives to downplay risks, claiming existing laws already prohibit misuse—a stance he disputes. Amodei accuses Altman of gaslighting, political maneuvering, and undermining Anthropic’s stance while appealing to OpenAI employees with performative safety pledges. He links OpenAI’s favorable treatment to its political donations and alignment with the Trump administration’s agenda, contrasting it with Anthropic’s refusal to compromise on ethical red lines.

marsbit03/05 05:50

Iranian Crypto Outflows Hit $10.3 Million After US‑Israeli Airstrikes, Chainalysis Finds

Following joint US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges experienced significant outflows totaling approximately $10.3 million, according to Chainalysis data. The report highlights crypto's critical role in Iran's sanction-hit economy, serving both ordinary citizens and state-affiliated entities. With traditional banking access severed due to sanctions, Iranians increasingly rely on Bitcoin and stablecoins as hedges against hyperinflation and capital controls. Notably, half of Iran's $7.78 billion in crypto activity is attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, underscoring digital assets' dual function as both economic lifeline and sanctions-evasion tool. The incident demonstrates crypto's rapid responsiveness to geopolitical shocks and ongoing regulatory challenges.

bitcoinist03/04 08:31

What Brought GPT and Claude Together? Opposing the Pentagon?

The article discusses the unexpected alignment between rival AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic, driven by their shared ethical stance against the U.S. Department of Defense's demands. Anthropic, the maker of Claude, had signed a $200 million contract with the Pentagon but insisted on two red lines: no mass surveillance of U.S. citizens and no autonomous weapons without human oversight. When the Pentagon demanded unrestricted use, Anthropic refused, citing ethical concerns. In a show of solidarity, over 400 employees from OpenAI and Google signed an open letter supporting Anthropic’s position. OpenAI’s CEO also internally affirmed similar principles. However, this unity was short-lived. After Anthropic held its ground and rejected the Pentagon’s ultimatum, it was labeled a "supply chain security risk," effectively barring it from all federal contracts. Meanwhile, OpenAI secured the Pentagon contract by accepting less stringent terms, agreeing not to engage in mass surveillance or autonomous weapons but without pushing for additional legal safeguards. The piece highlights the political and ideological dimensions of the conflict, noting that Anthropic’s stance was perceived as "woke" and ideologically driven, while OpenAI’s more pragmatic approach was rewarded. The outcome signals the high cost of resisting government pressure in the AI industry and raises questions about the real-world value of ethical principles when faced with political and economic consequences.

marsbit02/28 05:47

Balaji Says ‘Zcash Or Communism’ As He Warns AI Supercharges Surveillance

Balaji Srinivasan argues that the rise of AI-powered surveillance creates an urgent need for financial privacy, framing the choice as “Zcash or communism.” He warns that AI enables any state or individual to compile extensive personal dossiers from online data, surpassing historical surveillance capabilities. Encryption, particularly through Zcash, is presented as a critical defense, making individuals “sovereign” and invisible to targeting. Srinivasan also positions Zcash as a scalable, privacy-focused blockchain with Solana-like throughput, using zero-knowledge proofs for private transactions. He suggests Zcash can coexist with transparent chains like Bitcoin, serving different needs while addressing the growing threat of AI-driven wealth seizure and control.

bitcoinist02/20 08:03