Benjamin Powers

Powers is a tech reporter at Grid. Previously, he was privacy reporter at CoinDesk where he focused on data and financial privacy, information security, and digital identity. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Daily Beast, Rolling Stone, and the New Republic, among others. He owns bitcoin.

Benjamin Powers

Latest from Benjamin Powers


Tech

These Illicit SIM Cards Are Making Hacks Like Twitter's Easier

SIM cards that spoof specific numbers, prevent tracking, and alter users voices are making social engineering attacks like those on Twitter easier.

(Brett Jordan/Unsplash)

Tech

The Linux Foundation Wants Open-Source Tech to Address Future Pandemics

The Linux Foundation hopes open-source apps will play a key role in tracing exposure to diseases like COVID-19 while being fully transparent.

(Mika Baumeister/Unsplash)

Finance

Social Engineering: A Plague on Crypto and Twitter, Unlikely to Stop

The SIM swapping community entered the spotlight after helping the Twitter hacker breach the social media platform, but these threat actors have been going after the crypto community for years.

Joseph O’Conner was accused of participating in a Twitter cryptocurrency scam.

Policy

Zephyr Teachout: Take Back the Economy From Economists

Law professor Zephyr Teachout discusses the recent antitrust hearings, how power impacts privacy and the "parallel governments" that Big Tech has created.

(BP Miller/Unsplash)

Markets

Officials Arrest 3 Allegedly Behind Twitter Hack

A Florida teenager suspected of spearheading the massive Twitter hack and subsequent high-profile bitcoin scam is in custody.

The 17-year-old hacker suspect faces 30 felony charges. (Twitter.com)

Tech

Community Behind Privacy-Focused Smart Contract Forges Ahead After Settlement

The open-source Secret Network has begun a swap for defunct ENG tokens and launched a "secret contract" testnet with big name partners.

Enigma cipher machine (EQRoy/Shutterstock)

Policy

EU Privacy Shield Ruling Is an Opportunity and Conundrum for Decentralized Tech

A judgment striking down an EU-U.S. data sharing agreement may pose compliance issues for U.S. startups. But privacy tech could offer a post-law solution.

(Guillaume Périgois/Unsplash)

Policy

In the Aftermath of Hack, Lawmakers Blame Twitter, Not Bitcoin

Lawmakers are calling on Twitter to answer for a hack that shook the platform, focusing on cybersecurity rather than scapegoating cryptocurrencies.

Wyden_Shutterstock

Finance

Twitter Breach Reactions: Security Professionals Offer an Early Assessment

OpSec pros had a wide array of opinions on Wednesday's Twitter breach, but they all agreed the fault did not lie with each hacked account's owner.

(Tiraya Adam/Unsplash)

Policy

Cryptocurrencies Have 'No Way' to Comply With US Anti-Encryption Bills

U.S. Senate bills meant to crack down on encryption could have negative effects for privacy-oriented tech, including cryptocurrencies, entrepreneurs and critics say.

Sen. Lindsey Graham is one of three sponsors  of the LAED Act and the main sponsor of the EARN IT Act. (Sen. Graham's website/Youtube)