Russian nuclear weapons staff arrested in cryptocurrency scheme
Computers at nuclear weapons labs are supposed to be used for things like simulating fusion reactions so countries can have some faith their thermonuclear bombs will work. But scientists at a top Russian lab are accused of trying to use one to make money with cryptocurrency instead.
The scientists from the Russian Federal Nuclear Center, also called VNIIEF were arrested for "an unsanctioned attempt to use computer facilities for private purposes including so-called mining," the center said, according to the BBC on Friday.
Mining, a process that verifies cryptocurrency transactions, can be a profitable enterprise if you have a powerful enough computer, and in earlier days could generate useful returns. It's hotly competitive now, and recent declines in the value of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin means it's harder to make money.
