US District judge rules Randall violated Lansdowne resident’s First Amendment right – Loudoun Times-Mirror

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Loudoun County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) acted under the color of state law in maintaining her Chair Phyllis J. Randall Facebook page and banning Lansdowne resident Brian Davison from the page overnight, yet Randall violated Davison's First Amendment right under the U.S. and Virginia constitutions in doing so, U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris has ruled in a complex case about free speech in the digital age.

Over the last two years, Davison has filed three separate civil rights lawsuits against the Loudoun Board of Supervisors and Randall, Commonwealths Attorney Jim Plowman (R) and the Loudoun County School Board for either blocking him from their Facebook pages or deleting critical comments he posted.

Last February, Davison was blocked from Randalls Facebook page for roughly eight hours overnight after the Lansdowne resident made critical comments of the Loudoun County School Board and members of their family.

Randall said she blocked the comment specifically because of references Davison made about family members of School Board representatives.

But the next morning, Randall said she decided to unblock Davison and says she has not blocked him or deleted any comments from him or any other person since that time.

Judge Cacheris, in a ruling today, stated that although Davisons actions were "relatively inconsequential as a practical matter, Randalls action did in fact violate his First Amendment right to free speech.

The court holds only that under the specific circumstances presented here, [the] defendant violated the First Amendment by engaging in viewpoint discrimination and banning plaintiff from a digital forum for criticizing her colleagues in the county government, the ruling states.

A central question in the suit was whether the chairwomans Chair Phyllis J. Randall Facebook page was her official county government profile. Davison maintains it is.

In his ruling, Judge Cacheris said that Randalls Facebook page in question operates as a forum for speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. and Virginia constitutions.

However, Cacheris ruled that Randall did not violate Davisons due process rights under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and would not be subject to Davisons request for injunctive relief.

A federal court has once again confirmed that speech is one of our most cherished rights under the Constitution, Davison said in a statement to the Times-Mirror following the ruling. Our elected officials cannot open up official communication channels for propaganda and praise and then ban their critics. Randall is the first Loudoun official to be rebuked for violating citizen's civil rights but definitely will not be the last.

In a prepared statement, Randall said despite Judge Cacheris ruling, it does not give people the right to smear elected officials on social media.

I value our right to free speech and I have fought to defend that right, Randall said. The courts decision, however, does not mean that people should make disparaging, untrue, or slanderous remarks about elected officials or their family members on social media. The courts decision states that we may moderate comments on these public forums in accordance with established policies to preserve social media as a meaningful place to exchange ideas in a respectful and civil manner.

Davisons lawsuit was filed after comments he made last July on the Loudoun County Government Facebook page disappeared.

In May, his claims regarding the governments page were dismissed by the court after Facebook confirmed that the county was not responsible for removing Davisons comments and that it had been Facebook software that caused his comments to be erased.

Back in March Judge Cacheris ruled Plowman did not violate the First Amendment by deleting Davisons Facebook posts. However, Davison has since filed a motion to appeal that decision.

Comments express only the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this website or any associated person or entity. Any user who believes a message is objectionable can contact us at [emailprotected].

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US District judge rules Randall violated Lansdowne resident's First Amendment right - Loudoun Times-Mirror

Are Google Piracy Links Protected by the First Amendment? – Digital Music News

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Last month, Digital Music News reported on a controversial court ruling against Google. The Canadian Supreme Court ordered the search giant to remove specific piracy links not just in Canada, but worldwide. Now, Google has fought back, this time in a California courtroom.

In 2014, a Canadian court ruled that Google would have to remove a Canadian firm from its search results. Through Equusteks ex-employees, Datalink Technologies illegally sold their competitors products. Employees would set-up sites indexed on Google to sell the goods, sharing a strong percentage with Datalink.

After losing the initial court battle in British Columbia, Google filed, and subsequently lost, multiple appeals. Last month, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled against the search giant. It determined that Google was a determinative player in harming Equusteek.

The high court ruled that the search giant would have to de-index links from its search engine worldwide.

Now, Google has fought back. The search giant filed an injunction on Monday with the US District Court for Northern California. Digital Music News has obtained the documents.

Google filed the injunction to prevent enforcement of the Canadian ruling in the United States. It believes that the Canadian Supreme Court has compelled the search engine to wrongfully censor its information.

The Canadian trial court recognized that Google is an innocent bystander to the case. Nevertheless, it issued a novel worldwide order against Google, restricting what information an American company can provide to people inside of the United States and around the world.

Lawyers for the company claim that the court singled out Google, while leaving other search engines alone. They claim that people can still find links to the infringing sites through Yahoo and Bing.

In the complaint, lawyers for the company claim that Google is not the internet. It doesnt have the power to take down sites, as the ruling would suggest. Yet, the Canadian Supreme Court only found the search engine liable, leaving alone other websites.

Google is not the internet. The vast majority of internet websites are hosted by and operated through service providers other than Google. The entities with the technical ability to remove websites or content from the internet altogether are the websites owners, operators, registrars, and hostsnot Google.

Lawyers for the company laid out three causes of action.

In the first, the First Amendment protects search engine results. The complaint reads,

Enforcing the Canadian ruling in the United States would violate the companys First Amendment rights. The Canadian ruling, claims Google, furthers no compelling interest (nor a substantial interest). The existence of Datalinks search engine results remain a matter of public record.

Equustek has filed a claim only against the search engine; it has yet to file claims against Bing and Yahoo. It also hasnt gone after third-party websites that prominently display the infringing links, including social media and press websites. Equustek also hasnt filed a claim to stop the sale of Datalink products on Amazon.

For the second cause of action, Google cites the Communications Decency Act. This act provides clear legal immunity to providers of computer services for content on their services created by others. The Communications Decency Act reads,

No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.

Equusteks initial filing is grounded in Canadian trade secret law, not US federal intellectual property or trade secret laws. Therefore, it cant enforce the order against Google in the United States. Once again, enforcement of the ruling will cause the search giant irreparable injury absent injunctive relief.

For the third cause of action, the search giant claims that enforcement of the ruling trespasses on comity. Siding with Google, the Canadian Attorney General said that the order constitutes an impermissible exercise of extraterritorial enforcement jurisdiction. The Canadian Supreme Court disregarded this statement, however. Instead, it declared that the Internet has no bordersits natural habitat is global. By saying this, the high court justified its global injunction against the company.

Equusteks counsel argued on the same principle.

Google calls the Canadian order repugnant to US public policy surrounding the First Amendment. The First Amendment gives the search giant immunity against imposing liability. Once again calling the order repugnant, the company claims that the high court singled it out. It issued an order against an innocent non-party for the sake of convenience.

Continuing on, lawyers claim,

Canadian courts failed to extend proper comity to the United States. Thus, the United States does not need to defer the order.

Google requests that the US District Court rule the Canadian order unenforceable in the United States. It also wants the court to issue a ruling in Googles favor and against the defendants, Equustek. Finally, lawyers want the court to grant the company preliminary and permanent injunctive relief from further enforcement.

You can read the injunction below.

Image by Ed Uthman (CC by 2.0)

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Are Google Piracy Links Protected by the First Amendment? - Digital Music News

Crystal settles with community group over First Amendment violation allegations – ECM Publishers

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Years after controversy in the community, the City of Crystal will pay a $20,000 settlement to Communities United Against Police Brutality and receive annual Open Meeting Law and First Amendment training, according to court orders stemming from a lawsuit filed by the organzation in May 2016. The organization sued the city after allegations that members First Amendment rights were stifled by city leaders at council meetings, and that the council illegally conducted closed-door sessions and engaged in a closed meeting via email, both of which actions were in violation of Minnesotas Open Meeting Law. The allegations occurred during a period spanning from December 2012 through December 2014, when CUAPB members said they were silenced or denied the ability to freely participate in open forums during council meetings, primarily to voice opposition to the termination of two whistle-blowing Crystal police officers. According to allegations, officers Alan Watt and Robin Erkenbrack were fired in retaliation for speaking out against misconduct in the citys investigation of a 2008 incident, during which the now-disbanded West Metro Gang Strike Force confiscated the belongings of the Ramirez family of Crystal, who later filed a theft report. The city maintained that both Watt and Erkenbrack were terminated with just cause and that an investigation had proceeded, although Erkenbrack later settled with the city for $160,000 and was reinstated as a sergeant.

Continue reading this Sun Post story.

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Crystal settles with community group over First Amendment violation allegations - ECM Publishers

First Amendment Fan Adam Carolla Takes Politics Even More Seriously Than Podcasting – L.A. Weekly

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Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 8:32 a.m.

Adam Carolla cites President Obamas 2015 appearance on WTF with Marc Maron as a milestone ushering podcasts into the mainstream. I think its another modality for conversation, and thats always a good thing, the Adam Carolla Show host says of the medium. In the next election three-and-a-half years from now or sooner as they campaign theres probably going to be more politicians sitting down with podcasters.

The third annual unconventional political convention known as Politicon, intended to narrow the gap between Washington insiders and the public, takes over the Pasadena Convention Center on July 29 and 30. Nearly 150 politicians, consultants, journalists, entertainers and podcasters anchor the non-partisan event fostering discourse via panels, interviews, readings and live tapings.

Along with the James Carvilles, Ann Coulters, Jake Tappers and Leslie Stahls of the lineup, attendees can catch comedians including Greg Proops, Al Madrigal, Anthony Atamanuik, Michelle Wolf, Trae Crowder and Lizz Winstead. A highly anticipated debate sees Chelsea Handler engaging former talk-show host Tomi Lahren. On Saturday evening, Carolla records a live interview with The Daily Shows Roy Wood, Jr., followed by an audience meet and greet.

Im just interested in a lot of different opinions, Carolla says of Politicon, The exchanging of ideas, thoughts and occasionally fluids, so Im excited.

The North Hollywood native studied improv in the early '90s, and in 1994 parlayed his amateur-boxing background into training KROQs Kevin and Bean show personality Jimmy Kimmel. He soon co-hosted the stations Loveline with Dr. Drew Pinksy before partnering with Kimmel for Comedy Centrals The Man Show and Crank Yankers.

In 2011, The Adam Carolla Show set the Guinness World Record for most downloaded podcast. His Carolla Digital network houses a dozen others, and 10 episodes of Adam Carolla and Friends Build Stuff Live aired this spring on Spike. Hes a fan of quick naps and of going with his gut.

I do tons of things, and people say, Why? Why did you do Dancing with the Stars or Celebrity Apprentice, or why did you write a book? And I just go, Somebody asked me to do it.

Carollas current point of pride is his Chassy Media documentary company. Subjects include cars and sports; his personal favorite, Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman, combined both.

Next up is a crowd-funded film exploring political correctness and freedom of speech on college campuses. Carolla teamed on No Safe Spaces with conservative radio host Dennis Prager, with whom atheist Carolla doesnt share much in common, but nevertheless respects intellectually. (Prager recently tweeted that the "news media in the West pose a far greater danger to Western civilization than Russia does," despite that he's a member of the news media.)The two have mounted a series of school speaking engagements denouncing the coddling of students, and chronicled the results. (Prager subsequently told Fox News "the only thing I regret about the tweet is that I didn't write the universities and the media in the West are a greater threat to Western civilization.")

It seemed like a simpler time when people wanted to hear opinions that were a little bit different than their own, recalls Carolla, who has publicly said Hollywood fears tackling the subject. A mid-2018 release is expected.

Then again, not all change is bad. Particularly for a guy who claims he doesn't really work for a living anymore.

I try to keep things in perspective, especially when its 119 degrees outside, he muses. I used to be on a construction site in Chatsworth with this kind of weather. And now Im sitting in an air-conditioned trailer. I try to keep that in mind.

Adam Carolla Podcast and Meet & Greet, Politicon, Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. politicon.com/speaker/adam-carolla.

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First Amendment Fan Adam Carolla Takes Politics Even More Seriously Than Podcasting - L.A. Weekly

How to get around an ISP blocking a website – MyBroadband

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SAFACT has reportedly issued ISPs with a request to block numerous piracy sites, sparking fears that certain domains will be blocked in South Africa.

The sites are thought to be torrent indexers, which are popular among online pirates for downloading media and software.

Internet censorship is common in various countries across the world, and usually consists of ISPs blocking access to specific domains or certain types of traffic.

The Great Firewall of China prevents Chinese citizens from accessing the unrestricted Internet, even disrupting many VPN services.

The UK also has a form of Internet censorship, with many major ISPs blocking websites linked to gambling, pornography, and piracy.

It is relatively easy to circumvent an ISP blocking access to certain domains, however, as detailed below.

There are many ways ISPs can block Internet traffic, with one of the most simple methods the blocking of domains at the DNS level.

This is simple to circumvent and requires users to change their clients preferred DNS server.

If you are using a Windows PC, you can do this by following the steps below.

This bypasses the ISPs filtered DNS and uses a service called Google Public DNS.

Another option is to use a proxy website or browser extension to route web traffic through a different domain, circumventing your ISPs domain name blocking.

Proxy websites redirect traffic through their own domain, allowing users to access any site as long as the proxy website is not blocked by the ISP.

If the above is not sufficient and you require greater anonymity online, the Tor network may be the next step.

Tor is a network of distributed relays around the world through which your traffic is routed.

This prevents your connection and online activity from being easily tracked, as it is routed through relays which anonymise web traffic.

It should be noted that operators of exit nodes on the Tor network could eavesdrop on unencrypted communications over the network, though.

Users can download the Tor Browser from the the Tor Project page.

While the Tor network is great for anonymity and general Internet activity, it increases latency and your maximum download speed may degrade if the relays are on slow connections.

It is therefore not suitable for file sharing, and by default, your non-web traffic will not be routed through Tor.

The Tor browser functions like a normal web browser and can be used to access any website on the Internet, including .onion websites on the dark web.

If your ISP is still able to block traffic to certain sites using methods like packet filtering you may have to invest in a VPN service.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to browse and access the Internet without your ISP examining your traffic.

An encrypted connection between your computer and the VPN prevents your ISP from accessing data traffic which your VPN sends on your behalf.

While certain services have a free trial offer, VPNs usually require a subscription fee. This gives youmore control over your online security.

The latest Opera browser features a built-in VPN, which can be turned on and off. VPN extensions for Chrome and Firefox are also an option for users.

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Washington’s New Cryptocurrency Exchange Rules Are Now in Effect – CoinDesk

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New regulations for cryptocurrency exchanges have gone into effect in the U.S. state of Washington.

Following the passing of Senate Bill 5031 into law at the weekend, the state's money transmitter laws now apply to exchanges, meaning that they need to obtain a license fromthe Washington State Department of Financial Institutionsand must provide a third-party audit of their data systems.

Among other requirements, the law also mandatesa new transmitter bond requirement, with the figurebeingtied to the amount of currency exchanged during the previous year.

Lawmakers finalized the measure in April, sending it to the desk of Gov.Jay Inslee, who signed it days after work on the bill was completed. According to public records, the law went into effect on Sunday, July 23.

As CoinDesk haspreviously reported, lawmakers in the western U.S. state have been working since January to develop regulations for exchange startups.

The bill's passage wasn't without controversy, however. Cryptocurrency exchanges Poloniex and Bitfinex declared that they would would stop serving customers there, citing the new regulations.

At the same time, startupssuch as New York-based exchange Gemini moved in the opposite direction, obtaining approval to begin serving customers in the stateearlier this year.

Washington State Capitol imagevia Shutterstock

The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is an independent media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. Have breaking news or a story tip to send to our journalists? Contact us at [emailprotected].

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Russia’s cryptocurrency legislation to resemble that of Japan, US – FinanceFeeds (blog)

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Russian legislators are trying to use elements of the New York licensing system and Japanese laws to shape Russias cryptocurrency legislation.

Russia is working on its own legislation for cryptocurrencies and is actively examining the expertise of other nations in this respect, according to Russias Internet ombudsman Dmitry Marinichev.

In an interviewfor the Russia 24 TV channel on Wednesday, Mr Marinichev said that the Russias cryptocurrency legislation will be similar to a degree to that of Japan, and to a degree to that of New York (the New York DFS licensing system).

Concerning the current popularity of Bitcoin trading, he said he would not recommend Russians to participate in Bitcoin trading in the near future, as the risk of loss is too high. One of the factors for that is the pending system upgrade.

Mr Marinichev added, however, that the perspectives for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are better in the longer term talking of a time horizon of at least a couple of years.

He stressed the increased understanding of Russian authorities of blockchain and Bitcoin. Indeed, even the Central Bank of Russia has this year become way more welcoming towards blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies. This stance has marked a stark contrast to the banks initial position that treated Bitcoin and its likes as money surrogates and warned that any activities associated with them may be treated as violations of AML laws.

In May this year, it became clear that the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications expects the legal provisions for the legalization of the DLT technologies like blockchain to be in place in 2019. In March this year, Russias Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev joined the supporters of blockchain technology by instructing the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications and the Ministry of Economic Development to explore the possible applications of the blockchain technology during the preparation of the Digital Economy program.

Russian businesses have been increasingly adopting blockchain-based solutions and have been examining the use of cryptocurrencies in their operations. The latest news in this respect come from airlines. Earlier in July, Russias main airline Aeroflot-Rossiyskiye Avialinii PAO (MCX:AFLT), published a procurement notice for proposals for the implementation of crypto-currencies and related technologies in its operations. Another push in this direction has been made by Alfa-Bank and S7 airlinethat have partnered on a project that will allow selling of flight tickets based on the Ethereum blockchain.

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Russia's cryptocurrency legislation to resemble that of Japan, US - FinanceFeeds (blog)

A Tech Startup Is Releasing a Wearable Cryptocurrency Payment Device – Futurism

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In Brief Irish startup Bitcart just announced the creation of Festy, the world's first wristband capable of facilitating Dash cryptocurrency payments. The wearable could help bring crypto payments into the mainstream by making the process of using them more attractive for both customers and merchants. Wearing Your Wallet Cryptocurrencies are enjoying a groundbreaking year.The market is growing in popularity, attracting investors and sending crypto values to ever new heights. However, the market currently lacks the technology necessary for everyday use in real-world scenarios.

Bitcartislooking to rectify this.

The Irish startup has developed the worlds first Dash cryptocurrency payment wristband. NamedFesty, the device allows the wearer to pay for products with the Dash cryptocurrency. Users can add funds to their wrist-mounted wallet at a Festy-branded ATM or using an online transfer service.

Although Dash is a cryptocurrency, Festy is compatible with any point-of-sale system that accept Visa contactless payments. It can also be used to make payments on any phone or computer using near field communication (NFC) tags or offline payments via quick response (QR) codes. The wristband isdesigned primarily for bar and festival hoppers andcan also be used to store tickets, which could play a role in eliminating fraud or verifying ages of compliance at events.

For customers, Festy offers several advantages over traditional credit cards. Payments made via the wearable are nearly immediate and acard number or private key is never displayed.

Vendors benefit from the system, too. Our partnership with Dash makes the perfect payment solution for everyday transactions, Bitcart CEOGraham de Barratold Bankless Times.Unlike existing traditional bank payments that take a two to five percent fee, there is no cost on receiving Dash for merchants.

Cryptocurrencies are built on blockchain technology that has the potential to revolutionize transactions worldwide. They boast increased transparency and security, but they are unlikely to go mainstream without easy to use tech like Festy.

Thankfully, Bitcart is just one company working hard to help cryptocurrencies break into the mainstream. A number ofBitcoin debit cards are making it easier to make payments via the currency, and in nations likeJapan, bitcoin is on track to become a commonly accepted form of payment.

Disclosure: Several members of the Futurism team, including the editors of this piece, are personal investors in a number of cryptocurrency markets. Their personal investment perspectives have no impact on editorial content.

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Startups’ Cryptocurrency Fundraising Loophole Gets a Regulatory … – WIRED

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) headquarters building stands in Washington, D.C.

Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Cryptocurrency was invented by people who didnt much like regulators, but red tape can still bind the technology that enables it, blockchains. Fresh proof comes from a pronouncement from the Securities and Exchange Commission late Tuesday. It said that regulations applying to investments such as stocks also apply to some initial coin offerings, a novel approach to fundraising that startups have used to draw in more than $1 billion this year.

Described simply, an ICO sounds like a childish money making scheme. A person, project, or company in need of capital creates a new kind of digital coin and sells a tranche of them for real money. Magic! The coins are created using the same kind of technology behind cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, and usually paid for using digital currency, not dollars.

ICO boosters describe them as a democratizing financial force that provides capital to projects unlikely to get it from established sources such as banks or venture capitalists. The SECs announcement means that some projects will now have to pay up for the lawyers, disclosures, and paperwork required to register with the SEC before they can solicit money from Americans.

That news was widely expected, but could cool a fever that even proponents of ICOs say risks leading people to stake money on poorly planned, or even outright fraudulent projects. You had a mix of serious teams with good developers and track records and then a bunch of entrants looking for a get rich quick scheme, says Christian Catalini, an MIT professor who has been studying ICOs, and considers them a valuable financial innovation. I think the SEC is worried that many people dont realize its like gambling; many or most of ICOs will go to zero.

So why would you buy into one of these schemes? Often because the brand new coin, or token, youre offered today is supposed to have some kind of utility or value tomorrow.

In May, browser company Brave raised $35 million in less than 30 seconds by selling one billion units of what it calls Basic Attention Tokens, for example. The tokens are intended to be used inside a new market for monetizing online publishing and advertising. Buying in early might give you a chance to shape that market and get better deals on ads than you could by joining up once it takes off. Another reason ICOs have proved popular is that you can usually trade the tokens you just bought right away with other people, offering liquidity you dont usually get when backing early stage startups.

If youre thinking all that sounds similar to how companies already sell shares or other tradeable things to investors, youre thinking like the SEC. An Investor Bulletin issued late Tuesday warned that while ICOs may provide fair and lawful investment opportunities, they can also be used improperly to entice investors with the promise of high returns in a new investment space. To avoid that downside, the SEC says that from now on some ICOs will have to meet the same standards applied to non-crypto securities such as stock offerings. That means registering with the SEC and disclosing information about the investment vehicle and its risks. The policy announcement was prompted by an investigation of Ethereum-based investment scheme The Dao, which attracted $150 million-worth of funding and then saw a third of it stolen by a hacker who exploited sloppy coding.

The new guidance was expected. But its arrival, and the fact that the SEC didnt lay out exact criteria for what would make an ICO a security (or not), makes the business of launching a new ICO in the U.S. more complicated. Wannabe token issuers now face the task of figuring out if their scheme falls under existing securities laws. If it does, theyll have to go to the trouble of registering it with the SEC. Bruce Fenton, founder of blockchain-focused investment advisors Atlantic Financial, says that the legal and administrative fees to do that can cost anywhere from $20,000 to the millions of dollars for more complex operations.

The extra friction will probably slow the pace of new ICOs. Startups raised more than $1.2 billion with ICOs in the first half of 2017, according to financial research company Autonomous. Catalini of MIT thinks a deceleration would not be a bad thing, because recent excitement about ICOs has created a situation where teams with not much of a product, plan, or technology can rapidly raise millions.

Even the valuations of the credible ones are astronomical for an early stage startup, Catalini says. The SEC doesnt want people to put their savings into this who cannot afford to lose them. He believes the frenzy has been stoked by millions flowing into ICOs from people who lucked out and got into Bitcoin and Ethereum early, giving them a lot of unexpected capital to play with.

What next for ICOs? They arent going away, but they may become more select. Catalini guesses that the evolution will be similar to that seen with equity crowdfunding, where startups solicit money in small chunks from many people. The SEC moved to allow that in 2015, triggering excitement about a radical new grassroots funding model for companies. In reality, Catalini says his research indicates crowdfunding that targets accredited investorsa status that requires a net worth of $1 million or a hefty incomehas been much more significant. Targeting only accredited investors can help you avoid having to register your security with the SEC.

Many people in the cryptocurrency world see yesterdays news from the SEC as legitimizing, not constraining. After all, recognition by the SEC might draw in more investors previously unsure about ICOs. Coin Center, a Washington, DC, nonprofit that advocates for cryptocurrencies, says the decision matches up with a regulatory framework it proposed two years ago. It also notes that what the SEC has said leaves plenty of latitude for ICOs to avoid it being categorized as a security. Restricting who can invest is one way; non-profit projects can get also exemptions.

Fenton says any dip in ICO activity caused by the SECs announcement wont much alter the overall trajectory of ICOs. The number of ICOs is likely to grow almost regardless of what roadblocks may slightly slow it down, he says. Overall the space will grow fast, including the market of tokens that are registered securities. Evidence cryptocurrencies will radically disrupt the financial system as some have hoped is still lacking, but they are managing to survive within it.

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Startups' Cryptocurrency Fundraising Loophole Gets a Regulatory ... - WIRED

Bitcoin LIVE news: Price latest as top investor warns cryptocurrency is an ‘unfounded FAD’ – Express.co.uk

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Getty

Investor Howard Marks, who predicted the financial crisis and dotcom bubble implosion, warned that cryptocurrency is a nothing more than a fad or pyramid scheme style scam.

He said: In my view, digital currencies are nothing but an unfounded fad (or perhaps even a pyramid scheme), based on a willingness to ascribe value to something that has little or none beyond what people will pay for it.

The co-chairman of Oaktree Capital, compared cryptocurrencies to the Tulip mania of 1637, the South Sea bubble of 1720 and the internet bubble of 1999.

In an investor letter, he said: Serious investing consists of buying things because the price is attractive relative to intrinsic value.

Speculation, on the other hand, occurs when people buy something without any consideration of its underlying value or the appropriateness of its price."

Bitcoin suffered a crash earlier this month but has since bounced back and is now up by almost nearly 160 per cent this year.

On Wednesday Bitcoin briefly fell as low as $2,433.83, its lowest price since the cryptocurrency dramatically rebounded last week.

The volatile digital currency saw a surge last Thursday after miners backed a new upgrade of the system designed to solve the cryptocurrencys scaling issue.

Although Bitcoin narrowly avoided a fork this month, there are still concerns that digital currency is at risk of splitting into two versions.

Here is the latest Bitcoin news, prices and live updates (All times BST).

CoinDesk

9.40pm:Hong Kong-based digital currency exchange Bitfinex claims that a minority of Bitcoin miners will be "forking" to create a new blockchain called Bitcoin Cash on August 1.

A "fork" is when a blockchain splits into two potential paths.

Bitfinex said the fork does not impact Bitcoin balances, but it creates a new token.

9.15pm: The provider of a publicly traded bitcoin exchange-traded note (ETN) has been fined more than 93,000 ($120,000) by Nasdaq Stockholm for infractions of exchange rules and financial regulations.

The stock exchange's Disciplinary Committee announced that it had levied the fine because the company, XBT Provider, violated provisions in its Internal Rule Book and certain regulations of the Financial Instruments Trading Act.

Among those violations, according to the statement, were "failing to ensure that the risk function reports to the board" and "failing to implement an audit of the company's internet and IT security."

The release also pointed to infractions related to annual reporting requirements.

8.20pm: Bank of America Managing Director Francisco Blanch thinks that Bitcoin cannot successfully expand around the world without being subjected to some regulatory guidelines.

He says: "A key step for Bitcoin would be for it to become pledgeable collateral.

However, large inherent risks to digital tokens such as fraud, hacking, theft, new protocol adoption, limited acceptance and that it is not legal tender many places in the world make it an unlikely development."

Mr Blanchs position is supported by other financial services industry players like Morgan Stanley.

However, the efforts by several governments around the world to regulate the digital currencies have been relatively unsuccessful so far.

5.05pm: Todays high is $2,615.38 and today'slow is $2,541.71 so far, according to CoinDesk. Bitcoin opened at $2,550.18 today.

11.30am: Bitcoin briefly fell below $2,500 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Last Thursday the price rose sharply after most developers backed BIP 91, a upgrade to the bitcoin system.

The BIP 91 lock-in was hailed as a victory as miners agreed to cement the first part of a larger effort to upgrade bitcoin, called Segwit2x.

Alex Sunnarborg, research analyst at CoinDesk, told CNBC: "I believe the market is currently somewhat torn between the optimism around BIP 91 locking in, which could lead to SegWit activating if all goes smoothly, and the fear of the second half of SegWit2x proposal, the 2MB block size hard fork, still being contested.

9am: A US jury has indicted a Russian man as the operator of a digital currency exchange he allegedly used to launder more than $4 billion for people involved in crimes ranging from computer hacking to drug trafficking.

Alexander Vinnik was arrested in a small beachside village in northern Greece on Tuesday, according to local authorities.

CoinDesk

US officials described Vinnik in a Justice Department statement as the operator of BTC-e, an exchange used to trade the digital currency bitcoin since 2011.

They alleged Vinnik and his firm "received" more than $4 billion in bitcoin and did substantial business in the US without following appropriate protocols to protect against money laundering and other crimes.

US authorities also linked him to the failure of Mt. Gox, a Japan-based bitcoin exchange that collapsed in 2014 after being hacked.

Vinnik "obtained" funds from the hack of Mt. Gox and laundered them through BTC-e and Tradehill, another San Francisco-based exchange he owned, they said in the statement.

CoinDesk

8.30am: According to Sheba Jafari, head of technical strategy at Goldman Sachs, bitcoin needs a "few more swings" before the upward trend continues.

"Anything above 3,000 (Jun 13th high) will suggest potential to have already started wave V, which again has a minimum target at 2,988 and scope to reach 3,691 (the latter being a preferred target as this assumes a new high)," Ms Jafari wrote in a note to clients.

Goldman Sachs said Bitcoin is "still within the limits of a well-defined range", adding: "At this point, it seems reasonable to assume that the market is in a corrective process until there's been real evidence of an impulsive advance."

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Bitcoin LIVE news: Price latest as top investor warns cryptocurrency is an 'unfounded FAD' - Express.co.uk

Philippines Government yet to Approve Cryptocurrency Exchange … – Bitcoin News (press release)

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Philippine business press, Businessmirror, has reported that the government has been yet to approve a single virtual currency exchange application. The Philippine central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, introduced regulations for virtual currencies earlier this year which focussed heavily on creating guidelines for the operations of cryptocurrency exchanges.

Also Read:Philippines Central Bank Issues Guidelines for Virtual Currency Exchanges

The Philippine Central Banks Supervision and Examination Sector told Businessmirror that it has not approved any applications for entities seeking to register and establish cryptocurrency exchanges. It has also been revealed that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has so far received less than 10 applications.

BSP representative, Chuchi Fonacier stated that increased Filipino bitcoin adoption had prompted the development of cryptocurrency regulations. We have observed acceleration in transaction volume based on our survey of top industry players last year, prompting us to institute a regulatory framework. We have no updated statistics to date, as these will come from the regular reports that registered entities will submit to the BSP.

The Philipines bitcoin regulations focus upon articulating a juridical framework for the operation of cryptocurrency exchanges, in addition to providing an inclusive regulatory apparatus for cryptocurrency-based remittance services.We want to maximize the benefits from this technological innovation, while adequately managing the risks that come with it. Virtual currencies can help accelerate the delivery of financial services [e.g., payments and remittance] and lower the cost of transactions, which is consistent with our broader financial-inclusion agenda, Fonacier said.

Officials have consistently iterated the Philippines governments intention to simultaneously foster growth and innovation in the cryptocurrency industries, whilst restricting the risk of bitcoin being used for money-laundering or terrorist financing activities. We are particularly keen on addressing money-laundering risk, that is why part of the responsibilities of a virtual-currency exchange is to comply with established anti-money laundering rules, such as know-your-client procedures, as well as proper reporting to the AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council].

Despite local press describing the Philippines stance toward bitcoin as a first of its kind in Asia, the regulatory apparatus developed by the BSP appears to be limited in its scope. The regulations focus heavily on providing guidelines for the operation of virtual currency exchanges, yet have largely neglected to develop regulatory or taxation frameworks for general cryptocurrency use or mining. There has also been little effort made to promote and educate Filipino citizens about cryptocurrency, which will be vital for greater Filipino bitcoin adoption as only one in three Filipino citizens is reported to have access to the internet. Furthermore, the BSP has designed regulations so as to monitor the Filipino bitcoin economy through mandatory reporting submitted by virtual currency-based businesses of which the BSP is yet to approve a single application.

Do you think that the Philippines virtual currency regulations are failing to attract and foster investment in the cryptocurrency industries? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Philippines Government yet to Approve Cryptocurrency Exchange ... - Bitcoin News (press release)

Here’s why some Americans are risking their life savings on a BitcoinIRA – CNBC

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The popular cryptocurrency, bitcoin, may be highly volatile, but that didn't deter early adopter Roy Trimboli.

Roy calls himself '11,' since he's the proud owner of the eleventh-ever BitcoinIRA. He says he's been a conventional guy since 22, always maxing out his 401(k) and investing in blue chip mutual funds, but a year ago, he put 10 bitcoins into a BitcoinIRA. He says he's now up about 300 percent.

"It's a couple of generations worth of returns," he says.

'11' is now just one of over 700 individual account holders, including clients as young as 20-years-old.

But even with these kinds of returns, the fact remains, a speculative asset like bitcoin or ether comes with a certain degree of risk. Cryptocurrencies don't sleep. They're literally always moving, and if recent history is any indication, they're prone to seismic price moves in a very short space of time.

Campbell Harvey, a finance professor at Duke University, says this kind of volatility is brutal. "We're talking six times the volatility of the S&P 500 or five times the volatility of gold." He says it has to do with the fact that this is new technology, "and it's not easy to think about the fundamental value of a cryptocurrency."

That brutal volatility he's talking about is partly to do with the fact that these cryptocurrencies aren't collateralized. They're valuable, because people believe they're valuable. That's a big part of why Campbell says he's really worried about the BitcoinIRA.

"I'm worried that people will put too much of their retirement in an asset like this. It's a very small piece of the market right now and it's extremely volatile. To put this into your savings, you need to be willing to lose everything. If you put your retirement savings into the stock market, there is almost no chance that you're going to lose everything."

Risk aside, a BitcoinIRA itself isn't free. If you sink any less than $50,000 into your crypto nest egg, you'll face a hefty 15 percent set-up fee. But clients like Damon Smedley remain undeterred. He invested $330,000 into his BitcoinIRA last November.

"You look at where I was one year ago, versus where I'm at today, and it's quite a drastic difference," Smedley said.

It's not just the promise of a crazy return that's intrigued savers, it's also the fact that it's a hedge against the inflationary tendencies of mainstream currencies. Central banks in countries around the world have been printing cash to prop up their struggling economies, but that goes hand in hand with inflation.

In the U.S., gold, stocks, and bonds have long been the traditional hedge against inflation and the rising dollar. But now, bitcoin and ethereum offer an alternative way to beat inflation, though it's clearly not for the faint of heart.

One thing is for sure, despite its volatility, this new cryptocurrency asset class isn't going anywhere.

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Here's why some Americans are risking their life savings on a BitcoinIRA - CNBC

Bitcoin isn’t real, and markets are darn hot, warns Howard Marks – MarketWatch

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Another day, another round of all-time highs?

The Federal Reserve and earnings-season winner Facebook easily could help deliver a trifecta of record closes like we had yesterday.

Bulls apparently have scented a softening in the Feds stance on inflation, as they keep sniffing at the somewhat dovish handout from Janet Yellen & Co.

But billionaire investor Howard Marks smells something rotten, going by his latest cautionary memo and that provides our call of the day.

The Oaktree Capital co-chairman gives plenty of reasons to worry about markets right now. Some examples: the recent exuberance over cryptocurrencies, the cheering for FAANG stocks, and the warm embrace of passive investing (index funds and ETFs).

They show the temperature of todays market to be elevated. Not a nonsensical bubble just high and therefore risky, he writes.

Regarding bitcoin BTCUSD, +5.64% and its cryptocurrency rivals, Marks says theyre not real and perhaps even a pyramid scheme.

Read: This is what it will take for bitcoin to become a legit currency

Here, in Markss own words, are the red flags he lists near the end of his 23-page memo:

Some of the highest equity valuations in history.

The so-called complacency index at an all-time high.

The elevation of a cant-lose group of stocks. [the FAANG names]

The movement of more than a trillion dollars into value-agnostic investing. [indexing]

The lowest yields in history on low-rated bonds and loans.

Yields on emerging market debt that are lower still.

The most fundraising in history for private equity.

The biggest fund of all time raised for levered tech investing. [Softbanks fund]

Billions in digital currencies whose value has multiplied dramatically.

So what to do now? Many market participants dont have the option to not invest, Marks notes. Oaktree will continue to follow its move forward, but with caution mantra, he writes.

His full lengthy memo (Ive cut what I could, Marks says) is available here and worth a read.

Futures for the Dow YMU7, +0.46% , S&P 500 ESU7, -0.04% and Nasdaq-100 NQU7, -0.68% are higher, after the Dow DJIA, +0.39% , S&P SPX, -0.10% and Nasdaq Composite COMP, -0.63% each achieved an all-time closing high yesterday.

The dollar DXY, +0.55% is adding to yesterdays loss, and analysts are blaming the fall on the Fed swtiching its language on inflation to running below its target from running somewhat below.

Gold GCQ7, +0.73% is capitalizing on the dollars drop, while oil CLU7, +0.86% has been choppy, but staying up big for the week. Europe SXXP, -0.11% is mixed, after Asia closed with gains.

See the Market Snapshot column for the latest action.

The ICE U.S. Dollar Index is touching a fresh 13-month low this morning, stretching its year-to-date decline to 8.5%.

An ETF that tracks the buck the PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund UUP, +0.37% is showing a similar 2017 drop. And its the only currency ETF in the red for the year in the chart above from Charlie Bilello, the Pension Partners chart slinger.

Read more: Stocks are ignoring U.S. political uncertainty, but the dollar isnt

And see: U.S. stocks could get a powerful tailwind from the weaker dollar

$500 billion Facebooks FB, +2.92% market value might hit that milestone if this mornings earnings-fueled premarket gain holds.

On Wednesday, Amazon AMZN, -0.65% joined the $500 billion club, a select group that includes Apple AAPL, -1.89% ,Google parent company Alphabet GOOG, -1.45% GOOGL, -1.33% and Microsoft MSFT, -1.20% .

See: Facebook keeps warning about growth, but growth doesnt stop

Some big institutional investors look set to steer clear of Snapchat parent Snap SNAP, +4.48% after FTSE Russell announced a key decision on its indexes. The index provider plans to exclude companies that basically dont give public shareholders a voice.

Amazons secret skunkworks lab called 1492 is looking into electronic medical records and other opportunities in health care, says a CNBC report.

Too hot for a slice? Nestle NESN, -0.97% says warm summer temperatures have weakened spending on pizza and other products.

AstraZeneca AZN, -14.91% AZN, -15.41% is on track for a big down day after a closely watched clinical trial failed.

In five years time, scandal-hit Libor should be no more.

Earnings season remains in full swing. Companies on the docket before the open include Comcast CMCSA, +0.20% , Twitter TWTR, -14.13% , Verizon VZ, +7.68% , Southwest LUV, -4.96% , Dow Chemical DOW, +0.21% , P&G PG, +1.55% , UPS UPS, -4.01% and Mastercard MA, -1.57% .

Amazon, Starbucks SBUX, +2.69% and Intel INTC, +0.63% are among the names due to report after the close.

In terms of economic data, reports on jobless claims and durable goods are on tap before the open.

Check out: MarketWatchs Economic Calendar

Ive been saying for months we should start with what we agree on, and try to build up. The previous strategy was to start big and try to have the whole kitchen sink in there. Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) is among those signaling support for a skinny repeal of Obamacare.

Read: GOP senators win further support for skinny repeal of Obamacare

And see: Heftier bill to repeal Obamacare fails in Senate

A ride broke apart at Ohios state fair, killing one person and injuring seven others.

The things each state really dislikes are random. For N.D., its tapas.

Swedens government is in trouble over its handling of a huge data breach.

Brits are having fun writing captions for new photos of their MPs.

Need to Know starts early and is updated until the opening bell, but sign up here to get it delivered once to your email box. Be sure to check the Need to Know item. The emailed version will be sent out at about 7:30 a.m. Eastern.

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Bitcoin isn't real, and markets are darn hot, warns Howard Marks - MarketWatch

‘Criminal mastermind’ of $4bn bitcoin laundering scheme arrested – The Guardian

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Alexander Vinnik being led into a Greek court. Greek police described Vinnik as a an internationally sought mastermind of a crime organisation. Photograph: Giannis Papanikos/AP

The Russian internationally sought mastermind of a crime organisation accused of laundering more than $4bn in bitcoin, including funds obtained from the hack of failed bitcoin exchange Mt Gox, has been arrested in Greece.

A US jury indicted Alexander Vinnik on Wednesday after his arrest in a small beachside village in northern Greece on Tuesday, following an investigation led by the US justice department along with several other federal agencies and task forces.

Vinnik was described by the justice department as the operator of BTC-e, an exchange used to trade the digital currency bitcoin since 2011, which was allegedly used to launder more than $4bn for people involved in crimes ranging from computer hacking to drug trafficking.

US authorities also linked him to the failure of Mt Gox, the Japan-based bitcoin exchange that collapsed in 2014 after being hacked. Vinnik obtained funds from the hack of Mt Gox and laundered them through BTC-e and Tradehill, another San Francisco-based exchange he owned, they said in the statement.

Just as new computer technologies continue to change the way we engage each other and experience the world, so too will criminals subvert these new technologies to serve their own nefarious purposes, said Brian Stretch, US attorney for the Northern District of California.

Vinniks arrest is the latest in a series of US operations against Russian cybercriminals in Europe, including the taking down of two of the biggest dark web marketplaces for drugs, guns and other illicit items, AlphaBay and Hansa, last week.

The prosecutions also coincide with intensified scrutiny of Russian hackers after US intelligence officials determined that Russia interfered in the 2016 US presidential election using cyber-warfare methods to help Donald Trump, something Moscow denies.

During his time in the digital currency market, US authorities allege Vinnik facilitated crimes including hacking, fraud, identity theft, tax refund fraud, public corruption and drug trafficking. Greek police described Vinnik as a an internationally sought mastermind of a crime organisation.

BTC-e, which has been out of service for more than a day, attributed this to unplanned maintenance. In a tweet on Wednesday after the arrest of Vinnik, BTC-e said it would restore service in the next five to 10 days.

The exchange is one of the oldest virtual currency platforms. It allows users to trade bitcoin pseudonymously against a variety of fiat and virtual currencies, and is known in cryptocurrency markets as having relaxed standards for checking users identity, and for not collaborating with law enforcement.

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'Criminal mastermind' of $4bn bitcoin laundering scheme arrested - The Guardian

Making Bitcoin work better – The Economist

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Making Bitcoin work better - The Economist

North Korea Commences Large Scale Bitcoin Mining Operation – Bitcoin News (press release)

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Information recently surfaced that someone in North Korea has started mining bitcoin. According to Recorded Future, a threat intelligence company, on May 17 North Korea initiated a rather large mining operation. Prior to this date, there was minimal bitcoin node activity in the country.

Also Read:Indian Multi-Industry Survey Shows 97% Awareness of Bitcoin

The website said, Before that day, there had been virtually no activity to Bitcoin-relatedsites or nodes, or utilizing Bitcoin-specific ports or protocols. Beginning on May 17, that activity increased exponentially, from nothing to hundreds per day.

The website explored an intricate theory about why North Korea began mining bitcoin. They made a connection between the bitcoin mining start date and the timeline of the Wannacry ransomware attacks in May. The ransomware effectively encrypted over 75,000 businesses computers worldwide, and then asked for a bitcoin ransom in return for access to the files.

Apparently, North Korea started the bitcoin mining process to produce bitcoin activity within the country, so they can stealthily move bitcoin from the ransomware wallets around while preserving deniability of the attacks, according to Recorded Future.

This notion is not the only theory about the origin of Wannacry, though. According to reports from Financial Times and other media outlets, the Wannacry software is linked to the NSA exploits as well as the Shadow Brokers group. In this sense, there is no immediate, clear connection between North Korea and Wannacry aside from the present analysis by Recorded Future. Nonetheless, someone in North Korea is still leading a large scale bitcoin mining operation.

There is still speculation about who is running the operation, but Recorded Future suggests that it is probably government. The website clarified:

It is not clear who is running the North Korean bitcoin mining operations; however, given the relatively small number of computers in North Korea coupled with the limited IP space, it is not likely this computationally intensive activity is occurring outside of state control.

Furthermore, even accessing an Internet connection for common people in North Korea is nigh impossible. The government does not provide access to the worldwide web to many people, unless those individuals are high ranking military or government officials. Most people can only sometimes access the countrys internal intranet, which only has a handful of basic websites. This is another point if why it is probable that State actors in North Korea are running the operation. At this point, no one knows for certain.

Do you believe that North Korean government officials are mining bitcoin? Why do you think they are mining bitcoin? Let us know in the comments section below.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock

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North Korea Commences Large Scale Bitcoin Mining Operation - Bitcoin News (press release)

Utica Comets get GM, associate coach – Utica Observer Dispatch

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OBSERVER-DISPATCH

Recently named Utica Comets head coach Trent Cull has a new addition to his coaching staff.

The Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday announced personnel moves for their American Hockey League franchise.

Gary Agnew will be Culls associate coach. The 57-year-old Agnew has a coaching career that dates back to the mid-1980s and includes a six-season head coaching stint in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch. He also has been an associate or assistant with the NHLs Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues and most recently with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He also spent more than a decade working in the Ontario Hockey League, where he was twice named Coach of the Year.

The Canucks also announced that Ryan Johnson will be the Comets general manager. Johnson, who was named the Canucks' player development consultant in 2013, also retains the director of player development role he began in 2016. Johnson will continue to work closely with Vancouver prospects. Johnson, who totaled 122 points in 210 games with the Canucks during a 701-game NHL career, will also continue to work with Comets' Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher, who has been with Utica since the 2013-14 season.

Brett Henning was named director of professional scouting. He has spent the last seven seasons on the Canucks scouting staff.

The Comets open the regular season with a franchise-most seven-game road trip that begins Saturday, Oct. 7, at Toronto. Their first home game will be Wednesday, Nov. 1, when they host the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m.

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Utica Comets get GM, associate coach - Utica Observer Dispatch

Canucks name GM and associate coach for Comets – Rome Sentinel

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Published Jul 27, 2017 at 2:00pm

VANCOUVER The Vancouver Canucks made two moves affecting the Utica Comets on Wednesday, naming Ryan Johnson general manager and Gary Agnew associate coach.

In other moves, the Canucks named Brett Henning director of professional scouting, while Brian Chapman and David Volek joined the professional scouts and four amateur scouts were added to the staff.

Johnson joins director of hockey operations Pat Conacher in the Utica front office.

In this expanded role, Johnson will continue to work closely with prospects in the system and lead the day-to-day functions of hockey operations. He joined the Canucks as a player development consultant in 2013 and became director of player development in 2016.

Johnson also played in 210 games in a Canucks sweater over a 701-game NHL career, totaling 122 points.

Agnew joins newly named head coach Trent Cull behind the Comets bench. He most recently worked as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2015-16 season. Agnew has also worked with the Syracuse Crunch as a head coach and was the general manager/head coach of the London Knights and was twice recognized as OHL Coach of the Year.

Henning becomes director of professional scouting after spending seven seasons as a member of the Canucks scouting staff. Henning added Volek and Chapman to his staff, both who were amateur scouts for the Canucks.

Four new amateur scouts were added to the Canucks staff. They are Todd Harvy, Paul Gallagher, Doug Gasper and Vincent Montalbano. Leaving the club were Lucien DeBlois, Ken Cook and Mike Addessa.

Longtime Canucks fan favorite Harold Snepsts retires from the scouting ranks after 12 years, but will remain with the club in an ambassador role.

He played 12 seasons with the Canucks and was recently named to the Ring of Honour in 2011. He tallied 233 points and 2,009 penalty minutes for Vancouver, the Minnesota North Stars, Detroit and St. Louis over the course of his NHL career.

The Comets begin their fifth AHL season on Saturday, Oct. 7 with a road game against the Toronto Marlies.

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Canucks name GM and associate coach for Comets - Rome Sentinel

Psoriasis and Eczema: What’s the Difference? – Beliefnet

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Orrling and Tomer S/Wikimedia Commons

Dry, itchy, and painful skin can be due to a wide range of skin conditions. Two of the most popular conditions thought are psoriasis and eczema. These two conditions can appear very similar and make it tough to distinguish a difference. Both conditions cause red, itchy skin but have different causes and treatments.

Eczema is a skin condition that can be caused by a number of factors including environmental factors, allergens, family history and bacteria exposure. On the other hand, psoriasis is a condition that occurs when a persons immune system triggers skin cells to grow faster than they should. Instead of the dead skin cells coming off the skin, they build up. In addition, psoriasis can cause joint stiffness as well as swelling.

Both of the conditions can keep the skin from appearing smooth and healthy. There is only one type of eczema, and five types of psoriasis. However, the most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which is the form that most clearly resembles eczema. While its rare that a person will have both of the conditions at once, it is possible.

Due to the buildup of psoriasis plaques, the skin will have thick, red and scaly patches that are well-defined. These may be silvery in color and are raised up high. The skin will be thicker and more inflamed than if it was eczema.

Eczema is different with the patches being red or brown-gray in color. There will be rough, leathery patches of skin. Sometimes the areas will appear as small raised bumps. These bumps may have a crust-like layer that causes them to leak fluid when broken.

Eczema is known to cause very intense itching that usually worsens at night. When a person scratches the skin, the results can be swollen, sensitive and even raw skin. However, while psoriasis can cause itching it typically is only mild. There instead may be a sting or a burn feeling.

Eczema is more common in children than adults, and tends to subside at about age 5 or 6 according to the Nemours Foundation. However, some young people may have flare-ups during puberty.

Psoriasis typically develops between the ages of 15 and 35, and babies rarely have the condition. The American Academy of Dermatology estimate that 1 percent of children have psoriasis while 10 percent of children have eczema.

Eczema appears most commonly on part of your body that bend, including your inner elbow or behind the knee. Babies will sometimes get it on their chin, cheeks, scalp, and similar.

Psoriasis can appear on the nails, which is rare for eczema. In addition patches of psoriasis can show up on elbows, knees, the scalp, lower back, palms of hands, soles of feet, eyelids, ears, mouth and lips.

Both psoriasis and eczema share some triggers, such as stress and infection. Its important to avoid things that will irritate the skin, such as certain soaps, detergents and disinfectants. Since allergens can set off eczema, its also important to avoid things like dust, pets, pollen and mold if necessary.

Psoriasis can also get flare-ups when the skin is injured, for example by vaccinations, sunburn and scratches. Medications such as lithium or drugs for malaria are also known to bring on psoriasis symptoms. Talk with your doctor about how to avoid these triggers.

Mild-to-moderate psoriasis treatments include over-the-counter corticosteroids that work by reducing inflammation and itching. Moderate-to-severe psoriasis can be treated with stronger medications available by prescription.

Eczema has no cure. Keeping the skin clean, moisturized and dry can help relieve symptoms. If avoidance of triggers and at-home treatments dont work, a doctor can prescribe stronger creams.

Psoriasis and eczema arent the only types of skin conditions that resemble each other. Examples of other skin conditions that are commonly misdiagnosed include athletes foot, contact dermatitis, shingles, hives, rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis. If you are unsure of what is causing your skin issues, monitor the area closely and go see a doctor.

Psoriasis has been linked to serious health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and depression. Eczema doesnt have serious links. However you may have someone else in your family with eczema, or have asthma or hay fever.

Regardless of the skin condition, its important to speak to a doctor about treatment options and ways to find relief for the problem. Keep a log of your symptoms and try to identify the triggers that make it worse. This will help in pinpointing if you have eczema or psoriasis.

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Psoriasis and Eczema: What's the Difference? - Beliefnet

8 Holistic Ways to Heal Psoriasis – Beliefnet

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Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. It typically affects the outside of elbows, knees or the scalp, thought it can appear anywhere. It can be itchy, burn and sting, which can leave patients in discomfort. There are many treatments out there for psoriasis, however there is no cure.

Those with psoriasis struggle to find treatment plans that work best for them. Finding relief from the skin condition can be hard, but many have found great success in using various at-home, herbal remedies. These natural options provide a way to reduce redness, and relieve pain, itching and burning. Try these different options out to see what could possibly work for you.

To help relieve scalp itch, apple cider vinegar may be a great way to go. You can buy a bottle of apple cider vinegar at your local grocery store and apply it to your scalp several times a week. Some people feel a burning sensation, so try diluting the vinegar with water on a 1-to-1 ratio to prevent this from happening. Others have found rinsing the solution once it has dried also helps to prevent irritation. If this works for you, you will see results within a few weeks. However, if your scalp is cracked or bleeding you will want to skip this remedy. The vinegar will only further irritate your skin.

If you have psoriasis throughout your body, a warm bath filled with Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts will help. Try adding a quarter cup of salt to bathwater and soak for about 15 minutes. Be sure to apply moisturizer once you are done to help keep skin hydrated. The soak should help alleviate the itching and burning of scaly plaques.

Aloe plant gel is known to be helpful for sunburns, and it can help with psoriasis too. Gel from the plant can be applied to the skin up to three times daily and research shows that it can help reduce redness and scaling associated with psoriasis. If not using an actual aloe plant, look for medicated creams that contain at least 0.5 percent aloe. Please note, however, that taking aloe in tablet form shows no benefit and can be dangerous.

This has been a solution to psoriasis for centuries and many report it has great benefits, despite there not being scientific evidence to support the use of it. Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree plant which grows in Australia. When applied to the skin, this treatment is said to help remove dry, dead cells. Many people find using shampoos with tea tree oil helps best. Be careful, though, as many are allergic to it.

One of natures best skin soothers, many individuals with psoriasis report finding relief with the help of oats. Try applying an oat past or taking a bath in oats to relieve itchy skin and reduce redness.

Turmeric is an herb that is frequently studied for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You can take turmeric concentrated in pill or supplement form or if you like curries, adding it liberally to your food. The FDA considers 1.5 to 3.0 grams of turmeric per day to be safe. However, we suggest that you consult with a naturopathic practitioner for help in determining the correct amount for you.

One of the best things you can do for your psoriasis is to modify your diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables are filled with disease-fighting antioxidants. When you have psoriasis, its important to maintain a healthy weight so that your medication will be more effective. In addition, research suggests that psoriasis patients are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Keeping fruits and veggies around will help to lower this risk.

Drinking plenty of water is also an important diet choice for those with psoriasis. Drinking water helps to keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from getting too dry. In addition, using a humidifier is a good home remedy that will keep your skin moist, especially in winter.

Studies have also shown that people who have celiac disease may be at a higher risk for psoriasis, in part because gluten can cause inflammation. Even if you dont have celiac, a gluten-free diet may work for you.

Many find that stress is a huge trigger for their psoriasis symptoms. To help combat this, pick activities you enjoy that are known to have stress-reducing properties. Yoga is a great way to relieve built up anxiety and stress. Devote 20 minutes a day to yoga exercise, which involve some mediation as well as breathing, stretching, and strengthening movements. Yoga also helps to relieve the pain and itch of psoriasis plaques while improving your range of motion if you have psoriatic arthritis. Another stress-reducing activity would be getting a massage. Clinical trials have shown massage therapy may be beneficial in treating chronic pain, which often accompanies psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

It can be tough to find the treatment plan that works for you. Psoriasis can be a stubborn disease, but it does not have to run your life. Try out these natural, at-home remedies to fight the irritation and itchiness of psoriasis.

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8 Holistic Ways to Heal Psoriasis - Beliefnet