Tether Operations Limited, the firm behind the US dollar stablecoin Tether (USDT), along with cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex, have pledged a grant of $100,000 to support the development of open-source privacy operating system Qubes OS. The OS has gained recognition from Bitcoin enthusiasts and libertarians due to its security architecture and approach to user privacy. It uses Xen-based virtualization to isolate different tasks and applications within separate virtual machines, known as “qubes,” providing enhanced security in financial transactions, accessing sensitive information, or secure communications.
The donation from Tether and Bitfinex shows their recognition of the paramount importance of privacy and security in the digital age. Paolo Ardoino, chief technology officer of the firms, stated that they are pleased to support Qubes OS, which is renowned for its iron-clad security.
The OS is known for its ability to isolate different software as if they were installed on separate physical machines, using advanced virtualization techniques to protect privacy. Edward Snowden, the American-Russian intelligence consultant and whistleblower, praised the OS in a post dated Sept. 29, 2016, stating that “If you’re serious about security, @QubesOS is the best OS available today. It’s what I use, and it’s free. Nobody does VM isolation better.”
Qubes OS eliminates security concerns by dividing a device into many compartments, much like dividing a physical building into rooms. It allows the creation of new compartments when needed and provides sophisticated tools for managing activities and data across these compartments.
Overall, the grant from Tether and Bitfinex demonstrates their commitment to enhancing cybersecurity and privacy in the digital world, and their recognition of Qubes OS’s potential for safeguarding sensitive information and transactions.