Whenever a big scam, ransomware attack, or dark-web bust is being reported about, the same word keeps recurring next to it: crypto. Politicians warn about it. Regulators scrutinise it. Opponents argue that it is the economic support of the criminals around the globe. However, is cryptocurrency the currency of criminals, or does it have a more simplistic narrative, which fails to consider real-life uses of the technology? We should divide perception and reality. Why is crypto associated with crime? The problem of reputation with crypto did not occur out of the blue. During its infancy, Bitcoin gained popularity in dark-web marketplaces such as Silk Road, where it was being used to conduct illegal drug deals. This association remained early. Crypto also has characteristics that may attract criminals: Pseudonymous transactions Borderless transfers No jurisdiction to hinder payments. Such characteristics were appealing to crypto ransomware activities, Internet fraudsters, and illicit marketplaces, particularly prior to the police understanding how blockchain monitoring functioned. What the data actually shows Although the headlines indicate otherwise, several blockchain analytics companies have continuously demonstrated that a very small percentage of crypto usage is criminal activity . Reports on the blockchain analysis typically report that illicit transactions comprise less than 1 percent of total crypto activity during most years. An enormous percentage of the crypto transactions are linked to: Trading and investing Remittances Payments DeFi and NFTs Long-term holding Conversely, cash is still much more popular in crime, and this fact will always be so due to the lack of any digital evidence. Cryptocurrency is, in fact, a little easier to follow than cash. This is the con, according to the irony: crypto can be a technology that is worse for criminals than money. The majority of blockchains are open registers . All purchases are documented permanently. As soon as a wallet is associated with a real-life identity due to an exchange, KYC procedure, or a failure of the working process, the whole history of the transactions can be traced. This has assisted in enforcing the law: Recover stolen funds Track ransomware payments Destroy dark-web markets. Prosecute financial crimes of high magnitude. Some of the high-profile arrests and seizures occurred due to the fact that criminals underestimated the level of transparency of blockchains. The reason why criminals continue to use crypto is still a mystery. In case crypto can be tracked, how come criminals continue to use it? Mainly because: It is quicker than conventional banking. It works across borders Part of Some users are misinformed that it is anonymous. Enforcement is not homogeneous across the world. However, with time, even criminals are shifting to Bitcoin and more discreet channels - such as cash, shell companies, or even the traditional financial loopholes. The bigger picture: Crypto as a Swiss cheese. Cryptocurrency is not criminal, but a neutral infrastructure. It can be utilized positively as well as negatively, like the internet, email, or smartphones. The technology that facilitates scams also facilitates: Lower cross-border payments . Access to finance by the unbanked. Censorship-resistant donations Open financial systems. The term crypto as the currency of criminals fails to acknowledge the right and booming applications. Then, Is Crypto the currency of criminals? The truthful reply: No, but criminals do not use it any more than they use cash and banks, and the internet. Crypto is not a criminal uniqueness . Indeed, it is not an easy choice when a serious crime is concerned due to its transparency. The story continues owing to: The perception of the people was influenced in early history. Scams are given more attention than normal usage. Crypto has not been clearly understood. Due to the enhanced regulation and the intensified tracking instruments, crypto is no longer appealing to criminals, but rather the opposite. Want more crypto insights? Follow The   ScreenLight  for the latest updates and explainers.

Technology is evolving with a clearer sense of purpose in 2025. Instead of running after complexity, innovators have focused on tools that combine easily into daily routines. This shift shows a wider effort to make technology supportive rather than demanding. The most remarkable developments this year highlight usability, balance, and long-term value. Together, they demonstrate why 2025 tech inventions are gaining attention across consumer, creative, and home technology spaces. Meta Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses: When information enters your line of vision Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses introduce a new way to access digital information without constant phone use. By placing contextual data directly in the user’s field of view, the device enables  connection  while maintaining engagement with the real world. The experience is intensified through the Neural Band, a wrist-worn controller that reads fine finger movements. This system also allows for hands-free navigation that feels natural, realistic, and unobtrusive. Rather than replacing already existing devices, the glasses accompany them, showing how wearable computing in 2025 is becoming more refined and socially flexible. Figure 03 Household Robot: The moment home automation becomes truly useful The Figure 03 household robot reflects a practical shift in home automation. Rather than dramatic illustration, it focuses on simple, ordinary, everyday tasks such as loading a dishwasher or handling normal organization. Using improved, up-to-date sensors and adaptive learning, the robot recognizes objects and reacts accurately to its environment. Its design focuses on consistency and safety, making it suitable for everyday settings. This development highlights how domestic robotics in 2025 is moving from concept to dependable utility. Nintendo Switch 2: Familiar Play, Reimagined for a New Generation The Nintendo Switch 2 appears to be one of the most forecasted releases of the year. Instead of altering its main essence, the console makes what is already good even better. The upgrade is characterized by better performance, improved graphics, and smoother gameplay. Meanwhile, Nintendo maintains the hybrid format that enables smooth transitions between home and handheld play. This is the balance between innovation and familiarity, which makes the console of great interest. The Switch 2 shows the worth of meticulous change in the wider context of the 2025 inventions in the field of technology. UV Printer E1 by Eufy: When creativity steps off the screen and into the Real World UV Printer E1 by Eufy expands the concept of individual and unique printing. Its ability to embellish and durable finishes to ordinary items, unlike normal printers. The potential enables users to create personalized, adaptable designs that are both visual and tangible. Its small size enables modern printing to be accessible to individuals, small studios, and businesses. The printer allows experimentation and customization by reducing technical barriers. These tools demonstrate how 2025 inventions of technology are making creativity possible without the need for specific infrastructure. The Light Phone III: A Quiet Rebellion Against Digital Overload The Light Phone III makes a conscious move in not being overloaded with features. It is also built as a distraction-free 5G phone, and it allows all the necessary communication, but restricts functions that require much attention. The interface promotes conscious consumption, which attracts individuals who want to find equilibrium in an ever-interconnected world. The device is a smartphone that breaks down some of the conventional thinking on smartphones through the integration of modern network support and minimal design. This is a tendency in the direction of 2025 tech inventions that are more concerned with well-being as well as functionality. These innovations show how 2025 technology inventions are determining a more considerate relationship between human beings and technology. All the products are relevant to real needs due to the sophisticated design, practicality, and attention to the user.  With such inventions finding more and more people, it is an indication of a future where technology makes life easier but not too overwhelming, as it has a clear way to go in the coming years. Continue navigating The ScreenLight  to know about more tech-related topics and stay up to date.

Semiconductor fabs rely on consistent access to specialized tools to maintain chip production efficiency Annual licenses have been approved by the United States, allowing leading South Korean chipmakers to receive advanced chipmaking tools for their operations in China in 2026, according to people familiar with the matter. The decision provides regulatory clarity for manufacturers who navigate export controls while sustaining global semiconductor supply chains. It also signals continuity in Washington’s oversight approach , balancing national security concerns with the operational realities of multinational fabrication networks. The approval covers shipments of equipment used at existing facilities. It shows a case-by-case analysis process rather than a broad relaxation of controls. Industry stakeholders view the move as stabilizing, particularly for memory chips that support consumer electronics, data centers, and emerging artificial intelligence workloads. A Regulatory Green Light that keeps the Machines Running The license approval maintains annual permissions for equipment deliveries to Chinese plants operated by South Korean firms. Officials highlighted that the scope remains limited to sustaining current capacity, not enabling expansion. This contrast underscores the administration’s intent to manage risk while avoiding sudden disruptions to global production flows. By renewing approvals annually, regulators preserve leverage and oversight. Companies gain predictability for planning maintenance and incremental upgrades. While its authorities retain the ability to reassess as technologies and geopolitical conditions evolve. Large-scale chipmaking facilities require continuous equipment upgrades to sustain operations Samsung’s China operations find breathing room, not Expansion For Samsung, the decision supports ongoing operations at established memory fabrication facilities in China. The approval does not alter restrictions on advanced-node expansion. But it allows routine tool replacements and efficiency improvements necessary for reliability and yield stability. This approach aligns with prior guidance that favors operational continuity over abrupt cutoffs. Samsung remains subject to compliance requirements and reporting obligations, reinforcing transparency around tool usage and end applications. Why SK Hynix’s Memory Supply Matters Beyond Asia SK Hynix also benefits from the annual approval, which supports memory chip output serving global markets. Memory components are cyclical, and supply shocks can quickly ripple into pricing volatility across devices and servers. By permitting tool shipments for upkeep, regulators reduce the risk of unintended shortages. Analysts note that a steady supply helps downstream industries plan product launches and manage inventories more effectively. Memory chips produced at global fabs are critical to consumer electronics and data centers Policy Balance Between Security and Supply Chains US export controls focuses to protect sensitive technologies while recognizing the interconnection of semiconductor supply chains. The annual license framework reflects this balance by allowing maintenance-level support without endorsing capacity growth. Officials have rehearsed that approvals are subject to reanalysis and can be adjusted. This flexibility allows policymakers to respond to technological shifts without triggering immediate operational disruptions. What does the approval signal for markets, manufacturers, and consumers This decision offers near-term surety for manufacturers, investors, and customers. Stable production reduces the likelihood of abrupt price swings in memory products and supports broader demand for electronics. While the approval does not signal deregulation, it suggests a pragmatic pathway that keeps essential manufacturing running. Market participants will watch future reviews closely for signals on long-term policy direction involving Samsung and its peers. The United States approval for annual chipmaking tool licenses for South Korean manufacturers stiffens a cautious, continuity-focused policy stance. By authorizing maintenance and limited upgrades while protecting oversight, regulators focuses to safeguard security interests without damaging global supply chains. For Samsung, SK Hynix, and the broader tech ecosystem, this decision provides clarity for 2026 planning. It underscores the importance of measured governance in an interconnected industry. Continue navigating The ScreenLight  to know about more tech-related topics and stay up to date.