Principles for Secure Integration of AI in Operational Technology
An IC3 Alert, "Principles for the Secure Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Operational Technology," has been issued by U.S. and international cybersecurity partner agencies, promoting four key principles critical infrastructure owners and operators can follow to leverage the benefits of AI in OT systems while reducing risk — Understand AI, Consider AI use in the OT domain; Establish AI governance and assurance frameworks; and Embed safety and security practices into AI and AI-enabled OT systems. IC3 has the details.

Why are some states investing in and promoting Crypto?
A number of states have permitted state funds to be invested in cryptocurrencies. In New Hampshire, the state may invest 5% of its public funds in precious metals and digital assets as long as the asset has a market capitalization of over $500 billion. Bitcoin is presently the only cryptocurrency that qualifies. Texas has passed a very similar law. Arizona establishes a process for the state to seize digital assets which qualify as abandoned property. A number of other states, including Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio, have introduced laws similar to New Hampshire's, some of which would allow up to 10% of public funds to be invested in cryptocurrency. ArentFox Schiff has more on the risks involved.

AI turns cards into intelligent payment credentials
Cards are moving beyond their traditional role as a way to pay. The new race to the top of wallet is about the digital credential behind the card, one that delivers more optionality and smarter, more contextual experiences for consumers. PYMNTS has the details.

Interchecks and Mastercard partner to advance account-to-account payments
Interchecks and Mastercard have announced a strategic partnership that brings together Interchecks' Pay by Bank solution with Mastercard's Open Finance capabilities to enhance choice and efficiency of account-to-account (A2A) payments. Finextra has the details.

Bitcoin Bancorp to deploy 200 bitcoin ATMs in Texas
Bitcoin Bancorp plans to deploy up to 200 bitcoin ATMs in Texas. It selected Texas due to its pro crypto policies and lack of personal income and capital gains taxes, according to a press release. The deployment will begin in the first quarter of 2026. The bitcoin ATMs will all be licensed. ATM Marketplace has the details.

SoFi Technologies intros smart card
SoFi Technologies Inc. introduced its Smart Card, an all-in-one account. With this card, customers can gain spending insights, earn awards, build credit history and more, according to a press release. This card aims to provide the benefits of credit cards in a debit card including: 5% cash back at grocery stores; up to 4.30% APY on savings balances; dynamic credit limit based on balances; fraud protections; and access to Allpoint ATMs. ATM Marketplace has the details.

DTCC picks Canton Network to tokenize U.S. Treasury securities
Last week, DTCC unit the DTC (Depository Trust Company) received a no-action letter from the SEC, enabling it to push ahead with a new service to tokenize real-world, DTC-custodied assets. The Digital Asset partnership will enable a subset of U.S. Treasury securities custodied at DTC to be minted on the privacy-focused blockchain Canton Network. Source has more on this development.

Spams, Scams, and Breaches

• CSO Online: Urban VPN caught stealing private AI chars
• Help Net Security: Clipping Scripted Sparrow’s wings: Tracking a global phishing ring
• Cyber Security News: RansomHouse RaaS Service Upgraded with Double Extortion Strategy that Steals and Encrypts Data
• Help Net Security: Microsoft 365 users targeted in device code phishing attacks
• Security Boulevard: What the Latest OpenAI Security Breach Reveals About the State of AI Protection

Updates, Patches, and Alerts...

• US-CERT: Current Activity
• CSO Online: FortiGate firewall credentials being stolen
• CSO Online: Gladinet file-sharing servers allow remote code execution
• The Register: Browser 'privacy' extensions have eye on your AI, log all your chats
• The Register: SantaStealer stuffs credentials, crypto wallets into a brand new bag
• SecurityWeek: Ghostbuster Firefox extensions hid malware in icons
• Security Boulevard: Chrome extension intercepting users; AI chats

Last Tech Talk for 2025
We will not publish Tech Talk on December 26, or on January 2, 2026, the Fridays after Christmas and New Year's Day. We will resume publishing Tech Talk twice a month in January. Watch for our next issue on January 9, 2026.