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Discord customer service system breached by "unauthorised party", gaining access to "a small number of government-ID images"
Game Reviews

Discord customer service system breached by “unauthorised party”, gaining access to “a small number of government-ID images”

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A third-party customer service system used by Discord’s support teams has been hacked, compromising some user personal data, including government IDs.

Discord has written to some users confirming that on 20th September, personal data was obtained by “an unauthorised party” which gained limited access, including “a small number of government‑ID images such as driver’s license and passports from users who had appealed an age determination”.

Discord – which is used by millions of gamers across the world – says information shared by users with its Customer Support or Trust and Safety teams was “exposed”, including real names, Discord name, email, contact address, limited payment information – including payment type, last four digits of credit cards, and purchase history – IP addresses, and messages and attachments sent to customer support. Limited corporate data, including training materials and internal presentations, was also exposed.

Full credit card numbers or CCV codes, Discord activity or messages, and passwords or authentication data were reportedly not compromised, but Discord has not revealed how many of its millions of users may have been impacted.

In a blog post, Discord insisted that just “a limited number of users who had communicated with customer support” were impacted, and the authorised party did not gain access to Discord directly. It also claimed to have taken “all appropriate steps” by notifying data protection authorities, law enforcement, and “reviewed our threat detection systems and security controls for third-party support providers”.

“Looking ahead, we recommend impacted users stay alert when receiving messages or other communication that may seem suspicious. We have service agents on hand to answer questions and provide additional support,” Discord said. “We take our responsibility to protect your personal data seriously and understand the inconvenience and concern this may cause.”

An earlier edition of this story referred to the breach as “authorised”, not “unauthorised”. This has been amended. Apologies for any confusion.



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Robots (Unsplash/Sumaid pal Singh Bakshi/Modified by CoinDesk)
Crypto Trends

Tokenization Could Revitalize Chile’s Struggling Pension System

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For four decades, Chile has been a laboratory for pension reform. Its 1980s overhaul, based on individual capitalization, transformed retirement saving across Latin America. Mandatory contributions, privately managed by pension administrators (AFPs), built one of the region’s deepest capital markets and turned Santiago, Chile’s capital city, into a regional financial hub. Sovereign bonds were sought after, IPOs plentiful, and foreign investors saw Chile as a model of modernity.

That prestige has since faded. Low self-financed replacement rates — a median of 17% between 2015 and 2022 — left workers dissatisfied. Distrust of AFPs, often accused of charging high fees for middling returns, has grown. Then came the pandemic, when Chile’s Congress authorised three extraordinary withdrawals. More than $50 billion drained out between 2020 and 2021 — representing over 20% of the individual pension funds accumulated by 2019 and sixteen percent of Chile’s 2022 GDP. For households, this was a lifeline; for capital markets, a rupture. Liquidity fell, issuance slowed, and a pool of long-term savings once considered sacrosanct shrank.

In March 2025, Congress approved a long-awaited pension reform, replacing the “multifund” model with generational funds. Multifunds let workers choose among portfolios of varying risk, but many affiliates were ill-equipped, often chasing short-term returns or stuck in mismatched defaults. The new generational funds apply “life-cycle investing.” Young savers are placed in equity-heavy portfolios, shifting gradually toward bonds as they age. Economists argue this reduces mistakes and produces more stable outcomes. Regulators see it as common sense: align portfolios with demographics rather than market timing.

The reform also adds employer contributions, boosts The Universal Guaranteed Pension, a state-financed benefit to guarantee minimum pension to older adults, regardless of whether they contributed consistently to the private AFP system. The reform also forces competition by auctioning affiliates to the lowest-fee providers every two years instead of four. These measures should lift replacement rates, put pressure on AFPs to cut costs and improve efficiency, and spread risk more fairly.

Yet the reform remains cautious. Generational funds make portfolios more rational but savers more passive. Transparency is limited, switching providers cumbersome, and engagement shallow. That conservatism risks leaving Chile’s pensions modern in form but analogue in spirit. Around the world, finance is changing rapidly. Digital wallets, open banking, and tokenization are reshaping how capital is raised and invested. Chile’s model, even with generational funds, may be solving yesterday’s problems with yesterday’s tools.

The most promising innovation lies in tokenization: representing bonds or shares on digital ledgers. This promises faster settlement, lower costs, and greater transparency without altering the underlying asset. Europe has launched its DLT Pilot Regime, and Switzerland’s SIX Digital Exchange already issues tokenized bonds. Chile isn’t sitting on its hands. In 2023 its Law for Financial Technology Innovation created a regulated framework for open finance and crypto firms. Officially launched in 2020, the Santiago Stock Exchange (BCS), the Central Securities Depository (DCV) and the telco GTD launched AUNA Blockchain, Latin America’s first corporate blockchain consortium, to test tokenised bonds and shares. If managed prudently, this shift could transform Chile into a regional hub for institutional crypto investment and make initiatives like ScaleX Santiago Venture, CORFO and Start-Up Chile more dynamic by channeling digital savings into startups. Tokenization would not only lower costs and speed up settlement but also increase transparency, improve liquidity through fractional ownership, and expand market access. These features could give pensions safer exposure to innovation while nudging Chile’s financial infrastructure toward greater efficiency and global integration.

More controversial is crypto. Could Chile’s pension savings eventually include Bitcoin? Perhaps, but not yet. For that to happen, the law must be amended to explicitly recognise digital assets as eligible instruments for investment of retirement savings. The country’s Central Bank must also approve them, and regulators must enforce standards for custody, valuation, and risk. Even then, exposure would require caution. Direct coin holdings would clash with prudential rules. At a minimum, exposure should be through regulated ETFs or exchange-traded notes (ETNs), with explicit legal recognition and strict caps. Other countries’ experimentations with crypto investments show the stakes. Germany lets certain pension vehicles invest up to 20 percent in crypto. New Zealand’s KiwiSaver has dabbled in crypto via ETFs. Some US public funds have bought bitcoin products. But Canada’s Ontario Teachers and Quebec’s CDPQ lost heavily in failed ventures like FTX and Celsius. The lesson: prudence must prevail.

Chile could strike a balance with a dual path. Tokenised bonds and equities should be treated as equivalent to conventional ones if issued on regulated venues. In my opinion, crypto exposure, if allowed, should come only through ETFs or ETNs, capped initially at 1% percent to understand the market, but should be allowed to reach at least 25% percent of the equity allocation. Licensed custodianship, segregation of assets, and insurance would be mandatory. Full disclosure of volatility and downside risks should be required so savers know what is at stake. Such a roadmap would open pensions to innovation without jeopardizing stability. And by embedding tokenization into mainstream saving, it could accelerate the digitalization of Chile’s financial services ecosystem, setting standards banks, brokers, and insurers would need to follow.

But technical fixes alone cannot rebuild trust. Chile’s pension debate is about legitimacy as much as design. To address that, reforms could go further. Performance-based rebates could tie AFP fees to outcomes, rewarding long-term outperformance. “Open pensions” platforms could mirror open banking, offering affiliates real-time comparisons of fees and returns. Sandboxes could test tokenised fund shares and smart contracts. Allowing a sliver of savings to serve as mortgage collateral could ease tensions between younger workers, who feel locked out of housing markets, and retirees demanding higher pensions — softening intergenerational strains without undermining long-term funding, while keeping retirement goals intact. Affiliates should also share more directly in upside gains. One idea would link extraordinary profits to worker accounts: when returns beat a benchmark, the surplus would be credited back under supervisory oversight. This would make savers partners in success and keep AFPs accountable for performance, not just scale.

Chile deserves credit for moving where its neighbours mostly dawdle. Argentina has lurched between state and private control. Brazil’s system is vast but fragmented. Mexico’s reforms remain contested. Chile continues to adapt, however cautiously. But the stakes are high. Move too slowly, and capital markets risk stagnation, starved of long-term savings. Move too fast, and pensions could be caught in crypto storms. The balance between prudence and innovation is delicate.

Generational funds will make Chile’s pensions look sleek on paper, aligning portfolios with demographics and reducing costly mistakes. But without deeper innovation in technology, transparency, and citizen engagement, the system may remain analogue at heart. Pension design today is not only about adjusting contributions or tweaking commissions. It is about harnessing technology, safeguarding trust, and giving citizens an active role in shaping their financial futures. If Chile manages that balancing act, it could once again set the regional standard. Done right, pensions could catalyse the modernisation of the entire financial infrastructure. If not, Chile may find itself with a system modern in form but creaky underneath, destined for yet another reform and another crisis of confidence.



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Sen. Ron Wyden, who heads the Committee on Finance, speaks at Consensus 2024. (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)
GameFi Guides

‘Tokenization is Going to Eat the Entire Financial System’ Says Robinhood CEO

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SINGAPORE — The most important story in crypto right now is tokenization and it’s coming fast to disrupt traditional finance, according to Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev.

Tenev told the crowd at the Token2049 conference in Singapore that tokenization is a “freight train” barreling toward the heart of traditional finance.

“Crypto and traditional finance have been living in separate worlds, but they’ll fully merge. In the future, everything will be on-chain in some form, and the distinction will disappear,” he said.

With Robinhood now offering tokenized stocks in Europe as well as private shares in some of the hottest non-public startups like OpenAI, the firm is betting big on a future where assets trade 24/7, on-chain, and globally.

“In the same way that stablecoins have become the default way to get digital access to dollars, tokenized stocks will become the default way for people outside the U.S. to get exposure to American equities,” Tenev said on stage. “That’s why we launched our stock tokens in Europe first, it’s the future of how global investors will hold U.S. assets.”

Even though many in the crypto industry have praised the direction the U.S. is going on digital asset policy, Tenev said the country needs to play regulatory catch-up to Europe.

There’s no urgency to change things – such as creating regulations to facilitate 24/7 trading of tokenized stocks – because the current system works well enough already. Tenev compared it to the lack of high-speed trains in the U.S., something ubiquitous in Europe and Asia.

“The biggest challenge in the U.S. is that the financial system basically works. It’s why we don’t have bullet trains — medium-speed trains get you there well enough,” he said. “So the incremental effort to move to fully tokenized will just take longer.”

Tokenizing real estate

Next up for Robinhood is tokenizing real estate.

Tenev told the crowd that tokenizing property is “mechanically” no different from tokenizing a private company, such as SpaceX or OpenAI: you place the assets into a company structure and then issue tokens against it.

While OpenAI called the move to tokenize its private shares “unauthorized” and crypto lawyers that spoke to CoinDesk said the move walked a legal tightrope, Tenev dismissed the controversy as part of a broader regulatory lag, arguing that the main hurdles aren’t technical but legal.

Europe is already moving ahead, he said, while the U.S. will likely trail, but he framed real estate as the next logical step in Robinhood’s tokenization push — an asset class that could one day be traded as easily as a stock or stablecoin.

“Eventually, it’s going to eat the entire financial system,” Tenev said.



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Citi Adds Token Services To 24/7 Usd Clearing System
Crypto Trends

Citi Adds Token Services to 24/7 USD Clearing System

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Citigroup has announced the integration of its blockchain-powered Citi® Token Services with its 24/7 USD Clearing solution, marking a major step forward in real-time cross-border payments. Institutional clients in the U.S. and U.K. can now move funds instantly across Citi and non-Citi accounts, eliminating cut-off times and enhancing liquidity management.

This is the first time a global bank has deployed a tokenized infrastructure that operates round the clock with multi-bank reach. The integration allows clients to bypass legacy friction points such as transaction delays and pre-funded accounts.

The offering uses a permissioned blockchain to facilitate secure, on-demand tokenized liquidity transfers, effectively bridging the gap between traditional clearing systems and decentralized technologies. Citi’s move also adds flexibility for its 1,500 financial institution clients, who can now process USD payments at any time, including weekends and U.S. holidays.

“Global commerce doesn’t take weekends off, and neither should payments”,  said Debopama Sen, Citi’s Head of Payments. “This solution reflects our continued commitment to deliver real-time infrastructure that matches the speed of business.”

Citi has been steadily building blockchain presence, processing billions in tokenized transactions since launching Citi Token Services in 2024. The bank now operates in the U.S., U.K., Singapore, and Hong Kong, with expansion plans in motion for other regions.

A direct challenge to stablecoin infrastructure?

The timing of the announcement may not be coincidental. Earlier this week, Citi published a research report forecasting the stablecoin market to reach $4 trillion by 2030 in a bullish scenario. However, it also warned that stablecoins might face headwinds from bank-issued digital tokens, which could be favored due to clearer regulation and compliance standards.

In that report, analysts projected that bank tokens could process over $100 trillion in annual transactions, surpassing expectations for private stablecoins. Citi’s infrastructure rollout aligns with this institutional trend while avoiding the regulatory uncertainty tied to public stablecoins.

As banks like Citi adopt compliant blockchain tech, the line between stablecoins and bank tokens blurs, yet the race for digital dollar dominance is clearly on.

Also read: Stablecoin Market Could Reach $4 Trillion by 2030: Citi Analysts



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XRP
Crypto Trends

Pundit Claims That Ripple Is Building The Banking System Right On The Blockchain Using XRP

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Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Both Ripple and XRP have been a topic of debate in the crypto community for years. However, recent discussions have reignited interest in its current and future role within the global finance sector. Market experts are now asking whether XRP is genuinely reforming the financial system or simply recreating existing banking structures on the blockchain. Despite scrutiny, the cryptocurrency continues to have a significant influence on the cross-border payments industry. 

Ripple To Replicate Traditional Banking With XRP

Market expert Xaif Crypto shared a video post on X social media, highlighting the views of Jeff Booth, a Canadian Entrepreneur and author best known for his bestselling book ‘The Price of Tomorrow.’ According to Xaif Crypto, Booth emphasized that XRP is essentially mirroring the existing traditional banking system rather than subverting it.   

In the video, Booth elaborates that traditional bank models rely on creating money through lending and charging interest—a system that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The Canadian author noted that while the concept of decentralization and blockchain-based money transfer is promising, applying it within a closed, controlled system for governments and banks may undermine its transformative potential. 

His analysis underscored the nuances in the ongoing debate over the purpose of cryptocurrencies. He also stressed that not all participants in the crypto space are acting with ill intent, highlighting that some are genuinely attempting to innovate and transform the space. Nevertheless, replicating traditional banking practices on a decentralized ledger raises both philosophical and practical challenges. 

Booth notes that if the blockchain merely reproduces a system based on perpetual interest and money creation, it may reinforce the very inequalities that decentralized technology was created to address. His commentary further suggested that while XRP may be a step toward modernizing banking infrastructure, it may not fully achieve the vision of a truly reimagined financial system that is decentralized and equitable. 

XRP As A Foundation For The Digital Era

A contrasting perspective comes from crypto analyst Pumpius on X, who highlighted comments from Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse from years ago. According to him, Garlinghouse asserted that XRP, along with Bitcoin, has the potential to surpass traditional assets such as gold and diamonds. 

Unlike gold, which has historically functioned as a long-term store of value, or diamonds, which rely on scarcity and luxury appeal, Pumpius stated that XRP is positioned as programmable money with global settlement capabilities. He underscored that altcoin is not merely a speculative asset but a structural component of the emerging digital economy. 

By enabling rapid, programmable transactions, Pumpius declared that XRP could serve as the backbone for trade, settlements, and identity anchoring for the digital era. The analyst’s vision frames the asset as the foundation of a new monetary order, where traditional assets face competition from digital ones designed for efficiency and integration into global finance rails.

XRP trading at $2.88 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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Nutribullet Triple Prep System
Product Reviews

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is a blender and food processor combo that handled almost every recipe I could throw at it

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Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: one-minute review

True to its name, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System is a blender combo that provides the functionality of three kinds of kitchen appliances in one. Nutribullet as a brand may have made its start with personal blenders, but the lineup has expanded to include

Alongside a 1,500 watt motor base, the system includes a long list of accessories: a 64oz pitcher, two travel cups with lids, a food processor work bowl, a shredding/slicing disc, a tamper, a food pusher, and a dough blade. So, it’s pretty much a full toolkit for any home chef looking to whip up smoothies, shakes, soup, dips, and more.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

As expected, during my tests, there was almost no hurdle the Nutribullet Triple Prep System stumbled at. From chopping carrots to crushing ice, the machine proved to be an exceptionally useful assistant in the kitchen again and again. What’s more, it was more user-friendly than many

  • Nutribullet Triple Prep System at Amazon for $169.99

There are a few problems that held the Triple Prep System back from perfection though. For one, the blades in the pitcher can’t be removed, which makes hand washing a good bit more difficult than it needs to be. As well as that, it doesn’t perform well with very small batches, given its smallest container is 24oz.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: price and availability

  • List price: $244.99 / £229.99 / AU$349.95
  • Available in the US, UK, and Australia
  • Sold through Nutribullet’s website and other third-party retailers

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is widely available to buy in the US, UK, and Australia. Across all three of these regions, you can pick up the Triple Prep System directly from the Nutribullet site or on Amazon. When it comes to third-party retailers in the States specifically, some of your other options are Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.

At over $200, the Triple Prep System is undoubtedly on the higher end of the Nutribullet range. It is one of the brand’s most multifunctional machines though, so it makes sense that it would set you back more than the rest. For context, you can get a basic Nutribullet personal blender for as little as $80.

Even with that higher price tag, if it saves you the cost of buying a blender and food processor separately, the Triple Prep System is incredible value for money. That said, it’s probably not a great idea to opt for it if you don’t plan to make use of its full suite of features.

Today’s best Nutribullet Triple Prep System deals

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$244.99 / £229.99 / AUS $349.95

Weight

8.7lbs / 4kg

Size (H x W x D)

8.75 x 8 x 7.75 inches / 22.2 x 20.3 x 19.7cm

Travel cup capacity

32oz / 900ml or 24oz / 700ml

Jug capacity

64oz / 1.8 liters

Work bowl capacity

7 cups

Presets

Smoothie, puree, frozen drinks, nut milk, dressing, chop, dough, dip.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: design

  • Plenty of presets to choose from
  • Smart attachment recognition
  • Slightly large footprint, but accessories nest for storage

One of my favorite features of the Triple Prep System is how it smartly recognizes which container you have attached to the base, and changes which presets are available based on that knowledge. It even modifies the duration of presets depending on which attachment you’re using.

For example, the Smoothie preset runs for 50 seconds with the pitcher and 60 seconds when using the travel cups. More blending time for a smaller container may sound counterintuitive, but your ingredients having less space to move around means that the motor has to process for longer to ensure all of the mix comes in contact with the blades.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

You wouldn’t have to know all that though, because the Triple Prep System makes that change for you. The touch button layout is clean and intuitive: you’ve got start/stop controls, a pulse button, and clearly labeled presets for smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, and food processing tasks. Any preset that isn’t suitable for your attached container conveniently disappears too, helping to make using the machine an almost foolproof experience.

The majority of parts are dishwasher-safe, which offers a welcome reprieve from having to scrub out smoothie remnants and soup leftovers by hand. The extractor blade isn’t suitable for dishwasher cleaning, but given the fixed pitcher blades caused me far more struggle when cleaning than the extractor blade, I didn’t find this to be too much of an issue.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Given the sheer number of functions this machine serves, its slighter larger footprint feels like a worthy trade. If you cook from scratch or make fancy drinks at home regularly enough, you can probably justify keeping the motor base on your kitchen counter between uses. When you go to store the Triple Prep System away in your kitchen cupboards, you’ll probably find its wealth of accessories and attachments more of a curse than a blessing.

Certain parts of the system (like the shred/slice disc) slot together or into each other so it does seem like there was some effort made to save space. However, it still is a system that requires some generous-sized kitchen cupboards.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: performance

  • Consistently great results with smoothies and soups
  • Does a great job crushing ice
  • Struggles with very small batches

Blenders are Nutribullet’s bread and butter – particularly ones for making smoothies. With that in mind, it made a lot of sense to start my testing there.

The smoothie recipe that’s used during TechRadar’s testing processes is a doozy in a couple of respects. It includes blueberries, which have skin and tiny seeds for the blender’s blades to try to contend with. But it also contains kale: the fibrous leafy vegetable that’s the enemy of many at-home smoothie lovers. While kale is great for sneaking nutrients in your drinks, it can be really difficult to completely break down if your blender isn’t up to the task – and plenty of blenders aren’t.

Image 1 of 1

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Thanks to the Triple Prep System’s 1,500W motor and the guidance of its smoothie preset, I managed to blitz up a thick, tasty smoothie with virtually no off-putting ‘bits’. Any grittiness from the berries’ seeds disappeared entirely and no chunks of leaf remained.

Roughly the same was true when I tried to replicate the smoothie in one of the travel cups. Upon very, very careful inspection, there were minuscule flecks of unprocessed kale floating in the smoothie but these were few and far between, and weren’t large enough to detect in the mouth when drunk.

Crushing the ice in the travel cup gleaned far less than ideal results so I opted to try it in the pitcher instead. Don’t get me wrong, I was reasonably satisfied with what the travel cup produced: well-crushed ice with some little chunks that escaped the wrath of the extractor blade. However, I wanted to see if the added surface of the pitcher would produce a better end result.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Sure enough, without much fuss, the pitcher’s blades managed to pulverize the cubes into fine, icy grounds that were just perfect for a snow cone or daiquiri. The Triple Prep System’s volume output hit a peak of 96db during this part of the test (roughly equivalent to some power tools). While this level of noise is certainly not pleasant to be exposed to for too long, it is a good bit higher than the blender’s average which was closer to 87db.

As testing continued, the Triple Prep System continued to impress. After mixing up a hummus recipe in the food processor’s work bowl on the ‘dip’ preset and scraping the sides, I was treated to a creamy dip with zero unincorporated segments of chickpeas. Thicker blends sticking under the blades and on the edge of the container was a notable problem with the Nutribullet SmartSense that I found added extra time to making this simple, delicious recipe. Thankfully, the Triple Prep System avoids the same mistake.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Next, I put its shred/slice disc to work on a block of cheese and found that it provided a result that was really consistent. However, the slight inconvenience of chopping the cheese small enough to fit through the narrow gap in the food processor’s lid might make this a less attractive option in the future.

The only real disappointment I experienced during testing was how the Triple Prep System performed making mayonnaise. The pitcher was obviously too large to properly blend a batch, so I opted to use the food processor work bowl instead. The issue is that – even when I doubled the usual recipe – the container was still far too spacious.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

An alternative mayonnaise recipe written specifically for a Nutribullet suggested using a 18oz cup, but the Triple Prep System not only doesn’t include a container that small but doesn’t have any more compact attachments that would allow you to gradually drip oil into the emulsion as it’s blending. So, unless you’re anticipating mixing up an industrial-sized tub of mayo, it’s worth doing this recipe by hand or with an immersion blender.

Should you buy the Nutribullet Triple Prep System?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyNutribullet Triple Prep System score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It’s far from the lowest-cost option when it comes to blenders. But given the breadth of tasks it can be used for, it’s very good value.

4/5

Design

Takes up more space than many blending solutions but attachments nest for storage. Build quality is very strong.

4.5/5

Performance

Excels in almost every test. Great for smoothies, hummus, and crushing ice. Struggles with small batches.

4.5/5

Buy it if

Don’t buy it if

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: also consider

If you’re on the look-out for options that are similar to the Nutribullet Triple Prep System, here’s some alternatives worth considering:

How I tested the Nutribullet Triple Prep System

Alongside my usual kitchen tasks, my testing involved using the Nutribullet Triple Prep System to make TechRadar’s standard test recipes.

Throughout this process, I assessed the effectiveness of both manual and preset blending. I used a decibel tracker to determine how loud the blender is during use and after each blend, I cleaned the blender attachments and accessories by hand.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: Price Comparison



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FBC: Firebreak's first big update is its literal breaking point, bringing lots of system overhauls next week
Game Updates

FBC: Firebreak’s first big update is its literal breaking point, bringing lots of system overhauls next week

by admin



It’s been no secret that Remedy’s FBC: Firebreak landed like a piece of haddock at the fishmongers. This shouldn’t necessarily be a complete surprise, after all this is their first attempt at a live service game that’s all them (they also helped to make CrossfireX, and that didn’t go very well either). Still, to Remedy’s credit they’ve also committed to bring changes to the game, and those changes are coming in the form of a big update titled Breakpoint next week.


Moving swiftly along from the fact that this update’s name feels like a make or break point for FBC: Firebreak, Breakpoint is set to arrive next week on September 29th. There is some new stuff that’s coming with this update, but the main point of it is multiple system overhauls and quality-of-life improvements. I mean, Remedy literally said one of its goals with this update is to “Improve everything about the FBC: Firebreak experience.” That’s a tall order!


One of the big issues with the game is that onboarding just… didn’t really work. Many found it a bit difficult to parse, with systems not getting enough explanations. Now, right at the start of the game there’s an “Orientation” tutorial level that comes with a voiceover and tips to get you acquainted with the basics. You’ll find some new job overview videos to better understand the game’s different Crises too.


Speaking of the Crises, these work a bit differently now too. There’s now a Crisis Board, replacing the game’s job selection screen, which refreshes every 30 minutes, and you can choose specific Crises to play too. Remedy explains that each Crisis is “currently a curated version of one of the existing five (six with the update) Jobs with randomized rewards, objectives, and length.” There’s also a new Crisis to play through, based around that mold you might remember from Control. Nasty stuff, but more to do is always good.


The game’s economy and progression has been changed too, namely that you keep any gear, guns, or perks you’ve unlocked. On top of that there are three currencies to be found, and any currency you currently have will be split evenly between these three.


In terms of what’s next, Remedy says the next major update is coming in late November, which they’re currently calling “Rogue Protocol.” That one will have cross-platform voice chat, as well as a new game mode. After that, the next big update won’t be until March 2026.


Who knows whether this update will breathe enough life back into the shooter or not, but at least Remedy is giving it a good go. You can read about all of the changes and additions here.



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Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar on stand with TV in background
Product Reviews

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: a seriously immersive soundbar system with Dirac Live room correction

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar: One minute review

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar with optional Flexus SURR 200 rear speakers and Flexus SUB 200 subwoofer (Image credit: Future)

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 isn’t the cheapest Dolby Atmos soundbar you can buy, but those who can afford it will find it matches the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on just about every level.

Now, it might not be the best soundbar for everyone. Aside from the big price tag, it’s also physically big. But it does everything else right. It has all the ports one could want, and it has all the features you’d expect to see in the best soundbars. Most importantly, it sounds really good. And once you set it up with the Dirac Live feature, the sound quality goes from really good to great. It’s that last bit that really puts it over the edge for me.

If you’re looking for a soundbar system that gives a true theater experience at home, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is more than capable, and the experience gets even more immersive when you add the accompanying surround speakers and subwoofer.

  • Klipsch Flexus Core 300 at Sweetwater Sound for $1,199

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Price & release date

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 system packaging (Image credit: Future)

  • Price: $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830)
  • First available: September 2025

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar system reviewed here is anything but cheap. In fact,the Core 300 soundbar, with the Sub 200 subwoofer, and Surr 200 surround speakers that I tested will set you back an eye-wateringly high $2,299.97 / £1,827 (about AU$3,500).

Individually, the Core 300 soundbar goes for $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830), while the Sub 200 subwoofer is $599.99 / £419.00 (about AU$910) and the Surr 200 surround sound speakers are $499.99 / £359.00 (about AU$760) per pair. There are cheaper versions available of the subwoofer and surround speakers, so you can get away with a lower system cost, but you won’t have the same experience.

Also. Aussies will have to sit this one out (at least at the time of writing).

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Dimensions (W x H x D)

soundbar: 54 x 3 x 5 inch / 1371 x 76.2 x 127mm; subwoofer: 15.25 x 15.25 x 15.25 inches (387 x 387 x 387mm); surround speaker: 4.1 x 8.75 x 4.31 inches 105 x 222.25 x 109.5mm

Speaker channels

5.1.2 (soundbar), 7.1.4 (with sub and surround speakers)

Connections:

HDMI 2.1 passthrough, HDMI eARC, USB-C, optical digital, subwoofer output, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Sub included

Available separately

Rear speakers included

Available separately

Features

4K 120Hz passthrough, Dirac Live room calibration, AirPlay, Google Cast, Google Home support

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Features

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar and the optional wireless sub and rear speakers uses wireless dongles to transmit and receive audio signals (Image credit: Future)

  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
  • Night and dialog
  • Can adjust the volume of individual speakers

As you would expect from its price, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is feature-filled. It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and you can add an optional subwoofer (or two subwoofers since dual subs are supported) and wireless surround speakers for a full surround sound experience. On top of that, it has built-in Dirac Live, a calibration software that minimizes the effects of room reflections on the sound.

The Flexus Core 300 features movie and music modes, along with a night mode that compresses the audio dynamic range for late-night viewing. A dialog mode offers three different levels to emphasize the specific part of the mid-range where dialog sits. This is a bit more subtle than what I’ve found on other soundbars, but still effective.

In the app, there are quite a few additional options for fine-tuning the sound. There’s a three-band EQ, and you can adjust the individual volume of each channel if you feel like something is out of balance. The only thing missing, surprisingly, is any kind of voice assistant support – a feature typically found on the more expensive soundbars.

WiFi streaming supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay, and Google Cast. Google Home is the only supported smart home ecosystem.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Performance

Both the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar and SUB 200 subwoofer are large compared to most soundbar systems (Image credit: Future)

  • Basic sound quality is very good
  • Dirac Live elevates sound clarity
  • Immersive soundstage

There are two experiences when listening to the Klipsch Flexus Core 300: with and without Dirac Live. Without it, the soundbar sounds very good. Action movies like The Workman have that oomph you expect from a movie theater experience, where you can just feel the subwoofer. Whether it’s a sound effect of someone getting punched or the low notes in the score that add a sense of foreboding, the sound has an impressive sense of weight to it.

The treble is as good as you would expect from a soundbar this pricey as well, with synths, flutes, and windchimes sounding crisp with no loss of detail.

The mid-range is what suffers the most without Dirac Live as it sounds a bit overstuffed without adjustments and dialogue can get lost just a little bit. You can offset with a three-band EQ that provides a 6 dB boost or cut, and changes to the EQ, even with presets active, are noticeable.

But, the real solution is to use Dirac Live (which I describe below in the usability and setup section). Once you’ve gone through the Dirac Live setup, the soundbar will create a custom EQ profile to adjust for the reflections of soundwaves bouncing around your media room, and the difference is stark. Dirac Live makes this soundbar go from good to amazing, with everything sounding clean, especially in the mid-range.

I watched The Batman, the first episode of The Residence, and an Eagles vs Cowboys football game, along with plenty of music during my testing. No matter how complex the soundtrack or music was, I could hear everything with precision. That alone justifies the Flexus Core 300’s price. Other room calibration systems I’ve tried can be very good, but this one is great.

I also experienced immersive sound when testing the surround sound speakers, even when they were not as widely placed as they should be. For the most part, their presentation was subtle; I would almost not realize that there was audio coming through them until I paid attention and realized that I was hearing the sound of wind.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Design

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 has a bright alphanumeric LED display for control feedback (Image credit: Future)

  • Modern, elegant look
  • Large soundbar and subwoofer
  • Extensive ports

While the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 comes in basic black, there’s something about its look that’s more elegant than a lot of the competition. (A walnut version is also available.) The soundbar and subwoofer both have wood grain showing through the black (not so for the surround sound speakers), and a silver Klipsch logo is featured prominently on each unit.

Now, don’t mistake that elegance for compact. This isn’t Apple. The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar is 54 inches wide, and the SUB 200 subwoofer is a 15-inch cube. The SURR 200 surround speakers are just under nine inches tall and a bit over four inches wide and deep. If you’re limited on space, this is not the system for you.

Focusing on just the soundbar, I really appreciate that the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 has an alphanumeric LED display that’s bright and sizable enough that it’s easy to read.

As far as controls go, most of the functionality is either on the remote or in the app. The soundbar itself just has power, input, and volume up and down buttons situated off-center on top.

The Flexus Core 300 comes with just about everything portone could ask for, including but not limited to multiple HDMI ports featuring eARC and 4K 120Hz passthrough, along with an optical digital input and RCA subwoofer output. Of course, there’s Bluetooth as well.

Most of your interaction with the soundbar will probably be through the remote. While I wish it was rechargeable instead of using AAA batteries, that’s really the only criticism I can throw at it. It feels good to hold with its rounded back, and the layout allows you to adjust most functions without having to use the app, including switching sound modes and adjusting the volume of the surround speakers and subwoofer.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Setup & usability

Klipsch’s control app lets you adjust all system functions and is also used for Dirac Live calibration (Image credit: Future)

  • Generally easy to set up
  • Sub and surround speakers use wireless dongles
  • Dirac Live calibration requires silence

Klipsch packs the soundbar, subwoofer, and surround speakers with their own manual, and setting them up is a fairly straightforward process, though not exactly plug-and-play. I’ve set up a few soundbar systems with wireless connections before, and those typically get paired right out of the box. Here, both the subwoofer and surround sound speakers come with their own wireless dongle that needs to be plugged into the soundbar before pairing.

Considering that the sub and surround speakers are separate purchases, that makes sense. But it’s an additional step, and you have to press the pairing button on each external speaker and wait for the soundbar to connect.

If you want to get the most functionality out of Klipsch’s system, you also need to set up the app. This part was easy – all I had to do was connect it to Wi-Fi and answer some personalization questions.

The only thing I found a little difficult was setting up the Dirac Live calibration, which is finicky compared to other automatic calibration systems I’ve used. But then again, Dirac Live is the standard that audiophiles use for room correction.

The soundbar comes with a wired microphone that gets placed around the sitting area, and the calibration process requires complete silence. If a pet passes by or someone calls out during the ten-minute Dirac Live calibration, or if the air conditioner is too loud, then the test will fail and need to be run again.

  • Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Value

Klipsch’s SURR 200 rear speakers are easy to setup and deliver immersive surround sound (Image credit: Future)

  • Expensive compared to other premium soundbars
  • Other premium systems not as well designed
  • Competition doesn’t support Dirac Live

As great as the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System is, it’s expensive compared to the competition. That’s especially true if you compare the system to premium models from large manufacturers like Samsung and LG, and not boutique audiophile brands that typically go for even more money.

As far as specific examples go, the LG S95AR is an impressive soundbar system in its own right – I gave it a very favorable review – and comes with surround speakers and a subwoofer without requiring an extra purchase. Its price tag of $1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AUD$2,610) might seem higher than the Flexus Core 300’s price tag of $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 / AU$1,695, but it’s actually a good deal when you consider it’s a complete package. The Klipsch is more aesthetically pleasing and sounds better, but both are quality systems.

The Samsung HW-Q990F, which retails for $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995. Is a feature-filled 11.1.4 system that also makes the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System feel overpriced. Again, there’s a difference in aesthetics and the Samsung (along with the LG) doesn’t support Dirac Live room calibration, although they do provide their own proprietary calibrations.

Should I buy the Klipsch Flexus Core 300?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Night and Dialog mode are all here along with Dirac Live room EQ

5 / 5

Performance

Very good immersion and basic sound quality that is strongly enhanced by Dirac Live

5 / 5

Design

Classy looking and with an LED display, but large for a soundbar

4.5 / 5

Setup & usability

Relatively easy to set up, though Dirac Live calibration can be finicky if you don’t have complete silence

4.5 / 5

Value

As great as this soundbar system is, it’s among the more expensive options

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Klipsch Flexus Core 300

Samsung HW-Q990F

LG S95AR

Sonos Arc Ultra

Price

$1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830)

$1,999 / £1,699 / AU$2,099

$1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AU$2,610)

$999 / £999 / AU$1,799

Dimensions (w x h x d)

Soundbar: 54 x 3 x 5 inch / 1371 x 76.2 x 127mm; subwoofer: 15.25 x 15.25 x 15.25 inches (387 x 387 x 387mm); surround speaker: 4.1 x 8.75 x 4.31 inches 105 x 222.25 x 109.5mm

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138 mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inch); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inch); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inch)

Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 in (1250 x 63.5 x 134.6mm); subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 in (200 x 406 x 404mm); rear speakers: 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 in (160 x 223.5 x 142mm)

2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches (75 x 1178 x 110.6mm)

Speaker channels

5.1.2 (soundbar), 7.1.4 (with sub and surround speakers)

11.1.4

9.1.5

9.1.4

Connections

HDMI 2.1 passthrough, HDMI eARC, USB-C, optical digital, subwoofer output, Bluetooth

1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

2x HDMI (1 with eARC), optical, digital, Bluetooth, USB type-A

1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

How I tested the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar

(Image credit: Future)

  • I used the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar system for several weeks
  • Tested with TV, movies, games, and music

I used the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System regularly for several weeks with TV, movies, games, and music. I tested the different modes and inputs, and I spent a lot of time with the Dirac Live calibration.

I’ve tested plenty of tech gear over the years ,from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: September 2025

Klipsch Flexus Core 300: Price Comparison



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Swift To Test On-Chain System On Linea Blockchain
GameFi Guides

SWIFT to Test On-Chain System on Linea Blockchain

by admin



SWIFT, the global interbank messaging network, is finally moving forward to test its on-chain messaging system on Linea, the Layer 2 blockchain developed by Consensys after months of negotiating. Several major banks, including BNP Paribas and BNY Mellon, will take part in the multi-month trial.

The test aims to explore how blockchain could improve speed and how easy the system can be programmed for international payments. According to a report by BigWhale, the banks will also test how stablecoin can be used to support tokenized transactions.

🔴 SCOOP: SWIFT picks Linea (Consensys’ L2) to test on-chain messaging

10+ banks incl. BNP Paribas & BNY Mellon join

A stablecoin is also being exploredhttps://t.co/RxBrcvV7mt

— The Big Whale 🐳 (@TheBigWhale_) September 26, 2025

“The project will take several months to see the light of day, but it promises a major technological transformation for the international interbank payments industry,” a source at one participating bank told reporters.

SWIFT’s decision to carry out this test is due to the growing interest in how blockchain technology be used in the process of traditional banking. So instead of sending multiple messages between accounts, transactions could just be recorded as single on-chain payments. Banks hope this will reduce costs and allow smoother connections with other tokenized financial assets, such as bonds and shares.

The interbank network connects more than 11,000 institutions around the world  handling billions of messages every year. But SWIFT does not move the money itself, it only sends standardized payment instructions. Money flows through accounts held between banks, known as nostro and vostro, or through national settlement systems.

For example, if a French company pays a Brazilian supplier, SWIFT sends a standard message called MT103. The supplier’s bank gets the message and processes the payment. This system works but can be slow because it depends on many steps and relays.

Why did Swift choose Linea?

Linea, a Layer 2 network built on Ethereum, was reportedly chosen for its cryptographic privacy capabilities. This allows participating banks to test blockchain functionalities without exposing sensitive commercial information.

Currently, the pilot is exploratory, with technical challenges integrating with existing banking systems to be solved. The project brings together leading institutions, giving them an early view of how the world of international payments could change

Sources indicate that the trial could eventually enable payments and settlements to merge into one secure on-chain transaction, transforming how banks move money internationally.

Also Read: Cardano is 3rd Gen Blockchain, Others Took Shortcuts: Hoskinson





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A man wearing a suit kneels on the ground as a dog wearing a harness rushes toward the screen. Both characters are rendered in stylish silhouette.
Gaming Gear

4 years after launch, card-based brawler Fights in Tight Spaces gets an expansion that adds a canine companion and an ‘all new assistant system’

by admin



It’s been four years since Fights in Tight Spaces grabbed turn-based tactics by the collar and beat it about the head with a stack of collectible cards, so the fact that it’s getting an expansion this far out was a surprise in and of itself. That this DLC primarily adds a dog to help you batter baddies in cramped conditions is, if anything, a pleasant bonus.

For the uninitiated, Fights in Tight Spaces takes the tactical layer of games like X-COM and replaces the aliens with a heavy dose of John Wick. Playing as suave silhouette Agent 11, each level places you in an isometric, turn-based action scenario filled with monochromatic goons, then deals you a handful of martial-arts themed playing cards. You need to play the cards to take out your opponents in the most efficient way possible. It’s a straightforward premise, but one sleekly presented and with more depth than you might expect.

The DLC, named K9 Division, adds a helpful hound into the game’s card-based brawls. According to developer Ground Shatter, this involves more than just an extra character to play with. While Agent K can fight on their own terms using an array of dog specific moves such as biting enemies, intimidating them by barking, or distracting them to give Agent 11 more breathing room, the DLC also layers in an “all-new assistant system” that allows both agents to team-up for flashy combinations.


Related articles

Fights in Tight Spaces: K9 Division Trailer – YouTube

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You can experiment with this system via not one but two canine starter decks, each offering a slightly different hound-assisted fighting style through a total of 50 new cards. The DLC also brings a “remixed story mode” letting you experience the game afresh with Agent K’s assistance, as well as new enemies for you to batter/bite. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, yes, there is a card for petting the dog.

If you’re wondering why Fights in Tight Spaces is getting this DLC four years after launch, it seems K9 Division ports over some of the companion systems seen in Ground Shatter’s sequel Knights in Tight Spaces, which released earlier this year. While a decent follow-up, Knights doesn’t appear to have gone down as well as Fights did. Knights’ ‘Mostly Positive’ Steam reviews claim that it’s a richer experience all-told, but one that takes a while to show its strengths, lacking the more immediate appeal of its predecessor.

In any case, Fights in Tight Spaces: K9 Division is available now, with an RRP of $10 (£8.50) Ground Shatter is currently running a 10% launch discount, bringing that price down to $9 (£7.65) until October 2.



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