Latest News
New report today reveals a staggering 85% increase in online fraud with over a fifth of all online traffic now an attack
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In the UK: gaming, online streaming and social media sites, travel and retail/ecommerce companies are the worst hit by fraudsters
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Experts also find that the metaverse is already fast becoming a fertile breeding ground for cybercrime and newly defined, ‘Master Fraudsters’
A new report released today, The 2022 State of Fraud and Account Security, is warning UK commerce that it faces its most challenging year ever. Experts from the Arkose Labs Network, an online fraud deterrence platform, analyzed over 150 billion transaction requests across 254 countries and territories in 2021 over 12 months to discover that there has been an 85% increase in login attacks and fake consumer account creation at businesses. Alongside this, it identified that a quarter (one in four) of new online accounts created were fake. A further 21% of all traffic was confirmed as a fraudulent cyber attack.
“From the earliest days of online information to the rapid evolution of today’s metaverses, the internet has come a long way. However, this latest data shows that it is more under attack than ever before,” said Arkose Labs Founder and CEO Kevin Gosschalk.
He continued: “Your digital identity is a currency for fraudsters and wherever there is online commerce, cybercriminals are quick to identify vulnerabilities.”
The new report focused on a number of key themes:
The Worst Attacked Sectors in the UK
The latest research took a deep dive into UK business specifically to understand which sectors were the most attacked by online criminals. The ongoing popularity of online gaming puts it top of the list for fraudsters with almost half (46%) of all the attacks in the UK, as seen by Arkose Labs. Digital media companies (social networks and online streaming platforms) are also high value targets and represent a third of all attacks, seeing an 88% increase since 2020. Across all sectors including ecommerce/retail, travel, gaming, financial services, one in every four new online accounts created were fake throughout 2021.
Metaverse companies are more likely to be targeted by “Master Fraudsters”
The rise of virtual worlds has created new attack opportunities for bad actors. Early insights from the Arkose Labs Network show scams, microtransaction abuse, and unfair play are the top threats in a metaverse world. These companies experienced 80 percent more bot attacks and 40 percent more human attacks than other businesses. “Master Fraudsters” attack their targets by scripting together multiple tools with intense persistence. They combine bots and human fraud farms, and invest large amounts of capital, creating virulent attacks. Top attack patterns Master Frauders use to disrupt fair commerce include microtransaction fraud, spam and scams.
Crypto-fraud sees Asia overtake Russia as the world leading attacking region
In prior years, Russian attacks were more common, but in 2021, attackers from Asia took the top spot, with 40 percent of all attacks coming from this region. One in every two Asian attacks originated from China. Leveraging an ecosystem of tools and low-cost resources, two-thirds of Chinese attacks targeted registration, primarily driven by abusing free trials at cloud computing platforms for crypto mining.
Credential Stuffing attacks see a significant spike
Attacks are more volatile than ever. A single attack can consume nearly 80 percent of traffic at peak periods, and in 2021, credential stuffing spikes hit up to 76 million per week. Attack rates doubled during peak season in November, making it the most dangerous month in 2021. Bots were used almost exclusively in Black November.
The Intelligent Bot
Attackers have continued to invest in increasingly sophisticated bots. Bots mimic human behavior with a high degree of accuracy and in 2021 accounted for 86 percent of all attacks. Today’s bot signatures are three times more complex than signatures of previous years. This level of sophistication makes it more difficult to assess risk and make accurate decisions. Businesses require even more sophisticated analysis to detect anomalies and prevent loss.
Arkose Labs provides support for some of the world’s most recognized brands and platforms, including Honey, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PayPal, Pitney Bowes, Roblox, Venmo, and Zilch, covering industries, including financial services, fintech, gaming, retail, technology and social media, representing more than 1 billion social media users, 60 percent of online video gamers, and 40 percent of all retail volume.
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anti-quit challenge
HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January
With the new year in full swing, HIPTHER Movement is kicking off its 2026 season with a fresh twist on its community-powered running challenges. From January 26 to April 5, the HIPTHER Movement: Anti-Quit Running Challenge will push runners to stay active and consistent well past the typical drop-off period in February.
Why This Challenge Matters
Every year, millions of runners lace up in January, but by early February, many resolutions fade. According to global fitness statistics, over 70% of runners abandon their goals before spring.
HIPTHER is taking a different approach — by creating a challenge designed specifically for this dropout window, promoting long-term consistency and fun competition in a supportive, global community.
A Two-Tier Challenge to Make It Fair and Fun
To make things even more exciting and inclusive, the 2026 running challenge introduces two separate leaderboards:
1. Tier 1 – “The Titans”
This is where the top 10 runners from previous editions will battle it out. These are the athletes who consistently top the weekly charts and push the boundaries of mileage. It’s a high-stakes leaderboard for elite-level fun and endurance.
2. Tier 2 – “The Momentum Makers”
The rest of the community – from weekend joggers to returning runners – will compete in their own leaderboard. This tier is about building momentum, staying motivated, and celebrating personal bests – no matter the distance.
“We’ve seen the same five to ten names dominate the top spots, which is amazing – but we wanted to give everyone else a space to thrive, especially newer members or those coming back from injury or burnout,” says Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder of HIPTHER.
Challenge Period: January 26 – April 5, 2026
Participants can log their runs via Strava and automatically appear in the weekly leaderboard updates published across HIPTHER’s channels.
How to Join
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Already a member of the HIPTHER Run Club on Strava? You’re automatically enrolled.
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Not yet in the club? Join here – it’s free and open to all.
Weekly Highlights, Spotlights & Prizes
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Weekly shout-outs for standout performances
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Surprise giveaways for participation, not just podiums
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Social media badges & stickers for personal sharing
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Featured runners in the HIPTHER Talks Podcast and newsletters
No Dropouts This Time
The mission? To create a habit, not a spike. Runners who complete at least 8 weeks of the challenge will receive a virtual certificate and earn a chance to be featured in HIPTHER’s growing digital health and wellness community.
Don’t Worry, Cyclists: Your Time Comes This Summer
While this first 2026 challenge focuses on running, the HIPTHER Summer Ride-Off Challenge will return in June 2026, covering both road cycling and indoor sessions.
Final Word
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting back into running, this is your chance to be part of something bigger. The HIPTHER Movement isn’t just about leaderboards – it’s about consistency, community, and crushing that February slump.
Follow HIPTHER Movement on:
Let’s start strong — and stay strong. See you on the leaderboard!
The post HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Online casino brand WinSpirit has received Special Recognition in the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator category at the European iGaming Awards, held on January 19 — a respected industry event celebrating excellence and innovation across the global iGaming sector.
Since launching in 2022, WinSpirit has rapidly gained attention for its dynamic approach to product development, player engagement, and platform growth. The brand blends innovative tools with entertainment-driven experiences, earning recognition from both users and the wider industry.
Over the past year, WinSpirit has introduced interactive formats like WinSpirit Stories and Threads, expanded its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, and continued to invest in smart personalisation features. This has contributed to significant growth across key areas, including retention, session frequency, and VIP activity.
The award adds to the brand’s growing list of accolades, which already includes Rising Star (SBC Awards), Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards), and World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards). WinSpirit also maintains top-tier player ratings across major review platforms, including 4.6/5 on Trustpilot and 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.
With this Special Recognition from the European iGaming Awards, WinSpirit further reinforces its position as one of the most innovative and dynamic brands in modern online gaming — driven by rapid evolution and a clear player-first vision.
Casino Industry News
WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator
WinSpirit, the rapidly ascending online casino brand, has been awarded Special Recognition as the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator at the prestigious European iGaming Awards. The ceremony, held on January 19 in Barcelona, brought together the global iGaming elite to celebrate excellence, technical evolution, and industry-leading innovation.
Since its market debut in 2022, WinSpirit has carved out a distinct identity by prioritizing dynamic product development and immersive player engagement. This latest recognition highlights the brand’s successful efforts to merge cutting-edge technology with entertainment-driven user experiences.
Redefining Player Interaction
The award specifically acknowledges WinSpirit’s aggressive roadmap over the past twelve months. Key milestones that caught the judges’ attention include:
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Interactive Content Formats: The launch of WinSpirit Stories and Threads, which bring a social-media-inspired engagement layer to the gaming platform.
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Loyalty Evolution: The expansion of its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, rewarding players with tangible value in a seamless, instant-access format.
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Smart Personalization: Continued investment in AI-driven personalization features that tailor the gaming environment to individual player preferences.
These innovations have driven measurable success for the brand, with WinSpirit reporting significant growth in player retention, session frequency, and activity within its VIP tiers.
A Growing Legacy of Excellence
This Special Recognition is the latest addition to a mounting trophy cabinet for the brand. WinSpirit’s previous accolades include:
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Rising Star (SBC Awards)
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Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards)
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World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards)
Beyond industry awards, the brand maintains exceptional standing with the players themselves, boasting a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and an 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.
As WinSpirit moves into the remainder of 2026, the company reaffirms its “player-first” vision, positioning itself as a primary driver of the next generation of digital gaming.
The post WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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