-
@ 90152b7f:04e57401
2025-05-22 03:51:20Wikileaks - S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001733 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2017 TAGS: PREL, PTER, MOPS, KWBG, LE, SY, IS SUBJECT: MILITARY INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR YADLIN COMMENTS ON GAZA, SYRIA AND LEBANON Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
2007 June 13
1. (S) Summary. During a June 12 meeting with the Ambassador, IDI Director MG Amos Yadlin said that Gaza was "number four" on his list of threats, preceded by Iran, Syria, and Hizballah in that order. Yadlin said the IDI has been predicting armed confrontation in Gaza between Hamas and Fatah since Hamas won the January 2006 legislative council elections. Yadlin felt that the Hamas military wing had initiated the current escalation with the tacit consent of external Hamas leader Khalid Mishal, adding that he did not believe there had been a premeditated political-level decision by Hamas to wipe out Fatah in Gaza. Yadlin dismissed Fatah's capabilities in Gaza, saying Hamas could have taken over there any time it wanted for the past year, but he agreed that Fatah remained strong in the West Bank. Although not necessarily reflecting a GOI consensus view, Yadlin said Israel would be "happy" if Hamas took over Gaza because the IDF could then deal with Gaza as a hostile state. He dismissed the significance of an Iranian role in a Hamas-controlled Gaza "as long as they don't have a port." Regarding predictions of war with Syria this summer, Yadlin recalled the lead-up to the 1967 war, which he said was provoked by the Soviet Ambassador in Israel. Both Israel and Syria are in a state of high alert, so war could happen easily even though neither side is seeking it. Yadlin suggested that the Asad regime would probably not survive a war, but added that Israel was no longer concerned with maintaining that "evil" regime. On Lebanon, Yadlin felt that the fighting in the Nahr Al-Barid camp was a positive development for Israel since it had "embarrassed" Hizballah, adding that IDI had information that the Fatah Al-Islam terrorist group was planning to attack UNIFIL before it blundered into its confrontation with the LAF. End Summary.
Gaza Fighting Not Israel's Main Problem
---------------------------------------
2. (S) The Ambassador, accompanied by Pol Couns and DATT, called on IDI Director Major General Amos Yadlin June 12. Noting reports of fierce fighting between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza that day, the Ambassador asked for Yadlin's assessment. Yadlin described Gaza as "not Israel's main problem," noting that it ranked fourth in his hierarchy of threats, behind Iran, Syria, and Hizballah. Yadlin described Gaza as "hopeless for now," commenting that the Palestinians had to realize that Hamas offered no solution. IDI analysts, he said, had predicted a confrontation in Gaza since Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in January 2006. Yadlin commented that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh had become personally close despite their ideological differences, but neither leader had control over those forces under them.
3. (S) Yadlin explained that both Fatah and Hamas contained many factions. The Hamas military wing had been frustrated since the signing of the Mecca Agreement in January, but there were also many armed groups in Gaza that were not under the control of either party. Yadlin cited the example of the Dughmush clan, which had shifted from Fatah to the Popular Resistance Committees to Hamas before becoming an armed entity opposed to all of them. After May 15, the Hamas military wing had sought to export the fighting to Sderot by launching waves of Qassam rockets. One week later, as a result of IDF retaliation, they realized the price was too high and reduced the Qassam attacks.
4. (S) In response to the Ambassador's question, Yadlin said he did not think that day's Hamas attacks on Fatah security forces were part of a premeditated effort to wipe out Fatah in Gaza. Instead, they probably represented an initiative of the military wing with the tacit consent of Khalid Mishal in Damascus. Mishal was still considering the costs and benefits of the fighting, but the situation had become so tense that any incident could lead to street fighting without any political decision.
Gaza and West Bank Separating
-----------------------------
5. (S) The Ambassador asked Yadlin for his assessment of reports that Fatah forces had been ordered not to fight back. Yadlin said Mohammed Dahlan had 500 men and the Presidential Guard had 1,500 more. They understand that the balance of power favors Hamas, which "can take over Gaza any time it wants to." Yadlin said he would be surprised if Fatah fights, and even more surprised if they win. As far as he was concerned, this had been the case for the past year. The situation was different in the West Bank, however, where Fatah remained relatively strong and had even started to
TEL AVIV 00001733 002 OF 002
kidnap Hamas activists. Yadlin agreed that Tawfiq Tirawi had a power base in the West Bank, but he added that Fatah was not cohesive.
6. (S) The Ambassador commented that if Fatah decided it has lost Gaza, there would be calls for Abbas to set up a separate regime in the West Bank. While not necessarily reflecting a consensus GOI view, Yadlin commented that such a development would please Israel since it would enable the IDF to treat Gaza as a hostile country rather than having to deal with Hamas as a non-state actor. He added that Israel could work with a Fatah regime in the West Bank. The Ambassador asked Yadlin if he worried about a Hamas-controlled Gaza giving Iran a new opening. Yadlin replied that Iran was already present in Gaza, but Israel could handle the situation "as long as Gaza does not have a port (sea or air)."
War with Syria "Could Happen Easily"
------------------------------------
7. (S) Noting Israeli press speculation, the Ambassador asked Yadlin if he expected war with Syria this summer. Recalling the 1967 war, Yadlin commented that it had started as a result of the Soviet Ambassador in Israel reporting on non-existing Israeli preparations to attack Syria. Something similar was happening again, he said, with the Russians telling the Syrians that Israel planned to attack them, possibly in concert with a U.S. attack on Iran. Yadlin stated that since last summer's war in Lebanon, Syria had engaged in a "frenzy of preparations" for a confrontation with Israel. The Syrian regime was also showing greater self-confidence. Some Syrian leaders appeared to believe that Syria could take on Israel military, but others were more cautious. The fact that both sides were on high alert meant that a war could happen easily, even though neither side is seeking one. In response to a question, Yadlin said he did not think the Asad regime would survive a war, but he added that preserving that "evil" regime should not be a matter of concern.
Fighting in Nahr al-Barid Positive for Israel
---------------------------------------------
8. (S) The Ambassador asked Yadlin for his views on the fighting in the Nahr al-Barid refugee camp in northern Lebanon. Although Yadlin was called to another meeting and did not have time to elaborate, he answered that the fighting was positive for Israel because it had embarrassed Hizballah, which had been unable to adopt a clear-cut position on the Lebanese Army's action, and because the Fatah al-Islam terrorist organization had been planning to attack UNIFIL and then Israel before it blundered into its current confrontation with the LAF. He also agreed that the confrontation was strengthening the LAF, in fact and in the eyes of the Lebanese people, which was also good.
9. (S) Comment: Yadlin's relatively relaxed attitude toward the deteriorating security situation in Gaza represents a shift in IDF thinking from last fall, when the Southern Command supported a major ground operation into Gaza to remove the growing threat from Hamas. While many media commentators continue to make that argument, Yadlin's view appears to be more in synch with that of Chief of General Staff Ashkenazi, who also believes that the more serious threat to Israel currently comes from the north.
********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv
You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES
-
@ c1e6505c:02b3157e
2025-05-22 03:44:39This is day two of testing the Leica Summaron 35mm f2.8 on the Fujifilm X-Pro2.
The first part of this story you can find here on StackerNews**
TL;DR: I think I’m really enjoying this lens.
I went into it thinking I’d probably just sell it since it was gifted to me - assumed I wouldn’t like it. But after just a couple of days with it mounted on the X-Pro2, I’ve been surprisingly drawn to it.
Shooting wide open at f2.8 (which is how I’m testing it - to best reveal the lens’s character), the soft roll-off is really pleasing. It feels organic. The lens is over 50 years old, so I expected some quirks-but the quality feels natural, not overly “vintage". Takes the digital edge off.
The short focus throw is also really nice. Compared to the Summicron 35mm f2 v3 I usually shoot on my M262 (which has a longer throw), the Summaron feels tighter and more responsive when zone focusing.
One gripe: the infinity lock. It’s kind of annoying. I find myself accidentally locking it too often, but I’m getting used to holding the button down as I rotate the ring. I’ve read others complain about it, so I know I’m not alone there.
Most of these shots were from a bike ride to the river - about 6 miles out to swim and enjoy the sun. Perfect day for making a few photos.
This kind of work is honestly just fun. I enjoy the process, and even more so once I’m happy with the results and can share them.
Still building confidence in my work over time. I think I’m slowly refining my style - even if the subject matter is simple. Easier said than done, as any editor/curator knows (and I say this as one through NOICE Magazine).
Let me know what you think. I’ll try to upload higher resolution versions this time around (but not too high).
*Also, I use a program called Dehancer for creating the grain in these photographs. I highly recommend the program actually, I've been using it for a long time. If you would like to try it out, I have a promo code. Use "Pictureroom" for 10% off I believe.
You can further support me and my work by sending sats to colincz\@getalby.com. Thank you.
(note* this is being publised from the updated Primal reads client)
-
@ 90152b7f:04e57401
2025-05-22 03:20:35Wikileaks - C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002018 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR GOLDBERGER/SHAMPAINE/BELGRADE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS; TREASURY FOR SZUBIN/GRANT/HARRIS/NUGENT/HIRSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/17 TAGS: ECON, EFIN, KFTN, KWBG, IS
2007 September 26
SUBJECT: ISRAELI BANK CUTOFF PORTENDS GAZA BANK CLOSURES AND MORE PRIVATE SECTOR DIFFICULTIES Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles,
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1. 1. (SBU) Summary. Bank Hapoalim's decision to sever ties with banks in Gaza, and an expected move by Israel Discount Bank to do the same, could result in cash shortages, bank closures, and a suspension of commercial imports into Gaza, most of which are food, according to Palestinian banking sector representatives. Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) Governor George Abed is discussing possible solutions with his Israeli counterpart and other Israeli officials. Banks operating in the West Bank are attempting to ascertain the impact on their activities. End summary.
----------------
Threat Made Real
----------------
2. (SBU) Bank Hapoalim announced September 25 that it is severing its ties with banks operating in the Gaza Strip, according to local press reports. The bank reportedly decided to take this action after the GOI designated Gaza a "hostile entity." Since the formation of the Hamas-led government in March 2006, Bank Hapoalim and the Israel Discount Bank (IDB) have warned that they intended to terminate their correspondent bank relationship with banks operating in the West Bank and Gaza. Both banks provide check clearing services and coordinate cash transfers, operations considered vital to the Palestinian banking sector.
--------------
Damage Control
--------------
3. (C) PMA Governor Abed told Econoff September 26 that Bank Hapoalim's decision was "not a surprise" and the PMA "is dealing with it." He explained that he had spoken to Bank of Israel Governor Fischer September 25 and is also in contact with GOI Ministry of Finance officials. Abed said that he believes the GOI is seeking to find a solution because it wants to maintain economic and financial relations with Palestinians. If IDB follows Bank Hapoalim's lead, as expected, Abed fears that the banking sector in Gaza could shutdown. Already in steep decline, banking activity there comprises only 18-20 percent of total deposits and about 15 percent of total loan portfolios of banks operating in the West Bank and Gaza, according to Abed.
4. (C) Arab Bank General Manager Mazen Abu Hamdan and Cairo-Amman Bank Regional Manager Joseph Nesnas told Econoff separately September 26 that IDB does much more business with Gaza banks than Bank Hapoalim, so if IDB severs its ties, the impact will be even more severe. Both said they will close their Gaza branch offices if IDB takes this action. Arab Bank's correspondent account is with the IDB. Both Abu Hamdan and Nesnas said they are uncertain as to exactly how and when Bank Hapoalim will implement its decision, and what the consequences will be for banks in the West Bank. Abu Hamdan suggested that Bank Hapoalim may continue to clear Gaza-origin checks in the short-term with Israeli beneficiaries, but will very soon refuse to accept any checks drawn from Gaza branches.
---------------------------------------
Cash Shortage to Further Restrict Trade
---------------------------------------
5. (C) Abed noted that Gaza merchants frequently pay cash for imports, often upon receipt of the goods at the designated crossing. If banks close, Abed continued, cash payments will be even more common. If cash transfers to Gaza are suspended, however, cash will be hoarded and increasingly unavailable to conduct trade. (Note: According to the UN, 86 percent of commercial imports into Gaza are food.) Abed and Abu Hamdan noted separately that a cash cutoff will also adversely affect the payment of PA salary payments to Gaza-based employees. Banks in Gaza need about NIS 150 million each month to make PA salary payments.
---------------------------------
Hamas Not Guarding Cash Transfers
---------------------------------
6. Abed refuted a press report alleging that Hamas is now guarding cash shipments once they enter Gaza. He said he is aware that of one instance when a bank notified Hamas of a JERUSALEM 00002018 002 OF 002 shipment, and Hamas Executive Forces may have shadowed the cash movement in reply, but in all other cases the banks handle their own security arrangements and do not communicate with Hamas. WALLES
-
@ 0e9491aa:ef2adadf
2025-05-22 03:01:33What is KYC/AML?
- The acronym stands for Know Your Customer / Anti Money Laundering.
- In practice it stands for the surveillance measures companies are often compelled to take against their customers by financial regulators.
- Methods differ but often include: Passport Scans, Driver License Uploads, Social Security Numbers, Home Address, Phone Number, Face Scans.
- Bitcoin companies will also store all withdrawal and deposit addresses which can then be used to track bitcoin transactions on the bitcoin block chain.
- This data is then stored and shared. Regulations often require companies to hold this information for a set number of years but in practice users should assume this data will be held indefinitely. Data is often stored insecurely, which results in frequent hacks and leaks.
- KYC/AML data collection puts all honest users at risk of theft, extortion, and persecution while being ineffective at stopping crime. Criminals often use counterfeit, bought, or stolen credentials to get around the requirements. Criminals can buy "verified" accounts for as little as $200. Furthermore, billions of people are excluded from financial services as a result of KYC/AML requirements.
During the early days of bitcoin most services did not require this sensitive user data, but as adoption increased so did the surveillance measures. At this point, most large bitcoin companies are collecting and storing massive lists of bitcoiners, our sensitive personal information, and our transaction history.
Lists of Bitcoiners
KYC/AML policies are a direct attack on bitcoiners. Lists of bitcoiners and our transaction history will inevitably be used against us.
Once you are on a list with your bitcoin transaction history that record will always exist. Generally speaking, tracking bitcoin is based on probability analysis of ownership change. Surveillance firms use various heuristics to determine if you are sending bitcoin to yourself or if ownership is actually changing hands. You can obtain better privacy going forward by using collaborative transactions such as coinjoin to break this probability analysis.
Fortunately, you can buy bitcoin without providing intimate personal information. Tools such as peach, hodlhodl, robosats, azteco and bisq help; mining is also a solid option: anyone can plug a miner into power and internet and earn bitcoin by mining privately.
You can also earn bitcoin by providing goods and/or services that can be purchased with bitcoin. Long term, circular economies will mitigate this threat: most people will not buy bitcoin - they will earn bitcoin - most people will not sell bitcoin - they will spend bitcoin.
There is no such thing as KYC or No KYC bitcoin, there are bitcoiners on lists and those that are not on lists.
If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.
-
@ 000002de:c05780a7
2025-05-21 20:00:21I enjoy Jonathan Pageau's perspectives from time to time. He is big on myth and symbolic signs in culture and history. I find this stuff fascinating as well. I watched this video last week, and based on the title, I was thinking... hmm, I wonder if it is a review of Return of the Strong Gods. It wasn't, but it really flows with the thesis of that book. You should read it if you haven't, and before you do, go check out @SimpleStacker's review of it.
Pageau starts the video by talking about the concept of "watching the clown." He uses Ye as the clown. Ye has been a leading indicator in the past when he publicly claimed he was a Christian and began making music and holding church services. Now he's going "off the rails" seemingly with his Hitler songs and art. Clearly, the stigma of Hitler will not last forever. It's hard for us to realize this. At least for someone of my age, but Pageau points out that eventually, the villains of history become less of a stand-in for Satan and more of a purely historical figure. He mentions Alexander the Great as a man who did incredibly evil things, but today we just read about him in school and don't really think about it too much. One day, that will be the way Hitler is viewed. Sure, evil, but the power of using him as the mythical Satan will wane.
The most interesting point I took away from this video, though, was that the post-war consensus was built on a dark secret. Now, it's not a secret to me, but at some point, it was. And this secret is a deep flaw in the current state of the West that keeps affecting us in negative ways. The secret is that in order to defeat Hitler and the Nazis, the West allied itself with the Soviets. Stalin. An incredibly evil man and an ideology that has led to the death and suffering of more humans than the Nazis. This is just a fact, but it's so dark that we don't talk about it.
For many years as I began to study Communism and the Soviet Union I began to question why on earth did the allies align themselves with Stalin. Obviously it was for stratigic reasons. I get it. But the fact that this topic is not really discussed in our culture has had a dark effect. Now, I'm not interested in figuring out if Stalin was more evil than Hitler or if Fascism is worse that Communism. I think this misses the point. The point is that today if soneone has Nazi symbols it is very likely not gonna go well for them but Communist symbols are usually just fine. We see the ideas of Socialism discussed openly without concern. Its popular even. Fascism on the other hand is always (until recently) masked at best.
Today we are seeing more and more people openly talk about this reality, and it is a signal that the WW2 consensus is breaking. As people age out and our collective memory fades, this lie will become more visible because the mythical view of Hitler will fade. This will allow people to be more objective about viewing the decisions of the past. I don't recall the book discussing this directly, but it is an interesting connection for sure.
I recommend watching The World War II Consensus is Breaking Down by Jonathan Pageau.
https://stacker.news/items/985962
-
@ 000002de:c05780a7
2025-05-21 17:42:27I've been trying out Arch Linux again and the thing that always surprises me is pacman. The way it works seems so unintuitive to me coming from the apt, yum, and dnf worlds.
I know I will get it and it will become internalized but I just wonder what the designer was thinking when making the flags/commands.
https://stacker.news/items/985808
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:25A Chinese printer company inadvertently distributed malware that steals Bitcoin through its official drivers, resulting in the theft of over $950,000.
According to local media outlet Landian News, a Chinese printer manufacturer was found to have unknowingly distributed malware designed to steal Bitcoin through its official device drivers.
Procolored, a Shenzhen-based printer company, distributed malware capable of stealing Bitcoin alongside the official drivers for its devices. The company reportedly used USB devices to spread infected drivers and uploaded the compromised software to globally accessible cloud storage services.
Crypto security and compliance firm SlowMist explained how the malware works in a post on X:
The official driver provided by this printer carries a backdoor program. It will hijack the wallet address in the user's clipboard and replace it with the attacker's address: 1BQZKqdp2CV3QV5nUEsqSg1ygegLmqRygj
According to @MistTrack_io, the attacker has stolen 9.3086… https://t.co/DHCkEpHhuH pic.twitter.com/W1AnUpswLU
— MistTrack
(@MistTrack_io) May 19, 2025
The consequences of the breach have been significant, with a total of 9.3 BTC stolen — equivalent to over $950,000.
The issue was first flagged by YouTuber Cameron Coward, whose antivirus software detected malware in the drivers during a test of a Procolored UV printer. The software identified both a worm and a trojan virus named Foxif.
When contacted, Procolored denied the accusations, dismissing the antivirus warning as a false positive. Coward then turned to Reddit, where he shared the issue with cybersecurity professionals, drawing the attention of security firm G Data.
G Data’s investigation revealed that most of Procolored’s drivers were hosted on the MEGA file-sharing platform, with uploads dating back to October 2023. Their analysis confirmed the presence of two separate malware strains: the Win32.Backdoor.XRedRAT.A backdoor and a crypto-stealer designed to replace clipboard wallet addresses with those controlled by the attacker.
G Data reached out to Procolored, which stated that it had removed the infected drivers from its storage as of May 8 and had re-scanned all files. The company attributed the malware to a supply chain compromise, saying the malicious files were introduced via infected USB devices before being uploaded online.
Landian News recommended that users who downloaded Procolored drivers in the past six months “immediately run a full system scan using antivirus software.” However, given that antivirus tools are not always reliable, the Chinese media outlet suggested that a full system reset is the safest option when in doubt.
The post Bitcoin malware discovered: Chinese printer manufacturer involved appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ dfa02707:41ca50e3
2025-05-22 03:01:13Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.
- Coinswap is a decentralized protocol for private, trustless cryptocurrency swaps. It allows participants to securely swap digital assets without intermediaries, using advanced cryptographic techniques and atomic swaps to ensure privacy and security.
- This release introduces major improvements to the protocol's efficiency, security, and usability, including custom in-memory UTXO indexes, more advanced coin-selection algorithms, fidelity bond management and more.
- The update also improves user experience with full Mac support, faster Tor connections, enhanced UI/UX, a unified API, and improved protocol documentation.
"The Project is under active beta development and open for contributions and beta testing. The Coinswap market place is live in testnet4. Bug fixes and feature requests are very much welcome."
- Manuals and demo docs are available here.
What's new
- Core protocol and performance improvements:
- Custom in-memory UTXO indexes. Frequent Core RPC calls, which caused significant delays, have been eliminated by implementing custom in-memory UTXO indexes. These indexes are also saved to disk, leading to faster wallet synchronization.
- Coin selection. Advanced coin-selection algorithms, like those in Bitcoin Core, have been incorporated, enhancing the efficiency of creating different types of transactions.
- Fidelity management. Maker servers now automate tasks such as checking bond expiries, redemption, and recreation for Fidelity Bonds, reducing the user's management responsibilities.
- Taker liveness. The
WaitingFundingConfirmation
message has been added to keep swap connections between Takers and Makers, assisting with variable block confirmation delays.
-
User experience and compatibility:
- Mac compatibility. The crate and apps now fully support Mac.
- Tor operations are streamlined for faster, more resilient connections. Tor addresses are now consistently linked to the wallet seed, maintaining the same onion address through system reboots.
- The UI/UX improvements enhance the display of balances, UTXOs, offer data, fidelity bonds, and system logs. These updates make the apps more enjoyable and provide clearer coin swap logs during the swap process.
-
API design improvements. Transaction creation routines have been streamlined to use a single common API, which reduces technical debt and eliminates redundant code.
- Protocol spec documentation now details how Coinswap breaks the transaction graph and improves privacy through routed swaps and amount splitting, and includes diagrams for clarity.
Source: Coinswap Protocol specification.
-
@ 000002de:c05780a7
2025-05-21 17:27:46I completely missed this until yesterday. I was listening to our local news talk station and it came up. They had some people that were pretty knowledgeable about prostate cancer on. They talked about other presidents being tested while in office for it. They came to conclusion that it is possible that Biden wasn't having his PSA checked. This is pretty normal for a old dude his age. But it is not normal for a President his age.
My thought is much simpler.
We know his doctors, the media, and his admin were lying about his health when he was in office. Hello! Anyone paying attention and not invested in his regime knew he was declining mentally in front of our very eyes. They covered for him over and over again. Only those that don't pay attention or discounted his critics completely was surprised by his debate performance.
To be clear though, Biden is far from the first president to do this. Wilson, FDR, Kennedy, and Reagan all had issues and they were kept from the public. If we learned these things in school we might actually have a public that thinks critically once and a while.
So, with that in mind do you really think the regime would not withhold medical info about this cancer? Come on. Don't be naive. He clearly was not in charge 100% of the time while in office and the regime wanted to maintain power. Sharing that he had prostate cancer would not be on the menu.
Politics is like a drug that numbs the brain. Because people don't like one party or person they retard their thinking. Its the same thing as happens in sports. Fans of one team see the same play completely differently from the other team's fans. Politics and the investment into parties kills most people's objectivity.
I don't trust liars. It honestly blows my mind how trusting people can be of professional liars. Both parties are full of liars. Trump is a liar and those opposing him are liars. We are drowning in lies. You can vote for a lessor of two evils but never forget what they are.
https://stacker.news/items/985791
-
@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-05-21 16:58:36The other day, I had the privilege of sitting down with one of my favorite living artists. Our conversation was so captivating that I felt compelled to share it. I’m leaving his name out for privacy.
Since our last meeting, I’d watched a documentary about his life, one he’d helped create. I told him how much I admired his openness in it. There’s something strange about knowing intimate details of someone’s life when they know so little about yours—it’s almost like I knew him too well for the kind of relationship we have.
He paused, then said quietly, with a shy grin, that watching the documentary made him realize how “odd and eccentric” he is. I laughed and told him he’s probably the sanest person I know. Because he’s lived fully, chasing love, passion, and purpose with hardly any regrets. He’s truly lived.
Today, I turn 44, and I’ll admit I’m a bit eccentric myself. I think I came into the world this way. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I carry few regrets. Every misstep taught me something. And as I age, I’m not interested in blending in with the world—I’ll probably just lean further into my own brand of “weird.” I want to live life to the brim. The older I get, the more I see that the “normal” folks often seem less grounded than the eccentric artists who dare to live boldly. Life’s too short to just exist, actually live.
I’m not saying to be strange just for the sake of it. But I’ve seen what the crowd celebrates, and I’m not impressed. Forge your own path, even if it feels lonely or unpopular at times.
It’s easy to scroll through the news and feel discouraged. But actually, this is one of the most incredible times to be alive! I wake up every day grateful to be here, now. The future is bursting with possibility—I can feel it.
So, to my fellow weirdos on nostr: stay bold. Keep dreaming, keep pushing, no matter what’s trending. Stay wild enough to believe in a free internet for all. Freedom is radical—hold it tight. Live with the soul of an artist and the grit of a fighter. Thanks for inspiring me and so many others to keep hoping. Thank you all for making the last year of my life so special.
-
@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-05-22 03:00:53Custodial Lightning wallets allow users to transact without managing private keys or channel liquidity. The provider handles technical complexities, but this convenience comes with critical trade-offs:
- You don’t control your keys: The custodian holds your bitcoin.
- Centralized points of failure: Servers can be hacked or shut down.
- Surveillance risks: Providers track transaction metadata.
Key Risks of Custodial Lightning Wallets
*1. Hacks and Exit Scams*
Custodians centralize large amounts of bitcoin, attracting hackers:
- Nearly $2.2 billion worth of funds were stolen from hacks in 2024.
- Lightning custodians suffered breaches, losing user funds.
Unlike non-custodial wallets, victims have no recourse since they don’t hold keys.
*2. Censorship and Account Freezes*
Custodians comply with regulators, risking fund seizures:
- Strike (a custodial Lightning app) froze accounts of users in sanctioned regions.
- A U.K. court in 2020 ordered Bitfinex to freeze bitcoin worth $860,000 after the exchange and blockchain sleuthing firm Chainalysis traced the funds to a ransomware payment.
*3. Privacy Erosion*
Custodians log user activity, exposing sensitive data:
- Transaction amounts, receiver addresses, and IPs are recorded.
*4. Service Downtime*
Centralized infrastructure risks outages.
*5. Inflation of Lightning Network Centralization*
Custodians dominate liquidity, weakening network resilience:
- At the moment, 10% of the nodes on Lightning control 80% of the liquidity.
- This centralization contradicts bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.
How to Switch to Self-Custodial Lightning Wallets
Migrating from custodial services is straightforward:
*1. Choose a Non-Custodial Wallet*
Opt for wallets that let you control keys and channels:
- Flash: The self-custodial tool that lets you own your keys, control your coins, and transact instantly.
- Breez Wallet : Non-custodial, POS integrations.
- Core Lightning : Advanced, for self-hosted node operators.
*2. Transfer Funds Securely*
- Withdraw funds from your custodial wallet to a bitcoin on-chain address.
- Send bitcoin to your non-custodial Lightning wallet.
*3. Set Up Channel Backups*
Use tools like Static Channel Backups (SCB) to recover channels if needed.
*4. Best Practices*
- Enable Tor: Mask your IP (e.g., Breez’s built-in Tor support).
- Verify Receiving Addresses: Avoid phishing scams.
- Regularly Rebalance Channels: Use tools like Lightning Pool for liquidity.
Why Self-Custodial Lightning Matters
- Self-custody: Control your keys and funds.
- Censorship resistance: No third party can block transactions.
- Network health: Decentralized liquidity strengthens Lightning.
Self-custodial wallets now rival custodial ease.
Custodial Lightning wallets sacrifice security for convenience, putting users at risk of hacks, surveillance, and frozen funds. As bitcoin adoption grows, so does the urgency to embrace self-custodial solutions.
Take action today:
- Withdraw custodial funds to a hardware wallet.
- Migrate to a self-custodial Lightning wallet.
- Educate others on the risks of custodial control.
The Lightning Network’s potential hinges on decentralization—don’t let custodians become its Achilles’ heel.
-
@ 8aa70f44:3073d1a6
2025-05-21 13:07:14Earlier this year I launched the asknostr.site project which has been a great journey and learning experience. I had wanted to write down my goals and ideas with the project but didn't get to it yet. Primal launching the article editor was a trigger for me to go for it.
Ever since I joined Nostr i was looking for ways to apply my skillset solve a problem and help with adoption. Around Christmas I figured that a Quora/Stackoverflow alternative is something that needs to exist on Nostr.
Before I knew it I had a pretty decent prototype. And because the network already had so much awesome content, contributors and authors I was never discouraged by the challenge that kills so many good ideas -> "Where do I get the first users?".
Since the initial announcement I have received so much encouragement through zaps, likes, DM's, and maybe most of all seeing the increase in usage of the site and #asknostr content kept me going.
Current State
The current version of the site is stable and most bugs are hashed out. After logging in (remote signer, extension or nsec) you can engage with content through votes, comments and replies. Or simply ask a new question.
All content is stored in the site's own private relay and preprocessed/computed into a single data store (postgres) so the site is fast, accessible and crawl-able.
The site supports browsing hashtags, voting/commenting on answers, asking new questions and every contributor get their own profile (example). At the time of writing the site has 41k questions, almost 200k replies/comments and upwards of 5 million sats purely for #asknostr content.
What to expect/On my list
There are plenty of things and UI bugs that need love and between writing the draft of this post and hitting publish I shipped 3 minor bug fixes. Little by little, bit by bit...
In addition to all those small details here is an overview of the things on my own wish list:
-
Inline Zaps: Ability to zap from the asknostr.site interface. Click the zap button, specify or pick the number of sats zap away.
-
Contributor Rank: A leaderboard to add some gamification. More recognition to those nostriches that spend their time helping other people out
-
Search by Keyword: Search all content by keywords. Experiment with the index to show related questions or answers
-
Better User Profiles: Improve the user profile so it shows all the profile questions and answers. Quick buttons to follow or zap that person. Better insights in the topics (hashtags) the profile contributes to
-
Bookmarks: Ability to bookmark questions and answers. Increase bookmark weight as a signal to rank answers.
-
Smarter Scoring: Tune how answers are scored (winning answer formula). Perhaps give more weight to the question author or use WoT. Not sure yet.
All of this is happening at some point so follow me if you want to stay up to date.
Goals
To manage expectations and keep me focussed I write down the mid and long term goals of the project.
Long term
Call me cheesy but I believe that humanity will flourish through an open web and sound money. My own journey started from with bitcoin but if you asked me today if it's BTC or nostr that is going to have the most impact I wouldn't know what to answer. Chicken or egg?
The goal of the project is to offer an open platform that empowers individuals to ask questions, share expertise and access high-quality information across different topics. The project empowers anyone to monetize their experience creating a sustainable ecosystem that values and rewards knowledge sharing. This will ultimately democratize access to knowledge for all.
Mid term
The project can help a lot with onboarding new users onto the network. Once we start to rank on certain topics we can get a piece of the search traffic pie (StackOverflows 12 million, and Quora 150 million visitors per month) which is a great way to expose people to the power of the network.
First time visitors do not need to know about nostr or zaps to receive value. They can browse around, discover interesting content and perhaps even create a profile without even knowing they are on Nostr now.
Gradually those users will understand the value of the network through better rankings (zaps beats likes), a cross-client experience and a profile that can be used on any nostr site or app.
In order for the site to do that we need to make sure content is browsable by language, (sub)topics and and we double down on 'the human touch' with real contributors and not LLMs.
Short Term Goal
The first goal is to make the site really good and an important resource for existing Nostr users. Enable visitors to search and discover what they are interested in. Integrate within the existing nostr eco system with 'open in' functionality and quick links to interesting projects (followerpacks?)
One of things i want to get right is to improve user retention by making the whole Q\&A experience more sticky. I want to run some experiments (bots, award, summaries) to get more people to use asknostr.site more often and come back.
What about the name?
Finally the big question: What about the asknostr.site name? I don't like the name that much but it's what people know. I think there is a high chance that people will discover Nostr apps like Olas, Primal or Damus without needing to know what NOSTR is or means.
Therefore I think there is a good chance that the project won't be called asknostr.site forever. I guess it all depends on where we all take this.
Onwards!
-
-
@ 2e8970de:63345c7a
2025-05-21 12:06:12https://x.com/Google/status/1924893837295546851
compare it to Will Smith eating Spaghetti from 2 years ago:
The end of objective truth from video evidence is nearing. In a sense we are retvrning to 1999.
https://stacker.news/items/985441
-
@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-05-22 03:00:51The upcoming Bitcoin 2025 conference, scheduled from May 27–29 at the Venetian Conference Center in Las Vegas, is set to make history with an official attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title for the most Bitcoin point-of-sale transactions in an eight-hour period.
Organized by BTC Inc, the event will showcase Bitcoin’s evolution from a digital capital asset to a practical medium of exchange, leveraging the latest advancements in payment technology.
Tap-to-Pay with Lightning-Ready Bolt Cards
To facilitate this record-setting attempt, 4,000 Lightning-ready Bolt Cards will be distributed to conference attendees.
— Uncle Rockstar Developer (@r0ckstardev) May 15, 2025
These NFC-enabled cards allow users to make instant, contactless Bitcoin payments at vendor booths throughout the expo-no apps or QR codes required, just a simple tap.
The cards are available in four collectible designs, each featuring a prominent figure in Bitcoin’s history: Senator Cynthia Lummis, Michael Saylor, Satoshi Nakamoto, and Jack Dorsey.
Each attendee will receive a randomly assigned card, making them both functional and collectible souvenirs.
Senator Lummis: A Playful Provocation
Notably, one of the card designs features Senator Cynthia Lummis with laser eyes-a playful nod to her reputation as a leading Bitcoin advocate in US politics.
While Lummis is known for her legislative efforts to promote Bitcoin integration, she has publicly stated she prefers to “spend dollars and save Bitcoin,” viewing BTC as a long-term store of value rather than a daily currency.
The choice to feature her on the Bolt Card, could be suggested by Rockstar Dev of the BTC Pay Server Foundation, perhaps a lighthearted way to highlight the ongoing debate about Bitcoin’s role in everyday payments.
Nothing cracks me up quite like a senator that wants the US to buy millions of Bitcoin use dollars to buy a beer at a Bitcoin bar.
This is how unserious some of you are. pic.twitter.com/jftIEggmip
— Magoo PhD (@HodlMagoo) April 4, 2025
How Bolt Cards and the Lightning Network Work
Bolt Cards are physical cards equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, similar to contactless credit or debit cards. When linked to a compatible Lightning wallet, they enable users to make Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network by simply tapping the card at a point-of-sale terminal.
The Lightning Network is a second-layer protocol built on top of Bitcoin, designed to facilitate instant, low-cost transactions ideal for everyday purchases.
This integration aims to make Bitcoin as easy to use as traditional payment methods, eliminating the need for QR code scanning or mobile apps.
A Showcase for Bitcoin’s Real-World Usability
With over 30,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors, and 500 speakers expected, the Bitcoin 2025 conference is poised to be the largest Bitcoin event of the year-and potentially the most transactional.
The event will feature on-site activations such as the Official Bitcoin Magazine Store, where all merchandise will be available at a 21% discount for those paying with Bitcoin via the Lightning Network-a nod to Bitcoin’s 21 million coin supply limit.
By deeply integrating Lightning payments into the conference experience, organizers hope to demonstrate Bitcoin’s readiness for mainstream commerce and set a new benchmark for its practical use as a currency.
Conclusion
The Guinness World Record attempt at Bitcoin 2025 is more than a publicity stunt-it’s a bold demonstration of Bitcoin’s technological maturity and its potential to function as a modern, everyday payment method.
Whether or not the record is set, the event will serve as a milestone in the ongoing journey to make Bitcoin a truly global, user-friendly currency
-
@ cefb08d1:f419beff
2025-05-21 10:15:18Cat angels are the reason there are no mice angels.
Mel Brooks
https://stacker.news/items/985375
-
@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-05-22 03:00:50Flash, an all-in-one Bitcoin payment platform, has announced the launch of Flash 2.0, the most intuitive and powerful Bitcoin payment solution to date.
With a completely redesigned interface, expanded e-commerce integrations, and a frictionless onboarding process, Flash 2.0 makes accepting Bitcoin easier than ever for businesses worldwide.
We did the unthinkable!
Website monetization used to be super complicated.
"Buy me a coffee" — But only if we both have a bank account.
WHAT IF WE DON'T?
Thanks to @paywflash and bitcoin, it's just 5 CLICKS – and no banks!
Start accepting donations on your website… pic.twitter.com/uwZUrvmEZ1
— Flash • The Bitcoin Payment Gateway (@paywflash) May 13, 2025
Accept Bitcoin in Three Minutes
Setting up Bitcoin payments has long been a challenge for merchants, requiring technical expertise, third-party processors, and lengthy verification procedures. Flash 2.0 eliminates these barriers, allowing any business to start accepting Bitcoin in just three minutes, with no technical set-up and full control over their funds.
The Bitcoin Payment Revolution
The world is witnessing a seismic shift in finance. Governments are backing Bitcoin funds, major companies are adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets, and political figures are embracing it as the future of money. Just as Stripe revolutionized internet payments, Flash is now doing the same for Bitcoin. Businesses that adapt today will gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
With Bitcoin adoption accelerating, consumers are looking for places to spend it. Flash 2.0 ensures businesses of all sizes can seamlessly accept Bitcoin and position themselves at the forefront of this financial revolution.
All-in-One Monetization Platform
More than just a payment gateway, Flash 2.0 is a complete Bitcoin monetization suite, providing multiple ways for businesses to integrate Bitcoin into their operations. Merchants can accept payments online and in-store, content creators can monetize with donations and paywalls, and freelancers can send instant invoices via payment links.
For example, a jewelry designer selling products on WooCommerce can now integrate Flash for online payments, use Flash’s Point-of-Sale system at trade shows, enable Bitcoin donations for her digital artwork, and lock premium content behind Flash Paywalls. The possibilities are endless.
E-Commerce for Everyone
With built-in integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, and soon Wix and OpenCart, Flash 2.0 enables Bitcoin payments on 95% of e-commerce stores worldwide. Businesses can now add Bitcoin as a payment option in just a few clicks—without needing developers or external payment processors.
And for those looking to start selling, Flash’s built-in e-commerce features allow users to create online stores, showcase products, and manage payments seamlessly.
No Middlemen, No Chargebacks, No Limits
Unlike traditional payment platforms, Flash does not hold or process funds. Businesses receive Bitcoin directly, instantly, and securely. There are no chargebacks, giving merchants full control over refunds and eliminating fraud. Flash also remains KYC-free, ensuring a seamless experience for businesses and customers alike.
A Completely Redesigned Experience
“The world is waking up to Bitcoin. Just like the internet revolutionized commerce, Bitcoin is reshaping finance. Businesses need solutions that are simple, efficient, and truly decentralized. Flash 2.0 is more than just a payment processor—it’s a gateway to the future of digital transactions, putting financial power back into the hands of businesses.”
— Pierre Corbin, CEO at Flash.
Flash 2.0 introduces a brand-new user interface, making it easier than ever to navigate, set up payments, and manage transactions. With an intuitive dashboard, streamlined checkout, and enhanced mobile compatibility, the platform is built for both new and experienced Bitcoin users.
About Flash
Flash is an all-in-one Bitcoin payment platform that empowers businesses, creators, and freelancers to accept, manage, and grow with Bitcoin. With a mission to make Bitcoin payments accessible to everyone, Flash eliminates complexity and gives users full control over their funds.
To learn more or get started, visit www.paywithflash.com.
Press Contact:
Julien Bouvier
Head of Marketing
+3360941039 -
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-21 05:47:41As a product builder over too many years to mention, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen promising ideas go from zero to hero in a few weeks, only to fizzle out within months.
The problem with most finance apps, however, is that they often become a reflection of the internal politics of the business rather than an experience solely designed around the customer. This means that the focus is on delivering as many features and functionalities as possible to satisfy the needs and desires of competing internal departments, rather than providing a clear value proposition that is focused on what the people out there in the real world want. As a result, these products can very easily bloat to become a mixed bag of confusing, unrelated and ultimately unlovable customer experiences—a feature salad, you might say.
Financial products, which is the field I work in, are no exception. With people’s real hard-earned money on the line, user expectations running high, and a crowded market, it’s tempting to throw as many features at the wall as possible and hope something sticks. But this approach is a recipe for disaster.
Here’s why: https://alistapart.com/article/from-beta-to-bedrock-build-products-that-stick/
https://stacker.news/items/985285
-
@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-05-22 03:00:48Bitcoin FilmFest (BFF25) returns to Warsaw for its third edition, blending independent cinema—from feature films and commercials to AI-driven experimental visuals—with education and entertainment.
Hundreds of attendees from around the world will gather for three days of screenings, discussions, workshops, and networking at the iconic Kinoteka Cinema (PKiN), the same venue that hosted the festival’s first two editions in March 2023 and April 2024.
This year’s festival, themed “Beyond the Frame,” introduces new dimensions to its program, including an extra day on May 22 to celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day, the first real-world bitcoin transaction, with what promises to be one of Europe’s largest commemorations of this milestone.
BFF25 bridges independent film, culture, and technology, with a bold focus on decentralized storytelling and creative expression. As a community-driven cultural experience with a slightly rebellious spirit, Bitcoin FilmFest goes beyond movies, yet cinema remains at its heart.
Here’s a sneak peek at the lineup, specially curated for movie buffs:
Generative Cinema – A special slot with exclusive shorts and a thematic debate on the intersection of AI and filmmaking. Featured titles include, for example: BREAK FREE, SATOSHI: THE CREATION OF BITCOIN, STRANGE CURRENCIES, and BITCOIN IS THE MYCELIUM OF MONEY, exploring financial independence, traps of the fiat system, and a better future built on sound money.
Upcoming Productions Preview – A bit over an hour-long block of unreleased pilots and works-in-progress. Attendees will get exclusive first looks at projects like FINDING HOME (a travel-meets-personal-journey series), PARALLEL SPACES (a story about alternative communities), and THE LEGEND OF LANDI (a mysterious narrative).
Freedom-Focused Ads & Campaigns – Unique screenings of video commercials, animations, and visual projects, culminating in “The PoWies” (Proof of Work-ies)—the first ever awards show honoring the best Bitcoin-only awareness campaigns.
To get an idea of what might come up at the event, here, you can preview 6 selected ads combined into two 2 videos:
Open Pitch Competition – A chance for filmmakers to present fresh ideas and unfinished projects to an audience of a dedicated jury, movie fans and potential collaborators. This competitive block isn’t just entertaining—it’s a real opportunity for creators to secure funding and partnerships.
Golden Rabbit Awards: A lively gala honoring films from the festival’s Official Selection, with awards in categories like Best Feature, Best Story, Best Short, and Audience Choice.
BFF25 Main Screenings
Sample titles from BFF25’s Official Selection:
REVOLUCIÓN BITCOIN – A documentary by Juan Pablo, making its first screening outside the Spanish-speaking world in Warsaw this May. Three years of important work, 80 powerful minutes to experience. The film explores Bitcoin’s impact across Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, and Spain through around 40 diverse perspectives. Screening in Spanish with English subtitles, followed by a Q&A with the director.
UNBANKABLE – Luke Willms’ directorial debut, drawing from his multicultural roots and his father’s pioneering HIV/AIDS research. An investigative documentary based on Luke’s journeys through seven African countries, diving into financial experiments and innovations—from mobile money and digital lending to Bitcoin—raising smart questions and offering potential lessons for the West. Its May appearance at BFF25 marks its largest European event to date, following festival screenings and nominations across multiple continents over the past year.
HOTEL BITCOIN – A Spanish comedy directed by Manuel Sanabria and Carlos “Pocho” Villaverde. Four friends, 4,000 bitcoins , and one laptop spark a chaotic adventure of parties, love, crime, and a dash of madness. Exploring sound money, value, and relationships through a twisting plot. The film premiered at the Tarazona and Moncayo Comedy Film Festival in August 2024. Its Warsaw screening at BFF25 (in Spanish with English subtitles) marks its first public showing outside the Spanish-speaking world.
Check out trailers for this year’s BFF25 and past editions on YouTube.
Tickets & Info:
- Detailed program and tickets are available at bitcoinfilmfest.com/bff25.
- Stay updated via the festival’s official channels (links provided on the website).
- Use ‘LN-NEWS’ to get 10% of tickets
-
@ cefb08d1:f419beff
2025-05-21 09:02:28https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOmr2s-JPXo
The GWM Catch Up Day 3: Men's Quarterfinalists Locked, The Box delivers for pro surfing’s faithful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owe-rjECP3M
The Box dishes West Oz power, Main Break decides last Quarters draws I Stone & Wood Post Show Day 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN3oi4kOGAA
Men 16 Round Results:
Source: https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2025/ct/326/western-australia-margaret-river-pro/results?roundId=24776
https://stacker.news/items/985339
-
@ cefb08d1:f419beff
2025-05-21 06:34:00https://stacker.news/items/985298
-
@ c9badfea:610f861a
2025-05-20 19:49:20- Install Sky Map (it's free and open source)
- Launch the app and tap Accept, then tap OK
- When asked to access the device's location, tap While Using The App
- Tap somewhere on the screen to activate the menu, then tap ⁝ and select Settings
- Disable Send Usage Statistics
- Return to the main screen and enjoy stargazing!
ℹ️ Use the 🔍 icon in the upper toolbar to search for a specific celestial body, or tap the 👁️ icon to activate night mode
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:47:16Here’s a revised timeline of macro-level events from The Mandibles: A Family, 2029–2047 by Lionel Shriver, reimagined in a world where Bitcoin is adopted as a widely accepted form of money, altering the original narrative’s assumptions about currency collapse and economic control. In Shriver’s original story, the failure of Bitcoin is assumed amid the dominance of the bancor and the dollar’s collapse. Here, Bitcoin’s success reshapes the economic and societal trajectory, decentralizing power and challenging state-driven outcomes.
Part One: 2029–2032
-
2029 (Early Year)\ The United States faces economic strain as the dollar weakens against global shifts. However, Bitcoin, having gained traction emerges as a viable alternative. Unlike the original timeline, the bancor—a supranational currency backed by a coalition of nations—struggles to gain footing as Bitcoin’s decentralized adoption grows among individuals and businesses worldwide, undermining both the dollar and the bancor.
-
2029 (Mid-Year: The Great Renunciation)\ Treasury bonds lose value, and the government bans Bitcoin, labeling it a threat to sovereignty (mirroring the original bancor ban). However, a Bitcoin ban proves unenforceable—its decentralized nature thwarts confiscation efforts, unlike gold in the original story. Hyperinflation hits the dollar as the U.S. prints money, but Bitcoin’s fixed supply shields adopters from currency devaluation, creating a dual-economy split: dollar users suffer, while Bitcoin users thrive.
-
2029 (Late Year)\ Dollar-based inflation soars, emptying stores of goods priced in fiat currency. Meanwhile, Bitcoin transactions flourish in underground and online markets, stabilizing trade for those plugged into the bitcoin ecosystem. Traditional supply chains falter, but peer-to-peer Bitcoin networks enable local and international exchange, reducing scarcity for early adopters. The government’s gold confiscation fails to bolster the dollar, as Bitcoin’s rise renders gold less relevant.
-
2030–2031\ Crime spikes in dollar-dependent urban areas, but Bitcoin-friendly regions see less chaos, as digital wallets and smart contracts facilitate secure trade. The U.S. government doubles down on surveillance to crack down on bitcoin use. A cultural divide deepens: centralized authority weakens in Bitcoin-adopting communities, while dollar zones descend into lawlessness.
-
2032\ By this point, Bitcoin is de facto legal tender in parts of the U.S. and globally, especially in tech-savvy or libertarian-leaning regions. The federal government’s grip slips as tax collection in dollars plummets—Bitcoin’s traceability is low, and citizens evade fiat-based levies. Rural and urban Bitcoin hubs emerge, while the dollar economy remains fractured.
Time Jump: 2032–2047
- Over 15 years, Bitcoin solidifies as a global reserve currency, eroding centralized control. The U.S. government adapts, grudgingly integrating bitcoin into policy, though regional autonomy grows as Bitcoin empowers local economies.
Part Two: 2047
-
2047 (Early Year)\ The U.S. is a hybrid state: Bitcoin is legal tender alongside a diminished dollar. Taxes are lower, collected in BTC, reducing federal overreach. Bitcoin’s adoption has decentralized power nationwide. The bancor has faded, unable to compete with Bitcoin’s grassroots momentum.
-
2047 (Mid-Year)\ Travel and trade flow freely in Bitcoin zones, with no restrictive checkpoints. The dollar economy lingers in poorer areas, marked by decay, but Bitcoin’s dominance lifts overall prosperity, as its deflationary nature incentivizes saving and investment over consumption. Global supply chains rebound, powered by bitcoin enabled efficiency.
-
2047 (Late Year)\ The U.S. is a patchwork of semi-autonomous zones, united by Bitcoin’s universal acceptance rather than federal control. Resource scarcity persists due to past disruptions, but economic stability is higher than in Shriver’s original dystopia—Bitcoin’s success prevents the authoritarian slide, fostering a freer, if imperfect, society.
Key Differences
- Currency Dynamics: Bitcoin’s triumph prevents the bancor’s dominance and mitigates hyperinflation’s worst effects, offering a lifeline outside state control.
- Government Power: Centralized authority weakens as Bitcoin evades bans and taxation, shifting power to individuals and communities.
- Societal Outcome: Instead of a surveillance state, 2047 sees a decentralized, bitcoin driven world—less oppressive, though still stratified between Bitcoin haves and have-nots.
This reimagining assumes Bitcoin overcomes Shriver’s implied skepticism to become a robust, adopted currency by 2029, fundamentally altering the novel’s bleak trajectory.
-
-
@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-05-22 03:00:47Starting January 1, 2026, the United Kingdom will impose some of the world’s most stringent reporting requirements on cryptocurrency firms.
All platforms operating in or serving UK customers-domestic and foreign alike-must collect and disclose extensive personal and transactional data for every user, including individuals, companies, trusts, and charities.
This regulatory drive marks the UK’s formal adoption of the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), a global initiative designed to bring crypto oversight in line with traditional banking and to curb tax evasion in the rapidly expanding digital asset sector.
What Will Be Reported?
Crypto firms must gather and submit the following for each transaction:
- User’s full legal name, home address, and taxpayer identification number
- Detailed data on every trade or transfer: type of cryptocurrency, amount, and nature of the transaction
- Identifying information for corporate, trust, and charitable clients
The obligation extends to all digital asset activities, including crypto-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat trades, and applies to both UK residents and non-residents using UK-based platforms. The first annual reports covering 2026 activity are due by May 31, 2027.
Enforcement and Penalties
Non-compliance will carry stiff financial penalties, with fines of up to £300 per user account for inaccurate or missing data-a potentially enormous liability for large exchanges. The UK government has urged crypto firms to begin collecting this information immediately to ensure operational readiness.
Regulatory Context and Market Impact
This move is part of a broader UK strategy to position itself as a global fintech hub while clamping down on fraud and illicit finance. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has championed these measures, stating, “Britain is open for business – but closed to fraud, abuse, and instability”. The regulatory expansion comes amid a surge in crypto adoption: the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority reported that 12% of UK adults owned crypto in 2024, up from just 4% in 2021.
Enormous Risks for Consumers: Lessons from the Coinbase Data Breach
While the new framework aims to enhance transparency and protect consumers, it also dramatically increases the volume of sensitive personal data held by crypto firms-raising the stakes for cybersecurity.
The risks are underscored by the recent high-profile breach at Coinbase, one of the world’s largest exchanges.
In May 2025, Coinbase disclosed that cybercriminals, aided by bribed offshore contractors, accessed and exfiltrated customer data including names, addresses, government IDs, and partial bank details.
The attackers then used this information for sophisticated phishing campaigns, successfully deceiving some customers into surrendering account credentials and funds.
“While private encryption keys remained secure, sufficient customer information was exposed to enable sophisticated phishing attacks by criminals posing as Coinbase personnel.”
Coinbase now faces up to $400 million in compensation costs and has pledged to reimburse affected users, but the incident highlights the systemic vulnerability created when large troves of personal data are centralized-even if passwords and private keys are not directly compromised. The breach also triggered a notable drop in Coinbase’s share price and prompted a $20 million bounty for information leading to the attackers’ capture.
The Bottom Line
The UK’s forthcoming crypto reporting regime represents a landmark in financial regulation, promising greater transparency and tax compliance. However, as the Coinbase episode demonstrates, the aggregation of sensitive user data at scale poses a significant cybersecurity risk.
As regulators push for more oversight, the challenge will be ensuring that consumer protection does not become a double-edged sword-exposing users to new threats even as it seeks to shield them from old ones.
-
@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740
2025-05-20 13:49:50I’ve written about MSTR twice already, https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr and https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr-part-2, but I want to focus on legendary short seller James Chanos’ current trade wherein he buys bitcoin (via ETF) and shorts MSTR, in essence to “be like Mike” Saylor who sells MSTR shares at the market and uses them to add bitcoin to the company’s balance sheet. After all, if it’s good enough for Saylor, why shouldn’t everyone be doing it — shorting a company whose stock price is more than 2x its bitcoin holdings and using the proceeds to buy the bitcoin itself?
Saylor himself has said selling shares at 2x NAV (net asset value) to buy bitcoin is like selling dollars for two dollars each, and Chanos has apparently decided to get in while the getting (market cap more than 2x net asset value) is good. If the price of bitcoin moons, sending MSTR’s shares up, you are more than hedged in that event, too. At least that’s the theory.
The problem with this bet against MSTR’s mNAV, i.e., you are betting MSTR’s market cap will converge 1:1 toward its NAV in the short and medium term is this trade does not exist in a vacuum. Saylor has described how his ATM’s (at the market) sales of shares are accretive in BTC per share because of this very premium they carry. Yes, we’ll dilute your shares of the company, but because we’re getting you 2x the bitcoin per share, you are getting an ever smaller slice of an ever bigger overall pie, and the pie is growing 2x faster than your slice is reducing. (I https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr how this works in my first post.)
But for this accretion to continue, there must be a constant supply of “greater fools” to pony up for the infinitely printable shares which contain only half their value in underlying bitcoin. Yes, those shares will continue to accrete more BTC per share, but only if there are more fools willing to make this trade in the future. So will there be a constant supply of such “fools” to keep fueling MSTR’s mNAV multiple indefinitely?
Yes, there will be in my opinion because you have to look at the trade from the prospective fools’ perspective. Those “fools” are not trading bitcoin for MSTR, they are trading their dollars, selling other equities to raise them maybe, but in the end it’s a dollars for shares trade. They are not selling bitcoin for them.
You might object that those same dollars could buy bitcoin instead, so they are surely trading the opportunity cost of buying bitcoin for them, but if only 5-10 percent of the market (or less) is buying bitcoin itself, the bucket in which which those “fools” reside is the entire non-bitcoin-buying equity market. (And this is not considering the even larger debt market which Saylor has yet to tap in earnest.)
So for those 90-95 percent who do not and are not presently planning to own bitcoin itself, is buying MSTR a fool’s errand, so to speak? Not remotely. If MSTR shares are infinitely printable ATM, they are still less so than the dollar and other fiat currencies. And MSTR shares are backed 2:1 by bitcoin itself, while the fiat currencies are backed by absolutely nothing. So if you hold dollars or euros, trading them for MSTR shares is an errand more sage than foolish.
That’s why this trade (buying BTC and shorting MSTR) is so dangerous. Not only are there many people who won’t buy BTC buying MSTR, there are many funds and other investment entities who are only able to buy MSTR.
Do you want to get BTC at 1:1 with the 5-10 percent or MSTR backed 2:1 with the 90-95 percent. This is a bit like medical tests that have a 95 percent accuracy rate for an asymptomatic disease that only one percent of the population has. If someone tests positive, it’s more likely to be a false one than an indication he has the disease*. The accuracy rate, even at 19:1, is subservient to the size of the respective populations.
At some point this will no longer be the case, but so long as the understanding of bitcoin is not widespread, so long as the dollar is still the unit of account, the “greater fools” buying MSTR are still miles ahead of the greatest fools buying neither, and the stock price and mNAV should only increase.
. . .
One other thought: it’s more work to play defense than offense because the person on offense knows where he’s going, and the defender can only react to him once he moves. Similarly, Saylor by virtue of being the issuer of the shares knows when more will come online while Chanos and other short sellers are borrowing them to sell in reaction to Saylor’s strategy. At any given moment, Saylor can pause anytime, choosing to issue convertible debt or preferred shares with which to buy more bitcoin, and the shorts will not be given advance notice.
If the price runs, and there is no ATM that week because Saylor has stopped on a dime, so to speak, the shorts will be left having to scramble to change directions and buy the shares back to cover. Their momentum might be in the wrong direction, though, and like Allen Iverson breaking ankles with a crossover, Saylor might trigger a massive short squeeze, rocketing the share price ever higher. That’s why he actually welcomes Chanos et al trying this copycat strategy — it becomes the fuel for outsized gains.
For that reason, news that Chanos is shorting MSTR has not shaken my conviction, though there are other more pertinent https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr-part-2 with MSTR, of which one should be aware. And as always, do your own due diligence before investing in anything.
* To understand this, consider a population of 100,000, with one percent having a disease. That means 1,000 have it, 99,000 do not. If the test is 95 percent accurate, and everyone is tested, 950 of the 1,000 will test positive (true positives), 50 who have it will test negative (false negatives.) Of the positives, 95 percent of 99,000 (94,050) will test negative (true negatives) and five percent (4,950) will test positive (false positives). That means 4,950 out of 5,900 positives (84%) will be false.
-
@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7
2025-05-22 03:00:45This article was originally published on aier.org
Even after eleven years experience, and a per Bitcoin price of nearly $20,000, the incredulous are still with us. I understand why. Bitcoin is not like other traditional financial assets.
Even describing it as an asset is misleading. It is not the same as a stock, as a payment system, or a money. It has features of all these but it is not identical to them.
What Bitcoin is depends on its use as a means of storing and porting value, which in turn rests of secure titles to ownership of a scarce good. Those without experience in the sector look at all of this and get frustrated that understanding why it is valuable is not so easy to grasp.
In this article, I’m updating an analysis I wrote six years ago. It still holds up. For those who don’t want to slog through the entire article, my thesis is that Bitcoin’s value obtains from its underlying technology, which is an open-source ledger that keeps track of ownership rights and permits the transfer of these rights. Bitcoin managed to bundle its unit of account with a payment system that lives on the ledger. That’s its innovation and why it obtained a value and that value continues to rise.
Consider the criticism offered by traditional gold advocates, who have, for decades, pushed the idea that sound money must be backed by something real, hard, and independently valuable. Bitcoin doesn’t qualify, right? Maybe it does.
Bitcoin first emerged as a possible competitor to national, government-managed money in 2009. Satoshi Nakamoto’s white paper was released October 31, 2008. The structure and language of this paper sent the message: This currency is for computer technicians, not economists nor political pundits. The paper’s circulation was limited; novices who read it were mystified.
But the lack of interest didn’t stop history from moving forward. Two months later, those who were paying attention saw the emergence of the “Genesis Block,” the first group of bitcoins generated through Nakamoto’s concept of a distributed ledger that lived on any computer node in the world that wanted to host it.
Here we are all these years later and a single bitcoin trades at $18,500. The currency is held and accepted by many thousands of institutions, both online and offline. Its payment system is very popular in poor countries without vast banking infrastructures but also in developed countries. And major institutions—including the Federal Reserve, the OECD, the World Bank, and major investment houses—are paying respectful attention and weaving blockchain technology into their operations.
Enthusiasts, who are found in every country, say that its exchange value will soar even more in the future because its supply is strictly limited and it provides a system vastly superior to government money. Bitcoin is transferred between individuals without a third party. It is relatively low-cost to exchange. It has a predictable supply. It is durable, fungible, and divisible: all crucial features of money. It creates a monetary system that doesn’t depend on trust and identity, much less on central banks and government. It is a new system for the digital age.
Hard lessons for hard money
To those educated in the “hard money” tradition, the whole idea has been a serious challenge. Speaking for myself, I had been reading about bitcoin for two years before I came anywhere close to understanding it. There was just something about the whole idea that bugged me. You can’t make money out of nothing, much less out of computer code. Why does it have value then? There must be something amiss. This is not how we expected money to be reformed.
There’s the problem: our expectations. We should have been paying closer attention to Ludwig von Mises’ theory of money’s origins—not to what we think he wrote, but to what he actually did write.
In 1912, Mises released The Theory of Money and Credit. It was a huge hit in Europe when it came out in German, and it was translated into English. While covering every aspect of money, his core contribution was in tracing the value and price of money—and not just money itself—to its origins. That is, he explained how money gets its price in terms of the goods and services it obtains. He later called this process the “regression theorem,” and as it turns out, bitcoin satisfies the conditions of the theorem.
Mises’ teacher, Carl Menger, demonstrated that money itself originates from the market—not from the State and not from social contract. It emerges gradually as monetary entrepreneurs seek out an ideal form of commodity for indirect exchange. Instead of merely bartering with each other, people acquire a good not to consume, but to trade. That good becomes money, the most marketable commodity.
But Mises added that the value of money traces backward in time to its value as a bartered commodity. Mises said that this is the only way money can have value.
The theory of the value of money as such can trace back the objective exchange value of money only to that point where it ceases to be the value of money and becomes merely the value of a commodity…. If in this way we continually go farther and farther back we must eventually arrive at a point where we no longer find any component in the objective exchange value of money that arises from valuations based on the function of money as a common medium of exchange; where the value of money is nothing other than the value of an object that is useful in some other way than as money…. Before it was usual to acquire goods in the market, not for personal consumption, but simply in order to exchange them again for the goods that were really wanted, each individual commodity was only accredited with that value given by the subjective valuations based on its direct utility.
Mises’ explanation solved a major problem that had long mystified economists. It is a narrative of conjectural history, and yet it makes perfect sense. Would salt have become money had it otherwise been completely useless? Would beaver pelts have obtained monetary value had they not been useful for clothing? Would silver or gold have had money value if they had no value as commodities first? The answer in all cases of monetary history is clearly no. The initial value of money, before it becomes widely traded as money, originates in its direct utility. It’s an explanation that is demonstrated through historical reconstruction. That’s Mises’ regression theorem.
Bitcoin’s Use Value
At first glance, bitcoin would seem to be an exception. You can’t use a bitcoin for anything other than money. It can’t be worn as jewelry. You can’t make a machine out of it. You can’t eat it or even decorate with it. Its value is only realized as a unit that facilitates indirect exchange. And yet, bitcoin already is money. It’s used every day. You can see the exchanges in real time. It’s not a myth. It’s the real deal.
It might seem like we have to choose. Is Mises wrong? Maybe we have to toss out his whole theory. Or maybe his point was purely historical and doesn’t apply in the future of a digital age. Or maybe his regression theorem is proof that bitcoin is just an empty mania with no staying power, because it can’t be reduced to its value as a useful commodity.
And yet, you don’t have to resort to complicated monetary theory in order to understand the sense of alarm surrounding bitcoin. Many people, as I did, just have a feeling of uneasiness about a money that has no basis in anything physical. Sure, you can print out a bitcoin on a piece of paper, but having a paper with a QR code or a public key is not enough to relieve that sense of unease.
How can we resolve this problem? In my own mind, I toyed with the issue for more than a year. It puzzled me. I wondered if Mises’ insight applied only in a pre-digital age. I followed the speculations online that the value of bitcoin would be zero but for the national currencies into which it is converted. Perhaps the demand for bitcoin overcame the demands of Mises’ scenario because of a desperate need for something other than the dollar.
As time passed—and I read the work of Konrad Graf, Peter Surda, and Daniel Krawisz—finally the resolution came. Bitcoin is both a payment system and a money. The payment system is the source of value, while the accounting unit merely expresses that value in terms of price. The unity of money and payment is its most unusual feature, and the one that most commentators have had trouble wrapping their heads around.
We are all used to thinking of currency as separate from payment systems. This thinking is a reflection of the technological limitations of history. There is the dollar and there are credit cards. There is the euro and there is PayPal. There is the yen and there are wire services. In each case, money transfer relies on third-party service providers. In order to use them, you need to establish what is called a “trust relationship” with them, which is to say that the institution arranging the deal has to believe that you are going to pay.
This wedge between money and payment has always been with us, except for the case of physical proximity.
If I give you a dollar for your pizza slice, there is no third party. But payment systems, third parties, and trust relationships become necessary once you leave geographic proximity. That’s when companies like Visa and institutions like banks become indispensable. They are the application that makes the monetary software do what you want it to do.
The hitch is that
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:50UFC legend Conor McGregor has entered the Bitcoin space, calling on his home country of Ireland to create a national Bitcoin reserve. The proposal has sparked a frenzy online and across Ireland.
McGregor, famous globally for his UFC achievements, is now pushing for a financial revolution in Ireland. In a recent post on X, the 36-year-old fighter said Bitcoin can give power back to the people.
Conor McGregor on X
“Crypto in its origin was founded to give power back to the people,” McGregor wrote. “An Irish Bitcoin strategic reserve will give power to the people’s money.”
The post went viral with over 735,000 views in under 12 hours. McGregor announced he will be co-hosting a Twitter Space to discuss his vision and invited Bitcoin experts and public figures to join.
McGregor’s call for a bitcoin reserve is not an isolated event. It comes at a time when several other countries are exploring or have already added bitcoin to their national strategies.
The U.S. recently made headlines when President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Arizona and New Hampshire have also done it at the state level.
El Salvador and Bhutan have also taken the same step. There have been reports of Russia planning to add bitcoin to its reserves by 2028 and the Polish government has proposals to do the same.
McGregor says Ireland shouldn’t be left behind. He believes bitcoin’s fixed supply, neutrality and decentralization make it the perfect hedge against inflation and a modern alternative to gold.
“Now it’s time to change the crypto game,” McGregor posted, signaling he will bring digital assets into the national conversation.
Many of McGregor’s fans and Bitcoin enthusiasts are on board with the idea, but some experts and commenters are urging caution. There are comments on his social media posts telling him to focus on Bitcoin only and not include other cryptos in the reserve.
They warned him to choose his words more carefully, not to mix “crypto” with Bitcoin. Daniel Sempere Pico commented:
“Crypto is mostly hot air and scams. Bitcoin is not crypto. Focus on bitcoin, Conor. Focus on bitcoin.”
McGregor’s call for a reserve comes as he launches his political career. In March 2025 he announced he will run as an independent candidate for the Irish presidency. His campaign is focused on crime reduction, stricter immigration and now financial reform through Bitcoin.
If elected, McGregor says he will bring change to Ireland, starting with how the country handles its national reserves. He wants bitcoin to be the cornerstone of a modern decentralized financial strategy.
But it might be a big ask. Ireland has not commented on McGregor’s proposal and experts say it’s got major regulatory and political hurdles.
As an independent candidate with no party backing, McGregor will need to build public and political support to make it happen.
-
@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b
2025-05-21 02:35:36如果比特币发明了真正的钱,那么 Crypto 是什么?
引言
比特币诞生之初就以“数字黄金”姿态示人,被支持者誉为人类历史上第一次发明了真正意义上的钱——一种不依赖国家信用、总量恒定且不可篡改的硬通货。然而十多年过去,比特币之后蓬勃而起的加密世界(Crypto)已经远超“货币”范畴:从智能合约平台到去中心组织,从去央行的稳定币到戏谑荒诞的迷因币,Crypto 演化出一个丰富而混沌的新生态。这不禁引发一个根本性的追问:如果说比特币解决了“真金白银”的问题,那么 Crypto 又完成了什么发明?
Crypto 与政治的碰撞:随着Crypto版图扩张,全球政治势力也被裹挟进这场金融变革洪流(示意图)。比特币的出现重塑了货币信用,但Crypto所引发的却是一场更深刻的政治与治理结构实验。从华尔街到华盛顿,从散户论坛到主权国家,越来越多人意识到:Crypto不只是技术或金融现象,而是一种全新的政治表达结构正在萌芽。正如有激进论者所断言的:“比特币发明了真正的钱,而Crypto则在发明新的政治。”价格K线与流动性曲线,或许正成为这个时代社群意志和社会价值观的新型投射。
冲突结构:当价格挑战选票
传统政治中,选票是人民意志的载体,一人一票勾勒出民主治理的正统路径。而在链上的加密世界里,骤升骤降的价格曲线和真金白银的买卖行为却扮演起了选票的角色:资金流向成了民意走向,市场多空成为立场表决。价格行为取代选票,这听来匪夷所思,却已在Crypto社群中成为日常现实。每一次代币的抛售与追高,都是社区对项目决策的即时“投票”;每一根K线的涨跌,都折射出社区意志的赞同或抗议。市场行为本身承担了决策权与象征权——价格即政治,正在链上蔓延。
这一新生政治形式与旧世界的民主机制形成了鲜明冲突。bitcoin.org中本聪在比特币白皮书中提出“一CPU一票”的工作量证明共识,用算力投票取代了人为决策bitcoin.org。而今,Crypto更进一步,用资本市场的涨跌来取代传统政治的选举。支持某项目?直接购入其代币推高市值;反对某提案?用脚投票抛售资产。相比漫长的选举周期和层层代议制,链上市场提供了近乎实时的“公投”机制。但这种机制也引发巨大争议:资本的投票天然偏向持币多者(富者)的意志,是否意味着加密政治更为金权而非民权?持币多寡成为影响力大小,仿佛选举演变成了“一币一票”,巨鲸富豪俨然掌握更多话语权。这种与民主平等原则的冲突,成为Crypto政治形式饱受质疑的核心张力之一。
尽管如此,我们已经目睹市场投票在Crypto世界塑造秩序的威力:2016年以太坊因DAO事件分叉时,社区以真金白银“投票”决定了哪条链获得未来。arkhamintelligence.com结果是新链以太坊(ETH)成为主流,其市值一度超过2,800亿美元,而坚持原则的以太经典(ETC)市值不足35亿美元,不及前者的八十分之一arkhamintelligence.com。市场选择清楚地昭示了社区的政治意志。同样地,在比特币扩容之争、各类硬分叉博弈中,无不是由投资者和矿工用资金与算力投票,胜者存续败者黯然。价格成为裁决纷争的最终选票,冲击着传统“选票决胜”的政治理念。Crypto的价格民主,与现代代议民主正面相撞,激起当代政治哲思中前所未有的冲突火花。
治理与分配
XRP对决SEC成为了加密世界“治理与分配”冲突的经典战例。2020年底,美国证券交易委员会(SEC)突然起诉Ripple公司,指控其发行的XRP代币属于未注册证券,消息一出直接引爆市场恐慌。XRP价格应声暴跌,一度跌去超过60%,最低触及0.21美元coindesk.com。曾经位居市值前三的XRP险些被打入谷底,监管的强硬姿态似乎要将这个项目彻底扼杀。
然而XRP社区没有选择沉默。 大批长期持有者组成了自称“XRP军团”(XRP Army)的草根力量,在社交媒体上高调声援Ripple,对抗监管威胁。面对SEC的指控,他们集体发声,质疑政府选择性执法,声称以太坊当年发行却“逍遥法外”,只有Ripple遭到不公对待coindesk.com。正如《福布斯》的评论所言:没人预料到愤怒的加密散户投资者会掀起法律、政治和社交媒体领域的‘海啸式’反击,痛斥监管机构背弃了保护投资者的承诺crypto-law.us。这种草根抵抗监管的话语体系迅速形成:XRP持有者不但在网上掀起舆论风暴,还采取实际行动向SEC施压。他们发起了请愿,抨击SEC背离保护投资者初衷、诉讼给个人投资者带来巨大伤害,号召停止对Ripple的上诉纠缠——号称这是在捍卫全球加密用户的共同利益bitget.com。一场由民间主导的反监管运动就此拉开帷幕。
Ripple公司则选择背水一战,拒绝和解,在法庭上与SEC针锋相对地鏖战了近三年之久。Ripple坚称XRP并非证券,不应受到SEC管辖,即使面临沉重法律费用和业务压力也不妥协。2023年,这场持久战迎来了标志性转折:美国法庭作出初步裁决,认定XRP在二级市场的流通不构成证券coindesk.com。这一胜利犹如给沉寂已久的XRP注入强心针——消息公布当天XRP价格飙涨近一倍,盘中一度逼近1美元大关coindesk.com。沉重监管阴影下苟延残喘的项目,凭借司法层面的突破瞬间重获生机。这不仅是Ripple的胜利,更被支持者视为整个加密行业对SEC强权的一次胜仗。
XRP的对抗路线与某些“主动合规”的项目形成了鲜明对比。 稳定币USDC的发行方Circle、美国最大合规交易所Coinbase等选择了一条迎合监管的道路:它们高调拥抱现行法规,希望以合作换取生存空间。然而现实却给了它们沉重一击。USDC稳定币在监管风波中一度失去美元锚定,哪怕Circle及时披露储备状况也无法阻止恐慌蔓延,大批用户迅速失去信心,短时间内出现数十亿美元的赎回潮blockworks.co。Coinbase则更为直接:即便它早已注册上市、反复向监管示好,2023年仍被SEC指控为未注册证券交易所reuters.com,卷入漫长诉讼漩涡。可见,在迎合监管的策略下,这些机构非但未能换来监管青睐,反而因官司缠身或用户流失而丧失市场信任。 相比之下,XRP以对抗求生存的路线反而赢得了投资者的眼光:价格的涨跌成为社区投票的方式,抗争的勇气反过来强化了市场对它的信心。
同样引人深思的是另一种迥异的治理路径:技术至上的链上治理。 以MakerDAO为代表的去中心化治理模式曾被寄予厚望——MKR持币者投票决策、算法维持稳定币Dai的价值,被视为“代码即法律”的典范。然而,这套纯技术治理在市场层面却未能形成广泛认同,亦无法激发群体性的情绪动员。复杂晦涩的机制使得普通投资者难以参与其中,MakerDAO的治理讨论更多停留在极客圈子内部,在社会大众的政治对话中几乎听不见它的声音。相比XRP对抗监管所激发的铺天盖地关注,MakerDAO的治理实验显得默默无闻、难以“出圈”。这也说明,如果一种治理实践无法连接更广泛的利益诉求和情感共鸣,它在社会政治层面就难以形成影响力。
XRP之争的政治象征意义由此凸显: 它展示了一条“以市场对抗国家”的斗争路线,即通过代币价格的集体行动来回应监管权力的施压。在这场轰动业界的对决中,价格即是抗议的旗帜,涨跌映射着政治立场。XRP对SEC的胜利被视作加密世界向旧有权力宣告的一次胜利:资本市场的投票器可以撼动监管者的强权。这种“价格即政治”的张力,正是Crypto世界前所未有的社会实验:去中心化社区以市场行为直接对抗国家权力,在无形的价格曲线中凝聚起政治抗争的力量,向世人昭示加密货币不仅有技术和资本属性,更蕴含着不可小觑的社会能量和政治意涵。
不可归零的政治资本
Meme 币的本质并非廉价或易造,而在于其构建了一种“无法归零”的社群生存结构。 对于传统观点而言,多数 meme 币只是短命的投机游戏:价格暴涨暴跌后一地鸡毛,创始人套现跑路,投资者血本无归,然后“大家转去炒下一个”theguardian.com。然而,meme 币社群的独特之处在于——失败并不意味着终结,而更像是运动的逗号而非句号。一次币值崩盘后,持币的草根们往往并未散去;相反,他们汲取教训,准备东山再起。这种近乎“不死鸟”的循环,使得 meme 币运动呈现出一种数字政治循环的特质:价格可以归零,但社群的政治热情和组织势能不归零。正如研究者所指出的,加密领域中的骗局、崩盘等冲击并不会摧毁生态,反而成为让系统更加强韧的“健康应激”,令整个行业在动荡中变得更加反脆弱cointelegraph.com。对应到 meme 币,每一次暴跌和重挫,都是社群自我进化、卷土重来的契机。这个去中心化群体打造出一种自组织的安全垫,失败者得以在瓦砾上重建家园。对于草根社群、少数派乃至体制的“失败者”而言,meme 币提供了一个永不落幕的抗争舞台,一种真正反脆弱的政治性。正因如此,我们看到诸多曾被嘲笑的迷因项目屡败屡战:例如 Dogecoin 自2013年问世后历经八年沉浮,早已超越玩笑属性,成为互联网史上最具韧性的迷因之一frontiersin.org;支撑 Dogecoin 的正是背后强大的迷因文化和社区意志,它如同美国霸权支撑美元一样,为狗狗币提供了“永不中断”的生命力frontiersin.org。
“复活权”的数字政治意涵
这种“失败-重生”的循环结构蕴含着深刻的政治意涵:在传统政治和商业领域,一个政党选举失利或一家公司破产往往意味着清零出局,资源散尽、组织瓦解。然而在 meme 币的世界,社群拥有了一种前所未有的“复活权”。当项目崩盘,社区并不必然随之消亡,而是可以凭借剩余的人心和热情卷土重来——哪怕换一个 token 名称,哪怕重启一条链,运动依然延续。正如 Cheems 项目的核心开发者所言,在几乎无人问津、技术受阻的困境下,大多数人可能早已卷款走人,但 “CHEEMS 社区没有放弃,背景、技术、风投都不重要,重要的是永不言弃的精神”cointelegraph.com。这种精神使得Cheems项目起死回生,社区成员齐声宣告“我们都是 CHEEMS”,共同书写历史cointelegraph.com。与传统依赖风投和公司输血的项目不同,Cheems 完全依靠社区的信念与韧性存续发展,体现了去中心化运动的真谛cointelegraph.com。这意味着政治参与的门槛被大大降低:哪怕没有金主和官方背书,草根也能凭借群体意志赋予某个代币新的生命。对于身处社会边缘的群体来说,meme 币俨然成为自组织的安全垫和重新集结的工具。难怪有学者指出,近期涌入meme币浪潮的主力,正是那些对现实失望但渴望改变命运的年轻人theguardian.com——“迷茫的年轻人,想要一夜暴富”theguardian.com。meme币的炒作表面上看是投机赌博,但背后蕴含的是草根对既有金融秩序的不满与反抗:没有监管和护栏又如何?一次失败算不得什么,社区自有后路和新方案。这种由底层群众不断试错、纠错并重启的过程,本身就是一种数字时代的新型反抗运动和群众动员机制。
举例而言,Terra Luna 的沉浮充分展现了这种“复活机制”的政治力量。作为一度由风投资本热捧的项目,Luna 币在2022年的崩溃本可被视作“归零”的失败典范——稳定币UST瞬间失锚,Luna币价归零,数十亿美元灰飞烟灭。然而“崩盘”并没有画下休止符。Luna的残余社区拒绝承认失败命运,通过链上治理投票毅然启动新链,“复活”了 Luna 代币,再次回到市场交易reuters.com。正如 Terra 官方在崩盘后发布的推文所宣称:“我们力量永在社区,今日的决定正彰显了我们的韧性”reuters.com。事实上,原链更名为 Luna Classic 后,大批所谓“LUNC 军团”的散户依然死守阵地,誓言不离不弃;他们自发烧毁巨量代币以缩减供应、推动技术升级,试图让这个一度归零的项目重新燃起生命之火binance.com。失败者并未散场,而是化作一股草根洪流,奋力托举起项目的残迹。经过迷因化的叙事重塑,这场从废墟中重建价值的壮举,成为加密世界中草根政治的经典一幕。类似的案例不胜枚举:曾经被视为笑话的 DOGE(狗狗币)正因多年社群的凝聚而跻身主流币种,总市值一度高达数百亿美元,充分证明了“民有民享”的迷因货币同样可以笑傲市场frontiersin.org。再看最新的美国政治舞台,连总统特朗普也推出了自己的 meme 币 $TRUMP,号召粉丝拿真金白银来表达支持。该币首日即从7美元暴涨至75美元,两天后虽回落到40美元左右,但几乎同时,第一夫人 Melania 又发布了自己的 $Melania 币,甚至连就职典礼的牧师都跟风发行了纪念币theguardian.com!显然,对于狂热的群众来说,一个币的沉浮并非终点,而更像是运动的换挡——资本市场成为政治参与的新前线,你方唱罢我登场,meme 币的群众动员热度丝毫不减。值得注意的是,2024年出现的 Pump.fun 等平台更是进一步降低了这一循环的技术门槛,任何人都可以一键生成自己的 meme 币theguardian.com。这意味着哪怕某个项目归零,剩余的社区完全可以借助此类工具迅速复制一个新币接力,延续集体行动的火种。可以说,在 meme 币的世界里,草根社群获得了前所未有的再生能力和主动权,这正是一种数字时代的群众政治奇观:失败可以被当作梗来玩,破产能够变成重生的序章。
价格即政治:群众投机的新抗争
meme 币现象的兴盛表明:在加密时代,价格本身已成为一种政治表达。这些看似荒诞的迷因代币,将金融市场变成了群众宣泄情绪和诉求的另一个舞台。有学者将此概括为“将公民参与直接转化为了投机资产”cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.ca——也就是说,社会运动的热情被注入币价涨跌,政治支持被铸造成可以交易的代币。meme 币融合了金融、技术与政治,通过病毒般的迷因文化激发公众参与,形成对现实政治的某种映射cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.caosl.com。当一群草根投入全部热忱去炒作一枚毫无基本面支撑的币时,这本身就是一种大众政治动员的体现:币价暴涨,意味着一群人以戏谑的方式在向既有权威叫板;币价崩盘,也并不意味着信念的消亡,反而可能孕育下一次更汹涌的造势。正如有分析指出,政治类 meme 币的出现前所未有地将群众文化与政治情绪融入市场行情,价格曲线俨然成为民意和趋势的风向标cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.ca。在这种局面下,投机不再仅仅是逐利,还是一种宣示立场、凝聚共识的过程——一次次看似荒唐的炒作背后,是草根对传统体制的不服与嘲讽,是失败者拒绝认输的呐喊。归根结底,meme 币所累积的,正是一种不可被归零的政治资本。价格涨落之间,群众的愤怒、幽默与希望尽显其中;这股力量不因一次挫败而消散,反而在市场的循环中愈发壮大。也正因如此,我们才说“价格即政治”——在迷因币的世界里,价格不只是数字,更是人民政治能量的晴雨表,哪怕归零也终将卷土重来。cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.caosl.com
全球新兴现象:伊斯兰金融的入场
当Crypto在西方世界掀起市场治政的狂潮时,另一股独特力量也悄然融入这一场域:伊斯兰金融携其独特的道德秩序,开始在链上寻找存在感。长期以来,伊斯兰金融遵循着一套区别于世俗资本主义的原则:禁止利息(Riba)、反对过度投机(Gharar/Maysir)、强调实际资产支撑和道德投资。当这些原则遇上去中心化的加密技术,会碰撞出怎样的火花?出人意料的是,这两者竟在“以市场行为表达价值”这个层面产生了惊人的共鸣。伊斯兰金融并不拒绝市场机制本身,只是为其附加了道德准则;Crypto则将市场机制推向了政治高位,用价格来表达社群意志。二者看似理念迥异,实则都承认市场行为可以也应当承载社会价值观。这使得越来越多金融与政治分析人士开始关注:当虔诚的宗教伦理遇上狂野的加密市场,会塑造出何种新范式?
事实上,穆斯林世界已经在探索“清真加密”的道路。一些区块链项目致力于确保协议符合伊斯兰教法(Sharia)的要求。例如Haqq区块链发行的伊斯兰币(ISLM),从规则层面内置了宗教慈善义务——每发行新币即自动将10%拨入慈善DAO,用于公益捐赠,以符合天课(Zakat)的教义nasdaq.comnasdaq.com。同时,该链拒绝利息和赌博类应用,2022年还获得了宗教权威的教令(Fatwa)认可其合规性nasdaq.com。再看理念层面,伊斯兰经济学强调货币必须有内在价值、收益应来自真实劳动而非纯利息剥削。这一点与比特币的“工作量证明”精神不谋而合——有人甚至断言法定货币无锚印钞并不清真,而比特币这类需耗费能源生产的资产反而更符合教法初衷cointelegraph.com。由此,越来越多穆斯林投资者开始以道德投资的名义进入Crypto领域,将资金投向符合清真原则的代币和协议。
这种现象带来了微妙的双重合法性:一方面,Crypto世界原本奉行“价格即真理”的世俗逻辑,而伊斯兰金融为其注入了一股道德合法性,使部分加密资产同时获得了宗教与市场的双重背书;另一方面,即便在遵循宗教伦理的项目中,最终决定成败的依然是市场对其价值的认可。道德共识与市场共识在链上交汇,共同塑造出一种混合的新秩序。这一全球新兴现象引发广泛议论:有人将其视为金融民主化的极致表现——不同文化价值都能在市场平台上表达并竞争;也有人警惕这可能掩盖新的风险,因为把宗教情感融入高风险资产,既可能凝聚强大的忠诚度,也可能在泡沫破裂时引发信仰与财富的双重危机。但无论如何,伊斯兰金融的入场使Crypto的政治版图更加丰盈多元。从华尔街交易员到中东教士,不同背景的人们正通过Crypto这个奇特的舞台,对人类价值的表达方式进行前所未有的实验。
升华结语:价格即政治的新直觉
回顾比特币问世以来的这段历程,我们可以清晰地看到一条演进的主线:先有货币革命,后有政治发明。比特币赋予了人类一种真正自主的数字货币,而Crypto在此基础上完成的,则是一项前所未有的政治革新——它让市场价格行为承担起了类似政治选票的功能,开创了一种“价格即政治”的新直觉。在这个直觉下,市场不再只是冷冰冰的交易场所;每一次资本流动、每一轮行情涨落,都被赋予了社会意义和政治涵义。买入即表态,卖出即抗议,流动性的涌入或枯竭胜过千言万语的陈情。Crypto世界中,K线图俨然成为民意曲线,行情图就是政治晴雨表。决策不再由少数权力精英关起门来制定,而是在全球无眠的交易中由无数普通人共同谱写。这样的政治形式也许狂野,也许充满泡沫和噪音,但它不可否认地调动起了广泛的社会参与,让原本疏离政治进程的个体通过持币、交易重新找回了影响力的幻觉或实感。
“价格即政治”并非一句简单的口号,而是Crypto给予世界的全新想象力。它质疑了传统政治的正统性:如果一串代码和一群匿名投资者就能高效决策资源分配,我们为何还需要繁冗的官僚体系?它也拷问着自身的内在隐忧:当财富与权力深度绑定,Crypto政治如何避免堕入金钱统治的老路?或许,正是在这样的矛盾和张力中,人类政治的未来才会不断演化。Crypto所开启的,不仅是技术乌托邦或金融狂欢,更可能是一次对民主形式的深刻拓展和挑战。这里有最狂热的逐利者,也有最理想主义的社群塑梦者;有一夜暴富的神话,也有瞬间破灭的惨痛。而这一切汇聚成的洪流,正冲撞着工业时代以来既定的权力谱系。
当我们再次追问:Crypto究竟是什么? 或许可以这样回答——Crypto是比特币之后,人类完成的一次政治范式的试验性跃迁。在这里,价格行为化身为选票,资本市场演化为广场,代码与共识共同撰写“社会契约”。这是一场仍在进行的文明实验:它可能无声地融入既有秩序,也可能剧烈地重塑未来规则。但无论结局如何,如今我们已经见证:在比特币发明真正的货币之后,Crypto正在发明真正属于21世纪的政治。它以数字时代的语言宣告:在链上,价格即政治,市场即民意,代码即法律。这,或许就是Crypto带给我们的最直观而震撼的本质启示。
参考资料:
-
中本聪. 比特币白皮书: 一种点对点的电子现金系统. (2008)bitcoin.org
-
Arkham Intelligence. Ethereum vs Ethereum Classic: Understanding the Differences. (2023)arkhamintelligence.com
-
Binance Square (@渔神的加密日记). 狗狗币价格为何上涨?背后的原因你知道吗?binance.com
-
Cointelegraph中文. 特朗普的迷因币晚宴预期内容揭秘. (2025)cn.cointelegraph.com
-
慢雾科技 Web3Caff (@Lisa). 风险提醒:从 LIBRA 看“政治化”的加密货币骗局. (2025)web3caff.com
-
Nasdaq (@Anthony Clarke). How Cryptocurrency Aligns with the Principles of Islamic Finance. (2023)nasdaq.comnasdaq.com
-
Cointelegraph Magazine (@Andrew Fenton). DeFi can be halal but not DOGE? Decentralizing Islamic finance. (2023)cointelegraph.com
-
-
@ 2b998b04:86727e47
2025-05-22 02:45:34I recently released my first open-source tool:\ 👉 nostr-signal-filter
It fetches and formats your latest top-level Nostr note or long-form article, cleans up any embedded links using TinyURL, and outputs a clean version ready for reposting to:
-
LinkedIn
-
Facebook
-
X / Twitter
⚙️ Built for Simplicity
The stack is intentionally minimal:
-
Python + WebSockets + Bech32
-
TinyURL API for link shortening
-
Dockerized CLI usage:
bash
CopyEdit
docker run --rm -e PUBKEY=npub1yourpubkeyhere nostr-fetcher > latest.md
From idea to working repo took under 3 hours — including debugging, Docker tweaks, README cleanup, and tagging a clean release.\ \ This most certainly would have taken much longer if I had done this all without ChatGPTs' help.\ \ 🖼️ Example Output (
latest.md
)text
CopyEdit
🕒 2025-05-20 22:24:17 📄 Note (originally posted on Nostr/primal.net) --- 🚨 New long-form drop: AI Isn’t Magic. It’s Engineering. How I use ChatGPT like any other tool in the stack — with iteration, discernment, and real output. Read it here: https://tinyurl.com/ynv7jq6g ⚡ Zaps appreciated if it resonates. --- 🔗 View on Nostr: https://tinyurl.com/yobvaxkx
🧪 Where I Used It
- ✅ Facebook: clean rendering with preview ->
- ✅ X/Twitter: teaser + link (had to truncate for character limit) ->
https://x.com/AndyGStanton/status/1925045477172773136
🙌 Try It Yourself
If you're publishing on Nostr but still sharing on legacy platforms:
👉 github.com/andrewgstanton/nostr-signal-filter
-
Clean output
-
Easy to run
-
Portable via Docker
All it needs is your
npub
.
⚡ Zap Me If You Found This Useful
If this tool saved you time — or if it sparked ideas for your own Nostr publishing stack —\ send a zap my way. I’m always looking to connect with other creators who value signal > noise.
🔗 Zap on Primal -> https://primal.net/andrewgstanton
🔭 Next Features (I’d Love Help With)
-
Archive all notes + articles (not just the latest 50) to
archive.md
-
Function to shorten links in any text block
-
Output
post.md
for any given Nostr event ID (not just latest) -
Optional API integration to post directly to LinkedIn or X
Built with ChatGPT’s help.\ Iterated. Published. Cross-posted.\ That’s proof of work.
-
-
@ 51bbb15e:b77a2290
2025-05-21 00:24:36Yeah, I’m sure everything in the file is legit. 👍 Let’s review the guard witness testimony…Oh wait, they weren’t at their posts despite 24/7 survellience instructions after another Epstein “suicide” attempt two weeks earlier. Well, at least the video of the suicide is in the file? Oh wait, a techical glitch. Damn those coincidences!
At this point, the Trump administration has zero credibility with me on anything related to the Epstein case and his clients. I still suspect the administration is using the Epstein files as leverage to keep a lot of RINOs in line, whereas they’d be sabotaging his agenda at every turn otherwise. However, I just don’t believe in ends-justify-the-means thinking. It’s led almost all of DC to toss out every bit of the values they might once have had.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:29The exchange, which collapsed in 2022, will distribute $5 billion to creditors starting May 30.
On May 30, FTX will begin the second phase of repayments, delivering over $5 billion to eligible creditors. According to the official announcement, payments will be processed through two main providers: BitGo and Kraken.
Creditors can expect to receive their funds within a relatively short period — from one to three business days after the distribution begins. This second round focuses on creditors with claims over $50,000, following the first repayment phase launched in February for smaller claims.
John Ray III, current CEO of FTX, has allocated about $11.4 billion for customer repayments. Creditors will receive amounts calculated based on the value of crypto assets at the time of the bankruptcy filing (November 2022).
Variable repayment percentages
The distribution plan foresees differentiated payout rates based on the various categories of claims:
- Dotcom customer claims will receive 72%;
- U.S. customer claims will get 54%;
- General unsecured claims and claims from digital asset loans will each receive 61%;
- Convenience class claims will see a 120% repayment.
“These initial distributions to non-convenience classes mark a significant milestone for FTX,” stated the exchange’s CEO.
Requirements to claim repayments
To receive payments, creditors must complete several mandatory steps:
- Log into the FTX Customer Portal;
- Complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification;
- Submit the required tax forms;
- Complete onboarding with BitGo or Kraken.
The post FTX: over $5 billion ready for creditors in second repayment phase appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-20 06:15:51Deliberate (?) trade-offs we make for the sake of output speed.
... By sacrificing depth in my learning, I can produce substantially more work. I’m unsure if I’m at the correct balance between output quantity and depth of learning. This uncertainty is mainly fueled by a sense of urgency due to rapidly improving AI models. I don’t have time to learn everything deeply. I love learning, but given current trends, I want to maximize immediate output. I’m sacrificing some learning in classes for more time doing outside work. From a teacher’s perspective, this is obviously bad, but from my subjective standpoint, it’s unclear.
Finding the balance between learning and productivity. By trade, one cannot be productive in specific areas without first acquire the knowledge to define the processes needed to deliver. Designing the process often come on a try and fail dynamic that force us to learn from previous mistakes.
I found this little journal story fun but also little sad. Vincent's realization, one of us trading his learnings to be more productive, asking what is productivity without quality assurance?
Inevitably, parts of my brain will degenerate and fade away, so I need to consciously decide what I want to preserve or my entire brain will be gone. What skills am I NOT okay with offloading? What do I want to do myself?
Read Vincent's journal https://vvvincent.me/llms-are-making-me-dumber/
https://stacker.news/items/984361
-
@ 90152b7f:04e57401
2025-05-22 02:43:07WikiLeaks The Global Intelligence Files
Released on 2013-03-04 00:00 GMT
| Email-ID | 296467 | | -------- | ------------------------ | | Date | 2007-10-29 20:54:22 | | From | hrwpress@hrw.org | | To | responses@stratfor.com |
Gaza: Israel's Fuel and Power Cuts Violate Laws of War\ \ For Immediate Release\ \ Gaza: Israel's Fuel and Power Cuts Violate Laws of War\ \ Civilians Should Not Be Penalized for Rocket Attacks by Armed Groups\ \ (New York, October 29, 2007) - Israel's decision to limit fuel and\ electricity to the Gaza Strip in retaliation for unlawful rocket attacks\ by armed groups amounts to collective punishment against the civilian\ population of Gaza, in violation of international law, and will worsen the\ humanitarian crisis there, Human Rights Watch said today.\ \ "Israel may respond to rocket attacks by armed groups to protect its\ population, but only in lawful ways," said Sarah Leah Whitson, director of\ Human Rights Watch's Middle East division. "Because Israel remains an\ occupying power, in light of its continuing restrictions on Gaza, Israel\ must not take measures that harm the civilian population - yet that is\ precisely what cutting fuel or electricity for even short periods will\ do."\ \ On Sunday, the Israeli Defense Ministry ordered the reduction of fuel\ shipments from Israel to Gaza. A government spokesman said the plan was to\ cut the amount of fuel by 5 to 11 percent without affecting the supply of\ industrial fuel for Gaza's only power plant.\ \ According to Palestinian officials, fuel shipments into Gaza yesterday\ fell by more than 30 percent.\ \ In response to the government's decision, a group of 10 Palestinian and\ Israeli human rights groups petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court on\ Sunday, seeking an immediate injunction against the fuel and electricity\ cuts. The court gave the government five days to respond but did not issue\ a temporary injunction. On Monday, the groups requested an urgent hearing\ before the five days expire.\ \ Last Thursday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved cutting electricity to\ Gaza for increasing periods in response to ongoing rocket attacks against\ civilian areas in Israel, but the government has not yet implemented the\ order.\ \ The rockets fired by Palestinian armed groups violate the international\ legal prohibition on indiscriminate attacks because they are highly\ inaccurate and cannot be directed at a specific target. Because Hamas\ exercises power inside Gaza, it is responsible for stopping indiscriminate\ attacks even when carried out by other groups, Human Rights Watch said.\ \ On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel would\ respond strongly to the ongoing attacks without allowing a humanitarian\ crisis. But the UN's top humanitarian official, UN Deputy\ Secretary-General John Holmes, said that a "serious humanitarian crisis"\ in Gaza already exists, and called on Israel to lift the economic blockade\ that it tightened after Hamas seized power in June.\ \ Israel's decision to cut fuel and electricity is the latest move aimed\ ostensibly against Hamas that is affecting the entire population of Gaza.\ In September, the Israeli cabinet declared Gaza "hostile territory" and\ voted to "restrict the passage of various goods to the Gaza Strip and\ reduce the supply of fuel and electricity." Since then, Israel has\ increasingly blocked supplies into Gaza, letting in limited amounts of\ essential foodstuffs, medicine and humanitarian supplies. According to\ Holmes, the number of humanitarian convoys entering Gaza had dropped to\ 1,500 in September from 3,000 in July.\ \ "Cutting fuel and electricity obstructs vital services," Whitson said.\ "Operating rooms, sewage pumps, and water well pumps all need electricity\ to run."\ \ Israel sells to Gaza roughly 60 percent of the electricity consumed by the\ territory's 1.5 million inhabitants. In June 2006, six Israeli missiles\ struck Gaza's only power plant; today, for most residents, electricity is\ available during only limited hours.\ \ Israeli officials said they would cut electricity for 15 minutes after\ each rocket attack and then for increasingly longer periods if the attacks\ persist. Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said Israel would\ "dramatically reduce" the power it supplied to Gaza over a period of\ weeks.\ \ Cutting fuel or electricity to the civilian population violates a basic\ principle of international humanitarian law, or the laws of war, which\ prohibit a government that has effective control over a territory from\ attacking or withholding objects that are essential to the survival of the\ civilian population. Such an act would also violate Israel's duty as an\ occupying power to safeguard the health and welfare of the population\ under occupation.\ \ Israel withdrew its military forces and settlers from the Gaza Strip in\ 2005. Nonetheless, Israel remains responsible for ensuring the well-being\ of Gaza's population for as long as, and to the extent that, it retains\ effective control over the area. Israel still exercises control over\ Gaza's airspace, sea space and land borders, as well as its electricity,\ water, sewage and telecommunications networks and population registry.\ Israel can and has also reentered Gaza for security operations at will.\ \ Israeli officials state that by declaring Gaza "hostile territory," it is\ no longer obliged under international law to supply utilities to the\ civilian population, but that is a misstatement of the law.\ \ "A mere declaration does not change the facts on the ground that impose on\ Israel the status and obligations of an occupying power," said Whitson.\ \ For more information, please contact:\ \ In New York, Fred Abrahams (English, German): +1-917-385-7333 (mobile)\ \ In Washington, DC, Joe Stork (English): +1-202-299-4925 (mobile)\ \ In Cairo, Gasser Abdel-Razek (Arabic, English): +20-2-2-794-5036 (mobile);\ or +20-10-502-9999 (mobile)
-
@ 3f770d65:7a745b24
2025-05-20 21:14:28I’m Derek Ross, and I’m all-in on Nostr.
I started the Grow Nostr Initiative to help more people discover what makes Nostr so powerful: ✅ You own your identity ✅ You choose your social graph and algorithms ✅ You aren't locked into any single app or platform ✅ You can post, stream, chat, and build, all without gatekeepers
What we’re doing with Grow Nostr Initiative: 🌱 Hosting local meetups and mini-conferences to onboard people face-to-face 📚 Creating educational materials and guides to demystify how Nostr works 🧩 Helping businesses and creators understand how they can plug into Nostr (running media servers, relays, and using key management tools)
I believe Nostr is the foundation of a more open internet. It’s still early, but we’re already seeing incredible apps for social, blogging, podcasting, livestreaming, and more. And the best part is that they're all interoperable, censorship-resistant, and built on open standards. Nostr is the world's largest bitcoin economy by transaction volume and I truly believe that the purple pill helps the orange pill go down. Meaning, growing Nostr will also grow Bitcoin adoption.
If you’ve been curious about Nostr or are building something on it, or let’s talk. Whether you're just getting started or you're already deep in the ecosystem, I'm here to answer questions, share what I’ve learned, and hear your ideas. Check out https://nostrapps.com to find your next social decentralized experience.
Ask Me Anything about GNI, Nostr, Bitcoin, the upcoming #NosVegas event at the Bitcoin Conference next week, etc.!
– Derek Ross 🌐 https://grownostr.org npub18ams6ewn5aj2n3wt2qawzglx9mr4nzksxhvrdc4gzrecw7n5tvjqctp424
https://stacker.news/items/984689
-
@ 90152b7f:04e57401
2025-05-22 02:30:51WikiLeaks The Global Intelligence Files
Released on 2013-03-11 00:00 GMT
| Email-ID | 364528 | | -------- | --------------------------- | | Date | 2007-09-20 03:02:09 | | From | os@stratfor.com | | To | intelligence@stratfor.com |
Rice, Israeli FM discuss Israeli decision of defining Gaza as "hostile\ entity"\ 2007-09-20 00:41:16\ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/20/content_6756959.htm\ \ JERUSALEM, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State\ Condoleezza Rice met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on\ Wednesday, the two discussed Israel's decision that defined the Hamas-\ controlled Gaza Strip as a "hostile entity."\ \ At a joint press conference held after their meeting, Rice told the\ reporters that the Palestinian Hamas is a "hostile entity" to U.S. as well.\ \ Israel's Security Cabinet declared the Gaza Strip a "hostile entity" on\ Wednesday ahead of Rice's visit and said it would cutoff power and fuel\ supplies to the strip.\ \ Gaza's population, largely impoverished, is almost entirely\ dependent on Israel for the supply of electricity, water and fuel, and a\ cutoff would deepen their hardship.\ \ Since the Hamas takeover in June, Israel has closed crossings with\ Gaza almost entirely, allowing in only humanitarian aid. However, Rice\ reiterated that the United States will not abandon the innocent\ Palestinians in Gaza.\ \ For her part, Livni said that Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip\ two years ago, hoping that could lead to the establishment of a\ Palestinian state, but only get almost daily rocket attacks in return.\ \ "We expect the Palestinians to understand that Israeli security is\ in their own interests," Livni said, adding that Palestinians must\ understand "supporting Hamas won't help them."\ \ The Israeli Security Cabinet's declaration of Gaza as an "hostile\ entity" could lead to the most severe retaliatory measure taken by\ Israel against Palestinian rocket fire from the strip.\ \ The crude rocket attacks have killed 12 people in southern Israel in\ the past seven years, injured dozens more and badly disrupted daily life\ in the region.\ \ Last week, a Qassam rocket hit an Israeli military base near the\ Gaza Strip, wounding over 60 soldiers in the attack. The attack then\ sparked calls for the government to take harsh response against the Gaza\ Strip, which has been under the control of Hamas since it violently took\ over the enclave in mid June.\ \ The Jewish states has been holding Hamas responsible for the attack,\ although the movement has not been directly involved in the attacks.\ Israel still accused the Islamic movement of doing little to halt them.\ \ Apart from the Palestinian issue, Rice also discussed with Livni\ issues about Iran, Lebanon and the Middle East peace progress.\ \ She said Israel and the Palestinians are showing good faith in their\ negotiations towards a "two state solution."\ \ Regarding Iranian issues, Rice told reporters that diplomatic mean\ is a part of efforts to halt the Iranian nuclear program, but stressed\ it "has to have teeth."\ \ Rice, who had visited this region in August, is also expected to\ hold separate meetings on Wednesday with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud\ Barak and the Likud party head Binyamin Netanyahu.\ \ She will then hold a dinner meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud\ Olmert.\ \ Rice is scheduled to leave here Thursday afternoon and visit the\ West Bank city of Ramallah for meetings with the Palestinian leadership\ on Thursday.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:49Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) are not rushing to stack sats, and Oliver Porter, Founder & CEO of Jippi, understands the challenge better than most. His strategy revolves around adapting Bitcoin education to fit seamlessly into the digital lives of young adults.
“We need to meet them where they are,” Oliver explains. “90% of Gen Z plays games. 70% expect to earn rewards.”
So, what will effectively introduce them to Bitcoin? In Oliver’s mind, the answer is simple: games that don’t feel preachy but still plant the orange pill.
Learn more at Jippi.app
That’s exactly what Jippi is. Based in Austin, Texas, the team has created a mobile augmented reality (AR) game that rewards players in bitcoin and sneakily teaches them why sound money matters.
“It’s Pokémon GO… but for sats,” Oliver puts it succinctly.
Jippi is like Pokemon Go, but for sats
Oliver’s Bitcoin journey, like many in the space, began long before he was ready. A former colleague had tried planting the seed years earlier, handing him a copy of The Bitcoin Standard. But the moment passed.
It wasn’t until the chaos of 2020 when lockdowns hit, printing presses roared, and civil liberties shrank that the message finally landed for him.
“The government got so good at doing reverse Robin Hood,” Oliver explains. “They steal from the working population and reward the rich.”
By 2020, though, the absurdity of the covid hysteria had caused his eyes to be opened and the orange light seemed the best path back to freedom.
He left the UK for Austin “one of the best places for Bitcoiners,” he says, and dove headfirst into the industry, working at Swan for a year before founding Jippi on PlebLab’s accelerator program.
Jippi’s flagship game lets players roam their cities hunting digital creatures, Bitcoin Beasts, tied to real-world locations. Catching them requires answering Bitcoin trivia, and the reward is sats.
No jargon. No hour-long lectures. Just gameplay with sound money principles woven right in.
The model is working. At a recent hackathon in Austin, Jippi beat out 14 other teams to win first place and $15,000 in prize money.
Oliver of Jippi won Top Builder Season 2 — PlebLab on X
“We’re backdooring Bitcoin education,” Oliver admits. “And while we’re at it, encouraging people to get outside and touch grass.”
Not everyone’s been thrilled. When Jippi team members visited one of the more liberal-leaning places in Texas, UT Austin, to test interest in Bitcoin, they found some seriously committed no-coiners on the campus.
“One young woman told me, ‘I would rather die than talk about Bitcoin,'” Oliver recalls, highlighting the cultural resistance that’s built up among younger demographics.
This resistance is backed by hard data. According to Oliver, some of the Bitcoin podcasters they met with in the space to do market research reported that less than 1% of their listeners are from Gen Z and that number is dropping.
“Unless we find a way to capture their interest in a meaningful way, there’s going to be a big problem around trying to sway Gen Z away from the siren call of s***coins and crypto casinos and towards Bitcoin,” Oliver warns.
Jippi’s next big move is Las Vegas, where they’ll launch the Beast Catch experience at the Venetian during a major Bitcoin event. To mark the occasion, they’re opening up six limited sponsorship spots for Bitcoin companies, each one tied to a custom in-game beast.
Jippi looks to launch a special event at Bitcoin 2025
“It’s real estate inside the game,” Oliver explains. “Brands become allies, not intrusions. You get a logo, company name, and call to action, so we can push people to your site or app.”
Bitcoin Well—an automatic self-custody Bitcoin platform—has claimed Beast #1. Only five exclusive spots remain for Bitcoin companies to “beastify their brand” through Jippi’s immersive AR game.
“I love the Jippi mission. I think gamified learning is how we will onboard the next generation and it’s exciting to see what the Jippi team is doing! I love working with bitcoiners towards our common mission – bullish!” said Adam O’Brien, Bitcoin Well CEO.
Jippi’s sponsorship model is simple: align incentives, respect users, and support builders. Instead of throwing ad money at tech giants, Bitcoin companies can connect with new users naturally while they’re having fun and earning sats in the process.
For Bitcoin companies looking to reach a younger demographic, this represents a unique opportunity to showcase their brand to up to 30,000 potential customers at the Vegas event.
Jippi Bitcoin Beast partnership
While Jippi’s current focus is simple, get the game into more cities, Oliver sees a future where AR glasses and AI help personalize Bitcoin education even further.
“The magic is going to really happen when Apple releases the glasses form factor,” he says, describing how augmented reality could enhance real-world connections rather than isolate users.
In the longer term, Jippi aims to evolve from a free-to-play model toward a pay-to-play version with higher stakes. Users would form “tribes” with friends to compete for substantial bitcoin prizes, creating social connections along with financial education.
Unlike VC-backed startups, Jippi is raising funds pleb style via Timestamp, an open investment platform for Bitcoin companies.
“You don’t have to be an accredited investor,” Oliver explains. “You’re directly supporting the parallel Bitcoin economy by investing in Bitcoin companies for equity.”
Anyone can invest as little as $100. Perks include early access, exclusive game content, and even creating your own beast design with your name/pseudonym and unique game lore. Each investment comes with direct ownership of an early-stage Bitcoin company like Jippi.
For Oliver, this is more than just a business. It’s about future-proofing Bitcoin adoption and ensuring Satoshi’s vision lives on, especially as many people are lured by altcoins, NFTs, and social media dopamine.
“We’re on the right side of history,” he says firmly. “I want my grandkids to know that early on in the Bitcoin revolution, games like Jippi helped make it stick.”
In a world increasingly absorbed by screens and short attention spans, Jippi’s combination of outdoor play, sats rewards, and Bitcoin education might be exactly the bridge Gen Z needs.
Interested in sponsoring a Beast or investing in Jippi? Reach out to Jippi directly by heading to their partnerships page on their website or visit their Timestamp page to invest in Jippi today.
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-20 06:02:26Digital Psychology ↗
Wall of impact website showcase a collection of success metrics and micro case studies to create a clear, impactful visual of your brand's achievements. It also displays a Wall of love with an abundance of testimonials in one place, letting the sheer volume highlight your brand's popularity and customer satisfaction.
And like these, many others collections like Testimonial mashup that combine multiple testimonials into a fast-paced, engaging reel that highlights key moments of impact in an attention-grabbing format.
Awards and certifications of websites highlighting third-party ratings and verification to signal trust and quality through industry-recognized achievements and standards.
View them all at https://socialproofexamples.com/
https://stacker.news/items/984357
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 02:01:46Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) are not rushing to stack sats, and Oliver Porter, Founder & CEO of Jippi, understands the challenge better than most. His strategy revolves around adapting Bitcoin education to fit seamlessly into the digital lives of young adults.
“We need to meet them where they are,” Oliver explains. “90% of Gen Z plays games. 70% expect to earn rewards.”
So, what will effectively introduce them to Bitcoin? In Oliver’s mind, the answer is simple: games that don’t feel preachy but still plant the orange pill.
Learn more at Jippi.app
That’s exactly what Jippi is. Based in Austin, Texas, the team has created a mobile augmented reality (AR) game that rewards players in bitcoin and sneakily teaches them why sound money matters.
“It’s Pokémon GO… but for sats,” Oliver puts it succinctly.
Jippi is like Pokemon Go, but for sats
Oliver’s Bitcoin journey, like many in the space, began long before he was ready. A former colleague had tried planting the seed years earlier, handing him a copy of The Bitcoin Standard. But the moment passed.
It wasn’t until the chaos of 2020 when lockdowns hit, printing presses roared, and civil liberties shrank that the message finally landed for him.
“The government got so good at doing reverse Robin Hood,” Oliver explains. “They steal from the working population and reward the rich.”
By 2020, though, the absurdity of the covid hysteria had caused his eyes to be opened and the orange light seemed the best path back to freedom.
He left the UK for Austin “one of the best places for Bitcoiners,” he says, and dove headfirst into the industry, working at Swan for a year before founding Jippi on PlebLab’s accelerator program.
Jippi’s flagship game lets players roam their cities hunting digital creatures, Bitcoin Beasts, tied to real-world locations. Catching them requires answering Bitcoin trivia, and the reward is sats.
No jargon. No hour-long lectures. Just gameplay with sound money principles woven right in.
The model is working. At a recent hackathon in Austin, Jippi beat out 14 other teams to win first place and $15,000 in prize money.
Oliver of Jippi won Top Builder Season 2 — PlebLab on X
“We’re backdooring Bitcoin education,” Oliver admits. “And while we’re at it, encouraging people to get outside and touch grass.”
Not everyone’s been thrilled. When Jippi team members visited one of the more liberal-leaning places in Texas, UT Austin, to test interest in Bitcoin, they found some seriously committed no-coiners on the campus.
“One young woman told me, ‘I would rather die than talk about Bitcoin,'” Oliver recalls, highlighting the cultural resistance that’s built up among younger demographics.
This resistance is backed by hard data. According to Oliver, some of the Bitcoin podcasters they met with in the space to do market research reported that less than 1% of their listeners are from Gen Z and that number is dropping.
“Unless we find a way to capture their interest in a meaningful way, there’s going to be a big problem around trying to sway Gen Z away from the siren call of s***coins and crypto casinos and towards Bitcoin,” Oliver warns.
Jippi’s next big move is Las Vegas, where they’ll launch the Beast Catch experience at the Venetian during a major Bitcoin event. To mark the occasion, they’re opening up six limited sponsorship spots for Bitcoin companies, each one tied to a custom in-game beast.
Jippi looks to launch a special event at Bitcoin 2025
“It’s real estate inside the game,” Oliver explains. “Brands become allies, not intrusions. You get a logo, company name, and call to action, so we can push people to your site or app.”
Bitcoin Well—an automatic self-custody Bitcoin platform—has claimed Beast #1. Only five exclusive spots remain for Bitcoin companies to “beastify their brand” through Jippi’s immersive AR game.
“I love the Jippi mission. I think gamified learning is how we will onboard the next generation and it’s exciting to see what the Jippi team is doing! I love working with bitcoiners towards our common mission – bullish!” said Adam O’Brien, Bitcoin Well CEO.
Jippi’s sponsorship model is simple: align incentives, respect users, and support builders. Instead of throwing ad money at tech giants, Bitcoin companies can connect with new users naturally while they’re having fun and earning sats in the process.
For Bitcoin companies looking to reach a younger demographic, this represents a unique opportunity to showcase their brand to up to 30,000 potential customers at the Vegas event.
Jippi Bitcoin Beast partnership
While Jippi’s current focus is simple, get the game into more cities, Oliver sees a future where AR glasses and AI help personalize Bitcoin education even further.
“The magic is going to really happen when Apple releases the glasses form factor,” he says, describing how augmented reality could enhance real-world connections rather than isolate users.
In the longer term, Jippi aims to evolve from a free-to-play model toward a pay-to-play version with higher stakes. Users would form “tribes” with friends to compete for substantial bitcoin prizes, creating social connections along with financial education.
Unlike VC-backed startups, Jippi is raising funds pleb style via Timestamp, an open investment platform for Bitcoin companies.
“You don’t have to be an accredited investor,” Oliver explains. “You’re directly supporting the parallel Bitcoin economy by investing in Bitcoin companies for equity.”
Anyone can invest as little as $100. Perks include early access, exclusive game content, and even creating your own beast design with your name/pseudonym and unique game lore. Each investment comes with direct ownership of an early-stage Bitcoin company like Jippi.
For Oliver, this is more than just a business. It’s about future-proofing Bitcoin adoption and ensuring Satoshi’s vision lives on, especially as many people are lured by altcoins, NFTs, and social media dopamine.
“We’re on the right side of history,” he says firmly. “I want my grandkids to know that early on in the Bitcoin revolution, games like Jippi helped make it stick.”
In a world increasingly absorbed by screens and short attention spans, Jippi’s combination of outdoor play, sats rewards, and Bitcoin education might be exactly the bridge Gen Z needs.
Interested in sponsoring a Beast or investing in Jippi? Reach out to Jippi directly by heading to their partnerships page on their website or visit their Timestamp page to invest in Jippi today.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:28Legal developments show that prosecutors may have concealed evidence in the case against the Tornado Cash mixer.
The legal case involving the Tornado Cash mixer may be at a turning point. Roman Storm’s legal team, one of the platform’s developers, has asked the court to reconsider the motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the prosecution deliberately withheld evidence favorable to the defense. These documents, originating from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and dating back to 2023, would demonstrate that non-custodial cryptocurrency mixers like Tornado Cash do not fall under the legal definition of a “money transmitting business.”
According to a letter dated May 16 addressed to Judge Katherine Polk Failla, prosecutors were aware of FinCEN’s guidelines on cryptocurrency mixers but nonetheless proceeded with charges against the developers of both Samourai Wallet and Tornado Cash. The prosecution denies having withheld evidence, claiming it provided the FinCEN communications within the established deadlines during the discovery phase.
Source: Court Listener
Similarities with the Samourai Wallet case
Storm’s defense team cited the same legal documents and arguments presented by the attorneys for the Samourai Wallet developers in a legal letter dated May 5. The attorneys wrote:
“The disclosures in the Samourai case reveal that the government, at the very least, played fast and loose and, at worst, affirmatively misled this Court with its arguments about FinCEN guidance when responding to the motions to dismiss and to compel discovery.”
Although on April 28, federal judge Robert Pitman issued a ruling denying the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) the ability to reimpose sanctions on Tornado Cash — setting a legal precedent for cases involving non-custodial mixers — federal prosecutors are nonetheless moving forward with the case against Storm, albeit with modified charges.
The post Tornado Cash case: new evidence reveals potential procedural misconduct appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:27A group of users has filed a class action lawsuit against Coinbase, claiming that its identity verification checks violate the state’s biometric privacy law.
According to plaintiffs Scott Bernstein, Gina Greeder, and James Lonergan in the lawsuit filed on May 13 in a federal court, Coinbase’s “indiscriminate collection” of facial biometric data for Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements breaches Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
The group argued that the exchange failed to notify users in writing about the collection, storage, or sharing of their biometric data, as well as the purpose and retention schedule for such data. “Coinbase does not publicly provide a retention schedule or guidelines for permanently destroying Plaintiffs’ biometric identifiers as specified by BIPA,” they alleged.
The complaint claims that Coinbase requires users to verify their identity by uploading a government-issued ID and a selfie, which is then sent to third-party facial recognition software to scan and extract facial geometry. This process captures biometric identifiers without the users’ informed written consent, thus violating BIPA, according to the lawsuit.
Additionally, the group alleged that Coinbase unlawfully shared biometric data with third-party verification providers such as Jumio, Onfido, Au10tix, and Solaris without users’ consent. “Coinbase ‘obtains’ biometric data in violation of [BIPA] because it explicitly directed the Third Party Verification Providers to use its software to verify and authenticate users, including Plaintiffs, and its software does so by collecting biometric data,” the complaint read.
The group also stated that over 10,000 individuals have filed arbitration demands on these issues with the American Arbitration Association, but Coinbase allegedly refused to pay the required arbitration fees, causing the claims to be dismissed.
Legal demands
The lawsuit brings three counts of biometric privacy law violations and one count of consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. The group seeks $5,000 for each intentional or reckless violation, $1,000 for each negligent violation, along with injunctive relief and litigation costs.
Coinbase was also recently hit by at least six lawsuits following the May 15 disclosure that some of its customer support agents were allegedly bribed to leak user data.
The post Lawsuit against Coinbase for biometric privacy violations in Illinois appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:53:48This piece is the first in a series that will focus on things I think are a priority if your focus is similar to mine: building a strong family and safeguarding their future.
Choosing the ideal place to raise a family is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. For simplicity sake I will break down my thought process into key factors: strong property rights, the ability to grow your own food, access to fresh water, the freedom to own and train with guns, and a dependable community.
A Jurisdiction with Strong Property Rights
Strong property rights are essential and allow you to build on a solid foundation that is less likely to break underneath you. Regions with a history of limited government and clear legal protections for landowners are ideal. Personally I think the US is the single best option globally, but within the US there is a wide difference between which state you choose. Choose carefully and thoughtfully, think long term. Obviously if you are not American this is not a realistic option for you, there are other solid options available especially if your family has mobility. I understand many do not have this capability to easily move, consider that your first priority, making movement and jurisdiction choice possible in the first place.
Abundant Access to Fresh Water
Water is life. I cannot overstate the importance of living somewhere with reliable, clean, and abundant freshwater. Some regions face water scarcity or heavy regulations on usage, so prioritizing a place where water is plentiful and your rights to it are protected is critical. Ideally you should have well access so you are not tied to municipal water supplies. In times of crisis or chaos well water cannot be easily shutoff or disrupted. If you live in an area that is drought prone, you are one drought away from societal chaos. Not enough people appreciate this simple fact.
Grow Your Own Food
A location with fertile soil, a favorable climate, and enough space for a small homestead or at the very least a garden is key. In stable times, a small homestead provides good food and important education for your family. In times of chaos your family being able to grow and raise healthy food provides a level of self sufficiency that many others will lack. Look for areas with minimal restrictions, good weather, and a culture that supports local farming.
Guns
The ability to defend your family is fundamental. A location where you can legally and easily own guns is a must. Look for places with a strong gun culture and a political history of protecting those rights. Owning one or two guns is not enough and without proper training they will be a liability rather than a benefit. Get comfortable and proficient. Never stop improving your skills. If the time comes that you must use a gun to defend your family, the skills must be instinct. Practice. Practice. Practice.
A Strong Community You Can Depend On
No one thrives alone. A ride or die community that rallies together in tough times is invaluable. Seek out a place where people know their neighbors, share similar values, and are quick to lend a hand. Lead by example and become a good neighbor, people will naturally respond in kind. Small towns are ideal, if possible, but living outside of a major city can be a solid balance in terms of work opportunities and family security.
Let me know if you found this helpful. My plan is to break down how I think about these five key subjects in future posts.
-
@ 609f186c:0aa4e8af
2025-05-16 20:57:43Google says that Android 16 is slated to feature an optional high security mode. Cool.
Advanced Protection has a bunch of requested features that address the kinds of threats we worry about.
It's the kind of 'turn this one thing on if you face elevated risk' that we've been asking for from Google.
And likely reflects some learning after Google watched Apple 's Lockdown Mode play out. I see a lot of value in this..
Here are some features I'm excited to see play out:
The Intrusion Logging feature is interesting & is going to impose substantial cost on attackers trying to hide evidence of exploitation. Logs get e2ee encrypted into the cloud. This one is spicy.
The Offline Lock, Inactivity Reboot & USB protection will frustrate non-consensual attempts to physically grab device data.
Memory Tagging Extension is going to make a lot of attack & exploitation categories harder.
2G Network Protection & disabling Auto-connect to insecure networks are going to address categories of threat from things like IMSI catchers & hostile WiFi.
I'm curious about some other features such as:
Spam & Scam detection: Google messages feature that suggests message content awareness and some kind of scanning.
Scam detection for Phone by Google is interesting & coming later. The way it is described suggests phone conversation awareness. This also addresses a different category of threat than the stuff above. I can see it addressing a whole category of bad things that regular users (& high risk ones too!) face. Will be curious how privacy is addressed or if this done purely locally. Getting messy: Friction points? I see Google thinking these through, but I'm going to add a potential concern: what will users do when they encounter friction? Will they turn this off & forget to re-enable? We've seen users turn off iOS Lockdown Mode when they run into friction for specific websites or, say, legacy WiFi. They then forget to turn it back on. And stay vulnerable.
Bottom line: users disabling Apple's Lockdown Mode for a temporary thing & leaving it off because they forget to turn it on happens a lot. This is a serious % of users in my experience...
And should be factored into design decisions for similar modes. I feel like a good balance is a 'snooze button' or equivalent so that users can disable all/some features for a brief few minute period to do something they need to do, and then auto re-enable.
Winding up:
I'm excited to see how Android Advanced Protection plays with high risk users' experiences. I'm also super curious whether the spam/scam detection features may also be helpful to more vulnerable users (think: aging seniors)...
Niche but important:
Some users, esp. those that migrated to security & privacy-focused Android distros because of because of the absence of such a feature are clear candidates for it... But they may also voice privacy concerns around some of the screening features. Clear communication from the Google Security / Android team will be key here.
-
@ b83a28b7:35919450
2025-05-16 19:26:56This article was originally part of the sermon of Plebchain Radio Episode 111 (May 2, 2025) that nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqpqtvqc82mv8cezhax5r34n4muc2c4pgjz8kaye2smj032nngg52clq7fgefr and I did with nostr:nprofile1qythwumn8ghj7ct5d3shxtnwdaehgu3wd3skuep0qyt8wumn8ghj7ct4w35zumn0wd68yvfwvdhk6tcqyzx4h2fv3n9r6hrnjtcrjw43t0g0cmmrgvjmg525rc8hexkxc0kd2rhtk62 and nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqpq4wxtsrj7g2jugh70pfkzjln43vgn4p7655pgky9j9w9d75u465pqahkzd0 of the nostr:nprofile1qythwumn8ghj7ct5d3shxtnwdaehgu3wd3skuep0qyt8wumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgtcqyqwfvwrccp4j2xsuuvkwg0y6a20637t6f4cc5zzjkx030dkztt7t5hydajn
Listen to the full episode here:
<<https://fountain.fm/episode/Ln9Ej0zCZ5dEwfo8w2Ho>>
Bitcoin has always been a narrative revolution disguised as code. White paper, cypherpunk lore, pizza‑day legends - every block is a paragraph in the world’s most relentless epic. But code alone rarely converts the skeptic; it’s the camp‑fire myth that slips past the prefrontal cortex and shakes hands with the limbic system. People don’t adopt protocols first - they fall in love with protagonists.
Early adopters heard the white‑paper hymn, but most folks need characters first: a pizza‑day dreamer; a mother in a small country, crushed by the cost of remittance; a Warsaw street vendor swapping złoty for sats. When their arcs land, the brain releases a neurochemical OP_RETURN which says, “I belong in this plot.” That’s the sly roundabout orange pill: conviction smuggled inside catharsis.
That’s why, from 22–25 May in Warsaw’s Kinoteka, the Bitcoin Film Fest is loading its reels with rebellion. Each documentary, drama, and animated rabbit‑hole is a stealth wallet, zipping conviction straight into the feels of anyone still clasped within the cold claw of fiat. You come for the plot, you leave checking block heights.
Here's the clip of the sermon from the episode:
nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzpwp69zm7fewjp0vkp306adnzt7249ytxhz7mq3w5yc629u6er9zsqqsy43fwz8es2wnn65rh0udc05tumdnx5xagvzd88ptncspmesdqhygcrvpf2
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:47Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet has officially surpassed El Salvador in bitcoin holdings after its biggest-ever single purchase of the scarce digital asset.
On May 12, 2025, the company announced it had bought 1,241 Bitcoin (BTC) for approximately $123.8 million, or ¥18.4 billion. The average price per coin was about $102,111, marking the firm’s largest purchase to date.
This latest buy brings Metaplanet’s total bitcoin reserves to 6,796 BTC, worth over $700 million.
Metaplanet on X
That puts Metaplanet ahead of El Salvador, the Central American nation that made headlines in 2021 for adopting bitcoin as legal tender. According to its National Bitcoin Office, El Salvador currently holds 6,174 BTC, worth roughly $642 million.
El Salvador bitcoin holdings — bitcoin.gob.sv
“Metaplanet now holds more bitcoin than El Salvador. From humble beginnings to rivaling nation-states, we’re just getting started,” said CEO Simon Gerovich on X after the company’s announcement.
The Japanese investment company started its bitcoin treasury strategy in April 2024 and has become the largest corporate holder of bitcoin in Asia and 11th globally. It aims to hold 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025.
Metaplanet is now the 11th largest corporate holder of bitcoin — BitcoinTreasuries
To fund these purchases, the firm has turned to bond issuances, including zero-percent bonds. In early May, Metaplanet issued $25 million worth of 0% bonds under its EVO FUND program to finance bitcoin buys without diluting shares or taking on traditional debt.
And Metaplanet’s strategy seems to be working. Its BTC Yield — a proprietary metric that measures bitcoin accumulation per share — is 38% for Q2 2025 so far. In previous quarters, the firm reported 95.6% in Q1 and a whopping 309.8% in Q4 2024.
The stock price has also gone up 1,800% since May 2024 and 51% in 2025 alone, currently trading above 550 JPY.
Metaplanet is often called “Japan’s MicroStrategy”, a reference to the U.S.-based company Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) led by Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor. Strategy is the world’s largest corporate bitcoin holder with over 568,840 BTC in its coffers, worth more than $58 billion.
Like Strategy, Metaplanet is using creative financing tools such as convertible bonds and non-dilutive bond issuance to build a big bitcoin treasury. These financial instruments give the company the ability to fund further bitcoin purchases without diluting shareholders’ value.
Metaplanet is buying bitcoin very rapidly. This has become a trend in the corporate world, where private companies are challenging nation-states in the digital asset space.
Unlike governments which face regulatory and political hurdles, corporations like Metaplanet can move quickly and decisively. Since 2020 over 80 publicly traded companies have collectively bought more than 632,000 BTC worth over $65 billion.
This is a fundamental shift in how companies manage their treasuries — moving away from cash or bonds and towards the digital scarcity that bitcoin presents.
This creates a new form of financial power where corporations can hold a significant portion of a finite asset, unlike fiat currencies which governments can print to infinity.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:26According to CEO Jamie Dimon, the banking giant will open the door to spot Bitcoin ETFs.
As reported by CNBC, JPMorgan has announced that it will allow its clients to buy Bitcoin, without offering custody services. The bank will give clients access to exchange-traded funds (spot ETFs) on Bitcoin, according to sources familiar with the matter.
During a recent investor event, CEO Jamie Dimon confirmed that the bank will open up to Bitcoin for its clients, while refraining from taking on the responsibility of asset custody. “I am not a fan” of Bitcoin, Dimon clarified during the event.
This decision marks a shift from the position Dimon held in 2017, when he labeled Bitcoin a “fraud,” compared it to the tulip mania bubble, and predicted its imminent collapse. At the time, Dimon had even threatened to fire any JPMorgan employee caught trading Bitcoin, calling such activity “stupid” and against company policy.
Despite this operational turnaround, Dimon continues to personally maintain a skeptical stance toward the cryptocurrency. In a 2024 interview with CNBC, he stated he no longer wanted to discuss Bitcoin publicly, emphasizing that, in his view, it lacks “intrinsic value” and is used for criminal activities such as sex trafficking, money laundering, and ransomware.
These comments from Dimon contrast with the recent optimism shown by JPMorgan analysts regarding Bitcoin’s market prospects. According to reports from the bank, Bitcoin could continue gaining ground at the expense of gold in the second half of the year, driven by rising corporate demand and growing support from various U.S. states.
The post JPMorgan to allow clients to buy Bitcoin ETFs: no custody services appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:50:48For years American bitcoin miners have argued for more efficient and free energy markets. It benefits everyone if our energy infrastructure is as efficient and robust as possible. Unfortunately, broken incentives have led to increased regulation throughout the sector, incentivizing less efficient energy sources such as solar and wind at the detriment of more efficient alternatives.
The result has been less reliable energy infrastructure for all Americans and increased energy costs across the board. This naturally has a direct impact on bitcoin miners: increased energy costs make them less competitive globally.
Bitcoin mining represents a global energy market that does not require permission to participate. Anyone can plug a mining computer into power and internet to get paid the current dynamic market price for their work in bitcoin. Using cellphone or satellite internet, these mines can be located anywhere in the world, sourcing the cheapest power available.
Absent of regulation, bitcoin mining naturally incentivizes the build out of highly efficient and robust energy infrastructure. Unfortunately that world does not exist and burdensome regulations remain the biggest threat for US based mining businesses. Jurisdictional arbitrage gives miners the option of moving to a friendlier country but that naturally comes with its own costs.
Enter AI. With the rapid development and release of AI tools comes the requirement of running massive datacenters for their models. Major tech companies are scrambling to secure machines, rack space, and cheap energy to run full suites of AI enabled tools and services. The most valuable and powerful tech companies in America have stumbled into an accidental alliance with bitcoin miners: THE NEED FOR CHEAP AND RELIABLE ENERGY.
Our government is corrupt. Money talks. These companies will push for energy freedom and it will greatly benefit us all.
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:50:22There is something quietly rebellious about stacking sats. In a world obsessed with instant gratification, choosing to patiently accumulate Bitcoin, one sat at a time, feels like a middle finger to the hype machine. But to do it right, you have got to stay humble. Stack too hard with your head in the clouds, and you will trip over your own ego before the next halving even hits.
Small Wins
Stacking sats is not glamorous. Discipline. Stacking every day, week, or month, no matter the price, and letting time do the heavy lifting. Humility lives in that consistency. You are not trying to outsmart the market or prove you are the next "crypto" prophet. Just a regular person, betting on a system you believe in, one humble stack at a time. Folks get rekt chasing the highs. They ape into some shitcoin pump, shout about it online, then go silent when they inevitably get rekt. The ones who last? They stack. Just keep showing up. Consistency. Humility in action. Know the game is long, and you are not bigger than it.
Ego is Volatile
Bitcoin’s swings can mess with your head. One day you are up 20%, feeling like a genius and the next down 30%, questioning everything. Ego will have you panic selling at the bottom or over leveraging the top. Staying humble means patience, a true bitcoin zen. Do not try to "beat” Bitcoin. Ride it. Stack what you can afford, live your life, and let compounding work its magic.
Simplicity
There is a beauty in how stacking sats forces you to rethink value. A sat is worth less than a penny today, but every time you grab a few thousand, you plant a seed. It is not about flaunting wealth but rather building it, quietly, without fanfare. That mindset spills over. Cut out the noise: the overpriced coffee, fancy watches, the status games that drain your wallet. Humility is good for your soul and your stack. I have a buddy who has been stacking since 2015. Never talks about it unless you ask. Lives in a decent place, drives an old truck, and just keeps stacking. He is not chasing clout, he is chasing freedom. That is the vibe: less ego, more sats, all grounded in life.
The Big Picture
Stack those sats. Do it quietly, do it consistently, and do not let the green days puff you up or the red days break you down. Humility is the secret sauce, it keeps you grounded while the world spins wild. In a decade, when you look back and smile, it will not be because you shouted the loudest. It will be because you stayed the course, one sat at a time. \ \ Stay Humble and Stack Sats. 🫡
-
@ c631e267:c2b78d3e
2025-05-16 18:40:18Die zwei mächtigsten Krieger sind Geduld und Zeit. \ Leo Tolstoi
Zum Wohle unserer Gesundheit, unserer Leistungsfähigkeit und letztlich unseres Glücks ist es wichtig, die eigene Energie bewusst zu pflegen. Das gilt umso mehr für an gesellschaftlichen Themen interessierte, selbstbewusste und kritisch denkende Menschen. Denn für deren Wahrnehmung und Wohlbefinden waren und sind die rasanten, krisen- und propagandagefüllten letzten Jahre in Absurdistan eine harte Probe.
Nur wer regelmäßig Kraft tankt und Wege findet, mit den Herausforderungen umzugehen, kann eine solche Tortur überstehen, emotionale Erschöpfung vermeiden und trotz allem zufrieden sein. Dazu müssen wir erkunden, was uns Energie gibt und was sie uns raubt. Durch Selbstreflexion und Achtsamkeit finden wir sicher Dinge, die uns erfreuen und inspirieren, und andere, die uns eher stressen und belasten.
Die eigene Energie ist eng mit unserer körperlichen und mentalen Gesundheit verbunden. Methoden zur Förderung der körperlichen Gesundheit sind gut bekannt: eine ausgewogene Ernährung, regelmäßige Bewegung sowie ausreichend Schlaf und Erholung. Bei der nicht minder wichtigen emotionalen Balance wird es schon etwas komplizierter. Stress abzubauen, die eigenen Grenzen zu kennen oder solche zum Schutz zu setzen sowie die Konzentration auf Positives und Sinnvolles wären Ansätze.
Der emotionale ist auch der Bereich, über den «Energie-Räuber» bevorzugt attackieren. Das sind zum Beispiel Dinge wie Überforderung, Perfektionismus oder mangelhafte Kommunikation. Social Media gehören ganz sicher auch dazu. Sie stehlen uns nicht nur Zeit, sondern sind höchst manipulativ und erhöhen laut einer aktuellen Studie das Risiko für psychische Probleme wie Angstzustände und Depressionen.
Geben wir negativen oder gar bösen Menschen keine Macht über uns. Das Dauerfeuer der letzten Jahre mit Krisen, Konflikten und Gefahren sollte man zwar kennen, darf sich aber davon nicht runterziehen lassen. Das Ziel derartiger konzertierter Aktionen ist vor allem, unsere innere Stabilität zu zerstören, denn dann sind wir leichter zu steuern. Aber Geduld: Selbst vermeintliche «Sonnenköniginnen» wie EU-Kommissionspräsidentin von der Leyen fallen, wenn die Zeit reif ist.
Es ist wichtig, dass wir unsere ganz eigenen Bedürfnisse und Werte erkennen. Unsere Energiequellen müssen wir identifizieren und aktiv nutzen. Dazu gehören soziale Kontakte genauso wie zum Beispiel Hobbys und Leidenschaften. Umgeben wir uns mit Sinnhaftigkeit und lassen wir uns nicht die Energie rauben!
Mein Wahlspruch ist schon lange: «Was die Menschen wirklich bewegt, ist die Kultur.» Jetzt im Frühjahr beginnt hier in Andalusien die Zeit der «Ferias», jener traditionellen Volksfeste, die vor Lebensfreude sprudeln. Konzentrieren wir uns auf die schönen Dinge und auf unsere eigenen Talente – soziale Verbundenheit wird helfen, unsere innere Kraft zu stärken und zu bewahren.
[Titelbild: Pixabay]
Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 02:01:38Donald Trump’s recent four-day visit took the President to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. This visit has intertwined diplomatic relations with business interests, while simultaneously influencing the bitcoin market.
In Qatar, the President met with Emir Tanim bin Hamad Al Thani, resulting in over $243 billion in deals including major defense agreements, according to Bloomberg.
On May 15, the President made his visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi alongside Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. This occurs as the Trump family expands its business presence in the Middle East.
The Trump Organization is developing luxury properties across the region, including Trump Tower Dubai, real estate projects in Riyadh, and development in Jeddah and Oman.
Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman in King Khalid International Airport — NBCNews
Eric Trump publicly announced construction plans for Trump Tower Dubai just last month, highlighting the family’s ongoing commercial footprint in the region.
These business connections extend into the digital asset ecosystem as UAE-backed investment firm MGX recently announced it would use USD1, World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin to support a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest digital asset exchange, according to APNews.
This connection between Trump-aligned interests and major digital asset investments creates a potential avenue for market influence.
Historically, stability in the Middle East, especially among oil-rich nations, reduces global market volatility. This encourages risk appetite among investors, often leading to increased allocations to digital assets like bitcoin.
Middle East diplomacy directly affects global oil prices. Stable oil prices can lower inflation expectations and lead to interest rate cuts by the Fed. Lower rates lead to an increase in liquidity, having positive effects on bitcoin, an asset that benefits from money printing.
Related: Fed Rate Cuts Could Lead to Major Price Swings for Bitcoin
On the investment front, Abu Dhabi’s Wealth Fund, Mubadala Investment Company, has been focused on increasing their shares in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).
According to a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Mubdala held 8.7 million IBIT shares, totaling $408.5 million as of March 31, 2025.
The Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund increased its shares by 500,000 since its last filing in December of 2024.
Back in March, the United States created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The executive order states that the U.S. will not sell the bitcoin they already hold, and will create budget-neutral ways to increase their holdings.
The time has come where governments and wealth funds alike are jumping on board the Bitcoin train.
Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East illustrates how financial, diplomatic, and personal interests are becoming increasingly intertwined with Bitcoin and digital assets, serving as a new axis of influence in the U.S.-Middle East relations.
The combination of diplomatic progress and business expansion has heightened short-term volatility and trading volumes in the bitcoin market.
Trump’s business and digital asset ties in the region may further boost institutional interest and create an opportunity for more players to enter the market.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:24Vivek Ramaswamy’s company bets on distressed bitcoin claims as its Bitcoin treasury strategy moves forward.
Strive Enterprises, an asset management firm co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, is exploring the acquisition of distressed bitcoin claims, with particular interest in around 75,000 BTC tied to the Mt. Gox bankruptcy estate. This move is part of the company’s broader strategy to build a Bitcoin treasury ahead of its planned merger with Asset Entities.
According to a document filed on May 20 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Strive has partnered with 117 Castell Advisory Group to “identify and evaluate” distressed Bitcoin claims with confirmed legal judgments. Among these are approximately 75,000 BTC connected to Mt. Gox, with an estimated market value of $8 billion at current prices.
Essentially, Strive aims to acquire rights to bitcoins currently tied up in legal disputes, which can be purchased at a discount by those willing to take on the risk and wait for eventual recovery.
In a post on X, Strive’s CFO, Ben Pham, stated:
“Strive intends to use all available mechanisms, including novel financial strategies not used by other Bitcoin treasury companies, to maximize its exposure to the asset.”
The company also plans to buy cash at a discount by merging with publicly traded companies holding more cash than their stock value, using the excess funds to purchase additional Bitcoin.
Mt. Gox, the exchange that collapsed in 2014, is currently in the process of repaying creditors, with a deadline set for October 31, 2025.
In its SEC filing, Strive declared:
“This strategy is intended to allow Strive the opportunity to purchase Bitcoin exposure at a discount to market price, enhancing Bitcoin per share and supporting its goal of outperforming Bitcoin over the long run.”
At the beginning of May, Strive announced its merger plan with Asset Entities, a deal that would create the first publicly listed asset management firm focused on Bitcoin. The resulting company aims to join the growing number of firms adopting a Bitcoin treasury strategy.
The corporate treasury trend
Strive’s initiative to accumulate bitcoin mirrors that of other companies like Strategy and Japan’s Metaplanet. On May 19, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, announced the purchase of an additional 7,390 BTC for $764.9 million, raising its total holdings to 576,230 BTC. On the same day, Metaplanet revealed it had acquired another 1,004 BTC, increasing its total to 7,800 BTC.
The post Bitcoin in Strive’s sights: 75,000 BTC from Mt. Gox among its targets appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 18:06:46Bitcoin has always been rooted in freedom and resistance to authority. I get that many of you are conflicted about the US Government stacking but by design we cannot stop anyone from using bitcoin. Many have asked me for my thoughts on the matter, so let’s rip it.
Concern
One of the most glaring issues with the strategic bitcoin reserve is its foundation, built on stolen bitcoin. For those of us who value private property this is an obvious betrayal of our core principles. Rather than proof of work, the bitcoin that seeds this reserve has been taken by force. The US Government should return the bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex and the Silk Road.
Using stolen bitcoin for the reserve creates a perverse incentive. If governments see bitcoin as a valuable asset, they will ramp up efforts to confiscate more bitcoin. The precedent is a major concern, and I stand strongly against it, but it should be also noted that governments were already seizing coin before the reserve so this is not really a change in policy.
Ideally all seized bitcoin should be burned, by law. This would align incentives properly and make it less likely for the government to actively increase coin seizures. Due to the truly scarce properties of bitcoin, all burned bitcoin helps existing holders through increased purchasing power regardless. This change would be unlikely but those of us in policy circles should push for it regardless. It would be best case scenario for American bitcoiners and would create a strong foundation for the next century of American leadership.
Optimism
The entire point of bitcoin is that we can spend or save it without permission. That said, it is a massive benefit to not have one of the strongest governments in human history actively trying to ruin our lives.
Since the beginning, bitcoiners have faced horrible regulatory trends. KYC, surveillance, and legal cases have made using bitcoin and building bitcoin businesses incredibly difficult. It is incredibly important to note that over the past year that trend has reversed for the first time in a decade. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a key driver of this shift. By holding bitcoin, the strongest government in the world has signaled that it is not just a fringe technology but rather truly valuable, legitimate, and worth stacking.
This alignment of incentives changes everything. The US Government stacking proves bitcoin’s worth. The resulting purchasing power appreciation helps all of us who are holding coin and as bitcoin succeeds our government receives direct benefit. A beautiful positive feedback loop.
Realism
We are trending in the right direction. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a sign that the state sees bitcoin as an asset worth embracing rather than destroying. That said, there is a lot of work left to be done. We cannot be lulled into complacency, the time to push forward is now, and we cannot take our foot off the gas. We have a seat at the table for the first time ever. Let's make it worth it.
We must protect the right to free usage of bitcoin and other digital technologies. Freedom in the digital age must be taken and defended, through both technical and political avenues. Multiple privacy focused developers are facing long jail sentences for building tools that protect our freedom. These cases are not just legal battles. They are attacks on the soul of bitcoin. We need to rally behind them, fight for their freedom, and ensure the ethos of bitcoin survives this new era of government interest. The strategic reserve is a step in the right direction, but it is up to us to hold the line and shape the future.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:46May 13, 2025 – We are proud to announce that My First Bitcoin has received a $1 million grant from #startsmall. With this financial support from Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative, we will continue to serve grassroots Bitcoin education initiatives worldwide.
This grant accelerates our work in the creation and distribution of free and open-source Bitcoin education materials and infrastructure.
It will not only help us improve existing resources, such as the Bitcoin Diploma, Bitcoin Intro Course, and teacher training workshops, but also to scale our digital platforms like our Online School and Community Hub.
As a non-profit, founded in 2021, we have grown from a local project into a global movement. Besides creating curricula and frameworks, our team has directly taught tens of thousands of in-person students, as we workshop and refine our materials based on real world feedback.
In 2023, we launched the Independent Bitcoin Educators Node Network, providing a space for others to join us on our mission. The network spans 65+ projects from 35+ countries, including circular economies, meetup organizers and other grassroots projects.
All commit to the same six pillars: that their education is independent, impartial, community-led, Bitcoin-only, quality, and focused on empowerment over profit.
While we support that network, it is now self-governing. We always seek to give power-to, rather than have power-over.
John Dennehy, founder and Executive Director of My First Bitcoin, explains:
“The revolution of Bitcoin education is that it teaches students HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Funding from sources with their own incentives is the greatest vulnerability that threatens that. Education will be captured by whoever funds it.
“We will never take any government money and frequently turn down funding from corporations and companies. The subtle influence of funding has ruined fiat education and we need to create alternative models for the revolution of Bitcoin education to realize its full potential.”
Funding for Bitcoin education must be transparent.
This grant is a huge win for all of us. For Bitcoin itself, but even more for Independent Bitcoin Education as a whole. It enables us to serve the global community better than ever before. It shows everyone what can be achieved if you stay close to your values.
“My First Bitcoin is a proof-of-concept for all independent Bitcoin educators that if you stay on the mission, even when it’s challenging, then you will come out the other side even stronger,” added Dennehy.
Arnold Hubach, Director of Communications of My First Bitcoin, continued:
“Open source money deserves open source education. Over the past few years, we’ve seen growing demand for our resources around the world, and we remain committed to serving everyone in the Bitcoin space who needs support.
“This funding enables us to plan further into the future and continue being the first-stop provider of free educational tools.”
We’re grateful to #startsmall for believing in our mission and for understanding that Bitcoin education should always be free from external influence. We’re also grateful to the community for helping us arrive at this point where we are ready to receive such a grant.
You lead us to where we are today. You have been our primary funding source. You will continue to lead us forward.
We will always serve the community.
We’re also grateful for our amazing team and their proof of work. The grant will accelerate the work that they are already doing, such as curricula development, teacher training programs, the expansion of the global network, building online platforms, and providing in-person classes.
We will continue to lead by example, we will continue to push the limits, and we will continue to reimagine what’s possible.
We do not seek to please power in this world, we seek to create a proof-of-concept for a better one where the individual is empowered and able to think critically.
If you are an educator in need of tools or infrastructure; please contact us.
If you can help us continue to build out these tools and maintain this growing global movement; please contact us.
If you are aligned with our mission and are a supporter of independent Bitcoin education, please donate.
We work for the public. In public.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:45American Bitcoin, a bitcoin mining company backed by President Donald Trump’s sons, is going public in a new merger deal with Gryphon Digital Mining. Investors and political observers are taking notice as it presents a mixture of Bitcoin, Wall Street and the Trump brand.
This reverse merger allows for American Bitcoin Corporation to become a publicly traded company. This will happen through a stock-for-stock merger with Gryphon Digital Mining, a small-cap bitcoin miner already listed on the Nasdaq.
Once the deal is done, the new company will be called American Bitcoin and will trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ABTC. The merger is expected to close in the 3rd quarter of 2025.
Eric Trump, who will be the Co-Founder and the Chief Strategy Officer, said:
“Our vision for American Bitcoin is to create the most investable Bitcoin accumulation platform in the market.”
The Trump family’s involvement has gotten a lot of attention. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. launched American Bitcoin in March this year with digital asset infrastructure company Hut 8, which owns 80% of American Bitcoin.
American Bitcoin leadership team — Hut 8 presentation
After the merger, American Bitcoin shareholders — including the Trump brothers and Hut 8 — will own about 98% of the new company. Gryphon shareholders will own 2% even though Gryphon is the public company facilitating the merger.
Instead of an IPO (Initial Public Offering), American Bitcoin is going public through what’s called a reverse merger. This means it will take over Gryphon’s public listing.
This is often faster and simpler than a traditional IPO. It allows American Bitcoin to access public capital markets while maintaining operational and strategic control.
Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot said the merger is a big step forward for the company. “By taking American Bitcoin public, we expect to unlock direct access to dedicated growth capital independent of Hut 8’s balance sheet,” Genoot said.
The announcement sent Gryphon’s stock soaring. Shares rose over 280% and Hut 8’s stock went up over 11%. Clearly investors are interested in bitcoin-focused public companies when the asset itself is close to its previous all-time high.
But not everyone is buying. Some investors and analysts are questioning what Gryphon is actually bringing to the table. Gryphon won’t have a seat on the board or any representation in the new management team. Their role seems to be just to provide the public listing.
Many questions remain unanswered because there are no details on mining operations and what Gryphon’s role is beyond the merger.
American Bitcoin’s goal goes far beyond just mining bitcoin. It wants to become a national bitcoin reserve builder and a major player in that space by storing large amounts of bitcoin as a strategic asset.
The company plans to take “capital-light” advantage of Hut 8’s existing infrastructure, so there won’t be any need to build massive new data centers. Hut 8 already manages over 1,000 megawatts of energy capacity, and apparently, they will handle all the mining operations.
This is happening at a tough time for the mining industry in the U.S. and globally.
Profit margins are shrinking, and companies are really feeling the pinch of high operational costs. Hut 8 just reported a 58% drop in revenue and a $134 million net loss for the first quarter of 2025.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:23According to the ECB Executive Board member, the launch of the digital euro depends on the timing of the EU regulation.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is making progress in preparing for the digital euro. According to Piero Cipollone, ECB Executive Board member and coordinator of the project, the technical phase “is proceeding quickly and on schedule,” but moving to operational implementation still requires political approval of the regulation at the European level.
Speaking at the ‘Voices on the Future’ event organized by Ansa and Asvis, Cipollone outlined a possible timeline:
“If the regulation is approved at the start of 2026 — in the best-case scenario for the European legislative process — we could see the first transactions with the digital euro by mid-2028.”
Cipollone also highlighted Europe’s current dependence on electronic payment systems managed by non-European companies:
“Today in Europe, whenever we don’t use cash, any transaction online or at the supermarket has to go through credit cards, with their fees. The payment system relies on companies that aren’t based in Europe. You can see why it would make sense to have a system fully under our control.”
For the ECB board member, the digital euro would act as a direct alternative to cash in the digital world, working like “a banknote you can spend anywhere in Europe for any purpose.”
The digital euro project is part of the ECB’s broader strategy to strengthen the independence of Europe’s financial system. According to Cipollone and the Central Bank, Europe’s digital currency would be a key step toward greater autonomy in electronic payments, reducing reliance on infrastructure and services outside the European Union.
The post ECB: digital euro by mid-2028, says Cipollone appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:44Bitcoin-focused investment firm Twenty One Capital has made headlines after buying 4,812 BTC worth $458.7 million, making it the third-largest corporate holder of the scarce digital asset.
The move is a big and public one towards becoming the “ultimate Bitcoin investment vehicle” according to its leadership, and is turning heads in both bitcoin and tradfi world.
Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, bought the bitcoin on behalf of Twenty One Capital.
According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 13, Tether acquired the bitcoin on May 9 at an average price of $95,319 per coin.
Twenty One Capital was launched in April 2025 through a SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners, a Cayman Islands-based firm affiliated with Wall Street giant Cantor Fitzgerald. The company is backed by Tether, Bitfinex exchange and Japanese investment giant SoftBank.
Related: Cantor Fitzgerald, Tether and SoftBank Launch $3B Bitcoin Venture
The firm is led by Jack Mallers, founder of the bitcoin payments app Strike, who has been vocal about bitcoin business models.
“We want to be the ultimate vehicle for the capital markets to participate in Bitcoin… building on top of Bitcoin,” said Mallers in an interview. “So we are a Bitcoin business at our core.”
At launch, Twenty One Capital had 31,500 bitcoin on the balance sheet with plans to get to at least 42,000 BTC.
The breakdown of that initial allocation was 23,950 BTC from Tether, 10,500 BTC from SoftBank and about 7,000 BTC from Bitfinex—all to be converted into equity at $10 per share.
The company is openly modeling its strategy after what Bitcoiners call “Saylorization”—a term coined after Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy, who started large-scale bitcoin accumulation by corporations in 2020.
“Twenty One Capital isn’t just stacking sats,” said Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser, “It’s leading a generational shift in corporate capital allocation … Jack Mallers is taking the Saylor playbook and turning it into an arms race.”
The strategy is simple: use bitcoin per share as a metric instead of earnings per share, prioritize bitcoin accumulation over short-term profits, and use the capital markets to fund purchases. Mallers said:
“We do intend to raise as much capital as we possibly can to acquire bitcoin. We will never have bitcoin per share negative… Our intent is to make sure when you are a shareholder of Twenty One that you are getting wealthier in Bitcoin terms.”
The bitcoin purchase was made at a time of growing market momentum.
On May 14, bitcoin hit $105,000 briefly before settling at around $104,000—a 7.5% gain in the past week. Retail buying has also picked up, with purchases under $10,000 up 3.4% over two weeks, suggesting continued bullishness.
-
@ 2e8970de:63345c7a
2025-05-20 15:19:25https://www.wsj.com/tech/europe-big-tech-ai-1f3f862c?mod=hp_lead_pos7
https://stacker.news/items/984656
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 02:01:34Panama City may be the next Latin American city to adopt bitcoin, after El Salvador.
Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has got the bitcoin world excited after hinting that the city might have a bitcoin reserve. The speculation started on May 16 when Mizrachi posted a simple but powerful message on X:
Two words. That’s it. What makes it special is that it came after a high-profile meeting with Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert, two key figures behind El Salvador’s bitcoin strategy.
Keiser is an advisor to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and Herbert leads the country’s Bitcoin Office.
El Salvador became the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender back in 2021. Since then, it has been building a national bitcoin reserve, currently holding 6,179 BTC worth around $640 million. It’s also using geothermal energy to power bitcoin mining in an eco-friendly way.
El Salvador’s bitcoin treasury — Bitcoin.gob.sv
Mizrachi’s meeting with Keiser and Herbert was about how Panama could do the same. While the details of the conversation are private, Keiser shared on social media that the two countries will play a big role in the future of Bitcoin.
“Bitcoin is transforming Central America,” Keiser wrote. “El Salvador’s geothermal & Panama’s hydro-electric will power the Bitcoin revolution.”
Max Keiser on X
Panama with its hydroelectric power could be a hub for green bitcoin mining.
Mizrachi has not announced a bitcoin reserve plan nor submitted a proposal to the National Assembly. But his post and public appearances suggest it’s being considered.
He will be speaking at the upcoming Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas just days after his social media post. Many expect he will share more about Panama City’s bitcoin plans during his talk.
If Mizrachi pushes for a bitcoin reserve, he will need to work with national lawmakers to pass new legislation. So far, there is no evidence of that.
Even without a bitcoin reserve, Panama City is already going big on digital assets.
In April 2025, the city council approved a measure to allow residents to pay taxes, fees, fines and permits with digital currencies. Supported tokens are bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), USD Coin (USDC) and Tether (USDT).
To comply with financial laws, the city has partnered with a bank that instantly converts these digital assets into U.S. dollars. According to Mizrachi, this way it’s easier for residents to use digital assets and the city’s financial operations will be transparent and legal.
Another part of the meeting with El Salvador’s advisors was education.
Stacy Herbert confirmed that Panama City will be integrating El Salvador’s financial literacy book, “What is Money?” into their digital library system. The goal is to help students, teachers and the general public understand bitcoin and digital currencies in modern finance.
This is a trend in Latin America where countries are looking for alternatives to traditional banking systems. Inflation, economic instability and the rise of decentralized finance are forcing governments to look into new financial tools.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:43Singapore, May 14, 2025 — NEUTRON, the leading Lightning Network infrastructure provider in Asia, is announcing a new partnership with Cobo, a globally trusted digital asset custody platform.
Through this collaboration, Cobo will integrate Neutron’s Lightning Network API, enabling real-time, cost-effective Bitcoin transactions across its services.
Neutron’s mission is to make the Lightning Network the financial backbone for modern Bitcoin use, bridging traditional finance with Bitcoin’s borderless, decentralized economy.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Cobo, a trusted leader in custodial services, to further accelerate Bitcoin infrastructure across Asia,” said Albert Buu, CEO of Neutron.
“At Neutron, we are committed to providing enterprise businesses with easy and efficient integration into the Lightning Network, enabling next-generation global real-time settlement solutions.
“This partnership will not only drive innovation but also empower businesses across Asia with the fast, secure, and cost-effective benefits of Bitcoin payments.”
Neutron: The Lightning Engine for Bitcoin Adoption
Neutron provides a comprehensive API suite that allows businesses to instantly access the power of the Lightning Network, Bitcoin’s second-layer protocol designed for high-speed, scalable, and low-fee payments.
The integration is part of Neutron’s broader vision to equip forward-thinking institutions with the tools needed to participate in the next generation of Bitcoin utility.
Lightning-Powered Custody for the Next Era of Finance
Cobo’s integration of Neutron’s API gives institutional clients an additional option for BTC settlement, making Lightning Network access more programmable and easier to integrate within their existing systems.
“At Cobo, we’ve built our custody platform to combine uncompromising security with the scalability institutions need to grow,” said Dr. Changhao Jiang, CTO and Co-Founder of Cobo.
“Integrating Neutron’s Lightning Network API allows us to offer real-time, low-cost Bitcoin settlement at scale without compromising on trust or performance. Together, we’re laying the groundwork for faster, more efficient Bitcoin infrastructure across Asia.”
About Neutron
Neutron is Asia’s leading Bitcoin infrastructure company, helping businesses and individuals unlock the power of the Lightning Network, specializing in Lightning-as-a-Service.
nThrough its scalable API platform, mobile app, and lending product, Neutron empowers businesses and individuals to send, receive, save, and build with Bitcoin.
Want to bring Lightning into your product or platform? Reach out to our team at sales@neutron.me or visit us at www.neutron.meAbout Cobo
Cobo is a trusted leader in digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure, providing an all-in-one platform for organizations and developers to easily build, automate, and scale their digital asset businesses securely.
Founded in 2017 by blockchain pioneers and headquartered in Singapore, Cobo is trusted by more than 500 leading digital asset businesses globally, safeguarding billions of dollars in assets.
Today, Cobo offers the industry’s only unified wallet platform that integrates all four digital asset wallet technologies – Custodial Wallets, MPC Wallets, Smart Contract Wallets, and Exchange Wallets.
Committed to the highest security standards and regulatory compliance, Cobo has a zero-incident track record and holds ISO 27001, SOC2 (Type 1 and Type 2) certifications, as well as licenses in multiple jurisdictions.
Recognized for its industry-leading innovations, Cobo has received accolades from prestigious entities such as Hedgeweek and Global Custodian. For more information, please visit www.cobo.com
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:59:23Recently we have seen a wave of high profile X accounts hacked. These attacks have exposed the fragility of the status quo security model used by modern social media platforms like X. Many users have asked if nostr fixes this, so lets dive in. How do these types of attacks translate into the world of nostr apps? For clarity, I will use X’s security model as representative of most big tech social platforms and compare it to nostr.
The Status Quo
On X, you never have full control of your account. Ultimately to use it requires permission from the company. They can suspend your account or limit your distribution. Theoretically they can even post from your account at will. An X account is tied to an email and password. Users can also opt into two factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection, a login code generated by an app. In theory, this setup works well, but it places a heavy burden on users. You need to create a strong, unique password and safeguard it. You also need to ensure your email account and phone number remain secure, as attackers can exploit these to reset your credentials and take over your account. Even if you do everything responsibly, there is another weak link in X infrastructure itself. The platform’s infrastructure allows accounts to be reset through its backend. This could happen maliciously by an employee or through an external attacker who compromises X’s backend. When an account is compromised, the legitimate user often gets locked out, unable to post or regain control without contacting X’s support team. That process can be slow, frustrating, and sometimes fruitless if support denies the request or cannot verify your identity. Often times support will require users to provide identification info in order to regain access, which represents a privacy risk. The centralized nature of X means you are ultimately at the mercy of the company’s systems and staff.
Nostr Requires Responsibility
Nostr flips this model radically. Users do not need permission from a company to access their account, they can generate as many accounts as they want, and cannot be easily censored. The key tradeoff here is that users have to take complete responsibility for their security. Instead of relying on a username, password, and corporate servers, nostr uses a private key as the sole credential for your account. Users generate this key and it is their responsibility to keep it safe. As long as you have your key, you can post. If someone else gets it, they can post too. It is that simple. This design has strong implications. Unlike X, there is no backend reset option. If your key is compromised or lost, there is no customer support to call. In a compromise scenario, both you and the attacker can post from the account simultaneously. Neither can lock the other out, since nostr relays simply accept whatever is signed with a valid key.
The benefit? No reliance on proprietary corporate infrastructure.. The negative? Security rests entirely on how well you protect your key.
Future Nostr Security Improvements
For many users, nostr’s standard security model, storing a private key on a phone with an encrypted cloud backup, will likely be sufficient. It is simple and reasonably secure. That said, nostr’s strength lies in its flexibility as an open protocol. Users will be able to choose between a range of security models, balancing convenience and protection based on need.
One promising option is a web of trust model for key rotation. Imagine pre-selecting a group of trusted friends. If your account is compromised, these people could collectively sign an event announcing the compromise to the network and designate a new key as your legitimate one. Apps could handle this process seamlessly in the background, notifying followers of the switch without much user interaction. This could become a popular choice for average users, but it is not without tradeoffs. It requires trust in your chosen web of trust, which might not suit power users or large organizations. It also has the issue that some apps may not recognize the key rotation properly and followers might get confused about which account is “real.”
For those needing higher security, there is the option of multisig using FROST (Flexible Round-Optimized Schnorr Threshold). In this setup, multiple keys must sign off on every action, including posting and updating a profile. A hacker with just one key could not do anything. This is likely overkill for most users due to complexity and inconvenience, but it could be a game changer for large organizations, companies, and governments. Imagine the White House nostr account requiring signatures from multiple people before a post goes live, that would be much more secure than the status quo big tech model.
Another option are hardware signers, similar to bitcoin hardware wallets. Private keys are kept on secure, offline devices, separate from the internet connected phone or computer you use to broadcast events. This drastically reduces the risk of remote hacks, as private keys never touches the internet. It can be used in combination with multisig setups for extra protection. This setup is much less convenient and probably overkill for most but could be ideal for governments, companies, or other high profile accounts.
Nostr’s security model is not perfect but is robust and versatile. Ultimately users are in control and security is their responsibility. Apps will give users multiple options to choose from and users will choose what best fits their need.
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:51:54In much of the world, it is incredibly difficult to access U.S. dollars. Local currencies are often poorly managed and riddled with corruption. Billions of people demand a more reliable alternative. While the dollar has its own issues of corruption and mismanagement, it is widely regarded as superior to the fiat currencies it competes with globally. As a result, Tether has found massive success providing low cost, low friction access to dollars. Tether claims 400 million total users, is on track to add 200 million more this year, processes 8.1 million transactions daily, and facilitates $29 billion in daily transfers. Furthermore, their estimates suggest nearly 40% of users rely on it as a savings tool rather than just a transactional currency.
Tether’s rise has made the company a financial juggernaut. Last year alone, Tether raked in over $13 billion in profit, with a lean team of less than 100 employees. Their business model is elegantly simple: hold U.S. Treasuries and collect the interest. With over $113 billion in Treasuries, Tether has turned a straightforward concept into a profit machine.
Tether’s success has resulted in many competitors eager to claim a piece of the pie. This has triggered a massive venture capital grift cycle in USD tokens, with countless projects vying to dethrone Tether. Due to Tether’s entrenched network effect, these challengers face an uphill battle with little realistic chance of success. Most educated participants in the space likely recognize this reality but seem content to perpetuate the grift, hoping to cash out by dumping their equity positions on unsuspecting buyers before they realize the reality of the situation.
Historically, Tether’s greatest vulnerability has been U.S. government intervention. For over a decade, the company operated offshore with few allies in the U.S. establishment, making it a major target for regulatory action. That dynamic has shifted recently and Tether has seized the opportunity. By actively courting U.S. government support, Tether has fortified their position. This strategic move will likely cement their status as the dominant USD token for years to come.
While undeniably a great tool for the millions of users that rely on it, Tether is not without flaws. As a centralized, trusted third party, it holds the power to freeze or seize funds at its discretion. Corporate mismanagement or deliberate malpractice could also lead to massive losses at scale. In their goal of mitigating regulatory risk, Tether has deepened ties with law enforcement, mirroring some of the concerns of potential central bank digital currencies. In practice, Tether operates as a corporate CBDC alternative, collaborating with authorities to surveil and seize funds. The company proudly touts partnerships with leading surveillance firms and its own data reveals cooperation in over 1,000 law enforcement cases, with more than $2.5 billion in funds frozen.
The global demand for Tether is undeniable and the company’s profitability reflects its unrivaled success. Tether is owned and operated by bitcoiners and will likely continue to push forward strategic goals that help the movement as a whole. Recent efforts to mitigate the threat of U.S. government enforcement will likely solidify their network effect and stifle meaningful adoption of rival USD tokens or CBDCs. Yet, for all their achievements, Tether is simply a worse form of money than bitcoin. Tether requires trust in a centralized entity, while bitcoin can be saved or spent without permission. Furthermore, Tether is tied to the value of the US Dollar which is designed to lose purchasing power over time, while bitcoin, as a truly scarce asset, is designed to increase in purchasing power with adoption. As people awaken to the risks of Tether’s control, and the benefits bitcoin provides, bitcoin adoption will likely surpass it.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:22A new study reveals: 4 out of 5 Americans would like the US to convert some of its gold into Bitcoin.
A recent survey conducted by the Nakamoto Project revealed that a majority of Americans support converting a portion of the United States’ gold reserves into Bitcoin. The survey, carried out online by Qualtrics between February and March 2025, involved 3,345 participants with demographic characteristics representative of US census standards. Most respondents expressed a desire to convert between 1% and 30% of the gold reserves into BTC.
Troy Cross, co-founder of the Nakamoto Project, stated:
“When given a slider and asked to advise the US government on the right proportion of Bitcoin and gold, subjects were very reluctant to put that slider on 0% Bitcoin and 100% gold. Instead, they settled around 10% Bitcoin.”
One significant finding from the research is the correlation between age and openness to Bitcoin: younger respondents showed a greater inclination toward the cryptocurrency compared to older generations.
A potential US strategy
Bo Hines, a White House advisor, is promoting an initiative for the Treasury Department to acquire Bitcoin by selling off a portion of its gold. Under the proposed plan, the government could acquire up to 1 million BTC over the next five years.
To finance these purchases, the government plans to sell Federal Reserve gold certificates. The proposal aligns with Senator Cynthia Lummis’ 2025 Bitcoin Act, which aims to declare Bitcoin a critical national strategic asset.
Currently, the United States holds 8,133 metric tons of gold, valued at over $830 billion, and about 200,000 BTC, valued at $21 billion.
The post The majority in the US wants to convert part of the gold reserves into Bitcoin appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 0e9491aa:ef2adadf
2025-05-22 02:01:29
"Privacy is necessary for an open society in the electronic age. Privacy is not secrecy. A private matter is something one doesn't want the whole world to know, but a secret matter is something one doesn't want anybody to know. Privacy is the power to selectively reveal oneself to the world." - Eric Hughes, A Cypherpunk's Manifesto, 1993
Privacy is essential to freedom. Without privacy, individuals are unable to make choices free from surveillance and control. Lack of privacy leads to loss of autonomy. When individuals are constantly monitored it limits our ability to express ourselves and take risks. Any decisions we make can result in negative repercussions from those who surveil us. Without the freedom to make choices, individuals cannot truly be free.
Freedom is essential to acquiring and preserving wealth. When individuals are not free to make choices, restrictions and limitations prevent us from economic opportunities. If we are somehow able to acquire wealth in such an environment, lack of freedom can result in direct asset seizure by governments or other malicious entities. At scale, when freedom is compromised, it leads to widespread economic stagnation and poverty. Protecting freedom is essential to economic prosperity.
The connection between privacy, freedom, and wealth is critical. Without privacy, individuals lose the freedom to make choices free from surveillance and control. While lack of freedom prevents individuals from pursuing economic opportunities and makes wealth preservation nearly impossible. No Privacy? No Freedom. No Freedom? No Wealth.
Rights are not granted. They are taken and defended. Rights are often misunderstood as permission to do something by those holding power. However, if someone can give you something, they can inherently take it from you at will. People throughout history have necessarily fought for basic rights, including privacy and freedom. These rights were not given by those in power, but rather demanded and won through struggle. Even after these rights are won, they must be continually defended to ensure that they are not taken away. Rights are not granted - they are earned through struggle and defended through sacrifice.
If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.
-
@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:12:05One of the most common criticisms leveled against nostr is the perceived lack of assurance when it comes to data storage. Critics argue that without a centralized authority guaranteeing that all data is preserved, important information will be lost. They also claim that running a relay will become prohibitively expensive. While there is truth to these concerns, they miss the mark. The genius of nostr lies in its flexibility, resilience, and the way it harnesses human incentives to ensure data availability in practice.
A nostr relay is simply a server that holds cryptographically verifiable signed data and makes it available to others. Relays are simple, flexible, open, and require no permission to run. Critics are right that operating a relay attempting to store all nostr data will be costly. What they miss is that most will not run all encompassing archive relays. Nostr does not rely on massive archive relays. Instead, anyone can run a relay and choose to store whatever subset of data they want. This keeps costs low and operations flexible, making relay operation accessible to all sorts of individuals and entities with varying use cases.
Critics are correct that there is no ironclad guarantee that every piece of data will always be available. Unlike bitcoin where data permanence is baked into the system at a steep cost, nostr does not promise that every random note or meme will be preserved forever. That said, in practice, any data perceived as valuable by someone will likely be stored and distributed by multiple entities. If something matters to someone, they will keep a signed copy.
Nostr is the Streisand Effect in protocol form. The Streisand effect is when an attempt to suppress information backfires, causing it to spread even further. With nostr, anyone can broadcast signed data, anyone can store it, and anyone can distribute it. Try to censor something important? Good luck. The moment it catches attention, it will be stored on relays across the globe, copied, and shared by those who find it worth keeping. Data deemed important will be replicated across servers by individuals acting in their own interest.
Nostr’s distributed nature ensures that the system does not rely on a single point of failure or a corporate overlord. Instead, it leans on the collective will of its users. The result is a network where costs stay manageable, participation is open to all, and valuable verifiable data is stored and distributed forever.
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:21The exchange reveals the extent of the breach that occurred last December as federal authorities investigate the recent data leak.
Coinbase has disclosed that the personal data of 69,461 users was compromised during the breach in December 2024, according to documentation filed with the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
The disclosure comes after Coinbase announced last week that a group of hackers had demanded a $20 million ransom, threatening to publish the stolen data on the dark web. The attackers allegedly bribed overseas customer service agents to extract information from the company’s systems.
Coinbase had previously stated that the breach affected less than 1% of its user base, compromising KYC (Know Your Customer) data such as names, addresses, and email addresses. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company clarified that passwords, private keys, and user funds were not affected.
Following the reports, the SEC has reportedly opened an official investigation to verify whether Coinbase may have inflated user metrics ahead of its 2021 IPO. Separately, the Department of Justice is investigating the breach at Coinbase’s request, according to CEO Brian Armstrong.
Meanwhile, Coinbase has faced criticism for its delayed response to the data breach. Michael Arrington, founder of TechCrunch, stated that the stolen data could cause irreparable harm. In a post on X, Arrington wrote:
“The human cost, denominated in misery, is much larger than the $400m or so they think it will actually cost the company to reimburse people. The consequences to companies who do not adequately protect their customer information should include, without limitation, prison time for executives.”
Coinbase estimates the incident could cost between $180 million and $400 million in remediation expenses and customer reimbursements.
Arrington also condemned KYC laws as ineffective and dangerous, calling on both regulators and companies to better protect user data:
“Combining these KYC laws with corporate profit maximization and lax laws on penalties for hacks like these means these issues will continue to happen. Both governments and corporations need to step up to stop this. As I said, the cost can only be measured in human suffering.”
The post Coinbase: 69,461 users affected by December 2024 data breach appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-16 07:51:08Payjoin allows the sender and receiver of an on-chain payment to collaborate and create a transaction that breaks on-chain heuristics, allowing a more private transaction with ambiguous payment amount and UTXO ownership. Additionally, it can also be used for UTXO consolidation (receiver saves future fees) and batching payments (receiver can make payment(s) of their own in the process of receiving one), also known as transaction cut-through. Other than improved privacy, the rest of the benefits are typically applicable to the receiver, not the sender.
BIP-78 was the original payjoin protocol that required the receiver to run a endpoint/server (always online) in order to mediate the payjoin process. Payjoin adoption has remained pretty low, something attributed to the server & perpetual online-ness requirement. This is the motivation for payjoin v2.
The purpose of the one-pager is to analyse the protocol, and highlight the UX issues or tradeoffs it entails, so that the payjoin user flows can be appropriately designed and the tradeoffs likewise communicated. A further document on UX solutions might be needed to identify solutions and opportunities
The following observations are generally limited to individual users transacting through their mobile devices:
While users naturally want better privacy and fee-savings, they also want to minimise friction and minimise (optimise) payment time. These are universal and more immediate needs since they deal with the user experience.
Added manual steps
TL;DR v2 payjoin eliminates server & simultaneous user-liveness requirements (increasing TAM, and opportunities to payjoin, as a result) by adding manual steps.
Usually, the extent of the receiver's involvement in the transaction process is limited to sharing their address with the sender. Once they share the address/URI, they can basically forget about it. In the target scenario for v2 payjoin, the receiver must come online again (except they have no way of knowing "when") to contribute input(s) and sign the PSBT. This can be unexpected, unintuitive and a bit of a hassle.
Usually (and even with payjoin v1), the sender crafts and broadcasts the transaction in one go; meaning the user's job is done within a few seconds/minutes. With payjoin v2, they must share the original-PSBT with the receiver, and then wait for them to do their part. Once the the receiver has done that, the sender must come online to review the transaction, sign it & broadcast.
In summary,
In payjoin v1, step 3 is automated and instant, so delay 2, 3 =~ 0. As the user experiences it, the process is completed in a single session, akin to a non-payjoin transaction.
With payjoin v2, Steps 2 & 3 in the above diagram are widely spread and noticeable. These manual steps are separated by uncertain delays (more on that below) when compared to a non-payjoin transaction.
Delays
We've established that both senders and receivers must take extra manual steps to execute a payoin transaction. With payjoin v2, this process gets split into multiple sessions, since the sender and receiver are not like to be online simultaneously.
Delay 2 & 3 (see diagram above) are uncertain in nature. Most users do not open their bitcoin wallets for days or weeks! The receiver must come online before the timeout hits in order for the payjoin process to work, otherwise time is just wasted with no benefit. UX or technical solutions are needed to minimise these delays.
Delays might be exacerbated if the setup is based on hardware wallet and/or uses multisig.
Notifications or background processes
There is one major problem when we say "the user must come online to..." but in reality the user has no way of knowing there is a payjoin PSBT waiting for them. After a PSBT is sent to the relay, the opposite user would only find out about it whenever they happen to come online. Notifications and background sync processes might be necessary to minimise delays. This is absolutely essential to avert timeouts in addition to saving valuable time. Another risk is phantom payjoin stuff after the timeout is expired if receiver-side does not know it has.
Fee Savings
The following observations might be generally applicable for both original and this v2 payjoin version. Fee-savings with payjoin is a tricky topic. Of course, overall a payjoin transaction is always cheaper than 2 separate transactions, since they get to share the overhead.
Additionally, without the receiver contributing to fees, the chosen fee rate of the PSBT (at the beginning) drops, and can lead to slower confirmation. From another perspective, a sender paying with payjoin pays higher fees for similar confirmation target. This has been observed in a production wallet years back. Given that total transaction time can extend to days, the fee environment itself might change, and all this must be considered when designing the UX.
Of course, there is nothing stopping the receiver from contributing to fees, but this idea is likely entirely novel to the bitcoin ecosystem (perhaps payments ecosystem in general) and the user base. Additionally, nominally it involves the user paying fees and tolerating delays just to receive bitcoin. Without explicit incentives/features that encourage receivers to participate, payjoining might seem like an unncessary hassle.
Overall, it seems that payjoin makes UX significant tradeoffs for important privacy (and potential fee-saving) benefits. This means that the UX might have to do significant heavy-lifting, to ensure that users are not surprised, confused or frustrated when they try to transact on-chain in a privacy-friendly feature. Good, timely communication, new features for consolidation & txn-cutthrough and guided user flows seem crucial to ensure payjoin adoption and for help make on-chain privacy a reality for users.
---------------
Original document available here. Reach out at
yashrajdca@proton.me
,y_a_s_h_r_a_j.70
on Signal, or on reach out in Bitcoin Design discord.https://stacker.news/items/981388
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 02:01:26Legal developments show that prosecutors may have concealed evidence in the case against the Tornado Cash mixer.
The legal case involving the Tornado Cash mixer may be at a turning point. Roman Storm’s legal team, one of the platform’s developers, has asked the court to reconsider the motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the prosecution deliberately withheld evidence favorable to the defense. These documents, originating from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and dating back to 2023, would demonstrate that non-custodial cryptocurrency mixers like Tornado Cash do not fall under the legal definition of a “money transmitting business.”
According to a letter dated May 16 addressed to Judge Katherine Polk Failla, prosecutors were aware of FinCEN’s guidelines on cryptocurrency mixers but nonetheless proceeded with charges against the developers of both Samourai Wallet and Tornado Cash. The prosecution denies having withheld evidence, claiming it provided the FinCEN communications within the established deadlines during the discovery phase.
Source: Court Listener
Similarities with the Samourai Wallet case
Storm’s defense team cited the same legal documents and arguments presented by the attorneys for the Samourai Wallet developers in a legal letter dated May 5. The attorneys wrote:
“The disclosures in the Samourai case reveal that the government, at the very least, played fast and loose and, at worst, affirmatively misled this Court with its arguments about FinCEN guidance when responding to the motions to dismiss and to compel discovery.”
Although on April 28, federal judge Robert Pitman issued a ruling denying the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) the ability to reimpose sanctions on Tornado Cash — setting a legal precedent for cases involving non-custodial mixers — federal prosecutors are nonetheless moving forward with the case against Storm, albeit with modified charges.
The post Tornado Cash case: new evidence reveals potential procedural misconduct appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-16 05:38:28LegoGPT generates a LEGO structure from a user-provided text prompt in an end-to-end manner. Notably, our generated LEGO structure is physically stable and buildable.
Lego is something most of us knows. This is a opportuity to ask where is our creativity going? From the art of crafting figures to building blocks following our need and desires to have a machine thinking and building following step-by-step instructions to achieve an isolated goal.
Is the creative act then in the question itself, not anymore in the crafting? Are we just delegating the solution of problems, the thinking of how to respond to questions, to machines? Would it be different if delegated to other people?
Source: https://avalovelace1.github.io/LegoGPT/
https://stacker.news/items/981336
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:42Ukraine is reportedly about to make history by becoming the first country in Europe to have a national bitcoin reserve, a move aimed at strengthening its economy during the war with Russia.
The plan is still in its early stages and Binance, the world’s largest digital asset exchange, is involved.
According to Incrypted, a Ukrainian digital asset news outlet, Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, First Deputy Chairman of the Finance, Tax and Customs Policy Committee, confirmed that the draft law is almost ready and will be submitted to the parliament soon.
“We will soon submit a draft law from the industry allowing the creation of crypto reserves,” Zheleznyak told Incrypted.
Earlier discussions mentioned a broader “crypto reserve” but the current plan is focused on bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. If approved, the law will allow the National Bank of Ukraine to hold bitcoin as part of the country’s official reserves.
Since the war with Russia started, Ukraine has become one of the most bitcoin-friendly countries in the world.
In 2022 and 2023 Ukraine raised over $100 million in digital asset donations for defense and humanitarian purposes. A report from Chainalysis ranked the country among the top 10 countries for bitcoin adoption globally.
A rather vague and unconfirmed report by BitcoinTreasuries.net states that “holdings of public officials” currently stand at 46,351 BTC.
Ukraine bitcoin holdings as reported by BitcoinTreasuries
Supporters of the bitcoin reserve say it will help Ukraine protect its economy from war-related instability, inflation and currency depreciation.
By going digital, the government is looking for modern tools to strengthen its financial system in uncertain times. This is not just about storing bitcoin, it’s about establishing clear laws for digital assets ownership, management and use.
Binance is playing an advisory role in the project. The company has worked with Ukraine on digital asset education and regulations in the past and is now helping to shape the legal framework for the bitcoin reserve.
Kirill Khomyakov, Binance’s regional head for Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Africa, confirmed the company’s support, but warned it won’t be fast or easy.
“The creation of such a reserve will require significant changes in legislation,” Khomyakov said. “Another positive aspect is that this initiative will likely lead to greater clarity in the regulation of crypto assets in Ukraine.”
Despite the support from some officials, there are legal hurdles. Ukrainian laws don’t allow bitcoin to be in the official reserves. So the government needs to pass new laws for it to happen.
Efforts to legalize bitcoin in general have been going on for years. In 2021, a draft law on virtual assets was approved by Finance Committee but was withdrawn after the President’s Office and financial regulators objected.
Up to now, over 80 amendments have been proposed, showing how complicated the process is.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation is leading a larger reform that could introduce rules for digital asset exchanges, tax laws and anti-money laundering standards in the country.
Ukraine isn’t alone in considering bitcoin as a national reserve asset. In March 2025, the U.S. announced its own Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using BTC seized in criminal cases.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:41KYC database of Coinbase, the largest U.S. digital asset exchange, has been breached and up to 1% of monthly active users, or around 100,000 customers, have had their personal info stolen.
Hackers reportedly bribed overseas customer support agents and contractors to leak internal company info and user data. They then demanded $20 million and threatened to release the stolen data if Coinbase didn’t pay.
Instead of paying the ransom, Coinbase said no and is setting up a $20 million reward fund for anyone who can help catch the hackers.
“They then tried to extort Coinbase for $20 million to cover this up. We said no,” the company said in a blog post. “Instead of paying the $20 million ransom, we’re establishing a $20 million reward fund.”
So what’s been stolen? The breach, which was first disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), did not involve any theft of customer funds, login credentials, private keys or wallets.
But the hackers did get:
- Full names
- Addresses
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Last 4 digits of Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers and some bank identifiers
- Government ID images (driver’s licenses, passports, etc.)
- Account balances and transaction history
- Internal corporate documents and training materials
Coinbase says Prime accounts were not affected and no passwords or 2FA codes were stolen.
According to Coinbase, the attackers targeted outsourced support agents in countries like India. They were offering cash bribes in exchange for access to the company’s internal customer support tools.
“What these attackers were doing was finding Coinbase employees and contractors based in India who were associated with our business process outsourcing or support operations, that kind of thing, and bribing them in order to obtain customer data,” said Philip Martin, Coinbase’s Chief Security Officer.
Coinbase said it first saw suspicious activity in January 2025 but didn’t get a direct email from the threat actors until May 11. The email had evidence of stolen data and the ransom demand.
Coinbase quickly launched an investigation, fired all the involved support agents and notified law enforcement. It also started notifying users via email on May 15.
The Coinbase data breach has hit it hard, financially and publicly. The company estimates it will spend $180-$400 million on security upgrades, reimbursements and other remediation.
Coinbase’s stock also took a hit, dropping 6.4% after the news broke, before rebounding.
Analysts say this couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Coinbase is about to be added to the S&P 500 index – a big deal for any publicly traded company.
It’s definitely an unfortunate timing. “This may push the industry to adopt stricter employee vetting and introduce some reputational risks,” said Bo Pei, analyst at U.S. Tiger Securities.
Coinbase will reimburse any customers who were tricked into sending their digital assets to the attackers as part of social engineering scams. They’ve also introduced new security measures:
- Extra ID verification for high-risk withdrawals
- Scam-awareness prompts
- A new U.S.-based support center
- Stronger insider threat monitoring
- Simulation testing for internal systems
Affected customers have already been notified and the exchange is working with U.S. and international law enforcement to track down the attackers.
This is part of a larger trend in the digital assets world. Earlier this year, Bybit, another exchange, was hit with a $1.5 billion theft, dubbed the biggest digital asset heist in history.
Research from Chainalysis shows over $2.2 billion was stolen from digital asset platforms in 2024 alone.
-
@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-05-20 13:39:22https://youtu.be/US9iYJNTOkU
I had no idea Tosh was still doing anything, much less that he talks about sports.
https://stacker.news/items/984547
-
@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-22 03:01:20Bitcoin adoption will come through businesses: neither governments nor banks will lead the revolution.
In recent years, it’s undeniable that Bitcoin has ceased to be just a radical idea born from the minds of cypherpunks. It is now recognized across the board as a global asset, discussed in the upper echelons of finance, accepted even on Wall Street, purchased by banking groups and included as a “strategic reserve” by some nations.
However, the general perception that hovers today regarding Bitcoin’s diffusion is still that of minimal adoption, almost insignificant. Bitcoin exists, certainly, but in fact it is not being used. It is rarely possible to pay in satoshis in commercial establishments. Demand is still extremely low.
Furthermore, the debate on Bitcoin is still practically absent: excluding some local events, some niche media outlets or some timid discussion, today Bitcoin is in fact excluded from general interest. The level of understanding and knowledge of the phenomenon is certainly still very low.
Yet, Bitcoin represents an unprecedented technological improvement, capable of solving many problems inherent in the fiat system in which we live. What could facilitate its diffusion?
Bitcoin becomes familiar when businesses adopt it
When talking about Bitcoin adoption, many look to States. They imagine governments that legislate or accumulate Bitcoin as a “strategic reserve,” or banks perceived as forward-thinking that would lead technological change, opening up to innovation. But the reality is different: bureaucracy, political constraints, and fear of losing control inherently prevent States and central banks from being pioneers.
What really drives Bitcoin adoption are not States, but businesses. It is the forward-looking entrepreneurs, innovative startups and – eventually – even large multinational companies that decide to integrate Bitcoin into their operating systems that drive adoption. Indeed, the business world has always played a key role in the adoption of new technologies. This was the case, for example, with the internet, e-commerce, mobile telephony, and the cloud. It will also be the case with Bitcoin.
Unlike a State, when a company adopts Bitcoin, it does so for concrete reasons: efficiency, savings, protection, access to new markets, independence from traditional banking circuits, or bureaucratic streamlining. It is a rational choice, not an ideological one, dictated by the intent to improve one’s competitiveness against the competition to survive in the market.
What is currently missing to facilitate adoption is, in all likelihood, a significant number of businesses that have decided to integrate Bitcoin into their company systems.
Bitcoin becomes “normal” when it is integrated into the operational flow of businesses. Holding and framing bitcoin on the balance sheet, paying an invoice, paying salaries to employees in satoshis, making value transfers globally thanks to the blockchain, allowing customers to pay via Lightning Network… when all this becomes possible with the same simplicity with which we use the euro or the dollar, Bitcoin stops being alternative and becomes the standard.
Businesses are not just users. They are adoption multipliers. When a company chooses Bitcoin, it is automatically proposing it to customers, employees, suppliers, and institutional stakeholders. Each business adoption equals tens, hundreds, or thousands of new eyes on Bitcoin.
People, after all, trust what they see every day: if your trusted restaurant accepts bitcoin, or if your favorite e-commerce platform uses it to receive international payments, or if your colleague receives it as a salary, then Bitcoin no longer appears to be a mysterious object. It finally begins to be perceived as a real, useful, and functioning tool.
The integration of a technology in companies helps make it understandable, accessible, and legitimate in the eyes of the public. This is how distrust is overcome: by making Bitcoin visible in daily life.
Bitcoin and businesses today
A River Financial report estimates that as of May 2025, only 5% of bitcoin is currently owned by private businesses. A still very small number.
According to research by River, in May 2025 businesses hold just over a million btc (about 5% of available monetary units). More than two-thirds of bitcoin (68.2%) are in the hands of private individuals.
To promote Bitcoin adoption, it is necessary today to support businesses in integrating this standard, leveraging all its enormous opportunities. Among others, this technology allows for fast, economical, and global payments. It eliminates intermediaries, increases transparency and security in value transfers. It removes bureaucratic frictions and allows opening up to a new global market.
Every sector can benefit from Bitcoin: e-commerce, tourism, industry, restaurants, professional services, or any other business. Bitcoin revolutionizes the concept of money, and money is a transversal working tool.
We are still at the beginning, but several signals are encouraging. According to a study by Bitwise and reported by Atlas21, in the first quarter of 2025, a growing number of US companies (+16.11% compared to the previous one) are including Bitcoin in their balance sheets, not just as a financial bet, but as a long-term strategy to protect their assets and access a decentralized monetary system to transfer value worldwide without resorting to financial intermediaries.
Who is driving the change?
Echoing the words of Roy Sheinfeld, CEO of Breez, the true potential of Bitcoin will be unleashed first and foremost from the work of developers, the true architects in designing and refining tools that are increasingly simple and intuitive to use for anyone, regardless of level of expertise. It is the developers – Roy rightly argued – who will enable us to “conquer the world.”
But probably that’s not enough: the next step is to make Bitcoin a globally accepted technological standard, changing its perception towards the general public. And this is where businesses come into play.
Guided by the market, technological innovation, and the desire to meet user demands, entrepreneurs today represent the fulcrum to accelerate the monetary transition from the current fiat system towards the Bitcoin standard. It is entrepreneurs who transform innovations from opportunities for a few to a reality shared by many.
The adoption of Bitcoin will therefore not arise from a sudden event, nor from the exclusive fruit of enthusiasts’ enthusiasm or from arbitrary political choices decreed by States or regulators.
The future of Bitcoin is built in the places where value is created every day: in companies, in their systems, and in their strategic decisions.
“If we conquer developers, we conquer the world. If we conquer businesses, we conquer adoption.”
The post The key to Bitcoin adoption is businesses appeared first on Atlas21.
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-14 09:48:43Just another Ecash nutsnote design is a ew template for brrr.gandlaf.com cashu tocken printing machine and honoring Ecash ideator David Lee Chaum. Despite the turn the initial project took, we would not have Ecash today without his pioneering approach in cryptography and privacy-preserving technologies.
A simple KISS (Keep It Super Simple) Ecash nutsnote delivered as SVG, nothing fancy, designed in PenPot, an open source design tool, for slides, presentations, mockups and interactive prototypes.
Here Just another Nutsnote's current state, together with some snapshots along the process. Your feedback is more than welcome.
https://design.penpot.app/#/view?file-id=749aaa04-8836-81c6-8006-0b29916ec156&page-id=749aaa04-8836-81c6-8006-0b29916ec157§ion=interactions&index=0&share-id=addba4d5-28a4-8022-8006-2ecc4316ebb2
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/979728
-
@ cefb08d1:f419beff
2025-05-20 13:26:14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIydjo4B25U
The GWM Catch Up Day 2: Western Australia pushes CT to the ultimate test in all or nothing bouts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zwuqs6iTPg
Women and Men Results:
https://stacker.news/items/984538
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 03:01:19Key Takeaways
In this episode of TFTC, Andrew Myers, founder of Satoshi Energy, explores the convergence of AI, humanoid robots, Bitcoin, and decentralized energy, warning of a near future where self-replicating machines dominate energy and labor. Myers argues that Bitcoin’s decentralized nature offers a critical check against centralized AI power, enabling autonomous agents to transact freely and protecting individual sovereignty. Through his company’s work and its software BitCurrent, Myers promotes Bitcoin as both a tool for energy market efficiency and a foundation for preserving liberty in an AI-driven world.
Best Quotes
“Humanoid robots are going to not only replace most of the jobs people do today… they're going to be able to recreate themselves and self-replicate faster than that.”
“For me the key value proposition of Bitcoin is leveling the economic playing field. Rather than those who control the money printer making the economic decisions, it's everyday people.”
“AI energy demand is infinite. Bitcoin has a Nakamoto point… AI doesn’t.”
“Satoshi Energy’s mission is to enable every electric power company to use Bitcoin by block 1,050,000.”
“If you're a Bitcoiner and you're not using Fold, what are you doing? You're leaving sats on the table.”
“Tesla said machines would eventually fight wars for us. When that happens, nation-states become spectators. Bitcoin is how we avoid centralized control of those machines.”
“There’s already an energy company in Texas using Bitcoin as collateral in a power contract.”
“Are we auditioning for a galactic federation? Maybe. Even if not, we should still be acting like we are.”
Conclusion
Andrew Myers delivers a compelling vision of the future where exponential AI and energy growth demand a decentralized response—one rooted in Bitcoin as more than money, but as critical infrastructure for freedom. Through Satoshi Energy and tools like BitCurrent, Myers bridges big ideas with tangible actions, advocating for bottom-up sovereignty across energy and finance. His message is clear: decentralization is no longer optional—it’s essential for preserving human agency in an increasingly automated world.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - Tesla’s AI energy theory
8:59 - Bitcoin and decentralization fixes AI
13:02 - Fold & Bitkey
14:38 - How Satoshi Energy is using AI
19:28 - Bit Current
23:13 - Unchained
23:42 - Revealing inefficiency
32:57 - Proliferating OS AI with bitcoin
36:26 -Apple of Eden and Antichrist
45:11 - Iberian outage
48:48 - Defense tech
54:51 - UFOs, Atlantis and remote viewingTranscript
(00:00) Humanoid robots are advancing so quickly. They're going to not only replace most of the jobs that people do today, probably the next 5 to 10 years, but they're going to be able to recreate themselves and self-replicate even faster than that. With AI, the energy demand is infinite. It's going to 10x and 10x and 10x again in terms of global energy consumption, and that's just going to completely change the world we live in.
(00:21) If there's a sufficiently advanced AI, is it going to listen to a politician that says, "No, you can't have that energy." Or is it going to say, "Fuck you. Send the drone. You can hear us loud and clear. Loud and clear. I have to put this in front of my face so I'm not leaning. Yeah, vibe coding. There may be some securityities.
(00:45) I do want to hand it off to a developer who actually understands this stuff to say, am I am I going to am I going to leak any information or like be Yeah, I should probably do that before I release to the public. Now, let me say that. does seem pretty simple though. It's just getting the data on the page, getting the price of Bitcoin, using Coin Gecko API, and then running the math of how much Bitcoin is this worth at this point in time.
(01:13) We're not collecting any data either. I don't think that you know of. No, this is AI once. This is the problem of vibe coding. Are you bearish on AI? Uh, I think we're at a fork in the road and on one side I'm very bullish. You shamed me for for admitting that I was turning my kids into Legos via or turning myself into Lego in this. I was channeling my inner Marty.
(01:36) What would Marty do? Well, that's what uh that's what precipitated this. You hit me up. Was it two weeks ago now at this point? this week with your tweet about Nicola Tesla essentially predicting AI and him not factoring in sound money to the inevitable future that he foresaw. Yeah, it kind of came up uh in the work we're doing at Satoshi Energy where we're developing sites for data centers and a lot of those were were Bitcoin data centers for the last five six years and then in the last couple of years just increasingly demand
(02:20) from AI data centers in some cases like a project that we sold to a Bitcoin miner then becomes an AI site and then start to have questions within the team about what is our AI strategy and it was always in the back of my mind as part of the strategy which we'll get into like what is this fork in the road which directions could it go but I hadn't ever really communicated it to our team uh until recently because it's such a big idea that like on top of thinking about sound money and energy like we're already thinking about enough but as the
(02:57) team's growing as people are starting to ask these questions and like in some cases feeling conflicted about um should we be serving this AI market and in some cases large institutional investors and tech companies uh really like felt the need to put the the pen to paper and and talk about this and talk about how AI fits into our overall strategy.
(03:20) Uh, and part of that reminded me of this uh, essay that Nicola Tesla wrote called um, the problem of human energy, which was kind of a cheeky title. Uh, because clearly he thought, you know, energy would liberate humanity. Uh, but it get you get a lot more readers if you, you know, if you name it, the problem of human energy, especially a lot more of the critics who you're trying to convince otherwise.
(03:44) And one of the biggest things, biggest takeaways for me in that in that essay is he he basically says at some point man will create machines that fight wars for us and limit the the loss of human life to the point where the different parties, nation states, other powerful people u that were fighting wars with each other will once it's sort of this this machine to machine battle, they'll just become interested spectators.
(04:13) and eventually lead to world peace. So I think that's the path we want to be on. Not the path where it becomes a very centralized AI and we ultimately become enslaved. Uh but on the path to world peace or or keeping ourselves on that path to world peace. I think that's where Bitcoin plays a role. it keeps the economic playing field level uh and keeps this technology sufficiently decentralized where Bitcoin is that protocol for you know decentralized AI agents communicating with each other.
(04:46) So we can go in any direction you want from there but it's a big idea. No, this is in line with something I wrote about earlier this week that was inspired by a tweet that Paul Otoy from Stack put out basically not explaining this exact problem but just giving his thoughts on how he's viewing the state of AI and where it will go in the future.
(05:10) And Paul, the team at stack and sphinx are highly focused on enabling the open- source AI as opposed to closed source AI. I I think based on what you just said, I think it's very line what Paul was saying in that tweet, which is we're reaching the point with MCP with these sort of protocols where you can store context that agents can plug into and begin communicating with each other.
(05:39) We're at the point where agentic models are getting are actually usable. And I think that's where you have this like critical tipping point of okay that's really going to dictate which direction in the fork in the road we go down because once the agents are able to go do these tasks you right have these network effects that take hold and it's very important that we thread the needle of making sure that it's open and incentivized properly.
(06:10) Yes. Yes, we had this idea of time preference in the Bitcoin community where you know we think with sound money we should have a low time preference meaning we think longer term uh we don't need need to make sort of quick rash decisions into investments today but then you have this tidal wave of AI coming our our direction it almost forces you back into that high time preference mindset of like I need to address this problem now um and Then from like an energy perspective, it's interesting too.
(06:44) Uh you have like Drew's concept of the Nakamoto point for Bitcoin. Like how much of of human energy of global energy will will Bitcoin mining consume? And like say it's between 1 and 10% of of human energy. If it becomes 100% then uh that doesn't make any sense because then you're just like worshiping Bitcoin.
(07:03) And if all of the energy is going towards that, it means you're not putting any energy towards any other sort of economic pursuit or uh you know human need. But with AI, the energy demand is infinite. I don't think there is a Nakamoto point. It's just like it's going to 10x and 10x and 10x again in terms of g global energy consumption.
(07:23) Uh and that's just going to completely change the world we live in. Another thing on sort of the high time preference concept is like humanoid robots are advancing so quickly. They're going to not only replace all of the job most of the jobs that people do today, very quickly within probably the next 5 to 10 years max, but they're going to be able to rec -
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-14 06:48:45Has the architect Greg Chasen considered it when rebuilding the house just one year before the catastrophe? Apparently not! Another of his projects was featured on the Value of Architecture as properties with design integrity.
This is a super interesting subject. The historic character, livability, and modern disaster-resistance is a triangle where you often have to pick just one or two, which leads to some tough decisions that have major impacts on families and communities. Like one of the things he mentions is that the architect completely eliminated plants from the property. That's great for fire resistance, but not so great for other things if the entire town decides to go the same route (which he does bring up later in the video). I don't think there's any objectively right answer, but definitely lots of good (and important) discussion points to be had.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbl_1qfsFXk
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/979653
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:40Donald Trump’s recent four-day visit took the President to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. This visit has intertwined diplomatic relations with business interests, while simultaneously influencing the bitcoin market.
In Qatar, the President met with Emir Tanim bin Hamad Al Thani, resulting in over $243 billion in deals including major defense agreements, according to Bloomberg.
On May 15, the President made his visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi alongside Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. This occurs as the Trump family expands its business presence in the Middle East.
The Trump Organization is developing luxury properties across the region, including Trump Tower Dubai, real estate projects in Riyadh, and development in Jeddah and Oman.
Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman in King Khalid International Airport — NBCNews
Eric Trump publicly announced construction plans for Trump Tower Dubai just last month, highlighting the family’s ongoing commercial footprint in the region.
These business connections extend into the digital asset ecosystem as UAE-backed investment firm MGX recently announced it would use USD1, World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin to support a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest digital asset exchange, according to APNews.
This connection between Trump-aligned interests and major digital asset investments creates a potential avenue for market influence.
Historically, stability in the Middle East, especially among oil-rich nations, reduces global market volatility. This encourages risk appetite among investors, often leading to increased allocations to digital assets like bitcoin.
Middle East diplomacy directly affects global oil prices. Stable oil prices can lower inflation expectations and lead to interest rate cuts by the Fed. Lower rates lead to an increase in liquidity, having positive effects on bitcoin, an asset that benefits from money printing.
Related: Fed Rate Cuts Could Lead to Major Price Swings for Bitcoin
On the investment front, Abu Dhabi’s Wealth Fund, Mubadala Investment Company, has been focused on increasing their shares in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).
According to a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Mubdala held 8.7 million IBIT shares, totaling $408.5 million as of March 31, 2025.
The Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund increased its shares by 500,000 since its last filing in December of 2024.
Back in March, the United States created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The executive order states that the U.S. will not sell the bitcoin they already hold, and will create budget-neutral ways to increase their holdings.
The time has come where governments and wealth funds alike are jumping on board the Bitcoin train.
Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East illustrates how financial, diplomatic, and personal interests are becoming increasingly intertwined with Bitcoin and digital assets, serving as a new axis of influence in the U.S.-Middle East relations.
The combination of diplomatic progress and business expansion has heightened short-term volatility and trading volumes in the bitcoin market.
Trump’s business and digital asset ties in the region may further boost institutional interest and create an opportunity for more players to enter the market.
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-14 06:12:19We asked members of the design community to choose an artifact that embodies craft—something that speaks to their understanding of what it means to make with intention. Here’s what they shared.
A vintage puzzle box, a perfectly tuned guitar, an AI-powered poetry camera. A daiquiri mixed with precision. A spreadsheet that still haunts muscle memory. Each artifact tells a story: not just about the thing itself, but about the choices of the creator behind it. What to refine, what to leave raw. When to push forward, when to let go. Whether built to last for generations or designed to delight in a fleeting moment, the common thread is that great craft doesn’t happen by accident. It’s made.
On the application of craft
Even the most experienced makers can benefit from building structure and intention into their practice. From sharpening your storytelling to designing quality products, these pieces offer practical ways to uplevel your craft.
Read more at https://www.figma.com/blog/craft-artifacts/
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/979644
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 02:01:15Key Takeaways
Lyn Alden unpacks the complex interplay of global trade imbalances, the dollar’s entrenched reserve currency status, and America’s eroded industrial base, arguing that aggressive tariffs under Trump have backfired by hurting U.S. businesses without reversing decades of offshoring. She illustrates how China has rapidly ascended the value chain, dominating key industries and making it nearly impossible for the U.S. to build a trade coalition against them. Despite the U.S.’s massive debt and persistent global demand for dollars, cracks are forming in the system as nations explore alternative payment systems and neutral reserve assets like gold and Bitcoin. Lyn emphasizes that Bitcoin’s most effective path to integration is through grassroots and corporate adoption, not government-led initiatives, and warns that unless the U.S. urgently scales its energy and industrial capacity, it risks falling further behind China’s unmatched pace of growth and infrastructure dominance.
Best Quotes
- "The trade deficit is often described as us sending out pieces of paper and getting goods and services, which sounds like a really good deal."
- "It's better to correct these imbalances from a position of strength, not weakness."
- "All that debt creates inflexible demand for dollars. There’s literally way more demand than dollars in the system."
- "China became the largest auto exporter in the world in just four years."
- "Bitcoin isn’t changing to fit into the global financial system. The global financial system is changing to fit Bitcoin."
- "Individuals, small businesses, corporations—these are the real drivers of Bitcoin adoption. Not governments."
Conclusion
This episode offers a sobering look at America’s trade and currency dilemmas, with Lyn Alden explaining why quick policy fixes like tariffs can’t reverse decades of deindustrialization tied to the dollar’s reserve status. She highlights the rise of neutral reserve assets like gold and Bitcoin as important hedges, stressing that grassroots and corporate adoption will be more effective than government-led efforts. Lyn also warns that without a major push to expand energy production, the U.S. risks falling behind in an AI-driven, hardware-centric world, urging strategic humility and innovation to navigate the shifting global order.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - Triffin's dilemma
8:10 - Debt leverage
11:04 - Fold & Bitkey
12:41 - Trump's goals and tariff policy
19:54 - Unchained
20:24 - China is not weak
30:07 - Energy
37:15 - AI/robots
41:11 - SBR
48:47 - Bitcoin credit products
52:40 - Eventful week for bitcoinTranscript
(00:00) They ramped up tariffs super high, super quickly. In many cases, were so high that they hurt us as much as some of our trade adversaries. China has ramped up to like unfathomable degrees. Nuclear, solar, pretty much everything that they can throw money at they're building. The trade is often described as us sending out pieces of paper and getting goods and services, which sounds like a really good deal.
(00:19) They take those slips of paper and then they buy our stocks. They buy our corporate bonds and government bonds. And so they end up owning a larger and larger share of corporate America. got the headphone hair. I'm all out of whack, Lynn. It's been a long week here in Austin. Yeah, I can imagine. It's been a long time since we've talked on the show. It's been two years.
(00:41) I was checking, which is a astonishing to me. But no better time than now. Uh I think quite literally based off of all the conversations we've had uh over the years. I mean, your famous saying, nothing stops this train. I think we're coming to a juncture where that's becoming abundantly clear. and you wrote uh a newsletter earlier this week, I believe you sent it out Sunday, that basically highlighted the crux of the problem, which is the dollar reserve status and the almost impossible task that Trump would like to accomplish, but
(01:21) likely isn't the case, which is sort of solving Triffin's dilemma of reshoring manufacturing while keeping US dollar dominance. So I think diving into this from first principles would be great. Sure. Yeah. And that's that's the um I can imagine the administration's challenge of trying to communicate this because uh the intricacies of how trade deficits and the reserve currency kind of pair together is very wonkish.
(01:46) It it kind of has this like academic quality to it that doesn't go over well uh in kind of political oriented speeches. Um like I would I would be terrible at a political rally for example when I try to explain any of this. Um and so we kind of have this situation where um and this was outlined back during the Breton Wood system by Triffin as you mentioned uh which is that having the reserve currency does come with a bunch of benefits um you know historically called a extraordin uh exorbitant privilege um but then it has certain costs to
(02:15) maintain it and those costs can vary a bit depending on how the system structure. So for example back in the Bretton Woods era the cost was that we kept draining our gold reserves. uh we basically had to kind of keep paying out our go gold gold reserves to maintain that part of the system and in the current formation uh instead we kind of pay for it with our industrial base.
(02:36) We keep kind of sending out little parts of our industrial base over time to maintain the the global reserve currency status. And there's a few reasons for that. One is that um because unlike every other fiat currency, the dollar has all these extra demands for it by countries all around the world. um all these different purposes.
(02:55) um there's this extra demand for dollars which sounds good on the surface and as for Americans for example we have tons of import power when we go on vacations to the rest of the world it's you know we have pretty strong purchasing power compared to when they come to the US um these things seem good on the surface but it also means that it's pretty expensive to manufacture lower margin things here at home uh and so we have this kind of situation where our imports are very strong our exports uh especially lower margin stuff is less uh
(03:22) competitive whereas we can still be competitive competitive on really high margin stuff, you know, technology, finance, healthcare, that kind of thing. Um, and then the other aspect is that even if you could somehow solve that, there's the more fundamental problem, which is that the whole world needs dollars uh for the you know, global reserve currency status to use it for international contract pricing, crossber financing, one side of every trade pair that they do, all these different purposes as a reserve asset. Um uh and
(03:51) when you step back and say, "Well, how do they get all those dollars if they're all using dollars? How did all those dollars get out there?" And the answer is trade deficits. Um basically that overvalued aspect forces open the US trade deficit. And every year we send out hundreds of billions or sometimes a trillion dollars in net outflows.
(04:10) And over years and decades, these have accumulated out there. And so, uh, kind of the way it works is that if you want to fix the trade deficit, which I've been I've been writing about since 2019, I think that's a I think that's a valid mandate to do. Um, unfortunately does come with trade-offs.
(04:26) Uh, some of the some of the benefits that that you know that we enjoy at the cost of the trade deficit. Um, if you do want to kind of fix that imbalance, it comes up, you know, with with basically giving away at least some of those benefits and prioritizing that that industrial base a bit more. And one of the dynamics that you highlighted in your newsletter, which makes sense, but wasn't very clear to me before, is that via these deficits, we flood international markets with dollars because we're sending parts of our industrial base over there. But then
(05:00) it's like cyclical. They take those dollars and then reinvest them in US financial assets. So it has this sort of flow where it goes out but then it comes back in into the financialized economy via equities and real estate and other such assets and that is good for asset owners here in the United States.
(05:19) But again I think that's is part of the bag of mandate is that sort of cycle has led to this large wealth gap in the United States that they're trying to fix. Yeah. Exactly. Um and so basically the opposite side of a current account deficit which is basically so the trade deficit plus things like interest and dividends.
(05:39) Um so we run a structural current account deficit and the opposite side of that is a capital account surplus. Um which is that funds flow in the rest of the world and buy our financial assets. Uh and so it's the the trade deficit is often described as us sending out pieces of paper and getting goods and services which sounds like a really good deal.
(05:57) Um but then the extra step of that that you mentioned is that they take those slips of paper or really those electronic digits that they have and then they buy our stocks, they buy our real estate, they buy our private equity, they they buy our corporate bonds and government bonds and so they end up owning a larger and larger share of corporate America as part of their kind of accumulated uh trade surpluses uh and reserve assets and uh international private assets.
(06:22) Um, and the kind of the consequence of this, if you kind of like view the foreign sector as an intermediary, we're basically constantly kind of taking economic vibrancy out of, you know, Michigan and Ohio and, uh, you know, rural Pennsylvania where the steel m -
@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-05-20 10:45:31The new website is finally live! I put in a lot of hard work over the past months on it. I'm proud to say that it's out now and it looks pretty cool, at least to me!
Why rewrite it all?
The old kycnot.me site was built using Python with Flask about two years ago. Since then, I've gained a lot more experience with Golang and coding in general. Trying to update that old codebase, which had a lot of design flaws, would have been a bad idea. It would have been like building on an unstable foundation.
That's why I made the decision to rewrite the entire application. Initially, I chose to use SvelteKit with JavaScript. I did manage to create a stable site that looked similar to the new one, but it required Jav aScript to work. As I kept coding, I started feeling like I was repeating "the Python mistake". I was writing the app in a language I wasn't very familiar with (just like when I was learning Python at that mom ent), and I wasn't happy with the code. It felt like spaghetti code all the time.
So, I made a complete U-turn and started over, this time using Golang. While I'm not as proficient in Golang as I am in Python now, I find it to be a very enjoyable language to code with. Most aof my recent pr ojects have been written in Golang, and I'm getting the hang of it. I tried to make the best decisions I could and structure the code as well as possible. Of course, there's still room for improvement, which I'll address in future updates.
Now I have a more maintainable website that can scale much better. It uses a real database instead of a JSON file like the old site, and I can add many more features. Since I chose to go with Golang, I mad e the "tradeoff" of not using JavaScript at all, so all the rendering load falls on the server. But I believe it's a tradeoff that's worth it.
What's new
- UI/UX - I've designed a new logo and color palette for kycnot.me. I think it looks pretty cool and cypherpunk. I am not a graphic designer, but I think I did a decent work and I put a lot of thinking on it to make it pleasant!
- Point system - The new point system provides more detailed information about the listings, and can be expanded to cover additional features across all services. Anyone can request a new point!
- ToS Scrapper: I've implemented a powerful automated terms-of-service scrapper that collects all the ToS pages from the listings. It saves you from the hassle of reading the ToS by listing the lines that are suspiciously related to KYC/AML practices. This is still in development and it will improve for sure, but it works pretty fine right now!
- Search bar - The new search bar allows you to easily filter services. It performs a full-text search on the Title, Description, Category, and Tags of all the services. Looking for VPN services? Just search for "vpn"!
- Transparency - To be more transparent, all discussions about services now take place publicly on GitLab. I won't be answering any e-mails (an auto-reply will prompt to write to the corresponding Gitlab issue). This ensures that all service-related matters are publicly accessible and recorded. Additionally, there's a real-time audits page that displays database changes.
- Listing Requests - I have upgraded the request system. The new form allows you to directly request services or points without any extra steps. In the future, I plan to enable requests for specific changes to parts of the website.
- Lightweight and fast - The new site is lighter and faster than its predecessor!
- Tor and I2P - At last! kycnot.me is now officially on Tor and I2P!
How?
This rewrite has been a labor of love, in the end, I've been working on this for more than 3 months now. I don't have a team, so I work by myself on my free time, but I find great joy in helping people on their private journey with cryptocurrencies. Making it easier for individuals to use cryptocurrencies without KYC is a goal I am proud of!
If you appreciate my work, you can support me through the methods listed here. Alternatively, feel free to send me an email with a kind message!
Technical details
All the code is written in Golang, the website makes use of the chi router for the routing part. I also make use of BigCache for caching database requests. There is 0 JavaScript, so all the rendering load falls on the server, this means it needed to be efficient enough to not drawn with a few users since the old site was reporting about 2M requests per month on average (note that this are not unique users).
The database is running with mariadb, using gorm as the ORM. This is more than enough for this project. I started working with an
sqlite
database, but I ended up migrating to mariadb since it works better with JSON.The scraper is using chromedp combined with a series of keywords, regex and other logic. It runs every 24h and scraps all the services. You can find the scraper code here.
The frontend is written using Golang Templates for the HTML, and TailwindCSS plus DaisyUI for the CSS classes framework. I also use some plain CSS, but it's minimal.
The requests forms is the only part of the project that requires JavaScript to be enabled. It is needed for parsing some from fields that are a bit complex and for the "captcha", which is a simple Proof of Work that runs on your browser, destinated to avoid spam. For this, I use mCaptcha.
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 03:01:18I've pulled together the most compelling forward-looking predictions from our recent podcast conversations. These insights highlight where our guests see opportunities and challenges in the Bitcoin ecosystem, energy markets, and beyond.
AI Agents Will Drive Bitcoin Adoption More Than Human Users by 2030 - Andrew Myers
Andrew Myers described how the artificial intelligence revolution will fundamentally transform Bitcoin usage patterns over the next few years. He highlighted Paul's tweet that suggested machine-to-machine transactions using Bitcoin will soon dominate the network.
"We talk about Bitcoin being used as a medium of exchange. We're going to find that the machines are doing most of that exchange at some point relatively soon," Andrew explained. "The agents using Bitcoin to complete tasks using something like L4 or two protocol is going to far surpass the amount of transactions that humans are doing to do things in their everyday lives."
Andrew believes AI agents will naturally gravitate toward Bitcoin because it's more energy-efficient from a computational perspective than traditional payment rails. As AI systems optimize for energy efficiency, Bitcoin's direct settlement mechanism becomes increasingly attractive compared to legacy financial infrastructure. This shift could accelerate Bitcoin adoption in ways we haven't fully anticipated, creating a new category of machine-driven demand.
CalPERS Funding Status Will Drop Below 70% by June 2025 - Dom Bei
Dom Bei, who's running for the Board of Trustees at CalPERS, made a concerning prediction about America's largest public pension fund. Currently sitting at approximately 75% funded, Dom warned the situation could deteriorate further after recent tariff-related markdowns.
"They say that the fund had a $26 billion markdown, which if my math is correct, would bring the fund closer towards the 70% funded number," Dom explained. He noted the fund needs to recover these losses before the June 30, 2025 reporting deadline, or face serious consequences.
If CalPERS funding status drops below 70%, Dom predicts a familiar pattern will unfold: municipalities and taxpayers will face higher contribution rates to cover the shortfall, diverting money from essential services like parks, schools, and public safety. This would likely trigger another round of pension reform debates targeting worker benefits, despite similar reforms in 2013 failing to address the fundamental performance issues plaguing the fund.
Energy Companies Will Incorporate Bitcoin Into Settlements Within 3 Years - Andrew Myers
Andrew Myers outlined a compelling vision for Bitcoin's integration into energy markets, predicting that by 2027 (block 1,050,000), we'll see widespread adoption of Bitcoin for energy transactions and settlements. He described his company's mission as enabling "every electric power company to use bitcoin by block 1,050,000."
"Our mantra for Bitcoin is fast, accurate, transparent energy transactions," Andrew explained. He highlighted several inefficiencies in current energy markets that Bitcoin could solve, including: Information asymmetry between energy buyers and sellers. Slow 30-day billing cycles creating unnecessary credit risk
Capital locked up in prepayments, deposits, and collateral requirements.Andrew revealed that his team has already prototyped a Bitcoin collateral product and that a major energy company in Texas is currently building similar functionality. He predicts these early implementations will demonstrate Bitcoin's potential to unlock billions in working capital across the energy sector through faster settlement and reduced collateral requirements.
Most significantly, Andrew mentioned early discussions with independent system operators about modifying power market protocols to incorporate Bitcoin as an alternative settlement mechanism alongside the US dollar.
Blockspace conducts cutting-edge proprietary research for investors.
Bitcoin Miners Face Hard Choices as AI Data Centers Pick Prime Locations
Bitcoin miners hoping to cash in on the AI boom by selling their facilities to hyperscalers are finding fewer opportunities than expected. With mining economics dimming and specific buyer requirements limiting potential deals, the industry faces significant challenges.
Christian Lopez, Head of Blockchain and Digital Assets at Cohen and Company Capital Markets, notes a "glut of bitcoin mines" currently on the market. While miners control substantial power resources, hyperscalers typically demand facilities with at least 150-200 megawatts capacity within 100 miles of major cities—criteria most mining operations don't meet.
An estimated 1-1.5 gigawatts of mining capacity is available for acquisition, creating downward pressure on power prices. This oversupply stems from both deteriorating mining economics and overoptimistic AI-related expectations. The valuation gap remains a persistent obstacle: "Buyers face the critical 'buy versus build' question," Lopez explains. While buyers typically value sites at $300,000-$500,000 per megawatt plus a modest premium, sellers often seek $1.5-$2 million per megawatt based on public company valuations.
Adding to these challenges, retrofitting mining sites for high-performance computing often requires completely reconstructing the power infrastructure rather than leveraging existing setups. Despite current difficulties, industry sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, with many experts predicting Bitcoin could reach $125,000-$200,000 by late 2025.
Subscribe to them here (seriously, you should): https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com/
Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150M across 30+ companies through three funds. I am a Managing Partner at Ten31 and am very proud of the work we are doing. Learn more at ten31.vc/invest.
Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/
Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:
@media screen and (max-width: 480px) { .mobile-padding { padding: 10px 0 !important; } .social-container { width: 100% !important; max-width: 260px !important; } .social-icon { padding: 0 !important; } .social-icon img { height: 32px !important; width: 32px !important; } .icon-cell { padding: 0 4px !important; } } .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } .moz-text-html .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } /* Helps with rendering in various email clients */ body { margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; } img { -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; } /* Prevents Gmail from changing the text color in email threads */ .im { color: inherit !important; }
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-14 05:56:15Shanghai: Bus Stops Here
A new crowd-sourced transit platform allows riders to propose, vote on, and activate new bus lines in as little as three days.
From early-morning school drop-offs to seniors booking rides to the hospital, from suburban commuters seeking a faster link to the metro to families visiting ancestral graves, Shanghai is rolling out a new kind of public bus — one that’s designed by commuters, and launched only when enough riders request it.
Branded “DZ” for dingzhi, or “customized,” the system invites residents to submit proposed routes through a city-run platform. Others with similar travel needs can opt in or vote, and if demand meets the threshold — typically 15 to 20 passengers per trip — the route goes live.
More than 220 DZ routes have already launched across all 16 city districts. Through an online platform opened May 8, users enter start and end points, preferred times, and trip frequency. If approved, routes can begin running in as little as three days.
Continue reading at https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1017072
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/979637
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:39Bahrain-based Al Abraaj Restaurants Group has made history by becoming the first publicly-traded company in the Middle East to add bitcoin to its corporate treasury. This is a major step forward for regional bitcoin adoption.
On May 15, 2025, Al Abraaj Restaurants Group, a well-known restaurant chain listed on the Bahrain Bourse, announced it had bought 5 bitcoin (BTC) as part of a new treasury strategy. This makes the company the first in Bahrain, the GCC and the Middle East to officially hold bitcoin as a reserve asset.
Al Abraaj adds bitcoin to its treasury — Zawya
This is a growing trend globally where companies are treating bitcoin not just as an investment but as a long-term store of value. Major companies like Strategy, Tesla and Metaplanet have already done this — and now Al Abraaj is following suit.
Metaplanet recently added 1,241 BTC to its treasury, boosting the company’s holdings above El Salvador’s.
Related: Metaplanet Overtakes El Salvador in Bitcoin Holdings After $126M Purchase
“Our initiative towards becoming a Bitcoin Treasury Company reflects our forward-thinking approach and dedication to maximizing shareholder value,” said Abdulla Isa, Chairman of the Bitcoin Treasury Committee at Al Abraaj.
Al Abraaj’s move is largely inspired by Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy, the world’s largest corporate holder of bitcoin. Saylor’s strategy of allocating billions to bitcoin has set a model that other companies — now including Al Abraaj — are following.
A photo shared by the company even showed a meeting between an Al Abraaj representative and Saylor, with the company calling itself the “MicroStrategy of the Middle East”.
“We believe that Bitcoin will play a pivotal role in the future of finance, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this transformation in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Isa added.
To support its bitcoin initiative, Al Abraaj has partnered with 10X Capital, a New York-based investment firm that specializes in digital assets.
10X Capital has a strong track record in bitcoin treasury strategies, and recently advised Nakamoto Holdings on a $710 million deal — the largest of its kind.
With 10X’s help, Al Abraaj looks to raise more capital and increase its bitcoin holdings over time to maximize bitcoin-per-share for its investors. The company will also develop Sharia-compliant financial instruments so Islamic investors can get exposure to bitcoin in a halal way.
“Bahrain continues to be a leader in the Middle East in Bitcoin adoption,” said Hans Thomas, CEO of 10X Capital. He noted, with a combined GDP of $2.2 trillion and over $6 trillion in sovereign wealth, the GCC now has its first publicly listed bitcoin treasury company.
This is not just a first for Al Abraaj — it’s a first for the region. Bahrain has been positioning itself as a fintech hub and Al Abraaj’s move will encourage more non-fintech companies in the region to look into bitcoin.
The company said the decision was made after thorough due diligence and is in line with the regulations set by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). Al Abraaj will be fully compliant with all digital asset transaction rules, including transparency, security and governance.
A special Bitcoin Committee has been formed to oversee the treasury strategy. It includes experienced bitcoin investors, financial experts and portfolio managers who will manage risk, monitor market conditions and ensure best practices in custody and disclosure.
The initial purchase was 5 BTC, but Al Abraaj sees this as just the beginning. The company stated that there are plans in motion to allocate a significant portion of their treasury into bitcoin over time.
According to the company’s reports, Al Abraaj is financially sound with $12.5 million in EBITDA in 2024. This strong financial foundation gives the company the confidence to explore new strategies like bitcoin investment.
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:38Steak ‘n Shake recently made headlines by officially accepting bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network across all its U.S. locations. The integration of Bitcoin payments at over 500 locations is a monumental moment for both the fast food industry and the broader retail sector.
This is not just something that Steak ‘n Shake is testing in a handful of locations, they are doing a full-scale rollout, fully embracing Bitcoin.
With more than 100 million customers a year, Steak ‘n Shake’s integration of Lightning—Bitcoin’s fast, low-fee payment layer—makes it easier than ever to use Bitcoin in day-to-day life. Buying a burger and a shake with sats? That’s now a real option.
The process is straightforward. Customers simply scan a Lightning QR code at the register, completing their payment in seconds, while Steak ‘n Shake receives instant USD conversion, ensuring price stability and ease of use.
So what does this mean for Bitcoin and E-commerce?
For starters, Steak ‘n Shake becomes the first of eventually many to fully embrace a digital world. As Bitcoin continues to grow, consumers will continue to realize the benefits of saving in a currency that is truly scarce and decentralized.
This is a huge step forward for Bitcoin as it shows it is not just for holding, it’s for spending, too. And by using the Lightning Network, Steak n’ Shake is helping prove that Bitcoin can scale for everyday transactions.
This now creates a seamless checkout experience, making bitcoin a viable alternative to credit cards and cash.
More importantly, it signals a significant shift in mainstream attitudes towards Bitcoin. As a well-known brand across America, this move serves as a powerful endorsement, likely to influence other chains and retailers to consider similar integrations.
Related: Spar Supermarket in Switzerland Now Accepts Bitcoin Via Lightning
What can this mean for your business?
Accepting bitcoin as payment can open the door to a new demographic of tech-savvy, financially engaged consumers who prefer digital assets.
As we know, companies that adopt Bitcoin receive a fascinating amount of love from the Bitcoin community and I would assume Steak n’ Shake will be receiving the same amount of attention.
From a business perspective, accepting bitcoin has become more than just a payment method—it’s a marketing tool. It sets your business apart and gets people talking. And in a crowded market, that kind of edge matters.
Steak ‘n Shake’s embrace of Bitcoin is likely to accelerate the adoption of digital assets in both physical retail and e-commerce.
As more businesses witness the operational and marketing benefits, industry experts anticipate a ripple effect that will increase interaction between consumers and digital currencies, further regulatory clarity, and bring continued innovation in payment technology.
Steak ‘n Shake’s nationwide Bitcoin payments rollout is more than a novelty. It’s a pivotal development for digital payments, setting a precedent for other retailers and signaling the growing integration of digital assets into everyday commerce.
-
@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-05-20 10:45:29Know Your Customer is a regulation that requires companies of all sizes to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship with a customer. Such procedures fit within the broader scope of anti-money laundering (AML) and counterterrorism financing (CTF) regulations.
Banks, exchanges, online business, mail providers, domain registrars... Everyone wants to know who you are before you can even opt for their service. Your personal information is flowing around the internet in the hands of "god-knows-who" and secured by "trust-me-bro military-grade encryption". Once your account is linked to your personal (and verified) identity, tracking you is just as easy as keeping logs on all these platforms.
Rights for Illusions
KYC processes aim to combat terrorist financing, money laundering, and other illicit activities. On the surface, KYC seems like a commendable initiative. I mean, who wouldn't want to halt terrorists and criminals in their tracks?
The logic behind KYC is: "If we mandate every financial service provider to identify their users, it becomes easier to pinpoint and apprehend the malicious actors."
However, terrorists and criminals are not precisely lining up to be identified. They're crafty. They may adopt false identities or find alternative strategies to continue their operations. Far from being outwitted, many times they're several steps ahead of regulations. Realistically, KYC might deter a small fraction – let's say about 1% ^1 – of these malefactors. Yet, the cost? All of us are saddled with the inconvenient process of identification just to use a service.
Under the rhetoric of "ensuring our safety", governments and institutions enact regulations that seem more out of a dystopian novel, gradually taking away our right to privacy.
To illustrate, consider a city where the mayor has rolled out facial recognition cameras in every nook and cranny. A band of criminals, intent on robbing a local store, rolls in with a stolen car, their faces obscured by masks and their bodies cloaked in all-black clothes. Once they've committed the crime and exited the city's boundaries, they switch vehicles and clothes out of the cameras' watchful eyes. The high-tech surveillance? It didn’t manage to identify or trace them. Yet, for every law-abiding citizen who merely wants to drive through the city or do some shopping, their movements and identities are constantly logged. The irony? This invasive tracking impacts all of us, just to catch the 1% ^1 of less-than-careful criminals.
KYC? Not you.
KYC creates barriers to participation in normal economic activity, to supposedly stop criminals. ^2
KYC puts barriers between many users and businesses. One of these comes from the fact that the process often requires multiple forms of identification, proof of address, and sometimes even financial records. For individuals in areas with poor record-keeping, non-recognized legal documents, or those who are unbanked, homeless or transient, obtaining these documents can be challenging, if not impossible.
For people who are not skilled with technology or just don't have access to it, there's also a barrier since KYC procedures are mostly online, leaving them inadvertently excluded.
Another barrier goes for the casual or one-time user, where they might not see the value in undergoing a rigorous KYC process, and these requirements can deter them from using the service altogether.
It also wipes some businesses out of the equation, since for smaller businesses, the costs associated with complying with KYC norms—from the actual process of gathering and submitting documents to potential delays in operations—can be prohibitive in economical and/or technical terms.
You're not welcome
Imagine a swanky new club in town with a strict "members only" sign. You hear the music, you see the lights, and you want in. You step up, ready to join, but suddenly there's a long list of criteria you must meet. After some time, you are finally checking all the boxes. But then the club rejects your membership with no clear reason why. You just weren't accepted. Frustrating, right?
This club scenario isn't too different from the fact that KYC is being used by many businesses as a convenient gatekeeping tool. A perfect excuse based on a "legal" procedure they are obliged to.
Even some exchanges may randomly use this to freeze and block funds from users, claiming these were "flagged" by a cryptic system that inspects the transactions. You are left hostage to their arbitrary decision to let you successfully pass the KYC procedure. If you choose to sidestep their invasive process, they might just hold onto your funds indefinitely.
Your identity has been stolen
KYC data has been found to be for sale on many dark net markets^3. Exchanges may have leaks or hacks, and such leaks contain very sensitive data. We're talking about the full monty: passport or ID scans, proof of address, and even those awkward selfies where you're holding up your ID next to your face. All this data is being left to the mercy of the (mostly) "trust-me-bro" security systems of such companies. Quite scary, isn't it?
As cheap as $10 for 100 documents, with discounts applying for those who buy in bulk, the personal identities of innocent users who passed KYC procedures are for sale. ^3
In short, if you have ever passed the KYC/AML process of a crypto exchange, your privacy is at risk of being compromised, or it might even have already been compromised.
(they) Know Your Coins
You may already know that Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies have a transparent public blockchain, meaning that all data is shown unencrypted for everyone to see and recorded forever. If you link an address you own to your identity through KYC, for example, by sending an amount from a KYC exchange to it, your Bitcoin is no longer pseudonymous and can then be traced.
If, for instance, you send Bitcoin from such an identified address to another KYC'ed address (say, from a friend), everyone having access to that address-identity link information (exchanges, governments, hackers, etc.) will be able to associate that transaction and know who you are transacting with.
Conclusions
To sum up, KYC does not protect individuals; rather, it's a threat to our privacy, freedom, security and integrity. Sensible information flowing through the internet is thrown into chaos by dubious security measures. It puts borders between many potential customers and businesses, and it helps governments and companies track innocent users. That's the chaos KYC has stirred.
The criminals are using stolen identities from companies that gathered them thanks to these very same regulations that were supposed to combat them. Criminals always know how to circumvent such regulations. In the end, normal people are the most affected by these policies.
The threat that KYC poses to individuals in terms of privacy, security and freedom is not to be neglected. And if we don’t start challenging these systems and questioning their efficacy, we are just one step closer to the dystopian future that is now foreseeable.
Edited 20/03/2024 * Add reference to the 1% statement on Rights for Illusions section to an article where Chainalysis found that only 0.34% of the transaction volume with cryptocurrencies in 2023 was attributable to criminal activity ^1
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 02:01:14Marty's Bent
via me
It seems like every other day there's another company announced that is going public with the intent of competing with Strategy by leveraging capital markets to create financial instruments to acquire Bitcoin in a way that is accretive for shareholders. This is certainly a very interesting trend, very bullish for bitcoin in the short-term, and undoubtedly making it so bitcoin is top of mind in the mainstream. I won't pretend to know whether or not these strategies will ultimately be successful or fail in the short, medium or long term. However, one thing I do know is that the themes that interest me, both here at TFTC and in my role as Managing Partner at Ten31, are companies that are building good businesses that are efficient, have product-market-fit, generate revenues and profits and roll those profits into bitcoin.
While it seems pretty clear that Strategy has tapped into an arbitrage that exists in capital markets, it's not really that exciting. From a business perspective, it's actually pretty straightforward and simple; find where potential arbitrage opportunities exists between pools of capital looking for exposure to spot bitcoin or bitcoin's volatility but can't buy the actual asset, and provide them with products that give them access to exposure while simultaneously creating a cult-like retail following. Rinse and repeat. To the extent that this strategy is repeatable is yet to be seen. I imagine it can expand pretty rapidly. Particularly if we have a speculative fervor around companies that do this. But in the long run, I think the signal is falling back to first principles, looking for businesses that are actually providing goods and services to the broader economy - not focused on the hyper-financialized part of the economy - to provide value and create efficiencies that enable higher margins and profitability.
With this in mind, I think it's important to highlight the combined leverage that entrepreneurs have by utilizing bitcoin treasuries and AI tools that are emerging and becoming more advanced by the week. As I said in the tweet above, there's never been a better time to start a business that finds product-market fit and cash flows quickly with a team of two to three people. If you've been reading this rag over the last few weeks, you know that I've been experimenting with these AI tools and using them to make our business processes more efficient here at TFTC. I've also been using them at Ten31 to do deep research and analysis.
It has become abundantly clear to me that any founder or entrepreneur that is not utilizing the AI tools that are emerging is going to get left behind. As it stands today, all anyone has to do to get an idea from a thought in your head to the prototype stage to a minimum viable product is to hop into something like Claude or ChatGPT, have a brief conversation with an AI model that can do deep research about a particular niche that you want to provide a good service to and begin building.
Later this week, I will launch an app called Opportunity Cost in the Chrome and Firefox stores. It took me a few hours of work over the span of a week to ideate and iterate on the concept to the point where I had a working prototype that I handed off to a developer who is solving the last mile problem I have as an "idea guy" of getting the product to market. Only six months ago, accomplishing something like this would have been impossible for me. I've never written a line of code that's actually worked outside of the modded MySpace page I made back in middle school. I've always had a lot of ideas but have never been able to effectively communicate them to developers who can actually build them. With a combination of ChatGPT-03 and Replit, I was able to build an actual product that works. I'm using it in my browser today. It's pretty insane.
There are thousands of people coming to the same realization at the same time right now and going out there and building niche products very cheaply, with small teams, they are getting to market very quickly, and are amassing five figures, six figures, sometimes seven figures of MRR with extremely high profit margins. What most of these entrepreneurs have not really caught on to yet is that they should be cycling a portion - in my opinion, a large portion - of those profits into bitcoin. The combination of building a company utilizing these AI tools, getting it to market, getting revenue and profits, and turning those profits into bitcoin cannot be understated. You're going to begin seeing teams of one to ten people building businesses worth billions of dollars and they're going to need to store the value they create, any money that cannot be debased.
Grant Gilliam, one of the co-founders of Ten31, wrote about this in early 2024, bitcoin being the fourth lever of equity value growth for companies.
[
Bitcoin Treasury - The Fourth Lever to Equity Value Growth
Most companies do not hold enough bitcoin There is a saying you often hear in bitcoin circles that “you can never have enough bitcoin.” This is typically expressed by those who have spent the time to both understand bitcoin’s unique and superior monetary properties and also to appreciate why tho
Ten31 - Investors in bitcoin infrastructure and freedom techGrant Gilliam
](https://ten31.vc/insights/treasury?ref=tftc.io)
We already see this theme playing out at Ten31 with some of our portfolio companies, most notably Strike, which recently released some of their financials, highlighting the fact that they're extremely profitable with high margins and a relatively small team (~75). This is extremely impressive, especially when you consider the fact that they're a global company competing with the likes of Coinbase and Block, which have each thousands of employees.
Even those who are paying attention to the developments in the AI space and how the tools can enable entrepreneurs to build faster aren't really grasping the gravity of what's at play here. Many are simply thinking of consumer apps that can be built and distributed quickly to market, but the ways in which AI can be implemented extend far beyond the digital world. Here's a great example of a company a fellow freak is building with the mindset of keeping the team small, utilizing AI tools to automate processes and quickly push profits into bitcoin.
via Cormac
Again, this is where the exciting things are happening in my mind. People leveraging new tools to solve real problems to drive real value that ultimately produce profits for entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs who decide to save those profits in bitcoin will find that the equity value growth of their companies accelerates exponentially as they provide more value, gain more traction, and increase their profits while also riding the bitcoin as it continues on its monetization phase. The compounded leverage of building a company that leverages AI tools and sweeps profits into bitcoin is going to be the biggest asymmetric play of the next decade. Personally, I also see it as something that's much more fulfilling than the pure play bitcoin treasury companies that are coming to market because consumers and entrepreneurs are able to recive and provide a ton of value in the real economy.
If you're looking to stay on top of the developments in the AI space and how you can apply the tools to help build your business or create a new business, I highly recommend you follow somebody like Greg Isenberg, whose Startup Ideas Podcast has been incredibly valuable for me as I attempt to get a lay of the land of how to implement AI into my businesses.
America's Two Economies
In my recent podcast with Lyn Alden, she outlined how our trade deficits create a cycle that's reshaping America's economic geography. As Alden explained, US trade deficits pump dollars into international markets, but these dollars don't disappear - they return as investments in US financial assets. This cycle gradually depletes industrial heartlands while enriching financial centers on the coasts, creating what amounts to two separate American economies.
"We're basically constantly taking economic vibrancy out of Michigan and Ohio and rural Pennsylvania where the steel mills were... and stuffing it back into financial assets in New York and Silicon Valley." - Lyn Alden
This pattern has persisted for over four decades, accelerating significantly since the early 1980s. Alden emphasized that while economists may argue there's still room before reaching a crisis point, the political consequences are already here. The growing divide between these two Americas has fueled populist sentiment as voters who feel left behind seek economic rebalancing, even if they can't articulate the exact mechanisms causing their hardship.
Check out the full podcast here for more on China's man
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 02:01:14Marty's Bent
Last week we covered the bombshell developments in the Samourai Wallet case. For those who didn't read that, last Monday the world was made aware of the fact that the SDNY was explicitly told by FinCEN that the federal regulator did not believe that Samourai Wallet was a money services business six months before arresting the co-founders of Samourai Wallet for conspiracy to launder money and illegally operating a money services business. This was an obvious overstep by the SDNY that many believed would be quickly alleviated, especially considering the fact that the Trump administration via the Department of Justice has made it clear that they do not intend to rule via prosecution.
It seems that this is not the case as the SDNY responded to a letter sent from the defense to dismiss the case by stating that they fully plan to move forward. Stating that they only sought the recommendations of FinCEN employees and did not believe that those employees' comments were indicative of FinCEN's overall views on this particular case. It's a pretty egregious abuse of power by the SDNY. I'm not sure if the particular lawyers and judges within the Southern District of New York are very passionate about preventing the use of self-custody bitcoin and products that enable bitcoiners to transact privately, or if they're simply participating in a broader meta war with the Trump administration - who has made it clear to federal judges across the country that last Fall's election will have consequences, mainly that the Executive Branch will try to effectuate the policies that President Trump campaigned on by any legal means necessary - and Samouari Wallet is simply in the middle of that meta war.
However, one thing is pretty clear to me, this is an egregious overstep of power. The interpretation of that law, as has been laid out and confirmed by FinCEN over the last decade, is pretty clear; you cannot be a money services business if you do not control the funds that people are sending to each other, which is definitely the case with Samourai Wallet. People downloaded Samourai Wallet, spun up their own private-public key pairs and initiated transactions themselves. Samourai never custodied funds or initiated transactions on behalf of their users. This is very cut and dry. Straight to the point. It should be something that anyone with more than two brain cells is able to discern pretty quickly.
It is imperative that anybody in the industry who cares about being able to hold bitcoin in self-custody, to mine bitcoin, and to send bitcoin in a peer-to-peer fashion makes some noise around this case. None of the current administration's attempts to foster innovation around bitcoin in the United States will matter if the wrong precedent is set in this case. If the SDNY is successful in prosecuting Samourai Wallet, it will mean that anybody holding Bitcoin in self-custody, running a bitcoin fold node or mining bitcoin will have to KYC all of their users and counterparts lest they be labeled a money services business that is breaking laws stemming from the Bank Secrecy Act. This will effectively make building a self-custody bitcoin wallet, running a node, or mining bitcoin in tillegal in the United States. The ability to comply with the rules that would be unleashed if this Samourai case goes the wrong way, are such that it will effectively destroy the industry overnight.
It is yet to be seen whether or not the Department of Justice will step in to publicly flog the SDNY and force them to stop pursuing this case. This is the only likely way that the case will go away at this point, so it is very important that bitcoiners who care about being able to self-custody bitcoin, mine bitcoin, or send bitcoin in a peer-to-peer fashion in the United States make it clear to the current administration and any local politicians that this is an issue that you care deeply about. If we are too complacent, there is a chance that the SDNY could completely annihilate the bitcoin industry in America despite of all of the positive momentum we're seeing from all angles at the moment.
Bitcoin Adoption by Power Companies: The Next Frontier
In my recent conversation with Andrew Myers from Satoshi Energy, he shared their ambitious mission to "enable every electric power company to use bitcoin by block 1,050,000" – roughly three years from now. This strategic imperative isn't just about creating new Bitcoin users; it's about sovereignty. Andrew emphasized that getting Bitcoin into the hands of energy companies who value self-sovereignty creates a more balanced future economic landscape. The excitement was palpable as he described how several energy companies are already moving beyond simply selling power to Bitcoin miners and are beginning to invest in mining operations themselves.
"You have global commodity companies being like, 'Oh, this is another commodity – we want to invest in this, we want to own this,'" - Andrew Myers
Perhaps most fascinating was Andrew's revelation about major energy companies in Texas developing Bitcoin collateral products for power contracts – a practical application that could revolutionize how energy transactions are settled. As energy companies continue embracing Bitcoin for both operations and collateral, we're witnessing the early stages of a profound shift in how critical infrastructure interfaces with sound money. The implications for both sectors could be transformative.
Check out the full podcast here for more on remote viewing, Nikola Tesla's predictions, and the convergence of Bitcoin and AI technology. We cover everything from humanoid robots to the energy demands of next-generation computing.
Headlines of the Day
Steak n Shake to Accept Bitcoin at All Locations May 16 - via X
Facebook Plans Crypto Wallets for 3B Users, Bitcoin Impact Looms - via X
Trump Urges Americans to Buy Stocks for Economic Boom - via X
UK Drops Tariffs, U.S. Farmers Set to Reap Major Benefits - via X
Looking for the perfect video to push the smartest person you know from zero to one on bitcoin? Bitcoin, Not Crypto is a three-part master class from Parker Lewis and Dhruv Bansal that cuts through the noise—covering why 21 million was the key technical simplification that made bitcoin possible, why blockchains don’t create decentralization, and why everything else will be built on bitcoin.
Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150M across 30+ companies through three funds. I am a Managing Partner at Ten31 and am very proud of the work we are doing. Learn more at ten31.vc/invest.
Final thought...
Happy belated Mother's Day to all the moms out there.
Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/
Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:
@media screen and (max-width: 480px) { .mobile-padding { padding: 10px 0 !important; } .social-container { width: 100% !important; max-width: 260px !important; } .social-icon { padding: 0 !important; } .social-icon img { height: 32px !important; width: 32px !important; } .icon-cell { padding: 0 4px !important; } } .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } .moz-text-html .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } /* Helps with rendering in various email clients */ body { margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; } img { -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; } /* Prevents Gmail from changing the text color in email threads */ .im { color: inherit !important; }
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 02:01:14Marty's Bent
via Kevin McKernan
There's been a lot of discussion this week about Casey Means being nominated for Surgeon General of the United States and a broader overarching conversation about the effectiveness of MAHA since the inauguration and how effective it may or may not be moving forward. Many would say that President Trump won re-election due to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan deciding to reach across the aisle and join the Trump ticket, bringing with them the MAHA Moms, who are very focused on reorienting the healthcare system in the United States with a strong focus on the childhood vaccine schedule.
I'm not going to lie, this is something I'm passionate about as well, particularly after having many conversations over the years with doctors like Kevin McKernan, Dr. Jack Kruse, Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, Dr. Brooke Miller, Dr. Peter McCullough and others about the dangers of the COVID mRNA vaccines. As it stands today, I think this is the biggest elephant in the room in the world of healthcare. If you look at the data, particularly disability claims, life insurance claims, life expectancy, miscarriage rates, fertility issues and rates of turbo cancer around the world since the COVID vaccine was introduced in 2021, it seems pretty clear that there is harm being done to many of the people who have taken them.
The risk-reward ratio of the vaccines seems to be incredibly skewed towards risk over reward and children - who have proven to be least susceptible to COVID - are expected to get three COVID shots in the first year of their life if their parents follow the vaccine schedule. For some reason or another it seems that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has shied away from this topic after becoming the head of Health and Human Services within the Trump administration. This is after a multi-year campaign during which getting the vaccines removed from the market war a core part of his platform messaging.
I'm still holding out hope that sanity will prevail. The COVID mRNA vaccines will be taken off the market in a serious conversation about the crimes against humanity that unfolded during the COVID years will take place. However, we cannot depend on that outcome. We must build with the assumption in mind that that outcome may never materialize. This leads to identifying where the incentives within the system are misconstrued. One area where I think it's pretty safe to say that the incentives are misaligned is the fact that 95% of doctors work for and answer to a corporation driven by their bottom line. Instead of listening to their patients and truly caring about the outcome of each individual, doctors forced to think about the monetary outcome of the corporation they work for first.
The most pernicious way in which these misaligned incentives emerge is the way in which the hospital systems and physicians are monetarily incentivized by big pharma companies to push the COVID vaccine and other vaccines on their patients. It is important to acknowledge that we cannot be dependent on a system designed in this way to change from within. Instead, we must build a new incentive system and market structure. And obviously, if you're reading this newsletter, you know that I believe that bitcoin will play a pivotal role in realigning incentives across every industry. Healthcare just being one of them.
Bitcoiners have identified the need to become sovereign in our monetary matters, it probably makes sense to become sovereign when it comes to our healthcare as well. This means finding doctors who operate outside the corporate controlled system and are able to offer services that align incentives with the end patient. My family utilizes a combination of CrowdHealth and a private care physician to align incentives. We've even utilized a private care physician who allowed us to pay in Bitcoin for her services for a number of years. I think this is the model. Doctors accepting hard censorship resistant money for the healthcare and advice they provide. Instead of working for a corporation looking to push pharmaceutical products on their patients so they can bolster their bottom line, work directly with patients who will pay in bitcoin, which will appreciate in value over time.
I had a lengthy discussion with Dr. Jack Kruse on the podcast earlier today discussing these topic and more. It will be released on Thursday and I highly recommend you freaks check it out once it is published. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss it.
How the "Exorbitant Privilege" of the Dollar is Undermining Our Manufacturing Base
In my conversation with Lyn Alden, we explored America's fundamental economic contradiction. As Lyn expertly explained, maintaining the dollar's reserve currency status while attempting to reshore manufacturing presents a near-impossible challenge - what economists call Triffin's Dilemma. The world's appetite for dollars gives Americans tremendous purchasing power but simultaneously hollows out our industrial base. The overvalued dollar makes our exports less competitive, especially for lower-margin manufacturing, while our imports remain artificially strong.
"Having the reserve currency does come with a bunch of benefits, historically called an exorbitant privilege, but then it has certain costs to maintain it." - Lyn Alden
This dilemma forces America to run persistent trade deficits, as this is how dollars flow to the world. For over four decades, these deficits have accumulated, creating massive economic imbalances that can't be quickly reversed. The Trump administration's attempts to address this through tariffs showcase how difficult rebalancing has become. As Lyn warned, even if we successfully pivot toward reshoring manufacturing, we'll face difficult trade-offs: potentially giving up some reserve currency benefits to rebuild our industrial foundation. This isn't just economic theory - it's the restructuring challenge that will define America's economic future.
Check out the full podcast here for more on China's manufacturing dominance, the role of Bitcoin in monetary transitions, and energy production as the foundation for future industrial power.
Headlines of the Day
Coinbase to replace Discover in S&P 500 on May 19 - via X
Mallers promises no rehypothecation in Strike Bitcoin loans - via X
Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io
Missouri passes HB 594, eliminates Bitcoin capital gains tax - via X
The 2025 Bitcoin Policy Summit is set for June 25th—and it couldn’t come at a more important time. The Bitcoin industry is at a pivotal moment in Washington, with initiatives like the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve gaining rapid traction. Whether you’re a builder, advocate, academic, or policymaker—we want you at the table. Join us in DC to help define the future of freedom, money & innovation in the 21st century.
Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150M across 30+ companies through three funds. I am a Managing Partner at Ten31 and am very proud of the work we are doing. Learn more at ten31.vc/invest.
Final thought...
The 100+ degree days have returned to Austin, TX. Not mad about it... yet.
Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/
Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:
@media screen and (max-width: 480px) { .mobile-padding { padding: 10px 0 !important; } .social-container { width: 100% !important; max-width: 260px !important; } .social-icon { padding: 0 !important; } .social-icon img { height: 32px !important; width: 32px !important; } .icon-cell { padding: 0 4px !important; } } .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } .moz-text-html .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } /* Helps with rendering in various email clients */ body { margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; } img { -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; } /* Prevents Gmail from changing the text color in email threads */ .im { color: inherit !important; }
-
@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d
2025-05-13 16:49:23Testing Testing Testing
This is just a test this is just a test this is just a test This is just a test this is just a test this is just a test This is just a test this is just a test this is just a test This is just a test this is just a test this is just a test This is just a test this is just a test this is just a test This is just a test this is just a test this is just a test This is just a test this is just a test this is just a test
nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqg7waehxw309anx2etywvhxummnw3ezucnpdejz7ur0wp6kcctjqqspywh6ulgc0w3k6mwum97m7jkvtxh0lcjr77p9jtlc7f0d27wlxpslwvhau
| | | | | ------------------------ | - | - | | Quick'hthbdoiwenweuifier | | | | 1. Little | | |
ghtgehg
gwefjieqhf
MUCH BETTER
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 02:01:13Key Takeaways
Dr. Jack Kruse returns in this fiery episode to expose what he alleges is a coordinated campaign by Big Pharma, technocrats, and global elites to control public health narratives and financial systems through manipulated health policies and propaganda. He accuses figures like Calli and Casey Means of fronting a compromised "Maha Movement," backed by A16Z, Big Tech, and the World Economic Forum, with ambitions to embed themselves into U.S. health policy and bioweapons programs. Kruse details his covert efforts to expose these connections, claiming they led to the withdrawal of Casey Means' Surgeon General nomination, and warns of a looming biotechnocratic surveillance state where mRNA vaccines act as bioweapons to enforce compliance. Urging Bitcoiners to expand their fight for sovereignty beyond finance into healthcare and biology, Kruse argues that the true war is over time sovereignty—not just monetary freedom—and that protecting children from vaccine harms is now the most urgent front in this escalating battle.
Best Quotes
"Bitcoin is worthless if you have no time."
"We’re not playing games here. This is to the death."
"Big Pharma is just the drug dealer. The real boss is the Department of Defense and DARPA."
"The real battle in D.C. isn’t left vs. right, it’s Rothschilds and Rockefellers vs. the technocrats."
"First principle Bitcoiners need to become first principle decentralizers of life itself."
Conclusion
This episode delivers a provocative call to action from Dr. Jack Kruse, who warns that the fight for sovereignty must go beyond finance to confront what he sees as the immediate threat of centralized bio-surveillance through mRNA vaccines. Blending insider claims with health activism, Kruse urges Bitcoiners and the public to recognize that true freedom requires decentralizing not only money but also healthcare and information systems, arguing that without protecting biological sovereignty, Bitcoin’s promise of liberty will be meaningless if people are left physically, mentally, or politically compromised.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:47 - Outlining MAHA infiltration
22:59 - Fold & Bitkey
24:35- Danger to children
28:27 - Political shell game
35:40 - Unchained
36:09 - Time theft
41:07 - Vax data
46:32 - Bioweapon and control system
58:29 - Game plan - Decentralized yourself
1:15:16 - Priorities
1:24:30 - Support Mary Talley BowdenTranscript
(00:00) me, Larry Leard, those kind of Bitcoiners, the people that are out there that have money, like they're looking to take us out. You need to know a little bit about the back history that I don't think I've talked about anywhere on any other podcast. Rick Callie is linked to the current administration is through Susie Watts.
(00:17) They both were working at Mercury PR basically is the frontman for propaganda for Big Farm. Basically, who pays you? You become their [ __ ] We're not playing games here. This is to the death. This is the biggest issue facing Maha now. It's not Froot Loops. It's not red dye. But the messenger RA job can drop you like Demar Handler.
(00:40) Can end your career like JJ Watt. Dr. Jack Cruz, welcome back to the show. Thank you, sir, for having me. Well, thank you for being here. I mean, you're making a lot of noise around a topic that I wasn't well aware of. I'm not going to lie. I think I got duped by or we'll find out if I actually got duped by the meanses. Cali means was coming in last year talking big about Maja getting the food correct.
(01:15) Um, basically telling the story of him being a lobbyist and understanding how corrupt the food system is. And we talked about it last time we were on two months ago. this sort of maha movement has shifted towards focusing on preventative care particularly in diets and you were on the Danny Danny Jones show late last year with Cali means uh sort of pressuring him to admit that the vaccine should be pulled off the market and he did not did not bite and would not budge on that and now his sister Casey has been appointed to surgeon general and
(01:50) this is something Let me let me tell you a little bit about that because you need to know a little bit about the back history that I don't think I've talked about anywhere on any other podcast. She was going to be named surgeon general uh back then. Just so you know that I knew it and I knew quite a bit of other things.
(02:16) So what was my goal? I knew um that Cali and Casey were tied to big tech. They were tied specifically, which you'll be interested in, A16Z, the shitcoiners extraordinaire, and they were also tied to the World Economic Forum through the book deal. Um, so my goal at that time as part of the person that was big in the mob like, and Marty, I don't know if you know this back part of the story.
(02:46) Maha begins not with Casey and Cali and Bobby Kennedy. It began with me, Bobby, and Rick Rubin on Rick's podcast the day that I told RFK Jr. that SV40 was in the Fiser Jabs. Mhm. And that's when Bobby found out that I wrote the law for Blly for a constitutional amendment for medical freedom. And he asked me to use four pages of the law.
(03:13) And Blly cleared me to do that. And then Aaron Siri, who was Bobby's attorney and working with a lot of the stuff that Bobby does with vaccines and I can Aaron contacted me. So just so you're clear, this is two and a half years ago. This is before this is a year previous to Casey and Cali coming on the scene. And I was always behind the scenes.
(03:37) I was not really interested in getting involved um in the [ __ ] show. But when I saw these two show up, the way they showed up and when I heard Cali actually say on a podcast that, you know, he was the modus operande of the Maha movement and he's the one that brought Bobby and Trump together.
(04:02) I said, "That's where I draw a [ __ ] line." I'm like, "Uh-uh. These guys, I know exactly what they're going to do. I see the game plan. they're going to use a shell game and I needed to have proof before you can come out and be a savage. You got to have proof. So, I hired three former Secret Service agents to actually do a very deep dive.
(04:24) We're talking about the kind of dive that you would get uh if you were going for a Supreme Court nomination. Okay? It cost me a lot of money. And why did I think it was important? Because as you know, you know, as a Bitcoiner, you just saw the big scam that happened with Maya Paribu down in Cerninam that happened after.
(04:49) Well, when I hired these guys, when all of my research that I had done was confirmed by them, I said, "Okay, now we need to go on a podcast very publicly and we need to put Cali's feet to the fire." Why? because I knew and he did not know that I knew this prior to the podcast. Uh that his sister was going to be nominated for surgeon general then.
(05:14) And because he didn't know and you you'll be able to confirm this or the savages in your audience can confirm this with Danny Jones. Do you know that Cali cancelled the podcast to do it into uh February? Yeah. Well, I think it was April of 25 because he didn't want to give anybody the time and day.
(05:37) So, what did I start doing? I started posting some of the information back in November that I found and the links to the Wjikis and the links to Bin, the links to A16Z. I didn't didn't give a ton of the information, but let's just put it this way. enough to make Callie and Cassie scream a little bit that people in DC started to read all my tweets.
(06:04) And then he called Danny up and said, "Danny, I want to do this podcast immediately." And I knew the reason why. Cuz I was baiting him to come so I could hit him with the big stuff. Why? Because you have to understand these two kids, you know, tied to the Rockefellers. They're tied to the banking elite.
(06:26) They're tied to the World Economics Form. Rick Callie is linked to the current administration is through Susie Watts. They both were working at Mercury PR and uh Mercury PR uh basically is the frontman for propaganda for Big Farm and everybody knows that, but not everybody knew that Cali worked for them.
(06:50) And you know the story that he sold all you guys, how he fooled you. And I consider you a smart guy, a savage, it's not shocking how he fooled you because he said as a um a lobbyist basically who pays you, you become their [ __ ] to to be quite honest and you'll say things that will make sense. Everybody in creation who's going to watch your podcast knows that all the things that Casey and Cali have said have been said literally for 30, 40, 50 years going all the way back to probably Anel Peas about diet and exercise.
(07:25) Everybody [ __ ] knows that. It's not new. They just decided to repackage it up and then they actually got in Bobby's ear about it. And when I released all this stuff, did Bobby know what I had? Yeah, he knew. And did the people in DC all what all their antennas up about this issue? Who was most pissed off with Uncle Jack back then? Susie [ __ ] Walls.
(07:56) Why? because those two are her babies that were going to be the amber that Susie Cassidy Cassidy Big Farmer were going to place around um Bobby Kennedy once he got confirmed. And that's why for the savages that are listening to this podcast, you go back and look at Nicole's tweet from, you know, I guess it was about four or five days ago that this didn't make sense.
(08:20) Why? because I gave the data directly to the people in DC behind the scenes of what was really going on and because it was so explosive. That's the reason Susie had to not give the job to Casey Means. She had to wait till the heat died down. So they elevated Janette and Janette bas -
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:37Panama City may be the next Latin American city to adopt bitcoin, after El Salvador.
Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has got the bitcoin world excited after hinting that the city might have a bitcoin reserve. The speculation started on May 16 when Mizrachi posted a simple but powerful message on X:
Two words. That’s it. What makes it special is that it came after a high-profile meeting with Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert, two key figures behind El Salvador’s bitcoin strategy.
Keiser is an advisor to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and Herbert leads the country’s Bitcoin Office.
El Salvador became the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender back in 2021. Since then, it has been building a national bitcoin reserve, currently holding 6,179 BTC worth around $640 million. It’s also using geothermal energy to power bitcoin mining in an eco-friendly way.
El Salvador’s bitcoin treasury — Bitcoin.gob.sv
Mizrachi’s meeting with Keiser and Herbert was about how Panama could do the same. While the details of the conversation are private, Keiser shared on social media that the two countries will play a big role in the future of Bitcoin.
“Bitcoin is transforming Central America,” Keiser wrote. “El Salvador’s geothermal & Panama’s hydro-electric will power the Bitcoin revolution.”
Max Keiser on X
Panama with its hydroelectric power could be a hub for green bitcoin mining.
Mizrachi has not announced a bitcoin reserve plan nor submitted a proposal to the National Assembly. But his post and public appearances suggest it’s being considered.
He will be speaking at the upcoming Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas just days after his social media post. Many expect he will share more about Panama City’s bitcoin plans during his talk.
If Mizrachi pushes for a bitcoin reserve, he will need to work with national lawmakers to pass new legislation. So far, there is no evidence of that.
Even without a bitcoin reserve, Panama City is already going big on digital assets.
In April 2025, the city council approved a measure to allow residents to pay taxes, fees, fines and permits with digital currencies. Supported tokens are bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), USD Coin (USDC) and Tether (USDT).
To comply with financial laws, the city has partnered with a bank that instantly converts these digital assets into U.S. dollars. According to Mizrachi, this way it’s easier for residents to use digital assets and the city’s financial operations will be transparent and legal.
Another part of the meeting with El Salvador’s advisors was education.
Stacy Herbert confirmed that Panama City will be integrating El Salvador’s financial literacy book, “What is Money?” into their digital library system. The goal is to help students, teachers and the general public understand bitcoin and digital currencies in modern finance.
This is a trend in Latin America where countries are looking for alternatives to traditional banking systems. Inflation, economic instability and the rise of decentralized finance are forcing governments to look into new financial tools.
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 03:01:18Marty's Bent
It's been a hell of a week in Austin, Texas. The Texas Energy & Mining Summit was held at Bitcoin Park Austin on Tuesday and yesterday. Around 200 people from across the energy sector and the mining sector convened to discuss the current state of bitcoin mining, how it integrates with energy systems, and where things are going in the near to medium term. Representatives from ERCOT, Halliburton, and some of the largest mining companies in the world were in attendence. Across town, Bitcoin++ is holding their conference on mempools, which is fitting considering there is currently an ongoing debate about mempool policy and whether or not Bitcoin Core should eliminate the data limit on OP_RETURN.
I've had the pleasure of participating in both events. At the Texas Energy & Mining Summit I opened up the two-day event with the opening panel on why Texas is perfectly suited not only for bitcoin mining but for the bitcoin industry in general. Texas is a state that highly values private property rights, low taxes, and free market competition. It's become clear to me over the four years that I've lived in Texas that it is an incredible place to start a bitcoin business. The energy down here (pun intended) is palpable.
I also hosted the ending panel with Nick Gates from Priority Power, Will Cole from Zaprite and Jay Beddict from Foundry about what we have to look forward to through the rest of the year. I think the consensus was pretty clear on the panel, there's never been a more bullish setup for bitcoin historically. The political support we're getting here in the United States, the institutional adoption that we're seeing, and the fervor around protocol level development are all pointing in the right direction. Even though the discussions around protocol development can be contentious at times, it's a signal that people really care about this open source monetary protocol that we're all building on. We all agreed that Bitcoin has never been more de-risked than it is today. That is not to say that there aren't any risk.
We also discussed the problem with mining pool centralization and the FPPS payout scheme and why people need to be paying attention to it. But I think overall, things are looking pretty good right now.
Yesterday I also had the pleasure of running the live desk at Bitcoin++ speaking with many of the developers building out the protocol layer and layers above bitcoin. It's always extremely humbling to sit down and speak with the developers because they are so damn smart. Brilliant people who really care deeply about bitcoin. Even though many of them have very different views about the state of bitcoin and how to build it out moving forward. I view my role on the live desk is simply to try to get everybody's perspective. Not only on the OP_RETURN discussion, but on the future of bitcoin and how the protocol progresses from a technical perspective.
I had many conversations. The first with Average Gary and VNPRC, who are working on hashpools, which are attempting to solve the mining pool centralization and privacy problems that exists by using ecash. Hashpool gives miners the ability to exchange hash shares for ehash tokens. that are immediately liquid and exchangeable for bitcoin over the lightning network. Solving the consistent payout and liquidity problem that miners are always trying to solve. Currently FPPS payout schemes are the way they solve these problems. I'm incredibly optimistic about the hashpools project.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with SuperTestNet and Dusty Daemon, who are both focused on making bitcoin more inherently private at the protocol layer and on the lightning network. I think Dusty's work on splicing is very underappreciated right now and is something that you should all look into. Dusty also explained an idea he has that would make CoinJoin coordination much easier by creating a standardized coordination protocol. I'm going to butcher the explanation here, But I think the general idea is to create a way for people to combine inputs by monitoring the lightning network and looking for individual actors who are looking to rebalance channels and opportunistically set up a collaborative transaction with them. This is something I think everyone should look into and champion because I think it would be incredibly beneficial to on-chain privacy. As Bitcoin scales and gets adopted by millions and billions of people over the next few decades.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Poelstra and Boerst about cryptography and block templates. For those of you who are unaware, Andrew Poelstra the Head of Research at Blockstream and on the cutting edge of the cryptography that bitcoin uses and may implement in the future. We had a wide ranging discussion about OP_RETURN, FROST, Musig2, Miniscript, quantum. resistant cryptographic libraries, and how Bitcoin Core actually works as a development project.
I also spoke with Liam Egan from Alpen Labs. He's working on ZK rollups on Bitcoin. Admittedly, this is an area I haven't explored too deeply, so it was awesome to sit down with Liam and get his perspective. Alpen Labs is leveraging BitVM to enable their rollups.
I highly recommend if and when you get the time to check out the YouTube stream of the Live Desk. A lot of very deep, technical conversations, but if you're really interested to learn how bitcoin actually works and some of the ideas that are out there to make it better, this is an incredible piece of content to watch. I'm about to head over for day two of Bitcoin++ to run the Live Desk again. So if you get this email before we go live make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel and tune in for the day.
One thing I will say. Last night, there was a debate about OP_RETURN and I think it's important to note that despite how vitriolic people may get on Twitter, it's always interesting to see people with diametrically opposed views get together and have civil debates. It's obvious that everyone involved cares deeply about bitcoin. Having these tough conversations in person is very important. Particularly, civil conversations. I certainly think yesterday's debate was civil. Though, I will say I think that as bitcoiners, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard of decorum when debates like this are had.
Tyler Campbell from Unchained mentioned that it is insane that there was such a small group of people attending this particular debate about the future of a two trillion dollar protocol. Bitcoin is approaching $100,000 again as I type and no one in big tech, no one in big finance outside of people looking for bitcoin treasury plays is really paying attention to what's happening at the protocol level. This is simply funny to observe and probably a good thing in the long run. But, Meta, Stripe, Apple, Visa, Mastercard and the Teslas of the world are all asleep at the wheel as we build out the future of money.
The $1 Trillion Basis Trade Time Bomb
The massive basis trade currently looming over financial markets represents a systemic risk that dwarfs previous crises. As James Lavish warned during our conversation, approximately $1 trillion in leveraged positions exist within this trade - ten times larger than those held by Long-Term Capital Management before its 1998 collapse. These trades employ staggering leverage ratios between 20x to 100x just to make minuscule basis point differences profitable. The Brookings Institution, which Lavish describes as a "tacit research arm of the Fed," has published a paper explicitly warning about this trade's dangers.
"The Brookings Institution came out with a solution... instead of printing money this time, the Fed will just take the whole trade off of the hedge funds books. Absolutely, utterly maniacal. The thought of the Fed becoming a hedge fund... it's nuts." - James Lavish
What makes this situation particularly alarming is how an unwind could trigger cascading margin calls throughout interconnected financial markets. As Lavish explained, when positions begin unwinding, prices move dramatically, triggering more margin calls that force more selling. This "powder keg behind the scenes" is being closely monitored by sophisticated investors who understand its destructive potential. Unlike a controlled demolition, this unwinding could quickly become chaotic, potentially forcing unprecedented Fed intervention.
Check out the full podcast here for more on Bitcoin's role as the neutral reserve asset, nation-state mining strategies, and the repeal of SAB 121's impact on banking adoption.
Headlines of the Day
Panama City Signs Deal for Bitcoin Municipal Payments - via X
U.S. Economy Polls Show Falling Confidence in Trump Leadership - via CNBC
Jack Mallers's Bitcoin Bank Targets $500 Trillion Market - via X
Bitcoin Decouples From Markets With 10% Gain Amid Asset Slump - via X
Looking for the perfect video _to push the smartest person you know from zero to one on bitcoin? Bitcoin, Not Crypto is a three-part master class from Parker Lewis and Dhruv Bansal that cuts through the noise—covering why 2
-
@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-05-20 10:45:28Over the past few months, I've dedicated my time to a complete rewrite of the kycnot.me website. The technology stack remains unchanged; Golang paired with TailwindCSS. However, I've made some design choices in this iteration that I believe significantly enhance the site. Particularly to backend code.
UI Improvements
You'll notice a refreshed UI that retains the original concept but has some notable enhancements. The service list view is now more visually engaging, it displays additional information in a more aesthetically pleasing manner. Both filtering and searching functionalities have been optimized for speed and user experience.
Service pages have been also redesigned to highlight key information at the top, with the KYC Level box always accessible. The display of service attributes is now more visually intuitive.
The request form, especially the Captcha, has undergone substantial improvements. The new self-made Captcha is robust, addressing the reliability issues encountered with the previous version.
Terms of Service Summarizer
A significant upgrade is the Terms of Service summarizer/reviewer, now powered by AI (GPT-4-turbo). It efficiently condenses each service's ToS, extracting and presenting critical points, including any warnings. Summaries are updated monthly, processing over 40 ToS pages via the OpenAI API using a self-crafted and thoroughly tested prompt.
Nostr Comments
I've integrated a comment section for each service using Nostr. For guidance on using this feature, visit the dedicated how-to page.
Database
The backend database has transitioned to pocketbase, an open-source Golang backend that has been a pleasure to work with. I maintain an updated fork of the Golang SDK for pocketbase at pluja/pocketbase.
Scoring
The scoring algorithm has also been refined to be more fair. Despite I had considered its removal due to the complexity it adds (it is very difficult to design a fair scoring system), some users highlighted its value, so I kept it. The updated algorithm is available open source.
Listings
Each listing has been re-evaluated, and the ones that were no longer operational were removed. New additions are included, and the backlog of pending services will be addressed progressively, since I still have access to the old database.
API
The API now offers more comprehensive data. For more details, check here.
About Page
The About page has been restructured for brevity and clarity.
Other Changes
Extensive changes have been implemented in the server-side logic, since the whole code base was re-written from the ground up. I may discuss these in a future post, but for now, I consider the current version to be just a bit beyond beta, and additional updates are planned in the coming weeks.
-
@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-05-20 10:45:26I'm launching a new service review section on this blog in collaboration with OrangeFren. These reviews are sponsored, yet the sponsorship does not influence the outcome of the evaluations. Reviews are done in advance, then, the service provider has the discretion to approve publication without modifications.
Sponsored reviews are independent from the kycnot.me list, being only part of the blog. The reviews have no impact on the scores of the listings or their continued presence on the list. Should any issues arise, I will not hesitate to remove any listing.
The review
WizardSwap is an instant exchange centred around privacy coins. It was launched in 2020 making it old enough to have weathered the 2021 bull run and the subsequent bearish year.
| Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Tor-friendly | Limited liquidity | | Guarantee of no KYC | Overly simplistic design | | Earn by providing liquidity | |
Rating: ★★★★★ Service Website: wizardswap.io
Liquidity
Right off the bat, we'll start off by pointing out that WizardSwap relies on its own liquidity reserves, meaning they aren't just a reseller of Binance or another exchange. They're also committed to a no-KYC policy, when asking them, they even promised they would rather refund a user their original coins, than force them to undergo any sort of verification.
On the one hand, full control over all their infrastructure gives users the most privacy and conviction about the KYC policies remaining in place.
On the other hand, this means the liquidity available for swapping isn't huge. At the time of testing we could only purchase at most about 0.73 BTC with XMR.
It's clear the team behind WizardSwap is aware of this shortfall and so they've come up with a solution unique among instant exchanges. They let you, the user, deposit any of the currencies they support into your account and earn a profit on the trades made using your liquidity.
Trading
Fees on WizardSwap are middle-of-the-pack. The normal fee is 2.2%. That's more than some exchanges that reserve the right to suddenly demand you undergo verification, yet less than half the fees on some other privacy-first exchanges. However as we mentioned in the section above you can earn almost all of that fee (2%) if you provide liquidity to WizardSwap.
It's good that with the current Bitcoin fee market their fees are constant regardless of how much, or how little, you send. This is in stark contrast with some of the alternative swap providers that will charge you a massive premium when attempting to swap small amounts of BTC away.
Test trades
Test trades are always performed without previous notice to the service provider.
During our testing we performed a few test trades and found that every single time WizardSwap immediately detected the incoming transaction and the amount we received was exactly what was quoted before depositing. The fees were inline with what WizardSwap advertises.
- Monero payment proof
- Bitcoin received
- Wizardswap TX link - it's possible that this link may cease to be valid at some point in the future.
ToS and KYC
WizardSwap does not have a Terms of Service or a Privacy Policy page, at least none that can be found by users. Instead, they offer a FAQ section where they addresses some basic questions.
The site does not mention any KYC or AML practices. It also does not specify how refunds are handled in case of failure. However, based on the FAQ section "What if I send funds after the offer expires?" it can be inferred that contacting support is necessary and network fees will be deducted from any refund.
UI & Tor
WizardSwap can be visited both via your usual browser and Tor Browser. Should you decide on the latter you'll find that the website works even with the most strict settings available in the Tor Browser (meaning no JavaScript).
However, when disabling Javascript you'll miss the live support chat, as well as automatic refreshing of the trade page. The lack of the first means that you will have no way to contact support from the trade page if anything goes wrong during your swap, although you can do so by mail.
One important thing to have in mind is that if you were to accidentally close the browser during the swap, and you did not save the swap ID or your browser history is disabled, you'll have no easy way to return to the trade. For this reason we suggest when you begin a trade to copy the url or ID to someplace safe, before sending any coins to WizardSwap.
The UI you'll be greeted by is simple, minimalist, and easy to navigate. It works well not just across browsers, but also across devices. You won't have any issues using this exchange on your phone.
Getting in touch
The team behind WizardSwap appears to be most active on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/WizardSwap_io
If you have any comments or suggestions about the exchange make sure to reach out to them. In the past they've been very receptive to user feedback, for instance a few months back WizardSwap was planning on removing DeepOnion, but the community behind that project got together ^1 and after reaching out WizardSwap reversed their decision ^2.
You can also contact them via email at:
support @ wizardswap . io
Disclaimer
None of the above should be understood as investment or financial advice. The views are our own only and constitute a faithful representation of our experience in using and investigating this exchange. This review is not a guarantee of any kind on the services rendered by the exchange. Do your own research before using any service.
-
@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-05-20 10:45:24Bitcoin enthusiasts frequently and correctly remark how much value it adds to Bitcoin not to have a face, a leader, or a central authority behind it. This particularity means there isn't a single person to exert control over, or a single human point of failure who could become corrupt or harmful to the project.
Because of this, it is said that no other coin can be equally valuable as Bitcoin in terms of decentralization and trustworthiness. Bitcoin is unique not just for being first, but also because of how the events behind its inception developed. This implies that, from Bitcoin onwards, any coin created would have been created by someone, consequently having an authority behind it. For this and some other reasons, some people refer to Bitcoin as "The Immaculate Conception".
While other coins may have their own unique features and advantages, they may not be able to replicate Bitcoin's community-driven nature. However, one other cryptocurrency shares a similar story of mystery behind its creation: Monero.
History of Monero
Bytecoin and CryptoNote
In March 2014, a Bitcointalk thread titled "Bytecoin. Secure, private, untraceable since 2012" was initiated by a user under the nickname "DStrange"^1^. DStrange presented Bytecoin (BCN) as a unique cryptocurrency, in operation since July 2012. Unlike Bitcoin, it employed a new algorithm known as CryptoNote.
DStrange apparently stumbled upon the Bytecoin website by chance while mining a dying bitcoin fork, and decided to create a thread on Bitcointalk^1^. This sparked curiosity among some users, who wondered how could Bytecoin remain unnoticed since its alleged launch in 2012 until then^2^.
Some time after, a user brought up the "CryptoNote v2.0" whitepaper for the first time, underlining its innovative features^4^. Authored by the pseudonymous Nicolas van Saberhagen in October 2013, the CryptoNote v2 whitepaper^5^ highlighted the traceability and privacy problems in Bitcoin. Saberhagen argued that these flaws could not be quickly fixed, suggesting it would be more efficient to start a new project rather than trying to patch the original^5^, an statement simmilar to the one from Satoshi Nakamoto^6^.
Checking with Saberhagen's digital signature, the release date of the whitepaper seemed correct, which would mean that Cryptonote (v1) was created in 2012^7^, although there's an important detail: "Signing time is from the clock on the signer's computer" ^9^.
Moreover, the whitepaper v1 contains a footnote link to a Bitcointalk post dated May 5, 2013^10^, making it impossible for the whitepaper to have been signed and released on December 12, 2012.
As the narrative developed, users discovered that a significant 80% portion of Bytecoin had been pre-mined^11^ and blockchain dates seemed to be faked to make it look like it had been operating since 2012, leading to controversy surrounding the project.
The origins of CryptoNote and Bytecoin remain mysterious, leaving suspicions of a possible scam attempt, although the whitepaper had a good amount of work and thought on it.
The fork
In April 2014, the Bitcointalk user
thankful_for_today
, who had also participated in the Bytecoin thread^12^, announced plans to launch a Bytecoin fork named Bitmonero^13^.The primary motivation behind this fork was "Because there is a number of technical and marketing issues I wanted to do differently. And also because I like ideas and technology and I want it to succeed"^14^. This time Bitmonero did things different from Bytecoin: there was no premine or instamine, and no portion of the block reward went to development.
However, thankful_for_today proposed controversial changes that the community disagreed with. Johnny Mnemonic relates the events surrounding Bitmonero and thankful_for_today in a Bitcointalk comment^15^:
When thankful_for_today launched BitMonero [...] he ignored everything that was discussed and just did what he wanted. The block reward was considerably steeper than what everyone was expecting. He also moved forward with 1-minute block times despite everyone's concerns about the increase of orphan blocks. He also didn't address the tail emission concern that should've (in my opinion) been in the code at launch time. Basically, he messed everything up. Then, he disappeared.
After disappearing for a while, thankful_for_today returned to find that the community had taken over the project. Johnny Mnemonic continues:
I, and others, started working on new forks that were closer to what everyone else was hoping for. [...] it was decided that the BitMonero project should just be taken over. There were like 9 or 10 interested parties at the time if my memory is correct. We voted on IRC to drop the "bit" from BitMonero and move forward with the project. Thankful_for_today suddenly resurfaced, and wasn't happy to learn the community had assumed control of the coin. He attempted to maintain his own fork (still calling it "BitMonero") for a while, but that quickly fell into obscurity.
The unfolding of these events show us the roots of Monero. Much like Satoshi Nakamoto, the creators behind CryptoNote/Bytecoin and thankful_for_today remain a mystery^17^, having disappeared without a trace. This enigma only adds to Monero's value.
Since community took over development, believing in the project's potential and its ability to be guided in a better direction, Monero was given one of Bitcoin's most important qualities: a leaderless nature. With no single face or entity directing its path, Monero is safe from potential corruption or harm from a "central authority".
The community continued developing Monero until today. Since then, Monero has undergone a lot of technological improvements, migrations and achievements such as RingCT and RandomX. It also has developed its own Community Crowdfundinc System, conferences such as MoneroKon and Monerotopia are taking place every year, and has a very active community around it.
Monero continues to develop with goals of privacy and security first, ease of use and efficiency second. ^16^
This stands as a testament to the power of a dedicated community operating without a central figure of authority. This decentralized approach aligns with the original ethos of cryptocurrency, making Monero a prime example of community-driven innovation. For this, I thank all the people involved in Monero, that lead it to where it is today.
If you find any information that seems incorrect, unclear or any missing important events, please contact me and I will make the necessary changes.
Sources of interest
- https://forum.getmonero.org/20/general-discussion/211/history-of-monero
- https://monero.stackexchange.com/questions/852/what-is-the-origin-of-monero-and-its-relationship-to-bytecoin
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monero
- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=583449.0
- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=563821.0
- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=233561
- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=512747.0
- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=740112.0
- https://monero.stackexchange.com/a/1024
- https://inspec2t-project.eu/cryptocurrency-with-a-focus-on-anonymity-these-facts-are-known-about-monero/
- https://medium.com/coin-story/coin-perspective-13-riccardo-spagni-69ef82907bd1
- https://www.getmonero.org/resources/about/
- https://www.wired.com/2017/01/monero-drug-dealers-cryptocurrency-choice-fire/
- https://www.monero.how/why-monero-vs-bitcoin
- https://old.reddit.com/r/Monero/comments/u8e5yr/satoshi_nakamoto_talked_about_privacy_features/
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:36Ed Suman, a 67-year-old retired artist who helped create large sculptures like Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog, reportedly lost his entire life savings — over $2M in digital assets — in a sophisticated scam.
The incident is believed to be tied to the major data breach at Coinbase, one of the world’s largest digital asset exchanges.
Suman’s story is part of a bigger wave of attacks on digital asset holders using stolen personal info, and has triggered lawsuits, regulatory concerns and questions about digital security in the Bitcoin space.
In March 2025, Suman got a text message about suspicious activity on his Coinbase account. After Suman reported he was unaware of any unauthorized activity regarding his account, he got a call from a man who introduced himself as Brett Miller from Coinbase Security.
The guy sounded legit — he knew Suman’s setup, including that he used a Trezor Model One hardware wallet, a device meant to keep bitcoin and other digital assets offline and safe.
Suman told Bloomberg the guy knew everything, including the exact amount of digital assets he had.
The attacker persuaded Suman that his Trezor One hardware wallet and its funds were at risk and walked him through a “security procedure” that involved entering his seed phrase into a website that looked exactly like Coinbase, in order to “link his wallet to Coinbase”.
Nine days later, another guy called and repeated the process, saying the first one didn’t work.
And then, all of Suman’s digital assets — 17.5 bitcoin and 225 ether — were gone. At the time, bitcoin was around $103,000 and ether around $2,500, so the stolen stash was worth over $2 million.
Suman turned to digital assets after retiring from a decades-long art career. He stored his assets in cold storage to avoid the risks of online exchanges. He thought he did everything right.
Suman’s attackers didn’t pick his name out of a hat.
It looks like his personal info may have been leaked in the major breach at Coinbase. The company confirmed on May 15 that some of its customer service reps in India were bribed to access internal systems and steal customer data.
The stolen data included names, phone numbers, email addresses, balances and partial Social Security numbers.
According to Coinbase’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the breach may have started as early as January and affected nearly 1% of the company’s active monthly users — tens of thousands of people.
Hackers demanded $20M from Coinbase to keep the breach quiet but the company refused to pay. Coinbase says it fired the compromised agents and is setting aside $180M to $400M to reimburse affected users.
But so far, Suman hasn’t been told if he’ll be reimbursed.
Since the breach was disclosed, Coinbase has been hit with at least six lawsuits.
The lawsuits claim the company failed to protect user data and handled the aftermath poorly. One lawsuit filed in New York federal court on May 16 says Coinbase’s response was “inadequate, fragmented, and delayed.”
“Users were not promptly or fully informed of the compromise,” the complaint states, “and Coinbase did not immediately take meaningful steps to mitigate further harm.”
Some lawsuits are seeking damages, others are asking Coinbase to purge user data and improve its security. Coinbase has not commented on the lawsuits but pointed reporters to a blog post about its response.
Suman’s case is a cautionary tale across the Bitcoin world. He used a hardware wallet (considered the gold standard of Bitcoin security) and was still tricked through social engineering. Even the strongest security is useless if you don’t understand how Bitcoin works.
It’s never too early for Bitcoiners to start learning more about Bitcoin, especially on how to keep their stash safe. And the first lesson is “never ever share your seed phrase with anyone”.
Related: Bitcoin Hardware Wallet Hacks: What You Need to Know
-
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-22 03:01:35JPMorgan Chase, the biggest bank in the U.S., is now allowing its clients to buy bitcoin — a big change of heart for an institution whose CEO, Jamie Dimon, has been a long-time critic of the scarce digital asset.
Dimon made the announcement on the bank’s investor day, which came as a shift in JPMorgan’s approach to digital assets. “We are going to allow you to buy it,” he said. “We’re not going to custody it. We’re going to put it in statements for clients.”
That means clients can buy BTC through JPMorgan but the bank won’t hold or store the digital asset. Instead it will provide access and include the BTC purchases in client statements.
According to multiple reports and posts, JPMorgan has been blocking transactions from digital asset exchanges, with several people complaining about their experience on social media.
There is even an official notice on the company’s UK website that explicitly says customers cannot use their funds to purchase digital assets.
JPMorgan Chase UK website — Source
It’s a big change because Dimon has been one of Bitcoin’s biggest critics. Over the years he’s called it “worthless”, a “fraud” and even compared it to a “pet rock”.
He’s repeatedly expressed concern over digital assets’ use in illegal activities such as money laundering, terrorism, sex trafficking and tax evasion. A role that his critics say the U.S. dollar is playing on a much larger scale.
Related: Jamie Dimon Would “Close Down” Bitcoin If He Had Government Role
“The only true use case for it is criminals, drug traffickers … money laundering, tax avoidance,” he told lawmakers during a Senate hearing in 2023. At the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, he doubled down, “Bitcoin does nothing. I call it the pet rock.”
Despite his personal views, Dimon says the bank is responding to client demand. “I don’t think you should smoke, but I defend your right to smoke,” he said. “I defend your right to buy bitcoin.”
It’s worth noting JPMorgan isn’t fully embracing digital assets. The bank won’t be offering direct custody services or launching its own exchange.
Instead, it’s offering access to digital asset exchanges. There are even reports that the bank also plans to facilitate access to bitcoin ETFs and possibly other investment vehicles. Until recently, JPMorgan had limited its bitcoin exposure to futures-based products.
Other big financial firms have already taken similar steps.
Morgan Stanley, for example, has been offering some clients access to bitcoin ETFs since August 2024. Its CEO, Ted Pick, said earlier this year that the firm is working closely with regulators to explore ways to get into the digital assets space.
Dimon does like blockchain, though — the technology that underpins it. JPMorgan has its own blockchain projects including JPM Coin and recently ran a test transaction on a public blockchain of tokenized U.S. Treasuries.
Many criticize this view, saying that the most powerful aspect of Bitcoin is its decentralization. So, a centralized blockchain is just useless. This might be the reason Dimon has grown weary of all JPMorgan’s blockchain initiatives, because they offered nothing of value.
He said he might have given blockchain too much credit during his investor day comments: “We have been talking about blockchain for 12 to 15 years,” he said. “We spend too much on it. It doesn’t matter as much as you all think.”
-
@ 5391098c:74403a0e
2025-05-13 16:47:48(Textículo em prosa erudita sobre a Ideologia Anarco-Capitalista-Cristã)
https://davipinheiro.com/01-escravos-da-cara-inchada/
A cultura #Woke apropriou-se da imagem sobre a #escravidão. Quando uma pessoa aculturada imagina um #escravo, vem em sua mente a imagem de um ser humano negro, magro e flagelado. Para quem enxerga além das cortinas da mentira, vem em sua mente a imagem de um ser humano de qualquer etnia, gordo e doente.
Democracia, péssimo regime de governo assim classificado pelo seu próprio idealizador: Platão em A República, é o grito da hienas de dentes arreganhados para ampliação do regime escravocrata fomentado pelos #GlobalistasSatanistas.
Um escravo da cara inchada é todo aquele ser humano ignorante inconsciente que alimenta esse sistema em troca de intoxicantes como flúor¹, cloro, glutamato monosódico, gordura trans, corantes, conservantes, refrigerantes, bebidas alcoólicas, psicotrópicos e remédios sintomáticos, tudo embrulhado com mentiras reiteradas.
Como consequência, após os 18 anos de idade o corpo do #EscravoDaCaraInchada sucumbe à tamanha intoxicação e passa a inchar, sendo fisicamente perceptível sua condição de escravo da cara inchada tanto à olho nú quando por reconhecimento facial de qualquer pseudo inteligência artificial.
O círculo vicioso da #EscravidaoDemocratica é tão simples e tosco como o “pão e circo romano”, Mesmo assim é muito difícil para o escravo da cara inchada perceber a própria condição tamanha é sua intoxicação física e mental.
Se um Anarco-Capitalista-Cristão (#Ancapcristão) chega para um escravo da cara inchada e explica sobre esses intoxicantes como instrumento de escravização, dificilmente o escravo da cara inchada irá acreditar pois diferentemente do antigo e aposentado chicote, o novo instrumento da escravidão não dói de imediato e os próprios efeitos da intoxicação impedem-no de raciocinar com clareza.
Portanto, para que os #GlobalistasSatanistas obtivessem sucesso na democratização da escravidão, tiveram que criar um chicote químico e uma ideologia favorável. Quanto às etapas utilizadas para formação dessa ideologia no inconsciente coletivo passo a elencar as 6 grandes mentiras em ordem cronológica:
(1ª etapa) Iluminismo: distanciamento de #Deus e seus ensinamentos, criação de sociedades secretas, exacerbação do ser humano perante o criador na tentativa de projetar o ser humano como seu próprio deus, tornando-o responsável sobre os rumos naturais do planeta. Assim formou-se a base ideológica para o materialismo, ambientalismo, feminismo, controle populacional e ideologia de gêneros;
(2ª etapa) Materialismo: perda do propósito espiritual e do sentido da vida², o que passa a importar são apenas as coisas materiais, acima inclusive do próprio ser humano. A perpetuação da espécie também fica em segundo plano. Assim formou-se a base ideológica para o ambientalismo, feminismo, controle populacional e ideologia de gêneros;
(3ª etapa) Ambientalismo: redução do ser humano à mero câncer do planeta superlotado, atribuído-lhe a responsabilidade por qualquer desastre natural. Assim formou-se a base ideológica para o controle populacional e ideologia de gêneros;
(4ª etapa) Feminismo: enfraquecimento do ser humano por meio da sua divisão em duas categorias: macho e fêmea, os quais são inimigos e não cooperadores. A ideia de igualdade de gêneros é tão antagônica que beira ao conflito cognitivo³: Eles querem separar para dizer que são iguais... Ora, como não pode haver diferenças entre os gêneros se eles são fisicamente e mentalmente diferentes? Nesse diapasão, mesmo não sendo os estados nacionais os arquitetos da escravidão democrática e sim meros fantoches dos globalistas satanistas, o voto feminino foi fundamental para aprovação de leis misândricas com o fito de acelerar a destruição da base familiar do escravo da cara inchada. Importante mencionar que a base familiar dos globalistas satanistas continua sendo patriarcal. Assim formou-se a base ideológica para o controle populacional e ideologia de gêneros;
(5ª etapa) Controle Populacional: “Crescei e multiplicai-vos” é o caralho, Deus não sabe de nada (Iluminismo), o que importa é o dinheiro e filho é caro (Materialismo), para que colocar mais um ser humano nesse planeta doente e superlotado (Ambientalismo), além disso o sexo oposto é meu inimigo (Feminismo). Essa é base ideológica que antecede a ideologia de Controle Populacional, ainda reforçada pela apologia à castração, já que em todas as mídias produzidas com patrocínio oculto de capital globalista satanista tentam normalizar a castração do homem (perda da capacidade de reprodução) desde em desenhos infantis até grandes produções cinematográficas, ora em tom de humor ora em tom de tortura. Assim os escravos da cara inchada do sexo masculino perderam sua identidade, essência e desejo de ser o que são, formando-se a base ideológica para o homossexualismo, ou seja, para a ideologia de gêneros.
(6ª etapa) Ideologia de Gêneros: É a cereja do bolo para os planos do Diabo (Anjo invejoso de Deus que quer destruir a maior criação: nós). Enquanto os globalistas satanistas, dentro de sua sábia ignorância, acreditam estarem chefiando a democratização da escravidão, na verdade também não passam de meros fantoches do Anjo Caído. Com a sexta e última etapa de mentiras para extinção da humanidade (#apocalipse) posta em prática através da Ideologia de Gêneros, fecha-se o ciclo vicioso de mentiras que se auto justificam: Se #Deus não presta, o que vale são os bens materiais, o ser humano é um câncer no planeta, o sexo oposto é inimigo e ter filhos é uma péssima ideia e ser homem másculo é crime, então ser #homossexual é a melhor opção, inclusive vamos castrar os meninos antes da puberdade sem o consentimento dos pais ou mães solo. Aqui também há uma grande bifurcação do círculo vicioso de mentiras, qual seja o gritante conflito cognitivo³: Se todos os homens deixarem de ser másculos, quem vai comer os #gays afeminados? Ou se todas as mulheres deixarem de ser femininas, quem as #sapatonas irão comer? E o pior, se todos passem a ser homossexuais quem vai perpetuar a espécie? Seremos extintos no lapso temporal de apenas uma geração, pois a fraudulenta medicina moderna jamais terá a capacidade de gerar bebês de chocadeira à tempo.
É interessante enxergar que mesmo os Globalistas Satanistas, dentro de sua sábia ignorância, acreditando estarem democratizando a escravidão em benefício próprio, na verdade apenas estão fomentando o apocalipse, ou seja sua própria extinção. Também não terão qualquer lugar especial no inferno, sinônimo de mal é mentira. Portanto os #GlobalistaSatanistas são meros fantoches do #Diabo enganador, tão submissos quanto o Escravo da Cara Inchada…
Interessante também enxergar que o livre arbítrio é uma condição obrigatória para independência da criação (anjo e ser humano). Todos somos livres para escolher entre o bem e o mal, se iremos ser escravos de #Deus ou escravos do Diabo. Se assim não fosse, inexistiria criação pois seríamos mera extensão da consciência do #Criador, em outras palavras: para que exista uma criação, essa deve ter a capacidade de decisão de forma independente, o chamado livre arbítrio.
Com base nisso, temos que não cabe à nos fazer qualquer revolução, tudo está normal, a luta entre o bem e o mal sempre irá existir pois um não existe sem o outro. Nos cabe apenas escolher o lado. Nesse contexto, tenho a seguinte mensagem destinada à você para encerrar o presente Textículo Anarco-Capitalista-Cristão:
------ > Se você for um ANARCO-CAPITALISTA-CRISTÃO passe esta palavra à diante para que a verdade atinja o maior número de ignorantes inconscientes possível;
------ > Se você for um GLOBALISTA SATANISTA, vai viver sua vida, desfrutar da própria fortuna e pare de ser fantoche o Diabo, mentiram para você: não terá qualquer lugar especial quando morrer;
------ > Se você for um ESCRAVO DA CARA INCHADA e não entendeu o que eu disse, por favor me pergunte ou debata comigo, terei o prazer em lhe ajudar a enxergar a verdade. Pare de trabalhar por dinheiro fiduciário, passe a aceitar #Monero e #Bitcoin em troca do seu trabalho, pois isso é o único jeito de sermos financeiramente livres, se tiver alguma dúvida sobre #criptomoedas me pergunte e terei o prazer e ensinar. Se ainda assim você se recusa a enxergar a verdade exposta aqui, por favor aceite #Monero e #Bitcoin quando for dar o seu cú. Ou melhor, cometa suicídio, já que você é um câncer no planeta, salve a natureza.
(Davi Pinheiro)
¹ - https://davipinheiro.com/teoria-da-conspiracao-o-fluor-na-agua-e-usado-para-controlar-mentes-revista-super-interessante-editora-abril/
² - https://davipinheiro.com/qual-o-sentido-da-vida/
³ - https://davipinheiro.com/entendendo-as-referencias-cruzadas-do-pensamento/
PREZADOS AMIGOS, DIVULGUEM ESTE ARTIGO. ABAIXO SEGUE A LISTA DOS 500 BRASILEIROS MAIS ATIVOS NO NOSTR NOS ÚLTIMOS MESES PARA TODOS SEGUIREM-SE ENTRE SI E FORTALECER NOSSA COMUNIDADE DE LÍNGUA BRASILEIRA (se você não estiver na lista interaja para ser adicionado):
npub1u2e0qzjsjw9suxcdkeqrydr07xzsyx8mzp469augc0a29aeasfdq8fx67q npub1xt25e4pakq6x4w44p9kw2vlfwv4zpc9hg7xsnrq53hl0za4ag2qs09cwcs npub17hgdpn9xnt5zyxlx8pz0uuus8d23pxwr9a5vq96nw5nawx20zxnsj6fym6 npub1arnth7tuxw060c74adaf08jam6kttn24wfdse9wyg2c7waycwezqszr2mz npub1qg8j6gdwpxlntlxlkew7eu283wzx7hmj32esch42hntdpqdgrslqv024kw npub10q0axre6n3ew64pen99x0qkrh70yxfx6w3grwvkhk4kz9dp8m3ssltvs6f npub1sf2se74xlzf7f7clm3dg28npaxghdy6pguzpsut30fjpwuaxrxcsrnhr57 npub19ychr8yknmje69r645sgd8j0epx2rdgdyl7feagcnmrwkaedzffqtrcznl npub1k86zp0778x7cjng50et5z76xdwxy0tgfn5amnrwrd6mda8uln4lq78ua23 npub13src792wxm8nrhqzu555uxuktfffzcqx78s3pc9zefcdjgwvm3pqsddz4j npub1uw04lzuqx42gk0xc4m8advfmuqlz8nv7dqpuyq4gcv8r304lwvnq2m5ew2 npub1fw5wsmfdj7ykmjfn0sl9qp533y7hx96h9lvplz6pmhd9mzwn9hjqvq2rfr npub1nkenffr9eslkzplds3lwcz7xeq67w6a9qcjlfsvspj7tnhuq3kgsram48g npub1w66drr2qta67gyt7la6fgglsdvk3xx3nndsz4k5wfcal8jq0ze7sqcxdpd npub12xq6exra99hg6tuefx3yysszqudaljvy6eyxqz8tpt7038gpaqus7lfuyy npub17tvf04z759dsyecdtmk70tevla7vua9e3sr88lgnl7put97764zq708q0m npub1rzajeq88urk58nh0n7gqknr2agrx34xu4en0k8hm43fl8h2khp6sk0v3y4 npub1yspe4ly5p9dlfv4vevm0evpag8ljkaay3x3clj8gtvxlsvpwrrrs6h47mx npub107a0nwr3lsj9kdy3jdq570jzcv95y0qzuuhrvcgrpsnq2h4xsclqzy7v4g npub14reqsqss7wp06k390a547pkqrlc0w6uzelm9gpwxze7p8z8x3awsuthvzz npub18fh6flnjt9aa3jlnp5k3kd9zr6v5mlpeczhdx4qheytfyyqfpe7s2y0lzm npub1lafcm7zm35l9q06mnaqk5ykt2530ylnwm5j8xaykflppfstv6vysxg4ryf npub1s00wyzkfrjcclawx225k7wrxd74369vxdcdhy88j89yhrxssfclqulxf93 npub1rmq4kl4dfvp4kt937f9mz60ywkwv467585vnesm3ctqz9krkksrqg4ran0 npub1d7r5su48a8m5k389fd6rwy9cvhlyycmg3pl2g60q5zmgvmr3xreq098mu2 npub1r8lsve0d5yezxq52fjj90kwz76xcweyxlx9uwhsrpd6gt7uk4edscl4fdr npub19ljjj23d7fgy0gujlnh26a293p6uwawrrnpg7jlqfnhnard322gssd2rnj npub1u484zct2rxyknscgnnxrwpuk3f2j679x8tdysvxh659whv99g35saq9xjt npub1gpd868cejawju35epkayavfkqfuykt3820xe678m2vqfqj8v7ges2t4umk npub172fwxt8nnauv2c6leevl0rq4mk87c5vu4mm4fqef58xt390jqxfs6ua7vz npub1gmdrkx4lgwzyqr6krqyykg9r2kpasftuu2x98ncvs9xz9cjhfgcsxns0xz npub1sfzc94dhlkrj6m9tdkle4glyazhtajjsj9qhjv279an06nr74uvqzka6js npub18rdvxdw773852gyl4kjkr5xmg44p9l0jywdk6cq8axl3k9yh59fsu3g8aj npub167h7xtt7tkfvr9mn9d09s4u6r4l0y7rr355jpjg55lg4mpdghsasa9c47v npub1q4qjda5zm33743dd4mewnx6j049hgry7ls4nvh54clcnax3wsnzqv7c5lw npub1mjckw2qsqemdnhz7ul63vpcd79fmar49r8y7fh0tffva767yx07qq68xkn npub1ry2uv7qwu840qx4fg38zzfrl6dfgaudn6d8s7trpf3sj8nx0vaaquj5qrj npub1zqw2ymcy9txda2wzuka7yx6vlyvuwe7k2pldxpxxx660nhf65tusxzdcp6 npub1fjr0qa7rdhll7cfpgdcsz5nry2gy92u7a8gr0ku390n69865ec0qxwcral npub1wc4rc9wxl2gfzxl384g0cw3f79nrms0sfdpe02y7aasy7c3we4sqd0qywr npub19x5l76266vfen827fudaampuuupkejg9vls88hld8nv4w4sq59lsqlal37 npub1gc24vefdu60d3e3yxg8mhu52hxxpcykesk85y8mez8llj23kpehszdmu3j npub1u9ja9ymqmaw7mn9tnmrsnpx0f9j6hs59kxd9de363jvadjamzd9qg3ek4k npub1lzt7pmhvg7hl23emv22g4d7cs9jyglkqpr7lf3n8rcz0evkacg2s6n4jjf npub1p22hyejtr60rdrmjvql5k8fyv8lkq8exzw5mkkx3qcwqcu6979aqvhpqlq npub15p6p9l5upa0y0aj5nwf7lnud2regh00az9u4a4fmgyh8ukyue8kq7xuzp7 npub187dlu8g04kk8adc309vwn3lxsj63fmaty5vmdyrsvzx2fcxg70pqfszj4z npub1adfs8z9rlk6dzwm44522ge0gf367t6s6x30nrulp0xq6wsglyxssxqwyva npub1wqh4j2lvkd0fz342he0jr2d8eqrjwlqsv42azw6utqnpkrjv72xqylx32z npub1n9e2cy50jk900hdzvxt4cjhn80qwzxuer93aylhfdc76gwksr2lsqt36ww npub1styn4qvw4h4s92pcntrffm5dhe889h3hanwjpv66r4ue7gd3xutqk9hpc6 npub157v53ahyyxh4mp38v363chz9lrrw8um9m0tyhqzjujz8m4pmr42s9sk9u8 npub1alq86fku99p0rgq6s0cwwe9lsa8vdvu4d6r7d6j6cyuysf2r76hsh9tt37 npub18cvuxxvd2a6gt76etnte5vtws7a5a4xeqgt03qcs0u46nfws0vzskrnwu9 npub1mlu4qvm8j7gqamukz98l832ghgktyj0whqrxfx89625m3p30haqq5racjk npub1l8tlpvn3kka3nm2qpk96amsuy2kr5kl9eusd54fpn3yjnefrnpaq2j5t9v npub1jtnuszgjayga0pzvm3t7z9pantcnyxzacu30mhvw4dk0lkkvhxrsgvfgw5 npub1z73hklrdpa0n5z663mvnu0afxhlegpt5exmkg9u0nmd32ktqs7fq3prv27 npub1tshn5e5h0ud3l6vegwrce2er2tuhxangx4yvx4q04uheznxxgp6qg9dx2n npub136aeqeuum2t8cjgfnpxwfkgf5e8fd95h39uqkenrr6u0yl3upg9skvkfq8 npub1pkjyqg0am9qyjwg772ue4hhshaf6gwgz4psnptlg9v8lk6st2naqct3ll5 npub1kvzyrn6zvvdh9jnvfzc6e86s0zpntvg0e9f0v340e59u2rut99zsuq9fl9 npub168dqt5c8ue3uj8ynlk0lhwalnp7uy39lvzf9tm09wy3htxwmw7qq5nerj4 npub1cajs9cz6r43rmn0y8v8cgeuuj2lfhftvxcq05f8efc22hr5fnwmshx0pvw npub1uu0qk8f7xv7egc6tf9kk3mkx99u2leldgzz0trl77uymvv8n8ahqtd6309 npub1t8a7uumfmam38kal4xaakzyjccht4y5jxfs4cmlj0p768pxtwu8skh56yu npub10wlfumja930vzz4jhh9vc6t3wy8ay7thg8mt9qcptlp5leqfmazqn79ee9 npub1tx8wamjvhaqme29rujkd4v978ck8d3ud7gxa9zzqtjftpfn9p5vs27a2lg npub1e5pneqe2je07e5sk00g8urqa66eljg74t4llv4htp6vq5f8kv2zsqrtway npub1nk7gygwkcfpf9hdjhkgyqszcgwyzmcrqhd9tr7zzczkm5ga79xusmm5qjt npub1p3pna34zku4fqe9mzyvhhffladjjxcug7jn20wm5rnccpjezn4ks0zaw4u npub1j4vyl5kadajpgxh2wrnfk2wvg25jhnv78s0mrs6ckuhft9uzqe7s9wpcgc npub1hfg3tsmmp7g3u5cw6mzg0n9andehmgel6jug486eppsr0rqx4a3qlp7yfm npub1zks89kfxmxv0s4sa7rj8yyd6ld8ncsqusm993678vq9ut73hn7uqhmecsf npub1hzt3p8ap8s4nnqjhha37z5q3jdc9lfg90js0crmg8u5lncnaqpzsdn75p5 npub12em9q547gfga2tkhuzc65ufrn5h9ndu270d7xnh0nkcz2gtvq4sqwutpy3 npub12fh76ppgs5g2srtvgewe9fprdsk2y6g42wf0sg2y0ucjxqq9l0dsy5n8wl npub1arjgv76ld978cya3k6xz24nuxkuezuqrsmy73x0gaxdlu7pxv4lq8npp2g npub1zpmtwh0esa4esnc4p6rn5vhx7wcfw8z0ky8nzczj6k46drsmm47s0zzlyh npub156zse25dzgt65kq472nfkfpwgqvf6vuw8ur0s0ny7zmzw4xqd68q3p4sem npub1pwyy6rwh9smlurdmfg7yy2lce43jlv9ac7l9zay723dyfx4m649ql85u04 npub13j4jtgrm0dtsfzecx4khzz5a8ykgdd374qewewj0ksfmenps67lqz2yr8a npub1dmdlkhqnzmde0ultsq72hnn8h6gjfrkfeud4hecjg8fg8pugzctsjwqas0 npub1yqq7mwccr6wv7vmhehgh4n9kwn55r9gneydhdu6249pntguacegsjgwevp npub1u79u7zxlz2flmwpdt59xsvv5syreavzdyu9llkg07swtf24a4ayq5g0uud npub1eezyd5p7n9vse3yv5k8vh068dutpjf7d9zuk6azegeh5ypvp270qqr8fam npub1s0p3y6rvmt5m6jf6zt96kl0c80x0fy396d8h3cvtsxpqq7lf7wwsgw780n npub1kcf4p6e8k0rkjtaaghu765647z58qu0wfpgxnqptlwg2pm30skzsm2mct0 npub10uqpae32d6t4xhcgmzkc5gkna3hf9xclpzf3q6kfusz5q8j5ruqs5tdemg npub1jldq9dk8kgtlr3akv8re00znkfyzq59t0yceuu6q0tdfxzmusarsfxfunp npub1ksp960nd2vhxxp4lw7unnhujy6mknd0mpw2sh7xuj4m963a2u03qw776l8 npub188qkhpvqhne68rwu878jta5a8uh3vl4mcmfp44nppydfz0td9tqqa5h3cm npub1e008u7wmf0gppsnzupclhzh4mexp90addmdu0wu9glyk0y6msvxskyd3yq npub1crtd3zn3ek0cwne036s0xfqgs6ywuutqdcwxl5k4csv57jsmlgfsjq9039 npub1u4r4hx3y820p8g00u65tpggk2rd5qkd0d3ukt2yvgwyhcd0qvymqweyx75 npub18e7t2damcrfe60empcnye5z896wf9fk478rgrdcawvv23hqtd8es3yg772 npub1s5uqfqur0jlnp9z32ag90e9p5y60z0e8ruryun6u8gy9c38s7caqqqjxvt npub1q9fawsk02d7ffc47l92peuasy9q23ganvs00aqfagxz9rgk5g3usy92n3g npub18qhe55gump3d8ff2xzugpeaxkq6gfc498hr6at2jlsert0h9qkvqquqmve npub1cj9w34dn6nyazvhtq9srms5rf9rj4tapmqlwc5d5k3cwk34vy8dqewkvj6 npub1wvkx5ckpcxmxvc9wd0q576qssle3ed40c4z5rpetwy8fqssq8k3qdhh3yl npub1wnpc03cvexrv7tqnz4amk5zpyxw30nat3xav8nna89j92h25q53sls0g5w npub1938qus3z7jxs4u5x6gpyf7pwavnvnvrhmlfv2jqryy43qf0mdgpqlrtyfq npub1gnvha9zemx47e3paehu59ssqjkkpkc0n6ugdufmkl9ahgd3qhajs6mfs4m npub1cha5p8ytujflljhet2k34sctnqyl3n5w74wnuy7c6dvyv870twas9xnugj npub1h4d7986rjexvgaqsv8zm4s88dekkacs9uadtad6zp8n38nkdszysj45nmc npub1wcuv2wqn3uypzx7f98vavt2gqz4f4qkzm28fgj4qpwgj3yfjghks0patgl npub14hq5lgadtyy9dhvtszq46dnl0s0xwdddqr7e32rdqqhma8a4xhsspxjjzu npub17rzgm20v9hf4m2hemlau5fzepyanwd5h3zxc0wkwq7y38s3g8uqs49lrut npub1l5sgjcjruwec2y2lxd23vj34qe2kkxyqnact76tsq5kzdtcmke0s4cz0uu npub1ylw08gevzgvwasypcs2lvmssfqyt46xzgul7lwvkssm76ehgq47qrn4xxk npub13t2th7tr0uxwc8mfkkr5dqmfrg5hmmdfnfjfhs4z2xal9z6hpe9q6xn9ph npub1239p46pv99lt94yfzu4xkh4u3vqr2k7rnmcc8zz64p6m8g0mva8qcxr0hj npub1r2eehghv6syvdhezrlln25fnz90clgdkcagqw87c9r735zlnhuaq8dpvwp npub1sd5wp8ufsttwk3c575gnakufgaeg3x4f4r5d84pun9n09yr7zq8s735ezh npub18txjwp7dj9hjwk972c32sj5xmngnutguvtg2r66a3g5rgw2s88xq3799uq npub1247x2zmsp8e766cy39gkuzywfq6ea89wd6sgvuh8lywrrvzvdqtsv9573z npub1mu2tx4ue4yt7n7pymcql3agslnx0zeyt34zmmfex2g07k6ymtksq7hansc npub152wtu2y9a5wlz74v88ahls2xq0g493gz5jx0wat9vfgxqzjfzl6qdazlty npub18yyc9l68tk6zsq63wmnzf3862l3xfckds38tq44egwl5l4g0nqeszhj50p npub15rdytrwdsc62qmvsc28xhzdxs5u35utlexg3tc3mtzm23ka4hzmsthe64f npub13je2r5t0s4uszds4lc5e87n77xngluwkjt0hesduvch0vk206gcsa0d03t npub10jjcalyj6a67qfxrax2mwpmsnrlles6qhk23j0dyc76h27gag05syya4qn npub155kdyaltpxaek29wkeza9prkr0t398ayn24wlp6pg68z57s8l67qka6ly8 npub1uk5ne4u0ey8s8tg8czceg70yw9jlzvk74y804wd3vaa3ncm5l9tsl2cjqc npub1q09ysz8xhfe0x0n2y77u6xem9whtsk5hgswz7s0lrj9znn8eksqqzzpsyy npub1rm8uwmhs7s9n3jqzzd92mwwgr8gca4p9x0u8vu8m5n5eppqj88fstspqh6 npub1e8antmtxy0vs2pjd6kah99lpy44ztads4m0udpf07vauvr7larzsf76w9j npub1e0ngk7s4nygt46cpmdrc63f3mfgjcp8edxh0f8vpp6zd5hwax4qq0mykcp npub1rksqdj6tpjx4ddcyc9v3jw458u9y83hk789jqy2j8h58jusv0mgscx389d npub1q2f2nlq5kxthrcsww2zmytyzal325gsvrv0aeg8fqj54z4kyrxgsylesz9 npub100t4hmfxs467q3cwqd5f3sej9zhm2edd3kcn57hj0kag3n49geusm5zt87 npub13et8ay8ny99mygd8ymznczusrhfrhhzzs8jdlep9q98r8uway9asl62v4r npub1qeydnlt70d29q3axc3h5v3spfntl74jukw9r6zy9s8ms6a82mupqgnr2y5 npub1n9hr9s73atxmjm0muz45ghwutvf2kc00lq2fa58rm9y80mpdqxmq73mdc0 npub145cgkka2733cmxn86khjshwyxz6ahgjp0ek9gp3fc2k7y3penkqq45ccpu npub1z24p8ghllrl4jxyw8juggm3cfrpn8vvfxxsjzjj4tuaz0qfkeqkstnk760 npub1h6mtmjw2au827vs99zlykn0tdhm3hpyffjgnaq8fsvjzem430hesd3zw5p npub13u9wq6td5qvj2dajmkjplz0ytvt4j7zvuyjg6kl9xqt5wznqghvqrptnlq npub1x7j0x34k2cguw8qk07hlgtpcdd22k0p4nfmuy3sk53mw7n5p4dws97mh3q npub1rlgz4nrqjvy7skd640reu9f9ckv5gzg4dmheeuq4u9dux42t7lys88svf3 npub1j5peadcc3as7ht6tszt47z2z3rec5py39y23cemrs47czyfxddnsskqnav npub1ymjhm0kxwldyx3f599d0cjvpcwdyfw7rmruyn8m2qnfhlu8mn4mspdwhqk npub1gaqn62wk22gesxfczv4q30kg3e2f6cqzdml645rwdyas6uaz3wdqexzlgl npub1z9vh6x3h5d99wvrjxw036ehg27cc37837f7dz4lr933euzu4pt3qn5874u npub1axy5sgkdz50hqrt266cl95qp7e5n9q6qmxguj0ry6mhpmu23t80s9nvqug npub1yvjmvxh2jx07m945mf2lu4j5kswr0d63n0w6cjddj3vpkw4unp4qjarngj npub1993fqzsar7lydy6lc8sztj5pxzeckttsf7m7dzjpcfvuu44uavksdks9p7 npub16s7exzaa4le983mjvnw7jfatum0jfxqtpfk2uqdel3c4q97uqznst6hyar npub15mptsgelg8rn5tjw5ltmdy8vmglws4fulr0kaghpv7t2jj8qzjks2mecva npub1yjvs58t4tgnmn98m4y2s64jferzv77p037zmwed8wzdful29a6esyajtwa npub1ctmkhtvw7rwk425sm4mqx6ak86aama7c6z8yxczfhgkwfv2fq7xq4mcr38 npub1f9jys8kppch9sceykam7p7uecpyam7ajm87wrgnndhjtj6jlp5vqe7y207 npub1k67tmzt34d6klra3ykrhkpvu0y8g8rlzv0egpgrry0xxcauxqzestwyz59 npub1x49ytzhkslwq6680jqsng7dy79vh8alsqpapr73m3akn0qerhj3ql7s2w3 npub1m2us7cgdufhg30yw6kawugwt5slp8kh9ed88dn7q5gtq5y20f95s9s25vt npub13sdds5pcp344k5mhfch7ltc4a8737uxqw9c47wfe08kkrnm3rhssm60637 npub1qfamw8qmsekxxu8pj5kfa960sgwsc86wys84gqxkzkzld8e6hk3qtvv7kq npub1tsxemx456uadxs4nsqenmquvws53290eg2gejrhvx7w965c779mslf7pds npub1ymxlmrd2yd59g7x4uejzsgmn4xlglu0schl39m2mjx5nzfzl2hcs73hn6g npub1qd05jn0jxlzplx33xjtzstvgeus9dk9405kwqf79vu00czwyvghqf08md5 npub1n5sl69j0w6c79tut2anqf69tkfevr065kzjt4n2rv2gres3q45ysmnj5nc npub10qjw7zw8m6yq4sr53watq4u8y47eef28jsyd0tmyhyfy4pjhntgqva7d9t npub1k6n2ghwu0afld0tnl2p43q7wtu2u9hln6e89ruv9a2y5deej06dskek6xy npub1ax4szvq26em2klfqj6hr38009x6k6m7nhe2z7mq0xs4xszetxe2s6964q4 npub1645w5cevetsz2364mss575panjuaa5ffh89ax4tp6u7x0tr2xlhsc29g25 npub1ys9j7sws8vccfwjctlqu7kx2hlfmkcxmjxmdttfl29edxv6xgelqkaffe4 npub1h4fnky04vkfkyac8shhmy0fwkrhuha65c5ec2ggvv03zv7pm64ls9x5vag npub1ueenpne5qhkvr4l9rw3c2ls2f6lgm7gh7f7ssl73l5yqt7um6uwsyatgml npub1krcpj4r4gp28vswfc4gztr5gku58c2eyhll47tyz5y2hhl6jyjwqduv9mr npub125nh0nkr0czuzkpjkqvjwc7mxuuvusr4n7a3kthjyfeer70eac0qpy5lsx npub1qcr5atkc2u04wx80pdyfnnwrttrw0taaz8hst3qt573j44yzxcvqkl339x npub1x96qzppsymujfyzn4dmkl08qgcr3aw7f2tt0xlmgyudfaggeq7zsh0yghv npub1l56z85xvaplh3033l8h2x9thypamu0d2hyqnxkw0ujuntqm8asaqh99sza npub1wh30wunfpkezx5s7edqu9g0s0raeetf5dgthzm0zw7sk8wqygmjqqfljgh npub1kqd90mglkp0ltmc5eacd0claqvnayaklkvzkdhx7x84w9uavplxszvrlwd npub1ly9cmpxs5kyrhnc946rlxmyj397pvcp3606zgvh3kvukmqveaxmqgwdwct npub1papvv8nyg68m73wae3u25lvxw5wfz2htpzk7j85z8yng3xqqvntqc5n9vf npub180cvv07tjdrrgpa0j7j7tmnyl2yr6yr7l8j4s3evf6u64th6gkwsyjh6w6 npub16y2de3wvy2xgj3238r8h8g96hwtqsfm72sxcfw2t4c5xfjwnm4ms5y8uyd npub1ln4q6lzdwzxnvuv0a2gnfcxrfhwyfpcrp8tj5a403mwptq8r8clsq2znta npub1e0jya9z5wu68dzgxqeg7gal9ytgwvr63evtchv4a4wr8u5dcvs6s6vfwgm npub158dcjddhtq29ezyd3j5qyc70xyzyzujg02kcrla706fs52zcahaszql9ha npub1gayzxecnek73hm695d8tu94n2q3xnlucu9gwr2zqnql090rkautqq7ne7s npub1hvtyspm7n7nea59lhe2fdvwd0rqw7de20fl365wklsg4jsmrpwrqe6yaeh npub1hsr44v6satu5qkjcua36u8a8ng7fhh9ljv8mmnhvkf0a6407nhtq2k4ths npub18s8ym4ajt3rfwa0yn39m70k603j8a7wkhylhewzcjhtfheu8dnrqzwv677 npub1zdwjkqtwkst8y3mjj848hjh7tuqwqp7uvcfxzrl43gyx2k7pkz2s4p88cz npub1xq0pc34qq99yawjxl7rsqx7wgs4x3088tkwwle5kz3jqwf0ggyuqxx5et7 npub1dgx9jmq5sn4w96qnrgps7f5egjfpu5npnswazsaq98ryafkdjucshaaej8 npub1s6ms8dqxc4s2e6yawg20lkrpk9dxazz9qsaernpxndc2axua26rsva6lha npub19rxp2h2c96h9y79nhsu8p9yn4f79k8q76z40v8x6g0j8mcmex7jsu4whlq npub1fnvuz4rad0sc6ueflq33kj242hqe65da40zug7u5nryvjdeg0xqsl4y86t npub1e2d8f64kaxepfqncve7gy72vam3h66vmfwaqnalekv8zmh3qar4sz34p0k npub1krahyq9me8aglq54cfffylgnj0sy0q02emv9zr4csc94kz3qajxsmwu7lj npub1qn8rpsky3t8v5dn30rycfwpktwclm544nlef98tg23drgk022a4qtzekjd npub14p529xk3dmtyqp25slasulxx5p6yu2js6lz0072qu77c54cz6pesq2qsuv npub1mxlypddvhxdatdjdh2twejz7d8lkf90350f2zhzcunhmu7pgw9yq9033ss npub18lav8fkgt8424rxamvk8qq4xuy9n8mltjtgztv2w44hc5tt9vets0hcfsz npub160mrpl505fmse22eue6v23k4u4z0yyw37hpf3j73z97jtq50rapqx9q0ac npub1ve32zawsazgn9ukyr0trw4u5zk5z9ravgq9g06ml4gfzuvuzrvyq2mfzr3 npub1c0dysexhhd09e65rvmeecx0dpn6c7lq4yp99f3h4ktnr4vvrez5ql3h0y0 npub1758748kzgkp5vrt2u8vdgx462kt9f5p2x84xwljm4svadq9xc84sl9yk27 npub1rg7x6lh3zurejwnhxljdh8td2uhnhucx3jhle565eh7x94aqn03qrwrm9s npub14nefrmsdvn72qq5f3zqpdsh068ufk02e3t79ukga457p0v796chq7xrakx npub1l04nl239dn9wps24a753xq38h3wtlaa7vxmqatf9y0g6vzae6u0s27vwl8 npub1mezldzxnv6lszd7vlh60k0cqgxca7s08x5akyvln9fhz58jyfzsscyepuv npub1a76u90rr5tfdn9vf3sg574g0vftz4p5vu5r9t57c9atpwt64jkps0h4qya npub18g9zwmrdjcf6mkz7zpavmcx46r3h9ydxv2urwc9kqvha7vzght6swffxry npub12y8v5es4g8ynms5495l448977l25puf39wj9has66f7yg8xkhakqn89g0n npub1gustav0kvwh9zlz22ns7y6utwt3s2747mh5s6ja7v622tl09megq9heczp npub1t62k7smt3nad7s3rzhkrcvzlmheerk8p3qrpjwj32c9lzfmz5ksqaegpck npub1cuvc5stpvpeljeveqlk9u6tp3z3qams2w9r3s72hy0ufxudlz4fqu3x5jv npub1g8henaumhfjngrkpp7g7urz420hdzcx2hnh9grf2r7g3sxtur6es8uucpq npub187c8yedmqmss7fxtzqya4vphfkazl04lvrz7cp5xghhwzjduc4rqkcwd0t npub1vg9lk42rxugcdd4n667uy8gmvgfjp530n2307q9s93xuce3r7vzsel8885 npub1nkl720g0fuvzt4dqm5xxjet2lnm95z5fv4k3jvgz5jhnvhe2lehs98d9kr npub1l74p0yq6uzce4v4ntvvj9zcx03rc75g8gn0ajsccxzwyunv9m6tqwjlh45 npub1tl2pwveluev0jcmm973x87qt0uy20hxnyrcwefxv3nkv9kpxmzgs5pl9th npub18zhn7vrv94vy26vsf677uyxxvs29t2da492xs3xnxl45sszvh5psw9vpuv npub18z4uprsemsf4tcxdnfc8q2esk36g5rleqp6mw9ealtn2kmv8pxjswswrvz npub1wl8u4wfqsdz5m9ey0vvzh4y05mcpk2lm2xhhpw3uzs3878c2mw9sr2ksxk npub1ejp9v82302mth0k3nlanyh4zm4tskvg9yk2hp5fjun0g7uc47n0s0q07vf npub103wzz5eeegcwzrchje02m4rcxqxqtz2rauefhdshmtzd9xjxxdnqm5kd9u npub1k9mx4t56d6jsm658mmnwv7uvxl9edflkelpu4llgwrlc220d9qlqcyhueq npub10x8de2sz6apxnju8wwtqx00sjkeqj22kcjjfajsa9hj77492hkhs4g287f npub1q24ugzmm8ptkyq3gwukkl680kyftmlk3cmqu49x7yy4zuv94a3cqlhw8ld npub13xd3wejhu3xy5hmzgd0ymc9apee7ett6my4xsug5ya0z2f650n4qaf9f8z npub1vxd0dfst8ljvwva2egrpc53ve8ru78v8aaxfpravchkexmfmmu3sqnrs50 npub1nnyqvvr992hn3umzgehppzt49vhm9u4vet9zhzks4wq2a34ehv6qm6wkx8 npub1467z25r4x9xj6xgrgsk6a9gytdy0qp8xuupplxyunzfp5esk2uys4gm0a7 npub1w48530djsgja5d63k27mr8krx3xg63qvrjhczfwqgtmml4kgxw3qpcfwvj npub1ymldfnyvl2u5efjkdlqhpjruhv345qtesj9jf22paxmgj50nfxes3k4wqd npub1mqn5acr09lls33wapadkdf27t9v87h22jf53c473wzpkgld6z7hs72mwzd npub1y7yvamgvwdt6h8skh5yf5phn25yt7c6qcpclgpd0nglsy3f5uu2qu47fad npub1q5jxvccuds9wmpqhr7p770y4ewqcfr2dehqarm5alhm4hpgvrj6qtm2qhm npub17nd4yu9anyd3004pumgrtazaacujjxwzj36thtqsxskjy0r5urgqf6950x npub1k2teldhmj7d53732ekcs5ta0qpjsj9fhwc2e5ve5wljqpxht5mfstxx3qw npub1cn4t4cd78nm900qc2hhqte5aa8c9njm6qkfzw95tszufwcwtcnsq7g3vle npub12xm5ax6rqp3n9n0lwlja22lpfuwc6g63a76p5kdxuszqnn4ut2ssj2k7jn npub170d8w0jjdcjuh70lq5ppr0pcy7cfuxj6hpr00tm4et3v53j8pvrqj0chu7 npub1fs3n5u75kmtfgzzuy5ms5qexchv7kz3altj7e2uzl79ygf2nn0nsv2sdjg npub1y8hsmp2pxadwf09g22zsjla6xu8hu4qttgcwte6kwrqkv70e69zqvtfqyr npub1rtjk5n3cgdepj95wylpy4h6etg2jel3erpn8px9wxys8tuueeeushu5jyg npub1m0lr5fdjrhhwxl7dev4h7c5yvruz2vp949tun5zmulxuktcm0fusy0gg5r npub1ur6emzgy0wrg5xyvtm7khy7a3sttv4jrhpcc3px6mp2z8pkxphwsyy6kg3 npub1efyfeevwrtxnmncs8767p66wxwulm0wd85cszksw6n6uw2qtca6qzfvgyx npub154efugcrxmttmnp5cfxpnhgwglvxswsxh6d84jcj0a865a7s4jgsrrun7f npub16erzcypvccc08a6z6l6gw830zj7m743ah3gtc85rcjhfqmqjccksce7jej npub1jpxn8d3x0p8cdxvxzafpcpqwsfnvgntywhgne9w085fzu2mjjw7qldgdg0 npub165llzjv9ux2s3ezx5k6l4mzhvly9n8gyzhx5p7v4499heee4w4fsvhnu5w npub1mcgm982av268z989lv9h23f0w733wxecqhjjw5l4dvzdjgl0gu8sdss2v5 npub1z3adf0m2c2mul0vtpru4f5uzghn746xyf2udxv63de2ckcmg697qqmjnvn npub1520n32u3r68qtlw5nykxegtxkdt09rpk7h52laectc4qvdcde34s2u9qsw npub122fgydglyvhzr753e0l6k092x8h5k4ev0g9v90lpgje597srk6gs420cc3 npub1xngvle6vzkusezsxs35kgulf6s0usjxej3qvs4kczezy6q0war5sxmumdn npub16umw99z8jm5r55neprqmvlrsqzwklernxnczam2xu5q5fwjaj2kqttgcvd npub12aa8fnjcp84epqtmhtnc4w2fah9tfyrews76nd8hqltpedf4l75s5x6lg8 npub12mllp29adf2fw0eeahmseczcu3y4625qyn3v4uwfvkpzlshnmj3qs903ju npub1l8qw5av3039qhefprytlm7fg8kyyc0luy8yk2prk2l8wc38gf86qzw7nnm npub1nwrrty92erpe8th9wv4u9l9f20pqqh872kwjmejc6mu9hfnzumfqk5fua4 npub13qhkp54f8w0vgql3lqukvk9pduhef099hx0azmzupuhxevjayy9qsfg266 npub12jyfh0sy02ku5p3zg6hhfvph4zphl3y5jqfk9skaqa59z7pmfh0qqyn9mn npub1t8pha5vxkct4mlhskzz4pshvwznsma5646nmzz5gcth06mth0hfsuleyrc npub17ptx9z8mnyw2vd8as0nyh40gtvyydufme8peweh72ax9kpxrqzxqmnsxpq npub1lzh4pgufkx4xq675fujac9mmxs5zmf8ffucetgp02vep5eae3acqwez9kx npub1gnrfjvjmu3jucpmkvj6ptmdxcj766hwcrekjeuzlwtcqrqmyszvs3pr7lj npub1gazxqfx8ldqkgaldz3hlwed2h3nwzfmwavkxp3s9j36qhfzeladsmfe0a3 npub1xc5c7srsajcem7s8x0sndqsu6yqe36xzu2kdnu0cky353x6tkreqx4lsgg npub17kytlyvd28tvpz9u8z2mrr3pq503pmvtv46qskjccfch9vwqhadsregenj npub1vcq8nv3lctr8ctk2dp7h3e0su4f7gklgx4dlm2375l6u69hvuh6syj3d9l npub1v6xa5avwqkyqwzmfhu0ul4cm892txq4jnxmxsvgt5pnralqj9upsnmsnu4 npub1m986jhedeq7xxe8ukxc3dqwqzcz0ue9fra6m0t2zpvp8yezkeexscz7ena npub1yftkt6shs2fls0djxzww2nc7t96x6uxq490qw860ssfda755pc0q6emnz3 npub1rl5s8caaq8vsjfhxnmmmguxryug2f2has0kg5gzedepzle8quncqn9patu npub1ucsl4dgwslalsgje4es7jefqexlsf678wrhvu8q59e3djzgl7krqf2hnad npub1hvzkl03x7z8fews3cc5h99mxtze83rwxunre2687hcdy0zqn0cssnszrkx npub1q884swxynxp5dt467g0v3gk6t89tgd3r90pgdwcvxtlnjf2l3jtswgwvcc npub169jj88ry88e7f6cmcngcz8mu67ak6q6u2pgtcae6wa4ju00z8gts8hac60 npub1ahfkmjuzqcngqule5c4eq3cucxd65dpkp0sguzzsr2duxwlx9guq86x8en npub14xcy30kssvtpj29f40rk2kk5d2heumaxnz77ahkuejwepqngy9nsewgz0e npub13jpmntdr2k04x76f0c76syf3za42esn2nnd6kumc2cwyltmtje0se6mvqj npub1us9tzl0zc0ggfqw6348wyctck7mmh34w0hpn2rs236akusx7ltjq5s8gtq npub1eykpylvevzagq8jm8jutf2pmjnnelmyuc56a66v9g7ttcth5kfsq6vllrz npub14r294afl5jqgvj4hlfpj3dvyxenxh4vuhepn68zdurcas5r5xy2q5ydufe npub14n46ruge3mmv72xeyjw5zl4cec6dykrme78plmm0zmpnclcptqzq7kct5u npub1yvw87p6d2rmd3lqdp3c6npjhunpra9huxnl8c30rxjw8tnwd292s3jusa9 npub10agmu2vwed988jdxs8cewppw5jvk0xtvh9vdyguttuhugu930fdsdcsdp4 npub1gyu3h0kmqmecf6044q5r88vu5vtf5u6rekh9yazxrtejfexct0lq5zpudc npub1kstv7m2flm703dmufltz4l4lkm3pptl0zdqjvkx8ap3aagttkd4s8d5pa8 npub1rc56x0ek0dd303eph523g3chm0wmrs5wdk6vs0ehd0m5fn8t7y4sqra3tk npub1mlf37lk424pxrstpdhxqp04v637kjyashaj4ea73gfz86yr4gdzq3mjtav npub177xlld4katf3aardam7qpu88l0ttvyde739qcvjdjynweqnncuqqvxmfdc npub1ykfmyfwtanmhvp06wn3ggwm0gl0v5v2ftmnkmhz6swl2x4ur9udq7ld2fy npub1a5pl548ps6qdkpzpmlgkhnmh2hpntpk2gk3nee08e5spp5wzr3qqk7glwn npub19gskj4eqgjgjrwjw5zhu9rddnrqfq59slm5fa5a9crun9wm2qlyqccyh6h npub1ujxurwzpfrxsprf0urqfxpp0qpm2yrpneat4udg7e0v560nzw3asml0d9z npub1ep6wcd256kvsdxey2ylycrpvmf9wnsqvg46kzqrhuw2akxj020kqvkq9hc npub1pumdyz7qfu0suamv4nrl0vcg574dtl5mwazva6nyjxhpwc4ccxxqca3ane npub147d47sem878zwqln7k9y8y3273v29ase4r7lk5yeta62xk3t739qu5n8zd npub18jzu9qrrmhhwk57zqhfffymy7hq8vrncxnvl0sutu5y2lhr456sssgsesp npub1wmnvcv3ycqmtfsysmrnkyckja8dc9nt5sgf60rrel339v8chtgnq4p5w26 npub1tc07sk67d2rs8x90fpg9x727ulzknw7xjyk4lds7pkzauw2tqntqpzs9dq npub15h8pr8t0l6ya275k42cwwhrfu6z6vk6qydkdn55p6wn4f424s2qsasdczc npub1l0j7srkgmdwy8839st2hn8f9utlgh9vtrm04jksh8tsu32h5vpms9k7zqa npub1p9auvqfn3dtrjnwkhxdvvk6xn3tt8aa2uv4dh2af42nv9z8nh0msrjvmhp npub1lnjp9d8xz5zguufe257vtx59kgjuxxufv0fjnplwcfncvpc7vahscraxv3 npub1mhp87q9axdlwh9ac3p7drg9z764mxwe27xvxm7x704l9dykfy9xqrgmxdq npub1253ehcqxctt4ps8kjfmhqje965v8gtzn7c6gtq02c3kqvtxmsx4qv9my05 npub1gk0yyk54t6ptq5m7hygy8rvc98pq9zz5uhusz9ht6yxcpmvsr59qg5ptts npub1828ey4s37t3dlwjmgsa05zafvdlsfsa3lu5vlk5cdx0a3zppv7nq987tnk npub1h6h3jwx3fvz9sanmg5yx6rutmggsnz5t09t795yf4jk4dqsfyq3q47kcxr npub1cw2epa68jpmy384t7vn0suvd3mxnk5s02ap6fcwg0x6jqy4lhdpsfg84uq npub172g2zwq6vkerg02urweyt2daa0huavn6ghcr4gxt93lmhvnzan0snuwkc7 npub1awwrv77yu0x9rvuaq55ppntc52rhxt0w9t32zkyw2jszvmgsqnkq2f3lpm npub12p25mnqkunnhup0sk6ky0vvtq5pnkapezx8kh689dv2vl2wnp2vquyfw5s npub106yj5wlntf5els6w5cw3gwmsgh4yu7vs0lrpw4c0uzkq3rqmkkgqg7rgpe npub1a4u7yc39v6fvr48a3skz9gwdzl76hf499mk96x703nzc23mdqq2qe84e0k npub1fc72tcwhr5fhcmcczzld6femwd7d7uhqwjw8rp5w9enxj52xjqxsmpgv04 npub14h5r077z3edgts6wl2me5vk52x5se6nnhry0ldfzua872ggcxw9slkd3fd npub1xlngepdt5qz752x9423gnvj2gk92j55qsdhm7mrtmju7x36pwnxqg4sypx npub1rl9wszqmsqduzjagewq302qfadjy4mt5vw5zvm8xdamvp3d0nm3sr88s7e npub1ayvrrlpygam2ruyx2lhtkvgjc53wjd3vvvs0ysjqh3pwhryaju7qd60eq3 npub143mkh6lvtrha7w7pjw32ujkljc9ell9wpyvd707nahqy0rt62kws4wlyhl npub157rwfe8a4gffdcx5ca56q2qsvpp3z757674lkwca5ud9j9pdcnaqct6p2h npub12z3w5jynqn3pjt73kqz6wkueygrvt57qfwgxy5u5pmn0uqutdwdq5jpd8w npub1zfrc4u0dnph8flpqar5r5lv3gpn7qafhlh35zpcm8e6ex4k24snqhx69js npub1rvww8nakj7rgz59jdqlswdmvjn0cd46q2h4y00wuaquwyn383fysxlpyxt npub12knmfzy88xpc4dhuly50tlhcnar07c4pd3w9pfpd4lnssmwhvtrsgq2ez4 npub1705am22u3tep8vvdwkqex0jm9pazhmqqyxvaqzcnv76m53xed0xqeetuva npub1q0k8epddegnec4kj0j3rew9yel0jsrp82sd2new0zy3m9pcfgqas4r5yp7 npub1fcj3en06ajdm09y3twytsrnd9n7yqayt9e9xuutqdrwnqu85t6nqt7rz5p npub1jvej78jr00s94gdyct9md9x2ljtjr0jhej5c4mm7cejp39dwgu6slkmju6 npub1mp0jgd4gaj5hhw99lfwxufl0k50m398jcneqsp940sjzz32skmzqw5uuat npub13u8pyc0azav54a9gg0py5khrmd8er6ac55kvag72h43r4q8s7nnqsqsy4t npub1ajan43fcllaxc589juls8pef90cgdya0p0en38h55fal42nlgkrsvltfdv npub1pvn0tyrrrv86xpydzq6ppeyyuh3zut263m82emdfmydn37qa6x5qmh8khc npub1pfx4fj43y5j27ywgj02axnyup0eujtk3g6r4ug2n4nvfsa2kpl0qwvtah5 npub1rpx2y7u00jmsvwt8zlkztajmk3e5se89vhnswsz4suuyg4a3fx2ses6lkk npub10jhpwcdsc6mrfs8audcdds2x5txdagru9835f3drthzaumxurduq6esrnm npub1narc0ect9jf0ffnvcwg8kdqlte69yxfcxgxwaq35eygw42t3jqvq4hxv0r npub1yrffsyxk5hujkpz6mcpwhwkujqmdwswvdp4sqs2ug26zxmly45hsfpn8p0 npub10ua5vjul7d3rvvzg2psvhk36w7gpx8zn8xncqw773l4hnf0pkp4qccymjg npub14fzrwpygf69t0e9snrk2ms7ltn8u4dnvunl6d98zkrgdzf256exqa3j6rj npub1x8vkne5rx99wzup65m7gpmhmgsa80d3dscp8hafrwj70zxzkyexqttjd5x npub1643y7m94wwu30awq5djh7lkqj48evpz944yetgzhssmykkh93zlsz22hhs npub15pkupvdv7hmcjumlrx5yjmcwy2f9fl9fmsa9mx7qjlau8k59rxusq2v0ny npub15wnjy9pfx5xm9w2mjqezyhdgthw3ty4ydmnnamtmhvfmzl9x8css6kt8fs npub1saygqd4rdf8edlm3r45cexr97zndj3254lxyz9dejjlztscvndcqhcky0f npub14neap59th00w9keu9uffpal72dxyex5u7vc8pwsuqrdxes2mkrascnlukg npub1nyzep3atafwfrnq7346dmx7kjhqsrza936rnvnlkv25fzd09gxpqw3gg6v npub1chgzxyqjnvv7ryuf095cswtym37jummaqme42dfez8q25h4l734s9xdl08 npub1gp0cpreej8amtmmd4zn72hvgr4d4tgdhg3vpe0m4yxzqz7skg5eq47jmuc npub10gp3mv09aet40plum7f4pllyc8g8u4thq8mkkwymdcct3schagvq6fuh49 npub143jqpdq583jd7t4ucfkr9wzug9h3904vcng0vymyley0dx43vv8ssk2gc7 npub1z8y57drslgthaefkvya7kmqcdm9c20uutz336j9hp4frkrg32nwq9g4ju8 npub12er2cnsfzc3d5ceggpjazwx9a5cwna4atxslkwe8975lp3fuy6gs6s36tk npub1cpxjrlnhfmcclcsly5c0dvrgvl5nsctzxpp4s9f2nh4qeq50mwsq4089fc npub17dhclpvjmlkhlgkh04sc2296wj0veae79fq8dkwr5efvlz6vt79qgyqztn npub1gm7vxd6yjqsjx49ddqgyflllpjuhduqch79jlp07upsh3uf6q47qsm4xlv npub1d8h26etwdx6ws4afflra7reqwtvjsm7u8zn7jz0w5q0ah4tgx3rsga3axt npub18trgdajss33u25jvk0g2yv6lxr7s7k2dlkkku6eqq7m4hrc6aazshusdhj npub17s290m08ukaz9j3nhyuj5w2zyxtdzdqvrvsgv65c7ckcxshjrxrs6wnfhy npub1jlu3zyj7f2hacdrrmy7jpny9f7nnvuxt2flrasjtmgut90502xqqtsx4rf npub1vwcy6na4rcx6r43fqyxkhzzdvqufctnx06ywvrnajmq9p3mu27yqxy04ch npub1ea35pc7pqg2uvstspd0ljlu09t580qc942n5eevvmkrv6huchffspl8087 npub1jxl2tnvnv9gycsy64aze295c3a529lx5sfmzlktf5lxuw805g5wqew0z0n npub1l885a986vy3sj3watelhdwea74jxhy8688ju4h2c8wz2e94tcd2sl7qjy9 npub1uy7tnhwxsr0tc8eexksandgcct5wtua2xazvl2gfyy5n86p9sdvq7nwdzc npub12wm6zfgan2v2jc5tknkjsj9d64qfk6y4ggu32f9tgnu0mpuz26uqctkvly npub19hvj2zeg7ck8cj2p2az5y0gplllhgzzdu0khu5fhnpfmum5jspeqqcdjej npub1cqykgt4enf0ce9v36kjzugx94l6tp8dd5k8ktfgga9ahgs2mzess82r6sm npub1th77tvx7c3l9qgxql4grcllh9qahyfvz65ruplrf6kh0sfzuya0stmendl npub1w98zr2sevkqle6lmt7u503ewclhzs2cdq94ke4mw7kmpxy2u9y5s6fe9yy npub1c999aq8sl4fmw8an6hfj5lfhuneqc35seffqs6938hxajr2jq6rquyvp6l npub13tnrml3s46xswsk8l2p4tv8cdmnpkvrk4p32828jwce7puefc0kq8jlf2d npub126v86pztd6emjtkwxe8jj8sa8f0m9wcavsd4j0raemdxksegfg3qfaan6r npub1uz9f979gqjj0ymul0kqq79g8gtelwe6rs276jm7qnaffmn545h7suw6nhl npub165h57grx6hjw0grfcw805srfxl53ggcsl3mmhagmp7rg8x80ehasytgw9y npub1re764kr23sa6d2ld6fhukthcwgnwvsrahe92zq42kpdu3lm05sjqwjchtt npub1m0l0harjth9sses5h0r2slf7l4wws4clgt88s6n23ct2kd2xdkusf8nqjj npub1a8w23gjnfv0f0qzjpfeqg7yc5ddf4c8m8jks50l84lrv7h52jhgqq734am npub178p8fw0spjry5824n5wv96rfre8lq4r30ysyctfspzy97n3tl0nqcg5hzj npub1yhyc5znlka36gx496q2lmqhyttlef7lpkx790vjmsh2xfacdeu6q9zu2sd npub1h7mp8nd39hzxywqdl28rm2du9j2jhcarmsmakmulm6z7fc4lx6eqqaxh7q npub1dvqg5278etemtvxl59ahcey8cywrcl0krhpu8dt9s70mgwjar3jsqh5ywp npub1dpm87jq8zpgrvq2thr80chmjjrj0tww7q3hx9kq7wpzq2aayqxdq9a76um npub1l506tlst4adydg0tkshynjw6dsk5ukjvpzr67y9vas8v3nzxylssq6p0j5 npub1pe493zu4ax53pthcsfff7uehwppc9w6peashtyu972ey2szdeheqxcfk5k npub1kuxfh7e9fds89qzzzfjrh6c80d46jstqnm2q29wekyykr4mk0zvss3yn27 npub1gwx22vu2yzm8eq95nvvmgvpax04u96gq4r8rgqqf9pgsheu2lz4q429cus npub1n8ahhlw8trcpwkqdcetl5pgqvrxcfvgrtj037zlflrnqymq5f40qhnwpd9 npub1ujr9zwz8h7xtkvp4pn6aslguqvks43h8ej2z2g86snff0h4xxmuqjzcwy7 npub1vm4s0uqkydaqzt44dyt38p5spltl6637sxrfxswmr6k883f5a0ds8taxyl npub1zqvtnvxrdpg5vwh5alpx0m567092m2ltynqxlk004976tgc6syqsg9rcv4 npub1ld5xqfflwy6txghaaef2d4rnyzkvwvz2crncmtvhq93xxsqvzqtqzdx4yp npub1er2xa679095y03xlcmycgg4r93nluqpluye44h0ndxdy6k5uxcdsqwtqkf npub16jde9ylpry7pyau6svgqktdes242ynfk9snfafh8gq3r3fj5xfus44xm32 npub1zqgjtt2ayahsuxzp3cg7h8qwt6ev7phz9x02ktc0gdlwz70n23nsla0sph npub1h9c96qqmcupyvtq30d0xvp97h2cx966gz8n55cqgd24hgzvz047s6hxyd4 npub1h955atshn3faxg5r40p4achtxg3q832h0agjn24sf63tnkg5ezfq0fnr0n npub1ker60jkxmxjmft468v5wzth5757v2end6wzd4xn67jyej8taj4zsyp7tqy npub1ddjzjva20mwp9xals7v0nh3devvjewevkkrqrsglyhnwa59ctswq6kzdys npub1wtvrnst9hus9pvz3m95pusfjzq4z5zly3w4lehulh6xc8dajl60qsrjg5a npub1hl07ukzg0xk7gj6ejr5k5e6gmakt9tnu5r07f543ce6e7sa7dc0qv0kcun npub16dana9qsfpf48ccyqwvl8jlw6k5u8adly9ph76z0ftrs88lf7vtsrzlu5s npub1fyd0awkakq4aap70ual7mtlszjle9krffgwnsrkyua2frzmysd8qjj8gvg npub1saessfmtu5xwnwh60e0rwnj0e067npv6yxgc7d96algqqart056s5gkuqh npub1lylzl87mst3swjtj97j8aajyfmaqctaylgw9et5agyp3rl42y5as87k86d npub1z324cpkjv9ay5fanw7rex5847dy7h3ndvaej2hy2vmc7r8c35res3x2kje npub13zlwh0n00pja6dkw6htamu6sl8668hpgr45y5lnmnmvt92g3laysqqsatw npub1u2ukfds6k42qwufd9xd5l535lxt3g2zet9rmmlhagtjxg6t8e6asmx0w6c npub1ezeah83hkpsguazn70rmkmfwh864wdejv7h7q7tsuq46wquelelqu8fr7h npub1pvuu3ms6vlu7lmysggjuuz6ctsuyjdmy3uhlywg7jxdewvtr7rgqakhnsl npub1vny9x6jl2cmvhva8m9gq05z0vf2tar3vy72503hvuru0pxtnz2vq9v0fyg npub1s9s55cwl2m6cd5czukune4y02gecrn7m2tukj8zt4epheaqlk7wqsd753t npub1qvwpwvdvq4hckarg9ekldnvzza0shka85fk24uuh606vhg4l2grsuw808l npub15ksrns0fw4l8heral0hst3szmvpka67a94xxjcm3ddlpx7hcn7eqhwfkrd npub1zkrdvkmnx0sv7d8hyd0ma22lfvvphhd33d0qs3sg7lrtrv0xdv9sa7gy52 npub1nknxhegrddacazt8sax6cr2h0r9sht6ajmq3s82vjhg54ey2rfhsumhe3c npub107swly8y0ert2upsevqk8fqw9tvacfvuygw55qcv4s2eav6f0axslhmymt npub1a9a2l7jqqxa9mwrw034lcnuhcsncg905sl03ava49md55t4awewsvvzz87 npub1yudjcmkasasju6znprl3rpyp39xa3uk4g6sfrv3wxestqsehs3eq7z5f8r npub1cy3a6gug0t4jrl8plq393cjjxwtg6cewcuek0n0hkww4h567dnts0ft0dy npub19jxz6jynvhlwzmfyhmn5tzymdff0zuq8jkg2mq268a5045f6favswaxu2q npub1uvx00x8svjwma2zhddwpthyke6zc3rrxqg5gj8mxdjv77zvwmz2qgw603z npub1ewe3r7x8qemdh7v30gndpamgrmu0k6nu4twyt62r6ukvkvmpgkls24272j npub1deexjnst5g52wh9kmqr4hy3wzhh0gspujs2nc6m0l892rzj788uq5gcpq2 npub16qsq63pgxyw5vz6847y9w4cau0fmvhykw7uy04p50u5muulc6kwqn706mz npub12cfje6nl2nuxplcqfvhg7ljt89fmpj0n0fd24zxsukja5qm9wmtqd7y76c npub1nu0yladm9rr6wsz8w3v995gcxl88vqcdnp8uv3zp3xk978d3658s8kvmhm npub1dn5cj3n85c085yqry7wle93uhrqtkf9m2zwqgt8c233js0lt9ugsdr7zzt npub1vudm0xsx4cv3zkvvq7k5836tnkv64q0h7uudnwujr4a4l9zc2p9s0x8url npub12c68tkshmelhtrd7ye5fqg3gwttd33ly7gzxkwh2u4qt008nu7gstf7x0p npub1dc9p7jzjhj86g2uqgltq4qvnpkyfqn9r72kdlddcgyat3j05gnjsgjc8rz npub1dmqa9kg8nke7fc88p760zd8crrqupl4w5lflhgs0jgh4n3slmdjsql67zc npub13q2vzsfemle9cpxj875tz0vcwqe6r8sy05fd62jcd3xuxjeqj6ksze4xl8 npub16merj2xt59t43djfx8vf4fzhc6nd4v9hlsv8ej8xfl3327yr3vzqu8zjt4 npub15dqlghlewk84wz3pkqqvzl2w2w36f97g89ljds8x6c094nlu02vqjllm5m npub1kqnfgpzt3jxh69ma394r0azyurd6h3dehpw7lzvl0vv3n7kv4a0s3305z2 npub1g6jjgu06nctv74e96u84jux6vxm3ezncjh7tyquvm66jug02xvzqmqu08l npub1efk5xdyrs6e4lqfm7crut2ssdnhu54d9egswq6smt62v0llj37vsprp0r9 npub1j2gc7kt42rwf5q37dmm2k29rqxscdqt2vyfn0xgju32v329jfpdqmkq0xk npub15lymwv6mdpdc3j8zxf3qzq33j2lyntst9v83ukqpa0tzkdtae28sgef05j npub189ts86gs5xw5w2mcz0na5vkz4cseam7jnkjwwqswrj56v9x776lshjqa8m npub1cgf0yeja9tlkfq248l09hkf4kfjfyaup50laen46ucv8gf0puy0qlpxlh5 npub15r0z9mrt0nxzq5fzxysqusm32r9krljq8gh55xnavdyllk6gdxjsj36uc5 npub1qa0lj0jktem67zaazrvpgrf23qdcj3cw9u6j5ct55mg447tqnftshv420v npub1yxfjljjd3apsrvzlkww525jfvdsvuwcs3n23wpmy2txtsppzvmtsgxur33 npub1gv8juwhat4xkl734q684n6vvv8sn5k2dvm8a0wnckyw50zajdvhse8rd3j npub14tj8zkwatnjq4rlnruj53676thre3uss9tg8e23a6w4ewuzus60qe4qg6r npub1ylf8w68g5dkfqwjpdvsy42d2cwqnajswrhz323chsc7gnz400chqfmzdm5 npub1rhgqj4urjf5uw9y3npnvvst2hhmcdqghd26fzwgc4s5ptkq24d4s2525ja npub1lzmdnlsaysc5m040q5q8nlgmquldtxzgllegsg6z2n0engaxwp8szsswed npub1vr3860267yxktugg5q034j9xh3xjaxnlawvas6wqa5kw6zxhgcdq6u2yzr npub1q6ygq585gcs2m6egv67yv3a036jhry8zu93wk2uk68e3smdafl5q4sl54r npub1vy0g338hw6w6rn2fsv5s92nx47u6gle8v50ypxwj6k2hsj9p344s95e8r5 npub14k0ws2m8f5jfrae4a7smtmwgx0quhhl58z4rpd8hs9ar8mlx78ys0seswh npub1qahmtyz5pr385kqmvxqf0a4004cx6ncvnj2829rvjf0rs5ujanhs2ssgvv npub18wamvs6p7dslshavd24kv2gy72e5jck9lgm3f3e3f8udja3ramcqvrzg6q npub1njtezc8lznuj5ws6yvz6x324lzn2ct907s8vlwnxqph30m0gqd0qvpvr07 npub1vgppgksgzs7je6xueqqvkpn4gqmcn3nl96famz34zfhqzq286mdqqmecmx npub1w6nj3y6wsv9kfjev4jjdghsg9ajcjq2gtec4qfpmgcmkzljl4yps8r0gwq npub10l6udyczpjzg4wcer9mje4zkcf2hhus8cswhycwaxfanepc7fz6s0q7u4a npub1cwevvvcurkfg5wjtnftret2j7ldv4lg3x35sty0pm546p6jx0g8q9fa055 npub1v5t0xmnrcap5rah8cm8mrqkp0rmuv4mslrlm3ldwkr39fzy56mas7wvr3f npub1w2vm583yvalnc02ngh6rxhn4ekp8m0xysmrzr6s7ufdwmu9r9qxsqdg0ng npub14va2v0yaprmt0nn0qk7ga6jujfk6pdrfwv0kxj76a5ymp8dfdy2s5ehfdd npub1ztdt0nvu8324tg40g4ts8d6englps8w6574zyq2gkdvcrx364y0qd9x9za npub15qskvuagmaznzc3pea7vxh0890ycfzxxdx537gef5wl6cunan3tsdkld4r npub10vmwytmy0pypy2c0f5zen8auvl7ku5dnk53vaw3ddplw2fl9r9wq4hmr5r npub1crqgm8qg9kplm9rlwfj7uxdzdtanq6rfu9unkt4ckd8r7fn7q36s0az8tt npub1x7fj44hzhjdcw2jwpylllpdgeh9yqqt7fg35ucfaywnw68tctv7qntw8qu npub1rj46xc5tssyk67ma9sslqqt90d597uuqx6v7tprv8alt9enk6v0qyvgn65 npub1y9a3x4e4zf6fu2w0cyyx9r2pmm6qtzrv4sallyznflamhplz3jyq0gq7gp npub1ukm78z9nzr0vnq7nqn8tvx95htttj2f48n99n9nqlky547rwzyrqk08am8 npub1p93m0semtesnsm2fjjd0p5kwl8gpwdqsnfq920zqyhfcc3j4nddsygyk5p npub1rgtl4ay7dcnud25enknv9230r3u5dmu3h3c7mj38jamrz4g3vf8qj5cszy npub19ajcupesc6zcpt0tlg6jv2l4w6wnpx985x735445fvla4w9zqqkss69s06 npub1kpyx8lxklwtd6n496rqgu8kq2k3yh2svlzr5sz3jlxlnphc6tcwq8kllrw npub1sg3qz6633ajzfg7w9ptmk0hf8ckl9jvv4zh6ttxt39jne36wnpnqyzk3vn npub1h5e0y6r2tagu4cygnfggzcfrt4afarvcvvcgqmpzyv605g4n89nqhlf2e2 npub1n6rffa4wqh3hcuurlf298dx8j59wxkmjth87adc7ektxnmpgxwgszk7scj npub17ml9y86nfg65h68pumfkclr3ay24pcfduu06j2jfp4pz2yjcpcjqv04fu3 npub1rkz86wjvey3vgdy2pau5ulpzdmxyzq4g8xp9cd3tu6kqmzpqcppseazx4s npub1c664gerrwlc3rlm6nnm73uc2kjyd0f7zaellshxyfdrludtmcf4q3adztu npub1zp0ys9ysfyrjvuxpwhvyevgphkmluynreun7fg2jeuu9xtsjwa4shlqhhn npub1fp0w2jd6e9l6pd3akr630d8gkcn39t2vep7u3ac5265fezu2fnvqjxpa2s npub1jz8k5nl4978lnhghlzeenp3nmfyvykqw5pjp620jj5qft8vqh44qp6pjk8 npub18vay956v7zs5qtgc65mvn54v96cuvqv6j9fmu4cgfjqkt5vjuvjsc47nzf npub1kgpnq8ycudaq8d7fym033hgdarz3ktvcws8nxt7p9rnfv98j7cdqftrga8 npub10wdzfpdpgyzxj8a4xtf5dux5z8065pan7xrcjh6gd6plj39qzycssepffr npub1ew3rlwvtmxw903gnqx92zar5dcyd47pjjure7ut2wngyz003ff8q0x0frx npub18urkgk8wrf0esedp8gy57670q5qxry22yce7rwrnvvrur736p3pspy6upf npub1pp8mxtdgamg65wfvrtp56v5lnyvv2kmx45cxd5m9dgcdjqqy5ysq5qasy3 npub1y5vlh9z98stts0rc5mlufellseuwjtyaa5jhewjqugnzdwt7yvgs0ydryw npub1gcxzte5zlkncx26j68ez60fzkvtkm9e0vrwdcvsjakxf9mu9qewqlfnj5z npub1x0r5gflnk2mn6h3c70nvnywpy2j46gzqwg6k7uw6fxswyz0md9qqnhshtn npub1lc6c4ukssmuf678py7k6thmlk8c4a52l9zx4thec48ve2qmcdqys22jt95 npub1h28yvj0mj692wpwruqdhyjngcfh4la7gaygrent6a3wwqjxcah7qnt92e7 npub16g85fanyh8sq48yjfq0smqm297yw76yxlcdvjq7hkuvm7xjjhn5saads2f npub1xc2plng44tlj2smv65e53sf3uaqf56c5gajktyu8zxn2p70jrxcq230nt9 npub15l8sfm30uwns8qrcajs99narc4ex65ujt5sky4zx3dpjhnnk2szsqu40n5 npub126u9v4tqg79hxx569wyq207q68j4vn4yme8he007kqfg36va8r8s4qvqs4 npub1stv2q4hwrk6ggvw3hxju8hjakly4ev9wt5tn8gnl9cpaqt8799yqj58ygn npub18yffjalmcfn4x0x0jpj3xm8g6vdx8rp2jd4dhnpr7e3xpemxlmas9w0q8u npub1wmmlxqv8l6aks90jvnetvwkk2hqd7pmqzk8hq6v0tkjrpqdvm8tq0exs5c npub1z8v0x60ukxsk00zz5s2uqgvlg6p8dhunnz3fn6wtnw48xg7p3wvsgmnduu npub1vukz6scwfq55vqjpv3z52theg0lwkrz6kncwc3rfkczl3ukafsfqfnw368 npub1kujyqe2m5w9895kfx7agwjag0xperd0efnxzfellux0xuj5es28q09lucn npub1j3tn5wdn82tmlgvcmhtm0fwzqpwx86pdgr3538rh7asdvkas2ktsqlnxpf npub1g7tavhda0yc8857nj22feuytgxskg4dlpfyql6r2d99egajrss7ssq730z npub1fsyfqrleejgdmck8rxd64wkhdefjthu6lgm8eg99r9xxsl9hespsnmfhvv npub1mevkncsv484u9nue4apgl6ue2644x4m57y9cmztnvwpvs0tnduysg3vdsw npub1a2mj00469ng4xy87nucds99e7m5djh4pe3rpluvhcnaat48gpeysj0gy8v npub1ggfzdxa8xrrzhaut6venkrmjtw8wl25y6l0wramkc7d4dlyaflzsxxrfcq npub1f945c6sqw2d2aqktvjrjtu9uca9wdd6ua5e0a560jak90rr5ha0q3tj4cx npub1x3j34yuj6d9ln5ryuw0ncy97aa6ttc5wwyxqwvjrz7mg039t6l5qd4ewrm npub1d0jucp5jqt799kjuqxzs4cj377tew43dpcr60fzyvcltc5jemtcqryyvcy npub1m6keqpkqfp0uzxdzm2q0rdw6pzxuln98rzla0zzywwdzgcyw2rpq56p4d8 npub1p8ymvhgtsyhyqk4y35xlup20trde4pa69pxf45hdxc74zdkyhfvq3narwh npub17n7fe8p607xgzj2hzft5dsqvsus7mm3y0ceq0ta9a30s9akatq5sqh9y58 npub1he7j4yt7ad6kd07ynqk9qmhfqflw642qkjagqvn2eektqrl90fcs6dlraq npub1mryqu5cffjqpyykvmfjx3js8j0m0850v56dx24lhyqgf2uhl5npsk9xj7y npub17natddjkmse4z8frh7ysynwtzanzmvs9d76c5r53546wsnzs25gqfdeqey npub1ywcw97xsl93l0mqmdpshqx4yu507xqa8zy8p3l8vrkgkek90wm7qjhp74e npub1d9f66fpawpeyrdh9jkyccfdgut6u9ghufwly5gyttfy790mp88sqgx5v98 npub1cx5js2ma5gf7fqn7yv8sjtezvg3agfth7yyxhwywtqypkat493ksjm7yr8 npub1ykrmhyqc0mjhdf5mzuz37g3jkt5ma7v0uesmuyvhueaqs5ysfres02hqjd npub13k3ynlhc2ret9nvzamj4cgrnq9fx3uzyx8ral84tjtk5pmxqpcysdzrzgt npub1jdaa64eyuql4hd0244mp7z7n82egpmt2d79ny9avjufkpm5gz46shcdfng npub1ne99yarta29qxnsp0ssp6cpnnqmtwl8cvklenfcsg2fantuvf0zqmpxjxk npub1klwact0ar00r9uer7tzh2zq0ytx3f552tt8qavszdhvu6vpv3uzqwpkjqz npub124rja8qp7dartasr9wdh3kk78phxunzhmq8ar5ryd2anj2qwtcnsz3tuhs npub1c7kdmhhae7x40q8zq9eudgqm9wgz0q3av4nrgaqe2qqphqmqvczqhee447
-
@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1
2025-05-13 06:32:15You don’t have to be a type designer to appreciate what goes into the design of a letterform. In fact, even if you’re just a humble graphic designer, you should have a basic knowledge of what constructs the type you employ.
Typography, for all its concepts, expectations, implications, connotations and artistry, is, ultimately, a system. Just like a body has bones and muscles, every letterform has parts that give it shape, rhythm, and character.
If you're a creative working with type, learning the names of these parts helps you communicate clearly, better analyze your work and others, and design with precision. Everything comes down to a foundational understanding of the anatomy of the letterform and its essential component. So let’s help you with that.
Pangram Pangram Foundry is where the art of typography meets unparalleled craftsmanship. Established in 2018 by designer Mat Desjardins, Pangram Pangram has swiftly risen to become a globally recognized independent type foundry, admired and trusted by industry peers and the design community alike.
Read more about the anatomy of fonts at https://pangrampangram.com/blogs/journal/anatomy-of-the-letterform
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/978828
-
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 03:01:18Key Takeaways
Lyn Alden unpacks the complex interplay of global trade imbalances, the dollar’s entrenched reserve currency status, and America’s eroded industrial base, arguing that aggressive tariffs under Trump have backfired by hurting U.S. businesses without reversing decades of offshoring. She illustrates how China has rapidly ascended the value chain, dominating key industries and making it nearly impossible for the U.S. to build a trade coalition against them. Despite the U.S.’s massive debt and persistent global demand for dollars, cracks are forming in the system as nations explore alternative payment systems and neutral reserve assets like gold and Bitcoin. Lyn emphasizes that Bitcoin’s most effective path to integration is through grassroots and corporate adoption, not government-led initiatives, and warns that unless the U.S. urgently scales its energy and industrial capacity, it risks falling further behind China’s unmatched pace of growth and infrastructure dominance.
Best Quotes
- "The trade deficit is often described as us sending out pieces of paper and getting goods and services, which sounds like a really good deal."
- "It's better to correct these imbalances from a position of strength, not weakness."
- "All that debt creates inflexible demand for dollars. There’s literally way more demand than dollars in the system."
- "China became the largest auto exporter in the world in just four years."
- "Bitcoin isn’t changing to fit into the global financial system. The global financial system is changing to fit Bitcoin."
- "Individuals, small businesses, corporations—these are the real drivers of Bitcoin adoption. Not governments."
Conclusion
This episode offers a sobering look at America’s trade and currency dilemmas, with Lyn Alden explaining why quick policy fixes like tariffs can’t reverse decades of deindustrialization tied to the dollar’s reserve status. She highlights the rise of neutral reserve assets like gold and Bitcoin as important hedges, stressing that grassroots and corporate adoption will be more effective than government-led efforts. Lyn also warns that without a major push to expand energy production, the U.S. risks falling behind in an AI-driven, hardware-centric world, urging strategic humility and innovation to navigate the shifting global order.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - Triffin's dilemma
8:10 - Debt leverage
11:04 - Fold & Bitkey
12:41 - Trump's goals and tariff policy
19:54 - Unchained
20:24 - China is not weak
30:07 - Energy
37:15 - AI/robots
41:11 - SBR
48:47 - Bitcoin credit products
52:40 - Eventful week for bitcoinTranscript
(00:00) They ramped up tariffs super high, super quickly. In many cases, were so high that they hurt us as much as some of our trade adversaries. China has ramped up to like unfathomable degrees. Nuclear, solar, pretty much everything that they can throw money at they're building. The trade is often described as us sending out pieces of paper and getting goods and services, which sounds like a really good deal.
(00:19) They take those slips of paper and then they buy our stocks. They buy our corporate bonds and government bonds. And so they end up owning a larger and larger share of corporate America. got the headphone hair. I'm all out of whack, Lynn. It's been a long week here in Austin. Yeah, I can imagine. It's been a long time since we've talked on the show. It's been two years.
(00:41) I was checking, which is a astonishing to me. But no better time than now. Uh I think quite literally based off of all the conversations we've had uh over the years. I mean, your famous saying, nothing stops this train. I think we're coming to a juncture where that's becoming abundantly clear. and you wrote uh a newsletter earlier this week, I believe you sent it out Sunday, that basically highlighted the crux of the problem, which is the dollar reserve status and the almost impossible task that Trump would like to accomplish, but
(01:21) likely isn't the case, which is sort of solving Triffin's dilemma of reshoring manufacturing while keeping US dollar dominance. So I think diving into this from first principles would be great. Sure. Yeah. And that's that's the um I can imagine the administration's challenge of trying to communicate this because uh the intricacies of how trade deficits and the reserve currency kind of pair together is very wonkish.
(01:46) It it kind of has this like academic quality to it that doesn't go over well uh in kind of political oriented speeches. Um like I would I would be terrible at a political rally for example when I try to explain any of this. Um and so we kind of have this situation where um and this was outlined back during the Breton Wood system by Triffin as you mentioned uh which is that having the reserve currency does come with a bunch of benefits um you know historically called a extraordin uh exorbitant privilege um but then it has certain costs to
(02:15) maintain it and those costs can vary a bit depending on how the system structure. So for example back in the Bretton Woods era the cost was that we kept draining our gold reserves. uh we basically had to kind of keep paying out our go gold gold reserves to maintain that part of the system and in the current formation uh instead we kind of pay for it with our industrial base.
(02:36) We keep kind of sending out little parts of our industrial base over time to maintain the the global reserve currency status. And there's a few reasons for that. One is that um because unlike every other fiat currency, the dollar has all these extra demands for it by countries all around the world. um all these different purposes.
(02:55) um there's this extra demand for dollars which sounds good on the surface and as for Americans for example we have tons of import power when we go on vacations to the rest of the world it's you know we have pretty strong purchasing power compared to when they come to the US um these things seem good on the surface but it also means that it's pretty expensive to manufacture lower margin things here at home uh and so we have this kind of situation where our imports are very strong our exports uh especially lower margin stuff is less uh
(03:22) competitive whereas we can still be competitive competitive on really high margin stuff, you know, technology, finance, healthcare, that kind of thing. Um, and then the other aspect is that even if you could somehow solve that, there's the more fundamental problem, which is that the whole world needs dollars uh for the you know, global reserve currency status to use it for international contract pricing, crossber financing, one side of every trade pair that they do, all these different purposes as a reserve asset. Um uh and
(03:51) when you step back and say, "Well, how do they get all those dollars if they're all using dollars? How did all those dollars get out there?" And the answer is trade deficits. Um basically that overvalued aspect forces open the US trade deficit. And every year we send out hundreds of billions or sometimes a trillion dollars in net outflows.
(04:10) And over years and decades, these have accumulated out there. And so, uh, kind of the way it works is that if you want to fix the trade deficit, which I've been I've been writing about since 2019, I think that's a I think that's a valid mandate to do. Um, unfortunately does come with trade-offs.
(04:26) Uh, some of the some of the benefits that that you know that we enjoy at the cost of the trade deficit. Um, if you do want to kind of fix that imbalance, it comes up, you know, with with basically giving away at least some of those benefits and prioritizing that that industrial base a bit more. And one of the dynamics that you highlighted in your newsletter, which makes sense, but wasn't very clear to me before, is that via these deficits, we flood international markets with dollars because we're sending parts of our industrial base over there. But then
(05:00) it's like cyclical. They take those dollars and then reinvest them in US financial assets. So it has this sort of flow where it goes out but then it comes back in into the financialized economy via equities and real estate and other such assets and that is good for asset owners here in the United States.
(05:19) But again I think that's is part of the bag of mandate is that sort of cycle has led to this large wealth gap in the United States that they're trying to fix. Yeah. Exactly. Um and so basically the opposite side of a current account deficit which is basically so the trade deficit plus things like interest and dividends.
(05:39) Um so we run a structural current account deficit and the opposite side of that is a capital account surplus. Um which is that funds flow in the rest of the world and buy our financial assets. Uh and so it's the the trade deficit is often described as us sending out pieces of paper and getting goods and services which sounds like a really good deal.
(05:57) Um but then the extra step of that that you mentioned is that they take those slips of paper or really those electronic digits that they have and then they buy our stocks, they buy our real estate, they buy our private equity, they they buy our corporate bonds and government bonds and so they end up owning a larger and larger share of corporate America as part of their kind of accumulated uh trade surpluses uh and reserve assets and uh international private assets.
(06:22) Um, and the kind of the consequence of this, if you kind of like view the foreign sector as an intermediary, we're basically constantly kind of taking economic vibrancy out of, you know, Michigan and Ohio and, uh, you know, rural Pennsylvania where the steel m -
@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-22 03:01:17Marty's Bent
Last week we covered the bombshell developments in the Samourai Wallet case. For those who didn't read that, last Monday the world was made aware of the fact that the SDNY was explicitly told by FinCEN that the federal regulator did not believe that Samourai Wallet was a money services business six months before arresting the co-founders of Samourai Wallet for conspiracy to launder money and illegally operating a money services business. This was an obvious overstep by the SDNY that many believed would be quickly alleviated, especially considering the fact that the Trump administration via the Department of Justice has made it clear that they do not intend to rule via prosecution.
It seems that this is not the case as the SDNY responded to a letter sent from the defense to dismiss the case by stating that they fully plan to move forward. Stating that they only sought the recommendations of FinCEN employees and did not believe that those employees' comments were indicative of FinCEN's overall views on this particular case. It's a pretty egregious abuse of power by the SDNY. I'm not sure if the particular lawyers and judges within the Southern District of New York are very passionate about preventing the use of self-custody bitcoin and products that enable bitcoiners to transact privately, or if they're simply participating in a broader meta war with the Trump administration - who has made it clear to federal judges across the country that last Fall's election will have consequences, mainly that the Executive Branch will try to effectuate the policies that President Trump campaigned on by any legal means necessary - and Samouari Wallet is simply in the middle of that meta war.
However, one thing is pretty clear to me, this is an egregious overstep of power. The interpretation of that law, as has been laid out and confirmed by FinCEN over the last decade, is pretty clear; you cannot be a money services business if you do not control the funds that people are sending to each other, which is definitely the case with Samourai Wallet. People downloaded Samourai Wallet, spun up their own private-public key pairs and initiated transactions themselves. Samourai never custodied funds or initiated transactions on behalf of their users. This is very cut and dry. Straight to the point. It should be something that anyone with more than two brain cells is able to discern pretty quickly.
It is imperative that anybody in the industry who cares about being able to hold bitcoin in self-custody, to mine bitcoin, and to send bitcoin in a peer-to-peer fashion makes some noise around this case. None of the current administration's attempts to foster innovation around bitcoin in the United States will matter if the wrong precedent is set in this case. If the SDNY is successful in prosecuting Samourai Wallet, it will mean that anybody holding Bitcoin in self-custody, running a bitcoin fold node or mining bitcoin will have to KYC all of their users and counterparts lest they be labeled a money services business that is breaking laws stemming from the Bank Secrecy Act. This will effectively make building a self-custody bitcoin wallet, running a node, or mining bitcoin in tillegal in the United States. The ability to comply with the rules that would be unleashed if this Samourai case goes the wrong way, are such that it will effectively destroy the industry overnight.
It is yet to be seen whether or not the Department of Justice will step in to publicly flog the SDNY and force them to stop pursuing this case. This is the only likely way that the case will go away at this point, so it is very important that bitcoiners who care about being able to self-custody bitcoin, mine bitcoin, or send bitcoin in a peer-to-peer fashion in the United States make it clear to the current administration and any local politicians that this is an issue that you care deeply about. If we are too complacent, there is a chance that the SDNY could completely annihilate the bitcoin industry in America despite of all of the positive momentum we're seeing from all angles at the moment.
Bitcoin Adoption by Power Companies: The Next Frontier
In my recent conversation with Andrew Myers from Satoshi Energy, he shared their ambitious mission to "enable every electric power company to use bitcoin by block 1,050,000" – roughly three years from now. This strategic imperative isn't just about creating new Bitcoin users; it's about sovereignty. Andrew emphasized that getting Bitcoin into the hands of energy companies who value self-sovereignty creates a more balanced future economic landscape. The excitement was palpable as he described how several energy companies are already moving beyond simply selling power to Bitcoin miners and are beginning to invest in mining operations themselves.
"You have global commodity companies being like, 'Oh, this is another commodity – we want to invest in this, we want to own this,'" - Andrew Myers
Perhaps most fascinating was Andrew's revelation about major energy companies in Texas developing Bitcoin collateral products for power contracts – a practical application that could revolutionize how energy transactions are settled. As energy companies continue embracing Bitcoin for both operations and collateral, we're witnessing the early stages of a profound shift in how critical infrastructure interfaces with sound money. The implications for both sectors could be transformative.
Check out the full podcast here for more on remote viewing, Nikola Tesla's predictions, and the convergence of Bitcoin and AI technology. We cover everything from humanoid robots to the energy demands of next-generation computing.
Headlines of the Day
Steak n Shake to Accept Bitcoin at All Locations May 16 - via X
Facebook Plans Crypto Wallets for 3B Users, Bitcoin Impact Looms - via X
Trump Urges Americans to Buy Stocks for Economic Boom - via X
UK Drops Tariffs, U.S. Farmers Set to Reap Major Benefits - via X
Looking for the perfect video to push the smartest person you know from zero to one on bitcoin? Bitcoin, Not Crypto is a three-part master class from Parker Lewis and Dhruv Bansal that cuts through the noise—covering why 21 million was the key technical simplification that made bitcoin possible, why blockchains don’t create decentralization, and why everything else will be built on bitcoin.
Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150M across 30+ companies through three funds. I am a Managing Partner at Ten31 and am very proud of the work we are doing. Learn more at ten31.vc/invest.
Final thought...
Happy belated Mother's Day to all the moms out there.
Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/
Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:
@media screen and (max-width: 480px) { .mobile-padding { padding: 10px 0 !important; } .social-container { width: 100% !important; max-width: 260px !important; } .social-icon { padding: 0 !important; } .social-icon img { height: 32px !important; width: 32px !important; } .icon-cell { padding: 0 4px !important; } } .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } .moz-text-html .mj-column-per-33-333333333333336 { width: 25% !important; max-width: 25%; } /* Helps with rendering in various email clients */ body { margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; } img { -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; } /* Prevents Gmail from changing the text color in email threads */ .im { color: inherit !important; }
-
@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-05-20 10:45:18“The future is there... staring back at us. Trying to make sense of the fiction we will have become.” — William Gibson.
This month is the 4th anniversary of kycnot.me. Thank you for being here.
Fifteen years ago, Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin, a peer-to-peer electronic cash system: a decentralized currency free from government and institutional control. Nakamoto's whitepaper showed a vision for a financial system based on trustless transactions, secured by cryptography. Some time forward and KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing) regulations started to come into play.
What a paradox: to engage with a system designed for decentralization, privacy, and independence, we are forced to give away our personal details. Using Bitcoin in the economy requires revealing your identity, not just to the party you interact with, but also to third parties who must track and report the interaction. You are forced to give sensitive data to entities you don't, can't, and shouldn't trust. Information can never be kept 100% safe; there's always a risk. Information is power, who knows about you has control over you.
Information asymmetry creates imbalances of power. When entities have detailed knowledge about individuals, they can manipulate, influence, or exploit this information to their advantage. The accumulation of personal data by corporations and governments enables extensive surveillances.
Such practices, moreover, exclude individuals from traditional economic systems if their documentation doesn't meet arbitrary standards, reinforcing a dystopian divide. Small businesses are similarly burdened by the costs of implementing these regulations, hindering free market competition^1:
How will they keep this information safe? Why do they need my identity? Why do they force businesses to enforce such regulations? It's always for your safety, to protect you from the "bad". Your life is perpetually in danger: terrorists, money launderers, villains... so the government steps in to save us.
‟Hush now, baby, baby, don't you cry Mamma's gonna make all of your nightmares come true Mamma's gonna put all of her fears into you Mamma's gonna keep you right here, under her wing She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing Mamma's gonna keep baby cosy and warm” — Mother, Pink Floyd
We must resist any attack on our privacy and freedom. To do this, we must collaborate.
If you have a service, refuse to ask for KYC; find a way. Accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero. Commit to circular economies. Remove the need to go through the FIAT system. People need fiat money to use most services, but we can change that.
If you're a user, donate to and prefer using services that accept such currencies. Encourage your friends to accept cryptocurrencies as well. Boycott FIAT system to the greatest extent you possibly can.
This may sound utopian, but it can be achieved. This movement can't be stopped. Go kick the hornet's nest.
“We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any. We must come together and create systems which allow anonymous transactions to take place. People have been defending their own privacy for centuries with whispers, darkness, envelopes, closed doors, secret handshakes, and couriers. The technologies of the past did not allow for strong privacy, but electronic technologies do.” — Eric Hughes, A Cypherpunk's Manifesto
The anniversary
Four years ago, I began exploring ways to use crypto without KYC. I bookmarked a few favorite services and thought sharing them to the world might be useful. That was the first version of kycnot.me — a simple list of about 15 services. Since then, I've added services, rewritten it three times, and improved it to what it is now.
kycnot.me has remained 100% independent and 100% open source^2 all these years. I've received offers to buy the site, all of which I have declined and will continue to decline. It has been DDoS attacked many times, but we made it through. I have also rewritten the whole site almost once per year (three times in four years).
The code and scoring algorithm are open source (contributions are welcome) and I can't arbitrarly change a service's score without adding or removing attributes, making any arbitrary alterations obvious if they were fake. You can even see the score summary for any service's score.
I'm a one-person team, dedicating my free time to this project. I hope to keep doing so for many more years. Again, thank you for being part of this.