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@ Bitcoin Herald
2023-07-18 20:19:29Hey bitcoiner!
This week, 13 years ago Bitcoin was first mentioned on Slashdot, which led to a major influx of new users.
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Hot Off the Press:
🚀 Bitcoin ETF Gets the Green Light for Applications from SEC
⚡️ Binance Brings Lightning Network Onboard
👁️ Big Brother Alert in Brazil
🤑 Funding Bitcoin Projects
🇪🇺 Europe Gears Up for Its First Spot Bitcoin ETF This Month
💖 A Bitcoin Tale That Will Melt Your Heart
🎬 Spotlight on Nostr: The Documentary
⚡️ Matching Zaps
🤐 EU's Crackdown on Free Speech?
👨💻 Fresh Releases
Mempool:
Lightning:
Mining:
🚀 Bitcoin ETF Gets the Green Light for Applications from SEC
The SEC is now taking Bitcoin ETF applications!
Guess what? The SEC just gave the thumbs up to Blackrock's Bitcoin ETF application, hinting at a broader acceptance of Bitcoin. Now, it's time for the review process and some public chit-chat about the proposal. With Blackrock, the world's biggest asset manager, in the game, it's clear that Bitcoin-based investment goodies are on the horizon in the U.S.
This exciting news comes amidst the SEC playing the tough cop with platforms for alleged securities law no-nos. Blackrock has picked Coinbase as the babysitter for its Ishares Bitcoin Trust, adding a dash of surveillance-sharing agreement to its filing.
Despite past rejections due to worries about market manipulation and investor protection, the Bitcoin world is buzzing with hope as more ETF applications, including one from Bitwise, are getting the nod.
Remember, folks! Not your keys - not your coins. Self-custody is the key to truly owning and controlling your Bitcoin. Without it, we can't fully embrace the decentralized spirit of Bitcoin and the financial freedom it promises.
⚡️ Binance Brings Lightning Network Onboard
Binance says "Hello!" to the lightning network
https://twitter.com/binance/status/1680777249090576385
Binance has rolled out the red carpet for the Lightning Network for BTC withdrawals and deposits, offering users a speedy and wallet-friendly transaction experience. Users can now pick "LIGHTNING" from the menu for Bitcoin transactions, along with other options. This move comes hot on the heels of the recent spike in BTC network fees, and Binance is joining the Lightning Network party along with other exchanges.
The biggest exchange integrating the Lightning Network could be a game-changer for Lightning Network adoption. As more users get a taste of faster and cheaper transactions, they might be tempted to dive deeper into this layer-2 scaling solution. Bringing the Lightning Network to the masses through such exchanges is a giant leap towards wider adoption and unlocking Bitcoin's scalability and efficiency potential. Find out more about Lightning here.
🇪🇺 Europe Gears Up for Its First Spot Bitcoin ETF This Month
Europe is all set to roll out its first spot Bitcoin ETF this month
Europe's maiden Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), which was scheduled to take off last year but got held up due to market weather, is now ready for takeoff this month, thanks to Jacobi Asset Management. This isn't your regular digital assets exchange-traded product that's structured as exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Nope, this ETF gives you direct ownership of the underlying assets and says "No, thank you!" to counterparty risks that come with derivatives.
Even with the handy-dandy ETFs, folks, don't forget to keep a tight grip on your private keys. Self-custody is the golden ticket to truly owning and securing your digital assets, keeping in step with the decentralized beat of Bitcoin. As we welcome regulated financial products like ETFs, let's not lose sight of the importance of holding our own keys. More on self-custody can be found here.
👁️ Big Brother Alert in Brazil
Brazilian CBDC might give the government the keys to its citizens' funds.
Brazil's central bank has unveiled the source code for its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot on GitHub, inviting the public to take a peek under the hood. But, developers stumbled upon some eyebrow-raising functions that could give the central bank the reins to individual wallets and their funds. These functions include the power to freeze and unfreeze wallets, shuffle funds around, and hit the pause button on transfers.
The central bank has admitted that these functions are part of the test drive, but it's still a mystery if they'll make it to the final cut. Some folks in the Bitcoin community are getting the jitters that CBDCs could put a damper on financial freedom and privacy. Critics, including Edward Snowden, are branding CBDCs as "crypto fascist currencies" that pose a threat to financial sovereignty and savings.
Bitcoin was born to offer an alternative to the traditional monetary system, with a big emphasis on financial sovereignty and privacy (see Satoshi's original post on p2p foundation here). CBDCs with such a high level of centralized control are setting off alarm bells about individual rights and privacy. While governments make the case that these measures are needed to tackle illicit activities, we need to keep our eyes wide open to safeguard our financial independence and protect our privacy in the digital era.
🤑 Funding Bitcoin Projects
OpenSats funds independent Bitcoin projects
OpenSats aims to fulfill Hal Finney's vision of using computers as tools to liberate and protect people instead of controlling them. OpenSats announced grants for numerous projects in the Bitcoin and Lightning ecosystem. These open-source projects, including Payjoin Dev Kit, Raspiblitz, BTCPay Server, and more, will receive funding to develop and improve tools that empower individuals and promote financial autonomy.
Thanks to Bitcoin's decentralized nature, anyone can sponsor and support projects they believe in without restrictions. This democratized funding approach allows innovative tools to flourish, fostering a community-driven ecosystem that prioritizes individual empowerment and privacy. The projects chosen by OpenSats exemplify the potential of creating a future where technology truly serves the people and enhances their freedom.
💖 A Bitcoin Tale That Will Melt Your Heart
Bitcoiners rally to raise $8k+ in just 6 hours for a woman in need
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In a heartwarming display of unity, Bitcoiners from every corner of the globe pulled together over 300 donations in just 6 hours, amassing a whopping $8k+ US. The recipient was Estela, a vendor in a market, who was left speechless by the generous Bitcoin gift that landed in her wallet. She was deeply moved by the wave of support that came flooding in from strangers worldwide.
Bitcoin's magic isn't just about making money; it's about making a difference. It gives people the power to back the causes they believe in and bring about positive change in their communities. This touching story is a reminder that at the heart of Bitcoin is the ability to foster a sense of community and goodwill, enriching the lives of people from all walks of life. It's a shining example of the true power of Bitcoin and the united spirit of bitcoiners around the world.
Byte-size buzz
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Bitcoin mining difficulty reached a new ATH of 53.91T.
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Lightning Network capacity dropped by a whopping 580 BTC due to River’s planned channel housekeeping.
Nostr Recap by Primal
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🎬 Spotlight on Nostr: The Documentary
The curtain rises on the first Nostr documentary.
Max DeMarco, a well-known YouTuber, Bitcoiner, and Nostr fan, has unveiled the first-ever Nostr documentary, featuring star appearances from Jack Dorsey, Rabble, and other notable nostriches. This documentary is a must-watch for newcomers and those who are just dipping their toes into the world of Nostr.
“Most people agree that Social Media is broken and that we need to find new solutions. I embarked on a journey to find out more about a new invention called NOSTR. Join me and see how I was able to understand more about that technology.” - Max DeMarco
What's even more fascinating is that while Twitter has rolled out its program to back content creators, Max hasn't seen a dime from his film there. Meanwhile, Nostr users have showered him with a cool 7M sats in appreciation for the value he delivered. All voluntarily, without any reliance on algorithms or middlemen. If this isn't the future of online interactions, then what is?
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Content like this is priceless, especially at this early stage, when most people are still in the dark about Nostr's existence, and some haven't even spotted any cracks in traditional social media platforms. Sure, Nostr is much more than just social media, but let's take it one step at a time and bring people onboard.
⚡️ Matching Zaps
ZapplePay Amps Up FOSS Support with Matching Zaps
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ZapplePay, the savvy solution to Apple's restrictions, has unveiled an exciting new feature - the ability to send a matching zap to Damus and/or OpenSats. This brilliant initiative is aimed at championing open source software and boosting awareness of both value-4-value and lightning.
While you are waiting for the arrival of more matching zap options, we encourage you to have a look at Tony's guide on ZapplePay here.
🤐 EU's Crackdown on Free Speech?
Social media platforms could face shutdowns for not removing government-unapproved content.
The EU's top brass might soon be pulling the plug on social media giants like TikTok and Snapchat for not being strict enough on troublesome content during riots. This startling revelation came from the EU's Internal Commissioner, Thierry Breton.
Under the upcoming Digital Services Act, social media platforms will be walking a tightrope. If they fail to promptly delete content that stokes violence or promotes harmful activities, they could face immediate sanctions, including potential bans.
Nineteen major online platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter, will have to up their game to limit the spread of illegal and harmful content. If they fail, they could be hit with fines of up to a whopping 6 percent of their global revenue.
These guys are the best marketing team Nostr could ever dream of. Given the current global circumstances, people will naturally understand the significance of Nostr. They'll start seeking out platforms where they can communicate and express their thoughts freely. Given that there's no second-best, it's inevitable that everyone and everything will gravitate towards Nostr. Our primary task now is to gear up to manage the incoming surge.
Byte-size Buzz:
- Nostr.build increased free video uploads size to 25MB.
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Bitcoin
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Mutiny Wallet has made its beta publicly available. Check out the announcement and get the lowdown on the wallet here.
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Zeus will no longer require users to run a Lightning Node to use the wallet.
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Phoenix has introduced the 3rd generation of its self-custodial Lightning wallet.
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With Bisq's latest update v1.9.12, you can now clone existing offers while sharing its maker fee and security deposit.
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Peach Bitcoin's latest update allows users to change discount/premium after funding the escrow and now supports Liquid.
Nostr
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Primal for iOS has roared into action and is now available on TestFlight. Get a sneak peek at the app by DOC of Nostr Report: https://habla.news/nostreport/primal-testflight-review
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Damus' TestFlight update has introduced support for long-form notes, banner editing, multi-lingual hashtags, and more!
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Nostr Band's Embed widget now displays user’s follows in a profile view:
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Nostr Wallet Connect is now available on the Umbrel App Store.
Halving 101
A quick look at Bitcoin halving by nostr:npub1cj8znuztfqkvq89pl8hceph0svvvqk0qay6nydgk9uyq7fhpfsgsqwrz4u:
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*“AgoraDesk overview. A Peer-to-Peer Cryptocurrency Marketplace.” Follow this link for a guide.
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*“ZapplePay: Zap Even if They Say It’s Forbidden.” A guide on going around Apple’s note zaps restrictions by Tony.
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*“A vision for content discovery and relay usage for basic social-networking in Nostr” by Fiatjaf: https://fiatjaf.com/3f106d31.html
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Capital in the 21st Century [Allen Farrington] read by Guy Swan. Listen on Fountain.
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Plebchain Radio - Max DeMarco discusses his Nostr Documentary. Listen on Fountain.
New to Fountain? Support Herald by downloading the app via this referral link.
Ostrich Work
The first and best Nostr Jobs board on the internet by nostr:npub1zuuajd7u3sx8xu92yav9jwxpr839cs0kc3q6t56vd5u9q033xmhsk6c2uc
“Ostrich Work is the first Nostr-native job board. Both for people looking to hire or work on Nostr projects but also because the jobs themselves are Nostr events (a new kind: 30402 event, in fact).”
The best place to find a Nostr-related job, or to search for a specialist to power your project.
Website: https://ostrich.work/
Obtainium
“Obtainium allows you to install and update Open-Source apps directly from their releases pages, and receive notifications when new releases are made available” – Derek Ross
GitHub repo: https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium
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