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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-03-10 23:31:30
Bitcoin 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.
Usually stolen bitcoin for the reserve creates a perverse incentive. If governments see a 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.
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@ d68401a8:11aad383
2025-03-10 17:22:14
**What do you need?**
* A Handshake top-level domain
* Bob wallet (with at least 10 HNS)
* Varo account
* GitHub account
**1. Own a Handshake domain**
First, you need to have a domain stored in your personal wallet (Bob Wallet).
We don’t cover how to obtain a domain name, but it’s not difficult. You can bid for domains using Bob Wallet, which is a self-custodial method that allows you to interact directly with the blockchain. Alternatively, you can use a custodial service like Namebase.io or ShakeStation.io. If you opt for a custodial service, both platforms work well and significantly simplify the process. However, keep in mind that you will need to transfer your domain to your Bob Wallet. This transfer typically takes about a day, so be patient.
**2. Create A Varo Account**
Varo is a service that allows you to connect your self-custodied domain to a DNS nameserver, enabling you to manage your domain records without losing custody of your name. At any time, you can use your Bob Wallet to delete all records associating your domain with Varo, effectively breaking the connection. Varo is developed by [eskimo.software](https://eskimo.software). You can access Varo in both the ICANN and HNS root zones:
* [https://varo.domains](https://varo.domains)
* [https://varo](https://varo)
**3. Connect your domain with Varo**
Once your domain is in your Bob wallet, you need to connect it to Varo. Go to your Varo account > Add site *>* type the domain you own, and press the "+" button.
Your domain should appear under "External Domains". Next, go to "Manage", where you’ll find two subsections named "Nameservers" and "DNSSEC". These are the records you need to add to your domain in Bob Wallet to connect it with Varo.
In Bob Wallet go to "Domain Manager", press on your domain, a new screen will open. In the "Records" section, add the records provided by Varo:
* Add 2 NS records, with the value of ns1.varo. and ns2.varo.
* Add 1 DS record, with whatever string of value you have in your Varo account
Once done you need to "Submit" the changes. It will take approximately 10 minutes to update (the time it takes for each block to be created on the Handshake network). After 10–20 minutes, you should be able to see the new records on any HNS explorer, such as Niami.io.
To test if the connection is proper, you can add a "redirect" record on Varo. A redirect record is a type of DNS record used to redirect a domain or subdomain to another URL. In this example, I will redirect the domain "nostr.belikebill", to my Primal nostr address "https://primal.net/galetaire".
* Type: REDIRECT
* Name: nostr.yourdomain
* Content: the URL of destination
Once completed, it will take about 6 hours for the changes to go live. Yes, it might seem like a long time, but domains are not like money—you’re not meant to move them around constantly. If your new address, "nostr.yourdomain" or "http://nostr.yourdomain.hns.to", redirects to your desired URL, your domain and Varo are successfully connected.
**4. Create a GitHub account**
Create or go to your GitHub account, create a "New repository", put the name of your choice, and "create".
**4.1 Create an index file**
At your new repository, click on the "Add file" > "Create new file" button.
Name the file "index.html" and type some HTML content into the editor. Like:
`<h1>Hi, It's me!</h1>`
Commit changes.
**4.2 Repository Settings**
Click on the "Settings" tab and scroll down to the GitHub "Pages" section. Select the main branch source "/root" and click on the "Save" button.
After 5 minutes, you can refresh the Pages section, and at the top, you will see an information message indicating that your site is live at a URL similar to this: [https://youraccount.github.io/yourrepository](https://youraccount.github.io/yourrepository), visit the site. At this point, your website is online.
In the "Pages" section, go to "Custom Domain" and add your desired domain. Note that it must be a second-level domain (e.g., `something.yourdomain`). GitHub will not recognize a pure top-level domain:
* hi.yourdomain, for example.
Because it’s not an ICANN domain, GitHub will tell you it doesn’t work, but it actually does. Even though it will always show as "DNS Check in Progress," your site will be online. It will take around 30 minutes for the site to go live.
**5. Set up your domain as the address for your site**
Finally, you need to connect Varo with GitHub. Go to you Varo account > "Manage" for your domain, and add an "A" record:
* Type: A
* Name: hi.yourdomain
* Content: [185.199.111.153](http://185.199.111.153) (this is the IP address of [GitHub](https://docs.github.com/en/pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site/managing-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site))
As for the "Redirect" record, the update will take 6 hours to go live. But after that time, your site will be online at your domain address:
* [http://hi.yourdomain/](http://hi.yourdomain/)
* [http://hi.yourdomain.hns.to](http://hi.yourdomain.hns.to) (hns.to is a bridge to see HNS addresses trough ICANN addresses).
Congrats! The next step is to personalize your website (at this point only the "index.html"), you can ask some AI to create you one, copy paste, and done!
You can see mine at [http://hi.galetaire](http://hi.galetaire), any doubt hit the comment section :D.
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@ 4857600b:30b502f4
2025-03-10 12:09:35
At this point, we should be arresting, not firing, any FBI employee who delays, destroys, or withholds information on the Epstein case. There is ZERO explanation I will accept for redacting anything for “national security” reasons. A lot of Trump supporters are losing patience with Pam Bondi. I will give her the benefit of the doubt for now since the corruption within the whole security/intelligence apparatus of our country runs deep. However, let’s not forget that probably Trump’s biggest mistakes in his first term involved picking weak and easily corruptible (or blackmailable) officials. It seemed every month a formerly-loyal person did a complete 180 degree turn and did everything they could to screw him over, regardless of the betrayal’s effect on the country or whatever principles that person claimed to have. I think he’s fixed his screening process, but since we’re talking about the FBI, we know they have the power to dig up any dirt or blackmail material available, or just make it up. In the Epstein case, it’s probably better to go after Bondi than give up a treasure trove of blackmail material against the long list of members on his client list.