@ 4c96d763:80c3ee30

# Changes ## Daniel D’Aquino (8): - Add release process issue template - Reduce swipe sensitivity on thread chat view - Fix issue where a NWC connection would not work unless restarting the app - Implement developer feature to avoid distractions - Fix issue where a NWC connection would not work unless restarting the app - Fix issue where note persisted after note publication - Add development and testing tips - Improve open action handling for notifications ## Terry Yiu (6): - Export strings for translation - Remove preview strings from translation and add missing period to duplicate string to avoid double translation - Trim whitespaces from Lightning addresses - Fix reposts banner to be localizable - Add Conversations tab to profiles - Remove mystery tabs meant to fix tab switching bug that no longer exists ## Transifex (23): - Translate Localizable.strings in pt_PT - Translate Localizable.strings in pt_PT - Translate Localizable.strings in pt_PT - Translate Localizable.strings in pt_PT - Translate Localizable.strings in pt_PT - Translate Localizable.stringsdict in th - Translate Localizable.strings in th - Translate Localizable.strings in th - Translate Localizable.strings in th - Translate Localizable.strings in th - Translate Localizable.strings in th - Translate InfoPlist.strings in nl - Translate InfoPlist.strings in nl - Translate Localizable.strings in nl - Translate Localizable.strings in de - Translate InfoPlist.strings in de - Translate Localizable.strings in de - Translate InfoPlist.strings in ja - Translate InfoPlist.strings in th - Translate Localizable.strings in th - Translate Localizable.strings in pl_PL - Translate InfoPlist.strings in pl_PL - Translate InfoPlist.strings in pl_PL ## William Casarin (2): - Revert "Update EventMenu.swift" - prs: ensure PR always have a linked issue ## alltheseas (1): - Update EventMenu.swift pushed to [damus:refs/heads/master](http://git.jb55.com/damus/commit/935a6cae7a199871f06e42190919844c87266a1b.html)

@ 3ad01248:962d8a07

It has almost been a month since the Bitcoin friendly Trump administration has been in power. The Bitcoin price was riding high days before and after the election with Bitcoin reaching a new all time high of 109k. It sure seem like surely once Trump got into office the price would skyrocket and everyone finally would have lambos and girlfriends. Sadly for the number go up crowd this didn't happen. There are no lambos to be found and no girlfriends. All we get is some sideways price action and a promise to look at creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (BSR) or some kind of sovereign wealth fund. If you are in Bitcoin for the right reasons and understand what you hold, this is the perfect time to stack sats before the price goes parabolic. I say this because Bitcoin sure seems to be poised to make a massive run. If you look past the current price of Bitcoin you can see a storm of dollars flowing into Bitcoin from the traditional fiat economy. The signs are there if you start looking for them. ## US States Creating Bitcoin Strategic Reserves Guess how many states are considering creating a state level Bitcoin reserve of their own? Lots. Here is a list of states that are thinking about creating a reserve for their state: - [Alabama](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#alabama) - [Arizona](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#arizona) - [Florida](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#florida) - [Kansas](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#kansas) - [Illinois](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#illinois) - [Iowa](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#iowa) - [Massachusetts](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#massachusetts) - [Michigan](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#michigan) - [Missouri](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#missouri) - [Montana](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#montana) - [New Hampshire](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#new-hampshire) - [New Jersey](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#new-jersey) - [New Mexico](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#new-mexico) - [North Carolina](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#north-carolina) - [North Dakota](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#north-dakota) - [Ohio](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#ohio) - [Pennsylvania](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#pennsylvania) - [South Dakota](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#south-dakota) - [Texas](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#texas) - [Utah](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#utah) - [Wisconsin](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#wisconsin) - [Wyoming](https://crypto.news/the-list-us-states-embracing-bitcoin-reserves-growing/#wyoming) Each state is at some varying degree of interest in creating a reserve. Texas and Arizona are by far have made the most progress on making a Bitcoin reserve a reality. [Texas is currently holding a public hearing on this at the time of this writing](https://bitcoinworld.co.in/texas-senate-bitcoin-reserve-hearing/). There is strong political will to create a reserve so I definitely can see them being first movers on this and once Texas makes it a reality the other state will move in short order. [Arizona's strategic reserve bill passed the senate finance committee ](https://www.coinspeaker.com/arizona-senate-approves-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-bill/)on a 5-2 which is a big deal in itself but still has a long way to go before it becomes policy. If it passes the Senate it still has to pass the Arizona House of Representatives and signed by Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs, so the odds of this becoming law is slim. Arizona Democrats seem to be anti-Bitcoin in general and any bills coming from Republicans will likely be shoot down or watered down. [Analysts believe that $23 billion could flow into Bitcoin](https://cryptopotato.com/us-state-strategic-bitcoin-reserves-could-buy-23b-in-btc-vaneck/) from government reserves which equates to 247k Bitcoin going into government cold storage. I have reservations about governments creating BSR's but if we are going to have them I much rather them be at the state level where it can benefit citizens the most. Especially state pension funds that so many of our firefighters, police and first responders depend on for retirement. We will probably see a state level BSR created by the end of the year if not sooner. Time will tell. ### SAB 121 Repeal What is SAB 121? SAB 121 or Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 made it problematic for financial institutions to custody digital assets such as Bitcoin for their customers. SAB 121 required institutions to record their holdings as a liability and not an asset. Naturally banks and other financial institutions didn't see an upside to custody digital assets if it meant taking on liability and having an administration that was hostile to crypto in general. Why take the chance to piss off the government and give them a reason to go after you is probably the reasoning of most bank executives. SAB 121 achieved the goal the Biden administration set out to accomplish, namely stymie Bitcoin adoption by banks and individuals as long as possible. [President Trump swiftly issued a executive order rescinding SAB 121](https://www.fireblocks.com/blog/the-repeal-of-sab-121-a-new-chapter-for-u-s-leadership-in-crypto/) and with that ushering a new era in the realm of Bitcoin and digital assets in general. Financial institutions now have the ability to explore Bitcoin custody solutions that fit their customer's need without fear of having to record a liability on their books. As more and more people and business learn about Bitcoin third party custody options are going to be popular. Think about it from a small business owner perspective for a second. They are in the business of selling their widgets for Bitcoin but they don't want to manage the complexity that comes with accounting, taxes etc.. In steps in their local bank that they have been with for years if not decades and starts providing Bitcoin management services. Small business owners would be all over that idea. In the long run I think the repeal of SAB 121 is going to be a bigger deal than states creating Bitcoin strategic reserves. ### FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board or FASB for short has applied fair value accounting rules on Bitcoin and other digital assets. This is a huge deal because it will allow business to realize profit and losses of Bitcoin based on market prices. It also makes it easier for investors who evaluate businesses that hold Bitcoin on their balance sheet. Overall it treats Bitcoin like any other asset that a business would hold. This accounting rule change will pave the way for more businesses to put Bitcoin on their balance sheet further driving demand for Bitcoin. #### Lightning Companies Leading The Way We all know that L1 Bitcoin can not scale to the entire world and that in order to bring more people into Bitcoin that layer two solutions would have to be built. This has largely been done with the creation of the lightning network which enables seamless peer to peer micropayments in the blink of an eye. Base layer Bitcoin will certain not be used to buy your daily coffees or gym memberships but lightning will be used for that purpose. Businesses small and large will demand one click on demand solutions to help them accept Bitcoin payments for their businesses. There are plenty of Bitcoin business ready to help business adopt a Bitcoin standard. Businesses such as [Opennode,](https://opennode.com/) [Zaprite](https://zaprite.com/), [Voltage](https://www.voltage.cloud/), [Breez](https://breez.technology/) make switching over to a Bitcoin standard easy for businesses to do. So when you take a step back and really look at the Bitcoin ecosystem it is a lot more mature than most give it credit for and will slowly eat away at fiat currency dominance around the world. The best thing that you can do is be patient, stack as many sats as you can and educate others about Bitcoin. We all know how fiat currencies end. Our time will come.

@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43

# 1. Introduction Modern election systems must balance **privacy** (no one sees how individuals vote) with **public verifiability** (everyone can confirm the correctness of the tally). Achieving this in a decentralized, tamper-resistant manner remains a challenge. Nostr (a lightweight protocol for censorship-resistant communication) offers a promising platform for distributing and archiving election data (ballots) without relying on a single central server. This paper presents a design where: 1. Each *voter* generates a **new ephemeral Nostr keypair** for an election. 2. The election authority (EA) **blind-signs** this ephemeral public key (npub) to prove the voter is authorized, without revealing which voter owns which ephemeral key. 3. Voters cast *encrypted ballots* to Nostr relays, each carrying an **OpenTimestamps** proof to confirm the ballot’s time anchor. 4. **Re-voting** is allowed: a voter can replace a previously cast ballot by publishing a *new* ballot with a *newer* timestamp. 5. Only the *latest valid ballot* (per ephemeral key) is counted. We combine well-known cryptographic primitives—**blind signatures**, **homomorphic or mix-net encryption**, **threshold key management**, and **time anchoring**—into an end-to-end system that preserves anonymity, assures correctness, and prevents double-voting. --- # 2. Roles and Components ## 2.1 Voters - **Long-Term (“KYC-bound”) Key**: Each voter has some identity-verified Nostr public key used only for official communication with the EA (not for voting). - **Ephemeral Voting Key**: For each election, the voter **locally generates** a new Nostr keypair \((nsec_e, npub_e)\). - This is the “one-time” identity used to sign ballots. - The EA never learns the real identity behind \(\npub_e\) because of **blinding**. ## 2.2 Election Authority (EA) - Maintains the **official voter registry**: who is entitled to vote. - **Blind-Signs** each valid voter’s ephemeral public key to authorize exactly one ephemeral key per voter. - Publishes a **minimal voter roll**: e.g., “Voter #12345 has been issued a valid ephemeral key,” without revealing which ephemeral key. ## 2.3 Nostr Relays - Decentralized servers that store and forward events. - Voters post their ballots to relays, which replicate them. - No single relay is critical; the same ballot can be posted to multiple relays for redundancy. ## 2.4 Cryptographic Framework 1. **Blind Signatures**: The EA signs a blinded version of \(\npub_e\). 2. **Homomorphic or Mix-Net Encryption**: Ensures the content of each ballot remains private; only aggregate results or a shuffled set are ever decrypted. 3. **Threshold / General Access Structure**: Multiple trustees (EA plus candidate representatives, for example) must collaborate to produce a final decryption. 4. **OpenTimestamps (OTS)**: Attaches a verifiable timestamp proof to each ballot, anchoring it to a blockchain or other tamper-resistant time reference. --- # 3. Protocol Lifecycle This section walks through **voter registration**, **ephemeral key authorization**, **casting (and re-casting) ballots**, and finally the **tally**. ## 3.1 Registration & Minimal Voter Roll 1. **Legal/KYC Verification** - Each real-world voter proves their identity to the EA (per legal procedures). - The EA records that the voter is eligible to cast one ballot, referencing their long-term identity key (\(\npub_{\mathrm{KYC}}\)). 2. **Issue Authorization “Slot”** - The EA’s voter roll notes “this person can receive exactly one blind signature for an ephemeral key.” - The roll does *not* store an ephemeral key—just notes that it can be requested. ## 3.2 Generating and Blinding the Ephemeral Key 1. **Voter Creates Ephemeral Key** - Locally, the voter’s client generates a fresh \((nsec_e, npub_e)\). 2. **Blinding** - The client blinds \(\npub_e\) to produce \(\npub_{e,\mathrm{blinded}}\). This ensures the EA cannot learn the real \(\npub_e\). 3. **Blind Signature Request** - The voter, using their **KYC-bound key** (\(\npub_{\mathrm{KYC}}\)), sends \(\npub_{e,\mathrm{blinded}}\) to the EA (perhaps via a secure direct message or a “giftwrapped DM”). - The EA checks that this voter has not already been issued a blind signature. - If authorized, the EA signs \(\npub_{e,\mathrm{blinded}}\) with its private key and returns the blinded signature. 4. **Unblinding** - The voter’s client unblinds the signature, obtaining a **valid signature** on \(\npub_e\). - Now \(\npub_e\) is a **blinded ephemeral public key** that the EA has effectively “authorized,” without knowing which voter it belongs to. 5. **Roll Update** - The EA updates its minimal roll to note that “Voter #12345 received a signature,” but does *not* publish \(\npub_e\). ## 3.3 Casting an Encrypted Ballot with OpenTimestamps When the voter is ready to vote: 1. **Compose Encrypted Ballot** - The ballot can be **homomorphically** encrypted (e.g., with Paillier or ElGamal) or structured for a **mix-net**. - Optionally include Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) showing the ballot is valid (one candidate per race, etc.). 2. **Obtain OTS Timestamp** - The voter’s client computes a **hash** \(H\) of the ballot data (ciphertext + ZKPs). - The client sends \(H\) to an **OpenTimestamps** aggregator. - The aggregator returns a **timestamp proof** verifying that “this hash was seen at or before block/time \(T\).” 3. **Create a “Timestamped Ballot” Payload** - Combine: 1. **Encrypted ballot** data. 2. **OTS proof** for the hash of the ballot. 3. **EA’s signature** on \(\npub_e\) (the blind-signed ephemeral key). 4. A final **signature** by the voter’s ephemeral key \((nsec_e)\) over the entire package. 4. **Publish to Nostr** - The voter posts the complete “timestamped ballot” event to one or more relays. - Observers see “an event from ephemeral key \(\npub_e\), with an OTS proof and the EA’s blind signature,” but cannot identify the real voter or see the vote’s contents. ### 3.4 Re-Voting (Updating the Ballot) If the voter wishes to revise their vote (due to coercion, a mistake, or simply a change of mind): 1. **Generate a New Encrypted Ballot** - Possibly with different candidate choices. 2. **Obtain a New OTS Proof** - The new ballot has a fresh hash \(H'\). - The OTS aggregator provides a new proof anchored at a *later* block/time than the old one. 3. **Publish the Updated Ballot** - Again, sign with \(\npub_e\). - Relays store both ballots, but the *newer* OTS timestamp shows which ballot is “final.” **Rule**: The final vote for ephemeral key \(\npub_e\) is determined by the ballot with the **highest valid OTS proof** prior to the election’s closing. ## 3.5 Election Closing & Tally 1. **Close Signal** - At a specified time or block height, the EA publishes a “closing token.” - Any ballot with an OTS anchor referencing a time/block *after* the closing is invalid. 2. **Collect Final Ballots** - Observers (or official tally software) gather the *latest valid* ballot from each ephemeral key. - They confirm the OTS proofs are valid and that no ephemeral key posted two different ballots with the **same** timestamp. 3. **Decryption / Summation** - If homomorphic, the system sums the encrypted votes and uses a **threshold** of trustees to decrypt the aggregate. - If a mix-net, the ballots are shuffled and partially decrypted, also requiring multiple trustees. - In either case, individual votes remain hidden, but the final counts are revealed. 4. **Public Audit** - Anyone can fetch all ballots from the Nostr relays, verify OTS proofs, check the EA’s blind signature, and confirm no ephemeral key was used twice. - The final totals can be recomputed from the publicly available data. --- # 4. Ensuring One Vote Per Voter & No Invalid Voters 1. **One Blind Signature per Registered Voter** - The EA’s internal list ensures each real voter only obtains one ephemeral key signature. 2. **Blind Signature** - Ensures an *unauthorized* ephemeral key cannot pass validation (forging the EA’s signature is cryptographically infeasible). 3. **Public Ledger of Ballots** - Because each ballot references an EA-signed key, any ballot with a fake or duplicate signature is easily spotted. --- # 5. Security and Privacy Analysis 1. **Voter Anonymity** - The EA never sees the unblinded ephemeral key. It cannot link \(\npub_e\) to a specific person. - Observers only see “some ephemeral key posted a ballot,” not the real identity of the voter. 2. **Ballot Secrecy** - **Homomorphic Encryption** or **Mix-Net**: no one can decrypt an individual ballot; only aggregated or shuffled results are revealed. - The ephemeral key used for signing does not decrypt the ballot—the election’s threshold key does, after the election. 3. **Verifiable Timestamping** - **OpenTimestamps** ensures each ballot’s time anchor cannot be forged or backdated. - Re-voting is transparent: a later OTS proof overrides earlier ones from the same ephemeral key. 4. **Preventing Double Voting** - Each ephemeral key is unique and authorized once. - Re-voting by the same key overwrites the old ballot but does not *increase* the total count. 5. **Protection Against Coercion** - Because the voter can re-cast until the deadline, a coerced vote can be replaced privately. - No receipts (individual decryption) are possible—only the final aggregated tally is revealed. 6. **Threshold / Multi-Party Control** - Multiple trustees must collaborate to decrypt final results, preventing a single entity from tampering or prematurely viewing partial tallies. --- # 6. Implementation Considerations 1. **Blind Signature Techniques** - Commonly implemented with RSA-based Chaumian blind signatures or BLS-based schemes. - Must ensure no link between \(\npub_{e,\mathrm{blinded}}\) and \(\npub_e\). 2. **OpenTimestamps Scalability** - If millions of voters are posting ballots simultaneously, multiple timestamp aggregators or batch anchoring might be needed. - Verification logic on the client side or by public auditors must confirm each OTS proof’s integrity. 3. **Relay Coordination** - The system must ensure no single relay can censor ballots. Voters may publish to multiple relays. - Tally fetchers cross-verify events from different relays. 4. **Ease of Use** - The user interface must hide the complexity of ephemeral key generation, blind signing, and OTS proof retrieval—making it as simple as possible for non-technical voters. 5. **Legal Framework** - If law requires publicly listing which voters have cast a ballot, you might track “Voter #12345 used their ephemeral key” without revealing the ephemeral key. Or you omit that if secrecy about *who voted* is desired. 6. **Closing Time Edge Cases** - The system uses a *block/time anchor* from OTS. Slight unpredictability in block generation might require a small buffer around the official close. This is a policy choice. --- # 7. Conclusion We propose an **election system** that leverages **Nostr** for decentralizing ballot publication, **blinded ephemeral keys** for robust voter anonymity, **homomorphic/mix-net encryption** for ballot secrecy, **threshold cryptography** for collaborative final decryption, **OpenTimestamps** for tamper-proof time anchoring, and **re-voting** to combat coercion. **Key Advantages**: 1. **Anonymity**: The EA cannot link ballots to specific voters. 2. **One Voter, One Credential**: Strict enforcement through blind signatures. 3. **Verifiable Ordering**: OTS ensures each ballot has a unique, provable time anchor. 4. **Updatability**: Voters can correct or override coerced ballots by posting a newer one before closing. 5. **Decentralized Audit**: Anyone can fetch ballots from Nostr, verify the EA’s signatures and OTS proofs, and confirm the threshold-decrypted results match the posted ballots. Such a design shows promise for secure, privacy-preserving **digital elections**, though real-world deployment will require careful **policy, legal, and usability** considerations. By combining cryptography with decentralized relays and an external timestamp anchor, the system can uphold both **individual privacy** and **publicly auditable correctness**.

@ 6e0ea5d6:0327f353

People naturally gravitate toward what they are already good at, often neglecting the development of complementary essential skills—creating an asymmetric growth. However, this common imbalance is a mistake we don’t have to repeat. To stand out, one must seek completeness. If you possess natural intelligence, don’t rely solely on it—strengthen your body through physical training or martial arts. If you are naturally athletic, nourish your mind with great books and intellectual content. Aspiring to excellence demands this balance: When your ambition is to be a king, you must first become a warrior-scholar. Staying on the throne depends precisely on this deliberate fusion of seemingly opposite strengths. "The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools." — Thucydides "If your son is quiet and intelligent, emphasize boldness, leadership, and physicality. If your son is tall and impulsive, emphasize learning, mindfulness, and critical thinking. You cannot be a complete man when you only have 50% of the equation." Thank you for reading, my friend! If this message resonated with you, consider leaving your "🥃" as a token of appreciation. A toast to our family!

@ 8da249fe:ecc00e09

É um sistema eletrônico de dinheiro P2P, ou seja, é uma forma de dinheiro essencialmente digital, onde as pessoas podem transacionar sem precisar de um intermediário ou estar sujeito a autoridades centralizadas (Sistema Financeiro Governamental). Ou seja, não há nenhuma existe de "Casa da Moedas" que façam o controle de dinheiro circulante e factíveis a movimentos artificiais de manejo de crises econômicas que pioram o processo de estabilização financeira. Para que o Bitcoin não seja alvo de fraudes e golpes o controle é feito por um sistema colaborativo de todos os usuários que validam suas transferências em um sistema de audição que chamamos de blockchain. Como o Bitcoin funciona? A moeda Bitcoin é um item eletrônico colecionável criando de forma de ser induplicável e não copiável. Este tipo de "arquivo" eletrônico tem propriedades de dinheiro, quando há o envio deste arquivo é retirado do seu local de armazenamento e transferido para outro sem gerar cópia. Todas as transferências deste tipo de "arquivo" são registradas em um livro contábel que tem o nome de blockchain. Por isso que o Bitcoin é de fato uma moeda e não algo que possa ser um método de estelionato. Pois há uma auditoria voluntária de todos os usuários na Blockchain garantindo que não haja fraude e injeção de Bitcoin de forma artificial no sistema.

@ dbb19ae0:c3f22d5a

Using Nostr_sdk 0.39 (Latest) module to send dm ```python # test with 0.39 # working import asyncio from nostr_sdk import Client, NostrSigner, Keys, PublicKey, init_logger, LogLevel async def send_direct_message(nsec, recipient_npub, message): init_logger(LogLevel.INFO) sender_keys = Keys.parse(nsec) sender_client = NostrSigner.keys(sender_keys) client = Client(sender_client) public_key = sender_keys.public_key() print(f"From Public key (npub): {public_key.to_bech32()}") await client.add_relay("wss://relay.damus.io") await client.connect() print(f"to Public key (npub): {recipient_npub}") await client.send_private_msg(PublicKey.parse(recipient_npub), message, []) await asyncio.sleep(10) print(f"Message sent") if __name__ == '__main__': nsec = "nsec1 ... replace with your nsec" recipient_npub = "npub ... replace with npub to send dm" message = "Hello there, this is a message!" asyncio.run(send_direct_message(nsec, recipient_npub, message)) ```

@ fe02e8ec:f07fbe0b

Viele Menschen (und es werden beständig mehr) stellen sich inzwischen die Frage, ob die massiven Eingriffe in unser Leben mit dem Argument der «Klimarettung» noch in einem gesunden Verhältnis stehen. Ob De-Industrialisierung, Stromausfälle, Autos mit 500 kg schweren Batterien oder riesige Windparks wirklich das Klima «retten» werden. Doch die Frage ist falsch gestellt. Denn erstens kann das Klima nicht «gerettet» werden. Vor wem oder was denn soll eine statistische Größe, die über 30 Jahre hinweg gemittelt wird, gerettet werden? Das ist natürlich Unfug. Es geht eigentlich darum, die *Lebensbedingungen für uns Menschen* auf der Erde in einem gut verträglichen Zustand zu halten. Das sagt aber keiner, denn es könnte auch ein wenig egoistisch klingen, deshalb ist es viel ehrenvoller, das Klima oder gleich «Gaia» zu retten. Dies ist tatsächlich ein wesentlicher *moralischer* Unterschied. Denn wenn ich für «das Klima» oder «Mutter Erde» kämpfe, dann kämpfe ich selbstlos für etwas absolut Gutes. Kein Mensch würde auf die Idee kommen, diesen Einsatz negativ zu bewerten. Nun zum Kampf um den *Erhalt von für uns Menschen günstigen Lebensbedingungen*. Was zweifellos äußerst wichtig und geboten ist. Um diese Anstrengung uneingeschränkt gut zu finden, ist es *notwendig, den Menschen selbst*, die Menschheit, *gut zu finden*. Denn nur dann ›verdient‹ sie es, für immer in einer lebenswerten Welt zu leben. Was aber, wenn man die Menschen für gar nicht so gut, vielleicht sogar für böse und zerstörerisch hält? Ist dann die *Rettung einer für den Menschen lebenswerten Erde* noch immer ein vollkommen gutes Ziel? Oder schwingt nicht auch ein Gedanke mit wie «wenn es den Menschen nicht mehr gäbe, würde es dem Klima endlich besser gehen?» oder «Die Erde hat einen Virus. Er heißt Mensch»? Hier wird eine *moralische* Schuld aufgebaut, die dem entgegenkommt, was Menschen seit Jahrhunderten kennen: das Gefühl, schuldig zu sein. «*Jeder hat Schuld, da er von Natur aus böse und sündig ist.»* Weshalb alle, die Zweifel an den CO2-Theorien äußern, nicht etwa zu Diskussionen aufgefordert werden, sondern als *Leugner* bezeichnet werden. Ganz so, wie wir es aus den Methoden der Schulderzeugung gewisser Institutionen kennen. Doch damit nicht genug. Denn auf dieser Basis könnte man noch immer die Diskussion suchen, um herauszufinden, was denn nun die besten Bedingungen für unser Leben sind. Doch wir alle wissen, dass das nicht geschieht. Es gibt keinerlei Diskussion über *die Auswirkungen der Klimapolitik auf gute Lebensbedingungen* (Nicht einmal angesichts der Tatsache, dass die allermeisten der Klimamaßnahmen massiv der Natur schaden) oder die *Verhältnismäßigkeit dieser Maßnahmen*. Und zwar aus einem ganz entscheidenden Grund: *Wenn die totale Vernichtung droht, so kann es keine Verhältnismäßigkeit geben*! Es ist dasselbe Vorgehen wie bei der «Pandemie»: wenn der Tod von zig Millionen Menschen unmittelbar bevor steht, dann gibt es kein Abwägen, keine Verhältnismäßigkeit, keine Vernunftargumente mehr. Denn das ist das Prinzip dahinter: *Mache die Gefahr absolut und ermögliche damit jede noch so extreme Maßnahme*. In beiden Fällen dienten und dienen einzig Modellrechnungen für die Ausrufung der Katastrophe. Beim Virus war es das Imperial College in London (das für Schweden eine 75-fach zu hohe Todeszahl «errechnet» hatte), beim Klima ist es das IPCC, dessen Zweck ausschließlich darin besteht, die menschengemachten Effekte auf das Klima zu prognostizieren (andere Effekte spielen praktisch keine Rolle). Beim Virus war es die Inzidenz, beim Klima sind es die Kipppunkte, die drohend in die Modellrechnungen eingebaut wurden. Denn diese Punkte haben alle eines gemeinsam: wenn sie erreicht werden, so gibt es kein Zurück mehr, dann ist die Katastrophe in voller Wucht über uns hereingebrochen. Dann droht die Vernichtung der gesamten Menschheit, allen Lebens und wir sind nur noch eine kleine Episode der planetaren Geschichte. *Wann* ein Kipppunkt erreicht sein wird lässt sich prinzipiell nicht vorhersagen, da alles ein mehrfach gekoppeltes nichtlineares System darstellt. Der Schmetterlingseffekt in Potenz gewissermaßen. Obwohl diese Klima-Gleichungen prinzipiell unlösbar sind muss dennoch alles dafür getan werden, damit wir nicht in die Nähe jener katastrophalen Punkte kommen. *Natürlich weiß niemand, ob es diese Punkte wirklich gibt*, denn dazu müssten sie ja schon einmal beobachtet worden sein. Aber allein die Möglichkeit, dass es sie geben könnte und dass dann die totale Vernichtung über uns hereinbricht, genügt, um das Prinzip Vorsicht zu 100% walten zu lassen. *Denn wenn die Gefahr maximal ist – alles Leben wird zerstört – dann darf es kein Zaudern geben.*  **Schuld und Sünde** Der Mensch ist böse und schuldig. Das Thema Schuld ist absolut grundlegend für den Erfolg des Narrrativs. Denn nur mit dieser Erzählung sind die Menschen bereit, extreme Maßnahmen und Härten in Kauf zu nehmen und sogar selbst dafür zu sorgen, dass sie eingehalten oder gar vorangetrieben werden (Klimakleber & Co.). Im Gegensatz zur Angsterzeugung, die permanent mit neuen schrecklichen Bildern und Geschichten angefacht werden muss, hat Schulderzeugung einen unschätzbaren Vorteil: sind die neuen Vorgaben erst einmal im Gewissen der Menschen verankert, so sorgt der eigene *Wunsch nach sozialem Passen* dafür, dass alles befolgt wird – ganz ohne weiteren äußeren Zwang! Bereits heute können Millionen Menschen CO2 und die erzeugende Industrie sowie Verbrennerfahrzeuge nur noch als böse und gefährlich denken. Wenn man ihnen sagen würde, CO2 ist der Nährstoff aller Pflanzen und mehr wäre besser, so würde das ihren Denkrahmen vollkommen überfordern. Sie wären tatsächlich nicht in der Lage, diesen Gedanken zu denken. Es ginge nicht, Punkt. Das ist die Langfristwirkung von Indoktrination, von mächtigen Narrativen: *Dinge werden vollkommen undenkbar gemacht, sie werden zu gedanklichen Sperrgebieten.* Ein entscheidender Faktor ist auch hier - wie so oft – unsere Sprache. Allein beim Aussprechen oder Schreiben des Wortes «Klimawandel» denkt unser Gehirn das Wort «menschengemacht» mit. Es wurde eine fast unlösbare Verbindung geschaffen. Fassen wir zusammen: wenn die Gefahr maximal ist, so kann es keine Verhältnismäßigkeit geben. Jede Maßnahme – *absolut jede* – ist gerechtfertigt. Außerdem müssen die Schuldigen für ihr Fehlverhalten büßen, denn jeder Einzelne trägt persönlich Verantwortung für diese existenzielle Bedrohung. Nur Experten, Regierungen und vor allem globale Institutionen (WEF, UN etc.) können die Menschheit aus diesem Desaster erretten. Globale Probleme benötigen globale Player, weshalb Landesgesetze weitgehend abgeschafft werden sollen. **Der wahre Feind des Menschen ist der Mensch** Und damit kommen wir zum entscheidenden Aspekt der Sache. Denn man kann sich bis hierhin noch immer fragen: weshalb das alles? Die Antwort wurde längst gegeben, genauer gesagt im Jahr 1991: *Auf der Suche nach einem gemeinsamen Feind, gegen den wir uns vereinen können, sind wir auf die Idee gekommen, dass Umweltverschmutzung, die drohende globale Erwärmung, Wasserknappheit, Hungersnöte und Ähnliches dafür infrage kommen … Alle diese Gefahren sind durch menschliche Eingriffe in natürliche Prozesse verursacht und können nur durch veränderte Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen überwunden werden. Der wahre Feind ist also der Mensch selbst.\ (*zum Beispiel [hier](https://historyheist.com/club-of-romes-report-the-first-global-revolution-in-searching-for-the-new-enemy-to-unite-us-we-came-up-with-the-threat-of-global-warming/), im englischen Original [The common enemy of humanity is Man](https://historyheist.com/club-of-romes-report-the-first-global-revolution-in-searching-for-the-new-enemy-to-unite-us-we-came-up-with-the-threat-of-global-warming/)). Dieses Statement stammt von einem der bekanntesten und einflussreichsten Think Tanks der Welt, dem Club of Rome. Mit seinem Report «Die Grenzen des Wachstums» schufen sie 1972 erstmals eine dystopische Vision unserer Zukunft, nicht als Roman sondern als konkrete Prognose. Seither sind mehr als 50 Jahre vergangen und man kann feststellen, dass so gut wie *alle Vorhersagen falsch waren*. Komplett daneben liegend: weder sind Öl oder Gas zu Ende gegangen (im Gegenteil, es werden laufend neue Vorkommen entdeckt) noch sind Milliarden Menschen auf Grund des Bevölkerungswachstums verhungert. Das hat dem Renommee dieses Clubs jedoch keinen Abbruch getan. Im Gegenteil. Das obige Zitat zeigt vielmehr, dass sie die Agenda für unser Zeitalter gesetzt haben. *Der Feind des Menschen ist der Mensch*. Er ist böse, sündig und schuldig. Er ist der Virus des Planeten. ***«Wir selbst sind nun gefordert, diese Schuld zu sühnen. Der Planet hat unsere Generation als das Lamm auserwählt, wir sind das Agnus Dei der Jetztzeit, das diese monströse Sünde auf sich nimmt.»*** *(*die Antagonistin in [„Hinter der Zukunft“](https://www.thomas-eisinger.de/roman-hinter-der-zukunft/), 2021*,* Thomas Eisinger*).*  **Die Frage nach dem Motiv** Dennoch bleibt die Frage: wozu das Ganze? CO2 ist an jedem Produktions- und Lebensprozess beteiligt. Egal ob Nahrung, Transport, Energie, Heizung etc.: CO2 ist der gemeinsame Nenner. Was wäre also besser geeignet, eine Gesellschaft und jeden Einzelnen zu steuern und zu kontrollieren als dieses kleine unschuldige Molekül? Genau hier kommen wir der Antwort näher. *Wer die Macht hat, CO2-Budgets zu erstellen und zu verteilen,* *der hat die Macht, alles zu kontrollieren*! Das ist längst keine Fiktion, schon gar keine Spekulation: die CO2-Zertifikate existieren seit 2005 und verteuern inzwischen Jahr für Jahr unser Leben. Sie sorgen dafür, dass Kraftwerke erst gar nicht gebaut werden, sie verteuern Diesel und Benzin, Flüge, Düngemittel und damit Nahrungsmittel und vieles mehr. Doch es geht noch weiter: Die Idee des *persönlichen CO2-Budgets* wurde längst in die Diskussion eingebracht! Damit ließe sich dann Kontrolle bis zu jedem Einkauf durchführen, jeder Bahn- oder Autofahrt, jeder Urlaubsreise, jeder Wohnfläche, jedem Grad Zimmertemperatur. Das ist kein Witz und keine Übertreibung. Es fehlen nur noch die digitale ID sowie das digitale Geld, dann ist der Kreis geschlossen. Was derzeit zur Realisierung der totalen Kontrolle noch fehlt ist die Zuschreibung eines «CO2-Fußabdrucks» zu jedem Produkt, jeder Fahrt, jedem Grad Wohntemperatur, jeder KW-Stunde Strom. Das wäre das Ende jeder persönlichen Freiheit! **Langsam keimt Hoffnung** Doch inzwischen besteht Hoffnung! Der Regierungswechsel in den USA zeigt bereits Wirkung. Die Trump-Administration ist nicht gewillt, die wirtschaftliche Vormachtstellung der USA ideologischen CO2-Zielen zu opfern. Der sofortige Austritt aus dem Pariser Klimaabkommen ist ein erster Schritt, das Verbot von Windkraftanlagen ein weiterer. Reihenweise treten Großunternehmen aus der «Net-Zero Alliance» aus, zuletzt Blackrock. Noch in diesem Jahr wird sich zeigen, ob die USA den «Wertewesten» mitziehen können oder ob die Kräfte, die den Net Zero-Plan weiter verfolgen, sich auf die EU und besonders Deutschland verlegen werden, um ihre bevölkerungsfeindlichen Programme umzusetzen, so lange sie in den USA machtlos sind. Doch auch hier zu Lande gibt es inzwischen Millionen von Menschen, die die Nudging-, Schuldzuweisungs- und Propagandastrategien durchschauen. Was noch fehlt ist: mehr MUT! Das CO2-Klima-Narrativ mutig bei vielen Gelegenheiten in Frage zu stellen ist etwas, bei dem jeder mitwirken kann! **Nachbemerkung** Der Autor hat sich mit der Thematik intensiv auseinandergesetzt beim Schreiben des Near Fiction Romanes «Hinter der Zukunft», der all diese Entwicklungen um fünf bis zehn Jahre weiterdreht (ganz neu als Hörbuch bei [audible](http://hinter-der-zukunft.de/9ui)). Bis zum CO2-Lebensbudget. Und dem Großen Geschenk – das jeden CO2-Ausstoß für immer beendet. Freiwillig. Denn im Unterschied zur Generation X und den Boomern, die noch eine Zeit ohne CO2-Diktat kennenlernen durften, sind die Menschen in naher Zukunft nichts anderes mehr gewohnt. Und: sie finden es gut und richtig! Denn ansonsten droht der totale Untergang. Und jeder einzelne ist daran Schuld... scheinbar.

@ 7a7d16c9:1a700636

Watched an awesome [video](https://youtu.be/QEJpZjg8GuA?si=ceYEbMeFO-Ind6KO) from one who I subscribe on YT. I've been trying to put my finger on what it is that I don't like about the major social media platforms. Alec Watson gave me the answer in one of his latest videos: "Algorithmic Complacency". TLDR: Rather than read, watch, and collaborate with those I follow online, modern social media platforms like to tell me what content I should consume. Nostr, Bluesky, and Mastodon don't do this - I can see what I want and what I don't, without relying on a computer algorithm to tell me. This got me thinking about my own use of social media platforms and my recent adoption of the Fedi-verse to circumvent the machine telling me how I should consume online content. I don't subscribe to any one platform. I've not found one that addresses all my online social needs, nor one that feature the diverse audiences I follow. Here's a rundown of what I use: YouTube - the easiest of the bunch. YT has become my new binge TV. Initially a frequented site for learning how to replace a garbage disposal or to learn some of the tricks with Davinci Resolve, YT quickly became my platform of choice for learning and entertainment content. Yes, YT has an algorithm and provides recommendations - it's how I found Technology Connections - but I like that I can use the subscriptions feed to just see content that I follow in addition to that which YT recommends. Facebook - the favorite with the old guard. TBH, I've never liked big tech owning my voice on the Internet. I'd have deleted my FB account along with X and Instagram, long ago, except that it's the one platform that my family uses. My mother uses Facebook, so do my distant cousins, but only a subset use the other platforms, and none use the Fedi-verse. FB remains as the one platform for me to post the occasional vacation photo and to find out that my cousin got married last week - and no I didn't get an invite. Vero - I'm a photographer and love to post some of my more interesting art pieces online for feedback, so I can improve my craft. I used to use Instagram, until it went over to the algorithm dark side and filled my feed with short-form video. Vero maintains to be what Instagram used to be. I've not checked out Pixelfed (yet). Mastodon - After Musk took over Twitter and rebranded it to X, I swiftly left and moved to Mastodon. I hate the idea of a single business entity owning my content and right to free speech online. Like many, I have my own issues with Musk and his business practices and shouldn't have to deal with them as part of my online presence. Mastodon was and still is, the place where I get to collaborate with people I've never met in person on likeminded topics of interests. Mastodon relies on federated servers, which people own; so, there's that to consider. I've managed to find a server that caters to my interests and fulfills my desire to collaborate online. Then comes Nostr... My friend \_@briangreen.net introduced me to Nostr. As a long-term orange-pill advocate, I was thrilled to join Nostr to collaborate on the latest Bitcoin and Crypto news. I will say that Nostr appears less diverse in topics but that's rapidly changing as I am now seeing a lot of posts on photography, meshtastic, and other personal interests of mine. I love that Nostr is not so much a platform, but a federated protocol. I don't have to subscribe to any one app and web site to post and read content. For now, I use both Mastodon and Nostr to scratch my online collab itch. A nice thing about the Fedi-verse is that there's plenty of cross-posting apps. I use [OpenVibe](https://openvibe.social/) to post and consume content in one place. Their app is slick and works as advertised. How do you use social media? Is Nostr your only platform, or do you still use the traditional ones?

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

> A Detailed Look at the Economic Impacts of Trump's Wide Ranging New Tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, Steel, Aluminum, and Much More     https://www.apricitas.io/p/trumps-2nd-trade-war-begins If you're interested in global trade I recommend looking at the article. It's a real deep dive into many perspectives of US trade esp. with China. What gets imported from China, many individual product categories, what happened in round 1 in 2018 and so so much more. And lots of charts! originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/896850

@ 67403b2c:27b48c7a

Michael Laitman, a world-renowned Kabbalist and spiritual teacher, recently introduced a groundbreaking concept on Facebook called "No Death." This transformative Kabbalistic teaching explains how death is not an ending but a spiritual transformation of consciousness. For those seeking answers about life after death, Laitman's perspective offers both ancient wisdom and modern understanding. ## Understanding Kabbalah's View on Death and Consciousness The Kabbalistic concept of "No Death" builds on centuries of mystical Jewish wisdom. While traditional views see death as final, Kabbalah teaches that reality extends far beyond our physical world. Similar to Einstein's theory that energy cannot be destroyed but only transformed, Kabbalistic wisdom suggests consciousness continues after physical death. ## How Kabbalistic Teachings View Consciousness and Physical Reality According to Laitman's Kabbalistic teachings, consciousness exists independently of our physical brain. This fundamental principle of Kabbalah suggests that our true essence—our spiritual consciousness—transcends the temporary nature of our physical bodies. This understanding aligns with both ancient spiritual wisdom and emerging scientific theories about consciousness. ## Practical Applications of Kabbalistic Wisdom in Daily Life This spiritual perspective transforms how we approach: - Personal relationships and their eternal nature - Daily challenges and spiritual growth - Anxiety about death and mortality - Life's deeper meaning and purpose ## Modern Relevance of Kabbalistic Teaching In today's fast-paced digital world, Laitman's spiritual insights offer valuable guidance for: - Managing death anxiety - Finding life purpose - Building meaningful relationships - Understanding consciousness - Exploring spiritual growth ## Impact on Personal Growth and Spiritual Development Laitman's teaching extends beyond theoretical knowledge into practical spiritual development. By viewing death as transformation rather than termination, practitioners of Kabbalah develop: - Enhanced spiritual awareness - Deeper compassion for others - Stronger personal relationships - Greater life purpose - Reduced fear of death ## Connecting Ancient Wisdom with Modern Understanding While many spiritual teachers discuss life after death, Laitman's approach uniquely bridges: - Traditional Kabbalistic wisdom - Contemporary scientific understanding - Practical daily application - Personal spiritual growth - Universal life questions ## Conclusion: Embracing Spiritual Transformation Michael Laitman's exploration of "No Death" provides essential insights for anyone interested in: - Kabbalistic teachings - Spiritual development - Life after death - Consciousness studies - Personal transformation *About* *About the Author: This comprehensive guide explores Dr. Michael Laitman's Kabbalistic teachings on life, death, and spiritual transformation. Drawing from his recent social media insights and decades of Kabbalistic study, this article connects ancient wisdom with modern understanding.* --- 💝 **Support This Work** If you found this article valuable, consider supporting more content like this with a small contribution: [Buy Me a Coffee](https://Buymeacoffee.com/adontai) --- \#Kabbalah #MichaelLaitman #SpiritualTeachings #LifeAfterDeath #KabbalisticWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #Consciousness #SpiritualTransformation *About the Author: This piece explores the profound teachings of Michael Laitman, drawing from his recent social media insights and long-standing work in Kabbalistic wisdom. The article aims to bridge ancient spiritual knowledge with contemporary understanding, offering readers a new perspective on life, death, and continuity.* #Philosophy #Kabbalah #MichaelLaitman #LifeBeyondDeath #SpiritualAwakening

@ 460c25e6:ef85065c

If you don't know where your posts are, you might as well just stay in the centralized Twitter. You either take control of your relay lists, or they will control you. Amethyst offers several lists of relays for our users. We are going to go one by one to help clarify what they are and which options are best for each one. ## Public Home/Outbox Relays Home relays store all YOUR content: all your posts, likes, replies, lists, etc. It's your home. Amethyst will send your posts here first. Your followers will use these relays to get new posts from you. So, if you don't have anything there, **they will not receive your updates**. Home relays must allow queries from anyone, ideally without the need to authenticate. They can limit writes to paid users without affecting anyone's experience. This list should have a maximum of 3 relays. More than that will only make your followers waste their mobile data getting your posts. Keep it simple. Out of the 3 relays, I recommend: - 1 large public, international relay: nos.lol, nostr.mom, relay.damus.io, etc. - 1 personal relay to store a copy of all your content in a place no one can delete. Go to [relay.tools](https://relay.tools/) and never be censored again. - 1 really fast relay located in your country: paid options like http://nostr.wine are great Do not include relays that block users from seeing posts in this list. If you do, no one will see your posts. ## Public Inbox Relays This relay type receives all replies, comments, likes, and zaps to your posts. If you are not getting notifications or you don't see replies from your friends, it is likely because you don't have the right setup here. If you are getting too much spam in your replies, it's probably because your inbox relays are not protecting you enough. Paid relays can filter inbox spam out. Inbox relays must allow anyone to write into them. It's the opposite of the outbox relay. They can limit who can download the posts to their paid subscribers without affecting anyone's experience. This list should have a maximum of 3 relays as well. Again, keep it small. More than that will just make you spend more of your data plan downloading the same notifications from all these different servers. Out of the 3 relays, I recommend: - 1 large public, international relay: nos.lol, nostr.mom, relay.damus.io, etc. - 1 personal relay to store a copy of your notifications, invites, cashu tokens and zaps. - 1 really fast relay located in your country: go to [nostr.watch](https://nostr.watch/relays/find) and find relays in your country Terrible options include: - nostr.wine should not be here. - filter.nostr.wine should not be here. - inbox.nostr.wine should not be here. ## DM Inbox Relays These are the relays used to receive DMs and private content. Others will use these relays to send DMs to you. **If you don't have it setup, you will miss DMs**. DM Inbox relays should accept any message from anyone, but only allow you to download them. Generally speaking, you only need 3 for reliability. One of them should be a personal relay to make sure you have a copy of all your messages. The others can be open if you want push notifications or closed if you want full privacy. Good options are: - inbox.nostr.wine and auth.nostr1.com: anyone can send messages and only you can download. Not even our push notification server has access to them to notify you. - a personal relay to make sure no one can censor you. Advanced settings on personal relays can also store your DMs privately. Talk to your relay operator for more details. - a public relay if you want DM notifications from our servers. Make sure to add at least one public relay if you want to see DM notifications. ## Private Home Relays Private Relays are for things no one should see, like your drafts, lists, app settings, bookmarks etc. Ideally, these relays are either local or require authentication before posting AND downloading each user\'s content. There are no dedicated relays for this category yet, so I would use a local relay like Citrine on Android and a personal relay on relay.tools. Keep in mind that if you choose a local relay only, a client on the desktop might not be able to see the drafts from clients on mobile and vice versa. ## Search relays: This is the list of relays to use on Amethyst's search and user tagging with @. **Tagging and searching will not work if there is nothing here.**. This option requires NIP-50 compliance from each relay. Hit the Default button to use all available options on existence today: - nostr.wine - relay.nostr.band - relay.noswhere.com ## Local Relays: This is your local storage. Everything will load faster if it comes from this relay. You should install Citrine on Android and write ws://localhost:4869 in this option. ## General Relays: This section contains the default relays used to download content from your follows. Notice how you can activate and deactivate the Home, Messages (old-style DMs), Chat (public chats), and Global options in each. Keep 5-6 large relays on this list and activate them for as many categories (Home, Messages (old-style DMs), Chat, and Global) as possible. Amethyst will provide additional recommendations to this list from your follows with information on which of your follows might need the additional relay in your list. Add them if you feel like you are missing their posts or if it is just taking too long to load them. ## My setup Here's what I use: 1. Go to [relay.tools](https://relay.tools/) and create a relay for yourself. 2. Go to [nostr.wine](https://nostr.wine/) and pay for their subscription. 3. Go to [inbox.nostr.wine](https://inbox.nostr.wine/) and pay for their subscription. 4. Go to [nostr.watch](https://nostr.watch/relays/find) and find a good relay in your country. 5. Download Citrine to your phone. Then, on your relay lists, put: Public Home/Outbox Relays: - nostr.wine - nos.lol or an in-country relay. - <your.relay>.nostr1.com Public Inbox Relays - nos.lol or an in-country relay - <your.relay>.nostr1.com DM Inbox Relays - inbox.nostr.wine - <your.relay>.nostr1.com Private Home Relays - ws://localhost:4869 (Citrine) - <your.relay>.nostr1.com (if you want) Search Relays - nostr.wine - relay.nostr.band - relay.noswhere.com Local Relays - ws://localhost:4869 (Citrine) General Relays - nos.lol - relay.damus.io - relay.primal.net - nostr.mom And a few of the recommended relays from Amethyst. ## Final Considerations Remember, relays can see what your Nostr client is requesting and downloading at all times. They can track what you see and see what you like. They can sell that information to the highest bidder, they can delete your content or content that a sponsor asked them to delete (like a negative review for instance) and they can censor you in any way they see fit. Before using any random free relay out there, make sure you trust its operator and you know its terms of service and privacy policies.

@ e31e84c4:77bbabc0

*The Fine Line: Bitcoin Companies Navigating Regulation and Freedom was [written by Bri](https://x.com/cyberBri). If you enjoyed this article then support her writing, by donating to her lightning wallet: bri_1@walletofsatoshi.com* We all know the value proposition of Bitcoin: Bitcoin cannot be controlled by the state. Bitcoin is permissionless, it doesn't need a KYC and we can send money to anyone in the world, without middlemen, without censorship, without limits. However, when companies use Bitcoin, and more so when they offer Bitcoin services, their activities are indeed controlled by the state. In order to fulfil the regulatory requirements, companies usually have to employ entire compliance teams. Bitcoin-only exchanges are probably not better off than crypto service providers, even if one can sometimes hopefully recognise an increasing pro-Bitcoin attitude in the world. The Bitcoin scene recently looked expectantly to Nashville when Trump appeared at the Bitcoin 2024 conference as part of his election campaign. He doesn't really seem to be able to distinguish between Bitcoin and crypto though – in his keynote speech he promised to make the U.S. the ‘crypto capital of the planet’. Nevertheless, the news that the United States plans to accumulate Bitcoin as a strategic reserve currency made headlines around the world and many Bitcoin supporters are delighted. Bitcoin's negative image could be somewhat corrected and it would certainly also be beneficial for Bitcoin adoption, so the hope goes. And indeed, the price of Bitcoin climbed to new record highs during the US election campaign, reaching its ATH of USD 109,000 when Trump took office on 20 January 2025. The US announcement of a bitcoin strategic reserve can certainly be described as a historic moment. At the moment, it doesn't seem to be entirely clear whether Bitcoin or crypto, but a number of US states are working on advancing Bitcoin reserves. Whether it is a good thing when nation states start hoarding Bitcoin is another question. After all, from the very beginning and to this day, Bitcoin has been about taking power over money away from the state and giving it to the people. Back to the Bitcoin companies. Let's assume that someone understands Bitcoin and has even discovered that there are Bitcoin-only exchanges. These companies recognise Bitcoin as sound money, support the Bitcoin community and want to integrate the Bitcoin ethos into their business model in the best possible way. Ouch – that already sounds like a compromise. **The Dilemma – Bitcoin at Heart, Regulation at the Back of the Neck** Bitcoin companies are caught between maximum independence and regulatory requirements. Companies such as Strike, Relai and River aim to make it as easy as possible for their customers to access Bitcoin while at the same time enabling them to maximise their independence from third parties. An important aspect of this is self-custody. Customers have full control over their Bitcoin and can avoid counterparty risks such as exchange failures or government seizures. In contrast, most providers on the market, such as the major players Coinbase or Binance, rely on classic, centralised structures with full custody - and a large range of digital assets. They are basically fiat companies that offer crypto products. And then, at the other end of the spectrum, there are projects such as Samourai, Wasabi Wallet or Tornado Cash, which are radically opposed to any form of control. They are developing powerful tools for more financial privacy – in line with Bitcoin's original idea as a decentralised cash system. But this commitment comes at a price: the founders of Samourai Wallet were arrested and the developers of Tornado Cash were prosecuted. These Bitcoin rebels are putting the limits of state regulation to the test. And they raise the fundamental question: Is privacy an inalienable right or should it be subordinated to the public security interest? **The Middle Ground Builders** Bitcoin-only companies that choose the middle ground play an important role in the bitcoin ecosystem. This is because they appeal to the masses by keeping onboarding simple and often offering a range of interesting services. At the same time, they want to give their customers the greatest possible independence. But are their business models sustainable? Or do these companies run the risk of being worn down by the balancing act between Bitcoin ethos and state control? How can these pioneers survive in a constantly changing regulatory environment? It's a balancing act between regulation and Bitcoin values, and it's often a fight for the fundamental rights of not just Bitcoiners but people in general. For example, these companies need to have KYC processes in place to be compliant with the law and allow customers the greatest possible flexibility in their Bitcoin activities. *Some popular Bitcoin-companies and their strategies:* - [Strike](https://strike.me/): Custodial, fast lightning transactions, DCA, bill payments - [Relai](https://relai.app/de/): Simple onramp, self-custody, private and business services - [River](https://river.com/): Multisig and cold storage, proof of reserves, inheritance - [Unchained](https://unchained.com/): Multisig vaults, DCA, inheritance, loans, retirement, advisory - [Bull Bitcoin](https://www.bullbitcoin.com/): Non-custodial exchange, DCA, bill payments, OTC desk Typical features of these accounts usually include a KYC check, which allows users to be granted higher buy and sell limits. Many Bitcoin companies offer self-custody wallets and often some also multi-sig solutions that increase security for users. Partnerships with banks or payment service providers facilitate buying and selling and enable services such as the creation of savings plans. Bitcoin companies face several challenges. Regulatory pressure remains a key concern, as authorities may tighten KYC obligations or introduce new restrictions. Trust is another issue since die-hard Bitcoiners often see these companies as not being consistent enough with Bitcoin's core principles. **Regulatory Framework and Political Influences** ***USA: Trump's Bitcoin course and the ‘Crypto Czar’*** There are currently contradictory signals in the USA: on the one hand, Donald Trump has hinted at using Bitcoin as a strategic reserve (Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, SBR), while on the other hand, regulation is being tightened further. The newly created position of ‘White House AI and Crypto Czar’, presumably conceived in collaboration with Elon Musk, is intended to implement clear rules for blockchain, AI and the crypto market. This is also likely to affect companies that are committed to the Bitcoin ethos. - Positive signals: Bitcoin is increasingly recognised as a legitimate asset class. - Regulatory pressure: Stricter regulations could threaten the existence of smaller companies. - Possible future: If the US promotes Bitcoin as a strategic asset, this could fundamentally change the regulatory landscape. ***Europe and Global Developments*** - MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation): New EU regulation for crypto companies, requiring strict KYC and AML rules, among other things. - Restrictive countries: China and India continue to rely on tough regulation or bans. - Friendly jurisdictions: Countries such as El Salvador or Switzerland offer attractive conditions for Bitcoin companies. **Self-custody of Bitcoin** The so-called ‘Travel Rule’ (Transfer of Funds Regulation, TFR) requires detailed information about the sender and recipient. This makes it more difficult for Europeans to interact with self-custody Bitcoin wallets. For transactions over 1,000 euros, users must prove that they are the owners of these wallets (proof of ownership). Yet self-custody is a very important aspect of Bitcoin. It is the only way to avoid the risks associated with relying on centralised custodians. Self-custody ensures that you alone have control over your money. The new regulations represent a gradual financial disenfranchisement, which is not only criticised by Bitcoiners. And that is only part of the problem. The disadvantages of centralised storage of customer assets are well known. Just think of the scandalous examples from the recent past: The fall of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange and the knock-on effects on the cryptocurrency industry or the fraudulent business practices of Celsius, which lost billions of customers' money. > *“Not your keys, not your coins.”– Andreas Antonopoulos* However, it is often the users themselves who, consciously or unconsciously, jeopardise their funds. The obstacles to self-custody lie in both technical and practical aspects. Not everyone is willing or able to navigate hardware wallets and multisig solutions. Furthermore, without an adequate backup, there is a risk of losing coins irretrievably. By keeping their coins in self-custody, Bitcoiners eliminate third-party risk. However, self-custody can be a challenge, especially for beginners. ‘Study Bitcoin’ is more than just a phrase here. Only those who know their way around can protect themselves against errors, misuse and loss. **CONCLUSION** The uncertainties caused by ever-changing regulation in different jurisdictions is a constant challenge for businesses. However, as Bitcoin is increasingly being categorised as harmless by the authorities, pure Bitcoin platforms might face fewer regulatory risks compared to crypto exchanges. The growing acceptance of Bitcoin and the plans of the United States and other countries to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve may have a positive impact on how Bitcoin companies continue to be treated by regulators. I would, though, like to quote Maya Parbhoe, the Surinamese presidential candidate for 2025, at this point, even if it seems a little off-topic: > *“A Bitcoin Strategic Reserve is not the answer.* *> *The moment a government holds Bitcoin as a reserve, it centralizes control over an asset designed to be decentralized. It strengthens the very system Bitcoin was created to replace.* *> *Governments holding Bitcoin do not give power to the people, they give themselves a hedge while continuing to debase their fiat currency. They still print, they still tax, they still control. The people remain trapped in the same system, only now with a government-backed Bitcoin price floor that serves the state, not the individual.* *> *Bitcoin was not made to be stockpiled by central banks. It was made to be used. As currency, as a tool of self-sovereignty, as a weapon against state overreach.”* So let's summarise what we have covered in this article in the spirit of these liberal ideas. The following rules, which have just been created, should be mandatory reading for Bitcoin aficionados until further notice: <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/914ac66c228ea1a398ec1f008234e4cd213da85f268de73fb36dc9e344dcfb45.jpg"> *The Fine Line: Bitcoin Companies Navigating Regulation and Freedom was [written by Bri](https://x.com/cyberBri). If you enjoyed this article then support her writing, by donating to her lightning wallet: bri_1@walletofsatoshi.com*