Bitcoin Veterans

Bitcoin Veterans Podcast - Live on Twitter Spaces & YouTube every Thursday 7pmET hosted by Shane Hazel, Alex Stanczyk, Gabe Lord, Mike Hobart, and Jordan Gambrell

Public Key

npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r

NIP-57 Address

bitcoinveterans@getalby.com

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsqt94cze77fkfxhgt9s2rfxmht6gjn96n8asf2jrq8szkkdhclexgpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj76m9nds

Publishing to

nostr.wine

Author Public Key

npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r

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Last Notes

2024-10-18 20:08:54

HUGE UPDATE!!
We just established a Meshtastic repeater on top of Big Bald Mountain on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.
We had a @Starlink Mini in our pack and maintained connectivity the entire time. Big shout out to Elon Musk.
The really amazing thing was the 194 nodes we have connected from Raleigh, to Knoxville, to Charlotte, to Greenville and all the way down to Atlanta!!
The Freedom Tech Revolution is hitting another gear.
#meshtastic
https://video.nostr.build/143998b29a1e84e569f7c3b90bd2630e638af0cc1b7caf675a5473c8682d23ee.mp4

2024-10-15 20:03:49

Update: Burnsville, NC and surrounding areas
Dropped off a generator to a man who hasn’t seen anyone since this all started. His only contact with the outside was via the 2m band on HAM radio
He broke down in tears of joy and gave us all hugs. Very powerful!
We also dropped off 10 generators, power strips, extension cords and cold weather gear at a collection point for Plain Compassion Crisis Response
They’re doing great work to ensure the people who need supplies get them
https://video.nostr.build/4387e9cc3c58a5b106e6498e7d6e58182933677c5c8a0c1a28c57276abe75809.mp4

2024-10-15 18:31:26

SITREP: Bitcoin's Role in a Decentralized Future with Lisa Hough.
https://fountain.fm/episode/AqezEwwzNdQkxcuUjZUq

2024-10-09 01:07:45

We have now established Meshtastic on over three different mountain tops around the Spruce Hill, North Carolina area.
We are also running coordination with the amazing Christian Rangers. These guys define the word humble professional.
https://m.primal.net/LPQZ.jpg
https://m.primal.net/LPQY.jpg
https://m.primal.net/LPQa.jpg
https://m.primal.net/LPQb.jpg

2024-10-08 12:19:48

“High living last night boys” - @npub1zx5…wmqm
https://m.primal.net/LOmj.jpg

2024-10-08 03:34:53

UPDATE: Avery Airfield in Spruce Pine which is running air delivery of critical supplies to HLZs in the AO is now equipping flights with Meshtastic airborne nodes which significantly increases coverage of vital communications.
https://video.nostr.build/e904e0fb9b975cd5c12d5466ea1ffc79c4dd27686d91f683fb22bc5c01682246.mp4

2024-10-08 03:32:43

UPDATE: Meshtastic / Star link / Gensets / Bitcoin has established comms on two HLZ and has received its first genset resupply!
HLZ Zombie in action.
https://video.nostr.build/4269a37f2359fa5e33ae719a16d9826ffdd7464337671301d756bef3012fd06a.mp4

2024-10-08 00:59:03

Another round of supply purchases and was even able to link up with people coming from Nashville to deliver supplies out east
Handed off as many supplies as they had room for. More LOG runs to follow!
Your donations are going to get supplies that people on the ground say they need. We’re operating and adapting quickly to changing environments.
Things what the Decentralized Revolution, powered by Freedom Tech looks like!
https://v.nostr.build/AyuWXhKOHYmIp7uh.mp4

2024-10-08 00:57:42

07 OCT Day Two: Spruce Pine & Burnsville
Meshtastic/Starlink/Gensets/HLZs/Bitcoin established on veteran soil.
Freedom Tech is working
https://v.nostr.build/mLDAXkXENYCNyLDM.mp4

2024-10-08 00:55:16

05OCT UPDATE 1: Planning & Prep wrapping up.
Mission 1:
Establish communications via meshtastic & ham radio network
Establish remote power stations
How fitting that our first mission is Power & secured Communications
Thank you all. More updates coming.
https://v.nostr.build/0Tgvl8E3fpR4uGhK.mp4

2024-10-08 00:38:28

From @npub1ale…evkz: This is really cool wanted to share.
@bitcoinveterans has established a comms network between civilians, veterans, active duty, and national guard and are now coordinating establishing advanced LZ's into harder to reach places in the mountains.
Here are some cool shots of supplies being offloaded at AOB Little Switzerland.
Thank God we have men like this willing to stand in the gap. https://image.nostr.build/00945ef0ff6ad6457039807b05f6e0046786fbe8a79d4e727b7e9142d7afb3a7.jpg https://image.nostr.build/bdf6ca5cc73082a115018306480d0e4bc29c6d3f4e6d62e0e87543146cb35f54.jpg

2024-10-08 00:37:00

UPDATE: Meshtastic is now airborne on multiple platforms.
This means more coverage for encrypted communications with air assets day and night.
In addition, 8 gensets received now being allocated to the PEOPLE! https://image.nostr.build/24a1b17ed76fe3b3a6960892765b5e438b4c02efcff28cacca52a084344e7ece.jpg

2024-10-07 23:57:55

🚨UPDATED DONATION LINK🚨
In the wake of recent disasters, countless families are in urgent need of support.
Bitcoin Veterans are raising funds to support recovery efforts, provide essential supplies, shelter, and hope to those affected.
Every dollar and satoshi counts and can make a significant impact.
Fiat, lightning and on-chain donations are possible through our
@ZapriteApp
donation page.
https://pay.zaprite.com/pl_Mibjv4lkEs
https://m.primal.net/LOMh.jpg

2024-10-07 23:55:29

The Daily Intelligence Bulletin will be postponed for at least a week while we conduct OPN GABRIEL, BV’s disaster relief efforts
We will still conduct our daily Spaces at 10am ET every weekday morning
Thank you for your continued support. We couldn’t provide help and assistance to those who need it without you
You can use the link below to donate in BTC or fiat. Thank you and God bless!
https://pay.zaprite.com/pl_Mibjv4lkEs
https://m.primal.net/LOMh.jpg

2024-10-07 17:50:48

SITREP: Empowering Communities Through Emergency Support and Communications
https://fountain.fm/episode/ccQjcXEcqyW5b2Fsm6BV

2024-10-07 09:48:38

UPDATE: Day 1 Burnsville
Bitcoin & Meshtastic are powering the people that are saving lives, recovering & rebuilding here in Burnsville, North Carolina.
https://video.nostr.build/b748f62cf7acc82461c2fc9ba1ef2ab643f51f10ec4a7b410a7a60e13fad95eb.mp4

2024-10-05 14:18:08

The response from the Bitcoin community has been overwhelming.
YOU have stepped up and fully engaged in our mission to respond to the disaster in North Carolina.
THANK YOU
Our initial response is underway and we will share updates as we receive information from the Area of Operations.
Our larger recovery team is taking shape and necessary resources are being identified.
This will be an ongoing mission and continued support will absolutely be needed.
Please continue to share in your networks and spread the word.
pay.zaprite.com/pl_7Xwxh3ZNJT
https://image.nostr.build/d4f950c19930eb2abf01ffd58b3a65467710546c28ed3c55bbee0697bd7e18a7.jpg

2024-10-01 14:10:12

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 863,635
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 01Oct24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: IDF Sends Troops Into Lebanon / New PM in Japan / Freedom Party Wins in Austria / US Dockworkers Begin Strike on East Coast / Chemical Plant Fire Still Affecting GA Counties / US Sending Thousands More Troops to Mideast / VP Debate Tonight / Ohio May Accept BTC for Taxes / UBS Warns Against US Dollar / Apple, Starlink Step up in Disaster Zone / Square Receives Payment Patent
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $63,779, 24.07 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $64,778 / Lo: $62,873
Vol: $32B (Up 20%)
Mkt Cap: $1.26T (Even)
HashRate: 627 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 2 sats/vBtye (Down 87%)
Nodes: 18,930
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israel launches ground war in southern Lebanon: The Israeli military informed United Nations peacekeeping forces on Monday of its intention to “undertake limited ground incursions into Lebanon,” “Any crossing into Lebanon is in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of resolution 1701. We urge all actors to step back from such escalatory acts, which will only lead to more violence and more bloodshed,” the UN said. Israel’s stated war goal is to “ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday, and its military has also said it is striking Hezbollah targets, particularly across southern Lebanon and Beirut. (CNN)
2. Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s newly elected prime minister, forms Cabinet with emphasis on defense: Ishiba entered the Prime Minister’s Office and formed his Cabinet, which includes several security and defense experts, as he has called for a stronger regional military alliance and a more equal Japan-U.S. security partnership. (AP)
3. Austrian far-right party pushes to form government after election win: Austria's Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl hailed a "new era" after preliminary results showed Sunday that the FPÖ had become the first far-right party to win in the country's parliamentary election since World War II. (Axios)
-US Events-
1. Dockworkers Launch Strike at Ports From Maine to Texas: The ILA is seeking a 77% wage increase over six years as a condition to sit down to talks with maritime employers. The walkout shuts down some of the country’s main gateways for imports of food, vehicles, heavy machinery, construction materials, chemicals, furniture, clothes and toys. Executives say a walkout lasting a week or longer would push up shipping costs and might trigger product shortages. (WSJ)
2. BioLab fire: Rockdale County shelter-in-place warning issued after weather change: Rockdale County has resumed its shelter-in-place and evacuation orders after a chemical fire at the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia. The effects of the fire were felt beyond Rockdale County. Residents across Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, and other nearby counties reported seeing a haze and experiencing symptoms related to chemical irritants. (Fox5ATL)
3. Pentagon sending thousands of more troops to the Middle East: The Pentagon announced Monday that the US is sending thousands of more troops to the Middle East as Israel initiates “ground raids” into Lebanon targeting Hezbollah terrorists. The “few thousand” additional forces will up the total number of US troops stationed at bases in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries to some 43,000. (NYPost)
4. Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance are set to meet Tuesday night in the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election – and in what might be the last time the two campaigns square off onstage. Officials say the weather overnight has led the plume of chemicals to bank down and move through the county.
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Ohio Senator Introduces Bill to Allow Bitcoin, Crypto Payments for State Taxes: The proposed legislation requires all political subdivisions in Ohio to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for payments, with the specific digital assets yet to be determined. The bill also seeks to permit state universities and pension funds to invest in the asset class. (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies-
1. UBS Warns of Further US Dollar Decline, Advises Investors to Reduce USD holdings: Financial giant UBS expects the U.S. dollar to continue to depreciate, advising investors to reevaluate their portfolios. The bank predicts a medium-term decline due to shrinking interest rate advantages and a growing fiscal deficit. With the dollar down 5% since June, UBS recommends strategies like currency hedging and diversifying into other currencies and assets like gold to reduce risk. (BitcoinCom)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs see over $500 million inflows in past 2 days (CryptoSlate)
-Economic Indicators-
1. S&P 500 Closes at Record after Powell’s Remarks: US stocks finished in the green on Monday, as investors digested Powell’s comments. The S&P 500 closed at record high adding 0.4% and the Nasdaq also gained 0.4%, while the Dow Jones closed marginally higher. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology and Science-
1. Apple and Starlink 'Literally Saving Lives' During Hurricane Helene Crisis: Apple iPhone users with later models can use satellite technology to send messages while cellular and WiFi services are down thanks to a new feature in iOS 18 that's "literally saving lives" in flood-ravaged North Carolina, residents say. The new feature “kinda just popped up for me and was like ‘connect to satellite,’" Matt Van Swol, an Asheville resident, told Decrypt via Twitter. “I’ve never been more thankful to be an iPhone user.” Another satellite technology being brought to bear in Asheville and across the South is Elon Musk’s Starlink, whose terminals are being deployed across the impacted areas. (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin miner CleanSpark restores 200MW in the wake of Hurricane Helene: CleanSpark shuts down 365 MW at Georgia sites and begins phased restoration after Hurrican Helene, and has restored 200 MW at Georgia sites, with full restoration by Oct. 4. CleanSpark expects bitcoin hashrate to reach 28 EH/s once fully operational. (TheBlock)
2. Square’s Patent For Crypto Payment Network Approved: Other payment processors like BitPay have allowed automatic conversion of cryptocurrencies into local currency before. The main difference is the high level of market penetration that Square has across the globe. Dorsey also says that Square’s interest in Bitcoin goes beyond just buying and selling it. The Square Cash app already features bitcoin trading, adding a cryptocurrency payment system to the app is a good move if Square really wants to promote bitcoin usage. (CoinTrust)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 50/100 (Down 11 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
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2024-09-24 20:21:40

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 862,664
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 24Sep24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Israel Strikes Lebanon Hard / UN Host World Leaders to Design Future / Japanese Jet Fighters Fire Flares at Russian Surveillance Plane / Questions of Why DOJ Releases Shooter Letter / Hurricane Headed to Central FL / More US Troops to Mideast / US Lawmakers Look to Reign in SEC on Crypto / BRICS Designing USD Alternatives / US Stocks Up, Manufacturing Down / Telegram Gives In / Digital ID Coming / Overseas Remittances Still Lacking in Cryptocurrencies, Why?
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $63,559, 24.18 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $63,944 / Lo: $62,737
Vol: $27B (Down 8%)
Mkt Cap: $1.25T (Even)
HashRate: 671 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 6 sats/vBtye (Up 50%)
Nodes: 19,068
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israeli strikes kill 492 in Lebanon’s deadliest day of conflict since 2006: Israeli strikes Monday on Lebanon killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since 2006. In a recorded message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying “take this warning seriously.” (AP)
2. World leaders meet under shadow of global divisions, 3 wars and possible Mideast conflict: World leaders will open their annual meeting at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday under the shadow of increasing global divisions, major wars in Gaza, Ukraine and, Sudan and the threat of an even larger conflict in the wider Middle East. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres previewed his opening “State of the World” speech to presidents, prime ministers, monarchs and ministers at Sunday’s “Summit of the Future,” saying “our world is heading off the rails — and we need tough decisions to get back on track.” He also cited huge inequalities, the lack of an effective global system to respond to emerging and even existential threats, and the devastating impact of climate change. (AP)
3. Japan Warns Russia Over Violating Airspace, Fires Flares for First Time: Japanese jet fighters fired warning flares at a Russian military reconnaissance plane that violated Japan’s airspace on Monday, the first time Tokyo has taken such an aggressive stance against incursions of its airspace mostly carried out by Moscow. A Russian IL-38 patrol plane entered Japanese airspace three times between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time Monday/ (WSJ)
-US Events-
1. Former AG Barr 'dumbfounded' at DOJ’s decision to release letter of Trump would-be assassin: Former Attorney General William Barr says he is "dumbfounded" that the Justice Department released a chilling letter penned by would-be assassin Ryan Wesley Routh on Monday, calling the decision "rash" and serving no purpose "other than to risk inciting further violence." The DOJ obtained the letter from a witness who says they received it inside a box delivered to them by Routh several months prior to the assassination attempt. (Fox)
2. Hurricane, tropical storm watches issued for Florida ahead of possible Category 3 hurricane: The storm that is expected to become a hurricane Wednesday could become a Category 3 hurricane with 115-mph winds by the time it makes landfall Thursday. "The potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west gulf coast is increasing," the Hurricane Center said. (TallahaseeDemocrat)
3. US is sending more troops to the Middle East as violence rises between Israel and Hezbollah: Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, would not say how many more forces would be deployed or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. now has about 40,000 troops in the region. (AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Republicans Push to Rescind SEC's Controversial Crypto Custody Rule: Over 40 Republican lawmakers, led by Patrick McHenry and Cynthia Lummis, have urged the SEC to rescind the controversial crypto custody rule, SAB 121. Critics argue the rule disrupts traditional accounting standards and increases consumer risks in the crypto industry. (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Russia Pushes for Sustainable BRICS Interbank Networks and Payment Systems: Russia is pushing to develop independent interbank networks and payment systems within BRICS to boost the bloc’s financial influence. Moscow aims to expand cross-border settlements and the use of national currencies in BRICS trade, as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on Western financial institutions. These efforts have gained attention during Russia’s BRICS presidency, drawing interest from countries looking for alternatives to the dollar and euro. (BitcoinCom)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. S&P 500, Dow Rise to Fresh Records: The S&P 500 rose by 0.3%, and the Dow Jones gained 0.1%, both achieving fresh record highs on Monday after last week's rally prompted by the Fed's first rate cut in four years, set at 50 basis points. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Manufacturing Activity Unexpectedly Falls Faster: The S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI fell to 47 in September of 2024 from 47.9 in the previous month, contrasting with market expectations that it would rise to 48.5, marking the third consecutive month of contraction in the US factory activity at the sharpest pace in over one year. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Telegram says it will share phone numbers and IP addresses of ‘bad actors’ to authorities: Founder Pavel Durov said on Monday that Telegram will now disclose the IP addresses and phone numbers of users who violate the app’s rules to relevant authorities “in response to valid legal requests.” The new policy applies to users suspected of any violation of Telegram’s rules. (RecordedFuture) (AC-With sufficient pressure, such as arresting and charging the CEO with child porn, centralized systems can be co-opted relatively easy.)
-Technology and Science-
1. Apple Wallet's Gov't ID Support Coming Soon to 4 New Regions After Rolling Out in California: First, three additional US states would support Apple Wallet's digital ID capabilities to be used at certain checkpoints, allowing its constituents to present their identification through the iPhone and Apple Watch. These states include Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia. (TechTimes) (AC-Digital ID is coming, the choice rests in centralized or decentralized DID.)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Central Reserve Bank: Only 1.1% of Remittances Involve Cryptocurrency in El Salvador: The adoption of cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, for remittances has failed to surge in El Salvador, even with the support of President Nayib Bukele’s administration. According to data provided by the Central Reserve Bank, only 1.1% of all remittances sent to the country from January to August 2024 include cryptocurrency. (BitcoinCom) (AC-Why have remittances in cryptocurrencies fallen in ES over the last 3 years even after government incentives to do so? The answer to this question may open up worldwide adoption very quickly. There is a practical aspect of P2P worldwide transfers that most bitcoiners are missing. Opportunity knocks.)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 54/100 (Up 4 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
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2024-09-20 16:26:21

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 862,115
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 20Sep24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Israel-Hezbollah Ramp Up Conflict / US, UK Poised to Let Ukraine Strike Deep / KY Sheriff Kills Judge / Teamsters Fret Over Non-Endorsement / Alaska Man Arrested for Threatening SCOTUS Judges / Many New Gun Owners Are Progressives / Louisiana Now Accepts Bitcoin / Canada Scraps CBDC / BlackRock Amends Coinbase Agreement / Stocks Up, Mortgage Rates Down / Original BTC Miners Move BTC
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $63,441, 24.27 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $64,119 / Lo: $62,630
Vol: $41B (Down 12%)
Mkt Cap: $1.25T (Up 1%)
HashRate: 737 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Even)
Nodes: 18,824
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israel says 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers hit in Lebanon: Israel has carried out extensive air strikes on southern Lebanon, saying its warplanes have hit more than 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers and other "terrorist sites" including a weapons storage facility. The IDF said the launchers were ready to be fired against Israel. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. Earlier, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said deadly (electronics) explosions earlier in the week "crossed all red lines", accusing Israel of what he said represented a declaration of war. Israel has not said it was behind the attacks - which saw pagers and walkie-talkies explode simultaneously across the country - on Tuesday and Wednesday, and which Lebanese authorities said killed 37 people and wounded 3,000. (BBC)
2. Biden Poised to Approve Ukraine’s Use of Long-Range Western Weapons in Russia: President Biden appears on the verge of clearing the way for Ukraine to launch long-range Western weapons deep inside Russian territory, as long as it doesn’t use arms provided by the United States, European officials say. The issue, which has long been debated in the administration, is coming to a head on Friday, as Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, visits the White House. (NYTimes)
-US Events-
1. Kentucky sheriff charged in killing of judge at courthouse: The preliminary investigation indicates Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police. Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene, and Stines surrendered without incident.(AP) (AC-It might be enlightening to learn what they were 'arguing' about. There's more to this story.)
2. Former Teamsters leader criticizes non-endorsement of Harris for president: James P. Hoffa, who led the Teamsters for 23 years, said it was a mistake for the union not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, the “correct choice for labor.” (WaPo)
3. Alaska man charged with threats to torture, murder conservative Supreme Court justices: Panos Anastasiou, 76, was nabbed Wednesday in Anchorage and is facing 22 federal charges stemming from 465 alarming messages he sent via the Supreme Court’s website between March 10 and July 16, prosecutors say. The justices are not identified in the indictment, but details about Anastasiou’s messages indicate he targeted Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. (NYPost)
4. The Most Surprising New Gun Owners Are U.S. Liberals: American gun culture has long been dominated by conservative, white men. Now, in a marked change, a burgeoning number of liberals are buying firearms, according to surveys and fast-growing gun groups drawing minorities and progressives. Now, today’s Democrats are rediscovering guns. One new owner said he mostly talks about guns with other liberal or progressive gun owners, many of whom welcome gun restrictions. He sees no reason to own a military-style, semiautomatic rifle like the AR-15, and supports universal background checks. But the country’s sharp partisan divide renders compromise on guns extremely unlikely, he believes. (WSJ) (AC-An intriguing article, even if heavily slanted to portray Trump and conservative white men as dangerous.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Louisiana Announces Crypto Payment Options for State Services: The U.S. state of Louisiana has announced that residents can now use bitcoin, bitcoin lightning, and USD Coin to pay for state services through private, secure crypto wallets. “By introducing cryptocurrency as a payment option, we’re not just innovating; we’re providing our citizens with flexibility and freedom in interacting with state services,” said Louisiana’s State Treasurer. (BitcoinCom)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Canada Scraps Plan to Launch 'Digital Loonie' CBDC: After almost five years of research, the Bank of Canada has decided to shelve its plans for a central bank digital currency (CBDC), also known as a "digital loonie." The central bank had launched a research project in 2019 and conducted a public consultation in 2022. While a CBDC was seen as a way to maintain monetary sovereignty and financial stability, the idea faced strong opposition from Canadians and prominent figures in the government. (Decrypt)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US spot bitcoin ETFs rebound to daily net inflows of $158 million; BTC hovers at $63,500 (TheBlock)
2. BlackRock amends Coinbase custody agreement to require 12 hour withdrawals amid debt rumors: The modifications shorten Coinbase Custody withdrawal processing time when handling withdrawals from the Vault Balance to a public blockchain address while Trade Credits remain unpaid. his development comes amid recent allegations against Coinbase, claiming the exchange was not using BlackRock’s funds to purchase actual bitcoins for the ETF. Social media rumors suggested that Coinbase was issuing letters of debt instead of backing the ETF with Bitcoin and manipulating Bitcoin’s price using BlackRock’s funds. (CryptoSlate) (AC-Blackrock simply making sure the BTC is available.)
-Economic Indicators-
1. S&P 500, Dow Close at Records High: Wall Street rallied on Thursday as sentiments boosted about a "soft landing" for the US economy after the Federal Reserve’s 50 basis point rate cut. The Dow Jones closed 522 points higher, the S&P 500 gained 1.7%, both hit new record highs. The Nasdaq 100 also spiked 2.5%, (TradingEconomics)
2. US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Eases to 6.09%: The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 6.09% as of September 19th, reaching its lowest level since early February 2023. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Maryland Police Warn Gmail Users of Phishing Scam Demanding Bitcoin: Maryland State Police have warned of a scam targeting Gmail users, using phishing tactics to extort money through unsettling threats. Scammers are sending victims emails with Google Maps photos of their homes and demanding bitcoin payments, falsely claiming they possess incriminating evidence. The police are investigating, urging caution and providing resources for reporting these incidents. (BitcoinCom)
-Technology and Science-
1. Apple Faces EU Antitrust Challenge: The antitrust regulators of the European Union have launched an action against Apple as it seeks to force the tech giant to open its closed ecosystem up to other competitors. If Apple does not comply, major financial losses are imposed by the newly implemented Digital Markets Act (DMA) on it. The Cupertino-based firm has argued for quite some time that its closed system is safer through the control of peripheral devices and their software entering the system. (TechTImes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin miner wallets awaken after over 15 years — Is this Satoshi?: Wallets belonging to early Bitcoin miners who received coins as rewards shortly after the blockchain’s launch by its pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, have recently been observed moving their BTC. On Sept. 20, five miner wallets that received 50 Bitcoin each as block rewards in 2009 started to move their funds. Given the BTC was mined only weeks after the launch of the Bitcoin blockchain, the wallets likely belonged to people present at its inception. (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 54/100 (Up 6 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Find the encouraging news today, be encouraging today.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IRUV.jpg

2024-09-16 12:44:24

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 861,558
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 16Sep24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Houthis Fire Hypersonic Missile at Israel / Venezuela Arrests Americans in Supposed Plot / Trump Target of Another Assassination Attempt / Kraken Drops Lighting in Germany / Russia Launching CBDC / MicroStrategy Buys Another $1.1B of BTC / Fed Cut 25 or 50 BPS / 17 Y/O Arrested for UK Transportation Hack / United Air Offers Starlink / El Salvador Achieves Financial Independence
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,722, 22.77 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $60,381 / Lo: $58,144
Vol: $27B (Up 107%)
Mkt Cap: $1.16T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 609 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 2 sats/vBtye (Down 33%)
Nodes: 19,024
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Netanyahu warns Yemen’s Houthis face a ‘heavy price’ as missile lands in central Israel: The projectile was fired from Yemen toward Israel at 6am local time this morning, according to the Israel Defense Forces who added that it “most likely fragmented in mid-air.” The missile fell in an open area in central Israel, with no injuries reported. The Houthis said they used a “new hypersonic ballistic missile” and warning that Israel should expect more such strikes as the first anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas approaches. (CNN)
2. Venezuela says it arrested Navy SEAL allegedly involved in a plot to kill President Maduro: Three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen were arrested Saturday after Venezuelan officials accused them of coming to the South American country to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. The arrest of the American citizens included a member of the Navy, who Cabello identified as Wilbert Joseph Castañeda Gomez. Cabello said that Gomez was a Navy SEAL who had served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Colombia. The announcement of the arrests comes just two days after the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on 16 allies of Maduro who were accused by the U.S. government of obstructing voting during the disputed July 28 Venezuelan presidential election, and carrying out human rights abuses. The Maduro administration has previously used Americans imprisoned in Venezuela to gain concessions from the U.S. government. (StarsandStripes)
-US Events-
1. Trump was the subject of an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club, the FBI says: U.S. Secret Service agents stationed a few holes up from where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away. An agent fired and the gunman dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving the firearm behind along with two backpacks, a scope used for aiming and a GoPro camera, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. The man was later stopped by law enforcement in a neighboring county. They had been on the fifth hole and about to go up to putt when they heard a “pop pop, pop pop.” Within seconds, he said Witkoff recounted, Secret Service agents “pounced” on Trump and “covered him” to protect him. The man in custody was Ryan Routh, three law enforcement officials told the AP.(AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Kraken Removes Bitcoin Lightning Network Link in Germany: Kraken, a top crypto exchange, has removed the Lightning Network feature for customers in Germany, citing "technical changes." Earlier reports suggested that regulatory issues were the cause, but Kraken clarified that it was a result of technical changes. The Lightning Network is a second layer application for Bitcoin that speeds up transactions and allows for smaller purchases. (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Bank of Russia to Launch Digital Ruble Payment Infrastructure by July 2025: The Bank of Russia aims to open the payment infrastructure for the Russian CBDC, the digital ruble, by July next year. Larger banks will offer digital ruble accounts and services by this deadline, with smaller institutions following later. The initiative seeks to enhance payment efficiency and reduce costs, with retailers also required to accept digital rubles. A pilot program is currently underway involving banks, individuals, and businesses. (BitcoinCom)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. MicroStrategy Buys $1.1 Billion Worth of Bitcoin: MicroStrategy, the software firm known for its bullish stance on Bitcoin, has purchased an additional 18,300 BTC worth nearly $1.1 billion. This is the company's largest Bitcoin purchase since February 2021, bringing its total holdings to 244,800 BTC. MicroStrategy remains the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, controlling more than 1% of the entire possible Bitcoin supply. (Decrypt) (AC-Big move!)
2. US spot bitcoin ETFs log highest daily inflows in nearly two months as BTC challenges $60,000: Spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States had their best day for inflows in nearly two months on Friday—despite the fact that the largest ETF on the market logged no inflows of its own. US-based spot bitcoin ETFs logged a daily total net inflow of $263.1 million, the most for a single day since July 22's massive $485.9 million 55 days ago. (TheBlock)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 10-Year Yield Slips as Fed Rate Verdict Looms: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury slipped to around 3.64% on Monday, hovering at its lowest levels since May 2023 as traders piled on bets that the Federal Reserve will move more aggressively when it starts cutting interest rates this week. Markets are currently pricing in a 59% chance that the Fed will deliver a larger 50 basis point rate cut. (TradingEcomomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. 17-Year-Old Arrested in Connection with Cyber Attack Affecting Transport for London: The teenager, who's from Walsall, is said to have been arrested on September 5, 2024, following an investigation that was launched in the incident's aftermath. "Attacks on public infrastructure such as this can be hugely disruptive and lead to severe consequences for local communities and national systems," Deputy Director Paul Foster, head of the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit, said. (HackerNews)
-Technology and Science-
1. United Brings Starlink's Satellite Internet to Over 1,000 Planes, Free in-Flight WiFi Coming by 2025 (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. President Bukele announces that El Salvador will no longer borrow external debt to finance its budget. (X Post by Bukele)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 39/100 (Up 7 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IEtb.jpg

2024-09-12 12:16:47

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 861,003
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 12Sep24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Russian Drones Knock Out Power Stations / Fmr. Peru Leader Fujimori Dies / DHS Designates Jan 6th 'National Security Event" / Venezuelan Gang Expands in US / UK Bill To Recognize Digital Assets as Property / SEC Chair Gensler Under Investigation / CBDCs are Digital Control / Stocks Up on CPI Data / SpaceX Civilian Astronauts Conduct Spacewalk / India, Nigeria, Indonesia Lead 'Crypto' Adoption
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,058, 23.04 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $58,454 / Lo: $55,567
Vol: $36B (Up 13%)
Mkt Cap: $1.15T (Up 2%)
HashRate: 582 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Up 33%)
Nodes: 19,321
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Russian drones pound power system in Sumy region town, 14 people hurt, Ukraine says: Russian drones inflicted significant damage to the northern Ukrainian town of Konotop's energy infrastructure in an overnight attack that injured at least 14 people and cut electricity to the settlement, local officials said on Thursday. Rescuers were working to restore power in the town, which had a pre-war population of about 83,000. Regional officials said there had been 10 explosions during the attack and Mayor Artem Semenikhin said the power system was in critical condition. (Reuters)
2. Former Peruvian leader Alberto Fujimori dies at 86: Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori, who was convicted of human rights abuses and corruption, has died aged 86. Fujimori governed Peru between 1990 and 2000 before being forced from office amid allegations of corruption. His tough stance against a left-wing guerrilla insurgency at a time when the rebels looked likely to seize power won him plaudits from many. (BBC)
-US Events-
1. Department of Homeland Security designates Jan. 6, 2025, a ‘National Special Security Event’: The federal government has designated Congress’ certification of electoral votes in the upcoming 2024 presidential election to be a “National Special Security Event,” the Secret Service announced Wednesday. The special designation was approved by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and means law enforcement agencies will dramatically beef up security for the Jan. 6, 2025, tally – in an effort to prevent another riot at the Capitol Building. “When an event is designated a National Special Security Event, the US Secret Service assumes its mandated role as the lead agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan.” (NYPost)
2. A Venezuelan Gang Is Expanding Its Deadly Reach to the U.S.: U.S. law-enforcement officials had watched with alarm the spread of a Venezuelan gang known for dismembering rivals from Chile to Colombia. But the gang, known as the Tren de Aragua, seemed contained in Latin America. American officials fear the same pattern emerging in the U.S., where more than 700,000 Venezuelans have settled in the past four years. Tren de Aragua members are suspects in the shooting of two New York police officers, the killing of a former Venezuelan police officer in South Florida, and crimes from Chicago to Texas, law-enforcement authorities said. In all, there are now more than 100 investigations in the U.S. involving suspected members of Tren de Aragua, said a high-ranking Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. (WSJ)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. UK Bill Recognizes Digital Assets as Personal Property Under New Law: The UK Ministry of Justice has introduced the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Bill to recognize bitcoin and other digital assets as personal property under English and Welsh law. Led by Justice Minister Heidi Alexander, this bill addresses legal uncertainties around digital assets, ensuring better protection for owners in fraud cases and disputes. It also positions the UK as a leader in global digital asset regulation, boosting its economy and legal services. (BitcoinCom)
2. SEC Under Scrutiny: House Republicans Investigate Gensler’s Political Hiring Practices: U.S. House Republicans have launched an investigation into the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), focusing on allegations that the agency’s hiring practices may be influenced by political affiliations. The probe, led by GOP lawmakers Jim Jordan, Patrick McHenry, and James Comer, aims to determine whether the SEC has violated federal law by considering political ideology when filling senior positions. (Blockonomi)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Central Bank Digital Currencies: Digital Currency or Digital Control?: Central bankers and other policymakers may argue that CBDCs are the future of money, but whether the end result is a waste of resources or a threat to fundamental freedoms, this future is not one that should be welcomed. Considering all signs currently seem to suggest that governments will push forward with CBDCs, it is up to the people to get involved in the conversation before the decision is made for them. (Cato) (AC-A freedom-perspective article on recharacterizing CBDCs as digital control.)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Spot bitcoin ETFs see $43 million in outflows, breaking two-day inflow run: Spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the U.S. posted total daily net outflows of $43.97 million on Wednesday, ending a two-day streak of positive flows. (TheBlock)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Stocks Close Sharply Higher on Tech Boost After CPI: US Stocks closed sharply higher on Wednesday, boosted by tech stocks as investors assessed the latest inflation data and its implications for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision. The S&P 500 rose 1%, extending its winning streak to three sessions, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq surged 2.2% (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology and Science-
1. Watch SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission conduct the first all-civilian spacewalk in history: SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission finally launched on Tuesday, after a series of delays pushed back its commencement date. Now the crew of the private spaceflight are scheduled to take the first ever commercial spacewalk — and the entire thing will be livestreamed so we can watch it here from Earth. (Mashable)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. India, Nigeria, Indonesia Lead Chainalysis 2024 Crypto Adoption Index: India, Nigeria, and Indonesia top Chainalysis’ latest global crypto adoption index, which ranks 151 countries based on grassroots cryptocurrency usage, adjusted for population and purchasing power. The report notes strong growth in crypto activity, particularly in lower-income nations. (BitcoinCom)
2. Why Bitcoin Mining Produced an Empty Block at Height 860932 Today: Bitcoin mining by Foundry USA today produced an empty block at block height 860932. Empty Bitcoin blocks, such as block 860932, are blocks that contain only the coinbase transactions and no additional transactions from the mempool. The mining of empty blocks usually occurs due to the technical delay between validating a block and receiving the transactions in the mempool. (CoinGape)
3. Anthony Scaramucci Teases New Bitcoin Book Featuring Foreword by Michael Saylor: Anthony Scaramucci, CEO of SkyBridge Capital, has hinted at his upcoming book The Little Book of Bitcoin. In a recent tweet, Scaramucci revealed that Michael Saylor, co-founder of MicroStrategy and a major Bitcoin supporter, has written the foreword for the book. Scaramucci praised Saylor as a “living legend” and expressed appreciation for his contribution to the book. (CoinSpeaker)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 31/100 (Down 6 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HmyE.jpg

2024-09-11 13:52:35

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 860,878
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 11Sep24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Judicial Reform Passes in Mexico, Protests Erupt / Iran Refutes Missile Supply to Russia / Hurricane to Hit Louisiana / Presidential Debate Ignites Rhetoric / Binance Exec Withers in Nigerian Jail / Digital Yuan Making Strides / BTC ETFs Big Hit with Retail and Advisors / CPI Core: 3.2% Indonesian Crypto Exchange Hacked / AI Writes About AI / Solo Miner Hits Jackpot / 5Th Gen Warfare Front and Center This Year
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $56,483, 22.54 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $58,029 / Lo: $56,111
Vol: $32B (Down 4%)
Mkt Cap: $1.12T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 572 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Down 40%)
Nodes: 19,321
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Protests in Mexico as controversial judicial reform passed: Mexico's Senate has approved a controversial judicial reform under which judges will be elected by popular vote. Its supporters say the changes will make judges more accountable to the Mexican people but critics argue it undermines the country's system of checks and balances and will strengthen the power of the governing Morena party. The bill has triggered strikes and protests, with demonstrators earlier breaking into the building where the vote was due to take place. (BBC)
2. Iran pledges reaction to Western sanctions over Russian missile supply: Iran has condemned allegations by Western countries that it has supplied short-range missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine and pledged to respond to new sanctions imposed by a trio of European states. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Nasser Kanaani called the sanctions announced by Britain, France and Germany “economic terrorism” against the people of Iran. (AlJazeera)
-US Events-
1. Hurricane Francine charges toward Louisiana coast: Multiple parishes in Louisiana have issued mandatory evacuation orders as the Category 1 hurricane is set to make landfall Wednesday afternoon. State and local officials are urging residents to prepare for the storm's wrath, which is also expected to bring widespread power outages, significant flooding and substantial property damage. (Fox)
2. Harris Baits Trump in Fiery Presidential Debate: The candidates square off in Philadelphia with polls essentially tied eight weeks before Election Day. Her performance Tuesday night quickly earned her one of the most coveted endorsements—that of megastar Taylor Swift, who posted on Instagram that she would be voting for the vice president. (WSJ) (AC-The reports on the debate are wildly partisan with some outlets declaring complete victory for Harris, some for Trump, and a plethora of 'fact-checking', the new term for partisan spin. What can be objectively ascertained is that Harris did better than many expected and that neither candidate elaborated on substantive policy discussion, oh yeah, and that legacy media outlets are very pro-Harris.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Nigeria postpones bail hearing for Binance executive: Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria on account of the exchange’s alleged crimes, will have to wait another month for a decision on his bail plea. Gambaryan appeared before an Abuja court after his legal team filed a new bail application, citing his failing health. The application claimed that the former IRS officer had developed multiple conditions in the six months he has been in prison, including malaria and pneumonia. (CoinGeek)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. China's Digital Yuan Nears $1 Trillion in Transactions, PBOC Official Reveals: China’s digital yuan initiative has advanced considerably, backed by over a decade of research and four years of pilot experimentation, according to Lu Lei, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC). Trials for the Chinese central bank digital currency (CBDC) have been conducted in 17 different areas, accumulating a total transaction value of 7 trillion yuan (close to $1 trillion). In addition, China is working with several nations on a cross-border digital currency project, aiming to enhance global payment systems. (BitcoinCom)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Standard Chartered Now Offers Bitcoin and Ethereum Custody Services in UAE: Standard Chartered has launched a digital asset custody service in the UAE, licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The service aims to provide secure storage for digital assets, starting with bitcoin and ethereum. Brevan Howard Digital is the first client, and the bank plans to expand into more digital assets. (Decrypt)
2. US spot bitcoin ETFs rebound with $117 million in daily inflows led by Fidelity’s FBTC: Spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the U.S. posted total daily net inflows worth $116.96 million on Tuesday. The funds shifted to net inflows on Monday, ending their eight-day streak of negative flows. (TheBlock)
3. Investment Advisors Adopting Bitcoin ETFs Faster That Any Exchange-Traded Fund in History, Says Bitwise CIO: Posted on X, "The truth is that investment advisors are adopting Bitcoin ETFs faster than any other ETF in history. It is just that their historic flows are overshadowed by the even-more-historic purchases of other investors. It is accurate to say that investment managers represent a small fraction of buyers of Bitcoin ETFs. But it is not accurate to say that investment manager purchases of Bitcoin ETFs are ‘small.'” (DailyHODL)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Bitcoin’s correlation with Nasdaq rises to 0.39, diverges from gold at -0.40: Julio Moreno from CryptoQuant shared data showing that Bitcoin currently indicates a positive correlation of +0.39 with the Nasdaq index while displaying a negative correlation of -0.40 with gold over 30 days. This data showcases Bitcoin’s increasing ties to risk assets like tech stocks rather than behaving as a safe-haven asset like gold. (CryptoSlate) (AC-To be taken in context, correlation studies like this are subject to many changing variables and ultimately reflect a statement on human psychology, which can be fickle.)
2. CPI 0.2% MoM, Exp. 0.2%, CPI Core 0.3% MoM, Exp. 0.2%
CPI 2.5% YoY, Exp. 2.5%, CPI Core 3.2% YoY, Exp. 3.2%
(ZeroHedge)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Indonesian crypto exchange Indodax goes offline after suspected $22M hack: The breach compromised hot wallets on Indodax, resulting in the loss of Bitcoin, Ether, Tron, Polygon, and Optimism. Indodax has temporarily suspended operations. (CoinTelegraph)
-Technology and Science-
1. AI, Robotics Advances Will Bring ‘Crisis of Meaning’, Elon Musk Says: Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he sees a future where humans will have to figure out new ways to give their lives purpose, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics. (Decrypt) (AC-Notice this is an AI-generated article about the future of AI.)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Another Solo Bitcoin Miner Wins Block, Nabs $180,000 Reward: According to MempoolSpace, block 860749 was mined by Solo CK—a unique mining pool that doesn’t split mining rewards between its participants. That means one miner won a full 3.169 BTC (worth about $181,000 as of writing) for their efforts, inclusive of Bitcoin’s full block subsidy and the block’s transaction fees. (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 37/100 (Up 4 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): In the era of 5th generation warfare (5GW), where the mind of the populace is the battlefield, media reporting is a large conduit for manipulation. For centuries this has taken the form of propaganda, but increases in technology and leverage have given the participants in the battle of 'hearts and minds' an advantage. The structure of world geopolitics, resting upon the hegemony of the US empire, is wholly fascinated and focused on the US Presidential election for future direction. This year, being an election year, is the climax of a 5GW cycle that begins with narratives, channels for those narratives, and amplification in other domains of warfare (economic, political, kinetic, subversive, etc.). The legacy and new media is in full-on war mode in affecting this change and reporting is far from objective. In other words, the current news cycle is one of manipulation and fabrication for your 'heart and mind'.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-09-11 11:29:47

Bitcoin Veterans Podcast EP 59 with @nprofile…kas9
https://fountain.fm/episode/jOUqspCbFLR9LkqbfNNU

2024-09-10 23:10:13

Bitcoin Veterans sat down with @npub18c6…yyww at his Pleb Party in Nashville, where he was generous enough to give us access to the back room to conduct interviews with some of his amazing guests
Here is our interview with Ander’s
https://cdn.satellite.earth/de79ec951c653baf442db230918aff9f0d1fa90384288a1321b3d6cb4ed134a5.mp4

2024-09-04 12:54:21

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 859,834
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 04Sep24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US DOJ Charges Hamas for Deaths of Hostages / Shakeup in Ukraine Ministers / Jailbreak in DR Congo Leads to 129 Deaths / Newsom Declares Emergency in CA / Aide to NY Governors Arrested in China Spy Ring / Qatar Courts Crypto with Regs / China and South Africa Meet Over BRICS / Turkey Applies to Join BRICS / PCE Up, Stocks Down / London Transport Hit With CyberAttack / Boeing Sends Starliner Home Without Astronauts / Bitcoin HashRate Hit ATH
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $56,633, 22.73 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $59,314 / Lo: $55,673
Vol: $33B (Up 46%)
Mkt Cap: $1.12T (Down 4%)
HashRate: 634 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Down 25%)
Nodes: 19,367
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Justice Department announces terrorism charges against senior Hamas leaders after hostage deaths: The US Department of Justice on Tuesday unsealed a sweeping set of charges against six leaders of Hamas. The case, originally filed in New York federal court in February, accuses the Hamas officials of a range of terrorism-related offenses stretching from 1997 through the present conflict with Israel that began on October 7. “The Justice Department has charged Yahya Sinwar and other senior leaders of Hamas for financing, directing, and overseeing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the national security of the United States,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said. (IndependentUK)
2. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba resigns as Russian strikes kill 7 people in Lviv: Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, 43, didn’t give a reason for stepping down. His resignation will be discussed by lawmakers at their next session, parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page. Four other Cabinet ministers tendered their resignations late Tuesday, making the Cabinet reshuffle likely the biggest since Russia’s February 2022 invasion. (AP)
3. DR Congo Jail Break Attempt Leaves 129 Dead: An attempted jail break from DR Congo's largest prison has left at least 129 people dead and led to women being raped, the interior minister said Tuesday. The circumstances around the bid to bust out of the Makala prison in the capital Kinshasa, which holds 10 times the number it is meant to house, in the early hours of Monday remain unclear. The authorities have given no indication as to how many inmates escaped or attempted to do so. (IBT)
-US Events-
1. Newsom declares state of emergency in Rancho Palos Verdes after additional power shutoff following landslides: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation of a state of emergency would allow the state government to “utilize and employ” state resources to provide assistance to nearly 300 people who live and work in the area without gas and electricity. After SoCalGas cut off its gas service to the community due to the land movement in early August, Southern California Edison Sunday terminated its electricity supply to 140 homes and 53 businesses in the Portuguese Bend community before expanding the power shut-off to an additional 105 houses in the Seaview community Monday. (NBC)
2. Former aide to Democratic NY governor charged with being an agent for communist China: The office of Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was infiltrated by an agent working for the communist Chinese government, according to the FBI. On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced the arrest of Linda Sun for allegedly acting on "behalf of the government of the People’s Republic of China." Sun worked for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and as the deputy chief for the current governor. She is accused of money laundering conspiracy, violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and alien smuggling. Sun's husband, Chris Hu, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and misuse by means of identification. (Blaze)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Qatar improves regulatory clarity for cryptocurrency with newly released framework by major SEZ: The “QFC Digital Assets Framework 2024” offers more clarity and sets the legal and regulatory foundation for crypto assets, including tokenization, property rights in tokens, custody arrangements, transfer and exchange. The QFC is an “onshore business and financial center” located in Doha. It offers its own legal, regulatory and tax environment, allowing up to 100% foreign ownership and 100% repatriation of profits. According to its website, the QFC charges a rate of 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits. (TheBlock)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. China and South Africa Boost BRICS Ties: Key Outcomes from Xi's Meeting With Ramaphosa: China and South Africa committed to deepening cooperation within the BRICS framework during South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s second state visit to China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The leaders emphasized the importance of expanding BRICS and enhancing economic coordination to support sustainable development. (BitcoinCom)
2. Turkey Seeks to Join BRICS to Strengthen Global Influence: Turkey has reportedly formally requested to join the BRICS economic bloc to expand its global influence and establish new alliances beyond its traditional Western partners. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration views the shifting geopolitical landscape as an opportunity to strengthen ties with both Eastern and Western nations while remaining committed to NATO. Erdogan emphasized the importance of balanced international relations. (BitcoinCom)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs Shed $288 Million in Fifth Day of Negative Flows: The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) ETF reported a single-day net outflow of $50.4 million, while Fidelity's FBTC saw an even larger outflow of $162.3 million. These outflows have reduced the total net asset value of Bitcoin spot ETFs to $52.7 billion/ (Decrypt)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Core PCE Prices Rise as Expected: The US core PCE price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge to measure underlying inflation, rose by 0.2% from the previous month in July of 2024, in line with market expectations and consistent with the 0.2% increase in June. (TradingEconomics)
2. Stock Futures Point to Further Losses After Broad Selloff: Investors are nervous after Tuesday's selloff, with U.S. stock futures falling and markets in Asia and Europe on the retreat. Tuesday’s tumult was driven by U.S. data that highlighted ongoing manufacturing weakness. (WSJ)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Transport for London Hit With an Ongoing Cyberattack; Claims Data Is Safe: The local government agency heading Greater London's transportation, Transport for London (TfL), revealed that it was hit with an ongoing cyberattack. Not much is known regarding the attack against the transportation authorities, and it is yet to identify what kind of cybercrime has occurred. (TechTimes)
-Technology and Science-
1. Bloomberg Terminal Integrates Polymarket's Prediction Data: Bloomberg Terminal has integrated Polymarket's prediction data, bringing it into mainstream political discourse. This move allows a broad audience of mainstream news consumers to access Polymarket's data, which is increasingly being relied upon as a source of truth. Polymarket traders are currently betting that Donald Trump will win the 2024 U.S. presidential election with a 51% probability. (Decrypt)
2. Boeing Starliner to Return Crewless This Week; Astronauts to Stay in ISS: NASA confirms that the Boeing Starliner is set to return to the planet after massive delays this week, September 6, but it will be crewless on its flight home. This return date is exactly three months since Boeing's spacecraft docked at the International Space Station last June 6, a mission that saw significant issues as helium leaks manifested along the way. (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Hash Rate Hits New All-Time High Even as Price Falls: Bitcoin's hash rate has reached an all-time high of 742 exahashes per second, indicating a stronger and more secure network. The high hash rate makes it difficult for attackers to control the network, as they would need significant computing power to match it. Despite the recent dip in Bitcoin's price, the network's resilience and security provide reassurance for long-term investors. (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 27/100 (Up 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): With Turkey's bid to join BRICS, the full picture of the counterweight global effort to US hegemony is coming into focus. BRICs is drawing more and more applicants that are looking for alternatives to the US dollar, economic power and military might that have defined the last 60 years of geopolitics. BRICS is lining up to be a serious contender to the legacy US power, yet cooperative systems such as BRICs may lack the unity of mind and effort to pick up hegemonic status. This factor leads into the debate over the transition phase, usually marked by global conflict, and if a cooperative system like BRICS could hold power for long, or would one nation pick up the mantle of power for the next period of hegemony? Could China rise to the occasion? Russia? Or a new form of the USA?
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IsmV.jpg

2024-09-03 13:48:16

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 859,693
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 03Sep24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Putin Welcomed in Mongolia, Not Arrested / US Seizes Maduro's Plane / US Marines on Liberty Attacked in Turkey / Musk Continues Starlink and X Services in Brazil for Free / Four Killed on Commuter Train in Chicago / Kansas Files Civil Suit Against Pfizer Over COVID Vax / Machete and Toblerone Used in Bitcoin Theft / Coinbase Has 1st AI to AI Transaction / BTC Mining Hurting
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $59,154, 23.68 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $59,815 / Lo: $58,103
Vol: $23B (Down 21%)
Mkt Cap: $1.17T (Up 1%)
HashRate: 733 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Even)
Nodes: 18,378
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Putin welcomed in Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant: Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia, his first visit to an International Criminal Court (ICC) member since it issued a warrant for his arrest last year. Soldiers on horseback lined the capital's Genghis Khan Square as martial anthems were played by a live band to welcome the Russian leader, who met with the Mongolian president Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. The landlocked country, which also borders China, also relies on Russia for gas and electricity. (BBC)
2. US seizes Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s airplane in the Dominican Republic, flies it to South Florida: The United States has seized Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s airplane after determining that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions, among other criminal issues. The US flew the aircraft to Florida on Monday, according to two US officials. In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that “the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies.” (WSVN-Miami) (AC-An interesting twist following the sham election in Venezuela and the international calls for Maduro to step down. The US has been verbally tough on Maduro while not doing anything to stop the dictator's continued tyranny of the country. This seems action could be a turning point, or possibly more theater.)
3. U.S. Marines attacked during port visit in Turkey, Navy says: Two U.S. Marines from the USS Wasp were attacked Monday during a port visit in Izmir, Turkey, according to a Navy spokesperson. Video of the apparent incident shows a group of men forcing a bag over the head of one of the Marines as they restrain him, chanting "Yankee go home." The Marines, part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, were "on liberty" at the time of the incident and taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution. (CBS)
4. Elon Musk defies X ban in Brazil by beaming app from space: Elon Musk has found a way to bypass a ban on his social media firm X in Brazil by allowing people in the country to access the app through his satellite internet provider Starlink. Brazil’s Supreme Court voted on Monday to uphold a ban on X that was introduced last week by Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Mr Musk claimed the freezing of Starlink bank accounts was illegal and pledged to provide free internet access to its Brazilian customers while the accounts remain blocked. (IndependentUK)
-US Events-
1. Four people shot to death while sleeping on Chicago commuter train: Three victims were declared dead at the scene while a fourth was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center where they died from their wounds. The shooter fled the scene. However a suspect armed with a gun was later taken into custody on a CTA Pink Line train in Chicago. (NYPost)
2. Kansas is first of five states to file civil suit against Pfizer: In a groundbreaking move, Kansas has taken legal action against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer for allegedly engaging in false and misleading marketing practices. This marks the first of five states in the US to pursue legal action against the company. The lawsuit against Pfizer was prompted by evidence that the company had engaged in false and misleading marketing practices. It was discovered that Pfizer had promoted its product as safe and effective for pregnant women, despite knowing that it posed serious risks to both the mother and the baby. (CountyLocalNews) (AC-This is NOT being reported by any other news outlets but is trending heavily on X. Either the news is fake or being censored by all news organizations.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
NSTR
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. SBI VC Trade and Metaplanet Team Up for Advanced Bitcoin Trading Solutions: Metaplanet and SBI VC Trade have formed a strategic partnership to enhance bitcoin trading, storage, and management. This alliance aligns with Metaplanet’s “bitcoin first, bitcoin only” strategy, emphasizing BTC’s scarcity and decentralized nature. The partnership provides Metaplanet access to SBI VC Trade’s tax-efficient corporate custody services and the ability to use bitcoin as collateral, supporting their corporate bitcoin accumulation goals. (BitcoinCom) (AC-Metaplanet is following MicroStrategy's playbook in Japan.)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Little Changed to Kick Off September: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note was around 3.9% on the first trading day of September as investors return from the Labor Day holiday to a week packed with key economic data. The ISM Manufacturing PMI will be in the spotlight today, while important labor market indicators like JOLTS and the jobs report are awaited later in the week. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Home invaders used machete, Toblerone to rob a man of his Bitcoin: Scottish prosecutors have seized and converted 23.5 Bitcoin into cash from a 2020 robbery that saw three men armed with a machete and a Toblerone chocolate bar break into a home near Glasgow. Three men conducted the home invasion in the town of Blantyre, southeast of Glasgow, and one repeatedly beat a woman at the property with a personalized Toblerone bar and threw her into a bedroom. The victim, who isn’t named for legal reasons, testified that he awoke to find a man standing over him with a machete before he was forced to transfer Bitcoin. (CoinTelegraph)
2. Hacker Behind WazirX Breach is Using Tornado Cash to Funnel Millions of Dollars in Stolen Crypto: Following the $230 million exploit on Indian exchange WazirX, the hacker responsible has been funneling millions of dollars in user assets through Tornado Cash. The hacker has transferred 2,600 ETH, valued at $6.5 million, to the sanctioned mixer Tornado Cash. Despite being banned in the US, Tornado Cash continues to operate in various jurisdictions, including North Korea. (Decrypt)
-Technology and Science-
1. Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced the platform’s first AI-to-AI cryptocurrency transaction, highlighting a new application of digital currency by artificial intelligence agents. Armstrong believes this advancement will enhance AI’s capacity to independently obtain resources and engage with humans and other AI systems. He encourages developers to add crypto wallets to support the growth of AI-to-AI transactions. (BitcoinCom)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. BTC mining profits elusive as difficulty hits all-time high: Block reward miners on the BTC network had their least profitable month in nearly a year in August, leading to bankruptcies, share dilutions, and other ‘Hail Mary’ efforts to stave off the inevitable. BTC miner revenue hitting $827.5 million in August, less than half the total from this year’s peak of $1.93 billion in March and the lowest total since September 2023. Transaction fees’ contribution to this total also slumped to a year-to-date low of $20.8 million. Meanwhile, mining difficulty hit an all-time high in August. (CoinGeek)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 26/100 (Down 7 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IxVg.jpg

2024-08-29 13:11:00

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 858,959
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 29Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Hong Kong Journalists Jailed / Durov Released on Bail, Faces Charges / Hostage Rescued in Gaza / Venezuelan Gangs on Video With Firearms in Colorado / FBI Releases New Pics in Trump Shooting / New Video of Pelosi After Jan 6 / Binance Under Fire for Seizing Palestinian Funds / BIS Warns Banks on Bitcoin / CISA Warns on Iranian Hacking / SpaceX Grounded by FAA / New AI Model on a Blockchain / Coinbase Exchange Now Using AI
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $60,247, 24.85 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $60,174 / Lo: $57,890
Vol: $34B (Down 21%)
Mkt Cap: $1.19T (Even)
HashRate: 613 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Up 18%)
Nodes: 19,394
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. HK journalists found guilty in landmark sedition case: Two journalists who led a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong have been found guilty of sedition. Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, two editors at the now-defunct Stand News media outlet, could now face a maximum jail term of two years. This is the first sedition case against journalists in Hong Kong since the territory's handover from Britain to China in 1997. Stand News was among the last openly pro-democratic publications until its closure in December 2021, when more than 200 police officers were sent to raid the publication's office. (BBC) (AC-"Freedom of the Press" is not common worldwide.)
2. Telegram founder Pavel Durov released from police custody to face questioning after arrest in France: The French magistrate issued six preliminary criminal charges against Durov for allegedly allowing criminal activity on the app, and the tech executive — who posted bail of €5 million to avoid jail — is not permitted to leave France. He will also remain under judicial supervision and be required to check in with police twice weekly. (NYPost/RollingStone)
3. Rescued hostage in Gaza said kept in total darkness during captivity, showered once a month: 52-year-old Bedouin father of 11 Farhan al-Qadi was left alone two weeks ago after captors heard IDF drills; tunnel was rigged with explosives to prevent him escaping. (TImesOfIsrael)
-US Events-
1. Alleged Video Of Armed Venezuelan Gang Taking Over A Colorado Apartment Surfaces: A video allegedly showing a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, taking over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado has surfaced on social media, sparking concerns over sanctuary policies. The Denver Police Department said in a statement Wednesday that it was “not aware” of any Denver apartment buildings being taken over by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. (TimesNow/Fox31) (AC-There is conflicting reports on this issue, but the video still seems to exist showing what appears to be gang members going door-to-door with weapons.)
2. FBI releases photos from Trump rally shooting including improvised explosives and gun: An FBI update on the shooting at a Trump rally included new photographs of a gun and backpack recovered in the investigation, as well as improvised explosive devices found in the car belonging to suspect Thomas Crooks. The agency also told reporters Wednesday that investigators still had not determined a motive for the Trump shooting. (TheBlaze)
3. Pelosi calls Trump 'domestic enemy' in new Jan 6 footage: In the hours after Donald Trump's supporters breached the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, Nancy Pelosi, the then-Democratic House Speaker, referred to the then-president as a "domestic enemy", according to newly released video. "I just feel sick what he did to the Capitol and to the country today," she said in the back of an SUV in the early hours of 7 January. "He's going to pay a price for that." (BBC)
4. Supreme Court Rejects Biden Administration's Request To Revive Student Loan Debt Relief Plan: The policy, known as the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, was finalized by the Education Department in July 2023. It came just a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the administration did not have the authority to implement President Joe Biden's earlier student loan forgiveness program. (IBTimes)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Did Binance Seize 'All' Palestinian Assets Upon Israeli Army's Request?: When asked by Cointelegraph to confirm or deny the reports, Binance said "there have been some incorrect statements" around the issue. "Only a small number of user accounts, linked to illicit funds, were blocked from transacting," the crypto exchange titan said. A spokesperson said Binance complies with "internationally accepted sanctions legislation, just like any other financial institution." Meanwhile, a Boycot Binance effort has taken off on social media and is announcing at least $2.6B of Bitcoin have been taken off Binance in the last 24 hours, which has not been confirmed. (IBTimes/X)
2. Banks Using Permissionless Blockchains Face Increased Risk of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, Says BIS: The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, a part of the Bank for International Settlements, has identified multiple risks that banks face when transacting on permissionless blockchains. These risks include money laundering, terrorism financing, operations and security, governance, legal issues, settlement finality, and compliance. The committee emphasizes the need for new risk management strategies and safeguards to address these risks, as current practices are still in development and untested under stress. (Decrypt) (AC-World bank targeting 'permissionless blockchain, AKA Bitcoin.)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs Experience $105.3 Million Exodus as BTC Dips 2%: Investor caution grows as Bitcoin ETFs face $105.3 million in outflows, highlighting short-term market uncertainty amid a price dip. (DailyCoin)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Nasdaq 100 Futures Fall as Nvidia Disappoints: Nasdaq 100 futures dropped as much as 1.4% on Thursday as investors reacted to Nvidia’s latest earnings report. Nvidia shares tumbled about 7% in extended trading even after the AI chipmaker topped revenue and earnings expectations, as the firm’s sales outlook for the current quarter failed to excite investors. (TradingEconomics)
2. US 10-Year Yield Steadies Ahead of Key Data: The US 10-year Treasury yield steadied around 3.84% on Thursday as investors braced for key US economic data that could influence the outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. U.S. Agencies Warn of Iranian Hacking Group's Ongoing Ransomware Attacks: U.S. cybersecurity and intelligence agencies have called out an Iranian hacking group for breaching multiple organizations across the country and coordinating with affiliates to deliver ransomware. Targets of the attacks include education, finance, healthcare, and defense sectors, as well as local government entities in the U.S., with intrusions also reported in Israel, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) to pilfer sensitive data. (HackerNews)
-Technology and Science-
1. SpaceX's Falcon 9 grounded ahead of historic Polaris Dawn mission: The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets on Wednesday after a booster failed to land upright and exploded following the successful launch of Starlink satellites. (Axios)
2. Fully Onchain AI Model Deployed on Internet Computer (ICP) Blockchain: Decideai, a Web3 company focused on creating artificial intelligence (AI)-based large language models (LLMs), has deployed its GPT-2 LLM fully onchain via the Internet Computer (ICP) blockchain. This development leverages ICP’s capabilities to support complex, compute-intensive applications, allowing Web3 developers to build, train, and improve specialized LLMs. The project aims to enhance AI training and deployment by moving away from centralized AI development practices, promoting interoperable, transparent, and secure AI systems across various blockchain ecosystems. (BitcoinCom)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Coinbase hopes AI to reduce frequency of exchange’s outages: On August 26, Coinbase announced that it has “developed and deployed a machine learning model that predicts spikes in user traffic and automatically scales databases, preventing downtime and increasing platform efficiency.” (CoinGeek)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 29/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

2024-08-26 21:46:05

Join Bitcoin Veterans LIVE tomorrow night at 7pm ET with guest @npub1dpp…ayq9
Coleman Payne was born and raised in Northern Canada and joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 as an 0351 Assultman.
He is a husband and father to 2 children, a small business owner of a dog boarding, training and grooming facility in Texas. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and handler of one of the coolest dogs, Draco!
https://m.primal.net/KOZa.jpg

2024-08-26 17:05:15

BV SITREP Bitcoin Vet Unplugged
https://fountain.fm/episode/EhMStDZjIpgmlsBetEJI
Zap us or the commies win.

2024-08-26 13:03:46

What did the Petro Dollar system cost us? EVERYTHING. Watch this teaser of our interview with @npub1s5y…6q7z from Ander’s Pleb Party
The full interview will be released EXCLUSIVELY on Nostr
Give us a follow and stay tuned
https://v.nostr.build/933mkcUjicAdpQ88.mp4

2024-08-26 12:58:11

- reply

It would be much better to have us working in the open to solve our problems together than to have us plotting against them in the mountains

2024-08-23 19:26:20

BV SITREP 005 A Path to Freedom and Time.
https://fountain.fm/episode/5JCa20gMOEFJtdqYzoMo

2024-08-23 12:54:49

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 858,079
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 23Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Court Upholds Maduro's Victory / Nuke Plant in Kursk Threatened By Drones / SCOTUS Rules AZ Voters To Show Citizenship Proof / New COVID Vaccines Recommended by CDC / RFK Wins Ruling Against Biden Admin / DeFi Making Comeback / Myanmar Currency Quickly Debased / Crowdstrike Facing Lawsuits / Rise In Pig Butchering Con Games / US Wants to Flood Taiwan Strait With Drones
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $60,818, 24.28 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $61,408 / Lo: $60,141
Vol: $24B (Down 30%)
Mkt Cap: $1.2T (Down 1%)
HashRate: 736 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Up 67%)
Nodes: 19,259
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Venezuelan court upholds Maduro’s disputed victory: Venezuela’s highest court has upheld the re-election of Nicolás Maduro as president following accusations of widespread voter fraud in July's poll. The decision by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) comes as the United Nations warned that the court lacked independence and impartiality. Mr Maduro has led the country since 2013 and his re-election means he can serve another six-year term. (BBC)
2. IAEA's Grossi to visit Kursk nuclear plant after drone attack: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Thursday its Director General Rafael Grossi will assess the situation at Kursk nuclear power plant during his visit next week. IAEA also said it had been informed by the Russian Federation that the remains of a drone had been found within the Kursk nuclear power plant. Acting Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov told Putin the situation at the Kursk plant was "stable." (Reuters)
-US Events-
1. Arizona can demand some voters prove citizenship, US supreme court rules: The US supreme court ruled Thursday that Arizona can partially enforce a new law that requires people to prove their citizenship in order to vote, but said the state cannot block them from voting for president or by mail as long as they used the federal voter registration form. The court’s emergency decision allows Arizona to require proof of citizenship from registrants who use the state’s voter registration form. But those who register using a federal voter registration form are still eligible to vote for president. The court also left in place a lower court injunction barring those who do not provide proof of citizenship from voting by mail for president. (TheGuardian)
2. FDA approves updated Pfizer, Moderna Covid vaccines as virus surges; shots to be available within days: The jabs target a strain called KP.2, a descendant of the highly contagious omicron subvariant JN.1 that began circulating widely in the U.S. earlier this year. The CDC recommended that everyone over 6 months old receive an updated Covid vaccine this year. Meanwhile, the CDC said about four people are being hospitalized for Covid for every 100,000 people in a given area. (CNBC) (AC-Even if the reader does not give credence to CDC/Big Pharma announcements like this, it is important to know that some do and whom may not know the risk/reward ratio of these vaccines.)
3. Judge Rules RFK Jr. Can Sue Biden Admin Over Censorship After Supreme Court Rejects Challenge From States: A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can continue to pursue his lawsuit against the Biden administration over censorship at the direction of the government. According to District Court Judge Terry Doughty, Kennedy meets the standard set by the Supreme Court because there is "ample evidence" to show he was censored at the direction of government actors, and is at "substantial risk" that the censorship will continue. Kennedy was named by one of the "Disinformation Dozen" - and was specifically targeted by the government over what they alleged was COVID-19 misinformation, and "The Court finds that there is further risk for future risk injury here because Kennedy is a 2024 presidential candidate," wrote Doughty. (ZeroHedge) (AC-An interesting turn of events for RFK as we await his pending announcement today. This ruling could affect his potential drop-out and support of Trump.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. DeFi Is Set to Make a Comeback As Interest Rates, Stablecoin Supply Drive Its Resurgence: According to a report by Steno Research, decentralized finance (DeFi) is expected to make a comeback, with the total value locked (TVL) in the crypto ecosystem potentially reaching an all-time high in the first half of next year. The resurgence of DeFi is linked to interest rates, particularly in the U.S., as they influence the appeal of decentralized financial markets. Additionally, factors such as the growth in stablecoin supply and the continued expansion of real-world assets contribute to the revival of DeFi. (Decreypt) (AC-Ugh!)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. El Salvador adds 162 Bitcoins to national holdings: A cold wallet reportedly owned by the Salvadoran government has been buying one Bitcoin everyday since March 16, adding 162 coins to the country’s Bitcoin holdings. (CryptoNews)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 10-Year Treasury Note Yield Steady Ahead Powell Speech: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note stabilized at 3.85% on Friday, after briefly dipping to a 14-month low of 3.8% earlier in the week. Markets are closely watching to gauge the scale of potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is set to speak at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Initial Jobless Claims Rise More than Expected: The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the US rose by 4,000 from the previous week to 232,000 on the period ending August 17th, slightly ahead of market expectations of 230,000 to mark a three-week high. (TradingEconomics)
3. Myanmar households crippled as currency tumbles to record low: The Myanmar kyat has been extremely volatile in recent days, plunging to a low of 7,500 to the dollar in the black-market last week from 5,000 earlier in the month The plunge followed reports that the Myanmar junta was printing more kyat to prop up the currency, two traders said. “People are frantically buying (Thai) baht and selling kyat,” said a money transfer agent in Thailand. (AsashiShimbun) (AC- For those who study currencies and economics, the lessons come from around the world.)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. CrowdStrike Faces Lawsuits From Customers, Investors: CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) is facing lawsuits from investors and customers following the incident that caused massive global outages, but some believe the company is likely shielded from legal action. Roughly 8.5 million Windows devices worldwide entered a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) loop on July 19 after CrowdStrike pushed out a bad update that was not properly tested. (SecurityWeek)
2. Pig Butchering Crypto Scams On The Rise: FBI Recovered $5 Million: Pig Butchering crypto scams have become the new preference of fraudsters where they pretend to be acquaintances, friends, or romantic partners. They make contacts and get close with the victim, running the fraud for weeks or even months, convincing the victim to invest in the scammer’s crypto. Once the victim invests, the scammers show sudden losses to ask for more or simply disappear. (CoinGape)
-Technology and Science-
1. AI drone ‘hellscape’ plan for Taiwan: The US army plans to combat a Chinese invasion of Taiwan by flooding the narrow Taiwan Strait with swarms of thousands and thousands of autonomous drones. “I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hellscape using a number of classified capabilities so that I can make their lives utterly miserable for a month, which buys me the time for the rest of everything,” US Indo-Pacific Command chief Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo told the Washington Post. (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bybit emerges as dominant exchange with $2.5 billion BTC spot volume: Bybit's recent surge to a $2.5 billion spot volume on Aug. 22 has stunned the crypto community, consistently outperforming even the behemoth Binance in daily volumes. (CryptoSlate)
2. Bitcoin Fees Surge Above $100 as Native Staking Protocol Launches: Babylon Labs' launch of native staking capabilities for Bitcoin caused a surge in transaction fees early Thursday, with the median cost per transaction peaking at $132. Users rushed to stake their Bitcoin, leading to a fee bidding war and increased costs. Despite the inconvenience for standard Bitcoin users, this fee spike may benefit miners struggling in the current climate. (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 34/100 (Down 5 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IRUV.jpg

2024-08-22 17:28:58

BV SITREP with @nprofile…24ws
Market Manipulation and the Fragility of the Financial System
https://fountain.fm/episode/fcKtWX0dgeSLWfkrco11

2024-08-21 14:42:50

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 857,755
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 21Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Ukraine Launches Large Drone Attack on Moscow / Ship Unresponsive After Houthi Missiles in Red Sea / China Protests US Concern in South China Sea / Obamas Speak at DNC / RFK Considers Dropping Out / Germany Seizes Bitcoin ATMs / Mt Gox Moves $784M Worth Of Bitcoin / Gold, Silver Hitting Highs / US Intel Says Iran Hacked Trump / AI Puts Pressure on Energy Sector / El Salvador Launches Bitcoin Certification for Gov Employees / BTC HODLers Keep HOLDing
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $59,349, 23.63 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $61,396 / Lo: $58,109
Vol: $26B (Down 4%)
Mkt Cap: $1.17T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 576 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Up 60%)
Nodes: 19,494
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Ukraine attacks Moscow in one of largest ever drone attacks on the Russian capital: Ukraine attacked Moscow on Wednesday with at least 11 drones shot down by air defences in what Russian officials said was one of the biggest drone strikes on the capital since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Russian media showed unverified footage of drones whirring over the dawn sky of the Moscow region and then being shot down in a ball of flame by air defences. Moscow's airports Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky limited flights for four hours but were restarted normal operations. There were no injuries or damage reported in the aftermath of the attacks. (Reuters)
2. Ship hit by suspected Houthi missiles in Red Sea, leaving vessel "not under command," U.K. military says: The attack saw men on small boats first open fire with small arms. The ship also was hit by three projectiles. "The vessel reports being not under command," the UKMTO said, likely meaning it lost all power. "No casualties reported." (CBS)
3. China says US has ‘no right to intervene’ in South China Sea disputes: Both countries said on Monday that their coast guard ships had collided near the disputed Sabina Shoal. China claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Chinese spokesman Mao Ning said, "The US is not a party in the South China Sea and has no right to intervene in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines,” Mao told a regular briefing. “The US should stop provoking confrontation in the South China Sea, not disrupt regional stability and not escalate tensions,” Mao said. (AFP)
-US Events-
1. Obamas electrify Democrats at Chicago convention: In the choreography of the convention, the Obamas played the role of charismatic figures charged with inspiring those at the Democrats’ gathering and beyond to power Harris to victory in the two months remaining before Election Day. (WaPost)
2. RFK Jr. considering dropping out to ‘join forces’ with Trump: Shortly after the revelation, Trump declared that he would be “certainly” open to giving the Kennedy scion a post in his administration. “There’s two options that we’re looking at, and one is staying in, forming that new party, but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and [Tim] Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump,” (NYPost)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Germany seizes $28 million in raid on unlicensed crypto ATMs: The sting was carried out on Aug. 20 and targeted 35 locations where crypto ATMs were reportedly being operated without the necessary licensing. Crypto ATMs, which enable users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin with cash or debit cards, fall under the jurisdiction of Germany’s Banking Act. German officials warned that crypto ATMs could become hotspots for criminal activities if operators do not enforce adequate Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, particularly for transactions exceeding 10,000 euros. (CryptoSlate)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Mt. Gox transfers $784 million in Bitcoin, fueling distribution rumors: Mt. Gox shifts 13,265 BTC; only 1,265 BTC likely for distribution, analyst posits. Currently, Mt. Gox holds 45,000 BTC after having distributed 97,000 of the original 142,000 BTC. (CryptoSlate)
2. Spot Bitcoin ETFs net $88m in inflows, spot Ether ETFs outflows see slowdown: BlackRock’s IBIT recorded the highest inflows with $55.4 million, bringing its total inflow since launch to $20.53 billion. It was the only fund to record a second consecutive day of inflows. ARK 21Shares’s ARKB followed with inflows of $51.9 million following a day of no activity. (CryptoNews)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Gold Shatters Records as Investors Brace for Economic Turbulence: Precious metals prices are on the move again, with gold hitting a new peak of $2,564 during Tuesday’s trading sessions. As of now, gold is being traded at $2,527 per ounce, while silver has climbed more than 6% this week, currently standing at $29.68 per ounce. (BitcoinCom)
2. Dollar Sinks to Year-to-Date Lows: The dollar index traded below 101.5 on Wednesday, sinking to its lowest levels this year as investors awaited updates from the Federal Reserve to gauge the timing and magnitude of expected interest rate cuts. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. US intelligence officials say Iran behind Trump campaign hack: In a joint statement, the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it attributed “recently reported activities to compromise former President Trump’s campaign” to Iran, and that the intelligence community is “confident that the Iranians have through social engineering and other efforts sought access to individuals with direct access to the presidential campaigns of both political parties”. (TheGuardian)
-Technology and Science-
1. Growth in artificial intelligence puts pressure on energy generation: “We’re in (a) precarious position,” said Geoff Marke, chief economist with the Missouri Office of Public Counsel. “We don’t have enough generation to meet our load before we start talking about AI data centers coming online.” The energy industry is experiencing seismic change. Coal plants are retiring and renewable generation is coming online. However, its reliance on the sun and wind tend to make it less consistent. Boston Consulting Group analysis shows that data center electricity consumption is expected to triple by 2030 — to 7.5% of total U.S. energy consumption, comparable to the power needs of 40 million households. (LakeGazette)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. El Salvador launches Bitcoin certifications for civil servants: The National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC) of El Salvador will train and provide Bitcoin instruction and certifications to 80,000 government employees. The 160-hour virtual and asynchronous training session — Certification in Public Administration 1 — is divided into seven modules, each detailing several concepts, laws, skills and management related to the use of Bitcoin as legal tender. (CoinTelegraph)
2. A Strong HODLing Trend Emerges in Bitcoin: Nearly 75% of all circulating Bitcoin has remained dormant for over six months. Consistently buying and holding Bitcoin over time, rather than attempting to time the market, aligns with the behavior of those who have historically seen the most significant gains holding Bitcoin. (ZeroHedge)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 29/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-08-21 13:56:17

Episode 56 The Way of Men
https://fountain.fm/episode/es1J20LoeCbn1KMpmrpG

2024-08-20 16:52:53

BV SITREP 20AUG2024
https://fountain.fm/episode/TLYWIJyZd2NJ9VQ0s3ND

2024-08-20 13:05:11

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 857,615
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 20Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Israel Recover 6 Hostage Bodies / Russia Hunts Down Deserters / North Korean Soldier Defects / DNC Says Goodbye to Biden / Georgia Strengthens Ballot Rules / Harris, DNC Indicate Crypto Antagonism / China Rules Digital Assets Transactions Illegal / BTC ETFs Control Almost 1M BTC / US Stocks Continue Rise / Hack Takes 4,064 BTC From One Wallet / Space X to Send Civilians Deeper Into Space
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $60,707, 24.02 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $61,396 / Lo: $58,109
Vol: $28B (Up 32%)
Mkt Cap: $1.2T (Up 4%)
HashRate: 626 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Even)-Very Low!
Nodes: 19,155
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israeli military says it recovered the bodies of 6 hostages from Gaza: The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that troops recovered the bodies in an overnight operation in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The operation came as the United States, Egypt and Qatar pushed for a cease-fire deal that would end Israel’s monthslong offensive in Gaza and see the release of the hostages who remain held in the enclave. More than 100 hostages remain held in Gaza, with around a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli officials. (NBC)
2. Russia Hunts Down Deserters to Backfill Its Massive War Losses: Russia’s vast professional army has been hollowed out after 2½ years sending waves of men to break down Ukraine’s defenses with a warfare attrition strategy. Russia is now recruiting at least 25,000 men a month, though few have combat experience. The war has been deadly for both sides. At least half a million Russians have been killed or wounded in the conflict, according to a senior Western intelligence official. Kyiv has also struggled to raise enough troops to hold back the Russians, despite lowering the mobilization age and raising pay. (WSJ)
3. North Korean soldier defects to the South: A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea early on Tuesday crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean peninsula. The soldier crossed into Goseong county on the east coast which borders North Korea and was taken into custody by South Korean guards who had been monitoring his movements. (Reuters)
-US Events-
1. Biden hails Harris as DNC's future in emotional farewell speech: Biden's address in Chicago kicked off a four-day event fueled by enthusiasm for Harris and relief that Biden abandoned his own reelection bid and endorsed her to replace him. The president's reluctant decision to step aside on July 21 came after heavy pressure from party leaders who worried the 81-year-old incumbent was too old to win or serve four more years. (Reuters)
2. Georgia Election Board votes to add requirements before certification: The Georgia State Election Board passed a rule Monday giving local election officials additional power to investigate ballot counts before certifying the results, a move critics say could inject chaos into the 2024 election and delay the state’s official vote count. The “Rule for Reconciliation Prior to Certification” will allow for a hand recount of votes to ensure “the total number of ballots cast” does not exceed “the total number of persons who voted,” according to the language of the rule. County election officials will now be allowed to investigate any possible discrepancies. (CNN)
3. Two dead, state of emergency declared in Connecticut after historic rainfall: Governor Ned Lamont said that hundreds of people were evacuated with the worst of the flooding happening around Oxford and Southbury. Two women, 65-year-old Ethelyn Joiner and 71 Audrey Rostkowski, both of Oxford, were found dead on Monday after rushing flood waters carried them away from first responders. (WWLP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Kamala Harris’s Alleged ‘Crypto Reset’ Absent in Democratic Agenda: While the Republican platform addresses the issue of cryptocurrency and bitcoin, the Democratic Party’s latest platform remained silent on the matter. Adding to the buzz, there are whispers that Kamala Harris’s campaign might be eyeing Gary Gensler, the current head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, for the role of Treasury Secretary. (BitcoinCom)
2. China Classifies Crypto Transactions as Money Laundering in Update to AML Law: On Monday, Chinese authorities explicitly recognized “virtual asset” transactions as a method of money laundering, marking the first instance in the country that such a move has been made towards the asset class. The new legal interpretation classifies virtual asset transactions, including those conducted through crypto exchanges, as acts that "cover up and conceal the source and nature of the proceeds of crime.” (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US Bitcoin ETFs on the Verge of Controlling 1 Million BTC: According to the latest data collected on Aug. 16, 2024, the 12 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) collectively hold around 910,153.83 BTC, which translates to over $53 billion at the current exchange rates. Leading the pack is Blackrock’s IBIT, holding the largest portion with 38.34% of the total BTC. (BitcoinCom)
2. US spot bitcoin ETFs see lowest daily trading volume since early February: U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds saw $61.98 million daily net inflows amidst a $779.87 million daily total trade volume on Monday, the lowest amount since Feb. 6 and the third lowest daily trade volume overall. (TheBlock)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Futures Signal Pause After 8-Day S&P 500, Nasdaq Rally: US futures changed little in cautious trading on Tuesday as expectations for a September interest rate cut grew stronger ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech at Jackson Hole. On Monday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq extended their winning streak to eight sessions, the longest this year. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Could Bitcoin Become a Bigger Privacy Threat Than CBDCs?: Privacy advocates in the crypto space are concerned about the lack of privacy on the Bitcoin network and believe that it poses a threat to financial privacy. They argue that the open and transparent nature of the Bitcoin blockchain allows governments to monitor citizens' spending and other activities. While some worry that Bitcoin could be used as a CBDC with broad oversight, others believe that Bitcoin's decentralized nature makes it difficult for governments to control. (Decrypt)
2. Crypto Hack Ends In $238M Bitcoin Heist, Lazarus Group Linked?: A massive crypto hack on August 19 has shaken the community, resulting in the theft of $238 million in Bitcoin. According to ZachXBT’s research, the victim lost 4,064 Bitcoin, worth approximately $238 million, in a suspicious transfer on Monday. The transaction hash associated with the theft, 4b277…, revealed that the stolen funds were quickly transferred across various platforms. These include ThorChain, eXch, KuCoin, ChangeNow, crypto mixer Railgun, and Avalanche Bridge. (CoinGape)
-Technology and Science-
1. SpaceX is about to send four people on a wild — and risky — mission into the radiation belts: Private citizens Isaacman, Menon, Gillis and Poteet will spend five days aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that will soar to altitudes higher than any human has traveled since NASA’s Apollo program ended in the 1970s. Their orbital path will extend high enough to plunge the vehicle and crew into a radiation belt, adding another element of peril to the already treacherous experience of spaceflight. This crew of private citizens will also open the hatch of their spacecraft and expose themselves to the vacuum of space, marking the first time such a feat has been attempted by non-government astronauts. (CNN)
2. What does Bitcoin smell like? AI startup wants to ‘teleport’ digital scents: Artificial intelligence firm Osmo is working diligently to bring back the future we were promised in 1960 when Hans Laube introduced the world to “Smell-O-Vision.” Only this time, the goal is to improve the lives of humans everywhere by teaching computers how to interpret scent. The company hopes to build a system capable of superhuman feats of smell. These would include the ability to smell the presence of certain diseases, such as cancer, or symptoms associated with diabetes, such as low blood sugar.(CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 30/100 (Up 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Despite recent efforts to get Democratic support for digital assets, the deafening silence by the DNC and Harris is message enough. After release of the DNC policy platform yesterday, the lack of support for bitcoin and crypto ensures a hostile stance would be taken upon inauguration by the Harris camp, complete with rewarding SEC chair Gary Gensler as Treasury Secretary. This possible scenario has consequences for bitcoin holders, self-custody, centralization, and mining operations into the near future.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IgnZ.jpg

2024-08-19 20:25:28

NEW DAILY Bitcoin Veterans SITREP
https://fountain.fm/episode/QLOBOQXUfn1nCiZ8sC5x

2024-08-19 13:03:11

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 857,473
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 19Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Ukraine Extends Russian Lines Via Kursk Operation / China, Philippines Scrap in SCS Again / Conservative Rioters Overcrowd UK Prisons / Hurricane Ernesto Heads to Nova Scotia / DNC Begins Today in Chicago / Candace Owens Ignites a Fire Over Israel / Winklevoss Wants 'Crypto" Owners to Influence Harris / Venezuela Iron Curtain Falls, Affects Binance / Kazakhstan Jails Crypto Miner / Germans Like Cash Over CBDC / India Central Bank Says CBDCs Could Replace Bank Deposits / Iran Uses ChatGPT to Influence US Elections / X Shuts Down Brazil Office
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,168, 23.42 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $60,262 / Lo: $57,864
Vol: $21B (Up 35%)
Mkt Cap: $1.15T (Even)
HashRate: 566 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Even)-Very Low!
Nodes: 19,449
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Ukraine aims to create Kursk ‘buffer zone,’ Zelensky says, as Kyiv’s forces blow up second Russian bridge: Ukrainian forces are inching forward in Kursk amid fighting following the launch of their surprise military operation there nearly two weeks ago. But Ukraine also remains under pressure in its occupied east as Russian forces advance toward a key military hub. The Kursk offensive has left Russia struggling to shore up its own territory. Kyiv seems to have multiple goals with the assault, from boosting morale after a torrid few months to stretching Russia’s resources. (CNN) (AC-The Kursk incursion is low hanging fruit on the geographical front with Russia. Ukraine has extended the front lines, opening up transport lines to drone and other standoff targeting.)
2. Chinese, Philippine ships collide in South China Sea: China accused the Philippine vessels of "deliberately" colliding with the Chinese ship near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. Manila and Beijing had come to a "provisional arrangement" aimed at ending altercations. (DW) (AC-Even after a joint agreement to keep the peace near the area, strategic objectives of both nations are on the line. The country who backs down first will lose claim and access to the area.)
3. UK: Jailed rioters may trigger prison overcrowding plan: Operation Early Dawn, a contingency that allows defendants waiting for a court appearance to be kept in police cells until prison space is available, could be used. The government announced quick sentencing for those involved in the riots that followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport, leading to hundreds appearing in courts across the UK. (BBC)
-US Events-
1. Hurricane Ernesto continues to strengthen as it heads for Canada: Ernesto continued to gather strength early Monday after regaining hurricane status overnight, according to forecasters who warn it is setting its sights on Canada after striking Bermuda as a Category 1 storm. Ernesto was located about 340 miles south-southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. (UPI)
2. Harris arrives in Chicago for Democratic convention: Kamala Harris has arrived in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention (DNC), where she will be formally confirmed as the party's presidential candidate. Ms Harris is expected to join President Biden on stage when he addresses the convention on Monday. Security around the venue is tight ahead of the four-day event, with tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters expected to rally in Chicago. (BBC) (AC- US Media sources are so slanted one way or another that even the facts around the DNC are distorted.)
3. Candace Owens hosted a space show on X last night that had over 1M viewers, where she went 'scorched-earth' on the modern incarnation of Israel. Media outlets are not even covering the dialogue except a few Israeli outlets, obviously condemning the attacks. (Various)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. 50 Million US Crypto Owners Urged to Push Kamala Harris to Fire SEC Chair Before Election: Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of crypto exchange Gemini, has called on the 50 million American cryptocurrency owners to unite and press Vice President Kamala Harris to fire U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler before the upcoming presidential election in November. He believes this action could end the “war on crypto” and make the crypto issue bipartisan. (BitcoinCom)
2. Venezuelan Government Blocks Binance, Cutting P2P Market Access for Thousands: According to local media, state-owned telecom and internet service provider (ISP) CANTV has blocked access to Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The measure, potentially affecting thousands, has been taken as part of a series of blocks implemented against other services, applying similar actions against Mercado Libre, Signal, Reddit, and others like X. (BitcoinCom)
3. Kazakhstan Crypto Crackdown Continues: A court in Kazakhstan convicted a defendant accused of illegal cryptocurrency activity and sentenced him to 5 years in prison, as well as confiscation of assets worth $4.19 million. The investigation revealed illegal mining and trading of Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Ethereum (ETH) on foreign crypto platforms, as well as the use of Nixmoney, Qiwi, Perfect Money, and Payeer to cash out and purchase real estate and rentals for money laundering. (BitcoinSensus)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Germans Prefer Carrying Cash as CBDC Decision Looms: About half the people in Germany say they can’t even imagine using the digital euro, with privacy concerns and a preference for cash driving these feelings. The report describes a recent trip to the German central bank’s bunker in the town of Cochem, where a group of local retirees expressed skepticism about the possibility of a digital euro. The report noted that the European Central Bank (ECB), which is expected to make a final decision on whether to implement a CBDC late next year, is aware of the concerns around it. (Pymnts)
2. India: Replacement of bank deposits by CBDC an area of key interest for deposit insurers: “For deposit insurers, factors of key interest would be the degree of replacement of bank deposits by CBDC, the division of labour between central and commercial banks and the degree of privacy attached to CBDC usage,” Michael Debabrata Patra, deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India, said in his speech at an event. (CoinGeek) (AC-Jargon-speak for saying the best way to institute CBDCs are to replace bank deposits with CBDCs, especially during a panic.)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs Attract Solid Institutional Ownership Growth In Q2: Institutional investment in Bitcoin ETFs is driven by a startling 27% rise in adoption that occurs within the second quarter of 2024. Although institutional interest is high, retail investors own most Bitcoin ETFs. Institutional investors increased to 21% of total AUM in June from 18% in Q1. This development shows that ordinary investors control the market even as institutions gain ground. (Bitcoinist) (AC-BTC ETF investments, either retail or institutional, is not 'adoption' of bitcoin, a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Bitcoin’s negative correlation with SPX deepens amid current market trends: There has been ongoing rallies in both the S&P 500 (SPX) and gold. Gold continues to hit all-time highs (ATHs), while the SPX trades just 2% below its ATH, showcasing a strong performance. Notably, Bitcoin and the SPX are negatively correlated, a pattern that has emerged since late June. (CyrptoSlate)
2. US Equities Post Best Week Since 2023: Stocks in the US finished higher on Friday, as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq added 0.2% each, the Dow Jones gained 96 points, building on Thursday’s strong rally. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. OpenAI Blocks Iranian Influence Operation Using ChatGPT for U.S. Election Propaganda: OpenAI on Friday said it banned a set of accounts linked to what it said was an Iranian covert influence operation that leveraged ChatGPT to generate content that, among other things, focused on the upcoming U.S. presidential election. OpenAI said its ChatGPT tool was used to create comments in English and Spanish, which were then posted on a dozen accounts on X and one on Instagram. (HackerNews) (AC-Iran uses a US-based AI company to create influence posts for social media to affect US election outcomes. This is Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW) being conducted on the US population.)
-Technology and Science-
1. X Shuts Down Brazil Operations After ‘Threats’ from Justice de Moraes, But Social Media Remains Accessible: X has now shut down its offices and operations in Brazil after it claimed that it received "threats" from Brazilian Supreme Court Minister, Alexandre de Moraes. It is known that X refused to censor the said controversial content in Brazil, gaining notoriety against the country's judicial body. Despite its office closing down, X claimed that its service would still be accessible in Brazil and would continue the social media experience for its residents. (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Mining Profitability Fell to All Time Lows in August, JPMorgan Analyst Says: Mining profitability fell to all time lows as the network hashrate rose in the first two weeks of August, the report said. U.S. miners' share of the Bitcoin network hashrate rose to a new record high of 26%, the bank said. The bank noted that the network hashrate has risen about 1% so far this month. (CoinDesk)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 28/100 (Up 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Although bitcoiners know the difference between 'crypto' and bitcoin, most news organizations do not, often conflating the two. In our aggregation of facts in the DIB, there will often exist bias and ignorance in the media reports. We can't filter it all out nor do we want to, but where we can we will footnote it in the analyst comments.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IEtb.jpg

2024-08-18 17:22:06

https://fountain.fm/episode/w226a0ZgCqQMdTzeBkvY
Last week's episode was incredible. Matthew is not only a wealth of knowledge and tremendous leader he's also a good man that has the right priorities.
Listen to "055. Dr Matthew Mbanga " by Bitcoin Veterans. 🔥🔥🔥

2024-08-16 14:00:45

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 857,033
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 16Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Ukraine Captures 100 Russians in Kursk / New PM Elected in Thailand / Man Gets 18 Months Prison in UK for Chanting / Peruvian Gang Leader and Murderer Released on US Border Arrested in NY / Hurricane Ernesto to Hit Bermuda / Five Arrested in Matthew Perry's Death / UAE Court OKs Digital Asset Salary / What Happened Today in 1971? / Iran Clamps Down on Mining / CBDCs Pushed in India, Panned by Conservatives in Canada / Fed Balance Sheet Jumps / Recession Fears Ease / Neuralink Implanted in Second Human / A Great Economy?
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,168, 23.62 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $59,838 / Lo: $56,161
Vol: $34B (Up 6%)
Mkt Cap: $1.15T (Down 1%)
HashRate: 648 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Down 50%)
Nodes: 19,619
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Ukraine Nabs Over 100 Russian Troops in Kursk – Largest Capture in a Single Operation: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) special forces captured 102 Russian soldiers on Wednesday Aug. 14 in the Kursk region of Russia, which currently marks the largest single capture of enemy troops and gave Kyiv Post the photo evidence to prove it. SBU sources said the captured soldiers were from the 488th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment and the Chechen “Akhmat” special forces unit who surrendered despite having ample supplies and ammunition. (KyivPost)
2. Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra is elected Thailand’s prime minister: Thailand’s Parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister Friday, continuing the legacy of the political dynasty that began with her father Thaksin Shinawatra, one of Thailand’s most popular but divisive political figures. Thaksin, a former Prime Minister, was ousted by a military coup in 2006, which triggered decades of deep political divisions. (AP)
3. Man Jailed for 18 Months After Chanting ‘Who the F*** Is Allah’ During England Riot: David Spring, of Longfellow Road in Sutton, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for comments he made during a Downing Street anti-mass migration protest that descended into a riot in the wake of the Southport mass stabbing that left three young girls dead. (Breitbart)
-US Events-
1. Wanted Peru gang leader arrested in US: Torres-Navarro, 38, was detained in New York state after entering the country illegally at the Texas-Mexico border, a statement from the ICE agency said. He is believed to be the leader of the Los Killers gang and is on Peru's wanted list. In a statement sent to the BBC, ICE said Torres-Navarro was first arrested on 16 May upon entering the US illegally, and was served a notice to appear for immigration proceedings (AC-AND RELEASED!). About two months later, authorities were notified that he was in fact wanted in Peru, which led to his eventual arrest in the town of Endicott during a "targeted enforcement action" on Wednesday, ICE added. (BBC) (AC-Sometimes foreign media reports what US media outlets will not. In this case, the Peruvian gang leader was stopped and then released in the US. He was arrested in New York 2 months later once ICE found out he was on Peru's wanted list for killing police and at least 23 others.)
2. Hurricane Ernesto ramps up to Category 2 as it churns towards Bermuda, poses dangers for coastal US: he storm could intensify even further to become the season’s second major hurricane — Category 3 or stronger — as it crosses 600 miles of the Atlantic before reaching Bermuda early Saturday. (CNN)
3. Matthew Perry’s death leads to sweeping indictment of 5, including doctors and reputed dealers: Nearly 10 months after the death of Matthew Perry, the long-simmering investigation into the ketamine that killed him came dramatically into public view with the announcement that five people had been charged with having roles in the overdose of the beloved “Friends” star. (AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Dubai court recognizes crypto as a valid salary payment: Heaver said that the case involved an employee who filed a lawsuit claiming that the employer had not paid their wages, wrongful termination compensation and other benefits. The worker’s employment contract stipulated a monthly salary in fiat and 5,250 in EcoWatt tokens. (CoinTelegraph)
2. Nixon ended gold standard 53 years ago today — WTF happened in 1971?: Aug. 15, 2024, marks the 53rd anniversary of the “Nixon Shock,” the day that United States President Richard Nixon eliminated the gold standard for the US dollar. At the time, Nixon claimed that taking the dollar off the gold standard was “temporary” and would “stabilize” the dollar. Noting that Nixon promised his action would “stabilize the dollar,” which has lost 98.5% of its gold value since that day, Neil Jacobs stated, “This is why we ₿itcoin.” (CoinTelegraph)
3. Iran Escalates Crackdown on Illegal Crypto Mining Amid Severe Power Crisis: Iran is aggressively cracking down on illegal cryptocurrency mining as the nation faces a severe power crisis exacerbated by an intense heatwave. Iranian authorities claim that unauthorized crypto mining has significantly strained Iran’s power grid, leading to widespread industrial disruptions. A bounty program has been launched to encourage citizens to report illegal mining operations. (BitcoinCom)
4. IMF proposes 85% power tax hike on crypto and AI data centers: The IMF argues that these sectors consume 2% of the world’s electricity and contribute nearly 1% of global emissions. The financial regulator claimed that one Bitcoin transaction uses the same electricity that an average person in Ghana or Pakistan would use in three years. Additionally, it argues a ChatGPT query consumes ten times more electricity than a Google search due to the energy-intensive nature of AI data centers. (CryptoSlate)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Central bank digital currency, financial inclusion in India: As India continues to evolve its financial landscape, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) emerges as a potential tool to drive financial inclusion, particularly in a country where a significant portion of the population remains financially illiterate and vulnerable to fraud. (TimesOfIndia)
2. Pierre Poilievre Backs Bill to Ban Central Bank Digital Currency in Canada: Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, backs a bill that seeks to ban central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Canada. He argues that a CBDC would give the government excessive control over finances, threatening privacy and economic freedom. “It’s time to put an end to creating a central bank digital currency in Canada,” he said. (BitcoinCom)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin Spot ETFs net $11M inflow, despite GBTC loss: On Aug. 15, Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a net inflow of $11.11 million, indicating continued investor interest despite outflows from Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). (CointTelegraph)
2. South Korea's National Pension Service Invests $34M in MicroStrategy Shares: South Korea's National Pension Service (NPS), the country's largest institutional investor, has purchased $34 million worth of shares in MicroStrategy, a business intelligence firm known for its large Bitcoin holdings. (Decrypt)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Federal Reserve balance sheet rises by $2 billion amid rate cut speculation: The Federal Reserve’s balance sheet saw a $2 billion increase week over week, now totaling $7.2 trillion, marking the ninth such increase in the past year, according to FRED. However, the declines have been lessening since May, potentially approaching the start of the fed cutting cycle. (CryptoSlate)
2. US 10-Year Yield Holds Firm on Upbeat Data: The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note held its recent advance to around 3.9% on Friday as better-than-expected US economic data allayed fears of an imminent recession. (TradingEconomics)
3. US Stocks Rally On Upbeat US Data: US stocks surged on Thursday as Wall Street responded positively to signals of resilience in the US consumer and labor markets, alleviating recession concerns. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq marked 6-day winning streak, jumping 1.6% and 2.4%. respectively, and the Dow Jones climbed by 555 points. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Crypto Criminals Are Shifting Their Focus to Centralized Exchanges: Centralized exchanges have become the new target for crypto criminals, who have stolen over $1.5 billion in the first half of the year, according to a report by Chainalysis. Attackers are using advanced social engineering tactics, with some even applying for IT jobs at targeted companies. (Decrypt)
-Technology and Science-
1. Neuralink Achieves Major Milestone: Second Brain Implant Successful, Elon Musk Says: The company has successfully implanted its device in a second patient, demonstrating progress in its mission to restore independence to individuals with paralysis. The initial patient, who received the implant earlier this year, has shown remarkable improvement in controlling digital devices with their thoughts. Activities such as playing video games, browsing the internet, and typing have become possible, offering a new level of freedom and independence. (TechTimes
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 27/100 (Down 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Economic data continues to improve leading up the November election. One of the key tenets of MMT economics in practice is the controlling of economic activity, yet the timing of such controls is subject to unknown factors discussed behind closed doors. Though the Federal Reserve is not an official government agency, it's decisions have a large effect on political theater. In the case of this election season, we are heading into an election where recession worries are tamped down, inflation is officially lower in years, and a Fed rate drop is very possible in September. The thinking individual would assess this information as an engineered series of events.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IRUV.jpg

2024-08-15 12:37:02

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 856,888
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 15Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Ukraine Kursk Incursion Confounds / A Rouge Ukrainian Allegedly Sabotaged Nord Stream / Taliban Parades Through Bagram / Hurricane Ernesto Hits Puerto Rico / VP Harris Wants to Control Grocery Prices / Tax Relief Bill on Crypto Transactions Introduced / China, Russia Using Crypto for Cross-Border Payments / USG Moves 10K BTC To Coinbase / Mt Gox Moves 46K BTC For Clients / Norway Wealth Fund Invests in Bitcoin / CPI Show Inflation Drop / SSNs of All Americans on Dark Web / Water Found on Mars / MARA Buys More BTC / BTC Mining Difficulty Drops 4%
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,790, 24.81 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $61,687 / Lo: $57,733
Vol: $32B (Up 13%)
Mkt Cap: $1.16T (Down 4%)
HashRate: 633 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 6 sats/vBtye (Even)
Nodes: 19,551
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Ukraine gambled on an incursion deep into Russian territory. The bold move changed the battlefield: Ukraine’s stunning incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region was a bold gamble for the country’s military commanders, who committed their limited resources to a risky assault on a nuclear-armed enemy with no assurance of success. The shock of Ukraine’s thunder run revealed chinks in the armor of its powerful adversary. The attack also risked aggravating Ukraine’s own weaknesses by extending the front line and committing new troops at a time when military leaders are short on manpower. (AP)
2. A Drunken Evening, a Rented Yacht: The Real Story of the Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage: The Ukrainian operation cost around $300,000, according to people who participated in it. It involved a small rented yacht with a six-member crew, including trained civilian divers. “The whole thing was born out of a night of heavy boozing and the iron determination of a handful of people who had the guts to risk their lives for their country.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially approved the plan, according to one officer who participated and three people familiar with it. (WSJ) (AC- This is a very interesting read in the WSJ. While both Russia and Ukraine deny Ukrainian involvement in the sabotage, this story puts the blame on a rogue Ukrainian general, and takes the pressure off of possible US or Israeli involvement. If any possibility of the latter is true, it's consistent with the maxim of "always have a patsy".)
3. Taliban celebrates three years of return to power in Afghanistan: Afghanistan’s Taliban has celebrated three years in power with a military parade, paying homage to its homemade bombs, fighter aircraft and goose-stepping security forces. The Taliban’s armed forces towed Soviet-era tanks, American vehicles and artillery pieces through Bagram, the former United States airbase, where Chinese and Iranian diplomats were among hundreds who gathered for the parade and speeches on Wednesday. (AlJazeera)
-US Events-
1. Hurricane Warning issued for Bermuda as Ernesto continues to gain strength: Hurricane Ernesto brought damaging wind gusts and flooding rain to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Tuesday and Wednesday, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of utility customers and leading to reports of water rescues due to flash flooding. (FoxWeather)
2. Harris to propose federal ban on ‘corporate price-gouging’ in food and groceries: Vice President Kamala Harris plans to propose the first-ever federal ban on “corporate price-gouging in the food and grocery industries,” her campaign announced late Wednesday. “There’s a big difference between fair pricing in competitive markets, and excessive prices unrelated to the costs of doing business,” the Harris campaign said in a statement. (CNBC) (AC- Consistent with all authoritarian regimes, price controls are about control disguised at helping the people.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Senate proposal for crypto tax exemption is long overdue: Lummis and Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced their proposal, the Virtual Currency Tax Fairness Act, to the 118th Congress in July. if a person uses cryptocurrency to buy something that costs less than $200, then only the sales tax would apply. Zinda further pointed out that the proposal mirrors existing rules where US law provides a similar exemption for foreign currency. Capital gains would still apply if someone were simply cashing out their holdings. (CoinTelegraph)
2. China-Russia International Trade Payments Situation Worsens: Crypto and Barter Rise as Alternatives: Chinese regional banks, which were once used as bridges to process payments from Russia to China, have begun rejecting these payments for fear of secondary sanctions. To facilitate these transactions, cryptocurrency and even barter schemes have emerged as options to continue trading outside the dollar-dominated financial system. (BitcoinCom)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US Government Transfers $600 Million in Silk Road Bitcoin to Coinbase: The United States government has transferred nearly $600 million worth of seized Bitcoin from the Silk Road dark web marketplace to a Coinbase wallet. The transaction involved 10,000 Bitcoin and it is unclear whether the government plans to sell or hold the assets. (Decrypt)
2. Norway’s Wealth Fund Bets On Bitcoin: Analyst Discloses Over 100% Increase In BTC Holdings: According to a recent analysis NBIM, which manages the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global, now indirectly owns 2,446 Bitcoin (BTC), representing a significant increase of 938 BTC from the end of 2023. (Bitcoinist)
3. Mt. Gox Moves Another $2 Billion In Bitcoin: The defunct crypto exchange Mt. Gox isn’t done with its Bitcoin repayments to creditors, as on-chain data shows that the exchange recently moved a significant amount of BTC. The defunct crypto exchange still holds 46,164 BTC ($2.81 billion), which could still significantly impact the market depending on whether other creditors choose to hold. (Bitcoinist)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Inflation Rate Slows to 2021-Lows: The annual inflation rate in the US slowed for a fourth consecutive month to 2.9% in July 2024, the lowest since March 2021, compared to 3% in June and below forecasts of 3%. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. The Social Security number of every American may have been stolen in Florida company data breach: It was stolen from a company called “National Public Data” out of Coral Springs, Florida. The L.A. Times reported a hacking group said it stole the data and put nearly three billion individual records for sale on the dark web. Those records are from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. It includes a person’s full name, address, date of birth, phone numbers, and for U.S. citizens, your Social Security number. (ActionNewsJax) (AC-Reporting on this incident is strange. Most media sources are not reporting this breach and is not restricted to US citizens, but does include SSNs of Americans. Why the reporting would be throttled is unclear. It is, of course, being reported and trending on X. )
-Technology and Science-
1. Scientists find oceans of water on Mars. It’s just too deep to tap: Using seismic activity to probe the interior of Mars, geophysicists have found evidence for a large underground reservoir of liquid water — enough to fill oceans on the planet’s surface. (UCBerkeley)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Marathon Digital Acquires 4,144 Bitcoins With $300M Convertible Note Offering: Bitcoin Miner Marathon Digital said that recent Bitcoin acquisition is part of its long term strategy to reduce debt on its balance sheet. (CoinGape)
2. Bitcoin mining difficulty drops by over 4%: On Aug. 14, Bitcoin mining difficulty decreased significantly by over 4%, according to Glassnode, marking the seventh negative adjustment in 2024. The hash rate, measured on a seven-day moving average, has dropped to approximately 622 exahashes per second (EH/s), down from its all-time high (ATH) of 670 EH/s. (CryptoSlate)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 29/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZQ.jpg

2024-08-14 14:07:51

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 856,734
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 14Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Japan PM Kishida to Step Down / Ukraine Forces Press Front Near Belgorod / Thai PM Sacked By Ethics Court / DEA Seizes 2,380 Pounds of Meth Hidden in Celery / Biden Admin Approves $20B in Weapons to Israel / Omar Wins Primary in MN / US Army Intel Specialist Guilty of Conspiracy / Vivek Calls Out Harris for Crypto Stance / Iran Offers $20 to Turn In BTC Miners / Goldman Sachs Holds $400M in BTC ETFs / CPI Report Released Today / Fedi Launches SuperApp For Freedom Tech / HODLers Continue to Hold / Riot Buys More of Bitfarms / AirBTC online
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $61,404, 24.81 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $61,572 / Lo: $58,788
Vol: $29B (Down 13%)
Mkt Cap: $1.21T (Up 4%)
HashRate: 640 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 6 sats/vBtye (Up 100%)
Nodes: 19,444
---Reports---
-International Events-
1.Japan's Prime Minister Kishida to resign, paving way for new leader: Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday he would step down next month, succumbing to public disaffection over political scandals and rising living costs that marred his three-year term, and setting off a scramble to replace him. The LDP will hold a contest in September to replace him as president of the party, and, by extension, as prime minister. (Reuters)
2. Russia’s Belgorod border region declares emergency after Ukrainian incursion: The Russian border region of Belgorod declared an emergency on Wednesday after new attacks by Ukrainian forces, with Kyiv claiming control of hundreds of square miles of Russian territory after its rare cross-border incursion. It was a notable change in tactics for Ukraine and marked the first time foreign troops had entered Russian territory since World War II. Two locations in Belgorod, the city of Shebekino and the village of Ustinka, had been attacked by Ukrainian drones. (CNN)
3. Thai court dismisses PM for violating constitution: A Thai court has dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing to his cabinet a former lawyer who was once jailed. The Constitutional Court ruled that Mr Srettha had violated the "rules on ethics" with "the display of defiant behavior". (BBC)
-US Events-
1. Atlanta DEA seizes 2,380 pounds of meth hidden in celery at farmer’s market: It’s the largest-ever seizure of meth made by the DEA in Atlanta, and the third largest nationwide in 2024. The DEA got information that led to the State Farmer’s Market in Clayton County. “This was contained in a cover load of celery,” DEA Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Robert Murphy said. “It was hiding in the celery. Obviously, we threw away the celery. That didn’t make it to the store.” (WSB-TV)
2. U.S. plans to sell $20 billion in weapons to Israel over several years: The Biden administration approved a deal to sell F-15s, air-to-air missiles and munitions, but much of it won’t arrive in Israel until 2026 at the earliest. Notification of the pending sale was sent to Congress on Tuesday. It includes F-15 fighter jets, 120mm tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, AMRAAM antiaircraft missiles and high-explosive mortars. (WaPo)
3. Omar breaks ‘Squad’ losing streak with primary victory in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which the Cook Political Report rates as "solid" Democrat. (Fox)
4. U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Pleads Guilty to Charges of Conspiracy: Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, pleaded guilty today to all charges against him in the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in March 2024 charging him with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official. (DOJ)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Ramaswamy Urges Harris to Clarify Crypto Stance for Partisan Unity: As the U.S. election draws near, cryptocurrency has become a hot-button issue, with Democrats under scrutiny for their perceived antagonism toward the industry. The current administration has overseen regulatory enforcement measures that contribute to the party’s image as anti-crypto. With crypto’s growing relevance on the political scene, Ramaswamy urged Harris to clarify her position on key cryptocurrency issues, such as her views on self-custody or comment on Gary Gensler’s tenure as SEC chair. (DailyCoin)
2. Iran offers $20 to report on shady crypto miners amid ongoing power crisis: Iran is now offering rewards of $20 to the public for reporting illegal crypto mining activities as the country faces severe power shortages exacerbated by an intense heatwave and energy crisis. (CryptoNews)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Coinbase teases ‘cbBTC’ days after BitGo Wrapped Bitcoin controversy: Coinbase has just teased the possible launch of a new product called “cbBTC,” with many commentators speculating that the United States-based crypto exchange is launching its own wrapped Bitcoin token. (CoinTelegraph)
2. Goldman Sachs Holds Over $400M in Bitcoin ETFs: The investment bank in its quarterly 13-F report disclosed that it holds positions in seven out of the 11 BTC ETFs in the U.S. (CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
1. CPI Report Today: July's consumer-price index is due at 8:30 a.m. ET. The expected CPI is 3.0%. (WSJ)
2. US PPI Rise Less than Expected: Factory gate prices in the US increased 0.1% month-over-month in July 2024, following a 0.2% rise in June and below forecasts of 0.2%. Prices of goods rose 0.6%, the most since February, mainly due to energy (1.9%). Gasoline advanced 2.8%, diesel fuel, meats, jet fuel, fresh fruits and melons, and basic organic chemicals also increased. (TradingEconomics)
3. US Mortgage Applications Soar the Most in 18 Months: Mortgage applications in the US surged by 16.8% from the previous week in the period ending August 9th, the sharpest weekly increase in mortgage applications since January of 2023, and extending the 6.9% jump in the previous week. (TradingEconomics) (AC-The recent slight dip in mortgage rates fueled this spike, revealing pent-up demand.)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. DDoS Attacks Surge 46% in First Half of 2024: The number of DDoS attacks in H1 2024 has increased by 46% compared to the same period last year, reaching 445K in Q2 2024. Compared to data for the previous six months (Q3–4 2023), it increased by 34%. (HackerNews)
-Technology and Science-
1. Fedi Combines Bitcoin And Other Freedom Tech With Community: In 2022, Obi Nwosu had a vision to empower disenfranchised communities worldwide with technology that could help them more easily custody and use their bitcoin. As of August 6, 2024, that vision became a reality when Fedi launched its superapp, which is much more than just a platform for money management. The app leverages what Nwosu refers to as “freedom technologies” like Bitcoin, Lightning and Nostr. It also employs the Fedimint protocol, which enables users to share custody of bitcoin; utilize the Lightning Network; and mint ecash, digital tokens pegged to the value of bitcoin, fiat currencies or other assets that are used to preserve privacy in transactions. (BitcoinMag)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. 45% of Bitcoin supply has not moved in 6 months: Analyzing the realized cap HODL waves indicator, Glassnode reveals that just over 45% of all bitcoins have remained dormant in their wallets for at least the past half a year. Despite the record highs and subsequent volatility, a considerable swathe of market participants prefer to do nothing. (CoinTelegraph)
2. Riot increases Bitfarms ownership stake following board member removal: Riot Platforms has announced an increase in its ownership stake in Bitfarms Ltd. to 18.9%, intensifying its influence over the Canadian Bitcoin mining firm. This development follows Riot’s acquisition of an additional 1 million common shares of Bitfarms. (CryptoSlate)
3. AirBTC: Pay Vacation Rentals in Bitcoin: AirBTC is a new platform that allows Bitcoiners to rent holiday properties from other Bitcoiners. It is similar to AirBnB, but it only accepts bitcoin as payment. (H17n)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 30/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-08-13 13:23:43

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 856,590
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 13Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Ukraine Holds Section of Kursk / British Immigration Riots Peak, New Knife Killing of Girl / Bangladesh Charges Ex-PM With Murder / Musk and Trump Riff on X After Tech Issues Delay / Chokepoint 2.0 In Effect / Zimbabwe To End Dollar Use / BTC More Volatile on Weekends / DEFCon Hacks Voting Machines, Again / China Chases NVIDIA / MARA Prints "Made in USA" on Blocks / Technology Can Fix Election Honesty
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,856, 23.89 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $60,680 / Lo: $57,860
Vol: $32B (Up 10%)
Mkt Cap: $1.16T (Down 1%)
HashRate: 575 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Down 55%)
Nodes: 19,623
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Top Ukrainian commander says his forces now control almost 390 square miles of Russia’s Kursk region: “The troops are fulfilling their tasks. Fighting continues actually along the entire front line. The situation is under our control,” Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said. (AP)
2. Britain is hoping its riots have peaked. But the far right is lingering, and more trouble could lie ahead: It was meant to be another night of violence at the hands of the far right. A list of target addresses for far-right protests, seen by CNN, had been circulating on Telegram channels and then on social media for days, raising alarm that the racist attacks on Muslims and asylum seekers over the weekend would return. Wednesday felt like a turning point after a string of violence that had put a country on edge and thrown its new government into a sudden crisis. (CNN)
3. UK: Man stabbed girl, 11, eight times, court told: A 32-year-old man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed in London’s Leicester Square on Monday. Ioan Pintaru, a Romanian national with no fixed address, is also charged with possession of a bladed article. (AP)
4. Bangladesh's ex-PM investigated for murder: A murder investigation has been opened into Bangladesh's ex-premier Sheikh Hasina over the police killing of a man during civil unrest last month. Six other top figures in the previous government are also being investigated following weeks of deadly unrest in the capital Dhaka. Ms Hasina resigned and left the country earlier this month, fleeing to New Delhi, India after political unrest destabilized the government. (BBC)
-US Events-
1. Musk hosts friendly chat with Trump on X after tech delays: The conversation, in which Mr Musk asked friendly questions on subjects such as immigration and inflation, began more than 40 minutes late as many users struggled to gain access. The two men touched on a range of issues, from the assassination attempt on Trump last month at a Pennsylvania rally, to his wanting the US to get an "Iron Dome" missile defence system like the one in Israel as well as immigration, a key plank of his campaign. As many users struggled to access the livestream, Mr Musk blamed "a massive DDoS attack on X" for the problems in a post. (BBC)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Tyler Winklevoss Warns Operation Chokepoint 2.0 Remains in Full Swing: Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of U.S.-based exchange Gemini and VC firm Winklevoss Capital, has alerted about the ongoing status of Operation Chokepoint 2.0, a plan directed to difficult banking access to crypto companies. Winklevoss’ remarks come after the Federal Reserve found Customers Bank, a crypto-friendly bank, had “deficiencies” in compliance with anti-money laundering requirements. (BitcoinCom)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Zimbabwe to Unveil Roadmap to End Dollar Use, Cabinet Says: Zimbabwe’s cabinet said it has approved a roadmap to abandon US dollars in favor of its bullion-backed currency in transactions, a strategy that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube may unveil next week. “On modalities to operationalize the ZiG CBDC currency as legal tender for use in the economy, a dedollarization roadmap is now in place,” (Bloomberg)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin risks ‘sharp weekend price swings’ as ETFs suck up liquidity: Bitcoin has become more susceptible to wild weekend volatility since the launch of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) in the United States, according to Kaiko Research. In an Aug. 12 report, Kaiko’s crypto analysts noted Bitcoin’s liquidity has become more concentrated on weekdays, particularly in BTC/US dollar markets. (CoinTelegraph)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Factory Gate Prices Expected to Rise Moderately: Factory gate prices in the US are projected to have risen by 0.2% month-over-month in July 2024, maintaining the same pace as in June. The core producer price index, which excludes volatile categories like food and energy, is also expected to increase by 0.2%, a slowdown from the previous month's 0.4% rise. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Futures Mixed Ahead PPI Data: US futures were mixed on Tuesday as investors awaited key inflation data. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures ticked up slightly, while Dow Jones futures fell over 100 points. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. The nation’s best hackers found vulnerabilities in voting machines — but no time to fix them: Organizers and participants at the DEF CON Voting Village found cyber vulnerabilities in everything from voting machines to e-poll books, but there is no time before the November elections to fully implement their findings. “If you don’t think this kind of place is running 24/7 in China, Russia, you’re kidding yourselves,” Harri Hursti said, gesturing around the room of voting equipment. “We are here only for two and a half days, and we find stuff…it would be stupid to assume that the adversaries don’t have absolute access to everything.” (Politico) (AC-See AC below)
-Technology and Science-
1. Huawei Readies New Chip to Challenge Nvidia, Surmounting U.S. Sanctions: Chinese internet companies and telecommunications operators have been testing Huawei’s latest processor, called Ascend 910C, in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. Huawei told potential clients that the new chip is comparable to Nvidia’s H100, which was introduced last year and isn’t directly available in China, the people said. (WSJ)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Marathon Digital stamps ‘Made in USA’ on Bitcoin blocks mined: Marathon Digital CEO Fred Thiel underscored the company’s commitment to labeling blocks made in the US with a stamp. According to Thiel, every block mined by their MARA Pool in the United States will be stamped “Made in USA.” (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 31/100 (Up 6 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): With election season in full swing in the US, every aspect of electoral process is clouded in purposeful confusion. The candidate narratives, media coverage, social media spin, election process and legal aspects of the US election are as clear as mud. Within this confusion lies the opportunity to design and steer the results in a direction that does not suit the citizen voter. The democratic process is broken in the US and faith in the system is at a low. As with many problems, technology often provides an actual solution if human nature would concede. The latest guest on the Bitcoin Veterans podcast outlined a system now in use in Guatemala that uses checks and balances, combined with immutable confirmation on the Bitcoin blockchain to implement one of the most honest elections held in the world. The time is ripe to explore such a hopeful project and prepare for the dishonest broker onslaught in the US. For an introduction, consider watching the short film: https://film.simpleproof.com/
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IxVg.jpg

2024-08-12 19:29:32

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 856,456
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 12Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US Buildup Continues in Mideast / Russians Evacuate Kursk Areas / US SOF Busy in Syria Against ISIS / Trump Campaign Hacked / Musk and Trump on X Tonight / NYC Overflows With Migrants / Venezuelans Use VPNs to Access Binance / Turkey Opens Up To Digital Assets / IRS Changes Crypto Form / Canada Politicians Spar on CBDC / Four Years of MSTR BTC Strategy / Quantum Computers Pick Up Steam / Bitcoin Miners Scraping By
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $59,806, 24.51 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $60,739 / Lo: $57,688
Vol: $29B (Up 86%)
Mkt Cap: $1.18T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 724 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 7 sats/vBtye (Up 75%)
Nodes: 19,685
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US is 'strengthening' military force in Middle East: The U.S. is "strengthening" its capabilities in the Middle East by sending an additional guided missile submarine to the region "in light of escalating regional tensions," according to a statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder issued on Sunday. Secretary Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Middle East, which was previously expected to get there by the end of the month. Additionally, Austin has ordered the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the Middle East. (ABC)
2. Russia orders more evacuations as Ukraine’s incursion into its territory enters its seventh day: Russian authorities were on Monday evacuating civilians from more areas along the Ukrainian border, a week into Kyiv’s surprise cross-border incursion into Russian territory. The incursion, which is now affecting two Russian regions, is seen as something of a game-changer in the conflict. (CNN)
3. In Syria’s Hinterlands, the U.S. Wages a Hidden Campaign Against a Resurgent Islamic State: American commandos are scrambling to contain a resurgence of Islamic State where the militant group once imposed its violent religious fervor on vast territories and millions of people. Militant fighters have doubled their pace of attacks in Syria and Iraq this year. They have targeted security checkpoints, detonated car bombs and plotted to free thousands of comrades jailed since the SDF and a U.S.-headed Western coalition recaptured the last Islamic State-held town. (WSJ)
-US Events-
1. Trump campaign says it has been hacked: Politico reported earlier Saturday that it had received emails from an anonymous account with documents from inside Trump’s campaign operation. “These documents were obtained illegally from foreign sources hostile to the United States, intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process,” a Trump campaign spokesperson said. Spokesman Cheung pointed to a recent report published by Microsoft that said Iranian operatives had ramped up their attempts to influence and monitor the US presidential election. (CNN)
2. Elon Musk to interview Trump on X social media network: The interview, scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time (0000 Tuesday GMT), could provide the former president an opportunity to seize the limelight. Trump's access to his account, @realDonaldTrump, was restored a month into Musk's ownership of X after being suspended by the platform's previous owners following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Congress by his supporters. Trump frequently posts on his Truth Social social media platform, which was launched in February 2022.(Reuters)
3. Migrants Camp in City Streets as Biden’s Shelters Overflow and Gang Violence Grows: As the number of migrants continues to grow in the Big Apple, authorities are beginning to become concerned over the number of border crossers who are choosing to live outside in tents instead of going into the city’s shelter system. With the city already struggling to house some 65,000 migrants, a major factor spurring migrants to camp outside in tents is that they feel unsafe in the massive shelters arranged by city officials. (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Venezuelans turn to VPNs as government restricts Binance access: Binance has confirmed that the Venezuelan government has restricted access to its website amid turmoil following controversial presidential election results. Local group VE sin Filtro advised Venezuelans to use a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass the crypto platform’s blockade. (CryptoSlate)
2. 47 Companies Apply to Operate in Turkey Under New Crypto Regulations: Turkey’s Capital Markets Board has issued an update on crypto asset service providers following new regulations. The provisional lists include 47 operational companies and three that are planning to liquidate. Current crypto service providers are required to apply for permits or proceed with liquidation by specified deadlines, with legal repercussions for noncompliance. (BitcoinCom)
3. IRS Updates Crypto Tax Form, But Could Still Bring ‘Unintended Consequences’, Expert Says: The IRS has released a revised draft of the 1099-DA form for crypto investors, aiming to simplify tax reporting for digital asset holders. The new form eliminates intrusive questions about wallet addresses, transaction IDs, and specific broker types. (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Trudeau’s rival pushes to ban CBDC in Canada, preserves cash use: Canadian Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre voiced strong opposition to the development of a central bank digital currency in Canada in a recent X post, pledging to protect cash usage and resist the government’s push toward economic digitization. (CryptoNews)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Saylor's Big Bitcoin Gamble Turns 4. Here's How MicroStrategy Stock Has Performed: After languishing for nearly two decades, the stock ended up recovering following Saylor's Bitcoin gamble. In fact, MicroStrategy has managed to outperform 499 out of 500 stocks in the S&P 500. As reported, MicroStrategy (MSTR) stock was added to the much-coveted the MSCI World Index earlier this year after outperforming Bitcoin. (UToday)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Bank of Japan Rules Out Interest Rate Hikes Until 2025: A former Bank of Japan (BOJ) official stated that the central bank will delay any further interest rate hikes until next year, prioritizing market stability in the near term. The BOJ recently raised its key interest rate for the first time in over a decade but has now signaled a pause in additional rate hikes. The shift in policy caused the Japanese yen to strengthen and led to a decline in risk assets, including Bitcoin. (Decrypt)
2. Dollar Stabilizes Ahead of Inflation Data: The dollar index steadied around 103.1 on Monday as investors look ahead to key inflation data this week for confirmation that price growth has continued to stabilize. (TradingEconomics)
3. Week Ahead: The focus in the United States will be on the CPI and PPI reports, and speeches by Federal Reserve officials. Additionally, key data releases will include retail sales, Michigan consumer confidence, export and import prices, housing starts, building permits, and industrial production. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology and Science-
1. Quantum computers are advancing much faster than scientists expected: Most people working in the field believe that quantum computers will be able to solve problems that classical computers can’t solve within the next 10 years. This is according to a recent survey of 927 people with associations to the field of quantum computing (researchers, executives, press, enthusiasts, etc.) conducted by QuEra. Of those surveyed, 74.9% “expect quantum to be a superior alternative to classical computing for certain workloads” within the next 10 years. (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin miners record lowest daily revenue of 2024: Revenue earned by Bitcoin miners, primarily through block rewards and transaction fees, declined consistently over two weeks to record a new yearly low on Aug. 11. On Aug. 11, daily earnings of the Bitcoin mining community dipped to a new yearly low of $2.54 million, a number last seen in October 2023. (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 25/100 (Down 23 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

2024-08-09 20:01:48

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 856,030
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 09Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Russia Struggles on New Front / New Bangladeshi Leader Sworn In / Venezuela's Maduro Bans X / Polls Show Harris Takes Lead Over Trump / States Sue to Stop Immigrant Health Care / Can Trump Control the Fed? / Dems 'Crypto for Harris' Launched / 'Chokepoint 2.0' Underway / Putin Legalizes Bitcoin Mining / CBOE Files for BTC Options / BTC, Stocks Rebound / MSFT, Palantir Team Up for DoD AI Project
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $60,757, 24.96 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $62,673 / Lo: $56,740
Vol: $43B (Up 12%)
Mkt Cap: $1.2T (Up 6%)
HashRate: 596 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Down 20%)
Nodes: 19,693
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Russia struggles to repel deep incursion by Ukraine on fourth day of cross-border attack: Mykhaylo Zhyrokhov, a military analyst, told the BBC that Russia had been forced to redeploy some troops to the Kursk region from the front line in eastern Ukraine. Elsewhere today, Ukraine's military says it's hit a military airfield deep inside Russia, destroying guided bombs stored in warehouses. The Ukrainian military reports a huge blaze and multiple detonations at the Lipetsk airfield, more than 350km (217 miles) from Ukraine's border. (BBC) (AC-The surprise front and deep attacks by Ukraine are putting Russian forces on a reactionary footing, while taking pressure off the front lines of Russian efforts within Ukraine.)
2. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus takes the helm in Bangladesh, to seek peace and prepare elections: The key tasks for Yunus now are restoring peace in Bangladesh and preparing for new elections following the ouster of Hasina, who fled to India after weeks of student protests over job quotas grew into an uprising against her increasingly autocratic 15-year rule. (AP)
3. Venezuela's Maduro blocks X access in country for 10 days: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday took tensions with social media platform X and its owner Elon Musk to new heights, banning the platform in the South American country for 10 days amid furore over a disputed presidential election. Maduro said he signed a resolution presented by regulator Conatel which "has decided to take social network X, formerly known as Twitter, out of circulation for 10 days" and accused Musk of inciting hate, civil war, and death. (Reuters)
-US Events-
1. Polls show Kamala Harris moving ahead of Donald Trump in 2024 US election: As Kamala Harris named Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor, as her running mate, recent polls showed the vice-president moving ahead of Donald Trump in the race for the White House. Among recent national head-to-head polls, SurveyUSA put Harris up three points ahead of Trump, 48%-45%; August polls in the seven battleground states where the election is expected to be decided presented a more mixed picture. (TheGuardian) (AC-Polls have been notoriously suspect over the last few election cycles.)
2. 15 states sue to block Biden’s effort to help migrants in US illegally get health coverage: Fifteen states filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against the Biden administration over a rule that is expected to allow 100,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children to enroll next year in the federal Affordable Care Act’s health insurance. (AP)
3. Trump’s Plans Stir Fears for Fed Independence, Inflation: Donald Trump’s assertion that as president he should have more say over how the Federal Reserve sets interest rates would, if carried out, reverse a longstanding custom by which the central bank enjoys political autonomy to fight inflation with often unpopular rate increases. (WSJ)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Democrats Launch 'Crypto for Harris': Senior White House officials have reportedly engaged with cryptocurrency leaders to discuss industry concerns, facilitated by Representative Ro Khanna. This initiative continues the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to engage with the crypto sector. Additionally, the Democrats have launched a “Crypto for Harris” initiative to help Vice President Kamala Harris gain support from the cryptocurrency community. (BitcoinCom)
2. Federal Reserve Cites Significant Deficiencies in Customers Bancorp’s AML Compliance: The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has found “significant deficiencies” in Customers Bancorp, Inc.’s management of risk and adherence to anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. These issues, particularly troubling for the bank known for its crypto-friendly stance, were detailed in an enforcement action filed on Thursday. One crypto advocate added: 'The Fed and FDIC are systematically dismantling all crypto-friendly banks one after the next.' (BitcoinCom) (AC-Dubbed 'Chokepoint 2.0', the second major administrative effort to restrict or stop US financial institutions from supporting crypto or bitcoin transactions seems to have begun. The effort seeks drive any digital asset activity only through designated and co-opted institutions.)
3. Putin Signs Law Legalizing Cryptocurrency Mining in Russia: According to a report by Russian news agency TASS, the law introduces several key concepts, including digital currency mining, mining pools, and mining infrastructure operators. Mining activities are now recognized by Russia as part of turnover rather than the issuance of digital currency. (BitcoinMag)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. CBOE re-files for spot Bitcoin ETF options in sign SEC may be engaging: Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyfarrt said he expected options on spot Bitcoin ETFs to become available in Q4. “Final deadline for SEC decision is ~Sept. 21 but there's more steps needed after that from OCC and CFTC. (TheBlock)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 10-Year Yield Set for Weekly Rise: The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note eased toward 3.95% on Friday, but was still set to rise for the week as better-than-expected US labor market data allayed fears of a recession, prompting markets to rotate back into riskier assets. (TradingEconomics)
2. Bitcoin Climbs Back Above $60K: Bitcoin rallied more than 10% to above $60,000, hitting a one-week high as better-than-expected US jobless claims data allayed fears of a looming economic downturn, prompting investors to get back into risk assets. (TradingEconomics)
3. Wall Street Rebounds Firmly: US stocks staged a strong rebound on Wednesday as positive labor market data alleviated fears of a significant economic slowdown following Monday's sharp sell-off. The S&P 500 climbed 2.3% to mark its best day since November 2022, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 surged 3.1% and the Dow Jones jumped 683 points. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. New Crypto Scam Targets Users via QR Codes, $120K Lost: The scam follows a specific pattern designed to exploit user trust. The scammer proposes an over-the-counter (OTC) transaction, which is a direct transfer of tokens from one wallet to another, instead of going through an exchange. This type of transaction has a great exchange rate, higher than the market rate, to get the victim’s attention. To gain further trust, the scammer offers a small amount in USDT, a stablecoin tied to the dollar, and proposes a commission in TRX, the Tron network token, in exchange for future long-term cooperation. (BitcoinSensus)
-Technology and Science-
1. ChatGPT’s controversial advanced voice mode is finally here: ChatGPT is about to get even chattier. OpenAI announced this week that it will finally start rolling out a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that allows the chatbot to engage in real-time voice conversations with its users. (CoinGeek)
2. Microsoft and Palantir to Upgrade AI in Defense and National Security: Through this new collaboration, Palantir's technologies will be integrated with Microsoft's Azure cloud computing services, including advanced language models like GPT-4 from OpenAI. Military, intelligence, and national security agencies will be able to harness the power of cloud-based AI while maintaining the necessary levels of security and control required for their critical missions. (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 48/100 (Up 28 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Media reporting is fixated on the US Presidential election season. Since world and US events seem to be stabilized following the economic turmoil of Monday, media has turned back to the political conflict of 'democracy'. Meanwhile the time distance from Trump's assassination attempt is working to keep it from people's minds and answers are still out of reach. The theater of media and politics continue to drive wedges between citizens and keep us from finding common ground. The antidote is local community work and neighborhood networks. Love on your neighbors this weekend.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/Jtwh.jpg

2024-08-08 13:24:12

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 855,897
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 08Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Ukraine Forces Advance Into Russian Territory / IDF Abuse at Detention Camp Draws Ire / Iran Issues NOTAMs / Debby Hits Landfall Again / Judge Rules in SEC-Ripple XRP Case / New Org, USABTC Promotes Gov. Centralization of Bitcoin / mBridge CBDC Starts MVPs / El Salvador Negotiates With IMF / CISA, FBI Warn of Election DDoS Attacks
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $57,302, 23.73 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $57,652 / Lo: $54,620
Vol: $39B (Down 13%)
Mkt Cap: $1.13T (Up 1%)
HashRate: 613 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Even)
Nodes: 19,732
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Ukrainian forces have made confirmed advances up to 10 kilometers into Russia's Kursk Oblast amid continued mechanized offensive operations on Russian territory on August 7: The Kremlin's response has so far been contradictory, as Russian officials are attempting to balance presenting the effort as a notable Ukrainian escalation with avoiding overstating its potential implications and risking domestic discontent. Ukrainian forces reportedly used a first-person view (FPV) drone to down a Russian Mi-28 helicopter over Kursk Oblast, indicating that Ukrainian forces continue to successfully adapt their drone capabilities. (UnderstandingWar) (AC-The push by Ukraine is large and apparently unexpected. Since Kursk Oblast is technically Russian territory, the incursion marks a significant turn of events in the war.)
2. State Dept calls for Israel to investigate allegations of ‘horrific’ sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees: The statement comes after Israeli media obtained leaked surveillance video that allegedly showed Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman base in Israel’s Negev desert. (CNN)
3. Iran warns airlines to avoid its airspace for 3 hours on Thursday over military drills, Egypt says: The warning comes amid soaring tensions in the region following last week’s assassination of Hamas’ leader in Tehran. The Egyptian ministry said the warning came in a notice sent by Iran to all commercial airlines. The ministry said the ban from Iranian airspace was to last for three hours, 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on Thursday. (AP)
-US Events-
1. Tropical Storm Debby makes second landfall in South Carolina, heavy rain expected up the East Coast: The National Hurricane Center says Debby came ashore early Thursday near Bulls Bay, South Carolina. The storm is expected to keep moving inland, spreading heavy rain and possible flooding all the way up through the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast by the weekend. (AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Ripple Scores Partial Victory in SEC Battle: The SEC had accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering by selling its XRP token. The agency sought a hefty $2 billion penalty, arguing that XRP should be classified as a security rather than a digital currency. While the court found that certain sales of XRP did indeed constitute securities offerings, it also determined that XRP itself is not a security. The ruling also imposed a $125 million civil penalty on Ripple and enjoined the company from future securities law violations. (DailyCoin) (AC- XRP is up 26% on the news)
2. USABTC seeks to establish Bitcoin tax-free zone for digital economy growth: The initiative, spearheaded by the newly formed USABTC policy group, advocates for the tax-free Digital Economic Zone (DEZ) where Bitcoin can be traded and accumulated without capital gains taxes but with a tax on redemption. USABTC says the exit tax on Bitcoin conversions back to traditional currency could provide a new revenue stream for the government, which could benefit both the federal and state treasuries.
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Global CBDC Platform, mBridge, Launches Minimum Viable Project (MVP), Invites International Participation: The initiative was founded by the central banks of Thailand, Hong Kong, China, and the United Arab Emirates, and it operates under the umbrella of the Hong Kong BIS Innovation Hub. Participants include: International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and 23 central banks from across the world. (Bitcoinke) (AC-mBridge is one to watch, as this one has large global support and structure.)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. El Salvador and IMF Advance Talks on Bitcoin Risk Mitigation and Economic Reforms: The IMF has reported progress in negotiations with El Salvador on policies to strengthen public finances, boost bank reserves, improve governance, and address bitcoin risks. Although many BTC risks haven’t materialized for El Salvador, the IMF stated that both parties agree on the need for enhanced transparency and measures to ensure fiscal and financial stability. (BitcoinCom)
2. Metaplanet Secures 1 Billion Yen Loan to Buy Bitcoins, the Best Yen Carry Trade?: Public-listed Japanese firm Metaplanet has doubled down on its Bitcoin acquisition strategy by securing an additional loan of 1 billion Japanese Yen earlier today. This move comes a day after the company announced its plan to conduct a $68 million stock rights offering for BTC acquisition. (CoinGape) (AC-MSTR playbook)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Futures Swing, Volatility Persists: US futures swung around the flatline on Thursday, following losses in the previous session, as volatility persists and traders remain concerned about the economic outlook and the potential of a big slowdown in the US. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. CISA, FBI warn of potential DDoS attacks on 2024 elections: The agencies said DDoS attacks targeting election infrastructure “could prevent a voter from accessing websites containing information about where and how to vote, online election services like voter registration, or unofficial election results.” “They may cause some minor disruptions or prevent the public from receiving timely information,” she said. “It is important to talk about these potential issues now, because nefarious actors, like our foreign adversaries or cybercriminals, could use DDoS incidents to cast doubt on the election systems or processes.” (TheRecord) (AC-Highly expected)
2. WazirX to reverse trades after $235M crypto hack: The Indian cryptocurrency exchange WazirX is planning to restore the balances of all platform accounts following the halt of withdrawals caused by a $235 million hack in July 2024. “All users will have their portfolio balances on the WazirX platform restored to what they were on July 18, 2024,” the announcement said. The first reports on WazirX’s $234.9 million hack surfaced on July 18, detecting “multiple suspicious transactions” involving WazirX’s Safe Multisig wallet on Ethereum. (CoinTelegraph)
-Technology and Science-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Stripe Partners with Bitstamp to Boost EU Crypto Adoption: Stripe has teamed up with Bitstamp, a cryptocurrency exchange, to help it grow in the EU. The plan is to make it easier for customers to switch between traditional currency and crypto. They’ve created a widget that users can adjust to suit their needs allowing for quick transactions and currency changes. The new widget will support various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Stellar (XLM), and USD Coin (USDC). (BitcoinSensus)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 20/100 (Down 9 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The USABTC article is highly suspect. In an attempt to portray Bitcoin as a lifeboat for the US Dollar and the economy, the organization is proposing a Digital Economic Zone (DEZ) where deposited BTC can be held without capital gains, until withdrawn. The language on the website (.org) seems pro-Bitcoin but in effect has the effect of centralizing Bitcoin holdings, issuing IOUs for them, and taxing them upon redemption. The effort is in opposition to the USG using Bitcoin as a reserve asset which they consider unattainable. Upon initial observation, this effort seems like an elaborate centralization and possible rug-pull by unknown actors.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IxVg.jpg

2024-08-07 15:42:35

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 855,761
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 07Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Foe of Ousted PM Installed in Bangladesh / Hamas Names Oct 7th Architect New Political Leader / Still No Iranian Attack / Harris Names MN Gov Walz as VP Pick / Quakes Hit SOCAL / US Arrests Assassination Plotter / Harris Stance on Crypto, Bitcoin Still Unclear / Bitcoin Action Shakes Out Lettuce Hands, Big Boys Scoop Up / Barefoot CEO Says Wars To Be Fought Over Blockspace
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $56,952, 23.76 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $57,726 / Lo: $54,486
Vol: $44B (Down 37%)
Mkt Cap: $1.12T (Up 3%)
HashRate: 510 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Down 60%)
Nodes: 19,705
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Nobel Peace Prize winner to lead Bangladesh interim government: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus - a longtime political foe of Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina - has been named the country's interim leader. The 84-year-old was appointed a day after Ms Hasina fled the country following weeks of deadly protests that brought her resignation. (BBC)
2. Hamas names Oct. 7 architect Yahya Sinwar new political leader: Israel has publicly accused Sinwar of being the “mastermind” behind Hamas’ terror attack against Israel on October 7 – though experts say he is likely one of several – making him one of the key targets of its war in Gaza. He has remained at large in the vast warren of tunnels trenched beneath Gaza, moving frequently and possibly surrounded by hostages as human shields, US officials believe. Sinwar has not been seen in public since October 7. (CNN) (AC-This move will derail any serious peace talks between Israel and Hamas, and hasten the targeting of Sinwar.)
3. Iranian attack on Israel later than expected, may come on Thursday or Friday: The wait for Iran's retaliatory response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, attributed to Israel, is taking longer than the United States initially anticipated, sources familiar with American intelligence told the Saudi state-owned Al Arabiya. (JerusalemPost)
-US Events-
1. Vice President Kamala Harris introduced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate Tuesday, praising the former high-school teacher and football coach with a progressive streak as a homespun leader who inspires people to “dream big.” A two-term governor and current chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, Walz could be especially helpful in the battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan. (WSJ)
2. Magnitude 5.2 earthquake rattles Southern California: The quake, which struck at a depth of around 6 miles just after 9 p.m., was approximately 7.6 miles west northwest of Mettler in Kern County, nearly 19 miles south of Bakersfield and 89 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. (KTLA)
3. US charges Iran-linked Pakistani over political assassination plot: Asif Merchant traveled to New York in June seeking to hire a hitman to kill a politician or a US government official in revenge for the 2020 assassination of a senior Iranian military commander, according to a statement issued by the US Justice Department. (AlJazeerah)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Kamala Harris's Recent Appointments Hint at a Potential Shift on Crypto: Kamala Harris's stance on crypto remains unclear as she campaigns for the presidency. Recent appointments, such as David Plouffe, a former member of the Binance Global Advisory Board, as her senior adviser for strategy, suggest a potential shift towards a more favorable approach. Brian Nelson, a former undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the U.S. Treasury Department, has also been recruited, with a focus on regulating illicit activities without stifling innovation. (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Self-Sovereign Decentralized Identity Is Key To Retail CBDC Adoption: Alongside adoption, hurdles include the need for a digital currency to maintain personal privacy for individual users. Because blockchains act as immutable, permanent ledgers of all transaction activity, there is a real risk of personal history being collected and used in unsavory ways. Users would be more exposed than ever to data harvesting and the risks of government surveillance. What’s needed is a Self-Sovereign decentralized identity, or SSDID, powered by blockchain and smart contracts. (Forbes)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Crypto investment products saw $528 million in net weekly outflows amid recession fears: The outflows were “a reaction to fears of a recession in the US, geopolitical concerns and consequent broader market liquidations across most asset classes,” CoinShares Head of Research James Butterfill said. “The price correction from Friday’s close saw $10 billion wiped off total ETP AUM.” (TheBlock)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Stocks Bounce Back After 3-Day Rout: US equities staged a robust recovery on Tuesday, bouncing back after a three-day selloff that had erased a considerable portion of the market's 2024 gains. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were up 1.5% each and the Dow Jones gained 550 points as investors took a pause from recession fears. Japanese stocks also had a standout day, soaring 10.2%. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Mortgage Rates Fall to 2023-Lows: The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) fell by 27bps to 6.55% in the week ended August 2nd, 2024, the lowest since the first week of May 2023. (TradingEconomics) (AC-Every move in markets have opportunities and threats.)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology and Science-
1. Meet the Long-Shot Candidate Letting AI Run His Campaign: Thomas Ross is using artificial intelligence to run his campaign after winning the nomination of the U.S. Transhumanist Party in May 2023. In fact, he has named his generative AI chatbot Emvee, and takes its advice. “I use Emvee for strategy specifically,” Ross told Decrypt in an interview, noting that the name comes from a character in his science fiction novel series. He is keenly aware of his infinitesimal chances of success in November. But he said the point of running is to raise awareness of transhumanism and fight back against misinformation about AI. (Decrypt)
2. Rumors Elon Musk’s X nears payment system launch, battles advertisers in court: On Aug. 5, it was revealed that X was developing a “Payments” button for its navigation bar. The button, located just below the bookmarks tab, may allow users to access balances, make transfers, and conduct other transactions. In a parallel development, X has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against an advertising industry coalition and its members, including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted, and Unilever. (CryptoSlate)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Barefoot Mining CEO: Wars Will Be Fought Over Bitcoin Blockspace: Bob Burnett, CEO of Barefoot Mining, a bitcoin mining company providing off-grid “wild” mining services, has declared that wars will be fought over Bitcoin blockspace. In a recent interview, Burnett stated that as bitcoin becomes critical to companies and nation-states, the value of Bitcoin blockspace will be treated as an essential scarce commodity. "If we’re on a path to Bitcoin being the base layer of money, now Bitcoin is existential to all the financial services companies and government. We can probably debate the time frame, but we are on a path where wars will be fought over control of those 53,000 blocks." he said. (BitcoinCom)
2. Bitcoin Whales Increased Holdings During Crypto Market Mayhem, but ETF Investors Didn't Buy the Dip: Bitcoin wallets holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC increased their holdings while prices slid over the past few days, while those owning less than 1 BTC were sellers, IntoTheBlock data shows. (CoinDesk)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 29/100 (Up 12 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Overall reporting shows that the drop in BTC price has led to accumulation of BTC by larger wallets and institutions, while smaller 'investors' have been sellers. Bitcoin “permanent holder addresses” have accumulated nearly $23 billion of the asset over the past month, according to on-chain data. The shakeout has given smarter entities the chance to pick up discounted BTC. Bitcoin HODLers have known this was a good buying opportunity, but then again, so is today. (Not investment advice)
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-08-06 13:39:11

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 855,646
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 06Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Rockets Hit US Base in Al Asad, Iraq / UN Fires Staff for Oct 7th Role in Massacre / Biden Convenes NatSec Council / Maduro To Investigate Opposition Leaders for Crimes / VP Harris Gets Dem Nomination / Hurricane Debby Floods Florida, Georgia / Binance Hit with $86M Tax Bill in India / Thailand Models CBDC, UBI Plan / Global Markets Rebound / US Begins Treasury Buyback / Google Hit With Antitrust Ruling / CA Puts Car Titles on New Blockchain / Swan Cancels PB Fest '24
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $54,055, 23.04 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $56,271 / Lo: $49,578
Vol: $68B (Down 21%)
Mkt Cap: $1.09T (Up 9%)
HashRate: 624 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 11 sats/vBtye (Up 90%)
Nodes: 19,594
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US personnel wounded in attack against base in Iraq: At least five U.S. personnel were injured in an attack against a military base in Iraq on Monday, U.S. officials told Reuters, as the Middle East braced for a possible new wave of attacks by Iran and its allies following last week's killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Two Katyusha rockets were fired at al Asad airbase in western Iraq, two Iraqi security sources said. One Iraqi security source said the rockets fell inside the base. (Reuters)
2. Nine UNRWA staff to be fired for potential role in 7 October attacks on Israel: The UN said on Monday that nine staff working for its Palestine refugee agency UNRWA will be sacked because they may have been involved in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks against Israel. 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken to Gaza as hostages. (UNAffairs)
3. Biden meets national security team as fears of Iran attack on Israel grow: US President Joe Biden met his senior national security team on Monday as concerns of a possible Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel grew. Biden said he had been briefed on preparations to support Israel should it be attacked, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken said officials were working "around the clock" to prevent an escalation. (BBC)
4. Venezuela launches criminal investigation into opposition figures: Venezuela’s Public Ministry has opened a criminal investigation into presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado, the country’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab said in a statement on Monday. Venezuela’s opposition and multiple other nations have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory in the July 28 vote until the release of the full vote tally. (CNN) (AC-The headlines from Venezuela and the US seem to be interchangeable, only the names change)
-US Events-
1. Kamala Harris earns majority of Democratic roll call votes, achieving historic presidential nomination: The roll call, which concluded on Monday evening, still needs to be certified by Convention Secretary Jason Rae, according to the statement, but the announcement makes Harris's historic nomination effectively official. (ABC)
2. Debby Weakens to Tropical Storm, Four People Confirmed Dead: Debby was downgraded to a tropical storm Monday afternoon after hitting Florida with heavy rain and leaving four dead. The storm is expected to inundate the Southeast with historic rain and catastrophic flooding over the next few days. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday afternoon three people were killed in traffic accidents and a fourth was killed as a result of a tree that fell on a roof. (WSJ)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Binance Is 'Cooperating' With Indian Authorities on $86 Million Tax Bill: Binance is facing a significant tax challenge in India after the country’s tax authorities issued a notice demanding a Goods and Services Tax (GST) payment of $86 million. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence alleges that Binance collected fees from Indian customers for trading virtual digital assets without remitting the appropriate taxes, according to a local news outlet. (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Thailand may tell us a great deal about the future of money: The Thai government has initiated a programme to distribute money to low-income households through digital wallets. About 50mn Thais who fall below certain income and savings thresholds will get about $280 each, roughly half of monthly per capita income. The Thai transfer programme already has some features of a CBDC. (FT) (AC-The Thai government is showing the world how CBDCs will be instituted, primarily through low-income grants and UBI programs first. The eventually mandated as the primary currency where the programmable features are implemented, decreasing freedom of currency usage.)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Hedge Fund Capula Reveals $420 Million in Bitcoin ETF Holdings: London-based hedge fund Capula Management has disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has invested over $420 million in Bitcoin through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The hedge fund purchased shares of Fidelity's Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust and BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust, making its total investment worth $422 million. (Decrypt)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Global markets jittery after sharp share price falls: Stock markets in Europe remained unsettled on Tuesday despite a rebound in Japan which almost reversed record falls at the start of the week. Overnight, Japan's Nikkei 225 stock index jumped by 10.23%, or 3,217 points in its biggest one day gain in points, after the previous day's plummet. Experts says this was in reaction to fears of a US economic slowdown. A rare interest rate cut in Japan is also believed to have played a part. (BBC)
2. US 10-Year Yield Rises as Traders Assess Outlook: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note rose above 3.8% on Tuesday after hitting an over one-year low of 3.67% in the previous session, as investors weighed risks of a US recession. A weak jobs report released on Friday stoked fears of an economic downturn, prompting traders to rush for safe-haven assets including US Treasuries. (TradingEconomics)
3. US Commences $50B Treasury Buyback, 50 bps Fed Rate Cut Odds Surge: On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the United States will kickstart the ambitious Treasury buyback program. This initiative aims at purchasing $50 billion worth of Treasury securities by the end of October. Moreover, it comes at a crucial juncture as the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to announce an emergency interest rate cut soon. (CoinGape)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. North Korean Hackers Moonstone Sleet Push Malicious JS Packages to npm Registry: The North Korea-linked threat actor known as Moonstone Sleet has continued to push malicious npm packages to the JavaScript package registry with the aim of infecting Windows systems, underscoring the persistent nature of their campaigns. (HackerNews)
-Technology and Science-
1. Google Found to Hold an Illegal Monopoly in Antitrust Case: Google has lost an antitrust lawsuit over its search arrangements on smartphone devices, with a federal judge ruling that the tech giant has illegally held a monopoly in search and text advertising over the past decade. (Breitbart)
2. California DMV digitizes 42 million car titles on the blockchain: The DMV has partnered with blockchain startup Oxhead Alpha, the first step was creating digital tokens for the 42 million car titles on the blockchain, which the DMV has already completed. It’s currently building a mobile app that Californians can use to access their records and initiate title transfers from the comfort of their homes, a first in the U.S. The app is expected to go live in the first half of 2025. With blockchain’s decentralization and immutability, car owners will likely detect any lien fraud quickly. According to vehicle data firm Carfax, there are over 800,000 cases of title washing alone, which is the fraudulent concealment of pertinent car information from a buyer. (CoinGeek)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Swan Bitcoin Cancels Pacific Bitcoin Festival 2024: Swan Bitcoin has canceled its highly anticipated Pacific Bitcoin Festival 2024, which was set to take place in October in Santa Monica, California. The decision comes after recent staff cuts and a shift back to the company’s core business. (BitcoinSensus)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 17/100 (Down 9 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Even with the bounceback in global equities, the USG is looking to stabilize markets and prevent FUD around the US economy, especially before an election. The Treasury buyback is timed to provide some liquidity both here and abroad during this time of uncertainty. The follow-on actions expected are the Fed interest rate reduction, further increasing liquidity. Simple economic mechanics forecast increasing inflation to result in the following 6-12 months.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IsmV.jpg

2024-08-05 13:11:48

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 855,499
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 05Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Israel and Allies Prepare for Iranian Attack / UK Riots Intensify / Bangladesh PM Flees Country / North Korea Send 250 New Missiles to Border / US South Preps for Hurricane Debby / Park Fire in West Spreads / Japan Economic Woes Spread Worldwide / All Assets Tumble / New Bill Give US Secret Service Power Over Crypto / Democrats Meet to Design Crypto Policy / NASA Astronauts Having Trouble Returning / Robinhood Halts Trading
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $51,328, 21.51 oz Gold, .12 Median US House
24hr Hi: $61,058 / Lo: $49,121
Vol: $84B (Up 210%)
Mkt Cap: $1.01T (Down 16%)
HashRate: 751 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 6 sats/vBtye (Up 30%)
Nodes: 19,782
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US and allies prepare to defend Israel as Netanyahu says it’s already in ‘multi-front war’ with Iran: Tensions have soared following nearly 10 months of war in Gaza and the killing last week of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran. Iran and its allies have blamed Israel and threatened retaliation. Hamas says it has begun discussions on choosing a new leader. Netanyahu said Israel was ready for any scenario. Jordan’s foreign minister was making a rare trip to Iran as part of diplomatic efforts — “We want the escalation to end,” Ayman Safadi said — while the Pentagon has moved significant assets to the region. (AP)
2. Rioters attack hotels used to house asylum seekers amid worst UK disorder in years: The violence was triggered by the stabbing of three young girls in Southport, northwest England, earlier in the week. The far right has seized on and spread a wave of disinformation, including false claims the attacker was an immigrant, to mobilize anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant protests. Police say the suspect was born in Britain. (CNN) (AC-The encompassing terms "far-right" and "disinformation" bely the fact that citizens in the UK are fed up with killings and unencumbered immigration. The situation is ripe for continued violence that may escalate out of control.)
3. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigns, interim government to be formed: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and fled the country, multiple sources said, as more people were killed in some of the worst violence since the birth of the South Asian nation more than five decades ago. Army chief General Waker-Us-Zaman said in a televised address that Hasina 76, had left the country and that an interim government would be formed. (Reuters)
4. North Korea claims it’s sending 250 new missile launchers toward the South Korean border: North Korea claims it is sending 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers toward its border with South Korea, in the latest bellicose declaration by leader Kim Jong Un against its neighbor. Kim personally oversaw the transfer of equipment to military commanders and chiefs of staff, and delivered a speech claiming the new missile launchers were built with North Korean technology, state media reported. (CNN)
-US Events-
1. Florida hunkers down as strengthened Category 1 storm very near landfall in Big Bend: The storm will bring “life-threatening” storm surge of up to 10 feet along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The southeast US could also historic levels of rainfall this week, the National Weather Service said. Some areas of Georgia and South Carolina could see up to 30 inches of rain through Friday, while Florida could see up to 18 inches throughout the week, according to the NWS. (IdenpendentUK)
2. Park Fire still growing with containment at 30% as temperatures expected to hit triple-digits:The Park Fire that has been raging north of Chico is now 30% contained as it continues to grow amid rising temperatures, Cal Fire said Sunday. Recent favorable weather including residual rainfall moisture offered the 6,528 firefighters battling the blaze a brief respite, officials said. But forecasts of triple-digit temperatures, drier conditions and higher wind speeds are expected to increase fire activity into this week. (SacBee)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. New Senate Bill Empowers US Secret Service to Combat Digital Asset Cybercrimes: U.S. senators have introduced legislation to empower the Secret Service to combat cybercrimes involving digital assets. This legislation addresses the growing use of cryptocurrencies for illicit activities and mandates the Government Accountability Office to evaluate law enforcement’s effectiveness in tackling money laundering in cyber crimes. (BitcoinCom) (AC-Because protecting the continuity of government is not enough.)
2. Democratic elites, crypto industry leaders to hold virtual roundtable Monday: White House officials and elite democratic operatives will attend a virtual roundtable with crypto industry executives discussing digital asset policy on Monday, according to a report from Politico Pro. VP Harris campaign officials have reportedly been invited to the meeting, which is being organized by California Democratic representative Ro Khanna. Anita Dunn plans to appear, an outgoing White House senior adviser who will soon advise a $300 million super PAC for Harris and who also attended the July roundtable. (TheBlock)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. BRICS: Global Finance to Completely Ditch the US Dollar by 2031: With the BRICS bloc firmly embracing de-dollarization, the bloc has signaled that global finance will completely ditch the US dollar by 2031. Indeed, Russia’s central bank governor noted that the country is set to embrace everyday use of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). (Watcher)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US spot bitcoin ETFs see biggest single-day outflow in 90 days: The total daily outflow level on August 2 was $237.45 million, the highest since May 1's $563.77 million outflows and the fourth highest single-day outflow since the launch of the spot bitcoin ETFs in January. (TheBlock) (AC-This was Friday's action.)
2. Morgan Stanley to Offer Bitcoin ETFs to Wealthy Clients: Morgan Stanley is allowing its 15,000+ financial advisers to sell shares of BlackRock's IBIT and Fidelity's FBTC, CNBC reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Clients will need to have a net worth of at least $1.5 million. (CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Global Selloff Intensifies; Nasdaq Futures Slide Over 4%: The Nikkei plunged 12%, the most since 1987. Stock futures traded sharply lower and investors sheltered in the safety of bonds. Concerns about a slowing U.S. economy are front and center for investors after job growth slowed sharply in July. Investors are worried that the Federal Reserve has moved too slowly and will need to play catch up in cutting rates. Around the world, investors rushed for the safety of the bond market. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield recently traded around 3.74%, down from over 4.1% a week ago and on pace to settle at its lowest level in more than a year. The US Fed has called an emergency meeting today. (WSJ)
2. Bitcoin Dives Below $50,000 as Market Suffers Major Downturn: The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant downturn in the past 24 hours, resulting in over $1.06 billion in liquidations and impacting nearly 280,000 traders. Bitcoin and Ethereum both saw substantial declines, with Bitcoin dropping 12.5% and Ethereum falling 19.5%. Other altcoins, such as Solana, BNB, Dogecoin, and XRP, also experienced significant losses. (Decrypt)
3. Japan’s historic rate hike prompts yen carry trade unwinding, impacts global markets: In Asia, the Nikkei experienced its most significant two-day drop in history following Japan’s decision to raise interest rates to 0.25%. This move strengthened the Japanese yen against the US dollar, hitting 142, contributing to the unwinding of the yen carry trade. This trade involved borrowing yen at near-zero interest rates to invest in higher-yielding global assets like US equities and treasuries. (CryptoSlate)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Personal Data of 3 Billion People Stolen in Hack, Suit Says: Jerico Pictures Inc., a background-check company doing business as National Public Data, exposed the personal information of nearly 3 billion individuals in an April data breach, a proposed class action says. If confirmed, the breach could be among the biggest ever, in terms of the number of individuals affected. A 2013 breach of Yahoo! compromised the data of an estimated 3 billion individuals. (BloombergLaw)
-Technology and Science-
1. NASA Is ‘Evaluating All Options’ to Get the Boeing Starliner Crew Home: It has now been eight weeks since Boeing's Starliner spacecraft launched into orbit on an Atlas V rocket, bound for the International Space Station. At the time NASA officials said the two crew members, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, could return to Earth as soon as June 14, just eight days later. NASA management has been in deep discussion this week about whether to return the agency’s astronauts on board Boeing’s misfiring Starliner capsule or to go with the alternative of using a SpaceX craft to rescue the crew. (Wired/CNBC)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Robinhood Pauses 24-Hour Trading as the Market Goes Haywire: Robinhood reportedly responds to the ongoing global market downturn with a halt of its 24-hour trading service. (DailyCoin) (AC-This is becoming common for Robinhood to halt trading at critical times. Adjust accordingly.)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 26/100 (Down 29 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The current economic malaise is symptomatic of a debt-based, inflationary monetary system designed to be controlled by central participants. It has been known as Modern Monetary Theory based on Keynesian Economic Theory and has as a key tenet that the nation and world economies can be centrally controlled through interest rates, borrowing, and money supply. The breakdown seen in Japan, where the public debt is anywhere from 300-500% of GDP, is the natural progression of this system. When the system falters in Japan, it will spread to other countries not on a firm asset-backed, monetary footing. For individuals and families, the same principles apply and encourage us to become debt-free (or minimal debt), invest in hard assets (the hardest is Bitcoin), and build upon stability like community. Take care of your health and your families during these challenging times.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IEtb.jpg

2024-08-02 13:32:49

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 855,084
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 02Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: F-16 Jets Land in Ukraine / Bomb in Tehran House Planted Months Ago / Maduro Clamping Down in Venezuela / WSJ Reporter Arrives in US / Fires Continue in the West / 9-11 Masterminds Get Plea Deal / UK Pushes Wholesale CBDC and Russia Pushes Retail CBDC / Earnings Reports for BTC Companies, Block Wins, Mara Hurts / Scams Target Hodlers
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $64,701, 26.26 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $65,593 / Lo: $62,248
Vol: $39B (Up 10%)
Mkt Cap: $1.27T (Even)
HashRate: 608 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Down 50%)
Nodes: 18,299
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. F-16 fighter jets land in Ukraine to bolster defence against Russia: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway – all NATO members – had committed to providing Ukraine with more than 60 planes. That number is dwarfed by the Russian jet fleet, which is estimated to be about 10 times larger. (AlJazeera)
2. Bomb Smuggled Into Tehran Guesthouse Months Ago Killed Hamas Leader: The bomb had been hidden approximately two months ago in the guesthouse, according to five of the Middle Eastern officials. The guesthouse is run and protected by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and is part of a large compound, known as Neshat, in an upscale neighborhood of northern Tehran. (NYT)
3. Venezuela Election Fallout Unclear: Media reports are mixed coming from Venezuela. Maduro has said on video that he will not release the final results from the election due to "Elon Musk hacking the results". Meanwhile, multiple reports state that mass arrests of opposition supporters are being conducted across the country, and videos are surfacing of tortured citizens. Another report has 32 flights of Cuban Revolutionary Forces (The Black Wasps) patrolling the country, quelling rebellion. (Various, Twitter)
-US Events-
1. Freed Evan Gershkovich Arrives in the U.S.: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stepped back onto U.S. soil to a hero’s welcome from President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris late Thursday, capping a lengthy wrongful detainment and conviction in Russia that culminated in the most complex prisoner swap between Western allies and Russia since the Cold War. Former Marine Paul Whelan was also released. The prisoner swap, the largest since the Cold War, included the exchange of 24 prisoners and at least six countries in a deal officials in the U.S., Russia and Germany had worked on for months. Ultimately, the deal hinged on the release of a German prisoner: Russian hit man Vadim Krasikov, who emerged as a linchpin to the exchange. Russia released 16 prisoners in all, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Pulitzer-prize winning British-Russian columnist and U.S. lawful permanent resident. (WSJ)
2. Crews struggle to contain rapidly spreading Park Fire in California: In California, more than 5,800 personnel, 500 fire trucks and 40 helicopters are battling a fire larger than all of Los Angeles. The Park Fire, as it’s known, is the country’s largest and has ballooned to historic proportions in just over a week. (PBS)
3. White House: We Didn’t Know About 9/11 Plea Deal Until Yesterday, Can’t Comment on It: The plea deal for three defendants accused of involvement in the September 11 terrorist attacks, including accused plotter Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, “was orchestrated by an independent military convening authority. The White House wasn’t aware of this deal or the process leading up to it until yesterday.” (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
NSTR
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Bank of England looks to update RTGS by exploring wholesale CBDC, synchronization: The central bank of the United Kingdom is proposing experimenting with a wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC) as it seeks to update its Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system. Both synchronization and wCBDC depend on distributed ledger technology (DLT), a system that records transactions across multiple computers or locations. (CoinGeek)
2. Russian central bank governor says CBDCs will be part of everyday life by 2031: Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina reiterated the regulator’s belief that the digital ruble, Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), will achieve widespread adoption within the next five to seven years. She stated that the digital ruble's advantages, such as free transfers for individuals and lower transaction fees for businesses, will drive its adoption. (CryptoSlate)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US spot bitcoin ETFs log $50 million in inflows, ether ETFs return to positive flows: The 12 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the U.S. reported a total daily net inflow of $50.64 million on Thursday. Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust, which only began trading on Wednesday, led net inflows yesterday with $191.13 million. (TheBlock)
2.MicroStrategy’s Q2 earnings reveals Bitcoin stockpile now $14.7B: Business intelligence firm MicroStrategy purchased an additional 12,222 Bitcoin for $805 million in the second quarter of 2024, bringing its total Bitcoin holdings to 226,500 BTC worth around $14.7 billion at current prices. (CoinTelegraph)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Bond Yields Plunge in Flight From Stocks: Bond yields from economies with exposure to US credit markets sank further on Friday as mounting growth concerns were magnified by a batch of poor corporate earnings, supporting a dovish outlook for the Federal Reserve and triggering a flight to the safety of bonds. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell nearly 40bps in the last seven sessions to a six-month low of 3.94%. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Factory Activity Contracts More than Expected: The ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 46.6 in July of 2024 from 48.5 in the previous month, firmly below market expectations of 48.8, reflecting the sharpest contraction in US factory activity since November 2023. It was the 20th decline in activity during the last 21 periods. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. FBI Issues Warning About Crypto Exchange Scams: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned cryptocurrency users about scammers impersonating crypto exchange employees to steal funds through unsolicited messages or calls. These fraudsters create urgency, claiming issues with accounts to trick victims into providing login details, clicking links, or sharing identification information. (BitcoinCom)
-Technology and Science-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Block’s Bitcoin Revenue Grows 9% to $2.6 Billion in Q2: Block Inc, Jack Dorsey’s payment company, just announced its earnings for the second quarter of 2024. Bitcoin revenue grew by 9%, reaching $2.61 billion. The company made $6.16 billion in net earnings for the quarter, a 11% increase compared to the same period last year. Cash App, one of Block’s main platforms, saw a big jump in Bitcoin gross profits, thanks to the price of Bitcoin going up. (BitcoinSensus)
2. Bitcoin Miner Marathon Shares Fall 8% After Missing Revenue Expectations in Q2: The revenue of $145.1 million was lower than the estimated $157.9 million, attributed to operational challenges and the impact of the April halving event. (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 57/100 (Up 5 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IRUV.jpg

2024-08-01 15:40:39

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 854,946
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 01Aug24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Hamas Leader Killed in Tehran / Hezbollah Commander Confirmed Killed in Lebanon / Musk Vs. Maduro Challenge Accepted / Sex Trafficking at Comic-Con / Sen Lummis Introduces Bitcoin Bill / Sen Hagerty Backs Trump's Crypto Stance / NC Democrats Flip on CBDC Bill / No Movement From Fed / HSA Provider Hacked / Tucker Like Bitcoin, But Says CIA Created It
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $64,522, 26.46 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $66,810 / Lo: $63,573
Vol: $36B (Up 29%)
Mkt Cap: $1.27T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 683 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 8 sats/vBtye (Up 27%)
Nodes: 19,160
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Hezbollah confirms commander died in Israeli strike: Fuad Shukr, who was in his early sixties, is believed to be a key military adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The strike targeted a building in Haret Hreik, a part of the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut. It is a fortified, densely populated area. Dahiyeh itself is surrounded by checkpoints. Meanwhile, the US tells Americans in Lebanon: ‘Be prepared to shelter in place’: (BBC)
2. Iranians mourn Hamas leader Haniyeh's assassination: Iranians turned out to mourn Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Thursday, a day after he was assassinated in Iran's capital. Iran and the Palestinian Islamist militant group have accused Israel of carrying out the strike that killed Haniyeh hours after he attended the inauguration of Iran's new president in Tehran on Wednesday. (Reuters)
3. Elon Musk accepts Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's challenge to fight: In a video Monday, Maduro was seen holding a cellphone as he declared war on Musk, alleging social media platform X owner Musk wants to invade Venezuela with his space rockets. "I am the son of Bolivar and Chavez. I am not afraid of you, Elon Musk," Maduro continued. "Let’s go at it, wherever you want, as we say in Caracas in the neighborhoods. If you want it, I want it, Elon Musk. Just say where." Musk later responded to a post about the challenge on X, writing: "I accept." (Fox)
-US Events-
1. San Diego Comic-Con at center of human-trafficking sting: A team of federal, state and county investigators rescued 10 people and arrested 14 during an undercover human-trafficking sting at San Diego’s Comic-Con International, which was held over the weekend. The team was on the lookout for “sex buyers using the San Diego Comic-Con Convention to seek out potential victims,” As a result of the three-day investigation, 14 sex buyers were arrested and nine potential adult victims of sex trafficking were identified. One 16-year-old was also identified as a victim. (LATimes)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Senator Cynthia Lummis Introduces New Act to Establish a National Bitcoin Reserve: Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced the BITCOIN Act of 2024, which aims to establish a national Bitcoin reserve to strengthen the position of the U.S. dollar in the global financial system. The bill also seeks to ensure transparency in the management of the Bitcoin reserve by the U.S. Treasury Department. However, the Act may face challenges in Congress due to partisan divisions and the upcoming Presidential election. (Decrypt)
2. Tennessee Senator Backs Trump, Wants to 'Make Certain' America is a Crypto Hub: U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) threw his support behind Presidential candidate Donald Trump's bid to make the U.S. a crypto hub this week. He likened crypto to the semiconductor industry that, "got pushed offshore and weakened us from a geopolitical standpoint," adding that, "We need to see this innovation happening here." (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. NC House overrides governor’s veto on CBDC bill, Democrats flip stance: The North Carolina House of Representatives voted to override three of Gov. Roy Cooper’s recent vetoes on Wednesday, including House Bill 690, an act prohibiting payments to the state using a central bank digital currency. During Wednesday’s override vote, nearly all House Democrats voted in contradiction to their supportive positioning in June (73-41). (CarolinaJournal) (AC-A very interesting turnabout in just one month. Politicians in the US are responding to support for bitcoin and opposition to CBDCs from US citizens.)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs see smallest net inflow on record, Grayscale mini BTC positive: Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced a minimal net inflow of just $0.3 million, marking the most negligible net inflow since these ETFs began trading on Jan. 11. July 31 marked the inaugural trading day for Grayscale’s new mini trust BTC, which attracted an $18.0 million inflow; the fund was initially provided with 10% of GBTC’s Bitcoin assets. (CryptoSlate)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Fed Leaves Rates on Hold but Signals Progress on Inflation: The Federal Reserve maintained the federal funds rate at a 23-year high of 5.25%-5.50% for the 8th consecutive meeting in July 2024, in line with expectations. Policymakers noted that there has been some further progress toward the 2% inflation goal although it remains somewhat elevated. (TradingEconomics)
2. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Falls to Over 4-Month Low: The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell toward 4.1%, its lowest since March, amid growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will signal the start of its cutting cycle today. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. 4.3 million people hit in massive healthcare data breach with full names, addresses and SSNs exposed online: HSA provider HealthEquity has disclosed that it suffered a data breach in which the personal information of millions of Americans was stolen by hackers. (TomsGuide)
2. Facebook Ads Lead to Fake Websites Stealing Credit Card Information: Facebook users are the target of a scam e-commerce network that uses hundreds of fake websites to steal personal and financial data using brand impersonation and malvertising tricks. "These fraudulent sites were accessible only through mobile devices and ad lures, a tactic aimed at evading automated detection systems," the company said, noting the network comprised 608 fraudulent websites and that the activity spans several short-lived waves. (HackerNews)
-Technology and Science-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Miner Riot Platforms' Second-Quarter Loss Widens to $84.4M as Costs Surge: The Castle Rock, Colo.-based company posted a net loss of $84.4 million, or $0.32 per share. The cost to mine the bitcoin jumped to $25,327 from $5,734 due to a 68% increase in the network's hashrate. Hashrate is a measurement of the total computational power used to process transactions on the network. (CoinDesk)
2. Tucker Carlson Says He Loves Bitcoin—But Believes the CIA Created It: During a private event on Friday held at Bitcoin 2024, the former Fox News host spoke at length about why crypto is the world’s best tool for enabling financial sovereignty—even though it was invented by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). “Obviously it was the CIA, we all know that,” said Carlson with a laugh. “It’s like Signal, they got there first. It’s a honeytrap!” (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 52/100 (Down 9 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The sudden turn of politicians towards Bitcoin and crypto, and against CBDCs in the US is instructive in games of political power. While most of the rest of the world is barreling towards a CBDC solution and centralized power, the groundswell of support for Bitcoin and anti-CBDC shows the power of legacy representative democracy in the US. US politicians still need votes to maintain or gain power. US politicians in general still do not understand Bitcoin or CBDCs, but do understand that it is important for many constituents and can garner them support apart from traditional policies. The push for Bitcoin as a reserve asset is no less than a dog-whistle for digital asset enthusiasts as the reality is very complex and difficult to enact meaningfully, for the USG, citizens or Bitcoiners. All of which have different objectives.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IxVg.jpg

2024-07-29 15:40:11

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 854,488
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 29Jul24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: French Internet Cables Cut / Wagner Mercs Ambushed in Mali / Venezuela's Maduro Claims Victory, Populace Seethes / Yellen Wants $3T Per Year for Climate / Wildfires in CA Abound / Trump Pledges Bitcoin Reserve, To Fire Gensler / Sen Lummis Intros Bill for Bitcoin National Reserve / Hong Kong Considers Bitcoin Reserve / Generative AI Used for Cloud Security / Bitcoin Conference Highlights / Univ of Wyoming Launches Bitcoin Research Institute / Bitcoin "Game Theory" Begins to Play Out
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $69,629, 29.10 oz Gold, .16 Median US House
24hr Hi: $69,851 / Lo: $67,602
Vol: $24B (Down 33%)
Mkt Cap: $1.37T (Up 3%)
HashRate: 663 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 10 sats/vBtye (Up 220%)
Nodes: 19,165
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. France: Telecom fiber optic networks sabotaged: Installations belonging to French telecom companies SFR and Bouygues Telecom were vandalized, while internet cables had been cut in southern France, with installations near Luxembourg and Paris sabotaged. Internet outage watchdog Netblocks said data showed disruptions to multiple internet providers in France. The news comes after saboteurs targeted France's high-speed rail network on Friday, over which a man was arrested on Sunday. (DW)
2. Dozens of Russian Mercenaries Killed in Attack in Mali: Tuareg rebels seeking autonomy in the West African country of Mali killed dozens of Russian mercenaries last week in what appeared to be one of the deadliest attacks on Russian personnel on the continent since Moscow first sent Wagner Group guns-for-hire there in 2017. After a pair of military coups in 2020 and 2021, Malian officers hired Wagner Group mercenaries to act as bodyguards for top junta members and conduct combat missions. (WSJ)
3. Venezuela’s Maduro and opposition are locked in standoff as both claim victory in presidential vote: Several foreign governments, including the U.S., held off recognizing the results of Sunday’s election, and officials delayed the release of detailed vote tallies after proclaiming Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote, to 44% for retired diplomat Edmundo González. (AP) (AC- Mainstream news sources are not reporting the significance of this clouded election and the angst boiling over in Venezuela. The issue is trending on X where crowds are gathering and police and military are squaring off against protesters. Multiple election sites are giving reports of overwhelming votes for the opposition while Maduro claims victory. The potential for conflict over the issue his high as those without voice are feeling hopeless.)
-US Events-
1. Yellen says $3 trillion is needed each year to fund climate transition: Yellen spoke in Belem, a Brazilian city known as the gateway to the Amazon, after meeting with G-20 finance ministers in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday and Friday. She said reaching net-zero carbon emissions goals remains a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration, but that doing so requires leadership from around the world. (Fox)
2. California firefighters make progress as wildfires push devastation and spread smoke across US West: The so-called Park Fire, the largest wildfire in California this year, was one of more than 100 blazes burning in the U.S. on Sunday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Some were sparked by the weather, with climate change increasing the frequency of lightning strikes as the western U.S. endures blistering heat and bone-dry conditions. (AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Trump Pledges Strategic Bitcoin Reserve at Bitcoin 2024 Conference: Addressing a room full of Bitcoin enthusiasts, Trump’s declaration came after a week of rumors and reports about his Bitcoin plans, though his announcement remained somewhat vague. During his 45-minute keynote address, Trump promised to end what he described as the Democrats’ regulatory crackdown on cryptocurrency companies and holders. If elected, he vowed to transform the U.S. into a “Bitcoin superpower.” (Yahoo)
2. Sen. Cynthia Lummis announces bill for US Treasury to buy 1 million bitcoin worth $68 billion: Senator Cynthia Lummis, of Wyoming, will introduce a bill to direct the U.S. Treasury to purchase 1 million bitcoins — worth about $68 billion at current prices — over a period of five years next week, she said in an interview with The Block. The move is made to counter the effects of dollar debasement, she said. So it would be of value, in my opinion, to have a hard asset that backs the U.S. dollar and that grows in value instead of declines in value,” the Senator added. (TheBlock)
3. Hong Kong’s Bitcoin Ambitions: Lawmaker To Discuss Reserve Opportunities With Industry Players: With Bitcoin gaining traction to become a potential strategic reserve asset in the United States, it appears other pro-crypto countries might be considering adopting this significant move as Johnny Ng, a lawmaker in Hong Kong, has revealed his intention to discuss the feasibility and potential advantages of including BTC to the nation’s financial reserve. (Bitcoinist)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. Bitcoin Heads Toward $70K on Trump Push: Bitcoin climbed toward $70,000 on Monday, potentially hitting the key level for the first time in six weeks after US presidential candidate Donald Trump doubled down on his support for crypto. (TradingEconomics)
2. PCE Prices Edge Up 0.1%, Core Rise at a Faster 0.2%: The personal consumption expenditure price index in the US edged up 0.1% month-over-month in June 2024, following a flat reading in May, in line with forecasts. (TradingEconomics)
3. US 10-Year Yield Slips on Dovish Fed Bets: The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell below 4.2%, sliding back toward its lowest levels since March as investors geared up for the latest Federal Reserve policy decision this week. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. 'Stargazer Goblin' Creates 3,000 Fake GitHub Accounts for Malware Spread: A threat actor known as Stargazer Goblin has set up a network of inauthentic GitHub accounts to fuel a Distribution-as-a-Service (DaaS) that propagates a variety of information-stealing malware and netting them $100,000 in illicit profits over the past year. (HackerNews) (AC-Always double-check downloads!)
-Technology and Science-
1. Generative AI Ignites the Revolution of Cloud Security: Generative AI has many aspects that involve the detection of threats, response to an incident, and proactive defense. Generative AI can be a proactive way of identifying threats. It can recognize subtle irregularities and novel patterns and learn from large data quantities indicating malicious activities. This makes it possible for organizations to notice threats earlier and respond to them before causing much harm. (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Conference: Here are The Major Highlights From The Event: Trump highlighted his potential crypto-related policies, all in a bid to woo crypto voters. Part of his plan is to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler on his first day in office. Similarly, Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., outlined his plans for the US should he win the elections. One of which is to transform how the US perceives Bitcoin (BTC). On his first day in office, RFK said he will sign multiple executive orders aimed at integrating BTC into the U.S. economic strategy. During the Bitcoin Conference, global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald revealed the launch of a Bitcoin financing division to give leverage to investors who hold the asset. Michael Saylor also said Bitoin should get set for a bull run. He shared his prediction for Bitcoin price, including forecasting that its annual growth rate might slow from 55% to 20% by 2045. Ultimately, it would drive the value of the coin to a staggering $13 million per unit. (CoinGape)
2. University of Wyoming Launches First Bitcoin Research Institute: The University of Wyoming (UW) has established the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, marking the first academic institute dedicated to Bitcoin studies. The institute aims to elevate the quality and impact of Bitcoin research by creating faculty positions for Bitcoin research, incentivizing and rewarding good academic research on Bitcoin, encouraging young scholars to pursue Bitcoin research projects, and providing workshops on related papers and books. (BitcoinMag)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 74/100 (Up 3 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The long-anticipated beginning of "game theory" seems to be revealing itself in real-time. As US candidates and lawmakers announce plans for a bitcoin national reserve, other jurisdictions like Hong Kong are starting to do the same. The fundamental principle of bitcoin game theory is that the limited number of bitcoin issued can only be acquired by the first and strongest movers. There are certainly other nations accumulating bitcoin clandestinely if they have an understanding of the power dynamic involved. The race to acquire the scarce asset will have untold effects on nation-states, organizations and burgeoning "network-states". We are certainly entering a period of uncertainty (and opportunity) for those of us in bitcoin.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IEtb.jpg

2024-07-19 23:54:17

The first wave of Bitcoin Veterans is landing in Nashville today
ITS ABOUT TO GO DOWN!!
https://cdn.satellite.earth/3a6343cc133061bfcdf3d5f0bd1871d32cb30a3c78ba669a949634f528c00577.mov

2024-07-16 13:06:05

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 852,454
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 16Jul24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: IDF Targets Hamas in UNRWA Schools / Houthi Strike Two Ships / Ukraine All-In on Unconventional Drones / Trump Picks JD Vance as VP / Shooter Crooks Moves Analyzed / Musk Commits $45M Per Month to Trump / Santa Monica To Copy Bukele Playbook / Trump in Nashville is Big Moment for Bitcoin / Mt Gox Moving $9B In BTC / Faketoshi Ordered to Post Truths
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $64,031, 26.29 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $64,989 / Lo: $62,487
Vol: $40B (Up 43%)
Mkt Cap: $1.26T (Up 2%)
HashRate: 601 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 6 sats/vBtye (Down 30%)
Nodes: 9,675 (*Anomaly: Detected nodes have dropped this week from an average of 19K to 10K)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. IDF says it took out Hamas operatives hiding in Gaza UNRWA school; 12 reported dead: Israeli military officials said the attack on UNRWA’s Abu Oraiban School in Nuseirat was carefully planned after finding evidence that terrorists were operating and hiding among civilians at the site. he IDF has repeatedly said that Hamas’ military forces have been occupying the schools to plot attacks against the Jewish state while surrounding themselves with human shields. Members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba wing, which helped carry out the Oct. 7 massacre, were among those killed in previous strikes against the schools. (NYPost)
2. Two attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels strike ships in the Red Sea: Two attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted ships in the Red Sea on Monday as a new U.S. aircraft carrier approached the region to provide security for the key international trade route that has been under assault since the Israel-Hamas war erupted nine months ago. Three small Houthi vessels, two of which were crewed and another uncrewed, attacked the Panama-flagged and Israeli-owned MT Bently I off the coast of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. (AP)
3. From basement to battlefield: Ukrainian startups create low-cost robots to fight Russia: An ecosystem of laboratories in hundreds of secret workshops is leveraging innovation to create a robot army that Ukraine hopes will kill Russian troops and save its own wounded soldiers and civilians. Defense startups across Ukraine — about 250 according to industry estimates — are creating the killing machines at secret locations that typically look like rural car repair shops. (AP)
-US Events-
1. Trump Picks J.D. Vance as 2024 Running Mate: Former President Donald Trump named Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate, ending months of theatrical buildup and settling on a much younger partner who could help appeal to working-class voters in critical Midwest battleground states. If Trump is elected, Vance, who turns 40 in August, would be one of the youngest vice presidents in history and one with just two years of elected experience. He is a figure closely associated with the style and views of Trump’s conservative, populist movement. (WSJ)
2. A shooting range, a gun store, and a ladder purchase: Tracking the Trump rally gunman’s movements leading up to his attack: In the 48 hours before he opened fire, Thomas Matthew Crooks went to a shooting range where he was a member, and practiced firing, a law enforcement official told CNN. The next morning, Crooks went to a Home Depot, where he bought a five-foot ladder, and a gun store, where he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition, the official said. He parked the car outside the rally, with an improvised explosive device hidden in the trunk that was wired to a transmitter he carried, the official said. Then, investigators believe, he used his newly-bought ladder to scale a nearby building, and opened fire on the former president. Even after successfully breaking into his phone and searching his computer, scouring his search history and bedroom, and interviewing his family and friends, agents still haven’t found evidence that would suggest political or ideological impetus for the shooting. (CNN)
3. Musk plans to give $45 million a month to new pro-Trump PAC: Billionaire Elon Musk has said he plans to commit around $45 million a month to a new pro-Trump super political-action committee. (Reuters)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Santa Monica City Council Unanimously Approves Landmark Bitcoin Initiative: The Santa Monica City Council has unanimously approved the creation of a Bitcoin Office. Proposed by Vice Mayor Lana Negrete and in partnership with The Proof of Workforce Foundation, the program aims to boost Bitcoin education, economic recovery, and tourism, operating at no cost to the city. The program followed the vice mayor’s visit to El Salvador which legalized bitcoin as a legal tender. (BitcoinCom)
2. Trump’s Speech at Bitcoin Conference Will Mark a Pivotal Moment for Crypto: Former U.S. President Donald Trump is still scheduled to speak, in person, at a Bitcoin conference in Nashville later this month, despite injuries he sustained from a failed assassination attempt Saturday. For crypto, this is huge. Trump’s appearance in Nashville has a clear message: The content of the conference is more important than the location. There are enough single-issue crypto voters out there to make a difference for Trump. Clearly, there are votes to be won and Trump wants them. (CoinDesk) (AC- It's a rare opinion piece added to the DIB today, but relevant to many Bitcoin Veterans.)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Israel postpones CBDC launch: After successful pilots and collaboration with the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), BOI Deputy Governor Andrew Abir told Reuters it was waiting for a major Western central bank to launch before pulling the trigger, that’s most likely to be the European Central Bank (ECB). (CoinGeek)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Mt. Gox shifts $9B in BTC, market braces for impact: The combined volume of Mt. Gox’s BTC transactions on July 16 amounted to almost 190,000 BTC, accounting for over $12 billion in value moved in just three hours. The BTC price reached almost as high as $65,000 earlier on July 16 but fell to lows of $63,000 within hours. Mt. Gox announced on July 5 that it would begin repaying its BTC and BCH debts to creditors. (CoinTelegraph) (AC- With a market cap of $1.2T, this movement of Mt Gox BTC has a potential significant price effect on the market. Not all recipients are expected to sell, but many will. For those of us looking to pick up more BTC, this may be a good buy opportunity in the next few weeks.)
-Economic Indicators-
1. S&P and Nasdaq Futures Rise: S&P 500 futures were up 0.1% and the Nasdaq rose 0.2% while contracts on the Dow Jones swung around the flatline on Tuesday, with traders weighing more corporate results and awaiting retail sales data to reassess the monetary policy outlook. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. North Korean Cyber Threats Escalate with Crypto Job Posting Hacks: According to Monahan, the attackers usually approach potential victims on social networks or specialized messaging apps, offering fake jobs or impairments to technical support requests. After that communication is established, they convince employees to download files filled with malicious software in the name of a “skills test” or resolve a software bug, leading to catastrophic data breaches. (Bitcoinist)
-Technology-
1. SpaceX Falcon 9 Temporarily Suspended by the FAA After a Recent Launch Issue: Tt was revealed that the Falcon 9's upper second stage developed a leak mid-flight, leading to the rocket's engine failing to reignite. According to Musk, the Group 9-3 mission's Starlink satellites were deployed but were too low to make it into orbit. SpaceX later explained that it was left in a "high-drag environment" and was deployed at only 135 kilometers from the Earth's surface, with the Starlink satellites failing to reach orbit and re-enter the planet's atmosphere to disintegrate. (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Craig Wright ordered to pin COPA loss on social media amid pending perjury charges: The court did order Wright to publish notices about the judgment on his website, Twitter feed, and Slack channels for three months. This aims to ensure the court’s findings are widely disseminated. (CryptoSlate)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 65/100 (Up 8 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Just as a piece of clarification, the media often conflates "crypto" with bitcoin, and the words often seem interchangeable in news reports. Bitcoiners bristle at this lack of understanding, but the DIB does not write these news articles but only presents them as written, often in balance with opposing views. We know narrative warfare is real and present reports as-is, focusing on facts as much as possible and calling out obvious agendas or not even reporting on the most egregious. Continue to be discerning in your intake of information!
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/Iamk.jpg

2024-07-08 13:03:56

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 851,250
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 08Jul24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Russia Sends Hypersonic Missiles into Kyiv / France Election Splits Country / Japan and Philippines Sign Defense Pact / Beryl Hit Houston / Insurers Bilk Medicare for $50B / Chicago is Warzone / Germany Continues Selling BTC / Others are Buying BTC / Is it Coordinated?
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $57,046, 24.03 oz Gold, .13 Median US House
24hr Hi: $58,727 / Lo: $53,717
Vol: $32B (Up 59%)
Mkt Cap: $1.12T (Down 1%)
HashRate: 640 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Down 21%)
Nodes: 19,397
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Russian missiles hit a children’s hospital in the Ukrainian capital and kill at least 20 elsewhere: The Russian barrage targeted five Ukrainian cities with more than 40 missiles of different types, hitting apartment buildings and public infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. It was the heaviest Russian bombardment of Kyiv in almost four months. The daylight attacks included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, one of the most advanced Russian weapons, the Ukrainian air force said. The Kinzhal flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it hard to intercept. (AP)
2. France election highlights: Leftists win most seats, but no party wins majority: A leftist coalition, the New Popular Front, has won the most seats in the 2024 French legislative election, beating back a far-right surge but failing to win a majority. The outcome leaves France facing the stunning prospect of a hung parliament and threatens political paralysis in a pillar of the European Union and Olympic host country. (AP)
3. Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over China: Japan and the Philippines have signed a defense pact allowing Japanese forces to deploy in the Southeast Asian country for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills. Filipino forces will be able to enter Japan for joint combat training. Under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan has taken steps to boost its security and defensive firepower, including a counterstrike capability that breaks from the country’s postwar principle of focusing only on self-defense. It’s doubling defense spending in a five-year period to 2027 in a move to bolster its military power and make Japan the world’s third-biggest military spender after the United States and China. (AP)
-US Events-
1. Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Texas: Beryl has made landfall near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 hurricane. It is the first storm in the Atlantic hurricane season to make landfall in the US. (CNN)
2. Insurers Pocketed $50 Billion From Medicare for Diseases No Doctor Treated: Private insurers involved in the government’s Medicare Advantage program made hundreds of thousands of questionable diagnoses that triggered extra taxpayer-funded payments from 2018 to 2021. (WSJ) (AC-This is just one example of how federally printed money moves into the economy and through the hands of administrator's friends. It is worth looking into the political donations of these insurers to see how it comes back around to politicians.)
3. At least 100 people shot, 17 fatally, during violent Fourth of July weekend in Chicago – up 27% from last year’s holiday: The tally of Independence Day weekend gun violence in Chicago this year marks around a 27% increase in shootings over last year. (CNN) (AC-One weekend, over 100 shot. Chicago is comparable to any conflict zone worldwide.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
NSTR
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Taiwan builds CBDC prototype platform, plans hearings for next year: Taiwan’s Central Bank Governor, Chin-Long Yang, said in a research report on Sunday that building a digital currency isn’t an international competition and that the central bank has yet to set a fixed timeline for CBDC issuance
-Institutional Concerns-
1. German Govt Moves 1000 Bitcoin To Coinbase & Other Addresses: The German government has recently transferred 1000 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at approximately $55.79 million, to various destinations including Coinbase, Bitstamp, and addresses beginning with 139Po. In the past 19 days since June 19, the German government has moved a total of 11,032.3 BTC, valued at approximately $668.2 million. Despite these transfers, the government still retains a substantial 39,826 BTC, worth an estimated $2.15 billion. (CoinGape)
2. Bitcoin weakness spurs $441M digital asset inflows: Last week, inflows were primarily seen in the United States with $384 million, followed by Hong Kong ($32 million), Switzerland ($24 million) and Canada ($12 million), whereas Germany saw $23 million in outflows. (Cointelegraph)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 10-Year Yield Holds Decline on Dovish Fed View: The US 10-year Treasury note yield held its recent decline to around 4.3%, hovering near one-week lows as soft US economic data reinforced a dovish outlook on Federal Reserve monetary policy. On Friday, data showed that the US unemployment rate rose to a 2-½-year high of 4.1% in June, adding to signs of a cooling labor market.
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Bitcoin Exchange Hack Leads Surging Tally of Crypto Stolen in 2024: Crypto thefts totaled $1.38 billion up through June 24 of this year, more than double the $657 million stolen as of the same time in 2023. Notable incidents include the theft of more than 4,500 BTC valued at over $300 million from Japanese exchange DMM Bitcoin in May, potentially due to stolen private keys or address poisoning. Per TRM, the most prominent attack vectors remain private key and seed phrase compromises, smart contract exploits, and flash loan attacks. (Decrypt)
-Technology-
1. Apple Removes VPN Apps from Russian App Store Amid Russian Government Pressure: This includes the mobile apps of 25 VPN service providers, including ProtonVPN, Red Shield VPN, NordVPN and Le VPN, according to MediaZona. (HackerNews)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Mining Profitability Rose in June as Market Adjusted for the Halving: Bitcoin mining was more profitable in June than May as the price of the cryptocurrency rose 2% and the network hashrate dropped by 5%, and as the market adjusted to the effects of the halving, investment bank Jefferies said in a research report on Monday. (CoinDesk)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 28/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The volatility in bitcoin price the last few weeks is a result of significant transfers from governments such as the US and Germany. Add to this the return of BTC to Mt Gox customers, many of whom are selling the BTC, and you have the recipe for the fluctuations we've seen in the price. Meanwhile $441M in inflows reveal that there are buyers of bitcoin too. It's not hard to conjecture on some possible coordination of these events, which is certainly making some people short-term gains, but also allowing key players to purchase significant volumes of BTC at lower prices. The nature of global finance does not allow definitive assessments of cooperation, but warrant analysis to understand the players and their objectives.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IEtb.jpg

2024-07-02 12:19:21

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 850,372
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 02Jul24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: First Cat 5 Hurricane Eyes Jamaica / Ukraine Air Bases Struck Before F-16s Arrive, US Bases on High Alert / SCOTUS Immunity Ruling Confounds Lawfare Strategy / SCOTUS Chevron Ruling May Untangle Digital Asset Mess / Imagery Reveals China Listening Posts in Cuba / Judge Rules Biden Cannot Stop LNG Exports / Bolivia Says Bitcoin Now OK / Sony Starts Bitcoin Exchange in Japan / Coinbase Chosen to Custody and Sell USG Bitcoin
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $62,668, 26.90 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $63,777 / Lo: $62,367
Vol: $22B (Up 3%)
Mkt Cap: $1.23T (Even)
HashRate: 611 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 14 sats/vBtye (Up 81%)
Nodes: 19,034
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Hurricane Beryl barrels toward Jamaica as category 5 storm after ‘flattening’ Grenada island: The hurricane was located about 695 miles (1,118km) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, packing maximum sustained winds of 165mph (270km/h), the National Hurricane Centre said. (IndependentUK)
2. At least nine killed in Seoul as car ploughs into crowd: As reported by Yonhap news agency, a man believed to be in his 60s drove the vehicle into pedestrians waiting at a traffic stop. Police said the accident took place at an intersection near Seoul city hall. The driver in question, who was arrested at the scene, reportedly told the police the car suddenly accelerated. (BBC)
3. Ukrainian air base under frequent fire as Russia aims at F-16 arrivals: The June 27 attack was a stark reminder of the challenges Kyiv faces as it rebuilds its depleted air force and deploys the first U.S.-designed F-16s - fighter aircraft that Russia will be determined to ground or destroy. The first planes are expected to arrive this month, although the location of the basing has not been released. (Reuters)
4. Several US military bases in Europe put on heightened state of alert, US officials say: The alert level of Force Protection Condition (FPCON) "Charlie" was put in place over the weekend, according to two U.S. officials. "For operational security reasons, we will not get into specific measures, but we remain vigilant," EUCOM wrote, in part. (ABC) (AC-Other sources speculate that his is in relation to Russian concerns over the F-16s being delivered to Ukraine.)
-US Events-
1. How the blockbuster Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling impacts the Biden-Trump 2024 rematch: A highly anticipated ruling by the Supreme Court that former presidents enjoy wide-ranging immunity for their official acts while in the White House was repeatedly praised by former President Trump yesterday. The ruling on Monday means that the trial judge in the lower court case against Trump will now have to hold hearings on whether the charges against Trump were based on official acts by the then-president or unofficial ones. That process will take time, and it's extremely unlikely Trump will go on trial for trying to overturn the 2020 election before voters cast ballots in the 2024 rematch. (Fox)
2. Satellite Images Show Expansion of Suspected Chinese Spy Bases in Cuba: Analysts identified four electronic eavesdropping stations, including a previously unreported site near a U.S. naval base. (WSJ)
3. Judge Orders Biden Administration to Resume Permits for Gas Exports: A federal judge on Monday ordered the Biden administration to resume issuing permits for new liquefied natural gas export facilities after the government had paused that process in January to analyze how those exports affect climate change, the economy and national security. The decision, from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, comes in response to a lawsuit from 16 Republican state attorneys general, who argued that the pause amounted to a ban that harmed their states’ economies. (NYT)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Central Bank of Bolivia Unbans Bitcoin From the Nation’s Financial Ecosystem: The Central Bank of Bolivia has lifted a blanket ban that kept financial institutions from serving crypto-related transactions. With Resolution N°082/2024, issued on Tuesday, the bank lifts any prohibition related to these assets, opening the door for the intermediation of institutions to complete payments to acquire these assets. (BitcoinCom)
2. Supreme Court's Chevron Decision Curtails SEC Chair Gensler's Regulatory Abuses, Says Congressman: Congressman Tom Emmer has stated that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Chevron deference significantly limits “the regulatory abuses” of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler. The ruling is seen as a game changer for the crypto industry and other tech sectors, promising more predictable and grounded regulations. (BItcoinCom)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies-
1. Bahamas wants to force banks to support its ‘Sand Dollar’ CBDC: The Bahamas is preparing to introduce legislation requiring commercial banks to support its “Sand Dollar” central bank digital currency (CBDC) and hopefully boost its adoption. The Bahamas was one of the first countries in the world to launch a central bank digital currency — the “Sand Dollar” in 2020 — and is now looking for ways to boost its adoption. (CoinTelegraph)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US spot bitcoin ETFs report $130 million in net inflows, largest influx in three weeks: The 11 U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds saw total daily net inflows of $129.45 million on Monday, reporting their fifth consecutive day of positive flows. Monday’s net inflows also marked the largest fund intake the ETFs have seen since June 7. Fidelity’s FBTC led the inflows yesterday with $65 million, followed by Bitwise’s BITB, which recorded $41 million. (CoinMarketCap)
2. $105 Billion Electronics Giant Sony To Launch New Bitcoin Exchange: Sony Group is preparing to launch a Bitcoin and crypto exchange in Japan after acquiring Amber Group's local subsidiary, Amber Japan. The revamped exchange will be called S.BLOX and aim to boost Sony's presence in the Bitcoin and crypto space. (BitcoinMag)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Stocks Kick-Off 2nd Half of 2024 Higher: Stocks in the US closed higher to start the second half of the year. The S&P 500 gained 0.3%, the Dow Jones added 50 points, and the Nasdaq rose 0.8% thanks to strong performances from tech giants like Apple (+2.9%), Amazon (+2%), and Microsoft (+2.2%). Nvidia rebounded (+0.6%) while other chip makers' stocks fell such as AMD (-2.8%) and Arm (-2.9%) dropped. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Factory Activity Shrinks Faster: The ISM Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly declined to 48.5 in June 2024 from 48.7 in May, below forecasts of 49.1. The reading pointed to a third straight month of falling manufacturing activity and the lowest since February. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Australian Man Charged for Fake Wi-Fi Scam on Domestic Flights: The unnamed 42-year-old "allegedly established fake free Wi-Fi access points, which mimicked legitimate networks, to capture personal data from unsuspecting victims who mistakenly connected to them." The individual is said to have staged what's called an evil twin Wi-Fi attack across various locations, including domestic flights and airports in Perth, Melbourne, and Adelaide. "The email and password details harvested could be used to access more personal information, including a victim's online communications, stored images and videos, or bank details," the AFP said. (HackerNews)
-Technology-
1. China's Stealth Fighter Aircraft Supports Detachable Wings That Transforms Into Drones: The China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre (CARDC) successfully tested the new stealth fighter, and said that each drone is powered by electric ducted fans. The aircraft and its drones managed to stay in the air despite the drone separation maneuver during the test flight, which allegedly caused flight instability due to the aerodynamic shift. (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Coinbase Bags $32 Million Contract From DOJ For Handling Confiscated Crypto: In a significant development, the US Department of Justice’s asset forfeiture division, the US Marshal Service, has chosen Coinbase as its custody provider for large-cap digital assets. Coinbase emphasized its longstanding history of supporting law enforcement agencies and its collaborations with major federal, state, and local agencies in the US, as well as international agencies worldwide. (Bitcoinist)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 53/100 (Up 5 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HmyE.jpg

2024-07-01 14:33:11

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 850,227
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 01Jul24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: France Elections Move Right / Military Draft Law Ignites Israel / Coordinated Suicide Bombers in Nigeria Kill 30+ / US Left Argue on Removing Biden From Race / SCOTUS To Release Immunity Ruling Today / Bannon Reports to Jail / Chevron Doctrine Ruling Upsets Administrative State / Hawaii Crypto Firms No Longer Need Transmitter License / Stocks Are Booming / Big Tech Tries to Lock up Nuke Power in US / China's Version of Space X Has Accidental Fireworks Show
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $62,556, 26.81 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $63,700 / Lo: $61,262
Vol: $22B (Up 64%)
Mkt Cap: $1.23T (Up 2%)
HashRate: 537 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 8 sats/vBtye (Even)
Nodes: 19,388
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Far right leads first round of France’s parliamentary election in blow to Macron: Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party led the first round of France’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, taking it closer to the gates of power than ever before. After an unusually high turnout, the RN bloc clinched 33.15% of the vote, while the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition came second with 27.99% and President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble alliance slumped to a dismal third with 20.76%. (CNN)
2. Ultra-Orthodox protest against order to enlist in Israeli military turns violent in Jerusalem: Thousands of Jewish ultra-Orthodox men clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem on Sunday during a protest against a Supreme Court order for them to begin enlisting for military service. Tens of thousands of men rallied in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood to protest the order. But after nightfall, the crowd made its way toward central Jerusalem and turned violent. (AP)
3. At least 30 dead, more than 100 injured after multiple suicide bombings in Nigeria: "The first suicide attack was masterminded by an unidentified woman who sneaked with two children into a wedding reception of a popular young man in Gwoza; she detonated her Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), killing herself and many people." No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings. (ABC)
-US Events-
1. Top Democrats rule out replacing Biden amid calls for him to quit 2024 race: After days of hand-wringing about Biden's poor night on stage debating Trump, Democratic leaders firmly rejected calls for their party to choose a younger presidential candidate for the Nov. 5 election. Biden, 81, meanwhile, was huddling with family members at the Camp David presidential retreat on Sunday. (Reuters)
2. Supreme Court prepares to issue ruling on Trump immunity and final cases Monday: SCOTUS is expected to hand down its final opinions of the term on Monday morning, resolving the question of whether former President Donald Trump may claim immunity from federal election subversion charges. The court will also decide two cases at the intersection of the First Amendment and social media. At issue are laws enacted in Florida and Texas aimed at stopping social media giants like Facebook and X from throttling conservative views. (CNN)
3. Steve Bannon set to begin 4-month prison sentence for defying congressional subpoena: Bannon will be the second former Trump aide to be imprisoned for a contempt of Congress conviction after Peter Navarro began serving a four-month sentence earlier this year. Both men were convicted for not complying with subpoenas issued to them by the now-defunct House Select Committee that investigated January 6, 2021. The Supreme Court on Friday denied a long-shot effort by Bannon to avoid reporting to prison while he challenges his conviction before the federal appeals court in Washington, DC. (CNN)
4. Supreme Court strikes down Chevron, curtailing power of federal agencies: By a vote of 6-3, the justices overruled their landmark 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which gave rise to the doctrine known as the Chevron doctrine. Under that doctrine, if Congress has not directly addressed the question at the center of a dispute, a court was required to uphold the agency’s interpretation of the statute as long as it was reasonable. But in a 35-page ruling by Chief Justice John Roberts, the justices rejected that doctrine, calling it “fundamentally misguided.” (SCOTUSblog) (AC-A surprise big win for anti-administrative proponents, this ruling will have significant repercussions across the US. Look for increases in legal proceedings where a nameless, faceless government agency would have ruled over its citizenry before.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Designating Crypto as the Bogeyman Will Not Halt the Nigerian Currency’s Depreciation: Nigerian authorities targeted global cryptocurrency exchanges in a crackdown that began in February. The accusation is that crypto platforms are enabling currency speculators who are blamed for the naira’s rapid depreciation against the U.S. dollar. However, the naira’s resurgence proved short-lived, ending the first half of 2024 as one of the worst-performing currencies. The rise of cryptocurrency use and Nigeria’s thriving parallel market for naira reflect a deeper issue that needs solutions. (BItcoinCom)
2. Hawaii crypto firms no longer need MT license, regulator rules: Cryptocurrency firms in Hawaii are now officially exempt from the requirement to receive a Money Transmitter License (MTL) to run business in the state. Crypto companies will still be responsible for complying with any applicable federal licensing or registration requirements. (CoinTelegraph)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Stocks Soar to End June: US stocks extended gains on Friday, with the S&P hitting a new high of 5.5K, the Nasdaq 100 reaching a record level of 19980 and the Dow Jones rising over 220 points, after the Michigan consumer sentiment was revised sharply higher and inflation expectations were lower than previously reported. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Microsoft Provides Another Worrying Update on Russian Data Breach, Says Customer Emails Were Stolen: On Thursday, the tech giant announced that hackers stole customer emails as it further disclosed the scope of the breach. However, it did not specify the number of clients affected or the potential number of stolen emails. (TechTimes)
-Technology-
1. Tech Industry Wants to Lock Up Nuclear Power for AI: The owners of roughly a third of U.S. nuclear-power plants are in talks with tech companies to provide electricity to new data centers needed to meet the demands of an artificial-intelligence boom. But instead of adding new green energy to meet their soaring power needs, tech companies would be effectively diverting existing electricity resources. That could raise prices for other customers and hold back emission-cutting goals. (WSJ)
2. A Chinese firm's answer to SpaceX's Falcon 9 blew up in a giant fireball after it accidentally launched during a test: Beijing-based Tianbing Aerospace Technology said it was conducting a first-stage test of the rocket's power system, and that a "structural failure" caused the Tianlong-3 to separate from its launchpad. Had the test been successful, the Tianlong-3 would have remained stationary on the launchpad as its engines fired. (BusinessInsider)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 53/100 (Up 5 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IEtb.jpg

2024-06-25 18:51:19

Join Bitcoin Veterans LIVE Thursday night at 7pm ET
The guys will recap the Bitcoin Park range day and open house, as well as bring you the latest in current events with their unique perspective
Join us and #GetOnTheMission
https://m.primal.net/Ixlp.jpg

2024-06-14 12:30:13

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 847,891
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 14Jun24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Israel-Hezbollah Clashes Intensify / G7 To Lend $50B to Ukraine / NATO Takes Over Ukraine Money Flows / Storms Continue in Sunshine State / New Greenpeace Report Targets Bitcoin Miners and Wall Street / Largest Brazil Bank Opens Bitcoin Trading / US Banks Not Interested in Retail CBDCs / Trezor Launches New Hardware Wallet / US Losing Bitcoin Developers
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $67,027, 28.72 oz Gold, .16 Median US House
24hr Hi: $68,337 / Lo: $66,304
Vol: $26B (Down 27%)
Mkt Cap: $1.32T (Down 1%)
HashRate: 558 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 39 sats/vBtye (Up 18%)
Nodes: 19,391
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Hezbollah-Israel clashes intensify as fears grow of all-out war in Lebanon: The Israeli military said that its air force struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southeast Lebanon’s Deir Seryan. Earlier, the Israeli military said Hezbollah launched 40 projectiles toward northern Israel. Some were intercepted, but others landed and caused fires, the military said in statements. In a widely shared video on social media, Israeli forces were seen using a catapult to launch fireballs into Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in nearly nonstop cross-border exchanges since the Gaza war began last October, but the situation has escalated in recent weeks, leading to increased US concerns about an all-out war between the two. (ALMonitor)
2. G7 leaders agree to lend Ukraine billions backed by Russia’s frozen assets: Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have agreed to engineer a $50 billion loan to help Ukraine in its fight for survival. Interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral. Most of the money would be in the form of a loan mostly guaranteed by the U.S. government, backed by profits being earned on roughly $260 billion in immobilized Russian assets. The vast majority of that money is held in European Union nations. (AP) (AC-Economic warfare usually has unintended consequences. Enter BRICS.)
3. NATO to take over part of US-led Ukraine aid channel: The shift is broadly perceived as a move by European allies to "Trump-proof" the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, given the possibility that former U.S. President Donald Trump could return to the White House in November elections. Trump is seen as likely to roll back U.S. commitments to Kyiv. The contact group mechanism has been firmly under the control of the U.S. Department of Defense since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022. (Politico)
-US Events-
1. Storm-battered Florida braces for a fourth day of floods after downpours transformed roads into canals and stranded drivers: Even as the robust tropical moisture fueling the soaking storms slowly starts to shift out of the area, Friday marks yet another drenching day for South Florida and multiple cities could see more than 2 feet of rain Tuesday through Friday. (CNN)
2. Texas’s Title IX case is about a national abortion ban, not student attendance: A new case out of Texas, brought by Attorney General Ken Paxton for the state of Texas and joined by two University of Texas (UT) Austin professors, broadly challenges the U.S. Department of Education’s interpretation of Title IX — the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education — that is set to go into effect later this summer. The case is generating headlines partly because the two plaintiff professors have declared (in advance) that they will not comply with the Title IX guidance. They lodge a range of complaints about using non-binary gender pronouns and “cross-dressing” teaching assistants, and, notably, students who seek abortions. (TheHill)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Wall Street must be accountable for Bitcoin mining emissions — Greenpeace: The report, titled “Bankrolling Bitcoin Pollution: How Big Finance Supports a New Climate Threat” from the environment-focused NGO, differs from previous Greenpeace papers on the Bitcoin mining industry. The report names Trinity Capital, Stone Ridge Holdings, BlackRock, Vanguard and MassMutual as the top five financiers of carbon pollution from Bitcoin mining companies. (CoinTelegraph) (AC-An
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs See $226M Outflows Led by Fidelity’s FBTC: BlackRock’s IBIT was the only ETF posting a net inflow on Thursday, while most of the funds recorded outflows. (CoinDesk)
2. Brazil’s Biggest Bank, with BRL 2.069 Trillion Assets under Management, Opens Bitcoin (BTC) Trading for Everyone: Itau Unibanco has made a significant expansion in its financial services. The bank has introduced cryptocurrency trading to all customers through its in-house investment platform, Ion. (CryptoNews)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Do wholesale CBDCs compete with bank services?: Most banks are not keen on retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) because they fear it will lure away bank deposits. The recent support by the American Bankers Association for the anti-CBDC Bill is evidence of this. (LedgerInsights) (AC-Good perspective on banker's incentives. Some bankers, however, DO support wholesale CBDCs.)
-Economic Indicators-
1. 10-Year Treasury Yield Falls for 4th Day: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note declined for a fourth consecutive session to 4.21% on Friday, reaching the lowest level since the end of March, as lower-than-expected CPI and PPI and a rise in initial claims increased bets the Fed can deliver multiple rate cuts this year. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Producer Prices Unexpectedly Decline: Factory gate prices in the US went down 0.2% mom in May 2024, compared with market expectations of a 0.1% increase and after a 0.5% rise in April. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology-
1. Trezor launches Safe 5 crypto hardware wallet, including a bitcoin-only version: The firm said the new device will enable users to securely store, manage, stake, and use thousands of cryptocurrencies in one place via the Trezor Suite desktop and mobile app. Unlike rival manufacturer Ledger, Trezor devices are open-source, meaning they are community-based and audited so vulnerabilities may be seen and fixed faster. On the other hand, it may make devices easier to crack when stolen. (TheBlock)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. From Silicon Valley to Global Hubs: US Crypto Developers Shift Overseas: The United States has long been a beacon of technological innovation, but in recent years, it has seen a troubling trend in the cryptocurrency sector. According to a recent report by Coinbase, since 2018, there has been a 26% drop in the proportion of crypto developers based in the US. Responding to this, Bill Morgan suggests that the actions taken by the SEC, particularly under Gensler’s leadership, have not only stifled innovation but also discouraged the broader market. (BItcoinist)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 74/100 (Down 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): As the G7 countries continue to fight for relevance and political power, the shifts in global alliances are unsettling to a historical observer. All but the Italian leader have the world's lowest popularity scores of developed nations. Ukraine money flows, until now handled by US DoD, is now firmly in NATO's hands, and NATO is not well-known for its administrative prowess. Meanwhile, the BRICs organization continues to grow in opposition to US hegonomy. Even to a casual observer, it is obvious that world alliances are changing and economic manuvering is in high gear.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-06-05 12:50:28

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 846,613
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 5Jun24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US Embassy Attacked in Lebanon / Silence in China, HK On Tiananmen Anniversary / Modi Wins PM Again in India / Biden Signs EO on Border / Largest COVID Fraud Trial In US Has Attempted Bribe / SEALs Take Heat For Pride / US Tries to Get Back Binance Exec From Nigeria / Texas Wants New Stock Exchange / Best Day in BTC ETFs Since Launch / US Job Openings Decline / AT&T Has Another Bad Day
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $70,944, 30.44 oz Gold, .16 Median US House
24hr Hi: $68,564 / Lo: $70,230
Vol: $38B (Up 31%)
Mkt Cap: $1.40T (Up 3%)
HashRate: 541 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 46 sats/vBtye (Up 94%)
Nodes: 17,808
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Attack on US Embassy in Lebanon foiled, army fights back to kill one assailant: A Lebanese security official told The Associated Press that there were four assailants, including one who drove them to the site and three who opened fire. One shooter was killed, one escaped and the third was wounded and detained by the Lebanese military. A member of the embassy's security team was wounded in the attack and the Lebanese army shot an attacker in the stomach, a security source told Reuters. (Fox)
2. Silence and heavy security in China and Hong Kong mark 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown: Hong Kong police arrested four people and swarmed a handful of others who tried to protest or commemorate as the effort extended beyond the mainland. Hundreds, if not thousands, are believed to have been killed in an overnight operation that ended on the morning of June 4, 1989. It was a turning point in modern Chinese history as Communist Party hard-liners embraced control instead of political reforms. (AP)
3. India: Modi set for third term but opposition still to concede: PM Narendra Modi is set to retain power, but his BJP party lost its outright parliamentary majority for the first time in 10 years. (BBC)
-US Events-
1. Biden rolls out asylum restrictions, months in the making, to help ‘gain control’ of the border: The long-anticipated presidential proclamation would bar migrants from being granted asylum when U.S. officials deem that the southern border is overwhelmed. The order will go into effect when the number of border encounters between ports of entry hits 2,500 per day, according to senior administration officials. (AP)
2. Juror reports receiving $120K bribe attempt in pandemic relief fraud trial: Seven people are on trial in connection with what federal prosecutors called the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme to date. They are accused of taking part in a $250 million fraud scheme through the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future that allegedly exploited funds from a federal child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic to purchase big-ticket items like luxury cars and houses. (ABC) (AC-Other outlets are reporting the defendants are all Somali nationals or immigrants)
3. U.S. Navy Special Warfare Command Posts Pride Month Graphic, Limits Replies: The United States Navy Special Warfare Command — the command overseeing U.S. Navy SEALs and other Navy special operations forces — celebrated Pride Month with a special graphic posted on its Facebook page on June 1. The most-liked comment on the post was, “This is a slap in the face of every special warfare operator that has put their lives on the line for our nation.” (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. U.S. Lawmakers Push Biden to Bring Back Detained Binance Exec Tigran Gambaryan From Nigeria: Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, along with 11 other leaders, sent a letter to Joe Biden and others. In the letter, they urged the president to treat Gambaryan's case as a hostage situation and bring him back to the U.S. Gambaryan is a U.S. citizen and Binance’s head of compliance. (CoinDesk)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. New Texas Stock Exchange Takes Aim at New York’s Dominance: A group backed by Wall Street heavyweights BlackRock and Citadel Securities is planning to start a new national stock exchange in Texas, aiming to take on what they see as onerous regulation at the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The Texas Stock Exchange, which has raised approximately $120 million from individuals and large investment firms, plans to file registration documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission later this year. (WSJ)
2. BTC ETFs See $880M Inflows in Best Day Since March: U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETFs saw over $880 million in inflows on Tuesday, led by Fidelity's FBTC. Fidelity’s FBTC took on $378 million in inflows, the highest among counterparts. BlackRock’s IBIT followed with $270 million, while Grayscale’s GBTC – infamous for its outflows – took on $28 million. (CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Digital Yuan App Drops 'Pilot' Description, Hints at Change to Production Ready Status: While local Chinese news outlets explained that this change had to do with app requirements, some expect this might be a step before its generalized implementation. (BitcoinCom)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Job Openings Fall More Than Expected: The number of job openings declined by 296,000 from the previous month to 8.059 million in April 2024, the lowest level since February 2021 and missing the market consensus of 8.34 million. (TradingEconomics)
2. Treasury Yields Fall for 5th Session: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note was around 4.35%, the lowest in about three weeks, as recent data out of the US continues to reinforce the view that the Fed is ready to start the easing cycle in September. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology-
1. 'Nationwide issue' affecting cell service between carriers resolved, AT&T says: The problem was not a nationwide outage, it said, but rather "a nationwide issue that is affecting the ability of some customers to complete calls between carriers," AT&T said at the time. The disruption occurred a little more than three months after a widespread outage affected AT&T customers, leaving people without service. During that incident, around 50,000 outrages were reported at one point. (NBC)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 75/100 (Up 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The Texas Stock Exchange initiative is another sign of the polarization of business in the US. Supporters cite onerous rules and DEI efforts at the NYSE and Nasdaq as some of the reasons for the investments and effort. Citizens continue to find ways to exit systems that the politically or culturally do not agree with.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/IRUV.jpg

2024-05-24 12:59:29

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 844,917
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 24May24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Landslide in Papura New Guinea / China 'Punishes' Taiwan / Russian Miliary Execs Purged / Campus Protests Continue, More Arrests / Obama, Clintons, Join Bidens in Kenya State Dinner / Anti-CBDC Bill Passes House / ETH ETF Approved / Hot PMI Sinks Dow / MSFT Outage Affects Search Engines, ChatGPT / Is IPv6 The Freedom Protocol?
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $67,451, 28.83 oz Gold, .16 Median US House
24hr Hi: $70,041 / Lo: $66,356
Vol: $43B (Up 35%)
Mkt Cap: $1.33T (Down 4%)
HashRate: 746 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 10 sats/vBtye (Down 68%)
Nodes: 18,803
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Many feared dead in massive Papua New Guinea landslide: A massive landslide is feared to have killed many after it struck six remote villages in Papua New Guinea, local officials and aid agencies said. The landslide buried more than 100 homes after it struck at around 03:00 local time Friday (17:00 GMT Thursday) in the highlands of Enga, north of the island nation in the south-west Pacific. It was not immediately clear how many people were trapped in the rubble. (BBC)
2. China says war games around Taiwan to test ability to ‘seize power’: As the first day of exercises, codenamed Joint Sword-2024A, got under way on Thursday, China described them as “punishment” following the inauguration speech by Taiwan’s new president William Lai Ching-te in which he said Taiwan was a “sovereign and independent nation with sovereignty resting in the people”. The two-day exercises are testing the “capability of joint seizure of power, joint strikes and control of key territories,” said Colonel Li Xi, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command. (AlJazeera)
3. Top Russian military officials are being arrested: It began last month with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate was hauled into court. This week, two more senior military officials were detained. All face charges of corruption, which they have denied. Corruption scandals are not new and officials and top officials have been accused of profiting from their positions for decades. (AP) (AC-These arrests, combined with the Defense Minister Shoigu's reassignment, indicates a probable purge of key defense personnel following Putin's recent re-election win. There are numerous possibilities for such a purge but all these efforts are certainly aimed at consolodating and confirming power for Putin.)
-US Events-
1. Police descend on UCLA after protesters erect new pro-Palestinian encampment: More than two dozen officers in riot gear descended on UCLA Thursday afternoon, facing off with pro-Palestinian protesters who had erected a new encampment on campus hours earlier. The move came amid escalating tensions between pro-Palestinian students and their faculty allies and administrators on the Westwood campus. The academic workers union announced Thursday that its ongoing strike over working conditions would expand to UCLA and UC Davis on Tuesday. (LATimes)
2. Obama makes an appearance at White House’s Kenya state dinner: President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden roll out the red carpet for Kenyan President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto. Former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Former President Obama were in attendance. The former president was not on the initial state dinner guest list released by the White House. He attended a reception in the Blue Room prior to the dinner and stopped into the dinner area briefly, according to his office. Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, visited the country as president in 2015 and returned in 2018 after leaving office. (CNN)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. US Congress Building Pro-Crypto Army, Lawmaker Says: Crypto is gaining momentum among U.S. lawmakers. Senator Cynthia Lummis stated: “We are building a pro-crypto army in Congress.” This declaration came shortly after the House of Representatives passed the landmark Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) crypto bill, despite opposition from the White House and SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. (BitcoinCom)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Ethereum ETFs Approved: The SEC combined proposals from the Nasdaq, NYSE, and CBOE exchanges, which requested changes to existing rules to allow the trading of Ethereum Exchange-Rraded Products (ETPs) and ETFs. (Forbes)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. U.S. House Passes Bill Banning Federal Reserve From Issuing a CBDC: The CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, introduced by Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), seeks to block the U.S. central bank from continuing efforts toward the development of a digital dollar. Republicans expressed concerns that a U.S. CBDC could be used to control Americans. However, both the market structure and the anti-CBDC bills seem headed toward similar fates in the Senate – going nowhere – given that half of congress does not have a counterpart for either piece of legislation. (CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Dow Sinks More than 600 Points: Wall Street closed lower on Thursday, after a hotter-than-expected PMI survey fueled concerns about prolonged higher interest rates. The Dow Jones plunged by 605 points, marking its worst day of the year. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Microsoft outage affects Bing, Copilot, DuckDuckGo and ChatGPT internet search: The outage, which started around 3:00 a.m. EDT, largely affected users in Asia and Europe. Bing remained accessible when an alternate URL was used, but ChatGPT internet search and DuckDuckGo suffered issues because they use the Bing API. (CISOSeries)
-Technology-
1. Peer-to-peer blockchain: Scaling with IPv6-based new internet: At the London Blockchain Conference 2024, IPv6 Forum President Latif Ladid moderated a panel on how IPv6 and blockchain technology will change the internet. Ladid opens the panel by explaining the key points of IPv6: it enables true end-to-end connections between people. It empowers people and disempowers monopolies by enabling people to have their unique IP addresses for every device. (CoinGeek) (AC-Do Your Own Research on IPv6)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 74/100 (Down 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HmyE.jpg

2024-05-18 13:05:28

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IHxQ.jpg

2024-05-17 12:30:01

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 843,854
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 17May24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US Pier Working in Gaza / Russia Black Sea Fleet HQ Attacked / New Caledonia Erupts in Violence / More Storms in Houston / Biden Say No Audience for Debate / Congress Passes Bill to Force Biden to Release Weapons to Israel / New Bill to Abolish US Fed Introduced / 600 Firms Invested in BTC ETFs / Dow at 40K / OpenAI to Scoop Reddit Data
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $66,316, 27.75 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $66,712 / Lo: $64,613
Vol: $31B (Down 24%)
Mkt Cap: $1.3T (Even)
HashRate: 687 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 10 sats/vBtye (Down 75%)
Nodes: 17,316
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. First aid flows into Gaza over massive U.S. pier: Trucks carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid have begun moving ashore into Gaza using a temporary pier built by the United States, the U.S. military said Friday, as Israeli forces pressed on with sweeping operations in the north and south of the enclave. No US Troops have gone ashore. (NBC)
2. Novorossiysk port, oil depot hit in overnight attack: Drones and missiles struck an oil refinery and seaport in the Russian city of Novorossiysk in the early hours of May 17, causing explosions and power outages, the Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported. The U.K. Defense Ministry reported on March 31 that Russia was strengthening the Novorossiysk port's defenses in order to protect the Black Sea Fleet from possible Ukrainian attacks. Other media report Russia downed 15 Ukrainian drones in the attack, repeling the attack. Novorossiysk is currently without power. (Various)
3. Violence rages in New Caledonia as France rushes emergency reinforcements to its Pacific territory: French authorities in New Caledonia and the interior ministry in Paris said five people, including two police officers, were killed after protests earlier this week over voting reforms pushed by President Emmanuel Macron’s government turned deadly. (AP)
-US Events-
1. Deadly storms slam Houston yet again; hundreds of thousands without power across Texas: Deadly thunderstorms blew out windows in high-rise buildings, downed trees and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in the Houston area Thursday as Southeast Texas got pummeled for the second time this month. At least four people were killed due to the storms. (CBS)
2. Biden’s team had a few demands for a Trump debate. A major one: No crowd: “Trump feeds off the crowd, they give him life,” said one Biden adviser who was granted anonymity in order to discuss internal strategy. “We wanted to take that away.” (Politico)
3. 16 Dems vote with GOP to rebuke Biden's pausing Israel weapons shipment: The Israel Security Assistance Support Act would condemn the president’s posture on Israel’s Gaza invasion while compelling the Biden administration to expeditiously send any weapons shipments already approved by Congress. It passed in a 224 to 187 vote, with 16 Democrats joining 208 Republicans in advancing the bill. (Fox)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. US Senate Revokes SEC Rule on Banning Banks’ Crypto Holdings: The U.S. Senate has decisively overturned a rule by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that restricted financial institutions from engaging in cryptocurrency-related activities. This rule had mandated that banks reflect customers’ digital assets on their balance sheets, backed by corresponding capital — a policy criticized for stifling innovation. Senator Cynthia Lummis emphasized that this was the first session of Congress to pass standalone crypto legislation, marking a historic moment for the Senate. Meanwhile, Representative Mike Flood, who sponsored the resolution, urged President Biden to reconsider his stance given the strong opposition to the SEC’s rule among lawmakers. (Cryptopolitan)
2. Federal Reserve Abolition Act: On Thursday afternoon, Representative Thomas Massie, representing the 4th District of Kentucky, introduced H.R. 8421, the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act. H.R. 8421, the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act, proposed by Rep. Massie, aims to abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve banks, along with repealing the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Former Representative Ron Paul introduced a similar bill in 1999, but it hasn’t been reintroduced since 2013. (CoinPedia)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Over 600 firms reveal billions in combined investment in Bitcoin ETFs: Among them are Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, UBS, BNP Paribas, Royal Bank of Canada and hedge funds like Millennium Management and Schonfeld Strategic Advisors. Millennium is the largest BTC ETF investor, with $1.9 billion invested. (CoinTelegraph)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Innovative CBDC card services launched in Kazakhstan: Bank customers in Kazakhstan can apply for virtual and plastic CBDC cards and use them for both in-store and e-commerce purchases across Mastercard and Visa global networks. Additionally, they can withdraw cash at ATMs. They can also link their cards to Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay and monitor their CBDC card balance and transaction history through mobile banking. (EPaymentsIntl)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Dow Jones Reaches 40,000 For 1st Time: US stocks gained some traction after the Thursday open to trade above the flatline, slightly extending the record levels from earlier in the week amid further support from rate cut expectations and strong corporate results. The Dow added 100 points to break the 40,000 threshold for the first time in history, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hovered in the green. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Manufacturing Output Unexpectedly Falls: Manufacturing production in the US decreased 0.3% from a month earlier in April, missing market expectations of a 0.1% growth. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. 7 Tips For Traveling With Bitcoin Keys: 1. Carry only the wallets you need 2. Consider your destination 3. Avoid traveling with seed phrase backups 4. Watch what you say and show 5. Create a decoy wallet 6. Consider multisig to eliminate single points of failure 7. Have an inheritance plan (BitcoinMag)
-Technology-
1. OpenAI strikes Reddit deal to train its AI on your posts: OpenAI has signed a deal for access to real-time content from Reddit’s data API, which means it can surface discussions from the site within ChatGPT and other new products. (TheVerge) (AC-I wonder if OpenAI will be able to understand the extreme sarcasm on Reddit)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 74/100 (Up 4 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-05-17 12:29:22

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IHgB.jpg

2024-05-09 11:40:11

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IEsx.jpg

2024-05-08 11:37:34

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IEau.jpg

2024-05-07 11:43:40

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IEHR.jpg

2024-05-04 16:06:12

May the hashrate be with you
https://m.primal.net/IDHK.jpg

2024-05-03 12:11:44

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 841,907
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 03May24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Turkey Halts All Trade With Israel / Russian Troops Enter Niger / Ceasefire Talks in Egypt / Over 2000 Arrested at US Colleges, Many Not Students / Arizona Repeals Abortion Ban / Another Boeing Wishblower Dies / Coinbase Had Big 1st Quarter / Block Begins DCA into BTC, Gives Away Blueprint / US Jobs Data Today
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $59,237, 25.75 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $60,004 / Lo: $58,238
Vol: $29B (Down 28%)
Mkt Cap: $1.16T (Up 2%)
HashRate: 558 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 31 sats/vBtye (Up 35%)
Nodes: 19,146
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Turkey halts trade with Israel over 'humanitarian tragedy' in Gaza: Turkey has suspended all trade with Israel over its offensive in Gaza, citing the "worsening humanitarian tragedy" in the strip. The Turkish trade ministry said the measures would be in place until Israel allowed an "uninterrupted and sufficient flow" of aid into Gaza. Trade between the two countries was worth almost $7bn (£5.6bn) last year. (BBC)
2. Russian troops enter base housing US military in Niger, US official says: Russian military personnel have entered an air base in Niger that is hosting U.S. troops, a senior U.S. defense official told Reuters, a move that follows a decision by Niger's junta to expel U.S. forces. The military officers ruling the West African nation have told the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country, which until a coup last year had been a key partner for Washington's fight against insurgents who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more. (Reuters)
3. Hamas is sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks in the latest sign of progress: After months of stop-and-start negotiations, the cease-fire efforts appear to have reached a critical stage, with Egyptian and American mediators reporting signs of compromise in recent days. But chances for the deal remain entangled with the key question of whether Israel will accept an end to the war without reaching its stated goal of destroying Hamas. (AP)
-US Events-
1. Over 2,000 people arrested at protests disrupting colleges across the US: At Portland State University, police arrested at least 30 people on Thursday night as they worked to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from a library that had been occupied this week. President Joe Biden has delivered his most extensive remarks on the protests, drawing a line between what he called peaceful and violent protests, repeating his support for Israel, and dismissing calls for the National Guard to intervene. Meanwhile, almost half of the more than 280 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at Columbia University and City College this week weren’t students or faculty at the schools, according to data released by Mayor Adams’ administration Thursday. (CNN, NYPost, DailyNews)
2. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs abortion ban repeal bill: The ban, which dates to early territorial days in 1864, forbids doctors from providing abortions except when necessary to save the life of the mother. Voters are expected to weigh in on the Arizona Abortion Access Act this November, which would permit abortions up to the point of fetal viability, around 24 weeks of pregnancy. (Axios)
3. Second Boeing whistleblower dies following a brief illness, weeks after the suicide of another: Joshua Dean, 45, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, alleged that managers failed to act on manufacturing defects on the 737 Max, attorneys who represented both men said Thursday. "He was a healthy individual who ate well and exercised," Turkewitz told NBC News. "So it just seems odd that he went so fast." (NBC) (AC- Correlation does not mean causation, but cooincidence rightly causes suspicion.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Crypto Mining Restrictions: Arkansas lawmakers approved two bills to address criticism over previous regulations on mining operations. The two Senate-backed bills, SB78 and SB79, were among the few non-budget subjects on the legislative session’s agenda and were “overwhelmingly approved” by the majority Republican House. They are on their way to Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s desk. These bills tackle the backlash from local officials and residents who live near the operations, who complained about the noise impact on the community. As a result, the lawmakers added the requirement for noise-reduction techniques and a state permit to operate. (Bitcoinist)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Crypto Exchange Coinbase Had a Blowout First Quarter: The business has a number of positive catalysts including its smart wallet, Coinbase Prime, layer-2 network Base and its growing international offering, the analysts said. The crypto exchange reported first-quarter net income of $1.2 billion and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.40. (CoinDesk)
2. Jack Dorsey's Block Adding More Bitcoin to Balance Sheet, Presents Road Map for Others: Payments firm Block (SQ) has begun a dollar cost averaging (DCA) program to add to its already sizable bitcoin (BTC) stack. Led by CEO Jack Dorsey, the company in April began using 10% of its monthly bitcoin-related gross profit to buy additional bitcoin, with plans to do this each month for the remainder of 2024. Alongside that news, the company also released its Bitcoin Blueprint For Corporate Balance Sheets, in which it describes the process through which it is able to acquire large amounts of the crypto without unduly moving the market, and how it custodies, insures and accounts for the holdings. (CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Saudi, Bahrain eye cross border CBDC, IMF financial inclusion: Last week the World Economic Forum held a Middle East Special Meeting, during which a CBDC was discussed. A cross border CBDC is a priority for both the Saudi and Bahraini central banks. In contrast, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees potential for a retail CBDC to improve financial inclusion. The Governor of the Bank of Bahrain also hypothesized about the attractions of an interest bearing retail CBDC. (LedgerInsights) (AC- WEF, IMF, CBDCs mean control at higher and higher levels but without adequate technology it's simply posturing)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Job Growth Likely Remained Strong in April: The US economy likely added 243,000 jobs in April 2024, a slight deceleration compared to the 303,000 jobs added in March, with many economists expecting continued job growth in sectors such as construction and leisure, partially fueled by a recent surge in immigration. The full report is due today. (TradingEconomics) (
2. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Falls Further: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury yield pared its mid-session rebound and fell to 4.6% on Thursday, extending the drop from the prior session as markets continued to assess the outlook of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Sen. Lindsey Graham's phone being investigated for potential hack: Sen. Lindsey Graham said Wednesday that the FBI was in possession of his phone after he received a message from someone impersonating Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. "I get a message, I think, from Schumer," Graham, R-S.C., said during a panel discussion about artificial intelligence regulations at The Hill and Valley Forum. "It ain't from Schumer." (NBC)
-Technology-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 48/100 (Up 5 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): With Block's announcement of their new DCA program into Bitcoin, visibiliy is rising on the corporate practice pioneered to by Microstrategy. The nugget, however, is the free blueprint they shared that allows other companies to replicate the strategy successfully. The document can be downloaded by anyone, and of course it is self-serving for block, whose business it is to buy and sell bitcoin. There will be adherents to the practice, and soon the government will come for thier due. At some point, this is the type of event that will eventually lead to a bitcoin standard.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZQ.jpg

2024-05-01 12:24:28

- reply

Shoutout to our lead analyst, BV2A, for this 100th edition of the Bitcoin Veterans DIB

2024-05-01 12:22:48

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IBxI.jpg

2024-04-30 12:15:20

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 841,506
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 30Apr24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: China Using Water Cannons in S. China Sea / Attacker Uses Sword in London Streets / Russia Captures US M1 Tank / Protests Continue in US Colleges, Escalating / India Fingered in US Assasination Probe / Russia Looks to Ban all Bitcoin, Crypto / Samourai Founder Pleads Not Guilty, Posts Bail / Hong Kong BTC ETFs Fizzle on First Day / Large Coal Miner Now Mining Bitcoin
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $61,175, 26.48 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $64,703 / Lo: $61,042
Vol: $30B (Up 41%)
Mkt Cap: $1.2T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 547 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 34 sats/vBtye (Up 19%)
Nodes: 18,902
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Chinese water cannon damages ship in new South China Sea flare-up, Philippines says: The Philippine Coast Guard said the incident occurred as one of its ships and a fisheries agency vessel carried out a “legitimate patrol” near Scarborough Shoal, a Chinese-controlled rocky outcrop 130 miles (200 kilometers) west of the main Philippine island of Luzon and inside Manila’s exclusive economic zone. (CNN)
2. Sword-wielding attacker goes on rampage on streets of London, at least 5 injured: A sword-wielding attacker left five people, including two police officers, hospitalized in east London on Tuesday morning after crashing his van into a house and stabbing people seemingly at random. Police responded to reports of a man crashing his vehicle into a house in Thurlow Gardens just before 7 a.m. and stabbing multiple people, including two police officers. A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken into custody, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. (NYPost)
3. Russia ‘Seizes’ Abrams Tank For The Very 1st Time; To Display US MBT As War Trophy At Moscow Exhibition: The first US-supplied M1 Abrams tank was evacuated by troops from the Russian military unit “Center” at the frontlines of the Avdiivka sector of Donbas, Alexander Savchuk, the group’s head of the press center, told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. (EurAsianTimes)
-US Events-
1. Pro-Palestinian protesters take over Columbia building, barricade doors: Dozens of protesters breached an administrative building at Columbia University early Tuesday morning, barricading entrances and flying a Palestinian flag out a window on the Ivy League campus in Manhattan. The occupation is a dramatic escalation of campus chaos sweeping the nation. The number of arrests in the pro-Palestinian protest movement is approaching 1,000, per AP. (Axios)
2. Reported Indian role in assassination plots a 'serious matter', White House says: The Washington Post reported that an officer in India's intelligence service was directly involved in a foiled plan to assassinate a U.S. citizen who is one of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most vocal critics in the United States. It said the officer was also involved in the separate shooting death of a Sikh activist last June in Canada. (Reuters)
2. Sanctuary City Chicago: Police Made More Than 1,000 Arrests of Venezuelan Migrants in 2024 So Far: Put another way, while newly arrived Venezuelan migrants make up just 1.5 percent of Chicago’s 2.6 million residents, they have accounted for 11.11 percent of all arrests in the first three months of 2024, when officers recorded the arrestees’ country of origin. (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Russia prepares for total crypto ban as geopolitical tensions rise: Russia will enforce a strict ban on the general circulation of crypto assets such as Bitcoin, allowing only digital financial assets issued within its jurisdiction. Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, said “Digital financial assets issued in Russian jurisdiction, and digital rubles will be allowed. The need for a ban is due to the fact that today cryptocurrency – is a quasi-currency that replaces the ruble in the country. But only the Russian ruble fulfills the mission of the monetary unit, so this decision has been made.” The law has not been fully adopted yet. (CryptoBriefing)
2. Samourai Wallet co-founder pleads not guilty, released on $1M bond: In an April 29 appearance in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Keonne Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business and money laundering, and was released on bail. (CoinTelegraph)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Hong Kong's six spot bitcoin, ether ETFs see $11 million in volume on first trading day: ChinaAMC’s spot bitcoin ETF led in trading volume, logging HK$37.16 million on the day, and its assets under management reached $121.7 million. In comparison, when the 11 spot bitcoin ETFs began trading in the U.S. in January, their daily turnover reached about $4.6 billion on the first trading day. (TheBlock)
2. MicroStrategy Now Holds $13.6B Worth of Bitcoin, 1% of Total Circulating Supply: MicroStrategy (MSTR) raised over $1.5 billion in the first quarter and used the proceeds to acquire an additional 25,250 bitcoin (BTC) and now owns 214,400 BTC worth around $13.6 billion. MicroStrategy reported a first-quarter net operating loss of $53.1 million after taking a digital asset impairment charge of $191.6 million. At the earnings call yesterday, MSTR confirmed they are not using the new FASB fair-market accounting system yet. (CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. The ECB Warn That The IPhone Is “Incompatible With Digital Currency”: Apple’s proposed commitments to the European Commission would not give third parties full access to the secure element (SE) in the iPhone. Access to the SE is important in the central bank digital currency (CBDC) context because, as Mr. Cipollone sets out in his letter, access to the SE is vital for mobile device-based offline digital euro payments. (Forbes) (AC- In other words, if the EU can't access all your phone data, you can't use that phone with the new Euro CBDC)
-Economic Indicators-
NSTR
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. FCC slaps fines on wireless carriers for illegally selling location data: The largest US wireless carriers, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, face nearly $200 million in fines from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for illegally selling real-time location information data, which often end going up to “bail-bond companies, bounty hunters, and other shady actors.” (CyberNews)
-Technology-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Coal Mining Giant Enters Bitcoin Mining Sector: NASDAQ-listed coal mining giant Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) has announced its entry into the cryptocurrency market by investing $30 million in Bitcoin mining. This unexpected step was revealed during the company’s latest earnings call, highlighted by CFO Cary Marshall. (CoinTurk)
2. Bitcoin Testnet Mayhem: Developer Admits Generating Three Years’ Worth of Blocks in Just One Week: Several Bitcoin developers are upset with a Bitcoin enthusiast who admitted “griefing” one of Bitcoin’s testnets. Jameson Lopp, a cypherpunk and founder of digital asset self-custody solution Casa caused havoc when he produced three years’ worth of blocks in just one week. This excessive generation of blocks forced some developers to pause the applications they were testing. (CCN)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 67/100 (Even)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZQ.jpg

2024-04-30 11:56:39

- reply

Here you go, fam!
https://m.primal.net/IBeO.jpg

2024-04-30 11:41:17

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IBeC.jpg

2024-04-29 12:25:47

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 841,362
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 29Apr24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: International Criminal Court Interested in Israel / Ukraine Situation Worsens / US Protests Continue / Australia Next for BTC ETFs / Japanese Yen Sinks to 36 Year Low Against USD / Solo BTC Miner Wins Reward
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $62,224, 26.61 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $63,935/ Lo: $61,955
Vol: $21B (Up 17%)
Mkt Cap: $1.23T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 593 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 28 sats/vBtye (Down 74%)
Nodes: 18,823
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israel concerned over possible ICC arrest warrants related to Gaza war: The International Criminal Court - which can charge individuals with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide - is investigating Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack and Israel's devastating military assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, now in its seventh month. In response to Israeli media reports that the ICC might soon issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli government and military officials, Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Sunday warned Israeli embassies to bolster their security because of the risk of a "wave of severe antisemitism". (Reuters)
2. Ukraine pulls back forces in east as front line situation worsens; Kyiv desperately awaits U.S. weapon supplies: “The situation at the front [has] worsened,” Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Telegram.
3. Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland's first minister: He said he had "underestimated" the level of hurt after ending a power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens last week (BBC)
-US Events-
1. Hundreds of students arrested in US Gaza war protests, scuffles at UCLA: Police were out in full force, some using chemical irritants and Tasers to disperse students, as more universities join the movement. On Sunday, the mood turned ugly when some demonstrators broke through a barrier that had been set up to separate the two factions, according to Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications. People from both sides then pushed and shoved each other, shouting slogans and insults and in some cases trading punches. Campus police armed with batons eventually separated the sparring groups. (AlJazerra)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. South Korea Plans To Establish Permanent Crypto Investigative Unit Amid Rising Crimes: South Korea is combating the increasing incidents of cryptocurrency-related crimes and fraud cases by transitioning its temporary crypto investigative unit into a permanent one, according to a local report. (Yahoo)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Australian Securities Exchange Could Approve Spot-Bitcoin ETFs Before 2024-End: Local entity, DigitalX Ltd. applied in February, the report said. VanEck resubmitted an application in February, it announced last month. Sydney-based BetaShares told Bloomberg it is working toward launching a product on the ASX. (CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Bank of Japan launches CBDC API Sandbox: The central bank ran two previous proofs of concept (PoCs) for the digital yen, the latest ending a year ago. Examples of additional functionality explored in the current phase include privacy and scalability. On the privacy front, the central bank wants to separate personal data from payment data, mentioning the digital euro as an example. However, the paper also explores potentially selling data including details about purchases if users provide consent. (LedgerInsights)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Yen Rebounds After Hitting 34-Year Low of 160 to Dollar in Thin Trade: The yen rebounded to 155.07 to the dollar Monday afternoon after earlier touching its weakest level since April 1990. Trading volumes were thin as it was a public holiday in Japan. The yen was 158.34 to the dollar late Friday in New York. The dollar has strengthened in recent weeks as signs of strong U.S. inflation eroded hopes for a near-term rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The U.S. central bank’s two-day policy meeting is scheduled to start Tuesday. Some analysts have said that even if Japanese authorities intervene to support the yen, the effect could be limited, as the primary driver of the dollar/yen pair is the interest rate differential between the U.S. and Japan. (WSJ) (AC-Even though the price action was 'after hours', it seems the BOJ intervened when the Yen hit the 160 mark.)
2. US Futures Edge Higher to Start the Week: US stock futures edged higher on Monday as the major averages came off a winning week, while investors look forward to more corporate earnings, economic data and the Federal Reserve’s policy decision this week.
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Crypto Hacking Group Lazarus Impersonates Fenbushi Capital Exec: Lazarus Group created a fake LinkedIn profile under the name “Nevil Bolson,” claiming to be the founding partner at Fenbushi Capital. The group then used the impostor profile to chat privately with targets, discussing investments before suggesting a meeting. The hackers insert malicious links disguised as meeting links or event pages, which launch phishing attacks when clicked. (MilkRoad)
2. Why China Is So Bad at Disinformation: China’s state-sponsored disinformation campaign has been running at a massive scale for seven years—but no one is looking at it. “I would describe China's disinformation campaigns as Russia 2014. As in, they're 10 years behind,” says Clint Watts, the general manager of Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center. “They're trying lots of different things but their sophistication is still very weak.” Over the last 24 months, the campaign has switched from pushing predominately pro-China content to more aggressively targeting US politics. (Wired)
-Technology-
1. Elon Musk’s Bold Plan for X Payments: A Game-Changer for Crypto Adoption?: X's potential integration of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ethereum, XRP, and dogecoin into its upcoming payment system has sparked speculation and excitement within the crypto community. X has already acquired money-transmitter licenses in 25 U.S. states. (Blockonomi)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Solo Bitcoin miner wins the 3.125 BTC lottery: A single Bitcoin miner has defied the odds by solving a Bitcoin block alone, netting them the full 3.125 Bitcoin block reward. The solo miner netted around $200,000 in rewards for validating block 841,286. The feat is remarkable because mining a valid block solo is an extremely rare event akin to winning the lottery. It is so rare that it has only occurred 282 times out of the 841,300 blocks produced since Bitcoin’s inception 14 years ago. (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 67/100 (Down 3 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The economies of the world seem to be teetering on the edge of a major correction. The Yen/USD is foremost an indicator of economic stress that may have complicated consequences. The data coming from the US is hinting at a new period of stagflation ahead, while the EU is in a political and economic funk. China is not much better. All this points to a period of economic contraction and limited liquidity which may lead to more uncommon or extreme political or economic reactions. Look for continued flight to safer assets and possible draconian government overreach.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-04-29 12:07:48

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IBLs.png

2024-04-27 21:11:18

@npub160t…yjc9 knows
https://m.primal.net/IAhZ.jpg

2024-04-26 12:41:04

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/IAFP.jpg

2024-04-25 20:21:42

@npub1w6y…5pt8 has been suspended by Xitter
This is why they’re on nostr
If you’d be so kind as to give them a follow
https://m.primal.net/HztD.jpg

2024-04-25 12:41:33

@npub1qny…95gx eloquently delivers an explanation on how Bitcoin has given him hope for the future
Stop complaining and get out their and build the future you want for your children
https://cdn.satellite.earth/fb6611f12d92b636501e6f5903ae401a76419986e67f62f26d2881824507d500.mp4

2024-04-25 12:39:08

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 840,819
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 25Apr24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: SECState in China / IDF Has Rafah in Sights / Houthis Target US Ships / Russia Seizes $440M from JPMorgan / AZ AG Enters Election Year Lawfare Against Trump / US College Campuses Protests Widen / Samourai Wallet Founders Arrested / BTC ETFs Weaken
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $64,041, 27.42 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $66,730/ Lo: $63,347
Vol: $33B (Up 40%)
Mkt Cap: $1.26T (Down 4%)
HashRate: 547 EH/s
Avg Fees: 8,814 sats/tx (Down 63%)
Nodes: 19,260
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Blinken Kicks Off Diplomatic Mission in China: U.S. aid to Taiwan, a new TikTok law, and Beijing’s ties with the Kremlin are at the forefront of this week’s visit. Experts predict the foreign aid package to be a prime talking point between the U.S. and Chinese delegations, as part of it provides $8 billion in funding for the Indo-Pacific region, including military assistance to Taiwan. (ForeignPolicy)
2. Israel says Rafah assault looms; massive Gaza airstrikes end weeks of relative calm: Israeli warplanes pounded the northern Gaza strip for a second day on Wednesday in a fierce assault that has shattered weeks of comparative calm, and Israel said it was moving forward with plans for an all-out assault on Rafah in the south. (Reuters)
3. Houthis Claim Responsibility in US Cargo, Naval Ship Attack: The incidents on Wednesday come after a lull in attacks, during which the Houthis launched more than 50 assaults since November on shipping vessels. Houthis claim they targeted a U.S. cargo ship and an American warship destroyer in the Gulf of Aden as well as the Israeli ship MSC Veracruz in the Indian Ocean, according to a televised speech from Sarea that was posted on X. US and western news sources are refuting that any ship was damaged but that missiles were shot down by US forces. (Newsweek, StarsAndStripes, CNN)
4. Russian court orders seizure of $440mn from JPMorgan: A Russian court has ordered the seizure of JPMorgan Chase funds totalling $439.5mn a week after Kremlin-run lender VTB launched legal action against the largest US bank to recoup money stuck under Washington’s sanctions regime. (FT) (AC-Economic warfare includes sanctions, currency manipulation, and financial attacks. This is obviously a response against the US sanctions against Russia and the giving of Russian assets to Ukraine just this week.)
-US Events-
1. Arizona grand jury indicts Meadows, Giuliani, other Trump allies for 2020 election interference: An Arizona grand jury has indicted 18 allies of Donald Trump for their efforts to subvert the 2020 election — including former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Boris Epshteyn. (Politico)
2. Pro-Palestinian campus protests roil political debate in Washington: College students demonstrating their support for Palestinians on campuses across the country are shaking up the political debate on Capitol Hill, pitting Israel’s closest allies in both parties against more liberal Democrats siding with the protesters in accusing the country of orchestrating a genocide in Gaza. (TheHill)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Samourai Wallet Founders Arrested and Charged With Money Laundering: Federal prosecutors charged Samourai Wallet founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill with conspiracy to commit money laundering on Wednesday, as the U.S. government continues its approach to prosecuting crypto mixing tools that may be used by illicit actors and foreign governments to hide fund transfers. Wednesday's arrests come as the DOJ prepares for its upcoming trial against Roman Storm, a developer and co-founder of crypto mixing service Tornado Cash. That case is being pursued by the DOJ's Southern District of New York division. Recently, the DOJ's Washington, D.C. unit successfully won a conviction against Roman Sterlingov, the operator of crypto mixer Bitcoin Fog, on money laundering charges. (CoinDesk)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US spot Bitcoin ETFs see daily net outflow of $120 million: Grayscale’s GBTC had $130.42 million leave the converted bitcoin ETF, while Fidelity and Ark Invest’s funds were the only two to have inflows totaling about $10 million. BlackRock’s IBIT in particular, ended its 71-day positive streak on Wednesday. (TheBlock)
2. Tesla Maintains Bitcoin Holdings — Balance Sheet Shows $184 Million in Digital Assets: Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, has maintained its bitcoin holdings. The company’s Q1 balance sheet shows net digital assets of $184 million. According to crypto analytics firm Arkham, Tesla continues to hold onto its 11,509 bitcoins, which have a market value of over $745 million. (BitcoinCom) (AC-The discrepancy in the balance sheet and Bitcoin held is the choice of Tesla to not report current market value of the 11,509 bitcoin. This may change in the near future with the FASB rules on reporting but most likely it is an option of the CFO.)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. In October 2023, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot program by the Bank of Thailand came to an end. It tested a tokenized Thai baht on a centralized ledger and involved 4,000 consumers, 140 merchants. While the Thai central bank was happy with the results and thought a CBDC would help promote innovation, it reported that it had no plans to push ahead with a digital baht immediately. Along with testing peer-to-peer and retail payments, the Thai CBDC pilot program allowed the testing of several programmable features, including enabling parents to restrict what their children’s money could be spent on. (CoinGeek)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Dollar Muted Ahead of GDP Data: The dollar index was subdued around 105.8 on Thursday as investors avoided making big bets ahead of US GDP data for the first quarter that could influence the outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Durable Goods Orders Rise for 2nd Month: New orders for manufactured durable goods in the United States surged by 2.6% month-over-month in March 2024, following a downwardly revised 0.7% growth seen in February and slightly exceeding market expectations of a 2.5% increase. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. North Korea’s Lazarus Group Targets Crypto Firms in New LinkedIn Scam: According to SlowMist, Lazarus executes a meticulous plan, targeting unsuspecting LinkedIn users. Under the pretense of job inquiries, hackers coax victims into sharing personal information. Once contact is established, victims are encouraged to download seemingly harmless code, supposedly for troubleshooting purposes. The group’s aggressive crypto heists have amassed over $3 billion in stolen digital assets since its inception. (CoinPedia)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 72/100 (Even)
Analyst Comments (AC): The arrest of the founders of Samourai Wallet and continued prosecution of the developer Tornado Cash shows an increasing pressure on privacy and gray market enablers by the US DOJ. In context, it is not an isolated event but rather a systemic approach that is increasingly conflating financial privacy with illegally laundering money. As the digital age continues to progress those in power are realizing the capabilities of surveillance over financial transactions and are fighting to maintain and increase control. This is a continuation of the war between centralization of power and decentralization (AKA freedom) but in the new digital age. This arrest and more to come highlight the need for individuals and communities to increase responsibility for privacy in all matters and understand the tools and use them.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-04-25 03:10:15

- reply

Some dumbass posted this from the BV handle instead of his personal account… TWICE
He’s currently being reprimanded

2024-04-25 03:08:10

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” -Socrates
From @npub1py2…238z‘s new book, Parallel
a.co/d/5z7g9oX
https://m.primal.net/HzeO.jpg

2024-04-25 01:50:17

@npub1qny…95gx discusses the dichotomy of needing local communities of neighbors helping neighbors while still being connected to a thriving global economy.
https://cdn.satellite.earth/f1d12459bbd539713b319a7ded5223a4a9eaea1d2298f4b453fd955966f1462c.mp4

2024-04-24 12:14:29

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 840,651
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 24Apr24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Mass Graves Found In Gaza / Musk Stokes Free Speech Debate With Aussies / Ukraine Hits Oil Refineries / US Aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan Pass Congress / Tennessee OKs Guns for Teachers / Columbia University Protests Continue / DOJ want Binance's Zhao in Prison / Stablecoins Increase in Usage / Block Announces New Mining Rigs
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $66,556, 28.70 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $67,148/ Lo: $65,864
Vol: $24B (Down 4%)
Mkt Cap: $1.3T (Even)
HashRate: 584 EH/s
Avg Fees: 37,760 sats/tx (Up 35%)
Nodes: 18,900
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. UN calls for investigation into mass graves found at Gaza hospitals: United Nations leaders demanded a “clear, transparent and credible” investigation Tuesday after mass graves containing the bodies of hundreds of men and women were discovered on the grounds of two major hospitals in Gaza that were previously under assault by the Israeli military. The mass graves contained some people stripped naked with their hands tied, raising concerns over potential war crimes, the U.N. said, describing the bodies as “buried deep in the ground and covered with waste.” (TheHill)
2. Musk decision to leave knife attack video on X prompts police terror warning, says Australian senator: An Australian senator said on Wednesday that police feared Elon Musk's decision to ignore a regulator order and leave footage on his social media platform X of a Sydney bishop being stabbed might encourage people to join terrorist groups. An Australian court has upheld a regulator order for the billionaire to take down posts containing footage of the April 15 stabbing of the Assyrian bishop during a service. (Reuters)
3. Ukraine Hits Multiple Russian Refineries Overnight Despite US Warnings: Ukraine launched drone attacks on several Russian oil refineries overnight, Russian sources said on Wednesday, despite pushback from Washington urging Kyiv to reel in its strikes on Moscow's oil infrastructure. (Newsweek)
-US Events-
1. Senate Approves Aid for Ukraine and Israel, Sending It to Biden’s Desk: The Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday night to give final approval to a $95.3 billion package of aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending it to President Biden for signature. (NYT)
2. Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to allow teachers to be armed: The 68-28 vote in favor of the bill sent it to Republican Gov. Bill Lee for consideration. Under the bill passed Tuesday, a worker who wants to carry a handgun would need to have a handgun carry permit and written authorization from the school’s principal and local law enforcement. They would also need to clear a background check and undergo 40 hours of handgun training. (Politico)
3. Columbia sets deadline for agreement with protesters, threatens 'alternative options' for clearing protesters: The university has already moved to hybrid learning for the remainder of the semester over safety concerns sparked by the protest. University President Shafik said in a message to the university community Tuesday night that if discussions are unsuccessful, administrators would have to "consider alternative options for clearing the West Lawn and restoring calm to campus so that students can complete the term and graduate." (Fox)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. US DOJ seeks 36 months’ imprisonment for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao: “Zhao’s willful violation of U.S. law was no accident or oversight,” the Department of Justice said in the filing. “He made a business decision that violating U.S. law was the best way to attract users, build his company, and line his pockets.”, the DOJ said. While Zhao’s sentencing is scheduled for April 30, the former Binance CEO remains free on bail after securing his release with a $175 million bond. A judge previously denied his request to travel to Dubai. (TheBlock)
2. Number of Stablecoin Holders Nears 100M Mark, Data Show: The number of addresses holding dollar and crypto-pegged stablecoins has increased 15% this year to above 93.6 million, the highest on record. Tether (USDT) holders, with an industry-leading market cap of $114.07 billion, accounted for just over 80% of the total stablecoin addresses, followed by USDC and BUSD. (CoinDesk)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. WEF Says 98% of Central Banks Are Exploring CBDCs: According to the WEF’s study, CBDCs could bring benefits like eliminating credit and liquidity risks, facilitating final settlements, and promoting financial stability. (Blockononomi) (AC-The remainder of the article portrays WEF's infatuation with CBDCs.)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Mortgage Applications Fall the Most in 2 Months: Mortgage applications in the US fell by 2.7% from the previous week in the period ending April 19th, trimming the 3.3% increase from halfway through the month to mark the sharpest weekly decline since early February. Mortgage rates rose to 7.24% this week. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Indiana water plant hack admitted by Russian hackers: CNN reports that Indiana-based water and wastewater treatment plant and electricity provider Tipton Municipal Utilities has been targeted by a cyberattack on April 19 claimed by Russia-linked hacking operation CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn. Based on a video posted by the hackers on social media, TMU had its water aeration and movement software altered as a result of the breach. However, such manipulation has been minimized as a "minor annoyance" to operators of water and wastewater plants by Infinity Squared Group CEO Ron Fabela. (SCMag)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Jack Dorsey’s Block announces development of ‘full Bitcoin mining system’: In an April 23 blog post, Block said it had completed development of a three-nanometer chip used for BTC mining, which led to the firm announcing a “full Bitcoin mining system. (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 72/100 (Up 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZQ.jpg

2024-04-23 12:32:36

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 840,513
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 23Apr24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Israel-Hamas War Draws Sides / China's Economic Reports Suspect, Says US Commander / Senate to Take Up Ukraine, Israel Funding Today / Venezuela Using USDT for Oil / Binance Under Scrutiny / BTC Fees Coming Back Down
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $66,150, 28.69 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $67,233/ Lo: $65,705
Vol: $25B (Even)
Mkt Cap: $1.3T (Up 1%)
HashRate: 810 EH/s (Up 30%)
Avg Fees: 26,879 sats/tx (Down 26%)
Nodes: 19,544
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. IDF strikes vehicle in southern Lebanon, kills two senior Hezbollah officials: The IDF killed Hassin Ali Ezkol, a terrorist and central member of Hezbollah's aerial defense unit during a targeted strike on a vehicle he was riding in, the IDF confirmed on Tuesday. Another unnamed senior Hezbollah terrorist was killed in the strike as well. (JPost)
2. Israel’s war on Gaza live: Death toll climbs after 200 days of attacks: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says “processes” are under way to look into allegations of rights abuses by the Israeli military but doesn’t confirm reports of imminent sanctions against an IDF army unit. At least 34,183 Palestinians have been killed and 77,143 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139 with dozens still held captive in Gaza. (AlJazeera)
3. China’s Economy Is ‘Failing,’ U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Says: The U.S. military commander in the Indo-Pacific said he didn’t believe the economic growth figures reported by China and described the country’s economy as failing.According to Beijing’s official numbers released last week, the economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. Aquilino described the figure as “not real.” “You go ask any economist if the Chinese are going to deliver 5.3% growth, and they will tell you, ‘No way,’ ” Aquilino said. (WSJ)
-US Events-
1. Universities Struggle as Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Grow: Dozens were arrested Monday at N.Y.U. and Yale, but officials there and at campuses across the country are running out of options to corral protests that are expected to last the rest of the school year. (NYT)
2. Senate returns to take up $95B foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan: The bills also include a proposal to force a sale of TikTok sale or face a ban. The legislation, which includes four bills, passed the House over the weekend with bipartisan support. President Joe Biden urged the Senate to quickly advance the measures to his desk. The package provides roughly $26 billion for Israel, currently at war with Hamas in Gaza; as well as $61 billion for Ukraine and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific. A fourth bill would force a U.S. ban of TikTok if its Chinese parent company doesn't sell it; impose sanctions on Russia, China and Iran; and seize Russian assets to help Ukraine rebuild from the war's damage. (ABC)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Venezuela plans to speed up USDT adoption following US sanctions: Venezuela’s state-run oil firm PDVSA is gearing up to increase the use of the Tether stablecoin for exporting crude and fuel oil, as the U.S. has recently decided to reimpose sanctions on the country. By the end of the first quarter, PDVSA had already moved many non-swap spot oil deals to a kind of contract that requires prepayment in USDT. The Venezuelan oil company is also asking new customers seeking to conduct oil transactions to hold crypto in a digital wallet. (Reuters) (AC-Why not Bitcoin?)
2. Binance sued in Canada for securities law violations: Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice published a certification motion on April 19 for a class-action lawsuit against Binance alleging that it sold crypto derivative products to retail investors without registration. The latest class action against Binance comes a few years after the crypto exchange announced in June 2021 plans to cease operations in Ontario after the OSC approached the firm with a warning. (CoinTelegraph)
3. Philippines SEC Urges Filipino Investors To Exit Binance, Requests App Removal From Google And Apple Stores: As part of its rising scrutiny on the popular cryptocurrency trading platform, the SEC has not only advised users to close their positions but has also reached out to tech giants Google and Apple. This included a request to remove the Binance app from their respective digital stores. Earlier this year, the Indian government also blocked Binance and several other crypto exchanges on play store and App store. (BlockchainReporter) (AC-India, Nigeria, Philippines and Canada are all focused on shutting down Binance in their countries due to registration issues. Meanwhile, Binance is newly registered in the UAE.)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Chile Edging Closer to CBDC Launch: a digital peso rollout is looking increasingly likely, with the BCCh announcing it is set to commence Proof-of-Concept (PoC) testing. The central bank also conducted a survey. It said that it asked “the general public and representatives of the public and private sectors” for their CBDC-related opinions. The BCCh said almost 90% of survey respondents had “a favorable attitude toward CBDC” pilots. (CryptoNews)
-Economic Indicators-
NSTR
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Trezor CEO: Phishing Attack Highlights Need for Crypto User Education: Trezor, a provider of cryptocurrency hardware wallets, recently faced a security breach when its official Twitter account was compromised. The attackers used the platform to disseminate fraudulent messages about presale token offerings. This misled followers and put them at risk of financial scams. Now, the company’s CEO says that user education is vital when it comes to avoiding attacks. (CCN)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin's Fees Spike To All-Time High After 4th Halving Block: The fee spike has little to nothing to do with the halving itself. It has to do with a new token protocol that launched on top of Bitcoin at block height 840,000, called Runes. It uses Bitcoin's OP_RETURN data, which allows users to attach up to 80 bytes of extra data to a Bitcoin transaction output. Anybody can mint a rune by specifying a name, ID, symbol, quantity, and other data. Users can then sign with their private key and broadcast the transaction to the Bitcoin network. A massive influx of users minting Runes in block 840,000 and blocks over the subsequent 24 hours drove fees as a % of the total block reward to a record-high level of 74%. (ZeroHedge) (AC- Read the complete article at ZeroHedge for an in-depth understanding of the Runes/Fees issues)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 71/100 (Up 14 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): All eyes are on the repercussions of the Israel-Hamas war globally. In the US, college campus (mostly Ivy League) protests are shutting down campuses and more than 60 people have been arrested. Many videos are surfacing of students yelling antisemitic slogans while one Jewish girl was stabbed in the eye with a pole. In Congress, military aid was approved by the House for Israel (and Ukraine) while the conflict in the Levant continues with reports from both sides seemingly full of propaganda (see the reports above). The issue is certainly reaching a boiling point and the world is taking sides while rhetoric and violence increase. The conflict is probably the longest running on Earth even if the names of the participants change over millennia. What does change is the methods and tactics of warfare and the speed of information traveling globally.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-04-21 04:40:12

Peter Schiff: “Don’t compare Bitcoin to gold. Bitcoin has outperformed everything.”
Yes. Exactly.

2024-04-19 03:06:24

- reply

Please! Please dump it for me right before the halving.
Best Halving present ever!!

2024-04-18 19:34:18

Join us early tonight at 6:30 ET for a special announcement from @npub1w6y…5pt8
https://v.nostr.build/Gex8J.mp4
#note1lnz…6lg2

2024-04-18 19:32:53

Join Bitcoin Veterans LIVE tonight at 7pm ET with guest @npub1c68…cy0g
Good thing Dom is a firefighter because this episode is going to be straight 🔥🔥🔥
https://www.youtube.com/live/pZ3GFQzxuP4

2024-04-18 18:45:42

- reply

We’re working with them to get it setup 🫡

2024-04-18 12:34:06

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 839,771
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 18Apr24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US Influencing Israel Ops? / Indonesian Volcano Erupts / US-China Shipbuilding Capability 1:100, Under Scrutiny / Stablecoin Legislation Entered in US Congress / Koreans buying more Crypto Than USD holders / Chinese Product Makers Spying on Customers / Binance Fully Approved in Dubai
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $62,446, 26.14 oz Gold, .14 Median US House
24hr Hi: $63,058/ Lo: $59,768
Vol: $44B (Up 21%)
Mkt Cap: $1.23T (Even)
HashRate: 582 EH/s
Avg Fees: 19,933 sats/tx (Down 55%)
Nodes: 18,813
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US approves Rafah Op in exchange for no Israeli counter-strikes on Iran: A senior official told The New Arab that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu managed to obtain American approval for a military operation in Rafah, in exchange for [Israel] refraining from carrying out a wide military operation against Iran in response to its recent attack." (JPost)
2. Indonesian volcano eruption forces evacuations, airport closure: Wednesday's dramatic eruption of the volcano on a remote island in the province of North Sulawesi threw a fiery-red column of lava, incandescent rock and ash as much as three km into the sky. (reuters)
3. Biden administration to end sanctions waiver on Venezuelan oil: The Biden administration says Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro does not intend to hold free and fair elections. Six months after lifting U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's key oil and gas sectors, the Treasury Department announced Wednesday it will let those temporary licenses expire -- saying Maduro's government did not uphold its end of the bargain. (ABC)
-US Events-
1. Senate kills articles of impeachment against Mayorkas: The blink-and-you-missed-it trial marked the culmination of an effort hatched by House Republicans seeking to cast the limelight on the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border ahead of the general election. (CNN)
2. Widespread 911 Outages Are Reported in Four States: Residents in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas and Nevada were unable to call the emergency number, officials said. Service was later restored in Las Vegas, Nebraska and South Dakota. (NYT)
3. Investigation launched into Chinese shipbuilding's impact on national security, U.S. jobs: The White House said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into China’s shipbuilding industry for alleged practices that undermine national security and jobs in Wisconsin and other states. Chinese state-owned enterprises and other facilities are now capable of building more than 1,000 ocean-going vessels a year, while the United States produced only around 10 last year. “China has tried to rig the system with unfair trade practices", officials said. (MilwaukeeJS) (AC-Modern union power has consequences)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Stablecoins Get A Seat At The Table: US Senators Unveil New Regulations: US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Cynthia Lummis have unveiled the Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act. The legislation, which has been in the works for months, seeks to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, addressing concerns surrounding their use and potential risks. (Bitcoinist) (AC-The devil is in details and negotiating amendments which are yet to be revealed)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. BlackRock Adds $72.8 Million Worth of Bitcoin Before Halving: According to crypto analysis firm LookOnChain, BlackRock has added another 1,162 Bitcoin, worth $72.82 million. The world’s largest asset manager currently holds 272,139 BTC, worth $17.06 billion. While BlackRock has increased its BTC holdings, Grayscale has reduced its BTC exposure by 2,524 BTC, worth $158.21 million. Grayscale currently holds 311,621 BTC, worth $19.53 billion. (Watcher)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. Korean won surpasses US dollar as most-traded currency for crypto in Q1: The cumulative won trade volume on centralized crypto exchanges during the period recorded $456 billion, while the U.S. dollar reported $445 billion, the data showed. (TheBlock)
2. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Eases from 2024-Highs: The US 10-year Treasury note yield eased to 4.57% after touching a 2024-high of 4.7% early in the week (TradingEconomics)
3. Mortgage Rates at 4-Month High: The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances rose by 12bps to 7.13% in the week ended April 12th, 2024, reaching the highest level since early December. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Chinese manufacturer exposes data from surveillance devices: Raysharp, a Chinese manufacturer of video cameras, recorders, and other surveillance products, has suffered a data leak that exposed its devices. Cybernews researchers have discovered three billion records in a leaking database from the company’s analytics platform. (CyberNews) (AC-Surveillance devices made in China are often much cheaper than those in the US or Japan, but data from those devices are obviously being used to spy on its customers)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Binance Secures Full Virtual-Asset Services Provider License in Dubai: "As we secure the esteemed full market VASP Licence, it notably amplifies our unwavering commitment to advancing the financial landscape through compliance and innovation," CEO Richard Teng said in a statement. (CoinDesk)
2. Bitcoin Depot Deploying Over 60 ATMs to Major Grocery Chain: The world-leading Bitcoin ATM network has announced that 60 of its ATMs are set to be deployed in the fastest-growing grocery chain in the country, Fareway, which features more than 130 stores in the Midwestern United States. (watcherGuru)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 57/100 (Down 10 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
https://m.primal.net/HiZd.jpg

2024-04-18 00:25:02

Bitcoiners, follow @npub1w6y…5pt8 for a big announcement coming Thursday after 1600 UTC

2024-04-17 11:02:37

Good morning ☕️
https://m.primal.net/HwNa.jpg

2024-04-16 01:36:02

Tune in LIVE, Thursday at 7pm ET with guest @npub1c68…cy0g
Dom Bei is the Founder of Proof of Workforce, a 501c4 nonprofit. Currently a Fire Captain and previously the President of the Santa Monica Firefighters with 10 years of Union experience, Dom's mission is to bring long-term and sustainable Bitcoin education and adoption to the workforce.
#GetOnTheMission
https://m.primal.net/HvkA.jpg

2024-04-04 12:16:59

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 837,675
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 04Apr24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Taiwan Earthquake Damage Revealed, Tremors Continue / Israel Using AI to Target Hamas / Jan 6th 'leader' gets 7 years / Race to Become 1st Bank to Offer BTC ETFs / BIS Starting CBDC for Cross-Border Payments / Private Key Comprimises Lead to Large Losses
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $66,363, 28.94 oz Gold, .15 Median US House
24hr Hi: $66,914/ Lo: $65,103
Vol: $29B (Down 31%)
Mkt Cap: $1.3T (Even)
HashRate: 557 EH/s
Avg Fees: 4,767 sats/tx (Down 13%)
Nodes: 18,103
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Taiwan earthquake – latest news: Death toll rises to 10 as island rocked by over 300 ‘terrifying’ aftershocks: More than 1,000 people have sustained injuries in the biggest earthquake recorded on the island in 25 years, while over 40 people remained trapped on Thursday. Over 300 aftershocks since Wednesday morning have forced “terrified” people on the island to sleep in tents outside their houses or in emergency shelters. (IndependentUK)
2. Taiwan condemns 'shameless' China's thanks for global sympathy on quake: China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N., Geng Shuang told the UN, "We thank the international community for its expressions of sympathy and concern,", which immediately angered Taiwan. This shows China has no goodwill towards Taiwan, the Taiwan ministry added. (Reuters)
2. Israel is using artificial intelligence to help pick bombing targets in Gaza, report says: The Israeli military has been using artificial intelligence to help identify bombing targets in Gaza, according to an investigation by +972 Magazine and Local Call, citing six Israeli intelligence officials involved in the alleged program – who also allege that human review of the suggested targets was cursory at best. The officials said that the AI-based tool was called “Lavender” and was known to have a 10% error rate. (CNN)
-US Events-
1. Deadly storms and tornadoes leave a path of destruction from Georgia to Illinois: At least three people were killed and several were injured after a powerful storm system spawned tornadoes and damaging storms from the South to the Ohio Valley. (CNN)
2. Man who used megaphone to lead attack on Capitol police sentenced to more than 7 years in prison: A Washington state man who used a megaphone to orchestrate a mob's attack on police officers guarding the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot was sentenced on Wednesday to more than seven years in prison. Johnatakis led other rioters on a charge against a police line, "barked commands" over his megaphone and shouted step-by-step directions for overpowering officers, the judge said. (CBS)
-Regulatory and Legal-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Morgan Stanley wants to beat UBS to become first Bitcoin ETF bank: Morgan Stanley is hoping to beat UBS in becoming the first wirehouse to fully approve the Bitcoin ETF. “Several sources confirm that Morgan Stanley is set to approve Bitcoin ETFs on its platform in the next two weeks,” an insider wrote on March 26. (Cointelegraph) (AC-Although this report is speculative, the groundwork is laid for such a move, and banks have publicly stated that it is their desire to offer BTC ETFs)
2. Hedge Funds Hold Record Bearish Bitcoin Bets, Data Show: Hedge funds boosted their net short positions in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's (CME) standard bitcoin futures contracts to 16,102. That's the most since the futures began trading in late 2017, according to CFTC figures published last week. The record buildup in short positions likely reflects hedge funds' renewed interest in the carry trade. (CoinDesk) (AC-Common among many investment funds, carry trade is a counter-trade to protect investments from downside action acting as a type of insurance)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Seven central banks in BIS Project Agora to tokenize cross border payments: Today, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub unveiled Project Agorá, to tokenize cross border payments. This is the first project in line with its concept of a Unified Ledger. It seeks to unite seven central banks and commercial banks on a shared, programmable infrastructure to facilitate cross-border transactions. The project will encompass most of the major currencies, including the USD, Euro, GBP, and Yen. Consequently, the participating central banks are the Bank of France, Bank of Japan, Bank of Korea, Bank of Mexico, Swiss National Bank, Bank of England, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. (LedgerInsights)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Gold Hits Record High, Silver Sees Substantial Gains: The price of gold continues to hit unprecedented highs, with one troy ounce of .999 fine gold now trading at $2,298. Silver is also beginning to ride the wave of gold’s recent uptrend, with its value climbing 3.64% on Wednesday surpassing the $27 per ounce mark. (BitcoinCom)
2. US Companies Cut the Most Jobs in 14 Months: US-based employers announced plans to cut 90,309 jobs in March 2024, the most since January 2023, compared to 84,638 in February. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Private keys are a $239m security risk, CertiK report says: Private key compromises accounted for almost half of financial losses in onchain security breaches in Q1 2024. Private key compromises surged by a whopping 1,171% from the first quarter of 2023, when private key compromises amounted to about $19 million. (DLNews)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 70/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Manage your private keys well, keep them off digital plaforms, and don't lose them.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
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Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
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*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
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2024-03-31 01:27:45

Absolute 🔥🔥🔥 from @npub1g05…40hv
Her books are an absolute must read!
We would love to have Whitney on the show and/or come talk in the Bitcoin Veterans Citadel at @npub1rwh…7avv
LIKE, COMMENT, REPOST AND ZAP (WHITNEY) IF YOU AGREE!!
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