@ e3ce5265:4bb9f609

The TENEX prompting system is a sophisticated, distributed architecture that enables AI agents to construct, process, and execute complex prompts with integrated tool support, context management, and conversation orchestration. Unlike traditional prompt systems that focus on single interactions, TENEX implements a multi-agent conversational framework with dynamic prompt building, real-time typing indicators, and sophisticated context preservation.

Architecture Overview

Core Design Philosophy

The TENEX prompting system follows a context-first, agent-centric approach where prompts are: - Dynamically constructed based on agent roles, project context, and available tools - Conversation-aware with signal-based state management - Tool-integrated with automatic prompt enhancement for available capabilities - Multi-agent orchestrated with team formation and collaborative prompt execution

Key Components

TENEX Prompting System Architecture ├── Agent Layer (tenex/src/agents/domain/) │ ├── Agent.ts - Core prompt building and response generation │ ├── TeamLead.ts - Enhanced prompts for orchestration │ └── Team.ts - Multi-agent conversation management ├── Orchestration Layer (tenex/src/agents/application/) │ ├── EventRouter.ts - Prompt routing and agent selection │ └── TeamOrchestrator.ts - Dynamic team formation prompts ├── Tool Integration (tenex/src/utils/agents/tools/) │ ├── ToolRegistry.ts - Dynamic tool prompt generation │ ├── ToolEnabledProvider.ts - Tool-enhanced prompt execution │ └── Individual Tools (readSpecs.ts, updateSpec.ts, etc.) ├── LLM Providers (tenex/src/llm/) │ ├── BaseLLMProvider.ts - Core prompt processing │ ├── AnthropicProvider.ts - Claude-specific prompt handling │ └── ToolEnabledProvider.ts - Tool-aware prompt execution └── Infrastructure ├── RulesManager.ts - Project rule integration ├── SpecCache.ts - Living documentation access └── LLMProviderAdapter.ts - Typing indicator integration

Prompt Construction System

1. Core Agent Prompt Building

Location: tenex/src/agents/domain/Agent.ts:133-162

``typescript protected buildSystemPrompt(): string { let prompt =You are ${this.config.name}, ${this.config.role}.

Instructions: ${this.config.instructions} `;

// Add tool instructions if agent has tools
if (this.toolRegistry) {
    const toolPrompt = this.toolRegistry.generateSystemPrompt();
    if (toolPrompt) {
        prompt += `

${toolPrompt} `; } }

prompt += `

When responding, you should indicate the conversation state using one of these signals: - continue: You have more to say in this conversation phase - ready_for_transition: You've completed your part and are ready for the next phase - need_input: You need input from another team member - blocked: You're blocked and need help - complete: The entire task/conversation is complete

Format your response as: [Your response content]

@ dfa02707:41ca50e3

Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.

• "Today we're launching the beta version of our multiplatform Nostr browser! Think Google Chrome but for Nostr apps. The beta is our big first step toward this vision," announced Damus.
• This version comes with the Dave Nostr AI assistant, support for zaps and the Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) wallet interface, full-text note search, GIFs and fullscreen images, multiple media uploads, user tagging, relay list and mute list support, along with a number of other improvements."

"Included in the beta is the Dave, the Nostr AI assistant (its Grok for Nostr). Dave is a new Notedeck browser app that can search and summarize notes from the network. For a full breakdown of everything new, check out our beta launch video."

What's new

• Dave Nostr AI assistant app.
• GIFs.
• Fulltext note search.
• Add full screen images, add zoom, and pan.
• Zaps! NWC/ Wallet UI.
• Introduce last note per pubkey feed (experimental).
• Allow multiple media uploads per selection.
• Major Android improvements (still WIP).
• Added notedeck app sidebar.
• User Tagging.
• Note truncation.
• Local network note broadcast, broadcast notes to other notedeck notes while you're offline.
• Mute list support (reading).
• Relay list support.
• Ctrl-enter to send notes.
• Added relay indexing (relay columns soon).
• Click hashtags to open hashtag timeline.
• Fixed timelines sometimes not updating (stale feeds).
• Fixed UI bounciness when loading profile pictures
• Fixed unselectable post replies.

Announcement / Archive
GitHub Repo
Website

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Only 1% of stablecoin transactions in 2024 are linked to criminal activity.

A recent report by TRM Labs has revealed new data on stablecoin usage in 2024. Contrary to widespread perception, 99% of stablecoin transactions were entirely legal and compliant with existing regulations.

The research shows that over 60% of last year’s total transaction volume was conducted using dollar-pegged tokens.

One key point highlighted in the report is the intrinsic traceability of stablecoins. Operating on public blockchains, these digital currencies allow for highly precise transaction monitoring through specialized analytics tools.

Issuers of centralized tokens like USDT and USDC also have the ability to freeze or permanently remove tokens associated with illicit activities.

TRM Labs data shows a 24% decrease in crypto-related criminal activity compared to 2023, with a total of $45 billion representing just 0.4% of overall crypto transaction volume. This decline is attributed to increased law enforcement efforts, stronger industry collaboration, and the growing adoption of advanced analytics tools.

According to TRM Labs, regulatory clarity provided by legislation such as the GENIUS Act could accelerate stablecoin adoption among major banks, financial institutions, and corporations. Many of these entities are already testing stablecoin-based infrastructures for cross-border payments, supply chain management, and programmable finance.

The post Stablecoins: new report debunks myths about illicit use appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

The signs started appearing everywhere for Will Reeves long before he founded Fold. In Argentina, a friend showed him how families preserved wealth through Bitcoin during runaway inflation.

In Sonoma County, where his family worked in the wine industry, he watched migrant workers get gouged by traditional remittance providers who charged usurious fees for sending money home.

During Occupy Wall Street in Oakland, he witnessed PayPal donations getting shut down while bitcoin donations flowed through unimpeded.

“I had all these touch points with Bitcoin all representing an incredibly powerful aspect of it,” noted Will. Each interaction revealed another superpower: wealth preservation, efficient remittances, censorship resistance, technological innovation.

But even with all these glaring signs, it took years before he made the leap.

The Silicon Valley Disconnect

Will had spent over a decade in Silicon Valley’s corporate machine, bouncing between major tech companies and launching consumer payment products. He was good at building things, it was his calling, but something felt off.

“Even despite doing this in Silicon Valley with a bunch of incredible opportunities and projects I got to work on, I never truly felt like I was completely aligned with what I was bringing to market,” he explained.

“I thought it was cool to build, I thought there was a great opportunity and I thought I could make something the world would love, but the alignment wasn’t there.”

The breakthrough came around 2015 when he met his co-founder, who was working on a Bitcoin side project. For the first time, Will saw how he could merge his two worlds: building exceptional products and supporting something he genuinely believed in.

“That was truly inspiring where I could actually finally say I could bring my worlds together building things and things that I care about,” he said. “That was a complete unlock.”

Solving the Wrong Problem First

Fold’s early iteration focused on spending bitcoin, converting it to gift cards or cash so people could shop at places that didn’t accept it directly. The logic seemed sound: Bitcoin holders needed ways to spend their digital money in the real world.

But Will quickly realized they were solving the wrong problem.

“The problem was not enough people had bitcoin,” he said. “We were solving a problem that didn’t quite exist or wasn’t even really ready for it.”

The insight that changed everything came from connecting two observations: not enough people own bitcoin because it’s a superior savings asset, and not enough people have savings period, regardless of where they are from.

“Those two insights brought together this idea of wait, how can we build a product that allows people to passively build savings that will be denominated in Bitcoin?” Will explained.

That’s when Fold pivoted to rewards. Instead of asking people to spend bitcoin, they would help people earn it through everyday purchases.

Building the Bitcoin Financial Stack

Today’s Fold bears little resemblance to that early gift card conversion service. The platform has evolved into a comprehensive financial services suite designed around one core principle: helping users end up with more bitcoin than they started with each day.

The Fold debit card rewards users with bitcoin on every purchase. Premium Fold+ members get higher cashback rates, boosted spins, and exclusive giveaways.

Users can direct deposit paychecks, set up automatic bitcoin purchases through dollar-cost averaging, enable round-ups on purchases, and even get paid directly in bitcoin.

“Fold is a platform where you can fully port your personal financial activity to, but to a platform that is there specifically designed to make sure that you end up with more bitcoin than you started with each day,” Will said.

The platform serves everyone from Bitcoin newcomers earning rewards on Uber rides and Amazon purchases to maximalists “living 100% of my life in Bitcoin and living in a parallel financial reality to the rest of the world.”

Most importantly, Fold provides the tools to move along that spectrum at your own pace.

“Maybe it’s not 100% conversion of your paycheck right now. Maybe it’s 10%. Okay, let’s dial up the paycheck conversion there. Let’s increase your roundups,” Will explained. “It gives you this toolkit that follows your education into Bitcoin as you develop confidence.”

Surviving Bitcoin’s Volatility Cycles

Building a Bitcoin company means accepting an additional layer of difficulty that most entrepreneurs never face.

Will describes it as “building on a moving foundation” not just responding to customer needs, but adapting to an entire industry figuring out its own product-market fit.

“When you have 50% drawdowns in incredibly short periods of time… that adds a whole new difficulty factor,” he said, noting the “absolute trail of Bitcoin company bodies that got pushed through that meat grinder and didn’t make it out.”

The key to survival? Conservative growth and what Will calls “cockroach mode.”

“Growth at all costs will destroy you in Bitcoin,” he warned. “You need to be extraordinarily resilient, very conservative in how you’re building your company… and be prepared to go into cockroach mode for years on end.”

But those who survive the volatility cycles emerge stronger. Fold now holds over 1,000 BTC in its treasury and went public on NASDAQ in February 2025.

Neil Jacobs on X

The Gift Card Revolution

Fold’s newest innovation might be its most significant: Bitcoin gift cards appearing in physical retail locations across America. While most people discover Bitcoin through brokerage accounts or mobile apps, Will sees a much larger distribution opportunity.

“When you think of where financial services are distributed today, it is not just an app store. It’s not just a brokerage account. It’s literally in every store you shop in,” he explained.

Gift cards represent the perfect Trojan horse. They’re familiar to consumers “gift cards are the number one gift in America” and retailers already have dedicated sections for them. More importantly, retailers want Bitcoin customers.

“These retailers know that Bitcoin is able to draw very valuable customers who are high earners… Many of them have families. They want these customers,” Will said, pointing to Costco’s $200 million monthly gold sales as proof that Americans want alternative assets.

“You’re going to see this in 2025 get rolled out. Big orange Bitcoin B’s are going to be gracing the checkout lines of the largest retailers in America where millions of people shop and trust already.”

Building Partnerships Beyond Traditional Finance

One of Fold’s most interesting developments is its integration with different companies, such as Crowd Health, a peer-to-peer healthcare funding company that helps people avoid traditional insurance. Will sees these partnerships as representative of a broader shift.

“We’re talking with life insurance companies, lending companies, mortgage companies,” he said. “I think this is a vision that is going to replicate across Crowd Health into a bunch of other adjacent services I think Bitcoiners are going to love.”

These integrations matter because they make Bitcoin part of everyday financial life rather than a separate investment category.

When someone can contribute to their health coverage with bitcoin or earn bitcoin rewards on insurance payments, it becomes truly integrated into their financial routine.

The Human Impact

Beyond the business metrics and technical innovations, one of the things Will loves to see is his customers doing better financially than their peers.

“Our customers are more confident, more stable and more optimistic about their financial future,” he said. “Part of it is they’re genuinely doing better than their peers. They are outpacing their peers.”

Will sees this success against a troubling backdrop. “Everyone else is living in a world where the tools that they rely on are actually counterproductive to their end financial goals, that’s a really f****** big story,” he said.

It’s a meaningful achievement when hundreds of thousands of people have earned bitcoin through Fold, with thousands now living primarily on bitcoin, especially in a financial system where traditional tools often work against people’s long-term interests.

Looking Forward

When I asked Will what he’d want to ask Satoshi Nakamoto if given the chance, his answer revealed his perspective on Bitcoin’s evolution.

“I would ask him what surprises him most about where Bitcoin is today versus what he envisioned,” he said. “Bitcoin has been unleashed into the world. It is a virus that is taking over people to achieve its ends at this point.”

Will sees Bitcoin as having “taken a life of its own” far beyond what any single person, even Satoshi, could have predicted. The technical developments, social adoption, and financial integration have all exceeded early expectations.

Fold’s role in that evolution is clear: making Bitcoin accessible to anyone willing to start small. Whether you’re earning your first satoshis on coffee purchases or converting your entire paycheck, Fold provides the infrastructure.

“Are we achieving a better world for those that are adopting Bitcoin and can we be a good tool to support that transition?” Will asked. For thousands of Fold users [stacking

@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740

"Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent."

— Ludwig Wittgenstein

Simulation Theory, the idea our entire existence is part of a simulation, that we are just code running on some more advanced civilization’s supercomputer has come up in conversations of late. I’m writing to say it’s not just wrong, but bullshit. A category error, at best, and cover for a nefarious agenda at worst.

The first problem with Simulation Theory is unless there’s some way to get outside the simulation, to access base reality, so to speak, the theory has no meaning. It’s just a semantic game.

Consider for example the theory (one I came up with on my walk back from the track) that you are actually a sleeping elephant dreaming of this human life. You are sleeping peacefully under a quiet grove of trees, and you won’t wake into elephant consciousness for another four hours when the sun rises. Moreover, the pace of your dream is glacial — you will experience tens of thousands of human incarnations, full lifetimes, before daybreak. You will not wake up before then as your elephant self.

Maybe this theory is true, maybe it’s not, there’s no way to know. Anything that could possibly happen in this lifetime would not invalidate it. When there is nothing that could possibly falsify a theory, it’s neither true nor false, but meaningless. Elephant Dream and Simulation Theory are similar in this respect. You might as well call them The Universe. It’s just substituting one word-concept for another to describe an inaccessible structure containing all of reality.

Now some proponents of Simulation Theory posit a base reality beyond our simulation, namely that of the simulators. But there are two problems with that: (1) If you can’t access it because you’re just code within their closed system, you are stuck back at Elephant Dream; and (2) Even if you could somehow figure this out and access the “reality” of the simulators, why would you assume they too were not a simulation of some even yet more advanced civilization?

If they could simulate us, why couldn’t someone else simulate them? Why would their reality be any more real than ours for the exact same reasons? There could conceivably be an infinite regress of simulations within simulations, and even worse it could turn out to be circular, i.e., we will one day create a simulation that becomes the “base” simulation for all the simulations all the way down, eventually including our own.

So not being able to falsify any simulators’ reality, n-simulations deep, you are back to Elephant Dream. The elephant when he awakes similarly could himself be the dream of a person, who is the dream of another elephant ad infinitum. These are just empty words that don’t describe or affect the content of your “reality.”

(As an aside I like the infinite circular loop simulation theory as a short-circuit to the false logic it purports. It reminds me of that scene in Animal House where the students get high with Donald Sutherland (their professor.) When they opine his new book must be amazing, he says, “piece of shit” and they talk about how each atom in their hands could be an entire universe, and our entire universe might be an atom in the hand of some giant being. I always thought this could also be an infinite regress of universes as atoms in yet larger universes, and also circular wherein our universe could actually reside in one of the atoms in our own hand.)

These thought experiments reveal category errors in that they purport to describe something that’s outside the range of describability. To describe something is to distinguish it from the things that it is not, so to describe everything is the same as describing nothing in particular. You cannot describe the totality of reality any better than you can its absence. It’s like imagining how it is to be dead.

. . .

What I wrote above is the most generous interpretation of Simulation Theory, but at worst it’s actually being pushed to further an agenda. Just as a “science-based” materialism (everything is atoms) underpinned communist ideology where material resources were the only thing, and their equitable distribution at all costs the moral imperative, a code-based reality supports its own distorted, dark worldview.

If we are merely code in a simulation, then humans have no special claim to individual rights and resources any more than artificially intelligent robots. It’s only a small step from there to trans-humanism, utilitarianism and a technocratic state that subverts the principle of the individual being an end in himself.

The category error, in this view, is a convenient one — it removes the obstacles for the power-mad autists into quite literally playing God.

. . .

But back to the original inquiry: If Simulation Theory is no better than Elephant Dream, how can people hope to understand their reality? Are we stuck simply pushing back the impenetrable wall of truth via incremental scientific advances, doomed never to connect to the ultimate ground of our existence?

I think not. For the same reasons Simulation Theory fails, all of our theories will ultimately fail, and the best we can do is create better descriptions and explanations about particular phenomena that occur within our observational range.

But just because our logical minds can never reach beyond that expandable but necessarily limited spectrum, doesn’t mean it’s off limits. The problem is that to know consciousness itself, i.e., the base reality, outside of thought concepts like “code” or “atoms” one must be consciousness, not grasp at the perceptible phenomena within it.

That’s why religions emphasize faith, or in some cases, doubt. Trust in God, or doubting everything else that would impede you, is the path to that level of understanding. Logical explanations like Simulation Theory then are at best a misunderstanding to keep the deepest questions at bay, at worst a justification for unholy schemes at the heart of which is simply a will to power.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Carl Rickertsen completely exits his position in Strategy as insiders sell $864 million worth of stock.

As reported by Protos, Carl Rickertsen, a member of Strategy’s board of directors, has fully liquidated his entire shareholding for over $10 million.

Rickertsen’s decision to completely exit his Strategy position marks a sharp shift from his previous investment stance. In 2022, the executive had shown confidence in the company by investing $700,000 in MSTR shares.

On June 13, 2022, Rickertsen purchased $608,000 worth of MSTR stock at $152 per share. Since then, the stock has rallied 152%. However, by 2023, the director had already sold half of his 4,000-share position.

Rickertsen’s approach to managing his holdings has become increasingly aggressive in recent years. Since joining the board in 2019, he has adopted a strategy of immediately liquidating any stock options received.

One example of this tactic occurred on June 2, when he acquired and sold 26,390 MSTR shares on the same day.

As of June 5 this year, Rickertsen reported zero vested Strategy shares, marking the end of his equity involvement with the company.

Rickertsen’s situation is not an isolated case within Strategy. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reveals a controversial picture. According to information gathered by secform4.com, over the past five years, total insider sales have exceeded purchases by $864 million. This imbalance in insider transactions could raise questions about executives’ confidence in the company’s future.

The post Strategy director liquidates all his MSTR shares appeared first on Atlas21.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

DDC Enterprise Secures $528 Million to Expand Bitcoin Holdings

Today, DDC Enterprise Limited (NYSE: DDC) announced it has raised three securities purchase agreements for a total of up to $528 million to expand its Bitcoin holdings. According to the press release, this is one of the largest single-purpose Bitcoin raises by any NYSE-listed company.

JUST IN: DDC Enterprise to raise up to $528 million to buy more #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/CPxPlsjvwq

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 17, 2025

“Today is a defining moment for DDC Enterprise and our shareholders,” said the Founder and CEO of DDC Enterprise Norma Chu. “This capital commitment of up to $528 million, backed by respected institutions from both traditional finance and the digital asset frontier, represents a strong mandate to execute an ambitious corporate Bitcoin accumulation strategy globally. Our vision is unequivocal: we are building the world’s most valuable Bitcoin treasury.”

The funding, backed by investors including Anson Funds, Animoca Brands, Kenetic Capital, and QCP Capital, will be primarily allocated toward significantly increasing the company’s Bitcoin holdings.

“This funding is expected to propel DDC into one of the top global corporate Bitcoin holders,” stated Chu. “This investment by Anson Funds and the group of PIPE investors is a resounding validation of Bitcoin’s important role in future corporate balance sheets.”

Components of the capital raise include:

• $26 Million Equity PIPE Investment:
  The company will issue up to 2.4 million Class A ordinary shares at an average price of $10.30 to investors including Animoca Brands, Kenetic Capital, and QCP Capital. The shares will be restricted for 180 days.
• $300 Million Convertible Note and $2 Million Private Placement:
  Anson Funds will provide an initial $25 million with no interest and will mature in 24 months, with up to $275 million available in future tranches. Anson will also purchase 307,693 Class A ordinary shares for $2 million in a concurrent private placement.
• $200 Million Equity Line of Credit:
  Anson Funds has also committed to a $200 million equity line of credit (ELOC), giving DDC flexible access to capital for future Bitcoin purchases.

“At DDC, we will deploy this capital with institutional discipline and unwavering conviction, cementing our position as the premier bridge between global capital markets and the Bitcoin ecosystem,” said Chu. “DDC Enterprise is strongly positioned as the definitive publicly-traded vehicle for concentrated Bitcoin exposure and value creation. My focus will be on growing our BTC treasury and delivering attractive BTC yield consistently for our shareholders.”

This post DDC Enterprise Secures $528 Million to Expand Bitcoin Holdings first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.

@ e3ce5265:4bb9f609

...

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

https://iai.tv/articles/water-not-silicon-has-to-be-the-basis-of-true-ai-auid-3200

https://stacker.news/items/1009213

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

A new study by Kraken reveals how cryptocurrency investors perceive security as the main challenge in self-managing their digital assets.

According to The Block, a recent survey conducted by crypto exchange Kraken found that nearly half of respondents consider themselves the primary risk factor for their own crypto security. The research, which surveyed 789 participants, highlights that 48% of users see their own actions as the greatest threat to their investments in digital assets, surpassing concerns about external theft or fraud.

Kraken’s report underlines how personal responsibility in security management forces users to take full control of their digital funds. However, the study suggests that this autonomy can also become a source of anxiety for many investors.

Nick Percoco, Chief Security Officer at Kraken, commented on the findings, noting that “a lack of confidence in personal crypto security is capping the growth of the industry.” According to Percoco, unlocking the full potential of cryptocurrencies will require users to embrace self-custody and consistently invest in strong security habits.

Technologies to strengthen security

Despite the concerns highlighted in the study, 31% of participants expressed optimism about future technologies that could improve crypto security. Among the most promising solutions identified:

• advanced biometric systems for user authentication;
• multi-factor authentication to secure wallet access;
• AI-based fraud detection systems to prevent attacks.

Data and case studies

Kraken’s research emerges in a context where security threats remain a pressing reality. FBI data shows that in 2024, nearly 150,000 reports of crypto-related internet fraud resulted in $9.3 billion in losses. Older users, particularly those over 60, proved especially vulnerable, accounting for $3 billion in crypto-related financial fraud losses on their own.

The post Kraken study: 48% of users fear themselves in managing and securing their funds appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

content

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Thailand Approves Five Year Bitcoin And Crypto Tax Break 

Thailand has approved a five year tax exemption on capital gains from cryptocurrency trading made through licensed digital asset platforms. The exemption will be in effect from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029.

JUST IN: Thailand’s cabinet approved personal tax waiver on profits from the #Bitcoin and crypto sale over five years. pic.twitter.com/4gWc1gn84j

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 17, 2025

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the measure, calling it a move to increase investment, stimulate economic activity, and drive long term growth.

Amornvivat stated, “The Cabinet approved a five-year crypto tax exemption to promote Thailand as a global digital asset hub.” 

According to the Ministry of Finance, the policy is designed to strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness in the global digital economy. It targets transparent growth, and aims to increase capital inflow into the Thai market. Officials expect over 1 billion baht in indirect tax revenue to result from the increased economic activity during the exemption period.

Amornvivat went on to say, “The capital gain tax exemption will be for the sale of digital assets made through operators regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

The tax break applies only to platforms licensed by the Thai SEC. This includes exchanges that meet strict regulatory standards under the government’s digital finance framework. Exchanges without Thai licenses will not benefit from the exemption and continue to face restrictions.

Officials say the new exemption aligns with international standards from the OECD and FATF. The government is also exploring a possible value-added tax (VAT) on digital assets to support fiscal stability. 

Furthermore, this isn’t Thailand’s first step toward embracing Bitcoin or crypto.

Thailand approved its first spot Bitcoin ETF in 2024, allowing asset manager ONEAM to launch a fund for institutional investors. The ETF offers regulated exposure to Bitcoin through global funds and reflects growing demand for institutional access to the asset.

Thailand is taking a two sided approach. They support innovation through licensed platforms, while cracking down on unregulated players. With clearer rules and tax breaks, the country is positioning itself as a leader for Bitcoin and crypto growth in Southeast Asia. 

This post Thailand Approves Five Year Bitcoin And Crypto Tax Break  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Fold Holdings Secures $250 Million Equity Deal to Expand Bitcoin Treasury

Today, Fold Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLD), the first publicly traded bitcoin financial services company, has announced a $250 million equity purchase agreement to significantly increase its bitcoin holdings.

JUST IN: Publicly traded Fold secures $250 million equity facility to buy more #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/M7E3fzwAsT

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 17, 2025

Fold Holdings has the option, but not the obligation, to issue and sell up to $250 million in new common stock. The ability to access the funds is subject to certain conditions, including the requirement that a registration statement covering the resale of the stock be filed with and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“The Company is not required to use the Facility and controls the timing and amount of any drawdown on the Facility, subject to certain restrictions under the Facility,” said the press release. “The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Facility, if any, primarily to acquire additional bitcoin for Fold’s corporate treasury.”

The shares offered under the facility will be issued through a private placement, relying on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and Regulation D. Fold noted that it “plans to file with the SEC a registration statement relating to the resale of the Common Stock issuable under the Facility.”

“The offers and sales of the Common Stock issuable under the Facility will be made in a private placement in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,” according to the press release. “The Company cannot draw on the Facility, and the Common Stock may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time that the registration statement covering the resale of the Common Stock is declared effective by the SEC.”

On May 19, Fold also announced the launch of its Bitcoin gift card, marking its entry into the $300 billion U.S. retail gift card market. This new product allows consumers to purchase and gift bitcoin through familiar retail channels, with plans to expand to major retailers nationwide throughout the year.

“This gift card gives us distribution directly to millions of Americans who may not be buying Bitcoin because they haven’t downloaded a new app, don’t have a brokerage account, or haven’t seen the ETF,” said the Chairman and CEO of Fold Will Reeves.

“I think there’s a real chance by the end of 2025 that Bitcoin becomes the most popular gift in America because of this card,” stated Reeves.

This post Fold Holdings Secures $250 Million Equity Deal to Expand Bitcoin Treasury first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The banking giant is exploring an expansion of its blockchain services, focusing on digital payments and currencies.

JPMorgan Chase has filed a new trademark application for the name “JPMD.” The filing was submitted on June 15 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The application, filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., covers a broad range of services related to digital assets and blockchain technology. These include the issuance of digital currencies, electronic payment processing, and financial custody services — all of which suggest a possible new stablecoin initiative for JPMorgan.

Experience with JPM Coin

This move wouldn’t be JPMorgan’s first foray into blockchain-based finance. The bank already operates JPM Coin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin used to enable instant transactions between institutional clients. The token runs on Quorum, a private blockchain network developed in-house by JPMorgan and based on Ethereum’s technology.

The registration of the JPMD trademark comes as JPMorgan and other major U.S. banks are considering a collaborative stablecoin project through their jointly owned entities: Early Warning Services and The Clearing House.

Similarly, corporations like Walmart and Amazon are mulling the creation of their own stablecoins.

The post JPMorgan files trademark for ‘JPMD’: a new stablecoin on the horizon for the American bank appeared first on Atlas21.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody

Flash, a Bitcoin payment platform, just announced it has launched Flash Invoicing, a completely free, non-custodial, and KYC-free Bitcoin invoicing tool. Designed for freelancers, the platform allows users to send professional invoices without platform fees, identity checks, or third party custody.

According to Deel, a crypto payments company for freelancers, Bitcoin is the most used cryptocurrency in the world for payments. Despite this growth, many freelancers continue to use basic methods such as pasting Bitcoin addresses into PDFs or emails. Some rely on custodial platforms that deduct fees or require identity verification, which can affect both earnings and data privacy.

“We’ve seen too many people paste BTC addresses into documents and call it invoicing,” said the CEO of Flash Pierre Corbin. “It’s messy. It’s risky. And it’s time for something better.” 

Flash Invoicing Features:

• 0% platform fees: no subscriptions or commission
• Non-custodial: Bitcoin goes straight to the user’s wallet
• No KYC: users maintain full privacy
• Professional output: branded PDFs and secure payment links
• Integrated dashboard: manage payments, clients, and revenue
• Works with Flash ecosystem: including Stores, Donations, Paywalls, and POS

Many Bitcoin invoicing tools charge a percentage per transaction or require a subscription. As a result, freelancers often lose part of their income simply to issue an invoice and receive payment. Flash is aiming to solve this issue.

“Freelancers work hard enough. The last thing they need is a platform skimming off their earnings,” said Corbin. “That’s why we dropped our fee from 1.5% to 0% — and launched the first invoicing tool that’s truly free, without compromising on privacy or control.”

Flash Invoicing allows users to accept Bitcoin payments without relinquishing control, privacy, or revenue. It is integrated with the broader Flash suite, enabling users to manage invoicing alongside features such as setting up stores, receiving donations, or gating premium content.

“As a freelancer myself, I love using the Flash invoicing feature,” stated a freelancer & Flash user. ”It keeps all my clients in one place, allows me to easily edit invoices and track payments. Much more professional than sending a lightning address in the footer of a PDF invoice.”

This post Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.

@ 9c9d2765:16f8c2c2

The rain had been falling for hours.

David sat on the park bench, drenched, unmoving. His tie was loosened, briefcase soaked, and his eyes blank.

To anyone watching, he looked like someone waiting for a bus that would never come.

An old man with a red umbrella approached, eyeing the empty space beside him.

“Mind if I sit?” he asked.

David gave a tired shrug.

The old man sat, opened his umbrella to shield them both.

“You look like you lost something.”

David’s jaw clenched. “My job. My wife. And maybe myself.”

The man nodded. “That’s a lot for one bench.”

They sat in silence for a while. Only the sound of rain hitting the umbrella filled the air.

The old man finally spoke. “Thirty years ago, I sat on this same bench. After my son died. Thought the world had ended.”

David looked at him.

“What happened?”

“I met a woman who just sat and said nothing. But her silence didn’t judge. It helped.”

David stared ahead. “You think it gets better?”

“No,” the man said gently. “But you get stronger. If you let yourself heal.”

Another long pause.

David let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know where to begin.”

The man handed him the umbrella.

“Begin by getting out of the rain.”

Moral/Theme:

Even in the storm, someone may offer shelter. Healing doesn’t always come in words, it begins with presence.

@ b9ff7cb5:a0e092a8

Bismillah

---

The internet has no instruction manual. Anyone can post freely, which means unwanted spam can flood your replies, feed, and notifications. New domains call for new practice, and joining a paid relay is one way you can protect yourself against nostr spam. As a relay is also community focused, it aims to be a way for those new to nostr to find fitra and ummah in cyber-space, thereby building and joining patterns of higher-purpose.

NoorNode is a nostr relay dedicated for muslims on nostr. It is maintained and moderated by the Pnostr:npub1vmgf2pzv8k3fsch2hvc5uqnp9kvrxwrfgucek95528zax3syfwtqhykxpn team, which is a podcast incubator project for the creation of Islamic media on nostr.

The Noor Node relay is free to read. All content posted to the relay is public. However, one must pay to join the relay in order to post content to it. This payment feature is small but necessary proof-of-work barrier to keep bots and spam out.

---

How To Join:

If you simply want to read notes on NoorNode, just add wss://noornode.nostr1.com to your read/inbox relays in your client settings.

To join NoorNode and post notes to the relay, visit the RelayTool explorer page at https://noornode.nostr1.com

Click on the gear button to show options and it will reveal a side pannel where you can submit your payment.

Enter your nostr public address (npub) into the text box and select the Lightning Pay ✅ ⚡ button for it to generate an invoice QR code.

Once payment has been received a lightning bolt will animate across the screen and you will be able to post to the NoorNode relay.

---

Client Relay Cofigurations:

The RelayTool explorer is a very basic client which can be used to post to NoorNode, but for best user experience other clients will be preferable. So long as NoorNode set as a write/outbox relay in a client's settings, any client should work. That said, clients where you can customize the relay feeds are preferable. Of these, Yakihonne is the one we recommend due to it's support for both mobile (Andriod & iOS) and desktop.

To create a custom feed for NoorNode in Yakihonne from the desktop home page, select the gear button in the Note feed dropdown menu.

A widget will then pop up where NoorNode can be added as a custom relay feed. Enter wss://noornode.nostr1.com and hit the + button and then select the Update bottom to save the custom feed.

The NoorNode relay can then be viewed as a seperate feed from Yakihonne's home page by selecting it from the note feed dropdown menu (scroll to the bottom to find it).

Other clients, like Jumble, can also funtion as great ways to test out customized relay feeds. As nostr continues to grow, it is expected that more clients will include this feature.

To learn more about relays and how they work on nostr, check out this guide from the developer of Amethyst

Relay Setup by Vitor Pamplona

---

The intention behind NoorNode is for muslims on nostr to have a safe place to build community while not having to worry about issues like spam or religious intolerance. The payment to post is designed to enough to keep most bots out while also not being a significant barrier for anyone who want to enage. The mission of nostr:npub1vmgf2pzv8k3fsch2hvc5uqnp9kvrxwrfgucek95528zax3syfwtqhykxpn is to create new Islamicate mythos. We hope that the community that grows around NoorNode will embody that same goal and that the Noor of Islam will be able to radiate, even from nostr.

Please keep in mind that NoorNode is a public relay and notes posted can be picked up by others relays. If any content found on the relay does not seem appropriate or if any issues occure that cause concern, please reach out to the PodSystems team for support.

May the peace and blessings of the most merciful God be with you and light your way on nostr.

@ 472f440f:5669301e

Marty's Bent

via Dr. Eli David

The case for a neutral, permissionless monetary protocol has never been stronger. The incumbent financial system is a permissioned wall garden that is susceptible to a tax. When you're using this system, you don't own your money. Your money doesn't really even exist. What you have is a claim to be able to ask your bank to give you your money or move it somewhere that you desire. Not only is it a permissioned wall garden, but it is an insecure permissioned wall garden that is susceptible to attacks from nefarious actors.

This was made very clear earlier today when Sepah Bank in Iran was the subject of a cyber attack that led to all of its databases being erased and their ATMs being deemed non-functional. Sepah Bank customers have been unable to withdraw cash. And many are warning Iranian citizens to withdraw as much cash as possible from any ATM outside of Sepah Bank's network that is working. Because there is a high likelihood that other banks and ATM networks will be targeted.

Bitcoin is a digital bearer instrument that you can custody yourself using either a software or hardware wallet. The network is operated by an army of geographically distributed nodes that maintain the rules and ensure that anybody trying to transact within the network is doing so within the rules that are set forth. Bitcoin is a push system, not a pull system. It is extremely hard to attack in the way that Sepah Bank was attacked earlier today.

I think it's important to note the way in which Sepah Bank was attacked and highlight that it is starkly different from the types of attacks or shortcomings from the financial system that we've seen over the years.

One of the events that caused a rush to Bitcoin over a decade ago was the banking crisis in Cyprus. We've seen hyperinflationary events in countries like Lebanon and Turkey that have rendered their currencies defunct. In the case of Lebanon, the central bank simply came out and said that people were not going to have access to their money and gave Lebanese citizens an overnight haircut on their savings. We've seen countries like India and Nigeria mess with their physical bills, forcing their citizens to exchange smaller denominations for larger denominations, causing massive disruptions in the process.

We've seen the United States government and its allies freeze the treasury assets of its enemies and they move towards a more multipolar monetary order over the last five years. We've seen the Canadian government freeze the bank accounts of protesters fighting for bodily autonomy. We've seen Operation Chokepoint 1.0 and 2.0. Here in the United States, the government directly targeted industries and businesses within those industries by either overtly preventing them from accessing bank accounts or covertly making it as hard as possible to access bank accounts.

On top of all this, obviously, we have the constant drumbeat of currency debasement across the world, even here in the United States, where the Federal Reserve and Federal Government are expanding the monetary base and going further into debt, ultimately destroying the purchasing power of the dollar at an increasing rate over time.

However, this type of cyber attack on a bank is unique, at least from what I can recall. The ability of nefarious actors to access bank databases and erase them is something new and something that should not be taken lightly. If Iranian hacking capabilities are as sufficient and capable as we are led to believe, it's not hard to imagine that we could see some retaliatory actions from the Iranian regime to counteract the attack on their banking system.

I don't want to incite alarm in any of you, but I think it is important to highlight that this new attack vector is definitely a step towards financial nihilism that could put hundreds of millions, if not billions of people in harm's way, in the sense that they could wake up one morning and be told that the bank does not have access to the records of their cuck buck IOUs. If something like this were to happen, I'm sure anyone who isn't holding Bitcoin in a wallet that they control will really wish they were. Being able to access your money is a vital part of being able to live you life. The thought of that ability being taken away because of a hacking war that breaks out is extremely unnerving.

As I said at the top of this letter, the case for a neutral, permissionless, distributed monetary system with a native currency that is finite is clearer than it ever has been, at least for me. It is imperative that you and anyone that you care about holds Bitcoin in self-custody to inoculate yourselves from these very real risks that are only going to increase from here on out.

Eliminate the trusted third party risks that exist in your life. Use Bitcoin as your money and use it correctly by holding it in self-custody.

Why 5% Interest Rates Won't Trigger The Next Market Crash

Guest Mel Mattison challenges the prevailing fear around rising interest rates, arguing that markets have developed immunity to higher yields. Unlike 2023's sharp selloff when the 10-year hit 5%, Mattison believes equities and Bitcoin can now absorb these levels because they signal stronger growth expectations ahead. He emphasizes that the pace of rate increases matters more than absolute levels, and notes that markets have had time to adjust. With oil trading at just $65 per barrel—a fraction of its inflation-adjusted 2008 peak of over $200—the deflationary pressure from cheap energy provides a crucial buffer.

> "It's not just what the rate we get to, it's how fast we get there." - Mel Mattison

Mattison's most compelling argument centers on AI-driven productivity gains enabling companies to maintain margins despite higher borrowing costs. As I've witnessed firsthand implementing AI tools at TFTC, what once required hiring multiple employees can now be handled by one person with the right automation. This productivity revolution means traditional rate sensitivity models may no longer apply.

Check out the full podcast here for more on institutional Bitcoin adoption, resistance money warnings, and bipartisan coalition building.

---

Headlines of the Day

Davis Commodities Puts 40% of $30M Into Bitcoin - via X

Ukraine Bill Adds Bitcoin to National Reserves - via X

Vinanz Raises £3.58M to Expand Bitcoin Mining - via X

Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io

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Bitcoin’s Next Parabolic Move: Could Liquidity Lead the Way?

Is bitcoin’s next parabolic move starting? Global liquidity and business cycle indicators suggest it may be.

Read the latest report from Unchained and TechDev, analyzing how global M2 liquidity and the copper/gold ratio—two historically reliable macro indicators—are aligning once again to signal that a new bitcoin bull market may soon begin.

Download the report here

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Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150.00M across 30+ companies through three funds. I am a Managing Partner at Ten31 and am very proud of the work we are doing. Learn more at ten31.vc/invest.

---

Final thought...

The joy of a 5-year old riding a bike for the first time is something that should be protected at all costs.

---

*Download our free browser extension, Opportunity Cost: *<https://www.opportunitycost.app/> start thinking in SATS today.

*Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: *https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/

Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

Paris, France – June 6, 2025 — Bitcoin payment gateway startup Flash, just announced a new partnership with the “Bitcoin Only Brewery”, marking the first-ever beverage company to leverage Lightning payments.

Flash enables Bitcoin Only Brewery to offer its “BOB” beer with, no-KYC (Know Your Customer) delivery across Europe, priced at 19,500 sats (~$18) for the 4-pack, shipping included.

The cans feature colorful Bitcoin artwork while the contents promise a hazy pale ale: “Each 33cl can contains a smooth, creamy mouthfeel, hazy appearance and refreshing Pale Ale at 5% ABV,” reads the product description.

Pierre Corbin, Co-Founder of Flash, commented:

“Currently, bitcoin is used more as a store of value but usage for payments is picking up. Thanks to new innovation on Lightning, bitcoin is ready to go mainstream for e-commerce sales.”

Flash, launched its 2.0 version in March 2025 with the goal to provide the easiest bitcoin payment gateway for businesses worldwide. The platform is non-custodial and can enable both digital and physical shops to accept bitcoin by connecting their own wallets to Flash.

By leveraging the scalability of the Lightning Network, Flash ensures instant, low-cost transactions, addressing on-chain Bitcoin bottlenecks like high fees and long wait times.

For businesses interested in adopting Bitcoin payments, Flash offers a straightforward onboarding process, low fees, and robust support for both digital and physical goods. To learn more, visit paywithflash.com.

Media Contact:
Pierre Corbin
Co-Founder, Flash
Email: press@paywithflash.com
Website: paywithflash.com

About Flash

Flash is the easiest Bitcoin payment gateway for businesses to accept payments. Supporting both digital and physical enterprises, Flash leverages the Lightning Network to enable fast, low-cost Bitcoin transactions. Launched in its 2.0 version in March 2025, Flash is at the forefront of driving Bitcoin adoption in e-commerce.

About Bitcoin Only Brewery

Bitcoin Only Brewery (@Drink_B0B) is a pioneering beverage company dedicated to the Bitcoin ethos, offering high-quality beers payable exclusively in Bitcoin. With a commitment to personal privacy, the brewery delivers across Europe with no-KYC requirements.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The banking giant is exploring an expansion of its blockchain services, focusing on digital payments and currencies.

JPMorgan Chase has filed a new trademark application for the name “JPMD.” The filing was submitted on June 15 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The application, filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., covers a broad range of services related to digital assets and blockchain technology. These include the issuance of digital currencies, electronic payment processing, and financial custody services — all of which suggest a possible new stablecoin initiative for JPMorgan.

Experience with JPM Coin

This move wouldn’t be JPMorgan’s first foray into blockchain-based finance. The bank already operates JPM Coin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin used to enable instant transactions between institutional clients. The token runs on Quorum, a private blockchain network developed in-house by JPMorgan and based on Ethereum’s technology.

The registration of the JPMD trademark comes as JPMorgan and other major U.S. banks are considering a collaborative stablecoin project through their jointly owned entities: Early Warning Services and The Clearing House.

Similarly, corporations like Walmart and Amazon are mulling the creation of their own stablecoins.

The post JPMorgan files trademark for ‘JPMD’: a new stablecoin on the horizon for the American bank appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 8194da31:0f3badf3

The Dollar Milkshake Theory is this:

The U.S. Dollar is the reserve currency, acting as the “straw” in the “milkshake” of financial liquidity.

Global markets get shaky.

Dollar sucks up liquidity as capital flies into the USD and US markets for safety.

Dollar gets stronger. Foreign countries struggle as dollar-denominated debts and basic goods and services get more expensive.

More panic, more flight to USD and US markets.

Dollar sucks up more liquidity, gets even stronger.

Rinse, repeat until total global crisis.

System collapses. The theory is correct in that the system will collapse.

The theory is incorrect in that the straw isn’t the U.S. Dollar – it’s Bitcoin.

This is the Bitcoin Milkshake Theory:

@ 57c631a3:07529a8e

Introducing: Reader Stories — A New Page for Your Journey

https://connect-test.layer3.press/articles/1acb1809-49c3-4559-902b-01909d49c50f

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Ukraine Introduces Bill to Allow Bitcoin in National Reserves

Ukraine has introduced a bill that would give its central bank the legal right to hold Bitcoin and other assets as part of its national reserves. The draft law, submitted to the Verkhovna Rada on June 10, 2025, proposes updates to existing legislation to include “virtual assets” in the foreign exchange and gold reserves of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). 

NEW: Ukraine introduces bill for Bitcoin Reserve in Parliament pic.twitter.com/bYIiCNF13D

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 17, 2025

This doesn’t mean Ukraine is officially adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet just yet, but it would give the central bank the green light to do so in the future.  

One of the bill’s co-sponsors, Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zhelezniak, emphasized that the legislation is about granting permission, not making it a requirement. “Whether and to what extent they actually do so,” he said, “is up to the institution itself.” 

Zhelezniak recently discussed with Binance’s regional head Kyrylo Khomiakov, that he believes Bitcoin could help Ukraine strengthen its economic position and contribute to long term digital innovation. 

The timing of the bill is vital as Ukraine has been under enormous financial pressure since Russia’s invasion in 2022. Inflation remains high, the hryvnia has lost significant value, and the country is heavily reliant on international aid and loans. The NBU has managed to hold roughly $44.5 billion in reserves, mostly in U.S. dollars and government securities, but its room to maneuver is limited.  

Back in 2022, the Ukrainian government was actively raising donations for the war effort through Bitcoin. They had an official wallet set up for donations, and their politicians were publicly tweeting out the addresses asking for support. On the first day alone, Ukraine’s official Bitcoin wallet raised over $3.5 million. By leaning into Bitcoin during their time of crisis, the government showed their belief and commitment in it, and this new bill shows that that commitment has not faded.  

NEW Ukraine government #Bitcoin wallet raises OVER $3.5 MILLION in 1st day of donations

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) February 27, 2022

If this bill is adopted, it could position Ukraine as one of the first countries to give its central bank the legal ability to hold Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset.

This post Ukraine Introduces Bill to Allow Bitcoin in National Reserves first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

A new study by Kraken reveals how cryptocurrency investors perceive security as the main challenge in self-managing their digital assets.

According to The Block, a recent survey conducted by crypto exchange Kraken found that nearly half of respondents consider themselves the primary risk factor for their own crypto security. The research, which surveyed 789 participants, highlights that 48% of users see their own actions as the greatest threat to their investments in digital assets, surpassing concerns about external theft or fraud.

Kraken’s report underlines how personal responsibility in security management forces users to take full control of their digital funds. However, the study suggests that this autonomy can also become a source of anxiety for many investors.

Nick Percoco, Chief Security Officer at Kraken, commented on the findings, noting that “a lack of confidence in personal crypto security is capping the growth of the industry.” According to Percoco, unlocking the full potential of cryptocurrencies will require users to embrace self-custody and consistently invest in strong security habits.

Technologies to strengthen security

Despite the concerns highlighted in the study, 31% of participants expressed optimism about future technologies that could improve crypto security. Among the most promising solutions identified:

• advanced biometric systems for user authentication;
• multi-factor authentication to secure wallet access;
• AI-based fraud detection systems to prevent attacks.

Data and case studies

Kraken’s research emerges in a context where security threats remain a pressing reality. FBI data shows that in 2024, nearly 150,000 reports of crypto-related internet fraud resulted in $9.3 billion in losses. Older users, particularly those over 60, proved especially vulnerable, accounting for $3 billion in crypto-related financial fraud losses on their own.

The post Kraken study: 48% of users fear themselves in managing and securing their funds appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

123

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Carl Rickertsen completely exits his position in Strategy as insiders sell $864 million worth of stock.

As reported by Protos, Carl Rickertsen, a member of Strategy’s board of directors, has fully liquidated his entire shareholding for over $10 million.

Rickertsen’s decision to completely exit his Strategy position marks a sharp shift from his previous investment stance. In 2022, the executive had shown confidence in the company by investing $700,000 in MSTR shares.

On June 13, 2022, Rickertsen purchased $608,000 worth of MSTR stock at $152 per share. Since then, the stock has rallied 152%. However, by 2023, the director had already sold half of his 4,000-share position.

Rickertsen’s approach to managing his holdings has become increasingly aggressive in recent years. Since joining the board in 2019, he has adopted a strategy of immediately liquidating any stock options received.

One example of this tactic occurred on June 2, when he acquired and sold 26,390 MSTR shares on the same day.

As of June 5 this year, Rickertsen reported zero vested Strategy shares, marking the end of his equity involvement with the company.

Rickertsen’s situation is not an isolated case within Strategy. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reveals a controversial picture. According to information gathered by secform4.com, over the past five years, total insider sales have exceeded purchases by $864 million. This imbalance in insider transactions could raise questions about executives’ confidence in the company’s future.

The post Strategy director liquidates all his MSTR shares appeared first on Atlas21.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

BBVA Tells Wealthy Clients to Invest Up to 7% in Bitcoin 

Spanish bank BBVA is now advising its wealthy clients to invest up to 7% of their portfolios in crypto and Bitcoin, showing how traditional banks are starting to see the potential of Bitcoin. 

JUST IN: Spain's second largest bank BBVA is telling wealthy clients to invest in Bitcoin — Reuters pic.twitter.com/i2Pqg85uSk

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 17, 2025

“With private customers, since September last year, we started advising on Bitcoin,” said Philippe Meyer, head of digital & blockchain solutions at BBVA Switzerland, during the DigiAssets conference in London. “The riskier profile, we allow up to 7% of portfolios in crypto.”

The bank’s private wealth division is currently recommending clients allocate 3% to 7% of their portfolio to Bitcoin and crypto, depending on their individual appetite. While many private banks have offered to execute Bitcoin or crypto trades upon request, it remains rare for a global financial institution to formally advise clients to buy. BBVA is currently recommending allocations specifically in Bitcoin. 

Meyer emphasized that even a modest allocation to Bitcoin can have a meaningful impact on portfolio returns, “If you look at a balanced portfolio, if you introduce 3%, you already boost the performance,” he said. “At 3%, you are not taking a huge risk.” 

BBVA began executing Bitcoin purchases for its clients in 2021, but Meyer said this is the first time it is formally advising allocations. In June 2021, the bank launched Bitcoin trading and custody services through its Swiss subsidiary for private clients. “With this innovative offer, BBVA positions itself as a benchmark institution in the adoption of blockchain technology,” said BBVA Switzerland CEO Alfonso Gómez at the time. 

BREAKING: Spain's BBVA is opening #Bitcoin trading and custody to all private banking clients in Switzerland. pic.twitter.com/2ppfs34g6F

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 18, 2021

BBVA’s interest in digital currency goes back even further. As early as 2015, the bank made it clear that it viewed Bitcoin and blockchain technology as more than just a passing trend. In a statement that now seems increasingly prescient, BBVA said “institutions that understand Bitcoin and digital currencies will lead the new monetary system,” highlighting its belief that early adopters would gain a strategic advantage. 

This early support set BBVA apart from many of its peers, as few major banks were willing to publicly engage with Bitcoin at the time. 

What began as interest in blockchain technology has turned into direct investment guidance, now culminating in BBVA formally advising wealthy clients to allocate up to 7% of their portfolios into Bitcoin, a clear sign the bank sees it as a long term part of its future.

This post BBVA Tells Wealthy Clients to Invest Up to 7% in Bitcoin  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

A new study by Kraken reveals how cryptocurrency investors perceive security as the main challenge in self-managing their digital assets.

According to The Block, a recent survey conducted by crypto exchange Kraken found that nearly half of respondents consider themselves the primary risk factor for their own crypto security. The research, which surveyed 789 participants, highlights that 48% of users see their own actions as the greatest threat to their investments in digital assets, surpassing concerns about external theft or fraud.

Kraken’s report underlines how personal responsibility in security management forces users to take full control of their digital funds. However, the study suggests that this autonomy can also become a source of anxiety for many investors.

Nick Percoco, Chief Security Officer at Kraken, commented on the findings, noting that “a lack of confidence in personal crypto security is capping the growth of the industry.” According to Percoco, unlocking the full potential of cryptocurrencies will require users to embrace self-custody and consistently invest in strong security habits.

Technologies to strengthen security

Despite the concerns highlighted in the study, 31% of participants expressed optimism about future technologies that could improve crypto security. Among the most promising solutions identified:

• advanced biometric systems for user authentication;
• multi-factor authentication to secure wallet access;
• AI-based fraud detection systems to prevent attacks.

Data and case studies

Kraken’s research emerges in a context where security threats remain a pressing reality. FBI data shows that in 2024, nearly 150,000 reports of crypto-related internet fraud resulted in $9.3 billion in losses. Older users, particularly those over 60, proved especially vulnerable, accounting for $3 billion in crypto-related financial fraud losses on their own.

The post Kraken study: 48% of users fear themselves in managing and securing their funds appeared first on Atlas21.

@ b7274d28:c99628cb

Tired of dealing with spam? You're not alone. Here is a guide to picking relays that are good at keeping spam out, without sacrificing your own reach.

If you just want to skip to the relay suggestions, scroll to the sections titled "The Setup." There is one for users of Haven and one for those who aren't running their own relay at all.

Client Selection

"Wait, I thought this was a guide about selecting relays, not clients."

Yes, it is. But what relays you choose doesn't matter if you are using a client that does not read from your chosen relays, or that hard-codes problematic relays as fallbacks in addition to the relays you selected in an effort to "help you."

Additionally, some clients have settings that can help make up for poor relay selection using client-side spam mitigation methods. This includes clients like Coracle, Damus, Amethyst, and Nostur. Some may do so via web-of-trust (WoT) filters, so you only see notes and replies from those within your broader social circle, while others will automatically hide notes that those you follow have reported as spam or scams.

Coracle is a great client for dealing with spam, so long as you have gone into your "Content Settings" and set the "Minimum WoT Score" to at least 1. This means you will only see posts from users followed by at least one of the npubs you follow.

Damus also employs WoT, but it appears to be just for notifications, so you only receive notifications for those you follow and those they follow, or "friends of friends," as Damus put's it. This can be accessed by toggling it on in your notification tab at the top right, where you see the icon of the person with a check mark.

Nostur has WoT filters for downloading media turned on by default and also uses WoT to filter spam by default. Even better, if you use multiple npubs, you can filter using the WoT of your main npub, while logged into your alternate npubs.

Jumble recently added WoT filtering specifically for interactions. When you load a thread in Jumble, a shield icon will appear near the top right of the page, in line with the tabs for Replies and Quotes. Toggle it on, so the shield is green with a check mark and you will only see replies from those you follow and those your follows follow.

Amethyst does not yet have WoT based filtering built into the client, but it can hide notes that have been reported as spam, scams, impersonation, etc, by those you follow. This is not the most effective way to combat spam, though, since most users aren't often using the report feature. Hopefully we will see WoT filtering as an option in a future update.

Primal's apps do not read from any of your selected relays, but rather from their caching server alone. That said, they have a spam filter that is turned on by default so you see relatively little spam, regardless of which relays you use.

For this guide, I recommend using Amethyst for updating your relays, if you possibly can. The reason for this is because Amethyst has the most robust settings for being able to update all of your various relay lists.

Relay Lists Explained

Contrary to what you might think, there is not a single relay list for each user that is stored in a single note, because you can have relays that are used for only one purpose, and not for any other. Each of those purposes for which you might use a particular relay has its own list. That way a Nostr client can tell which relays you want to use for each separate purpose.

While this can make things less approachable for the user, it also means users don't have to rely on clients to hard code appropriate relays for each of these use-cases. If your client doesn't let you edit each of these relay lists, chances are they are using a set of relays for that purpose that the developer chose instead of you.

Public Outbox/Inbox Relays

This list of relays is found in your kind 10002 note, if you have one. If you don't have one, there won't be any relays shown for these categories in Amethyst. Other clients may fallback to showing you relays from a different list.

This list is intended to be used for Nostr clients to implement the "outbox model" to fetch notes from whatever relays they were written to, even if they aren't in the requesting user's relay list. This solves the issue of needing to share relays with those you follow in order to see their notes, allowing Nostr to remain decentralized.

Your "outbox" relays are the ones you write to, or at least the ones you want other users to know that you write to. When you add a relay here, it's like advertising to everyone, "If you want to see my public-facing notes, look for them on these relays."

Your "inbox" relays are the ones you read from. On this part of your list you are advertising, "If you want me to see your replies, comments, reactions, and zaps, then send them to these relays." These relays are massively important for reducing the amount of spam you see. If you have relays listed here that anyone can post to for free, you will almost certainly see a lot of spam in your replies, unless you have WoT filters turned on in your Nostr client.

DM Inbox Relays

This list is found in your kind 10050 note, if you have one, and is a list of relays where you want others to send you Direct Messages. Ideally, you will use a relay or two here that supports AUTH, so that it will only allow direct messages to be retrieved by the user they are addressed to.

What happens if you put a relay in here that doesn't support AUTH, so it allows anyone to retrieve your DMs? Not much. Anyone who wants to will just be able to see the encrypted content of the message, and depending on the type of DM they will see the identity of the receiver and perhaps also the sender. They will not be able to decrypt what was actually said in the messages. It's better if they cannot retrieve even that much, though.

Private Relays

This list is found in your 10013 note, if you have one. This is intended for listing a relay that you run yourself and that only you can access, as it will house notes that other users should not be able to see at all, such as eCash tokens and draft notes.

Search Relays

This list is found in your 10007 note, if you have one, and is used to search for notes or users who may not be using the same relays as you. It is good to use relays here that aggregate notes from other relays automatically, and which support NIP-50 for search capability.

Local Relays

This section is for any relays running on the local device, such as Citrine. Because the relays themselves are local, this list is local, as well, and is not saved to any note kind that is saved to your relays like the above lists.

General Relays

This list is found in the "content" tag of your kind 3 note, which is also where all of the npubs you follow are stored. As such, this note is commonly known as your follow list, rather than as a relay list. However, some clients, such as Amethyst, do make use of this list, and others use it as a fallback if they can't find a kind 10002.

If you are an Amethyst user most of the time, then I would recommend using this list to fill in any gaps that you may have from only writing to a few outbox relays, or only reading from a few inbox relays. It's a good place to put an aggregator relay, for instance, so long as that relay has good spam filtering, or a blastr relay, so those who don't yet use a client that supports the outbox model will still likely see your notes.

If you do not generally use Amethyst, then I would recommend you mirror your public inbox/outbox relays here, in case you use a client that cannot find your 10002 list. Relays that are only for outbox should be added as write only, those only for inbox should be added as read only, and those you use for both outbox and inbox should be both read and write.

The Setup (Haven Users)

If you are running your own set of Haven relays, here is the setup I would recommend:

Public Outbox (kind 10002)

Maximum of 4 relays.

• Your Haven outbox relay (Remember to add some public relays to your blastr)
• A paid relay of your choice (List available in "Paid Relays" section)
• A public relay, such as relay.damus.io, relay.primal.net, or nos.lol

Public Inbox (kind 10002)

Maximum of 4 relays.

• Your Haven inbox relay: [RelayAddress]/inbox
• A paid relay of your choice (can be same as outbox)
• A WoT relay of your choice (available in "WoT Relays" section)
• Optional additional WoT relay

DM Inbox

Maximum of 3 relays.

• Your Haven "chat" relay: [RelayAddress]/chat
• An alternate AUTH relay, such as inbox.nostr.wine(paid), nostr.land(paid), or auth.nostr1.com(free).

Private Relays

Maximum of 3 relays.

• Your Haven private relay: [RelayAddress]/private

Search Relays

Maximum of 4 relays.

• wss://nostr.wine (even if you don't pay to write to it)
• wss://relay.nostr.band
• wss://relay.noswhere.com
• wss://search.nos.today

Local Relays

• Your Citrine IP:Port, if you run Citrine.

General Relays

Assuming you use Amethyst on a regular basis, I recommend the following:

• A couple additional WoT relays set to read only.
• An aggregator relay that has good spam filtering, such as wss://aggr.nostr.land(payment required) and/or wss://nostr.wine(paid for write, but can read for free).

The Setup (Not Running Haven)

If you are not running your own set of Haven relays, I would highly recommend you learn how and do so. However, if you decide against it, here is a setup that should suffice:

Public Outbox (kind 10002)

Maximum of 4 relays.

• A paid relay of your choice (List available in "Paid Relays" section)
• A large public relay, such as relay.damus.io, relay.primal.net, or nos.lol
• An additional public relay, but a smaller one, or one-time-payment paid relay.

Public Inbox (kind 10002)

Maximum of 4 relays.

• A paid relay of your choice (can be same as outbox)
• wss://nostr.wine - Even if you don't pay for it, you can read from it.
• A WoT relay of your choice (available in "WoT Relays" section)
• Optional additional WoT relay

DM Inbox

Maximum of 3 relays.

• A paid AUTH relay, such as inbox.nostr.wine or nostr.land.
• An alternate AUTH relay, such as auth.nostr1.com(free).

Private Relays

Maximum of 3 relays.

• A private relay you run on your Umbrel or Start9, or that is hosted for you on relay.tools.

Search Relays

Maximum of 4 relays.

• wss://nostr.wine (even if you don't pay to write to it)
• wss://relay.nostr.band
• wss://relay.noswhere.com
• wss://search.nos.today

Local Relays

• Your Citrine IP:Port, if you run Citrine.

General Relays

Assuming you use Amethyst on a regular basis, I recommend the following:

• A couple additional WoT relays set to read only.
• An aggregator relay that has good spam filtering, such as wss://aggr.nostr.land(payment required).
• A blastr relay, such as filter.nostr.wine(paid), or...
• A few additional public relays set to write only.

Paid Relays

• wss://nostr.land - Details.
• The Nostr.Wine of relays.
  • wss://nostr.wine - Details
  • wss://filter.nostr.wine - Details
  • wss://inbox.nostr.wine -Details
  • wss://cellar.nostr.wine - Details
  • wss://creatr.nostr.wine - Details
• wss://jellyfish.land - Details

There are a ton of other paid relays out there that can be found via nostr.watch. The above listed options are simply the most popular with the largest feature-sets.

WoT Relays

These relays will only accept notes from npubs that are within the relay owner's WoT. I have provided a Jumble.social address for each relay so you can peruse the feed for yourself to see if you want to use it.

• wss://wot.utxo.one - Jumble Feed
• wss://nostrelites.org - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.nostr.party - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.sovbit.host - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.girino.org - Jumble Feed
• wss://relay.lnau.net - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.siamstr.com - Jumble Feed
• wss://relay.lexingtonbitcoin.org - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.azzamo.net - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.swarmstr.com - Jumble Feed
• wss://zap.watch - Jumble Feed
• wss://satsage.xyz - Jumble Feed
• wss://wons.calva.dev - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.zacoos.com - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.shaving.kiwi - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.tealeaf.dev - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.nostr.net - Jumble Feed
• wss://relay.goodmorningbitcoin.com - Jumble Feed
• wss://wot.sudocarlos.com - Jumble Feed

@ 9c9d2765:16f8c2c2

The boardroom buzzed with tension.

Nana sat at the far end, her fingers clenched beneath the table. She had always been the quiet observer, the one who scribbled notes and nodded when spoken to. But today, something gnawed at her, the whisper of conscience growing louder.

Across the table, Mr. Johnson, the CEO, slammed a folder down. "We're pushing this contract through. No questions."

Nana knew what was in that contract. Unethical outsourcing. Workers with no protection. Children in some cases. She had seen the hidden memo.

Everyone else stayed silent.

Her heart pounded. “Sir,” she began softly. No one looked at her.

“I believe this contract violates our ethics code.”

The room froze.

Johnson turned, eyebrows raised. “Excuse me?”

Nana’s voice steadied. “There’s a report attached. Page seventeen. I think you overlooked it.”

He opened the file. His face twitched. “You went through private memos?”

“No, sir. It was attached accidentally to the draft.”

Gasps echoed. For a moment, she regretted everything. Then came a voice.

“She’s right,” said Daniel from HR. “We missed it.”

Another joined. “We can’t approve this.”

Within minutes, the momentum shifted. The contract was suspended.

After the meeting, Daniel approached her.

“You just saved the company’s integrity.”

Nana smiled faintly. Her hands still shook, but her silence had finally been broken for the right reason.

Moral: Sometimes the smallest voice becomes the loudest truth when spoken at the right moment.

@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody

Flash, a Bitcoin payment platform, just announced it has launched Flash Invoicing, a completely free, non-custodial, and KYC-free Bitcoin invoicing tool. Designed for freelancers, the platform allows users to send professional invoices without platform fees, identity checks, or third party custody.

According to Deel, a crypto payments company for freelancers, Bitcoin is the most used cryptocurrency in the world for payments. Despite this growth, many freelancers continue to use basic methods such as pasting Bitcoin addresses into PDFs or emails. Some rely on custodial platforms that deduct fees or require identity verification, which can affect both earnings and data privacy.

“We’ve seen too many people paste BTC addresses into documents and call it invoicing,” said the CEO of Flash Pierre Corbin. “It’s messy. It’s risky. And it’s time for something better.” 

Flash Invoicing Features:

• 0% platform fees: no subscriptions or commission
• Non-custodial: Bitcoin goes straight to the user’s wallet
• No KYC: users maintain full privacy
• Professional output: branded PDFs and secure payment links
• Integrated dashboard: manage payments, clients, and revenue
• Works with Flash ecosystem: including Stores, Donations, Paywalls, and POS

Many Bitcoin invoicing tools charge a percentage per transaction or require a subscription. As a result, freelancers often lose part of their income simply to issue an invoice and receive payment. Flash is aiming to solve this issue.

“Freelancers work hard enough. The last thing they need is a platform skimming off their earnings,” said Corbin. “That’s why we dropped our fee from 1.5% to 0% — and launched the first invoicing tool that’s truly free, without compromising on privacy or control.”

Flash Invoicing allows users to accept Bitcoin payments without relinquishing control, privacy, or revenue. It is integrated with the broader Flash suite, enabling users to manage invoicing alongside features such as setting up stores, receiving donations, or gating premium content.

“As a freelancer myself, I love using the Flash invoicing feature,” stated a freelancer & Flash user. ”It keeps all my clients in one place, allows me to easily edit invoices and track payments. Much more professional than sending a lightning address in the footer of a PDF invoice.”

This post Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.

@ 9c9d2765:16f8c2c2

Rain lashed against the window panes of the old mansion as Jennifer stepped inside, flashlight in hand.

“Are you really doing this alone?” her friend Helen had asked that afternoon.

“I have to. It's my family’s house now,” Jennifer had replied. “And I need to know what really happened here.”

It had been ten years since her uncle, Dr. Johnson, a reclusive neuroscientist, vanished without a trace. His home, sealed ever since, was finally turned over to Jennifer after a lengthy legal battle.

She wandered through dark hallways filled with dust-covered furniture and half-finished journals. The air was thick with memories and secrets.

Then she found the door.

It was heavy, steel, and padlocked three times over. Scratched into the wood was a phrase:

“Do not open until the voices stop.”

Jennifer’s heart thumped. She pulled out the key ring the lawyer had given her and, one by one, undid the locks.

The hinges groaned as the door creaked open.

The room was pitch black, except for a single desk lamp. She stepped inside and found rows of voice recorders, wires, and scribbled notes all over the walls. A mirror hung directly across from the desk with strange cracks running across its surface each marked with names. One of them was hers.

Suddenly, a recorder clicked on by itself.

“If you’re hearing this… it means I’m likely gone,” her uncle’s voice rasped. “The voices they’re not in our heads. They live behind the reflections.”

Jennifer turned to the mirror.

Her reflection didn’t move.

Then… it blinked.

She froze.

“You should have never come here.”

The voice wasn’t from the recorder, it came from behind her.

She turned.

No one.

The door slammed shut.

The reflection began to grin as its mouth moved silently. The air grew colder.

Jennifer lunged for the desk, flipping through the notes. One said:

The mirror listens. But it also traps. I tried to destroy it. It fought back. I trapped it in here. Don't speak to it.

The reflection whispered:

“Jennifer… would you like to know where he went?”

She stepped closer.

“He begged me to let him out… just like you will.”

With trembling hands, she took a hammer from the drawer.

The reflection laughed.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

She raised the hammer high and swung.

The mirror shattered.

A blinding flash filled the room.

Then silence.

When Jennifer awoke, it was morning. The door was wide open. The room was empty. The mirror was gone, no glass, no shards, no reflection. Just sunlight.

She walked out.

As she locked the mansion door behind her, she whispered:

“Some doors are meant to be opened… but only once.”

Moral/Theme:

The truth may be terrifying, but denying it gives fear more power than it deserves.

@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

U.S. Senate Passes Stablecoin Bill The GENIUS Act

The U.S. Senate has passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act (S. 394) by a vote of 68-30, establishing the first comprehensive federal framework for fiat-backed stablecoins.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty and co-sponsored by Senators Tim Scott, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cynthia Lummis. It passed under the official title “Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins of 2025.” 

The United States Senate has passed the GENIUS Act

— Bo Hines (@BoHines) June 17, 2025

“Today, on a bipartisan basis, the Senate passed its first piece of major legislation this Congress with my bill—the GENIUS Act,” said Senator Hagerty. “With GENIUS, the United States is one step closer to becoming the crypto capital of the world.” 

The GENIUS Act tightly regulates payment stablecoins, requiring 1:1 dollar-backed reserves, monthly disclosures, audits, and clear federal or state licensing. It prohibits algorithmic coins and places strict limitations on rehypothecation and commingling of reserves. Importantly, the bill also amends existing securities laws to explicitly state that compliant stablecoins are not securities—freeing them from SEC jurisdiction.  

While the bill is aimed at stablecoins, Bitcoin proponents see it as a foundational win. 

Stablecoins act as bridges into Bitcoin, enabling on-ramps, easier settlements, and institutional access. By legitimizing stablecoin infrastructure, the U.S. is indirectly reinforcing the rails on which Bitcoin operates. 

And as the financial system modernizes, trusted access points like dollar-backed tokens could play a role in onboarding new Bitcoin users—especially in international markets and corporate treasuries. 

“The U.S. Senate has passed the GENIUS Act — landmark stablecoin legislation that provides regulatory clarity, enhances consumer protection, and extends U.S. dollar dominance online,” said President Donald Trump’s AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks. “Thanks to President Trump for his leadership on crypto & Senator Hagerty for authoring the bill.”

The passage of the GENIUS Act may be the clearest signal yet that the U.S. is preparing for a stablecoin and Bitcoin-powered future.   

This post U.S. Senate Passes Stablecoin Bill The GENIUS Act first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

@ a53364ff:e6ba5513

The internet is filled with countless social media platforms, all built on centralized servers and proprietary algorithms. However, in the world of decentralized technologies, a new contender is rising. Nostr is a simple, open protocol that promises to bring decentralized, censorship-resistant communication to the masses. In this article, we will explore what Nostr is, how it works, and why it might be the next big thing in the social media space.

1. How Did the Nostr Protocol Come About?

Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) was first conceived as a solution to the growing control centralized entities exert over online communications. Most social media platforms today are controlled by corporations, which have the power to censor, ban users, or manipulate what people see in their feeds. These issues, combined with growing concerns about privacy and data collection, inspired the creation of Nostr in 2020 by an anonymous developer named “fiatjaf”. The protocol aims to provide a decentralized alternative where users have control over their own content and identities.

2. What is Nostr?

Nostr is an open, decentralized communication protocol that allows users to send and receive messages in a censorship-resistant manner. It’s not a social network by itself but a foundation for building decentralized applications (DApps), such as social networks, chat apps, and other forms of communication platforms. Unlike traditional platforms, where all data is stored and managed by a single company, Nostr allows users to control their own data and interact directly without intermediaries.

3. Why is Nostr Different from Other Social Networks?

Traditional social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are centralized, meaning all of your posts, messages, and data are controlled by a single company. These platforms have the power to suspend accounts, remove content, or alter algorithms in ways that impact your online presence. Nostr, on the other hand, is decentralized and open-source. There is no central authority, meaning your posts cannot be censored or deleted by a single entity. Each user owns their data, and communication happens directly between users and servers (called relays), reducing the potential for manipulation or surveillance.

4. Similarities of Nostr with Bitcoin

Nostr shares a similar ethos with Bitcoin, in that both are decentralized, censorship-resistant, and permissionless. Just as Bitcoin allows people to transfer value without intermediaries, Nostr enables communication without relying on a central authority. Both projects promote the idea of individual sovereignty—whether that’s over your money or your communication.

Another connection is the use of public and private keys for identity management. Like Bitcoin wallets, Nostr uses cryptographic keys, meaning that users “log in” by signing messages with their private key. This ensures that only the true owner of the key can send messages from a specific identity.

5. Bitcoin Integrations

Bitcoin and Nostr are increasingly integrated, especially through Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, which is designed for fast, low-fee transactions. Nostr and Bitcoin are a natural fit. By integrating Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, Nostr allows users to send and receive micropayments seamlessly. This is particularly useful for tipping or rewarding content creators within the network. Satoshis (the smallest unit of Bitcoin) can be sent across Nostr’s network almost instantly and with minimal fees. On Nostr, users can send Bitcoin micropayments, often referred to as “zaps.” This enables tipping and rewarding users directly within the network, providing a seamless way for content creators to monetize their work without the need for third-party platforms. For example, if you appreciate a post, you can “zap” the creator a small amount of Bitcoin, creating a new way to support online communities.

6. How Does Nostr Work? What are Clients and Relays?

Nostr operates through two main components: Clients and Relays.

– Clients are applications that allow users to create accounts, post messages, and interact with others. These clients can be web apps, mobile apps, or desktop apps that interact with the Nostr network.

– Relays are servers that store and transmit the messages between clients. When you post a message on Nostr, it is sent to a relay, and other users’ clients pull that message from the relay. You are not tied to any single relay, so even if one relay is down or blocks your content, you can still interact with others using different relays.

This relay-client model ensures that the network remains decentralized and difficult to censor.

7. Difference Between Today’s Internet and Nostr’s

Today’s internet is heavily centralized. Most of our communication, from emails to social media, is managed by large corporations with access to vast amounts of data about their users. This leads to issues like censorship, surveillance, and data harvesting. Nostr seeks to change this by decentralizing communication. It puts control back into the hands of users, allowing for a more private and open internet experience. There’s no need for trust in any single company—users own their data and decide which relays to trust or use.

8. How Do Bitcoin Zaps and Micropayments Work on Nostr?

One of the most exciting features of Nostr is its integration with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. Through this integration, users can send Bitcoin zaps, which are small amounts of Bitcoin transferred instantly over the Lightning Network. Zaps function like “likes” on traditional social media platforms, but with the added benefit of rewarding users with real monetary value.

To send a zap, users link their Nostr profile to a Lightning wallet. Once connected, they can zap others by sending small amounts of Bitcoin, typically for content they enjoy or want to support. These zaps are fast, inexpensive, and work seamlessly within the Nostr ecosystem, making it easy for users to monetize content and interact with Bitcoin in a meaningful way.

Conclusion

Nostr is an exciting protocol that promises to reshape how we think about online communication. Its decentralized, censorship-resistant nature, along with its integration with Bitcoin, creates a platform where users have control over their data and interactions. Whether you’re looking for a more private social media experience or want to explore new ways to integrate Bitcoin into everyday interactions, Nostr is a protocol worth watching. With its growing ecosystem of clients and relays, Nostr might just be the future of decentralized communication.

Nostr is more than just a social network; it represents a shift towards user autonomy, privacy, and decentralized control. By combining cutting-edge technology with a solid ideological foundation, Nostr offers a refreshing alternative to mainstream social platforms. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious about new innovations, Nostr is worth exploring. And with various clients making it easily accessible, there’s no reason not to dive in and experience the future of decentralized social networking for yourself!

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The Brazilian government has abolished the Bitcoin tax exemption for small investors and introduced a flat 17.5% tax rate on all crypto capital gains.

Brazil has officially ended the tax-free period for small digital asset investors, introducing a flat 17.5% rate on all profits from cryptocurrency sales. The decision was formalized through Provisional Measure 1303, part of the government’s strategy to increase tax revenues from financial markets.

Until now, Brazilian residents selling up to 35,000 Brazilian reais (around $6,300) in cryptocurrencies per month were completely exempt from income tax. Profits exceeding this threshold were subject to progressive taxation, starting at 15% and reaching up to 22.5% for amounts over 30 million reais.

The new flat rate, which took effect on June 12, removes all exemptions and applies uniformly to every investor, regardless of the size of their transactions, according to local outlet Portal do Bitcoin.

While small-scale investors will now face a higher tax burden, high-net-worth individuals might actually benefit. Under the previous system, large transactions were taxed between 17.5% and 22.5%. With the new flat 17.5% rate, many high-profile investors will see their effective tax liability reduced.

Under the new rules, taxes will be calculated quarterly, with investors allowed to offset losses from the previous five quarters. However, starting in 2026, the time frame for claiming losses will be shortened.

Last March, Brazilian lawmakers also proposed a bill allowing employers to partially pay workers in cryptocurrency. According to the draft, crypto payments could not exceed 50% of an employee’s salary.

Full payment in cryptocurrencies would only be allowed for foreign workers or contractors, and only under specific conditions set by the Brazilian Central Bank. The bill prohibits full crypto payment for standard employees.

The post Brazil scraps crypto tax exemption: new 17.5% flat tax appeared first on Atlas21.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Carl Rickertsen completely exits his position in Strategy as insiders sell $864 million worth of stock.

As reported by Protos, Carl Rickertsen, a member of Strategy’s board of directors, has fully liquidated his entire shareholding for over $10 million.

Rickertsen’s decision to completely exit his Strategy position marks a sharp shift from his previous investment stance. In 2022, the executive had shown confidence in the company by investing $700,000 in MSTR shares.

On June 13, 2022, Rickertsen purchased $608,000 worth of MSTR stock at $152 per share. Since then, the stock has rallied 152%. However, by 2023, the director had already sold half of his 4,000-share position.

Rickertsen’s approach to managing his holdings has become increasingly aggressive in recent years. Since joining the board in 2019, he has adopted a strategy of immediately liquidating any stock options received.

One example of this tactic occurred on June 2, when he acquired and sold 26,390 MSTR shares on the same day.

As of June 5 this year, Rickertsen reported zero vested Strategy shares, marking the end of his equity involvement with the company.

Rickertsen’s situation is not an isolated case within Strategy. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reveals a controversial picture. According to information gathered by secform4.com, over the past five years, total insider sales have exceeded purchases by $864 million. This imbalance in insider transactions could raise questions about executives’ confidence in the company’s future.

The post Strategy director liquidates all his MSTR shares appeared first on Atlas21.

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

Why are Stripe Alternatives are growing like mushrooms? When it comes to online payment processing, Stripe has long dominated the conversation.

However, with its complex pricing structure, strict policies and first-world focus, many entrepreneurs and companies are actively seeking viable Stripe alternatives.

Whether you’re a SaaS startup, e-commerce store, or global enterprise, choosing the right payment processor can significantly impact your bottom line and customer experience.

Table of Contents

• Why Consider Stripe Alternatives?
• The Complete List of Stripe Alternatives
• Additional Notable Mentions
• How to Choose the Right Stripe Alternative
• Conclusion

Why Consider Stripe Alternatives?

Before diving into our comprehensive list, it’s worth understanding why businesses are exploring alternatives to Stripe. While Stripe offers robust features and excellent developer tools, some businesses face challenges with pricing transparency, limited global coverage, or specific industry requirements that Stripe doesn’t fully address.

The Complete List of Stripe Alternatives

Based on extensive research and analysis of the payment processing landscape, here are 27 proven Stripe alternatives that could be the perfect fit for your business:

1. Flash – Easiest Bitcoin Payment Solution

Flash is the easiest Bitcoin payment gateway for businesses to accept payments. Supporting both digital and physical enterprises, Flash leverages the Lightning Network to enable fast, low-cost Bitcoin transactions. Launched in its 2.0 version in March 2025, Flash is at the forefront of driving Bitcoin adoption in e-commerce.

2. Lemon Squeezy – The SaaS-Focused Alternative

Dubbed as “acq’d by Stripe,” Lemon Squeezy offers a comprehensive solution specifically designed for digital product sales and SaaS businesses. It provides strong customer support, built-in analytics, and handles payments, subscriptions, global tax compliance, and fraud prevention in one platform.

3. Gumroad – Creator Economy Champion

Gumroad has carved out a niche serving creators and small businesses by providing tools for selling digital products, physical goods, and subscriptions. It’s particularly popular among content creators, artists, and independent entrepreneurs who want to experiment with various ideas and formats. They also open-sourced their code which is quite the ‘chad-move’.

4. Paddle – All-in-One SaaS Commerce

Paddle caters to SaaS and software companies by offering a comprehensive platform with billing, licensing, and global tax handling capabilities. It’s designed to be a complete solution for subscription-based businesses, handling payments, tax, and subscription management in one platform.

5. FastSpring – Global E-commerce Specialist

FastSpring specializes in e-commerce solutions for software and SaaS companies, with a focus on global payments and subscription management. According to TechnologyAdvice, it’s particularly strong for international transactions and helps companies sell more, stay lean, and compete big.

6. 2Checkout – Versatile Payment Solutions

2Checkout (now part of Verifone) offers versatile payment solutions excelling in global payments, subscription billing, and digital commerce. One of the best stripe alternatives as it’s an all-in-one monetization platform that maximizes revenues and makes global online sales easier, supporting over 200 countries and territories.

7. Payoneer – Cross-Border Payment Expert

Payoneer simplifies cross-border payment solutions, offering local payment ease globally with a focus on market expansion and multi-currency support. It’s trusted by small to medium-sized businesses for global payment solutions and international money transfers.

8. Chargebee – Subscription Management Leader

Chargebee is a subscription management platform perfect for SaaS and SMBs, with robust billing and revenue management features. If you were looking for stripe alternatives to setup subscriptions, Chargebee might be right for you. It streamlines revenue operations and helps businesses grow efficiently with comprehensive subscription billing capabilities.

9. Maxio (formerly Chargify) – B2B SaaS Billing

Maxio offers a robust platform for B2B SaaS billing and financial operations, focusing on growth and efficiency for subscription businesses. It’s the most complete financial operations platform for B2B SaaS, bringing core financial operations into one platform.

10. Recurly – Dynamic Subscription Management

Recurly offers dynamic subscription management platform, excelling in churn management and data insights for subscription growth. It’s the only proven platform that expands and protects your recurring revenue with subscription management, recurring billing, and payments orchestration.

11. Braintree – PayPal’s Enterprise Solution

Braintree (by PayPal) provides a versatile global payments platform, integrating multiple payment methods with a focus on conversion and security. It delivers end-to-end checkout experiences for businesses, offering single-touch payments and mobile optimization.

12. PayKickstart – Modern Commerce Platform

PayKickstart offers a modern commerce platform for online billing and affiliates, focusing on revenue maximization and churn minimization. It’s the most complete checkout, recurring billing, affiliate management, and retention solution with global capabilities.

13. PayPro Global – Full-Service E-commerce

PayPro Global offers a full-service eCommerce solution for selling software and SaaS, focusing on global payments, tax compliance, and customer support. It provides flexible solutions with over 70 payment methods and great support for software companies.

14. Shopify Payments – E-commerce Integration

Integrated with Shopify, this service is ideal for SMBs in eCommerce, offering a seamless shopping cart and payment experience. It’s the simplest way to accept online payments, automatically set up for major methods with no fees for some payment types.

15. Square – Versatile POS and Payment Solutions

Square provides versatile POS and payment solutions for small businesses with a strong focus on retail and mobile payments. Forbes Advisor notes it as one of the top alternatives for businesses needing both online and offline payment capabilities.

16. Zoho Billing – Integrated Business Solution

Zoho Billing is an online recurring billing and subscription management solution, ideal for small and medium-sized businesses seeking professional invoice creation, time and expense tracking, and improved cash flow management. Zoho isn’t just competing for stripe alternatives, they offer a ton of other products and services.

17. WePay – Chase Company Integration

WePay, a Chase company, provides integrated payment solutions for ISVs and SaaS companies with customizable payment solutions. It’s designed for platforms like marketplaces and small business tools, offering seamless user experience and fraud protection.

18. QuickBooks Payments – SMB Accounting Integration

This service provides seamless accounting and payment solutions for SMBs and SaaS businesses, featuring real-time tracking and automated bookkeeping. It lets small businesses accept payments online from anywhere with easy integration into QuickBooks accounting.

19. Mangopay – Marketplace Payment Infrastructure

Mangopay offers a modular payment infrastructure for marketplaces and platforms, emphasizing flexibility, global payouts, and AI-powered anti-fraud. It uses flexible wallets built to orchestrate fund flows and monetize payment experiences.

20. Coinbase Commerce – Cryptocurrency Payments

Coinbase Commerce enables businesses to accept payments from around the world using cryptocurrency. It offers instant settlement, low fees, and broad asset support, making it easy for merchants to accept digital currency payments globally.

21. BTCPay Server – Open-Source Bitcoin Processor

BTCPay Server is a self-hosted, open-source cryptocurrency payment processor with 0% fees and no third-party involvement. It’s secure, private, censorship-resistant, and completely free for businesses wanting full control over their Bitcoin payments.

22. Lago – Open-Source Billing Alternative

Lago is an open-source alternative to Stripe Billing and Chargebee, specializing in billing and metering in one place for usage-b

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

A new study by Kraken reveals how cryptocurrency investors perceive security as the main challenge in self-managing their digital assets.

According to The Block, a recent survey conducted by crypto exchange Kraken found that nearly half of respondents consider themselves the primary risk factor for their own crypto security. The research, which surveyed 789 participants, highlights that 48% of users see their own actions as the greatest threat to their investments in digital assets, surpassing concerns about external theft or fraud.

Kraken’s report underlines how personal responsibility in security management forces users to take full control of their digital funds. However, the study suggests that this autonomy can also become a source of anxiety for many investors.

Nick Percoco, Chief Security Officer at Kraken, commented on the findings, noting that “a lack of confidence in personal crypto security is capping the growth of the industry.” According to Percoco, unlocking the full potential of cryptocurrencies will require users to embrace self-custody and consistently invest in strong security habits.

Technologies to strengthen security

Despite the concerns highlighted in the study, 31% of participants expressed optimism about future technologies that could improve crypto security. Among the most promising solutions identified:

• advanced biometric systems for user authentication;
• multi-factor authentication to secure wallet access;
• AI-based fraud detection systems to prevent attacks.

Data and case studies

Kraken’s research emerges in a context where security threats remain a pressing reality. FBI data shows that in 2024, nearly 150,000 reports of crypto-related internet fraud resulted in $9.3 billion in losses. Older users, particularly those over 60, proved especially vulnerable, accounting for $3 billion in crypto-related financial fraud losses on their own.

The post Kraken study: 48% of users fear themselves in managing and securing their funds appeared first on Atlas21.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The banking giant is exploring an expansion of its blockchain services, focusing on digital payments and currencies.

JPMorgan Chase has filed a new trademark application for the name “JPMD.” The filing was submitted on June 15 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The application, filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., covers a broad range of services related to digital assets and blockchain technology. These include the issuance of digital currencies, electronic payment processing, and financial custody services — all of which suggest a possible new stablecoin initiative for JPMorgan.

Experience with JPM Coin

This move wouldn’t be JPMorgan’s first foray into blockchain-based finance. The bank already operates JPM Coin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin used to enable instant transactions between institutional clients. The token runs on Quorum, a private blockchain network developed in-house by JPMorgan and based on Ethereum’s technology.

The registration of the JPMD trademark comes as JPMorgan and other major U.S. banks are considering a collaborative stablecoin project through their jointly owned entities: Early Warning Services and The Clearing House.

Similarly, corporations like Walmart and Amazon are mulling the creation of their own stablecoins.

The post JPMorgan files trademark for ‘JPMD’: a new stablecoin on the horizon for the American bank appeared first on Atlas21.

@ dfa02707:41ca50e3

• This version introduces the Soroban P2P network, enabling Dojo to relay transactions to the Bitcoin network and share others' transactions to break the heuristic linking relaying nodes to transaction creators.

• Additionally, Dojo admins can now manage API keys in DMT with labels, status, and expiration, ideal for community Dojo providers like Dojobay. New API endpoints, including "/services" exposing Explorer, Soroban, and Indexer, have been added to aid wallet developers.
• Other maintenance updates include Bitcoin Core, Tor, Fulcrum, Node.js, plus an updated ban-knots script to disconnect inbound Knots nodes.

"I want to thank all the contributors. This again shows the power of true Free Software. I also want to thank everyone who donated to help Dojo development going. I truly appreciate it," said Still Dojo Coder.

What's new

• Soroban P2P network. For MyDojo (Docker setup) users, Soroban will be automatically installed as part of their Dojo. This integration allows Dojo to utilize the Soroban P2P network for various upcoming features and applications.
• PandoTx. PandoTx serves as a transaction transport layer. When your wallet sends a transaction to Dojo, it is relayed to a random Soroban node, which then forwards it to the Bitcoin network. It also enables your Soroban node to receive and relay transactions from others to the Bitcoin network and is designed to disrupt the assumption that a node relaying a transaction is closely linked to the person who initiated it.
  • Pushing transactions through Soroban can be deactivated by setting NODE_PANDOTX_PUSH=off in docker-node.conf.
  • Processing incoming transactions from Soroban network can be deactivated by setting NODE_PANDOTX_PROCESS=off in docker-node.conf.
• API key management has been introduced to address the growing number of people offering their Dojos to the community. Dojo admins can now access a new API management tab in their DMT, where they can create unlimited API keys, assign labels for easy identification, and set expiration dates for each key. This allows admins to avoid sharing their main API key and instead distribute specific keys to selected parties.
• New API endpoints. Several new API endpoints have been added to help API consumers develop features on Dojo more efficiently:
  • New:
    • /latest-block - returns data about latest block
    • /txout/:txid/:index - returns unspent output data
    • /support/services - returns info about services that Dojo exposes
  • Updated:
    • /tx/:txid - endpoint has been updated to return raw transaction with parameter ?rawHex=1
  • The new /support/services endpoint replaces the deprecated explorer field in the Dojo pairing payload. Although still present, API consumers should use this endpoint for explorer and other pairing data.

Other changes

• Updated ban script to disconnect inbound Knots nodes.
• Updated Fulcrum to v1.12.0.
• Regenerate Fulcrum certificate if expired.
• Check if transaction already exists in pushTx.
• Bump BTC-RPC Explorer.
• Bump Tor to v0.4.8.16, bump Snowflake.
• Updated Bitcoin Core to v29.0.
• Removed unnecessary middleware.
• Fixed DB update mechanism, added api_keys table.
• Add an option to use blocksdir config for bitcoin blocks directory.
• Removed deprecated configuration.
• Updated Node.js dependencies.
• Reconfigured container dependencies.
• Fix Snowflake git URL.
• Fix log path for testnet4.
• Use prebuilt addrindexrs binaries.
• Add instructions to migrate blockchain/fulcrum.
• Added pull policies.

#FREESAMOURAI

Learn how to set up and use your own Bitcoin privacy node with Dojo here.

Announcement / Archive
GitHub Repo

@ a53364ff:e6ba5513

So you want to Run Bitcoin…

1. Knots helps you exercise your self sovereignty verification muscle, instead of conforming to the TrustMeBro defaults of core. Thus, you are more prepared to actively defend Bitcoin in case of hardfork-softfork or other shenanigan’s.

2. Knots is more feature rich and useful than core, allowing end users to finely tune their nodes mempool policy to reject spam transactions from their own mempools, through such bitcoin.conf settings as: rejectparasites=1 , datacarrier=0, permitbaremultisig=0

3. Running a Underdog Bitcoin Client makes the Bitcoin network more robust as a whole. Supporting an ecosystem of multiple compatible clients running in tandem. Running knots makes Bitcoin, the network more robust, and makes the bitcoin development ecosystem richer. Knots is a backup-option in case core becomes obviously compromised. For decentralization, do we really want only a single implementation, with all our eggs in one basket with just bitcoin core? No.

4. Knots makes it so that you’re not using your node’s computing resources to hold and process spam shitcoin transactions and you have better control over what transactions you prioritize processing.” — Thus you can save your mempool resources from being abused by bad actors with Knots, but not with core, unfortunately. Core doesn’t believe in giving their end users too much choice. This has long been their attitude: to dictate down and deny non-consensus violating choice to end users.

5. Thus running Knots is a counter movement to the unfortunate attitude in core that has willfully neglected a core subset of it’s users who care about spam filters. Running Knots is not just a technical improvement in running Bitcoin. It’s a political statement in the Bitcoin development ecosystem.

@ 7f6db517:a4931eda

The former seems to have found solid product market fit. Expect significant volume, adoption, and usage going forward.

The latter's future remains to be seen. Dependence on Tor, which has had massive reliability issues, and lack of strong privacy guarantees put it at risk.

— ODELL (@ODELL) October 27, 2022

The Basics

• Lightning is a protocol that enables cheap and fast native bitcoin transactions.
• At the core of the protocol is the ability for bitcoin users to create a payment channel with another user.
• These payment channels enable users to make many bitcoin transactions between each other with only two on-chain bitcoin transactions: the channel open transaction and the channel close transaction.
• Essentially lightning is a protocol for interoperable batched bitcoin transactions.
• It is expected that on chain bitcoin transaction fees will increase with adoption and the ability to easily batch transactions will save users significant money.
• As these lightning transactions are processed, liquidity flows from one side of a channel to the other side, on chain transactions are signed by both parties but not broadcasted to update this balance.
• Lightning is designed to be trust minimized, either party in a payment channel can close the channel at any time and their bitcoin will be settled on chain without trusting the other party.

There is no 'Lightning Network'

• Many people refer to the aggregate of all lightning channels as 'The Lightning Network' but this is a false premise.
• There are many lightning channels between many different users and funds can flow across interconnected channels as long as there is a route through peers.
• If a lightning transaction requires multiple hops it will flow through multiple interconnected channels, adjusting the balance of all channels along the route, and paying lightning transaction fees that are set by each node on the route.

Example: You have a channel with Bob. Bob has a channel with Charlie. You can pay Charlie through your channel with Bob and Bob's channel with User C.

• As a result, it is not guaranteed that every lightning user can pay every other lightning user, they must have a route of interconnected channels between sender and receiver.

Lightning in Practice

• Lightning has already found product market fit and usage as an interconnected payment protocol between large professional custodians.
• They are able to easily manage channels and liquidity between each other without trust using this interoperable protocol.
• Lightning payments between large custodians are fast and easy. End users do not have to run their own node or manage their channels and liquidity. These payments rarely fail due to professional management of custodial nodes.
• The tradeoff is one inherent to custodians and other trusted third parties. Custodial wallets can steal funds and compromise user privacy.

Sovereign Lightning

• Trusted third parties are security holes.
• Users must run their own node and manage their own channels in order to use lightning without trusting a third party. This remains the single largest friction point for sovereign lightning usage: the mental burden of actively running a lightning node and associated liquidity management.
• Bitcoin development prioritizes node accessibility so cost to self host your own node is low but if a node is run at home or office, Tor or a VPN is recommended to mask your IP address: otherwise it is visible to the entire network and represents a privacy risk.
• This privacy risk is heightened due to the potential for certain governments to go after sovereign lightning users and compel them to shutdown their nodes. If their IP Address is exposed they are easier to target.
• Fortunately the tools to run and manage nodes continue to get easier but it is important to understand that this will always be a friction point when compared to custodial services.

The Potential Fracture of Lightning

• Any lightning user can choose which users are allowed to open channels with them.
• One potential is that professional custodians only peer with other professional custodians.
• We already see nodes like those run by CashApp only have channels open with other regulated counterparties. This could be due to performance goals, liability reduction, or regulatory pressure.

• Fortunately some of their peers are connected to non-regulated parties so payments to and from sovereign lightning users are still successfully processed by CashApp but this may not always be the case going forward.

Summary

• Many people refer to the aggregate of all lightning channels as 'The Lightning Network' but this is a false premise. There is no singular 'Lightning Network' but rather many payment channels between distinct peers, some connected with each other and some not.
• Lightning as an interoperable payment protocol between professional custodians seems to have found solid product market fit. Expect significant volume, adoption, and usage going forward.
• Lightning as a robust sovereign payment protocol has yet to be battle tested. Heavy reliance on Tor, which has had massive reliability issues, the friction of active liquidity management, significant on chain fee burden for small amounts, interactivity constraints on mobile, and lack of strong privacy guarantees put it at risk.

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If you have never used lightning before, use this guide to get started on your phone.

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If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.

@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

123

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

In a move that diverges from many other U.S. states, Connecticut has passed a new law that bars state and local governments from investing in bitcoin or any other digital currency.

The bill, HB7082, passed unanimously in both the House and Senate with zero opposing votes.

The law, officially titled “An Act Concerning the Regulation of Virtual Currency and State Investments,” was signed into law recently and is causing a stir in the Bitcoin and financial communities.

HB7082 prohibits the state of Connecticut and its political subdivisions from accepting, holding or investing in digital currencies. This includes bitcoin, ethereum and other digital assets. It also bars the state from creating a bitcoin reserve, a concept being explored by other states.

The law goes further by imposing strict rules on digital asset businesses operating in the state. These rules enforce anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and parental consent verification for digital asset users under 18.

It also requires 1:1 reserve requirements for bitcoin custodians.

Businesses that handle Bitcoin transactions must now provide users with clear information about risks and fees and provide receipts with full transaction details.

No business can let a minor use a money-sharing app without first getting proof of consent from a parent or guardian.

Lawmakers in Connecticut say it’s about protecting public funds and minimizing financial risk. They say Connecticut’s new law bars state investments in bitcoin to protect its financial assets from market risk.

Supporters argue that the high volatility of bitcoin makes it a risky investment for public money like pension funds and state reserves.

The law also looks to bring bitcoin businesses under tighter control, to make them follow the same rules as the traditional financial system.

While Connecticut is cracking down on digital assets, other states are going the other way.

States like Texas, New Hampshire and Arizona have already passed laws or proposed bills to create a bitcoin reserve, which allows public funds to be invested in bitcoin.

Texas has even described bitcoin as a “forward-thinking investment opportunity” and a long-term store of value.

The new law has caused mixed reactions in the financial world. Some think it’s too cautious, others think it’s part of a bigger plan.

Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise, responded with sarcasm, “The hedge fund managers got so upset they couldn’t beat Bitcoin…”

Matt Hougan on X

Some states like Florida, South Dakota and Oklahoma have either killed or vetoed Bitcoin bills this year. Others like Louisiana are still exploring the tech. Louisiana just announced it would create a special committee to study AI, blockchain and digital assets.

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Bitcoin tem vindo a desempenhar um papel cada vez mais relevante em protestos e movimentos sociais em todo o mundo. Graças à sua natureza descentralizada, resistente à censura e independente do controlo governamental, Bitcoin tornou-se uma ferramenta valiosa para ativistas, organizações e cidadãos que lutam contra regimes opressivos ou sistemas financeiros restritivos.

Bitcoin como alternativa ao sistema financeiro tradicional

Nos últimos anos, governos e instituições bancárias têm utilizado restrições financeiras como uma forma de repressão política. Contas bancárias congeladas, doações bloqueadas e limitações a transações são algumas das estratégias utilizadas para enfraquecer movimentos sociais e protestos. Bitcoin oferece uma alternativa, permitindo que fundos sejam transferidos e armazenados sem a interferência de bancos ou governos.

Uma das principais vantagens de Bitcoin nestes contextos é a sua resistência à censura. Enquanto contas bancárias podem ser encerradas e serviços de pagamento centralizados podem ser pressionados a bloquear transações, Bitcoin funciona numa rede descentralizada, onde ninguém pode impedir que um utilizador envie ou receba fundos.

Exemplos do uso do Bitcoin em protestos

Hong Kong (2019-2020): Durante os protestos pró-democracia, ativistas enfrentaram restrições financeiras ao tentarem organizar manifestações e campanhas. Muitos recorreram a Bitcoin para evitar o rastreamento do governo chinês e garantir financiamento para as suas ações.

Canadá (2022): O movimento dos camionistas que protestavam contra restrições governamentais viu as suas contas bancárias congeladas. Como alternativa, doações em Bitcoin foram utilizadas para contornar a repressão financeira.

Bielorrússia (2020): Após as eleições presidenciais contestadas, manifestantes usaram Bitcoin para financiar atividades e ajudar aqueles que perderam os seus empregos devido à repressão estatal.

Nigéria (2020): Durante os protestos contra a brutalidade policial, conhecidos como #EndSARS, doações internacionais para os manifestantes foram bloqueadas. Bitcoin tornou-se um dos principais meios de financiamento do movimento.

Desafios do uso do Bitcoin em movimentos sociais

Educação e acessibilidade: Muitos ainda desconhecem como utilizar Bitcoin de forma segura e eficiente. A falta de conhecimento pode dificultar a sua adoção em larga escala.

Segurança digital: Movimentos sociais muitas vezes operam sob vigilância intensa. Se as medidas de segurança adequadas não forem seguidas, os fundos podem ser comprometidos.

Volatilidade: O preço de Bitcoin pode variar significativamente num curto período, o que pode afetar o valor das doações e dos fundos arrecadados.

Resumindo, o Bitcoin tem demonstrado ser uma ferramenta essencial para a resistência contra a censura financeira e a repressão governamental. Ao permitir que movimentos sociais e ativistas financiem as suas causas sem depender de intermediários, Bitcoin fortalece a luta pela liberdade e pela justiça. No entanto, a adoção eficaz da tecnologia exige conhecimento, segurança e adaptação às suas características únicas. À medida que mais pessoas aprendem a utilizar Bitcoin, o seu papel nos protestos e movimentos sociais continuará a crescer, reforçando a importância da soberania financeira na luta por direitos e liberdades.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 9c9d2765:16f8c2c2

The wind howled outside like a warning. Rain splashed against the windows of the old countryside mansion as Susan stepped in, clutching her soaked coat.

"Are you sure about this place?" her younger brother, James, asked, eyeing the cobwebbed chandelier.

"It belonged to our grandmother. We have to clear it out before it’s sold," Susan replied, though her voice lacked confidence.

They hadn’t visited the estate in over ten years. Not since their grandmother’s mysterious disappearance.

As they explored, they reached a narrow hallway that ended at a crooked staircase descending into the basement.

"Nope," James said, stepping back. "I’m not going down there."

"Don't be ridiculous." Susan forced a smile. "It’s just a basement."

But as she pulled the chain to light the way, the bulb flickered and a whisper rode the cold draft:

“Susan...”

She froze. "Did you hear that?"

"What?" James asked, already halfway back toward the kitchen.

"My name. Someone said my name."

James laughed nervously. "It’s an old house. It creaks."

But Susan wasn’t convinced. She took a breath and stepped down the stairs, one creaking step at a time.

The basement was filled with antiques, trunks, and one large wardrobe. She walked toward it, and the whisper came again louder.

"Susan... don’t forget."

She yanked open the wardrobe and gasped.

Inside was a broken mirror, its cracks forming a spider web of reflections. Taped to the mirror was a faded photo: her grandmother standing in front of this very mirror looking terrified.

Behind the photo, a small note was pinned.

If you found this, it means I failed to stop him. The man under the stairs is not a man at all. Don't trust the whisper. It's how he gets in. Burn the wardrobe. Don't look in the mirror.

"James!" she screamed, panic rising. "Get down here now!"

"What's going on?" he shouted as he clattered down.

She showed him the note.

He read it and chuckled. "Come on, this is... old people paranoia."

The mirror’s surface shimmered. Susan stepped back.

James tilted his head. "It’s just a mir"

A hand shot out from the reflection and gripped his wrist.

He screamed.

"Get it off me!"

Susan grabbed a rusted poker from the floor and struck the mirror. It cracked further but the hand tightened.

James’s eyes turned glassy. He whispered:

“Don’t forget… like she did.”

Susan’s heart pounded. She turned, grabbed a bottle of lighter fluid from a shelf, and doused the wardrobe.

"I’m sorry." She struck a match.

The fire consumed the wood fast, the mirror howling like an animal. James collapsed.

When he opened his eyes, he gasped for air.

"What… what just happened?"

James held him close. "We’re leaving. Now."

They ran from the house. Behind them, the mansion glowed in eerie orange as the basement burned away the secrets.

Moral:

Silence doesn’t kill secrets. It feeds them.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Carl Rickertsen completely exits his position in Strategy as insiders sell $864 million worth of stock.

As reported by Protos, Carl Rickertsen, a member of Strategy’s board of directors, has fully liquidated his entire shareholding for over $10 million.

Rickertsen’s decision to completely exit his Strategy position marks a sharp shift from his previous investment stance. In 2022, the executive had shown confidence in the company by investing $700,000 in MSTR shares.

On June 13, 2022, Rickertsen purchased $608,000 worth of MSTR stock at $152 per share. Since then, the stock has rallied 152%. However, by 2023, the director had already sold half of his 4,000-share position.

Rickertsen’s approach to managing his holdings has become increasingly aggressive in recent years. Since joining the board in 2019, he has adopted a strategy of immediately liquidating any stock options received.

One example of this tactic occurred on June 2, when he acquired and sold 26,390 MSTR shares on the same day.

As of June 5 this year, Rickertsen reported zero vested Strategy shares, marking the end of his equity involvement with the company.

Rickertsen’s situation is not an isolated case within Strategy. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reveals a controversial picture. According to information gathered by secform4.com, over the past five years, total insider sales have exceeded purchases by $864 million. This imbalance in insider transactions could raise questions about executives’ confidence in the company’s future.

The post Strategy director liquidates all his MSTR shares appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 5ea46480:450da5bd

When considering the concept of "smart clients and dumb relays," it is crucial to clearly define what "smart" and "dumb" represent in this context. The term "dumb" does not imply that relays lack control, complexity, or sophisticated policies regarding storage and distribution. Relays actively select what information to store, how long they store it, and under what conditions they provide access. Their decisions may differ significantly, allowing specialization that enriches the ecosystem.

Instead, the "dumb" attribute specifically describes the simplicity and universality of queries that relays support. Dumb relays provide a standardized interface rather than specialized queries serving individual client needs. This simplicity ensures interoperability; a client can interact with any relay without compatibility issues. The client side is "smart," equipped with all the logic necessary for determining what data to request, where to find it, how to interpret and present it. The client is responsible for the complexity and specificity of interactions.

This paradigm achieves clear separation; relays generalize data delivery, while clients handle intelligent interpretation and functionality. As a result, users remain free to switch between different clients, confident that basic connections remain intact across a diverse relay landscape. Differences in relay behavior—such as acceptance criteria or data availability—do not compromise this fundamental interoperability. Rather, its the interoperability that allows relays freedom from any obligation to represent a global network viewpoint.

Therefore, maintaining a simple relay query interface preserves interoperability, encourages client diversity, and allows relays to specialize according to their own preferences and policies. This setup captures the complementary principles behind smart clients and dumb relays.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The banking giant is exploring an expansion of its blockchain services, focusing on digital payments and currencies.

JPMorgan Chase has filed a new trademark application for the name “JPMD.” The filing was submitted on June 15 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The application, filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., covers a broad range of services related to digital assets and blockchain technology. These include the issuance of digital currencies, electronic payment processing, and financial custody services — all of which suggest a possible new stablecoin initiative for JPMorgan.

Experience with JPM Coin

This move wouldn’t be JPMorgan’s first foray into blockchain-based finance. The bank already operates JPM Coin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin used to enable instant transactions between institutional clients. The token runs on Quorum, a private blockchain network developed in-house by JPMorgan and based on Ethereum’s technology.

The registration of the JPMD trademark comes as JPMorgan and other major U.S. banks are considering a collaborative stablecoin project through their jointly owned entities: Early Warning Services and The Clearing House.

Similarly, corporations like Walmart and Amazon are mulling the creation of their own stablecoins.

The post JPMorgan files trademark for ‘JPMD’: a new stablecoin on the horizon for the American bank appeared first on Atlas21.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The banking giant is exploring an expansion of its blockchain services, focusing on digital payments and currencies.

JPMorgan Chase has filed a new trademark application for the name “JPMD.” The filing was submitted on June 15 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The application, filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., covers a broad range of services related to digital assets and blockchain technology. These include the issuance of digital currencies, electronic payment processing, and financial custody services — all of which suggest a possible new stablecoin initiative for JPMorgan.

Experience with JPM Coin

This move wouldn’t be JPMorgan’s first foray into blockchain-based finance. The bank already operates JPM Coin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin used to enable instant transactions between institutional clients. The token runs on Quorum, a private blockchain network developed in-house by JPMorgan and based on Ethereum’s technology.

The registration of the JPMD trademark comes as JPMorgan and other major U.S. banks are considering a collaborative stablecoin project through their jointly owned entities: Early Warning Services and The Clearing House.

Similarly, corporations like Walmart and Amazon are mulling the creation of their own stablecoins.

The post JPMorgan files trademark for ‘JPMD’: a new stablecoin on the horizon for the American bank appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo ainda não têm acesso a serviços bancários básicos, seja por falta de infraestrutura, requisitos burocráticos ou instabilidade económica nos seus países. Bitcoin surge como uma solução inovadora para este problema, permitindo que qualquer pessoa com acesso à internet tenha controlo sobre o seu dinheiro, sem depender de bancos ou governos. Ao oferecer um sistema financeiro aberto e acessível, Bitcoin torna-se uma ferramenta poderosa para a inclusão financeira global.

O problema da exclusão financeira

Em muitos países em desenvolvimento, grande parte da população não possui conta bancária. Isto pode acontecer por diversas razões, como:

Falta de acesso a bancos: Muitas comunidades, especialmente em áreas rurais, não têm instituições financeiras próximas.

Exigências burocráticas: Alguns bancos exigem documentação específica ou um histórico de crédito que muitas pessoas não conseguem fornecer.

Custos elevados: As taxas bancárias podem ser proibitivas para quem ganha pouco dinheiro.

Instabilidade económica e política: Em países com alta inflação ou governos instáveis, os bancos podem não ser uma opção segura para guardar dinheiro.

Estas dificuldades deixam milhões de pessoas à margem do sistema financeiro, impossibilitadas de poupar, investir ou realizar transações de forma eficiente.

Bitcoin como alternativa

Bitcoin resolve muitos dos problemas da exclusão financeira ao oferecer um sistema acessível e descentralizado. Com Bitcoin, qualquer pessoa com um telemóvel e acesso à internet pode armazenar e transferir dinheiro sem necessidade de um banco. Entre as principais vantagens estão:

Acessibilidade global: Bitcoin pode ser usado em qualquer lugar do mundo, independentemente da localização do utilizador.

Sem necessidade de intermediários: Diferente dos bancos, que impõem taxas e regras, Bitcoin permite transações diretas entre pessoas.

Baixo custo para transferências internacionais: Enviar dinheiro para outro país pode ser caro e demorado com os métodos tradicionais, enquanto Bitcoin oferece uma alternativa mais rápida e acessível.

Proteção contra a inflação: Em países com moedas instáveis, Bitcoin pode ser usado como reserva de valor, protegendo o poder de compra da população.

Casos de uso na inclusão financeira

Bitcoin já tem sido utilizado para promover a inclusão financeira em diversas partes do mundo. Alguns exemplos incluem:

África e América Latina: Em países como Nigéria, Venezuela e Argentina, onde a inflação é elevada e o acesso a dólares é limitado, muitas pessoas usam Bitcoin para preservar o seu dinheiro e realizar transações internacionais.

Remessas internacionais: Trabalhadores que enviam dinheiro para as suas famílias no estrangeiro evitam as elevadas taxas das empresas de transferências tradicionais ao utilizarem Bitcoin.

Microeconomia digital: Pequenos comerciantes e freelancers que não têm acesso a contas bancárias podem receber pagamentos em Bitcoin de forma direta e segura.

Desafios da inclusão financeira com Bitcoin

Apesar das suas vantagens, a adoção de Bitcoin como ferramenta de inclusão financeira ainda enfrenta alguns desafios, tais como:

Acesso à internet: Muitas regiões pobres ainda não têm uma infraestrutura digital adequada.

Educação financeira: Para que mais pessoas utilizem Bitcoin, é necessário maior conhecimento sobre a tecnologia e as melhores práticas de segurança.

Volatilidade do preço: As oscilações de valor podem dificultar o uso de Bitcoin no dia a dia, especialmente em países onde as pessoas vivem com rendimentos instáveis.

Resumindo, o Bitcoin oferece uma solução viável para milhões de pessoas excluídas do sistema financeiro tradicional. Ao proporcionar acesso global, transações baratas e segurança contra a inflação, torna-se um instrumento poderoso para promover a inclusão financeira. No entanto, para que o seu potencial seja totalmente aproveitado, é essencial investir na educação digital e expandir a infraestrutura tecnológica, permitindo que mais pessoas tenham autonomia financeira através de Bitcoin.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 9dd283b1:cf9b6beb

Question is inspired by this post - https://stacker.news/items/1008610/r/Catcher

If you follow the link in the post and check the fund contributors along with their local currencies, you’ll notice something interesting:

1 unit of account in Bitcoin is actually worth more than 1 unit of account in the local currency. That makes sending 1 sat feel like it’s not a diminishingly small amount anymore, or it doesn't make any difference cause 1 SAT = 1 SAT? 😊

https://stacker.news/items/1009186

@ 9c9d2765:16f8c2c2

Jennifer checked into the CUBANA Hotel just after midnight. Her reservation was for Room 21 but the receptionist, a frail woman with shaking hands, handed her a different key.

“Room 39,” she said quietly. “It’s better.”

Jennifer hesitated. “But I booked”

“Trust me,” the woman interrupted, not meeting her eyes. “Don’t go near Room 21 tonight.”

Chilled by her tone, Jennifer took the key.

As she walked through the long corridor, dimly lit and lined with dusty paintings, she passed Room 21. Its door was slightly ajar. A draft whispered from it, carrying the faint sound of piano music, though no one had checked in for days.

Jennifer entered Room 39 and locked the door behind her.

That night, she couldn’t sleep. The music continued soft, broken, sorrowful. She finally crept into the hallway. The corridor was darker now. Room 21’s door had swung open wide.

Drawn by a strange force, Jennifer stepped inside.

The room was pristine. An old piano stood in the corner, keys moving on their own. On the wall hung a photo of a young couple, one of them was her.

It was a photo she'd never taken.

On the piano was a letter:

To Jennifer, If you are reading this, you’ve come searching for answers. Room 21 holds what you lost. Your memories, your truth. You left them here seven years ago when you fled. But the past doesn’t stay buried. Tonight, you must choose to remember or keep running.

Jennifer turned and saw the mirror. In it, her reflection wore a wedding dress... bloodstained.

Moral: What we fear most is often the key to the truth we need most.

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

When Joao Almeida talks about Lightning, his facial expressions and tone occasionally can resemble that of a parent describing his son pronouncing his first word or his daughter graduating from college. Joao is not the creator of the Lightning Network, but he definitely contributed to its success, building on top of it during every phase of its growth.

The Co-Founder of Opennode and the mind behind Zap (which later evolved into its custodial version Strike), Joao is now shifting his focus beyond payments and the Lightning Network. Instead, he built a simple tech solution that lets businesses automatically convert a portion of their sales into BTC.

Getting into Bitcoin and Lightning

• *How did your Bitcoin journey start?*

I got into the space with Zap. At the time, it was the only project where you could actually interact with Lightning. Everything else was very theoretical. It was only academic papers—it wasn’t really about applications. That’s why Jack Mallers also became pretty popular with Zap—it was the first thing where you could actually experience Lightning.

Following on that, I created a plugin for e-commerce. 60% of websites on the internet are powered by WordPress—it’s a CMS system. WooCommerce is their e-commerce plugin that you add to WordPress websites. So, back in 2017, I built the first Lightning Network plugin for WooCommerce.

• *Wasn’t that right after the Lightning Network whitepaper was proposed?*

Yeah, everything was still in beta. But Jack, me, and a few other pioneers were like, “Screw it, we’re going to risk it.” It was risky, but at some time, you have to take risks to get the reward. So I built the plugin, and it went pretty viral on social media.

Welcome to the future boys @lightning @WooCommerce @acinq_co @ln_zap pic.twitter.com/kKPyWbQvir

— João Almeida — ₿/acc (@joaodealmeida_) December 10, 2017

What started as just an e-commerce plugin turned into something more. The team working on Zap at the time came from different backgrounds, different cities—I’d never met most of them in person. We started to work on some side projects, and eventually, part of that team created what became OpenNode.
I’d say it was the first commercial solution that actually leveraged the Lightning protocol—building on the idea of making tools that allow you to interact with the tech without having to fully understand it. So that first plugin became the foundation for OpenNode.

We started building products—POS systems, donation pages—and figured out how to enter the market. There wasn’t much competition at the time; we were probably the only ones doing it.

• *Who were your first customers?*

We actually worked with Coin Center. They do great work in Bitcoin policy. Our first demo was a donation-based platform where all proceeds went to Coin Center. It was a way for people to try out the technology while also contributing to something good that supports the ecosystem.

Initially, the e-commerce plugin was our most popular product, and that was by design. We didn’t have any physical POS solution at first. I would say the big breakthrough came with El Salvador, two years in. McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and other multinationals started using our product to accept payments. That’s when we began to grow significantly and gain brand awareness. Our user base became more diverse and mainstream.

We found especially strong product-market fit in high-risk industries—pharmacies, CBD stores, things that are legal and follow all the rules, but are still shut out of the traditional financial system. That’s been changing a bit. Companies like Square are beginning to serve those markets. But smaller shops still don’t have access, and they became our early adopters.

The Current State of Lightning

• Some people today feel Lightning was over-hyped. It was supposed to be the scaling solution, but many now think it hasn’t lived up to that promise. Do you agree?

Yeah, Lightning is definitely a complex protocol. The reason it’s complex is that for it to be truly decentralized, you need unilateral exits. That’s the benchmark. A lot of Layer 2s and other currencies wear “decentralization” as lipstick, but if you can’t exit unilaterally, it’s not truly decentralized.

That complexity introduces trade-offs—liquidity being one of the major ones. That’s probably the biggest barrier to why adoption hasn’t happened faster. But like anything worth building, it takes time to do it right. People were really excited and wanted fast results because Lightning looked like the most promising solution.

But I don’t think the issue is the tech itself. The problem is behavioral. In the U.S., there’s no strong incentive to use Bitcoin as a payment method—it’s a taxable event, and people see more upside in holding. So I wouldn’t blame Lightning. It’s more about how people behave.

In emerging markets, the situation is different. That’s why we saw stickier adoption in places like El Salvador—especially for remittances. Because of liquidity limitations, I think Lightning is actually a great upgrade for B2B—say, between exchanges. There’s a degree of trust, but you retain custody and still transact.

So no, I don’t think the limitation is technological. People don’t want to spend Bitcoin unless they have to. Even if Lightning worked perfectly tomorrow, we wouldn’t suddenly be on a Bitcoin standard. That’s not how it works.

• *So, is Bitcoin still a medium of exchange?*

Great question. I think Bitcoin is money and a network. It’s proven itself as a store of value. It’s the best-performing asset of the past 16 years. And when it comes to sending wires or cross-border value, Bitcoin is still the better alternative.

It might not make sense for everyday coffee purchases yet, but for borderless transactions, it’s still the best option.

So yeah, it’s money. Maybe people haven’t fully realized it yet, but it is better money. That’s on the record—something Michael Saylor would probably be proud of.

Orqestra and Onboarding Small and Medium Businesses

• *What are you working on right now?*

OpenNode is still operating, but I left the company last year. I left with the same realization I just mentioned: there are only certain industries where Bitcoin is a necessity. There’s activity there, but broadly, we’re still early for Bitcoin as a true medium of exchange.

That said, it’s important to have the option to spend Bitcoin. Projects like OpenNode and BTCPayServer are critical because if Bitcoin isn’t transactable, it loses part of its purpose. It just becomes a pet rock.

So my next mission was: how can I help people and businesses accumulate Bitcoin more easily? I’ve been working on a Bitcoin treasury solution—software that helps small and medium businesses do what big public companies do when they buy Bitcoin, but without needing a finance team or issuing debt.

How do you take that to scale? How do we democratize access to that kind of savings vehicle?

The software lets you connect your QuickBooks, Stripe, or Square account and say, “I want 2% of my revenue to go into Bitcoin.” You don’t have to think about where to buy or how to custody it—we provide that. The option is there if you want to do it manually, but the platform brings it all together.

• *So it’s really a plug-and-play solution for small and medium-sized businesses?*

Yes. We’re not trying to orange-pill them or say, “Put 100% of your profits in Bitcoin.” But we help them get off zero and choose whatever exposure they’re comfortable with—from 0% to 100%.

Over time, once they’re exposed, they start to see the benefits. A great example is the Tahini’s restaurant chain. They started doing this in 2020 with just a few locations. Because they saved in Bitcoin, they now have 30–40 locations. That growth was fueled by the purchasing power Bitcoin gave them.

So the idea is: how do we replicate that story across the 33 million small businesses in the U.S.? That’s the mission.

• *So what’s your target? You’ve already launched, right?*

Yes, we’re in private beta. It’s still very curated—you can request access, but we’re onboarding selectively to maintain a tight feedback loop. We want to make sure the product really works and delivers value before a full release.

Our sweet spot is cashflow-positive businesses, where you have excess cash in the bank or sitting in high-yield savings accounts, and you’re trying to allocate maybe 0.5% or 1% to Bitcoin. As you get more comfortable, you can increase that. Businesses typically start with 1–2% and end up at 10%. They start to see the long-term benefits—what being able to save in Bitcoin can do to help a business grow.

We’re ideally targeting Bitcoin-curious businesses where you don’t have to pitch Bitcoin. That’s the first fit.

Another business owner upg

@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

123456

@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

123456

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Desde a sua criação, Bitcoin tem sido associado à ideia de liberdade financeira e individual. Diferente do dinheiro tradicional, controlado por governos e bancos centrais, Bitcoin permite que qualquer pessoa no mundo transacione e armazene valor sem depender de intermediários. Essa característica torna-se especialmente relevante em contextos de instabilidade económica, censura financeira e falta de acesso ao sistema bancário.

Bitcoin como ferramenta de autonomia financeira

A principal promessa de Bitcoin é devolver às pessoas o controlo sobre o seu próprio dinheiro. No sistema financeiro tradicional, os bancos e governos têm o poder de congelar contas, restringir transações e desvalorizar moedas através da impressão excessiva de dinheiro. Com Bitcoin, cada utilizador tem total posse dos seus fundos, desde que armazene as suas chaves privadas de forma segura. Isso significa que ninguém pode confiscar ou bloquear o acesso ao seu dinheiro.

Além disso, Bitcoin permite transações internacionais rápidas e baratas, sem depender de bancos ou plataformas de pagamento centralizadas. Em países onde as transferências internacionais são burocráticas e caras, Bitcoin representa uma alternativa eficiente e acessível.

Proteção contra a censura e o controlo estatal

Governos e instituições financeiras podem restringir o acesso ao dinheiro por motivos políticos ou económicos. Em regimes autoritários, dissidentes e jornalistas frequentemente enfrentam bloqueios financeiros como forma de repressão. Bitcoin oferece uma solução para esse problema, pois a sua rede descentralizada impede que qualquer entidade tenha controlo total sobre as transações.

Isto já foi demonstrado em diversos casos ao redor do mundo. Em momentos de crise, quando governos impõem restrições a saques bancários ou impõem limites às remessas de dinheiro, Bitcoin tem sido usado para contornar essas barreiras e garantir que as pessoas possam manter a sua liberdade financeira.

Desafios e responsabilidades da liberdade financeira

Embora Bitcoin ofereça mais liberdade individual, também exige maior responsabilidade por parte do utilizador. Diferente de uma conta bancária, onde um cliente pode recuperar o acesso à sua conta com um simples pedido, em Bitcoin a posse das chaves privadas é essencial. Se um utilizador perde as suas chaves, perde o acesso aos seus fundos para sempre.

Além disso, a volatilidade do preço de Bitcoin pode representar um desafio para quem pretende utilizá-lo como reserva de valor no curto prazo. No entanto, essa característica é compensada pelo seu modelo deflacionário, que protege a poupança a longo prazo contra a desvalorização causada pela inflação das moedas fiduciárias.

Resumindo, o Bitcoin representa uma revolução na forma como as pessoas gerem e protegem o seu dinheiro. Ao permitir transações livres de intermediários e resistir à censura financeira, Bitcoin fortalece a liberdade individual e oferece uma alternativa viável a sistemas financeiros centralizados e controlados por governos. No entanto, essa liberdade vem acompanhada da necessidade de maior responsabilidade, uma vez que cada utilizador é o único responsável pela segurança dos seus fundos. Para aqueles que valorizam a soberania financeira, Bitcoin é uma ferramenta poderosa que pode redefinir o conceito de dinheiro e autonomia pessoal no mundo moderno.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 866e0139:6a9334e5

Autor: Mathias Bröckers. Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und erschien zuerst auf dem Blog des Autors. Sie finden alle Texte der Friedenstaube und weitere Texte zum Thema Frieden hier.**

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Im September 2001 fiel dem gerade pensionierten Vier-Sterne-General Wesley Clark, der bis 2000 die NATO-Streitkräfte in Europa befehligt hatte, der Unterkiefer nach unten, als er kurz nach den Anschlägen das Pentagon besuchte und ein alter Kollege aus dem »Joint Chiefs Of Staff« ihn in sein Zimmer zog:

»Ich habe gerade diesen Merkzettel aus dem Büro des Verteidigungsministers bekommen, und hier steht, wir werden sieben Länder angreifen und deren Regierungen innerhalb von fünf Jahren stürzen. Wir werden mit dem Irak beginnen und dann nehmen wir uns Syrien, Libanon, Libyen, Somalia, den Sudan und den Iran vor, sieben Länder in fünf Jahren.«

Dass der ehrgeizige Zeitplan durchaus ins Stocken geraten könnte, hatte Bushs Vize Dick Cheney mit seiner Ankündigung klar gemacht, dass „dieser Krieg länger als eine Generation dauern wird“. 9/11 hatte dem neo-konservativen „Project New American Century“ (PNAC) das „katalysierende Ereignis“ geliefert, das dieser Think-Tank mit vielen Mitgliedern der Bush-Regierung 1999 als erforderlich angesehen hatte, um massive militärische Aufrüstung für eine globale „Full Spectrum Dominance“ durchzusetzen.

Nach dem Abhandenkommen des Großfeinds Sowjetunion drohten dem militärisch-industriellen Komplex erhebliche Umsatzeinbußen, die ohne eine neue Großbedrohung nicht wettzumachen waren. Bushs massive Aufrüstung bis 2009 wurde dann von seinen Nachfolgern noch einmal verdoppelt. Diese Anstrengungen im sogenannten „War On Terror“ haben seitdem Millionen Menschen das Leben gekostet oder in die Flucht getrieben und zahlreiche Länder verwüstet. Mit der Bombardierung des Iran am Wochenende nun wurde das “Sahnehäubchen” in diesem Eroberungsplan des US-Imperiums in Angriff genommen.

Dabei werden wie im Krieg gegen Irak angebliche “Massenvernichtungswaffen” als Begründung propagiert, die freilich in Teheran genauso wenig vorhanden sind wie 2002/2003 in Bagdad. Was Englands Tony Blair seinerzeit aber nicht von der Behauptung abhielt, sie könnten “in 45 Minuten” London erreichen und Europa erfolgreich  zur Unterstützung des Kriegs zu treiben. So wie Israels Netanyahu und die US-Neocons seit 30 Jahren erzählen, dass iranische Atomwaffen in 3 Jahren…/3 Monaten/…3 Tagen einsatzbereit wären und man das Land deshalb “präventiv” angreifen müsse. Dazu schreibt der Nahost-Korrespondent und Pulitzer-Preisträger  Chris Hedges :

"Warum also in den Krieg mit dem Iran ziehen? Warum aus einem Atomabkommen aussteigen, gegen das der Iran nicht verstoßen hat? Warum eine Regierung dämonisieren, die der Todfeind der Taliban ist, zusammen mit anderen Takfiri-Gruppen, einschließlich Al-Qaida und Islamischer Staat in der Levante (ISIL)? Warum eine Region weiter destabilisieren, die bereits gefährlich instabil ist?Die Generäle, Politiker, Geheimdienste, Neocons, Waffenhersteller, so genannten Experten, prominenten Experten und israelischen Lobbyisten wollen nicht die Schuld für zwei Jahrzehnte militärischer Fiaskos auf sich nehmen. Sie brauchen einen Sündenbock. Das ist der Iran.

Die demütigenden Niederlagen in Afghanistan und im Irak, die gescheiterten Staaten Syrien und Libyen, die Ausbreitung extremistischer Gruppen und Milizen, von denen viele ursprünglich von den USA ausgebildet und bewaffnet wurden, sowie die anhaltenden weltweiten Terroranschläge, müssen die Schuld eines anderen sein.Das Chaos und die Instabilität, die wir vor allem im Irak und in Afghanistan ausgelöst haben, haben dazu geführt, dass der Iran das dominierende Land in der Region ist. Washington hat seinen Erzfeind gestärkt. Es hat keine Ahnung, wie es das rückgängig machen kann, außer es anzugreifen.

Das Völkerrecht und die Rechte von fast 90 Millionen Menschen im Iran werden ignoriert, genauso wie die Rechte der Menschen in Afghanistan, Irak, Libyen, Jemen und Syrien ignoriert wurden. Die Iraner sehen die Vereinigten Staaten nicht als Verbündete oder Befreier an, egal was sie von ihrer Führung halten. Sie wollen nicht angegriffen oder besetzt werden. Sie werden Widerstand leisten. Und die USA und Israel werden dafür bezahlen."

Der Zahltag ist schon gekommen, die ersten Wohngebiete in Tel Aviv  sehen  bereits aus wie in Gaza, auch in vielen anderen Städten schlugen Raketen ein, der  viel gepriesene “Iron Dome”, Israels Luftabwehrschild, ist ein Papiertiger und gegen die iranischen Raketen weitgehend machtlos, wie der Einschlag von zwei hypersonischen Raketen in einem Kraftwerk in Haifa zeigt. Die am Freitag vermutlich per Sabotage ausgeschaltete iranische Luftabwehr war nach 8 Stunden wieder in Takt und meldete den Abschuss von mittlerweile drei israelischen F-35-Jets. Über Teheran war es in der Nacht zum Montag weitgehend ruhig, während es in Israel überall Drohnen und Bomben hagelte und der iranische Revolutionsrat mitteilte, dass diese Angriffe unvermindert weitergehen werden. Da der Iran über 20.000 Cruise Missiles verfügt ist das keine leere Drohung. Auch wenn Israel mit seinem unprovozierten Angriff weiterhin großen Schaden im Iran anrichten kann, sind die Gegenschläge weitaus effektiver, denn der Iran ist fast so groß wie ganz West-Europa, Israel inklusive der besetzten Gebiete hingegen kaum größer als Hessen. Und so geht der große zionistische Jammer schon nach drei Tagen los, fliegender Kostümwechsel vom Täter zum Opfer, vom Völkermörder zum Unschuldslamm, nach bewährter Dramaturgie: “There`s No Business Like Shoa-Business”.\ \ Wie weit sich Donald Trump weiter in das Drama hineinziehen lässt, ist im Moment noch unklar. Aktuell könnte er sich noch mit der Ausrede “Ich habe Bibi davor gewarnt anzugreifen, aber er wollte nicht hören” aus der Affäre ziehen, wenn aber jetzt US-Flugzeugträger und NATO-Tankflugzeuge anrücken, um Israels Angriffskrieg zu unterstützen, ist es sein Krieg. Und der zweite, den er militärisch nicht gewinnen kann. Die tapferen Houthis im Jemen konnten die USS “Eisenhower” mit ihren Drohnen nur aus dem Roten Meer verjagen, die iranische “Fattah-2” indessen könnte solch ein Dickschiff mit einem Schlag versenken. Und dann?

USA und NATOstan haben keine zwei Millionen Truppen für eine Invasion des Iran parat und Israel kann seine “Samson-Option” – einen Nuklearschlag – nur um dem Preis des eigenen Untergangs wählen, denn Pakistan hat für diesen Fall bereits zugesichert, dem iranischen Nachbarn mit einem nuklearen Gegenschlag beizustehen. Also bleibt nur, einen regime change mit Raketen auf die Zivilbevölkerung Teherans herbei zu bomben – wie in Beirut versucht, allerdings  mit dem Unterschied, dass man es aufgrund der iranischen Verteidigungs-und Angriffsfähigkeit mit einem Gegner auf Augenhöhe zu tun hat, der zudem mit Russland und China zwei Supermächte im Rücken hat. Und einem Abnutzungskrieg weitaus gelassener entgegensehen kann als Israel, das weiter auf Teheran feuert und weiter von iranischen Raketen getroffen wird.

https://x.com/jacksonhinklle/status/1934355463920873736

Kann Trump wie gegen Russland “bis zum letzten Ukrainer” nun im nächsten Proxy-Krieg bis zum letzten Israeli kämpfen lassen, ohne aktiv einzugreifen? Oder hat er die vor der Pensionierung stehende USS Nimitz Richtung Israel geschickt, um sie als  Protagonisten für ein neues Pearl Harbor zum Abschuss freizugeben – durch Israel für eine “false flag”? – und dann TV-gerecht in einen “full blown war” gegen ein “Terrorregime”  mit “Massenvernichtungswaffen” einzusteigen?\ Wo Psychopathen agieren, wie der fanatische Führer eines Schurkenstaats und der schizoide “Heute Will Ich Frieden/Morgen Will Ich Krieg”-Rumpelstilzchen-Herrscher eines niedergehenden Imperiums, sind rationale Prognosen schwierig. Iran scheint, ähnlich wie Russland, auf die Provokation nicht mit einem Donnerschlag zu reagieren, sondern mit fortgesetzten Nadelstichen auf Demilitarisierung des Gegners zu setzen – denn es ist nur eine Frage von Tagen oder Wochen, bis diesem die Abwehrraketen ausgehen. Was Netanjahu heute den Bürgern Teherans empfahl – sich gegen ihre Regierung zu erheben – wird ihm dann eher selbst geschehen, und auch Trump kann einen weiteren ungewinnbaren Krieg politisch nicht überleben.

Das Jahrtausende alte persische Reich gilt historisch als Friedhof der Imperien, seit Alexander dem Großen haben sich alle Kolonisatoren die Zähne daran ausgebissen, das Volk der Perser zu unterwerfen. Zuletzt hatte es das anglo-amerikanische Imperium 1953 versucht, als man den demokratischen Präsidenten durch den Marionetten-Diktator Reza Pahlevi ersetzte, der aber 1979 (samt BP, Chevron & Co.) von der islamischen Revolution wieder verjagt wurde. Seit damit der  Ölreichtum des Landes wieder der Bevölkerung zu Gute kommt stehen die politischen und religiösen Führer ganz oben auf den Abschusslisten von CIA, MI6 und Mossad, Regime change im Iran ist seit 30 Jahren der feuchte Traum der US-Neocons, von denen einige wie “The Onion” meldet, nach Israels Überraschungsangriff wegen Dauererrektion im Krankenhaus behandelt werden mussten. Wenn der wahnsinnige Traum aber mit der Realität kollidiert und eskaliert – mit einem Hiroshima hoch x im Mittleren Osten – wird Persien einmal mehr zum Friedhof für imperiale Eroberer.

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Der “Shock & Awe”-Überaschungsangriff Israels hat nicht dazu geführt, dass die Iraner gegen ihre Regierung aufstehen oder gar den im Exil lebenden Sohn des Ex-Diktators Pahlevi als Marionette zurück wünschen, sondern im Gegenteil zu allgemeiner Unterstützung der Bevölkerung; geschockt und erschrocken sind dagegen die Israelis über die permanent einschlagenden Raketen. Bei den ersten Gegenschlägen hatte der Iran noch eher altes Material zum Einsatz gebracht, von dem ein großer Teil von der Luftverteidigung abgefangen werden konnte, am Dienstag aber schlugen bereits 5 Raketen in Tel Aviv ein, am helllichten Tag, auch das Mossad Hauptquartier scheint getroffen worden zu sein.

Und was empfiehlt der Schizo-Commander in Chief? Teheran (12 Mio. Einwohner) evakuieren! Denn: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon!” Dass Iran solche Waffen gar nicht hat und auch nicht produziert, hatte Geheimdienstdirektorin Tulsi Gabbard zuletzt Ende März bekannt gegeben, was Generalisimo Donald jetzt aber vergessen hat und zusammen mit Herodes 2.0 aka “Bibi Satanjahu” im Heiligen Land auf dem Highway To Hell durchstartet…

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Mathias Bröckers, Jahrgang 1954, ist Autor und freier Journalist. Er gehörte zur Gründergeneration der taz, war dort bis 1991 Kultur- und Wissenschaftsredakteur und veröffentlichte seit 1980 rund 600 Beiträge für verschiedene Tageszeitungen, Wochen- und Monatszeitschriften, vor allem in den Bereichen Kultur, Wissenschaft und Politik. Neben seiner weiteren Tätigkeit als Rundfunkautor veröffentlichte Mathias Bröckers zahlreiche Bücher. Besonders bekannt wurden seine internationalen Bestseller „Die Wiederentdeckung der Nutzpflanze Hanf“ (1993), „Verschwörungen, Verschwörungstheorien und die Geheimnisse des 11.9.“ (2002) und „Wir sind immer die Guten – Ansichten eines Putinverstehers“ (2016, mit Paul Schreyer) sowie "Mythos 9/11 - Die Bilanz eines Jahrhundertverbrechens" (2021). Mathias Bröckers lebt in Berlin und Zürich und bloggt auf broeckers.com.

Sein aktuelles Buch "Inspiration, Konspiration, Evolution – Gesammelte Essays und Berichte aus dem Überall" – hier im Handel.

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@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

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@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Com a crescente digitalização do dinheiro, os governos de vários países começaram a desenvolver moedas digitais de banco central (CBDCs - Central Bank Digital Currencies) como resposta à popularização de Bitcoin. Enquanto Bitcoin representa um sistema financeiro descentralizado e resistente à censura, as CBDCs são versões digitais das moedas fiduciárias, controladas diretamente pelos bancos centrais. Essa concorrência pode moldar o futuro do dinheiro e definir o equilíbrio entre liberdade financeira e controlo estatal.

Diferenças fundamentais entre Bitcoin e CBDCs

Bitcoin e as CBDCs diferem em praticamente todos os aspetos fundamentais:

Centralização vs. Descentralização: Bitcoin opera numa rede descentralizada, onde nenhum governo ou entidade pode alterar as regras ou censurar transações. Já as CBDCs são emitidas e controladas pelos bancos centrais, permitindo um maior controlo sobre a circulação e utilização do dinheiro.

Oferta limitada vs. Inflação controlada: Bitcoin tem uma oferta fixa de 21 milhões de unidades, tornando-se um ativo escasso e deflacionário. As CBDCs, por outro lado, podem ser criadas sem limites, como acontece com as moedas fiduciárias tradicionais, sujeitas a políticas monetárias inflacionárias.

Privacidade vs. Monitorização: Bitcoin permite transações pseudónimas, garantindo um certo nível de privacidade financeira. As CBDCs, no entanto, podem ser programadas para permitir o rastreamento total de cada transação, facilitando a supervisão governamental e, potencialmente, o controlo sobre o que os cidadãos podem ou não gastar.

Resistência à censura vs. Controlo estatal: Bitcoin permite que qualquer pessoa realize transações sem depender de aprovação de terceiros. As CBDCs, por serem centralizadas, podem ser usadas pelos governos para restringir transações indesejadas ou mesmo confiscar fundos com um simples comando digital.

O que os governos pretendem com as CBDCs?

A introdução das CBDCs tem sido vendida com argumentos como:

Maior eficiência nas transações financeiras, eliminando intermediários e reduzindo custos bancários.

Facilidade na implementação de políticas económicas, como estímulos diretos à população ou tributação automatizada.

Combate a atividades ilegais, dado que as transações podem ser rastreadas em tempo real.

No entanto, muitas destas justificações levantam preocupações sobre a perda de privacidade financeira e o aumento do poder dos governos sobre o sistema monetário.

Bitcoin como alternativa às CBDCs

A ascensão das CBDCs pode fortalecer a posição de Bitcoin como alternativa de dinheiro verdadeiramente livre. À medida que os cidadãos percebem os riscos de um sistema financeiro 100% controlado pelo Estado, a procura por um ativo descentralizado e resistente à censura pode crescer.

Proteção contra o controlo estatal: Bitcoin permite que os utilizadores mantenham total soberania sobre o seu dinheiro, sem o risco de bloqueios arbitrários ou confiscações.

Preservação da privacidade financeira: Ao contrário das CBDCs, que podem monitorizar todas as transações, Bitcoin oferece um grau de anonimato que protege os indivíduos da vigilância excessiva.

Reserva de valor contra a inflação: Enquanto os governos podem emitir CBDCs indefinidamente, Bitcoin mantém a sua escassez garantida, tornando-se um refúgio contra políticas monetárias irresponsáveis.

Resumindo, a competição entre Bitcoin e as CBDCs será uma das maiores batalhas financeiras do futuro. Enquanto os governos tentam consolidar o seu controlo através de moedas digitais centralizadas, Bitcoin continua a ser a principal alternativa para aqueles que procuram independência financeira e proteção contra a vigilância estatal. A escolha entre um sistema financeiro livre e um sistema monitorizado e controlado poderá definir o rumo da economia digital nas próximas décadas.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Desde a sua criação em 2008, Bitcoin tem sido visto como um desafio direto ao sistema bancário tradicional. Desenvolvido como uma alternativa descentralizada ao dinheiro fiduciário, Bitcoin oferece uma forma de armazenar e transferir valor sem depender de bancos, governos ou outras instituições financeiras. Essa característica faz com que seja considerado um símbolo de resistência contra um sistema financeiro que, ao longo do tempo, tem sido marcado por crises, manipulações e restrições impostas aos cidadãos.

Crise financeira de 2008 e o nascimento de Bitcoin

Bitcoin surgiu em resposta à crise financeira de 2008, um colapso que revelou as falhas do sistema bancário global. Bancos centrais imprimiram grandes quantidades de dinheiro para resgatar instituições financeiras irresponsáveis, enquanto milhões de pessoas perderam as suas casas, poupanças e empregos. Nesse contexto, Bitcoin foi criado como um sistema financeiro alternativo, onde não existe uma entidade central com o poder de manipular a economia em benefício próprio.

No primeiro bloco da blockchain ou timechain de Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto incluiu a seguinte mensagem:

"The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks."

Essa frase, retirada de uma manchete de jornal da época, simboliza a intenção de Bitcoin de oferecer um sistema financeiro fora do controlo dos bancos e dos governos.

Principais razões pelas quais Bitcoin resiste ao sistema bancário

Descentralização: Ao contrário do dinheiro emitido por bancos centrais, Bitcoin não pode ser criado ou controlado por nenhuma entidade específica. A rede de utilizadores valida as transações de forma transparente e independente.

Oferta limitada: Enquanto os bancos centrais podem imprimir dinheiro sem limites, causando inflação e desvalorização da moeda, Bitcoin tem uma oferta fixa de 21 milhões de unidades, tornando-o resistente à depreciação artificial.

Impossibilidade de censura: Bancos podem bloquear contas e impedir transações a qualquer momento. Com Bitcoin, qualquer pessoa pode enviar e receber fundos sem pedir permissão a terceiros.

Autocustódia: Em vez de confiar os seus fundos a um banco, os utilizadores de Bitcoin podem armazenar as suas próprias moedas, sem risco de congelamento de contas ou falências bancárias.

Conflito entre bancos e Bitcoin

Ataques mediáticos: Grandes instituições financeiras frequentemente classificam Bitcoin como arriscado, volátil ou inútil, tentando desincentivar a sua adoção.

Regulação e repressão: Alguns governos, influenciados pelo setor bancário, têm criado restrições ao uso de Bitcoin, dificultando a sua compra e venda.

Criação de alternativas centralizadas: Muitos bancos centrais estão a desenvolver moedas digitais (CBDCs) que mantêm o controlo do dinheiro digital, mas sem oferecer a liberdade e a descentralização de Bitcoin.

Resumindo, o Bitcoin não é apenas uma moeda digital, mas um movimento de resistência contra um sistema financeiro que falhou repetidamente em proteger o cidadão comum. Ao oferecer uma alternativa descentralizada, transparente e resistente à censura, Bitcoin representa a liberdade financeira e desafia o monopólio dos bancos sobre o dinheiro. Enquanto o sistema bancário tradicional continuar a impor restrições e a controlar o fluxo de capital, Bitcoin permanecerá como um símbolo de independência e soberania financeira.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ dfa02707:41ca50e3

Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.

• Version 1.3 of Bitcoin Safe introduces a redesigned interactive chart, quick receive feature, updated icons, a mempool preview window, support for Child Pays For Parent (CPFP) and testnet4, preconfigured testnet demo wallets, as well as various bug fixes and improvements.

• Upcoming updates for Bitcoin Safe include Compact Block Filters.

"Compact Block Filters increase the network privacy dramatically, since you're not asking an electrum server to give you your transactions. They are a little slower than electrum servers. For a savings wallet like Bitcoin Safe this should be OK," writes the project's developer Andreas Griffin.

• Learn more about the current and upcoming features of Bitcoin Safe wallet here.

What's new in v1.3

• Redesign of Chart, Quick Receive, Icons, and Mempool Preview (by @design-rrr).
• Interactive chart. Clicking on it now jumps to transaction, and selected transactions are now highlighted.

• Speed up transactions with Child Pays For Parent (CPFP).
• BDK 1.2 (upgraded from 0.32).
• Testnet4 support.
• Preconfigured Testnet demo wallets.
• Cluster unconfirmed transactions so that parents/children are next to each other.
• Customizable columns for all tables (optional view: Txid, Address index, and more)
• Bug fixes and other improvements.

Announcement / Archive
Blog Post / Archive
GitHub Repo
Website

@ 04c3c1a5:a94cf83d

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@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The banking giant is exploring an expansion of its blockchain services, focusing on digital payments and currencies.

JPMorgan Chase has filed a new trademark application for the name “JPMD.” The filing was submitted on June 15 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The application, filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., covers a broad range of services related to digital assets and blockchain technology. These include the issuance of digital currencies, electronic payment processing, and financial custody services — all of which suggest a possible new stablecoin initiative for JPMorgan.

Experience with JPM Coin

This move wouldn’t be JPMorgan’s first foray into blockchain-based finance. The bank already operates JPM Coin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin used to enable instant transactions between institutional clients. The token runs on Quorum, a private blockchain network developed in-house by JPMorgan and based on Ethereum’s technology.

The registration of the JPMD trademark comes as JPMorgan and other major U.S. banks are considering a collaborative stablecoin project through their jointly owned entities: Early Warning Services and The Clearing House.

Similarly, corporations like Walmart and Amazon are mulling the creation of their own stablecoins.

The post JPMorgan files trademark for ‘JPMD’: a new stablecoin on the horizon for the American bank appeared first on Atlas21.

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Desde a sua criação, Bitcoin tem sido visto tanto como uma inovação financeira quanto como uma ameaça ao controlo governamental sobre a economia. Como uma moeda descentralizada, Bitcoin opera fora do sistema financeiro tradicional, desafiando a autoridade dos bancos centrais e dos governos que regulam a emissão e circulação do dinheiro. Essa característica tem levado a diversos conflitos entre governos e a crescente adoção de Bitcoin por indivíduos e empresas.

Razões para a oposição governamental

Perda de controlo monetário: Os governos controlam a economia através da emissão de moeda fiduciária e da definição de políticas monetárias. Como Bitcoin tem uma oferta fixa e não pode ser manipulado, isso reduz a influência governamental sobre a economia.

Dificuldade na tributação e fiscalização: A natureza descentralizada de Bitcoin dificulta a cobrança de impostos e o rastreamento de transações, tornando mais difícil para os governos garantir a conformidade fiscal.

Concorrência com moedas digitais estatais (CBDCs): Muitos países estão a desenvolver moedas digitais de banco central (CBDCs), que oferecem maior controlo sobre as transações financeiras. Bitcoin representa uma alternativa descentralizada, o que pode ameaçar a adoção dessas moedas estatais.

Preocupações com crimes financeiros: Alguns governos argumentam que Bitcoin pode ser usado para lavagem de dinheiro e financiamento ilícito, apesar de ser mais rastreável do que o dinheiro físico devido à transparência da blockchain ou timechain.

Exemplos de conflitos entre governos e Bitcoin

El Salvador: Foi o primeiro país a tornar Bitcoin moeda legal em 2021. Essa decisão gerou reações negativas de instituições financeiras internacionais, como o FMI, que alertou para riscos económicos e tentou pressionar o país a reverter a sua decisão.

China: Em 2021, a China proibiu a mineração e o uso de Bitcoin, citando preocupações ambientais e riscos financeiros. Apesar da proibição, muitos utilizadores chineses continuam a usar Bitcoin de forma descentralizada.

Estados Unidos: Embora Bitcoin seja legal nos EUA, o governo tem aumentado a regulamentação sobre exchanges e mineradores, tentando exercer maior controlo sobre a rede.

União Europeia: A UE tem imposto regulamentos rigorosos sobre Bitcoin, como exigências de identificação para transações, mas não proibiu a sua utilização.

O futuro da adoção do Bitcoin

Apesar da resistência de alguns governos, Bitcoin continua a ser adotado por indivíduos e empresas como uma alternativa financeira segura. Em países com economias instáveis, Bitcoin tem sido uma ferramenta essencial para proteger a riqueza contra a inflação e restrições bancárias.

A tentativa de controlo governamental pode dificultar a adoção de Bitcoin em algumas regiões, mas não impedirá o seu crescimento global. Como uma rede descentralizada, Bitcoin não pode ser banido completamente, e a sua utilidade como reserva de valor e meio de troca continuará a atrair utilizadores em todo o mundo.

Resumindo, os conflitos entre governos e a adoção de Bitcoin refletem o choque entre um sistema financeiro centralizado e uma tecnologia descentralizada que devolve o controlo do dinheiro aos indivíduos. Embora alguns governos tentem restringir o seu uso, Bitcoin continua a crescer e a provar a sua resistência, tornando-se cada vez mais uma opção viável para aqueles que procuram liberdade financeira.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Desde a sua criação, Bitcoin tem sido alvo de debates sobre a sua utilização em atividades ilícitas. muitos críticos afirmam que Bitcoin facilita crimes como lavagem de dinheiro e financiamento de atividades ilegais, devido à sua natureza descentralizada e à possibilidade de realizar transações sem intermediários. no entanto, a realidade é mais complexa e muitas dessas alegações são exageradas ou baseadas em mitos. na verdade, a maioria das transações com Bitcoin são legítimas e até mais rastreáveis do que muitos imaginam.

O mito: Bitcoin é a principal moeda para criminosos

Um dos maiores mitos sobre Bitcoin é a ideia de que ele é amplamente utilizado por criminosos devido ao seu suposto anonimato. este argumento tornou-se popular principalmente devido a casos como o da Silk Road, um mercado negro online desmantelado pelas autoridades em 2013, onde Bitcoin era usado para transações ilegais. no entanto, os dados mais recentes mostram que apenas uma pequena fração das transações em Bitcoin está relacionada com atividades ilícitas.

Além disso, ao contrário do dinheiro em espécie, que é quase impossível de rastrear, todas as transações de Bitcoin são registadas publicamente na blockchain ou timechain. isto significa que qualquer pagamento feito com Bitcoin pode ser analisado e seguido, tornando mais difícil esconder transações suspeitas a longo prazo.

A realidade: Bitcoin é transparente e rastreável

Ao contrário do que muitos pensam, Bitcoin não é completamente anónimo, mas sim pseudónimo. todas as transações ficam registadas na blockchain ou timechain, permitindo que autoridades e analistas de dados consigam seguir os fluxos de dinheiro com precisão. várias empresas especializadas em análise forense de blockchain ou timechain já ajudaram a identificar e desmantelar redes criminosas que tentavam utilizar Bitcoin para fins ilícitos.

Governos e autoridades, como o FBI e a Europol, têm utilizado esta característica para combater crimes financeiros. na prática, criminosos que tentam usar Bitcoin acabam frequentemente por ser apanhados devido à transparência do sistema. por isso, a ideia de que Bitcoin é um refúgio seguro para criminosos não corresponde à realidade.

O uso ilícito de moedas fiduciárias é muito maior

Se compararmos Bitcoin com as moedas fiduciárias tradicionais, como o euro ou o dólar, percebemos que estas são muito mais utilizadas para atividades ilícitas. segundo relatórios de organizações internacionais, a lavagem de dinheiro e o financiamento de crimes organizados ocorrem predominantemente através de bancos, empresas fictícias e dinheiro em espécie.

Por exemplo, em escândalos financeiros globais, como o Panama Papers e o caso do banco HSBC envolvido em lavagem de dinheiro para cartéis, os meios tradicionais foram os preferidos para esconder fortunas ilegais. apesar disso, Bitcoin continua a ser injustamente associado ao crime, enquanto os verdadeiros mecanismos de financiamento ilícito continuam a operar dentro do sistema financeiro convencional.

Resumindo, o mito de que Bitcoin é um meio privilegiado para atividades ilícitas tem sido amplamente desmentido por dados e investigações. apesar de alguns criminosos terem tentado usá-lo no passado, a realidade é que Bitcoin é um sistema financeiro mais transparente e rastreável do que o dinheiro tradicional. a grande maioria das suas transações é legítima e, à medida que a adoção cresce, Bitcoin continua a provar o seu valor como um meio seguro e descentralizado para transações financeiras.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 39cc53c9:27168656

Read the original blog post

Know Your Customer is a regulation that requires companies of all sizes to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship with a customer. Such procedures fit within the broader scope of anti-money laundering (AML) and counterterrorism financing (CTF) regulations.

Banks, exchanges, online business, mail providers, domain registrars... Everyone wants to know who you are before you can even opt for their service. Your personal information is flowing around the internet in the hands of "god-knows-who" and secured by "trust-me-bro military-grade encryption". Once your account is linked to your personal (and verified) identity, tracking you is just as easy as keeping logs on all these platforms.

Rights for Illusions

KYC processes aim to combat terrorist financing, money laundering, and other illicit activities. On the surface, KYC seems like a commendable initiative. I mean, who wouldn't want to halt terrorists and criminals in their tracks?

The logic behind KYC is: "If we mandate every financial service provider to identify their users, it becomes easier to pinpoint and apprehend the malicious actors."

However, terrorists and criminals are not precisely lining up to be identified. They're crafty. They may adopt false identities or find alternative strategies to continue their operations. Far from being outwitted, many times they're several steps ahead of regulations. Realistically, KYC might deter a small fraction – let's say about 1% ^1 – of these malefactors. Yet, the cost? All of us are saddled with the inconvenient process of identification just to use a service.

Under the rhetoric of "ensuring our safety", governments and institutions enact regulations that seem more out of a dystopian novel, gradually taking away our right to privacy.

To illustrate, consider a city where the mayor has rolled out facial recognition cameras in every nook and cranny. A band of criminals, intent on robbing a local store, rolls in with a stolen car, their faces obscured by masks and their bodies cloaked in all-black clothes. Once they've committed the crime and exited the city's boundaries, they switch vehicles and clothes out of the cameras' watchful eyes. The high-tech surveillance? It didn’t manage to identify or trace them. Yet, for every law-abiding citizen who merely wants to drive through the city or do some shopping, their movements and identities are constantly logged. The irony? This invasive tracking impacts all of us, just to catch the 1% ^1 of less-than-careful criminals.

KYC? Not you.

KYC creates barriers to participation in normal economic activity, to supposedly stop criminals. ^2

KYC puts barriers between many users and businesses. One of these comes from the fact that the process often requires multiple forms of identification, proof of address, and sometimes even financial records. For individuals in areas with poor record-keeping, non-recognized legal documents, or those who are unbanked, homeless or transient, obtaining these documents can be challenging, if not impossible.

For people who are not skilled with technology or just don't have access to it, there's also a barrier since KYC procedures are mostly online, leaving them inadvertently excluded.

Another barrier goes for the casual or one-time user, where they might not see the value in undergoing a rigorous KYC process, and these requirements can deter them from using the service altogether.

It also wipes some businesses out of the equation, since for smaller businesses, the costs associated with complying with KYC norms—from the actual process of gathering and submitting documents to potential delays in operations—can be prohibitive in economical and/or technical terms.

You're not welcome

Imagine a swanky new club in town with a strict "members only" sign. You hear the music, you see the lights, and you want in. You step up, ready to join, but suddenly there's a long list of criteria you must meet. After some time, you are finally checking all the boxes. But then the club rejects your membership with no clear reason why. You just weren't accepted. Frustrating, right?

This club scenario isn't too different from the fact that KYC is being used by many businesses as a convenient gatekeeping tool. A perfect excuse based on a "legal" procedure they are obliged to.

Even some exchanges may randomly use this to freeze and block funds from users, claiming these were "flagged" by a cryptic system that inspects the transactions. You are left hostage to their arbitrary decision to let you successfully pass the KYC procedure. If you choose to sidestep their invasive process, they might just hold onto your funds indefinitely.

Your identity has been stolen

KYC data has been found to be for sale on many dark net markets^3. Exchanges may have leaks or hacks, and such leaks contain very sensitive data. We're talking about the full monty: passport or ID scans, proof of address, and even those awkward selfies where you're holding up your ID next to your face. All this data is being left to the mercy of the (mostly) "trust-me-bro" security systems of such companies. Quite scary, isn't it?

As cheap as $10 for 100 documents, with discounts applying for those who buy in bulk, the personal identities of innocent users who passed KYC procedures are for sale. ^3

In short, if you have ever passed the KYC/AML process of a crypto exchange, your privacy is at risk of being compromised, or it might even have already been compromised.

(they) Know Your Coins

You may already know that Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies have a transparent public blockchain, meaning that all data is shown unencrypted for everyone to see and recorded forever. If you link an address you own to your identity through KYC, for example, by sending an amount from a KYC exchange to it, your Bitcoin is no longer pseudonymous and can then be traced.

If, for instance, you send Bitcoin from such an identified address to another KYC'ed address (say, from a friend), everyone having access to that address-identity link information (exchanges, governments, hackers, etc.) will be able to associate that transaction and know who you are transacting with.

Conclusions

To sum up, KYC does not protect individuals; rather, it's a threat to our privacy, freedom, security and integrity. Sensible information flowing through the internet is thrown into chaos by dubious security measures. It puts borders between many potential customers and businesses, and it helps governments and companies track innocent users. That's the chaos KYC has stirred.

The criminals are using stolen identities from companies that gathered them thanks to these very same regulations that were supposed to combat them. Criminals always know how to circumvent such regulations. In the end, normal people are the most affected by these policies.

The threat that KYC poses to individuals in terms of privacy, security and freedom is not to be neglected. And if we don’t start challenging these systems and questioning their efficacy, we are just one step closer to the dystopian future that is now foreseeable.

Edited 20/03/2024 * Add reference to the 1% statement on Rights for Illusions section to an article where Chainalysis found that only 0.34% of the transaction volume with cryptocurrencies in 2023 was attributable to criminal activity ^1

@ 93bfc86d:fc8e91f5

다무스 앱 설치 및 개인키-공개키 쌍 생성

아이폰과 같은 iOS 기기나 맥OS에서는 다무스Damus를 사용하는 것도 좋다. 다무스에서는 자신이 사용하는 라이트닝 지갑을 이용해 잽을 날리는 것이 가능하다.

먼저 앱을 설치해보자. 앱스토어에 'Damus' 또는 'Damus nostr'를 검색하고 앱을 다운로드 받는다. 이미 노스터 개인키인 nsec이 있다면 [Sign In]을 선택하고, 새 계정을 만들 거라면 [Create Account]를 누른다. 필자는 [Create Account]를 눌러 새 키 쌍을 생성해보겠다.

'Name'에 닉네임을 적고 [Next]를 누른다.

[저장하기]를 누르면 키 쌍을 아이폰 암호 앱에 저장할 수 있다. 원하지 않는다면 [Not now]를 눌러 넘어가면 된다.

메인 화면에 들어오면 왼쪽 상단 프로필 모양의 원을 누른다. 그 다음 [설정]을 누른다.

[키]룰 눌러 들어가면 개인키 nsec을 볼 수 있다. [보기]를 눌러 종이에 적는 등 물리적으로 백업하거나, 복사 버튼을 눌러 암호화된 파일로 저장할 수 있다.

다른 사람들에게 npub 알려주기

누군가에게 자신의 노스터 계정을 알려줄 때는 노스터 공개키인 npub을 알려주면 된다. 다무스 메인 화면에서 좌측 상단 원 모양의 프로필을 누른 뒤, 프로필 오른쪽에 있는 QR코드 모양의 버튼을 누른다. 그러면 QR코드가 나오는데, 이 화면을 보여주거나 캡처해서 상대방에게 공유하면 된다.

혹은 [프로필]을 눌러 자신의 프로필 화면으로 들어가고, 아이디 밑에 있는 npub을 복사해 상대방에게 보내주면 된다.

팔로우 추가

처음에는 다무스 운영자의 계정만 팔로우가 되어있을 것이다. 다른 계정들을 팔로우하는 방법을 알아보자.

하단 탭에서 돋보기 모양의 버튼을 눌러 검색 창으로 진입한다. 검색 창에 상대방이 공유한 npub을 붙여넣으면 그 사람의 프로필이 뜰 것이다.

예를 들어 필자의 공개키는 아래와 같다.

npub1jwlusmv555g5ytdwxeds6k3e8u9dgyf75fscznc2eqpemlywj86st0nf2k

필자의 계정을 팔로우하는 과정을 알아보자. 검색창에 npub을 붙여넣고 프로필이 나오면 프로필을 누른다. 다음에 나오는 화면에서 오른쪽의 [팔로우] 버튼을 누르면 필자를 팔로우할 수 있다. 혹은 그 아래에 있는 [팔로우] 또는 [팔로워] 목록을 보고 마음에 드는 프로필을 찾아 들어가 팔로우를 할 수 있다. 이런 방식으로 관심이 있는 계정을 팔로우하면 피드에 글이 뜨기 시작한다.

잽 받기 위한 라이트닝 주소 연결

잽을 받으려면 프로필에 라이트닝 주소를 연결해놓아야 한다. 좌측 상단 원 모양의 프로필을 누르고 [프로필]에 들어간다. 그 다음 [수정하기]를 누른다. 여기서 닉네임을 설정할 수 있다. 스크롤을 아래로 내려서 '비트코인 라이트닝 팁' 필드로 내려간다.

여기에 라이트닝 주소를 입력하고, [저장하기]를 누른다. 프로필 옆에 번개 표시가 뜬 것을 볼 수 있다. 번개 표시가 뜨면 다른 사람들이 나에게 잽을 보낼 수 있다.

다른 사람에게 잽 보내기

받기만 하는 사람이 되는 것은 유쾌하지 않다. 이번에는 다무스에서 잽을 보내는 방법에 대해 알아보자.

좌측 상단 원 모양의 프로필을 누르고 [설정]에 들어간다. 그 다음 [잽]을 누른다.

여기서 [지갑 선택 창 보기] 토글을 켜면 잽을 보낼 때마다 어떤 지갑에서 보낼지 선택할 수 있다. 그 아래 '기본 지갑 선택하기' 옆의 [기기 기본 앱]을 눌러 자신이 사용하고 있는 지갑 앱을 선택할 수 있다.

아래에서 '잽 기본 Sats 수량'을 설정할 수도 있다.

이렇게 설정했으면 이제 설정 창에서 빠져나오자. 잽을 날리고 싶은 프로필이나 포스트에 간다. 거기서 번개 모양의 버튼을 누른다. 그러면 잽을 보내는 창이 뜰 것이다. 금액을 설정하고 [사용자에게 잽 날리기]를 누른다. 그러면 설정한대로 어떤 지갑을 통해 보낼지 선택하는 창이 나온다. 필자는 스트라이크 앱을 통해 진행해보겠다.

스트라이크를 열지 물어보는 창이 나오면 [열기]를 누르고, 스트라이크에서는 [Bitcoin]을 선택한다.

이어서 [Confirm]을 누르고 [Ok]를 누르면 상대방에게 잽이 날아간다.

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Desde a sua criação, Bitcoin tem sido um ativo revolucionário, desafiando o sistema financeiro tradicional e propondo uma nova forma de dinheiro descentralizado. No entanto, o seu futuro ainda é incerto e gera intensos debates. Entre os cenários possíveis, dois extremos destacam-se: a hiperbitcoinização, onde Bitcoin se torna a moeda dominante na economia global, ou a obsolescência, caso a rede perca relevância e seja substituída por outras soluções.

Hiperbitcoinização: o mundo adota Bitcoin como padrão monetário

Perda de confiança nas moedas fiduciárias: Com a impressão excessiva de dinheiro por bancos centrais, muitas economias enfrentam inflação descontrolada. Bitcoin, com a sua oferta limitada de 21 milhões de unidades, apresenta-se como uma alternativa mais confiável.

Adoção crescente por empresas e governos: Alguns países já começaram a integrar Bitcoin na sua economia, aceitando-o para pagamentos e reserva de valor. Se essa tendência continuar, a legitimidade de Bitcoin como moeda global aumentará.

Facilidade de transações globais: Bitcoin permite transferências internacionais rápidas e baratas, eliminando a necessidade de intermediários financeiros e reduzindo custos operacionais.

Avanços tecnológicos: Melhorias na escalabilidade, como a Lightning Network, podem tornar Bitcoin mais eficiente para uso diário, facilitando sua adoção em massa.

Se a hiperbitcoinização acontecer, o mundo pode testemunhar uma mudança radical no sistema financeiro, com maior descentralização, resistência à censura e uma economia baseada em dinheiro sólido e previsível.

Obsolescência: Bitcoin perde relevância e É substituído

Regulações governamentais restritivas: Se grandes potências económicas impuserem regulações severas sobre Bitcoin, a adoção pode ser dificultada, reduzindo sua utilidade.

Falhas tecnológicas ou falta de inovação: Apesar da sua segurança e descentralização, Bitcoin pode enfrentar dificuldades para escalar de forma eficiente. Se soluções melhores surgirem e forem amplamente aceites, Bitcoin pode perder a sua posição de liderança.

Concorrência com alternativas mais rápidas e eficientes: Se outras formas de dinheiro digital conseguirem superar Bitcoin em termos de escalabilidade e usabilidade, a rede pode ver a sua adoção diminuir.

Falta de incentivos para os mineradores: Como a emissão de novos Bitcoins diminui a cada halving, os mineradores dependerão cada vez mais das taxas de transação. Se essas taxas não forem suficientes para sustentar a segurança da rede, pode haver um risco para a sua viabilidade a longo prazo.

Resumindo, o futuro do Bitcoin pode seguir diferentes caminhos, dependendo de fatores como inovação, adoção global e resistência a desafios externos. A hiperbitcoinização representaria uma revolução económica, com um sistema monetário descentralizado e resistente à inflação. No entanto, a obsolescência continua a ser um risco, caso a rede não consiga adaptar-se às exigências futuras. Independentemente do desfecho, Bitcoin já deixou a sua marca na história financeira, abrindo caminho para uma nova era de dinheiro digital e liberdade económica.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

O Bitcoin tem revolucionado a forma como as pessoas realizam transações financeiras em todo o mundo. Sendo uma moeda digital descentralizada, oferece novas oportunidades para pagamentos no comércio eletrónico e transferências internacionais de dinheiro. A sua rapidez, segurança e baixos custos tornam-no uma alternativa eficiente aos métodos tradicionais, eliminando intermediários e facilitando transações globais.

Bitcoin no comércio eletrónico

O comércio eletrónico tem crescido exponencialmente, e o Bitcoin surge como uma solução inovadora para pagamentos online. Grandes retalhistas e pequenas empresas estão a começar a aceitar Bitcoin como forma de pagamento, oferecendo benefícios tanto para os comerciantes como para os consumidores.

Vantagens do Bitcoin para o comércio eletrónico:

Baixas taxas de transação: ao contrário dos cartões de crédito e plataformas de pagamento que cobram taxas elevadas, as transações em Bitcoin apresentam, geralmente, custos mais reduzidos. Isto beneficia os comerciantes, que podem diminuir despesas e oferecer preços mais competitivos aos clientes.

Eliminação de chargebacks: no sistema tradicional, os chargebacks (reembolsos forçados pelos bancos ou operadoras de cartão) representam uma preocupação para os lojistas. Como as transações em Bitcoin são irreversíveis, os comerciantes evitam fraudes e disputas.

Acesso global: qualquer pessoa com acesso à Internet pode pagar com Bitcoin, independentemente da sua localização. Isto permite às empresas expandirem o seu mercado internacionalmente, sem depender de bancos ou sistemas de pagamento locais.

Privacidade e segurança: as transações em Bitcoin protegem a identidade do utilizador, oferecendo maior privacidade em comparação com pagamentos através de cartão de crédito ou transferências bancárias. Além disso, como não há necessidade de partilhar dados pessoais, o risco de roubo de informações é reduzido.

Desafios do Uso do Bitcoin no Comércio Eletrónico:

Volatilidade: o preço do Bitcoin pode oscilar rapidamente, o que dificulta a fixação de preços para produtos e serviços. No entanto, alguns comerciantes utilizam serviços de pagamento que convertem automaticamente Bitcoin em moeda fiduciária, minimizando esse risco.

Adoção limitada: apesar do crescimento, a aceitação do Bitcoin ainda não é universal. Muitas lojas e plataformas populares ainda não o adotaram, o que pode dificultar a sua utilização em compras diárias.

Tempo de confirmação: embora o Bitcoin seja mais rápido do que as transferências bancárias tradicionais, o tempo de confirmação pode variar consoante a taxa de rede paga. Algumas soluções, como a Lightning Network, estão a ser desenvolvidas para tornar os pagamentos instantâneos.

Bitcoin na remessa de dinheiro

O envio de dinheiro para o estrangeiro sempre foi um processo burocrático, dispendioso e demorado. Serviços tradicionais, como os bancos e empresas de transferência de dinheiro, cobram taxas elevadas e podem demorar dias a concluir uma transação. O Bitcoin, por outro lado, oferece uma alternativa eficiente para remessas globais, permitindo que qualquer pessoa envie e receba dinheiro de forma rápida e económica.

Benefícios do Bitcoin para remessas:

Custos reduzidos: enquanto os bancos e empresas como a Western Union cobram elevadas taxas para transferências internacionais, o Bitcoin permite o envio de dinheiro com custos mínimos, independentemente do montante ou do destino.

Velocidade nas transações: as transferências bancárias internacionais podem demorar vários dias a serem concluídas, especialmente em países com uma infraestrutura financeira limitada. Com o Bitcoin, o dinheiro pode ser enviado para qualquer parte do mundo em poucos minutos ou horas.

Acessibilidade global: em regiões onde o sistema bancário é restrito ou ineficiente, o Bitcoin possibilita que as pessoas recebam dinheiro sem depender de bancos. Isto é particularmente útil em países em desenvolvimento, onde as remessas internacionais são uma fonte essencial de rendimento.

Independência de intermediários: o Bitcoin opera de forma descentralizada, sem necessidade de recorrer a bancos ou empresas de transferência. Isto significa que as pessoas podem enviar dinheiro diretamente para amigos e familiares sem intermediários.

Desafios das remessas com Bitcoin:

Conversão para moeda local: apesar de o Bitcoin poder ser recebido instantaneamente, muitas pessoas ainda precisam de convertê-lo em moeda local para o utilizar. Isso pode envolver custos adicionais e depender da disponibilidade de serviços de câmbio.

Adoção e conhecimento: nem todos compreendem o funcionamento do Bitcoin, o que pode dificultar a sua adoção generalizada para remessas. No entanto, a crescente educação financeira sobre o tema pode ajudar a ultrapassar essa barreira.

Regulamentação e restrições: alguns governos impõem restrições ao uso do Bitcoin, tornando as remessas mais complicadas. A evolução das regulamentações pode afetar a facilidade de uso em determinados países.

Resumindo, o Bitcoin está a transformar o comércio eletrónico e as remessas de dinheiro em todo o mundo. A sua capacidade de eliminar intermediários, reduzir custos e oferecer pagamentos rápidos e seguros torna-o uma alternativa viável aos sistemas financeiros tradicionais.

No comércio eletrónico, proporciona benefícios para lojistas e consumidores, reduzindo taxas e melhorando a privacidade. No setor das remessas, facilita a transferência de dinheiro para qualquer parte do mundo, especialmente para aqueles que vivem em países com sistemas bancários pouco eficientes.

Apesar dos desafios, a adoção do Bitcoin continua a crescer, impulsionada por soluções inovadoras e pelo reconhecimento do seu potencial como meio de pagamento global. À medida que mais empresas e indivíduos aderirem a esta tecnologia, a sua presença no comércio eletrónico e nas remessas internacionais será cada vez mais relevante.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

When Richard Scotford moved to Costa Rica in 2018, he had no idea he would become a key figure in a thriving Bitcoin economy.

A longtime Bitcoin holder who initially saw it through the lens of speculation, Scotford’s journey led him to embrace Bitcoin’s deeper purpose and spearhead Bitcoin Jungle — a grassroots movement bringing real-world Bitcoin adoption to Costa Rica.

Bitcoin circular economies create holistic value for Bitcoiners

Bitcoin Jungle is inspired by Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador but uniquely adapted to Costa Rica’s economic landscape. Unlike El Salvador, where Bitcoin was positioned as a tool for financial inclusion, Costa Rica already has a fairly stable banking system.

The real issue? The friction of moving money. Expats, business owners, and tourists struggle with high fees, banking red tape, and slow transactions. Bitcoin helped solve a lot of these problems.

The Birth of Bitcoin Jungle

Scotford and his team launched Bitcoin Jungle in late 2021 with a simple goal: get bitcoin into people’s hands and make it usable. However, there was one challenge — he had no technical background.

Determined to create a circular bitcoin economy, Scotford networked aggressively. He attended the first Adopting Bitcoin conference in El Salvador, approaching strangers with his vision:

“I was just walking around trying to find people who could help me make this economy, going up to random people saying ‘Hey, what can you do? We’re trying to make a circular economy in Costa Rica, can you help us?’ They all thought I was crazy.”

The breakthrough came when he turned to Bitcoin Twitter. Nicolas Burtey from Galoy encouraged him to create a wallet, and developer Lee Salminen forked the Bitcoin Beach wallet for their project. 

“Within two weeks of Adopting Bitcoin, Lee forked the Galoy Bitcoin Beach wallet, which took Galoy by surprise. Even though they made their wallet to be forked if necessary, I don’t think they were expecting people to do it so fast and, I’d like to say, so well. They were like, ‘Okay, cool, who are these guys doing this?’”

Finally Bitcoin Jungle had its own working wallet, surprising even the Galoy team with the speed of execution.

Grassroots Adoption: One Vendor at a Time

How do you build a bitcoin economy from scratch? Scotford’s answer was simple: start at the farmers’ markets.

“We were like, okay, we’re going to get all the bespoke niche market sellers who are in this area. We have all these beautiful farmers markets, and we decided to approach these people first,” Scotford explained.

His team took a strategic approach, targeting market gatekeepers first.

“If you want to talk to every individual person, it’s really difficult. But if you can talk to the person who is the owner of the market, and then they can introduce you to their market stores, you’re already halfway there.”

Going stall by stall, they pitched Bitcoin’s advantages — no bank fees and better payment options. But adoption didn’t happen overnight, so Bitcoin Jungle initially offered a safety net — vendors could cash out at the end of the day.

“We would say to the vendors, ‘Look, accept bitcoin, and at the end of the day, if you don’t want to keep the bitcoin, we’ll buy it off you,’” Scotford recalled.

“When we first started, maybe 30–40% of the vendors were cashing up every day or at the weekends. Lee would be walking around with big fistfuls of money, cashing out vendors.”

But over time, something shifted — they started keeping their bitcoin.

“Eventually, the vendors started to learn themselves that, ‘Oh, actually it’s better to keep it.’ They would then pay for their tables in the markets using bitcoin. They thought, ‘Well, I don’t want to keep this bitcoin, I don’t really know what to do with it, but I can pay for my table.’ So there, the circular economy starts to happen.”

Today, Bitcoin Jungle runs with minimal intervention, and Scotford takes pride in their reliability.

“When you come here to Costa Rica, what we really pride ourselves on is that if someone says they accept bitcoin, 99% of the time, they will. And if they’re part of Bitcoin Jungle, they will 100% accept bitcoin and you will have a fluid experience with it.”

By mid-summer 2024 over 380 locations in Costa Rica accepted bitcoin

The Bitcoin Jungle Wallet and Real Usage

Bitcoin Jungle is an open-source community project built on the Bitcoin Lightning Network.

Acting as a community bank, the project processes a large number of transactions daily. To encourage proper security practices, Scotford’s team alerts their peers, reminding users to move their bitcoin to cold storage.

“If you’ve got too much bitcoin on your wallet, we send you a message telling you to move it to cold storage,” he explained. For larger businesses, they even offer hands-on assistance to secure funds properly.

Unlike the HODL-only philosophy that many Bitcoiners advocate, Bitcoin Jungle encourages spending.

“Michael Saylor says don’t spend your bitcoin. We say the opposite,” Scotford laughed. “We’re the antithesis of that. You need to spend it.”

Bitcoin Jungle’s Unique Approach to Costa Rica

Bitcoin Jungle isn’t just another Bitcoin adoption effort; it’s tailored to Costa Rica’s economy. The wallet operates in Costa Rican colónes, making transactions feel familiar to residents while ensuring tourists and expats can still interact easily.

The team has also introduced low-fee bitcoin ATMs, point-of-sale integrations, and partnerships that allow users to pay in bitcoin while the recipient receives local currency.

A major breakthrough came when Francis Pouliot from Bull Bitcoin joined forces with Bitcoin Jungle, bringing his expertise in banking infrastructure to the project.

This collaboration enabled seamless bitcoin payments that integrate directly with Costa Rica’s financial system, allowing users to pay anyone, even businesses that don’t directly accept bitcoin, while the recipient receives funds in colónes or dollars.

“I can go to a hardware store, order steel for my new basketball court, pay in bitcoin, and the store gets dollars,” Scotford said. “For a non-tech guy like me, it’s magical.”

Why Aren’t There More Bitcoin Jungles?

Scotford sees an opportunity for more localized bitcoin economies.

“There should be a Bitcoin Harbor, a Bitcoin Mountain, a Bitcoin Driveway,” he joked. “But instead of waiting for permission or corporate funding, people need to take action themselves.”

He emphasizes that building a circular bitcoin economy doesn’t require deep pockets. “I probably gave away $600 worth of bitcoin when we started — just $3 here, $4 there — to get people using it.”

The Future of Bitcoin Jungle

Bitcoin Jungle continues to grow, recently hosting events like the Bitcoin Freedom Festival and integrating bitcoin into community projects, including a school where tuition can be paid in bitcoin.

“The institutions have come in, but the grassroots projects haven’t caught up,” Scotford observed. “It’s time for people to stop sitting on their hands and start building.”

Bitcoin is permissionless, no one has to wait for approval to start using it. Bitcoin Jungle proves that with vision and persistence, anyone can build a thriving Bitcoin economy, one market stall at a time.

Get the latest from Bitcoin Jungle: follow them on X

@ e5cfb5dc:0039f130

はりまメンタルクリニック：GIDの大手そう。丸の内線ならパムくんちが近い。

わらびメンタルクリニック：GIDの大手そう？公式サイトには影もかたちも

ナグモクリニック：SRS手術までしてるところ。GID精神科外来が月1第1木曜日だけ？

狭山メンタルクリニック：距離・時間的にはまま近い。サイトの記述が思想的にちょとあやしげ。新患受付がだいぶ先。GIDは専門外か？

川島領診療所：オンライン診療あり！強迫性障害や美容皮膚科をやっている。雰囲気よさそうなところ。GIDは専門外か？

Jこころのクリニック：電車いっぽんなので楽。GIDは専門外か？

ハッピースマイルクリニック：オンライン診療あり！GIDは専門外か？

@ 39cc53c9:27168656

Read the original blog post

Bitcoin enthusiasts frequently and correctly remark how much value it adds to Bitcoin not to have a face, a leader, or a central authority behind it. This particularity means there isn't a single person to exert control over, or a single human point of failure who could become corrupt or harmful to the project.

Because of this, it is said that no other coin can be equally valuable as Bitcoin in terms of decentralization and trustworthiness. Bitcoin is unique not just for being first, but also because of how the events behind its inception developed. This implies that, from Bitcoin onwards, any coin created would have been created by someone, consequently having an authority behind it. For this and some other reasons, some people refer to Bitcoin as "The Immaculate Conception".

While other coins may have their own unique features and advantages, they may not be able to replicate Bitcoin's community-driven nature. However, one other cryptocurrency shares a similar story of mystery behind its creation: Monero.

History of Monero

Bytecoin and CryptoNote

In March 2014, a Bitcointalk thread titled "Bytecoin. Secure, private, untraceable since 2012" was initiated by a user under the nickname "DStrange"^1^. DStrange presented Bytecoin (BCN) as a unique cryptocurrency, in operation since July 2012. Unlike Bitcoin, it employed a new algorithm known as CryptoNote.

DStrange apparently stumbled upon the Bytecoin website by chance while mining a dying bitcoin fork, and decided to create a thread on Bitcointalk^1^. This sparked curiosity among some users, who wondered how could Bytecoin remain unnoticed since its alleged launch in 2012 until then^2^.

Some time after, a user brought up the "CryptoNote v2.0" whitepaper for the first time, underlining its innovative features^4^. Authored by the pseudonymous Nicolas van Saberhagen in October 2013, the CryptoNote v2 whitepaper^5^ highlighted the traceability and privacy problems in Bitcoin. Saberhagen argued that these flaws could not be quickly fixed, suggesting it would be more efficient to start a new project rather than trying to patch the original^5^, an statement simmilar to the one from Satoshi Nakamoto^6^.

Checking with Saberhagen's digital signature, the release date of the whitepaper seemed correct, which would mean that Cryptonote (v1) was created in 2012^7^, although there's an important detail: "Signing time is from the clock on the signer's computer" ^9^.

Moreover, the whitepaper v1 contains a footnote link to a Bitcointalk post dated May 5, 2013^10^, making it impossible for the whitepaper to have been signed and released on December 12, 2012.

As the narrative developed, users discovered that a significant 80% portion of Bytecoin had been pre-mined^11^ and blockchain dates seemed to be faked to make it look like it had been operating since 2012, leading to controversy surrounding the project.

The origins of CryptoNote and Bytecoin remain mysterious, leaving suspicions of a possible scam attempt, although the whitepaper had a good amount of work and thought on it.

The fork

In April 2014, the Bitcointalk user thankful_for_today, who had also participated in the Bytecoin thread^12^, announced plans to launch a Bytecoin fork named Bitmonero^13^.

The primary motivation behind this fork was "Because there is a number of technical and marketing issues I wanted to do differently. And also because I like ideas and technology and I want it to succeed"^14^. This time Bitmonero did things different from Bytecoin: there was no premine or instamine, and no portion of the block reward went to development.

However, thankful_for_today proposed controversial changes that the community disagreed with. Johnny Mnemonic relates the events surrounding Bitmonero and thankful_for_today in a Bitcointalk comment^15^:

When thankful_for_today launched BitMonero [...] he ignored everything that was discussed and just did what he wanted. The block reward was considerably steeper than what everyone was expecting. He also moved forward with 1-minute block times despite everyone's concerns about the increase of orphan blocks. He also didn't address the tail emission concern that should've (in my opinion) been in the code at launch time. Basically, he messed everything up. Then, he disappeared.

After disappearing for a while, thankful_for_today returned to find that the community had taken over the project. Johnny Mnemonic continues:

I, and others, started working on new forks that were closer to what everyone else was hoping for. [...] it was decided that the BitMonero project should just be taken over. There were like 9 or 10 interested parties at the time if my memory is correct. We voted on IRC to drop the "bit" from BitMonero and move forward with the project. Thankful_for_today suddenly resurfaced, and wasn't happy to learn the community had assumed control of the coin. He attempted to maintain his own fork (still calling it "BitMonero") for a while, but that quickly fell into obscurity.

The unfolding of these events show us the roots of Monero. Much like Satoshi Nakamoto, the creators behind CryptoNote/Bytecoin and thankful_for_today remain a mystery^17^, having disappeared without a trace. This enigma only adds to Monero's value.

Since community took over development, believing in the project's potential and its ability to be guided in a better direction, Monero was given one of Bitcoin's most important qualities: a leaderless nature. With no single face or entity directing its path, Monero is safe from potential corruption or harm from a "central authority".

The community continued developing Monero until today. Since then, Monero has undergone a lot of technological improvements, migrations and achievements such as RingCT and RandomX. It also has developed its own Community Crowdfundinc System, conferences such as MoneroKon and Monerotopia are taking place every year, and has a very active community around it.

Monero continues to develop with goals of privacy and security first, ease of use and efficiency second. ^16^

This stands as a testament to the power of a dedicated community operating without a central figure of authority. This decentralized approach aligns with the original ethos of cryptocurrency, making Monero a prime example of community-driven innovation. For this, I thank all the people involved in Monero, that lead it to where it is today.

If you find any information that seems incorrect, unclear or any missing important events, please contact me and I will make the necessary changes.

Sources of interest

• https://forum.getmonero.org/20/general-discussion/211/history-of-monero
• https://monero.stackexchange.com/questions/852/what-is-the-origin-of-monero-and-its-relationship-to-bytecoin
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monero
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=583449.0
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=563821.0
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=233561
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=512747.0
• https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=740112.0
• https://monero.stackexchange.com/a/1024
• https://inspec2t-project.eu/cryptocurrency-with-a-focus-on-anonymity-these-facts-are-known-about-monero/
• https://medium.com/coin-story/coin-perspective-13-riccardo-spagni-69ef82907bd1
• https://www.getmonero.org/resources/about/
• https://www.wired.com/2017/01/monero-drug-dealers-cryptocurrency-choice-fire/
• https://www.monero.how/why-monero-vs-bitcoin
• https://old.reddit.com/r/Monero/comments/u8e5yr/satoshi_nakamoto_talked_about_privacy_features/

@ 93bfc86d:fc8e91f5

라이트닝 네트워크

풀 노드가 비트코인 네트워크의 분산화 속성을 강화한다면 온-체인 위에 올려질 다중 레이어들은 비트코인의 확장성을 강화한다. 이러한 제2레이어에는 대표적으로 라이트닝 네트워크가 있다.

라이트닝 네트워크 백서는 조셉 푼Joseph Poon과 타데우스 드리야Thaddeus Dryja가 공동 저술했으며, 2016년 1월 14일에 처음 공개되었다. 라이트닝 네트워크 백서의 제목은 「비트코인 라이트닝 네트워크: 확장 가능한 오프-체인 즉시 결제」이다.

라이트닝 네트워크는 백서 이름대로 현재까지 비트코인의 확장성 강화에 핵심적인 역할을 하고 있다. 라이트닝 네트워크는 채널을 만들고, 유동성을 공급하며, 결제를 중개하는 수많은 자발적인 라이트닝 노드가 있기 때문에 작동된다.

단순히 라이트닝 지갑 수탁 서비스—스트라이크, 월렛 오브 사토시, 블링크, 피닉스 등—를 이용하는 것과 직접 라이트닝 노드를 운영하는 것에는 매우 큰 차이가 있다. 수탁 서비스 이용자들은 라이트닝 지갑 기업이 이미 열어놓은 채널을 이용해 결제를 주고받지만 라이트닝 노드 운영자는 직접 채널을 열고 닫으며, 때로는 타인의 결제를 중개하고, 수수료를 직접 설정하며 전체 라이트닝 네트워크의 일부가 된다.

라이트닝 채널의 원리

라이트닝 네트워크의 원리를 이해하려면 먼저 채널이라는 개념을 이해해야 한다. 두 라이트닝 노드가 채널을 열면, 그들은 여러 번의 결제를 오프-체인 상에서 빠르고 저렴하게 주고받을 수 있다. 채널을 열 때는 온-체인 거래를 통해 자금을 예치해야 한다.

만약 앨리스와 밥이 자주 결제를 하는 사이라고 해보자. 둘의 거래를 매번 온-체인에 기록하는 것은 번거로운 일이다. 온-체인 거래는 정산 관점에서는 매우 빠르지만, 결제 관점에서는 느리기 때문이다. 일상적인 소액 결제를 하는데 결제할 때마다 10분 정도를 기다려야 하고, 700 SATS 정도의 수수료를 매번 내야 한다고 생각해 보자. 매우 불편한 일일 것이다. 라이트닝 네트워크에서 채널을 개설할 때만 온-체인에 거래를 기록하고, 이후에 일어나는 자잘한 거래는 온-체인에 기록하지 않고 보관해 두다가 채널을 닫을 때 최종 거래 결과만을 기록하면 매우 저렴하고 빠르게 거래할 수 있다.

채널은 쉽게 말해 ‘공동 금고’라고 생각하면 쉽다. 앨리스와 밥의 공동 금고에 총 20만 SATS가 있고, 앨리스와 밥은 이 금고에서 각각 10만 SATS의 청구권이 있는 상태라고 해보자. 앨리스가 밥의 카페에서 5,000 SATS짜리 커피를 3번 사 마셨다면 앨리스의 최종 청구권은 85,000 SATS로 변하고, 밥의 최종 청구권은 115,000 SATS로 변하는 것이다. 이렇게 거래하면 앨리스와 밥 사이에서 일어났던 수많은 거래가 실행되기 위해 한 번의 최종 거래 결과만을 메인 네트워크에 전송하면 되므로, 1회 거래당 거래 수수료는 매우 저렴해진다. 라이트닝 네트워크는 채널을 개설할 때, 채널을 종료할 때 총 2번만 온-체인에서 수수료를 지불한다.

라이트닝 네트워크의 놀라운 점은 직접 채널을 열지 않은 다른 대상과도 거래가 가능하다는 것이다. 만약 앨리스가 밥과 채널을 개설하고, 밥이 캐롤과 채널을 개설했다고 해보자. 앨리스는 캐롤과 직접적인 채널이 개설되어 있지 않다. 이 상황에서 앨리스가 캐롤에게 돈 10,000 SATS를 보내고 싶다면 어떻게 해야 할까? 앨리스가 밥에게 돈 10,000 SATS를 보내고, 밥이 10,000 SATS를 캐롤에게 보내면 된다. 이러한 거래는 당연히 공동 금고에 있는 금액 청구권으로 하는 것이다. 그리고 앨리스가 캐롤에게 돈을 보내는데 밥이 매개해 줬으므로 앨리스는 밥에게 적정한 수수료를 지급하면 된다. 5 SATS를 수수료로 지급하고 싶다면 밥에게 10,005 SATS를 보내고, 밥은 캐롤에게 10,000 SATS를 보내면 된다. 그러면 앨리스는 거래의 중간 매개자인 밥에게 5 SATS를 보낸 셈이 된다.

밥은 중간 매개 역할을 하면서 수수료를 챙겼다. 이렇게 송금 경로 중 중간에 지나가는 각 노드를 홉hop이라고 부른다. 기존에는 거래의 중개를 누가 맡았는가? 은행과 같은 금융기관이 독점했다. 라이트닝 네트워크는 기존 금융 시스템의 중앙화된 중개자 역할을 개인들에게 분산시킨 혁신적인 모델이다. 누구나 채널을 개설하고 다른 사람들과 거래할 수 있으며, 중개 역할을 하면서 수수료를 받을 수도 있다. 기존에는 중개자가 되기 위해서 거대한 자본이 필요했으며, 정부의 허락을 받아야만 은행업을 할 수 있었다. 기존 은행이 커다란 중앙 금고를 두고 은행 직원들이 모든 거래를 처리하고 기록했다면, 라이트닝 네트워크는 개인들이 서로 작은 금고를 만들어 거래하고 필요한 경우 중간 경로를 통해 서로 연결되는 방식이다. 이는 은행의 권한이 개인들에게 분산된 것과 같다.

참고로 앨리스나 캐롤은 중개자인 밥을 신뢰할 필요는 없다. 밥이 앨리스에게서 확실히 돈을 받으려면 캐롤이 밥에게서 돈을 가져갈 때 공개되는 데이터(해시값의 평문)가 있어야만 한다. 즉, 밥이 캐롤에게 돈을 확실히 보내야만 밥은 앨리스에게 받은 돈을 가져갈 수 있다.

라이트닝 네트워크에서는 노드들의 역할이 중요하다. 많은 노드들이 채널을 열어야 더 빠르고 다양한 경로가 열릴 수 있고, 수수료 경쟁이 일어나 엄청나게 낮은 수수료로도 거래할 수 있다. 기존 비트코인 시스템은 수수료를 내는 사람들끼리 경쟁했다. 더 높은 수수료를 내지 않으면 느린 속도를 감내할 수밖에 없었다. 그런데 라이트닝 네트워크에서는 수수료를 받는 사람들끼리 경쟁한다.

인바운드 유동성과 아웃바운드 유동성

앞의 비유적인 예시로 돌아가 보자. 밥과 앨리스가 공동 금고를 만들 때 10만 SATS씩 금고에 넣었다. 이런 경우 앨리스와 밥은 서로에게 라이트닝 네트워크상에서 비트코인을 보낼 수 있다. 이제 앨리스 입장에서만 보자. 앨리스는 공동 금고에 10만 SATS를 보냈다. 이렇게 앨리스가 보낸 10만 SATS를 ‘아웃바운드 유동성’이라고 한다. 그리고 밥이 앨리스 자신과 개설한 채널(공동 금고)에 보낸 10만 SATS는 ‘인바운드 유동성’이라고 한다. 정리하면 자기가 라이트닝 채널에 보낸 비트코인 금액을 아웃바운드 유동성이라고 하며, 상대방이 라이트닝 채널에 보낸 비트코인 금액을 인바운드 유동성이라고 한다.

앨리스가 처음에 밥과 채널을 개설하는 상황을 생각해 보자. 채널을 개설한 앨리스가 공동 금고(채널)에 10만 SATS의 돈을 보냈다. 공동 금고에는 10만 SATS가 들어있지만, 이것은 모두 앨리스가 청구할 수 있는 상태다. 이런 상태에서는 오프-체인에서 앨리스가 밥에게 돈을 보낼 수는 있지만, 앨리스가 밥에게 돈을 받을 수는 없다. 즉 지금은 앨리스에게 아웃바운드 유동성만 있고, 인바운드 유동성은 없다. 인바운드 유동성이 없으면 돈을 상대한테 받을 수가 없다.

유동성에 대한 좋은 예시가 있다. 빨대 양 끝에 풍선이 달려있다고 생각하는 것이다. 내가 돈을 보내 채널을 개설하면 내 쪽의 풍선만 빵빵한 상태다. 상대측의 풍선에는 공기가 전혀 없다. 따라서 상대 풍선으로부터 내 풍선으로 공기가 이동할 수가 없다. 내 풍선에서 상대 풍선으로만 공기가 이동할 수 있다.

유동성 관리는 라이트닝 채널을 운영할 때 매우 중요한 문제다. 만약 라이트닝 노드를 운영하고, 이를 통해 결제를 받는다면 인바운드 유동성이 말라버렸을 때 결제를 받을 수가 없기 때문이다. 따라서 채널 개설, 라우팅을 통한 유동성 이동, 리밸런싱 서비스 사용 등의 다양한 방법으로 유동성을 확보하고 조정해야 한다.

협력적 종료와 비협력적 종료, CSV, 페널티

앨리스와 밥이 채널을 개설한 상황을 생각해 보자. 앨리스와 밥 각각 10만 SATS의 청구권이 있었는데 앨리스가 밥의 카페에서 5,000원 커피를 3번 사 마신 경우를 생각해 보자. 이제 앨리스의 금액이 85,000 SATS, 밥의 금액이 115,000 SATS가 적힌 장부가 있을 것이다. 앨리스와 밥이 둘 다 채널 종료에 합의하면 채널의 최종 장부 거래가 온-체인에 기록되는 즉시(블록에 실려 컨펌되는 즉시) 둘은 채널에 있던 자금을 돌려받는다. 공동 금고(돼지저금통)를 깨는 것이다. 이런 종료를 ‘협력 적 종료’라고 한다.

자, 앨리스에게 악마 맬러리의 망령이 들었다고 생각해 보자. 앨리스는 밥 몰래 오프-체인의 장부를 온-체인에 제출하고 채널을 종료하고 싶다. 그러면 앨리스는 굳이 자신이 85,000 SATS를 받을 수 있는 장부를 제출하지 않고 10만 SATS를 받을 수 있는 이전 장부를 온-체인에 제출하려고 하지 않을까? 이런 상황을 ‘비협력적 종료’라고 한다.

비협력적 종료는 꼭 앨리스처럼 악의를 품고 하는 것뿐만 아니라 여러 상황이 있을 수 있다. 예를 들면 상대 노드가 오랫동안 연결이 안 되어 채널을 유지할 수 없는 경우 내 쪽에서 채널을 강제 종료할 수 있다. 이런 비협력적 종료 상황에서는 누군가가 배신을 하고 최신 장부를 제출하지 않고 자신에게 이득이 되는 이전 장부를 제출할 가능성이 있다.

그래서 비협력적 종료 상황에서는 자금을 바로 돌려받을 수가 없다. 비협력적 종료 상황에서 자금은 CSV, CheckSequenceVerify라는 상대 시간 잠금으로 묶인다. 무슨 뜻이냐면 거래가 온-체인에 제출된 시점으로부터 통상 1,000블록 간 잠긴다. 1,000블록이면 대략 일주일이다. 즉, 비협력적 종료를 하면 자금을 받기 위해서 일주일을 기다려야 한다.

그럼 비협력적 종료를 할 때 왜 일정 기간을 기다리게 했을까? 만약 상대가 최신이 아닌 자신에게 이득이 되는 이전 장부를 제출하는 경우 페널티를 줄 시간이 필요하기 때문이다. 이 페널티는 채널 자금 몰수다. 오프-체인에서 서로 장부를 교환할 때는 자신이 가져갈 수 있는 금액이 적혀있는 장부만 교환하는 것이 아니다. 상대방이 이전 거래를 제출할 경우 내가 채널에 있는 모든 금액을 몰수할 수 있는 페널티 거래도 교환한다. 처음에 A 상태가 있었다고 해보자. B 상태가 진행되어 B 상태가 적혀있는 거래가 적혀있는 장부를 교환할 때 A 장부 제출에 대한 페널티 장부도 교환하는 것이다.

다시 돌아와서 앨리스가 85,000 SATS를 받을 수 있는 장부가 아니라 100,000 SATS를 받을 수 있는 이전 거래를 온-체인에 제출했다고 해보자. 앨리스는 일주일간 자금을 가져갈 수 없다. 밥이 만약 페널티 거래를 제출하면 밥은 채널에 있던 앨리스의 몫 85,000 SATS 모두를 즉시 압수할 수 있다.

라이트닝 노드의 유형

라이트닝 노드는 다양한 기준에 따라 다양하게 분류할 수 있다. 유동성이 이동하는 방식에 따라 분류한 라이트닝 노드의 몇 가지 유형을 살펴보자.

드레인 노드drain node는 유동성이 한쪽으로만 흐르는 노드를 말하는데, 주로 자금을 빨아들이는 노드를 말한다. 만약 비트코인 결제를 받기만 하는 상점이라면 채널의 유동성이 주로 그 상점으로 빨려 들어갈 것이다. 이런 드레인 노드는 시간이 지나면 모든 유동성이 상점의 노드 쪽으로 쏠려버리기 때문에 유동성을 관리하지 않으면 더 이상 결제를 받을 수 없게 된다. 그래서 이런 노드는 리밸런싱(인바운드 유동성과 아웃바운드 유동성의 균형을 맞추는 것)을 통해 유동성을 관리하는 것이 특히 중요하다. 리밸런싱을 하는 방법은 온-체인과 연계해 유동성 방향을 바꾸거나 순환 경로를 만들어 리밸런싱하는 방법 등이 있다. 만약 거래소 노드와 채널이 개설되어 있다면 거래소 노드로 비트코인을 보내고, 거래소에서 온-체인으로 비트코인을 빼는 간단한 방법도 있다.

라우팅 노드routing node는 주로 중간에서 결제를 라우팅하는 노드를 말한다. 이들은 거래를 중개하면서 수수료 수익을 얻는 것을 목표로 한다. 이런 노드를 운영하려면 노드가 항상 온라인 상태로 잘 연결되어 있어야 하고 수수료도 잘 관리해야 한다. 수수료가 너무 높으면 경로에서 제외되고, 수수료가 너무 낮으면 드레인 노드에게 유동성이 다 빨릴 수 있기 때문이다. 또한 다수의 채널을 열고, 다양한 다른 노드와 연결을 하여 네트워크 내에서 경로로 자주 선택되도록 전략을 짜야 한다.

거래소나 지갑 회사 노드도 있다. 이들은 자신들의 서비스 사용자들을 위해 여러 채널을 개설하고 대규모 유동성을 보유하고 있다. 이런 노드와 채널을 개설하면 인바운드 유동성 확보가 쉬워진다. 따라서 이런 노드들은 주로 입구 역할을 하며, 많은 노드와 연결되어 있으므로 허브 역할을 하기도 한다.

라이트닝 노드를 운영할 때는 어떤 목적으로 운영할 것인지 꼭 생각해 보는 것이 좋다. 만약 비트코인으로 결제를 받기 위한 것이라면 인바운드 유동성을 많이 확보해 놓아야 할 것이다. 거꾸로 비트코인 결제 매장 등에 가서 일상적인 결제를 하거나, 라이트닝 네트워크를 이용한 P2P 거래로 비트코인을 판매할 것이라면 주로 아웃바운드 유동성을 확보하면 되니 상대적으로 유동성 관리가 쉽다. 유동성이 마르면 채널을 종료하고 다시 열기만 하면 자동으로 아웃바운드 유동성이 확보되기 때문이다. 수수료 수익을 보고 라우팅 노드를 운영하고 싶다면 상당히 많은 경험과 지식이 필요하니 신중하게 결정하는 것이 좋다.

라이트닝 노드를 직접 돌리는 것은 간단하지만은 않지만 여전히 매력적이다. 라이트닝 수탁 서비스를 이용하는 경우 해당 서비스 운영자를 신뢰해야 하는 문제가 생기기 때문에 KYC나 자금 동결 등의 문제로부터 완전히 자유롭지 않다. 하지만 라이트닝 네트워크에 직접 참여하면 신뢰받는 제3자 없이 비트코인의 확장성을 경험할 수 있다.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Carl Rickertsen completely exits his position in Strategy as insiders sell $864 million worth of stock.

As reported by Protos, Carl Rickertsen, a member of Strategy’s board of directors, has fully liquidated his entire shareholding for over $10 million.

Rickertsen’s decision to completely exit his Strategy position marks a sharp shift from his previous investment stance. In 2022, the executive had shown confidence in the company by investing $700,000 in MSTR shares.

On June 13, 2022, Rickertsen purchased $608,000 worth of MSTR stock at $152 per share. Since then, the stock has rallied 152%. However, by 2023, the director had already sold half of his 4,000-share position.

Rickertsen’s approach to managing his holdings has become increasingly aggressive in recent years. Since joining the board in 2019, he has adopted a strategy of immediately liquidating any stock options received.

One example of this tactic occurred on June 2, when he acquired and sold 26,390 MSTR shares on the same day.

As of June 5 this year, Rickertsen reported zero vested Strategy shares, marking the end of his equity involvement with the company.

Rickertsen’s situation is not an isolated case within Strategy. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reveals a controversial picture. According to information gathered by secform4.com, over the past five years, total insider sales have exceeded purchases by $864 million. This imbalance in insider transactions could raise questions about executives’ confidence in the company’s future.

The post Strategy director liquidates all his MSTR shares appeared first on Atlas21.

@ dfa02707:41ca50e3

Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.

• The latest firmware updates for COLDCARD devices introduce two major features: COLDCARD Co-sign (CCC) and Key Teleport between two COLDCARD Q devices using QR codes and/or NFC with a website.

What's new

• COLDCARD Co-Sign: When CCC is enabled, a second seed called the Spending Policy Key (Key C) is added to the device. This seed works with the device's Main Seed and one or more additional XPUBs (Backup Keys) to form 2-of-N multisig wallets.
  • The spending policy functions like a hardware security module (HSM), enforcing rules such as magnitude and velocity limits, address whitelisting, and 2FA authentication to protect funds while maintaining flexibility and control, and is enforced each time the Spending Policy Key is used for signing.
  • When spending conditions are met, the COLDCARD signs the partially signed bitcoin transaction (PSBT) with the Main Seed and Spending Policy Key for fund access. Once configured, the Spending Policy Key is required to view or change the policy, and violations are denied without explanation.

"You can override the spending policy at any time by signing with either a Backup Key and the Main Seed or two Backup Keys, depending on the number of keys (N) in the multisig."

• A step-by-step guide for setting up CCC is available here.

• Key Teleport for Q devices allows users to securely transfer sensitive data such as seed phrases (words, xprv), secure notes and passwords, and PSBTs for multisig. It uses QR codes or NFC, along with a helper website, to ensure reliable transmission, keeping your sensitive data protected throughout the process.

  • For more technical details, see the protocol spec.

"After you sign a multisig PSBT, you have option to “Key Teleport” the PSBT file to any one of the other signers in the wallet. We already have a shared pubkey with them, so the process is simple and does not require any action on their part in advance. Plus, starting in this firmware release, COLDCARD can finalize multisig transactions, so the last signer can publish the signed transaction via PushTX (NFC tap) to get it on the blockchain directly."

• Multisig transactions are finalized when sufficiently signed. It streamlines the use of PushTX with multisig wallets.
• Signing artifacts re-export to various media. Users are now provided with the capability to export signing products, like transactions or PSBTs, to alternative media rather than the original source. For example, if a PSBT is received through a QR code, it can be signed and saved onto an SD card if needed.
• Multisig export files are signed now. Public keys are encoded as P2PKH address for all multisg signature exports. Learn more about it here.
• NFC export usability upgrade: NFC keeps exporting until CANCEL/X is pressed.
• Added Bitcoin Safe option to Export Wallet.
• 10% performance improvement in USB upload speed for large files.
• Q: Always choose the biggest possible display size for QR.

Fixes

• Do not allow change Main PIN to same value already used as Trick PIN, even if Trick PIN is hidden.
• Fix stuck progress bar under Receiving... after a USB communications failure.
• Showing derivation path in Address Explorer for root key (m) showed double slash (//).
• Can restore developer backup with custom password other than 12 words format.
• Virtual Disk auto mode ignores already signed PSBTs (with “-signed” in file name).
• Virtual Disk auto mode stuck on “Reading…” screen sometimes.
• Finalization of foreign inputs from partial signatures. Thanks Christian Uebber!
• Temporary seed from COLDCARD backup failed to load stored multisig wallets.
• Destroy Seed also removes all Trick PINs from SE2.
• Lock Down Seed requires pressing confirm key (4) to execute.
• Q only: Only BBQr is allowed to export Coldcard, Core, and pretty descriptor.

Blog Post / Archive
GitHub Repo
CCC Guide
Key Teleport site

@ 4ba8e86d:89d32de4

O protocolo Matrix é um sistema de comunicação descentralizado de código aberto que fornece uma plataforma para mensageiros descentralizados. O Element foi lançado em 2014 como uma implementação do protocolo Matrix, originalmente conhecido como Riot.im , A ideia do Element nasceu quando Matthew Hodgson e Amandine Le Pape, dois desenvolvedores de software, decidiram criar uma plataforma de comunicação aberta e segura, que permitisse aos usuários terem total controle sobre suas informações. Eles acreditavam que a internet deveria ser um lugar onde as pessoas pudessem se comunicar livremente, sem se preocupar com a privacidade de suas informações.

O Element é um aplicativo de chat gratuito e de código aberto disponível em várias plataformas, incluindo desktop, web e aplicativos móveis. Ele oferece criptografia de ponta a ponta, o que significa que as mensagens são protegidas e só podem ser lidas pelo remetente e pelo destinatário. Além disso, o Element é descentralizado, o que significa que ele não é controlado por uma única entidade, mas sim por uma rede global de servidores.

O Element é amplamente utilizado por indivíduos e empresas que desejam ter uma comunicação segura e privada. É frequentemente usado por equipes de projetos, organizações sem fins lucrativos e grupos ativistas que precisam compartilhar informações confidenciais e se comunicar de forma segura. O Element também é conhecido por seu recurso de salas públicas, que permite que os usuários se juntem a grupos de discussão sobre vários tópicos de interesse.

Uma das principais vantagens do Element é sua arquitetura descentralizada. Ao contrário das plataformas de mensagens convencionais que centralizam os dados em seus próprios servidores, o Element utiliza uma rede descentralizada, distribuindo as informações em diversos servidores espalhados pelo mundo. Isso significa que os dados dos usuários são menos suscetíveis a ataques cibernéticos e invasões, já que não são centralizados em um único ponto vulnerável.

Para usar o Element, normalmente os usuários precisam se registrar em um servidor Matrix. Existem várias opções disponíveis, incluindo servidores públicos e privados. No entanto, outra opção é criar um servidor próprio para usar o Element.

O Element também utiliza criptografia de ponta a ponta para proteger as mensagens e arquivos trocados entre os usuários. Isso significa que apenas o remetente e o destinatário das mensagens podem ler o conteúdo, garantindo que as informações permaneçam seguras e privadas.

Outra vantagem do Element é sua ampla variedade de recursos, incluindo videochamadas criptografadas, compartilhamento de tela e integração com outros serviços, como calendários e aplicativos de produtividade. Isso torna o Element uma plataforma completa de comunicação e colaboração, adequada para uso pessoal e empresarial.

O Element também é fácil de usar e possui uma interface intuitiva e personalizável. Os usuários podem personalizar a aparência do aplicativo e acessar diferentes configurações e recursos com apenas alguns cliques.

https://element.io/

https://github.com/vector-im/element-android

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Desde a sua criação, Bitcoin tem sido um marco na revolução do dinheiro digital, mas a sua evolução não parou no conceito inicial de transações descentralizadas. Ao longo dos anos, novas soluções tecnológicas foram desenvolvidas para expandir as suas capacidades, tornando-o mais eficiente e versátil. Entre essas inovações, destacam-se os smart contracts e a Lightning Network, que permitem aumentar a funcionalidade e escalabilidade da rede, garantindo um sistema mais rápido, barato e acessível.

Smart contracts no Bitcoin

Os smart contracts (contratos inteligentes) são programas que executam automaticamente determinadas ações quando certas condições pré-definidas são cumpridas. Embora o conceito seja mais comummente associado a outras redes, Bitcoin também suporta contratos inteligentes, especialmente através de atualizações como o Taproot.

Os smart contracts em Bitcoin permitem funcionalidades como:

Pagamentos condicionais: Transações que só são concluídas se determinadas regras forem cumpridas, como assinaturas múltiplas ou prazos específicos.

Gestão avançada de fundos: Utilização de carteiras multi-assinatura, onde diferentes partes precisam aprovar uma transação antes de ser processada.

Maior privacidade: Com a atualização Taproot, os smart contracts podem ser mais eficientes e indistinguíveis das transações normais, melhorando a privacidade da rede.

Embora os contratos inteligentes em Bitcoin sejam mais simples do que em outras redes, essa simplicidade é uma vantagem, pois mantém a segurança e robustez da rede, evitando vulnerabilidades complexas.

Lightning Network: escalabilidade e transações instantâneas

Um dos maiores desafios enfrentados por Bitcoin é a escalabilidade. Como a rede original foi desenhada para priorizar segurança e descentralização, a velocidade das transações pode ser limitada em períodos de alta procura. Para resolver esse problema, foi criada a Lightning Network, uma solução de segunda camada que permite transações quase instantâneas e com taxas extremamente baixas.

A Lightning Network funciona criando canais de pagamento entre utilizadores, permitindo que realizem várias transações fora da blockchain ou timechain principal de Bitcoin, registando apenas o saldo final na rede principal. Algumas vantagens incluem:

Velocidade: Transações são concluídas em milissegundos, tornando Bitcoin mais adequado para pagamentos diários.

Taxas baixas: Como as transações ocorrem fora da blockchain ou timechain principal, as taxas são mínimas, permitindo microtransações viáveis.

Descongestionamento da rede: Ao transferir grande parte das transações para a Lightning Network, a rede principal de Bitcoin torna-se mais eficiente e menos sobrecarregada.

Resumindo, o Bitcoin continua a evoluir tecnologicamente para se adaptar às necessidades de um sistema financeiro global. Os smart contracts aumentam as suas funcionalidades, permitindo maior flexibilidade e segurança nas transações. A Lightning Network melhora a escalabilidade, tornando Bitcoin mais rápido e eficiente para pagamentos do dia a dia. Com estas inovações, Bitcoin mantém-se na vanguarda da revolução financeira, demonstrando que, apesar das limitações iniciais, continua a adaptar-se e a crescer como um sistema monetário verdadeiramente descentralizado e global.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ 7f6db517:a4931eda

Bank run on every crypto bank then bank run on every "real" bank.

— ODELL (@ODELL) December 14, 2022

Good morning.

It looks like PacWest will fail today. It will be both the fifth largest bank failure in US history and the sixth major bank to fail this year. It will likely get purchased by one of the big four banks in a government orchestrated sale.  

March 8th - Silvergate Bank
March 10th - Silicon Valley Bank
March 12th - Signature Bank
March 19th - Credit Suisse
May 1st - First Republic Bank
May 4th - PacWest Bank?

PacWest is the first of many small regional banks that will go under this year. Most will get bought by the big four in gov orchestrated sales. This has been the playbook since 2008. Follow the incentives. Massive consolidation across the banking industry. PacWest gonna be a drop in the bucket compared to what comes next.

First, a hastened government led bank consolidation, then a public/private partnership with the remaining large banks to launch a surveilled and controlled digital currency network. We will be told it is more convenient. We will be told it is safer. We will be told it will prevent future bank runs. All of that is marketing bullshit. The goal is greater control of money. The ability to choose how we spend it and how we save it. If you control the money - you control the people that use it.

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If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

This article was originally published on dev.to by satshacker.

Alright, you’ve built a useful and beautiful website, tool or app. However, monetization isn’t a priority and you’d rather keep the project free, ads-free and accessible?

Accepting donations would be an option, but how? A PayPal button? Stripe? Buymeacoffe? Patreon?

All of these services require a bank account and KYC verification, before you can send and receive donations – not very convenient.

If we only could send value over the internet, with just one click and without the need of a bank account…

Oh, hold on, that’s bitcoin. The decentralized protocol to send value across the globe. Money over TCP/IP.

In this article, we’ll learn how anyone can easily add a payment button or donation widget on a website or app.

Let’s get into it.

Introduction

Bitcoin is digital money that you can send and receive without the need for banks. While bitcoin is extremely secure, it’s not very fast. The maximum transactions per second (TPS) the network can handle is about 7. Obviously that’s not useful for daily payments or microtransactions.

If you’d like to dig deeper into how bitcoin works, a great read is “Mastering Bitcoin” by Andreas Antonopoulos.

Bitcoin vs Lightning

If you’d like to receive bitcoin donations “on-chain” all you need is a bitcoin wallet. You simply display your bitcoin address on your site and that’s it. You can receive donations.

It would look something like this; 1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa

Instead of showing the actual bitcoin address, you can also turn it into a QR code.

However, this is not a recommended solution. Using static on-chain addresses has two major downsides. It lowers privacy for you and your donnors and it’s a UTXO disaster because many small incoming transactions could beocme hard to consolidate in the future.

For donations and small transactions, the Lightning Network is the better option. Lightning allows for instant settlement with fees only a fraction of a cent.

Similar to bitcoin, you have the choice between non-custodial and custodial wallets. This means, either you have full control over your money or the wallet provider has.

Option 1: Lightning Address

With the lightning address feature, you an easily receive donations to an email like address.

It looks like this: yourname@wallet.com

Many wallets support lightning addresses and make it easy to create one. Then, you simple add the address to your donation page and you’re ready to receive tips.

You can also add a link link as in lightning:yourname@wallet.com and compatible lightning wallets and browser wallets will detect the address.

How to get a Lightning Address Fast

Option 2: Lightning Donation Widgets

If you like to take it a step further, you can also create a more enhanced donation checkout flow. Of course you could programm something yourself, there are many open source libraries you can build upon. If you want a simple plug-and-play solution, here are a couple of options:

Name

Type

Registration

SatSale

Self-hosted

No KYC

BTCPay Server

Self-hosted

No KYC

Pay With Flash

Widget

Email

Geyser Fund

Widget

Email

The Giving Block

Hosted

KYC

OpenNode

Hosted

KYC

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SatSale (GitHub)

Lightweight, self-hosted Bitcoin/Lightning payment processor. No KYC.

Ideal for developers comfortable with server management. Simple to deploy, supports both on-chain and Lightning, and integrates with WooCommerce.

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BTCPay Server

Powerful, open-source, self-hosted processor for Bitcoin and Lightning. No KYC.

Supports multiple currencies, advanced features, and full privacy. Requires technical setup and maintenance. Funds go directly to your wallet; great for those seeking full control.

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Pay With Flash

Easiest for indie hackers. Add a donation widget with minimal code and no KYC. Payments go directly to your wallet for a 1.5% fee.

Setup Steps:

1. Sign up at PayWithFlash.com
2. Customize your widget in the dashboard
3. Embed the code:

1. Test to confirm functionality

Benefits:

• Minimal technical skills required
• Supports one-time or recurring donations
• Direct fund transfer, no intermediaries

---

Geyser Fund

Crowdfunding platform. Widget-based, connects to your wallet, email registration.Focused on Bitcoin crowdfunding, memberships and donations.

---

The Giving Block

Hosted, KYC required. Integrates with fiat and crypto, best for nonprofits or larger organizations.

---

OpenNode

Hosted, KYC required. Accept Bitcoin payments and donations; supports conversion to fiat, suitable for businesses and nonprofits.

---

Summary

• Fast, low-code setup: Use Pay With Flash or Geyser Fund.
• Privacy and control: Choose SatSale or BTCPay Server (requires technical skills).
• Managed, compliant solutions: The Giving Block or OpenNode.

Choose based on your technical comfort, privacy needs, and project scale.

I hope this article helped you. If you added bitcoin donations, share your link in the comments and I will send you a few satoshis maybe

@ 472f440f:5669301e

Marty's Bent

So much for that tariff hyperinflation.\ \ New inflation numbers came at 1.2% — way below the Fed’s target.\ \ For the 4th time in Trump’s 4 months.\ \ Yet not a word about easing from the fed. Who’s now moving the inflation goal-posts to 2026 or even 2027. pic.twitter.com/nwzSCABrbR

— Peter St Onge, Ph.D. (@profstonge) June 16, 2025

After months of pundits, politicians, and partisan hacks kvetching about the aggressive tariff regime put forth by the Trump administration, we're beginning to see some data tickle in that makes it seem as if the tariff strategy may actually be working. At the end of last week, inflation data hit the market cooler than expected. Some core components coming in below the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target. Granted, the CPI is manipulated and may be underreporting actual inflation. However, if we're simply comparing the CPI to itself, it seems to be moving in the right direction if, like me, you don't like when prices consistently rise month on month, year on year, decade on decade.

On top of this, the amount of revenue that tariffs are bringing in is significant and rising quickly. In May, tariff revenue collected in the U.S. hit a record of $22.3 billion. In April, the U.S. government brought in $16.5 billion from tariffs, and collectively, since Trump took office, the government has brought in around $67.2 billion in tariff revenue. Tariffs now reflect 4% of the total federal revenue, which is up from an average of 2% over the last few years. If this trend keeps up, the idea that tariffs can replace income tax revenue in the United States seems to be validated. Even better, it seems that the increased inflation that many were warning about hasn't materialized yet. There could be a way to increase the revenue of the federal government without increasing taxes on American producers while keeping prices lower. This is a beautiful thing.

I don't think it's time to ring the bell and claim victory in regards to tariffs and inflation quite yet, but this is extremely encouraging and something that all of you should be monitoring closely in the months ahead. Whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, I think we should all celebrate if the bold strategy of levying tariffs on the rest of the world to bring manufacturing home, while the government produces revenue via means that don't attack the income of individual citizens actually works out in the end.

It's crazy what pricing your life in Bitcoin does as you surf the internet. This newsletter was partly inspired by the video above from our good friend Peter St. Onge, but also because of this tweet I saw earlier today that priced the tariff revenue in bitcoin.

via The Kobeissi Letter

The Kobeissi Letter did not include the bitcoin denominations in its tweet. Our browser extension, Opportunity Cost, automatically injected it into the tweet so that I could understand how much revenue the government is bringing in in terms of Bitcoin. If they chose to use Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

It's crazy to think that at current bitcoin prices and if tariff revenue stays at the level it reached last month, the United States government could acquire a strategic reserve of 1 million bitcoin in less than five months. That really puts things into perspective, for me at least, about how much money is being thrown around the system both in the private markets and the public sector.

We are still extremely early in terms of bitcoin's adoption and monetization. Just looking at the tweet makes me want to tap somebody on the shoulder in the government and say, "Hey, look at this. If you sacrifice less than five months of tariff revenue and funnel that into bitcoin, you could have your strategic reserve by the end of the year. Before Thanksgiving even."

If tariff revenue continues to increase at the pace it has over the last couple of months, and the economy recovers, inflation isn't that bad, why not? Why not start building the strategic reserve with some of these revenues? A man can dream.

Washington's Bitcoin Awakening: From Crime Concerns to Strategic Asset

Ken Egan described a remarkable shift in how Washington views Bitcoin. Just a year ago, he recalls fighting defensive battles against basic misconceptions about criminal use and technical vulnerabilities. Today, policymakers ask sophisticated questions about Bitcoin's role in global monetary competition and national security strategy. Egan emphasized that discussions no longer waste time on "is it just for buying drugs" but instead focus on how Bitcoin can counter China's parallel financial systems and strengthen America's competitive position.

"There are people thinking, even the Department of Energy, some of whom will be at our conference, thinking really deeply about everything this ecosystem has to offer and how we can apply it to sort of a comprehensive national security strategy." - Ken Egan

Multiple government departments are now actively exploring Bitcoin's potential, Egan revealed. The Department of Defense examines mining for energy resilience, while the Department of Energy considers grid applications. Trump's executive order formally distinguished Bitcoin from other cryptocurrencies, signaling institutional recognition of its unique properties. This evolution from skepticism to strategic thinking represents a fundamental transformation in how America's policy establishment approaches Bitcoin.

Check out the full podcast here for more on institutional Bitcoin adoption, resistance money warnings, and bipartisan coalition building.

---

Headlines of the Day

France Eyes Bitcoin Mining to Use Excess Energy - via X

Truth Social Files for Bitcoin ETF - via X

French Firm Raises €9.7M to Expand Bitcoin Treasury - via X

China's DDC Enterprise Adds 38 BTC to Treasury - via X

Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io

---

Bitcoin’s Next Parabolic Move: Could Liquidity Lead the Way?

Is bitcoin’s next parabolic move starting? Global liquidity and business cycle indicators suggest it may be.

Read the latest report from Unchained and TechDev, analyzing how global M2 liquidity and the copper/gold ratio—two historically reliable macro indicators—are aligning once again to signal that a new bitcoin bull market may soon begin.

Download the report here

---

Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed $150.00M across 30+ companies through three funds. I am a Managing Partner at Ten31 and am very proud of the work we are doing. Learn more at ten31.vc/invest.

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Final thought...

The best way to start your Monday morning is for the brake system in your car to completely shit the bed and force you to sit on the side of the road for a tow truck for two hours.

---

Download our free browser extension, Opportunity Cost: https://www.opportunitycost.app/ start thinking in SATS today.

Get this newsletter sent to your inbox daily: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/

Subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow us on Nostr and X:

@ 7f6db517:a4931eda

The former seems to have found solid product market fit. Expect significant volume, adoption, and usage going forward.

The latter's future remains to be seen. Dependence on Tor, which has had massive reliability issues, and lack of strong privacy guarantees put it at risk.

— ODELL (@ODELL) October 27, 2022

The Basics

• Lightning is a protocol that enables cheap and fast native bitcoin transactions.
• At the core of the protocol is the ability for bitcoin users to create a payment channel with another user.
• These payment channels enable users to make many bitcoin transactions between each other with only two on-chain bitcoin transactions: the channel open transaction and the channel close transaction.
• Essentially lightning is a protocol for interoperable batched bitcoin transactions.
• It is expected that on chain bitcoin transaction fees will increase with adoption and the ability to easily batch transactions will save users significant money.
• As these lightning transactions are processed, liquidity flows from one side of a channel to the other side, on chain transactions are signed by both parties but not broadcasted to update this balance.
• Lightning is designed to be trust minimized, either party in a payment channel can close the channel at any time and their bitcoin will be settled on chain without trusting the other party.

There is no 'Lightning Network'

• Many people refer to the aggregate of all lightning channels as 'The Lightning Network' but this is a false premise.
• There are many lightning channels between many different users and funds can flow across interconnected channels as long as there is a route through peers.
• If a lightning transaction requires multiple hops it will flow through multiple interconnected channels, adjusting the balance of all channels along the route, and paying lightning transaction fees that are set by each node on the route.

Example: You have a channel with Bob. Bob has a channel with Charlie. You can pay Charlie through your channel with Bob and Bob's channel with User C.

• As a result, it is not guaranteed that every lightning user can pay every other lightning user, they must have a route of interconnected channels between sender and receiver.

Lightning in Practice

• Lightning has already found product market fit and usage as an interconnected payment protocol between large professional custodians.
• They are able to easily manage channels and liquidity between each other without trust using this interoperable protocol.
• Lightning payments between large custodians are fast and easy. End users do not have to run their own node or manage their channels and liquidity. These payments rarely fail due to professional management of custodial nodes.
• The tradeoff is one inherent to custodians and other trusted third parties. Custodial wallets can steal funds and compromise user privacy.

Sovereign Lightning

• Trusted third parties are security holes.
• Users must run their own node and manage their own channels in order to use lightning without trusting a third party. This remains the single largest friction point for sovereign lightning usage: the mental burden of actively running a lightning node and associated liquidity management.
• Bitcoin development prioritizes node accessibility so cost to self host your own node is low but if a node is run at home or office, Tor or a VPN is recommended to mask your IP address: otherwise it is visible to the entire network and represents a privacy risk.
• This privacy risk is heightened due to the potential for certain governments to go after sovereign lightning users and compel them to shutdown their nodes. If their IP Address is exposed they are easier to target.
• Fortunately the tools to run and manage nodes continue to get easier but it is important to understand that this will always be a friction point when compared to custodial services.

The Potential Fracture of Lightning

• Any lightning user can choose which users are allowed to open channels with them.
• One potential is that professional custodians only peer with other professional custodians.
• We already see nodes like those run by CashApp only have channels open with other regulated counterparties. This could be due to performance goals, liability reduction, or regulatory pressure.

• Fortunately some of their peers are connected to non-regulated parties so payments to and from sovereign lightning users are still successfully processed by CashApp but this may not always be the case going forward.

Summary

• Many people refer to the aggregate of all lightning channels as 'The Lightning Network' but this is a false premise. There is no singular 'Lightning Network' but rather many payment channels between distinct peers, some connected with each other and some not.
• Lightning as an interoperable payment protocol between professional custodians seems to have found solid product market fit. Expect significant volume, adoption, and usage going forward.
• Lightning as a robust sovereign payment protocol has yet to be battle tested. Heavy reliance on Tor, which has had massive reliability issues, the friction of active liquidity management, significant on chain fee burden for small amounts, interactivity constraints on mobile, and lack of strong privacy guarantees put it at risk.

---

If you have never used lightning before, use this guide to get started on your phone.

---

If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

The banking giant is exploring an expansion of its blockchain services, focusing on digital payments and currencies.

JPMorgan Chase has filed a new trademark application for the name “JPMD.” The filing was submitted on June 15 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The application, filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., covers a broad range of services related to digital assets and blockchain technology. These include the issuance of digital currencies, electronic payment processing, and financial custody services — all of which suggest a possible new stablecoin initiative for JPMorgan.

Experience with JPM Coin

This move wouldn’t be JPMorgan’s first foray into blockchain-based finance. The bank already operates JPM Coin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin used to enable instant transactions between institutional clients. The token runs on Quorum, a private blockchain network developed in-house by JPMorgan and based on Ethereum’s technology.

The registration of the JPMD trademark comes as JPMorgan and other major U.S. banks are considering a collaborative stablecoin project through their jointly owned entities: Early Warning Services and The Clearing House.

Similarly, corporations like Walmart and Amazon are mulling the creation of their own stablecoins.

The post JPMorgan files trademark for ‘JPMD’: a new stablecoin on the horizon for the American bank appeared first on Atlas21.

@ b1ddb4d7:471244e7

This article was originally published on dev.to by satshacker.

Alright, you’ve built a useful and beautiful website, tool or app. However, monetization isn’t a priority and you’d rather keep the project free, ads-free and accessible?

Accepting donations would be an option, but how? A PayPal button? Stripe? Buymeacoffe? Patreon?

All of these services require a bank account and KYC verification, before you can send and receive donations – not very convenient.

If we only could send value over the internet, with just one click and without the need of a bank account…

Oh, hold on, that’s bitcoin. The decentralized protocol to send value across the globe. Money over TCP/IP.

In this article, we’ll learn how anyone can easily add a payment button or donation widget on a website or app.

Let’s get into it.

Introduction

Bitcoin is digital money that you can send and receive without the need for banks. While bitcoin is extremely secure, it’s not very fast. The maximum transactions per second (TPS) the network can handle is about 7. Obviously that’s not useful for daily payments or microtransactions.

If you’d like to dig deeper into how bitcoin works, a great read is “Mastering Bitcoin” by Andreas Antonopoulos.

Bitcoin vs Lightning

If you’d like to receive bitcoin donations “on-chain” all you need is a bitcoin wallet. You simply display your bitcoin address on your site and that’s it. You can receive donations.

It would look something like this; 1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa

Instead of showing the actual bitcoin address, you can also turn it into a QR code.

However, this is not a recommended solution. Using static on-chain addresses has two major downsides. It lowers privacy for you and your donnors and it’s a UTXO disaster because many small incoming transactions could beocme hard to consolidate in the future.

For donations and small transactions, the Lightning Network is the better option. Lightning allows for instant settlement with fees only a fraction of a cent.

Similar to bitcoin, you have the choice between non-custodial and custodial wallets. This means, either you have full control over your money or the wallet provider has.

Option 1: Lightning Address

With the lightning address feature, you an easily receive donations to an email like address.

It looks like this: yourname@wallet.com

Many wallets support lightning addresses and make it easy to create one. Then, you simple add the address to your donation page and you’re ready to receive tips.

You can also add a link link as in lightning:yourname@wallet.com and compatible lightning wallets and browser wallets will detect the address.

How to get a Lightning Address Fast

Option 2: Lightning Donation Widgets

If you like to take it a step further, you can also create a more enhanced donation checkout flow. Of course you could programm something yourself, there are many open source libraries you can build upon. If you want a simple plug-and-play solution, here are a couple of options:

Name

Type

Registration

SatSale

Self-hosted

No KYC

BTCPay Server

Self-hosted

No KYC

Pay With Flash

Widget

Email

Geyser Fund

Widget

Email

The Giving Block

Hosted

KYC

OpenNode

Hosted

KYC

---

SatSale (GitHub)

Lightweight, self-hosted Bitcoin/Lightning payment processor. No KYC.

Ideal for developers comfortable with server management. Simple to deploy, supports both on-chain and Lightning, and integrates with WooCommerce.

---

BTCPay Server

Powerful, open-source, self-hosted processor for Bitcoin and Lightning. No KYC.

Supports multiple currencies, advanced features, and full privacy. Requires technical setup and maintenance. Funds go directly to your wallet; great for those seeking full control.

---

Pay With Flash

Easiest for indie hackers. Add a donation widget with minimal code and no KYC. Payments go directly to your wallet for a 1.5% fee.

Setup Steps:

1. Sign up at PayWithFlash.com
2. Customize your widget in the dashboard
3. Embed the code:

1. Test to confirm functionality

Benefits:

• Minimal technical skills required
• Supports one-time or recurring donations
• Direct fund transfer, no intermediaries

---

Geyser Fund

Crowdfunding platform. Widget-based, connects to your wallet, email registration.Focused on Bitcoin crowdfunding, memberships and donations.

---

The Giving Block

Hosted, KYC required. Integrates with fiat and crypto, best for nonprofits or larger organizations.

---

OpenNode

Hosted, KYC required. Accept Bitcoin payments and donations; supports conversion to fiat, suitable for businesses and nonprofits.

---

Summary

• Fast, low-code setup: Use Pay With Flash or Geyser Fund.
• Privacy and control: Choose SatSale or BTCPay Server (requires technical skills).
• Managed, compliant solutions: The Giving Block or OpenNode.

Choose based on your technical comfort, privacy needs, and project scale.

I hope this article helped you. If you added bitcoin donations, share your link in the comments and I will send you a few satoshis maybe

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Bitcoin surgiu como uma alternativa ao sistema financeiro tradicional, oferecendo um meio de troca descentralizado e resistente à censura. No entanto, essa proposta desafia diretamente o controlo que os governos exercem sobre a economia, especialmente no que diz respeito à emissão de moeda e regulação do setor financeiro. Como resultado, muitos governos veem Bitcoin com desconfiança e tentam limitar a sua adoção, enquanto outros procuram integrá-lo à economia de forma controlada.

Motivos para o conflito entre governos e Bitcoin

A resistência governamental à adoção de Bitcoin deve-se a vários fatores, entre os quais se destacam:

Perda de controlo monetário: Os governos controlam a política monetária através da emissão de moeda fiduciária e da manipulação das taxas de juro. Bitcoin, por ter uma oferta fixa e descentralizada, impede que governos imprimam mais dinheiro, limitando a sua influência sobre a economia.

Dificuldade na tributação: A utilização de Bitcoin dificulta a fiscalização de transações e a cobrança de impostos, tornando-se um desafio para as autoridades que dependem da tributação para financiar gastos públicos.

Preocupações com regulação e crime financeiro: Muitos governos argumentam que Bitcoin pode ser usado para lavagem de dinheiro, evasão fiscal e outras atividades ilícitas. No entanto, como todas as transações ficam registadas na blockchain ou timechain, Bitcoin é, na realidade, mais rastreável do que o dinheiro físico.

Competição com moedas digitais de bancos centrais (CBDCs): Alguns governos estão a desenvolver as suas próprias moedas digitais, conhecidas como CBDCs. Estas oferecem um alto nível de controlo sobre as transações financeiras, mas não possuem as mesmas propriedades descentralizadas de Bitcoin. Para garantir a adoção das CBDCs, alguns governos tentam limitar ou proibir o uso de Bitcoin.

Diferentes países têm abordagens variadas em relação a Bitcoin, desde a aceitação total até a repressão severa.

El Salvador: foi o primeiro país a adotar Bitcoin como moeda legal em 2021. Esta decisão gerou conflitos com instituições financeiras globais, como o Fundo Monetário Internacional (FMI), que pressionou o governo salvadorenho a reconsiderar a sua decisão.

China: o governo chinês proibiu completamente a mineração e o uso de Bitcoin em 2021, alegando preocupações ambientais e riscos financeiros. No entanto, muitos mineradores e utilizadores chineses continuam a operar através de meios alternativos.

Estados Unidos: embora Bitcoin seja legal nos EUA, o governo tem imposto regulamentações mais rígidas às plataformas de troca e à mineração, tentando aumentar o controlo sobre o setor. Alguns políticos defendem uma abordagem favorável, enquanto outros veem Bitcoin como uma ameaça ao dólar.

União Europeia: a UE tem adotado uma postura regulatória mais rigorosa, impondo regras sobre a identificação dos utilizadores e a transparência das transações. Apesar disso, Bitcoin continua a ser legal e amplamente utilizado.

Apesar dos desafios impostos por alguns governos, a adoção de Bitcoin continua a crescer. Muitos utilizadores veem Bitcoin como uma forma de preservar a sua riqueza perante políticas monetárias inflacionárias e controlo excessivo sobre o dinheiro. Além disso, países com economias instáveis e sistemas financeiros pouco acessíveis encontram em Bitcoin uma solução para pagamentos internacionais e proteção contra crises económicas.

A resistência dos governos pode desacelerar a adoção de Bitcoin em algumas regiões, mas não conseguirá eliminá-lo completamente. Como uma rede descentralizada e global, Bitcoin continuará a ser utilizado, independentemente das restrições impostas por qualquer governo. A longo prazo, a sua adoção dependerá da capacidade dos indivíduos e empresas de resistirem às pressões regulatórias e continuarem a utilizá-lo como uma alternativa financeira.

Resumindo, o conflito entre governos e Bitcoin reflete a luta entre um sistema financeiro tradicional centralizado e uma nova alternativa descentralizada. Enquanto alguns países tentam proibir ou restringir o seu uso, outros adotam-no como parte da sua economia. No final, a resistência dos governos pode apenas atrasar, mas dificilmente impedirá a adoção global de Bitcoin, que continua a demonstrar a sua resiliência e utilidade como uma reserva de valor e meio de troca.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ e5cfb5dc:0039f130

はりまメンタルクリニック：GIDの大手そう。丸の内線ならパムくんちが近い。

わらびメンタルクリニック：GIDの大手そう？公式サイトには影もかたちも

ナグモクリニック：SRS手術までしてるところ。GID精神科外来が月1第1木曜日だけ？

狭山メンタルクリニック：距離・時間的にはまま近い。サイトの記述が思想的にちょとあやしげ。新患受付がだいぶ先。GIDは専門外か？

川島領診療所：オンライン診療あり！強迫性障害や美容皮膚科をやっている。雰囲気よさそうなところ。GIDは専門外か？

Jこころのクリニック：電車いっぽんなので楽。GIDは専門外か？

ハッピースマイルクリニック：オンライン診療あり！GIDは専門外か？

@ e1cde248:609c13b0

ผมเพิ่งตัดสินใจลบแอปโซเชียลมีเดียทั้งหมดออกจากโทรศัพท์

ใน feed เต็มไปด้วยบัญชีขยะ\ content ที่ถูกยัดมาให้ดู ทั้งที่เราไม่ได้ติดตาม และไม่ได้อยากเห็น\ Bot, AI-generated content, clickbait, ข่าวดราม่าที่ออกแบบมาเพื่อกวนประสาทโดยเฉพาะ

ทั้งหมดนี้ไม่ได้ถูกสร้างมาเพื่อให้เรา “เข้าใจโลก”\ แต่มาเพื่อให้เรา อยู่บนแพลตฟอร์มให้นานที่สุด

แล้วเราก็หลอกตัวเองว่า\ “เรากำลังติดตามโลกอยู่นะ”\ “เรากำลังเชื่อมต่อกับผู้คน”

แต่ความจริงคือ...\ ยิ่งมีดราม่า ยิ่งมีความขัดแย้ง — แพลตฟอร์มยิ่งรวย\ และเรายิ่งพัง

เราได้อะไร?\ ได้ความเหนื่อยล้าแบบไม่รู้ที่มา\ สมาธิสั้นลง หงุดหงิดง่ายขึ้น\ และบางทีก็เศร้า...โดยไม่รู้ว่าทำไม

AI ที่อยู่เบื้องหลัง algorithm พวกนี้\ ฉลาดพอจะกำหนดได้ว่า\ “วันนี้คุณควรจะรู้สึกยังไง”

คุณอาจไม่ได้อยากรู้สึกแย่\ ไม่ได้อยากเปรียบเทียบตัวเองกับใคร\ แต่พอไถไปเรื่อย ๆ มันก็เกิดขึ้น\ แบบไม่รู้ตัว

มันซึมลึก\ มันกัดกินจิตใจ\ ช้า ๆ เงียบ ๆ และต่อเนื่อง

ผมนึกถึงโรคอัลไซเมอร์\ โรคที่ค่อย ๆ ลบตัวตนของคนออกไปทีละนิด\ สำหรับผม... มันน่ากลัวกว่ามะเร็งอีกนะ\ และถ้าจะพูดตรง ๆ ความตายอาจจะยังดีกว่าด้วยซ้ำ

แล้วถ้าคิดดูดี ๆ\ การเสพ content แบบไร้สติ\ การโดนรบกวนทุกวินาทีบนหน้าจอ\ มันก็คือ “การเร่งเวลา” ให้ตัวเราค่อย ๆ หายไป

เราอาจยังไม่แก่พอเป็นอัลไซเมอร์\ แต่ถ้า “ใจ” เราเริ่มลืมว่าเราเป็นใคร\ รู้สึกยังไง\ และอยากมีชีวิตแบบไหน...

มันก็ไม่ต่างกันเท่าไหร่หรอก

ตอนนี้เรายังเลือกได้\ ว่าจะปล่อยให้เทคโนโลยีขับเคลื่อนชีวิต\ หรือจะกลับมาเป็น “คนขับ” เองอีกครั้ง

@ 7f6db517:a4931eda

People forget Bear Stearns failed March 2008 - months of denial followed before the public realized how bad the situation was under the surface.

Similar happening now but much larger scale. They did not fix fundamental issues after 2008 - everything is more fragile.

The Fed preemptively bailed out every bank with their BTFP program and First Republic Bank still failed. The second largest bank failure in history.

There will be more failures. There will be more bailouts. Depositors will be "protected" by socializing losses across everyone.

Our President and mainstream financial pundits are currently pretending the banking crisis is over while most banks remain insolvent. There are going to be many more bank failures as this ponzi system unravels.

Unlike 2008, we have the ability to opt out of these broken and corrupt institutions by using bitcoin. Bitcoin held in self custody is unique in its lack of counterparty risk - you do not have to trust a bank or other centralized entity to hold it for you. Bitcoin is also incredibly difficult to change by design since it is not controlled by an individual, company, or government - the supply of dollars will inevitably be inflated to bailout these failing banks but bitcoin supply will remain unchanged. I do not need to convince you that bitcoin provides value - these next few years will convince millions.

---

If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody

Flash, a Bitcoin payment platform, just announced it has launched Flash Invoicing, a completely free, non-custodial, and KYC-free Bitcoin invoicing tool. Designed for freelancers, the platform allows users to send professional invoices without platform fees, identity checks, or third party custody.

According to Deel, a crypto payments company for freelancers, Bitcoin is the most used cryptocurrency in the world for payments. Despite this growth, many freelancers continue to use basic methods such as pasting Bitcoin addresses into PDFs or emails. Some rely on custodial platforms that deduct fees or require identity verification, which can affect both earnings and data privacy.

“We’ve seen too many people paste BTC addresses into documents and call it invoicing,” said the CEO of Flash Pierre Corbin. “It’s messy. It’s risky. And it’s time for something better.” 

Flash Invoicing Features:

• 0% platform fees: no subscriptions or commission
• Non-custodial: Bitcoin goes straight to the user’s wallet
• No KYC: users maintain full privacy
• Professional output: branded PDFs and secure payment links
• Integrated dashboard: manage payments, clients, and revenue
• Works with Flash ecosystem: including Stores, Donations, Paywalls, and POS

Many Bitcoin invoicing tools charge a percentage per transaction or require a subscription. As a result, freelancers often lose part of their income simply to issue an invoice and receive payment. Flash is aiming to solve this issue.

“Freelancers work hard enough. The last thing they need is a platform skimming off their earnings,” said Corbin. “That’s why we dropped our fee from 1.5% to 0% — and launched the first invoicing tool that’s truly free, without compromising on privacy or control.”

Flash Invoicing allows users to accept Bitcoin payments without relinquishing control, privacy, or revenue. It is integrated with the broader Flash suite, enabling users to manage invoicing alongside features such as setting up stores, receiving donations, or gating premium content.

“As a freelancer myself, I love using the Flash invoicing feature,” stated a freelancer & Flash user. ”It keeps all my clients in one place, allows me to easily edit invoices and track payments. Much more professional than sending a lightning address in the footer of a PDF invoice.”

This post Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Bitcoin funciona através de um sistema descentralizado que depende de um processo chamado mineração para validar transações e garantir a segurança da rede. no entanto, a mineração de Bitcoin exige uma grande quantidade de energia, o que levanta preocupações sobre o seu impacto ambiental. embora existam soluções para tornar este processo mais sustentável, o consumo energético continua a ser um tema debatido tanto por críticos como por defensores da tecnologia.

Como funciona a mineração de Bitcoin?

A mineração de Bitcoin é o processo pelo qual novos blocos são adicionados à blockchain ou timechain e novas moedas são criadas. este processo utiliza um mecanismo chamado proof-of-work (prova de trabalho), onde computadores especializados (miners) competem para resolver problemas matemáticos complexos. para isso, consomem uma enorme quantidade de eletricidade, pois os equipamentos precisam de funcionar continuamente para garantir que a rede se mantém segura e descentralizada.

O consumo de energia e o impacto ambiental

A principal crítica à mineração de Bitcoin está relacionada com o elevado consumo de eletricidade. atualmente, estima-se que a rede Bitcoin consome tanta energia quanto alguns países inteiros. este consumo gera preocupações ambientais, pois grande parte da eletricidade mundial ainda é produzida a partir de combustíveis fósseis, que emitem gases poluentes.

Os impactos ambientais da mineração de Bitcoin incluem:

Emissões de carbono: se a eletricidade utilizada para a mineração vier de fontes poluentes, o processo contribui para o aumento das emissões de CO₂, intensificando o aquecimento global.

Uso excessivo de recursos naturais: a mineração em grande escala pode sobrecarregar redes elétricas locais e aumentar a procura por eletricidade, levando a um maior consumo de combustíveis fósseis em algumas regiões.

Produção de resíduos eletrónicos: os equipamentos de mineração têm um tempo de vida útil relativamente curto, o que leva à produção de grandes quantidades de lixo eletrónico.

Alternativas e soluções sustentáveis

Apesar das preocupações, a mineração de Bitcoin está a tornar-se cada vez mais eficiente e sustentável. muitas operações de mineração já utilizam fontes de energia renovável, como hidrelétrica, solar e eólica, reduzindo significativamente a pegada ecológica. algumas soluções incluem:

Uso de energia renovável: miners estão a mudar-se para regiões onde há excesso de produção de energia renovável, aproveitando recursos que, de outra forma, seriam desperdiçados.

Reciclagem de calor gerado pela mineração: algumas empresas estão a utilizar o calor produzido pelos equipamentos de mineração para aquecer edifícios e infraestruturas, aproveitando a energia de forma mais eficiente.

Inovações tecnológicas: o desenvolvimento de novos chips e equipamentos mais eficientes reduz o consumo energético da mineração sem comprometer a segurança da rede.

Resumindo, o impacto ambiental da mineração do Bitcoin é um tema controverso, mas as soluções para tornar o processo mais sustentável estão a evoluir rapidamente. embora o consumo energético continue elevado, a transição para fontes de energia renovável e novas tecnologias pode tornar Bitcoin um sistema mais eficiente e amigo do ambiente. assim, a questão não é apenas o consumo de eletricidade, mas sim a origem dessa energia e as inovações que tornam a mineração cada vez mais sustentável.

Muito obrigado por teres lido o texto até aqui, espero que esteja tudo bem contigo e um abraço enorme do teu madeirense bitcoiner maximalista favorito. Viva a liberdade!

@ faade9ee:1c6dfd69

This is a normal piece of text.z

This is a bold piece of text via button press.z

this is also bold, but via double-starsz

this is an italic via button press

this also but via one-star

look, it's an underline!

oh, a piece of code has appeared. Nice. Button press tho. seems like it's purple / missed styling it, will change that.

another code but via text

code block, kinda buggy (really buggy actually x3)

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this is a link via text (button has an annoyance bug)


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video below

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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody

Flash, a Bitcoin payment platform, just announced it has launched Flash Invoicing, a completely free, non-custodial, and KYC-free Bitcoin invoicing tool. Designed for freelancers, the platform allows users to send professional invoices without platform fees, identity checks, or third party custody.

According to Deel, a crypto payments company for freelancers, Bitcoin is the most used cryptocurrency in the world for payments. Despite this growth, many freelancers continue to use basic methods such as pasting Bitcoin addresses into PDFs or emails. Some rely on custodial platforms that deduct fees or require identity verification, which can affect both earnings and data privacy.

“We’ve seen too many people paste BTC addresses into documents and call it invoicing,” said the CEO of Flash Pierre Corbin. “It’s messy. It’s risky. And it’s time for something better.” 

Flash Invoicing Features:

• 0% platform fees: no subscriptions or commission
• Non-custodial: Bitcoin goes straight to the user’s wallet
• No KYC: users maintain full privacy
• Professional output: branded PDFs and secure payment links
• Integrated dashboard: manage payments, clients, and revenue
• Works with Flash ecosystem: including Stores, Donations, Paywalls, and POS

Many Bitcoin invoicing tools charge a percentage per transaction or require a subscription. As a result, freelancers often lose part of their income simply to issue an invoice and receive payment. Flash is aiming to solve this issue.

“Freelancers work hard enough. The last thing they need is a platform skimming off their earnings,” said Corbin. “That’s why we dropped our fee from 1.5% to 0% — and launched the first invoicing tool that’s truly free, without compromising on privacy or control.”

Flash Invoicing allows users to accept Bitcoin payments without relinquishing control, privacy, or revenue. It is integrated with the broader Flash suite, enabling users to manage invoicing alongside features such as setting up stores, receiving donations, or gating premium content.

“As a freelancer myself, I love using the Flash invoicing feature,” stated a freelancer & Flash user. ”It keeps all my clients in one place, allows me to easily edit invoices and track payments. Much more professional than sending a lightning address in the footer of a PDF invoice.”

This post Flash Releases Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool with No Fees, KYC, or Custody first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.

@ 93bfc86d:fc8e91f5

노스터를 처음 시작하는 사용자라면 자신의 상황에 따라 어떤 앱을 사용할지 선택할 수 있다.

만약 라이트닝 노드를 직접 운영하고 있다면 아이폰 사용자는 다무스Damus, 안드로이드 사용자는 애머시스트Amethyst, 데스크탑 웹 브라우저에서는 스노트Snort 등의 앱을 추천한다. NWC를 통한 연결로 자신의 라이트닝 노드에서 잽Zap을 보낼 수 있기 때문이다.

만약 라이트닝 노드를 운영하지 않고, 노스터를 처음 이용한다면 프라이멀Primal 앱 사용을 추천한다. 프라이멀 앱은 앱 내에서 자체적으로 라이트닝 지갑을 이용할 수 있기 때문에 잽을 주고 받기가 더욱 쉽다. 그러나 분명히 인지해야 할 사실은 프라이멀에서 사용하는 지갑은 수탁 라이트닝 서비스이므로 거래소와 같은 위험 수준이 있다. 월렛오브사토시나 스트라이크와 비슷하다고 생각하면 된다.

이제 프라이멀 앱 사용 방법에 대해 알아보자.

앱 설치 및 개인키-공개키 쌍 생성

앱스토어 또는 구글 플레이스토어에서 'Primal'을 검색하고 앱을 다운로드 받는다.

이전에 노스터를 사용한 적 없다면 [Create Account]를 누른다. 만약 이전에 노스터를 사용한 적이 있어서 노스터 개인키인 nsec이 있다면 [Sign In]을 눌러 nsec을 입력하고 로그인할 수도 있다.

[Display Name]에 닉네임을 입력하고 [Next]를 누른다.

관심사를 선택하라는 창이 나온다. 그런데 여기서 관심사를 선택하면 자신이 팔로우를 원치 않는 계정들까지 전부 팔로우가 된다. 따라서 일단 [art]만 선택한 뒤 [Next]를 누른다. 뒤에서 해제할 것이다.

다음 화면으로 넘어가면 [Customize follows now]를 선택하고, [Next]를 누른다.

앞에서 말한 것처럼 모든 관심사를 끌 것이다. 'ART' 옆에 있는 [unfollow all]를 누르고, 아래에 있는 [Next]를 누른다.

[Create Account Now] → [Continue] → [I'll do this later]를 누른다.

그러면 개인키-공개키 쌍이 생성된 것이다. 노스터는 다른 중앙집중화된 SNS 플랫폼들과 달리 비트코인처럼 개인키-공개키 쌍을 만들면 그게 자신의 계정이 된다. 개인키는 nsec이라 하며, 공개키는 npub이라 한다. 따라서 개인키인 nsec을 백업해놓는 것은 매우 중요하다.

왼쪽 상단의 프로필 사진을 터치한다. 그 다음 [SETTINGS] → [Keys]에 들어간다.

'PRIVATE KEY' 옆에 나오는 [show key]를 누르면 개인키가 보인다. [Copy private key]를 눌러 개인키를 메모 앱 등에 암호화된 상태로 저장해놓거나, 종이에다가 잘 적는 등의 물리적인 백업을 해놓자.

다른 사람들에게 npub 알려주기

누군가에게 자신의 계정을 알려줄 때는 자신의 노스터 공개키인 npub을 알려주면 된다. 프라이멀에서 먼저 좌측 상단 프로필 모양을 누른다. 그러면 닉네임 옆에 QR코드 모양이 있다. 이 QR코드 모양을 터치한다. 그러면 QR코드가 나오는데, 이 QR코드를 캡처해서 상대방에게 보여주거나, 그 밑에 있는 npub 우측의 복사 버튼을 눌러 상대방에게 보내주면 된다.

팔로우 추가

처음에는 아무런 글도 안 나타날 것이다. 팔로우하고 있는 계정이 없기 때문이다. 오른쪽 상단 검색 버튼을 누른다. 여기에 자신이 팔로우하고 싶은 계정의 공개키 npub을 붙여넣으면 사람이 뜰 것이다.

예를 들어 필자의 공개키는 아래와 같다.

npub1jwlusmv555g5ytdwxeds6k3e8u9dgyf75fscznc2eqpemlywj86st0nf2k

필자의 계정을 팔로우하는 과정을 알아보자. 검색창에 npub을 붙여넣고 프로필이 나오면 프로필을 누른다. 다음에 나오는 화면에서 오른쪽의 [follow] 버튼을 누르면 필자를 팔로우할 수 있다. 혹은 그 아래에 있는 팔로잉(following), 팔로워(followers) 목록을 보고 마음에 드는 프로필을 찾아 들어가 팔로우를 할 수 있다. 이런 방식으로 관심이 있는 계정을 팔로우하면 피드에 글이 뜨기 시작한다.

잽을 위한 지갑 추가

프라이멀에서는 자체적인 라이트닝 지갑을 추가하고, 거기에 비트코인을 보낸 뒤 잽을 보낼 수 있다.

먼저 하단 탭 가운데에 있는 번개 모양의 버튼을 누른다. 그 다음 [Activate Wallet Now]를 누른다.

다른 라이트닝 수탁 서비스들처럼 기본 정보를 받는다. 'first name'에는 성을 제외한 이름, 'last name'에는 성, 'your email address'에는 이메일 주소, 'your date of birth'에는 생년월일, 'country of residence'에는 거주 지역을 적는다. 이때 다른 것들은 실제 정보와 상이하게 적더라도 이메일만큼은 제대로 적어야 한다. 바로 뒤에 이메일 인증을 해야 하기 때문이다. 여타 라이트닝 수탁 서비스들과 마찬가지로, 이러한 수탁 서비스들은 언제나 동결 위험이 있다. 따라서 이러한 상황들에 대비해 정보를 제대로 적을지, 상이하게 적을지는 당신의 자유이며, 당신이 책임져야 한다.

잘 입력하고 [Next]를 누르면 입력했던 이메일로 확인 코드가 온다. 이메일에서 코드를 확인한다. 만약 이메일이 보이지 않는다면 스팸메일함에 메일이 있는 것은 아닌지 확인하자.

이메일에서 확인했던 코드를 프라이멀 앱 화면에 입력하고 [Finish]를 누른다.

그러면 어떤 이메일 주소처럼 생긴 주소가 나온다. 이것이 프라이멀에서 생성한 라이트닝 지갑의 라이트닝 주소다. 아래 [Close]를 누른다.

성공적으로 지갑이 생성되었다. [RECEIVE]를 누르면 라이트닝 주소와 그에 해당하는 QR코드가 보여진다. COPY를 눌러 이 라이트닝 주소로 비트코인을 보내거나, [ADD DETAILS]를 통해 인보이스를 발행하여 비트코인을 보낼 수 있다. 프라이멀 지갑에 비트코인을 보내 잔액이 생기면 잽을 보낼 수 있다.

@ 7f6db517:a4931eda

People forget Bear Stearns failed March 2008 - months of denial followed before the public realized how bad the situation was under the surface.

Similar happening now but much larger scale. They did not fix fundamental issues after 2008 - everything is more fragile.

The Fed preemptively bailed out every bank with their BTFP program and First Republic Bank still failed. The second largest bank failure in history.

There will be more failures. There will be more bailouts. Depositors will be "protected" by socializing losses across everyone.

Our President and mainstream financial pundits are currently pretending the banking crisis is over while most banks remain insolvent. There are going to be many more bank failures as this ponzi system unravels.

Unlike 2008, we have the ability to opt out of these broken and corrupt institutions by using bitcoin. Bitcoin held in self custody is unique in its lack of counterparty risk - you do not have to trust a bank or other centralized entity to hold it for you. Bitcoin is also incredibly difficult to change by design since it is not controlled by an individual, company, or government - the supply of dollars will inevitably be inflated to bailout these failing banks but bitcoin supply will remain unchanged. I do not need to convince you that bitcoin provides value - these next few years will convince millions.

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If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.

@ 7f6db517:a4931eda

The newly proposed RESTRICT ACT - is being advertised as a TikTok Ban, but is much broader than that, carries a $1M Fine and up to 20 years in prison️! It is unconstitutional and would create massive legal restrictions on the open source movement and free speech throughout the internet.

The Bill was proposed by: Senator Warner, Senator Thune, Senator Baldwin, Senator Fischer, Senator Manchin, Senator Moran, Senator Bennet, Senator Sullivan, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Collins, Senator Heinrich, and Senator Romney. It has broad support across Senators of both parties.

Corrupt politicians will not protect us. They are part of the problem. We must build, support, and learn how to use censorship resistant tools in order to defend our natural rights.

The RESTRICT Act, introduced by Senators Warner and Thune, aims to block or disrupt transactions and financial holdings involving foreign adversaries that pose risks to national security. Although the primary targets of this legislation are companies like Tik-Tok, the language of the bill could potentially be used to block or disrupt cryptocurrency transactions and, in extreme cases, block Americans’ access to open source tools or protocols like Bitcoin.

The Act creates a redundant regime paralleling OFAC without clear justification, it significantly limits the ability for injured parties to challenge actions raising due process concerns, and unlike OFAC it lacks any carve-out for protected speech. COINCENTER ON THE RESTRICT ACT

Full Text of Bill

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If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.

@ 52524fbb:ae4025dc

Gold mostly referred to as ultimate safe-haven asset amidst economic uncertainty or market makes investors desperately flock to it for stability. This traditional view scratches surface of gold's role barely in an increasingly complex global landscape interconnected precariously nowadays. Critical analysis reveals XAUUSD as a highly sensitive barometer of geopolitics. its price movements frequently mirroring the flow of tensions internationally. Astute traders unlock gold's full potential by recognizing an intricate relationship quietly beneath surface level market fluctuations daily.

Gold earns its safe haven label largely due to it's perceived ability of preserving wealth amidst faltering fiat currencies or traditional assets suddenly. This phenomenon persists remarkably during severe financial turmoil or episodes characterized by unusually high inflation rates nationwide. Apparently geopolitical events introduce a disparate dimension of risk not just economically but systemically affecting everything pretty badly. Major conflicts erupt suddenly between global powers and XAUUSD often reacts vigorously transcending risk aversion in turbulent geopolitical landscapes. It morphs into reflection of looming disruptions across global supply chains and potential sanctions amidst wildly fluctuating energy prices suddenly.

A sudden escalation of tensions might erupt pretty quickly in some critical oil producing region. Crude oil prices may react rapidly but XAUUSD will likely be impacted swiftly amidst sudden market fluctuations too. Rising oil prices spark inflation fears amidst murky global economic prospects and precarious possibilities of sprawling conflict severely impacting major economies. Gold acts as hedge against unknown terrors and facilitates flight to security palpably tangible when geopolitical landscape becomes rather unpredictably volatile. Gold's status as reserve asset for central banks adds another hefty layer of geopolitical sensitivity pretty much worldwide nowadays. Several central banks mostly in emerging markets have amped up gold reserves partly as diversification tactic away from US Dollar lately. Sovereign entities amass gold strategically in response to geopolitics and shifts in this trend heavily influence global demand and subsequently XAUUSD prices.

Traders leveraging gold as a barometer of geopolitical turmoil must integrate qualitative analysis into strategy very carefully nowadays. It entails vigilantly tracking news from abroad and scrutinizing statements made by diplomats and lofty declarations uttered by world leaders. Anticipating likely responses and understanding economic vulnerabilities of various nations involved can give one an edge potentially in complex situations. A surprise summit between rival nations might signify de-escalation potentially leading quickly to pull-back in gold while sudden military build-up elsewhere could signal opposite XAUUSD retains fundamental safe-haven characteristics yet its role as real-time gauge of global geopolitical risk becomes increasingly pronounced nowadays. Traders gain keen insights into murky market sentiment by watching gold's reaction to tumultuous global events and thereby concoct shrewd trading strategies. Gold ain't merely some flashy metal it's a luminous barometer of global equilibrium shining brightly amidst economic turmoil naturally..

@ 52524fbb:ae4025dc

EURUSD, which is a pair that shows the exchange rate between the Euro and the US Dollar, is arguably the most traded currency pair in the world. Its action the product not of economic announcements but rather a mix of incompatible monetary policies, contrasting economic thinking, and the political stability of two of the largest economic areas in the world - the Eurozone and the US. For traders, this backdrop is key to predicting price movements and containing exposure in this, heavily traded market.

Between European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve a very intricate tango unfolds quietly at the heart of EURUSD currency pair dynamics daily. These two central banks often diverge on monetary policy paths in response to their disparate economic conditions under price stability mandates. Interest rate differential largely drives EURUSD exchange rates heavily nowadays. US Dollar strengthens against Euro pretty quickly when Fed hikes interest rates but ECB keeps rates fairly low thereby attracting sizable capital inflows into US markets due to much higher yields available there. Euro can surge pretty quickly if ECB adopts hawkish stance signaling rate hikes or tightening quantitativelys relative to dovish Fed policy moves.

We can say for a fact that trading EURUSD is a sophisticated exercise in comparing and contrasting two major economies. Success hinges on a deep understanding of the divergent monetary policy stances of the ECB and the Fed, a continuous assessment of their respective economic health and growth prospects, and a keen awareness of the political landscape within the Eurozone. The interplay of these forces creates a constantly evolving environment for the world's most popular currency pair.

@ eb0157af:77ab6c55

Carl Rickertsen completely exits his position in Strategy as insiders sell $864 million worth of stock.

As reported by Protos, Carl Rickertsen, a member of Strategy’s board of directors, has fully liquidated his entire shareholding for over $10 million.

Rickertsen’s decision to completely exit his Strategy position marks a sharp shift from his previous investment stance. In 2022, the executive had shown confidence in the company by investing $700,000 in MSTR shares.

On June 13, 2022, Rickertsen purchased $608,000 worth of MSTR stock at $152 per share. Since then, the stock has rallied 152%. However, by 2023, the director had already sold half of his 4,000-share position.

Rickertsen’s approach to managing his holdings has become increasingly aggressive in recent years. Since joining the board in 2019, he has adopted a strategy of immediately liquidating any stock options received.

One example of this tactic occurred on June 2, when he acquired and sold 26,390 MSTR shares on the same day.

As of June 5 this year, Rickertsen reported zero vested Strategy shares, marking the end of his equity involvement with the company.

Rickertsen’s situation is not an isolated case within Strategy. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reveals a controversial picture. According to information gathered by secform4.com, over the past five years, total insider sales have exceeded purchases by $864 million. This imbalance in insider transactions could raise questions about executives’ confidence in the company’s future.

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