@ 502ab02a:a2860397

กลางทศวรรษ 1930 สหรัฐฯ เริ่มตระหนักว่า หากจะต้องเผชิญกับสงครามใหญ่ครั้งใหม่อย่างที่ยุโรปกำลังลุกเป็นไฟ กองทัพจะต้องพร้อมทั้งกำลังคนและ “กำลังแคลอรี่” โดยเฉพาะในสนามรบ ที่การขนส่งอาหารร้อนเต็มรูปแบบแทบเป็นไปไม่ได้เลย ยุคนั้นสิ่งที่มีอยู่คือ “ration” แบบกระป๋อง หรือแครกเกอร์กับน้ำตาลที่กินได้นาน แต่กินแล้วไม่อยากกินอีก

พันเอก Paul Logan แห่ง Quartermaster Corps เป็นผู้เสนอว่า “ทำไมเราถึงไม่มีอาหารฉุกเฉิน ที่เหมาะสำหรับทหารพกติดตัวได้ตลอดเวลา ให้พลังงานสูง กินง่าย ไม่เสียเร็ว และกินแล้วยังสามารถเดินหน้าต่อได้?” เขาไม่ได้ขอ “ขนม” แต่ขอ “อาวุธ” ทางพลังงาน และเมื่อพูดถึงช็อกโกแลต ผู้ผลิตเบอร์หนึ่งในอเมริกายุคนั้นก็คือ Hershey’s Chocolate Corporation

Logan ติดต่อไปหาประธานบริษัทชื่อ William Murrie ด้วยข้อเสนอที่ฟังดูย้อนแย้งสุดๆ เขาอยากได้ช็อกโกแลตที่ “กินไม่อร่อยเกินไป” เพราะหากมันอร่อยจนเกินไป ทหารจะกินหมดก่อนถึงเวลาจำเป็น จึงเป็นที่มาของภารกิจลับ: “Field Ration D”

โจทย์คือ… ต้องมีน้ำหนัก 4 ออนซ์ (ประมาณ 113 กรัม หรือขีดกว่าๆ) ให้พลังงานมากกว่า 600 kcal ต่อแท่ง ทนความร้อน 120°F (ประมาณ 49°C) ไม่ละลายในกระเป๋าทหาร ไม่อร่อยเกินไป (Seriously!) ช็อคโกแลต 1 แท่งแทนอาหาร 1 มื้อ ดังนั้นทหารแต่ละคนจะได้ช็อคโกแลตนี่ 3 แท่งต่อวัน

Milton Hershey (ผู้ก่อตั้งและเจ้าของอาณาจักรช็อกโกแลต) รับทราบโครงการและสนับสนุนแนวทางเต็มที่ รวมถึงให้ทุนวิจัยและกำลังการผลิตเริ่มต้นและคนที่ทำสูตรสำเร็จคือ Sam Hinkle นักเคมีกับทีมเทคนิคของ Hershey ที่รวมพลังคิดค้นแท่งช็อกโกแลตที่ไม่ละลายง่าย เป็นช็อตโกแลตแท่ง 4 เหลี่ยมผืนผ้า มีรอยตัดแบ่งเป็น 6 ช่อง และมีความแข็งพอจะทุบเป็นอาวุธได้ ในปี 1937 Hershey’s Field Ration D จึงถือกำเนิดขึ้น เป็นแท่งช็อกโกแลตสีน้ำตาลเข้ม แข็งราวอิฐก่อสร้าง มีส่วนผสมของ ช็อกโกแลต
น้ำตาล นมผงพร่องมันเนย ไขมันโกโก้ แป้งโอ้ต เจือกลิ่นสังเคราะห์ และวิตามิน B1 (เพื่อลดภาวะเหน็บชา)

กินแล้วได้พลังทันที แต่ไม่อร่อยพอให้หยิบบ่อย และนี่คือสิ่งที่รัฐบาลสหรัฐฯ ต้องการพอดี ในสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2 ช็อกโกแลตแท่ง Field Ration D กลายเป็นไอเท็มพื้นฐานใน “emergency kit” ของทหารอเมริกันทุกคน โดยเฉพาะในแนวหน้า ไม่ว่าจะเป็นสนามรบในยุโรปหรือในแปซิฟิก

มีข้อมูลบอกว่า จากส่วนผสมของมันที่เน้นด้วย ไขมันและแป้งข้าวโอ๊ต ทำให้ส่วนผสมนั้นข้นหนืดมากจนไม่สามารถใช้กระบวนการผลิตตามปกติของโรงงาน Hershey ในการบรรจุลงแม่พิมพ์ได้ ดังนั้น จึงต้องใช้แรงงานคนในการบรรจุส่วนผสมลงในแม่พิมพ์ขนาด 4 ออนซ์ด้วยมือแทน

เมื่อผลิตส่งไปทัพหน้าแล้วก็มีการค้นพบว่า ยิ่งเวลาผ่านไปมันจะยิ่งแข็งขึ้นไปมากกว่าตอนผลิตเสียอีก ดังนั้นถ้านับจากวันผลิตและกว่าจะขนส่งไปถึงทหารแนวหน้าจริงๆ อาจกินเวลาเป็นปีๆได้ นั่นคือมันจะแข็งอย่างกะก้อนหิน ต้องเอามีดมาหั่นเป็นชิ้นเล็กๆ ถึงจะเคี้ยวได้ และถ้าเอาไปต้มในน้ำเดือดก็จะได้เครื่องดื่มช็อคโกแลตร้อนแทน

แต่กระนั้นในช่วงสงคราม Hershey ก็ผลิต D Bar มากกว่า 3 พันล้านแท่ง และนี่ไม่ใช่ของฟรี บริษัทได้รับสัญญารัฐบาลและการสนับสนุนการผลิตเต็มรูปแบบ

และในปี 1943 Hershey ได้รับรางวัล Army-Navy ‘E’ Award ซึ่งเป็นรางวัลแห่งความยอดเยี่ยมด้านการผลิตยุทโธปกรณ์ ทั้งที่ผลิต “ขนม” แต่ถูกนับว่าเป็นอาวุธทางพลังงาน

เมื่อสงครามจบ ของดี(ของผู้ผลิต)จะทิ้งก็เสียดาย

Hershey และรัฐบาลสหรัฐฯ รู้ดีว่ากำลังการผลิตระดับนี้จะไม่สามารถคงอยู่ได้หากไม่มี “ตลาดรอง” จึงเริ่มเปลี่ยนภาพจำ “Field Ration D” ที่เคยเป็นของแข็งไร้รสชาติ ให้กลายเป็น “ช็อกโกแลตแห่งชัยชนะ” (Victory Chocolate) ทีมการตลาดของ Hershey จึงค่อยๆ ขยับสูตรให้กินง่ายขึ้น เพิ่มโกโก้ เพิ่มความหวาน ลดความแข็ง แล้วเปลี่ยนชื่อสู่แบรนด์พลเรือน เช่น Hershey’s Tropical Bar และต่อมากลายเป็นไอเดียให้แบรนด์ต่างๆ ทำแท่งพลังงานที่อิงโมเดลเดียวกัน หนึ่งในนั้นคือ PowerBar ที่เปิดตัวในยุค 1980 และอ้างอิงถึง “nutritional science” ที่ได้แรงบันดาลใจจากทหาร

เบื้องหลังของความอร่อย คือกลยุทธ์ที่หวานอมขมกลืน Hershey’s Field Ration D คือภาพสะท้อนของแนวคิด “การระดมอุตสาหกรรมเอกชนเพื่อรัฐ” ที่เกิดขึ้นในสงครามโลกอย่างแท้จริง บริษัทเอกชนที่มีศักยภาพถูก “จูงมือ” เข้าสู่ระบบยุทโธปกรณ์ภายใต้ข้ออ้างเรื่อง “ชาติ” และเมื่อชนะสงคราม ก็หันกลับมาครองตลาดพลเรือนด้วยต้นทุนและกำลังผลิตที่ไม่มีใครเทียบได้ ดังนั้น สิ่งที่เริ่มต้นด้วยความหวังดีอย่าง “อยากให้ทหารมีแรง” จึงกลายเป็นต้นแบบของแนวคิดการตลาด “อาหารคือพลัง อาหารคืออาวุธ และอาหารคือธุรกิจที่รัฐสนับสนุน”

Field Ration D ไม่ใช่แค่ช็อกโกแลตแท่ง แต่มันคือสิ่งที่เปลี่ยนวิธีที่โลกมองอาหารแบบพร้อมกิน (ready-to-eat) และกลายเป็นรากฐานของ “Functional Snack” ที่สร้างพฤติกรรมการกินแบบนี้และครองตลาดทั่วโลกในปัจจุบัน โดยมีฉากหลังเป็นทั้งสงคราม การเมือง และการตลาดแบบอเมริกันสไตล์ มันคือจุดเริ่มต้นของยุคสมัยที่มีการเข้ามาควบคุมพฤติกรรมการกินอย่างเป็นระบบ กลไกนี้ได้ขยายไปสู่การพัฒนา power bar หรือ energy bar ที่เราเห็นในตลาดปัจจุบัน มักใช้ผงพืช ผงถั่ว หรือสารสกัดต่างๆ มาขึ้นรูปเป็นแท่ง และถูกโฆษณาว่าเป็น “อาหารดีต่อสุขภาพ” แบบสำเร็จรูป ซึ่งในความเป็นจริงนี่คือกลยุทธ์ที่อยู่เบื้องหลังการกลืนกินพฤติกรรมการบริโภคอาหารแบบใหม่ ที่สร้างขึ้นโดยวงการ future food เพื่อควบคุมและกำหนดรูปแบบการกินทั่วโลก

การเปลี่ยนอาหารให้กลายเป็นสิ่งที่ง่าย สะดวก และพร้อมบริโภคตลอดเวลานั้น ส่งผลให้ผู้คนหันไปพึ่งพาอาหารแปรรูปเหล่านี้มากขึ้น และนี่คือการ “เข้าควบคุมอาหารโลก” ในแบบที่ซ่อนเร้น ผ่านการสร้าง superfood สำเร็จรูป ที่ถูกออกแบบมาให้ตอบโจทย์ตลาด ไม่ใช่ธรรมชาติของมนุษย์อย่างแท้จริง การเข้าใจเบื้องหลังเหล่านี้ช่วยให้เราระวังตัวและตั้งคำถามกับอาหารที่เรากินในทุกๆ มื้อ ว่าจริงๆ แล้ว เรากำลังถูกเลือกหรือควบคุมโดยใครกันแน่

ใครควบคุมอาหาร… คนนั้นคุมเกม #pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก #siamstr

@ 31a4605e:cf043959

Você já ouviu isso antes. Um bitcoiner é questionado sobre seus sats e, com um sorriso irônico, responde: “Perdi tudo num acidente de barco.” Mas de onde vem essa frase? Por que tantos bitcoiners fazem essa piada? E mais importante: o que ela realmente significa?

A origem do meme

A expressão "Lost all my Bitcoin in a boating accident" nasceu nos fóruns americanos de entusiastas de armas e metais preciosos, muito antes do Bitcoin ganhar notoriedade mainstream. O contexto original era o seguinte: alguém perguntava se você ainda tinha sua coleção de armas (ou ouro), e a resposta sarcástica era "infelizmente, perdi tudo num acidente de barco".

Essa desculpa servia como uma forma de recusar-se a declarar posse de bens aos olhos do governo ou de outras autoridades. Afinal, o que não se pode provar que existe, não pode ser confiscado, taxado ou regulado. Com o tempo, essa lógica encontrou um terreno fértil entre os defensores da soberania individual, um grupo no qual os bitcoiners naturalmente se encaixam.

A metáfora da resistência

Quando os maximalistas de Bitcoin adotaram a frase, ela passou a representar mais do que apenas uma desculpa para evitar perguntas incômodas: virou um símbolo de resistência contra um sistema financeiro cada vez mais invasivo e coercitivo. Dizer que “perdeu os seus Bitcoin num acidente de barco” é, muitas vezes, um eufemismo para dizer:

“Não é da sua conta quantos sats eu tenho.”

“Não reconheço a autoridade de quem tenta confiscar meu patrimônio digital.”

“Meus ativos são soberanos, autocustodiados e inalcançáveis por meios tradicionais.”

Bitcoin é liberdade, não compliance

O meme também toca num ponto central da filosofia bitcoin: a autocustódia e o direito à privacidade financeira. Em um mundo onde governos congelam contas, censuram transações e imprimem moeda ao bel-prazer, possuir Bitcoin é uma forma de resistência civil. Mas para que isso tenha valor real, é necessário que o indivíduo assuma a responsabilidade pela custódia e, inevitavelmente, pelo silêncio.

Dizer que você “perdeu seus Bitcoin” também é um lembrete: não fale sobre suas chaves privadas. Não ostente seus sats. Não coloque um alvo nas suas costas.

Um meme com propósito

No fim das contas, o “acidente de barco” é uma piada com um fundo muito sério. Ele nos relembra que, num sistema verdadeiramente soberano, a posse de ativos digitais é algo íntimo, pessoal e — se necessário — negável. É uma forma de reafirmar que o Bitcoin não é apenas uma ferramenta de investimento, mas um instrumento de liberdade.

Então da próxima vez que alguém te perguntar onde estão seus bitcoins, sorria e diga:

“Infelizmente, perdi tudo num acidente de barco…”

E deixe que fiquem imaginando.

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!

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

Yesterday's regiment did the trick and I am now recovered from illness. I assume I caught whatever @grayruby had, after spending hours recording together.

Today, I got back on the OMAD train, but otherwise I still need to get back on track tomorrow, especially with the Sound HSA step challenge starting tomorrow.

Did you achieve your ~HealthAndFitness goals today, stackers?

https://stacker.news/items/1009821

@ 52524fbb:ae4025dc

USD/CHF currency pair showcases Swiss Franc a currency frequently lumped together with Japanese Yen as traditional safe haven asset class. Switzerland's rock-solid fiscal stewardship and beefy financial sector have long rendered "Swissie" highly sought after by jittery investors worldwide. Relying solely on its safe-haven status overlooks a crucial dynamic namely proactive intervention policies of Swiss National Bank and broader European stability. Switzerland's status as safe haven comes with caveat notably during risk-off periods such as financial crises and heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding small export-oriented economy. A ridiculously robust Franc makes Swiss goods ridiculously pricey for foreign buyers directly harming Switzerlands vital export sector potentially precipitating nasty deflationary pressures. SNB has quite a lengthy history of meddling in foreign exchange markets and curbing excessive CHF appreciation pretty vigorously overseas.

Such interventions manifest diversely including outright forex transactions undertaken pretty swiftly or imposition of rather negative interest rates. SNB actions or strongly worded verbal warnings can rapidly flip trends in USD/CHF creating sudden sharp volatility overnight with surprising ferocity. Dramatic unpegging of CHF from Euro in 2015 sent shockwaves through Forex market highlighting SNB's willingness to take drastic protective measures. Traders must stay vigilant for signals from SNB regarding its comfort level with Franc's burgeoning strength quite rapidly every day. Stability of Eurozone profoundly impacts USD/CHF pair beyond direct intervention occasionally with significant effects on currency markets daily. Switzerland's geographical positioning fosters deep economic ties with Eurozone nations which account for much Swiss trade sparking a flight to safety into CHF whenever major EU economic upheaval occurs. Periods of robust Eurozone expansion and unruffled politics can erode demand for Franc as safe haven potentially allowing USD/CHF currency pair to surge upwards. EUR/CHF frequently behaves as harbinger of USD/CHF movements despite being distinct currency pair altogether often unexpectedly.

Traders navigating USD/CHF currency pair require a complex analysis deeply rooted in SNB monitoring pretty closely for policy shifts and interventions. Keep an eye on key economic indicators and political developments within Eurozone as these can trigger safe-haven flows into CHF suddenly. USD/CHF combines allure of Swiss Franc with active management by SNB and susceptibility to economic fortunes of larger European neighbors essentially. Traders face a mercurial environment utterly dependent on grasping central bank machinations and regional upheaval alongside prevailing market mood swings rather tenuously.

@ 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.

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

As I read the news over the past week, we’ve heard of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s nuclear attack planes and Russia’s threats of retaliation. We’ve heard of Israel attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iran returning attacks on Israel’s major cities. I’ve read of AI taking jobs, threatening someone trying to turn it off, and refusing to turn off. There are threats of inflation, market crashes, housing crashes, and monetary crashes. There are riots across the US. There are warnings of potential new pandemics or of calls for terrorist cells to awaken and attack. It is easy to get overwhelmed by everything happening in the world. It is easy to become fearful of everything, but God does not call us to be afraid. He repeatedly tells us to “trust him” and to “fear not.”

Do not fear, for I am with you;\ Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.\ I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,\ Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

With all of the crazy going on in the world, it is easy to worry about our jobs, our families, our country, and even our lives, but God does not want us to worry. He wants us to trust in Him in all things.

And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:22-32) {emphasis mine}

God provides for His own. He doesn’t always provide in the way we wish, but He does provide when we trust in Him. Even when believers die, He provides them a place in heaven.

When we look at the world around us, where everything seems like it is falling apart and/or turning to evil, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus and on eternity.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) {emphasis mine}

What we experience here on earth may sometimes be unpleasant, but it is a “momentary, light affliction” compared to the glory of heaven. Just as labor and delivery of a child is hard and unpleasant, but is worth every effort and pain when you hold your child, in the same way our suffering on earth will seem like nothing compared to the joy of being in the presence of our Creator God and Savior.

My Experiences

I used to try to prepare for everything. When I was young, I would say, “a good Girl Scout is always prepared.” When I got married and had kids, I started trying to prepare for anything that might possibly go wrong. I had extra food, water, and medical supplies. I started a garden. I got chickens. I got rid of chickens when I developed a lung allergy and couldn’t breathe.

None of that was wrong in itself. I’d even argue it could be wise actions, but I was relying on myself and stuff to face the troubles of this world instead of relying on God. That was definitely not good and was not the way to peace.

We also got involved in politics. My husband was in the state legislature. I was a precinct person and involved in precinct, county, state, and national meetings. I helped set the platform for our state political party in two elections and helped set the resolutions in another.

None of that was wrong in itself. I’d even argue that Christians are called to be a blessing to our earthly nations, but it wasn’t the way to peace, nor was it putting my time in effort into the most important things.

I’ve been reading my Bible daily for 40+ years and reading the Bible in a year for 20+ years. For more than a decade I intensely studied the beginnings, Genesis and how science and archaeology support every fact in Genesis. That study really taught me the power of God and how He always keeps His promises.

For the past several years, I’ve switched to spending most of my intense study on end times prophecy. Despite the fact that the end times prophecies predict a time of unimaginable hardship, the promises of the rapture, the millennial kingdom, and eternity with Jesus in heaven brings great peace. The crazy, evil, and agony in the world is not the world falling apart, but God’s controlled, merciful judgment on the world. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I don’t just see everything that can possibly go wrong. I trust God with my life and that of my family.

I still have extra food, water, and medical supplies on hand, but I don’t obsess about it, nor do I put all my trust in my preparations. I still vote, but I have pulled back from political life. I have learned to trust Jesus in these difficult times. I try to be wise, but not worry about every thing that could possibly go wrong. I have gained peace.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. (John 14:26-29) {emphasis mine}

Studying God’s word enables me to know God’s power, trust His promises, and know His predictions. I don’t need to worry because God is in control of everything that happens in the world.

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7) {emphasis mine}

I really can know the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.”

What We Need for Peace

Knowing God’s word can give us peace. We can bring Bible verses to mind as reminders of His promises given and His promises fulfilled. I am going to go through a bunch of verses that we can bring to mind when we are feeling worried and fearful. I’ll probably make a few comments, but I want God’s word to speak to you.

When I am afraid,\ I will put my trust in You.\ In God, whose word I praise,\ In God I have put my trust;\ I shall not be afraid.\ What can mere man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)

It is hard to be afraid when you are praising God.

While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (Mark 5:35-36)

Once trusting Jesus as Savior, we don’t need to be afraid of anything, just believe.

The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,\ A stronghold in times of trouble;\ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,\ For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:9-10)

No matter what we are going through, God is with us and working through us for good. We are never left alone.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

God may allow hard times to come, but it is always for good. There is no pointless pain.

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

It is amazing how we can deal with hardships when we rely on God and not our own power.

For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,\ And His ears attend to their prayer,\ But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:12-16) {emphasis mine}

How amazing is it that suffering can actually be a blessing. There is no witness stronger than the person who keeps the faith and has joy and hope in suffering.

Do not fret because of evildoers,\ Be not envious toward wrongdoers.\ For they will wither quickly like the grass\ And fade like the green herb.\ *Trust in the Lord and do good*;\ Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.\ Delight yourself in the Lord;\ And He will give you the desires of your heart.\ *Commit your way to the Lord*,\ Trust also in Him, and He will do it. (Psalm 37:1-5) {emphasis mine}

When we trust in God, commit our way to Him, and delight in Him, we can have joy in any situation.

Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter,\ The one that remains faithful.\ **The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,\ Because he trusts in You.\ Trust in the Lord forever,\ For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 26:2-4) {emphasis mine}

What a promise! “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:9-10) {emphasis mine}

Do you think of tribulation and poverty as riches? If you trust Jesus, then you are rich in blessings when you experience tribulation and poverty. God does not promise His people ease in this life, but He does promise to use every pain and hardship for good — for our good, the good of others, and His glory. We need to trust Jesus and not fear.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart\ And do not lean on your own understanding.\ In all your ways acknowledge Him,\ And He will make your paths straight.\ *Do not be wise in your own eyes;\ Fear the Lord* and turn away from evil.\ It will be healing to your body\ And refreshment to your bones.** (Proverbs 3:5-8) {emphasis mine}

I need this verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” I definitely want to lean on my own power and understanding and have to remind myself of God’s power, wisdom, and goodness continually so I lean on Him. You have to love what God promises when we trust in Him alone: “healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (2 Timothy 1:6-9) {emphasis mine}

If you haven’t relied on God for everything for a long time, a call to “join with me in suffering for the gospel” probably sounds crazy, but when we live a life “not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace” we quickly learn how everything in life brings more peace and joy. It doesn’t make it easier or nicer necessarily, but it does bring peace and joy like you can’t imagine.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (1 John 4:15-18) {emphasis mine}

If we repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord, the God and Creator of the universe lives in us. Is there anything more magnificent? When we trust in Jesus, “we may have confidence in the day of judgment.” When we love God, He loves us and “perfect love casts out fear.”

What Would I Do?

My son with Down Syndrome loves watching this show called “Mayday, Air Disaster.” It goes through different, real plane crashes and reviews how they figured out why the plane crashed. Sometimes everyone dies. Sometimes everyone lives. Sometimes some live and some die.

Watching this show and seeing the people (in reenactments) screaming in terror as the plane plummets to the ground makes me wonder how I would react in a similar circumstance. If I wasn’t a Christian, I’d probably never set foot on a plane again after watching the show. I’d like to think I would be like Jesus calmly praying “into thy hands I commit my spirit,” but I might be frantically gripping the armrests and screaming like the rest. I don’t guess anyone truly knows until they experience something like that.

Whatever the case, whether we act in perfect faith or whether we have a moment of weakness in fear of danger, pain, and the unknown, Jesus will be there with us, if we have trusted in Jesus as Savior. Everything is better with Jesus.

May our Lord, Creator, and Savior keep us in total faith, love, peace, and joy in Him so that we do not fear, no matter what trials we face. May He help us to lean on Him and not try to do everything ourselves or rely on stuff. May our faithful service and hope during trial glorify Him and draw many to Him.

Trust Jesus

@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3

At @Scoresby's request, this is a summary of the different places to engage in sports betting degeneracy with your bitcoin.

Predyx

Starting with ~Stacker_Sports' favorite, Predyx is a lightning only prediction market, where you can buy and sell shares directly with your own wallet. Despite still being in beta, they're already the most fun betting site and they offer better odds (i.e. lower spreads) than the regular sportsbooks discussed below. We also have access to one of the founders, @mega_dreamer, and devs, @emre, right here on Stacker News. They also took over ~oracle from @ek. These are our people.

The focus is more on longer term and more noteworthy outcomes (not exclusively sports), so they don't have the full offerings of parlays and moneylines and so forth that you might be looking for. However, the real-time odds adjustments as other participants buy and sell presents great opportunities to capitalize on price movements.

BetPlay

BetPlay is a traditional online sportsbook that allows lightning deposits and (I think) bitcoin denominated bets. They also accept various shitcoins, including fiat, and report all values in fiat terms, which is frustrating when you're trying to make a specific sats valued bet. The latter is useful for arbitraging odds mismatches with Predyx or Ember.

Also, my favorite thing about BetPlay is that you can watch live feeds of just about every sporting event in the whole world. It's amazing.

Ember

This one is fun, but comes with a major caveat emptor. Ember is a mobile app (referral code MNGKHFGBTRM) that streams sats to you at a fairly slow rate when you login. With those sats you can bet on upcoming sportsball matches from several different sports. While games are in progress, keep track of the odds over at BetPlay, just in case there are opportunities for arbitrage that you want to take advantage of.

The warning is that we've experienced inexplicable losses of sats from our balances and had difficulty withdrawing, so I strongly recommend against buying sats from them to increase your balance. Just play with the free sats and have some fun microbetting. I think Ember is supposed to have lightning withdrawals, but I have yet to be eligible for a withdrawal.

Freebitcoin

OGs remember freebitcoin as a faucet that used to give away ludicrous amounts of bitcoin, but they offer a seemingly random smattering of sports betting options too. The biggest downsides are being on-chain only (with a withdrawal fee) and the limited offerings.

What I most enjoy about Freebitcoin is that they have an unusual betting model and actually offer better-than-fair odds to early bettors. The rub is that when you place an early wager you have no idea what the odds will end up being, because it's a betting pool that divvies up the pot proportionally to those who picked the winner (usually). They have gotten outcomes wrong and never corrected their mistake.

I've described my approach thoroughly in RBOA: Risk Balanced Odds Arbitrage, but it's basically to bet early on all the outcomes and make a small not-quite-guaranteed return.

You can also check the odds right before a match begins to take advantage of mismatches with either BetPlay or Predyx.

Nitro Betting

Nitro Betting is very similar to BetPlay, but is on-chain. My cursory comparisons of odds on the two sites indicate that Nitro might have slightly lower spreads than BetPlay. However, I don't know if that compensates for on-chain fees for deposits. They also have higher minimum bets and a minimum withdrawal threshold. They do, however, express bets in bitcoin terms (rather than fiat), which is nice.

---

What are your favorites, stackers?

Are there any I missed?

https://stacker.news/items/1009810

@ dfa02707:41ca50e3

Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.

This update brings key enhancements for clarity and usability:

• Recent Blocks View: Added to the Send tab and inspired by Mempool's visualization, it displays the last 2 blocks and the estimated next block to help choose fee rates.
• Camera System Overhaul: Features a new library for higher resolution detection and mouse-scroll zoom support when available.
• Vector-Based Images: All app images are now vectorized and theme-aware, enhancing contrast, especially in dark mode.
• Tor & P2A Updates: Upgraded internal Tor and improved support for pay-to-anchor (P2A) outputs.
• Linux Package Rename: For Linux users, Sparrow has been renamed to sparrowwallet (or sparrowserver); in some cases, the original sparrow package may need manual removal.
• Additional updates include showing total payments in multi-payment transaction diagrams, better handling of long labels, and other UI enhancements.

• Sparrow v2.2.1 is a bug fix release that addresses missing UUID issue when starting Tor on recent macOS versions, icons for external sources in Settings and Recent Blocks view, repackaged .deb installs to use older gzip instead of zstd compression, and removed display of median fee rate where fee rates source is set to Server.

Learn how to get started with Sparrow wallet:

Release notes (v2.2.0)

• Added Recent Blocks view to Send tab.
• Converted all bitmapped images to theme aware SVG format for all wallet models and dialogs.
• Support send and display of pay to anchor (P2A) outputs.
• Renamed sparrow package to sparrowwallet and sparrowserver on Linux.
• Switched camera library to openpnp-capture.
• Support FHD (1920 x 1080) and UHD4k (3840 x 2160) capture resolutions.
• Support camera zoom with mouse scroll where possible.
• In the Download Verifier, prefer verifying the dropped file over the default file where the file is not in the manifest.
• Show a warning (with an option to disable the check) when importing a wallet with a derivation path matching another script type.
• In Cormorant, avoid calling the listwalletdir RPC on initialization due to a potentially slow response on Windows.
• Avoid server address resolution for public servers.
• Assume server address is non local for resolution failures where a proxy is configured.
• Added a tooltip to indicate truncated labels in table cells.
• Dynamically truncate input and output labels in the tree on a transaction tab, and add tooltips if necessary.
• Improved tooltips for wallet tabs and transaction diagrams with long labels.
• Show the address where available on input and output tooltips in transaction tab tree.
• Show the total amount sent in payments in the transaction diagram when constructing multiple payment transactions.
• Reset preferred table column widths on adjustment to improve handling after window resizing.
• Added accessible text to improve screen reader navigation on seed entry.
• Made Wallet Summary table grow horizontally with dialog sizing.
• Reduced tooltip show delay to 200ms.
• Show transaction diagram fee percentage as less than 0.01% rather than 0.00%.
• Optimized and reduced Electrum server RPC calls.
• Upgraded Bouncy Castle, PGPainless and Logback libraries.
• Upgraded internal Tor to v0.4.8.16.
• Bug fix: Fixed issue with random ordering of keystore origins on labels import.
• Bug fix: Fixed non-zero account script type detection when signing a message on Trezor devices.
• Bug fix: Fixed issue parsing remote Coldcard xpub encoded on a different network.
• Bug fix: Fixed inclusion of fees on wallet label exports.
• Bug fix: Increase Trezor device libusb timeout.

Linux users: Note that the sparrow package has been renamed to sparrowwallet or sparrowserver, and in some cases you may need to manually uninstall the original sparrow package. Look in the /opt folder to ensure you have the new name, and the original is removed.

What's new in v2.2.1

• Updated Tor library to fix missing UUID issue when starting Tor on recent macOS versions.
• Repackaged .deb installs to use older gzip instead of zstd compression.
• Removed display of median fee rate where fee rates source is set to Server.
• Added icons for external sources in Settings and Recent Blocks view
• Bug fix: Fixed issue in Recent Blocks view when switching fee rates source
• Bug fix: Fixed NPE on null fee returned from server

Announcement / Archive
GitHub Repo

@ 90c656ff:9383fd4e

You've probably heard it before. A bitcoiner is asked about their sats and, with a sly smile, replies: “I lost it all in a boating accident.” But where did this phrase come from? Why do so many bitcoiners make this joke? And more importantly: what does it actually mean?

The Origin of the Meme The phrase "Lost all my Bitcoin in a boating accident" originally came from American forums among gun and precious metal enthusiasts—long before Bitcoin entered the mainstream. The original context went like this: someone would ask if you still owned your gold or firearm collection, and the sarcastic response would be, “Unfortunately, I lost everything in a boating accident.”

This excuse was used as a way to avoid declaring ownership of assets to the government or other authorities. After all, what can’t be proven to exist can’t be taxed, confiscated, or regulated. Over time, this logic found fertile ground among advocates of individual sovereignty—a group where bitcoiners naturally belong.

The Metaphor of Resistance When Bitcoin maximalists adopted the phrase, it came to represent more than just an excuse to dodge uncomfortable questions—it became a symbol of resistance against an increasingly invasive and coercive financial system. Saying you “lost your Bitcoin in a boating accident” is often a euphemism for:

“It’s none of your business how many sats I have.”

“I don’t recognize the authority of anyone trying to seize my digital wealth.”

“My assets are sovereign, self-custodied, and unreachable by traditional means.”

Bitcoin Is Freedom, Not Compliance The meme also touches on a core pillar of Bitcoin philosophy: self-custody and the right to financial privacy. In a world where governments freeze accounts, censor transactions, and print money at will, owning Bitcoin is a form of civil resistance. But for that to have real power, the individual must take responsibility—not just for custody, but for silence.

Saying you “lost your Bitcoin” is also a reminder: Don’t talk about your private keys. Don’t flaunt your sats. Don’t paint a target on your back.

A Meme With a Purpose At the end of the day, the “boating accident” is a joke with a very serious undertone. It reminds us that in a truly sovereign system, the ownership of digital assets is something intimate, personal—and, if needed, deniable. It’s a way to reaffirm that Bitcoin is not just a tool for investment, but a tool for freedom.

So next time someone asks where your bitcoins are, just smile and say:

“Unfortunately, I lost it all in a boating accident…”

And let them wonder.

Thank you very much for reading this far. I hope everything is well with you, and sending a big hug from your favorite Bitcoiner maximalist from Madeira. Long live freedom!

@ 52524fbb:ae4025dc

EUR/GBP currency pair offers fascinating insight into divergent economic paths of Euro and British Pound wielding European powerhouses with starkly differing monetary policies. Situated geographically close yet starkly diverging economically post-Brexit this cross-channel nexus teems with lucrative opportunities for canny traders keenly observing contrasting fortunes amidst wildly divergent policy responses in Eurozone and United Kingdom. EUR/GBP reflects relative economic health starkly and monetary policy stances vehemently of European Central Bank alongside Bank of England pretty much. Both central banks share a price stability goal and react differently to economic environments resulting in significant movements within currency pairs occasionally.

Eurozone inflation persists markedly higher than UK rates or strong growth momentum prevails and ECB adopts decidedly hawkish stance by raising interest rates. Divergence in monetary policy makes Euro suddenly rather attractive leading to significant EUR/GBP appreciation very quickly over time. EUR/GBP will likely plummet if UK economy outshines Eurozone or BoE signals an aggressive rate hike pretty quickly. Brexit has been quite a pivotal factor undoubtedly for this particular pair of entities somewhat controversially. UK's departure from EU spawns long-term structural changes that subtly influence economic performance of both regions rather slowly now. Shifts in convoluted supply chains and disparate regulatory regimes can spawn enduring headwinds or surprisingly robust tailwinds for one economy or another very suddenly. UK businesses encountering heftier trade friction with EU nations versus their Eurozone rivals can hamper productivity and stunt growth thereby putting downward pressure on the Pound relative to the Euro.

Political developments in Eurozone and UK play a significant role alongside major structural shifts and unprecedented monetary policy decisions. Fiscal cohesion among Eurozone member states and stability of common currency are threatened by crises in major economies like France or Germany. Domestic political stability in UK and implementation of post-Brexit policies alongside fraught discussions with EU regarding Northern Ireland are pretty critical. EUR/GBP pair offers unique advantage being fairly less susceptible broadly to global risk sentiment compared pairs involving US Dollar or Yen. Its movements get finely calibrated rather irregularly according mostly to relative strengths or glaring weaknesses and also policy choices of two economies. EUR/GBP yields intriguing trading prospects for astute traders capable of deciphering such intricate narrative across multiple channels effectively.

@ 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 Thai government has eliminated taxes on gains from cryptocurrencies until 2029 to attract investors and promote the digital asset sector.

According to Efinance Thai, Thailand has approved a five-year tax exemption on profits from the sale of Bitcoin and other digital assets. The decision aims to position the country as one of the world’s leading digital financial hubs.

On June 17, Thailand’s Cabinet officially approved the tax measure proposed by the Ministry of Finance. The initiative removes personal income tax on capital gains from the sale of cryptocurrencies conducted through licensed operators under the 2018 Digital Asset Business Act.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that the tax policy is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to turn Thailand into a major global center for Bitcoin and blockchain-based financial services.

The capital gains tax exemption will be in effect from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029. It applies exclusively to transactions carried out via exchanges, brokers, and dealers licensed and regulated by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Thai authorities estimate that this tax reform will boost the domestic Bitcoin market, generating positive spillovers for the country’s innovative tech ecosystem. Economic projections indicate a medium-term increase in tax revenues of at least 1 billion baht (around $30 million), driven by sector growth and fresh investment inflows.

According to the government, the initiative is also expected to encourage capital raising through digital tokens and foster the development of blockchain-based financial services.

The post Thailand abolishes taxes on Bitcoin: five-year tax exemption appeared first on Atlas21.

@ d9a329af:bef580d7

Note: All biblical references use the 1599 Geneva Bible. No other version is used unless specified to be either Young's Literal Translation or a modern-day spelling Wycliffe for clarification.\ \ Shabbat Shalom again.\ \ This time around, I want to cover the lunisolar calendar, and how this affects the days one is supposed to work. Most Christians are fooled by the idea of a repeating 6 day/1 day cycle, which actually comes from Constantine in the 4th century AD. This is what the Roman Catholic Church enforces when it comes to the calendar, which is a solar-only calendar intead of a different one.

The Lunisolar Calendar

The lunisloar calendar is a 29.5 day cycle (some months being 29 days, the others being 30), and has four rest days, which are the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th of the month. These are classified as your Sabbaths (Shabbatot in the Hebrew). There's way more to this, but I will provide my thoughts on it, and why I posted something asking people not to zap it last week. Most references piggyback off of the work of David Nikao Wilcoxson, who studied this in depth for a long time.\ \ The basic idea of this calendar is that it's one that was practiced for at least 3,000 years. This calendar in particular was the exact calendar we were taught in the Scriptures, which Catholic leadership and Jesuits don't want us to understand. More on that later. For now, though, let us take a look into how a day is supposed to be structured, as follows.

The Daylight Cycle

The day starts at sunrise, and not sunset like how the Jesuits wanted it. It was always the former, as the term boqer (Strongs H1242) is the morning; whereas yom (Strongs H3117) means day, laylah (Strongs H3915) is night and ereb (Strongs H6153) is evening. Genesis 1 makes the assertion of how a day is structured, as follows in Verse 5:\ \ "And God called the Light, Day (Yom), and the darkenes, he called Night (Laylah). So the evening (Ereb) and the morning (Boqer) were the first day."\ \ Think about this for a second. Does it clearly state that a day starts at sunset, and end at a different sunset? This certainly can't match the natural order of things. However, the only sunset to sunset in the Scriptures is the Day of Attonement (Yom Kippurim), which starts at sunset the day prior, and ends at sunset the day of.\ \ Beside that, Genesis 1:5 clearly talks about the day starting just when the sun rises, as creation was done during the daytime, and not during the evening (as that was a rest). This is what's classified as a full day. This is why you'd observe a Shabbat (a lunisolar Shabbat for me, as I had described) during the daytime, and not during the night, for that doesn't make any sense in the grand scheme of things.\ \ To see when a day ends, let us take a look at Exodus 12:5,6 in order to know exactly when a day ends, as follows:\ \ "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of a year old: ye shall take it of the lambs, or of the kids.
 And ye shall keep it untill the fourteenth day of this month: then all the multitude of the Congregation of Israel shall kill it at even"\ \ This clearly talks about when the lamb is to be killed during passover. Keep in mind that animal sacrifices are not necessary after 31 AD due to the death of Messiah as the sacrificial lamb (This was on March 13th of that year). It's during the night (laylah), which falls between dusk (ereb) and dawn (boqer).\ \ Exodus 12:7-10 dictate that the lamb was to be eaten on the Passover, the 14th day of Nisan, before the next morning (the Shabbat on the 15th day of the month). It was eaten or burned.\ \ https://thescripturalcalendar.com/saturday-is-not-the-scriptural-sabbath-day/This particular study has more information on this matter, as it's too much for me to cover here. Let me move on.

Why Saturday and Sunday are Not the Weekly Shabbat

The home page of Wilcoxson's site for this calendar proves why a repeating 6 work day/1 Sabbath cycle is completely fraudulent. Let me get into that a bit with how the Shabbat works.\ \ Many people who came out of Romanism believe that Scripture mandates a repeating cycle of 6 work days and 1 rest day, though Seventh Day Adventists will proclaim that Sunday Shabbat is the Mark of the Beast (wholly unproven, by the way). I was SDA for a while, but thought it was much more insidious than that, surely.\ \ When Messiah carried out his ministry, there was an 8-day calendar the Romans were using at the time, so no 7-day week. Saturday wasn't even a thing at all, even. That said, Constantine would move the Shabbat to the 7th day (which is Saturday) in the 4th century, as mentioned, where he thought to change the times and the seasons. Antichrist Beast Pope Gregory XIII would reform it once again to his calendar, reflecting the solar cycle accurately, dropping 10 days from the calendar.\ \ This current 7th day is offset by three, causing the theory of 6 work days/1 rest day to be completely broken down. This clearly shows that Saturday was not always the 7th day of the Roman calendar.\ \ All of this is to say that a Scriptual Shabbat cannot be every 7 days, and this solar cycle is interrupted with a New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) at the head of the month, which is commanded. That is what invalidates the Roman solar calendar's importance in determining the Shabbat. This study proves that big time.

Conclusion

This is a relatively new deal for me, and I've been doing it for a few months at this point. I've been much better with it, and understanding the calendar more than even my elders (and they're supposed to know the truth... but I guess the Jesuits got them down bad for taking the Mark of the Beast by revering [forehead] and obeying [right hand] the Pope). Then again, I'm still learning this, and hopefully, this starts you testing what I've said against the Scriptures.\ \ Shalom.

@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d

Zurich, 18th June — Relai has always been committed to offering the simplest and most intuitive way to buy bitcoin and hold the coins in a self-custodial manner.

From their 0% fee auto-invest plan up to 100 CHF/EUR per month, to their fast buy flow for one-time purchases.

That commitment is evident in the ever-growing user base, with over 500,000 app downloads, more than 85,000 active users, and a total user investment exceeding $1 billion. Relai users are enthusiastic about the brand and eager to use it to acquire generational wealth.

However, although owning bitcoin in a self-custodial manner is excellent, one must also think about the long-term security and protection of that wealth. By having bitcoin in a self-custody setup, one is already doing a great job; however, a better alternative is available: multisig.

This is why Relai is excited to announce its partnership with Casa, offering a simple and intuitive way to keep your hard-earned wealth in a safe setup.

For Relai users, particularly those with larger holdings or long-term goals, Casa is the ideal next step. Relai helps you stack; Casa enables you to secure. Adem Bilican, Co-Founder and CTO of Relai said:

“Self-custody is at the heart of Bitcoin’s promise. As our users continue to accumulate and grow their holdings over time, we recognize the need for long-term solutions designed for serious Bitcoin enthusiasts.

“Casa is the ideal partner – a sovereignty-focused and user-friendly solution. Together, we’re helping users secure not just their savings, but their legacy.”

Nick Neuman, CEO of Casa, stated:

“Casa’s mission is to maximize sovereignty and security in the world. The best way we can do that today is by making sovereign bitcoin custody as safe and simple as possible. Our partnership with Relai will help people stack bitcoin and store it securely, for themselves and their families.”

With this partnership, both companies will offer a first-of-its-kind model for everyday users to acquire bitcoin and keep it secure for generations to come, either by maintaining it in a multisig setup or by taking it a step further and also including inheritance plans for next of kin.

Press Contacts:
Joël Kai Lenz, Head of Communications
Email: joel@relai.app

About Relai

Relai is a Swiss startup founded in 2020 in Zurich by Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican. Their Bitcoin-only app is designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing anyone to buy and sell Bitcoin within minutes. Relai stands out in the crowded cryptocurrency market with its unique approach to self-custody. Unlike other platforms, Relai does not hold user funds; instead, it empowers users to control their financial futures with an easy-to-use self-custodial wallet. Relai is a Swiss-licensed financial service provider with $1 billion in trading volume. In 2024, Relai was named one of the fastest-growing startups in Europe, and the company is regularly listed among the top 50 Swiss startups. Learn more at relai.app.

@ 7776c32d:45558888

On the one hand, Iran is justified to defend itself. On the other hand, nuclear bombs are bad.

On the one hand, the US are the only ones that have used nuclear bombs on civilians.

On the other hand, I live in the US. That makes me especially scared of nukes going off on US soil.

Both hands now:

Guess where nukes need to be to go off on US soil?

Guess where the US military stores and transports a lot of nukes?

Did you know they've lost more than one?

I don't want nuclear bombs being stored and transported near me by people so incompetent, they've lost a single one ever. Let alone multiple.

Why would I trust they'll never let one go off where it's not supposed to?

If Iran had nuclear bombs, they might hit me someday when climate change makes Iran uninhabitable and the world's refugee policy is "let them die." That hasn't happened yet.

They have no reason to end the world in a nuclear apocalypse right now. The position they're in right now is simple self-defense. There's no need for suicide.

The US doesn't need to do it either, but the US are the ones escalating the risk. The US military are the ones storing and transporting and losing nuclear bombs where I live. They're the ones I'm worried about nuking me today, while I'm typing this.

Right now, today, Iran could secretly have nukes (we "lost") and their nukes still wouldn't be as much of a threat to me as the ones here.

We have nuclear submarines. We have a lot of less inhabited land in Alaska. We could start by banning the military from storing or transporting nuclear bombs in the 48 contiguous states.

But the end goal should be to fully denuclearize, so that we can reasonably ask the rest of the world to come together on that idea. I've been saying this for a few years.

The US nuclear arsenal is ostensibly the most powerful on earth. We invented the things.

The US has bragged for decades about having the most powerful military on Earth. The US has the GBU-43/B MOAB, a conventional bomb that hits as hard as a small nuke, but without the radiation. The US has military bases all over the world.

The US has nuclear armed allies who would defend us until other counterparties join in denuclearizing. Our nukes aren't the only powerful leverage we can use to make sure these allies don't betray us.

Without this arsenal, we wouldn't be sitting ducks.

We would simply be much safer from the insane military-industrial-complex terrorists endangering us all today.

We would still know how to make nukes. We don't need to keep practicing to hone that skill; there aren't even nuclear tests anymore because the mad scientists have all agreed they've gone too far already. Do you realize how far that means we've gone?

A lot of the damage so far has been indirect. The nuclear arms race left particles of irradiated material in the air worldwide, still measurable today, still part of the pollution causing today's increased global cancer rates.

Recent escalation has politicians talking about starting nuclear testing again - just to terrorize the world with more of this indirect damage, when we've already done all the testing we could need.

Iran hasn't done any nuclear detonation tests. They've been very hesitant to try to catch up on this insanity.

I remind you again, nuclear bombs have been used directly on civilians twice. Of course, both times were the US military at the end of World War II. Those war-traumatized, broken people thought it was OK to go again, after doing it once.

Today's war-traumatized, broken people still seem to think that wasn't wrong.

How can we let distrustful and mentally unstable loyalists keep so many nukes, and yet blow up Iran over it?

Mutually assured destruction is not a sane goal. Mutually assured survival is a sane goal.

Let's make the atomic age the last chapter of a spacefaring race's dark, wartorn origin story; not the last chapter of human history altogether.

It's time for people to wake up and come together like never before.

---

Photo attached - courtesy of Wikimedia user Oilstreet - shows the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, or Genbaku Dome. It was the closest building left standing when the city was bombed.

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

The Blockchain Group Buys $20 Million Worth Of Bitcoin

The Blockchain Group has acquired an additional 182 Bitcoin for approximately €17 million ($19.6 million), further expanding its position as Europe’s first Bitcoin treasury company amid accelerating institutional adoption of Bitcoin reserves.

According to a press release issued June 18, the Euronext Growth Paris-listed company completed the purchases through multiple convertible bond issuances totalling over €18 million, subscribed by several investors, including UTXO Management, Moonlight Capital, and asset manager TOBAM.

JUST IN: French publicly traded, The Blockchain Group buys an additional 182 #Bitcoin for €17.0 million

Nothing stops this train pic.twitter.com/fwIqq934Yy

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) June 18, 2025

The acquisitions bring The Blockchain Group’s total Bitcoin holdings to 1,653 BTC, purchased at an average price of €90,081 ($104,000) per coin. The company reported a “BTC Yield” – measuring Bitcoin holdings relative to fully diluted shares – of 1,173.2% year-to-date, significantly outpacing other major corporate holders.

The company’s latest purchases were executed through Swissquote Bank Europe and Banque Delubac, with custody provided by Swiss infrastructure provider Taurus. Additional funding came from the conversion of share warrants into 2.98 million ordinary shares, raising €1.6 million.

We’re seeing unprecedented growth in corporate Bitcoin treasury strategies. The Blockchain Group’s success has created a model for European companies, with new organizations announcing Bitcoin purchases almost weekly.

The company indicated potential plans to acquire an additional 70 BTC through ongoing transactions, which could bring its total holdings to 1,723 BTC. This follows recent Bitcoin treasury announcements from companies including Metaplanet, which now holds 10,000 BTC, and Strategy’s latest acquisition of 10,1000 BTC.

At press time, Bitcoin trades at $104,021, down 1.26% over the past 24 hours, as markets continue to process the implications of growing institutional adoption. The Blockchain Group’s shares were down 3.9% to €4.80 on Wednesday, trading on Euronext Paris.

This post The Blockchain Group Buys $20 Million Worth Of Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Vivek Sen.

@ 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

@ 88cc134b:5ae99079

@ cae03c48:2a7d6671

Bitcoin Magazine

K33 Announces Plans To Purchase Up To 1,000 Bitcoin

K33 AB, a leading digital asset brokerage and research firm, announced today the launch of a SEK 85 million direct share issue to fund the purchase of Bitcoin. The company aims to build Bitcoin as a core asset on its balance sheet, targeting the accumulation of up to 1,000 BTC as a strategic reserve.

PRESS RELEASE: K33 launches a share issue to finance the purchase of up to 1000 Bitcoin, with a minimum of SEK 85 million secured through pre-commitments pic.twitter.com/sG1LZjR6EI

— K33 (@K33HQ) June 18, 2025

The share issue, priced at SEK 0.1036 per share, is fully backed by existing shareholders and new investors. Proceeds from the raise will be used exclusively to acquire BTC, supporting K33’s accumulation strategy revealed in May. By acquiring BTC, the company aims to strengthen its balance sheet, boost brokerage margins, launch new products, and attract more investors.

“This raise marks a major milestone towards our initial goal of acquiring 1000 BTC before scaling further,” commented the CEO of the Company Torbjørn Bull Jenssen. “We strongly believe that Bitcoin represents the future of global finance and are positioning K33 to benefit maximally from this. A strong balance sheet built on Bitcoin enables us to significantly improve our brokerage operation while maintaining full exposure to Bitcoin’s upside potential.”

As part of the strategy, K33 recently completed its first Bitcoin acquisition, purchasing 10 BTC for approximately SEK 10 million on June 3. This transaction is the initial deployment of capital from the SEK 60 million investment commitment announced earlier this year to support the company’s BTC treasury.

“We expect Bitcoin to be the best-performing asset in the coming years and will build our balance sheet in Bitcoin moving forward,” stated Jenssen. “This will give K33 direct exposure to the Bitcoin price and help unlock powerful synergies with our brokerage operation. Our ambition is to build a balance of at least 1000 BTC over time and then scale from there.”

During its Q1 2025 Report and Strategic Outlook presentation, K33 underscored the accelerating institutional adoption of Bitcoin, referencing the rapid growth of the US Bitcoin ETFs, which attracted more capital in its first year than gold ETFs had in the past two decades.

“For K33, Bitcoin is not only a high-conviction asset — it’s also a strategic enabler,” Jenssen said. “With a sizable BTC reserve, we will be able to strengthen our financial position while unlocking new revenue streams, product capabilities, and partnerships.”

This post K33 Announces Plans To Purchase Up To 1,000 Bitcoin 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

Bitcoin Tech Booms: Lightning Data Defies Digital Gold Narrative

Ego Death Capital’s portfolio reveals adoption metrics including $1.5 billion in Lightning-powered trading volume, as Block shocks the industry with their 9.7% Lightning Network yield. 

While bitcoin treasury companies, debates about market structure bills, and strategic bitcoin reserve advocacy dominate the headlines in 2025, a trend is quietly growing in the background: the success of Bitcoin technology companies.

Increasingly recognized as digital gold and a long-term store of value, bitcoin is far more than just a shiny rock in cyberspace. As a software technology, Bitcoin is programmable and has unlocked a new paradigm of payments, custody, settlement and trading possibilities.

Nevertheless, some critics point to the empty blocks on the Bitcoin base layer and historically low transaction fees as implicit proof that Bitcoin is failing as a medium of exchange. Others claim that the Lightning Network has failed to get mainstream adoption and even argue that it suffers from significant privacy problems. But the opposite may be true. 

New data coming out of various companies throughout the industry is starting to paint a different picture. Perhaps the Lightning Network has been so successful in drawing transactions off chain and making them more private that it is hard to quantify success metrics without companies involved sharing the data.

But, a variety of Bitcoin start-ups and companies using bitcoin to build out new financial infrastructure are now starting to boast of their success metrics, claiming numbers that suggest there is a strong product market fit beyond treasury strategies.

Jeff Booth, author of The Price Of Tomorrow and co-founder of the Bitcoin-focused VC firm Ego Death Capital, told Bitcoin Magazine he doesn’t “think the general public has any clue with how fast the Bitcoin ecosystem is growing.” Adding that, “They keep on hearing treasury companies this and politics that, and they’re missing the forest for the trees.” 

Below follows a summary of various companies and projects demonstrating Bitcoin adoption in significant numbers, many of them within the Ego Death Capital portfolio. 

Block: Earning Big on Lightning and Bitcoin Payments

The contrast in perspectives between the digital gold thesis and those that believe in Bitcoin as a payments technology was most recently seen at Bitcoin Vegas 2025 where Block, the parent company of Cash App, disclosed that they are earning 9.7% yield off their Bitcoin Lightning node. 

Miles Suter, Bitcoin Product Lead at Block, told the live audience that “at the infrastructure layer, we’re earning nearly 10% bitcoin-on-bitcoin returns by efficiently routing real payments across the Lightning network. This isn’t yield from altcoin staking or reckless speculation; it’s from solving hard, real-time routing problems, and its real bitcoin-on-bitcoin returns from our corporate holdings via supporting real payments use cases.”

Besides Block’s stunning 9.7% figure announcement, which stood out as one of the most lasting impressions from the conference, Suter claimed that Cash App ranks “among the top bitcoin on-ramps in the U.S., accounting for nearly 10% of on-chain block space at any time,” adding that in 2024, its Lightning usage grew 7x and one in four of their outbound Bitcoin payments are processed on Lightning. These numbers highlight Block’s growth as a Bitcoin payments giant, now perhaps the most common merchant payments terminal and consumer payments app that integrates bitcoin.

Ego Death Capital

Ego Death Capital has been investing in Bitcoin infrastructure start-ups since 2022, initially raising a tactical 30 million dollar fund amid a boom in crypto and altcoin VC investments. 

“When we first raised money, we actually targeted 30 million because the ecosystem at that time was really early. We realized we had to lean into these companies to help them scale. There were a lot of big crypto funds at that time, but they were spraying money everywhere else. And it was largely the exact opposite of what we believed would happen on Bitcoin.” Booth recalled that “Bitcoin was a protocol. It was developing in layers and it was early. And if you realized that and leaned in to help those companies that were developing in the layers, helping the infrastructure be created, then you would accelerate that. You would accelerate what we saw Bitcoin being, a currency, a store of value, an entirely new network.”

“We don’t have a failure in that fund,” Booth said of the firm’s first investment cohort, which included companies like Breez, Relai, LN Markets, Fedi, Wolf and Simple Proof. “That fund is just over three years old. It’s staggering. A number of those companies, I think three of those companies are already profitable — and profitable in bitcoin terms. So adding bitcoin to their treasury each month and growing incredibly fast.” 

Breez: Powering a Global Lightning Payments Network

Breez, founded in 2018, is a self-custodial Lightning-as-a-service provider that enables developers to integrate Bitcoin payments into apps using its open source Breez SDK. By simplifying Lightning’s complexities, Breez has been driving widespread adoption across diverse industries. 

“Over 40 apps have already implemented our SDK in production or beta since we launched it less than 18 months ago. Collectively, ~1.5 million users now have access to self-custodial, peer-to-peer bitcoin payments through these apps. These apps processed over $4.5 million in gross transaction volume in 2024,” wrote Roy Sheinfeld, CEO of Breez, in a January 2025 blog post. 

The “Bitcoin Payments Report” by Breez and 1A1z, released February 2025, added, “The Lightning Network now reaches over 650 million users; driven by integrations with mainstream products, new developer tools, and growing merchant adoption.” A month later Sheinfeld published that “Lightning Pay’s user base has been growing with users moving a billion sats monthly.” Additionally, Breez’s integration with Klever Wallet brought Lightning to “100,000 monthly active users,” as stated in a December, 2024, blog post. 

LN Markets: Lightning-Fueled Trading Takes Off

LN Markets, launched in 2020, is a Bitcoin-native derivatives trading platform, leveraging the Lightning Network for instant settlements and minimized counterparty risk. 

Its Lightning-native login interface demonstrates they are on the cutting edge of Bitcoin technologies and unlocks user experience features that differentiate it from most other advanced trading platforms. The fast payment rails that result from this deep integration with the Lightning Network unlock faster settlement, lower withdrawal fees and provides access to smaller traders throughout the third world, with many users in South America in countries like Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.

“Basically we’ve gone from 50 million in monthly trading volume to 1.5 billion last month in May,” co-founder Romain Rouphael told Bitcoin Magazine, adding that they have gone from “one billion dollar yearly trading volume in 2023 to six billion last year to 12 billion this year.” Profitability is also strong, with Romain stating, “We double our revenue each year and we double our EBITDA as well every year,” and “We are doing millions of Lightning transactions every year” These figures highlight LN Markets’ strong and active user base as well as Lightning’s scalability.

The exchange focuses on

@ 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

@ 6a6be47b:3e74e3e1

Howdy frens! 🤠

☀️ With summer just around the corner, I started wondering—do any of you have “summer reads”? I don’t really have a set list myself, but I’d love to hear if you do, or if you have any books you’re planning to dive into as the days get longer. Please share your picks if you have them!

Thinking back, I realized I don’t always read seasonally, but last summer I finished the final volume of The Boys comic series. I absolutely loved the comics—the show is okay, but the original has more than just shock value. There’s real history and depth, and even though it has its moments of pure ridiculousness, I was hooked from start to finish.

📖 But the book that really stuck with me was one I read three summers ago: Unorthodox, The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman. What a ride! I couldn’t put it down until I finished. Even when it was painful and I was suffering right along with her, I just had to know what happened next.

🖋️The book follows Feldman’s childhood and her escape from her tightly knit Satmar Hasidic community. She was born into a world where every aspect of her life was dictated by strict Orthodox Jewish practice, leaving her with almost no control over her own choices or body. While her story is deeply rooted in her religious upbringing, the struggle for autonomy and self-determination is something many women around the world can relate to, regardless of background or belief.

Feldman’s storytelling is gripping—she takes you by the hand and doesn’t let go until the very end.

There’s a Netflix adaptation, but honestly, I prefer the book. The series is very loosely based on her story, and for me, it loses the intense claustrophobia and emotional impact that made the memoir so powerful.

Reading about her life—how so many things were decided for her, from school to marriage—was truly heartbreaking. It made me reflect on how difficult it can be to break free from a path that seems set in stone.

So, have you read Unorthodox? Do you have any recommendations to add to my never-ending list of books? Or maybe a summer favourite you’d like to share?

See y’all soon, and godspeed!

https://stacker.news/items/1009645

@ 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

@ 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!

@ 7ef5f1b1:0e0fcd27

A Monthly Newsletter by The 256 Foundation

June 2025

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Proto Global, LLC

Introduction:

Welcome to the sixth newsletter produced by The 256 Foundation and supported by Proto! May was an eventful month for the Bitcoin mining industry with events ranging from the second 256 Foundation Telehash to the 2025 Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas. There are several interesting things developing so dive in and catch up on the latest news, mining industry developments, progress updates on grant projects, Actionable Advice with OGBTC, and the current state of the Bitcoin network.

All the industry seems to be abuzz with the word “decentralization”. But you know this is a market top when the companies who have been building an empire on centralized services show up to the decentralization party and try to fit in. This is where words start to lose their meaning. Centralized pools will never decentralize Bitcoin mining full stop.

Definitions:

FinCEN = Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

UTXO = Unspent Transaction Output

Th/s = Terahash per second

Ph/s = Petahash per second

T = Trillion

ASIC = Application Specific Integrated Circuit

GUI = Graphical User Interface

FPPS = Full Pay Per Share

News:

May 5, big news broke in the Samourai Wallet case, the single most important issue looming over the future of Bitcoin and freedom tech development. In a Letter submitted to the court, defense counsel revealed that federal prosecutors had been suppressing exculpatory evidence for nearly year. Apparently, federal prosecutors approached the agency responsible for Money Services Businesses licensing requirements, FinCEN, and asked them for their opinion on whether or not Samourai Wallet would qualify as a Money Transmitter and be required to obtain a Money Transmitter’s License AND FINCEN EXPLICITLY REPLIED “NO”. There are multiple implications of this but to boil it down, this means there were no grounds for bringing the charges against Samourai Wallet in the first place and secondly that federal prosecutors were aware of evidence that pointed to their innocence and decided not to disclose it for almost a year.

May 9, but alas, the rogue federal prosecutors hell-bent on destroying any semblance of freedom-preserving technology responded to the defense counsel’s letter by minimizing their deceit stating that: “There is no basis for a hearing, nor is there anything to remedy…”. An unfortunate outcome considering this would have been the perfect opportunity for federal prosecutors to submit to the direct orders given by the US Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, in the April 7 memo titled “Ending Regulation By Prosecution”.

May 14, Judge Berman, after reading both sides of the issue, decides to suggest that defense counsel raise this issue in the pretrial motion. Signaling that Judge Berman finds little to no issue with the prosecution’s behavior.

May 29, defense counsel submits a number of motions, including bringing up the prosecution’s failure to disclose exculpatory evidence again. Additional motions included things like bringing on an additional attorney from Washing DC, a motion for the defendants to have separate trials, and not least of all a compelling motion to dismiss the case. All signs point to this case going full steam ahead and your support is needed now more than ever, donate to their defense fund through p2prights.org.

May 19, backing up just a bit to capture other news, OrangeSurf published a UTXO Report, available here, which follows on the heels of the raging OP_RETURN debate that has engulfed the hearts and minds of Bitcoiners far and wide the last couple months. One of the concerns from the pro-filter camp is that the UTXO set will get bloated to the point that running a Bitcoin node on consumer hardware won’t be possible any longer. OrangeSurf reports that there are ~173 million UTXOs, half of them are less than 1,000 sats, and most of those are use Taproot. There are several charts and interesting facts in this report, take a look for yourself to see what really goes into the UTXO set.

May 26, BitcoinVeterans holds a Telehash fundraiser seeking donated hashrate to increase their chance of finding a block to support their many great causes. This is an example of the Telehash idea spreading and enabling people to find new creative ways to incorporate Bitcoin into fundraisers.

May 27, centralized mining company, Bitmain, swoops in to decentralize Bitcoin mining! Leave it to Antpool, Bitmain’s mining pool, to jump on the “decentralization” corporate buzz word craze sweeping through the industry lately. At the “World Digital Mining Summit 2025”, which looks like it was a cringe Bitmain controlled side event in Las Vegas riding on the coat tails of the Bitcoin2025 conference, the CEO of Antpool apparently took the stage to unveil their new solution to save the Bitcoin network.

Following up the groundbreaking announcement with this tweet where Bitmain warns that 58% of hashrate is controlled by just two pools! Failing to mention that Antpool combined with their proxies accounts for roughly 40% of the overall network hashrate. The irony is palpable that Bitmain is saying Bitcoin mining needs a reset and Antpool will decentralize mining by giving miners the ability to make their own mining templates, while still maintaining FPPS payouts.

Let’s peel back the layers here and unpack this. FPPS gives miners steady rewards. Block finds on the other hand are variable. So how do pools pay miners a steady amount of Bitcoin when the rewards filling those coffers are not steady, you may ask. Great question! First of all, it takes a metric shit tonne of bitcoin on their balance sheet to offset the periods of time where the pool is experiencing bad luck and not finding any blocks. Read OrangeSurf’s Pool Survival Analysis for full details on the kinds of reserves needed to operate an FPPS pool.

What can pool operators do if they can’t afford the reserves needed? They ask Antpool to bankroll them in agreement to operate as a proxy pool. This is how Antpool absorbed Poolin, Braiins, Ultimus Pool, Binance Pool, SecPool, SigmaPool, Rawpool, Luxor, CloverPool (formerly BTC.com), and Mining Squared.

So what’s the big deal, you might be wondering, it sounds like miners get steady payouts and the pool operators have the cushion they need, where is the downside? Well there are a couple big problems driven by FPPS: One is custody and the other is templates, both lead to increased risk of censorship. The custodian can influence pool operators to behave in certain ways and the pool operator can dictate which transactions are in the templates that miners are hashing on. Another potential issue is increased risk of 51% attacks.

If Antpool is going to continue with the FPPS model then that means, like OCEAN, they will have control over coordinating the payouts but the rest of the transactions in the template can be chosen by the miner. Which brings us to the next layer here and the elephant in the room: is Bitcoin mining really getting decentralized by having miners build templates with a centralized pool?

Enabling miners to build their own templates is a great step in the right direction, don’t get me wrong. However, when there is still a centralized pool coordinating the payouts and counting the shares then the impact on centralization really doesn’t amount to much.

The idea is that a decentralized mining ecosystem would be more censorship resistant and vise versa as that ecosystem becomes more centralized, the more likely censorship attempts are to succeed. The issue is that while miners building their own templates is a good start, the pool operator can choose to or be coerced to enforce limits on which transactions are included in blocks. Such enforcement measures by the pool operator might look like excluding shares from certain users who have submitted work on a non-conforming template or excluding that user’s payout address.

While DATUM and SV2 are good steps toward decentralization, the marketing from companies like OCEAN and their employees/investors has exaggerated the impact of the solutions they have implemented. Suffice it to say that the Antpool announcement should be met with skepticism and centralized pools will never decentralize Bitcoin mining.

Free & Open Mining Industry Developments:

May 5, on Cinco De Mayo 256 Foundation held Telehash #2, the second hashrate-fueled fundraising event. Expectations were high as 256 Foundation descended upon Austin, TX at the former Bitcoin Commons (now the South Nashville Bitcoin Park campus). All of the grant recipients were there to represent their projects and talk about the whole free and open mining stack that 256 Foundation is building. The Telehash ran for 8-hours and a portion of that time featured a panel on the Ember One hashboard with Skot, a panel on the Libre Board with Schnitzel, a panel on Hydra Pool with Jungly, and a panel on Mujina Firmware with Ryan. There were other guests and topics as well throughout the evening. Shout out to The Space Denver for bringing dinner!

Public Pool also joined the effort by running a parallel instance that was mining to the same payout address with roughly 120 Ph/s. In total, at the peaks there were roughly 2,500 workers contributing roughly 245 Ph/s. The best difficulty was 43.5T, achieved by none other than Mega Watt, the same miner who found the golden nonce during Telehash #1.

However, despite all the effort and generous hashrate donations from supporters, unlike Telehash #1, no block was found by any of the miners and 256 Foundation did not raise any money during this fundraiser. The real reward was the frens we made along the way. The Telehash was live-streamed and that feed can be found here.

Grant Project Updates:

The next two days after Telehash #2 there was the TEMS event bringing together industry participants of all shapes and sizes with representatives from mining pools, mining companies, the energy sector, and more. There were several panels covering a wide range of Bitcoin mining related topics. One of the panels featured most of the 256 Foundation grant recipients to discuss a high-level overview of all the projects. That panel was recorded and can be found here.

OpenSats included the 256 Foundation in their eleventh wave of Bitcoin grants, which were announced on May 14. Even though 256 Foundation didn’t find a block at Telehash #2, OpenSats came through in a big way with a grant and generously supports our mission to dismantle the proprietary mining empire. OpenSats is a 501(c)(3) public charity which helps provide sustainable funding for free and open-source contributors working on freedom tech and projects that help bitcoin flourish. Some of the many projects OpenSats has supported in that past include: GrapheneOS, The Tor Project, Sparrow Wallet, SeedSigner, Stratum v2, and more. If you would like to support OpenSats, please do so here.

Additionally, HRF has continued their support of 256 Foundation with another grant for 2025, helping provide a generous portion of the funding needed to keep extending work on Ember One and more. HRF is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. HRF supports a wide range of programs such as the CCP Disruption Initiative, Combating Kleptocracy, and Impact Litigation to name a few. Within the Financial Freedom program at HRF is where you will find grants and financial support for software developers, entrepreneurs, and community builders tackling the most pressing issues facing activists, especially around financial surveillance, suppression, and control. This is where 256 Foundation fits in, because dismantling the proprietary mining empire unlocks innovations in Bitcoin mining that enable anyone to gain access to these emerging technologies. In addition to grants, there are a number of other initiatives within the Financial Freedom program like the Financial Freedom Report, the Finney Freedom Prize, and CBDC Tracker. Additionally, there are in-person events hosted throughout the year such as the Global Bitcoin Summit. You can support HRF and their many programs and initiatives here.

Ember One

There is not a whole lot to update on the Ember One project. The first release was published at the end of April, at the conclusion of the first grant cycle, and can be found here. There are a couple of modifications that are going to be made for v4 such as adding a reverse polarity protection circuit and another precautionary circuit that will help protect USB connected devices in the event of a spike in voltage. Once v4 is ready and released, there will be a small batch of Ember Ones produced specifically for testers and developers; more news on this to be announced. Otherwise, Ember One development with the Intel BZM2 chip will resume this fall, the exact timing is still to be determined.

Libre Board

Schnitzel wrote a great thread on the Libre board which can be found here. In it, he explains the reasoning behind building an open-source control board, why 256 Foundation decided not to use the recently open-sourced Braiins Control Board, and some of the applications that the Libre Board will unlock. Currently, considerations are being made for exactly which connectors will be included on the Libre Board, how many of each, and what their placement should be. So far, the list of connectors/buttons that will be included on the first Libre Board include:

• Power Button
• Boot mode button
• SD card slot
• LED indicator
• MIPI
• HDMI
• Ethernet
• USB-C port x1
• 4-pin JST SH connector
• 12-24v power input
• USB-C data-only ports x 4
• Fan connectors for hashboards x4
• Raspberry Pi HAT
• Two 100-pin Compute Module connectors
• Battery
• Control board fan
• NVME SSD connector

Mujina Firmware

Development on Mujina continues to progress, the ability for the firmware to deliver a work payload to the ASICs and get a response is working now; nearly completing one of four primary interfaces that the firmware must handle: delivering work to the ASICs and handling the responses being one, the API interface for things like a GUI being two, retrieving work from the pool and passing back shares being three, and reading on-board systems like temperature sensors being the fourth.

Hydra Pool

The first iteration of Hydra Pool was used for the Cinco De Mayo Telehash, a fork of CK Pool on the back end that used a modified version of the CK Stats interface for the front end. There were some lessons learned through this exercise and some issues with the back end resulted in the server being restarted approximately nine times during the first few hours of the Telehash before a correcting change was made and that particular issue was resolved.

As development continued after the Telehash, the decision was made to not use CK Pool as the code base for Hydra Pool. Both DATUM and Stratum v2 were examined as potential code bases to start with for the Stratum server however, after review the decision was made instead for Hydra Pool to now be a simple Stratum server built from the ground up in Rust. Going forward, this will be the foundation used to build the rest of Hydra Pool on top of. Most of this foundational stratum server is currently working and passing internal tests. Testing will be opened to the public soon and announcements along with instructions will be provided at that time.

Actionable Advice:

During TEMS, there was a panel titled: “Beating The Texas Heat” featuring mining pro Marshall Long, moderated by econoalchemist. The following is a transcript of that panel which is full of insight from Marshall gained over years of experience. If you prefer to watch the video of this panel, it can be found here.

eco: Marshall, I heard it gets hot in Texas...

Marshall ⁓ you know, we've got two seasons in Texas. We have first summer and we have second summer, so.

eco: All right. What are the most promising cooling technologies currently being deployed to handle Texas's extreme heat in mining operations?

Marshall: You know, a lot of people still run air mines here. The challenge is not only heat, but also, you know, the upkeep, the maintenance. You know, the guys at Riot do a great job but you know it's a tall order. You know, their new site is… There's a lot of immersion there and it's not necessarily just for cooling efficiency, but it also keeps the machines much cooler and cleaner.

So, you know, longevity of your machines is a big part because in some places in Texas, it's so humid that even if it gets dusty, you can get shorts. So like mining in Houston, pain in the neck just because it is so humid. So there's the heat, there's the humidity, there's dust. You know, a lot of these places are on job sites, construction sites. All that stuff is, you know, reason to seek alternative measures and then when people ask me well, do you want two-phase cooling? Do you want a regular single phase cooling? Do you want hydro? What's the kind of like, what's the take and I ask people: Where do you want your pain and when do you want it? You know, if you want to do hydro your pain is gonna be upfront because it's expensive and the setup is not trivial. It's a little bit different than normal setups. It's gonna cost you a lot but, you know, you're gonna eat it all up front.

Immersion, single phase immersion is a little bit of a longer process. It's less expensive. There's other reasons why you might wanna do it. You can use off the shelf air miners that you retrofit. You know, it's only been very recent that OEMs have been making immersion specific machines. ⁓ And then, know, air you can, it's easy to start, but to keep it going, you're gonna get your pain on the back end forever.

So you just got to pick your poison and where you want to deal with it. Have you taken any operations that were like air and then decided to upgrade them to like hydro or immersion or? Yeah, sure. So that's a bit of an easier task. Doing it the other way, much bigger pain in the neck. You got to take apart the machines and do all these kinds of stuff. I mean, if you want to hear, you know, terror and war stories, I mean, you know.

Mr. Schatz and I could sit around a ⁓ fireplace for many hours and cry many tears about how that works. So it's better you make your choice the right first time and then you never have to make it again. And then just stick with it.

eco: How do air-cooled and liquid-cooled or hydro-cooled, for that matter, systems - how do they compare in performance, cost, long-term reliability ⁓ specific to the Texas climate?

Marshall: Yeah, sure. So the hydro is just kind of like a newer thing. So it's a bit harder to say long term how that shakes out. It's gotten better. You know, the difficulties there are, you know, if you have to take those machines out, you know, those can be 80 pounds a piece. So it's really hard on the ops guys, ops guys and gals to do that stuff. I mean, it's it's backbreaking to the stores, especially if they go out or they have power supply problems, you know, water and electronics doesn't really mix that well. So there's other additional safety concerns there.

However, you get a benefit if you want to use the heat for other things. like where this beer is made, we have a hydro set up and off the manifold, we preheat the water using the hydro set up. And so, you know, it makes heat reuse much easier. ⁓ It's just they're heavier, they're more expensive, but they use more power. So they're three phase. So, you know, how your power is set up is a consideration. If you only have single phase power, probably not the right fit.

You know, the, the immersion has a benefit of being able to use immersion specific things or being able to convert air miners to immersion miners as well. So there's that, those are kind of the main considerations there.

eco: Do you find yourself running like a mix of different cooling techniques in one operation, or is it just like across the board, all the, all this whole, this whole setup here is going to be all air, this one's going to be all hydro, etc?

Yeah, you know, usually unless it's like a long lived site, you know, like the Riot site's a great example, you know, that's been a very long standing massive operation and they've iterated with the times and you can kind of see that iteration as they go on, you know, their building design changed and their infrastructure setup changed a little bit as they got smarter. But if you're just like new getting into it, most setups are going to be just one and done unless, you know, you're a big guy who's got a huge long power contract.

⁓ You know if you're not trying to go super mega industrial scale and you're having to change as the years go, you know, you're probably just going to have one set up. You're going to make a choice and you're going to stick with it and then what role does facility design play in maximizing cooling efficiency and overall energy sustainability? Yeah, the design is important. It's the most important for, I'll give you a good example, so when you do a immersion right and Cameron will tell you this and all the guys at Shell will tell you this: The fluid you choose, that's a really big consideration. There's a lot of vendors, right? You got Exxon, you got engineered fluids, and they all sell what they claim is different. But as time goes on, you can tell those products are mostly the same or widely different. You can see fluid changing colors, and then it becomes more acidic and maybe eats all your machines, right? So doing work on the chemistry side for immersion is like, huge.

It's less about the price today as it is the price over five years because the fluid is not free. As much as Cameron would like to sell it for free, well, maybe he wouldn't like to sell it for free, but ⁓ that fluid's expensive.

eco: Yeah, and does it come with guarantees? Like, we guarantee you can run this fluid for 2,000 hours before it needs to be changed. I mean, every vendor's different, right? So what each vendor will say...

Marshall: Most of them will say that their stuff has been signed off by the manufacturer, know, that maybe it doesn't void your warranty, stuff like that. They've done work with the manufacturers, but the chemistry is different and unique between all of them. And so, you know, when we first got into immersion in like 2018, we just use mineral oil. And over time, that stuff breaks down. And I had a host of S9s just get fried because we became conductive. I didn't know that could happen. So like microfluidics engineering is like a whole field.

And you really got to do your diligence before you just buy the cheapest or what they claim is the best. There's a whole bunch of considerations around what pump do I use? Does it change viscosity when it changes temperatures? Like there's a bunch of stuff and every vendor's got different aspects. So another example is, if you got a certain type of fluid, maybe your fire suppression system has to change to meet code, right? Is the flash point of this fluid so high that maybe you don't need fire suppression in your building? There's a lot of give and takes there.

eco: Wow, yeah, so that goes into the design of the facility too. Do they like do them? Are the manufacturers like suggesting or dictating like you've got to use this pump if you're running this fluid or like, you know, we can't get results if you're running this other type of pump.

Marshall: No, not generally. They're not going to really make a recommendation on like infrastructure. They'll tell you what they've used before and maybe try to like guide you. They'll be as helpful as possible. But, you know, most pumps for more or less are just as a reliability thing, you you buy a cheap pump, it's probably going to crap out earlier than a nice pump. They'll give you more guidance around like flow rates and you know, they can, you know, at least show anyway, they've been very helpful. They'll do like a fluid simulation of your design for you and say like, maybe you can optimize here. Maybe this drop of this pipe could be different. It's at scale when you're buying a lot that's more collaborative than just buying stuff off the shelf. So ⁓ I'll say they'll help you as much as they can, but they're not going to vouch for other companies' equipment.

eco: Can they help you in supporting ways, like doing oil analysis after the fluid's been in use and kind of give you an idea of the metals that are starting to show up and break down?

Marshall: Yeah, so that's a big thing that a good fluid vendor should offer you, where maybe you have a chemist that can do small-scale testing, like voltage breakdown to see at what point does the voltage, does the fluid conduct the electricity or acidity levels. But if you have a good vendor, they should say, like once a quarter or once a month, send us a couple gallons as a sample. And they'll do like full crazy testing. Like Shell's got an FTIR machine, which is like a multi-million dollar machine that can tell you this is how much dissolved silicon from a thermal paste is in there. And this is XYZ, here's your fluid is aged XYZ. They'll give you the whole breakdown. So any good vendor should have a testing facility to do that for you.

eco: And then how many miners are balancing the trade-offs between, or sorry, how are miners balancing the trade-offs between upfront investment and operational savings when selecting cooling infrastructure?

Marshall: Yeah, and I think that's a question that's gonna change based on two things. The public guys are gonna play a different game than the non-public guys. Public guys have a bunch of different considerations. Right now, I ⁓ would say the majority of public miners is let's grow at all costs. Some of them have chosen different treasury management strategies and that kind of stuff and all those kind of, I would say, take a front row to these kinds of design choices. ⁓ I think the industry for hydro, and Tyler and I were just talking about this, is evolving rapidly.

Micro BT is putting out stuff that's like single phase power for exclusively for heat reuse. The Auradine guys just got into hydro recently as well. there's a bifurcation between strategies because they're playing different games. So the arbitration between what they're going to do really comes down to scale and how you can do certain things. Because what I do with my little 10 megawatt shack might be OK in downtown Houston.

But if I do those same kind of things inside the city limits somewhere else, fire marshal's going to get involved, like you can't do things the same way. And there's a bunch of trade-offs. Fire suppression being another example, a guy will come in, well, because this fluid XYZ, he's gonna look at like a safety data sheet and he wants to see when does this fluid become flammable and all these other considerations that mid-tier and small-tier guys don't even have to think about. I imagine there's like… the peripherals can just kind of spiral out of control. All it takes is the fire marshal to just say, we're going to revoke your certificate of occupancy. Guess what? You can't work there. Then it becomes illegal, because one guy had a bad day. So there's a lot of considerations. And you've got to be able to point to the fire code, like, no, that's not the case. And that's where having a good vendor for ⁓ even hydro, because they'll put additives in the water to reduce scaling and fluid.

And also like the infrastructure providers, you you've got to work with them so you know the laws. And so, you know, one guy having a bad day can't shut down a billion dollar operation.

eco: Right. Do you find that like ASIC manufacturers are making suggestions about like what like hydro to run through their miners, like what immersion their miners can go into or like are miner manufacturers and immersion fluid manufacturers working together or do you have to kind of play that role of liaison?

Marshall: Yeah, that's a good question. I can say that there have been OEMs that have worked directly with the fluid providers. If you want details and specifics on that, can definitely ask Cameron. I don't know what's public and what's not. I can say that when they come up with a new fluid, most vendors will reach out to OEMs and say hey, can you like put this on an approved list saying that hey, we've tested this we've tried this? There is some behind-the-scenes like co-development. I would say for, you know, use case specific applications. I know Engineered Fluids does as a little bit, too. So it's not just here's a fluid because what works for Bitcoin miners is not necessarily what works for you know guys running GPUs. You know they want different volumes and different viscosities.

So it's not like a one size fits all thing. So there's a lot of collaboration, I'd say for sure.

eco: All right. What innovations on the horizon could redefine how we approach thermal management in large scale mining under high heat conditions?

Marshall: Yeah, that's you know, what's really interesting is everybody's like AI, HPC, blah, blah. If you go to any HPC conference, these people think that cooling 1000 watts is like cutting edge insane, like nobody can do it.

So I went to Open Compute like a year ago, actually with Cameron, and I walked in and the guys at, I think it was Intel, they had this little mini immersion set up and they had the processor clocked to like 900 watts and everybody there was like, my God, this is so revolutionary. And I'm just like, this is like five years ago. So the fact that Bitcoin has like just blown HPC out of the water from like what we can cool.

When we were talking to vendors, they're like, what flow rates are you pushing? And it's several orders of magnitude beyond what any HPC data center is doing. And it's interesting when you sit down with these people and say, oh, we're moving 1,700 liters a minute. Their face melts off. And you're like, we'd like to be faster, maybe, or whatever. They just never thought that cooling in one small footprint, 5,000 watts, is even thinkable.

So the fact that the AI guys are starting to learn from the Bitcoin guys makes us feel like we're not little boys anymore. We're big guys who are starting to pay attention a little bit. So that's been really cool to see. As far as what's changing, I think the biggest change is the OEMs. MicroBT ⁓ was the first to come out with an immersion-specific SKU. ⁓ Riot famously purchased a lot of those. ⁓ Those are interesting to see. Because before, you got to take the fans off and have special firmware and really do all this bespoke stuff which just takes times away. Bitmain started shipping SKUs without fans. Auradine's got SKUs without fans. So seeing the OEMs kind of tailored to us now instead of us trying to like square peg round hole situation has been good to see. You go into any, if you're a big boy, you buy $100 million of Microsoft contracts, they're gonna have a guy there to help you make your stuff work for you.

And that's just now becoming the case for Bitcoin. And it's good to see. Because before, everybody's just like, you can't figure it out. You can't hack our firmware or whatever. That's your problem. No, you can't have SSH access to the boards. And it was like pulling teeth up until like three years ago, maybe. But now they're starting to come along and see like, look, we now have the money to hire serious professionals, serious electrical engineers. If you're not going to build it, we'll build it ourselves. So you can either come along or not.

And now to see the OEMs kind of play ball a little bit has been really encouraging. So yeah, I imagine like they're looking at this like if they don't do it, their competitors are going to do it. Not even that; if they don't do it, we will do it. So like early on, I know, maybe 2020 micro BT wouldn't give you SSH access unless you really begged and pleaded. But the tool that they had, had a sequel injection vulnerability, so we would just give ourselves root access through the Whatsminer tool.

And you know, you can just see through the Whatsminer tool by updating your pool. Okay, cool. And then for like two years, it was cat and mouse. They would patch that. We'd find another one where if you shove an SD card during post, it'll dump the firmware. And now you got the firmware and you can do all these things. This whole adversarial kind of, when I'm spending hundreds of millions of dollars with you, no other vendor would have done that in the professional world, right? And so now it's starting to kind of come back to where it should be, which has been very useful for just running a good operation.

eco: Have you been confronted with like environmental concerns like, you know, cooling Bitcoin miners with hydro uses a lot of water?

Marshall: Yeah.

eco: How do you how do you counter those?

Marshall: There's most of the marketing now. There's a very infamous Bitcoin site that I will leave names out in West Texas where these guys used Bitmain cooling. They had like a cooling tower and the Bitmain hydros and they had to drill wells and they started a reverse osmosis water treatment plant in order to get enough water to run in their cooling tower. And then as the water table depleted, the water got more and more briny and more and more salty, and then their RO system got clogged up. And then their site failed, and then it was like a whole massive thing. And so now anybody doing a tour, their big selling point from these, like let's say Heatcore for example, they'll say you don't have to add any water. Once you fill the system up, that's it. It's a closed system.

That's everybody's marketing point now is we don't use water. ⁓ Beyond that, you know, it just gets so freaking hot that OEMs are starting to use better components. Like micro BTs and Auradine hydro units can withstand like 65 Celsius degrees or 75 Celsius degree water coming into the machine so that you can use no water. So the, you know, outside of that, it also depends on where you're located. If it was a previously EPA investigated site.

You get one drop of immersion fluid outside the containing wall of your building. It's a whole like EPA shutdown. They gotta come and do soil studies and sampling and all this other crap because somebody before you had messed up the site, right? From like a previous business or whatever. you know, anything you can do to keep things contained is super important because it just takes you spilling a couple of liters of immersion fluid outside a previously condemned site and then can shut you down for a week while they do this sample study for like a gallon of milk spilling outside basically like rainwater runoff all this kind of crap when you hit scale it's like a huge operational overhead so anybody here that you know that runs a big op they've all got to deal with this crap and it's like it's a very serious time and money sink to do that and so working with the people to make sure that you can limit all those risks long till is super beneficial ⁓

eco: We've got five minutes left. Are we gonna take questions on this panel? All right, I'm wondering if you've got any funny anecdotes from your experience as it relates to keeping miners cool.

Marshall: Yeah, we used to do this thing where if you start working, I still do this in my current facility, my little test lab. If you come in there and you want a tour, you have to taste the fluid.

eco: No, you don't. Come on.

Marshall: I make people put a little finger in there because the good fluid is all biodegradable. They use it in like make up and stuff.

eco: It's like food grade?

Marshall: Yeah. And so that's like my first like right of passage. If you want to tour at my dojo, you got to taste it. And the feedback, at least for the Shell, I don't know if you guys got in this feedback, but your fluid has a slight buttery taste. So ⁓ that's the most common feedback we get. I don't know if that's useful, but maybe a selling point. ⁓

We also, we like to sous vide steaks in there as well. So for lunch, we get out the flamethrower, finish it off. It's the perfect temperature for like a nice, it's a little bit too well done for my taste, but you know, nice like medium. We do a lot of sous vide in the tanks. ⁓ So yeah, those are just a few of what I can mention publicly. So.

eco: That's awesome. Let's give Marshall a round of applause here.

And then I think we got enough time for two questions before we break for lunch, right? one more panel, okay.

All right, well thanks. Huge round of applause for these gentlemen. You guys crushed it. ⁓ Note to self, I'll double check the state.

State of the Network:

Hashrate on the 14-day MA according to mempool.space increased from ~837 Eh/s at the beginning of May to a new all-time high of ~917 Eh/s by the end of May, marking ~9.5% growth for the month and ~17% year to date.

Difficulty was 119.12T at it’s lowest in May and 126.98T at it’s highest, which is a 6.6% increase for the month. All together for 2025 up to Epoch #446, difficulty has gone up ~15.6%.

According to the Hashrate Index, ASIC prices have increased ever so slightly over the last month. The more efficient miners like the <19 J/Th models are now fetching $17.77 per terahash, models between 19J/Th – 25J/Th are selling for $8.85 per terahash, and models >25J/Th are selling for $3.02 per terahash. You can expect to pay roughly $4,000 for a new-gen miner with 230+ Th/s.

Hashvalue over the month of May peaked at ~59,000 sats/Ph per day and closed the month out at ~52,000 sats/Ph per day, according to the Braiins Insights dashboard.

The next halving will occur at block height 1,050,000 which should be in roughly 1,026 days or in other words ~150,000 blocks from time of publishing this newsletter.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading the sixth 256 Foundation newsletter. Keep an eye out for more newsletters on a monthly basis in your email inbox by subscribing at 256foundation.org. Or you can download .pdf versions of the newsletters from there as well. You can also find these newsletters published in article form on Nostr.

If you want to continue seeing developers build free and open solutions be sure to support the Samourai Wallet developers by making a tax-deductible contribution to their legal defense fund here. The first step in ensuring a future of free and open Bitcoin development starts with freeing these developers. Also, consider talking to your local representatives about the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act which aims to codify that software developers cannot be held liable for the actions of end-users.

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Bitcoin Magazine

Bitdeer Raises $330M to Expand Bitcoin Mining and AI Operations

Singapore-based Bitcoin mining firm Bitdeer Technologies Group has launched a $330 million convertible notes offering, aiming to strengthen its mining operations, develop ASIC rigs, and scale its AI infrastructure. 

The notes, due in 2031, carry an annual interest rate of 4.875% and may be converted into Bitdeer Class A shares at a 25% premium to the current stock price of $11.84, placing the conversion price at approximately $15.88 per share. 

The offering is targeted at qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act. If investors exercise an option to buy more within 13 days, the offering could reach $375 million.

This is Bitdeer’s third convertible notes raise. Previously, the company secured $150 million in August and $360 million in November last year. According to Bitdeer, the offering is expected to close on June 23, 2025.

Net proceeds are expected to total roughly $319.6 million. Around $129.6 million will go toward a zero-strike call option, with $36.1 million allocated for concurrent note exchanges. The remaining funds will support datacenter expansion, new ASIC rig development, and general corporate needs.

Bitdeer is also conducting a note exchange, offering cash and equity to holders of its 8.50% convertible notes due 2029. That transaction includes approximately $36.1 million in cash and 8.1 million shares, exchanged for $75.7 million in outstanding notes. 

This announcement follows Bitdeer’s recent growth. As previously reported, the company mined 196 BTC in May (worth over $21 million) and expanded its self mining hashrate to 13.6 EH/s. New SEALMINER rigs were deployed across sites in Texas, Norway, and Bhutan, and its AI cloud platform, powered by large language models, officially launched.

“In May 2025, we continued to deploy our SEALMINER mining rigs to our sites in Texas, U.S., Norway, and Bhutan, bringing Bitdeer’s self-mining hashrate to 13.6 EH/s,” said Matt Kong, Chief Business Officer at Bitdeer.

Bitdeer also raised capital from Tether in 2024 and secured $40 million from a debt facility with Matrix Finance in May. Both Bitdeer and Matrix are led by Jihan Wu, co-founder of Bitmain.

With its market cap now exceeding $2.3 billion, Bitdeer continues to invest in scaling its infrastructure and technology as competition in Bitcoin mining and AI computing intensifies.

This post Bitdeer Raises $330M to Expand Bitcoin Mining and AI Operations first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

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Bitcoin Magazine

The Trolls Are Coming: Defending Bitcoin Mining from Patent Trolls

Introduction: Patent Trolls Targeting Bitcoin Mining

Bitcoin’s use of elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), which is essential for generating key pairs and validating digital signatures, has drawn the attention of a nonpracticing entity (NPE), more commonly known as a patent troll. In May 2025, Malikie Innovations Ltd., a troll that acquired thousands of patents from BlackBerry’s portfolio, filed lawsuits against major mining firms Core Scientific (CORZ) and Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA). (Some considered MARA an original patent troll itself and thus have expressed schadenfreude at the current attacks.) Malikie claims that routine Bitcoin operations (like verifying transactions with ECC-based signatures) infringe on several ECC-related patents originally developed by Certicom (later owned by BlackBerry). The patents cover techniques for accelerated digital signature verification, finite field math optimizations and other ECC improvements.

Malikie’s lawsuits, in Texas’ Eastern District against CORZ and Western District against MARA, demand damages for past infringement and an injunction against further use of the patented methods. In essence, Malikie seeks to impose a licensing regime on Bitcoin’s core cryptographic functions, a move that could set a dangerous precedent for the entire industry. If Malikie succeeds, virtually anyone running Bitcoin software (miners, node operators and potentially even wallet providers) could be exposed to patent liability. This threat has galvanized the Bitcoin and open source communities to explore every available defensive tool. In this preparatory briefing, we examine: 

1. Historical legal strategies used to fend off troll lawsuits. 
2. The mechanics, costs and effectiveness of Inter Partes Review (IPR) in challenging software/crypto patents. 
3. Community-led responses (EFF, Linux Foundation, COPA, etc.) that help defendants by funding prior-art searches or legal defenses. 
4. The potential ramifications for Bitcoin mining if Malikie’s claims prevail, drawing parallels from other industries.

1. Historical Strategies Against NPE Patent Lawsuits

Over the past two decades, tech companies and industries have developed several tactics to combat patent trolls. Key strategies include challenging patent validity, shifting lawsuits to favorable venues via declaratory judgment actions, leveraging recent case law to dismiss abstract patents and simply refusing to settle in order to deter trolls.

While not all strategies will apply to these cases, for completeness I’ll outline these approaches:

Rigorous Invalidity Challenges (Prior Art – §102/103): The most direct way to neutralize a troll’s patent is to demonstrate that the patent should never have been granted in the first place because earlier technology already taught the same invention. Defendants search for prior art — such as earlier publications, academic papers, standards (RFCs) or open source code — that predate the patent’s priority date and disclose the claimed invention. If a single prior art reference embodies every element of a patent claim, the claim is “anticipated” (invalid for lack of novelty under 35 U.S.C. §102). If no one reference is complete but a combination of references would have been obvious to a skilled person, the claim is invalid for obviousness (§103). In the Malikie cases, for example, Bitcoiners have been called to urgently collect publications from before January 18, 2005 (the priority date of one asserted patent, U.S. 8,788,827), and before December 31, 2001 (for U.S. 7,372,960). to prove the patented ECC techniques were already known. The Bitcoin community has noted that Hal Finney and others actively tracked ECC patents and even delayed certain optimizations in Bitcoin until patents expired — for instance, the famed “GLV endomorphism” speedup was only added to Bitcoin Core after its patent lapsed (and caution on the GLV issue was taken by developers, which Malikie itself acknowledged in its complaint — paragraphs 20 and 21 of the MARA complaint, for instance). Unearthing such prior art may not only win the case at hand but invalidate the patent for everyone.

• Inter Partes Review (IPR) and Post-Grant Proceedings: Beyond raising invalidity in court, since 2012 defendants have relied on IPR at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) as a powerful forum to knock out bad patents. IPR is an administrative trial within the U.S. Patent Office where challengers can present prior patents or publications to show a granted patent is invalid. We detail IPR’s mechanics in Section 2, but historically it has been a favored tool against NPEs because of its high success rate (around 70%+ of patents see claims canceled when reviewed) and lower burden of proof (“preponderance of the evidence,” 51%, rather than the “clear and convincing,” 75%, standard in court). Companies sued by trolls often file IPR petitions early and then move to stay (or pause) the litigation pending the PTAB’s decision — a stay which many courts grant once an IPR is instituted, given the likelihood that the patent may be invalidated. Notably, in the landmark Personal Audio “podcasting patent” case, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed an IPR that successfully invalidated a troll’s patent on podcast distribution, even as the troll was suing podcasters in East Texas. That IPR, funded by over a thousand small donations from the community, culminated in the Patent Office canceling all claims of the patent in 2015, a result later affirmed on appeal. This victory protected not just the sued targets (like comedian Adam Carolla) but all podcasters going forward. Similarly, the best path for the Bitcoin ecosystem may be to file IPR (or the related Post-Grant Review) against Malikie’s ECC patents, leveraging the mountain of cryptography literature from the 1990s and early 2000s to demonstrate that Bitcoin’s use of ECC was not novel to Malikie’s assignors.

• Declaratory Judgment (DJ) Actions: Another defensive tactic is to preempt the troll by filing a declaratory judgment lawsuit in a preferred court, seeking a ruling that your product does not infringe or that the patent is invalid. Under U.S. law, a company that feels threatened by a patent (e.g., it received a demand letter or sees peers being sued) can sometimes sue first if it can show a substantial controversy. The goal is to avoid being haled into the NPE’s chosen venue (historically, the Eastern District of Texas was favored by trolls) and instead litigate in a more neutral or defendant-friendly forum. For instance, when notorious troll Lodsys threatened dozens of small app developers over in-app purchase patents, one strategy (supported indirectly by Apple and Google) was to seek declaratory rulings outside of East Texas to undermine the troll’s jurisdiction. In practice, DJ actions can prompt a faster resolution or even settlement on better terms. However, the patent owner must have made a concrete infringement assertion to establish the requisite “case or controversy.” In Malikie’s situation, if other Bitcoin companies (exchanges, wallet providers, smaller miners) suspect they are next in line, those companies could file a declaratory suit in a jurisdiction of their choice. This would flip the script, making Malikie the defendant and potentially consolidating the fight in a forum less favorable to NPEs.

• Motions to Dismiss Under Alice (35 U.S.C. §101): Since the 2014 Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank decision, many software patents have been invalidated early in litigation for claiming unpatentable abstract ideas. Courts now examine whether a patent is directed to a fundamental abstract idea (like a mathematical formula) without an “inventive concept.” Defendants often file Rule 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss, arguing the patent is invalid on its face under §101. While cryptographic algorithms can be viewed as mathematical computations (a classic abstract idea), success with an Alice motion depends on how the patent claims are drafted. If the claims merely cover a generalized math formula or the concept of using ECC on a computer, a judge could void them as abstract. Indeed, some defendants have beaten trolls this way, sparing the cost of trial. In Malikie’s case, their patents seem to cover specific techniques to speed up ECC computations (like endomorphisms, modular reduction optimizations, etc.) — arguably “technical improvements” in cryptography rather than a naked abstract idea. That may make an Alice challenge less straigh

@ 4ba8e86d:89d32de4

Ele usa a tecnologia PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) para criptografar e descriptografar informações.

O OpenKeychain Foi criado por Dominik Schürmann em 2011, com o objetivo de disponibilizar uma ferramenta de criptografia acessível e fácil de usar para usuários de Android. O openKeychain é uma das principais opções de criptografia de e-mail para usuários de Android em todo o mundo.

Criptografia de e-mail é um processo de proteção das informações contidas em um e-mail, de forma que somente as pessoas autorizadas possam acessá-las. A criptografia envolve a codificação da mensagem original em uma sequência de caracteres ilegíveis, que só podem ser decodificados por alguém que possua a chave de criptografia correspondente.O objetivo da criptografia de e-mail é garantir a privacidade e segurança das informações enviadas por e-mail, especialmente quando se trata de informações confidenciais ou sensíveis. Isso ajuda a prevenir que informações privadas sejam interceptadas ou lidas por pessoas não autorizadas durante a transmissão do e-mail.

Tutorial OpenKeychain

1. Baixar no F-droid https://f-droid.org/app/org.sufficientlysecure.keychain

Ao abrir o OpenKeychain pela primeira vez, você verá uma tela inicial indicando que ainda não há chaves configuradas. Nesse ponto, você terá três opções:

1. Criar uma nova chave PGP diretamente no OpenKeychain: Ideal para quem está começando e precisa de uma solução simples para criptografia em comunicações diárias.

2. Usar um token de segurança (como Fidesmo, Yubikey, NEO, ou Sigilance) Se você busca uma segurança ainda maior, pode optar por armazenar sua chave privada em um token de segurança. Com essa configuração, a chave privada nunca é salva no dispositivo móvel. O celular atua apenas como uma interface de comunicação, enquanto a chave permanece protegida no token, fora do alcance de possíveis invasores remotos. Isso garante que somente quem possui o token fisicamente possa usar a chave, elevando significativamente o nível de segurança e controle sobre seus dados.

3. Importar uma chave PGP existente: Você pode importar uma chave PGP que já tenha sido gerada anteriormente, seja por meio de um arquivo no dispositivo ou por outro meio ler na área de transferência. https://image.nostr.build/51fdd924df4843ab73faa02a505c8fb17794f1789396ed89b154348ebb337f07.jpg

1. CRIANDO UMA NOVA CHAVE PGP.

Para iniciantes, recomendamos criar uma nova chave diretamente no aplicativo. abordaremos o uso do OpenKeychain em modo online, que é mais comum para comunicações diárias.

Passo 1: Clique em “Criar minha chave”. https://image.nostr.build/235f5cfdf4c3006ca3b00342741003f79a5055355c2a8ee425fc33c875f51e49.jpg

Passo 2: Criando sua chave PGP.

Para criar sua chave, você precisará fornecer algumas informações Os campos 'Nome' e 'Endereço de e-mail' são apenas formas convenientes para identificar a sua chave PGP.

• Nome: Escolha um nome ou um pseudônimo. https://image.nostr.build/de3fe3ddbde0c7bf084be6e4b8150fdb8612365550622559b0ee72f50f56a159.jpg

• E-mail: Associe um endereço de e-mail à chave, seja ele pessoal ou um e-mail relacionado ao pseudônimo. https://image.nostr.build/aff62baaeafe2c9a429ef10435a6f99dea36d6cfd7494e2bb882421dc8ed0f4e.jpg

2. REVISANDO E PERSONALIZANDO A CRIAÇÃO DA CHAVE.

Passo 3: Antes de criar sua chave PGP, verifique se os dados inseridos estão corretos. https://image.nostr.build/a8ec09ef3d9b4f557b0c4e380e7ca45d0fdbfa33fe80becea03ed0e5f5eedd24.jpg

Você também pode personalizar as configurações de segurança clicando nos três pontos no canto superior direito. https://image.nostr.build/1ce615555cea9a979ea951472052a219e77f4e1ebaaf5fcbbe9e91ea4f852bce.jpg

Ao cliclar em ' nova subchave ' pode alterar a data de expiração e pode mudar a criptografia usado na chave cliclando opção ed2255/cv255. https://image.nostr.build/b3224ff3dbe48ff78c4a2df8b001926b6d3eef1e33ef677a73b0d281791073da.jpg https://image.nostr.build/7763c7847e062cdcf71aafedbc2ef4c38056fd66aeb162ef3a1c30c028a14376.jpg https://image.nostr.build/5d3e20ade460dd5e89cc001ebdc062a36aff2c0e1573584ca3c0d1cb34bddcce.jpg

Neste tutorial, utilizaremos as configurações padrão do aplicativo.

Passo 4: Clique em "Criar chave" para concluir o processo. https://image.nostr.build/a8ec09ef3d9b4f557b0c4e380e7ca45d0fdbfa33fe80becea03ed0e5f5eedd24.jpg

3. Como Compartilhar sua Chave PGP Pública

Após criar sua chave PGP, você pode compartilhá-la para que outras pessoas possam enviar mensagens criptografadas para você. Veja o passo a passo de como exibir e compartilhar sua chave pública:

Passo 1: Acesse sua chave pública

Abra o OpenKeychain e selecione a chave que deseja compartilhar. Clique na chave para visualizar os detalhes. https://image.nostr.build/689c5237075317e89e183d2664630de973b09b68aaf8f3e3033654e987b781be.jpg https://image.nostr.build/4001610109579f27535628932258087b3b06c1f86b05f4f85537b6585c12a10b.jpg

Passo 2: Copiar sua chave pública

Nos detalhes da chave, você verá a opção "Copiar para a Área de Transferência". Clique nessa opção para copiar o código da sua chave pública. https://image.nostr.build/01ab3efa5e997e1910a2f8f7a888e6ad60350574cca4ca0214eee5581797f704.jpg

A chave PGP copiada terá o seguinte formato:

-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

mDMEZwsLHRYJKwYBBAHaRw8BAQdA6NRLlJIWnTBJtYwZHlrMbTKRbYuXmjsMn8MB 7etV3HK0JERhbmllbCBGcmFnYSAgPGRhbmllbGZyYWdhQG1haWwuaTJwPohyBBMW CAAaBAsJCAcCFQgCFgECGQEFgmcLCx0CngECmwMACgkQFZf+kMeJWpR4cwEA8Jt1 TZ/+YlHg3EYphW8KsZOboHLi+L88whrWbka+0s8A/iuaNFAK/oQAlM2YI2e0rAjA VuUCo66mERQNLl2/qN0LuDgEZwsLHRIKKwYBBAGXVQEFAQEHQEj/ZfJolkCjldXP 0KQimE/3PfO9BdJeRtzZA+SsJDh+AwEIB4hhBBgWCAAJBYJnCwsdApsMAAoJEBWX /pDHiVqUo/oA/266xy7kIZvd0PF1QU9mv1m2oOdo7QSoqvgFiq6AmelbAP9lExY5 edctTa/zl87lCddYsZZhxG9g2Cg7xX/XsfrnAA== =TniY -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

Dica: Se ocorrer algum erro ao compartilhar sua chave pública com um amigo, peça para que ele a criptografe para ele mesmo. Isso permitirá que ele adicione a chave corretamente. Caso a chave pública ainda não esteja no dispositivo, ao clicar em "Backup de chave", aparecerá a opção para importá-la. Se a chave já estiver no dispositivo, essa ação irá recarregá-la. https://image.nostr.build/cd12abf07c93473db95483fe23112325f89d3eb02977e42756708bbd043f8bcf.jpg  https://image.nostr.build/537aeae38d229ee2cc78e18f412237b659c059e1c74fd7f0deecfe37f15713c9.jpg  https://image.nostr.build/16c8a3db5966c7c06904ee236655f47a6464ae0c1b5af6af27b28c61611d2bbe.jpg

Passo 3: Compartilhar sua chave PGP

Você pode colar a chave pública em e-mails, assinaturas, perfis de redes sociais ou outros meios para compartilhá-la facilmente. Para facilitar a visualização, você também pode exibi-la em seu perfil de redes sociais.

Para acessar mais opções de compartilhamento, clique nos três pontos no canto superior direito e selecione a opção "Avançado". https://image.nostr.build/0d4a13b7bd9a4794017247d1a56fac082db0f993a2011a4dd40e388b22ec88f5.jpg https://image.nostr.build/4ac2a7bc9fa726531a945221cf7d10e0e387deba68100ccf52fdedfcd17cbd59.jpg

Na seção "Compartilhar", você verá sua Key ID e terá a opção de publicar sua chave PGP em um servidor de chaves. https://image.nostr.build/1e972cc211a6d8060cdbd4a8aa642dd1a292810c532f178d3ddb133d1b9bca76.jpg

Passo 4: Como compartilhar sua chave pública PGP no formato .asc. no OpenKeychain

1. Acesse sua chave

Abra o OpenKeychain e toque na chave que você deseja compartilhar. Isso abrirá a tela com os detalhes da chave. https://image.nostr.build/c080f03d2eb7a9f7833fec0ff1942a5b70b97e4f7da7c6bc79ca300ef9ace55d.jpg

1. Compartilhe o arquivo .asc

Toque no ícone de compartilhamento, como indicado na imagem abaixo. O aplicativo abrirá a janela para que você escolha por qual app deseja compartilhar sua chave pública no formato .asc. Nesse exemplo, usei o SimpleXChat , mas você pode usar qualquer aplicativo de sua preferência.

1. Botão de compartilhar. https://image.nostr.build/8da74bdb04737a45df671a30bba1dd2e7980841fa0c2d751d6649630e7c25470.jpg

2. Selecionar o aplicativo para compartilhamento. https://image.nostr.build/5444f4e9d3fa5aef6b191bb6f553f94c6e49d30ead874c9ee435bca3218fd6c8.jpg

3. Enviando via SimpleXChat. https://image.nostr.build/e5d1ca04cbc69e1e8ac5caf1ab2a4b9b695500861c1ae9c55cea679cce349214.jpg

Sugestão para compartilhar nas redes sociais:

Você pode exibir sua chave de forma simples, por exemplo:

PGP: 1597 FE90 C789 5A94

Importar a chave pública usando a fingerprint

Passo 1:Clique no ícone "+" para começar. https://image.nostr.build/ca6e6e569b4be60165eaf60c7ba1e6e3ec781b525e467c72b4f3605837e6b5ec.jpg

Passo 2: Selecione a opção "Buscar Chave". https://image.nostr.build/87e27d9435e6e3ef78063b9f15799a8120ead4637cd06c89c0220b48327573ae.jpg

Passo 3: Digite a fingerprint da chave em letras minúsculas, sem espaços. A chave correspondente aparecerá para ser adicionada. https://image.nostr.build/33e6819edd4582d7a8513e8814dacb07e1a62994bb3238c1b5b3865a46b5f234.jpg

Além disso, você pode compartilhar sua chave pública em formato QR Code, facilitando a troca de chaves em eventos ou conversas rápidas.

Como Assinar Mensagens para Confirmar a Autenticidade da Sua Rede Social

Você pode autenticar sua conta em redes sociais utilizando sua chave PGP. Ao assinar uma mensagem com sua chave, você demonstra que realmente possui essa conta. Siga o passo a passo abaixo para assinar uma mensagem:

Passo 1: Clique na sua chave PGP.  https://image.nostr.build/ffacce1bfb293c9a0888cd5efe340a63d96b293f4c010f8626105c7b212d8558.jpg

Passo 2: Clique no ícone indicado pela seta para abrir o campo de texto.  https://image.nostr.build/4e992a2553810e2583b9d190280ce00a52fc423600a75eca48cbf541cf47d3c2.jpg

Passo 3: Deixe a opção "Encriptar para:" vazio. Em "Assinar com:", selecione sua chave PGP e digite a mensagem que deseja enviar, como o nome da sua rede social.  https://image.nostr.build/a4a2a8d233d186e3d8d9adddccc445bcb3ca3ed88de0db671a77cede12323a75.jpg

Passo 4: Clique no ícone indicado pela seta para copiar o texto assinado. Uma mensagem aparecerá informando: "Assinado/Encriptado com Sucesso".  https://image.nostr.build/a076dfc90e30a495af0872005bf70f412df57b7a0e1c2e17cf5aee9e9b3e39aa.jpg

A mensagem copiada terá o seguinte formato:

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA256

Minha rede social NOSTR é Danielfraga oficial. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----

iIQEARYIACwlHERhbmllbCBGcmFnYSAgPGRhbmllbGZyYWdhQG1haWwuaTJwPgUC ZxBBLgAKCRAVl/6Qx4lalGeNAPwP71rpsbhRnZhoWZsTDOFZY8ep/d0e5qYx5iPx HV26dwD/fKyiir1TR8JwZvEbOTYS0+Dn4DFlRAAfR3lKVTC96w4= =37Lj -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Com isso, você pode facilmente demonstrar a autenticidade da sua conta nas redes sociais.

4. PROTEGENDO SUA CHAVE COM UMA SENHA.

Passo 5: Após a criação da chave, é fundamental definir uma senha (ou passphrase) para adicionar uma camada extra de segurança. Recomendamos usar senhas longas (com mais de 20 caracteres) e de alta entropia para evitar ataques de força bruta. Ferramentas como KeePassDX ou Bitwarden podem ajudá-lo a gerar e gerenciar essas senhas.

Para definir a senha, clique na sua chave PGP, acesse o menu no canto superior direito e selecione "Alterar senha". https://image.nostr.build/689c5237075317e89e183d2664630de973b09b68aaf8f3e3033654e987b781be.jpg https://image.nostr.build/f28ecaa9890a8827f93cac78846c4b2ef67f86ccfc3501fdadf1d1c4874b0041.jpg https://image.nostr.build/919c277fbec63c397402abdd60f915cb239a674c317855cbda63a38edef80789.jpg

Agora basta adicionar uma senha forte. https://image.nostr.build/eb378219fbb1780f89663a474ce43b8d8ebb13beeb538f2a16279b056e5d9645.jpg https://image.nostr.build/cdfa3f9c6c4045841341da789deabb6318107812d5ba195529418572ab352aaf.jpg

5. CRIPTOGRAFAR E DESCRIPTOGRAFAR MENSAGENS E ARQUIVOS COM SUA CHAVE PGP

Criptografar Mensagens

Você pode criptografar mensagens para garantir que apenas o destinatário, que possui sua chave pública, possa lê-las. Siga os passos abaixo para criptografar um texto:

Passo 1: Abra o menu lateral clicando no ícone no canto superior esquerdo.
https://image.nostr.build/13ac93b38dd1633118ae3142401c13e8a089caabdf4617055284cc521a45b069.jpg

Passo 2: Selecione a opção "Encriptar/Descriptar".
https://image.nostr.build/8cd905d616b53968f0551c071d9acc2f47bbe8434c2c7e1a33076a504342de48.jpg

Passo 3: Clique na opção "Encriptar Texto".
https://image.nostr.build/405a730a6c774759d7913f92f59059d43146db4afb28451a6f8833f94e99437f.jpg

Passo 4: Preencha os seguintes campos: https://image.nostr.build/7dc5eba39ff82a321195dbf46b8113818632e3ef41175991d58e799a8e9d2751.jpg

1. Encriptar para: Selecione o destinatário da mensagem, ou seja, a pessoa para quem você está enviando o texto criptografado.
   https://image.nostr.build/1e8c8cba6d3c3136d9857512e2794a81ceb7434eccdfb0f7d26cdef008b2e6d2.jpg

2. Assinar com: Escolha sua chave PGP para assinar a mensagem.
   https://image.nostr.build/d25b228c35b132d396d01c354ef093b43b3565578fbc0d6ff7b9de4e41619855.jpg

3. Digitar o texto: No campo de texto, escreva a mensagem que deseja criptografar.
   https://image.nostr.build/8537271dfa4445e60cb4c3cdb5d97571dc0ff5ee8acd6ed89a8c81e4bd8736c2.jpg

Passo 5: Depois de preencher os campos, você pode copiar o texto criptografado de duas formas:

1. Copiar para a área de transferência: Clique na opção para copiar o texto criptografado e cole-o em um aplicativo de mensagens para enviá-lo.
   https://image.nostr.build/a5cb8e2c538a38db3972e7f3ac9aa9f602cda6b62848ff0c4b99928a67dcd486.jpg

2. Compartilhar diretamente: Utilize a opção de compartilhamento para enviar o texto criptografado diretamente através de seus aplicativos de mensagens.
   https://image.nostr.build/2b79cb564d623788a0de1111a067e0eb496f743389d465d4f4e8f6e65f0d08a7.jpg https://image.nostr.build/ff59e52bc8ab54ff377980a6ba5d1c4743d3298de11e5daa187ab7d45163a7be.jpg

Criptografar arquivos.

Passo 1: Abra o menu lateral clicando no ícone no canto superior esquerdo.
https://image.nostr.build/13ac93b38dd1633118ae3142401c13e8a089caabdf4617055284cc521a45b069.jpg

Passo 2: Selecione a opção "Encriptar/Descriptar".
https://image.nostr.build/8cd905d616b53968f0551c071d9acc2f47bbe8434c2c7e1a33076a504342de48.jpg

Passo 3 : clique na opção "Encriptar arquivos ". https://image.nostr.build/3fcae48ee38e7f4079ebccfd3eafb9ab0ad3559221d2c3560cdfe60e29f56a15.jpg

Passo 4 : os passos a seguir são os mesmo que você seguiu pra encriptar a mensagem texto. Ítens "Encriptar para:" "Assinar com:" https://image.nostr.build/4d6599b9d3a9fdfae0964daaa9dae513d5ce277a7b61930fa2937d534f72ed40.jpg

Passo 5 : clilcar na opção " Adicionair arquivo(s)" Vai abrir na memória interna do celular selecione o arquivo que deseja encriptar. https://image.nostr.build/09e3b9b54a1406426114926aab19011c36b98886ebae6fcf556cfea83bb2c2f4.jpg https://image.nostr.build/af422e243b36762dd66111ec7c848a1352c100ca3040dc21792c923f80aef74d.jpg https://image.nostr.build/ebebbdb273b4bca58d901852aec1c60e4799aa77e9d12a31f992b0cf8f73e753.jpg

Passo 6: Depois de preencher os campos, você pode compartilhar o arquivo criptografado de duas formas:

1. Salvar na memória do celular: A primeira opção salva o arquivo criptografado no armazenamento do seu dispositivo. Você terá a opção de editar o nome do arquivo antes de salvar.
   https://image.nostr.build/0a47c1e9f0003541f47091b2c2e8ce6b8d1533d95463e331b218070bae964ac8.jpg https://image.nostr.build/95a7a2b67356eb5ded5b217bab38a19bdeba5af7befd105834e413e0aec45462.jpg https://image.nostr.build/66cb3d22b271f3b73b7015613c72711a3ffbf5e1070d43153f9d1f3fcf35001c.jpg https://image.nostr.build/f9624d86f7592fe7ffad932b7805762dc279d9e8ff410222108155438a2c970f.jpg

2. Compartilhar diretamente: Utilize a opção de compartilhamento para enviar o arquivo criptografado diretamente por meio dos seus aplicativos de mensagens.
   https://image.nostr.build/85541e466c7755c65bd6ba0208a6d8612beaa5298712b6d92f53865167695a38.jpg https://image.nostr.build/bf1e0f0aeb60cafbdf82af4b3b598288519e85b396bd3f9e00e61f65b89ea9f8.jpg https://image.nostr.build/fb090339898f37cdbb020828689b142ca601ca3ee549f67ddf6b2e094df9ab9f.jpg https://image.nostr.build/50c249ced06efe465ba533fef15207b0dcd1a725e9b2c139e8d85c13fd798276.jpg

Descriptografar Mensagens e Arquivos

Para ler uma mensagem ou arquivo criptografado que você recebeu, utilize sua chave privada. Siga os passos abaixo:

Descriptografar Mensagens

Passo 1: Copie a mensagem criptografada que você recebeu.
https://image.nostr.build/c37754b12a458e0176b9137ae0aa9e8209f853bf9d9292c0867fd8b0606d53c4.jpg

Passo 2: Clique na opção "Ler da área de transferência" para descriptografar o texto.
https://image.nostr.build/d83c7dad2ee1cb6267779863bc174ee1a8f3cc3c86b69063345321027bdde7b5.jpg https://image.nostr.build/c0fae86e6ab1fe9dcee86753972c818bed489ea11efdd09b7e7da7422a9c81eb.jpg

Descriptografar Arquivos

Passo 1: Clique na opção "Selecionar arquivo de entrada".
https://image.nostr.build/9c276c630311d19a576f2e35b5ba82bac07360476edae3f1a8697ff85df9e3c9.jpg

Passo 2: Selecione o arquivo criptografado que deseja descriptografar.
https://image.nostr.build/6b6c2a3284ba96e7168fc7bd0916020c4f1bed7b77dfca48227fc96d6929e15a.jpg https://image.nostr.build/9945aad644af2e2020e07e55f65f11a0958d55e8fc9e13c862e6b9ca88b4f4d9.jpg

6. BACKUP E RESTAURAÇÃO DE CHAVE PGP.

Realizar o backup das suas chaves PGP é fundamental para evitar a perda de acesso às suas mensagens e dados criptografados. O OpenKeychain facilita esse processo, permitindo que você faça um backup completo e seguro. Recomendamos que você armazene o backup em um local seguro, como um HD externo ou pendrive conectado via cabo OTG, sempre protegendo-o com senha.

PASSOS PARA REALIZAR O BACKUP:

Passo 1: Abra o menu lateral clicando no ícone no canto superior esquerdo.
https://image.nostr.build/13ac93b38dd1633118ae3142401c13e8a089caabdf4617055284cc521a45b069.jpg

Passo 2: Selecione a opção Backup/restaurar.
https://image.nostr.build/6fa8fd14e23b47c6c924bc0d900646663f2124a93d8172ae79fdf43b5c7d4490.jpg

Passo 3: Escolha a primeira opção: Backup completo (criptografado).
https://image.nostr.build/4875fb27b6d04c3cb838b4fb9f308ef9194edc35ba1254ba965b7f0db2544170.jpg

Passo 4: O backup será protegido por um código de backup gerado automaticamente. Anote esse código em um papel e guarde local seguro, pois sem ele você não conseguirá recuperar suas chaves PGP. Após anotar o código, marque a opção “Anotei o código” e clique em Salvar Backup. Obs: todas as vezes que você for fazer o backup da sua chave PGP vai ser criado um novo código aleatório.

https://image.nostr.build/72a317ef5e59a01c03c36f1d04a91d42c418a478cc82e372acf21bb8302daa00.jpg

Passo 5: Escolha o local onde deseja salvar o backup (HD externo, pendrive, etc.), confirme sua escolha e clique em OK. Você verá uma mensagem de confirmação indicando que o backup foi salvo com sucesso.

https://image.nostr.build/d757e8bdf429371320daa44be8a48a0dbeb2324129f4254327f0f0383e70ede4.jpg https://image.nostr.build/f3ad80ceb8a191b4d1b40722b1d0d4f85bf183d412e7d7d901b25d19b2dfe0e3.jpg

Importação da Chave PGP

Caso você precise restaurar suas chaves PGP a partir de um backup, o OpenKeychain também facilita o processo de importação. Siga os passos abaixo para restaurar sua chave PGP:

Passo 1: Selecione a opção "Selecionar arquivo de entrada"

Abra o OpenKeychain, acesse o menu lateral no canto superior esquerdo e escolha a opção "Selecionar arquivo de entrada" para localizar o arquivo de backup que você deseja importar.
https://image.nostr.build/a06ddc1c1e6c50519097e614aa25b14311e49c0ca4d4607e42ebdcca3a6641c4.jpg

Passo 2: Selecione o arquivo de backup
Navegue até o local onde você salvou o arquivo de backup (HD externo, pendrive, etc.) e selecione-o. Em seguida, o OpenKeychain solicitará que você insira o código de recuperação que foi gerado no momento do backup. https://image.nostr.build/9d5649c04a98ec8b0a29355d9068e48313b1c5dc36cd965961f4d33f22d10046.jpg

Passo 3: Digite o código de recuperação
Insira o código de recuperação que você anotou anteriormente. É importante digitar o código corretamente para garantir o sucesso da restauração.

Passo 4: Depois de inserir o código corretamente, o OpenKeychain irá restaurar suas chaves PGP, e uma mensagem de confirmação será exibida, indicando que a recuperação foi concluída com sucesso.

Agora suas chaves estão restauradas e você pode continuar usando o OpenKeychain para gerenciar suas comunicações criptografadas de maneira segura.

https://www.openkeychain.org/

https://github.com/open-keychain/open-keychain

https://youtu.be/fptlAx_j4OA

@ 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.

@ b9ff7cb5:a0e092a8

Bismillah

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.