@ 3c389c8f:7a2eff7f

As I'm sitting here trying to hone in on what might be important to write about in this moment, my mind keeps swirling around through all the things that have me sitting here to begin with. Nostr found me in a time when my life needed a change. The discovery of something that provided the light of hope to an otherwise dark, dystopian future was more powerful than I could have ever predicted. Timing is everything, they say. I believe that to be half true, as timing alone means nothing if the will is non-existent. The intersection of opportunity and preparedness, and all that. I know how I found my way here, but I do not fully understand the things that have drawn my curiosity and kept my attention so strongly. My will ached for change, simplicity, and meaning. I found it, in what seem to me, simultaneously the most likely and the most unlikely of places. There's a magic to that, and its probably better to leave some questions unanswered, lest they lose their mystic power.

My experiences are my own but theme of them resonates through most of the people with whom I interact. It's been very clear that I wasn't alone in these feelings. A movement of highly inspired, hopeful people have continued to support this digital freedom movement since my arrival, in varying ways. Some people have highly technical skills ranging from network systems to design to cybersecurity. Others, like myself, have little to offer in the realms of functionality and we do what we can to breathe life into the systems built to provide digital freedom of speech for all. It's a humbling experience. We are reminded. sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly, that none of Nostr would matter if there were no one using it. We know this to be true, but it is no less humbling to be surrounded by constant innovation and a thriving desire to bring this experience to the entire world.

Now here I sit, tapping out these words, in the midst of another massive life change, stressful but chosen. I could sign off, go read a book in the garden, and go about my world as I would have in my pre-Nostr times. I don't want to do that, though. Hope is here. If there is a place to dwell, in hope is where I will always choose.

I find it important to acknowledge, though, that Nostr and the people using it are in a constant state of flux, too. This isn't my rock nor harbor nor shelter. It's the chaotic good, reminding me both to keep an appreciation for how far this ecosystem has come in such a short amount of time and a realistic set of expectations for where this all can go. The same applies for how well things work at any given moment...And equally so in missing my some of my early Nostr friends that have come and gone, while remaining open to the possibility of meeting new ones... Experiences had and experiences yet to come. I don't know if I have ever been so coaxed outside of my mind by a group of strangers on the internet. But here I am, looking back and looking forward, surrounded by awe in all directions, sharing thoughts that would otherwise be scribbled in pen to be burned in a random evening fire. I've long felt that the core of social media should be just this. Spaces for people to connect, above all else, in the ways that create meaning in our lives. I suppose in some ways that did exist before, but it was twisted, and obscured, and slowly pulled away.

Now its here and super-charged by possibility. What this looks like for any individual will not be the same as my own view. That's part of what makes this so beautiful to me. We need to be able to speak freely. Just as importantly we need to be able to surround ourselves with the things and people that makes us want to do more, that make us want to feel humbled. Or not, if we so choose... but I choose hope.

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Past week summary

From a Self Custody for Organizations perspective, after analyzing the existing protocols (Cerberus, 10xSecurityBTCguide and Glacier) and reading a bunch of relates articles and guides, have wrapped to the conclusion that this format it is good to have as reference. However, something else is needed. For example, a summary or a map of the whole process to provide an overview, plus a way to deliver all the information and the multy-process in a more enjoyable way. Not a job for this hackathon, but with the right collaborations I assume it's possible to: - build something that might introduce a bit more quests and gamification - provide a learning environment (with testnet funds) could also be crucial on educating those unfamiliar with bitcoin onchain dynamics.

Have been learning more and playing around practicing best accessibility practices and how it could be applied to a desktop software like Bitcoin Safe. Thanks to @johnjherzog for providing a screen recording of his first experience and @jasonb for suggesting the tools to be used. (in this case tested/testing on Windows with the Accessibility Insights app). Some insight shared have been also applied to the website, running a full accessibility check (under WCAG 2.2 ADA, and Section 508 standards) with 4 different plugins and two online tools. I recognize that not all of them works and analyze the same parameters, indeed they complement each other providing a more accurate review.

For Bitcoin Safe interface improvements, many suggestions have been shared with @andreasgriffin , including: - a new iconset, including a micro-set to display the number of confirmed blocs for each transaction - a redesigned History/Dashboard - small refinements like adding missing columns on the tables - allow the user to select which columns to be displayed - sorting of unconfirmed transactions - Defining a new style for design elements like mempool blocks and quick receive boxes You can find below some screenshots with my proposals that hopefully will be included in the next release.

Last achievement this week was to prepare the website https://Safe.BTC.pub, the container where all the outcomes f this experiment will be published. You can have a look, just consider it still WIP. Branding for the project has also been finalized and available in this penpot file https://design.penpot.app/#/workspace?team-id=cec80257-5021-8137-8005-eab60c043dd6&project-id=cec80257-5021-8137-8005-eab60c043dd8&file-id=95aea877-d515-80ac-8006-23a251886db3&page-id=132f519a-39f4-80db-8006-2a41c364a545

What's for next week

After spending most of the time learning and reading material, this coming week will be focused on deliverables. The goal as planned will be to provide: - Finalized Safe₿its brand and improve overall desktop app experience, including categorization of transactions and addresses - An accessibility report or guide for Bitcoin Safe and support to implement best practices - A first draft of the Self-Custody for Organizations guide/framework/protocol, ideally delivered through the website http://Safe.BTC.pub in written format, but also as FlowChart to help have an overview of the whole resources needed and the process itself. This will clearly define preparations and tools/hardwares needed to successfully complete the process.

To learn more about the project, you can visit: Designathon website: https://event.bitcoin.design/#project-recj4SVNLLkuWHpKq Discord channel: https://discord.com/channels/903125802726596648/1369200271632236574 Previous SN posts: https://stacker.news/items/974489/r/DeSign_r and https://stacker.news/items/974488/r/DeSign_r

Stay tuned, more will be happening this coming week

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/977190

@ a9434ee1:d5c885be

Colors as a fun and useful identifier

Nostr apps often use totally random colors for their default avatars, profiles names in chat bubbles, etc... That's a missed opportunity. Why don't we just we just derive a color from the npub and use that instead, interoperably across apps?

It gives us a fun and visual extra point of recognition, often without having to add anything extra to the UIs.

The only problem is that we cannot just allow for any color. The colors should be readable as text in Light and Dark modes and gray-scales should be avoided too.

This is the goal: Luckily, there's a super simple solution.
(which was used to derive the color above)

Deriving the Colors

You can find the simple spec here: nostr: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

TLDR: 1. Convert HEX pubkey to Int 2. Calculate the Hue value: Int % 356 3. Set Saturation to 0.92 for Hues between 216 and 273, use 0.72 for the rest 4. Set Brightness to 0.56 for Hues between 32 and 212, use 0.72 for the rest

Convert HSB color to whatever format you need. Done.

Easy & Fun to integrate!

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Past week summary

From a Self Custody for Organizations perspective, after analyzing the existing protocols (Cerberus, 10xSecurityBTCguide and Glacier) and reading a bunch of relates articles and guides, have wrapped to the conclusion that this format it is good to have as reference. However, something else is needed. For example, a summary or a map of the whole process to provide an overview, plus a way to deliver all the information and the multy-process in a more enjoyable way. Not a job for this hackathon, but with the right collaborations I assume it's possible to: - build something that might introduce a bit more quests and gamification - provide a learning environment (with testnet funds) could also be crucial on educating those unfamiliar with bitcoin onchain dynamics.

Have been learning more and playing around practicing best accessibility practices and how it could be applied to a desktop software like Bitcoin Safe. Thanks to @johnjherzog for providing a screen recording of his first experience and @jasonbohio for suggesting the tools to be used. (in this case tested/testing on Windows with the Accessibility Insights app). Some insight shared have been also applied to the website, running a full accessibility check (under WCAG 2.2 ADA, and Section 508 standards) with 4 different plugins and two online tools. I recognize that not all of them works and analyze the same parameters, indeed they complement each other providing a more accurate review.

For Bitcoin Safe interface improvements, many suggestions have been shared with @andreasgriffin , including: - a new iconset, including a micro-set to display the number of confirmed blocs for each transaction - a redesigned History/Dashboard - small refinements like adding missing columns on the tables - allow the user to select which columns to be displayed - sorting of unconfirmed transactions - Defining a new style for design elements like mempool blocks and quick receive boxes You can find below some screenshots with my proposals that hopefully will be included in the next release.

Last achievement this week was to prepare the website https://Safe.BTC.pub, the container where all the outcomes f this experiment will be published. You can have a look, just consider it still WIP. Branding for the project has also been finalized and available in this penpot file https://design.penpot.app/#/workspace?team-id=cec80257-5021-8137-8005-eab60c043dd6&project-id=cec80257-5021-8137-8005-eab60c043dd8&file-id=95aea877-d515-80ac-8006-23a251886db3&page-id=132f519a-39f4-80db-8006-2a41c364a545

What's for next week

After spending most of the time learning and reading material, this coming week will be focused on deliverables. The goal as planned will be to provide: - Finalized Safe₿its brand and improve overall desktop app experience, including categorization of transactions and addresses - An accessibility report or guide for Bitcoin Safe and support to implement best practices - A first draft of the Self-Custody for Organizations guide/framework/protocol, ideally delivered through the website http://Safe.BTC.pub in written format, but also as FlowChart to help have an overview of the whole resources needed and the process itself. This will clearly define preparations and tools/hardwares needed to successfully complete the process.

To learn more about the project, you can visit: Designathon website: https://event.bitcoin.design/#project-recj4SVNLLkuWHpKq Discord channel: https://discord.com/channels/903125802726596648/1369200271632236574 Previous SN posts: https://stacker.news/items/974489/r/DeSign_r and https://stacker.news/items/974488/r/DeSign_r

Stay tuned, more will be happening this coming week

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/977180

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na dvadesetjedan.com

Autor: Vijay Boyapati / Prevod na hrvatski: Matija

---

Sa zadnjim cijenama koje je bitcoin dosegao 2017., optimističan scenarij za ulagače se možda čini toliko očitim da ga nije potrebno niti spominjati. Alternativno, možda se nekome čini glupo ulagati u digitalnu vrijednost koja ne počiva na nijednom fizičkom dobru ili vladi i čiji porast cijene su neki usporedili sa manijom tulipana ili dot-com balonom. Nijedno nije točno; optimističan scenarij za Bitcoin je uvjerljiv, ali ne i očit. Postoje značajni rizici kod ulaganja u Bitcoin, no, kao što planiram pokazati, postoji i ogromna prilika.

Geneza

Nikad u povijesti svijeta nije bilo moguće napraviti transfer vrijednosti među fizički udaljenim ljudima bez posrednika, poput banke ili vlade. 2008. godine, anonimni Satoshi Nakamoto je objavio 8 stranica rješenja na dugo nerješivi računalski problem poznat kao “Problem Bizantskog Generala.” Njegovo rješenje i sustav koji je izgradio - Bitcoin - dozvolio je, prvi put ikad, da se vrijednost prenosi brzo i daleko, bez ikakvih posrednika ili povjerenja. Implikacije kreacije Bitcoina su toliko duboke, ekonomski i računalski, da bi Nakamoto trebao biti prva osoba nominirana za Nobelovu nagradu za ekonomiju i Turingovu nagradu.

Za ulagače, važna činjenica izuma Bitcoina (mreže i protokola) je stvaranje novog oskudnog digitalnog dobra - bitcoina (monetarne jedinice). Bitcoini su prenosivi digitalni “novčići” (tokeni), proizvedeni na Bitcoin mreži kroz proces nazvan “rudarenje” (mining). Rudarenje Bitcoina je ugrubo usporedivo sa rudarenjem zlata, uz bitnu razliku da proizvodnja bitcoina prati unaprijed osmišljeni i predvidivi raspored. Samo 21 milijun bitcoina će ikad postojati, i većina (2017., kada je ovaj tekst napisan) su već izrudareni. Svake četiri godine, količina rudarenih bitcoina se prepolovi. Produkcija novih bitcoina će potpuno prestati 2140. godine.

Stopa inflacije —— Monetarna baza

Bitcoine ne podržava nikakva roba ili dobra, niti ih garantira ikakva vlada ili firma, što postavlja očito pitanje za svakog novog bitcoin ulagača: zašto imaju uopće ikakvu vrijednost? Za razliku od dionica, obveznica, nekretnina ili robe poput nafte i žita, bitcoine nije moguće vrednovati koristeći standardne ekonomske analize ili korisnost u proizvodnji drugih dobara. Bitcoini pripadaju sasvim drugoj kategoriji dobara - monetarnih dobara, čija se vrijednost definira kroz tzv. teoriju igara; svaki sudionik na tržištu vrednuje neko dobro, onoliko koliko procjenjuje da će ga drugi sudionici vrednovati. Kako bismo bolje razumjeli ovo svojstvo monetarnih dobara, trebamo istražiti podrijetlo novca.

Podrijetlo novca

U prvim ljudskim društvima, trgovina među grupama se vršila kroz robnu razmjenu. Velika neefikasnost prisutna u robnoj razmjeni je drastično ograničavala količinu i geografski prostor na kojem je bila moguća. Jedan od najvećih problema sa robnom razmjenom je problem dvostruke podudarnosti potražnje. Uzgajivač jabuka možda želi trgovati sa ribarom, ali ako ribar ne želi jabuke u istom trenutku, razmjena se neće dogoditi. Kroz vrijeme, ljudi su razvili želju za čuvanjem određenih predmeta zbog njihove rijetkosti i simbolične vrijednosti (npr. školjke, životinjski zube, kremen). Zaista, kako i Nick Szabo govori u svojem izvrsnom eseju o podrijetlu novca, ljudska želja za sakupljanjem predmeta pružila je izraženu evolucijsku prednost ranom čovjeku nad njegovim najbližim biološkim rivalom, neandertalcem - Homo neanderthalensis.

"Primarna i najbitnija evolucijska funkcija sakupljanja bila je osigurati medij za čuvanje i prenošenje vrijednosti".

Predmeti koje su ljudi sakupljali služili su kao svojevrsni “proto-novac,” tako što su omogućavale trgovinu među antagonističkim plemenima i dozvoljavale bogatsvu da se prenosi na sljedeću generaciju. Trgovina i transfer takvih predmeta bile su rijetke u paleolitskim društvima, te su oni služili više kao “spremište vrijednosti” (store of value) nego kao “medij razmjene” (medium of exchange), što je uloga koju danas igra moderni novac. Szabo objašnjava:

"U usporedbi sa modernim novcem, primitivan novac je imao jako malo “brzinu” - mogao je promijeniti ruke samo nekoliko puta u životu prosječnog čovjeka. Svejedno, trajni i čvrsti sakupljački predmet, što bismo danas nazvali “nasljeđe,” mogao je opstati mnogo generacija, dodajući znatnu vrijednost pri svakom transferu - i zapravo omogućiti transfer uopće".

Rani čovjek suočio se sa bitnom dilemom u teoriji igara, kada je odlučivao koje predmete sakupljati: koje od njih će drugi ljudi željeti? Onaj koji bi to točno predvidio imao bi ogromnu prednost u mogućnosti trgovine i akvizicije bogatsva. Neka američka indijanska plemena, npr. Naraganseti, specijalizirala su se u proizvodnji sakupljačkih dobara koja nisu imala drugu svrhu osim trgovine. Valja spomenuti da što je ranije predviđanje da će neko dobro imati takvu vrijednost, veća je prednost koju će imati onaj koji je posjeduje, zato što ju je moguće nabaviti jeftinije, prije nego postane vrlo tražena roba i njezona vrijednost naraste zajedno sa populacijom. Nadalje, nabava nekog dobra u nadi da će u budućnosti biti korišteno kao spremište vrijednosti, ubrzava upravo tu primjenu. Ova cirkularnost je zapravo povratna veza (feedback loop) koja potiče društva da se rapidno slože oko jednog spremišta vrijednosti. U terminima teorije igara, ovo je znano kao “Nashov ekvilibrij.” Postizanje Nashovog ekvilibrija za neko spremište vrijednosti je veliko postignuće za društvo, pošto ono znatno olakšava trgovinu i podjelu rada, i time omogućava napredak civilizacije.

Tisućljećima, kako su ljudska društva rasla i otvarala trgovinske puteve, različite aplikacije spremišta vrijednosti u individualnim društvima počele su se natjecati međusobno. Trgovci su imali izbor: čuvati svoju zaradu u spremištu vrijednosti vlastite kulture, ili one kulture sa kojom su trgovali, ili mješavini oboje. Benefit štednje u stranom spremištu vrijednosti bila je uvećana sposobnost trgovanja u povezanom stranom društvu. Trgovci koji su štedili u stranom spremištu vrijednosti su također imali dobrih razloga da potiču svoje društvo da ga prihvati, jer bi tako uvećali vrijednost vlastite ušteđevine. Prednosti “uvezene” tehnologije spremanja vrijednosti bile su prisutne ne samo za trgovce, nego i za sama društva. Kada bi se dvije grupe konvergirale u jedinstvenom spremištu vrijednosti, to bi značajno smanjilo cijenu troškova trgovine jednog s drugim, i samim time povećanje bogatstva kroz trgovinu. I zaista, 19. stoljeće bilo je prvi put da je najveći dio svijeta prihvatio jedinstveno spremište vrijednosti - zlato - i u tom periodu vidio najveću eksploziju trgovine u povijesti svijeta. O ovom mirnom periodu, pisao je John Maynard Keynes:

"Kakva nevjerojatna epizoda u ekonomskom napretku čovjeka… za svakog čovjeka iole iznadprosječnog, iz srednje ili više klase, život je nudio obilje, ugodu i mogućnosti, po niskoj cijeni i bez puno problema, više nego monarsima iz prethodnih perioda. Stanovnik Londona mogao je, ispijajući jutarnji čaj iz kreveta, telefonski naručiti razne proizvode iz cijele Zemlje, u količinama koje je želio, i sa dobrim razlogom očekivati njihovu dostavu na svoj kućni prag."

Svojstva dobrog spremišta vrijednosti

Kada se spremišta vrijednosti natječu jedno s drugim, specifična svojstva rade razliku koja daje jednom prednost nad drugim. Premda su mnoga dobra u prošlosti korištena kao spremišta vrijednosti ili kao “proto-novac,” određena svojstva su se pokazala kao posebno važna, i omogućila dobrima sa njima da pobijede. Idealno spremište vrijednosti biti će:

• Trajno: dobro ne smije biti kvarljivo ili lako uništeno. Tako naprimjer, žito nije idealno spremište vrijednosti.
• Prenosivo: dobro mora biti lako transportirati i čuvati, što omogućuje osiguranje protiv gubitka ili krađe i dopušta trgovinu na velike udaljenosti. Tako, krava je lošije spremište vrijednosti od zlatne narukvice.
• Zamjenjivo: jedna jedinica dobra treba biti zamjenjiva sa drugom. Bez zamjenjivosti, problem podudarnosti želja ostaje nerješiv. Time, zlato je bolje od dijamanata, jer su oni nepravilni u obliku i kvaliteti.
• Provjerljivo: dobro mora biti lako i brzo identificirano i testirano za autentičnost. Laka provjera povećava povjerenje u trgovini i vjerojatnost da će razmjena biti dovršena.
• Djeljivo: dobro mora biti lako djeljivo na manje dijelove. Premda je ovo svojstvo bilo manje važno u ranim društvima gdje je trgovina bila rijetka, postalo je važnije sa procvatom trgovine. Količine koje su se mijenjale postale su manje i preciznije.
• Oskudno: Monetarno dobro mora imati “cijenu nemoguću za lažirati,” kao što je rekao Nick Szabo. Drugim riječima, dobro ne smije biti obilno ili lako dostupno kroz proizvodnju. Oskudnost je možda i najvažnije svojstvo spremišta vrijednosti, pošto se izravno vezuje na ljudsku želju da sakupljamo ono što je rijetko. Ona je izvor vrijednosti u spremištu vrijednosti.
• Duge povijesti: što je dulje neko dobro vrijedno za društvo, veća je vjerojatnost da će biti prihvaćeno kao spremište vrijednosti. Dugo postojeće spremište vrijednosti biti će jako teško uklonjeno od strane došljaka, osim u slučaju sile (ratno osvajanje) ili ako je nova tehnologija znatno bolja u ostalim svojstvima.
• Otporno na cenzuru: novije svojstvo, sve više važno u modernom digitalnom svijetu sa sveprisutnim nadzorom, je otpornost na cenzuru. Drugim riječima, koliko je teško da vanjski agent, kao korporacija ili država, spriječi vlasnika dobra da ga čuva i koristi. Dobra koja su otporna na cenzuru su idealna za ljude koji žive u režimima koji prisilno nadziru kapital ili čine neke oblike mirne trgovine protuzakonitima.

Ova tablica ocjenjuje Bitcoin, zlato (gold) i fiat novac (kao što je euro ili dolar) po svojstvima izlistanim gore. Objašnjenje svake ocjene slijedi nakon tablice.

Trajnost:

Zlato je neosporeni kralj trajnosti. Velika većina zlata pronađenog kroz povijest, uključujući ono egipatskih faraona, opstaje i danas i vjerojatno će postojati i za tisuću godina. Zlatnici korišteni u antičko doba imaju značajnu vrijednost i danas. Fiat valute i bitcoini su digitalni zapisi koji ponekad imaju fizički oblik (npr. novčanice). Dakle, njihovu trajnost ne određuju njihova fizička svojstva (moguće je zamijeniti staru i oštećenu novčanicu za novu), nego institucije koje stoje iza njih. U slučaju fiat valuta, mnoge države su nastale i nestale kroz stoljeća, i valute su nestale s njima. Marke iz Weimarske republike danas nemaju vrijednost zato što institucija koja ih je izdavala više ne postoji. Ako je povijest ikakav pokazatelj, ne bi bilo mudro smatrati fiat valute trajnima dugoročno; američki dolar i britanska funta su relativne anomalije u ovom pogledu. Bitcoini, zato što nemaju instituciju koja ih održava, mogu se smatrati trajnima dok god mreža koja ih osigurava postoji. Obzirom da je Bitcoin još uvijek mlada valuta, prerano je za čvrste zaključke o njegovoj trajnosti. No, postoje ohrabrujući znakovi - prominente države su ga pokušavale regulirati, hakeri ga napadali - usprkos tome, mreža nastavlja funkcionirati, pokazujući visok stupanj antifragilnosti.

Prenosivost:

Bitcoini su najprenosivije spremište vrijednosti ikad. Privatni ključevi koji predstavljaju stotine milijuna dolara mogu se spremiti na USB drive i lako ponijeti bilo gdje. Nadalje, jednako velike sume mogu se poslati na drugi kraj svijeta skoro instantno. Fiat valute, zbog svojeg temeljno digitalnog oblika, su također lako prenosive. Ali, regulacije i kontrola kapitala od strane države mogu ugroziti velike prijenose vrijednosti, ili ih usporiti danima. Gotovina se može koristiti kako bi se izbjegle kontrole kapitala, ali onda rastu rizik čuvanja i cijena transporta. Zlato, zbog svojeg fizičkog oblika i velike gustoće, je najmanje prenosivo. Nije čudo da većina zlatnika i poluga nikad ne napuste sefove. Kada se radi prijenos zlata između prodavača i kupca, uglavnom se prenosi samo ugovor o vlasništvu, ne samo fizičko zlato. Prijenos fizičkog zlata na velike udaljenosti je skupo, riskantno i sporo.

Zamjenjivost:

Zlato nam daje standard za zamjenjivost. Kada je rastopljeno, gram zlata je praktički nemoguće razlikovati od bilo kojeg drugog grama, i zlato je oduvijek bilo takvo. S druge strane, fiat valute, su zamjenjive samo onoliko koliko njihova institucija želi da budu. Iako je uglavnom slučaj da je novčanica zamjenjiva za drugu istog iznosa, postoje situacije u kojima su velike novčanice tretirane drukčije od malih. Naprimjer, vlada Indije je, u pokušaju da uništi neoporezivo sivo tržište, potpuno oduzela vrijednost novčanicama od 500 i 1000 rupija. To je uzrokovalo da ljudi manje vrednuju te novčanice u trgovini, što je značilo da više nisu bile zaista zamjenjive za manje novčanice. Bitcoini su zamjenjivi na razini mreže; svaki bitcoin je pri prijenosu tretiran kao svaki drugi. No, zato što je moguće pratiti individualne bitcoine na blockchainu, određeni bitcoin može, u teoriji, postati “prljav” zbog korštenja u ilegalnoj trgovini, te ga trgovci ili mjenjačnice možda neće htjeti prihvatiti. Bez dodatnih poboljšanja oko privatnosti i anonimnosti na razini mrežnog protokola, bitcoine ne možemo smatrati jednako zamjenjivim kao zlato.

Mogućnost provjere:

Praktično gledajući, autentičnost fiat valuta i zlata je prilično lako provjeriti. Svejedno, i usprkos pokušajima da spriječe krivotvorenje novčanica, i dalje postoji potencijal prevare za vlade i njihove građane. Zlato također nije imuno na krivotvorenje. Sofisticirani kriminalci su koristili pozlaćeni tungsten kako bi prevarili kupce zlata. Bitcoine je moguće provjeriti sa matematičkom sigurnošću. Korištenjem kriptografskih potpisa, vlasnik bitcoina može javno demonstrirati da posjeduje bitcoine koje tvrdi da posjeduje.

Djeljivost:

Bitcoine je moguće podijeliti u stotinu milijuna manjih jedinica (zvanih satoshi), i prenositi takve (no, valja uzeti u obzir ekonomičnost prijenosa malih iznosa, zbog cijene osiguravanja mreže - “network fee”). Fiat valute su tipično dovoljno djeljive na jedinice sa vrlo niskom kupovnom moći. Zlato, iako fizički i teoretski djeljivo, postaje teško za korištenje kada se podijeli na dovoljno male količine da bi se moglo koristiti u svakodnevnoj trgovini.

Oskudnost:

Svojstvo koje najjasnije razlikuje Bitcoin od fiat valuta i zlata je njegova unaprijed definirana oskudnost. Od početka, konačna količina bitcoina nikad neće biti veća od 21 milijun. To daje vlasnicima bitcoina jasan i znan uvid u postotak ukupnog vlasništva. Naprimjer, vlasnik 10 bitcoina bi znao da najviše 2,1 milijuna ljudi (manje od 0.03% populacije) može ikad imati isto bitcoina kao i on. Premda je kroz povijest uvijek bilo oskudno, zlato nije imuno na povećanje ukupne količine. Ako se ikad izumi nova, ekonomičnija metoda rudarenja ili proizvodnje zlata, ukupna količina zlata bi se mogla dramatično povećati (npr. rudarenje morskog dna ili asteroida). Na kraju, fiat valute, relativno nov izum u povijesti, pokazale su se sklonima konstantnim povećanjima u količini. Države su pokazale stalnu sklonost inflaciji monetarne kvantitete kako bi rješavale kratkoročne političke probleme. Inflacijske tendencije vlada diljem svijeta čine fiat valute gotovo sigurnim da će gubiti vrijednost kroz vrijeme.

Etablirana povijest:

Nijedno monetarno dobro nema povijest kao zlato, koje je imalo vrijednost za cijelog trajanja ljudske civilizacije. Kovanice izrađene u antičko doba i danas imaju značajnu vrijednost. Ne može se isto reći za fiat valute, koje su same relativno nova povijesna anomalija. Od njihovog početka, fiat valute su imale gotovo univerzalni smjer prema bezvrijednosti. Korištenje inflacije kao podmuklog načina za nevidljivo oporezivanje građana je vječita kušnja kojoj se skoro nijedna država u povijesti nije mogla oduprijeti. Ako je 20. stoljeće, u kojem je fiat novac dominirao globalni monetarni poredak, demonstriralo neku ekonomsku istinu, to je onda bila ta da ne možemo računati na fiat novac da održi vrijednost u dužem ili srednjem vremenskom periodu. Bitcoin, usprkos svojoj novosti, je preživio dovoljno testova tržišta da postoji velika vjerojatnost da neće nestati kao vrijedno dobro. Nadalje, Lindy efekt govori da što duže Bitcoin bude korišten, to će veća biti vjera u njega i njegovu sposobnost da nastavi postojati dugo u budućnost. Drugim riječima, društvena vjera u monetarno dobro je asimptotička, kao u grafu ispod:

Ako Bitcoin preživi prvih 20 godina, imat će gotovo sveopće povjerenje da će trajati zauvijek, kao što ljudi vjeruju da je internet trajna stvar u modernom svijetu.

Otpor na cenzuru

Jedan od najbitnijih izvora za ranu potražnju bitcoina bila je njegova upotreba u ilegalnoj kupovini i prodaji droge. Mnogi su zato pogrešno zaključili da je primarna potražnja za bitcoinima utemeljena u njihovoj prividnoj anonimnosti. Međutim, Bitcoin nije anonimna valuta; svaka transakcija na mreži je zauvijek zapisana na javnom blockchainu. Povijesni zapis transakcija dozvoljava forenzičkoj analizi da identificira izvore i tijek sredstava. Takva analiza dovela je do uhićenja počinitelja zloglasne MtGox pljačke. Premda je istina da dovoljno oprezna i pedantna osoba može sakriti svoj identitet koristeći Bitcoin, to nije razlog zašto je Bitcoin bio toliko popularan u trgovini drogom.

Ključno svojstvo koje čini Bitcoin najboljim za takve aktivnosti je njegova agnostičnost i nepotrebnost za dozvolom (“premissionlessness”) na mrežnoj razini. Kada se bitcoini prenose na Bitcoin mreži, ne postoji nitko tko dopušta transakcije. Bitcoin je distribuirana peer-to-peer (korisnik-korisniku) mreža, i samim time dizajnirana da bude otporna na cenzuru. Ovo je u velikom kontrastu sa fiat bankarskim sustavom, u kojem države reguliraju banke i ostale institucije prijenosa novca, kako bi one prijavljivale i sprječavale protuzakonito korištenje monetarnih dobara. Klasičan primjer regulacije novca su kontrole kapitala. Npr., bogati milijunaš će vrlo teško prenijeti svoje bogatstvo u novu zemlju, kada bježi iz opresivnog režima. Premda zlato nije izdano i proizvedeno od države, njegova fizička priroda ga čini teško prenosivim kroz prostor, i samim time ga je daleko lakše regulirati nego Bitcoin. Indijski Akt kontrole zlata je primjer takve regulacije.

Bitcoin je odličan u većini gore navedenih svojstava, što mu omogućava da bude marginalno bolji od modernih i drevnih monetarnih dobara, te da pruži poticaje za svoje rastuće društveno usvajanje. Specifično, moćna kombinacija otpornosti na cenzuru i apsolutne oskudnosti bila je velika motivacija za bogate ulagače koji su uložili dio svojeg bogatstva u Bitcoin.

Evolucija novca

U modernoj monetarnoj ekonomiji postoji opsesija sa ulogom novca kao medija razmjene. U 20. stoljeću, države su monopolizirale izdavanje i kontrolu novca i kontinuirano potkopavale njegovo svojstvo spremišta vrijednosti, stvarajući lažno uvjerenje da je primarna svrha novca biti medij razmjene. Mnogi su kritizirali Bitcoin, govoreći da je neprikladan da bude novac zato što mu je cijena bila previše volatilna za medij razmjene. No, novac je uvijek evoluirao kroz etape; uloga spremišta vrijednosti je dolazila prije medija razmjene. Jedan od očeva marginalističke ekonomije, William Stanley Jevons, objašnjava:

"Povijesno govoreći… čini se da je zlato prvo služilo kao luksuzni metal za ukras; drugo, kao sačuvana vrijednost; treće, kao medij razmjene; i konačno, kao mjerilo vrijednosti."

U modernoj terminologiji, novac uvijek evoluira kroz četiri stadija:

1. Kolekcionarstvo: U prvoj fazi svoje evolucije, novac je tražen samo zbog svojih posebnih svojstava, uglavnom zbog želja onog koji ga posjeduje. Školjke, perlice i zlato su bili sakupljani prije nego su poprimili poznatije uloge novca.
2. Spremište vrijednosti: Jednom kada je novac tražen od dovoljnog broja ljudi, biti će prepoznat kao način za čuvanje i spremanje vrijednosti kroz vrijeme. Kada neko dobro postane široko korišteno kao spremište vrijednosti, njegova kupovna moć raste sa povećanom potražnjom za tu svrhu. Kupovna moć spremišta vrijednosti će u jednom trenutku doći do vrhunca, kada je dovolno rašireno i broj novih ljudi koji ga potražuju splasne.
3. Sredstvo razmjene: Kada je novac potpuno etabliran kao spremište vrijednosti, njegova kupovna moć se stabilizira. Nakon toga, postane prikladno sredstvo razmjene zbog stabilnosti svoje cijene. U najranijim danima Bitcoina, mnogi ljudi nisu shvaćali koju buduću cijenu plaćaju koristeći bitcoine kao sredstvo razmjene, umjesto kao novonastalo spremište vrijednosti. Poznata priča o čovjeku koji je za 10,000 bitcoina (vrijednih oko 94 milijuna dolara kada je ovaj članak napisan) za dvije pizze ilustrira ovaj problem.
4. Jedinica računanja vrijednosti: Jednom kada je novac široko korišten kao sredstvo razmjene, dobra će biti vrednovana u njemu, tj. većina cijena će biti izražena u njemu. Uobičajena zabluda je da je većinu dobara moguće zamijeniti za bitcoine danas. Npr., premda je možda moguće kupiti šalicu kave za bitcoine, izlistana cijena nije prava bitcoin cijena; zapravo se radi o cijeni u državnoj valuti koju želi trgovac, preračunatu u bitcoin po trenutnoj tržišnoj cijeni. Kad bi cijena bitcoina pala u odnosu na valutu, vrijednost šalice izražena u bitcoinima bi se povećala. Od trenutka kada trgovci budu voljni prihvaćani bitcoine kao platežno sredstvo, bez obraćanja pažnje na vrijednost bitcoina u državnoj fiat valuti, moći ćemo reći da je Bitcoin zaista postao jedinica računanja vrijednosti.

Monetarna dobra koja još nisu jedinice računanja vrijednosti možemo smatrati “djelomično monetiziranima.” Danas zlato ima takvu ulogu, jer je spremište vrijednosti, ali su mu uloge sredstva razmjene i računanja vrijednosti oduzete intervencijama država. Moguće je također da se jedno dobro koristi kao sredstvo razmjene, dok druga ispunjavaju ostale uloge. To je tipično u zemljama gdje je država disfunkcionalna, npr. Argentina ili Zimbabwe. U svojoj knjizi, Digitalno zlato, Nathaniel Popper piše:

"U Americi, dolar služi trima funkcijama novca: nudi sredstvo razmjene, jedinicu za mjerenje vrijednosti dobara, i mjesto gdje se može čuvati vrijednosti. S druge strane, argentinski peso je korišten kao sredstvo razmjene (za svakodnevne potrebe), ali ga nitko nije koristio kao spremište vrijednosti. Štednja u pesosima bila je ekvivalent bacanja novca. Zato su ljudi svu svoju štednju imali u dolarima, jer je dolar bolje čuvao vrijednost. Zbog volatilnosti pesosa, ljudi su računali cijene u dolarima, što im je pružalo pouzdaniju jedinicu mjerenja kroz vrijeme."

Bitcoin je trenutno u fazi tranzicije iz prvog stadija monetizacije u drugi. Vjerojatno će proći nekoliko godina prije nego Bitcoin pređe iz začetaka spremišta vrijednosti u istinski medij razmjene, i put do tog trenutka je još uvijek pun rizika i nesigurnosti. Važno je napomenuti da je ista tranzicija trajala mnogo stoljeća za zlato. Nitko danas živ nije doživio monetizaciju dobra u realnom vremenu (kroz koju Bitcoin prolazi), tako da nemamo puno iskustva govoriti o putu i načinu na koji će se monetizacija dogoditi.

Put monetizacije

Kroz proces monetizacije, monetarno dobro će naglo porasti u kupovnoj moći. Mnogi su tako komentirali da je uvećanje kupovne moći Bitcoina izgledalo kao “balon” (bubble). Premda je ovaj termin često korišten kako bi ukazao na pretjeranu vrijednosti Bitcoina, sasvim slučajno je prikladan. Svojstvo koje je uobičajeno za sva monetarna dobra jest da je njihova kupovna moć viša nego što se može opravdati samo kroz njihovu uporabnu vrijednost. Zaista, mnogi povijesni novci nisu imali uporabnu vrijednost. Razliku između kupovne moći i vrijednosti razmjene koju bi novac mogao imati za svoju inherentnu korisnost, možemo razmatrati kao “monetarnu premiju.” Kako monetarno dobro prolazi kroz stadije monetizacije (navedene gore), monetarna premija raste. No, ta premija ne raste u ravnoj i predvidivoj liniji. Dobro X, koje je bilo u procesu monetizacije, može izgubiti u usporedbi sa dobrom Y koje ima više svojstava novca, te monetarna premija dobra X drastično padne ili potpuno nestane. Monetarna premija srebra je skoro potpuno nestala u kasnom 19. stoljeću, kada su ga vlade diljem svijeta zamijenile zlatom kao novcem.

Čak i u odsustvu vanjskih faktora, kao što su intervencije vlade ili druga monetarna dobra, monetarna premija novog novca neće ići predvidivim putem. Ekonomist Larry White primijetio je:

"problem sa pričom “balona,” naravno, je da je ona konzistentna sa svakim putem cijene, i time ne daje ikakvo objašnjenje za specifičan put cijene"

Proces monetizacije opisuje teorija igara; svaki akter na tržištu pokušava predvidjeti agregiranu potražnju ostalih aktera, i time buduću monetarnu premiju. Zato što je monetarna premija nevezana za inherentnu korisnost, tržišni akteri se uglavnom vode za prošlim cijenama da bi odredili je li neko dobro jeftino ili skupo, i žele li ga kupiti ili prodati. Veza trenutne potražnje sa prošlim cijenama naziva se “ovisnost o putu” (path dependence); ona je možda najveći izvor konfuzije u shvaćanju kretanja cijena monetarnih dobara.

Kada kupovna moć monetarnog dobra naraste zbog većeg i šireg korištenja, očekivanja tržišta o definicijama “jeftinog” i “skupog” se mijenjaju u skladu s time. Slično tome, kada cijena monetarnog dobra padne, očekivanja tržišta mogu se promijeniti u opće vjerovanje da su prethodne cijene bile “iracionalne” ili prenapuhane. Ovisnost o putu novca ilustrirana je riječima poznatog upravitelja fondova s Wall Streeta, Josha Browna:

"Kupio sam bitcoine kada su koštali $2300, i to mi se udvostručilo gotovo odmah. Onda sam počeo govoriti kako “ne mogu kupiti još” dok im je cijena rasla, premda sam znao da je to razmišljanje bazirano samo na cijenu po kojoj sam ih kupio. Kasnije, kada je cijena pala zbog kineske regulacije mjenjačnica, počeo sam si govoriti, “Odlično, nadam se da će još pasti da mogu kupiti još.”"

Istina leži u tome da su ideje “jeftinog” i “skupog” zapravo besmislene kada govorimo o monetarnim dobrima. Cijena monetarnog dobra ne reflektira njegovu stopu rasprostanjenosti ili korisnosti, nego mjeru koliko je ono široko prihvaćeno da ispuni razne uloge novca.

Dodatna komplikacija u ovom aspektu novca je činjenica da tržišni akteri ne djeluju samo kao nepristrani promatrači koji pokušavaju kupiti i prodati u iščekivanju budućih kretanja monetarne premije, nego i kao aktivni proponenti. Pošto ne postoji objektivno “točna” monetarna premija, širiti dobar glas o superiornijim svojstvima nekog monetarnog dobra je efektivnije nego za obična dobra, čija vrijednost je u konačnici vezana na njegovu osnovnu korisnost. Religiozni zanos sudionika na Bitcoin tržištu vidljiv je na raznim internetskim forumima, gdje Bitcoineri aktivno promoviraju benefine Bitcoina i bogatstvo koje je moguće ostvariti investiranjem u njega. Promatrajući Bitcoin tržište, Leigh Drogen komentira:

"To je prepoznatljivo svima kao religija - priča koju si pričamo i oko koje se slažemo. Religija je krivulja na grafu prihvaćanja o kojoj trebamo razmišljati. Sustav je gotovo savršen - onog trenutka kada netko pristupi krugu Bitcoinera, to će reći svima i nastaviti širiti riječ. Onda njihovi prijatelji pristupe i nastave širiti riječ."

Premda usporedba sa religijom može staviti Bitcoin u iracionalno svjetlo, potpuno je racionalno za individualnog vlasnika da širi dobru vijest o superiornom monetarnom dobru, i za šire društvo da se standardizira oko njega. Novac djeluje kao temelj za svu trgovinu i štednju; tako da prihvaćanje superiornog oblika novca ima ogromne multiplicirajuće benefite za stvaranje bogatstva za sve članove društva.

Oblik monetizacije

U članku o Spekulativnom prihvaćanju Bitcoina / teorije cijene, Michael Casey postulira da rastući Gartner hype ciklusi predstavljaju faze standardne S-krivulje prihvaćanja novih tehnologija, koje su bile prisutne kod mnogih transformacijskih tehnologija dok su postajale uobičajene u društvu.

Svaki Gartner hype ciklus počinje sa eksplozijom entuzijazma za novom tehnologijom, a cijenu podižu oni sudionici na tržištvu koji su “dostupni” u toj fazi. Najraniji kupci u Gartner hype ciklusu obično imaju jaku vjeru o transformacijskoj prirodi tehnologije u koju ulažu. S vremenom, tržište dosegne vrhunac entuzijazma kako se količina novih kupaca iscrpljuje, te kupovinom počnu dominirati spekulatori koji su više zainteresirani u brze profite nego u samu tehnologiju.

Nakon vrha hype ciklusa, cijene rapidno padaju dok spekulativno ludilo ustupa mjesto očajavanju, javnoj poruzi i osjećaju da tehnologija nije uopće bila transformacijska. S vremenom, cijena dosegne dno i formira plato na kojem se originalnim ulagačima, koji su imali snažno uvjerenje, pridružuju nove grupe ljudi koji su izdržali bol kraha cijena i koji cijene važnost same tehnologije.

Plato traje neko vrijeme i formira, kako Casey kaže, “stabilnu, dosadnu dolinu.” Za ovo vrijeme, javni interes za tehnologiju opada, no nastaviti će se razvijati i snažna zajednica uvjerenja će polako rasti. Tada, postavlja se nova baza za sljedeću iteraciju hype ciklusa, dok vanjski promatrači prepoznaju da tehnologija i dalje postoji i da ulaganje u nju možda nije onoliko rizično kao što se činilo za vrijeme pada cijene. Sljedeća iteracija hype ciklusa donosi mnogo veći broj novih ljudi, pa je i ciklus daleko veći u svojoj magnitudi.

Jako mali broj ljudi koji sudjeluju u Gartner hype ciklusu će točno predvidjeti koliko će visoko cijena porasti za vrijeme ciklusa. Cijene često dosegnu razine koje bi se činile apsurdnima većini ulagača u raniji stadijima ciklusa. Kada ciklus završi, mediji tipično atribuiraju pad cijene nekoj od aktualnih drušvenih tema. Premda takva tema može biti okidač pada, ona nikad nije temeljni razlog zašto ciklus završava. Gartner hype ciklusi završavaju kada je količina dostupnih novih sudionika na tržištu iscrpljena.

Zanimljivo je da je i zlato nacrtalo klasičan graf Gartner hype ciklusa od kasnih 1970-ih do ranih 2000-ih. Moguće je spekulirati da je hype ciklus osnovna socijalna dinamika oko procesa monetizacije.

Gartner kohorte

Od početka trgovanja Bitcoina na mjenjačnicama 2010. godine, Bitcoin tržište je svjedočilo četirima velikim Gartner hype ciklusima. U retrospektivi, možemo vrlo precizno identificirati grupe cijena prethodnih hype ciklusa Bitcoin tržišta. Također, možemo kvalitativno odrediti kohorte ulagača koje su povezane sa svakom iteracijom prethodnih ciklusa.

$ 0–$ 1 (2009. – 3. mjesec 2011.): Prvi hype ciklus u Bitcoin tržištu dominirali su kriptografi, računalni znanstvenici i cypherpunkovi koji su od početka bili spremni razumijeti važnost nevjerojatnog izuma Satoshija Nakamotoa, i koji su bili pioniri u potvrđivanju da Bitcoin protokol nema tehničkih mana.

$ 1–$ 30 (3. mjesec 2011. – 7. mjesec. 2011.): Drugi ciklus privukao je rane entuzijaste oko novih tehnologija kao i stabilan pritok ideološki motiviranih ulagača koji su bili oduševljeni idejom novca odvojenog od države. Libertarijanci poput Rogera Vera došli su u Bitcoin zbog aktivnog anti-institucionalnog stava, i mogućnosti koju je nova tehnologija obećavala. Wences Casares, briljantni i dobro povezani serijski poduzetnik, bio je također dio drugog Bitcoin hype ciklusa te je širio riječ o Bitcoinu među najprominentnijim tehnolozima i ulagačima u Silicijskoj Dolini.

$ 250–$ 1100 (4. mjesec 2013. – 12. mjesec 2013.): Treći hype ciklus doživio je ulazak ranih generalnih i institucionalnih ulagača koji su bili voljni uložiti trud i riskirati kroz užasno komplicirane kanale likvidnosti kako bi kupili bitcoine. Primaran izvor likvidnosti na tržištu za vrijeme ovog perioda bio je MtGox, mjenjačnica bazirana u Japanu, koju je vodio notorno nesposobni i beskrupulozni Mark Karpeles, koji je kasnije završio i u zatvoru zbog svoje uloge u kolapsu MtGoxa.

Valja primijetiti da je rast Bitcoinove cijene za vrijeme spomenuti hype ciklusa većinom povezano sa povećanjem likvidnosti i lakoćom sa kojom su ulagači mogli kupiti bitcoine. Za vrijeme prvog hype ciklusa, nisu postojale mjenjačnice; akvizicija bitcoina se odvijala primarno kroz rudarenje (mining) ili kroz izravnu razmjenu sa onima koju su već izrudarili bitcoine. Za vrijeme drugog hype ciklusa, pojavile su se rudimentarne mjenjačnice, no nabavljanje i osiguravanje bitcoina na ovim mjenjačnicama bilo je previše kompleksno za sve osim tehnološki najsposobnijih ulagača. Čak i za vrijeme trećeg hype ciklusa, ulagači koju su slali novac na MtGox kako bi kupili bitcoine su morali raditi kroz značajne prepreke. Banke nisu bile voljne imati posla sa mjenjačnicom, a oni posrednici koji su nudili usluge transfera bili su često nesposobni, kriminalni, ili oboje. Nadalje, mnogi koji su uspjeli poslati novac MtGoxu, u konačnici su morali prihvatiti gubitak svojih sredstava kada je mjenjačnica hakirana i kasnije zatvorena.

Tek nakon kolapsa MtGox mjenjačnice i dvogodišnje pauze u tržišnoj cijeni Bitcoina, razvili su se zreli i duboki izvori likvidnosti; primjeri poput reguliranih mjenjačnica kao što su GDAX i OTC brokeri kao Cumberland mining. Dok je četvrti hype ciklus započeo 2016. godine, bilo je relativno lako običnim ulagačima kupiti i osigurati bitcoine.

$ 1100 – $ 19600? (2014. –?):

U trenutku pisanja ovog teksta, tržište Bitcoina je prolazilo svoj četvrti veliki hype ciklus. Sudjelovanje u ovom hype ciklusu dominirala je ona skupina koju je Michael Casey opisao kao “rana većina” običnih i institucionalnih ulagača.

Kako su se izvori likvidnosti produbljivali i sazrijevali, veliki institucionalni ulagači sada imaju priliku sudjelovati kroz regulirana “futures” tržišta. Dostupnosti takvih tržišta stvara put ka kreaciji Bitcoin ETF-a (exchange traded fund) (fond na slobodnom tržištu), koji će onda pokrenuti “kasnu većinu” i “najsporije” u sljedećim hype ciklusima.

Premda je nemoguće predvidjeti točan efekt budućih hype ciklusa, razumno je očekivati da će najviša točka biti između $ 20.000 i $ 50.000 (2021. zenit je bio preko $ 69.000). Znatno više od ovog raspona, i Bitcoin bi imao znatan postotak ukupne vijednosti zlata (zlato i Bitcoin bi imali jednaku tržišnu kapitalizaciju kada bi bitcoini vrijedili oko $ 380.000 u trenutku pisanja ovog teksta). Značajan postotak vrijednosti zlata dolazi od potražnje centralnih banaka, te je malo vjerojatno da će centralne banke ili suverene države sudjelovati u trenutnom hype ciklusu.

Ulazak suverenih država u Bitcoin

Bitcoinov zadnji Gartner hype ciklus će započeti kada ga suverene države počnu akumulirati kao dio svojih rezervi stranih valuta. Tržišna kapitalizacija Bitcoina je trenutno premala da bismo ga smatrali značajnim dodatkom rezervama većini zemalja. No, kako se interes u privatnom sektoru povećava i kapitalizacija Bitcoina se približi trilijunu dolara, postat će dovoljno likvidan za većinu država. Prva država koja službeno doda bitcoine u svoje rezerve će vjerojatno potaknuti stampedo ostalih da učine isto. Države koje su među prvima u usvajanju Bitcoina imat će najviše benefita u svojim knjigama ako Bitcoin u konačnici postane globalna valuta (global reserve currency). Nažalost, vjerojatno će države sa najjačom izvršnom vlasti - diktature poput Sjeverne Koreje - biti najbrže u akumulaciji bitcoina. Neodobravanje prema takvim državama i slaba izvršna tijela zapadnjačkih demokracija uzrokovat će sporost i kašnjenje u akumulaciji bitcoina za njihove vlastite rezerve.

Velika je ironija u tome što je SAD trenutno jedna od regulatorno najotvorenijih nacija prema Bitcoinu, dok su Kina i Rusija najzatvorenije. SAD riskira najviše, geopolitički, ako bi Bitcoin zamijenio dolar kao svjetska rezervna valuta. U 1960-ima, Charles de Gaulle je kritizirao “pretjeranu privilegiju” (“exorbitant privilege”) koju su SAD imale u međunarodnom monetarnom poretku, postavljenom kroz Bretton Woods dogovor 1944. godine. Ruska i kineska vlada još ne shvaćaju geo-strateške benefite Bitcoina kao rezervne valute, te se trenutno brinu o efektima koje bi mogao imati na njihova unutarnja tržišta. Kao de Gaulle u 1960-ima, koji je prijetio SAD-u povratkom na klasični standard zlata, Kinezi i Rusi će s vremenom uvidjeti korist u velikoj poziciji u Bitcoinu - spremištu vrijednosti bez pokrića ijedne vlade. Sa najvećom koncentracijom rudara Bitcoina u Kini (2017.), kineska vlada već ima znatnu potencijalnu prednost u stavljanju bitcoina u svoje rezerve.

SAD se ponosi svojim statusom nacije inovatora, sa Silicijskom dolinom kao krunom svoje ekonomije. Dosad, Silicijska dolina je dominirala konverzacijom usmjerenom prema regulaciji, i poziciji koju bi ona treba zauzeti prema Bitcoinu. No, bankovna industrija i federalna rezerva SAD-a (US Federal Reserve, Fed) napokon počinju uviđati egzistencijalnu prijetnju koju Bitcoin predstavlja za američku monetarnu politiku, postankom globalne rezervne valute. Wall Street Journal, jedan od medijskih glasova federalne reserve, izdao je komentar o Bitcoinu kao prijetnji monetarnoj politici SAD-a:

"Postoji još jedna opasnost, možda i ozbiljnija iz perspektive centralnih banaka i regulatora: bitcoin možda ne propadne. Ako je spekulativni žar u kriptovalutu samo prvi pokazatelj njezinog šireg korištenja kao alternative dolaru, Bitcoin će svakako ugroziti monopol centralnih banaka nad novcem."

U narednim godinama, možemo očekivati veliku borbu između poduzetnika i inovatora u Silicijskoj dolini, koji će pokušavati čuvati Bitcoin od državne kontrole s jedne strane, i bankovne industrije i centralnih banaka koje će učiniti sve što mogu da bi regulirale Bitcoin kako bi spriječile znatne promjene u svojoj industriji i moći izdavanja novca, s druge.

Prijelaz na medij razmjene

Monetarno dobro ne može postati opće prihvaćen medij razmjene (standardna ekonomska definicija za “novac”) prije nego je vrednovano od širokog spektra ljudi; jednostavno, dobro koje nije vrednovano neće biti prihvaćeno u razmjeni. Kroz proces generalnog rasta vrijednosti, i time postanka spremišta vrijednosti, monetarno dobro će brzo narasti u kupovnoj moći, i time stvoriti cijenu za korištenje u razmjeni. Samo kada ta cijena rizika mijenjanja spremišta vrijednosti padne dovoljno nisko, može dobro postati opće prihvaćen medij razmjene.

Preciznije, monetarno dobro će biti prikladno kao medij razmjene samo kada je suma cijene rizika i transakcijske cijene u razmjeni manja nego u trgovini bez tog dobra.

U društvu koje vrši robnu razmjenu, prijelaz spremišta vrijednosti u medij razmjene može se dogoditi čak i onda kada monetarno dobro raste u kupovnoj moći, zato što su transakcijski troškovi robne razmjene iznimno visoki. U razvijenoj ekonomiji, u kojoj su troškovi razmjene niski, moguće je za mladu i rapidno rastućnu tehnologiju spremišta vrijednosti, poput Bitcoina, da se koristi kao medij razmjene, doduše na ograničen način. Jedan primjer je ilegalno tržište droge, gdje su kupci voljni žrtvovati oportunu cijenu čuvanja bitcoina kako bi umanjili znatan rizik kupovine droge koristeći fiat novac.

Postoje međutim velike institucionalne barijere da novonastalo spremište vrijednosti postane sveopće prihvaćen medij razmjene u razvijenom društvu. Države koriste oporezivanje kao moćnu metodu zaštite svojeg suverenog novca protiv rivalskih monetarnih dobara. Ne samo da suvereni novac ima prednost konstantnog izvora potražnje, zato što je porez moguće platiti jedino u njemu, nego su i rivalska monetarna dobra oporezana pri svakoj razmjeni za vrijeme rastuće cijene. Ova metoda oporezivanja stvara znatan otpor korištenju spremišta vrijednosti kao medija razmjene.

Ovakvo sabotiranje tržišnih monetarnih dobara nije nepremostiva barijera za njihovo prihvaćanje kao općeg medija razmjene. Ako ljudi izgube vjeru u suvereni novac, njegova vrijednost može rapidno propasti kroz proces zvan hiperinflacija. Kada suvereni novac prolazi kroz hiperinflaciju, njegova vrijednost propadne prvo u usporedbi sa najlikvidnijim dobrima u društvu, kao što je zlato ili stabilna strana valuta (američki dolar npr.), ako su ona dostupna. Kada nema likvidnih dobara ili ih ima premalo, novac u hiperinflaciji kolabira u usporedbi sa stvarnim dobrima, kao što su nekretnine ili upotrebljiva roba. Arhetipska slika hiperinflacije je trgovina sa praznim policama - potrošači brzo bježe iz propadajuće vrijednosti novca svoje nacije.

Nakon dovoljno vremena, kada je vjera potpuno uništena za vrijeme hiperinflacije, suvereni novac više nitko ne prihvaća, te se društvo može vratiti na robnu razmjenu, ili će doživjeti potpunu zamjenu monetarne jedinice za sredstvo razmjene. Primjer ovog procesa bila je zamjena zimbabveanskog dolara za američki dolar. Takva promjena suverenog novca za stranu valutu je dodatno otežana relativnom oskudnošću strane valute i odsustvom stranih bankarskih institucija koje pružaju likvidnost tržištu.

Sposobnost lakog prenošenja bitcoina preko granica i odsustvo potrebe za bankarskim sustavom čine Bitcoin idealnim monetarnim dobrom za one ljude koji pate pod hiperinflacijom. U nadolazećim godinama, kako fiat valute nastave svoj povijesni trend ka bezvrijednosti, Bitcoin će postati sve popularniji izbor za ušteđevine ljudi diljem svijeta. Kada je novac nacije napušten i zamijenjen Bitcoinom, Bitcoin će napraviti tranziciju iz spremišta vrijednosti u tom društvu u opće prihvaćeno sredstvo razmjene. Daniel Krawicz stvorio je termin “hiperbitcoinizacija” da bi opisao ovaj proces.

Učestala pogrešna shvaćanja

Većina ovog članka usredotočila se na monetarnu prirodu Bitcoina. Sa tim temeljima možemo adresirati neke od najčešćih nerazumijevanja u Bitcoinu.

Bitcoin je balon (bubble)

Bitcoin, kao sva tržišna monetarna dobra, posjeduje monetarnu premiju. Ona često rezultira uobičajenom kritikom da je Bitcoin samo “balon.” No, sva monetarna dobra imaju monetarnu premiju. Naprotiv, ta monetarna premija (cijena viša od one koju diktira potražnja za dobrom kao korisnim) je upravo karakteristična za sve oblike novca. Drugim riječima, novac je uvijek i svuda balon. Paradoksalno, monetarno dobro je istovremeno balon i ispod vrijednosti ukoliko je u ranijim stadijima općeg prihvaćanja kao novac.

Bitcoin je previše volatilan

Volatilnost cijene Bitcoina je funkcija njegovog nedavnog nastanka. U prvih nekoliko godina svojeg postojanja, Bitcoin se ponašao kao mala dionica, i svaki veliki kupac - kao npr. braća Winklevoss - mogao je uzrokovati veliki skok u njegovoj cijeni. No, kako su se prihvaćenost i likvidnost povećavali kroz godine, volatilnost Bitcoina je srazmjerno smanjila. Kada Bitcoin postigne tržišnu kapitalizaciju (vrijednost) zlata, imat će sličnu volatilnost kao i zlato. Kako Bitcoin nastavi rasti, njegova volatilnost će se smanjiti do razine koja ga čini prikladnim za široko korištenje kao medij razmjene. Kao što je prethodno rečeno, monetizacija Bitcoina se odvija u seriji Gartner hype ciklusa. Volatilnost je najniža za vrijeme vrhunaca i dolina unutar ciklusa. Svaki hype ciklus ima nižu volatilnost od prethodnih, zato što je likvidnost tržišta veća.

Cijene transakcija su previsoke

Novija kritika Bitcoin mreže je ta da ju je povećanje cijena prijenosa bitcoina učinilo neprikladnom za sustav plaćanja. No, rast u cijenama transakcija je zdrav i očekivan. One su nužne za plaćanje bitcoin minera (rudara), koji osiguravaju mrežu validacijom transakcija. Rudare se plaća kroz cijene transakcija ili kroz blok-nagrade, koje su inflacijska subvencija od trane trenutnih vlasnika bitcoina.

S obzirom na Bitcoinovu fiksnu proizvodnju (monetarna politika koja ga čini idealnim za spremanje vrijednosti), blok-nagrade će s vremenom nestati i mrežu će se u konačnici morati osiguravati kroz cijene transakcija. Mreža sa “niskim” cijenama transakcija je mreža sa slabom sigurnosti i osjetljiva na vanjsku intervenciju i cenzuru. Oni koji hvale niske cijene Bitcoinovih alternative zapravo niti ne znajući opisuju slabosti tih takozvanih “alt-coina.”

Površan temelj kritika Bitcoinovih “visokih” cijena transakcija je uvjerenje da bi Bitcoin trebao biti prvo sustav plaćanja, i drugo spremište vrijednosti. Kao što smo vidjeli kroz povijest novca, ovo uvjerenje je naopako. Samo onda kada Bitcoin postane duboko ukorijenjeno spremište novca može biti prikladan kao sredstvo razmjene. Nadalje, kada oportunitetni trošak razmjene bitcoina dođe na razinu koja ga čini prikladnim sredstvom razmjene, većina trgovine neće se odvijati na samoj Bitcoin mreži, nego na mrežama “drugog sloja” (second layer) koje će imati niže cijene transakcija. Takve mreže, poput Lightning mreže, služe kao moderna verzija zadužnica koje su korištene za prijenos vlasničkih papira zlata u 19. stoljeću. Banke su koristile zadužnice zato što je prijenos samog metala bio daleko skuplji. Za razliku od takvih zadužnica, Lightning mreža će omogućavati nisku cijenu prijenosa bitcoina bez potrebe za povjerenjem prema trećoj strani, poput banaka. Razvoj Lightning mreže je tehnološka inovacija od izuzetne važnosti u povijesti Bitcoina, i njezina vrijednost će postati očita u narednim godinama, kako je sve više ljudi bude razvijalo i koristilo.

Konkurencija

Pošto je Bitcoin softverski protokol otvorenog tipa (open-source), oduvijek je bilo moguće kopirati softver i imitirati mrežu. Kroz godine nastajali su mnogi imitatori, od identičnih kopija, kao Litecoin, do kompleksnijih varijanti kao što je Ethereum, koje obećavaju arbitrarno kompleksne ugovorne mehanizme koristeći decentralizirani računalni sustav. Česta kritika Bitcoinu od strane ulagača je ta da on ne može zadržati svoju vrijednost kada je vrlo lako stvoriti konkurente koji mogu lako i brzo u sebi imati najnovije inovacije i softverske funkcionalnosti.

Greška u ovom argumentu leži u manju takozvanog “mrežnog efekta” (network effect), koji postoji u prvoj i dominantnoj tehnologiji u nekom području. Mrežni efekt - velika vrijednost korištenja Bitcoina samo zato što je već dominantan - je važno svojstvo samo po sebi. Za svaku tehnologiju koja posjeduje mrežni efekt, to je daleko najvažnije svojstvo koje može imati.

Za Bitcoin, mrežni efekt uključuje likvidnost njegovog tržišta, broj ljudi koji ga posjeduju, i zajednicu programera koji održavaju i unaprjeđuju njegov softver i svjesnost u javnosti. Veliki ulagači, uključujući države, će uvijek prvo tražiti najlikvidnije tržište, kako bi mogli ući i izaći iz tržišta brzo, i bez utjecanja na cijenu. Programeri će se pridružiti dominantnoj programerskoj zajednici sa najboljim talentom, i time pojačati samu zajednicu. Svjesnost o brendu sama sebe pojačava, pošto se nadobudni konkurenti Bitcoina uvijek spominju u kontekstu Bitcoina kao takvog.

Raskrižje na putu (fork)

Trend koji je postao popularan 2017. godine nije bio samo imitacija Bitcoinovog softvera, nego kopiranje potpune povijesti njegovih prošlih transakcija (cijeli blockchain). Kopiranjem Bitcoinovog blockchaina do određene točke/bloka i odvajanjem sljedećih blokova ka novoj mreži, u procesu znanom kao “forking” (odvajanje), Bitcoinovi konkurenti su uspjeli riješiti problem distribuiranja svojeg tokena velikom broju korisnika.

Najznačajniji takav fork dogodio se 1. 8. 2017. godine, kada je nova mreža nazvana Bitcoin Cash (Bcash) stvorena. Vlasnik N količine bitcoina prije 1.8.2017. bi onda posjedovao N bitcoina i N BCash tokena. Mala, ali vrlo glasna zajednica Bcash proponenata je neumorno pokušavala prisvojiti Bitcoinov brend i ime, imenujući svoju novu mrežu Bitcoin Cast i pokušavajući uvjeriti nove pridošlice u Bitcoin da je Bcash “pravi” Bitcoin. Ti pokušaji su većinom propali, i taj neuspjeh se vidi u tržišnim kapitalizacijama dviju mreža. No, za nove ulagače, i dalje postoji rizik da bi konkurent mogao kopirati Bitcoin i njegov blockchain i tako uspjeti u preuzimanju tržišne kapitalizacije, te postati de facto Bitcoin.

Moguće je uočiti važno pravilo gledajući velike forkove u prošlosti Bitcoin i Ethereum mreža. Većina tržišne kapitalizacije odvijat će se na mreži koja zadrži najviši stupanj talenta i aktivnosti u zajednici programera. Premda se na Bitcoin može gledati kao na nov i mlad novac, on je također računalna mreža koja počiva na softveru, kojeg se pak treba održavati i poboljšavati. Kupovina tokena na mreži koja ima malo neiskusnih programera bilo bi kao kupovati kopiju Microsoft Windowsa na kojoj rade lošiji programeri. Jasno je vidljivo iz povijesti forkova koji su se odvili 2017. godine da su najbolji računalni i kriptografski stručnjaci posvećeni razvoju originalnog Bitcoina, a ne nekoj od rastućeg broja imitacija koje su se izrodile iz njega.

Stvarni rizici

Premda su uobičajene kritike upućene Bitconu od strane medija i ekonomske profesije krive i bazirane na netočnom shvaćanju novca, postoje pravi i značajni rizici kod ulaganja u Bitcoin. Bilo bi mudro za novog Bitcoin ulagača da shvati ove rizike prije potencijalnog ulaganja.

Rizik protokola

Bitcoin protokol i kriptografski sastavni dijelovi na kojima je sagrađen potencijalno imaju dosad nepronađenu grešku u svom dizajnu, ili mogu postati nesigurni razvojem kvantnih računala. Ako se pronađe greška u protokolu, ili neka nova metoda računarstva učini mogućim probijanje kriptografskih temelja Bitcoina, vjera u Bitcoin biti će znatno narušena. Rizik protokola bio je najviši u ranim godinama razvoja Bitcoina, kada je još uvijek bilo nejasno, čak i iskusnim kriptografima, je li Satoshi Nakamoto zaista riješio problem bizantskih generala (Byzantine Generals’ Problem). Brige oko ozbiljnih grešaka u Bitcoin protokolu nestale su kroz godine, no uzevši u obzir njegovu tehnološku prirodu, rizik protokola će uvijek ostati u Bitcoinu, makar i kao izuzetak.

Propadanje mjenjačnica

Time što je decentraliziran, Bitcoin je pokazao značajnu otpornost, suočen sa brojnim pokušajima raznih vlada da ga reguliraju ili unište. No, mjenjačnice koje trguju bitcoinima za fiat valute su centralizirani entiteti i podložne regulacijama i zatvaranju. Bez mjenjačnica i volje bankara da s njima posluju, proces monetizacije Bitcoina bio bi ozbiljno usporen, ako ne i potpuno zaustavljen. Iako postoje alternativni izvori likvidnosti za Bitcoin, poput “over-the-counter” brokera i decentraliziranih tržišta za kupovinu i prodaju bitcoina, kritičan proces otkrivanja i definiranja cijene se odvija na najlikvidnijim mjenjačnicama, koje su sve centralizirane.

Jedan od načina za umanjivanje rizika gašenja mjenjačnica je geografska arbitraža. Binance, jedna od velikih mjenjačnica iz Kine, preselila se u Japan nakon što joj je kineska vlada zabranila operiranje u Kini. Vlade su također oprezne kako ne bi ugušile novu industriju koja je potencijalno značajna kao i internet, i time predale nevjerojatnu konkurentnu vrijednost drugim nacijama.

Samo kroz koordinirano globalno ukidanje Bitcoin mjenjačnica bi proces monetizacije mogao biti zaustavljen. Trenutno smo u utrci; Bitcoin raste i postaje sve rašireniji, i doći će do trenutka kada bi potpuno ukidanje mjenjačnica postalo politički neizvedivo - kao i gašenje interneta. Mogućnost takvog ukidanja je još uvijek realna, i valja je uzeti u obzir pri ulaganju u Bitcoin. Kao što je gore objašnjeno, suverene vlade se polako bude i uviđaju prijetnju koju predstavlja neovisna digitalna valuta otporna na cenzuru, za njihovu monetarnu politiku. Otvoreno je pitanje hoće li išta poduzeti da odgovore ovoj prijetnji prije nego Bitcoin postane toliko utvrđen i raširen da politička akcija postane nemoćna i ne-efektivna.

Zamjenjivost

Otvorena i transparentna priroda Bitcoin blockchaina omogućava državama da proglase specifične bitcoine “okaljanima” zbog njihovog korištenja u određenim aktivnostima. Premda Bitcoin, na protokolarnoj razini, ne diskriminira transakcije na ikoji način, “okaljani” bitcoini bi mogli postati bezvrijedni ako bi ih regulacije proglasile ilegalnima i neprihvatljivima za mjenjačnice ili trgovce. Bitcoin bi tada izgubio jedno od kritičnih svojstava monetarnog dobra: zamjenjivost.

Da bi se ovaj problem riješio i umanjio, biti će potrebna poboljšanja na razini protokola kako bi se poboljšala privatnost transakcija. Premda postoji napredak u ovom smjeru, prvi put primjenjen u digitalnim valutama kao što su Monero i Zcash, potrebno je napraviti značajne tehnološke kompromise između efikasnosti i kompleksnosti Bitcoina i njegove privatnosti. Pitanje ostaje otvoreno je li moguće dodati nova svojstva privatnosti na Bitcoin, na način koji neće kompromitirati njegovu korisnost kao novca.

Zaključak

Bitcoin je novonastali novac koji je u procesu transformacije iz sakupljačkog dobra u spremište vrijednosti. Kao neovisno monetarno dobro, moguće je da će u budućnosti postati globalan novac, slično kao zlato za vrijeme 19. stoljeća. Prihvaćanje Bitcoina kao globalnog novca je upravo taj optimističan scenarij za Bitcoin, kojeg je artikulirao Satoshi Nakamoto još 2010. godine u email razmjeni sa Mikeom Hearnom:

"Ako zamisliš da se koristi u nekom dijelu svjetske trgovine, i da će postojati samo 21 milijun bitcoina za cijeli svijet, vrijednost po jedinici će biti znatno veća".

Ovaj scenarij je još snažnije definirao briljantni kriptograf Hal Finney, koji je ujedno primio i prve bitcoine od Nakamotoa, ubrzo nakon najave prvog funkcionalnog Bitcoin softvera:

"Zamislimo da Bitcoin bude uspješan i postane dominantan sustav plaćanja diljem svijeta. U tom slučaju će ukupna vrijednost valute biti jednaka ukupnoj vrijednosti svog bogatstva svijeta. Današnje procjene ukupnog svjetskog bogatska kućanstava koje sam pronašao borave negdje između 100 i 300 trilijuna dolara. Sa 20 milijuna bitcoina, svaki bi onda vrijedio oko 10 milijuna dolara."

Čak i da Bitcoin ne postane u cijelost globalan novac, nego da se samo natječe sa zlatom kao neovisno spremište vrijednosti, i dalje je masivno podcijenjen. Mapiranje tržišne kapitalizacije postojeće količine izrudarenog zlata (oko 8 trilijuna dolara) na maksimalnu dostupnost Bitcoina od 21 milijun, daje vrijednost od otprilike 380,000 dolara po bitcoinu. Kao što smo vidjeli u prethodnom tekstu, svojstva koja omogućavaju monetarnom dobru da bude prikladno spremište vrijednosti, čine Bitcoin superiornijim zlatu u svakom pogledu osim trajanja povijesti. No, kako vrijeme prolazi i Lindy efekt postane jači, dosadašnja povijest će prestati biti prednost zlata. Samim time, nije nerazumno očekivati da će Bitcoin narasti do, a možda i preko, ukupne cijene zlata na tržištvu do 2030. Opaska ovoj tezi je činjenica da veliki postotak vrijednosti zlata dolazi od toga što ga centralne banke čuvaju kao spremište vrijednosti. Da bi Bitcoin došao do te razine, određena količina suverenih država će trebati sudjelovati. Hoće li zapadnjačke demokracije sudjelovati u vlasništvu Bitcoina je nepoznato. Vjerojatnije je, nažalost, da će prve nacije u Bitcoin tržištu biti sitne diktature i kleptokracije.

Ako niti jedna država ne bude sudjelovala u Bitcoin tržištu, optimistična teza i dalje postoji. Kao nevisno spremište vrijednosti u rukama individualnih i institucionalnih ulagača, Bitcoin je i dalje vrlo rano u svojoj “krivulji prihvaćenosti” (adoption curve); tzv. “rana većina” ulaze na tržište sada, dok će ostali ući tek nekoliko godina kasnije. Sa širim sudjelovanjem individualnih i institucionalnih ulagača, cijena po bitcoinu između 100,000 i 200,000 dolara je sasvim moguća.

Posjedovanje bitcoina je jedna od malobrojnih asimetričnih novčanih strategija dostupnih svakome na svijetu. Poput “call” opcija, negativan rizik ulagača je ograničen na 1x, dok potencijalna dobit i dalje iznosi 100x ili više. Bitcoin je prvi istinski globalan balon čija je veličina ograničena samo potražnjom i željom građana svijeta da zaštite svoju ušteđevinu od raznovrsnih ekonomskih malverzacija vlade. Bitcoin je ustao kao feniks iz pepela globalne financijske krize 2008. godine - katastrofe kojoj su prethodile odluke centralnih banaka poput američke Federalne rezerve (Federal Reserve).

Onkraj samo financijske teze za Bitcoin, njegov rast i uspjeh kao neovisno spremište vrijednosti imat će duboke geopolitičke posljedice. Globalna, ne-inflacijska valuta će prisiliti suverene države da promjene svoje primarne mehanizme financiranja od inflacije u izravno oporezivanje; koje je daleko manje politički popularno. Države će se smanjivati proporcionalno političkoj boli koju im nanese oporezivanje kao jedini način financiranja. Nadalje, globalna trgovina vršiti će se na način koji zadovoljava aspiraciju Charlesa de Gaullea, da nijedna nacija ne bi smjela imati privilegiju nad ikojom drugom:

"Smatramo da je potrebno da se uspostavi međunarodna trgovina, kao što je bio slučaj prije velikih nesreća koje su zadesile svijet, na neosporivoj monetarnoj bazi, koja ne nosi na sebi oznaku ijedne države."

Za 50 godina, ta monetarna baza biti će Bitcoin.

@ 26d4b5b2:96393e73

https://app.doh.money http://localhost:3000 https://dohmoney-cyxe-cyxeio-cyxecyxeios-projects.vercel.app GET POST OPTIONS PUT DELETE

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@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Information ohne Reflexion ist geistiger Flugsand. \ Ernst Reinhardt

Der lateinische Ausdruck «Quo vadis» als Frage nach einer Entwicklung oder Ausrichtung hat biblische Wurzeln. Er wird aber auch in unserer Alltagssprache verwendet, laut Duden meist als Ausdruck von Besorgnis oder Skepsis im Sinne von: «Wohin wird das führen?»

Der Sinn und Zweck von so mancher politischen Entscheidung erschließt sich heutzutage nicht mehr so leicht, und viele Trends können uns Sorge bereiten. Das sind einerseits sehr konkrete Themen wie die zunehmende Militarisierung und die geschichtsvergessene Kriegstreiberei in Europa, deren Feindbildpflege aktuell beim Gedenken an das Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs beschämende Formen annimmt.

Auch das hohe Gut der Schweizer Neutralität scheint immer mehr in Gefahr. Die schleichende Bewegung der Eidgenossenschaft in Richtung NATO und damit weg von einer Vermittlerposition erhält auch durch den neuen Verteidigungsminister Anschub. Martin Pfister möchte eine stärkere Einbindung in die europäische Verteidigungsarchitektur, verwechselt bei der Argumentation jedoch Ursache und Wirkung.

Das Thema Gesundheit ist als Zugpferd für Geschäfte und Kontrolle offenbar schon zuverlässig etabliert. Die hauptsächlich privat finanzierte Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) ist dabei durch ein Netzwerk von sogenannten «Collaborating Centres» sogar so weit in nationale Einrichtungen eingedrungen, dass man sich fragen kann, ob diese nicht von Genf aus gesteuert werden.

Das Schweizer Bundesamt für Gesundheit (BAG) übernimmt in dieser Funktion ebenso von der WHO definierte Aufgaben und Pflichten wie das deutsche Robert Koch-Institut (RKI). Gegen die Covid-«Impfung» für Schwangere, die das BAG empfiehlt, obwohl es fehlende wissenschaftliche Belege für deren Schutzwirkung einräumt, formiert sich im Tessin gerade Widerstand.

Unter dem Stichwort «Gesundheitssicherheit» werden uns die Bestrebungen verkauft, essenzielle Dienste mit einer biometrischen digitalen ID zu verknüpfen. Das dient dem Profit mit unseren Daten und führt im Ergebnis zum Verlust unserer demokratischen Freiheiten. Die deutsche elektronische Patientenakte (ePA) ist ein Element mit solchem Potenzial. Die Schweizer Bürger haben gerade ein Referendum gegen das revidierte E-ID-Gesetz erzwungen. In Thailand ist seit Anfang Mai für die Einreise eine «Digital Arrival Card» notwendig, die mit ihrer Gesundheitserklärung einen Impfpass «durch die Hintertür» befürchten lässt.

Der massive Blackout auf der iberischen Halbinsel hat vermehrt Fragen dazu aufgeworfen, wohin uns Klimawandel-Hysterie und «grüne» Energiepolitik führen werden. Meine Kollegin Wiltrud Schwetje ist dem nachgegangen und hat in mehreren Beiträgen darüber berichtet. Wenig überraschend führen interessante Spuren mal wieder zu internationalen Großbanken, Globalisten und zur EU-Kommission.

Zunehmend bedenklich ist aber ganz allgemein auch die manifestierte Spaltung unserer Gesellschaften. Angesichts der tiefen und sorgsam gepflegten Gräben fällt es inzwischen schwer, eine zukunftsfähige Perspektive zu erkennen. Umso begrüßenswerter sind Initiativen wie die Kölner Veranstaltungsreihe «Neue Visionen für die Zukunft». Diese möchte die Diskussionskultur reanimieren und dazu beitragen, dass Menschen wieder ohne Angst und ergebnisoffen über kontroverse Themen der Zeit sprechen.

Quo vadis – Wohin gehen wir also? Die Suche nach Orientierung in diesem vermeintlichen Chaos führt auch zur Reflexion über den eigenen Lebensweg. Das ist positiv insofern, als wir daraus Kraft schöpfen können. Ob derweil der neue Papst, dessen «Vorgänger» Petrus unsere Ausgangsfrage durch die christliche Legende zugeschrieben wird, dabei eine Rolle spielt, muss jede/r selbst wissen. Mir persönlich ist allein schon ein Führungsanspruch wie der des Petrusprimats der römisch-katholischen Kirche eher suspekt.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Finale: once the industry-standard of music notation software, now a cautionary tale. In this video, I explore how it slowly lost its crown through decades of missed opportunities - eventually leading to creative collapse due to various bureaucratic intrigues, unforeseen technological changes and some of the jankiest UI/UX you've ever seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqaon6YHzaU

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/976219

@ 95543309:196c540e

Lets see if this works with the blossom upload and without markdown hassle.

:cat:

https://blossom.primal.net/73a099f931366732c18dd60da82db6ef65bb368eb96756f07d9fa7a8a3644009.mp4

@ 26d4b5b2:96393e73

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@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365

Prelude

I wrote this post differently than any of my others. It started with a discussion with AI on an OPSec-inspired review of separation of powers, and evolved into quite an exciting debate! I asked Grok to write up a summary in my overall writing style, which it got pretty well. I've decided to post it exactly as-is. Ultimately, I think there are two solid ideas driving my stance here:

1. Perfect is the enemy of the good
2. Failure is the crucible of success

Beyond that, just some hard-core belief in freedom, separation of powers, and operating from self-interest.

Intro

Alright, buckle up. I’ve been chewing on this idea for a while, and it’s time to spit it out. Let’s look at the U.S. government like I’d look at a codebase under a cybersecurity audit—OPSEC style, no fluff. Forget the endless debates about what politicians should do. That’s noise. I want to talk about what they can do, the raw powers baked into the system, and why we should stop pretending those powers are sacred. If there’s a hole, either patch it or exploit it. No half-measures. And yeah, I’m okay if the whole thing crashes a bit—failure’s a feature, not a bug.

The Filibuster: A Security Rule with No Teeth

You ever see a firewall rule that’s more theater than protection? That’s the Senate filibuster. Everyone acts like it’s this untouchable guardian of democracy, but here’s the deal: a simple majority can torch it any day. It’s not a law; it’s a Senate preference, like choosing tabs over spaces. When people call killing it the “nuclear option,” I roll my eyes. Nuclear? It’s a button labeled “press me.” If a party wants it gone, they’ll do it. So why the dance?

I say stop playing games. Get rid of the filibuster. If you’re one of those folks who thinks it’s the only thing saving us from tyranny, fine—push for a constitutional amendment to lock it in. That’s a real patch, not a Post-it note. Until then, it’s just a vulnerability begging to be exploited. Every time a party threatens to nuke it, they’re admitting it’s not essential. So let’s stop pretending and move on.

Supreme Court Packing: Because Nine’s Just a Number

Here’s another fun one: the Supreme Court. Nine justices, right? Sounds official. Except it’s not. The Constitution doesn’t say nine—it’s silent on the number. Congress could pass a law tomorrow to make it 15, 20, or 42 (hitchhiker’s reference, anyone?). Packing the court is always on the table, and both sides know it. It’s like a root exploit just sitting there, waiting for someone to log in.

So why not call the bluff? If you’re in power—say, Trump’s back in the game—say, “I’m packing the court unless we amend the Constitution to fix it at nine.” Force the issue. No more shadowboxing. And honestly? The court’s got way too much power anyway. It’s not supposed to be a super-legislature, but here we are, with justices’ ideologies driving the bus. That’s a bug, not a feature. If the court weren’t such a kingmaker, packing it wouldn’t even matter. Maybe we should be talking about clipping its wings instead of just its size.

The Executive Should Go Full Klingon

Let’s talk presidents. I’m not saying they should wear Klingon armor and start shouting “Qapla’!”—though, let’s be real, that’d be awesome. I’m saying the executive should use every scrap of power the Constitution hands them. Enforce the laws you agree with, sideline the ones you don’t. If Congress doesn’t like it, they’ve got tools: pass new laws, override vetoes, or—here’s the big one—cut the budget. That’s not chaos; that’s the system working as designed.

Right now, the real problem isn’t the president overreaching; it’s the bureaucracy. It’s like a daemon running in the background, eating CPU and ignoring the user. The president’s supposed to be the one steering, but the administrative state’s got its own agenda. Let the executive flex, push the limits, and force Congress to check it. Norms? Pfft. The Constitution’s the spec sheet—stick to it.

Let the System Crash

Here’s where I get a little spicy: I’m totally fine if the government grinds to a halt. Deadlock isn’t a disaster; it’s a feature. If the branches can’t agree, let the president veto, let Congress starve the budget, let enforcement stall. Don’t tell me about “essential services.” Nothing’s so critical it can’t take a breather. Shutdowns force everyone to the table—debate, compromise, or expose who’s dropping the ball. If the public loses trust? Good. They’ll vote out the clowns or live with the circus they elected.

Think of it like a server crash. Sometimes you need a hard reboot to clear the cruft. If voters keep picking the same bad admins, well, the country gets what it deserves. Failure’s the best teacher—way better than limping along on autopilot.

States Are the Real MVPs

If the feds fumble, states step up. Right now, states act like junior devs waiting for the lead engineer to sign off. Why? Federal money. It’s a leash, and it’s tight. Cut that cash, and states will remember they’re autonomous. Some will shine, others will tank—looking at you, California. And I’m okay with that. Let people flee to better-run states. No bailouts, no excuses. States are like competing startups: the good ones thrive, the bad ones pivot or die.

Could it get uneven? Sure. Some states might turn into sci-fi utopias while others look like a post-apocalyptic vidya game. That’s the point—competition sorts it out. Citizens can move, markets adjust, and failure’s a signal to fix your act.

Chaos Isn’t the Enemy

Yeah, this sounds messy. States ignoring federal law, external threats poking at our seams, maybe even a constitutional crisis. I’m not scared. The Supreme Court’s there to referee interstate fights, and Congress sets the rules for state-to-state play. But if it all falls apart? Still cool. States can sort it without a babysitter—it’ll be ugly, but freedom’s worth it. External enemies? They’ll either unify us or break us. If we can’t rally, we don’t deserve the win.

Centralizing power to avoid this is like rewriting your app in a single thread to prevent race conditions—sure, it’s simpler, but you’re begging for a deadlock. Decentralized chaos lets states experiment, lets people escape, lets markets breathe. States competing to cut regulations to attract businesses? That’s a race to the bottom for red tape, but a race to the top for innovation—workers might gripe, but they’ll push back, and the tension’s healthy. Bring it—let the cage match play out. The Constitution’s checks are enough if we stop coddling the system.

Why This Matters

I’m not pitching a utopia. I’m pitching a stress test. The U.S. isn’t a fragile porcelain doll; it’s a rugged piece of hardware built to take some hits. Let it fail a little—filibuster, court, feds, whatever. Patch the holes with amendments if you want, or lean into the grind. Either way, stop fearing the crash. It’s how we debug the republic.

So, what’s your take? Ready to let the system rumble, or got a better way to secure the code? Hit me up—I’m all ears.

@ 26d4b5b2:96393e73

https://app.doh.money http://localhost:3000 https://dohmoney-cyxe-cyxeio-cyxecyxeios-projects.vercel.app GET POST OPTIONS PUT DELETE

Content-Type

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@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Bitkoin, kao jedinstvena digitalna valuta, postaje poznat široj javnosti u trenutku kada se pojavljuju prvi znaci svetske ekonomske krize a postojeći finansijski sistem počinje da pokazuje sve svoje slabosti. Danas, bitkoin, izaziva veliku pažnju svojim naglim skokovima i padovima.

Osnovna ideja o o decentralizovanim valutama potekla je od osnivača kripto-pank pokreta, među kojima su bili direktori kompanija naprednih tehnologija, univerzitetski profesori i istraživači iz oblasti matematike i fizike. Njihova ideja zasnovana je na anonimnoj, istovremenoj komunikaciji koja neće biti kontrolisana i nadgledana od neke treće strane u procesu.

Šta je kriptovaluta, ko je njen tvorac, kako do nje doći, kako trgovati i gde je čuvati, neka su od pitanja za čijim odgovorima tragamo u emisiji.

Sagovornici u emisiji su svi oni koji su u poslednjih godinu dana bili relevantni učesnici priča o kriptovaluti u Srbiji: osnivači Asocijacije bitkoin, predstavnici Narodne banke Srbije i predstavnici medija.

Montažer Milan Radičević

Urednik Aleksandra Šarković

@ c066aac5:6a41a034

I’m drawn to extremities in art. The louder, the bolder, the more outrageous, the better. Bold art takes me out of the mundane into a whole new world where anything and everything is possible. Having grown up in the safety of the suburban midwest, I was a bit of a rebellious soul in search of the satiation that only came from the consumption of the outrageous. My inclination to find bold art draws me to NOSTR, because I believe NOSTR can be the place where the next generation of artistic pioneers go to express themselves. I also believe that as much as we are able, were should invite them to come create here.

My Background: A Small Side Story

My father was a professional gamer in the 80s, back when there was no money or glory in the avocation. He did get a bit of spotlight though after the fact: in the mid 2000’s there were a few parties making documentaries about that era of gaming as well as current arcade events (namely 2007’sChasing GhostsandThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters). As a result of these documentaries, there was a revival in the arcade gaming scene. My family attended events related to the documentaries or arcade gaming and I became exposed to a lot of things I wouldn’t have been able to find. The producer ofThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters had previously made a documentary calledNew York Dollwhich was centered around the life of bassist Arthur Kane. My 12 year old mind was blown: The New York Dolls were a glam-punk sensation dressed in drag. The music was from another planet. Johnny Thunders’ guitar playing was like Chuck Berry with more distortion and less filter. Later on I got to meet the Galaga record holder at the time, Phil Day, in Ottumwa Iowa. Phil is an Australian man of high intellect and good taste. He exposed me to great creators such as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Shakespeare, Lou Reed, artists who created things that I had previously found inconceivable.

I believe this time period informed my current tastes and interests, but regrettably I think it also put coals on the fire of rebellion within. I stopped taking my parents and siblings seriously, the Christian faith of my family (which I now hold dearly to) seemed like a mundane sham, and I felt I couldn’t fit in with most people because of my avant-garde tastes. So I write this with the caveat that there should be a way to encourage these tastes in children without letting them walk down the wrong path. There is nothing inherently wrong with bold art, but I’d advise parents to carefully find ways to cultivate their children’s tastes without completely shutting them down and pushing them away as a result. My parents were very loving and patient during this time; I thank God for that.

With that out of the way, lets dive in to some bold artists:

Nicolas Cage: Actor

There is an excellent video by Wisecrack on Nicolas Cage that explains him better than I will, which I will linkhere. Nicolas Cage rejects the idea that good acting is tied to mere realism; all of his larger than life acting decisions are deliberate choices. When that clicked for me, I immediately realized the man is a genius. He borrows from Kabuki and German Expressionism, art forms that rely on exaggeration to get the message across. He has even created his own acting style, which he calls Nouveau Shamanic. He augments his imagination to go from acting to being. Rather than using the old hat of method acting, he transports himself to a new world mentally. The projects he chooses to partake in are based on his own interests or what he considers would be a challenge (making a bad script good for example). Thus it doesn’t matter how the end result comes out; he has already achieved his goal as an artist. Because of this and because certain directors don’t know how to use his talents, he has a noticeable amount of duds in his filmography. Dig around the duds, you’ll find some pure gold. I’d personally recommend the filmsPig, Joe, Renfield, and his Christmas film The Family Man.

Nick Cave: Songwriter

What a wild career this man has had! From the apocalyptic mayhem of his band The Birthday Party to the pensive atmosphere of his albumGhosteen, it seems like Nick Cave has tried everything. I think his secret sauce is that he’s always working. He maintains an excellent newsletter calledThe Red Hand Files, he has written screenplays such asLawless, he has written books, he has made great film scores such asThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, the man is religiously prolific. I believe that one of the reasons he is prolific is that he’s not afraid to experiment. If he has an idea, he follows it through to completion. From the albumMurder Ballads(which is comprised of what the title suggests) to his rejected sequel toGladiator(Gladiator: Christ Killer), he doesn’t seem to be afraid to take anything on. This has led to some over the top works as well as some deeply personal works. Albums likeSkeleton TreeandGhosteenwere journeys through the grief of his son’s death. The Boatman’s Callis arguably a better break-up album than anything Taylor Swift has put out. He’s not afraid to be outrageous, he’s not afraid to offend, but most importantly he’s not afraid to be himself. Works I’d recommend include The Birthday Party’sLive 1981-82, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’The Boatman’s Call, and the filmLawless.

Jim Jarmusch: Director

I consider Jim’s films to be bold almost in an ironic sense: his works are bold in that they are, for the most part, anti-sensational. He has a rule that if his screenplays are criticized for a lack of action, he makes them even less eventful. Even with sensational settings his films feel very close to reality, and they demonstrate the beauty of everyday life. That's what is bold about his art to me: making the sensational grounded in reality while making everyday reality all the more special. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is about a modern-day African-American hitman who strictly follows the rules of the ancient Samurai, yet one can resonate with the humanity of a seemingly absurd character. Only Lovers Left Aliveis a vampire love story, but in the middle of a vampire romance one can see their their own relationships in a new deeply human light. Jim’s work reminds me that art reflects life, and that there is sacred beauty in seemingly mundane everyday life. I personally recommend his filmsPaterson,Down by Law, andCoffee and Cigarettes.

NOSTR: We Need Bold Art

NOSTR is in my opinion a path to a better future. In a world creeping slowly towards everything apps, I hope that the protocol where the individual owns their data wins over everything else. I love freedom and sovereignty. If NOSTR is going to win the race of everything apps, we need more than Bitcoin content. We need more than shirtless bros paying for bananas in foreign countries and exercising with girls who have seductive accents. Common people cannot see themselves in such a world. NOSTR needs to catch the attention of everyday people. I don’t believe that this can be accomplished merely by introducing more broadly relevant content; people are searching for content that speaks to them. I believe that NOSTR can and should attract artists of all kinds because NOSTR is one of the few places on the internet where artists can express themselves fearlessly. Getting zaps from NOSTR’s value-for-value ecosystem has far less friction than crowdfunding a creative project or pitching investors that will irreversibly modify an artist’s vision. Having a place where one can post their works without fear of censorship should be extremely enticing. Having a place where one can connect with fellow humans directly as opposed to a sea of bots should seem like the obvious solution. If NOSTR can become a safe haven for artists to express themselves and spread their work, I believe that everyday people will follow. The banker whose stressful job weighs on them will suddenly find joy with an original meme made by a great visual comedian. The programmer for a healthcare company who is drowning in hopeless mundanity could suddenly find a new lust for life by hearing the song of a musician who isn’t afraid to crowdfund their their next project by putting their lighting address on the streets of the internet. The excel guru who loves independent film may find that NOSTR is the best way to support non corporate movies. My closing statement: continue to encourage the artists in your life as I’m sure you have been, but while you’re at it give them the purple pill. You may very well be a part of building a better future.

@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b

警惕：那些“帮你”保管密钥的人

—— 多签钱包中的隐形风险与逻辑陷阱

“我们可以帮您设置一个更安全的钱包。” 这句话，听上去就像是关心，其实却可能是一次有预谋的接管。

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摘要

多签钱包被广泛视为提升数字资产安全性的“进阶方案”，尤其适用于不希望将所有信任寄托于单一点故障（如一把私钥）的人群。然而，在这些看似“民主化”、“抗单点失败”的技术结构背后，仍潜藏着极为隐秘且被低估的风险。

本文聚焦两类常见却高度隐蔽的逻辑攻击模型：

• 替换 xpub 并接管下一层级地址生成；
• 伪造 k-of-n 多签结构，在形式上给予用户参与感，实则实现单人提款。

在未引入 Taproot 的传统多签结构下，这类攻击已能轻易完成。而即便在 Taproot 和 MuSig2 合约模型下，攻击者也可以借助合成结构进一步隐藏其篡改行为。

本报告不仅梳理攻击逻辑，更强调“人性中的信任误区”——攻击者不需要主动索取密钥，只需要维持友善形象，自会有用户主动递交钥匙。更令人警惕的是，在某些极端场景下，这类“被信任的服务商”甚至可能向受害者收取“保管密钥”的费用后再实施盗窃，形成双重获利。

Taproot 虽然在结构上增强了隐私与复杂性，但也使验证逻辑失去了可直观还原的优势。随着时间推移、服务厂商退出市场乃至私有恢复流程被锁死，用户极可能落入无法恢复的“密钥黑箱”中。

阅读本文，希望你能意识到：

真正的安全，从不是托付给别人帮你“多签”，而是你真正理解你签了什么、和谁签的、签名之后将通往哪一个脚本。

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多签钱包的逻辑攻击向量分析

以 xpub 替换与伪造 k-of-n 结构为例

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攻击模型一：替换 xpub 实现地址劫持

场景设定

攻击者假扮为友好的钱包初始化服务者，主动提出“免费帮你生成一个更安全的多签钱包”。表面上，他为你设置了标准的 HD 多签结构，实际上却在关键的派生路径中，悄悄将本应由你或另一个可信方持有的 xpub 替换为他自己的。

在 HD 钱包结构（例如 BIP45、BIP67）中，用户通常无法直观验证每一个新地址是否仍属于原来的签名组。这种设计让“看上去很安全”的地址，可能早已成为攻击者可完全支配的提款口袋。

攻击结构（逻辑表示）

• 假设多签参与者为 P1, P2, P3
• 攻击者控制伪造者身份 P1'，实际替代掉用户的 P1
• 地址生成函数为：

Addr = f(xpub(P1'), xpub(P2), xpub(P3))

• 用户未验证 xpub 时，成立：

∃ Addr_i ∈ wallet, spendable_by(attacker)

换言之，钱包中的某些地址虽然看起来正常，但已可被攻击者花费。

人性陷阱提示

用户往往不认为“地址生成这件事”是需要人工检查的，特别是在使用 Ledger、Trezor 等硬件钱包时形成了“签名即安全”的错觉。而攻击者只需一次替换，就能悄悄监视整个钱包生命周期。

更重要的是，攻击者不需要向你“索取密钥”，他只需维持友善、专业甚至略带“为你好”的姿态。在 100 个用户中，总会有一部分人，在受到“信任感”与“他人看起来更专业”的影响下，主动提出将某个密钥托管给对方，甚至支付一定“密钥保管费”作为安全保障。这类行为并非愚蠢，而是人性的一部分。

这种松懈与依赖，背后深植着心理学上著名的「责任分散效应（diffusion of responsibility）」。当责任从“自己一人持有私钥”转变为“我们多人共同掌控”时，大脑会自动削弱“必须百分百保护密钥”的紧迫感；一旦密钥有三份或五份，人就会默认“即使我丢了一份也无所谓”，由此降低警惕，弱化加密习惯的执行力度。

尤其是在多签结构下，密钥不再是“唯一真理”。你开始认为：“我只是 n-of-m 的一员”，进而产生 安全责任稀释（safety dilution）。举个例子：如果你的 seed words 是唯一的，你很可能将其写在一张专用纸上，藏入防火袋，存放于密封保险箱中；但一旦你拥有的是 3-of-5 多签中的一份，你可能就只是把它存在 Evernote、存图于手机相册，或者发给自己 Telegram 备份——并自我安慰说：“这只是其中一把钥匙，又不怕。”

这正是攻击者渗透的最佳入口。他无需破解密码学算法，仅凭理解人性中的懒惰、依赖与责任下沉机制，就足以发起极具杀伤力的社会工程攻击。

提醒：没有人例外。你的安全不是由数学公式决定，而是由你是否对它持续保持敬畏与冷静判断所决定的。

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Taproot 下的隐蔽性升级

在 Taproot + MuSig2 合约结构中：

• 合成公钥如：P = H(P1 + P2 + P3)
• 用户无法从地址推导出其组成
• 所有 pubkey 被掩盖，无任何可读性结构泄露

结果：攻击者替换某个 xpub 之后，哪怕是资深用户，也无法通过比对地址结构来发现任何异常。

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攻击模型二：伪造 k-of-n 多签脚本结构

场景设定

攻击者承诺为你部署一个“非常安全”的 2-of-3 多签钱包。然而他实际创建的却是一个 1-of-3 结构，并诱导你保留或交出其中一个密钥。

用户一旦信任其脚本不可见性（或 UI 模糊性），资金注入该地址之后，攻击者即可单独提款。

攻击结构（逻辑描述）

• 正确脚本应为：

OP_2 <pk1> <pk2> <pk3> OP_3 OP_CHECKMULTISIG

• 实际被构造为：

OP_1 <pk1> <pk2> <pk3> OP_3 OP_CHECKMULTISIG

• 用户错误地相信：

user_believes(k=2) ∧ attacker_has(sk1) → safe

• 但实际上：

real_k = 1 ∧ attacker_has(sk1) → attacker_can_spend

成立条件

• 用户未能验证 redeem script
• 钱包界面（UI 或 PSBT）未明确标识 k 值与脚本结构
• 攻击者拥有脚本定义权，或 UI 权限

人性陷阱提示

这类攻击往往并非“高技术”，而是利用用户对脚本结构的无感。尤其是当攻击者扮演“技术专家”时，用户往往不具备审查 redeem script 的能力或意识。攻击者甚至可以用“给你设置一个冷备密钥”作为幌子，骗取部分 key，并收取额外费用。

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多签攻击模型对比分析（无表格）

• 攻击类型一：xpub 替换
• 本质：公钥注入
• 隐蔽性：极高（生成地址完全正常）
• 关键条件：用户未验证每个 xpub

• Taproot 是否能规避：否，反而更难发现

• 攻击类型二：伪造 k-of-n

• 本质：脚本结构欺骗
• 隐蔽性：中等（需查看 redeem script 才能识别）
• 关键条件：用户不懂脚本，UI 不展示结构
• Taproot 是否能规避：否，合约结构反而隐藏了更多细节

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安全建议（基于当前攻击模型）

1. 强制在 UI 中完整展示所有 xpub、合成地址派生路径与对应签名人列表
2. 如 Coldcard 的二维码验证机制
3. 用户必须自行保存每个 xpub，并可验证任一地址确实源自该集合派生
4. 多签钱包必须提供可见 redeem script 的界面与 k 值校验提示
5. 不接受“帮你配置好了”的 UI 黑箱
6. Taproot 虽增强隐私，但也加剧验证障碍
7. 若使用合签结构，应避免依赖第三方界面进行签名决策
8. 始终优先使用硬件钱包本地签名流程，避免通过 Web 或中间服务生成交易

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真实案例分析

1. Coldcard 硬件钱包的 xpub 替换漏洞

2021 年，安全研究员 benma 发现 Coldcard 硬件钱包在注册多签钱包时，未验证自身是否为多签钱包的一部分。这使得恶意计算机钱包可以用攻击者控制的 xpub 替换多签 xpub，同时仍通过所有用户验证。所有接收到此多签钱包的币随后可以随时转移到攻击者的钱包。
来源：benma.github.io

2. Bybit 交易所的多签钱包被黑事件

2025 年 2 月，Bybit 交易所的多签冷钱包在一次例行转账中被黑，损失约 14.6 亿美元。该钱包使用 2-of-3 多签设置，意味着需要三位授权签名人中的两位批准交易。用户界面显示了合法的目标地址，并且 URL 与受信任的多签提供商 Safe 相关联。但这是一种欺骗。黑客利用硬件钱包中的“盲签名”漏洞，使设备只能显示交易的哈希，从而掩盖了一个更改，使攻击者控制了钱包的智能合约。
来源：certora.com

3. Parity 多签钱包漏洞

2017 年，Parity 多签钱包版本 1.5+ 中发现了一个漏洞，允许攻击者窃取超过 150,000 ETH（约 3000 万美元）。攻击者向受影响的合约发送两个交易：第一个获取多签的独占所有权，第二个移动其所有资金。
来源：blog.openzeppelin.com

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攻击流程图解

1. 建立信任：攻击者以技术专家或受信任的服务提供商身份接近受害者，提出帮助设置多签钱包。
2. 替换 xpub：在设置过程中，攻击者用自己控制的 xpub 替换原本应由用户或第三方控制的 xpub。
3. 生成地址：攻击者生成看似正常的多签地址，并展示给用户，用户未进行验证。
4. 资金注入：用户将资金转入这些地址，认为资金安全。
5. 资金转移：攻击者利用控制的私钥，单方面将资金转出，用户无法察觉。

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参考文献

• benma.github.io — Coldcard 多签攻击漏洞
• certora.com — Bybit 多签合约欺诈分析
• OpenZeppelin Blog — Parity 多签历史漏洞复盘

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结语：
记住，多签并不是让别人“帮你保管密钥”，而是你对每一层结构都心中有数。真正的“抗失误”结构，是你能自己验证它、重建它、拆解它——而不是让某个“专家”说它安全，你就信了。

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

One of the most common criticisms leveled against nostr is the perceived lack of assurance when it comes to data storage. Critics argue that without a centralized authority guaranteeing that all data is preserved, important information will be lost. They also claim that running a relay will become prohibitively expensive. While there is truth to these concerns, they miss the mark. The genius of nostr lies in its flexibility, resilience, and the way it harnesses human incentives to ensure data availability in practice.

A nostr relay is simply a server that holds cryptographically verifiable signed data and makes it available to others. Relays are simple, flexible, open, and require no permission to run. Critics are right that operating a relay attempting to store all nostr data will be costly. What they miss is that most will not run all encompassing archive relays. Nostr does not rely on massive archive relays. Instead, anyone can run a relay and choose to store whatever subset of data they want. This keeps costs low and operations flexible, making relay operation accessible to all sorts of individuals and entities with varying use cases.

Critics are correct that there is no ironclad guarantee that every piece of data will always be available. Unlike bitcoin where data permanence is baked into the system at a steep cost, nostr does not promise that every random note or meme will be preserved forever. That said, in practice, any data perceived as valuable by someone will likely be stored and distributed by multiple entities. If something matters to someone, they will keep a signed copy.

Nostr is the Streisand Effect in protocol form. The Streisand effect is when an attempt to suppress information backfires, causing it to spread even further. With nostr, anyone can broadcast signed data, anyone can store it, and anyone can distribute it. Try to censor something important? Good luck. The moment it catches attention, it will be stored on relays across the globe, copied, and shared by those who find it worth keeping. Data deemed important will be replicated across servers by individuals acting in their own interest.

Nostr’s distributed nature ensures that the system does not rely on a single point of failure or a corporate overlord. Instead, it leans on the collective will of its users. The result is a network where costs stay manageable, participation is open to all, and valuable verifiable data is stored and distributed forever.

@ 26d4b5b2:96393e73

// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0 Contract PaidMessage( owner: Address, // who collects the fee mut message: ByteVec // last posted message ) { // ── Events ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── /// Fires whenever someone pays and posts a new message event MessageSent(sender: Address, content: ByteVec)

// ── Constants ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
/// 0.1 ALPH in atto-ALPH
const PRICE = 100000000000000000

/// Maximum allowed message length
const MAX_MESSAGE_SIZE = 1024

/// Dust amount for transactions (0.001 ALPH in atto-ALPH)
const DUST_AMOUNT = 1000000000000000

// ── Error codes ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
enum ErrorCodes {
    InvalidMessageSize = 0
    InsufficientPayment = 1
    InvalidCaller = 2
}

// ── Read-only helper ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
/// Read back the current message
pub fn getMessage() -> ByteVec {
    return message
}

// ── Core logic ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
/// Requires caller to attach ≥ `PRICE` atto-ALPH, updates message, forwards fee
@using(preapprovedAssets = true, updateFields = true, payToContractOnly = false)
pub fn sendMessage(newMessage: ByteVec) -> () {
    // 1️⃣ Check external caller
    checkCaller!(isAssetAddress!(callerAddress!()), ErrorCodes.InvalidCaller)

    // 2️⃣ Size check
    assert!(size!(newMessage) <= MAX_MESSAGE_SIZE, ErrorCodes.InvalidMessageSize)

    // 3️⃣ Payment check
    let paid = tokenRemaining!(callerAddress!(), ALPH)
    assert!(paid >= PRICE, ErrorCodes.InsufficientPayment)

    // 4️⃣ Update on-chain message
    message = newMessage

    // 5️⃣ Transfer exact fee to owner
    transferToken!(callerAddress!(), owner, ALPH, PRICE)

    // 6️⃣ Refund excess to caller if above dust amount
    let change = paid - PRICE
    if (change >= DUST_AMOUNT) {
        transferToken!(callerAddress!(), callerAddress!(), ALPH, change)
    }

    // 7️⃣ Emit event
    emit MessageSent(callerAddress!(), newMessage)
}

// ── Owner-only function ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
/// Allows owner to update the message without payment
@using(updateFields = true)
pub fn updateMessageByOwner(newMessage: ByteVec) -> () {
    // 1️⃣ Check if caller is owner
    checkCaller!(callerAddress!() == owner, ErrorCodes.InvalidCaller)

    // 2️⃣ Size check
    assert!(size!(newMessage) <= MAX_MESSAGE_SIZE, ErrorCodes.InvalidMessageSize)

    // 3️⃣ Update message
    message = newMessage

    // 4️⃣ Emit event
    emit MessageSent(callerAddress!(), newMessage)
}

}

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

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For generations before generative text, writers have used the em dash to hop between thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Dickens shaped his morality tales with it, Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness flowed through it, Kerouac let it drive his jazz-like prose. Today, Sally Rooney threads it through her quiet truths of the heart.

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But this beloved punctuation mark has become a casualty of the algorithmic age. The em dash has been so widely adopted by AI-generated text that even when used by human hands, it begs the question: was this actually written or apathetically prompted?

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The battle for the soul of writing is in full swing. And the human fightback starts here. With a new punctuation mark that serves as a symbol of real pondering, genuine daydreaming, and true editorial wordsmithery. Inspired by Descartes’ belief that thinking makes us human, the am dash is a small but powerful testament that the words you’ve painstakingly and poetically pulled together are unequivocally, certifiably, and delightfully your own.

---

---

Let's reclain writig from AI—oneam dash at time.

Download the fonts:

— Aereal https://bit.ly/3EO6fo8 — Times New Human https://bit.ly/4jQTcRS

---

---

Learn more about the am dash

https://www.theamdash.com

---

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/976218

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Consider the following two charts from A History of Clojure which detail the introduction and retention of new code by release for both Clojure and for Scala.

While this doesn't necessarily translate to library stability, it's reasonable to assume that the attitude of the Clojure maintainers will seep into the community. And that assumption is true.

Consider a typical Javascript program. What is it comprised of? Objects, objects, and more objects. Members of those objects must be either introspected or divined. Worse, it's normal to monkeypatch those objects, so the object members may (or may not) change over time.

Now, consider a typical Clojure program. What is it comprised of? Namespaces. Those namespaces contain functions and data. Functions may be dynamically generated (via macros), but it is extremely rare to "monkeypatch" a namespace. If you want to know what functions are available in a namespace, you can simply read the source file.

Continue reading https://potetm.com/devtalk/stability-by-design.html

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/976215

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

I want to see Nostr succeed. If you can think of a way I can help make that happen, I’m open to it. I’d like your suggestions.

My schedule’s shifting soon, and I could volunteer a few hours a week to a Nostr project. I won’t have more total time, but how I use it will change.

Why help? I care about freedom. Nostr’s one of the most powerful freedom tools I’ve seen in my lifetime. If I believe that, I should act on it.

I don’t care about money or sats. I’m not rich, I don’t have extra cash. That doesn’t drive me—freedom does. I’m volunteering, not asking for pay.

I’m not here for clout. I’ve had enough spotlight in my life; it doesn’t move me. If I wanted clout, I’d be on Twitter dropping basic takes. Clout’s easy. Freedom’s hard. I’d rather help anonymously. No speaking at events—small meetups are cool for the vibe, but big conferences? Not my thing. I’ll never hit a huge Bitcoin conference. It’s just not my scene.

That said, I could be convinced to step up if it’d really boost Nostr—as long as it’s legal and gets results.

In this space, I’d watch for social engineering. I watch out for it. I’m not here to make friends, just to help. No shade—you all seem great—but I’ve got a full life and awesome friends irl. I don’t need your crew or to be online cool. Connect anonymously if you want; I’d encourage it.

I’m sick of watching other social media alternatives grow while Nostr kinda stalls. I could trash-talk, but I’d rather do something useful.

Skills? I’m good at spotting social media problems and finding possible solutions. I won’t overhype myself—that’s weird—but if you’re responding, you probably see something in me. Perhaps you see something that I don’t see in myself.

If you need help now or later with Nostr projects, reach out. Nostr only—nothing else. Anonymous contact’s fine. Even just a suggestion on how I can pitch in, no project attached, works too. 💜

Creeps or harassment will get blocked or I’ll nuke my simplex code if it becomes a problem.

https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=2-4&smp=smp%3A%2F%2FSkIkI6EPd2D63F4xFKfHk7I1UGZVNn6k1QWZ5rcyr6w%3D%40smp9.simplex.im%2FbI99B3KuYduH8jDr9ZwyhcSxm2UuR7j0%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-2%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAS9C-zPzqW41PKySfPCEizcXb1QCus6AyDkTTjfyMIRM%253D%26srv%3Djssqzccmrcws6bhmn77vgmhfjmhwlyr3u7puw4erkyoosywgl67slqqd.onion

@ 26d4b5b2:96393e73

SET ANSI_NULLS ON GO SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON GO

ALTER PROCEDURE [dbo].[WALLETCONE] @TokenId NVARCHAR(255),
@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255)
AS BEGIN SET NOCOUNT ON;

DECLARE 
    @TokenName NVARCHAR(255),
    @TableName NVARCHAR(255),
    @JsonPath  NVARCHAR(300),
    @Sql       NVARCHAR(MAX),
    @StartTime DATETIME = GETDATE();

PRINT 'Procedure started at: ' + CONVERT(NVARCHAR(30), @StartTime, 120);

-- Validate inputs
IF @TokenId IS NULL OR @TokenId = '' 
   OR @InitiatingAddress IS NULL OR @InitiatingAddress = ''
BEGIN
    PRINT 'Error: TokenId and InitiatingAddress cannot be NULL or empty';
    RETURN;
END

-- Resolve token name
SELECT @TokenName = UPPER(REPLACE(Name,' ','_'))
  FROM dbo.DOH_INFO_TOKENS
 WHERE TokenID = @TokenId;

IF @TokenName IS NULL
BEGIN
    PRINT 'Error: Invalid TokenId: ' + @TokenId;
    RETURN;
END

-- Build table name & JSON path
SET @TableName = 'DOH_INFO_TRANSACTIONS_' + @TokenName;
SET @JsonPath  = '$."' + REPLACE(@TokenId,'"','""') + '"';

IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM sys.tables WHERE name = @TableName)
BEGIN
    PRINT 'Error: Table not found: ' + @TableName;
    RETURN;
END

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 1) Pool Transactions Detail
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  @TokenId AS token_id,
  t.[hash],
  t.initiating_address,
  COALESCE(p.Name,''Unknown'') AS pool_name,
  t.transaction_type,
  TRY_CAST(COALESCE(JSON_VALUE(t.gotTokens,@JsonPath),''0'') AS FLOAT) AS got_tokens,
  TRY_CAST(COALESCE(JSON_VALUE(t.forTokens,@JsonPath),''0'') AS FLOAT) AS for_tokens,
  TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10)) AS ratio,
  t.[timestamp],
  CASE
    WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%BUY%''  
      THEN -(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.gotTokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)
             *TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10)))
    WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%SELL%'' 
      THEN TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.forTokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)
           *TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10))
    ELSE NULL
  END AS gain_loss
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
LEFT JOIN dbo.DOH_INFO_POOLS p ON t.pool_id = p.PoolID
WHERE
  (JSON_VALUE(t.gotTokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL OR JSON_VALUE(t.forTokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL)
  AND t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND t.pool_id IS NOT NULL;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@TokenId NVARCHAR(255),@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @TokenId,@InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 2) Pool Transactions Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  COALESCE(p.Name,''Unknown'') AS pool_name,
  t.pool_id,
  COUNT(*) AS transaction_count,
  SUM(CASE
        WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%BUY%''  
          THEN -(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.gotTokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)
                 *TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10)))
        WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%SELL%'' 
          THEN TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.forTokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)
               *TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10))
        ELSE 0
      END) AS total_gain_loss,
  AVG(CASE WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%BUY%''  
           THEN TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10)) ELSE NULL END) AS avg_buy_price,
  AVG(CASE WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%SELL%'' 
           THEN TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10)) ELSE NULL END) AS avg_sell_price,
  SUM(CASE
        WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%BUY%''  
          THEN TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.gotTokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)
        WHEN t.transaction_type LIKE ''%SELL%'' 
          THEN TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.forTokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)
        ELSE 0
      END) AS total_tokens_transacted
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
LEFT JOIN dbo.DOH_INFO_POOLS p ON t.pool_id = p.PoolID
WHERE
  (JSON_VALUE(t.gotTokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL OR JSON_VALUE(t.forTokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL)
  AND t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND t.pool_id IS NOT NULL
GROUP BY COALESCE(p.Name,''Unknown''), t.pool_id
ORDER BY total_gain_loss DESC, COALESCE(p.Name,''Unknown'') ASC;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 3) Non-Pool Transactions Detail (all direct txns)
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  @TokenId AS token_id,
  t.[hash],
  t.initiating_address,
  t.receiving_address,
  t.transaction_type,
  TRY_CAST(COALESCE(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath),''0'') AS FLOAT) AS sent_tokens,
  TRY_CAST(COALESCE(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath),''0'') AS FLOAT) AS received_tokens,
  TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10)) AS ratio,
  t.[timestamp],
  t.status
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  (JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL OR JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL)
  AND t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'');';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@TokenId NVARCHAR(255),@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @TokenId,@InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 4) Non-Pool Sent Summary (you → others)
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  t.initiating_address AS sender_address,
  t.receiving_address  AS receiver_address,
  COUNT(*)             AS send_count,
  SUM(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)) AS total_sent,
  MIN(t.[timestamp])   AS first_sent,
  MAX(t.[timestamp])   AS last_sent
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL
  AND t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
GROUP BY t.initiating_address, t.receiving_address
ORDER BY send_count DESC, total_sent DESC;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 5) Non-Pool Received Summary (others → you, no self-sends)
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  t.initiating_address AS sender_address,
  @InitiatingAddress   AS receiver_address,
  COUNT(*)             AS send_count,
  SUM(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)) AS total_sent,
  MIN(t.[timestamp])   AS first_sent,
  MAX(t.[timestamp])   AS last_sent
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL
  AND t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND t.initiating_address <> @InitiatingAddress
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
GROUP BY t.initiating_address
ORDER BY send_count DESC, total_sent DESC;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 6) Non-Pool Received Detail (every incoming txn)
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  @TokenId AS token_id,
  t.[hash],
  t.initiating_address AS sender_address,
  t.receiving_address  AS receiver_address,
  t.transaction_type,
  TRY_CAST(COALESCE(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath),''0'') AS FLOAT) AS sent_tokens,
  TRY_CAST(COALESCE(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath),''0'') AS FLOAT) AS received_tokens,
  TRY_CAST(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT) AS DECIMAL(38,10)) AS ratio,
  t.[timestamp],
  t.status
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL
  AND t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
ORDER BY t.[timestamp] DESC;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@TokenId NVARCHAR(255),@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @TokenId,@InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 7) Net Token Position Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  @InitiatingAddress                             AS wallet,
  SUM(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT))
  - SUM(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT))     AS net_token_position,
  (SUM(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT))
  - SUM(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT)))
  * AVG(CAST(t.ratio AS FLOAT))                   AS estimated_net_value
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  (JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL
   OR JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL)
  AND (t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress OR t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress)
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'');
';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 8) Unique Counterparty Count
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  COUNT(DISTINCT
    CASE
      WHEN t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress THEN t.receiving_address
      ELSE t.initiating_address
    END
  ) AS unique_counterparties
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  (t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress OR t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress)
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'');
';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255)',
  @InitiatingAddress;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 9) Token Activity Timeline (monthly)
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  FORMAT(t.[timestamp],''yyyy-MM'') AS month,
  COUNT(*)                         AS transaction_count,
  SUM(
    COALESCE(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT),0) +
    COALESCE(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT),0)
  )                                AS total_volume
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  (t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress OR t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress)
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
GROUP BY FORMAT(t.[timestamp],''yyyy-MM'')
ORDER BY month;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 10) Top Volume Counterparties
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  CASE 
    WHEN t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress THEN t.receiving_address 
    ELSE t.initiating_address 
  END AS counterparty,
  COUNT(*) AS tx_count,
  SUM(
    COALESCE(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT),0) +
    COALESCE(TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT),0)
  ) AS total_volume
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  (t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress OR t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress)
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
GROUP BY 
  CASE 
    WHEN t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress THEN t.receiving_address 
    ELSE t.initiating_address 
  END
ORDER BY total_volume DESC;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 11) Largest Single Transactions
----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 11a) Largest Received
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT TOP 1 *
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE 
  t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
ORDER BY TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.received_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT) DESC;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

-- 11b) Largest Sent
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT TOP 1 *
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE 
  t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress
  AND JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) IS NOT NULL
  AND (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
ORDER BY TRY_CAST(JSON_VALUE(t.sent_tokens,@JsonPath) AS FLOAT) DESC;';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

----------------------------------------------------------------
-- 12) SNIPER: Transactions before first pool txn
----------------------------------------------------------------
SET @Sql = N'
SELECT
  COUNT(*) AS SNIPER
FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' t
WHERE
  (t.pool_id IS NULL OR t.pool_id = '''' OR LOWER(t.status) = ''no pool'')
  AND (t.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress OR t.receiving_address = @InitiatingAddress)
  AND t.[timestamp] < (
    SELECT MIN(tp.[timestamp])
    FROM dbo.' + QUOTENAME(@TableName) + ' tp
    WHERE tp.initiating_address = @InitiatingAddress
      AND tp.pool_id IS NOT NULL
  );';
EXEC sp_executesql
  @Sql,
  N'@InitiatingAddress NVARCHAR(255),@JsonPath NVARCHAR(300)',
  @InitiatingAddress,@JsonPath;

PRINT 'Procedure completed at: ' 
  + CONVERT(NVARCHAR(30), GETDATE(), 120)
  + ', duration (ms): ' 
  + CAST(DATEDIFF(MILLISECOND, @StartTime, GETDATE()) AS NVARCHAR(10));

END GO

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

In much of the world, it is incredibly difficult to access U.S. dollars. Local currencies are often poorly managed and riddled with corruption. Billions of people demand a more reliable alternative. While the dollar has its own issues of corruption and mismanagement, it is widely regarded as superior to the fiat currencies it competes with globally. As a result, Tether has found massive success providing low cost, low friction access to dollars. Tether claims 400 million total users, is on track to add 200 million more this year, processes 8.1 million transactions daily, and facilitates $29 billion in daily transfers. Furthermore, their estimates suggest nearly 40% of users rely on it as a savings tool rather than just a transactional currency.

Tether’s rise has made the company a financial juggernaut. Last year alone, Tether raked in over $13 billion in profit, with a lean team of less than 100 employees. Their business model is elegantly simple: hold U.S. Treasuries and collect the interest. With over $113 billion in Treasuries, Tether has turned a straightforward concept into a profit machine.

Tether’s success has resulted in many competitors eager to claim a piece of the pie. This has triggered a massive venture capital grift cycle in USD tokens, with countless projects vying to dethrone Tether. Due to Tether’s entrenched network effect, these challengers face an uphill battle with little realistic chance of success. Most educated participants in the space likely recognize this reality but seem content to perpetuate the grift, hoping to cash out by dumping their equity positions on unsuspecting buyers before they realize the reality of the situation.

Historically, Tether’s greatest vulnerability has been U.S. government intervention. For over a decade, the company operated offshore with few allies in the U.S. establishment, making it a major target for regulatory action. That dynamic has shifted recently and Tether has seized the opportunity. By actively courting U.S. government support, Tether has fortified their position. This strategic move will likely cement their status as the dominant USD token for years to come.

While undeniably a great tool for the millions of users that rely on it, Tether is not without flaws. As a centralized, trusted third party, it holds the power to freeze or seize funds at its discretion. Corporate mismanagement or deliberate malpractice could also lead to massive losses at scale. In their goal of mitigating regulatory risk, Tether has deepened ties with law enforcement, mirroring some of the concerns of potential central bank digital currencies. In practice, Tether operates as a corporate CBDC alternative, collaborating with authorities to surveil and seize funds. The company proudly touts partnerships with leading surveillance firms and its own data reveals cooperation in over 1,000 law enforcement cases, with more than $2.5 billion in funds frozen.

---

The global demand for Tether is undeniable and the company’s profitability reflects its unrivaled success. Tether is owned and operated by bitcoiners and will likely continue to push forward strategic goals that help the movement as a whole. Recent efforts to mitigate the threat of U.S. government enforcement will likely solidify their network effect and stifle meaningful adoption of rival USD tokens or CBDCs. Yet, for all their achievements, Tether is simply a worse form of money than bitcoin. Tether requires trust in a centralized entity, while bitcoin can be saved or spent without permission. Furthermore, Tether is tied to the value of the US Dollar which is designed to lose purchasing power over time, while bitcoin, as a truly scarce asset, is designed to increase in purchasing power with adoption. As people awaken to the risks of Tether’s control, and the benefits bitcoin provides, bitcoin adoption will likely surpass it.

@ 8173f6e1:e488ac0f

TESTNOTEBIN2

@ d360efec:14907b5f

Disclaimer: * การวิเคราะห์นี้เป็นเพียงแนวทาง ไม่ใช่คำแนะนำในการซื้อขาย * การลงทุนมีความเสี่ยง ผู้ลงทุนควรตัดสินใจด้วยตนเอง

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Safe Bits & Self Custody Tips

The journey of onboarding a user and create a bitcoin multiSig setup begins far before opening a desktop like Bitcoin Safe (BS) or any other similar application. Bitcoin Safe seems designed for families and people that want to start exploring and learning about multiSig setup. The need for such application and use of it could go much further, defining best practices for private organizations that aim to custody bitcoin in a private and anonymous way, following and enjoy the values and standards bitcoin has been built for.

Intro

Organizations and small private groups like families, family offices and solopreneurs operating on a bitcoin standard will have the need to keep track of transactions and categorize them to keep the books in order. A part of our efforts will be spent ensuring accessibility standards are in place for everyone to use Bitcoin Safe with comfort and safety.

We aim with this project to bring together the three Designathon ideas below: - Bitcoin Safe: improve its overall design and usability. - No User Left Behind: improve Bitcoin Safe accessibility. - Self-custody guidelines for organizations: How Bitcoin Safe can be used by private organization following best self-custody practices.

We are already halfway of the first week, and here below the progress made so far.

Designing an icon Set for Bitcoin Safe

One of the noticeable things when using BS is the inconsistency of the icons, not just in colors and shapes, but also the way are used. The desktop app try to have a clean design that incorporate with all OS (Win, macOS, Linux) and for this reason it's hard to define when a system default icon need to be used or if a custom one can be applied instead. The use of QT Ui framework for python apps help to respond to these questions. It also incorporates and brig up dome default settings that aren't easily overwritten.

Here below you can see the current version of BS:

Defining a more strict color palette for Bitcoin Safe was the first thing!

How much the icons affect accessibility? How they can help users to reach the right functionality? I took the challenge and, with PenPot.app, redesigned the icons based on the grid defined in the https://bitcoinicons.com/ and proposing the implementation of it to have a cleaner and more consistent look'n feel, at least for the icons now.

What's next

I personally look forward to seeing these icons implemented soon in Bitcoin Safe interface. In the meantime, we'll focus on delivering an accessibility audit and evaluate options to see how BS could be used by private organizations aiming to become financially sovereign with self-custody or more complex bitcoin multiSig setups.

One of the greatest innovations BS is bringing to us is the ability to sync the multiSig wallets, including PBST, Categories and labels, through the nostr decentralized protocol, making current key custodial services somehow obsolete. Second-coolest feature that this nostr implementation brings is the ability to have a build-in private chat that connect and enable the various signers of a multiSig to communicate and sign transactions remotely. Where have you seen something like this before?

Categories UX and redesign is also considered in this project. We'll try to understand how to better serve this functionality to you, the user, really soon.

Stay tuned!

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/974488

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

What does it say about us that believers don’t listen as well as unbelievers? Let’s investigate some scripture verses and see what we can discover.

An Object Lesson:

Jesus warned His disciples several times that He would be killed and rise from the dead on the third day. Right after Jesus asked them who they thought He was and Peter replied that He was the Christ (Messiah), Jesus told them what would happen.

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. (Matthew 16:21)

We know the disciples heard and understood what Jesus was saying because Peter immediately rebuked Jesus.

Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Matthew 16:22-23)

You’d think that Peter would have this moment locked in his mind after being rebuked so harshly for questioning Jesus’s prediction of what would happen.

A while later, Jesus again told His disciples what was about to happen.

And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved. (Matthew 17:22-23)

They again heard what was said because they were “deeply grieved.” They didn’t like what they heard.

Then a third time, as they were approaching Jerusalem, He made certain they knew what was coming:

As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” (Matthew 20:17-19)

The disciples should have known that Jesus’s crucifixion and death were not the end. He told them repeatedly that He would die and be raised from the dead on the third day. They should have been diligently waiting with expectation, but instead they immediately hid, gave up, and headed back to their old lives.

His female followers still cared enough to try to prepare Jesus’s body for burial, but even they did not expect Him to rise as He said.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7) {emphasis mine}

Even when the woman came and told the disciples that they had seen Jesus as He had said, none believed them, although Peter and John did have a glimmer of hope and went to look for themselves.

In contrast, the Pharisees, the very people who hated Jesus so much that they fought to have Him crucified, remembered Jesus’s statements.

Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone. (Matthew 27:62-66) {emphasis mine}

The Pharisees acted in response to Jesus’s claims. The disciples ignored or forgot Jesus’s claims.

KNOW:

How often do we ignore or forget Jesus’s promises? How often do we despair when we should hold tightly to the promises given to us in the Bible? Are there times that our opponents, unbelievers, are better at quoting the Bible back at us than we are at using the Bible to defend the truth and our faith?

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 (1 Peter 3:15)

We need to know God’s word so we can “give an account for the hope that is in” us. First we need to read the whole Bible. We can’t know who God is, what He has done, and what He commands for us without knowing God’s word.

After we have gotten the big picture by reading through the Bible once, we need to really get to know it well. This not only includes reading the Bible continually, but also include memorizing key verses, so we can bring them to remembrance when we need them.

Some people can repeat a verse multiple times and just know it. Some of us have trouble memorizing things. We have to go to extraordinary measures to memorize God’s word. Some techniques I have used:

• WHITEBOARD APPROACH:

• Write the verse on the white board.

• Read out loud.

• Erase one word. (You can underline where the word is if that helps you remember that a word goes there)

• Read out loud saying verse including missing word.

• Continue erasing words, one at a time, saying the verse until all of the words are gone.

• I haven’t used it personally, but Verse Locker was recommended by another substacker and seems to use a similar technique.

• MUSICAL VERSES:

• Make up a tune and sing the verse or put the verse to a tune you already know.

• If you aren’t good at making up songs, there are sites that have verses to songs, but I haven’t used them personally other than a few from Awana years ago.

• FIRST LETTER:

• Write down the first letter of each word of the verse you want to memorize This gives hints and helps you not accidentally miss words.

• I’ve also made a necklace (it was supposed to be a bracelet, but the verse, 1 Peter 3:15 above, I picked was too long) made of beads with the letters of the words of the verse. By wearing it, you have a reminder to memorize and rememorize the verse till it sticks stronger.

• This is my version of 1 Peter 3:15

  

• APPS:

• There are multiple apps that can help you memorize verses. 5 Best Bible Memory Apps for 2025

We are all different and have different learning styles. Pick the version that works best for you, but be intentional. For so long I wasn’t. Having a child with Down Syndrome in Awana who needed help led me to finding ways to help him and me to memorize the hundreds (or thousands) of verses that are required to finish the program. Keep in mind that you need to keep reviewing them or the memories will fade. The more times you memorize the verse, the longer it will stick with you. You just never know when you will need a Scripture verse and you may not have your Bible or phone (with Bible app) handy.

APPLY:

Knowing the Bible is critical for the Christian life, but knowing the Bible and God’s commands is not enough. We have to live according to this knowledge. We have to apply it in our lives. It needs to change the way we view the world and change the way we live our lives and interact with others.

for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. (Romans 2:13) {emphasis mine}

Our faith needs to be exhibited through action.

But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18) {emphasis mine}

There is nothing we need to do to be saved besides believe, but if we have saving faith, we should desire God’s word like the author of Psalm 119. Our lives should also change to be conformed to Jesus.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:12) {emphasis mine}

There must be works as evidence of our faith.

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; (James 2:19-22) {emphasis mine}

The disciples heard Jesus tell them what was going to happen to Him. They knew what He had said because they reacted to it negatively. The problem was they didn’t believe it and didn’t live according to Jesus’s plain words. As important as it is to read and understand the Bible, none of that matters if we don’t believe it and live it.

But I Can’t Do It Myself:

Jesus knew that we could not know and do what we were commanded to know and do, at least not in our own power.

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:45-49)

Jesus not only sent the disciples (and all believers) out into the world to tell of what He has done for us, but He told the disciples to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Jesus told them to wait until they had received the Holy Spirit to guide and empower them in the work He had designed them to complete. We also have the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and minds, so we can fulfill the commandments and plans He has for us.

I’m sorry if this post had a little too much overlap with my last post, but knowing God’s word has become a passion of mine and it is where I felt led to go.

May the God of Heaven give you a hunger for His word, help you to understand His word, believe His word, and live His word. May your understanding of the word of God guide you in everything you think, speak, and do. May you never doubt God’s word or discount God’s word because it isn’t according to your preference. God bless you and keep you.

Trust Jesus.

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Before I saw those X right-wing political “influencers” parading their Epstein binders in that PR stunt, I’d already posted this on Nostr, an open protocol. 

“Today, the world’s attention will likely fixate on Epstein, governmental failures in addressing horrific abuse cases, and the influential figures who perpetrate such acts—yet few will center the victims and survivors in the conversation. The survivors of Epstein went to law enforcement and very little happened. The survivors tried to speak to the corporate press and the corporate press knowingly covered for him. In situations like these social media can serve as one of the only ways for a survivor’s voice to be heard. 

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the line between centralized corporate social media and the state is razor-thin, if it exists at all. Time and again, the state shields powerful abusers when it’s politically expedient to do so. In this climate, a survivor attempting to expose someone like Epstein on a corporate tech platform faces an uphill battle—there’s no assurance their voice would even break through. Their story wouldn’t truly belong to them; it’d be at the mercy of the platform, subject to deletion at a whim. Nostr, though, offers a lifeline—a censorship-resistant space where survivors can share their truths, no matter how untouchable the abuser might seem. A survivor could remain anonymous here if they took enough steps. 

Nostr holds real promise for amplifying survivor voices. And if you’re here daily, tossing out memes, take heart: you’re helping build a foundation for those who desperately need to be heard.“

That post is untouchable—no CEO, company, employee, or government can delete it. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t take it down myself. The post will outlive me on the protocol. 

The cozy alliance between the state and corporate social media hit me hard during that right-wing X “influencer” PR stunt. Elon owns X. Elon’s a special government employee. X pays those influencers to post. We don’t know who else pays them to post. Those influencers are spurred on by both the government and X to manage the Epstein case narrative. It wasn’t survivors standing there, grinning for photos—it was paid influencers, gatekeepers orchestrating yet another chance to re-exploit the already exploited.

The bond between the state and corporate social media is tight. If the other Epsteins out there are ever to be unmasked, I wouldn’t bet on a survivor’s story staying safe with a corporate tech platform, the government, any social media influencer, or mainstream journalist. Right now, only a protocol can hand survivors the power to truly own their narrative.

I don’t have anything against Elon—I’ve actually been a big supporter. I’m just stating it as I see it. X isn’t censorship resistant and they have an algorithm that they choose not the user. Corporate tech platforms like X can be a better fit for some survivors. X has safety tools and content moderation, making it a solid option for certain individuals. Grok can be a big help for survivors looking for resources or support! As a survivor, you know what works best for you, and safety should always come first—keep that front and center.

That said, a protocol is a game-changer for cases where the powerful are likely to censor. During China's # MeToo movement, survivors faced heavy censorship on social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat, where posts about sexual harassment were quickly removed, and hashtags like # MeToo or "woyeshi" were blocked by government and platform filters. To bypass this, activists turned to blockchain technology encoding their stories—like Yue Xin’s open letter about a Peking University case—into transaction metadata. This made the information tamper-proof and publicly accessible, resisting censorship since blockchain data can’t be easily altered or deleted.

I posted this on X 2/28/25. I wanted to try my first long post on a nostr client. The Epstein cover up is ongoing so it’s still relevant, unfortunately.

If you are a survivor or loved one who is reading this and needs support please reach out to: National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 https://rainn.org/

Hours: Available 24 hours

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Welcome back to our weekly JABBB, Just Another Bitcoin Bubble Boom, a comics and meme contest crafted for you, creative stackers!

If you'd like to learn more, check our welcome post here.

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This week sticker: Bitcoin Sir

You can download the source file directly from the HereComesBitcoin website in SVG and PNG. Use this sticker around SN with the code ![](https://m.stacker.news/71417)

The task

Make sure you use this week sticker to design a comic frame or a meme, add a message that perfectly captures the sentiment of the current most hilarious takes on the Bitcoin space. You can contextualize it or not, it's up to you, you chose the message, the context and anything else that will help you submit your comic art masterpiece.

Are you a meme creator? There's space for you too: select the most similar shot from the gifts hosted on the Gif Station section and craft your best meme... Let's Jabbb!

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If you enjoy designing and memeing, feel free to check out the JABBB archive and create more to spread Bitcoin awareness to the moon.

Submit each proposal on the relative thread, bounties will be distributed when enough participants submit options.

PS: you can now use HereComesBitcoin stickers to use on Stacker.News

₿e creative, have fun! :D

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/974483

@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9

Bitcoin has always been rooted in freedom and resistance to authority. I get that many of you are conflicted about the US Government stacking but by design we cannot stop anyone from using bitcoin. Many have asked me for my thoughts on the matter, so let’s rip it.

Concern

One of the most glaring issues with the strategic bitcoin reserve is its foundation, built on stolen bitcoin. For those of us who value private property this is an obvious betrayal of our core principles. Rather than proof of work, the bitcoin that seeds this reserve has been taken by force. The US Government should return the bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex and the Silk Road.

Usually stolen bitcoin for the reserve creates a perverse incentive. If governments see a bitcoin as a valuable asset, they will ramp up efforts to confiscate more bitcoin. The precedent is a major concern, and I stand strongly against it, but it should be also noted that governments were already seizing coin before the reserve so this is not really a change in policy.

Ideally all seized bitcoin should be burned, by law. This would align incentives properly and make it less likely for the government to actively increase coin seizures. Due to the truly scarce properties of bitcoin, all burned bitcoin helps existing holders through increased purchasing power regardless. This change would be unlikely but those of us in policy circles should push for it regardless. It would be best case scenario for American bitcoiners and would create a strong foundation for the next century of American leadership.

Optimism

The entire point of bitcoin is that we can spend or save it without permission. That said, it is a massive benefit to not have one of the strongest governments in human history actively trying to ruin our lives.

Since the beginning, bitcoiners have faced horrible regulatory trends. KYC, surveillance, and legal cases have made using bitcoin and building bitcoin businesses incredibly difficult. It is incredibly important to note that over the past year that trend has reversed for the first time in a decade. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a key driver of this shift. By holding bitcoin, the strongest government in the world has signaled that it is not just a fringe technology but rather truly valuable, legitimate, and worth stacking.

This alignment of incentives changes everything. The US Government stacking proves bitcoin’s worth. The resulting purchasing power appreciation helps all of us who are holding coin and as bitcoin succeeds our government receives direct benefit. A beautiful positive feedback loop.

Realism

We are trending in the right direction. A strategic bitcoin reserve is a sign that the state sees bitcoin as an asset worth embracing rather than destroying. That said, there is a lot of work left to be done. We cannot be lulled into complacency, the time to push forward is now, and we cannot take our foot off the gas. We have a seat at the table for the first time ever. Let's make it worth it.

We must protect the right to free usage of bitcoin and other digital technologies. Freedom in the digital age must be taken and defended, through both technical and political avenues. Multiple privacy focused developers are facing long jail sentences for building tools that protect our freedom. These cases are not just legal battles. They are attacks on the soul of bitcoin. We need to rally behind them, fight for their freedom, and ensure the ethos of bitcoin survives this new era of government interest. The strategic reserve is a step in the right direction, but it is up to us to hold the line and shape the future.

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Wild parrots tend to fly in flocks, but when kept as single pets, they may become lonely and bored https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHcAOlamgDc

Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-taught-pet-parrots-to-video-call-each-other-and-the-birds-loved-it-180982041/

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/973639

@ 8173f6e1:e488ac0f

testnotebin7testnotebin7testnotebin7testnotebin7

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Your device, your data. TRMNL's architecture prevents outsiders (including us) from accessing your local network. TRMNAL achieve this through 1 way communication between client and server, versus the other way around. Learn more.

Learn more at https://usetrmnl.com/

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/973632

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Here’s Sean Voisen writing about how programming is a feeling:

For those of us who enjoy programming, there is a deep satisfaction that comes from solving problems through well-written code, a kind of ineffable joy found in the elegant expression of a system through our favorite syntax. It is akin to the same satisfaction a craftsperson might find at the end of the day after toiling away on well-made piece of furniture, the culmination of small dopamine hits that come from sweating the details on something and getting them just right. Maybe nobody will notice those details, but it doesn’t matter. We care, we notice, we get joy from the aesthetics of the craft.

This got me thinking about the idea of satisfaction in craft. Where does it come from?

Continue Reading https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2025/craft-and-satisfaction/

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/973628

@ c9badfea:610f861a

1. Install Helio (it's free and open source)
2. Download SoundFont files from various sources (see links below)
3. Launch the app and follow these steps to import SoundFonts:
   1. Tap Studio in the top bar, then select Orchestra Pit
   2. Tap Scan Common Plugin Folders, select SoundFont Player from the plugins found
   3. Tap SoundFont Player in the top bar, then Create New Instrument
   4. Select the new SoundFont Player instrument
   5. Tap SoundFont Player in the top bar, then Show UI
   6. Tap the folder icon and choose a downloaded SoundFont file
   7. Rename the instrument by tapping the first SoundFont Player in the top bar, then Rename
4. Tap Studio twice in the top bar, then Start A New Project
5. Choose a file location for the project and Save
6. Tap Track 1, choose Set Instrument, and select an instrument
7. Double-tap in the arranger to add a new note
8. Explore the interface and start composing

Some SoundFont Sources

• Musical Artifacts
• TriSamples

ℹ️ The Helio interface is unique and may require some time to get accustomed to

ℹ️ A SoundFont file (.sf2) contains a collection of audio samples

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

CryptPad

Collaboration and privacy. Yes, you can have both Flagship instance of CryptPad, the end-to-end encrypted and open-source collaboration suite. Cloud administered by the CryptPad development team. https://cryptpad.fr/

ONLYOFFICE DocSpace

Document collaboration made simpler. Easily collaborate with customizable rooms. Edit any content you have. Work faster using AI assistants. Protect your sensitive business data. Download or try STARTUP Cloud (Limited-time offer) FREE https://www.onlyoffice.com/

SeaFile

A new way to organize your files Beyond just syncing and sharing files, Seafile lets you add custom file properties and organize your files in different views. With AI-powered automation for generating properties, Seafile offers a smarter, more efficient way to manage your files. Try it Now, Free for up to 3 users https://seafile.com/

SandStorm

An open source platform for self-hosting web apps Self-host web-based productivity apps easily and securely. Sandstorm is an open source project built by a community of volunteers with the goal of making it really easy to run open source web applications. Try the Demo or Signup Free https://alpha.sandstorm.io/apps

NextCloud Hub

A new generation of online collaboration that puts you in control. Nextcloud offers a modern, on premise content collaboration platform with real-time document editing, video chat & groupware on mobile, desktop and web. Sign up for a free Nextcloud account https://nextcloud.com/sign-up/

LinShare

True Open Source Secure File Sharing Solution We are committed to providing a reliable Open Source file-sharing solution, expertly designed to meet the highest standards of diverse industries, such as government and finance Try the Demo https://linshare.app/

Twake Drive

The open-source alternative to Google Drive. Privacy-First Open Source Workplace. Twake workplace open source business. Improve your effeciency with truly Open Source, all-in-one digital suite. Enhance the security in every aspect of your professional and private life. Sign up https://sign-up.twake.app/

SpaceDrive

One Explorer. All Your Files. Unify files from all your devices and clouds into a single, easy-to-use explorer. Designed for creators, hoarders and the painfully disorganized. Download desktop app (mobile coming soon) https://www.spacedrive.com/

ente

Safe Home for your photos Store, share, and discover your memories with end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption, durable storage and simple sharing. Packed with these and much more into our beautiful open source apps. Get started https://web.ente.io

fileStash

Turn your FTP server into... Filestash is the enterprise-grade file manager connecting your storage with your identity provider and authorisations. Try the demo https://demo.filestash.app

STORJ

Disruptively fast.‍ Globally secure. S3-compatible distributed cloud services that make the most demanding workflows fast and affordable. Fast track your journey toward high performance cloud services. Storj pricing is consistent and competitive in meeting or exceeding your cloud services needs. Give the products a try to experience the benefits of the distributed cloud. Get Started https://www.storj.io/get-started

FireFile

The open‑source alternative to Dropbox. Firefiles lets you setup a cloud drive with the backend of your choice and lets you seamlessly manage your files across multiple providers. It revolutionizes cloud storage management by offering a unified platform for all your storage needs. Sign up Free https://beta.firefiles.app

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/973626

@ 8173f6e1:e488ac0f

testnotebin123456testnotebin123456testnotebin123456testnotebin123456

@ c9badfea:610f861a

1. Install EtchDroid (it's free and open source)
2. Launch the app, then tap What's Supported? to check compatibility with devices and disk images
3. Insert the USB drive
4. Tap Write An Image, then select the desired image file
5. Tap Grant Access, confirm, and then tap Write image
6. Optionally, allow notifications to be notified when the process is complete
7. Your bootable USB drive is now ready

⚠️ This app has telemetry enabled by default. Make sure to turn it off in the app menu. If you trust F-Droid, you can get a telemetry-free version from there

⚠️ Avoid moving the phone during the image writing process

@ 4925ea33:025410d8

1. O que é um Aromaterapeuta?

O aromaterapeuta é um profissional especializado na prática da Aromaterapia, responsável pelo uso adequado de óleos essenciais, ervas aromáticas, águas florais e destilados herbais para fins terapêuticos.

A atuação desse profissional envolve diferentes métodos de aplicação, como inalação, uso tópico, sempre considerando a segurança e a necessidade individual do cliente. A Aromaterapia pode auxiliar na redução do estresse, alívio de dores crônicas, relaxamento muscular e melhora da respiração, entre outros benefícios.

Além disso, os aromaterapeutas podem trabalhar em conjunto com outros profissionais da saúde para oferecer um tratamento complementar em diversas condições. Como já mencionado no artigo sobre "Como evitar processos alérgicos na prática da Aromaterapia", é essencial ter acompanhamento profissional, pois os óleos essenciais são altamente concentrados e podem causar reações adversas se utilizados de forma inadequada.

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2. Como um Aromaterapeuta Pode Ajudar?

Você pode procurar um aromaterapeuta para diferentes necessidades, como:

✔ Questões Emocionais e Psicológicas

Auxílio em momentos de luto, divórcio, demissão ou outras situações desafiadoras.

Apoio na redução do estresse, ansiedade e insônia.

Vale lembrar que, em casos de transtornos psiquiátricos, a Aromaterapia deve ser usada como terapia complementar, associada ao tratamento médico.

✔ Questões Físicas

Dores musculares e articulares.

Problemas respiratórios como rinite, sinusite e tosse.

Distúrbios digestivos leves.

Dores de cabeça e enxaquecas. Nesses casos, a Aromaterapia pode ser um suporte, mas não substitui a medicina tradicional para identificar a origem dos sintomas.

✔ Saúde da Pele e Cabelos

Tratamento para acne, dermatites e psoríase.

Cuidados com o envelhecimento precoce da pele.

Redução da queda de cabelo e controle da oleosidade do couro cabeludo.

✔ Bem-estar e Qualidade de Vida

Melhora da concentração e foco, aumentando a produtividade.

Estímulo da disposição e energia.

Auxílio no equilíbrio hormonal (TPM, menopausa, desequilíbrios hormonais).

Com base nessas necessidades, o aromaterapeuta irá indicar o melhor tratamento, calculando doses, sinergias (combinação de óleos essenciais), diluições e técnicas de aplicação, como inalação, uso tópico ou difusão.

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3. Como Funciona uma Consulta com um Aromaterapeuta?

Uma consulta com um aromaterapeuta é um atendimento personalizado, onde são avaliadas as necessidades do cliente para a criação de um protocolo adequado. O processo geralmente segue estas etapas:

✔ Anamnese (Entrevista Inicial)

Perguntas sobre saúde física, emocional e estilo de vida.

Levantamento de sintomas, histórico médico e possíveis alergias.

Definição dos objetivos da terapia (alívio do estresse, melhora do sono, dores musculares etc.).

✔ Escolha dos Óleos Essenciais

Seleção dos óleos mais indicados para o caso.

Consideração das propriedades terapêuticas, contraindicações e combinações seguras.

✔ Definição do Método de Uso

O profissional indicará a melhor forma de aplicação, que pode ser:

Inalação: difusores, colares aromáticos, vaporização.

Uso tópico: massagens, óleos corporais, compressas.

Banhos aromáticos e escalda-pés. Todas as diluições serão ajustadas de acordo com a segurança e a necessidade individual do cliente.

✔ Plano de Acompanhamento

Instruções detalhadas sobre o uso correto dos óleos essenciais.

Orientação sobre frequência e duração do tratamento.

Possibilidade de retorno para ajustes no protocolo.

A consulta pode ser realizada presencialmente ou online, dependendo do profissional.

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Quer saber como a Aromaterapia pode te ajudar? Agende uma consulta comigo e descubra os benefícios dos óleos essenciais para o seu bem-estar!

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

„Ova mašina ozelenjava“, koji predstavlja Swan Bitcoin, je dokumentarac koji istražuje složen i nijansiran odnos između Bitkoina i energije. Producent filma je Enrike Pozner, dok je režiser nagrađivani britanski filmski stvaralac Džejmi King čija je serija „Ukradi ovaj film“ (2006–2010) bila jedan od najpreuzimanijih dokumentaraca svih vremena.

U filmu „Ova mašina ozelenjava“ učestvuje glavna ekonomska savetnica Swan-a Lin Alden zajedno sa Aleksom Gladstajnom, Nikom Karterom i mnogim drugima. „Ova mašina ozelenjava“ razbija mnoge zablude o rudarenju Bitkoina i iznosi ubedljive argumente za Bitkoin kao neto-pozitivan faktor za životnu sredinu.

Prevod: bitcoin-balkan.com

@ 9063ef6b:fd1e9a09

🎯 Goal

You want to: - Offer a self-hosted Zap address using your own domain - Forward payments to your Zeus Wallet (via Olympus LSP) - Combine NIP-05 and Lightning (Zaps) under one identifier

Important: - This setup enables receiving Zaps only. - Sending Zaps still requires the built-in Lightning wallet of the Nostr client.

---

🧩 Components Used in This Example

| Component | Function | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | GitHub Pages | Hosts your .well-known files | | Zeus Wallet (Olympus)| Receives the payments (Zaps) | | LNURL-Pay JSON | Forwards Zap requests to zeuspay.com | | NIP-05 Identifier | Your public Nostr identity address | | lud16 (Lightning) | Same address as NIP-05 for Lightning Zap receiving |

The following article describes the precondition of creating a nip-05 with custom domain:

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpyrraa4eymelf5xndvxcwxvvs8p7qxluxy0zvrk9rxmlat73axsfqq2nxw24wge47s2ydet4ykjlxfgyc62223y5xtdzydu

---

📁 GitHub Folder Structure

The GitHub folder structure must look like this. You extend the existing NIP-05 setup by adding a folder lnurlp with one file:

.well-known/ ├── nostr.json # For NIP-05 └── lnurlp/ └── petermuster* # For LNURL-Zap

*For example, if your Lightning address is petermuster@zeuspay.com, name the file petermuster (no file extension is needed).

---

📄 Content of .well-known/lnurlp/petermuster

Open the terminal on your linux/mac and run:

bash curl https://zeuspay.com/.well-known/lnurlp/petermuster

Copy the result into a text editor, clean it up and save it into a file named petermuster with this format:

json { "callback": "https://zeuspay.com/api/lnurl/pay/petermuster", "metadata": "[["text/plain","Self-custodial LN address powered by ZEUS. Hodl invoice will settle when user comes online within 24hrs or you'll be refunded."],["text/identifier","petermuster@zeuspay.com"]]", "tag": "payRequest", "minSendable": 1000, "maxSendable": 612000000000, "allowsNostr": true, "nostrPubkey": "3943rjfoijdlakfjo0afsdafasfasfdsadklnfaksdfjljewopqjweilj", "commentAllowed": 600, "zeusPayPlus": true }

---

📝 Nostr Profile Configuration

Make sure your Nostr profile links both your nip05 and your Lightning address like this:

json { "nip05": "petermuster@mydomain.com", lightnisadress (lud16): "petermuster@mydomain.com" }

---

⚠️ Privacy / Info Leaks

| Field | Leak? | Explanation | |-------------------|-------|-------------| | maxSendable | 🟡 Minor | Indicates the user can accept up to 6.12 BTC. This is not your balance, it shows just you use ZeusPay Plus. | | metadata | 🔵 Editable | You can remove ZEUS branding for more privacy | | nostrPubkey | 🔵 Public | This is your public key, no issue | | callback domain | 🟡 Yes | It reveals you're forwarding to zeuspay.com | | Custody | 🟢 No | You're using Zeus in non-custodial mode |

---

✅ Benefits of This Setup

| Advantage | Description | |----------------------------------------|-------------| | Unified Identity | One address for both NIP-05 and Lightning Zaps | | Less dependency on the client | No need to use or register a Lightning wallet in the Nostr client | | Direct payment to your node | Sats go directly to your Zeus wallet via Olympus LSP | | Easily switch payment backend | You can change the real LNURL backend later without changing your address | | Future-proof | You can later self-host your own LNURL backend |

---

⚠️ Open Question

• How can I send Zaps from my Zeus Wallet (NWC or direct) to a nostr article or post?

  If this won't be possible in the future, receiving-only setups lose a lot of value.

@ 6e0ea5d6:0327f353

"Malcolm Forbes recounts that a lady, wearing a faded cotton dress, and her husband, dressed in an old handmade suit, stepped off a train in Boston, USA, and timidly made their way to the office of the president of Harvard University. They had come from Palo Alto, California, and had not scheduled an appointment. The secretary, at a glance, thought that those two, looking like country bumpkins, had no business at Harvard.
— We want to speak with the president — the man said in a low voice.
— He will be busy all day — the secretary replied curtly.
— We will wait.
The secretary ignored them for hours, hoping the couple would finally give up and leave. But they stayed there, and the secretary, somewhat frustrated, decided to bother the president, although she hated doing that.
— If you speak with them for just a few minutes, maybe they will decide to go away — she said.
The president sighed in irritation but agreed. Someone of his importance did not have time to meet people like that, but he hated faded dresses and tattered suits in his office. With a stern face, he went to the couple.
— We had a son who studied at Harvard for a year — the woman said. — He loved Harvard and was very happy here, but a year ago he died in an accident, and we would like to erect a monument in his honor somewhere on campus.

— My lady — said the president rudely —, we cannot erect a statue for every person who studied at Harvard and died; if we did, this place would look like a cemetery.

— Oh, no — the lady quickly replied. — We do not want to erect a statue. We would like to donate a building to Harvard.

The president looked at the woman's faded dress and her husband's old suit and exclaimed:

— A building! Do you have even the faintest idea of how much a building costs? We have more than seven and a half million dollars' worth of buildings here at Harvard.

The lady was silent for a moment, then said to her husband:

— If that’s all it costs to found a university, why don’t we have our own?

The husband agreed.

The couple, Leland Stanford, stood up and left, leaving the president confused. Traveling back to Palo Alto, California, they established there Stanford University, the second-largest in the world, in honor of their son, a former Harvard student."

Text extracted from: "Mileumlivros - Stories that Teach Values."

Thank you for reading, my friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of appreciation.

A toast to our family!

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Kratki dokumentarac zasnovan na istoimenoj knjizi Mareja Rotbarda. Teme uključuju: opasnosti koje sa sobom nosi država blagostanja, monetarne politike zasnovane na dugu, oporezivanje bez zastupanja i ostala sredstva državnog nasilja.

Autor filma: @rjames_BTC

Zvanični vebsajt filma: anatomystatefilm.com

Prevod: bitcoin-balkan.com

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

U društvu koje koristi čvrst novac, jedini način sticanja bogatstva je stvaranje vrednosti za druge. Šta se jbt desilo 1971?

Autor filma: @rjames_BTC

Zvanični vebsajt: hardmoneyfilm.com

Prevod: bitcoin-balkan.com

@ 3c7dc2c5:805642a8

🧠Quote(s) of the week:

'Bitcoin is a high-IQ, low-time-preference asset in a world addicted to DoorDash, dopamine, and debt. Holding Bitcoin requires patience, conviction, and the ability to not panic when CNBC tells you it’s dead for the 47th time. That rules out, oh, I don’t know - 95% of the population? This isn’t some egalitarian revolution. This is a cognitive filter disguised as a monetary network. The rich, the strategic, the elite - those who understand volatility as an opportunity - will stack the hardest asset on Earth while the masses beg for interest rate cuts and $600 stimmies to buy groceries they can't afford.

It's not a level playing field. It's a time-preference war, and Bitcoin is the scoreboard. And every cycle, we watch it happen again. The media ridicules it, the politicians fear it, and the smart money buys more. While fiat punishes savers and rewards financial nihilism, Bitcoin inverts the whole structure. It’s a vault for those who can delay gratification, think generationally, and understand that true wealth is preserved rather than printed. The game isn’t rigged. It’s just calibrated for adults.' - Adam Livingston

'Bitcoin is an extremely simple thesis. If you think governments will stop debasing and debanking: number go down. If you think they won’t stop debasing and debanking: number go up'- Alex Gladstein

Something to ponder on.

🧡Bitcoin news🧡

On the 28th of April:

➡️Hunter Horsley: 'Bitcoin at $94k, yet — Google searches for "Bitcoin" near long-term lows. This hasn't been retail-driven. Institutions, advisors, corporations, and nations have come into the space. The types of investors buying Bitcoin are expanding.'

➡️Daniel Batten: 'Cambridge has just released their updated report on Bitcoin mining. For the first time, their report shows that most (52.4%) of the Bitcoin network is now powered by zero-emission energy sources (up from 37% in their last report).

Here's a summary of their findings:

https://x.com/DSBatten/status/1916903476610650202

You can read the full report here

➡️Arizona’s Bitcoin Reserve bill (SB 1025) just passed the House and now heads to the desk of Governor Katie Hobbs. However, Governor Hobbs has vowed to veto any legislation until a budget impasse over funding for disability services is resolved.

On the 29th of April:

➡️Bitcoin Archive: 'South Korea's ruling party to approve spot Bitcoin ETFs, scrap restrictive banking crypto rules, and introduce crypto-friendly framework THIS YEAR, if it wins the June election.'

➡️President Trump's Executive Director says there is a "space race" amongst countries to accumulate Bitcoin: "We view Bitcoin as digital gold."

➡️U.S. to "turbo-charge" Bitcoin mining growth by allowing Bitcoin miners to build power plants and data centres near natural gas fields - Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary

➡️Japanese clothing company ANAP Holdings Inc. bought 35 Bitcoins worth $3.3 million. ANAP now holds 51.7 BTC, joining Japan’s growing corporate Bitcoin treasury movement.

➡️Semler Scientific adds 165 BTC for $15.7M, bringing total holdings to 3,467 BTC. The company reports a 23.8% BTC yield year-to-date.

➡️The Bitcoin hashrate has already surged over 17% since the start of the year.

➡️'This shattered a major myth for me: gold production isn’t slowing down—it’s accelerating. According to NYDIG, annual gold mining has been steadily increasing over time, about 1.6% per year, thanks to better extraction technology. In fact, 2024 saw a 1% year-over-year increase, setting an all-time high in gold output (World Gold Council). So why do so many still believe the outdated narrative that gold is becoming harder to find? The truth is: gold is effectively unlimited in supply—we just get better at digging it up. If that surprises you, you're probably not nearly bullish enough on Bitcoin.' - Robert Hefner https://i.ibb.co/JWCHndQk/Gpu-W9-R1-Xw-AAiy-Cv.jpg

On the 30th of April:

➡️The Bank of Italy identifies Bitcoin as an emerging risk factor with concerns for the financial system.

"The strong growth of Bitcoin and other crypto-assets with high price volatility means risks not only for investors but also potentially for financial stability, given the growing interconnections between the digital asset ecosystem, the traditional financial sector, and the real economy,”

Tell me you are scared of Bitcoin without telling me you are scared of Bitcoin.

➡️4 major wirehouses managing $10 TRILLION to start offering Bitcoin ETFs to clients this year, says BitWise CIO Matt Hougan. Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and UBS are coming to the party.

➡️Roswell, New Mexico, becomes the 1st United States city to launch a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

➡️BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF IBIT has hit 600,000 BTC!

➡️Semler Scientific bought 165 Bitcoins worth $15.7m. They now hold 3,467 BTC on their balance sheet.

➡️Bitcoin News: 'El Salvador is still buying Bitcoin despite an IMF loan deal that required it to stop. Economy Minister Maria Luisa Hayem confirmed ongoing accumulation, calling Bitcoin “an important project” and a key asset for both the government and private sector.'

➡️New whales are buying Bitcoin faster than ever before!

➡️'ZachXBT says the $330M Bitcoin theft involved an elderly U.S. victim targeted by social engineering. The stolen 3,520 BTC were laundered through six exchanges and swapped into Monero, triggering a 50% price spike due to thin liquidity.' -Bitcoin News

On the 1st of May:

➡️North Carolina Bitcoin Reserve Bill has passed the House! This bill enables state retirement funds to invest up to $ 13 B.

➡️Tether’s latest attestation states the company holds $7.6 billion in Bitcoin.

➡️Europe's largest Bitcoin treasury company, The Blockchain Group, aspires to hold 1% of the total Bitcoin supply by 2033.

➡️FiatHawk: 'Central banks create fake money to buy real gold, and we’re supposed to pretend this isn’t theft. The game is rigged. Their paper is trash. Gold knows it. Bitcoin ends it. Stop believing the lie.

https://i.ibb.co/mrBZtY5P/Gpl4kl-ak-AA-xv-D.png

When the debt bubble collapses, only sound money with zero counterparty risk matters. Currently, sound money is less than 5% of debt money, and Bitcoin is so tiny it is barely visible on the chart. Stay humble and keep stacking.' https://i.ibb.co/QF0Vf9k8/Gpu-CCIWa-YAAng1-U.png

On the 2nd of May:

➡️ Regarding the whole OP_Return debate.

Grok: ++Key Points: ++ * The OP_RETURN debate in Bitcoin centers on whether its blockchain should store data beyond financial transactions, with ongoing controversy. * It began in 2010 with concerns about blockchain bloat, intensified in 2014 with the "OP_Return Wars," and continues today. * Research suggests the debate reflects a balance between Bitcoin's monetary purpose and potential for broader applications like Dapps. * Compromises, like setting a 40-byte limit in 2014, aimed to address concerns but didn't fully resolve tensions, influencing platforms like Ethereum.

++Background++ OP_RETURN is a Bitcoin script opcode allowing small data storage in transactions, useful for timestamping or Dapps, but raising concerns about blockchain bloat.

++Historical Context++

The debate started in 2010 with the BitDNS proposal, where Satoshi Nakamoto worried about scalability, leading to Namecoin. It peaked in 2014 with Counterparty's use, leading to a 40-byte limit compromise, later adjusted to 83 bytes by 2016.

++Recent Developments++ By 2018-2019, high OP_RETURN usage (20% of transactions) sparked fee debates, but usage has since declined, though data remains, with recent 2023 controversies over size limits.

If you are interested in Bitcoin, then you should check out the following video.

Great video from @GrassFedBitcoin explaining the current OP_RETURN situation. The choice isn’t between bloating the UTXO set or increasing OP_RETURN, it’s whether we normalize spam or we reject it. Is Bitcoin for data storage or financial transactions? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15biQH1H140 Every Bitcoiner needs to see this! Vires in Numeris.

A great counterargument by Seth for Privacy:

https://x.com/sethforprivacy/status/1919003009880616976

Personally, I tend to agree with Seth.

To sum it up:

If you are running a node, you should switch from Core to Knots immediately. It's very straightforward, and you don't need to redo the initial block download.

If you arent running a node you are a leech and need to get your shit together.

➡️Tether CEO defends skipping MiCA, calling EU stablecoin rules “very dangerous.” Ardoino: “The European Central Bank is more interested in pushing the digital euro to control people and how they spend their money.”

On the 3rd of May:

➡️Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed the state’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve legislation after it was passed by the House and Senate. She states: “Arizonans’ retirement funds are not the place for the state to try untested investments like virtual currency.”

Apparently, the Arizona State Retirement System already holds 53,097 shares of MSTR. You can’t make this shit up.

➡️Vitalik Buterin: 'One of the best things about Bitcoin is how simple it is. This simplicity has lots of benefits. Let's bring those benefits to Ethereum.' Almost like Bitcoin is eh......(checks notes)......better tech. Just use Bitcoin, dumbfuck! 'It's only taken a decade, but Ethereum's creator is having an inkling that he never should have created Ethereum, which destroyed billions of precious capital and instead focused on Bitcoin.' - Vijay Boyapati

There is no second best!

On the 4th of May:

➡️Eli Nagar:

Heads up, Bitcoin holders: The EU will ban anonymous crypto accounts by July 2027. Every transaction above €1,000 will need your ID. Privacy is becoming extinct. Every new restriction is a marketing campaign for Bitcoin. “Hi, we’re the EU. We’ll surveil you, control your money, and criminalise privacy.” By doing that, they have decided to help promote the black market...great work, EU! Oh, and remember, the EU can't ban what it has no control over: hold your own private keys.

➡️Cumulative inflows into the Bitcoin ETFs have hit a fresh ATH of $ 40.62 B.

On the 5th of May:

➡️Brown University invested $4.9M in Bitcoin via BlackRock's IBIT, as disclosed in a recent SEC filing. The university owns 105K IBIT shares ($5.8M), 2.3% of Brown's reported $216M equity holdings.

➡️Strategy acquires 1,895 BTC for $180.3 million at an average price of $95,167 per bitcoin. As of May 4, 2025, they hold 555,450 BTC acquired for $38.08 billion at an average price of $68,550 per bitcoin.

💸Traditional Finance / Macro:

On the 3rd of May:

👉🏽Berkshire Hathaway cash pile hits record $347.7bn in 1Q as Warren Buffett sells stocks for 10th quarter in a row. Buffett is still raising cash. https://i.ibb.co/1GK6Dvzx/Gq-Bp6q-BW4-AAKKlm.jpg

🏦Banks:

👉🏽 No news

🌎Macro/Geopolitics:

On the 27th of April:

👉🏽World central banks are diversifying their reserves: Foreign holdings of Treasuries as % of US government debt have fallen to ~23%, the lowest in 22 years. The percentage is down ~11 percentage points over the last 9 years. At the same time, gold holdings as a % of global international reserves have hit ~18%, the highest in 26 years. The share has risen by ~8 percentage points since 2015. China has been one of the biggest buyers of gold over the last few years. Since the beginning of 2023, China’s gold reserves as a % of total foreign reserves have doubled to 7.1%.

Everyone wants gold. https://i.ibb.co/NgX11DZh/Gp4-GKc-HWMAAa-FYu.jpg

On the 28th of April:

👉🏽TKL: 'Tariffs are hitting American meat exports.

China's cancellations of US pork shipments are skyrocketing: China cancelled shipments of ~12,000 metric tons of US pork last week, the most since the 2020 pandemic, when global supply chains were halted. As a result, overall US pork export sales dropped to their lowest level since October, according to Bloomberg. This comes as American pork imports to China now face a massive 172% tariff. This includes the duties first imposed during the 2018 trade war.'

On the 29th of April:

👉🏽The U.S. Treasury will now need to borrow $514 billion this quarter, an increase of 320% from its previous estimate.

On the 30th of April:

👉🏽'Bad news for electricity consumers: despite 84 hours of negative pricing (2024: 62 hours), the average electricity price in the Netherlands in April was €75/MWh — nearly 30% higher than a year ago.' - Martien Visser

https://i.ibb.co/VsrFdKy/Gps0l-Au-Xs-AA20-OA.png

👉🏽Tax cuts for the rich lead to higher income inequality. However, they do not have any significant effect on economic growth or unemployment. Empirical evidence for advanced economies over 1965-2015:

https://academic.oup.com/ser/article/20/2/539/6500315?login=false

Trickle down never worked.

👉🏽"Since February 2020, home prices have increased 45%," according to Zillow So has the broad money supply. Not your house is getting more expensive; The money is getting devalued.

Money supply= +40%

Median home= +40%

Experts: "What could have ever caused this????"

And some freaking guru on Instagram or Tiktok is trying to convince you to get his/her 'buying/renting a house' course. https://i.ibb.co/bMXfW3vp/Gp0-CXg-Ka-YAAIhq-J.jpg

👉🏽SUMMARY OF US Q1 GDP REPORT: 1. The U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of -0.3% in the first quarter, compared to expectations for an increase of 0.2%. That’s down from the growth of 2.4% in Q4. 2. Real consumer spending rose by 1.8% Y/Y, after increasing 4.0% in Q4. 3. The GDP Price Index rose 3.7%, above estimates of 3.1%. 4. Core PCE Prices rose 3.5%, after increasing 2.6% in Q4.

• Key Takeaway: Fears of stagflation are growing as the economy grinds to a halt and inflation ticks higher. - Jesse Cohen

👉🏽World debt has now officially crossed $300 TRILLION, and still continues to climb aggressively. This will not end well…

https://i.ibb.co/Kxm2bJs6/Gpyi-Ouwa-YAEDg-Pq.jpg

👉🏽'March PCE inflation, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, FALLS to 2.3%, above expectations of 2.2%. Core PCE inflation FALLS to 2.6%, in line with expectations of 2.6%. February Core PCE inflation was revised up to 3.0%. All eyes are on the Fed next week.' - TKL

🎁If you have made it this far, I would like to give you a little gift, well, in this case, two gifts:

Smitty's Bitcoin Retirement Guide:

"Helping you develop a better Bitcoin stacking target for life planning." - Sminston With This is a fantastic tool. Very, very useful. I will keep mentioning it. Bitcoin is a savings vehicle. Period!

https://x.com/sminston_with/status/1917605539279954391

The best kind of retirement starts in diapers and ends in diapers, so start now. https://i.ibb.co/4RwFxR0W/Gpys-GQga-YAIxm-MX.jpg

nofinancialadvice

Credit: I have used multiple sources!

My savings account: Bitcoin The tool I recommend for setting up a Bitcoin savings plan: PocketBitcoin especially suited for beginners or people who want to invest in Bitcoin with an automated investment plan once a week or monthly.

Use the code SE3997

Get your Bitcoin out of exchanges. Save them on a hardware wallet, run your own node...be your own bank. Not your keys, not your coins. It's that simple. ⠀ ⠀

⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀

Do you think this post is helpful to you?

If so, please share it and support my work with a zap.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

⭐ Many thanks⭐

Felipe - Bitcoin Friday!

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Album art didn’t always exist. In the early 1900s, recorded music was still a novelty, overshadowed by sales of sheet music. Early vinyl records were vastly different from what we think of today: discs were sold individually and could only hold up to four minutes of music per side. Sometimes, only one side of the record was used. One of the most popular records of 1910, for example, was “Come, Josephine, in My Flying Machine”: it clocked in at two minutes and 39 seconds.

The invention of album art can get lost in the story of technological mastery. But among all the factors that contributed to the rise of recorded music, it stands as one of the few that was wholly driven by creators themselves. Album art — first as marketing material, then as pure creative expression — turned an audio-only medium into a multi-sensory experience.

This is the story of the people who made music visible.

Continue reading

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/972642

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

"Misterija Satoši - Poreklo bitkoina" je francuski dokumentarno-animirani serijal koji dešifruje unutrašnje funkcionisanje bitkoin revolucije, dok istražuje identitet njenog tvorca.

Prvu decentralizovanu i pouzdanu kriptovalutu – bitkoin, osnovao je Satoši Nakamoto 3. januara 2009. godine. On je nestao 2011. i od tada ostaje anoniman, a njegov identitet je predmet svakakvih spekulacija. Tokom poslednjih 12 godina, vrednost bitkoina je porasla sa 0,001 na 69.000 dolara. Svi, od vlada do velikih korporacija, zainteresovali su se za Satošijev izum. Ko je Satoši Nakamoto? Kako je njegov izum postao toliko popularan? Šta nam bitkoin govori o svetu u kome živimo?

Ovaj serijal se prikazivao na Radio-televiziji Srbije (RTS 3) u sklopu novogodišnjeg muzičkog i filmskog programa 2022/2023. godine.

Naslov originala: "Le Mystère Satoshi"

Copyright: ARTE.TV

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na vice.com.

---

Davno pre nego što je postala šef najdesnije italijanske vlade od Drugog svetskog rata, Đorđa Meloni je kritikovala ono što je nazvala francuskom „kolonijalnom valutom“.

U snimku italijanske televizije iz 2019. koji je prošlog meseca postao megaviralan, Meloni je optužila Francusku da koristi CFA franak za eksploataciju resursa 14 afričkih zemalja i vrši finansijsku dominaciju nad njima. Određene stvari koje je tvrdila u videu nisu baš tačne, ali CFA franak jeste kontroverzan.

CFA franak je stvoren 1945. da bude valuta „francuskih kolonija u Africi“, a pošto Francuska kontroliše njegovo štampanje i promet, francuska vlada i dalje ima finansijsku kontrolu nad dobrim delom zapadnoafričke zemlje i više od 180 miliona ljudi. Dok su francuski zvaničnici ranije nazivali ovu valutu „činom velikodušnosti prema kolonijama“, o njenoj upotrebi se sada žestoko raspravlja.

Neke od afričkih nacija borile su se protiv valute, uključujući građane koji su razbijali prodavnice povezane sa Francuskom i osuđivali francuski jezik koji se uči u školama.

Jedna od onih 14 afričkih zemalja koja još uvek koristi CFA franak je Centralnoafrička Republika, država bez izlaza na more u kojoj živi oko 5 miliona ljudi i jedna od najsiromašnijih zemalja na svetu.

Predsednik CAR Faustin-Aršanž Touadera govori na COP27 u Egiptu ranije ove godine. Foto: Gehad Hamdi/savez za slike preko Getti Image-a

Ali dok druge afričke nacije razmatraju odbacivanje CFA franka, CAR je jedna od prvih koja je zaista uradila nešto po tom pitanju, a ranije ove godine postala je prva zemlja u Africi i tek druga u svetu koja je usvojila Bitcoin kao legalnu valutu.

„Alternativa gotovini je kriptovaluta“, rekao je predsednik Faustin-Aršanž Touadera. „Za nas formalna ekonomija više nije opcija”.

Dok su prve najave o bitkoinu izazvale konfuziju, međunarodne nesuglasice i reakcije, vlada CAR-a je nastavila sa uvođenjem. Osam meseci kasnije, mnogi ljudi širom sveta, pa čak i građani CAR-a, možda nisu ni svesni da se promena dogodila.

U CAR samo 14 odsto stanovništva ima pristup električnoj energiji, a još manje – oko 10 odsto – može da koristi internet. A konflikt i dalje tinja i negativno utiče na zemlju i njenu ekonomiju već deceniju.

Na predstavljanju bitkoina, vlada CAR-a je rekla da će usvajanje valute promeniti bogatstvo zemlje i staviti CAR „na mapu najhrabrijih i najvizionarskijih zemalja sveta“.

Bitkoin ne kontroliše nikakva moć, tehnički je univerzalno dostupan i ne može se cenzurisati – što je velika promena u odnosu na drugu valutu nacije, ali prosečnom građaninu CAR bi bilo potrebno 60 godina da kupi jedan novčić.

Žena maše francuskom zastavom uoči emitovanja polufinala Svetskog prvenstva između Francuske i Maroka u baru u Bangiju. Foto: BARBARA DEBOUT/AFP preko Getti Images

U Bangiju – glavnom gradu CAR – studenti Univerziteta rekli su za VICE da se „ništa nije promenilo“ od velike najave vlade.

Studenti su želeli da ostanu anonimni jer su se plašili da negativno govore o ambicijama vlade. Pravo na slobodu izražavanja ne postoji u CAR, a građani često doživljavaju zastrašivanje i nasilje od strane provladinih milicija, oružanih grupa i snaga nacionalne bezbednosti.

„Bilo je ogromno slavlje kada je objavljen Bitcoin plan i svi smo bili ponosni na našu zemlju“, rekao je jedan 20-godišnjak, „ali ne mislim da se život ovde uopšte poboljšao od tada”.

Drugi student je dodao: „Nigde nema cena u radnjama izraženih u bitkoioni, niti iko traži od ljudi da plaćaju koristeći novu valutu. Većina trgovaca i kupaca na tržištu nemaju telefon ili internet. Posebno ljudi izvan Bangija, nemaju ništa““.

Aleks Lilaher, osnivač i izvršni direktor Rise Up Media – marketinške agencije koja radi sa bitkoin startapima – je saglasan sa studentima, rekavši za VICE koliko je „iznenađen” što je ta zemlja uopšte napravila takavpotez.

„Centralnoafrička Republika nije baš lider u tehnologiji na kontinentu, i činilo se da tamo nikada nije bilo mnogo bitkoin korisnika koji bi mogla da lobiraju za takav potez“, rekao je on.

Pobednički tim slavi posle trke kanua za proslavu Dana nezavisnosti CAR-a u decembru. Fotografija: BARBARA DEBOUT/AFP preko Getti Images

Upitan da li građani CAR-a treba da vide usvajanje bitkoina kao pozitivnu ili negativnu stvar, Lilaher je odgovorio „ni jedno ni drugo, jer jednostavno ne mogu da vidim da će usvajanje uskoro krenuti. Ali imati alternativu i poslati signal Francuskoj da CAR želi da ima više nezavisnosti od valute je pozitivno u mojim očima”.

Dodaje: „Međutim, to takođe može imati posledice jer postoje moćne institucije poput Međunarodnog monetarnog fonda, na primer, sa kojima CAR mora da se bavi, koje nisu srećne što zemlje usvajaju bitkoin. Dakle, moglo bi doći do izazova sa kojima će vlada morati da se nosi“.

Centralnoafrička Republika je druga zemlja u svetu koja je usvojila bitkoin, a prva je El Salvador u septembru 2021. Lansiranje valute je tamo imalo različite rezultate, a nedavno je opisano kao „antiklimaktično“ i samo ga turisti zaista koriste.

Iako su ljudi možda očekivali da će druge nacije pratiti El Salvador, sigurno ne bi pomislili da će CAR odgovarati računu.

Glavna opoziciona stranka CAR-a bila je protiv tog predloga od samog početka. Banka centralnoafričkih država je takođe nazvala ovaj potez „problematičnim“ i navela da bi usvajanje valute uz CFA moglo ugroziti odnos nacije sa drugim afričkim zemljama.

Čak i kada većina ljudi u CAR-u nije mogla da investira u Bitcoin, i sve poruke upozorenja, u julu je vlada CAR-a lansirala sopstvenu kriptovalutu – „Sangocoin“. Sango je lokalni jezik koji se govori širom zemlje.

Pripadnici teritorijalnog pešadijskog bataljona CAR marširaju tokom parade povodom Dana nezavisnosti u Bangiju. Fotografija: BARBARA DEBOUT/AFP preko Getti Images

Sangocoin neki vide kao budućnost CAR-a, a zahtevao je minimalnu investiciju od 500 dolara. Zauzvrat, investitori su mogli da kupe zemljište u zemlji bogatoj dijamantima za 10.000 dolara, pa čak i da kupe državljanstvo CAR-a za oko 60.000 dolara – iako je ove ponude kasnije blokirao najviši sud zemlje. Sangocoin investitori su takođe trenutno „zaključani“ za kupovinu, bez načina da kriptovalutu prodaju ili razmene.

Bio je to hrabar potez vlade, ali izgleda da se još uvek nije isplatio.

Ovog meseca, Centralnoafrička Republika je saopštila da odlaže puštanje nacionalne kriptovalute na kripto berze – što bi olakšalo međunarodnu trgovinu. Rojters kaže da je vlada okrivila „trenutne tržišne uslove” i „tržišne razloge”, ali je novinska agencija izračunala da je Sangocoin dostigao samo „0,01%” od najnovijeg vladinog cilja prodaje.

Još jedan skeptik je Aleks Gladštajn, glavni strateški službenik Fondacije za ljudska prava. On je dugogodišnji zagovornik usvajanja bitkoina u svetu u razvoju, kao i kritičar CFA franka – ali čak i on oseća da je CAR-ova šema bila „izuzetno neosmišljena“.

„Iako imam mnogo simpatije prema ranjivoj i siromašnoj naciji koja usvaja bitkoin kao drugu valutu – posebno naciji koja je decenijama i decenijama finansijski kontrolisana od strane svoje bivše kolonijalne sile, nisam baš optimističan u pogledu toga kako je to izvedeno“, rekao je za VICE.

​Manekenka učestvuje na prvoj nedelji mode u centralnoj Africi u Bangiju u decembru. Fotografija: BARBARA DEBOUT/AFP preko Getti Images

Dodao je: „Zaista se čini da je cela ova stvar bila kao prevara da se Sangocoin promoviše. Ne mislim da je cilj bio da se bitkoin integriše na smislen način u ekonomiju zemlje. Čini se da je predsednik zainteresovan za bitkoin i da postoji mala grupa ljudi oko njega koja je iskoristila taj interes da bi mogla da donese ove zakone kako bi pokušala da pokrene Sangocoin, od kojeg su imali viziju da zarade gomilu novca. Ali izgleda da je na kraju uspela da prikupi samo malo novca.”

Gladstein kaže da bi Bitcoin mogao biti „veoma važna finansijska tehnologija za ljude Centralnoafričke Republike tokom vremena, i pametno je da vlada istraži kako to može pomoći ljudima“, ali je potrebno mnogo posla da se to postigne.

Vlada Centralnoafričke Republike i opoziciona vlada nisu odgovorile na nekoliko zahteva za intervju.

Tekst podržao Omidiar Netvork. VICE World News zadržava potpunu uređivačku autonomiju.

@ 4857600b:30b502f4

Mitch McConnell, a senior Republican senator, announced he will not seek reelection.

At 83 years old and with health issues, this decision was expected. After seven terms, he leaves a significant legacy in U.S. politics, known for his strategic maneuvering.

McConnell stated, “My current term in the Senate will be my last.” His retirement marks the end of an influential political era.

@ c9badfea:610f861a

1. Install Squircle (it's free and open source)
2. Launch the app, tap the ⁞ icon and select Settings
   • Configure your Git credentials as needed
   • Add any remote servers under Cloud & Servers
3. Return to the editor view and enjoy your mobile IDE

ℹ️ To clone a Git repository, tap ☰, long-press a directory in the file tree, and choose Clone

ℹ️ You may want to use it alongside Termux, a terminal emulator and Linux environment

@ 94a6a78a:0ddf320e

Nostr is a revolutionary protocol that enables decentralized, censorship-resistant communication. Unlike traditional social networks controlled by corporations, Nostr operates without central servers or gatekeepers. This openness makes it incredibly powerful—but also means its success depends entirely on users, developers, and relay operators.

If you believe in free speech, decentralization, and an open internet, there are many ways to support and strengthen the Nostr ecosystem. Whether you're a casual user, a developer, or someone looking to contribute financially, every effort helps build a more robust network.

Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference.

---

1️⃣ Use Nostr Daily

The simplest and most effective way to contribute to Nostr is by using it regularly. The more active users, the stronger and more valuable the network becomes.

✅ Post, comment, and zap (send micro-payments via Bitcoin’s Lightning Network) to keep conversations flowing.\ ✅ Engage with new users and help them understand how Nostr works.\ ✅ Try different Nostr clients like Damus, Amethyst, Snort, or Primal and provide feedback to improve the experience.

Your activity keeps the network alive and helps encourage more developers and relay operators to invest in the ecosystem.

---

2️⃣ Run Your Own Nostr Relay

Relays are the backbone of Nostr, responsible for distributing messages across the network. The more independent relays exist, the stronger and more censorship-resistant Nostr becomes.

✅ Set up your own relay to help decentralize the network further.\ ✅ Experiment with relay configurations and different performance optimizations.\ ✅ Offer public or private relay services to users looking for high-quality infrastructure.

If you're not technical, you can still support relay operators by subscribing to a paid relay or donating to open-source relay projects.

---

3️⃣ Support Paid Relays & Infrastructure

Free relays have helped Nostr grow, but they struggle with spam, slow speeds, and sustainability issues. Paid relays help fund better infrastructure, faster message delivery, and a more reliable experience.

✅ Subscribe to a paid relay to help keep it running.\ ✅ Use premium services like media hosting (e.g., Azzamo Blossom) to decentralize content storage.\ ✅ Donate to relay operators who invest in long-term infrastructure.

By funding Nostr’s decentralized backbone, you help ensure its longevity and reliability.

---

4️⃣ Zap Developers, Creators & Builders

Many people contribute to Nostr without direct financial compensation—developers who build clients, relay operators, educators, and content creators. You can support them with zaps! ⚡

✅ Find developers working on Nostr projects and send them a zap.\ ✅ Support content creators and educators who spread awareness about Nostr.\ ✅ Encourage builders by donating to open-source projects.

Micro-payments via the Lightning Network make it easy to directly support the people who make Nostr better.

---

5️⃣ Develop New Nostr Apps & Tools

If you're a developer, you can build on Nostr’s open protocol to create new apps, bots, or tools. Nostr is permissionless, meaning anyone can develop for it.

✅ Create new Nostr clients with unique features and user experiences.\ ✅ Build bots or automation tools that improve engagement and usability.\ ✅ Experiment with decentralized identity, authentication, and encryption to make Nostr even stronger.

With no corporate gatekeepers, your projects can help shape the future of decentralized social media.

---

6️⃣ Promote & Educate Others About Nostr

Adoption grows when more people understand and use Nostr. You can help by spreading awareness and creating educational content.

✅ Write blogs, guides, and tutorials explaining how to use Nostr.\ ✅ Make videos or social media posts introducing new users to the protocol.\ ✅ Host discussions, Twitter Spaces, or workshops to onboard more people.

The more people understand and trust Nostr, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.

---

7️⃣ Support Open-Source Nostr Projects

Many Nostr tools and clients are built by volunteers, and open-source projects thrive on community support.

✅ Contribute code to existing Nostr projects on GitHub.\ ✅ Report bugs and suggest features to improve Nostr clients.\ ✅ Donate to developers who keep Nostr free and open for everyone.

If you're not a developer, you can still help with testing, translations, and documentation to make projects more accessible.

---

🚀 Every Contribution Strengthens Nostr

Whether you:

✔️ Post and engage daily\ ✔️ Zap creators and developers\ ✔️ Run or support relays\ ✔️ Build new apps and tools\ ✔️ Educate and onboard new users

Every action helps make Nostr more resilient, decentralized, and unstoppable.

Nostr isn’t just another social network—it’s a movement toward a free and open internet. If you believe in digital freedom, privacy, and decentralization, now is the time to get involved.

@ 99e7936f:d5d2197c

Wir sprechen kein Wort mehr miteinander, weil es weh tut

Viele Menschen haben in den letzten Jahren den Kontakt zu wichtigen Bezugspersonen verloren. Viele Menschen haben auch neue Leute auf der Straße oder durch Netzwerke kennen gelernt. Und manche Menschen hatten das Glück, schon vor der inszenierten Krise einen unterstützenden und stabilen Freundeskreis zu haben und haben diesen immer noch. Manchmal kommen alte Leute wieder zurück ins Leben, weil sie merken, dass man es gut mit ihnen meinte, als man vor den unglaublichen Lügen der Amtsträger warnte. Manchmal kommen alte Leute auch nicht mehr zurück, weil die Scham, auf falsche Versprechen herein gefallen zu sein, zu groß ist. Man gibt sich dann nach außen unverändert souverän und zieht es vor, still und heimlich zu leiden. Die neuen Kontakte bestehen manchmal leider auch nur temporär, sind zweckgebunden. Kaum ist die gemeinsame Aufgabe vollbracht, trennen sich die Wege wieder.

All das muss man in diesen Tagen  gehäuft aushalten. Alles verändert sich in stärkerem Maße als sonst. Viele dieser Veränderungen tun weh. Man kann sich auf Trauma nicht vorbereiten. Nie.

Ich möchte jetzt keine schlichten Alltagsbeobachtungen darüber widergeben, wie ich selbst oder Menschen in meinem Umfeld in den letzten Jahren ihre Beziehungen erlebt haben. Vielmehr geht es mir auch in diesem Artikel wieder um das Thema Trauma und um die Folgen, die jedes einzelne Trauma auch gesamtgesellschaftlich betrachtet hat. Was passiert, wenn man eine bereits durch Kriege traumatisierte Gesellschaft noch zusätzlich jahrelang unter Druck setzt, so wie dies in den letzten fünf Jahren geschehen ist? Wieviel Trauma verträgt eine Gesellschaft? Wie verändern sich Beziehungen in einer Gesellschaft, die immer wieder erneut traumatisiert wird? Ist irgendwann das Maß des Erträglichen voll? Und wenn ja, wie äußert sich solch eine Kumulation von Traumafolgen?

Meines Erachtens sehen wir gerade genau die Ergebnisse solch einer Kumulation von Traumafolgen in unserer deutschen Gesellschaft, vielleicht sogar global: Menschen reden nicht mehr (vertieft) miteinander. Und dies ist nur eine von vielen Traumafolgen.

Ich freue mich über jeden Leser, der jetzt noch weiterliest.

Durch genügend Traumatisierung kann man Menschen offensichtlich zeitweise dazu bringen, dass sie nicht mehr (vertieft) miteinander reden, weil das Reden weh tut.

Traumatisierung ist daher eine effektive Strategie der vermeintlich Herrschenden, Menschen zu separieren.

Traumatisierung setzt tiefe Verletzungen und macht Menschen vorübergehend sprachlos. Es fehlen einem die Worte. Man möchte dann nicht reden. Aber man verschließt sich auch vor den Worten anderer, weil man keine weitere Verletzung mehr erträgt.

Menschen im Alltag erachten es vielleicht mittlerweile schon als normal, wenn Beziehungen nicht gut laufen, egal, um welche Art von Beziehung es sich handelt. Sobald Probleme auftauchen, wird erst kurz gestritten, dann geschwiegen und wenn man das Schweigen nicht mehr aushält, dann gibt es entweder noch einen Versuch oder man geht gleich auf Distanz und bricht den Kontakt ganz ab. Auch meine Zündschnur ist manchmal immer noch gefühlt zu kurz. Wenn man sich Distanz nicht erlauben kann, dann frisst man das Problem in sich hinein, spült es runter, kompensiert irgendwie, wartet darauf, dass sich von allein etwas ändert oder dass sich eine bessere Gelegenheit bietet, bei der man dann die Biege machen kann. Mehrere Eisen im Feuer zu haben, beruflich wie privat, gilt als clever. Probleme nicht anzusprechen, gilt als kompetent. Das Wort Teamfähigkeit ist im Berufsleben zu einem Kampfbegriff geworden. Wer im Arbeitskontext Probleme anspricht, ist offensichtlich nicht teamfähig. Die Frage „Sind Sie teamfähig?“, erzählt meines Erachtens mehr über den Chef als über den Mitarbeiter. Die passendere Frage wäre wohl „Können Sie sich wortlos an schlechte Zustände dauerhaft adaptieren?“ In privaten Beziehungen braucht man, wenn es nicht so gut läuft, einen stilvollen Urlaub oder eine neue Wohnzimmereinrichtung, um endlich mal wieder schöne Gefühle erleben zu können. Negative Gefühle sind scheinbar das Kind, das keiner haben wollte, weshalb es die schönsten Kleider bekommt. Auch ich kenne Ablenkung von negativen Gefühlen durch Konsum und Essen. Es lohnt sich, mal den Werbeslogans von Möbelhäusern, Ferienanbietern oder Lebensmittelhändlern bewusst zuzuhören. Die Werbung kennt unsere Sehnsüchte und damit auch unsere negativen Gefühle besser als wir selbst. Und für alle, die nicht konsumieren wollen, die nicht locker lassen und steif darauf beharren, dass es aber ein Problem in der Beziehung oder am Arbeitsplatz oder zumindest eine gewisse Unzufriedenheit gäbe, für diese Menschen gibt es garantiert ein passendes Coaching- oder Weiterbildungsprogramm mit Namen wie „In 12 Modulen zur Selbstentfaltung“, welches nur deshalb meist nicht funktioniert, weil man es angeblich nicht richtig durchgeführt hat oder vorab noch das Basismodul absolvieren muss. Bildung ist mittlerweile auch ein Markt, der  Konsumgüter in Form von Coachings und Seminaren anbietet.

Auch ich bin übrigens lange zusammen gezuckt bei der Frage „Sind sie teamfähig?“ oder der Feststellung „Du bist das Problem, weil Du immer alles so genau nimmst, nicht die Fünf gerade sein lassen kannst.“ Am Ende ist man immer der Dumme, wenn man ein negatives Gefühl hat und darüber sprechen möchte. Trauma löst Scham UND Wut in einer Person aus. Scham zieht Abwertung an wie Licht die Motten anzieht. Und irgendwann platzt einem der Kragen. Man teilt selber aus. Und dann schämt man sich erneut, nicht nur für das früher oder später erlittene Trauma im Leben, sofern einem das bewusst ist, sondern auch für die unbeherrschte Reaktion, die man oft selbst nicht richtig versteht. Nicht bearbeitetes Trauma arbeitet unbewusst in uns.

Eine traumatisierte Gesellschaft wertet sich ständig gegenseitig ab und hält genau damit die Wunden offen.

Dann ist es vielleicht doch besser, das Problem in der Beziehung oder am Arbeitsplatz runter zu schlucken, auf Distanz zum anderen zu gehen, sich schon mal nach einer neuen Wohnzimmereinrichtung, einem neuen Partner oder einem neuen Job umzuschauen? Ich denke nicht, dass das eine Lösung ist.

Hinschauen und Gefühle bei sich und anderen zulassen, ist ein guter Anfang.

Wir gehen oft Beziehungen ein, gehen aber   gleichzeitig   einer echten tiefen und anhaltenden Verbindungen privat wie beruflich instinktiv aus dem Weg, weil echte tiefe Gespräche, zu denen es in solchen Verbindungen kommen kann, weh tun können, insbesondere wenn man noch unverarbeitetes Trauma mit sich herum schleppt. Und in einer traumatisierten Gesellschaft, tragen halt viele Menschen solche traumatisierten und nicht bearbeiteten Anteile mit sich herum.

Wir sind die Kinder und Kindeskinder der Menschen, die den zweiten Weltkrieg hautnah miterlebt haben. Alles, was die Eltern und Großeltern nicht besprochen, nicht verarbeitet haben, tragen wir weiter mit uns herum. Das ist den meisten Menschen, meines Erachtens, nicht bewusst. Mag sein, dass an dieser Stelle der eine oder andere widerspricht. Widersprechen Sie mir gerne. Meine Alltagserfahrung ist eine andere. Die Art, wie wir Beziehungen gestalten, spricht Bände. Aber, wenn man es nicht anders kennt und keine Kontrollgruppe hat, sagt man sich halt: „So isses. Und so isses normal. Ich kenne es nicht anders. Das machen doch alle so.“

Es ist so normal, in unserer Gesellschaft, nicht vertieft über negative (und auch positive) Gefühle zu reden. Alleine die Bezeichnung „negative Gefühle“ klingt schon wenig einladend. Und es ist auch so normal, Menschen in dem Moment, wo sie gegen jede Empfehlung nicht nur über negative Gefühle reden wollen, sondern diese sogar live und in Farbe zeigen, abzuwerten, oder noch schlimmer, zu ignorieren, weil man sich verunsichert fühlt, nicht weiß, wie man damit umgehen soll. Gefühle scheinen ansteckend zu sein. Da ist Vorsicht geboten. Ich persönlich kann mich an viele solcher Momente erinnern, wo Menschen nicht gern hören wollten, wovor ich Angst hatte, was und wer mich verletzt und wütend gemacht hatte, beruflich wie privat. Mit geäußerter Angst und Trauer macht man(n) sich ganz schnell lächerlich. Mit Wut hingegen wird ein Mann von anderen als stark bis beängstigend wahrgenommen. Ein Mann, der wütend agiert, wird eher als kraftvoll und temperamentvoll eingeschätzt. Eine Frau wird mit Wut dann akzeptiert, wenn sie bereits in einer (männlichen) Führungsrolle ist. „Sie“ muss schließlich ihren „Mann“ stehen. Hat sie keine Führungsrolle, wird sie abgewertet oder befördert. Dem wütenden Mann wird eher unterstellt, er habe schließlich einen wichtigen Auftrag zu erfüllen. Der Frau wird eher ein Mangel unterstellt, den ich hier nicht näher bezeichnen möchte. Darin spiegeln sich sehr starre Rollenvorstellungen von Mann und Frau in unserer Gesellschaft wider. Ängstliche Frauen, die bei einer Autopanne bezaubernd aussehen, erfüllen ein bestimmtes Klischee. Impulsive Männer mit Holzfällerhemd erfüllen zumindest auf einer Baustelle ein anderes Klischee. Menschen mit ausgeprägten negativen Gefühlen werden unter bestimmten Umständen glorifiziert. Der bezaubernd aussehenden Frau mit Autopanne wird schnell und gerne geholfen. Aber wenn die ängstliche Frau eine Vorgesetzte ist und der impulsive Mann mit Holzfällerhemd ein Kunde in einem Beratungsbüro ist, dann kann die Bewertung ganz anders ausfallen. Dann sind diese Gefühle vermeintlich fehlplatziert. Gefühle scheinen einen Platz zu haben. Die ängstliche Vorgesetzte hat eine Führungsschwäche und der impulsive Kunde im Beratungsbüro wird vom Sicherheitsdienst „entfernt“. Der Wunsch, über die gezeigten negativen Gefühle zu reden, wird einem mit Nachdruck verwehrt. Durch diesen vermeidenden Umgang mit negativen Gefühlen oder die Fehlinterpretation dieser Gefühle kommt es meines Erachtens oft zu bestimmten Rollenbesetzungen im Berufsleben. Eine positive Selektion von Mitarbeitern mit sehr rücksichtslosem oder überangepasstem Verhalten findet statt. In privaten Beziehungen werden negative Gefühle durch Ablenkung und Konsum vermieden. Es werden zu viele oder zu wenige Kontakte gepflegt. Beziehungen werden gar nicht mehr für die Ewigkeit antizipiert. Man hält sich alle Wege offen und lernt ständig neue Leute kennen. Oder man lebt Beziehung in sehr starren Strukturen, wo neue Informationen kaum Eingang finden, damit man sich nicht hinterfragen und mit anderen vergleichen muss. Lebensphasen mit dem weit geöffneten oder dem eher geschlossenen Muster wechseln sich auch manchmal ab. Individuelle Entwicklungen des einen oder anderen Musters in Lebensverläufen, zeichnen sich irgendwann als gesellschaftliche Strömung ab, wenn sie bei vielen Menschen gleichzeitig geschehen. Menschen wollen alles ausprobiert haben, bevor sie sich das Reihenhaus kaufen. Andere verkaufen ihr Reihenhaus nach der Scheidung, um im Wohnmobil durch die Welt zu tingeln. Man könnte denken, dass dies einfach individuelle Lebensverläufe sind, die sich zufällig so ergeben haben. Es gab Zeiten, wo Menschen zufällig viel Halt in starren Beziehungs- und Lebensstrukturen fanden. Gegenbewegungen brachen diese starren Strukturen nicht wirklich auf, weil sie Feuer mit Feuer bekämpften. Grundsätzlich gegen alles zu sein, was die Eltern vorgelebt haben, ist ja auch irgendwie rigide. Der Apfel fällt nicht zufällig neben den Stamm. Heute 80 Jahre nach Kriegsende können Menschen mit Begriffen wie Achtsamkeit und bewusster Kommunikation immer mehr anfangen, jedoch geht die weit verbreitete Bewusstheit und Selbstreflektiertheit oft zu Lasten einer wünschenswerten Verarbeitungstiefe. Zu oft  werden  wir gedacht, gefühlt und gelenkt. Um dies mit uns machen zu können, werden von vermeintlich Herrschenden wichtige Orientierungspunkte wie die eigene Geschichte, Kultur und Sprache falsch erzählt oder bis zur Unkenntlichkeit verändert. Und eigene Gefühle, die einem noch letzten Halt und Orientierung in diesem Dschungel bieten könnten, werden vom Kapitalismus ausdauernd gejagt wie ein seltenes Tier. Separierung und Orientierungslosigkeit ist gewollt.

Alles dreht sich um unsere tiefen Gefühle, insbesondere diese negativen Gefühle, die aus Trauma entstehen. Diese Gefühle wollen gesehen, gehört und bearbeitet werden. Sie machen zum Glück, solange es die Menschheit gibt, zuverlässig auf sich selbst aufmerksam. Sie sind in Wahrheit unsere Lebensversicherung. Die Zeit heilt gar nichts. Und hierfür braucht es wieder ein Bewusstsein, dass Gefühle wertvoll sind, auch solche, die aus Trauma entstehen. Ich persönlich habe dafür mehr als ein halbes Leben gebraucht, um dies zu verstehen. Als junge Frau habe ich nicht gewusst, dass viele meiner Gefühle, negativ wie positiv, Ausdruck meines Traumas waren. Heute weiß ich, dass ich mit dieser Einschätzung, die ich damals hatte, in „guter Gesellschaft“ war. Den meisten Menschen geht das so, bis sie irgendwann ihr eigenes Trauma erkennen.

Wir sind eine traumatisierte Gesellschaft, und die Arten und Ausprägungen von Trauma sind so vielfältig und den meisten Menschen unbekannt wie die Namen der Blumen auf einer Sommerwiese.

Wenn man diesen Satz wirken lässt, dann stellt sich doch die Frage:

Wie sieht denn ein gesunder Umgang mit negativen (und positiven) Gefühlen aus?

Reicht es aus, wenn man die Namen aller Wiesenblumen auswendig lernt, damit man jedes Trauma genau bestimmen kann? Oder geht es mehr um das Fühlen und weniger um das Wissen?

Den gesunden Umgang mit meinen Gefühlen habe ich nicht durch Theorie und Bücher erlernt, sondern durch den Alltag, durch die (emotionalen) Reaktionen meiner Mitmenschen und durch das bewusste Spüren und Zulassen meiner eigenen Gefühle. In Stufen lernte ich meine Gefühle immer besser kennen und mit ihnen umzugehen. Je besser ich sie kannte, umso lieber waren sie mir. Und ich lerne sie immer noch weiter und besser kennen. Das ist ein Prozess.

Traumabearbeitung ist anfangs ein anstrengender Prozess. Man sollte das langsam angehen. Aber diese Arbeit ist sehr lohnenswert, weil sie einem viele glückliche Momente, Kraft und Lebensfreude schenkt. Reden wird dadurch leichter und bringt in allen Lebensbereichen Fortschritte. Manchmal tut Reden auch weh (siehe Titel), aber zeitgleich, und auch langfristig gesehen, wird das Leben schöner durch Traumabearbeitung. Es geht nicht um Schmerzvermeidung, sondern darum, mit dem Schmerz gut umgehen zu können. Denn dadurch wird er letztlich kleiner und verwandelt sich zur Wiesenblume. Es geht um Verwandlung durch Fühlen. Die Erfahrung, dass man Trauma bearbeiten kann, erzählt mir so viel über dieses Leben, wie stark es ist, wie sehr es uns liebt und welche Blüten daraus wachsen können. Viele schöne Dinge, die wir täglich sehen, sind aus bewältigtem Trauma oder dem Wunsch, Trauma zu bewältigen, entstanden.

Der Schmerz lehrt uns Demut vor dem Leben und kreiert nebenbei die schönsten Lieder und Kunstwerke. Trauer und Verlust betonen den Wert der Dinge. Ärger und Wut bringen uns in Wallungen und stellen die Energie bereit, die man manchmal braucht, um Berge zu versetzen. Ängste sind das Tor zum Glück. Schuld und Scham lehren uns Vergebung. Neid und Eifersucht lassen unseren Selbstwert wachsen, wenn wir uns ihnen stellen. Und Freude, Glück und Ekstase machen uns dankbar, großzügig und optimistisch.

Wenn wir diese Gefühle wieder zulassen, dann können wir gar nicht anders als reden. Wir reden dann wieder vertieft miteinander, weil es gut tut, weil es entlastet, weil es Nähe zu anderen vielleicht erstmalig aufbaut und dann zu einem dicken Band verstärkt bis ein großes stabiles Netz daraus entsteht, welches Menschen, die gerade Halt benötigen, diesen bieten kann.

Wir reden dann wieder miteinander, weil es gut tut.

@ 6d8e2a24:5faaca4c

North American nations have been at the forefront of Bitcoin adoption; however, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa have recently emerged as leaders in Africa.

There’s an increasing acceptance of Bitcoin on the African continent. More businesses, individuals and even financial organizations are using cryptocurrency to transact as an alternative to traditional banking systems. With the economies of the continent experiencing a lot of currency instability, poor banking infrastructure and exorbitantly priced remittances, Bitcoin is coming up as a viable solution financially. Analyzing Bitcoin price trends is crucial for investors, traders and businesses in Africa who want to implement digital assets in their operations.

The Impact of Bitcoin on the African Economy

North American nations have been at the forefront of Bitcoin adoption; however, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa have recently emerged as leaders in Africa. Peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading across the continent reached over $100 billion in 2023, making Africa one of the fastest-growing markets for blockchain technology, according to a report by Chainalysis. Several factors that fuel this growth include:

⚪ Less Dependable Fiat Currency : Zimbabwe and Nigeria have poor liquidity currencies, which makes it prudent for citizens to invest in Bitcoin to minimize losses due to devaluation over time.

⚪ Payments for Foreign Worker Remittances: Bitcoin is useful for relocating payments since it eliminates the need for using bitcoin remittance centers that charge ridiculous fees for payment processing.

⚪ Financial Inclusion : A large portion of the African population does not use banks. This makes bitcoin an ideal alternative, as it offers a decentralized and unbanked-friendly option for conducting transactions.

How Bitcoin’s Price Trends Affect the African Market

Businesses and individuals’ activities with bitcoin are directly proportional to its price trends and different nations have different ways through which they analyze this. Take Nigeria, for instance, where the e-commerce platform Patricia and several local sellers on Jumia have had to change their prices multiple times a day to keep in line with the fluctuating value of bitcoin. This has led to the platform’s volatility driving the pricing strategy of freelancers and remote workers who are paid in bitcoin and the currency has to be converted before being spent. As investor sentiment increases, so too does Bitcoin’s value, reaching 71,333 dollars in April of 2024, according to estimates from CoinMarketCap. The volatility, however, remains high and so there is a lot of uncertainty for African investors and businesses hoping to capitalize on the price movement.

Amongst the factors that impact the price movement of bitcoin, these are the most significant:

⚪ Global Adoption and Institutional Investments: An increase in spending by corporations leads to a higher demand and price for bitcoin.

⚪ Regulatory Changes : The law about cryptocurrency in different African countries is a vital influencer of regard and value for bitcoin.

⚪ Market Speculation and Trading Activity: The volatility of Bitcoin's price remains dependent on investor sentiment, especially in the emerging markets.

African Governments and Cryptocurrency Regulation

The policies for regulating Bitcoin are different in various countries in Africa. While countries like South Africa and Kenya are skeptical but working towards adjusting their policies to incorporate cryptocurrency into their economies, other nations remain hesitant. The following is a summary of the most important changes:

⚪ South Africa: The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) offered more structured regulations by classifying crypto assets as financial products. This is a notable development towards more stringent regulations.

⚪ Nigeria: The Central Bank of Nigeria has previously restricted banks from supporting the facilitation of crypto transactions but is in the process of allowing it due to newly offered licenses to cryptocurrency exchanges, which under certain guidelines allow them to conduct regulated crypto activities.

⚪ Kenya: The Capital Markets Authority is seeking ways to regulate the security features of Bitcoin to enable it to reduce fraud. Bitcoin’s Impact on E-commerce and Small Businesses in Africa

With the rise of cryptocurrency acceptance, small-scale businesses and e-commerce businesses are increasing the option of paying for goods and services in Bitcoin. Businesses can reduce costs by:

⚪ Decreased Transaction Fees: Payments made using Bitcoin are usually cheaper than those made through credit cards. For example, some merchants in Ghana are beginning to use Bitcoin to bypass high fee payment processing, increase their profit margins and improve overall business profitability.

⚪ Reduced Transaction Delays: Banking transactions processed through the blockchain do away with delays associated with traditional banking.

⚪ Access to Global Markets: Businesses in Africa have no issues engaging with foreign clients because there is no currency conversion needed.

For instance, Yellow Card is a cryptocurrency exchange that operates in several countries in Africa and allows the trading of Bitcoins. In 2024, Yellow Card received more compliance approvals, which allowed the business to serve more than 20 countries in Africa. It now stands as a central player in the regional ecosystem of crypto. The platform allows businesses or individuals to transact efficiently with Bitcoin.

Challenges and Risks of Bitcoin Adoption in Africa

Unlike the advantages, there are several challenges regarding the adoption of Bitcoin in Africa:

⚪ Regulatory Uncertainty: The considerable flux of policies is difficult for businesses and investors to navigate, although some countries are beginning to put clearer policies into place, such as South Africa and Nigeria. As an example, Nigeria has plans to regulate the exchange of digital assets and put some control over it through the issuing of licenses for crypto exchanges, which are expected to be released in 2024.

⚪ Price Volatility: Changes in the price of Bitcoin can affect savings and transactions for businesses.

⚪ Limited Infrastructure: Internet and computer skills are primary requirements for greater acceptance.

Conclusion

Bitcoin is increasingly becoming a key component of Africa’s financial ecosystem by providing banking services or alternatives, facilitating financial remittances and supporting inclusion. Experts expect that Africa will increasingly adopt Bitcoin as a major tool of payment and remittance service across borders and for digital financial transactions. This will be the case if the regulations supporting its growth are put in place. While price volatility and regulatory challenges persist, knowing how prices behave and the developments within the Bitcoin ecosystem will help investors and businesses understand the new economy Africa is adopting. Africa indeed has the chance to use strategic adoption of technology to improve economic development and innovation through Bitcoin if action is taken.

2025Content from a Premium Partner InfoWire https://allafrica.com/stories/202503240689.html

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na antenam.net

18.12.2024 / Autor: Ana Nives Radović

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Ako ste makar djelić vremena proveli u svijetu digitalnog novca, vjerovatno ste naišli na termin HODL – uvijek napisan velikim slovima tako da na prvi pogled djeluje kao riječ sa slovnom greškom. Zapravo i jeste riječ o slovnoj grešci i to onoj koja je nastala na današnji dan prije 11 godina, a koja je uspjela ne samo da obezbijedi mjesto u istoriji svijeta novca, već i da postane naziv za jedan potpuno drugačiji pristup sredstvima koja posjedujemo.

Nespretno napisana riječ „hold“ (eng. držati, zadržati) u poruci na jednom forumu evoluirala je u akronim HODL – akronim za Hold On for Dear Life (doslovno – drži se za život, tj. drži se kao da ti život zavisi od toga), predstavlja poziv na akciju – ili, tačnije, „neakciju“ za vlasnike kriptovaluta da odole iskušenju prodaje tokom tržišnih padova. Riječ je o shvatanju da je ovaj oblik digitalne imovine bolje vremenski što duže imati u vlasništvu, kako bi se sačekao mnogo povoljniji trenutak za prodaju nego prodati ih u vremenu kada je situacija na tržištu loša.

Greška koja je postala pokret

Priča počinje 18. decembra 2013. godine, kada je cijena bitcoina tada počela da pada, a samo tokom toga dana se sa 682 na 522 dolara. Korisnik foruma pod imenom GameKyuubi objavio je sada već legendarni post pod naslovom „I AM HODLING“. Bila je to greška u kucanju, jer se na osnovu sadržaja poruke vidi da je krenuo da napiše „holding“ (držim), ali umjesto da se ispravi sebe, prigrlio je grešku, šaljivo govoreći o svom nedostatku vještina za trgovanje i zašto „bez obzira na sve“.

Bitcoin zajednica brzo je prihvatila ovaj izraz kao dio slenga. Pogrešno napisana riječ odjeknula je internet prostranstvima, a vremenom je prerasla u simbol šire filozofije – ne paniči, ne prodaj i ne dozvoli da kratkoročna nestabilnost poljulja tvoje uvjerenje. Od kasnonoćnog posta na forumu, HODL je postao poklič za vlasnike bitcoina (i drugih, u to vrijeme malobrojnih digitalnih valuta zanemarive vrijednosti) širom svijeta.

HODL-ovanje i HODL-eri

U suštini, HODL-ovanje je strategija zadržavanja kriptovaluta tokom tržišnih uspona i padova, zasnovana na uvjerenju da će cijene vremenom rasti. Umjesto impulsivnog reagovanja na tržišne fluktuacije, HODL-eri se posvećuju svojim investicijama na duže staze.

Ovaj pristup posebno je koristan za početnike, koji možda nemaju dovoljno stručnosti ili hrabrosti da se nose sa svakodnevnim trgovanjem (u čemu su često neuspješni i dugogodišnji vlasnici digitalnih novčića). Sam GameKyuubi u svom originalnom postu priznao je da samo najvještiji trgovci treba da pokušaju da „igraju igru“ tokom tržišnih padova. Za ostale, HODL-ovanje nije samo sigurnije, već je često i pametnije.

Filozofija HODL-ovanja zasnovana je na povjerenju – u budućnost kriptovaluta, u eventualni oporavak tržišta i u korist koju donosi strpljenje. To je odbijanje da se prodaje kada cijene naglo padnu – nepokolebljivo uvjerenje da su padovi privremeni i da nakon njih slijedi rast.

Zakon tržišta pokazuje da što drže HODL-ujete to se ova strategija više isplati, a cijena bitcoina u njegovoj šesnaestogodišnjoj istoriji je nesumnjivo najbolji dokaz za to. Trgovanje zahtijeva mnogo učenja, truda, vremena provedenog u praćenju svakog mogućeg signala, dok je kod HODL-ovanja važno samo da se „ne predate“.

Ako ste prethodnih godina nešto platili bitcoinom (a trgovci širom svijeta su to omogućili upravo da bi vas naveli da ih umjerite ka njima) vjerovatno ste zažalili, jer danas dok je njegova vrijednost i u dolarima i u eurima šestocifrena, ono na što ste ih potrošili ipak izgleda kao nešto što je trebalo platiti fizičkim novcem (kojeg je svakako „pojela inflacija“).

Pouzdane kriptovalute, a tu se prije svega misli na bitcoin, iako veoma volatilne bilježe trend rasta na duge staze, pa HODL-ovanje znači strpljenje u vremenu neizvjesnosti s idejom o koristi na duži rok, čak i kada su godine loše, kao što su bile 2014, 2017. i 2022. Na primjer, u periodu od 20. maja do 20. juna cijena bitcoina kliznula je sa 29.000 na 18.000 dolara, a upravo u tom trenutku mnogi su odlučili da količinu koju posjeduju prodaju ili je potroše plaćajući ovom digitalnom valutom (i pokajali se zbog toga).

HODL naspram drugih strategija

HODL-ovanje se razlikuje od aktivnijih strategija, poput kupovine po niskoj cijeni i prodaje po visokoj, jer dok trgovci pokušavaju da tempiraju tržište radi brze zarade, HODL-eri ostaju dosljedni svojoj odluci da se ne oslobađaju svoje imovine ni u najnoepovoljnijim trenucima. HODL-eri ne pokušavaju da predvide kretanje cijena – jednostavno čuvaju svoja sredstva, svjesni toga da će strpljenje na kraju donijeti rezultat.

Naravno, HODL-ovanje ima i svoje nedostatke. Za razliku od trgovaca koji mogu da povećaju svoj kapital kroz stratešku kupovinu i prodaju, HODL-eri zavise od vremena provedenog u čekanju na dugoročne rezultate. Pored toga, masovno HODL-ovanje može usporiti cirkulaciju kriptovaluta na tržištu, smanjujući ukupnu ekonomsku aktivnost – drugim riječima, kada bismo svi bili HODL-eri odnos ponude i tražnje bi bio veoma destimulišući i to bi oborilo cijenu.

Na sreću, trgovaca ima mnogo – dovoljno da tržište stalno bude aktivno i dinamično, no za one koji nemaju vremena, vještine ili sklonost ka riziku koji nosi trgovanje, HODL-ovanje ostaje jednostavan, ali veoma efikasan pristup.

Filozofija HODL-ovanja

HODL-ovanje je više od investicione strategije – to je način razmišljanja koji obuhvata otpornost, strpljenje i vjerovanje da su kratkotrajno suzdržavanje i nepokolebljivost u odluci da se sredstva sačuvaju vrijedna dugoročnog dobitka. Bilo da cijena bitcoina raste ili pada je, filozofija HODL-ovanja ostaje ista – ostanimo dosljedni, vjerujmo procesu i gledajmo u budućnost.

Jedan od ključnih razloga zašto većini ljudi ovakav pristup dugo nije bio razumljiv je zbog toga što su čitav sistem novca prihvatili u uvjerenju da on vremenom devalvira. Vjerovatno ste makar jednom razmatrali ponudu oročene štednje i procijenili da vam količina novca koju želite da položite neće donijeti onaj prinos koji će očuvati njegovu kupovnu moć nakon određenog broja godina, jer je kontinuirano doštampavanje novca podupiralo tu tvrdnju.

Dakle, ne treba da vas zavara sve ono što znate o novcu kao takvom, budući da bitcoin (na kojem je u ovom serijalu poseban fokus, jer mnoge druge kriptovalute ipak češće razočaraju nego što oduševe) nije novac, već samo ima neka svojstva novca. Posmatrajte ga radije kao imovinu – npr. kao nekretninu za koju sigurno želite da prodate onda kada je situacija stabilnija i kada su mnogo veće šanse da pronađete kupca kojem ćete je prodati po višoj cijeni.

U svakom slučaju, ako se u vašem digitalnom novčaniku već nalazi poneki satoshi (stomilioniti djelić bitcoina), kada tržište ponovo uđe u nepovoljnu fazu i zavlada prolazna panika, sjetite se onoga što je napisao GameKyuubi. HODL nije samo izraz – to je način da se prebrode oluje i izazovi koje nestabilno tržište nosi.

@ 0fa80bd3:ea7325de

intro

The Russian state made me a Bitcoiner. In 1991, it devalued my grandmother's hard-earned savings. She worked tirelessly in the kitchen of a dining car on the Moscow–Warsaw route. Everything she had saved for my sister and me to attend university vanished overnight. This story is similar to what many experienced, including Wences Casares. The pain and injustice of that time became my first lessons about the fragility of systems and the value of genuine, incorruptible assets, forever changing my perception of money and my trust in government promises.

In 2014, I was living in Moscow, running a trading business, and frequently traveling to China. One day, I learned about the Cypriot banking crisis and the possibility of moving money through some strange thing called Bitcoin. At the time, I didn’t give it much thought. Returning to the idea six months later, as a business-oriented geek, I eagerly began studying the topic and soon dove into it seriously.

I spent half a year reading articles on a local online journal, BitNovosti, actively participating in discussions, and eventually joined the editorial team as a translator. That’s how I learned about whitepapers, decentralization, mining, cryptographic keys, and colored coins. About Satoshi Nakamoto, Silk Road, Mt. Gox, and BitcoinTalk. Over time, I befriended the journal’s owner and, leveraging my management experience, later became an editor. I was drawn to the crypto-anarchist stance and commitment to decentralization principles. We wrote about the economic, historical, and social preconditions for Bitcoin’s emergence, and it was during this time that I fully embraced the idea.

It got to the point where I sold my apartment and, during the market's downturn, bought 50 bitcoins, just after the peak price of $1,200 per coin. That marked the beginning of my first crypto winter. As an editor, I organized workflows, managed translators, developed a YouTube channel, and attended conferences in Russia and Ukraine. That’s how I learned about Wences Casares and even wrote a piece about him. I also met Mikhail Chobanyan (Ukrainian exchange Kuna), Alexander Ivanov (Waves project), Konstantin Lomashuk (Lido project), and, of course, Vitalik Buterin. It was a time of complete immersion, 24/7, and boundless hope.

After moving to the United States, I expected the industry to grow rapidly, attended events, but the introduction of BitLicense froze the industry for eight years. By 2017, it became clear that the industry was shifting toward gambling and creating tokens for the sake of tokens. I dismissed this idea as unsustainable. Then came a new crypto spring with the hype around beautiful NFTs – CryptoPunks and apes.

I made another attempt – we worked on a series called Digital Nomad Country Club, aimed at creating a global project. The proceeds from selling images were intended to fund the development of business tools for people worldwide. However, internal disagreements within the team prevented us from completing the project.

With Trump’s arrival in 2025, hope was reignited. I decided that it was time to create a project that society desperately needed. As someone passionate about history, I understood that destroying what exists was not the solution, but leaving everything as it was also felt unacceptable. You can’t destroy the system, as the fiery crypto-anarchist voices claimed.

With an analytical mindset (IQ 130) and a deep understanding of the freest societies, I realized what was missing—not only in Russia or the United States but globally—a Bitcoin-native system for tracking debts and financial interactions. This could return control of money to ordinary people and create horizontal connections parallel to state systems. My goal was to create, if not a Bitcoin killer app, then at least to lay its foundation.

At the inauguration event in New York, I rediscovered the Nostr project. I realized it was not only technologically simple and already quite popular but also perfectly aligned with my vision. For the past month and a half, using insights and experience gained since 2014, I’ve been working full-time on this project.

@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365

My favorite line in any Marvel movie ever is in “Captain America.” After Captain America launches seemingly a hopeless assault on Red Skull’s base and is captured, we get this line:

“Arrogance may not be a uniquely American trait, but I must say, you do it better than anyone.”

Yesterday, I came across a comment on the song Devil Went Down to Georgia that had a very similar feel to it:

America has seemingly always been arrogant, in a uniquely American way. Manifest Destiny, for instance. The rest of the world is aware of this arrogance, and mocks Americans for it. A central point in modern US politics is the deriding of racist, nationalist, supremacist Americans.

That’s not what I see. I see American Arrogance as not only a beautiful statement about what it means to be American. I see it as an ode to the greatness of humanity in its purest form.

For most countries, saying “our nation is the greatest” is, in fact, twinged with some level of racism. I still don’t have a problem with it. Every group of people should be allowed to feel pride in their accomplishments. The destruction of the human spirit since the end of World War 2, where greatness has become a sin and weakness a virtue, has crushed the ability of people worldwide to strive for excellence.

But I digress. The fears of racism and nationalism at least have a grain of truth when applied to other nations on the planet. But not to America.

That’s because the definition of America, and the prototype of an American, has nothing to do with race. The definition of Americanism is freedom. The founding of America is based purely on liberty. On the God-given rights of every person to live life the way they see fit.

American Arrogance is not a statement of racial superiority. It’s barely a statement of national superiority (though it absolutely is). To me, when an American comments on the greatness of America, it’s a statement about freedom. Freedom will always unlock the greatness inherent in any group of people. Americans are definitionally better than everyone else, because Americans are freer than everyone else. (Or, at least, that’s how it should be.)

In Devil Went Down to Georgia, Johnny is approached by the devil himself. He is challenged to a ridiculously lopsided bet: a golden fiddle versus his immortal soul. He acknowledges the sin in accepting such a proposal. And yet he says, “God, I know you told me not to do this. But I can’t stand the affront to my honor. I am the greatest. The devil has nothing on me. So God, I’m gonna sin, but I’m also gonna win.”

Libertas magnitudo est

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

I don’t like garlic. It’s not a dislike for the taste in the moment, so much as an extreme dislike for the way it stays with you—sometimes for days—after a particularly garlicky meal.

Interestingly enough, both of my brothers love garlic. They roast it by itself and keep it at the ready so they can have a very strong garlic profile in their cooking. When I prepare a dish, I don’t even see garlic on the ingredient list. I’ve cut it out of my life so completely that my brain genuinely skips over it in recipes. While my brothers are looking for ways to sneak garlic into everything they make, I’m subconsciously avoiding it altogether.

A few years back, when I was digging intensely into how design systems mature, I stumbled on the concept of a design system origin story. There are two extreme origin stories and an infinite number of possibilities between. On one hand you have the grassroots system, where individuals working on digital products are simply trying to solve their own daily problems. They’re frustrated with having to go cut and paste elements from past designs or with recreating the same layouts over and over, so they start to work more systematically. On the other hand, you have the top down system, where leadership is directing teams to take a more systematic approach, often forming a small partially dedicated core team to tackle some centralized assets and guidelines for all to follow. The influences in those early days bias a design system in interesting and impactful ways.

We’ve established that there are a few types of bias that are either intentionally or unintentionally embedded into our design systems. Acknowledging this is a great first step. But, what’s the impact of this? Does it matter?

I believe there are a few impacts design system biases, but there’s one that stands out. The bias in your design system makes some individuals feel the system is meant for them and others feel it’s not. This is a problem because, a design system cannot live up to it’s expected value until it is broadly in use. If individuals feel your design system is not for them, the won’t use it. And, as you know, it doesn’t matter how good your design system is if nobody is using it.

Continue reading

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/972641

@ 9967f375:04f9a5e1

El insigne mendocino Juan Fernando Segovia falleció en el día de la festividad de Nuestra Señora de Luján, fecha significativa no sólo por ser la Patrona ríoplatense, sino además, anecdóticamente, porque cuando conocimos al profesor en tierras mejicanas tlaxcaltecas, escuchando la Santa Misa en la catedral (oficiada por el P. José Ramón García Gallardo); en un altar lateral coronandolo se encuentra una imágen de la Virgen muy parecida a la advocación, al hacerlo notar al profesor, la contempló sonriente y con mucha Fe. Este breve hecho significativo, sin duda fundamentó la labor abierta de Juan Fernando Segovia de ser fiel apóstol intelectual por los pueblos hispánicos, pues no sólo vino a compartir su sabiduría política, jurídica y moral, además de su genial convivencia con los asistentes en una, sino en las tres ediciones de las Conversaciones de la Ciudad Católica de Tlaxcala, haciendo notar la sinrazón de la cerrazón propia del nacionalismo (sin importar el apellido que le acompañe). Los Círculos Tradicionalistas de toda la Nueva España (cuyos buenos frutos son en gran parte obra de la labor incansable, conferencias presenciales y virtuales, libros y artículos de revistas para la conformación y formación continua de sus miembros), lamenta el vacío por la partida del maestro Juan Fernando Segovia.

Que Cristo Rey, a quien fielmente sirvió durante su vida, le dé el descanso eterno.

(Juan Fernando Segovia al centro, junto al P. José Ramón García y el matador Jerónimo Ramírez de Arellano en Tlaxcala, 2018).

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni rad

Apstrakt

Kriptovalute (engl. "cryptocurrency") su digitalne (virtualne) valute, koje iako su sredstvo razmene, još uvek nisu strogo regulisane zakonom u većini država, a u pojedinim su čak i zabranjene. Veliki broj ljudi, uključujući i IT stručnjake i programere ne znaju mnogo o ovoj temi, a šira javnost izjednačava pojmove blokčejna i bitkoina. Tržište kriptovaluta danas iznosi gotovo 770 milijardi dolara. Od pojave prvih digitalnih valuta do danas, nastalo je preko 1.300 aktivnih kriptovaluta koje se razlikuju prema svojim svojstvima i upotrebi. Pre bitkoina bilo je mnoštvo neuspelih pokušaja stvaranja digitalnih valuta (digikeš, heškeš, Fejsbuk kredit i dr.). Utopistička ideja da matematika i fizika mogu rešiti društvene probleme započela je svoj život kroz pojavu bitkoina. Genijalna ideja po kojoj funkcioniše bitkoin zasnovana je na tehnologiji blokčejna, čiji kapacitet doseže daleko iznad kripto valuta. Iako se još uvek vode polemike ko stoji iza pseudonima Satoši Nakamoto, njegova zaostavština ima potencijal da promeni svet. Uspeh bitkoina leži u prednostima koje ima u odnosu na druge slične valute, ali njegov značaj prevazilazi i pogodnosti koje je doneo. Banke nisu potrebne za čuvanje podataka o novcu, evidenciju o imovini i svakoj transakciji bitkoina čuvaju računari svih korisnika mreže u zajedničkoj bazi podataka blokčejnu. Sve transakcije su mnogo brže od bankarskih, bez taksi, uz drastično lakše plaćanje preko državnih granica. Bitkoin svojim korisnicima pruža bezbednosti bez identifikacije, iako blokčejn beleži transakciju, ne beleži ko stoji iza nje. U radu su predstavljeni osnovni principi na kojima su zasnovani bitkoin i druge kriptovalute, pojašnjen odnos između blokčejna i bitkoina.

1 UVOD

Ideal o novcu koji se ne oslanja na centralne institucije (koje mogu propasti, ali i koje vrše nadzor nad korisnicima), postojao je decenijama. U digitalnom svetu prvi ga je uobličio pisac naučne fantastike Nil Stivenson 1999. godine u svojoj noveli Kriptonomikon. On je opisao podzemni svet koji funkcioniše zahvaljujući digitalnom zlatu zasnovanom na kriptografiji, pri čijoj upotrebi korisnici ne moraju odavati ko su i šta su (Popper, 2016).

Kriptovalute (engl. cryptocurrency) su digitalne (virtualne) valute, koje iako su sredstvo razmene, još uvek nisu strogo regulisane zakonom u većini država, a u pojedinim su čak i zabranjene (Jovanović, 2014).

Da bi se razumeo nastanak i funkcionisanje kriptovaluta, neophodno je sagledati ih iz različitih uglova na kojima su one bazirane: matematici, sociologiji, ekonomiji, pravu i politici. To je verovatno i glavni razlog zbog koga veliki broj ljudi (uključujući i IT stručnjake i programere) ne znaju mnogo o ovoj temi. Takođe, šira javnost izjednačava pojmove blokčejna i bitkoina.

Sve kriptovalute su bazirane na jedinstvenom nizu brojeva za svaku jedinicu valute, koje korisnici mogu jedni drugima slati preko mreže. U prošlosti su se ti nizovi mogli lako kopirati i trošiti više puta, zbog čega nisu imali vrednost. Kriptograf Dejvid Čaum je taj problem rešio stvaranjem jedinstvene centralizovane knjige, u kojoj su se čuvale beleške o transakcijama svakog korisnika, čime ni jedna jedinica valute više nije mogla da se nalazi na dva mesta istovremeno (Bertlet, 2016).

Kriptovalute svoj nastanak duguju težnjama levo orijentisanih utopističkih posvećenika IT tehnologija koji su sanjali o univerzalnom novcu koji bi svako mogao da poseduje i troši, čija je vrednost onolika koliko su korisnici voljni da plate (na principu ponude i potražnje), ali pre svega na liniji fronta za onlajn anonimnost i slobodu, bez cenzure i nadzora. Pojavi bitkoina prethodio je Sajberpankerski manifest Done Haravej (Haraway, 1985) koji počinje rečima: „U elektronsko doba, privatnost je neophodan uslov za postojanje otvorenog društva“.

Kriptovalute su univerzalni novac koji se može koristiiti bilo gde u svetu, one su lako prenosive i teško se krivotvore.

Neki podaci pokazuju da tržište kriptovaluta danas iznosi gotovo 770 milijardi dolara. Od pojave prvih digitalnih valuta do danas, nastalo je preko 1.300 aktivnih kriptovaluta koje se razlikuju prema svojim svojstvima i upotrebi.

Prema odredbama Zakona o Narodnoj banci Srbije celokupni unutrašnji promet u Republici Srbiji izražava se u dinarima, osim ako nekim zakonom nije drukčije određeno. „Zakonom o platnom prometu propisano je da se poslovi platnog prometa obavljaju u dinarima, a Zakonom o deviznom poslovanju da se plaćanje, naplaćivanje i prenos između rezidenata i između rezidenata i nerezidenata u Republici Srbiji vrši u dinarima, a izuzetno se može vršiti i u devizama u slučajevima koji su propisani ovim zakonom“ (NBS, 2014).

Tržište kriptovaluta u Srbiji postoji, sve je veći broj rudara. Iako trgovanje kriptovalutama nije nelegalno, Narodna Banka Srbije - NBS je u više saopštenja navela da one ne predstavljaju zakonsko sredstvo plaćanja u Republici Srbiji. Takođe, zbog toga što ih ne izdaje centralna banka, NBS za korišćenje virtuelnih valuta, ulaganje u njih, kao ni za njihovu vrednost. Narodna banka Srbije je više puta upozoravala javnost da virtuelne valute ne predstavljaju zakonsko sredstvo plaćanja u Republici Srbiji (NBS, Politika – u vezi s bitkoinom, 2017).

Ukoliko kriptovalute promatramo kao novac onda njihove tranksakcije mogu biti upitne shodno Zakonu o sprečavanju pranja novca i finansiranja terorizma, gde je propisana obaveza preduzimanja radnji i mera za sprečavanje pranja novca, kao što su identifikacija stranaka koje trguju preko tih platformi, uzimanjem kopije ličnog dokumenta. Kako poslovanje platformi na kojima se vrše transakcije kriptovalutama nije zakonom regulisano u Republici Srbiji, a uglavnom ni u uporednom pravu, a čl. 552. Zakona o obligacionim odnosima Republike Srbije ((„Sl. list SFRJ“, br. 29/78, 39/85, 45/89 - odluka USJ i 57/89, „Sl. list SRJ“, br. 31/93 i „Sl. list SCG“, br. 1/2003 - Ustavna povelja) predviđa razmenu robe kao jedan od načina trgovine, otvara se put ka legalnoj trgovini kriptovalutama (Bubanja, 2017).

Praksa je pokazala da su se korisnici kriptovaluta kada su imali problem sa njima, obraćali vlastima i njihovim regulatornim telima, zbog čijeg su zaobilaženja i smišljeni. Nažalost, korisnici ne uživaju pravnu zaštitu čak i kada je reč o trgovini putem registrovanih privrednih subjekta.

2 BITKOIN

Prva decentralizovana kriptovaluta koja se pojavila je bitkoin (eng. „Bitcoin“). Termin bitkoin označava istoimenu organizaciju, softver i protokol, kao i jedinicu mere ove kriptovalute (skraćeno BTC) (Bertlet, 2016). Koncept na kome se zasniva bitkoin prvi put je predstavljen 2008. godine u članku "Bitcoin: A Peerto-Peer Electronic Cash System", a u januaru 2009. godine bitkoin je pušten u promet. Njegov tvorac nije poznat do danas i krije se iza pseudonima Satoši Nakomato. Novu vrstu digitalne kriptovalute formirao je tako što je stvorio distribuirani sistem verifikacije. Bitkoin nastaje u procesu koji se naziva „rudarenje“ (engl. mining). Njegova jedinstvenost je u tome što je decentralizovana valuta, iza koje ne stoji nijedna država, niti banka. Bitkoin je digitalna valuta, koja nastaje i čuva se elektronski. Kriptovalute u cilju maksimizacije bezbednosti, upotrebljavaju metod - dokaz o radu (engl. proofof-work), metod baziran na informacijama koje je teško stvoriti, ali koje ostalim učesnicima u rudarenju obezbeđuju laku proveru i verifikaciju transakcija.

Kriptovalute se čuvaju na bitkoin adresama za koje ključ predstavlja jedinstven niz slova i brojeva. Svaka transkacija bitkoinom se beleži u blokovima koji se zovu blokčejn. Transakcije se hronološki ređaju u blokove, u svakom se nalazi digitalni potpis prethodnog bloka, time se uređuje redosled i garantuje da novi blok može da se pridruži lancu samo ako počne na mestu na mestu završetka prethodnog. Jedan od osnovnih činilaca bezbednosti bitkoina je da se kopija svake izvedene transakcije beleži na svakom nalogu na kome je instaliran bitkoin softver. Blokčejnove neprekidno verifikuju računari svih korisnika softvera, tako sistem zna u bilo kom trenutku, koliko bitkoina svaki korisnik u svom novčaniku poseduje. Novčanik je program koji služi za slanje, primanje i skladištenje kriptovaluta. Digitalni novčanik sadrži prikaz količine kriptovalute koju korisnik poseduje, zapise o svim njegovim transakcijama, korisnički tajni ključ i njegove adrese (Bertlet, 2016). Novčanik je moguće instalirati na računar, mobilni telefon i tablet.

Falsifikovanje bitkoina nije moguće, jer iako vlasništvo može da se menja ono se ne može nikada duplirati (Bertlet, 2016). On je pseudoanoniman, bitkoin mreža čuva sve podatke o svakoj transakciji koja se dogodila unutar mreže. Svako ko ima bitkoin softver i adresu na bitkoin mreži, može videti koliko novca ima na mreži, ali ne i kome oni pripadaju. Za razliku od otvaranja računa u bankama, otvaranje bitkoin računa (adrese) je brzo, bez troškova i „papirologije“. Jedna od glavnih prednosti bitkoin mreže je brzina transakcija.

Svako ko snagu svog računara posveti verifikaciji transakcija u blokčejnu može biti „rudar“. To je proces dodavanja transkacija u registar svih bitkoin transkacija. Rudarenje čini rešavanje matematičkog algoritma za čije se uspešno rešavanje dobija određena količina bitkoina.

Iako bitkoin ima reputaciju nestabilnosti, velikih fluktuacija i nezakonitog poslovanja, čemu mnogi pridodaju i urušavanje tradicionalnog koncepta nacionalnih država, ipak većina se slaže u tome da je njegova pojava najvažnija nova ideja od stvaranja Interneta (Vigna & Casey, 2016).

Razloga za uspeh bitkoina ima više. Finansijska kriza povoljno je uticala na njegov razvoj, poverenje u postojeći finansijski ali i politički sistem je bilo poljuljano i brojni korisnici su u njemu prepoznali drugačije rešenje.

Anonimnost koju pruža prilikom transakcija jedan je od ključnih razloga njegovog uspeha. Prilikom digitalnog plaćanja bitkoinom u većini slučajeva nije potrebno davanje ličnih podataka. Ovakva vrsta anonimnosti, nažalost pogodovala je i usponu tamne strane upotrebe i popularnosti bitkoina u kriminalnim krugovima.

Računi u bitkoinu nisu opterećeni visokim bankarskim dažbinama.

Takođe, nije beznačajan ni potencijal plaćanja izdataka koji su manji od trenutnih ograničenja u konvencijalnim transakcijama na internetu (npr. naplata čitanja jednog novinskog članka ili preskoči reklamu, koji koštaju manje od 20 ili 30 centi kolika je najmanja transakcija) (Popper, 2016).

Kao što su svi učesnici na internetu povezani protokolima (TCP/IP, FTP, SMTP, HTTP i dr.) zahvaljujući kojima mogu međusobno da komuniciraju, bitkoin je stvorio svoje softverske protokole koji uređuju funkcionalna pravila upravljanja sistemom.

Bitkoin je omogućio novi način stvaranja, čuvanja i transfera novca.

Od svog nastanka bitkoin se unapređivao, podržan od internet zajednice, posebno od posvećenika slobodi interneta i anonimosti, mnogi od problema koji su uočeni su rešavani zajedničkim naporom internet zajednice.

3 BLOKČEJN

Blokčejn (engl. blockchain) nije samo bitkoin, on je tehnologija za koju mnogi predviđaju da će promeni svet (OECD, 2018).

Ukoliko bismo pojednostavljeno opisivali blokčejn mogli bismo da kažemo da je to nova vrsta baze podataka, iako bi to bilo pojednostavljeno objašnjenje slično kao kada bi smo imejl (email) opisali kao novi način za slanje pisama.

Iako blokčejn jeste nova vrsta baze podatka, to ne objašnjava u dovoljnoj meri genijalnost načina na koji funkcioniše.

Kada bilo gde i bilo kada položimo novac, oslanjamo se na zapis u bazi podataka treće strane, banke, firme i sl. Poverenje u banke zasnovano je na zakonu koji reguliše rad banke, poverenju u državu da će u slučaju propasti banke država nadoknaditi klijentima njihov ulog.

Kada plaćamo on line usluge ili vršimo neku drugu transakciju kreditnim karticama, poklanjamo poverenje kompanijama koje posreduju u našem plaćanju (Mastercard, VISA i dr.) koje za to uzimaju određenu materijalnu nadoknadu. Čak i prilikom tradicionalnih oblika plaćanja gotovinom u papirnom novcu, mi dajemo papir na kome je ispisana vrednost za koju prodavac veruje da će mu biti isplaćena (ili garantovana) od strane vlade koja ju je štampala. Digitalno plaćanje zbog prisustva trećih strana (banke, kreditne kompanije i dr.) uvek je bilo moguće pratiti. I kod plaćanja gotovinom klijenti veruju bankama i kreditnim kompanijama koje rukovode platnim karticama, da imaju pouzdane baze podataka. I vlade država veruju da banke i kreditne kompanije vode baze podataka koje su tačne i pouzdane.

Baze podataka sadrže mnoštvo ličnih podataka, od npr. medicinske dokumentacije u domu zdravlja koja sadrži važne informacije o nama i našem zdravstvenom stanju, kada smo i od koje bolesti bolovali, koje lekove smo koristili i sl. I druge baze podataka sadrže mnoštvo naših ličnih podataka koje su važne ne samo za nas, već i za državu, grad, privredu, druge građane itd.

Osim što omogućava anonimne i sigurne transakcije, blokčejn ima i potencijal da sačuva sve vredne informacije, od podataka o rođenim i umrlim, preko osiguranja, do katastara nepokretnosti, pa čak i glasova (Tapscott, 2018).

Sagledavši mogućnosti koji blokčejn nudi u transformaciji industrija i tržišta, povećanju transparentnosti i poverenja između građana, kao i olakšanom pristupu tržištu (uz bolju efikasnost transakcija), ali i rizicima koje sa sobom nosi, Organizacija za ekonomsku saradnju i razvoj - OECD organizovala je od 4. do 5. septembra 2018. godine Forum politike OECD-a za blokčejn. To je bila ujedno i prva glavna međunarodna konferencija na kojoj se razmatrao uticaj blokčejna na aktivnosti vlada i javnih prioriteta. Forum se bavio prednostima i rizicima blokčejna za ekonomiju i društvo, pokušajem određivanja adekvatnog regulatornog pristupa, kao i javnih politika prema blokčejnu.

Učesnici Foruma su diskutovali o mogućnostima globalnog ekonomskog uticaja blokčejna, njegovim implikacijama na privatnost i sajber bezbednost, upotrebi blokčejn tehnologija za povećanje inkluzivnosti, njegovoj upotrebi u promovisanju zelenog rasta i održivosti, kao i jačanju kapaciteta javne uprava i primene u praksi (OECD, 2018).

4 ZAKLJUČAK

Pre bitkoina bilo je mnoštvo neuspelih pokušaja stvaranja digitalnih valuta (digikeš, heškeš, Fejsbuk kredit i dr.). Uspeh bitkoina leži u prednostima koje ima u odnosu na druge slične valute, ali njegov značaj prevazilazi i pogodnosti koje je doneo.

Svaki korisnik bitkoina ima potpunu kontrolu nad novcem na svom računu (adresi), jedino osoba sa privatnim ključem može pristupiti bitkoinima na toj adresi. Banke nisu potrebne za čuvanje podataka o novcu, evidenciju o imovini i svakoj transakciji bitkoina čuvaju računari svih korisnika mreže u zajedničkoj bazi podataka blokčejnu. Sve transakcije su mnogo brže od bankarskih, bez taksi, uz drastično lakše plaćanje preko državnih granica.

Bitkoin svojim korisnicima pruža bezbednosti bez identifikacije, iako blokčejn beleži transakciju, ne beleži ko stoji iza nje. Zahvaljujući peer-to-peer komunikaciji i kriptografiji, povezivanje bitkoin transakcija sa osobom u stvarnom životu je veoma teško. To je u ujedno možda i njegova najveća mana, jer su oporezivanje i nadzor nad korisnicima krajnje teški.

Garancija vrednosti bitkoina osmišljena je po uzoru na plamenite metale kojih ima ograničeno u prirodi. Zbog toga je Satoši u kodu bitkoina odredio da ih ima maksimalno 21 milion, te da ukoliko bitkoin protokol ostane isti, poslednji bitkoin će biti izrudaren 2140. godine.

Do sada je izrudareno oko 17 miliona bitkoina, što znači da je ostalo 4 miliona, ili oko 19%. Do sada je bitkoin uspeo da prevlada sve krize koje su ga zahvatile (u više slučajeva nestajali su iznosi koji su dostizali i 400 miliona dolara). Kakva god sudbina bitkoina bila u budućnosti, njegova uloga se neće moći zanemariti, prvenstveno zbog toga što je zahvaljujući njemu iznedren blokčejn. Bez obzira na skepticima u vezi sa kriptovalutama, teško se mogu osporiti mogućnosti koje blokčejn pruža, pre svega u zaštiti baza podatka.

@ e3ba5e1a:5e433365

I got into a friendly discussion on X regarding health insurance. The specific question was how to deal with health insurance companies (presumably unfairly) denying claims? My answer, as usual: get government out of it!

The US healthcare system is essentially the worst of both worlds:

• Unlike full single payer, individuals incur high costs
• Unlike a true free market, regulation causes increases in costs and decreases competition among insurers

I'm firmly on the side of moving towards the free market. (And I say that as someone living under a single payer system now.) Here's what I would do:

• Get rid of tax incentives that make health insurance tied to your employer, giving individuals back proper freedom of choice.
• Reduce regulations significantly.

• In the short term, some people will still get rejected claims and other obnoxious behavior from insurance companies. We address that in two ways:

  1. Due to reduced regulations, new insurance companies will be able to enter the market offering more reliable coverage and better rates, and people will flock to them because they have the freedom to make their own choices.
  2. Sue the asses off of companies that reject claims unfairly. And ideally, as one of the few legitimate roles of government in all this, institute new laws that limit the ability of fine print to allow insurers to escape their responsibilities. (I'm hesitant that the latter will happen due to the incestuous relationship between Congress/regulators and insurers, but I can hope.)

Will this magically fix everything overnight like politicians normally promise? No. But it will allow the market to return to a healthy state. And I don't think it will take long (order of magnitude: 5-10 years) for it to come together, but that's just speculation.

And since there's a high correlation between those who believe government can fix problems by taking more control and demanding that only credentialed experts weigh in on a topic (both points I strongly disagree with BTW): I'm a trained actuary and worked in the insurance industry, and have directly seen how government regulation reduces competition, raises prices, and harms consumers.

And my final point: I don't think any prior art would be a good comparison for deregulation in the US, it's such a different market than any other country in the world for so many reasons that lessons wouldn't really translate. Nonetheless, I asked Grok for some empirical data on this, and at best the results of deregulation could be called "mixed," but likely more accurately "uncertain, confused, and subject to whatever interpretation anyone wants to apply."

https://x.com/i/grok/share/Zc8yOdrN8lS275hXJ92uwq98M

@ d61f3bc5:0da6ef4a

I remember the first gathering of Nostr devs two years ago in Costa Rica. We were all psyched because Nostr appeared to solve the problem of self-sovereign online identity and decentralized publishing. The protocol seemed well-suited for textual content, but it wasn't really designed to handle binary files, like images or video.

The Problem

When I publish a note that contains an image link, the note itself is resilient thanks to Nostr, but if the hosting service disappears or takes my image down, my note will be broken forever. We need a way to publish binary data without relying on a single hosting provider.

We were discussing how there really was no reliable solution to this problem even outside of Nostr. Peer-to-peer attempts like IPFS simply didn't work; they were hopelessly slow and unreliable in practice. Torrents worked for popular files like movies, but couldn't be relied on for general file hosting.

Awesome Blossom

A year later, I attended the Sovereign Engineering demo day in Madeira, organized by Pablo and Gigi. Many projects were presented over a three hour demo session that day, but one really stood out for me.

Introduced by hzrd149 and Stu Bowman, Blossom blew my mind because it showed how we can solve complex problems easily by simply relying on the fact that Nostr exists. Having an open user directory, with the corresponding social graph and web of trust is an incredible building block.

Since we can easily look up any user on Nostr and read their profile metadata, we can just get them to simply tell us where their files are stored. This, combined with hash-based addressing (borrowed from IPFS), is all we need to solve our problem.

How Blossom Works

The Blossom protocol (Blobs Stored Simply on Mediaservers) is formally defined in a series of BUDs (Blossom Upgrade Documents). Yes, Blossom is the most well-branded protocol in the history of protocols. Feel free to refer to the spec for details, but I will provide a high level explanation here.

The main idea behind Blossom can be summarized in three points:

1. Users specify which media server(s) they use via their public Blossom settings published on Nostr;
2. All files are uniquely addressable via hashes;
3. If an app fails to load a file from the original URL, it simply goes to get it from the server(s) specified in the user's Blossom settings.

Just like Nostr itself, the Blossom protocol is dead-simple and it works!

Let's use this image as an example:

If you look at the URL for this image, you will notice that it looks like this:

blossom.primal.net/c1aa63f983a44185d039092912bfb7f33adcf63ed3cae371ebe6905da5f688d0.jpg

All Blossom URLs follow this format:

[server]/[file-hash].[extension]

The file hash is important because it uniquely identifies the file in question. Apps can use it to verify that the file they received is exactly the file they requested. It also gives us the ability to reliably get the same file from a different server.

Nostr users declare which media server(s) they use by publishing their Blossom settings. If I store my files on Server A, and they get removed, I can simply upload them to Server B, update my public Blossom settings, and all Blossom-capable apps will be able to find them at the new location. All my existing notes will continue to display media content without any issues.

Blossom Mirroring

Let's face it, re-uploading files to another server after they got removed from the original server is not the best user experience. Most people wouldn't have the backups of all the files, and/or the desire to do this work.

This is where Blossom's mirroring feature comes handy. In addition to the primary media server, a Blossom user can set one one or more mirror servers. Under this setup, every time a file is uploaded to the primary server the Nostr app issues a mirror request to the primary server, directing it to copy the file to all the specified mirrors. This way there is always a copy of all content on multiple servers and in case the primary becomes unavailable, Blossom-capable apps will automatically start loading from the mirror.

Mirrors are really easy to setup (you can do it in two clicks in Primal) and this arrangement ensures robust media handling without any central points of failure. Note that you can use professional media hosting services side by side with self-hosted backup servers that anyone can run at home.

Using Blossom Within Primal

Blossom is natively integrated into the entire Primal stack and enabled by default. If you are using Primal 2.2 or later, you don't need to do anything to enable Blossom, all your media uploads are blossoming already.

To enhance user privacy, all Primal apps use the "/media" endpoint per BUD-05, which strips all metadata from uploaded files before they are saved and optionally mirrored to other Blossom servers, per user settings. You can use any Blossom server as your primary media server in Primal, as well as setup any number of mirrors:

## Conclusion

For such a simple protocol, Blossom gives us three major benefits:

1. Verifiable authenticity. All Nostr notes are always signed by the note author. With Blossom, the signed note includes a unique hash for each referenced media file, making it impossible to falsify.
2. File hosting redundancy. Having multiple live copies of referenced media files (via Blossom mirroring) greatly increases the resiliency of media content published on Nostr.
3. Censorship resistance. Blossom enables us to seamlessly switch media hosting providers in case of censorship.

Thanks for reading; and enjoy! 🌸

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

The European Accessibility Act is coming, now is a great time for accessibility trainings!. In my Accessibility for Designer workshop, you will learn how to design accessible mockups that prevent issues in visual design, interactions, navigation, and content. You will be able to spot problems early, fix them in your designs, and communicate accessibility clearly with your team. This is a practical workshop with hands-on exercises, not just theory. You’ll actively apply accessibility principles to real design scenarios and mockups. And will get access to my accessibility resources: checklists, annotation kits and more.

When? 4 sessions of 2 hours + Q and As, on: - Mon, June 16, - Tue, June 17, Mon, - June 23 and Tue, - June 24. 9:30 – 12:00 PM PT or 18:30 – 21:00 CET

Register with 15% discount ($255) https://ti.to/smashingmagazine/online-workshops-2022/with/87vynaoqc0/discount/welcometomyworkshop

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/971772

@ 84b0c46a:417782f5

• lumilumi The Nostr Web Client.

Lightweight modes are available, such as not displaying icon images, not loading images automatically, etc.

• Long Form Content Editor A lightweight Long Form Content Editor with editing functionality for your articles. It supports embedding Nostr IDs via NIP-19 and custom emoji integration.

• nostr-share-component Demo

• Nostr Follow Organizer

Follow List ( kind3 ) organization tool.

• NAKE NIP-19, NIP-49 Encode/Decode Tool
• chrome extension
• firefox add-on
• nostviewstr

Addressable or Replaceable Event Editor ( いろんなリストエディター )

• luminostr

Addressable or Replaceable Event Recovery tool ( いろいろリカバリーツール )

• Nostr Bookmark Recovery Tool

Bookmark event ( kind:10003,30001,30003 ) recovery tool ( ぶくま復活させたいやつ )

• Profile Editor

プロフィールを編集するやつ - nostr-bookmark-viewer

Bookmark event ( kind:10003,30001,30003 ) Editor ( ぶっくまーくをみるやつ )

• Nostr Note Duplicater

Broadcast an event from relay to relay ( イベントをブロードキャストするやつ )

• もの画像サイト

• いろいろbotサイト

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Someone asked for my thoughts, so I’ll share them thoughtfully. I’m not here to dictate how to promote Nostr—I’m still learning about it myself. While I’m not new to Nostr, freedom tech is a newer space for me. I’m skilled at advocating for topics I deeply understand, but freedom tech isn’t my expertise, so take my words with a grain of salt. Nothing I say is set in stone.

Those who need Nostr the most are the ones most vulnerable to censorship on other platforms right now. Reaching them requires real-time awareness of global issues and the dynamic relationships between governments and tech providers, which can shift suddenly. Effective Nostr promoters must grasp this and adapt quickly.

The best messengers are people from or closely tied to these at-risk regions—those who truly understand the local political and cultural dynamics. They can connect with those in need when tensions rise. Ideal promoters are rational, trustworthy, passionate about Nostr, but above all, dedicated to amplifying people’s voices when it matters most.

Forget influencers, corporate-backed figures, or traditional online PR—it comes off as inauthentic, corny, desperate and forced. Nostr’s promotion should be grassroots and organic, driven by a few passionate individuals who believe in Nostr and the communities they serve.

The idea that “people won’t join Nostr due to lack of reach” is nonsense. Everyone knows X’s “reach” is mostly with bots. If humans want real conversations, Nostr is the place. X is great for propaganda, but Nostr is for the authentic voices of the people.

Those spreading Nostr must be so passionate they’re willing to onboard others, which is time-consuming but rewarding for the right person. They’ll need to make Nostr and onboarding a core part of who they are. I see no issue with that level of dedication. I’ve been known to get that way myself at times. It’s fun for some folks.

With love, I suggest not adding Bitcoin promotion with Nostr outreach. Zaps already integrate that element naturally. (Still promote within the Bitcoin ecosystem, but this is about reaching vulnerable voices who needed Nostr yesterday.)

To promote Nostr, forget conventional strategies. “Influencers” aren’t the answer. “Influencers” are not the future. A trusted local community member has real influence—reach them. Connect with people seeking Nostr’s benefits but lacking the technical language to express it. This means some in the Nostr community might need to step outside of the Bitcoin bubble, which is uncomfortable but necessary. Thank you in advance to those who are willing to do that.

I don’t know who is paid to promote Nostr, if anyone. This piece isn’t shade. But it’s exhausting to see innocent voices globally silenced on corporate platforms like X while Nostr exists. Last night, I wondered: how many more voices must be censored before the Nostr community gets uncomfortable and thinks creatively to reach the vulnerable?

A warning: the global need for censorship-resistant social media is undeniable. If Nostr doesn’t make itself known, something else will fill that void. Let’s start this conversation.

@ 57d1a264:69f1fee1

Crabtree's Framework for Evaluating Human-Centered Research

Picture this: You've spent three weeks conducting qualitative research for a finance app redesign. You carefully recruited 12 participants, conducted in-depth interviews, and identified patterns around financial anxiety and decision paralysis. You're excited to present your findings when the inevitable happens:

"But are these results statistically significant?"

"Just 12 people? How can we make decisions that affect thousands of users based on conversations with just 12 people?"

As UX professionals, we regularly face stakeholders who evaluate our qualitative research using criteria designed for quantitative methods... This misalignment undermines the unique value qualitative research brings to product development.

Continue reading https://uxpsychology.substack.com/p/beyond-numbers-how-to-properly-evaluate

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/971767

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na dvadesetjedan.com.

Autor: Gigi / Prevod na srpski: Plumsky

---

Postoji sveto carstvo privatnosti za svakog čoveka gde on bira i pravi odluke – carstvo stvoreno na bazičnim pravima i slobode koje zakon, generalno, ne sme narušavati. Džefri Fišer, Arhiepiskop Canterberija (1959)

Pre ne toliko dugo, uobičajen režim interneta je bio neenkriptovan običan tekst (plain text). Svi su mogli špiunirati svakoga i mnogi nisu o tome ni razmišljali. Globalno obelodanjivanje nadzora 2013. je to promenilo i danas se koriste mnogo bezbedniji protokoli i end-to-end enkripcija postaje standard sve više. Iako bitcoin postaje tinejdžer, mi smo – metaforično govoreći – i dalje u dobu običnog teksta narandžastog novčića. Bitcoin je radikalno providljiv protokol sam po sebi, ali postoje značajni načini da korisnik zaštiti svoju privatnost. U ovom članku želimo da istaknemo neke od ovih strategija, prodiskutujemo najbolje prakse, i damo preporuke koje mogu primeniti i bitcoin novajlije i veterani.

Zašto je privatnost bitna

Privatnost je potrebna da bi otvoreno društvo moglo da funkcioniše u digitalnoj eri. Privatnost nije isto što i tajanstvenost. Privatna stvar je nešto što neko ne želi da ceo svet zna, a tajna stvar je nešto što neko ne želi bilo ko da zna. Privatnost je moć da se čovek selektivno otkriva svom okruženju.

Ovim snažnim rečima Erik Hjus je započeo svoj tekst Sajferpankov Manifesto (Cypherpunk's Manifesto) 1993. Razlika između privatnosti i tajanstvenosti je suptilna ali jako važna. Odlučiti se za privatnost ne znači da neko ima tajne koje želi sakriti. Da ovo ilustrujemo shvatite samo da ono što obavljate u svom toaletu ili u spavaćoj sobi nije niti ilegalno niti tajna (u mnogim slučajevima), ali vi svejedno odlučujete da zatvorite vrata i navučete zavese.

Slično tome, koliko para imate i gde ih trošite nije naručito tajna stvar. Ipak, to bi trebalo biti privatan slučaj. Mnogi bi se složili da vaš šef ne treba da zna gde vi trošite vašu platu. Privatnosti je čak zaštićena od strane mnogobrojnih internacionalnih nadležnih organa. Iz Američke Deklaracije Prava i Dužnosti Čoveka (American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man) Ujedinjenim Nacijama, napisano je da je privatnost fundamentalno prava gradjana širom sveta.

Niko ne sme biti podvrgnut smetnjama njegovoj privatnosti, porodici, rezidenciji ili komunikacijama, niti napadnuta njegova čast i reputacija. Svi imaju pravo da se štite zakonom protiv takvih smetnja ili napada. Artikal 12, Deklaracija Ljudskih Prava Ujedinjenih Nacija

Bitcoin i privatnost

Iako je bitcoin često opisivan kao anoniman način plaćanja medijima, on u stvari poseduje potpuno suprotne osobine. On je poluanoniman u najboljem slučaju i danas mnogima nije ni malo lako primeniti taktike da bi bili sigurni da njihov poluanonimni identitet na bitcoin mreži ne bude povezan sa legalnim identitetom u stvarnom svetu.

Bitcoin je otvoren sistem. On je javna baza podataka koju svako može da proučava i analizira. Znači, svaka transakcija koja je upisana u tu bazu kroz dokaz rada (proof-of-work) postojaće i biće otkrivena dokle god bitcoin postoji, što znači - zauvek. Ne primenjivati najbolje prakse privatnosti može imati štetne posledice u dalekoj budućnosti.

Privatnost, kao sigurnost, je proces koji je težak, ali nije nemoguć. Alatke nastavljaju da se razvijaju koje čuvaju privatnost kad se koristi bitcoin and srećom mnoge od tih alatki su sve lakše za korišćenje. Nažalost ne postoji panacea u ovom pristupu. Mora se biti svesan svih kompromisa i usavršavati te prakse dok se one menjaju.

Najbolje prakse privatnosti

Kao i sve u bitcoinu, kontrola privatnosti je postepena, korak po korak, procedura. Naučiti i primeniti ove najbolje prakse zahteva strpljivost i odgovornost, tako da ne budite obeshrabreni ako vam se čini da je to sve previše. Svaki korak, koliko god bio mali, je korak u dobrom pravcu.

Koje korake preduzeti da bi uvećali svoju privatnost:

• Budite u vlasništvu sami svojih novčića
• Nikad ne ponavljajte korišćenje istih adresa
• Minimizirajte korišćenje servisa koji zahtevaju identitet (Know your customer - KYC)
• Minimizirajte sve izloženosti trećim licima
• Upravljajte svojim nodom
• Koristite Lightning mrežu za male transakcije
• Nemojte koristiti javne blok pretraživače za svoje transakcije
• Koristite metodu CoinJoin često i rano pri nabavljanju svojih novčića

Budite u vlasništvu sami svojih novčića: Ako ključevi nisu tvoji, onda nije ni bitcoin. Ako neko drugo drži vaš bitcoin za vas, oni znaju sve što se može znati: količinu, istoriju transakcija pa i sve buduće transakcije, itd. Preuzimanje vlasništva bitcoina u svoje ruke je prvi i najvažniji korak.

Nikad ne kroistite istu adresu dvaput: Ponavljanje adresa poništava privatnost pošiljalca i primaoca bitcoina. Ovo se treba izbegavati pod svaku cenu.

Minimizirajte korišćenje servisa koji zahtevaju identitet (KYC): Vezivati svoj legalni identitet za svoje bitcoin adrese je zlo koje se zahteva od strane mnogih državnih nadležnosti. Dok je efektivnost ovih zakona i regulacija disputabilno, posledice njihovog primenjivanja su uglavnom štetne po korisnicima. Ovo je očigledno pošto je česta pojava da se te informacije često izlivaju iz slabo obezbeđenih digitalnih servera. Ako izaberete da koristite KYC servise da bi nabavljali bitcoin, proučite i razumite odnos između vas i tog biznisa. Vi ste poverljivi tom biznisu za sve vaše lične podatke, pa i buduće obezbeđenje tih podataka. Ako i dalje zarađujete kroz fiat novčani sistem, mi preporučujemo da koristite samo bitcoin ekskluzivne servise koji vam dozvoljavaju da autamatski kupujete bitcoin s vremena na vreme. Ako zelite da potpuno da izbegnete KYC, pregledajte https://bitcoinqna.github.io/noKYConly/.

Minimizirajte sve izloženosti trećim licima: Poverljivost trećim licima je bezbednosna rupa (https://nakamotoinstitute.org/trusted-third-parties/). Ako možete biti poverljivi samo sebi, onda bi to tako trebalo da bude.

Upravljajte svojim nodom: Ako nod nije tvoj, onda nisu ni pravila. Upravljanje svojim nodom je suštinska potreba da bi se bitcoin koristio na privatan način. Svaka interakcija sa bitcoin mrežom je posrednjena nodom. Ako vi taj nod ne upravljate, čiji god nod koristite može da vidi sve što vi radite. Ova upustva (https://bitcoiner.guide/node/) su jako korisna da bi započeli proces korišćenja svog noda.

Koristite Lightning mrežu za male transakcije: Pošto Lightning protokol ne koristi glavnu bitcoin mrežu za trasakcije onda je i samim tim povećana privatnost korišćenja bez dodatnog truda. Iako je i dalje rano, oni apsolutno bezobzirni periodi Lightning mreže su verovatno daleko iza nas. Korišćenje Lightning-a za transakcije malih i srednjih veličina će vam pomoći da uvećate privatnost a da smanjite naplate svojih pojedinačnih bitcoin transakcija.

Nemojte koristiti javne blok pretraživače za svoje transakcije: Proveravanje adresa na javnim blok pretraživačima povezuje te adrese sa vašim IP podacima, koji se onda mogu koristiti da se otkrije vaš identitet. Softveri kao Umbrel i myNode vam omogućavaju da lako koristite sami svoj blok pretraživač. Ako morate koristiti javne pretraživače, uradite to uz VPN ili Tor.

Koristite CoinJoin često i rano pri nabavljanju svojih novčića: Pošto je bitcoin večan, primenjivanje saradničkih CoinJoin praksa će vam obezbediti privatnost u budućnosti. Dok su CoinJoin transakcije svakovrsne, softveri koji su laki za korišćenje već sad postoje koji mogu automatizovati ovu vrstu transakcija. Samourai Whirlpool (https://samouraiwallet.com/whirlpool) je odličan izbor za Android korisnike. Joinmarket (https://github.com/joinmarket-webui/jam) se može koristiti na vašem nodu. A servisi postoje koji pri snabdevanju vašeg bitcoina istog trenutka obave CoinJoin tranzakciju automatski.

Zaključak

Svi bi trebalo da se potrude da koriste bitcoin na što privatniji način. Privatnost nije isto što i tajanstvenost. Privatnost je ljudsko pravo i mi svi trebamo da branimo i primenljujemo to pravo. Teško je izbrisati postojeće informacije sa interneta; a izbrisati ih sa bitcoin baze podataka je nemoguće. Iako su daleko od savršenih, alatke postoje danas koje vam omogućavaju da najbolje prakse privatnosti i vi sami primenite. Mi smo vam naglasili neke od njih i - kroz poboljšanje u bitcoin protokolu kroz Taproot i Schnorr - one će postajati sve usavršenije.

Bitcoin postupci se ne mogu lako opisati korišćenjem tradicionalnim konceptima. Pitanja kao što su "Ko je vlasnik ovog novca?" ili "Odakle taj novac potiče?" postaju sve teža da se odgovore a u nekim okolnostima postaju potpuno beznačajna.

Satoši je dizajnirao bitcoin misleći na privatnost. Na nivou protokola svaka bitcoin transakcija je proces "topljenja" koji za sobom samo ostavlja heuristične mrvice hleba. Protokolu nije bitno odakle se pojavio bilo koji bitcoin ili satoši. Niti je njega briga ko je legalan identitet vlasnika. Protokolu je samo važno da li su digitalni potpisi validni. Dokle god je govor slobodan, potpisivanje poruka - privatno ili ne - ne sme biti kriminalan postupak.

Dodatni Resursi

This Month in Bitcoin Privacy | Janine

Hodl Privacy FAQ | 6102

Digital Privacy | 6102

UseWhirlpool.com | Bitcoin Q+A

Bitcoin Privacy Guide | Bitcoin Q+A

Ovaj članak napisan je u saradnji sa Matt Odellom, nezavisnim bitcoin istraživačem. Nađite njegove preporuke za privatnost na werunbtc.com

Originalni tekst

@ 21ffd29c:518a8ff5

• What Are Homestead Chickens?
  Homestead chickens are domesticated fowl kept by homeowners to provide eggs and companionship. They play a vital role in the homestead ecosystem.

Why Water is Essential in Cold Weather - Hydration Basics:
Chickens don't drink much water naturally but need it for hydration, especially during cold weather when metabolic rates increase. - Environmental Factors:
Cold weather can lead to ice buildup on water sources. Chickens benefit from having access to fresh water year-round.

Maintaining Accessible Water Sources - Shallow Troughs:
Use shallow troughs instead of deep containers to minimize ice formation and ensure constant water supply. - Automatic Feeders:
Consider installing automatic feeders for convenience, especially in unpredictable weather conditions. - Multiple Water Sources:
Provide multiple water sources to prevent competition and ensure all chickens have access.

Preventing Ice Buildup - Floating Shallow Troughs:
Opt for troughs that sit above the ground to avoid ice buildup. Ensure they're placed where they can't freeze completely. - Regular Checks:
Inspect water sources regularly to remove ice and debris, maintaining accessibility for chickens.

Best Practices for Watering Chickens - Waterers Designed for Cold Weather:
Use waterers made of stainless steel or plastic that can withstand cold temperatures. - Seasonal Adjustments:
During extreme cold spells, supplement with a small amount of fresh water to aid in drinking.

Conclusion - Key Takeaways:
Providing proper water is crucial for the health and well-being of homestead chickens during cold weather. Maintaining accessible, shallow water sources prevents issues like ice buildup and ensures hydration.

Final Thoughts - Sustainability Considerations:
While chickens don't drink much, ensuring they have water supports their overall health and sustainability efforts. - Environmental Impact:
Thoughtful water management can reduce water usage, promoting eco-friendly practices on the homestead.

@ 0fa80bd3:ea7325de

![[yedinaya-rossiya-bear.png]]

1️⃣ Be where the bear roams. Stay in its territory, where it hunts for food. No point setting a trap in your backyard if the bear’s chilling in the forest.

2️⃣ Set a well-hidden trap. Bury it, disguise it, and place the bait right in the center. Bears are omnivores—just like secret police KGB agents. And what’s the tastiest bait for them? Money.

3️⃣ Wait for the bear to take the bait. When it reaches in, the trap will snap shut around its paw. It’ll be alive, but stuck. No escape.

Now, what you do with a trapped bear is another question... 😏

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Du bist recht appetitlich oben anzuschauen, \ doch unten hin die Bestie macht mir Grauen. \ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Wie wenig bekömmlich sogenannte «Ultra-Processed Foods» wie Fertiggerichte, abgepackte Snacks oder Softdrinks sind, hat kürzlich eine neue Studie untersucht. Derweil kann Fleisch auch wegen des Einsatzes antimikrobieller Mittel in der Massentierhaltung ein Problem darstellen. Internationale Bemühungen, diesen Gebrauch zu reduzieren, um die Antibiotikaresistenz bei Menschen einzudämmen, sind nun möglicherweise gefährdet.

Leider ist Politik oft mindestens genauso unappetitlich und ungesund wie diverse Lebensmittel. Die «Corona-Zeit» und ihre Auswirkungen sind ein beredtes Beispiel. Der Thüringer Landtag diskutiert gerade den Entwurf eines «Coronamaßnahmen-Unrechtsbereinigungsgesetzes» und das kanadische Gesundheitsministerium versucht, tausende Entschädigungsanträge wegen Impfnebenwirkungen mit dem Budget von 75 Millionen Dollar unter einen Hut zu bekommen. In den USA soll die Zulassung von Covid-«Impfstoffen» überdacht werden, während man sich mit China um die Herkunft des Virus streitet.

Wo Corona-Verbrecher von Medien und Justiz gedeckt werden, verfolgt man Aufklärer und Aufdecker mit aller Härte. Der Anwalt und Mitbegründer des Corona-Ausschusses Reiner Fuellmich, der seit Oktober 2023 in Untersuchungshaft sitzt, wurde letzte Woche zu drei Jahren und neun Monaten verurteilt – wegen Veruntreuung. Am Mittwoch teilte der von vielen Impfschadensprozessen bekannte Anwalt Tobias Ulbrich mit, dass er vom Staatsschutz verfolgt wird und sich daher künftig nicht mehr öffentlich äußern werde.

Von der kommenden deutschen Bundesregierung aus Wählerbetrügern, Transatlantikern, Corona-Hardlinern und Russenhassern kann unmöglich eine Verbesserung erwartet werden. Nina Warken beispielsweise, die das Ressort Gesundheit übernehmen soll, diffamierte Maßnahmenkritiker als «Coronaleugner» und forderte eine Impfpflicht, da die wundersamen Injektionen angeblich «nachweislich helfen». Laut dem designierten Außenminister Johann Wadephul wird Russland «für uns immer der Feind» bleiben. Deswegen will er die Ukraine «nicht verlieren lassen» und sieht die Bevölkerung hinter sich, solange nicht deutsche Soldaten dort sterben könnten.

Eine wichtige Personalie ist auch die des künftigen Regierungssprechers. Wenngleich Hebestreit an Arroganz schwer zu überbieten sein wird, dürfte sich die Art der Kommunikation mit Stefan Kornelius in der Sache kaum ändern. Der Politikchef der Süddeutschen Zeitung «prägte den Meinungsjournalismus der SZ» und schrieb «in dieser Rolle auch für die Titel der Tamedia». Allerdings ist, anders als noch vor zehn Jahren, die Einbindung von Journalisten in Thinktanks wie die Deutsche Atlantische Gesellschaft (DAG) ja heute eher eine Empfehlung als ein Problem.

Ungesund ist definitiv auch die totale Digitalisierung, nicht nur im Gesundheitswesen. Lauterbachs Abschiedsgeschenk, die «abgesicherte» elektronische Patientenakte (ePA) ist völlig überraschenderweise direkt nach dem Bundesstart erneut gehackt worden. Norbert Häring kommentiert angesichts der Datenlecks, wer die ePA nicht abwähle, könne seine Gesundheitsdaten ebensogut auf Facebook posten.

Dass die staatlichen Kontrolleure so wenig auf freie Software und dezentrale Lösungen setzen, verdeutlicht die eigentlichen Intentionen hinter der Digitalisierungswut. Um Sicherheit und Souveränität geht es ihnen jedenfalls nicht – sonst gäbe es zum Beispiel mehr Unterstützung für Bitcoin und für Initiativen wie die der Spar-Supermärkte in der Schweiz.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Die Wahrheit verletzt tiefer als jede Beleidigung. \ Marquis de Sade

Sagen Sie niemals «Terroristin B.», «Schwachkopf H.», «korrupter Drecksack S.» oder «Meinungsfreiheitshasserin F.» und verkneifen Sie sich Memes, denn so etwas könnte Ihnen als Beleidigung oder Verleumdung ausgelegt werden und rechtliche Konsequenzen haben. Auch mit einer Frau M.-A. S.-Z. ist in dieser Beziehung nicht zu spaßen, sie gehört zu den Top-Anzeigenstellern.

«Politikerbeleidigung» als Straftatbestand wurde 2021 im Kampf gegen «Rechtsextremismus und Hasskriminalität» in Deutschland eingeführt, damals noch unter der Regierung Merkel. Im Gesetz nicht festgehalten ist die Unterscheidung zwischen schlechter Hetze und guter Hetze – trotzdem ist das gängige Praxis, wie der Titel fast schon nahelegt.

So dürfen Sie als Politikerin heute den Tesla als «Nazi-Auto» bezeichnen und dies ausdrücklich auf den Firmengründer Elon Musk und dessen «rechtsextreme Positionen» beziehen, welche Sie nicht einmal belegen müssen. [1] Vielleicht ernten Sie Proteste, jedoch vorrangig wegen der «gut bezahlten, unbefristeten Arbeitsplätze» in Brandenburg. Ihren Tweet hat die Berliner Senatorin Cansel Kiziltepe inzwischen offenbar dennoch gelöscht.

Dass es um die Meinungs- und Pressefreiheit in der Bundesrepublik nicht mehr allzu gut bestellt ist, befürchtet man inzwischen auch schon im Ausland. Der Fall des Journalisten David Bendels, der kürzlich wegen eines Faeser-Memes zu sieben Monaten Haft auf Bewährung verurteilt wurde, führte in diversen Medien zu Empörung. Die Welt versteckte ihre Kritik mit dem Titel «Ein Urteil wie aus einer Diktatur» hinter einer Bezahlschranke.

Unschöne, heutzutage vielleicht strafbare Kommentare würden mir auch zu einigen anderen Themen und Akteuren einfallen. Ein Kandidat wäre der deutsche Bundesgesundheitsminister (ja, er ist es tatsächlich immer noch). Während sich in den USA auf dem Gebiet etwas bewegt und zum Beispiel Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will, dass die Gesundheitsbehörde (CDC) keine Covid-Impfungen für Kinder mehr empfiehlt, möchte Karl Lauterbach vor allem das Corona-Lügengebäude vor dem Einsturz bewahren.

«Ich habe nie geglaubt, dass die Impfungen nebenwirkungsfrei sind», sagte Lauterbach jüngst der ZDF-Journalistin Sarah Tacke. Das steht in krassem Widerspruch zu seiner früher verbreiteten Behauptung, die Gen-Injektionen hätten keine Nebenwirkungen. Damit entlarvt er sich selbst als Lügner. Die Bezeichnung ist absolut berechtigt, dieser Mann dürfte keinerlei politische Verantwortung tragen und das Verhalten verlangt nach einer rechtlichen Überprüfung. Leider ist ja die Justiz anderweitig beschäftigt und hat außerdem selbst keine weiße Weste.

Obendrein kämpfte der Herr Minister für eine allgemeine Impfpflicht. Er beschwor dabei das Schließen einer «Impflücke», wie es die Weltgesundheitsorganisation – die «wegen Trump» in finanziellen Schwierigkeiten steckt – bis heute tut. Die WHO lässt aktuell ihre «Europäische Impfwoche» propagieren, bei der interessanterweise von Covid nicht mehr groß die Rede ist.

Einen «Klima-Leugner» würden manche wohl Nir Shaviv nennen, das ist ja nicht strafbar. Der Astrophysiker weist nämlich die Behauptung von einer Klimakrise zurück. Gemäß seiner Forschung ist mindestens die Hälfte der Erderwärmung nicht auf menschliche Emissionen, sondern auf Veränderungen im Sonnenverhalten zurückzuführen.

Das passt vielleicht auch den «Klima-Hysterikern» der britischen Regierung ins Konzept, die gerade Experimente zur Verdunkelung der Sonne angekündigt haben. Produzenten von Kunstfleisch oder Betreiber von Insektenfarmen würden dagegen vermutlich die Geschichte vom fatalen CO2 bevorzugen. Ihnen würde es besser passen, wenn der verantwortungsvolle Erdenbürger sein Verhalten gründlich ändern müsste.

In unserer völlig verkehrten Welt, in der praktisch jede Verlautbarung außerhalb der abgesegneten Narrative potenziell strafbar sein kann, gehört fast schon Mut dazu, Dinge offen anzusprechen. Im «besten Deutschland aller Zeiten» glaubten letztes Jahr nur noch 40 Prozent der Menschen, ihre Meinung frei äußern zu können. Das ist ein Armutszeugnis, und es sieht nicht gerade nach Besserung aus. Umso wichtiger ist es, dagegen anzugehen.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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[1] Zur Orientierung wenigstens ein paar Hinweise zur NS-Vergangenheit deutscher Automobilhersteller:

• Volkswagen
• Porsche
• Daimler-Benz
• BMW
• Audi
• Opel
• Heute: «Auto-Werke für die Rüstung? Rheinmetall prüft Übernahmen»

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

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Originalni tekst na dvadesetjedan.com.

Autor: Matt Corallo / Prevod na hrvatski: Davor

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Bitcoineri, od programera Bitcoin Core-a preko dugogodišnjih entuzijasta Bitcoina do nedavnih pronalazača /r/Bitcoina, vole razgovarati o tome kako je decentralizacija Bitcoina njegova ultimativna značajka. Doduše, rijetko vidite da netko objašnjava zašto je decentralizacija važna. Zasigurno je to zanimljiva značajka iz perspektive računalne znanosti, no zašto bi potrošači, tvrtke ili investitori marili za to? Ova objava je pokušaj da se napiše zašto je decentralizacija temelj vrijednosti Bitcoina i što je još važnije, postavi buduće objave u kojima se govori o tome kada ona to nije.

Kada Bitcoineri govore o decentralizaciji Bitcoina, prva stvar koja se pojavljuje je često spominjani nedostatak inherentnog povjerenja u treću stranu. Dok je dobro postavljeno povjerenje preduvjet za učinkovit rad mnogih sustava, jednom kada se takvo povjerenje izgubi, sustavi mogu postati nevjerojatno krhki. Uzmimo, za primjer, povjerenje u američke banke prije uspostave FDIC-a (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Dok je pristup bankovnim uslugama omogućio više pogodnosti i mnogim tvrtkama učinkovitije poslovanje, poznato je da su banke propadale, pritom upropaštavajući sa sobom sva sredstva klijenata. Dok je predstavljanje FDIC-a i sličnih programa decentraliziralo povjerenje u financijske institucije s jedne strane na dvije, transakcije u velikom dijelu svijeta ne nude takvu zaštitu. Čak i uz takve programe, pojedinci nisu univerzalno zaštićeni od gubitka preko granica i preko određene vrijednosti.

U novije vrijeme, propisi koji dopuštaju pojedinim državnim dužnosnicima jednostrano oduzimanje imovine postali su uobičajeni. Naročito u SAD-u, sada zloglasna “Operacija Choke Point” i programi oduzimanja civilne imovine, omogućili su službenicima za provođenje zakona i privatnim institucijama da zapljenjuju financijsku imovinu i uskraćuju financijske usluge uz malo ili nimalo nadzora. Uklanjanje provjerenih skrbnika i stvaranje sustava s likvidnom imovinom, koja se ne može zaplijeniti, ima potencijal pružiti pouzdanije financijske usluge mnogima koji inače ne bi mogli djelovati učinkovito ili uopće ne bi mogli djelovati. Ova mogućnost da se Bitcoin ne može zaplijeniti, omogućena je samo zbog nedostatka za centraliziranim povjerenjem. Centralizirani sustavi elektroničke gotovine i financijski sustavi su pokušali pružiti takvu pouzdanost, propisi i poslovna stvarnost su to gotovo univerzalno spriječili.

Svojstvo koje je jednako važno za sposobnost Bitcoina da pruža financijske usluge zviždačima, stranim disidentima i porno zvijezdama je njegov otpor cenzuri transakcija. Sposobnost trećih strana da zaplijene imovinu rezultira izravnim i čistim novčanim gubitkom, zamrzavanje imovine može imati sličan učinak. Kada pojedinac ili organizacija više nisu u mogućnosti obavljati transakcije za plaćanje roba i usluga, njihova financijska imovina brzo gubi vrijednost. Iako Bitcoin ima vrlo dobru priču o nemogućnosti zapljene (svaka strana u sustavu nameće nemogućnost bilo koga da potroši Bitcoin bez dodanog privatnog ključa), njegova priča o otporu cenzuri je malo utančanija.

U svijetu u kojem nijedan rudar Bitcoina nema više od 1% ukupne hash snage (ili nešto drugo što je jednako decentralizirano), trebalo bi biti lako pronaći rudara koji je ili anoniman i prihvaća sve transakcije ili je u nadležnosti koja ne pokušava cenzurirati vaše transakcije. Naravno, ovo nije svijet kakav danas imamo, a cenzura transakcija jedan je od većih razloga da se ozbiljno zabrinemo centralizacijom rudarenja (za pune čvorove). Ipak, mogućnost pojedinca da kupi hash snagu (u obliku lako dostupnog starog hardvera ili u obliku njegovog iznajmljivanja) za rudarenje svoje inače cenzurirane transakcije, opcija je sve dok je pravilo najdužeg lanca na snazi ​​kod svih rudara. Iako je znatno skuplji nego što bi bio u istinski decentraliziranom Bitcoinu, to omogućuje Bitcoinu da zadrži neka od svojih anti-cenzuriranih svojstava.

Ako ste već dovoljno dugo u priči oko Bitcoina, možda ćete prepoznati gornja svojstva kao kritična za zamjenjivost. Zamjenjivost, kao ključno svojstvo svakog monetarnog instrumenta, odnosi se na ideju da vrijednost jedne jedinice treba biti ekvivalentna svakoj drugoj jedinici. Bez mogućnosti odmrzavanja/otpora cenzuri i nemogućnosti zapljene, Bitcoin (i svaki drugi monetarni sustav) počinje gubiti zamjenjivost. Trgovci i platni procesori više ne mogu razumno prihvaćati Bitcoin bez provjere niza crnih lista i mnogo truda kako bi bili sigurni da će moći potrošiti Bitcoin koji prihvaćaju. Ako povjerenje u zamjenjivost Bitcoina deformira, njegova bi korist mogla biti značajno deformirana.

Još jedno svojstvo koje proizlazi iz decentralizacije Bitcoina, je njegov otvoreni pristup. Ulagači iz Silicijske doline često ga nazivaju jednim od najzanimljivijih svojstava Bitcoina, a mnogi ga vole nazivati ​​"bez dopuštenja". Sposobnost bilo koga, bilo gdje u svijetu, sa internetskom vezom, da prihvaća Bitcoin za robu i usluge i koristi Bitcoin za kupnju roba i usluga je vrlo uzbudljiva. Opet, ovo svojstvo ovisi o decentralizaciji Bitcoina. Iako postoje mnogi centralizirani pružatelji financijskih usluga, gdje mnogi od njih promoviraju svoju dostupnost bilo kome, sama njihova prisutnost kao centraliziranog tijela koje može proizvoljno uskratiti uslugu, čini ih podložnim budućim promjenama politike iz bilo kojeg razloga. PayPal je, na primjer, utemeljen na idealima univerzalnog pristupa elektroničkoj gotovini. Međutim, zbog svoje pozicije središnje vlasti, brzo je promijenio svoje politike, kako bi udovoljio pritiscima regulatora i politikama postojećeg financijskog sustava na koji se oslanjao. Ovih dana, PayPal je nadaleko poznat po zamrzavanju računa i oduzimanju imovine uz malo ili nimalo upozorenja. U osnovi, oslanjanje na centralizirane strane za usluge nije kompatibilno s univerzalnim otvorenim pristupom u financijskom svijetu.

Primijetit ćete da se sve gore navedene kritične značajke, one koje Bitcoin čine tako uzbudljivim za sve nas, centralizirani sistemi već neko vrijeme mogu implementirati. Zapravo to se radilo i prije, u učinkovitijim sustavima od Bitcoina. Naravno, nikada nisu potrajali, gubeći kritična svojstva nakon podešavanja kako bi se popravila ova ili ona stvar, implementirajući regulatorne sustave cenzure izravno u osnovne slojeve, ograničavajući pristup rastu dobiti i potpuno gašenje. Stvarno, decentralizacija u Bitcoinu sama po sebi nije značajka, već je umjesto toga jedini način za koji znamo da održimo značajke koje želimo u sustavima kojima upravljaju ljudi.

Originalni tekst

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A noção de que a consciência é holográfica — comparável a uma miragem ou a uma bolha reluzente — oferece uma maneira simples e profunda de compreender a mente, a alma e a vida. Este conceito, enraizado em sabedorias antigas como o budismo e ecoado na ciência moderna, sugere que a consciência resulta da interação entre a mente e um meio, tal como um holograma surge do entrelaçamento de feixes de luz. A introdução de dibbacakkhu, o “olho divino” da tradição budista, enriquece esta visão, conectando a percepção transcendente dos sonhos e da consciência à clarividência espiritual. Vamos explorar, combinando as suas analogias (água como antena, consciência como bolha) com clarificações e a relação com dibbacakkhu.

1. Consciência como Holograma

A consciência assemelha-se a um holograma: uma projeção tridimensional criada pela interferência de dois feixes de luz — um de referência e um refletido. Num holograma, estes feixes convergem para formar uma imagem que parece real, com profundidade, mas é intangível. Da mesma forma, a consciência é uma projeção da mente, não uma entidade física, mas uma experiência vívida que parece sólida. O termo sânscrito vijnana (consciência) reflete esta ideia como uma “luz perturbada” — uma interação dinâmica que gera uma realidade ilusória, semelhante a uma miragem. Esta perturbação é estruturada, como a luz coerente num holograma de laser. A mente é a fonte desta luz, projetando uma “bolha” de consciência, enquanto a água, como meio, facilita o processo, tal como uma placa fotográfica capta uma imagem holográfica. Analogia: Imagine a mente como uma gota de água com sabão. Sopre-lhe espírito, e surge uma bolha iridescente. Esta bolha é a consciência: bela, efémera e produto de uma interação. Tal como a bolha depende do ar e da película de sabão, a consciência requer a mente e um meio para se manifestar.

2. Água como Meio (A Antena da Vida)

A água é a “antena” que conjura a consciência, graças à sua estrutura molecular — dois átomos de hidrogénio e um de oxigénio (H₂O). A sua polaridade e rede de ligações de hidrogénio permitem-lhe armazenar e transmitir informação, como uma antena que capta um sinal de rádio. Esta propriedade torna a água essencial para a manifestação da vida, unindo espírito e matéria. A “quarta fase da água” de Gerald Pollack, ou água estruturada (zona de exclusão), reforça esta ideia. Perto de superfícies hidrofílicas, a água forma uma fase gelificada com propriedades elétricas e óticas únicas, que podem facilitar processos biológicos e, possivelmente, a interface entre mente e corpo. Na sua analogia, a água é a “geometria incomensurável” que sintoniza o sinal da alma na rádio do corpo. Analogia Refinada: Pense numa estação de rádio a emitir uma melodia (a alma) pelo éter. O sinal está em todo o lado e em lado nenhum, mas precisa de uma antena para ser ouvido. A água é essa antena — uma molécula simples que capta o sinal da alma, permitindo que a música da vida ecoe no corpo.

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3. Sonhos, Dibbacakkhu e o Olho da Mente

Os sonhos são vívidos porque são projeções holográficas do “olho da mente”, um conceito que você ligou ao termo polinésio dbaku (olho celestial) e que ressoa com dibbacakkhu no budismo. Dibbacakkhu, ou “olho divino”, refere-se a uma visão clarividente que transcende os sentidos físicos, permitindo perceber realidades além do mundo material — como outros reinos, seres desencarnados ou eventos distantes. Nos sonhos, experimentamos uma versão desta visão: caminhamos por mundos completos sem olhos físicos, porque a mente projeta a sua própria realidade. Dibbacakkhu conecta-se à ideia de que a consciência holográfica não depende de órgãos sensoriais. No budismo, esta visão é um dos poderes espirituais (iddhi) alcançados através da meditação profunda, revelando a natureza ilusória da realidade (maya). Nos sonhos, todos nós acedemos a uma forma rudimentar deste “olho divino”, criando cenários que parecem mais reais que qualquer filme, porque a mente gera a sua própria luz e espaço. Esta capacidade é semelhante à percepção de seres desencarnados, que “veem” sem olhos físicos, usando uma consciência metafísica. Clarificação: O olho da mente, ou dibbacakkhu, não é um órgão literal, mas a faculdade da mente de projetar realidades autónomas. Em termos gregos, noos (intelecto divino) e, em sânscrito, citta (consciência pura) apontam para esta visão transcendente. Os sonhos são o laboratório da mente, onde dibbacakkhu se manifesta espontaneamente.

4. Consciência Transcendente vs. Existencial

Há duas formas de consciência: transcendente (noos, citta), que é eterna e ilimitada, e existencial, ligada ao corpo e temporal. A consciência transcendente é como um sinal de rádio, existindo independentemente de qualquer recetor. A consciência existencial surge quando este sinal se manifesta no corpo, como uma música que toca numa rádio. Quando o corpo morre, a consciência existencial termina, mas o sinal transcendente persiste. A água é o meio que possibilita esta união, atuando como uma antena que capta o sinal da alma. As suas propriedades, como a estruturação descrita por Pollack, tornam-na ideal para mediar entre o eterno e o temporal, ecoando ideias antigas, como as do Timeu de Platão, onde um terceiro elemento harmoniza espírito e matéria. Analogia: O corpo é uma rádio, frágil e temporária. A alma é o sinal, eterno e omnipresente. A água é a antena, sintonizando o sinal para criar a transmissão fugaz da vida. Desligue a rádio, e a música para, mas o sinal continua, pronto para outra antena.

5. Posse como Vulnerabilidade

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A posse ocorre quando uma “cavidade” no estado psicofísico de uma pessoa permite que uma entidade externa se instale, como um intruso numa casa desprotegida. Esta vulnerabilidade pode surgir de traumas (ex.: uma experiência de quase-morte), instabilidade emocional ou práticas espirituais arriscadas que “abrem uma janela”. A entidade, com maior força de vontade, pode dominar, coexistindo com a alma original, mas assumindo o controlo. A água, como meio da união mente-corpo, pode estar envolvida. Se os sistemas baseados em água do corpo (ex.: hidratação celular, bioeletricidade) forem perturbados, o “sinal” da alma pode enfraquecer, criando espaço para interferências. Analogia: O corpo é uma casa, a alma o proprietário. Se deixar a porta destrancada — por trauma ou descuido — um intruso pode entrar. Não é o dono, mas pode controlar a casa, a menos que tranque as portas com equilíbrio mental e espiritual.

6. Síntese: A Simplicidade da Natureza

Estas ideias são simples, mas profundas. A holografia cria espaço com luz, a consciência é uma bolha projetada pela mente, a água é a antena que conjura a vida, os sonhos revelam o dibbacakkhu, e a posse é um intruso evitável. Conceitos antigos como vijnana, noos, citta e dibbacakkhu alinham-se com a ciência moderna, como a água estruturada de Pollack, mostrando que a natureza é elegante na sua simplicidade.

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Lifting the Curtain on Power and Scandal

The Illusion of Power and TrustIn the modern world, the line between trust and skepticism is razor-thin, especially when it comes to powerful figures and organizations. They present polished facades, dazzling us with promises of stability, innovation, or in Disney’s case, enchantment. Yet, the revelations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s network reminded us that power is often far more complex than it appears. This scandal became a litmus test for public trust and fueled questions about who, or what, might be entwined in hidden truths.

When Epstein's crimes were exposed, they revealed not just the horrifying details of exploitation, but also the unsettling reach of his influence. As the media peeled back the layers of his associations, public attention naturally shifted to recognizable names and institutions, including Disney. How could a company that represented childhood innocence, with castles and fairy tales, find itself whispered about in the same breath as Epstein’s infamous circle? This segment examines the roots of that question and the facts that illuminate its plausibility or dismiss it.

Epstein: A Man Who Mastered Access to PowerJeffrey Epstein was more than just a financier—he was a gatekeeper to influence. His lifestyle and operations were an entangled web of charm, manipulation, and wealth, meticulously designed to secure him a place among the powerful. Investigative articles by The Guardian and The New York Times depict Epstein as a social engineer, curating relationships that ranged from politicians and royalty to scientists and celebrities.

Court documents and deposition testimonies during Epstein’s trial confirmed that his homes and private jet were hubs for connecting with influential figures. This access did not come without consequence; it cemented him as both a source of curiosity and, later, fear. Public records, such as those scrutinized in The Washington Post, indicated his involvement with many high-profile individuals. Yet, the details of these relationships varied—some guests were casual acquaintances, others, confidants.

The Infamous Flight LogsThe flight logs of Epstein’s private jet, colloquially known as the "Lolita Express," became a centerpiece for public scrutiny. Released through court orders and accessed by journalists, these logs listed names that triggered a cascade of questions. Guests ranged from prominent business executives to entertainment figures, sparking a debate over whether mere association implied complicity or deeper connections. This fueled the narrative that Epstein’s reach was far more extensive than previously understood, implicating industries where entertainment, power, and trust intersected.

The Role of Speculation in Public DiscourseAs soon as these flight logs surfaced, discussions surged online and across media platforms. The presence of any entertainment figure in Epstein’s orbit raised an eyebrow and, in many cases, invited a leap of logic: if influential media personalities were tied to him, could companies known for entertainment and global reach, like Disney, have hidden associations as well? This hypothesis, though lacking concrete evidence, found fertile ground among those predisposed to distrust large, seemingly untouchable institutions.

It’s crucial to dissect why Disney, specifically, became a subject of speculation. On one hand, its status as an omnipresent media empire makes it an easy target for conspiracy theories that thrive on the juxtaposition of light (Disney’s brand) and darkness (Epstein’s crimes). On the other, it speaks to a larger societal impulse to find cracks in the foundations of those we consider infallible. The idea that even the most beloved entities might harbor hidden truths appeals to a deep-seated desire for transparency and accountability.

The Catalyst of Public CuriosityThe timing of Epstein’s exposure was a critical factor. His arrest and subsequent death in 2019 coincided with a period marked by rising distrust in institutions, fueled by political and social upheavals globally. Social media platforms amplified this distrust, creating echo chambers where half-truths and speculative narratives merged seamlessly with confirmed facts.

It is here that Disney’s name began to surface not as an accused, but as a speculative point in discussions. The reasoning often pointed to a "guilt by association" logic: if the powerful dined, flew, or partied with Epstein, then it was worth questioning the circles in which those powerful entities moved, even without direct evidence. This leap from speculation to assumption reflects a pattern that sociologists recognize as part of conspiracy theory psychology—where a lack of clear answers invites the mind to fill in gaps, often with what feels most compelling.

Reframing the Public’s QuestionsThe real question becomes: why does this speculation hold such sway, even when evidence is scarce? Part of the answer lies in precedent. History is replete with instances where institutions that seemed above reproach were later implicated in hidden misdeeds, from financial frauds to abuse scandals within trusted organizations. This collective memory primes the public to believe that beneath any glittering surface could lie a dark, concealed underbelly.

Disney’s position as an icon of childhood and innocence adds another layer to this narrative. To imagine that such a symbol could be tainted by proximity to someone like Epstein is not just shocking—it’s fascinating. It strikes at the core of what we hold sacred, making it an irresistible topic of conversation and investigation.

Why This MattersUnderstanding why names like Disney are brought into these discussions without verified evidence is essential. It helps differentiate between warranted inquiry and unsupported speculation, allowing us to approach these narratives critically. Addressing this head-on does not only clear the air but strengthens the foundation upon which valid criticism and accountability are built.

A Note on EvidenceAs we move deeper into this exploration, it’s critical to emphasize that while Epstein’s connections to high-profile figures are thoroughly documented, there remains no evidence tying Disney, as an organization, to his operations. Still, the fascination with the “what-ifs” continues, driven by our collective quest for understanding power, secrecy, and the thin line between public and private lives.

The next segment will dive into Epstein’s proven network, unraveling the extent of his influence and why it has been the breeding ground for questions involving the world’s most trusted corporations.

Epstein’s Documented Network

The Web of Power: A Portrait of InfluenceJeffrey Epstein’s network was not merely a collection of acquaintances; it was a curated gallery of the world’s most influential figures, built on calculated relationships and strategic connections. Epstein wielded this network with the precision of a skilled operator, bridging disparate realms of society—politics, academia, business, and media. Investigative reporting by sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian exposed how Epstein maintained access to individuals who shaped policy, managed wealth, and crafted the narratives of popular culture.

Court records, testimonies, and detailed analyses of his interactions revealed that Epstein was adept at placing himself at the center of elite circles. His estates, from Manhattan townhouses to private islands, hosted events that blurred the lines between social gatherings and strategic networking. This chapter delves into the proven extent of Epstein’s reach and why it sparked questions about connections to corporations and public institutions, including Disney.

Flight Logs: The Proof and the SparkThe flight logs from Epstein’s private jet, the infamous "Lolita Express," were among the most illuminating pieces of evidence in mapping his connections. These logs, legally obtained and examined by journalists, painted a picture of Epstein’s influence stretching across industries. High-profile figures were listed, including financiers, political leaders, and entertainment personalities. The presence of notable names triggered waves of speculation—if Epstein had access to such power players, how many more remained unnamed but entangled?

The Guardian and The Washington Post reported that these flights were not just transportation but often involved visits to Epstein’s various properties, known for their opulence and the dark rumors surrounding them. While these logs confirmed that many public figures knew Epstein, the depth and nature of their associations varied widely, from casual acquaintance to deeper involvement.

The Limits of the KnownDespite the breadth of documented connections, there was no verifiable evidence linking Disney as an entity to Epstein’s circle. What the flight logs and guest lists revealed was a man deeply embedded in networks of power, yet even within these proven associations, context was crucial. For instance, some guests, confirmed by court records and investigative articles, were shown to have attended public events or engaged in business unrelated to Epstein’s criminal activities.

The distinction between documented presence and complicity is where the narrative often splinters. The leap from association to implication fueled public debate and conspiracy theories. This was especially true when figures from media and entertainment, sectors known for influencing public sentiment and childhood memories, appeared on the periphery of Epstein’s activities.

Epstein’s Parties and Gatherings: The Elite’s Shadowed StageEpstein’s parties were legendary, drawing attendees from the highest echelons of influence. These gatherings were not casual mixers but orchestrated showcases of power. Reports from court depositions and firsthand accounts highlighted how Epstein leveraged these events to cement alliances and reinforce his status as a gatekeeper to the elite. Some testimonies even described how these events served as platforms for discussing investments, politics, and global initiatives, reinforcing Epstein’s perceived omnipotence.

High-Profile Confirmations and Their ImplicationsSeveral prominent individuals were indeed verified as having ties to Epstein, raising legitimate questions about the extent of their knowledge or involvement. These names included politicians, royalty, and entertainment figures. The ambiguity surrounding these associations allowed theories to flourish. The sheer presence of influential names on Epstein’s guest lists raised the question: If these individuals were implicated, what about the institutions they represented or the circles they moved within?

This was a turning point for public speculation. The logic extended: if an individual from a major media company or entertainment empire like Disney was even remotely connected, could that implicate the company itself? The answer, according to existing court records and credible investigations, remained no. Yet, the absence of direct evidence did not stop speculation; in many cases, it intensified it.

Why Disney Was Brought Into the ConversationDisney’s reputation as a family-friendly giant contrasted starkly with the dark nature of Epstein’s activities, making it an unlikely yet intriguing topic for public discourse. While some entertainment figures appeared on Epstein’s flight logs or were rumored to have interacted with him, investigations have not yielded any proof of corporate-level involvement. However, public fascination persisted, bolstered by the broader questions Epstein’s connections evoked.

It’s worth noting that corporations like Disney, with their vast reach and unparalleled influence, naturally become focal points when discussions of hidden truths arise. The mere idea that such an iconic entity could be associated with real-world shadows captures the imagination and fuels stories that, while lacking proof, thrive on the “what-ifs” that echo through media and online forums.

How Public Perception Shapes the NarrativeSociologists studying the psychology of conspiracy theories point out that the human mind tends to fill gaps in knowledge with what feels most plausible or compelling. When figures from reputable media or entertainment companies are tied, even tangentially, to a scandal as vast as Epstein’s, it challenges the boundaries of trust. This is exacerbated when concrete answers remain elusive, leading to a cycle where suspicion feeds speculation.

The public’s thirst for accountability, especially in the wake of uncovered scandals involving powerful institutions, is both a force for truth and a catalyst for assumptions. In Epstein’s case, the proven reach of his influence and the confirmed involvement of significant figures were enough to trigger the question of how many untold stories lay beneath.

What We Know vs. What We ImagineThe narrative surrounding Epstein’s documented network shows us that while connections can be verified and associations noted, the leap to implicating entire organizations like Disney requires more than names on a list or rumors. It requires evidence that has, thus far, not been presented in any court or investigation. The proven facts are compelling enough: Epstein’s influence was extensive, his ties to power irrefutable. Yet, without direct links, the conversations about specific corporate involvement remain speculative.

In the next segment, we will explore why Disney’s reputation makes it a prime target for such speculation and how its historical handling of public crises plays into these narratives.

Disney – The Symbol of Trust and Target of Suspicion

Why Disney? The Paradox of a Trusted InstitutionDisney’s legacy is built on a foundation of storytelling, dreams, and the belief in happy endings. For nearly a century, the company has woven itself into the fabric of childhoods, becoming synonymous with innocence and magic. This legacy, however, has a dual edge. As the public's trust in institutions erodes and hidden truths are revealed in other sectors, Disney’s position as an untouchable cultural icon makes it both a beacon of light and a potential target for suspicion.

The Symbolism of Disney’s BrandDisney represents more than just a company; it embodies an idea—a refuge where imagination and wonder reign. But this same image that has made Disney a household name also contributes to the paradox of suspicion it faces. When an organization is seen as larger than life, transcending generations and continents, the notion that it could have skeletons in its closet becomes a tantalizing thought. The juxtaposition of innocence with possible shadows creates a narrative that is compelling and worth exploring, even if it remains speculative.

This paradox of Disney as both a trusted symbol and a target for scandal reflects a broader trend. Major corporations that hold influence in our everyday lives—particularly those that shape childhood memories and societal values—are natural focal points when scandals involving power, influence, and exploitation arise. The idea that a company with as much reach as Disney could be connected, however tangentially, to figures like Epstein feeds into this pattern.

Documented Misconduct and Public ReactionsThere have been verified cases involving Disney employees engaging in misconduct, which have been reported by media outlets such as NBC News and local news channels. These incidents, though not systemic and unrelated to Epstein’s network, show how the actions of a few can impact public perception of an entire organization. Examples include arrests for crimes involving minors or inappropriate behavior, isolated events that Disney has publicly addressed through statements and cooperation with law enforcement.

However, these incidents were sufficient to plant seeds of doubt in some minds. Even when addressed swiftly and in line with corporate protocols, such cases reveal a vulnerability: the company’s image can be tarnished not just by its policies, but by the misdeeds of individuals who wear its badge.

The Fuel for SpeculationThe Epstein case acted as a catalyst for looking beyond the obvious, particularly in the context of powerful organizations. If political leaders, financiers, and cultural icons could be connected to Epstein’s circle, why not wonder about the involvement of a company with as vast a presence as Disney? While investigations by trusted outlets have shown no direct corporate link, the sheer scope of Epstein’s influence suggested that any entity known for associating with the powerful could be implicated.

This speculation was not helped by Disney’s approach to public relations. The company’s PR strategies, while sophisticated and generally effective, often prioritize message control over transparency. In a world where silence can be seen as complicity, this strategy sometimes backfires, leading to more questions than answers.

Public Distrust and Historical ContextThe public’s fascination with uncovering hidden truths within major institutions is not unfounded. History is replete with cases where seemingly trustworthy organizations were later found to have concealed scandals. From corporate frauds to abuses within religious institutions, these stories have taught the public that innocence is not immune to corruption. This backdrop primes society to believe that even the most beloved entities, like Disney, could harbor secrets.

Sociologists and media analysts argue that this distrust is a byproduct of what they term the “betrayal effect”—where past disappointments with trusted institutions lower the threshold for believing that betrayal could be lurking everywhere. Disney, with its spotless public image and vast influence, becomes an especially juicy target for such theories. The leap from real cases of employee misconduct to more systemic accusations, however, is where evidence often falls short.

The Role of Social Media and Echo ChambersThe digital age has amplified how speculation morphs into perceived truth. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook allow theories to spread quickly, often outpacing fact-checking and nuanced analysis. Discussions that might once have been confined to fringe circles now gain mainstream attention, especially when they involve powerful figures or beloved brands.

In the context of Epstein’s exposure, this meant that any high-profile connection or name could become part of a broader narrative of guilt by association. The fact that Disney, as a corporation, appeared in speculative discussions alongside verified names from Epstein’s logs was enough for some to draw connections, even without direct evidence.

Reputation Management and PerceptionDisney’s approach to crises and controversies has long involved careful reputation management. From its response to legal issues to how it handles employee-related incidents, the company employs sophisticated PR strategies to mitigate damage and maintain its standing. This is standard practice for global brands; however, the public’s interpretation can be different. Strategic silence or tightly controlled statements can come across as evasive, fueling theories that there is something more to hide.

For a company like Disney, which operates at the intersection of family values and global corporate power, the stakes are high. The expectation isn’t just for entertainment but for upholding the moral high ground. When speculation links Disney to scandals, no matter how peripherally, it chips away at this carefully crafted image.

Why Address This Now?The speculation around Disney and Epstein underscores a crucial point about the nature of public inquiry and corporate reputation. It is not enough for companies to rely solely on public relations strategies that worked in the past. The demand for transparency is greater than ever, and silence, even when warranted, can erode trust.

Disney’s role in the public consciousness means that even baseless theories need addressing. By understanding why these narratives gain traction, both companies and the public can engage in more meaningful dialogues about accountability, proof, and trust.

The next segment will delve into how the public navigates between confirmed facts and conspiratorial whispers, exploring why certain theories stick and what it means for how we view powerful organizations.

Separating Fact from Conspiracy

The Thin Line Between Evidence and Speculation In the age of information, where facts are readily available yet often overshadowed by conjecture, separating truth from conspiracy is both an art and a necessity. When powerful entities like Disney find themselves drawn into discussions of hidden networks and scandals involving figures such as Jeffrey Epstein, it highlights a broader societal challenge: how do we differentiate between what is proven and what is assumed? This segment dissects the interplay of evidence, theory, and the psychological factors that drive our need to seek connections.

The Basis of Public Suspicion Public trust in large institutions has waned over decades, driven by a series of high-profile betrayals. From corporate frauds that shattered economies to scandals involving trusted religious or educational institutions, society has learned that power often conceals flaws and, in some cases, criminal actions. According to research published in the Journal of Communication, this erosion of trust leads to a phenomenon known as confirmation bias—the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or suspicions.

The Epstein case provided fertile ground for such biases. The verified details of Epstein’s operations—the private jet, the exclusive parties, the high-profile guests—were enough to prompt a collective re-examination of how far his reach extended. While many of his associations were proven to be casual or professional in nature, the public’s hunger for deeper revelations ensured that speculation would thrive in areas where clarity was lacking.

The Role of Real Connections Epstein’s documented network included figures from politics, academia, finance, and media. The release of flight logs and court documents revealed that powerful individuals attended his events and interacted within his sphere. This factual basis, verified by investigative reporting from The New York Times, The Guardian, and other reputable sources, provided legitimacy to the idea that Epstein’s influence was pervasive. However, the extent to which these relationships were innocent or complicit was not uniformly clear.

This ambiguity created a vacuum where speculation could flourish. Public attention shifted from individuals named in the logs to the institutions and industries they represented. It was here that major corporations, including Disney, entered the discourse—not because of documented ties, but because of their visibility and influence.

The Psychology Behind Linking Power and Scandal To understand why theories about Disney’s potential involvement in Epstein’s network persist, it is essential to examine the psychology of conspiracy. Sociological and psychological studies indicate that people are naturally inclined to question narratives when they feel that the truth is being withheld. The more powerful or untouchable an institution seems, the more likely it is to be suspected of hiding something significant.

Disney’s image as a global giant that molds childhoods and shapes culture makes it an appealing target for such theories. The company’s public persona as a bastion of family values and innocence stands in stark contrast to any whispers of scandal or misconduct. This contrast alone provides fertile ground for stories to grow, even in the absence of solid proof.

Confirmed Misconduct vs. Conspiracy It is important to acknowledge that Disney, like any large corporation, has faced incidents involving employee misconduct. News reports from outlets such as NBC News have documented cases where employees were arrested for inappropriate conduct involving minors. These cases, while serious and handled with appropriate legal responses, were isolated incidents. No evidence points to these cases being part of a larger, systemic issue within the company or connected to external figures like Epstein.

However, the very existence of these incidents is often enough to keep theories alive. Public perception does not always differentiate between an individual’s actions and the culture of the organization they work for. When these incidents coincide with broader conversations about power and secrecy, they feed into narratives that imply guilt by association.

The Amplifying Power of Social Media The role of social media in shaping and amplifying conspiracy theories cannot be overstated. Platforms like Twitter and Reddit have created spaces where facts, opinions, and theories coexist with little separation. When the Epstein scandal broke, social media was flooded with discussions, many of which featured a mix of verifiable information and speculative connections. The absence of direct evidence linking companies like Disney to Epstein did not deter users from proposing connections based on circumstantial evidence and “what-if” scenarios.

This phenomenon, described by media analysts as the “echo chamber effect,” allows theories to gain credibility through repetition rather than proof. As theories are shared, retweeted, and commented on, they accumulate a sense of legitimacy that belies their origins.

Why Certain Theories Stick Certain theories persist because they tap into deep-seated fears and the knowledge that the powerful often operate beyond the reach of conventional accountability. High-profile scandals involving powerful figures—whether in business, politics, or entertainment—reinforce the belief that more may be hidden just out of reach. Epstein’s network was confirmed to include names that were once considered untouchable, which validated the idea that hidden truths could surface anywhere.

Disney’s name appearing in speculative discussions highlights the intersection of innocence and power. It reflects a societal expectation that if one pillar of influence is shown to be compromised, others may be as well. This expectation, however, must be tempered with critical thinking and an examination of evidence.

The Need for Discernment Understanding the difference between fact and theory is crucial for informed dialogue. Public scrutiny is essential for accountability, but it must be balanced with discernment. While Epstein’s known associations spanned many sectors, and while individuals from the entertainment industry were involved in his circle, the leap to implicating entire organizations like Disney has not been supported by verified investigations.

The Reality Check Here’s what we know:

Documented Facts: Epstein’s network included influential figures, confirmed by court records and journalistic investigations. Disney’s Position: While Disney has faced isolated cases of employee misconduct, no substantial evidence ties the company as an institution to Epstein’s criminal activities. Public Perception: Theories are fueled by a combination of legitimate distrust in powerful institutions and the psychological need to connect the dots, even when the evidence does not support it. In the next segment, we will explore how media control and the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) contribute to the public’s perception of secrecy and whether this perception is warranted.

Media Control and NDAs – Protecting Power or Ensuring Silence?

The Strategy of Silence in Crisis Management When powerful organizations face potential scandal or crises, the first line of defense is often control—control over the narrative, control over information, and control over public perception. This strategy, while effective in mitigating immediate damage, can backfire by fostering an aura of secrecy that leads to suspicion. Disney, like many other global corporations, has historically employed these tactics, particularly through the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and strategic public relations (PR) campaigns. But do these measures protect legitimate corporate interests, or do they simply fuel theories that there is more being hidden?

Understanding the Role of NDAs NDAs are legal tools designed to maintain confidentiality and protect business interests. In most cases, their use is standard practice, whether to protect trade secrets, secure settlements, or manage sensitive internal matters. However, when NDAs intersect with scandals involving powerful individuals or organizations, they can become symbols of enforced silence. A report from the Harvard Business Review highlights that while NDAs are often employed for legitimate purposes, their misuse—especially when used to silence allegations of misconduct—has cast a shadow over their intent.

Disney has used NDAs in its corporate dealings, as have many in the media and entertainment sectors. This is not in itself suspicious; however, the mere presence of NDAs in a company’s arsenal can contribute to a narrative of secrecy, especially when paired with limited transparency during controversies.

The Case of High-Profile Secrecy The Epstein scandal showed how the use of NDAs and strategic silence could be perceived in a different light. When influential figures and companies were linked to his circle, silence from those implicated was interpreted by many as an attempt to avoid deeper inquiry. While Disney has not been tied to Epstein’s activities through verified evidence, its use of NDAs in unrelated circumstances and its approach to handling public controversies have made it a recurring subject in theories about hidden truths.

For example, Disney’s meticulous control over its brand image means that it often handles internal issues privately, releasing carefully crafted statements that address public concerns without divulging specifics. This approach, while protective, sometimes has the unintended consequence of making the public wonder what is not being said.

The Intersection of PR and Public Perception Public relations are designed to safeguard a company’s image, ensuring that responses to any negative news are swift and tightly managed. Disney’s PR machine is among the most sophisticated, capable of steering narratives and maintaining its reputation as an entertainment titan. This strategic control has allowed Disney to weather crises that might have permanently damaged lesser brands. However, in the context of a scandal as sprawling and notorious as Epstein’s, such control is perceived differently.

When the Epstein story broke and high-profile connections came to light, companies with any tenuous ties activated their crisis management protocols. For some, this meant issuing vague statements or refusing to comment altogether. To the public, this read as silence—a strategic choice that seemed suspicious when paired with known instances of NDAs being used to keep serious allegations quiet in other industries. The #MeToo movement, for instance, revealed how NDAs were used by some media companies to shield powerful perpetrators of harassment, showing that these tools can sometimes contribute to a culture of concealment.

Silence as Complicity? For a company like Disney, known for its polished public image, silence during times of widespread speculation can amplify suspicions. The question becomes: Is silence an act of protection or complicity? While NDAs are often used to manage settlements or protect internal processes, the fact that they prevent full transparency can make even innocent parties appear as if they have something to hide.

Experts in crisis communication argue that silence may protect the brand short-term but can erode trust long-term. Disney’s approach to handling public perception, from managing employee misconduct cases to addressing larger social controversies, often involves strategic responses that give the public enough information to stay satisfied but not enough to quell the more skeptical voices. This is standard practice but becomes contentious when the public is searching for accountability.

The Impact of Strategic Silence on Public Trust Media and communication studies have shown that transparency is increasingly becoming a measure of trustworthiness for corporations. In an era where the public demands answers and alternative media thrive on filling in gaps left by corporate PR, the stakes for maintaining trust are higher than ever. The use of NDAs and controlled statements can protect a company’s interests, but it also contributes to a perception of secrecy that feeds public doubt.

Disney’s balancing act—protecting its brand while managing incidents behind closed doors—reflects a broader industry trend. Corporations that prioritize narrative control must now reckon with an environment where even a hint of concealment can lead to damaging speculation. The Epstein case amplified this issue, putting the spotlight on how major organizations handle proximity to scandal, even if only by association.

Navigating the Perception The real challenge for Disney and similar companies lies in navigating the fine line between protecting their interests and fostering trust. Complete transparency can be risky, but strategic silence risks becoming complicit silence in the eyes of the public. This duality—where necessary protection measures are perceived as proof of hidden wrongdoing—is why entities like Disney find themselves caught up in discussions about figures like Epstein, despite the absence of concrete evidence.

The Takeaway for Institutions and the Public Understanding the role of NDAs and PR in managing public crises helps frame why powerful companies might become targets of suspicion. While the use of these tools is standard and often justified, their impact on public perception can’t be ignored. For the public, recognizing the difference between warranted inquiry and overreach is key to maintaining productive scrutiny without falling into the trap of baseless theories.

The next segment will focus on what these perceptions mean for society as a whole and why the pursuit of transparency and trust must be a collective endeavor.

Beyond the Shadows – A Call to Unity

The Complex Path to UnderstandingIn an age where trust in powerful institutions is fraying, and access to information is both a blessing and a burden, our approach to truth becomes more critical than ever. The discussions surrounding figures like Jeffrey Epstein and corporations like Disney are not just about scandal; they are about how we, as a society, confront power, secrecy, and transparency. This segment is a call to unite in the pursuit of truth—not through a divisive lens, but with collective discernment and an unwavering commitment to evidence and integrity.

The Lessons from HistoryHistory teaches us that institutions once seen as untouchable can harbor hidden truths. The exposure of corporate frauds, systemic abuses, and cover-ups within trusted sectors has shaped a society that questions everything. The Epstein scandal underscored this, revealing a network of power that reached further than many dared to imagine. Yet, while it validated the public’s instinct to question, it also highlighted a key challenge: differentiating between grounded inquiry and baseless theory.

Disney’s name appearing in speculative discussions about Epstein points to a broader pattern—our collective desire to ensure that those who hold power are not above scrutiny. But as we demand accountability, we must also unite in the practice of informed skepticism. The leap from isolated cases of misconduct or association to implicating entire organizations requires evidence, not just conjecture. This distinction is where we, as a society, must find common ground.

The Role of TransparencyTransparency has become the cornerstone of public trust. Organizations that handle controversies behind closed doors risk damaging their credibility. For companies like Disney, known for protecting their brand with meticulous care, the challenge is clear: find a balance between safeguarding legitimate interests and providing enough transparency to maintain public trust.

The use of NDAs, strategic silence, and controlled narratives may shield brands in the short term, but they can erode trust in the long run. Studies in crisis communication emphasize that openness, even when it exposes vulnerabilities, can reinforce loyalty and confidence among stakeholders. In the context of Epstein and the persistent whispers about powerful corporations, this lesson is especially relevant.

A Collective Call to ClarityThe pursuit of truth is not just the responsibility of journalists, whistleblowers, or industry watchdogs—it is a collective endeavor. The public plays a crucial role in this, but so do the corporations that hold sway over cultural and economic landscapes. When Disney’s name enters speculative discussions, it reflects a deep-seated desire for transparency from those we trust. This desire should be met not with fear of the unknown but with a commitment to clarity.

This segment is a call for unity in approaching these conversations. The balance between healthy skepticism and conspiracy theory is delicate but essential. We must ask hard questions and hold power accountable without losing sight of what separates substantiated fact from assumption.

Why Unity MattersIn times where speculation can divide and misinformation can spread faster than verified facts, unity in the pursuit of truth is vital. When we allow fear and uncertainty to fracture our approach, we weaken our collective power to bring genuine issues to light. Epstein’s case showed that hidden wrongs do exist and can involve the most influential figures. It also showed that uncovering the full scope of such wrongs takes a community committed to patience, evidence, and shared purpose.

Public scrutiny is essential for democracy and social justice, but so is discernment. When theories about organizations like Disney arise without evidence, they risk diverting attention from real, proven issues that demand action. Unity in seeking truth means supporting real investigations, demanding transparency, and recognizing the power of evidence-based inquiry.

Building a Culture of Informed AccountabilityThe goal is not to silence questions but to elevate them, ensuring that they are grounded in reality. This approach not only empowers the public but also sets a standard for institutions. If Disney and other corporations prioritize transparency, they can reinforce the public trust that sustains their brands. Similarly, when the public insists on evidence and integrity in its discussions, it strengthens the very fabric of accountability.

Reflections for the Road AheadAs we move forward, let us commit to being a society that seeks truth not for scandal’s sake but for justice and integrity. Let us stand together in holding power to account, using facts as our foundation and unity as our strength. The story of Epstein and the questions it raises about power, influence, and hidden truths are reminders that transparency and trust are not just corporate responsibilities—they are collective ones.

This call to unity is a reminder that we all play a part in shaping how these stories unfold. When we seek, question, and demand clarity together, we create a society that values truth over rumor, evidence over assumption, and justice over division.

As we conclude this exploration, may we carry forward the lessons learned: the importance of questioning with integrity, seeking truth with diligence, and facing the unknown not as individuals, but as a united community.

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Es ist völlig unbestritten, dass der Angriff der russischen Armee auf die Ukraine im Februar 2022 strikt zu verurteilen ist. Ebenso unbestritten ist Russland unter Wladimir Putin keine brillante Demokratie. Aus diesen Tatsachen lässt sich jedoch nicht das finstere Bild des russischen Präsidenten – und erst recht nicht des Landes – begründen, das uns durchweg vorgesetzt wird und den Kern des aktuellen europäischen Bedrohungs-Szenarios darstellt. Da müssen wir schon etwas genauer hinschauen.

Der vorliegende Artikel versucht derweil nicht, den Einsatz von Gewalt oder die Verletzung von Menschenrechten zu rechtfertigen oder zu entschuldigen – ganz im Gegenteil. Dass jedoch der Verdacht des «Putinverstehers» sofort latent im Raume steht, verdeutlicht, was beim Thema «Russland» passiert: Meinungsmache und Manipulation.

Angesichts der mentalen Mobilmachung seitens Politik und Medien sowie des Bestrebens, einen bevorstehenden Krieg mit Russland geradezu herbeizureden, ist es notwendig, dieser fatalen Entwicklung entgegenzutreten. Wenn wir uns nur ein wenig von der herrschenden Schwarz-Weiß-Malerei freimachen, tauchen automatisch Fragen auf, die Risse im offiziellen Narrativ enthüllen. Grund genug, nachzuhaken.

Wer sich schon länger auch abseits der Staats- und sogenannten Leitmedien informiert, der wird in diesem Artikel vermutlich nicht viel Neues erfahren. Andere könnten hier ein paar unbekannte oder vergessene Aspekte entdecken. Möglicherweise klärt sich in diesem Kontext die Wahrnehmung der aktuellen (unserer eigenen!) Situation ein wenig.

Manipulation erkennen

Corona-«Pandemie», menschengemachter Klimawandel oder auch Ukraine-Krieg: Jede Menge Krisen, und für alle gibt es ein offizielles Narrativ, dessen Hinterfragung unerwünscht ist. Nun ist aber ein Narrativ einfach eine Erzählung, eine Geschichte (Latein: «narratio») und kein Tatsachenbericht. Und so wie ein Märchen soll auch das Narrativ eine Botschaft vermitteln.

Über die Methoden der Manipulation ist viel geschrieben worden, sowohl in Bezug auf das Individuum als auch auf die Massen. Sehr wertvolle Tipps dazu, wie man Manipulationen durchschauen kann, gibt ein Büchlein [1] von Albrecht Müller, dem Herausgeber der NachDenkSeiten.

Die Sprache selber eignet sich perfekt für die Manipulation. Beispielsweise kann die Wortwahl Bewertungen mitschwingen lassen, regelmäßiges Wiederholen (gerne auch von verschiedenen Seiten) lässt Dinge irgendwann «wahr» erscheinen, Übertreibungen fallen auf und hinterlassen wenigstens eine Spur im Gedächtnis, genauso wie Andeutungen. Belege spielen dabei keine Rolle.

Es gibt auffällig viele Sprachregelungen, die offenbar irgendwo getroffen und irgendwie koordiniert werden. Oder alle Redenschreiber und alle Medien kopieren sich neuerdings permanent gegenseitig. Welchen Zweck hat es wohl, wenn der Krieg in der Ukraine durchgängig und quasi wörtlich als «russischer Angriffskrieg auf die Ukraine» bezeichnet wird? Obwohl das in der Sache richtig ist, deutet die Art der Verwendung auf gezielte Beeinflussung hin und soll vor allem das Feindbild zementieren.

Sprachregelungen dienen oft der Absicherung einer einseitigen Darstellung. Das Gleiche gilt für das Verkürzen von Informationen bis hin zum hartnäckigen Verschweigen ganzer Themenbereiche. Auch hierfür gibt es rund um den Ukraine-Konflikt viele gute Beispiele.

Das gewünschte Ergebnis solcher Methoden ist eine Schwarz-Weiß-Malerei, bei der einer eindeutig als «der Böse» markiert ist und die anderen automatisch «die Guten» sind. Das ist praktisch und demonstriert gleichzeitig ein weiteres Manipulationswerkzeug: die Verwendung von Doppelstandards. Wenn man es schafft, bei wichtigen Themen regelmäßig mit zweierlei Maß zu messen, ohne dass das Publikum protestiert, dann hat man freie Bahn.

Experten zu bemühen, um bestimmte Sachverhalte zu erläutern, ist sicher sinnvoll, kann aber ebenso missbraucht werden, schon allein durch die Auswahl der jeweiligen Spezialisten. Seit «Corona» werden viele erfahrene und ehemals hoch angesehene Fachleute wegen der «falschen Meinung» diffamiert und gecancelt. [2] Das ist nicht nur ein brutaler Umgang mit Menschen, sondern auch eine extreme Form, die öffentliche Meinung zu steuern.

Wann immer wir also erkennen (weil wir aufmerksam waren), dass wir bei einem bestimmten Thema manipuliert werden, dann sind zwei logische und notwendige Fragen: Warum? Und was ist denn richtig? In unserem Russland-Kontext haben die Antworten darauf viel mit Geopolitik und Geschichte zu tun.

Ist Russland aggressiv und expansiv?

Angeblich plant Russland, europäische NATO-Staaten anzugreifen, nach dem Motto: «Zuerst die Ukraine, dann den Rest». In Deutschland weiß man dafür sogar das Datum: «Wir müssen bis 2029 kriegstüchtig sein», versichert Verteidigungsminister Pistorius.

Historisch gesehen ist es allerdings eher umgekehrt: Russland, bzw. die Sowjetunion, ist bereits dreimal von Westeuropa aus militärisch angegriffen worden. Die Feldzüge Napoleons, des deutschen Kaiserreichs und Nazi-Deutschlands haben Millionen Menschen das Leben gekostet. Bei dem ausdrücklichen Vernichtungskrieg ab 1941 kam es außerdem zu Brutalitäten wie der zweieinhalbjährigen Belagerung Leningrads (heute St. Petersburg) durch Hitlers Wehrmacht. Deren Ziel, die Bevölkerung auszuhungern, wurde erreicht: über eine Million tote Zivilisten.

Trotz dieser Erfahrungen stimmte Michail Gorbatschow 1990 der deutschen Wiedervereinigung zu und die Sowjetunion zog ihre Truppen aus Osteuropa zurück (vgl. Abb. 1). Der Warschauer Pakt wurde aufgelöst, der Kalte Krieg formell beendet. Die Sowjets erhielten damals von führenden westlichen Politikern die Zusicherung, dass sich die NATO «keinen Zentimeter ostwärts» ausdehnen würde, das ist dokumentiert. [3]

Expandiert ist die NATO trotzdem, und zwar bis an Russlands Grenzen (vgl. Abb. 2). Laut dem Politikberater Jeffrey Sachs handelt es sich dabei um ein langfristiges US-Projekt, das von Anfang an die Ukraine und Georgien mit einschloss. Offiziell wurde der Beitritt beiden Staaten 2008 angeboten. In jedem Fall könnte die massive Ost-Erweiterung seit 1999 aus russischer Sicht nicht nur als Vertrauensbruch, sondern durchaus auch als aggressiv betrachtet werden.

Russland hat den europäischen Staaten mehrfach die Hand ausgestreckt [4] für ein friedliches Zusammenleben und den «Aufbau des europäischen Hauses». Präsident Putin sei «in seiner ersten Amtszeit eine Chance für Europa» gewesen, urteilt die Journalistin und langjährige Russland-Korrespondentin der ARD, Gabriele Krone-Schmalz. Er habe damals viele positive Signale Richtung Westen gesendet.

Die Europäer jedoch waren scheinbar an einer Partnerschaft mit dem kontinentalen Nachbarn weniger interessiert als an der mit dem transatlantischen Hegemon. Sie verkennen bis heute, dass eine gedeihliche Zusammenarbeit in Eurasien eine Gefahr für die USA und deren bekundetes Bestreben ist, die «einzige Weltmacht» zu sein – «Full Spectrum Dominance» [5] nannte das Pentagon das. Statt einem neuen Kalten Krieg entgegenzuarbeiten, ließen sich europäische Staaten selber in völkerrechtswidrige «US-dominierte Angriffskriege» [6] verwickeln, wie in Serbien, Afghanistan, dem Irak, Libyen oder Syrien. Diese werden aber selten so benannt.

Speziell den Deutschen stünde außer einer Portion Realismus auch etwas mehr Dankbarkeit gut zu Gesicht. Das Geschichtsbewusstsein der Mehrheit scheint doch recht selektiv und das Selbstbewusstsein einiger etwas desorientiert zu sein. Bekanntermaßen waren es die Soldaten der sowjetischen Roten Armee, die unter hohen Opfern 1945 Deutschland «vom Faschismus befreit» haben. Bei den Gedenkfeiern zu 80 Jahren Kriegsende will jedoch das Auswärtige Amt – noch unter der Diplomatie-Expertin Baerbock, die sich schon länger offiziell im Krieg mit Russland wähnt, – nun keine Russen sehen: Sie sollen notfalls rausgeschmissen werden.

«Die Grundsatzfrage lautet: Geht es Russland um einen angemessenen Platz in einer globalen Sicherheitsarchitektur, oder ist Moskau schon seit langem auf einem imperialistischen Trip, der befürchten lassen muss, dass die Russen in fünf Jahren in Berlin stehen?»

So bringt Gabriele Krone-Schmalz [7] die eigentliche Frage auf den Punkt, die zur Einschätzung der Situation letztlich auch jeder für sich beantworten muss.

Was ist los in der Ukraine?

In der internationalen Politik geht es nie um Demokratie oder Menschenrechte, sondern immer um Interessen von Staaten. Diese These stammt von Egon Bahr, einem der Architekten der deutschen Ostpolitik des «Wandels durch Annäherung» aus den 1960er und 70er Jahren. Sie trifft auch auf den Ukraine-Konflikt zu, den handfeste geostrategische und wirtschaftliche Interessen beherrschen, obwohl dort angeblich «unsere Demokratie» verteidigt wird.

Es ist ein wesentliches Element des Ukraine-Narrativs und Teil der Manipulation, die Vorgeschichte des Krieges wegzulassen – mindestens die vor der russischen «Annexion» der Halbinsel Krim im März 2014, aber oft sogar komplett diejenige vor der Invasion Ende Februar 2022. Das Thema ist komplex, aber einige Aspekte, die für eine Beurteilung nicht unwichtig sind, will ich wenigstens kurz skizzieren. [8]

Das Gebiet der heutigen Ukraine und Russlands – die übrigens in der «Kiewer Rus» gemeinsame Wurzeln haben – hat der britische Geostratege Halford Mackinder bereits 1904 als eurasisches «Heartland» bezeichnet, dessen Kontrolle er eine große Bedeutung für die imperiale Strategie Großbritanniens zumaß. Für den ehemaligen Sicherheits- und außenpolitischen Berater mehrerer US-amerikanischer Präsidenten und Mitgründer der Trilateralen Kommission, Zbigniew Brzezinski, war die Ukraine nach der Auflösung der Sowjetunion ein wichtiger Spielstein auf dem «eurasischen Schachbrett», wegen seiner Nähe zu Russland, seiner Bodenschätze und seines Zugangs zum Schwarzen Meer.

Die Ukraine ist seit langem ein gespaltenes Land. Historisch zerrissen als Spielball externer Interessen und geprägt von ethnischen, kulturellen, religiösen und geografischen Unterschieden existiert bis heute, grob gesagt, eine Ost-West-Spaltung, welche die Suche nach einer nationalen Identität stark erschwert.

Insbesondere im Zuge der beiden Weltkriege sowie der Russischen Revolution entstanden tiefe Risse in der Bevölkerung. Ukrainer kämpften gegen Ukrainer, zum Beispiel die einen auf der Seite von Hitlers faschistischer Nazi-Armee und die anderen auf der von Stalins kommunistischer Roter Armee. Die Verbrechen auf beiden Seiten sind nicht vergessen. Dass nach der Unabhängigkeit 1991 versucht wurde, Figuren wie den radikalen Nationalisten Symon Petljura oder den Faschisten und Nazi-Kollaborateur Stepan Bandera als «Nationalhelden» zu installieren, verbessert die Sache nicht.

Während die USA und EU-Staaten zunehmend «ausländische Einmischung» (speziell russische) in «ihre Demokratien» wittern, betreiben sie genau dies seit Jahrzehnten in vielen Ländern der Welt. Die seit den 2000er Jahren bekannten «Farbrevolutionen» in Osteuropa werden oft als Methode des Regierungsumsturzes durch von außen gesteuerte «demokratische» Volksaufstände beschrieben. Diese Strategie geht auf Analysen zum «Schwarmverhalten» [9] seit den 1960er Jahren zurück (Studentenproteste), wo es um die potenzielle Wirksamkeit einer «rebellischen Hysterie» von Jugendlichen bei postmodernen Staatsstreichen geht. Heute nennt sich dieses gezielte Kanalisieren der Massen zur Beseitigung unkooperativer Regierungen «Soft-Power».

In der Ukraine gab es mit der «Orangen Revolution» 2004 und dem «Euromaidan» 2014 gleich zwei solcher «Aufstände». Der erste erzwang wegen angeblicher Unregelmäßigkeiten eine Wiederholung der Wahlen, was mit Wiktor Juschtschenko als neuem Präsidenten endete. Dieser war ehemaliger Direktor der Nationalbank und Befürworter einer Annäherung an EU und NATO. Seine Frau, die First Lady, ist US-amerikanische «Philanthropin» und war Beamtin im Weißen Haus in der Reagan- und der Bush-Administration.

Im Gegensatz zu diesem ersten Event endete der sogenannte Euromaidan unfriedlich und blutig. Die mehrwöchigen Proteste gegen Präsident Wiktor Janukowitsch, in Teilen wegen des nicht unterzeichneten Assoziierungsabkommens mit der EU, wurden zunehmend gewalttätiger und von Nationalisten und Faschisten des «Rechten Sektors» dominiert. Sie mündeten Ende Februar 2014 auf dem Kiewer Unabhängigkeitsplatz (Maidan) in einem Massaker durch Scharfschützen. Dass deren Herkunft und die genauen Umstände nicht geklärt wurden, störte die Medien nur wenig. [10]

Janukowitsch musste fliehen, er trat nicht zurück. Vielmehr handelte es sich um einen gewaltsamen, allem Anschein nach vom Westen inszenierten Putsch. Laut Jeffrey Sachs war das kein Geheimnis, außer vielleicht für die Bürger. Die USA unterstützten die Post-Maidan-Regierung nicht nur, sie beeinflussten auch ihre Bildung. Das geht unter anderem aus dem berühmten «Fuck the EU»-Telefonat der US-Chefdiplomatin für die Ukraine, Victoria Nuland, mit Botschafter Geoffrey Pyatt hervor.

Dieser Bruch der demokratischen Verfassung war letztlich der Auslöser für die anschließenden Krisen auf der Krim und im Donbass (Ostukraine). Angesichts der ukrainischen Geschichte mussten die nationalistischen Tendenzen und die Beteiligung der rechten Gruppen an dem Umsturz bei der russigsprachigen Bevölkerung im Osten ungute Gefühle auslösen. Es gab Kritik an der Übergangsregierung, Befürworter einer Abspaltung und auch für einen Anschluss an Russland.

Ebenso konnte Wladimir Putin in dieser Situation durchaus Bedenken wegen des Status der russischen Militärbasis für seine Schwarzmeerflotte in Sewastopol auf der Krim haben, für die es einen langfristigen Pachtvertrag mit der Ukraine gab. Was im März 2014 auf der Krim stattfand, sei keine Annexion, sondern eine Abspaltung (Sezession) nach einem Referendum gewesen, also keine gewaltsame Aneignung, urteilte der Rechtswissenschaftler Reinhard Merkel in der FAZ sehr detailliert begründet. Übrigens hatte die Krim bereits zu Zeiten der Sowjetunion den Status einer autonomen Republik innerhalb der Ukrainischen SSR.

Anfang April 2014 wurden in der Ostukraine die «Volksrepubliken» Donezk und Lugansk ausgerufen. Die Kiewer Übergangsregierung ging unter der Bezeichnung «Anti-Terror-Operation» (ATO) militärisch gegen diesen, auch von Russland instrumentalisierten Widerstand vor. Zufällig war kurz zuvor CIA-Chef John Brennan in Kiew. Die Maßnahmen gingen unter dem seit Mai neuen ukrainischen Präsidenten, dem Milliardär Petro Poroschenko, weiter. Auch Wolodymyr Selenskyj beendete den Bürgerkrieg nicht, als er 2019 vom Präsidenten-Schauspieler, der Oligarchen entmachtet, zum Präsidenten wurde. Er fuhr fort, die eigene Bevölkerung zu bombardieren.

Mit dem Einmarsch russischer Truppen in die Ostukraine am 24. Februar 2022 begann die zweite Phase des Krieges. Die Wochen und Monate davor waren intensiv. Im November hatte die Ukraine mit den USA ein Abkommen über eine «strategische Partnerschaft» unterzeichnet. Darin sagten die Amerikaner ihre Unterstützung der EU- und NATO-Perspektive der Ukraine sowie quasi für die Rückeroberung der Krim zu. Dagegen ließ Putin der NATO und den USA im Dezember 2021 einen Vertragsentwurf über beiderseitige verbindliche Sicherheitsgarantien zukommen, den die NATO im Januar ablehnte. Im Februar eskalierte laut OSZE die Gewalt im Donbass.

Bereits wenige Wochen nach der Invasion, Ende März 2022, kam es in Istanbul zu Friedensverhandlungen, die fast zu einer Lösung geführt hätten. Dass der Krieg nicht damals bereits beendet wurde, lag daran, dass der Westen dies nicht wollte. Man war der Meinung, Russland durch die Ukraine in diesem Stellvertreterkrieg auf Dauer militärisch schwächen zu können. Angesichts von Hunderttausenden Toten, Verletzten und Traumatisierten, die als Folge seitdem zu beklagen sind, sowie dem Ausmaß der Zerstörung, fehlen einem die Worte.

Hasst der Westen die Russen?

Diese Frage drängt sich auf, wenn man das oft unerträglich feindselige Gebaren beobachtet, das beileibe nicht neu ist und vor Doppelmoral trieft. Russland und speziell die Person Wladimir Putins werden regelrecht dämonisiert, was gleichzeitig scheinbar jede Form von Diplomatie ausschließt.

Russlands militärische Stärke, seine geografische Lage, sein Rohstoffreichtum oder seine unabhängige diplomatische Tradition sind sicher Störfaktoren für das US-amerikanische Bestreben, der Boss in einer unipolaren Welt zu sein. Ein womöglich funktionierender eurasischer Kontinent, insbesondere gute Beziehungen zwischen Russland und Deutschland, war indes schon vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg eine Sorge des britischen Imperiums.

Ein «Vergehen» von Präsident Putin könnte gewesen sein, dass er die neoliberale Schocktherapie à la IWF und den Ausverkauf des Landes (auch an US-Konzerne) beendete, der unter seinem Vorgänger herrschte. Dabei zeigte er sich als Führungspersönlichkeit und als nicht so formbar wie Jelzin. Diese Aspekte allein sind aber heute vermutlich keine ausreichende Erklärung für ein derart gepflegtes Feindbild.

Der Historiker und Philosoph Hauke Ritz erweitert den Fokus der Fragestellung zu: «Warum hasst der Westen die Russen so sehr?», was er zum Beispiel mit dem Medienforscher Michael Meyen und mit der Politikwissenschaftlerin Ulrike Guérot bespricht. Ritz stellt die interessante These [11] auf, dass Russland eine Provokation für den Westen sei, welcher vor allem dessen kulturelles und intellektuelles Potenzial fürchte.

Die Russen sind Europäer aber anders, sagt Ritz. Diese «Fremdheit in der Ähnlichkeit» erzeuge vielleicht tiefe Ablehnungsgefühle. Obwohl Russlands Identität in der europäischen Kultur verwurzelt ist, verbinde es sich immer mit der Opposition in Europa. Als Beispiele nennt er die Kritik an der katholischen Kirche oder die Verbindung mit der Arbeiterbewegung. Christen, aber orthodox; Sozialismus statt Liberalismus. Das mache das Land zum Antagonisten des Westens und zu einer Bedrohung der Machtstrukturen in Europa.

Fazit

Selbstverständlich kann man Geschichte, Ereignisse und Entwicklungen immer auf verschiedene Arten lesen. Dieser Artikel, obwohl viel zu lang, konnte nur einige Aspekte der Ukraine-Tragödie anreißen, die in den offiziellen Darstellungen in der Regel nicht vorkommen. Mindestens dürfte damit jedoch klar geworden sein, dass die Russische Föderation bzw. Wladimir Putin nicht der alleinige Aggressor in diesem Konflikt ist. Das ist ein Stellvertreterkrieg zwischen USA/NATO (gut) und Russland (böse); die Ukraine (edel) wird dabei schlicht verheizt.

Das ist insofern von Bedeutung, als die gesamte europäische Kriegshysterie auf sorgsam kultivierten Freund-Feind-Bildern beruht. Nur so kann Konfrontation und Eskalation betrieben werden, denn damit werden die wahren Hintergründe und Motive verschleiert. Angst und Propaganda sind notwendig, damit die Menschen den Wahnsinn mitmachen. Sie werden belogen, um sie zuerst zu schröpfen und anschließend auf die Schlachtbank zu schicken. Das kann niemand wollen, außer den stets gleichen Profiteuren: die Rüstungs-Lobby und die großen Investoren, die schon immer an Zerstörung und Wiederaufbau verdient haben.

Apropos Investoren: Zu den Top-Verdienern und somit Hauptinteressenten an einer Fortführung des Krieges zählt BlackRock, einer der weltgrößten Vermögensverwalter. Der deutsche Bundeskanzler in spe, Friedrich Merz, der gerne «Taurus»-Marschflugkörper an die Ukraine liefern und die Krim-Brücke zerstören möchte, war von 2016 bis 2020 Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender von BlackRock in Deutschland. Aber das hat natürlich nichts zu sagen, der Mann macht nur seinen Job.

Es ist ein Spiel der Kräfte, es geht um Macht und strategische Kontrolle, um Geheimdienste und die Kontrolle der öffentlichen Meinung, um Bodenschätze, Rohstoffe, Pipelines und Märkte. Das klingt aber nicht sexy, «Demokratie und Menschenrechte» hört sich besser und einfacher an. Dabei wäre eine für alle Seiten förderliche Politik auch nicht so kompliziert; das Handwerkszeug dazu nennt sich Diplomatie. Noch einmal Gabriele Krone-Schmalz:

«Friedliche Politik ist nichts anderes als funktionierender Interessenausgleich. Da geht’s nicht um Moral.»

Die Situation in der Ukraine ist sicher komplex, vor allem wegen der inneren Zerrissenheit. Es dürfte nicht leicht sein, eine friedliche Lösung für das Zusammenleben zu finden, aber die Beteiligten müssen es vor allem wollen. Unter den gegebenen Umständen könnte eine sinnvolle Perspektive mit Neutralität und föderalen Strukturen zu tun haben.

Allen, die sich bis hierher durch die Lektüre gearbeitet (oder auch einfach nur runtergescrollt) haben, wünsche ich frohe Oster-Friedenstage!

[Titelbild: Pixabay; Abb. 1 und 2: nach Ganser/SIPER; Abb. 3: SIPER]

--- Quellen: ---

[1] Albrecht Müller, «Glaube wenig. Hinterfrage alles. Denke selbst.», Westend 2019

[2] Zwei nette Beispiele:

• ARD-faktenfinder (sic), «Viel Aufmerksamkeit für fragwürdige Experten», 03/2023
• Neue Zürcher Zeitung, «Aufstieg und Fall einer Russlandversteherin – die ehemalige ARD-Korrespondentin Gabriele Krone-Schmalz rechtfertigt seit Jahren Putins Politik», 12/2022

[3] George Washington University, «NATO Expansion: What Gorbachev Heard – Declassified documents show security assurances against NATO expansion to Soviet leaders from Baker, Bush, Genscher, Kohl, Gates, Mitterrand, Thatcher, Hurd, Major, and Woerner», 12/2017

[4] Beispielsweise Wladimir Putin bei seiner Rede im Deutschen Bundestag, 25/09/2001

[5] William Engdahl, «Full Spectrum Dominance, Totalitarian Democracy In The New World Order», edition.engdahl 2009

[6] Daniele Ganser, «Illegale Kriege – Wie die NATO-Länder die UNO sabotieren. Eine Chronik von Kuba bis Syrien», Orell Füssli 2016

[7] Gabriele Krone-Schmalz, «Mit Friedensjournalismus gegen ‘Kriegstüchtigkeit’», Vortrag und Diskussion an der Universität Hamburg, veranstaltet von engagierten Studenten, 16/01/2025\ → Hier ist ein ähnlicher Vortrag von ihr (Video), den ich mit spanischer Übersetzung gefunden habe.

[8] Für mehr Hintergrund und Details empfehlen sich z.B. folgende Bücher:

• Mathias Bröckers, Paul Schreyer, «Wir sind immer die Guten», Westend 2019
• Gabriele Krone-Schmalz, «Russland verstehen? Der Kampf um die Ukraine und die Arroganz des Westens», Westend 2023
• Patrik Baab, «Auf beiden Seiten der Front – Meine Reisen in die Ukraine», Fiftyfifty 2023

[9] vgl. Jonathan Mowat, «Washington's New World Order "Democratization" Template», 02/2005 und RAND Corporation, «Swarming and the Future of Conflict», 2000

[10] Bemerkenswert einige Beiträge, von denen man später nichts mehr wissen wollte:

• ARD Monitor, «Todesschüsse in Kiew: Wer ist für das Blutbad vom Maidan verantwortlich», 10/04/2014, Transkript hier
• Telepolis, «Blutbad am Maidan: Wer waren die Todesschützen?», 12/04/2014
• Telepolis, «Scharfschützenmorde in Kiew», 14/12/2014
• Deutschlandfunk, «Gefahr einer Spirale nach unten», Interview mit Günter Verheugen, 18/03/2014
• NDR Panorama, «Putsch in Kiew: Welche Rolle spielen die Faschisten?», 06/03/2014

[11] Hauke Ritz, «Vom Niedergang des Westens zur Neuerfindung Europas», 2024

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben.

@ f9cf4e94:96abc355

Para esse exemplo iremos usar: | Nome | Imagem | Descrição | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | Raspberry PI B+ | | Cortex-A53 (ARMv8) 64-bit a 1.4GHz e 1 GB de SDRAM LPDDR2, | | Pen drive | | 16Gb |

Recomendo que use o Ubuntu Server para essa instalação. Você pode baixar o Ubuntu para Raspberry Pi aqui. O passo a passo para a instalação do Ubuntu no Raspberry Pi está disponível aqui. Não instale um desktop (como xubuntu, lubuntu, xfce, etc.).

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Passo 1: Atualizar o Sistema 🖥️

Primeiro, atualize seu sistema e instale o Tor:

bash apt update apt install tor

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Passo 2: Criar o Arquivo de Serviço nrs.service 🔧

Crie o arquivo de serviço que vai gerenciar o servidor Nostr. Você pode fazer isso com o seguinte conteúdo:

```unit [Unit] Description=Nostr Relay Server Service After=network.target

[Service] Type=simple WorkingDirectory=/opt/nrs ExecStart=/opt/nrs/nrs-arm64 Restart=on-failure

[Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target ```

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Passo 3: Baixar o Binário do Nostr 🚀

Baixe o binário mais recente do Nostr aqui no GitHub.

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Passo 4: Criar as Pastas Necessárias 📂

Agora, crie as pastas para o aplicativo e o pendrive:

bash mkdir -p /opt/nrs /mnt/edriver

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Passo 5: Listar os Dispositivos Conectados 🔌

Para saber qual dispositivo você vai usar, liste todos os dispositivos conectados:

bash lsblk

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Passo 6: Formatando o Pendrive 💾

Escolha o pendrive correto (por exemplo, /dev/sda) e formate-o:

bash mkfs.vfat /dev/sda

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Passo 7: Montar o Pendrive 💻

Monte o pendrive na pasta /mnt/edriver:

bash mount /dev/sda /mnt/edriver

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Passo 8: Verificar UUID dos Dispositivos 📋

Para garantir que o sistema monte o pendrive automaticamente, liste os UUID dos dispositivos conectados:

bash blkid

---

Passo 9: Alterar o fstab para Montar o Pendrive Automáticamente 📝

Abra o arquivo /etc/fstab e adicione uma linha para o pendrive, com o UUID que você obteve no passo anterior. A linha deve ficar assim:

fstab UUID=9c9008f8-f852 /mnt/edriver vfat defaults 0 0

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Passo 10: Copiar o Binário para a Pasta Correta 📥

Agora, copie o binário baixado para a pasta /opt/nrs:

bash cp nrs-arm64 /opt/nrs

---

Passo 11: Criar o Arquivo de Configuração 🛠️

Crie o arquivo de configuração com o seguinte conteúdo e salve-o em /opt/nrs/config.yaml:

yaml app_env: production info: name: Nostr Relay Server description: Nostr Relay Server pub_key: "" contact: "" url: http://localhost:3334 icon: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u= https://public.bnbstatic.com/image/cms/crawler/COINCU_NEWS/image-495-1024x569.png base_path: /mnt/edriver negentropy: true

---

Passo 12: Copiar o Serviço para o Diretório de Systemd ⚙️

Agora, copie o arquivo nrs.service para o diretório /etc/systemd/system/:

bash cp nrs.service /etc/systemd/system/

Recarregue os serviços e inicie o serviço nrs:

bash systemctl daemon-reload systemctl enable --now nrs.service

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Passo 13: Configurar o Tor 🌐

Abra o arquivo de configuração do Tor /var/lib/tor/torrc e adicione a seguinte linha:

torrc HiddenServiceDir /var/lib/tor/nostr_server/ HiddenServicePort 80 127.0.0.1:3334

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Passo 14: Habilitar e Iniciar o Tor 🧅

Agora, ative e inicie o serviço Tor:

bash systemctl enable --now tor.service

O Tor irá gerar um endereço .onion para o seu servidor Nostr. Você pode encontrá-lo no arquivo /var/lib/tor/nostr_server/hostname.

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Observações ⚠️

• Com essa configuração, os dados serão salvos no pendrive, enquanto o binário ficará no cartão SD do Raspberry Pi.
• O endereço .onion do seu servidor Nostr será algo como: ws://y3t5t5wgwjif<exemplo>h42zy7ih6iwbyd.onion.

---

Agora, seu servidor Nostr deve estar configurado e funcionando com Tor! 🥳

Se este artigo e as informações aqui contidas forem úteis para você, convidamos a considerar uma doação ao autor como forma de reconhecimento e incentivo à produção de novos conteúdos.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Verstand ohne Gefühl ist unmenschlich; \ Gefühl ohne Verstand ist Dummheit. \ Egon Bahr

Seit Jahren werden wir darauf getrimmt, dass Fakten eigentlich gefühlt seien. Aber nicht alles ist relativ und nicht alles ist nach Belieben interpretierbar. Diese Schokoladenhasen beispielsweise, die an Ostern in unseren Gefilden typisch sind, «ostern» zwar nicht, sondern sie sitzen in der Regel, trotzdem verwandelt sie das nicht in «Sitzhasen».

Nichts soll mehr gelten, außer den immer invasiveren Gesetzen. Die eigenen Traditionen und Wurzeln sind potenziell «pfui», um andere Menschen nicht auszuschließen, aber wir mögen uns toleranterweise an die fremden Symbole und Rituale gewöhnen. Dabei ist es mir prinzipiell völlig egal, ob und wann jemand ein Fastenbrechen feiert, am Karsamstag oder jedem anderen Tag oder nie – aber bitte freiwillig.

Und vor allem: Lasst die Finger von den Kindern! In Bern setzten kürzlich Demonstranten ein Zeichen gegen die zunehmende Verbreitung woker Ideologie im Bildungssystem und forderten ein Ende der sexuellen Indoktrination von Schulkindern.

Wenn es nicht wegen des heiklen Themas Migration oder wegen des Regenbogens ist, dann wegen des Klimas. Im Rahmen der «Netto Null»-Agenda zum Kampf gegen das angeblich teuflische CO2 sollen die Menschen ihre Ernährungsgewohnheiten komplett ändern. Nach dem Willen von Produzenten synthetischer Lebensmittel, wie Bill Gates, sollen wir baldmöglichst praktisch auf Fleisch und alle Milchprodukte wie Milch und Käse verzichten. Ein lukratives Geschäftsmodell, das neben der EU aktuell auch von einem britischen Lobby-Konsortium unterstützt wird.

Sollten alle ideologischen Stricke zu reißen drohen, ist da immer noch «der Putin». Die Unions-Europäer offenbaren sich dabei ständig mehr als Vertreter der Rüstungsindustrie. Allen voran zündelt Deutschland an der Kriegslunte, angeführt von einem scheinbar todesmutigen Kanzlerkandidaten Friedrich Merz. Nach dessen erneuter Aussage, «Taurus»-Marschflugkörper an Kiew liefern zu wollen, hat Russland eindeutig klargestellt, dass man dies als direkte Kriegsbeteiligung werten würde – «mit allen sich daraus ergebenden Konsequenzen für Deutschland».

Wohltuend sind Nachrichten über Aktivitäten, die sich der allgemeinen Kriegstreiberei entgegenstellen oder diese öffentlich hinterfragen. Dazu zählt auch ein Kongress kritischer Psychologen und Psychotherapeuten, der letzte Woche in Berlin stattfand. Die vielen Vorträge im Kontext von «Krieg und Frieden» deckten ein breites Themenspektrum ab, darunter Friedensarbeit oder die Notwendigkeit einer «Pädagogik der Kriegsuntüchtigkeit».

Der heutige «stille Freitag», an dem Christen des Leidens und Sterbens von Jesus gedenken, ist vielleicht unabhängig von jeder religiösen oder spirituellen Prägung eine passende Einladung zur Reflexion. In der Ruhe liegt die Kraft. In diesem Sinne wünsche ich Ihnen frohe Ostertage!

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ 502ab02a:a2860397

ถ้าย้อนกลับไป 50 ปีก่อน ถ้าเฮียถามคำนี้กับลุงชาวนาคนหนึ่ง เขาคงหัวเราะแล้วตอบแบบไม่ต้องคิดว่า “ก็เจ้าของที่นาไงไอ้ทิด จะมีใครล่ะ?”

แต่พอมาในวันนี้ ถ้าเฮียถามคำเดิมในซูเปอร์มาร์เก็ต คงไม่มีใครกล้าตอบแบบนั้นอีกแล้ว เพราะแค่ในชั้นวางโยเกิร์ตเดียวกัน เฮียอาจเห็นยี่ห้อต่างกัน 10 ยี่ห้อ แต่ทั้งหมดอาจเป็นของบริษัทแม่เพียงเจ้าเดียว

ในศตวรรษที่ 21 อาหารไม่ใช่ของคนทำอาหาร แต่มันกลายเป็นของ บริษัทผู้ครอบครองข้อมูล พันธุกรรม และระบบการกระจายสินค้า โลกวันนี้ไม่ได้มีเกษตรกรล้อมวงเคี้ยวหมาก แต่มีบริษัทเทคโนโลยีจับมือกับนักลงทุนระดับโลก ถือครองเมล็ดพันธุ์ เป็นเจ้าของสิทธิบัตรจุลินทรีย์ในลำไส้ และมีอำนาจเสนอว่า “อาหารแบบไหนควรได้รับเงินสนับสนุนจากรัฐ”

บริษัทเทคโนโลยีในซิลิคอนแวลลีย์บางแห่ง ไม่ได้แค่ผลิตซอฟต์แวร์อีกต่อไป แต่เริ่มทำ "อาหารจากโค้ด" โปรตีนสังเคราะห์ที่ได้จากการแทรกยีน หรือแม้แต่ “อาหารจากคาร์บอนในอากาศ” ที่สร้างโดย AI เขาไม่ได้ปลูกข้าว แต่เขาเขียนสูตรให้เครื่องจักรสร้างอาหารในถัง

ใครมีสิทธิบัตร…คนนั้นคือเจ้าของ ใครควบคุมข้อมูลสุขภาพ…คนนั้นคือนายทุนแห่งความหิว และใครสามารถชี้นิ้วให้รัฐบาลเปลี่ยนนโยบายอาหารโรงเรียน…คนนั้นคือเจ้าของอนาคตของเด็กทั้งประเทศ

มันฟังดูเวอร์ใช่ไหม? แต่ลองดูดี ๆ…ใครเป็นเจ้าของฟาร์มหมู ฟาร์มไก่ โรงฆ่าสัตว์? หลายแห่งไม่ได้เป็นของชาวบ้านอีกต่อไป แต่เป็นของเครือบริษัทยักษ์ใหญ่ที่อยู่เบื้องหลังทั้งอาหารในซูเปอร์ และเม็ดวิตามินในกระปุกเฮียด้วย

ยิ่งไปกว่านั้น เจ้าของตัวจริงไม่ได้อยู่ในร้านของชำ แต่ซ่อนตัวอยู่ในบอร์ดบริหารบริษัทเกษตรข้ามชาติ ในเวทีประชุมเศรษฐกิจโลก และในห้องประชุมที่ตัดสินว่า “อาหารจากวัว” ควรถูกเก็บภาษีคาร์บอนเพิ่มหรือไม่

เมื่อก่อนเฮียเคยคิดว่า ถ้าเราปลูกผักเอง ก็คุมอาหารตัวเองได้ แต่พอระบบเริ่มขับไล่เมล็ดพันธุ์ดั้งเดิมให้สูญพันธุ์ ถ้าไม่มีใบอนุญาตปลูกพืช GMO หรือไม่มีเงินซื้อปุ๋ยจากบริษัทเดียวที่ยังอยู่รอด เกษตรกรจะเป็นเจ้าของอะไรกันแน่?

และคำว่า “อาหารอิสระ” ในยุคนี้ อาจไม่ใช่แค่การไม่พึ่งพาซูเปอร์ แต่มันคือ “การตื่นรู้ว่าใครเป็นคนจัดเกม และใครเป็นคนตั้งกฎ”

เพราะในยุคที่ทุกอย่างแปรรูปเป็นดิจิทัล แม้แต่อาหารก็อาจมีเจ้าของเพียงไม่กี่ราย และสิ่งที่น่ากลัวกว่าผูกขาด…คือการ “ผูกอนาคต” ของเราทั้งมื้อ

#pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก #siamstr

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Zwei mal drei macht vier, \ widewidewitt und drei macht neune, \ ich mach mir die Welt, \ widewide wie sie mir gefällt. \ Pippi Langstrumpf

Egal, ob Koalitionsverhandlungen oder politischer Alltag: Die Kontroversen zwischen theoretisch verschiedenen Parteien verschwinden, wenn es um den Kampf gegen politische Gegner mit Rückenwind geht. Wer den Alteingesessenen die Pfründe ernsthaft streitig machen könnte, gegen den werden nicht nur «Brandmauern» errichtet, sondern der wird notfalls auch strafrechtlich verfolgt. Doppelstandards sind dabei selbstverständlich inklusive.

In Frankreich ist diese Woche Marine Le Pen wegen der Veruntreuung von EU-Geldern von einem Gericht verurteilt worden. Als Teil der Strafe wurde sie für fünf Jahre vom passiven Wahlrecht ausgeschlossen. Obwohl das Urteil nicht rechtskräftig ist – Le Pen kann in Berufung gehen –, haben die Richter das Verbot, bei Wahlen anzutreten, mit sofortiger Wirkung verhängt. Die Vorsitzende des rechtsnationalen Rassemblement National (RN) galt als aussichtsreiche Kandidatin für die Präsidentschaftswahl 2027.

Das ist in diesem Jahr bereits der zweite gravierende Fall von Wahlbeeinflussung durch die Justiz in einem EU-Staat. In Rumänien hatte Călin Georgescu im November die erste Runde der Präsidentenwahl überraschend gewonnen. Das Ergebnis wurde später annulliert, die behauptete «russische Wahlmanipulation» konnte jedoch nicht bewiesen werden. Die Kandidatur für die Wahlwiederholung im Mai wurde Georgescu kürzlich durch das Verfassungsgericht untersagt.

Die Veruntreuung öffentlicher Gelder muss untersucht und geahndet werden, das steht außer Frage. Diese Anforderung darf nicht selektiv angewendet werden. Hingegen mussten wir in der Vergangenheit bei ungleich schwerwiegenderen Fällen von (mutmaßlichem) Missbrauch ganz andere Vorgehensweisen erleben, etwa im Fall der heutigen EZB-Chefin Christine Lagarde oder im «Pfizergate»-Skandal um die Präsidentin der EU-Kommission Ursula von der Leyen.

Wenngleich derartige Angelegenheiten formal auf einer rechtsstaatlichen Grundlage beruhen mögen, so bleibt ein bitterer Beigeschmack. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob und inwieweit die Justiz politisch instrumentalisiert wird. Dies ist umso interessanter, als die Gewaltenteilung einen essenziellen Teil jeder demokratischen Ordnung darstellt, während die Bekämpfung des politischen Gegners mit juristischen Mitteln gerade bei den am lautesten rufenden Verteidigern «unserer Demokratie» populär zu sein scheint.

Die Delegationen von CDU/CSU und SPD haben bei ihren Verhandlungen über eine Regierungskoalition genau solche Maßnahmen diskutiert. «Im Namen der Wahrheit und der Demokratie» möchte man noch härter gegen «Desinformation» vorgehen und dafür zum Beispiel den Digital Services Act der EU erweitern. Auch soll der Tatbestand der Volksverhetzung verschärft werden – und im Entzug des passiven Wahlrechts münden können. Auf europäischer Ebene würde Friedrich Merz wohl gerne Ungarn das Stimmrecht entziehen.

Der Pegel an Unzufriedenheit und Frustration wächst in großen Teilen der Bevölkerung kontinuierlich. Arroganz, Machtmissbrauch und immer abstrusere Ausreden für offensichtlich willkürliche Maßnahmen werden kaum verhindern, dass den etablierten Parteien die Unterstützung entschwindet. In Deutschland sind die Umfrageergebnisse der AfD ein guter Gradmesser dafür.

[Vorlage Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Spanien bleibt einer der Vorreiter im europäischen Prozess der totalen Überwachung per Digitalisierung. Seit Mittwoch ist dort der digitale Personalausweis verfügbar. Dabei handelt es sich um eine Regierungs-App, die auf dem Smartphone installiert werden muss und in den Stores von Google und Apple zu finden ist. Per Dekret von Regierungschef Pedro Sánchez und Zustimmung des Ministerrats ist diese Maßnahme jetzt in Kraft getreten.

Mit den üblichen Argumenten der Vereinfachung, des Komforts, der Effizienz und der Sicherheit preist das Innenministerium die «Innovation» an. Auch die Beteuerung, dass die digitale Variante parallel zum physischen Ausweis existieren wird und diesen nicht ersetzen soll, fehlt nicht. Während der ersten zwölf Monate wird «der Neue» noch nicht für alle Anwendungsfälle gültig sein, ab 2026 aber schon.

Dass die ganze Sache auch «Risiken und Nebenwirkungen» haben könnte, wird in den Mainstream-Medien eher selten thematisiert. Bestenfalls wird der Aspekt der Datensicherheit angesprochen, allerdings in der Regel direkt mit dem Regierungsvokabular von den «maximalen Sicherheitsgarantien» abgehandelt. Dennoch gibt es einige weitere Aspekte, die Bürger mit etwas Sinn für Privatsphäre bedenken sollten.

Um sich die digitale Version des nationalen Ausweises besorgen zu können (eine App mit dem Namen MiDNI), muss man sich vorab online registrieren. Dabei wird die Identität des Bürgers mit seiner mobilen Telefonnummer verknüpft. Diese obligatorische fixe Verdrahtung kennen wir von diversen anderen Apps und Diensten. Gleichzeitig ist das die Basis für eine perfekte Lokalisierbarkeit der Person.

Für jeden Vorgang der Identifikation in der Praxis wird später «eine Verbindung zu den Servern der Bundespolizei aufgebaut». Die Daten des Individuums werden «in Echtzeit» verifiziert und im Erfolgsfall von der Polizei signiert zurückgegeben. Das Ergebnis ist ein QR-Code mit zeitlich begrenzter Gültigkeit, der an Dritte weitergegeben werden kann.

Bei derartigen Szenarien sträuben sich einem halbwegs kritischen Staatsbürger die Nackenhaare. Allein diese minimale Funktionsbeschreibung lässt die totale Überwachung erkennen, die damit ermöglicht wird. Jede Benutzung des Ausweises wird künftig registriert, hinterlässt also Spuren. Und was ist, wenn die Server der Polizei einmal kein grünes Licht geben? Das wäre spätestens dann ein Problem, wenn der digitale doch irgendwann der einzig gültige Ausweis ist: Dann haben wir den abschaltbaren Bürger.

Dieser neue Vorstoß der Regierung von Pedro Sánchez ist ein weiterer Schritt in Richtung der «totalen Digitalisierung» des Landes, wie diese Politik in manchen Medien – nicht einmal kritisch, sondern sehr naiv – genannt wird. Ebenso verharmlosend wird auch erwähnt, dass sich das spanische Projekt des digitalen Ausweises nahtlos in die Initiativen der EU zu einer digitalen Identität für alle Bürger sowie des digitalen Euro einreiht.

In Zukunft könnte der neue Ausweis «auch in andere staatliche und private digitale Plattformen integriert werden», wie das Medienportal Cope ganz richtig bemerkt. Das ist die Perspektive.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

Dazu passend:

Nur Abschied vom Alleinfahren? Monströse spanische Überwachungsprojekte gemäß EU-Norm

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ aa8de34f:a6ffe696

In seinem Beitrag vom 30. März 2025 fragt Henning Rosenbusch auf Telegram angesichts zunehmender digitaler Kontrolle und staatlicher Allmacht:

„Wie soll sich gegen eine solche Tyrannei noch ein Widerstand formieren können, selbst im Untergrund? Sehe ich nicht.“\ (Quelle: t.me/rosenbusch/25228)

Er beschreibt damit ein Gefühl der Ohnmacht, das viele teilen: Eine Welt, in der Totalitarismus nicht mehr mit Panzern, sondern mit Algorithmen kommt. Wo Zugriff auf Geld, Meinungsfreiheit und Teilhabe vom Wohlverhalten abhängt. Der Bürger als kontrollierbare Variable im Code des Staates.\ Die Frage ist berechtigt. Doch die Antwort darauf liegt nicht in alten Widerstandsbildern – sondern in einer neuen Realität.

-- Denn es braucht keinen Untergrund mehr. --

Der Widerstand der Zukunft trägt keinen Tarnanzug. Er ist nicht konspirativ, sondern transparent. Nicht bewaffnet, sondern mathematisch beweisbar. Bitcoin steht nicht am Rand dieser Entwicklung – es ist ihr Fundament. Eine Bastion aus physikalischer Realität, spieltheoretischem Schutz und ökonomischer Wahrheit. Es ist nicht unfehlbar, aber unbestechlich. Nicht perfekt, aber immun gegen zentrale Willkür.

Hier entsteht kein „digitales Gegenreich“, sondern eine dezentrale Renaissance. Keine Revolte aus Wut, sondern eine stille Abkehr: von Zwang zu Freiwilligkeit, von Abhängigkeit zu Selbstverantwortung. Diese Revolution führt keine Kriege. Sie braucht keine Führer. Sie ist ein Netzwerk. Jeder Knoten ein Individuum. Jede Entscheidung ein Akt der Selbstermächtigung.

Weltweit wachsen Freiheits-Zitadellen aus dieser Idee: wirtschaftlich autark, digital souverän, lokal verankert und global vernetzt. Sie sind keine Utopien im luftleeren Raum, sondern konkrete Realitäten – angetrieben von Energie, Code und dem menschlichen Wunsch nach Würde.

Der Globalismus alter Prägung – zentralistisch, monopolistisch, bevormundend – wird an seiner eigenen Hybris zerbrechen. Seine Werkzeuge der Kontrolle werden ihn nicht retten. Im Gegenteil: Seine Geister werden ihn verfolgen und erlegen.

Und während die alten Mächte um Erhalt kämpfen, wächst eine neue Welt – nicht im Schatten, sondern im Offenen. Nicht auf Gewalt gebaut, sondern auf Mathematik, Physik und Freiheit.

Die Tyrannei sieht keinen Widerstand.\ Weil sie nicht erkennt, dass er längst begonnen hat.\ Unwiderruflich. Leise. Überall.

@ c9badfea:610f861a

1. Install LibreTorrent (it's free and open source)
2. Search for torrents on various sources (see links below)
3. Copy the torrent's 🧲️ Magnet Link
4. Open LibreTorrent, tap the + icon, and select Add Link
5. Paste the magnet link and tap Add
6. The app will display the torrent's details and files; tap the ✓ icon to start the download

Some Sources

• FMHY
• The Pirate Bay
• Torrends
• 1337x

ℹ️ Magnet links start with magnet:?

ℹ️ Tapping a magnet link usually opens LibreTorrent automatically

⚠️ Using a VPN is strongly recommended

@ 1c19eb1a:e22fb0bc

If you haven't noticed already, #Nostr is a little different from what most people are used to. One of the ways this is felt most acutely is with media hosting. Users are accustomed to uploading their images and videos directly through the app they are posting from. Many Nostr apps provide that same experience nowadays, but it wasn't always the case.

Just a couple years ago, users had to find somewhere to host their media separately, and then copy and paste the URL into their note whenever they wanted to share their cat pictures. One of the first, if not the first, media hosting services specifically intended for Nostr was nostr:npub1nxy4qpqnld6kmpphjykvx2lqwvxmuxluddwjamm4nc29ds3elyzsm5avr7, which will be the service we are reviewing today.

Like our previous review of Amber, Nostr.Build is a service for users to pair with other Nostr apps. You won't generally use nostr:npub1nxy4qpqnld6kmpphjykvx2lqwvxmuxluddwjamm4nc29ds3elyzsm5avr7 by itself. Rather, you'll use it to host that incredible shot you want to post to #Olas, or to host screenshots for your long-form tutorial about setting up Nostr Wallet Connect that you'll be posting from #Habla.news, or for hosting a hilarious video of your cat falling asleep to nostr:npub1cj8znuztfqkvq89pl8hceph0svvvqk0qay6nydgk9uyq7fhpfsgsqwrz4u's voice and taking a tumble off of his favorite perch that you want to share on #Damus. However, there are some features within Nostr.Build that you may want to check out quite apart from using it with any other Nostr app.

Overall Impression

Score: 4.8 / 5

I have been impressed by Nostr.Build for some time now, but they have pulled out all the stops in their latest update, increasing their maximum file size for free accounts to 100MB, integrating the #Blossom protocol, adding the ability to share directly to Nostr from within your dashboard, and more integrations with other Nostr apps than ever before. Nostr.Build is simply a pleasure to use, whether through their web interface, or through another Nostr app that integrates with them.

With the ability to easily organize your media, view statistics, browse the media gallery of free uploads, metadata removal for increased privacy, and AI image generation, Nostr.Build is not simply a media hosting service, it is a full-fledged media management platform. Its robust features keep it well ahead of other Nostr-focused media hosting options available, and a particularly strong option for those using Blossom and wanting redundancy and reliable uptime for their media.

As much as I enjoy using the web interface, though, where Nostr.Build really shines is their integrations with other Nostr apps. These integrations allow users to have the same experience they are accustomed to from centralized social platforms of uploading their media from within the same app they are using to share it. No copy/pasting a URL from one app to another. In fact, many users may not realize they have been using Nostr.Build in their client of choice, simply because it is the default option for media hosting for many Nostr apps.

This has the added benefit to client developers that they can provide this experience to their users without having to run media hosting infrastructure on top of trying to build their app. The separation of relays, clients, and media hosting between different entities, while keeping a similar experience to centralized platforms where a single company controls all three, is critical to Nostr adoption.

Features

Nostr.Build has a plethora of features beyond simply hosting your media. Let's take a look!

AI Image Generation

Do you need a quick title image for a long-form article? How about inspiration for a logo or art piece? Nostr.Build's AI Studio has you covered.

They have provided a few different models based on the plan you purchase, beginning with the Professional plan, which includes SDXL-Lightning and Stable Diffusion 1. Upgrading to the Creator plan will give you access to all Pro Stable Diffusion models and unlimited use of the Flux.1 model, which is the same core model used for Grok2 images.

I personally have a Professional account, so I haven't had a chance to try out Flux.1, but I have used Stable Diffusion extensively for creating character art for #NostrHeroes characters, such as these:

Nothing too spectacular when compared with some of the newer models out there, and there is no image-to-image support (yet), but more than adequate for casual image generation needs. Moreover, it is far more than what one would expect from a simple media-hosting service.

Admittedly, I am also no expert at coaxing AI models to produce anything remarkable so your results may vary. Either way, image generation is a welcome tool to have available without needing to go to an outside service unless you require something very specific.

Upload Limits

The maximum file size limits on Nostr.Build have been getting progressively larger, even for their free service. As I recall, it was a mere 21MB limit per file just a few months ago, which is fine for image files, but is quickly exceeded with videos. Then they increased their limits to 50MB per file, and as of recent updates it has been increased once more to a whopping 100MB per file... for free! This is more than adequate for most uses.

However, free users' images, GIFs, and videos are automatically viewable via Nostr.Build's free media gallery. This is something to particularly bear in mind when uploading images you intend to share via direct message. Though your DMs are encrypted, the images uploaded to Nostr.Build are not, and if you don't have a paid account, they will be viewable to the all paid users in the free media gallery. If you want to upload images that will not be viewable unless you actively share them, you must have a paid account.

Paid accounts have no file size limit, but they do have a total storage limit. I could not find anything about total storage limits for free accounts, but Professional tier will give you 25GB, Creator 50GB, and Advanced 250GB. Uploads to paid accounts are not visible in the free media gallery, so only those you give the link to will be able to access your content.

Media Types

Many file types are supported by Nostr.Built, even for free users, including:

• Image: .jpg, .png, .gif
• Video: .mov, mp4
• Audio: mp3, .wav

Upgrading to the Professional plan will add .pdf and .svg to the list of permitted file types, and upgrading to Creator or above will add .zip files, as well.

I believe other common file types are also supported, but these are the only ones specifically mentioned on the site.

Free Media Gallery

The free media gallery is an interesting little feature that Nostr.Build has available to paid accounts. Free users can get a preview, such as the one below, but only paid users can browse through the millions of uploads made by free users.

Apart from being amusing to browse through the things people have been uploading, I am unsure of how useful this particular feature is. No indication is given as to who uploaded the media, and it is limited compared to media feeds in other Nostr apps in two important ways. First, it only shows media uploaded to Nostr.Build, while other media-focused Nostr apps, such as Slidestr, Lumina, or even Primal will show media posted by all Nostr users. Second, Nostr.Build's gallery doesn't show all uploads to Nostr.Build, but only uploads from those without a paid account, further limiting the scope of whose uploads are seen.

Paid users have the advantage of being able to upload media that is not viewable to anyone unless they intentionally share the link somewhere. Free users, on the other hand, must be aware that their uploads are viewable by any paid users, whether they shared the link anywhere or not.

One incident I had while testing out another app required me to reach out to Nostr.Build support to request deletion of an image. It had some of my personal information in it, and had been uploaded to Nostr.Build and sent to me via DM. The sender assumed that since it was being sent via DM, no one else would be able to see the image, but because he was not a paid user of Nostr.Build, the image was included in the Free Media Gallery for any paid user to see. Not ideal, but the folks at Nostr.Build were quick to get it deleted for me.

In short, I have mixed feelings about this particular feature.

Blossom

Blossom is a media storage and retrieval protocol built for Nostr, but usable with any application that needs to access media via the web, and Nostr.Build has recently added support for Blossom uploads via their Blossom server: blossom.band

I will likely be adding a Nostrversity article going over Blossom in detail in the near future, but here's the basics of what it makes possible:

First, easy integration for media uploading from your favorite Nostr apps. Amethyst, Coracle, Primal and others have added Blossom upload support, so you just have to hop into your settings and add Nostr.Build's Blossom server address to start using it as your media host. No need to go to a separate app to upload your media and copy/paste the URL into your Nostr note!

Second, your media in Blossom is content addressable. This means it is named based on a hash of its actual data. Because of this, you can verify that the media has not been altered or replaced by your media host. If the hash doesn't match the data, it won't be loaded by the Nostr client, so you never have to worry about the image in your note being replaced by a different image by your media host.

Finally, because your media is addressable by its content, you can save the same media to multiple hosts, and if one of them goes down, Nostr apps can fetch your media from other hosts, just like they can do with your notes by fetching them from different relays if one relay you write to is down. This makes your images and videos much harder to censor, since you would need to be banned by multiple Blossom servers for your media to no longer be accessible.

If you would like to upload media to more than one Blossom server at the same time, your options are currently to use Primal and ensure that your settings have "Enable media mirrors" toggled on, or to use Bouquet. Hopefully we will see this option added to more Nostr apps in the near future.

Metadata Stripping

For files uploaded via Nostr.Build's dashboard, location metadata is removed upon upload. This is to protect user privacy, since this data could be used to reveal your home address if it is left attached to images posted publicly on Nostr.

When uploading via Blossom, media containing location metadata will be rejected. The user will be required to remove the metadata before they can upload the media.

No KYC and No Ads Policy

The only form of identification needed to use Nostr.Build is your Nostr identity. Every upload is tied to your npub, but no name, date of birth, email, or other identifying information is required. This is made possible because Nostr.Build only accepts Bitcoin as payment for their accounts, and no KYC is required to make Bitcoin transactions via Lightning.

Additionally, Nostr.Build is philosophically opposed to targeted advertising, so they have a policy that they will never use ads on their hosting service.

Client Integrations

Even before Blossom, Nostr.Build had many Nostr clients that used it as the default media hosting service, allowing users to upload directly within the app. This has only expanded now that Nostr.Build has added Blossom.

A very non-exhaustive list of clients that integrate with Nostr.Build is listed on their site, and includes Damus, Amethyst, Nostrudel, Snort, Iris, Coracle, Flycat, and Yakihonne. Additional apps that support Nostr.Build via Blossom include Primal and Flotilla. Some of these integrations support both Blossom and NIP-96 options for uploading media, such as Amethyst, while others only support one or the other.

I would not be surprised to see more and more Nostr apps move to integrating Blossom and phasing out NIP-96 support. Either way, though, Nostr.Build currently supports both, and is therefore an excellent hosting option if you want to use it with a wide range of Nostr apps.

Media Statistics

For those with a paid account, Nostr.Build provides information about how often each of your uploads has been requested and viewed within a given time period.

This can be valuable information for content creators, so they can determine what content is resonating with their audience, and what times of day their posts get the most views.

This information can currently be viewed for a maximum period of three months prior to the current date, and as short a period as just the past hour.

Can My Grandma Use It?

Score: 4.7 / 5

Nostr.Build is incredibly easy to use if you have a paid account, or if you are a free user uploading to Nostr.Build through a client that integrates with them by default. Previous frictions encountered by free users trying to upload large files should now be few and far between, thanks to the generous 100MB size limit.

Where things may be a bit more involved is when users are trying to set up media hosting on Nostr apps that don't use Nostr.Build by default. Exactly where in the settings the user must go to set this up, and whether to use the Blossom or NIP-96 address may not be immediately apparent, and requires an understanding of the difference that the user may not possess. This is not the fault of Nostr.Built, though, and I have not taken it into consideration in the scoring. Each individual Nostr app's settings should be as easy to understand as possible.

Another point of friction may come from free users who want to upload directly through the Nostr.Build site, instead of via another Nostr app. This used to be possible without logging in, but in an effort to ensure the service was used for Nostr, and not for general media hosting, Nostr.Build added the requirement to log in.

Thankfully, there are plenty of login options, including npub and password, browser extension (NIP-07), and even via a one-time-code sent to you via Nostr DM. However, if you don't have a paid account already, logging in will prompt you to upgrade. It seems that uploading directly via the website has been removed for free users entirely. You can only upload via another Nostr app if you don't have a paid account. This may lead to confusion for users who don't want to pay for an account, since it isn't made apparent anywhere that uploading through the website isn't an option for them.

Additionally, I would like to see the addresses for the Blossom server and for NIP-96 uploads (unless they are being phased out) added to the main page somewhere. Even selecting the "Blossom" page from the site navigation doesn't make clear what needs to be done to utilize the service. Something as simple as, "To use Nostr.Build with your favorite Blossom compatible Nostr apps, just add https://blossom.band as your media host in the app settings," would be enough to point users in the right direction.

For those who do have paid accounts, the dashboard is easy to navigate and organize your media.

By default, all uploads are added to the Main Folder. Users can leave them there, or they can easily create new folders and drag and drop media to organize it.

Every image has a copy/paste clipboard icon for ready access to copy the media URL for inclusion into a Nostr note.

Additionally, Nostr.Build allows users to share their uploaded media to Nostr directly from the dashboard. Bear in mind, though, this is published to a set of popular relays, without taking into account the user's preferred write relays.

The section just below the user's profile information gives an at-a-glance view of important information, such as how much of the user's allotted storage has been used, how many AI Studio credits are available, how many days are left before their paid account must be renewed, and how many files from three major categories — GIFs, images, and videos — have been uploaded.

Uploading directly to the dashboard is also incredibly easy. You can simply drag and drop files into the upload pane, or browse for them. If you have a URL for the media you want to upload, you can even paste it to import from another website or Blossom server.

Anything I could think of that I might want to do in the interface was intuitive to find, well labeled, or had common and easily identified icons.

How do UI look?

Score: 4.7 / 5

I would describe Nostr.Build's UI as clean and utilitarian, which is what one would expect from a media hosting service. Nothing too flashy. Just what you need and nothing you don't.

We certainly like our purple color-schemes on Nostr, and Nostr.Build leans into that with white text on shades of purple backgrounds, along with occasional color-popping accents. If a Nostr client had made the same color choices, I might be a bit more critical, but it works in an app that users won't be spending a ton of time in, except while managing their media, or using the AI Studio to generate some images.

UI elements such as buttons, active folder indicators, and icons all maintain an attractive, and simple design, with rounded corners wherever appropriate. Nothing looks too busy or overbearing, and the spacing between image previews in the folder view is just right.

Font remains consistent throughout the interface, with no jarring changes, and bold text, in white or another contrasting color, is used appropriately to draw attention, while subdued text is rendered in a light purple to blend more with the background, while remaining readable.

As such, the UI is attractive, without being particularly breathtaking. Nothing to complain about, but also nothing to write home about.

Log In Options

Score: 4.8 / 5

As mentioned previously, Nostr.Build provides three ways a user can log in.

The first should be very familiar for any Nostr user who frequents web clients, and that is by use of a browser extension (NIP-07), such as Alby, Nos2x, or Gooti. Note, this will also work if you are on Android and using KeyChat's browser, which has a NIP-07 signer built in.

Next is the legacy login method for Nostr.Build that they have used since the service first launched, which is via npub and password. This should serve to remind you that even though Nostr.Build supports Nostr login, and can post your images to Nostr for you, it's really just a centralized media hosting service. Just like you wouldn't use only one Nostr relay, you should not use just one media host. Mirror your media to other Blossom servers.

Most intriguing, and one I had not seen used before, is the option to use your npub and have a one-time-code sent to you via Nostr DM. I tested this method out and it worked flawlessly. It is unfortunately using the old NIP-04 DM spec, though, so any clients that have deprecated these DMs will not work for receiving the code. We're in a strange place with Nostr DMs currently, with some clients deprecating NIP-04 DMs in favor of NIP-17, others that still only support NIP-04, and a few that support both. If you don't see the DM in your client of choice, hop over to Primal and check your DMs there in the "other" tab.

Since Nostr.Build is supporting Nostr login, I would like to see them add remote signer (NIP-46) login alongside browser extension login to round out the options expected from a Nostr web app.

Feature Set

Score: 4.8 / 5

The features provided by Nostr.Build all work as expected and provide a lot of value to the user. With only one exception, all of the features make sense for a media hosting and management service to provide, and they are adding more features all the time.

Users not only get a reliable hosting service, with excellent uptime for their media, but they get integrations with most Nostr clients I can think of, Blossom protocol support, media organization and statistics, posting media to Nostr from within the dashboard, metadata stripping for enhanced privacy, a wide range of supported file types, and an AI image generation studio! What's more, there are additional features already on the roadmap, including traditional and AI image editing, additional plan options, expandable storage, and video transcoding for optimized playback. Nostr.Build is just getting started and they already offer more than most media hosting services out there, intended for Nostr or otherwise.

The one feature I am still not sold on is the "Free Media Gallery." The name is misleading. The gallery itself is not free. You must have a paid account to access more than a preview of it. Rather, it displays media uploaded by free users, regardless of whether they uploaded that media to send via DM, or uploaded it but decided not to share it out, or uploaded it to post it only within a private group on Flotilla, or uploaded it and only sent the note with the image link to a private relay.

Moreover, if I want to see media that has been shared on Nostr, there are plenty of ways I can do so that I can be confident only include media users intended to be publicly viewable. This feature from Nostr.Build, if it is kept at all, should have some way of ensuring the gallery only includes images that were shared on public relays.

Pricing

Score: 5 / 5

The pricing structure for Nostr.Build is exceptionally reasonable when compared with other services.

The Professional plan, which is their lowest paid tier, is just 69,000 sats a year. At current price, that translates to around $70 for the year, and Nostr.Build has been known to lower their pricing as Bitcoin goes up. Users can also get a 10% or 20% discount if they buy 2 or 3 years at a time, compensating for the fact that Bitcoin tends to go up year over year.

For that cost, users get 25GB of storage, unlimited file size for uploads within that storage cap, and access to all of Nostr.Build's features mentioned in this review, with the exception of their highest end AI models and storage of certain file types.

If I were to set up my own VPS to host a Blossom server with comparable storage, I would be paying around $14 a month before the cost of the domain, and it would be anything but plug and play. Even then, all I would have is storage. I would be missing out on all of the other features Nostr.Build has out of the box for less than half the price.

The Creator plan is close to double the cost at 120,000 sats, or about $120, a year. However, you aren't just getting double the storage space at 50GB; you are also getting double the AI credits, access to the higher tier AI models, S3 backup for all of your media, and your own Creator page you can share out with your media available for others to browse in one location.

The Advanced plan doesn't add a lot of extra features for more than double the price of the Creator plan, but it MASSIVELY increases your storage limit by 5x to a total of 250GB. Comparable storage space on a VPS to run your own Blossom server would be about $100 a month and Nostr.Build is offering it for about $250 (250,000 sats) for a whole year! If you really need to host that much media, it's hard to beat this price. The plan also comes with a Nostr.Build NIP-05 address, if you need one.

Now, the argument can be made, "But it's priced in sats, and that means in four years I will have spent many times that dollar amount on their service, possibly making it more expensive than other services priced in fiat." While that is true, it also doesn't take opportunity cost into account. Every dollar you spend on something other than Bitcoin is a missed opportunity to have bought Bitcoin with it. There's not really any difference between spending $70 in fiat to buy a hosting plan vs spending 69,000 sats, because you could have used that same $70 to buy Bitcoin instead, so you are losing out on that increase in purchasing power either way.

Not to mention, you can just buy the sats with your fiat and send it to Nostr.Build, so you would effectively be buying your plan with fiat, and they would be receiving sats.

I think Satellite.earth is still technically less expensive at just $0.05 per GB per month, which comes to $15 a year for the same 25GB of Nostr.Build's professional plan. However, all you get is media hosting. You miss out on all of the other features provided by Nostr.Build. And if you are uploading files of 100MB or less... Well, free with Nostr.Build is still cheaper than $0.5 per GB.

Wrap Up

All of the above comes together to make Nostr.Build a versatile and full-featured media hosting and management service at an affordable price point for their paid accounts, but with no need to pay at all if you just want a place to upload photos, GIFs, memes, and even some videos, so long as the file size stays under 100MB. Whether you want to use Nostr.Build as your primary media host, or as just one redundancy in your Blossom set up, they have you covered and I encourage you to check them out!

For the next review, I would like to go with another client, this time for the web, and the two options I am debating between are Coracle.social and Jumble.social. Let me know in the comments which you would like to see!

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Der Irrsinn ist bei Einzelnen etwas Seltenes – \ aber bei Gruppen, Parteien, Völkern, Zeiten die Regel. \ Friedrich Nietzsche

Erinnern Sie sich an die Horrorkomödie «Scary Movie»? Nicht, dass ich diese Art Filme besonders erinnerungswürdig fände, aber einige Szenen daraus sind doch gewissermaßen Klassiker. Dazu zählt eine, die das Verhalten vieler Protagonisten in Horrorfilmen parodiert, wenn sie in Panik flüchten. Welchen Weg nimmt wohl die Frau in der Situation auf diesem Bild?

Diese Szene kommt mir automatisch in den Sinn, wenn ich aktuelle Entwicklungen in Europa betrachte. Weitreichende Entscheidungen gehen wider jede Logik in die völlig falsche Richtung. Nur ist das hier alles andere als eine Komödie, sondern bitterernst. Dieser Horror ist leider sehr real.

Die Europäische Union hat sich selbst über Jahre konsequent in eine Sackgasse manövriert. Sie hat es versäumt, sich und ihre Politik selbstbewusst und im Einklang mit ihren Wurzeln auf dem eigenen Kontinent zu positionieren. Stattdessen ist sie in blinder Treue den vermeintlichen «transatlantischen Freunden» auf ihrem Konfrontationskurs gen Osten gefolgt.

In den USA haben sich die Vorzeichen allerdings mittlerweile geändert, und die einst hoch gelobten «Freunde und Partner» erscheinen den europäischen «Führern» nicht mehr vertrauenswürdig. Das ist spätestens seit der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz, der Rede von Vizepräsident J. D. Vance und den empörten Reaktionen offensichtlich. Große Teile Europas wirken seitdem wie ein aufgescheuchter Haufen kopfloser Hühner. Orientierung und Kontrolle sind völlig abhanden gekommen.

Statt jedoch umzukehren oder wenigstens zu bremsen und vielleicht einen Abzweig zu suchen, geben die Crash-Piloten jetzt auf dem Weg durch die Sackgasse erst richtig Gas. Ja sie lösen sogar noch die Sicherheitsgurte und deaktivieren die Airbags. Den vor Angst dauergelähmten Passagieren fällt auch nichts Besseres ein und so schließen sie einfach die Augen. Derweil übertrumpfen sich die Kommentatoren des Events gegenseitig in sensationslüsterner «Berichterstattung».

Wie schon die deutsche Außenministerin mit höchsten UN-Ambitionen, Annalena Baerbock, proklamiert auch die Europäische Kommission einen «Frieden durch Stärke». Zu dem jetzt vorgelegten, selbstzerstörerischen Fahrplan zur Ankurbelung der Rüstungsindustrie, genannt «Weißbuch zur europäischen Verteidigung – Bereitschaft 2030», erklärte die Kommissionspräsidentin, die «Ära der Friedensdividende» sei längst vorbei. Soll das heißen, Frieden bringt nichts ein? Eine umfassende Zusammenarbeit an dauerhaften europäischen Friedenslösungen steht demnach jedenfalls nicht zur Debatte.

Zusätzlich brisant ist, dass aktuell «die ganze EU von Deutschen regiert wird», wie der EU-Parlamentarier und ehemalige UN-Diplomat Michael von der Schulenburg beobachtet hat. Tatsächlich sitzen neben von der Leyen und Strack-Zimmermann noch einige weitere Deutsche in – vor allem auch in Krisenzeiten – wichtigen Spitzenposten der Union. Vor dem Hintergrund der Kriegstreiberei in Deutschland muss eine solche Dominanz mindestens nachdenklich stimmen.

Ihre ursprünglichen Grundwerte wie Demokratie, Freiheit, Frieden und Völkerverständigung hat die EU kontinuierlich in leere Worthülsen verwandelt. Diese werden dafür immer lächerlicher hochgehalten und beschworen.

Es wird dringend Zeit, dass wir, der Souverän, diesem erbärmlichen und gefährlichen Trauerspiel ein Ende setzen und die Fäden selbst in die Hand nehmen. In diesem Sinne fordert uns auch das «European Peace Project» auf, am 9. Mai im Rahmen eines Kunstprojekts den Frieden auszurufen. Seien wir dabei!

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben und ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na net.hr

05.12.2024 / Autor: Katarina Plantak

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Vrijednost Bitcoina po prvi put je premašila 100.000 dolara. Ova kriptovaluta svoj masovni rast može na neki način zahvaliti reizboru Donalda Trumpa za američkog predsjednika. On je najavio blaži regulatorni pristup kripto industriji.

Što je Bitcoin?

Bitcoin (BTC) je kriptovaluta (virtualna valuta) dizajnirana da djeluje kao novac i oblik plaćanja izvan kontrole bilo koje osobe, grupe ili entiteta. Time nema potrebe za sudjelovanjem pouzdane treće strane npr. kovnice novca ili banke u financijskim transakcijama. Osoba ili grupa pod pseudonimom Satoshi Nakamoto 31. listopada 2008. objavila je tehnički dokument pod nazivom "Bitcoin: Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System". Taj je dokument distribuiran na kriptografsku mailing listu, samo mjesec dana nakon što je investicijska banka Lehman Brothers podnijela zahtjev za najveći bankrot u povijesti SAD-a, a vlada odobrila financijsku pomoć od 700 milijardi dolara.

Nekoliko mjeseci kasnije, 3. siječnja 2009., Bitcoin mreža pokrenula se, uvodeći novi sustav decentralizirane digitalne valute bez središnjeg posrednika.

Tko su osnivači Bitcoina?

Bitcoin je rezultat desetljeća razvoja kriptografije i ideja Cypherpunka iz 1970-ih, s projektima poput B-money, Bit Gold, eCash i HashCash.

Godine 2006., osoba ili grupa pod pseudonimom Satoshi Nakamoto započela je rad na Bitcoinu. Iako su kriptografi poput Hal Finneya, Nicka Szaba, Weija Daija i Adama Backa povezivani sa Satoshijem, svi su to negirali.

Satoshi je surađivao s programerima do 2010., kada je predao kontrolu nad izvornim kodom i 2011. nestao iz javnosti. Danas stotine programera razvijaju Bitcoin, koji ima zajednicu od milijun korisnika.

Kako funkcionira Bitcoin?

Bitcoin se može brzo i sigurno prenijeti na svakoga s Bitcoin adresom poput računa bilo gdje u svijetu, bez potrebe za dopuštenjem ili plaćanjem nepotrebnih naknada. BTC je jedinica valute u Bitcoin sustavu za koju postoji ograničena količina od 21 milijun. Svaki je Bitcoin djeljiv na 100 milijuna "satoshis" ili "sats" – najmanja jedinica Bitcoina, poput centa u dolaru. Bitcoini djeluju kao elektronički novac, omogućujući vam da izvršite plaćanje s univerzalnom valutom bilo gdje. Nalazi se u tzv. novčanicima u digitalnoj verziji. On funkcionira slično kao bankovni račun. Transakcije su moguće zahvaljujući peer-to-peer mreži. Osigurane su sustavom kriptografije javnog i privatnog ključa, objašnjava Kriptomat.

Bitcoin koristi kriptografiju javnog i privatnog ključa za sigurne transakcije. Javna adresa, izvedena iz "hasha" javnog ključa, koristi se za primanje sredstava. Privatni ključ služi kao digitalni potpis odnosno svojevrsna lozinka za autorizaciju transakcija i omogućava pristup sredstvima, pa ga treba čuvati u tajnosti.

Korisnik pokreće transakciju unosom javne adrese primatelja u svoj novčanik. Novčanik koristi privatni ključ za stvaranje digitalnog potpisa, čime se transakcija ovjerava i šalje na Bitcoin mrežu. Transakcija prvo ulazi u "mempool", gdje čeka potvrdu. Svakih desetak minuta, transakcije se grupiraju u blokove, koji se dodaju na blockchain, stvarajući neprekinuti lanac sigurnih zapisa.

Sigurnost sustava je toliko snažna da bi hakiranje jedne adrese trajalo milijardama godina.

Blockchain

Bitcoin je revolucionarno riješio problem dvostruke potrošnje, omogućujući prijenos sredstava izravno između korisnika bez posrednika. Zamislite mrežu stranaca, gdje svaki vodi vlastitu knjigu računa. Kada netko prenese 1 BTC, svi zapisuju transakciju i uspoređuju bilješke. Ako se sve podudaraju, transakcija se potvrđuje. Ako netko pokuša prevariti, njegova bilješka se odbacuje.

Ovaj sustav knjiga računa, distribuiran na globalnoj mreži, čini osnovu Bitcoin blockchaina. Svaki čvor ima identičnu kopiju koja javno i pseudonimno bilježi sve transakcije, osiguravajući točnost i sigurnost bez potrebe za skupim posrednicima.

Zašto je Bitcoin jedinstven i što mu daje vrijednost?

Bitcoin je revolucionirao digitalni novac stvaranjem decentraliziranog, sigurnog i otpornog sustava bez potrebe za posrednicima. Njegov kod omogućuje daljnje inovacije, a povremeno dolazi do "račvanja" koje stvara nove kriptovalute temeljene na Bitcoinu, iako one nikada ne mogu biti isti Bitcoin.

Njegova ključna snaga leži u decentralizaciji – nema središnje figure niti točke neuspjeha. Bitcoin se pokazao kao otporan na izazove, uključujući državne zabrane i snažna račvanja, što dodatno učvršćuje njegovu dugovječnost prema Lindyjevom efektu. Mrežni učinak potiče sve više korisnika da ga prihvate kao sredstvo za pohranu vrijednosti i razmjenu.

Njegova ograničena ponuda od 21 milijun BTC-a stvara oskudicu, čime se suprotstavlja inflacijskim valutama. Bitcoin je zamjenjiv, djeljiv na 100 milijuna dijelova, izdržljiv i prenosiv, što ga čini praktičnijim od zlata. S rastućim prihvaćanjem od strane tvrtki diljem svijeta, njegova vrijednost i korisnost nastavljaju rasti.

Blokovi, rudarenje i nagrade

Prvi Bitcoinblock izrudiran je 3. siječnja 2009. godine. Nazvan je Blok 0. Rudarenje Bitcoina je utrka između rudara za raspršivanje specifičnih vrijednosti i drugih informacija o bloku kako bi se pronašlo rješenje za problem raspršivanja i dodalo blok u blockchain. Pobjednički rudar nagrađen je Bitcoinima. Bitcoin nagrade se prepolovljuju svakih 210.000 blokova. Na primjer, nagrada za blok bila je 50 novih bitcoina u 2009. godini, a 11. svibnja 2020. kad se dogodilo treće prepolovljenje nagrada za svaki blok smanjena je na 6.25 bitcoina. Četvrto prepolovljenje dogodilo se u travnju 2024. i smanjilo je nagradu na 3.125 Bitcoina. Sljedeće prepolovljavanje trebalo bi se dogoditi sredinom 2028. i smanjiti nagradu na 1.5625 BTC.

Do 2140. godine, nakon 32. prepolovljenja, nagrada za rudarenje Bitcoina smanjit će se na nulu, dosegnuvši ukupnu ponudu od 21 milijun BTC-a. Tada će se rudari oslanjati isključivo na naknade za transakcije kako bi pokrili svoje troškove.

Svako prepolovljenje smanjuje količinu novih BTC-a, što povijesno dovodi do porasta cijene zbog smanjene ponude i povećane potražnje. Iako će se učinak budućih prepolovljenja možda smanjivati zbog sve manjih količina nove ponude, do sada su ta prepolovljenja bila ključni pokretači triju glavnih tržišnih ciklusa Bitcoina.

@ b04082ac:29b5c55b

Money has always been more than a medium of exchange. It reflects what societies value, how they organize trust, and what they choose to remember. This article explores the idea that money functions as a form of collective memory, and how Bitcoin may be restoring this role in a new way.

The Asante Example

In the Asante Empire, which flourished in West Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries, gold dust served as the primary medium of exchange. To measure it, traders used ornate spoons made of brass. These spoons were often carved with birds, animals, or abstract symbols. They were not currency themselves, but tools used to handle gold dust accurately.

Importantly, these spoons also carried meaning. Symbols and proverbs embedded in the spoons conveyed lessons about honesty, community, and continuity. For example, the Sankofa bird, shown turning its head backward to retrieve an egg from its back, represented the proverb, “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” This was a reminder to learn from the past.

The spoons reflect an understanding that money and its instruments are not just practical tools. They are cultural artifacts that store shared values. In the Asante context, even measurement was ritualized and tied to ethics and memory.

Money as a Cultural Medium

This connection between money and cultural meaning is not unique to the Asante Empire. Modern fiat currencies also carry symbols, phrases, and designs that reflect national identity and political values.

The U.S. dollar includes Latin phrases and national symbols meant to convey stability and purpose. The British pound features royal iconography, reinforcing the idea of continuity and sovereignty. When the euro was introduced, it deliberately avoided specific national references. Itsdesign used bridges and windowsto suggest openness and cooperation across the continent.

These design choices show that societies still embed meaning into their money. Even in a digital or fiat context, money is used to transmit a story about who we are, where authority lies, and what we value.

The Fragility of Fiat Memory

While fiat money carries cultural symbols, the narratives behind those symbols can be fragile.

In 2021, the central bank of the Philippines removed democratic leaders from its banknotes,triggering public criticism. In the United States, attempts to replace Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the $20 billfaced repeated delays. These examples show how political control over money includes control over what stories are told and remembered.

Unlike objects passed down through generations, fiat memory can be edited or erased. In this sense, it is vulnerable. The meaning encoded in fiat systems can shift depending on who holds power.

Bitcoin as a New Form of Memory

Bitcoin is described as digital money. But it also introduces a different model of how societies can record value and preserve meaning.

The Bitcoin network launched in 2009 with a small message embedded in its first block: “Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” This was a reference to a newspaper headline that day and a clear sign of protest against financial bailouts, centralized monetary policy, and forever wars.

This moment marked the beginning of a system where memory is stored differently. Instead of relying on governments or institutions, Bitcoin stores its history on a public ledger maintained by a decentralized network of participants. Its memory is not symbolic or political; it is structural. Every transaction, every block, is preserved through time-stamped computation and consensus.

No single authority can change it. The rules are clear and publicly auditable. In this way, Bitcoin offers a version of money where memory is both neutral and resilient.

Cultural Expression and Community Values

Even though Bitcoin lacks the traditional symbols found on banknotes, it has developed its own culture. Phrases like “Don’t trust, verify” or “Stay humble, stack sats” are shared widely in the Bitcoin community. These ideas reflect a focus on self-responsibility, verification, and long-term thinking.

These proverbs can be compared to the carved messages on the Asante spoons. While the contexts are very different, the underlying idea is similar: a community using language and symbols to reinforce its shared values.

Bitcoin also has a well established and growing art scene. Bitcoin conferences often feature dedicated sections for art inspired by the protocol and its culture. Statues of Satoshi Nakamoto have been installed in cities like Budapest, Lugano, and Fornelli. These physical works reflect the desire to link Bitcoin’s abstract values to something tangible.

Looking Back to Look Forward

The Asante example helps us see that money has long been tied to memory and meaning. Their spoons were practical tools but also cultural anchors. Bitcoin, while new and digital, may be playing a similar role.

Instead of relying on political symbols or national myths, Bitcoin uses code, transparency, and global consensus to create trust. In doing so, it offers a way to preserve economic memory that does not depend on power or politics.

It’s still early to know what kind of legacy Bitcoin will leave. But if it succeeds, it may not just change how money works. It may also change how civilizations remember.

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E-commerce store owners can now integrate Bitcoin payments into their WooCommerce shops using the LNbits WooCommerce plugin. This plugin supports payments using the Bitcoin Lightning Network and on-chain Bitcoin, providing merchants with flexible options to accept Bitcoin.

Integration with Bitcoin Payments

The LNbits WooCommerce plugin enables online merchants to accept Bitcoin payments easily. It uses LNbits to handle Bitcoin Lightning and traditional on-chain transactions, offering customers efficient payment methods.

Recent updates include support for Gutenberg block checkout integration, ensuring compatibility with the latest WooCommerce versions and improving the checkout experience for merchants and customers alike.

How the LNbits Plugin Works

The plugin integrates with LNbits through the Satspay Server extension. Lightning Network transactions are handled by LNbits. Merchants can manage on-chain payments via LNbits' Watch-only wallet extension.

Setup Steps for Merchants

The setup process for the LNbits WooCommerce plugin involves a few simple steps:

1. Run an LNbits instance – either self-host or use the LNbits SaaS service at saas.lnbits.com.
2. Install the Satspay Server extension within your LNbits instance.
3. Add the LNbits plugin to your WordPress site.
4. Configure the plugin via WooCommerce admin panel under WooCommerce > Settings > Payments.

Start Accepting Bitcoin Payments

By accepting Bitcoin payments, merchants offer customers a secure and efficient alternative payment method. Integrating the LNbits WooCommerce plugin is straightforward and aligns with the increasing adoption of cryptocurrency in online retail.

For further details, visit the official plugin page:

WordPress Plugin Directory – LNbits Bitcoin Onchain and Lightning Payment Gateway

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Originalni tekst na worldmein.com.

Autor: World Me In⚡₿itcoin Portal

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Najčešća pitanja o bitcoinu

Što je bitcoin

Bitcoin je najstarija i najuspješnija kripto valuta na svijetu. Bitcoin svakodnevno puni naslovnice različitih medija diljem svijeta. Dok mnogi žele samo profitirati na njegovom uspjehu, drugi su ravnodušni ili čak skeptični. Nažalost malo je onih koji ga žele razumjeti. Zato svima vama koji ste sa čitanjem došli do ovog dijela želim čestitati! 😉

Danas je svatko u mogućnosti pridružiti se peer-to-peer mreži poznatoj kao Bitcoin. Mreža omogućava da bez pomoći treće strane (banka ili posrednik), sigurno sačuvate vrijednost tijekom vremena i da tu vrijednost bilo kome u bilo kojem trenutku možete poslati. Za razliku od današnjeg “normalnog” novca, bitcoin ima fiksan i transparentan raspored stvaranja i puštanja u optjecaj i taj raspored se ne može mijenjati po potrebi. Možemo ga smatrati cash-om interneta. Maksimalna količina bitcoina koji ikada može biti proizveden i pušten u optjecaj je 21 milijun (21.000.000).

Bitcoin sa velikim početnim B se koristi kada se o Bitcoinu priča u kontekstu mreže odnosno na razini protokola dok se bitcoin sa malim početnim b koristi kada se o bitcoinu priča kao o novcu ili valuti. Isto tako, u izvornom engleskom jeziku bitcoin nema množinu. Termin bitcoin se upotrebljava i kada govorimo o jednom bitcoinu i kada govorimo o više od jednog bitcoina. Nije ispravno reći „I will send you my bitcoins“ nego se kaže „I will send you my bitcoin“ i pri tome se misli na slanje više od jednog bitcoina. Kod nas ispravno je reći poslati ću ti bitcoin a ne poslati ću ti bitcoine. S obzirom da naš jezik ima svoje specifičnosti ispravno je reći 2 bitcoina a ne 2 bitcoin. Uglavnom, bitcoin nema množinu.

Bitcoin kao digitalna valuta potaknula je mnogobrojne rasprave o tehnologiji, novcu i ulaganju. Pojedinci bitcoin vide kao najobičnije sredstvo špekulacije i opisuju ga kao samo još jedan tržišni balon, dok drugi govore o tehnološkoj inovaciji, monetarnoj revoluciji ili čak sredstvu koja nas može izbaviti iz ralja postojećeg monetarnog sustava.

Razne zemlje, poput npr. Kine, bitcoin vide kao prijetnju te su mu objavile „rat“. Neke pak druge države svijeta i njihove vlade, države poput El Salvadora, priznale su bitcoin kao zakonito sredstvo plaćanja u nadi da će to potaknuti gospodarski rast.

Zašto je bitcoin važan

Sigurno ste se zapitali barem jednom u posljednjih nekoliko godina čemu sva ta pompa oko bitcoina? Gotovo je nemoguće danas otvoriti bilo koji internetski portal s vijestima ili neku aplikaciju društvenih mreža a da vas ne dočeka neki oblik informacije koji se tiče bitcoina ili ostalih kripto valuta. Jednostavno se možete zapitati zašto bi netko želio uopće želio posjedovati bitcoin? Odgovor na to pitanje je veoma jednostavan. Sve više i više ljudi shvaća da je u mogućnosti zaista posjedovati nešto što je digitalno, nešto što je nemoguće krivotvoriti i nešto što vam je nemoguće oduzeti ukoliko se sami toga dobrovoljno ne odreknete.

Bitcoin je otporan na cenzuru te omogućuje kriptografski sigurna prekogranična plaćanja. Budući da za provedbu takvih transakcija nije zadužena niti jedna osoba ili skupina (treća strana), to je prvi i jedini primjer prave deficitarne digitalne imovine. Stoga, na bitcoin ne može utjecati nijedna svjetska vlada.

Sudar svjetova

Tokom prošlosti kao sredstvo plaćanja korišteni plemeniti metali koji su kasnije zamijenjeni gotovinom u obliku kovanica i papirnih novčanica. Njihova prednost je ta da mogu biti spremljeni i trošeni neovisno o trećim stranama. Izreka “gotovina je sloboda” vrlo dobro ilustrira tu karakteristiku. Međutim, nedostatak plemenitih metala i gotovine je što ih je teško (gotovo nemoguće i potpuno nepraktično) koristiti u digitalnom internetskom prostoru. Nakon naglog rasta internetske trgovine, debitne i kreditne kartice su te koje su preuzele primat u plaćanjima u internetskom prostoru.

Danas kada velika većina ljudi koristi digitalni novac (koji se nalazi samo kao digitalni zapis na njihovim bankovnim računima) umjesto gotovine, rizici druge ugovorne strane s kojima se suočavaju rastu. Što to točno znači rizik druge strane? Ako npr. financijska institucija (banka) objavi da je postala nelikvidna, ušteđevina klijenata u tom slučaju može biti nepovratno izgubljena (bez obzira što države garantiraju da su depoziti do 100.000 eura u bankama osigurani i da će država u tako nekom slučaju namiriti taj dug svojim građanima). Ili, npr. kao što se tokom 2013. godine dogodilo na Cipru gdje je podizanje gotovine bilo ograničeno, uvedene su kapitalne kontrole i prisilno je izvlašten novac sa štednih računa građana. Jednom odlukom vlastodržaca u toj zemlji preko noći ljudi su ostali bez svoje ušteđevine. Ili, kao što je to slučaj danas u „razvijenim zapadnim demokracijama“ banka je jednostrano u mogućnosti svojem klijentu zabraniti da npr. pošalje novac svojoj obitelji na Kubu, Iran ili neku drugu zemlju. Ukoliko i uspiju svoj novac poslati kome žele, posrednička naknada (naknada treće strane za tu uslugu) će im zasigurno ostaviti gorak okus u ustima. Svi ovi i slični slučajevi predstavljaju rizik treće strane gdje su ljudi ostavljeni na milost ili nemilost sustava koji može dopustiti ali i bez objašnjenja zabraniti ovakve transakcije. Zbog sve više i više „nametnika“ poput banaka i parazitskih birokratskih institucija ljudi gube kontrolu nad svojim novcem.

S prelaskom s papirnog na digitalni novac koji je samo zabilješka na bankovnim računima, odrekli smo se kontrole nad vlastitim novcem. Ali do sada odnosno do izuma bitcoina, ovaj nedostatak je bila cijena koja se morala platiti ukoliko se željelo sudjelovati u „digitaliziranom životu“.

Bitcoin nudi rješenje za ovaj problem. Kao digitalni novac, idealan je za korištenje u digitalnom internetskom prostoru. U isto vrijeme, bitcoin se može čuvati kao digitalno vlasništvo bez potrebe oslanjanja na treće strane (banke) koja ih za nas može čuvati. Dakle, vlasnici bitcoina isti mogu čuvati u obliku privatnih ključeva. Ti privatni ključevi mogu se smatrati kao lozinke kojima se bitcoinu pristupa a koji se uvijek nalazi na blockchainu. Te privatne ključeve pojedinac može čuvati na način na koji god želi. Baš kao i gotovinu može ih spremiti ispod madraca ali puno mudrije bi bilo tih nekoliko riječi koje služe kao lozinka naučiti i zapamtiti.

Blockchain je banka. Banka koja je u vlasništvu svih nas a istovremeno nije u ničijem vlasništvu. Banka u koju nitko nema prvenstvo pristupa bez obzira koliko novca (bitcoina) u njoj ima, bez obzira odakle dolazi, koje je boje kože ili kojih je političkih ili vjerskih uvjerenja. Blockchain je banka koja nikome nikada neće niti može onemogućiti da svoj bitcoin pošalje kome god želi i kada god to želi. Blockchain nema bankarskog službenika kojemu se danas možda radi a možda i ne, koji može raditi greške u svom poslu i koji može biti potkupljen da nešto protupravno napravi. Blockchain je banka u kojoj smo svi apsolutno jednaki. Nema jednakih i jednakijih.

Savršeni trenutak

Bitcoin je nastao usred globalne financijske krize 2008/09. U prvom bloku Bitcoin blockchaina – koji se još naziva i blok nastanka (Genesis blok) – Satoshi Nakamoto ostavio je sakrivenu snažnu poruka. U toj poruci citirao je naslov objavljen 3.siječnja 2009. godine u novinama The Times koji kaže: Premijerka samo što nije odobrila drugi paket mjera kako bi se spasile banke. („Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks“).

Satoshi Nakamoto je ovim činom izrazio svoju kritiku prema državama i političarima koji njima upravljaju a koja je zajednička svim Cypherpunksima. Tokom financijske krize 2008. središnje državne banke u optjecaj pustile su goleme količine novo isprintanog novca kako bi spasile banke. Cijenu tog spašavanja platili su obični ljudi poput mene i vas jer je naš novac i naša ušteđevina izgubila vrijednost. Vrijednost je izgubila jer je novac koji je stvoren iz ničega i dan bankama obezvrijedio naš novac koji je zarađen radom. Puštanje novca u optjecaj na ovakav način uzrokuje inflaciju a inflaciju najlakše opisujemo kao smanjenje kupovne moći. Svima je jasno i svi na svojoj koži osjećaju da 100 eura danas može kupiti puno manje nego je tih istih 100 eura moglo kupiti prije godinu dana. To je inflacija ili skriveni porez koji svi mi zajedno plaćamo. Ali mi ga plaćamo novcem koji moramo zaraditi a države i banke ga plaćaju novcem koji si stvore prema potrebi i u količinama koje su im potrebne. To je surova realnost današnjeg svijeta i to je razlog nepovjerenja Cypherpunksa u države i njihove središnje banke te je učvrstila njihovo uvjerenje da je svima potreban novac koji je apsolutno odvojen od države koja njime upravlja.

Danas, svi oni koji su u potpunosti shvatili ovo, odnosno razumjeli bitcoin ujedinjeni su u borbi, u mirnom prosvjedu kojim se traži odvajanje države od novca.

Ista situacija, samo u obimu koji je značajno veći od onoga u 2008/2009. ponovila se nakon izbijanja Covid-19 histerije. Samo u 2020., u SAD-u količina novca u optjecaju povećana je za gotovo 50%. Europska Unija nije ništa bolja po tom pitanju. Printeri novca se ne gase kako se to popularno kaže. Posljedice toga su iznimno niske kamatne stope a lako dostupan novac diže cijene svih dobara i usluga. Povećanje cijena obezvrjeđuje novac onima koji ga štede i to je inflacija.

Kako se zaštiti od obezvrjeđivanja novca

Bitcoin je pokrenut vjerojatno u najboljem mogućem trenutku. Rijetko kada je pitanje novca bilo relevantnije nego danas. Sa svojom apsolutno ograničenom količinom od 21 milijun, bitcoin predstavlja potpunu suprotnost beskrajno rastućim bilancama stanja središnjih banaka. Njegova ograničena količina predstavlja zaštitu od obezvrjeđenja vašeg novca, kao što je to slučaj sa svim danas izdanim valutama od strane centralnih banaka koje svakodnevno gube vrijednost.

Zbog svog jedinstvenog dizajna, bitcoin je stvoren da osigurava očuvanje kupovne moći tijekom dugog vremenskog razdoblja. Budući da je bitcoin sam po sebi već rijedak, u svojstvu očuvanja vrijednosti bolji je čak i od zlata. Nova količina zlata koja dolazi u optjecaj svake godine kreće se otprilike od 1-2% godišnje u odnosu na postojeću dostupnu količinu zlata. Osim toga, troškovi pohrane i „transporta“ bitcoina u usporedbi sa zlatom znatno su niži, što također dodaje vrijednost tijekom vremena.

Zaštita imovine

Još jedan problem koji bitcoin savršeno rješava je zaštita imovine. Gotovina ili zlato da bi se zaštitili od krađe moraju se pohraniti najčešće u bankovnim sefovima a to sa sobom povlači znatne troškove (posebno u slučaju zlata). Pokušajte si samo zamisliti troškove transporta i osiguranja zlata sa jednog mjesta na drugo ili iz jedne u drugu zemlju. Bitcoin je potpuna suprotnost tako nečemu. Trošak pohrane i „transporta“ bitcoina gotovo je ravan nuli. Čak i znatne količine bitcoina koje pojedinac želi premjestiti sa jednog dijela svijeta na drugi (milijarde eura vrijednosti) imaju isti trošak kao i da želi premjestiti samo nekoliko eura vrijednosti. Svaki pojedinac to može učiniti na isti način a to je da zna svoj privatni ključ s kojim pristupa svojem bitcoina a koji se najčešće sastoji od sekvence os 12 ili 24 riječi. Jednom memorirana i nakon toga fizički uništena sekvenca riječi zauvijek osigurava da vaš bitcoin ne može biti ukraden ili oduzet. Ta riječna sekvenca osigurava vaš bitcoin na blockchainu i omogućuje vam da mu pristupite bilo kada i bilo gdje na svijetu. Osigurava vam da ukoliko to želite, svoj bitcoin sa sobom ponesete i u grob.

Kako bitcoin funkcionira

Osnovna zamisao iza Bitcoin mreže je ta da je ona decentralizirana. Pod pojmom decentralizacije prvenstveno se podrazumijeva da ni jedan sudionik mreže samostalno nema mogućnost da nameće ili mijenja pravila na temelju kojih mreža funkcionira. Upravljanje mrežom je decentralizirano i moć upravljanja raspoređena je svima koji u mreži sudjeluju. Ovo je fundamentalna osobina mreže je ni jedan pojedinac, ni jedna tvrtka niti bilo koja vlada neke države nije u mogućnosti „zauzeti“ mrežu i samostalno promijeniti pravila. Pravila se mogu izmijeniti samo zajedničkim konsenzusom svih sudionika na mreži.

Veoma pojednostavljenim jezikom, funkcioniranje Bitcoin mreže bazira se na tome da svaki sudionik mreže (tu se podrazumijevaju sudionici koji imaju pokrenut Bitcoin node ili mrežni Bitcoin čvor) u svakom trenutku na svom mrežnom čvoru ima identičnu kopiju knjige svih transakcija (tzv. Bitcoin ledger ili glavna knjiga). Kako rezultat toga, svi sudionici na mreži uvijek znaju tko posjeduje koju količinu bitcoina. Nitko ne može tvrditi da posjeduje određenu količinu bitcoina koju zapravo ne posjeduje jer se to jednostavno može provjeriti u vlastitoj kopiji knjige svih transakcija koja je pohranjena na vašem mrežnom čvoru.

Prije nastanka Bitcoina, decentralizirane mreže uvijek su se suočavale s dva velika izazova. Prvi izazov bio je kako osigurati da svaki sudionik na mreži dobije najnovija ažuriranja koja sadrže sve informacije o promjenama u vlasništvu odnosno informacije o tome koliko bitcoina promijenilo vlasnika. Drugi izazov bio je kako sudionici mreže mogu s apsolutnom sigurnošću potvrditi da su informacije koje su zaprimili o promjenama u vlasništvu apsolutno točne.

Lanac blokova (Blockchain)

Lanac blokova ili blockchain tehnologija dala je odgovor na ova pitanja. Korištenjem blockchaina informacije se pohranjuju kronološkim redom kako i nastaju. U slučaju bitcoina sve informacije od samog puštanja u rad mreže pohranjene su u stotinama tisuća blokova koji su međusobno povezani i koji zajedno čine lanac blokova odnosno blockchain. Svaki sudionik mreže ima mogućnost provjeriti tko posjeduje koju količinu bitcoina prateći povijest transakcija na blockchainu. Dakle, ako netko želi poslati bitcoin nekome drugome jednostavno je za provjeriti da li on zaista i posjeduje tu količinu bitcoina.

Sigurno se pitate pa da, ali ovaj mehanizam uopće nije revolucionaran kako je to predstavljeno. Svaka banka danas ima identičan zapis (bazu podataka) u kojoj u svakom trenutku može provjeriti koje je stanje na račun bilo kojeg korisnika ili provjeriti povijest svih njegovih transakcija. Ako npr. neki klijent banke želi poslati određenu količinu eura sa svojeg računa na neki drugi račun banka će jednostavno provjeriti da li korisnik na svom računu ima potrebnu količinu eura za slanje ili je ta količina eura već potrošena pa stoga takvo transakciju nije moguće obaviti. Jedinstvena karakteristika bitcoin blockchaina za razliku od baze podataka koju ima banka je ta da isti nije pohranjen na samo jednom centralnom mjestu (središnjem serveru banke) nego je identična kopija pohranjena na svim računalima (bitcoin mrežnim čvorovima) koji se danas nalaze u gotovo svakom kutku svijeta i kojih je danas već preko 30.000. Ova karakteristika je ujedno i razlog zašto Bitcoin mrežu nije jednostavno „napasti“, zaustaviti ili ugasiti. Da bi se tako nešto izvelo potrebno je ugasiti apsolutno svaki bitcoin čvor na svijetu istovremeno.

Međutim, blockchain se susreće s izazovom da svaki sudionik mreže s apsolutnom sigurnošću može potvrditi da li je njegova kopija lanca blokova točna i da pogrešne ili lažne transakcije ne budu unešene u njegovu kopiju glavne knjige. Budući da se novi blokovi (blokovi sadrže novonastale transakcije) dodaju u blockchain otprilike svakih 10 minuta, veličina blockchaina konstantno raste i mora se kontinuirano ažurirati na svim računalima koja su priključena na mrežu.

Svi novi blokovi koji se nadovezuju na postojeći lanac blokova moraju se moći provjeriti od strane svakog mrežnog sudionika. Ova provjera vrši se pomoću pravila koja su definirana u računalnom kodu Bitcoin mreže i koja ne mogu biti izmijenjena. Ova pravila točno definiraju koje transakcije su dopuštene, a koje nisu. Svaki korisnik koji preuzme kopiju blockchaina na svoje računalo može provjeriti jesu li sve transakcije u skladu s postavljenim pravilima. Ako neka nova transakcija nije u skladu s pravilima tj. ako je netočna ili lažna, sudionici mreže je odbijaju (sudionici mreže koji na svojim računalima imaju pohranjen cjelokupni lanac blokova) i ne uključuju je u blockchain.

Dokaz o radu (Proof-of-Work) i rudarenje

Bitcoin funkcionira na principu korištenja mehanizma dokaza o radu. Da bi netko u lanac blokova dodao novi blok mora pružiti dokaz o radu. Taj dokaz o radu je ujedno i mehanizam koji ograničava da u lanac blokova bilo tko i bilo kada može dodati novi blok. Da tog mehanizma nema mreža bi vjerojatno već odavno bila propala i zaboravljena. Kako bi netko pronašao novi blok i uključio ga u postojeći lanac blokova mora uložiti rad u njegovo pronalaženje. Kao nagradu za pronalazak bloka i njegovo uključivanje u lanac blokova nalaznik je nagrađen novim bitcoinom kao i transakcijskim naknadama sadržanim u ovom novom bloku. Nakon što je novi blok pronađen i dodan u lanac blokova ovaj proces započinje ispočetka.

Ovaj proces traženja novog bloka naziva se rudarenje. U procesu ovog digitalnog rudarenja, rudari su ti koji na svojim specijaliziranim računalima izvršavaju matematičku hash funkciju (SHA-256 algoritam) u potrazi za određenim brojevima. Hash broj prethodnog bloka, transakcije trenutnog bloka i nasumični broj (nonce) zajedno se stavljaju u hash funkciju. Ovaj nasumični broj mijenja se sve dok hash funkcija kao rezultat ne izbaci rezultat s minimalnim brojem potrebnih vodećih nula. Na primjer, blok 767700, pronađen 16. prosinca 2022. godine, imao je važeći hash broj: 00000000000000000001f923407f16129a16e0b15122f6750444b44ceff86c37.

Proces rudarenja ima dvije primarne funkcije: Prva je da blokove povezuje na matematičko-kriptografski način tako da svi koji to žele jednostavno mogu provjeriti redoslijed njihovog nastanka. Istovremeno, mehanizam dokaza rada gotovo nemogućim čini da se taj redoslijed stavljanja blokova u lanac izmjeni. Druga funkcija je ta da isti taj mehanizam dokaza rada funkcionira na način da svaki novi blok u lanac blokova dodaje otprilike svakih 10 minuta. To vrijeme između dva nova bloka dovoljno je da svi sudionici na mreži diljem svijeta imaju dovoljno vremena da svoju kopiju blockchaina ažuriraju na najnovije stanje.

Kao zaključak, rudari su ti koji održavaju Bitcoin mrežu aktivnom. Procesom rudarenja, sve nove transakcije se obrađuju i dodaju u lanac blokova. Bitcoin čvorovi (node) čuvaju kopije glavne knjige. Programski kod koji se na njima izvršava brine se da se poštuju pravila i osigurava da nijedna lažna transakcija ne bude dodana u lanac blokova.

21 milion

Ukupan broj bitcoina koji ikada može biti kreiran je 21 milion. To je definirano osnovnim programskim kodom na kojem bitcoin počiva i ta konstanta ne može biti izmijenjena. Kako se svakih desetak minuta u lanac blokova dodaje novi blok kao posljedica dokaza rada rudara, tako oni za svaki taj novi blok pripojen postojećem lancu blokova dobivaju bitcoin kao nagradu. Visina te nagrade za svaki novi blok također je definirana osnovnim programskim bitcoin kodom. Kao i u prethodnom slučaju ta konstanta također ne može biti izmijenjena. Raspored izdavanja novog bitcoina rudarima za njihov rad poštuje strogi raspored.

Kada je Bitcoin mreža tek pokrenuta, programski kod je rudarima dodjeljivao 50 novih bitcoina za svaki novi blok dodan u lanac blokova odnosno otprilike svakih desetak minuta. Četiri godine nakon pokretanja Bitcoin mreže, broj bitcoina koji se dodjeljuje rudarima za njihov rad se prepolovio i iznosio je 25 novih bitcoina za svaki novi blok odnosno svakih desetak minuta. Taj predefinirani proces naziva se prepolovljavanje (halving). Do prepolovljavanja broja bitcoina koji se dodjeljuje rudarima za njihov rad dolazi otprilike svake 4 godine odnosno nakon 220.000 novih blokova dodanih u lanac blokova. Do danas na ovakav način izdano je već preko 19 miliona bitcoina a trenutna nagrada za novi blok iznosi 6,25 bitcoina. Slijedeći ovaj predefinirani raspored dodavanja novih blokova u lanac blokova i izdavanja novog bitcoina pretpostavlja se da će zadnji bitcoin biti izdan negdje 2140. godine. Nakon toga, rudari će za svoj rad biti kompenzirani samo kroz transakcijske naknade.

Ta apsolutno ograničena količina bitcoina koji ikada može postojati jedno je od njegovih temeljnih svojstava te ga čini iznimno rijetkom te stoga i vrijednom „robom“. Ova apsolutno ograničena količina također je važan preduvjet za funkciju bitcoina kao sredstva koje služi za pohranu vrijednosti tijekom duljeg vremenskog razdoblja i to je razlog zašto se bitcoin još naziva i digitalnim zlatom.

Uzimajući u obzir sve navedene značajke Bitcoin mreže veoma je jednostavno shvatiti važnost i vrijednost ovog izuma. Prvi put u povijesti postoji digitalna „roba“ koja ne može biti kopirana ili duplicirana nego je apsolutno ograničena brojem jedinica koje ikada mogu postojati.

Ove jedinice bitcoina se doista mogu posjedovati. Samo osoba koja posjeduje odgovarajući privatni ključ (privatni ključ se može smatrati i kao lozinka) kojim se pristupa nekoj bitcoin adresi na kojoj se određena količina bitcoina nalazi, može taj bitcoin poslati nekome drugome na neku drugu bitcoin adresu. Bez ovog privatnog ključa bitcoinu u nečijem vlasništvu nije moguće pristupiti te stoga niti moguće ukrasti, zaplijeniti ili blokirati. Vlasniku tog bitcoina koji je zaštićen privatnim ključem omogućena je apsolutna kontrola nad svojim financijskim resursima, bez obzira da li je taj pojedinac bogat, siromašan ili kriminalac, bez obzira da li je politički disident ili izbjeglica, bez obzira odakle dolazi ili koja su njegova vjerska uvjerenja. Po prvi put od izuma računala, moguće je uistinu posjedovati digitalnu imovinu.

Više na ovu temu možete pročitati u ovom blogu.

Izum i nastanak Bitcoina

Kada govorimo o bitcoinu i njegovim počecima moramo se vratiti sve do početka devedesetih godina prošlog stoljeća. Davne 1992. godine grupa računalnih stručnjaka, istomišljenika iz Kaliforniji okupila se na jednoj email listi putem koje su razmjenjivali ideje o kriptografiji, matematici, politici i filozofiji. Nazivali su se „Cypherpunks“. – igra riječima koji dolazi od cyberpunka (osoba iz sci-fi, znanstveno-fantastične literature koja je skeptična prema društvu općenito) i riječi cipher koja znači nešto šifrirati.

Cypherpunksi su ubrzo postali veoma šarolika ekipa koja je dolazila iz svih krajeva svijeta. Unatoč svojim različitim uvjerenjima oko svega i svačega, zajedničko uvjerenje im je bilo da da će internet uskoro postati jedno od najspornijih područja ljudske slobode. Kako bi se zaštitili od rastućih mehanizama kontrole, nadzora i cenzure na internetu te kako bi očuvali slobodan i otvoren internet, Cypherpunksi su upotrijebili moćno „oružje“: kriptografiju. Informacije koje su međusobno dijelili uspješno su šifrirali tako da nisu mogle biti vidljive onima kojima te informacije nisu bile namijenjene.

Cypherpunksi su u svom manifestu iz 1993. izjavili: “Cypherpunksi pišu [računalni] kod. Znamo da netko mora napisati softver za obranu privatnosti, a budući da ne možemo dobiti privatnost ako to ne učinimo svi, mi ćemo ga napisati.“

Kriptografija sama po sebi nije dovoljna za slobodan internet. Cypherpunksi su bili svjesni da Internet ne može biti uistinu slobodan ako nema svoj vlastiti novac odnosno valutu. Novac koji je neovisan o državama, središnjim bankama i tvrtkama; kripto valuta koja je pravedna i decentralizirana baš kao i sam Internet.

Put do bitcoina

Put do funkcionalnog i neovisnog digitalnog novca isprepleten je mnogobrojnim tehničkim izazovima. Davne 1990. godine kriptograf David Chaum stvorio je eCash koja se smatra prvom kripto valutom. Iako nije bila decentralizirana, zahvaljujući tada već poznatim metodama kriptografije osiguravala je dovoljnu razinu anonimnosti. Usprkos tome, eCash se nije uspio nametnuti kao dovoljno jak igrač te je izgubio tržišnu utakmicu u srazu sa ostalim kompanijama koje su razvijale sustave plaćanja koji bi se koristili na mreži odnosno na Internetu. Tvrtka koja stoji iza eCash projekta nakon nekoliko godina postojanja podnijela je zahtjev za stečaj te je eCash kao projekt ugašen.

Bilo je i dosta drugih pokušaja stvaranja sustava plaćanja koji bi nativno služili za plaćanja na mreži a među njima se ponajviše istaknuo projekt E-Gold. E-Gold je bila kripto valuta koja je svoje pokriće imala u zlatu i bila je otvorena svima koji su ju željeli koristiti. E-Gold projekt pokrenut je tijekom dot-com ere 1996. godine. Na svom vrhuncu putem kripto valute procesuirano je transakcija ukupne vrijednosti gotovo 2 milijarde američkih dolara.

Problem E-gold projekta je bio taj što je bio kontroliran od strane jedne središnje institucije i stoga je bio osjetljiv na napade (eng. single point of failure). Kada je E-Gold postao poznato ime na tržištu uslijedili su problemi pravne prirode. Američka vlada poduzela je pravne korake kako bi zaustavila daljnji razvoj projekta i njegovo širenje na tržištu. Američki sud 2008. godine proglasio je E-Gold krivim pod optužbom za pranje novca i kršenje Patriot Acta. Iz tog razloga projekt E-Gold moramo je biti ugašen te je sva imovina zamrznuta i oduzeta.

Ova dva i još nekoliko sličnih propalih projekata ukazali su na dvije jako bitne činjenice. Prvo, i eCash i E-Gold imali su kolateral koji je na neki način bio garancija i odraz njihove vrijednosti. Upravo ti kolaterali pokazali su se kao slaba točka jer su ga vlade država jednostavno mogle zaplijeniti. Iz tog razloga, kripto valuta kojoj su težili Cypherpunksi nije smjela imati jednu slabu odnosno centralnu točku napada kao npr.: da iza nje stoji neka kompanija sa bankovnim računom, da ima pohranjen kolateral (zlato) u nekoj od banaka ili da se nalazi smještena na nekom centraliziranom web serveru. Drugo, da vlade i regulatori nemaju interesa oko digitalnog novca koji je neovisan o državi.

Nakon ovakvih slučajeva i dalje je postojalo pitanje na koje odgovora još uvijek nije bilo. Kako uspostaviti nezavisan digitalni novac koji neće imati entitet koji će iza njega stajati i koji će voditi evidenciju o svim transakcijama i osiguravati da jedan iznos ne može biti dva puta potrošen (double spend problem). Uostalom, kada bi i bilo moguće riješiti problem dvostrukog trošenja bez oslanjanja na jedan centralni entitet, moguće bi bilo stvoriti „besplatni“ digitalni novac koji je komplementaran i prirodan dodatak Internetu.

Besprijekoran i mističan čin nastanka

Svi ovi prethodno navedeni razlozi tjerali su Cypherpunkse da razmišljaju o načinu kako dizajnirati kripto valutu koja neće imati jedan centralni entitet koji će iza nje stajati te koja neće imati kolateral. Dva najpoznatija koncepta koji nikada nisu zaživjeli bili su b-money (1998) i BitGold (2005). Ta dva teoretska koncepta svojim dizajnom najviše su se približili bitcoinu. Par javnog i privatnog ključa bio je osnova za enkripciju, dok je dokaz rada (Proof-of-Work) trebao poslužiti kao sredstvo koje će se koristiti za izdavanje novih količina digitalne valute koina (Coins). U svom „manifestu“ u tzv. bijeloj knjizi (Whitepaper), tvorac bitcoina je potvrdio da je prije objave svog rješenja bio upoznat s konceptima b-money i Bit Gold.

Međutim, ova dva koncepta oslanjala su se na sistem glasovanja kojim se upravlja temeljnim konsenzusom protokola („dogovor“ oko toga tko je vlasnik koje količine monetarne vrijednosti u datom trenutku). Taj sustav glasovanja je bio slaba točka oba konceptualna rješenja. Predstavljao je potencijalni vektor napada zlonamjernih strana putem kojeg se moglo utjecati na izbore prilikom glasanja o izmjenama temeljnog konsenzusa i na taj način se moglo utjecati na količinu izdanog digitalnog novca te ograničavanje prava vlasništva.

Rješenje za ovaj posljednji problem, koji je još nije bio riješen na putu stvaranja novog internetskog novca, predstavljeno u petak, 31. listopada. 2008 godine. Toga je dana Cypherpunksima na njihov email poslan Bitcoin Whitepaper, u kojem Satoshi Nakamoto objašnjava svoj koncept decentralizirane mreže za plaćanja na internetu. Dva mjeseca kasnije, 3. siječnja 2009., Bitcoin mreža puštena je u rad i do dan danas nikada nije imala niti jednu sekundu da nije bila aktivna.

Prve reakcije na ovu novu mrežu nisu bile previše zapažene. Nekoliko entuzijasta sa email liste Cypherpunksa počelo je mrežu testirati i prijavljivati pogreške. U početku je, međutim, uglavnom sam Satoshi Nakamoto održavao mrežu. Ali vijesti o novom Internetskom novcu polako su se počele širiti računalnim i tehničkim forumima što je dovelo do toga da je i interes za korištenjem mreže rastao iz dana u dan. Nakon godinu funkcioniranja Bitcoin mreža već bilježi znatan broj korisnika ali ipak, sam bitcoin još uvijek nije imao monetarnu vrijednost.

Satoshi Nakamoto

Ime Satoshi Nakamoto pojavilo se i na Bitcoin Whitepaperu i u potpisu emaila poslanog na prethodno spomenutu email listu. Stvarni identitet tvorca Bitcoina i dan danas je još uvijek nepoznat. Iz svih dostupnih podataka i mnogobrojnih istraživanja na tu temu daje se zaključiti da je ime Satoshi Nakamoto ipak samo nadimak a ne pravo ime stvarne osobe. Satoshi Nakamoto za svoju korespondenciju koristio je tri različite email adrese koja je jako dobro kriptirao tako da se stvarnom pošiljatelju tih mailova nikada nije uspjelo ući u trag.

Do danas, mnogi pojedinci pokušali su uz svoje ime vezati genijalnost koja stoji iza izuma bitcoin i sebe proglasiti Satoshi Nakamotom. No ipak, do sada nitko od njih nije uspio pružiti definitivne dokaze za to. Nitko od svih ovih lažnih pretendenata na tron nije dokazao da kontrolira adrese za koje se pretpostavlja da se na njima nalazi bitcoin koji pripada Satoshi Nakamotu. Da bi netko dokazao da je tvorac bitcoina mora biti u mogućnosti sa tih adresa poslati bitcoin na neku drugu bitcoin adresu. To može jedino ako posjeduju privatne ključeve za te adresu s kojima može potpisati transakciju s kojom bi bitcoin bio poslan na neku drugu adresu. Do danas, nitko nije pružio dokaz za to.

Danas postoji relativno mali broj ljudi koji su „osobno” (putem interneta) komunicirali sa Satoshi Nakamotom. Dana 12. prosinca 2010., Satoshi Nakamoto je poslao svoju posljednju poruku široj Bitcoin zajednici. Nakamoto je nastavio komunicirati sa užim krugom programera i nastavio ih informirati o stanju Bitcoin mreže. Tokom travnja 2011. godine Satoshi Nakamoto poslao je svoju zadnju poruku i ovom najužem krugu programera. Nakamoto se nakon ovoga do danas više nikada nikome nije javio. Kako se misteriozne pojavio 2008. tako je i misteriozno nestao 2011. godine.

Genesis address ili prva adresa ikad na koju je poslan bitcoin je A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa. Za tu adresu se smatra da je u vlasništvu Satoshi Nakamota koji je osobno na nju poslao bitcoin koji je inicijalno izrudaren. Ukoliko upotrijebite bitcoin block explorer (pretraživač bitcoin blokova) na web stranici www.mempool.space možete vidjeti da je ta adresa primila bitcoin u više od 3,500 transakcija dok ne postoji niti jedna transakcija koja pokazuje da je sa te adrese bitcoin poslan na neku drugu adresu. Zasigurno se pitate zašto je u više od 3,500 transakcija bitcoin poslan na prvu ikad stvorenu bitcoin adresu. Sve te transakcije sadrže neki mali, simboličan iznos bitcoina ali se mogu shvatiti kao čin odavanja počasti tvorcu bitcoina Satoshi Nakamotu.

Bitcoin Pizza

Kako je Bitcoin u početku zapravo stekao svoju vrijednost? Bitcoin se u početku mogao „rudariti“ i slati među korisnicima mreže ali sam po sebi nije imao nikakvu monetarnu vrijednost. Pored toga, jako mali broj ljudi je uopće znao za bitcoin i kako ga koristiti.

Prva događaj koji je bitcoinu ikad dodijelio neku monetarna vrijednost dogodio se 22.svibnja.2010. godine kada se na bitcointalk.org forumu pojavio neobičan oglas. Tada 28-godišnji muškarac po imenu Laszlo Hanyecz s Floride ponudio je 10.000 bitcoina u zamjenu za dvije pizze koje će biti dostavljene na njegovu adresu. Tu ponudu je prihvatio jedan student iz Californije koji je na njegovu adresu poslao dvije pizze u vrijednosti od 41$. Za uzvrat, Laszlo Hanyecz poslao mu je 10.000 bitcoina. Od tog dana, 22. svibanj u bitcoin zajednici slavi se kao bitcoin Pizza dan. Taj dan postao je bitan jer je definirao 3 stvari:

• bitcoin je od tada imao vrijednost,
• bitcoin je prikladan kao sredstvo razmjene i plaćanja i
• bitcoin kao valuta je deflatoran (broj bitcoina koji tokom vremena ulaze u cirkulaciju je sve manji i manji te je to pretpostavka za povećanje njegove vrijednosti)

Te dvije pizze bit će zapamćene kao dvije najskuplje na svijetu ikada. Ukoliko se u obzir uzme najveća do sada ikad zabilježena cijena bitcoina od otprilike 69.000 dolara te dvije pizze plaćene su 690 miliona dolara. Isto tako, primatelj tih 10.000 bitcoina iste je također nedugo nakon što ih je dobio prodao te je s tim novcem financirao privatno putovanje. Primjenjujući istu logiku najviše cijene bitcoina može se zaključiti da je to putovanje vjerojatno najskuplje ikad plaćeno putovanje.

Ovaj primjer s pizzom najbolje ilustrira veoma popularan izraz među ljudima koji bitcoin drže na duge staze. Izraz HODLing izvedenica je iz engleske riječi holding što znači držati. Držanje bitcoina u ovom smislu podrazumijeva držanje bitcoina „zauvijek“. Zašto bi netko uopće prodao svoj bitcoin ako je gotovo izvjesno (što i povijesni podaci pokazuju) da će vrijednost bitcoina s protekom vremena samo rasti.

Što bitcoinu daje vrijednost

Najveću vrijednost bitcoinu daje njegova iznimna rijetkost. Maksimalna količina bitcoina koja ikada može postojati je 21 milijun (21.000.000). Svatko tko ima pristup najobičnijem računalu može jednostavno sam za sebe provjeriti tu osobinu bitcoina. Ogromna računalna snaga dedicirana je konstantno kako bi se osiguravala točnost i ispravnost decentralizirane glavne knjige bitcoina. Glavna knjiga (Ledger) je zapis svih transakcija koje su se ikada na Bitcoin mreži desile. Mreža doslovno plaća ljudima da održavaju taj integritet (u obliku nagrada za rudarenje) i da djeluju u dobroj vjeri. Cijena bitcoina jednostavno je određena ponudom i potražnjom za njim na burzi.

Isto tako, bitcoin se može promatrati sa stajališta evolucije novca. Koristeći modernu terminologiju, novac se uvijek razvija u sljedeće četiri faze:

1. Kolekcionarski predmeti: U prvoj fazi svoje evolucije, novac će se tražiti isključivo na temelju njegovih osebujnih svojstava. Predmeti u ovom stadiju najčešće su strast kolekcionara ili manjeg kruga posjednika. Školjke, perle i zlato bili su kolekcionarski predmeti prije nego što su prerasli u više kategorije oblika novca.
2. Pohrana vrijednosti: Nakon što ga bude tražen od dovoljnog broja ljudi zbog svojih osobitosti, novac će biti prepoznat kao sredstvo očuvanja i pohranjivanja vrijednosti tijekom vremena. Kako neko dobro sve više poprima značajke skladišta vrijednosti, njegova će kupovna moć rasti jer ga sve više ljudi želi koristiti za ovu svrhu. Kupovna moć pohranjene vrijednosti naposljetku će doći do svog maksimuma kada to dobro bude široko zastupljeno i smanji se priljev novih ljudi koji ga žele koristiti kao skladište vrijednosti.
3. Sredstvo razmjene: Kada se novac u potpunosti ustoliči kao sredstvo očuvanja vrijednosti, njegova će se kupovna moć stabilizirati. Nakon stabilizacije kupovne moći, oportunitetni trošak korištenja novca za obavljanje poslova smanjit će se do razine na kojoj je prikladan za korištenje kao sredstvo razmjene. U najranijim danima bitcoina, mnogi ljudi nisu cijenili ogromne oportunitetne troškove korištenja bitcoina kao sredstva razmjene, a ne kao početke ere u kojem je dobro služilo u svrhu pohrane vrijednosti. Široko je poznata priča o čovjeku koji je zamijenio 10.000 bitcoina (vrijednih otprilike 225 milijuna dolara u vrijeme pisanja ovog teksta ili 690 milijuna dolara na vrhuncu vrijednosti tokom 2021. godine) za dvije pizze ilustrira ovu situacija. U svijetu bitcoina 22.svibanj svake godine obilježava se kao bitcoin pizza day. Mnogo manje poznata situacija dolazi sa naših prostora, a tiče se identične situacije kada je dotični gospodin za 20.000 kuna prodao 120 bitcoina koji bi trenutno vrijedili 2 ,7 milijuna dolara ili na vrhuncu vrijednosti 2021. godine oko 8,3 milijuna dolara.
4. Obračunska jedinica: Kada se novac naširoko koristi kao sredstvo razmjene, roba će se na tržištu cijeniti u odnosu prema njemu. Uobičajena je zabluda da su danas cijene izražene u bitcoinu dostupne za mnoge robe i usluge. Na primjer, iako bi se šalica kave mogla platiti bitcoinom, navedena cijena nije prava cijena bitcoina; nego je to cijena u dolarima koju ugostitelj traži za tu šalicu kave koja je samo prevedena u bitcoin termine po trenutnom tržišnom tečaju dolara za bitcoin. Ako bi cijena bitcoina pala izraženo u dolarima, broj bitcoina koje ugostitelj traži bi se proporcionalno povećao. Tek kada su ugostitelji (pa tako i svi ostali trgovci) voljni prihvatiti bitcoin za plaćanje bez obzira na tečaj bitcoina u odnosu na fiat valute, možemo doista misliti da je bitcoin postao obračunska jedinica.

Bitcoin se trenutno nalazi u drugoj fazi (pohrana vrijednosti). Vjerojatno će proći još nekoliko godina prije nego što bitcoin prijeđe u treću fazu gdje će postati sredstvo razmjene. Iako se kao sredstvo razmjene danas već koristi to još uvijek nije toliko rasprostranjeno da bi se moglo smatrati da je već u ovoj fazi. Kao sredstvo razmjene bitcoin se najviše koristi putem Lightning mreže. Zanimljivo je za primijetiti da je za isti prijelaz zlatu trebalo mnogo stoljeća.

Tko kontrolira mrežu

Jednostavan odgovor je i svi i nitko. Mreža je projektirana tako da se zlonamjerni akteri ne mogu okoristiti, a svatko ima kontrolu nad svojim sudjelovanjem u njoj. Nijedan programer samostalno ne može izvršiti nikakve promjene bitcoin koda. Nijedan rudar nije u mogućnosti filtrirati bilo koju određenu transakciju. Niti jedan korisnik bitcoin mreže ne može iskoristiti mrežu na način da potroši bitcoin koji mu ne pripada ili koji nema.

Da li je korištenje bitcoina anonimno

Bitcoin na razini mreže nije “povezan” ni s jednim javnim identitetom. Protokol prepoznaje adrese samo kao zbirku slova i cijelih brojeva. Međutim, poslovni subjekti koji svoje poslovanje temelje na Bitcoinu, poput KYC (know your customer) burzi na kojima je moguće kupiti bitcoin, mogu povezati bitcoin koji tamo kupite s vašim identitetom u stvarnom svijetu. Budući da je glavna knjiga bitcoina (bitcoin ledger) u potpunosti vidljiva svima, može doći di situacije da je zbog toga moguće pratiti nečije bitcoin transakcije.

Što je to blockchain

Zapis o svakoj bitcoin transakciji ikad napravljenoj čuva se na blockchainu u tzv. javnoj knjizi odnosno bitcoin ledgeru. U zamjenu za transakcijske naknade i subvenciju za blok, rudari se natječu u „proizvodnji“ blokova. Svaki uspješno zapisani novi blok kriptografski je povezan sa blokom koji mu prethodi te se na taj način stvara lanac blokova ili blockchain. Za potpuno razumijevanje kako blockchain funkcionira pročitajte blog na ovom linku.

Može li država ili vlada zaustaviti bitcoin

Nema sumnje da bi vlade mogle zabraniti bitcoin unutar svojih granica. U stvarnosti, Kina je to već učinila nekoliko puta, a ekosustav još uvijek napreduje. Zbog disperzirane arhitekture bitcoina, zaustavljanje njegove ekspanzije zapravo bi zahtijevalo goleme koordinirane napore mnogih velikih svjetskih zemalja. Takvi napori da se uništi mreža zahtijevalo bi izrazito velike financijske resurse a s time se zapravo ništa ne bi dobilo. Priključiti se i koristiti bitcoin mreže jednostavno može svatko sa najjednostavnijeg osobnog računala tako da je malo vjerojatno da bi se vlade ozbiljnih država upustile u tako nešto jer bi vjerojatno došlo do potpuno suprotnog efekta.

Da li ga koriste kriminalci

Budući da je Bitcoin oblik valute, kriminalci ga mogu koristiti identično kao i što koriste svaku drugu valutu. Ilegalno tržište drogama danas se pretpostavlja da vrijedi više od 500 milijardi dolara godišnje. Ako se to usporedi s današnjom cijenom bitcoina od oko 20.000 dolara i ukupnom tržišnom kapitalizacijom od nešto više od 400 milijardi dolara može se reći da bitcoina zapravo nema dovoljno da pokrije sve potrebe ilegalnog tržišta drogama. Zasigurno je točnije utvrditi da se fiat valute (poput dolara ili eura) koriste za financiranje velike većine ilegalnih aktivnosti na tom tržištu. Isto tako, s obzirom da znamo da su bitcoin transakcije u potpunosti transparentne i vidljive svima, jedna od najglupljih stvari koje kriminalne organizacije povezane s drogama mogu napraviti je da svoje tragove odnosno izvršene transakcije ostave na blockchainu koji nije moguće izmijeniti a u svakom trenutku se mogu pregledati.

Isto tako, prema istraživanju tvrtke Chainalysis, tvrtka za analizu blockchaina, izvjestila je da je pranje novca činilo samo 0,05% ukupnog volumena kripto transakcija u 2021. To bi značilo da je od 2017. do danas oprano 33 milijarde dolara putem kripto imovine. Za usporedbu, UN-ov Ured za droge i kriminal procjenjuje da se 800 milijardi do 2 trilijuna dolara svake godine opere korištenjem klasičnih fiat valuta (dolar, euro itd.), što je oko 5% globalnog BDP-a.

S obziron na navedeno, argument da se bitcoin i ostale kripto valute koriste za ilegalne aktivnosti je u potpunosti promašen i lažan narativ institucija koje danas imaju kontrolu nad fiat novcem samo iz razloga kako bi opravdali svoje postojanje.

Može li se bitcoin jednostavno kopirati

Da, na razini mreže je to moguće napraviti i mnogi pojedinci su to zapravo i napravili. Danas postoje doslovno stotine Bitcoin klonova, svaki s malom izmjenom izvornog koda čija je namjena da bi se Bitcoin malo “poboljšao”. Ova “poboljšanja” gotovo uvijek uključuju značajne kompromise, sprječavajući ih da iskoriste moćne mrežne učinke Bitcoina. U stvarnosti bitcoin je jedan i jedini i nije moguće kopirati. Bitcoin je jedno a sve ostale kriptovalute su nešto sasvim drugo.

Zar bitcoin ne troši energiju

Istina je da Bitcoin mreža koristi puno energije ali ta se energija koristi za funkcioniranje i osiguranje danas najsigurnije globalne kompjuterske mreže za plaćanja a to je bitcoin mreža. Ta mreža za direktna plaćanja i pohranu vrijednosti pojedincima nudi ogromnu vrijednost te se energija utrošena za tu svrhu nikako ne može smatrati bespotrebno potrošenom. Vlasnici bitcoin farmi (pogona za rudarenje bitcoina) već su odavno započeli s inovacijama u korištenju alternativnih izvora energije kao što su obnovljivi izvori energije ili korištenje plinova koji se inače spaljuju prilikom vađenja nafte.

Koliko bitcoina postoji

U trenutku pisanja ovog teksta u opticaju je nešto više od 19 milijuna bitcoina. Samo 21 milijun bitcoina će ikada postojati, a posljednji bitcoin bit će pušten u optjecaj negdje otprilike oko 2140. godine. To se možda čini jako malo za jednu globalnu mrežu za plaćanja ali isto tako mora se imati na umu da se svaki bitcoin može podijeliti na 100 milijuna manjih jedinica koje se zovu Satoshi ili sats.

Kako nastaje bitcoin

Globalno raspršenim i iznimno konkurentnim procesom rudarenja proizvodi se novi bitcoin. Rudari koji pronađu novi blok dobivaju subvenciju ili nagradu za svoj rad u obliku novo stvorenog bitcoina. Ova subvencija danas je na 6,25 bitcoina za svaki novi blok. Ove subvencije se otprilike svakih 4 godine ili 210.000 blokova prepolovljuju. Slijedeće prepolovljavanje će biti otprilike u travnju 2024. godine i tada će se za svaki novi blok dobivati nagrada od 3,125 bitcoina.

Što je rudarenje

Rudarenje je metoda kojom rudari alociraju značajne računalne resurse kako bi procesuirali transakcije na mreži u blokove. Nakon prikupljanja svih transakcija, rudari izvode ponavljajuće računske operaciju kako bi pronašli odgovor koji odgovara prethodno postavljenom kriteriju. Nakon što pronađu odgovor te transakcije se zapisuju u blok a rudar za to dobije nagradu u obliku naknada za obradu transakcija i nagradu za novostvoreni blok. Za svaki novi blok ponavlja se ovaj postupak. Više o ovoj temi pročitajte u ovom blogu.

Kako mogu kupiti bitcoin

Postoje mnoge online mjenjačnice na kojima možete kupiti bitcoin, ali prije nego što to učinite, trebali biste provesti vlastito istraživanje. Najjednostavniji način da dobijete svoj prvi bitcoin (ili samo dio bitcoina) je da kupite nešto od pouzdanog prijatelja ili vama poznate osobe. Važno je imati na umu da svaki bitcoin ima 100 milijuna Satoshia, tako da možete kupiti i manje od jednog bitcoina. Više o mjenjačnicama možete pročitati ovdje.

Što je još potrebno znati o bitcoinu

bitcoin.org vs bitcoin.com

Potrebno je naglasiti da je web stranica pravog i jedinog bitcoina bitcoin.org. S obzirom da iza pravog bitcoina ne stoji niti jedna individua, niti jedna kompanija pa tako niti jedna država morate znati da iza stranice bitcoin.com stoji privatna kompanija Saint Bitts LLC. koja na tržištu nudi komercijalne usluge koje se temelje na blockchain tehnologiji koje su najčešće vezane za neke druge kripto valute a ne bitcoin.

Digitalno zlato

Star nešto više od deset godina, bitcoin je još uvijek relativno nova tehnologija. Još uvijek nije potpuno spreman za široku upotrebu u smislu novca koji se svakodnevno koristi za razmjenu dobara i usluga. Iako je danas moguće kupovati i prodavati proizvode i usluge s bitcoinom, trenutno je njegova primarna namjena pohrana vrijednosti na duže vrijeme ili kao oblik digitalnog zlata. Danas, mnogi ljudi kupuju bitcoin i koriste ga kao spremište vrijednosti tijekom vremena zbog njegove fiksne i ograničene maksimalne količine koja ikada može postojati. Sve što može zadržati svoju vrijednost ili kupovnu moć tijekom vremena je skladište vrijednosti. Budući da sve vlade diljem svijeta printaju beskonačne količine novca (fiat novac koji svi danas koristimo), dovodi do inflacije tih fiat valuta pa posljedično tome i do inflacije cijena odnosno porasta cijena svih dobara i usluga. Zbog toga su tradicionalne valute loše „skladište vrijednosti“. U usporedbi s tim valutama i drugom imovinom, bitcoin s vremenom bolje zadržava svoju vrijednost zbog svoje fiksne ponude.

Ljudi bitcoin iz tog razloga drže kao vrstu digitalnog zlata kao zaštitu od inflacije. Bitcoin također ima brojne prednosti u odnosu na pravo zlato, uključujući mogućnost slanja gotovo odmah i za vrlo male transakcijske troškove bilo gdje u svijetu. Osim toga, pohranjivanje bitcoina je puno jednostavnije od pohranjivanja zlata. Bitcoin se može čuvati na hardverskom novčaniku, računalu, pametnom telefonu, online bitcoin mjenjačnici ili u svemu navedenom. Da biste spremili svoj bitcoin, ne morate kupovati sef ili mjesto u trezoru neke banke. Bitcoin se, za razliku od zlata, također može lako prenijeti preko međunarodnih granica, kao što je već spomenuto.

Cijena može imati velike oscilacije

Cijena bitcoina je znatno porasla jer ga koristi sve više i više ljudi širom svijeta. Vrijednost bitcoina kada je prvi put predstavljen bila je manja od jednog penija. Do danas, najveća zabilježena cijena bitcoina bila je preko 69.000 američkih dolara. Međutim, kako bitcoin prolazi kroz proces prihvaćanja, može doći do značajnih kretanja cijena na gore i dolje u kratkom vremenskom periodu. Kao rezultat toga, ulaganje u bitcoin je još uvijek rizično, a ljudi bi trebali ulagati samo ono što si mogu priuštiti izgubiti. Možda je praktičnije reći da je u bitcoin najbolje uložiti onaj novac koji vam nije potreban za esencijalne životne potrebe te da ulaganje u bitcoin treba biti dugoročnog karaktera. Svi koji su u bitcoin uložili novac i nisu ga dirali barem 4 godine nisu nikada izgubili. Oni koji su npr. uložili u bitcoin kada je bio na svom vrhu na otprilike 69.000 američkih dolara i žele ili moraju do svog novca doći sada zasigurno bi imali ostvarene gubitke jer je cijena bitcoina trenutno manja od navedenog iznosa.

Bitcoin je dugoročna investicija i s vremenom vjerojatnost je velika da će postići cijene koje su mnogostruko veće i od trenutno najveće zabilježene od 69.000 američkih dolara. Cijenom bitcoina na burzama se trguje i manipulira isto kao i sa svim ostalim cijenama dionica a s obzirom da je bitcoin veoma mlada klasa imovine podložna je većim oscilacijama u kratkom vremenskom periodu od za razliku velikih svjetskih kompanija čije dionice na burzi kotiraju desetljećima.

Volatilnost cijene bitcoina je funkcija njegovog nastajanja. U prvih nekoliko godina svog postojanja, bitcoin se ponašao kao tzv „penny-stock“, i svaki veliki kupac koji bi se eventualno pojavio uzrokovao je nagli porast cijene. Kako su usvajanje i likvidnost rasli tijekom godina, volatilnost bitcoina se proporcionalno smanjila. Kada bitcoin postigne tržišnu kapitalizaciju zlata, pokazat će sličnu razinu volatilnosti. Kada bitcoin premaši tržišnu kapitalizaciju zlata, njegova volatilnost smanjit će se na razinu koja će ga učiniti prikladnim kao široko korišteno sredstvo razmjene.

Transakcije se mogu pratiti

U „javnoj knjizi“ bitcoina (bitcoin ledger) svaka transakcija bitcoinom je zabilježena. Svatko na svijetu može pregledati sve transakcije pretraživanjem Block Explorera na mreži i unošenjem određene transakcije ili adrese novčanika. Koristeći kriptografsku metodu s javnim ključem, privatnim se ključem čuvaju identitet vlasnika bitcoin novčanika i adresa bitcoin novčanika. Identitet korisnika ipak može biti otkriven ako se prilikom korištenja bitcoina samoinicijativno pružaju dodatne informacije o identitetu vlasnika bitcoina. Stoga je korištenje adresa bitcoin novčanika samo jednom solidna operativna sigurnosna praksa. Danas već postoje mnoge tvrtke na tržištu koje se fokusiraju na praćenje entiteta na blockchainu. Jedna od najpoznatiji je zasigurno Chainanlysis. Tvrtka surađuje s poduzećima i vladama država kako bi „povećali transparentnost“ blockchaina, kako bi lakše identificirali određene korisnike te pružili podatke i usluge analize podataka velikim tvrtkama.

Porezi i regulativa

Korištenjem bitcoina potrebno je upoznati se i sa poreznim obvezama koje iz toga proizlaze. Velika većina država na svijetu za trgovanje bitcoinom podrazumijeva da je na takve transakcije potrebno platiti i određena davanja državi. Bitcoin se tretira kao vlasništvo te se u Hrvatskoj plaća porez na kapitalnu dobit koju ste eventualno ostvarili kao razliku između nabavne i prodajne cijene. Ako kupujete i prodajete bitcoin, trebali biste se adekvatno pripremiti za rješavanje poreznih obveza. Ipak jedna dobra vijest je ta da ukoliko bitcoin držite više od dvije godine od datuma kupovine te ga tada odlučite prodati više nemate poreznu obvezu na temelju te transakcije. Kako smo već ranije spomenuli da je bitcoin primarno dugoročno spremište vrijednosti svakako bi ga trebali držati više od dvije godine. Mišljenje porezne uprave pročitajte u ovom dokumentu.

Sigurnosni savjeti za korištenje bitcoina

Enkripcija novčanika

Ukoliko ste se već odlučili da će te dio svoje imovine ipak pretvoriti u bitcoin morate biti svjesni činjenice da je bitcoin moguće i veoma lako izgubiti ako ga ne osigurate na pravi način. To ga su svjesni i hakeri čija česta meta napada postaju vlasnici bitcoina. Vaš pošteno stečen novac koji ste odlučili pretvoriti u bitcoin zaslužuje da bude sigurno pohranjen te je potrebno poduzeti nekoliko jednostavnih mjera opreza kako bi ga što sigurnije pohranili. Možda i jedna od najsigurnijih metoda zaštite je ta da informaciju o tome da ste vlasnik bitcoina jednostavno zadržite sami za sebe i to nikada ne spominjete u online svijetu.

Što se bitcoin novčanika tiče i njegove zaštite apsolutni minimum koji morate osigurati je vaš novčanik osiguran lozinkom bez obzira da li se radi o vašem osobnom novčaniku kojeg imate na računalu ili mobitelu ili novčaniku koji imate na nekoj od online mjenjačnica. Lozinke poput „123456“ ili „ivan30051980“ nisu lozinke i to ste već odavno trebali naučiti. Lozinke trebaju biti mnogo kompleksnije od ovih primjera pa ovome svakako dajte na važnosti. Lozinka bi svakako trebala sadržavati velika i mala slova kao i brojeve te specijalne simbole. Primjer jedne dobre lozinke izgledao bi ovako: „uS7Dj@85V14ez$7C“. Ukoliko se pitate kako je takvu lozinku uopće moguće zapamtiti tada možete razmisliti o korištenju password manager alata.

Ukoliko ste se odlučili za najsigurniju varijantu čuvanja vašeg bitcoina korištenjem Ledger ili Trezor hardverskih novčanika kroz proces zaštite istih biti će te vođeni prilikom njihove inicijalizacije.

Ukoliko koristite novčanike nekih od online mjenjačnica svakako je potrebno aktivirati 2FA ili dvo-faktorsku autentifikaciju. Ako ste se registrirali na mjenjačnicu koja ne pruža takvu mogućnost savjetujem vam da račun na toj mjenjačnici odmah zatvorite. Ocjenu i sigurnost pojedinih mjenjačnica možete pogledati na slijedećem linku. Dvo-faktorska autentifikacija predstavlja dodatnu razinu zaštite od neovlaštenih upada u vaš korisnički račun.

Na mjenjačnicama koje nude ovaj oblik zaštite nju je moguće aktivirati na slijedeći način: (mjenjačnice možda korite različitu terminologiju kroz izbornike ali princip je kod svih isti)

• Potrebno je preuzeti besplatnu Google Authenticator ili Authy aplikaciju putem vašeg mobilnog telefona
• Ulogirati se u vaš račun na mjenjačnici
• Otići na stranicu sa sigurnosnim postavkama i odabrati Two-Factor Authentication.
• Tada bi vam se trebao prikazati QR kod koji je potrebno skenirati sa aplikacijom koju ste preuzeli u prvom koraku
• Kada je kod uspješno skeniran aplikacija na mobitelu će vam početi prikazivati broj od 6 znamenki koji će se svakih 30 sekundi izmjenjivati
• Ovo je vaš kod za verifikaciju koji uz lozinku sada morate upisivati svaki put kada se ponovo budete pristupali svom korisničkom računu
• Mjenjačnica će vas sada zatražiti da potvrdite aktivaciju 2FA sa kodom koji se prikazuje u vašoj mobilnoj aplikaciji

Nikada ne dijeli svoje privatne ključeve

Privatni ključ je kod koji vam omogućuje prijenos bitcoina, odobravanje transakcija i općenito za kontrolu vašeg bitcoin novčanika. OD APSOLUTNE JE VAŽNOSTI DA SVOJE PRIVATNE KLJUČEVE ZADRŽITE SAMO ZA SEBE. Čuvajte ih na sigurnom mjestu kojem samo vi možete pristupiti. UKOLIKO NETKO DOĐE DO VAŠIH PRIVATNIH KLJUČEVA ON TADA IMA PRISTUP VAŠEM BITCOIN NOVČANIKU TE SA VAŠIM BITCOINOM SPREMLJENIM NA NJEGA MOŽE UČITI ŠTO GOD ŽELI.

Svoje privatne ključeve čuvajte. Privatne ključeve nikada ne čuvajte na računalu ili mobitelu ili bilo kojem drugom uređaju koji se može spojiti na Internet. Jer ako se može spojiti na Internet tada tom uređaju mogu isto tako pristupiti i hakeri ili zloćudni softver a vaši privatni ključevi tada mogu biti kompromitirani.

Poznata je uzrečica koja glasi „Not your keys not your coins“. Vašim bitcoinom upravljate samo ako imate kontrolu nad vašim privatnim ključevima. Ako nemate kontrolu nad vašim privatnim ključevima tada nemate ni kontrolu nad vašim bitcoinom.

Jednostavno kreiranje i osiguranje pohrane vlastitih privatnih ključeva moguće je pomoću vodećih hardverskih novčanika kao što su Ledger i Trezor.

Sigurnosna pohrana novčanika

Prilikom inicijalizacije Ledger ili Trezor hardverskih novčanika morate zapisati frazu za oporavak. Fraza za oporavak se sastoji od 12 ili 24 riječi koje je potrebno zapisati na zasebni komad papira koji dolazi u pakiranju sa ovim tipom novčanika. Ovo je IZNIMNO VAŽNO jer ukoliko se desi da vaš novčanik bude oštećen, izgubljen ili ukraden, koristeći frazu za oporavak, svojim sredstvima na novom novčaniku uvijek možete pristupiti koristeći frazu za oporavak.

Jednom kada ste frazu za oporavak zapisali potrebno ju je sigurno pospremiti isto kako ste pospremili i svoj privatni ključ. Dakle offline, nikako na računalu ili u mobitelu niti u bilo kojem drugom digitalnom obliku. Frazu za oporavak možete čuvati u vašem domu ili na drugom sigurnom mjestu. Svakako osigurajte da je mjesto sigurno i vama lako dostupno kako biste svom bitcoinu mogli lako i brzo pristupiti u slučaju da izgubite vaš novčanik ili da se isti jednostavno pokvari.

Detaljno o privatnim ključevima, i frazama za oporavak pročitajte u dijelu o bitcoin novčanicima.

Ažuriranje softvera novčanika

Kako biste bili sigurni da je vaš bitcoin novčanik siguran, potrebno je redovito ažuriranje softwarea novčanika kako biste bili sigurni da software ne sadrži eventualne propuste koji mogu ugroziti sigurnost vašeg novčanika. Tvrtke koje svoja programska rješenja za bitcoin novčanike pružaju na upotrebu redovito ažuriraju svoj software kako bi ga unaprijedile korisnim izmjenama i dodacima i učinile još sigurnijim u odnosu na prethodnu verziju koja je korištena. Ako redovito ažurirate software vašeg bitcoin novčanika, na taj način osigurati će te da vaš novčanik ima najnovije značajke i najbolju funkcionalnost.

Kako kupiti bitcoin

Online mjenjačnice

Najlakši i najsigurniji način za kupnju Bitcoina je kupnja putem online mjenjačnica. Neke od najpopularnijih mjenjačnica danas su Binance, FTX, Coinbase, Kraken, KuCoin, Gemini, Gate.io, Bitfinex, Bitstamp, Bybit itd. Manje, odnosno manje poznate mjenjačnice nose veći rizik prilikom korištenja istih. Uz rizik da nisu u potpunosti sigurne postoji i mogućnost da nisu u potpunosti ni usklađene sa svim zakonskim regulativama. Imajte na umu da postoji i jako puno različitih mjenjačnica koje su apsolutne prevare. Ukoliko vam se putem telegrama, twittera, discorda i ostalih online aplikacija javljaju nepoznati ljudi i promoviraju vam mjenjačnice na kojima možete sigurno trgovati i dobivati jako velike povrate na svoje uloge savjetujem vam da te ljude odmah blokirate i ni slučajno ne otvarate linkove koje su vam poslali da se na tim mjenjačnicama registrirate. Ukoliko se registrirate i pošaljete svoja sredstva na njih budite sigurni da ste ta sredstva zauvijek izgubili.

Stoga se preporuča da svoj prvi bitcoin (ili samo dio bitcoina) kupite na nekoj od najvećih mjenjačnica, dobro etabliranih imena koja su prethodno navedena. Mjenjačnicama tih tvrtki možete pristupiti putem računala ili mobitela koristeći aplikacije koje možete preuzeti u Google Play Storeu ili Apple Storeu. Iako su to najveći igrači u kripto svijetu savjetujem vam da kada kupite svoj prvi bitcoin da ga svakako pošaljete na svoj novčanik. Kako smo već spomenuli frazu „Not your keys not your coins“ znate da ako svoj bitcoin ostavite na mjenjačnici da ne posjedujete privatni ključ za bitcoin adresu na kojoj se vaš bitcoin nalazi te samim time vi nemate apsolutnu kontrolu na njim.

Da biste kupili bitcoin, prvo morate uplatiti sredstva na račun mjenjačnice, nakon čega ta sredstva možete zamijeniti za bitcoin. Mnoge mjenjačnice nude vam opciju da novac putem bankovne transakcije prebacite na njihov bankovni račun ili da bitcoin kupite koristeći vašu debitnu ili kreditnu karticu. Ukoliko se odlučite novac prebaciti bankovnom transakcijom morate znati da će se vaš novac na mjenjačnici pojaviti u roku najčešće od 1-3 radna dana. Ukoliko želite koristiti vašu karticu novac na vašem računu bit će dostupan odmah. Ali pritom imajte na umu ukoliko koristite karticu da su provizije poprilično velike i znaju biti u rasponu od najčešće 3-5% što je zaista previše. Prilikom slanja novca na svoj račun na online mjenjačnici putem bankovne transakcije najčešće nema provizije koju će vam mjenjačnica naplatiti za polog sredstava. Neki manji trošak transakcije može se pojaviti prilikom slanja novca sa vašeg računa i to ovisi o vašoj banci.

Bitcoin bankomati (ATM)

Danas postoje i bitcoin bankomati identični onim običnim bankomatima banaka koje svakodnevno koristite za podizanje gotovine. Bitcoin bankomati pružaju diskretnu opciju za kupnju i prodaju bitcoina. Ako postoji neki blizu mjesta gdje živite, oni su također praktičan način da dođete do bitcoina. Svakako imajte na umu na su troškovi transakcije na njima u najboljem slučaju na razini onih kada koristite svoju debitnu ili kreditnu karticu za kupnju bitcoina na centraliziranim mjenjačnicama.

Danas je bitcoin moguće kupiti i u poštanskim uredima ili u klasičnim mjenjačnicama koje se nalaze na svakom koraku tipa Western Union. Transakcijske naknade kod njih su također velike tako da dvaput razmilite prije nego ih koristite.

Lokacije bitcoin bankomata možete pretraživati na slijedećem linku:

https://coinatmradar.com/

Osobno od nekoga

Bitcoin možete kupiti i osobno od nekoga tko ga želi prodati. To može biti vama neka bliska ili barem poznata osoba. Isto tako, danas online možete pronaći mnogo stranica i aplikacija na kojima ljudi oglašavaju kupnju i prodaju bitcoina. U ovom slučaju budite jako oprezni jer prevaranata ima na svakom koraku. Ukoliko se odlučite na ovaj način kupovine ili prodaje bitcoina, kod osobe s kojom dogovorite transakciju inzistirajte na tome da se nađete na nekom javnom mjestu umjesto nekog parkirališta, male mračne uličice ili lokalne birtije. Nikako nije uputno ići sam na takve „sastanke“.

Bitcoin novčanici

Što je bitcoin novčanik

Poput vašeg običnog novčanika, bitcoin novčanik je način za pohranjivanje novca odnosno vašeg bitcoina. Osnovna stvar koju morate razumjeti a koja se tiče bitcoin novčanika je da bitcoin zapravo ne postoji unutar njega. Bitcoin postoji samo na distribuiranoj bitcoin knjizi (bitcoin blockchain ledger). Privatni ključevi odnosno ključevi koji su potrebni za slanje i primanje bitcoina preko te distribuirane bitcoin infrastrukture na kojoj bitcoin zapravo funkcionira čuvaju se u bitcoin novčaniku.

Što je bitcoin adresa

Niz brojeva i slova koji je specifičan samo za vaš novčanik je bitcoin adresa. Da biste primili bitcoin, morate tu adresu podijeliti s osobom koja vam želi poslati bitcoin. Preporučljivo je da nikada 2 puta ne koristite istu adresu iz sigurnosnih razloga. Bitcoin novčanici imaju mogućnost generirati beskonačan broj bitcoin adresa pa je ovu mogućnost uputno koristiti. Većina novčanika brine o tome automatski umjesto vas i generira novu adresu svaki put kada želite primiti bitcoin. Pritom uvijek znate stanje bitcoina u vašem novčaniku koji prikazuje saldo bitcoina na svim bitcoin adresama koje su za vas u njemu generirane.

Što je to fraza za oporavak

Kada inicijalizirate novi novčanik, stvara se niz od 12 ili 24 nasumično generirane riječi poznate kao “seed words” ili “mnemonic“ odnosno fraza za oporavak. Ovaj set riječi služi za otključavanje cjelokupnog vašeg novčanika i njega nikada ni u kojem slučaju ne smijete s nikim podjeliti. Isto tako, dužni ste ovaj set riječi pohraniti na sigurno i vama lako dostupno mjesto da u slučaju potrebe isti možete upotrijebiti. Ako itko dođe u posjed ovog seta riječi bez problema može isprazniti vaš bitcoin novčanik.

Što je pristupna fraza

Pristupna fraza, passphrase ili zaporka, često je poznata kao dodatna 13. ili 25. riječ u setu od 12 ili 24 riječi koje se inače zapisuju kod inicijalizacije novog bitcoin novčanika. To je korisnički definirana dopunska riječ ili izraz namijenjen za jačanje sigurnosti. Da bi pristupio vašem novčaniku napadaču je potrebna i ta vaša dodatna riječ uz cjelokupnu frazu od 12 ili 24 riječi koje ste zapisali. Tu jednu dodatnu riječ nikada ne držite u blizini ili zajedno sa vašom frazom za oporavak od 12 ili 24 riječi.

Što je privatni ključ

Privatni ključ predstavlja dokaz da entitet koji ga posjeduje ima ovlaštenje za trošenje bitcoina s odgovarajuće bitcoin adrese. Privatni ključ kreira se iz vaše pristupne fraze. Za svaku adresu koja je otvorena u vašem novčaniku generira se privatni ključ. Danas, velika većina korisnika bitcoina nikada se neće izravno koristiti s privatnim ključem; umjesto toga, softver novčanika to odrađuje automatski za vas prilikom korištenja.

Što je javni ključ

Javni ključ za bitcoin je isto ono što je IBAN za vaš bankovni račun. To je bitcoin adresa na koju možete primati novac na blockchainu odnosno primati bitcoin na vašu bitcoin adresu.

Što je prošireni javni ključ

O proširenom javnom ključu ili Xpub možete razmišljati kao o glavnom ključu vašeg bitcoin novčanika. Isto kao i kod privatnih ključeva ili fraza za oporavak ovaj ključ nitko osim vas ne smije znati. Pomoću Xpub ključa moguće je generirati i vidjeti svaku adresu koja je prethodno generirana u vašem novčaniku. Ypub i Zpub su Xpub varijacije koje zapravo imaju istu funkciju.

Koji bitcoin novčanik je najbolji za vaše potrebe

Potpunu kontrolu nad svojim bitcoinom imate korištenjem hardverskih novčanika. Ali s tom potpunom kontrolom dolazi i potpuna individualna (vaša) odgovornost. Vi i samo vi ste odgovorni za sigurnost vašeg bitcoina. Vi sami morate osigurati fizičku zaštitu vašeg bitcoin novčanika kako ga ne biste izgubili ili da vam ne bude ukraden. Isto tako, morate zapamtiti lozinku vašeg bitcoin novčanika kako bi mogli pristupiti svojem bitcoinu.

S druge pak strane, čuvanje bitcoina na raznim bitcoin mjenjačnicama je mnogo jednostavnije ali morate biti svjesni da u tom slučaju ne posjedujete privatne ključeve koji vam garantiraju da sa svojim bitcoinom možete raditi što god želite, kada god to želite i u odnosu s kim god to želite.

Mjenjačnice koliko god velike bile ipak mogu biti hakirane. Najpoznatiji primjer takvog slučaja datira još iz 2014. godine kada je tada najveća mjenjačnica Mt.Gox napadnuta te je ukradeno oko 850.000 bitcoina. Dan danas velika većina tog ukradenog bitcoina još uvijek nije pronađena niti vraćena vlasnicima.

Danas je sigurnost na velikim mjenjačnicama znatno veća. Tvrtke kao što su Binance, Coinbase, Kraken itd., na primjer, drže veliku većinu svojih Bitcoina u tzv. cold storage novčanicima koji nisu povezani na Internet te su tako zaštićeni od cyber napada. Bez obzira na sve moguće oblike zaštite, mjenjačnice su uvijek izložene velikoj količini pokušaja upada u njihove sustave.

Idealan odabir novčanika ovisi od pojedinca do pojedinca. Radi se o preferencijama svakog ponaosob a faktori koji na to utječu mogu biti npr. iznos bitcoina koji se želi spremiti ili koliko brzo i jednostavno se tom bitcoinu želi moći pristupati. Slično kao i kod bilo koje druge vrste valuta, manje količine bitcoina možete držati u manje sigurnom novčaniku (u novčanicima na računalu ili mobitelu) do kojeg je jednostavno doći za svakodnevnu upotrebu, dok veće količine bitcoina svakako trebate držite skrivene na sigurnijem mjestu u hardverskim novčanicima tipa Ledger ili Trezor. Isto tako, ukoliko posjedujete veće količine bitcoina uputno ga je držati na više hardverskih novčanika koji se nikada ne bi trebali nalaziti na istom mjestu.

Hardverski novčanici

Postoje mnoge različite opcije za pohranu bitcoina, svaka sa svojim prednostima i nedostacima i po kojima se međusobno razlikuju. Kako biste spriječili krađu ili gubitak, ključno je da ste svoj bitcoin sigurno pohranili. Ako se dovedete u situaciju da je bitcoin izgubljen ili ukraden, velika je vjerojatnost da ga više nikada nećete pronaći i da je izgubljen trajno i nenadoknadivo. Iz tog razloga, trebali biste paziti da uvijek pohranite svoj bitcoin na sigurno. Najsigurnija opcija pohrane bitcoina je na hardverske (offline) novčanike.

Hardverski novčanici fizički su uređaji koji sliče najobičnijim USB stickovima a koji vam omogućuju sigurnu pohranu Bitcoina na njih. Da biste bitcoin poslali na svoj hardverski novčanik morate ga baš popust USB sticka spojiti na računalo. Istovremeno je potrebno instalirati i pokrenuti nativni programski paket koji ide uz novčanik te u njemu izvršiti sve potrebne operacije za prijenos bitcoina u vaš novčanik sa recimo online mjenjačnice na kojoj ste prethodno bitcoin kupili. Nakon prijenosa bitcoina u vaš hardverski novčanik, novčanik je potrebno pospremiti na sigurno. Hardverski novčanici zaštićeni su lozinkom, pa čak i ako je vaš hardverski novčanik izgubljen ili ukraden, netko i dalje treba lozinku za pristup vašem bitcoinu. Imajte na umu da svoju lozinku ne smijete držati zajedno sa novčanikom kao što npr. neki ljudi u svojim normalnim novčanicima drže pinove za kartice koje se nalaze u istom tom novčaniku. Ne moram vam objašnjavati koliko je to neodgovorno ponašanje.

Primjeri hardverskih novčanika:

Ledger

Ledger je vjerojatno najpoznatiji hardverski novčanik na tržištu. Ledger novčanici imaju visoku reputaciju za sigurnost i pouzdanost pohranjivanja bitcoina. Osim toga, izrađeni su od čvrstih materijala poput nehrđajućeg čelika, što povećava njihovu otpornost na oštećenja tokom vremena. Ovu dodatnu karakteristiku mnogi vide kao veliku prednost nad ostalim novčanicima.

!!VAŽNO!!

Prvi put kada koristite Ledger novčanik, biti će vam prikazana fraza za oporavak koju morate zapisati na papir koji je priložen u pakiranju samog novčanika. Ako izgubite svoj Ledger novčanik ili ako se jednostavno pokvari, korištenjem fraze za oporavak možete povratiti svoj bitcoin novčanik na novom uređaju.

!!POSEBNO VAŽNO!!

Svoj Ledger novčanik uvijek kupujte direktno od proizvođača ili od ovlaštenih distributera. Ako kupujete od nepoznatih trgovaca ili pojedinaca nemate garanciju da novčanik nije prethodno kompromitiran. Događali su se slučajevi da su ljudi novčanike kupovali preko ebay platforme. Novčanici su im dostavljeni na kućnu adresu ali su ti novčanici već u samom pakiranju imali ispunjene kartice sa frazom za oporavak. Poruka koju su novi vlasnici novčanika od prodavatelja dobili da su oni to već za vas napravili kako bi vam maksimalno olakšali upotrebu. Neiskusni korisnici su im na tome bili jako zahvali i nisu znali da ako netko drugi već zna tu frazu za oporavak da isto tako može pristupiti njihovom bitcoinu. Naravno, ti korisnici ostali su bez bitcoina koji su stavili na tako kompromitiran uređaj. Dakle, kada Ledger uređaj stigne na vašu adresu mora biti tvornički zatvoren. Kartica za zapis fraze za oporavak mora biti prazna i Ledger uređaj kada ga prvi put spojite na računalo mora vas provesti kroz proces generiranja fraze za oporavak koja se sastoji od 12 ili 24 riječi koje morate zapisati na karticu koja je s uređajem stigla.

Ledger ima više različitih uređaja a to su Ledger Nano S, Ledger Nano S Plus i Ledger Nano X. Detalje o svakom uređaju posebno i narudžbu možete napraviti klikom na naziv svakog od uređaja.

Trezor

Trezor novčanik je također veoma popularan hardverski novčanik vlasnicima bitcoina. Trezor novčanik nudi korisničko sučelje koje je jednostavno za korištenje te također ima visoku razinu sigurnosti i reputaciju na tržištu. Osim toga, Trezor ima izvrsnu podršku korisnicima, što je ključno s obzirom na to da mnogi kupci koji kupuju Trezor novčanike nikada prije nisu koristili hardverski novčanik pa im je za prvu upotrebu potrebna pomoć.

Kao i kod Ledger novčanika na početku korištenja morati će te zapisati frazu za oporavak koja se sastoji od 12 ili 24 riječi. U slučaju da izgubite ili oštetite svoj Trezor novčanik, ovu frazu za oporavak možete upotrijebiti za dohvat vašeg bitcoina na novom uređaju. Nakon što Trezor uređaj baš kao i Leger odspojite sa računala znači da putem interneta njemu više nitko ne može pristupiti. Kao i kod Ledger uređaja, Trezor morate pospremiti na sigurno mjesto kojem vi u svakom trenutku imate pristup.

NGRAVE

NGRAVE novčanik pogledajte ovdje.

Novčanici na računalu ili mobitelu

Novčanik koji kao aplikaciju možete instalirati na vašem računalu zove se još i desktop wallet ili desktop novčanik. Desktop novčanici općenito dolaze s više funkcionalnosti od mobilnih novčanika, ali mogu biti i kompliciraniji. Budući da su računala povezana na internet i podložna su zlonamjernom ili malicioznom softveru, trebate biti jako oprezni sa softverom koji instalirate.

Mobilni novčanik je onaj koji radi na vašem mobilnom telefonu. Ti novčanici omogućuju brz pristup vašem bitcoinu, ali isto tako nose sa sobom veliki rizik. Ako izgubite ili razbijete telefon, možete izgubiti i svoj bitcoin. Ako se to i desi to ne bi trebao biti problem pod uvjetom da je vaša „seed fraza“ sigurno pohranjena tako da možete svoj novčanik aktivirati na drugom uređaju.

Novčanici kojima upravljaju treće strane

Novčanici kod trećih strana su novčanici kod kojih vi ne kontrolirate privatne ključeve. Ovakvi novčanici često mogu olakšati potencijalne složenosti koje dolaze sa korištenjem bitcoin novčanika, ali to dolazi s rizikom da vi nemate kontrolu nad vašim privatnim ključevima pa tako ni nad vašim bitcoinom. Ovakvim novčanicima uglavnom upravljaju burze i korisnicima se savjetuje da na njima ne drže velike količine bitcoina. Neke od najpoznatijih online mjenjačnica su Binance, FTX (tokom 2022. godine ispostavilo se da je ova mjenjačnica jedna od največih prijevara u povijesti kripta), Coinbase, Kraken, KuCoin, Gemini, Gate.io, Bitfinex, Bitstamp, Bybit itd. Kao što je već rečeno ti novčanici su jednostavniji i praktičniji za korištenje ali vi ne posjedujete vaše privatne ključeve.

Često ove online mjenjačnice osiguravaju svoje kripto novčanike metodama kao što su identifikacija s 2 ili 3 faktorskom autentifikacijom i vremenskim odmakom za transakcije. Na primjer, online mjenjačnica Coinbase ima sigurnosnu opciju koja se zove “pohrana u trezoru” koja vam omogućuje prijenos Bitcoina s običnog novčanika u novčanik koji ima razdoblje čekanja od 48 sati za povlačenje vašeg bitcoina i zahtijeva provjeru telefonskim putem i sa dvije različite email adrese. Dodatne usluge ovog tipa značajno pridonose povećanju sigurnosti.

Skrbnička rješenja

Skrbnička rješenja su obično namijenjena institucijama ili pojedincima koji žele zaštititi velike količine kripto valuta. Takvi novčanici obično su osigurani od gubitka ili krađe do određenih iznosa. Danas postoje brojne usluge čuvanja bitcoina visoke razine sigurnosti za institucionalne ulagače. Tvrtke kao što su Coinbase, Gemini, Fidelity ili BitGo nude skrbništvo nad Bitcoinom. Ukoliko ste ste pojedinac s velikom neto vrijednošću u bitcoinu ili ako predstavljate instituciju, tada bi jedno od ovakvih rješenja mogla biti prava opcija za vas.

Novčanik s više potpisa

Novčanik koji treba više od jednog privatnog ključa za potpisivanje transakcije poznat je kao novčanik s više potpisa ili multi-sig wallet. Prilikom izrade novčanika, korisnik može odabrati hoće li upotrijebiti 2 od moguća 3 ključa za potpisivanje ili 15 od mogućih 20. Iako je multi-sig novčanik puno kompliciraniji za kreirati od novčanika sa samo jednim privatnim ključem on je zato sigurniji od novčanika sa samo jednim privatnim ključem.

Novčanici samo za pregled

Vaš prošireni javni ključ (Xpub), koji vam omogućuje pregled stanja novčanika, koristi se za izradu novčanika koji omogućavaju samo uvid u stanje novčanika (view only) bez mogućnosti potpisivanja transakcija odnosno slanja bitcoina iz njega. Ovakvi novčanici ne mogu se koristiti niti za kupnju jer nemaju privatne ključeve.

Transakcijske naknade

Ovisno o brzini kojom želite da se transakcija obavi imate mogućnost da odaberete visinu transakcijske naknade. Što je naknada viša vaša transakcija će prije biti obrađena. Uz to morate biti svjesni da vrijeme obrade transakcije ovisi i o zauzetosti mreže u datom trenutku. Prilikom transakcije u vašem novčaniku vidjet će te procjenu kolika je transakcijska naknada te će te imati mogućnost povećati ili smanjiti taj parametar.

Što je to QR kod

Podaci o adresama i iznosima vizualno mogu biti predstavljeni i putem QR koda. QR kodovi se najčešće koriste kako bi se dugačke i komplicirane za zapamtiti bitcoin adrese jednostavno mogle skenirati vašim mobilnim uređajem. Na ovaj način eliminira se potreba za ručnim upisivanjem adrese, što može rezultirati pogreškama prilikom prepisivanja i slanjem bitcoina na nepostojeću adresu. Ukoliko se to desi nažalost vaš bitcoin je nepovratno izgubljen.

Uobičajene pogreške

Bitcoin alternative

Odmah na početku moramo reći da bitcoin nema alternativu. Alternativne kripto valute kojih danas ima gotovo 20.000 u više od 99.99% slučajeva su čiste prevare koje se temelje na privlačenju korisnika putem različitih marketinških trikova i buzzworda poput izraza „decentralizirano financiranje“. Korištenjem razno raznih aplikacija koje nude velike prinose možda zvuči primamljivo ali morate biti svjesni da takvi prinosi nisu komercijalno održivi i da će zasigurno doći trenutak kada će se ti sistemi urušiti. Ukoliko ste svoj bitcoin deponirali na platforme ovog tipa savjetujem vas da ga što prije povučete na svoj novčanik za koji posjedujete svoje privatne ključeve.

Kupnja bitcoina na centraliziranim mjenjačnicama

Kupnja KYC (Know-Your-Customer) bitcoina na centraliziranim mjenjačnicama (CEX) brz je i jednostavan način. No ipak morate biti svjesni kompromisa i posljedica koje iz toga proizlaze. Kako bi ste se uspješno registrirali na centraliziranim mjenjačnicama minimalno što će te morati napraviti je ostaviti vaš osobni dokument sa slikom. Na temelju toga, budući da je bitcoin transakcije moguće pratiti uvijek vas se može povezati sa adresom na kojoj je vaš bitcoin pohranjen. Isto tako, sve vaše buduće transakcije mogu biti praćene. Ukoliko je ovo nešto što vam nije o značaja bitcoin slobodno kupite na online mjenjačnicama ali ga svakako prebacite na vaš novčanik tako da ga ne ostavljate u novčaniku mjenjačnice.

Ne istražiti druge opcije kupnje

Koja alternativna rješenja na tržištu postoje ako vam se ne sviđa prizvuk kupovine bitcoina na centraliziranim mjenjačnicama gdje ste dužni ostaviti svoje podatke. Iako postoje peer-to-peer platforme za razmjenu kao što su Bisq i HodlHodl koje koriste escrow usluge kako bi vam omogućile stjecanje bitcoina od bilo koga u cijelom svijetu, one obično nisu tako jednostavne za korištenje kao KYC alternative. Najjednostavniji način za početak je kupnja od prijatelja, osoba od povjerenja ili pak članova obitelji. Mnogi korisnici su odavno shvatili koliko je anonimnost zapravo važna. Ako se raspitate malo oko sebe zasigurno će te naići na nekoga tko bitcoin već posjeduje a za koga to možda nikada ne bi rekli. To su ljudi koji ne oglašavaju na sva zvona da posjeduju bitcoin i to bi zapravo svatko trebao tako raditi. Raspitajte se oko sebe, netko sigurno ima bitcoina koji je spreman prodati.

Druga dobra alternativa za anonimno stjecanje bitcoina je rudarenje ali to je zasebna i tehnološki malo zahtjevnija edukacija o kojoj će biti govora na ovoj stranici. Svakako morate biti upoznati i s poreznim aspektom ovakvog načina stjecanja bitcoina.

Ne imati svoj vlastiti „node“

Korištenje vlastitog noda vam daje sigurnost da su informacije prikazane u vašem novčaniku točne i u skladu s “Bitcoin propisima” vašeg čvora. Jednostavno rečeno, ako ne koristite vlastiti node, znači da koristite nečiji tuđi bez obzira da li znate tu osobu ili ne. Bitcoin tako jednostavno funkcionira. Korištenjem vlastitog noda ne morate se oslanjati ni na koga drugoga za provođenje transakcija kada imate novčanik povezan s vlastitim nodom, što daje ogromne prednosti u pogledu privatnosti.

Ostavljati bitcoin na mjenjačnicama

Nakon što ste kupili bitcoin na nekoj od mjenjačnica (KYC) i ostavili sve svoje osobne podatke, ostavili ste ga na burzi jer niste znali kako se koristit bitcoin novčanik ili kako se bitcoin sa mjenjačnice šalje u vaš novčanik. Morate biti svjesni da vi ne posjedujete privatne ključeve novčanika u kojima se bitcoin nalazi na mjenjačnicama na kojoj ste ga kupili bez obzira što ga vidite nakon što ste se na mjenjačnicu ulogirali. Vaš korisnički račun na mjenjačnici nije isto što i bitcoin novčanik. Bitcoin koji vam stoji na mjenjačnici što prije pospremite u novčanik za koji vi i samo vi posjedujete privatne ključeve. Ne dopustite da vam se dogodi situacija u kojoj će neka mjenjačnica biti meta hakerskog napada i sa koje je ukraden bitcoin među kojima se nalazi i vaš. Bilo je mnogo ovakvih slučajeva posljednjih godina. Isto tako, nisu ni sve mjenjačnice u potpunosti legitimne te je bilo slučajeva da su vlasnici istih jednostavno nestali i sa sobom uzeli ogromne količine tuđeg novca (bitcoina i ostalih kripto valuta).

Također, u zadnje vrijeme otkako je tržište kripto valuta dosta potonulo (isto kao i sva ostala tržišta) došlo je do situacija da su pojedine firme (mjenjačnice ali i firme koje se bave pružanjem drugačijih usluga na kripto tržištu) zbog krize koja ih je pogodila jednostavno postale insolventne. Jedna od stvari koje su prvo napravile bilo je to da su onemogućili korisnicima da sa tih platformi povuku svoja sredstva. Najznačajniji primjeri ovakvih događaja su vezani za Celsius i BlockFi. Nemojte se dovoditi u ovakve situacije i obavezno svoj bitcoin nakon kupovine prebacite na svoj novčanik u kojem vi upravljate sa svojim privatnim ključevima.

Slati nekome svoje privatne ključeve

Prevaranti se često predstavljaju kao članovi bitcoin zajednice kako bi ponudili podršku nekome tko možda traži pomoć putem chat aplikacija kao što su Telegram, Discord i sl. Te osobe se će vam najčešće poslati linkove na kojima trebate upisati svoje privatne ključeve ili frazu za oporavak kako bi oni tobože provjerili da ste vi stvarno vlasnik tog novčanika i kako bi vam onda mogli pružiti pomoć. To je naravno jedna velika laž. Nikada, ali baš nikada, nikome (ni policiji, ni poreznim vlastima, ni državnim institucijama) ne dajte svoje privatne ključeve ili frazu za oporavak a posebno ne online.

Nesigurna pohrana vaše „fraze za oporavak“

Ključ do vašeg bitcoina je vaša fraza za oporavak i svatko tko joj ima pristup ima i pristup vašem bitcoinu. Treba ju čuvati na sigurnom mjestu, ali pripazite da ne bude „toliko sigurna“ da i vi zaboravite gdje je ili kako glasi. Jedna veoma loša ideja je držati ju na računalu ili u mobitelu. Vjerojatno najsigurnija metoda je da ju „jednostavno“ zapamtite i da ne postoji druga kopija. Ali naravno morate biti sigurni da će te ju moći reproducirati kada za to dođe vrijeme.

Slanje bitcoina na netočnu adresu

Ovih dana sve je teže to učiniti jer novčanici sada imaju značajke otkrivanja pogrešaka i QR kodove koji se mogu skenirati kamerom na vašem mobilnom telefonu. Kada nekome šaljete bitcoin, uvijek je najbolje koristiti QR kodove ili copy/paste bitcoin adrese jer dugi nizovi brojeva i slova nisu jednostavni za prepisivanje i lako može doći do pogreške. Prije finalnog slanja uputno je još jednom ipak provjeriti adresu prije slanja.

Pretjerana euforija

Što više budete učili o bitcoinu i kako budete sve dublje i dublje shvaćali što je to zapravo bitcoin i kako funkcionira nemoguće je da vas neće uhvatiti euforija. Još ako vrijeme počnete provoditi recimo na Twitteru i YouTube-u gdje se vjerojatno najviše sadržaja generira o bitcoinu možete doći u iskušenje da na bitcoin potrošite više novca nego si to zaista i možete priuštiti. Bitcoin je još uvijek mlada i veoma cjenovno osjetljiva klasa imovine. Nemojte se dovesti u situaciju da kada dođe do većih padova cijene da razmišljate hoćete li sutra imati za stanarinu ili još gore za osnovne životne namirnice. Ne ulažite u bitcoin novac koji si ne možete priuštiti da ga u potpunosti izgubite. Ovo vrijedi za sve klase imovine pa tako i za bitcoin.

Trgovanje na burzama

Trgovanje bitcoinom na burzama može biti jako primamljiva stvar ako znate da dnevne fluktuacije cijene bitcoina znaju biti i 20%. Kripto tržište je još uvijek mlado i neregulirano pa tako i mjenjačnice na kojima se trguje. Vi kao mali igrač nemate nikakve šanse protiv velikih igrača koji još uvijek sa relativno „malo novca“ mogu manipulirati cijenom bitcoina a to znači da će te vi biti „likvidirani“. Ostavite trgovanje nekome drugome a vi online mjenjačnice koristite samo za kupovanje bitcoina i slanje istoga na svoj privatni novčanik.

Ne radite od sebe metu

Bitcoin živi na internetu koji je, slično kao i stvarni svijet, pun prevaranata koji su spremni otići daleko kako bi se domogli vašeg bitcoina. Razgovorom o posjedovanju bitcoina na internetu ili u stvarnom svijetu doslovno stavljate metu na vaša leđa za lopove ili prevarante. Uobičajeni pristup za ljude koji komuniciraju online s bitcoin zajednicom je stvaranje online persone koja je potpuno odvojena od vašeg stvarnog identiteta.

Ne koristiti 2FA

Danas je vaša email adresa povezana s računom za sve što radite online. Prevaranti relativno jednostavno mogu dobiti pristup vašim privatnim podacima ako ne vodite dovoljnu pažnju oko zaštite te vaše email adrese. Dodatni sigurnosni mehanizam, dvostruka autentifikacija ili 2FA, štiti vas od nepoželjnih upada u korisničke račune. Najpoznatije dvije 2FA aplikacije su Google Authenticator i Authy koje možete preuzeti putem vašeg mobilnog telefona kao i svaku drugu aplikaciju. Svakako koristite ove mogućnosti dodatne zaštite za sve vaše online korisničke račune i izbjegavajte oblik ovakve 2FA autentifikacije putem SMS poruka.

Ne tražiti pomoć ako nešto ne znate

Bitcoin zajednica je danas izrazito rasprostranjena i korisna. Postoje stotine različitih telegram grupa, GitHub ili reddit stranica, profila na Twitteru koji su voljni pomoći u svako doba. Ako imate bilo kakvo pitanje slobodno se i nama obratite i postavite pitanje. Zapamtite, ako niste sigurni, pitajte.

Mitovi o bitcoinu

Bitcoin nema intrinzičnu vrijednost

Kao i svakog novca, vrijednost bitcoina proizlazi iz kredibiliteta njegovih monetarnih svojstava. Vrijednost bitcoina proizlazi iz toga što se njegova rijetkost, njegov postojeći i konačan broj lagano i neovisno može provjeriti u bilo kojem trenutku. Distribuirano rudarenje bitcoina i mehanizam konsenzusa iza kojeg stoje stotine milijuna dolara vrijedne računalne opreme koja osigurava mrežu 24/7/365 čine ga iznimno vrijednim. Budući da se danas svatko s internetskom vezom može uključiti u mrežu, bitcoin je jedini pravi oblik novca. Bitcoin ne cenzurira niti diskriminira za razliku od svih ostalih oblika novca u optjecaju.

Bitcoin je anoniman

Ovo nije istina. Na razini Bitcoin mreže novčanik ili adresa nisu izravno povezani s identitetom neke osobe u stvarnom svijetu. Kao rezultat toga, tvrtke koje se bave analizom podataka na mreži mogu pratiti transakcije s adrese na adresu ali ne znaju tko je vlasnik tih adresa. Kupovinom bitcoina na centraliziranim mjenjačnicama gdje ste dužni ostaviti osobne podatke omogućavate da vas se prati odnosno da se adrese koje ste koristili na mjenjačnicama budu direktno povezane s vašim imenom i prezimenom. Razmislite da li ovo želite prije nego bitcoin kupite na centraliziranim mjenjačnicama.

Bitcoin programski kod jednostavno može biti izmijenjen

Ovo također nije istina. Bitcoin je poznat po tome da je za svaku i najmanju promjenu u programskom kodu potrebno jako puno vremena. To je ujedno i stavka zbog koje je i dosta kritiziran ali samo od strane ljudi koji bitcoin ne razumiju dovoljno ili koji imaju vlastite osobne interese u želji za promjenom bitcoin koda. Ne učestale promjene programskog koda bitcoina su jedan od temeljnih postulata na kojima se gradi sigurnost bitcoina odnosno Bitcoin mreže. Sve značajne izmjene Bitcoin koda moraju proći rigorozan postupak recenzije. Proces postaje znatno sporiji i rigorozniji ako predložena izmjena koda može utjecati na kompatibilnost sa prethodnim verzijama softvera (što znači da raniji softver možda nije kompatibilan).

Bitcoin može biti kopiran

Da, to je istina. Bitcoin se može kopirati i tisuće ljudi su to već napravili na razini mreže. Doslovno gdje god da se okrenete imate neku kripto valutu koja je nastala kopiranjem Bitcoin programskog koda koji je samo „malo“ u nekim dijelovima izmijenjen kako bi se taj „novi“ Bitcoin „poboljšao“ u odnosu na jedan jedini i pravi Bitcoin. Ovakva “poboljšanja” gotovo uvijek uključuju značajne kompromise koji su u većini slučajeva iz domene sigurnosti mreže na kojoj te „poboljšane“ verzije Bitcoina egzistiraju. Svi takvi pokušaji kopiranja su najobičniji klonovi koji obično imaju tzv. nepošteno pokretanje nove kripto valute koje se uvijek radi samo u korist onoga tko takvu novu kripto valutu pokreće.

Ti projekti su izrazito centralizirani i često je sva upravljačka moć oko takvih projekata u rukama samo nekoliko ljudi. Prethodno je već spomenuto da bitcoin nema alternativu i to je tako. Preporuka je da se držite samo pravog bitcoina i ne petljate se sa lažnim projektima koji ga potkopavaju razno raznim marketinškim trikovima. Bitcoin funkcionira već 13 godina bez ijednog sigurnosnog propusta na razini mreže odnosno programskog koda. Razmislite o ovome prije nego počnete trošiti vrijeme na neki od tisuća besmislenih bitcoin klonova.

Nema dovoljno bitcoina za sve na svijetu

Samo 21 milijun bitcoina ikada može postojati. Jedan bitcoin podijeljen je na 100 milijuna satoshija. To znači da će ukupno u optjecaju biti 2,1 kvadrilijun satoshija (2.100.000.000.000.000) dostupno za transakcije na Bitcoin mreži. Ako recimo broj stanovnika na zemlji zaokružimo na 8 milijardi, svakom stanovniku pripalo bi 262.500 satoshija. Ima li dovoljno bitcoina za sve ljude na zemlji? Ne nasjedajte na ovakva pitanja neznalica.

Transakcijske naknade će bitcoin u budućnosti učiniti neupotrebljivim

Bitcoin mreža ima vrlo učinkovito tržište naknada. Tokom povijesti bilo je nekih kratkotrajnih eksponencijalnih skokova broja transakcija na mreži što je uzrokovalo porast naknada. Prosječna transakcijska naknada u dolarima u proteklih 12 mjeseci iznosila je oko 80 centi. Transakcijske naknade na mreži potrebno je razlikovati od transakcijskih naknada koje će vam naplatiti online mjenjačnice i drugi servisi kada ih koristite za povlačenje bitcoina u vlastiti novčanik. Naknade za bitcoin transakcije će zasigurno tokom vremena porasti ali zasigurno nikada neće biti na razini naknada koje vam naplaćuju ako si naprimjer novac sa računa u jednoj zemlji želite poslati na račun u drugoj zemlji. Ili npr. ako neki radnik u zapadnoj Europi svojoj obitelji u istočnoj Europi želi poslati novac. Pitajte ih koliku naknadu im naplaćuje banka na takve transfere ili neki od servisa poput Western Uniona.

Ovo se odnosi na transakcije koje se dešavaju baš na bitcoin mreži. Danas je već u punoj primjeni Lightning mreža koja je rješenje za skaliranje na bitcoinu i koja omogućuje transakcije s naknadama koje iznose samo nekoliko satoshija. Više o Lightningu možete pročitati ovdje.

Rudari kontroliraju bitcoin

Iako je istina da su rudari ključni za funkcioniranje Bitcoin mreže, nije istina da oni kontroliraju mrežu. Mreža kako bi nastavila sa funkcioniranjem treba samo malo više od 50% rudara da se ponašaju kao „pošteni igrači“. Rudari su financijski motivirani da budu pošteni igrači na mreži. U manje vjerojatnom ili besmislenom scenariju zlonamjerni rudari koji bi preuzeli kontrolu nad mrežom, održavanje iste procjenjuje se da bi ih koštalo između 300-500 tisuća dolara po satu. Osim što je to veoma skupa operacija, ako bi i uspjeli, cijena bitcoina bi u tom slučaju na tržištu pala, pa tako svaki novi bitcoin koji bi nepošteni rudari dobili zapravo ne bi pokrio troškove koje moraju uložiti za napad na Bitcoin mrežu.

Rudari će prestati s rudarenjem kada subvencije za blokove padnu

Budući da će se subvencije za nove blokove u budućnosti smanjiti, nitko sa sigurnošću ne može reći da će do toga zaista i doći. Međutim, većinsko i zajedničko mišljenje je da će rudari i dalje biti plaćeni za svoj rad na obradi transakcija i zaštiti mreže. Naknade će se povećavati kako se blok subvencije budu smanjivale. Kada do toga i dođe, vjerojatnost široke rasprostranjenosti korištenja Lightning rješenja za skaliranje je velika jer to tehnološko rješenje i prihvaćanje od strane korisnika doslovno napreduje brzinom svjetlosti. Zbog mrežne “prilagodbe kompleksnosti izračuna”, čak i da neki rudari prestanu rudariti, mreža bi i dalje normalno funkcionirala jer je programskim kodom zacrtano stvaranje novih blokova svakih 10 minuta.

Rudarenje je štetno za okoliš

Istina je da proces rudarenja temeljen na proof of work konceptu koristi značajne količine energije ali isto tako istina je da je velika većina te energije dolazi iz obnovljivih izvora. Bitcoin rudari unaprjeđuju tehnologiju „hvatanja“ energije iz izvora koji bi inače bili bačeni a to se prvenstveno odnosi na spaljivanje prirodnih plinova prilikom vađenja nafte. Bitcoin koristi energije samo onoliko koliko je potrebno da zadovolji potražnju tržišta. Sva energija koja se potroši, potroši se na očuvanje najsigurnije računalne mreže na svijetu. Trošenje energije povezano s bitcoinom uvijek se namjerno predstavlja u negativnom kontekstu koji je sponzoriran uvijek iz istih izvora. Taj izvor su uvijek pojedinci i organizacije povezane sa lažnom premisom djelovanja u smislu zaštite okoliša.

Bitcoin je jako spor

Ako bi ste koristili bitcoin za recimo svakodnevno plaćanje u trgovinama i da pri tome trebate na blagajni čekati desetak minuta da transakcija bude verificirana to naravno nije prihvatljiva solucija za nikoga. Ali ovaj problem već ima svoje rješenje i zove se Lightning mreža koja se unaprjeđuje svakodnevno. Možda još uvijek nije na razini mnogobrojnih CashApp aplikacija ali to i nije više tako daleko kada će biti. Ako pak npr. želite veću količinu novca (recimo 500.000 kuna) prebaciti sa svog bitcoin novčanika na tuđi bitcoin novčanik pri tome ne trebate nekoga u banci da vam prebroji krvna zrnca, udari pečat i naplati pečat tintu par stotina ili tisuća kuna. U tom slučaju, čekanje desetak minuta da se transakcija na mreži verificira i nije tako loša opcija.

Bitcoin je pretežak za korištenje

Težina korištenja je vrlo individualna i subjektivna kategorija. Ipak, danas je jednostavnije prisloniti karticu na POS terminalu u trgovini nego izvaditi telefon, skenirati QR kod i čekati potvrdu transakcije. Ali isto tako, ta dva dodatne koraka potrebna za provođenje bitcoin transakcije mala su cijena za prednosti koje mreža pruža. Brojni bitcoin programeri danonoćno rade kako bi poboljšali svakodnevno korisničko iskustvo korištenja bitcoin rješenja a da pri tome često za svoj rad nisu niti plaćeni. Kako i svaka druga tehnologija, potrebno je vrijeme kako bi se tehnologija razvila i usavršila kako bi postala praktična za korištenje u svakodnevnom životu.

Pojmovnik

Pojmovnik

Adresa (address) Bip (Bitcoin improvement proposal) Bitcoin ili bitcoin Blok (block) Lanac blokova (Blockchain) Centralizirana mjenjačnica (CEX) Decentralizirana mjenjačnica (DEX) Cold storage Escrow Peer-to-peer Pravila konsenzusa (Consensus Rules) Kompleksnost (Difficulty) Naknade (Fees) Hardverski novčanik Hash Hash Rate HODL Bitcoin pizza day KYC Lightning network Mempool Rudar Multisig Node Paper wallet Private key Public key Proof of Work Nagrada (Reward) Satoshi ili sat Satoshi Nakamoto SegWit Subsidy Testnet Tor Txid UTXO

@ 66675158:1b644430

I don't believe in "vibe coding" – it's just the newest Silicon Valley fad trying to give meaning to their latest favorite technology, LLMs. We've seen this pattern before with blockchain, when suddenly Non Fungible Tokens appeared, followed by Web3 startups promising to revolutionize everything from social media to supply chains. VCs couldn't throw money fast enough at anything with "decentralized" (in name only) in the pitch deck. Andreessen Horowitz launched billion-dollar crypto funds, while Y Combinator batches filled with blockchain startups promising to be "Uber for X, but on the blockchain."

The metaverse mania followed, with Meta betting its future on digital worlds where we'd supposedly hang out as legless avatars. Decentralized (in name only) autonomous organizations emerged as the next big thing – supposedly democratic internet communities that ended up being the next scam for quick money.

Then came the inevitable collapse. The FTX implosion in late 2022 revealed fraud, Luna/Terra's death spiral wiped out billions (including my ten thousand dollars), while Celsius and BlockFi froze customer assets before bankruptcy.

By 2023, crypto winter had fully set in. The SEC started aggressive enforcement actions, while users realized that blockchain technology had delivered almost no practical value despite a decade of promises.

Blockchain's promises tapped into fundamental human desires – decentralization resonated with a generation disillusioned by traditional institutions. Evangelists presented a utopian vision of freedom from centralized control. Perhaps most significantly, crypto offered a sense of meaning in an increasingly abstract world, making the clear signs of scams harder to notice.

The technology itself had failed to solve any real-world problems at scale. By 2024, the once-mighty crypto ecosystem had become a cautionary tale. Venture firms quietly scrubbed blockchain references from their websites while founders pivoted to AI and large language models.

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Most reading this are likely fellow bitcoiners and nostr users who understand that Bitcoin is blockchain's only valid use case. But I shared that painful history because I believe the AI-hype cycle will follow the same trajectory.

Just like with blockchain, we're now seeing VCs who once couldn't stop talking about "Web3" falling over themselves to fund anything with "AI" in the pitch deck. The buzzwords have simply changed from "decentralized" to "intelligent."

"Vibe coding" is the perfect example – a trendy name for what is essentially just fuzzy instructions to LLMs. Developers who've spent years honing programming skills are now supposed to believe that "vibing" with an AI is somehow a legitimate methodology.

This might be controversial to some, but obvious to others:

Formal, context-free grammar will always remain essential for building precise systems, regardless of how advanced natural language technology becomes

The mathematical precision of programming languages provides a foundation that human language's ambiguity can never replace. Programming requires precision – languages, compilers, and processors operate on explicit instructions, not vibes. What "vibe coding" advocates miss is that beneath every AI-generated snippet lies the same deterministic rules that have always governed computation.

LLMs don't understand code in any meaningful sense—they've just ingested enormous datasets of human-written code and can predict patterns. When they "work," it's because they've seen similar patterns before, not because they comprehend the underlying logic.

This creates a dangerous dependency. Junior developers "vibing" with LLMs might get working code without understanding the fundamental principles. When something breaks in production, they'll lack the knowledge to fix it.

Even experienced developers can find themselves in treacherous territory when relying too heavily on LLM-generated code. What starts as a productivity boost can transform into a dependency crutch.

The real danger isn't just technical limitations, but the false confidence it instills. Developers begin to believe they understand systems they've merely instructed an AI to generate – fundamentally different from understanding code you've written yourself.

We're already seeing the warning signs: projects cobbled together with LLM-generated code that work initially but become maintenance nightmares when requirements change or edge cases emerge.

The venture capital money is flowing exactly as it did with blockchain. Anthropic raised billions, OpenAI is valued astronomically despite minimal revenue, and countless others are competing to build ever-larger models with vague promises. Every startup now claims to be "AI-powered" regardless of whether it makes sense.

Don't get me wrong—there's genuine innovation happening in AI research. But "vibe coding" isn't it. It's a marketing term designed to make fuzzy prompting sound revolutionary.

Cursor perfectly embodies this AI hype cycle. It's an AI-enhanced code editor built on VS Code that promises to revolutionize programming by letting you "chat with your codebase." Just like blockchain startups promised to "revolutionize" industries, Cursor promises to transform development by adding LLM capabilities.

Yes, Cursor can be genuinely helpful. It can explain unfamiliar code, suggest completions, and help debug simple issues. After trying it for just an hour, I found the autocomplete to be MAGICAL for simple refactoring and basic functionality.

But the marketing goes far beyond reality. The suggestion that you can simply describe what you want and get production-ready code is dangerously misleading. What you get are approximations with:

• Security vulnerabilities the model doesn't understand
• Edge cases it hasn't considered
• Performance implications it can't reason about
• Dependency conflicts it has no way to foresee

The most concerning aspect is how such tools are marketed to beginners as shortcuts around learning fundamentals. "Why spend years learning to code when you can just tell AI what you want?" This is reminiscent of how crypto was sold as a get-rich-quick scheme requiring no actual understanding.

When you "vibe code" with an AI, you're not eliminating complexity—you're outsourcing understanding to a black box. This creates developers who can prompt but not program, who can generate but not comprehend.

The real utility of LLMs in development is in augmenting existing workflows:

• Explaining unfamiliar codebases
• Generating boilerplate for well-understood patterns
• Suggesting implementations that a developer evaluates critically
• Assisting with documentation and testing

These uses involve the model as a subordinate assistant to a knowledgeable developer, not as a replacement for expertise. This is where the technology adds value—as a sophisticated tool in skilled hands.

Cursor is just a better hammer, not a replacement for understanding what you're building. The actual value emerges when used by developers who understand what happens beneath the abstractions. They can recognize when AI suggestions make sense and when they don't because they have the fundamental knowledge to evaluate output critically.

This is precisely where the "vibe coding" narrative falls apart.

@ c631e267:c2b78d3e

Wir werden nicht zulassen, dass technisch manches möglich ist, \ aber der Staat es nicht nutzt. \ Angela Merkel

Die Modalverben zu erklären, ist im Deutschunterricht manchmal nicht ganz einfach. Nicht alle Fremdsprachen unterscheiden zum Beispiel bei der Frage nach einer Möglichkeit gleichermaßen zwischen «können» im Sinne von «die Gelegenheit, Kenntnis oder Fähigkeit haben» und «dürfen» als «die Erlaubnis oder Berechtigung haben». Das spanische Wort «poder» etwa steht für beides.

Ebenso ist vielen Schülern auf den ersten Blick nicht recht klar, dass das logische Gegenteil von «müssen» nicht unbedingt «nicht müssen» ist, sondern vielmehr «nicht dürfen». An den Verkehrsschildern lässt sich so etwas meistens recht gut erklären: Manchmal muss man abbiegen, aber manchmal darf man eben nicht.

Dieses Beispiel soll ein wenig die Verwirrungstaktik veranschaulichen, die in der Politik gerne verwendet wird, um unpopuläre oder restriktive Maßnahmen Stück für Stück einzuführen. Zuerst ist etwas einfach innovativ und bringt viele Vorteile. Vor allem ist es freiwillig, jeder kann selber entscheiden, niemand muss mitmachen. Später kann man zunehmend weniger Alternativen wählen, weil sie verschwinden, und irgendwann verwandelt sich alles andere in «nicht dürfen» – die Maßnahme ist obligatorisch.

Um die Durchsetzung derartiger Initiativen strategisch zu unterstützen und nett zu verpacken, gibt es Lobbyisten, gerne auch NGOs genannt. Dass das «NG» am Anfang dieser Abkürzung übersetzt «Nicht-Regierungs-» bedeutet, ist ein Anachronismus. Das war vielleicht früher einmal so, heute ist eher das Gegenteil gemeint.

In unserer modernen Zeit wird enorm viel Lobbyarbeit für die Digitalisierung praktisch sämtlicher Lebensbereiche aufgewendet. Was das auf dem Sektor der Mobilität bedeuten kann, haben wir diese Woche anhand aktueller Entwicklungen in Spanien beleuchtet. Begründet teilweise mit Vorgaben der Europäischen Union arbeitet man dort fleißig an einer «neuen Mobilität», basierend auf «intelligenter» technologischer Infrastruktur. Derartige Anwandlungen wurden auch schon als «Technofeudalismus» angeprangert.

Nationale Zugangspunkte für Mobilitätsdaten im Sinne der EU gibt es nicht nur in allen Mitgliedsländern, sondern auch in der Schweiz und in Großbritannien. Das Vereinigte Königreich beteiligt sich darüber hinaus an anderen EU-Projekten für digitale Überwachungs- und Kontrollmaßnahmen, wie dem biometrischen Identifizierungssystem für «nachhaltigen Verkehr und Tourismus».

Natürlich marschiert auch Deutschland stracks und euphorisch in Richtung digitaler Zukunft. Ohne vernetzte Mobilität und einen «verlässlichen Zugang zu Daten, einschließlich Echtzeitdaten» komme man in der Verkehrsplanung und -steuerung nicht aus, erklärt die Regierung. Der Interessenverband der IT-Dienstleister Bitkom will «die digitale Transformation der deutschen Wirtschaft und Verwaltung vorantreiben». Dazu bewirbt er unter anderem die Konzepte Smart City, Smart Region und Smart Country und behauptet, deutsche Großstädte «setzen bei Mobilität voll auf Digitalisierung».

Es steht zu befürchten, dass das umfassende Sammeln, Verarbeiten und Vernetzen von Daten, das angeblich die Menschen unterstützen soll (und theoretisch ja auch könnte), eher dazu benutzt wird, sie zu kontrollieren und zu manipulieren. Je elektrischer und digitaler unsere Umgebung wird, desto größer sind diese Möglichkeiten. Im Ergebnis könnten solche Prozesse den Bürger nicht nur einschränken oder überflüssig machen, sondern in mancherlei Hinsicht regelrecht abschalten. Eine gesunde Skepsis ist also geboten.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben. Er ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na antenam.net

31.10.2024 / Autor: Ana Nives Radović

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Godišnjica objavljivanja revolucionarnog dokumenta nije samo podsjetnik na nastanak Bitcoina, već i na značajnu promjenu koju je donio u načinu na koji razmišljamo o novcu i ekonomskom suverenitetu. Njegov značaj premašuje ideju o zaradi na promjeni njegove vrijednosti, jer otvara vrata širem razumijevanju digitalne imovine i decentralizovanih finansija koje inspirišu moderno bankarstvo i platne sisteme da se razvijaju u drugačijem smjeru, povećavajući svijest o sigurnosti i dostupnosti.

Šesnaest je godina od objavljivanja dokumenta naslovljenog kao "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System", poznatog i kao „biijeli papir“ (white paper) u kojem su izloženi koncept i svrha novog sistema digitalne valute – sistema koji bi funkcionisao nezavisno od bilo koje vlade ili finansijske institucije. Bijeli papir, kojeg je 31. oktobra 2008. objavio pojedinac ili tim ljudi pod imenom Satoši Nakamoto ponudio je smjelo rješenje za sve veći problem – kontrolu valute centralnih banaka i sve veće poteškoće u prenošenju vrijednosti preko interneta bez posrednika. Ovaj trenutak označio je nastanak Bitcoina, revolucionarne digitalne valute i prve kriptovalute na svijetu koja je kasnije lansirana 3. januara 2009. godine.

Bitcoin je nastao u vrijeme finansijske krize 2008. godine, u periodu kada je povjerenje u tradicionalne finansijske sisteme bilo na izuzetno niskom nivou. Ljudi su počeli da se pitaju da li postoji način za upravljanje novcem koji ne zavisi od banaka, koje, kao što su tadašnji događaji pokazali, mogu propasti ili djelovati na načine koji nijesu u najboljem interesu javnosti. Nakamotova inovacija, Bitcoin, bila je zamišljena kao sistem u kojem korisnici mogu direktno slati i primati novac, zaobilazeći potrebu za bankama. U tom procesu, Nakamoto je svijetu predstavio novu tehnologiju kojoj je kasnije američki naučnik i programer Harold Fini dao naziv blockchain – decentralizovan i otporan na manipulacije način za evidentiranje transakcija.

Šta je Bitcoin?

Bitcoin je vrsta digitalne valute koja omogućava ljudima da direktno jedni drugima šalju i primaju vrijednost putem interneta. Za razliku od tradicionalnih valuta, kao što je euro ili dolar, koje kontrolišu vlade i banke, Bitcoin funkcioniše bez centralne vlasti. To znači da nema nikoga ko je zadužen za njega i nema banke koja odlučuje kako se može koristiti. Umjesto toga, Bitcoin se oslanja na veliku mrežu računara širom svijeta koja ga održava i bilježi njegove transakcije. Ova mreža je poznata kao „Bitcoin mreža“.

Kako Bitcoin funkcioniše?

U suštini, Bitcoin funkcioniše kao „decentralizovana digitalna valuta“. Kada kažemo decentralizovana, mislimo da nijedna osoba, kompanija ili vlada ne kontroliše Bitcoin. Umjesto toga, svaka transakcija se bilježi na zajedničkoj knjizi, nazvanoj blockchain, koju održava mreža računara širom svijeta. Svaki put kada neko pošalje ili primi Bitcoin, transakcija se grupiše sa drugima i dodaje u ovaj lanac blokova. Budući da je ovaj lanac kopiran i dijeljen među brojnim računarima, gotovo je neizvodljivo izmijeniti ili hakovati ga, čime se osigurava da Bitcoin transakcije budu bezbjedne i pouzdane.

Još jedan interesantan aspekt je da Bitcoin ima ograničenu ponudu. Kreiran je samo 21 milion bitcoina, što ga čini rijetkom imovinom i sprečava inflaciju na način na koji to može biti slučaj sa tradicionalnim valutama koje se „doštampavaju“. Bitcoin transakcije su omogućene kroz skup kriptografskih pravila, koja ljudima omogućavaju da potvrde svaku transakciju kao legitimnu bez potrebe da vjeruju trećoj strani. Ovaj skup pravila je poznat kao kriptografija, zbog čega se Bitcoin naziva kriptovalutom – prvom koja je ikada stvorena i jedinom koja u potpunosti ima sve karakteristike onoga što je istinska ideja i svrha postojanja kriptovaluta.

Razumijevanje finansijske revolucije Bitcoina

Bitcoin, predstavljen 2008. godine, privukao je globalnu pažnju kao decentralizovana digitalna valuta koja funkcioniše nezavisno od banaka i vlada, ali pored svoje peer-to-peer arhitekture i decentralizovane infrastrukture, on ima jedinstvenu finansijsku karakteristiku – inherentno je deflatoran. Za razliku od fiat valuta poput dolara ili eura, koje centralne banke mogu štampati kada procijene da je to potrebno, ponuda Bitcoina je ograničena, fiksirana i ne povećava se. Ova deflatorna osobina navela je mnoge da ga vide kao revolucionarni finansijski instrument, „digitalno zlato“ koje bi moglo da preoblikuje koncepte vrijednosti, očuvanja bogatstva i monetarne politike.

Fiksna ponuda – limit od 21 miliona

Najkarakterističnija odlika Bitcoina je njegova ograničena ponuda. Kada je Satoši Nakamoto kreirao Bitcoin, postavio je ograničenje na ukupan broj bitcoina koji će ikada postojati – 21 milion. Ovo ograničenje se oštro razlikuje od tradicionalnih fiat valuta, gdje centralne banke mogu povećavati ponudu novca štampanjem dodatne količine. Postavljanjem ovog ograničenja, Nakamoto je osigurao da Bitcoin postane sve rjeđi vremenom, karakteristika koja je dizajnirana za očuvanje vrijednosti kako potražnja raste.

U tradicionalnim finansijama, valute mogu izgubiti vrijednost kada se previše štampaju, što se može vidjeti u slučajevima inflacije. Bitcoinov dizajn, međutim, znači da, kada se posljednji Bitcoin izrudari (što se predviđa oko 2140. godine), novi novčići neće ulaziti u cirkulaciju, što ga efektivno čini prvom deflatornom valutom u velikom obimu.

Mehanizam smanjenje ponude tokom vremena

Oskudica Bitcoina dodatno se pojačava procesom nazvanim „halving“ (prepolovljenje), koji smanjuje stopu stvaranja novih bitcoina. Približno svake četiri godine nagrada koju „rudari“ dobijaju za dodavanje novih blokova u blockchain se prepolovi. Ovaj mehanizam smanjuje mogućnost inflacije Bitcoina tokom vremena, stvarajući predvidivo, postepeno smanjenje ponude.

U početku su rudari dobijali 50 bitcoina po bloku. Nakon prvog halvinga 2012. godine, nagrada je pala na 25, a do 2020. smanjila se na 6,25 bitcoina po bloku. Ovaj proces halvinga će se nastaviti sve do približno 2140. godine, kada će svih 21 milion bitcoina biti u cirkulaciji, a rudari će biti podstaknuti isključivo transakcionim naknadama, umjesto novim novčićima. Halving ima dva osnovna učinka – usporava rast ponude Bitcoina i stvara predvidivu oskudicu koja može podstaći tražnju, jer učesnici na tržištu znaju da će sa svakim ciklusom biti sve manje dostupnih bitcoina.

Zašto je Bitcoin važan?

Većina tradicionalnih valuta je inflaciona po dizajnu. Centralne banke teže kontrolisanoj stopi inflacije, često oko 2%, kako bi podstakle ekonomski rast, ohrabrile potrošnju i pružile fleksibilnost u odgovoru na ekonomske krize. Međutim, ova inflacija može potkopati kupovnu moć fiat valuta vremenom, što je zabrinjavajuće tokom perioda prekomjernog štampanja novca, kao što su mjere i programi kvantitativnog popuštanja viđene posljednjih godina.

Bitcoinov deflatorni dizajn je revolucionaran u ovom kontekstu jer nudi potencijalnu zaštitu od inflacije. Sa fiksnom ponudom, Bitcoin može da dobija na vrijednosti tokom vremena, posebno ako potražnja raste jer postaje rjeđi. Za mnoge, deflatorni model Bitcoina čini ga privlačnim sredstvom za očuvanje bogatstva na način koji tradicionalne valute i imovina ne mogu da ponude.

Pored toga, ovaj model izazvao je promjenu čitave filozofije u načinu na koji ljudi razmišljaju o novcu, investiranju i štednji. Dok tradicionalne finansije podstiču potrošnju i investicije kroz inflaciju, deflatorna priroda Bitcoina može podstaći štednju, jer bi njegova vrijednost mogla da raste u budućnosti. Ovaj kvalitet „čuvara vrijednosti“ naveo je mnoge da Bitcoinu daju naziv „digitalno zlato“.

Ekonomija oskudice – ono što Bitcoinu daje vrijednost

U ekonomiji, oskudica obično povećava vrijednost, jer tražnja za ograničenim resursom može povećati njegovu cijenu. Zlato je, na primjer, dugo bilo čuvar vrijednosti zbog svoje oskudice i poteškoća u vađenju. Bitcoin odražava ovaj koncept u digitalnom svijetu. Inherentno je rijedak zbog ograničenja od 21 milion, i, kao zlato, zahtijeva trud (kroz digitalno rudarenje) da bi ušao u cirkulaciju.

Pored toga, oskudica Bitcoina postaje sve izraženija kako raste interesovanje institucija i pojedinaca. Mnogi investitori privučeni su Bitcoinom kao dugoročnom imovinom upravo zbog ove fiksne ponude, oslanjajući se na to da će rastuća tražnja naspram ograničene ponude povećati njegovu vrijednost tokom vremena. Ova privlačnost je pojačana u regionima sa brzom inflacijom ili ekonomskom nestabilnošću, gdje rizik od devalvacije čini Bitcoin privlačnom alternativom za očuvanje bogatstva.

Bitcoin kao globalni čuvar vrijednosti

Osim što je sredstvo razmjene, deflatorna priroda Bitcoina pozicionira ga kao potencijalni globalni čuvar vrijednosti. Zlato je istorijski imalo ovu ulogu, jer su ga koristili pojedinci, institucije i vlade kao zaštitu od ekonomske nestabilnosti i inflacije. Bitcoin postaje moderni pandan tome, posebno privlačan mlađim generacijama i investitorima sklonim tehnologiji, koji ga vide kao superiornu alternativu.

Deflatorni dizajn takođe omogućava Bitcoinu da prelazi međunarodne granice i nadilazi lokalne ekonomske uslove. U zemljama koje prolaze kroz valutne krize, Bitcoin nudi alternativu koja je bez granica i nezavisna od politika centralne banke. Ova sposobnost da djeluje kao čuvar vrijednosti posebno je značajna na tržištima i ekonomijama u razvoju, gdje je valutna nestabilnost učestalija.

Može li oskudica Bitcoina predstavljati rizik?

Iako deflatorni model Bitcoina ima svoje prednosti, nije bez kritika. Jedna od zabrinutosti je da ekstremna deflacija može obeshrabriti potrošnju. U sistemu gdje vrijednost valute raste tokom vremena, ljudi mogu preferirati štednju umjesto potrošnje ili investiranja, što može dovesti do smanjenja ekonomske aktivnosti. Ekonomisti brinu da bi, ako Bitcoin postane široko prihvaćena valuta, njegova deflatorna priroda mogla ugroziti ekonomski rast podsticanjem „gomilanja“ umesto cirkulacije.

Još jedna kritika se odnosi na fiksnu ponudu Bitcoina u ekonomiji koja stalno raste. Tradicionalne valute su inflatorne kako bi pratile rast populacije, ekonomije i produktivnosti. Sa ograničenom ponudom, Bitcoin ne može da raste u skladu sa ekonomskim razvojem, što bi u teoriji moglo izazvati probleme sa likvidnošću u ekonomiji zasnovanoj na Bitcoinu. Ipak, kako ideja nije da Bitcoin bude jedino sredstvo plaćanja, strah od takvog scenarija je neutemeljen, budući da ekosistem u kojem funkcioniše koegzistira sa nizom drugih platnih sistemna koji su na raspolaganju širom svijeta.

Eliminiše problem dvostrukog trošenja

U svijetu novca postoji veliki problem koji se naziva „dvostruko trošenje“. Zamislite da možete potrošiti iste eure dvaput – platite jedan proizvod ili uslugu, a zatim, nekako, uspijete da ga ponovo potrošite na nešto drugo. U fizičkom svijetu ovo nije problem, ali u računovodstvenom jeste. Ako kao fizičku valutu u gotovini platite nešto, ta količina novca odlazi iz vašeg novčanika, ali u bankovnim transakcijama stvari funkcionišu drugačije.

Da bi se osiguralo da Bitcoin ne može biti kopiran ili potrošen dvaput, koristi se tehnologija zvana blockchain. Nakamotov Bijeli papir još nije pomenuo taj izraz, jer mu je naziv dat nekoliko dana kasnije, no umjesto toga, opisao je koncept „lanca blokova“, postavljajući sistem za evidentiranje transakcija u blokovima koji su međusobno povezani. Ovaj koncept je kasnije postao poznat kao blockchain, termin koji je nastao nakon izdavanja Bitcoina dok su ljudi pokušavali da imenuju osnovnu tehnologiju. Fokus Bijelog papira bio je na tome kako Bitcoin može bezbjedno pratiti i potvrđivati transakcije, koristeći ovaj povezani lanac blokova kao neku vrstu digitalne knjige.

Pristup iz Bijelog papira uveo je revolucionarnu ideju – zajedničku, otpornu na manipulacije evidenciju koja se nije oslanjala na centralnu vlast za ažuriranje ili verifikaciju. Ovaj sistem povezanih blokova (ono što sada nazivamo blockchain) postao je osnova Bitcoina i, kasnije, bezbroj drugih primjena u finansijama, tehnologiji i brojnim drugim oblastima.

Ova baza je poput ogromne digitalne knjige, ili evidencije, u kojoj je svaka Bitcoin transakcija (prenosa novca od jednog do drugog korisnika) zabilježena. Ono što ovu digitalnu evidenciju čini posebnom jeste to što nije smještena na jednom mjestu, niti je pod kontrolom jedne osobe ili institucije – ona je u potpunosti decentralizovana, što znači da se kopije ove knjige čuvaju na hiljadama računara širom svijeta, a svi oni moraju da se saglase oko toga koje transakcije su validne.

Svaki put kada neko pošalje Bitcoin drugoj osobi, ova transakcija se dodaje u blockchain. Da bi se dodala, grupa računara (nazvana „rudari“) mora da verifikuje da je ova transakcija stvarna, što znači da Bitcoin koji se troši već nije korišćen drugdje. Ovi rudari rade zajedno, koristeći složene matematičke operacije, kako bi potvrdili transakcije. Kada se verifikuje, transakcija se dodaje u blockchain, a cijela mreža se ažurira kako bi prepoznala ovu transakciju kao legitimnu. Ovaj proces osigurava da nijedan Bitcoin ne može biti potrošen dvaput, rješavajući problem dvostrukog trošenja.

Peer-to-Peer transakcije bez posrednika

Još jedan veliki razlog zašto je Bitcoin važan je taj što omogućava ljudima da šalju novac direktno jedni drugima bez potrebe za posrednikom. Recimo da želite da pošaljete novac prijatelju koji živi u drugoj zemlji. Obično biste otišli u svoju banku, koja bi se povezala s drugom bankom u toj zemlji, što može trajati danima i uključivati različite naknade.

Međutim, Bitcoin je omogućio da se direktno pošalju sredstva, bez obzira na to gdje se nalazite u svijetu. Pošto je u pitanju peer-to-peer (P2P) način razmjene, nema potrebe za posrednikom da upravlja transakcijom. To može učiniti transakcije bržim i ponekad jeftinijim, posebno kada se sredstva šalju međunarodno. Ova P2P struktura je jedan od glavnih razloga zbog kojih ljudi se na ovaj oblik imovine gleda kao na alternativu složenim transakcijama, posebno važnim za društva i sredine u kojima je dostupnost finansijskih usluga niska.

Transparentnost i sigurnost

U svijetu tradicionalnog bankarstva, ljudi se oslanjaju na banke koje drže novac sigurnim i omogućavaju da transakcije budu poštene i sigurne. Međutim, s Bitcoinom, povjerenje nije smešteno u centralnu banku ili kompaniju, već u samu Bitcoin mrežu, koju održavaju svi računari koji prate blockchain. Pošto je blockchain javan i može ga provjeriti bilo ko, on je veoma transparentan. Svaka transakcija koja je ikada obavljena Bitcoinom zabilježena je u ovoj javnoj knjizi, tako da ako neko pokuša da prevari sistem, to bi bilo očigledno svima.

Transparentnost Bitcoina takođe ga čini veoma sigurnim. Pošto svi u mreži imaju kopiju blockchaina, bilo bi gotovo nemoguće da jedna osoba ili čak grupa ljudi izmijeni ili preuzme kontrolu nad njim. Da biste promijenili blockchain, morali biste kontrolisati više od polovine svih računara širom svijeta u Bitcoin mreži, što je izuzetno teško. Ovaj nivo sigurnosti, u kombinaciji s transparentnošću, pomaže ljudima da se osjećaju sigurno koristeći Bitcoin.

Značaj za razvoj finansija

Tokom godina, Bitcoin je postao više od eksperimenta u digitalnom novcu. Inspirisao je hiljade drugih kreatora latnih rješenja i pokrenuo važne razgovore o budućnosti novca, povjerenja i tehnologije. Kako sve više ljudi počinje da preispituje kako tradicionalne banke funkcionišu i traži nove načine za upravljanje svojim finansijama, Bitcoin ostaje snažna opcija ne samo u smislu alternative, već mogućnosti povezivanja njegove funkcionalnosti sa onim što već postoji u finansijskoj tehnologiji. Njegov značaj je u tome što predstavlja potpuno novi način razmišljanja o novcu i njegovom korišćenju i što rješava neke od ključnih problema koji su karakteristični finansijske sisteme.

Ideja decentralizacije

U mnogim sistemima koje danas koristimo postoji centralna vlast – banka, vlada ili kompanija – koja ima kontrolu i koja donosi pravila, odlučuje ko ima pristup i odobrava aktivnosti, što je prilično spor i skup proces u cjelini. Koncept Bitcoina je drugačiji jer je decentralizovan, a to znači da ne postoji jedna osoba, banka ili organizacija koja donosi odluke, već je to prepušteno mreži koju čine milioni korisničkih uređaja na mreži koji održavaju sistem u funkciji.

Pored toga, decentralizacija onemogućava cenzurisanje, jer niko ne može da interveniše i blokira nečiji pristup ili transakcije. To čini sistem demokratskijim, omogućavajući ljudima širom svijeta da se pridruže bez traženja dozvole.

Kriptografski dokazi – vjerovanje u matematiku, a ne u ljude

Kada nešto kupite koristeći Bitcoin, ne morate se oslanjati na posrednika da verifikuje vašu transakciju. Umjesto toga, Bitcoin koristi nešto što se naziva „kriptografskim dokazom. Kriptografski dokazi su poput digitalnog ključa i brave koji čuvaju informacije sigurnima, jer se oslanjaju na složenu matematiku koja osigurava da se samo validne transakcije dodaju u blockchain, onemogućavajući falsifikovanje ili prevaru.

Kriptografski dokazi funkcionišu tako što kreiraju heš (hash) – dug i jedinstven broj, za svaki blok transakcija. Svaki heš je povezan s prethodnim, što pomaže u obezbjeđivanju cijelog lanca. Matematika iza ovog procesa je toliko složena da bi zahtijevala ogromnu računarsku moć kada bi i pokušala da je razbije. Koristeći kriptografske dokaze, Bitcoin ne zahtijeva povjerenje u ljude, već se umjesto toga, oslanja na neprobojne matematičke algoritme da osigura svaku transakciju.

Proof of Work – digitalna zagonetka koja štiti Bitcoin

Bitcoinova mreža je osigurana procesom koji se naziva Proof of Work (dokaz o radu), koji je najjednostavnije razumjeti ako ga zamislite kao izazovnu zagonetku koju računari, poznati kao „rudari“, moraju da riješe da bi dodali novi blok u blockchain. Prvi računar koji riješi zagonetku dobija priliku da doda blok i dobija nagradu u bitcoinima. Ova zagonetka je izuzetno složena i zahtijeva od rudara da koristi veliku količinu mnogo računarske snage, što je skupo u smislu vremena i energije.

U tom smislu Proof of Work čuva mrežu sigurnom, jer kad bi neko pokušao da prevari sistem ponovnim pisanjem blockchaina, morao ponovo da uradi svako izračunavanja dokaza o radu za svaki blok koji želi da izmijeni, što je praktično nemoguće. Na ovaj način Bitcoin kreira mrežni sistem u kojem je prevara previše skupa i previše složena da bi se bilo kome isplatila.

Šesnaest godina kasnije...

Bitcoin je za ovo vrijeme postao mnogo više od digitalne valute – on je simbol finansijske nezavisnosti i pokretačka snaga nove finansijske tehnologije i ekonomskih koncepata. Pokrenuo je diskusije o budućnosti novca, a inspirisao je brojne pružaoce platnih usluga, uključujući brojne banke širom svijeta i FinTech kompanije, da unapređuju poslovni model.

Zbog količine koja je u opticaju njegova upotreba kao valute ostaje ograničena u poređenju s tradicionalnim novcem, dok njegova cijena nastavlja da fluktuira u zavisnosti od tržišnih okolnosti. U tom smislu uticaj Bitcoina na finansije, tehnologiju i društvo u cjelini već je dubok, navodeći promišljenije i kreativnije istraživanje kako se vrednostima može upravljati i razmenjivati u savremenom svijetu, podstičući značaj decentralizacije i svijest o zaštiti podataka.

Iako često predstavljan kao sredstvo za „brzo bogaćenje“ ili sresdstvo za obavljanje anonimnih transakcija, motivi za njegovo kreiranje, kao i njegova uloga u finansijskom i tehnološkom svijetu potpuno se razlikuju od toga. Bitcoin je prva, najstarija, najvrednija i – u najširem smislu – po svim parametrima jedina prava, potpuno decenztralizovana kriptovaluta koja je transformisala način na koji razmišljamo o novcu, povjerenju i bezbednosti u digitalnoj eri.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalan tekst na linkedin.com

12.04.2024 / Autor: Aleksandar Matanović

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60/40 portfolio je dugo važio za idealan izbor nekome ko ima umerenu sklonost ka riziku, a nema vremena da prati berzu. Dakle, ubaciš 60% u akcije, 40% u obveznice i pustiš vreme da radi svoje.

Malo sam se igrao sa brojkama i računao šta bi bilo da je neko u taj portfolio ubacio malo Bitkoina. Period koji je obrađen je januar 2014 - januar 2024. Ovde napominjem da nikako nisam radio "cherry picking", to jest nisam birao period u kome se Bitkoin pokazao u najboljem mogućem svetlu. Maltene sam uradio suprotno. Da sam izabrao bilo koji januar pre 2014-te, prinosi na BTC bi bili neuporedivo veći. Čak i da sam izabrao januar 2015-te ili 2016-te, takođe bi prinosi bili veći jer je cena tada bila niža nego u januaru 2014-te. Izbor datuma je bio posledica želje da zaokružim jednu celu deceniju, period nakon kojeg su strpljivi investitori nagrađeni time što ne plaćaju porez na kapitalnu dobit.

Obradio sam 3 realna scenarija:

1. Klasičan 60/40 portfolio. Na uloženih $10.000 u januaru 2014. godine, 10 godina kasnije bismo imali tačno $17.434. Prosečan godišnji prinos je 5,72%.
2. 99% uloženo u 60/40 portfolio, 1% uloženo u Bitkoin. Na uloženih $10.000, imali bismo $22.505 ili 8,45% godišnje. Samo 1% u BTC, a skoro 3% veći godišnji prinos. (narandžasta linija)
3. 90% uloženo u 60/40 portfolio, 10% uloženo u Bitkoin. Sad već postaje zabavno... od $10.000 do $68.145, što bi bilo 21,16% godišnje - jače od proseka Vorena Bafeta. (zelena linija)

Uzeo sam u obzir i rizike i zamislio da je u ovom periodu cena Bitkoina polako padala i na kraju pala na 0. Dakle naredna 2 scenarija su hipotetička.

1. 99% uloženo u 60/40 portfolio, 1% uloženo u Bitkoin, Bitkoin propao. Investirano $10.000, dobijeno $17.259 ili 5.61% godišnje. Minimalni gubitak u odnosu na čist 60/40 portfolio iz prvog scenarija. Zbog toga se na grafiku vide 4 linije iako ih ima 5, toliko je mala razlika.
2. 90% uloženo u 60/40 portfolio, 10% uloženo u Bitkoin, Bitkoin propao. Investirano $10.000, dobijeno $15.690 ili 4.61% godišnje. To je ona donja. ljubičasta linija na grafikonu. Nije neki prinos, ali nije ni katastrofa.

Mogao sam da idem i sa preko 10%, naravno završili bismo na preko $100.000. Međutim, hteo sam da budem konzervativan i stvari gledam iz ugla investitora koji ipak ima nešto manji apetit ka riziku i nedovljno poznaje Bitkoin. Mogao sam i da uzmem drugačiji period. Na primer, za jan 2012 - jan 2022 bi narandžasta linija završila na preko milion dolara, a zelena na preko 10 miliona. Da, nije greška u računici... zaista biste za 10 godina, počev od januara 2012-te imali preko milion dolara da ste uložili ukupno $10.000, 99% u akcije i obveznice, a 1% u Bitkoin. Sa 90% u akcijama i obveznicama i 10% u Bitkoinu, već ste na 8 cifara.

Istorijske performanse nisu garancija budućih prinosa. Investiranje u Bitkoin je rizično. Ignorisanje Bitkoina je rizično. Svako bira svoj rizik. Ovo nije investicioni savet, ovo je prijateljski savet.

@ aa8de34f:a6ffe696

19. März 2025

🔐 1. SHA-256 is Quantum-Resistant

Bitcoin’s proof-of-work mechanism relies on SHA-256, a hashing algorithm. Even with a powerful quantum computer, SHA-256 remains secure because:

• Quantum computers excel at factoring large numbers (Shor’s Algorithm).
• However, SHA-256 is a one-way function, meaning there's no known quantum algorithm that can efficiently reverse it.
• Grover’s Algorithm (which theoretically speeds up brute force attacks) would still require 2¹²⁸ operations to break SHA-256 – far beyond practical reach.

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🔑 2. Public Key Vulnerability – But Only If You Reuse Addresses

Bitcoin uses Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) to generate keys.

• A quantum computer could use Shor’s Algorithm to break SECP256K1, the curve Bitcoin uses.
• If you never reuse addresses, it is an additional security element
• 🔑 1. Bitcoin Addresses Are NOT Public Keys

Many people assume a Bitcoin address is the public key—this is wrong.

• When you receive Bitcoin, it is sent to a hashed public key (the Bitcoin address).
• The actual public key is never exposed because it is the Bitcoin Adress who addresses the Public Key which never reveals the creation of a public key by a spend
• Bitcoin uses Pay-to-Public-Key-Hash (P2PKH) or newer methods like Pay-to-Witness-Public-Key-Hash (P2WPKH), which add extra layers of security.

🕵️♂️ 2.1 The Public Key Never Appears

• When you send Bitcoin, your wallet creates a digital signature.
• This signature uses the private key to prove ownership.
• The Bitcoin address is revealed and creates the Public Key
• The public key remains hidden inside the Bitcoin script and Merkle tree.

This means: ✔ The public key is never exposed. ✔ Quantum attackers have nothing to target, attacking a Bitcoin Address is a zero value game.

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🔄 3. Bitcoin Can Upgrade

Even if quantum computers eventually become a real threat:

• Bitcoin developers can upgrade to quantum-safe cryptography (e.g., lattice-based cryptography or post-quantum signatures like Dilithium).
• Bitcoin’s decentralized nature ensures a network-wide soft fork or hard fork could transition to quantum-resistant keys.

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⏳ 4. The 10-Minute Block Rule as a Security Feature

• Bitcoin’s network operates on a 10-minute block interval, meaning:Even if an attacker had immense computational power (like a quantum computer), they could only attempt an attack every 10 minutes.Unlike traditional encryption, where a hacker could continuously brute-force keys, Bitcoin’s system resets the challenge with every new block.This limits the window of opportunity for quantum attacks.

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🎯 5. Quantum Attack Needs to Solve a Block in Real-Time

• A quantum attacker must solve the cryptographic puzzle (Proof of Work) in under 10 minutes.
• The problem? Any slight error changes the hash completely, meaning:If the quantum computer makes a mistake (even 0.0001% probability), the entire attack fails.Quantum decoherence (loss of qubit stability) makes error correction a massive challenge.The computational cost of recovering from an incorrect hash is still incredibly high.

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⚡ 6. Network Resilience – Even if a Block Is Hacked

• Even if a quantum computer somehow solved a block instantly:The network would quickly recognize and reject invalid transactions.Other miners would continue mining under normal cryptographic rules.51% Attack? The attacker would need to consistently beat the entire Bitcoin network, which is not sustainable.

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🔄 7. The Logarithmic Difficulty Adjustment Neutralizes Threats

• Bitcoin adjusts mining difficulty every 2016 blocks (\~2 weeks).
• If quantum miners appeared and suddenly started solving blocks too quickly, the difficulty would adjust upward, making attacks significantly harder.
• This self-correcting mechanism ensures that even quantum computers wouldn't easily overpower the network.

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🔥 Final Verdict: Quantum Computers Are Too Slow for Bitcoin

✔ The 10-minute rule limits attack frequency – quantum computers can’t keep up.

✔ Any slight miscalculation ruins the attack, resetting all progress.

✔ Bitcoin’s difficulty adjustment would react, neutralizing quantum advantages.

Even if quantum computers reach their theoretical potential, Bitcoin’s game theory and design make it incredibly resistant. 🚀

@ a95c6243:d345522c

Bald werde es verboten, alleine im Auto zu fahren, konnte man dieser Tage in verschiedenen spanischen Medien lesen. Die nationale Verkehrsbehörde (Dirección General de Tráfico, kurz DGT) werde Alleinfahrern das Leben schwer machen, wurde gemeldet. Konkret erörtere die Generaldirektion geeignete Sanktionen für Personen, die ohne Beifahrer im Privatauto unterwegs seien.

Das Alleinfahren sei zunehmend verpönt und ein Mentalitätswandel notwendig, hieß es. Dieser «Luxus» stehe im Widerspruch zu den Maßnahmen gegen Umweltverschmutzung, die in allen europäischen Ländern gefördert würden. In Frankreich sei es «bereits verboten, in der Hauptstadt allein zu fahren», behauptete Noticiastrabajo Huffpost in einer Zwischenüberschrift. Nur um dann im Text zu konkretisieren, dass die sogenannte «Umweltspur» auf der Pariser Ringautobahn gemeint war, die für Busse, Taxis und Fahrgemeinschaften reserviert ist. Ab Mai werden Verstöße dagegen mit einem Bußgeld geahndet.

Die DGT jedenfalls wolle bei der Umsetzung derartiger Maßnahmen nicht hinterherhinken. Diese Medienberichte, inklusive des angeblich bevorstehenden Verbots, beriefen sich auf Aussagen des Generaldirektors der Behörde, Pere Navarro, beim Mobilitätskongress Global Mobility Call im November letzten Jahres, wo es um «nachhaltige Mobilität» ging. Aus diesem Kontext stammt auch Navarros Warnung: «Die Zukunft des Verkehrs ist geteilt oder es gibt keine».

Die «Faktenchecker» kamen der Generaldirektion prompt zu Hilfe. Die DGT habe derlei Behauptungen zurückgewiesen und klargestellt, dass es keine Pläne gebe, Fahrten mit nur einer Person im Auto zu verbieten oder zu bestrafen. Bei solchen Meldungen handele es sich um Fake News. Teilweise wurde der Vorsitzende der spanischen «Rechtsaußen»-Partei Vox, Santiago Abascal, der Urheberschaft bezichtigt, weil er einen entsprechenden Artikel von La Gaceta kommentiert hatte.

Der Beschwichtigungsversuch der Art «niemand hat die Absicht» ist dabei erfahrungsgemäß eher ein Alarmzeichen als eine Beruhigung. Walter Ulbrichts Leugnung einer geplanten Berliner Mauer vom Juni 1961 ist vielen genauso in Erinnerung wie die Fake News-Warnungen des deutschen Bundesgesundheitsministeriums bezüglich Lockdowns im März 2020 oder diverse Äußerungen zu einer Impfpflicht ab 2020.

Aber Aufregung hin, Dementis her: Die Pressemitteilung der DGT zu dem Mobilitätskongress enthält in Wahrheit viel interessantere Informationen als «nur» einen Appell an den «guten» Bürger wegen der Bemühungen um die Lebensqualität in Großstädten oder einen möglichen obligatorischen Abschied vom Alleinfahren. Allerdings werden diese Details von Medien und sogenannten Faktencheckern geflissentlich übersehen, obwohl sie keineswegs versteckt sind. Die Auskünfte sind sehr aufschlussreich, wenn man genauer hinschaut.

Digitalisierung ist der Schlüssel für Kontrolle

Auf dem Kongress stellte die Verkehrsbehörde ihre Initiativen zur Förderung der «neuen Mobilität» vor, deren Priorität Sicherheit und Effizienz sei. Die vier konkreten Ansätze haben alle mit Digitalisierung, Daten, Überwachung und Kontrolle im großen Stil zu tun und werden unter dem Euphemismus der «öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaft» angepriesen. Auch lassen sie die transhumanistische Idee vom unzulänglichen Menschen erkennen, dessen Fehler durch «intelligente» technologische Infrastruktur kompensiert werden müssten.

Die Chefin des Bereichs «Verkehrsüberwachung» erklärte die Funktion des spanischen National Access Point (NAP), wobei sie betonte, wie wichtig Verkehrs- und Infrastrukturinformationen in Echtzeit seien. Der NAP ist «eine essenzielle Web-Applikation, die unter EU-Mandat erstellt wurde», kann man auf der Website der DGT nachlesen.

Das Mandat meint Regelungen zu einem einheitlichen europäischen Verkehrsraum, mit denen die Union mindestens seit 2010 den Aufbau einer digitalen Architektur mit offenen Schnittstellen betreibt. Damit begründet man auch «umfassende Datenbereitstellungspflichten im Bereich multimodaler Reiseinformationen». Jeder Mitgliedstaat musste einen NAP, also einen nationalen Zugangspunkt einrichten, der Zugang zu statischen und dynamischen Reise- und Verkehrsdaten verschiedener Verkehrsträger ermöglicht.

Diese Entwicklung ist heute schon weit fortgeschritten, auch und besonders in Spanien. Auf besagtem Kongress erläuterte die Leiterin des Bereichs «Telematik» die Plattform «DGT 3.0». Diese werde als Integrator aller Informationen genutzt, die von den verschiedenen öffentlichen und privaten Systemen, die Teil der Mobilität sind, bereitgestellt werden.

Es handele sich um eine Vermittlungsplattform zwischen Akteuren wie Fahrzeugherstellern, Anbietern von Navigationsdiensten oder Kommunen und dem Endnutzer, der die Verkehrswege benutzt. Alle seien auf Basis des Internets der Dinge (IOT) anonym verbunden, «um der vernetzten Gemeinschaft wertvolle Informationen zu liefern oder diese zu nutzen».

So sei DGT 3.0 «ein Zugangspunkt für einzigartige, kostenlose und genaue Echtzeitinformationen über das Geschehen auf den Straßen und in den Städten». Damit lasse sich der Verkehr nachhaltiger und vernetzter gestalten. Beispielsweise würden die Karten des Produktpartners Google dank der DGT-Daten 50 Millionen Mal pro Tag aktualisiert.

Des Weiteren informiert die Verkehrsbehörde über ihr SCADA-Projekt. Die Abkürzung steht für Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, zu deutsch etwa: Kontrollierte Steuerung und Datenerfassung. Mit SCADA kombiniert man Software und Hardware, um automatisierte Systeme zur Überwachung und Steuerung technischer Prozesse zu schaffen. Das SCADA-Projekt der DGT wird von Indra entwickelt, einem spanischen Beratungskonzern aus den Bereichen Sicherheit & Militär, Energie, Transport, Telekommunikation und Gesundheitsinformation.

Das SCADA-System der Behörde umfasse auch eine Videostreaming- und Videoaufzeichnungsplattform, die das Hochladen in die Cloud in Echtzeit ermöglicht, wie Indra erklärt. Dabei gehe es um Bilder, die von Überwachungskameras an Straßen aufgenommen wurden, sowie um Videos aus DGT-Hubschraubern und Drohnen. Ziel sei es, «die sichere Weitergabe von Videos an Dritte sowie die kontinuierliche Aufzeichnung und Speicherung von Bildern zur möglichen Analyse und späteren Nutzung zu ermöglichen».

Letzteres klingt sehr nach biometrischer Erkennung und Auswertung durch künstliche Intelligenz. Für eine bessere Datenübertragung wird derzeit die Glasfaserverkabelung entlang der Landstraßen und Autobahnen ausgebaut. Mit der Cloud sind die Amazon Web Services (AWS) gemeint, die spanischen Daten gehen somit direkt zu einem US-amerikanischen «Big Data»-Unternehmen.

Das Thema «autonomes Fahren», also Fahren ohne Zutun des Menschen, bildet den Abschluss der Betrachtungen der DGT. Zusammen mit dem Interessenverband der Automobilindustrie ANFAC (Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Automóviles y Camiones) sprach man auf dem Kongress über Strategien und Perspektiven in diesem Bereich. Die Lobbyisten hoffen noch in diesem Jahr 2025 auf einen normativen Rahmen zur erweiterten Unterstützung autonomer Technologien.

Wenn man derartige Informationen im Zusammenhang betrachtet, bekommt man eine Idee davon, warum zunehmend alles elektrisch und digital werden soll. Umwelt- und Mobilitätsprobleme in Städten, wie Luftverschmutzung, Lärmbelästigung, Platzmangel oder Staus, sind eine Sache. Mit dem Argument «emissionslos» wird jedoch eine Referenz zum CO2 und dem «menschengemachten Klimawandel» hergestellt, die Emotionen triggert. Und damit wird so ziemlich alles verkauft.

Letztlich aber gilt: Je elektrischer und digitaler unsere Umgebung wird und je freigiebiger wir mit unseren Daten jeder Art sind, desto besser werden wir kontrollier-, steuer- und sogar abschaltbar. Irgendwann entscheiden KI-basierte Algorithmen, ob, wann, wie, wohin und mit wem wir uns bewegen dürfen. Über einen 15-Minuten-Radius geht dann möglicherweise nichts hinaus. Die Projekte auf diesem Weg sind ernst zu nehmen, real und schon weit fortgeschritten.

[Titelbild: Pixabay]

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Dieser Beitrag ist zuerst auf Transition News erschienen.

@ ecda4328:1278f072

A detailed breakdown of the recent debate around Bitcoin Core’s proposed policy change to OP_RETURN — and why it’s less dramatic than some fear.

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TL;DR

Removing the 80-byte OP_RETURN limit is a mempool policy cleanup, not a consensus rule change. It reduces UTXO bloat, improves relay consistency, and doesn’t affect Bitcoin’s monetary properties or block size limits.

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What Is OP_RETURN?

OP_RETURN is a Bitcoin script opcode introduced in 2014 (Bitcoin Core 0.9.0) to allow small amounts of arbitrary data to be embedded in transactions. Crucially, it creates provably unspendable outputs, preventing UTXO set pollution.

A default policy limit of 80 bytes was added to discourage non-payment data usage while still allowing basic use cases (e.g., hashes, commitments).

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Why Was OP_RETURN Added? (Bitcoin Core 0.9, March 2014)

When OP_RETURN was introduced, it wasn’t to promote on-chain data — it was a harm-reduction tool:

“This change is not an endorsement of storing data in the blockchain... [It] creates a provably-prunable output, to avoid data storage schemes... storing arbitrary data... bloating Bitcoin’s UTXO database.” — Bitcoin Core 0.9 Release Notes

Before that, users embedded data in fake outputs, bloating the UTXO set and degrading node performance.

OP_RETURN made those outputs prunable and cleaner, though it imposed an 80-byte policy cap — not a consensus rule.

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What’s Actually Changing?

Bitcoin Core PR #32359 proposes:

• Removing the 80-byte policy limit on OP_RETURN data
• Removing the -datacarrier and -datacarriersize configuration options
• Default behavior will now relay (and mine) larger OP_RETURNs

⚠️ This is not a consensus change. Blocks stay limited to \~4MB. No rules about block validity are altered.

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Why It’s Not a Big Deal

• ✅ Consensus stays the same: No risk of chain splits
• ✅ Block size stays capped (\~4MB)
• ✅ You can still run Bitcoin Knots if you prefer stricter policies
• ✅ Transaction size limit (\~100KB) remains for DoS protection

Bottom line: This is a configuration tweak to improve consistency between nodes and miners.

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Common Uses of OP_RETURN

• Timestamping
• Cross-chain anchoring (e.g., merge-mined sidechains)
• Asset issuance (e.g., Omni/Tether)
• Notarization and commitments
• Metadata for protocols like Citrea

📝 In contrast, Ordinal inscriptions use witness data; Stamps use fake outputs — not OP_RETURN.

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Arguments For Removing the Limit

1. The limit is ineffective — easily bypassed via witness/multisig/fake outputs
2. Cleaner data paths — prevents UTXO bloat from “Stamp”-style tricks
3. Reflects mining reality — miners already include these transactions
4. Improves relay/mempool consistency
5. Avoids centralization risks — removes miner advantages from custom policies
6. Enables metaprotocols — safely embed structured metadata without abusing Bitcoin’s core design

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Arguments Against Removing the Limit

1. Risk of encouraging non-monetary use
2. Fears of "spam" or NFT-like inscriptions
3. Concerns over governance process
4. Perceived erosion of Bitcoin’s monetary purity

🧠 Note: The 80-byte cap was policy, not consensus. Removing it doesn’t allow anything that wasn’t already valid on-chain.

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Policy vs. Consensus

• Policy rules affect relay and mempool behavior
• Consensus rules affect what blocks are considered valid

Large OP_RETURNs are already valid. The inconsistency is that many nodes don’t relay them, while miners do include them. This change aligns relay with mining, improving propagation and fee estimation.

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Bitcoin Knots: A Protest Client

Bitcoin Knots (maintained by Luke Dashjr) retains the old 80-byte policy. After the PR surfaced, some users switched to Knots as a protest.

According to Matthew R. Kratter, Bitcoin Knots briefly surpassed Core 29.0 in node count during early 2025 — but this spike appears to have been driven more by timing mismatches between release cycles and a coordinated protest campaign, rather than a durable shift in user adoption. In fact, most Bitcoin nodes today still run older versions of Core. As of May 2025, Core 28.1.0 alone accounts for over 21% of nodes, while Core 29.0.0 sits below 6%, and Knots 20250305 trails at just over 6% — suggesting that the majority of the network remains on pre-29 Core versions rather than switching to Knots en masse.

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Broader Implications

• 🛠️ Highlights tensions between devs, miners, and users over governance
• 🧭 Shows how non-consensus rules can impact perceived neutrality
• 🧪 Sparks renewed focus on tooling (e.g., ASMap, better banlists, relay filtering)
• 🔐 Reaffirms user sovereignty through client diversity

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Final Thoughts

Removing the OP_RETURN limit aligns Bitcoin Core’s policy with reality — what’s already getting mined — while cleaning up harmful workarounds.

It won’t break Bitcoin.

But it does surface deeper tensions about Bitcoin’s purpose, evolution, and who ultimately decides what gets built and accepted.

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References

• PR: Remove arbitrary limits on OP_RETURN #32359
• PR: Deprecate datacarrier options #32406
• Mailing list: Relax OP_RETURN standardness restrictions
• Gist with full community discussion
• Bitcoin Knots
• Kratter video: Bitcoin Core Removes the Mask

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🙏 Acknowledgements

Thanks to @hodlinator, ShiShi21m, and many others in the community for their thoughtful insights, corrections, and spirited discussion.

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Based on the original GitHub Gist: Bitcoin OP_RETURN Controversy: Complete Summary

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni članak na politika.rs.

06.12.2014 / Autor: Istok Pavlović

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Pre nekoliko godina, pojavila se digitalna valuta – bitkoin. Isprva, delovalo je kao utopija šačice sanjara ideja da ova valuta jednog dana postane glavno sredstvo plaćanja među ljudima, i da se potpuno ukine bankarski sistem i posrednici u finansijskim transakcijama. Međutim, san polako postaje realnost. Sve više ozbiljnih kompanija prima bitkoin kao sredstvo plaćanja, i njegovo usvajanje se povećava iz meseca u mesec.

Kako zapravo radi bitkoin? Da bismo odgovorili na ovo pitanje, pođimo od jednog starijeg problema u matematici, koji se zove „problem vizantijskih generala”.

Vizantijski generali opkolili su neprijateljski grad. Svaki od generala nalazi se sa svojom vojskom negde oko grada, i generali su geografski razdvojeni. Komunikacija među generalima ide preko kurira, koji prenose poruke. Da bi napad uspeo, generali moraju da se dogovore oko zajedničkog nastupa – da krenu svi odjednom u dogovoreno vreme. Međutim, problem je što među generalima, pa i među kuririma mogu da postoje izdajnici – ljudi koji rade za neprijatelja i koji će namerno preneti pogrešnu poruku kako bi sabotirali napad. Kako organizovati prenošenje poruka među generalima tako da akcija uspe, bez obzira na izdajnike?

Rešenje ovog problema postoji, i u pitanju je veoma kompleksan matematički algoritam koji se razvio početkom 21. veka. Pojavom bržih kompjutera, ovaj problem postao je rešiv za kraće vreme. U praksi, ovo je značilo da smo dobili način da se uspostavi potpuno poverenje između dve osobe na internetu koje se uopšte ne poznaju. To je otvorilo čitav novi spektar mogućnosti – a jedna od tih mogućnosti je digitalni novac.

Bitkoin sistem je zapravo kao jedna velika finansijska knjiga na internetu. Vi kupujete prostor u toj knjizi, u zamenu za klasičan novac ili prodajom neke robe ili usluga, i tada postajete vlasnik određene sume bitkoina. Taj svoj prostor zatim možete prodati nekom drugom ko hoće da ga kupi. Sve transakcije su potpuno sigurne i niko na svetu ne može da ospori da su se desile.Transakcije automatski beleži mreža kompjutera širom sveta prema „algoritmu vizantijskih generala”, bez ikakvog upliva živih ljudi, i tako dobijamo maksimalno poverenje. S obzirom na to da su ljudi eliminisani iz jednačine, najvažnija posledica ovog sistema je to što sada sve transakcije mogu da budu bez posrednika, bez banaka i nema provizije.

Ova poslednja činjenica je jedan od ključnih razloga što je bitkoin uveden kao sredstvo plaćanja u mnogim prodavnicama. Koliko god opskurno delovao, bitkoin je zapravo mnogo povoljniji za prodavce od klasičnog novca. Recimo da prodajete elektronske uređaje, gde je uobičajena margina profita oko pet procenata. Banke za procesiranje kartice uzimaju 2,5 odsto. Vi, dakle dajete polovinu svog profita banci, samo zato što banke kao sistem imaju monopol nad plaćanjem i nemate izbora. Tačnije, niste imali izbora do pojave bitkoina.

Za velike kompanije, kojima ne smetaju bankarske provizije, bitkoin je više stvar prestiža i mode. „Hej, pogledajte kako smo mi moderna kompanija, primamo bitkoine.” Međutim, za male porodične biznise bitkoini bukvalno mogu da znače opstanak.

Postavlja se logično pitanje, šta je to što bitkoinima daje vrednost? Odgovor na ovo pitanje zapravo leži u pitanju „šta je to što daje vrednost klasičnom novcu”. Ako pogledamo istoriju novca, u početnom trenutku za ljude je to bilo neko parče papira, ali su uvedene zlatne rezerve kao garancija da taj papir vredi. Ova garancija stvorila je kod ljudi veru u novac, i ta vera čini njegovu vrednost. Kasnije, ove zlatne rezerve su davno prevaziđene i nemaju veze s količinom novca u opticaju, ali ono što je ostalo jeste vera u novac, i samo zahvaljujući toj veri novac ima vrednost.

Ista stvar je i sa bitkoinima. Njegovu vrednost zapravo čini vera. Milionima ljudi širom sveta krv uzavri od sreće kada čuju za ideju da se konačno iskoreni bankarski sistem. Oni vide bankare kao „krvopije koji žive na tuđoj grbači”, i podržaće svaku ideju u tom pravcu. Počeće pasionirano da koriste bitkoine kao sredstvo plaćanja gde god je to moguće, sanjajući da dožive tokom svog života naslov u novinama „Bankari ostali bez posla”, da bi tog dana mogli da kažu: „I ja sam u ovome učestvovao, ja sam jedan od oslobodilaca čovečanstva.”

Naravno, kao i svaka tehnologija u svojoj ranoj fazi, bitkoin ima svoje propuste koji se sređuju. Ako pogledate internet komentare, ima ljudi koji će naći sto mana bitkoinima. Ipak, da smo slušali kritizere koji kritikuju tehnologije u ranoj fazi, nikada ne bismo imali avione, električnu struju, ili bilo koje inovacije koje su u početku delovale nesigurno, a bez kojih nam je današnji život nezamisliv.

@ bbb5dda0:f09e2747

I've been neglecting my weekly updates a bit. I haven't really gotten to them lately because i've been insanely busy frying my brains at #SovEng. And after that i haven't been keeping my weekly notes properly. WHICH I'm planning to pick back up now!

This week/ the last couple weeks I've been doing some general planning around @tollGate's appearances on various conferences around Europe! First on the list will be Pizza Day in Prague! And from there I'll be cruising straight to @Oslo Freedom Forum! For TollGate that also means getting us set up with some T-Shirts and Stickers, though not super hard to do, it's the first time I'm doing any 'marketing' like this so I did test my own patience by properly cropping and ordering the designs. So far the stickers came out well Look at our first officially baptized TollGate! :)

TollGate Installer

As we're installing versions of TollGateOS on routers quite often now I figured it'd be a good idea to streamline the experience a bit by building a TollGate Installer. I've been vibecoding it mostly, and one of the things I discovered is how easy it is to make it replicate the style of another app. To stick with the theme I told it to mirror the style of our TollGate Captive portal site and it did it perfectly!

Anyway, still a lot of manual engineering is required but at least I can outsource the stuff i'm bad at. What I did improve was the GitHub workflows we use for building and publishing the OS. We publish our releases to Blossom + Nostr (NIP-94). I then use those messages in the installer to get the download links.

👀 But which version!?

I quickly ran into the issue that I didn't know which binary to install on the router i hooked up to my computer. I connect the router via lan, then I scan the network and ssh into the router, get some basic info, like the device name. BUT, the format of that device name wouldn't match any of the names we'd use in our release.

For example: the router name would be glinet,mt3000 while our release was called gl-mt3000. The difference may seem subtle but I can't match them. So after some discussion with the others I went on and revamped our OS pipeline to properly follow the OpenWRT naming of boards/devices. The pipeline is now much more extensible, making it easier for us to add support for more hardware!

What's next?

We're aiming for a v0.0.2 release of TollGate OS by friday, incorporating some of the feedback we've gotten from our test users! Hang on tight guys! 🙏 I'm hoping to finish an earlier version of the installer in the upcoming week as well.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na trzisnoresenje.blogspot.com

06.10.2014 / Autor: Slaviša Tasić

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Od kako je bitcoin postao popularan vodi se rasprava među zagovornicima slobodnog tržišta oko njegovo gpravog statusa: da li je to budući novac, efikasan sistem zaobilaženja državne kontrole i garant slobode pojedinca, ili pak fikcija i pomodarstvo iza koje nema ničeg stvarnog?

Teorijski centar debate je pitanje da li je bitcoin "zapravo" novac ili ne. Jedna grupa tvrdi da jeste, pozivajući se na to da je nastao hiljadama dobrovoljnih akata potrošača na tržištu i time uspostavljen kao konvencija. Ko ste vi, teoretičari iz fotelje, da u ime naroda koji prihvata bitcoin definišete šte je "pravi" novac a šta nije? Druga škola tvrdi da je to irelevantno, da je takozvana vrednost bitcoina fiktivna i naduvana, i da će uskoro pući, jer nema nikakve realne pozadine: svaki novac kroz istoriju je uvek morao da ima podlogu nećeg realnog, najčešće plemenitog metala neke vrste, novac nikad ne nastaje nečijom naredbom ili proizvoljnom odlukom.

Vrlo često se u ovom kontekstu pominje Misesova čuena "teorema regresije". Ona kaže da je novac univerzalno razmensko sredstvo koje svoju vrednost crpe iz prethodne upotrebne vrednosti materijala od kojeg je sačinjeno. Recimo, zlato i srebro imaju vrednost kao nakit i luksuzna roba koju ljudi traže iz ne-monetarnih razloga, a njihova vrednost kao novca se onda izvodi iz te prethodne evaluacije njegove ne monetarne upotrebne "vrednosti". Tehnički rečeno, tražnja za zlatom kao monetarnim dobrom izvedena je iz tražnje za zlatom kao nemonetarnim dobrom.

Problem sa bitcoinom je što na prvi pogled on nema nikakvu ne-monetarnu vrednost. Nije zasnovan ni na kakvom fizičkom materijalu ili robi, već predstavlja kompjuterski algoritam. Bitcoin je beskoristan za bilo šta drugo osim kao sredstvo plaćanja. Ako je tome tako, onda postoje samo dve mogućnosti: ili bitcoin ne može da bude novac, ili je teorija o realnoj, nemonetarnoj osnovi novca netačna.

Izgleda da ni jedno ni drugo nije slučaj. Bitcoin jeste sredstvo razmene, iako još uvek nije novac, budući da nije univerzalno prihvaćen (što ne znači da ne može ili da neće biti prihvaćen), ali bitcoin istovremeno JESTE zasnovan na nečem realnom, tj ima vrednost i mimo svoje uloge kao novca. Ta prethodna vrednost bitcoina je njegova uloga kao efikasnog sistema plaćanja. Kao što Jeffrey Tucker naglašava u svom novom tekstu, Bitcoin je 2008 uveden kao sistem plaćanja koji bi omogućio efikasni transfer resursa između pojedinaca u raznim delovima sveta uz potpuno zaobilaženje zvaničnog finansijskog sistema. Programski dokument osnivača Bitcoina nije uopšte spominjao novac nego samo sistem plaćanja koji omogućava pouzdanost, anonimonst i operisanje izvan zvaničnih finansijkih tokova. Tehnički detalji su ovde.

Bitcoin kao sistem je lansiran 9 januara 2009, ali u tom trenutku njegova vrednost je bila nula! Sve do oktobra 2009 potenicjalni klijenti su mogli da dobiju besplatno koliko god hoće bitcoina da eksperimentišu. Ljudi su vršili prve transakcije, proveravali da li je sistem pouzdan, da li radi onako kako je obećano itd. Taj proces eksperminetisanja je trajao oko deset meseci. U tom periodu Bitcoin kao novac nije imao nikakvu tržišnu vrednost. Pre tačno pet godina, 5 oktobra 2009 postavljena je prva tržišna cena. Ona je bila 1390 bitcoina za jedan američki dolar, odnosno jedan bitcoin je vredeo manje od desetog dela penija. U tom trenutku publika je bila još uvek skeptična, što se pokazalo u vrlo niskoj ceni, ali kako je vreme prolazilo cena je rasla jer je evaluacija sistema, sa protokom vremena i daljim potvrđivanjem njegove vrednosti i pouzdanosti, kao i ulaskom mnogo šireg kurga ljudi u igru, postajala sve viša. Međutim, to je sve sa teorijske tačke gledišta irelevantno; ključna stvar je da je početna evaluacija bitcoina, prva tržišna cena objavljena 5 oktobra 2009 bila zapravo izraz evaluacije sistema plaćanja koja je vršena mesecima nezavisno od samog novca (tj njegove potencijalne vrednosti). Bitcoin kao novac "regresira" u mizesovskom smislu na bitcoin kao sistem plaćanja.

Dakle, bitcoin nije fiat novac. On predstavlja potencijalnu valutu koja je izvedena iz tržišne vrednosti specifičnog sistema plaćanja koji klijentima omogućava značajne prednosti koje drugi sistemi ne pružaju. I stoga oza njega stoji "realna vrednost" u istom smislu u kome nešto "realno" stoji iza zlata i srebra kao novca, ili iza modernih fiat valuta izvedenih iz zlata i srebra. Ja ne verujem da bi bitcoin imao velike šanse protiv zlata i srebra na slobodnom tržištu valuta, ali u ovom trenutku ne postoji slobodno tržište valuta, tj onaj ko pokuša da trguje u zlatu završiće u zatvoru. U takvim okolnostima, virtuelnost bitcoina predstavlja komparativnu prednost u odnosu na svaku vrstu robnog novca uključujući i zlato: vlasnik ne poseduje nikakvu fizičku supstancu koju vlada može da mu konfiskuje. Naravno, to bi moglo da se promeni ukoliko vlade ocene da je bitcoin značajna opasnost i krene u tehnološki rat protiv njega. U tom slučaju bi i cena verovatno pala.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na ecd.rs

13.06.2023. / Autor: Igor Mirković

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Ograničena količina Bitcoina:

Ukupno: 21 milion BTC

Trenutno izrudareno: 19.400.050 BTC

Preostalo za rudarenje: 1.599.950 BTC

Dnevno se izrudari: 900 BTC

Da li je 21 milion Bitcoina dovoljno?

Da li znate koliko je milionera u svetu? Oko 56 miliona milionera, odnosno 1.1% populacije. Ako podelimo 21 milion Bitcoin-a na 56 miliona milionera dobijamo 0.375 BTC po svakom milioneru.

Ograničena zaliha Bitcoina i broj milionera su sami dovoljni da lansiraju cenu, jer bi posedovanje jednog celog Bitcoin-a moglo da postane status moći milionera u budućnosti.

Verovatno bi se oni nekako i dogovorili na ravnopravnu raspodelu da u svetu nema preko 2.000 milijardera, kojima ni 1, a kamoli 0.39 BTC nisu dovoljni za smislenu investiciju.

Zašto kompanije kupuju Bitcoin?

Jedan od faktora koji ovu računicu čini još diskutabilnijom su Bitcoin-i koji su zauvek nestali i zaboravljeni na novčanicima. Nezahvalno je tvrditi koliko je Bitcoin-a „izgubljeno“, ali postoje i istraživanja koja pokazuju da to uopšte nije mali deo celokupne ponude. Kreator Bitcoin-a Satoši odmah je u startu pretpostavio da ovako nešto može da se desi i na ovu okrutnu prirodnu selekciju dao je logičan komentar da će, u slučaju ako neko izgubi pristup svojim Bitcoin-ima, coini koje ima ostatak zajednice samim tim vredeti više.

Kako bismo shvatili zašto je ograničena zaliha izuzetno važna, vratićemo se na staro dobro poređenje zlata i Bitcoin-a. Bitcoin i zlato imaju mnogo sličnosti ali i jednu ključnu razliku. Bitcoin nazivaju digitalnim zlatom, nekada čak i drugom, unapređenom verzijom zlata (Zlato 2.0).

I zlato i Bitcoin:

Imaju fiksnu i ograničenu zalihu. Za BTC se zna koliko ga ima, a za zlato se zna da je ograničeno i da ga nema mnogo. Ne mogu biti lažirani i napravljeni veštački.

Najveća razlika između ova dva čuvara vrednosti je što je zlato u fizičkom obliku, a BTC je isključivo digitalan. Digitalne karakteristike Bitcoin-u daju brojne prednosti u odnosu na zlato: Lako je deljiv na sitnije delove, lako se šalje svuda u svetu, lako se čuva, transportuje i potpuno je transparentan.

Magija od 21 miliona

Ponuda i tražnja… dva jednostavna koncepta, a opet dovoljno sveobuhvatna da definišu i utiču na sve. Kada se spoje, kreiraju apstraktnu pojavu koja se zove vrednost.

Koliko nečega ima i koliko je traženo? Odrednica je za plate radnih mesta, cene imovine, roba, usluga, dobra i gde god želimo da pripišemo neku vrednost možemo početi od tog osnova.

Od samog nastanka čoveka, sve na svetu je imalo percipiranu neograničenu zalihu. Od životinja, zemlje, zlata, vode, nafte. Ljudi su bukvalno konzumirali počevši od pećinskog čoveka pa do danas kao da nema ograničenja ni u čemu.

U stanju smo da konzumiramo i trošimo resurse dok ne nestanu zauvek sa zemlje, samo pogledajte životinje, biljke i sirovine koje su nestale ili su veoma ugrožene zbog uticaja ljudskih „potreba“. Smislili smo čak i šta ćemo kada odrećene sirovine ili životinje nestanu. Napravićemo DNK klonove, sintetičke proizvode, imitaciju koja će nam služiti za naše lične potrebe. Što su zalihe manje i manje, cene su veće ali i želja… potreba za konzumacijom nema cenu.

Šta to znači u slučaju Bitcoin-a? Kao što znamo, Bitcoin je bio prva imovina koja je zaista ograničena, na 21 milion coina, to je sve što će ikada biti stvoreno, a ljudi ne mogu da ga kloniraju, doštampaju, veštački naprave, lažiraju ili slično.

Ograničenost Bitcoin-a se kosi sa svim ljudskim potrošačkim navikama. Uvek postoji način da dobijete više, osim u slučaju Bitcoin-a.

Ova činjenica ograničenosti zaliha je poremetila definiciju ekonomske vrednosti za Bitcoin. To je razlog zašto je on došao do vrednosti od preko 20 hiljada dolara za nešto više od 10 godina. To je jedan od najvećih skokova vrednosti u istoriji čovečanstva i po mišljenju mnogih, samo početak.

Zašto je ograničenje od 21 miliona koje zagovornici ističu toliko važno, koliko je trenutno Bitcoin-a na tržištu i koji je proces koji stvara nove coine odnosno kada će i poslednji BTC biti dostupan?

Bitcoin se često smatra novom vrstom novca koji rešava nedostatke i nudi poboljšanja postojećeg monetarnog sistema. Jedno od tih poboljšanja je fiksna zaliha – 21 milion Bitcoin-a i kodirana logika, koja se ne može menjati, o tome kako će se Bitcoin-i stvarati i po kom principu distribuirati dok se ne postigne ta cifra što se očekuje oko 2150. godine.

Postoje dva elementa fiksne zalihe koji su bitni za razumevanje: Zašto je fiksna zaliha bitna karakteristika za novac i koji sistem Bitcoin koristi kako bi je garantovao.

Odnos ograničene zalihe i vrednosti

Prvi oblici novca pojavili su se nezavisno u različitim kulturama i predstavljali su ključno rešenje i prelazak sa tadašnje trampe. Različite vrste stvari isprobane su kao oblik novca – kokosovi orasi, stoka, ječam, so, biseri, školjke – pre nego što su se zlato i srebro utemeljili kao najefikasniji.

Razlog zbog kojeg su plemeniti metali postali standard za novac bilo je ispunjavanje ključnih karakteristika kako bi novac bio efikasan kao sredstvo razmene:

Prenosiv – Lak za nošenje Izdržljiv – Neće fizički propasti Deljiv – Može se podeliti na manje jednake delove Zamenljiv – Svaka deo je zamenljiv za bilo koju drugu stvar Prepoznatljiv – Očigledno je šta je Oskudan – nema ga u izobilju niti ga je lako nabaviti

Od šest magičnih stvari koje čine novac korisnim za razmenu, poslednja je daleko najvažnija (isto tako je u slučaju novca kao načina očuvanja vrednosti – skladišta vrednosti).

Zamislite sa kakvim problemima bismo se suočavali da je so ostala dominantan oblik novca.

Zlato ispunjava uslov oskudnosti i većinu od ostalih pet, ali je njegova mana izuzetno tešak transport.

Kada je Satoši Nakamoto krenuo sa stvaranjem novog oblika internet novca, on/ona/oni su morali da pronađu način da stvore neku vrstu digitalnog zlata, ali sa isprogramiranom distribucijom odnosno ukupnom ponudom, što je bilo mnogo teže realizovati i napraviti nego što zvuči.

Isprogramirana zaliha

Ako razmislite o najpoznatijim digitalnim formatima- jpeg slikama, Google dokumentima, mp3 datotekama – svi oni mogu da se kopiraju prilično lako. Bitcoin ne može, jer to nije datoteka koja se nalazi na vašem telefonu ili laptopu, već postoji u obliku zapisa koji je povezan sa adresom – mestom na bitcoin blokčejnu– koji možete zamisliti kao broj bankovnog računa.

Ako imate pristup bitcoin adresi i neka sredstva u Bitcoin-u na njoj, možete ga iskoristiti. Dakle, Bitcoin blokčejn kao monetarni sistem je kuća svih bitkoina koji su u opticaju, drugim rečima, ukupne ponude Bitkoina.

Sledeće logično pitanje je kako se kontroliše i održava bitkoin mreža? Česta zabluda koja postoji zbog tradicionalnih finansijskih sistema je da ko god to kontroliše može stvoriti onoliko BTC-a koliko želi? Možda, ako bi to kontrolisala jedna osoba, sigurno bi bila u iskušenju… tako u stvari funkcioniše postojeći novac centralnih banaka.

Kako nastaju Bitkoini?

Jedan od najmagičnijih mehanizama Bitcoin sistema je način na koji se stvaraju novi Bitcoin-i kroz proces koji se zove rudarenje. To je prilično složen proces, tako da ko želi da istraži i kopa dublje može se informiše na našem blogu u sekciji rudarenje.

Bitcoin sistem funkcioniše u skladu sa skupom pravila koji se nazivaju Bitcoin Protokol. Taj skup pravila kaže da će ukupno postojati maksimalno 21 milion, sa fiksnim brojem Bitcoin-a koji se kreira svakih 10 minuta kao nagrada za rudare koji obrađuju nove transakcije u bloku podataka. Blokovi podataka su povezani zajedno sa neraskidivim kriptografskim vezama – otuda i termin blokčejn.

Rudarenje kriptovaluta – Kakva su iskustva srpskih rudara?

Prvi blok je iskopan u januaru 2009. godine, kada je nagrada za rudare bila 50 BTC-a. Tako je 50 novih koina puštano u promet svakih 10 minuta.

Protokol o Bitcoin-u je programiran da kada se stvori 210.000 blokova, nagrada se prepolovi, što se dešava otprilike svake četiri godine i naziva se Bitcoin halving.

Bitcoin je do sada prošao kroz tri halvinga. Umesto da bude inflatoran – sa stalno rastućom ponudom – koja narušava vrednost, Bitcoin je deflatoran jer raste uz opadajuću maržu, koja će na kraju dostići nulu kada se dostigne količina od distribuiranih 21 milion BTC-a.

Zašto baš 21 milion?

Neka jednostavna matematika ukazuje na to da je Satoši možda imao mnogo veću viziju o bitkoinu – što bolje objašnjava zašto je izabran maksimalni iznos od 21 milion.

U vreme stvaranja Bitcoin-a, celokupna svetska ponuda novca iznosila je približno 21 hiljadu milijardi dolara. Ova cifra, poznata kao M1 novčana masa, sastoji se od ukupne vrednosti celokupnog fizičkog novca na svetu, uključujući gotovinu, kovanice, čekove i još mnogo toga.

Ako bi Bitcoin narastao i postao jedinstvena svetska valuta — zamenjujući sve one od kojih se sastoji M1 cifra — onda bi svaki BTC vredeo milion dolara. Pošto u svakom Bitcoin-u ima 100 miliona satošija, to bi postavilo vrednost svakog satošija na 0,01 dolara.

Činjenica da su ovi brojevi tako blisko usklađeni bila bi izuzetna slučajnost, ako nije namerno.

Druga verzija

Iako je teorija zamene novčane mase M1 možda najverovatnije obrazloženje zašto je Satoši odabrao 21 milion da bude limit za Bitcoin, postoji još jedno donekle jednostavnije objašnjenje.

Gledajući parametre koji se koriste za kontrolu distribucije Bitcoin-a, postaje jasno da cifra od 21 milion BTC-a omogućava mreži da osigura da se blokovi rudare u redovnom vremenskom okviru (10 minuta).

Takođe. osigurava da se količina bitkoina koji se isplaćuje rudarima kao nagrade za blok vremenom smanjuje, kako se maksimalna ponuda približava granici. Kako se ispostavilo, parametri koje je Satoshi postavio za ovo neizbežno dovode do proizvodnje od maksimalno 21 miliona BTC. Na osnovu ove karakteristike, ukupno 210.000 blokova treba da se rudari u svakom četvorogodišnjem ciklusu, nakon čega se nagrada za blok prepolovi.

U prvom ciklusu je puštano 50 BTC po bloku; ovo je prepolovljeno na 25 BTC po bloku u 2012. godini, zatim ponovo na 12,5 BTC po bloku u 2016. Nakon prepolovljenja u 2020., trenutno je na 6,25 BTC po bloku.

Ako nastavimo videćemo da je zbir nagrada za blok za svaki ciklus jednak 100 (50 + 25 + 6,25 +3,125, itd.). Množenjem ovog broja sa cifrom od 210.000 blokova, dobijate maksimalnu moguću ponudu od 21 milion.

Dakle, da li je zaliha Bitcoin-a filozofski gest ili proizvod nemilosrdne matematičke logike? Samo Satoši Nakamoto zaista zna.

@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b

Originalni tekst na trzisnoresenje.blogspot.com

15.12.2023 / Autor: Slaviša Tasić

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Ovako sam pisao u aprilu kad je Bitcoin vredeo $50-100 dolara:

"Koja je budućnost Bitcoina? Većina mu predviđa propast, ali već smo videli da ima neprijatelje sa obeju strana i obe imaju svoje razloge. ... Ali ekonomski gledano, sada kad je Bitcoin došao dovde, meni se čini da može još mnogo rasti."

...

"Zato mislim da ekonomski Bitcoin više nema problem. Sa ovako ograničenom ponudom, a uz održanje sadašnje tražnje ili njen rast, njegove vrednost može i još mnogo da poraste."

U međuvremenu je otišao na preko $1,000. Ali mislite da sam kupio neki Bitcoin? Nisam, teško je baviti se takvim sitnicama kad morate da pišete blog.

Evo šta sada mislim o Bitcoinu.

Najvažnije je razumeti zašto Bitcoin uopšte ima vrednost. To što ima neku vrednost i nije tako iznenađujuće. Valute su istorijski spontano nastajale najčešće od nečega što ima istinsku vrednost, bronze, srebra ili zlata. Ali nije neviđeno ni da novac bez intristične vrednosti bude široko prihvaćen. Poznat je slučaj ostrva kamenog novca, gde je novac bilo kamenje, neka vrsta krečnjaka (vidi sliku ispod). Stanovnici jednog polinezijskog ostrva su koristili ovaj kamen kao novac zbog samo jedne osobine -- zato što nije postojao na ostrvu. Da biste nabavili takvo kamenje morali ste ići na drugo ostrvo, što je bilo skupo i naporno. I to je jedina osobina koja je krečnjak činila novcem, nisu ga koristili ni za šta drugo.

Štaviše, da ne bi kotrljali kamenje pri svakoj kupovini, trgovali su samo pravima na odrđeni kamen, a da se kamen uopšte nije morao pomeriti s mesta. To je suštinski isto kao današnje elektronsko bankarstvo, ali to je druga priča.

Bitcoin je nešto najbliže tome. Kad se uspostavi konvencija, onda novac ne mora imati imanentnu vrednost. Konvencija je, iz garantovanu retkost dovoljan uslov da nešto uspe kao novac. Kao i krečnjak na tom ostrvu, Bitcoin je suštinski bezvredan, ali 1) ne može se naći lako (ima retkost) i 2) postoji konvencija da se prihvata kao novac -- prihvatate ga jer znate da će ga i drugi prihvatiti.

Ali koliko je Bitcoin zaista redak? Sam Bitcoin jeste, jer mu je ponuda programski ograničena. Ali sada vidimo uspon drugih kripto valuta -- Litecoin, Peercoin, i drugi. Bitcoin je redak, ali svako može da napravi nešto jako slično bitcoinu i zvati ga drugačije. To se uveliko i dešava, za sada bez efekta na vrednost Bitcoina.

Za sada Bitcoin ima rastuću snagu konvencije, ili ekonomskim rečnikom, za njega radi efekat mreže. Efekat mreže postoji kada svaki dodatni korisnik povećava vrednost dobra -- vi koristite tastaturu sa početnim slovima QWERTY zato što svi drugi koriste istu tastaturu pa je glupo da počinjete nešto drugo; otvorili ste Facebook nalog ne zato što je Facebook tehnološki najbolje urađen nego zato što svi drugi imaju Facebook pa se tako nalkaše povezujete; nemate Google Plus jer niko drugi nema Google Plus što ga čini beskorisnim, i tako dalje. Uspostavljene mreže je jako teško srušiti, one se perpetuiraju i rastu na principu začaranog kruga.

Kad se jednom uspostave, mreže kao Facebook ili Bitcoin imaju ugrađenu prednost i teško ih je srušiti. Ali znate li ko je još imao efekat mreže u svoju korist? Imao je Windows i imao je MySpace. Windows se još drži ali nije ni blizu moći od pre desetak godina, a MySpace je potpuno propao -- a ljudi su 2008. MySpaceu predviđali večni monopol zbog efekta mreže. Poenta je, efekat mreže je prednost ali nikome ne garantuje monopol, pa čak ni opstanak.

Situacija sa Bitcoinom je ovakva. Sa pojavom drugih valuta retkost je izgubio. Nije bitno što nema Bitcoina, Bitcoin je samo ime. Ima ili može biti neograničeno mnogo kriptovaluta istog tipa i to je ono što je važno. Konvenciju odnosno efekat mreže Bitcoin još uvek ima, štaviše tu je i dalje u usponu. Ali to mu ne garantuje dugoročni uspeh. Kad se ta dva saberu, mislim da Bitcoin nema dobrih dugoročnih izgleda. Da sam onda u aprilu kupio Bitcoine, sada bih prodao.

@ 6389be64:ef439d32

Bitcoin is more than money, more than an asset, and more than a store of value. Bitcoin is a Prime Mover, an enabler and it ignites imaginations. It certainly fueled an idea in my mind. The idea integrates sensors, computational prowess, actuated machinery, power conversion, and electronic communications to form an autonomous, machined creature roaming forests and harvesting the most widespread and least energy-dense fuel source available. I call it the Forest Walker and it eats wood, and mines Bitcoin.

I know what you're thinking. Why not just put Bitcoin mining rigs where they belong: in a hosted facility sporting electricity from energy-dense fuels like natural gas, climate-controlled with excellent data piping in and out? Why go to all the trouble building a robot that digests wood creating flammable gasses fueling an engine to run a generator powering Bitcoin miners? It's all about synergy.

Bitcoin mining enables the realization of multiple, seemingly unrelated, yet useful activities. Activities considered un-profitable if not for Bitcoin as the Prime Mover. This is much more than simply mining the greatest asset ever conceived by humankind. It’s about the power of synergy, which Bitcoin plays only one of many roles. The synergy created by this system can stabilize forests' fire ecology while generating multiple income streams. That’s the realistic goal here and requires a brief history of American Forest management before continuing.

Smokey The Bear

In 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention Campaign began in the United States. “Only YOU can prevent forest fires” remains the refrain of the Ad Council’s longest running campaign. The Ad Council is a U.S. non-profit set up by the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers in 1942. It would seem that the U.S. Department of the Interior was concerned about pesky forest fires and wanted them to stop. So, alongside a national policy of extreme fire suppression they enlisted the entire U.S. population to get onboard via the Ad Council and it worked. Forest fires were almost obliterated and everyone was happy, right? Wrong.

Smokey is a fantastically successful bear so forest fires became so few for so long that the fuel load - dead wood - in forests has become very heavy. So heavy that when a fire happens (and they always happen) it destroys everything in its path because the more fuel there is the hotter that fire becomes. Trees, bushes, shrubs, and all other plant life cannot escape destruction (not to mention homes and businesses). The soil microbiology doesn’t escape either as it is burned away even in deeper soils. To add insult to injury, hydrophobic waxy residues condense on the soil surface, forcing water to travel over the ground rather than through it eroding forest soils. Good job, Smokey. Well done, Sir!

Most terrestrial ecologies are “fire ecologies”. Fire is a part of these systems’ fuel load and pest management. Before we pretended to “manage” millions of acres of forest, fires raged over the world, rarely damaging forests. The fuel load was always too light to generate fires hot enough to moonscape mountainsides. Fires simply burned off the minor amounts of fuel accumulated since the fire before. The lighter heat, smoke, and other combustion gasses suppressed pests, keeping them in check and the smoke condensed into a plant growth accelerant called wood vinegar, not a waxy cap on the soil. These fires also cleared out weak undergrowth, cycled minerals, and thinned the forest canopy, allowing sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor. Without a fire’s heat, many pine tree species can’t sow their seed. The heat is required to open the cones (the seed bearing structure) of Spruce, Cypress, Sequoia, Jack Pine, Lodgepole Pine and many more. Without fire forests can’t have babies. The idea was to protect the forests, and it isn't working.

So, in a world of fire, what does an ally look like and what does it do?

Meet The Forest Walker

For the Forest Walker to work as a mobile, autonomous unit, a solid platform that can carry several hundred pounds is required. It so happens this chassis already exists but shelved.

Introducing the Legged Squad Support System (LS3). A joint project between Boston Dynamics, DARPA, and the United States Marine Corps, the quadrupedal robot is the size of a cow, can carry 400 pounds (180 kg) of equipment, negotiate challenging terrain, and operate for 24 hours before needing to refuel. Yes, it had an engine. Abandoned in 2015, the thing was too noisy for military deployment and maintenance "under fire" is never a high-quality idea. However, we can rebuild it to act as a platform for the Forest Walker; albeit with serious alterations. It would need to be bigger, probably. Carry more weight? Definitely. Maybe replace structural metal with carbon fiber and redesign much as 3D printable parts for more effective maintenance.

The original system has a top operational speed of 8 miles per hour. For our purposes, it only needs to move about as fast as a grazing ruminant. Without the hammering vibrations of galloping into battle, shocks of exploding mortars, and drunken soldiers playing "Wrangler of Steel Machines", time between failures should be much longer and the overall energy consumption much lower. The LS3 is a solid platform to build upon. Now it just needs to be pulled out of the mothballs, and completely refitted with outboard equipment.

The Small Branch Chipper

When I say “Forest fuel load” I mean the dead, carbon containing litter on the forest floor. Duff (leaves), fine-woody debris (small branches), and coarse woody debris (logs) are the fuel that feeds forest fires. Walk through any forest in the United States today and you will see quite a lot of these materials. Too much, as I have described. Some of these fuel loads can be 8 tons per acre in pine and hardwood forests and up to 16 tons per acre at active logging sites. That’s some big wood and the more that collects, the more combustible danger to the forest it represents. It also provides a technically unlimited fuel supply for the Forest Walker system.

The problem is that this detritus has to be chewed into pieces that are easily ingestible by the system for the gasification process (we’ll get to that step in a minute). What we need is a wood chipper attached to the chassis (the LS3); its “mouth”.

A small wood chipper handling material up to 2.5 - 3.0 inches (6.3 - 7.6 cm) in diameter would eliminate a substantial amount of fuel. There is no reason for Forest Walker to remove fallen trees. It wouldn’t have to in order to make a real difference. It need only identify appropriately sized branches and grab them. Once loaded into the chipper’s intake hopper for further processing, the beast can immediately look for more “food”. This is essentially kindling that would help ignite larger logs. If it’s all consumed by Forest Walker, then it’s not present to promote an aggravated conflagration.

I have glossed over an obvious question: How does Forest Walker see and identify branches and such? LiDaR (Light Detection and Ranging) attached to Forest Walker images the local area and feed those data to onboard computers for processing. Maybe AI plays a role. Maybe simple machine learning can do the trick. One thing is for certain: being able to identify a stick and cause robotic appendages to pick it up is not impossible.

Great! We now have a quadrupedal robot autonomously identifying and “eating” dead branches and other light, combustible materials. Whilst strolling through the forest, depleting future fires of combustibles, Forest Walker has already performed a major function of this system: making the forest safer. It's time to convert this low-density fuel into a high-density fuel Forest Walker can leverage. Enter the gasification process.

The Gassifier

The gasifier is the heart of the entire system; it’s where low-density fuel becomes the high-density fuel that powers the entire system. Biochar and wood vinegar are process wastes and I’ll discuss why both are powerful soil amendments in a moment, but first, what’s gasification?

Reacting shredded carbonaceous material at high temperatures in a low or no oxygen environment converts the biomass into biochar, wood vinegar, heat, and Synthesis Gas (Syngas). Syngas consists primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. All of which are extremely useful fuels in a gaseous state. Part of this gas is used to heat the input biomass and keep the reaction temperature constant while the internal combustion engine that drives the generator to produce electrical power consumes the rest.

Critically, this gasification process is “continuous feed”. Forest Walker must intake biomass from the chipper, process it to fuel, and dump the waste (CO2, heat, biochar, and wood vinegar) continuously. It cannot stop. Everything about this system depends upon this continual grazing, digestion, and excretion of wastes just as a ruminal does. And, like a ruminant, all waste products enhance the local environment.

When I first heard of gasification, I didn’t believe that it was real. Running an electric generator from burning wood seemed more akin to “conspiracy fantasy” than science. Not only is gasification real, it’s ancient technology. A man named Dean Clayton first started experiments on gasification in 1699 and in 1901 gasification was used to power a vehicle. By the end of World War II, there were 500,000 Syngas powered vehicles in Germany alone because of fossil fuel rationing during the war. The global gasification market was $480 billion in 2022 and projected to be as much as $700 billion by 2030 (Vantage Market Research). Gasification technology is the best choice to power the Forest Walker because it’s self-contained and we want its waste products.

Biochar: The Waste

Biochar (AKA agricultural charcoal) is fairly simple: it’s almost pure, solid carbon that resembles charcoal. Its porous nature packs large surface areas into small, 3 dimensional nuggets. Devoid of most other chemistry, like hydrocarbons (methane) and ash (minerals), biochar is extremely lightweight. Do not confuse it with the charcoal you buy for your grill. Biochar doesn’t make good grilling charcoal because it would burn too rapidly as it does not contain the multitude of flammable components that charcoal does. Biochar has several other good use cases. Water filtration, water retention, nutrient retention, providing habitat for microscopic soil organisms, and carbon sequestration are the main ones that we are concerned with here.

Carbon has an amazing ability to adsorb (substances stick to and accumulate on the surface of an object) manifold chemistries. Water, nutrients, and pollutants tightly bind to carbon in this format. So, biochar makes a respectable filter and acts as a “battery” of water and nutrients in soils. Biochar adsorbs and holds on to seven times its weight in water. Soil containing biochar is more drought resilient than soil without it. Adsorbed nutrients, tightly sequestered alongside water, get released only as plants need them. Plants must excrete protons (H+) from their roots to disgorge water or positively charged nutrients from the biochar's surface; it's an active process.

Biochar’s surface area (where adsorption happens) can be 500 square meters per gram or more. That is 10% larger than an official NBA basketball court for every gram of biochar. Biochar’s abundant surface area builds protective habitats for soil microbes like fungi and bacteria and many are critical for the health and productivity of the soil itself.

The “carbon sequestration” component of biochar comes into play where “carbon credits” are concerned. There is a financial market for carbon. Not leveraging that market for revenue is foolish. I am climate agnostic. All I care about is that once solid carbon is inside the soil, it will stay there for thousands of years, imparting drought resiliency, fertility collection, nutrient buffering, and release for that time span. I simply want as much solid carbon in the soil because of the undeniably positive effects it has, regardless of any climactic considerations.

Wood Vinegar: More Waste

Another by-product of the gasification process is wood vinegar (Pyroligneous acid). If you have ever seen Liquid Smoke in the grocery store, then you have seen wood vinegar. Principally composed of acetic acid, acetone, and methanol wood vinegar also contains ~200 other organic compounds. It would seem intuitive that condensed, liquefied wood smoke would at least be bad for the health of all living things if not downright carcinogenic. The counter intuition wins the day, however. Wood vinegar has been used by humans for a very long time to promote digestion, bowel, and liver health; combat diarrhea and vomiting; calm peptic ulcers and regulate cholesterol levels; and a host of other benefits.

For centuries humans have annually burned off hundreds of thousands of square miles of pasture, grassland, forest, and every other conceivable terrestrial ecosystem. Why is this done? After every burn, one thing becomes obvious: the almost supernatural growth these ecosystems exhibit after the burn. How? Wood vinegar is a component of this growth. Even in open burns, smoke condenses and infiltrates the soil. That is when wood vinegar shows its quality.

This stuff beefs up not only general plant growth but seed germination as well and possesses many other qualities that are beneficial to plants. It’s a pesticide, fungicide, promotes beneficial soil microorganisms, enhances nutrient uptake, and imparts disease resistance. I am barely touching a long list of attributes here, but you want wood vinegar in your soil (alongside biochar because it adsorbs wood vinegar as well).

The Internal Combustion Engine

Conversion of grazed forage to chemical, then mechanical, and then electrical energy completes the cycle. The ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) converts the gaseous fuel output from the gasifier to mechanical energy, heat, water vapor, and CO2. It’s the mechanical energy of a rotating drive shaft that we want. That rotation drives the electric generator, which is the heartbeat we need to bring this monster to life. Luckily for us, combined internal combustion engine and generator packages are ubiquitous, delivering a defined energy output given a constant fuel input. It’s the simplest part of the system.

The obvious question here is whether the amount of syngas provided by the gasification process will provide enough energy to generate enough electrons to run the entire system or not. While I have no doubt the energy produced will run Forest Walker's main systems the question is really about the electrons left over. Will it be enough to run the Bitcoin mining aspect of the system? Everything is a budget.

CO2 Production For Growth

Plants are lollipops. No matter if it’s a tree or a bush or a shrubbery, the entire thing is mostly sugar in various formats but mostly long chain carbohydrates like lignin and cellulose. Plants need three things to make sugar: CO2, H2O and light. In a forest, where tree densities can be quite high, CO2 availability becomes a limiting growth factor. It’d be in the forest interests to have more available CO2 providing for various sugar formation providing the organism with food and structure.

An odd thing about tree leaves, the openings that allow gasses like the ever searched for CO2 are on the bottom of the leaf (these are called stomata). Not many stomata are topside. This suggests that trees and bushes have evolved to find gasses like CO2 from below, not above and this further suggests CO2 might be in higher concentrations nearer the soil.

The soil life (bacterial, fungi etc.) is constantly producing enormous amounts of CO2 and it would stay in the soil forever (eventually killing the very soil life that produces it) if not for tidal forces. Water is everywhere and whether in pools, lakes, oceans or distributed in “moist” soils water moves towards to the moon. The water in the soil and also in the water tables below the soil rise toward the surface every day. When the water rises, it expels the accumulated gasses in the soil into the atmosphere and it’s mostly CO2. It’s a good bet on how leaves developed high populations of stomata on the underside of leaves. As the water relaxes (the tide goes out) it sucks oxygenated air back into the soil to continue the functions of soil life respiration. The soil “breathes” albeit slowly.

The gasses produced by the Forest Walker’s internal combustion engine consist primarily of CO2 and H2O. Combusting sugars produce the same gasses that are needed to construct the sugars because the universe is funny like that. The Forest Walker is constantly laying down these critical construction elements right where the trees need them: close to the ground to be gobbled up by the trees.

The Branch Drones

During the last ice age, giant mammals populated North America - forests and otherwise. Mastodons, woolly mammoths, rhinos, short-faced bears, steppe bison, caribou, musk ox, giant beavers, camels, gigantic ground-dwelling sloths, glyptodons, and dire wolves were everywhere. Many were ten to fifteen feet tall. As they crashed through forests, they would effectively cleave off dead side-branches of trees, halting the spread of a ground-based fire migrating into the tree crown ("laddering") which is a death knell for a forest.

These animals are all extinct now and forests no longer have any manner of pruning services. But, if we build drones fitted with cutting implements like saws and loppers, optical cameras and AI trained to discern dead branches from living ones, these drones could effectively take over pruning services by identifying, cutting, and dropping to the forest floor, dead branches. The dropped branches simply get collected by the Forest Walker as part of its continual mission.

The drones dock on the back of the Forest Walker to recharge their batteries when low. The whole scene would look like a grazing cow with some flies bothering it. This activity breaks the link between a relatively cool ground based fire and the tree crowns and is a vital element in forest fire control.

The Bitcoin Miner

Mining is one of four monetary incentive models, making this system a possibility for development. The other three are US Dept. of the Interior, township, county, and electrical utility company easement contracts for fuel load management, global carbon credits trading, and data set sales. All the above depends on obvious questions getting answered. I will list some obvious ones, but this is not an engineering document and is not the place for spreadsheets. How much Bitcoin one Forest Walker can mine depends on everything else. What amount of biomass can we process? Will that biomass flow enough Syngas to keep the lights on? Can the chassis support enough mining ASICs and supporting infrastructure? What does that weigh and will it affect field performance? How much power can the AC generator produce?

Other questions that are more philosophical persist. Even if a single Forest Walker can only mine scant amounts of BTC per day, that pales to how much fuel material it can process into biochar. We are talking about millions upon millions of forested acres in need of fuel load management. What can a single Forest Walker do? I am not thinking in singular terms. The Forest Walker must operate as a fleet. What could 50 do? 500?

What is it worth providing a service to the world by managing forest fuel loads? Providing proof of work to the global monetary system? Seeding soil with drought and nutrient resilience by the excretion, over time, of carbon by the ton? What did the last forest fire cost?

The Mesh Network

What could be better than one bitcoin mining, carbon sequestering, forest fire squelching, soil amending behemoth? Thousands of them, but then they would need to be able to talk to each other to coordinate position, data handling, etc. Fitted with a mesh networking device, like goTenna or Meshtastic LoRa equipment enables each Forest Walker to communicate with each other.

Now we have an interconnected fleet of Forest Walkers relaying data to each other and more importantly, aggregating all of that to the last link in the chain for uplink. Well, at least Bitcoin mining data. Since block data is lightweight, transmission of these data via mesh networking in fairly close quartered environs is more than doable. So, how does data transmit to the Bitcoin Network? How do the Forest Walkers get the previous block data necessary to execute on mining?

Back To The Chain

Getting Bitcoin block data to and from the network is the last puzzle piece. The standing presumption here is that wherever a Forest Walker fleet is operating, it is NOT within cell tower range. We further presume that the nearest Walmart Wi-Fi is hours away. Enter the Blockstream Satellite or something like it.

A separate, ground-based drone will have two jobs: To stay as close to the nearest Forest Walker as it can and to provide an antennae for either terrestrial or orbital data uplink. Bitcoin-centric data is transmitted to the "uplink drone" via the mesh networked transmitters and then sent on to the uplink and the whole flow goes in the opposite direction as well; many to one and one to many.

We cannot transmit data to the Blockstream satellite, and it will be up to Blockstream and companies like it to provide uplink capabilities in the future and I don't doubt they will. Starlink you say? What’s stopping that company from filtering out block data? Nothing because it’s Starlink’s system and they could decide to censor these data. It seems we may have a problem sending and receiving Bitcoin data in back country environs.

But, then again, the utility of this system in staunching the fuel load that creates forest fires is extremely useful around forested communities and many have fiber, Wi-Fi and cell towers. These communities could be a welcoming ground zero for first deployments of the Forest Walker system by the home and business owners seeking fire repression. In the best way, Bitcoin subsidizes the safety of the communities.

Sensor Packages

LiDaR

The benefit of having a Forest Walker fleet strolling through the forest is the never ending opportunity for data gathering. A plethora of deployable sensors gathering hyper-accurate data on everything from temperature to topography is yet another revenue generator. Data is valuable and the Forest Walker could generate data sales to various government entities and private concerns.

LiDaR (Light Detection and Ranging) can map topography, perform biomass assessment, comparative soil erosion analysis, etc. It so happens that the Forest Walker’s ability to “see,” to navigate about its surroundings, is LiDaR driven and since it’s already being used, we can get double duty by harvesting that data for later use. By using a laser to send out light pulses and measuring the time it takes for the reflection of those pulses to return, very detailed data sets incrementally build up. Eventually, as enough data about a certain area becomes available, the data becomes useful and valuable.

Forestry concerns, both private and public, often use LiDaR to build 3D models of tree stands to assess the amount of harvest-able lumber in entire sections of forest. Consulting companies offering these services charge anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars per square kilometer for such services. A Forest Walker generating such assessments on the fly while performing its other functions is a multi-disciplinary approach to revenue generation.

pH, Soil Moisture, and Cation Exchange Sensing

The Forest Walker is quadrupedal, so there are four contact points to the soil. Why not get a pH data point for every step it takes? We can also gather soil moisture data and cation exchange capacities at unheard of densities because of sampling occurring on the fly during commission of the system’s other duties. No one is going to build a machine to do pH testing of vast tracts of forest soils, but that doesn’t make the data collected from such an endeavor valueless. Since the Forest Walker serves many functions at once, a multitude of data products can add to the return on investment component.

Weather Data

Temperature, humidity, pressure, and even data like evapotranspiration gathered at high densities on broad acre scales have untold value and because the sensors are lightweight and don’t require large power budgets, they come along for the ride at little cost. But, just like the old mantra, “gas, grass, or ass, nobody rides for free”, these sensors provide potential revenue benefits just by them being present.

I’ve touched on just a few data genres here. In fact, the question for universities, governmental bodies, and other institutions becomes, “How much will you pay us to attach your sensor payload to the Forest Walker?”

Noise Suppression

Only you can prevent Metallica filling the surrounds with 120 dB of sound. Easy enough, just turn the car stereo off. But what of a fleet of 50 Forest Walkers operating in the backcountry or near a township? 500? 5000? Each one has a wood chipper, an internal combustion engine, hydraulic pumps, actuators, and more cooling fans than you can shake a stick at. It’s a walking, screaming fire-breathing dragon operating continuously, day and night, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year. The sound will negatively affect all living things and that impacts behaviors. Serious engineering consideration and prowess must deliver a silencing blow to the major issue of noise.

It would be foolish to think that a fleet of Forest Walkers could be silent, but if not a major design consideration, then the entire idea is dead on arrival. Townships would not allow them to operate even if they solved the problem of widespread fuel load and neither would governmental entities, and rightly so. Nothing, not man nor beast, would want to be subjected to an eternal, infernal scream even if it were to end within days as the fleet moved further away after consuming what it could. Noise and heat are the only real pollutants of this system; taking noise seriously from the beginning is paramount.

Fire Safety

A “fire-breathing dragon” is not the worst description of the Forest Walker. It eats wood, combusts it at very high temperatures and excretes carbon; and it does so in an extremely flammable environment. Bad mix for one Forest Walker, worse for many. One must take extreme pains to ensure that during normal operation, a Forest Walker could fall over, walk through tinder dry brush, or get pounded into the ground by a meteorite from Krypton and it wouldn’t destroy epic swaths of trees and baby deer. I envision an ultimate test of a prototype to include dowsing it in grain alcohol while it’s wrapped up in toilet paper like a pledge at a fraternity party. If it runs for 72 hours and doesn’t set everything on fire, then maybe outside entities won’t be fearful of something that walks around forests with a constant fire in its belly.

The Wrap

How we think about what can be done with and adjacent to Bitcoin is at least as important as Bitcoin’s economic standing itself. For those who will tell me that this entire idea is without merit, I say, “OK, fine. You can come up with something, too.” What can we plug Bitcoin into that, like a battery, makes something that does not work, work? That’s the lesson I get from this entire exercise. No one was ever going to hire teams of humans to go out and "clean the forest". There's no money in that. The data collection and sales from such an endeavor might provide revenues over the break-even point but investment demands Alpha in this day and age. But, plug Bitcoin into an almost viable system and, voilà! We tip the scales to achieve lift-off.

Let’s face it, we haven’t scratched the surface of Bitcoin’s forcing function on our minds. Not because it’s Bitcoin, but because of what that invention means. The question that pushes me to approach things this way is, “what can we create that one system’s waste is another system’s feedstock?” The Forest Walker system’s only real waste is the conversion of low entropy energy (wood and syngas) into high entropy energy (heat and noise). All other output is beneficial to humanity.

Bitcoin, I believe, is the first product of a new mode of human imagination. An imagination newly forged over the past few millennia of being lied to, stolen from, distracted and otherwise mis-allocated to a black hole of the nonsensical. We are waking up.

What I have presented is not science fiction. Everything I have described here is well within the realm of possibility. The question is one of viability, at least in terms of the detritus of the old world we find ourselves departing from. This system would take a non-trivial amount of time and resources to develop. I think the system would garner extensive long-term contracts from those who have the most to lose from wildfires, the most to gain from hyperaccurate data sets, and, of course, securing the most precious asset in the world. Many may not see it that way, for they seek Alpha and are therefore blind to other possibilities. Others will see only the possibilities; of thinking in a new way, of looking at things differently, and dreaming of what comes next.