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@ eed7ca5d:191de8eb
2025-05-23 13:58:46Growing up, we were told that in order to build wealth, we need to save little by little. By living below your means, you are providing more for your future.
It is a simple formula that will help you build up the capital necessary to buy a car, a house or start a business… You prioritize long-term benefits and delayed gratification over immediate rewards.
This is called having a low-time preference. In contrast, high-time preference individuals prioritize today over tomorrow, seeking immediate gratification.
Austrian economists explain that civilization growth is driven by low-time preference societies. Groups of individuals who prioritize long-term planning are able to innovate and develop new tools for a better future. Over time, this behavior leads to technological inventions like the light bulb and artistic masterpieces like the Notre Dame cathedral.
***What happens when you realize that the money you save is losing value over time? ***
There is less incentive to save for the future, because in the future your savings will be worth less. You might as well spend it now and enjoy life today.
When the money you save loses its value, you are facing one of two choices:
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Spend it today and reap the rewards of your hard work;
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Invest it (stocks, real estate, etc.) with the hope to reap higher rewards later, bearing the risk of losing it all if the investment does not pay off.
There is a distinct difference between saving and investing as the latter approach is riskier than the former. By investing, you are betting on the upside while bearing the downside risk. Saving, in contrast, comes without downside risk. That difference becomes blurry when the money you save is losing value. In fact, saving becomes inherently a losing approach. Logically, you will be forced to place a speculative bet with the hope to outperform the guaranteed loss of value. You are required to find a way to hedge your bet…
Humans over time have always sought out a medium to save their economic energy for a better future. That used to be beads and seashells, and evolved to precious metals like gold and silver.
Money is a tool that we use to save our economic energy over time, and exchange value with each other.
I spend time fishing, you spend time farming, the neighbor spends time building homes, and society rewards us with money for the time and energy we spent being productive
Today, the tool that we use to save our economic energy is clearly losing value over time. The nominal value remains the same, but the purchasing power is decreasing. In other words, the value of our time today will be worth less in the future.
That explains why everyone around us is looking for the next best investment opportunity. We are all needing to become investment experts, speculators, on top of our respective professions. Speculation became necessary, and some of us are forced into a high-time preference lifestyle.
Earn now and spend it all now before you lose it.
This should not be the case…
Time is Money
Our time is the only scarce resource we all have. We use it to be productive and generate economic value, then store that value in the form of money in order to reap the rewards in the future.
Money is the abstract representation of our time. Hence, time is money.
In January 2009, at the height of the global financial crisis, a software protocol called Bitcoin was released pseudonymously by Satoshi Nakamoto. This individual (or group) released a whitepaper a few months prior named “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” outlining how the system enables secure, peer-to-peer transactions without relying on a central authority. (https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf)
Although there are more technical concepts involved, the bitcoin protocol can be thought of as a language for communicating value. The same way we respect the rules of the English language to communicate ideas with one another, bitcoin users adhere to the network’s consensus rules to communicate value with each other in a peer-to-peer fashion.
There are no physical or digital coins in the bitcoin network. Rather, it is a collection of transactions transferring value from sender to recipient. Transactions are validated and propagated by nodes across the network, before being recorded into the blockchain. The Bitcoin blockchain is a global public ledger of all transactions that cannot be altered.
More importantly, Bitcoin is money that does not lose value overtime.
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Its supply is capped at 21 million coins.
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Its scarcity increases over time due to the predictable issuance rate, which halves roughly every 4 years.
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Its decentralized nature puts the power in the hands of its users.
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There is no governing body that can devalue or alter it.
It is a tool that we can use to save our economic energy over time, and be able to use it later.
It is the scarcest verifiable commodity: we cannot make more of it no matter how high its demand grows. That cannot be said for any other commodity in the world today.
A savings tool in disguise
See, most people tend to view bitcoin as another speculative investment. They presume they have missed out on another investment opportunity, and it’s now too late to get in.
Meanwhile, it is quite the opposite. Bitcoin’s value will keep growing over time due to its deflationary nature.
With bitcoin, we can save for a better future, for a rainy day, and spend more time with our loved ones or focusing on our craft to build better tools or artistic masterpieces. It takes away the burden of having to speculate on which stock will perform best, or which real estate market will grow the fastest, all while working one or multiple jobs
Bitcoin is not another investment opportunity you missed out on. It is the best savings tool humans have invented (or discovered), while everything else is the speculative bet. Bitcoin is the hedge against the guaranteed devaluation of money, without any counterparty risk.
What we were taught as children is true. With the right tool, the idea that saving will help you build wealth overtime stands true. Bitcoin might seem like an investment today given the volatility during its adoption phase. In reality, it is the perfect way to store your time and economic energy and grow your wealth. Whether you make $1/hour or $1M/hour, you can start saving in the best money humans have invented.
My goal is to help people around me understand this technology and break the stigma around it.
Bitcoin is not the next best investment.
It is the best tool we have found to store our economic energy across time and exchange value with each other.
Bitcoin is Money.
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@ 47259076:570c98c4
2025-05-23 13:57:28"Know thyself and you will know the universe and the gods"
This is the greatest truth.
Knowing yourself is a process that is perhaps eternal.
Knowing yourself means making conscious what is unconscious, in all fields.
Making conscious your material reality, your emotions, your thoughts, your mind, your patterns, your spirit, your flaws, your qualities, etc.
The journey is within.
And in this process, burning everything that is not you.
Burning everything so only the essential remains.
The essential being your higher self.
You are not your body, you are not your emotions, you are not your mind, etc...
You are pure consciousness.
Everyday we can learn from him, but if we are asleep, we will not realize the gold opportunities passing right in front of our eyes.
Everyday he teaches us.
If everyday he teaches us, why stress so much for having an astral projection?
If an astral projection happens with you, it will be a good experience indeed, if you know how to value opportunities.
Otherwise, you may see some """evil"" spirits trying to scare you.
Therefore, don't depend on astral projection for your spiritual growth.
In fact, don't depend on anything.
Don't depend on books, don't depend on people, don't depend on "psychologists", don't depend on "rituals", don't depend on institutions, and of course, don't depend on the "government".
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@ 99e7936f:d5d2197c
2025-05-23 13:51:11Staugefahr
Manchmal ist der Lehrer interessanter als der Unterrichtsinhalt. Man lernt dann beiläufig, obwohl das Thema öde ist. Mir ging das vor vielen Jahren so, als ich in meiner Ausbildung zur Krankenschwester Inhalte zum Thema Hygiene lernen durfte. Unser Lehrer für Hygiene duschte morgens in der Schule, bevor er uns unterrichtete, damit er, sauber vor uns sitzend, glaubwürdig über die permanente Gefahr der Mikroorganismen im Klinikalltag reden konnte. Er lebte das, was er predigte. Er bot pathogenen Keimen keinen Nährboden. Er pflegte sich und seine Kleidung penibel. Er trug Hosen, Pullover und Schuhe aus den 70ern, die kaum Gebrauchsspuren aufwiesen. Er blieb Überzeugungen, die er einmal für richtig befunden hatte, treu, war aber stets bereit, etwas Neues anzunehmen, wenn dies Sinn machte. Bevor er jedoch Neues annahm, prüfte er mehrfach gründlich, las Fachliteratur und vermied Gespräche mit Experten.
Er versuchte damals, Entscheidungsträger in der Klinik darüber aufzuklären, wie man mit einfachen Mitteln Infektionen im Hause hätte minimieren können. Meist wurden seine Vorschläge nur zögerlich umgesetzt, obwohl seine Argumente fachlich richtig waren.
Mir kommt es heute mit dem Thema „Trauma“ und „traumatisierte Gesellschaft“ ähnlich vor. Niemand möchte sich mit dem Thema beschäftigen, obwohl doch alle wissen müssten, dass viele unangenehme Verhaltensweisen von Menschen im Alltag oder in der Politik etwas mit diesem Thema zu tun haben. Aber das Thema scheint irgendwie unbequem, mühsam und, vor allem, nicht greifbar.
Ein Trauma kann man genau so wenig sehen wie einen pathogenen Keim, deswegen scheint die Auseinandersetzung mit diesem Thema wie eine unappetitliche und lästige Pflichtaufgabe, die man nur mit spitzen Fingern anfasst, wenn überhaupt.
Wie kann man dieses dringend zu besprechende Thema „Trauma“ sichtbar machen?
Vielleicht geht das mit dem Bild vom Stau auf der Autobahn. Den kennt jeder. Und den Stau kann man nicht übersehen. Große leuchtende Schilder weisen auf ihn hin, damit man nicht unvorbereitet in ihn hinein fährt. Überall wird vor dem Stau gewarnt. Und trotzdem passiert er, denn wir sind der Stau, wir selbst machen den Stau.
Stau passiert, weil es Hindernisse auf unserem Weg gibt.
Der Stau ist VOR dem Hindernis. Die Traumafolgen sind gewissermaßen der Stau in unserem Leben, obwohl das Trauma HINTER uns liegt. Wie geht das? Ein Trauma liegt zeitlich gesehen zwar in der Vergangenheit, aber energetisch gesehen liegt es immer vor uns. Es begleitet uns, verfolgt uns, holt uns ein. Energie kennt kein VOR oder HINTER. Energie ist allgegenwärtig. Sobald das Trauma integriert ist, hört dieser Spuk auf. Aber ein nicht bearbeitetes Trauma stellt definitiv ein Hindernis auf unserem (Lebens)Weg dar. Es liegt dann VOR uns.
Dieser Vergleich humpelt ein wenig, zeigt aber dennoch die einfachen Mechanismen von Trauma auf, wie ich finde.
Auf der Autobahn gibt es also ein Hindernis. Entweder gibt es eine bekannte Baustelle, die wir bereits beim Planen der Route zur Kenntnis genommen haben (Trauma ist bereits gut bekannt). Oder es gibt einen Unfall auf der Strecke vor uns, den niemand absehen konnte (Das frühe Trauma wird in einer Alltagssituation plötzlich aktiviert). Jedenfalls stehen wir dann geplant oder ungeplant im Stau, vielmehr sind wir der Stau. Es geht nur langsam oder gar nicht mehr weiter, obwohl der (Lebens)Motor läuft. Bei Trauma ist das auch so. Trauma bewirkt ganz viel Entwicklungsverzögerung in einzelnen Lebensbereichen. Menschen erlernen mehrere Berufe, brauchen länger, um beruflich anzukommen, heiraten später, mehrfach oder nie. Menschen mit Trauma haben manchmal auch beruflich wie privat große Erfolge, fallen dann aber tief, um dadurch letztlich neu geboren zu werden. Trauma sieht man nicht immer auf den ersten Blick. Es kann auch hinter jeder normalen Fassade stecken. Je nach Schwere des Traumas, kann Trauma auch alle Lebensbereiche gleichermaßen treffen. Das entspricht dann dem Pendler, der regelmäßig Sommer wie Winter im Stau steht und auch schon selbst mal eine Panne, im Stau stehend, hatte.
Man erreicht einfach nicht die Ziele, die man sich selbst gesteckt hat. Man kann dann versuchen, die nächste Abfahrt zu nehmen, einen Umweg zu fahren, während des Staus etwas anderes zu erledigen, sich selbst zu erzählen, dass ein Stau gar kein Hindernis sei, sondern eine prima Gelegenheit, um eine Pause zu machen. Und man kann andere Menschen anrufen und erklären, dass man später komme oder sonstiges tun. Aber man steht im Stau, man ist der Stau. Es geht nicht so weiter, wie gewünscht, und man muss das hinnehmen. Verschiedene unangenehme Gefühle melden sich zwangsläufig. Man stellt sich die Sinnfrage, man schaut, wie andere mit dem Stau umgehen, und man möchte gefühlt nie wieder in einem Stau stehen, weil es nervt. Es bringt einen nicht um, aber es nervt. Und es ist ja nicht das erste Mal. Man möchte so gern ein Leben haben ohne Stau. Das wär´s. Es nervt einfach. Und dann nach langer Zeit, mit Blick auf die Tankanzeige, geht es endlich weiter. Die Autos fahren langsam an und der Verkehr rollt wieder. Man wirft einen kurzen Blick auf das Verkehrshindernis und fährt dann zügig weiter. Denn man will nur noch weg von diesem Streckenabschnitt/ Lebensabschnitt. Der Stresspegel im Körper geht runter, man atmet durch und entspannt sich. Aber es war unschön. Nächstes Mal will man die Route besser planen oder gleich mit dem Zug fahren. Man ist erleichtert und hat endlich die Kontrolle über sein Leben zurück. Jetzt ist alles möglich.
Es gibt viele Parallelen zwischen einem Stau und einem Trauma bzw. den Traumafolgen.
Traumabewältigung ist jedoch viel schmerzhafter, als an einem Verkehrshindernis nach längerer Wartezeit einfach vorbei zu fahren. Und man verpasst auch mehr im Leben als nur eine Stunde Zeit, die man auf leblosem Asphalt verbringt. Der Preis, den man für Trauma bezahlt, ist kaum zu beziffern. Und ein Trauma wirft nicht nur die Sinnfrage auf, sondern auch die Frage nach der eigenen Identität. Im Stau auf der Autobahn weiß ich genau, wer ich bin. Aber nach einem frühen Trauma gehen einige Seelenanteile auf eine lange Reise. Und wenn ein Trauma später im Leben passiert, dann sagen Menschen: „Ich habe mich selbst nicht mehr wieder erkannt.“ Trauma wirbelt alles in Dir durcheinander. Und genau darin liegt die Chance. Du musst jedes Teil, jeden Aspekt Deiner Persönlichkeit einzeln in die Hand nehmen, an den richtigen Ort zurück legen, und dadurch lernst Du Dich selbst kennen (und lieben) wie nie zuvor. Der Gewinn von Traumaarbeit übersteigt den zuvor gezahlten Preis. Das nennt man dann posttraumatisches Wachstum. Man ist erleichtert und hat viel mehr als nur die Kontrolle über sein Leben zurück. Eigentlich ist das schon die ganze Geschichte.
Das riesige Problem an der Traumabewältigung ist halt, dass es ein so schmerzhafter und langwieriger Prozess ist. Aber auch hier gibt es gute Nachrichten. Viel von dem Kummer, den wir „im Stau“ erleben, hat etwas mit unseren positiv wie negativ übertriebenen Erwartungen an uns und andere und dem verloren gegangenen Kulturwissen in Bezug auf das Thema „Trauma“ zu tun. Trauma hat die Eigenart, in Vergessenheit zu geraten. Daher gibt es viele falsche Verkehrsmeldungen diesbezüglich. Deswegen möchte ich mein Erfahrungswissen zum Thema „Trauma“ teilen, weil ich denke, dass das Ängste abbauen kann, sich diesem Thema auf ganz natürliche Weise anzunähern, vergleichbar mit der WDR-Produktion „der siebte Sinn“ und getreu dem Motto „Gefahr erkannt, Gefahr gebannt“.
Man kann jedes Problem aufbauschen oder sachlich betrachten. Und es macht einen riesigen Unterschied, ob man mit einem Problem allein gelassen wird, oder ob man wohlwollende und kundige Hilfe an der Seite hat. Und genau dies sind meine zentralen Kritikpunkte zum Thema. Das Thema „Trauma“ wird als unlösbar hingestellt und dadurch unnötig aufgebauscht. Deswegen muss man dieses Thema quasi schon vermeiden, wenn man sich nicht den Tag verderben möchte. Und in der Folge werden von Experten Hilfen angepriesen, die aber leider oft nicht zuverlässig helfen können, weil das Thema ja unlösbar ist. Der verhängnisvolle Kreis schließt sich, und man kommt ins Schleudern.
Kulturwissen wird verfälscht und verdreht, ein übles Schleudertrauma entsteht.
Nein, mal im Ernst, ich möchte das Thema sachlich betrachten und zumindest Impulse für eine günstige Betrachtungsweise geben. Diese Impulse kommen aus meinen persönlichen Erfahrungen und aus Beobachtungen, die ich gemacht habe. Mir ist bewusst, dass jeder Mensch Verletzungen und spätere Probleme, die daraus resultieren, unterschiedlich erlebt. Aber vielleicht geht es gerade um diesen in unserer Kultur fehlenden analogen, lebendigen und authentischen Austausch von Nicht-Experten über die verschiedenen Verletzungen, die daraus resultierende Probleme und die - sehr wohl - vorhandenen Lösungen.
Trauma ist das, was man draus macht.
Ich persönlich kenne niemanden, der kein Trauma erlebt hat.
Leben bedeutet immer auch, dass man Verletzungen erlebt.
Trauma passiert jedem.
Trauma passiert auch robusten Menschen.
Bestimmte Traumata haben immer sehr ähnliche Traumafolgen. Man ist nicht alleine damit.
Menschen reagieren ähnlich auf bestimmte Ereignisse im Leben, das hängt mit unserem Menschsein, der Biologie und der Evolution zusammen.
Menschen reden nicht gern über ihr Trauma.
Menschen schämen sich für ihr Trauma.
Menschen geben sich selbst die Schuld für ihr Trauma.
Menschen versuchen alles, um ihr Trauma zu vergessen oder ungeschehen zu machen.
Menschen erleben einen tiefen Schmerz durch Trauma.
Menschen werden aggressiv, weil sie selber verletzt wurden.
Menschen werden durch Aggression selbst zum Täter. Diese Gefahr besteht zumindest.
Menschen lehnen sich selbst ab für diese aggressiven Impulse.
Alle Gefühle haben eine Funktion. Auch negative Gefühle haben eine Funktion.
Negative Gefühle beschützen unser Leben.
Deswegen sind auch negative Gefühle im bestimmten Maße gut.
Der Schmerz, der durch Trauma entsteht, hat jedoch eine besondere Funktion.
Streng genommen, ist er kein Gefühl, aber egal.
Er ist jedenfalls der letzte und wichtigste Hüter des Lebens. Man sollte ihn nicht übergehen oder versuchen, ihn weg zu machen. Er ist die rote Ampel, die den Stau regelt.
Eine rote Ampel in einem Stau zu ignorieren, ist verhängnisvoll.
Halte lieber an dieser roten Ampel im Stau, auch wenn es schmerzt.
Dieser Schmerz ist die schwierigste, aber auch wichtigste Herausforderung bei der Traumabewältigung, denn er verzögert Dein ohnehin gestautes Leben noch zusätzlich.
Wer es schafft, die Geduld aufzubringen und sich diesem Schmerz hinzugeben, der erlebt Wunder.
Dieses schlimmste Gefühl bringt Dir quasi Dein Leben und die grüne Welle zurück.
Wenn der Schmerz zu Dir kommt, dann heiße ihn willkommen.
Wir sind gesellschaftlich betrachtet mit unseren unguten Verhaltensweisen mittlerweile im Stau angekommen, und die Ampel, die den Stau regelt, steht auf Rot.
Je ehrlicher wir den Schmerz jetzt zulassen, spüren und nicht wegmachen, desto eher sind wir bereit, unbequeme Veränderungen, die vielleicht mit Verzicht, Orientierungslosigkeit und zaghaften Versuchen zu tun haben, zu beginnen. Im Schmerz wächst ein Bewusstsein dafür, was richtig ist. Und es wächst die Kraft, das Gute zu tun. Der Schmerz macht entschlossen. Der Schmerz zeigt, wo das Lebendige liegt und dass es schützenswert ist. Der Schmerz reduziert unseren Blick auf das Wesentliche, auf das Leben und die Liebe, was aufs Gleiche heraus kommt. Der Schmerz markiert einfach nur die Grenze des Lebens. Und deswegen ist er gut, besonders in diesen Tagen.
Heiße den Schmerz willkommen, er gibt uns alle Information FÜR das Leben.
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-05-23 13:46:21You'd think I'd be most excited to talk about that awesome Pacers game, but, no. What I'm most excited about this week is that @grayruby wants to continue Beefing with Cowherd.
Still, I am excited to talk about Tyrese Haliburton becoming a legendary Knicks antagonist. Unfortunately, the Western Conference Finals are not as exciting. Also, why was the MVP announcement so dumb?
The T20k cricket contest is tightening up, as we head towards the finish. Can @Coinsreporter hold on to his vanishing lead?
@Carresan has launched Football Madness. Let's see if we understand whatever the hell this is any better than we did last week.
On this week's Blok'd Shots, we'll ridicule Canada for their disgraceful loss in the World Championships and talk about the very dominant American Florida Panthers, who are favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
Are the Colorado the worst team in MLB history?
The Tush Push has survived another season. Will the NFL eventually ban it or will teams adjust?
Plus, whatever else Stackers want to talk about.
https://stacker.news/items/987399
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@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-05-21 16:58:36The other day, I had the privilege of sitting down with one of my favorite living artists. Our conversation was so captivating that I felt compelled to share it. I’m leaving his name out for privacy.
Since our last meeting, I’d watched a documentary about his life, one he’d helped create. I told him how much I admired his openness in it. There’s something strange about knowing intimate details of someone’s life when they know so little about yours—it’s almost like I knew him too well for the kind of relationship we have.
He paused, then said quietly, with a shy grin, that watching the documentary made him realize how “odd and eccentric” he is. I laughed and told him he’s probably the sanest person I know. Because he’s lived fully, chasing love, passion, and purpose with hardly any regrets. He’s truly lived.
Today, I turn 44, and I’ll admit I’m a bit eccentric myself. I think I came into the world this way. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I carry few regrets. Every misstep taught me something. And as I age, I’m not interested in blending in with the world—I’ll probably just lean further into my own brand of “weird.” I want to live life to the brim. The older I get, the more I see that the “normal” folks often seem less grounded than the eccentric artists who dare to live boldly. Life’s too short to just exist, actually live.
I’m not saying to be strange just for the sake of it. But I’ve seen what the crowd celebrates, and I’m not impressed. Forge your own path, even if it feels lonely or unpopular at times.
It’s easy to scroll through the news and feel discouraged. But actually, this is one of the most incredible times to be alive! I wake up every day grateful to be here, now. The future is bursting with possibility—I can feel it.
So, to my fellow weirdos on nostr: stay bold. Keep dreaming, keep pushing, no matter what’s trending. Stay wild enough to believe in a free internet for all. Freedom is radical—hold it tight. Live with the soul of an artist and the grit of a fighter. Thanks for inspiring me and so many others to keep hoping. Thank you all for making the last year of my life so special.
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 13:01:46American Bitcoin, a bitcoin mining company backed by President Donald Trump’s sons, is going public in a new merger deal with Gryphon Digital Mining. Investors and political observers are taking notice as it presents a mixture of Bitcoin, Wall Street and the Trump brand.
This reverse merger allows for American Bitcoin Corporation to become a publicly traded company. This will happen through a stock-for-stock merger with Gryphon Digital Mining, a small-cap bitcoin miner already listed on the Nasdaq.
Once the deal is done, the new company will be called American Bitcoin and will trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ABTC. The merger is expected to close in the 3rd quarter of 2025.
Eric Trump, who will be the Co-Founder and the Chief Strategy Officer, said:
“Our vision for American Bitcoin is to create the most investable Bitcoin accumulation platform in the market.”
The Trump family’s involvement has gotten a lot of attention. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. launched American Bitcoin in March this year with digital asset infrastructure company Hut 8, which owns 80% of American Bitcoin.
American Bitcoin leadership team — Hut 8 presentation
After the merger, American Bitcoin shareholders — including the Trump brothers and Hut 8 — will own about 98% of the new company. Gryphon shareholders will own 2% even though Gryphon is the public company facilitating the merger.
Instead of an IPO (Initial Public Offering), American Bitcoin is going public through what’s called a reverse merger. This means it will take over Gryphon’s public listing.
This is often faster and simpler than a traditional IPO. It allows American Bitcoin to access public capital markets while maintaining operational and strategic control.
Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot said the merger is a big step forward for the company. “By taking American Bitcoin public, we expect to unlock direct access to dedicated growth capital independent of Hut 8’s balance sheet,” Genoot said.
The announcement sent Gryphon’s stock soaring. Shares rose over 280% and Hut 8’s stock went up over 11%. Clearly investors are interested in bitcoin-focused public companies when the asset itself is close to its previous all-time high.
But not everyone is buying. Some investors and analysts are questioning what Gryphon is actually bringing to the table. Gryphon won’t have a seat on the board or any representation in the new management team. Their role seems to be just to provide the public listing.
Many questions remain unanswered because there are no details on mining operations and what Gryphon’s role is beyond the merger.
American Bitcoin’s goal goes far beyond just mining bitcoin. It wants to become a national bitcoin reserve builder and a major player in that space by storing large amounts of bitcoin as a strategic asset.
The company plans to take “capital-light” advantage of Hut 8’s existing infrastructure, so there won’t be any need to build massive new data centers. Hut 8 already manages over 1,000 megawatts of energy capacity, and apparently, they will handle all the mining operations.
This is happening at a tough time for the mining industry in the U.S. and globally.
Profit margins are shrinking, and companies are really feeling the pinch of high operational costs. Hut 8 just reported a 58% drop in revenue and a $134 million net loss for the first quarter of 2025.
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@ 63d59db8:be170f6f
2025-05-23 12:53:00In a world overwhelmed by contradictions—climate change, inequality, political instability, and social disconnection—absurdity becomes an unavoidable lens through which to view the human condition. Inspired by Albert Camus' philosophy, this project explores the tension between life’s inherent meaninglessness and our persistent search for purpose.\ \ The individuals in these images embody a quiet defiance, navigating chaos with a sense of irony and authenticity. Through the act of revolt—against despair, against resignation—they find agency and resilience. These photographs invite reflection, not on solutions, but on our capacity to live meaningfully within absurdity.
Visit Katerina's website here.
Submit your work to the NOICE Visual Expression Awards for a chance to win a few thousand extra sats:
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@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8
2025-05-23 12:42:10Was Rudolf Steiner vor gut 110 Jahren an Informationen zusammengetragen und kommentiert hat, liest sich in großen Abschnitten so, als ob es in der heutigen Zeit geschrieben worden wäre. Man trifft auf eine ganze Reihe von „guten, alten Bekannten“, die auch heute noch maßgeblich an den Strippen ziehen. Deutlich wird, dass ein Krieg nicht aus heiterem Himmel ausbricht, sondern das im Vorfeld schon Kräfte wirken, die auf einen Krieg hinarbeiten. Wie jetzt wieder im Ukraine-Krieg wird diese Vorgeschichte gerne versucht unter den Teppich zu kehren und hochkompetente, sauber recherchierende, akribisch Quellen angebende Journalisten, wie z. B. Frau Gabriele Krone-Schmalz oder Herr Patrik Baab, der sich auf eigene Kosten einen Eindruck von vor Ort verschafft hat, werden versucht mundtot zu machen und mittlerweile gar nicht mehr zu Gesprächen im öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunk eingeladen, weil sie die fortlaufende Gehirnwäsche des Ministeriums für Wahrheit und Narrative mit ihren Aussagen gefährden. Andere kommen auf die Sanktionsliste.
Auch heute ist von den „Guten“ und den „Bösen“ die Rede, was darauf schließen lässt, dass man durchaus eingesteht, dass hier geistige Kräfte am Werk sind. Rudolf Steiner kommt auf diese immer wieder zu sprechen. Aus der von ihm gegebenen anthroposophischen Geisteswissenschaft heraus, beleuchtet er die Vorgänge innerhalb der gesamten Menschheitsentwicklung. Mancher stört sich hier an Begriffen, die man heute so nicht mehr verwenden würde. Dabei ist immer zu berücksichtigen, zu welcher Zeit die Vorträge gehalten wurden. Die Anthroposophie von Rudolf Steiner gilt heute bei vielen auch als „umstritten“, aber was ist das heute nicht? Fast könnte man es schon als Auszeichnung sehen, wenn etwas „umstritten“ ist, denn das ist mittlerweile ein Beweis dafür, dass es Ansichten, Meinungen und Einschätzungen gibt, die in einer gesunden Demokratie innerhalb einer Kontroverse zu einem Dialog und Austausch beitragen können, der jedoch leider derzeit weder gewünscht ist, noch gepflegt wird, was an der „Spaltung“ deutlich zu sehen ist. Und auch unter den Anthroposophen hat die „Spaltung“ Einzug gehalten.
Um das aktuelle, viele Bereiche umschließende, gigantische Lügenkonstrukt aufrecht zu erhalten, ist mittlerweile jedes Mittel recht, von der Deutungshoheit der Wahrheit durch systemkonforme Begutachter, bis hin zu infantil-kleingeistigen Kindergartenspielchen, um gegenläufige Meinungen oder Oppositionelle in ihrem Wirken zu behindern.
Der gesunde Hausverstand wird ausgetrocknet, und der Garten des Wahnsinns wird durch immer neue Ideen kranker Geister weiter gegossen, gehegt und gepflegt.
Die Zeitgeschichtlichen Betrachtungen von Rudolf Steiner bestehen aus 3 Bänden aus der GA (Gesamtausgabe):
GA 173 a – Wege zu einer objektiven Urteilsbildung
GA 173 b – Das Karma der Unwahrhaftigkeit
GA 173 c – Die Wirklichkeit okkulter Impulse
Sie bestehen aus niedergeschriebenen Vorträgen und einem sehr umfangreichen Anhang mit näheren Erläuterungen und einer Schilderung der Entstehung dieser drei Bände.
Es bedarf einiger Eingewöhnung in die zur damaligen Zeit verwendete Sprache Rudolf Steiners, der ein Meister im Bilden von Schachtelsätzen war. Der Inhalt jedoch, und auf den kommt es ja an, berührt immer wieder den in allen Menschen vorhandenen Wahrheitssinn.
Hier nur eine kleine Kostprobe, die vielleicht das Interesse wecken kann, sich mit diesem derzeit besonders aktuellen Werk näher zu beschäftigen.
GA 173a, 6. Vortrag, Seite 205 und Seite 206, Dornach, 17. Dezember 1916:
„Viel intimer, viel verborgener liegen die Dinge bei der englischen Politik, die ja ganz beeinflußt ist von dem, was in solcher Weise hinter ihr steckt. Da handelt es sich darum, daß man die Wege findet, um die entsprechenden Menschen an die richtigen Plätze zu befördern. Okkultistische Menschen, im Hintergrunde stehend, sind oftmals – na, verzeihen Sie – Einser, bloße Einser, und bedeuten für sich nichts Besonderes; sie brauchen noch etwas anderes – sie brauchen Nullen. Nullen sind ja nicht Einser, aber (fügt man eine Null zu einer Eins), dann wird gleich eine Zehn daraus. Und wenn man noch mehr Nullen hinzufügt – jede Null ist nur eine Null, aber wenn die Eins irgendwo steckt, dann ist gar mancherlei da, zum Beispiel die Tausend, und wenn man die Eins zudeckt, dann sind (scheinbar) nur die Nullen da; die Nullen brauchen aber nur in der entsprechenden Weise mit den Einsern kombiniert zu sein, und sie brauchen nicht einmal viel zu wissen von der Art, wie sie mit den Einsern kombiniert sind.“
Schildert diese 108 Jahre alte Beschreibung nicht genau das, was sich heute vor unseren Augen abspielt?
Dieser Artikel wurde mit dem Pareto-Client geschrieben
* *
(Bild von pixabay)
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@ 2b468756:7930dd9c
2025-05-23 12:41:01Agorisme is libertarisme in de praktijk: op legale wijze maximale economische en persoonlijke vrijheid. Samen ontdekken en delen we wat er allemaal mogelijk is. We doen dit door: - organiseren jaarlijks agorismefestival - organiseren meerdere themadagen / excursies per jaar - bundelen praktische kennis op Agorisme Wiki - online uitwisselen via (thema)appgroepen
Op deze site worden activiteiten aangekondigd en kun je je opgeven.
Binnenkort: - cursussen metselen, stucen en vloeren - reis naar libertarisch dorp Walden Woods en Liberstad in Noorwegen - introductie Krav Maga zelfverdediging
We zijn gelieerd aan de libertarische partij.
Graag tot ziens!
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@ 8bf578f4:b6303c41
2025-05-23 12:11:21tag discoverability test
testing1788
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@ 8bf578f4:b6303c41
2025-05-23 12:09:02test2
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@ 8bf578f4:b6303c41
2025-05-23 12:06:59test 1234
hello
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2025-05-23 12:01:38May 13, 2025 – We are proud to announce that My First Bitcoin has received a $1 million grant from #startsmall. With this financial support from Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative, we will continue to serve grassroots Bitcoin education initiatives worldwide.
This grant accelerates our work in the creation and distribution of free and open-source Bitcoin education materials and infrastructure.
It will not only help us improve existing resources, such as the Bitcoin Diploma, Bitcoin Intro Course, and teacher training workshops, but also to scale our digital platforms like our Online School and Community Hub.
As a non-profit, founded in 2021, we have grown from a local project into a global movement. Besides creating curricula and frameworks, our team has directly taught tens of thousands of in-person students, as we workshop and refine our materials based on real world feedback.
In 2023, we launched the Independent Bitcoin Educators Node Network, providing a space for others to join us on our mission. The network spans 65+ projects from 35+ countries, including circular economies, meetup organizers and other grassroots projects.
All commit to the same six pillars: that their education is independent, impartial, community-led, Bitcoin-only, quality, and focused on empowerment over profit.
While we support that network, it is now self-governing. We always seek to give power-to, rather than have power-over.
John Dennehy, founder and Executive Director of My First Bitcoin, explains:
“The revolution of Bitcoin education is that it teaches students HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Funding from sources with their own incentives is the greatest vulnerability that threatens that. Education will be captured by whoever funds it.
“We will never take any government money and frequently turn down funding from corporations and companies. The subtle influence of funding has ruined fiat education and we need to create alternative models for the revolution of Bitcoin education to realize its full potential.”
Funding for Bitcoin education must be transparent.
This grant is a huge win for all of us. For Bitcoin itself, but even more for Independent Bitcoin Education as a whole. It enables us to serve the global community better than ever before. It shows everyone what can be achieved if you stay close to your values.
“My First Bitcoin is a proof-of-concept for all independent Bitcoin educators that if you stay on the mission, even when it’s challenging, then you will come out the other side even stronger,” added Dennehy.
Arnold Hubach, Director of Communications of My First Bitcoin, continued:
“Open source money deserves open source education. Over the past few years, we’ve seen growing demand for our resources around the world, and we remain committed to serving everyone in the Bitcoin space who needs support.
“This funding enables us to plan further into the future and continue being the first-stop provider of free educational tools.”
We’re grateful to #startsmall for believing in our mission and for understanding that Bitcoin education should always be free from external influence. We’re also grateful to the community for helping us arrive at this point where we are ready to receive such a grant.
You lead us to where we are today. You have been our primary funding source. You will continue to lead us forward.
We will always serve the community.
We’re also grateful for our amazing team and their proof of work. The grant will accelerate the work that they are already doing, such as curricula development, teacher training programs, the expansion of the global network, building online platforms, and providing in-person classes.
We will continue to lead by example, we will continue to push the limits, and we will continue to reimagine what’s possible.
We do not seek to please power in this world, we seek to create a proof-of-concept for a better one where the individual is empowered and able to think critically.
If you are an educator in need of tools or infrastructure; please contact us.
If you can help us continue to build out these tools and maintain this growing global movement; please contact us.
If you are aligned with our mission and are a supporter of independent Bitcoin education, please donate.
We work for the public. In public.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 12:00:53Bitcoin Magazine
Not ECDSA. Not Schnorr. Meet DahLIAS.Aggregate signatures aren’t new. They’ve been around since the early 2000s. But building one that actually works in Bitcoin’s security model, with Bitcoin’s elliptic curve, has never been proven. Developers speculated it might be possible. They shared hand-wavy sketches and said, “maybe it’d work like MuSig2, but across transaction inputs.” The idea lingered for years as developer folklore, close, never provably confirmed.
That changed recently, when Jonas Nick and Tim Ruffing of Blockstream Research, together with Yannick Seurin of Ledger, published a paper that turned this cryptographic ghost story into a concrete, provable result. DahLIAS is the first formal, secure construction of a full constant-size aggregate signature (CISA) scheme that works on Bitcoin’s native curve!
But that’s a lot of words, so let’s break that down:
- Full aggregation: Multiple signatures across different inputs are combined into one — and the result is a 64 byte signature whose size stays constant, no matter how many signers or inputs.
- Cross-input: Each signer can authorize different inputs, and all combine into one signature.
It adds no significant new assumptions beyond those already relied on by Bitcoin. DahLIAS builds a new cryptographic primitive using the same math Bitcoin already relies on, unlocking an entirely new kind of signature.
Let’s Talk About Curves and Signatures
Digital signatures are how Bitcoin proves that a user has authorized a transaction. When you go to spend bitcoin, your wallet uses a private key to sign a message, and the network verifies that signature using the matching public key.
Bitcoin uses the secp256k1 curve. It is fast, efficient, and has been battle-tested over time. It supports signature schemes like ECDSA (Bitcoin’s original signature algorithm) and Schnorr (added through Taproot in 2021), which are currently the only signature schemes permitted by Bitcoin consensus.
Traditionally, full signature aggregation relied on mathematical operations not supported by Bitcoin’s curve, secp256k1, which made it seem out of reach. These features have typically relied on other types of elliptic curves. For example, BLS (Boneh–Lynn–Shacham) signatures use a special kind of curve called a pairing-friendly curve, which enables advanced operations like combining many signatures, even on different messages, into one.
The problem is that BLS signatures do not work on secp256k1. While Schnorr was a natural upgrade from ECDSA, since both rely on the same kind of elliptic curve, adding BLS would be a much bigger leap and a departure from Bitcoin’s existing security model. Though technically possible, it would introduce new cryptographic assumptions and add significant complexity to the protocol. Supporting a curve that is pairing-friendly, like BLS12-381, would be a major change for Bitcoin.
This is part of why full signature aggregation has never been done on secp256k1.
Until now.
What Aggregate Signatures Actually Do
Most Bitcoin users are familiar with multisignatures. In a multisig wallet, multiple people jointly authorize the spending of a single UTXO or some specific “coin”. Everyone signs the same input data. This setup is useful for things like shared custody wallets.
Aggregate signatures work differently. Instead of multiple people signing the same input or coin, each signer authorizes a different UTXO in a transaction. These separate signatures are then compressed into one compact proof. With DahLIAS, that means a single 64-byte signature on Bitcoin’s secp256k1 curve that verifies all inputs at once.
That means if you have five inputs from five different people, the transaction needs five different signatures. With an aggregate signature, all of those can be bundled into one. Even if each signer is spending a different input and signing a different part of the transaction, the result is one signature that proves the entire transaction was properly authorized.
It’s like zipping a whole list of approvals into one file. The signature is compact, but still verifiably proves that each signer authorized their specific UTXO.
Instead of verifying 10 separate signatures, you verify one.
This helps realign incentives for privacy. By reducing the signature overhead to a single 64-byte proof, DahLIAS lowers the cost of combining inputs in CoinJoins, making it financially smarter to choose privacy than to go without it.
Why Half-Aggregation Got Close
Shortly after Schnorr signatures were introduced on Bitcoin, developers explored half-aggregation, as a way to compress multiple signatures but they were not fixed size. Each input contributes to the size of the signature, so the transaction still grows with every participant. DahLIAS fixes this by enabling full-aggregation across inputs and signers. No matter how many people are involved or what they’re signing, all their signatures compress into one constant-size, 64-byte proof.
What DahLIAS Actually Unlocks
The main benefit here is that DahLIAS are reducing the size of complex transactions.
DahLIAS uses a two-round interactive signing process. It’s similar to MuSig2 in that regard, but it isn’t a multisignature protocol because it doesn’t require all participants to co-sign the same message. Instead, it aggregates different signatures on different messages across the transaction.
DahLIAS is also faster to verify than checking each signature individually, up to twice as fast in some cases. Lower verification costs make it easier for more people to run full nodes, which helps preserve Bitcoin’s decentralization over time.
Importantly, DahLIAS comes with strong cryptographic guarantees. The scheme includes formal security proofs. Earlier ‘folklore’ approaches to full signature aggregation lacked this, and some were even later shown to be insecure. Fortunately they weren’t adopted prematurely.
It’s worth repeating: DahLIAS is not a multisig protocol. It isn’t comparable to MuSig2 or FROST from a functional standpoint, even if it shares similar cryptographic building blocks. It serves a different purpose. It offers a new way to encode many independent approvals into one clean, verifiable package.
Future Directions
You might think: if DahLIAS is so powerful, why isn’t it a BIP? Why not propose it for Bitcoin consensus?
DahLIAS signatures don’t look like Schnorr or ECDSA signatures. The verification algorithm is different. Instead of taking a single public key, message, and signature, a DahLIAS verifier takes lists of public keys and messages, and a single 64-byte proof.
This makes DahLIAS incompatible with Bitcoin’s current consensus rules. Supporting it at the base layer would require a consensus change. This paper doesn’t propose that change, but it does something equally important.
This paper shows that a full signature aggregation scheme for Bitcoin’s native curve is possible.
That alone is a major step forward.
To make DahLIAS part of Bitcoin, someone would need to write a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP), maybe even using secp256k1lab. That means specifying the scheme in detail, considering its implications for consensus and implementation, and building community support. This paper lays the cryptographic foundation for that conversation.
The real value of the DahLIAS paper is what it proves. Full signature aggregation on secp256k1 is not just a thought experiment. It’s concrete. It’s efficient. It’s secure. For years, the idea lived in developer folklore. Now, it’s written down, analyzed, and proven. All that’s left is to bring it to Bitcoin—if we want it.
This is a guest post by Kiara Bickers. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
This post Not ECDSA. Not Schnorr. Meet DahLIAS. first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Kiara Bickers.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 12:00:52Bitcoin Magazine
KindlyMD, Nakamoto, and Anchorage Digital Form Strategic Bitcoin Treasury AllianceNakamoto Holdings Inc., KindlyMD, Inc., and Anchorage Digital today announced a strategic partnership that will see Anchorage become a trading partner for KindlyMD’s Bitcoin treasury. The partnership will officially take effect upon the close of KindlyMD’s merger with Nakamoto, expected in Q3 2025.
NEW! Anchorage Digital
@Nakamoto @KindlyMD
Today we’re thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Nakamoto Holdings and $KDLY to accelerate the future of corporate Bitcoin adoption. pic.twitter.com/nQueTyutQH
— Anchorage Digital
(@Anchorage) May 21, 2025
Anchorage Digital, a U.S. federally chartered digital asset bank, will provide institutional-grade custody, 24/7 trading, and deep liquidity to support the Bitcoin strategy of the combined entity.
“In the not-so-distant-future, the omission of Bitcoin on a balance sheet will be more glaring than its inclusion,” said Nathan McCauley, CEO and Co-Founder of Anchorage Digital. “Until then, companies like Nakamoto-KindlyMD are pioneering a new path forward—one in which Bitcoin is at the heart of corporate strategy.”
The future of corporate treasury strategy is Bitcoin-native. We're here to make it happen. Pumped to be partnering with @Nakamoto and @KindlyMD.@DavidFBailey’s vision continues to open new doors.
— Nathan McCauley
(@nathanmccauley) May 21, 2025
The merger between KindlyMD and Nakamoto is backed by approximately $710 million in financing, including $510 million in PIPE funding—the largest ever PIPE for a public crypto-related deal. The goal is to establish a Bitcoin-native corporate treasury strategy that redefines how capital markets engage with digital assets.
“Our goal is to bring Bitcoin to the center of global capital markets within a compliant, transparent structure,” said David Bailey, Founder and CEO of Nakamoto Holdings Inc. “We are excited to partner with Anchorage Digital to implement our vision with the highest levels of security and battle-tested infrastructure and enable us to deliver sustained value to shareholders.”
This announcement follows a key milestone on May 18, when KindlyMD shareholders approved the proposed merger with Nakamoto. The transaction is now expected to close in Q3 2025, pending SEC review and information statement distribution.
“This milestone brings us one step closer to unlocking Bitcoin’s potential for KindlyMD shareholders,” Bailey said yesterday. “We are grateful that KindlyMD shares our vision for a future in which Bitcoin is a core part of the corporate balance sheet.”
With its Bitcoin-first strategy and strategic alliances, the Nakamoto-KindlyMD partnership is set to accelerate institutional Bitcoin adoption—and with Anchorage Digital’s infrastructure behind it, the foundation is now firmly in place.
“By collaborating with Anchorage Digital, we are implementing our Bitcoin treasury strategy with the utmost standards in safety and security for our shareholders,” stated Tim Pickett, CEO of KindlyMD. “Their institutional-grade platform allows us to confidently hold Bitcoin as a treasury asset as we look to unlock access to Bitcoin and drive value for the long term.”
Disclosure: Nakamoto is in partnership with Bitcoin Magazine’s parent company BTC Inc to build the first global network of Bitcoin treasury companies, where BTC Inc provides certain marketing services to Nakamoto. More information on this can be found here.
This post KindlyMD, Nakamoto, and Anchorage Digital Form Strategic Bitcoin Treasury Alliance first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 12:00:49Bitcoin Magazine
Spark Partners with Breez to Launch Bitcoin-Native SDK for Lightning PaymentsToday, Breez and Spark have announced a new implementation of the Breez SDK, built on Spark’s Bitcoin-native Layer 2 infrastructure. According to a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine, the update is intended to make it easier for developers to integrate self-custodial Bitcoin Lightning payments into everyday apps and services.
Few companies are as good as @Breez_Tech at putting Bitcoin in people’s hands. We’re incredibly humbled to have them building on Spark.
Learn more → https://t.co/KRPpWJa3os pic.twitter.com/QiCfHbWu9d
— Spark (@buildonspark) May 22, 2025
“This is what the future of Bitcoin looks like — fast, open, and embedded in the apps people use every day. By teaming up with Breez, we’re expanding the ecosystem and giving developers powerful, Bitcoin-native tools to build next-generation payment experiences. Together, we’re building the standard for global, peer-to-peer transactions,” said the creator of Spark Kevin Hurley.
The SDK supports LNURL, Lightning addresses, real-time mobile notifications, and includes bindings for all major programming languages and frameworks. It is designed to allow developers to build directly on Bitcoin without relying on bridges or external consensus. This collaboration gives developers tools to add Bitcoin payment features to apps used for monetization social apps, cross-border remittances, and in-game currencies.
“We need developers to bring Bitcoin into apps people use every day,” said the CEO of Breez Roy Sheinfeld. “That’s why we built the Breez SDK. We’re excited to build on Spark’s revolutionary architecture — giving developers a powerful new Bitcoin-native option and continuing to strengthen Lightning as the common language of Bitcoin.”
Breez will also operate as a Spark Service Provider (SSP), alongside Lightspark, to help support payment facilitation and the growth of Spark’s ecosystem. The new implementation is expected to be released later this year.
“We’re excited to see what developers build with Spark; it’s very exciting to see this come to the world,” said the co-founder and CEO of Lightspark David Marcus.
The Breez SDK is expanding
We’re joining forces with @buildonspark to release a new nodeless implementation of the Breez SDK — giving developers the tools they need to bring Bitcoin payments to everyday apps.
Bitcoin-Native
Powered by Spark’s…— Breez
(@Breez_Tech) May 22, 2025
Yesterday, Magic Eden also partnered with Spark to improve Bitcoin trading by addressing issues like slow transaction times, high fees, and poor user experience. The integration will introduce a native settlement system aimed at making transactions faster and more cost-effective, without using bridges or synthetic assets.
“We’re proud to be betting on BTC DeFi,” said the CEO of Magic Eden Jack Lu. “We’re going to lead the forefront of all Bitcoin DeFi to make BTC fast, fun, and for everyone with Magic Eden as the #1 BTC native app on-chain.”
This post Spark Partners with Breez to Launch Bitcoin-Native SDK for Lightning Payments first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.
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2025-05-23 10:14:10Com o avanço da tecnologia e a crescente demanda por entretenimento digital, plataformas de jogos online têm se tornado cada vez mais populares no Brasil. Uma das mais promissoras do momento é a 8143, um ambiente completo que une inovação, segurança e uma ampla variedade de jogos para todos os perfis de jogadores. Neste artigo, você vai conhecer melhor a proposta da plataforma, seus jogos de destaque e como ela proporciona uma experiência diferenciada aos usuários.
Uma Plataforma Moderna e Intuitiva A 8143foi desenvolvida com foco em oferecer praticidade, acessibilidade e diversão em um só lugar. Desde o primeiro acesso, o usuário encontra uma interface amigável e totalmente adaptada para dispositivos móveis e computadores. A navegação é fluida, com menus bem organizados que facilitam encontrar os principais jogos, promoções e serviços de suporte.
Além do design moderno, a plataforma investe fortemente em segurança digital, utilizando sistemas de criptografia avançados para proteger dados pessoais e transações financeiras dos jogadores. Isso proporciona um ambiente confiável, onde o usuário pode se concentrar apenas em sua diversão.
Diversidade de Jogos para Todos os Gostos Um dos grandes destaques da 8143 é sua biblioteca de jogos extremamente variada. A plataforma oferece opções para todos os estilos, desde os clássicos jogos de mesa, como pôquer e roleta, até máquinas de slots com gráficos modernos e temas envolventes.
Os jogos são desenvolvidos por fornecedores de renome internacional, garantindo alta qualidade visual, trilhas sonoras imersivas e uma jogabilidade fluida. Para quem gosta de jogos com mais interação, há também opções ao vivo, onde o jogador participa de partidas em tempo real com outros usuários e apresentadores reais.
Outro ponto positivo é a constante atualização do catálogo. A 8143 está sempre trazendo novidades, lançamentos e versões exclusivas, mantendo a plataforma dinâmica e sempre atrativa.
Experiência do Jogador: Imersiva e Recompensadora A 8143 entende que uma boa plataforma vai além dos jogos oferecidos — ela precisa criar uma experiência completa para o jogador. Por isso, investe em um sistema de recompensas atrativo, com bônus de boas-vindas, promoções diárias e programas de fidelidade que valorizam quem joga com frequência.
O atendimento ao cliente também é um diferencial. A equipe de suporte da plataforma está disponível 24 horas por dia, sete dias por semana, por meio de chat ao vivo, e-mail e redes sociais, sempre pronta para resolver dúvidas e oferecer auxílio.
Outro fator importante é a velocidade nos depósitos e saques. A 8143 trabalha com métodos de pagamento populares entre os brasileiros, como PIX, carteiras digitais e transferências bancárias, garantindo transações rápidas e seguras.
Conclusão A plataforma 8143 se destaca no mercado nacional por unir inovação, variedade de jogos e uma experiência de usuário de alto nível. É uma opção completa para quem busca diversão online com segurança, conforto e muitas possibilidades de ganho. Seja você um iniciante ou um jogador experiente, a 8143 oferece um ambiente perfeito para explorar o universo dos jogos digitais e se divertir com qualidade.
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@ 1c5ff3ca:efe9c0f6
2025-05-23 10:13:57Auto-Deployment on a VPS with GitHub Actions
Introduction
This tutorial describes how you can deploy an application on a VPS using GitHub Actions. This way, changes in your GitHub repository are automatically deployed to your VPS.
Prerequisites
- GitHub Account
- GitHub Repository
- Server + SSH access to the server
Step 1 - SSH Login to Server
Open a terminal and log in via SSH. Then navigate to the
.ssh
directoryssh user@hostname cd ~/.ssh
Step 2 - Create an SSH Key
Now create a new SSH key that we will use for auto-deployment. In the following dialog, simply press "Enter" repeatedly until the key is created.
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "service-name-deploy-github"
Step 3 - Add the Key to the
authorized_keys
Filecat id_ed25519.pub >> authorized_keys
(If you named the key file differently, change this accordingly)
Step 4 - GitHub Secrets
In order for the GitHub Action to perform the deployment later, some secrets must be stored in the repository. Open the repository on GitHub. Navigate to "Settings" -> "Secrets And Variables" -> "Actions". Add the following variables:
HOST
: Hostname or IP address of the serverUSERNAME
: Username you use to log in via SSHSSHKEY
: The private key (copy the content fromcat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
)PORT
: 22
Step 5 - Create the GitHub Action
Now create the GitHub Action for auto-deployment. The following GitHub Action will be used: https://github.com/appleboy/scp-action In your local repository, create the file
.github/workflows/deploy.yml
:```yaml name: Deploy on: [push] jobs: build: runs-on: ubuntu-latest steps: - uses: actions/checkout@v1 - name: Copy repository content via scp uses: appleboy/scp-action@master with: host: ${{ secrets.HOST }} username: ${{ secrets.USERNAME }} port: ${{ secrets.PORT }} key: ${{ secrets.SSHKEY }} source: "." target: "/your-target-directory"
- name: Executing a remote command uses: appleboy/ssh-action@master with: host: ${{ secrets.HOST }} username: ${{ secrets.USERNAME }} port: ${{ secrets.PORT }} key: ${{ secrets.SSHKEY }} script: | ls
```
This action copies the repository files to your server using
scp
. Afterwards, thels
command is executed. Here you can add appropriate commands that rebuild your service or similar. To rebuild and start a docker service you could use something like this or similar:docker compose -f target-dir/docker-compose.yml up --build -d
Now commit this file and in the "Actions" tab of your repository, the newly created action should now be visible and executed. With every future change, the git repository will now be automatically copied to your server.Sources
I read this when trying out, but it did not work and I adapted the
deploy.yml
file: https://dev.to/knowbee/how-to-setup-continuous-deployment-of-a-website-on-a-vps-using-github-actions-54im -
@ aa73d7f7:7f5a99ce
2025-05-23 10:13:39A plataforma 5161 está conquistando o público brasileiro por sua proposta moderna, segura e repleta de entretenimento digital. Com uma interface intuitiva, variedade de jogos e suporte ao jogador de alta qualidade, o 5161 se posiciona como uma excelente escolha para quem busca diversão com praticidade e confiabilidade.
Uma Plataforma Moderna e Segura Desde sua chegada ao mercado, o 5161 tem chamado atenção por seu design responsivo e navegação simplificada. O site é totalmente otimizado para funcionar em qualquer dispositivo, seja computador, tablet ou smartphone, permitindo que o usuário acesse seus jogos preferidos a qualquer hora e em qualquer lugar. Outro diferencial é o compromisso com a segurança: a plataforma utiliza tecnologia de criptografia de ponta para proteger os dados dos jogadores, garantindo uma experiência confiável do início ao fim.
Além disso, o 5161oferece suporte multilíngue e atendimento ao cliente eficiente, disponível 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana. Isso demonstra o comprometimento da plataforma com a satisfação de seus usuários, sempre prontos para esclarecer dúvidas ou resolver qualquer situação.
Variedade de Jogos para Todos os Gostos Um dos grandes atrativos do 5161 é sua ampla biblioteca de jogos. A plataforma conta com títulos que vão desde os mais tradicionais até as novidades mais inovadoras do mercado. Os jogadores podem se divertir com jogos de roleta, cartas, slots, pescaria e muito mais — tudo em um único lugar.
Os jogos são fornecidos por desenvolvedores renomados, o que garante gráficos de alta qualidade, trilhas sonoras envolventes e mecânicas justas e empolgantes. Cada título foi cuidadosamente escolhido para proporcionar uma experiência única, capaz de agradar tanto os novatos quanto os veteranos do mundo dos jogos online.
Além da variedade, a plataforma também disponibiliza modos de demonstração gratuitos, ideais para quem deseja testar os jogos antes de fazer qualquer depósito. Isso permite que o jogador conheça melhor o funcionamento e escolha seus favoritos com mais confiança.
Experiência do Jogador em Primeiro Lugar No 5161, cada detalhe foi pensado para proporcionar a melhor experiência possível. Desde o momento do cadastro até a retirada de prêmios, tudo acontece de forma simples e rápida. O processo de registro é descomplicado, e o sistema de pagamentos oferece diversas opções, incluindo transferências bancárias, carteiras digitais e PIX — ideal para o público brasileiro, que busca agilidade nas transações.
Outro ponto de destaque é o sistema de recompensas. A plataforma conta com bônus de boas-vindas atrativos, promoções frequentes e um programa de fidelidade que valoriza os jogadores mais ativos. Isso significa mais chances de jogar e se divertir, com a possibilidade de aumentar os ganhos e explorar novos jogos com vantagens exclusivas.
Conclusão O 5161 se destaca como uma das plataformas de entretenimento digital mais completas e confiáveis disponíveis para o público brasileiro. Com uma interface moderna, biblioteca de jogos diversificada e foco total na experiência do usuário, a plataforma conquista cada vez mais fãs em todo o país. Se você está em busca de diversão segura, recompensadora e acessível, o 5161 é, sem dúvidas, uma excelente escolha para explorar novas emoções online.
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@ 30b99916:3cc6e3fe
2025-05-23 13:16:37sourcegraph #vibecoding #ai #bitcoin #security
After reading the article Revenge of the junior developer, this inspired me to go take a look at Sourcegraph.com to get a better understanding of all this AI stuff.
The first step was installing the VS Code extension called, Cody which is a coding agent. The Cody features explain the code in a file and review and analyze code did an extremely impressive job with VaultApi and BTCwallet.
VaultApi and BTCwallet are PowerShell scripts that are available from my BTCPAY Server
All of the following output was generated by Cody.
Code Analysis of VaultApi.ps1
The VaultApi.ps1 script is generally well-structured and follows many PowerShell best practices. It has comprehensive documentation, version history, and clear parameter definitions. The suggestions below would further enhance what is already a solid codebase. The author has clearly put significant effort into making the script functional and user-friendly, with good attention to cross-platform compatibility and security considerations.
VaultApi.ps1 Explanation
VaultApi.ps1 is a PowerShell script that helps users interact with HashiCorp Vault, which is a tool for securely storing and managing sensitive information like passwords and API keys.
Purpose of the Code
This script makes it easier to use Vault by providing simple commands to start the Vault server, unlock it (unseal), log in, store secrets, retrieve secrets, and shut down the server. Think of it as a friendly interface that simplifies all the complex operations you would otherwise need to do manually with Vault.
Inputs
The script takes several inputs:
- An
action
parameter that tells the script what operation to perform (like "Start", "Stop", "Kv1Create", "Kv1Read") - A
kvpath
parameter that specifies where in Vault to store or retrieve information - A
kvalue
parameter for the actual secret value you want to store - A
kvkey
parameter that lets you specify a custom name for your secret - Optional switches like
-Info
to show more detailed information and-Raw
to display output directly instead of copying to clipboard
Outputs
Depending on the action performed, the script produces different outputs:
- Text messages in the console showing the status of operations
- Secret values retrieved from Vault (either displayed or copied to clipboard)
- Lists of available secret paths
- Status information about the Vault server
- Backup files of your Vault data
How It Works
The script works by:
- First checking if Vault is installed and running
- Setting up communication with the Vault server using its API address
- Performing the requested action by sending the appropriate commands to Vault
- Processing any responses and displaying results to the user
For example, when you use the "Kv1Create" action, the script:
- Checks if you're logged in
- Verifies the path doesn't already exist
- Formats your data correctly
- Sends a request to Vault to create the new secret
- Shows you the result
Important Logic Flows
Some key processes in the script include:
-
Authentication flow: The script helps you log in using either a token or username/password, then stores your authentication token for future commands.
-
Unsealing process: Vault requires multiple keys to unlock (unseal) it after starting. The script can retrieve these keys from a secure file or prompt you to enter them.
-
Secret management: The script handles creating, reading, updating, and deleting secrets, supporting both single values and multiple key-value pairs at a path.
-
Path management: The script can list all available paths and help you search for specific ones, making it easier to organize and find your secrets.
-
Value generation: When creating or updating secrets, you can use the keyword "setvalue" to automatically generate a random 20-character value, which is then copied to your clipboard.
The script uses a configuration file in your home directory to know how to connect to Vault, and it can optionally use encrypted files to store sensitive information like unlock keys. It communicates with Vault using REST API calls, which are like special messages that tell Vault what to do.
In summary, VaultApi.ps1 is a helper tool that makes it much easier to use HashiCorp Vault for securely storing and managing your sensitive information, without needing to remember all the complex commands and procedures.
Code Analysis of BTCwallet.ps1
The script generally follows sound design principles with good organization, comments, and documentation. It demonstrates thoughtful error checking and user interaction. The identified opportunities for enhancement would primarily improve security, maintainability, and robustness rather than addressing fundamental flaws. The script author has clearly put significant effort into creating a comprehensive tool with good documentation and practical functionality.
BTCwallet.ps1 Explanation
The BTCwallet.ps1 script is a PowerShell tool designed to help Bitcoin users manage different wallet applications on a Linux system. It provides a convenient way to start, stop, and check the status of Bitcoin wallets while adding security features.
Purpose
The main purpose of this script is to securely manage Bitcoin wallets, particularly focusing on "cold storage" solutions. Cold storage means keeping your Bitcoin wallet data in an encrypted container that's only mounted when needed, which is more secure than keeping it always accessible ("hot storage").
Inputs
The script takes one main input parameter:
$action
: This can be "start", "stop", or "check" (default), telling the script what operation to perform on your Bitcoin wallet.
Outputs
The script doesn't return data but produces several visible outputs:
- Status messages showing whether wallets are running or stopped
- Prompts for user input when decisions are needed
- Confirmation messages when actions are completed
How It Works
-
When you run the script, it first loads a configuration file (BTCwalletCfg.xml) that contains information about which wallets you have installed.
-
Based on the
$action
parameter, it performs one of three main functions:- Check: Shows if your wallet application is currently running
- Start: Launches your wallet application, with options for hot or cold storage
- Stop: Closes your wallet application and securely dismounts any encrypted containers
- For security, the script can use HashiCorp Vault (a secure password manager) to store sensitive information like passwords for encrypted containers.
-
The script also verifies its own integrity by checking its file hash against a previously stored value, alerting you if the script has been modified.
Important Logic Flows
Starting a Wallet
When starting a wallet, the script:
- Asks which wallet you want to use (Sparrow, GreenWallet, or Wasabi)
- Checks if HashiCorp Vault is running and starts it if needed
- Verifies the script's integrity by comparing file hashes
- Asks if you want to use hot or cold storage
- For cold storage, it:
- Retrieves the encrypted container's location and password
- Mounts the encrypted container using VeraCrypt
- Starts the wallet application pointing to the mounted container
- For hot storage, it simply starts the wallet application with default settings
Stopping a Wallet
When stopping a wallet, the script:
- Checks if the wallet is still running and asks you to close it first if needed
- For cold storage wallets, it moves any wallet files back to the encrypted container
- Dismounts the encrypted container
- Optionally stops the HashiCorp Vault service
The script handles different wallet applications (Sparrow, GreenWallet, and Wasabi) slightly differently based on how each one stores its data and what command-line options they support.
In summary, BTCwallet.ps1 provides a secure way to manage Bitcoin wallets by combining wallet applications with encrypted storage and password management, all controlled through simple commands.
- An
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@ 95cbd62b:a5270126
2025-05-23 10:12:48Nếu bạn đang tìm kiếm một nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến uy tín, hỗ trợ tiếng Việt toàn diện, tích hợp nhiều tính năng hiện đại và mang lại cơ hội kiếm thưởng mỗi ngày thì 123BET chính là lựa chọn hoàn hảo. Được xây dựng với định hướng lấy người dùng làm trung tâm, 123BET mang đến trải nghiệm cá cược tối ưu với giao diện đơn giản, dễ thao tác, tương thích tốt trên mọi thiết bị từ máy tính đến điện thoại. Người chơi chỉ cần đăng ký một tài khoản duy nhất là có thể truy cập toàn bộ hệ sinh thái giải trí khổng lồ bao gồm slot game, casino trực tuyến, game bắn cá, mini game dân gian và cá cược thể thao. Bên cạnh đó, 123BET còn chú trọng đến bảo mật bằng cách tích hợp các phương thức đăng nhập hiện đại như OTP, nhận diện khuôn mặt và vân tay. Ứng dụng di động 123BET App được tối ưu hóa để truy cập mượt mà không bị chặn, đồng thời hỗ trợ thông báo khuyến mãi tức thời giúp người chơi không bỏ lỡ bất kỳ ưu đãi nào.
Kho game của 123BET là một thế giới giải trí đầy màu sắc, được cung cấp bởi các nhà phát hành danh tiếng toàn cầu như PG Soft, JILI, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming và Spadegaming cho dòng slot game. Tại đây, người chơi có thể trải nghiệm hàng trăm chủ đề phong phú, từ cổ điển đến hiện đại, với các tính năng đặc biệt như vòng quay miễn phí, hệ số nhân, jackpot lũy tiến và các mini game bonus đầy hấp dẫn. Với những ai yêu thích không khí sòng bài thật, mảng casino trực tiếp của 123BET mang đến trải nghiệm chân thực với video phát sóng trực tiếp chất lượng cao từ các studio như SA Gaming, Evolution, WM Casino và Dream Gaming. Game bắn cá cũng là điểm nhấn không thể bỏ qua với hình ảnh 3D sắc nét, hiệu ứng đạn sinh động, nhiều chế độ chơi từ cá nhân đến tổ đội, vũ khí đa dạng và đặc biệt là khả năng đổi xu thành tiền thật nhanh chóng. Với hàng loạt trò chơi hấp dẫn như Monster Awaken, Fishing War hay Bombing Fishing, người chơi có thể vừa giải trí vừa gia tăng thu nhập mỗi ngày.
Không chỉ nổi bật về mặt nội dung, 123BET còn ghi điểm mạnh với hệ thống nạp – rút tự động 24/7, tốc độ xử lý nhanh, không giới hạn số lần giao dịch và hoàn toàn miễn phí. Người chơi có thể linh hoạt nạp tiền qua nhiều kênh như chuyển khoản ngân hàng nội địa, ví điện tử (Momo, ZaloPay, ViettelPay) hoặc QR Code chỉ trong vòng 1–3 phút. Quy trình rút tiền đơn giản, hỗ trợ về tài khoản ngân hàng chính chủ, đảm bảo tiền về nhanh chỉ sau 5–10 phút kể cả vào ban đêm hoặc ngày lễ. Ngoài ra, 123BET còn thường xuyên triển khai các chương trình khuyến mãi hấp dẫn như thưởng 100% nạp đầu, hoàn tiền hàng ngày cho tất cả trò chơi, ưu đãi nạp lại cuối tuần, tặng quà sinh nhật và nâng hạng VIP với đặc quyền riêng. Đặc biệt, người chơi có thể kiếm thêm thu nhập thụ động thông qua chương trình giới thiệu bạn bè nhận hoa hồng không giới hạn. Với đội ngũ hỗ trợ kỹ thuật chuyên nghiệp 24/7 và chính sách chăm sóc khách hàng tận tình, 123BET đang khẳng định vị thế hàng đầu trong lĩnh vực cá cược trực tuyến tại thị trường Việt Nam, mang đến một sân chơi an toàn, công bằng và sinh lợi bền vững cho tất cả người chơi.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 13:01:01Bitcoin Magazine
Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) Opens $2.1B ATM Program for Strife Preferred StockStrategy has launched a $2.1 billion At-The-Market (ATM) equity program for its Strife (STRF) preferred stock, marking another step in the firm’s long-term strategy to build a Bitcoin-backed financial architecture.
The announcement was made by CEO and President Phong Lee during an investor update alongside Executive Chairman Michael Saylor. According to Lee, strong year-to-date results from the firm’s Bitcoin-linked securities Strike (STRK) and Strife (STRF) gave Strategy the confidence to expand its fundraising strategy.
BREAKING:
Strategy to sell up to $2.1 billion of 10% preferred stock.pic.twitter.com/xufD8uv64v
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) May 22, 2025
“We’re currently at 16.3% BTC yield for the year, against a 25% target,” Lee said. “BTC dollar gain is $7.7 billion so far, on track toward our $15 billion target.”
Both instruments have outperformed expectations since launch. Strike is up 24% from its initial price of $80 to nearly $100. Strife, which was priced at $85 just two months ago, now trades around $98.80, a 16% increase. By comparison, similarly structured preferreds in the market have declined by 3–5% over the same period.
In the last 30 days alone, Strike rose 17% and Strife 12%, bringing both close to par value. Lee emphasized the liquidity profile of these instruments, citing average daily trading volumes of $31 million for Strike and $23 million for Strife. “That’s 60x what we typically see in comparable preferreds,” he noted.
The company previously issued $212 million through Strike’s ATM, with no adverse pricing pressure. Based on the trading volume and investor demand, Lee said the company believes the $2.1 billion Strife ATM can be executed in a similar fashion.
Strife is a perpetual preferred stock with a 10% coupon and sits at the top of Strategy’s capital stack. Saylor described it as “the crown jewel” of the company’s preferred offerings. “We’re going to be ten times as careful with Strife,” he said. “Our goal is for it to be seen as investment-grade fixed income — a high-quality instrument with robust protections.”
Strike, by contrast, is positioned for what Saylor called “Bitcoin-curious” investors. It carries an 8% coupon and includes upside through Bitcoin conversion. “Think of it like a Bitcoin fellowship with a stipend,” Saylor said.
Strategy now operates three ATM programs: $21 billion each for MSTR equity and Strike, and $2.1 billion for Strife. These are rebalanced daily, with issuance adjusted based on market conditions, volatility, and investor demand. According to Saylor, this dynamic structure allows the company to optimize Bitcoin acquisition and capital deployment across changing market environments.
Behind this strategy sits Strategy’s Bitcoin treasury, now totaling 576,230 BTC — roughly $60 billion in value. “That permanent capital is the foundation for everything we’re building,” Saylor said.
While spot Bitcoin ETFs cater to investors looking for direct price exposure, Strategy continues to offer a more nuanced set of instruments — each targeting different levels of risk, return, and compliance. The Strife ATM is the latest move in that broader strategy.
This post Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) Opens $2.1B ATM Program for Strife Preferred Stock first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.
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@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-23 10:01:28A Chinese printer company inadvertently distributed malware that steals Bitcoin through its official drivers, resulting in the theft of over $950,000.
According to local media outlet Landian News, a Chinese printer manufacturer was found to have unknowingly distributed malware designed to steal Bitcoin through its official device drivers.
Procolored, a Shenzhen-based printer company, distributed malware capable of stealing Bitcoin alongside the official drivers for its devices. The company reportedly used USB devices to spread infected drivers and uploaded the compromised software to globally accessible cloud storage services.
Crypto security and compliance firm SlowMist explained how the malware works in a post on X:
The official driver provided by this printer carries a backdoor program. It will hijack the wallet address in the user's clipboard and replace it with the attacker's address: 1BQZKqdp2CV3QV5nUEsqSg1ygegLmqRygj
According to @MistTrack_io, the attacker has stolen 9.3086… https://t.co/DHCkEpHhuH pic.twitter.com/W1AnUpswLU
— MistTrack
(@MistTrack_io) May 19, 2025
The consequences of the breach have been significant, with a total of 9.3 BTC stolen — equivalent to over $950,000.
The issue was first flagged by YouTuber Cameron Coward, whose antivirus software detected malware in the drivers during a test of a Procolored UV printer. The software identified both a worm and a trojan virus named Foxif.
When contacted, Procolored denied the accusations, dismissing the antivirus warning as a false positive. Coward then turned to Reddit, where he shared the issue with cybersecurity professionals, drawing the attention of security firm G Data.
G Data’s investigation revealed that most of Procolored’s drivers were hosted on the MEGA file-sharing platform, with uploads dating back to October 2023. Their analysis confirmed the presence of two separate malware strains: the Win32.Backdoor.XRedRAT.A backdoor and a crypto-stealer designed to replace clipboard wallet addresses with those controlled by the attacker.
G Data reached out to Procolored, which stated that it had removed the infected drivers from its storage as of May 8 and had re-scanned all files. The company attributed the malware to a supply chain compromise, saying the malicious files were introduced via infected USB devices before being uploaded online.
Landian News recommended that users who downloaded Procolored drivers in the past six months “immediately run a full system scan using antivirus software.” However, given that antivirus tools are not always reliable, the Chinese media outlet suggested that a full system reset is the safest option when in doubt.
The post Bitcoin malware discovered: Chinese printer manufacturer involved appeared first on Atlas21.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 13:01:00Bitcoin Magazine
H100 Group Became The First Publicly Listed Bitcoin Treasury Company In SwedenH100 Group AB has announced it has become Sweden’s first publicly listed health technology company to adopt Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, announcing the purchase of 4.39 BTC for 5 million NOK (approximately $475,000) as part of its long-term Bitcoin Treasury Strategy.
The Stockholm-based company, which provides AI-powered automation and digital solutions for healthcare providers, joins a growing roster of public companies adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets in 2025. The purchase was executed at an average price of 1,138,737 NOK per Bitcoin (roughly $108,200).
JUST IN:
H100 Group buys 4.39 BTC and becomes Sweden's first publicly listed #Bitcoin treasury company. pic.twitter.com/pNXe9XT2a7
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) May 22, 2025
“This addition to H100’s Bitcoin Treasury Strategy follows an increasing number of tech-oriented growth companies holding Bitcoin on their balance sheet,” said CEO Sander Andersen. “And I believe the values of individual sovereignty highly present in the Bitcoin community aligns well with, and will appeal to, the customers and communities we are building the H100 platform for.”
The move comes amid a surge in corporate Bitcoin adoption, with many public companies announcing Bitcoin treasury programs in the first five months of 2025. Notable recent entrants include Twenty One Capital, Strive and several others.
H100 Group emphasized that the Bitcoin purchase does not affect its core operations in the health and longevity industry. The company views the investment as a strategic deployment of excess liquidity to strengthen its financial position while aligning with its values of individual sovereignty.
The announcement reflects a broader shift in corporate treasury management, as companies seek to diversify their holdings beyond traditional cash reserves.
At press time, Bitcoin trades at $111,108, up 1.28% over the past 24 hours, as institutional adoption continues to drive market momentum. H100 Group’s shares closed up 1.37% at 0.89 SEK on the NGM Nordic SME exchange following the announcement.
This post H100 Group Became The First Publicly Listed Bitcoin Treasury Company In Sweden first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Vivek Sen.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 13:00:59Bitcoin Magazine
The Freedom Issue: Letter From the EditorBitcoin is freedom money, a censorship-resistant form of digital cash allowing anyone with an internet connection to send money to anyone else, regardless of nationality, borders, or other arbitrary restrictions.
I personally first heard about Bitcoin in early 2013, through friends who were buying… stuff from Silk Road, the darknet marketplace helmed by the mysterious Dread Pirate Roberts. Although Silk Road was controversial (the “stuff” most people bought and sold was, of course, illegal drugs), it represented a radical example of the form of freedom that Bitcoin provides.
Later in 2013, Silk Road was shut down by the FBI, and Ross Ulbricht was revealed as the market’s founder and the true identity behind the Dread Pirate Roberts pseudonym — although he claims several people operated the account. Ulbricht was sentenced to two life sentences plus forty years in prison without the possibility of parole.
In my view — and that of many Bitcoiners — it was excessive. Even if you believe Ulbricht was guilty of everything he was convicted of (all nonviolent crimes), he was made an example of, and didn’t actually deserve to be locked up for the rest of his days.
Fortunately, Ulbricht was granted a full and unconditional pardon from President Trump in January of this year. The founder of Silk Road, in a very literal sense, has regained his freedom.
This edition of Bitcoin Magazine celebrates and highlights the freedom aspect of Bitcoin with a range of articles and artwork focusing on the people and projects that use bitcoin to advance liberty, and those who make this possible… with a special focus on Ulbricht and Silk Road.
For other stories about bitcoin as freedom money, flip the magazine around!
Welcome to The Freedom Issue.
Aaron van Wirdum
Don’t miss your chance to own The Freedom Issue—featuring never-before-seen letters from Ross Ulbricht and his mother, Lyn. Limited run. Only available while supplies last.
This piece is the Letter from the Editor featured in the latest print edition of Bitcoin Magazine, The Freedom Issue. We’re sharing it here as an early look at the ideas explored throughout the full issue.
This post The Freedom Issue: Letter From the Editor first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Aaron Van Wirdum.
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@ f6488c62:c929299d
2025-05-23 09:48:20ในวันที่ 23 พฤษภาคม 2568 The Wall Street Journal รายงานข่าวที่น่าสนใจว่า ธนาคารยักษ์ใหญ่ของสหรัฐฯ เช่น JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup และ Wells Fargo กำลังพิจารณาความเป็นไปได้ในการพัฒนา Stablecoin ร่วมกัน เพื่อก้าวเข้าสู่โลกของคริปโตเคอเรนซีอย่างเต็มตัว การเคลื่อนไหวครั้งนี้ไม่เพียงสะท้อนถึงการยอมรับสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลในระบบการเงินกระแสหลัก แต่ยังเป็นก้าวสำคัญในการรักษาความเป็นผู้นำของเงินดอลลาร์สหรัฐในยุคการเงินดิจิทัล.
Stablecoin: อนาคตของการชำระเงินดิจิทัล Stablecoin เป็นสกุลเงินดิจิทัลที่ออกแบบมาเพื่อลดความผันผวนโดยผูกมูลค่ากับสินทรัพย์ที่มีเสถียรภาพ เช่น เงินดอลลาร์สหรัฐ ทำให้เหมาะสำหรับการใช้ในระบบการชำระเงิน การโอนเงินข้ามพรมแดน และการเงินแบบกระจายศูนย์ (DeFi). การที่ธนาคารใหญ่ของสหรัฐฯ หันมาสนใจ Stablecoin ร่วมกัน แสดงถึงความพยายามในการปรับตัวให้เข้ากับความต้องการของผู้บริโภคยุคใหม่ที่ต้องการความรวดเร็วและประหยัดต้นทุนในการทำธุรกรรมทางการเงิน.
ทำไมธนาคารถึงสนใจ Stablecoin? ในปี 2568 ตลาดคริปโตเคอเรนซีกำลังร้อนแรง โดยมูลค่าตลาดรวมของคริปโตทั่วโลกอยู่ที่ 3.64 ล้านล้านดอลลาร์ ซึ่งในจำนวนนี้ Bitcoin มีมูลค่าตลาดสูงสุดที่ 2.2 ล้านล้านดอลลาร์ และราคา Bitcoin ล่าสุดพุ่งแตะ 111,160.66 ดอลลาร์ (ข้อมูล ณ วันที่ 23 พฤษภาคม 2568 เวลา 16:44 น. ตามเขตเวลา +07) นอกจากนี้ ยังมีเม็ดเงินไหลเข้าสู่กองทุนสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลในสหรัฐฯ กว่า 7.5 พันล้านดอลลาร์ การที่ธนาคารยักษ์ใหญ่ที่มีมูลค่ารวมกันถึง 8 ล้านล้านดอลลาร์เข้ามาในสนามนี้ แสดงถึงศักยภาพในการเปลี่ยนแปลงภูมิทัศน์ของอุตสาหกรรมการเงิน. นโยบายที่เอื้ออำนวยต่อคริปโตในยุคของประธานาธิบดีโดนัลด์ ทรัมป์ และการลดดอกเบี้ยนโยบายของ Fed ยังเป็นปัจจัยสนับสนุนที่สำคัญ.
โอกาสและความท้าทาย การพัฒนา Stablecoin ร่วมกันของธนาคารเหล่านี้เปิดโอกาสให้สหรัฐฯ รักษาความเป็นผู้นำในระบบการเงินดิจิทัล และเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพในระบบการชำระเงินทั่วโลก อย่างไรก็ตาม ความท้าทายที่รออยู่คือการแข่งขันกับ Stablecoin ที่ครองตลาด เช่น USDT และ USDC รวมถึงความไม่แน่นอนด้านกฎระเบียบและความผันผวนของเศรษฐกิจโลกจากนโยบายการค้าของสหรัฐฯ. ธนาคารจะต้องลงทุนในโครงสร้างพื้นฐานที่ปลอดภัยและสอดคล้องกับกฎหมาย เพื่อสร้างความไว้วางใจจากผู้ใช้.
มองไปข้างหน้า การที่ธนาคารชั้นนำของสหรัฐฯ หันมาสนใจ Stablecoin เป็นสัญญาณที่ชัดเจนว่าโลกการเงินกำลังเปลี่ยนผ่านสู่ยุคดิจิทัลอย่างเต็มรูปแบบ การเคลื่อนไหวครั้งนี้อาจเป็นจุดเปลี่ยนที่ทำให้คริปโตเคอเรนซีกลายเป็นส่วนสำคัญของระบบการเงินกระแสหลัก อย่างไรก็ตาม ความสำเร็จจะขึ้นอยู่กับความสามารถในการสร้างนวัตกรรมที่ตอบโจทย์ผู้บริโภคและการจัดการกับความท้าทายด้านกฎระเบียบและการแข่งขันในตลาด. ในอนาคตอันใกล้ Stablecoin จากธนาคารยักษ์ใหญ่อาจกลายเป็นตัวเปลี่ยนเกมในวงการการเงินโลก และเป็นเครื่องมือสำคัญในการเชื่อมโยงระบบการเงินแบบดั้งเดิมเข้ากับโลกดิจิทัล นักลงทุนและผู้บริโภคควรจับตาดูความคืบหน้าของโครงการนี้อย่างใกล้ชิด เพราะมันอาจเป็นก้าวแรกสู่การปฏิวัติครั้งใหญ่ในวงการการเงิน.
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@ 3eba5ef4:751f23ae
2025-05-23 09:33:55The article below brings together some of the Q&A from our recent AMA on Reddit. Thanks so much for sending in your questions—we love chatting with you and being part of this awesome community!
Meepo Hardfork Features
What does Meepo bring to CKB, in simple terms?
Imagine upgrading from wooden blocks to LEGO bricks. That’s what the
spawn
syscall in Meepo does for CKB smart contracts, enabling script interoperability.Spawn and a series of related syscalls are introduced as a major upgrade to CKB-VM, enabling interoperability, modularity, and better developer experience, by letting scripts call other scripts, like modular apps in an operating system.
Key features of the upgraded VM?
The upgraded CKB-VM Meepo version unlocks true decoupling and reuse of CKB scripts, enhancing modularity and reusability in smart contract development.
For instance, before Meepo, if developers wanted to build a new time lock in CKB, they had to bundle all necessary functionalities—like signature algorithms—directly into a single lock or type script. This often led to bloated scripts where most of the code was unrelated to the developer's original design goal (time lock). With the spawn syscall, scripts can now delegate tasks—such as signature checks—to other on-chain scripts. As new algorithms emerge, the time lock can adopt them without being redeployed—just by calling updated signature scripts, as long as a shared protocol is followed.
This separation allows developers to: - Focus solely on their core logic. - Reuse independently deployed signature verification scripts. - Upgrade cryptographic components without modifying the original script. - Embrace a more OS-like model where smart contracts can call each other to perform specialized tasks.
By enabling true decoupling and reuse, the spawn syscall makes CKB scripts significantly more composable, maintainable, and adaptable.
Besides Spawn, other improvements in Meepo include:
- Block Extension Fields: Enables reading extension fields in blocks, opening new possibilities like community voting on hardforks (as this ckb-zero-lock prototype). More use cases are expected.
- CKB-VM Optimization: Reduces cycle consumption for common compiler-generated code, making scripts faster and more efficient.
A practical example: IPC on Spawn
Here's an example building an entire Inter-Process Communication (IPC) layer on top of spawn syscalls: - GitHub Repo - Blog post: Transforming IPC in CKB On-Chain Script: Spawn and the Custom Library for Simplified Communication
What does “every wallet will become a CKB wallet because of ckb-auth” mean?
Current CKB-VM already comes with the power to build omnilock / ckb-auth, spawn just makes them easier to reuse in new scripts through decoupling and improved modularity.
Upgrade Compatibility Concerns
Will Meepo require a new address format?
No. Meepo does not introduce breaking changes like address format switching. The only required upgrade is support for a new hash type (
data2
). We aim to keep upgrades smooth and backwards-compatible wherever possible.RISC-V & CKB’s Long-Term Design Philosophy
Ethereum is exploring RISC-V—CKB has been doing this for years. What’s your take?
The discussion about RISC-V in Ethereum, is partly about the ease of building zk solutions on Ethereum. And it's easy to mix two different use cases of RISC-V in zk:
- Use RISC-V as the language to write programs running in a zk engine. In this case, we use zero knowledge algorithms to build a RISC-VM and prove programs running inside these RISC-V VMs.
- Use RISC-V as the underlying engine to run cryptographic algorithms, we then compile the verifier / prover code of zero knowledge algorithm into RISC-V, then we run those verifiers / provers inside RISC-V. Essentially, we run the verifying / proving algorithms of zero knowledge algorithms in RISC-V, the programs running inside ZK VMs can be written in other languages suiting the zk algorithms.
When most people talk about RISC-V in zk, they mean the first point above. As a result, we see a lot of arguments debating if RISC-V fits in zk circuits. I couldn't get a direct confirmation from Vitalik, but based on what I read, when Vitalik proposes the idea of RISC-V in Ethereum, he's at least partly thinking about the second point here. The original idea is to introduce RISC-V in Ethereum, so we can just compile zk verifiers / provers into RISC-V code, so there is no need to introduce any more precompiles so as to support different zk algorithms in Ethereum. This is indeed a rare taken path, but I believe it is a right path, it is also the path CKB chose 7 years ago for the initial design of CKB-VM.
CKB believes that a precompile-free approach is the only viable path if we’re serious about building a blockchain that can last for decades—or even centuries. Cryptographic algorithms evolve quickly; new ones emerge every few years, making it unsustainable for blockchains to keep adding them as precompiles. In contrast, hardware evolves more slowly and lives longer.
By choosing RISC-V, we’ve committed to a model that can better adapt to future cryptographic developments. CKB may be on an uncommon path, but I believe it's the right one—and it's encouraging to see Ethereum now moving in a similar direction. Hopefully, more will follow.
CKB already stands out as the only blockchain VM built on RISC-V and entirely free from cryptographic precompiles. Meepo, with its spawn syscall, builds on this foundation—pushing for even greater modularity and reuse. We're also closely watching progress in the RISC-V ecosystem, with the goal of integrating hardware advances into CKB-VM, making it even more future-proof and a state-of-the-art execution environment for blockchain applications.
Will CKB run directly on RISC-V chips? What are the implications?
The "CKB on RISC-V"comes in several stages:
- For now, CKB-VM can already be compiled into RISC-V architecture and run on a RISC-V CPU (e.g. StarFive board), though optimized native implementations are still in development.
- That said, one key issue in the previous stage was that CKB-VM lacks a high-performance, assembly based VM on RISC-V architecture. Ironically, despite CKB-VM being based on RISC-V, we ended up running a Rust-based VM interpreter on RISC-V CPUs—which is far from ideal.
The root of the problem is that RISC-V CPUs come in many configurations, each supporting a different set of extensions. Porting CKB-VM to run natively on real RISC-V chips isn’t trivial—some extensions used by CKB-VM might not be available on the target hardware. With enough time and effort, a performant native implementation could be built, but it’s a non-trivial challenge that still needs significant work.
How do you see the RISC-V narrative expanding?
We are delighted to see the growing recognition of RISC-V in the blockchain space. For CKB, we firmly believe RISC-V is the best choice. Consensus is costly, so only essential data should be on-chain, with the chain serving as a universal verification layer—this is CKBʼs philosophy, and we have consistently designed and developed in this direction.
CKB Roadmap & Ecosystem Growth
Any plan to boost the usage of the CKB network in the next 6 - 24 months?
Growth starts with better developer experience. Spawn in Meepo significantly lowers the barrier to building complex apps. With better tools and documentation, more devs can experiment on CKB, leading to better apps and more users.
What would you focus on if the secondary issuance budget was huge?
If funding were abundant, we'd expand the Spark Program, support more grassroots projects, and even evolve toward a fully decentralized DAO structure—aligning with our long-term vision of a permissionless, community-owned network.
What’s next for Nervos after Meepo?
We're exploring new RISC-V extensions like CFI, which could boost script security and defend against ROP attacks. Still early-stage, but promising. Check out this: Against ROP Attacks: A Blockchain Architect’s Take on VM-Level Security.
Resources
Take a deeper look at the VM upgrades introduced in the Meepo hardfork:
Explore the CFI (Control Flow Integrity) extension on RISC-V:
Check out the Inter-Process Communication (IPC) layer built on top of spawn syscalls:
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@ 82b30d30:40c6c003
2025-05-23 09:02:28nostr:nevent1qqsyeyycax9qgrr4qvtty4h62x96vc6lydh8yg7jl5er99zg7wlpdrch4np3n nostr:nevent1qqs0sqhtzc4p3vysz5k7l29x2lcnedeys55t7mqp2mz7ugrmw0v725cskvqau nostr:nevent1qqsq74xd6qzp9fp8nt8wqpredynnx9t59w9gmzs69jemwu24vjvx78c7wqsl6 nostr:nevent1qqsx6uaegtvy8y47w4fn4dsa0dzkrkjhmwyz9kgq8zw7s3hcg6fuhqg9yywsj nostr:nevent1qqspze6lekfau8063lcup5z0sq62fjhjgr5qjhqy29th28ghsjdendgpvh0ev nostr:nevent1qqsds5j8zk2cx0z4c7ndmq7pgnhtt9hxxu3ee8lq7j69xkpf68u44xgx0v9ux nostr:nevent1qqs20740qquqtt7mrxsqdhftg6rghselqmz8ewp7xsr4v3ltw8ha64scu0suh nostr:nevent1qqsr6sekrmed9g6m7fussfeg4ye5wupplx2wkrul6u8w7yykq6gs7cgz5lwj9 nostr:nevent1qqsfthry2n8yrevtuu8e83gjz2cjv9yh5p43t992h9dx8zy7xs49npq5rp89x nostr:nevent1qqs2rsq8g63z86vw5ta6rcjhtm94u92hhgdv5u7l6ymhy6nulq4awwq58f2af nostr:nevent1qqsdjqf2rwen0sqxvftqg9r6k6404n6ufhl89rn0kyga890ssx7a9pqhvw9z7 nostr:nevent1qqs9j53hpsdpt08f258hnm2sjrgx2anvd7qdrrvqx6ryppslr6lcqdqnammt4 nostr:nevent1qqsx2cs5gf2mlk4a524k2fk0f2fs80t7ryppe0qxyzvexyyh0z2xq0q9ckpgk 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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 13:00:58Bitcoin Magazine
Bitcoin Pizza Day: 15 Years Since 10,000 BTC Bought Two Pizzas and Changed EverythingOn May 22, 2010, Bitcoin became more than just an idea—it became real money. Laszlo Hanyecz, a developer and early contributor to Bitcoin’s codebase, posted a casual offer: “I’ll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas.” Five days later, someone took him up on it. Two Papa John’s pizzas were delivered. A screenshot was posted. Bitcoin had entered the real world.
15 years ago, Laszlo Hanyecz spent 10,000 #bitcoin worth $30 on two Papa John's pizzas.
Today, 10,000 $BTC is worth over $1,100,000,000.
What a legend!
pic.twitter.com/EbxQAsixhZ
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) May 22, 2025
That 10,000 Bitcoin, worth about $41 at the time, is now valued at over $1.1 billion. And with Bitcoin hitting a new all-time high of $111,999 on the 15th anniversary of the transaction, the story of the “Bitcoin Pizza” carries more weight than ever.
15 years ago, someone paid 10,000 #Bitcoin for 2 pizzas. That’s worth over $1,000,000,000 today!
It wasn’t just about the pizza. This was the moment Bitcoin proved itself as a functioning currency. Until then, it had lived mostly in theory and code—talked about by cryptographers and mined by hobbyists. Hanyecz’s post, and the trade that followed, transformed the idea into action. “This transaction made Bitcoin real in my eyes,” he said in a 2019 interview. “It wasn’t worth much at the time. I wouldn’t have spent $100 million on pizza, right? But if I hadn’t done that, maybe Bitcoin wouldn’t have become so popular.”
Over the summer of 2010, Hanyecz continued using Bitcoin to buy pizzas, eventually spending more than 79,000 BTC—now worth nearly $8.7 billion. While some have joked at his expense, the truth is this: without those early real-world transactions, Bitcoin might never have proven its use case. Hanyecz helped move Bitcoin from the fringe into functionality.
That legacy still shapes us today. Bitcoin Pizza Day has become a cultural milestone in the crypto world, with meetups, pizza parties, and educational events held globally each May 22. The day serves as a reminder of how far the technology has come—and the importance of everyday actions and the impact they have.
Smiles, joy, and shared moments, this is what today looked like.#Bitcoin Pizza Day at His Grace School was more than a visit. It was connection, care, and community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated and supported #BitcoinGhana #BitcoinPizzaDay #BTC #Bitfiasi pic.twitter.com/xRMv1rpife
— Bitfiasi Initiative (@bitfiasi) May 22, 2025
Just this week, fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake began accepting Bitcoin via the Lightning Network, signaling a growing wave of mainstream adoption. What once felt experimental is now becoming part of everyday commerce.
Bitcoin Pizza Day is about recognition. One simple transaction proved that Bitcoin could work—and 15 years later, the world is still building on that first bite.
This post Bitcoin Pizza Day: 15 Years Since 10,000 BTC Bought Two Pizzas and Changed Everything first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.
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@ a3c6f928:d45494fb
2025-05-23 09:01:16As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in our lives, it reshapes the way we understand and exercise freedom. AI holds immense potential to enhance liberty—by automating tasks, expanding access to information, and enabling personalized experiences. Yet it also introduces complex challenges that demand careful consideration.
The Promises of AI for Freedom
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Empowerment through Information: AI democratizes knowledge by curating and delivering information more effectively than ever before. This helps individuals make informed decisions and engage more deeply with society.
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Efficiency and Liberation: By handling repetitive tasks, AI frees humans to focus on creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence—areas where freedom of thought thrives.
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Accessibility and Inclusion: AI-powered tools can break down barriers for people with disabilities, improve language translation, and provide personalized education—broadening freedom for all.
Risks and Responsibilities
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Surveillance and Privacy: When AI is used for mass surveillance, it threatens personal freedom and autonomy. The right to privacy must be protected.
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Bias and Discrimination: AI systems can reflect and amplify societal biases, leading to unfair outcomes. Ensuring fairness and transparency is crucial.
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Autonomy and Control: As AI makes more decisions on our behalf, we risk ceding control. Freedom means preserving human agency in AI-driven systems.
Building an Ethical AI Future
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Transparent Design: Developers must prioritize clarity and accountability in how AI systems make decisions.
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Inclusive Development: Involving diverse voices ensures AI serves all communities, not just a privileged few.
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Regulation and Oversight: Thoughtful policy can protect rights while fostering innovation.
The Road Ahead
AI is neither inherently liberating nor oppressive—it depends on how we use it. The challenge before us is to shape AI in ways that support freedom rather than constrain it. This requires vision, vigilance, and values.
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” — Christian Lous Lange
Let’s ensure AI remains a tool for expanding freedom, not restricting it.
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@ 975e4ad5:8d4847ce
2025-05-23 08:47:08Bitcoin Is Not Just an Asset
When Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin in 2009, the vision was clear: a decentralized currency for everyday transactions, from buying coffee to paying bills. It was designed to bypass banks and governments, empowering individuals with financial freedom. But when Bitcoin is treated as “digital gold” and locked away in wallets, it fails to fulfill this vision. Instead of replacing fiat currencies, it becomes just another investment, leaving people reliant on dollars, euros, or other traditional currencies for their daily needs.
The Problem with HODLing and Loans
Some Bitcoin enthusiasts advocate holding their coins indefinitely and taking loans against them rather than spending. This approach may seem financially savvy—Bitcoin’s value often rises over time, and loans provide liquidity without selling. But this prioritizes personal gain over the broader goal of financial revolution. Someone who holds Bitcoin while spending fiat isn’t supporting Bitcoin’s mission; they’re merely using it to stay wealthy within the existing system. This undermines the dream of a decentralized financial future.
Lightning Network: Fast and Cheap Transactions
One common argument against using Bitcoin for daily purchases is the high fees and slow transaction times on the main blockchain. Enter the Lightning Network, a second-layer solution that enables near-instant transactions with minimal fees. Imagine paying for groceries or ordering a pizza with Bitcoin, quickly and cheaply. This technology makes Bitcoin practical for everyday use, paving the way for widespread adoption.
Why Using Bitcoin Matters
If Bitcoin is only hoarded and not spent, it will remain a niche asset that shields against inflation but doesn’t challenge the fiat system. For Bitcoin to become a true alternative currency, it must be used everywhere—in stores, online platforms, and peer-to-peer exchanges. The more people and businesses accept Bitcoin, the closer we get to a world where decentralized currency is the norm. This isn’t just an investment; it’s a movement for financial freedom.\ \ Bitcoin wasn’t created to sit idly in wallets or serve as collateral for loans. It’s a tool for change that demands active use. If we want a world where individuals control their finances, we must start using Bitcoin—not just to avoid poverty, but to build a new financial reality.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 13:00:57Bitcoin Magazine
The Citadel (v. Nardo): From Meme to MonumentMy latest painting, The Citadel (v. Nardo), did not begin simply on canvas. It began as a whisper – an image passed digitally between anonymous hands, reposted, remixed, archived, and mythologized across the internet. Like many of my works, this piece builds from historical fragments and symbols, grounded in the belief that memes are not fleeting – they are foundational. They don’t just reflect culture, rather, they write it.
Last year in 2024, I presented a solo show in Abu Dhabi centered around the fact that Subway – the sandwich chain – was one of the first fast food restaurants to accept Bitcoin. That small historical detail became the seed of a larger conceptual inquiry: what does it mean to “consume” in an age of hyper-speed information? The works explored the overlap between fast food, memes, and digital attention. The exhibition was tight, precise, and deeply memetic in its structure.
The Citadel came from a similar place.
In 2013, a now-legendary Reddit post titled “I am a time-traveler from the future, here to beg you to stop what you are doing” appeared online. The author – claiming to be from 2025 – warned of a future shaped by Bitcoin, but not in the way many had hoped. It wasn’t a utopia. It was a stratified society where those who adopted early became untouchably rich, and everyone else was left behind. Whether satire, fiction, or genuine warning, the post struck a nerve. It spread quickly. It became part of the cultural and memetic architecture of Bitcoin.
Years later, another anonymous user gave that warning a visual form. The Citadel v.1, likely created on 4chan, featured a massive tower cobbled together from borrowed imagery – most notably a background ripped from Alexander Mikhalchyk’s oil painting Tower of Babel. Red – overlaid with iconic internet figures like Pepe, Wojak, and the Bogdanoff twins. It was chaotic, funny, ominous. And it caught fire. Versions spread across forums. Variants emerged for Monero, Ethereum, and other Bitcoin-based class hierarchies. A whole mythology took shape around it.
I couldn’t stop thinking about that image. The symbolism. The verticality. The warning. It wasn’t just a meme – it was a map. A visual schema of power and belief, told in the language of the internet. And yet, it had never been physically painted. Never given the weight or permanence it deserved. That’s when I decided to create what I believe is the first fully hand-painted oil version of the Bitcoin Citadel meme.
The Citadel (v. Nardo) is 7 feet wide, 5 feet tall, and entirely rendered in oil by hand over six months. The tower in my painting is original – constructed from references to Bruegel’s depictions of Babel. The superimposed depictions of Pepe, the monk, the nobleman, even Jesus, are deliberate nods to the v.1 version, reimagined and integrated with painterly care. Nothing here is copy-pasted. Every inch is built to feel mythic, monumental, and true to the weight of the meme itself.
Like all my work, it’s meant to evoke grandeur, drama, and symbolic density. It’s meant to feel like a relic from a future past – something dug up from the ruins of digital civilization. My late professor once told me that the best art is both folkloric and provocative. That line never left me.
And that’s essentially what internet memes are. They are modern folklore. They encode belief, identity, warning, and aspiration in compressed symbols. They may start as jokes – but jokes have always been a delivery system for deeper truth. Memes don’t just survive online; they shape what we expect from reality.
The Citadel (v. Nardo) will be sold at auction via Scarce.City and debut at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas – the largest gathering of Bitcoiners in the world. It’s not just a painting. It’s a response. A reckoning. A reminder.Because in the end, as I always say: you become what you meme.
This is a guest post by X-Nardo Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC, Inc. or Bitcoin Magazine_._
This post The Citadel (v. Nardo): From Meme to Monument first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by X-Nardo.
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@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b
2025-05-21 02:35:36如果比特币发明了真正的钱,那么 Crypto 是什么?
引言
比特币诞生之初就以“数字黄金”姿态示人,被支持者誉为人类历史上第一次发明了真正意义上的钱——一种不依赖国家信用、总量恒定且不可篡改的硬通货。然而十多年过去,比特币之后蓬勃而起的加密世界(Crypto)已经远超“货币”范畴:从智能合约平台到去中心组织,从去央行的稳定币到戏谑荒诞的迷因币,Crypto 演化出一个丰富而混沌的新生态。这不禁引发一个根本性的追问:如果说比特币解决了“真金白银”的问题,那么 Crypto 又完成了什么发明?
Crypto 与政治的碰撞:随着Crypto版图扩张,全球政治势力也被裹挟进这场金融变革洪流(示意图)。比特币的出现重塑了货币信用,但Crypto所引发的却是一场更深刻的政治与治理结构实验。从华尔街到华盛顿,从散户论坛到主权国家,越来越多人意识到:Crypto不只是技术或金融现象,而是一种全新的政治表达结构正在萌芽。正如有激进论者所断言的:“比特币发明了真正的钱,而Crypto则在发明新的政治。”价格K线与流动性曲线,或许正成为这个时代社群意志和社会价值观的新型投射。
冲突结构:当价格挑战选票
传统政治中,选票是人民意志的载体,一人一票勾勒出民主治理的正统路径。而在链上的加密世界里,骤升骤降的价格曲线和真金白银的买卖行为却扮演起了选票的角色:资金流向成了民意走向,市场多空成为立场表决。价格行为取代选票,这听来匪夷所思,却已在Crypto社群中成为日常现实。每一次代币的抛售与追高,都是社区对项目决策的即时“投票”;每一根K线的涨跌,都折射出社区意志的赞同或抗议。市场行为本身承担了决策权与象征权——价格即政治,正在链上蔓延。
这一新生政治形式与旧世界的民主机制形成了鲜明冲突。bitcoin.org中本聪在比特币白皮书中提出“一CPU一票”的工作量证明共识,用算力投票取代了人为决策bitcoin.org。而今,Crypto更进一步,用资本市场的涨跌来取代传统政治的选举。支持某项目?直接购入其代币推高市值;反对某提案?用脚投票抛售资产。相比漫长的选举周期和层层代议制,链上市场提供了近乎实时的“公投”机制。但这种机制也引发巨大争议:资本的投票天然偏向持币多者(富者)的意志,是否意味着加密政治更为金权而非民权?持币多寡成为影响力大小,仿佛选举演变成了“一币一票”,巨鲸富豪俨然掌握更多话语权。这种与民主平等原则的冲突,成为Crypto政治形式饱受质疑的核心张力之一。
尽管如此,我们已经目睹市场投票在Crypto世界塑造秩序的威力:2016年以太坊因DAO事件分叉时,社区以真金白银“投票”决定了哪条链获得未来。arkhamintelligence.com结果是新链以太坊(ETH)成为主流,其市值一度超过2,800亿美元,而坚持原则的以太经典(ETC)市值不足35亿美元,不及前者的八十分之一arkhamintelligence.com。市场选择清楚地昭示了社区的政治意志。同样地,在比特币扩容之争、各类硬分叉博弈中,无不是由投资者和矿工用资金与算力投票,胜者存续败者黯然。价格成为裁决纷争的最终选票,冲击着传统“选票决胜”的政治理念。Crypto的价格民主,与现代代议民主正面相撞,激起当代政治哲思中前所未有的冲突火花。
治理与分配
XRP对决SEC成为了加密世界“治理与分配”冲突的经典战例。2020年底,美国证券交易委员会(SEC)突然起诉Ripple公司,指控其发行的XRP代币属于未注册证券,消息一出直接引爆市场恐慌。XRP价格应声暴跌,一度跌去超过60%,最低触及0.21美元coindesk.com。曾经位居市值前三的XRP险些被打入谷底,监管的强硬姿态似乎要将这个项目彻底扼杀。
然而XRP社区没有选择沉默。 大批长期持有者组成了自称“XRP军团”(XRP Army)的草根力量,在社交媒体上高调声援Ripple,对抗监管威胁。面对SEC的指控,他们集体发声,质疑政府选择性执法,声称以太坊当年发行却“逍遥法外”,只有Ripple遭到不公对待coindesk.com。正如《福布斯》的评论所言:没人预料到愤怒的加密散户投资者会掀起法律、政治和社交媒体领域的‘海啸式’反击,痛斥监管机构背弃了保护投资者的承诺crypto-law.us。这种草根抵抗监管的话语体系迅速形成:XRP持有者不但在网上掀起舆论风暴,还采取实际行动向SEC施压。他们发起了请愿,抨击SEC背离保护投资者初衷、诉讼给个人投资者带来巨大伤害,号召停止对Ripple的上诉纠缠——号称这是在捍卫全球加密用户的共同利益bitget.com。一场由民间主导的反监管运动就此拉开帷幕。
Ripple公司则选择背水一战,拒绝和解,在法庭上与SEC针锋相对地鏖战了近三年之久。Ripple坚称XRP并非证券,不应受到SEC管辖,即使面临沉重法律费用和业务压力也不妥协。2023年,这场持久战迎来了标志性转折:美国法庭作出初步裁决,认定XRP在二级市场的流通不构成证券coindesk.com。这一胜利犹如给沉寂已久的XRP注入强心针——消息公布当天XRP价格飙涨近一倍,盘中一度逼近1美元大关coindesk.com。沉重监管阴影下苟延残喘的项目,凭借司法层面的突破瞬间重获生机。这不仅是Ripple的胜利,更被支持者视为整个加密行业对SEC强权的一次胜仗。
XRP的对抗路线与某些“主动合规”的项目形成了鲜明对比。 稳定币USDC的发行方Circle、美国最大合规交易所Coinbase等选择了一条迎合监管的道路:它们高调拥抱现行法规,希望以合作换取生存空间。然而现实却给了它们沉重一击。USDC稳定币在监管风波中一度失去美元锚定,哪怕Circle及时披露储备状况也无法阻止恐慌蔓延,大批用户迅速失去信心,短时间内出现数十亿美元的赎回潮blockworks.co。Coinbase则更为直接:即便它早已注册上市、反复向监管示好,2023年仍被SEC指控为未注册证券交易所reuters.com,卷入漫长诉讼漩涡。可见,在迎合监管的策略下,这些机构非但未能换来监管青睐,反而因官司缠身或用户流失而丧失市场信任。 相比之下,XRP以对抗求生存的路线反而赢得了投资者的眼光:价格的涨跌成为社区投票的方式,抗争的勇气反过来强化了市场对它的信心。
同样引人深思的是另一种迥异的治理路径:技术至上的链上治理。 以MakerDAO为代表的去中心化治理模式曾被寄予厚望——MKR持币者投票决策、算法维持稳定币Dai的价值,被视为“代码即法律”的典范。然而,这套纯技术治理在市场层面却未能形成广泛认同,亦无法激发群体性的情绪动员。复杂晦涩的机制使得普通投资者难以参与其中,MakerDAO的治理讨论更多停留在极客圈子内部,在社会大众的政治对话中几乎听不见它的声音。相比XRP对抗监管所激发的铺天盖地关注,MakerDAO的治理实验显得默默无闻、难以“出圈”。这也说明,如果一种治理实践无法连接更广泛的利益诉求和情感共鸣,它在社会政治层面就难以形成影响力。
XRP之争的政治象征意义由此凸显: 它展示了一条“以市场对抗国家”的斗争路线,即通过代币价格的集体行动来回应监管权力的施压。在这场轰动业界的对决中,价格即是抗议的旗帜,涨跌映射着政治立场。XRP对SEC的胜利被视作加密世界向旧有权力宣告的一次胜利:资本市场的投票器可以撼动监管者的强权。这种“价格即政治”的张力,正是Crypto世界前所未有的社会实验:去中心化社区以市场行为直接对抗国家权力,在无形的价格曲线中凝聚起政治抗争的力量,向世人昭示加密货币不仅有技术和资本属性,更蕴含着不可小觑的社会能量和政治意涵。
不可归零的政治资本
Meme 币的本质并非廉价或易造,而在于其构建了一种“无法归零”的社群生存结构。 对于传统观点而言,多数 meme 币只是短命的投机游戏:价格暴涨暴跌后一地鸡毛,创始人套现跑路,投资者血本无归,然后“大家转去炒下一个”theguardian.com。然而,meme 币社群的独特之处在于——失败并不意味着终结,而更像是运动的逗号而非句号。一次币值崩盘后,持币的草根们往往并未散去;相反,他们汲取教训,准备东山再起。这种近乎“不死鸟”的循环,使得 meme 币运动呈现出一种数字政治循环的特质:价格可以归零,但社群的政治热情和组织势能不归零。正如研究者所指出的,加密领域中的骗局、崩盘等冲击并不会摧毁生态,反而成为让系统更加强韧的“健康应激”,令整个行业在动荡中变得更加反脆弱cointelegraph.com。对应到 meme 币,每一次暴跌和重挫,都是社群自我进化、卷土重来的契机。这个去中心化群体打造出一种自组织的安全垫,失败者得以在瓦砾上重建家园。对于草根社群、少数派乃至体制的“失败者”而言,meme 币提供了一个永不落幕的抗争舞台,一种真正反脆弱的政治性。正因如此,我们看到诸多曾被嘲笑的迷因项目屡败屡战:例如 Dogecoin 自2013年问世后历经八年沉浮,早已超越玩笑属性,成为互联网史上最具韧性的迷因之一frontiersin.org;支撑 Dogecoin 的正是背后强大的迷因文化和社区意志,它如同美国霸权支撑美元一样,为狗狗币提供了“永不中断”的生命力frontiersin.org。
“复活权”的数字政治意涵
这种“失败-重生”的循环结构蕴含着深刻的政治意涵:在传统政治和商业领域,一个政党选举失利或一家公司破产往往意味着清零出局,资源散尽、组织瓦解。然而在 meme 币的世界,社群拥有了一种前所未有的“复活权”。当项目崩盘,社区并不必然随之消亡,而是可以凭借剩余的人心和热情卷土重来——哪怕换一个 token 名称,哪怕重启一条链,运动依然延续。正如 Cheems 项目的核心开发者所言,在几乎无人问津、技术受阻的困境下,大多数人可能早已卷款走人,但 “CHEEMS 社区没有放弃,背景、技术、风投都不重要,重要的是永不言弃的精神”cointelegraph.com。这种精神使得Cheems项目起死回生,社区成员齐声宣告“我们都是 CHEEMS”,共同书写历史cointelegraph.com。与传统依赖风投和公司输血的项目不同,Cheems 完全依靠社区的信念与韧性存续发展,体现了去中心化运动的真谛cointelegraph.com。这意味着政治参与的门槛被大大降低:哪怕没有金主和官方背书,草根也能凭借群体意志赋予某个代币新的生命。对于身处社会边缘的群体来说,meme 币俨然成为自组织的安全垫和重新集结的工具。难怪有学者指出,近期涌入meme币浪潮的主力,正是那些对现实失望但渴望改变命运的年轻人theguardian.com——“迷茫的年轻人,想要一夜暴富”theguardian.com。meme币的炒作表面上看是投机赌博,但背后蕴含的是草根对既有金融秩序的不满与反抗:没有监管和护栏又如何?一次失败算不得什么,社区自有后路和新方案。这种由底层群众不断试错、纠错并重启的过程,本身就是一种数字时代的新型反抗运动和群众动员机制。
举例而言,Terra Luna 的沉浮充分展现了这种“复活机制”的政治力量。作为一度由风投资本热捧的项目,Luna 币在2022年的崩溃本可被视作“归零”的失败典范——稳定币UST瞬间失锚,Luna币价归零,数十亿美元灰飞烟灭。然而“崩盘”并没有画下休止符。Luna的残余社区拒绝承认失败命运,通过链上治理投票毅然启动新链,“复活”了 Luna 代币,再次回到市场交易reuters.com。正如 Terra 官方在崩盘后发布的推文所宣称:“我们力量永在社区,今日的决定正彰显了我们的韧性”reuters.com。事实上,原链更名为 Luna Classic 后,大批所谓“LUNC 军团”的散户依然死守阵地,誓言不离不弃;他们自发烧毁巨量代币以缩减供应、推动技术升级,试图让这个一度归零的项目重新燃起生命之火binance.com。失败者并未散场,而是化作一股草根洪流,奋力托举起项目的残迹。经过迷因化的叙事重塑,这场从废墟中重建价值的壮举,成为加密世界中草根政治的经典一幕。类似的案例不胜枚举:曾经被视为笑话的 DOGE(狗狗币)正因多年社群的凝聚而跻身主流币种,总市值一度高达数百亿美元,充分证明了“民有民享”的迷因货币同样可以笑傲市场frontiersin.org。再看最新的美国政治舞台,连总统特朗普也推出了自己的 meme 币 $TRUMP,号召粉丝拿真金白银来表达支持。该币首日即从7美元暴涨至75美元,两天后虽回落到40美元左右,但几乎同时,第一夫人 Melania 又发布了自己的 $Melania 币,甚至连就职典礼的牧师都跟风发行了纪念币theguardian.com!显然,对于狂热的群众来说,一个币的沉浮并非终点,而更像是运动的换挡——资本市场成为政治参与的新前线,你方唱罢我登场,meme 币的群众动员热度丝毫不减。值得注意的是,2024年出现的 Pump.fun 等平台更是进一步降低了这一循环的技术门槛,任何人都可以一键生成自己的 meme 币theguardian.com。这意味着哪怕某个项目归零,剩余的社区完全可以借助此类工具迅速复制一个新币接力,延续集体行动的火种。可以说,在 meme 币的世界里,草根社群获得了前所未有的再生能力和主动权,这正是一种数字时代的群众政治奇观:失败可以被当作梗来玩,破产能够变成重生的序章。
价格即政治:群众投机的新抗争
meme 币现象的兴盛表明:在加密时代,价格本身已成为一种政治表达。这些看似荒诞的迷因代币,将金融市场变成了群众宣泄情绪和诉求的另一个舞台。有学者将此概括为“将公民参与直接转化为了投机资产”cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.ca——也就是说,社会运动的热情被注入币价涨跌,政治支持被铸造成可以交易的代币。meme 币融合了金融、技术与政治,通过病毒般的迷因文化激发公众参与,形成对现实政治的某种映射cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.caosl.com。当一群草根投入全部热忱去炒作一枚毫无基本面支撑的币时,这本身就是一种大众政治动员的体现:币价暴涨,意味着一群人以戏谑的方式在向既有权威叫板;币价崩盘,也并不意味着信念的消亡,反而可能孕育下一次更汹涌的造势。正如有分析指出,政治类 meme 币的出现前所未有地将群众文化与政治情绪融入市场行情,价格曲线俨然成为民意和趋势的风向标cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.ca。在这种局面下,投机不再仅仅是逐利,还是一种宣示立场、凝聚共识的过程——一次次看似荒唐的炒作背后,是草根对传统体制的不服与嘲讽,是失败者拒绝认输的呐喊。归根结底,meme 币所累积的,正是一种不可被归零的政治资本。价格涨落之间,群众的愤怒、幽默与希望尽显其中;这股力量不因一次挫败而消散,反而在市场的循环中愈发壮大。也正因如此,我们才说“价格即政治”——在迷因币的世界里,价格不只是数字,更是人民政治能量的晴雨表,哪怕归零也终将卷土重来。cdn-brighterworld.humanities.mcmaster.caosl.com
全球新兴现象:伊斯兰金融的入场
当Crypto在西方世界掀起市场治政的狂潮时,另一股独特力量也悄然融入这一场域:伊斯兰金融携其独特的道德秩序,开始在链上寻找存在感。长期以来,伊斯兰金融遵循着一套区别于世俗资本主义的原则:禁止利息(Riba)、反对过度投机(Gharar/Maysir)、强调实际资产支撑和道德投资。当这些原则遇上去中心化的加密技术,会碰撞出怎样的火花?出人意料的是,这两者竟在“以市场行为表达价值”这个层面产生了惊人的共鸣。伊斯兰金融并不拒绝市场机制本身,只是为其附加了道德准则;Crypto则将市场机制推向了政治高位,用价格来表达社群意志。二者看似理念迥异,实则都承认市场行为可以也应当承载社会价值观。这使得越来越多金融与政治分析人士开始关注:当虔诚的宗教伦理遇上狂野的加密市场,会塑造出何种新范式?
事实上,穆斯林世界已经在探索“清真加密”的道路。一些区块链项目致力于确保协议符合伊斯兰教法(Sharia)的要求。例如Haqq区块链发行的伊斯兰币(ISLM),从规则层面内置了宗教慈善义务——每发行新币即自动将10%拨入慈善DAO,用于公益捐赠,以符合天课(Zakat)的教义nasdaq.comnasdaq.com。同时,该链拒绝利息和赌博类应用,2022年还获得了宗教权威的教令(Fatwa)认可其合规性nasdaq.com。再看理念层面,伊斯兰经济学强调货币必须有内在价值、收益应来自真实劳动而非纯利息剥削。这一点与比特币的“工作量证明”精神不谋而合——有人甚至断言法定货币无锚印钞并不清真,而比特币这类需耗费能源生产的资产反而更符合教法初衷cointelegraph.com。由此,越来越多穆斯林投资者开始以道德投资的名义进入Crypto领域,将资金投向符合清真原则的代币和协议。
这种现象带来了微妙的双重合法性:一方面,Crypto世界原本奉行“价格即真理”的世俗逻辑,而伊斯兰金融为其注入了一股道德合法性,使部分加密资产同时获得了宗教与市场的双重背书;另一方面,即便在遵循宗教伦理的项目中,最终决定成败的依然是市场对其价值的认可。道德共识与市场共识在链上交汇,共同塑造出一种混合的新秩序。这一全球新兴现象引发广泛议论:有人将其视为金融民主化的极致表现——不同文化价值都能在市场平台上表达并竞争;也有人警惕这可能掩盖新的风险,因为把宗教情感融入高风险资产,既可能凝聚强大的忠诚度,也可能在泡沫破裂时引发信仰与财富的双重危机。但无论如何,伊斯兰金融的入场使Crypto的政治版图更加丰盈多元。从华尔街交易员到中东教士,不同背景的人们正通过Crypto这个奇特的舞台,对人类价值的表达方式进行前所未有的实验。
升华结语:价格即政治的新直觉
回顾比特币问世以来的这段历程,我们可以清晰地看到一条演进的主线:先有货币革命,后有政治发明。比特币赋予了人类一种真正自主的数字货币,而Crypto在此基础上完成的,则是一项前所未有的政治革新——它让市场价格行为承担起了类似政治选票的功能,开创了一种“价格即政治”的新直觉。在这个直觉下,市场不再只是冷冰冰的交易场所;每一次资本流动、每一轮行情涨落,都被赋予了社会意义和政治涵义。买入即表态,卖出即抗议,流动性的涌入或枯竭胜过千言万语的陈情。Crypto世界中,K线图俨然成为民意曲线,行情图就是政治晴雨表。决策不再由少数权力精英关起门来制定,而是在全球无眠的交易中由无数普通人共同谱写。这样的政治形式也许狂野,也许充满泡沫和噪音,但它不可否认地调动起了广泛的社会参与,让原本疏离政治进程的个体通过持币、交易重新找回了影响力的幻觉或实感。
“价格即政治”并非一句简单的口号,而是Crypto给予世界的全新想象力。它质疑了传统政治的正统性:如果一串代码和一群匿名投资者就能高效决策资源分配,我们为何还需要繁冗的官僚体系?它也拷问着自身的内在隐忧:当财富与权力深度绑定,Crypto政治如何避免堕入金钱统治的老路?或许,正是在这样的矛盾和张力中,人类政治的未来才会不断演化。Crypto所开启的,不仅是技术乌托邦或金融狂欢,更可能是一次对民主形式的深刻拓展和挑战。这里有最狂热的逐利者,也有最理想主义的社群塑梦者;有一夜暴富的神话,也有瞬间破灭的惨痛。而这一切汇聚成的洪流,正冲撞着工业时代以来既定的权力谱系。
当我们再次追问:Crypto究竟是什么? 或许可以这样回答——Crypto是比特币之后,人类完成的一次政治范式的试验性跃迁。在这里,价格行为化身为选票,资本市场演化为广场,代码与共识共同撰写“社会契约”。这是一场仍在进行的文明实验:它可能无声地融入既有秩序,也可能剧烈地重塑未来规则。但无论结局如何,如今我们已经见证:在比特币发明真正的货币之后,Crypto正在发明真正属于21世纪的政治。它以数字时代的语言宣告:在链上,价格即政治,市场即民意,代码即法律。这,或许就是Crypto带给我们的最直观而震撼的本质启示。
参考资料:
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中本聪. 比特币白皮书: 一种点对点的电子现金系统. (2008)bitcoin.org
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Arkham Intelligence. Ethereum vs Ethereum Classic: Understanding the Differences. (2023)arkhamintelligence.com
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Binance Square (@渔神的加密日记). 狗狗币价格为何上涨?背后的原因你知道吗?binance.com
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Cointelegraph中文. 特朗普的迷因币晚宴预期内容揭秘. (2025)cn.cointelegraph.com
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慢雾科技 Web3Caff (@Lisa). 风险提醒:从 LIBRA 看“政治化”的加密货币骗局. (2025)web3caff.com
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Nasdaq (@Anthony Clarke). How Cryptocurrency Aligns with the Principles of Islamic Finance. (2023)nasdaq.comnasdaq.com
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Cointelegraph Magazine (@Andrew Fenton). DeFi can be halal but not DOGE? Decentralizing Islamic finance. (2023)cointelegraph.com
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@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-23 08:01:20According to CEO Jamie Dimon, the banking giant will open the door to spot Bitcoin ETFs.
As reported by CNBC, JPMorgan has announced that it will allow its clients to buy Bitcoin, without offering custody services. The bank will give clients access to exchange-traded funds (spot ETFs) on Bitcoin, according to sources familiar with the matter.
During a recent investor event, CEO Jamie Dimon confirmed that the bank will open up to Bitcoin for its clients, while refraining from taking on the responsibility of asset custody. “I am not a fan” of Bitcoin, Dimon clarified during the event.
This decision marks a shift from the position Dimon held in 2017, when he labeled Bitcoin a “fraud,” compared it to the tulip mania bubble, and predicted its imminent collapse. At the time, Dimon had even threatened to fire any JPMorgan employee caught trading Bitcoin, calling such activity “stupid” and against company policy.
Despite this operational turnaround, Dimon continues to personally maintain a skeptical stance toward the cryptocurrency. In a 2024 interview with CNBC, he stated he no longer wanted to discuss Bitcoin publicly, emphasizing that, in his view, it lacks “intrinsic value” and is used for criminal activities such as sex trafficking, money laundering, and ransomware.
These comments from Dimon contrast with the recent optimism shown by JPMorgan analysts regarding Bitcoin’s market prospects. According to reports from the bank, Bitcoin could continue gaining ground at the expense of gold in the second half of the year, driven by rising corporate demand and growing support from various U.S. states.
The post JPMorgan to allow clients to buy Bitcoin ETFs: no custody services appeared first on Atlas21.
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@ 662f9bff:8960f6b2
2025-05-23 07:38:51I have been really busy this week with work - albeit back in Madeira - so I had little time to read or do much other than work. In the coming weeks I should have more time - I am taking a few weeks off work and have quite a list of things to do.
First thing is to relax a bit and enjoy the pleasant weather here in Funchal for a few days. With 1st May tomorrow it does seem that there will be quite a bit to do..
Some food for thought for you. Who takes and makes your decisions? Do you make them yourself based on information that you have and know to be true or do you allow other people to take and make decisions for you? For example - do you allow governments or unaccountable beaureaucrats and others to decide for you and even to compell you?
In theory Governments should respect Consent of the Governed and the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government". For you to decide if and to what extent governments today are acting in line with these principles. If not, what can you do about it? I dive into this below and do refer back to letter 9 - section: So What can you do about it.
First, a few things to read, watch and listen to
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I Finance the Current Thing by Allen Farrington - when money is political, everything is political...
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Prediction for 2030 (the Great Reset). Sorelle explains things pretty clearly if you care to watch and listen...
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The Global Pandemic Treaty: What You Need to Know . James Corbett is pretty clear too... is this being done with your support? Did you miss something?
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Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid - fascinating thinking on how quite a few recent things came about...
And a few classics - you ought to know these already and the important messages in them should be much more obvious now...
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1984 by George Orwell - look for the perpetual war & conflict, ubiquitous surveillance and censorship not to mention Room 101
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Animal farm - also by George Orwell - note how the pigs end up living in the farmhouse exceeding all the worst behaviour of the farmer and how the constitution on the wall changes. Things did not end well for loyal Boxer.
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Brave New World by Aldous Huxley- A World State, inhabited by genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy - the novel anticipates large scale psychological manipulation and classical conditioning that are combined to make a dystopian society which is challenged by only a single individual who does not take the Soma.
For more - refer to the References and Reading List
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
One of the most transformative books that I ever read was 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. Over many years and from researching hstorical literature he found seven traits that successful people typically display. By default everyone does the opposite of each of these! Check how you do - be honest...
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Habits 1-3 are habits of Self - they determine how you behave and feel
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Habits 4-6 are habits of interpersonal behaviour - they determine how you deal with and interact with others
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Habit 7 is about regeneration and self care - foundation for happy and healthy life and success
One: Be proactive
Choose your responses to all situations and provocations - your reaction to a situation determines how you feel about it.
By default people will be reactive and this controls their emotions
Two: Begin with the end in mind
When you start to work on something, have a clear view of the goal to be achieved; it should be something substantial that you need and will value.
By default people will begin with what is in front of them or work on details that they can do or progress without having a clear view on the end result to be achieved
Three: Put First things First
Be clear on, and begin with, the Big Rocks- the most important things. If you do not put the Big Rocks into your planning daily activities, your days will be full of sand and gravel! All things can be categorised as Urgent or Not-Urgent and Important or Not-Important.
By Default people will focus on Urgent regardless of importance - all of the results come from focusing on Important Non-Urgent things. All of the 7 Habits are in this category!
Four: Seek Win-Win in all dealings with people and in all negotiations
This is the only sustainable outcome; if you cannot achieve Win-Win then no-deal is the sustainable alternative.
By default people will seek Win-Loose - this leads to failed relationships
Five: Seek first to understand - only then to be understood.
Once you visibly understand the needs and expectations of your counterpart they will be open to listening to your point of view and suggestions/requests - not before!
By default people will expound their point of view or desired result causing their counterpart to want to do the same - this ends in "the dialogue of the deaf"
Six: Synergise - Seek the 3rd alternative in all problems and challenges
Work together to find a proposal that is better than what each of you had in mind
By default people will focus on their own desired results and items, regardless of what the other party could bring to help/facilitate or make available
Seven: Sharpen the saw
Take time to re-invigorate and to be healthy - do nothing to excess. Do not be the forrester who persists in cutting the tree with a blunt saw bcause sharpening it is inconvenient or would "take too much time"!
By default people tend to persist on activities and avoid taking time to reflect, prepare and recover
Mindaps - a technique by Tony Buzan
Many years ago I summarised this in a Mind Map (another technique that was transformative for me - a topic for another Letter from around the world!) see below. Let me know if this interests you - happy to do an explainer video on this!
That's it!
No one can be told what The Matrix is.\ You have to see it for yourself.**
Do share this newsletter with any of your friends and family who might be interested.
You can also email me at: LetterFrom@rogerprice.me
💡Enjoy the newsletters in your own language : Dutch, French, German, Serbian, Chinese Traditional & Simplified, Thai and Burmese.
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@ 51bbb15e:b77a2290
2025-05-21 00:24:36Yeah, I’m sure everything in the file is legit. 👍 Let’s review the guard witness testimony…Oh wait, they weren’t at their posts despite 24/7 survellience instructions after another Epstein “suicide” attempt two weeks earlier. Well, at least the video of the suicide is in the file? Oh wait, a techical glitch. Damn those coincidences!
At this point, the Trump administration has zero credibility with me on anything related to the Epstein case and his clients. I still suspect the administration is using the Epstein files as leverage to keep a lot of RINOs in line, whereas they’d be sabotaging his agenda at every turn otherwise. However, I just don’t believe in ends-justify-the-means thinking. It’s led almost all of DC to toss out every bit of the values they might once have had.
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@ c9badfea:610f861a
2025-05-20 19:49:20- Install Sky Map (it's free and open source)
- Launch the app and tap Accept, then tap OK
- When asked to access the device's location, tap While Using The App
- Tap somewhere on the screen to activate the menu, then tap ⁝ and select Settings
- Disable Send Usage Statistics
- Return to the main screen and enjoy stargazing!
ℹ️ Use the 🔍 icon in the upper toolbar to search for a specific celestial body, or tap the 👁️ icon to activate night mode
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@ 502ab02a:a2860397
2025-05-23 07:35:13แหม่ ต้องรีบแวะมาเขียนไว้ก่อน ของกำลังร้อนๆ #ตัวหนังสือมีเสียง เพลง ลานกรองมันส์ นั้นเรื่องที่มาที่ไปน่าจะไปตามอ่านในเพจ ลานกรองมันส์ ได้ครับ recap คร่าวๆคือมันคือ พื้นที่สร้างสรรค์ที่เปิดให้มาทำกิจกรรมต่างๆนานากันได้ครับ
วันนี้เลยจะมาเล่าเรื่องวิธีการใช้คำ ซึ่งมันส์ดีตามชื่อลาน ฮาๆๆๆ ผมตั้งโจทย์ไว้เลยว่า ต้องมีคำว่า ลานกรองมันส์ แน่ๆแล้ว เพราะเป็นชื่อสถานที่ จากนั้นก็เอาคำว่า ลานกองมัน มาแตกขยายความเพราะมันคือต้นกำเนิดเดิมของพื้นที่นั้น คือเป็นลานที่เอาหัวมันมากองกันเอาไว้ รอนำไปผลิตต่อเป็นสินค้าการเกษตรต่างๆ
ตอนนี้เขาเลิกทำไปแล้ว จึงกลายมาเป็น ลานกรองมันส์ ที่เอาชื่อเดิมมาแปลง
เมื่อได้คำหลักๆแล้วผมก็เอาพยัญชนะเลย ลอลิง กอไก่ มอม้า คือตัวหลักของเพลง
โทนดนตรีไม่ต้องเลือกเลยหนีไม่พ้นสามช่าแน่นอน โทนมันมาตั้งแต่เริ่มคิดจะเขียนเลยครับ ฮาๆๆๆ
ผมพยายามแบ่งวรรคไว้ชัดๆ เผื่อไว้เลยว่าอนาคตอาจมีการทำดนตรีแบบแบ่งกันร้อง วรรคของมันเลยเป็น หมู่ เดี่ยว หมู่ เดี่ยว หมู่ เดี่ยว หมู่ แบบสามโทนเลย
ท่อนหมู่นั้น คิดแบบหลายชั้นมากครับ โดยเฉพาะคำว่า มัน เอามันมากอง มันที่ว่าได้ทั้งเป็นคำกิริยา คือ เอามันมากองๆ หรือ มันที่ว่าอาจหมายถึงตัวความฝันเองเป็นคำลักษณะนามเรียกความฝัน "ลานกรองมันส์ เรามาลองกัน มาร่วมกันมอง ลานกรองมันส์ มาร่วมสร้างฝัน เอามันมากอง"
หรือแม้แต่ท่อนต่างๆ ก็เล่นคำว่า มัน กอง เพื่อให้รู้สึกย้ำท่อนหมู่ ที่มีคำว่ามัน เป็นพระเอกหลายหน้า ทั้งความสนุก ทั้งลักษณะนามความฝัน ทั้งกิริยา "ทุกคน ต่างมี ความฝัน เอามา รวมกัน ให้มันเป็นกอง"
อีกท่อนที่ชอบมากตอนเขียนคือ ทำที่ ลานกรองมันส์ idea for fun everyone can do เพราะรู้สึกว่า การพูดภาษาอังกฤษสำเนียงไทยๆ มันตูดหมึกดี ฮาๆๆๆๆ
หัวใจของเพลงคือจะบอกว่า ใครมีฝันก็มาเลย มาทำฝันกัน เรามีที่ให้คุณ ไม่ต้องกลัวอะไรที่จะทำฝันของตัวเอง เล็กใหญ่ ผิดถูก ขอให้ทำมัน อย่าให้ใครหยุดฝันของคุณ นอกจากตัวคุณเอง
เพลงนี้ไม่ได้ลงแพลทฟอร์ม เพราะส่งมอบให้ทาง ลานกรองมันส์เขาครับ ใช้ตามอิสระไปเลย ดังนั้นก็อาจต้องฟังในโพสนี้ หรือ ในยูทูปนะครับ https://youtu.be/W-1OH3YldtM?si=36dFbHgKjiI_9DI8
เนื้อเพลง "ลานกรองมันส์"
ลานกรองมันส์ ขอเชิญทุกท่าน มามันกันดู นะโฉมตรู มาลองดูกัน อ๊ะ มาลันดูกอง
มีงาน คุยกัน สังสรรค์ ดื่มนม ชมจันทร์ ปันฝัน กันเพลิน ทุกคน ต่างล้วน มีดี เรานั้น มีที่ พี่นี้มีโชว์ เอ้า
ลานกรองมันส์ เรามาลองกัน มาร่วมกันมอง ลานกรองมันส์ มาร่วมสร้างฝัน เอามันมากอง
จะเล็ก จะใหญ่ ให้ลอง เราเป็น พี่น้อง เพื่อนพ้อง ต้องตา ทุกคน ต่างมี ความฝัน เอามา รวมกัน ให้มันเป็นกอง เอ้า
ลานกรองมันส์ เรามาลองกัน มาร่วมกันมอง ลานกรองมันส์ มาร่วมสร้างฝัน เอามันมากอง
ชีวิต เราคิดเราทำ ทุกสิ่งที่ย้ำ คือทำสุดใจ จะเขียน จะเรียน จะรำ ทำที่ ลานกรองมันส์ idea for fun everyone can do
ลานกรองมันส์ เรามาลองกัน มาร่วมกันมอง ลานกรองมันส์ มาร่วมสร้างฝัน เอามันมากอง
เรามา ลั่นกลองให้มัน เฮไหนเฮกัน ที่ลานกรองมันส์ ให้ฝัน บันเทิง…
ตัวหนังสือมีเสียง #pirateketo #siamstr
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:53:48This piece is the first in a series that will focus on things I think are a priority if your focus is similar to mine: building a strong family and safeguarding their future.
Choosing the ideal place to raise a family is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. For simplicity sake I will break down my thought process into key factors: strong property rights, the ability to grow your own food, access to fresh water, the freedom to own and train with guns, and a dependable community.
A Jurisdiction with Strong Property Rights
Strong property rights are essential and allow you to build on a solid foundation that is less likely to break underneath you. Regions with a history of limited government and clear legal protections for landowners are ideal. Personally I think the US is the single best option globally, but within the US there is a wide difference between which state you choose. Choose carefully and thoughtfully, think long term. Obviously if you are not American this is not a realistic option for you, there are other solid options available especially if your family has mobility. I understand many do not have this capability to easily move, consider that your first priority, making movement and jurisdiction choice possible in the first place.
Abundant Access to Fresh Water
Water is life. I cannot overstate the importance of living somewhere with reliable, clean, and abundant freshwater. Some regions face water scarcity or heavy regulations on usage, so prioritizing a place where water is plentiful and your rights to it are protected is critical. Ideally you should have well access so you are not tied to municipal water supplies. In times of crisis or chaos well water cannot be easily shutoff or disrupted. If you live in an area that is drought prone, you are one drought away from societal chaos. Not enough people appreciate this simple fact.
Grow Your Own Food
A location with fertile soil, a favorable climate, and enough space for a small homestead or at the very least a garden is key. In stable times, a small homestead provides good food and important education for your family. In times of chaos your family being able to grow and raise healthy food provides a level of self sufficiency that many others will lack. Look for areas with minimal restrictions, good weather, and a culture that supports local farming.
Guns
The ability to defend your family is fundamental. A location where you can legally and easily own guns is a must. Look for places with a strong gun culture and a political history of protecting those rights. Owning one or two guns is not enough and without proper training they will be a liability rather than a benefit. Get comfortable and proficient. Never stop improving your skills. If the time comes that you must use a gun to defend your family, the skills must be instinct. Practice. Practice. Practice.
A Strong Community You Can Depend On
No one thrives alone. A ride or die community that rallies together in tough times is invaluable. Seek out a place where people know their neighbors, share similar values, and are quick to lend a hand. Lead by example and become a good neighbor, people will naturally respond in kind. Small towns are ideal, if possible, but living outside of a major city can be a solid balance in terms of work opportunities and family security.
Let me know if you found this helpful. My plan is to break down how I think about these five key subjects in future posts.
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@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d
2025-05-23 07:30:53Passou alguns dias, após as eleições legislativas, a cabeça está mais fria, é um bom momento para um rescaldo e para um pouco de futurologia. Esta análise vai ser limitada apenas aos grandes partidos.
Podemos resumir esta eleição, numa única palavra: Terramoto.
A AD ganhou, mas o grande destaque foi a queda do PS e a subida do Chega. Se a governação do país estava difícil, agora com este novo desenho da assembleia, será quase impossível, piorou bastante. Neste momento, ainda falta contabilizar os votos da emigração, mas o mais provável é o Chega ultrapassar o PS.
A queda do PS foi tremenda, ninguém esperava tal coisa, o partido está em estado de choque. O partido vai necessitar de tempo para estabilizar e para se reconstruir.
Devido a motivos constitucionais (6 meses antes e 6 meses depois da eleição do presidente da República) só poderá existir eleições no final do próximo ano, isso garante que o novo governo da AD vai estar no poder pelo menos um ano. Isso vai obrigar a aprovação do próximo orçamento de estado, como o PS necessita de tirar os holofotes sobre si, vai facilitar o governo. Provavelmente vai existir um acordo de cavalheiro, um pacto de não agressão entre o governo e o PS, o PS vai se abster na votação do orçamento de estado e a governo não fará revisão constituicional sem o consentimento do PS e também não fará reformas nas leis ou políticas que sejam contra os princípios básicos do partido socialista. Em suma, não haverá grandes reformas, será um governo de gestão com ligeiramente mais poderes.
Não será um governo de bloco central, nem um governo da AD com apoio PS, será apenas um governo da AD com uma falsa oposição do PS. Um governo de bloco central, é uma bomba nuclear, ainda seria demasiado cedo para utilizá-la.
O Partido Socialista sabe que, para ter algumas hipóteses de vencer a próxima eleição, necessita de estar bem e o governo da AD tem que demonstrar algum desgaste, uma queda na popularidade. Eu não acredito que um ano seja suficiente, talvez, seja necessário 2 anos. Isto significa que o país poderá ficar estagnado 1 ou 2 anos, se o governo não conseguir fazer grandes reformas, se os cidadãos não virem/sentirem sinais de mudança, vai dar ainda mais força ao Chega.
Eu acredito que o ponto chave, é a imigração, o governo terá que demonstrar muito trabalho e minimizar o problema, para “esvaziar” um pouco o Chega, caso não faça será um problema.
XXVI Governo
Assim, nessa próxima eleição, talvez em 2027, acredito que as percentagens ficarão mais ou menos como esta eleição, com um partido ligeiramente à frente e os outros dois mais equilibrados. Só que o vencedor seria o Chega, ficando a AD(provavelmente o PSD) e o PS a disputa pelo 2º lugar.
Seria um novo terramoto, mas aqui seria necessário utilizar a bomba nuclear, iria surgir uma nova geringonça. Apesar da vitória do Ventura, iria surgir o governo bloco central, com o PSD e PS, não haveria outra alternativa.
O governo de bloco central, teria que ser muito competente, porque se não o for, iria para novas eleições. Se o governo for um fiasco, PS corre o risco de ser esvaziado, cairá ainda mais, correrá um risco de existência, poderá tornar-se num partido insignificante na nossa política.
XXVII Governo
Agora o terramoto ainda maior, nessa futura eleição, o Chega venceria com maioria absoluta, aí sim, seria um verdadeiro terramoto, ao nível de 1755.
O Chega tem o tempo a seu fazer, tem uma forte penetração nos jovens. Cada jovem que faça 18 anos, existe uma forte possibilidade de ser eleitor do Chega, o seu oposto, acontece com o PCP e o PS, os mais velhos vão morrendo, não existe renovação geracional. Mas o ponto fulcral é a ausência de competência generalizada nos partidos e políticos que têm governado o nosso país nos últimos anos, o descontentamento da população é completo. Esses políticos vivem na sua bolha, não tem noção do mundo real, nem compreendem quais são os problemas das pessoas simples, do cidadão comum.
Ventura
Na minha opinião só existirá três situações, que poderão travar as ascensão do André Ventura a primeiro-ministro:
- Ou existe um óptimo governo, que crie um bom crescimento na qualidade de vida das pessoas e que resolva os 3 problemas que mais anseiam actualmente os portugueses: Habitação, Saúde e Imigração. A probabilidade de isso acontecer é quase nula.
- Ou se o André Ventura desistir, a batalha será muito longa e ele poderá ficar cansado. Pouco provável.
- Ou então, um Argumentum ad hominem, terá que surgir algo, factos concretos que manche a imagem do André Ventura, que destrua por completo a sua reputação.
É a minha a linha leitura da bola de cristal, poderão dizer é uma visão pessimista, eu acho que é realista e pragmática, não vejo qualquer competência na classe política para resolver os problemas do país. Esta é a opinião de um recorrente crítico do Chega.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:50:48For years American bitcoin miners have argued for more efficient and free energy markets. It benefits everyone if our energy infrastructure is as efficient and robust as possible. Unfortunately, broken incentives have led to increased regulation throughout the sector, incentivizing less efficient energy sources such as solar and wind at the detriment of more efficient alternatives.
The result has been less reliable energy infrastructure for all Americans and increased energy costs across the board. This naturally has a direct impact on bitcoin miners: increased energy costs make them less competitive globally.
Bitcoin mining represents a global energy market that does not require permission to participate. Anyone can plug a mining computer into power and internet to get paid the current dynamic market price for their work in bitcoin. Using cellphone or satellite internet, these mines can be located anywhere in the world, sourcing the cheapest power available.
Absent of regulation, bitcoin mining naturally incentivizes the build out of highly efficient and robust energy infrastructure. Unfortunately that world does not exist and burdensome regulations remain the biggest threat for US based mining businesses. Jurisdictional arbitrage gives miners the option of moving to a friendlier country but that naturally comes with its own costs.
Enter AI. With the rapid development and release of AI tools comes the requirement of running massive datacenters for their models. Major tech companies are scrambling to secure machines, rack space, and cheap energy to run full suites of AI enabled tools and services. The most valuable and powerful tech companies in America have stumbled into an accidental alliance with bitcoin miners: THE NEED FOR CHEAP AND RELIABLE ENERGY.
Our government is corrupt. Money talks. These companies will push for energy freedom and it will greatly benefit us all.
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@ eb0157af:77ab6c55
2025-05-23 07:01:38A group of users has filed a class action lawsuit against Coinbase, claiming that its identity verification checks violate the state’s biometric privacy law.
According to plaintiffs Scott Bernstein, Gina Greeder, and James Lonergan in the lawsuit filed on May 13 in a federal court, Coinbase’s “indiscriminate collection” of facial biometric data for Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements breaches Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
The group argued that the exchange failed to notify users in writing about the collection, storage, or sharing of their biometric data, as well as the purpose and retention schedule for such data. “Coinbase does not publicly provide a retention schedule or guidelines for permanently destroying Plaintiffs’ biometric identifiers as specified by BIPA,” they alleged.
The complaint claims that Coinbase requires users to verify their identity by uploading a government-issued ID and a selfie, which is then sent to third-party facial recognition software to scan and extract facial geometry. This process captures biometric identifiers without the users’ informed written consent, thus violating BIPA, according to the lawsuit.
Additionally, the group alleged that Coinbase unlawfully shared biometric data with third-party verification providers such as Jumio, Onfido, Au10tix, and Solaris without users’ consent. “Coinbase ‘obtains’ biometric data in violation of [BIPA] because it explicitly directed the Third Party Verification Providers to use its software to verify and authenticate users, including Plaintiffs, and its software does so by collecting biometric data,” the complaint read.
The group also stated that over 10,000 individuals have filed arbitration demands on these issues with the American Arbitration Association, but Coinbase allegedly refused to pay the required arbitration fees, causing the claims to be dismissed.
Legal demands
The lawsuit brings three counts of biometric privacy law violations and one count of consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. The group seeks $5,000 for each intentional or reckless violation, $1,000 for each negligent violation, along with injunctive relief and litigation costs.
Coinbase was also recently hit by at least six lawsuits following the May 15 disclosure that some of its customer support agents were allegedly bribed to leak user data.
The post Lawsuit against Coinbase for biometric privacy violations in Illinois appeared first on Atlas21.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:50:22There is something quietly rebellious about stacking sats. In a world obsessed with instant gratification, choosing to patiently accumulate Bitcoin, one sat at a time, feels like a middle finger to the hype machine. But to do it right, you have got to stay humble. Stack too hard with your head in the clouds, and you will trip over your own ego before the next halving even hits.
Small Wins
Stacking sats is not glamorous. Discipline. Stacking every day, week, or month, no matter the price, and letting time do the heavy lifting. Humility lives in that consistency. You are not trying to outsmart the market or prove you are the next "crypto" prophet. Just a regular person, betting on a system you believe in, one humble stack at a time. Folks get rekt chasing the highs. They ape into some shitcoin pump, shout about it online, then go silent when they inevitably get rekt. The ones who last? They stack. Just keep showing up. Consistency. Humility in action. Know the game is long, and you are not bigger than it.
Ego is Volatile
Bitcoin’s swings can mess with your head. One day you are up 20%, feeling like a genius and the next down 30%, questioning everything. Ego will have you panic selling at the bottom or over leveraging the top. Staying humble means patience, a true bitcoin zen. Do not try to "beat” Bitcoin. Ride it. Stack what you can afford, live your life, and let compounding work its magic.
Simplicity
There is a beauty in how stacking sats forces you to rethink value. A sat is worth less than a penny today, but every time you grab a few thousand, you plant a seed. It is not about flaunting wealth but rather building it, quietly, without fanfare. That mindset spills over. Cut out the noise: the overpriced coffee, fancy watches, the status games that drain your wallet. Humility is good for your soul and your stack. I have a buddy who has been stacking since 2015. Never talks about it unless you ask. Lives in a decent place, drives an old truck, and just keeps stacking. He is not chasing clout, he is chasing freedom. That is the vibe: less ego, more sats, all grounded in life.
The Big Picture
Stack those sats. Do it quietly, do it consistently, and do not let the green days puff you up or the red days break you down. Humility is the secret sauce, it keeps you grounded while the world spins wild. In a decade, when you look back and smile, it will not be because you shouted the loudest. It will be because you stayed the course, one sat at a time. \ \ Stay Humble and Stack Sats. 🫡
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-20 15:47:16Here’s a revised timeline of macro-level events from The Mandibles: A Family, 2029–2047 by Lionel Shriver, reimagined in a world where Bitcoin is adopted as a widely accepted form of money, altering the original narrative’s assumptions about currency collapse and economic control. In Shriver’s original story, the failure of Bitcoin is assumed amid the dominance of the bancor and the dollar’s collapse. Here, Bitcoin’s success reshapes the economic and societal trajectory, decentralizing power and challenging state-driven outcomes.
Part One: 2029–2032
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2029 (Early Year)\ The United States faces economic strain as the dollar weakens against global shifts. However, Bitcoin, having gained traction emerges as a viable alternative. Unlike the original timeline, the bancor—a supranational currency backed by a coalition of nations—struggles to gain footing as Bitcoin’s decentralized adoption grows among individuals and businesses worldwide, undermining both the dollar and the bancor.
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2029 (Mid-Year: The Great Renunciation)\ Treasury bonds lose value, and the government bans Bitcoin, labeling it a threat to sovereignty (mirroring the original bancor ban). However, a Bitcoin ban proves unenforceable—its decentralized nature thwarts confiscation efforts, unlike gold in the original story. Hyperinflation hits the dollar as the U.S. prints money, but Bitcoin’s fixed supply shields adopters from currency devaluation, creating a dual-economy split: dollar users suffer, while Bitcoin users thrive.
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2029 (Late Year)\ Dollar-based inflation soars, emptying stores of goods priced in fiat currency. Meanwhile, Bitcoin transactions flourish in underground and online markets, stabilizing trade for those plugged into the bitcoin ecosystem. Traditional supply chains falter, but peer-to-peer Bitcoin networks enable local and international exchange, reducing scarcity for early adopters. The government’s gold confiscation fails to bolster the dollar, as Bitcoin’s rise renders gold less relevant.
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2030–2031\ Crime spikes in dollar-dependent urban areas, but Bitcoin-friendly regions see less chaos, as digital wallets and smart contracts facilitate secure trade. The U.S. government doubles down on surveillance to crack down on bitcoin use. A cultural divide deepens: centralized authority weakens in Bitcoin-adopting communities, while dollar zones descend into lawlessness.
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2032\ By this point, Bitcoin is de facto legal tender in parts of the U.S. and globally, especially in tech-savvy or libertarian-leaning regions. The federal government’s grip slips as tax collection in dollars plummets—Bitcoin’s traceability is low, and citizens evade fiat-based levies. Rural and urban Bitcoin hubs emerge, while the dollar economy remains fractured.
Time Jump: 2032–2047
- Over 15 years, Bitcoin solidifies as a global reserve currency, eroding centralized control. The U.S. government adapts, grudgingly integrating bitcoin into policy, though regional autonomy grows as Bitcoin empowers local economies.
Part Two: 2047
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2047 (Early Year)\ The U.S. is a hybrid state: Bitcoin is legal tender alongside a diminished dollar. Taxes are lower, collected in BTC, reducing federal overreach. Bitcoin’s adoption has decentralized power nationwide. The bancor has faded, unable to compete with Bitcoin’s grassroots momentum.
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2047 (Mid-Year)\ Travel and trade flow freely in Bitcoin zones, with no restrictive checkpoints. The dollar economy lingers in poorer areas, marked by decay, but Bitcoin’s dominance lifts overall prosperity, as its deflationary nature incentivizes saving and investment over consumption. Global supply chains rebound, powered by bitcoin enabled efficiency.
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2047 (Late Year)\ The U.S. is a patchwork of semi-autonomous zones, united by Bitcoin’s universal acceptance rather than federal control. Resource scarcity persists due to past disruptions, but economic stability is higher than in Shriver’s original dystopia—Bitcoin’s success prevents the authoritarian slide, fostering a freer, if imperfect, society.
Key Differences
- Currency Dynamics: Bitcoin’s triumph prevents the bancor’s dominance and mitigates hyperinflation’s worst effects, offering a lifeline outside state control.
- Government Power: Centralized authority weakens as Bitcoin evades bans and taxation, shifting power to individuals and communities.
- Societal Outcome: Instead of a surveillance state, 2047 sees a decentralized, bitcoin driven world—less oppressive, though still stratified between Bitcoin haves and have-nots.
This reimagining assumes Bitcoin overcomes Shriver’s implied skepticism to become a robust, adopted currency by 2029, fundamentally altering the novel’s bleak trajectory.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 12:00:51Bitcoin Magazine
How Zeus is Redefining Bitcoin with Cashu Ecash IntegrationThe U.S.-based Bitcoin and Lightning mobile wallet Zeus recently announced an alpha-release integration of Cashu. The move marks the first integration of ecash into a popular Bitcoin wallet, breaking new ground for potential user adoption to Bitcoin.
Cashu is a hot new implementation of Chaumian ecash, a form of digital cash invented by David Chaum in the ’90s that has incredible privacy and scalability properties, with the trade-off of being fundamentally centralized, requiring a significant amount of trust in the issuer.In a counterintuitive move for Zeus, known as the go-to tool for advanced Lightning users seeking to connect to their home nodes, the integration of Cashu acknowledges a “last mile” challenge Lightning wallets face when delivering Bitcoin to the masses.
“We basically started off as the cypherpunk wallet, right? You got to set up your own Lightning node and connect to it with Zeus. The last two years, we put the node in the phone with one click, you can run it all in a standalone app without a remote node,” Evan Kaloudis, founder and CEO of Zeus, told Bitcoin Magazine.
“Cashu addresses uneconomical self-custody for small bitcoin amounts. On-chain, the dust limit is 546 satoshis, and Layer Two systems like Lightning have costs for channel setup or unilateral exits that aren’t widely discussed,” Evan explained, highlighting a major point of friction in noncustodial Lightning wallets: the need for liquidity and channel management. While these esoteric aspects of the Lightning Network have been mostly abstracted away since its invention in 2016, these fundamental trade-offs continue to manifest even in the most sophisticated and user-friendly wallets.
In the case of both Phoenix and Zeus, two of the most popular noncustodial options in the market, users must pay up to 10,000 sats upfront to gain spending capacity. These fees are necessary to cover the on-chain fees spent to open a channel for the user against the wallet’s liquidity service provider, unlocking a noncustodial experience.
The required up-front fee is difficult to explain and represents a painful onboarding experience for new users who are used to fiat apps giving them money to join instead. The result is the proliferation of custodial Lightning wallets like Wallet of Satoshi (WOS), which gained massive adoption early on by leveraging the global, near-instant settlement power of Bitcoin combined with the excellent user experience centralized wallets can create.
Major developments have been made over seven years after the Lightning Network’s inception, however, and Zeus is pushing the boundaries.
“With Ecash, we make it so easy that anyone can set up a wallet and start participating in our ecosystem, which I really think is going to become more and more prevalent,” Evan explained.
Today, at roughly $100,000 per bitcoin, 1,000 satoshis are equivalent to $1. Transactions of these sizes are known as microtransactions — a popular example are Nostr social media tips known as Zaps. But finding the right tool for this use case is not simple. Self custodied wallets like Phoenix charge transaction fees in the hundreds of satoshis, even with open channels, and on-chain fees often cost the same and are slower to settle. As a result, there’s an entire category of spending that is only served by cheaper alternatives such as custodial lightning wallets like WOS or Blink, but result in significant privacy tradeoffs, often requiring phone numbers from users and in some cases more advanced KYC and IP tracking. Cashu hopes to serve this market with lower privacy costs, the same ease of use, speed and competitive fees.
Digging deeper into the Cashu integration, Evan explained that “for users this means being able to pick and switch between custodians in a single app. For developers this means being able to defer custodial responsibilities to third parties and not have to wire up a new integration when your current custodian halts operations.”
Zaps are satoshi-denominated rewards delivered as “likes” or micro-tips for content in the Nostr social media ecosystem. A Zap can be as small as one satoshi, the smallest amount of bitcoin that can be technically transferred, equivalent today to about a tenth of a penny. “But I think if we look at Nostr and you’re seeing how many people are Zapping and how big a part of that ecosystem it is. It’s like, people are willing to do it,” Evan explained.
“Cashu, while custodial, lets users accumulate small amounts — say, via Nostr Zaps — without needing 6,000 satoshis to open a Lightning channel. Zeus prompts users to upgrade to self-custody as their balance grows,” he concluded, explaining that the wallet will effectively annoy users into self custody, one of several design choices made to mitigate the risks introduced by Cashu.
Ecash
The trade-offs introduced by Cashu challenge the common understanding of custody as an either-or in Bitcoin. Historically you were either a centralized — custodial — exchange, or you were a noncustodial Bitcoin wallet. In the former, you entrust the coins to a third party; in the latter you take personal responsibility for those coins and their corresponding private keys. Cashu changes this paradigm by introducing bitcoin-denominated ecash notes or “nuts,” which are bearer instruments that should be backed by a full bitcoin reserve and Lightning interoperability for instant withdraw.
Similar to fiat cash, you must take control and responsibility over these notes, but there’s also counterparty risk. In the case of Cashu, there are certain things the issuing mint can theoretically do to exploit their users — akin to how a bank can run on a fractional reserve.
The big difference between Cashu or custodial Bitcoin exchanges and fiat currency is that Cashu is open source, is designed around user privacy, and scales very well. It makes the cost of running a mint lower than either alternative, a feature that makes mint competition easier, in theory countering the centralizing network effects of specific mints.
Finally, the user experience of storing Cashu tokens has been attached to known forms of Bitcoin self custody such as the download of 12-words seeds via various mechanisms, though implementations still vary from wallet to wallet and the whole ecosystem is in its early stages.
To further mitigate the custodial risk of Chaumian-style ecash in Bitcoin, the Cashu community has developed various methods for automatically managing custody risk.
“Users can split risk by using multiple mints, switching between them in the user interface. Soon, ZEUS will guide users to select five or six reputable mints, automatically balancing funds to minimize exposure,” Evan explained, referring to a particular approach called automated bank runs. The idea is that as some Cashu mints may hold more of your funds, Zeus de-ranks them and rotates value out to minimize risk.
“I think the idea is going to be that we guide users to pick five or six reputable mints… And from there, users will be able to have the wallet automatically switch between those mints and determine which mint should be receiving the balance depending on the balance of all the mints presently. So you’ll be like, OK. MiniBits has way too much money. Let’s switch the default to one of the mints that doesn’t have a lot. So that way you can sort of mitigate or rather distribute the rug risk there,” Evan explained, adding, “Our Discover Mint feature pulls reviews from bitcoinmints.com, showing vouch counts and user feedback, like mint reliability or longevity,” describing the reputation layer stacked on top of the various other risk management mechanisms.
There is no known way to use Chaumian-style ecash in an entirely noncustodial way. So as long as the custody risk can be minimized, the scaling and privacy upside becomes remarkable.
Microtransactions
One of the opportunities that ecash unlocks is microtransactions, the most popular example of which are Nostr Zaps often in single dollar ranges of value transferred, though it applies to small Lightning transactions as well. This use case triggers an important technical question that predates Bitcoin, do microtransactions actually make economic sense?
There’s a long-standing argu
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@ 9c9d2765:16f8c2c2
2025-05-23 06:10:53CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
"The streets teach you a lot. It teaches you how to survive, how to fight, how to bend the world to your will. But there’s something else it teaches you how to rise above the petty battles and claim the empire that’s rightfully yours."
Just then, the door opened again, and Charles entered, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a rare air of urgency.
"James," he said, his voice serious. "There’s something you need to know. The press is getting more aggressive. They’ve caught wind of your plans, and they’re pushing for an exclusive interview. They want the story of how you rose from nothing to everything. It’s becoming a media frenzy."
James didn’t flinch. His eyes remained steady as he absorbed the news.
"Let them come," he said. "They can write whatever they want. Let the world see how I turned my destiny around. But they’ll never write the full story. They’ll never know the price I paid to get here."
Charles raised an eyebrow, impressed by James’s unshakable resolve. "And what about Mark and Helen?"
James’s expression darkened, the calm facade cracking just enough to reveal the fire beneath. "They’ll face the consequences of their actions. And I’ll make sure they do."
Rita stepped forward, her tone soft yet firm. "But there’s still a part of you that wants more than just their downfall. You want to rebuild this company, don’t you?"
James glanced at her, his eyes hardening.
"Rebuilding is just the beginning," he replied. "I didn’t fight for what’s mine just to watch it crumble. JP Enterprises will become something greater. Something unbreakable. A legacy that no one can touch, no one can tarnish."
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, and moments later, Mrs. JP entered the room. There was a subtle weight in her posture, but also a sense of pride in her eyes.
"You’ve handled this situation with strength and wisdom, James," she said, her voice full of warmth. "Your father and I could never be prouder. You’ve surpassed every expectation we ever had."
James met her gaze and nodded. "Thank you. But this isn’t just about your approval. It’s about proving to myself in the world that I’m not the man I was before. I’m the man I’ve chosen to be."
Mrs. JP smiled, her eyes softening. "And you’ve become that man with grace. You’ve earned everything that’s come your way."
James’s gaze lingered for a moment before he spoke again. "It’s not over yet. There’s still work to be done. We have to ensure that JP Enterprises remains strong, remains untouchable. This is just the first step."
Charles exchanged a knowing look with Rita, then turned back to James. "We’re with you, every step of the way."
The room fell into a brief, heavy silence. Outside, the city continued to hum, indifferent to the dramatic shifts taking place within the walls of JP Enterprises. But James knew that the storm was far from over. He had won the battle, but the war was only just beginning.
As he looked around at the people who now stood by him, he realized that this victory was more than just personal; it was a turning point for the entire legacy of the JP name.
"James, how does it feel to be the talk of an entire city?" Charles asked, leaning against the polished oak desk in James’s expansive office.
James stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back, watching the sun descend beyond the city skyline. The room was silent for a moment, filled only with the distant hum of the city below.
"It feels... inevitable," James replied, his tone calm but layered with meaning. "People always talk when someone they counted out rewrites the rules of the game."
Charles chuckled lightly, walking over to pour himself a glass of water. "Well, you haven’t just rewritten the rules, James. You’ve rewritten the entire playbook."
James turned, a shadow of a smile on his face. "And yet, some still believe they can undermine me. Manipulate the truth. Twist it until the entire narrative collapses."
Just then, Rita entered, holding a folder tightly in her hands. There was tension in her posture, controlled, but evident.
"You need to see this," she said, handing James the folder. "It's an internal memo that was intercepted. Apparently, Mark and Helen aren’t done. They’ve secured a secret meeting with a major competitor Wellington Holdings."
James flipped through the documents, his eyes narrowing. "Wellington? So, they’ve moved from sabotage to outright betrayal.
"They’re desperate," Rita added. "Their reputations are in ruins, and with the public backlash after the failed stunt at the anniversary, they’re looking for anything to reclaim their influence."
James’s jaw tightened. "Let them try. I’ve weathered storms far greater than the games of disgraced traitors."
Rita hesitated before continuing. "There’s more. Tracy’s gone quiet. She’s removed all traces of her involvement. But I have reason to believe she’s still communicating with Helen... through an encrypted channel."
James closed the folder and walked slowly to his desk. His movements were deliberate, filled with the confidence of someone who had faced betrayal before and emerged stronger.
"Then it’s time we end this," he said. "Not with anger. Not with revenge. But with undeniable, irreversible justice."
He looked up at Charles and Rita. "I want full surveillance on Wellington. Legal is to prepare a formal complaint if they attempt to interfere with any JP enterprise contract. And I want every associate of Mark and Helen cross-checked. If there’s even a whisper of conspiracy, I want it recorded."
Charles nodded. "Consider it done. We’ll strike with precision."
As they left the room to carry out their tasks, James sat behind his desk, momentarily still. His mind drifted to the days when he had nothing, no name, no wealth, no influence. How far he had come. And yet, how familiar the shadows still felt.
Later that evening, as the city lights glowed brighter, a new headline took over the news:
“JP Enterprises President Set to Announce Major Expansion, Exclusive Projects to Redefine the City’s Economic Landscape.”
It wasn’t about the slander anymore. It wasn’t about revenge. It was about legacy.
The silence in Mark’s penthouse was nearly deafening. Once a space of elite grandeur and sophisticated indulgence, it now felt hollow like the echo of a reputation lost. Mark sat slouched on his couch, the flickering television casting shadows across his unshaven face. He clenched a glass of scotch, half-empty, its contents trembling ever so slightly with each beat of his agitated heart.
The news was relentless. Story after story painted him in a less-than-flattering light. What had once been a carefully crafted image of charm and corporate poise had been shredded by public disgrace. And now, the city wasn’t just ignoring him, they were laughing at him.
“This can’t be it,” he muttered under his breath, his voice raspy. “It can’t end like this.”
Just then, Helen burst into the room. Her heels clicked loudly on the marble floor, a sharp contrast to the dull haze Mark had wrapped himself in. She threw a tabloid magazine onto the coffee table. The headline screamed at them:
“Ray Empire Architect of Scandal: Helen Ray and Ex-Exec Mark Linked to Fraud, Defamation and Bribery.”
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@ 6ad3e2a3:c90b7740
2025-05-20 13:49:50I’ve written about MSTR twice already, https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr and https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr-part-2, but I want to focus on legendary short seller James Chanos’ current trade wherein he buys bitcoin (via ETF) and shorts MSTR, in essence to “be like Mike” Saylor who sells MSTR shares at the market and uses them to add bitcoin to the company’s balance sheet. After all, if it’s good enough for Saylor, why shouldn’t everyone be doing it — shorting a company whose stock price is more than 2x its bitcoin holdings and using the proceeds to buy the bitcoin itself?
Saylor himself has said selling shares at 2x NAV (net asset value) to buy bitcoin is like selling dollars for two dollars each, and Chanos has apparently decided to get in while the getting (market cap more than 2x net asset value) is good. If the price of bitcoin moons, sending MSTR’s shares up, you are more than hedged in that event, too. At least that’s the theory.
The problem with this bet against MSTR’s mNAV, i.e., you are betting MSTR’s market cap will converge 1:1 toward its NAV in the short and medium term is this trade does not exist in a vacuum. Saylor has described how his ATM’s (at the market) sales of shares are accretive in BTC per share because of this very premium they carry. Yes, we’ll dilute your shares of the company, but because we’re getting you 2x the bitcoin per share, you are getting an ever smaller slice of an ever bigger overall pie, and the pie is growing 2x faster than your slice is reducing. (I https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr how this works in my first post.)
But for this accretion to continue, there must be a constant supply of “greater fools” to pony up for the infinitely printable shares which contain only half their value in underlying bitcoin. Yes, those shares will continue to accrete more BTC per share, but only if there are more fools willing to make this trade in the future. So will there be a constant supply of such “fools” to keep fueling MSTR’s mNAV multiple indefinitely?
Yes, there will be in my opinion because you have to look at the trade from the prospective fools’ perspective. Those “fools” are not trading bitcoin for MSTR, they are trading their dollars, selling other equities to raise them maybe, but in the end it’s a dollars for shares trade. They are not selling bitcoin for them.
You might object that those same dollars could buy bitcoin instead, so they are surely trading the opportunity cost of buying bitcoin for them, but if only 5-10 percent of the market (or less) is buying bitcoin itself, the bucket in which which those “fools” reside is the entire non-bitcoin-buying equity market. (And this is not considering the even larger debt market which Saylor has yet to tap in earnest.)
So for those 90-95 percent who do not and are not presently planning to own bitcoin itself, is buying MSTR a fool’s errand, so to speak? Not remotely. If MSTR shares are infinitely printable ATM, they are still less so than the dollar and other fiat currencies. And MSTR shares are backed 2:1 by bitcoin itself, while the fiat currencies are backed by absolutely nothing. So if you hold dollars or euros, trading them for MSTR shares is an errand more sage than foolish.
That’s why this trade (buying BTC and shorting MSTR) is so dangerous. Not only are there many people who won’t buy BTC buying MSTR, there are many funds and other investment entities who are only able to buy MSTR.
Do you want to get BTC at 1:1 with the 5-10 percent or MSTR backed 2:1 with the 90-95 percent. This is a bit like medical tests that have a 95 percent accuracy rate for an asymptomatic disease that only one percent of the population has. If someone tests positive, it’s more likely to be a false one than an indication he has the disease*. The accuracy rate, even at 19:1, is subservient to the size of the respective populations.
At some point this will no longer be the case, but so long as the understanding of bitcoin is not widespread, so long as the dollar is still the unit of account, the “greater fools” buying MSTR are still miles ahead of the greatest fools buying neither, and the stock price and mNAV should only increase.
. . .
One other thought: it’s more work to play defense than offense because the person on offense knows where he’s going, and the defender can only react to him once he moves. Similarly, Saylor by virtue of being the issuer of the shares knows when more will come online while Chanos and other short sellers are borrowing them to sell in reaction to Saylor’s strategy. At any given moment, Saylor can pause anytime, choosing to issue convertible debt or preferred shares with which to buy more bitcoin, and the shorts will not be given advance notice.
If the price runs, and there is no ATM that week because Saylor has stopped on a dime, so to speak, the shorts will be left having to scramble to change directions and buy the shares back to cover. Their momentum might be in the wrong direction, though, and like Allen Iverson breaking ankles with a crossover, Saylor might trigger a massive short squeeze, rocketing the share price ever higher. That’s why he actually welcomes Chanos et al trying this copycat strategy — it becomes the fuel for outsized gains.
For that reason, news that Chanos is shorting MSTR has not shaken my conviction, though there are other more pertinent https://www.chrisliss.com/p/mstr-part-2 with MSTR, of which one should be aware. And as always, do your own due diligence before investing in anything.
* To understand this, consider a population of 100,000, with one percent having a disease. That means 1,000 have it, 99,000 do not. If the test is 95 percent accurate, and everyone is tested, 950 of the 1,000 will test positive (true positives), 50 who have it will test negative (false negatives.) Of the positives, 95 percent of 99,000 (94,050) will test negative (true negatives) and five percent (4,950) will test positive (false positives). That means 4,950 out of 5,900 positives (84%) will be false.
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@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 12:00:50Bitcoin Magazine
Bitcoin Liquid Network Surpasses $3.27 Billion in Total Value LockedToday, the Liquid Federation has announced that the Liquid Network has surpassed $3.27 billion in total value locked (TVL), according to a press release shared with Bitcoin Magazine.
“Surpassing the $3 billion threshold marks a pivotal moment for both Liquid and Bitcoin, signaling the evolution of Bitcoinʼs ecosystem into a full-fledged platform for global financial markets,” said the CEO and Co-Founder of Blockstream Dr. Adam Back. “As Bitcoin gains mainstream acceptance, and demand for regulated asset tokenization accelerates, Liquid is better positioned than ever to bridge Bitcoin with traditional finance and drive the next wave of capital markets innovation.”
The announcement follows growing interest in tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs), with major moves such as BlackRock’s decision to tokenize a $150 billion Treasury fund. According to a 2025 report by Security Token Market, the tokenized asset market is projected to grow to $30 trillion by 2030.
Liquid supports over $1.8 billion in tokenized private credit and offers products like U.S. Treasury notes and digital currencies through Blockstream’s AMP platform. The network also features fast, low-cost, and confidential transactions, with support for atomic swaps and robust smart contracts.
Governed by over 80 global institutions, Liquid was launched in 2018 as Bitcoin’s first sidechain. It is now preparing for a major upgrade with the mainnet release of Simplicity, aimed at expanding its smart contract capabilities.
To keep up with increasing demand, the Liquid Federation is boosting developer resources and technical onboardings, along with integrations with exchanges, custodians and service providers. Recent bootcamps and important meetings with policy makers in Asia, Europe and Latin America reflect the network’s growing global presence.
This post Bitcoin Liquid Network Surpasses $3.27 Billion in Total Value Locked first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Oscar Zarraga Perez.
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@ 39cc53c9:27168656
2025-05-20 10:45:18“The future is there... staring back at us. Trying to make sense of the fiction we will have become.” — William Gibson.
This month is the 4th anniversary of kycnot.me. Thank you for being here.
Fifteen years ago, Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin, a peer-to-peer electronic cash system: a decentralized currency free from government and institutional control. Nakamoto's whitepaper showed a vision for a financial system based on trustless transactions, secured by cryptography. Some time forward and KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing) regulations started to come into play.
What a paradox: to engage with a system designed for decentralization, privacy, and independence, we are forced to give away our personal details. Using Bitcoin in the economy requires revealing your identity, not just to the party you interact with, but also to third parties who must track and report the interaction. You are forced to give sensitive data to entities you don't, can't, and shouldn't trust. Information can never be kept 100% safe; there's always a risk. Information is power, who knows about you has control over you.
Information asymmetry creates imbalances of power. When entities have detailed knowledge about individuals, they can manipulate, influence, or exploit this information to their advantage. The accumulation of personal data by corporations and governments enables extensive surveillances.
Such practices, moreover, exclude individuals from traditional economic systems if their documentation doesn't meet arbitrary standards, reinforcing a dystopian divide. Small businesses are similarly burdened by the costs of implementing these regulations, hindering free market competition^1:
How will they keep this information safe? Why do they need my identity? Why do they force businesses to enforce such regulations? It's always for your safety, to protect you from the "bad". Your life is perpetually in danger: terrorists, money launderers, villains... so the government steps in to save us.
‟Hush now, baby, baby, don't you cry Mamma's gonna make all of your nightmares come true Mamma's gonna put all of her fears into you Mamma's gonna keep you right here, under her wing She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing Mamma's gonna keep baby cosy and warm” — Mother, Pink Floyd
We must resist any attack on our privacy and freedom. To do this, we must collaborate.
If you have a service, refuse to ask for KYC; find a way. Accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero. Commit to circular economies. Remove the need to go through the FIAT system. People need fiat money to use most services, but we can change that.
If you're a user, donate to and prefer using services that accept such currencies. Encourage your friends to accept cryptocurrencies as well. Boycott FIAT system to the greatest extent you possibly can.
This may sound utopian, but it can be achieved. This movement can't be stopped. Go kick the hornet's nest.
“We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any. We must come together and create systems which allow anonymous transactions to take place. People have been defending their own privacy for centuries with whispers, darkness, envelopes, closed doors, secret handshakes, and couriers. The technologies of the past did not allow for strong privacy, but electronic technologies do.” — Eric Hughes, A Cypherpunk's Manifesto
The anniversary
Four years ago, I began exploring ways to use crypto without KYC. I bookmarked a few favorite services and thought sharing them to the world might be useful. That was the first version of kycnot.me — a simple list of about 15 services. Since then, I've added services, rewritten it three times, and improved it to what it is now.
kycnot.me has remained 100% independent and 100% open source^2 all these years. I've received offers to buy the site, all of which I have declined and will continue to decline. It has been DDoS attacked many times, but we made it through. I have also rewritten the whole site almost once per year (three times in four years).
The code and scoring algorithm are open source (contributions are welcome) and I can't arbitrarly change a service's score without adding or removing attributes, making any arbitrary alterations obvious if they were fake. You can even see the score summary for any service's score.
I'm a one-person team, dedicating my free time to this project. I hope to keep doing so for many more years. Again, thank you for being part of this.
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 06:01:38Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet has officially surpassed El Salvador in bitcoin holdings after its biggest-ever single purchase of the scarce digital asset.
On May 12, 2025, the company announced it had bought 1,241 Bitcoin (BTC) for approximately $123.8 million, or ¥18.4 billion. The average price per coin was about $102,111, marking the firm’s largest purchase to date.
This latest buy brings Metaplanet’s total bitcoin reserves to 6,796 BTC, worth over $700 million.
Metaplanet on X
That puts Metaplanet ahead of El Salvador, the Central American nation that made headlines in 2021 for adopting bitcoin as legal tender. According to its National Bitcoin Office, El Salvador currently holds 6,174 BTC, worth roughly $642 million.
El Salvador bitcoin holdings — bitcoin.gob.sv
“Metaplanet now holds more bitcoin than El Salvador. From humble beginnings to rivaling nation-states, we’re just getting started,” said CEO Simon Gerovich on X after the company’s announcement.
The Japanese investment company started its bitcoin treasury strategy in April 2024 and has become the largest corporate holder of bitcoin in Asia and 11th globally. It aims to hold 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025.
Metaplanet is now the 11th largest corporate holder of bitcoin — BitcoinTreasuries
To fund these purchases, the firm has turned to bond issuances, including zero-percent bonds. In early May, Metaplanet issued $25 million worth of 0% bonds under its EVO FUND program to finance bitcoin buys without diluting shares or taking on traditional debt.
And Metaplanet’s strategy seems to be working. Its BTC Yield — a proprietary metric that measures bitcoin accumulation per share — is 38% for Q2 2025 so far. In previous quarters, the firm reported 95.6% in Q1 and a whopping 309.8% in Q4 2024.
The stock price has also gone up 1,800% since May 2024 and 51% in 2025 alone, currently trading above 550 JPY.
Metaplanet is often called “Japan’s MicroStrategy”, a reference to the U.S.-based company Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) led by Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor. Strategy is the world’s largest corporate bitcoin holder with over 568,840 BTC in its coffers, worth more than $58 billion.
Like Strategy, Metaplanet is using creative financing tools such as convertible bonds and non-dilutive bond issuance to build a big bitcoin treasury. These financial instruments give the company the ability to fund further bitcoin purchases without diluting shareholders’ value.
Metaplanet is buying bitcoin very rapidly. This has become a trend in the corporate world, where private companies are challenging nation-states in the digital asset space.
Unlike governments which face regulatory and political hurdles, corporations like Metaplanet can move quickly and decisively. Since 2020 over 80 publicly traded companies have collectively bought more than 632,000 BTC worth over $65 billion.
This is a fundamental shift in how companies manage their treasuries — moving away from cash or bonds and towards the digital scarcity that bitcoin presents.
This creates a new form of financial power where corporations can hold a significant portion of a finite asset, unlike fiat currencies which governments can print to infinity.
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@ 3f770d65:7a745b24
2025-05-19 18:09:52🏌️ Monday, May 26 – Bitcoin Golf Championship & Kickoff Party
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada\ Event: 2nd Annual Bitcoin Golf Championship & Kick Off Party"\ Where: Bali Hai Golf Clubhouse, 5160 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119\ 🎟️ Get Tickets!
Details:
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The week tees off in style with the Bitcoin Golf Championship. Swing clubs by day and swing to music by night.
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Live performances from Nostr-powered acts courtesy of Tunestr, including Ainsley Costello and others.
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Stop by the Purple Pill Booth hosted by Derek and Tanja, who will be on-boarding golfers and attendees to the decentralized social future with Nostr.
💬 May 27–29 – Bitcoin 2025 Conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center
Location: The Venetian Resort\ Main Attraction for Nostr Fans: The Nostr Lounge\ When: All day, Tuesday through Thursday\ Where: Right outside the Open Source Stage\ 🎟️ Get Tickets!
Come chill at the Nostr Lounge, your home base for all things decentralized social. With seating for \~50, comfy couches, high-tops, and good vibes, it’s the perfect space to meet developers, community leaders, and curious newcomers building the future of censorship-resistant communication.
Bonus: Right across the aisle, you’ll find Shopstr, a decentralized marketplace app built on Nostr. Stop by their booth to explore how peer-to-peer commerce works in a truly open ecosystem.
Daily Highlights at the Lounge:
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☕️ Hang out casually or sit down for a deeper conversation about the Nostr protocol
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🔧 1:1 demos from app teams
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🛍️ Merch available onsite
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🧠 Impromptu lightning talks
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🎤 Scheduled Meetups (details below)
🎯 Nostr Lounge Meetups
Wednesday, May 28 @ 1:00 PM
- Damus Meetup: Come meet the team behind Damus, the OG Nostr app for iOS that helped kickstart the social revolution. They'll also be showcasing their new cross-platform app, Notedeck, designed for a more unified Nostr experience across devices. Grab some merch, get a demo, and connect directly with the developers.
Thursday, May 29 @ 1:00 PM
- Primal Meetup: Dive into Primal, the slickest Nostr experience available on web, Android, and iOS. With a built-in wallet, zapping your favorite creators and friends has never been easier. The team will be on-site for hands-on demos, Q\&A, merch giveaways, and deeper discussions on building the social layer of Bitcoin.
🎙️ Nostr Talks at Bitcoin 2025
If you want to hear from the minds building decentralized social, make sure you attend these two official conference sessions:
1. FROSTR Workshop: Multisig Nostr Signing
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🕚 Time: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
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📅 Date: Wednesday, May 28
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📍 Location: Developer Zone
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🎤 Speaker: nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqgdwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkcqpqs9etjgzjglwlaxdhsveq0qksxyh6xpdpn8ajh69ruetrug957r3qf4ggfm (Austin Kelsay) @ Voltage\ A deep-dive into FROST-based multisig key management for Nostr. Geared toward devs and power users interested in key security.
2. Panel: Decentralizing Social Media
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🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
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📅 Date: Thursday, May 29
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📍 Location: Genesis Stage
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🎙️ Moderator: nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqy08wumn8ghj7mn0wd68yttjv4kxz7fwv3jhyettwfhhxuewd4jsqgxnqajr23msx5malhhcz8paa2t0r70gfjpyncsqx56ztyj2nyyvlq00heps - Bitcoin Strategy @ Roxom TV
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👥 Speakers:
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nostr:nprofile1qyt8wumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgtcppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qqsy2ga7trfetvd3j65m3jptqw9k39wtq2mg85xz2w542p5dhg06e5qmhlpep – Early Bitcoin dev, CEO @ Sirius Business Ltd
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nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytndv9kxjm3wdahxcqg5waehxw309ahx7um5wfekzarkvyhxuet5qqsw4v882mfjhq9u63j08kzyhqzqxqc8tgf740p4nxnk9jdv02u37ncdhu7e3 – Analyst & Partner @ Ego Death Capital
Get the big-picture perspective on why decentralized social matters and how Nostr fits into the future of digital communication.
🌃 NOS VEGAS Meetup & Afterparty
Date: Wednesday, May 28\ Time: 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM\ Location: We All Scream Nightclub, 517 Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89101\ 🎟️ Get Tickets!
What to Expect:
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🎶 Live Music Stage – Featuring Ainsley Costello, Sara Jade, Able James, Martin Groom, Bobby Shell, Jessie Lark, and other V4V artists
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🪩 DJ Party Deck – With sets by nostr:nprofile1qy0hwumn8ghj7cmgdae82uewd45kketyd9kxwetj9e3k7mf6xs6rgqgcwaehxw309ahx7um5wgh85mm694ek2unk9ehhyecqyq7hpmq75krx2zsywntgtpz5yzwjyg2c7sreardcqmcp0m67xrnkwylzzk4 , nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqgkwaehxw309anx2etywvhxummnw3ezucnpdejqqg967faye3x6fxgnul77ej23l5aew8yj0x2e4a3tq2mkrgzrcvecfsk8xlu3 , and more DJs throwing down
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🛰️ Live-streamed via Tunestr
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🧠 Nostr Education – Talks by nostr:nprofile1qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq37amnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3dwfjkccte9ejx2un9ddex7umn9ekk2tcqyqlhwrt96wnkf2w9edgr4cfruchvwkv26q6asdhz4qg08pm6w3djg3c8m4j , nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqg7waehxw309anx2etywvhxummnw3ezucnpdejz7ur0wp6kcctjqqspywh6ulgc0w3k6mwum97m7jkvtxh0lcjr77p9jtlc7f0d27wlxpslwvhau , nostr:nprofile1qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq3vamnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wd33xgetk9en82m30qqsgqke57uygxl0m8elstq26c4mq2erz3dvdtgxwswwvhdh0xcs04sc4u9p7d , nostr:nprofile1q9z8wumn8ghj7erzx3jkvmmzw4eny6tvw368wdt8da4kxamrdvek76mrwg6rwdngw94k67t3v36k77tev3kx7vn2xa5kjem9dp4hjepwd3hkxctvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2qpqyaul8k059377u9lsu67de7y637w4jtgeuwcmh5n7788l6xnlnrgssuy4zk , nostr:nprofile1qy28wue69uhnzvpwxqhrqt33xgmn5dfsx5cqz9thwden5te0v4jx2m3wdehhxarj9ekxzmnyqqswavgevxe9gs43vwylumr7h656mu9vxmw4j6qkafc3nefphzpph8ssvcgf8 , and more.
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🧾 Vendors & Project Booths – Explore new tools and services
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🔐 Onboarding Stations – Learn how to use Nostr hands-on
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🐦 Nostrich Flocking – Meet your favorite nyms IRL
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🍸 Three Full Bars – Two floors of socializing overlooking vibrant Fremont Street
| | | | | ----------- | -------------------- | ------------------- | | Time | Name | Topic | | 7:30-7:50 | Derek | Nostr for Beginners | | 8:00-8:20 | Mark & Paul | Primal | | 8:30-8:50 | Terry | Damus | | 9:00-9:20 | OpenMike and Ainsley | V4V | | 09:30-09:50 | The Space | Space |
This is the after-party of the year for those who love freedom technology and decentralized social community. Don’t miss it.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're there to learn, network, party, or build, Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas has a packed week of Nostr-friendly programming. Be sure to catch all the events, visit the Nostr Lounge, and experience the growing decentralized social revolution.
🟣 Find us. Flock with us. Purple pill someone.
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-
@ cae03c48:2a7d6671
2025-05-23 12:00:48Bitcoin Magazine
Nigel Farage To Speak At Bitcoin 2025 ConferenceWe are pleased to announce that Nigel Farage will join the speaker lineup at the Bitcoin Conference 2025 in Las Vegas. A defining figure in modern European politics, Farage led the Brexit movement that took the United Kingdom out of the EU, reshaping global conversations around national sovereignty. He is the founder and current leader of Reform UK, a rising political force now polling competitively, positioning him as a serious contender for to be the next UK Prime Minister.
A former Member of the European Parliament for over 20 years, Farage built his reputation challenging supranational institutions and unelected power—values that resonate deeply with the Bitcoin community. He also hosts GB News, where he critiques monetary policy, CBDCs, and digital surveillance. An outspoken advocate for financial sovereignty and free speech, Farage previously appeared at Bitcoin Amsterdam 2023 in a conversation with Peter McCormack. In 2025, he returns for a fireside with Bitcoin Magazine’s Frank Corva, whose sharp political interviews are helping shape Bitcoin’s place in global affairs.
About Bitcoin 2025
The excitement is building as the world’s largest Bitcoin conference approaches, Bitcoin 2025. Set to take place in Las Vegas from May 27-29, this premier event is anticipated to draw Bitcoin enthusiasts, industry leaders, and innovators from all over the globe.
Be part of the revolution! Come experience the cultural movement that’s the Bitcoin Conference – a landmark event with wealth of opportunities for networking and learning. In 2025, Bitcoin takes over Las Vegas, uniting builders, leaders, and believers in the world’s most resilient monetary network.
New in 2025: Code & Country launches on Industry Day, bringing together policymakers, technologists, and industry leaders for a full day of focused collaboration.
The aim: strengthen Bitcoin’s role in national strategy, regulatory clarity, and technological sovereignty. This marks a new era where Bitcoin’s protocol and geopolitical potential intersect more directly than ever before.
Highlights Include
- Keynote Speakers: Renowned experts and visionaries will share their insights and predictions for the future of digital currency.
- Workshops and Panels: Attendees can participate in hands-on workshops and panel discussions covering a wide array of topics, from technical details to practical applications in various industries.
- Exhibition Hall: The exhibition will showcase art, cutting-edge products and services from top companies in the bitcoin ecosystem.
- Networking Opportunities: With thousands of attendees expected, Bitcoin 2025 offers unparalleled opportunities for networking with peers, potential partners, and thought leaders.
Keynote Speakers
The conference is set to feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including leading Bitcoin developers, experts, as well as influential figures from the financial sector. Topics range from the latest advancements to regulatory updates and investment strategies.
- JD Vance, Vice President Vance will become the first sitting vice president in the history of the United States to publicly voice his support for Bitcoin as he addresses the audience in Las Vegas.
- Ross Ulbricht, Freedom Advocate – Founder of the Silk Road marketplace, recently released by President Donald Trump from serving a double life sentence. His story has become emblematic of the clash between personal liberty, Bitcoin, and the state.
- Eric Trump & Donald Trump Jr, Both figures bring a bold voice to the conversation around Capitalism, Bitcoin, freedom, and economic sovereignty.
- Cameron & Tyler Winklevoss, Co-Founders of Gemini – Early Bitcoin adopters and founders of the regulated exchange Gemini.
- David Sacks, White House AI & Crypto Czar – Former PayPal COO and venture capitalist, now serving as the White House’s senior advisor on AI and cryptocurrency policy, leading national efforts on stablecoin legislation and digital asset strategy.
- Bryan Johnson, Founder of Project Blueprint – Tech entrepreneur and longevity researcher known for reversing his biological age and challenging fiat-era assumptions about health, time, and human potential.
Past Conferences in the USA
– 2021 Miami: Where President Nayib Bukele revealed plans for El Salvador to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, making history live on stage. Attendance: 11,000
– 2022 Miami: Where Michael Saylor delivered a landmark address on corporate Bitcoin strategy and announced additional MicroStrategy purchases. Attendance: 26,000
– 2023 Miami: Where Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became the first U.S. presidential candidate to speak at a Bitcoin conference, addressing financial freedom and civil liberties. Attendance: 15,000
– 2024 Nashville: Highlights include President Donald J. Trump’s appearance, where he voiced support for Bitcoin mining and national monetary sovereignty. Attendance: 22,000Join Us in Las Vegas
- Date: May 27-29, 2025
- Venue: The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Tickets: https://b.tc/conference/2025
- Get a free General Admission ticket when you deposit $200 on eToro – while supplies last!
This post Nigel Farage To Speak At Bitcoin 2025 Conference first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Conor Mulcahy.
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@ dfa02707:41ca50e3
2025-05-23 06:00:59Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.
Headlines
- OpenSats announces the eleventh wave of Nostr grants. The five projects in this wave are the mobile live-streaming app Swae, the Nostr-over-ham-radio project HAMSTR, Vertex—a Web-of-Trust (WOT) service for Nostr developers, Nostr Double Ratchet for end-to-end encrypted messaging, and the Nostr Game Engine for building games and applications integrated with the Nostr ecosystem.
- Project Eleven offers 1 BTC to break Bitcoin's cryptography with a quantum computer. The quantum computing research organization has introduced the Q-Day Prize, a global challenge that offers 1 BTC to the first team capable of breaking an elliptic curve cryptographic (ECC) key using Shor’s algorithm on a quantum computer. The prize will be awarded to the first team to successfully accomplish this breakthrough by April 5, 2026.
- Bull Bitcoin expands to Mexico, enabling anyone in the country to receive pesos from anywhere in the world straight from a Bitcoin wallet. Additionally, users can now buy Bitcoin with a Mexican bank account.
"Bull Bitcoin strongly believes in Bitcoin’s economic potential in Mexico, not only for international remittances and tourism, but also for Mexican individuals and companies to reclaim their financial sovereignty and protect their wealth from inflation and the fragility of traditional financial markets," said Francis Pouliot, Founder and CEO of Bull Bitcoin.
- Panama City votes to accept bitcoin for municipal services. The Panama City Council has voted to accept Bitcoin and other digital currencies for municipal services, becoming the first public institution in the country to do so. They will partner with an authorized bank responsible for converting the digital currency proceeds into dollars, reports Bitcoin Magazine.
- US Bitcoin miner manufacturer Auradine has raised $153 million in a Series C funding round as it expands into AI infrastructure. The round was led by StepStone Group and included participation from Maverick Silicon, Premji Invest, Samsung Catalyst Fund, Qualcomm Ventures, Mayfield, MARA Holdings, GSBackers, and other existing investors. The firm raised to over $300 million since its inception in 2022.
- Designathon 2025: The Bitcoin Design Community is organizing a Bitcoin design hackathon, scheduled to take place from May 4 to 18, 2025. Sign up and learn more about the event, prizes, and ideas.
Use the tools
- Core Lightning v25.02.1 and v24.11.2 address several issues, including returned outputs on mutual closes if peer didn't support
option_shutdown_anysegwit
, properly handling duplicate HTLCs on closing, calculating fees with the correct HTLC timeout, occasional crash onbitcoind_getrawblockbyheight
callback, fixes tracepoint crashes in autoclean/chanbackup, and more. - LND v0.19.0-beta.rc2 is available for testing. New features include support for archiving channel backup, RBF cooperative closes, the Quiescence protocol, the
chainio
subsystem, lnwire messages for the Gossip 1.75 protocol, testnet4, and much more. - Hydrus v0.2.0, a Lightning liquidity management agent, is now available. This version adjusts routing policies, new CLI commands, built-in task scheduling, and a new open heuristic,
channels.block_height
. - Alby Hub v1.16.0 introduces Alby Pro, a paid subscription plan for self-hosted Alby Hub runners that offers real-time backups, unlimited sub-wallets, customizable Lightning addresses, priority support, and more. The sidebar and settings page have received a UI update for a smoother experience, along with various other improvements and bug fixes.
- Alby Go v1.12.0 introduces a wallet switcher for swapping wallets during payments, withdrawals, and connections. It also improves number formatting for locales using decimal commas.
- Blitz Wallet v0.4.3-beta allows users to customize their maximum receive and balance amounts for ecash transactions. Besides, users can now pay for items in supported stores using ecash, and manual swap options have been expanded. The update also includes payment experience enhancements, performance optimizations, and bug fixes.
- Phoenix wallet v2.5.3 is a bug fix release that corrects UI problems on iOS and improves the handling of some Bolt12 failures.
- BitBanana v0.9.4 is a maintenance release that adds a link to new documentation, delivers bug fixes, and updated translations.
- BitBanana v0.9.3 was a notable release that introduced Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) support, significantly enhanced the channel rebalancing interface, and added channel and UTXO sorting, among other features.
- Boltz Web App v1.7.3 has improved the UX for copying addresses and invoices, added fixes for hardware wallet integration, and backup files now include the rescue key, enabling backup imports to pick up pending swaps.
- Stratum v2 Reference Implementation (SRI) v1.3.0 comes with a new integration test framework and tests, enhanced APIs for role development, and core low-level crates now support
no_std
. - ESP-Miner v2.6.6b1 is now available for testing.
- CTV Playground Android is a native Android implementation and demonstration of Bitcoin's proposed OP_CHECKTEMPLATEVERIFY (CTV) soft fork, including a CTV Vault implementation.
- Nstart, an onboarding wizard for new Nostr users, is now multilingual. Available languages include English, Español, Italiano, Français, Deutsch, and 日本語. You can contribute with a new language here.
Source: daniele
- GM Swap is a proof-of-concept implementation of the Atomic Signature Swaps NIP. It enables users to "swap GM notes, ensuring that both parties' signatures are exchanged simultaneously or not at all."
- Arti v1.4.2, a next-generation Tor client in Rust, is now available. Arti's RPC interface is now officially stable, and ready for testing.
- Tor Browser v14.5 has been released, introducing Connection Assist to Android, which helps mobile users facing strict censorship to easily unblock Tor with a single button press. Additionally, Belarusian, Bulgarian, and Portuguese languages are now available across all platforms, along with other improvements.
[
](https://njump.me/nevent1qqsqp3seup9kqz8xawavqd2jff6v627s63l4xwut9hjcphdnr5r3h5gpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqgdwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkcqfpwaehxw309akh2mr5d9cxcetcv4ezu6r4wdax7mn9vaujuam0wfkxgq3qpzzrdngrnlufqazx3lfj07k0vfuya6ehfy8q5yv2h8c5e8fxgmxqd
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@ ecda4328:1278f072
2025-05-19 14:41:48An honest response to objections — and an answer to the most important question: why does any of this matter?
\ Statement: Deflation is not the enemy, but a natural state in an age of technological progress.\ Criticism: in real macroeconomics, long-term deflation is linked to depressions.\ Deflation discourages borrowers and investors, and makes debt heavier.\ Natural ≠ Safe.
1. “Deflation → Depression, Debt → Heavier”
This is true in a debt-based system. Yes, in a fiat economy, debt balloons to the sky, and without inflation it collapses.
But Bitcoin offers not “deflation for its own sake,” but an environment where you don’t need to be in debt to survive. Where savings don’t melt away.\ Jeff Booth said it clearly:
“Technology is inherently deflationary. Fighting deflation with the printing press is fighting progress.”
You don’t have to take on credit to live in this system. Which means — deflation is not an enemy, but an ally.
💡 People often confuse two concepts:
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That deflation doesn’t work in an economy built on credit and leverage — that’s true.
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That deflation itself is bad — that’s a myth.
📉 In reality, deflation is the natural state of a free market when technology makes everything cheaper.
Historical example:\ In the U.S., from the Civil War to the early 1900s, the economy experienced gentle deflation — alongside economic growth, employment expansion, and industrial boom.\ Prices fell: for example, a sack of flour cost \~$1.00 in 1865 and \~$0.50 in 1895 — and there was no crisis, because wages held and productivity increased.
Modern example:\ Consumer electronics over the past 20–30 years are a vivid example of technological deflation:\ – What cost $5,000 in 2000 (e.g., a 720p plasma TV) now costs $300 and delivers 10× better quality.\ – Phones, computers, cameras — all became far more powerful and cheaper at the same time.\ That’s how tech-driven deflation works: you get more for less.
📌 Bitcoin doesn’t make the world deflationary. It just doesn’t fight against deflation, unlike the fiat model that fights to preserve its debt pyramid.\ It stops punishing savers and rewards long-term thinkers.
Even economists often confuse organic tech deflation with crisis-driven (debt) deflation.
\ \ Statement: We’ve never lived in a truly free market — central banks and issuance always existed.\ Criticism: ideological statement.\ A truly “free” market is utopian.\ Banks and monetary issuance emerged in response to crises.\ A market without arbiters is not always fair, especially under imperfect competition.
2. “The Free Market Is a Utopia”
Yes, “pure markets” are rare. But what we have today isn’t regulation — it’s centralized power in the hands of central banks and cartels.
Bitcoin offers rules without rulers. 21 million. No one can change the issuance. It’s not ideology — it’s code instead of trust. And it has worked for 15 years.
\ \ Statement: Inflation is an invisible tax, especially on the poor and working class.\ Criticism: partly true: inflation can reduce debt burden, boost employment.\ The state indexes social benefits. Under stable inflation, compensators can work. Under deflation, things might be worse (mass layoffs, defaults).
3. “Inflation Can Help”
Theoretically — yes. Textbooks say moderate inflation can reduce debt burdens and stimulate consumption and jobs.\ But in practice — it works as a stealth tax, especially on those without assets. The wealthy escape — into real estate, stocks, funds.\ But the poor and working class lose purchasing power because their money is held in cash — and cash devalues.
💬 As Lyn Alden says:
“When your money can’t hold value, you’re forced to become an investor — even if you just want to save and live.”
The state may index pensions or benefits — but always with a lag, and always less than actual price increases.\ If bread rises 15% and your payment increase is 5%, you got poorer, even if the number on paper went up.
💥 We live in an inflationary system of everything:\ – Inflationary money\ – Inflationary products\ – Inflationary content\ – And now even inflationary minds
🧠 This is more than just rising prices — it’s a degradation of reality perception. You’re always rushing, everything loses meaning.\ But when did the system start working against you?
📉 What went wrong after 1971?
This chart shows that from 1948 to the early 1970s, productivity and wages grew together.\ But after the end of the gold standard in 1971 — the connection broke. Productivity kept rising, but real wages stalled.
👉 This means: you work more, better, faster — but buy less.
🔗 Source: wtfhappenedin1971.com
When you must spend today because tomorrow it’ll be worth less — that’s rewarding impulse and punishing long-term thinking.
Bitcoin offers a different environment:\ – Savings work\ – Long-term thinking is rewarded\ – The price of the future is calculated, not forced by a printing press
📌 Inflation can be a tool. But in government hands, it became a weapon — a slow, inevitable upward redistribution of wealth.
Indexing is weak compensation if bread is up 15% and your “increase” is only 5%.
\ \ Statement: War is not growth, but a reallocation of resources into destruction.
Criticism: war can spur technological leaps (Internet, GPS, nuclear energy — all from military programs). "Military Keynesianism" was a real model.
4. “War Drives R&D”
Yes, wars sometimes give rise to tech spin-offs: Internet, GPS, nuclear power — all originated from military programs.
But that doesn’t make war a source of progress — it makes tech a byproduct of catastrophe.
“War reallocates resources toward destruction — not growth.”
Progress doesn’t happen because of war — it happens despite it.
If scientific breakthroughs require a million dead and burnt cities — maybe you’ve built your economy wrong.
💬 Even Michael Saylor said:
“If you need war to develop technology — you’ve built civilization wrong.”
No innovation justifies diverting human labor, minds, and resources toward destruction.\ War is always the opposite of efficiency — more is wasted than created.
🧠 Bitcoin, on the other hand, is an example of how real R&D happens without violence.\ No taxes. No army. Just math, voluntary participation, and open-source code.
📌 Military Keynesianism is not a model of progress — it’s a symptom of a sick monetary system that needs destruction to reboot.
Bitcoin shows that coordination without violence is possible.\ This is R&D of a new kind: based not on destruction, but digital creation.
Statement: Bitcoin isn’t “Gold 1.0,” but an improved version: divisible, verifiable, unseizable.
Criticism: Bitcoin has no physical value; "unseizability" is a theory;\ Gold is material and autonomous.
5. “Bitcoin Has No Physical Value”
And gold does? Just because it shines?
Physical form is no guarantee of value.\ Real value lies in: scarcity, reliable transfer, verifiability, and non-confiscatability.
Gold is:\ – Hard to divide\ – Hard to verify\ – Expensive to store\ – Easy to seize
💡 Bitcoin is the first store of value in history that is fully free from physical limitations, and yet:\ – Absolutely scarce (21M, forever)\ – Instantly transferable over the Internet\ – Cryptographically verifiable\ – Controlled by no government
🔑 Bitcoin’s value lies in its liberation from the physical.\ It doesn’t need to be “backed” by gold or oil. It’s backed by energy, mathematics, and ongoing verification.
“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” — Warren Buffett
When you buy bitcoin, you’re not paying for a “token” — you’re gaining access to a network of distributed financial energy.
⚡️ What are you really getting when you own bitcoin?\ – A key to a digital asset that can’t be faked\ – The ability to send “crystallized energy” anywhere on Earth\ – A role in a new accounting system that runs 24/7/365\ – Freedom: from banks, borders, inflation, and force
📉 Bitcoin doesn’t require physical value — because it creates value:\ Through trust, scarcity, and energy invested in mining.\ And unlike gold, it was never associated with slavery.
Statement: There’s no “income without risk” in Bitcoin: just hold — you preserve; want more — invest, risk, build.
Criticism: contradicts HODL logic; speculation remains dominant behavior.
6. “Speculation Dominates”
For now — yes. That’s normal for the early phase of a new technology. Awareness doesn’t come instantly.
What matters is not the motive of today’s buyer — but what they’re buying.
📉 A speculator may come and go — but the asset remains.\ And this asset is the only one in history that will never exist again. 21 million. Forever.
📌 Look deeper. Bitcoin has:\ – No CEO\ – No central issuer\ – No inflation\ – No “off switch”
💡 It’s not a stock. Not a startup. Not someone’s project.\ It’s a new foundation for trust.\ It’s opting out of a system where freedom is a privilege you’re granted under conditions.
🧠 People say: “Bitcoin can be copied.”\ Theoretically — yes.\ Practically — never.
Here’s what you’d need to recreate Bitcoin:\ – No pre-mine\ – A founder who disappears and never sells\ – No foundation or corporation\ – Tens of thousands of nodes worldwide\ – 701 million terahashes of hash power\ – Thousands of devs writing open protocols\ – Hundreds of global conferences\ – Millions of people defending digital sovereignty\ – All that without a single marketing budget
That’s all.
🔁 Everything else is an imitation, not a creation.\ Just like you can’t “reinvent fire” — Bitcoin can only exist once.
Statements:\ The Russia's '90s weren’t a free market — just anarchic chaos without rights protection.*\ Unlike fiat or even dollars, Bitcoin is the first asset with real defense — from governments, inflation, even thugs.\ And yes, even if your barber asks about Bitcoin — maybe it's not a bubble, but a sign that inflation has already hit everyone.
Criticism: Bitcoin’s protection isn’t universal — it works only with proper handling and isn’t available to all.\ Some just want to “get rich.”\ None of this matters because:
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Bitcoin’s volatility (-30% in a week, +50% in a month) makes it unusable for price planning or contracts.
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It can’t handle mass-scale usage.
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To become currency, geopolitical will is needed — and without the first two, don’t even talk about the third.\ Also: “Bitcoin is too complicated for the average person.”
7. “It’s Too Complex for the Masses”
It’s complex — if you’re using L1 (Layer 1). But even grandmas use Telegram. In El Salvador, schoolkids buy lunch with Lightning. My barber installed Wallet of Satoshi in minutes right in front of me — and I now pay for my haircut via Lightning.
UX is just a matter of time. And it’s improving. Emerging tools:\ Cashu, Fedimint, Fedi, Wallet of Satoshi, Phoenix, Proton Wallet, Swiss Bitcoin Pay, Bolt Card / CoinCorner (NFC cards for Lightning payments).
This is like the internet in 1995:\ It started with modems — now it’s 4K streaming.
8. “Can’t Handle the Load”
A common myth.\ Yes, Bitcoin L1 processes about 7 transactions per second — intentionally. It’s not built to be Visa. It’s a financial protocol, just like TCP/IP is a network protocol. TCP/IP isn’t “fast” or “slow” — the experience depends on the infrastructure built on top: servers, routers, hardware. In the ’90s, it delivered text. Today, it streams Netflix. The protocol didn’t change — the stack did.
Same with Bitcoin: L1 defines rules, security, finality.\ Scaling and speed? That’s the second layer’s job.
To understand scale:
| Network | TPS (Transactions/sec) | | --- | --- | | Visa | up to 24,000 | | Mastercard | \~5,000 | | PayPal | \~193 | | Litecoin | \~56 | | Ethereum | \~20 | | Bitcoin | \~7 |
\ ⚡️ Enter Lightning Network — Bitcoin’s “fast lane.”\ It allows millions of transactions per second, instantly and nearly free.
And it’s not a sidechain.
❗️ Lightning is not a separate network.\ It uses real Bitcoin transactions (2-of-2 multisig). You can close the channel to L1 at any time. It’s not an alternative — it’s a native extension built into Bitcoin.\ Also evolving: Ark, Fedimint, eCash — new ways to scale and add privacy.
📉 So criticizing Bitcoin for “slowness” is like blaming TCP/IP because your old modem won’t stream YouTube.\ The protocol isn’t the problem — it’s the infrastructure.
🛡️ And by the way: Visa crashes more often than Bitcoin.
9. “We Need Geopolitical Will”
Not necessarily. All it takes is the will of the people — and leaders willing to act. El Salvador didn’t wait for G20 approval or IMF blessings. Since 2001, the country had used the US dollar as its official currency, abandoning its own colón. But that didn’t save it from inflation or dependency on foreign monetary policy. In 2021, El Salvador became the first country to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender. Since March 13, 2024, they’ve been purchasing 1 BTC daily, tracked through their public address:
🔗 Address\ 📅 First transaction
This policy became the foundation of their Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) — a state-led effort to accumulate Bitcoin as a national reserve asset for long-term stability and sovereignty.
Their example inspired others.
In March 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve of the USA, to be funded through confiscated Bitcoin and digital assets.\ The idea: accumulate, don’t sell, and strategically expand the reserve — without extra burden on taxpayers.
Additionally, Senator Cynthia Lummis (Wyoming) proposed the BITCOIN Act, targeting the purchase of 1 million BTC over five years (\~5% of the total supply).\ The plan: fund it via revaluation of gold certificates and other budget-neutral strategies.
📚 More: Strategic Bitcoin Reserve — Wikipedia
👉 So no global consensus is required. No IMF greenlight.\ All it takes is conviction — and an understanding that the future of finance lies in decentralized, scarce assets like Bitcoin.
10. “-30% in a week, +50% in a month = not money”
True — Bitcoin is volatile. But that’s normal for new technologies and emerging money. It’s not a bug — it’s a price discovery phase. The world is still learning what this asset is.
📉 Volatility is the price of entry.\ 📈 But the reward is buying the future at a discount.
As Michael Saylor put it:
“A tourist sees Niagara Falls as chaos — roaring, foaming, spraying water.\ An engineer sees immense energy.\ It all depends on your mental model.”
Same with Bitcoin. Speculators see chaos. Investors see structural scarcity. Builders see a new financial foundation.
💡 Now consider gold:
👉 After the U.S. abandoned the gold standard in 1971, gold surged from \~$35 to over $800 in a decade — while suffering wild -40% to -60% crashes along the way.\ \ 📈 Gold Price Chart — Macrotrends\ \ Nobody said, “This can’t be money.” \ Because money is defined not by volatility, but by scarcity, adoption, and trust — which build over time.
📊 The more people save in Bitcoin, the more its volatility fades.
This is a journey — not a fixed state.
We don’t judge the internet by how it worked in 1994.\ So why expect Bitcoin to be the “perfect currency” in 2025?
It grows bottom-up — without regulators’ permission.\ And the longer it survives, the stronger it becomes.
Remember how many times it’s been declared dead.\ And how many times it came back — stronger.
📊 Gold vs. Bitcoin: Supply Comparison
This chart shows the key difference between the two hard assets:
🔹 Gold — supply keeps growing.\ Mining may be limited, but it’s still inflationary.\ Each year, there’s more — with no known cap: new mines, asteroid mining, recycling.
🔸 Bitcoin — capped at 21 million.\ The emission schedule is public, mathematically predictable, and ends completely around 2140.
🧠 Bottom line:\ Gold is good.\ Bitcoin is better — for predictability and scarcity.
💡 As Saifedean Ammous said:
“Gold was the best monetary good… until Bitcoin.”
While we argue — fiat erodes every day.
No matter your view on Bitcoin, just show me one other asset that is simultaneously:
– immune to devaluation by decree\ – impossible to print more of\ – impossible to confiscate by a centralized order\ – impossible to counterfeit\ – and, most importantly — transferable across borders without asking permission from a bank, a state, or a passport
💸 Try sending $10,000 through PayPal from Iran to Paraguay, or Bangladesh to Saint Lucia.\ Good luck. PayPal doesn't even work there.
Now open a laptop, type 12 words — and you have access to your savings anywhere on Earth.
🌍 Bitcoin doesn't ask for permission.\ It works for everyone, everywhere, all the time.
📌 There has never been anything like this before.
Bitcoin is the first asset in history that combines:
– digital nature\ – predictable scarcity\ – absolute portability\ – and immunity from tyranny
💡 As Michael Saylor said:
“Bitcoin is the first money in human history not created by bankers or politicians — but by engineers.”
You can own it with no bank.\ No intermediary.\ No passport.\ No approval.
That’s why Bitcoin isn’t just “internet money” or “crypto” or “digital gold.”\ It may not be perfect — but it’s incorruptible.\ And it’s not going away.\ It’s already here.\ It is the foundation of a new financial reality.
🔒 This is not speculation. This is a peaceful financial revolution.\ 🪙 This is not a stock. It’s money — like the world has never seen.\ ⛓️ This is not a fad. It’s a freedom protocol.
And when even the barber starts asking about Bitcoin — it’s not a bubble.\ It’s a sign that the system is breaking.\ And people are looking for an exit.
For the first time — they have one.
💼 This is not about investing. It’s about the dignity of work.
Imagine a man who cleans toilets at an airport every day.
Not a “prestigious” job.\ But a crucial one.\ Without him — filth, bacteria, disease.
He shows up on time. He works with his hands.
And his money? It devalues. Every day.
He doesn’t work less — often he works more than those in suits.\ But he can afford less and less — because in this system, honest labor loses value each year.
Now imagine he’s paid in Bitcoin.
Not in some “volatile coin,” but in hard money — with a limited supply.\ Money that can’t be printed, reversed, or devalued by central banks.
💡 Then he could:
– Stop rushing to spend, knowing his labor won’t be worth less tomorrow\ – Save for a dream — without fear of inflation eating it away\ – Feel that his time and effort are respected — because they retain value
Bitcoin gives anyone — engineer or janitor — a way out of the game rigged against them.\ A chance to finally build a future where savings are real.
This is economic justice.\ This is digital dignity.
📉 In fiat, you have to spend — or your money melts.\ 📈 In Bitcoin, you choose when to spend — because it’s up to you.
🧠 In a deflationary economy, both saving and spending are healthy:
You don’t scramble to survive — you choose to create.
🎯 That’s true freedom.
When even someone cleaning floors can live without fear —\ and know that their time doesn’t vanish... it turns into value.
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@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b
2025-05-17 08:26:13背景:WhatsApp的号码验证与运营商合作关系
作为一款基于手机号码注册的即时通信应用,WhatsApp的账号验证严重依赖全球电信运营商提供的短信或电话服务。这意味着,当用户注册或在新设备登录WhatsApp时,WhatsApp通常会向用户的手机号码发送SMS短信验证码或发起语音电话验证。这一流程利用了传统电信网络的基础设施,例如通过SS7(信令系统7)协议在全球范围内路由短信和电话securityaffairs.com。换句话说,WhatsApp把初始账户验证的安全性建立在电信运营商网络之上。然而,这种依赖关系也带来了隐患:攻击者可以利用电信网络的漏洞来拦截验证码。例如,研究人员早在2016年就演示过利用SS7协议漏洞拦截WhatsApp和Telegram的验证短信,从而劫持用户账户的攻击方法securityaffairs.com。由于SS7协议在全球范围内连接各国运营商,一个运营商的安全缺陷或恶意行为都可能被不法分子利用来获取他网用户的短信验证码securityaffairs.com。正因如此,有安全专家指出,仅依赖短信验证不足以保障账户安全,WhatsApp等服务提供商需要考虑引入额外机制来核实用户身份securityaffairs.com。
除了技术漏洞,基于电信运营商的验证还受到各地政策和网络环境影响。WhatsApp必须与全球各地运营商“合作”,才能将验证码送达到用户手机。然而这种“合作”在某些国家可能并不顺畅,典型例子就是中国。在中国大陆,国际短信和跨境电话常受到严格管控,WhatsApp在发送验证码时可能遭遇拦截或延迟sohu.com。因此,理解WhatsApp在中国的特殊联网和验证要求,需要将其全球验证机制与中国的电信政策和网络审查环境联系起来。下文将深入探讨为什么在中国使用WhatsApp进行号码验证时,必须开启蜂窝移动数据,并分析其中的技术逻辑和政策因素。
中国环境下的特殊问题:为何必须开启蜂窝数据?
中国的网络审查与封锁: WhatsApp自2017年起就在中国大陆遭遇严格封锁。起初,WhatsApp在华的服务受到**“GFW”(防火长城)**的部分干扰——例如曾一度只能发送文本消息,语音、视频和图片消息被封锁theguardian.com。到2017年下半年,封锁升级,很多用户报告在中国完全无法使用WhatsApp收发任何消息theguardian.com。中国官方将WhatsApp与Facebook、Telegram等西方通信平台一同屏蔽,视作对国家网络主权的挑战theguardian.com。鉴于此,在中国境内直接访问WhatsApp的服务器(无论通过Wi-Fi还是本地互联网)都会被防火长城所阻断。即使用户收到了短信验证码,WhatsApp客户端也无法在没有特殊连接手段的情况下与服务器完成验证通信。因此,单纯依赖Wi-Fi等本地网络环境往往无法完成WhatsApp的注册或登陆。很多用户经验表明,在中国使用WhatsApp时需要借助VPN等工具绕过审查,同时尽可能避免走被审查的网络路径sohu.com。
强制Wi-Fi热点与连接策略: 除了国家级的封锁,用户所连接的局域网络也可能影响WhatsApp验证。许多公共Wi-Fi(如机场、商场)采取强制门户认证(captive portal),用户需登录认证后才能上网。对此,WhatsApp在客户端内置了检测机制,当发现设备连入这类强制Wi-Fi热点而无法访问互联网时,会提示用户忽略该Wi-Fi并改用移动数据faq.whatsapp.com。WhatsApp要求对此授予读取Wi-Fi状态的权限,以便在检测到被拦截时自动切换网络faq.whatsapp.com。对于中国用户来说,即便所连Wi-Fi本身联网正常,由于GFW的存在WhatsApp依然可能视之为“不通畅”的网络环境。这也是WhatsApp官方指南中强调:如果Wi-Fi网络无法连接WhatsApp服务,应直接切换到手机的移动数据网络faq.whatsapp.com。在中国,由于本地宽带网络对WhatsApp的封锁,蜂窝数据反而成为相对可靠的通道——尤其在搭配VPN时,可以避开本地ISP的审查策略,实现与WhatsApp服务器的通信sohu.com。
国际短信的运营商限制: 使用移动数据还有助于解决短信验证码接收难题。中国的手机运营商出于防垃圾短信和安全考虑,默认对国际短信和境外来电进行一定限制。许多中国用户发现,注册WhatsApp时迟迟收不到验证码短信,原因可能在于运营商将来自国外服务号码的短信拦截或过滤sohu.com。例如,中国移动默认关闭国际短信接收,需要用户主动发送短信指令申请开通sohu.com。具体而言,中国移动用户需发送文本“11111”到10086(或10085)来开通国际短信收发权限;中国联通和电信用户也被建议联系运营商确认未屏蔽国际短信sohu.com。若未进行这些设置,WhatsApp发送的验证码短信可能根本无法抵达用户手机。在这种情况下,WhatsApp提供的备用方案是语音电话验证,即通过国际电话拨打用户号码并播报验证码。然而境外来电在中国也可能遭到运营商的安全拦截,特别是当号码被认为可疑时zhuanlan.zhihu.com。因此,中国用户经常被建议开启手机的蜂窝数据和漫游功能,以提高验证码接收的成功率sohu.com。一方面,开启数据漫游意味着用户准备接受来自境外的通信(通常也包含短信/电话);另一方面,在数据联网的状态下,WhatsApp可以尝试通过网络直接完成验证通信,从而减少对SMS的依赖。
移动数据的网络路径优势: 在实际案例中,一些中国WhatsApp用户报告仅在开启蜂窝数据的情况下才能完成验证。这可能归因于蜂窝网络和宽带网络在国际出口上的差异。中国移动、联通等运营商的移动数据可能走与宽带不同的网关路由,有时对跨境小流量的拦截相对宽松。此外,WhatsApp在移动数据环境中可以利用一些底层网络特性。例如,WhatsApp可能通过移动网络发起某些专用请求或利用运营商提供的号码归属地信息进行辅助验证(虽然具体实现未公开,但这是业界讨论的可能性)。总之,在中国特殊的网络环境下,开启蜂窝数据是确保WhatsApp验证流程顺利的重要一步。这一步不仅是为了基本的互联网连接,也是为了绕开种种对国际短信和应用数据的拦截限制,从而与WhatsApp的全球基础设施建立必要的通讯。
PDP Context与IMSI:移动网络验证的技术细节
要理解为什么移动数据对WhatsApp验证如此关键,有必要了解移动通信网络中的一些技术细节,包括PDP Context和IMSI的概念。
PDP Context(分组数据协议上下文): 当手机通过蜂窝网络使用数据(如4G/5G上网)时,必须先在运营商核心网中建立一个PDP上下文。这实际上就是申请开启一个数据会话,运营商将为设备分配一个IP地址,并允许其通过移动核心网访问互联网datascientest.com。PDP上下文包含了一系列参数(例如APN接入点名称、QoS等级等),描述该数据会话的属性datascientest.comdatascientest.com。简单来说,激活蜂窝数据就意味着创建了PDP上下文,设备获得了移动网络网关分配的IP地址,可以收发数据包。对于WhatsApp验证而言,只有在建立数据连接后,手机才能直接与WhatsApp的服务器交换数据,例如提交验证码、完成加密密钥协商等。如果仅有Wi-Fi而蜂窝数据关闭,且Wi-Fi环境无法连通WhatsApp服务器,那么验证过程将陷入停滞。因此,在中国场景下,开启蜂窝数据(即建立PDP数据通路)是WhatsApp客户端尝试绕过Wi-Fi限制、直接通过移动网络进行验证通信的前提faq.whatsapp.comsohu.com。值得一提的是,PDP Context的建立也表明手机在运营商网络上处于活跃状态,这对于某些验证机制(比如后述的闪信/闪呼)来说至关重要。
IMSI与MSISDN: IMSI(国际移动用户标识)和MSISDN(移动用户号码,即手机号码)是运营商网络中两个密切相关但不同的标识。IMSI是存储在SIM卡上的一串唯一数字,用于在移动网络中标识用户身份netmanias.com。当手机接入网络时,它向运营商提供IMSI以进行鉴权,运营商据此知道“是哪张SIM”的请求netmanias.com。而MSISDN则是我们平常说的手机号,用于在语音通话和短信路由中定位用户,也存储在运营商的HLR/HSS数据库中netmanias.com。运营商通过IMSI<->MSISDN的对应关系,将来自全球的短信/电话正确路由到用户手机上。WhatsApp的验证短信或电话本质上就是通过目标号码(MSISDN)寻找所属运营商网络,由该网络根据IMSI定位用户终端。一般情况下,WhatsApp应用并不直接接触IMSI这种信息,因为IMSI属于运营商网络的内部标识。然而,IMSI的存在仍然对安全产生影响。例如,**SIM卡交换(SIM Swap)**欺诈发生时,攻击者获得了受害者号码的新SIM卡,新SIM卡会有不同的IMSI,但MSISDN保持原号码不变。运营商会将原号码映射到新的IMSI,这样验证码短信就发送到了攻击者手中的SIM上。对WhatsApp而言,除非有机制检测IMSI变动,否则无法察觉用户号码背后的SIM已被盗换。部分应用在检测到SIM变化时会提示用户重新验证,这需要读取设备的IMSI信息进行比对。然而,在现代智能手机中,获取IMSI通常需要特殊权限,WhatsApp并未明确说明它有此类检测。因此,从WhatsApp角度,IMSI更多是网络侧的概念,但它提醒我们:电信级身份验证依赖于SIM的有效性。只有当正确的IMSI在网络注册、并建立了PDP数据上下文时,WhatsApp的后台服务才能确认该SIM对应的号码目前“在线”,进而可靠地发送验证信号(短信或电话)到该设备。
移动网络的信号辅助验证: 有观点认为,一些OTT应用可能利用移动网络提供的附加服务来辅助号码验证。例如,某些运营商提供号码快速验证API,当应用检测到设备在移动数据网络中时,可以向特定地址发起请求,由运营商返回当前设备的号码信息(通常通过已经建立的PDP通道)。Google等公司在部分国家与运营商合作过类似服务,实现用户免输入验证码自动完成验证。但就WhatsApp而言,没有公开证据表明其使用了运营商提供的自动号码识别API。即便如此,WhatsApp鼓励用户保持移动网络在线的做法,隐含的意义之一可能是:当手机处于蜂窝网络且数据畅通时,验证码通过率和验证成功率都会显著提升。这既包括了物理层面短信、电话能否送达,也涵盖了数据层面应用和服务器能否互通。
Flash Call机制:WhatsApp验证的新方案
针对传统SMS验证码容易被拦截、延迟以及用户体验不佳的问题,WhatsApp近年来引入了一种Flash Call(闪呼)验证机制fossbytes.com。所谓闪呼,即应用在用户验证阶段向用户的手机号发起一个非常短暂的来电:用户无需真正接听,WhatsApp会自动结束这通电话,并根据通话记录来确认是否拨通fossbytes.com。
原理与流程: 当用户选择使用闪呼验证(目前主要在Android设备上可用),WhatsApp会请求权限访问用户的通话记录fossbytes.com。随后应用拨打用户的号码,一般是一个预先设定的特定号码或号码段。由于WhatsApp后台知道它拨出的号码及通话ID,只要该未接来电出现在用户手机的通话日志中,应用即可读取并匹配最后一通来电的号码是否符合验证要求,从而确认用户持有这个号码fossbytes.com。整个过程用户无需手动输入验证码,验证通话在数秒内完成。相比6位数字短信验证码需要用户在短信和应用间切换输入,闪呼方式更加快捷无缝fossbytes.com。
优缺点分析: 闪呼验证的优势在于速度快且避免了SMS可能的延迟或拦截。一些分析指出闪呼将成为取代SMS OTP(一次性密码)的新趋势,Juniper Research预测2022年用于验证的闪呼次数将从2021年的六千万猛增到五十亿次subex.comglobaltelcoconsult.com。对于WhatsApp这样全球用户庞大的应用,闪呼可以节约大量SMS网关费用,并绕开部分运营商对国际SMS的限制。然而,闪呼也有局限:fossbytes.com首先,iOS设备由于系统安全限制,应用无法访问通话记录,因此iPhone上无法使用闪呼验证fossbytes.com。这意味着苹果用户仍需使用传统短信验证码。其次,为实现自动匹配来电号码,用户必须授予读取通话记录的权限,这在隐私上引发一些担忧fossbytes.comfossbytes.com。WhatsApp声称不会将通话记录用于验证以外的用途,号码匹配也在本地完成fossbytes.com,但考虑到母公司Meta的隐私争议,部分用户依然顾虑。第三,闪呼验证依赖语音通话路线,同样受制于电信网络质量。如果用户所处网络无法接通国际来电(比如被运营商拦截境外短振铃电话),闪呼也无法成功。此外,从运营商角度看,闪呼绕过了A2P短信计费,可能侵蚀短信营收,一些运营商开始研究识别闪呼流量的策略wholesale.orange.com。总体而言,闪呼机制体现了WhatsApp希望减轻对短信依赖的努力,它在许多国家提升了验证体验,但在中国等特殊环境,其效果仍取决于本地语音网络的开放程度。值得注意的是,中国运营商对于境外电话,尤其是这种**“零响铃”未接来电**也有防范措施,中国电信和联通用户就被建议如需接收海外来电验证,应联系客服确保未拦截海外来电hqsmartcloud.com。因此,即便WhatsApp支持闪呼,中国用户若未开启移动语音漫游或运营商许可,仍然难以通过此途径完成验证。
与SIM Swap安全性的关系: 从安全角度看,闪呼并未实质提升抵御SIM交换攻击的能力。如果攻击者成功将受害者的号码转移至自己的SIM卡上(获取新IMSI),那么无论验证码以短信还是闪呼方式发送,都会到达攻击者设备。闪呼机制能防御的是部分恶意拦截短信的行为(如恶意网关或木马读取短信),但对社工换卡没有太大帮助。WhatsApp早已提供两步验证(即设置6位PIN码)供用户自行启用,以防号码被他人重新注册时需要额外密码。然而大量用户未开启该功能。因此,闪呼更多是从用户体验和成本出发的改良,而非针对高级别攻击的防护机制。正如前文所述,真正要防御SIM Swap和SS7漏洞等系统性风险,依赖运营商的号码验证本身就是薄弱环节,需要引入更高级的身份认证手段。
SIM卡交换攻击的风险与运营商信任问题
WhatsApp和Telegram一类基于手机号认证的应用普遍面临一个安全挑战:手机号码本身并非绝对安全的身份凭证。攻击者可以通过一系列手段取得用户的号码控制权,其中SIM交换(SIM Swap)是近年高发的欺诈手法。SIM Swap通常由不法分子冒充用户,诱骗或贿赂运营商客服将目标号码的服务转移到攻击者的新SIM卡上keepnetlabs.com。一旦成功,所有发往该号码的短信和电话都转由攻击者接收,原机主的SIM卡失效。对于依赖短信/电话验证的应用来说,这意味着攻击者可以轻易获取验证码,从而重置账户并登录。近年来全球SIM Swap案件呈上升趋势,许多在线服务的账号被此攻破rte.ie。
WhatsApp并非未知晓此风险。事实上,WhatsApp在其帮助中心和安全博客中多次提醒用户开启两步验证PIN,并强调绝不向他人透露短信验证码。然而,从系统设计上讲,WhatsApp仍将信任根基放在运营商发送到用户手机的那串数字验证码上。一旦运营商端的安全被绕过(无论是内部员工作恶、社工欺诈,还是SS7网络被黑客利用securityaffairs.com),WhatsApp本身无法辨别验证码接收者是否是真正的用户。正如安全研究所Positive Technologies指出的那样,目前主要的即时通讯服务(包括WhatsApp和Telegram)依赖SMS作为主要验证机制,这使得黑客能够通过攻击电信信令网络来接管用户账户securityaffairs.com。换言之,WhatsApp被迫信任每一个参与短信/电话路由的运营商,但这个信任链条上任何薄弱环节都可能遭到利用securityaffairs.com。例如,在SIM Swap攻击中,运营商本身成为被欺骗的对象;而在SS7定位拦截攻击中,全球互联的电信网成为攻击面。在中国的场景下,虽然主要威胁来自审查而非黑客,但本质上仍是WhatsApp无法完全掌控电信网络这一事实所导致的问题。
应对这些风险,WhatsApp和Telegram等采用了一些弥补措施。除了提供用户自行设定的二次密码,两者也开始探索设备多因子的概念(如后文Telegram部分所述,利用已有登录设备确认新登录)。然而,对绝大多数首次注册或更换设备的用户来说,传统的短信/电话验证仍是唯一途径。这就是为什么在高安全需求的行业中,SMS OTP正逐渐被视为不充分securityaffairs.com。监管机构和安全专家建议对涉敏感操作采用更强验证,如专用身份应用、硬件令牌或生物识别等。WhatsApp作为大众通信工具,目前平衡了易用性与安全性,但其依赖电信运营商的验证模式在像中国这样特殊的环境下,既遇到政策阻碍,也隐藏安全短板。这一点对于决策制定者评估国外通信应用在华风险时,是一个重要考量:任何全球运营商合作机制,在中国境内都可能因为**“最后一公里”由中国运营商执行**而受到影响。无论是被拦截信息还是可能的监控窃听,这些风险都源自于底层通信网的控制权不在应用服务商手中。
Telegram登录机制的比较
作为对比,Telegram的账号登录机制与WhatsApp类似,也以手机号码为主要身份标识,但在具体实现上有一些不同之处。
多设备登录与云端代码: Telegram从设计上支持多设备同时在线(手机、平板、PC等),并将聊天内容储存在云端。这带来的一个直接好处是:当用户在新设备上登录时,Telegram会优先通过已登录的其他设备发送登录验证码。例如,用户尝试在电脑上登录Telegram,Telegram会在用户手机上的Telegram应用里推送一条消息包含登录码,而不是立即发短信accountboy.comaccountboy.com。用户只需在新设备输入从老设备上收到的代码即可完成登录。这种机制确保了只要用户至少有一个设备在线,就几乎不需要依赖运营商短信。当然,如果用户当前只有一部新设备(例如换了手机且旧设备不上线),Telegram才会退而求其次,通过SMS发送验证码到手机号。同时,Telegram也允许用户选择语音电话获取验证码,类似于WhatsApp的语音验证。当用户完全无法收到SMS时(比如在中国这种场景),语音呼叫常常比短信更可靠seatuo.com。
两步验证密码: 与WhatsApp一样,Telegram提供可选的两步验证密码。当启用此功能后,即使拿到短信验证码,仍需输入用户设置的密码才能登录账户quora.com。这对抗SIM Swap等攻击提供了另一层防线。不过需要指出,如果用户忘记了设置的Telegram密码且没有设置信任邮箱,可能会永久失去账号访问,因此开启该功能在中国用户中接受度一般。
登录体验与安全性的取舍: Telegram的登录流程在用户体验上更加灵活。多设备下无需每次都收验证码,提高了便利性。但从安全角度看,这种“信任已有设备”的做法也有隐患:如果用户的某个设备落入他人之手并未及时登出,那么该人有可能利用该设备获取新的登录验证码。因此Telegram会在应用中提供管理活动会话的功能,用户可随时查看和撤销其它设备的登录状态telegram.org。总体而言,Telegram和WhatsApp在初始注册环节同样依赖短信/电话,在这一点上,中国的网络环境对两者影响相似:Telegram在中国同样被全面封锁,需要VPN才能使用,其短信验证码发送也会受到运营商限制。另外,Telegram曾在2015年因恐怖分子利用该平台传递信息而被中国当局重点关注并屏蔽,因此其国内可达性甚至比WhatsApp更低。许多中国用户实际使用Telegram时,通常绑定国外号码或通过海外SIM卡来收取验证码,以绕开国内运营商的限制。
差异总结: 简而言之,Telegram在登录验证机制上的主要优势在于已有会话协助和云端同步。这使得老用户换设备时不依赖国内短信通道即可登录(前提是原设备已登录并可访问)。WhatsApp直到最近才推出多设备功能,但其多设备模式采用的是端到端加密设备链路,需要主手机扫码授权,而非像Telegram那样用账号密码登录其它设备。因此WhatsApp仍然强绑定SIM卡设备,首次注册和更换手机号时逃不开运营商环节。安全方面,两者的SMS验证所面临的系统性风险(如SS7攻击、SIM Swap)并无本质区别,都必须仰仗运营商加强对核心网络的保护,以及用户自身启用附加验证措施securityaffairs.comkeepnetlabs.com。
结论
对于希望在中国使用WhatsApp的用户来说,“开启蜂窝数据”这一要求背后体现的是技术与政策交织的复杂现实。一方面,蜂窝数据承载着WhatsApp与其全球服务器通信的关键信道,在中国的受限网络中提供了相对可靠的出路faq.whatsapp.comsohu.com。另一方面,WhatsApp的号码验证机制深深植根于传统电信体系,必须经由全球运营商的“协作”才能完成用户身份确认securityaffairs.com。而在中国,这种协作受到防火长城和运营商政策的双重阻碍:国际短信被拦截、国际数据被阻断。为克服这些障碍,WhatsApp既采取了工程上的应对(如检测强制Wi-Fi并提示使用移动网络faq.whatsapp.com),也引入了诸如闪呼验证等新方案以减少对短信的依赖fossbytes.com。但从根本上说,只要注册流程离不开手机号码,这种与电信运营商的捆绑关系就无法割舍。由此带来的安全问题(如SIM Swap和信令网络漏洞)在全球范围内敲响警钟securityaffairs.comkeepnetlabs.com。
对于从事安全研究和政策评估的人士,这篇分析揭示了WhatsApp在中国遇到的典型困境:技术系统的全球化与监管环境的本地化冲突。WhatsApp全球统一的验证框架在中国水土不服,不得不通过额外的设置和手段来“曲线救国”。这既包括让用户切换网络、配置VPN等绕过审查,也包括思考未来是否有必要采用更安全独立的验证方式。相比之下,Telegram的机制给出了一种启示:灵活运用多设备和云服务,至少在一定程度上降低对单一短信渠道的依赖。然而,Telegram自身在中国的处境表明,再优雅的技术方案也难以直接对抗高强度的网络封锁。最终,无论是WhatsApp还是Telegram,要想在受限环境下可靠运作,都需要技术与政策的双管齐下:一方面提高验证与登录的安全性和多样性,另一方面寻求运营商和监管层面的理解与配合。
综上所述,WhatsApp要求中国用户开启蜂窝数据并非偶然的臆想,而是其全球运营商合作验证机制在中国受阻后的务实选择。这一要求折射出移动通信应用在跨境运营中面临的挑战,也提醒我们在设计安全策略时必须考虑底层依赖的信任假设。对于个人用户,最实际的建议是在使用此类应用时提前了解并遵循这些特殊设置(如开通国际短信、启用数据漫游),并善用应用自身的安全功能(如两步验证)来保护账户免遭社工和网络攻击keepnetlabs.com。对于监管和运营商,则有必要权衡安全审查与用户便利之间的平衡,在可控范围内为可信的全球服务留出技术通道。在全球通信愈加融合的时代,WhatsApp的中国验证问题或许只是一个缩影,背后涉及的既有网络安全考量,也有数字主权与国际合作的议题,值得持续深入研究和关注。
faq.whatsapp.comfossbytes.comtheguardian.comsecurityaffairs.comsecurityaffairs.comkeepnetlabs.comdatascientest.comnetmanias.comsohu.comsohu.com
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2025-05-23 05:46:31“สุขเวทนา” ที่แท้ก็คือ “มายา”
เป็นเหมือนลูกคลื่นลูกหนึ่ง
ที่เกิดขึ้นเพราะน้ำถูกลมพัด
เดี๋ยวมันก็แตกกระจายไป
หากต้องการจะมีชีวิตอย่างเกษมแล้ว
ก็ต้องอาศัยความรู้เรื่อง อนิจจัง ทุกขัง อนัตตา ให้สมบูรณ์
มันจะต่อต้านกันได้กับอารมณ์ คือ รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส สัมผัส ที่มากระทบ
ไม่ให้ไปหลงรัก หรือหลงเกลียดเรื่องวุ่นวายมีอยู่ ๒ อย่างเท่านั้น
- ไปหลงรัก อย่างหนึ่ง
- ไปหลงเกลียด อย่างหนึ่ง
ซึ่งเป็นเหตุให้หัวเราะและต้องร้องไห้
ถ้าใครมองเห็นว่า หัวเราะก็กระหืดกระหอบ มันเหนื่อยเหมือนกัน
ร้องไห้ก็กระหืดกระหอบ เหมือนกัน
สู้อยู่เฉย ๆ ดีกว่า อย่าต้องหัวเราะ อย่าต้องร้องไห้
นี่แหละ! มันเป็นความเกษมเราอย่าได้ตกไปเป็นทาสของอารมณ์
จนไปหัวเราะหรือร้องไห้ตามที่อารมณ์มายั่ว
เราเป็นอิสระแก่ตัว หยุดอยู่ หรือเกษมอยู่อย่างนี้ดีกว่า
ใช้ อนิจจัง ทุกขัง อนัตตา เป็นเครื่องมือกำกับชีวิต
- รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส สัมผัส เป็น มายา เป็น illusion
- "ตัวกู-ของกู" ก็เป็น illusion
- เพราะ "ตัวกู-ของกู" มันเกิดมาจากอารมณ์
- "ตัวกู-ของกู" เป็นมายา อารมณ์ทั้งหลายก็เป็นมายา
เห็นได้ด้วยหลัก อนิจจัง ทุกขัง อนัตตา
...ความทุกข์ก็ไม่เกิด
เราจะตัดลัดมองไปดูสิ่งที่เป็น “สุขเวทนา”
สุขเวทนา คือ ความสุขสนุกสนาน เอร็ดอร่อย
ที่เป็นสุขนั้นเรียกว่า “สุขเวทนา”แต่สุขเวทนา เป็นมายา
เพราะมันเป็นเหมือนลูกคลื่นที่เกิดขึ้นเป็นคราว ๆ
ไม่ใช่ตัวจริงอะไรที่พูดดังนี้ก็เพราะว่า
ในบรรดาสิ่งทั้งปวงในโลกทั้งหมดทุกโลก
ไม่ว่าโลกไหน มันมีค่าอยู่ก็ตรงที่ให้เกิดสุขเวทนาลองคิดดูให้ดีว่า...
- ท่านศึกษาเล่าเรียนทำไม?
- ท่านประกอบอาชีพ หน้าที่การงานทำไม?
- ท่านสะสมทรัพย์สมบัติ เกียรติยศ ชื่อเสียง พวกพ้องบริวารทำไม?มันก็เพื่อสุขเวทนาอย่างเดียว
เพราะฉะนั้น แปลว่า อะไร ๆ มันก็มารวมจุดอยู่ที่สุขเวทนาหมดฉะนั้น ถ้าเรามีความรู้ในเรื่องนี้
จัดการกับเรื่องนี้ให้ถูกต้องเพียงเรื่องเดียวเท่านั้น
ทุกเรื่องมันถูกหมดเพราะฉะนั้น จึงต้องดูสุขเวทนาให้ถูกต้องตามที่เป็นจริงว่า
มันก็เป็น “มายา” ชนิดหนึ่งเราจะต้องจัดการให้สมกันกับที่มันเป็นมายา
ไม่ใช่ว่า จะต้องไปตั้งข้อรังเกียจ เกลียดชังมัน
อย่างนั้นมันยิ่ง บ้าบอที่สุดถ้าเข้าไปหลงรัก หลงเป็นทาสมัน
ก็เป็นเรื่อง บ้าบอที่สุดแต่ว่าไปจัดการกับมันอย่างไรให้ถูกต้อง
นั้นแหละเป็นธรรมะ
เป็น ลูกศิษย์ของพระพุทธเจ้า
ที่จะเอาชนะความทุกข์ได้ และไม่ต้องเป็น โรคทางวิญญาณ
สุขเวทนา ที่แท้ก็คือ มายา
มันก็ต้องทำโดยวิธีที่พิจารณาให้เห็นว่า
“สุขเวทนา” นี้ ที่แท้ก็คือ “มายา”เป็นเหมือน ลูกคลื่นลูกหนึ่ง
ที่เกิดขึ้นเพราะ น้ำถูกลมพัดหมายความว่า
เมื่อ รูป เสียง กลิ่น รส ฯ เข้ามา
แล้ว ความโง่ คือ อวิชชา โมหะ ออกรับ
กระทบกันแล้วเป็นคลื่นกล่าวคือ สุขเวทนาเกิดขึ้นมา
แต่ เดี๋ยวมันก็แตกกระจายไป
ถ้ามองเห็นอย่างนี้แล้ว
เราก็ไม่เป็นทาสของสุขเวทนา
เราสามารถ ควบคุม จะจัด จะทำกับมันได้
ในวิธีที่ ไม่เป็นทุกข์- ตัวเองก็ไม่เป็นทุกข์
- ครอบครัวก็ไม่เป็นทุกข์
- เพื่อนบ้านก็ไม่เป็นทุกข์
- คนทั้งโลกก็ไม่พลอยเป็นทุกข์
เพราะมีเราเป็นมูลเหตุ
ถ้าทุกคนเป็นอย่างนี้
โลกนี้ก็มีสันติภาพถาวร
เป็นความสุขที่แท้จริงและถาวรนี่คือ อานิสงส์ของการหายโรคโดยวิธีต่าง ๆ กัน
ไม่เป็นโรค “ตัวกู” ไม่เป็นโรค “ของกู”
พุทธทาสภิกขุ
ที่มา : คำบรรยายชุด “แก่นพุทธศาสน์”
ปีพุทธศักราช ๒๕๐๔
ครั้งที่ ๑
หัวข้อเรื่อง “ใจความทั้งหมดของพระพุทธศาสนา”
ณ ศิริราชพยาบาล มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล
เมื่อวันที่ ๑๗ ธันวาคม ๒๕๐๔ -
@ dfc7c785:4c3c6174
2025-05-23 09:42:37Where do I even start? Sometimes it's best to just begin writing whatever comes into your head. What do I do for a living? It used to be easy to explain, I write JavaScript, I build front-end code, in order to build apps. I am more than that though. Over the past eight years, I moved from writing Angular, to React and then to Vue. However my background was originally in writing full-stack projects, using technologies such as .NET and PHP. The thing is - the various jobs I've had recently have pigeon-holed me as front-end developer but nowadays I am starting to feel distracted by a multitude of other interesting, pivotal technologies both in my "day job" and across my wider experience as a Technologist; a phrase I prefer to use in order to describe who I am, more gernerally.
I have used untype.app to write this today, it looks great.
More to come...
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@ 34f1ddab:2ca0cf7c
2025-05-16 22:47:03Losing access to your cryptocurrency can feel like losing a part of your future. Whether it’s due to a forgotten password, a damaged seed backup, or a simple mistake in a transfer, the stress can be overwhelming. Fortunately, cryptrecver.com is here to assist! With our expert-led recovery services, you can safely and swiftly reclaim your lost Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Why Trust Crypt Recver? 🤝 🛠️ Expert Recovery Solutions At Crypt Recver, we specialize in addressing complex wallet-related issues. Our skilled engineers have the tools and expertise to handle:
Partially lost or forgotten seed phrases Extracting funds from outdated or invalid wallet addresses Recovering data from damaged hardware wallets Restoring coins from old or unsupported wallet formats You’re not just getting a service; you’re gaining a partner in your cryptocurrency journey.
🚀 Fast and Efficient Recovery We understand that time is crucial in crypto recovery. Our optimized systems enable you to regain access to your funds quickly, focusing on speed without compromising security. With a success rate of over 90%, you can rely on us to act swiftly on your behalf.
🔒 Privacy is Our Priority Your confidentiality is essential. Every recovery session is conducted with the utmost care, ensuring all processes are encrypted and confidential. You can rest assured that your sensitive information remains private.
💻 Advanced Technology Our proprietary tools and brute-force optimization techniques maximize recovery efficiency. Regardless of how challenging your case may be, our technology is designed to give you the best chance at retrieving your crypto.
Our Recovery Services Include: 📈 Bitcoin Recovery: Lost access to your Bitcoin wallet? We help recover lost wallets, private keys, and passphrases. Transaction Recovery: Mistakes happen — whether it’s an incorrect wallet address or a lost password, let us manage the recovery. Cold Wallet Restoration: If your cold wallet is failing, we can safely extract your assets and migrate them into a secure new wallet. Private Key Generation: Lost your private key? Our experts can help you regain control using advanced methods while ensuring your privacy. ⚠️ What We Don’t Do While we can handle many scenarios, some limitations exist. For instance, we cannot recover funds stored in custodial wallets or cases where there is a complete loss of four or more seed words without partial information available. We are transparent about what’s possible, so you know what to expect
Don’t Let Lost Crypto Hold You Back! Did you know that between 3 to 3.4 million BTC — nearly 20% of the total supply — are estimated to be permanently lost? Don’t become part of that statistic! Whether it’s due to a forgotten password, sending funds to the wrong address, or damaged drives, we can help you navigate these challenges
🛡️ Real-Time Dust Attack Protection Our services extend beyond recovery. We offer dust attack protection, keeping your activity anonymous and your funds secure, shielding your identity from unwanted tracking, ransomware, and phishing attempts.
🎉 Start Your Recovery Journey Today! Ready to reclaim your lost crypto? Don’t wait until it’s too late! 👉 cryptrecver.com
📞 Need Immediate Assistance? Connect with Us! For real-time support or questions, reach out to our dedicated team on: ✉️ Telegram: t.me/crypptrcver 💬 WhatsApp: +1(941)317–1821
Crypt Recver is your trusted partner in cryptocurrency recovery. Let us turn your challenges into victories. Don’t hesitate — your crypto future starts now! 🚀✨
Act fast and secure your digital assets with cryptrecver.com.Losing access to your cryptocurrency can feel like losing a part of your future. Whether it’s due to a forgotten password, a damaged seed backup, or a simple mistake in a transfer, the stress can be overwhelming. Fortunately, cryptrecver.com is here to assist! With our expert-led recovery services, you can safely and swiftly reclaim your lost Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
# Why Trust Crypt Recver? 🤝
🛠️ Expert Recovery Solutions\ At Crypt Recver, we specialize in addressing complex wallet-related issues. Our skilled engineers have the tools and expertise to handle:
- Partially lost or forgotten seed phrases
- Extracting funds from outdated or invalid wallet addresses
- Recovering data from damaged hardware wallets
- Restoring coins from old or unsupported wallet formats
You’re not just getting a service; you’re gaining a partner in your cryptocurrency journey.
🚀 Fast and Efficient Recovery\ We understand that time is crucial in crypto recovery. Our optimized systems enable you to regain access to your funds quickly, focusing on speed without compromising security. With a success rate of over 90%, you can rely on us to act swiftly on your behalf.
🔒 Privacy is Our Priority\ Your confidentiality is essential. Every recovery session is conducted with the utmost care, ensuring all processes are encrypted and confidential. You can rest assured that your sensitive information remains private.
💻 Advanced Technology\ Our proprietary tools and brute-force optimization techniques maximize recovery efficiency. Regardless of how challenging your case may be, our technology is designed to give you the best chance at retrieving your crypto.
Our Recovery Services Include: 📈
- Bitcoin Recovery: Lost access to your Bitcoin wallet? We help recover lost wallets, private keys, and passphrases.
- Transaction Recovery: Mistakes happen — whether it’s an incorrect wallet address or a lost password, let us manage the recovery.
- Cold Wallet Restoration: If your cold wallet is failing, we can safely extract your assets and migrate them into a secure new wallet.
- Private Key Generation: Lost your private key? Our experts can help you regain control using advanced methods while ensuring your privacy.
⚠️ What We Don’t Do\ While we can handle many scenarios, some limitations exist. For instance, we cannot recover funds stored in custodial wallets or cases where there is a complete loss of four or more seed words without partial information available. We are transparent about what’s possible, so you know what to expect
# Don’t Let Lost Crypto Hold You Back!
Did you know that between 3 to 3.4 million BTC — nearly 20% of the total supply — are estimated to be permanently lost? Don’t become part of that statistic! Whether it’s due to a forgotten password, sending funds to the wrong address, or damaged drives, we can help you navigate these challenges
🛡️ Real-Time Dust Attack Protection\ Our services extend beyond recovery. We offer dust attack protection, keeping your activity anonymous and your funds secure, shielding your identity from unwanted tracking, ransomware, and phishing attempts.
🎉 Start Your Recovery Journey Today!\ Ready to reclaim your lost crypto? Don’t wait until it’s too late!\ 👉 cryptrecver.com
📞 Need Immediate Assistance? Connect with Us!\ For real-time support or questions, reach out to our dedicated team on:\ ✉️ Telegram: t.me/crypptrcver\ 💬 WhatsApp: +1(941)317–1821
Crypt Recver is your trusted partner in cryptocurrency recovery. Let us turn your challenges into victories. Don’t hesitate — your crypto future starts now! 🚀✨
Act fast and secure your digital assets with cryptrecver.com.
-
@ 0e9491aa:ef2adadf
2025-05-23 05:01:30Will not live in a pod.
Will not eat the bugs.
Will not get the chip.
Will not get a blue check.
Will not use CBDCs.Live Free or Die.
Why did Elon buy twitter for $44 Billion? What value does he see in it besides the greater influence that undoubtedly comes with controlling one of the largest social platforms in the world? We do not need to speculate - he made his intentions incredibly clear in his first meeting with twitter employees after his takeover - WeChat of the West.
To those that do not appreciate freedom, the value prop is clear - WeChat is incredibly powerful and successful in China.
To those that do appreciate freedom, the concern is clear - WeChat has essentially become required to live in China, has surveillance and censorship integrated at its core, and if you are banned from the app your entire livelihood is at risk. Employment, housing, payments, travel, communication, and more become extremely difficult if WeChat censors determine you have acted out of line.
The blue check is the first step in Elon's plan to bring the chinese social credit score system to the west. Users who verify their identity are rewarded with more reach and better tools than those that do not. Verified users are the main product of Elon's twitter - an extensive database of individuals and complete control of the tools he will slowly get them to rely on - it is easier to monetize cattle than free men.
If you cannot resist the temptation of the blue check in its current form you have already lost - what comes next will be much darker. If you realize the need to resist - freedom tech provides us options.
If you found this post helpful support my work with bitcoin.
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@ 8bad92c3:ca714aa5
2025-05-23 05:01:13Marty's Bent
via me
Don't sleep on what's happening in Japan right now. We've been covering the country and the fact that they've lost control of their yield curve since late last year. After many years of making it a top priority from a monetary policy perspective, last year the Bank of Japan decided to give up on yield curve control in an attempt to reel inflation. This has sent yields for the 30-year and 40-year Japanese government bonds to levels not seen since the early 2000s in the case of the 30-year and levels never before seen for the 40-year, which was launched in 2007. With a debt to GDP ratio that has surpassed 250% and a population that is aging out with an insufficient amount of births to replace the aging workforce, it's hard to see how Japan can get out of this conundrum without some sort of economic collapse.
This puts the United States in a tough position considering the fact that Japan is one of the largest holders of U.S. Treasury bonds with more than $1.20 trillion in exposure. If things get too out of control in Japan and the yield curve continues to drift higher and inflation continues to creep higher Japan can find itself in a situation where it's a forced seller of US Treasuries as they attempt to strengthen the yen. Another aspect to consider is the fact that investors may see the higher yields on Japanese government bonds and decide to purchase them instead of US Treasuries. This is something to keep an eye on in the weeks to come. Particularly if higher rates drive a higher cost of capital, which leads to even more inflation. As producers are forced to increase their prices to ensure that they can manage their debt repayments.
It's never a good sign when the Japanese Prime Minister is coming out to proclaim that his country's financial situation is worse than Greece's, which has been a laughing stock of Europe for the better part of three decades. Japan is a very proud nation, and the fact that its Prime Minister made a statement like this should not be underappreciated.
As we noted last week, the 10-year and 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds are drifting higher as well. Earlier today, the 30-year bond yield surpassed 5%, which has been a psychological level that many have been pointed to as a critical tipping point. When you take a step back and look around the world it seems pretty clear that bond markets are sending a very strong signal. And that signal is that something is not well in the back end of the financial system.
This is even made clear when you look at the private sector, particularly at consumer debt. In late March, we warned of the growing trend of buy now, pay later schemes drifting down market as major credit card companies released charge-off data which showed charge-off rates reaching levels not seen since the 2008 great financial crisis. At the time, we could only surmise that Klarna was experiencing similar charge-off rates on the bigger-ticket items they financed and started doing deals with companies like DoorDash to finance burrito deliveries in an attempt to move down market to finance smaller ticket items with a higher potential of getting paid back. It seems like that inclination was correct as Klarna released data earlier today showing more losses on their book as consumers find it extremely hard to pay back their debts.
via NewsWire
This news hit the markets on the same day as the average rate of the 30-year mortgage in the United States rose to 7.04%. I'm not sure if you've checked lately, but real estate prices are still relatively elevated outside of a few big cities who expanded supply significantly during the COVID era as people flooded out of blue states towards red states. It's hard to imagine that many people can afford a house based off of sticker price alone, but with a 7% 30-year mortgage rate it's becoming clear that the ability of the Common Man to buy a house is simply becoming impossible.
via Lance Lambert
The mortgage rate data is not the only thing you need to look at to understand that it's becoming impossible for the Common Man of working age to buy a house. New data has recently been released that highlights That the median home buyer in 2007 was born in 1968, and the median home buyer in 2024 was born in 1968. Truly wild when you think of it. As our friend Darth Powell cheekily highlights below, we find ourselves in a situation where boomers are simply trading houses and the younger generations are becoming indentured slaves. Forever destined to rent because of the complete inability to afford to buy a house.
via Darth Powell
via Yahoo Finance
Meanwhile, Bitcoin re-approached all-time highs late this evening and looks primed for another breakout to the upside. This makes sense if you're paying attention. The high-velocity trash economy running on an obscene amount of debt in both the public and private sectors seems to be breaking at the seams. All the alarm bells are signaling that another big print is coming. And if you hope to preserve your purchasing power or, ideally, increase it as the big print approaches, the only thing that makes sense is to funnel your money into the hardest asset in the world, which is Bitcoin.
via Bitbo
Buckle up, freaks. It's gonna be a bumpy ride. Stay humble, Stack Sats.
Trump's Middle East Peace Strategy: Redefining U.S. Foreign Policy
In his recent Middle East tour, President Trump signaled what our guest Dr. Anas Alhajji calls "a major change in US policy." Trump explicitly rejected the nation-building strategies of his predecessors, contrasting the devastation in Afghanistan and Iraq with the prosperity of countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE. This marks a profound shift from both Republican and Democratic foreign policy orthodoxy. As Alhajji noted, Trump's willingness to meet with Syrian President Assad follows a historical pattern where former adversaries eventually become diplomatic partners.
"This is really one of the most important shifts in US foreign policy to say, look, sorry, we destroyed those countries because we tried to rebuild them and it was a big mistake." - Dr. Anas Alhajji
The administration's new approach emphasizes negotiation over intervention. Rather than military solutions, Trump is engaging with groups previously considered off-limits, including the Houthis, Hamas, and Iran. This pragmatic stance prioritizes economic cooperation and regional stability over ideological confrontation. The focus on trade deals and investment rather than regime change represents a fundamental reimagining of America's role in the Middle East.
Check out the full podcast here for more on the Iran nuclear situation, energy market predictions, and why AI development could create power grid challenges.
Headlines of the Day
Bitcoin Soars to $106K While Bonds Lose 40% Since 2020 - via X
US Senate Advances Stablecoin Bill As America Embraces Bitcoin - via X
Get our new STACK SATS hat - via tftcmerch.io
Texas House Debates Bill For State-Run Bitcoin Reserve - via X
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_Ten31, the largest bitcoin-focused investor, has deployed 158
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@ b83a28b7:35919450
2025-05-16 19:26:56This article was originally part of the sermon of Plebchain Radio Episode 111 (May 2, 2025) that nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqpqtvqc82mv8cezhax5r34n4muc2c4pgjz8kaye2smj032nngg52clq7fgefr and I did with nostr:nprofile1qythwumn8ghj7ct5d3shxtnwdaehgu3wd3skuep0qyt8wumn8ghj7ct4w35zumn0wd68yvfwvdhk6tcqyzx4h2fv3n9r6hrnjtcrjw43t0g0cmmrgvjmg525rc8hexkxc0kd2rhtk62 and nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqpq4wxtsrj7g2jugh70pfkzjln43vgn4p7655pgky9j9w9d75u465pqahkzd0 of the nostr:nprofile1qythwumn8ghj7ct5d3shxtnwdaehgu3wd3skuep0qyt8wumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgtcqyqwfvwrccp4j2xsuuvkwg0y6a20637t6f4cc5zzjkx030dkztt7t5hydajn
Listen to the full episode here:
<<https://fountain.fm/episode/Ln9Ej0zCZ5dEwfo8w2Ho>>
Bitcoin has always been a narrative revolution disguised as code. White paper, cypherpunk lore, pizza‑day legends - every block is a paragraph in the world’s most relentless epic. But code alone rarely converts the skeptic; it’s the camp‑fire myth that slips past the prefrontal cortex and shakes hands with the limbic system. People don’t adopt protocols first - they fall in love with protagonists.
Early adopters heard the white‑paper hymn, but most folks need characters first: a pizza‑day dreamer; a mother in a small country, crushed by the cost of remittance; a Warsaw street vendor swapping złoty for sats. When their arcs land, the brain releases a neurochemical OP_RETURN which says, “I belong in this plot.” That’s the sly roundabout orange pill: conviction smuggled inside catharsis.
That’s why, from 22–25 May in Warsaw’s Kinoteka, the Bitcoin Film Fest is loading its reels with rebellion. Each documentary, drama, and animated rabbit‑hole is a stealth wallet, zipping conviction straight into the feels of anyone still clasped within the cold claw of fiat. You come for the plot, you leave checking block heights.
Here's the clip of the sermon from the episode:
nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzpwp69zm7fewjp0vkp306adnzt7249ytxhz7mq3w5yc629u6er9zsqqsy43fwz8es2wnn65rh0udc05tumdnx5xagvzd88ptncspmesdqhygcrvpf2
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 18:06:46Bitcoin 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.
Using stolen bitcoin for the reserve creates a perverse incentive. If governments see 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.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:59:23Recently we have seen a wave of high profile X accounts hacked. These attacks have exposed the fragility of the status quo security model used by modern social media platforms like X. Many users have asked if nostr fixes this, so lets dive in. How do these types of attacks translate into the world of nostr apps? For clarity, I will use X’s security model as representative of most big tech social platforms and compare it to nostr.
The Status Quo
On X, you never have full control of your account. Ultimately to use it requires permission from the company. They can suspend your account or limit your distribution. Theoretically they can even post from your account at will. An X account is tied to an email and password. Users can also opt into two factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection, a login code generated by an app. In theory, this setup works well, but it places a heavy burden on users. You need to create a strong, unique password and safeguard it. You also need to ensure your email account and phone number remain secure, as attackers can exploit these to reset your credentials and take over your account. Even if you do everything responsibly, there is another weak link in X infrastructure itself. The platform’s infrastructure allows accounts to be reset through its backend. This could happen maliciously by an employee or through an external attacker who compromises X’s backend. When an account is compromised, the legitimate user often gets locked out, unable to post or regain control without contacting X’s support team. That process can be slow, frustrating, and sometimes fruitless if support denies the request or cannot verify your identity. Often times support will require users to provide identification info in order to regain access, which represents a privacy risk. The centralized nature of X means you are ultimately at the mercy of the company’s systems and staff.
Nostr Requires Responsibility
Nostr flips this model radically. Users do not need permission from a company to access their account, they can generate as many accounts as they want, and cannot be easily censored. The key tradeoff here is that users have to take complete responsibility for their security. Instead of relying on a username, password, and corporate servers, nostr uses a private key as the sole credential for your account. Users generate this key and it is their responsibility to keep it safe. As long as you have your key, you can post. If someone else gets it, they can post too. It is that simple. This design has strong implications. Unlike X, there is no backend reset option. If your key is compromised or lost, there is no customer support to call. In a compromise scenario, both you and the attacker can post from the account simultaneously. Neither can lock the other out, since nostr relays simply accept whatever is signed with a valid key.
The benefit? No reliance on proprietary corporate infrastructure.. The negative? Security rests entirely on how well you protect your key.
Future Nostr Security Improvements
For many users, nostr’s standard security model, storing a private key on a phone with an encrypted cloud backup, will likely be sufficient. It is simple and reasonably secure. That said, nostr’s strength lies in its flexibility as an open protocol. Users will be able to choose between a range of security models, balancing convenience and protection based on need.
One promising option is a web of trust model for key rotation. Imagine pre-selecting a group of trusted friends. If your account is compromised, these people could collectively sign an event announcing the compromise to the network and designate a new key as your legitimate one. Apps could handle this process seamlessly in the background, notifying followers of the switch without much user interaction. This could become a popular choice for average users, but it is not without tradeoffs. It requires trust in your chosen web of trust, which might not suit power users or large organizations. It also has the issue that some apps may not recognize the key rotation properly and followers might get confused about which account is “real.”
For those needing higher security, there is the option of multisig using FROST (Flexible Round-Optimized Schnorr Threshold). In this setup, multiple keys must sign off on every action, including posting and updating a profile. A hacker with just one key could not do anything. This is likely overkill for most users due to complexity and inconvenience, but it could be a game changer for large organizations, companies, and governments. Imagine the White House nostr account requiring signatures from multiple people before a post goes live, that would be much more secure than the status quo big tech model.
Another option are hardware signers, similar to bitcoin hardware wallets. Private keys are kept on secure, offline devices, separate from the internet connected phone or computer you use to broadcast events. This drastically reduces the risk of remote hacks, as private keys never touches the internet. It can be used in combination with multisig setups for extra protection. This setup is much less convenient and probably overkill for most but could be ideal for governments, companies, or other high profile accounts.
Nostr’s security model is not perfect but is robust and versatile. Ultimately users are in control and security is their responsibility. Apps will give users multiple options to choose from and users will choose what best fits their need.
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@ 5c26ee8b:a4d229aa
2025-05-23 08:47:45Generally mentioning God, Allah, by reciting/reading the Quran or performing Salat (compulsory prayer), for instance, brings tranquility to the heart of the believer. The Salat, other than being the first deed a Muslim would be questioned about on Judgement Day, it keeps the person away from the forbidden wrong deeds too. The Salat is sufficient for obtaining God’s provision as he decrees the means for it to reach the person. Wasting or missing performing the Salat or mentioning God (Allah) by reciting/reading the Quran or Tasbieh, can lead to following the desires only and a depressed life as well as punishment in the Thereafter.
13:28 Ar-Ra'd
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured (tranquillised) by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured (tranquillised)."
29:45 Al-Ankaboot
اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ ۖ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ
Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.
11:114 Hud
وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ۚ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّاكِرِينَ
And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
20:132 Taa-Haa
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.
20:124 Taa-Haa
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ
And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."
20:125 Taa-Haa
قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمَىٰ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ بَصِيرًا
He will say, "My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?"
20:126 Taa-Haa
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ أَتَتْكَ آيَاتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنْسَىٰ
[Allah] will say, "Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten."
20:127 Taa-Haa
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنْ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ۚ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَىٰ
And thus do We recompense he who transgressed and did not believe in the signs of his Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe and more enduring.
20:128 Taa-Haa
أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُولِي النُّهَىٰ
Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.
49:17 Al-Hujuraat
يَمُنُّونَ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ أَسْلَمُوا ۖ قُلْ لَا تَمُنُّوا عَلَيَّ إِسْلَامَكُمْ ۖ بَلِ اللَّهُ يَمُنُّ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ هَدَاكُمْ لِلْإِيمَانِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
They consider it a favor to you that they have accepted Islam. Say, "Do not consider your Islam a favor to me. Rather, Allah has conferred favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if you should be truthful."
53:29 An-Najm
فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْ مَنْ تَوَلَّىٰ عَنْ ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا
So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.
53:30 An-Najm
ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ ضَلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ
That is their sum of knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided.
53:62 An-Najm
فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا ۩
So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].
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@ 502ab02a:a2860397
2025-05-23 01:57:14น้ำนมมนุษย์ที่ไม่ง้อมนุษย์ หรือนี่กำลังจะกลายเป็นเรื่องจริงเร็วกว่าที่เราคิดนะครับ
ในยุคที่อุตสาหกรรมอาหารหันหลังให้กับปศุสัตว์ ไม่ว่าจะด้วยเหตุผลด้านสิ่งแวดล้อม จริยธรรม หรือความยั่งยืน “น้ำนมจากห้องแล็บ” กำลังกลายเป็นแนวหน้าของการปฏิวัติอาหาร โดยเฉพาะเมื่อบริษัทหนึ่งจากสิงคโปร์นามว่า TurtleTree ประกาศอย่างชัดเจนว่า พวกเขากำลังจะสร้างโปรตีนสำคัญในน้ำนมมนุษย์ โดยไม่ต้องมีมนุษย์แม่เลยแม้แต่น้อย
TurtleTree ก่อตั้งในปี 2019 โดยมีเป้าหมายอันทะเยอทะยานคือการผลิตโปรตีนในนมแม่ให้ได้ผ่านเทคโนโลยีที่เรียกว่า precision fermentation โดยใช้จุลินทรีย์ที่ถูกดัดแปลงพันธุกรรมให้ผลิตโปรตีนเฉพาะ เช่น lactoferrin และ human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) ซึ่งเป็นองค์ประกอบล้ำค่าที่พบในน้ำนมมนุษย์แต่แทบไม่มีในนมวัว หรือผลิตภัณฑ์นมทั่วไป
โปรตีนตัวแรกที่ TurtleTree ประสบความสำเร็จในการผลิตคือ LF+ หรือ lactoferrin ที่เลียนแบบโปรตีนในนมแม่ ซึ่งมีหน้าที่ช่วยระบบภูมิคุ้มกันของทารก ต่อต้านแบคทีเรีย และช่วยให้ร่างกายดูดซึมธาตุเหล็กได้ดีขึ้น โปรตีนนี้เป็นหนึ่งในหัวใจของนมแม่ ที่บริษัทต้องการนำมาใช้ในอุตสาหกรรมนมผงเด็กและอาหารเสริมสำหรับผู้ใหญ่ ล่าสุดในปี 2024 LF+ ได้รับการรับรองสถานะ GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) จากองค์การอาหารและยาสหรัฐฯ (FDA) อย่างเป็นทางการ เป็นหมุดหมายสำคัญที่บอกว่า นี่ไม่ใช่แค่ไอเดียในแล็บอีกต่อไป แต่กำลังกลายเป็นผลิตภัณฑ์เชิงพาณิชย์จริง
เบื้องหลังของโปรเจกต์นี้คือการลงทุนกว่า 30 ล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐจากกลุ่มทุนทั่วโลก รวมถึงบริษัท Solar Biotech ที่จับมือกับ TurtleTree ในการขยายกำลังการผลิตเชิงอุตสาหกรรมในสหรัฐอเมริกา โดยตั้งเป้าว่าจะสามารถผลิตโปรตีนเหล่านี้ได้ในระดับราคาที่แข่งขันได้ภายในไม่กี่ปีข้างหน้า
สิ่งที่น่าสนใจคือ TurtleTree ไม่ได้หยุดแค่ lactoferrin พวกเขายังวางแผนพัฒนา HMO ซึ่งเป็นน้ำตาลเชิงซ้อนชนิดพิเศษที่มีอยู่เฉพาะในน้ำนมแม่ เป็นอาหารเลี้ยงแบคทีเรียดีในลำไส้ทารก ช่วยพัฒนาระบบภูมิคุ้มกันและสมอง ปัจจุบัน HMOs เริ่มเป็นที่นิยมในวงการ infant formula แต่การผลิตยังจำกัดและมีต้นทุนสูง การที่ TurtleTree จะนำเทคโนโลยี precision fermentation มาใช้ผลิต HMO จึงถือเป็นความพยายามในการลดช่องว่างระหว่าง "นมแม่จริง" กับ "นมผงสังเคราะห์"
ทั้งหมดนี้เกิดขึ้นภายใต้แนวคิดใหม่ของอุตสาหกรรมอาหารที่เรียกว่า "functional nutrition" หรือโภชนาการที่ออกแบบเพื่อทำงานเฉพาะทาง ไม่ใช่แค่ให้พลังงานหรือโปรตีน แต่เล็งเป้าหมายเฉพาะ เช่น เสริมภูมิคุ้มกัน ซ่อมแซมสมอง หรือฟื้นฟูร่างกาย โดยมีรากฐานจากธรรมชาติ แต่ใช้เทคโนโลยีสมัยใหม่ในการผลิต
แม้จะฟังดูเป็นความก้าวหน้าทางวิทยาศาสตร์ที่น่าตื่นเต้น แต่น้ำเสียงที่ดังก้องในอีกมุมหนึ่งก็คือคำถามเชิงจริยธรรม TurtleTree กำลังสร้างโปรตีนที่มีอยู่เฉพาะในมนุษย์ โดยอาศัยข้อมูลพันธุกรรมของมนุษย์เอง แล้วนำเข้าสู่ระบบอุตสาหกรรมเพื่อการค้า คำถามคือ เมื่อใดที่การจำลองธรรมชาติจะกลายเป็นการผูกขาดธรรมชาติ? ใครควรเป็นเจ้าของข้อมูลพันธุกรรมของมนุษย์? และถ้าวันหนึ่งบริษัทใดบริษัทหนึ่งสามารถควบคุมการผลิต “นมแม่จำลอง” ได้แต่เพียงผู้เดียว นั่นจะส่งผลต่อเสรีภาพของสังคมในมุมไหนบ้าง?
นักชีวจริยธรรมหลายคน เช่น ดร.ซิลเวีย แคมโปเรซี จาก King's College London ตั้งข้อสังเกตไว้ว่า เทคโนโลยีแบบนี้อาจแก้ปัญหาการเข้าถึงนมแม่ในพื้นที่ห่างไกลหรือในกลุ่มแม่ที่ให้นมไม่ได้ แต่ขณะเดียวกันก็อาจกลายเป็นการสร้าง "ระบบอาหารทางเลือก" ที่ควบคุมโดยบริษัทไม่กี่ราย ที่มีอำนาจเกินกว่าผู้บริโภคจะตรวจสอบได้
เมื่อเทคโนโลยีสามารถจำลองสิ่งที่เคยสงวนไว้เฉพาะธรรมชาติ และมนุษย์ได้ใกล้เคียงจนแทบแยกไม่ออก บางทีคำถามที่ควรถามอาจไม่ใช่แค่ว่า “มันปลอดภัยหรือไม่?” แต่อาจต้องถามว่า “เราไว้ใจใครให้สร้างสิ่งนี้แทนธรรมชาติ?” เพราะน้ำนมแม่เคยเป็นสิ่งที่มาจากรักและชีวิต แต่วันนี้มันอาจกลายเป็นเพียงสิ่งที่มาจากห้องแล็บและโมเลกุล... และนั่นคือสิ่งที่เราต้องคิดให้เป็น ก่อนจะกินให้ดี เต่านี้มีบุญคุณอันใหญ่หลวงงงงงงง
เสริมจุดน่าสนใจให้ครับ KBW Ventures ถือเป็นผู้ลงทุนรายใหญ่ที่สุดใน TurtleTree Labs โดยมีบทบาทสำคัญในหลายรอบการระดมทุนของบริษัท KBW Ventures เป็นบริษัทลงทุนจากสหรัฐอาหรับเอมิเรตส์ ก่อตั้งโดย สมเด็จพระราชโอรสเจ้าชายคาเล็ด บิน อัลวาลีด บิน ตาลาล อัล ซาอุด (HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud) ในรอบการระดมทุน Pre-A มูลค่า 6.2 ล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐฯ ซึ่งปิดในเดือนธันวาคม 2020 KBW Ventures ได้ร่วมลงทุนพร้อมกับ Green Monday Ventures, Eat Beyond Global และ Verso Capital . นอกจากนี้ เจ้าชาย Khaled ยังได้เข้าร่วมเป็นที่ปรึกษาให้กับ TurtleTree Labs เพื่อสนับสนุนการขยายตลาดและกลยุทธ์การเติบโตของบริษัท
ซึ่งในตัว KBW Ventures นั้น เป็นบริษัทลงทุนที่มุ่งเน้นการสนับสนุนเทคโนโลยีที่ยั่งยืนและนวัตกรรมในหลากหลายอุตสาหกรรม เช่น เทคโนโลยีชีวภาพ (biotech), เทคโนโลยีพลังงานสะอาด, เทคโนโลยีการเงิน (fintech), เทคโนโลยีการขนส่ง, และเทคโนโลยีอาหาร (food tech) โดยเฉพาะ และในส่วนของเจ้าชาย Khaled มีความสนใจอย่างลึกซึ้งในด้านเทคโนโลยีอาหาร โดยเฉพาะในกลุ่มโปรตีนทางเลือก เช่น Beyond Meat ซึ่งเป็นการลงทุนที่สะท้อนถึงความมุ่งมั่นชัดเจนในการส่งเสริมอาหารที่ยั่งยืนและมีจริยธรรมครับ และแน่นอนเลยว่า โดยมีส่วนร่วมในรอบระดมทุนหลายครั้งของ Beyond Meat รวมถึงตอนที่ Beyond Meat เข้าตลาดหุ้น Nasdaq ครั้งแรกในปี 2019
เจ้าชาย Khaled เชื่อมั่นว่าอาหารทางเลือกแบบพืชจะถูกลงและแพร่หลายมากขึ้น จนอาจถูกกว่าราคาเนื้อสัตว์จากสัตว์จริงภายในปี 2025 ตามข้อมูลที่ได้มาแสดงว่า ปีนี้นี่หว่าาาาาาาาาา
#pirateketo #กูต้องรู้มั๊ย #ม้วนหางสิลูก #siamstr
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:51:54In 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.
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@ 2b998b04:86727e47
2025-05-23 01:56:23\> “Huge swathes of people…spend their entire working lives performing tasks they secretly believe do not really need to be performed.”\ \> — David Graeber, Bullshit Jobs
\> “We are in a system that must grow — forever — or it collapses. But technology, by its very nature, is deflationary.”\ \> — Jeff Booth, The Price of Tomorrow
We live in a strange paradox: Technological progress is supposed to make life easier, yet many people feel more overworked and less fulfilled than ever. While artificial intelligence and automation promise unprecedented productivity, it’s not yet clear whether that will mean fewer bullshit jobs — or simply new kinds of them.
What Is a Bullshit Job?
In his landmark book Bullshit Jobs, the late anthropologist David Graeber exposed a haunting truth: millions of jobs exist not because they are needed, but because of economic, political, or psychological inertia. These are roles that even the workers themselves suspect are meaningless — created to serve appearances, maintain hierarchies, or justify budgets.
Think:
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Middle managers approving other middle managers' reports
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Employees running meetings to prepare for other meetings
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Corporate roles invented to interface with poorly implemented AI tools
Bullshit work isn’t the absence of technology. It’s often the outcome of resisting what technology could actually do — in order to preserve jobs, status, or growth targets.
Booth’s Warning: The System is Rigged Against Deflation
In The Price of Tomorrow, entrepreneur Jeff Booth argues that the natural state of a tech-driven economy is deflation — things getting better, cheaper, and faster.
But our global financial system is built on perpetual inflation and debt expansion. Booth writes:
\> “We are using inflationary monetary policy to fight deflationary technological forces.”
Even as AI and automation could eliminate unnecessary jobs and increase abundance, our system requires jobs — or the illusion of them — to keep the economy expanding. So bullshit jobs persist, and even evolve.
AI as a Deflationary Force
AI is rapidly accelerating the deflation Booth described:
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Tasks that used to take hours now take seconds
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Whole creative and administrative processes are being streamlined
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Labor can scale digitally — one tool used globally at near-zero marginal cost
Embraced honestly, this could mean fewer hours, lower costs, and more prosperity. But again, we are not optimized for truth — we are optimized for GDP growth.
So we invent new layers of AI-enhanced bullshit:
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Prompt engineers writing prompts for other prompt engineers
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"Human-in-the-loop" validators reviewing AI output they don’t understand
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Consultants building dashboards that nobody reads
Toward a Post-Bullshit Future
Here’s the real opportunity: If we embrace deflation as a blessing — not a threat — and redesign our systems around truth, efficiency, and abundance, we could:
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Eliminate meaningless labor
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Reduce the cost of living dramatically
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Liberate people to create, heal, build, and rest
This means more than economic reform — it’s a philosophical shift. We must stop equating “employment” with value. That’s where Bitcoin and open-source tools point: toward a world where permissionless value creation is possible without the bloat of gatekeeping institutions.
Final Thought: Tech Won’t Save Us, But Truth Might
Technology, left to its own logic, tends toward freedom, efficiency, and abundance. But our current systems suppress that logic in favor of growth at all costs — even if it means assigning millions of people to do work that doesn’t need doing.
So will AI eliminate bullshit jobs?
It can. But only if we stop pretending we need them.
And for those of us who step outside the wage-work loop, something remarkable happens. We begin using these tools to create actual value — not to impress a boss, but to solve real problems and serve real people.
Recently, I built a tool using AI and automation that helps me cross-post content from Nostr to LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. It wasn’t for a paycheck. It was about leverage — freeing time, expanding reach, and creating a public record of ideas.\ You can check it out here:\ 👉 <https://tinyurl.com/ywxuowl5>
Will it help others? I don’t know yet.\ But it helped me — and that’s the point.
Real value creation doesn’t always begin with a business plan. Sometimes it starts with curiosity, conviction, and the courage to build without permission.
Maybe the future of work isn’t about scaling jobs at all.\ Maybe it’s about reclaiming time — and using these tools to build lives of meaning.
If this resonates — or if you’ve found your own way to reclaim time and create value outside the wage loop — zap me and share your story. Let’s build the post-bullshit economy together. ⚡
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@ 94215f42:7681f622
2025-05-23 01:44:26The promise of AI is intoxicating: slash operational costs by 50-80%, achieve software-style margins on service businesses and and watch enterprise value multiply overnight.
But this initial value creation contains a hidden trap that could leave businesses worth less than when they started. Understanding the "Value Trap" is key to navigating a transition to an AI economy.
What is the Value Trap?
Whilst the value trap is forward looking and somewhat theoretical at this point, there are strong financial incentives to drive investments (many $bns of are looking at the transformation opportunity) that mean this should be taken very seriously.
The Value Trap unfolds in distinct phases:
Phase 1: Status Quo A typical service business operates with 100 units of revenue and 90 units of cost, generating 10 units of profit, representing a standard 10% margin. A bog standard business we can all relate to, long term customers locked in, market fit a distant memory, but growth is hard at this point.
Phase 2: Cost Reduction Early AI adopters slash operational expenses from 90 to 20 units while maintaining 100 units of revenue. This is the very real promise when moving to a "Human at the Edge" model that we'll unpack in a future article. Suddenly, they're generating 80 units of profit at an 8x increase that can easily add multiple to the enterprise value! A venture style return on a business previously struggling for growth.
Phase 3: Growth Phase With massive profit margins comes pricing power. These businesses can undercut competitors while maintaining healthy margins, driving rapid revenue growth. Having removed the human constraint on scaling and the additional overheads and complexity this introduces we see seemingly unlimited expansion. The brakes are truly off at this point for early adopters to expand total market share.
Phase 4: Competition Emerges The extraordinary returns attract competitors. It's important to note there is no technical moat here, other businesses implement similar AI strategies, often from your own staff who may have been let go, new entrants launch AI-native operations, and pricing power erodes.
Phase 5: Mean Reversion After 3-7 years (our best guess given current investment interest in transformation led PE), competitive pressure drives revenue down from 100 to 25 units while costs remain at 20. The business ends up with similar margins to where it started but at much lower absolute revenue, potentially destroying enterprise value.
What you've done is just massively reduced costs in this industry by displacing jobs and those individuals can turn around and compete. You incentivise the competition which erodes your pricing power
Why This Pattern is Inevitable
The Value Trap isn't pure speculation, but based on market dynamics playing out given a set of financial incentives. We believe there are several key forces that make this cycle almost guaranteed:
The Arbitrage is Too Attractive When businesses can achieve "venture returns with no product-market fit risk," capital will flood in. Private equity and Venture Capital firms are already raising funds specifically to acquire traditional service businesses and apply AI transformation strategies .
Low Technical Barriers Unlike previous technological advantages, AI implementation doesn't require significant technical moats. Much of the technology is open source, and the real barrier is process redesign thinking rather than proprietary technology.
The "One Player" Principle In any market, it only takes one competitor to implement AI-native processes to force everyone else to adapt. You either "play the game or you get left behind".
Capital Abundance With global money supply expanding and traditional investment opportunities yielding lower returns, the combination of proven product-market fit and dramatic cost reduction potential represents an irresistible opportunity for investors.
Strategic Response for SMEs: The Netflix Model
Small and medium enterprises actually have a significant advantage in navigating the Value Trap, but they need to act strategically and start moving now.
Embrace the Incubation Approach Rather than gutting your existing business, adopt Netflix's strategy: build an AI-native version of your business alongside your current operations. This approach manages risk while positioning for the future.
The answer here is why not both. you don't necessarily have to gut your current business, but you should be thinking about what does my business look like in five years and how do I transition into that.
Leverage Your Natural Advantages Small businesses can adapt faster than large enterprises. While a 20,000-person company faces "political shockwaves" when reducing workforce, a 10-person business can double revenue without anyone noticing. You can focus on growth rather than painful cost-cutting.
Remove Growth Constraints Early AI removes the traditional constraint where "adding the next person" represents a significant capital investment. Small businesses can scale efficiently once they've redesigned their processes around AI-native workflows, avoid further capital outlay and scaling without increasing complexity in operations.
Focus on Local Networks For various reasons associated with the commoditisation of intelligence, we believe the future favours "hyper-localised" businesses serving customers who "know, like, and trust" them. As intelligence becomes commoditised, human relationships become more valuable, not less.
Strategic Response for Capital Allocators
For private equity and venture capital firms, the Value Trap presents both enormous opportunity and significant risk.
Target the Right Businesses Look for businesses with strong persistent moats that will slow mean reversion:
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Strong brand and customer relationships
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High customer acquisition costs in the industry
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Regulatory barriers to entry
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Capital-intensive startup requirements
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Long-term contracts and switching costs
Master the Timing The key is capturing value during the expansion phase and exiting before mean reversion accelerates, or finding an appropriate time arbitrage solution to retain value (see below). The optimal point if you're a capital allocator is almost when you've extracted the most cost out of the business.
Consider Hybrid Strategies Rather than just gutting existing businesses, consider acquiring for distribution and customer base while building AI-native operations alongside traditional ones. This provides multiple exit strategies and reduces execution risk.
Bitcoin: The Time Arbitrage Solution
Whenever I've talked to anybody about AI, my first point of advice is just buy bitcoin.
This isn't just evangelism, so much as a recognition of where you would want to hold value as the Value Trap plays out. In essence the value trap generates an arbitrage opportunity, hige profits are pulled forwards short-term balooning the balance sheet, but the second order consequences of this change risk destroying the value you just created!
We believe alongside rapid competition leading to price for services collapsing, the mass job displacement leads to political pressure for intervention.
This could take several forms, but UBI, mortgage bailouts, unemployment extensions, seizure of existing property.
"All roads lead to money printing," as Pete notes in Good Stuff 02 .
During Weimar Republic hyperinflation, "the cost of a newspaper in year five was the same nominal figure as all of the money that existed in year four." While extreme, this illustrates how quickly monetary systems can shift as inflation and money supply inflation begins to run.
To resolve these issues, Bitcoin allows you to conduct arbitrage across time in an asset that is inflation resistant (fixed supply), hard to seize, has no counter party risk (if someone holds your gold, stocks, cash they can take it without asking) and transportable. Capturing value today and preserving it through monetary system changes protecting against the second and third-order effects of massive economic disruption, that AI represents.
Opportunity, Not Fear: The Renaissance Ahead
The Value Trap isn't a reason to avoid AI, it's a roadmap for navigating inevitable change strategically.
The Entrepreneurial Renaissance This could be a Renaissance for entrepreneurs, if you're entrepreneurial minded, this is an amazing time to be alive because there's opportunity that exists in all fields and the barriers to entry have never been lower.
Liberation from Busy Work The displacement of administrative and routine cognitive work frees humans for higher-value creation.
Democratisation of Intelligence When you can "purchase intelligence in buckets of $0.02 API calls," the barriers to starting and scaling businesses collapse. Individual entrepreneurs can build businesses that previously required large teams, with much lower complexity and risk.
Cost Reduction Benefits Everyone The ultimate outcome of the Value Trap cycle benefits consumers through dramatically lower prices for goods and services.
"Who doesn't want cheaper stuff? Why don't we just reduce the cost of everything massively?"
Conclusion: Embrace the High Agency Era
The Value Trap represents a fundamental shift from employment-based to entrepreneurship-based wealth creation. Rather than fearing job displacement, we should prepare for "the age of the entrepreneur" a high agency era.
The businesses and individuals who thrive will be those who:
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Understand the cycle and position accordingly
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Focus on unique value creation rather than routine processing or middleman models
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Build local networks and relationships
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Preserve wealth through the monetary transition
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Embrace building and creating unique value
If you are high agency, you can make anything happen.
The Value Trap isn't just about AI transforming business, it won't do this on its own, its a description of how humans will use this technology to generate and capture value.
The future belongs to builders, creators, and entrepreneurs who can navigate transition periods and emerge stronger. The Value Trap is the map, use it wisely.
This article draws heavily on discussion between myself and business partner Andy in Episode 02 of The Good Stuff, if you prefer listening try that :)
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-16 17:12:05One 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.
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@ 0b118e40:4edc09cb
2025-05-15 15:40:21My week started off with a lovely message from a friend : “I often think about you. Especially during times when it requires me to be more resilient and have faith in myself. I always carry your note in the book you gave me, “what the dog saw” And it always gives me courage and I send a little prayer your way”.
This friend of mine was dealing with the undercurrent of discrimination in my alma mater when we first met, and I helped out. It's something anybody would have done, but surprisingly, nobody else showed up. We’ve stayed in touch over the years, and my friend went on to help a lot of other people along the way.
I don’t remember what I wrote in that note. It’s something I tend to do (write notes, give books, write notes in books). But the message boomeranged back to me at a time when I needed to hold the line. To keep the faith.
Most of us don’t talk about our struggles. And sometimes the smallest act, which could just be a kind word or a reminder of the person you are, can carry farther than we imagine.
On the act of giving
There’s a book called Give and Take by Adam Grant. I picked it up hoping to learn how to take, because it’s always been easier to give and harder to accept help. But what I learned was something else entirely.
Grant studied over 30,000 people across different companies and grouped them into three types: * Givers * Matchers * Takers
Based on his studies, givers often finish last... They struggle the most. They burn out. They get overlooked. They’re too trusting.
But oddly, they also rise to the very top.
Matchers are the scorekeepers, the “I’ll help you if you help me” kind. They make up most of the population. The fascinating thing about tit-for-tat is that if someone’s kind, they reciprocate. But if someone acts like a jerk, they return the energy, and over time, it becomes a pool of spoiled milk. Matchers are a lukewarm, forgettable kind of network.
Takers are the ones chasing attention, always aligning themselves with whoever looks powerful. They tend to float toward status and soak up what they can. But they often portray themselves as kind and giving.
One example Grant shared was Enron's Kenneth Lay, who was at the center of one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history. He hung around wherever he’d get seen or validated. He funded both Bush and Clinton, hedging his bets on who might win by securing proximity. Sadly, when Enron crumbled, he died of a heart attack before his prison sentencing.
Most people steer clear from takers because they are just exhausting. And takers often collapse under the weight of their own games.
But takers aren’t the lowest performers. That spot belongs to a certain kind of giver—the self-neglecting kind. The ones with no boundaries, no clarity, and no self-awareness. They give in to avoid conflict, to feel worthy, or because they don’t know how to say no. And when life breaks them, they point fingers.
Then there’s the other kind of giver. The ones who build trust and build people up without asking for a receipt.
These givers: 1. Give without expectation, from a place of purpose 2. Build and uplift others without seeking credit 3. Set boundaries and walk away when giving turns into draining
This group of givers rarely talk much about what they do for others. But when you hear about it or see it, it stays with you. It makes you want to show up a little better.
Why open source environments feels like home
The more I thought about it, the more I saw how deeply open source reflects that kind of giving that ends up right at the top.
In open source, you don’t last if it’s just about ego. You can’t fake it. There are no titles, no awards. You either show up to build and help, or you don’t.
People who give without needing to be seen are the ones the community leans on. You can tell when someone’s pretending to care. It’s in their tone, their urgency and their sense of transaction. The genuine ones don’t need to brand themselves as generous. They just are.
Open source works because giving is the default setting. The work speaks volumes and generosity compounds. The system filters for people who show up with purpose and stay consistent.
It’s also why the ones who whine, posture, or manipulate rarely last. They might call themselves givers, but they’re not fooling anyone who’s actually doing the work.
Adam Grant found that for giver cultures to thrive, takers have to be removed. They need to be pruned. Because takers poison the well. They drain givers, shift the culture from contribution to calculation, and unravel the trust that holds open systems together.
When hope boomerangs
That note is something I don’t remember writing. But it found its way back to me, and it was a good reminder to take my own advice and keep the faith.
And maybe that’s the point.
You do a small thing. And years later, it circles back when it matters most. Not because you expected it. But because you mattered.
According to Grant, givers do best when they combine generosity with grit and strategy. They create networks built on goodwill, which eventually open doors others don’t even know exist.
So if you’re wondering where I’m going with this, do something genuinely kind for someone today. Even if it’s as simple as sending a kind note. Not for you to be seen or heard. And not for you to keep scores.
But, just because.
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@ 90152b7f:04e57401
2025-05-23 01:27:49[Analytical & Intelligence Comments]\ \ “On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.”\ \ Released on 2013-02-13 00:00 GMT Email-ID 13332210 Date 2011-05-04 16:26:59\ From <jetdrive@earthlink.net> To <responses@stratfor.com> CROYDON KEMP sent a\ message using the contact form at <https://www.stratfor.com/contact\>\\ Mossad ran 9/11 Arab "hijacker" terrorist operation\ \ By Wayne Madsen\ \ British intelligence reported in February 2002 that the Israeli Mossad ran the Arab hijacker cells that were later blamed by the U.S. government's 9/11 Commission for carrying out the aerial attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. WMR has received details of the British intelligence report which was suppressed by the government of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair.\ \ A Mossad unit consisting of six Egyptian- and Yemeni-born Jews infiltrated "Al Qaeda" cells in Hamburg (the Atta-Mamoun Darkanzali cell), south Florida, and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates in the months before 9/11. The Mossad not only infiltrated cells but began to run them and give them specific orders that would eventually culminate in their being on board four regularly-scheduled flights originating in Boston, Washington Dulles, and Newark, New Jersey on 9/11.\ \ The Mossad infiltration team comprised six Israelis, comprising two cells of three agents, who all received special training at a Mossad base in the Negev Desert in their future control and handling of the "Al Qaeda" cells. One Mossad cell traveled to Amsterdam where they submitted to the operational control of the Mossad's Europe Station, which operates from the El Al complex at Schiphol International Airport. The three-man Mossad unit then traveled to Hamburg where it made contact with Mohammed Atta, who believed they were sent by Osama Bin Laden. In fact, they were sent by Ephraim Halevy, the chief of Mossad.\ \ The second three-man Mossad team flew to New York and then to southern Florida where they began to direct the "Al Qaeda" cells operating from Hollywood, Miami, Vero Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach. Israeli "art students," already under investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration for casing the offices and homes of federal law enforcement officers, had been living among and conducting surveillance of the activities, including flight school training, of the future Arab "hijacker" cells, particularly in Hollywood and Vero Beach.\ \ In August 2001, the first Mossad team flew with Atta and other Hamburg "Al Qaeda" members to Boston. Logan International Airport's security was contracted to Huntleigh USA, a firm owned by an Israeli airport security firm closely connected to Mossad — International Consultants on Targeted Security – ICTS. ICTS's owners were politically connected to the Likud Party, particularly the Netanyahu faction and then-Jerusalem mayor and future Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. It was Olmert who personally interceded with New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to have released from prison five Urban Moving Systems employees, identified by the CIA and FBI agents as Mossad agents. The Israelis were the only suspects arrested anywhere in the United States on 9/11 who were thought to have been involved in the 9/11 attacks.\ \ The two Mossad teams sent regular coded reports on the progress of the 9/11 operation to Tel Aviv via the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. WMR has learned from a Pentagon source that leading Americans tied to the media effort to pin 9/11 on Arab hijackers, Osama Bin Laden, and the Taliban were present in the Israeli embassy on September 10, 2001, to coordinate their media blitz for the subsequent days and weeks following the attacks. It is more than likely that FBI counter-intelligence agents who conduct surveillance of the Israeli embassy have proof on the presence of the Americans present at the embassy on September 10. Some of the Americans are well-known to U.S. cable news television audiences.\ \ In mid-August, the Mossad team running the Hamburg cell in Boston reported to Tel Aviv that the final plans for 9/11 were set. The Florida-based Mossad cell reported that the documented "presence" of the Arab cell members at Florida flight schools had been established.\ \ The two Mossad cells studiously avoided any mention of the World Trade Center or targets in Washington, DC in their coded messages to Tel Aviv. Halevy covered his tracks by reporting to the CIA of a "general threat" by an attack by Arab terrorists on a nuclear plant somewhere on the East Coast of the United States. CIA director George Tenet dismissed the Halevy warning as "too non-specific." The FBI, under soon-to-be-departed director Louis Freeh, received the "non-specific" warning about an attack on a nuclear power plant and sent out the information in its routine bulletins to field agents but no high alert was ordered.\ \ The lack of a paper trail pointing to "Al Qaeda" as the masterminds on 9/11, which could then be linked to Al Qaeda's Mossad handlers, threw off the FBI. On April 19, 2002, FBI director Robert Mueller, in a speech to San Francisco's Commonwealth Club, stated: "In our investigation, we have not uncovered a single piece of paper — either here in the United States, or in the treasure trove of information that has turned up in Afghanistan and elsewhere — that mentioned any aspect of the September 11 plot."\ \ The two Mossad "Al Qaeda" infiltration and control teams had also helped set up safe houses for the quick exfiltration of Mossad agents from the United States. Last March, WMR reported: "WMR has learned from two El Al sources who worked for the Israeli airline at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport that on 9/11, hours after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all civilian domestic and international incoming and outgoing flights to and from the United States, a full El Al Boeing 747 took off from JFK bound for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. The two El Al employee sources are not Israeli nationals but legal immigrants from Ecuador who were working in the United States for the airline. The flight departed JFK at 4:11 pm and its departure was, according to the El Al sources, authorized by the direct intervention of the U.S. Department of Defense. U.S. military officials were on the scene at JFK and were personally involved with the airport and air traffic control authorities to clear the flight for take-off. According to the 9/11 Commission report, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta ordered all civilian flights to be grounded at 9:45 am on September 11." WMR has learned from British intelligence sources that the six-man Mossad team was listed on the El Al flight manifest as El Al employees.\ \ WMR previously reported that the Mossad cell operating in the Jersey City-Weehawken area of New Jersey through Urban Moving Systems was suspected by some in the FBI and CIA of being involved in moving explosives into the World Trade Center as well as staging "false flag" demonstrations at least two locations in north Jersey: Liberty State Park and an apartment complex in Jersey City as the first plane hit the World Trade Center's North Tower. One team of Urban Moving Systems Mossad agents was arrested later on September 11 and jailed for five months at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Some of their names turned up in a joint CIA-FBI database as known Mossad agents, along with the owner of Urban Moving Systems, Dominik Suter, whose name also appeared on a "Law Enforcement Sensitive" FBI 9/11 suspects list, along with the names of key "hijackers," including Mohammed Atta and Hani Hanjour, as well as the so-called "20th hijacker," Zacarias Moussaoui.\ \ Suter was allowed to escape the United States after the FBI made initial contact with him at the Urban Moving Systems warehouse in Weehawken, New Jersey, following the 9/11 attacks. Suter was later permitted to return to the United States where he was involved in the aircraft parts supply business in southern Florida, according to an informe3d source who contacted WMR. Suter later filed for bankruptcy in Florida for Urban Moving Systems and other businesses he operated: Suburban Moving & Storage Inc.; Max Movers, Inc.; Invsupport; Woodflooring Warehouse Corp.; One Stop Cleaning LLC; and City Carpet Upholstery, Inc. At the time of the bankruptcy filing in Florida, Suter listed his address as 1867 Fox Court, Wellington, FL 33414, with a phone number of 561 204-2359.\ \ From the list of creditors it can be determined that Suter had been operating in the United States since 1993, the year of the first attack on the World Trade Center. In 1993, Suter began racking up American Express credit card charges totaling $21,913.97. Suter also maintained credit card accounts with HSBC Bank and Orchard Bank c/o HSBC Card Services of Salinas, California, among other banks. Suter also did business with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Palm Beach in Florida and Ryder Trucks in Miami. Miami and southern Florida were major operating areas for cells of Israeli Mossad agents masquerading as "art students," who were living and working near some of the identified future Arab "hijackers" in the months preceding 9/11.\ \ ABC's 20/20 correspondent John Miller ensured that the Israeli connection to "Al Qaeda's" Arab hijackers was buried in an "investigation" of the movers' activities on 9/11. Anchor Barbara Walters helped Miller in putting a lid on the story about the movers and Suter aired on June 21, 2002. Miller then went on to become the FBI public affairs spokesman to ensure that Mueller and other FBI officials kept to the "Al Qaeda" script as determined by the Bush administration and the future 9/11 Commission. But former CIA chief of counter-terrorism Vince Cannistraro let slip to ABC an important clue to the operations of the Mossad movers in New Jersey when he stated that the Mossad agents "set up or exploited for the purpose of launching an intelligence operation against radical Islamists in the area, particularly in the New Jersey-New York area." The "intelligence operation" turned out to have been the actual 9/11 attacks. And it was no coincidence that it was ABC's John Miller who conducted a May 1998 rare interview of Osama Bin Laden at his camp in Afghanistan. Bin Laden played his part well for future scenes in the fictional "made-for-TV" drama known as 9/11.\ \ WMR has also learned from Italian intelligence sources that Mossad's running of "Al Qaeda" operatives did not end with running the "hijacking" teams in the United States and Hamburg. Other Arab "Al Qaeda" operatives, run by Mossad, were infiltrated into Syria but arrested by Syrian intelligence. Syria was unsuccessful in turning them to participate in intelligence operations in Lebanon. Detailed information on Bin Laden's support team was offered to the Bush administration, up to days prior to 9/11, by Gutbi al-Mahdi, the head of the Sudanese Mukhabarat intelligence service. The intelligence was rejected by the Biush White House. It was later reported that Sudanese members of "Al Qaeda's" support network were double agents for Mossad who had also established close contacts with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and operated in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Eritrea, as well as Sudan. The Mossad connection to Al Qaeda in Sudan was likely known by the Sudanese Mukhabarat, a reason for the rejection of its intelligence on "Al Qaeda" by the thoroughly-Mossad penetrated Bush White House. Yemen had also identified "Al Qaeda" members who were also Mossad agents. A former chief of Mossad revealed to this editor in 2002 that Yemeni-born Mossad "deep insertion" commandos spotted Bin Laden in the Hadhramaut region of eastern Yemen after his escape from Tora Bora in Afghanistan, following the U.S. invasion.\ \ French intelligence determined that other Egyptian- and Yemeni-born Jewish Mossad agents were infiltrated into Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates as radical members of the Muslim Brotherhood. However, the "Muslim Brotherhood" agents actually were involved in providing covert Israeli funding for "Al Qaeda" activities. On February 21, 2006, WMR reported on the U.S. Treasury Secretary's firing by President Bush over information discovered on the shady "Al Qaeda" accounts in the United Arab Emirates: "Banking insiders in Dubai report that in March 2002, U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill visited Dubai and asked for documents on a $109,500 money transfer from Dubai to a joint account held by hijackers Mohammed Atta and Marwan al Shehhi at Sun Trust Bank in Florida. O'Neill also asked UAE authorities to close down accounts used by Al Qaeda . . . . The UAE complained about O’Neill’s demands to the Bush administration. O’Neill’s pressure on the UAE and Saudis contributed to Bush firing him as Treasury Secretary in December 2002 " O'Neill may have also stumbled on the "Muslim Brotherhood" Mossad operatives operating in the emirates who were directing funds to "Al Qaeda."\ \ After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Sharjah's ruler, Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, who survived a palace coup attempt in 1987, opened his potentate to Russian businessmen like Viktor Bout, as well as to financiers of radical Muslim groups, including the Taliban and "Al Qaeda."\ \ Moreover, this Israeli support for "Al Qaeda" was fully known to Saudi intelligence, which approved of it in order to avoid compromising Riyadh. The joint Israeli-Saudi support for "Al Qaeda" was well-known to the Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah-based aviation network of the now-imprisoned Russian, Viktor Bout, jailed in New York on terrorism charges. The presence of Bout in New York, a hotbed of Israeli intelligence control of U.S. federal prosecutors, judges, as well as the news media, is no accident: Bout knows enough about the Mossad activities in Sharjah in support of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, where Bout also had aviation and logistics contracts, to expose Mossad as the actual mastermind behind 9/11. Bout's aviation empire also extended to Miami and Dallas, two areas that were nexuses for the Mossad control operations for the "Al Qaeda" flight training operations of the Arab cell members in the months prior to 9/11.\ \ Bout's path also crossed with "Al Qaeda's" support network at the same bank in Sharjah, HSBC. Mossad's phony Muslim Brotherhood members from Egypt and Yemen controlled financing for "Al Qaeda" through the HSBC accounts in Sharjah. Mossad's Dominik Suter also dealt with HSBC in the United States. The FBI's chief counter-terrorism agent investigating Al Qaeda, John O'Neill, became aware of the "unique" funding mechanisms for Al Qaeda. It was no mistake that O'Neill was given the job as director of security for the World Trade Center on the eve of the attack. O'Neill perished in the collapse of the complex.Mossad uses a number of Jews born in Arab countries to masquerade as Arabs. They often carry forged or stolen passports from Arab countries or nations in Europe that have large Arab immigrant populations, particularly Germany, France, Britain, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.\ \ For Mossad, the successful 9/11 terrorist "false flag" operation was a success beyond expectations. The Bush administration, backed by the Blair government, attacked and occupied Iraq, deposing Saddam Hussein, and turned up pressure on Israel's other adversaries, including Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Hamas, and Lebanese Hezbollah. The Israelis also saw the U.S., Britain, and the UN begin to crack down on the Lebanese Shi'a diamond business in Democratic Republic of Congo and West Africa, and with it, the logistics support provided by Bout's aviation companies, which resulted in a free hand for Tel Aviv to move in on Lebanese diamond deals in central and west Africa.\ \ Then-Israeli Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu commented on the 9/11 attacks on U.S. television shortly after they occurred. Netanyahu said: "It is very good!" It now appears that Netanyahu, in his zeal, blew Mossad's cover as the masterminds of 9/11.\ \ Wayne Madsen is a Washington, DC-based investigative journalist, author and syndicated columnist. He has written for several renowned papers and blogs.\ \ Madsen is a regular contributor on Russia Today. He has been a frequent political and national security commentator on Fox News and has also appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and MS-NBC. Madsen has taken on Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity on their television shows. He has been invited to testifty as a witness before the US House of Representatives, the UN Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and an terrorism investigation panel of the French government.\ \ As a U.S. Naval Officer, he managed one of the first computer security programs for the U.S. Navy. He subsequently worked for the National Security Agency, the Naval Data Automation Command, Department of State, RCA Corporation, and Computer Sciences Corporation.\ \ Madsen is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Association for Intelligence Officers (AFIO), and the National Press Club. He is a regular contributor to Opinion Maker
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@ 3eba5ef4:751f23ae
2025-05-23 01:12:10Crypto Insights
Introducing Generalized Program Composition and Coin Delegation into Bitcoin
Joshua Doman proposed a proof-of-concept called Graftleaf, aiming to achieve generalized program composition and delegation in Taproot in a simple and secure way. Graftleaf is a new Taproot leaf version (0xc2) that uses the annex to perform delegation. It adds two key features:
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Composition: The ability to sequentially execute zero, one, or multiple witness programs, including a locking script.
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Delegation: The ability to add additional spending conditions at signing time, which can include arbitrary combinations of programs and scripts.
This design overcomes the limitations of previous proposals by supporting complex script composition and delegation, promising backward compatibility, improved privacy and fungibility with the existing P2TR addresses.
Why OP_CHECKCONTRACTVERIFY (CCV) Will Replace OP_VAULT
A post mainly discusses the current status of Bitcoin script opcode OP_VAULT (BIP-345) and the possibility of it being replaced by OP_CHECKCONTRACTVERIFY (CCV, BIP-443). Key factors include:
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CCV is a more general version of OP_VAULT, inheriting some features such as amount modes and deferred (cross-input) checks.
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CCV supports replacing multiple script tapleaf nodes, has a simpler interface, and a lighter script interpreter implementation.
The author also points out CCV’s shortcomings and possible future extensions:
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Currently, there is a lack of supporting documentation and tools, and the BIP is not yet fully completed.
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A VAULT-decorator opcode may be needed to implement certain advanced features, such as requiring collateral lockup when unvaulting, or adding some rate-limiting behavior. These features are currently difficult to achieve.
Despite this, CCV remains a better foundation for building vault functionality.
Enabling Recursive Covenants via Self-Replication
Bram Cohen proposed adding a few simple opcodes to Bitcoin Script to enable recursive covenants in a natural and straightforward way. He illustrated with examples that a practical and useful script can be achieved through Quine, without other more complex tricks; developers writing recursive covenants must be aware of the importance of this approach.
UTXO Set Report from Mempool Research: Nearly Half of Bitcoin UTXOs Are Less Than 1,000 Sats
During the OP_RETURN debate in April-May 2025, the impact of inserting arbitrary data into transactions on the UTXO set sparked much discussion. In this report, Mempool studied the UTXO set, highlighting the fragmentation and bloat issues, especially due to small transactions and data embedding, which increase the storage and validation burden for node operators.
Key findings include:
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Severe Bloat: Currently, about 49% of UTXOs are less than 1,000 satoshis (about $1). Most of these use Taproot address format and may be related to data embedding schemes (like Ordinals) or related transfer mechanisms. Although these UTXOs can usually be spent, before they are, they increase the storage and validation burden for all node operators.
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Significant Proportion of Inscription-Related UTXOs: About 30% of UTXOs are related to inscription.
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Large Number of Long-Unspent UTXOs: There are over 100,000 old Counterparty UTXOs using Pay to Multisig (p2ms) scripts, which have existed for over 10 years. Although they make up a small proportion of the total (about 173 million UTXOs), they are a typical example of UTXO bloat.
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Taproot Becomes the Most Common UTXO Type: Among all UTXO types, Taproot (p2tr) has the highest proportion at 34.2%, followed by traditional p2pkh (28.8%) and p2wpkh (26.5%). However, in terms of total value stored, Taproot’s share is relatively low, indicating it is mainly used for small transactions or data embedding.
The report concludes by mentioning that as the UTXO sets continue to grow, Utreexo and SwiftSync are two scaling methods for maintaining Bitcoin’s accessibility to a wide range of node operators.
Visualization of Bitcoin Mainnet Data
mainnet-observer, built and maintained by developer @0xB10C, visualizes multiple data points from the Bitcoin mainnet, including:
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Mining a single block currently requires over ~500,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (500 zeta or 5×10²³) hash attempts.
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Over 42 BTC are now permanently lost in provably unspendable OP_RETURN outputs.
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Daily updated “Mining Centralization Index” (with proxy pools)
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Bitcoin mining is currently highly centralized, with 6 pools producing and mining over 95% of block templates.
Path Queries: Addressing Payment Reliability and Routing Limitations
brh28 initiated a discussion on Lightning Network payment routing, focusing on issues like liquidity uncertainty and inefficient path discovery. He proposed a new path query mechanism—allowing nodes to dynamically share information through path queries, fostering a more decentralized routing ecosystem. This can improve the success rate of large payments and reduce reliance on a completely synced channel graph. Although there are still some privacy concerns, this method provides nodes with a controllable information disclosure mechanism and is expected to revolutionize current payment routing approaches.
Bitlayer and Sui Achieve Trust-Minimized BitVM Bridge
Bitlayer and Sui integrated the BitVM Bridge, launching Peg-BTC (YBTC)—bridging native Bitcoin to the Sui ecosystem via BitVM Bridge. BitVM Bridge is a trust-minimized bridge powered by Bitlayer and supported by the advanced BitVM smart contract framework.
Ark Protocol Litepaper
Ark recently released its litepaper: Ark: A UTXO-based Transaction Batching Protocol, outlining its technical foundation. As an innovative Bitcoin scaling protocol, Ark enables off-chain transaction execution while allowing users full control over their funds. This is achieved by introducing “virtual UTXOs” (VTXOs), allowing users to transact off-chain while retaining the ability to unilaterally exit to the Bitcoin main chain. Coordinated by an operator who batches user activities into on-chain commitments, Ark achieves high transaction throughput with minimal on-chain footprint. This provides Bitcoin with a simple and user-friendly scaling solution that offers a practical path for Layer 2 solutions that are inefficient or costly to execute on the main chain.
Top Reads on Blockchain and Beyond
List of Known Real-World Bitcoin Attack Incidents
Here is a list of real-world attacks against Bitcoin/crypto asset holders over the years.
The Internet Capital Market: Free Avenue for Developers, or Another Wave of FOMO?
This post discusses Internet Capital Markets (ICM)—decentralized platforms where funds flow directly to app builders and creators. ICM combines crowdfunding, token issuance, and equity speculation, eliminating the need for VCs, banks, or app stores. In 2025, more independent developers are issuing app tokens directly via X and tools like Believe and Launchcoin, attracting mass investment.
ICM Proponents argue this model breaks traditional funding barriers, making innovation more democratic and accessible; while critics warn that ICM is becoming a hotbed for hype and short-term speculation, with many projects lacking real products or long-term value. The author believes whether ICM can become the next milestone for Web3 hinges on whether it can break free from the cycle of “speculation becomes product traction” and deliver real user value and sustained innovation.
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@ 04c915da:3dfbecc9
2025-05-15 15:31:45Capitalism is the most effective system for scaling innovation. The pursuit of profit is an incredibly powerful human incentive. Most major improvements to human society and quality of life have resulted from this base incentive. Market competition often results in the best outcomes for all.
That said, some projects can never be monetized. They are open in nature and a business model would centralize control. Open protocols like bitcoin and nostr are not owned by anyone and if they were it would destroy the key value propositions they provide. No single entity can or should control their use. Anyone can build on them without permission.
As a result, open protocols must depend on donation based grant funding from the people and organizations that rely on them. This model works but it is slow and uncertain, a grind where sustainability is never fully reached but rather constantly sought. As someone who has been incredibly active in the open source grant funding space, I do not think people truly appreciate how difficult it is to raise charitable money and deploy it efficiently.
Projects that can be monetized should be. Profitability is a super power. When a business can generate revenue, it taps into a self sustaining cycle. Profit fuels growth and development while providing projects independence and agency. This flywheel effect is why companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple have scaled to global dominance. The profit incentive aligns human effort with efficiency. Businesses must innovate, cut waste, and deliver value to survive.
Contrast this with non monetized projects. Without profit, they lean on external support, which can dry up or shift with donor priorities. A profit driven model, on the other hand, is inherently leaner and more adaptable. It is not charity but survival. When survival is tied to delivering what people want, scale follows naturally.
The real magic happens when profitable, sustainable businesses are built on top of open protocols and software. Consider the many startups building on open source software stacks, such as Start9, Mempool, and Primal, offering premium services on top of the open source software they build out and maintain. Think of companies like Block or Strike, which leverage bitcoin’s open protocol to offer their services on top. These businesses amplify the open software and protocols they build on, driving adoption and improvement at a pace donations alone could never match.
When you combine open software and protocols with profit driven business the result are lean, sustainable companies that grow faster and serve more people than either could alone. Bitcoin’s network, for instance, benefits from businesses that profit off its existence, while nostr will expand as developers monetize apps built on the protocol.
Capitalism scales best because competition results in efficiency. Donation funded protocols and software lay the groundwork, while market driven businesses build on top. The profit incentive acts as a filter, ensuring resources flow to what works, while open systems keep the playing field accessible, empowering users and builders. Together, they create a flywheel of innovation, growth, and global benefit.
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@ 3eba5ef4:751f23ae
2025-05-23 01:08:23加密洞见
在比特币中引入通用程序组合与币委托机制
Joshua Doman 提出了一个 Graftleaf 的概念验证,旨在用一种简单而安全的方法在 Taproot 中实现通用程序组合和代笔委托。Graftleaf 是一个新的 Taproot 叶子版本(0xc2),使用附件来执行委托。Graftleaf 增加了两个关键功能:
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组合:按顺序执行零个、一个或多个见证程序的能力,包括一个锁定脚本。
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委派:在签名时添加其他支出条件的能力,可以包括程序和脚本的任意组合。
它们旨在通过支持复杂的脚本组合和委托来克服以前提案的局限性,承诺提高隐私性、可替代性以及与现有 P2TR 地址的向后兼容性。
为什么说 OP_CHECKCONTRACTVERIFY (CCV) 将会取代 OP_VAULT
帖子主要讨论了比特币脚本操作码 OP_VAULT(BIP-345)的现状,及其被OP_CHECKCONTRACTVERIFY(CCV,BIP-443)取代的可能。重要因素有:
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CCV 是 OP_VAULT 的更通用版本,继承了部分功能,如金额模式(amount modes)、延迟跨输入检查(deferred cross-input checks)。
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CCV支持替换多个脚本叶子节点(tapleaf),接口更简洁,脚本解释器实现更轻量。
同时作者也指出 CCV 的不足与未来可能的扩展:
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当前缺少部分配套文档和工具,BIP 尚未完全完成。
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可能需要 VAULT-decorator 操作码来实现某些高级功能,如解锁金库时必须抵押锁定、速率限制等。
尽管如此,CCV仍然是构建金库功能的更优基础。
通过自复制方式启用递归契约
Bram Cohen 提出通过向比特币脚本添加一些简单的操作码,以一种自然而直接的方式实现递归契约(recursive covenants)。他通过例子说明,一个实用且有用的脚本通过 Quine 自复制就可以实现,无需其他更复杂的技巧;编写递归契约的开发者必须意识到该方式的重要性。
Mempool Research 发布 UTXO 集的报告:比特币中近一半 UTXO 金额小于 1000 聪
在 2025 年 4 至 5 月期间的 OP_RETURN 大辩论中,将任意数据插入交易对 UTXO 集的影响的问题引发了大量讨论。Mempool 在这份报告中,对 UTXO 集进行了研究,强调了比特币 UTXO 集合碎片化和膨胀的问题,特别是由于小额交易和数据嵌入导致的 UTXO 增长,增加了节点运营者的存储和验证负担。关键结论有:
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UTXO 集合的碎片化严重:目前约有 49% 的 UTXO 金额低于 1000 聪(约合 1 美元),这些小额 UTXO 大多采用 Taproot 地址格式,可能与数据嵌入方案(如 Ordinals 铭文)或相关的转移机制有关。尽管这些 UTXO 通常可被花费,但在被使用之前,它们会增加所有节点运营者的存储和验证负担。
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铭文相关的 UTXO 占比显著:约 30% 的 UTXO 与铭文相关。
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存在大量长期未动用的 UTXO:有超过 10 万个使用 Pay to Multisig (p2ms) 脚本的旧 Counterparty UTXO,且存在超过 10 年。尽管在总数(约 1.73 亿个 UTXO)中所占比例较小,但依然是 UTXO 膨胀的典型问题。
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Taproot 成为最常见的 UTXO 类型:在所有 UTXO 类型中,Taproot(p2tr)占比最高,为 34.2%,其次是传统的 p2pkh(28.8%)和 p2wpkh(26.5%)。但是从 UTXO 所存储的总价值来看,Taproot 的占比相对较低,表明其主要用于小额交易或数据嵌入。
报告最后也提到,对于继续增长的 UTXO 集,Utreexo 和 SwiftSync 是两种对保持比特币对广泛节点运营者可访问性的扩容方法。
比特币网络各项数据的可视化呈现
mainnet-observer 由开发者 @0xB10C 搭建并维护,将比特币链的多项数据呈现出来,可以看到:
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目前挖掘一个区块所需要的平均哈希尝试:超过 ~500000000000000000000000000(500 zeta 或 5×10²³)次
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超过 42 个 BTC 现在永远丢失在可证明无法花费的 OP_RETURN 输出中
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每日更新的「挖矿中心化指数」(带有代理池)
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比特币挖矿高度集中,6 个矿池生产并挖掘了超过 95%的区块模板(截止 2025 年 4 月)
闪电网络路径查询:解决支付可靠性和路由限制
brh28 发起了关于闪电网络路由支付的讨论,聚焦「流动性的不确定性」(liquidity uncertainty)和路径发现效率低的问题,提出了一种新的路径查询机制——允许节点以路径查询的形式,实现动态信息共享,推动了一个更加分布式的路由生态。这可以提高了大额支付的成功率,并减少对完整通道图的依赖。尽管在隐私方面仍存在一定担忧,但该方法为节点提供了一种可控的信息披露机制,有望革新现有的支付路由方式。
Bitlayer 和 Sui 实现了信任最小化的 BitVM 桥
Bitlayer 和 Sui 整合了 BitVM Bridge,推出 Peg-BTC(YBTC)——通过 BitVM Bridge 将原生比特币桥接到 Sui 生态中。BitVM Bridge 是一个由 Bitlayer 提供支持并由先进的 BitVM 智能合约框架支持的信任最小化桥。
Ark 协议的正式规范
Ark 近日发布 Litepaper: Ark: A UTXO-based Transaction Batching Protocol,阐述其技术基础。作为一种新颖的比特币扩容协议,Ark 实现了链下交易执行,同时让用户能完全掌控自己的资金。这一点通过引入「虚拟UTXO」(VTXO)得以实现,用户在链下交易,同时保留单方面退出至比特币主链的能力。Ark 同一个 operator 协作,将用户操作打包成链上承诺,在保持极小链上负担的前提下实现高交易吞吐量。这为比特币提供了一种简单易用的扩容方案,也为那些在主链上执行效率低下或成本过高的二层方案提供了落地空间。
精彩无限,不止于链
已知真实发生过的比特币攻击事件列表
这里列出了历年来在真实世界中发生过的、针对比特币/加密资产拥有者的攻击事件。
互联网资本市场:是开发者的自由通道,还是另一波 FOMO?
帖子讨论了互联网资本市场( ICM, Internet Capital Markets ),即去中心化平台——资金直接流向应用程序构建者和创建者。ICM 集众筹、代币发行和股权投机于一体,无需VC、银行或应用商店。2025年,越来越多独立开发者通过 X 和 Believe、Launchcoin 等工具直接发行应用代币,吸引大众投资。ICM 的支持者认为,这种模式打破了传统融资壁垒,让创新更民主、门槛更低;但批评者警告,ICM 正沦为炒作和短期投机的温床,许多项目缺乏实际产品和长期价值。作者认为,ICM 模式能否成为 Web3 的下一个里程碑,关键在于其能否走出「投机成了产品增长动力」(speculation becomes product traction)的怪圈,实现真正的用户价值和持续创新。
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@ 08f96856:ffe59a09
2025-05-15 01:17:18เมื่อพูดถึง Bitcoin Standard หลายคนมักนึกถึงภาพโลกอนาคตที่ทุกคนใช้บิตคอยน์ซื้อกาแฟหรือของใช้ในชีวิตประจำวัน ภาพแบบนั้นดูเหมือนไกลตัวและเป็นไปไม่ได้ในความเป็นจริง หลายคนถึงกับพูดว่า “คงไม่ทันเห็นในช่วงชีวิตนี้หรอก” แต่ในมุมมองของผม Bitcoin Standard อาจไม่ได้เริ่มต้นจากการที่เราจ่ายบิตคอยน์โดยตรงในร้านค้า แต่อาจเริ่มจากบางสิ่งที่เงียบกว่า ลึกกว่า และเกิดขึ้นแล้วในขณะนี้ นั่นคือ การล่มสลายทีละน้อยของระบบเฟียตที่เราใช้กันอยู่
ระบบเงินที่อิงกับอำนาจรัฐกำลังเข้าสู่ช่วงขาลง รัฐบาลทั่วโลกกำลังจมอยู่ในภาระหนี้ระดับประวัติการณ์ แม้แต่ประเทศมหาอำนาจก็เริ่มแสดงสัญญาณของภาวะเสี่ยงผิดนัดชำระหนี้ อัตราเงินเฟ้อกลายเป็นปัญหาเรื้อรังที่ไม่มีท่าทีจะหายไป ธนาคารที่เคยโอนฟรีเริ่มกลับมาคิดค่าธรรมเนียม และประชาชนก็เริ่มรู้สึกถึงการเสื่อมศรัทธาในระบบการเงินดั้งเดิม แม้จะยังพูดกันไม่เต็มเสียงก็ตาม
ในขณะเดียวกัน บิตคอยน์เองก็กำลังพัฒนาแบบเงียบ ๆ เงียบ... แต่ไม่เคยหยุด โดยเฉพาะในระดับ Layer 2 ที่เริ่มแสดงศักยภาพอย่างจริงจัง Lightning Network เป็น Layer 2 ที่เปิดใช้งานมาได้ระยะเวลสหนึ่ง และยังคงมีบทบาทสำคัญที่สุดในระบบนิเวศของบิตคอยน์ มันทำให้การชำระเงินเร็วขึ้น มีต้นทุนต่ำ และไม่ต้องบันทึกทุกธุรกรรมลงบล็อกเชน เครือข่ายนี้กำลังขยายตัวทั้งในแง่ของโหนดและการใช้งานจริงทั่วโลก
ขณะเดียวกัน Layer 2 ทางเลือกอื่นอย่าง Ark Protocol ก็กำลังพัฒนาเพื่อตอบโจทย์ด้านความเป็นส่วนตัวและประสบการณ์ใช้งานที่ง่าย BitVM เปิดแนวทางใหม่ให้บิตคอยน์รองรับ smart contract ได้ในระดับ Turing-complete ซึ่งทำให้เกิดความเป็นไปได้ในกรณีใช้งานอีกมากมาย และเทคโนโลยีที่น่าสนใจอย่าง Taproot Assets, Cashu และ Fedimint ก็ทำให้การออกโทเคนหรือสกุลเงินที่อิงกับบิตคอยน์เป็นจริงได้บนโครงสร้างของบิตคอยน์เอง
เทคโนโลยีเหล่านี้ไม่ใช่การเติบโตแบบปาฏิหาริย์ แต่มันคืบหน้าอย่างต่อเนื่องและมั่นคง และนั่นคือเหตุผลที่มันจะ “อยู่รอด” ได้ในระยะยาว เมื่อฐานของความน่าเชื่อถือไม่ใช่บริษัท รัฐบาล หรือทุน แต่คือสิ่งที่ตรวจสอบได้และเปลี่ยนกฎไม่ได้
แน่นอนว่าบิตคอยน์ต้องแข่งขันกับ stable coin, เงินดิจิทัลของรัฐ และ cryptocurrency อื่น ๆ แต่สิ่งที่ทำให้มันเหนือกว่านั้นไม่ใช่ฟีเจอร์ หากแต่เป็นความทนทาน และความมั่นคงของกฎที่ไม่มีใครเปลี่ยนได้ ไม่มีทีมพัฒนา ไม่มีบริษัท ไม่มีประตูปิด หรือการยึดบัญชี มันยืนอยู่บนคณิตศาสตร์ พลังงาน และเวลา
หลายกรณีใช้งานที่เคยถูกทดลองในโลกคริปโตจะค่อย ๆ เคลื่อนเข้ามาสู่บิตคอยน์ เพราะโครงสร้างของมันแข็งแกร่งกว่า ไม่ต้องการทีมพัฒนาแกนกลาง ไม่ต้องพึ่งกลไกเสี่ยงต่อการผูกขาด และไม่ต้องการ “ความเชื่อใจ” จากใครเลย
Bitcoin Standard ที่ผมพูดถึงจึงไม่ใช่การเปลี่ยนแปลงแบบพลิกหน้ามือเป็นหลังมือ แต่คือการ “เปลี่ยนฐานของระบบ” ทีละชั้น ระบบการเงินใหม่ที่อิงอยู่กับบิตคอยน์กำลังเกิดขึ้นแล้ว มันไม่ใช่โลกที่ทุกคนถือเหรียญบิตคอยน์ แต่มันคือโลกที่คนใช้อาจไม่รู้ตัวด้วยซ้ำว่า “สิ่งที่เขาใช้นั้นอิงอยู่กับบิตคอยน์”
ผู้คนอาจใช้เงินดิจิทัลที่สร้างบน Layer 3 หรือ Layer 4 ผ่านแอป ผ่านแพลตฟอร์ม หรือผ่านสกุลเงินใหม่ที่ดูไม่ต่างจากเดิม แต่เบื้องหลังของระบบจะผูกไว้กับบิตคอยน์
และถ้ามองในเชิงพัฒนาการ บิตคอยน์ก็เหมือนกับอินเทอร์เน็ต ครั้งหนึ่งอินเทอร์เน็ตก็ถูกมองว่าเข้าใจยาก ต้องพิมพ์ http ต้องรู้จัก TCP/IP ต้องตั้ง proxy เอง แต่ปัจจุบันผู้คนใช้งานอินเทอร์เน็ตโดยไม่รู้ว่าเบื้องหลังมีอะไรเลย บิตคอยน์กำลังเดินตามเส้นทางเดียวกัน โปรโตคอลกำลังถอยออกจากสายตา และวันหนึ่งเราจะ “ใช้มัน” โดยไม่ต้องรู้ว่ามันคืออะไร
หากนับจากช่วงเริ่มต้นของอินเทอร์เน็ตในยุค 1990 จนกลายเป็นโครงสร้างหลักของโลกในสองทศวรรษ เส้นเวลาของบิตคอยน์ก็กำลังเดินตามรอยเท้าของอินเทอร์เน็ต และถ้าเราเชื่อว่าวัฏจักรของเทคโนโลยีมีจังหวะของมันเอง เราก็จะรู้ว่า Bitcoin Standard นั้นไม่ใช่เรื่องของอนาคตไกลโพ้น แต่มันเกิดขึ้นแล้ว
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@ f85b9c2c:d190bcff
2025-05-23 01:04:58I’ve always believed that truth doesn’t bend to the will of the crowd. Growing up, I watched people nod along to ideas they didn’t even agree with, just because everyone else seemed to. It baffled me then, and it still does now. There’s something powerful about standing firm when you know you’re right—even if it means standing alone.
It’s not easy, though. The pressure to conform can feel like a tidal wave, crashing down with judgment, whispers, and rolled eyes. I’ve been there, heart pounding, wondering if I’m the crazy one. But here’s what I’ve learned: the majority isn’t always right. History backs me up—think of Galileo, shunned for saying the Earth wasn’t the center of the universe, or the countless voices drowned out before they were proven true. Numbers don’t guarantee wisdom.
For me, it’s about integrity. If I’ve wrestled with the facts, questioned myself, and still landed on solid ground, I’m not backing down just to keep the peace. It’s not arrogance—it’s conviction. I’d rather be the lone voice in a sea of noise than a silent echo of a lie. Because in the end, truth doesn’t care about headcounts. It cares about courage.
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@ f85b9c2c:d190bcff
2025-05-23 01:01:32Hey, it’s me again, and let me tell you about the wildest thing that happened to me recently. I swear, my life could be a comedy show sometimes😂. Picture this: me and my buddies were out messing around in the woods near campus, just kicking it like we always do. The sun was out, the vibes were good, and we were probably being louder than we needed to be. Then, out of nowhere, I spotted something slithering near my friend benji leg.
A snake. A legit, no-joke snake!
I yelled, “SNAKE!” at the top of my lungs—probably sounded like a total lunatic —and before I could even blink, those dudes were GONE. I mean, faster than their shadows, Olympic-sprinter-level gone. I’m standing there, heart pounding, looking at this snake like, “Bruh, did I just get ditched?” Turns out, I did. My so-called friends bolted back to the dorms without a second thought, leaving me to face the scaly intruder solo. Luckily, the snake wasn’t in the mood for drama. It just gave me this lazy side-eye and slithered off, like it was too cool to deal with me. I hightailed it back to the dorms too, and when I got there, benji and the crew were already laughing their heads off. “Bro, you screamed like a horror movie victim!” they said. Yeah, real funny, guys.
Honestly, though? I’m just glad that snake didn’t get too cozy with my backside. A near miss like that deserves a medal—or at least a good story. We’ve been cracking up about it ever since, and now every time we’re out, I’m the designated “snake spotter. Lesson learned: friends are great until nature throws a curveball. Phew, that was close! Never be afraid to stand against everyone if you know you’re right.
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@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b
2025-05-12 12:23:54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。
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。
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
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。
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。
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。
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
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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
安全建议(基于当前攻击模型)
- 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
- 如 Coldcard 的二维码验证机制
- 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
- 多签钱包必须提供可见 redeem script 的界面与 k 值校验提示
- 不接受“帮你配置好了”的 UI 黑箱
- Taproot 虽增强隐私,但也加剧验证障碍
- 若使用合签结构,应避免依赖第三方界面进行签名决策
- 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
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.io2. 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.com3. 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
攻击流程图解
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 资金注入:用户将资金转入这些地址,认为资金安全。
- 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。
参考文献
附录:攻击面分析——为何 xpub 替换是多签特有的风险?
单签钱包是否存在 xpub 替换攻击?
答案:否。
在单签钱包结构中(如 BIP32/BIP39 衍生的标准钱包):
- 钱包只依赖一个 xpub,并且这个 xpub 是从用户私钥派生而来;
- Coldcard、Trezor 等硬件钱包会自动根据本地 seed 派生地址,无需输入外部 xpub;
- 用户可以通过设备显示屏确认“这是我派生出来的地址”,不存在外部注入路径。
因此:xpub 替换在单签钱包中不存在攻击面,攻击路径被封死。
多签钱包为什么引入了 xpub 攻击面?
多签钱包(如 2-of-3、3-of-5)需要以下信息来生成地址:
- 所有参与者的 xpub;
- 公钥排序规则(如 BIP67);
- 多签脚本模板(如 OP_2
OP_3 OP_CHECKMULTISIG); - 每个 key 的派生路径(如 m/48'/0'/0'/2'/0/1);
这就意味着,用户必须信任这些输入的 xpub 是来自真正的签名方。如果攻击者悄悄将其中某一份换成自己控制的 xpub,那他就自动成为地址共管人,甚至是单签人。
Coldcard 攻击案例回顾:
- 用户通过 PSBT 模板或 JSON 导入多签配置;
- 攻击者在其中替换了某一参与者的 xpub;
- Coldcard 在旧版本中未提示或验证该替换;
- 用户生成地址、发送资金,攻击者即可随时提取。
攻击面比较表
- 单签钱包
- 不接收外部 xpub,派生路径完全由设备掌控;
- 地址来源明确、签名单一;
-
xpub 替换攻击无效。
-
多签钱包
- 依赖多个外部 xpub 合成结构;
- 用户很难手动验证每一条 xpub 与 fingerprint;
- xpub 替换为高危攻击点。
Taproot 是否规避了 xpub 替换问题?
部分规避,但引入了新的验证难题。
Taproot + MuSig2 等结构通过将多个 pubkey 合成为一个点:
P = H(P1 + P2 + P3)
这确实可以隐藏合约结构,提升隐私,但也导致:
- 用户无法从地址还原参与者是谁;
- 如果其中一个公钥被攻击者替换,生成的地址仍然合法;
- 用户在链上看不到任何异常,但攻击者已取得合约控制权。
因此:Taproot 并未从根本上消除 xpub 替换的攻击面,反而因为其不可还原性使得攻击更加隐蔽。
总结
多签钱包之所以引入新的攻击面,不是因为它“更复杂”,而是因为它必须信任外部结构。一旦你的钱包要“与他人协作生成地址”,你就必须验证“这些人是谁”、“这些地址是怎么来的”——这就是攻击的入口。
单签保护的是私钥,
多签则要求你保护你的伙伴。 -
@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 07:01:51Donald Trump’s recent four-day visit took the President to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. This visit has intertwined diplomatic relations with business interests, while simultaneously influencing the bitcoin market.
In Qatar, the President met with Emir Tanim bin Hamad Al Thani, resulting in over $243 billion in deals including major defense agreements, according to Bloomberg.
On May 15, the President made his visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi alongside Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. This occurs as the Trump family expands its business presence in the Middle East.
The Trump Organization is developing luxury properties across the region, including Trump Tower Dubai, real estate projects in Riyadh, and development in Jeddah and Oman.
Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman in King Khalid International Airport — NBCNews
Eric Trump publicly announced construction plans for Trump Tower Dubai just last month, highlighting the family’s ongoing commercial footprint in the region.
These business connections extend into the digital asset ecosystem as UAE-backed investment firm MGX recently announced it would use USD1, World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin to support a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest digital asset exchange, according to APNews.
This connection between Trump-aligned interests and major digital asset investments creates a potential avenue for market influence.
Historically, stability in the Middle East, especially among oil-rich nations, reduces global market volatility. This encourages risk appetite among investors, often leading to increased allocations to digital assets like bitcoin.
Middle East diplomacy directly affects global oil prices. Stable oil prices can lower inflation expectations and lead to interest rate cuts by the Fed. Lower rates lead to an increase in liquidity, having positive effects on bitcoin, an asset that benefits from money printing.
Related: Fed Rate Cuts Could Lead to Major Price Swings for Bitcoin
On the investment front, Abu Dhabi’s Wealth Fund, Mubadala Investment Company, has been focused on increasing their shares in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).
According to a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Mubdala held 8.7 million IBIT shares, totaling $408.5 million as of March 31, 2025.
The Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund increased its shares by 500,000 since its last filing in December of 2024.
Back in March, the United States created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The executive order states that the U.S. will not sell the bitcoin they already hold, and will create budget-neutral ways to increase their holdings.
The time has come where governments and wealth funds alike are jumping on board the Bitcoin train.
Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East illustrates how financial, diplomatic, and personal interests are becoming increasingly intertwined with Bitcoin and digital assets, serving as a new axis of influence in the U.S.-Middle East relations.
The combination of diplomatic progress and business expansion has heightened short-term volatility and trading volumes in the bitcoin market.
Trump’s business and digital asset ties in the region may further boost institutional interest and create an opportunity for more players to enter the market.
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@ d360efec:14907b5f
2025-05-12 04:01:23 -
@ 3c389c8f:7a2eff7f
2025-05-11 22:53:30As 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.
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 07:01:50Bahrain-based Al Abraaj Restaurants Group has made history by becoming the first publicly-traded company in the Middle East to add bitcoin to its corporate treasury. This is a major step forward for regional bitcoin adoption.
On May 15, 2025, Al Abraaj Restaurants Group, a well-known restaurant chain listed on the Bahrain Bourse, announced it had bought 5 bitcoin (BTC) as part of a new treasury strategy. This makes the company the first in Bahrain, the GCC and the Middle East to officially hold bitcoin as a reserve asset.
Al Abraaj adds bitcoin to its treasury — Zawya
This is a growing trend globally where companies are treating bitcoin not just as an investment but as a long-term store of value. Major companies like Strategy, Tesla and Metaplanet have already done this — and now Al Abraaj is following suit.
Metaplanet recently added 1,241 BTC to its treasury, boosting the company’s holdings above El Salvador’s.
Related: Metaplanet Overtakes El Salvador in Bitcoin Holdings After $126M Purchase
“Our initiative towards becoming a Bitcoin Treasury Company reflects our forward-thinking approach and dedication to maximizing shareholder value,” said Abdulla Isa, Chairman of the Bitcoin Treasury Committee at Al Abraaj.
Al Abraaj’s move is largely inspired by Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy, the world’s largest corporate holder of bitcoin. Saylor’s strategy of allocating billions to bitcoin has set a model that other companies — now including Al Abraaj — are following.
A photo shared by the company even showed a meeting between an Al Abraaj representative and Saylor, with the company calling itself the “MicroStrategy of the Middle East”.
“We believe that Bitcoin will play a pivotal role in the future of finance, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this transformation in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Isa added.
To support its bitcoin initiative, Al Abraaj has partnered with 10X Capital, a New York-based investment firm that specializes in digital assets.
10X Capital has a strong track record in bitcoin treasury strategies, and recently advised Nakamoto Holdings on a $710 million deal — the largest of its kind.
With 10X’s help, Al Abraaj looks to raise more capital and increase its bitcoin holdings over time to maximize bitcoin-per-share for its investors. The company will also develop Sharia-compliant financial instruments so Islamic investors can get exposure to bitcoin in a halal way.
“Bahrain continues to be a leader in the Middle East in Bitcoin adoption,” said Hans Thomas, CEO of 10X Capital. He noted, with a combined GDP of $2.2 trillion and over $6 trillion in sovereign wealth, the GCC now has its first publicly listed bitcoin treasury company.
This is not just a first for Al Abraaj — it’s a first for the region. Bahrain has been positioning itself as a fintech hub and Al Abraaj’s move will encourage more non-fintech companies in the region to look into bitcoin.
The company said the decision was made after thorough due diligence and is in line with the regulations set by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). Al Abraaj will be fully compliant with all digital asset transaction rules, including transparency, security and governance.
A special Bitcoin Committee has been formed to oversee the treasury strategy. It includes experienced bitcoin investors, financial experts and portfolio managers who will manage risk, monitor market conditions and ensure best practices in custody and disclosure.
The initial purchase was 5 BTC, but Al Abraaj sees this as just the beginning. The company stated that there are plans in motion to allocate a significant portion of their treasury into bitcoin over time.
According to the company’s reports, Al Abraaj is financially sound with $12.5 million in EBITDA in 2024. This strong financial foundation gives the company the confidence to explore new strategies like bitcoin investment.
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 07:01:49Steak ‘n Shake recently made headlines by officially accepting bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network across all its U.S. locations. The integration of Bitcoin payments at over 500 locations is a monumental moment for both the fast food industry and the broader retail sector.
This is not just something that Steak ‘n Shake is testing in a handful of locations, they are doing a full-scale rollout, fully embracing Bitcoin.
With more than 100 million customers a year, Steak ‘n Shake’s integration of Lightning—Bitcoin’s fast, low-fee payment layer—makes it easier than ever to use Bitcoin in day-to-day life. Buying a burger and a shake with sats? That’s now a real option.
The process is straightforward. Customers simply scan a Lightning QR code at the register, completing their payment in seconds, while Steak ‘n Shake receives instant USD conversion, ensuring price stability and ease of use.
So what does this mean for Bitcoin and E-commerce?
For starters, Steak ‘n Shake becomes the first of eventually many to fully embrace a digital world. As Bitcoin continues to grow, consumers will continue to realize the benefits of saving in a currency that is truly scarce and decentralized.
This is a huge step forward for Bitcoin as it shows it is not just for holding, it’s for spending, too. And by using the Lightning Network, Steak n’ Shake is helping prove that Bitcoin can scale for everyday transactions.
This now creates a seamless checkout experience, making bitcoin a viable alternative to credit cards and cash.
More importantly, it signals a significant shift in mainstream attitudes towards Bitcoin. As a well-known brand across America, this move serves as a powerful endorsement, likely to influence other chains and retailers to consider similar integrations.
Related: Spar Supermarket in Switzerland Now Accepts Bitcoin Via Lightning
What can this mean for your business?
Accepting bitcoin as payment can open the door to a new demographic of tech-savvy, financially engaged consumers who prefer digital assets.
As we know, companies that adopt Bitcoin receive a fascinating amount of love from the Bitcoin community and I would assume Steak n’ Shake will be receiving the same amount of attention.
From a business perspective, accepting bitcoin has become more than just a payment method—it’s a marketing tool. It sets your business apart and gets people talking. And in a crowded market, that kind of edge matters.
Steak ‘n Shake’s embrace of Bitcoin is likely to accelerate the adoption of digital assets in both physical retail and e-commerce.
As more businesses witness the operational and marketing benefits, industry experts anticipate a ripple effect that will increase interaction between consumers and digital currencies, further regulatory clarity, and bring continued innovation in payment technology.
Steak ‘n Shake’s nationwide Bitcoin payments rollout is more than a novelty. It’s a pivotal development for digital payments, setting a precedent for other retailers and signaling the growing integration of digital assets into everyday commerce.
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@ d360efec:14907b5f
2025-05-10 03:57:17Disclaimer: * การวิเคราะห์นี้เป็นเพียงแนวทาง ไม่ใช่คำแนะนำในการซื้อขาย * การลงทุนมีความเสี่ยง ผู้ลงทุนควรตัดสินใจด้วยตนเอง
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@ f85b9c2c:d190bcff
2025-05-23 00:54:23P2P trading is also referred to as peer-to-peer trading or, more recently, people-to-people trading. Individuals can trade currencies and other marketable goods with other traders in this decentralized financial trading system. P2P trading is a method of trading cryptocurrencies between people without the need of middlemen like exchanges, banks, or other financial institutions. Networks that connect buyers and sellers, streamline transactions, and frequently provide conflict resolution services are where P2P transactions take place.
What is P2P Trading P2P trading is one of the quickest, cheapest, and most adaptable trading platforms, according to numerous research. Even more people could benefit from it if they lack access to conventional financial services or find some procedures to be too complicated.
P2P Trading in Nigeria P2P trading has grown somewhat in popularity in recent years as a result of the expansion of online marketplaces that bring together buyers and sellers. These platforms frequently offer wonderful alternatives to traditional financial services and perform similarly to or even better than what is provided by regional banks. Markets today provide unique advantages like quick transactions, reduced fees, and improved flexibility.
The ongoing development of regulations prohibiting the usage of cryptocurrencies is another factor that has increased the need for P2P trade in Nigeria. The majority of crypto traders in Nigeria now trade their cryptocurrencies with one another using the P2P trading system rather than the conventional trader-to-exchange service as a result of the ban on cryptocurrencies since 2021 till recently.P2P trading is thus one of the most popular and widely used forms of trading in Nigeria.
Peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading is available on a number of well-known trading platforms, including Binance, Bitget, Bybit etc. A system has been built by these platforms (exchange websites and mobile applications) that enables traders to connect and trade their preferred crypto assets. P2P trading platforms have the power to transform Nigeria’s financial system and open up new doors for economic growth and development by bringing buyers and sellers together directly.
How does P2P trading work? One of the most effective ways to exchange cryptocurrency is through P2P trading, so everyone should be aware of how to get around it. It uses the exchange as a middleman to arrange, oversee, and finish trades between two independent dealers. The exchange service is used by buyers who search for sellers who are willing to sell to them at the price they are willing to pay, make a payment, and receive coins in return.
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@ 1817b617:715fb372
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Race/Finney-style blockchain simulation, our technology generates coins that are virtually indistinguishable from real, fully confirmed blockchain transactions. Transactions stay live and spendable from 60 up to 360 days!
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Over 79 billion flash transactions completed.
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Yes, up to 5 Windows PCs per license. - Chargebacks possible?
No, flashing is irreversible. - Spendability?
Flash coins stay spendable 60–360 days. - Verification after expiry?
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 07:01:48Panama City may be the next Latin American city to adopt bitcoin, after El Salvador.
Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has got the bitcoin world excited after hinting that the city might have a bitcoin reserve. The speculation started on May 16 when Mizrachi posted a simple but powerful message on X:
Two words. That’s it. What makes it special is that it came after a high-profile meeting with Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert, two key figures behind El Salvador’s bitcoin strategy.
Keiser is an advisor to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and Herbert leads the country’s Bitcoin Office.
El Salvador became the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender back in 2021. Since then, it has been building a national bitcoin reserve, currently holding 6,179 BTC worth around $640 million. It’s also using geothermal energy to power bitcoin mining in an eco-friendly way.
El Salvador’s bitcoin treasury — Bitcoin.gob.sv
Mizrachi’s meeting with Keiser and Herbert was about how Panama could do the same. While the details of the conversation are private, Keiser shared on social media that the two countries will play a big role in the future of Bitcoin.
“Bitcoin is transforming Central America,” Keiser wrote. “El Salvador’s geothermal & Panama’s hydro-electric will power the Bitcoin revolution.”
Max Keiser on X
Panama with its hydroelectric power could be a hub for green bitcoin mining.
Mizrachi has not announced a bitcoin reserve plan nor submitted a proposal to the National Assembly. But his post and public appearances suggest it’s being considered.
He will be speaking at the upcoming Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas just days after his social media post. Many expect he will share more about Panama City’s bitcoin plans during his talk.
If Mizrachi pushes for a bitcoin reserve, he will need to work with national lawmakers to pass new legislation. So far, there is no evidence of that.
Even without a bitcoin reserve, Panama City is already going big on digital assets.
In April 2025, the city council approved a measure to allow residents to pay taxes, fees, fines and permits with digital currencies. Supported tokens are bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), USD Coin (USDC) and Tether (USDT).
To comply with financial laws, the city has partnered with a bank that instantly converts these digital assets into U.S. dollars. According to Mizrachi, this way it’s easier for residents to use digital assets and the city’s financial operations will be transparent and legal.
Another part of the meeting with El Salvador’s advisors was education.
Stacy Herbert confirmed that Panama City will be integrating El Salvador’s financial literacy book, “What is Money?” into their digital library system. The goal is to help students, teachers and the general public understand bitcoin and digital currencies in modern finance.
This is a trend in Latin America where countries are looking for alternatives to traditional banking systems. Inflation, economic instability and the rise of decentralized finance are forcing governments to look into new financial tools.
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@ c1e9ab3a:9cb56b43
2025-05-09 23:10:14I. Historical Foundations of U.S. Monetary Architecture
The early monetary system of the United States was built atop inherited commodity money conventions from Europe’s maritime economies. Silver and gold coins—primarily Spanish pieces of eight, Dutch guilders, and other foreign specie—formed the basis of colonial commerce. These units were already integrated into international trade and piracy networks and functioned with natural compatibility across England, France, Spain, and Denmark. Lacking a centralized mint or formal currency, the U.S. adopted these forms de facto.
As security risks and the practical constraints of physical coinage mounted, banks emerged to warehouse specie and issue redeemable certificates. These certificates evolved into fiduciary media—claims on specie not actually in hand. Banks observed over time that substantial portions of reserves remained unclaimed for years. This enabled fractional reserve banking: issuing more claims than reserves held, so long as redemption demand stayed low. The practice was inherently unstable, prone to panics and bank runs, prompting eventual centralization through the formation of the Federal Reserve in 1913.
Following the Civil War and unstable reinstatements of gold convertibility, the U.S. sought global monetary stability. After World War II, the Bretton Woods system formalized the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency. The dollar was nominally backed by gold, but most international dollars were held offshore and recycled into U.S. Treasuries. The Nixon Shock of 1971 eliminated the gold peg, converting the dollar into pure fiat. Yet offshore dollar demand remained, sustained by oil trade mandates and the unique role of Treasuries as global reserve assets.
II. The Structure of Fiduciary Media and Treasury Demand
Under this system, foreign trade surpluses with the U.S. generate excess dollars. These surplus dollars are parked in U.S. Treasuries, thereby recycling trade imbalances into U.S. fiscal liquidity. While technically loans to the U.S. government, these purchases act like interest-only transfers—governments receive yield, and the U.S. receives spendable liquidity without principal repayment due in the short term. Debt is perpetually rolled over, rarely extinguished.
This creates an illusion of global subsidy: U.S. deficits are financed via foreign capital inflows that, in practice, function more like financial tribute systems than conventional debt markets. The underlying asset—U.S. Treasury debt—functions as the base reserve asset of the dollar system, replacing gold in post-Bretton Woods monetary logic.
III. Emergence of Tether and the Parastatal Dollar
Tether (USDT), as a private issuer of dollar-denominated tokens, mimics key central bank behaviors while operating outside the regulatory perimeter. It mints tokens allegedly backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars or dollar-denominated securities (mostly Treasuries). These tokens circulate globally, often in jurisdictions with limited banking access, and increasingly serve as synthetic dollar substitutes.
If USDT gains dominance as the preferred medium of exchange—due to technological advantages, speed, programmability, or access—it displaces Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) not through devaluation, but through functional obsolescence. Gresham’s Law inverts: good money (more liquid, programmable, globally transferable USDT) displaces bad (FRNs) even if both maintain a nominal 1:1 parity.
Over time, this preference translates to a systemic demand shift. Actors increasingly use Tether instead of FRNs, especially in global commerce, digital marketplaces, or decentralized finance. Tether tokens effectively become shadow base money.
IV. Interaction with Commercial Banking and Redemption Mechanics
Under traditional fractional reserve systems, commercial banks issue loans denominated in U.S. dollars, expanding the money supply. When borrowers repay loans, this destroys the created dollars and contracts monetary elasticity. If borrowers repay in USDT instead of FRNs:
- Banks receive a non-Fed liability (USDT).
- USDT is not recognized as reserve-eligible within the Federal Reserve System.
- Banks must either redeem USDT for FRNs, or demand par-value conversion from Tether to settle reserve requirements and balance their books.
This places redemption pressure on Tether and threatens its 1:1 peg under stress. If redemption latency, friction, or cost arises, USDT’s equivalence to FRNs is compromised. Conversely, if banks are permitted or compelled to hold USDT as reserve or regulatory capital, Tether becomes a de facto reserve issuer.
In this scenario, banks may begin demanding loans in USDT, mirroring borrower behavior. For this to occur sustainably, banks must secure Tether liquidity. This creates two options: - Purchase USDT from Tether or on the secondary market, collateralized by existing fiat. - Borrow USDT directly from Tether, using bank-issued debt as collateral.
The latter mirrors Federal Reserve discount window operations. Tether becomes a lender of first resort, providing monetary elasticity to the banking system by creating new tokens against promissory assets—exactly how central banks function.
V. Structural Consequences: Parallel Central Banking
If Tether begins lending to commercial banks, issuing tokens backed by bank notes or collateralized debt obligations: - Tether controls the expansion of broad money through credit issuance. - Its balance sheet mimics a central bank, with Treasuries and bank debt as assets and tokens as liabilities. - It intermediates between sovereign debt and global liquidity demand, replacing the Federal Reserve’s open market operations with its own issuance-redemption cycles.
Simultaneously, if Tether purchases U.S. Treasuries with FRNs received through token issuance, it: - Supplies the Treasury with new liquidity (via bond purchases). - Collects yield on government debt. - Issues a parallel form of U.S. dollars that never require redemption—an interest-only loan to the U.S. government from a non-sovereign entity.
In this context, Tether performs monetary functions of both a central bank and a sovereign wealth fund, without political accountability or regulatory transparency.
VI. Endgame: Institutional Inversion and Fed Redundancy
This paradigm represents an institutional inversion:
- The Federal Reserve becomes a legacy issuer.
- Tether becomes the operational base money provider in both retail and interbank contexts.
- Treasuries remain the foundational reserve asset, but access to them is mediated by a private intermediary.
- The dollar persists, but its issuer changes. The State becomes a fiscal agent of a decentralized financial ecosystem, not its monetary sovereign.
Unless the Federal Reserve reasserts control—either by absorbing Tether, outlawing its instruments, or integrating its tokens into the reserve framework—it risks becoming irrelevant in the daily function of money.
Tether, in this configuration, is no longer a derivative of the dollar—it is the dollar, just one level removed from sovereign control. The future of monetary sovereignty under such a regime is post-national and platform-mediated.
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@ 74fb3ef2:58adabc7
2025-05-22 22:26:23Suppose you have a small mom-and-pop shop selling bananas, your bananas are of the highest quality, you plant the banana trees yourself, you water them daily, take great care of everything, and still select only the top 1% of bananas to sell.
Your customers love it, there's no place where they can get better bananas, but due to the fact that you spend so much time, your bananas have to be more expensive, so despite the higher quality, you don't make as much money as you think you should; surely you can get a little more of the market if you adopt some of the strategies that work for your competitors.
So you look across the street, and what do you know? Their bananas are of significantly worse quality than yours, but they're not just selling bananas, they're selling apples too, so you think to yourself, "what if I sold apples? Maybe my apples won't be the best in the market, but nobody can beat my bananas!"
You start planting apple trees, and after a while you're able go sell slightly better than average apples, but by doing so you neglect your bananas ever so slightly.
Most of your existing customers don't notice, you still have the best bananas in town, they don't notice the slight drop in quality. And now that you're selling apples too you're making more money, and more customers come to you.
But you notice that there's a new store now that's selling oranges, and people are buying them. So surely you need oranges too, so you can make some extra money.
You plant a few orange trees, but find yourself spending so much time tending to the oranges and apples that you can't devote the same time and love to your bananas.
You are making a bit of extra cash from the new customers, business is going well, but you don't have time for anything else anymore. You no free time anymore, you are overworked and your health is getting worse.
But you can't stop now that business is going well, you are making so much more, yeah maybe you don't have the same bananas anymore, but you do have slightly above average apples and oranges that have attracted so many customers.
You suddenly fall ill, you've overworked yourself and you are stuck at a hospital for a while.
When you come back to your store, a few of your customers are back, but not all of them, so you think of more ideas, mandarins, kiwi, watermelons, you can grow it all, but you're gonna hire a bunch of people to help you so you don't fall ill again.
One thing leads to another and you are making more money than ever, but strangely you don't hear your customers praising your bananas anymore.
So you take one of your bananas, peel it, and as you taste it, a wave of disappointment hits you.
Your bananas are now just as bad as everyone else's; you gave in to the tyranny of the marginal customer.
You make a lot of money now, but your flagship product is long gone, you are now just another Fruitseller.
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 07:01:47Ed Suman, a 67-year-old retired artist who helped create large sculptures like Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog, reportedly lost his entire life savings — over $2M in digital assets — in a sophisticated scam.
The incident is believed to be tied to the major data breach at Coinbase, one of the world’s largest digital asset exchanges.
Suman’s story is part of a bigger wave of attacks on digital asset holders using stolen personal info, and has triggered lawsuits, regulatory concerns and questions about digital security in the Bitcoin space.
In March 2025, Suman got a text message about suspicious activity on his Coinbase account. After Suman reported he was unaware of any unauthorized activity regarding his account, he got a call from a man who introduced himself as Brett Miller from Coinbase Security.
The guy sounded legit — he knew Suman’s setup, including that he used a Trezor Model One hardware wallet, a device meant to keep bitcoin and other digital assets offline and safe.
Suman told Bloomberg the guy knew everything, including the exact amount of digital assets he had.
The attacker persuaded Suman that his Trezor One hardware wallet and its funds were at risk and walked him through a “security procedure” that involved entering his seed phrase into a website that looked exactly like Coinbase, in order to “link his wallet to Coinbase”.
Nine days later, another guy called and repeated the process, saying the first one didn’t work.
And then, all of Suman’s digital assets — 17.5 bitcoin and 225 ether — were gone. At the time, bitcoin was around $103,000 and ether around $2,500, so the stolen stash was worth over $2 million.
Suman turned to digital assets after retiring from a decades-long art career. He stored his assets in cold storage to avoid the risks of online exchanges. He thought he did everything right.
Suman’s attackers didn’t pick his name out of a hat.
It looks like his personal info may have been leaked in the major breach at Coinbase. The company confirmed on May 15 that some of its customer service reps in India were bribed to access internal systems and steal customer data.
The stolen data included names, phone numbers, email addresses, balances and partial Social Security numbers.
According to Coinbase’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the breach may have started as early as January and affected nearly 1% of the company’s active monthly users — tens of thousands of people.
Hackers demanded $20M from Coinbase to keep the breach quiet but the company refused to pay. Coinbase says it fired the compromised agents and is setting aside $180M to $400M to reimburse affected users.
But so far, Suman hasn’t been told if he’ll be reimbursed.
Since the breach was disclosed, Coinbase has been hit with at least six lawsuits.
The lawsuits claim the company failed to protect user data and handled the aftermath poorly. One lawsuit filed in New York federal court on May 16 says Coinbase’s response was “inadequate, fragmented, and delayed.”
“Users were not promptly or fully informed of the compromise,” the complaint states, “and Coinbase did not immediately take meaningful steps to mitigate further harm.”
Some lawsuits are seeking damages, others are asking Coinbase to purge user data and improve its security. Coinbase has not commented on the lawsuits but pointed reporters to a blog post about its response.
Suman’s case is a cautionary tale across the Bitcoin world. He used a hardware wallet (considered the gold standard of Bitcoin security) and was still tricked through social engineering. Even the strongest security is useless if you don’t understand how Bitcoin works.
It’s never too early for Bitcoiners to start learning more about Bitcoin, especially on how to keep their stash safe. And the first lesson is “never ever share your seed phrase with anyone”.
Related: Bitcoin Hardware Wallet Hacks: What You Need to Know
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@ bf47c19e:c3d2573b
2025-05-22 21:03:52Originalni tekst na bitcoin-balkan.com.
Pregled sadržaja
- Šta je finansijski samo-suverenitet?
- Zašto smo prestali da koristimo zlatni standard?
- Šta fali tradicionalnoj valuti i centralnim bankama?
- Kako mogu ljudi da mi ukradu novac ako je u banci?
- Kako ljudi koriste moje finansijske podatke protiv mene?
- Kako ljudi kontrolišu sa kim obavljam transakcije?
- Kako da povratimo svoj finansijski samo-suverenitet?
- Kako Bitcoin funkcioniše?
- Pa onda, zašto Bitcoin?
- Po čemu je Bitcoin bolji od sistema tradicionalnih valuta?
- Kako Bitcoin štiti od Inflacije?
- Kako Bitcoin štiti od Zaplene?
- Kako Bitcoin štiti Privatnost?
- Kako Bitcoin štiti od Cenzure?
- Šta će vlada i banke učiniti sa Bitcoin-om?
- Da li je vrednost Bitcoin-a nestabilna?
- Da li je Bitcoin novac?
- Bitcoin kao Zaliha Vrednosti
- Bitcoin kao Sredstvo Razmene
- Bitcoin kao Obračunska Jedinica
- Bitcoin kao Sistem Kontrole
- Šta je sa „Sledećim Bitcoin-om“?
- Na kraju
Kratki uvod u bezbednost, privatnost i slobodu vašeg novca.
Pre nego što saznate kako morate znati zašto.
Šta je finansijski samo-suverenitet?
Zamislite da u ruci imate zlatni novčić, jedan od najjednostavnijih i najčistijih oblika finansijskog samo-suvereniteta.
Da biste držali taj zlatni novčić, ne morate da se složite sa bilo kojim Uslovima korišćenja ili Politikom privatnosti, da se pridržavate bilo kojih KYC ili AML propisa, da pokažete ličnu kartu, da navedete svoje ime ili jedinstveni matični broj.
Samo ga držite u ruci i njime možete platiti bilo šta, davanjem tog novčića nekom drugom da ga drži u ruci. To je čista sloboda.
Pored slobode onoga što kupujete svojim novčićem, niko ne može magično znati kome plaćate ili koju robu/usluge kupujete tim zlatni novčićem, jer vaša privatnost nije ugrožena sa zlatom.
A pošto imate svoju privatnost, niko ne može znati za vaše transakcije, pa niko ne može da odluči da ograniči ili kontroliše za šta koristite taj zlatni novčić.
Hiljadama godina zlato je bilo globalni standard novca.
Svi su održavali svoj finansijski samo-suverenitet, a privatnost i sloboda svačijeg novca su poštovani.
Zaista je bilo tako jednostavno.
Zašto smo prestali da koristimo zlatni standard?
Trenutni globalni bankarski sistem i sistem tradicionalnih valuta, bankari su vrlo polako implementirali u proteklih 100+ godina.
Udružili su se sa svetskim vladama koje su svima oduzele zlato pod pretnjom nasilja.
Na primer, nakon što je Federalna banka rezervi osnovana u SAD-u 1913. godine, američka vlada je nasilno oduzela svo zlato 1933. godine, prisiljavajući sve da koriste nove centralne banke i sistem novčanica Federalnih rezervi.
„Dostavite svoje celokupno zlato u naše sefove u zamenu za bezvredni papir, ili ćemo upotrebiti silu nad vama.“
Banke su u početku zamenile zlatni standard papirnim priznanicama zvane zlatni sertifikati, ali nakon što je prošlo dovoljno vremena, banke su u osnovi jednostavno prestale da ih otkupljuju za zlato.
Zlatni sertifikati izdavani od banaka (novčanice ili „gotovina“) u tom trenutku bili su samo bezvredni papir, ali zbog vladine pretnje nasiljem, svi su bili primorani da nastave da koriste novčanice Federalnih rezervi.
Od skora, banke koriste digitalnu bazu podataka, u kojoj doslovno mogu stvoriti novac ni iz čega, čak i da ga ne moraju štampati na papiru.
Predsednik Federalnih rezervi priča kako oni „štampaju“ novac.
Oni su učvrstili svoju moć da manipulišu i naduvaju globalnu novčanu masu, nadgledaju finansijske transakcije svih i kontrolišu protok svih tradicionalnih valuta u svom bankarskom sistemu.
Banke sada kontrolišu sve.
Jednom kada su centralni bankari uspešno preuzeli kontrolu nad novčanom masom u svetu, zajedno sa sposobnošću svih da slobodno vrše transakcije i trguju, svet je kolektivno izgubio bezbednost, slobodu i privatnost svog novca.
Šta fali tradicionalnoj valuti i centralnim bankama?
Nakon impelentacije trenutnog globalnog bankarskog sistema i sistema tradicionalnih valuta, svetu nije preostao drugi izbor nego da veruje bankarima i političarima da vode globalni finansijski sistem na pošten način.
„Koren problema tradicionalne valute je potpuno poverenje potrebno za njeno funkcionisanje. Centralnoj banci se mora verovati da neće devalvirati valutu, ali istorija tradicionalnih valuta je puna kršenja tog poverenja. Bankama se mora verovati da čuvaju naš novac i prenose ga elektronskim putem, ali ga daju u talasima kreditnih balona sa malim delićem rezerve. ““ — Satoshi Nakamoto
Istorija zloupotrebe tradicionalnih valuta može se grupisati u 3 kategorije:
• Bezbednost. Loši ljudi kradu vaš novac ili vrednost vašeg novca, ponekad na očigledne načine, ponekad na podle načine.
• Privatnost. Loši ljudi nadgledaju sve vaše privatne finansijske transakcije, i koriste vaše lične finansijske podatke protiv vas.
• Sloboda. Loši ljudi kontrolišu na koji način možete da trošite sopstveni novac, sa kim možete da obavljate transakcije, koliko možete da potrošite itd.
Kako mogu ljudi da mi ukradu novac ako je u banci?
Evo nekoliko primera:
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Krađa inflacijom: Ovo je primarni način na koji banke kradu vaš novac i jedan od najpodlijih. Kada centralne banke izdaju novi novac, bilo štampanjem na bezvrednom papiru, ili samo dodavanjem knjigovodstvenog unosa u bazu podataka koju kontrolišu, one naduvaju globalnu novčanu masu. Inflacija krade kupovnu moć svih koji drže deo te valute, jednostavno zato što je sada više te valute u opticaju. Zlato se ne može stvoriti, pa su bankari umesto toga izmislili sistem papirnog novca.
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Krađa zaplenom: Ovo je jedan od načina na koji vlade mogu ukrasti vaš novac. Da li ste ikada čuli za zaplenu imovine? Ako policajac posumnja da je vaša imovina korišćena u krivičnom delu, može je zapleniti, a vi se morate boriti da biste povratili vašu ukradenu imovinu. Ili, drugi primer: Pokušajte da uđete u zemlju sa više od 10.000 USD u džepu, a ne da je prijavite, i pogledajte šta će se dogoditi. Sve je isto: krađa od strane drugih ljudi sa oružjem.
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Krađa putem oporezivanja: Ovo je još jedan način na koji vam vlade kradu novac. Ne sporim da li je oporezivanje etično ili ne, samo konstatujem činjenicu da vaša vlada može da primora vašu banku da im da vaš novac, a ovo je bezbednostna ranjivost. Da bi novac bio siguran, mora biti nezaplenjiv, a vlade mogu da zaplene vaše bankovne račune.
Kako ljudi koriste moje finansijske podatke protiv mene?
Ako fizičku tradicionalnu valutu predate drugoj osobi, u obliku papirnog novca ili kovanica, relativno je lako zaštititi privatnost svoje transakcije, baš kao što bi bilo da koristite zlatnike.
Međutim, ako koristite kreditne kartice, debitne kartice, bankovne transfere, PayPal, Venmo, LINE Pay, WeChat Pay ili bilo koju drugu mrežu za plaćanje koja je centralno kontrolisana, aktivno pristajete da se odreknete privatnosti podataka svih svojih privatnih finansijskih transakcija i sve ih dajete poverljivoj trećoj strani.
Kada su svi podaci i metapodaci vaših finansijskih transakcija prijavljeni u centralnu bazu podataka, onaj ko ima pristup toj bazi podataka može da koristi vaše podatke protiv vas.
Evo nekoliko osnovnih primera:
- Ako ste kupili robu rizičnog životnog stila poput cigareta, banka može reći vašoj osiguravajućoj kompaniji da poveća vaše osiguranje.
- Ako ste kupili nešto što je ilegalno, poput droga za rekreaciju, vaša banka može reći vašoj vladi da vas zakonski goni.
Ali u slučaju nekih represivnih vlada, oni su to odveli do ekstrema. Oni centralno prikupljaju sve finansijske transakcije i druge podatke svih svojih građana i stvorili su totalitarni Sistem Socijalnih Bodova (eng. Social Credit Score):
Prepoznavanje lica je jedan od elemenata kineskih napora za praćenje
Zapisi George Orwell-a već su postali stvarnost u Kini zbog sistema tradicionalnih valuta centralne banke i platnih mreža koje su izgrađene na njemu.
Ako mislite da se to neće dogoditi u vašoj zemlji, razmislite ponovo.
To se dešava vrlo polako, ali na kraju će sve svetske vlade primeniti Sistem Socijalnih Bodova, dok je Kina to tek prva učinila.
Kako ljudi kontrolišu sa kim obavljam transakcije?
U prvom primeru sa zlatnim novčićem, kada ga predate nekom drugom kao plaćanje za robu ili uslugu, ne postoji centralizovana evidencija vaše platne transakcije i imate savršenu privatnost.
Međutim, u centralnom bankarskom sistemu, budući da banka ima i znanje o podacima o vašim transakcijama i moć da kontroliše vaša sredstva, oni mogu proceniti niz pravila da bi odlučili da li žele da dozvole vašu transakciju ili da to odbiju, takođe kao i izvršenje te odluke kontrolišući vaša sredstva.
Tako su vlade naoružale tradicionalne valute i centralni bankarski sistem kao Sistem Kontrole nad svojim građanima.
Da rezimiramo: Pošto ste se odrekli bezbednosti i privatnosti svog novca, izgubili ste i svoju finansijsku slobodu.
“Privatnost nije o tome da nešto treba sakriti. Privatnost je o tome da nešto treba zaštititi.” — Edward Snowden
Kako da povratimo svoj finansijski samo-suverenitet?
Pokret Cypherpunk pokrenuli su pojedinci koji su shvatili važnost zaštite privatnosti i slobode pojedinačnih korisnika na Internetu.
Cypherpunk-ovi su verovali da se gore opisani problemi mogu rešiti samo potpuno novim novčanim sistemom, koji poštuje i štiti bezbednost, privatnost i slobodu pojedinca.
Mnogi od Cypherpunk-era pokušali su da izgrade nove etičke sisteme e-gotovine koji bi mogli da zamene tradicionalne valute i centralno bankarstvo.
Bilo je mnogo teških računarskih problema koje je trebalo prevazići u stvaranju tako istinski decentralizovanog sistema, i ako su neki od njih bili blizu cilja, svi su propali.
Odnosno, sve dok jedan pseudonim Cypherpunk-a to konačno nije shvatio 2008. godine: kombinacijom digitalnih potpisa, distribuirane knjige i peer-to-peer mreže, rođen je Bitcoin.
Kako Bitcoin funkcioniše?
Baš kao što ne treba da znate kako Internet funkcioniše da bi gledali slike mačaka na Internetu, razumevanje tehničke složenosti načina na koji Bitcoin radi „ispod haube“ nije neophodno da biste ga koristili i postigli sopstveni finansijski samo-suverenitet.
Važna stvar koju želim da saznate iz ovog članka je da iako većina novih tehnologija u početku ima loše korisničko iskustvo, Bitcoin svesno i vrlo namerno ne žrtvuje svoje osnovne filozofske principe da bi brže pridobio nove korisnike, ili da bi poboljšao korisničko iskustvo.
Najpametniji Cypherpunk-ovi rade na poboljšanju korisničkog iskustva.
Tehnologija će se sa vremenom poboljšavati, baš kao i za Internet.
Pa onda, zašto Bitcoin?
Reći ću vam zašto:
Jer Bitcoin poštuje bezbednost, privatnost i slobodu pojedinca.
Po čemu je Bitcoin bolji od sistema tradicionalnih valuta?
Za početak, Bitcoin nema Uslove korišćenja, Politiku privatnosti i Propise o usklađenosti sa KYC/AML. (Know Your Costumer & Anti-money Laundering)
Bitcoin je uspešan primer implementacije kripto-anarhije, gde su jedina pravila kriptografija, matematika i jak skup konsenzusnih pravila.
To je distribuirani i nepoverljivi sistem zasnovan na finansijskim podsticajima i nijedna osoba ili centralizovani entitet ne može da kontroliše Bitcoin.
Ono što je najvažnije, Bitcoin vam omogućava da odustanete od tradicionalnih valuta, sistema delimičnih rezervi i centralnog bankarstva rešavanjem osnovnih problema poverenja:
- Sigurnost od inflacije korišćenjem fiksnog snabdevanja
- Sigurnost od zaplene korišćenjem ključeva za kontrolu sredstava
- Privatnost plaćanja korišćenjem pseudonimnih identiteta
- Sloboda protiv cenzure korišćenjem peer to peer mreže
Kako Bitcoin štiti od Inflacije?
Jedno od najkritičnijih pravila konsenzusa o Bitcoin-u je da može postojati najviše 21,000,000 Bitcoin-a.
Nakon izdavanja svih Bitcoin-a, nikada više ne može doći do stvaranja novih Bitcoin-a.
Stoga je Bitcoin deflaciona valuta, koja sprečava ljude da ukradu vaš novac ili njegovu vrednost naduvavanjem novčane mase.
Monetarna Inflacija Bitcoin-a
Kako Bitcoin štiti od Zaplene?
Bitcoin se može preneti samo pomoću kriptografskog privatnog ključa koji kontroliše sredstva.
Nijedan bitcoin nikada ne izadje van sistema.
Nijedna vlada, banka ili sudski nalog ne mogu zapleniti ta sredstva.
Jednostavno ne postoji način da se takva odredba ili naredba sprovede od bilo kog „organa vlasti“, jer Bitcoin ne priznaje nijedno „ovlašćenje“ u svom sistemu.
Bitcoin je potpuno samo-suveren sistem i zbog svoje distribuirane prirode ne može se ugasiti.
Postoji zbog sopstvenih zasluga, samo zato što ljudi veruju u to.
Kako Bitcoin štiti Privatnost?
Bitcoin ne traži vaše ime ili druge detalje koji mogu lično da vas identifikuju.
Vaš identitet je kriptografski, a ne vaše stvarno ime.
Dakle, vaš identitet izgleda otprilike kao 1vizSAISbuiKsbt9d8JV8itm5ackk2TorC, a ne kao „Stefan Petrovič“.
Pored toga, niko ne zna ko kontroliše sredstva na datoj Bitcoin adresi, a nova tehnologija se neprestano razvija kako bi se poboljšala privatnost Bitcoin-a.
Kako Bitcoin štiti od Cenzure?
Peer-to-peer Bitcoin mreža je u potpunosti distribuirana.
To znači da ako jedan čvor pokuša da cenzuriše vašu transakciju, neće uspeti ukoliko * svaki * čvor(Node) ne izvrši cenzuru vaše transakcije.
Šta će vlada i banke učiniti sa Bitcoin-om?
Neke zemlje su pokušale da ga regulišu, kontrolišu, isključe itd., ali nijedna od njih nije uspela.
Čini se da uglavnom samo žele da koriste postojeći sistem centralnih banaka da bi kontrolisali kako ljudi trguju tradicionalnim valutama za Bitcoin, i naravno žele da oporezuju Bitcoin na bilo koji mogući način.
Evo nekoliko uobičajenih tvrdnji vlada i banaka o Bitcoin-u:
Evropska centralna banka kaže da Bitcoin nije valuta i upozorava da je vrlo nestabilna.
„Bitcoin, izgleda samo kao prevara“, rekao je gospodin Tramp. „Ne sviđa mi se jer je to još jedna valuta koja se takmiči sa dolarom.“
Da li je vrednost Bitcoin-a nestabilna?
Ako umanjite grafikon cena, videćete da Bitcoin-u neprekidno raste vrednost od kada je stvoren, trgujući sa manje od 0,01 USD i polako se penje na preko 60.000 USD na nedavnom vrhuncu početkom 2021. godine.
Cena Bitcoina od 2011. godine
To je zato što je njegova ponuda fiksna i ljudi cene njegovu nestašicu.
Sa većom potražnjom i fiksnom ponudom, cene vremenom rastu.
Kako godine odmiču, njegova vrednost će se povećavati kako novi korisnici počinju da drže Bitcoin. (U svetu Bitcoina držanju kažemo HODL. Drži bitcoin. Hodl bitcoin.)
Da li je Bitcoin novac?
Da biste odgovorili na pitanje da li je Bitcoin novac ili ne, prvo morate definisati pojam „novac“.
Nažalost, reč „novac“ koristimo da bismo opisali nekoliko vrlo različitih komplikovanih koncepata, koji su svi potpuno odvojeni.
Termin „novac“ se zapravo odnosi na:
- Zaliha Vrednosti (Store of Value)
- Sredstvo Razmene ( Medium of Exchange)
- Obračunska Jedinica (Unit of Account)
- Sistem Kontrole (System Control)
Bitcoin kao Zaliha Vrednosti
Ovaj tweet to savršeno objašnjava:
Sinov prijatelj: “Matt, šta će se dogoditi ako novčić od 1 funte usitnite na pola?”
Dobijaš dva komada bezvrednog metala. Ako zlatnik usitnite na pola, dobićete dva zlatnika, od kojih svaki vredi polovinu onoga što je novčić bio.
Sin: „… isto tako kao sa zlatom jeste sa bitcoinima“.
Bitcoin je potpuno deljiv i deluje kao izvrsna zaliha vrednosti, baš kao što je i zlato već hiljadama godina.
Bitcoin kao Sredstvo Razmene
Bitcoin je dobro služio kao sredstvo razmene za svoje rane korisnike.
Ali skaliranje Bitcoin-a na globalni nivo koji bi mogao da posluži svim ljudima je veliki izazov, jer se osnovna „blockchain“ tehnologija ne skalira na globalni nivo.
Da bi rešio ovaj problem skaliranja, Satoshi je izumeo koncept kanala plaćanja, a u kombinaciji sa malo pomoći drugih briljantnih računarskih naučnika Cipherpunk-a koji su poboljšali koncept tokom poslednjih 10 godina, sada imamo mrežu Lightning, koja omogućava da se Bitcoin koristi kao odlično Sredstvo Razmene, koje se vremenom može proširiti na globalni nivo.
Bitcoin kao Obračunska Jedinica
Najmanja obračunska jedinica Bitcoin-a nazvana je po njenom tvorcu, Satoshi-u.
Jedan Bitcoin je jednak 100.000.000 Satoshi-a.
Na kraju, kako se robe i usluge sve češće razmenjuju za Bitcoin, sve više ljudi će koristiti Bitcoin ili „Sats“ kao obračunsku jedinicu.
Bitcoin kao Sistem Kontrole
Budući da je Bitcoin dizajniran da poštuje i štiti ljudska prava pojedinca, posebno bezbednost, privatnost i slobodu novca; ne bi bio dobar Sistem Kontrole i ne može se koristiti za ugnjetavanje ljudi, kao što se dešava sa tradicionalnim valutama i sistemima centralnog bankarstva koji to trenutno vrlo dobro rade.
Šta je sa „Sledećim Bitcoin-om“?
Kao što može biti samo jedan „globalni“ Internet, tako može biti i samo jedan globalni novac, a stigao je i novi Bitcoin Standard.
Sve ostalo je ili direktna prevara ili gubljenje vremena.
Ako bi neko želeo da vam proda „Sledeće Zlato“, da li biste ga kupili?
Na kraju
Nadam se da vam je ovaj članak pomogao da razumete zašto je Bitcoin stvoren i kako može da pomogne svetu da se oslobodi tradicionalnih valuta i sistema centralnog bankarstva koji je veoma duboko integrisan u naše trenutno društvo.
Evo nekoliko misli koje treba poneti sa sobom:
- Bitcoin nije izmišljen radi zarade, već je izmišljen da bi promenio svet.
- Bitcoin će to učiniti poštujući korisnikovu bezbednost, privatnost i slobodu.
- Bitcoin se već koristi kao novac, na nekoliko načina na koji se novac može koristiti.
- Bitcoin nije nestabilan, njegova vrednost vremenom polako raste (odzumirajte).
- Bitcoin ima mnogo kopija i prevaranata koji će pokušati da vam prodaju svoju kopiju Bitcoin-a. Ne zavaravajte se lažnim Bitcoin-om baš kao što vas ne bi prevarili ni Lažnim Zlatom.
- Bitcoin će postati najveći prenos bogatstva u našem životu, tako da ćete možda želeti da ih uzmete pre nego kasnije.
- Ostanite skromni i skupljajte satošije.
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@ 21335073:a244b1ad
2025-05-09 13:56:57Someone 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.
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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 07:01:46JPMorgan Chase, the biggest bank in the U.S., is now allowing its clients to buy bitcoin — a big change of heart for an institution whose CEO, Jamie Dimon, has been a long-time critic of the scarce digital asset.
Dimon made the announcement on the bank’s investor day, which came as a shift in JPMorgan’s approach to digital assets. “We are going to allow you to buy it,” he said. “We’re not going to custody it. We’re going to put it in statements for clients.”
That means clients can buy BTC through JPMorgan but the bank won’t hold or store the digital asset. Instead it will provide access and include the BTC purchases in client statements.
According to multiple reports and posts, JPMorgan has been blocking transactions from digital asset exchanges, with several people complaining about their experience on social media.
There is even an official notice on the company’s UK website that explicitly says customers cannot use their funds to purchase digital assets.
JPMorgan Chase UK website — Source
It’s a big change because Dimon has been one of Bitcoin’s biggest critics. Over the years he’s called it “worthless”, a “fraud” and even compared it to a “pet rock”.
He’s repeatedly expressed concern over digital assets’ use in illegal activities such as money laundering, terrorism, sex trafficking and tax evasion. A role that his critics say the U.S. dollar is playing on a much larger scale.
Related: Jamie Dimon Would “Close Down” Bitcoin If He Had Government Role
“The only true use case for it is criminals, drug traffickers … money laundering, tax avoidance,” he told lawmakers during a Senate hearing in 2023. At the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, he doubled down, “Bitcoin does nothing. I call it the pet rock.”
Despite his personal views, Dimon says the bank is responding to client demand. “I don’t think you should smoke, but I defend your right to smoke,” he said. “I defend your right to buy bitcoin.”
It’s worth noting JPMorgan isn’t fully embracing digital assets. The bank won’t be offering direct custody services or launching its own exchange.
Instead, it’s offering access to digital asset exchanges. There are even reports that the bank also plans to facilitate access to bitcoin ETFs and possibly other investment vehicles. Until recently, JPMorgan had limited its bitcoin exposure to futures-based products.
Other big financial firms have already taken similar steps.
Morgan Stanley, for example, has been offering some clients access to bitcoin ETFs since August 2024. Its CEO, Ted Pick, said earlier this year that the firm is working closely with regulators to explore ways to get into the digital assets space.
Dimon does like blockchain, though — the technology that underpins it. JPMorgan has its own blockchain projects including JPM Coin and recently ran a test transaction on a public blockchain of tokenized U.S. Treasuries.
Many criticize this view, saying that the most powerful aspect of Bitcoin is its decentralization. So, a centralized blockchain is just useless. This might be the reason Dimon has grown weary of all JPMorgan’s blockchain initiatives, because they offered nothing of value.
He said he might have given blockchain too much credit during his investor day comments: “We have been talking about blockchain for 12 to 15 years,” he said. “We spend too much on it. It doesn’t matter as much as you all think.”
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@ 9223d2fa:b57e3de7
2025-05-09 12:31:534,457 steps
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@ b04082ac:29b5c55b
2025-05-08 14:35:02Money 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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@ 9ca447d2:fbf5a36d
2025-05-23 07:01:44Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, has entered the Bitcoin space with a $1.08 million investment in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF. This is a big deal for both Wall Street and the Bitcoin world.
Blackstone has made its first direct investment in bitcoin through regulated financial products. A May 20, 2025, SEC filing revealed that the firm purchased 23,094 shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).
BlackStone has bought 23,094 shares of BlackRock’s IBIT — SEC
While $1.08 million is a small drop in the bucket compared to Blackstone’s $1.2 trillion in assets under management, this is a big deal for the private equity giant which has been skeptical of bitcoin in the past.
In 2019, the company’s CEO, Steve Schwarzman, said he didn’t understand Bitcoin. “I was raised in a world where someone needs to control currencies,” he said, admitting he struggled to understand the technology.
Fast forward to 2025, and it is now one of the many institutional investors taking bitcoin seriously — but doing so through cautious, regulated channels.
The investment was made through Blackstone’s $2.63 billion Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund (BTMIX), which invests in a wide range of financial instruments.
Instead of buying bitcoin directly, Blackstone chose to get exposure through a bitcoin ETF — which is how many large institutions are approaching the digital asset. Spot Bitcoin ETFs like IBIT allow investors to track the price of bitcoin without having to hold the digital asset itself.
There are several advantages to this approach. ETFs trade like stocks, are regulated by the SEC and take care of complex issues like custody and compliance. This makes them more attractive for firms that are new to Bitcoin or still wary of the risks.
Related: Bitcoin ETFs Provide Convenient Price Exposure, But At What Cost?
Blackstone’s choice of a bitcoin ETF shows how effective these products are at connecting traditional finance to the digital age.
In addition to IBIT, Blackstone also disclosed smaller investments in two other digital-asset-related companies:
- 9,889 shares of the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO), valued at about $181,166.
- 4,300 shares of Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM), a bitcoin ATM operator, worth approximately $6,300.
Together, these are a tiny fraction of Blackstone’s portfolio but show growing interest and exploration into the space.
Since its launch in January 2024, BlackRock’s IBIT ETF has become the top-performing Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. As of mid-May 2025, the fund has seen over $46.1 billion in net inflows with no outflows since early April.
IBIT is ahead of other major ETFs like Fidelity’s FBTC and ARK’s 21Shares Bitcoin ETF.
But the trend is clear: big firms are getting comfortable with regulated bitcoin products. Industry insiders see Blackstone’s move as part of a broader shift in institutional sentiment towards bitcoin.
This is a small investment but it matters because of who is making it. Blackstone is known for being conservative and risk-averse.
Its decision to put even a tiny amount of capital into Bitcoin ETFs means tradfi companies are getting more confident in bitcoin as an asset class. Blackstone is dipping its toe in the water, and even a small step is significant given its size and influence.
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@ 000002de:c05780a7
2025-05-22 20:50:21I'm mostly curious about how Tapper can do this with a straight face.
https://stacker.news/items/986926
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@ 2b24a1fa:17750f64
2025-05-22 19:44:28„Triff niemals deine Idole“ heißt ein gängiger Ratschlag. In gewendeten Zeiten stehen zu dem die Werte auf dem Kopf – und manche Künstler mit ihnen. Die Worte, die aus manch ihrer Mündern kommen, wirken, als hätte eine fremde Hand sie auf deren Zunge gelegt.
https://soundcloud.com/radiomuenchen/wolf-biermann-und-sein-falscher-friede-von-alexa-rodrian?
Die Sängerin Alexa Rodrian erlebte bei der Verleihung des Deutschen Filmpreises einen solchen Moment der Desillusion. Es war der Auftritt des Liedermachers Wolf Biermann. Hören Sie hierzu Alexa Rodrians Text „Wolf Biermann und sein falscher Friede“.
Bild: Marco Maas/fotografirma.de
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@ 7460b7fd:4fc4e74b
2025-05-08 10:14:59背景与研究范围
Backpack 是由多名前 FTX 和 Alameda 员工在 FTX 崩盘后创立的一家加密交易平台,与 Amber Group(一家大型加密金融服务商)和已倒闭的交易所 FTX 之间可能存在多重隐秘关联。本研究超越公开新闻,从团队延续、资金路径、合规架构、基础设施复用和链上迹象等角度,推理分析三者之间的联系。下文将分别讨论:团队与股权延续性、法币出金(稳定币清算)架构、Amber Group 的支持角色、Circle/Equals Money 等第三方的关联,以及“交叉代币解锁”机制的可能性,并给出关键证据与信息缺口。
团队与股权上的延续性
首先,在团队方面,Backpack 由多名 FTX/Alameda 前成员创立。据报道,Backpack 的联合创始人包括前 Alameda Research 早期员工 Armani Ferrante,以及 FTX 前总法律顾问 Can Suncoinspeaker.com;另一位联合创始人 Tristan Yver 也曾任职于 FTX/Alamedanftgators.com。据 CoinSpeaker 披露,Backpack 40名员工中至少有5人是 FTX 前员工coinspeaker.com。这表明 Backpack 在团队传承上与 FTX 存在明显延续。一方面,创始团队直接来自原 FTX 帝国的核心人员;另一方面,他们将过往在大型交易所积累的经验带入了 Backpack。
其次,在股权投资方面也有延续痕迹。早在2022年9月,Backpack 背后的公司 Coral 即获得了由 FTX Ventures 领投的2000万美元种子轮融资,用于开发 Backpack xNFT 钱包等产品nftgators.com。然而由于2022年11月FTX暴雷,这笔来自 FTX 的投资资金大部分被冻结损失nftgators.com。在经历了资金困难的“蟑螂生存模式”后,Backpack 团队于2023-2024年重新融资,成功在2024年2月完成1700万美元的 A 轮融资nftgators.com。值得注意的是,此轮融资的投资阵容中出现了 Amber Group 的身影nftgators.com。Amber Group 与 Placeholder、Hashed、Wintermute 等知名机构共同参与了该轮融资coinspeaker.com。这意味着 Amber 已经成为 Backpack 股东之一,在股权上建立了联系。此外,Jump Crypto 和 Delphi Digital 等与 FTX时代关系密切的机构也参与了投资nftgators.com。综上, Backpack 的股东和团队构成反映出明显的历史延续:既有原FTX系资本(FTX Ventures)和人员直接过渡,也有 Amber Group 等行业巨头在FTX倒台后入场接棒投资,为 Backpack 提供资金和资源支持。
法币出金架构与 USDC 清算渠道
FTX 时代的稳定币清算: 为了解 Backpack 是否继承了 FTX 的 USDC 清算架构,需要回顾 FTX 过往的法币出入金体系。FTX 在运营高峰时期,以其流畅的出入金和稳定币兑换闻名。用户可以将 USDC 等稳定币充值到 FTX 并直接视同美元资产使用,提取时又能以银行电汇方式取出美元,过程中几乎无汇兑损耗。这背后可能依赖于 FTX 与 Circle 等机构的直接清算合作,以及自有银行网络的支持。例如,Circle 提供的企业账户服务可以让像FTX这样的平台在后台实现USDC与美元的1:1兑换与清算circle.com。事实上,FTX 曾是 USDC 的主要场景之一,大量用户通过将美元换成 USDC 再转入FTX进行交易,从而绕过昂贵的跨境汇款费用。FTX 很可能建立了高效的稳定币兑换通道——例如通过 Silvergate 银行网络或与稳定币发行方直接交割——来实现低成本、快速的法币⇄USDC 转换。这套“USDC 清算架构”是FTX业务成功的重要基础之一。
Backpack 的出金方案: Backpack 作为新兴交易所,近期正式推出了类似的法币⇄稳定币出入金功能,并号称实现了“0费率”的美元/USDC转换panewslab.com。根据官方公告,从2025年5月起,Backpack Exchange 用户可以通过电汇方式充值和提取美元,且美元与USDC的兑换不收取任何手续费panewslab.com。这与FTX当年提供的低成本稳定币出入金体验如出一辙,表明 Backpack 很可能在复用或重建一种高效的清算架构。
与FTX相比,Backpack 并未公开具体采用了何种技术/金融渠道来实现0手续费。但通过社区测试和代码线索,可以推测其架构与FTX思路相似:首先, Backpack 将美元法币与USDC稳定币视为等价资产开放存取,用户电汇美元到账后在平台得到USDC或美元余额,提币时可用USDC直接提走或兑换成美元汇出。其次, Backpack 可能通过与稳定币发行方Circle的合作,或通过场外流动性方,将用户的USDC和法币进行实时对冲清算。Circle提供的API允许合规企业账户方便地将USDC兑换为美元存入银行账户circle.com;Backpack 很可能利用了这一渠道,在后台完成USDC的兑换,再通过银行网络把美元汇给用户。虽然Backpack官方未明言使用Circle,但其USDC通道开放的举措本身就体现了Circle所倡导的稳定币跨境支付应用场景circle.com。因此,从设计上看,Backpack 的法币出入金体系是对FTX模式的一种延续和致敬,即充分利用稳定币作为清算中介,实现跨境汇款的低成本与高效率。
银行网络与 Equals Money: 更有意思的是,有社区用户实测 Backpack 的美元提现,发现汇款发起方显示为“Equals Money PLC”btcxiaolinzi.top。Equals Money 是英国一家持有FCA牌照的电子货币机构(EMI),为企业提供银行转账和外汇服务btcxiaolinzi.top。测试者推断,Backpack 可能在 Equals Money 开立了企业账户,用于代替传统银行向用户汇出美元btcxiaolinzi.top。这一细节揭示了Backpack出金架构的实现路径:Backpack 很可能将待提现的USDC通过某种方式兑换成法币并存入其在Equals Money的账户,由后者完成跨境电汇至用户收款银行。由于Equals Money本质上连接着欧洲和国际支付网络,Backpack借助它可以避开美国传统银行的限制,为全球用户(包括无法直接与美国持牌银行打交道的用户)提供出金服务。这一点在FTX时代并未被广泛报道,但符合FTX/Alameda团队擅长搭建复杂金融通道的作风。由此推断, Backpack 确实在承袭FTX时期的清算理念:利用多层金融机构合作(如稳定币发行方、电子货币机构等),构筑高效的全球资金出入网络。在表面0手续费的背后,可能是由Backpack或其合作方(如做市商)承担了兑换成本,以吸引用户panewslab.com。目前这一体系已进入公开测试及运营阶段,随着更多支付方式(ACH、SEPA)的推出,Backpack正逐步完善其全球法币出入金矩阵panewslab.com。
Amber Group 的潜在支持角色
作为Backpack的重要战略投资方,Amber Group 在该体系中可能扮演多重支持角色。首先是资金层面: Amber参与了Backpack的A轮融资nftgators.com并获得股权,这意味着Amber对Backpack的发展具有直接利益。在FTX倒闭后,Amber选择投资由FTX前团队创立的新交易所,体现出其对这支团队能力和商业模式的认可。Amber本身是知名的加密市场做市和金融服务公司,管理着庞大的资产并具备深厚的流动性提供能力dailycoin.com。因此可以合理推测,Amber除了资本投入,还可能作为做市商为Backpack的交易提供充足的流动性支持,确保用户在Backpack上交易时有良好的市场深度和稳定的价格。这种隐性支持符合许多交易所背后有大做市商“站台”的行业惯例。尤其Backpack定位要提供低成本的稳定币兑换和跨链流动性,Amber在稳定币交易市场的经验和库存或可帮助其维持汇率稳定。
其次是技术与基础设施支持: Amber Group 多年来构建了自己的交易系统(包括托管、风控和前端应用,如之前面向零售的 WhaleFin 应用)。尽管目前未有公开信息表明Backpack直接复用了Amber的技术,但不排除Amber在底层架构上提供咨询或授权支持的可能。例如,Amber深耕多链资产管理和清算,其内部API或合规方案可能对Backpack搭建跨法币/加密的基础设施有所启发。双方如果有合作,极有可能保持低调以避免监管敏感。还有一种支持形式是隐性投资或子基金合作: Amber可能通过旗下基金或关联投资工具,持有Backpack相关业务的权益而不公开身份。然而截至目前,我们尚未发现明确证据证明Amber有这种“隐形”持股行为——Amber作为领投方之一出现于公开融资名单,说明其支持主要还是以正式股权投资和业务协作的方式进行coinspeaker.com。
第三是合规与网络资源: Amber在全球(尤其亚洲)拥有广泛的业务网络和合规资源。Backpack注册在阿联酋迪拜,并计划拓展美国、日本、欧洲等市场learn.backpack.exchangelearn.backpack.exchange。Amber总部位于亚洲(最初在香港,新加坡等地开展业务),对东亚和东南亚市场非常了解。Amber的联合创始人团队中有合规专家,曾帮助公司获取多地牌照。Backpack的联合创始人之一(Can Sun)本身是前FTX法务,这保证了内部合规经验,但Amber的外部资源也可能提供协助。例如,Amber在香港与监管机构打交道的经验,或许有助于Backpack寻求香港或东南亚牌照;Amber在银行业和支付领域的关系网络,也可能帮助Backpack连接银行通道(如引荐像Equals Money这样的机构)。虽然这方面多属于推测,但考虑到Amber投资后通常会积极赋能被投企业,Backpack有理由从Amber处获得合规咨询、市场拓展等方面的帮助。
总的来看,Amber Group 对 Backpack 的支持可能是**“润物细无声”**式的:既体现在台前的融资与做市合作,也体现在幕后的资源共享和经验输出。这种支持帮助Backpack在短时间内补齐了从交易技术到法币通道的诸多要素,使其有能力低成本快速上线类似FTX当年的核心功能(如稳定币快速出入金)。然而,由于双方都未公开详述合作细节,我们对Amber介入的深度仍缺乏直接证据,只能从结果倒推其可能性。
Circle、Equals Money 等第三方的关联
在Backpack、FTX与Amber的关系网络中,Circle和Equals Money等第三方机构扮演了关键“节点”,它们的出现为三者合作提供了基础设施支撑:
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Circle(USDC发行方): Circle公司本身与FTX及Backpack都有千丝万缕的业务联系。FTX在世时是USDC重要的使用方,帮助USDC拓展了交易所场景;FTX垮台后,Backpack继续扛起“稳定币交易所”的大旗,大量采用USDC作为美元计价和清算工具panewslab.com。虽然我们没有公开材料直接指出Backpack已与Circle签署合作协议,但Backpack推出USD/USDC通道的举措实际是在推动USDC的使用,这与Circle致力于扩大USDC应用的战略不谋而合circle.com。Circle近年来打造跨境支付网络,与多家交易平台和金融机构合作提供法币-稳定币转换服务circle.com。因此,有理由相信Backpack在后台利用了Circle的流动性或API来实现用户提币时的USDC兑换和赎回。比如,当用户在Backpack提取美元,Backpack可能将等额USDC通过Circle赎回成美元,Circle则将该美元汇入Backpack的银行账户进行出金。这种模式其实正是Circle提供给企业客户的“稳定币托管清算”服务之一circle.com。换言之,Circle充当了Backpack法币出金链条中的关键一环,尽管普通用户感知不到它的存在。反过来看Amber,作为全球领先的做市商,也大量使用USDC进行交易和结算,Amber与Circle之间亦可能有直接合作关系(如参与Circle的伙伴计划等)。可以说,Circle及其USDC网络构成了FTX时代和Backpack时代连接传统金融和加密世界的桥梁:FTX和Backpack都踩在这座桥上快速发展,而Amber作为市场参与者,同样频繁走这座桥,为自身和伙伴创造价值。
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Equals Money(英国电子货币机构): 前文提及,Equals Money PLC 在Backpack的出金过程中显现出来btcxiaolinzi.top。这家公司提供面向企业的银行即服务(BaaS),允许像Backpack这样的客户通过其平台发起全球付款。Equals Money的出现意味着Backpack选择了一条灵活的合规路径来实现银行转账功能:相比直接开设传统银行账户,使用EMI能更快获取支付能力且准入门槛较低。FTX时期并未传出使用EMI的消息,因为当时FTX可直接依赖自己的银行关系网(例如通过位于美国、欧洲的自有账户)来处理汇款。然而在后FTX时代,许多加密公司(包括Amber)都在寻找新的银行替代方案,EMI因此受到青睐。具体联系: 根据实测,Backpack用户提现美元到Wise时,Wise收到的汇款来自Equals Moneybtcxiaolinzi.top。Wise作为跨境汇款平台,其收款机制对资金来源要求严格,但Equals Money持有FCA牌照,属于受监管机构,Wise接收来自Equals的资金被视为合规btcxiaolinzi.top。由此推断,Backpack通过Equals的企业账户,将兑换好的美元直接打给用户填入的收款账号(包括Wise提供的虚拟账号)。这表明Backpack和Equals Money之间有直接业务往来,Equals是Backpack法币出金服务链条上的合作伙伴。值得一提的是,Amber Group 此前在欧洲也曾探索电子货币牌照或合作渠道的可能,尽管无法确认Amber是否也使用Equals,但不排除Amber为Backpack牵线搭桥、推荐了Equals这类服务商的可能性。
综合来看, Circle和Equals Money分别代表了稳定币清算层和法币支付层的基础设施,与Backpack/FTX/Amber的联系体现为:Circle提供“链上到链下”的美元流动性支持,Equals提供“链下”最后一公里的银行网络接口。三者之所以都选择/使用这些渠道,是因为它们共享了对加密法币融合效率的追求。对于FTX和Backpack而言,这些渠道是业务方案的一部分;对于Amber而言,这些渠道是服务布局和投资的一环(Amber支持的交易所采用了这些方案,也间接符合Amber推动行业基础设施完善的利益)。
“交叉代币解锁”机制与链上协作迹象
“交叉代币解锁”是指Amber、Backpack(或其关联项目)之间通过持有彼此发行的代币,并利用协议合作、解锁计划或链上交易,实现协同利益的一种机制。鉴于Backpack尚处于发展初期,我们需要探讨哪些代币或资产可能涉及双方的互动:
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Backpack 平台代币的潜在发行: 根据Backpack社区的信息,平台计划通过交易积分空投方式向活跃用户发放代币资格btcxiaolinzi.top。这暗示Backpack未来会推出自己的平台代币。若真如此,早期投资方(包括Amber Group)很可能在代币经济中占有一席之地,例如通过投资协议获得一定比例的平台代币配额。在代币正式解锁流通时,Amber等机构投资者将持有相应份额。这就产生了潜在的“交叉代币”联系:Amber持有Backpack的代币,并可在协议允许的时间窗口解锁出售或利用。这种关系一方面绑定了Amber与Backpack的长期利益,另一方面也为Amber提供了在二级市场获利或支持Backpack代币市值的机会。如果Backpack设计代币经济时有锁仓解锁期,那么Amber的代币解锁时间和数量将受到协议约束。从链上数据看,未来可以观察这些大额代币解锁地址是否与Amber的钱包存在关联,以验证Amber对Backpack代币的处置行为。当前,由于Backpack代币尚未发行,我们只能提出这一推测性机制,等待后续链上数据来印证。
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Amber 持仓代币与Backpack业务的协同: 反之,Amber Group 或其子基金本身持有众多加密资产,是否有与Backpack生态互动的情况?例如,Amber可能持有某些与Backpack生态有关的项目代币(如Solana链上资产,Backpack钱包支持的特定NFT/代币等)。一个案例是Backpack团队曾在Solana上发行受欢迎的 xNFT系列“Mαd Lads”NFTlearn.backpack.exchange。Amber或其投资部门是否参与了该NFT的投资或持有尚无公开资料,但不排除Amber透过场内交易购买一些以支持Backpack生态热度。再者,如果Amber在其他项目上持有代币,而Backpack平台上线这些资产交易,Amber可能通过链上转账将流动性注入Backpack,从而实现双方受益——Amber获得流动性做市收益,Backpack获得交易量和资产丰富度。这可以视作一种链上协作。例如Amber持有大量某种代币X,在Backpack上新上线代币X交易对时,Amber账户向Backpack的热钱包充值代币X提供初始流动性。这样的行为在链上会呈现Amber已知地址向Backpack地址的大额转账。如果将来这些数据出现,将成为印证双方链上合作的直接证据。目前,此类链上轨迹还未有公开披露,我们只能假设其存在的可能性。
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FTX 遗留资产与Backpack 的关联: 另一个值得一提的链上观察维度是FTX/Alameda遗留资产的动向。FTX倒闭后,其相关钱包曾多次异动。Backpack团队作为前员工,有可能知晓某些地址或资产的情况。但由于破产清算在法庭监管下进行,直接将FTX遗留资产转给新项目不太现实。不过,不排除某些前Alameda投资的项目代币后来为Backpack团队所用。例如,Alameda早期投资的项目若代币解锁,Backpack团队个人可能持有部分并用于新平台的流动性。这种间接关联较难确认,但链上仍可寻找蛛丝马迹,比如监测前Alameda标识的钱包与Backpack相关地址之间的交易。如果有频繁互动,可能暗示Backpack获取了Alameda旧有资产的支持。至今未见显著证据,推测空间大于实证。
小结: “交叉代币解锁”机制目前更多停留在理论推演层面。我们确认了Backpack未来存在发行平台代币的规划btcxiaolinzi.top;也确认Amber作为投资方大概率会获得并持有该代币份额。但具体的锁仓解锁安排、双方是否会通过特殊协议(如做市激励、流动性挖矿等)进行合作,还有待官方披露或链上数据验证。链上分析工具可以在未来帮助捕捉Amber地址与Backpack生态代币/NFT的交互,从而揭示深层协作。如果发现Amber旗下地址在Backpack代币解锁后立即大量转入交易所,可能意味着Amber选择变现;反之,若锁定期内就有灰度交易发生,甚至可能存在双方提前约定的场外交换。这些都是值得持续监测的方向,但就目前信息来看,尚无定论。
\ 图:FTX、Amber Group 与 Backpack 三者关系示意图。红色/橙色线表示团队和股权延续(FTX前员工和投资延续到Backpack,Amber参与投资并可能提供流动性);蓝色线表示Backpack法币出金所依赖的稳定币清算和银行通道(通过USDC及Equals Money实现);灰色虚线表示FTX和Amber分别与USDC发行方Circle在业务上的联系。这些关系共同构成了Backpack在FTX余荫和Amber支持下快速搭建全球业务的基础。
关键证据与信息缺口
通过上述分析,我们梳理了已知的信息链条,并挖掘了若干可能的隐秘关联,同时也识别出需要进一步调查的信息空白:
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明确的证据链: 我们找到了多项公开资料证明Backpack与FTX/Amber的联系:包括创始团队来自FTX/Alamedacoinspeaker.com、FTX Ventures 曾投资Backpack母公司nftgators.com、Amber Group 参与了Backpack的融资coinspeaker.com、多名FTX旧部现在Backpack任职coinspeaker.com等。这些形成了人员和资金延续的直接证据。另外,通过用户分享和代码库,我们确认Backpack法币出金使用了Equals Money通道btcxiaolinzi.top并提供了0手续费的USD/USDC转换panewslab.com——这证明了Backpack确实建立了类似FTX当年的稳定币清算架构,只是技术实现上借助了新的合作方(Equals Money)。这些证据支撑了本文的大部分推论基础。
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合理的推测与佐证: 有些关联尚无官方公告证明,但基于行业惯例和现有线索推测合理,并有部分侧面佐证。例如,Amber 为Backpack提供做市流动性支援一事,没有直接新闻来源,但考虑到Amber投资交易所的动机和能力,此推断具有高概率可靠性。再如,Backpack疑似使用Circle的USDC清算服务,虽无明示,但从其业务模式和Circle的产品定位来看circle.com,这一幕后合作应该存在。同样地,Amber可能通过非公开方式向Backpack输出技术/合规支持,也是基于双方利益绑定关系而做出的推断。这些推测目前缺乏直接证据,只能算作可能性假设,需要后续留意更多细节披露。
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信息缺口与待验证点: 首先,关于Backpack具体的清算路径,我们仍不清楚它如何在链上/链下转换巨额USDC为法币。虽然Equals Money出现在汇款端btcxiaolinzi.top,但在那之前USDC的结算或许涉及Circle或其他做市商(如Amber)——这部分交易发生在后台,需更多技术信息或链上监控来捕捉。其次,Amber与Backpack之间除股权外是否存在合同约定的业务合作(如Amber成为指定做市商、提供信贷支持等)目前尚未公开,属于信息真空。第三,Backpack未来的代币发行和分配细节未知,Amber等投资方将如何参与、解锁周期如何,将直接影响“交叉代币”协作的发生与否,需等官方白皮书出台。第四,更多链上证据的挖掘:由于没有公开的钱包标签,很难直接将某条链上交易指认属于Amber或Backpack。但如果未来Backpack发行代币或大型交易上线,链上必然会出现相关资金流,我们可以通过已知Amber常用地址(如果有披露)来交叉比对,看其是否与Backpack生态有交互。这是一块需要进一步研究的领域,可能借助区块链分析工具和交易图谱来补全证据。最后,还有监管和法律结构的信息:例如Backpack在不同司法管辖区的注册实体与银行账号详情,FTX遗产处理过程中是否对Backpack团队有约束,这些在公开资料中都尚无答案。
结论
综合全篇分析,Backpack、Amber Group 与已倒闭的FTX之间确实存在千丝万缕的延续和关联。Backpack可以被视作FTX精神和技术路线的“继承者”之一——由FTX旧将创建,在FTX垮台造成的市场空白中迅速崛起coinspeaker.com。Amber Group 则扮演了重要的扶持者角色,通过投资和可能的资源注入,参与了Backpack的重建过程coinspeaker.com。在具体业务层面,Backpack延续了FTX时代的创新,如高效的稳定币清算和全球化业务布局,但为了适应新的环境,它也采用了新的工具(如Equals Money的出金渠道)和更严格的合规措施(迪拜等地的牌照)coinspeaker.com。这一切背后,隐现着Amber等老牌加密公司的身影支持,以及Circle等基础设施提供商的支撑。
当然,隐秘关联并不意味着不正当行为,上述关系很多是基于正常的商业合作和延续,只是未明言于公众。例如,前FTX团队利用自己的经验和人脉创建新平台,本身无可厚非;Amber投资新交易所也是市场行为。从推理和现有证据看,并没有直接迹象显示三者存在违法的秘密勾连。然而,对于研究者和行业观察者而言,了解这些联系有助于洞察加密行业格局的演变:FTX的倒下并未让其积累的人才和思想消失,反而通过创业和投资,以新的形式(Backpack)继续影响市场;Amber等老牌玩家则通过战略投资,将自己的版图延伸到新兴平台,以保持竞争力。
未来展望: 随着Backpack进一步发展,我们预计会有更多信息浮出水面来验证或修正上述假设。例如,Backpack若推出平台代币,其投资人持仓和解锁情况将记录在链,从而揭示Amber等的参与细节;再比如,Backpack进入美国市场时需要公开其合作银行或支付伙伴,届时我们可能印证Circle等在其中的角色。如果出现新的合作公告或监管披露文件,也能帮助我们更清晰地绘制三者关系网。目前的信息不对称使我们只能尽力拼凑一幅关联图景,并针对关键环节提供已知证据支持。仍存在的一些信息缺口需要持续跟进调查。总之,Backpack、Amber Group 与FTX的故事折射出加密行业的新旧交替与传承。在FTX的余烬上,新火花正在由熟悉旧世界的人点燃,而这些火花能否照亮一个更加合规稳健的未来,还有待时间检验。 nftgators.comcoinspeaker.com
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2025-05-23 07:01:43Austin, Texas – May 22, 2025 — Jippi, a pioneering mobile augmented reality (AR) game developer, is set to transform Bitcoin education with the launch of its flagship game at the Bitcoin Conference 2025, held at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from May 27-29.
In collaboration with six leading Bitcoin companies—Bitcoin Well, Beyond The Checkout, Bitcoin Trading Cards, Geyser, SHAmory, and 21M Communications—Jippi introduces an innovative blend of outdoor adventure, Bitcoin rewards, and gamified financial education designed to captivate.
At the Bitcoin Conference, Jippi’s six partners have sponsored custom “Bitcoin Beasts” tied to specific locations around The Venetian. Each sponsored Beast offers players exclusive rewards and trivia, transforming brand interactions into immersive, non-intrusive experiences.
With an expected attendance of over 30,000 at the conference, sponsors gain unparalleled exposure to a tech-savvy, Bitcoin-centric audience. Players will be rewarded 1k sats for each catch, making the total reward for catching them all 6k sats.
Jippi is redefining how young adults engage with Bitcoin by combining the thrill of location-based AR gameplay, reminiscent of Pokémon GO, with real-world bitcoin rewards (sats) and bite-sized lessons on sound money principles.
Players explore real-world locations to hunt digital creatures called Bitcoin Beasts, answering Bitcoin-related trivia to capture them and earn sats, the smallest unit of bitcoin.
The game’s seamless integration of education and entertainment makes learning about Bitcoin fun, accessible, and rewarding.
“We’re meeting Gen Z where they are—90% play mobile games, and 70% expect rewards for their time,” said Oliver Porter, Founder and CEO of Jippi.
“Jippi backdoors Bitcoin education through an immersive, reward-driven experience while offering our partners a unique branding opportunity. It’s a win-win for players, sponsors, and the Bitcoin ecosystem.”
“Jippi’s mission to gamify Bitcoin education is a game-changer for onboarding the next generation,” said Adam O’Brien, CEO of Bitcoin Well, a leading automatic self-custody Bitcoin platform and “Beast” sponsor.
“Their AR game makes learning about Bitcoin intuitive and engaging, aligning perfectly with our vision of financial empowerment. From a branding perspective, partnering with Jippi to engage and acquire new customers is a no brainer.”
In March 2025, Jippi clinched the top prize in PlebLab’s prestigious Top Builder competition, a three-month hackathon designed to spotlight innovative Bitcoin startups.
Backed by over a year of development, on-site surveys, and university testing, Jippi is a leading innovator in the Bitcoin industry looking to onboard the next generation.
Jippi invites brands, investors, and media to explore sponsorship and investment opportunities. Visit Jippi’s Partnerships Page for sponsorship details or Jippi’s Timestamp Page for investment inquiries.
For media inquiries, please contact Phil@21mcommunications.com
About Jippi
Jippi is a mobile AR gaming company dedicated to making Bitcoin education accessible and engaging. By combining location-based gameplay with bitcoin rewards and financial literacy, Jippi empowers the next generation to embrace sound money principles. Learn more at https://jippi.app.
Bitcoin Beast Sponsors
About Bitcoin Well
Beast #1 – Bitcoin Well – All bitcoin bought at Bitcoin Well are delivered directly to your personal bitcoin wallet. Your Bitcoin Well account gives you the convenience of modern banking, with the benefits of bitcoin. Join the platform that enables independence at bitcoinwell.com.
About Bitcoin Trading Cards
Beast #2 – Bitcoin Trading Cards – Bitcoin Trading Cards is bringing Bitcoin to the masses one pack at a time, making your Bitcoin journey fun and exciting for everyone.
About Beyond The Checkout
Beast #3 – Beyond The Checkout – Beyond The Checkout transforms everyday products into Bitcoin-powered experiences — rewarding customers, collecting real-time insights, and redefining post-purchase engagement.
About Geyser
Beast #4 – Geyser – Geyser is a Bitcoin-native crowdfunding platform enabling grassroots projects to raise funds via Lightning, globally and permissionlessly.
About SHAmory
Beast #5 – SHAmory – We make Bitcoin fun for all ages! Explore our bitcoin games, books, and more today at shamory.com.
About 21M Communications
Beast #6 – 21 Communications – 21 Communications helps Bitcoin companies get the media attention they deserve. As a Bitcoin-only PR Agency, 21M Comms believes Bitcoin is imperative and is committed to supporting the companies that are advancing the mission.
About Bitcoin Conference 2025
The Bitcoin Conference is the world’s largest gathering of Bitcoin enthusiasts, industry leaders, and innovators. Held annually, it showcases cutting-edge developments in the Bitcoin ecosystem. For more information, visit www.bitcoinconference.com.