Bitcoin Tipping Is Now Live on X, Powered by BitBit and Spark

500 million X users can now receive bitcoin payments instantly, evenwithout a pre-existing wallet. LOS ANGELES (CA), 8/18/2025…

_500 million X users can now receive bitcoin payments instantly, even
without a pre-existing wallet._

**LOS ANGELES (CA), 8/18/2025** – BitBit, the self-custodial social wallet that lets users instantly send and receive bitcoin directly in their browser, today announced the launch of its X (formerlyTwitter) integration, [enabling](https://lightning.news/bitcoins-lightning-network-soars/) users worldwide to exchange bitcoin tips on the platform seamlessly. The payments will be associated with X usernames, allowing anyone to receive them, even without a wallet.

The integration leverages Spark,the fastest, cheapest, most UX-friendly way to build financial apps and launch assets on bitcoin. Spark is built by Lightspark, providing open, always-on payments solutions for the Internet powered by Bitcoin: the only open, neutral network for moving value. Lightspark powers integrations with partners such as Coinbase, NuBank, Bitso, and many more to enable payments on bitcoin.

“At Lightspark, we’re working tirelessly to ensure the future of money looks like the open Internet,” said David Marcus, Lightspark’s co-founder and CEO. “Spark is built on Bitcoin because it’s the only open, neutral network for moving value. By choosing Spark, the BitBit wallet builds on this openness and proves bitcoin’s potential to empower creators and the global X community.”

While tips have been available on X since 2021, this is the **first self-custodial tipping solution** available to the public. By leveraging Spark, the fastest, cheapest, and most UX-friendly way to build financial apps and launch assets on Bitcoin, the solution eliminates the technical friction and complexity associated with scaling solutions like the Lightning Network, providing users with a seamless and intuitive wallet experience. Tip receivers will have 21 days to create a wallet to receive the money; otherwise, a refund transaction will automatically be sent back to the sender.

“It’s very important to meet people where they are rather than assume they will learn how to use new technologies,” said Felipe Servin, Founder and CEO of BitBit. “With over 500 million people already using X and most of the bitcoin-focused conversations happening there, this is the ideal place to integrate bitcoin payments for the general public.”

The extension is now live for all Chrome-compatible browsers, with mobile support and stablecoin integrations coming very soon. Install it here:
[https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/fngpibmhccdaokelgaccddiehlggihlo](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/fngpibmhccdaokelgaccddiehlggihlo)

**About Spark**

Spark is the fastest, cheapest, most UX-friendly way to build financial apps and launch assets on Bitcoin. We’re building the Bitcoin internet. Follow on X [@spark](https://x.com/spark)

**About BitBit**

BitBit is a self-custodial social Bitcoin wallet that lets users send and receive bitcoin and stablecoins right directly in their browser. Powered by Spark, a next-gen Bitcoin Layer 2, BitBit integrates directly with X usernames for frictionless tipping, payments, and community engagement, all without sacrificing privacy or control of funds. To learn more about BitBit, visit [bitbit.bot](https://bitbit.bot/)

**Press Contact**
[press@sati.pro](mailto:press@sati.pro)


Steak ’n Shake’s Cuts Payment Fees By 50% With Bitcoin

Steak ’n Shake, said it realized a 50% reduction in payment fees compared to traditional credit cards. The…

Steak ’n Shake, [said](https://paywithflash.com/bitcoin-payments-in-retail-steak-n-shake-enterprise/) it realized a 50% reduction in payment fees compared to traditional credit cards. The chain also said it saw sales spike 10.7% after integrating bitcoin payments.

Founded in 1934, the classic American burger restaurant embraced Bitcoin payments earlier this year across its U.S. and European company-operated restaurants.

This initiative is one of the [clearest examples](https://paywithflash.com/bitcoin-payments-in-retail-steak-n-shake-enterprise/) of Bitcoin moving beyond speculative investment into practical use as a retail payment method.

**Business Drivers Behind Bitcoin Adoption**

With card processing fees continuing to climb—merchants in the U.S. paid $172 billion in 2023 alone—retailers are always looking for ways to improve efficiency.

Steak ’n Shake’s experience confirms Bitcoin acceptance translates into tangible savings, with the company reporting up to a 50% reduction in payment fees compared to traditional credit cards.

In retail sectors where net profit margins typically range from 2% to 5%, halving payment costs can significantly enhance profitability or fund reinvestment in quality, technology, or customer experience.

But cost is only part of the story. Bitcoin transactions settle faster and are immune to chargebacks, offering operational benefits. For payments operations teams, this means fewer disputes, lower fraud risk, and more reliable cash flow—advantages that can reduce overhead and administrative burden.

**Meeting Customers Where They Are**

Perhaps most compelling from a revenue-growth perspective is how Bitcoin acceptance has influenced customer behavior. On the day of launch, Steak ’n Shake accounted for 0.2% of global Bitcoin transactions.

Following the rollout, the company observed a sustained spike in customer traffic, reflecting that bitcoin acceptance meets emerging consumer expectations, especially among younger demographics.

This dynamic underscores an important consideration for retail payment strategists: enabling Bitcoin payments is both a facility upgrade and a customer acquisition strategy focused on engaging tech-savvy, high-value segments increasingly comfortable with bitcoin and Lightning payments.

**Strategic Differentiation for Legacy Brands**

Steak ’n Shake’s decision to place Bitcoin on equal footing with cash and credit cards signals a shift. By normalizing bitcoin payments as a standard option, the company has positioned itself as a future-forward brand willing to adopt emerging technologies pragmatically rather than as a marketing afterthought.

This approach is instructive for enterprises weighing digital payment innovation. Bitcoin is no longer a fringe payment experiment but a legitimate component of an omnichannel payment strategy, capable of enhancing brand equity and competitive positioning.

**Growth Metrics Affirming Cryptocurrency’s Role in Retail**

Broader market data reinforces the significance of Steak ’n Shake’s move. Crypto payment volume surpassed $1.3 trillion in 2024, with projections suggesting retail crypto transactions could exceed $4.5 trillion annually by 2030. Meanwhile, surveys show 75% of U.S. retailers aim to accept crypto or stablecoins within the next two years, reflecting mainstream momentum.

**Implications for Payments Executives**

For CFOs, CROs, CTOs, and payment strategists in retail, Steak ’n Shake presents a real-world benchmark:

*   **Cost Efficiency:** Cutting payment processing fees by half can materially impact margin in a low-margin sector.
*   **Operational Streamlining:** Faster settlements and reduced chargeback exposure improve liquidity and reduce administrative costs.
*   **Customer Engagement:** Meeting crypto-native customers where they prefer to pay unlocks new revenue streams.
*   **Brand Modernization:** Early adoption signals innovation leadership and future-proofs payment offerings.

As enterprise retail continues to digitize payments and diversify rails, the Steak ’n Shake example bolsters the argument for Bitcoin’s maturity as a commerce medium—ready to be [integrated](https://paywithflash.com/integrations/) into global payment portfolios beyond speculation and hype.

> [How Flash Enables Interoperable, Self-Custodial Bitcoin Commerce](https://lightning.news/interoperable-self-custodial-bitcoin-commerce/)


It’s not every day you hear about someone taking four round-trip flights from Dublin to Prague to buy…

It’s not every day you hear about someone taking four round-trip flights from Dublin to Prague to buy bitcoin.

Or a barber at a bitcoin castle meetup charging sats for a haircut. Or someone holding up a frozen octopus bought through a bitcoin app.

But these stories aren’t urban legends; they’re real and they’re happening through [Vexl](https://x.com/vexl), a nonprofit, privacy-first peer-to-peer trading platform.

To understand what makes Vexl different, Lightning News sat down with Vexl’s Head of Growth [Grafton](https://x.com/satsdisco?t=m586s5CCzp7JhfvC3-57_A&s=09); who shared the mission, stories, and vision behind the platform that’s quietly building circular bitcoin economies worldwide.

*   **And we began with a simple but important question: what is Vexl, and how does it stand out from other peer-to-peer trading platforms?**

_[Vexl](https://vexl.it/) is a nonprofit app that lets people buy and sell bitcoin privately with friends and friends of friends. No KYC, no middlemen, no data collection._

_What makes it different is the way it works: instead of relying on reputation scores or anonymous strangers, Vexl connects you through your web of trust or your (social graph)._

_That means you see offers from people you’re already connected to directly or through mutual contacts, which makes trading more natural, safer, and closer to how cash works in the real world._

*   **Vexl emphasizes privacy and the concept of building a “web of trust.” Could you explain why these principles are so important to the platform’s vision?**

_Bitcoin was built to be peer-to-peer cash, not a product for financial institutions. Privacy matters because money without privacy is surveillance._

_Trust matters because trading with people in your circle is how real economies grow, and that is what we have truly seen._

_I only trade with people that I am direct friends with or have mutual contacts with._

_This gives me peace of mind that I know the trade is going to go smoothly. We believe this is closer to the spirit of bitcoin than any regulated exchange could ever be._

**Memorable Stories**
---------------------

*   **We’ve heard there are some incredible stories connected to Vexl, involving horses, fish, an octopus, and even a donkey. Could you share one or two of the most remarkable experiences from the platform?**

_I mean, this is the most fascinating part of the app. Originally, we planned for it to be just for buying and trading bitcoin._

_However, we soon discovered that people wanted more. They wanted to grow local circular economies, to trade things other than bitcoin, and to earn bitcoin along the way._

_I think in the first week after the marketplace went live, we started to see offers for things like raw milk and honey, and it just grew from there until we eventually added a dedicated marketplace feature for products and services._

_You can see this now in the app — you open it and choose: I have a product and I want bitcoin, or I have bitcoin and I want a product._

_For me, one of the most remarkable stories I’ve ever heard and personally experienced was when I met a taxi driver in Dublin, Ireland._

_He told me he’d been saving his cash tips for years under his mattress and wanted a way to buy bitcoin without having to KYC on an exchange._

_As a foreigner living in Ireland, he couldn’t purchase from exchanges anyway. We swapped contacts, and he quickly found one of my friends who was willing to sell him bitcoin._

_But because he didn’t have much of a network in Ireland yet, he actually made several trips to Prague to meet one of my friends and buy bitcoin in person._

_To me, this is one of the most amazing stories because it shows how much bitcoin means to some people, and what they’re willing to do to acquire it without permission or KYC._

_I met him for coffee while he was in Prague, because I was blown away by his story. He showed me a photo of his family with his wife and three children. In the photo, his wife was holding a pregnancy test, and he said: “This is why I did it — not for me, but for them.”_

_I mean, imagine that: taking four round-trip flights from Dublin to Prague just to buy bitcoin without KYC._

_Most peer-to-peer apps require you to trade with strangers using a bank account or something that connects to your real name. But on Vexl, you always trade with people you can trust._

_For me, I knew he was a trustworthy guy, and now I always have a great taxi driver in Dublin when visiting. We remain in contact and speak often, and I would even consider him a good friend now._

![image](https://lightning.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-1024x607.jpeg "The Octopus Purchase: How Vexl Redefines Peer-to-Peer Bitcoin Trading 1")

Screenshot

*   **What’s the most unexpected or creative trade you’ve seen happen through Vexl?**

_I mean, I’ve seen a lot over the years now, but I mean, things like plumbing and heating services stick out because that is like what I want._

_I don’t want to look on the Internet for a plumber who has Google reviews and try to determine what’s real and what’s fake reviews._

_If I need one or an air conditioner repairman, I would love to be able to find one through friends and friends of friends._

_I mean, that’s basically what we do anyway, we’re all familiar with that right? I mean, we meet somebody and we share our experiences, and then we want our friends to have a good time._

_So I think one that surprised me most is recently, I was looking for a physiotherapist and had a difficult time finding one, much to my surprise, but one day I opened (vexl), and there it was low and behold, a physiotherapist offering their services on Vexl for Bitcoin and we had quite a few mutual friends._

_These are the kind of stories that I think are truly amazing. It shows people understand what is possible with (vexl) and are interested in building something different and better than what we currently have, which is gamified ratings systems full of stars and empty trust. I want a world where I am always getting quality trades with people I can trust._

*   **How do these unique trades reflect the culture of peer-to-peer bitcoin transactions?**

_Well, as bitcoiners, we believe in value for value, and I think that’s what Vexl allows us to do. When I connect with people who are connected with me through mutual friends, it’s kind of like having my little support network of people who have skills and services and who trade something that we all value with each other._

_Take Hairtoshi, for example. Recently, I was at a Bitcoin event in Germany, and fiat currency was banned for three days. The only thing that you could spend was Bitcoin._

_I got a haircut with Bitcoin, and this is absolutely part of our culture. It was one of the best haircuts I’ve ever had in my life, and I’m not joking, and what it made me realize is that this is exactly the world that I wanna live in._

_I struggle to find a good barber, and I’ve been to many, many different ones over the years, but I found the best barber at a Bitcoin event in the middle of nowhere, at an old historic castle._

_I paid 21,000 satoshi for a haircut, and I walked away satisfied. I think that this is what we all want to experience, and we all experience our whole life when asking our friends for advice._

_Well imagine not having to ask every time, you just pull up on Vexl and you see a network of people and their skills and services that are in your network and you can see how many mutual friends you have and you can vouch for each other and create a true circular economy that’s based on real experiences and trust with people that you know, but it’s all done in a way that’s private and not annoying._

_No one gets messages when you join Vexl. It’s truly a purely peer-to-peer economy that we can create with this. And by the way, if you want to follow the barber I’m talking about, his X account is_ [**_@Hairtoshi\_2_**](https://x.com/Hairtoshi_21)

**The Octopus Purchase**
------------------------

*   **There’s a fascinating example of someone buying an octopus using bitcoin through Vexl. Can you tell us the full story behind that trade?**

_I mean, this was a wild one. So I’m browsing Vexl, and I see the offer for frozen octopus. Someone, I guess, had been fishing in Croatia or somewhere else, and I couldn’t believe it was frozen octopus for sale on Vexl…. why? It had to be a joke, right???_

_But it wasn’t because a few days later, I saw a guy on Twitter holding the octopus up in his hands and saying look what I bought on Vexl._

> Tak dobrú chuť! ![😎](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f60e.png) Máte rádi tyto potvory? ![🤔](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f914.png) A víte, že idú kúpit na [@vexlu](https://twitter.com/vexlu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) za bitcointy? ![😊](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f60a.png) [pic.twitter.com/pv5eDbt3BI](https://t.co/pv5eDbt3BI)
>
> — DědaBitcoiner (@dedabitcoiner) [June 7, 2024](https://twitter.com/dedabitcoiner/status/1799051354100682988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

_I think we were all shocked that something like that was possible, and this is what happens. It never ceases to amaze me that people take tools and build things with them, and that’s exactly what Vexl is._

_It’s a tool. It’s an open source tool, so if someone takes Vexl even further and builds something better than we always think, mission accomplished._

_We’re not a business trying to make money; we’re a foundation trying to create tools that empower the individual with the freedom to transact, and that is what people are doing. Here is a link to the tweet:_ [_https://x.com/dedabitcoiner/status/1799051354100682988_](https://x.com/dedabitcoiner/status/1799051354100682988)_._

*   **How did the community respond to this kind of transaction, and what does it say about the possibilities that Vexl enables?**

_Well, you know your network is your net worth, so you’ll never see so


Sazmining Sees $185k Invested In Equity Crowdfunding Round Through TimeStamp

Sazmining, the renewable-powered Bitcoin Mining-as-a-Service company, has attracted over $185,000 in crowd capital. The startup opened its equity…

[Sazmining](https://sazmining.com), the renewable-powered Bitcoin Mining-as-a-Service company, has attracted over $185,000 in crowd capital. The startup opened its equity crowdfunding campaign to the public on the bitcoin funding platform [Timestamp Financial](https://invest.timestampfinancial.com/offering/sazmining/details).

The firm seeks to complete a $618,000 in funding at a $30M valuation cap pre-money. The investment vehicle of choice is a SAFE note which will convert into equity later.

According to founder and CEO Kent Halliburton, the agreed pre-money valuation was determined by taking Sazmining’s proforma financial model projecting EBITDA for 2025 and multiplying it by an Enterprise Multiple. The enterprise multiple used was 75% of the average for AirBNB, Coinbase and MARA’s enterprise multiples.

The round gives anyone the chance to own a stake in Sazmining while supporting its mission: making Bitcoin mining decentralized, sustainable, and accessible.

**Why the Raise?**
------------------

Bitcoin adoption is accelerating, with governments and businesses building treasuries around it. Sazmining believes those treasuries should begin with bitcoin mined directly from the network, not coins bought through centralized exchanges.

“Mining is the most sovereign way to acquire bitcoin,” said Kent Halliburton, CEO and Co-Founder of Sazmining. “This raise allows more people to participate in that mission and benefit from the growth of the mining ecosystem.”

**Powered by Clean Energy**
---------------------------

All Sazmining operations run on renewable energy, with active sites across North and South America as well as Europe. The company has already shown 350% year-over-year growth and aims to use this raise to expand its reach even further.

**How to Participate**
----------------------

The crowdfunding campaign is open to the public and hosted by Timestamp:

[invest.timestampfinancial.com/offering/sazmining/details](https://invest.timestampfinancial.com/offering/sazmining/details)

For those who believe in decentralization, clean energy, and stacking sats the right way, this is the moment to get involved.


今日ケンタッキーの日？


COZMIC TRAVEL - SOUL'd OUT


pay_invoice make_invoice get_balance get_info list_transactions lookup_invoice


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Cidade mais fria do Nordeste desafia o sol e ganha apelido de ‘Suíça brasileira’

Conhecido por suas temperaturas escaldantes e praias paradisíacas, o Nordeste brasileiro também tem seu outro lado, mais especificamente Guaramiranga. O local fica a pouco mais de 100 km de Fortaleza e tem fácil acesso por estradas de asfalto

https://diariodobrasilnoticias.com.br/noticia/cidade-mais-fria-do-nordeste-desafia-o-sol-e-ganha-apelido-de-suica-brasileira-68af7731260df


attestation certificate by AWS Nitro Enclave


nwc-enclaved wallet service

Internal wallet of enclaved server instance.


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Alive and kicking


Stats:
- payments: 200
- paymentsHour: 0
- wallets: 3
- walletsHour: 0
- totalBalance: 12200000
- totalFeeCredit: 0
- serviceBalance: 25104000


hallo Welt


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#Bitcoin BTC/SEK hourly price
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 BTC: 1,075,302 sek | 24hr: 1.12%
1 SEK: 92 sats
Market cap: 21,414,104,267,855 sek

Updated: 2025-08-28 | 11:01 CEST


This is the result of a NIP90 DVM task with kind 5300

e


Great Note 📝


🤣🤣🤣 sounds like BBB BULL 🐂 SHIRE TO ME
https://blossom.primal.net/cb831deb38d4c3d9520066a0afb4d4a03b499b86ff2f0ec0ba44e6f5430cbda9.jpg


ahoy


わからないんふぉふぉ


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ios crashbug still nuking the chat

got me in 9q this time


Cool.

When private, invite-only rooms / channels (implement WhiteNoise)?


GM nostr.
I‘m searching some for some absolute beginners bitcoin content (video, podcast, books) in spanish.
Any recommendations?
nostr:nprofile1qqst32wlsgvqsnjfpkygxs4f6jyt0nc0kg935xdevwlv668dd26uh0gpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezumrpdejqzvmhwden5te0demkxtnswf5k6ctv9ehx2ap0d56hzen5xcckxan5d9eryan8wea85epsxamkwee5xfurzmnypya2s7 nostr:nprofile1qqsw54ajtaa903sa0hgt7cjpzfz2tqxkwz0y9gsy9r7ns8ufa7xk8kcpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuurjd9kkzmpwdejhgg3qj0z #asknostr 🙏


なにこれはじめてくらった


Chris Alfano shows how Bitcoin mining monetizes stranded gas, reduces flaring, and enables more oil production.

Key Takeaways
-------------

![Center of Hash - Bitcoin Offtake Unlocks Oil Production | Chris Alfano](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/08/Chris-Alfano.jpg)

Chris Alfano, CEO of 360 Energy, explains how Bitcoin mining has become a powerful tool for oil producers to monetize stranded natural gas, reduce flaring, and unlock additional oil production. What began as a vertically integrated mining venture evolved into a services business that deploys gas-to-Bitcoin infrastructure for upstream producers. In regions like the Permian Basin, where oversupply and poor pipeline contracts push gas prices to near zero or negative, Bitcoin mining offers a far more lucrative outlet, up to $13.50 per MCF compared to $1–3 on the pipeline. For large companies, the main value lies in keeping oil flowing without violating flaring restrictions, while smaller independents may chase Bitcoin economics directly. By offering flexibility, optionality, and higher margins, mining is reframing how natural gas assets are valued in the U.S. and beyond.

Best Quotes
-----------

“We realized that Bitcoin mining isn’t just a means to an end for oil and gas, it’s the other way around.”

“Henry Hub might pay $3.50 an MCF, but mining Bitcoin at the wellhead is $13.50 an MCF.”

“If a pipeline shuts down, producers can be stranded overnight. Our systems give them optionality.”

“For a big producer, it’s not really about the Bitcoin economics. They’ll pay us rent to capture gas, because without us, they’d have to shut in a million dollars a day of oil production.”

“Bitcoin mining is solving real-world problems. You can’t put an AI data center in the middle of an oil field and power it with stranded gas.”

“Only about half a percent of U.S. gas is flared, but that alone is two gigawatts of mining capacity.”

Conclusion
----------

This episode illustrates how Bitcoin mining is becoming integral to energy markets, not as a replacement but as a solution to inefficiencies in oil and gas. By transforming waste gas into productive energy, it reduces emissions, sustains oil production, and generates higher returns than conventional sales. Alfano’s approach positions 360 Energy less as a mining company and more as an oilfield services provider using Bitcoin as a tool, showing that mining’s future lies in solving industrial problems while making Bitcoin’s network more resilient and distributed.

Timestamps
----------

00:00 - Chris Alfano's Background and 360 Energy Strategy
02:18 - From SaaS to Bitcoin Mining: The 2020 Rabbit Hole Journey
05:56 - Evolution from Self-Mining to Oil Field Services Business
08:40 - US Natural Gas Markets and Regional Opportunities
14:52 - Gas Pricing Differentials: Henry Hub vs Waha Dynamics
23:48 - Stranded Gas vs Pipeline-Connected Mining Opportunities
29:32 - Three Value Props: Environmental, Oil, and Economic
33:13 - Case Study: Unlocking Stranded Oil Wells in Texas Gulf
37:20 - Bitcoin Economics vs Liability Reduction Models
43:13 - Mining Infrastructure: Generators, Data Centers, Servers
52:26 - Managing Bitcoin and Natural Gas Price Volatility
01:00:55 - Site Evaluation: Decline Curves and Operational Complexity
01:07:17 - Explaining Bitcoin Sustainability to Energy Customers
01:17:36 - Bitcoin Mining Philosophy and Ecosystem Role
01:24:39 - Strategic Focus and Future Growth Plans

Transcript
----------

(00:05) Chris Alana, welcome to the center of hash. Parker Lewis, it's great to be here. Yeah. Um, before we get into the the topic of the day, we we co-work here out of uh Bitcoin Park. It's mid July in the Texas summer. How's the summer been? It's been hot, good, rainy.
(00:30) you know, we've uh done some family trips and stuff like that. So, tried to get out of it. We're heading to California end of this week. So, upstream mining isn't impacted by the 4CP here in Texas. No natural gas mining. No grid, no 4CP, no curtailment. SMU footballs on the horizon. Uh on the horizon and Ryzen, they say you uh you were at Happy Valley for that. I was disastrous.
(00:56) That was a uh not our best not our best effort. Cool experience though. Our expectations is high this expectations are high. Coach is uh saying big things. He's uh good to target for other schools. So got to keep him happy at SMU. But you know, good transfer giving giving Texas a run for the money as best team in Texas.
(01:19) I'll be uh very pleased if we make it to another playoff. That might not happen again in quite some time, but that's what I said last year with Will Cole when we were sitting here in the summer looking at the team. But, you know, we should be better this year than we were last year. So, very pumped. Well, uh hopefully hash price is higher and come football season in a month.
(01:38) That would be nice. Got to get the uh ordinal people back selling uh their JPEGs. That's controversial. We'll talk about that towards the end, but um we we'll use that as a segue into um the topic of the day. So, in the in in the first couple episodes, we've discussed mining at a very broad high level, and today we're going to go deep on a specific energy strategy and mining strategy.
(02:06) Um Chris is the co-founder and CEO of 360 Energy. Um, Chris, just give a little bit about your background and what 360 does and kind of what defines your strategy. Yeah. Yeah. So 360 energy right before 360 uh I went to SMU if it wasn't obvious before um studied finance and economics there and started a company 2016 with a hedge fund manager in Dallas uh called Keyman Intelligence and uh built that company for four years.
(02:45) Sold that company in 2020 and started 360 and uh what did that company do that we did uh SAS solutions for private credit hedge funds. So we would uh standardize a bunch of the reporting data from you know these these CLOs's have 300 positions in private credit. Um so a bunch of companies that aren't publicly traded don't adhere to GAP and so uh what we would do is aggregate all the data that all of those portfolio positions would report.
(03:15) So like their financials um sims credit agreements everything like that. We'd aggregate that all into uh uh our platform and we'd standardize it. Um, so customers of ours, like other hedge funds, CLOS's would have access to the platform. They'd log in, they'd be able to see all their borrowers uh be able to see kind of standard financial data uh across um their whole portfolio, right? If uh different borrowers report in different ways and even same borrowers quarter to quarter.
(03:44) So yeah, it was just a tool to make analysts more efficient at actually analyzing, kind of get them out of the monkey labor of having to spread financials and figure out where pieces of information were. So it's just kind of like a a database with standardization for uh everything to do with their portfolio positions.
(04:04) And how'd you get from there to 360? Well, sold the company. um moved down to Austin, was out of a job at that point, kind of figuring out what I wanted to do next. Co happened. So, I'm a Bitcoin class of 2020 going down the rabbit hole at that point, kind of right after the company. Um, and obviously fell in love with Bitcoin for many of the same reasons everyone else does.
(04:28) And being a finance guy, being a tech guy, uh, really made a lot of sense in my mind. So, wanted to start another company. was kind of sick of doing software stuff. Um,orked around Austin. Uh, met a great guy named Mike Hamilton. Kind of told me all about this Bitcoin mining thing. Um, sounded really cool.
(04:46) And so kind of started going down the Bitcoin mining rabbit hole. Uh, as anyone does, you try to figure out, okay, you know, I can basically plug in a Bitcoin miner anywhere, but how do I do it, you know, cheaply for a long term, uh, to kind of protect the downside, protect the margin, all that stuff.
(05:05) So, um, for us that was looking at grid, looking at solar, looking at many different, you know, potential options to power our miners. Kind of settled on natural gas as something that's very abundant in Texas and something that's relatively cheap. Uh, we wanted to take it a step further and and actually vertically integrate the natural gas into the Bitcoin mining as a way of kind of controlling that future, having, you know, decade at a single location, having complete operational control.
(05:31) And so, uh, built a team with Sean Milmo, my co-founder, and a few other guys, um, that had a lot more oil and gas background than I did to, uh, stand up 360 Energy. And at that time, uh, the the company's objective was self mining through the ownership and operation of the natural gas assets. So, we went out and bought some uh, old producing uh, gas wells in the Barnett Shale, right outside of Fort Worth, just 20 minutes north of of downtown Fort Worth. And that's really how we got our start.
(06:02) Um, so took over those wells, put our first Bitcoin mine out there in late 21. Um, and started, you know, mining, uh, at probably the worst possible time to be mining and buying infrastructure and stuff like that. And, um, but yeah, that was that was really what it was all about was, you know, how do we bind these old relatively unattractive natural gas assets to traditional oil and gas people? um and turn that into something much more profitable, much more valuable through Bitcoin mining.
(06:33) Uh two questions. What what initially So you mentioned in 2020, what made you go down the Bitcoin rabbit hole just quickly? And then second, um you started out vertically integrated owning the assets, but that's evolved a bit. Yes. Okay. Yeah. I mean, the rabbit hole was a function of time um and a function of just kind of the macroeconomic conditions in the US, right? Uh knowing enough to know uh a ton of money printing is probably not good. Um and seeing all the free money that was going out there, uh was concerning. And so,
(07:14) and also, you know, I'


e


Unbank CEO: “Keep pushing back on the idea that surveillance is a default”

Emilio’s first bitcoin purchase felt like a drug deal – sweating in a parking lot, cash in hand,…

Emilio’s first bitcoin purchase felt like a drug deal – sweating in a parking lot, cash in hand, uncertain if cops would storm in. That visceral distrust of a broken system birthed Unbank: a guerrilla network turning CVS registers into sovereignty hubs.

While banks slammed doors, he retrofitted ATMs with bitcoin hearts, weaponized Lightning against poverty taxes, and built cash-to-bitcoin ramps where the unbanked shop daily. In a post-FTX world screaming ‘self-custody,’ Unbank delivers it with [Genmega](https://www.genmega.com) guts and [Voltage](https://lightning.news/unbank-chooses-voltage-to-bring-lightning/) veins – because financial inclusion shouldn’t require a passport or pedigree.

> What's your favorite new feature on the Unbank app? ![👀](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f440.png) [pic.twitter.com/vqdMJkxKZj](https://t.co/vqdMJkxKZj)
>
> — Unbank: Buy & Sell Bitcoin ![💵](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f4b5.png) ![🏧](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f3e7.png) ![🚀](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f680.png) (@unbankworld) [July 31, 2025](https://twitter.com/unbankworld/status/1951034541847503175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Unbank: From Cash to Sovereignty
--------------------------------

*   **You started in 2014 with a single bitcoin ATM in Albany, NY. What personal frustration with traditional finance forced you to bet on bitcoin ATMs? Was there a specific “cash to bitcoin is king” revelation?**

There was a moment the very first time I went to buy my first bitcoin, it was a nightmare. At the time, the easiest way for me to buy bitcoin was on [Localbitcoins.com](http://localbitcoins.com) which was peer-to-peer transactions in cash, meaning it had to be done face-to-face.

The location where I agreed to meet the guy was in a public area, but while doing the transaction, it just felt dirty, like we were doing something illegal. I knew there would be a market for an easier process to be able for every-day people to buy bitcoin with cash.

*   ****Early banks rejected you, and merchants feared bitcoin. How did you turn “No” into having services available in CVS, Walgreens, and Office Depot? What convinced these giants?****

We were pretty lucky to be honest. While we didn’t partner directly with these brands, we partnered with companies that already have services in these retail stores. That really opened up our ability to bring bitcoin and other top digital currencies to a much wider network.

*   **[Unbank](https://unbank.com/) has championed itself as being an easy on ramp for new users.  How does prioritizing cash, privacy, and self-custody reflect your vision of true financial inclusion?**

Most platforms claim they’re “for the people,” but then require a passport scan and a bank account before you can even get started. That’s not inclusion—that’s gatekeeping, not everyone has access to those. We took a different route: start with cash, lite KYC, and let people hold their keys.

Privacy isn’t just a perk—it’s protection for people in marginalized communities. Self-custody isn’t just a feature—it’s empowerment. By making bitcoin as easy to access as a soda or a bus ticket, we’re turning everyday people into participants in a borderless, censorship-resistant economy. That’s the mission: real freedom in the hands of real people.

![screen 1](https://lightning.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/screen-1-678x1024.png "Unbank CEO: "Keep pushing back on the idea that surveillance is a default" 8")

**ATMs & Beating the Banks**
----------------------------

*   **Your [partnership](https://lightning.news/unbank-chooses-voltage-to-bring-lightning/) with Voltage powers instant bitcoin buys/sells through the Unbank mobile app. Why was Lightning non-negotiable for scaling? How does slashing fees/time disrupt the “bitcoin is slow” narrative?**

People don’t want to wait ten minutes to pay for something. Lightning fixes that. If we were serious about onboarding everyday users, we had to make bitcoin feel instant, like tapping a debit card.

The idea that bitcoin is slow or clunky? That’s legacy thinking. With Lightning, it’s as fast as cash and way more programmable. We knew we couldn’t scale without it—and honestly, we wouldn’t want to.

*   **Unbank never holds user keys or funds. In a post-FTX world, why is this the right model for mass adoption?**

 It’s honestly a very simple answer. We care. We care about our users’ well-being and financial longevity, and don’t want to risk their money by holding it hostage. After FTX, Celsius, and BlockFi, anyone still asking customers to “trust us” is missing the point. If we can’t build a business where people hold their own keys, then we’re not building for the future—we’re just repeating the past.

*   **You’re expanding your fleet together with partner a ATM network for cash-out. How did that accelerate growth? What features do you plan next – NFC taps?**

We worked with what was already out there. Partnering with existing networks made it faster and cheaper to scale, especially in cities farther away from our home base- to be able to have technicians and armored carriers be able to work with machines they already know is also another factor.

We don’t many features on our machines, what’s important is that it’s easy to use and we need functionality that works for real users. As for what’s next? We’re watching NFC stuff closely, but it’s gotta serve the user, not just look cool.

![Screenshot 2025 08 05 at 3.54.03 PM](https://lightning.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-05-at-3.54.03-PM-573x1024.png "Unbank CEO: "Keep pushing back on the idea that surveillance is a default" 9")

**Serving the Unbanked: Privacy, Cash & Financial Refugees**
------------------------------------------------------------

*   **How does accepting physical cash protect marginalized users (e.g., people with less economic and financial means) from surveillance?**

Cash doesn’t ask questions. It doesn’t care where you’re from, what your credit score is, or whether you have a bank account account. For countless people, cash is the only tool they trust.

![Location Screen](https://lightning.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Location-Screen-500x1024.png "Unbank CEO: "Keep pushing back on the idea that surveillance is a default" 10")

By keeping it in the mix, we give people a way to participate in the digital economy without being tracked, flagged, or denied. It’s about convenience, just as much as about holding consumer rights and protection high. Unlike digital fiat, we believe cash allows people to execute their right to financial privacy – as it should be.

*   **Unbank offers zero fees on sell transactions. How does this attack the “poverty tax” seen on digital currency exchanges?**

We’ve watched it with other exchanges: people getting hit with high fees while trying to use your money. That’s a poverty tax, plain and simple. Our zero-fee sell option was our way of saying, “You’re not less important because you’re moving $20 instead of $2,000.” Everyone should have a way out—and it shouldn’t cost them extra to take it.

Another reason is that we typically see more demand for buying bitcoin than selling so instead of buying back from exchanges we created a win-win, no fees for users to cash-out, no fees for us to buy back what we sold.

*   **With KYC minimalism, how do you walk the tightrope between regulator demands and Bitcoiners’ right to privacy?**

We comply—but we don’t overreach. We collect only what’s necessary by law and nothing more. In my experience, regulators want to prevent crime, not catalog everyone’s life. There’s room to meet the law and still protect user dignity. Our job is to hold that line and keep pushing back on the idea that surveillance is a default. It’s not.

> There’s room to meet the law and still protect user dignity. Our job is to hold that line and keep pushing back on the idea that surveillance is a default. It’s not.

**Growth & Grit: Scaling Amidst Skepticism**
--------------------------------------------

*   **What tough moment while building a bitcoin centered business in such a volatile market has taught you the most?**

There were weeks when we thought we’d have to shut it all down. ATMs would get vandalized, banks would freeze our accounts with no notice, and headlines would scare off merchants and users alike. But those moments teach you to double down on the mission at hand. You realize real change doesn’t happen without resistance. Every “no” we heard made the next “yes” matter even more.

*   **The Unbank app supports Lightning, has referral codes, and allows you to buy bitcoin with cash at the register or sell bitcoin and withdraw cash from 23,000 ATMs’s without a card. You also support electronic methods for cashout such as PayPal, Venmo, and push to debit card. Why focus on unifying fiat rails instead of digital assets only?**

Because people live in fiat—rent, bills, groceries. If we want bitcoin to work for real people, it has to bridge, not replace, their daily life. Building strong fiat off-rails is what makes bitcoin usable, not just holdable. You can’t have financial inclusion if your only audience is digital asset-native. The app is our way of saying, “Bitcoin is ready for the world. Let’s meet it there.”

**Future of Finance: Bitcoin, Borders & Beyond**
------------------------------------------------

*   **With rising inflation, could Unbank’s network become a Plan B for financial refugees (e.g., Argentina, Lebanon)?**

It already is for some. When your bank account gets frozen or your currency loses half its value overnight, Bitcoin stops being speculative—it becomes survival. Our network, especially the cash-to-crypto infrastructure, gives people a path that doesn’t rely on broken institutions. That’s what makes it powerful. It’s borderless and bankless. While this might only apply to those people in the US right now, we are looking to expand inte


What are the best Stripe alternatives today? When it comes to online payment processing, Stripe has long dominated…

Table of Contents
-----------------

*   [Why Consider Stripe Alternatives?](#why-consider-stripe-alternatives)
*   [The Complete List of Best Stripe Alternatives](#the-complete-list-of-stripe-alternatives)
*   [Additional Notable Mentions](#additional-notable-mentions)
*   [How to Choose the Right Stripe Alternative](#how-to-choose-the-right-stripe-alternative)
*   [Conclusion](#conclusion)

What are the best Stripe alternatives today? When it comes to online payment processing, Stripe has long dominated the conversation. However, with its complex pricing structure and limited customization options for certain businesses, many entrepreneurs and companies are actively seeking viable Stripe alternatives. Whether you’re a SaaS startup, e-commerce store, or global enterprise, choosing the right payment processor can significantly impact your bottom line and customer experience.

> [Flash Launches Free Bitcoin Invoicing Tool](https://lightning.news/flash-launches-free-bitcoin-invoicing-tool/)

Why Consider Stripe Alternatives?
---------------------------------

Before diving into our comprehensive list of the best Stripe alternatives, it’s worth understanding why businesses are exploring [alternatives to Stripe](https://lightning.news/stripe-alternatives-2025/). While Stripe offers robust features and excellent developer tools, some businesses face challenges with [pricing transparency](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/top-stripe-alternatives/), limited global coverage, or specific industry requirements that Stripe doesn’t fully address.

![best stripe alternatives - Woman using smartphone for online shopping with credit card in hand, festive background lighting.](https://lightning.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/230544-1024x683.jpeg "27 Best Stripe Alternatives To Accept Payments In Your Business 11")

The Complete List of Best Stripe Alternatives
---------------------------------------------

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

### 1\. **[Frame](https://framepayments.com/)** – Simplified Payment Solutions

Frame positions itself as making “payments easier” with a streamlined approach to payment processing. This platform focuses on reducing complexity while maintaining robust functionality for modern businesses, offering straightforward pay-as-you-go pricing with no setup charges or monthly fees.

### 2\. **[Lemon Squeezy](https://www.lemonsqueezy.com/)** – The SaaS-Focused Alternative

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

### 3\. **[Gumroad](https://gumroad.com/)** – Creator Economy Champion

Gumroad has carved out a niche serving creators and small businesses by providing tools for selling digital products, physical goods, and subscriptions. It’s particularly popular among content creators, artists, and independent entrepreneurs who want to experiment with various ideas and formats. Therefore it should be considered as one of the best Stripe alternatives.

### 4\. **[Paddle](https://www.paddle.com/)** – All-in-One SaaS Commerce

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

### 5\. **[FastSpring](https://fastspring.com/)** – Global E-commerce Specialist

FastSpring specializes in e-commerce solutions for software and SaaS companies, with a focus on global payments and subscription management. According to [TechnologyAdvice](https://technologyadvice.com/blog/sales/stripe-alternatives/), it’s particularly strong for international transactions and helps companies sell more, stay lean, and compete big.

### 6\. **[2Checkout](https://www.2checkout.com/)** – Versatile Payment Solutions

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

### 7\. **[Payoneer](https://www.payoneer.com/)** – Cross-Border Payment Expert

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

### 8\. **[Chargebee](https://www.chargebee.com/)** – Subscription Management Leader

Chargebee is a subscription management platform perfect for SaaS and SMBs, with robust billing and revenue management features. It streamlines revenue operations and helps businesses grow efficiently with comprehensive subscription billing capabilities. It definitely should be considered as one of the best Stripe alternatives.

### 9\. **[Maxio](https://www.maxio.com/)** (formerly Chargify) – B2B SaaS Billing

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

### 10\. **[Recurly](https://recurly.com/)** – Dynamic Subscription Management

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

### 11\. **[Braintree](https://www.paypal.com/us/braintree)** – PayPal’s Enterprise Solution

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

### 12\. **[PayKickstart](https://paykickstart.com/)** – Modern Commerce Platform

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

### 13\. **[PayPro Global](https://payproglobal.com/)** – Full-Service E-commerce

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

### 14\. **[Shopify Payments](https://www.shopify.com/payments)** – E-commerce Integration

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

### 15\. **[Square](https://squareup.com/us/en/payments)** – Versatile POS and Payment Solutions

Square provides versatile POS and payment solutions for small businesses with a strong focus on retail and mobile payments. [Forbes Advisor](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/top-stripe-alternatives/) notes it as one of the top alternatives for businesses needing both online and offline payment capabilities.

### 16\. **[Zoho Billing](https://www.zoho.com/us/billing/)** – Integrated Business Solution

Zoho Billing is an online recurring billing and subscription management solution, ideal for small and medium-sized businesses seeking professional invoice creation, time and expense tracking, and improved cash flow management.

### 17\. **[WePay](https://go.wepay.com/)** – Chase Company Integration

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

### 18\. **[QuickBooks Payments](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payments/)** – SMB Accounting Integration

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

### 19\. **[Mangopay](https://mangopay.com/)** – Marketplace Payment Infrastructure

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

### 20\. **[Coinbase Commerce](https://www.coinbase.com/commerce)** – Cryptocurrency Payments

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

### 21\. **[BTCPay Server](https://btcpayserver.org/)** – Open-Source Bitcoin Processor

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

### 22\. **[Lago](https://www.getlago.com/)** – Open-Source Billing Alternative

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


I have opened it


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Are you ready for a fight?

Make your bet!

nostr:nprofile1qqsvn6daczcrcgdaxdap9h84k33af876l6yy4gfth9gvrqhfund7nwqpy4mhxue69uhkyat60f3x7apdwfjkccte9e382mrvd9ekscn0w4h8g7fwvdhk6qg6waehxw309ahx7um5wgh8xatyda3kzunvdaejucm0d5jux8cv 3000

https://blossom.primal.net/de5fea95c045a41485eb1832b8c3352335bab59316a2c35a67731332c6e06db0.jpg


Good Morning, Bitcoin is your latest news roundup delivering key stories, project updates, new releases, guides, research, and all things related to Bitcoin and freedom tech.

[![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-42.png)](https://mempool.space/)

Headlines
---------

*   **Twenty One Capital is set to launch with over 42,000 BTC in its treasury.** This new Bitcoin-native firm, backed by Tether and SoftBank, is [planned to go public](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250423962305/en/Tether-SoftBank-Group-and-Jack-Mallers-Launch-Twenty-One-a-Bitcoin-native-Company-Through-a-Business-Combination-With-Cantor-Equity-Partners) via a SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners and will be led by _Jack Mallers_, co-founder and CEO of Strike. According to a [report](http://archive.today/3PoYZ) by the _Financial Times_, the company aims to replicate the model of _Michael Saylor_ with his company, MicroStrategy.
*   **Florida's SB 868 proposes a backdoor into encrypted platforms.** The bill and its House companion have [both passed](https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/04/floridas-anti-encryption-bill-wrecking-ball-privacy-theres-still-time-stop-it) through their respective committees and are headed to a full vote. If enacted, [SB 868](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/868/) would require social media companies to decrypt teens' private messages, ban disappearing messages, allow unrestricted parental access to private messages, and likely eliminate encryption for all minors altogether.
*   **Paul Atkins has officially assumed the role of the 34th Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).** This is a return to the agency for Atkins, who previously served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under the _George W. Bush_ administration. He has [committed](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/paul-atkins-sworn-us-sec-chair-2025-04-21/) to advancing the SEC’s mission of fostering capital formation, safeguarding investors, and ensuring fair and efficient markets.
*   **Solosatoshi.com has sold over 10,000 open-source miners,** adding more than 10 PH of hashpower to the Bitcoin network.

> "Thank you, Bitaxe community. OSMU developers, your brilliance built this. Supporters, your belief drives us. Customers, your trust powers 10,000+ miners and 10PH globally. Together, we’re decentralizing Bitcoin’s future. Last but certainly not least, thank you[@skot9000](https://x.com/skot9000) for not only creating a freedom tool, but instilling the idea into thousands of people, that Bitcoin mining can be for everyone again," [said](https://xcancel.com/SoloSatoshi/status/1912267232006070775) the firm on X.

*   **OCEAN's DATUM has found 100 blocks.** "Over 65% of OCEAN’s miners are using DATUM, and that number is growing every day. This means block template construction is making its way back into the hands of the miners, which is not only the most profitable for miners on OCEAN but also one of the best things for Bitcoin," [stated](https://xcancel.com/ocean_mining/status/1914943267319226620) the mining pool.

![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-40.png)

Source: [orangesurf](https://xcancel.com/OrangeSurfBTC/status/1914953456483291175)

*   **Arch Labs has secured $13 million to develop "ArchVM"** and integrate smart-contract functionality with Bitcoin. The funding round, valuing the company at $200 million, was led by Pantera Capital, as [announced](https://chainwire.org/2025/04/22/arch-labs-announces-13m-funding-round-to-launch-a-native-bitcoin-virtual-machine/) on Tuesday.
*   **Tesla still holds nearly $1 billion in bitcoin.** According to the automaker's [latest earnings report](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318605/000162828025018851/exhbit991.htm), the firm reported digital asset holdings worth $951 million as of March 31.
*   **The European Central Bank is pushing for amendments to the European Union's Markets in Crypto Assets legislation (MiCA)**, just months after its implementation. According to _Politico_'s [report on Tuesday](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-livid-ecb-warn-crypto-apocalypse-donald-trump/), the ECB is concerned that U.S. support for cryptocurrency, particularly stablecoins, could cause economic harm to the 27-nation bloc.
*   **TABConf 2025 is scheduled to take place from October 13-16, 2025.** This prominent technical Bitcoin conference is dedicated to community building, education, and developer support, and it is set to return in October. Get your [tickets here](https://7.tabconf.com/).
*   **Kaduna Lightning Development Bootcamp.** From May 14th to 17th, the Bitcoin Lightning Developer Bootcamp will take place in Kaduna, Nigeria. Thisevent offers four dynamic days of coding, learning, and networking. Organized by Africa Free Routing and supported by Btrust, Tether, and African Bitcoiners, this bootcamp is designed as a gateway for African developers eager to advance their skills in Bitcoin and Lightning development. [Apply here](https://freerouting.africa/kaduna-bootcamp/).

![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-41.png)

Source: [African Bitcoiners.](https://bitcoiners.africa/bitcoin-newsletter/22nd-april-2025-bitcoin-is-coming-to-kaduna-%f0%9f%9a%80-126/)

Use the tools
-------------

*   [**Core Lightning (CLN) v25.02.2**](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v25.02.2) as been released to fix a broken Docker image. The issue was caused by an SQLite version that did not support an advanced query.
*   [**Blitz wallet v0.4.4-beta**](https://github.com/BlitzWallet/BlitzWallet/releases) introduces several updates and improvements, including the prevention of duplicate ecash payments, fixes for background ecash invoice handling, the ability for users to send payments to BOLT12 invoices from their Liquid balance, support for Blink QR codes, a lowered minimum amount for Lightning-to-Liquid payments to 100 sats, the option to initiate a node sync via a swipe gesture on the wallet's home screen, and the introduction of opt-in or opt-out functionality for newly implemented crash analytics via settings.
*   [**Utreexo v0.5.0**](https://github.com/utreexo/utreexo), a hash-based dynamic accumulator, is now available.
*   [**Specter v2.1.1**](https://stacker.news/items/954220) is now available on StartOS. "This update brings compatibility with Bitcoin Core v28 and incorporates several upstream improvements," said developer _Alex71btc._
*   [**ESP-Miner (AxeOS) v2.7.0b1**](https://github.com/bitaxeorg/ESP-Miner/releases/tag/v2.7.0b1) is now available for testing.
*   [**NodeGuard v0.16.1**](https://github.com/Elenpay/NodeGuard/releases), a treasury management solution for Lightning nodes, has been released.
*   The latest **stacker.news** [updates](https://stacker.news/items/953312) include prompts to add a receiving wallet when posting or making comments (for new users), an option to randomize poll choices, improved URL search, and a few other enhancements. A [bug fix for territories](https://stacker.news/items/953648) created after 9/19/24 has been implemented to reward 70% of their revenue to owners instead of 50%.

Other stuff
-----------

*   The April edition of the _256 Foundation_'s newsletter is [now available](https://256foundation.org/newsletters/256Foundation-Newsletter-2504_v2.pdf). It includes the latest mining news, Bitcoin network health updates, project developments, and a tutorial on how to update FutureBit's Apollo 1 to the Apollo 2 software.
*   _Siggy47_ [has posted](https://stacker.news/items/953178) a comprehensive RoboSats guide on stacker.news.
*   Learn how to run your own Nostr relay using Citrine and Cloudflare Tunnels by following [this step-by-step guide](https://yakihonne.com/article/dhalsim@dhalsim.github.io/-dPG4YzeV6cm0A2B2K2yo) by _Dhalism._
*   _Max Guise_ [has written](https://bitkey.build/building-better-bitcoin-self-custody/) a Bitkey roadmap update for April 2025.
*   _PlebLab_ [has uploaded](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2KDq4ohFXA) a video on how to build a Rust wallet with LDK Node by _Ben Carman_.

*   Do you want more? Subscribe and get No Bullshit GM report straight to your mailbox and [No Bullshit Bitcoin on Nostr](https://primal.net/news).
*   Feedback or tips? Drop it [here](https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=2-7&smp=smp%3A%2F%2FZKe4uxF4Z_aLJJOEsC-Y6hSkXgQS5-oc442JQGkyP8M%3D%40smp17.simplex.im%2F5lAhCXwD4cOTh-mxg4k1Pj__qyFOq9GM%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-3%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAGTT-YZp6tp3PhHey-nUOBn7Ig8wwdO8jeYCB3RACSmo%253D%26srv%3Dogtwfxyi3h2h5weftjjpjmxclhb5ugufa5rcyrmg7j4xlch7qsr5nuqd.onion).
*   [#FREESAMOURAI](https://freesamourai.com/)

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Notedeck is a modern, multiplatform Nostr client built with Rust. It provides a feature-rich experience for interacting with the Nostr protocol on both desktop and Android platforms.

[Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.](https://geyser.fund/project/nobsbitcoin)

*   "Today we're launching the beta version of our multiplatform Nostr browser! Think Google Chrome but for Nostr apps. The beta is our big first step toward this vision," [announced](https://njump.me/nevent1qqs2dseuw3d4sqkyt97pzq3vg5ncx6zv2fk6ummejf88ezesa2exkrc8y4zm9) Damus.
*   This version comes with the Dave Nostr AI assistant, support for zaps and the Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) wallet interface, full-text note search, GIFs and fullscreen images, multiple media uploads, user tagging, relay list and mute list support, along with a number of other improvements."

> "Included in the beta is the Dave, the Nostr AI assistant (its Grok for Nostr). Dave is a new Notedeck browser app that can search and summarize notes from the network. For a full breakdown of everything new, check out our beta launch [video](https://njump.me/nevent1qqs2dseuw3d4sqkyt97pzq3vg5ncx6zv2fk6ummejf88ezesa2exkrcpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgq3q8m76awca3y37hkvuneavuw6pjj4525fw90necxmadrvjg0sdy6qsncyhyu)."

[![Damus Notedeck v0.4.0 Beta: Zaps, Dave AI Assistant, Android Improvements](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-3.png)](https://njump.me/nevent1qqswjgzrrcmhn3e98y5xrar5t9tq78sgt09e38783fnxqerucff3ppczyqewrqnkx4zsaweutf739s0cu7et29zrntqs5elw70vlm8zudr3y26au00v)

What's new
----------

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

![Damus Notedeck v0.4.0 Beta: Zaps, Dave AI Assistant, Android Improvements](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/notedeckv041.jpg)

[**Announcement**](https://njump.me/nevent1qqs2dseuw3d4sqkyt97pzq3vg5ncx6zv2fk6ummejf88ezesa2exkrcpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgq3q8m76awca3y37hkvuneavuw6pjj4525fw90necxmadrvjg0sdy6qsncyhyu) / [Archive](https://archive.is/AQNsV#selection-171.0-171.165)
[**GitHub Repo**](https://github.com/damus-io/notedeck/releases)
[Website](https://damus.io/notedeck/)


RoboSats offers a simple and private way for exchanging bitcoin for fiat currencies. It streamlines the peer-to-peer experience and utilizes Lightning hold invoices to minimize custody and trust requirements as deterministically generated avatars help users stick to the best security practices.

[Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.](https://geyser.fund/project/nobsbitcoin)

*   RoboSats v0.7.7-alpha is now available!

> NOTE: "This version of clients is not compatible with older versions of coordinators. Coordinators must upgrade first, make sure you don't upgrade your client while this is marked as pre-release."

*   This version brings a new and improved coordinators view with reviews signed both by the robot and the coordinator, adds market price sources in coordinator profiles, shows a correct warning for canceling non-taken orders after a payment attempt, adds Uzbek sum currency, and includes package library updates for coordinators.

![RoboSats v0.7.7-alpha: New Coordinators View (UPDATED)](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-54.png)

Source: RoboSats.

*   _siggy47_ is writing daily RoboSats activity reviews on stacker.news. Check them out [here](https://stacker.news/search?q=daily+robosats&sort=recent).
*   Stay up-to-date with RoboSats [on Nostr](https://njump.me/nprofile1qqsyx53h3h7ec4fwlspjq0kqec5gv54t7rc48xdtq6q4y94wsw4fnjqsg3jtv).

What's new
----------

*   New coordinators view (see the picture above).
*   Available coordinator reviews signed by both the robot and the coordinator.
*   Coordinators now display market price sources in their profiles.

![RoboSats v0.7.7-alpha: New Coordinators View (UPDATED)](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-55.png)

Source: RoboSats.

*   Fix for wrong message on cancel button when taking an order. Users are now warned if they try to cancel a non taken order after a payment attempt.
*   Uzbek sum currency now available.
*   For coordinators: library updates.
*   Add docker frontend ([#1861](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/pull/1861)).
*   Add order review token ([#1869](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/pull/1869)).
*   Add UZS migration ([#1875](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/pull/1875)).
*   Fixed tests review ([#1878](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/pull/1878)).
*   Nostr pubkey for Robot ([#1887](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/pull/1887)).

### New contributors

*   [@hexlorn](https://github.com/hexlorn) made their first contribution in [#1858](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/pull/1858).
*   [@umk0m1qk](https://github.com/umk0m1qk) made their first contribution in [#1864](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/pull/1864).

![RoboSats v0.7.7-alpha: New Coordinators View (UPDATED)](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/robosats-v0777.jpg)

**Full Changelog**: [v0.7.6-alpha...v0.7.7-alpha](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/compare/v0.7.6-alpha...v0.7.7-alpha)

[**GitHub Repo**](https://github.com/RoboSats/robosats/releases)


News. Updates. Research. Stats. Everything Important You Need to Know.

[Contribute to keep No Bullshit Bitcoin news going.](https://geyser.fund/project/nobsbitcoin)

News
----

*   **Spiral welcomes _Ben Carman_.** The developer [will work](https://xcancel.com/spiralbtc/status/1914334079387914435) on the LDK server and a new SDK designed to simplify the onboarding process for new self-custodial Bitcoin users.
*   **Spiral renews support for _Dan Gould_ and _Joschisan_.** The organization has renewed support for _Dan Gould_, who is developing the [Payjoin Dev Kit (PDK)](https://payjoindevkit.org/2025/03/18/the-evolution-of-payjoin), and [_Joschisan_](https://xcancel.com/spiralbtc/status/1914363508126515567), a [Fedimint](https://github.com/fedimint/fedimint) developer focused on simplifying federations.
*   **The Bitcoin Dev Kit Foundation announced new corporate members for 2025**, including [AnchorWatch](https://www.anchorwatch.com/), [CleanSpark](https://www.cleanspark.com/), and [Proton Foundation](https://proton.me/foundation). The annual dues from [these corporate members](https://bitcoindevkit.org/blog/_2025q1-new-foundation-members/) fund the small team of open-source developers responsible for maintaining the core BDK libraries and related free and open-source software (FOSS) projects.
*   **The European Central Bank is pushing for amendments to the European Union's Markets in Crypto Assets legislation (MiCA)**, just months after its implementation. According to _Politico_'s [report on Tuesday](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-livid-ecb-warn-crypto-apocalypse-donald-trump/), the ECB is concerned that U.S. support for cryptocurrency, particularly stablecoins, could cause economic harm to the 27-nation bloc.
*   **Slovenia is considering a 25% capital gains tax on Bitcoin profits for individuals.** The Ministry of Finance [has proposed](https://www.gov.si/novice/2025-04-17-v-javni-obravnavi-zakonska-predloga-s-podrocja-kriptosredstev-in-izvedenih-financnih-instrumentov/) legislation to impose this tax on gains from cryptocurrency transactions, though exchanging one cryptocurrency for another would remain exempt. At present, individual 'crypto' traders in Slovenia are not taxed.
*   **The Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill 2025 introduced in Kenya.** The [new legislation](https://bitcoinke.io/2025/04/the-vasp-kenya-license-requirements/) aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for licensing, regulating, and supervising virtual asset service providers (VASPs), with strict penalties for non-compliant entities.
*   **Circle, BitGo, Coinbase, and Paxos plan to apply for U.S. bank charters or licenses.** According to a [report](https://archive.is/dxbWM) in _The Wall Street Journal_, major crypto companies are planning to apply for U.S. bank charters or licenses. These firms are pursuing limited licenses that would permit them to issue stablecoins, as the U.S. Congress deliberates on legislation mandating licensing for stablecoin issuers.

> "Established banks, like Bank of America, are hoping to amend the current drafts of \[stablecoin\] legislation in such a way that nonbanks are more heavily restricted from issuing stablecoins," people familiar with the matter [told](https://www.theblock.co/post/351402/circle-bitgo-to-apply-for-bank-charters-coinbase-paxos-may-follow-suit-wsj) The Block.

*   **Paul Atkins has officially assumed the role of the 34th Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).** This is a return to the agency for Atkins, who previously served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under the _George W. Bush_ administration. He has [committed](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/paul-atkins-sworn-us-sec-chair-2025-04-21/) to advancing the SEC’s mission of fostering capital formation, safeguarding investors, and ensuring fair and efficient markets.
*   **Federal Reserve retracts guidance discouraging banks from engaging in 'crypto.'** The U.S. Federal Reserve [withdrew](https://www.theblock.co/post/351943/federal-reserve-retracts-guidance-discouraging-banks-from-engaging-in-crypto) guidance that discouraged banks from crypto and stablecoin activities, as [announced](https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20250424a.htm) by its Board of Governors on Thursday. This includes rescinding a 2022 supervisory letter requiring prior notification of crypto activities and 2023 stablecoin requirements.

> "As a result, the Board will no longer expect banks to provide notification and will instead monitor banks' crypto-asset activities through the normal supervisory process," reads the FED statement.

*   **Russian government to launch a cryptocurrency exchange.** The country's Ministry of Finance and Central Bank [announced](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/russias-finance-ministry-and-central-bank-to-launch-crypto-exchange-for-super-qualified-investors) plans to establish a trading platform for "highly qualified investors" that "will legalize crypto assets and bring crypto operations out of the shadows."
*   **Twenty One Capital is set to launch with over 42,000 BTC in its treasury.** This new Bitcoin-native firm, backed by Tether and SoftBank, is [planned to go public](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250423962305/en/Tether-SoftBank-Group-and-Jack-Mallers-Launch-Twenty-One-a-Bitcoin-native-Company-Through-a-Business-Combination-With-Cantor-Equity-Partners) via a SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners and will be led by _Jack Mallers_, co-founder and CEO of Strike. According to a [report](http://archive.today/3PoYZ) by the _Financial Times_, the company aims to replicate the model of _Michael Saylor_ with his company, MicroStrategy.
*   **Strategy increases Bitcoin holdings to 538,200 BTC.** In the [latest purchase](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/04/21/strategy-buys-usd555m-of-bitcoin-increases-total-stash-to-538-200-btc), the company has spent more than $555M to buy 6,556 coins through proceeds of two at-the-market stock offering programs.
*   **Metaplanet buys another 145 BTC.** The Tokyo-listed company [has purchased](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/04/24/metaplanet-hits-5-000-btc-mark-amid-strategic-treasury-expansion) an additional 145 BTC for $13.6 million. Their total bitcoin holdings now stand at 5,000 coins, worth around $428.1 million.
*   **Semler Scientific has increased its bitcoin holdings to 3,303 BTC.** The company acquired an additional 111 BTC at an average price of $90,124. The purchase was funded through proceeds from an at-the-market offering and cash reserves, as stated in a [press release](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/semler-scientific-announces-updated-btc--atm-activity-purchased-additional-111-btc-now-holds-3-303-btc-ytd-btc-yield-of-23-5-302438131.html).
*   **Tesla still holds nearly $1 billion in bitcoin.** According to the automaker's [latest earnings report](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318605/000162828025018851/exhbit991.htm), the firm reported digital asset holdings worth $951 million as of March 31.
*   **Spar supermarket experiments with Bitcoin payments in Zug, Switzerland.** The store [has introduced](https://bitcoinnews.com/adoption/spar-supermarket-switzerland-bitcoin/) a new payment method powered by the Lightning Network. The implementation was facilitated by DFX Swiss, a service that supports seamless conversions between bitcoin and legacy currencies.

[![Block 894207: Important News of the Week](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-36.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7318277304881709057/)

*   **Charles Schwab to launch spot Bitcoin trading by 2026.** The financial investment firm, managing over $10 trillion in assets, [has revealed](https://riabiz.com/a/2025/4/19/rick-wurster-puts-harder-date-on-schwab-spot-bitcoin-launch-after-key-hire-and-400-surge-in-visits-to-its-crypto-site-but-isnt-pulling-down-crypto-red-flags-quite-yet) plans to introduce spot Bitcoin trading for its clients within the next year.
*   **Arch Labs has secured $13 million to develop "ArchVM"** and integrate smart-contract functionality with Bitcoin. The funding round, valuing the company at $200 million, was led by Pantera Capital, as [announced](https://chainwire.org/2025/04/22/arch-labs-announces-13m-funding-round-to-launch-a-native-bitcoin-virtual-machine/) on Tuesday.
*   **Citrea deployed its Clementine Bridge on the Bitcoin testnet.** The bridge [utilizes](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/04/23/bitcoin-rollup-citrea-deploys-bridge-to-tackle-collateral-bottleneck-of-using-btc-in-defi) the BitVM2 programming language to inherit validity from Bitcoin, allegedly providing "the safest and most trust-minimized way to use BTC in decentralized finance."
*   **UAE-based Islamic bank ruya launches Shari’ah-compliant bitcoin investing.** The bank has become the world’s first Islamic bank to provide direct access to virtual asset investments, including Bitcoin, via its mobile app, [per](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/ruya-becomes-first-islamic-bank-to-offer-bitcoin-and-virtual-asset-investments) _Bitcoin Magazine._
*   **Solosatoshi.com has sold over 10,000 open-source miners,** adding more than 10 PH of hashpower to the Bitcoin network.

> "Thank you, Bitaxe community. OSMU developers, your brilliance built this. Supporters, your belief drives us. Customers, your trust powers 10,000+ miners and 10PH globally. Together, we’re decentralizing Bitcoin’s future. Last but certainly not least, thank you[@skot9000](https://x.com/skot9000) for not only creating a freedom tool, but instilling the idea into thousands of people, that Bitcoin mining can be for everyone again," [said](https://xcancel.com/SoloSatoshi/status/1912267232006070775) the firm on X.

*   **OCEAN's DATUM has found 100 blocks.** "Over 65% of OCEAN’s miners are using DATUM, and that number is growing every day. This means block template construction is making its way back into the hands of the miners, which is not only the most profitable


![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/1gm40.jpg)

_**Good morning** (good night?)!_ The No Bullshit Bitcoin [news feed](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/rss-feeds/) is now available on [Moody's Dashboard](https://dashboard.clarkmoody.com/)! A huge shoutout to sir [_Clark Moody_](https://njump.me/nevent1qqspy9hy5pxfza4tuhk5zx7zls3t6dd6nppp2v3l9ead53tx0x2a0mgpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs7amnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wd4hk6q3q5n94rarp3n7dz6edx9cugeshn0kcuxtugwu9nzprkpx7yekw7ygq27sgqj) for integrating our feed.

[![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/a35b533e45a4fa2edbd0818cd6d0402fe007df98ac6c29c9262ff44aefcb6e20.jpg)](https://dashboard.clarkmoody.com/)

Headlines
---------

*   **Spiral welcomes _Ben Carman_.** The developer [will work](https://xcancel.com/spiralbtc/status/1914334079387914435) on the LDK server and a new SDK designed to simplify the onboarding process for new self-custodial Bitcoin users.

[![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-35.png)](https://xcancel.com/spiralbtc/status/1914334079387914435)

*   **The Bitcoin Dev Kit Foundation announced new corporate members for 2025**, including [AnchorWatch](https://www.anchorwatch.com/), [CleanSpark](https://www.cleanspark.com/), and [Proton Foundation](https://proton.me/foundation). The annual dues from [these corporate members](https://bitcoindevkit.org/blog/_2025q1-new-foundation-members/) fund the small team of open-source developers responsible for maintaining the core BDK libraries and related free and open-source software (FOSS) projects.
*   **Strategy increases Bitcoin holdings to 538,200 BTC.** In the [latest purchase](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/04/21/strategy-buys-usd555m-of-bitcoin-increases-total-stash-to-538-200-btc), the company has spent more than $555M to buy 6,556 coins through proceeds of two at-the-market stock offering programs.
*   **Spar supermarket experiments with Bitcoin payments in Zug, Switzerland.** The store [has introduced](https://bitcoinnews.com/adoption/spar-supermarket-switzerland-bitcoin/) a new payment method powered by the Lightning Network. The implementation was facilitated by DFX Swiss, a service that supports seamless conversions between bitcoin and legacy currencies.

[![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-36.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7318277304881709057/)

*   **The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) wants to contain 'crypto' risks.** A report titled _"_[_Cryptocurrencies and Decentralised Finance: Functions and Financial Stability Implications_](https://www.bis.org/publ/bppdf/bispap156.htm)_"_ calls for expanding research into "how new forms of central bank money, capital controls, and taxation policies can counter the risks of widespread crypto adoption while still fostering technological innovation."
*   **"Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking, and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia."** According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) [report](https://www.unodc.org/roseap/uploads/documents/Publications/2025/Inflection_Point_2025.pdf), criminal organizations from East and Southeast Asia are swiftly extending their global reach. These groups are moving beyond traditional scams and trafficking, creating sophisticated online networks that include unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges, encrypted communication platforms, and stablecoins, fueling a massive fraud economy on an industrial scale.
*   **Slovenia is considering a 25% capital gains tax on Bitcoin profits for individuals.** The Ministry of Finance [has proposed](https://www.gov.si/novice/2025-04-17-v-javni-obravnavi-zakonska-predloga-s-podrocja-kriptosredstev-in-izvedenih-financnih-instrumentov/) legislation to impose this tax on gains from cryptocurrency transactions, though exchanging one cryptocurrency for another would remain exempt. At present, individual 'crypto' traders in Slovenia are not taxed.
*   **Circle, BitGo, Coinbase, and Paxos plan to apply for U.S. bank charters or licenses.** According to a [report](https://archive.is/dxbWM) in _The Wall Street Journal_, major crypto companies are planning to apply for U.S. bank charters or licenses. These firms are pursuing limited licenses that would permit them to issue stablecoins, as the U.S. Congress deliberates on legislation mandating licensing for stablecoin issuers.

> "Established banks, like Bank of America, are hoping to amend the current drafts of \[stablecoin\] legislation in such a way that nonbanks are more heavily restricted from issuing stablecoins," people familiar with the matter [told](https://www.theblock.co/post/351402/circle-bitgo-to-apply-for-bank-charters-coinbase-paxos-may-follow-suit-wsj) The Block.

*   **Charles Schwab to launch spot Bitcoin trading by 2026.** The financial investment firm, managing over $10 trillion in assets, [has revealed](https://riabiz.com/a/2025/4/19/rick-wurster-puts-harder-date-on-schwab-spot-bitcoin-launch-after-key-hire-and-400-surge-in-visits-to-its-crypto-site-but-isnt-pulling-down-crypto-red-flags-quite-yet) plans to introduce spot Bitcoin trading for its clients within the next year.

Use the tools
-------------

*   [**Bitcoin Safe v1.2.3**](https://github.com/andreasgriffin/bitcoin-safe/releases/tag/1.2.3) expands QR SignMessage compatibility for all QR-UR-compatible hardware signers (SpecterDIY, KeyStone, Passport, Jade; already supported COLDCARD Q). It also adds the ability to import wallets via QR, ensuring compatibility with Keystone's latest firmware (2.0.6), alongside other improvements.
*   [**Minibits v0.2.2-beta**](https://github.com/minibits-cash/minibits_wallet/releases), an ecash wallet for Android devices, packages many changes to align the project with the planned iOS app release. New features and improvements include the ability to lock ecash to a receiver's pubkey, faster confirmations of ecash minting and payments thanks to WebSockets, UI-related fixes, and more.
*   [**Zeus v0.11.0-alpha1**](https://github.com/ZeusLN/zeus/releases/tag/v0.11.0-alpha1) introduces Cashu wallets tied to embedded LND wallets. Navigate to Settings > Ecash to enable it. Other wallet types can still sweep funds from Cashu tokens. Zeus Pay now supports Cashu address types in Zaplocker, Cashu, and NWC modes.
*   [**LNDg v1.10.0**](https://github.com/cryptosharks131/lndg/releases/tag/v1.10.0), an advanced web interface designed for analyzing Lightning Network Daemon (LND) data and automating node management tasks, introduces performance improvements, adds a new metrics page for unprofitable and stuck channels, and displays warnings for batch openings. The Profit and Loss Chart has been updated to include on-chain costs. Advanced settings have been added for users who would like their channel database size to be read remotely (the default remains local). Additionally, the AutoFees tool now uses aggregated pubkey metrics for multiple channels with the same peer.
*   [**Nunchuk Desktop v1.9.45**](https://github.com/nunchuk-io/nunchuk-desktop/releases) release brings the latest bug fixes and improvements.
*   [**Blockstream Green iOS v4.1.8**](https://github.com/Blockstream/green_ios/releases) has renamed L-BTC to LBTC, and improves translations of notifications, login time, and background payments.
*   [**Blockstream Green Android v4.1.8**](https://github.com/Blockstream/green_android/releases) has added language preference in App Settings and enables an Android data backup option for disaster recovery. Additionally, it fixes issues with Jade entry point PIN timeout and Trezor passphrase input.
*   [**Torq v2.2.2**](https://github.com/lncapital/torq/releases/tag/v2.2.2), an advanced Lightning node management software designed to handle large nodes with over 1000 channels, fixes bugs that caused channel balance to not be updated in some cases and channel "peer total local balance" not getting updated.
*   [**Stack Wallet v2.1.12**](https://github.com/cypherstack/stack_wallet/releases/tag/build_226), a multicoin wallet by _Cypher Stack_, fixes an issue with Xelis introduced in the latest release for Windows.
*   [**ESP-Miner-NerdQAxePlus v1.0.29.1**](https://github.com/shufps/ESP-Miner-NerdQAxePlus/releases), a forked version from the NerdAxe miner that was modified for use on the [NerdQAxe+](https://github.com/shufps/qaxe), is now available.
*   [**Zark**](https://gitlab.com/1440000bytes/zark) enables sending sats to an npub using [Bark](https://codeberg.org/ark-bitcoin/bark).

![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-37.png)

*   [**Erk**](https://blog.second.tech/erk-update/) is a novel variation of the Ark protocol that completely removes the need for user interactivity in rounds, addressing one of Ark's key limitations: the requirement for users to come online before their VTXOs expire.
*   [**Aegis v0.1.1**](https://nostr.band/note1ljdczm267y648fv3jwv2jwn3mu4ae6jyzzpq4v0h8cthf020lyyss9ymde) is now available. It is a Nostr event signer app for iOS devices.
*   [**Nostash**](https://github.com/tyiu/nostash) is a NIP-07 Nostr signing extension for Safari. It is a fork of [Nostore](https://github.com/ursuscamp/nostore) and is maintained by [_Terry Yiu_](https://njump.me/nevent1qqsx028h0k8vfqge897kcapvgplymm8grx8wchhssza4gm4csrj3wggzyqnhnu7e7sk8mmsh7rnteh8cn28e6kfdr83mrw7j0mcullg607vdz7ytpj2)_._ Available on iOS [TestFlight](https://testflight.apple.com/join/8TFMZbMs).
*   [**Amber v3.2.8**](https://github.com/greenart7c3/Amber/releases/tag/v3.2.8), a Nostr event signer for Android, delivers the latest fixes and improvements.
*   [**Nostur v1.20.0**](https://github.com/nostur-com/nostur-ios-public), a Nostr client for iOS, adds


News
----

*   **Bitcoin mining centralization in 2025.** According to a [blog post](https://b10c.me/blog/015-bitcoin-mining-centralization/) by _b10c_, Bitcoin mining was at its most decentralized in May 2017, with another favorable period from 2019 to 2022. However, starting in 2023, mining has become increasingly centralized, particularly due to the influence of large pools like Foundry and the use of proxy pooling by entities such as AntPool.

![Block 893376: Important News of the Week](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-21.png)

Source: [b10c's blog.](https://b10c.me/blog/015-bitcoin-mining-centralization/)

*   **OpenSats announces the eleventh wave of Nostr grants.** The [five projects in this wave](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/opensats-unveils-the-eleventh-wave-of-nostr-grants/) are the mobile live-streaming app [Swae](https://github.com/suhailsaqan/swae), the Nostr-over-ham-radio project [HAMSTR](https://github.com/LibertyFarmer/hamstr), [Vertex](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/vertex-web-of-trust-as-a-service/)—a Web-of-Trust (WOT) service for Nostr developers, [Nostr Double Ratchet](https://github.com/mmalmi/nostr-double-ratchet) for end-to-end encrypted messaging, and the [Nostr Game Engine](https://ngengine.org/) for building games and applications integrated with the Nostr ecosystem.
*   **New Spiral grantee:** [**_l0rinc_**](https://xcancel.com/spiralbtc/status/1912176891609362505)**.** In February 2024, _l0rinc_ transitioned to full-time work on Bitcoin Core. [His efforts](https://github.com/l0rinc/bitcoin/tree/l0rinc/work?tab=readme-ov-file#bitcoin-core-contributions) focus on performance benchmarking and optimizations, enhancing code quality, conducting code reviews, reducing block download times, optimizing memory usage, and refactoring code.
*   **Project Eleven offers 1 BTC to break Bitcoin's cryptography with a quantum computer.** The quantum computing research organization [has introduced](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/project-eleven-to-award-1-btc-to-tackle-bitcoins-quantum-vulnerability) the [Q-Day Prize](https://www.qdayprize.org/), 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.
*   **Unchained has launched the Bitcoin Legacy Project.** The initiative [seeks](https://www.unchained.com/blog/introducing-the-bitcoin-legacy-project) to advance the Bitcoin ecosystem through a bitcoin-native [donor-advised fund platform](https://www.unchained.com/blog/bitcoin-donor-advised-funds) (DAF), investments in community hubs, support for education and open-source development, and a commitment to long-term sustainability with transparent annual reporting.
    *   In its first year, the program will provide support to Bitcoin hubs in Nashville, Austin, and Denver.
    *   Support also includes $50,000 to the Bitcoin Policy Institute, a $150,000 commitment at the University of Austin, and up to $250,000 in research grants through the Bitcoin Scholars program.

> "Unchained will **match grants 1:1** made to partner organizations who support Bitcoin Core development when made through the Unchained-powered bitcoin DAF, up to 1 BTC," was stated in a blog post.

*   **Block launched open-source tools for Bitcoin treasury management.** These [include](https://block.xyz/inside/block-releases-open-source-tools-for-bitcoin-treasury-management) a dashboard for managing corporate bitcoin holdings and provides a real-time BTC-to-USD price quote API, released as part of the [Block Open Source initiative](https://github.com/block/bitcoin-treasury). The company’s own instance of the bitcoin holdings dashboard is available [here](https://bitcoin.block.xyz).

[![Block 893376: Important News of the Week](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-14.png)](https://bitcoin.block.xyz/)

Source: block.xyz

*   **Bull Bitcoin expands to Mexico,** [enabling](https://www.bullbitcoin.com/blog/bull-bitcoin-launches-in-mexico) 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._

*   **Corporate bitcoin holdings hit a record high in Q1 2025.** According to [Bitwise](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/corporate-bitcoin-holdings-hit-record-high-in-q1-2025-as-public-companies-accelerate-accumulation), public companies' adoption of Bitcoin has hit an all-time high. In Q1 2025, these firms collectively hold over 688,000 BTC, marking a 16.11% increase from the previous quarter. This amount represents 3.28% of Bitcoin's fixed 21 million supply.

![Block 893376: Important News of the Week](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-29.png)

Source: [Bitwise.](https://xcancel.com/BitwiseInvest/status/1911843925943337203)

*   **The Bitcoin Bond Company for institutions has launched** with the [aim of acquiring](https://xcancel.com/BitcoinPierre/status/1909229920447840602) $1 trillion in Bitcoin over 21 years. It utilizes secure, transparent, and compliant bond-like products backed by Bitcoin.
*   **The U.S. Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).** At his confirmation hearing, _Atkins_ [emphasized](https://cryptoslate.com/paul-atkins-confirmed-to-chair-sec-as-gary-genslers-long-term-replacement/) the need for a clear framework for digital assets. He aims to collaborate with the CFTC and Congress to address jurisdiction and rulemaking gaps, aligning with the Trump administration's goal to position the U.S. as a leader in Bitcoin and blockchain finance.
*   **Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith has been released from custody.** _Griffith_, whose sentence [was reduced](https://atlas21.com/former-ethereum-developer-virgil-griffith-released-from-custody/) to 56 months, is now seeking a pardon. He was initially sentenced to 63 months for allegedly violating international sanctions laws by providing technical advice on using cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology to evade sanctions during a presentation titled 'Blockchains for Peace' in North Korea.
*   **No-KYC exchange eXch to close down under money laundering scrutiny.** The privacy-focused cryptocurrency trading platform [said](https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=577207.msg65286839#msg65286839) it will cease operations on May 1. This decision follows allegations that the platform was used by North Korea's Lazarus Group for money laundering. eXch revealed it is the subject of an active "transatlantic operation" aimed at shutting down the platform and prosecuting its team for "money laundering and terrorism."
*   **Blockstream combats ESP32 FUD concerning Jade signers.** The company [stated](https://xcancel.com/Blockstream/status/1912468478025433244) that after reviewing the vulnerability disclosed in early March, Jade was found to be secure. Espressif Systems, the designer of the ESP32, has since [clarified](https://developer.espressif.com/blog/2025/03/esp32-bluetooth-clearing-the-air/?ref=btctimes.com) that the "undocumented commands" do not constitute a "backdoor."

[![Block 893376: Important News of the Week](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/04/image-30.png)](https://xcancel.com/Blockstream/status/1912468476200997138)

*   **Bank of America is lobbying for regulations that favor banks over tech firms in stablecoin issuance.** The bank's CEO _Brian Moynihan_ is working with groups such as the American Bankers Association to advance the issuance of a fully reserved, 1:1 backed "Bank of America coin." If successful, this could limit stablecoin efforts by non-banks like Tether, Circle, and others, [reports](https://www.theblock.co/post/350860/stablecoin-turf-wars-bank-of-america-tether-and-circle-battle-to-shape-us-rules) _The Block._
*   **Tether to back OCEAN Pool with its hashrate.** "As a company committed to financial freedom and open access, we see supporting decentralization in Bitcoin mining as essential to the network’s long-term integrity," [said](https://www.theminermag.com/news/2025-04-14/tether-ocean-pool-bitcoin) Tether CEO _Paolo Ardoino_.
*   **Bitdeer to expand its self-mining operations to navigate tariffs.** The Singapore-based mining company is advancing plans to produce machines in the U.S. while reducing its mining hardware sales. This response is in light of increasing uncertainties related to U.S. trade policy, as reported by [_Bloomberg_](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-15/crypto-firm-bitdeer-prioritizes-mining-to-weather-tariff-turmoil).
*   **Tether acquires $32M in Bitdeer shares.** The firm [has boosted](https://www.theminermag.com/news/2025-04-17/tether-bitdeer-acquire-bitcoin) its investment in Bitdeer during a wider market sell-off, with purchases in early to mid-April amounting to about $32 million, regulatory filings reveal.
*   **US Bitcoin miner manufacturer Auradine has raised $153 million** in a Series C funding round as it [expands](https://www.theminermag.com/news/2025-04-17/auradine-mara-bitcoin) 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.
*   **Voltage has partnered with BitGo** to [enable](https://www.voltage.cloud/blog/bitgo-and-voltage-team-up-to-deliver-instant-bitcoin-and-stabl


Striden om skogen tätnar – utredning läggs fram när ministern är på BB
https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/vgMzX4/striden-om-skogen-tatnar-utredning-laggs-fram-nar-ministern-ar-pa-bb?utm_medium=rss


Döva vill ha döva programledare
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/nyhetstecken/dova-vill-ha-dova-programledare


A short note: There is only the State.
https://image.nostr.build...

There is only the State.
https://image.nostr.build/a41d5122fd5c0ba80689d2c20a2482dd4eb8d9a8f96975daed465132a167d98e.jpg


”Smittskyddsarbete kräver en laginsats”
https://www.svd.se/a/xmL73p/folkhalsomyndighetens-ledning-smittskyddsarbete-kraver-en-laginsats


This is the result of a NIP90 DVM task with kind 5300

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