Marty's Bent
------------

[![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-7.59.37---PM.png)](https://x.com/milessuter/status/1975969260024496525?ref=tftc.io)

via [Miles Suter](https://x.com/milessuter/status/1975969260024496525?ref=tftc.io)

![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/martybent_a_happy_customer_in_a_coffee_shop_paying_via_QR_code__f1a565d0-f08b-41c3-8461-3b160331c418.png)

In 2018 Cash App enabled their users to easily buy and sell bitcoin within the popular consumer finance app. At the time this was a massive validation and endorsement for bitcoin when it was less than a decade old. Having the backing and buy-in from a mainstream fintech player like Block (Square, at the time) was a signal to the world that bitcoin is something to take seriously. Jack Dorsey and team sticking their necks out to recognize bitcoin as a legitimate value added product to their suite will be recognized as a pivotal point in bitcoin's history.

It's been more than seven years since Cash App launched buy/sell bitcoin and Block has launched:

*   Spiral - A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting open-source bitcoin development, with a heavy focus on the lightning network.
*   Bitkey - A hardware wallet that leverages multi-sig to create an easy was for bitcoin users to self-custody their bitcoin with some hand holding.
*   Proto - A mining company dedicated to bringing open mining hardware and management software to compete with incumbents like Bitmain and MicroBT. The Proto team launched the Rig in August; a modular bitcoin mining machine that comes with a sleek fleet management software system.

To say the least, Block really cares about pushing bitcoin forward and has backed that up with heavy investments in businesses that support different parts of the bitcoin market.

With all of that being said, the number one question Block has been asked since they unleashed bitcoin to Cash App users seven years ago is, "Wen bitcoin in Square terminals?!"

Well, as of today, the wait is officially over. Earlier this afternoon, Square announced that all of their merchants will immediately be able to convert a portion of their card sales to bitcoin, buy/sell/hold/withdraw bitcoin via their business portals and on November 10th they will also be able to accept bitcoin via Square terminals as well.

![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-9.26.36---PM.png)

via [Square](https://squareup.com/us/en/bitcoin?ref=tftc.io)

![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-9.26.44---PM.png)

via [Square](https://squareup.com/us/en/bitcoin?ref=tftc.io)

![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-9.26.50---PM.png)

via [Square](https://squareup.com/us/en/bitcoin?ref=tftc.io)

This. This right here is massive. As it stands today, Square supports over 4,000,000 merchants across the United States and every single one of them will be able to log into their Square business accounts tomorrow and decide to automatically convert a portion of their cash flow into bitcoin. If 10% of their US customer base enables this feature that will produce 400,000 new small, medium and large businesses that are using bitcoin as a treasury asset that enables them to help grow their businesses. Don't take it from me, take it from Glenn Charles, who has been part of Square's beta test of this product for the last two years.

![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-10.07.04---PM.png)

via [Glenn Charles](https://x.com/GlennCharlesPh1/status/1976039946961158401?ref=tftc.io)

This is the type of "corporate" bitcoin adoption you love to see. Bitcoin is an asset that can help small businesses in ways that most people cannot even fathom. I know from experience, this small (but mighty) media company has benefited massively from our bitcoin treasury, our ability to accept bitcoin for payment and our ability to pay employees and contractors in bitcoin. Opening this up to 4,000,000 businesses overnight cannot be overstated. Most importantly because Square is making bitcoin a first-class citizen throughout the experience, where other payment processors and point-of-sale systems make it hard for their customers to integrate bitcoin throughout the business stack.

Once bitcoin payments are enabled in a little over a month merchants will be able to receive bitcoin and either convert it immediately to cash or hold it in bitcoin. Bitcoiners who live on a bitcoin standard will be able to spend their sats at many more merchants in meat space. THE bitcoin standard becomes more tangible.

[![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-10.28.00---PM.png)](https://x.com/owenbjennings/status/1976035183767015909?ref=tftc.io)

via [OBJ](https://x.com/owenbjennings/status/1976035183767015909?ref=tftc.io)

The next thing to check off the list is getting a de minimis tax exemption for bitcoin payments. It looks like Jack is putting the pressure on.

[![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-10.26.25---PM.png)](https://x.com/jack/status/1976056646138036581?ref=tftc.io)

via [jack](https://x.com/jack/status/1976056646138036581?ref=tftc.io)

* * *

### Chop-Solidation Market Dynamics: Insights into Bitcoin's 2025 Market

In our latest episode, we delved into the current state of the Bitcoin market for 2025, which has been marked by a phase of consolidation with notably low volatility. This 'chop-solidation' phase, as my guest James Check described, suggests a market that is maturing and becoming more sophisticated. The discussion highlighted how this period of stability might be setting the stage for a significant future movement in the market, indicating a strategic patience among investors.

> The market is showing signs of a sophisticated structure, preparing for something big. - [James Check](https://twitter.com/_Checkmatey_?ref=tftc.io)

This optimistic outlook was shared by both myself and James, suggesting that the current market dynamics could lead to substantial opportunities for those who remain patient and vigilant. The low volatility phase is not just a lull but potentially a precursor to a major shift, making this an exciting time for Bitcoin enthusiasts and investors alike.

Check out the [full podcast here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uZW0j-sW6w&feature=youtu.be&ref=tftc.io) for more with one of the most accurate price prediction and market structure experts we have on the show.

* * *

### Headlines of the Day

[Tokyo firm invests $3.3M in Bitcoin](https://x.com/BitcoinNewsCom/status/1975931437133013140?ref=tftc.io)

[Bitcoin payments via WhatsApp demoed](https://x.com/BitcoinNewsCom/status/1975921235088294326?ref=tftc.io)

[Bitcoin addresses over 100 BTC hit ATH](https://x.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1975942718821216578?ref=tftc.io)

[Square introduces zero-fee Bitcoin wallet](https://x.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1975921191769555166?ref=tftc.io)

[Loosening conditions fuel Bitcoin bull run](https://x.com/TFTC21/status/1975960945559257315?ref=tftc.io)

[Bitcoin's floor at $95k, target $150k](https://x.com/TFTC21/status/1975956145073172503?ref=tftc.io)

* * *

[![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/D1.png)](https://unchnd.co/4nulnb8?ref=tftc.io)

[Download here](https://unchnd.co/4nulnb8?ref=tftc.io)

You know the story of bitcoin’s market cycles... euphoric blow-offs, brutal crashes. _Maybe not anymore_. [**The Bitcoin Checkpoint**](https://unchnd.co/4nulnb8?ref=tftc.io) takes a deep look at how the 2023–2025 cycle has rewritten market structure and why these changes could be permanent.

Inside, you’ll find analysis of record-low volatility, ETF flows absorbing billions monthly, and why long-term holders remain in control with $1.3T in unrealized profit. Plus, download now for automatic access to the event where James Check took a deep dive into the report himself.

* * *

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[![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/09/Reclaim-your-privacy.png)](https://slnt.com/pages/tftc?ref=tftc.io)

[Use Code: TFTC](https://slnt.com/pages/tftc?ref=tftc.io)

* * *

### Obscura – The World’s Best VPN Built by Bitcoiners

Created by Carl Dong (former Bitcoin Core contributor), unlike other VPNs, it _can’t_ log your activity by design, delivering verifiable privacy you can trust.

[![Square Enables Merchants To Easily Accumulate Bitcoin On Their Balance Sheets](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/08/newsletter-1.jpg)](https://obscura.net/?ref=tftc.io)

[USE CODE TFTC25](https://obscura.net/?ref=tftc.io)

**Outsmarts internet censorship**: works even on the most restrictive Wi-Fi networks where other VPNs fail.
**Pay with bitcoin o


tags: The UK’s central bank may ease restrictions on corporate stablecoin reserves following industry pushback. The post Bank of England: possible exemptions to proposed stablecoin limits appeared first on Atlas21.

content:
**_The UK’s central bank may ease restrictions on corporate stablecoin reserves following industry pushback._**
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[According](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-07/boe-plans-carveouts-on-stablecoin-cap-after-industry-backlash?srnd=phx-crypto) to _Bloomberg_, the **Bank of England** (BoE) is reconsidering its stance on the proposed limits for corporate **stablecoin** reserves and is exploring possible exemptions for companies that need to hold larger amounts of fiat-backed digital assets.

### **Reversal after industry pressure**

The BoE’s change of heart comes after strong criticism from the crypto industry and growing international competition. The **United States Congress** in particular has moved forward with clearer regulation through the **GENIUS Act**, which became law last July.

Initially, the Bank of England had proposed caps of **£20,000** (about $27,000) **for individuals** and **£10 million for companies**.

The stated goals were threefold: maintaining control over the money supply, protecting consumers, and preventing excessive reliance on privately issued digital currencies. While these limits might work for traditional businesses, crypto-native companies argue that such restrictions would severely constrain their operations.

These firms need to hold substantial stablecoin reserves to manage trading and liquidity. For this reason, the BoE is considering granting specific exemptions for such entities.

### **Governor Bailey’s change in tone**

BoE Governor **Andrew Bailey** had previously warned about the risks privately issued stablecoins could pose to financial stability and governments’ ability to conduct effective monetary policy.

However, in statements made last week, Bailey struck a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging that stablecoins could represent a useful innovation capable of coexisting within the broader financial system.

The post [Bank of England: possible exemptions to proposed stablecoin limits](https://atlas21.com/bank-of-england-possible-exemptions-to-proposed-stablecoin-limits/) appeared first on [Atlas21](https://atlas21.com).


tags: As the bond market unravels, Bitcoin emerges as the new base layer for a deflationary, AI-driven financial system.

content:
Key Takeaways
-------------

![TFTC - Bond Market Shock Sends Bitcoin to $1,000,000 Sooner Than Anyone Expects | Maryland Hodl](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Maryland-Hodl.jpg)

Maryland Hodl argues we’re nearing a “bond revolt” that forces the U.S. to sacrifice the bond market, accelerating a shift from an inflationary, debt-based system to a deflationary, AI-driven economy anchored by Bitcoin as a neutral reserve asset. Stablecoins and Bitcoin-backed “BitBonds” form a sovereign flywheel: Treasury borrows cheaply (1–2%) while investors capture real returns via Bitcoin’s volatility, effectively building a Bitcoin yield curve and repricing the cost of money. As correlations break and social “vibrations” intensify, a bifurcated world emerges (West→Bitcoin, East→gold), with U.S. reindustrialization and front-end duration management signaling a wartime economy. Individually, the advice is simple, buy Bitcoin, because it serves both personal sovereignty and the bridge that may enable a soft landing.

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

“The U.S. government is going to have to sacrifice the bond market.”

“We have an inflationary system heading toward a deflationary one run by AI, with Bitcoin as its monetary base unit.”

“The world doesn’t have a debt problem. We have a collateral problem.”

“BitBonds let the government borrow at 1–2% while investors earn 15–18%.”

“Once the government treats Bitcoin as pristine collateral, it’s game over.”

“Bitcoin’s true value might not be monetary, it could be the return of trust to society.”

“If you want to help accelerate the transition, just buy Bitcoin.”

“Humility is the key. Bitcoin forces you to question everything you’ve been told.”

Conclusion
----------

The conversation presents a coherent transition playbook: embed Bitcoin into sovereign finance via stablecoins and BitBonds to reprice liabilities against absolute scarcity, restore credible collateral, and guide markets toward a deflationary, AI-enabled era. If policy makers embrace this top-down integration, they can manufacture a softer landing, moving duration, stabilizing funding, and catalyzing a reflexive shift where institutions recognize Bitcoin as pristine collateral. The stakes are high, failure risks social fracture, success unlocks an abundance trajectory, but either way, Bitcoin’s role as the base layer of trust and settlement appears inevitable.

Timestamps
----------

0:00 - Intro
0:57 - Systemic vibrations and economic pressure signals
9:14 - Wartime economy and Western Hemisphere focus
13:25 - Energy infrastructure and industrial policy bottlenecks
15:32 - Obscura & Bitkey
17:16 - Monetary breakdown and manipulated Fed data
25:02 - Stablecoins, bitbonds, and the silent coup framework
35:46 - SLNT & Unchained
37:12 - Sovereign flywheel and volatility harvesting mechanics
43:38 - Neutering the Fed and Wall Street adoption tipping point
48:21 - Social cohesion and transition pathways
52:50 - Top-down adoption and Bitcoin's dual purpose
1:01:26 - Humility, trust machine, and questioning everything
1:15:58 - Pilot programs and creative destruction as the only way out

Transcript
----------

(00:00) the US government's going to have to sacrifice the bond market. And he put a timeline of six to nine months from his vantage point. The government can basically get its 1 or 2% borrowing rate, but the investor can get its 15 to 18% and it's going to be close to $3 trillion just to get the grid up to where it needs to be.
(00:19) So, we have an inflationary system that is basically heading towards a deflationary system run by AI with a monetary base unit of Bitcoin. We're going to have bifurcated economic zones where it's going to be western hemisphere versus eastern. If you look at what Sailor's doing, he's developing a Bitcoin yield curve. seems like this would be the perfect entity to essentially do like a bit bond pilot.
(00:37) Imagine when Wall Street with the deepest capital market starts doing the same thing, structuring it with real estate, similar to what you've been talking about or what Grant Cardone is talking about. The world doesn't have a debt problem. We have a collateral problem. What if ultimately Bitcoin was established to start bringing trust back to government and we go into kind of an age of abundance? Basically, all marginal costs are driven to zero because of AI and advancements in AI.
(00:58) Marilyn Hutddle, the the vibration feels off. Certainly does. Certainly does, doesn't it, M? It does. That's where uh that's where we were just talking about. I think we start here, the vibration feeling off. This is sort of a a grown theme. I've seen you tweet about um Dark Side, who was on the show earlier this summer, tweet about uh let's jump into that.
(01:25) is this idea of systemic vibrations as a leading indicator for potential turmoil on the horizon. Yeah. And you a lot of the the work I I've been doing is I'm a a listener. So for the last 5 years since I kind of stumbled into this space I I listen um I watch podcast. I combing Twitter.
(01:53) Um, I'm in spaces listening just to different ideas and seeing where things are breaking down at. You know, a couple of the people that I really like to follow as of late. Um, who I think has been pretty much spot on for years is Luke Gorman, right? and his most recent um podcast that he did. Basically, he started alluded to, you know, from his vantage point, it looks like the the system's breaking down and there's going to be a bond revolt and essentially the US government's going to have to sacrifice the bond market um for a variety of different reasons.
(02:22) And he put a uh a timeline of 6 to9 months from his vantage point, right? you have economic and geopolitical risks that are basically growing in the market and it's going to hit a head at some point. Um, you know, and then you you take Jack Mer's uh Monday podcast that he just recently released, right? He dives into the fact that austerity doesn't work. Um, you know, we're seeing the examples of that in Argentina currently.
(02:54) Um if you extrapolate further and take that into the United States like we're seeing a continuation of all these efforts um that are basically fruitless and the shaping that I put out this week was basically that the government in my opinion Bitcoin's already won right um the government is out of options and that the industrial system that we have grown going to basically embrace over the last since the 1900s.
(03:27) You know, GDP is we have an inflationary system that is basically heading towards a deflationary system run by AI with a monetary base unit uh of Bitcoin. Um which in my opinion is the only monetary asset that can work in a system of deflation. So what we're seeing is these systemic fractures that are happening across society and you can see it even socially right with the cultural wars.
(03:56) Um I think that they they're becoming more frequent which you can essentially equate back to the vibration that you're discussing about. Um and it's becoming more noticeable by even the everyday individual. Right. So, I think society as a whole is starting to wake up to the idea that something's wrong. The financial markets certainly are.
(04:18) I mean, correlations are breaking down across the board. Um, historical norms that have basically been in place for um decades, even generations are no longer holding up. Um, you know, I think we have a a potentially a real crisis on our hands. And you know, I spend a lot of time thinking um I think you have young kids. I have a a three-year-old.
(04:45) And as a father during this stage, early child development, um you start thinking more about what the future's going to hold for your child. So, a lot of my work and effort has been basically focused around a transition, right? What is the transition going to look like from an inflationary system to a deflationary system? How do we avoid all the issues with the for turning and you know what are the issues like the death and destruction, right? Entering into another World War II scenario or before that a civil war and before that
(05:16) the revolutionary war, right? And but now we're in a at a global scale with different types of weapons, right? That can ultimately end society. So my thought process has been I look at Bitcoin as a tool for self- sovereignty but also a tool to be utilized potentially or designed to help us transition through this system.
(05:40) But to your point, the vibrations are getting um more violent and um I think they're becoming undeniable by even the average person across the board. Yeah. Yeah, I mean outside of the culture wars and the social incohesion which seems obvious. I think one sort of anecdotal data point or data points that I've really leaned on over the last two three years specifically are the um the selfie videos of people sitting in their cars complaining about a myriad of different things whether it's the grocery bill, health insurance,
(06:18) car insurance, the inability to afford a house in the first place. I mean, those are accelerating and who knows if they're just sort of attentiongrabbing things that people are trying to leverage on TikTok to get sympathy or feel like their voice is being heard or get some attention. But I I feel like it's very clear that I I do think there's signal there in the sense that people are really feeling the the burden of the the economic pressure uh and then this gap between the rich and the poor accelerating. Um, but in in terms of
(06:54) systemic vibrations like within the system, what specifically are you looking at? I mean, you mentioned Mers earlier this week talking about austerity doesn't work in the context of Argentina. Obviously, the Treasury just opened up a swap line with them for $50 billion um to sort of lessen the blow, the austerity that they've implemented throughout the country over the last few years.
(07:2


PopeASDF :vepi: :jrbd:

about:
Pope ASDF of the Keys
SF Bay California
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Count down our final days at https://BobDobbs.com


tags: Indian authorities have launched an investigation into high-net-worth traders suspected of evading cryptocurrency taxes through Binance. The post India: over 400 traders investigated for tax evasion through Binance appeared first on Atlas21.

content:
**_Indian authorities have launched an investigation into high-net-worth traders suspected of evading cryptocurrency taxes through Binance._**
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**India**’s tax authorities have opened a wide-reaching probe into **more than 400** wealthy individuals suspected of avoiding taxes on crypto transactions conducted through **Binance**. [According](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/cryptocurrency/binance-wallets-decryptedtaxman-moves-in-on-evaders/articleshow/124469585.cms?from=mdr) to _The Economic Times_, the inquiry focuses on traders who operated on the platform between 2022 and 2025.

The **Central Board of Direct Taxes** has issued an internal notice to local tax departments across several cities, requesting a detailed report on actions taken by October 17. The investigation covers the fiscal years from 2022–23 to 2024–25, during which the traders in question allegedly bypassed tax regulations.

The probe goes beyond standard exchange activity, also examining peer-to-peer transactions facilitated by the platform in India and settled through domestic bank accounts, Google Pay, or cash.

### **Government policy**

India’s tax system for cryptocurrencies is among the most burdensome in the world. Market participants face a **1%** tax deducted at source on every transaction, coupled with a **30%** tax on profits. For top-income taxpayers, the effective tax rate can reach **42.7%** when including surcharges and the **4%** cess, an additional levy used to fund targeted programs such as education and healthcare.

The government’s stance toward digital assets remains focused on strict control and taxation. Union Minister **Piyush Goyal** recently [reiterated](https://atlas21.com/india-prepares-to-launch-its-cbdc/) the administration’s intention to intensify efforts on developing a **CBDC**, while maintaining high tax rates on cryptocurrencies.

The post [India: over 400 traders investigated for tax evasion through Binance](https://atlas21.com/india-over-400-traders-investigated-for-tax-evasion-through-binance/) appeared first on [Atlas21](https://atlas21.com).


tags: The company is ramping up its in-house mining operations to stay competitive in an evolving market. The post Bitdeer boosts mining operations as machine demand slows appeared first on Atlas21.

content:
**_The company is ramping up its in-house mining operations to stay competitive in an evolving market._**
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Bitdeer Technologies Group**, a company specializing in Bitcoin mining infrastructure, is expanding its mining activities in response to weakening demand for machines from external customers.

[According](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-09/crypto-gear-maker-bitdeer-turns-miner-to-compete-against-clients?srnd=phx-crypto) to _Bloomberg_, Bitdeer is accelerating its shift toward using its own equipment for mining, effectively competing with the same clients who purchase its machines.

The company’s latest official filings show a year-over-year increase in mining capacity as of August, along with a stated goal of positioning itself **among the world’s top five Bitcoin miners.**

In August, Bitdeer mined **375 BTC**, ranking sixth globally – behind **MARA Holdings**, **IREN, Cango, CleanSpark**, and **Riot Platforms** – according to industry data.

### **Hardware producers’ trend**

[According](https://theminermag.com/news/2025-09-04/bitcoin-manufacturer-arms-race) to _The Miner Mag_, hardware manufacturers are trying to offset declining machine sales by monetizing their own mining capacity. Both **Canaan** and **Bitdeer** have been cited as examples of this trend, with Bitdeer nearly tripling its proprietary hashrate to **22.5 EH/s** between December 2024 and July 2025. The company projects that a **40 EH/s** capacity could generate roughly **$750 million** in annualized revenue with **gross margins above 50%.**

**Wolfie Zhao**, an analyst at The Miner Mag, told _Bloomberg_ he expects _“large miners to remain cautious on fleet expansion for the foreseeable future.”_

### **Mining and diversification**

As Bitcoin’s price continues its run, the mining economy has become increasingly complex, especially after the 2024 halving that cut block rewards in half.

In response, several mining companies are diversifying their business models, redirecting hardware toward new workloads such as artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s network difficulty keeps climbing to new all-time highs, extending a long-term trend that has squeezed margins and tightened operating conditions for major miners.

With demand for AI computing power surging, miners are finding new opportunities by repurposing or upgrading existing facilities to serve this growing market.

The post [Bitdeer boosts mining operations as machine demand slows](https://atlas21.com/bitdeer-boosts-mining-operations-as-machine-demand-slows/) appeared first on [Atlas21](https://atlas21.com).


tags: How democracies and Big Tech are transforming privacy from a fundamental right to a luxury for the few. The post The global erosion of privacy: when security becomes surveillance appeared first on Atlas21.

content:
**_How democracies and Big Tech are transforming privacy from a fundamental right to a luxury for the few._**
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In recent years, it seems that Western democracies are converging toward a common model: introducing mass surveillance systems and mandatory identification, justifying themselves with apparently noble objectives: the **protection of minors**, the **fight against terrorism**, **national security**. Yet, behind these legitimate motivations, lies a transformation of the relationship between citizen and State, where privacy is becoming a privilege of the past rather than a fundamental right.

From the repeated attempts to approve European Chat Control to British identity verifications, from the Swiss e-ID to Australian and Canadian laws, a disturbing pattern emerges: controversial legislations are approved with narrow margins or imposed from above, while citizens find themselves increasingly unable to navigate without leaving traces of their identity.

### **Chat Control**

The European regulatory proposal known as “Chat Control” perhaps represents the most ambitious attempt to normalize mass surveillance in Western democracies. Officially presented as “Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse” in May 2022, the legislation aims to impose mandatory scanning of private communications to identify child pornographic material.

Service providers like **WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram** and other messaging services would have to implement automated content scanning systems, including conversations protected by end-to-end encryption. In practice, every message, file, photo or video sent would be analyzed by algorithms before reaching the recipient.

The proposal has faced a tortuous legislative path. After being blocked in December 2024 by a “blocking minority” of European governments, it returned forcefully to the agenda in July 2025 under the Danish presidency of the EU Council.

To allow content scanning, end-to-end encryption would have to be compromised through what technicians call “client-side scanning” – essentially, a **backdoor** installed directly on people’s devices. Signal [has declared](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/chat-control-is-like-a-malware-on-your-device-signal-slams-the-eu-proposal-to-scan-your-private-chats) that the system would function as “malware installed on users’ devices”. As denounced in several parliamentary questions, this approach would undermine Article 7 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which guarantees respect for private life and communications.

Organizations for digital rights, such as the **Electronic Frontier Foundation** (EFF) and the **Chaos Computer Club** (CCC), [have expressed](https://cyberscoop.com/potential-eu-law-sparks-global-concerns-encryption-privacy/) warnings against client-side scanning, defining it as an “invasive” technology and inherently “susceptible to errors”. Moreover, automatic detection systems produce a high rate of false positives, putting innocent citizens at risk of false accusations.

The most disturbing aspect is represented by the exemptions provided for European politicians, who would enjoy special protections under the rules of “professional secrecy”.

Telegram has already threatened to exit the European market rather than compromise the encryption of its users. Signal has declared that it simply cannot implement backdoors while maintaining its security promises.

Currently, [according](https://fightchatcontrol.eu/) to the **Fight Chat Control** portal, 12 member states support the proposal, 9 declare themselves opposed and 6 have not yet taken a position. The vote, initially scheduled for October 14, 2025, was postponed after the twenty-seven States did not reach an agreement on the Danish presidency’s proposal. The dossier now returns to technical tables and could be resubmitted or reformulated.

### **United Kingdom: the Online Safety Act and the explosion of VPNs**

On July 25, 2025, the **Online Safety Act** came into force in the **United Kingdom**, legislation that imposes age verification to access adult content and potentially harmful materials, requiring the upload of identity documents, bank checks or facial scans. Officially designed to protect minors from inappropriate content, the act requires platforms and websites to verify that users are at least 18 years old through “robust” methods.

However, the definition of content subject to verification rapidly extended beyond adult sites initially targeted by the law. **Discord** and **Reddit** began requiring facial scans from British users. Even seemingly innocent services have been involved, creating a situation where browsing freely requires providing personal identifying data to countless private companies.

Verification methods include uploading photo identity documents, biometric facial scans, or the use of third-party age verification services. In all cases, a database is created that links the individual’s real identity to their online behaviors.

The reaction of British citizens was immediate. **Proton VPN** [registered](https://www.legal.io/articles/5708192/UK-s-Online-Safety-Act-Triggers-VPN-Surge-Amid-Age-Verification-Backlash) an increase in subscriptions exceeding **1,400%** in the hours immediately following the law’s entry into force. Google searches for “VPN” in the United Kingdom skyrocketed by **2,450%.** Other providers reported similar increases.

The government’s response was eloquent. Government officials declared they are _“watching very carefully”_ the use of VPNs. Proposals emerged to extend age verification requirements to VPN services themselves.

The French precedent is emblematic. In June 2025, a similar law (SREN – Sécurité et Régulation de l’Espace Numérique) came into force in **France**, causing the temporary blocking of access to numerous adult sites that preferred to withdraw from the French market rather than implement invasive verification systems; after a precautionary suspension decided in mid-June by the Administrative Court of Paris, the Council of State [annulle](https://www.conseil-etat.fr/en/news/pornographic-websites-the-order-requiring-user-age-verification-is-maintained2)[d](https://www.conseil-etat.fr/en/news/pornographic-websites-the-order-requiring-user-age-verification-is-maintained2) [it](https://www.conseil-etat.fr/en/news/pornographic-websites-the-order-requiring-user-age-verification-is-maintained2), confirming the age verification obligation for the sites concerned.

Simultaneously, the British government [announced](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g54g6vgpdo) the introduction of a mandatory digital identity system by the end of the legislature. The system, initially designed to combat illegal work, requires the use of smartphones and could gradually extend to other public services.

### **Switzerland: digital identity arriving**

On September 28, 2025, **Switzerland** approved the federal law on electronic identity (e-ID): 50.4% favorable votes against 49.6% opposed, with a turnout of 49.55%. The result marks a turning point for a country traditionally attentive to privacy and individual freedoms.

The law creates an optional digital identification system managed entirely by the State, with which citizens will be able to authenticate themselves to authorities and private companies. Possible applications include requesting the digital driver’s license, age verification for purchases subject to restrictions, access to online public services, and identification to private platforms that choose to integrate with the system.

In 2021, Swiss citizens rejected a similar proposal with **over 64%** opposing votes, mainly due to concerns related to data management by private companies. The new model, completely state-run, was presented as a response to those concerns.

Opponents [raised concerns](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/28/swiss-voters-back-electronic-identity-cards-in-close-vote) that go beyond data protection. Those who do not own a smartphone or are not familiar with digital technology risk being progressively excluded from essential services. If electronic identity becomes the standard method to access public services, those who refuse or cannot adopt it become second-class citizens.

### **Australia and Canada**

Australia [became](https://ondato.com/blog/australia-social-media-ban/) the first country in the world to completely ban access to social media (including YouTube) for minors under 16. The law, approved in November 2024 and in force since December 2025, will force platforms to implement age verification systems that could require identity documents or biometric scans for all users. The government [plans](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/23/new-rules-will-radically-change-the-way-we-use-the-internet-in-australia-and-not-just-social-media) to proceed with implementation, extending the requirements also to search engines.

In parallel, the Canadian government [is debating](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/government-border-bill-split-1.7652639) legislation that would grant broad powers to law enforcement, including legal access to electronic communications. **Bill C-2**, called **Strong Borders Act**, is a bill presented in June 2025 that extensively reforms border security, immigration, organized crime repression and anti-money laundering, also introducing new investigative powers in the digital sphere. The proposal raises serious privacy concerns because it lowers the thresholds for obtaining information from online providers, allowing in various cases **requests without judicial warrant** based on simple “reasonable suspicion”. Faced with criticism, the government has signaled the intention to resubmit a revised text that removes some of the more controversial clauses.

### **Google and the war on alternative app stores**

While gover


tags: A short note: https://media.tenor.com/6SwD6cbhfsAAAAAC/dis-belie...


pt0W3lAEy8Oxt9HCFi5fQyAfPHOe7cDUx0zb3kzcj+TCEQx9UTjGGREJPhY5lwjO?iv=Me4+v+IFtcaJ57dQEMI3sg==


tags: Cake Wallet is an open-source, privacy-oriented multi-currency wallet available on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows (beta) and Linux.

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

*   This release introduces Payjoin v2 functionality to Bitcoin wallets on Cake, along with several UI/UX improvements and bug fixes.
*   The [Payjoin v2 protocol](https://payjoin.org/) enables asynchronous, serverless coordination between sender and receiver, removing the need to be online simultaneously or maintain a server. This simplifies privacy-focused transactions for regular users.

> "I cannot speak highly enough of how amazing it has been to work with [@bitgould](https://x.com/bitgould) and Jaad from the[@payjoindevkit](https://x.com/payjoindevkit) team, they're doing incredible work. None of this would be possible without them and their tireless efforts. PDK made it so much easier to ship Payjoin v2 than it would have been otherwise, and I can't wait to see other wallets jump in and give back to PDK as they implement it like we did," [said](https://xcancel.com/sethforprivacy/status/1924815548543541711) Seth For Privacy, VP at Cake Wallet.

![Cake Wallet v4.28: Payjoin v2 Support](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/cakewalletv4040.jpg)

**How to started with Payjoin in Cake Wallet:**

1.  Open the app menu sidebar and click `Privacy`.
2.  Toggle the `Use Payjoin` option.
3.  Now on your receive screen you'll see an option to copy a Payjoin URL

![Cake Wallet v4.28: Payjoin v2 Support](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-9.png)

*   [Bull Bitcoin Wallet v0.4.0](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/bull-bitcoin-wallet-v0-4-0/) introduced Payjoin v2 support in late December 2024. However, the current implementations are not interoperable at the moment, an issue that should be addressed in the next release of the [Bull Bitcoin Wallet](https://github.com/SatoshiPortal/bullbitcoin-mobile).

[![Cake Wallet v4.28: Payjoin v2 Support](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-11.png)](https://xcancel.com/francispouliot_/status/1924958880804589739)

*   Cake Wallet was [one of the first wallets](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/cake-wallet-v4-18-0/) to introduce [Silent Payments](https://silentpayments.xyz/) back in May 2024. However, users may encounter sync issues while using this feature at present, which will be resolved in the next release of Cake Wallet.

[![Cake Wallet v4.28: Payjoin v2 Support](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-10.png)](https://xcancel.com/sethforprivacy/status/1924770756828831867)

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

*   [**Payjoin v2**](https://payjoin.org/docs/how-it-works/payjoin-v2-bip-77/) implementation.
*   **Wallet group improvements**: Enhanced management of multiple wallets.
*   **Various bug fixes**: improving overall stability and user experience.
*   Monero (XMR) enhancements.

Learn more about using, implementing, and understanding [BIP 77: Payjoin Version 2](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/1483) using the `payjoin` crate in Payjoin Dev Kit [here](https://payjoin.org/docs/tutorials/receive-payjoin-v2).

[**Announcement**](https://njump.me/nevent1qqs2k8yn2s8eres7gzcnhkj36easy939jz3nddrm7wv7gkdvg93tjhcpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43qyg8uq7ecmfs397lxe48qjwc90jldzzrfyuz3s9nn7vk46s82m6k5my4r5zne)
[**Blog Post**](https://blog.cakewallet.com/bitcoin-privacy-takes-a-leap-forward-cake-wallet-introduces-payjoin-v2/) / [Archive](http://archive.today/RpdxK)
[**GitHub Repo**](https://github.com/cake-tech/cake_wallet/releases/tag/v4.28.0)


tags: Samourai Dojo is an end-to-end bitcoin wallet backing server for powering Samourai Wallet and other light clients.

content:
*   This version introduces the [Soroban](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/whirlpool-dencetralization-stage-1/) P2P network, enabling Dojo to relay transactions to the Bitcoin network and share others' transactions to break the heuristic linking relaying nodes to transaction creators.

[![Samourai Dojo v1.27.0: Soroban Network, PandoTx, API Key Management](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-13.png)](https://xcancel.com/PavelTheCoder/status/1925673526255665415)

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

> "I want to thank all the contributors. This again shows the power of true Free Software. I also want to thank everyone who donated to help Dojo development going. I truly appreciate it," [said](https://xcancel.com/PavelTheCoder/status/1925609421746389035) Still Dojo Coder.

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

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

### Other changes

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

![Samourai Dojo v1.27.0: Soroban Network, PandoTx, API Key Management](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-14.png)

[#FREESAMOURAI](https://freesamourai.com/)

![Samourai Dojo v1.27.0: Soroban Network, PandoTx, API Key Management](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/dojo-v127.jpg)

Learn how to set up and use your own Bitcoin privacy node with Dojo [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULZoPMCYPfk).

[**Announcement**](https://xcancel.com/PavelTheCoder/status/1925609410757378206) / [Archive](http://archive.today/xT2sG)
[**GitHub Repo**](https://github.com/Dojo-Open-Source-Project/samourai-dojo/releases/tag/v1.27.0)


tags: Bitcoin Safe is a secure, user-friendly Bitcoin savings wallet for all users. It comes with step-by-step setup guides, support for all major hardware signers, transaction visualization, and built-in multisig collaboration tools. Compact Block Filters for enhanced privacy are in development.

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

*   Version 1.3 of [Bitcoin Safe](https://github.com/andreasgriffin/bitcoin-safe/releases/tag/1.3.0) introduces a redesigned interactive chart, quick receive feature, updated icons, a mempool preview window, support for Child Pays For Parent (CPFP) and testnet4, preconfigured testnet demo wallets, as well as various bug fixes and improvements.

*   Upcoming updates for Bitcoin Safe include [Compact Block Filters](https://bitcoinops.org/en/topics/compact-block-filters/).

> "Compact Block Filters increase the network privacy dramatically, since you're not asking an electrum server to give you your transactions. They are a little slower than electrum servers. For a savings wallet like [Bitcoin Safe](https://archive.is/o/x8jSG/https://bitcoin-safe.org/) this should be OK," [writes](https://njump.me/naddr1qqgrwwf4xcmnjcf4xvunvd3sxqungqgwwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkctczyqrtex4hcpkt428mjzy75vn8xc6qgulu2jmh4c0qjdmxkuzz03y02qcyqqq823ccjtzhj) the project's developer _Andreas Griffin._

*   Learn more about the current and upcoming features of Bitcoin Safe wallet [here](https://njump.me/naddr1qqgrwwf4xcmnjcf4xvunvd3sxqungqgwwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkctczyqrtex4hcpkt428mjzy75vn8xc6qgulu2jmh4c0qjdmxkuzz03y02qcyqqq823ccjtzhj).

What's new in v1.3
------------------

*   **Redesign** of Chart, Quick Receive, Icons, and Mempool Preview (by [@design-rrr](https://github.com/design-rrr)).
*   **Interactive chart.** Clicking on it now jumps to transaction, and selected transactions are now highlighted.

![Bitcoin Safe v1.3.0: Interactive Chart, CPFP, Testnet4 Support](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/interactive-chart.gif)

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

![Bitcoin Safe v1.3.0: Interactive Chart, CPFP, Testnet4 Support](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/bitcoin-safe-v13.jpg)

[**Announcement**](https://njump.me/nevent1qqs2dn0z03as87764zy9fg5sdzkh45paajj6pagp5rjwd6well7xnjqppamhxue69uhkummnw3ezumt0d5qs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dspzqstewfpmn5wewcuupn7wctnxxtk3tz882krc8p4623t9qxa48lalhl3872) / [Archive](http://archive.today/QjYVe)
[**Blog Post**](https://njump.me/naddr1qqgrwwf4xcmnjcf4xvunvd3sxqungqgwwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkctczyqrtex4hcpkt428mjzy75vn8xc6qgulu2jmh4c0qjdmxkuzz03y02qcyqqq823ccjtzhj) / [Archive](https://archive.is/x8jSG)
[**GitHub Repo**](https://github.com/andreasgriffin/bitcoin-safe)
[Website](https://bitcoin-safe.org/en/)


tags: 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.

content:
[![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, May 20th, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-8.png)](https://mempool.space/)

News
----

*   **Wallet of Satoshi teases a comeback in the US market with a non-custodial product.** According to an [announcement on X](https://xcancel.com/walletofsatoshi/status/1923875750165479768), the widely popular custodial Lightning wallet is preparing to re-enter the United States market with a non-custodial wallet. It is unclear whether the product will be open-source, but the project has clarified that "there will be no KYC on any Wallet of Satoshi, ever!" Wallet of Satoshi [ceased](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/wallet-of-satoshi-stops-serving-us-customers/) serving customers in the United States in November 2023.

[![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, May 20th, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-5.png)](https://xcancel.com/walletofsatoshi/status/1923875750165479768)

*   **Vulnerability disclosure: Remote crash due to addr message spam in Bitcoin Core versions before v29.** Bitcoin Core developer _Antoine Poinsot_ [disclosed](https://gnusha.org/pi/bitcoindev/EYvwAFPNEfsQ8cVwiK-8v6ovJU43Vy-ylARiDQ_1XBXAgg_ZqWIpB6m51fAIRtI-rfTmMGvGLrOe5Utl5y9uaHySELpya2ojC7yGsXnP90s=@protonmail.com/T/#u#mc3e78110ae4b67757a616e3c7492ce1cc56858c1) an integer overflow bug that crashes a node if spammed with addr messages over an extended period. A fix was released on April 14, 2025, in [Bitcoin Core v29.0.](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/bitcoin-core-v29-0/) The issue is rated Low severity.
*   **Coinbase Know Your Customer (KYC) data leak.** The U.S. Department of Justice, including its Criminal Division in Washington, is [investigating](https://www.theblock.co/post/354935/doj-launches-criminal-investigation-into-coinbase-cyberattack-bloomberg) a cyberattack on Coinbase. The incident involved cybercriminals attempting to [extort $20 millio](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/coinbase-discloses-breach-faces-up-to-400-million-in-losses/)n from Coinbase to prevent stolen customer data from being leaked online. Although the data breach affected less than 1% of the exchange's users, Coinbase now faces [at least six lawsuits](https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:e50cbbb4d094b:0-coinbase-hit-with-wave-of-lawsuits-over-customer-data-breaches/) following the revelation that some customer support agents were bribed as part of the extortion scheme.
*   **Fold has launched Bitcoin Gift Cards**, [enabling users](https://investor.foldapp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fold-introduces-most-convenient-way-buy-and-share-bitcoin-new) to purchase bitcoin for personal use or as gifts, redeemable via the Fold app. These cards are currently available on Fold’s [website](https://foldapp.com/bitcoin-gift-card) and are planned to expand to major retailers nationwide later this year.

> "Our mission is to make bitcoin simple and approachable for everyone. The Bitcoin Gift Card brings bitcoin to millions of Americans in a familiar way. Available at the places people already shop, the Bitcoin Gift Card is the best way to gift bitcoin to others," said Will Reeves, Chairman and CEO of Fold.

*   **Corporate treasuries hold nearly 1.1 million BTC**, representing about 5.5% of the total circulating supply (1,082,164 BTC), per [BitcoinTreasuries.net](https://bitcointreasuries.net/entities/tether-holdings) data. Recent purchases include Strategy adding [7,390 BTC](https://btctimes.com/strategy-acquires-7-390-bitcoin-as-class-action-lawsuit-filed/) (total: 576,230 BTC), Metplanet acquiring [1,004 BTC](https://contents.xj-storage.jp/xcontents/33500/b701fd66/1080/4ce0/9206/7989fd6ade07/140120250519557359.pdf) (total: 7,800 BTC), Tether holding over 100,521 BTC, and XXI Capital, led by _Jack Mallers_, starting with 31,500 BTC.
    *   Meanwhile, a group of investors [has filed](https://www.theblock.co/post/354851/strategy-and-co-founder-michael-saylor-faces-class-action-lawsuit-involving-alleged-federal-securities-law-violations) a class action lawsuit against Strategy and its executive _Michael Saylor_. The lawsuit alleges that Strategy made overly optimistic projections using fair value accounting under new FASB rules while downplaying potential losses.
*   **The U.S. Senate voted to advance the GENIUS stablecoin bill** for further debate before a final vote to pass it. Meanwhile, the House is crafting its own stablecoin legislation to establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins and their issuers in the U.S, [reports](https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/05/19/senate-advances-stablecoin-bill-clearing-the-way-for-final-passage) _CoinDesk._
*   **French 'crypto' entrepreneurs get priority access to emergency police services.** French Minister of the Interior, _Bruno Retailleau,_ [agreed](https://protos.com/french-government-gives-crypto-entrepreneurs-priority-police-line/) on measures to enhance security for 'crypto' professionals during a meeting on Friday. This follows a [failed kidnapping](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/05/15/crypto-exchange-ceos-daughter-grandson-targeted-in-paris-kidnap-attempt) attempt on Tuesday targeting the family of a cryptocurrency exchange CEO, and two other kidnappings earlier this year.
*   **Brussels Court declares tracking-based ads illegal in EU.** The Brussels Court of Appeal [ruled](https://therecord.media/eu-court-rules-tracking-based-ads-illegal) tracking-based online ads illegal in the EU due to an inadequate consent model. Major tech firms like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and X are affected by the decision, as their consent pop-ups fail to protect privacy in real-time bidding, writes _The Record_.
*   **Telegram shares data on 22,777 users in Q1 2025**, a [significant increase](https://www.404media.co/telegram-gave-authorities-data-on-more-than-20-000-users/) from the 5,826 users' data shared during the same period in 2024. This significant increase follows the arrest of CEO and founder _Pavel Durov_ [last year](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/telegram-founder-pavel-durov-charged-on-12-criminal-counts-in-france/).
*   **An Australian judge has ruled that Bitcoin is money**, [potentially exempting](https://www.afr.com/wealth/personal-finance/this-court-case-could-make-your-bitcoin-profits-tax-free-20250430-p5lvft) it from capital gains tax in the country. If upheld on appeal, this interim decision could lead to taxpayer refunds worth up to $1 billion, per tax lawyer _Adrian Cartland_.

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

*   [**Bitcoin Safe v1.3.0**](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/bitcoin-safe-v1-3-0/) a secure and user-friendly Bitcoin savings wallet for beginners and advanced users, introduces an interactive chart, Child Pays For Parent (CPFP) support, testnet4 compatibility, preconfigured testnet demo wallets, various bug fixes, and other improvements.
*   [**BlueWallet v7.1.8**](https://github.com/BlueWallet/BlueWallet/releases) brings numerous bug fixes, dependency updates, and a new search feature for addresses and transactions.
*   [**Aqua Wallet v0.3.0**](https://github.com/AquaWallet/aqua-wallet/releases/tag/v0.3.0) is out, offering beta testing for the reloadable Dolphin card ([in partnership with Visa](https://btctimes.com/aqua-pushes-forward-with-visa-as-moonpay-partners-with-mastercard/)) for spending bitcoin and Liquid BTC. It also includes a new Optical Character Recognition (OCR) text scanner to read text addresses like QR codes, colored numbers on addresses for better readability, a reduced minimum for spending and swapping Liquid Bitcoin to 100 sats, plus other fixes and enhancements.

![Good Morning, Bitcoin - Tuesday, May 20th, 2025](https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/content/images/2025/05/image-7.png)

Source: [Aqua wallet.](https://xcancel.com/AquaBitcoin/status/1923169207346225655/photo/1)

*   The latest firmware updates for [**COLDCARD Mk4 v5.4.3 and Q v1.3.3**](https://xcancel.com/COLDCARDwallet/status/1922658877562360154) are now available, featuring the latest enhancements and bug fixes.
*   [**Nunchuk Android v1.9.68.1**](https://github.com/nunchuk-io/nunchuk-android/releases/tag/android.1.68.1) and [**iOS v1.9.79**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nunchuk-bitcoin-wallet/id1563190073) introduce support for custom blockchain explorers, wallet archiving, re-ordering wallets on the home screen via long-press, and an anti-fee sniping setting.
*   [**BDK-cli v1.0.0**](https://github.com/bitcoindevkit/bdk-cli/releases/tag/v1.0.0), a CLI wallet library and REPL tool to demo and test the BDK library, now uses bdk\_wallet 1.0.0 and integrates Kyoto, utilizing the Kyoto protocol for compact block filters. It sets SQLite as the default database and discontinues support for sled.
*   [**publsp**](https://github.com/smallworlnd/publsp) is a new command-line tool designed for Lightning node runners or Lightning Service Providers (LSPs) to advertise liquidity offers over Nostr.

> "LSPs advertise liquidity as addressable Kind 39735 events. Clients just pull and evaluate all those structured events, then NIP-17 DM an LSP of their choice to coordinate a liquidity purchase," [writes](https://njump.me/nevent1qqsrpdcdjyw2yz4fp3aas7mr24e7f6sxe2n3wexjwpu09ev5pgm3z2qpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqzypwe8ymf9knyvku79g55ygmz0g5hue5dk99xy7s4jup8v4dev2nly7wfa0j) developer _smallworlnd._

*   [**Lightning Blinder**](https://github.com/supertestnet/lightning_blinder) by _Super Testnet_ is a proof-of-concept privacy tool for the Lightning Network. It enables users to mislead Lightning Service Providers (LSPs) by making it appear as though one wallet is the sender or recipient, masking the original wallet. Explore and try it out [here](https://supertestnet.github.io/lightning_blinder/).

*   [**Mempal v1.5.3**](https://github.com/aeonBTC/Mempal/releases/tag/v1.5.3), a Bitcoin mempool monitoring and notification app for Android, now includes a swipe-down feature to refresh the dashboard, a custom time option for widget auto-update frequency, and a


tags: Aleks Svetski reveals AI’s funding loop to Big Tech and envisions Bitcoin, Nostr, and AI powering a new wave of real-world Bitcoin startups.

content:
Key Takeaways
-------------

![TFTC - Bitcoin OG Reveals: Where AI's Billions Are Really Coming From | Aleks Svetski](https://www.tftc.io/content/images/2025/10/Aleks-Svetski.jpg)

Alex Shetski frames AI as an overhyped but useful tool with broken unit economics; each new user adds inference cost, funded by a “circular” VC pipeline that routes money back to Amazon, Google, and Nvidia. LLM progress has plateaued, pushing the market toward an oligopoly while open-source lags at scale. He argues the real opportunity is a new six-layer internet stack that adds native payments (Bitcoin) and identity/social graph (Nostr) to the web, with AI as an effort multiplier: small teams can now ship global, low-fee, payment-embedded products fast. Reflecting digital burnout and content “slop,” his startup Satlantis is pivoting from social feeds to a Bitcoin-native events app, solving real meet-space problems (global payouts, low fees, portable identity, discovery via social graph) instead of competing for attention.

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

“AI isn’t a second coming of God, it’s a tool, like the tractor or the PC.”

“Every new AI user actually costs you.”

“The money going to startups ends up back with the same LPs, Amazon, Google, Nvidia.”

“Bitcoin dying would be catastrophic for civilization. Nostr dying wouldn’t matter much.”

“We’re not a Bitcoin company. We’re an events company that happens to use Bitcoin and Nostr.”

“The next 20 years will be a renaissance in consumer apps.”

“We don’t need another social app. We need tools that get people off their screens.”

Conclusion
----------

The episode marks a pragmatic turn: skip AI grandiosity and Web2 clone wars, and instead build real products on an open stack where Bitcoin handles global payments, Nostr provides portable identity, and AI multiplies effort. As users tire of algorithmic outrage and infinite content, the winning apps will re-humanize tech, creating markets that didn’t exist (like Bitcoin-native events) and channeling digital networks into physical community, sovereignty, and durable value.

Timestamps
----------

0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Musings on AI
6:20 - The AI business model
14:33 - Broad application on AI
20:52 - Bitkey & Obscura
22:36 - Importance of Nostr, Satlantis
34:16 - Carving a new market
43:15 - Crowdhealth & Unchained
45:03 - The Cold Start Problem
53:13 - New layers in the design space
59:00 - Improvments to meetups
1:04:00 - Everything app
1:07:14 - Unplugging and passing the torch
1:19:54 - Head down and build

Transcript
----------

(00:00) that a lot of the money was actually coming through Amazon or Google or Nvidia or something like that. That was sort of like either the LPS or behind the LPS. It was kind of like the wrong kind of circular economy. It was like laundering money. But the concept of general intelligence is just infinite.
(00:18) Now we're at a new stage and now you have small startups again can now do payments at scale with Bitcoin. Hopefully do a social graph at scale with something like Nostra and can build faster, better, quicker and go to market faster, better, quicker with AI tools. The cost of Bitcoin dying and failing is catastrophic. \[Music\] Stand at the precipice. Gold running to 4,000.
(00:43) Bitcoin cooling off after hitting a new all-time high. The debasement trade is on. AI is taking over the world. Or is it? Sitting down with Alex Gretzky to solve all the world's problems again. It's been a while, dude. Yeah, we we solved the world problems like what was it a year ago, 18 months ago. Now we got new problems to deal with. So here we are again.
(01:07) Yeah, a lot has changed and we were just riffing on AI. Is it hype, overhype? Is there something there? Is the way it's being applied, the way it will ultimately be applied um in terms of bringing the most utility and productivity to the world. Where are we in the cycle as somebody who has been toying around with it for quite a long time now? Yeah, I think I don't think my opinion's changed since we we finished up and open sourced the spiritual stuff.
(01:38) Um, my opinion remains that it's a tool. Uh, it's very much like the tractor or uh, you know, the the PC, the laptop, whatever. It's um I think where I've always diverged with a lot of the overhype um or hype in general is that it's some sort of you know second coming of God or um some sort of sentient being that's going to take over the world and all this sort of stuff.
(02:02) I've always felt like that was, you know, the nerd's wet dream, you know, and like overblown uh kind of like esqueologgical um desire to see the circuits take over the world and to prove all the um the religious people wrong, that you know, God can be created in the in the circuit.
(02:29) So, I've always felt like there was a there was a strange um sort of desire for that that was completely logical. And we we might have discussed this last time. It's been so long, but um I know I've rifted with someone about the fact that intelligence or the the concept of general intelligence is just infinite. And what we have with the breakthrough with LLMs has been specialized intelligence around the reproduction of patterns um linguistically first and now uh in applications like video but by no means um is this anywhere near a general intelligence nor is it anywhere near
(03:02) sentience which is you know further down the track. So there was um I shared a tweet with you now from um from Devon Ericson and a couple other people who sort of like pointing at this which is hey this is a a great tool uh it can be used effectively. Um although as with all tools it's quite hard to be used effectively. Most people just use it poorly and they just get slop.
(03:27) And as we're seeing the whole world is sort of or the whole online world is just being filled with more and more and more slop. Um, but if used effectively, um, you can create quite cool things with it. Um, I know, for example, I'm I'm a father now to a newborn and, uh, the little guy was, um, was sneezing the other day and the first thing we did was we just asked Chip, hey, you know, what should we do? Should we get like some saline solution or anything like that? What like what do we do? And we got some good feedback.
(03:58) So, so for like for that kind of stuff, it's a super breakthrough. Um, also for things like the video that you guys did for um for the opportunity cost calculator or the opportunity cost app, like that was \[ \_\_ \] brilliant, man. Um, so so for that stuff fundamentally it's it's great.
(04:17) But does that mean that this is um going to end all the jobs and replace all the human beings and give us some sort of sentient being? \[ \_\_ \] no. like that is just and I think people have sort of slowly come to that conclusion themselves instinctively cuz you know you had GPT3 GPT4 and people like oh yeah by the time we get to GPT5 this thing's going to be like \[ \_\_ \] god and GPT6 it's going to be running the world and here we are GPT5 is not really any different than four um you know we we sort of had that jump between three and four but since then you know
(04:48) everything's kind of tapered off um and all of the different models are kind of you know the same the big guys whether it's Grock GPT Gemini they all sort of like function the same so I feel like we've hit a ceiling there um so yeah that's my that's sort of my thoughts off the cuff yeah the I completely agree cuz it's funny making these videos it's people and we've had a bunch of people come to us like how are you doing this like it like what what is the secret sauce it's like there is no secret sauce like it actually does take hard work like the amount of iterations you have to run through with the
(05:27) generations because you understand that the LLM are actually not smart and do not they're not intelligent. You have to literally handhold them and format things in a certain way. You have to bring the context of a cinematographer and a director and understand how to prompt that. Like it's not easy.
(05:47) We have a bunch of people in our circle saying a we're going to go do this and it's we're going to create similar memes and short films, whatever you want to call them. And it's like, all right, good luck. Cuz it takes us like a week. The last one we just did took 55 hours of work from storyboarding, scripting, and then iterating on generations.
(06:10) And it is simply just a tool that allows us and enables us to do things that would have cost us tens of thousands of dollars and now they cost $5,000. um in labor and minimal cost of credits right now, which they're good. I mean, you pulled up another tweet from from Zoomer. It's like, how sustainable, yes, is the business model for these large language models with how much they're charging customers right now? I think we're probably in a very uh unique and anomalous point in the cost curve for the end customer right now where they're just essentially
(06:46) um trying to subsidize this with loss leading by making tokens super cheap when that we know that the power that uh the cost of the power it takes to actually produce the outputs is far exceeds and hacking the hardware as well far exceeds the what they're charging us. This is this is such a good point.
(07:08) So, actually I um around around the time when we were sort of trying to commercialize Spirit Satoshi 2 years ago now, um this hit me like a ton of bricks as a business owner because we had spent all of this time um training and building and refining and fine-tuning this the the spiritual associ we had finally got to a good enough model that we thought we could charge for it.
(07:36) And when we went to uh some Bitcoin companies to kind of sell it as a assistant, but an assistant that actually understands Bitcoin, um they were only willing to pay like 20 bucks a month or something or maybe 50 bucks a month for it. And when we did the


xSbY91Th9uxjr9LMNHEkqBhA1diJGiBsK7Li0Tz+GbUjIApUJSWpPrIVW1SiZqveSKS5ExwwDnsLN06clUTb1g==?iv=BbU/z/HgAtcHpRojF4/K1w==


:rss: にじめん

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tags: 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.

content:
[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)


:starstruck:


XZOVNieQQNMbtjHpCbB3e7/llr5T6KgNeSaCV2n1G8WPV0FSnokEmfQPmr4xdL76?iv=WujAxKP1GkT3NmZlD6rwWA==


tags: 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.

content:
[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/)


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

content:
[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


KLlBEWBwMtlTkmsXZuhQY+Jh2Myb2QSzshud2b4TCMHadvR7MAO8GxZRvZmCqRSBjRz3bdXH0PItg+AXpvrBUg==?iv=kcVSyQo5yhnuc/e//+DUog==


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tags: The blue check is the first step in Elon's plan to bring the chinese social credit score system to the west. If you cannot resist the temptation of the blue check in its current form you have already lost - what comes next will be much darker.

content:
> Will not live in a pod.
> Will not eat the bugs.
> Will not get the chip.
> Will not get a blue check.
> Will not use CBDCs.
>
> Live Free or Die.

![Blue Check Manifesto](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/06/authenticate-1.png)

Why did Elon buy twitter for $44 Billion? What value does he see in it besides the greater influence that undoubtedly comes with controlling one of the largest social platforms in the world? **We do not need to speculate - he made his intentions incredibly clear in his first meeting with twitter employees after his takeover - WeChat of the West.**

[![Blue Check Manifesto](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/06/wechatofthewest.png)](https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-twitter-could-be-western-wechat-china-superapp-2022-6?ref=discreetlog.com)

To those that do not appreciate freedom, the value prop is clear - WeChat is incredibly powerful and successful in China.

[![Blue Check Manifesto](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/06/wechat2.png)](https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-superapp-wechat-best-feature-walkthrough-2019-12?ref=discreetlog.com)

To those that do appreciate freedom, the concern is clear - WeChat has essentially become required to live in China, has surveillance and censorship integrated at its core, and if you are banned from the app your entire livelihood is at risk. Employment, housing, payments, travel, communication, and more become extremely difficult if WeChat censors determine you have acted out of line.

[![Blue Check Manifesto](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/06/wechat.png)](https://restofworld.org/2022/handwritten-wechat-apology-letters/?ref=discreetlog.com)

![Blue Check Manifesto](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/06/socialcreditscore_.jpg)

The blue check is the first step in Elon's plan to bring the chinese social credit score system to the west. Users who verify their identity are rewarded with more reach and better tools than those that do not. **Verified users are the main product of Elon's twitter - an extensive database of individuals and complete control of the tools he will slowly get them to rely on - it is easier to monetize cattle than free men.**

![Blue Check Manifesto](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/06/bluecheck.png)

If you cannot resist the temptation of the blue check in its current form you have already lost - what comes next will be much darker. If you realize the need to resist - [freedom tech provides us options](https://www.discreetlog.com/nostr/).

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_**If you found this post helpful support my work with [bitcoin](https://geyser.fund/project/citadel?ref=discreetlog.com).**_

![Blue Check Manifesto](https://werunbtc.com/donate.png)


tags: Gradually then suddenly nostr will become the standard.

content:
![Nostr Adoption Update](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/08/birdx.jpeg)

**Nostr is an open communication protocol that can be used to send messages across a distributed set of relays in a censorship resistant and robust way.**

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_If you missed my nostr introduction post you can find it [here](https://www.discreetlog.com/nostr/). My nostr account can be found [here](https://primal.net/odell?ref=discreetlog.com)._

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We are nearly at the point that if something interesting is posted on a centralized social platform it will usually be posted by someone to nostr.

We are nearly at the point that if something interesting is posted exclusively to nostr it is cross posted by someone to various centralized social platforms.

We are nearly at the point that you can recommend a cross platform app that users can install and easily onboard without additional guides or resources.

As companies continue to build walls around their centralized platforms nostr posts will be the easiest to cross reference and verify - as companies continue to censor their users nostr is the best censorship resistant alternative - gradually then suddenly nostr will become the standard. 🫡

[![Nostr Adoption Update](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/08/image.png)](https://primal.net/explore?ref=discreetlog.com)

Current Nostr Stats

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_**If you found this post helpful support my work with [bitcoin](https://geyser.fund/project/citadel?ref=discreetlog.com).**_

![Nostr Adoption Update](https://werunbtc.com/donate.png)


tags: Bitcoin transaction fees limit network abuse by making usage expensive. There is a cost to every transaction, set by a dynamic free market based on demand.

content:
![High Fees? Bitcoin is Working As Designed](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/05/mempoolspace.png)

There must be a limit to how much data is transferred across the bitcoin network in order to keep the ability to run and use your own node accessible. **A node is required to interact with the global bitcoin network - if you do not use your own node then you must trust someone else's node.** If nodes become inaccessible to run then the network will centralize around the remaining entities that operate them - threatening the censorship resistance at the core of bitcoin's value prop. **The bitcoin protocol uses three main mechanisms to keep node operation costs low - a fixed limit on the amount of data in each block, an automatic difficulty adjustment that regulates how many blocks are produced based on current mining hash rate, and a robust dynamic transaction fee market.**

Bitcoin transaction fees limit network abuse by making usage expensive. There is a cost to every transaction, set by a [dynamic free market](https://www.discreetlog.com/utxos/) based on demand for scarce block space. It is an incredibly robust way to prevent spam without relying on centralized entities that can be corrupted or pressured.

After the 2017 bitcoin fee spike we had six years of relative quiet to build tools that would be robust in a sustained high fee market. Fortunately our tools are significantly better now but many still need improvement. Most of the pain points we see today will be mitigated.

**The reality is we were never going to be fully prepared - pressure is needed to show the pain points and provide strong incentives to mitigate them.**

**It will be incredibly interesting to watch how projects adapt under pressure. Optimistic we see great innovation here.**

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_If you are willing to wait for your transaction to confirm you can pay significantly lower fees. Learn best practices for reducing your fee burden [**here**](https://www.discreetlog.com/utxos/).

My guide for running and using your own bitcoin node can be found **[here](https://werunbtc.com/bitcoincore?ref=discreetlog.com)**._

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_**If you found this post helpful support my work with [bitcoin](https://geyser.fund/project/citadel?ref=discreetlog.com).**_

![High Fees? Bitcoin is Working As Designed](https://werunbtc.com/donate.png)


> ![Life is Complicated - Bitcoin is Simple](https://www.discreetlog.com/content/images/2023/05/mothers.jpg)
>
> I often hear "bitcoin doesn't interest me, I'm not a finance person."
>
> Ironically, the beauty of sound money is you don't have to be. In the current system you're expected to manage a diversified investment portfolio or pay someone to do it. Bitcoin will make that optional.
>
> — ODELL (@ODELL) [September 16, 2018](https://twitter.com/ODELL/status/1041358813482364928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=discreetlog.com)

At first glance bitcoin often appears overwhelming to newcomers. It is incredibly easy to get bogged down in the details of how it works or different ways to use it. Enthusiasts, such as myself, often enjoy going down the deep rabbit hole of the potential of bitcoin, possible pitfalls and theoretical scenarios, power user techniques, and the developer ecosystem. If your first touch point with bitcoin is that type of content then it is only natural to be overwhelmed. While it is important that we have a thriving community of bitcoiners dedicated to these complicated tasks - the true beauty of bitcoin lies in its simplicity. Bitcoin is simply better money. It is the best money we have ever had.

**Life is complicated. Life is hard. Life is full of responsibility and surprises.** Bitcoin allows us to focus on our lives while relying on a money that is simple. A money that is not controlled by any individual, company, or government. A money that cannot be easily seized or blocked. A money that cannot be devalued at will by a handful of corrupt bureaucrat who live hundreds of miles from us. A money that can be easily saved and should increase in purchasing power over time without having to learn how to "build a diversified stock portfolio" or hire someone to do it for us.

**Bitcoin enables all of us to focus on our lives - our friends and family - doing what we love with the short time we have on this earth. Time is scarce. Life is complicated. Bitcoin is the most simple aspect of our complicated lives.** If we spend our scarce time working then we should be able to easily save that accrued value for future generations without watching the news or understanding complicated financial markets. Bitcoin makes this possible for anyone.

Yesterday was Mother's Day. Raising a human is complicated. It is hard, it requires immense personal responsibility, it requires critical thinking, but mothers figure it out, because it is worth it. Using and saving bitcoin is simple -  [simply install an app on your phone](https://werunbtc.com/phoenix?ref=discreetlog.com). Every mother can do it. Every person can do it.

**Life is complicated. Life is beautiful. Bitcoin is simple.**

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_**If you found this post helpful support my work with [bitcoin](https://geyser.fund/project/citadel?ref=discreetlog.com).**_

![Life is Complicated - Bitcoin is Simple](https://werunbtc.com/donate.png)


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