πŸš‚ Good Morning, Bitcoin - Friday, January 17th, 2025 GM Notrzens, the latest daily news roundup is now available: πŸ—žοΈ ⬇️
Vinteum issues grant to @plebhash for advancing the Stratum V2 protocol The non-profit Bitcoin research and development center dedicated to supporting Bitcoin developers in Brazil and the wider Latin America region has announced its fourth grantee, plebhash, in acknowledgment of his significant contributions to the Stratum V2 protocol (SRI) and his initiatives to promote the decentralization of Bitcoin mining. "Plebhash exemplifies the values we strive to promote at Vinteum: collaboration, innovation, and dedication to developing open-source solutions to strengthen the Bitcoin ecosystem. We are excited to support his work and look forward to the impact he will have on the community," said the organization. Source: https://medium.com/vinteum-org/announcing-our-fourth-grant-plebhash-and-stratum-v2-fec0abbb1840
White House issues an executive order to bolster federal cybersecurity - US President Joe Biden has signed a comprehensive cybersecurity directive aimed at enhancing the government's monitoring of networks, procurement of software, utilization of artificial intelligence (AI), and penalties for foreign hackers. - This 40-page executive order is the Biden administration's last push to leverage AI for security, introduce digital identities for US citizens, and address vulnerabilities that have allowed foreign actors to infiltrate US government systems. - It is unclear if President-elect Donald Trump will maintain these cybersecurity initiatives after taking office on Monday. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/01/16/executive-order-on-strengthening-and-promoting-innovation-in-the-nations-cybersecurity/
Senator Cynthia Lummis demands FDIC to halt destruction of Operation Chokepoint 2.0 materials According to Lummis, whistleblowers from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have raised concerns about the destruction of materials related to the agency's digital asset activities. They allege that management is closely monitoring staff access to these materials to prevent their disclosure to the before they are destroyed. Furthermore, some employees have reportedly faced threats of legal action to deter them from speaking out. "The FDIC’s alleged efforts to destroy and conceal materials from the U.S. Senate related to Operation Chokepoint 2.0 is not only unacceptable, it is illegal. If it is uncovered that anyone within the FDIC has knowingly destroyed materials or sought to obstruct the oversight functions of the Senate, it will result in swift criminal referrals to the U.S. Department of Justice," the Senator said in a public letter. Source:
Trump Plans to Designate Cryptocurrency as a National Priority - Bloomberg President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to issue an executive order to prioritize cryptocurrency as a key policy area and include industry experts in his administration. The executive order is expected to designate 'crypto' as a national priority, directing government agencies to collaborate with the industry. Additionally, it will establish a crypto advisory council to promote the industry's policy goals. These details come from sources familiar with the plans who on the condition of anonymity. Source: https://archive.is/CvMUF
βš–οΈ Coin Center Fellow Michael Lewellen is suing the DOJ over their criminalization of software development Michael Lewellen, a Coin Center Fellow and smart contract security expert, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) for their restrictive interpretation of unlicensed money transmission statutes. "Michael should be free to build and publish the brilliant software he’s been working onβ€”free from fear of unjust persecution. And the contrary position taken by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet prosecutions is unconstitutional and anti-innovation." Source:
Block Inc fined $80 million for insufficient money laundering controls Block Inc will pay an $80 million fine to 48 state financial regulators for inadequate anti-money laundering protocols in Cash App. As part of the settlement, Block Inc will hire an independent consultant to review and report on its Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering program. Additionally, the company has agreed to implement corrective actions internally, as announced by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. https://www.reuters.com/technology/state-regulators-fine-block-inc-80-million-anti-money-laundering-violations-2025-01-15/
β˜• Good Morning, Bitcoin - Thursday, January 16th, 2025 GOOD MORNING TO THE BIGGEST AND FASTEST GROWING BITCOIN CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN THE WORLD. OUR LATEST DAILY NEWS ROUNDUP IS NOW AVAILABLE:
πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ South African arrested for transferring $606 in BTC to an alleged terrorist-linked organization in 2017 According to the Hawks, a branch of the South African Police Service, the defendant was apprehended on January 3, 2025, after a multi-year investigation. During his bail hearing on January 10, 2025, he stated his intention to plead not guilty, asserting that the case against him had been exaggerated. Source:
A new strategic Bitcoin reserve bill introduced in Texas Senate "If passed and signed into law, [the Senate Bill SB 778] would make Texas the first state in the nation to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This would position our state at the forefront of the digital economy, driving growth and securing economic freedom for our great state," said Texas state Senator Charles Schwertner. Bill text: πŸ“„.pdf