BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 847,891 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 14Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Israel-Hezbollah Clashes Intensify / G7 To Lend $50B to Ukraine / NATO Takes Over Ukraine Money Flows / Storms Continue in Sunshine State / New Greenpeace Report Targets Bitcoin Miners and Wall Street / Largest Brazil Bank Opens Bitcoin Trading / US Banks Not Interested in Retail CBDCs / Trezor Launches New Hardware Wallet / US Losing Bitcoin Developers Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $67,027, 28.72 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $68,337 / Lo: $66,304 Vol: $26B (Down 27%) Mkt Cap: $1.32T (Down 1%) HashRate: 558 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 39 sats/vBtye (Up 18%) Nodes: 19,391 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Hezbollah-Israel clashes intensify as fears grow of all-out war in Lebanon: The Israeli military said that its air force struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southeast Lebanon’s Deir Seryan. Earlier, the Israeli military said Hezbollah launched 40 projectiles toward northern Israel. Some were intercepted, but others landed and caused fires, the military said in statements. In a widely shared video on social media, Israeli forces were seen using a catapult to launch fireballs into Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in nearly nonstop cross-border exchanges since the Gaza war began last October, but the situation has escalated in recent weeks, leading to increased US concerns about an all-out war between the two. (ALMonitor) 2. G7 leaders agree to lend Ukraine billions backed by Russia’s frozen assets: Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have agreed to engineer a $50 billion loan to help Ukraine in its fight for survival. Interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral. Most of the money would be in the form of a loan mostly guaranteed by the U.S. government, backed by profits being earned on roughly $260 billion in immobilized Russian assets. The vast majority of that money is held in European Union nations. (AP) (AC-Economic warfare usually has unintended consequences. Enter BRICS.) 3. NATO to take over part of US-led Ukraine aid channel: The shift is broadly perceived as a move by European allies to "Trump-proof" the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, given the possibility that former U.S. President Donald Trump could return to the White House in November elections. Trump is seen as likely to roll back U.S. commitments to Kyiv. The contact group mechanism has been firmly under the control of the U.S. Department of Defense since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022. (Politico) -US Events- 1. Storm-battered Florida braces for a fourth day of floods after downpours transformed roads into canals and stranded drivers: Even as the robust tropical moisture fueling the soaking storms slowly starts to shift out of the area, Friday marks yet another drenching day for South Florida and multiple cities could see more than 2 feet of rain Tuesday through Friday. (CNN) 2. Texas’s Title IX case is about a national abortion ban, not student attendance: A new case out of Texas, brought by Attorney General Ken Paxton for the state of Texas and joined by two University of Texas (UT) Austin professors, broadly challenges the U.S. Department of Education’s interpretation of Title IX — the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education — that is set to go into effect later this summer. The case is generating headlines partly because the two plaintiff professors have declared (in advance) that they will not comply with the Title IX guidance. They lodge a range of complaints about using non-binary gender pronouns and “cross-dressing” teaching assistants, and, notably, students who seek abortions. (TheHill) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Wall Street must be accountable for Bitcoin mining emissions — Greenpeace: The report, titled “Bankrolling Bitcoin Pollution: How Big Finance Supports a New Climate Threat” from the environment-focused NGO, differs from previous Greenpeace papers on the Bitcoin mining industry. The report names Trinity Capital, Stone Ridge Holdings, BlackRock, Vanguard and MassMutual as the top five financiers of carbon pollution from Bitcoin mining companies. (CoinTelegraph) (AC-An -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin ETFs See $226M Outflows Led by Fidelity’s FBTC: BlackRock’s IBIT was the only ETF posting a net inflow on Thursday, while most of the funds recorded outflows. (CoinDesk) 2. Brazil’s Biggest Bank, with BRL 2.069 Trillion Assets under Management, Opens Bitcoin (BTC) Trading for Everyone: Itau Unibanco has made a significant expansion in its financial services. The bank has introduced cryptocurrency trading to all customers through its in-house investment platform, Ion. (CryptoNews) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. Do wholesale CBDCs compete with bank services?: Most banks are not keen on retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) because they fear it will lure away bank deposits. The recent support by the American Bankers Association for the anti-CBDC Bill is evidence of this. (LedgerInsights) (AC-Good perspective on banker's incentives. Some bankers, however, DO support wholesale CBDCs.) -Economic Indicators- 1. 10-Year Treasury Yield Falls for 4th Day: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note declined for a fourth consecutive session to 4.21% on Friday, reaching the lowest level since the end of March, as lower-than-expected CPI and PPI and a rise in initial claims increased bets the Fed can deliver multiple rate cuts this year. (TradingEconomics) 2. US Producer Prices Unexpectedly Decline: Factory gate prices in the US went down 0.2% mom in May 2024, compared with market expectations of a 0.1% increase and after a 0.5% rise in April. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- NSTR -Technology- 1. Trezor launches Safe 5 crypto hardware wallet, including a bitcoin-only version: The firm said the new device will enable users to securely store, manage, stake, and use thousands of cryptocurrencies in one place via the Trezor Suite desktop and mobile app. Unlike rival manufacturer Ledger, Trezor devices are open-source, meaning they are community-based and audited so vulnerabilities may be seen and fixed faster. On the other hand, it may make devices easier to crack when stolen. (TheBlock) -Bitcoin Community- 1. From Silicon Valley to Global Hubs: US Crypto Developers Shift Overseas: The United States has long been a beacon of technological innovation, but in recent years, it has seen a troubling trend in the cryptocurrency sector. According to a recent report by Coinbase, since 2018, there has been a 26% drop in the proportion of crypto developers based in the US. Responding to this, Bill Morgan suggests that the actions taken by the SEC, particularly under Gensler’s leadership, have not only stifled innovation but also discouraged the broader market. (BItcoinist) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 74/100 (Down 2 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): As the G7 countries continue to fight for relevance and political power, the shifts in global alliances are unsettling to a historical observer. All but the Italian leader have the world's lowest popularity scores of developed nations. Ukraine money flows, until now handled by US DoD, is now firmly in NATO's hands, and NATO is not well-known for its administrative prowess. Meanwhile, the BRICs organization continues to grow in opposition to US hegonomy. Even to a casual observer, it is obvious that world alliances are changing and economic manuvering is in high gear. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 847,758 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 13Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: US/Ukraine Sign 10-Year Security Deal / Argentina Protests Begin Against Austerity / Russia Exchange Stops Trading in USD / Houthis Begin Using Boats for Attack / Russian Ships Enter Havana / US House Holds AG Garland in Contempt / Trump Announces Support for Bitcoin Mining / Fed Says Only 1 Cut This Year / CPI Steady / Luma's New Video AI Outshines / Lightning Becoming De Facto Link / De-Dollarization Pieces Moving Into Place Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $67,773, 29.36 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $69,977 / Lo: $67,028 Vol: $35B (Up 31%) Mkt Cap: $1.34T (Even) HashRate: 598 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 25 sats/vBtye (Up 4%) Nodes: 18,970 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Biden, Zelensky to sign 10-year U.S.-Ukraine security deal at G-7 summit: The deal aims to commit future U.S. administrations to support Ukraine, even if former president Donald Trump wins November’s election, officials said. It will be a framework for a long-term effort by the United States to help develop Ukraine’s armed forces, which have innovated on drone warfare and other cutting-edge techniques in the fight against Russia, but are also desperately outgunned and in need of modern weapons. (WaPo) 2. Argentina: violent protests as senators back austerity measures of President Milei: Police in Buenos Aires have used water cannon and teargas to tackle violent protests as Argentina’s Senate narrowly voted to approve the first set of harsh austerity measures proposed by President Javier Miliei. (Guardian) 3. Moscow stock exchange stops trading in dollars and euros: The announcement came on the same day the United States introduced a new package of sanctions against Russia. Wednesday's package targeted Russia's financial infrastructure in an attempt to limit the amount of money flowing in and out of Russia. (EuroNews) 4. Yemen’s Houthi rebels launch boat-borne bomb attack against Greek-owned ship in Red Sea: The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center described the vessel as being hit in its stern by a small white craft southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. The use of a boat loaded with explosives raised the specter of 2000’s USS Cole attack, a suicide assault by al-Qaida on the warship when it was at port in Aden, killing 17 on board.(AP) -US Events- 1. Russian warships enter Havana harbor under Washington's watchful eye: A Russian navy frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine churned into Havana harbor on Wednesday, a stopover the U.S. and Cuba said posed no threat but which was widely seen as a Russian show of force as tensions rise over the Ukraine war. The four Russian vessels sailed to Cuba on Wednesday after conducting "high-precision missile weapons" training in the Atlantic Ocean, Russia's defence ministry said Wednesday. The submarine and frigate carry Zircon hypersonic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles and Onyx anti-ship missiles, the ministry said. (Reuters) 2. House holds Garland in contempt of Congress: The 216-207 vote marked a win for the House GOP, after numerous members privately voiced concern over backing the measure. (TheHill) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Trump backs Bitcoin as defense against foreign adversaries, centralized digital currency: Trump made the comments on his proprietary social media site Truth Social on Tuesday after Bitcoin Magazine called him "the best choice for Bitcoin." (FoxBusiness) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Glassnode says institutional cash-and-carry trades are influencing US spot bitcoin ETF flows: Since traders are buying bitcoin spot and immediately hedging it by selling bitcoin futures, this could reduce the immediate upward pressure on the spot price that would otherwise be seen if they were only buying the spot asset. ETFs are being used as instruments to obtain long-spot exposure, while simultaneously, a growing net-short position for bitcoin is accumulating in the CME Group futures market. (TheBlock) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. Could China-led wholesale CBDC fuel de-dollarization?: MBridge, China’s cross-border digital currency initiative, has entered the minimum viable product stage. It is the world’s most advanced cross-border CBDC and stands on the cusp of playing a pivotal role in the de-dollarization process. The move coincides with Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, joining the project, potentially signaling another move away from the dollar in global oil trading. (EuroMoney) -Economic Indicators- 1. U.S. Treasury yields rise as Fed holds rates steady, signals only one cut this year: The rate on the 10-year Treasury rose more than 2 basis points to 4.316%. The Fed on Wednesday held rates steady at 5.25%-5.50% and suggested it would lower rates just once later this year, down from three rate cuts forecast in March. (CNBC) 2. US CPI Unchanged in May: Consumer prices in the US were unchanged in May 2024, after rising 0.3% in the previous period and below forecasts of a 0.1% increase. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. North Korean cyberattacks on Brazilian fintech firms exposed: The June 13 Google threat intelligence report highlighted coordinated attempts to hijack, extort and defraud Brazilian individuals and organizations. While North Korean groups focus primarily on cryptocurrency firms, aerospace and defense and government entities, cyber criminals backed by the Chinese government prefer attacking only the government organizations and the energy sector in Brazil. (CoinTelegraph) -Technology- 1. Luma's AI Video Generator, Dream Machine Flooded With Users, Surpass OpenAI's Sora: OpenAI's Sora could be facing its biggest competitor yet. Luma's artificial intelligence video generator, Dream Machine, has caused multiple-hour wait times after high demand for the software's free public beta version's debut. (TechTImes) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Lightning Is the Common Language of the Bitcoin Economy: Lightning is becoming a translation layer, or a glue, that holds together different systems built on Bitcoin. Each kind of subnetwork can use its own language. How the nodes communicate among themselves in these subnetworks is their business. What's interesting is that these subnetworks communicate with each other over Lightning, even if we’re just talking about, say, two different Cashu mints or when a Fedi interacts with an Ark. (BitcoinMag) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 70/100 (Down 2 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): Although much is happening globally this week, the tectonic shift is the de-dollarization of global trade, mostly in oil. The events may not result in overnight financial chaos, but it nonetheless marks the end of an era started in the early 1970's, borne of oil shocks and global maneuvering for economic power. The 50-year agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia (eventually OPEC) led to a promise to transact only in US dollars in exchange for Saudi defense. Not only has this agreement ended this month, but Saudi Arabia has announced the acceptance of many other currencies for oil as well as participation in China's MBridge wholesale CBDC program. This MBridge CBDC will likely become a new leader in cross-border currency exchange and taken up by BRICS. As the world's current leader in global exchange, we shouldn't expect the US to instantly lose global economic hegemony, but the pieces are coming into place to ensure this does happen. How fast is the question. The consequences are uncertain, but the power yielded by US administrations in the global sphere will certainly lesson to manipulate world affairs so directly. What will arise in its place? Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 847,620 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 12Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: IDF Kills Senior Hezbollah Commander / French Right Consider Alliance / Russia Hit Kyiv / Hunter Biden Convicted on 3 Felonies / Atlanta Bus Hijacked, Wild Chase / 8 ISIS-Linked Immigrants Arrested in US / Petrodollar Dissolution Gaining Attention / CPI and FOMC Data Due Today / DoD Finally Getting on AI Bandwagon / OG Bitcoin Core Maintainer May Return Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $67,757, 29.30 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $68,015 / Lo: $66,123 Vol: $27B (Down 13%) Mkt Cap: $1.34T (Up 1%) HashRate: 603 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 24 sats/vBtye (Down 10%) Nodes: 18,838 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. IDF confirms killing Hezbollah regional division commander Taleb Abdullah, the ‘most senior’ officer targeted amid war: Abdullah commanded Hezbollah’s Nasr unit, one of three regional divisions in south Lebanon. The unit is responsible for the region between Mount Dov and the Bint Jbeil area. The IDF says it was prepared for the terror group’s response of over 170 rockets and several anti-tank guided missiles this morning, and expects additional attacks throughout the day. (TimesOfIsrael) 2. French right uproar over call for far-right alliance: The leader of France's right-wing Republicans party, Eric Ciotti, has sparked an outcry after he backed an alliance with the far-right National Rally in snap elections announced by President Emmanuel Macron. Never before has the traditional right in French politics made any sort of political accord with the far right and Mr Ciotti's remarks set a party that was already struggling to find a voice "on the verge of implosion" (BBC) 3. Russian air attacks cause industrial facility fire in Kyiv region, injure several: Ukrainian military said it shot down five out of six missiles and all 24 drones launched during Russia's overnight attack. The debris damaged an industrial facility in the Kyiv region, causing a fire, Kyiv region governor said. (Reuters) -US Events- 1. President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, is convicted of all 3 felonies in federal gun trial: Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, though as a first-time offender he would not get anywhere near the maximum, and there’s no guarantee the judge would send him to prison. She did not set a sentencing date. (AP) 2. Crowded public bus hijacked, taken on wild high-speed chase down Atlanta freeway; 1 killed: A passenger was killed by a gunshot wound after a suspect hijacked a transit bus in metro Atlanta and led authorities on a high-speed chase into a neighboring county, police said. The chase spanned multiple jurisdictions and involved several agencies, Atlanta police said. Police employed various tactics to stop the bus, which ultimately came to a stop near 5107 Hugh Howell Road in Stone Mountain. (Fox) 3. 8 Tajikistanis with suspected ties to ISIS detained in US, source says: Eight individuals from Tajikistan with suspected ties to ISIS, who crossed into the United States from the southern border last year and this year, have been detained in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York City. The suspects were initially allowed to enter the U.S. after being vetted and no national security issues were uncovered, the source said. (ABC) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Donald Trump Commits to Championing Bitcoin Mining in DC: Donald Trump met with Bitcoin Magazine's CEO David Bailey and several prominent U.S. Bitcoin miners. The meeting saw Trump commit to championing Bitcoin mining both in Washington D.C. and on the global stage. Among the attendees were representatives from leading Bitcoin mining firms, including CleanSpark, Riot Platforms, Marathon Digital, and other notable industry players. Trump posted on his Truth Social saying that he wants all "remaining Bitcoin to be made in the USA" and that "It would help us be energy dominant." (BitcoinMag) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin Pullback to $66K Triggers $250M in Crypto Liquidations as Traders Brace for 'Wild Wednesday' of FOMC, CPI Report: One reason behind the pullback is investors “de-risking” from crypto assets ahead of today's May Consumer Price Index (CPI) report and Fed meeting. Bitcoin could see a volatile session Wednesday as it has been "highly responsive" to economic data recently and its 30-day correlation with U.S. equities climbing to highest since 2022, K33 Research noted in a Tuesday market update. (CoinDesk) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. CBDCs' threat to freedom put under the microscope at Oslo conference: Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are a source of deep concern among the public. That was made clear at last week’s Oslo Freedom Forum. While the risk of governments abusing their power is something that concerns many people, it is particularly true for those who are fighting for freedom under authoritarian regimes. (CoinTelegraph) -Economic Indicators- 1. Saudi Arabia's petro-dollar exit: A global finance paradigm shift: The financial world is bracing for a significant upheaval following Saudi Arabia's decision not to renew its 50-year petro-dollar deal with the United States, which expired on Sunday, 9 June, 2024. The crucial decision to not renew the contract enables Saudi Arabia to sell oil and other goods in multiple currencies, including the Chinese RMB, Euros, Yen, and Yuan, instead of exclusively in US dollars. Additionally, the potential use of digital currencies like Bitcoin may also be considered. (BizCOmmunity) 2. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Steady, Fed and CPI Awaited: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note was little changed around 4.4% on Wednesday, with traders bracing for today's key CPI report and the FOMC monetary policy decision. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Genetic testing firm 23andMe investigated over hack: The data watchdogs of the UK and Canada will investigate genetic testing company 23andMe over a data breach in October 2023. Hackers gained access to personal information of 6.9 million people, which in some cases included family trees, birth years and geographic locations, by using customers' old passwords. (BBC) -Technology- 1. US Air Force, Space Force Launch ChatGPT-Like AI Tool for Modernization: The AI-powered tool is called the non-classified Internet Protocol Generative Pre-Training Transformer (NIPRGPT), which supports service modernization, according to Interesting Engineering. The software will help personnel communicate, study, and code securely online. (AirForceTimes) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Bitcoin Core Prepares for Housecleaning: Wladimir van der Laan is the most experienced of the Bitcoin Core maintainers. He stepped back in 2022 due to legal actions by Craig Wright. Only a handful of developers known as “maintainers” have the power to authorize changes to the code. They are Michael Ford, Andrew Chow, Russ Yanofsky, Gloria Zhao, and Hennadii Stepanov. The possible return of a seasoned developer might be an opportunity to restore order. Indeed, a rebellion is growing against ordinals and other Ponzi-like inscriptions that are clogging the blockchain. (CoinTribune) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 72/100 (Down 2 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 847,484 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 11Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Russian Flotilla with Sub Transits off Florida / Malawi VP Dead in Plane Crash / Jurors Deliberate in Hunter Trial / Baltimore Channel Re-Opens / Pelosi Under Fire for J6 Role / Intel Bill Has Surprise Crypto Restriction / Nigeria-Binance Battle Continues / EU's Lurch Right May Slow CBDC / Privacy Worries EU / Apple Integrates ChatGPT, Musk Doesn't Trust Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $66,837, 28.95 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $70,146 / Lo: $66,741 Vol: $32B (Up 91%) Mkt Cap: $1.32T (Down 4%) HashRate: 586 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 28 sats/vBtye (Down 48%) Nodes: 18,409 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Russian Naval Ships And Nuclear Powered Sub To Visit Cuba This Week: According to the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry, the Russian “frigate Gorshkov, the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, the fleet oil tanker Pashin, and the rescue tug Nikolai Chiker” will visit the port of Havana between June 12th and June 17th. (OANN) (AC-Current flight radar shows a US P-8 Poseidon sub hunter aircraft maintaining patrol east of Miami, FL as of this morning. The bigger picture is that this is a message to the US administration for its role in the Ukraine war and allowing weapons to be used inside of Russia.) 2. South Korean troops fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers briefly crossed land border: At 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, some North Korean soldiers who were engaged in unspecified work on the northern side of the border crossed the military demarcation line that bisects the two countries, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Those North Korean soldiers carrying construction tools — some of them armed — immediately returned to their territory after South Korea’s military fired warning shots and issued warning broadcasts. (AP) 3. Malawi’s vice president dies in plane crash with nine others: Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others were declared dead on Tuesday after their plane went missing during tumultuous weather a day earlier. The flight departed at 9:17 a.m. from Kamuzu International Airport and was headed for Mzuzu when aviation authorities told the aircraft to turn around because of poor visibility. The authorities soon lost contact with the plane, which “was unable to land due to poor visibility occasioned by bad weather. (WaPo) -US Events- 1. Jurors will resume deliberations in the federal gun case against President Joe Biden’s son Hunter: Jurors deliberated for less than an hour before leaving the federal courthouse in Delaware Monday afternoon. They are weighing whether Hunter Biden is guilty of three felonies in the case pitting him against his father’s Justice Department in the middle of the Democratic president’s reelection campaign. (AP) 2. Baltimore shipping channel reopens after bridge collapse: The Port of Baltimore shipping channel has fully reopened, 11 weeks after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed when it was struck by a cargo ship. The US Army Corps of Engineers said the passageway where the Key Bridge buckled was now "safe for transit". The 700ft (213m) wide and 50ft (15m) deep channel has been restored to its original operational dimensions. (BBC) 3. GOP releases Jan. 6 clip of Pelosi saying 'I take responsibility' as she discussed National Guard absence: A previously unreleased video taken on Jan. 6, 2021 shows then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., saying she takes "responsibility" for law enforcement's lack of preparedness when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol that day. Pelosi quickly took to MSNBC to counter the video. (FOX) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Senate Bill Could Open Crypto to U.S. Sanctions, but Industry Trying to Head It Off: A Senate bill meant to fund U.S. intelligence operations included a section borrowed from an earlier bill aimed at preventing the use of cryptocurrency to support terrorism. That provision, as written, could require a massive shift in the crypto industry toward identifying users' identities to prevent sanctions that could strangle digital assets businesses. Were it to become law, it would mark the most important U.S. crypto policy yet adopted – and all without significant debate about its merits. (CoinDesk) 2. Nigerian Minister: Binance Fails to Pay Taxes on Over $20 Billion Turnover (Revenue): In 2023, Binance generated revenues exceeding $20 billion in Nigeria; however, the company has not paid taxes, a government minister disclosed. The Nigerian official also seemed to refute U.S. lawmakers’ claims that Tigran Gambaryan, an imprisoned Binance executive, is being held hostage by his government. (BitcoinCom) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin dips as ETFs break 19-day green streak, rumble over US inflation: Traders are seemingly going risk-off ahead of a U.S. CPI print and a Fed monetary policy meeting, with Bitcoin falling to a weekly low. (CoinTelegraph) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. How will Europe’s elections impact the vote on digital euro legislation?: Introducing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the Eurozone within a few years is widely considered a foregone conclusion. That’s partly due to the European Central Bank’s (ECB) enthusiasm. A CBDC has the potential to be a useful tool in the hands of a benevolent government. However, those who favor free markets tend to disagree. The recent lurch to the far right should give some pause for thought. (LedgerInsights) -Economic Indicators- 1. Dollar Firms Up Ahead of Fed, CPI: The dollar index held above 105 on Tuesday after hitting a four-week high in the previous session, as investors braced for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and the consumer price index report this week. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. EU Innovation Hub criticizes privacy coins and crypto mixers in new report: The EU Innovation Hub, a collaborative initiative involving members from European Union agencies and member states, has published its first report on encryption. The report supported cryptocurrency and nonfungible tokens (NFT) inherent reliance on public-private cryptography for storage, mining and transfers. However, some bad actors use the system to evade law enforcement, specifically protocols and privacy coins that can “obscure” visibility on the blockchain. (CoinTelegraph) (AC-Individual privacy continues to be conflated with illegal activities.) -Technology- 1. Elon Musk: iOS 18 a ‘Security Violation’ for ChatGPT AI Integration; New Apple Ban for Tesla: It is now confirmed that Apple Intelligence is here and will soon come to iOS 18, but Elon Musk is not buying it. However, that is not yet all, as the tech billionaire is threatening to ban Apple devices in his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, X, and more. (TechTimes) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Study: 14% of 'Early Adopter' Kiwis Own Cryptocurrency; Majority Favor It Over Real Estate: At least 14% of New Zealanders surveyed said they have owned cryptocurrency or held digital assets in the past. The findings categorize New Zealanders as early adopters, indicating they were quick to recognize the potential of cryptocurrency. Survey data reveal that only 16% of respondents would invest in real estate, compared to 60% who plan to invest in cryptocurrency. (BitcoinCom) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 74/100 (Down 3 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 847,347 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 10Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Macron Calls Snap Election in France / EU Has Major Electoral Shift to the Right / Israel Rescues 4 Hostages in Gaza / Teton Pass Road Collapses / US Offering Defense Pact to Saudi Arabia / Ripple Meeting With Georgia Gov. Officials / Paraguay Making Moves into Bitcoin Mining Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $69,369, 30.15 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $69,817 / Lo: $68,190 Vol: $16B (Up 40%) Mkt Cap: $1.36T (Flat) HashRate: 652 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 55 sats/vBtye (Down 31%) Nodes: 18,803 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Macron takes huge risk with surprise election: President Emmanuel Macron has called snap parliamentary elections later this month in the wake of a big victory for his rival Marine Le Pen's National Rally in the European Parliament vote. The far-right party is on course to win 32% of the vote, exit polls say, more than twice that of the president's Renaissance party. Announcing the dissolution of parliament, he said the two rounds of voting would take place on 30 June and 7 July, a few weeks before the Paris Olympics. (BBC) 2. Far right surges in European Parliament elections but center still holds: After three days of voting across the European Union’s 27 member states, an exit poll showed that far-right parties were set to win around 150 of the parliament’s 720 seats, which will likely make it harder for mainstream parties to form majorities needed to pass laws. Most of the far-right gains were concentrated in countries that elect large numbers of seats: France, Italy and Germany. (CNN) 3. Israel Rescues 4 Hostages Kidnapped in Hamas Attack on Oct. 7: Heavy fighting raged in central Gaza, where the hostages were rescued, and at least 55 people, including children, were killed in multiple attacks Saturday as people fled for safety, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The army said it rescued Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, in two separate locations in a complex special daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza. (Breitbart) (AC- The 4 hostages were held in central Gaza at a refugee camp and heavily defended by Hamas soldiers.) -US Events- 1. Wyoming's Teton Pass road collapses in landslide: ‘Catastrophic failure’: A mountain pass road near the popular tourist destination of Jackson, Wyoming, collapsed Saturday after a landslide, adding at least an hour of travel time for those who drive on the roadway. An alternate route between Jackson and the area of Victor, Idaho, goes more than 60 miles out of the way and adds "quite a bit to any commute." (Fox) 2. U.S. to Offer Landmark Defense Treaty to Saudi Arabia in Effort to Spur Israel Normalization Deal: The Biden administration is close to finalizing a treaty with Saudi Arabia that would commit the U.S. to help defend the Gulf nation as part of a long-shot deal to encourage diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Israel, U.S. and Saudi officials said. “It would be the first time the U.S. concluded a mutual defense pact that would carry the force of law since the 1960 revision of the U.S.-Japan treaty, and the first time it concluded such an agreement with an authoritarian country,” The diplomatic push for a defense pact with Riyadh marks a remarkable turnaround for President Biden, who as a candidate vowed to treat Saudi Arabia as a pariah and make it pay a price for the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident. (WSJ) (AC- Interesting timing as the 50 year agreement with Saudi Arabia comes to a close this month that ensures Saudi use of the US dollar in global oil transactions (AKA Petrodollar) and the US defense of Saudi lands via the US military.) -Regulatory and Legal- NSTR -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin ETFs sucked up 2 months of BTC mining supply in first week of June: With inflows of approximately $1.83 billion, the 11 ETFs bought 25,729 Bitcoin in the trading week between June 3 and 7 — around eight times more than the 3,150 new BTC mined over the same time, according to data from HODL15Capital. (CoinTelegraph) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. Ripple partners with National Bank of Georgia to digitize economy: The new collaboration builds on the previous partnership between the NBG and Ripple, where the latter serves as the technological partner for the NBG’s pilot CBDC project called the digital lari. (CoinTelegraph) (AC-Ripple is the leading 'crypto' company dedicated to promoting and building a slew of nation-state and global CBDCs) 2. BRICS Considers XRP: A Potential Leap for Cross-Border Payments: The Bank of Russia previously proposed a project on cross-border transfer execution. There was a rumor that this project took the Ripple payment system into account. Given its reputation for speed and economy of transactions, XRP was seen as a great starting point for creating a group cross-border settlements system. (CryptoNews) (AC-A possible 'hope' article, not confirmed through other sources) -Economic Indicators- 1. 10-Year Treasury Yield Edges Up, FOMC and CPI Awaited: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note was around one-week highs of 4.45% as traders gear up for a significant week ahead. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Singapore alerts businesses to Bitcoin ransomware risk: Akira, the ransomware that stole $42 million from over 250 organizations across North America, Europe and Australia within a year, is now actively targeting businesses in Singapore. The alert comes after agencies, including the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, the Singapore Police Force and the Personal Data Protection Commission, recently received several complaints from victims of the cyberattack. (CoinTelegraph) 2. Fake X Accounts Used by Scammers to Impersonate Airlines: According to consumer advocate "Which?", every major airline in the UK has fake profiles on X, formerly known as Twitter, which are regularly used to trick consumers into providing personal information. It was also mentioned that X takes too long to remove problematic accounts. (TechTimes) -Technology- 1. NASA Says Extremely Rare Nova Explosion Will Be Visible on Earth, Can Be Seen With Naked Eyes: NASA and astronomers worldwide are eagerly awaiting a rare celestial event this summer as a nova explosion in the constellation Corona Borealis is expected to be visible from Earth. (TechTimes) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Paraguayan Minister Unveils Future Economic Strategy Centered on Bitcoin Mining for Industrial Transition: Javier Gimenez, from the Paraguayan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, revealed that the government plans to take advantage of the energy sold to legal bitcoin mining operations. Gimenez stated that selling Paraguay’s energy to bitcoin mining companies is part of the government’s strategy, which seeks to rebuild its industry in three years as part of a transitional phase. (BitcoinCom) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 77/100 (Down 1 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): It seems the CBDC race is beginning to heat up. With the BRICS coalition and efforts by the BIS, combined with aggressive marketing by Ripple (XRP), CBDCs are taking a turn toward international or at least cross-border trade focuses rather than nation-state efforts that could conceivably compete with national currencies. This is significant in that it is global efforts like this that would capture economic power at a higher level than nation-states. Instead of a truly decentralized, individual P2P system like Bitcoin, a global CBDC system would put economic powers of inflation and digital permissions inherent in CBDCs into the hands of unelected bureaucrats at a global level. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 846,882 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 7Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Is Hezbollah Next? / D-Day Services Draw World Leaders / Russian Ships Visit Cuba / Steve Bannon To Report to Prison / Man Fires Indiscriminately into SoCal Traffic, Killing 1 / China Never Banned Bitcoin Mining? / BIS MBridge CBDC Starts Up / US Banks Are Weakening / US Trade Gap Widens / Bitcoin Mining Entering Consolidation Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $71,547, 30.17 oz Gold, .17 Median US House 24hr Hi: $71,625 / Lo: $70,119 Vol: $27B (Up 2%) Mkt Cap: $1.41T (Up 1%) HashRate: 578 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 153 sats/vBtye (Up 202%) Nodes: 17,799 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Top commander in north says IDF ready for war against Hezbollah: The military’s top general in northern Israel said Thursday the army was ready to expand its conflict with the Hezbollah terror group if need be in order to bring months of deadly cross-border hostilities to a close, a day after a reservist was killed and 10 others injured in an explosive drone attack on a northern town. (TimesOfIsrael) (AC-IDF's war with Hamas is not quite finished, but Hezollah continues intermittent strikes against northern Israel. Expanding the war to include Hezbollah objectives could be a natural progression for the IDF.) 2. The last heroes of Normandy return to France 80 years after D-Day invasion: The sun was yet to rise over the beaches of Normandy when, on June 6, 1944 -- 80 years ago this week -- thousands of American sons and Allied troops began what would become the largest amphibious assault in history. Their bravery and their sacrifice would turn the tide of World War II and push Nazi Germany to defeat. (ABC) (AC-There are only a few of these heroes still alive. Listen and learn their stories while you can.) 3. 4 Russian ships to dock in Cuba next week: Four Russian ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, will arrive in Havana next week, Cuban officials said Thursday, citing "historically friendly relations" between both nations and as tensions escalate over Western military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. (Fox) (AC-A rather obvious signal to DC about letting Ukraine use weapons to strike deep into Russia.) -US Events- 1. Steve Bannon ordered to report to prison by July 1 to serve contempt of Congress sentence: Bannon was convicted of contempt of Congress in 2022 after failing to provide documents and testimony to the House Select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack. He was sentenced to four months in prison. (CNN) 2. Man firing at Southern California motorists, killing 1, charged with murder: The 39-year-old man arrested for reportedly firing at passing commuters in Riverside County earlier this week, killing a husband and father of four children and injuring another person, has been charged with one count of murder and six counts of attempted murder. Victor Leon was fatally shot during the incident as he returned home from his overnight warehouse shift in Moreno Valley. He is survived by his wife of 13 years and their four children. (KTLA) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. China Never Banned Bitcoin Mining, Researcher Reveals: In a striking revelation that challenges widely-held perceptions, Daniel Batten, a Bitcoin environmental impact analyst, disclosed that BTC mining was never officially banned in China. According to Batten’s research, despite widespread reports to the contrary, the so-called “ban” was actually a temporary suspension, and mining activities have largely resumed across the country. Batten’s report highlights that the hashrate within China, which is a measure of the computational power used in mining and processing Bitcoin, currently accounts for approximately 15% of the global total. (Bitcoinist) -Institutional Concerns- NSTR -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. Cross Border CBDC Project Mbridge Enters MVP Stage: Project Mbridge, the cross-border central bank digital currency (CBDC) project that seeks to integrate several currencies into a global network, has reached its minimum viable product stage. This means that each one of the participant central banks has deployed a validating node in the network, that is ready to perform real-value transactions. The project, which started as a pilot in 2021 with the collaboration of the Bank of Thailand, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), is now ready to intermediate real-value transactions, according to a press release issued by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). (BitcoinNews) (AC-This the project reported yesterday that Saudi Arabia has also joined.) -Economic Indicators- 1. US Banking Sector Teeters: $517B Unrealized Losses, 63 Troubled Institutions Flagged: U.S. banks reported an alarming increase in unrealized losses and a growing list of institutions at risk of failure in the first quarter of 2024, according to the latest U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) data. The FDIC report highlights $517 billion in unrealized losses and identifies 63 banks as vulnerable, marking a concerning uptick in the financial sector’s instability. (BitcoinCom) 2. US Trade Gap Largest Since October 2022 on Imports Surge: The trade deficit in the US widened to $74.6 billion in April 2024, the largest since October 2022 from a downwardly revised $68.6 billion in March and below forecasts of a $76.1 billion gap. Imports increased 8.7% to $338.2 billion, mostly due to passenger cars, computer accessories, telecommunications equipment and crude oil, while falling for transport. Exports edged up a meager 0.8% to $263.7 billion, mainly pharmaceutical preparations, electric apparatus and semiconductors. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Apple to Launch Passwords App for iPhone and Mac, Competing With 1Password and LastPass: Apple is reportedly developing this specialized password app for iPhone and Mac that could be introduced as early as next week. This move could challenge existing services. Apple's Passwords app aims to provide similar functionalities for free. (TechTimes) (AC-"If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product.") -Technology- 1. Bitdeer introduces energy-efficient Bitcoin mining chip: Bitcoin mining company Bitdeer has showcased the “SEAL04” chip in its technology roadmap for the newly launched Sealminer rig. Set for release in the second quarter of 2025, the SEAL04 chip is projected to achieve energy efficiency as low as 5 joules per terahash (J/TH). (CoinTelegraph) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Bitcoin Mining Stocks Soar Amid Takeover Frenzy: The stocks are undervalued, so miners with attractive power contracts could become M&A targets, according to Wall Street analysts. Shares of miners such as Stronghold (SDIG), Core Scientific and TeraWulf (WULF) surged more than 15%. Gains in Iris Energy (IREN), Mawson (MIGI), Cathedra (CBIT) and Argo Blockchain exceeded 10%. Larger miners such as Riot and Marathon Digital (MARA) are likely in the best position to lead this consolidation wave. (CoinDesk) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 77/100 (Down 1 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 846,735 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 6Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Putin Says Ukraine-Supporting States in Play Now / D-Day Vets Dwindle / 1st New Bird Flu Death / Warden Arrested in Wisconsin / Georgia Pauses Trump Case / Biden Admin Politicizing Vets Administration / Intel Authorization Bill To Be Used Against Digital Assets / Institutions Play With Meme Coins / Saudi Arabia Joins BIS CBDC Effort / Stocks Hit Record High / Kerrisdale Capital Declares War on Bitcoin Miners Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $71,167, 30.17 oz Gold, .17 Median US House 24hr Hi: $71,735 / Lo: $70,390 Vol: $26B (Down 30%) Mkt Cap: $1.40T (Even) HashRate: 510 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 52 sats/vBtye (Up 23%) Nodes: 17,799 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Putin says Russia could deploy missiles in striking distance of the West: Putin, in his first face-to-face meeting with senior editors of international news agencies since the war in Ukraine began, said the West was wrong to assume Russia would never use nuclear weapons, and said the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine should not be taken lightly. Putin also said Moscow was considering deploying similar high-technology, long-range missiles close enough to strike the states that allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with such missiles. (Reuters) 2. D-Day anniversary 2024: World leaders, veterans, commemorate Normandy landings: At the British ceremony in Ver-sur-Mer, veterans were applauded as they filed into the event to take their seats, which were decorated with bright red poppies. (Reuters) 3. WHO confirms first death from bird flu strain not seen before in humans: The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday a man in Mexico died from a strain of bird flu, H5N2, that had not previously been reported in humans. The strain is different from the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, which has caused an outbreak among livestock in the U.S. and has infected three dairy farm workers. (TheHill) -US Events- 1. Former Wisconsin Prison Warden and Employees Charged in Inmate Deaths: The former warden of a Wisconsin prison and eight other prison employees were charged on Wednesday in connection with multiple inmate deaths over the last year, the local sheriff said. The prison’s former warden, Randall Hepp, had left his job earlier this week. He was charged with misconduct in public office, a felony. Mr. Hepp’s arrest was first reported by The Associated Press. inmates had been confined to their cells for months and denied access to medical care. (NYT) 2. Georgia court puts pause on Fani Willis' sweeping election case against Trump: In a major setback to the Fulton County District Attorney, the Georgia Court of Appeals on Wednesday put a pause on any proceedings related to the 2020 election interference case against former President Trump and co-defendants until it hears the case to disqualify Fani Willis in October. (Fox) 3. Biden threatens VA budget veto over abortion, gender-affirming care: President Joe Biden on Monday threatened to veto the House’s $360 billion appropriations plan for the Department of Veterans Affairs next year over restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care services included in the measure, accusing lawmakers of “wasting time with partisan bills.” (MilitaryTimes) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. New law grants US president power to block digital asset access: An X user posted Senator Mark Warner’s apparent strategic insertion of legislative elements on June 5, enabling the scrutinized new sweeping powers granted to the U.S. president over digital assets. Under the new law, the president can block transactions between U.S. persons and foreign entities identified as supporting terrorist organizations. This includes imposing strict conditions on foreign financial institutions maintaining accounts in the U.S. if they are found facilitating such transactions. Scott Johnsson, a prominent voice in the digital assets field, warns that the move could be seen as an effort to exert control over digital assets under the guise of combating terrorism. (CoinTelegraph) (AC-The language was inserted in the Intel Authorization Act of 2024, which is a 'must-pass' funding bill'.) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Crypto: Memecoins are exploding in institutional investors' portfolios: Between February and March, institutional holdings in memecoins surged by 226%, reaching $204 million. In April, this figure climbed to $293.7 million, before dropping to $139 million at the end of the studied period, indicating an aggressive selling strategy in response to market volatility. (CoinTribune) (AC-New investors in cryptocurrencies often explore the shitcoin world, even institutional investors. All eventually learn.) 2. Robinhood to Buy Crypto Exchange Bitstamp in Effort to Expand Outside the U.S.: Trading platform Robinhood has agreed to buy U.K.-based crypto exchange Bitstamp for $200 million in cash. The acquisition is hoped to allow Robinhood to expand its crypto presence globally and attract institutional clientele. (CoinDesk) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. Saudi Arabia joins BIS- and China-led central bank digital currency project: The move, announced by the Bank for International Settlements on Wednesday, will see Saudi's central bank become a "full participant" of Project mBridge, a collaboration launched in 2021 between the central banks of China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Roughly 135 countries and currency unions, representing 98% of global GDP, are exploring central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs. (Reuters) -Economic Indicators- 1. S&P 500 and Nasdaq Close at Record Highs: Wall Street major indices closed firmly higher on Wednesday, driven by a tech rally led by AI-darling Nvidia, amid optimism that the Federal Reserve might lower interest rates later this year after slightly weak labor market data. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Microsoft Windows Recall: Security Experts Worried of Privacy Risks, Demos How Easily Data Can Be Accessed: Two weeks after Microsoft introduced 'Recall' as part of the Copilot+ PC experience on Windows, the service faces massive backlash and criticism about its privacy and security risks. In several cases, it was proven that user data is not safe on Copilot's Recall, with many showing how easily they could obtain data from the service and pose dangers to a user. (TechTimes) -Technology- NSTR -Bitcoin Community- 1. The Bitcoin Hotels, A World’s First with Japanese and British Partnership: IKAR Holdings and Unify Platform will establish the World’s first Bitcoin Hotel. The partners aim to revolutionize the global hospitality industry by introducing the first hotel chain where guests can seamlessly pay for accommodations using cryptocurrency alongside ordinary currencies. With an initial hotel in Istanbul, followed by expansions into iconic cities like London and Tokyo, their vision is to create a distinctive luxury experience at the intersection of technology and hospitality. (Chainwire) 2. ‘War Against Bitcoin Miners’: US Investment Firm Sparks Industry Backlash: Kerrisdale Capital, a US investment firm, set off a storm of reactions on Wednesday with a series of public communications aggressively targeting Bitcoin mining companies. In a multi-part thread on X, Kerrisdale announced its campaign against what it describes as “snake oil salesmen” in the BTC mining industry, accusing them of being both a financial sinkhole and an environmental hazard. Adam O of Upstream Data defended Bitcoin mining’s environmental impact, stating, “Good luck vilifying that which improves all stakeholders, reduces waste, and reduces methane emissions. Dumbest mission of the decade.” (Bitcoinist) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 78/100 (Up 3 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): Saudi Arabia joining the BIS-led effort for an international CBDC is significant as the 50-year petrodollar agreement with the USA comes to a close on June 9th. Saudi Arabia is not expected to renew the agreement which opens up the door for multiple global trade options such as this BIS-led effort or joining the BRICS CBDC effort. The impact of the USD losing petrodollar status cannot be overstated. Demand for USD and therefore Treasuries will eventually drop significantly, leading to a shifting paradigm in world finance. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 846,613 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 5Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: US Embassy Attacked in Lebanon / Silence in China, HK On Tiananmen Anniversary / Modi Wins PM Again in India / Biden Signs EO on Border / Largest COVID Fraud Trial In US Has Attempted Bribe / SEALs Take Heat For Pride / US Tries to Get Back Binance Exec From Nigeria / Texas Wants New Stock Exchange / Best Day in BTC ETFs Since Launch / US Job Openings Decline / AT&T Has Another Bad Day Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $70,944, 30.44 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $68,564 / Lo: $70,230 Vol: $38B (Up 31%) Mkt Cap: $1.40T (Up 3%) HashRate: 541 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 46 sats/vBtye (Up 94%) Nodes: 17,808 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Attack on US Embassy in Lebanon foiled, army fights back to kill one assailant: A Lebanese security official told The Associated Press that there were four assailants, including one who drove them to the site and three who opened fire. One shooter was killed, one escaped and the third was wounded and detained by the Lebanese military. A member of the embassy's security team was wounded in the attack and the Lebanese army shot an attacker in the stomach, a security source told Reuters. (Fox) 2. Silence and heavy security in China and Hong Kong mark 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown: Hong Kong police arrested four people and swarmed a handful of others who tried to protest or commemorate as the effort extended beyond the mainland. Hundreds, if not thousands, are believed to have been killed in an overnight operation that ended on the morning of June 4, 1989. It was a turning point in modern Chinese history as Communist Party hard-liners embraced control instead of political reforms. (AP) 3. India: Modi set for third term but opposition still to concede: PM Narendra Modi is set to retain power, but his BJP party lost its outright parliamentary majority for the first time in 10 years. (BBC) -US Events- 1. Biden rolls out asylum restrictions, months in the making, to help ‘gain control’ of the border: The long-anticipated presidential proclamation would bar migrants from being granted asylum when U.S. officials deem that the southern border is overwhelmed. The order will go into effect when the number of border encounters between ports of entry hits 2,500 per day, according to senior administration officials. (AP) 2. Juror reports receiving $120K bribe attempt in pandemic relief fraud trial: Seven people are on trial in connection with what federal prosecutors called the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme to date. They are accused of taking part in a $250 million fraud scheme through the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future that allegedly exploited funds from a federal child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic to purchase big-ticket items like luxury cars and houses. (ABC) (AC-Other outlets are reporting the defendants are all Somali nationals or immigrants) 3. U.S. Navy Special Warfare Command Posts Pride Month Graphic, Limits Replies: The United States Navy Special Warfare Command — the command overseeing U.S. Navy SEALs and other Navy special operations forces — celebrated Pride Month with a special graphic posted on its Facebook page on June 1. The most-liked comment on the post was, “This is a slap in the face of every special warfare operator that has put their lives on the line for our nation.” (Breitbart) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. U.S. Lawmakers Push Biden to Bring Back Detained Binance Exec Tigran Gambaryan From Nigeria: Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, along with 11 other leaders, sent a letter to Joe Biden and others. In the letter, they urged the president to treat Gambaryan's case as a hostage situation and bring him back to the U.S. Gambaryan is a U.S. citizen and Binance’s head of compliance. (CoinDesk) -Institutional Concerns- 1. New Texas Stock Exchange Takes Aim at New York’s Dominance: A group backed by Wall Street heavyweights BlackRock and Citadel Securities is planning to start a new national stock exchange in Texas, aiming to take on what they see as onerous regulation at the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The Texas Stock Exchange, which has raised approximately $120 million from individuals and large investment firms, plans to file registration documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission later this year. (WSJ) 2. BTC ETFs See $880M Inflows in Best Day Since March: U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETFs saw over $880 million in inflows on Tuesday, led by Fidelity's FBTC. Fidelity’s FBTC took on $378 million in inflows, the highest among counterparts. BlackRock’s IBIT followed with $270 million, while Grayscale’s GBTC – infamous for its outflows – took on $28 million. (CoinDesk) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. Digital Yuan App Drops 'Pilot' Description, Hints at Change to Production Ready Status: While local Chinese news outlets explained that this change had to do with app requirements, some expect this might be a step before its generalized implementation. (BitcoinCom) -Economic Indicators- 1. US Job Openings Fall More Than Expected: The number of job openings declined by 296,000 from the previous month to 8.059 million in April 2024, the lowest level since February 2021 and missing the market consensus of 8.34 million. (TradingEconomics) 2. Treasury Yields Fall for 5th Session: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note was around 4.35%, the lowest in about three weeks, as recent data out of the US continues to reinforce the view that the Fed is ready to start the easing cycle in September. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- NSTR -Technology- 1. 'Nationwide issue' affecting cell service between carriers resolved, AT&T says: The problem was not a nationwide outage, it said, but rather "a nationwide issue that is affecting the ability of some customers to complete calls between carriers," AT&T said at the time. The disruption occurred a little more than three months after a widespread outage affected AT&T customers, leaving people without service. During that incident, around 50,000 outrages were reported at one point. (NBC) -Bitcoin Community- NSTR -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 75/100 (Up 2 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): The Texas Stock Exchange initiative is another sign of the polarization of business in the US. Supporters cite onerous rules and DEI efforts at the NYSE and Nasdaq as some of the reasons for the investments and effort. Citizens continue to find ways to exit systems that the politically or culturally do not agree with. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 846,486 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 4Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: IDF Say 4 Hostages Killed / EU Swings Right / South African ANC Lost Majority Held Since 1990s / Hunter Trial Begins / New EO on Limiting Asylum on Border / Fauci in Congressional Hot Seat / Binance's CZ Enters Prison for 4 Months / Saylor Settles With Tax Officials / Epoch Time CFO Arrested for Laundering / ISM Data Drops Unexpectedly / Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $69,134, 29.62 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $68,564 / Lo: $70,230 Vol: $29B (Up 17%) Mkt Cap: $1.36T (Even) HashRate: 620 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 26 sats/vBtye (Down Up 18%) Nodes: 18,937 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Israel announces the deaths of four hostages in Hamas captivity: IDF promises to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Chaim Peri, 79, Amiram Cooper, 84, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Nadav Popplewell, 51. “We estimate that the four were killed together, in the Khan Younis area, several months ago, while being held by Hamas terrorists and while IDF forces were operating in Khan Younis,” the IDF said. (TimesofIsrael) 2. Europeans may be about to elect their most right-wing parliament in history: Europeans head to the polls this week in closely watched elections that threaten to shake the bloc’s traditionally mainstream political landscape. “We are seeing a rise in populist sentiment both in Europe and globally, which might result in the most right-wing European Parliament in history,” Tim Adams, president and CEO of the Institute of International Finance. (CNBC) 3. South Africa’s president won’t resign despite ANC losing majority for first time: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for unity after his African National Congress party failed to win a majority, marking a new era for Africa’s most advanced economy. The ANC is still the largest party, having won 40.2 percent of votes, but the 159 seats it secured are well short of the 200 required for a majority in the 400-seat National Assembly. In the previous parliament it had 230 seats. (Politico) -US Events- 1. Joe Biden’s worries grow as Hunter Biden’s trial begins: Hunter Biden faces three criminal counts for allegedly buying a gun while in the throes of addiction to crack cocaine and lying on an official form about it. The charges were brought by the president’s own Justice Department, and the trial is taking place in his family’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. (Politico) 2. Biden prepares an order that would shut down asylum if a daily average of 2,500 migrants arrive: The White House is telling lawmakers that President Joe Biden is preparing to sign off on an executive order that would shut down asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border once the average number of daily encounters hits 2,500 between ports of entry, with the border reopening only once that number declines to 1,500, according to several people familiar with the discussions. The impact of the 2,500 figure means that the executive order could go into immediate effect, because daily figures are higher than that now. (AP) 3. Anthony Fauci defends his Covid response, distances himself from adviser accused of misconduct: Fauci sought to refute allegations from Republicans on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic that he tried to suppress the theory that a lab accident in Wuhan, China, caused the pandemic. (Politico) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Former Binance CEO CZ Begins 4-Month Prison Sentence in California: Lompoc II, the California prison where CZ will serve his sentence, is a low-security facility. At a net worth of $36.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Zhao is believed to be the richest person to ever go to prison in the U.S. (CoinDesk) 2. Billionaire Bitcoin Advocate Michael Saylor Agrees to $40 Million Settlement in Tax Evasion Case: The lawsuit also implicated Saylor’s company, Microstrategy, alleging that it assisted him in evading taxes by submitting fraudulent tax forms between 2005 and 2020. The report indicates that Saylor evaded over $25 million in income taxes by falsely claiming residency in either Virginia or Florida, where income tax rates are lower. Despite agreeing to the settlement, Saylor maintains his innocence, asserting that Florida remains his primary residence. (BitcoinCom) 3. Epoch Times CFO Bill Guan is charged in alleged $67 million global money laundering scheme: The finance chief of conservative global news outlet The Epoch Times was arrested and charged with leading a yearslong scheme to launder at least $67 million in illicit funds. The alleged scheme by Weidong Guan and others involved cryptocurrency, prepaid debit cards, fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits and stolen personal identification information, according to federal prosecutors. (CNBC) -Institutional Concerns- NSTR -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. BIS Plans Instant Cross-Border Payments Using Wholesale CBDC Settlement: In a move to improve traditional cross-border payments, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has announced the launch of Project Rialto. This project aims to enhance instant cross-border payments by integrating a modular foreign exchange (FX) component with settlement in wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). (BitcoinCom) -Economic Indicators- 1. ISM Manufacturing PMI Below Forecasts: The ISM Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly edged lower to 48.7 in May 2024 from 49.2 in April, below forecasts of 49.6. The reading showed another contraction for the manufacturing activity as demand was soft again, output was stable, and inputs stayed accommodative. (TradingEconomics) (AC-Both stocks prices and bond yields dropped on the news) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Chinese Crypto Trader Loses $1 Million From Binance After Chrome Plugin Exploit: The Binance user learned that the crypto heist was possible due to a malicious Google Chrome Extension. According to the victim’s investigation, the Aggr Chrome plugin stole all his web browsing and cookie data. With this information, the hacker hijacked his active Binance session without needing the password or go through 2FA. (Bitcoinist) -Technology- 1. The Goal for China’s Chip Giant: Cut Out the U.S.: It is a part of a broader campaign to eradicate American technology in China, dubbed “Delete A” or “Decouple From A,” which has accelerated in recent years as the world’s two biggest economies intensify their battle to dominate in next-generation technology. -Bitcoin Community- NSTR -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 73/100 (Even) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 846,350 DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 3Jun24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Mexico Elects First Woman President, Peso Falls / Ahmadinejad Re-emerges in Iran / Israel Will Not Accept Hamas Rule / Hunter Biden Trial Beginning / Trump Joins TikTok / Donald Jr Meets With Bukele / Biden Vetos SAB 121 Law / Australia Launches Spot BTC ETF / Ripple Leads CBDC Tech / $300M BTC Hack on Japanese Exchange / China Lands on Far Side of Moon / 6.8% of World own 'Crypto' Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $69,134, 29.65 oz Gold, .16 Median US House 24hr Hi: $69,313 / Lo: $67,315 Vol: $24B (Up 92%) Mkt Cap: $1.36T (Up 1%) HashRate: 710 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 21 sats/vBtye (Down 35%) Nodes: 18,434 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Claudia Sheinbaum projected to be Mexico's first woman president: The climate scientist and Mexico City’s former mayor rode the wave of popularity of her longtime political ally, outgoing leftist Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and their Morena party. (CNN) 2. Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registers for presidential election: Iran’s hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registered Sunday as a possible candidate for the presidential election, seeking to regain the country’s top political position after a helicopter crash killed the nation’s president. (NYT) 3. ‘We will not accept the rule of Hamas in Gaza at any stage’: Israel: ‘We will not accept the rule of Hamas in Gaza at any stage’: Israel won’t accept Hamas’s rule of Gaza and is examining alternatives, its defence minister said, a further indication it’s brushing aside a ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden as Palestinian fighters continue to resist the invasion. “While we conduct our important military actions, the defence establishment is simultaneously assessing a governing alternative to Hamas,” Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement on Sunday.(AlJazeera) -US Events- 1. Jury selection is beginning in gun case against President Joe Biden’s son: Hunter Biden, who spent the weekend with his father, has been charged with three felonies stemming from a 2018 firearm purchase when he was, according to his memoir, in the throes of a crack addiction. He has been accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application used to screen firearms applicants when he said he was not a drug user, and illegally having the gun for 11 days. (AP) 2. Donald Trump joins TikTok and rapidly wins three million followers: The decision to join the platform on Saturday could help the former president reach younger voters in his third bid for the White House. Biden's election campaign is already on TikTok, with over 340,000 followers, although Biden has signed a bill that would ban the app, which is used by 170 million Americans, if its Chinese owner ByteDance fails to divest it. (Reuters) 3. El Salvador’s President Tells Donald Trump Jr.: ‘We Don’t Jail the Opposition’: El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele told Donald Trump Jr. that his country does not “jail the opposition,” days after a Manhattan jury convicted former President Donald Trump. -Regulatory and Legal- 1. U.S. President Biden Vetoes Resolution Overturning SEC Guidance:: SAB 121 is a controversial piece of SEC accounting guidance that directs financial institutions holding crypto for customers to keep the assets on their own balance sheets. Critics of the guidance say it makes it too difficult for financial institutions to work with crypto companies. In his statement announcing the veto, Biden said he would not support any "measures that jeopardize the well-being of consumers and investors." -Institutional Concerns- 1. Mexican Billionaire Ricardo Salinas Urges Followers to Buy Bitcoin as Nigerian Naira Falls Under a Satoshi: The top 1% is starting to realize the opportunities that bitcoin, as a financial asset, can bring as a hedge for fiat currency devaluation. Ricardo Salinas Pliego, a Mexican entrepreneur with a fortune worth over $14 billion and owner of Salinas Group, has recommended its followers on X to purchase bitcoin and take advantage of its constant appreciation in value. The Nigerian official currency has been facing a rough period, becoming the worst-performing currency against the U.S. dollar in May. This has prompted a series of measures from the Nigerian government to try stabilizing the currency, cracking down on crypto operators to force them to withdraw it from their platforms, and accusing them of currency manipulation. (BitcoinCom) 2. Australia's First Spot Bitcoin ETF With Direct BTC Holdings to Go Live on Tuesday: Australia-based Monochrome Asset Management’s Monochrome bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF) (IBTC) will begin trading on the Cboe Australia exchange on Tuesday, the company told CoinDesk. The product is the first and only ETF that holds bitcoin directly in Australia, the company said. (CoinDesk) -Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)- 1. Ripple Leads the Charge in CBDC Adoption Across Dozens of Countries: CBDCs and tokenisation are the two blockchain use cases that every stakeholder has rallied behind, from crypto enthusiasts to global behemoths and regulators. Ripple is in prime position to become a global leader in both, with the XRP Ledger emerging as one of the best technologies to issue digital currencies and tokens. (CryptoNewsFlash) (AC-Although this article is designed to praise the efforts of Ripple, it not only highlights the company's efforts to join forces with governments in creating and lobbying for CBDCs, but it also conflates crypto, blockchain and CBDCs to the point of confusing any readers of the nuance between them. The lesson is clear, Ripple is not a friend of bitcoin, self-custody, or P2P self-sovereignty. Look for Ripple to befriend government control entities and vice versa. ) -Economic Indicators- 1. Mexican Peso Plunges After Election: The Mexican peso plunged toward 17.5 per USD in June, the lowest since November 2023, after preliminary counts pointed to a supermajority win of the Moderna party and its allies in the Mexican Congress, increasing the state’s control over the economy. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Japanese Exchange DMM Bitcoin Suffers Significant Hack, Over $300M Stolen From Wallet: The breach occurred around 1:30 pm local time, with DMM Bitcoin reporting that approximately 4,503 BTC, valued at around $308 million at the time, had been "illegally leaked" from its wallet. The company has yet to provide details on how the hack was executed but confirmed that an investigation is underway and measures are being taken to prevent future attacks. This hack is the most substantial crypto-related exploit the industry has faced in some time. It surpasses any hack seen so far this year or in 2023.(Yahoo) -Technology- 1. China Makes Historic Landing on Far Side of Moon to Collect Lunar Samples: The landing took place in the enormous crater known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time, as reported by AP News. This is the sixth Chang'e lunar exploration mission, named after the Chinese moon goddess. (TechTimes) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Global Crypto Ownership Reaches 562 Million: 6.8% of World Population Now Own and Use Digital Currencies: A new report reveals that 562 million people globally now own digital currencies, an increase from 420 million in 2023, making up 6.8% of the world’s population. Asia is at the forefront of this growth, with North America close behind. Overall, cryptocurrency adoption is rising worldwide, with notable increases seen across all continents. Triple A, a fintech company that enables businesses to process digital currency payments and payouts, recently published a report, titled “The State of Global Cryptocurrency Ownership in 2024,” (BitcoinCom) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 73/100 (Even) Analyst Comments (AC): It sounds innocuous, but the Chinese landing on the far side of the moon is significant for those of us who understand military positioning. In military doctrine, holding the 'high ground' is key to controlling an area. The far side of the moon is THE most significant 'high ground' covering the earth with a built in defense of mass. Imagine what might be stored on the back side of the moon, secure from attack, but can move out to target anything on earth. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report image