Go Rogue
#GetOnTheMission
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BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 825,887
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 15Jan24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Trump in Commanding Lead as Iowa begins voting today for Caucus / Houthi fires missiles at US warship / 2 SEALs missing near Somalia / WEF Davos kicks off today
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $42,600, 20.8oz Gold
24hr Hi: $42,996 / Lo: $41,705
Vol: $20.7B (Up 40%)
Mkt Cap: $834.5B (Down .6%)
HashRate: 431 EH/s
Avg Fees: 28,132 sats/tx (Up 127%)
Nodes: 16,565
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Houses set alight as lava from volcano eruption reaches Icelandic town: Seismic activity intensified overnight near Grindavík, the fifth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in two years. Houses have caught fire in the fishing town of Grindavík in south-west Iceland after a volcano erupted for the second time in less than a month.(Guardian)
2. Houthi rebels fire missile at US warship in Red Sea in first attack after American-led strikes: Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea but a U.S. fighter jet shot it down in the latest attack roiling global shipping amid Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, officials said.(AP)
3.China, North Korea aggression drives record Japanese military spending splurge: Over the past month, Japan has faced increased Chinese aggression toward Japanese territory and yet another North Korean missile launch into the Sea of Japan. Cognizant of the challenges it faces, Japan has pushed forward to bolster its national security through increased defense spending, engaging in closer cooperation with the U.S. and South Korea and eliminating a ban on lethal weapons exports.(Fox)
-US Events-
1. As Iowa Prepares to Vote, Focus Is on Who Places Second to Donald Trump: Voters in this state will start the 2024 Republican presidential nomination balloting Monday evening when they head to precinct caucus meetings in frigid weather that could reduce turnout for a race that former President Donald Trump has dominated. Latest poll has Trump at 48%, Haley at 20% and Desantis at 16%. (WSJ)
2. 2 Navy SEALs missing off Somalia coast were on a nighttime boarding mission: Two U.S. Navy SEALs are missing off the coast of Somalia after having fallen into the water during a nighttime boarding mission on Thursday, according to two U.S. officials. The officials said that the SEALs had fallen into the water one after the other during the boarding of a vessel by boat in the Gulf of Aden.(ABC)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Cryptocurrency Rights Bill Lands in Indiana: A cryptocurrency bill that guarantees the non-intervention of the state government of Indiana in cryptocurrency self-custody, mining, validation, and other issues was recently introduced by Rep. Heath VanNatter in the Indiana General Assembly.(Bitcoincom)
2. Renter pays Landlord in BTC: In Rosario, the third most populated city in Argentina, a local landlord and a tenant have sealed a rental agreement where the latter will pay monthly rent in Bitcoin. According to a report in the local newspaper Paginal 12, The contract is the first of its kind in Argentina, made possible by recent law amendments by the new Milei presidential administration.(CoinTelegraph)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Russian’s fearmonger that digital ruble will be compulsory for pensions: Russia’s digital ruble trials started in July 2023 and it will soon be possible for citizens to request to receive their pension and other social payments in digital rubles. A report on the blogging platform DZen stoked fears that receiving pensions and state salaries in the central bank digital currency (CBDC) will become compulsory. In contrast, the head of the central bank emphasized that the use of the CBDC is voluntary. In related news, the first ATM-based digital ruble withdrawal has launched.(LedgerInsights)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin’s Wall Street Debut Ends in Tears for Futures Traders, Leads to $83M Liquidations: Bitcoin ETFs clocked up some $4.6 billion in volumes on their first day, but market volatility hit futures speculators as prices whipsawed.(CoinDesk)
2. Blackrock’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Now Holds 11,439 BTC: Blackrock’s spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) has acquired 11,439 bitcoin, with a market value of nearly $500 million, within two days of trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Blackrock’s Ishares Bitcoin Trust was among the 11 spot bitcoin ETFs approved by the U.S. SEC this week.(Bitcoincom)
-Economic Indicators-
1. World Economic Forum for 2024 in Davos kicks off: This year’s edition of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting starts Monday, with many business leaders, heads of state and others expected to engage with each other. The WEF in Davos will run a slew of sessions for attendees under an overarching "Rebuilding Trust" theme.(FoxBusiness)
-Technological Updates-
NSTR
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 52/100 (Down 19 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The WEF's Davos meeting is the emobodiment of centralization of power in the world, and warrants continued monitoring as narratives and networks created here influence every global citizen. No where else can you see heads of state, business leaders and policy makers come together to unite in planning to aggregate political, economic, military and discursive power. Bitcoin and its threat to centralized economic power will certainly be a topic of discussion.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
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*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 825,460
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 12Jan24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US and UK strike over 60 Houthi targets in Yemen / Texas takes control of migrant park on border from CBP / BTC ETFs see $4.6B in volume on 1st day / Inflation rising again
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $45,877, 22.3oz Gold
24hr Hi: $48,969 / Lo: $45,620
Vol: $43.1B (Down 16%)
Mkt Cap: $898B (Down 3.3%)
HashRate: 530 EH/s
Avg Fees: 10,235 sats/tx (Down 65%)
Nodes: 16,796
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US and UK carry out strikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen: In response to repeated drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. US and coalition forces struck over 60 targets at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations, US Air Forces Central Commander Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said. The Houthi assets included command and control nodes, munitions, depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems, he added. Oil Prices are up 4% on the news(CNN/Reuters)
2. Taiwan is preparing to elect a president and legislature Saturday in what many see as a test of control with China, which claims the self-governing island republic as its own territory to be unified with force if necessary. The presidential race is tight, and both China and Taiwan’s key ally, the U.S., are weighing in on political and economic issues they hope will sway voters.(AP)
-US Events-
1. Texas Military Dept seizes control of park, blocks Border Patrol from entering, as part of anti-illegal immigration efforts: The state government has taken control of Shelby Park in the city of Eagle Pass, Texas, which has been at the center of the migrant crisis that has engulfed the U.S. border. Authorities have now set up razor wire and fences to block off the area.(Fox)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Bitcoin ETFs make case for US crypto regulation: Sen. Lummis: On Wednesday, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wy.) noted that SEC-sanctioned crypto funds allow expanded access for investors who "want exposure to bitcoin but are reluctant to self-custody" of digital assets. With traditional finance embracing crypto's "long-term benefits," she says that "helps make the case" for more policy guardrails in the crypto space.(Yahoo)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. South Dakota Bill Would Exclude CBDC from State Definition of Money: A bill filed in the South Dakota Senate would expressly exclude a CBDC from the definition of money in the state, creating potentially significant roadblocks to its use as such in South Dakota. The bill was introduced as Senate Bill 58 (SB58) on Jan. 9. Similar legislation has already been signed as law in Indiana and Florida.(10th Amendment Center)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US bitcoin ETFs see $4.6 billion in volume in first day of trading: Eleven spot bitcoin ETFs - including BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT.O), Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC.P), and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB.Z), among others - began trading Thursday morning, kicking off a fierce competition for market share.
Grayscale, BlackRock and Fidelity dominated trading volumes, the LSEG data showed.
"Trading volumes have been relatively strong for new ETF products," said Todd Rosenbluth, strategist at VettaFi. "But this is a longer race than just a single day's trading.(Reuters)
2. Vanguard users threaten to close accounts after firm blocks spot Bitcoin ETFs: Vanguard said it won’t offer the new spot Bitcoin ETFs on its brokerage platform as they do not align with its traditional offerings. Spot Bitcoin ETFs were also reportedly not currently available for purchase on the brokerage platforms of Citi, Merill Lynch, Edward Jones and UBS.(CoinTelegraph)
3. CoinShares Exercises Option to Buy Bitcoin ETF Provider Valkyrie to Add U.S. Arm: CoinShares, based in Jersey, England, secured the option on Valkyrie Funds in November and said on Friday the decision to exercise it was a direct result of the US SEC's approval of the listing of spot bitcoin ETFs, including Valkyrie's Bitcoin Fund (BRRR).(CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Inflation Edged Up in December: The consumer-price index increased 3.4% from a year earlier in December, the Labor Department said Thursday. The acceleration from November’s 3.1% advance shows inflation isn’t fully beaten. The December reading is well down from a 6.5% rise at the end of 2022, and inflation-adjusted wages rose 0.8% last year.(WSJ)
2. Companies Aren’t Done Cutting White-Collar Jobs: Companies including Amazon, Google and BlackRock this month have announced plans to trim their workforces. Some of the companies now cutting jobs conducted larger-scale layoffs over the past year.(WSJ)
-Technological Updates-
NSTR
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Telcoin Restores User Balances After Exploit, Records 400% Increase in Deposits: Telcoin has restored all user balances just weeks after an exploit that resulted in $1.2 million worth of funds being transferred out of some users' accounts. The issue apparently resulted from a fault in the interaction between Telcoin’s digital wallet and a proxy contract that incorrectly performed certain storage functions.(CoinDesk)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 71/100 (Down 5 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The response attack against the Houthi in Yemen open up yet another conflict for the US. Following Israel's response to the Hamas attacks, the US has now conducted strikes in Syria, Iraq and now Yemen in support of Israel. The fact that President Biden and the UK Prime Minister Sunak did not gather congressional/parliamental support before conducting strikes is being condemned within thier own countries. Although considered strategically necessary to thwart Iranian proxies worldwide, this campaign is not garnering political support at home. Most Americans do not understand the proxy system in place by Iran, and therefore the US reason for many of these strikes. This does not bode well politically for the current administration.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
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*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 825,308
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 11Jan24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: 11 Bitcoin ETFs approved, start trading today / UN Opens Court against Israel for genocide charges / Oil tanker diverted to Iran
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $47,420, 23.28oz Gold
24hr Hi: $47,647 / Lo: $44,483
Vol: $51.6B (Up 30%)
Mkt Cap: $927B (Up 5%)
HashRate: 644 EH/s
Avg Fees: 68,343 sats/tx (Up 220%)
Nodes: 17,683
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israel faces genocide charges at World Court: Israel faced accusations at the World Court(UN) on Thursday of genocide in its war in Gaza, as the first residents returned to northern areas where Israeli forces have begun withdrawing, leaving behind scenes of total devastation. The case, brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 genocide convention, enacted in the wake of the mass murder of Jews in the Holocaust, which mandates all countries to ensure such crimes are never repeated.(Reuters)
2. Armed, Uniformed Men Divert Oil Tanker to Iranian Waters: The UK said at least four men wearing black military uniforms and black masks boarded the ship early Thursday in waters between the coasts of Oman and Iran. UKMTO said the seized ship was being diverted to Iranian waters.(WSJ)
3. IMF unlocks $4.7bn for Argentina amid economic crisis, Milei austerity cuts: “Understandings were reached on a strengthened set of policies to restore macroeconomic stability and bring the current program back on track,” the IMF said in a statement on Wednesday. With this deal, Argentina’s new President Javier Milei, who took power in December and inherited a deep social, economic and financial crisis, puts back on track a $44bn bailout package with the IMF that dates back to 2018. (AlJazeera) (AC-IMF deals are often heavy-handed and have historically been negative for Bitcoin accomodation within host countries. With IMF debt loads in Argentina, Milei may not have much room for his libertarian objectives)
-US Events-
1. Republican debate: Five takeaways as Haley and DeSantis face off: 1) Neither candidate held back 2) They went after Trump's record 3) They clashed on immigration 4) Ukraine was a flashpoint 5) DeSantis got more cheers, but Haley claimed victory (BBC)
2. Republican Chris Christie suspends presidential bid: The former New Jersey governor Chris Christie has suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, he announced on Wednesday evening. “It is clear to me tonight that there is not a path to win the nomination,” he said at a town hall in Windham, New Hampshire.(Guardian)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Blockchain Association letter to Elizabeth Warren: Crypto Can Potentially Disrupt or Compete With ‘Too Big to Fail’ Banks: The Blockchain Association has rejected U.S. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren’s claims that former security officials collaborating with it seek to weaken the country’s “ability to catch and prosecute America’s enemies.” According to the nonprofit organization, ex-U.S. security officials chose to join the Blockchain Association because they “value freedom and creativity, sovereignty of the individual, and permissionless innovation.” The letter also read, “For this reason, it is far better to build the next generation of financial technology on public blockchains than it is to continue patching opaque legacy systems that have already proven wholly insufficient at combating money laundering and terrorist financing.”(Bitcoincom)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. European Central Bank allocates over $700m to propel offline digital euro development: The ECB is allocating over $700 million from its $1.3 billion contract budget for contractors to develop offline payment capabilities for a retail digital euro. In its search for providers offering various services such as risk management, information security, and user application, the ECB disclosed its intention to assign up to 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) to eligible contractors.
As approximately 100 global economies contemplate launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to transition into the digital era and rival private cryptocurrencies, the European Union, encompassing 27 nations, is notably keen on developing its own CBDC.(Cyrptonews)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs Secure Approval Exactly 15 Years After Hal Finney’s Iconic ‘Running Bitcoin’ Tweet: "Running bitcoin,” were the words of legendary cypherpunk Hal Finney on Jan. 11, 2009, shortly before becoming the first person to download and receive bitcoin (BTC) two days later. On Wednesday, exactly 15 years after Finney’s tweet, bitcoin got its first spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) approved by the U.S. SEC. Approved ETF providers include financial giants BlackRock (BLK) and Fidelity, while crypto native fund Grayscale’s popular Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) has been uplisted as an ETF as well. Fees on these products range from zero for the first few months (at ARK, Bitwise and Invesco) to as much as 1.5% (at Grayscale).(CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
1. The US CPI report is due to be released at 0830EST today.
-Technological Updates-
1. Elon Musk weighs the pros and cons of Bitcoin on Mars: In a conversation with the CEO of ARK Invest, Cathie Wood, Musk initially expressed skepticism due to the extended settlement time required for Bitcoin transactions. “It would make sense to use some kind of cryptocurrency on Mars; you couldn’t use Bitcoin because the reconciliation is too long,” Musk remarked.(Cryptopolitan)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. SEC greenlights bitcoin ETFs even as hack sets off Washington alarms: The 'hack' on Tuesday faked out cryptocurrency investors with an errant post on the SEC’s X account, saying that the agency had approved about a dozen ETF applications. The SEC later rebutted the post’s authenticity and is investigating along with the FBI and an internal watchdog, according to a spokesperson for the regulator.(politico)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 76/100 (Up 3 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Following the SEC's approval of 11 BTC ETFs yesterday, trading in those ETFs will start today. Bloomberg estimates as much as $4B may flow into these ETFs on day 1, but nobody really knows what to expect since this is the first ETF not front-run by Wall Street insiders and Bitcoin is transparent compared to other assets. We can certainly expect manuever and manipulation to engineer large trading returns, so market caution is warranted and accountability sought daily.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
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*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 825,142
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 10Jan24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Ecuador descends into chaos, state of emergency declared / Houthis launch large attack in Red Sea / SEC X account 'hacked', sends out BTC ETF green light
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $44,648, 22.17oz Gold
24hr Hi: $47,893 / Lo: $44,648
Vol: $39.9B (Up 7.3%)
Mkt Cap: $881.5B (Down 4%)
HashRate: 504 EH/s
Avg Fees: 21,900 sats/tx (Down 25%)
Nodes: 17,688
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Ecuador declares war on armed gangs after TV station attacked on air: Ecuador's president has ordered that criminal gangs be "neutralised" after days of violence culminated in an attack on a television studio. Masked gunmen broke into public television channel TC's live studio during a broadcast, forcing staff to the floor. Police made 13 arrests following the attack, which injured two employees. At least 10 people have been killed since a 60-day state of emergency began in Ecuador on Monday. The emergency was declared after a notorious gangster vanished from his prison cell. It is unclear whether the incident at the TV studio in Guayaquil was related to the disappearance from a prison in the same city of the boss of the Choneros gang, Adolfo Macías Villamar, or Fito as he is better known.(BBC)
2. Houthis launch their largest Red Sea drone and missile attack, though no damage is reported: Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, forcing the United States and British navies to shoot down the projectiles in a major naval engagement, authorities said Wednesday. No damage was immediately reported.(AP)
3. U.S. and China keep a close watch as Taiwan heads to the polls: More than 19 million voters in Taiwan will head to the polls on Saturday to decide if the ruling Democratic Progressive Party should earn an unprecedented third consecutive presidential term — or if a leadership change is in order. On Tuesday, China launched a rocket into space that worried many in Taiwan, as the rocket went straight over the island.(CNBC)
-US Events-
1. Winter storm slams central and eastern US: An exceptionally powerful storm packing nearly every winter weather threat is tracking across the central and eastern US on Tuesday. The storm has left nearly 900,000 utility customers without power. Additionally, more than 1,300 flights were canceled and more than 8,700 flights were delayed on Tuesday(CNN)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Binance, KuCoin, Other Exchanges, Served Notice by Indian Government Removed From Apple’s App Store: Apple has removed Binance, KuCoin and other offshore cryptocurrency exchanges from its India app store days after nine entities were sent compliance show cause notices by the nation's government.(CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Nigeria cNGN stablecoin won’t launch in February after all: Nigeria’s first regulated stablecoin, the cNGN, will not be launching in February, the industry association behind its development has clarified.(CoinGeek)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Misleading SEC Post Triggers Significant Bitcoin Volatility: Bitcoin’s value experienced a turbulent Tuesday due to a rogue post from the SEC’s hijacked X account, mistakenly proclaiming the green light for all spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This erroneous message sparked a rapid increase in bitcoin’s price, soaring close to $48,000. Yet, this surge was short-lived as the price promptly dropped to around $45,000 once the market recognized the false nature of the announcement. Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty demanded clarity from the SEC, pointing to possible market manipulation.(Bitcoincom)
2. BlackRock And Ark 21Shares Lower Fees Further: BlackRock reduced fees from 0.30% to 0.25% for its spot Bitcoin ETF. BlackRock also announced 12-month fee waiver for early investors. Ark 21 Shares lowers fee from 0.25% to 0.21% for its spot Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). ARK announced a 6-month fee waiver for early participants.(CoinGape)
-Economic Indicators-
1. The number of high-paying job opportunities is dwindling: Americans hoping to secure a high-paying, remote job may be out of luck as the U.S. labor market loses steam, according to a new report. Findings published by job search platform Ladders found that the number of available six-figure hybrid job opportunities plummeted nearly 70% in the three-month period from October to December. High-paying remote jobs tumbled 12%.(FoxBusiness)
-Technological Updates-
1. Bitcoin Developer's Proposal to Stop 'Spam' NFTs Gets Shut Down: Luke Dashjr's technical proposal sounded innocuous enough: to make the popular Bitcoin Core software "effective with newer datacarrying styles." In reality, the effort represented a sophisticated but controversial plan to block the suddenly popular "inscriptions" known as "NFTs on Bitcoin." The proposal has been abruptly terminate without any action being taken, leading to claims of censorship by the lead proponent for the change.(CoinDesk)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 73/100 (Down 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): With open conflict in just about every continent, global security concerns are continuing to escalate. Ecuador's gang problem is a sign that smaller fiefdoms are trying to capture power while the Taiwanese continued struggle to maintain power from China highlights the never-ending struggle between centralized and de-centralized power. Similar to the economic and currency conflict our world is now re-entering, the decade ahead will continue to highight this fundamental struggle to push power higher or lower down the centralization spectrum.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 824,999
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 09Jan24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Trump seeks trial dismissal / Biden tightens regs on gig workers / BTC decouples from Nasdaq / 1 BTC being sent to the moon
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $46,402, 22.99oz Gold
24hr Hi: $47,218 / Lo: $44,736
Vol: $37.4B (Up 28%)
Mkt Cap: $907.1B (Up 2.7%)
HashRate: 510 EH/s
Avg Fees: 31,205 sats/tx (Up 1%)
Nodes: 17,548
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Russia detains U.S. citizen on drugs charges: Moscow's Ostankino District Court said that on Jan. 6 Robert Romanov Woodland had been remanded in custody until March 5 on charges relating to the illegal acquisition or possession of drugs. Woodland is a dual citizen of Russina the US, and was teaching English in Russia.(Reuters)
2. Gabriel Attal becomes France's youngest, first gay PM: France's president Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday named country's education minister Gabriel Attal with which the the 34-year-old became France's youngest and first openly gay head of government, news agency AFP reported after Elisabeth Borne resigned from the post.(Hindustan Times)
-US Events-
1. Trump seeks to dismiss Georgia election interference case based on presidential immunity: Former President Donald Trump's legal team on Monday filed multiple new motions in Georgia seeking to dismiss the Fulton County election interference case against him on grounds that include presidential immunity, which they say "shields him from criminal prosecution."(ABC)
2. US Supreme Court rejects X Corp's surveillance disclosure challenge: SCOTUS on Monday rejected a request by Elon Musk's X Corp to consider whether the social media company can publicly disclose how often federal law enforcement seeks information about users for national security investigations.(Reuters)
3. New Biden Administration Rule Seeks to Make More Gig Workers Employees: The Biden administration issued a new rule Tuesday intended to put more gig workers on company payrolls, a change that could reverberate across many industries, most notably at ride-share and food-delivery companies such as Uber and DoorDash. The rule, which will go into effect in March, would impose a stricter test to determine whether companies can classify their workers as independent contractors. It would replace a 2021 rule finalized by the Trump administration.(WSJ)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Digital asset regulatory clarity increasing, much to Binance’s dismay: Blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs released a new report Monday that suggests the ‘regulatory clarity’ that many blockchain-based operators claim to seek made significant progress last year and is poised for even greater strides in 2024. The report strikes a hopeful tone that establishing clear standards will reduce the rampant illicit activity that has prevented the digital asset sector from moving beyond the financial fringes.(CoinGeek)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Turkey’s CBDC trials enter 2nd phase. Decision is possible by year’s end. The central bank will conduct the second phase this year, after which it will decide whether to launch a digital lira. (leaderinsights)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. SEC Issues Fresh Comments On Bitcoin ETF S-1s: As the January 10 deadline for the approval of several spot Bitcoin ETF looms, the SEC has made a notable move by sending new comments on updated S-1 filings just hours after their submission. This swift response from the SEC has sparked a debate within the community about the potential implications for the approval timeline of Bitcoin ETFs.(Bitcoinist)
2. Bitcoin Decouples From Nasdaq Amid ETF Speculation: The 40-day correlation between bitcoin and Nadaq now stands at zero, indicating a lack of relationship between the asset classes, according to data tracked by research provider Fairlead Strategies.(CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
1. JPMorgan raises alarms over the U.S. economy: JPMorgan has issued a severe warning about the U.S. economy and the dollar, highlighting a concerning $34 trillion national debt. The bank uses the ‘boiling frog’ metaphor to describe the gradual yet potentially catastrophic build-up of economic problems in the U.S. JPMorgan’s cautionary stance coincides with efforts by BRICS nations to challenge the dollar’s global dominance, adding to U.S. economic pressures.(Cryptopolitan)
-Technological Updates-
NSTR
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Elliptic Bolsters Public Sector Presence Amid Rising Demand for Crypto Intelligence: Blockchain analytics and data intelligence firm Elliptic is expanding its public sector practice to address the growing demand for crypto identity data from U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies.(CoinTrust) **(AC-US Law Enforcement continues to pursue intelligence on personal identities of crypto transactions worldwide. A burgeoning market of blockchain analysis for governments (not only US) will seek to DOX transaction participants and holders of crypto and bitcoin.)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Crypto Exchange Bitmex Sends Physical Bitcoin to the Moon — Expects to Land on Lunar Surface Next Month: “The bitcoin wallet in the shape of one coin will land on the Moon aboard the Peregrine spacecraft, making this the first financial asset to touch the lunar surface!” Bitmex detailed.(Bitcoincom)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 76/100 (Up 5 pts)
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
TC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 824,857
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 08Jan24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Israel targets another Hezbollah leader in Lebanon / US Congress strikes deal to avert shutdown / Nebraska bill to protect 'blockchain' / Yellen declares 'soft landing'
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $44,125, 22.19oz Gold
24hr Hi: $45,141 / Lo: $43,244
Vol: $28.9B (Up 77%)
Mkt Cap: $880.1B (Up 1.7%)
HashRate: 432 EH/s
Avg Fees: 31,365 sats/tx (Up 22%)
Nodes: 17,571
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israeli airstrike kills a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon: The Lebanese security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Israel struck a commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Forces, without giving his name. The strike hit a Honda SUV in the southern village of Khirbet Selm(AP)
2. China sanctions 5 US defense companies in response to US sanctions and arms sales to Taiwan: The sanctions will freeze any property the companies have in China and prohibit organizations and individuals in China from doing business with them, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted online. The companies are BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions.(AsahiShimbun)
3. German farmers blockade Berlin with tractors in subsidy row: Farmers in Germany have begun blockading roads in protest against subsidy cuts, with some 200 tractors parked by Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.The subsidy cuts were designed to fix a budget crisis after a court ruled the government's 2024 budget was illegal, but the cuts have backfired and there are fears the ensuing row could feed the far right's popularity.(BBC)
-US Events-
1. Congressional leaders announce spending deal as shutdown threat looms: House and Senate leaders on Sunday announced a spending deal for government funding in 2024, averting a shutdown later this month even as that threat still looms. The topline numbers agreed to include $1.59 trillion for fiscal year 2024, with $886 billion for defense spending and $704 in non-defense spending. They also agreed to a $69 billion side deal in adjustments that will go toward non-defense domestic spending.(CNN)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. 'Blockchain Basics Act' Lands in Nebraska, 13 States to Introduce Crypto Legislation in 2024: The Blockchain Basics Act, a bill that seeks to protect several blockchain-based activities from being outlawed by the U.S. government, has been introduced in Nebraska. Sponsored by Sen. Eliot Bolstar, the bill is similar to the one introduced in Missouri recently, and 11 more states are expected to introduce similar regulations this year, according to the Satoshi Action Fund.(BitcoinCom)
2. South Korea To Introduce Virtual Assets Distribution & Listing Regulation: According to the report, Ahn Byeong-nam, head of the Digital Asset Research Team at the FSS, disclosed during a policy discussion that the guidelines encompass issuance volume, circulation, and listing standards.(CoinGape)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. BlackRock, Other Potential Bitcoin ETF Providers Reveal Fees: BlackRock said its fee will start at 0.20%, rising to 0.30%. Fidelity listed a 0.39% fee, while Cathie Wood's investment firm ARK and asset manager VanEck both announced fees of 0.25%. Bitwise announces 0.24%.(CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Declares 'Soft Landing' Reached, Americans Recovering Optimism: Janet Yellen, U.S. Treasury Secretary and former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, believes that the recent improvements in the American economy show that the country has achieved a soft landing. For Yellen, the recent low figures of inflation and the strength of the labor market are signs of this scenario.(Bitcoincom)
-Technological Updates-
NSTR
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. North Korean Hackers: A Digital Asset Pilferage of Over $500 Million in 2023: According to the findings, DPRK-linked hackers managed to siphon off $600 million worth of cryptocurrency throughout the course of last year. Alarming indicators towards the end of December suggest that the actual total might soar even higher, potentially reaching $700 million.(CoinTrust)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Payments Skyrocket As Merchant Numbers Triple To Over 6,000 Worldwide: Last year, there was a substantial surge in the global count of merchants actively embracing crypto payments, marking a notable 300% increase, as reported by BTC Map(Bitcoinist)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 71/100 (Down 1 pt)
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
Episode 26 is🔥🔥🔥
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 824,474
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 05Jan24
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: North Korea saber-rattling / Epstein docs continue to be released / SEC met with US exchanges concerning BTC ETF / EU inflation rises
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $43,933, 21.54oz Gold
24hr Hi: $44,770 / Lo: $42,784
Vol: $34.9B (Down .9%)
Mkt Cap: $860.9B (Up 1.3%)
HashRate: 533 EH/s
Avg Fees: 26,432 sats/tx (Up 18%)
Nodes: 17,234
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. North Korea Fires Artillery Barrage Toward Border Islands in the South: North Korea fired 200 rounds in the waters north of their western sea boundary on Friday morning. It was North Korea’s first front-line maritime firing exercise in about a year. In response, South Korea had its own troops fire artillery rounds south of the sea boundary later Friday(AP) (AC-This provocation follows a week of NK saber-rattling and is consistent with it's past actions to garner international attention)
2. Houthis launch sea drone to attack ships hours after US, allies issue final warning: An armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a “couple of miles” of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating on Thursday, just hours after the White House issued a final warning to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action.(AP)
3. Iran’s Raisi promises retaliation at funeral for victims of twin bombings: The attack claimed by ISIL (ISIS) took place in Kerman on Wednesday during a memorial for top commander Qassem Soleimani.(AlJezeera)
-US Events-
1. Jeffrey Epstein: Recruitment of girls detailed in second document batch: A second batch of court papers linked to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein shows how dozens of girls were recruited at his beachfront mansion using "modeling" as a cover.(BBC)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. China plays key role in WTO digital trade talks: In December, 90 WTO member economies began talks within the WTO concerning digital trade. The participating parties will continue discussions on key topics such as duty-free electronic transmissions, electronic payments, telecommunication services and the provision of information and communication technology products that use cryptography, the official said, noting that participants will strive to conclude negotiations in a timely manner in 2024.(ChinaDaily)
2. South Korea Regulator Seeks Ban on Crypto Purchases With Credit Cards: South Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) has proposed a ban on using credit cards to purchase cryptocurrency, citing concerns "illegal outflow of domestic funds overseas."(CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Indonesia’s central bank eye CBDC trial for 2024: Bank Indonesia (BI) has confirmed plans to move ahead with exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in 2024, with full-scale trials in partnership with leading commercial banks.(CoinGeek)
2. European Central Bank lays out €1.3bn plan for development of digital euro: The central bank said it would seek partners for five separate initiatives. developing offline payments tops the budget with €662 million, followed by risk and fraud management with a €237 million framework.(DLNews)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. SEC Meeting With Exchanges to Discuss Spot Bitcoin ETFs: The U.S. SEC’s staff attorneys from the Division of Trading and Markets reportedly held meetings with officials from major exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq, and Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), on Wednesday to discuss the expected approval of Bitcoin ETFs.(FoxBusiness)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Europe’s inflation is up after months of decline. It could mean a longer wait for interest rate cuts: Inflation plaguing Europe rose to 2.9% in December, rebounding after seven straight monthly declines as food prices rose and support for high energy bills ended in some countries. The rise in price levels is casting doubt on predictions for speedy interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank. (AP)
-Technological Updates-
NSTR
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 72/100 (Up 4 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Folllowing SEC's meeting with US exchanges this week, a BTC ETF could be announced as soon as today, with trading starting as soon as next week.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 824,317
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 04Jan24
Prcedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Bomb blasts in Iran honoring slain Commander kill dozens / Epstein client files partially released / Business transfers of $10K of crypto must notify IRS
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $43,418, 21.13oz Gold
24hr Hi: $43,475 / Lo: $42,125
Vol: $36B (Down 8.5%)
Mkt Cap: $849.1B (Up 2.8%)
HashRate: 555 EH/s
Avg Fees: 21,946 sats/tx (Even)
Nodes: 17,704
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Iran blast kills dozens: Two bombs exploded and killed at least 84 people at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain by the U.S. in a 2020 drone strike, Iranian officials said, as the Middle East remains on edge over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.(AP)
2. Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles: a step that would enhance Moscow’s ability to target Ukraine’s infrastructure at a critical moment in the conflict, U.S. officials said. Moscow in recent weeks has also begun receiving ballistic missiles from North Korea(WSJ)
-US Events-
1. Epstein client list partially released: Dozens of previously sealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein were made public late Wednesday, as a court releases more records from a years-old lawsuit connected to the late financier. The first 40 documents, of around 250 expected to eventually be unsealed, largely mention figures whose names were already known, including high-profile friends of Epstein’s and victims who have spoken publicly.(AP)
2. The US DOJ filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Texas to stop state officials from having illegal aliens arrested and deported. Last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed three pieces of legislation into law, including giving state law enforcement the power to arrest illegal aliens for the crime of illegally crossing the United States-Mexico border and local judges the authority to have illegal aliens deported.(Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. New US regulation requires reporting of all crypto transactions over $10,000 to IRS: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by the US Congress in November 2021, introduced a new provision into the Tax Code. Anyone receiving over $10,000 in cryptocurrency in their trade or business must report the transaction to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) within 15 days. (Crytobriefing)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. European Central Bank (ECB) Advances Digital Euro Development With Rulebook Review: The apex body underlined that since its last update in June 2023, they have outlined the mechanics of the digital euro’s services and use cases while defining the rights and obligations of the members under the draft legislation.(Coingape)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Goldman Sachs Eyeing Bitcoin ETF Role Via BlackRock and Grayscale: The company is in talks to be an authorized participant, or AP, for the ETFs, according to sources who requested anonymity. That's one of the most important jobs in the multi-trillion-dollar ETF industry, a role that involves creating and redeeming ETF shares to ensure the products trade in lockstep with their underlying assets.(CoinDesk)
2. Citi Alumni Unveil Bitcoin Depositary Reserves With SEC Approval-Free Rollout: Notably, the new securities, Bitcoin depository receipts, are peculiarly similar to the American depositary receipts representing foreign stocks. Furthermore, the startup Receipts Depositary Corporation (RDC) seems to be setting its sights on unveiling the initial Bitcoin depositary receipts for qualified global institutional investors, unburdening itself from registrations under the Securities Act of 1933. (Coingape)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Job openings fall in November to fresh 2-year low: The Labor Department said Wednesday there were 8.79 million job openings in November, a decrease from the upwardly revised 8.85 million openings reported the previous month. Economists surveyed by Refinitiv expected a reading of 8.85 million.(Fox)
2. Fed meeting minutes indicate interest rate cuts could be coming in 2024: Minutes from the U.S. central bank's Dec. 12-13 meeting released Wednesday showed that officials are mostly optimistic about the path of inflation, and expect to begin reducing rates sometime this year. (Fox)
-Technological Updates-
NSTR*
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Radiant Capital Loses Digital Assets Worth $4.5 Million After Flash Loan Attack: Radiant Capital, a decentralized finance (defi) platform, confirmed on Jan. 3, 2023, that it fell victim to an attack which saw the “protocol accruing bad debt in the WETH market, totaling about 1.3% of total protocol TVL” or $4.5 million. Radiant Capital has urged the hackers to establish contact with the defi platform before law enforcement is brought in.(bitcoincom) (AC-Don't S#$%Coin)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR*
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 68/100 (Down 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): With the release of the December Fed minutes, it's clear the governors believe inflation has been tamed, while employment begins to weaken. This opens the door for lowering interest rates and possible increases in money supply. The timing is coincident with the upcoming presidential elections which should prove to be exciting, to say the least.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 824,163
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 03Jan24
Prcedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: BTC drops 10% due to negative tweet / Hamas leader killed by Israel in Beirut / US National Dept is over $34T
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $42,673, 21.92oz Gold
24hr Hi: $45,503 / Lo: $40,813
Vol: $41.5B (Up 23%)
Mkt Cap: $834.8B (Down 6.3%)
HashRate: 538 EH/s
Avg Fees: 21,386 sats/tx (down 9%)
Nodes: 17,487
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Top Hamas Leader Killed in Suspected Israeli Strike in Beirut: A suspected Israeli attack targeted a Hamas gathering in Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least seven members of the Palestinian militant group, including one of its most influential founding members, according to Lebanese and Palestinian security officials, sending shock waves through the Middle East and bringing weekslong hostage negotiations to a halt.(WSJ)
2. Maersk Pauses Transit Through Red Sea Until Further Notice After Attack on Ship: Danish shipping giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk said it will pause all transit through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until further notice following the attack on its vessel Maersk Hangzhou on Dec. 30.(WSJ)
-US Events-
1. Crypto Platform MatrixPort tweets speculation of SEC Non-Approval of all ETFs in January, BTC Price drops from $45,500 to $41,000 in minutes: MatrixPort is a CryptoCurrency Platform headquarted in Singapore and has daily crypto volume at over $5B. Earlier this week MatrixPort analysts posited a $50K price target for BTC based on SEC approval for all ETFs here in the US. Today at at approximately 6am EST, they tweeted a projection of rejection of all ETFs in January, causing a sharp sell-off of BTC. The USD Price went from approx $45,300 to $41,000 within minutes, bouncing back to $42,308 as for 0740EST.(AllSource)
2. US national debt hits record $34 trillion as Congress gears up for funding fight: The federal government’s gross national debt has surpassed $34 trillion, a record high that foreshadows the coming political and economic challenges to improve America’s balance sheet in the coming years.(AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
NSTR*
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
NSTR*
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Michael Saylor Commences Plan to Sell $216M Worth of MicroStrategy Stock Options: Saylor said during Microstrategy's Q3 earnings call that he plans to sell 5,000 shares per trading day over the course of the next four months. "Exercising this option will allow me to address personal obligations as well as acquire additional bitcoin (BTC) to my personal account," Saylor said(CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
NSTR*
-Technological Updates-
NSTR*
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR*
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin premium on Coinbase has shot up alongside the latest rally: The “Coinbase Premium Gap” is an indicator that keeps track of the difference between the Bitcoin prices listed on cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase and Binance.(Bitcoinist)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 70/100 (Down 1 pt)
Analyst Comments (AC): Anticipation of the SEC approval for BTC ETF is high, resulting in a significant selloff on a negative speculation tweet by MaxiPort this morning.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BRC Special Intelligence Bulletin
Block: 824,157
DTG/ICOD: 0745EST 03Jan24
Prcedence: Immediate
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Crypto Platform MatrixPort tweets speculation of SEC Non-Approval of all ETFs in January, BTC Price drops from $45,500 to $41,000 in minutes
---Reports---
MatrixPort is a CryptoCurrency Platform headquarted in Singapore and has daily crypto volume at over $5B. Earlier this week MatrixPort analysts posited a $50K price target for BTC based on SEC approval for all ETFs here in the US. Today at at approximately 6am EST, they tweeted a projection of rejection of all ETFs in January, causing a sharp sell-off of BTC. The USD Price went from approx $45,300 to $41,000 within minutes, bouncing back to $42,308 as for 0740EST.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
Bitcoin Veterans will be LIVE Wednesday at 7pm ET with guest Joel Lambert
Joel is a Navy Seal and the star of Manhunt where he evades capture from security forces from around the world
Kick off 2024 with us and
#GetOnTheMission
https://nostrcheck.me/media/public/nostrcheck.me_9434896172585914191704206677.webp
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 824,010
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 02Jan24
Prcedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Japan earthquake kills 48+ / JAL plane collides with smaller plane at Haneda / SBF won't face second trial / Anticipation of a BTC EFT builds
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $45,449, 21.92oz Gold
24hr Hi: $45,899 / Lo: $42,594
Vol: $33.5B (Up 120%)
Mkt Cap: $890.2B (Up 6.5%)
HashRate: 499 EH/s
Avg Fees: 29,019 sats/tx (Up 25%)
Nodes: 17,538
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. 5 crew on Coast Guard plane dead after collision with JAL jet at Haneda Aiport: A Japan Airlines plane has caught fire at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Firefighters are extinguishing the blaze. The plane is Flight 516 from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido to Tokyo's Haneda Airpor and collided with what appears to be a Japan Coast Guard aircraft after landing. The airline official says all 379 passengers and crew evacuated safely. (NHK)
2.48 confirmed dead in Ishikawa after New Year’s Day earthquake in central Japan: As of 3:30 p.m., the prefecture had confirmed the deaths of: 20 people in Suzu; 19 in Wajima; five in Nanao; two in Anamizu; one in Hakui; and one in Shika following the powerful earthquake that rattled the Noto region on New Year’s Day, the prefectural government said Jan. 2. Up to 27,785 residents have sought shelter at evacuation centers and officials lifted all tsunami advisories issued for the Sea of Japan coast.(AsahiShimbun)
3. Leaders from emerging economies are visiting China for the ‘Belt and Road’ forum: More than a dozen leaders from Africa, Asia and the Mideast were flying into Beijing on Monday, following the arrivals of Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Sunday. Others, including Russian President Putin, are coming on Tuesday. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, a signature policy of President Xi Jinping, Chinese companies have built ports, roads, railways, power plants and other infrastructure around the world in a bid to boost trade and economic growth. (AP)
-US Events-
1. Over 200 Vets, Active Duty Forces Vow to Hold Military Leaders Accountable for COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate: More than 200 military veterans, active-duty members, former officials, and military spouses released an open letter on January 1 in which they vowed to do everything in their power to hold senior military leaders responsible for forcing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on troops.(Breitbart)
2. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has outlined his plan to shut down the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) if he is elected President. “56% of the bureau that are professional bureaucrats should be fired immediately,” he stressed, adding that 44% of FBI employees are special agents and intelligence analysts who “should be reassigned to serve under the narrow focus of other federal law enforcement agencies doing the same specialist work.”(Bitcoincom)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Won't Face Second Criminal Trial, U.S. Prosecutors Say: The lawyers said much of the evidence they planned to introduce in the second trial was already introduced in the first case and can be considered in the sentencing planned for March 2024.(CoinDesk) (AC- This move ensures recipients of SBF's donations will not encounter a judicial/media spotlight)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has met its target of hitting a million daily transactions in the retail segment of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) by the end of 2023. The RBI, which launched the pilot project for the retail e-rupee on December 1, 2022, has been looking to push volumes of the digital currency so that it can learn more about how the public uses it. In recent weeks, commercial banks have even offered incentives such as cash-backs to promote the use of the retail CBDC and sign up new users.(MoneyControl)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin Spot ETF Anticipation Boosts BTC Price to Nearly $46K in Strong Start to 2024: Speculation has been growing that regulatory approval for a U.S.-based spot bitcoin ETF is coming this week.(CoinDesk)
-Economic Indicators-
NSTR*
-Technological Updates-
NSTR*
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Over $80 Million Stolen in Orbit Chain Exploit, Assets 'Remain Unmoved': Orbit Chain said that it would use "all available methods" to recover the stolen funds, which have yet to be moved by the attacker. The project had identified approximately $84.5 million held across multiple wallet addresses belonging to the attacker. The stolen funds total 26,741.6 ETH held across five addresses with just under $20 million worth of the stablecoin DAI held in another three addresses. (decryptco)
2. Media giant Cox Media Group has come under scrutiny after boasting about its “Active Listening” technology, which allegedly enables marketers to eavesdrop on conversations through smartphones, TVs and other devices: In a document written by CMG’s VP of digital strategy, the company states, “Yes, our phones are listening to us,” and CMG boasts of its technical capabilities to leverage this for business advantage. This claim contradicts the common consensus in the tech community, which generally denies such possibilities. Notably, Facebook had to publicly refute similar allegations previously.(FastCompany)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Miners Offload $129M BTC in Day, Sending Reserves to the Lowest Point Since May: A slump in miner reserves indicates potential selling pressure. (CryptoQuant)
2.Five Bitcoin mining pools dominated 2023 with 84% of total blocks: Foundry, Antpool, F2pool, Viabtc, and Binance Pool stood out as the primary mining pools, collectively responsible for the discovery of 45,707 block rewards throughout the year. Luxor, with 1,311 blocks (2.43%), btc.com with 978 blocks (1.81%), and Braiins Pool capturing 894 blocks (1.66%) added to the diversity of significant contributors.(Cryptopolitan)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 71/100 (Up 6 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Anitcipaton continues to increase for an announcement from the SEC concerning ETF approval this week. Any number of scenarios may result, and effects of many of them are still unclear. A study of the mechanics of supply and demand suggest a probable bump in USD price initially, followed by short-term profit taking, followed by a continued and steady price rise while institutional money flows into the market. Add to this the halving, continued decline of the USD as a world reserve currency, and 2024 looks promising for BTC holders. Wisdom would sugest prudence and strong security protocols around any Bitcoin investments, holdings and communications BEFORE what may turn out to be a chaotic year.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 823,420
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 29DEC23
Prcedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Russina pounds Ukraine / Maine drops Trump off the ballot / Fatwa say Bitcoin is OK
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $42,861, 20.74oz Gold
24hr Hi: $42,963 / Lo: $42,216
Vol: $23.226B (Down 3.9%)
Mkt Cap: $839.1B (even)
HashRate: 580 EH/s
Avg Fees: 17,481 sats/tx (down 68%)
Nodes: 16,202
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Russia fires 122 missiles and 36 drones in what Ukraine calls the biggest aerial barrage of the war: The attack killed at least 18 civilians across the country in what an air force official said was the biggest aerial barrage of the 22-month war. The Ukrainian air force intercepted 87 of the missiles and 27 of the Shahed-type drones overnight, Ukraine’s military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said. (AP)
2.Thousands of Palestinians flee central Gaza as Israeli troops advance: An estimated 150,000 Palestinians are being forced to flee areas of central Gaza, the UN has said, as Israeli forces advance on refugee camps there.(BBC)
3. Nigeria: Christmas Massacre Death Toll Hits 195, 10,000 Displaced, More Than 1,000 Homes Burned Down: Local authorities in Plateau state, Nigeria, updated the death toll of a presumed jihadist massacre of Christians beginning on Christmas Eve to 195 people on Thursday, warning that the arduous search for bodies in the bush continues and will likely add to the catastrophic number of lives lost(AP/Brietbart)
-US Events-
1. Maine Becomes Second State to Bar Trump From 2024 Primary Ballot: Maine’s secretary of state cites the Capitol riot in her decision, and the second time a state knocked the Republican former president off its ballot and escalating a national legal effort to disqualify him from office.(WSJ)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Bitcoin Gets Green Light in Islamic Fatwa: The recent Fatwa of Al-Allamah Abdulrahman Al-Barrak (Sunni Cleric, aged 90+) gives approval to the legitimacy of Bitcoin within the framework of Islamic finance.(CoinMarketCap)
2. India to Block URLs of 9 Offshore Exchanges Including Binance After Issuing Compliance 'Show Cause' Notices: Binance, KuCoin, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, Bittrex, Bitstamp, MEXC Global and Bitfinex are the nine exchanges. The government has also taken the first steps to block the URLs of "said entities that are operating illegally without complying with the provisions of the PMLA (AML Law) in India."(CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Bank Indonesia Gears Up for 2024 Trial of Digital Rupiah, a Blockchain-Backed CBDC: BI has announced its firm commitment to conducting a trial for the digital rupiah, the CBDC, in 2024. BI Governor Perry Warjiyo outlined the plan to utilize blockchain technology for the development of a digital Indonesian currency, aiming for wholesale interbank settlement to commence next year.(CoinTrust)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR*
-Economic Indicators-
1. Lavrov Highlights 30 Nations' Interest in BRICS as China-Saudi Pact Poses Challenge to US Dollar: In a recent statement by Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, he noted that the BRICS bloc is set to expand in 2024 with new members including the UAE, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. He revealed that approximately “30 countries would like to establish partner ties with BRICS.” Additionally, as November drew to a close, China and Saudi Arabia forged a currency swap agreement valued at 50 billion yuan ($6.93 billion), which some interpret as Xi Jinping’s move to contest the supremacy of the U.S. dollar.(BitcoinCom)
-Technological Updates-
NSTR*
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. Crypto Exchange Catalyx Suspends Trading, Withdrawals Following 'Security Breach': The Canadian exchange suffered a security break earlier this month, resulting in the loss of an unknown amount of customer funds. (CoinDesk)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Worth $1B Leaves Exchanges in Largest Single-Day Outflow in 12 Months: On Wednesday, just over 28,000 BTC worth $1.19 billion left centralized exchanges, the largest single-day outflow in BTC terms since Dec. 14, 2022, according to analytics firm Glassnode.(CoinDesk) (AC-withdrawls like this are often attributed to entities desiring to hold BTC for a longer-term period through self-custody)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 65/100 (Down 8 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): As US hegonomy continues to wane, other countries will look to pick up the power that comes with economic, political, military and social leadership. According to Economist Stephanie Pomboy, the US demise is "really upon us" and Washington is "sleeping through it" (on Tucker Carlson show). The move of BRICS to alternative forms of international settlement and the increasing interest of other conntries to manuever to a "post-US dollar" system is already leading to instability in markets and geopolitics. Countries must make a decsion how global trade will occur, how to control local and regional economies, and transact. 2024 will most likely be a year of foundational change and instability.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 823,269
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 28DEC23
Prcedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: India's attempt to de-dollarize falters / NK's Kim is ready for war / Saylor buys more BTC
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $42,913, 20.71oz Gold
24hr Hi: $43,804 / Lo: $42,782
Vol: $24.187B (Down 11.5%)
Mkt Cap: $838.150B (Down .26%)
HashRate: 408 EH/s
Avg Fees: 61,032 sats/tx (down 1%)
Nodes: 17,284
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. India's De-Dollarization Push Flounders as Oil Suppliers Cite Rupee Repatriation Concerns: The Indian Oil Ministry recently acknowledged that the country’s push to pay for oil with rupees has failed because suppliers are not sure if they will be able to repatriate their funds. The decision is intended to help diminish India’s reliance on the U.S. dollar when settling its cross-border obligations. (Bitcoincom) (AC-Any thorough study in world trade leads to understanding that a worldwide acceptance of currency is necessary. The US dollar has held this position since WW2 and India's attempt to change this prematurely is unsound. The possible eventuality of a new global currently (Bitcoin) for world trade is much more likely in the next decade.)
2.North Korea’s Kim vows to bolster war readiness to repel US-led confrontations: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for bolstered war readiness to repel what he said were unprecedented United States-led confrontational moves, state media reported Thursday, as rival South Korea vowed a stern retaliation against any provocations by the North.(AP)
-US Events-
1. Colorado Republicans appeal against Donald Trump's 2024 ballot ban: The appeal means he will remain for now on the ballot for the Colorado primary.(BBC)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Indonesian Crypto Exchanges Must Register With New Bourse or Face Shutdown: The government wants to use the national crypto bourse to make the ecosystem safer and gather transaction data for tax purposes. Currently classified as commodities, crypto has been subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) and Income Tax (PPh) since May. But if crypto assets are considered securities, taxes might be reduced(CoinDesk)
2. Nigeria Lifting Ban on Bank Accounts for Crypto Firms Could Lead to Usage 'Surge': The Central Bank of Nigeria reversed its prohibition on local banks and financial institutions serving crypto firms in a move that is likely to spur the use of cryptocurrencies in one of the world's fastest adopters of digital assets.(CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
NSTR*
-Institutional Concerns-
1. MicroStrategy Buys $615M Worth Additional BTC, Pushing Holdings to $5.9B: MSTR used almost all of its recent at-the-market shares sales to buy an additional 14,620 bitcoin, for a total of 189,150 BTC. (CoinDesk)
2. Ark Invest Offloads GBTC Shares As Bitcoin Spot ETF Brews On Horizon: Ark Investment Management under the direction of Cathie Wood has of this week sold off its entire Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) holdings.(Bitcoinist)
-Economic Indicators-
NSTR*
-Technological Updates-
NSTR*
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR*
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR*
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 73/100 (even)
Analyst Comments (AC): Monitoring Bitcoin and crypto policies worldwide give us knowledge of the mechanics of adopting certain policies. When the Nigerian Central Bank learned since 2021 that banning crypto does not stop it's use, they eventually acquiesed and lifted the ban this week. Indonesia, on the other hand, is adopting a centralized (taxable) system like the US Commodities exhange (the CME). This allows cryptocurrency trading through exchanges, but it remains to be seen how it affects the P2P networks.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
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*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
This is for all the Bitcoin Veterans out there learning and developing alternative communication techniques and tactics
https://nostrcheck.me/media/public/nostrcheck.me_2143519314227422031703704518.webp
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 823,161
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 27DEC23
Prcedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US strikes back in Iraq / Barry Silbert resigns from Grayscale Board
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $42,931, 20.74oz Gold
24hr Hi: $43,208 / Lo: $41,676
Vol: $27.27B (Up 1%)
Mkt Cap: $839.013B (Down .27%)
HashRate: 477 EH/s
Avg Fees: 62,210 sats/tx (up 1%)
Nodes: 16,841
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US Forces strike suspected Hezollah targets in Northern Iraq: “Today, at President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq,” SECDEF Austin said in a statement on Monday. (Breitbart)
2. Russia exports almost all its oil to China and India - Novak Russia has successfully circumvented sanctions on its oil and diverted flows from Europe to China and India, which together accounted for around 90% of its crude exports(Pravda)
3. Israel-Gaza war will continue for months, IDF chief warns: Israel's war with Hamas militants in Gaza will continue for "many more months", Israel's army chief has said. "There are no magic solutions," Herzi Halevi told reporters. On Monday PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the campaign was "not close to being over".(BBC)
-US Events-
1. The Japanese government is set to provide the United States with the Patriot interceptor missiles owned by Japan's Self-Defense Forces: The government last Friday revised its guidelines on defense equipment transfers. This made it possible for Japan to export equipment manufactured domestically under license from a foreign firm to a country where the licenser is based.(NHK)(AC-The US is running low on Patriot missiles after sending them to Ukraine and it now resorting to buying some back from Japan)
2,Blizzard conditions and ice create treacherous travel across central US: A blizzard-fueling winter storm swept across the Plains and upper Midwest with heavy snow, freezing rain and strong winds, creating dangerous travel during the busy holiday week.(CNN)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. South Korea to Make Officials' Crypto Disclosures Public: Starting 2024, South Korea is making crypto and other asset holdings of approximately 5,800 public officials available to the public under new legislation aimed at increasing transparency.(coindesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
1. Minecraft to Integrate Worldcoin for ID Verification Purposes: Worldcoin, the biometric ID and digital wallet project, will now allow Minecraft server integration through one of its apps. A plugin called Luckperms, a Minecraft server mod, lets server admins tackle the bot problem by only giving access to the server to World ID-verified users.(Bitcoincom)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Grayscale refiles Bitcoin ETF application as Barry Silbert departs: Crypto asset manager Grayscale lodged an amended S-3 filing with the United States securities regulator on the same day Barry Silbert announced his resignation from Grayscale’s board of directors.(cointelegraph)
2. Hong Kong Paves the Way For Retail Investors To Dive Into Crypto ETFs: Hong Kong has opened the doors for retail investors to access exchange-traded funds (ETFs) directly linked to cryptocurrencies. The HK Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority jointly announced that they would authorize funds providing direct exposure to digital assets, including spot crypto ETFs (coingape)
-Economic Indicators-
NSTR*
-Technological Updates-
NSTR*
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
NSTR*
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Barry Silbert Resigns as Chairman of Grayscale Investments: Digital Currency Group (DCG) founder Barry Silbert has resigned from his position as the chairman of Grayscale Investments. Current DCG chief financial officer Mark Shifke succeeds Silbert and is joined by Edward McGee and Matthew Kummell as members of the new look board. (bitcoincom)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 73/100 (Up 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): It's a very slow news day (so far).
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
TC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 823,022
DTG/ICOD: 0800EST 26DEC23
Prcedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF:
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $42,791, 20.69oz Gold
24hr Hi: $43,765 / Lo: $42,321
Vol: $26.9B (Up 37.5%)
Mkt Cap: $837.17B (Down 1.4%)
HashRate: 515 EH/s
Avg Fees: 61,589 sats/tx (up 9%)
Nodes: 15,964
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Islamists worldwide target Christmas celebrations: Europe: Christian churches threatened, New York: Large groups of pro-palestinian protestors march near Rockefeller Center, Chicago Interstate near O'Hare, SECDEF Lloyd Austin's home and NATSEC Advisor Jake Sullivan's home. (DW, WSJ, AP, Breibart, Reuters)
(Analyst comment: Although noted separately in mulitiple reports, supporters of Palestininians or Hamas have used the Christian celebration of Christmas to target Europeans, city centers, and Biden administration officials with protesting and threats of violence. The efforts seem well-coordinated and specifically targeted.)
2. Iran-Backed Forces Widen Their Attacks on Commercial Shipping: The U.S. Navy said late Saturday that two more vessels had been attacked that day by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, bringing the number of commercial ships attacked to 15. The Pentagon said earlier in the day that a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean was struck by a drone launched directly from Iran, a claim Tehran denied.(WSJ)
3.Russia has confirmed one of its warships has been heavily damaged in a Ukrainian attack on a Black Sea port: The airstrike took place at Feodosiya in Russian-occupied Crimea early on Tuesday morning. Russia's Ministry of Defence said the large landing ship Novocherkassk was struck by Ukrainian aircraft carrying guided missiles.(BBC)
-US Events-
1. Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was the target of a swatting attempt at her Georgia residence on Christmas morning, the congresswoman and local police said, marking the latest instance of someone calling in a fake emergency to draw armed officers or SWAT teams to her home. She posted that this is 'about the 8th time that this has happened'. (AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange Cracks Down on $2.2 Billion Crypto Exchange Ring: The Chinese State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has cracked down on an underground bank that used crypto to offer illegal exchange services. The operation, which had over 1,000 bank accounts and a presence in 17 provinces, moved over 15.8 billion yuan ($2.2 billion) to purchase crypto on exchanges overseas and provide yuan exchanging services.(Bitcoincom)
2. Mt. Gox Appears to Have Started PayPal Repayments Tied to 2014 Bitcoin Hack: Almost 10 years after being hacked, the Mt. Gox crypto exchange appears to be starting to repay customers who lost 850,000 bitcoin (BTC) now valued around $36 billion.Some participants in the mtgoxinsolvency subreddit group said they had received payouts in yen over Paypal. Others, who’d chosen to receive cash into bank accounts, said they had not seen any inflows.(CoinDesk)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)-
NSTR*
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Blackrock Reveals Plan to Seed Spot Bitcoin ETF With $10 Million on January 3: The world’s largest asset manager has engaged in 6 recent meetings with the U.S. SEC to address its filing. In response to the SEC’s concerns, the firm has opted for the cash creation model, departing from its initial preference for the in-kind model.(Bitcoincom)
-Economic Indicators-
NSTR*
-Technological Updates-
NSTR*
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
1. MS Drainer Allows Criminals to Siphon Over $58 Million: A recent report from Scam Sniffer, an anti-scam platform used by several Web3 wallets, has revealed that a malware, called MS Wallet Drainer, has managed to siphon over $58 million from cryptocurrency holders. The tool attacks the cryptocurrency wallets (Ethereum, BNB, and other EVM chains and rollups) of victims using Google and X ads to infect their devices and drain them of any available funds and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).(Bitcoincom)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Over 70% of Bitcoin (BTC) Unmoved in Past Year Ahead of Spot ETF Call and Halving: data from Look Into Bitcoin indicates that an impressive 70% of all Bitcoin in circulation has not changed hands in over a year. The Bitcoin 1+ Year HODL Wave suggests that a substantial portion of the cryptocurrency’s holders are maintaining a long-term perspective, possibly in anticipation of major upcoming events.(blockchainreporter)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 71/100 (Down 3 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The protest/threats targeting of Christian or Jewish supporters on Christmas day is alarming, especially with noted worldwide coordination. Continued vigilance and security is needed as the threat may continue to grow throughout Israel's campaign in Gaza.
Follow us on NOSTR: nostr:npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report