The balance of Bitcoin on exchanges reaches a new all-time low.

Blackrock and other ETFs buy billions of BTC

The supply shock is real

⚡️🚨The $TRUMP memecoin as a means of payment?

You can now use your $TRUMP to buy watches, sneakers or perfumes featuring Trump on several websites.

GetTrumpWatchescom, GetTrumpFragrancescom and GetTrumpSneakerscom accept payment in $TRUMP, $BTC or Credit Card.

GM☕

Czech central bank meeting Thursday to vote on allocating up to 5% of reserves to Bitcoin 🤯

The United States can’t wait 6 months. We need to go now…

Delos: The Strategic Free Port and Its Impact on Ancient Mediterranean Trade

The tariff policy of the new US administration has brought trade issues back to the center of geopolitical debates. It is an attempt to nationalize economic advantages and it is as old as civilization, as the example of the Greek island of Delos shows.

The island of Delos, nestled in the heart of the Cyclades, was not just a sacred site in Greek mythology - it was a pivotal player in the geopolitical and economic dramas of the ancient Mediterranean. When the Romans declared Delos a free port in 166 BC, they set in motion a series of events that would dramatically alter the trade networks of the era. Here's how this strategic move played out.

Geopolitical Maneuvering

The Roman Senate's decision to free Delos from customs duties was a masterstroke in geopolitical strategy. Post their victory in the Third Macedonian War, Rome's aim was to diminish the influence of rivals like Rhodos, which had been a significant commercial power with its own free port status. By offering Delos as an alternative, Rome not only attracted merchants from across the Mediterranean but also strategically redirected the economic veins of the region away from Rhodos. This was not just about trade; it was about controlling the flow of wealth, influence, and by extension, political power in the Mediterranean.

Economic Repercussions

The immediate effect of Delos becoming a free port was a surge in its economic activity. Merchants, free from the burden of taxes, flocked to Delos, turning it into the busiest trading center of its time. The island saw an influx of goods from all corners of the known world—grain from Egypt, wines from Italy, slaves from the East, and luxury items like perfumes and spices. This economic boom transformed Delos into a cosmopolitan hub, where cultures, languages, and currencies mingled, echoing today's global cities.

However, this prosperity came at a cost. The sudden shift in trade routs led to the decline of other ports, notably Rhodos as mentioned, which lost its economic preeminence almost overnight (it was deeply embedded in the Athenian power structure).

But where's light there's always a rising shadow. Delos's rise was meteoric, but it also sowed the seeds of its own downfall. The sheer volume of wealth attracted piracy and military raids, notably during the Mithridatic Wars when the island was sacked, leading to its eventual decline as trade routes adjusted once again.

The Long-Term Legacy

The transformation of Delos from a religious sanctuary to an economic powerhouse illustrates the interplay between religion, politics, and economics in antiquity. The island's status as a free port not only reshaped trade but also influenced cultural exchanges and the spread of Hellenistic culture, as traders and settlers from various backgrounds came to live and work there.

In a broader sense, the story of Delos highlights how economic policies can serve as weapons in geopolitical strategies. It's a lesson in how quickly fortunes can change in a region where trade routes are the lifelines of power. Delos's history reflects the volatile nature of economic landscapes under the influence of imperial ambitions, a theme that resonates even in today's global trade dynamics.

Delos's brief but intense period as a free port showcases the complexities of ancient geopolitics, where economic might was as crucial as military prowess. To have anticipated the significance of the island of Delos in the eastern Mediterranean as a lever for local power speaks for the geopolitical competence of the Roman aristocracy during the heyday of its republic.

It would turn out that Rome developed the instruments and skills for later empire-building after overcoming the civil war and the internal crisis using examples such as Delos, thus working to create the Europe of the ancient world that would later transition into the Middle Ages.

#Delos #nostr #nostrlearn #bitcoin #history #rome #greece #europe #Geopolitics #culture

THE DECAPOLIS

In the 1st century BC, the Roman general Pompey the Great marched through the eastern Mediterranean, reshaping the political landscape. As his legions swept through the region, he encountered a collection of Greek cities, each with its own unique culture and history.

Rather than imposing direct Roman rule, Pompey made a strategic decision. He granted a degree of autonomy to ten of these cities, forming a league known as the Decapolis. This allowed them to govern themselves while remaining under Roman protection.

The Decapolis cities, located primarily east of the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, enjoyed a period of relative peace and prosperity. They were free to trade, mint their own coins, and participate in regional affairs. This newfound autonomy fostered a flourishing culture, blending Greek and Roman influences.

It is destined to go to zero

Brutal.

nostr:note16x7mfe5he87yddcm2jz0wg6t3cjxhj35h6u424v68zy6gr49qdhs9h65pm

GM, I don't know which of you followed the drama surrounding Frrd Krüger (@dotkrueger) on X. Now it seems he has put a chipcoin into the world and ruggpulled his followers. All I can say is how calming and objective the bitcoiner scene is here on Nostr... stay true to the line. #bitcoin #nostr

🚨 **Even with BTC near all-time highs, retail demand remains low**

Over the past 30 days, on-chain transactions up to $10K have dropped by -16.7%, indicating that retail activity remains subdued despite the current high volatility.

Typically, periods of high price volatility are accompanied by increased on-chain demand, but that’s not what we’re observing right now.

For now, retail activity patterns remain low after peaking in December and declining during the subsequent consolidation phase.

This suggests that despite new all-time highs, the on-chain structure is not "overextended," which supports the potential for further upward trends.

Sold all $MSTR. Too much Crypto for my taste.