Goldman Sachs is preparing to spin out its cryptocurrency platform to create a new company focused on creating and trading financial instruments on blockchain networks, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 18.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/goldman-sachs-spin-out-crypto-platform-report
The spin-out is expected to take place within the next 12 to 18 months, pending regulatory approvals. This timeline reflects Goldman Sachs' commitment to adapting to the changing landscape of finance and its recognition of the growing importance of digital assets in investment strategies.
Overall, this initiative underscores Goldman Sachs' ambition to position itself at the forefront of the cryptocurrency and blockchain markets, aligning with the increasing interest from institutional investors
Tech solutions provider Semler Scientific said it has achieved a Bitcoin yield of 37.3% since adopting its Bitcoin treasury strategy earlier this year, demonstrating significant growth for stakeholders.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/semler-scientific-37-btc-yield-treasury
Since adopting this strategy in the second quarter of 2024, Semler Scientific has actively managed its Bitcoin holdings, which now total 1,273 BTC. The company recently purchased an additional 215 BTC for approximately $17.7 million, further solidifying its position in the Bitcoin market. The average purchase price for these new coins was around $82,502 per BTC, indicating a strategic approach to capitalizing on market conditions.
MicroStrategy, one of the world’s largest public holders of Bitcoin, continued stacking BTC even as the cryptocurrency broke new highs.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/microstrategy-buys-52-k-bitcoin-4-6-billion-btc-new-highs
MicroStrategy's decision to increase its Bitcoin holdings comes even as the cryptocurrency has reached new highs, surpassing $90,000 per Bitcoin. The company purchased these additional coins at an average price of $88,627 each, demonstrating its commitment to Bitcoin as a long-term investment strategy despite market volatility
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) continued their upward momentum, posting another successful week as cryptocurrency markets surged.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/spot-bitcoin-etf-1-7-billion-weekly-inflow-6-week
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have continued to show strong performance, marking another successful week as the broader cryptocurrency markets experience a surge. This upward trend follows the recent approval of several spot Bitcoin ETFs by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which has significantly boosted investor confidence and participation in the market
The Biden administration is sending a roughly $100 billion request to Congress to help Americans impacted by a series of major and record-breaking natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, calling on lawmakers to pass the needed relief with “bipartisan and bicameral support.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/18/politics/biden-administration-request-disaster-relief/index.html
The administration's call for action highlights a historical precedent for bipartisan cooperation in disaster relief, referencing past responses to major hurricanes such as Katrina and Sandy. Officials are urging lawmakers to come together to pass the necessary funding swiftly, recognizing the urgent needs of communities recovering from these disasters.
Bitfinex money launderer ‘Razzlekhan’ sentenced to 18 months in prison
A federal judge sentenced Heather Morgan, also known as Razzlekhan, to 18 months in prison for laundering stolen Bitcoin connected to Bitfinex.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitfinex-money-laundering-heather-morgan-razzlekhan-sentenced-prison)
Morgan's sentencing follows that of her husband, Ilya Lichtenstein, who received a five-year prison sentence for his role in the hack, which resulted in the theft of nearly 120,000 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $9 billion today. While Morgan was not directly involved in the theft, she played a significant role in laundering the stolen funds, which prosecutors highlighted during the trial.
OCC notice suggests impending launch for spot Bitcoin ETF options trading
Some experts suggested that options trading for shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust could launch on the Nasdaq as early as Nov. 19.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/occ-launch-spot-bitcoin-etf-options-trading)
The approval and impending launch of options trading for spot Bitcoin ETFs represent a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency industry. It could facilitate greater institutional adoption and provide investors with new tools for hedging and speculation in the crypto market. As these products become available, they are expected to enhance liquidity and could influence Bitcoin's price dynamics significantly
Semler Scientific reports 37.3% Bitcoin yield, expands holdings
Semler Scientific’s latest Bitcoin purchase brings its holdings to 1,273 BTC, worth $114 million at current market prices.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/semler-scientific-37-btc-yield-treasury)
From October 1, 2024, to November 15, 2024, Semler achieved a yield of 18.9%, but the overall yield since the adoption of its strategy in the second quarter has reached 37.3%. This impressive performance has encouraged the company to expand its Bitcoin holdings further. Recently, Semler purchased an additional 215 Bitcoin for approximately $17.7 million, bringing its total holdings to 1,273 BTC. The Bitcoins were acquired at an average price of $82,502 per BTC during the period from November 6 t
MicroStrategy buys $4.6B of Bitcoin as price nears all-time high
MicroStrategy acquired an additional 51,780 BTC worth $4.6 billion, boosting its total holdings to 331,200 BTC as Bitcoin prices rose above $92,400.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/microstrategy-buys-52-k-bitcoin-4-6-billion-btc-new-highs)
This latest purchase is part of MicroStrategy's ongoing commitment to Bitcoin, which has seen the company amass a total of around 279,420 BTC, valued at over $30 billion. The decision to invest heavily in Bitcoin aligns with Saylor's belief in the cryptocurrency's potential as a hedge against inflation and a superior store of value compared to traditional assets.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs hit $1.7B weekly inflows, marking six-week streak
The latest inflows bring spot Bitcoin ETFs’ total net assets to $95.4 billion, or 5.27% of Bitcoin’s $1.8 trillion market capitalization.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/spot-bitcoin-etf-1-7-billion-weekly-inflow-6-week)
The recent inflows reflect a broader positive sentiment in the cryptocurrency market, particularly as investors look for exposure to Bitcoin through regulated financial products. On a single day, net inflows were reported at $917.2 million, the largest one-day increase since March, showcasing the momentum behind these investment vehicles.
Mentzen's commitment to creating a Bitcoin reserve is inspired by similar promises made by figures like Donald Trump, who has advocated for the adoption of cryptocurrencies during his political campaigns. By proposing this reserve, Mentzen aims to position Poland as a leader in the cryptocurrency space, appealing particularly to younger voters who are increasingly interested in digital assets.
‘I put most of my wealth into Bitcoin, so I am fully committed’ — RFK Jr.
RFK Jr. is a longtime Bitcoin advocate, praising its power to transmute currency inflation.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/i-put-most-my-wealth-bitcoin-i-am-fully-committed-rfk-jr)
Kennedy has been an outspoken supporter of Bitcoin, emphasizing its decentralized nature and capped supply as key attributes that could help mitigate economic instability. He believes that hard assets like Bitcoin, along with gold and silver, are essential for maintaining the integrity of the financial system. At a recent Bitcoin conference, he reiterated his dedication, highlighting that he has invested significantly in Bitcoin, even purchasing some for his children
Senator Lummis says Treasury should convert gold for Bitcoin reserve
The United States government has the biggest gold reserves in the world, with over 8,000 tons of the precious metal on its balance sheet.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/senator-lummis-says-treasury-should-convert-gold-bitcoin-reserve)
Lummis's proposal reflects a growing recognition of Bitcoin's potential as a legitimate asset class. By advocating for a Bitcoin reserve, she aims to enhance the U.S. government's financial strategy and ensure that it remains competitive in the global economy. This shift could also signal a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies within traditional financial systems, potentially influencing future policy decisions regarding digital assets.
Altman's inclusion in the transition team reflects a growing trend of tech executives engaging in local governance, particularly in a city that is a hub for technology and innovation. The transition team, which consists of several prominent figures from the tech industry and local government, aims to revitalize San Francisco and address the concerns of its residents, especially those from the tech community
This warning reflects broader concerns about the disparities in technological advancements between wealthy and developing nations. By advocating for a more inclusive framework, Xi aims to address potential inequalities that could arise from the rapid development of AI technologies, ensuring that they serve a global audience rather than a select few.Overall, Xi Jinping's remarks at the G20 Summit signal a push for a more equitable approach to AI development and governance
Asian stocks rose on Tuesday while U.S. bond yields and the dollar hung back from multi-month highs as traders awaited President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet selection and sought to gauge the outlook for Federal Reserve easing

https://www.reuters.com/markets/global-markets-wrapup-1-2024-11-19/
The anticipation surrounding Trump's cabinet appointments has created a cautious yet optimistic atmosphere among traders. Many are also trying to gauge the potential for Federal Reserve easing, which could impact interest rates and overall economic growth. As a result, tech shares in Asia advanced, reflecting a positive sentiment that followed Wall Street's recovery from previous losses.The interplay between stock performance, bond yields, and currency values will be crucial to watch as these de
The U.S. will urge a judge to make Google-parent company Alphabet sell its widely used Chrome browser in a major antitrust crackdown on the internet giant, according to a media report Monday.

https://japantoday.com/category/tech/us-to-call-for-google-to-sell-chrome-browser-report
The DOJ's request comes after a judge ruled that Google engaged in anticompetitive practices, particularly through exclusive distribution agreements that reinforced its dominance in search. By targeting the Chrome browser, the DOJ aims to dismantle what it views as a significant barrier to competition in the tech industry. Reports suggest that if the sale is mandated, Chrome could be valued at up to $20 billion.
Microsoft has released the first release candidate of PowerShell 7.5 for download. Interestingly, despite not being a general availability release, Microsoft considers it a "go-live" release which means that it's a supported release in production.

https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-releases-powershell-75-rc1-ga-due-in-january/
PowerShell 7.5 introduces several new features and enhancements aimed at improving user experience and functionality. Users can expect improvements in performance, new cmdlets, and better integration with existing tools and frameworks. This release continues the trend of making PowerShell a robust cross-platform automation solution, compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS😊👍
Seeking to woo targeted groups of voters during his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump rolled out plans for a sweeping array of tax breaks, including promises to eliminate levies on tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits, for millions of Americans.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/16/politics/taxes-tips-trump-campaign-promises/index.html
This approach is part of a broader strategy to garner support from working-class voters and those concerned about their financial well-being. By focusing on tax relief, Trump seeks to position himself as a champion of the average American, contrasting his policies with those of his opponents who may advocate for higher taxes or more extensive regulations.
'There is a global race underway for Bitcoin' — Anthony Pompliano
The election of a pro-crypto President in the United States and growing macroeconomic turmoil will continue to drive investors to Bitcoin.

[Source](https://cointelegraph.com/news/global-race-underway-bitcoin-anthony-pompliano)
Pompliano points out that the election of pro-crypto leaders, particularly in the United States, alongside growing macroeconomic turmoil, is pushing more investors and governments towards Bitcoin. Countries like El Salvador and Bhutan have already taken steps to integrate Bitcoin into their economies, showcasing the urgency and seriousness of this global competition.


