Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Blockchain Adoption ByteVault Banking CBDC Politics AI Cryptography Conference Culture Celebrities China Computer Books Currency Looking for "Bitcoin" Showing 1-10 of 222 johnd • May 20, 2024, 10:32 am EDT Oklahoma Becomes First U.S. State to Legally Protect the Right to Self-Custody Bitcoin Oklahoma has made history by becoming the first U.S. state to legally protect its residents’ right to self-custody Bitcoin. Governor Kevin Stitt recently signed HB 3594 into law, marking a significant milestone for cryptocurrency users in the state. This new legislation empowers Oklahoma citizens to control their digital assets without state interference, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to Bitcoin and digital finance. Key Features of the Legislation The new law, effective November 1, ensures that residents of Oklahoma have the autonomy to hold, control, and use their digital assets freely. Here are the notable implementations: Widespread Legislative Support The bill, backed 3 minutes carlp • Apr 5, 2024, 1:35 pm EDT Big Banks Reaching Out To Bitcoin Miners to Acquire Bitcoin Hut 8, one of the leaders in Bitcoin mining in the United States, has reported significant interest from major banks. These financial institutions are looking to purchase bitcoin directly from miners. This is a direct consequence of the growing interest in Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), which have amassed an investment inflow exceeding $12 billion since their inauguration on January 11. Record Investment Inflows The launch of Bitcoin spot ETFs on Wall Street has attracted over $12 billion in investments in less than three months. This massive influx has translated into more than 211,000 bitcoins being converted into shares. Such 2 minutes carlp • Sep 15, 2023, 1:43 pm EDT Deutsche Bank Enters the Bitcoin and Crypto Space Deutsche Bank, a financial giant with assets totaling $1.3 trillion, has made a significant announcement regarding its entry into the world of cryptocurrency asset custody services for institutional clients. Teaming up with Swiss crypto firm Taurus, this partnership marks a pivotal moment not only for Deutsche Bank but also for the broader financial industry. While the cryptocurrency markets continue to recover from the bear market turbulence of the past year, including the collapse of major crypto exchanges and substantial investor losses, Deutsche Bank’s decision introduces a new layer of legitimacy to the growing trend of institutional adoption. This move has reignited global debates among policymakers about the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to govern cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. 2 minutes johnd • Aug 29, 2023, 1:49 pm EDT Grayscale wins SEC lawsuit: ETFs Incoming? In a landmark decision today, a D.C. court has ruled that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in rejecting the application of Grayscale Investments for a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded Fund (ETF). The ruling stands as a legal watershed, likely paving the way for several ETFs and a new era of institutional investment. The court order bluntly criticized the SEC for its inconsistent approach, emphasizing that “administrative adjudication must be consistent and predictable.” The crux of the matter was the SEC’s unequal treatment of similar products. The commission had previously approved listing two Bitcoin futures ETFs but denied Grayscale’s proposed spot Bitcoin ETF without adequate explanation. 2 minutes satoshin • Aug 11, 2023, 12:31 pm EDT SEC Delays Decision on ARK’s Spot Bitcoin ETF, Solicits Public Feedback The regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrency continues to shift as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) takes a significant step in evaluating ARK’s Spot Bitcoin ETF. In a move highlighting the careful consideration given to the potential introduction of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, the SEC has announced a delay in its decision. A unique opportunity for public engagement accompanies this delay, as the SEC welcomes feedback from individuals and organizations. The decision delay, coupled with the solicitation of public input, underscores the complexity of the regulatory process regarding new investment vehicles centered around cryptocurrencies. As the debate over Bitcoin ETFs gains momentum, the SEC’s move to seek public feedback reflects a commitment to fostering a well-informed and inclusive decision-making process. This development carries far-reaching implications for the cryptocurrency industry, investors, and the broader financial markets. It provides stakeholders an avenue to voice their opinions and signals the SEC’s dedication to understanding the diverse perspectives and potential concerns surrounding a Bitcoin ETF. As the feedback collection period unfolds, the financial world watches closely, recognizing the outcome’s potential to set a precedent for future regulatory decisions within the ever-evolving crypto landscape. 3 minutes satoshin • Jul 10, 2023, 1:45 pm EDT Anticipated Spike in Bitcoin Mining Difficulty: Record-Breaking Hike to Wipe Out Recent Drop In the fast-paced realm of Bitcoin mining, a significant rise is expected in the upcoming difficulty adjustment, which is slated to swing upwards between 4.74% and 7.7%, thereby offsetting the recent 3.26% reduction observed on June 28, 2023, as per data recorded on July 9, 2023. 3 minutes arusso • Jul 7, 2023, 11:26 am EDT Mathematicians Bridge a Gap in Number Theory Two mathematicians have proven an important result connecting elliptic curves to modular forms, extending a breakthrough achieved in the 1990s that led to the solution of Fermat’s Last Theorem. Ana Caraiani of Imperial College London and the University of Bonn, and James Newton of the University of Oxford announced in January that they had shown that elliptic curves are modular for certain imaginary quadratic fields. Their work builds on Andrew Wiles’ 1994 proof that elliptic curves are modular for rational numbers, meaning that for each elliptic curve, there exists a corresponding modular form — an object from analysis, a branch 3 minutes tinam • May 30, 2023, 1:45 pm EDT Should I Buy Bitcoin? (Yes, Here’s How) Find a Byte Federal Bitcoin ATM. You can use the Byte Federal website to find a Bitcoin ATM near you. Have your ID, smartphone, and cash ready. You will need to show your ID to the ATM and pay for your Bitcoin in cash. 3 minutes tinam • May 28, 2023, 2:51 pm EDT Bitcoin in El Salvador: A Success or a Failure? Despite much negative press, data shows that the bet on Bitcoin by El Salvador’s leaders is bearing fruit. Research in May 2023 shows how 1.9% of remittances, or about $96 million, were sent via crypto eight months after the nation adopted Bitcoin as a legal tender. Data shows that while remittance fees to El Salvador were already relatively low (2.85%), Bitcoin’s fees were nearly half as much on average, which meant Salvadorians saved nearly $4 million in remittance fees, according to CoinDesk, by switching to Bitcoin in the eight-month timeframe. Others argue that El Salvador’s Bitcoin pivot is helping bring tourism to the country. Visits were up 81% in May 2023 from 2022, relative to pre-pandemic levels. Research shows that overall GDP could rise by at least 3% if this trend continues. A jump of this magnitude would be transformative, as about 5% of the nation’s GDP comes from tourism. Travel guide leader Lonely Planet has already rated El Salvador as one of its 11 countries to visit in 2023. 4 minutes tinam • May 26, 2023, 8:06 am EDT Ron DeSantis: Bitcoin Represents a Threat to the Current Regime Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is running for president in 2024, has said that Bitcoin represents a threat to the current regime. In a recent interview, DeSantis said, “The only reason these people in Washington don’t like Bitcoin is because they don’t control it.” DeSantis’s comments come as the Biden administration has been increasingly critical of Bitcoin. For example, in March, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that Bitcoin is a “highly volatile and risky asset” that could be used for illicit activities. DeSantis, however, argues that Bitcoin is a legitimate form of currency that should be protected. Accordingly, he has said 2 minutes