BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 857,908 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 22Aug24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Greek Oil Tanker Burning, Adrift in Red Sea / Recovery Ops Continue in Superyacht Saga / Canada's Railroads to Shutdown Over Labor Talks, Far-Reaching Effects / RFJ Jr. May Drop Out Soon / Protests Get Violent in Chicago / Crypto Companies Contributing the Most to Politicians / CBDCs Only Issued in 4 Countries / Major Revision in Jobs Data / Hope Rising for Fed Rate Cuts / Australia Cracks Down on Scammers / Bitcoin, Not Crypto Explained Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $61,185, 24.54 oz Gold, .14 Median US House 24hr Hi: $61,834 / Lo: $58,893 Vol: $35B (Up 32%) Mkt Cap: $1.21T (Up 3%) HashRate: 682 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Down 40%) Nodes: 19,104 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Greek oil tanker on fire and adrift after multiple attacks in Red Sea: A crew of 25 has been rescued from a Greek-flagged oil tanker after it caught fire after multiple attacks in the Red Sea. The Sounion was attacked by more than a dozen people on two small boats who fired multiple projectiles at the ship when it was about 77 nautical miles (143km) west of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday morning. (AlJazeera) 2. Five bodies recovered in wreckage of superyacht that sank off Sicily: British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley International Chair Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer, and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo were all reported missing after a luxury yacht they were on board sank. According to reports from eyewitnesses and survivors, the ship was violently rocked by a storm at around 4 a.m. local time on Monday while it was anchored near the Sicilian port of Porticello. It sank rapidly after capsizing. (CNBC) (AC-Rumors are swirling around this story and is great fodder for the conspiracy-minded thinker. There are certainly many questions raised in this uncanny series of events.) 3. Canada’s Railroads Lock Out 9,000 Employees as Labor Talks Break Down: Canada’s two main railroads locked out over 9,000 employees Thursday after they were unable to reach new labor deals with a Teamsters union, the start of a work stoppage that threatens to stanch hundreds of millions of dollars in daily cross-border trade and upend North American supply chains. Experts warned the actions would throttle businesses from retailers to automakers and even reach into commuter trains that use tracks operated by the freight railroads. (WSJ) (AC-This development will have far-reaching effects in Canada and the US, from hazardous materials, to grain shipments, meat producers and much more.) -US Events- 1. RFK Jr. expected to drop out of race by end of week, plans to endorse Trump: Sources cautioned the decision is not yet finalized and could still change, with one possible scenario being discussed is for Kennedy to appear on stage with Trump at an event in Phoenix on Friday. (ABC) 2. 60 violent anti-Israel protesters arrested after second night of DNC descended into chaos: Chicago police arrested around 60 anti-Israel demonstrators on the second night of the Democratic National Convention — many from out of state — when an illegal march following a protest outside the Israeli consulate turned violent. “Last night was a danger to our city, and a danger to our citizens in this city,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. (NYPost) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Coinbase and Ripple Become Largest Corporate Political Contributors in 2024 US Congressional Races: Major crypto companies, including Coinbase and Ripple, have become the largest corporate political contributors, donating a significant portion of the $248 million to candidates ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. (Decrypt) (AC-Both companies have specific agendas, with Ripple being known for advocating for CBDCs based on their technology.) -Central Bank Digital Currencies- 1. The Race To Issue CBDC: A quick glance at this handy CBDC Tracker shows there are four official CBDCs up and running in the world, with the first one launching way back in 2020 when the Bahamas introduced the "Sand Dollar". Other CBDCs include Nigeria's eNaira, which is used by more than 13 million Nigerians, Jamaica's Jam-Dex digital currency, which launched in July 2022, and the Eastern Caribbean Union's DCash, which debuted in April 2021. We're yet to see any major economy launch a CBDC, but imminent possibilities include Sweden, and in the Middle East, Israel is definitely getting closer to the launch of its long-awaited digital Shekel. (UToday) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin ETFs attract $39.4m in inflows as Ether ETFs struggle with fifth consecutive day of outflows:Grayscale’s mini Bitcoin trust led the charge with reported inflows of $14.2 million following three days of no activity. Fidelity’s FBTC and Bitwise’s BITB followed next with inflows of $10.7 million and $10 million, respectively. (CryptoNews) -Economic Indicators- 1. US Job Growth Revised Down by 818,000: The Bureau of Labor Statistics' recent revision showed that US job growth for the year ending in March 2024 was weaker than initially reported, with 818,000 fewer jobs added. This significant downward adjustment suggests that the job market was cooling more rapidly than previously believed, averaging about 68,000 fewer jobs per month. (TradingEconomics) 2. US Futures Point to Higher Open: US stock futures edged higher on Thursday as investors anticipated comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, expected later in the week. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. 615 Crypto Scam Sites Dismantled by Australian Regulator: he Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has shut down more than 7,300 phishing and investment scam websites, including 615 targeting cryptocurrency. The regulator noted that collaboration with other agencies and advanced detection techniques have enabled ASIC to swiftly take down scams, contributing to the $1.3 billion in financial losses reported by Australians in 2023. (BitcoinCom) 2. Man sentenced for hacking state registry to fake his own death: A 39-year old man from Somerset, Kentucky, was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison for identity theft and faking his own death in government registry systems. The reason behind the intrusion was to avoid paying child support obligations. (BleepinngComputer) 3. QR Code Scams: TN Attorney General Issues Warning:The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office has issued a QR code scam alert, warning consumers about fraudulent QR codes used in various scams, including fake cryptocurrency investments. Consumers are urged to verify sources, check codes for tampering, and use secure scanner apps. (BitcoinCom) -Technology and Science- NSTR -Bitcoin Community- 1. The ‘Bitcoin, Not Crypto’ Debate: Why Words Matter: For those new to the space, it might seem that "crypto" and "bitcoin" are interchangeable terms, but they are not. This seemingly minor distinction carries significant weight and implications for understanding the broader ecosystem of cryptographically secured assets. The distinction between bitcoin and other forms of crypto is not just semantic—it's ideological. (Forbes) (AC-This full article is spot-on for explaining the key distinction of Bitcoin vs. Crypto to newcomers to the space. Well-written by a Penn State Professor, bitcoiners might want to copy this article to share with new learners.) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 39/100 (Up 10 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 857,755 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 21Aug24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Ukraine Launches Large Drone Attack on Moscow / Ship Unresponsive After Houthi Missiles in Red Sea / China Protests US Concern in South China Sea / Obamas Speak at DNC / RFK Considers Dropping Out / Germany Seizes Bitcoin ATMs / Mt Gox Moves $784M Worth Of Bitcoin / Gold, Silver Hitting Highs / US Intel Says Iran Hacked Trump / AI Puts Pressure on Energy Sector / El Salvador Launches Bitcoin Certification for Gov Employees / BTC HODLers Keep HOLDing Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $59,349, 23.63 oz Gold, .14 Median US House 24hr Hi: $61,396 / Lo: $58,109 Vol: $26B (Down 4%) Mkt Cap: $1.17T (Down 2%) HashRate: 576 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Up 60%) Nodes: 19,494 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Ukraine attacks Moscow in one of largest ever drone attacks on the Russian capital: Ukraine attacked Moscow on Wednesday with at least 11 drones shot down by air defences in what Russian officials said was one of the biggest drone strikes on the capital since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Russian media showed unverified footage of drones whirring over the dawn sky of the Moscow region and then being shot down in a ball of flame by air defences. Moscow's airports Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky limited flights for four hours but were restarted normal operations. There were no injuries or damage reported in the aftermath of the attacks. (Reuters) 2. Ship hit by suspected Houthi missiles in Red Sea, leaving vessel "not under command," U.K. military says: The attack saw men on small boats first open fire with small arms. The ship also was hit by three projectiles. "The vessel reports being not under command," the UKMTO said, likely meaning it lost all power. "No casualties reported." (CBS) 3. China says US has ‘no right to intervene’ in South China Sea disputes: Both countries said on Monday that their coast guard ships had collided near the disputed Sabina Shoal. China claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Chinese spokesman Mao Ning said, "The US is not a party in the South China Sea and has no right to intervene in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines,” Mao told a regular briefing. “The US should stop provoking confrontation in the South China Sea, not disrupt regional stability and not escalate tensions,” Mao said. (AFP) -US Events- 1. Obamas electrify Democrats at Chicago convention: In the choreography of the convention, the Obamas played the role of charismatic figures charged with inspiring those at the Democrats’ gathering and beyond to power Harris to victory in the two months remaining before Election Day. (WaPost) 2. RFK Jr. considering dropping out to ‘join forces’ with Trump: Shortly after the revelation, Trump declared that he would be “certainly” open to giving the Kennedy scion a post in his administration. “There’s two options that we’re looking at, and one is staying in, forming that new party, but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and [Tim] Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump,” (NYPost) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Germany seizes $28 million in raid on unlicensed crypto ATMs: The sting was carried out on Aug. 20 and targeted 35 locations where crypto ATMs were reportedly being operated without the necessary licensing. Crypto ATMs, which enable users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin with cash or debit cards, fall under the jurisdiction of Germany’s Banking Act. German officials warned that crypto ATMs could become hotspots for criminal activities if operators do not enforce adequate Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, particularly for transactions exceeding 10,000 euros. (CryptoSlate) -Central Bank Digital Currencies- NSTR -Institutional Concerns- 1. Mt. Gox transfers $784 million in Bitcoin, fueling distribution rumors: Mt. Gox shifts 13,265 BTC; only 1,265 BTC likely for distribution, analyst posits. Currently, Mt. Gox holds 45,000 BTC after having distributed 97,000 of the original 142,000 BTC. (CryptoSlate) 2. Spot Bitcoin ETFs net $88m in inflows, spot Ether ETFs outflows see slowdown: BlackRock’s IBIT recorded the highest inflows with $55.4 million, bringing its total inflow since launch to $20.53 billion. It was the only fund to record a second consecutive day of inflows. ARK 21Shares’s ARKB followed with inflows of $51.9 million following a day of no activity. (CryptoNews) -Economic Indicators- 1. Gold Shatters Records as Investors Brace for Economic Turbulence: Precious metals prices are on the move again, with gold hitting a new peak of $2,564 during Tuesday’s trading sessions. As of now, gold is being traded at $2,527 per ounce, while silver has climbed more than 6% this week, currently standing at $29.68 per ounce. (BitcoinCom) 2. Dollar Sinks to Year-to-Date Lows: The dollar index traded below 101.5 on Wednesday, sinking to its lowest levels this year as investors awaited updates from the Federal Reserve to gauge the timing and magnitude of expected interest rate cuts. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. US intelligence officials say Iran behind Trump campaign hack: In a joint statement, the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it attributed “recently reported activities to compromise former President Trump’s campaign” to Iran, and that the intelligence community is “confident that the Iranians have through social engineering and other efforts sought access to individuals with direct access to the presidential campaigns of both political parties”. (TheGuardian) -Technology and Science- 1. Growth in artificial intelligence puts pressure on energy generation: “We’re in (a) precarious position,” said Geoff Marke, chief economist with the Missouri Office of Public Counsel. “We don’t have enough generation to meet our load before we start talking about AI data centers coming online.” The energy industry is experiencing seismic change. Coal plants are retiring and renewable generation is coming online. However, its reliance on the sun and wind tend to make it less consistent. Boston Consulting Group analysis shows that data center electricity consumption is expected to triple by 2030 — to 7.5% of total U.S. energy consumption, comparable to the power needs of 40 million households. (LakeGazette) -Bitcoin Community- 1. El Salvador launches Bitcoin certifications for civil servants: The National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC) of El Salvador will train and provide Bitcoin instruction and certifications to 80,000 government employees. The 160-hour virtual and asynchronous training session — Certification in Public Administration 1 — is divided into seven modules, each detailing several concepts, laws, skills and management related to the use of Bitcoin as legal tender. (CoinTelegraph) 2. A Strong HODLing Trend Emerges in Bitcoin: Nearly 75% of all circulating Bitcoin has remained dormant for over six months. Consistently buying and holding Bitcoin over time, rather than attempting to time the market, aligns with the behavior of those who have historically seen the most significant gains holding Bitcoin. (ZeroHedge) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 29/100 (Down 1 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

Episode 56 The Way of Men

Fountain

Bitcoin Veterans • 056. The Way of Men • Listen on Fountain

Alex, Gabe, Mike and Shane dive in to the book "The Way of Men" by Jack Donovan to discuss the emasculation of Men around the world and how Bitcoin...

BV SITREP 20AUG2024

Fountain

Bitcoin Veterans • Bitcoin Veterans SITREP: Bitcoin Confiscation and Government Strategy • Listen on Fountain

In this episode, we discussed various topics related to Bitcoin, homeschooling, and government actions. The conversation touched on the benefits of...

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 857,615 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 20Aug24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Israel Recover 6 Hostage Bodies / Russia Hunts Down Deserters / North Korean Soldier Defects / DNC Says Goodbye to Biden / Georgia Strengthens Ballot Rules / Harris, DNC Indicate Crypto Antagonism / China Rules Digital Assets Transactions Illegal / BTC ETFs Control Almost 1M BTC / US Stocks Continue Rise / Hack Takes 4,064 BTC From One Wallet / Space X to Send Civilians Deeper Into Space Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $60,707, 24.02 oz Gold, .14 Median US House 24hr Hi: $61,396 / Lo: $58,109 Vol: $28B (Up 32%) Mkt Cap: $1.2T (Up 4%) HashRate: 626 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Even)-Very Low! Nodes: 19,155 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Israeli military says it recovered the bodies of 6 hostages from Gaza: The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that troops recovered the bodies in an overnight operation in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The operation came as the United States, Egypt and Qatar pushed for a cease-fire deal that would end Israel’s monthslong offensive in Gaza and see the release of the hostages who remain held in the enclave. More than 100 hostages remain held in Gaza, with around a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli officials. (NBC) 2. Russia Hunts Down Deserters to Backfill Its Massive War Losses: Russia’s vast professional army has been hollowed out after 2½ years sending waves of men to break down Ukraine’s defenses with a warfare attrition strategy. Russia is now recruiting at least 25,000 men a month, though few have combat experience. The war has been deadly for both sides. At least half a million Russians have been killed or wounded in the conflict, according to a senior Western intelligence official. Kyiv has also struggled to raise enough troops to hold back the Russians, despite lowering the mobilization age and raising pay. (WSJ) 3. North Korean soldier defects to the South: A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea early on Tuesday crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean peninsula. The soldier crossed into Goseong county on the east coast which borders North Korea and was taken into custody by South Korean guards who had been monitoring his movements. (Reuters) -US Events- 1. Biden hails Harris as DNC's future in emotional farewell speech: Biden's address in Chicago kicked off a four-day event fueled by enthusiasm for Harris and relief that Biden abandoned his own reelection bid and endorsed her to replace him. The president's reluctant decision to step aside on July 21 came after heavy pressure from party leaders who worried the 81-year-old incumbent was too old to win or serve four more years. (Reuters) 2. Georgia Election Board votes to add requirements before certification: The Georgia State Election Board passed a rule Monday giving local election officials additional power to investigate ballot counts before certifying the results, a move critics say could inject chaos into the 2024 election and delay the state’s official vote count. The “Rule for Reconciliation Prior to Certification” will allow for a hand recount of votes to ensure “the total number of ballots cast” does not exceed “the total number of persons who voted,” according to the language of the rule. County election officials will now be allowed to investigate any possible discrepancies. (CNN) 3. Two dead, state of emergency declared in Connecticut after historic rainfall: Governor Ned Lamont said that hundreds of people were evacuated with the worst of the flooding happening around Oxford and Southbury. Two women, 65-year-old Ethelyn Joiner and 71 Audrey Rostkowski, both of Oxford, were found dead on Monday after rushing flood waters carried them away from first responders. (WWLP) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Kamala Harris’s Alleged ‘Crypto Reset’ Absent in Democratic Agenda: While the Republican platform addresses the issue of cryptocurrency and bitcoin, the Democratic Party’s latest platform remained silent on the matter. Adding to the buzz, there are whispers that Kamala Harris’s campaign might be eyeing Gary Gensler, the current head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, for the role of Treasury Secretary. (BitcoinCom) 2. China Classifies Crypto Transactions as Money Laundering in Update to AML Law: On Monday, Chinese authorities explicitly recognized “virtual asset” transactions as a method of money laundering, marking the first instance in the country that such a move has been made towards the asset class. The new legal interpretation classifies virtual asset transactions, including those conducted through crypto exchanges, as acts that "cover up and conceal the source and nature of the proceeds of crime.” (Decrypt) -Central Bank Digital Currencies- NSTR -Institutional Concerns- 1. US Bitcoin ETFs on the Verge of Controlling 1 Million BTC: According to the latest data collected on Aug. 16, 2024, the 12 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) collectively hold around 910,153.83 BTC, which translates to over $53 billion at the current exchange rates. Leading the pack is Blackrock’s IBIT, holding the largest portion with 38.34% of the total BTC. (BitcoinCom) 2. US spot bitcoin ETFs see lowest daily trading volume since early February: U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds saw $61.98 million daily net inflows amidst a $779.87 million daily total trade volume on Monday, the lowest amount since Feb. 6 and the third lowest daily trade volume overall. (TheBlock) -Economic Indicators- 1. US Futures Signal Pause After 8-Day S&P 500, Nasdaq Rally: US futures changed little in cautious trading on Tuesday as expectations for a September interest rate cut grew stronger ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech at Jackson Hole. On Monday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq extended their winning streak to eight sessions, the longest this year. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Could Bitcoin Become a Bigger Privacy Threat Than CBDCs?: Privacy advocates in the crypto space are concerned about the lack of privacy on the Bitcoin network and believe that it poses a threat to financial privacy. They argue that the open and transparent nature of the Bitcoin blockchain allows governments to monitor citizens' spending and other activities. While some worry that Bitcoin could be used as a CBDC with broad oversight, others believe that Bitcoin's decentralized nature makes it difficult for governments to control. (Decrypt) 2. Crypto Hack Ends In $238M Bitcoin Heist, Lazarus Group Linked?: A massive crypto hack on August 19 has shaken the community, resulting in the theft of $238 million in Bitcoin. According to ZachXBT’s research, the victim lost 4,064 Bitcoin, worth approximately $238 million, in a suspicious transfer on Monday. The transaction hash associated with the theft, 4b277…, revealed that the stolen funds were quickly transferred across various platforms. These include ThorChain, eXch, KuCoin, ChangeNow, crypto mixer Railgun, and Avalanche Bridge. (CoinGape) -Technology and Science- 1. SpaceX is about to send four people on a wild — and risky — mission into the radiation belts: Private citizens Isaacman, Menon, Gillis and Poteet will spend five days aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that will soar to altitudes higher than any human has traveled since NASA’s Apollo program ended in the 1970s. Their orbital path will extend high enough to plunge the vehicle and crew into a radiation belt, adding another element of peril to the already treacherous experience of spaceflight. This crew of private citizens will also open the hatch of their spacecraft and expose themselves to the vacuum of space, marking the first time such a feat has been attempted by non-government astronauts. (CNN) 2. What does Bitcoin smell like? AI startup wants to ‘teleport’ digital scents: Artificial intelligence firm Osmo is working diligently to bring back the future we were promised in 1960 when Hans Laube introduced the world to “Smell-O-Vision.” Only this time, the goal is to improve the lives of humans everywhere by teaching computers how to interpret scent. The company hopes to build a system capable of superhuman feats of smell. These would include the ability to smell the presence of certain diseases, such as cancer, or symptoms associated with diabetes, such as low blood sugar.(CoinTelegraph) -Bitcoin Community- NSTR -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 30/100 (Up 2 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): Despite recent efforts to get Democratic support for digital assets, the deafening silence by the DNC and Harris is message enough. After release of the DNC policy platform yesterday, the lack of support for bitcoin and crypto ensures a hostile stance would be taken upon inauguration by the Harris camp, complete with rewarding SEC chair Gary Gensler as Treasury Secretary. This possible scenario has consequences for bitcoin holders, self-custody, centralization, and mining operations into the near future. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

NEW DAILY Bitcoin Veterans SITREP

Fountain

Bitcoin Veterans • Bitcoin Veterans SITREP: "Why We Bitcoin" • Listen on Fountain

We’re kicking off an exciting new daily series focused on the latest Bitcoin and macroeconomic news from around the world. Join the Veterans as w...

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 857,473 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 19Aug24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Ukraine Extends Russian Lines Via Kursk Operation / China, Philippines Scrap in SCS Again / Conservative Rioters Overcrowd UK Prisons / Hurricane Ernesto Heads to Nova Scotia / DNC Begins Today in Chicago / Candace Owens Ignites a Fire Over Israel / Winklevoss Wants 'Crypto" Owners to Influence Harris / Venezuela Iron Curtain Falls, Affects Binance / Kazakhstan Jails Crypto Miner / Germans Like Cash Over CBDC / India Central Bank Says CBDCs Could Replace Bank Deposits / Iran Uses ChatGPT to Influence US Elections / X Shuts Down Brazil Office Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,168, 23.42 oz Gold, .14 Median US House 24hr Hi: $60,262 / Lo: $57,864 Vol: $21B (Up 35%) Mkt Cap: $1.15T (Even) HashRate: 566 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Even)-Very Low! Nodes: 19,449 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Ukraine aims to create Kursk ‘buffer zone,’ Zelensky says, as Kyiv’s forces blow up second Russian bridge: Ukrainian forces are inching forward in Kursk amid fighting following the launch of their surprise military operation there nearly two weeks ago. But Ukraine also remains under pressure in its occupied east as Russian forces advance toward a key military hub. The Kursk offensive has left Russia struggling to shore up its own territory. Kyiv seems to have multiple goals with the assault, from boosting morale after a torrid few months to stretching Russia’s resources. (CNN) (AC-The Kursk incursion is low hanging fruit on the geographical front with Russia. Ukraine has extended the front lines, opening up transport lines to drone and other standoff targeting.) 2. Chinese, Philippine ships collide in South China Sea: China accused the Philippine vessels of "deliberately" colliding with the Chinese ship near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. Manila and Beijing had come to a "provisional arrangement" aimed at ending altercations. (DW) (AC-Even after a joint agreement to keep the peace near the area, strategic objectives of both nations are on the line. The country who backs down first will lose claim and access to the area.) 3. UK: Jailed rioters may trigger prison overcrowding plan: Operation Early Dawn, a contingency that allows defendants waiting for a court appearance to be kept in police cells until prison space is available, could be used. The government announced quick sentencing for those involved in the riots that followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport, leading to hundreds appearing in courts across the UK. (BBC) -US Events- 1. Hurricane Ernesto continues to strengthen as it heads for Canada: Ernesto continued to gather strength early Monday after regaining hurricane status overnight, according to forecasters who warn it is setting its sights on Canada after striking Bermuda as a Category 1 storm. Ernesto was located about 340 miles south-southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. (UPI) 2. Harris arrives in Chicago for Democratic convention: Kamala Harris has arrived in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention (DNC), where she will be formally confirmed as the party's presidential candidate. Ms Harris is expected to join President Biden on stage when he addresses the convention on Monday. Security around the venue is tight ahead of the four-day event, with tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters expected to rally in Chicago. (BBC) (AC- US Media sources are so slanted one way or another that even the facts around the DNC are distorted.) 3. Candace Owens hosted a space show on X last night that had over 1M viewers, where she went 'scorched-earth' on the modern incarnation of Israel. Media outlets are not even covering the dialogue except a few Israeli outlets, obviously condemning the attacks. (Various) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. 50 Million US Crypto Owners Urged to Push Kamala Harris to Fire SEC Chair Before Election: Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of crypto exchange Gemini, has called on the 50 million American cryptocurrency owners to unite and press Vice President Kamala Harris to fire U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler before the upcoming presidential election in November. He believes this action could end the “war on crypto” and make the crypto issue bipartisan. (BitcoinCom) 2. Venezuelan Government Blocks Binance, Cutting P2P Market Access for Thousands: According to local media, state-owned telecom and internet service provider (ISP) CANTV has blocked access to Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The measure, potentially affecting thousands, has been taken as part of a series of blocks implemented against other services, applying similar actions against Mercado Libre, Signal, Reddit, and others like X. (BitcoinCom) 3. Kazakhstan Crypto Crackdown Continues: A court in Kazakhstan convicted a defendant accused of illegal cryptocurrency activity and sentenced him to 5 years in prison, as well as confiscation of assets worth $4.19 million. The investigation revealed illegal mining and trading of Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Ethereum (ETH) on foreign crypto platforms, as well as the use of Nixmoney, Qiwi, Perfect Money, and Payeer to cash out and purchase real estate and rentals for money laundering. (BitcoinSensus) -Central Bank Digital Currencies- 1. Germans Prefer Carrying Cash as CBDC Decision Looms: About half the people in Germany say they can’t even imagine using the digital euro, with privacy concerns and a preference for cash driving these feelings. The report describes a recent trip to the German central bank’s bunker in the town of Cochem, where a group of local retirees expressed skepticism about the possibility of a digital euro. The report noted that the European Central Bank (ECB), which is expected to make a final decision on whether to implement a CBDC late next year, is aware of the concerns around it. (Pymnts) 2. India: Replacement of bank deposits by CBDC an area of key interest for deposit insurers: “For deposit insurers, factors of key interest would be the degree of replacement of bank deposits by CBDC, the division of labour between central and commercial banks and the degree of privacy attached to CBDC usage,” Michael Debabrata Patra, deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India, said in his speech at an event. (CoinGeek) (AC-Jargon-speak for saying the best way to institute CBDCs are to replace bank deposits with CBDCs, especially during a panic.) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin ETFs Attract Solid Institutional Ownership Growth In Q2: Institutional investment in Bitcoin ETFs is driven by a startling 27% rise in adoption that occurs within the second quarter of 2024. Although institutional interest is high, retail investors own most Bitcoin ETFs. Institutional investors increased to 21% of total AUM in June from 18% in Q1. This development shows that ordinary investors control the market even as institutions gain ground. (Bitcoinist) (AC-BTC ETF investments, either retail or institutional, is not 'adoption' of bitcoin, a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.) -Economic Indicators- 1. Bitcoin’s negative correlation with SPX deepens amid current market trends: There has been ongoing rallies in both the S&P 500 (SPX) and gold. Gold continues to hit all-time highs (ATHs), while the SPX trades just 2% below its ATH, showcasing a strong performance. Notably, Bitcoin and the SPX are negatively correlated, a pattern that has emerged since late June. (CyrptoSlate) 2. US Equities Post Best Week Since 2023: Stocks in the US finished higher on Friday, as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq added 0.2% each, the Dow Jones gained 96 points, building on Thursday’s strong rally. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. OpenAI Blocks Iranian Influence Operation Using ChatGPT for U.S. Election Propaganda: OpenAI on Friday said it banned a set of accounts linked to what it said was an Iranian covert influence operation that leveraged ChatGPT to generate content that, among other things, focused on the upcoming U.S. presidential election. OpenAI said its ChatGPT tool was used to create comments in English and Spanish, which were then posted on a dozen accounts on X and one on Instagram. (HackerNews) (AC-Iran uses a US-based AI company to create influence posts for social media to affect US election outcomes. This is Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW) being conducted on the US population.) -Technology and Science- 1. X Shuts Down Brazil Operations After ‘Threats’ from Justice de Moraes, But Social Media Remains Accessible: X has now shut down its offices and operations in Brazil after it claimed that it received "threats" from Brazilian Supreme Court Minister, Alexandre de Moraes. It is known that X refused to censor the said controversial content in Brazil, gaining notoriety against the country's judicial body. Despite its office closing down, X claimed that its service would still be accessible in Brazil and would continue the social media experience for its residents. (TechTimes) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Bitcoin Mining Profitability Fell to All Time Lows in August, JPMorgan Analyst Says: Mining profitability fell to all time lows as the network hashrate rose in the first two weeks of August, the report said. U.S. miners' share of the Bitcoin network hashrate rose to a new record high of 26%, the bank said. The bank noted that the network hashrate has risen about 1% so far this month. (CoinDesk) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 28/100 (Up 1 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): Although bitcoiners know the difference between 'crypto' and bitcoin, most news organizations do not, often conflating the two. In our aggregation of facts in the DIB, there will often exist bias and ignorance in the media reports. We can't filter it all out nor do we want to, but where we can we will footnote it in the analyst comments. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

Fountain

Bitcoin Veterans • 055. Dr Matthew Mbanga • Listen on Fountain

Dr. Matthew Mbanga (DTL, MBA) Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. Attended university and grad school in Texas. Returned to Zimbabwe to serve his ...

Last week's episode was incredible. Matthew is not only a wealth of knowledge and tremendous leader he's also a good man that has the right priorities. Listen to "055. Dr Matthew Mbanga " by Bitcoin Veterans. 🔥🔥🔥

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 857,033 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 16Aug24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Ukraine Captures 100 Russians in Kursk / New PM Elected in Thailand / Man Gets 18 Months Prison in UK for Chanting / Peruvian Gang Leader and Murderer Released on US Border Arrested in NY / Hurricane Ernesto to Hit Bermuda / Five Arrested in Matthew Perry's Death / UAE Court OKs Digital Asset Salary / What Happened Today in 1971? / Iran Clamps Down on Mining / CBDCs Pushed in India, Panned by Conservatives in Canada / Fed Balance Sheet Jumps / Recession Fears Ease / Neuralink Implanted in Second Human / A Great Economy? Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,168, 23.62 oz Gold, .13 Median US House 24hr Hi: $59,838 / Lo: $56,161 Vol: $34B (Up 6%) Mkt Cap: $1.15T (Down 1%) HashRate: 648 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 3 sats/vBtye (Down 50%) Nodes: 19,619 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Ukraine Nabs Over 100 Russian Troops in Kursk – Largest Capture in a Single Operation: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) special forces captured 102 Russian soldiers on Wednesday Aug. 14 in the Kursk region of Russia, which currently marks the largest single capture of enemy troops and gave Kyiv Post the photo evidence to prove it. SBU sources said the captured soldiers were from the 488th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment and the Chechen “Akhmat” special forces unit who surrendered despite having ample supplies and ammunition. (KyivPost) 2. Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra is elected Thailand’s prime minister: Thailand’s Parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister Friday, continuing the legacy of the political dynasty that began with her father Thaksin Shinawatra, one of Thailand’s most popular but divisive political figures. Thaksin, a former Prime Minister, was ousted by a military coup in 2006, which triggered decades of deep political divisions. (AP) 3. Man Jailed for 18 Months After Chanting ‘Who the F*** Is Allah’ During England Riot: David Spring, of Longfellow Road in Sutton, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for comments he made during a Downing Street anti-mass migration protest that descended into a riot in the wake of the Southport mass stabbing that left three young girls dead. (Breitbart) -US Events- 1. Wanted Peru gang leader arrested in US: Torres-Navarro, 38, was detained in New York state after entering the country illegally at the Texas-Mexico border, a statement from the ICE agency said. He is believed to be the leader of the Los Killers gang and is on Peru's wanted list. In a statement sent to the BBC, ICE said Torres-Navarro was first arrested on 16 May upon entering the US illegally, and was served a notice to appear for immigration proceedings (AC-AND RELEASED!). About two months later, authorities were notified that he was in fact wanted in Peru, which led to his eventual arrest in the town of Endicott during a "targeted enforcement action" on Wednesday, ICE added. (BBC) (AC-Sometimes foreign media reports what US media outlets will not. In this case, the Peruvian gang leader was stopped and then released in the US. He was arrested in New York 2 months later once ICE found out he was on Peru's wanted list for killing police and at least 23 others.) 2. Hurricane Ernesto ramps up to Category 2 as it churns towards Bermuda, poses dangers for coastal US: he storm could intensify even further to become the season’s second major hurricane — Category 3 or stronger — as it crosses 600 miles of the Atlantic before reaching Bermuda early Saturday. (CNN) 3. Matthew Perry’s death leads to sweeping indictment of 5, including doctors and reputed dealers: Nearly 10 months after the death of Matthew Perry, the long-simmering investigation into the ketamine that killed him came dramatically into public view with the announcement that five people had been charged with having roles in the overdose of the beloved “Friends” star. (AP) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Dubai court recognizes crypto as a valid salary payment: Heaver said that the case involved an employee who filed a lawsuit claiming that the employer had not paid their wages, wrongful termination compensation and other benefits. The worker’s employment contract stipulated a monthly salary in fiat and 5,250 in EcoWatt tokens. (CoinTelegraph) 2. Nixon ended gold standard 53 years ago today — WTF happened in 1971?: Aug. 15, 2024, marks the 53rd anniversary of the “Nixon Shock,” the day that United States President Richard Nixon eliminated the gold standard for the US dollar. At the time, Nixon claimed that taking the dollar off the gold standard was “temporary” and would “stabilize” the dollar. Noting that Nixon promised his action would “stabilize the dollar,” which has lost 98.5% of its gold value since that day, Neil Jacobs stated, “This is why we ₿itcoin.” (CoinTelegraph) 3. Iran Escalates Crackdown on Illegal Crypto Mining Amid Severe Power Crisis: Iran is aggressively cracking down on illegal cryptocurrency mining as the nation faces a severe power crisis exacerbated by an intense heatwave. Iranian authorities claim that unauthorized crypto mining has significantly strained Iran’s power grid, leading to widespread industrial disruptions. A bounty program has been launched to encourage citizens to report illegal mining operations. (BitcoinCom) 4. IMF proposes 85% power tax hike on crypto and AI data centers: The IMF argues that these sectors consume 2% of the world’s electricity and contribute nearly 1% of global emissions. The financial regulator claimed that one Bitcoin transaction uses the same electricity that an average person in Ghana or Pakistan would use in three years. Additionally, it argues a ChatGPT query consumes ten times more electricity than a Google search due to the energy-intensive nature of AI data centers. (CryptoSlate) -Central Bank Digital Currencies- 1. Central bank digital currency, financial inclusion in India: As India continues to evolve its financial landscape, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) emerges as a potential tool to drive financial inclusion, particularly in a country where a significant portion of the population remains financially illiterate and vulnerable to fraud. (TimesOfIndia) 2. Pierre Poilievre Backs Bill to Ban Central Bank Digital Currency in Canada: Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, backs a bill that seeks to ban central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Canada. He argues that a CBDC would give the government excessive control over finances, threatening privacy and economic freedom. “It’s time to put an end to creating a central bank digital currency in Canada,” he said. (BitcoinCom) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin Spot ETFs net $11M inflow, despite GBTC loss: On Aug. 15, Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a net inflow of $11.11 million, indicating continued investor interest despite outflows from Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). (CointTelegraph) 2. South Korea's National Pension Service Invests $34M in MicroStrategy Shares: South Korea's National Pension Service (NPS), the country's largest institutional investor, has purchased $34 million worth of shares in MicroStrategy, a business intelligence firm known for its large Bitcoin holdings. (Decrypt) -Economic Indicators- 1. Federal Reserve balance sheet rises by $2 billion amid rate cut speculation: The Federal Reserve’s balance sheet saw a $2 billion increase week over week, now totaling $7.2 trillion, marking the ninth such increase in the past year, according to FRED. However, the declines have been lessening since May, potentially approaching the start of the fed cutting cycle. (CryptoSlate) 2. US 10-Year Yield Holds Firm on Upbeat Data: The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note held its recent advance to around 3.9% on Friday as better-than-expected US economic data allayed fears of an imminent recession. (TradingEconomics) 3. US Stocks Rally On Upbeat US Data: US stocks surged on Thursday as Wall Street responded positively to signals of resilience in the US consumer and labor markets, alleviating recession concerns. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq marked 6-day winning streak, jumping 1.6% and 2.4%. respectively, and the Dow Jones climbed by 555 points. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Crypto Criminals Are Shifting Their Focus to Centralized Exchanges: Centralized exchanges have become the new target for crypto criminals, who have stolen over $1.5 billion in the first half of the year, according to a report by Chainalysis. Attackers are using advanced social engineering tactics, with some even applying for IT jobs at targeted companies. (Decrypt) -Technology and Science- 1. Neuralink Achieves Major Milestone: Second Brain Implant Successful, Elon Musk Says: The company has successfully implanted its device in a second patient, demonstrating progress in its mission to restore independence to individuals with paralysis. The initial patient, who received the implant earlier this year, has shown remarkable improvement in controlling digital devices with their thoughts. Activities such as playing video games, browsing the internet, and typing have become possible, offering a new level of freedom and independence. (TechTimes -Bitcoin Community- NSTR -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 27/100 (Down 2 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): Economic data continues to improve leading up the November election. One of the key tenets of MMT economics in practice is the controlling of economic activity, yet the timing of such controls is subject to unknown factors discussed behind closed doors. Though the Federal Reserve is not an official government agency, it's decisions have a large effect on political theater. In the case of this election season, we are heading into an election where recession worries are tamped down, inflation is officially lower in years, and a Fed rate drop is very possible in September. The thinking individual would assess this information as an engineered series of events. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 856,888 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 15Aug24 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Ukraine Kursk Incursion Confounds / A Rouge Ukrainian Allegedly Sabotaged Nord Stream / Taliban Parades Through Bagram / Hurricane Ernesto Hits Puerto Rico / VP Harris Wants to Control Grocery Prices / Tax Relief Bill on Crypto Transactions Introduced / China, Russia Using Crypto for Cross-Border Payments / USG Moves 10K BTC To Coinbase / Mt Gox Moves 46K BTC For Clients / Norway Wealth Fund Invests in Bitcoin / CPI Show Inflation Drop / SSNs of All Americans on Dark Web / Water Found on Mars / MARA Buys More BTC / BTC Mining Difficulty Drops 4% Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $58,790, 24.81 oz Gold, .14 Median US House 24hr Hi: $61,687 / Lo: $57,733 Vol: $32B (Up 13%) Mkt Cap: $1.16T (Down 4%) HashRate: 633 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 6 sats/vBtye (Even) Nodes: 19,551 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Ukraine gambled on an incursion deep into Russian territory. The bold move changed the battlefield: Ukraine’s stunning incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region was a bold gamble for the country’s military commanders, who committed their limited resources to a risky assault on a nuclear-armed enemy with no assurance of success. The shock of Ukraine’s thunder run revealed chinks in the armor of its powerful adversary. The attack also risked aggravating Ukraine’s own weaknesses by extending the front line and committing new troops at a time when military leaders are short on manpower. (AP) 2. A Drunken Evening, a Rented Yacht: The Real Story of the Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage: The Ukrainian operation cost around $300,000, according to people who participated in it. It involved a small rented yacht with a six-member crew, including trained civilian divers. “The whole thing was born out of a night of heavy boozing and the iron determination of a handful of people who had the guts to risk their lives for their country.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially approved the plan, according to one officer who participated and three people familiar with it. (WSJ) (AC- This is a very interesting read in the WSJ. While both Russia and Ukraine deny Ukrainian involvement in the sabotage, this story puts the blame on a rogue Ukrainian general, and takes the pressure off of possible US or Israeli involvement. If any possibility of the latter is true, it's consistent with the maxim of "always have a patsy".) 3. Taliban celebrates three years of return to power in Afghanistan: Afghanistan’s Taliban has celebrated three years in power with a military parade, paying homage to its homemade bombs, fighter aircraft and goose-stepping security forces. The Taliban’s armed forces towed Soviet-era tanks, American vehicles and artillery pieces through Bagram, the former United States airbase, where Chinese and Iranian diplomats were among hundreds who gathered for the parade and speeches on Wednesday. (AlJazeera) -US Events- 1. Hurricane Warning issued for Bermuda as Ernesto continues to gain strength: Hurricane Ernesto brought damaging wind gusts and flooding rain to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Tuesday and Wednesday, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of utility customers and leading to reports of water rescues due to flash flooding. (FoxWeather) 2. Harris to propose federal ban on ‘corporate price-gouging’ in food and groceries: Vice President Kamala Harris plans to propose the first-ever federal ban on “corporate price-gouging in the food and grocery industries,” her campaign announced late Wednesday. “There’s a big difference between fair pricing in competitive markets, and excessive prices unrelated to the costs of doing business,” the Harris campaign said in a statement. (CNBC) (AC- Consistent with all authoritarian regimes, price controls are about control disguised at helping the people.) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Senate proposal for crypto tax exemption is long overdue: Lummis and Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced their proposal, the Virtual Currency Tax Fairness Act, to the 118th Congress in July. if a person uses cryptocurrency to buy something that costs less than $200, then only the sales tax would apply. Zinda further pointed out that the proposal mirrors existing rules where US law provides a similar exemption for foreign currency. Capital gains would still apply if someone were simply cashing out their holdings. (CoinTelegraph) 2. China-Russia International Trade Payments Situation Worsens: Crypto and Barter Rise as Alternatives: Chinese regional banks, which were once used as bridges to process payments from Russia to China, have begun rejecting these payments for fear of secondary sanctions. To facilitate these transactions, cryptocurrency and even barter schemes have emerged as options to continue trading outside the dollar-dominated financial system. (BitcoinCom) -Central Bank Digital Currencies- NSTR -Institutional Concerns- 1. US Government Transfers $600 Million in Silk Road Bitcoin to Coinbase: The United States government has transferred nearly $600 million worth of seized Bitcoin from the Silk Road dark web marketplace to a Coinbase wallet. The transaction involved 10,000 Bitcoin and it is unclear whether the government plans to sell or hold the assets. (Decrypt) 2. Norway’s Wealth Fund Bets On Bitcoin: Analyst Discloses Over 100% Increase In BTC Holdings: According to a recent analysis NBIM, which manages the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global, now indirectly owns 2,446 Bitcoin (BTC), representing a significant increase of 938 BTC from the end of 2023. (Bitcoinist) 3. Mt. Gox Moves Another $2 Billion In Bitcoin: The defunct crypto exchange Mt. Gox isn’t done with its Bitcoin repayments to creditors, as on-chain data shows that the exchange recently moved a significant amount of BTC. The defunct crypto exchange still holds 46,164 BTC ($2.81 billion), which could still significantly impact the market depending on whether other creditors choose to hold. (Bitcoinist) -Economic Indicators- 1. US Inflation Rate Slows to 2021-Lows: The annual inflation rate in the US slowed for a fourth consecutive month to 2.9% in July 2024, the lowest since March 2021, compared to 3% in June and below forecasts of 3%. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. The Social Security number of every American may have been stolen in Florida company data breach: It was stolen from a company called “National Public Data” out of Coral Springs, Florida. The L.A. Times reported a hacking group said it stole the data and put nearly three billion individual records for sale on the dark web. Those records are from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. It includes a person’s full name, address, date of birth, phone numbers, and for U.S. citizens, your Social Security number. (ActionNewsJax) (AC-Reporting on this incident is strange. Most media sources are not reporting this breach and is not restricted to US citizens, but does include SSNs of Americans. Why the reporting would be throttled is unclear. It is, of course, being reported and trending on X. ) -Technology and Science- 1. Scientists find oceans of water on Mars. It’s just too deep to tap: Using seismic activity to probe the interior of Mars, geophysicists have found evidence for a large underground reservoir of liquid water — enough to fill oceans on the planet’s surface. (UCBerkeley) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Marathon Digital Acquires 4,144 Bitcoins With $300M Convertible Note Offering: Bitcoin Miner Marathon Digital said that recent Bitcoin acquisition is part of its long term strategy to reduce debt on its balance sheet. (CoinGape) 2. Bitcoin mining difficulty drops by over 4%: On Aug. 14, Bitcoin mining difficulty decreased significantly by over 4%, according to Glassnode, marking the seventh negative adjustment in 2024. The hash rate, measured on a seven-day moving average, has dropped to approximately 622 exahashes per second (EH/s), down from its all-time high (ATH) of 670 EH/s. (CryptoSlate) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 29/100 (Down 1 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report