BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 880,208 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 21Jan25 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Trump Inaugurated, Starts EO Marathon / South Korean President Yoon In Court / Taliban-US Prisoner Exchange / Houthis Say Will Target Only Israeli Ships Now / Jan 6th Prisoners Pardoned / Rubio Approved For SECSTATE / CBP Officer Shot, Killed in VT / Winter Storm Blankets South / Trump Ghosts Crypto, Bitcoin on 1st Day / Vivek Bows Out of DOGE / Trump MemeCoins Crash / Rumble Buys 1st Bitcoin / TradFi Markets Unsteady / CIA Analyst Guilty of Passing Data / TikToc Alive, For Now Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $104,742, 38.16 oz Gold, .24 Median US House 24hr Hi: $107,965 / Lo: $100,103 Vol: $103B (Down 9%) Mkt Cap: $2.07T (Down 2%) HashRate: 779 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 5 sats/vBtye (Down 62%) Nodes: 21,469 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. South Korea's Yoon defends actions at impeachment hearing over martial law decree: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attended on Tuesday a Constitutional Court hearing of his impeachment trial where he denied ordering military commanders to drag lawmakers out of parliament during his short-lived bid to impose martial law. His lawyers outlined arguments in defence of Yoon's martial law declaration, saying it was meant to sound the alarm over abuses committed by the opposition Democratic Party. (Reuters) 2. Afghan Taliban Government Announces Prisoner Swap With US: The Taliban government said Tuesday it had released American citizens from prison in return for an Afghan fighter held in the United States, in a deal brokered by Qatar. The family of US citizen Ryan Corbett, who was detained by the Taliban in 2022, confirmed he was released and expressed "overwhelming gratitude" that he was coming home. US media named William McKenty as the second American detainee, noting little was known about what he was doing in Afghanistan and that his family had asked the US government for privacy in his case. (IBTimes) 3. Yemen’s Houthis signal they’ll now limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to Israeli ships: Yemen’s Houthi rebels signaled Monday they now will limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip, but warned wider assaults could resume if needed. (AP) -US Events- 1. Supporters Rally Outside D.C. Jail After Trump Pardons J6ers: Demonstrators rally outside the Central Detention Facility, also known as the D.C. Jail, after President Donald Trump pardoned and commuted thousands sentences of participants in the January 6 Capitol riot. (Breitbart) (AC-There are a large number of executive orders signed by President Trump, many of which has significant ramifications globally. 2. First Trump Cabinet Pick Approved: Senate Confirms Marco Rubio as Secretary of State: The U.S. Senate confirmed Rubio in a 99-0 vote, with his former colleagues voicing no opposition to the appointment. (Breitbart) 3. US Border Patrol agent killed in Vermont traffic stop: The DHS said that a Border Patrol agent was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont on Monday at 3:15 p.m. Coventry is near the U.S.-Canada border. During the traffic stop, two suspects were in the car. Officials confirmed that one of the suspects was dead. (Fox) 4. Dangerous 'rare winter storm' hits Gulf Coast as it braces for historic snowfall: "A bitterly cold airmass will remain in place for much of the South and eastern U.S. over the next couple of days," the National Weather Service said early Tuesday in a forecast as it advised the public about the prospect of heavy snow, freezing rain and a “significant winter storm.” (NBC) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Crypto Absent from President Trump's First Day Executive Orders: President Donald Trump's second term began without any mention of crypto in his inaugural speech or executive actions, disappointing the community. Despite expectations, he did not address key issues like a Bitcoin reserve or the SEC's rule "SAB 121." The absence of immediate action has left the crypto industry in limbo, with market optimism dampened by the president's silence. (Decrypt) 2. Vivek Ramaswamy exits DOGE role as Elon Musk takes control: Ramaswamy announced this in a Jan. 20 post on X, stating that he would no longer co-lead DOGE, a department focused on streamlining US government operations. Observers believe Ramaswamy may be preparing to launch a gubernatorial campaign, although he has yet to confirm these reports. (CryptoSlate) -Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies- 1. Trump Meme Coins Crash Following US Presidential Inauguration: First Lady Melania Trump’s newly launched meme coin, Melania Meme (MELANIA), has fallen more than 60% from its debut high. MELANIA now sits with a market cap of $625.5 million, per CoinGecko data. At the same time, Donald Trump’s meme coin, Official Trump (TRUMP), also took a sharp hit, falling 43% to $45 from a peak of $73.43 earlier in the week. Billed as a collectible and entertainment token, the project’s FAQ noted it is “not a financial instrument or investment.” (Decrypt) (AC-Don't shitcoin.) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Rumble Makes First Bitcoin Purchase As Part of $20 Million Strategy: In the short X post, Pavlovski said, “On Friday, Rumble $RUM made its first-ever purchase of bitcoin. It won’t be the last.” (BitcoinCom) -Economic Indicators- 1. US Futures Point to Gains at the Open, Trump Eyed: US stock futures edged higher on Tuesday, with contracts on the three major indexes gaining about 0.4% as traders prepared for Donald Trump’s second administration. On his first day in office yesterday, Trump took several steps to advance his agenda but refrained from immediately imposing tariffs, as many had anticipated. However, he later indicated plans to introduce a 25% levy on Mexico and Canada while avoiding mention of China. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Ex-CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Sharing Top-Secret Data: Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, was an employee of the CIA since 2016 and had a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). He was charged with two counts of unlawfully transmitting NDI in November 2024 following his arrest. Multiple reports from Axios and CNN revealed around that time that the release was linked to Israel's plans to attack Iran. (HackerNews -Technology and Science- 1. Trump has tossed TikTok a lifeline. But China’s not happy : Trump issued a 45-day pause in the TikToc ban, but in China, where TikTok’s parent company is based, the reception has been less positive, largely because Trump has suggested he could require the company to give up a 50% stake to avert a shutdown and suggested tariffs on Chinese goods could hinge on whether Beijing approves a potential future deal. (CNN) -Bitcoin Community- NSTR -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 76/100 (Even) Analyst Comments (AC): There are a large number of executive orders signed by President Trump, many of which has significant ramifications globally. As many as 200 more are expected to be signed over the next few days. We will give updates on the most significant ones as information continues to flow. Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 879,497 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 16Jan25 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Not Quite Yet on Hamas Hostages Deal / Detained President Yoon Stays Quiet / Biden Gives Dark Speech on Way Out / LA Fires Dwindle / DOJ to Give $9B of Bitcoin Back to Bitfinex / Oklahoma Latest State to Vote on Bitcoin Reserve / Eight US Blockchain Lobby Group Unite / Trump May Consider Other Crypto Reserves / Several Argentina Companies Have Bitcoin Reserves / World Liberty Positions for Crypto Boom / CPI Say Inflation Slowing Down, Wall Street Likes It / LinkedIn "Recruiters" May Be NK Spies / Bezos Puts Rocket in Space Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $99,094, 36.12 oz Gold, .23 Median US House 24hr Hi: $100,781 / Lo: $96,814 Vol: $58B (Up 16%) Mkt Cap: $1.99T (Up 2%) HashRate: 735 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Down 33%) Nodes: 21,198 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Netanyahu says ‘last minute crisis’ with Hamas holding up approval of Gaza truce and hostage deal: Netanyahu began signaling there were issues with the deal just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced it was complete. The objection created a dual reality: War-weary Palestinians in Gaza, the relatives of hostages held there and world leaders all welcomed an agreement, expected to begin Sunday, even as Netanyahu said it was not yet finalized. The deal announced Wednesday would see a scores of hostages held in Gaza released and a pause in fighting with a view to eventually wind down a 15-month war that has destabilized the Middle East and sparked worldwide protests. (AP) 2. Detained South Korean President Yoon refuses second day of questioning: South Korea’s arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to attend a second day of questioning by investigators on Thursday, further stonewalling a criminal investigation into whether he committed insurrection with his martial law bid. Authorities have 48 hours to question the suspended president, after which they must release him or seek a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days. (NBC) -US Events- 1. Biden Warns US Heading For 'Oligarchy' Under Trump, Musk In Dark Farewell Speech: U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans Wednesday to "stand guard" against a "dangerous" oligarchy forming under Donald Trump as he delivered a dark farewell address before stepping down next week. Biden also warned of the dangers of AI, saying that America must take the "lead" over China on the transformative technology, and said that "powerful forces" threatened his climate achievements. (IBTimes) 2. Los Angeles wildfires: As winds ease, officials warn residents ‘not out of the woods yet’: A window of dangerous fire weather conditions has closed, but firefighters battling the Los Angeles blazes are still contending with “extreme hazards and the potential for fire growth,” a Cal Fire official said. Forecasters warn another round of Santa Ana Winds are expected early next week. But even for those whose homes were not destroyed, getting back to their neighborhoods may be delayed by the critical work of removing hazardous debris. That cleanup process could take three to six months. (CNN) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Department of Justice Orders Return of $9 Billion in Bitcoin From 2016 Bitfinex Hack: The DoJ stated that the recovered Bitcoin from the 2016 Bitfinex hack, valued at $9 billion today, should be returned to the exchange as there are no specific victims. Despite efforts to reimburse customers, some have contested the claim of being fully compensated. (Decrypt) 2. Oklahoma lawmaker proposes bill for state to invest in bitcoin: Oklahoma Representative Cody Maynard announced on Wednesday that “House Bill 1203,” or the “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act,” seeks to allow the state’s savings accounts and pension funds to invest in cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin. Representatives from states, including Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio, have recently pushed to build bitcoin reserves in their respective states. (TheBlock) 3. Eight U.S. Blockchain Lobby Groups Unite Ahead of Trump's Crypto Friendly Regime: Blockchain associations from eight U.S. states announced on Tuesday the creation of the North American Blockchain Association (NABA), an organization aiming to provide cohesive crypto policy recommendations to the federal government. Members include the Texas Blockchain Council, the Alabama Blockchain Alliance, the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, the Florida Blockchain Business Association, the Ohio Blockchain Council, the Pennsylvania Blockchain Coalition, the Virginia Blockchain Council and the Washington Technology Industry Association Cascadia Blockchain Council. (CoinDesk) -Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies- 1. Donald Trump Open to Having XRP, Solana and USDC Strategic Reserves: The latest report from New York Post shows that Donald Trump and his transition team are preparing to issue pro-crypto executive orders which will also include repealing the controversial crypto accounting policy aka SAB 121. A source familiar with the matter said that one idea that’s causing more controversy is the idea of having an America-first strategic reserve. This means that the Trump transition team would prioritize cryptocurrencies founded in the US such as XRP, Solana, and the USDC stablecoin for strategic reserves. (CoinGape) (AC-Single source speculative reporting is not high on the reliability scale. This could be an influence tactic or actual truth that it's being "considered". Probability lies in the former.) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin Fever Reaches Corporate Argentina: These Unicorns Already Hold BTC: The so-called “bitcoin standard” pushed by Michael Saylor, using Microstrategy as its corporate driver, is becoming popular. Companies like Semler Scientific, Genius Group, Metaplanet, and KULR are diversifying their reserves using BTC. The Argentine company that holds the most bitcoin is, unsurprisingly, Bitfarms, a BTC miner. The mining company owns nearly 870 BTC as part of its operations. Mercado Libre, one of the largest e-tailers in Latam, is the second Argentine company with the most bitcoin, storing 412 BTC in its vaults. Finally, Globant, an IT and software engineering company, possesses 15 BTC. (BitcoinCOM) (AC-Just a reminder that BTC is a global phenomena, and US reporting is incomplete.) 2. World Liberty Financial Swaps $10 Million Bitcoin for Ethereum: World Liberty Financial, associated with the Trump family, exchanged 103 wrapped BTC for 3,075 ETH on Jan. 14, transferring $61.4 million worth of ETH to various wallets, including Coinbase Prime. The exchange clarified that these movements were for business purposes, not token sales, reducing its portfolio from $83 million to $17.27 million. (Decrypt) -Economic Indicators- 1. US Inflation Rate Rises for Third Month, but Core Rate Slows: The annual inflation rate in the US rose for a 3rd consecutive month to 2.9% in December 2024 from 2.7% in November, in line with market expectations. (TradingEconomics) 2. Wall Street Rallies After CPI Report, Bank Earnings: The three major US stock indices posted their biggest daily gains in over two months on Wednesday, driven by strong bank earnings and lower-than-expected core inflation data. The S&P 500 gained 1.8%, the Dow Jones advanced 703 points, or 1.6%, and the Nasdaq 100 surged 2.4%. The CPI report showed progress toward the Fed's 2% inflation target, with core CPI rising 3.2% yoy, down from 3.3% in November. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Lazarus Group Targets Web3 Developers with Fake LinkedIn Profiles in Operation 99: The North Korea-linked Lazarus Group has been attributed to a new cyber attack campaign dubbed Operation 99 that targeted software developers looking for freelance Web3 and cryptocurrency work to deliver malware. "The campaign begins with fake recruiters, posing on platforms like LinkedIn, luring developers with project tests and code reviews." (HackerNews) -Technology and Science- 1. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launches massive New Glenn rocket on first test flight: Blue Origin launched its New Glenn rocket on its first test flight, sending a prototype satellite into orbit thousands of miles above Earth. The New Glenn rocket, named after John Glenn, took off from Florida and successfully reached orbit 13 minutes later, receiving praise from Elon Musk. The mission is part of Blue Origin's plans for six to eight flights this year, with future missions expected to send spacecraft to Mars. (GroundNews) -Bitcoin Community- 1. NSTR -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 75/100 (Up 5 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

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BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 879,221 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 14Jan25 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Gaza Peace Talks Making Progress / South Korean President Impeached, Still Bunkered / US Sanctions Russian O&G Sector / Hegseth Confirmation Begins / Looters Arrested in LA / Trump Readies Crypto EO / NY, BOE Collaborate on Crypto Regs / Tether Follows Rumble to El Salvador / First Bank Buys Bitcoin in Italy / Allstate Spied on American's Movements / Tik Tok Out, RedNote In / US Tightens AI Chip Exports / Starlink, T-Mobile Step Up in LA / BTC Shrimps Buying More / Bukele Wants a Node in Every Home Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $95,807, 35.96 oz Gold, .22 Median US House 24hr Hi: $97,352 / Lo: $89,260 Vol: $64B (Up 40%) Mkt Cap: $1.89T (Up 5%) HashRate: 771 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 8 sats/vBtye (Up 12%) Nodes: 21,176 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Israel to release 50 Palestinian prisoners including 30 serving life sentences for each female soldier hostage: According to a draft of the deal being negotiated between Israel and Hamas, Israel will pay a steep price to secure the release of female soldiers being held hostage. The three-phase agreement would begin with the gradual release of 33 hostages over a six-week period, including women, children, older adults and wounded civilians, in exchange for potentially hundreds of Palestinian women and children imprisoned by Israel. (TimesOfIsrael) 2. Top aide of impeached South Korean president pleads for investigators to halt detention efforts: Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk said President Yoon could instead be questioned at a “third site” or at his residence and said the anti-corruption agency and police were trying to drag him out like he was a member of a “South American drug cartel.” Yoon Suk Yeol has not left his official residence in Seoul for weeks, and the presidential security service prevented dozens of investigators from detaining him after a nearly six-hour standoff on Jan. 3. (AP) 3. US targets Russia’s oil sector with ‘sweeping’ sanctions: The sanctions on Friday targeted two major Russian oil producers and 183 vessels that help transport the petrol, as well as 80 individuals and entities involved in the production and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. The sanctioned companies include Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, two of Russia’s largest oil companies. (AlJazeera) -US Events- 1. Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth expected to face contentious confirmation hearing: Hegseth's past includes allegations of sexual assault and controversial views on women in combat, which he has softened in recent meetings. He has promised not to drink alcohol if confirmed and has support from some veterans' groups. The hearing is part of a weeklong review of Trump's cabinet choices, with potential opposition from both sides of the aisle. (GroundNews) 2. Nine Charged as Looting Surges in Wake of L.A. Wildfires: The affluent Pacific Palisades, devastated by the fire that raged there last week, has been a particular target. Many neighborhoods were destroyed, but some homes remain intact — enticing looters. The latest charges include for one burglary that netted $200,000 and one in which an Emmy statuette was stolen, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters. (Breitbart) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. President-elect Trump Plans to Issue a Crypto Executive Order, Starting With a Presidential Crypto Council: Sources indicate that President-elect Donald Trump is expected to issue a crypto-related executive order, establishing a presidential crypto council and instructing the SEC to repeal a rule discouraging American banks from holding crypto. Additional orders may follow to address more complex issues in the crypto industry. (Decrypt) 2. New York and Bank of England collaborate to align global crypto regulations: The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has announced a partnership with the Bank of England (BOE) to launch an international regulatory initiative aimed at harmonizing crypto regulations. The program, known as the Transatlantic Regulatory Exchange (TRE), is designed to promote collaboration, share expertise, and align regulatory approaches for digital assets and emerging payment systems. (CryptoSlate) -Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies- NSTR -Institutional Concerns- 1. Tether Relocating to El Salvador After Receiving Stablecoin Issuer License: Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, described this move as a natural progression that will allow the company to strengthen its focus on emerging markets. (BitcoinCom) 2. Intesa Sanpaolo Becomes the First Italian Bank to Invest Directly in Bitcoin: Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest banking group, has made a significant move by purchasing 11 Bitcoins for approximately 1 million euros, marking the first direct investment in crypto by an Italian bank. The acquisition was confirmed by the bank's press office following leaked internal communication earlier in the day. (Decrypt) -Economic Indicators- 1. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Stabilizes: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note held steady around 4.79%, maintaining its highest level since October 2023 after climbing over 20 basis points since the start of the year. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Texas sues Allstate, alleging it violated data privacy rights of 45 million Americans: Texas’ attorney general is suing the insurance giant Allstate and its subsidiary Arity for allegedly illegally collecting, using and selling cell phone location and movement data belonging to more than 45 million Americans without their knowledge. Allstate has harvested trillions of miles of that data from Americans’ cellphones through “secretly embedded” software Arity pays millions of dollars to place in mobile apps that track consumers’ driving data, state Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday. By failing to give consumers notice or get their consent for gathering and selling the sensitive data, Allstate violated Texas’ new Data Privacy and Security Act. Last fall, Texas also warned six apps listed on Arity’s website as apparent partners that they were violating the state’s data privacy law. Those apps are: GasBuddy, Life360, Miles, MyRadar, SiriusXM and Tapestri. (TheRecord) -Technology and Science- 1. TikTok Ban Spurs US Surge to Chinese App RedNote: In response to the impending TikTok ban on January 19, 2025, TikTok users are migrating en masse to the Chinese app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu. The migration to RedNote could significantly alter the social media landscape in the U.S., as millions of TikTok users seek alternatives. (GroundNews) 2. US Tightens AI Chip Exports Restrictions Ahead of Trump's Inauguration: Announced just days before Donald Trump’s transition as the President, the “Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion” seeks to maintain U.S. dominance in AI while preventing adversaries such as from exploiting advanced systems for malicious purposes. The restrictions impose caps on the number of advanced graphics processing units and other AI-related technologies that can be exported to most countries. (Decrypt) 3, Starlink, T-Mobile Direct-to-Cell Service Now Live for Los Angeles Wildfire Victims After Network Loss: This technology offers a satellite-to-phone connection for the victims of the natural disaster, with the residents given a chance to send text messages to first responders and family members to give knowledge of their statuses and whereabouts. (TechTimes) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Bitcoin Shrimps Back To Buying: Supply Share Hits 6.9%: The “Shrimps” refer to the smallest of hands in the BTC market, who carry less than one full token of the cryptocurrency in their wallet balance. The Bitcoin Shrimp Supply has registered an increase recently and has reached a value of 1.36 million BTC, which is equivalent to around 6.9% of the entire circulating supply of the asset. The pattern would imply the Shrimps took some of their profits at the high prices. (Bitcoinist) 2. President Bukele Plans Bitcoin Nodes in Every Home: Max Keiser spoke about President Nayib Bukele’s bold vision to introduce a Bitcoin node at every home thereby setting up global precedence in crypto adoption. The broader goal here is to promote economic decentralization and promote financial inclusion. Additionally, it also seeks to promote a decentralized nation-state model in the country. (CoinGape) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 63/100 (Up 2 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: 879,078 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 13Jan25 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Hamas Deal May Be in Works / Captured NK Soldiers May be Traded by Ukraine / Hindus Gather in India / 24 Now Confirmed Dead in LA Fires / Hegseth Set for SECDEF Confirmation Hearing Tuesday / New Recordings of FDIC Detail Chokepoint 2.0 / New Treasury Secretary to Divest From Bitcoin / Sen. Lummis to Head New Digital Asset Subcommittee / North Dakota Joins States Exploring Bitcoin Reserve / US Distilling Company Joins Others With Bitcoin Reserve / Hot Jobs Report Tamps Equities, Bitcoin / X Account Hacks Proliferate / OpenAI Squashes Gun Turret Engineer Project / Bitcoin Mining Difficulty at ATH Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $91,502, 34.27 oz Gold, .21 Median US House 24hr Hi: $95,837 / Lo: $90,183 Vol: $45B (Down 4%) Mkt Cap: $1.81T (Up 147%) HashRate: 764 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 7 sats/vBtye (Up 40%) Nodes: 20,672 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Hamas ‘very close to an agreement’ with Israel while key sticking points remain: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Monday that Israel is working hard to reach a deal in the ongoing negotiations being hosted in the Qatari capital of Doha, and that “progress was made.” (CNN) 2. Ukraine Displays Captured North Korean Soldiers, Wants to Trade Kim Jong-un for Its People in Russia: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published a video on social media on Sunday of two men Ukraine claims are North Korean soldiers captured on the front lines of the Russian invasion, allegedly fighting without having been told they were going to war. (Breitbart) 3. World's Largest Religious Gathering, Maha Kumbh Mela, Begins in India: The Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering globally, commenced today in Prayagraj, attracting millions of Hindu devotees who believe that bathing in the sacred confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati absolves them of sins. (GroundNews) -US Events- 1. Death toll rises to 24 in LA wildfires, more wind expected: The death toll from wildfires in Los Angeles has risen to 24, with 16 people still missing, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions, predicting winds up to 70 mph, which could worsen the fires. About 150,000 people remain under evacuation orders, with over 700 individuals seeking refuge in shelters. California Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to fast-track rebuilding efforts and ensure no increase in property tax assessments for affected residents. (GroundNews) (AC-No increase in taxes?) 2. Hegseth's Defense Secretary Confirmation Hearing Set for Tuesday: Pete Hegseth is scheduled for a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for the position of U.S. Secretary of Defense. His nomination has sparked significant public engagement, with veterans rallying in Washington D.C. to support him. There is also controversy surrounding his nomination due to his background and political affiliations, drawing both strong support and criticism from various quarters. (Various) (AC-The reporting on this issue is so vehemently anti-Hegseth that finding the facts of the confirmation hearing was difficult. The establishment does NOT want Hegseth in this position.) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. FDIC Operation Chokepoint 2.0: ‘Bone-Chilling’ Allegations Continue—Vendettas, Secret Arrangements, and Fear of Crypto: Allegations exposing the FDIC as part of Operation Chokepoint 2.0 continue, as whistleblowers affirm they have accessed recordings in which crypto organizations and influencers are targeted. The agency’s future, should crypto adoption grow, was also discussed. FDIC members stated that their dedicated media team would allow them to win any case, and mocked several crypto detractors, including Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter. Also, FDIC executives discussed several ways of sidestepping FOIA requests, including mislabeling documents and including attorneys in meetings to claim attorney-client privilege. (BitcoinCom) 2. Treasury Secretary Nominee Bessent to Divest Assets, Including BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF: Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary nominee, is preparing to divest assets, including his stake in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, following Federal ethics guidelines. Bessent's portfolio, worth $521 million, includes various investments like U.S. Treasury bills, ETFs, and commodities. Questions arise about whether he will divest from IBIT. (Decrypt) 3. 'Bitcoin Senator' Lummis to Lead Senate Subcommittee on Digital Assets: Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis is reportedly set to lead a new subcommittee on digital assets, an offshoot of the Senate Banking Committee. South Carolina's Tim Scott, the new chairman, has expressed support for crypto's potential to democratize finance. The House of Representatives also has a similar subcommittee under new leadership. (Decrypt) -Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies- 1. North Dakota Takes First Steps Towards State Bitcoin Reserve: Resolution 3001 introduced by North Dakota State Legislature aims to diversify state investments by including digital assets. The resolution, if passed, would direct the State Treasurer to allocate funds for digital asset investments. (Decrypt) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Publicly Traded Heritage Distilling Reveals Bitcoin Plans: Heritage Distilling, a Nasdaq-traded spirits firm, plans to adopt Bitcoin as a strategic asset and for payments, following in the footsteps of other public companies like MicroStrategy. The company's CEO stated they are recognizing the growing number of consumers using Bitcoin regularly. (Decrypt) -Economic Indicators- 1. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Approaches 4.8%: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note neared 4.8% to start the second week of the year, its highest level since October 2023, after rising 17 bps last week. Similarly, the yield on the 30-year Treasury surpassed 5% for the first time in over a year. (TradingEconomics) 2. US Equities Tumble After Jobs Report: US Equities closed sharply lower on Friday, following a stronger-than-expected jobs report that dampened expectations for further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2025. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both dropped 1.5%, while the Dow Jones plunged almost 700 points. The December jobs report showed a robust labor market, with 256,000 new jobs and a decline in the unemployment rate to 4.1%, surpassing forecasts. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. String of X hijacks continues as hackers access accounts of Litecoin, Foresight Ventures, and others: Litecoin's X account was compromised on Saturday and used to promote a memecoin scam to its 1.1 million followers. Also affected on Saturday was the X account of Foresight Ventures and its 28,000 followers, and on Sunday, the X account of LayerZero Labs co-founder and CTO Ryan Zarick was likewise compromised and used to promote a scam to his 12,500 followers. The X account of Holoworld AI, which boasts over 150,000 followers, was also compromised last week. Security researcher Taylor Monahan recommends users remove their phone number from their X account, configure two-factor authentication, and review the list of accounts with delegate access. (TheBlock) 2. Crypto industry alarmed as 7 million OpenSea email users’ leak resurfaces: “Remember the attack on the OpenSea mail service provider in 202[2] that led to the leakage of emails? The leaked email addresses have now been fully publicized after multiple dissemination.” A screenshot shared by the CISO even revealed that Binance’s former CEO Changpeng Zhao’s email address was among the compromised data. (CryptoSlate) -Technology and Science- 1. OpenAI Says No to AI Weapons: Sentry Gun Powered by ChatGPT Now Shut Down: AI weapons are still a big no for OpenAI, and the company already made it clear before that it does not want its technology to be used for creating or powering machines that can harm humans or other forms of life, yet an engineer did so. OpenAI has since shut down the use of ChatGPT for the said weapon, and the company reiterated its stance against this misuse of its technology, slamming the engineer and content creator for their actions. (TechTimes) (AC-The cat is out of the bag.) -Bitcoin Community- 1. Bitcoin mining difficulty reaches historic high of 110 trillion after eight consecutive increases: On Jan. 12, the network’s difficulty rose by 0.61%, setting a new record of 110.45 trillion at block height 878,976. In 2024, Bitcoin mining underwent a significant transformation, with difficulty surging by nearly 50%. (CryptoSlate) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 61/100 (Down 1 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: 878,349 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 08Jan25 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: Trump Warns Hamas / South Korean President Faces New Arrest Warrant / Fires in California Force Evacuations / US Ports May Strike Over Automation / GB Livelsberger Used ChatGPT to Plan / Texas Court Orders BTC Keys to be Handed Over / 20 More US States Look at Bitcoin Reserves / Ripple CEO, Legal Officer Dine With Trump / BRICS Expands Again / Bhutan City Sets Up Crypto Reserve / UK Court Seizes Criminal's Bitcoin / Tencent Blacklisted by DoD Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $95,224, 35.88 oz Gold, .22 Median US House 24hr Hi: $100,945 / Lo: $94,550 Vol: $68B (Up 38%) Mkt Cap: $1.88T (Down 5%) HashRate: 798 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 7 sats/vBtye (Up 133%) Nodes: 21,136 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Trump says ‘all hell will break out’ if no hostage deal by inauguration: President-elect Donald Trump said in a news conference that “all hell will break out” and it will “not be good for Hamas” if a deal to release Israeli hostages held by the militant group is not done before his Jan. 20 inauguration. In response to Trump’s comments, Hamas official Osama Hamdan told reporters that “the U.S. president must make more disciplined and diplomatic statements,” Reuters reported. (WaPo) 2. South Korea's Yoon faces new arrest attempt in fortified compound: Acting president Choi Sang-mok urged on Wednesday authorities to "do their best to prevent any injuries to citizens or physical conflict between government agencies" while executing Yoon's arrest warrant. The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has been fortifying the compound this week with barbed wire and barricades using buses to block access to the residence, a hillside villa in an upscale district known as Korea's Beverly Hills. (Reuters) (AC-The relatively peaceful political struggle over this situation is impressive, but may not last long. The implications for the regional security and US troops in Korea are immense and has outsized potential to destabilize the region.) -US Events- 1. California Wildfires: Palisades A Blazing Nightmare As Residents Forced To Flee Burning Homes: California has declared a state of emergency as authorities combat the wind-driven wildfire. Around 30,000 people, or over 10,000 households, were under evacuation orders throughout the day. Utility tracker Poweroutage.us has also revealed that there are over 120,000 customers without power in California due to the weather situation. No injuries or fatalities have been confirmed so far. (IBTimes) 2. US Port Labor Talks Intensify as Automation Debate Threatens New Strike: Over 45,000 longshoremen could strike by January 15 despite agreeing to a 62% pay raise over six years. The main conflict centers on automation policies, with the International Longshoremen's Association demanding a complete ban to protect jobs. West Coast ports are already seeing record container volumes as shippers redirect cargo due to East Coast uncertainty. A strike would affect major ports including Baltimore and Virginia, potentially disrupting U.S. supply chains during presidential transition. (GroundNews) (AC-Luddites in the AI and robotics era may not fare well.) 3. Green Beret who exploded Cybertruck in Las Vegas used AI to plan blast: Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a Tuesday news conference the soldier, Matthew Livelsberger, started using ChatGPT to get information on how to conduct his plot, calling it a “game changer.” OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, told CNN the company is “saddened by this incident and committed to seeing AI tools used responsibly.” (CNN) (AC-AI censoring and monitoring inbound.) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Texas Court Orders Bitcoin Investor to Surrender Keys to $124 Million Stash: According to the order issued by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman on Monday, Richard Ahlgren III must disclose all private keys and identify any devices that he used to store crypto, such as hardware wallets. The Austin, Texas resident faced three counts of filing false tax returns and four counts of illegal structuring of cash deposits. By December last year, Ahlgren was sentenced to two years in prison for falsely reporting capital gains he earned from selling $3.7 million worth of Bitcoin. (Decrypt) (AC-A key legal case to watch for hodlers. If the USG believes you withheld taxes from them, they will jail you and order you to share all your keys. It's unknown if Ahlgreen will comply.) 2. Satoshi Action Fund Says to Expect 20 More Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Bills at State Level: The Satoshi Action Fund plans to introduce up to 20 Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bills at the state level in the United States, aiming to double the number of states with pro-Bitcoin legislation by 2025. (Decrypt) 3. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse hails Donald Trump meeting as US crypto engagement grows: Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty attended a private dinner with US President-elect Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago Resort in Florida. In a Bloomberg interview, Ripple’s President Monica Long revealed plans to expand the RLUSD stablecoin to additional exchanges soon. (CryptoSlate) (AC-This meeting portends a centralized altcoin and stablecoin emphasis for the incoming administration versus a decentralized Bitcoin-based emphasis. Interpretations of these possibilities are varied.) -Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies- 1. BRICS Expands Again – Indonesia Gains Full Membership in Historic Move: Indonesia’s accession to BRICS as a full member has been officially confirmed by Brazil’s government, with the announcement made on Jan. 6. Recent BRICS expansion brought in multiple new participants. In January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were formally inducted into the bloc. A Russian official confirmed that Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan have joined as BRICS partners. (BitcoinCom) (AC-When viewing BRICS as an "anti-US hegemony" effort, the momentum and machinations point to an upcoming struggle for the economic, political, cultural and military "king of the hill" with the outcome far from assured. Pain will be the only sure thing.) 2. Bhutan economic hub to set up strategic crypto reserve: A new economic hub in Bhutan plans to set up a strategic cryptocurrency reserve comprising major crypto assets, including Bitcoin and Ether. Unlike other global jurisdictions exploring Bitcoin-only strategic reserves, Bhutan’s GMC seeks to stash several established cryptocurrencies as part of its potential crypto strategic reserve. (CoinTelegraph) -Institutional Concerns- NSTR -Economic Indicators- 1. US Services Activity Rises More than Expected: The ISM Services PMI rose to 54.1 in December 2024 from 52.1 in November, above market expectations of 53.3. The reading marked the 10th time the composite index has been in expansion territory this year. (TradingEconomics) 2. S&P 500 Rises for 3rd Session: Stocks in the US were mostly higher on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.4%, extending gains for a third session, the Dow Jones adding nearly 130 points and the Nasdaq trading around the flatline. All sectors were in the green but energy and real estate outperformed. (TradingEconomics) 3. US Imports 2nd Highest on Record in November: Imports of goods and services into the US rose 3.4% to $351.6 billion in November 2024, the largest increase since March 2022, as companies rushed shipments ahead of a potential dockworkers’ strike and anticipated Trump administration tariffs. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. UK Authorities To Seize $4.3 Million In Bitcoin From Fugitive Crime Boss: A UK judge has ordered the seizure of $4.3 million in Bitcoin (BTC) from a British crime lord known as “Don Car-Leone.” The ruling comes after the fugitive failed to prove the crypto holdings weren’t related to criminal activities. (Bitcoinist) -Technology and Science- 1. US Blacklists Gaming Giant Over Chinese Military Ties: Tencent, no question, is among one of the biggest players in China for gaming. Without it, none of League of Legends, Pokemon Unite, or PUBG Mobile exist now. However, now the US is treating the company as a military firm. Blacklisting Tencent over suspects linked to the Chinese military, this step can lead towards a disastrous fate not only for Tencent but all its gaming ventures like Riot Games, Epic Games, and even Ubisoft. (TechTimes) -Bitcoin Community- NSTR -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 70/100 (Down 8 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

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BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB) Block: 878,091 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 06Jan25 Precedence: Routine (RR) Controls: Public Release QQQQ __________________________ BLUF: PM Trudeau May Quit This Week / Hamas Willing to Release Some Hostages / Austria Coalition Government Collapsed / Jan 6th, Again / Biden To Ban Offshore Drilling / Johnson Elected House Speaker / Chokepoint 2.0 Draws Investigations / Russia CBDC Project Continues / Luke Gromen Says 'Be Smart' on BTC Reserve / BTC ETFs Inflows Back / MSTR Wants More / Tariff Talk Bounces USD / Criminals Target Ethereum / TVs to Have AI This Year / MARA Loans Out BTC for Yield Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $99,126, 37.52 oz Gold, .23 Median US House 24hr Hi: $99,853 / Lo: $97,291 Vol: $31B (Up 57%) Mkt Cap: $1.96T (Up 1%) HashRate: 809 EH/s Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Down 20%) Nodes: 21,084 ---Reports--- -International Events- 1. Canadian PM Trudeau set to resign as party leader as polls plummet: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce as early as Monday that he will step down as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, Canadian media reports, ahead of a general election to be held later this year that he is widely expected to lose. Trudeau will likely announce his resignation before a key national caucus meeting on Wednesday. However, the sources stressed Trudeau has not made a final decision. (CNN) 2. Hamas says it’s ready to free 34 captives under ceasefire deal, reports say: The Palestinian group, which governs the Gaza Strip, has approved the release of the captives “as part of the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal”, the AFP reported on Sunday. The head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency is scheduled to travel to Qatar for the discussions. More than 45,800 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war in Gaza in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks on the country. (AlJazeera, CNN) 3. Austrian far-right leader meets president, seeking coalition mandate: The leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) met President Alexander Van der Bellen on Monday expecting to be tasked with forming a coalition government after a centrist bid to assemble one without the FPO collapsed over the weekend. (Reuters) -US Events- 1. Winter storm will not delay Trump election certification in Congress, House leader says: Congress is meeting to certify President-elect Donald Trump's election win amid a winter storm, with the legacy of January 6 lingering over the event. No violence, protests, or procedural objections are expected during the certification process this time. Security is extremely tight, comparable to that of the Super Bowl or the Olympics, with law enforcement on high alert for intruders. (GroundNews) 2. Biden to ban offshore oil, gas drilling in vast areas ahead of Trump term: U.S. President Joe Biden will ban new offshore oil and gas development along most U.S. coastlines, a decision that President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to boost domestic energy production, may find difficult to reverse. An oil and gas industry trade group said the decision would harm American energy security and should be reversed by Congress. (Reuters) 3. Mike Johnson narrowly reelected House speaker on first ballot: Mike Johnson has been narrowly reelected as House Speaker on the first ballot, with support from President-elect Donald Trump and House Republicans, despite three votes against him. Following the election, cheers erupted in the House chamber as lawmakers were sworn in for the 119th Congress, with Johnson officially taking the Speaker's gavel. (TheHill) -Regulatory and Legal- 1. Former Special U.S. Assistant Attorney Volunteers to Lead Operation Chokepoint 2.0 Investigation: Former Special U.S. Assistant Attorney John Deaton has said it would be “both an honor and a privilege” to lead a federal investigation into Chokepoint 2.0, an alleged government plot to suffocate the crypto industry. Deaton, who is willing to perform this role without compensation, added that this opportunity would allow him to continue his long running fight against the U.S. SEC overreach. (BitcoinCom) 2. Coinbase shares unredacted FDIC letters urging banks to avoid offering basic Bitcoin services: The letters are unredacted versions of documents shared by legal officer Grewal on Dec. 6, 2024. They were dubbed “pause letters” because they repeatedly recommend suspending or refraining from using crypto services. “They show a coordinated effort to stop a wide variety of crypto activity — everything from basic BTC transactions to more complex offerings.”, Grewal said. (CryptoSlate) -Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies- 1. Russia's New Ruble Gets Boost Against Economic Problems: Russia's Central Bank announced that Sberbank, as well as two other financial institutions—Tbank and Tochka Bank, had officially joined the country's digital ruble pilot program. The pilot program for the digital ruble was launched in August 2023 with 12 organizations, including VTB, Gazprombank, and Alfa-Bank. A CBDC for Russia could facilitate payments for exports, reduce transaction costs and provide an alternative to SWIFT. (Newsweek) 2. Luke Gromen Highlights Trump’s Strategic Delay on Bitcoin Reserves to Navigate Market Dynamics: Gromen indicated that announcing Trump’s Bitcoin reserve plans on the first day of his term would create an immediate impact on investors. He believes this could lead to a surge in Bitcoin purchases, driving prices upward rapidly. Gromen stated, “From an optics and narrative standpoint, it is more sensible not to announce such a decision immediately,” suggesting it could position the administration advantageously in managing market dynamics. (CoinTurk) (AC-This is the 'stay humble (or quiet) and stack sats' perspective. For Trump to accomplish this might be a challenge.) -Institutional Concerns- 1. Bitcoin ETFs Drive Market Recovery with $908M Inflows: Spot Bitcoin funds have rebounded to positive net flows after almost a week of withdrawals. On January 3rd—all Bitcoin ETFs registered inflows, causing the sum of all investment funds to register nearly a billion dollars. (BitcoinSensus) (AC-the wash sales and rebalancing seems to have driven the BTC price over the last few weeks.) 2. MicroStrategy's Saylor posts BTC tracker, hints at Monday purchase: MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor posted the Bitcoin chart from the SaylorTracker website on Jan. 5 — the same chart Saylor typically posts on Sunday before purchasing Bitcoin on the following day. On Jan. 4, MicroStrategy announced it was seeking a $2 billion raise, through a perpetual preferred stock offering. (CoinTelegraph) -Economic Indicators- 1. Dollar Falls 1%: The dollar index extended losses, falling about 1% to trade around 108 on Monday, retreating from the two-year highs reached late last year. The decline comes amid reports that the new Trump administration is considering softer tariff measures. (TradingEconomics) 2. ISM Manufacturing PMI Rises More than Expected: The ISM Manufacturing PMI rose by 0.9 points from the previous month to 49.3 in December of 2024, ahead of market expectations of 48.4. The result reflected the softest pace of contraction in the US manufacturing sector since the 50.3 recorded in March, which was the sole period of expansion in the industry since September of 2022. (TradingEconomics) -Security Incidents and Concerns- 1. Cybercriminals Target Ethereum Developers with Fake Hardhat npm Packages: Cybersecurity researchers have revealed several malicious packages on the npm registry that have been found impersonating the Nomic Foundation's Hardhat tool in order to steal sensitive data from developer systems. Hardhat is a development environment for Ethereum software, incorporating various components for editing, compiling, debugging and deploying smart contracts and decentralized apps (dApps). (HackerNews) -Technology and Science- 1. LG and Samsung are adding Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant to their TVs: Both TV manufacturers are chasing the artificial intelligence hype train with dedicated AI sections on their smart TVs that include a shortcut to a Copilot web app. (TheVerge) (AC-Dystopian level 10 achieved.) -Bitcoin Community- 1. MARA Holdings Loans 7,377 BTC to Third Parties Amid Bold Yield Strategy: According to an operations and production update from MARA Holdings, a publicly traded bitcoin mining company, the firm has extended 7,377 BTC in loans to third parties to achieve a modest yield. (BitcoinCom) (AC-Interesting strategy with many variables.) -Bitcoin Sentiment- 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 76/100 (Up 2 pts) Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r ____________________ Analyst: BV2A END REPORT NNNN *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report