
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 894,889
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 02May2025
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
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BLUF: Israel Air Strikes Near Syrian Presidential Palace / China-US Hint at Trade Negotiations / Spain, Portugal Power Outage Blamed on Solar / Texas Judge Says Alien Enemies Act Use Unlawful by Trump / Trump EO Cuts all NPR, PBS Funding / Mike Waltz Droped From NSC, Nominated for UN Ambassador / Sen Thune Wants Stablecoin Act Expedited / Eric Trumps Says Debanking Led to Crypto Adoption / Roswell, NM First to Fund Bitcoin Reserve in US / USD, Stocks Stabilize / Huione Was North Korea Scammer Conduit, US Treasury Says / Kraken Team Exposes North Korean Job Infiltrator / Fusion Reactor Construction Complete / Researchers Find New Photosynthesis Energy Tech / More Americans Turning to Bitcoin / Riot Revenues Up, No Profit
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $96,917, 29.70 oz Gold, .22 Median US House
24hr Hi: $97,437 / Lo: $95,877
Vol: $31B (Down 4%)
Mkt Cap: $1.92T (Up 1%)
HashRate: 857 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Down 50%)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Israel strikes target near Damascus presidential palace in ‘message to Syrian regime’: “This is a clear message to the Syrian regime. We will not allow forces to be sent south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement. (TimesoFIsrael)
2. China Says Open To US Trade Talks Offer But Wants Tariffs Scrapped: China said Friday it is evaluating a US offer for negotiations on tariffs but insisted Washington must be ready to scrap levies that have roiled global markets and supply chains before talks can begin. (IBTimes)
3. Spain and Portugal blackout blamed by critics on solar power dependency: The inability of Spain’s electricity grid to manage an unusually high supply of solar power was a key factor in Monday’s catastrophic blackout, former regulators and some experts have said. About 55% of Spain’s supply was from solar sources when 15 gigawatts of electricity generation disconnected from the grid within five seconds on Monday afternoon, triggering a wide-ranging shutdown of power systems in Spain and Portugal. (FT)
-US Events-
1. Trump-appointed judge says president’s use of Alien Enemies Act is unlawful in first-of-its-kind ruling: US District Judge Fernando Rodriguez of the Southern District of Texas said Trump had unlawfully invoked the sweeping 18th century wartime authority to speed up some deportations. His decision means Trump cannot rely on the law to detain or deport any alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua within his district. (CNN)
2. Trump signs executive order directing federal funding cuts to PBS and NPR: The executive order directs federal agencies to stop both direct and indirect funding to public broadcasters like PBS and NPR, which receive approximately $500 million annually from the federal government via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (GroundNews)
3. Trump Nominates Mike Waltz as UN Ambassador: President Trump announced Mike Waltz as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, following Waltz’s departure as National Security Adviser. (CBS)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Senate Majority Leader John Thune Seeks to Expedite GENIUS Stablecoin Act: Sen. Thune is pushing for a vote on the GENIUS Act, a bill regulating stablecoins tied to the U.S. dollar. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bill Hagerty, aims to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets and maintain the dollar's global dominance. (Decrypt)
2. Eric Trump Says He Turned to Crypto Due to Banks Canceling Accounts Over Politics: Eric Trump cited "woke cancel culture" targeting his family as the reason for his interest in cryptocurrency, following banks canceling their accounts due to political reasons. He expressed his belief in the future of crypto and criticized the traditional financial system's shortcomings. (Decrypt)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. Roswell First In US To Hold BTC Reserves: Roswell, New Mexico has made history in municipal finance by becoming the first city in the United States to have an official Bitcoin reserve. The city accepted its first cryptocurrency donation of 0.0305 BTC (around $2,845) on April 29, 2025, to kick off what officials have dubbed the “Roswell Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.” (Bitcoinist) (AC-How weird that the city known for aliens is the first to adopt a bitcoin reserve.)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. Dollar Set for Weekly Gain Amid Easing Trade Tensions: The US dollar index held above 100 on Friday and was on track for a second consecutive weekly gain, as easing global trade tensions reduced recessionary risks, lifting sentiment toward the currency. China announced it is evaluating the possibility of trade talks with the US, following multiple outreach attempts from Washington. (TradingEconomics)
2. Wall Street Extends Positive Momentum: US stocks kickstart May strong on Thursday, with the Dow Jones adding 70 points, the S&P 500 climbing 0.6% and the Nasdaq Composite jumping 1%, as Big Tech earnings drove gains. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. US Treasury Claims Huione Laundered $37 Million from North Korean Cyber Heists: US Treasury moves to block Cambodia's Huione Group from US banking system after finding it laundered $4 billion in crypto, including North Korean funds. The conglomerate operates payment platform Huione Pay, crypto exchange Huione Crypto, and illicit marketplace Haowang Guarantee. (Blockonomi)
2. North Korean Operative Exposed During Kraken Exchange Job Interview: The applicant joined video calls using a name different from what was on their application. During the calls, they “occasionally switched between voices,” suggesting they were being coached in real-time by others. Kraken Chief Security Officer Nick Percoco conducted impromptu identity verification tests. These included asking the candidate to show government ID, verify their city of residence, and name local restaurants from their supposed location. “At this point, the candidate unraveled,” Kraken stated. (Blockonomi)
-Technology and Science-
1. ITER Completes Central Solenoid, Advancing Fusion Reactor Assembly: When operational in the 2030s, ITER aims to produce 500 megawatts from just 50 megawatts input, demonstrating fusion as a viable clean energy source. This breakthrough could revolutionize power generation, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and transform space travel capabilities. ources widely acknowledge ITER as an unprecedented model of international scientific cooperation, with over 30 nations setting aside geopolitical differences to pursue fusion energy. (GroundNews)
2. Scientists Develop Solar-Powered Artificial Leaf That Turns Carbon Dioxide into Liquid Fuel: Researchers at Berkeley National Laboratory, with the help of other scientists around the world, have discovered a device that replicates natural photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide into usable liquid fuel using nothing but the sun. The revolutionary technology uses copper electrocatalysts with perovskite solar cells, a breakthrough achievement in renewable energy technology. (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. 68% of Americans Turn to BTC Amid US Tariffs: According to a new NFT Evening study, 68% of Americans have bought bitcoin since U.S. President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs. This figure exceeds the proportion that bought gold by nearly 24%, indicating that Americans viewed the top cryptocurrency as a “modern hedge” against economic turmoil. (BitcoinCom) (AC-This is not really a well-documented 'study' and with major assumptions, but it is indicative of general attitude shifts this year.)
2. Riot Platforms posts net loss in Q1 despite doubling revenue amid AI pivot: Riot booked $161.4 million in total revenue in the first quarter of this year, up 103.5% year-on-year, however, it reported a net loss of $296.4 million, compared to net income of $211.8 million during the same period last year. (TheBlock)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 67/100 (Up 11 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
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Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
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*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report