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Newsbyatlas
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Bitcoin news and beyond, every day.
🖥 Bitcoin Core gets an upgrade: version 29.0 introduces full RBF by default On April 15, Bitcoin Core 29.0 was released — a technical update that improves stability and performance, enhancing the experience for developers. The most significant change? Full RBF is now enabled by default, eliminating “zero-conf” transactions and making all transactions potentially replaceable. Also introduced: “ephemeral dust” and P2P network improvements, with new standards for connection handling and orphan transaction management. Atlas21’s article. ⬇️
🏦 Bitcoin in retirement plans: Fidelity launches Crypto IRAs for investors Fidelity, one of the largest fund managers in the United States, has expanded its financial services to include cryptocurrencies in retirement plans. Starting April 2, U.S. clients can invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin through individual retirement accounts (IRAs), with Fidelity also handling the custody of the assets. Atlas21 article. ⬇️
👀 GameStop prepares to invest in Bitcoin: added to treasury assets GameStop has updated its investment policy to include Bitcoin among its treasury reserve assets. The announcement came alongside financial results that exceeded expectations. The decision follows a meeting between CEO Ryan Cohen and Michael Saylor, president of Strategy. However, GameStop has not yet purchased bitcoin nor set a maximum limit for potential future acquisitions. With $4.775 billion in cash and marketable securities, the company may use its own funds or issue debt and equity for potential future purchases. Atlas21’s article. ⬇️
🇵🇰 Pakistan wants to use surplus energy to mine bitcoin During the first official meeting led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) presented a plan to allocate surplus energy for Bitcoin mining. PCC CEO Bilal Bin Saqib sees mining as a strategic opportunity. During the event, Aurangzeb stated: "We are committed to building a transparent, future-ready financial ecosystem that attracts investment, empowers our youth, and puts Pakistan on the global map as a leader in emerging technologies.” Atlas21 article. ⬇️
🇺🇸 Recession ahead? BlackRock sees Bitcoin as a potential winner BlackRock's head of digital assets suggests that a U.S. recession could serve as a powerful catalyst for Bitcoin. “I don’t know if we’ll have a recession or not, but a recession would be a big catalyst for Bitcoin.” Robbie Mitchnick told Yahoo Finance. According to Mitchnick, Bitcoin benefits from typical economic downturn conditions, such as increased public spending, rising deficits, and lower interest rates. Additionally, it may gain from fears of widespread social unrest. Mitchnick also noted that the market has yet to fully understand Bitcoin, often treating it as a risk asset. Atlas21's article. ⬇️
🏦 🇨🇿 The Governor of the Czech National Bank opens to Bitcoin. In an interview with CNN Prima News, Aleš Michl, Governor of the CNB, stated he is considering the purchase of “few bitcoins” as a strategy to diversify national foreign currency reserves. Michl said: “Sure, I consider Bitcoin, but there are seven of us on the board. Bitcoin is an interesting option for diversification against other assets.” The article by Atlas21:
CRYPTO - Trump appoints former PayPal COO David Sacks as crypto advisor to the White House President-elect Donald Trump has named David O. Sacks as the new “AI and Crypto Czar” for the White House. The announcement was made on December 5 via a post on Truth Social. Sacks, known as the founder of Yammer and former COO of PayPal, will take on a pivotal role in the Trump administration, leading policies on artificial intelligence and digital assets—two areas considered critical for the future of American competitiveness. One of Sacks’ primary responsibilities will be to develop a clear regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency sector, addressing industry demands for greater legal clarity. Additionally, he will chair the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Trump emphasized that Sacks’ role will also involve protecting online free speech and combating what he referred to as “Big Tech’s censorship and bias.” Sacks was a major Trump supporter in 2024, organizing a fundraiser that raised $12 million for the campaign. In an interview with Anthony Pompliano, Sacks stated: “Bitcoin offers a different kind of currency that is not backed by government, but it’s backed by math, by encryption. You don’t have to trust the government that there will be only 21 million bitcoins; it’s in the code. Bitcoin is sort of like this sci-fi future where you could have money and state decoupled.” The entrepreneur’s appointment is part of a broader wave of pro-crypto nominations within the incoming administration, as evidenced by the recent selection of former SEC commissioner Paul Atkins as the agency’s new chairman, replacing Gary Gensler.
CRYPTO - Trump aims to assign crypto oversight to the CFTC In an effort to reshape the U.S. regulatory landscape for digital assets, Donald Trump‘s team is exploring a reform that could shift crypto oversight from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the CFTC. According to a report by Fox Business, the Trump administration plans to assign the CFTC a central role in regulating spot markets for digital assets classified as commodities and in overseeing exchange activities. This move would significantly reduce the SEC’s regulatory power. Trump’s team argues that the SEC’s enforcement actions have hindered innovation in the U.S. digital asset space, advocating for a lighter regulatory approach to foster growth in the industry. For the crypto sector, this shift is seen as favorable since the CFTC is historically perceived as a less stringent regulator. Chris Giancarlo, a former CFTC chairman, expressed optimism about the agency’s potential, stating that with adequate funding and proper leadership, the CFTC could begin regulating digital assets immediately. Currently, the CFTC operates with a $706 million budget and employs around 700 staff, compared to the SEC’s $3 billion budget and 5,300 employees. The proposed reform comes during a leadership transition for regulatory agencies. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler has already announced his resignation effective January 20, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration. SEC Commissioner Jaime Lizárraga is also set to step down.