Greetings Bitcoiner,

Welcome to Issue #150 of Bitcoin Breakdown, where we’re celebrating 150 issues with an OPSEC Wednesday edition, bringing you a special security and privacy-focused feature article followed by the latest need-to-know Quick Bits snippets. 🥳 

But first, today’s Top Stories:

• ⚖️ Tether Takes Swan Bitcoin to Court in Mining Drama

• ⛏️ Bitcoin Difficulty Hits New All-Time High—Again!

• 🇹🇭 Thailand's Former PM Advocates For Bitcoin Legalization, Suggests Use For Debt Settlement

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TODAY’S TOP STORIES

⚖️ Tether Takes Swan Bitcoin to Court in Mining Drama

Stablecoin giant Tether has launched a UK lawsuit against Swan Bitcoin over their joint bitcoin mining venture '2040 Energy', where Tether holds an 80% stake. The legal battle follows Swan's earlier lawsuit against former employees who left to start Proton Management, which now manages mining assets with Tether. Swan vows to 'vigorously defend' itself, while Tether claims Swan acted recklessly and breached agreements. BitHub News

⛏️ Bitcoin Difficulty Hits New All-Time High—Again!

The Bitcoin mining difficulty hit a new all-time high for the 8th time in a row, clocking in at a mind-boggling 110.45T. This pattern mirrors historical moments near both market tops (2021's $69K peak) and bottoms (2018's $3K floor) while the network's hashrate continues flexing muscle at 775 EH/s. Miners may sweat higher competition, yet BTC simply levels up. Coindesk

🇹🇭 Thailand's Former PM Advocates For Bitcoin Legalization, Suggests Use For Debt Settlement

Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra is pushing for Thailand to embrace Bitcoin and crypto, citing Trump's friendly stance and suggesting Bitcoin for debt settlement. The country is already testing Bitcoin payments in tourist hotspot Phuket, with plans for a state-managed Bitcoin and crypto sandbox project. Even Binance's former CEO CZ couldn't resist sharing the bullish news on 𝕏. Reuters

OPSEC FEATURE ARTICLE

How to Browse the Web Anonymously and Protect Your Online Activity

In this week's OPSEC feature article, we examine why maintaining online privacy matters more than ever.

You’ll also learn how to shield your online activity from being surveilled by third parties and discover all the tools to help you achieve this.

Get instant access to this special feature by becoming a premium supporter here.

QUICK BITS

• Max Keiser, senior Bitcoin advisor to the presidency of El Salvador, says that Nayib Bukele aims to transform the country into a fully Bitcoin-based ecosystem by 2025 with a Bitcoin node in every home.

• CZ, former Binance CEO, urges bitcoin investment as normie market uncertainty grows, highlighting today as the best time before future opportunities diminish.

• Jamie Dimon still inexplicably criticizes Bitcoin as ‘lacking value,’ linking it to all of fiat currency’s favorite pastimes like sex trafficking and money laundering, despite JPMorgan's increasing involvement in blockchain technology.

• UK government proposes banning Bitcoin and crypto payouts for ransomware by public bodies, aiming to deter hackers and protect national security with stricter reporting rules.

• Craig Wright, aka Faketoshi, seeks Supreme Court appeal after contempt verdict in the Crypto Open Patent Alliance’s (COPA) contempt of court case, but legal experts predict inevitable rejection.

• Ark Invest suggests Bitcoin's low volatility indicates further price gains in 2025, citing strong holder behavior and other bullish indicators.

• Polymarket degenerates wager up to $845,000 on whether Trump will say 'bitcoin' or 'dogecoin' in his inauguration speech.

• Deribit, a leading crypto derivatives exchange, explores strategic opportunities after attracting acquisition interest as its valuation potentially exceeds $5B.

• Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says new accounting rules transform Bitcoin into a corporate must-have, driving demand and potentially boosting prices for sound money.

• Thailand considers local Bitcoin ETFs to boost its competitive edge as Asia emerges as a Bitcoin and crypto hub while neighbors maintain restrictive policies.

• Ming Shing Group, a Hong Kong-based company, invests $47M in Bitcoin, acquiring 500 BTC to maximize short-term gains and enhance asset liquidity.

• Elizabeth Warren urges Trump's Treasury nominee to tighten Bitcoin and crypto regulations, citing money laundering and national security concerns amid Bitcoin policy debate.

• Osprey Funds aims to convert Bitcoin trust into spot ETF following the terminated Bitwise acquisition deal, with filing expected by the end of the month.

• SEC Chair Gary Gensler compares Bitcoin to gold yet highlights its ‘speculative nature’ while warning that most tokens could still face securities regulation.

• Sygnum Bank achieves unicorn status with $58M funding to expand bitcoin products, institutional infrastructure, and global regulatory footprint.

• Ross Ulbricht awaits release as Donald Trump’s second term nears after repeated pledges to grant Ulbricht clemency.

• Remixpoint, a Japanese firm, expands bitcoin holdings with a $3.2M purchase and plans an additional $16M investment to capitalize on market trends.

• Trump's upcoming executive orders may repeal controversial SEC Bitcoin and crypto accounting rules and address ‘de-banking,’ according to reporting from The Washington Post.

• Semler Scientific boosts Bitcoin holdings to $192M, achieving 99% ‘bitcoin yield’ through strategic purchases and stock-financed investments.

• Russia sees a 3x rise in bitcoin mining equipment demand in 2024 as relaxed regulations and growing interest fuel adoption.

• BlackRock expands its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) to CBOE Canada, offering investors convenient access to Bitcoin and tracking its performance.

• Visa's latest data reveals that Bitcoin’s blockchain now surpasses PayPal in dollar transaction volume.

• Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, invites Rumble to El Salvador following Tether's relocation, strengthening the country's position as a global Bitcoin and crypto hub.

• Bank of England launches dystopian Digital Pound Lab to test the digital pound, exploring CBDC potential and revolutionizing the UK's payment system.

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• TLDR, read by 1.25 million tech professionals, gives you the top tech, science, and coding news in 5 minutes. (link)

*You can find more here.

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Naiw

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