📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 932,377
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 15Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Iran Attack on Hold / Greenland Issue Worries EU / Senate Keeps Trump Options Open on Venezuela / China Surpasses Russia on Nuke Subs / US Freezes Visas from 75 Countries / ICE Shoots Venezuelan in Minneapolis / US Sailor Sentenced in China Espionage Case / CLARITY Act Future is Not Clear / US Bitcoin Mining Down / BOA Spreads FUD on Stablecoin Interest / Lemon App Uses Bitcoin Collateral in Argentina / Stocks Drop / Verizon Outage Raises Eyebrows / NASA Has First Medical Evacuation From Space / CA DA Targets Grok / New Tariffs on AI Chips / HRF Funds 22 Freedom Tech Projects / Bitdeer Overtakes Marathon
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $96,874, 21.30 oz Gold, .22 Median US House
24hr Hi: $97,860 / Lo: $94,849
Volume: 60B (Down 2%)
Mkt Cap: $1.93T (Up 2%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Iran Protests and US Tensions: Iranian authorities temporarily closed airspace amid threats of US military action following a violent crackdown on protests, but reopened it after assurances to President Trump that executions would halt. Human rights groups report thousands killed or detained, with Tehran denying plans for mass hangings while promising retaliation against the US and Israel. Trump indicated the "killing has stopped" based on unnamed sources, though tensions remain high with Kurdish fighters allegedly exploiting the chaos. (BBC)
2. US Push for Greenland Control: President Trump insisted Greenland is crucial for US national security after talks with Denmark, where officials cited a "fundamental disagreement" on the issue. NATO allies, including Germany, are deploying troops to the Arctic island amid Chinese aggression concerns, though a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows only one in five Americans support acquisition efforts. Denmark maintains its position against US control, potentially straining alliances. (TheGuardian)
3. Venezuela War Powers Resolution Blocked: Senate Republicans blocked a war powers resolution restricting military action in Venezuela, with Vice President Vance casting the tiebreaking vote. The bipartisan measure aimed to limit Trump's options amid prisoner releases and a $500 million US oil deal. (Axios)
4. China has surpassed Russia to become the world’s second largest operator of nuclear powered submarines. A 2026 assessment estimates China now fields around 32 active nuclear submarines, surpassing Russia’s 25 to 28 boats. The US continues to dominate the undersea domain, holding the top position with approximately 71 nuclear powered submarines. The global balance beneath the oceans is shifting, and the strategic implications are growing fast. (DefenseIntel)
-US Events-
1. U.S. freezes new immigrant visas for 75 countries: The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday it will pause issuing immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries over concerns that they may rely on public assistance in the future. The list, which includes U.S. allies and adversaries, alongside several top destinations for American travelers, was later posted on U.S. State Department’s website. It will remain in effect “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the website states. (CNBC)
2. ICE officer shoots Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis: A federal officer in the United States has shot a Venezuelan man in the leg in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Officials say officers had tried to stop a car to arrest the man and opened fire after two people attacked one of them with a “snow shovel and broom handle”. (AlJazeera)
3. US Navy Sailor Sentenced To Nearly 17 Years In Prison For Selling Military Secrets To China: Wei Jinchao, also known as Patrick Wei, was arrested on espionage charges in August 2023 after reporting for duty aboard the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship based in San Diego. Wei, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was convicted by a federal jury in San Diego of espionage and five other criminal counts. “Defendant compromised the U.S. Navy’s entire fleet of amphibious assault ships by sending the Chinese Government thousands of pages of technical information about the fleet’s complex ship systems and how the U.S. Navy operates and maintains those systems.” (ZeroHedge)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Senate Banking Committee Delays Markup of Key Crypto Bill as Industry Support Frays: Announced late Wednesday, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott issued a statement saying he had spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and both parties in Congress, reaffirming that negotiations were continuing in “good faith.” The delays also follow industry pushback drawn from a range of issues. On Wednesday, Coinbase withdrew its support for the bill ahead of the Senate’s previously expected vote, citing unresolved concerns over how parts of the legislation could affect developers and user access. (Decrypt) (AC-This battle matters and it seems everyone knows it.)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. America's Grip on Bitcoin Mining Slips, Despite Trump's Ambitions for Dominance: As of December, BlocksBridge said that Foundry USA, MARA Pool, and Luxor Technologies accounted for 35% of all Bitcoin blocks, down from more than 40% last January. America’s grip on Bitcoin mining is slipping as firms race to build out infrastructure for artificial intelligence. (Decrypt)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bank of America CEO warns up to $6 trillion in deposits could shift to stablecoins if allowed to pay interest: Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan told analysts during a Wednesday earnings call that as much as $6 trillion in deposits could migrate from the U.S. banking system into stablecoins — a figure that would amount to roughly 30% to 35% of total U.S. commercial bank deposits. (TheBlock) (AC-We wouldn't want any competition, or innovation, or choices for savers, right?)
2, Argentinian Crypto App Lemon Launches Bitcoin-Backed Credit Card: The new Bitcoin-backed Visa credit card allows access to financing in pesos without having to sell or convert their BTC holdings. Per the exchange website, the user deposits 0.01 bitcoin as collateral – currently over $900 in value – and gets a credit card in pesos with a pre-assigned limit of $1,000,000. This way, Bitcoin is only held as collateral, and is neither sold nor converted. (CryptoNews)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Stocks Extend Losses as Tech and Banks Slide: Stocks in the US fell for a second straight session on Wednesday, pulling back from record highs as investors weighed early earnings, mixed economic data, and escalating geopolitical risks. The S&P 500 slid about 0.5%, the Nasdaq led declines with a 1% drop, and the Dow fell roughly 42 points, dragged down by weakness in technology and financial shares. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. Verizon Suffers Major Service Disruption Impacting Voice and Data for Customers Throughout the Country: The disruption began around noon Eastern Time and persisted well into the afternoon, affecting customers primarily in major metropolitan areas along the eastern seaboard. The outage seems to be hitting customers in major cities across the country, although other customers report no problems. The cities experiencing the highest concentration of problems included Boston, New York, and Washington DC. (Breitbart)
-Technology and Science-
1. Four Astronauts Splash Down Back on Earth After NASA’s First ISS Medical Evacuation: After a crewmember fell ill on January 7, NASA canceled a January 8 spacewalk and expedited the crew's return in its first-ever medical evacuation. With Crew-11 returned early, the ISS now has three crew members and NASA said it cannot perform spacewalks until a fresh crew arrives, while NASA and SpaceX try to move up the next launch targeted for mid-February. (GroundNews)
2. California AG to probe Musk’s Grok for nonconsensual deepfakes: Attorney General Rob Bonta cited what the company calls Grok’s “spicy mode” in a press release announcing the probe. In addition to “undressing” women, Grok has also been used to distort images of children, including by reportedly producing what a Bonta press release called “photorealistic images of children engaged in sexual activity.” (RecordedFuture) (AC-CA is pulling up alongside the EU on this one.)
3. Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Imports of Some AI Chips: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed a 25% tariff on certain AI chips, such as Nvidia’s H200 AI processor and a similar semiconductor from AMD, the MI325X, under a new national security order released by the White House. (TradingEconomics)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Human Rights Foundation Grants 1.3 Billion Satoshis to 22 Freedom Tech Projects Worldwide in Q4 2025: The funding round, disclosed today exclusively to Bitcoin Magazine, will support open-source Bitcoin development, decentralized mining infrastructure, privacy-preserving financial tools, and grassroots education initiatives across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. HRF said the projects are designed to improve the Bitcoin protocol itself while expanding access to permissionless money for dissidents, journalists, nonprofits, and ordinary citizens facing political repression. (BItcoinMag)
2. Bitdeer Becomes Largest Bitcoin Miner: Bitdeer has surpassed Marathon as the largest Bitcoin miner, managing approximately 71 EH/s compared to Marathon's 61.7 EH/s. (CoinGecko)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 61/100 (Up 13 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 933,222
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 21Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Davos, Greenland and Trump-Rough Seas Ahead / Ukrainians Without Heat / Israel Joins Gaza Board of Peace / US DOJ Subpoenas Minnesota Leaders / Virginia Dems Gets Aggressive / Clintons Seek Sidebar Over Contempt Charges / CLARITY Fight Continues / BTC ETFs Outflow / Bonds Melt, Stocks Drop, 'Sell America' Gets Repeated / MSTR Buys More, Stock Struggles / Steak N Shake Give Employees Bonus in Sats / UK Says No to Kids On Social Media / WEF Mouthpiece Wants Control of AI / BTC Mining Difficulty Drops
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $88,862, 20.30 oz Gold, .21 Median US House
24hr Hi: $91,273/ Lo: $87,814
Volume: 54B (Up 49%)
Mkt Cap: $1.77T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Trump's Greenland Tariff Threats Escalate Tensions with Europe: President Trump has imposed tariffs on six EU nations in response to opposition over U.S. acquisition efforts for Greenland, leading to a sharp decline in global stock markets and warnings from European leaders about potential ruptures in NATO alliances. The move follows leaked text messages from French President Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Rutte, with Trump vowing "no going back" during his en route speech to Davos. EU officials, including Polish PM, labeled the actions as "appeasement showing weakness," while Denmark was dismissed as "irrelevant" by U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent. (NBC)
2. Russian Strikes Cut Heat to Thousands in Ukraine Amid Harsh Winter: Russia launched targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving thousands in Kyiv without heating during sub-zero temperatures, marking the bitterest winter conditions yet. The strikes follow a pattern of disrupting civilian utilities, with Ukraine's government reporting widespread blackouts and emergency responses. International aid efforts are intensifying to restore power grids before further escalation. (Reuters)
3. Israel Joins Trump's 'Board of Peace' Amid European Pushback: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed Israel's participation in Trump's proposed 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, despite some European nations declining involvement. The board aims to reshape regional order but faces criticism over potential high costs and disruptions to existing alliances. (AlJazeera)
-US Events-
1. DOJ Subpoenas Minnesota Leaders in Immigration Obstruction Probe: The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and others as part of a criminal investigation into alleged obstruction of federal immigration enforcement. The probe stems from state opposition to ICE operations, including incidents at schools that mobilized teachers and students. Federal officials assert that no one is exempt from scrutiny, escalating tensions between state and national authorities. (Reuters)
2. Virginia Democrats File Sweeping Bills on Guns, Taxes After Trifecta Win: Democrats secured full control after flipping both legislative chambers in November 2025 and electing Abigail Spanberger as governor on January 17, 2026—the state's first female governor and a former CIA officer. Their proposals include over two dozen gun control measures like assault weapon bans and new taxes on firearms, alongside sales taxes on services, higher income rates up to 10% for millionaires, and criminal justice reforms to end some mandatory minimums. Republicans decried the agenda as radical, with rallies at the Capitol and national voices urging faster GOP action on Trump's priorities, though none of the bills have passed in the ongoing 60-day session. (X)
3. James Comer Rejects ‘Ridiculous Offer’ by Clintons of Unofficial Interview: “Facing contempt of Congress, the Clintons’ lawyers made an untenable offer: that I travel to New York for a conversation with President Clinton only,” Comer said. “No official transcript would be recorded and other Members of Congress would be barred from participating. I have rejected the Clintons’ ridiculous offer.” Comer had stated he would move to hold former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “in contempt of Congress over her failure to appear for a deposition” related to the Epstein investigation. (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. White House Crypto Council Director Says Operating Without Market Rules Is ‘Fantasy’: The White House crypto council director warned that rejecting market-structure legislation outright risks tougher regulation later, particularly under a future Democratic Congress. The executive director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Digital Assets took aim at Coinbase’s decision last week to withdraw support for the Senate’s crypto market structure bill, in the latest sign that lawmakers are growing weary of industry players weighing their near-term commercial exposure. (Decrypt)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin, ether ETFs report combined $713 million in outflows amid market turmoil: Spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. saw $483 million in net outflows on Tuesday, and ether ETFs reported $230 million in outflows. Both equities and the crypto market slumped due to geopolitical tension between the U.S. and the EU. (TheBlock)
2. Michael Saylor just crossed 700k BTC but his “circular” Bitcoin funding loop risks a massive high-yield credit disaster: Strategy acquired an additional 22,305 Bitcoin for approximately $2.13 billion between Jan. 12 and Jan. 19,that works out to 3.55% of the circulating supply of 19.97 million coins. Strategy's financial engineering product list has successfully courted a demographic that typically shuns crypto: the income tourist. Data from several institutional filings show that high-income and preferred-focused funds are populating the STRC holders list. The roster includes the Fidelity Capital & Income Fund (FAGIX), Fidelity Advisor Floating Rate High Income (FFRAX), and the Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). (CryptoSlate) (AC-Financial engineering gets complicated quickly, no matter the underlying asset.)
3. Steak 'n Shake Pays Employees Bitcoin Bonuses: US fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake will begin paying a $0.21 | 237 sats/hour Bitcoin bonus to hourly workers. This marks a new corporate payroll adoption use-case for BTC. (CoinGecko)
-Economic Indicators-
1. This is sell America’, U.S. dollar, Treasury prices tumble and gold spikes as globe flees U.S. assets: The “sell America” trade is in full swing Tuesday morning after President Donald Trump and European leaders escalated tensions over Greenland. U.S. bond prices tumbled, sending yields spiking. The U.S. Dollar Index, which weighs the greenback against a basket of six foreign currencies, fell nearly 1%. The euro jumped 0.6% against the dollar. (CNBC)
2. Treasury Yields Ease After Recent Rally: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note eased to 4.27% on Wednesday after soaring to 4.31% in the previous session, its highest level since August. The global bond sell-off, initially triggered by developments in the Japanese market, showed signs of easing after Japan’s finance minister urged market participants to remain calm and the leader of a major opposition party called for firm action against excessive market volatility. (TradingEconomics)
3. US Stocks Start the Week Sharply Lower: US stocks closed sharply lower, with the S&P 500 down 1.9%, the Dow falling 1.7%, and the Nasdaq sliding 1.9%. Losses were driven by an escalation in trade risk after President Trump threatened new tariffs of 10% from February 1st, rising to 25% by June, on eight European countries linked to opposition to US control of Greenland, undermining cross border trade assumptions. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. UK says it will consider banning social media for children: The British government announced Monday that it is considering banning social media for children 15 and younger as Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned “no option is off the table.” (RecordedFuture) (AC-Got to keep the propaganda untarnished.)
-Technology and Science-
1. AI Is Poised to Take Over Language, Law and Religion, Historian Yuval Noah Harari Warns: Historian and author Yuval Noah Harari warned at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday that humanity is at risk of losing control over language, which he called its defining “superpower,” as artificial intelligence increasingly operates via autonomous agents rather than passive tools. The author of “Sapiens,” Harari has become a frequent voice in global debates about the societal implications of artificial intelligence. He argued that legal codes, financial markets, and organized religion rely almost entirely on language, leaving them especially exposed to machines that can generate and manipulate text at scale. (Decrypt) (AC-Pay attention, this guy has a clear record of globalist policies that expressly take human freedoms away and centralizing power quickly at global scale. He is emphasizing the FUD here in order to co-opt AI regulation globally.)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Drops, Breakeven at $75-85K: Bitcoin mining difficulty substantially dropped. Analyst estimates place miner break-even costs between $75,000 and $85,000, indicating recent miner stress for BTC. (CoinGecko)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 24/100 (Down 8 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Global and US fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) are high today in reporting channels, including social media. We know FUD to be a useful tool in driving tyrannical policy and behavior. Focus personally on self-regulation, finding truth, and controlling your own world. Consider also countering obvious FUD-driven narratives where you can... and stack sats, it's on sale.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 933,093
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 20Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Trump Focused on Greenland, World Nervous / 1,500 ISIS Prisoners Freed in Syria / Chinese Mega-Embassy in London Approved / SCOTUS Addresses Hawaii Gun Law / Winter Storm Snarls Traffic, More Coming / DOJ Investigates Church Protesters in MN / Bermuda To Go On-Chain / NYSE To Open 24/7, Also On-Chain / Bonds Spiking / Iranian TV Hacked / Elon Opens Grok Algorithm to Scrutiny / Hashrate Dropping
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $91,174, 20.30 oz Gold, .21 Median US House
24hr Hi: $93,358/ Lo: $90,620
Volume: 36B (Down 7%)
Mkt Cap: $1.81T (Down 2%)
HashRate: .938 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Trump says he will '100%' carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests: European allies have rallied around Greenland's sovereignty. Denmark's foreign minister emphasized the US president cannot threaten his way to ownership of the semi-autonomous Danish territory. On Monday, Trump declined to rule out the use of force and insisted he would press ahead with the threatened tariffs on goods arriving in the US from the UK and seven other NATO-allied countries. (BBC)
2. 1,500 ISIS Prisoners Escape Syrian Facility as Ceasefire Collapses: Clashes erupted between Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led SDF around prisons holding Islamic State detainees in northeast Syria. The SDF lost control of Shaddadi prison holding thousands of IS militants, with reports indicating around 1,500 detainees escaped amid the chaos, while nine SDF fighters were killed and 20 wounded near al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa. (GroundNews)
3. Britain approves ‘mega’ Chinese embassy in London despite national security fears: Britain’s government has green-lit plans for China to build a “mega” embassy close to London’s financial district, despite warnings from lawmakers, residents and Chinese dissidents-in-exile that the sprawling complex could pose security risks. Britain wants China’s money and diplomatic goodwill, but has long been wary about allowing Beijing to build an embassy that would sit near fiber-optic cables carrying sensitive data for financial firms, and which some fear could be used to spy on Chinese nationals living in London. (CNN) (AC-The UK penchant for self-sabotage is unmatched in current times.)
-US Events-
1. Supreme Court tackles Hawaii's 'vampire rule' for gun owners: The Supreme Court on Tuesday weighs a challenge to a Hawaii gun restriction dubbed the “vampire rule” because, as with the fictional creatures in folk tales and the novel “Dracula,” people carrying firearms are required to seek permission before entering private property. The justices will weigh whether the requirement, enacted in 2023 as part of a broader gun law, violates the Constitution’s Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms. (NBC)
2. 100 vehicles pile up in Michigan crash as snowstorm moves across the country: The massive pileup prompted the Michigan State Police to close both directions of Interstate 196 Monday morning just southwest of Grand Rapids while officials worked to remove all the vehicles, including more than 30 semitrailer trucks. (ABC)
3. Trump officials investigate protesters who interrupted Minnesota church service, targeting ICE official: Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who oversees the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, announced an investigation within hours, calling the protesters’ actions “desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers.” The US Attorney’s office, the FBI and DHS are all involved in the investigation, he said. (CNN)
-Regulatory and Legal-
NSTR
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. Bermuda Taps Coinbase, Circle to Drive World's First Fully On-Chain National Economy: Bermuda aims to transition its entire economy onto the blockchain with support from Coinbase and Circle. The initiative involves digital asset infrastructure for government, banks, and consumers to create the world's first fully on-chain national economy. (Decrypt)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. NYSE Preparing 24/7 Tokenized Stock and ETF Trading: The New York Stock Exchange, operated by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), is developing a blockchain-based trading platform for tokenized securities, aiming for 24/7 trading with instant settlement. The platform will support trading of tokenized shares of traditional securities and native tokenized securities, enhancing investor participation in dividends and governance. (Decrypt)
2. Treasury Yields Soar: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note jumped about 7bps to 4.29% on Tuesday, reaching its highest level since August, as traders returned from a long weekend to a global bond sell-off triggered by heavy selling in Japanese government debt. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. Iranian state TV feed reportedly hijacked to air anti-regime messages: Several Iranian state television channels were briefly hijacked on Sunday, interrupting regular programming to air protest footage and messages from an exiled opposition figure, according to multiple media reports. Video clips circulating on social media appeared to show messages in Farsi urging protesters to continue demonstrating, alongside footage of solidarity rallies abroad and statements of support attributed to international figures. (RecordedFuture)
-Technology and Science-
1. Elon Musk’s X Open-Sources Grok-Powered Algorithm Driving 'For You' Feed: X has open-sourced its Grok-based transformer model, which ranks For You feed posts by predicting user actions without relying on hand-engineered features. "We know the algorithm is dumb and needs massive improvements, but at least you can see us struggle to make it better in real-time and with transparency," Musk tweeted following the release. "No other social media companies do this." (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin Hashrate Continues To Fall, Now Lowest Since September: Currently, the 7-day average Bitcoin Hashrate is sitting at 978.8 EH/s, which is the lowest level since the first half of September. The recent low levels are on a path to affect another BTC-network-related metric: the Difficulty. (Bitcoinist)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 32/100 (Down 12 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 932,940
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 19Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: US Tariffs Announced on EU Countries Over Greenland / Iran Threatens Executions / Globalists Gather in Davos / US SOF Strikes in Syria / 1,500 Paratroopers on Standby for Minnesota / Schumer Says Dems Will Undo DOGE Cuts / US Revival Continues / CLARITY Act Tenuous / Samourai Bitcoin Sent to US SBR / India Wants CBDC for BRICS Trade / Ethiopia Wants to Mine Bitcoin / BTC ETFs Inflow This Week / Steak N Shake Keeps Stacking / Dollar Drops on Tariffs / Outage on X Yesterday / Analog Lifestyles Pick Up, Michaels Enjoys
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $92,938, 21.30 oz Gold, .21 Median US House
24hr Hi: $95,491/ Lo: $92,089
Volume: 38B (Up 123%)
Mkt Cap: $1.85T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Trump Imposes Tariffs on Eight European Countries Over Greenland Dispute: US President Donald Trump announced a 10% tariff on imports from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the UK, effective February, until Denmark agrees to sell Greenland, citing national security needs for Arctic control. European leaders rebuked the move, with markets dropping amid fears of a renewed trade war. The tariffs target NATO allies opposing US annexation plans. (EuroNews) (AC-It's surely not going to end here.)
2. Iran Threatens Mass Executions and War if US Intervenes in Protests: Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accused the US and Israel of inciting protests, threatening to resume executions and warning of "all out war" if Donald Trump intervenes. (SunNews)
3. Global Leaders Gather in Switzerland to Ponder the Future of a Messy World: World leaders, corporate executives and figures from civil society are convening in Davos, Switzerland, this week for the World Economic Forum. All eyes are almost certain to be on one high-ranking guest: President Trump, who plans to attend with a large delegation including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Steve Witkoff, the special envoy to the Middle East. (NYTimes)
4. U.S. Strike in Syria Kills Al-Qaeda-Linked Leader Tied to Deadly Ambush of American Troops: Bilal Hasan al-Jasim had "direct ties" to an ISIS gunman who killed and injured U.S. and Syrian personnel on Dec. 13 in Palmyra, Syria, Central Command said. “The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, in a statement. (USAToday)
-US Events-
1. US Army Places 1,500 Paratroopers on Standby for Minnesota Deployment: The Pentagon placed over 1,000 Army paratroopers specializing in Arctic operations on standby amid clashes in Minneapolis between anti-ICE protesters and law enforcement. Tensions rose following ICE activities, with officials preparing for possible invocation of the Insurrection Act. Protests have led to nights of unrest in the city. (Fortune)
2. Chuck Schumer Says Democrats Will Reverse Most of DOGE Cuts: While taking part in a discussion at the Center for American Progress, Schumer received a question about what he “can do about bringing” the HUD back, after DOGE came in and made cuts. "...we will restore most of the cuts and even go higher than previous years on many of the programs that DOGE slashed,” Schumer responded." (Breitbart) (AC-The pendulum swings in American politics, and it seems bigger and bigger it goes.)
3. Americans Report Surging Spirituality: 43% Say Faith Has Grown Amid National Revival: Fresh data shows that 43 percent of U.S. adults have grown more spiritual over their lives, compared to just 11 percent who say they’ve become less so. This shift highlights a broader rejection of the moral vacuum left by ‘progressive’ policies, with Americans of all ages leaning into deeper faith as society grapples with division and decay. This momentum is fueled by young people, especially Gen Z, showing heightened curiosity about Jesus and the Bible. (ZeroHedge)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Coinbase accused of “rug pull” as the White House weighs killing the CLARITY Act over yield: With the committee citing ongoing talks, the procedural pause is now intertwined with a product dispute that places stablecoin rewards near the center of lobbying pressure. Brian Armstrong, Coinbase’s CEO, wrote in an X post that “draft amendments” would “kill rewards on stablecoins.” Armstrong added, “We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill”. Coinbase withdrew support for the Senate push shortly before the markup and tied the dispute to stablecoin rewards and coalition timing. (CryptoSlate)
2. Bitcoin Seized From Samourai Wallet Has Not Been Sold, White House Says: The White House says $6.4 million | 68.83 BTC in seized Samourai Bitcoin was not sold, and will be added to a federal Bitcoin reserve. (Decrypt)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. India's central bank proposes a plan to create digital-currency link among BRICS nations: The proposed system aims to ease cross-border trade and tourism among BRICS members while gradually reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar. (CoinDesk) (AC-If statists learned more about where a CBDC mandate would lead, they might not push for it so hard. Or maybe they would, setting the stage for tyranny first by outlawing true decentralized and ungovernable currency.)
2. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Announces Bitcoin and Crypto Mining Plans: Ethiopia plans a more active approach in the government-sponsored crypto and Bitcoin mining, according to an X post on January 19. The country is currently looking for an investment partner to mine Bitcoin. (CoinGape)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Spot bitcoin ETFs see $1.4 billion inflows in best week since October: Inflows were led by BlackRock's IBIT, which recorded $1.03 billion in net inflows for the week ended Jan. 16, according to SoSoValue data. The weekly total was the highest since the week ended Oct. 10. (TheBlock) (Ac-Tax loss harvesting may have an impact here.)
2. Steak ’n Shake Adds $10 Million | 107 BTC in Bitcoin to Corporate Treasury: The company said on social media that the move follows a “self-reinforcing cycle” driven by bitcoin adoption, where customers paying in BTC help generate incremental revenue that is then recycled into business improvements. (BitcoinMag)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Dollar Falls on Trump Tariff Threat: The dollar index fell toward 99 on Monday, retreating from multi-week highs and weakening mainly against the safe-haven yen and Swiss franc after President Donald Trump threatened eight European countries with new tariffs to gain control of Greenland. (TradingEconomics)
2. Week Ahead - Jan 19th: Economic releases from the United States will proceed at a busy pace, with statistical agencies still catching up with data suspended at the government shutdown. The spotlight will be on personal income and outlays, which include PCE price indices, and another estimate of the third quarter GDP. Leading indicators will also be featured, including S&P PMIs and the UMich consumer survey. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. X Suffers Widespread Outage as Users Report Feed and Posting Issues: According to Downdetector, problem reports surged well above normal levels, with over 74,000 users reporting issues at the peak around 10 am ET yesterday. (TechTimes) (AC-Cyberattacks, state or non-state, are very difficult to immediately assess by the general public without information from the affected entities. Yet, timing and effects imply a lot.)
-Technology and Science-
1. Tired of AI, people are committing to the analog lifestyle in 2026: Pitched as “analog lifestyles,” it’s different than a short-term digital detox. Instead, it’s an effort to slow down and find tangible ways to complete daily tasks and find entertainment, especially as generative AI platforms increasingly do the thinking and doing for us. Arts and crafts company Michael’s has seen the effects: Searches for “analog hobbies” on its site increased by 136% in the past six months, according to the company, which operates over 1,300 stores in North America. Sales for guided craft kits increased 86% in 2025, and it expects that number to go up another 30% to 40% this year. (CNN) (AC: Maybe 'touching grass' is catching on, crocheting and knitting not expected though.)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 44/100 (Down 5 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Slow day in the news cycle. But maybe we can learn to "judge by the content of our character" just a little bit more today.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 932,510
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 16Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Canada, China Work Trade Deals / Nobel Laureate Gives Prize to Trump / Iran Protests Quiet Down / Insurrection Act May be Invoked in MN / Direct Payment Healthcare Plan Floated / Gang Member Arrested in FBI Car Break-ins in MN / Iran Bitcoin Activity Spikes / SEC Chair says Tokenization of Financial Assets Coming / Manhattan DA Targets 'Illegal' Crypto Use / Iran Currency Collapse Sign of Central Banking Weaknesses / Mortgage Rates at 3-yr Low, Jobless Claims Drop / Siri to Get Gemini, Not ChatGPT / Bitcoin Integrations Awarded Cash
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $95,404, 21.30 oz Gold, .22 Median US House
24hr Hi: $97,108/ Lo: $95,103
Volume: 46B (Down 22%)
Mkt Cap: $1.9T (Down 1%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. China and Canada Announce Tariffs Relief Deal: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to reduce tariffs on electric vehicles and canola products following years of strained relations, marking a break from U.S. policy on Chinese imports. China will cut tariffs on Canadian canola, while Canada slashes duties on select Chinese EVs. (Reuters)
2. Venezuelan Opposition Leader Presents Nobel Medal to Trump: María Corina Machado, Venezuela's Nobel Peace Prize winner, met with President Trump at the White House and presented her medal as a gesture of mutual respect. Trump thanked her but offered no commitments on support for Venezuelan opposition efforts against the Maduro regime. (BBC)
3. Iran Protests Subside After Deadly Crackdown: Protests in Iran have abated following a brutal government response that resulted in over 2,500 deaths, with residents and rights groups confirming a halt to executions of 800 demonstrators. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Iranian officials involved, and Tehran denied plans for further executions. Iranian airspace has reopened amid eased tensions, though activists warn of potential U.S. military action. (ABC)
-US Events-
1. Trump Threatens Insurrection Act Over Minnesota Unrest: President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy U.S. troops to Minnesota following violent protests over ICE operations, including two shootings. Tensions escalated after federal agents were accused of racial profiling in a lawsuit. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for peace, shifting from earlier criticism of ICE presence.(Fox)
2. Trump Unveils Healthcare Plan Focusing on Direct Payments: President Trump released a healthcare plan emphasizing direct payments over insurance subsidies, aiming to reduce costs for Americans. The proposal includes urging Congress to slash healthcare expenses and focuses on transparency in pricing. (Reuters)
3. Latin Kings gang member accused of vandalizing FBI vehicle, stealing government property in Minneapolis: Fox News confirmed that Raul Gutierrez, 33, was arrested Thursday in a joint operation involving the DOJ and the ATF. The FBI said multiple government vehicles were vandalized and broken into Wednesday night in Minneapolis while agents were responding to a reported assault on a federal officer, adding that federal property was stolen from inside the vehicles. (Fox)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Iran’s Crypto Economy Hit $7.8 Billion in 2025 as Protests Fueled Bitcoin Use: According to Chainalysis, the data shows digital assets increasingly serving two distinct roles—as a financial escape valve for civilians during periods of instability and a growing channel for state-linked actors operating under sanctions. Chainalysis said the $7.78 billion figure marks a sharp increase from 2024. (Decrypt)
2. SEC Chair predicts 2-year timeline to put US stocks fully on chain but the real $12.6 trillion opportunity isn’t equities: SEC Chair Paul Atkins told Fox Business in December that he expects US financial markets to move on-chain “in a couple of years.” The statement landed somewhere between prophecy and policy directive, especially coming from the architect of “Project Crypto,” the Commission's formal initiative to enable tokenized market infrastructure. The prize is enormous, even if adoption starts small, because tiny percentages of giant markets are giant. (CryptoSlate)
3. Manhattan DA Pushes Criminal Penalties for Unlicensed Crypto Operators: Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie introduced the CRYPTO Act on Thursday to criminalize unlicensed virtual currency operations. The bill creates graduated penalties from Class A misdemeanor to Class C felony, with maximum sentences of 5 to 15 years in state prison. (Decrypt)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. How Iran’s currency crashed and why things are unlikely to improve: The Iranian rial's value has plummeted dramatically, falling from approximately 42,000 to over 1.1 million against the US dollar, rendering purchasing power almost non-existent when buying goods from outside the country. Experts attribute the economic collapse to a combination of alleged widespread corruption, stringent international sanctions, and a five-year drought impacting food production. (TheIndependent)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Mortgage Rates Drop to Over 3-Year Low: The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 6.06% as of January 15th from 6.16% in the previous week to the lowest since September 2022, according to data from Freddie Mac. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Initial Jobless Claims Fall Sharply: Initial jobless claims in the US fell by 9,000 from the previous week to 198,000 on the week ending January 10th, contrasting with market expectations of an increase to 215,000, to mark the second-lowest reading in two years. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology and Science-
1. Apple Switches to Google Gemini for AI-Powered Siri: Apple selected Google's Gemini AI to power an upgraded Siri version expected later in 2026, marking a shift from prior OpenAI collaborations. (CNBC)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Time2Build 2025 Winners: Breez Awards Bitcoin Prizes for Lightning Integrations in BTCPay Server, Primal, and More: The initiative, which ran from October 7 to November 15, 2025 (with a merge period through December 16), focused on integrating self-custodial Lightning Network payments into existing open-source applications using the Breez SDK. The challenge emphasized practical Bitcoin functionality in areas such as merchant payments, social platforms, identity protocols, and Nostr-based applications. (BitcoinMag)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 49/100 (Down 12 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): It is worth noting how both civilians and politicians turn to Bitcoin during crisis' as seen this month in Iran. Against currency collapse, social order collapse, or other conflict, Bitcoin serves to keep and transfer wealth securely. The lesson has been learned well by those watching and stacking.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 932,246
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 14Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Iran Cracks Down Hard / Collapsing Crane Kills 29 in Thailand / South Korean Ex-President May be Executed / Clinton Skip on Congress / USA First Negative Migration in 50 Years / Fed Attorneys Quit over MN ICE Shooting / CLARITY Act is Negotiation Chaos, Bitcoiners Fight for Tax Relief / Russia Normalizes Crypto Use / Fed Reiterates Banks Can Offer Crypto Services / CPI at 2.7% / UK Backs off on Digital ID Mandate / Scammers Targeting Trust, Using AI Too / TN Man Hacked SCOTUS Files / Bitchat Downloads Spike in Uganda / Solo BTC Miners Had a Good Year
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $95,008, 21.01 oz Gold, .22 Median US House
24hr Hi: $96,011 / Lo: $91,750
Volume: 61B (Down 15%)
Mkt Cap: $1.89T (Up 3%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Iran cracks down: The death toll from the Iranian government crackdown on nationwide protests has surpassed 2,500, according to U.S.-based human rights activists, with over 10,000 arrests reported amid an ongoing internet blackout that has limited communication. Iranian authorities have signaled quick trials and potential executions for protesters, defying U.S. warnings, while the regime claims readiness for war but openness to negotiations following U.S. sanctions that exacerbated the economic crisis sparking the unrest. Videos of the protests continue to emerge despite restrictions, showing clashes in multiple cities including Tehran. (NPR)
2. A construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in northeastern Thailand, causing a derailment and fire that killed at least 29 people and injured over 60 others. The incident occurred during construction work near a rail line, with emergency services responding to extract survivors from the wreckage. (NPR)
3. South Korea prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-President Yoon: Prosecutors say Yoon, who was impeached over a failed 2024 martial law declaration, threatened ‘constitutional order’. Yoon’s criminal trial for insurrection, abuse of power, and other offences linked to the martial declaration ended on Tuesday after 11 hours of proceedings. The court is expected to deliver a verdict on the case on February 19. (AlJazeera)
-US Events-
1. Clintons Refuse To Testify About Jeffrey Epstein; Comer To Begin Contempt Proceedings: President Trump isn't the only one clamming up over Jeffrey Epstein - as Bill and Hillary Clinton are both refusing to testify in front of Congressional investigators over their relationship with the dead sex-trafficking pedophile, escalating a monthslong battle with House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY). Contempt of Congress is a misdemeanor that can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and up to a year in jail if pursued by the DOJ (so, nothing will happen and the Clintons know it). (Zerohedge)
2. U.S. Sees Negative Net Migration in 2025 for First Time in 50 Years: The Brookings Institution reported the United States experienced negative net migration in 2025 for the first time in at least 50 years, estimating net flows between-295,000 and-10,000. (GroundNews)
3. Federal prosecutors resign over concerns about probe into Minneapolis ICE shooting: At least three prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota have resigned over their concerns with the direction of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. The person confirmed the resignations of Joseph Thompson, Melinda Williams and another attorney. Thompson, one of the prosecutors who resigned, oversaw a yearslong investigation that resulted in dozens of charges against people accused of defrauding millions of dollars in government funds. (NBC)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Bitcoin Advocates Press US Lawmakers on Stablecoin Tax Rules: Bitcoin advocacy groups have pressed Congress to extend planned tax exemptions to Bitcoin and major network tokens beyond stablecoins, warning that limiting relief to dollar-pegged tokens alone would not resolve the compliance challenges facing millions of Americans who use crypto for everyday payments. The Bitcoin Policy Institute, joined by Bitcoin Voter, Blocks, Crypto Council, Digital Chamber, MoonPay, River, and others, sent the letter on Sunday to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Michael Crapo and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. The groups say over 3,500 merchants across all 50 U.S. states now accept Bitcoin at the point of sale, making the country the largest jurisdiction for Bitcoin payments. (Decrypt)
2. Senators pitch more than 75 amendments for crypto bill, including on yield, DeFi sections: These pitches for changes in the draft bill range from prohibiting stablecoin yields entirely to blocking "public officials from profiting from crypto interests" to modifying how digital asset mixers and tumblers are defined, and they're being offered by senators from both the Republican and Democrat parties. In a typical congressional markup, most amendments tend to flame out. Many of them could also be dropped according to deals struck in the room. So the vast majority of this lengthy list is likely destined for the cutting-room floor. (CoinDesk)
3. Russia to normalize crypto: Russia is preparing legislation to normalize cryptocurrency use by removing special regulatory designations, potentially allowing broader adoption in payments and trades. The bill, discussed by lawmakers, aims to integrate crypto into the economy without new restrictions. No timeline for enactment was specified. (Binance)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Banks Expanding Bitcoin Services Globally: Fed Chair Powell confirmed banks can offer crypto services. Germany's DZ Bank received approval for retail Bitcoin trading, signaling broader institutional access to the market. (CoinGecko)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US Mortgage Rates Fall Further: The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages on conforming loans of $806,500 or less in the US fell to 6.18% in the week ending January 9, marking a new low since September 2024. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Inflation Rate Stable at 2.7%, Core Below Forecasts: The annual inflation rate in the US remained at 2.7% in December 2025, the same as in November and in line with market expectations. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. UK rolls back digital ID for work checks as privacy fears drive backlash: Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has dropped plans to make a centralized digital ID mandatory for workers, softening a flagship policy that would have required every employee to prove their right to work via a government‑issued credential rather than traditional documents like passports. Opponents warned it risked building an “Orwellian nightmare,” centralizing sensitive data in a honeypot vulnerable to hacking, and mission creep into areas such as housing, banking and voting. (CoinTelegraph)
2. Trust Is the New Target as Impersonation Scams Surge 1,400% in 2025: These schemes typically involve fraudsters posing as trusted individuals, companies, or platforms to trick victims into sending cryptocurrency or revealing sensitive wallet information. Chainalysis warned that these trends point to a future in which nearly all scam operations are likely to incorporate AI in some form. (BeInCrypto)
3. Tennessee man to plead guilty to hacking Supreme Court’s electronic case filing system: A Tennessee man is expected to plead guilty on Friday to a misdemeanor charge for hacking into the Supreme Court’s electronic case filing system. Details on what information Moore accessed were not released. Moore, 24, will appear in court via a video feed on Friday. (RecordedFuture)
-Technology and Science-
1. Bitchat Downloads Spike in Uganda as Government Prepares Internet Shutdown for Election: Uganda’s government imposed a nationwide internet blackout on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s presidential election, triggering a surge in downloads of Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app that operates offline. (CryptoNews)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Solo Bitcoin miners hit 22 blocks hit in 12 months as another hit the jackpot this week: A single Bitcoin (BTC) miner collected a full block reward on Jan. 13, claiming 3.125 BTC plus fees worth close to $300,000 | 3.16 BTC at current prices. A hobby miner running a 6 TH/s ASIC faces roughly a 1-in-170-million chance per block attempt. The expected wait time to find a single block at that hashrate exceeds 3,000 years. Yet solo wins keep appearing, with verified solo blocks hitting the chain every few weeks. (CryptoSlate)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 48/100 (Up 12 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): The CLARITY Act is being fought over in Congressional back rooms over numerous details, each of which has significant effects. This may end up being a troublesome law as most negotiators are not Bitcoiners, or even crypto holders. It is a good sign, however, that some Bitcoin policy folks are giving inputs, but their voices may indeed be drowned out. Bitcoiners may want to watch this issue closely and be ready to speak up to congressional delegates when the time in ripe.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 931,986
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 13Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Iran Turmoil Continues / Canada Courts China / Milei Repays the US Loan / Mississippi's Largest Synagogue Burned Down / $700M in Somali Cash Went Through Minneapolis Airport / Banks Win on Crypto Interest Battle / Dems Try Their Own Crypto / New Bill May Protect Bitcoin Devs / Central Bankers Join in Powell's Defense / Venezuelan Bitcoin In the Wind / Gold, Silver at ATHs, Stocks Up / Another Wrench Attack in France / Freedom Tech in Iran / Post-Quantum Bitcoin Tested
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $91,922, 20.23 oz Gold, .21 Median US House
24hr Hi: $92,567 / Lo: $90,055
Volume: 72B (Up 129%)
Mkt Cap: $1.83T (Up 1%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Iran Protests Escalate Amid High Death Toll and US Tensions: Iranian security forces continued a violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests, with activists reporting at least 599 deaths since demonstrations began over two weeks ago, including widespread arrests and internet blackouts to suppress communication. President Trump threatened military action if the protests persist, while Iran's Foreign Minister stated the country is prepared for dialogue but warned against US interference in internal affairs. Trade partners with Iran now face 25% US tariffs on imports, effective immediately, as Trump aims to intensify economic pressure on the regime. (NPR)
2. As Canada tries to reduce its dependence on the US, its leader will visit China to rebuild ties: The push by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who arrives Wednesday, is part of a major rethink as ties sour with the U.S. — the world’s No. 1 economy and long the largest trading partner for Canada by far. (AP)
3. Argentina Repays $2.5 Billion Swap Deal to the U.S.: Argentina repaid the $2.5 billion it drew down from a $20 billion swap line President Javier Milei signed with the administration of President Donald Trump, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced over the weekend. (Breitbart)
-US Events-
1. Suspect arrested in predawn fire that left parts of Mississippi’s largest synagogue in charred ruins: A fire heavily damaged Mississippi’s largest synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship in northeast Jackson that the Ku Klux Klan bombed in 1967 because the rabbi supported civil rights. Investigators did not immediately release the name of the suspect or the charges the person could face. (MississippiToday)
2. Federal Officials Probe $700M in Cash Flagged Leaving Minneapolis Airport Over Two Years: The cash, mostly transported by a small group of couriers of Somali descent on routine flights to Amsterdam and then Dubai, totaled approximately $342.37 million in 2024 and $349.4 million in 2025 from the Minneapolis airport alone. (VinNews)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Banks Win Key Battle as Crypto Bill Bars Stablecoin Interest Payments: The provision, contained in Section 404 titled "Preserving Rewards for Stablecoin Holders," says that a "digital asset service provider may not pay any form of interest or yield (whether in cash, tokens, or other consideration) solely in connection with the holding of a payment stablecoin." (Decrypt) (AC-Don't underestimate the power of the banking cartel.)
2. Democrats Test Crypto Fundraising Reset With BlueVault Launch: BlueVault launched Monday as a crypto fundraising platform built specifically for Democratic political committees. The platform targets small-dollar crypto donors, positioning itself as infrastructure rather than a pro-crypto policy endorsement. (Decrypt) (AC-Not freedom money, but a grift.)
3. US Lawmakers Introduce Standalone Bill to Protect Blockchain Developers Ahead of Broader Crypto Legislation: Senators Lummis and Wyden introduce a standalone bill protecting non-custodial DeFi developers as the Senate prepares to mark up broader crypto market structure legislation this week. (CryptoNews)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. Global Central Bankers Express ‘Full Solidarity’ With US Fed’s Powell Amid Trump Threats: The heads of global central banks, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, expressed 'full solidarity' with the Federal Reserve System and its Chair Jerome H. Powell. They stated that the independence of central banks is crucial for price, financial and economic stability in the interest of the citizens they serve. (GroundNews) (AC-The threat against one key central banker has the effect of coalescing all of them, bringing the cartel into the spotlight from the shadows. This alliance certainly does not like transparency and if understood correctly, wields economic power unrivaled in the world.)
2. SEC Chair: Fate of Rumored Venezuelan Bitcoin Stash ‘Remains to Be Seen’: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins said today that it remains unclear whether the U.S. government will move to seize the widely discussed Bitcoin holdings (600,000 BTC, or about $56 billion) rumored to be tied to Venezuela. (BitcoinMag)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Bitcoin ETFs See $116.67M Net Inflow: On January 12, Bitcoin ETFs recorded $116.67 million in total net inflows. FBTC led with $111.75 million, while IBIT experienced a $70.66 million outflow. (CoinGecko)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Gold, Silver Hit New Highs as Bitcoin Trades Flat Ahead of Key Macroeconomic Events: Silver sharply outperformed, jumping nearly 7% from Friday’s close to trade near $85. Gold, up 2.2%, set a new record high of $4,600. Bitcoin, in contrast, remained flat, down 0.2% over the past 24 hours. (Decrypt)
2. US 10-Year Yield Steadies Ahead of CPI: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note held steady around 4.18% on Tuesday as investors awaited the latest consumer inflation report, which could influence Federal Reserve policy. Markets currently price in two rate cuts this year, starting in June, but any upside surprise to inflation could constrain the central bank’s ability to ease. (TradingEconomics)
3. S&P Hits Fresh Record Amid Powell Probe: US stocks rebounded on Monday after an early sell-off, with the S&P 500 hitting a new record, up 0.2% and the Nasdaq rising 0.3%, led by technology shares and Walmart. The Dow Jones recovered, adding 86 points, after dropping nearly 500 points at session lows. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. Another Day, Another Crypto Wrench Attack in France: Armed assailants stormed a family home in Verneuil-sur-Seine on Friday evening, launching a brutal attack on a crypto investment executive and his family in what has become the latest "wrench attack" to rock France's crypto community. Three gunmen forced their way into the residence around nighttime, beating both parents before restraining the couple and their two children with cable ties. (Decrypt)
-Technology and Science-
1. Breaking the Blackout: Iranian Protestors Use Freedom Tech to Bypass Regime Crackdown: As Iran imposes sweeping internet restrictions, protestors are turning to Bitcoin-linked apps like Bitchat and its localized fork Noghteha — leveraging mesh networks and cypherpunk ideals to maintain communication amid the blackout. (BItcoinMag)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Quantum-Resistant Bitcoin Testnet Launched: BTQ Technologies launched Bitcoin Quantum, a testnet using post-quantum signature (ML-DSA). This addresses long-term security risks and advances Bitcoin's upgrade planning. (CoinGecko)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 26/100 (Down 1 pt)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 931,548
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 09Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Russia Debuts Hypersonics in Ukraine / Iran Internet Dark, Protests Escalate / Venezuela Releases Political Prisoners / ICE Shoots 2 More Citizens in Portland / Trump Buys Mortgage Bonds to Drop Rates / HHS Freezes Childcare Money to 5 States / Columbia Tax Authority Demands User Data From Crypto Exchanges / SBF Out of Luck With Trump / South Korea Can Seize Coins on Exchanges / Florida Revives SBR Bill, Texas Enacts It's Own / BTC ETFs Bleed for 3 days / Mortgage Rates Up, Trade Deficit Sharply Down / Another Wrench Attack in France / Bitcoin Not King of Dark Web / AI Now in Many Gadgets
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $90,371, 20.23 oz Gold, .21 Median US House
24hr Hi: $91,520 / Lo: $89,233
Volume: 38B (Down 13%)
Mkt Cap: $1.8T (Even)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Down 50%)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Russian forces conducted a massive strike on Ukrainian military targets using the new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, marking its first combat deployment. Ukrainian air defenses reported intercepting several incoming projectiles, but damage was confirmed to infrastructure in multiple regions. No immediate casualty figures were released by either side. (NPR)
2. Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet and phone blackout as protests against economic policies and government leadership intensified in major cities. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accused demonstrators of aligning with U.S. interests, while exiled opposition figures called for mass gatherings. Security forces were deployed to disperse crowds, leading to reports of arrests. (AlJazeera)
3. Venezuelan authorities released several imprisoned opposition leaders and activists following U.S. negotiations, including key figures detained during previous political crackdowns. The move was approved by President Trump as part of efforts to stabilize the region. The U.S. Senate advanced a resolution to limit U.S. military actions in Venezuela without congressional approval. (NYTimes)
-US Events-
1. Federal immigration agents shot and wounded two individuals during a traffic stop in Portland, Oregon, as part of ongoing enforcement activities. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek demanded a transparent investigation into the incident. This marks at least the 10th instance of agents firing at vehicles in recent months. (Fox)
2. Trump: Fannie, Freddie to Buy $200 Billion of Mortgage Debt to Bring Mortgage Rates Down: Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I am instructing my Representatives to BUY $200 BILLION | 2,213,932 BTC DOLLARS IN MORTGAGE BONDS. This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable..." Citigroup has said that if Fannie and Freddie were to increase their portfolio by $250 billion then premiums on their mortgage bonds would fall by 0.25 percent, which would result in a similar drop in mortgage rates for homeowners. (Breitbart)
3. HHS Freezes Child Care and Family Assistance Grants in Five States for Fraud Concerns: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today froze access to certain federal child care and family assistance funds for California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York following serious concerns about widespread fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars in state-administered programs. (HHSgov)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Colombia's tax authority mandates crypto exchanges to submit user data: The reported information includes account ownership details, transaction volume, number of units transferred, market value, and net balances. (TheBlock)
2. Trump Says He Won’t Pardon Sam Bankman-Fried: President Donald Trump said this week that he has no intention of pardoning Sam Bankman-Fried, the former FTX chief executive who is serving a lengthy federal prison sentence for one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history. (BitcoinMag)
3. South Korea’s Top Court Rules Bitcoin on Exchanges Can Be Seized: South Korea's Supreme Court ruled Bitcoin held on domestic exchanges can be legally seized under the Criminal Procedure Act, resolving legal ambiguity as authorities impose billions in fines and prepare expanded asset freeze powers for criminal investigations. (CryptoNews)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. Florida Revives Bitcoin Reserve Push With New 2026 Bill: Florida lawmakers filed new legislation for the 2026 session that would create a state-run crypto reserve after a similar effort stalled last year. (BitcoinMag)
2. Texas Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill: Texas passed Senate Bill 21 (SB 21), establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This state-level adoption could remove supply from markets and support BTC price. (CoinGecko)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. US Bitcoin ETFs Clock Three-Day Outflow Streak as Risk Appetite Cools: Spot Bitcoin ETFs have clocked nearly $1 billion in outflows over the past three days. (Decrypt)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Edges Higher: The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage edged higher to 6.16% as of January 8th from the lowest level of 2025 of 6.15% in the previous week, according to data from Freddie Mac. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Trade Gap Lowest Since 2009: The US trade deficit narrowed sharply to $29.4 billion in October 2025, the smallest gap since June 2009, down from a revised $48.1 billion in September and well below forecasts of a $58.1 billion shortfall. The implementation of tariffs led to significant swings in trade flows, particularly in non-monetary gold and pharmaceutical products. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. Masked Gunmen Tie Up Woman in France, Steal Crypto USB: France is becoming a European hotspot for crypto wrench attacks, with over 14 crypto-related attacks documented last year. Three masked men broke into a home in Manosque, France, tying up a woman at gunpoint and stealing a USB drive containing her partner's crypto data. (Decrypt)
2. Bitcoin is not the king of the dark web: In 2025, the center of gravity in the illicit cryptocurrency economy shifted decisively away from the volatility of the original cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) and toward a dense, dollar-linked shadow system. According to new Chainalysis data, stablecoins accounted for 84% of the $154 billion illicit transaction volume last year, marking a clear shift in risk toward programmable dollars. This structural shift has enabled Chinese money laundering networks to scale “laundering-as-a-service” operations while nation-states like North Korea, Russia, and Iran plugged into these same rails to evade Western controls. (CryptoSlate)
-Technology and Science-
1. AI powers new gadgets: At CES 2026, companies unveiled AI-powered gadgets including smart scales, walking exoskeletons, and allergen detectors for health monitoring. NVIDIA announced partnerships with auto suppliers to advance self-driving technology. Samsung and LG showcased futuristic designs like bendable screens and home robots. (Mashable)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 27/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 931,410
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 08Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Two Tankers Seized in North Atlantic / US Takes Control of Venezuelan Oil / US Drops From Many International Treaties / ICE Shooting Of Protester Ignites Tension / Food Pyramid Turned Upside Down / Trump Calls For 50% Increase in Defense Spending / BTC Inc Goes on BTC Standard / Stocks Mixed, Jobs Down, PMI Up / Scam Kingpin Extradited to China, Bitcoin Stash in Limbo / Humanoid Robot Shocks at CES / Rumble to Use Bitcoin, Crypto Wallet for Creators
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $89,873, 20.30 oz Gold, .21 Median US House
24hr Hi: $92,189 / Lo: $89,578
Volume: 43B (Down 22%)
Mkt Cap: $1.79T (Down 2%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 2 sats/vBtye (Up 100%)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US Seizes Venezuelan-Linked Oil Tankers: US authorities seized two tankers, one Russian-flagged, tied to Venezuelan oil shipments as part of broader sanctions enforcement, with the vessels intercepted in international waters carrying over 1 million barrels combined. The action aims to disrupt shadow fleet operations evading US restrictions on Venezuelan crude. Trump administration officials stated the seizures support efforts to control and redirect Venezuelan oil revenues. (Reuters)
2. US Assumes Control of Venezuelan Oil Sales: The Trump administration announced indefinite oversight of Venezuelan oil exports, seizing revenues into US accounts to fund reconstruction efforts without immediate election plans. Officials aim to restart crude flow while blocking prior regime allies like Russia and China. (Fox)
3. US announces withdrawal from dozens of international treaties: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration “has found these institutions to be redundant in their scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own.” The list does not reference military alliances or intelligence alliances such as NATO or the Five Eyes, but instead identifies more than 60 expert commissions, policy forums and treaty-based frameworks, around half of them based at the United Nations. (RecordedFuture)
-US Events-
1. Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis: An ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a US citizen, during an immigration enforcement operation in a residential area, with federal officials claiming she attempted to run over agents in her vehicle. Local protests erupted, accusing agents of excessive force, while body camera footage showed the incident unfolding rapidly. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard amid rising tensions and criticized the federal action as overreach. (Fox)
2. Trump Admin Declares War On Added Sugar, Embraces Real Foods In Massive MAHA Reset: In response to decades of corporate-poisoned nutrition advice, the Trump administration has unleashed updated federal dietary guidelines that torch added sugars, champion protein and healthy fats, and slam the door on ultra-processed junk fueling America’s chronic disease crisis. (Zerohedge) (AC-Check out the South Park/Kennedy video on social media- "Turn that pyramid upside down.")
3. Trump Calls for $1.5 Trillion to Build ‘Dream Military,’ Pay Down Debt, Give Dividend to ‘Moderate Income Patriots’: The proposed increase, according to Trump, would support building what he referred to as the “Dream Military,” asserting that such a force would ensure the United States remains “SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe.” (Breitbart) (AC-That is essentially at 50% increase from this year's budget.)
-Regulatory and Legal-
NSTR
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. BTC Inc Standardizes Bitcoin Operations Using BTCPay Server Across Events, Payroll, and Treasury: BTC Inc, the parent company of Bitcoin Magazine and the organizer of major global Bitcoin conferences, has spent the past several years restructuring its internal operations around Bitcoin-native infrastructure, relying heavily on the open-source BTCPay Server to manage its payments, payroll, and treasury functions. The effort reflects a broader push by the company to operate on what it describes as a “Bitcoin standard,” using bitcoin not only as a reserve asset but as a primary medium for internal and external transactions. (BitcoinMag) (AC-Moving to a true Bitcoin standard is rare at present, as it is just the beginning.)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 10-Year Yield Extends Decline: The yield on the 10-year US Treasury fell to around 4.14% on Thursday, extending this week’s decline as investors continued to assess the outlook for Federal Reserve policy in light of the latest economic data. (TradingEconomics)
2, US Stocks Close Mixed on Wednesday, jobs down, PIM up: US stocks were mixed on Wednesday as investors weighed uneven economic data against expectations for eventual Federal Reserve easing, with the S&P 500 easing 0.2% and the Dow Jones sliding 0.8% from recent record highs, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.1%. JOLTS showed a sharp decline in job openings, pointing to cooling labor demand, while ADP reported a modest rebound in private hiring and the ISM Services PMI surprised to the upside, reinforcing the view of a slowing yet resilient economy. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. Alleged Crypto Scam Kingpin Arrested in Cambodia After $12 Billion Bitcoin Seizure: Chen Zhi, the alleged mastermind of a "pig butchering" crypto fraud ring, was arrested in Cambodia. His crypto fraud network allegedly stole billions from users globally, with nearly $12 billion in Bitcoin from the operations now held by the U.S. government. Cambodia has since extradited Zhi to China, throwing the DOJ prosecution in limbo. (Decrypt/Various)
-Technology and Science-
1. The Way Boston Dynamics’ New Robot Moves Is Skin-Crawlingly Unnatural: Boston Dynamics has clearly decided to loosen up some of the restrictions of the human form. During an on-stage demonstration at this year’s CES convention in Las Vegas, Boston Dynamics showed off the agility of its humanoid Atlas robot — albeit with an unnerving degree of freedom of movement that dispels the illusion of a human entity. The demo was part of Boston Dynamics’ announcement of a production-ready version of its Atlas robot. The Hyundai-owned firm also announced a partnership with Google’s DeepMind to bring AI smarts to its bots as well. (Futurism) (AC-The convergence of a super-articulated, strong humanoid robot and edge computing AI, will shock humans very soon. Sci-fi only hinted at these new capabilities coming online, as the reality of this new tech is much more mind-blowing.)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. YouTube Rival Rumble Debuts Bitcoin, Tether Wallet for Crypto Creator Tips: Built with stablecoin issuer Tether’s wallet development kit and using payments infrastructure from MoonPay, the non-custodial wallet is directly embedded within the Rumble platform and initially supports dollar-backed stablecoin USDT, Tether’s Gold-backed token (XAUT), and Bitcoin (BTC). (Decrypt)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 28/100 (Down 12 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 931,135
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 06Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Maduro in US Court / Danish PM Warns Trump / South Korea's Lee Meets China's Xi / Tim Walz Ends Reelection Campaign / HHS Resets Childhood Vaccines / ICE Ops in CA Net 118 Illegals / Why Did DOJ Sell Samourai's Bitcoin? / Morgan Stanley Wants in on BTC ETFs / Dow at ATH / US Logistics Slow Down / Ledger Customer Breach Worries / Russia's New Drone + MANPADs Pairing Changes Things / Grok in Hot Water Again / Bitcoin Mining is Not the Climate Enemy
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $93,811, 21.01 oz Gold, .22 Median US House
24hr Hi: $94,762 / Lo: $92,374
Volume: 45B (Up 31%)
Mkt Cap: $1.87T (Up 1%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 4 sats/vBtye (Up 300%)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Maduro appears in US court: The ousted Venezuelan leader and his wife pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges in a New York courtroom. A defiant Maduro told the judge he had been kidnapped in Caracas. Gunfire and anti-aircraft fire were seen over Caracas as the Venezuelan capital remains on edge and the Venezuelan ministry said police fired at drones that were “flying without permission.” (CNN)
2. Danish prime minister says a US takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO: Her comments came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed call for the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island to come under U.S. control in the aftermath of the weekend military operation in Venezuela. If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 on Monday. “That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.” (AP)
3. South Korea seeks 'new phase' in ties with China: Regional security and lifting Beijing's unofficial ban on Korean pop culture is high on Lee's agenda, as he continues his four-day trip in China. He is set to meet China's Premier Li Qiang and the chairman of parliament, Zhao Leji on Tuesday. South Korea is a US security ally - like Japan - but also relies on China for trade. Experts say Lee is expected to keep walking a diplomatic tightrope between Beijing and Tokyo. Lee vowed on Monday to work with China on "viable alternatives for peace on the Korean Peninsula". (BBC) (AC-If there is to ever be a reunification of Korea, it will start with China.)
-US Events-
1. Tim Walz drops out of Minnesota governor’s race, Klobuchar considers jumping in: Walz’s decision to not seek a historic third term upends the race and shocked the Minnesota political world. The two-term governor, who served as the Democrats’ 2024 vice presidential nominee, was facing a potentially tough reelection fight as Republicans sought to tie him to a federal probe into a massive welfare fraud scandal in the state. (Politico)
2. U.S. overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, recommends fewer shots: federal health officials revised the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, recommending four fewer vaccines and reducing routine coverage from 17 to 11 diseases. HHS reclassified specific shots, moving rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis A to shared decision-making, while the CDC now recommends a single dose of the human papillomavirus vaccine. (GroundNews)
3. ICE Arrests 118 Illegal Aliens in Sanctuary California, Including Sex Offenders, Drunk Drivers: ICE ended 2025 with a surge operation in California targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” DHS spokesman Tricia McLaughlin said. (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Did DOJ Prosecutors Violate Trump’s Executive Order by Selling the Forfeited Samourai Wallet Bitcoin?: On November 3, 2025, it seems that the U.S. Marshall Service, at the direction of the Department of Justice, used Coinbase Prime to liquidate the bitcoin that the Samourai developers forfeited as part of their plea deal, likely violating President Trump’s mandate to keep such bitcoin in the United States Strategy Bitcoin Reserve. (BitcoinMag)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Morgan Stanley files with SEC for spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs: Morgan Stanley has filed S-1 registration statements with the SEC for spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs. If approved, today’s filings would place Morgan Stanley alongside major crypto ETF issuers such as BlackRock and Fidelity. (TheBlock)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Dow Rises to Record High: US stocks extended their gains on Monday with support from banks, oil companies, and consumer cyclicals as markets were unfazed by the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro by the US military. The Dow advanced 800 points to a new record high, while the S&P 500 gained over 1.5% and the Nasdaq 100 rose by 1%. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Logistics Sector Slows Again in December: The Logistics Manager’s Index in the US fell for a second consecutive month to 54.2 in December 2025 from 55.7 in each of the previous two months. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. Crypto Wallet Maker Ledger Confirms Data Breach on Global-e Platform: Crypto wallet maker Ledger confirmed that its Global-e e-commerce partner has suffered a data breach, but cautioned users that its own hardware and software wallets remain secure. “This incident consisted of unauthorized access to order data in Global-e information systems. Some of the data accessed as part of this incident pertained to customers who made a purchase on Ledger(.)com using Global-e as a merchant of record." (Decrypt) (AC-This breach of customer data could lead criminals to your door if you bought a ledger. Plan accordingly.)
-Technology and Science-
1. Russia Straps MANPADS Missile On Shahed Drone To Counter Attack Helicopters: On January 4, 2026, the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces stated that fighters intercepted a Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drone fitted with an Igla-S man-portable air defense system. This variant, observed for the first time during the war, carried a camera and a radio modem, allowing the missile to be launched remotely by an operator located on Russian territory to threaten Ukrainian helicopters and low-flying aircraft involved in counter-drone interception. (Zerohedge) (AC- Having a longer range drone carry a anti air missile is significant in this and future conflicts. Wait until these platforms no longer need a human in the loop.)
2. Elon Musk's xAI Refuses to Rein In Grok as Non-Consensual Deepfakes Run Wild: Anyone can tag Grok under a photo on X with prompts like "put her in a bikini" or "remove her clothes." The AI generates a convincing deepfake in seconds, visible to anyone in the thread. No permission needed. EU looking ‘very seriously’ at taking action against X over Grok (Decrypt/RecordedFuture)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin (BTC) Mining Isn’t the Climate Villain Many Think: ESG Expert Says: ESG expert Daniel Batten has pushed back against misconceptions around Bitcoin mining while saying that many claims are not supported by evidence and persist due to outdated assumptions. Transaction activity can scale without increasing energy, water, or hardware use. He traces the origin of the “per transaction” narrative to a 2018 commentary by Alex de Vries, which he says was later debunked but widely cited. This is what led to long-lasting misunderstandings. Meanwhile, studies from Duke University and other researchers have found that Bitcoin mining can provide grid balancing and ancillary services, a conclusion Batten says is supported by real-world data from Texas’ ERCOT grid. (CryptoPotato)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 44/100 (Up 18 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 931.007
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 05Jan2026
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Maduro Captured by US SOF, World Reacts / Gunmen Raid Catholic Church in Nigeria, Kill 30+ / Iran Protests Continue to Spread / MN Somali Fraudsters Spent Lavishly / CLARITY Act Up to Bat / Maduro May Have $67B in Bitcoin / BTC ETFs Inflow / BOA Advisors Push 4% into Bitcoin / Stocks Tick Up / CES Kicks off in Vegas
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $92,777, 21.08 oz Gold, .22 Median US House
24hr Hi: $93,146 / Lo: $90,877
Volume: 34B (Up 28%)
Mkt Cap: $1.85T (Up 2%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. US Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Military Strike: US forces conducted airstrikes in Caracas and other regions of Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores during an early morning operation. Maduro was flown to New York, where he is detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting trial on narco-terrorism charges. President Trump stated the US will temporarily run Venezuela until a safe transition of power, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarifying no day-to-day governance role beyond enforcing oil sanctions. (AP)
2. Global Reactions to US Intervention in Venezuela: China condemned the US strike as a violation of international law and urged the immediate release of Maduro, limiting its response to diplomatic protests. World leaders, including those from the UK and France, expressed mixed views, with some criticizing the unilateral action while others noted its impact on global energy markets. Protests occurred in US cities and internationally, including planned demonstrations near US consulates in Italy. (AlJazeera)
3. Gunmen raid village in Nigeria, killing at least 30 people and abducting others: The gunmen stormed the Kasuwan-Daji village in Niger state’s Borgu local government area on Saturday evening and opened fire on residents. They also razed down the local market and several houses. Rev. Fr. Stephen Kabirat, spokesman for the Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese where the attack happened, told local media that the gunmen killed more than 40 people and that some of those abducted were children. (ABC) (AC: Interesting slant, as the headline leaves out the fact that the attack was against a Catholic Church.)
4. Iran Protests Enter Eighth Day with Calls for Regime Change: Demonstrations have spread to 26 of Iran's 31 provinces, driven by a rial at 1.4 million to the dollar and inflation over 50 percent, evolving into direct challenges against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Protesters in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan clash with security forces, with women defying hijab rules and crowds invoking exiled Reza Pahlavi, who urged them to seize the streets. Rights groups report 16 to 19 deaths from IRGC fire since December 28, including four killed in Malekshahi on January 3, amid retaliatory fires at regime sites. These are the biggest unrest since 2022, with heavy security but signs of strain like a police officer burning Khamenei's portrait. (X)
-US Events-
1. Protests Erupt in US Over Military Action in Venezuela: Demonstrators gathered in cities like Miami and New York to protest Trump's intervention, with some celebrating Maduro's removal while others decried it as illegal. In Doral, Florida, Venezuelans marched in support, but broader rallies highlighted concerns over escalation and violations of sovereignty. Lawmakers like Rep. Jim Himes called the operation illegal under international law. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is fundraising in protest of the Trump administration’s capture of Maduro. (TheGuardian/Breitbart)
2. Minnesota’s Somali Fraudsters Paid for Lamborghini, Rolls Royce Rentals, Luxury Resort in Kenya with Stolen Money: Some of the Minnesota Somalians convicted in the Feeding Our Future scheme reportedly enjoyed luxurious lifestyles with money stolen from the federal government, the news coming as the state is under scrutiny regarding more alleged fraud. The fraudsters stole hundreds of millions of dollars in federal COVID relief money and apparently used it to fund lavish lifestyles and not feed needy children, the New York Post reported Saturday. Their rich lifestyles included condos, luxury cars, and real estate in Kenya, the outlet said, citing court documents. (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Washington’s new crypto bill would strip states of power – legally bans oversight that catches front-end manipulation: The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 (better known as the CLARITY Act) has already cleared the House, and Senate lawmakers are now lining it up for a January markup. The bill’s promise is straightforward: end the turf war between the SEC and the CFTC, clarify when secondary trading is and is not “the same” as a securities offering, and create a registration path for the venues that actually handle crypto liquidity. (CryptoSlate)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. Venezuela’s Alleged $67 Billion Bitcoin Reserve Exposed After Maduro Capture: Venezuela may control one of the world’s largest Bitcoin reserves, according to recent intelligence reports. The alleged stash could contain between 600,000 and 660,000 BTC, valued at approximately $56 billion to $67 billion at current prices. Sources emphasize that “the Bitcoin is not yet secured” and the private keys controlling these wallets remain unaccounted for. The coming days represent what analysts describe as “a high-stakes race to locate the private keys”. The outcome could significantly affect the proposed U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. (Blockonomi) (AC: What if the bitcoin reserve becomes the more valuable play for the US, rather than oil or gold.)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Sees Biggest Inflow in Three Months as Crypto Prices Rise: BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) recorded $287.4 million in inflows on Friday, its largest single-day haul since early October. Bitcoin ETFs collectively pulled in $471.3 million on Friday, marking the highest total inflows since mid-November. (Decrypt)
2. Bank of America Advisors Recommend Bitcoin Allocation: U.S. Bank/Merrill Lynch now permits wealth advisors to recommend up to 4% Bitcoin allocation to clients, focusing on physically backed Bitcoin ETFs. (CoinGecko)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Treasury Yields Edge Down: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note edged down to 4.17% on Monday after touching four-month highs of 4.19% on Friday. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Futures Rise, Oil Companies Soar: US stock futures traded higher on Monday at the start of the first full week of the year. S&P 500 futures rose 0.3%, Nasdaq futures gained 0.7%, and Dow Jones futures advanced by nearly 60 points. Energy stocks surged in premarket trading after the US captured Venezuela’s President Maduro and his wife over the weekend, while President Trump floated plans for a US-led revival of Venezuela’s oil industry. Chevron jumped nearly 7%, Exxon Mobil gained almost 4%, and ConocoPhillips surged 6%. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. NSTR
-Technology and Science-
1. CES 2026 Showcases AI and Smart Tech Innovations: The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas began with previews of AI-powered products, including Aiper's Scuba V3 Ultra robotic pool cleaner and EcoSurfer Senti skimmer, both CES Innovation Award honorees. Major brands like Bosch and LG planned announcements during media days on January 4-5. (PRNewswire)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 26/100 (Up 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Big news on Venezuela and Iran, with the world focused on these issues and little else. Rightfully so, as the shock of the Maduro operation puts everyone on notice, and concerned. Military power is the most fundamental of power types, and a skillful demonstration of such a power reminds all humans of our joint subjugation to it. It also awakens the survival instinct to build even more military power to protect oneself, one's State or Country against the application of power against it.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 928,119
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 23Dec2025
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Russian Strikes Put Ukraine in Dark / Bondi Beach Gunmen Trained for Attack / China Loads 100 ICBM Missile Silos / Trump Announces New Battleships / US Judge Orders 'Due Process' For Venezuelan Deportees / Pro-Bitcoin Leader Sworn into CFTC / Trump Bitcoin Treasury Over $1B /
Dollar Down, Stocks Up / France Mail Target of DDOS Attack / RTS Games Good For You / Rumors of Apples Glasses for 2026
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $87,764, 20.22 oz Gold, .20 Median US House
24hr Hi: $90,358 / Lo: $87,061
Volume: 42B (Up 46%)
Mkt Cap: $1.75T (Down 3%)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 2 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. 'Massive' Russian strikes prompt power cuts across Ukraine: Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 635 drones and 38 missiles into the country overnight, of which 587 drones and 34 missiles were shot down or suppressed. The impacts of missiles and drones were reported across 21 locations, the air force said. Zelenskyy said Russia was "primarily targeting our energy sector, civilian infrastructure and literally all aspects of daily life." (ABC)
2. Bondi Beach gunmen got firearms training together, police say: A man accused of killing 15 people at Sydney's Bondi Beach obtained firearms training in New South Wales state outside Sydney with his father, according to Australian police documents released on Monday. The pair had rented a room in the Sydney suburb of Campsie for three weeks before they left at 2:16 a.m. on the day of the attack. CCTV recorded them carrying what police allege were two shotguns, a rifle, five IEDs and two homemade ISIS flags wrapped in blankets. (CBS)
3. China quietly loads 100+ ICBMs into new missile silos near Mongolia: China’s nuclear warhead stockpile remained in the low 600s in 2024, reflecting what the report described as a slower production rate compared to previous years. Still, Beijing is on track to exceed 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. "We continue to see no appetite from Beijing for pursuing such measures or more comprehensive arms control discussions," the Pentagon report said. (Fox)
-US Events-
1. Trump Announces U.S. Building World’s Largest Battleships for ‘Golden Fleet’: “As commander-in-chief, it’s my great honor to announce that I have approved a plan for the Navy to begin the construction of two brand new, very large–the largest we’ve ever built–battleships,” Trump said. The last U.S. battleship to complete initial construction was the Iowa-class USS Missouri in 1944, which was decommissioned in 1992. Trump stated that the ships will be armed with the “highest level” guns and missiles, and will feature “many hypersonic weapons, state-of-the-art electric rail guns, and even the high-powered lasers that you’ve been starting to read about.” (Breitbart)
2. Judge orders administration to submit plans for return of migrants deported to El Salvador prison under AEA: U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has certified a class representing all migrants sent to the prison and says the government must submit its plans to allow them to contest their designation under the Alien Enemies Act by Jan. 5. (ABC)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Pro-Bitcoin Leader Sworn Into CFTC: Michael Selig, a pro-Bitcoin figure, was officially sworn in to lead the CFTC. This appointment may foster regulatory clarity for digital asset markets. (CoinGecko)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Trump Media Aggressively Expands Bitcoin Treasury to Billion-Dollar Milestone: Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the operator of the Truth Social platform, has finalized the acquisition of an additional 451 Bitcoin, pushing its total holdings past 11,542 coins, or $1B. (FinanceFeeds)
-Economic Indicators-
1. Dollar Index Hits 11-week Low: DXY decreased to 97.86, the lowest since October 2025. Over the past 4 weeks, Dollar Index lost 2.26%, and in the last 12 months, it decreased 9.54%. (TradingEconomics)
2. US Stocks Start the Week in the Green: The S&P 500 rose 0.8%, the Nasdaq gained 0.6%, and the Dow added 300 points, with technology stocks outperforming. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. DDoS incident disrupts France’s postal and banking services ahead of Christmas: France’s national postal service, La Poste, confirmed that a suspected cyberattack disrupted its websites and mobile applications days before Christmas, slowing deliveries and knocking some online services offline. (RecordedFuture)
-Technology and Science-
1. The Fountain of Youth for Your Brain Might Be a Strategy Video Game: A 2025 Nature Communications study found that people engaged in demanding creative activities—especially complex video games—had brains that appeared 4–7 years younger. In controlled tests, non-gamers who trained on StarCraft II showed measurable improvements in brain efficiency; slower, turn-based games did not. The benefits seem tied to real-time complexity and cognitive load, not gaming per se, and don’t replace mental-health gains from exercise. (Decrypt) (AC-Who else has a hankering for strategy games?)
2. Tim Cook's Top Priority, Apple Glasses, Could Finally be Unveiled Next Year: It was revealed that the real vision of Tim Cook for the company is to deliver a legitimate, full-fledged augmented reality (AR) glasses that users may wear every day. The biggest feature it plans to deliver is the way to augment virtual elements to the real world via an overlay inside the glasses, as well as the sharing data, information, and more via the wearable. (TechTimes) (AC-Elon also forecasts that the days of the handheld phone are numbered.)
-Bitcoin Community-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 24/100 (Down 1 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Love on your family and work to make this world just a little bit better. We will resume the DIB next week.
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
📷 BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 928,407
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 18Dec2025
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: EU Votes to Use Russian Assets / China Turns Hainan Island into FTZ / Mexican President Asks UN to Intervene in US-Venezuela Tensions / Brown U Shooter Still At Large / Trump Announces $1,776 'Warrior Dividend' / US Admits Liability in DC Air Crash / Fed Allows State Banks Permission to Engage in Crypto / SEC Allows Financial Firms to Control Your Keys / Bhutan Invests 10K BTC Into New City / MSTR Controls 3.2% of Bitcoin Supply / BTC ETFs Outflow, Price Down / Stocks Dump / Play Game, Lose Crypto / New Grok Rules Allow Your Inputs to Be Used by X / Bitcoin Lightning at ATH
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $87,629, 20.22 oz Gold, .20 Median US House
24hr Hi: $90,264 / Lo: $85,316
Volume: 44B (Up 19%)
Mkt Cap: $1.74T (Even)
HashRate: 1 ZH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 2 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. EU leaders convened to approve using frozen Russian assets to provide billions in loans to Ukraine, amid ongoing tests of the bloc's unity. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia would seize additional Ukrainian territory if European peace initiatives are dismissed. (Reuters)
2. China launches $113 billion free-trade experiment on Hainan island: China on Thursday split off a Belgium-sized island with an economy comparable to a mid-ranked country from the mainland for customs processing, part of a bid to join a major trans-Pacific trade deal and establish a new Hong Kong-style commercial hub. Officials hope that turning the southern province of Hainan into a duty-free zone will spur foreign investment, with goods that achieve at least 30% local value-added able to move on into the world's second-largest economy tariff-free. Foreign firms will also be able to operate in service sectors that are restricted on the mainland. (Reuters) (AC-It is an interesting study to observe how a communist tyranny has learned to harness the power of capitalist incentive structures, via operations in Hong and now Hainan, which is no small island. Advances in digital surveillance technologies may be a significant contributor to the CCP allowing such a large island seek economic rewards. It also highlights the weakness in the current Chinese economy.)
3. Mexican President Sheinbaum Calls UN To Get Involved In U.S.-Venezuela Tensions To 'Avoid Any Bloodshed': Sheinbaum said the UN has not "taken its role" in conflict resolution so to "always look for a peaceful solution among the peoples." Trump announced on Monday the blockade in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying the U.S. has designated the Venezuelan authoritarian government as a foreign terrorist organization and ordered a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers. (IBTimes)
-US Events-
1. A gunman responsible for a shooting at Brown University in the US remained at large on the fifth day of an intensive manhunt. Police appealed to residents for doorbell camera footage to aid the investigation. (Fox)
2. Trump announces $1,776 | 0.02 BTC ‘warrior dividend’ payout for military personnel: Donald Trump announced in a prime-time White House address that more than 1.45 million military service members will receive $1,776 each as a `Warrior Dividend` before Christmas.
Trump said the payments were funded by tariffs and the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill.' (GroundNews)
3. U.S. Government Admits Liability in Deadly D.C.-Area Air Collision: A federal court filing says the Army crew piloting a Black Hawk helicopter could have avoided the nighttime accident in January if it had been able to see and avoid a commercial jet. Because of the actions of the pilots, “the United States is liable to a plaintiff who is legally eligible to recover certain monetary damages” in an “amount yet to be determined and apportioned” among the victims, the filing said. (NYTimes)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Fed Updates Policy to Allow State Member Banks to Engage in Crypto-Related Activities: The Federal Reserve has replaced a nearly three-year-old policy to allow state member banks to engage in crypto-related activities, aiming to encourage responsible innovation. (Decrypt)
2. New SEC rules lets Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sach legally “control” your private keys without the safety net you assume exists: The SEC has refreshed its crypto asset FAQs, clarifying how broker-dealers like Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and others can satisfy custody and capital requirements for crypto asset securities, and addressing how the framework applies to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF activity. Regulators just quietly removed the primary "safe harbor" requirement, allowing banks to claim custody of your assets through paperwork rather than physical possession. (CryptoSlate)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. Bhutan pledges 10K Bitcoin to develop its ‘mindfulness city’: Located in the town of Gelephu in Southern Bhutan, Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) was launched in 2024 as Bhutan’s new economic hub to stop the exodus of young Bhutanese from the country by creating high-value local jobs. The city offers regulatory flexibility for crypto and fintech firms and serves as a space to further Bhutan’s Bitcoin mining. (CoinTelegraph)
-Institutional Concerns-
1. Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin Treasury Strategy Now Accounts for 3.2% of BTC Supply: Strategy owns 3.2% of all Bitcoin, spending nearly $2 billion | 22,904 BTC in the past two weeks to grow its BTC treasury to 671,268 BTC. (BitcoinMag)
2. U.S. Spot Crypto ETFs See Outflows: U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs recorded combined outflows exceeding $580 million | 6,641 BTC on Monday, reflecting a broader trend of capital exits from these products. (CoinGecko)
-Economic Indicators-
1. US 10-Year Yield Muted Ahead of CPI Report: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note remained subdued around 4.14% on Thursday, holding declines from earlier in the week as investors positioned ahead of the highly anticipated November CPI report, which is expected to show that price pressures remain above the Federal Reserve’s target. (TradingEconomics)
2. Tech Rout Drags Wall Street Lower: US stocks closed sharply lower on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 falling 1.2% to mark a fourth consecutive session of losses. The Nasdaq dropped 1.8%, while the Dow Jones ended 228 points lower, also extending its losing streak to four sessions. The tech sector led the declines amid persistent concerns over AI-related valuations. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Concerns-
1. Singapore Entrepreneur Loses Crypto Holdings to Malware Dressed Up as a Game: Mark Koh, a Singapore-based entrepreneur, lost all of his crypto holdings to malware disguised as a game-testing scam. Despite taking precautions, his software wallets were drained of $14,189 within 24 hours, likely due to a combination of authentication token theft and a Google Chrome zero-day vulnerability. (Decrypt)
-Technology and Science-
1. X claims the right to share your private AI chats with everyone under new rules – no opt out: By classifying prompts as "Content," the platform seizes ownership of your inputs, limiting your ability to recover damages to a strict $100 maximum. (CryptoSlate) (AC-Deeply troubling. Upload your resume or cover letter to Grok, and X can use if for whatever it wants. ChatGPT also allows this, but X has been touting it's privacy and freedom values, with this latest move not supporting those values.)
-Bitcoin Community-
1. Bitcoin’s Lightning Network Capacity Hits New-All Time High: Bitcoin’s Lightning Network has hit a record 5,637 BTC in capacity, driven by increased capital from institutions, even as user adoption and node growth lag behind. (BitcoinMag)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 17/100 (Down 11 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 928,265
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 17 DEC 2025
Precedence: Routine FNG (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: U.S. “blockade” of sanctioned Venezuela tankers/ Expanded U.S. travel ban list announced/ Small plane crashes in central Mexico/ Brown University shooting/ MIT professor killed at home/ Trump's approval rating slips to 39%/ No vote planned on extending ACA/ Trump says he’ll “look at” pardoning Samourai/ Bitcoin Hashrate Sees Sharpest Post Halving Drop/ U.S. stock market close/ Oil market reaction to Venezuela/ China economic data weakens/ Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount/ Pornhub premium-user data theft
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $86,981 20.16 oz Gold, .20 Median US House
24hr Hi: $88,148 / Lo: $86,091
Volume: $25.45 B
Mkt Cap: $1.73 T
HashRate: 1,038.66 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 1 sats/vBtye (down 1)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. U.S. “blockade” of sanctioned Venezuela tankers President Donald Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela (Dec 16). Reuters reported enforcement details were not fully specified, but the move is intended to increase pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government; critics raised legal/political objections. Venezuela condemned the action and accused the U.S. of imperial intent.(Reuters)
2. Expanded U.S. travel ban list announced The Trump administration expanded travel/immigration restrictions to 20 additional countries and the Palestinian Authority, broadening a June action affecting 19 countries. AP noted exemptions for certain visa holders, permanent residents, diplomats, and athletes, while advocacy groups criticized the policy and highlighted limited carve-outs for Afghan allies. Implementation is slated for Jan 1, 2026 (AP)
3. Small plane crashes in central Mexico, killing at least 7 people A small plane crashed in central Mexico while trying to make an emergency landing Monday, killing at least seven people. The accident took place in San Mateo Atenco, an industrial area about 31 miles west of Mexico City. The private jet had registered eight passengers and two crew, but hours after the crash only seven bodies had been recovered. The plane had apparently tried to land on a soccer field but hit the metal roof of a nearby business, starting a large fire. The crash is under investigation. (AP)
-US Events-
1. Brown University shooting: reward and updated imagery The FBI posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and described the shooting inside the engineering building using a 9mm handgun, with two dead and nine injured. Authorities released new images of a person of interest and continued the manhunt with FBI support. Officials urged public review of neighborhood cameras and personal footage for suspect identification. (Guardian)
2. MIT professor killed at home; homicide investigation Nuno F.G. Loureiro (47), an MIT professor and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was shot at his Brookline home on the night of Dec. 15, 2025, and died at a hospital the next morning, prompting authorities to open a homicide investigation. No suspect or motive had been publicly identified as of Tuesday afternoon. Authorities stated there was no known connection between this killing and the recent Brown University shooting. MIT leadership issued public condolences and campus support measures as the investigation continued. (Guardian)
3. Trump's approval rating slips to 39% President Donald Trump's approval rating slipped in recent days to nearly its lowest level of his current term as voters from his Republican Party soured on his handling of the economy according to a latest poll. Trump returned to power in January with a 47% rating, but his popularity has softened since then, particularly regarding his economic stewardship. A recent government shutdown disrupted data collection on the U.S. economy, but many economists think employers have pulled back on hiring because of what some described as shock from Trump's tariffs on imports. Just 33% of U.S. adults said they approved of how Trump was handling the U.S. economy, the president's lowest rating on the matter this year. (Reuters)
4. No vote planned on extending ACA enhanced subsidies House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will not hold a vote to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that are set to expire at the end of 2025. GOP leaders instead moved forward with a separate House health-care package that does not include the subsidy extension, and the Congressional Budget Office estimate cited by AP projects the package would reduce coverage by about 100,000 people per year (2027–2035) while saving $35.6B. Johnson told members no agreement could be reached inside the GOP conference to add an extension, prompting some moderates to consider a discharge petition or bipartisan workarounds to force a floor vote. (Axios)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Trump says he’ll “look at” pardoning Samourai Wallet developers President Donald Trump said on Dec. 15, 2025 that he had “heard about” the case of Samourai Wallet co-founder Keonne Rodriguez and would “look at it,” then addressed Attorney General Pam Bondi in the room “We’ll look at that, Pam” White House comments were framed as a case review rather than a finalized clemency decision. (DeCrypt)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. Bitcoin Hashrate Sees Sharpest Post Halving Drop Since 2024 Amid China Machine Shutdowns Bitcoin’s hashrate fell about 8% after reported shutdowns of mining rigs in China’s Xinjiang region, with industry sources estimating roughly 400,000 miners offline. 30-day simple moving average hashrate has recorded its steepest decline since the April 2024 halving, according to Matthew Sigel, head of digital assets research at VanEck. Bitcoin mining difficulty is currently projected to decline by roughly 3%, offering temporary relief to miner revenues (Coindesk)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. U.S. stock market close U.S. equities finished mixed: the S&P 500 fell 0.2% to 6,800.26, the Dow dropped 0.6% to 48,114.26 (down 302 points), and the Nasdaq rose 0.2% to 23,111.46; the Russell 2000 declined 0.4% to 2,519.30. Reports tied the session to mixed U.S. macro signals, including uncertainty around jobs and activity data and what they imply for the Fed’s rate path. (AP)
2. Oil market reaction to Venezuela tanker blockade Oil prices rose more than 2% on Dec 17 after Trump’s blockade announcement increased supply-risk uncertainty tied to sanctioned Venezuelan flows. Reuters cited Brent and WTI both posting sizable daily gains, alongside separate U.S. inventory data as an additional factor. Traders are watching for enforcement specifics (e.g., Coast Guard posture) and any disruption to buyers and intermediaries.
(Reuters)
3. China economic data weakens; Beijing cautious on fiscal expansion Softer China data and continued deflation risks alongside official messaging that prioritized consumption but avoided large-scale fiscal “splurges.” Analysts warn incremental measures may be insufficient given the property downturn and weakening investment. Exports and a record trade surplus were described as a stabilizing factor even as domestic demand remained fragile. (Reuters)
4. Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount Skydance bid; backs Netflix deal Warner Bros. Discovery’s board said it rejected a hostile $30-per-share all-cash bid from Paramount Skydance (reported value ~$108.4B), citing insufficient financing assurances and material execution risk. The board disputed Paramount’s claim the offer was “backed” by the Ellison family, saying there was no binding commitment and that the structure relied heavily on a revocable trust with unverified assets. WBD instead reaffirmed support for its binding merger agreement with Netflix at $27.75 per share, which Reuters said includes secured debt commitments and does not depend on outside equity financing. (Financial Times)
-Security Concerns-
1. ShinyHunters claims Pornhub premium-user data theft The “ShinyHunters” group claimed it stole data tied to Pornhub premium users. 94GB of Pornhub viewing data, including over 200 million records of personal information were stolen; Pornhub acknowledged a cybersecurity incident involving a third-party analytics provider. Mixpanel denied the exposed data came from them. Shiny Hunters is reportedly sending extortion emails to Mixpanel’s customers, threatening to release the data unless ransoms are paid publicly. (PCMag)
-Technology and Science-
NSTR
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 25/100 (down 3)
Analyst Comments NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report
BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 928,126
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 16 DEC 2025
Precedence: Routine FNG (RR)
Controls: Public Release
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Bondi Beach, Hero Recovery, Syria—Attack, Ukraine Strikes Russian Submarine, Manhunt reset, Fentanyl Designated as WMD, US Military Actions on Drug Vessels, New Year’s Eve bomb plot, Minnesota fraud case, SNAP/immigration, Trump filed a $10B lawsuit against the BBC, KindlyMD faces Nasdaq delisting, Strategy Buys More Bitcoin, American Bitcoin Co. Adds 261 BTC, Ford Takes $19.5 Billion EV Charge, Stock Markets Slide Amid Data Wait, Key jobs report delayed due to a computer-system issue, Trump threatened broadband funding, US Suspends Tech Deal with UK, Amazon Launches Leo Satellite Project
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $87,094 20.31 oz Gold, .20 Median US House
24hr Hi: $89,874 / Lo: $85,129
Volume: $32.23 B
Mkt Cap: $1.73 T
HashRate: 1,177.54 EH/s
Avg Fee Rate: 2 sats/vBtye (Even)
---Reports---
-International Events-
1. Bondi Beach Mass Shooting in Sydney: On December 14, 2025, a mass shooting occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 fatalities and 40 wounded from two gunmen. Australian authorities confirmed the attackers used semi-automatic weapons and were neutralized by police within minutes. The incident prompted immediate global condemnation and calls for enhanced security at public events. Investigations revealed one gunman had ties to extremist groups, while the other remains unidentified pending forensic analysis. Leaders from New Zealand, Iran, and other nations denounced the Bondi Beach attack, expressing solidarity with Australia and the Jewish community. The United Nations issued a statement urging vigilance against hate crimes. Diplomatic channels activated for sharing intelligence on potential international links. No group claimed responsibility as of December 16. (Al Jazeera)
2. Hero Recovery After Tackling Gunman: Ahmed el Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two and local business owner, underwent surgery for multiple gunshot wounds sustained after disarming one of the attackers. Witnesses reported his actions prevented further casualties. Police commended his bravery in official reports. (Reuters)
3. Syria—Attack in Palmyra killed U.S. service members and a civilian interpreter. The U.S. Army identified two Iowa National Guard soldiers (Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown) killed in a shooting near Palmyra, Syria, alongside a U.S.interpreter; three other Guard members were wounded. AP reported the attacker was linked to Islamic State and was killed at the scene. State and federal officials publicly issued condolence statements and indicated retaliation messaging toward IS. (AP)
4. Ukraine Strikes Russian Submarine: Ukrainian forces reported successfully targeting a Russian submarine in a Black Sea port using underwater drones on December 13, marking the first such operation. The strike caused significant damage, with Russian naval assets relocating in response. Intelligence confirms the vessel was a Kilo-class submarine used for missile launches. Casualty figures remain unverified. (CNN)
-US Events-
1. Manhunt reset after release of detained “person of interest” Providence officials announced late Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 that a detained “person of interest” in the Dec. 13 Brown University shooting would be released from custody, and the suspect remained at large. Reuters reported police went door-to-door seeking home surveillance footage and publicly released additional video/stills showing a stocky-built suspect wearing dark clothing and a face covering near campus about two hours before the attack. Reuters said the gunman fled after opening fire in a classroom in the Barus & Holley engineering/physics building, where outer doors had been left unlocked during exams. AP News identified the two students killed as Ella Cook (19) and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov (18) and reported nine others were wounded. (Primary Source: Reuters)
2. Fentanyl Designated as WMD: The White House announced on December 16 the classification of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction to enable stronger enforcement measures. This allows for expanded federal resources in combating distribution networks. Over 100,000 annual overdose deaths were cited. International cooperation is sought. (Reuters)
3. US Military Actions on Drug Vessels: On December 14, US forces intercepted and attacked three vessels in the eastern Pacific, identified as drug trafficking boats carrying cocaine. Eight people were killed in total, three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third. The operation involved naval assets and resulted in the seizure of 2 tons of narcotics.
(Al Jazeera)
4. U.S. homeland security—DOJ charged four in alleged New Year’s Eve bomb plot. U.S. prosecutors announced arrests of four suspects accused of planning coordinated bombings set for New Year’s Eve in Southern California. The filing described a multi-target plan and laid out charging instruments; operational details were expected to be litigated in federal court. The case was presented as an active counterterrorism-style disruption rather than a completed attack. (AP)
-Regulatory and Legal-
1. Treasury/FinCEN—New scrutiny planned for money-services flows tied to Minnesota fraud case. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Treasury would increase reporting requirements for money services businesses and issue a geographic targeting order after a major Minnesota fraud case involving COVID relief funds. Reuters reported Treasury personnel were examining involved businesses and that FinCEN would issue investigation notices. The reporting emphasized focus on flows to areas of concern including Somalia. (Reuters)
2. SNAP/immigration—Federal judge ordered USDA to extend state compliance timeline. A U.S. judge required USDA to give states more time to implement immigration-related eligibility restrictions tied to SNAP guidance. Reuters reported the injunction extends the grace period into April 2026 and came after a lawsuit by 21 Democratic-led states plus D.C. The judge cited confusion and potential state harm in the ruling. (Reuters)
3. Defamation—Trump filed a $10B lawsuit against the BBC. AP reported President Trump sued the BBC for defamation, seeking $10 billion, alleging deceptive editing of his Jan. 6, 2021 speech in a pre-election documentary. The complaint argues editing choices created a false impression about intent and affected the 2024 election environment. The matter moves into civil litigation with defenses expected around editorial judgment and legal standards for public figures. (AP)
-CBDCs/World Currencies/Strategic Reserves-
1. KindlyMD faces Nasdaq delisting risk. The Nasdaq exchange told KindlyMD (NAKA) that it faces being delisted after its share price dropped below $1 for 30 consecutive business days. The health-care company that is building a bitcoin treasury has until June 8 to regain compliance, which requires the stock to close at or above $1 for at least 10 consecutive business days. The shares first fell below $1 in late October, and closed Monday at $0.38. (Coindesk)
2. Strategy Buys More Bitcoin. On Monday Dec. 15th Strategy acquired 10,645 BTC for ~$980.3 million at an average price of $92,098 per bitcoin. As of 12/15/2025, Strategy holds 671,268 Bitcoin (Strategy Public Release)
3. American Bitcoin Co. Adds 261 BTC American Bitcoin Corp, co-founded by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. bought 261 BTC for $23.5 million, lifting its total to 5,044 BTC worth about $434 million. This move ranks the Nasdaq-listed company 21st among top corporate holders, ahead of ProCap Financial's 5,000 BTC. (BTC Treasuries.net)
-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR
-Economic Indicators-
1. Ford Takes $19.5 Billion EV Charge: Ford announced on December 16 a $19.5 billion accounting charge due to reduced electric vehicle demand and production cuts. The move includes asset writedowns and supplier contract terminations. Sales data showed a 20% drop in EV units. Restructuring plans follow. (Fortune)
2. Stock Markets Slide Amid Data Wait: Global stocks declined on December 15 as investors awaited delayed US economic data and central bank decisions. The S&P 500 fell 1.1%, with tech sectors leading losses. Bond yields rose slightly. Volatility index increased 5%.
(Reuters)
3. U.S. economy—Key jobs report delayed due to a computer-system issue. The U.S. Commerce Department delayed publication of the October jobs report because of a computer-system problem, according to Reuters. The delay affected scheduled market and policy consumption of the data. The department indicated the report would be released after the issue was resolved. (Reuters)
-Security Concerns-
NSTR
-Technology and Science-
1. AI policy—Trump threatened broadband funding cuts for states with restrictive AI laws. Reuters reported President Trump said states judged to be restraining AI innovation could lose access to the $42B BEAD broadband program. The administration’s line emphasized centralized approval and reduced state-by-state compliance burdens. The action was presented as an executive-order-driven enforcement posture.(AP News)
2. US Suspends Tech Deal with UK: The US suspended a technology-sharing agreement with Britain on December 16 over artificial intelligence concerns. The deal, signed earlier in 2025, aimed at boosting ties. Reasons include data security protocols. Negotiations for revisions underway. (Reuters)
3. Amazon Launches Leo Satellite Project: Amazon announced on December 15 the deployment of Leo satellites to expand global internet access, competing with Starlink. Initial launches involve 100 units for testing. Coverage targets remote areas. Regulatory approvals secured in multiple countries. (CNN)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 22/100 (down 3)
Analyst Comments NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
Listen to us daily on X discuss the DIB and more: X Spaces, Bitcoin Veterans, 10amEST/7amPST
Watch us on YouTube and X Spaces: Tuesdays at 9pmEST/6pmPST
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report