🌍 Bhutan's GMC Adopts Bitcoin and Other Digital Assets in City's Strategic Reserves

🏦 Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Incorporates BTC, ETH, and BNB into Strategic Reserves

Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a special administrative region, has announced the formal inclusion of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Binance Coin (BNB) as part of its strategic reserves.

🌐 Pioneering Digital Asset Integration
- First-of-Its-Kind Initiative: GMC becomes one of the first jurisdictions to incorporate digital assets into its official strategic reserves.
- Enhanced Resilience: This decision builds on the region's existing bitcoin mining activities, bolstering its economic framework.
- Asset Selection: GMC prioritizes digital assets with high market capitalizations and liquidity, ensuring seamless trading with minimal market impact.

💬 Industry Insights
Sarah Song, Head of Business Development at BNB Chain, commented:
> "The inclusion of BNB in Bhutan’s strategic reserve validates blockchain’s macroeconomic potential and underscores growing institutional confidence in digital assets."

📜 Legal Framework for Digital Assets
- GMC Law No. 1 of 2024: Passed in December 2024, this legislation provides a regulatory foundation for financial services involving digital assets.
- Ecosystem Expansion: Aims to enhance the local digital asset ecosystem and attract businesses specializing in blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

🔍 Significance for Blockchain Adoption
The integration of BTC, ETH, and BNB highlights Bhutan's forward-thinking approach to economic strategy. By incorporating blockchain technology, GMC sets a precedent for other regions exploring digital assets as part of their financial reserves.

🚀 Looking Ahead: This initiative positions GMC as a trailblazer in leveraging digital assets for long-term economic stability and innovation.

📈 Institutional Investment Trends in Bitcoin Mining Stocks: A 2024 Overview

📊 Investor sentiment towards Bitcoin mining stocks is shifting, with institutions increasingly favoring hybrid miners involved in high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) deals. Notable increases in institutional ownership were observed for $CORZ, $WULF, $IREN, and $HUT.

📅 This analysis, originally published on January 9, 2025, by Cindy Feng on Bitcoinminingstock, examines institutional holdings as a gauge of market confidence. Large organizations managing over $100 million in assets are required to disclose their equity holdings quarterly through SEC filings. This provides insight into their investment strategies and market sentiment.

📈 In 2024, there was a significant uptick in institutional interest in Bitcoin mining stocks, indicating the industry's growing acceptance in mainstream investment portfolios. MARA Holdings (MARA) led the sector with 678 institutional owners and $5.21 billion in institutional value, followed by Riot Platforms (RIOT) and CleanSpark (CLSK).

🔄 Core Scientific (CORZ) experienced the largest increase in institutional ownership, adding 188 new owners and $115 million. TeraWulf (WULF) also showed growth, while Irish Energy (IREN) and Hut 8 (HUT) demonstrated different trends in their increases.

🤖 These miners share a common strategy of pivoting towards AI and HPC initiatives, which has attracted institutional interest due to the promise of stable revenue streams and higher gross margins.

However, Bit Digital (BTBT) diverges from this pattern,

despite leading in AI/HPC revenue. Its smaller hash rate and market cap may explain the lower institutional interest.

📉 TeraWulf did not report HPC/AI revenue as of Q3 2024, but its long-term lease agreement with Core42 is expected to generate approximately $3.11 billion once fully executed.

🏆 Larger miners remain the preferred choice for institutions due to their established reputations and higher trading liquidity. Companies with significant institutional ownership include MARA, RIOT, CLSK, CORZ, WULF, and others. In contrast, smaller miners with market caps under $100 million typically have fewer than 50 institutional owners.

🌱 The growing institutional interest in Bitcoin mining stocks reflects a maturing market. While larger miners dominate, the increasing traction of smaller players suggests a broadening interest that could reshape the competitive landscape. As Bitcoin mining solidifies its role in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, institutional investors are likely to deepen their participation, further validating the industry's long-term potential.

💰 Scott Bessent's Bitcoin ETF Stake: Implications for U.S. Economic Policy

🧐 Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Treasury secretary, has revealed a personal investment of between $250,001 and $500,000 in Blackrock’s bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). This disclosure, part of Bessent’s confirmation process, highlights the growing integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional investment portfolios.

⚖️ If confirmed, Bessent has pledged to divest assets that could create potential conflicts of interest, including his stake in the bitcoin ETF and other holdings related to his hedge fund, Key Square Group. His portfolio, valued at a minimum of $521 million, also includes U.S. Treasury bills, Invesco funds, and currency-related investments.

⏳ The divestiture process is a federal requirement for nominees in high-ranking positions to avoid financial conflicts of interest. However, some of Bessent’s investments will take longer to divest due to withdrawal restrictions, with certain holdings not fully liquidated until September.

📊 As Treasury secretary, Bessent would oversee crucial areas of economic policy, including cryptocurrency regulation and monetary policy. His portfolio also features non-financial assets such as real estate in the Bahamas valued at over $5 million and a collection of art and antiques worth at least $1 million. Federal rules allow nominees to reinvest proceeds from divested assets into approved instruments, like Treasury bills or mutual funds, to defer capital gains taxes.

🗣 Bessent’s confirmation hearing is anticipated to scrutinize both his financial interests and his perspectives on digital assets and economic policy.

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⚖️ Russian National Sentenced for Cryptocurrency Funding of Ukrainian Forces

👤 A Russian citizen has been sentenced to seven years in prison for high treason after transferring cryptocurrency to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This case marks one of the first instances where cryptocurrency funding has been linked to treason charges amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

📜 The individual, an employee of a diamond mining company, was accused of providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities against the security of the Russian Federation. Local news outlet Izvestia reported that he aided enemy forces in reconnaissance and subversive activities.

🔍 This sentencing follows another case where a Russian citizen was detained for funding digital accounts linked to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In response to the pseudonymous nature of cryptocurrency transactions, the Russian government has implemented a regulatory framework to enhance its ability to track digital currency identifiers associated with money laundering or terrorist financing.

💰 Cryptocurrency has been used to finance both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. An analysis by Hapi Labs revealed that over $40 million in crypto was used to support Russia in 2022. Conversely, Ukraine has embraced crypto donations to bolster its military efforts. In 2022, Ukraine partnered with Coingase to facilitate cryptocurrency contributions, receiving a notable $5 million donation from Polkadot creator Gavin Wood to inspire further support.

💰 Revival of Dormant Bitcoin Addresses Amidst Price Surge

📈 Bitcoin has recently surpassed the $100,000 mark, leading to a remarkable resurgence of previously inactive bitcoin addresses. Many of these legacy wallets have been untouched for nearly a decade but are now reactivating as the cryptocurrency trades comfortably above six figures.

On Friday, a wallet originally established on April 13, 2015, executed its first transaction in nearly nine years and nine months, transferring 77.99 BTC—valued at over $8 million.

🔄 Subsequent transactions included a transfer of 39.07 BTC from an address created on January 5, 2014, and a significant movement of 147 BTC from a wallet established on July 31, 2017. Other notable activities involved transfers from wallets dating back to March 25, 2017, and April 29, 2013.

Interestingly, a second wallet from the same day in 2013 transferred 41.01 BTC in the following block, strongly suggesting that the two addresses may share a common owner.

💼 The most substantial transaction occurred on October 13, 2016, when a wallet transferred 257.72 BTC—worth approximately $26.8 million—marking its first activity since it was created. This resurgence coincides with bitcoin's elevated valuation, raising questions about the reasons behind these movements.

While some of these coins appear to be heading to centralized exchanges—likely for liquidation—others are simply being redistributed to new wallets.

💸 Regardless of their destination, these once-dormant holdings have significantly appreciated since their acquisition, providing their owners with opportunities to cash in or pursue new investments.

🚀 Pro-Crypto Shift: Trump's New SEC Leadership

🌟 President Donald Trump has appointed Mark T. Uyeda as the Acting Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), signaling a potential shift towards more favorable regulations for the cryptocurrency industry. Uyeda, who has been an SEC Commissioner since 2022, expressed his gratitude for the role, emphasizing the SEC's mission to protect investors and promote innovation.

🔄 Unlike his predecessor, Gary Gensler, who likened the cryptocurrency market to "the Wild West", Uyeda advocates for collaboration and clearer guidelines for digital assets. He criticized the SEC's previous approach of "policy through enforcement", describing it as "a disaster for the whole industry."

🤝 Uyeda's appointment is seen as a positive development by many in the crypto community. Chris Giancarlo, former chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), stated:

American capital markets are in great hands with Mark Uyeda as Acting SEC Chairman. A Commission veteran with experience across Washington, he is smart, competent and effective.

He added that Uyeda will work to repair the SEC and align it with American economic growth.

📅 In addition to Uyeda's interim leadership, Trump has nominated Paul Atkins, a former SEC Commissioner known for his pro-business stance, as the permanent Chair. Atkins' appointment awaits Senate confirmation, which can take several months. Until then, Uyeda will guide the SEC through this transitional period.

🚀 Morgan Stanley's Commitment to Crypto: A Collaborative Approach with Regulators

🤝 Morgan Stanley is intensifying its focus on cryptocurrency, announcing plans to collaborate with U.S. regulators to explore new opportunities in the crypto market. CEO Ted Pick emphasized the bank's dedication to operating within regulatory frameworks during a recent interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

For us, the equation is really around whether we, as a highly regulated financial institution, can act as transactions,

Pick stated. He assured that the bank would work closely with the U.S. Treasury and other regulatory bodies to ensure that any offerings are safe and compliant.

📈 The bank has a history of pioneering initiatives in the crypto space, such as introducing bitcoin funds for its wealthiest clients in 2021 and promoting bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) last year. These actions were largely driven by client demand for bitcoin exposure. However, regulatory constraints under the Biden administration have limited banks' involvement to trading bitcoin derivatives rather than holding the cryptocurrency directly.

The broader question is whether some of this has come of age, whether it’s hit escape velocity,

Pick remarked, referring to bitcoin's resilience despite market challenges.

🔄 Pick's comments come at a time when the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies may be shifting. The acting head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced plans to establish a clearer regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. This development aligns with the Trump administration's pro-crypto stance, which could facilitate banks' expansion into digital assets.

If the rules come in and make it a real thing that you can actually do business with, you’ll find that the banking system will come in hard,

said Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, signaling readiness for potential changes in the regulatory environment.

🌟 Trump's emphasis on fostering crypto-friendly policies contrasts sharply with the previous administration's restrictive approach. This shift could herald a transformative era for the financial sector, allowing banks to play a more significant role in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

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🆕 Erik Voorhees Launches VVV Token for Decentralized AI Access

🚀 Erik Voorhees, the founder of Venice and Shapeshift, has announced the launch of the VVV token on January 27, 2025. This token aims to decentralize access to uncensored AI inference while eliminating per-request costs. Venice., a decentralized generative AI platform launched in May 2024, addresses concerns about centralized AI control, censorship, and data privacy.

📊 The VVV token allows stakers to access Venice’s AI API—which generates text, images, and code—at zero marginal cost. Its supply is capped at 100 million tokens, with 50% airdropped to 100,000 Venice users and AI community projects on Coinbase’s Base blockchain. The tokenomics model ties staking to proportional API access: staking 1% of VVV grants 1% of Venice’s compute capacity indefinitely.

🔒 Unlike competitors like OpenAI or Gemini, Venice does not store user data, censor content, or require identity verification. This positions VVV as a tool for AI agents and developers prioritizing privacy. Half of VVV’s supply was distributed via airdrop, including allocations to AI protocols like Virtuals, Luna, and VaderAI. The remaining 50% is held by Venice (35%), a liquidity pool (5%), and an incentive fund (10%).

🤖 VVV targets AI agents—automated entities reliant on inference—by removing financial and bureaucratic barriers. Agents can stake VVV anonymously, avoiding per-request fees and surveillance risks. Venice’s API, integrated into frameworks like Eliza, promises

unrestricted intelligence

amid rising demand for decentralized AI.

📅 The token is live on Aerodrome with no pre-sales or governance features. Users can claim airdrops until March 13, 2025, via venice/claim. As AI agents proliferate, VVV’s value hinges on Venice’s ability to scale its privacy-centric compute network.

🗣 Sam Bankman-Fried's Parents Seek Presidential Pardon from Trump

👨‍⚖️ The parents of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the imprisoned founder of FTX, are reportedly pursuing a pardon for their son from U.S. President Donald Trump. Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, both professors at Stanford Law School, have allegedly held discussions with lawyers and individuals connected to the Trump administration.

🗓 This effort comes shortly after Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road marketplace, who had been serving a life sentence. While Ulbricht's supporters rallied for his release due to the severity of his sentence, Bankman-Fried has not garnered similar support for his case. He views his 25-year sentence as excessive and argues that most of his victims have been compensated.

🤝 Bankman and Fried believe that Trump's self-portrayal as a victim of government overreach may make him sympathetic to their son's situation. They are not alone in this pursuit; Ryan Salame, a former colleague of SBF at FTX, is also seeking a pardon.

📈 Trump's recent pardon of Ulbricht has prompted others in similar situations to consider their chances of receiving clemency. Jeffrey Grant, a lawyer specializing in white-collar cases, has noted an increase in pardon inquiries.

We have been hearing from people in prison, from people recently sentenced who haven’t reported to the Bureau of Prisons yet, and from people who have been indicted.

he said.

📞 Consultant Sam Mangel has also received advice on pardons from his contacts within the Trump administration. Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard Law School professor and Trump lawyer, mentioned that he has received inquiries about pardons but has advised those seeking them to wait until Trump is settled.

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💰 Shift in ETF Investor Sentiment: Ether ETFs Gain While Bitcoin ETFs Decline

📉 The week began with a notable shift in investor sentiment regarding exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Investors moved away from bitcoin ETFs, which experienced a net outflow of $234.54 million, and turned their attention to ether ETFs, which saw a net inflow of $83.54 million.

Leading the bitcoin ETF outflows was Fidelity’s FBTC with a significant withdrawal of $177.64 million.

🔻 Fidelity’s FBTC led the outflows with a withdrawal of $177.64 million, followed by Ark and 21Shares’ ARKB with a $50.75 million exit. Other funds like Vaneck’s HODL and Bitwise’s BITB also saw outflows of $8.63 million and $5.54 million respectively. The only bitcoin ETF to attract inflows was Grayscale’s GBTC, which received $8.02 million.

📈 In contrast, ether ETFs enjoyed a positive trend with Fidelity’s FETH leading the way by attracting $49.75 million. Other contributors included Grayscale’s ETHE and ETH with $15.85 million and $12.75 million respectively, along with 21Shares’ CETH which added $5.19 million. Notably, no outflows were recorded for the nine ether ETFs.

At the close of the trading day, ether ETFs total net assets stood at $9.98 billion, just a few million shy of hitting the $10 billion milestone.

How Much Are Crypto Exchanges Really Worth?

The valuation of cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and others is gaining attention in global media. A new approach has been introduced to estimate their market worth—not just based on trading volumes but through a broader set of key metrics.

This method considers six important factors:

🔍 Transparency – How openly exchanges share information about their operations.
📊 Activity – User engagement and trading volumes.
💰 Capital – Financial strength and available reserves.
🛡 Security – Measures in place to protect users and funds.
✅ Compliance – Adherence to regulatory standards.
📈 Proof of Reserves – Verification of solvency and financial backing.

By analyzing these elements, the formula offers a structured way to assess exchanges beyond surface-level figures. While not a definitive valuation model, it provides useful insights into how different platforms operate and manage risks in the crypto space.

Read more in the article 👉 https://coincodex.com/article/58281/unveiling-the-metrics-understanding-the-market-value-of-leading-crypto-exchanges/

🚀 Trump Media's Bold Move into Bitcoin ETFs

📰 Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (TMTG), majority-owned by U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to launch bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under its Truth.Fi brand. This move marks a significant step into the cryptocurrency investment space. TMTG has filed for trademarks for various investment products, including the "Truth.Fi Bitcoin Plus ETF" and "Truth.Fi Bitcoin Plus SMA."

💬 TMTG CEO Devin Nunes stated,

We aim to give investors a means to invest in American energy, manufacturing, and other firms that provide a competitive alternative to the woke funds and debanking problems that you find throughout the market.

He added that the company is exploring different strategies related to bitcoin to differentiate its offerings.

🤝 To facilitate this launch, TMTG has partnered with Yorkville Advisors as its Registered Investment Advisor. Yorkville will guide the new financial products through the regulatory process. This initiative is part of TMTG's broader strategy to expand into financial technology and investment services, which includes a partnership with Charles Schwab to manage up to $250 million in assets.

🗣 Bloomberg’s senior ETF analyst, Eric Balchunas remarked,

Trump is going to launch a Bitcoin Plus ETF. Safe to say first-ever POTUS ETF issuer. What a country.

This announcement follows a previous statement from January where TMTG revealed its plans to enter the financial technology sector and potentially allocate funds to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

⚖️ TMTG emphasizes that its investment products are subject to regulatory approvals and that future developments could affect their launch and success. This venture into cryptocurrency investments aligns with TMTG's mission to counter perceived free speech suppression by major tech firms while expanding its footprint in the financial services industry.

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🚫 No CBDC Act: Protecting Financial Privacy from Government Control

🛑 U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has reintroduced the No CBDC Act on February 6, aiming to prevent the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL), with a companion measure introduced in the House by Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN), the bill follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order blocking federal agencies from creating a CBDC.

President Donald Trump recently banned federal agencies from creating a CBDC through an executive order; this legislation would enshrine the ban permanently in law.

Lee stated.

🛡 Supporters argue that the legislation is crucial for protecting financial privacy and limiting government overreach. The bill prohibits the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, and other federal agencies from issuing a CBDC in any form. It also prevents the Federal Reserve from holding a CBDC on its balance sheet or using it for monetary policy.

⚠️ Lee warned that a government-backed digital currency could be used to monitor and control citizens’ financial activities, citing China’s digital yuan as an example. He emphasized,

The United States doesn’t need to create a central bank digital currency to know it is a bad idea. We’ve seen this play out in China with the digital yuan.

In early trials, China canceled its citizens’ money after a set period, forcing Chinese citizens to spend their savings at the compulsion of the government.

He added,

My bill protects Americans from a similar intrusion by prohibiting the Federal Reserve or any federal government agency from minting or issuing a CBDC.

🚫 Critics of CBDCs argue that they would enable the federal government to track every financial transaction, undermining free enterprise and restricting the ability of financial institutions to function as lenders. By prohibiting the Federal Reserve from incorporating a CBDC into its monetary policy or balance sheet, the bill seeks to ensure that such a system is never implemented in the United States.

CBDCs are nothing more than a tool for tyrants to intimidate, control, and surveil the activities of American citizens, and it is my duty as a patriot to stop them

Ogles expressed. He also stated,

I am honored to co-lead this effort with Senator Lee.

🤝 The bill has garnered support from conservative organizations advocating for financial privacy. Proponents argue that with a conservative majority in government, now is the opportune time to ensure that CBDCs are permanently blocked.

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🔄 Bitcoin's Evolution: From Digital Gold Back to Cash

🌍 A recent report highlights a significant shift in the perception of Bitcoin (BTC) as it transitions from being viewed primarily as a store of value to regaining its role as a medium of exchange. Originally created by Satoshi Nakamoto as "peer-to-peer digital cash", Bitcoin has increasingly been seen as "digital gold" over time. However, the scaling firm Breez suggests that Bitcoin is making a comeback as digital cash.

⚡️ The report attributes this resurgence to the Lightning Network, a layer two solution that enables cheaper and faster Bitcoin payments. It describes Lightning as the "backbone of bitcoin payments" and notes that with its integration across various use cases—from retail to global remittances—Bitcoin now reaches over 650 million people worldwide.

Lightning transforms Bitcoin into the scalable medium of exchange initially envisioned

the report states, emphasizing that Lightning not only improves upon Bitcoin's early limitations but also unlocks new utilities previously impossible.

💳 This new payment landscape includes pay-per-use and microtransactions, allowing users to pay for one-time access to digital content or even a cup of coffee. The 650 million estimate comes from the customer bases of major Bitcoin platforms like Coinbase and Binance, with Binance alone boasting nearly 260 million users.

🌐 While Bitcoin investors are primarily located in developed countries with stable fiat systems, it serves as digital cash in regions with high inflation and unstable monetary systems. For instance, Pick n Pay, a major African retailer, uses Lightning for Bitcoin payments, offering speed and lower fees compared to traditional card payments.

Lightning payments are currently the fastest payment method at the till

said Carel van Wyk, founder of MoneyBadger, which implemented Pick n Pay’s Lightning integration.

💸 The report also compares Bitcoin to stablecoins, which have been praised for their utility as a non-volatile medium of exchange. However, it argues that stablecoins face risks similar to the fiat currencies they represent, such as centralized control and censorship. In contrast, Bitcoin is portrayed as decentralized and resilient to devaluation.

Stablecoins are not digitally native

the report states, highlighting that they are "digital representations of non-Internet native assets" like the U.S. dollar. It emphasizes that BTC "cannot be devalued" and its value derives from "decentralized global consensus".

💱 While the report claims that 650 million people have access to Bitcoin and Lightning, it acknowledges that most users do not utilize it as digital cash but rather for trading or investment purposes. Nevertheless, it argues that Bitcoin can function as both digital gold in some regions and digital cash in others.

Bitcoin is already a viable currency. Now. Today

the report asserts, citing examples of people using it for everyday transactions and charitable donations.