Bitcoin

The Australia-based and Nasdaq-listed Iris Energy recently announced the acquisition of 1.3 exahash per second (EH/s) capacity in Bitmain’s latest Antminer T21 models. This purchase boosts Iris Energy’s proprietary mining capacity to a notable 8.3 EH/s. Iris Energy Secures 1.3 EH/s in Latest Bitmain Deal Iris Energy (Nasdaq: IREN ) announced on Thursday its procurement of 7,000 next-generation T21 bitcoin ( BTC ) miners from Bitmain Technologies. The deal, amounting to roughly $18.6 million, translates to a cost of $14 per terahash. Bitmain has agreed to postpone 20% of this sum until May 30, 2024, while Iris Energy plans to settle the balance through structured payments. At the end of October, Bitmain introduced the T21 series, an air-cooled unit boasting up to 190 terahash per second (TH/s) capacity and a 19 joules per terahash (J/T) efficiency rating. Iris Energy highlighted that these T21 units’ enhanced efficiency ratio will elevate their entire fleet’s performance from 29.5

In September and October 2023, a surge in activity was observed as numerous dormant bitcoin wallets from 2012 reawakened, transacting millions in bitcoin after lying inactive for more than ten years. Despite this flurry of activity, there were no further movements from these wallets for the majority of November, following a modest transfer of ten bitcoins on Halloween. However, on November 30, an intriguing development occurred when a vintage bitcoin address from 2012, which had been inactive for nearly eleven years, suddenly became active again, spending $3.77 million. After Years of Dormancy, Bitcoin Wallet Reactivates With a $3.77 Million Move The resurgence recorded in September saw a significant number of these 2012 wallets come back to life, marking a noticeable shift in the pattern of older bitcoin wallets. Transfers from 2009 wallets are practically non-existent, and those from 2010 are becoming increasingly rare , making the recent activities of 2011 and 2012 wallets st

On Wednesday, following the market’s closure, major U.S. indices concluded the day unchanged, coming off a rise the previous day. This surge was influenced by the dovish remarks made on Tuesday by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller. Observers of the market infer that Waller’s comments indicate a potential shift in the stance of the U.S. central bank, a notable deviation given his usually hawkish perspective. Concurrently, the Federal Reserve’s latest ‘Beige Book’ report presented a more troubling outlook than its predecessor, pointing to decelerated economic expansion and a rise in consumer credit defaults. Waller’s Typical Hawkish Tone Turns Dovish Two days prior, at the American Enterprise Institute, Christopher Waller of the Fed shared with participants that “inflation rates are moving along” largely as he had anticipated. Waller elaborated, pondering if inflation could stabilize around the 2% mark. He noted, “There are some factors favoring this outcome,” shedding ligh

A cybercriminal, who has been actively communicating with Kyberswap, issued a new onchain directive, this time insisting on “complete executive control over Kyber (the company).” This captivating onchain communication to the Kyberswap crew comes after the hacker’s initial request for the team to engage in more amiable and cooperative discussions. Kyberswap Attacker Claims ‘Kyber Director’ Title, Demands Absolute Authority The individual responsible for the Kyberswap security breach has conveyed a desire for absolute authority over Kyber, the company, and temporary control over the Kberdao governance structure. This revelation followed the $47 million breach at Kyberswap, after which the team established communication with the suspected perpetrator. The day prior, the assailant stressed the need for the team to adopt a more approachable stance and indicated plans to propose a new strategy on November 30. As promised, an announcement was made by the hacker, signaling an interest i

In a six-month roadmap unveiled on Nov. 29, the BNB Chain development team said it is targeting 10,000 transactions per second and fees of $0.001 on the layer two (L2) solution Opbnb. Sometime between 2024’s second and third quarters, the objective will be to lower the gas limit per block increase from 100M to 200M. Making the Chain More Accessible On Nov. 29 the BNB chain unveiled what it called a tech roadmap for Opbnb, a layer two (L2) solution within its ecosystem. The goal of the roadmap is to make “blockchain more accessible, with the design principles based on making the Opbnb network more efficient for users and developers.” To achieve this, the roadmap is targeting 10,000 TPS (transactions per second) for transfers as well as “a price reduction of ten times on Opbnb.” The unveiling of the six-month roadmap came just days after the transaction count on Opbnb tapped a new all-time high of 5.47 million. This milestone was achieved when “the network handled the full capacit

The now-inoperative crypto lending firm Celsius has announced the opening of withdrawals for select “Eligible Custody Users,” as declared in a recent statement on Wednesday. These custody account holders now have the opportunity to withdraw approximately 72% of their cryptocurrency assets, with the deadline set for February 28, 2024. Celsius Announces Limited Withdrawal Window for Eligible Users On Wednesday, Celsius communicated that certain customers have been granted withdrawal rights following court approval of the company’s restructuring plan. The decision comes after Celsius sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 13, 2022, a month subsequent to the suspension of withdrawals. Now, “Eligible Custody Users” are permitted to access their funds. The company’s official X page stated, “Beginning today, additional withdrawals for Eligible Custody Users are now available. Please note that the only assets currently available for withdrawal are certain Custody Assets; all ot

PRESS RELEASE. ZKSpace has recently announced two significant developments: its expansion into the BRC20 ecosystem and the unveiling of its Tokenomics 2.0 Trilogy. Expansion into the BRC20 Ecosystem: Background: Following the BTC network’s Taproot upgrade, the BRC20 ecosystem has gained traction in the cryptocurrency domain. ZKSpace is now pivoting towards this ecosystem to meet growing user demand and diversify its product offerings. Strategic Focus: The move aims to align with user preferences, leverage the ZKSpace team’s expertise in Zero-Knowledge Proof, and enhance the value of ZKS token holders. Initiatives: ZKSpace plans to introduce a suite of products and services tailored to the BRC20 ecosystem, including a BRC20 Exchange, BRC20 Info, and a BTC Layer2 wallet. Roadmap: Key milestones include the introduction of ZKSwap (zkSync version), cross-chain functionality with BZKSwap, and the launch of a comprehensive BTC ZKVM solution for a decentralized BTC Layer2 DEX. T

Richard Teng, the new CEO of Binance, has explained his vision for the company, outlining the challenges the exchange faces ahead and the areas on which the company will focus. In a blog post, Teng explained that innovation, users, and Web3 will be at the forefront of Binance in the new era of the company. Richard Teng Outlines Binance’s Future Richard Teng, the new CEO of Binance, has published a blog post describing the challenges that the exchange will face, and the company priorities moving forward, after the $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Teng, who has now to fill the void left by Changpeng Zhao (CZ), considered one of the most influential men in crypto, explained that he intends to turn the page on Binance’s historical challenges, praising the efforts that the company has made to “recruit, hire, and retain the right personnel to strengthen Binance’s compliance program and culture.” The new CEO acknowledged the need for cryptocurrency bus

This week, observers in the crypto sphere have kept a close eye on a notable bitcoin whale address, which impressively climbed from the 492nd spot to become the 72nd largest bitcoin holder in a mere fortnight. This substantial addition of over 10,000 bitcoin occurs amidst widespread speculation about how exchange-traded funds (ETFs), such as Blackrock, will procure bitcoin, with some conjecturing that their acquisition might be through direct purchases from miners. Mystery Whale Wallet Rockets to Top Bitcoin Ranks Blockchain data reveals that the bitcoin wallet labeled “ bc1qc ” has rapidly amassed a significant number of bitcoins in a brief time span. This address has become a hot topic on social media platforms, with numerous discussions and posts scattered across X, highlighting the emergence of this new whale. Initially spotted on October 31, 2023, the wallet made its first move by acquiring 109.81 BTC , and then, after just ten days, it expanded its cache by adding 736.69 BTC

A recently published working paper, collaboratively authored by industry experts, examines the critical influence of bitcoin mining in promoting worldwide clean energy efforts and stabilizing electricity grids. This paper probes into the utility of mining as a flexible and versatile instrument for large-scale demand response in industries and harnessing unused energy resources. Working Paper Highlights Bitcoin Mining’s Role in Enhancing Global Clean Power Initiatives Unveiled by Porter on social media platform X, the working paper is the brainchild of Nic Carter, Shaun Connell, Brad Jones, Dennis Porter, and Murray A. Rudd. Porter announced , “Breaking: New working paper co-authored by former ERCOT [and] NYISO CEO, highlights bitcoin mining as a critical tool for clean energy and balancing the grid.” The rapid progression of bitcoin mining into a major energy consumer has sparked discussions surrounding its ecological footprint and power consumption. Initially perceived as a high-e

On Tuesday, Binance US, the American branch of Binance.com, revealed that Changpeng Zhao (CZ), its former CEO, has relinquished his position as chairman of the board with immediate effect. The announcement emphasized that Binance US is fully functional and operates independently from Binance.com. Changpeng Zhao Steps Down as Binance US Chairman The update from Binance US comes in the wake of a recent agreement between Binance.com and the U.S. Department of Justice. This settlement also involved various U.S. entities, including the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Binance US clarified that it was not involved in last week’s settlements and currently has no pending enforcement issues with the DOJ, FinCEN, OFAC, or CFTC. The company underscored its independence and separate operation from Binance.com. Despite this autonomy, CZ, the ex-chief of Binance, is depart

A federal judge has barred former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) from leaving the U.S. until the court has made a decision on the U.S. government’s motion to prevent his return to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before sentencing. The government filed the motion in response to a release order issued by a magistrate judge, granting the former Binance chief permission to go back to the UAE while awaiting sentencing. CZ Cannot Leave the U.S. for Now A federal judge has issued an order restricting former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) from leaving the U.S. until the court determines whether to approve the government’s motion to force the ex-Binance boss to stay in the U.S. until sentencing. “This matter comes before the Court upon the United States’ motion for review of Magistrate Judge’s ruling on defendant [CZ]’s presentencing travel restrictions,” states the order signed by District Judge Richard A. Jones on Monday. “Having considered the briefing, and the files and pleadings here

In an interesting turn of events, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) faces challenges in its billion-dollar lawsuit against cryptocurrency figure Richard Heart. A recent court filing reveals that the SEC has yet to successfully serve Heart, complicating the high-profile case. Legal Impasse Delays Billion-Dollar Case Against HEX Creator Richard Heart The SEC’s legal battle with Richard Heart , a well known name in the crypto sphere, took an unexpected twist. According to a court filing, the SEC has encountered difficulties in serving legal documents to Heart. This development raises questions about the progress and future of the lawsuit, which alleges Heart and his entities Hex, Pulsechain, and Pulsex of securities law violations. The lawsuit , filed on July 31, 2023, places Heart at the center of a significant legal dispute over the operation of his crypto entities. The SEC’s complaint accuses him and his companies of engaging in activities that contravene U.S. secu

On November 26, 2023, a stroke of remarkable luck befell a solo miner when they discovered block 818,588, verifying a total of 4,193 transactions. This achievement garnered the miner a total of 6.887 BTC , inclusive of the 6.25 BTC subsidy and transaction fees. Solo Miner’s Slim Odds Pay Off: Claims Bitcoin Block Reward With Mere 2 PH/s Hashrate Echoing a similar event from the end of October, this miner, also affiliated with Solo Ckpool, successfully mined the block. Ckpool is designed to support independent miners, allowing them to retain the entire block reward, unlike other pools where rewards are shared. Con Kolivas, the developer overseeing Solo Ckpool, remarked that this was the 279th block successfully mined by the pool. He noted the rarity of such an event, stating, “A miner of this size would solve a block on average only once every 5 years,” underscoring the miner’s extraordinary luck in this instance. For context, the Bitcoin network’s total hashpower stands at appr

The crypto community was initially baffled by the massive fee of 83.65 BTC , originally attributed to a costly mistake. However, recent revelations paint a darker picture. According to a social media account on X called “@83_5BTC,” hackers stole the funds from the unnamed individual and immediately swept the bitcoin to a different wallet. Alleged Hacking Incident Tied to Bitcoin’s Massive 83.65 BTC Fee Error The alleged victim, @83_5BTC, revealed that after transferring 139 BTC to a new cold wallet, the funds were immediately swept to another wallet by the attackers. The transaction split the sum, sending 55.77 BTC to the hackers’ wallet, while the rest, a staggering 83.65 BTC , was paid as a transaction fee . This incident surpasses the previous high-fee record of 19.8 BTC . Mononaut, the anonymous operator behind the mempool.space bitcoin explorer, weighed in on the incident. He suggested that “the most likely explanation is that the wallet was generated from bad entropy.”

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has advised investors to get into bitcoin and ditch fiat money now “before it’s too late,” reiterating that workers and savers in U.S. dollars are losers. Kiyosaki has made a number of bullish predictions about the price of bitcoin, ranging from $135,000 in the near term to $1 million. Robert Kiyosaki Recommends Getting Into Bitcoin Now The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has reiterated his recommendation of gold, silver, and bitcoin while advising investors to ditch fiat currency. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. More than 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. The famous author wrote on social media platform X Saturday that gold has reached a new high. Noting that workers and savers are losers, he urged them to “get out of fake money system” and immediate

Former NYSE President Tom Farley expects money to “flood” into the crypto industry when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). “It’s just easier to buy. People believe in bitcoin,” he emphasized, adding that the cryptocurrency “is a great invention.” ‘Money Will Flood Into the Industry’ Former New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) President Tom Farley discussed the implications of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approving spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the next crypto bull run in an interview with CNBC last week. He held the position of NYSE Group President from 2014 to 2018 and currently serves as the CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange Bullish. Farley explained that he is optimistic about bitcoin because all U.S. regulators, including the SEC, have stated that BTC is not a security. Even SEC Chair Gary Gensler has said multiple times that in his view all crypto tokens, except bitcoin, are se

Sources close to the situation have revealed that FTX’s founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, is adapting to his new life at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. Insiders indicate that Bankman-Fried is becoming familiar with the prison’s unique economy, having reportedly exchanged mackerel packets for a haircut. From Trading Crypto to ‘Mack Packs’ — Bankman-Fried’s New Currency in Prison Life Recently, inside sources have reported on former FTX chief Sam Bankman-Fried ‘s adjustment to prison life. Following the revocation of his bail due to allegations of witness tampering, Bankman-Fried was confined to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York. Since his conviction in November 2023, he has been residing there, currently awaiting sentencing after being convicted on seven distinct federal charges. According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report by James Fanelli and Corinne Ramey, sources “familiar with the matter” reveal that Bankman-Fried has disco

As we near December, some bitcoin enthusiasts are buzzing with anticipation that a ‘Bitcoin Santa Claus rally’ might emerge this year, reminiscent of the surges in 2013 and 2017. This speculative notion suggests that bitcoin often performs exceptionally well during the December festive season, although this isn’t a consistent trend. Nevertheless, this hypothesized event is gaining traction across social media platforms and discussion forums. Will Bitcoin See a Festive Santa Rally? The term “Bitcoin Santa rally” is gaining popularity on social media platforms like X, following BTC ’s impressive surge of over 10% in the past month and a 128% rise in the past year. This concept, mirroring the stock market’s historic “Santa Claus Rally” where equities typically see a boost between Thanksgiving and Christmas, suggests a similar trend in bitcoin’s market value. Proponents cite two instances to support this theory. The initial instance unfolded in late November 2013, with BTC valued at

Global investment bank JPMorgan has cautioned that the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could “put severe downward pressure on bitcoin prices.” The bank’s analysts estimate that billions of dollars could exit the crypto market after Grayscale Investments converts its bitcoin trust (GBTC) into a spot bitcoin ETF. Market Impact of Spot Bitcoin ETFs JPMorgan analyst Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou shared his predictions of the potential impact on the price of bitcoin from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approving spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a Linkedin post on Friday. While emphasizing his belief in the imminent approval of spot bitcoin ETFs by the SEC, he cautioned that client discussions are centered on the potential capital outflow from the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) as it transitions into a bitcoin ETF. “The argument being that a significant amount of GBTC shares has been boug

In the aftermath of September’s HTX breach, along with the subsequent attacks on Poloniex and Heco Bridge in November, HTX faced yet another security breach on November 23, resulting in a loss of $30 million. HTX announced its commitment to “fully compensate” for the financial damages caused by the hack. Additionally, on Friday, Tron’s founder, Justin Sun, declared on the social media platform X that not only would the losses be recouped, but the team also intends to launch an “epic airdrop.” Justin Sun’s Response to Several Hacks — An ‘Epic Airdrop’ in the Pipeline Since late September, three cryptocurrency platforms associated with Tron’s Justin Sun — HTX, Poloniex, and Heco Bridge — have experienced security breaches, cumulatively losing millions. On September 25, 2023, Sun revealed that HTX suffered a breach, resulting in the loss of 5,000 ether, valued at approximately $8 million at the time. Following this, on November 10, 2023, Poloniex faced a security lapse , leading to a

Transaction fees for Bitcoin have eased, following their surge to more than $18 per transaction on two separate occasions last week. As of November 24, 2023, the average fee per transaction stood at roughly $5.89, with the median fee per transfer being $2.86. Bitcoin Fees Cool Down — November’s Mining Revenue Has Already Outstripped October’s After reaching a peak of over $18 per transfer on November 16 and 18, 2023, the expense for block space has seen a decline. Data from November 24 shows the average cost per transaction hovered at about $5.89 . This represents a significant decrease from the previous day’s average of $14.06 per transfer, underscoring the fluctuating nature of block space costs over the past week. Data from Dune Analytics reveals that Ordinal inscriptions continue to flourish, with over 300,000 mints daily following a peak of more than 475,000 inscriptions on November 19. On November 24, a total of 347,791 inscriptions were minted, and as of November 25, bitc