How Miners Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the JPEG

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Ordinals have been a polarizing phenomenon for most every subcommunity in Bitcoin — except for miners.

The meteoric rise of the new Bitcoin-native NFT standard dominated discourse for months as Ordinals flooded blockspace and buoyed transaction fees to multiyear highs. According to critics, these transactions are, at worst, an attack on Bitcoin that tainted the sanctity of scarce blockspace; at best, they are shitcoins, the play-things of gamblers that belong on casino chains like Ethereum.

Well, miners…

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Powell At Crossroads As Inflation Bites Again: Fed Needs To ‘Get Going On The Rate Cuts They Have To Make’ Former Governor Says

If there’s something that’s likely to keep the markets on edge in the upcoming days, it’s undoubtedly the eagerly anticipated Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting scheduled for March 19-20, 2024.

While the decision regarding interest rates seems all but set, with the Fed expected to maintain them at 5.25%-5.50%, all eyes will be on two key factors: 1) The updated macroeconomic projections, which will unveil the ‘dot plot’, revealing the Fed’s favored path for interest rates, and 2) Fed Chair Jerome Powell‘s comments during the press conference.

Back in December, the Fed signaled a median preference for three rate cuts in 2024, followed by four more in 2025. During…

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LATEST: MicroStrategy Expands Convertible Notes from $500 million to $525M for More Bitcoin Investment

MicroStrategy has upped its game by increasing its convertible notes offering from $500 million to $525 million, signaling unwavering confidence in the cryptocurrency’s potential. Led by Michael Saylor, the software giant aims to use the proceeds to purchase more Bitcoin, reinforcing its position as a major institutional investor in the digital currency space.

The offering, earmarked for qualified institutional buyers, features a modest interest rate of 0.875%, payable semiannually until 2031. This strategic move not only highlights MicroStrategy’s commitment to Bitcoin but also showcases its innovative approach to financing, offering notes convertible into cash, MicroStrategy stock, or a combination thereof.

Set against a backdrop of growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies, MicroStrategy’s latest financial maneuver underscores the company’s belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value, setting a precedent for other corporations to follow in its footsteps.

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Sweden’s Central Bank | Dismissal Of Bitcoin

Sweden’s Central Bank Governor, Erik Thedeen, has raised concerns about the integration of Bitcoin into the nation’s financial system. His warnings come amidst a surge in the digital asset’s popularity and record-breaking highs in its value.

Sweden’s Central Bank on Bitcoin

Thedeen emphasizes the speculative nature of Bitcoin, stating:

“I want as little Bitcoin as possible in the Swedish financial system, It’s an instrument that is impossible to value, and in practice it’s based on pure speculation.”

This sentiment echoes throughout his statements, highlighting the risks associated with digital assets investments.

Despite Bitcoin’s current lack of threat to financial…

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Craig Wright Is Not Satoshi Nakamoto

In a landmark decision, a high court judge has ruled that Australian computer scientist Craig Wright is not the elusive inventor of Bitcoin, known as Satoshi Nakamoto. The verdict comes after a series of legal battles and trials spanning several months, where Wright faced scrutiny over his claims to be the creator of the world’s most famous digital currency.

The Verdict

The presiding judge, Justice Mellor, delivered the verdict swiftly, stating that the evidence against Wright was “overwhelming.” Mellor declared:

“However, having considered all the evidence and submissions presented to me in this trial, I’ve reached the conclusion that the evidence is overwhelming.

First, Dr….

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MicroStrategy Increases Convertible Loan to $525 Million to Buy More Bitcoin

The Michael Saylor-led software company MicroStrategy has upsized its planned convertible senior notes offering from $500 million to $525 million.

The company intends to use the proceeds to acquire more Bitcoin, as per their recent press release, following a strategy it has pursued since 2020.

MicroStrategy announced it had priced the 0.875% convertible senior notes due 2031 in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers. The notes will be sold at 100% of the principal amount with an annual interest rate of 0.875%, payable semiannually. 

After March 2028, the company can redeem the notes in cash at 100% of the principal plus accrued interest if certain conditions are met. Holders…

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MicroStrategy Bitcoin Bet | Another $500 Million On Horizon

MicroStrategy, the leading American business intelligence software company, is not stopping when it comes to buying bitcoin (BTC), and has proposed a new offering of $500 million of convertible notes “to acquire additional bitcoin.”

MicroStrategy bitcoin acquisitions show no sign of slowing down, as the funds raised now will be used to add more to the its already heavy bag. The “Bitcoin development” firm confirmed in an announcement on March 13 that the offering will come in the form of a “private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers.”

MicroStrategy Bitcoin Bet: Doubling Down

MicroStrategy is the largest corporate holder of bitcoin, having…

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LATEST: Robert Kiyosaki Praises Bitcoin’s Unique Advantage Over Gold and Silver

Financial guru and acclaimed “Rich Dad Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki recently took to X to share his insights on investing, specifically highlighting Bitcoin’s distinctive edge over traditional assets. Kiyosaki, who owns both gold and silver mines as well as oil wells, noted a critical difference between these commodities and Bitcoin. He explained that the supply of gold and silver typically increases with their prices, leading to more of these metals being mined. This principle also applies to oil. However, Bitcoin stands apart due to its fixed supply limit of 21 million coins, which remains unchanged regardless of price fluctuations. Kiyosaki’s remarks subtly elevate Bitcoin, suggesting its superiority as an investment due to its scarcity. This inherent limit on Bitcoin makes it a more attractive option for investors looking for assets that can maintain their value over time, according to Kiyosaki’s analysis.

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$190B wealth manager greenlights 4 bitcoin ETFs for allocators

Wealth management firm Cetera Financial Group has approved four bitcoin ETFs for advisers choosing to implement such funds into client portfolios. 

The San Diego-based firm said Thursday it would launch educational training to its financial professionals as they consider allocations to bitcoin ETFs — marking the latest asset manager to make such a move.  

Cetera has so far greenlit adviser allocations to four of the 10 US spot bitcoin ETFs: BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT); the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC); the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC); and the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO).   

The company had $190 billion in assets under management, as of December…

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LATEST: VanEck Sees Potential for Ether ETFs to Outperform Bitcoin ETFs

VanEck, a leading global investment firm known for its innovative Bitcoin Trust (HODL), which is among the first ten spot bitcoin ETFs launched this year, is now turning its focus to Ether. Pranav Kanade, a portfolio manager at VanEck, believes that an Ether ETF could potentially attract even more demand than its bitcoin counterparts. Despite over $10 billion net inflows into bitcoin ETFs in just two months, Kanade sees a bigger market for Ether, citing its ability to generate fees for token holders as a key advantage. Ethereum’s Proof of Stake mechanism allows holders to earn yield through staking, offering about a 3% yield on platforms like Coinbase. This feature positions Ether as a more appealing asset for a broader investor base. However, the SEC’s approval for spot ETH products remains uncertain, with analysts estimating a 30% chance of success, while Kanade is more optimistic, estimating the odds at 50%.

Coindesk