BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is bolstering Bitcoin’s profile, labeling it a prime portfolio diversifier in a new report. The firm, overseeing more than $10 trillion, highlights Bitcoin’s unique position as detached from traditional asset behaviors, influenced by global monetary and geopolitical shifts. This insight comes after launching the highly successful Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, which amassed over $21 billion in assets.

The recent change in perspective from BlackRock’s CEO Larry Fink, who recanted his earlier skepticism, underscores a significant shift in the financial landscape. The firm’s research points to Bitcoin’s potential as an investment, especially amidst global fiscal uncertainties. This marks a continued trend of warming up to Bitcoin’s role in modern portfolios.

With major finance players like BlackRock increasingly supportive, Bitcoin’s integration into mainstream finance seems more assured. This growing endorsement could hasten wider acceptance and adoption, positioning Bitcoin as a robust contender in the investment world.

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US Congressman Tom Emmer recently voiced strong support for the digital currency space, highlighting the urgent need for modernized financial regulations. Emmer criticized the current government approach, likening it to “a legalized form of the mob” where citizens must “pay the vig” through taxes and outdated compliance requirements to ensure safety and freedom within the country.

Addressing concerns over decentralization, Emmer condemned the fear he perceives among certain political figures, specifically pointing to attitudes like those of Senator Elizabeth Warren. He argued that the push against decentralized technologies stems from a fear of losing control, contrasting sharply with America’s foundational principles, which advocate for governance “by the people, from the ground up.”

Emmer’s call to action includes reducing bureaucratic agencies and updating legislative frameworks to align with the realities of the 21st century. He stressed the importance of embracing innovative financial technologies to preserve the nation’s core values and foster an environment where freedom and innovation can thrive.

Swiss stock exchange, SIX, is setting its sights on the European cryptocurrency market, looking to establish a new trading venue that leverages Switzerland’s progressive crypto laws. Bjørn Sibbern, global head of exchanges at SIX Group, emphasized the increasing acceptance of crypto as a legitimate asset class. The proposed platform aims to cater to institutional investors, offering both spot trading and derivatives.

While traditional financial entities have hesitated due to regulatory uncertainties, Switzerland’s welcoming stance and SIX’s solid reputation may draw significant investor interest. The U.S. approval of bitcoin and ethereum ETFs earlier this year has already sparked a surge in both retail and institutional investment, hinting at a growing appetite for such ventures.

SIX, which is backed by 120 banks and also operates a digital exchange in Switzerland, is exploring this expansion as part of its broader European strategy. This move could position SIX as a pivotal player in the crypto trading world, building on its track record of hosting major IPOs like those of Puig and Galderma.

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The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has unveiled a significant new Bitcoin Development Fund grant distribution, allocating 10 BTC (valued at $590,000) to 20 diverse projects worldwide. These initiatives are primarily focused on advancing technical education and decentralizing Bitcoin mining in regions under authoritarian regimes, including Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The grants aim to enhance private financial solutions for human rights groups and support Bitcoin development conferences.

Among the beneficiaries are African Bitcoiners, which educates Africans on Bitcoin amidst economic turmoil, and Stratospher, a developer improving Bitcoin’s privacy and decentralization. Other notable projects include Coracle, enhancing social media privacy; Harbor, developing a privacy-centric ecash wallet; and Kiveclair, providing Bitcoin education in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These grants represent HRF’s ongoing commitment to fostering financial sovereignty and resisting financial surveillance through innovative Bitcoin solutions.

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Today, Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill appeared together in court in the Southern District of New York for a status conference.

This was the first time the two made a public appearance together since the US Department of Justice (DoJ) charged the two developers with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business in April 2024. It was also the first time either of them have appeared in court since Hill appeared ahead of his bail release in July and Rodriguez first…

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CleanSpark Inc. has recently enhanced its Bitcoin mining capabilities with the acquisition of two sites in Clinton, Mississippi, and the closure of a second facility in Wyoming. The Mississippi sites, costing $5.775 million, will introduce 16.5 megawatts of capacity and are set to be operational by December 2024. They will host the powerful Bitmain Antminer S21 Pro, boosting the company’s hash rate by about 1 exahash per second.

CEO Zach Bradford announced a significant increase in operational capacity, with an addition of 211.5 megawatts in the last week alone, a 38 percent rise. This growth supports CleanSpark’s ambitious goals of reaching 37 EH/s by the end of 2024 and 50 EH/s by 2025. The company also completed a 45-megawatt site in Wyoming on September 11, which will contribute 3 EH/s upon completion.

Further bolstering its portfolio, CleanSpark acquired seven more facilities in Tennessee on September 11, adding 5 EH/s to its capacity. This series of expansions is part of CleanSpark’s broader strategy to enhance its position in the cryptocurrency mining industry, already reporting $104.1 million in third-quarter revenues despite a net loss.

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