Empire Newsletter: Bitcoin miners turn to AI for a boost

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Power grab

To paraphrase Tony Montana: In crypto mining, first you get the power, then you get the Antminers, then you get the bitcoin.

AI has flipped all of that on its head. Tech companies fueled with loads of cash — including OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft and Google — are competing to snatch up as much land and as many data centers as possible. 

If training AI models is a gold rush, juicy gigawatts are the shovels. So for bitcoin miners, as well as former Ethereum miners still sitting on stores of GPUs, the Scarface roadmap to success now…

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The Pleb Party | Bringing Together Bitcoiners of All Levels

Anders, a passionate Bitcoiner, has launched an extraordinary event called the Pleb Party, aiming to bridge the gap between Bitcoin enthusiasts of all backgrounds.

This unique gathering offers an opportunity for “plebs”—a term of affection, according to the party’s host—for everyday supporters to connect with industry leaders in a casual, accessible setting.

Anders launched “the Pleb Party”, bringing Bitcoiners from different backgrounds together

At the heart of the Pleb Party is a fresh perspective on what it means to be a “pleb” in the Bitcoin community. Rather than focusing on wealth or status, the event emphasizes a mindset of humility and…

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LATSET: Dormant Whale Transfers $61M in Bitcoin to Coinbase, Data Reveals

Early Friday, a bitcoin wallet that had been inactive for six years reactivated, transferring 1,000 BTC—worth over $61 million—to Coinbase. This wallet, identified as 12EMDoUhaNCuWZeeT6ey61AkjKyzmjV2m3, last purchased these coins six years ago for just $6.68 million. The movement from dormant accounts like this has become increasingly common this quarter, sparking discussions about the long-term holders’ confidence in the cryptocurrency’s value.

Despite recent pressures pushing bitcoin prices down nearly 9% this month, the reactivation of these high-value wallets may hint at an underlying strength in the market. Such transactions often precede speculative trading or strategic cash-outs at high market valuations, suggesting a savvy acknowledgment of bitcoin’s sustained relevance and potential.

Market watchers anticipate more volatility following today’s release of the Fed’s inflation data. However, a stable inflation outlook could bolster bitcoin’s standing, possibly countering the recent price slide and reinforcing investor confidence in the face of regulatory and market challenges.

 Lookonchain

Coinbase Sues SEC and FDIC

In a bold legal move, Coinbase, the largest digital asset exchange in the United States, has filed lawsuits against two major federal regulators: the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Coinbase sues SEC and FDIC, believing that the agencies deliberately failed to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), accusing them of withholding crucial information related to the regulation of Bitcoin and digital assets.

Coinbase’s legal actions focus on FOIA requests that were denied by the SEC and FDIC. These requests were aimed at uncovering the agencies’ internal communications and decisions regarding the digital…

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LATEST: Kraken Founder Jesse Powell Donates $1M Crypto to Trump’s 2024 Campaign

Jesse Powell, the founder of Kraken, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has contributed $1 million to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Powell expressed his enthusiasm for supporting Trump, who he views as the most pro-crypto candidate. This large donation, primarily in ether, aims to bolster U.S. leadership in blockchain technology.

Amid growing regulatory pressures under the current administration, Powell criticized the Biden administration’s approach to crypto regulation. He highlighted a “campaign of unchecked regulation by enforcement,” which he believes diminishes U.S. competitiveness in the global crypto market.

Naming specific opponents within the government, Powell pointed to figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren and SEC Chair Gary Gensler as key adversaries to the advancement of the cryptocurrency industry. His support for Trump is seen as a strategic move to protect and advance U.S. interests in blockchain and crypto innovations.

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NEW: Solana ETF Expected to Launch in 2025, Says Bloomberg Analyst

VanEck, a notable player in investment asset management, has recently filed for a Solana ETF with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, marking a pioneering move within the American market. This follows a similar filing by Canada’s 3iQ Corp for a Solana fund, highlighting growing international interest in crypto-based ETFs. Analysts view this as a significant step given Solana’s similarities to already approved Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

James Seyffart, Senior Bloomberg ETF Analyst, predicts that the approval of Solana ETFs could potentially reshape the crypto ETF landscape, though not before 2025. Seyffart sees this development as a catalyst for other firms to consider similar offerings, reflecting a broader industry trend toward embracing alternative cryptocurrencies.

As the crypto community watches the regulatory space, Seyffart suggests that changes in U.S. administration could be key to accelerating approvals. The industry optimism follows recent approvals for Ethereum ETFs, with expectations that Solana could be next in line, potentially leading to a new era in cryptocurrency investments.

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NEW: Staked Ethereum Hits New Highs as ETF Launch Nears

Ethereum’s staked amount has hit a new all-time high, reaching 32,893,813 ETH, reflecting growing investor confidence amidst expectations of an upcoming Ethereum-based Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). The steady increase in staked Ethereum since early 2021 highlights the growing interest and maturation of Ethereum as a key digital asset.

The graph showing Ethereum’s staked ETH illustrates a continuous upward trend, indicating robust investor participation and trust in Ethereum’s staking mechanism, vital for the network’s security post its transition to a proof-of-stake (PoS) system. Analysts predict that the anticipated ETF could significantly boost Ethereum’s liquidity and accessibility, making it more appealing to both retail and institutional investors. This surge in staking activity signals a bullish outlook on Ethereum’s future prospects in the cryptocurrency market.

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