I’m joined by guests Rob Hamilton, Craig Raw, Pablo & Odell to go through the list.

Listen on your favorite podcast app:

Housekeeping

  • 00:02:39 Coinkite is hiring a web designer
  • 00:04:05 Orange and Purple Piling in CR (low bandwidth)
  • 00:11:08 Faketoshi Trial

Vulnerability Disclosures

  • 00:16:22 Critical vulnerability affecting most Linux distros allows for bootkits [Ars Technica]
    • Linux developers are in the process of patching a high-severity vulnerability that, in certain cases, allows the installation of malware that runs at the firmware level, giving infections access to the deepest parts of a device where they’re hard to detect or remove.
    • The vulnerability resides in shim, which in the context of Linux is a small component that runs in the firmware early in the boot process before the operating system has started. More specifically, the shim accompanying virtually all Linux distributions plays a crucial role in secure boot, a protection built into most modern computing devices to ensure every link in the boot process comes from a verified, trusted supplier.
    • Successful exploitation of the vulnerability allows attackers to neutralize this mechanism by executing malicious firmware at the earliest stages of the boot process before the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface firmware has loaded and handed off control to the operating system.
  • 00:25:15 Breaking Bitlocker: Bypassing the Windows Disk Encryption - using less than $10 of equipment [stacksmashing]
  • 00:27:31 Interesting ORCHESTRA type attack against noobs: evil guidesℱ [nvk]
    • Provocateur produce good looking guides teaching people to make poor setups pushing them to lose sats and never want to self custody bitcoin, pushing them to ETF type products.
    • Over complicated things with foot guns, fake victims, FUD ensues.
  • 00:46:42 Mastodon critical vulnerablility: Remote user impersonation and takeover Mastadon Github
    • Due to insufficient origin validation in all Mastodon, attackers can impersonate and take over any remote account.
    • Every Mastodon version prior to 3.5.17 is vulnerable, as well as 4.0.x versions prior to 4.0.13, 4.1.x version prior to 4.1.13, and 4.2.x versions prior to 4.2.5.

Bitcoin

Software Releases & Project Updates

  • 00:47:31 Net enable v2transport - Merged PR from Pieter Wuille Twitter Announcement
  • 00:48:05 Sparrow Wallet Output reordering
    • Improved transaction tree labels
    • New Feature: allow non randomize input/output (output reordering)
  • 00:53:16 HWI v2.4.0
    • Added: Support for Trezor Safe 3
    • Added: Support for Python 3.12
    • Improved error handling for invalid descriptors and Ledger device errors
  • 00:53:48 libwally-core v1.1.0
    • Added: PSBT: Allow extracting partially finalized transactions in wally_psbt_extract by passing a new WALLY_PSBT_EXTRACT_OPT_FINAL flag.
    • Added: tx: Allow getting the number of items in a transactions input witness via wally_tx_input_get_witness_num_items / wally_tx_get_input_witness_num_items.
  • 00:54:02 BDK v1.0.0-alpha.5
    • This release introduces a block-by-block API to bdk::Wallet adds a RPC wallet example, improves performance of bdk_file_store::EntryIter, and simplifies Esplora::update_local_chain with additional tests.
  • 00:54:54 BlueWallet
    • v6.5.1
    • Added: export individual private keys for addresses
    • Added: support more wallet export files from Coldcard
    • 6.5.0
    • ADD: Crash detection on watchOS app (#6060)
    • Removes TOR
    • “Sad to see @bluewalletio having removed Tor from their App because muh React Native. This is a dangerous trend that should be opposed by everyone, not only Noderunners.I can’t recommend using any mobile wallet which doesn’t allow a connection to your own node via Tor.” - @Printer_Gobrr
  • 00:55:15 Nunchuk Android v1.9.40
    • Added the ability to cancel an already broadcast transaction via RBF
    • Option to get the derivation path for each receive address (singlesig only)
    • Byzantine: added primary owner label
    • Byzantine: added support for wallet alias
  • 00:55:32 Parmanode
    • “You can now import an existing Bitcoin Core installation, or using detailed Parmanode instructions, compile Bitcoin yourself, then import the binaries into the Parmanode configuration.” Twitter Announcement
  • 00:55:46 Timechain Calendar v0.3.5.1: Art Galleries
    • “To access the gallery, visit timechaincalendar.com/gallery or simply press the gallery button on the right side of the circles.
    • “From the gallery you can browse the current selection of pieces, each numbered with the block height that each piece was completed on.”
    • “Clicking on any piece will take you to the respective block where you will see a thumbnail placeholder of the piece embedded in the UI.”
    • “Click the thumbnail to enlarge the piece and find out more details about it. Click “LEARN MORE” button to find out even more about the artist/author.”
  • 00:56:09 Clark Moody Dashboard v2.0-beta
    • Sign in with nostr
    • New Block Size module
    • Choose a theme from among 10 presets
    • Two new modules for Ordinal Inscription stats
    • Not at data parity with v1, more features are coming Soon (tm)
  • 00:57:26 Geyser v0.6.7
    • Exclusive rewards
    • Double denomination: sats/USD.
    • Seamless reward flow

Project spotlight

  • 00:57:34 Tor Connect
    • Tor-Connect is a simple app with which runs the latest stable release of Tor. The point of Tor-Connect is to make running Tor on your Mac and creating/managing hidden services for Bitcoin Core easy for anyone.
    • Creates hidden services for Bitcoin Core mainnet, testnet, signet and regtest default rpcports.
    • Allows you to add authorized_clients utilizing Tor V3 authentication.
    • Embeds Tor.
    • Automatically starts Tor and configures your hidden services when you launch the app.
    • Quitting the app quits the Tor process and your hidden services will not be reachable.
  • 00:59:47 BitEscrow Beta API launch
    • Open Source
    • Full documentation
    • Full SDK and Libraries
    • Non Custodial
  • 00:59:51 Dosh
    • Bitcoin can now physically change hands like cash or gold coins.
    • Verify and check the balance of a card just with a tap to your phone.
    • “This SATSCARD has a key sealed inside it only the card knows. I sent ₿0.005 (~$200) to its address, and now I can hand the card over to you just like a 200 dollar bill.” - @DoshBTC app verifies it with a simple tap.
    • Demo
  • 1:01:14 Citrea
    • Citrea is introduced as Bitcoin’s first ZK Rollup, aiming to scale Bitcoin while maintaining its security and decentralization.
    • Citrea operates entirely within the Bitcoin network, utilizing zero-knowledge proofs to increase transaction throughput without altering Bitcoin’s protocol.
    • It addresses the increasing demand for Bitcoin blockspace by providing a secure and efficient execution layer on Bitcoin, enabling complex applications while ensuring trustless settlement and data availability.
    • Citrea’s features include scalability, trust-minimized two-way peg, EVM equivalence, and compatibility with existing Bitcoin infrastructure.
    • Currently in development, Citrea offers partnerships for infrastructure providers and plans for a public testnet.
    • The ultimate goal is to make Bitcoin the foundation for global finance by enhancing its capabilities while preserving its core principles.

Privacy Software

Software Releases & Project Updates

  • 1:03:43 Unleashed.Chat
    • v0.1.13
    • You can now send a report when the chat bot is not performing as expected. Just click the Report issue button at the bottom of a chat response and describe the issue in a few words. This helps us make your experience better!
    • v0.1.12
    • Chat mode UX improvements
    • v0.1.11
    • Re-enabled Git repo import.
    • Faster
    • v0.1.10 - Super coder
    • Import Git repos in addition to normal file upload.
    • Improved the processing of PDF files.
  • 1:05:17 Simplex Chat v5.5.0
    • private notes - with encrypted files and media.
    • paste link to connect - search bar now accepts invitation links.
    • optional recent history in groups.
    • improved message delivery - with reduced battery usage.
    • reveal secrets in messages by tapping them.
    • all files in local app storage are encrypted by default.
    • allow deleting the last visible user profile.

Lightning + L2+

Software Releases & Project Updates

  • 1:06:34 Zeus v0.8.1
    • Standalone Point of Sale with inventory management
    • Nostr contact import
    • Persistent LND (keep running LND even when ZEUS is closed, this enables instant ZEUS PAY zap redemptions, makes zapping faster, and paves the way for NWC) [Android only]
    • Node/account reordering
    • Improved expiry display
    • LND v0.17.3
  • 1:06:44 mutiny-node
    • v0.5.8
    • Sweeping from fedimint balance to self-custodial lightning
    • Optimization around syncing LDK
    • v0.5.6
    • Add util function for hodl invoice detection
    • Enable MPP for LSPS invoices
    • Remove async-interface feature
    • Verify LSP invoice amount
    • DM requests for invoices
    • Timestamp NWC filters
    • Change archive contact to delete contact
    • Add event id to dm
    • Various NWC fixes
    • New relay
  • 1:06:54 mutiny-startos
    • v0.5.7
    • Adds sending payjoin support
    • Improvements to NWC handling
    • Better warnings for hodl invoices
    • 0.5.5
    • Migrates fedimint storage
    • Optimizations to nostr contact syncing & send page
    • Better handling of expired invoices
  • 1:07:04 Breez SDK Core v0.2.14
    • Persist payment failure error
    • Support custom payment metadata
    • Add register webhook to the cli
    • Add extra TLVs to send spontaneous payment
    • Add payment expiry for pending payments
  • 1:07:11 Boltz Exchange
    • boltz-backend v3.4.0 “Back to the roots”
    • API V2 with Taproot Swaps
    • PostgreSQL database
    • mpay - a CLN pay plugin
    • boltz-web-app v1.3.0
    • QR code scanner
    • Add version footer
    • Placeholders for amounts instead of 0 on load
    • Taproot swaps
    • Uncooperative claim fallback
    • Use API v2 to fetch pairs
    • Automatic denom switcher
    • Deeplinks for wallets
  • 1:07:16 10101
    • v1.8.5
    • (webapp): Show order history
    • Add reject dlc channel, settle and renew offer
    • Change pending offer policy to reject on reconnect
    • upload APKs as artifact to GitHub
    • (settings): Add emergency kit screen to set orders in filling to failed
    • v1.8.2
    • Add endpoint to force close ln-dlc channels
    • v1.8.0
    • move telegram link into toplevel of settings so that it can be found easier
    • update coordinator API to show more details on pending channel balance
    • show dlc-channel balance instead of ln-balance in app and in coordinator’s API
    • allow collaboratively close a channel from coordinator and the app
    • don’t allow multiple dlc-channels per user
    • show dlc-channel opening transaction in transaction history
    • allow force-close a DLC channel
    • made sure that rollover works with dlc-channels
    • Allow recovering from a stuck protocol state by resending last outbound dlc message on connect
    • update api to collaboratively revert a dlc-channel
    • Allow continuing from an offered dlc channel state (offered, settle offered and collab close offered)
    • add a new project webapp. Eventually this will have the same functionality as our app (and more) and can be run on a self-hosted server
    • (webapp): Add API allow requests from any origin (CORS)
    • (webapp): Allow creating new orders through webapp
    • (webapp): Show open position in trade screen
  • 1:07:46 Loop v0.27.0-beta
    • Sweep Batcher: A new sub-system was added that handles all the loopout sweeps.
    • Successful loopout HTLCs will no longer be swept back to the wallet via individual transactions but will instead form a single transaction that holds multiple inputs and pays to a single output.
    • This will significantly reduce chain fee costs as it’s using less block space by directly consolidating all the htlcs to a single address.
    • Loopouts that pay to non-wallet addresses will still use individual transactions as their output cannot be mutated.
  • 1:08:00 Torq v1.5.0
    • CLN v23.11+ is required (pagination)
    • Added: Integration with Kraken
    • New workflow triggers: Invoice, Forward, Payment, Transaction (on-chain)
    • New workflow filters: Mempool, Exchange (Kraken) balance
    • New workflow action: Payment Attempt (experimental: tries to find a route to pay an exchange invoice)
    • New variables in workflow actions: API client, notification
    • Replace intercom with chatwoot
    • Small changes to rebalancer + new metrics and logs
    • Timelock Delta in seconds on list screens
  • 1:08:03 lnp2pBot v0.9.12
    • Changes: modified unnatural translation in Korean
    • Changes: Bump follow-redirects from 1.15.3 to 1.15.4
    • Changes: Convert db_connect to TS (2nd commit of PR435)
    • Added: user stats to info command
    • Added iranian currencies
  • 1:08:07 AQUA Wallet goes open source
    • “As part of our commitment to the Bitcoin ethos, and the guiding principles of openness, freedom, and transparency that make Bitcoin itself one of the most revolutionary technologies in existence, AQUA Wallet is now fully open-source software.”

Project spotlight

  • 1:19:02 awesome-cashu
    • A curated, collaborative list of resources for getting started with Cashu
  • 1:19:11 Superposition by Mutiny
    • Superposition is a DLC oracle app facilitating event creation and attestation. It leverages nostr for publishing events and attestations, enhancing discoverability and usability.
    • Event Creation: Users can create Superpositions, such as “Will Mempools clear in 2024?” with defined outcomes and due dates, which are then published to nostr for broader accessibility.
    • Attestations: Upon creating a Superposition, users can attest to its outcome, providing a signed confirmation. These attestations are linked to their nostr profile, allowing others to verify their reputation as an oracle.
    • Observation: On the due date, users can observe the outcome, triggering the publication of a new event with their signature to nostr. This enables the use of their oracle signature in resolving smart contracts based on the Superposition.
    • Security: Superposition operates on the nostr platform, ensuring that all signatures are tied to users’ nostr private keys. Users have the option to stake their reputation by signing with their nostr nsec or generate a new nsec for experimentation.
    • Blog post
  • 1:19:24 Note Duel by Mutiny
    • Note Duel is a demo app showcasing the utilization of Superposition oracles in smart contracts. It enables users to wager a nostr “note” on the outcome of a Superposition event.
    • Duel Creation: Users initiate a duel by selecting a Superposition, specifying their opponent’s nostr pubkey, choosing their favored outcome, and providing a “winning note” and a “losing note.” These notes are automatically published to the respective profiles of the winner and loser.
    • Inaugural Duel: The inaugural Note Duel involved participants engaging in a betting match, with the outcome oracle’d by a designated entity. The winning and losing notes gain validity only after receiving the oracle’s signature, ensuring cryptographic enforcement via DLCs.
    • Cryptographic Enforcement: Note Duel leverages DLCs to enforce cryptographic validation. Notes are only partially signed by participants until the oracle resolves the outcome. Without the oracle’s signature, the notes remain invalid, although their validation can be verified in anticipation of the oracle’s signature.
    • Future Prospects: While currently geared towards social betting, Note Duel hints at broader applications in the future. Possibilities include oracle-based fact-checking, advanced smart contract implementations, or contributions to decentralized voting mechanisms.
  • 1:19:29 nutband: Experimental minimalistic python-only user interface for cashu, using cashu nutshell implementation.
    • The goal of this project is to experiment with cashu over Reticulum mesh network protocol using LXMF.
    • Should be buildable to apk and ipa through buildozer, running on android, ios and desktop platforms. I have not managed to build anything else than desktop now though.
    • Video introduction
    • Only sending and receiving tokens is enabled, mint selection or invoices do not work yet.

Nostr

Software Releases & Project Updates

  • 1:20:35 Damus v1.7.2 (TestFlight)
    • New fulltext search engine
    • Add “Always show onboarding suggestions” developer setting
    • Add NIP-42 relay auth support
    • Add ability to hide suggested hashtags
    • Add ability to mute hashtag from SearchView
    • Add ability to preview media taken with camera
    • Add ability to search for naddr, nprofiles, nevents
    • Add experimental push notification support
    • Add naddr link support
    • Add regional relay recommendations to Relay configuration view (currently for Japanese users only)
    • Add regional relays for Germany
    • Add regional relays for Thailand
    • Added a custom camera view
    • Always convert damus.io links to inline mentions
    • Unfurl profile name on remote push notifications
    • Zap notification support for push notifications
  • 1:20:38 Primal
    • Web v0.101.3
    • New and improved editor
      • Note drafts
      • Emoji picker
      • Faster media uploads with progress indicator
  • Smart contact list (remembers previous user selections when searching)
  • Revamped custom zaps and zap preset settings
    • Android v0.90.1
    • Primal Wallet
    • NWC support for external wallets
    • New zap settings
  • 1:20:47 civkit-node v0.0.2
    • Second release of CivKit Node with the following features:
    • Integration of the first version of staking credentials in civkitd’s CredentialGateway and Civkit sample (civkit-sample)
    • Experimental integration of Mainstay in the Civkit architecture
    • Experimental Civkit services API (src/proto/civkitservice.proto) to design modular and task-dedicated daemon leveraging Civkit node relay capabilities
    • Addition of Civkit sample command to live trade over the Civkit node (sendmarkertorder) with both BOLT11 / BOLT12 support
    • Integration with Bitcoin Core to validate credentials proofs
    • Addition of DB support with SQLite to store Nostr events published by Civkit sample clients
    • Dynamic protection of scarce Civkit Node resources (NoteProcessor::pending_write_db) by delaying DB write until credentials validation
    • Experimental addition of Civkit services (CredentialGateway::hosted_services) default announcement at destination of connected Clients
    • Enhanced support of Civkit Node configuration and deployment (example-config.toml)
  • 1:20:51 Snort v0.2.0: Worker Relay In The Browser
    • “This release contains a full nostr relay in the browser (the worker relay). It works like any other relay on nostr, and allows us to cache content efficiently. This also means that all reactions, replies, and posts are cached in your browser and are always available, even when you are offline,” announced @Kieran.
    • “Most of the caching strategies that have been developed thus far have been scrapped and replaced by the worker relay.”
    • Check notification settings page
    • New settings page layout
    • Community Leaders / Invite system
    • Settings->Tools pages (Check follows relay health etc)
    • New wallet pages design
    • Alby OAuth wallet connection
    • Cashu wallet support (WIP)
    • Followed by friends feed page
    • Fuzzysearch profiles everywhere
    • Worker Relay package @snort/worker-relay
    • Replaces all previous caching objects, all caches are handled inside @snort/system via worker relay
    • “View as user” button
    • Play live streams directly in feed with embed iframe
    • Negentropy v1 support
  • 1:20:55 Amethyst v0.83.9
    • Includes the product in the first message of the marketplace.
    • Adds support for NIP-92 in public messages and new DMs. NIP-54 stays in NIP-04 DMs
  • 1:20:59 nos.social v0.1.4
    • Show a message when we’re not finding search results.
    • Optimized loading of the Notifications tab
    • Updated suggested users for discovery tab.
    • Show the profile view when a search matches a valid User ID (npub).
    • Added tabs to Profiles to filter posts.
  • 1:21:03 Lume
    • v3.0.1
    • Columns:
    • Added trending notes column
    • Added global column
    • Added waifu column
    • Core:
    • Added popup when user hover avatar
    • Added new update badge to sidebar
    • Improved overall performance
    • v3.0.0
    • Add support NIP-89 (Recommended Application Handlers)
    • Drop support NIP-25 (Reaction)
    • Drop support NIP-4 (Direct Message)
    • Drop support NIP-23 (Long-form content)
    • Add Low Power Mode for low network environment
    • Support translate note, powered by nostr.wine
    • Improve cache performance
    • Enable Outbox by default
    • Add interests setting
    • Add search
  • 1:21:07 YakiHonne Flash News and uncensored Notes
    • Uncensored Notes
    • With Uncensored Notes, you can annotate news and add your insights and additional information to assist in verifying the truthfulness of the news.
    • Flash News:
    • Timely and accurate information from trusted sources
    • Commitment to authenticity and reliability
    • Coverage of global events to local developments
    • Dedication to journalistic integrity
    • Flash News Publishing Process:
    • Creation of plain flash news or linking to articles/curations
    • Addition of media files or links
    • Inclusion of authentic news sources
    • Use of relevant tags for categorization
    • Optional flagging of news importance (additional payment required)
    • Payment for publishing flash news
  • 1:21:13 Formstr
    • Update
    • Ability to set relays to each form added! With this update you can also custody your form on your own relay.
    • Markdown added to form description! Now you can format your description however you want with the markdown syntax
    • Note: The ability to set relays has now made formstr fully decentralized, it’s now a one of a kind app, where your data is verifiably encrypted and private with no third party snooping into it, and now you can fully custody your own form on your own relay as well.
    • Update
    • Embed as iframe option added on the share screen. You can also choose to hide the title image and description when choosing to embed your forms.
    • Share screen for a form is also available on the saved forms menu by clicking onthe row of the form.
    • Update
    • Email input type with validations added as a pre-built input
    • submissions tab added to home screen to view what forms you’ve submitted responses to
    • Message added to “disallow anonymous responses” telling the user that participants would need a nostr profile and a nip-07 signer extension if the setting is turned on.
    • v1.0
    • A Complete UI overhaul.
    • Ability to add a banner image to your form.
    • Form Previews.
    • Validations (Regex, Min/Max, Range) on input types.
    • Quizzes.
    • Notify your Nostr profile whenever you receive a response.
    • New Input types(Date/Time/ Dropdown)
  • 1:21:22 Makeprisms API
    • Use the API to enable zaps in your app without needing to integrate Nostr or Bitcoin and without your users needing a Nostr account.
    • Demo app - a Zap Bot that enables zapping in Discord.
    • Learn more and get API access at https://www.makeprisms.com
  • 1:21:25 Plebeian Market v0.0.2
    • CMS features and UI improvements: This adds the CMS functionality and improves the overall UI/UX.
  • 1:22:05 NDK v2.4
  • 1:22:54 Shipyard DVM

Project Spotlight

  • 1:24:16 StartOS Nostr Wallet Connect
    • Launch of NWC app for StartOS by Start9 team
    • NWC enables connection to StartOS Bitcoin/Lightning nodes and Umbrel
    • Seamlessly connect lightning nodes to over 20 supported apps
    • Enables various use cases like Value4Value content, Nostr zapping, tipping creators, and lightning network payments
    • No need for Tor connections or firewalls; simplifies non-custodial payments
    • Installation guide provided for adding NWC service to Start9 node
    • Connect apps using NWC connection string for direct Bitcoin transactions
    • Alby Browser Extension acts as a bridge for Bitcoin app accessibility
    • Focus on empowering apps to build on Bitcoin
    • Enhances interoperability within Bitcoin ecosystem for users and developers
    • Joint commitment with Start9 team to promote non-custodial app usage

Boosts

  • 1:25:18 Thanks to everyone who streamed sats, and shoutout to our top boosters:
    • [🏆 TOP BOOSTER] @jcdenton (8,888 sats) “thanks for the signal gents đŸ«Ąâ€
    • @qxotk (2,121 sats) “just woke up. great rip. viva pablo.review”
    • @user611667864309866 (500 sats) “man, I love you guys. I seriously think I’d give up on Bitcoin if I only listened to the mainstream noise. I hear what you’re saying about not having patience for idiots, but we all start as idiots and if new people are coming into the space, they’re gonna be retarded at first.”
    • @piez (420 sats) â€œđŸ«Ąâ€
    • @zdoxed (100 sats) “what you demand is what I supply”
    • @plebhodl (100 sats) “best pod to listen bar none!”
    • @user30394172 (100 sats) “if we get op cat before vaults I’m flipping every table”

Bitcoin Optech Newsletter

  • Highlights from recent Bitcoin Optech Newsletters
    • 287
    • Kindred replace by fee:
    • Gloria Zhao posted to Delving Bitcoin about allowing a transaction to replace a related transaction in the mempool even if there’s no conflict between the two transactions.
    • The proposed rules for v3 transaction relay only allow an unconfirmed v3 parent to have a single child transaction in the mempool.
    • If existing LN commitment transactions using anchor outputs are automatically enrolled in the v3 policy, this would ensure that either party can always fee bump the commitment transaction
    • Opposition to CTV based on commonly requiring exogenous fees:
    • Peter Todd posted to the Bitcoin-Dev mailing list an adaptation of his argument against exogenous fees (see Newsletter #284) applied to the OP_CHECKTEMPLATEVERIFY proposal.
    • He notes that, “in many (if not most) CTV use-cases intended to allow multiple parties to share a single UTXO, it is difficult to impossible to allow for sufficient CTV variants to cover all possible fee-rates.
    • He recommends abandoning CTV and working instead on convenant schemes that are compatible with RBF.

News & Noteworthy

Lightning

  • The first peer-to-peer trade using the Mostro and Lightning protocols [Announcement]
  • For now you can only do small test exchanges, with a maximum of up to 20k Sats, there is still a lot to improve! 🚀
  • Our team works with great dedication to ensure that this decentralized and censorship-resistant tool will soon be used massively by all users in #Nostr

Nostr

  • Damus Introduces Purple: Premium Tier For Project Supporters [Website]
    • Currently it’s open to TestFlight users only but will be on the App Store shortly.
    • Gives first access to upcoming premium features: Automatic translations, longer note storage, and more
    • Recieve a badge on your nostr profile

Mining

  • Swan Bitcoin Launches Swan Mining Out of Stealth Mode [Announcement]
  • Announcing the launch of the European Bitcoin Energy Association (EBEA)
    • “In light of the global climate and local energy crises, the demand for future-proof energy solutions has never been higher. How do you solve the issues which arise when transitioning to greener energy and simultaneously ensure a resilient and secure grid? The European Bitcoin Energy Association believes that bitcoin mining can play a vital role in the European energy transition. Bitcoin data-centers are provenly well-suited to act as consumers of both first and last resort as well as a valuable tool for methane mitigation.”

Business & Finance

  • LN Markets Announces $3 Million Seed Round, Introduces DLC Markets [Bitcoin Magazine]
    • “To accelerate Bitcoin as an infrastructure, we have completed the raise of a $3 million seed round led by ego death capital, along with Lemniscap and Timechain, joining our current investors Arcario, Bitfinex and Fulgur Ventures,”
    • “We’re thrilled to introduce DLC Markets, a pioneering platform developed by LN Markets. Utilizing Discreet Log Contracts (DLC), DLC Markets offers a trustless OTC derivatives trading environment.
    • It’s a game-changer, eliminating the need for centralized clearinghouses and revolutionizing how Bitcoin derivatives are traded,” he added.
    • “While traditional DLCs can be cumbersome to implement, we introduce a novel approach with a coordinator to solve the free-option dilemma when the DLC is initiated.
    • This approach also makes it possible to integrate margin calls, liquidation and netting in the DLC process.”
  • Ten31 Announces Public Listing of GRIID, Two New Funds, and a Grant for eCash Developer Calle [No Bullshit Bitcoin/Ten31 Website]
    • Ten31 announced the Nasdaq listing of GRIID Infrastructure, as well as the launch of two new funds. The fund also announced a grant to bitcoin-powered Chaumian ecash developer calle.
    • “Ten31 announced that its portfolio company GRIID Infrastructure has completed its listing on the Nasdaq Global Market stock exchange, representing the first public listing for any bitcoin-focused investment fund’s portfolio company,” was stated in a press release.
    • “In conjunction with GRIID’s Nasdaq listing, Ten31 also announced that Harry Sudock, Chief Strategy Officer at GRIID and a leading voice in bitcoin mining and energy infrastructure, will join Ten31 as an Advisor while maintaining his role at GRIID.”
    • “Ten31’s major milestone with GRIID coincides with the launch of Ten31’s third institutional fund, Low Time Preference Fund III, which has already secured anchor commitments and established an initial portfolio of investments, as well as the Ten31 Tactical Fund, which provides access to individual accredited investors.”
    • “Ten31 has also renewed its commitment to supporting open source development in the bitcoin ecosystem by providing a grant to independent bitcoin developer calle for his work on bitcoin powered Chaumian ecash.
  • Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) becomes the first U.S. bitcoin ETF to publish the bitcoin addresses of its holdings. [Announcement]
    • Now anyone can verify BITB’s holdings and flows directly on the blockchain.

Education

  • Base58 Ships Its Crypto + Digital Signatures Course for Bitcoin Developers [Annoucement]
    • “In this class you’ll learn where private/public key pairs come from, implement ECDSA, learn everything there is to know about sighash flags (including the first ever tutorial for how to implement them!) The class ends with classic op-multisig!”
    • “Catch the 2nd installment of Base58’s revolutionary Bitcoin Dev Basics class, all about the cryptography that makes bitcoin secure and the signatures that use it!”
    • The course has surpassed 1000 signups in just 36 hours
  • From today, anyone can download The Bitcoin Handbook as a free PDF [Announcement]
    • The Bitcoin Handbook is “a collection of the most helpful frameworks, mental models, and heuristics for making sense of money in the Digital Age. Written for a non-technical audience and packed with thought-provoking illustrations. Let it be your handy companion as you journey down the rabbit hole.”

Privacy

  • iOS v17.4-beta Introduces Permissioned Alternative Marketplaces in the European Union [Apple Website]
    • Starting with iOS v17.4, Apple will allow iOS users to download and install apps through alternative app marketplaces.
    • “Alternative app marketplaces will function as an iOS app that is able to install other iOS apps on an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.
    • Any developer can create an app marketplace, so long as they meet Apple’s criteria for customer experience, fraud prevention, customer support, and more,” reported MacRumors.
    • Apple has been forced to make these changes to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. iOS 17.4 is coming out as a beta update for now, and it will see a public release in March.
  • US Department of Energy Announced an ‘Emergency’ Data Collection Initiative Targeting US Bitcoin Miners [Announcement]
    • The United States Department of Energy (DOE) aims to start collecting data on Bitcoin and crypto miners’ energy consumption from at least 82 mining companies starting next week.
    • “Beginning next week, we will survey identified commercial cryptocurrency miners, which are required to respond with details related to their energy use.
  • 26+ Bitcoin Companies Sign a Letter to FinCEN Against Proposed Surveillance Rules Ten31 Website
    • The letter outlines 6 key points:
    • FinCEN should exercise caution and either withdraw entirely or narrowly tailor the Mixing Transaction NPRM because if adopted, the Mixing Transaction NPRM would not only represent the first time FinCEN used its Section 311 powers against a class of transactions, but also the first time FinCEN has ever imposed Special Measure 1.
    • The Mixing Transaction NPRM proposes a rule that is an improper and overbroad application of Section 311 measures to achieve transaction surveillance and suppression that FinCEN does not otherwise have a lawful basis to undertake.
    • The Mixing Transaction NPRM should be withdrawn because the proposed definition of “CVC mixing” is overbroad and targets lawful activity in a way that makes the agency’s proposed action arbitrary and capricious.
    • The Mixing Transaction NPRM should be withdrawn because its inaccurate depiction of standard security practices as “mixing” impermissibly restricts the capacity of users to protect their property so that FinCEN can conduct a fishing expedition.
    • The Mixing Transaction NPRM should be withdrawn or significantly narrowed in scope because FinCEN’s required statutory analysis fails to adequately value the legitimate uses of CVC mixing services and unduly burdens legitimate users and financial institutions.
    • The Mixing Transaction NPRM should be withdrawn because it requires covered financial institutions to perform law enforcement’s function to accomplish FinCEN’s AML goals, which FinCEN, DOJ, and law enforcement can achieve using existing tools when they have a proper legal basis to employ those tools.

Government & Political

  • Argentina President Javier Milei Drops Crypto Tax Plan [Decrypt]
  • Nayib Bukele Re-elected as President of El Salvador in Landslide Win [Reuters]

Events

  • btc++ Buenos Aires to take place on February 22-24
  • First LDK hackathon is Happening on March 13-15 at Advancing Bitcoin in London
  • BitcoinSeoul 2024 to Take Place on May 29-31
  • Nostriga 2024 to take place on August 22-23 Alongside the Baltic Honeybadger Conference

Reads

  • Here’s a list of our top recently published reads:
    • TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN - Joe Rodgers Bitcoin Magazine Article
    • An analysis of different feerates and the consequences this has on the economics of spending UTXOs of different values.
    • The Past, Present, and Future of Offline Payments - Roy Sheinfeld Breez Medium Blog
    • Which Is the Best Self-Custody Lightning Wallet? [Coindesk]
    • When do Bitcoin Node Operators Upgrade? by Lopp

Episode submission ideas

  • We’re looking for ideas for interesting panel conversations. To send Bitcoin related questions, just go to bitcoin.review and follow the contact links at the bottom of the page.

Get in touch with the pod

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