DIB 17 JAN 2025

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
 Block: 879,637
 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 17Jan25
 Precedence: Routine (RR)
 Controls: Public Release 
 QQQQ
BLUF: Israel to Vote on Hamas Peace Deal / Iran-Russia Sign Strategic Treaty / Biden Commutes 2,500 Drug Felons / Krisi Noem in Congressional Hotseat for DHS Lead / GA Senator Banned From Session, Arrested / Developer Sues DOJ Over Code Freedom / Trump Treasury Nominee Says No to CBDC / GM Slapped For Selling Driver Data / FBI Foils Wrench Attack in Miami / China Hacks Yellen's Computer / Tick-Toc Users Move to RedNote, Start Learning Mandarin / EU Targets Musk and X / Exploding Starship Provides Fireworks / Bitcoin Loans About to Boom
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $102,749, 37.96 oz Gold, .24 Median US House 
 24hr Hi: $102,889 / Lo: $97,364
 Vol: $61B (Up 6%)
 Mkt Cap: $2.03T (Up 3%)
 HashRate: 784 EH/s 
 Avg Fee Rate: 6 sats/vBtye (Up 50%) 
 Nodes: 21,276
---Reports--- 
 -International Events-

1. Israeli security cabinet meet to discuss ceasefire and hostage deal: Israel’s security cabinet are convening to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, according to an Israeli official. The Friday meeting comes ahead of a wider cabinet vote to approve the deal, expected on Saturday. (CNN)
2. Iran Spurns Russia's Crimea Annexation in New Strategic Treaty: In a new treaty with Russia to be signed on Friday, Iran has rejected Moscow's annexation of Crimea. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are set to sign a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty, which is meant to establish Russia-Iran relations for the next 20 years and strengthen the partnership between the two countries. he new treaty, which has been in the works for five years, is meant to replace a previous long-term agreement between Russia and Iran that dates back to 2001 and was extended to 2020. (Newsweek) (AC-This help to set the stage for a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire agreement once Trump engages.)

-US Events-

1. Biden commutes sentences for 2,500 non-violent drug offenders in one of his final acts: The clemency action, which likely won’t be Biden’s last as president, applies to “individuals who relieved lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” he said. (Politico) (AC-Recurring themes here.)
2. Noem faces senators Friday in bid to lead Homeland Security: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) will cap off a packed week of confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees when she appears Friday on Capitol Hill. Trump has tapped the former congresswoman to join his circle of top advisers and lead the agency tasked with protecting the U.S. from terror threats, securing American borders and enforcing immigration law. (TheHill)
3. Georgia Senator Moore Arrested at State Session: Moore was arrested by state troopers after attempting to attend the State of the State joint session, following a ban from the chambers by the House Speaker Jon Burns. The incident involved a physical altercation where Moore was reportedly knocked to the ground. He was charged with Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers and held at Fulton County Jail with a bond set at $1,000. (Various)

-Regulatory and Legal- 

1. Developer Files Constitutional Challenge Against DOJ’s Crypto Enforcement Approach: A cryptocurrency developer has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Department of Justice's authority to regulate non-custodial software tools under money transmission laws, bringing constitutional arguments to the ongoing debate over crypto regulation. The case parallels recent prosecutions of Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet developers and incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi will inherit the case as Merrick Garland prepares to leave. (Blockonomi)

-Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies-

1. Trump Treasury nominee Scott Bessent rejects need for US CBDC: Scott Bessent questions necessity of US CBDC, aligning with Trump’s business-friendly agenda during Senate hearing. (CryptoBriefing)

-Institutional Concerns-
 NSTR
-Economic Indicators-

1. US Mortgage Rates Rise for 5th Consecutive Week, Reaching Highest Since May 2024: The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage backed by Freddie Mac rose to 7.04% as of January 16th, marking the fifth consecutive week of increases and reaching the highest level since early May 2024. (TradingEconomics)

-Security Incidents and Concerns- 

1. FTC hands GM a 5-year ban on selling sensitive driver info to data brokers: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday announced a settlement agreement with General Motors and its OnStar subsidiary that requires the automaker to stop sharing millions of customers’ sensitive geolocation data with consumer reporting agencies, including data brokers, for five years. (TheRecord) 
2. FBI Foiled 'Goons' Who Plotted to Kidnap and Steal $2 Million in Crypto From Miami Jeweler: A group led by "Jack" planned to kidnap a Miami jeweler for $2 million in cryptocurrency. The FBI intervened after a confidential source tipped them off about the abduction plot. The suspects, armed with weapons, were arrested before carrying out the kidnapping on January 13. (Decrypt)
3. Chinese state-sponsored actors hack US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's computer, access unclassified files: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's computer was hacked by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, with fewer than 50 unclassified files accessed. The breach, part of a larger espionage campaign, also affected two deputy secretaries and targeted the Treasury's unclassified systems, focusing on its role in sanctions, intelligence, and international affairs. Over 400 devices and more than 3,000 files across unclassified personal devices were compromised in the attack. (Bloomberg)

-Technology and Science-

1. Duolingo Surges Amidst Upcoming TikTok Ban, As More Users Flock to Chinese Rival Platform, RedNote: The upcoming US ban against ByteDance's TikTok has the app falling from its popularity among global users, and not only in America, as more people flock to RedNote, but Duolingo is also enjoying a massive surge now. Many users in the United States are now trying to learn the Chinese language of Mandarin via Duolingo, and it is associated with the rise of RedNote's fame in the country. (TechTimes) (AC-Cultural competition is real and 'soft power' is adjacent to other forms of power, such as military or economic. Consider this a win for China as a small battle in this domain.)
2. EU Deepens Probe Into X After Musk Outbursts: The EU on Friday demanded X provide more details about its algorithms as part of its wide-ranging probe into the platform, as Elon Musk's outbursts on European politics ramp up pressure for the bloc to act. Musk's X is suspected of manipulating the platform's systems to give far-right posts and politicians greater visibility over other political groups. (IBTimes)
3. SpaceX Starship test fails after Texas launch: Officials said the upper stage was lost after problems developed after lift-off from Texas on Thursday. But the Super Heavy booster managed to return to its launchpad as planned, prompting an eruption of applause from ground control teams. Footage showed orange balls of light flying across the sky over the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince, leaving a trail of smoke behind. (BBC)

-Bitcoin Community- 

1. Coinbase Launches Bitcoin-Backed Loans With Rewards and Flexible Repayment Options: Coinbase now lets users borrow up to $100,000 in USDC without selling bitcoin, offering flexible repayment, tax advantages, and instant access to funds via its streamlined platform. (BitcoinCom) (AC-The bitcoin lending universe is set to expand immensely. As holders of BTC, the ability to use latent equity in held bitcoin without selling it, is financially enabling. Institutions are ready to jump in and manage this risk, for a fee, of course.)

-Bitcoin Sentiment-

1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 75/100 (Even)

Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
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Analyst: BV2A
 END REPORT
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 *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report