1. Panama Complains To UN Over Trump Canal Threat, Starts Audit: Panama has complained to the United Nations over US President Donald Trump’s “worrying” threat to seize the Panama Canal, even as it launched an audit of the Hong Kong-linked operator of two ports on the interoceanic waterway. “The canal is and will remain Panama’s,” Mulino said in response to Trump’s threats. (IBTimes)
2. Over 50 heads of state and government are gathering at Davos 2025: The summit, taking place from 20 -25 January 2025, is being held under the theme of “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age” and is welcoming close to 3,000 attendees from over 130 countries. Participants include over 50 heads of state and government and hundreds of other top governmental leaders. (WEFormum) (AC-Both globalists and nationalists will be speaking at this, which is giving the venue a more (barely) balanced approach of recent times. Trump and Milei will speak as will EU heads of state. Although fundamental philosophies differ greatly, at least some international dialogue is beginning to occur instead of the echo chamber that the WEF has been.)
3. Trump Effect: Top E.U. Diplomat Backs Calls for Defense Spending Boost: Top European Union (E.U.) diplomat Kaja Kallas said Wednesday the bloc must heed U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for more defense spending as she issued a stark warning over the expansionist threat posed by Russia. Her call came less than 24-hours after French President Emmanuel Macron told Europe to “wake up” and spend more on defense. (Breitbart)
    -US Events-
4. Trump administration directs all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on leave: The memo requires agencies to cancel DEI-related trainings and remove public DEI webpages by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Agencies must report any renamed DEI programs to the Office of Personnel Management within 10 days or face consequences. (GroundNews)
5. ACLU Sues Trump Over Order Ending Birthright Citizenship: The groups say the order violates the U.S. Constitution’s citizenship clause, which states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Trump’s order, signed within hours of his taking office, states that the clause “has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States” and “has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not ’subject to the jurisdiction thereof.’” (ZeroHedge)
6. Trump rescinds guidance protecting ‘sensitive areas’ from immigration raids: The administration of newly inaugurated United States President Donald Trump has revoked longstanding protections barring immigration raids on schools, hospitals, churches and other “sensitive areas”. For more than a decade, federal agencies have issued guidance against carrying out immigration enforcement efforts in places like schools and medical centres, on the basis that such raids might discourage people from seeking necessary services. (AlJazeera)
    -Regulatory and Legal-
7. Ross Ulbricht Is Free: A Victory for Bitcoin and Freedom: Ross Ulbricht’s full pardon by President Trump marks a monumental victory for Bitcoiners, symbolizing justice for a man who became a beacon for freedom and innovation. This long-awaited moment proves the power of persistence and reminds us to keep advocating for Bitcoin and freedom. (BitcoinMag)
8. SEC Forms Task Force to Establish Clearer Crypto Regulations: The SEC launches a groundbreaking crypto task force, aiming to replace reactive enforcement with clear, innovation-friendly regulations. Led by “Crypto Mom,” Hester Peirce, this initiative promises seismic shifts in the digital asset landscape. (BitcoinCom)
9. US court overturns Tornado Cash sanctions in pivotal case for crypto: A US court has overturned the sanctions against the Tornado Cash cryptocurrency mixing protocol in a decision that could signal a shift significant toward more innovation-friendly regulations for privacy-preserving technologies. Despite the victory for Tornado Cash, Pertsev remains in custody on money laundering-related charges. (CoinTelegraph)
    -Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies-
10. US CBDC ‘is dead’ under Trump, but stablecoins could be set to explode: US lawmakers are still focused on proliferating digital currencies. In the absence of a digital dollar and with significant bipartisan support, stablecoin adoption could see significant growth under the incoming administration. “I think, under Trump, you’ll get passage in the next few months of a stablecoin bill that creates regulation. You’ll then probably get more TradFi players issuing stablecoins in the US […] and you’ll also get more surety behind the two largest stablecoins, Tether and USDC.” (CoinTelegraph)
     -Institutional Concerns-
     NSTR
     -Economic Indicators-
11. US Stocks Extend Gains: U.S. stocks closed higher on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 adding 0.9%, the Nasdaq gaining 0.6%, and the Dow jumping 538 points, supported by relief over President Trump’s unexpectedly softer trade measures after his first day in office. (TradingEconomics)
     -Security Incidents and Concerns-
12. TSA chief behind cyber directives for aviation, pipelines and rail ousted by Trump team: TSA administrator David Pekoske, who was appointed during President Donald Trump’s first term and led the way in issuing cybersecurity directives governing the airline, pipeline and rail industries, sent a farewell memo to the agency’s staff saying he was “advised” by Trump’s transition team that his time in charge would end at noon on Monday. (TheRecord)
     -Technology and Science-
13. China Green Lights US Sale of TikTok, But President Trump Only Requires 50-50 Ownership: The Chinese and American governments may not be on good terms regarding the many restrictions, but about the TikTok sale, the East Asian superpower is open to having ByteDance sell its precious global app. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Chinese laws and regulations “should be observed” when engaging on these types of deals, but all-in-all, it is still a green light for ByteDance to sell TikTok in the US should they adhere to the law. (TechTimes)
     -Bitcoin Community-
14. Elon Musk Eyes ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver’s Release After Ross Ulbricht: Elon Musk has publicly endorsed a pardon for Roger Ver, aka ‘Bitcoin Jesus,’ following President Trump’s pardon of Ross Ulbricht. Musk’s statement on X has ignited discussions on justice for crypto pioneers. The crypto community welcomed this move as the global market cap surged by 3.5%, hitting $3.6 trillion, underscoring the role of influential figures in reshaping the narrative around cryptocurrency advocacy and legal reform. (CoinGape)
15. Bitcoin Hashprice Hits One Month Highs, A Bullish Signal for Miners: Miner hashprice has hit $62 PH/s, the highest monthly level. Since November, mining revenue has been above the 365-simple moving average, historically a bullish signal. (CoinDesk)
     -Bitcoin Sentiment-
16. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 85/100 (Up 9 pts)
     Analyst Comments (AC): A lot of Trump news, but it’s all very significant.
     Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r

1. South Korea’s Yoon defends actions at impeachment hearing over martial law decree: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attended on Tuesday a Constitutional Court hearing of his impeachment trial where he denied ordering military commanders to drag lawmakers out of parliament during his short-lived bid to impose martial law. His lawyers outlined arguments in defence of Yoon’s martial law declaration, saying it was meant to sound the alarm over abuses committed by the opposition Democratic Party. (Reuters)
2. Afghan Taliban Government Announces Prisoner Swap With US: The Taliban government said Tuesday it had released American citizens from prison in return for an Afghan fighter held in the United States, in a deal brokered by Qatar. The family of US citizen Ryan Corbett, who was detained by the Taliban in 2022, confirmed he was released and expressed “overwhelming gratitude” that he was coming home. US media named William McKenty as the second American detainee, noting little was known about what he was doing in Afghanistan and that his family had asked the US government for privacy in his case. (IBTimes)
3. Yemen’s Houthis signal they’ll now limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to Israeli ships: Yemen’s Houthi rebels signaled Monday they now will limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip, but warned wider assaults could resume if needed. (AP)

1. Supporters Rally Outside D.C. Jail After Trump Pardons J6ers: Demonstrators rally outside the Central Detention Facility, also known as the D.C. Jail, after President Donald Trump pardoned and commuted thousands sentences of participants in the January 6 Capitol riot. (Breitbart) (AC-There are a large number of executive orders signed by President Trump, many of which has significant ramifications globally.
2. First Trump Cabinet Pick Approved: Senate Confirms Marco Rubio as Secretary of State: The U.S. Senate confirmed Rubio in a 99-0 vote, with his former colleagues voicing no opposition to the appointment. (Breitbart)
3. US Border Patrol agent killed in Vermont traffic stop: The DHS said that a Border Patrol agent was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont on Monday at 3:15 p.m. Coventry is near the U.S.-Canada border. During the traffic stop, two suspects were in the car. Officials confirmed that one of the suspects was dead. (Fox)
4. Dangerous ‘rare winter storm’ hits Gulf Coast as it braces for historic snowfall: “A bitterly cold airmass will remain in place for much of the South and eastern U.S. over the next couple of days,” the National Weather Service said early Tuesday in a forecast as it advised the public about the prospect of heavy snow, freezing rain and a “significant winter storm.” (NBC)

1. Crypto Absent from President Trump’s First Day Executive Orders: President Donald Trump’s second term began without any mention of crypto in his inaugural speech or executive actions, disappointing the community. Despite expectations, he did not address key issues like a Bitcoin reserve or the SEC’s rule “SAB 121.” The absence of immediate action has left the crypto industry in limbo, with market optimism dampened by the president’s silence. (Decrypt)
2. Vivek Ramaswamy exits DOGE role as Elon Musk takes control: Ramaswamy announced this in a Jan. 20 post on X, stating that he would no longer co-lead DOGE, a department focused on streamlining US government operations. Observers believe Ramaswamy may be preparing to launch a gubernatorial campaign, although he has yet to confirm these reports. (CryptoSlate)

1. Trump Meme Coins Crash Following US Presidential Inauguration: First Lady Melania Trump’s newly launched meme coin, Melania Meme (MELANIA), has fallen more than 60% from its debut high. MELANIA now sits with a market cap of $625.5 million, per CoinGecko data. At the same time, Donald Trump’s meme coin, Official Trump (TRUMP), also took a sharp hit, falling 43% to $45 from a peak of $73.43 earlier in the week. Billed as a collectible and entertainment token, the project’s FAQ noted it is “not a financial instrument or investment.” (Decrypt) (AC-Don’t shitcoin.)

1. Rumble Makes First Bitcoin Purchase As Part of $20 Million Strategy: In the short X post, Pavlovski said, “On Friday, Rumble $RUM made its first-ever purchase of bitcoin. It won’t be the last.” (BitcoinCom)

1. US Futures Point to Gains at the Open, Trump Eyed: US stock futures edged higher on Tuesday, with contracts on the three major indexes gaining about 0.4% as traders prepared for Donald Trump’s second administration. On his first day in office yesterday, Trump took several steps to advance his agenda but refrained from immediately imposing tariffs, as many had anticipated. However, he later indicated plans to introduce a 25% levy on Mexico and Canada while avoiding mention of China. (TradingEconomics)

1. Ex-CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Sharing Top-Secret Data: Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, was an employee of the CIA since 2016 and had a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). He was charged with two counts of unlawfully transmitting NDI in November 2024 following his arrest. Multiple reports from Axios and CNN revealed around that time that the release was linked to Israel’s plans to attack Iran. (HackerNews

1. Trump has tossed TikTok a lifeline. But China’s not happy : Trump issued a 45-day pause in the TikToc ban, but in China, where TikTok’s parent company is based, the reception has been less positive, largely because Trump has suggested he could require the company to give up a 50% stake to avert a shutdown and suggested tariffs on Chinese goods could hinge on whether Beijing approves a potential future deal. (CNN)

1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 76/100 (Even)

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
Block: 880,061
DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 20Jan25
Precedence: Routine (RR)
Controls: Public Release 
QQQQ
__________________________
BLUF: Hamas Frees 3 Hostages, Israel 90 / Columbia Violence Kills 80 / Biden Pardons Fauci, Milley, Jan 6th Committee / Trump Inauguration Today Sure to Be Spectacle / Trump EOs Lined Up / Bitcoin USD Price Surges / Memecoins Draw Ire / UK CBDC Sandbox Launches / Stocks Up Too / Treasury Goes After Chinese Hackers / TikTok Deal Between Trump and Xi / Crypto Ball in DC Feels Strange / 

Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $106,887, 37.96 oz Gold, .24 Median US House 
24hr Hi: $109,114 / Lo: $99,471
Vol: $112B (Up 100%)
Mkt Cap: $2.1T (Up 2%)
HashRate: 772 EH/s 
Avg Fee Rate: 12 sats/vBtye (Up 100%) 
Nodes: 21,346

---Reports---  
-International Events-
1. Hamas frees hostages, Israel releases Palestinian prisoners on day one of ceasefire: The Israel Prison Service announced the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners early Monday in exchange for three Israeli hostages released earlier today. (GroundNews)

2. More than 80 people killed in Colombia as truce between rebel groups collapses: Violence between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) has rapidly escalated in the lawless region bordering Venezuela since Thursday, forcing at least 5,000 people to flee their homes. The current clashes are the among the worst Colombia has seen since its first leftist president Gustavo Petro took office in 2022 with a promise to bring “total peace” to the warring nation. (TheGuardian)

-US Events-
1. Biden Pardons Fauci, Milley, and Jan. 6 Committee: President Joe Biden has issued preemptive pardons for key figures including Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark A. Milley, members of the January 6th Select Committee, and associated police officers. These actions are perceived as protective measures against possible future legal challenges under a different administration, rather than an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. The pardons were announced in Biden's final hours in office. (Various, X) (AC-This is a first and sure to be challenged in court.)

2. Trump’s inauguration will be first attended by foreign leaders: For the first time in U.S. history, a president-elect will welcome foreign leaders for one of the most American political traditions — the peaceful transfer of power. Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and conservative world leaders such as Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni to the inauguration. Xi sent his vice president as his representative. (AP)

3. Donald Trump plans blitz of executive orders for first days in White House: Donald Trump and his top advisers are finalising about 100 executive actions that he will sign in his first days in office beginning on Monday. The first measures by Trump are set to include curbing immigration, increasing tariffs and deregulating sectors ranging from energy to cryptocurrencies. (FT)

-Regulatory and Legal- 
1. Bitcoin Surges Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration in Anticipation of Crypto-Friendly Policies: The price of bitcoin surged to over $109,000 early Monday, just hours ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, as a pumped up cryptocurrency industry bets he’ll take action soon after returning to the White House. (Time)

-Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies-
1. Trump Coin Sparks Fury As Industry Grapples With Pump-And-Dump Dread: At the stroke of 8 p.m., Trump set social media ablaze with a bold announcement on Truth Social stating he launched his very own memecoin, dubbed $TRUMP. In the hours after launching, $TRUMP coin reached a market cap of $13.6 billion, with its fully diluted valuation soaring to roughly $67.6 billion. Then, at 3:05 PM ET on January 19, 2025, less than 48 hours after launch, the coin began a steep decline. British bitcoiner and podcast host Peter McCormack, founder of What Bitcoin Did, sharply criticized the move: "Trump coin is embarrassing. It is the opposite of what you voted for." (Forbes)

2. UK’s CBDC advances with creation of sandbox-like laboratory: The Bank of England (BoE) announced the creation of a ‘Digital Pound Lab’ to enable “hands-on experimentation,” as part of its ongoing preparation for a potential central bank digital currency (CBDC). (CoinGeek)

-Institutional Concerns-
NSTR

-Economic Indicators-
1. US Equities Rise, Led by Tech: Stocks in the US closed sharply higher on Friday, fueled by a tech sector rebound and significant gains across major indices. The S&P 500 rose 1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 advanced 1.6%, the Dow Jones climbed 0.8%, or 334 points. Big tech stocks led the rally, with Tesla jumping 3%, Nvidia gaining 3.1% and Microsoft rising 1%. (TradingEconomics)

-Security Incidents and Concerns- 
1. US sanctions hacker and company allegedly behind Treasury and telecom breaches: The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Yin Kecheng — “a Shanghai-based cyber actor” allegedly involved in the attack on the Treasury Department — as well as Chinese cybersecurity firm Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology. (TheRecord)

-Technology and Science-
1. TikTok Restores Services in U.S. After Trump Says He Will Issue Executive Order Delaying Ban: In a post on X, TikTok issued a statement revealing that “in agreement” with their service providers, they were “in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.” (Breitbart)

-Bitcoin Community- 
1. Inside the first Crypto Ball: Snoop, the Treasury Secretary—and a $70 billion memecoin surprise from Trump: Tickets for the gala ranged from $2,500 to $1 million, with two separate tiered VIP rooms, including a balcony overlooking the crowd, leading several attendees to whisper that it felt “like the ‘Hunger Games.'” The new political royalty rubbed shoulders with their counterparts in the crypto sector, including Coinbase founder Brian Armstrong, Gemini cofounders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and MicroStrategy cofounder Michael Saylor. (Fortune)

-Bitcoin Sentiment-
1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 76/100 (Up 1 pt)
  
Analyst Comments (AC): If you ever have the feeling that seismic shifts are upon us all at the same time, you're not alone. Stay grounded in truth, humility and stay the course. Look for actual opportunities to nudge things towards decentralization and personal responsibility. Help your neighbors, friends and family along the same path and be a source of strength and wisdom.

Follow us on NOSTR:  npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r 
____________________
Analyst: BV2A
END REPORT
NNNN
*NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

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.)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.)

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

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
 Block: 879,363
 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 15Jan25
 Precedence: Routine (RR)
 Controls: Public Release
 QQQQ
 __________________________
 BLUF: South Korean President Arrested / Ukraine Fires US Missiles Far into Russia / NATO Announces New Mission to Stop Cable Sabotage / President Biden Says Goodbye / Hegseth Grilled by Congress, Holds Steady / Trump Announces New External Revenue Service in US / Rep. Emmer Appointed Vice-Chair of New Digital Asset Subcommittee / Russia and Myanmar Drop USD in Trade / USDC Usage Up / Bitcoin Outperforms Crypto Hedge Funds / PPI Rises Less / Musk Sued by SEC Over Twitter Buy / TikToc To Cease in US on Sunday / Tether Sues Swan
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $97.189, 36.12 oz Gold, .23 Median US House
 24hr Hi: $97,650 / Lo: $95,330
 Vol: $50B (Down 21%)
 Mkt Cap: $1.92T (Up 1%)
 HashRate: 796 EH/s
 Avg Fee Rate: 7 sats/vBtye (Down 14%)
 Nodes: 21,176
—Reports—
 -International Events-
 1. South Korea’s impeached president arrested: South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested at his presidential residence on Wednesday morning local time following an hours-long standoff. It’s the first time an incumbent president has been detained in South Korea and marks the second attempt by anti-corruption investigators to arrest him for questioning related to his brief martial law declaration last month that triggered protests and shocked allies. South Korean police are investigating Yoon for possible insurrection in connection with his declaration that saw him impeached and suspended from presidential duties. Yoon could face life in prison or the death penalty if he were charged and convicted of the offenses he’s accused of as presidential immunity doesn’t extend to insurrection or treason in South Korea. (Axios)
2. Ukraine fires US, British missiles into Russia, launches one of largest drone attacks so far: Russia’s military on Tuesday said it would retaliate against Ukraine after Kyiv attacked Russian regions by firing six US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles, six UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles and launching one of the biggest drone attacks to date. Russia’s defence ministry said it had shot down all of the Western missiles fired by Ukraine at the Bryansk region, as well as 146 drones outside the war zone. It said two more Storm Shadows had been shot down over the Black Sea. (CNN)
3. NATO launches ‘Baltic Sentry’ to increase critical infrastructure security: NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte announced the launch of a new military activity by NATO to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure. “Baltic Sentry” will enhance NATO’s military presence in the Baltic Sea and improve Allies’ ability to respond to destabilizing acts. “Baltic Sentry” will involve a range of assets, including frigates and maritime patrol aircraft. The Secretary General also announced the deployment of new technologies, including a small fleet of naval drones, and highlighted that NATO will work with Allies to integrate national surveillance assets – all to improve the ability to protect critical undersea infrastructure and respond if required. (NatoHQ)
-US Events-
 1. President Biden releases farewell letter, says it’s been ‘privilege of my life to serve this nation’: “Today, we have the strongest economy in the world and have created a record 16.6 million new jobs. Wages are up. Inflation continues to come down,” he added ahead of a speech tonight from the Oval Office. (Fox)
2. Pete Hegseth faces grilling from Democrats at confirmation hearing as GOP senators voice support: Republican senators defended his nomination, arguing his status as an outsider and combat veteran make him well-suited to take the reins of the Pentagon and its workforce of 3 million people. The GOP majority in the Senate could vote to confirm Hegseth soon after Trump takes office next week. Democrats grilled Hegseth about his past comments that women should not serve in combat roles in the military. (CBS)
3. Trump Announces ‘External Revenue Service’ To Collect Tariffs And Foreign Revenue: In a social media post, Trump shared that the “External Revenue Service” will officially launch on his presidential inauguration day, Jan. 20, 2025. He criticized the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), asserting that Americans have been overtaxed for years. “We will begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share,” he added. (IBTimes)
-Regulatory and Legal-
 1. Rep. Tom Emmer has been appointed vice chairman of the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, signaling a focus on digital assets regulation and innovation. The committee oversees the development of cryptos, financial technologies, and AI in financial services. Sen Lummis was previously named chairman. (Decrypt)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies-
 1. Russia and Myanmar Discuss National Currency Payment System: Russia and Myanmar are advancing plans to conduct mutual trade using their domestic currencies, the kyat and the ruble. This move aims to enhance bilateral trade and reduce dependency on traditional financial systems dominated by Western powers. This initiative aligns with a broader global effort to reduce reliance on the dollar. (BitcoinCom)
2. USDC Circulation Grew 78% in 2024, But Still Lags Behind Tether: USDC circulation grew 78% year-over-year, reaching more than 500 million end-users worldwide. Monthly transaction volume surpassed $1 trillion in November 2024, with total all-time transaction volume exceeding $20 trillion. (Decrypt) (AC-Though not Bitcoin-related, stablecoins are viewed and used by many in global trade due to the continued economic leadership of the USD. USDT has recently had twice the volume traded as BTC, for example.)
-Institutional Concerns-
 1. Bitcoin Outperformed Crypto Hedge Funds in 2024: Hedge funds focused on cryptocurrencies delivered double-digit returns in 2024. The hedge funds achieved returns of up to 40%. However, this paled in comparison to bitcoin‘s 120% return over the same period. (BItcoinCom)
-Economic Indicators-
 1. US Producer Prices Rise Less Than Expected: Factory gate prices in the US increased 0.2% mom in December 2024, below 0.4% in November which was the biggest gain in five months, and compared to forecasts of 0.3%. Prices of goods went up 0.6%, led by a 9.7% rise in gasoline. Prices for residential electric power, meats, motor vehicles, gas fuels, and fresh fruits also increased. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
 1. FBI Deletes PlugX Malware from 4,250 Hacked Computers in Multi-Month Operation: The U.S. DoJ on Tuesday disclosed that a court-authorized operation allowed the FBI to delete PlugX malware from over 4,250 infected computers as part of a “multi-month law enforcement operation.” PlugX, also known as Korplug, is a remote access trojan (RAT) widely used by threat actors associated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), allowing for information theft and remote control of compromised devices. (HackerNews)
-Technology and Science-
 1. Elon Musk sued by SEC over delayed disclosures of Twitter stock purchases: The agency’s lawsuit alleges that as a result, “Musk [was able] to continue purchasing shares at artificially low prices, allowing him to underpay by at least $150 million for shares he purchased after his beneficial ownership report was due.” The lawsuit, filed in D.C. federal court, claims that while Musk needed to file by March 22, 2022, he did not do so until April 4, 2022. At market close on that day, Twitter’s stock price increased 27% compared to the prior day’s close. The SEC alleges that between March 22 and April 4, Musk purchased more than $500M additional Twitter shares. (SeekingAlpha)
2. TikTok US Operations to Cease Sunday Amid Ban: TikTok is set to cease operations in the United States on Sunday, January 19, due to a looming ban. This decision comes despite an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for an extension. TikTok users in the U.S. will no longer be able to use the app, even if already installed. The move has led to increased downloads of Xiaohongshu, another Chinese social media app, as an alternative. Speculations also suggest China might consider selling TikTok’s U.S. operations, though reports of a potential sale to Elon Musk have been denied. (X)
-Bitcoin Community-
 1. Tether files lawsuit against Swan Bitcoin over joint venture dispute: Stablecoin issuer Tether has filed a lawsuit against Bitcoin financial services company Swan Bitcoin, accusing the firm of “significant breaches” in their agreements. The case filed in the High Court of England and Wales escalates an ongoing legal battle between the two companies. (CoinTelegraph)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 70/100 (Up 7 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
 ____________________
 Analyst: BV2A
 END REPORT
 NNNN
 *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report

BTC Daily Intelligence Bulletin (DIB)
 Block: 879,221
 DTG/ICOD: 1200Z 14Jan25
 Precedence: Routine (RR)
 Controls: Public Release
 QQQQ
 __________________________
 BLUF: Gaza Peace Talks Making Progress / South Korean President Impeached, Still Bunkered / US Sanctions Russian O&G Sector / Hegseth Confirmation Begins / Looters Arrested in LA / Trump Readies Crypto EO / NY, BOE Collaborate on Crypto Regs / Tether Follows Rumble to El Salvador / First Bank Buys Bitcoin in Italy / Allstate Spied on American’s Movements / Tik Tok Out, RedNote In / US Tightens AI Chip Exports / Starlink, T-Mobile Step Up in LA / BTC Shrimps Buying More / Bukele Wants a Node in Every Home
Market Data: Price: 1 BTC= $95,807, 35.96 oz Gold, .22 Median US House
 24hr Hi: $97,352 / Lo: $89,260
 Vol: $64B (Up 40%)
 Mkt Cap: $1.89T (Up 5%)
 HashRate: 771 EH/s
 Avg Fee Rate: 8 sats/vBtye (Up 12%)
 Nodes: 21,176
—Reports—
 -International Events-
 1. Israel to release 50 Palestinian prisoners including 30 serving life sentences for each female soldier hostage: According to a draft of the deal being negotiated between Israel and Hamas, Israel will pay a steep price to secure the release of female soldiers being held hostage. The three-phase agreement would begin with the gradual release of 33 hostages over a six-week period, including women, children, older adults and wounded civilians, in exchange for potentially hundreds of Palestinian women and children imprisoned by Israel. (TimesOfIsrael)
2. Top aide of impeached South Korean president pleads for investigators to halt detention efforts: Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk said President Yoon could instead be questioned at a “third site” or at his residence and said the anti-corruption agency and police were trying to drag him out like he was a member of a “South American drug cartel.” Yoon Suk Yeol has not left his official residence in Seoul for weeks, and the presidential security service prevented dozens of investigators from detaining him after a nearly six-hour standoff on Jan. 3. (AP)
3. US targets Russia’s oil sector with ‘sweeping’ sanctions: The sanctions on Friday targeted two major Russian oil producers and 183 vessels that help transport the petrol, as well as 80 individuals and entities involved in the production and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. The sanctioned companies include Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, two of Russia’s largest oil companies. (AlJazeera)
-US Events-
 1. Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth expected to face contentious confirmation hearing: Hegseth’s past includes allegations of sexual assault and controversial views on women in combat, which he has softened in recent meetings. He has promised not to drink alcohol if confirmed and has support from some veterans’ groups. The hearing is part of a weeklong review of Trump’s cabinet choices, with potential opposition from both sides of the aisle. (GroundNews)
2. Nine Charged as Looting Surges in Wake of L.A. Wildfires: The affluent Pacific Palisades, devastated by the fire that raged there last week, has been a particular target. Many neighborhoods were destroyed, but some homes remain intact — enticing looters. The latest charges include for one burglary that netted $200,000 and one in which an Emmy statuette was stolen, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters. (Breitbart)
-Regulatory and Legal-
 1. President-elect Trump Plans to Issue a Crypto Executive Order, Starting With a Presidential Crypto Council: Sources indicate that President-elect Donald Trump is expected to issue a crypto-related executive order, establishing a presidential crypto council and instructing the SEC to repeal a rule discouraging American banks from holding crypto. Additional orders may follow to address more complex issues in the crypto industry. (Decrypt)
2. New York and Bank of England collaborate to align global crypto regulations: The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has announced a partnership with the Bank of England (BOE) to launch an international regulatory initiative aimed at harmonizing crypto regulations. The program, known as the Transatlantic Regulatory Exchange (TRE), is designed to promote collaboration, share expertise, and align regulatory approaches for digital assets and emerging payment systems. (CryptoSlate)
-Central Bank Digital Currencies/World Currencies-
 NSTR
-Institutional Concerns-
 1. Tether Relocating to El Salvador After Receiving Stablecoin Issuer License: Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, described this move as a natural progression that will allow the company to strengthen its focus on emerging markets. (BitcoinCom)
2. Intesa Sanpaolo Becomes the First Italian Bank to Invest Directly in Bitcoin: Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest banking group, has made a significant move by purchasing 11 Bitcoins for approximately 1 million euros, marking the first direct investment in crypto by an Italian bank. The acquisition was confirmed by the bank’s press office following leaked internal communication earlier in the day. (Decrypt)
-Economic Indicators-
 1. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Stabilizes: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note held steady around 4.79%, maintaining its highest level since October 2023 after climbing over 20 basis points since the start of the year. (TradingEconomics)
-Security Incidents and Concerns-
 1. Texas sues Allstate, alleging it violated data privacy rights of 45 million Americans: Texas’ attorney general is suing the insurance giant Allstate and its subsidiary Arity for allegedly illegally collecting, using and selling cell phone location and movement data belonging to more than 45 million Americans without their knowledge. Allstate has harvested trillions of miles of that data from Americans’ cellphones through “secretly embedded” software Arity pays millions of dollars to place in mobile apps that track consumers’ driving data, state Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday. By failing to give consumers notice or get their consent for gathering and selling the sensitive data, Allstate violated Texas’ new Data Privacy and Security Act. Last fall, Texas also warned six apps listed on Arity’s website as apparent partners that they were violating the state’s data privacy law. Those apps are: GasBuddy, Life360, Miles, MyRadar, SiriusXM and Tapestri. (TheRecord)
-Technology and Science-
 1. TikTok Ban Spurs US Surge to Chinese App RedNote: In response to the impending TikTok ban on January 19, 2025, TikTok users are migrating en masse to the Chinese app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu. The migration to RedNote could significantly alter the social media landscape in the U.S., as millions of TikTok users seek alternatives. (GroundNews)
2. US Tightens AI Chip Exports Restrictions Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration: Announced just days before Donald Trump’s transition as the President, the “Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion” seeks to maintain U.S. dominance in AI while preventing adversaries such as from exploiting advanced systems for malicious purposes. The restrictions impose caps on the number of advanced graphics processing units and other AI-related technologies that can be exported to most countries. (Decrypt)
3, Starlink, T-Mobile Direct-to-Cell Service Now Live for Los Angeles Wildfire Victims After Network Loss: This technology offers a satellite-to-phone connection for the victims of the natural disaster, with the residents given a chance to send text messages to first responders and family members to give knowledge of their statuses and whereabouts. (TechTimes)
-Bitcoin Community-
 1. Bitcoin Shrimps Back To Buying: Supply Share Hits 6.9%: The “Shrimps” refer to the smallest of hands in the BTC market, who carry less than one full token of the cryptocurrency in their wallet balance. The Bitcoin Shrimp Supply has registered an increase recently and has reached a value of 1.36 million BTC, which is equivalent to around 6.9% of the entire circulating supply of the asset. The pattern would imply the Shrimps took some of their profits at the high prices. (Bitcoinist)
2. President Bukele Plans Bitcoin Nodes in Every Home: Max Keiser spoke about President Nayib Bukele’s bold vision to introduce a Bitcoin node at every home thereby setting up global precedence in crypto adoption. The broader goal here is to promote economic decentralization and promote financial inclusion. Additionally, it also seeks to promote a decentralized nation-state model in the country. (CoinGape)
-Bitcoin Sentiment-
 1. Fear(0)/Greed(100) Index: 63/100 (Up 2 pts)
Analyst Comments (AC): NSTR
Follow us on NOSTR: npub1qktts9naunvjdwsktq5xjdhwh539xt4x0mqj4yxq0q9dvm03ljvs6sms0r
 ____________________
 Analyst: BV2A
 END REPORT
 NNNN
 *NSTR-Nothing Significant To Report