- Russia Enacts 6-Year Blanket Ban on Bitcoin Mining in 10 Regions https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/russia-enacts-6-year-blanket-ban-on-bitcoin-mining-in-10-regions/ - Russia is using bitcoin in foreign trade, finance minister says https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/russia-is-using-bitcoin-foreign-trade-finance-minister-says-2024-12-25/ - El Salvador Agrees to $3.5B Loan Deal with IMF and others https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/18/pr-24485-el-salvador-imf-reaches-staff-level-agreement-on-an-eff-arrangement + https://bitcoin.gob.sv - Tether Invests in Rumble https://tether.io/news/tether-announces-775-million-strategic-investment-in-rumble-to-boost-decentralized-and-community-owned-media-platforms/ - Saylor Digital Asset Framework https://www.michael.com/digital-assets-framework + https://primal.net/e/note1y3skk6qaylm3surrk9ee5426kupgyr0rfvfuss8hallf3ctkml7sgh389r - Craig Wright Gets Suspended 1 Year Sentence in UK for Continuing to Sue Bitcoin Developers https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/craig-wright-gets-suspended-1-year-sentence-in-uk-for-continuing-to-sue-bitcoin-developers/ - Human Rights Foundation Grants 7 BTC to 20 Bitcoin Projects https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/human-rights-foundation-grants-7-btc-to-20-bitcoin-projects/ - Malaysia | Parliament Passes Repressive Media Bills Amidst Financial Struggles Earlier this year, Malaysia’s ringgit currency plunged to a 26-year low, driving up prices nationwide. As families struggled with a higher cost of living, officials passed an amendment granting law enforcement the power to freeze bank accounts suspected of fraud. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s parliament is passing two more bills to regulate media and online spaces, allowing officials to censor content and request user data from service providers without approval. Critics warn the vague language in these laws will likely be exploited to silence dissent and stifle public discourse. As financial hardships mount, Malaysia’s online spaces become increasingly controlled, eroding freedom of expression and financial autonomy. FinancialFreedomReport.org 0:00 - Intro