There are photos from the winter storm
Towards Better Privacy for Cryptocurrencies: Sen. Cynthia Lummis of the U.S. Senate Majority, Rep. Carol Alexander, CIO and Artificial Intelligence Commissioner
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Mont., introduced legislation to create such a reserve. She proposed last year that the U.S. government buy 200,000 bitcoins annually for five years until it hits 1 million, or 5% of the total supply.
However, there are major questions about how the U.S. could legally start such a bitcoin fund, and many critics warn of serious consequences since Bitcoin is notorious for its volatility and would directly expose the U.S. government to any sharp losses.
In a speech at a crypto conference in Nashville in July, Trump said the government could start the stockpile with the bitcoin tokens it has seized from various bad actors. The U.S. is believed to hold around 200,000 bitcoin tokens, worth over $19 billion at current market prices.
Cryptocurrencies have had a wild ride recently. Bitcoin is becoming more mainstream after the Securities and Exchange Commission approved investment funds early last year that track the price of the currency. Analysts believe forms of crypto could see a game-changing year in 2025. Here are the key things to watch:
She says that there needs to be regulatory oversight of the space and that the move towards friendlier legislation for the industry is a step in the wrong direction.
Alexander thinks professional traders could take advantage of and benefit at the expense of regular investors, like a soccer game between two teams without a referee.
The prospect of friendlier legislation though has many crypto experts concerned, including Carol Alexander, a professor the University of Sussex who is known for her expertise on digital assets and her successful track record forecasting the price of bitcoin.
French Hill was elected as the new chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Hill has advocated for policies that would help developcryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence in his home state, which may make him an ally to the incoming Trump administration.
Trump also appointed the nation’s first crypto and artificial intelligence czar, the prominent venture capitalist David Sacks, who is expected to help shape friendlier policies to both sectors.
What’s Up First? Well, There Is a Good Day, But What Is Not: Bitcoin Markets and Wall Street Theoretical Risks
There are many reasons to be optimistic. The Securities and Exchange Commission reluctantly approved investment funds that track the price of bitcoin early last year, which is considered to be a big reason forbitcoin becoming more mainstream.
Regular investors can invest in these exchange traded funds without having to shell out a lot of money, since they are popular with them.
Trump has fulfilled a key part of his promise by picking regulators and policymakers who are expected to be far friendlier to scythian interests, even though he is not president yet.
Gary Gensler of the SEC took an aggressive position against key players in the space as part of a legal battle to get them to comply with Wall Street regulations.
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Jimmy Carter’s funeral services begin in DC. And, photos from the major winter storm — justin Trudeau resigns after 12 years in office
The body of Jimmy Carter will be brought to Washington, D.C. today. He will be buried in the U.S. Capitol, where he will lie in state. The public will be able to pay their respects until Thursday morning. Afterward, his remains will travel to Washington National Cathedral for his National Funeral Service. Listen to NPR’s live coverage of the funeral at 4 p.m.
Canada’s Prime Minister announced his resignation after almost a decade in power. He faced mounting pressure from across the country, including from members of his own party, to step down due to his handling of the economy, immigration, and other issues. Trudeau stated that he will no longer lead the Liberal Party but will remain in office until a successor is selected.
The 11Yemen prisoners were transferred to the sultanate ofOman from the US military prison in Cuba. The detainees, all men, were captured in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks and had been held at Guantánamo Bay for over two decades without being charged or put on trial. The number of inmates at the location was halved because of their release. The inmates’ release is part of Biden’s final push to try to close the detention facility before leaving office.
Source: Jimmy Carter’s funeral services begin in DC. And, photos from the major winter storm
The Minneapolis City Council is Changing the Policing: A Winter Storm that Hazes Across the Country and Its Spreads Through Multiple States
The Minneapolis City Council voted to join an agreement with the US Department of Justice. The deal is intended to change the way policing is done. It came about after George Floyd was murdered five years ago, resulting in protests around the country and the world.
A winter storm is causing havoc in several states. The storm’s significant snow, freezing rain and ice, blustery winds and frigid temperatures have caused havoc across multiple states. Since it hit, at least four people have died, dozens have been injured, thousands of cars have been stranded along the highways and nearly a quarter of a million customers across a few states have lost power. See photos of the impact of the winter storm.
