Block 894207: Important News of the Week

News

• Spiral welcomes Ben Carman. The developer will work on the LDK server and a new SDK designed to simplify the onboarding process for new self-custodial Bitcoin users.
• Spiral renews support for Dan Gould and Joschisan. The organization has renewed support for Dan Gould, who is developing the Payjoin Dev Kit (PDK), and Joschisan, a Fedimint developer focused on simplifying federations.
• The Bitcoin Dev Kit Foundation announced new corporate members for 2025, including AnchorWatch, CleanSpark, and Proton Foundation. The annual dues from these corporate members fund the small team of open-source developers responsible for maintaining the core BDK libraries and related free and open-source software (FOSS) projects.
• The European Central Bank is pushing for amendments to the European Union's Markets in Crypto Assets legislation (MiCA), just months after its implementation. According to Politico's report on Tuesday, the ECB is concerned that U.S. support for cryptocurrency, particularly stablecoins, could cause economic harm to the 27-nation bloc.
• Slovenia is considering a 25% capital gains tax on Bitcoin profits for individuals. The Ministry of Finance has proposed legislation to impose this tax on gains from cryptocurrency transactions, though exchanging one cryptocurrency for another would remain exempt. At present, individual 'crypto' traders in Slovenia are not taxed.
• The Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill 2025 introduced in Kenya. The new legislation aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for licensing, regulating, and supervising virtual asset service providers (VASPs), with strict penalties for non-compliant entities.
• Circle, BitGo, Coinbase, and Paxos plan to apply for U.S. bank charters or licenses. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, major crypto companies are planning to apply for U.S. bank charters or licenses. These firms are pursuing limited licenses that would permit them to issue stablecoins, as the U.S. Congress deliberates on legislation mandating licensing for stablecoin issuers.

"Established banks, like Bank of America, are hoping to amend the current drafts of [stablecoin] legislation in such a way that nonbanks are more heavily restricted from issuing stablecoins," people familiar with the matter told The Block.

• Paul Atkins has officially assumed the role of the 34th Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This is a return to the agency for Atkins, who previously served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under the George W. Bush administration. He has committed to advancing the SEC’s mission of fostering capital formation, safeguarding investors, and ensuring fair and efficient markets.
• Federal Reserve retracts guidance discouraging banks from engaging in 'crypto.' The U.S. Federal Reserve withdrew guidance that discouraged banks from crypto and stablecoin activities, as announced by its Board of Governors on Thursday. This includes rescinding a 2022 supervisory letter requiring prior notification of crypto activities and 2023 stablecoin requirements.

"As a result, the Board will no longer expect banks to provide notification and will instead monitor banks' crypto-asset activities through the normal supervisory process," reads the FED statement.

• Russian government to launch a cryptocurrency exchange. The country's Ministry of Finance and Central Bank announced plans to establish a trading platform for "highly qualified investors" that "will legalize crypto assets and bring crypto operations out of the shadows."
• Twenty One Capital is set to launch with over 42,000 BTC in its treasury. This new Bitcoin-native firm, backed by Tether and SoftBank, is planned to go public via a SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners and will be led by Jack Mallers, co-founder and CEO of Strike. According to a report by the Financial Times, the company aims to replicate the model of Michael Saylor with his company, MicroStrategy.
• Strategy increases Bitcoin holdings to 538,200 BTC. In the latest purchase, the company has spent more than $555M to buy 6,556 coins through proceeds of two at-the-market stock offering programs.
• Metaplanet buys another 145 BTC. The Tokyo-listed company has purchased an additional 145 BTC for $13.6 million. Their total bitcoin holdings now stand at 5,000 coins, worth around $428.1 million.
• Semler Scientific has increased its bitcoin holdings to 3,303 BTC. The company acquired an additional 111 BTC at an average price of $90,124. The purchase was funded through proceeds from an at-the-market offering and cash reserves, as stated in a press release.
• Tesla still holds nearly $1 billion in bitcoin. According to the automaker's latest earnings report, the firm reported digital asset holdings worth $951 million as of March 31.
• Spar supermarket experiments with Bitcoin payments in Zug, Switzerland. The store has introduced a new payment method powered by the Lightning Network. The implementation was facilitated by DFX Swiss, a service that supports seamless conversions between bitcoin and legacy currencies.

• Charles Schwab to launch spot Bitcoin trading by 2026. The financial investment firm, managing over $10 trillion in assets, has revealed plans to introduce spot Bitcoin trading for its clients within the next year.
• Arch Labs has secured $13 million to develop "ArchVM" and integrate smart-contract functionality with Bitcoin. The funding round, valuing the company at $200 million, was led by Pantera Capital, as announced on Tuesday.
• Citrea deployed its Clementine Bridge on the Bitcoin testnet. The bridge utilizes the BitVM2 programming language to inherit validity from Bitcoin, allegedly providing "the safest and most trust-minimized way to use BTC in decentralized finance."
• UAE-based Islamic bank ruya launches Shari’ah-compliant bitcoin investing. The bank has become the world’s first Islamic bank to provide direct access to virtual asset investments, including Bitcoin, via its mobile app, per Bitcoin Magazine.
• Solosatoshi.com has sold over 10,000 open-source miners, adding more than 10 PH of hashpower to the Bitcoin network.

"Thank you, Bitaxe community. OSMU developers, your brilliance built this. Supporters, your belief drives us. Customers, your trust powers 10,000+ miners and 10PH globally. Together, we’re decentralizing Bitcoin’s future. Last but certainly not least, thank you@skot9000 for not only creating a freedom tool, but instilling the idea into thousands of people, that Bitcoin mining can be for everyone again," said the firm on X.

• OCEAN's DATUM has found 100 blocks. "Over 65% of OCEAN’s miners are using DATUM, and that number is growing every day. This means block template construction is making its way back into the hands of the miners, which is not only the most profitable for miners on OCEAN but also one of the best things for Bitcoin," stated the mining pool.

• Riot Platforms has obtained a $100 million credit facility from Coinbase Credit, using bitcoin as collateral for short-term funding to support its expansion. The firm's CEO, Jason Les, stated that this facility is crucial for diversifying financing sources and driving long-term stockholder value through strategic growth initiatives.
• Bitdeer raises $179M in loans and equity amid Bitcoin chip push. The Miner Mag reports that Bitdeer entered into a loan agreement with its affiliate Matrixport for up to $200 million in April, as disclosed in its annual report filed on Monday.
• U.S. 'crypto' scam losses amounted to $9.3B in 2024. The US The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reported $9.3 billion losses in cryptocurrency-related scams in 2024, noting a troubling trend of scams targeting older Americans, which accounted for over $2.8 billion of those losses.

• "Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking, and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia." According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, criminal organizations from East and Southeast Asia are swiftly extending their global reach by creating sophisticated online networks that include unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges, encrypted communication platforms, and stablecoins, fueling a massive fraud economy on an industrial scale.
  • The Rage's analysis of the report suggests that it makes little sense and hints at the potential introduction of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) measures at the mining level.
• The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) wants to contain 'crypto' risks. A report titled "Cryptocurrencies and Decentralised Finance: Functions and Financial Stability Implications" calls for expanding research into "how new forms of central bank money, capital controls, and taxation policies can counter the risks of widespread crypto adoption while still fostering technological innovation."
• All virtual asset service providers expect to be fully compliant with the Travel Rule by the end of 2025. A survey by financial surveillance specialist Notabene reveals that 90% of virtual asset service providers (VASPs) expect full Travel Rule compliance by mid-2025, with all aiming for compliance by year-end. The survey also shows a significant rise in VASPs blocking withdrawals until beneficiary information is confirmed, increasing from 2.9% in 2024 to 15.4% now. Additionally, about 20% of VASPs return deposits if originator data is missing.
• Florida's SB 868 proposes a backdoor into encrypted platforms. The bill and its House companion have both passed through their respective committees and are headed to a full vote. If enacted, SB 868 would require social media companies to decrypt teens' private messages, ban disappearing messages, allow unrestricted parental access to private messages, and likely eliminate encryption for all minors altogether.
• North Korean hackers establish fake companies to target 'crypto' developers. Silent Push researchers reported that hackers linked to the Lazarus Group created three shell companies, two of which are based in the U.S., with the objective of spreading malware through deceptive job interview scams aimed at individuals seeking jobs in cryptocurrency companies.
• Hesperides University offers a Master’s degree in Bitcoin. Bitcoin Magazine reports the launch of the first-ever Spanish-language Master’s program dedicated exclusively to Bitcoin. Starting April 28, 2025, this fully online program will equip professionals with technical, economic, legal, and philosophical skills to excel in the Bitcoin era.
• TABConf 2025 is scheduled to take place from October 13-16, 2025. This prominent technical Bitcoin conference is dedicated to community building, education, and developer support, and it is set to return in October. Get your tickets here.
• BTC in D.C. event is set to take place on September 30 - October 1 in Washington, D.C. Learn more about this initiative here.
• Kaduna Lightning Development Bootcamp. From May 14th to 17th, the Bitcoin Lightning Developer Bootcamp will take place in Kaduna, Nigeria. Thisevent offers four dynamic days of coding, learning, and networking. Organized by Africa Free Routing and supported by Btrust, Tether, and African Bitcoiners, this bootcamp is designed as a gateway for African developers eager to advance their skills in Bitcoin and Lightning development. Apply here.

Updates and releases

• Bitcoin Keeper just got a new look. Version 2.2.0 of the mobile multisig app brought a new branding design, along with a Keeper Private tier, testnet support, ability to import and export BIP-329 labels, and the option to use a Server Key with multiple users.
  • Earlier this month the project also announced Keeper Learn service, offering clear and guided Bitcoin learning sessions for both groups and individuals.
  • Keeper Desktop v0.2.2, a companion desktop app for Bitcoin Keeper mobile app, received a renewed branding update, too.

• Bitcoin Safe v1.2.3 expands QR SignMessage compatibility for all QR-UR-compatible hardware signers (SpecterDIY, KeyStone, Passport, Jade; already supported COLDCARD Q). It also adds the ability to import wallets via QR, ensuring compatibility with Keystone's latest firmware (2.0.6), alongside other improvements.
• Nunchuk Desktop v1.9.45 release brings the latest bug fixes and improvements.
• Blockstream Green Desktop v2.0.25 updates GDK to v0.75.1 and fixes amount parsing issues when switching from fiat denomination to Liquid asset.
• Blockstream Green iOS v4.1.8 has renamed L-BTC to LBTC, and improves translations of notifications, login time, and background payments.
• Blockstream Green Android v4.1.8 has added language preference in App Settings and enables an Android data backup option for disaster recovery. Additionally, it fixes issues with Jade entry point PIN timeout and Trezor passphrase input.
• Specter v2.1.1 is now available on StartOS. "This update brings compatibility with Bitcoin Core v28 and incorporates several upstream improvements," said developer Alex71btc.
• Stack Wallet v2.1.12, a multicoin wallet by Cypher Stack, fixes an issue with Xelis introduced in the latest release for Windows.
• Utreexo v0.5.0, a hash-based dynamic accumulator, is now available.
• Satoshi Escrow is a non-custodial peer-to-peer Bitcoin dispute resolution vehicle using Nostr keys.
• JoinMarket Fidelity Bond Simulator helps potential JoinMarket makers evaluate their competitive position in the market based on fidelity bonds.
• UTXOscope is a text-only Bitcoin blockchain analysis tool that visualizes price dynamics using only on-chain data. The project is inspired by UTXOracle.

• Core Lightning (CLN) v25.02.2 as been released to fix a broken Docker image. The issue was caused by an SQLite version that did not support an advanced query.
• Blitz wallet v0.4.4-beta introduces several updates and improvements, including the prevention of duplicate ecash payments, fixes for background ecash invoice handling, the ability for users to send payments to BOLT12 invoices from their Liquid balance, support for Blink QR codes, a lowered minimum amount for Lightning-to-Liquid payments to 100 sats, the option to initiate a node sync via a swipe gesture on the wallet's home screen, and the introduction of opt-in or opt-out functionality for newly implemented crash analytics via settings.
• Zeus v0.11.0-alpha2 introduces Cashu wallets tied to embedded LND wallets. Navigate to Settings > Ecash to enable it. Other wallet types can still sweep funds from Cashu tokens. Zeus Pay now supports Cashu address types in Zaplocker, Cashu, and NWC modes.
• Lightning Loop v0.31.0-beta enhances the loop listswaps command by improving the ability to filter the response.
• Lightning-kmp v1.10.0, an implementation of the Lightning Network in Kotlin, is now available.
• LND v0.19.0-beta.rc3, the latest beta release candidate of LND is now ready for testing.
• LNDg v1.10.0, an advanced web interface designed for analyzing Lightning Network Daemon (LND) data and automating node management tasks, introduces performance improvements, adds a new metrics page for unprofitable and stuck channels, and displays warnings for batch openings. The Profit and Loss Chart has been updated to include on-chain costs. Advanced settings have been added for users who would like their channel database size to be read remotely (the default remains local). Additionally, the AutoFees tool now uses aggregated pubkey metrics for multiple channels with the same peer.
• Torq v2.2.2, an advanced Lightning node management software designed to handle large nodes with over 1000 channels, fixes bugs that caused channel balance to not be updated in some cases and channel "peer total local balance" not getting updated.
• NodeGuard v0.16.1, a treasury management solution for Lightning nodes, has been released. NodeGuard v0.16.2 removes truncate on destination address for pending signature withdrawals.
• Boltz Web App v1.7.4 implements Zap Swaps for paying Lightning invoices as low as 21 sats.
• The Zap Swap functionality is now also available on Misty Breez v0.1.4-beta.

• Minibits v0.2.2-beta, an ecash wallet for Android devices, packages many changes to align the project with the planned iOS app release. New features and improvements include the ability to lock ecash to a receiver's pubkey, faster confirmations of ecash minting and payments thanks to WebSockets, UI-related fixes, and more.
• Cashu Dev Kit (CDK) v0.9.1 has been released with the latest fixes and improvements.
• Cashu NutLock allows users to lock a Cashu token to specific public keys (Nostr npub or P2PK) for a set duration, with options for multisig requirements. After expiration, the token is spendable by anyone, or it can be permanently locked to keys on an "any one can sign" basis.
• Cashu Witness enables unlocking a locked Cashu token by signing with a private key (Nostr nsec or P2PK). It supports multisig tokens, displaying whose signature(s) are required to unlock. Partially signed tokens can be sent to other signatories for completion. Once fully signed, the token can be swapped at the mint for an unlocked, spendable version.

• Erk is a novel variation of the Ark protocol that completely removes the need for user interactivity in rounds, addressing one of Ark's key limitations: the requirement for users to come online before their VTXOs expire.
• Zark enables sending sats to an npub using Bark – a Rust implementation of the Ark protocol on Bitcoin.

• Ark Labs has shared a proof-of-concept for integrating Taproot Assets in Ark. The project employs a local Docker network, configured externally, to mimic interactions with a Taproot Assets daemon (tapd) and a Bitcoin node. Its primary interface is an interactive REPL, allowing users to execute commands such as depositing BTC, minting assets, onboarding assets and BTC, and checking asset and BTC balances, among other functions.
  • For more technical details, see a full blog post here.

• Aegis v0.1.1 is now available. It is a Nostr event signer app for iOS devices.
• Nostash is a NIP-07 Nostr signing extension for Safari. It is a fork of Nostore and is maintained by Terry Yiu. Available on iOS TestFlight.
• Amber v3.3.0, a Nostr event signer for Android, removes special characters when pasting an nsec.
• Citrine v0.7.4, a local Nostr relay for Android devices, fixes an issue with database exports.
• Nostur v1.20.0, a Nostr client for iOS, adds support for lists (kind 30000), the ability to turn a list into a feed tab, a top zapped feed, new onboarding screens, support for relay auth for bunker and remote signer accounts, and much more.
• Wavlake v1.1.5.-1 addresses a bug for new user sign-up.
• Sobrkey is a sobriety tracking and community support application built on Nostr.
• YakiHonne web app v4.5.0 introduces custom reactions, improved profile organization, the ability to zap notes directly from the notifications center, enhanced DM filtering, and more.
• YakiHonne mobile v1.6.8 adds custom reactions, one-tap zaps, extensive DM filtering, splits replies from notes in profile view, an app cache manager, and other improvements.
• Jumble, a user-friendly Nostr client focused on relay feed browsing and relay discovery, now supports emoji reactions.
• Openvibe v1.10.0, a social app connecting Nostr, Mastodon, Bluesky, and Threads, has added the ability to crosspost from one network to the others.

• GitPlaza v0.2.0, a Nostr client specialized in handling git-related tasks, resolves the issue with comments not loading, introduces basic Kanban boards, and adds theme selection.
• Samiz v0.0.2-alpha, a tool for creating a Bluetooth mesh with your Android device to use Nostr without accessing the internet, is now available for testing.
• Nostroots v0.0.1 is now available. It is a 'nostrified' app for the Trustroots.io community for travelers. The initial version (Android only for now) allows users to link their Trustroots profile with the app via NIP-05, add new notes in a pluscode area, and supports layers with notes from hitchwiki.org and hitchmap.com.
• Keychat v1.31.10, a chat app built on Bitcoin ecash, Nostr Protocol, and Signal Protocol, is out with the latest bug fixes and improvements.
• Yumyume v0.5.0, a social bookmarking client powered by the Nostr protocol, now uses NIP-B0 with Kind 39701 events, offers a unified homepage with feed, tags, and bookmarking in one place, and various bug fixes and code improvements.
• Nostrmo v3.0.0, a Flutter Nostr client for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web and Linux, is now available. This version adds support for nesigner (a hardware Nostr signer on ESP32) on Windows, Linux, and macOS, uses ISar to recode local relay's database, shows comment events (kind: 1111), and more.

• Nostr PHP v1.7.1, a PHP Helper library for Nostr, has added support for NIP-19 encoding and decoding bech32-encoded entities with identifiers and metadata, as well as some smaller fixes.
• PABLOF7z has released a NDK Sqlite WASM cache adapter. It features all the basics of an NDK cache adapter, automatic unpublished event tracking, optional decrypted event caching, and automatic loading of the required WASM.
• ESP-Miner-NerdQAxePlus v1.0.29.1, a forked version from the NerdAxe miner that was modified for use on the NerdQAxe+, is now available.
• ESP-Miner (AxeOS) v2.7.0b2 is now available for testing.
• The latest stacker.news updates include prompts to add a receiving wallet when posting or making comments (for new users), an option to randomize poll choices, improved URL search, and a few other enhancements. A bug fix for territories created after 9/19/24 has been implemented to reward 70% of their revenue to owners instead of 50%.
• Geyser.fund has launched its Geyser Promotions Network. Creators can now turn on the Promotions Network toggle and get their project shared by various Bitcoin media outlets. The project also just released tax-deductible donations for projects with a 501(c)(3) status.
  • Geyser also launched Geyser Launchpad for early stage projects before they go live.
• The latest updates for Zaprite, a Bitcoin invoicing platform, include update notifications, a new disablePaymentNotifs option in API Order creation fields, and a few other improvements and fixes.
• Sovereign Craft is a Bitcoin-based Minecraft server and education platform teaching players about Bitcoin through play.
• NymVPN v2025.6, a privacy-focused VPN built with an integrated mixnet, delivers improved connectivity and a refined user experience.
• Maple AI, a private AI chat by by OpenSecret, is now available as desktop app for macOS and Linux.
• SimpleX Chat v6.3.3 now supports connecting via short connection links.
• The Tor Project has announced user support in Farsi.

Guides and research

• Financial Freedom Report #71 by the Human Rights Foundation is now available.
• Bitcoin Optech Newsletter #351 covers a new aggregate signature protocol compatible with secp256k1 and describes a standardized backup scheme for wallet descriptors.
• Kiara Bickers wrote an article on secp256k1lab, an attempt at a unified, reusable standard for cryptographic BIP reference secp256k1 code.
• Bitcoin Feature Matrix by Bitcoin Optech tracks the interoperability of Bitcoin products and services.
• BitBox has published a blog post on the BIP-329 standard for wallet labels and how to use it with the BitBoxApp.

• bitcoin.softforks.org is a site for comparing various bitcoin soft fork proposals.
• Bitcoin Thunderbolt paper describes an off-chain protocol for asynchronous, secure transfer of Bitcoin UTXOs between uncoordinated users.
• OpenSats has written a blog post on the advancements in Lightning infrastructure.
• Awesome CTV+CSFS is a curated list of resources for learning about and developing for the CTV+CSFS upgrade to Bitcoin.
• Uncle R0ckstar Dev has recorded a video on how to create and use a multisig wallet in BTCPay Server v2.1.0.

• Shinobi has written an article on TXHASH/CHECKTXHASHVERIFY proposal from Steven Roose and Brandon Black.
• Episode 97 of the Bitcoin Explained show breaks down the latest Bitcoin Core v29 release.
• Avren has published a post exploring a block-based TOTP for secure passphrase validation in Bitcoin wallets.
• localhost research has written a blog post on the contributions of w0xlt.
• Bitcoin Dev Kit has uploaded a video on how to build a Bitcoin wallet on iOS in 11 minutes.

• The April edition of the 256 Foundation's newsletter is now available. It includes the latest mining news, Bitcoin network health updates, project developments, and a tutorial on how to update FutureBit's Apollo 1 to the Apollo 2 software.
• Siggy47 has posted a comprehensive RoboSats guide on stacker.news.
• Learn how to run your own Nostr relay using Citrine and Cloudflare Tunnels by following this step-by-step guide by Dhalism.
• Max Guise has written a Bitkey roadmap update for April 2025.
• PlebLab has uploaded a video on how to build a Rust wallet with LDK Node by Ben Carman.

Mining stats

• The Bitcoin network's hashrate (7-day simple moving average is currently at ~861 EH/s. Next difficutly adjustment is expected in 6 days.

Lightning stats

• The capacity of the Lightning network is down to ~4258 BTC, per mempool.space stats.

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