Greetings Bitcoiner,

Welcome to Issue #179 of the Bitcoin Breakdown daily newsletter, where it’s OPSEC Wednesday special, followed by the latest Quick Bits snippets.

But first, today’s Top Stories:

• 🔑 Google Plots Bitcoin Logins Foray

• 👑 Sovereigns To Flock To BTC

• 📊 Fold Becomes First Bitcoin-Only Firm On Nasdaq

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Feb 19, 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

🔑 Google Plots Bitcoin Logins Foray

Google yesterday revealed plans at the Hong Kong Bitcoin Tech Carnival to integrate Bitcoin wallets into its ecosystem, aiming to simplify access for billions of users by leveraging Bitcoin ETFs and partnerships with Web3 projects. Enhanced encryption, including zero-knowledge proofs, is on the radar to strengthen security. Many in the community seem to view Google's involvement as a convenient catalyst for mainstream Bitcoin adoption, despite facing concerns over centralized control and data security. Huxley, instead of Orwell, seems to have gotten it more right then... Crypto Briefing

👑 Sovereigns To Flock To BTC

Standard Chartered's Geoffrey Kendrick sees sovereign wealth funds and state pensions piling into bitcoin after Abu Dhabi's recent ETF buy, fueling a $500K BTC forecast by 2028. Q4 13F filings point to rising institutional interest, with banks and hedge funds also joining the party. Kendrick anticipates ‘super long-term long-only money’ investments from state pension funds like Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as Bitcoin allocations by central banks, including the Czech and Swiss National Banks. The Block

📊 Fold Becomes First Bitcoin-Only Firm On Nasdaq

Bitcoin startup Fold just closed its SPAC merger with FTAC Emerald and thereby listing on Nasdaq under ‘FLD.’ Founded in 2019, Fold has grown to provide BTC custody and trading services, debit and credit cards, and various personal finance tools, all connected to a large bitcoin rewards program. Their decision to go public demonstrates a strong commitment to these offerings. Additionally, the company has clearly stated that they hold bitcoin on their balance sheet, currently maintaining over 1,000 BTC in reserves. Crypto Briefing

POLL

OPSEC FEATURE ARTICLE

Your Email Is a Tracking Device—Here’s How to Ditch It and Stay Private

This week, we’re covering why Bitcoiners need email aliases more than ever, and why reusing the same unique identifier for everything is a security risk.

We show how email aliases give you better control over your online identity, reduce spam, and protect you from data breaches.

Get instant access to this special feature by becoming a premium supporter here.

QUICK BITS

• Wyoming Highway Patrol Association considers adding Bitcoin through Proof of Workforce’s Get Off Zero initiative to strengthen state finances.

• 12 US states invest $330M in Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) shares and expand pension fund holdings with Bitcoin, led by California’s $80M stake.

• Elon Musk's 𝕏 blocks 'Signal.me' links used by whistleblowers to expose DOGE activities, raising concerns over encryption and censorship.

• MicroStrategy cuts 20% of its workforce as BTC holdings double, spending $22.1B in 2024 while disclosing rare periods without purchases.

• Ledn reveals how banks are again embracing Bitcoin and crypto as the debanking era ends under the Trump administration, driving financial inclusion as compliance reshapes global banking relationships.

• The State of Georgia proposes to invest up to 5% of public funds in Bitcoin as an inflation hedge.

• Polymarket introduces Fort Knox audit prediction market amid rising gold prices and reserve transparency debates ahead of a potential US audit by May 2025.

• Electronic Frontier Foundation releases ‘Atlas of Surveillance',’ which documents police surveillance tech trends on predictive policing, privacy risks, and online crime.

• Astaroth phishing kit bypasses 2FA through reverse proxy techniques, real-time credential capture, and session hijacking targeting Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft accounts.

• Australian police dismantle a criminal network targeting Bitcoin ATMs and collectible card stores, uncovering extensive theft operations and international crime connections through a significant offender network.

• Rosseti Group details unauthorized bitcoin mining in Russia, where operations incur over 1.3B rubles ($14M) in grid damages and infrastructure disruption across several regions in 2024.

• FTX Digital Markets kickstarts a $1.2B creditor repayment that signals recovery as the industry stabilizes after a $9B collapse.

• Javier Milei denies any wrongdoing amidst LIBRA token controversy as he fces legal challenges, impeachment calls, and regulatory inquiries.

• India's Directorate of Enforcement exposes $190M BitConnect fraud by tracking complex wallet transactions behind founder Satish Kumbhani's deceptive digital transfers during the Ponzi scheme collapse.

• Dave Portnoy exposes the $LIBRA token controversy as memecoin trading intersects with politics, with advisor Hayden Davis promising a token burn and Argentinian President Javier Milei facing impeachment calls.

• Bitwise pledges 10% of its Bitcoin ETF gross profits to fuel Bitcoin development through nonprofits Brink, OpenSats, and Human Rights Foundation.

• HK Asia Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong-based investment firm, sees a 93% share surge after purchasing 1 BTC, highlighting the rising acceptance of Bitcoin as a dependable store of value.

• Marathon Digital Holdings expands US-based Bitcoin mining operations with a new wind farm in Texas, elevating renewable capacity to 438 MW and reinforcing the region's role in Bitcoin mining.

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• Refind curates the best articles from thousands daily, tailored to your interests. (link)

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• How to earn $10k from your first book (with Nathan Barry) shows you why you don't need to be famous or have a huge following. (link)

*You can find more here.

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