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Does anyone here use Bitcoins?
40hz:
Hey! Get your own schtick! Resident conspiracy theorist is mine~! :P ;D
-Renegade (July 06, 2014, 01:23 AM)
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It's all yours.
Resident "chronically depressed student of history" however, is MINE! It's my precious... :P ;D
BTW...I don't think it's a conspiracy. Crypto-currencies attempt to function as a system of exchange outside the sphere of government. I don't think you'll find any government willing going along with that idea. And national governments certainly have the 'resources' to put some teeth behind their...umm...lack of enthusiasm for it, shall we say? ;)
Renegade:
From a while back:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2012/07/10/spain-forced-to-impose-haircuts-on-savers-private-investors-as-part-of-bailout-deal/
Spain Forced To Impose Haircuts On Savers, Private Investors As Part Of Bailout Deal
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Now:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/04/spain-tax-deposits-idUSL6N0PF2SF20140704
Spain says to charge tax of 0.03 percent on bank deposits
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Bail-ins are so yesterday. The new thing is "tax". ;)
Might be small now, but... we all know how that goes.
Renegade:
Some Bitcoin news:
In light of the IRS declaring that bitcoins are property...
"Damn what the law is, we're going to have our cake and eat it too!" - Judge presiding over Ross Ulbricht case.
http://www.wired.com/2014/07/silkroad-bitcoin-isnt-money/
The government and legal community may still be arguing over whether bitcoin can be defined as “money.” But the judge presiding over the landmark Silk Road drug case has declared that it’s at least close enough to get you locked up for money laundering.
In a ruling released Wednesday, Judge Katherine Forrest denied a motion by Ross Ulbricht, the 30-year-old alleged creator of the Silk Road billion-dollar online drug bazaar, to dismiss all criminal charges against him. Those charges include narcotics trafficking conspiracy, money laundering, and hacking conspiracy charges, as well as a “continuing criminal enterprise” charge that’s better known as the “kingpin” statute used to prosecute criminal gang and cartel leaders.
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Meanwhile...
https://twitter.com/rogerkver/status/485478065959493632
I’ll give $10 to @Free_Ross for each RT. If guilty, he’s a hero. If innocent, he needs help. http://freeross.org/ross-sends-messagephoto-from-prison/ …
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Has racked up over $150,000 in donations from Roger Ver, aka "Bitcoin Jesus".
The Mellons getting into Bitcoin:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2014/07/08/175-years-later-the-mellons-have-never-been-richer-howd-they-do-it/
But unexpectedly he asks the waiter to take away his cellphones, fearing Snowden-style eavesdropping. And then the scion of America’s most enduring banking family lets it fly: “I feel like citizens are fed up with banksters,” using a term the Occupy Wall Street crowd would surely approve. Politicians receive similar disdain: “We need to live in a more transparent, free democracy. The more secretive America becomes, the more dangerous it is.” The solution, Mellon says, is Bitcoin, and he’s invested $2 million to start an incubator for Bitcoin companies, convinced virtual currency will replace the dollar bill. “The banks are going to be scratching their heads,” he says, a smile encroaching on his high cheekbones.
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Did he just say "banksters"?!?!
A former US Mint director chimes in on Bitcoin:
http://www.coindesk.com/former-us-mint-director-save-bitcoin-regulators/
...the digital currency has increased in prominence, prompting Moy to declare bitcoin “a disruptor to the traditional notions of currency” in May.
...
Why US bitcoin regulation is failing
Despite the promise of bitcoin technology, an unclear regulatory landscape makes it difficult for businesses in the US market to develop. At the heart of the problem, says Moy, is a lack of cohesive regulatory language that defines digital currency.
He said:
“Bitcoin is not just one thing. It’s not just currency, it’s not just a payment system, it’s a protocol – there’s multiple things that cross over into many different turfs of government.”
...
“Every agency has to look at bitcoin from the perspective of what their agency does. So the Commodities Futures Trading Commission looks at bitcoin as a commodity, because it complies with all the issues that commodities applies with. The Federal Trade Commission looks at this as a bartering issue, as a trading issue; the FEC looks at it from an investment perspective; the IRS looks at it as a taxable event.”
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So, see the above bit about the judge that wants to have his cake and eat it too. ;)
And what new disruptive technology would be complete without PRON~! ;D
A press release from Hustler:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2043884
HUSTLER.com, the leader in adult entertainment, is offering an unprecedented level of member discretion thanks to a partnership with digital currency payment processor, GoCoin.
Starting today, anyone who pays for their HUSTLER.com subscription with digital currencies bitcoin, litecoin or dogecoin will receive a special lifetime membership for just $500. To take advantage of this exclusive offer, visit www.HUSTLER.com.
...
"It's well known that the adult entertainment industry is often an early adopter and driver of new technologies," said GoCoin Founder and CEO, Steve Beauregard. "HUSTLER is continuing this trend by embracing not only bitcoin, but other emerging digital currencies as well."
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It appears Hustler is going for Doge style~! :P
And speaking of doge, an excellent compilation of some fun dogecoin images:
http://imgur.com/a/SBgIl
The Visual Capitalist has created an infographic on BTC vs. banking:
http://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bitcoin-disrupt-financial-system-infographic-2.png
The graphic is large, so, in a spoiler.
Spoiler
Adding to the endless streams of merchants flocking to Bitcoin, SilverGoldBull has added BTC:
https://silvergoldbull.com/payment
For those unaware, SGB is a large precious metals online dealer. I've bought through them, and they're excellent. Very often you'll find they have the best prices.
And if you'd like to WIN some bitcoins, Virtex is sponsoring a contest:
http://lovebitcoin.co/
Purpose:
Bitcoin is one of the most impressive innovations of our lifetime. #lovebitcoin is about sharing and educating the world about the benefits and showcasing the passion. CAVIRTEX and Saucal believe in the spirit of Bitcoin are proud to sponsor this contest.
Rules:
* Record a video telling the world why you love bitcoin and upload it to YouTube or Instagram with the hashtag #lovebitcoin in the title.
* All videos will be automatically entered.
* Keep it short and sweet.
* Keep it classy (no swearing, no nudity, no racism, etc).
* Use the hashtag #lovebitcoin to create awareness and promote your video.
* Post a bitcoin public address in the video description so we know where to send the prize if you are selected.
* The video’s should be recorded in English or have English subtitles.
* Winners will be selected by a panel of 3 judges chosen by CAVIRTEX and Saucal.
Prizes:
The prize pool will begin at 1 BTC but in the spirit of Bitcoin the pool will be a public address that is open for additional sponsorship. Don’t you #lovebitcoin?
* Ultimate Grand Supreme Bitcoin Lover – 50%
* Grand Supreme Bitcoin Lover – 25%
* Supreme Bitcoin Lover – 10%
* Super Bitcoin Lover – 5% (3 available)
Criteria for judging:
Videos will be judged with the following in mind:
* Originality & Creativity
* Popularity & Virality
* Passion & Enthusiasm
* Quality
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And that's all just a tiny bit of the average news on any given bitcoin day. :) :Thmbsup:
Even the MSM is having a hard time writing hit pieces on Bitcoin now and the vast majority of MSM articles are bullish. Oh, which reminds me... There was a hit piece the other day! "Terrurists! Safety! AML!"
http://news.sky.com/story/1296508/global-jihad-could-be-funded-with-bitcoin
Global Jihad 'Could Be Funded With Bitcoin'
Donations supporting "violent physical struggle" would be "untrackable" by Western governments, says an ISIS-linked blog.
A new blog associated with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has said that bitcoin could "enable jihad on a large scale" by sending "millions of dollars" to fighters.
In a post called "Bitcoin and the Charity of Violent Physical Struggle", the author argues such donations would be "untrackable" by Western governments.
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Nobody is buying that nonsense. ;)
http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2014/07/07/attempt-to-tie-bitcoin-to-isis-is-proof-the-establishment-is-scared-to-death/
http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/2a581y/the_isis_terrorist_bitcoin_piece_is_phony/
Renegade:
Oh, and if you're in New Zealand ;), you can pay for your ISP service in BTC now!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/60142370/slingshot-now-accepting-bitcoins
Slingshot now accepting bitcoins
Internet provider Slingshot has begun accepting payment in Bitcoins.
General manager Taryn Hamilton said he expected the ability to pay in the virtual currency would appeal to the "small, but passionate Bitcoin user base".
"We're a web company, so it seems fitting to accept the world's premier web currency," he said.
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A bit more at the link.
Renegade:
MAJOR writeup in Wired about Bitcoin, Dark Wallet, Amir & Cody, Silk Road, Open Bazaar, Liberator, regulation, crypto-anarchy...
http://www.wired.com/2014/07/inside-dark-wallet/
THREAT LEVEL
Does anyone here use Bitcoins?
DARK WALLET
Amir Taaki and Cody Wilson are cruising north through Texas on Interstate 35 in the 4:30 am predawn darkness. One of the headlights on the aging BMW Wilson’s driving is burned out, and he’s wearing sunglasses. “They’re prescription,” he says drily.
It’s May Day, every anarchist’s favorite holiday, and the two 26-year-olds have marked the occasion by releasing a piece of software that represents their best attempt so far to undermine every government in the world. A call from a lawyer friend has reminded them that creative US prosecutors might hit them with conspiracy or other charges. So they’ve decided to skip town.
Half an hour earlier, they pulled out of Wilson’s apartment in Austin and began the long nighttime drive to Dallas, where Wilson has booked Taaki a last-minute flight to Barcelona. Taaki has friends there living in a squat in an abandoned police station. Wilson himself plans to lay low in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. A 29-year-old Canadian friend, cryptographer Peter Todd, is riding along in the back seat.
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A LOT more at the link. (About 5,800 words.)
There's something for everyone in there to love and hate.
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