The Positive-Sum Power of Bitcoin

Happy Monday Bitcoiners, it's Bam here with another Bitcoin update!

Each week, our team at Bitcoin News saves you time by curating the most impactful events into a concise, easy-to-read update.

Notable events this week include:

• Tether is bringing USDt to Bitcoin’s Lightning Network.

• MicroStrategy scoops up another billion in Bitcoin.

• El Salvador drops Bitcoin’s legal tender status—then buys even more.

Let’s dive in! ⚡

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LATEST NEWS 📰

🙌 ADOPTION

• Tether integrates USDt, the world’s largest stablecoin, into Bitcoin’s Lightning Network using Taproot Assets, enhancing speed, security, and scalability.

• Allianz, a European insurance giant, becomes the largest holder of MicroStrategy’s convertible notes—finding a backdoor into Bitcoin exposure.

• Joltz announces the first first self-custodial wallet for Taproot Assets, enabling native stablecoins on Bitcoin and Lightning with no bridges or sidechains.

⚖️ LEGAL

• The Czech Central Bank has approved a proposal to explore the possibility of investing 5% of its $146 billion reserves in Bitcoin.

• Arizona is the first state to pass a bill out of committee to establish a ‘Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,’ advancing it to the Senate for a vote.

• U.S. Marshals miss Senator Lummis’ deadline to report on seized Bitcoin.

• Cheat sheet provides the current status of every state-level Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill.

📈 MARKETS

• MicroStrategy acquires 10,107 BTC for $1.1 billion and launches STRK, a new convertible preferred stock. The offering is 2.3x oversubscribed, raising $584 million for more Bitcoin.

• Metaplanet issues 21 million shares of 0% Discount Moving Strike Warrants to buy more Bitcoin. The company aims to grow its holdings from under 2,000 BTC to 21,000 BTC by 2026.

• Nuuve Holding, a publicly traded EV charging company, plans to allocate up to 30% of its excess cash to Bitcoin purchases.

⛏️ MINING

• Argo Blockchain secures a hosting deal with Merkle Standard LLC to host 5,293 S19J Pro miners in Memphis, Tennessee, starting February 2025.

• HIVE acquires Bitfarms’ 200 MW site in Paraguay, aiming for 400% global hashrate growth by September 2025.

• Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil giant producing 3M barrels per day, is exploring Bitcoin mining to reduce carbon emissions.

🗳️ POLITICS

• Cheat sheet provides the current status of all 15 state-level Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bills.

• El Salvador removes Bitcoin’s legal tender status, making its acceptance voluntary to meet IMF requirements for a $1.4 billion credit line.

• Bitcoin drops below $100K as Trump announces 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, set to take effect Tuesday.

BAMS 2 SATS 🧢

This weekend, I found myself reflecting on society’s trust in government. It’s fascinating how people fully trust the government in some areas while deeply distrusting it in others.

Take emergencies, for example. In a crisis, people quickly comply with government rules, trusting they serve the greater good. But when it comes to money, skepticism often prevails.

Consider this: if the government mandates X medicine to prevent a pandemic, many will comply without question. But what if the government has a deal with the manufacturer, driven by profit? “It’s for everyone’s well-being!” they might insist.

Now, consider Bitcoin. Several governments are exploring it as a Strategic Reserve asset, with countries like Bhutan and El Salvador already ahead. Yet many in the mainstream media—who often insist the government acts in the people’s best interest—are responding with skepticism, asking, “What if it’s a rug pull?” or “What if they change the rules?”

People often overlook that Bitcoin benefits everyone equally. It appeals to the innate desire to acquire something scarce and finite. Since governments are run by individuals, it’s no surprise that some policies may serve personal interests. But the beauty of Bitcoin is that its adoption benefits every holder, regardless of who leads the charge.

Just last week, 11 states were working on implementing Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve—now that number has quickly risen to 15!

As Bitcoin hovered between $90K and $110K, some market participants grew impatient, questioning if the bull run was over. For perspective, consider the ETFs and MicroStrategy—two of last year’s biggest accumulators. In January alone, they added over 79K Bitcoin, while only 13,950 were mined.

In other words, these institutions have accumulated nearly six times the Bitcoin that could be mined during that period. Yet, some still question whether their actions are part of a deliberate strategy to trigger a short-term price drop.

If you’re wondering where this is headed or if Bitcoin will climb higher this year, remember—markets can shift overnight. For now, the only clear trend is big players aggressively accumulating Bitcoin, unfazed by volatility.

I try to show my close ones that BlackRock, MicroStrategy, and even governments are accumulating Bitcoin for its unique properties that set it apart from any other asset—not due to some hidden agenda.

Maybe it’s wiser to study Bitcoin and secure some yourself. Game theory ensures adoption—early movers gain an edge, while latecomers risk falling behind. As more governments and institutions embrace Bitcoin, holding it becomes a necessity, not a choice. That day isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

Stay safe and keep on stacking!
Bam

Suriname’s Bitcoin Revolution?

Could Suriname be the next Bitcoin nation? We sit down with Maya Parbhoe, a candidate for president in Suriname, to discuss:

💰 Replacing the national currency with Bitcoin

🏦 Printing fiat to buy Bitcoin

📈 Launching Bitcoin-backed bonds

A country on the brink of a financial revolution—don’t miss this.