So that node was launched by Block, you know, one of Jack's companies. And the stated purpose behind it was to improve the liquidity and the routing capabilities of the Lightning Network.

One of the things that I didn't see coming with lightning was how commercial and custodial it would end up being for better and worse.  I saw the small people being able to run lightning nodes and utilize them in a self-sovereign way, etc., etc. I didn't see how it would become such a backbone of Bitcoin commerce in a more commercial sense.  I am aware that some of our very own folks here have had quite the success running lightning nodes on clearnet with large amounts of liquidity, which is what a routing node has to be really.

I've never done the math, but I'm certain that I've lost sets playing around with running nodes.

But the block folks announced at the conference that that node is making 9.7% APR on what's sitting on it, which is double digit millions of dollars a year.

The reason I see this is important and as possibly as sleeper is that the commercial backbone of the lightning network is working and there's business opportunities there for things that are going to be basically Bitcoin banks, except for they can be built in ways that are not necessarily custodial. They don't have to be custodial to use. The choice will be for the user, but the nodes will benefit everyone.

I know Philip has expressed concern in the past this would hurt miners and at this current moment in time it might look like that... but I still hold firmly that in the end blocks are going to be full. And the base layer is going to be quite expensive to use.

But the great news is the incentives for Layer 2 system being built are clear at this point. and on top of that lightning is a success.

And that means when the base layer does start filling up and moving Bitcoin around that way becomes much more expensive. We're going to be ready.

That's incredibly meaningful, I think

IMF says “stop buying crypto” and El Salvador buys 8 more BTC.

A fresh $1.4B loan deal urges limits but Bukele’s Bitcoin Office isn’t backing down.

The legal loophole is that the office isn’t part of the fiscal sector so daily buys roll on,

IMF praises economic progress but can’t stop the sats stacking,

El Salvador now holds nearly 6,200 BTC worth over $674M.

To those following the NBA Conference Finals.. have you noticed anything?

I’ve always believed that the NBA is still a business. More games = more money. So it makes sense that the league would benefit from extending a series as much as possible.

With that said, do you believe there’s some level of conspiracy between the league management and the referees to help one team get more favorable calls, just to make sure the series goes longer?

Curious to hear your thoughts.

It's always great to have more companies buying billions worth of bitcoin, but I think this kind of reassures everyone's about the Trump administration stance on bitcoin and crypto, although it's been sometime since we last heard anything about bitcoin from them. Your thoughts on the matter and the raising number of companies that are doing this?

Trump could not have picked a better time. Just as the entire crypto market is seen celebrating with bitcoin reaching a new ath and altcoins also gaining significantly, he threatens 50% tariffs on EU to begin on June 1st. Apparently because they have been difficult and unrelentless during the negotiations. I am assuming that this pissed off Trump and which is why he immediately declared straight 50% tariffs on EU.

As expected, the consequences have been quick. Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.5% and Nasdaq futures tumbled 1.7% before the bell. Oil prices fell and Treasury yields sank. Bitcoin, which had recently pushed to new highs, tumbled to $108,500, marking a 2.7% drop in 24 hours.


I do not believe that this will make bitcoin collapse as seen as in many headlines (if you were to ask me, I think a lot of critics are hoping bitcoin crash lol) that I see. It just sucks that this economic/political decision has stopped (for now) bitcoin's journey to more aths.

Do you think that had Trump not done this, will bitcoin go on to reach a new ath this week or at least before the month ends or do you think that Trump's announcement did not really make any difference as it would have gone to a similar ending?

It is funny how excited the feeling was when we were rising to $100K, but after a small correction from the new all time high people go right back to shouting from the rooftops that Bitcoin is dead. This should really be studied. I don’t understand the mindset of someone who would rather see others fail than themselves succeed.

…or maybe don’t fuck the greatest President of our lifetime or the second largest American company in the world and definitely don’t buy foreign cheap crap packed full of spyware and second rate software.

We’re ‘Murica in these parts son. Guns, steaks, Bitcoin, and American made products.

Everyone, since I'm going entirely bonkers, it's hard to know if the things I see are just my crazy imagination or actually happening. Can anyone help me with this one?

Is that a picture of the future president of Ireland, Conor McGregor, strutting around in a boxing ring promising to put Bitcoin on Ireland's balance sheet or no? It's just blank... or a cat picture... or something?

Honestly, I think our alien simulation overlords are just f&#king with us at this point. I suppose I'm down for it.

Indeed those are good points. For Europeans looking to flee before it completely falls apart it even can be viewed as an opportunity. Looking forward though, you’re getting a preview of what actions each government will take as fiat continues to crumble. If Game Theory in Bitcoin becomes a thing, there will be very obvious winners and losers. We’re seeing the writing on the wall now.

Ya, because a strong dollar is the goal when we’re nearly $40,000,000,000,000 in debt… Imagine being proud of being a fiat bagholder while the US is printing money and stacking BTC. Europe is failing in every way and a strong currency while your manufacturing is disappearing is not the strong position some think it is. This is why Europe is 50 years behind. They’re playing checkers while the US and China are playing chess.

Seeing bitcoin get back to $100k after a lot of resistance it faced at the time it got to it last all time high above $100k and still went back below that price, it sends a kind of reassurance that we are in for a ride that's going to continue getting bullish for at least the long term. $100k has become more like a ceremonial figure but eventually I am hopeful that we will get pass this phase and talk about the $200k in the nearest future.

Slow but steadily we will get there but for now, every new hight is worth the wait and we will continue to anticipate new ATH even above the $107k we've seen in this recent bull. The year is still a long way ahead and the potential of bitcoin looks really better. We stay all glued to embrace all the things that awaits us in the coming months and years.