<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Bitcoin Today - Bitcoin News Curated and Powered by AI</title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app</link> <description>Get daily updates on Bitcoin's price, market trends, analysis, and breaking news curated and powered by AI - all digestible in minutes. Make BitcoinToday.app your one-stop shop for staying informed in the fast-paced world of Bitcoin.</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 05:54:43 GMT</lastBuildDate> <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs> <generator>https://github.com/jpmonette/feed</generator> <language>en</language> <image> <title>Bitcoin Today - Bitcoin News Curated and Powered by AI</title> <url>https://www.bitcointoday.app/images/logo-512.png</url> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app</link> </image> <copyright>All rights reserved 2024, BitcoinToday.app</copyright> <category>Bitcoin News</category> <item> <title><![CDATA[Canada Cracks Down on Crypto Crime: New Agency to Tackle Financial Fraud as US Goes Soft]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/canada-cracks-down-on-crypto-crime-new-agency-to-tackle-financial-fraud-as-us-goes-soft</link> <guid>canada-cracks-down-on-crypto-crime-new-agency-to-tackle-financial-fraud-as-us-goes-soft</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:01:09 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[In a bold move that contrasts sharply with the US approach, Canada is set to create a **powerful new Financial Crimes Agency (FCA)** to investigate and prosecute money laundering and other financial crimes. The legislation, introduced by the governing Liberals, also includes a **ban on cryptocurrency ATMs**, which have been exploited by scammers and criminals. ## Key Details The FCA will have the authority to both investigate and prosecute financial crimes, a significant upgrade from the current system where the financial intelligence unit Fintrac only analyzes transactions and passes cases to police. This change comes after a public inquiry found Canada lacked a cohesive anti-money laundering strategy. Canada has nearly 4,000 crypto ATMs, **the most per capita in the world**, and officials say they've been used to defraud victims and launder illicit funds. The ban aims to curb these abuses. ## Contrast with US Policy The Canadian crackdown stands in stark contrast to the US, where the Trump administration has **pardoned convicted money launderers** like Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and diverted resources from financial crime investigations to immigration enforcement. Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the administration for letting white-collar criminals off the hook. ## Expert Opinions Jessica Davis, a former intelligence analyst, called the new agency "a meaningful investment" and a sign that Canada understands the seriousness of the challenge. However, she noted that the US still has greater capabilities in prosecuting financial crimes, and Canada is playing catch-up. Anti-corruption groups like Transparency International Canada applauded the move but stressed the need for close coordination with other agencies to achieve its potential. ## Implications The creation of the FCA marks a **divergence in Canada-US approaches** to financial crime. While the US weakens its enforcement, Canada is strengthening its defenses. As Davis put it, "The things that happen in the US do tend to happen in Canada. And so this new agency is a bulwark against that."]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>canada</category> <category>financialcrimesagency</category> <category>cryptoatms</category> <category>moneylaundering</category> <category>regulation</category> <enclosure url="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a2a9f76b6dc04d7aeb93cb9754219ace751822fe/372_0_4800_3840/master/4800.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&precrop=40:21,offset-x50,offset-y0&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=ff93c97c412acb89c51d510d57673dd9" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Adam Back Warns: Institutional Bitcoin Adoption Is Slower Than You Think]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/adam-back-warns-institutional-bitcoin-adoption-is-slower-than-you-think</link> <guid>adam-back-warns-institutional-bitcoin-adoption-is-slower-than-you-think</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:01:11 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[The legendary cryptographer and Blockstream CEO Adam Back discusses the flow of institutional money into bitcoin, offering a sobering perspective on the pace of adoption. ## The Institutional Money Myth Despite the recent launch of spot bitcoin ETFs and major firms like Morgan Stanley entering the space, Back cautions that **institutional adoption is a slow process**. He explains that while ETFs are a powerful long-term catalyst, fund managers have not yet allocated the 2-4% recommended by BlackRock. The build-up could take **12 to 18 months**. ## The Trump Effect and Regulatory Tailwinds Back notes that the current U.S. administration has improved the regulatory framework for crypto, encouraging other jurisdictions like the UK to follow suit. However, he emphasizes that **bitcoin ETFs have created durable allies** in Wall Street giants like BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and Fidelity, who will lobby to protect their business regardless of political changes. ## The Four-Year Cycle Back acknowledges bitcoin's historical four-year cycle driven by halving events, but believes that **institutional flows** (ETFs, sovereign wealth funds, and companies like MicroStrategy) will eventually overwhelm sellers, breaking the traditional pattern. ## Quantum Computing: A Minor but Real Risk Back addresses quantum-computing fears, stating that while it's a **tail risk**, institutions are beginning to evaluate it systematically. Retail investors may not worry, but institutions think a decade ahead and want to ensure risks are covered.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>institutionaladoption</category> <category>adamback</category> <category>etfs</category> <category>quantumcomputing</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/c72a7d7906fb5fbc62478d497a1a0b6acf914bb5-2048x1365.jpg?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Ethereum ICO Whale Awakens After 11 Years: $3,100 Turns Into $23 Million]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/ethereum-ico-whale-awakens-after-11-years-3-100-turns-into-23-million</link> <guid>ethereum-ico-whale-awakens-after-11-years-3-100-turns-into-23-million</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:01:09 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[An Ethereum ICO participant who invested $3,100 in 2015 and received 10,000 ETH, now worth roughly $23 million, has moved their entire holding for the first time in nearly 11 years. On-chain data shows the wallet received the ETH on July 30, 2015, following the network's original crowdsale, where the token was priced at around $0.31. The wallet sat untouched through every bull run, every crash, and every cycle since—until Tuesday, when it transferred all 10,000 ETH to a new address, logging a nearly **7500-fold return**. ## Analysts Say It's Not a Sell Analysts who spoke to *Decrypt* say a whale sitting on a decade-old position waking up does not automatically mean a sell is coming. "For someone who bought ETH at $0.31, every price is a life-changing return, so there could be less incentive to time the market precisely," said Illia Otychenko, Lead Analyst at CEX.IO. He added that **non-price related motives** are likely, such as recovery of old private keys or seed phrases, or simple reallocation and consolidation. Bitunix analyst Dean Chen agreed, pointing out that a holder who sat through every cycle since 2015—including periods when ETH traded significantly higher—was "operating on a much longer time horizon than typical market participants." He suggested the move could be about **portfolio restructuring, custody upgrades, estate planning, OTC preparation, or transitioning dormant capital into a more active management framework**. ## No Threat to Price Both analysts agreed that mechanically, the transfer poses no real threat to price. Otychenko noted ETH's daily trading volume runs around $15 billion, putting $23 million at roughly 2% of bid/ask depth on major exchanges, absorbable without meaningful slippage even if it hit all at once. Chen concurred, saying the transfer is "unlikely to create meaningful structural sell pressure on its own unless the funds are sent directly toward exchange-linked wallets." ## The Narrative vs. The Trade Where both converged most sharply was on the gap between mechanics and narrative. "The market often treats it as a sell signal regardless of intent, which creates short-term pressure on its own," Otychenko said. "The story and the trade are two different things—but in crypto, the story often becomes the trade." Chen framed the move within a wider industry shift, describing early ICO holders as entering "a phase of capital rotation, wealth preservation, and professionalized asset management." This aligns with a similar event last September, when another 2015 ICO whale moved $645 million in ETH to a staking service while still holding $1.1 billion in the asset. ## Current Market Context On Myriad, a prediction market, users price in a **47% chance** that ETH drops to $1,500 before reaching $3,000. ETH is currently trading at $2,330, up 2.4% over the past 24 hours.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>ethereum</category> <category>ico</category> <category>whale</category> <category>marketsentiment</category> <category>on-chainanalysis</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.decrypt.co/resize/1024/height/512/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/whale-decrypt-style-gID_7.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin and Ethereum Dip as Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoin-and-ethereum-dip-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-uncertainty</link> <guid>bitcoin-and-ethereum-dip-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-uncertainty</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:01:09 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Fed Holds Rates Steady for Third Time The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate at 3.5% to 3.75% on Wednesday, marking the third consecutive hold this year. The decision comes as conflict in the Middle East fuels energy cost uncertainty, with the Fed citing "a high level of uncertainty about the economic outlook." ## Market Reaction **Bitcoin** fell 1.4% to around $75,100, while **Ethereum** dropped 2.3% to $2,240 following the announcement. The dip reflects market sentiment that tighter liquidity conditions remain bearish for risk assets in the short term. ## Powell's Final FOMC Meeting? Jerome Powell indicated this was likely his last FOMC meeting as chair, as his eight-year tenure ends next month. He plans to remain a voting member and transition to a governor role for a period "to be determined," citing "a series of legal attacks on the Fed" threatening its independence. ## Warsh Nomination Advances The Senate Banking Committee advanced **Kevin Warsh's** nomination to succeed Powell. Warsh, a crypto investor with holdings in **Solana** and Polymarket, has described many crypto projects as fraudulent but voiced support for Bitcoin. The full Senate will vote on his confirmation. ## Rate Cut Prospects Dim Fed Governor Stephen Miran called for a 25 basis-point cut, but the majority favored holding steady. Traders don't expect rate cuts until at least December, per CME FedWatch. Lower rates typically benefit crypto by increasing liquidity, but the "higher for longer" stance is a headwind. ## Energy Costs Complicate Inflation Fight U.S. energy costs have risen due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of global oil flows. The national average gas price hit $4.22, up 6.2% over the past month, complicating the Fed's inflation battle. *Iggy Ioppe, CIO at Theo, noted: "In the near term, the 'higher for longer' message is a headwind for Bitcoin."*]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>ethereum</category> <category>federalreserve</category> <category>interestrates</category> <category>middleeast</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.decrypt.co/resize/1024/height/512/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/J-Powell-1-gID_7.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[From Bitcoin to AI: IREN's Pivot Could Deliver 128% Upside, Says Bernstein]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/from-bitcoin-to-ai-irens-pivot-could-deliver-128-upside-says-bernstein</link> <guid>from-bitcoin-to-ai-irens-pivot-could-deliver-128-upside-says-bernstein</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:01:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[Bernstein analysts have slashed their price target on IREN from $125 to $100 per share, but the stock remains their top pick among AI-focused Bitcoin miners. The reduction reflects a scaling back of Bitcoin mining and share dilution, not a deterioration in AI prospects. **Key Highlights:** - **Massive Microsoft Deal:** IREN has contracted 77,000 of its 150,000 GPUs to Microsoft under a five-year deal worth ~$1.94 billion in annualized revenue. Another $400 million in contracts are already signed for on-demand cloud customers. - **Financing Secured:** A $5.8 billion purchase agreement with Dell for Nvidia GB300 processors and $3.6 billion in GPU-backed financing at sub-6% interest, plus Microsoft prepayments, cover ~95% of capital needs for the Microsoft contract. - **Revenue Projections:** Bernstein forecasts AI cloud revenues of $2.6 billion in 2027 and $6 billion by 2030, when IREN expects to operate 275,000 GPUs. Adjusted EBITDA margins could reach ~82%, implying nearly $5 billion in EBITDA by 2030. - **Power Holdings:** IREN's 4.5 GW of power capacity across Texas, British Columbia, and Oklahoma underpins growth. Undeveloped capacity in Sweetwater and Oklahoma is valued at $3 million per MW, contributing ~$10.8 billion to valuation. - **Bitcoin Mining Phasing Out:** Bernstein assigns zero value to Bitcoin mining in its model, expecting IREN to fully exit mining by 2030 as it repurposes infrastructure for AI. **Market Context:** IREN shares recently traded at $43.78, down 9% amid a broader AI sell-off, but up nearly 25% over the past month. Bernstein's price target implies ~128% upside. *Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.*]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>iren</category> <category>bitcoinmining</category> <category>aicloud</category> <category>bernstein</category> <category>microsoft</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.decrypt.co/resize/1024/height/512/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bitcoin-mining-decrypt-style-03-gID_7.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[DeFi United: Aave Leads $300M+ Recovery Effort After Kelp DAO Exploit]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/defi-united-aave-leads-300m-recovery-effort-after-kelp-dao-exploit</link> <guid>defi-united-aave-leads-300m-recovery-effort-after-kelp-dao-exploit</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:01:10 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[In the often-fractured world of decentralized finance, crises tend to expose fault lines. This time, they’re also revealing an unusual level of coordination. Aave, one of DeFi’s largest lending protocols, is at the center of a broad recovery effort following losses tied to the **Kelp DAO exploit**, drawing in capital and credit commitments from across the industry. The effort, informally dubbed “**DeFi United**,” has raised about **$303 million in commitments** as of Monday, according to its website, with much of the capital still pending governance approval. The exploit, which rippled into rsETH markets and created risk across lending positions on Aave, has prompted what is shaping up to be one of the most coordinated industry responses to a DeFi incident. “There’s a shared priority around supporting users and restoring normal market conditions,” an Aave Labs spokesperson told CoinDesk. “Many of these participants are deeply connected to DeFi, whether through infrastructure, capital, or user access, and have a direct interest in ensuring markets function as expected.” ### Key Contributors and Commitments At the core of the effort is **Aave** itself. A governance proposal outlines a plan for the DAO to allocate up to **250,000 ETH** as part of the recovery. Founder **Stani Kulechov** has separately indicated he would donate **5,000 ETH** personally. Other contributors within Aave’s orbit are also stepping in, including Emilio Frangella (500 ETH), BGD Labs (250 ETH), and others. But the response has quickly extended beyond Aave. Following the April 18 bridge hack, Kulechov reached out to **Consensys** and other ecosystem participants early to help coordinate a response. Consensys and its founder **Joseph Lubin** agreed to commit up to **30,000 ETH** in financial support. **Lido** has put forward a proposal to allocate up to **2,500 stETH**, while **EtherFi** is discussing a **5,000 ETH plan**. **Mantle** has proposed a **30,000 ETH credit facility** loan, and **Compound** has put forward a proposal to give up to **3,000 ETH** to the fund. Other contributions are taking the form of deposits into Aave itself. **Babylon Foundation** plans to deposit **$3 million** in USDT, while **Renzo** has supplied more than **$10 million** from its treasury. **Circle Ventures** is purchasing AAVE tokens, and additional deposits have come from entities including **Avalanche Foundation**, **Solana Foundation**, and **Justin Sun**. ### Diverse Structures and Ongoing Proposals Not all contributions are structured the same way. Some participants are offering grants, others deposits, and several are extending credit lines, highlighting different approaches to balancing support with risk management. In parallel, Aave Labs has put forward a proposal asking **Arbitrum governance** to approve the release of roughly **30,765.67 ETH** immobilized by the network’s Security Council into the coordinated remediation effort, with the goal of “making affected rsETH holders whole” and restoring rsETH’s backing. Much of the capital remains subject to governance approval, and several proposals are still under discussion. Even so, the breadth of participation underscores how widely the exploit's impact has been felt across DeFi. “The Ethereum ecosystem has always been at its best when it moves together,” Lubin said. “DeFi United is exactly that: a broad, coordinated response to protect users and strengthen the infrastructure we’ve all helped build.”]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>aave</category> <category>defi</category> <category>kelpdao</category> <category>ethereum</category> <category>recoveryfund</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/b7a344f0035ec7514ae691c082663d0ba917b119-1500x1000.jpg?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Eric Trump's Bitcoin Business Exposed: A $500 Million Disaster for Investors]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/eric-trumps-bitcoin-business-exposed-a-500-million-disaster-for-investors</link> <guid>eric-trumps-bitcoin-business-exposed-a-500-million-disaster-for-investors</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:01:10 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[Eric Trump's American Bitcoin is being called a disaster by Forbes. The company, which went public in September 2024, has seen its stock plummet 92% from its peak, wiping out an estimated $500 million from everyday investors. But how did this happen? **The Pitch: A Money-Printing Machine?** Eric Trump claimed American Bitcoin could mine bitcoin for roughly $57,000 per coin, while bitcoin was trading at over $100,000. He touted it as a "money-printing machine" with unbeatable fundamentals. But the reality is far different. **The Real Cost: $90,000 per Bitcoin** Forbes analysis shows that when you factor in all costs—including equipment, marketing, and overhead—the actual cost to mine each bitcoin is around **$90,000**. With bitcoin currently trading below $80,000, the company is operating at a loss. **The Arbitrage Game** American Bitcoin isn't really a mining company. It's a hype-fueled arbitrage vehicle. The company sells overpriced stock to MAGA-minded investors and uses the proceeds to buy bitcoin. Since going public, it has sold over $500 million in stock to buy bitcoin that is now worth $390 million—a **$135 million loss** for shareholders. **The Trump Connection** Eric Trump's involvement is purely about branding. The company has only two full-time employees and relies on Hut 8 for operations. The Trumps contribute little more than their name and salesmanship. **A Risky Financing Scheme** American Bitcoin used an unorthodox financing strategy to buy $330 million worth of mining machines. If bitcoin prices don't rebound, the company may have to forfeit all the bitcoin it has mined to pay for the equipment. **The Bottom Line** Eric Trump has personally profited, boosting his net worth from $190 million to $280 million. But retail investors who bought into the hype are left holding the bag. As Forbes concludes, American Bitcoin is a disaster that preys on the MAGA faithful.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>erictrump</category> <category>americanbitcoin</category> <category>bitcoinmining</category> <category>investorlosses</category> <category>cryptoscam</category> <enclosure url="https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/69efbe176516287e2e362615/0x0.jpg?format=jpg&height=900&width=1600&fit=bounds" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[MARA Launches Foundation to Protect Bitcoin from Quantum Threat and Ensure Network Resilience]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/mara-launches-foundation-to-protect-bitcoin-from-quantum-threat-and-ensure-network-resilience</link> <guid>mara-launches-foundation-to-protect-bitcoin-from-quantum-threat-and-ensure-network-resilience</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:01:09 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**MARA Holdings (MARA)** CEO Fred Thiel announced the launch of the **MARA Foundation** at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, outlining a broad initiative to support the long-term resilience of the Bitcoin network beyond the firm's bitcoin and AI mining operations. > "Bitcoin is the most important decentralized system ever created, but its future is not guaranteed," Thiel said, emphasizing that the network requires active stewardship. Thiel described Bitcoin as "a public utility that nobody owns, but everybody depends on," adding that decentralization "doesn’t mean it runs on itself, it means responsibility is distributed." ### Foundation's Key Focus Areas The foundation will concentrate on maintaining Bitcoin's core properties as **"sound, durable money"** while advocating for its open and global use. Key priorities include: - **Supporting the network's security budget**, particularly the development of a sustainable transaction-fee market. - **Funding research into emerging risks**, such as **quantum computing**. - **Funding open source development** across scaling, mining, and user infrastructure. - **Expanding access to self-custody** and promoting financial sovereignty worldwide. - **Education and policy engagement**, including technical training, multilingual resources, and outreach to regulators. As part of the launch, MARA will award **$100,000** to one of three nonprofit organizations, with the recipient chosen by community vote, underscoring Thiel’s call for shared responsibility across the ecosystem.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>maraholdings</category> <category>bitcoinfoundation</category> <category>quantumcomputing</category> <category>networkresilience</category> <category>opensourcedevelopment</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/bb6f6358f562f5d7eac6d507275a723688c7ec8c-720x406.jpg?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitmine Hits 5 Million ETH: A New World Record in Crypto Treasury Holdings]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitmine-hits-5-million-eth-a-new-world-record-in-crypto-treasury-holdings</link> <guid>bitmine-hits-5-million-eth-a-new-world-record-in-crypto-treasury-holdings</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:01:30 GMT</pubDate> <description><   ]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitmine</category> <category>ethereum</category> <category>eth</category> <category>cryptotreasury</category> <category>staking</category> <enclosure url="https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2966009/BITMINE_Weekly_Update__5.jpg?p=facebook" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Freezing Dormant Bitcoin Could Trigger the Worst Single-Day Sell-Off in History, Maximalists Warn]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/freezing-dormant-bitcoin-could-trigger-the-worst-single-day-sell-off-in-history-maximalists-warn</link> <guid>freezing-dormant-bitcoin-could-trigger-the-worst-single-day-sell-off-in-history-maximalists-warn</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:01:30 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[A fierce debate is raging within the Bitcoin community over a proposal to freeze approximately **5.6 million dormant BTC** (worth over $440 billion) to protect them from potential quantum computing attacks. While some argue this is a necessary defense, maximalists warn it could shatter Bitcoin's core promise of censorship-resistant ownership and trigger an unprecedented market repricing. ## The Core Conflict: Security vs. Immutability Bitcoin developers and analysts are split over **BIP-361**, a proposal that would phase out current cryptographic signatures and potentially freeze assets that fail to migrate to quantum-resistant addresses. Supporters, like core developer Jameson Lopp, see it as a pragmatic move to prevent future theft. Critics, however, argue it sets a dangerous precedent. "Freezing any coins, even 'lost' ones, tells the market that all (roughly) **19.8 million BTC** currently in circulation are conditionally owned," said Samuel "Chad" Patt, founder of Op Net. "Institutional risk desks do not care about the reason, they care about the precedent." ## The 'Worst Single Day' Scenario Patt warns that freezing dormant coins would cause an **instant repricing**, not due to a hack, but because the network would have proven its core value proposition is negotiable. "All fund managers who allocated on the censorship-resistance thesis would be forced to unwind. Not by choice, but by mandate, because the asset no longer fits the risk profile it was purchased under." Jason Fernandes, a pragmatic maximalist, agrees that a freeze would trigger severe repricing, but argues that a successful quantum attack would be even worse. "Institutions won't just price precedent, they'll price whether the system can survive a break in its core assumptions." ## The Quantum Threat: Real but Overblown? Mati Greenspan, another maximalist, downplays the immediate risk: "If quantum computers ever crack early Bitcoin wallets, it won't trigger a rollback or a freeze; it will trigger the **largest bug bounty in human history**." However, others like Ken Kruger of Moon Technologies see quantum as an existential threat that may require tradeoffs. "So far there's no solution that doesn't include compromise: freeze funds or let them be stolen? If solved elegantly, this could be a critical moment Bitcoin proves its resilience." ## Maximalists Divided Not all maximalists oppose the freeze. Some, like Khushboo Khullar of Lightning Ventures, call it a "deeply flawed approach" that undermines Bitcoin's core principles of **immutability, permissionlessness, and no central enforcement**. Others, like Kent Halliburton of SazMining, believe the intentions are good but warn: "You don't defend Bitcoin by breaking its core promise of inviolable property rights." ## The Path Forward Fernandes believes Bitcoin can evolve as it has with SegWit and Taproot. "The protocol isn't 'finished,' it's just conservative in how it changes. But the risk of inaction far outweighs any concern about precedent or philosophical purity." Ultimately, Greenspan echoes the sentiment of many maximalists: "As with many cases in life, and especially with bitcoin, **doing nothing is better than doing something**." The Bitcoin community seems to feel strongly that freezing coins would be antithetical to Bitcoin's quintessential value proposition.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>quantumcomputing</category> <category>bip-361</category> <category>censorshipresistance</category> <category>marketsentiment</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/5ac794a198da68fdb1b6a9d4e19c2e947f99454c-1920x1080.jpg?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> </channel> </rss>