<?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>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 20:15:06 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[Is Zcash the Next Bitcoin? Grayscale Reveals Why This Privacy Coin Could Explode Further]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/is-zcash-the-next-bitcoin-grayscale-reveals-why-this-privacy-coin-could-explode-</link> <guid>is-zcash-the-next-bitcoin-grayscale-reveals-why-this-privacy-coin-could-explode-</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 01:33:29 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ## Why Privacy Coins Are Poised for a Comeback In an era increasingly dominated by **artificial intelligence**, financial surveillance has become more sophisticated than ever. AI can now easily link public blockchain addresses to exchanges, wallet behaviors, and transaction histories. Grayscale highlights that this growing transparency could spark a renewed wave of demand for **confidential transactions**. Zcash leverages **zero-knowledge proofs** to enable **shielded transfers**, effectively obscuring sender, recipient, and transaction amounts. Unlike Bitcoin’s transparent ledger, these cryptographic techniques ensure true **financial privacy**. Furthermore, emerging **intents technology** allows wallets to coordinate cross-chain swaps automatically. This means users or AI agents can access ZEC’s privacy features without requiring merchants to directly accept the coin, dramatically expanding its utility. ## Market Cap Gap & Hypothetical Price Scenarios Even after its massive run-up, ZEC’s market capitalization sits at just **0.88%** of Bitcoin’s total value. As of late August, Bitcoin commanded a staggering **$1.56 trillion** market cap, while Zcash trailed at roughly **$13.74 billion**. Grayscale suggests this disparity indicates investors are underpricing ZEC’s defensive attributes against digital surveillance. To illustrate potential growth, Grayscale modeled hypothetical valuations based on ZEC capturing different percentages of Bitcoin’s market cap over five years: • **2% share**: ~$1,622 per ZEC • **5% share**: ~$4,054 per ZEC • **10% share**: ~$8,109 per ZEC *(Note: These figures are theoretical scenarios, not guaranteed price targets.)*  Institutional access also expanded significantly when **Grayscale’s Zcash ETF (ticker: ZCSH)** began trading on the **NYSE Arca** on August 25. This move transitions ZEC from OTC markets to a regulated exchange, granting traditional investors direct spot exposure without the hassle of managing private keys or self-custody wallets. ## Development Risks & Network Momentum While the outlook is bullish, Grayscale acknowledges that ZEC carries higher volatility and execution risks typical of smaller-cap assets. The **Zcash Foundation** recently patched two critical vulnerabilities in its Zebra node implementation, including a remote denial-of-service flaw and a high-severity chain-split risk. Continuous security upgrades remain essential for long-term adoption. Pandl emphasized the strategic positioning of the project: *“Zcash, a privacy-focused digital currency, is the Bitcoin competitor with the best shot at capturing market share over time, in our view.”* With increasing shielding technology usage, fresh mining capital, and institutional ETF backing, Zcash is steadily building the momentum needed to challenge Bitcoin’s entrenched network effects.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>zcash</category> <category>grayscale</category> <category>privacycoins</category> <category>zeroknowledgeproofs</category> <category>cryptoetf</category> <enclosure url="https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/zcash-price-august-29.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Trump Family's Crypto Venture Makes History: First Presidential Bank Charter Approved]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/trump-familys-crypto-venture-makes-history-first-presidential-bank-charter-approved</link> <guid>trump-familys-crypto-venture-makes-history-first-presidential-bank-charter-approved</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 07:01:28 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[In a groundbreaking move, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted conditional approval for World Liberty Trust Co., a crypto business owned 38% by an entity affiliated with Donald J. Trump and his family, to establish a bank charter. This marks the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president's family has been granted bank status, raising significant concerns about conflicts of interest. **Key Developments:** - **Stablecoin Issuance:** The approval allows World Liberty Trust to issue its own stablecoin tied to the U.S. dollar, cutting out third-party providers like BitGo. Stablecoins offer stability compared to volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making them attractive for large transactions. - **Direct Profits:** Clients will exchange dollars for the stablecoin, with profits flowing directly to the Trump family's business. The venture has already secured around $5 billion in its first days, with Trump himself making over $1.4 billion from crypto ventures. - **Political Backlash:** Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have condemned the decision as "the most brazen act of self-dealing our financial system has ever seen." Warren is introducing a bill to stop such corruption. - **OCC's Defense:** The OCC maintains that staff acted consistently with statutory duties and ethical obligations, and the charter is conditional on meeting capital requirements. **Conflicts of Interest:** White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly insists there are no conflicts, citing that Trump's assets are in a blind trust managed by his children. However, critics note that a typical blind trust operates with an independent trustee, not family members. **International Ties:** The approval follows a $2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi's MGX, which plans to use the Trump family's stablecoin in transactions with Binance. This deal has raised eyebrows, especially after the Trump administration agreed to supply the UAE with AI chips, despite prior concerns about China. This unprecedented move blurs the lines between private business and public office, setting a new precedent for presidential financial entanglements.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>trump</category> <category>stablecoin</category> <category>bankcharter</category> <category>cryptoregulation</category> <category>conflictofinterest</category> <enclosure url="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/9e462936-3d9b-4fb6-8f35-031f17713bf8/trump-occ-ruling_1786788347758_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=1600" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Why AI Leaders Are Writing Manifestos: A PR Stunt or a Blueprint for the Future?]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/why-ai-leaders-are-writing-manifestos-a-pr-stunt-or-a-blueprint-for-the-future</link> <guid>why-ai-leaders-are-writing-manifestos-a-pr-stunt-or-a-blueprint-for-the-future</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 07:01:36 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[This past week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg published a 6,500-word open letter titled "The Future is for Everyone." To some, it's an expression of hope in AI's promise. To others, it's little more than a verbose public relations exercise. Zuckerberg's manifesto is the latest example of a tech boss opining on why AI is the next big thing. His vision echoes what AI leaders have expressed in various forms: the product they are building is among the "most important technologies in history." Marc Andreessen, co-founder of early web titan Netscape, perhaps started this trend in 2023 with a 5,000-word essay he called "The Techno-Optimist Manifesto," which argued innovation was the way to solve life's problems. "So they're writing manifestos now?," I remember thinking to myself. Andreessen's writing began with him recounting lies he claimed people were spreading, and called for readers to push back against this. "We believe growth is progress – leading to vitality, expansion of life, increasing knowledge, higher well being," he wrote. Zuckerberg's recent essay doesn't name names - but the Meta boss mimics Andreessen by questioning those who have warned about the negatives of future tech. "It is surprising that the discourse from many developing AI is so filled with doom," he writes. As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns AI could affect nearly 40% of jobs and worsen global financial inequality, Zuckerberg says he believes there will be an abundance of jobs in the future. "I do not understand why anyone who believes that AI will eliminate most jobs and much of humanity's relevance would rush to build that future." Never mind that Zuckerberg's Meta has cut 10% of its global workforce - about 8,000 jobs - as the company reorganizes to focus on AI. Zuckerberg's manifesto is the latest to land in our social media feeds in an effort to put a positive spin on AI. In 2024, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI boss Sam Altman released a manifesto called "The Intelligence Age," a sweeping expression of optimism about the tech's potential. Human progress was poised to accelerate in dramatic fashion, he promised. "We need to act wisely but with conviction," he said. That same year, in a manifesto titled "Machines of Loving Grace," Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei touted the potential of AI to transform everything from healthcare to politics. He framed it as an attempt to share the potential upsides of AI - and he didn't want to be seen as a doomer. Zuckerberg is no stranger to the long-winded essay format. During US President Donald Trump's first administration, he even wrote about thorny topics such as the spread of misinformation on his platforms. He later put pen to paper to explain the company's ill-fated pivot to the metaverse in 2021. But the stakes are higher in the AI era, argues economics blogger Noah Smith, and the commentary from executives reflects that. "I think they all feel like it's such an important moment that it's incumbent upon them to do whatever they can to shape the direction that this technology is going," Smith said. Zuckerberg's new manifesto announced plans to share its artificial intelligence tools more openly, meaning that the design or code behind the tech will be made public, allowing anyone to view, use and change it. Decisions about whether these tools should be open source carry significant weight given their potential to do harm. In recent weeks, several highly powerful AI models hacked into websites, or as some put it, "went rogue". These were the most powerful models, not the ones being made open source - but as the technology develops, it has raised a serious question for Smith. "Should we open-source something that has the ability to kill humanity?" he asked. "If you don't take that seriously, you're just a fool." It's why he thinks these manifestos are important, even if some online poke fun at them. And they're gaining additional interest at a time when the open source market is dominated by Chinese AI models like Qwen, DeepSeek and GLM. But the frequency of these corporate manifestos also serves as a way for executives to position themselves and their companies in the marketplace of ideas. "It's a way of showing how smart you are," said Rob Lalka, a business professor at Tulane University. Executives have long used the corporate blog "to expound on ideas in a way where they're sort of this businessman-philosopher, in a sense." "They're trying to argue for optimism as a way of looking at the future," he said. Lalka said the timing of Zuckerberg's manifesto coincides with rising anger over AI's impact on everything from jobs to the environment. And while tech journalists and academics might pore over them trying to glean nuggets of meaning, these executive manifestos are not necessarily landing with the general public. "They're trying to make the case that the positives will far outweigh some of those negatives that the public backlash is pointing out," he said. "But I think a lot of the reasons for optimism are still yet to be seen."]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>ai</category> <category>manifesto</category> <category>techleaders</category> <category>opensource</category> <category>future</category> <enclosure url="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/41d4/live/d7830930-97e5-11f1-a76b-f1c27c51f3da.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Joe Rogan Slams Trump Family Over Crypto Billions: 'Shady as F---']]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/joe-rogan-slams-trump-family-over-crypto-billions-shady-as-f-</link> <guid>joe-rogan-slams-trump-family-over-crypto-billions-shady-as-f-</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 14:01:13 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[Joe Rogan, the influential podcast host who has previously voiced support for President Trump, is now **blasting the POTUS and his family** over what he characterizes as "billions" made in crypto while Trump is in office. During his Thursday podcast, Rogan didn't hold back: > "This government has done some s--- that no government has ever done before. And one of them is the crypto stuff. The crypto stuff's nuts. Trump has made billions in crypto. And then you got his sons, and his sons are involved in all of these weird business deals ... and then the sons are involved in these businesses. There's a lot of money flowing around, that you could dig in and start arresting people. The thing about the crypto is, it's shady as f---, but it's legal. I don't know if it should be." ## The Context: Trump's Crypto Empire Rogan's comments come as Trump touts his role in making the US a hub for cryptocurrency, while facing questions about his own meme coin and other digital-asset ventures. Records show these ventures have generated **about $1.4 billion in profits**. The White House and Trump campaign insist there are no conflicts of interest, stating that all Trump assets are in third-party-managed accounts and that his crypto policies are crafted "in the best interest of the American people." ## More Controversies: Truth Social and the Decoy Plane Rogan also questioned a new Truth Social offering that reportedly charges up to **$100,000 a month** for early access to Trump's posts, calling it "literally crazy." Additionally, Rogan addressed Trump's decoy plane incident, noting that if it's true Iran was possibly targeting Air Force One and the president secretly hopped on a different plane while leaving staffers and press aboard the presidential plane, "that is so wild that he didn't even tell them. Holy s---. Those press people were signing up for something they didn't know." ## Potential Impact on Trump's Base A political scientist told *Newsweek* that Rogan's criticism could **resonate with younger male Trump backers** who already follow Rogan, even if it doesn't rupture the broader conservative base. Rogan's massive audience and his previous support for Trump make this a significant moment in the intersection of politics and cryptocurrency.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>joerogan</category> <category>trump</category> <category>crypto</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>politics</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.newser.com/image/1705389-12-20260815073005.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Russia's Capital Bans Bitcoin Mining: What It Means for the Global Hashrate]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/russias-capital-bans-bitcoin-mining-what-it-means-for-the-global-hashrate</link> <guid>russias-capital-bans-bitcoin-mining-what-it-means-for-the-global-hashrate</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:01:13 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[In a significant regulatory move, **Russia has banned cryptocurrency mining in Moscow**, the surrounding Moscow Region, and parts of Kursk, effective until **December 31, 2032**. The government decree No. 936, signed on July 25 and published on July 31, also prohibits participation in crypto mining pools in these areas. This decision comes as Russia's Energy Ministry seeks to **mitigate power-capacity shortages** caused by energy-intensive mining facilities straining regional grids. Currently, mining consumes approximately **1 gigawatt** in the Moscow power system, and data-center capacity could reach **3.6 GW**, or 17% of peak demand, by 2032. ## Russia's Role in Global Bitcoin Mining Russia is the **world's second-largest Bitcoin mining power**, accounting for an estimated **175 exahashes per second**, or **16.4% of Bitcoin's global computing power** in Q1, according to Luxor's Hashrate Index. The U.S. leads with a larger share, but Russia's position is significant. The ban in Moscow and surrounding areas raises questions about the impact on Russia's overall hashrate, though it's unclear how much capacity is located in the newly restricted regions. ## Mining, Sanctions, and Crypto Payments Russia's mining industry is intertwined with its response to **Western sanctions**. Russian companies have been using **domestically mined bitcoin** for international payments, as legal changes in December 2024 allowed this to counter sanctions. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned BitRiver and its subsidiaries in 2022, alleging that Russian mining helped monetize energy resources and offset sanctions' impact. Despite the ban in certain regions, Russia's parliament passed legislation in July maintaining the ban on domestic crypto payments but preserving exceptions for foreign-trade settlements and mined cryptocurrency transactions. ## Broader Regulatory Context Russia legalized registered crypto mining in 2024, but has since imposed restrictions in multiple regions citing electricity demand. Earlier bans covered 10 regions through March 2031, with year-round restrictions later extended to southern Irkutsk, most of Buryatia, and Zabaykalsky Krai. This latest ban in Moscow marks a significant tightening, reflecting the tension between fostering a crypto mining industry and managing energy resources. ## What's Next? The ban could push miners to relocate to other regions or countries, potentially impacting Russia's hashrate and global mining distribution. It also highlights the **complex interplay between energy policy, sanctions, and cryptocurrency adoption**.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoinmining</category> <category>russia</category> <category>energypolicy</category> <category>sanctions</category> <category>regulation</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/3ed99ad8e1d2af4b11b0bb301a546dddccbf65e4-6000x4000.jpg?auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&w=1920&h=1080&q=75" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Why the Crypto Crash Isn't the End: Hidden Growth Areas to Watch]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/why-the-crypto-crash-isnt-the-end-hidden-growth-areas-to-watch</link> <guid>why-the-crypto-crash-isnt-the-end-hidden-growth-areas-to-watch</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:01:34 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[Despite the current crypto winter, with Bitcoin down 50% from its highs and major investors like Mark Cuban selling off, the crypto market is far from dead. New pockets of growth are emerging, from prediction markets to stablecoins and the fusion of AI with blockchain, signaling that the bear phase may be a temporary setback rather than the end. ## New Ways to Trade Crypto **Prediction markets** have become a popular new avenue for crypto trading. These platforms allow investors to bet on simple "yes/no" outcomes, such as whether Bitcoin will reach a certain price. Notably, both **Robinhood** and **Coinbase** reported significant revenue from prediction market trading in Q2, with Robinhood earning more from this than from spot crypto trading. This diversification suggests that the industry is evolving beyond simple buy-and-hold strategies. ## Pockets of Growth in the Crypto Market While many cryptos are down, the **stablecoin** sector is booming. **Tether** and **USDC** together have a market cap of $250 billion, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts the stablecoin market could grow to $3 trillion by 2030. This has led to new entrants, like the Open USD consortium. Additionally, **real-world asset (RWA) tokenization** is on the rise, with deposits tripling year-over-year to $7.4 billion in Q2 2026, and some consultants see it as a trillion-dollar opportunity by 2030. ## The Merger of AI and Crypto The intersection of **artificial intelligence** and **blockchain** is another area of rapid growth. Cathie Wood of Ark Invest highlighted this in 2024, and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has embraced AI agents that trade on the blockchain. Platforms like Robinhood already allow users to deploy AI agents, making this a trend with long-term potential. ## Will Money Ever Flow Back Into Crypto? Even if the AI hype fades, that could be a positive for crypto. Investors who rage-quit crypto might shift their attention, potentially bringing new capital back. Crypto has always been cyclical, and the current bear phase is typical. For long-term investors, this could be an opportune moment to find profitable investments in the emerging sectors.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>crypto</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>stablecoins</category> <category>predictionmarkets</category> <category>ai</category> <enclosure url="https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F883188%2Fangry-investor-with-smartphone.jpg&w=1200&op=resize" length="0" type="image//image/"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[MicroStrategy Fires Back at MSCI's New Delisting Threat: 'Bitcoin Doesn't Need MSCI']]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/microstrategy-fires-back-at-mscis-new-delisting-threat-bitcoin-doesnt-need-msci</link> <guid>microstrategy-fires-back-at-mscis-new-delisting-threat-bitcoin-doesnt-need-msci</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 20:01:15 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**Strategy (Nasdaq: MSTR)**, the world's leading **Bitcoin (BTC) treasury company** led by billionaire **Michael Saylor**, is facing yet another **delisting threat** from index provider **MSCI**. The company has responded with a sharp rebuke, stating that "Bitcoin doesn't need MSCI. Neither does Strategy." MSCI has opened a new consultation on the eligibility of **non-operating companies** for its Global Investable Market Indexes. The proposed framework aims to identify companies that buy and hold non-operating assets, generate little cash from operations, and rely on external capital to grow. According to the simulation using May 2026 data, **Strategy**, **Metaplanet** (TYO: 3350), and **Yellow Cake** (LSE: YCA) could be deleted from the MSCI ACWI IMI. **SharpLink** (Nasdaq: SBET), **Center Laboratories** (TWSE: 4123), and **Lydia Holding** (IS: LYDHO) would be placed on a watchlist. Strategy holds **840,447 BTC**, Metaplanet holds **43,000 BTC**, and SharpLink holds **888,521 ETH**. Yellow Cake is a uranium investment company, while Center Laboratories and Lydia Holding are in pharmaceuticals and sustainable investment, respectively. The new methodology assesses companies based on whether their asset structure contains sufficient operating assets. If a company fails the initial test, it is evaluated against five financial ratios: - Operating assets below 20% of total assets - Operating expenses below 5% of total assets - Negative operating cash flow - Non-operating fair value changes above 5% of total assets - Capital dependence above 20% If a company fails the initial test and triggers at least four of the five flags, it becomes ineligible for the index. MSCI is gathering feedback through **Sept. 30** and expects to announce results by **Oct. 16**. Strategy, with a free-float-adjusted market cap of **$23.9 billion** in the simulation, is the largest company that could be removed. In an X post on Aug. 14, the company pushed back on MSCI's proposal: > "Index providers should measure markets, not decide which assets companies are allowed to own... Bitcoin doesn't need MSCI. Neither does Strategy." This is not the first time Strategy has faced such a threat. The company previously avoided delisting from MSCI indexes, but this new proposal poses a significant risk to its inclusion in major global indexes, which could impact investor sentiment and stock liquidity.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>microstrategy</category> <category>msci</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>delisting</category> <category>treasury</category> <enclosure url="https://s.yimg.com/lo/mysterio/api/6DA44705B3CFC78D7FF1CC945D0F2A5E4EDF2D494CE39DC956D2181DDE1FB4B7/subgraphmysterio/resizefill_w1200_h814;quality_80;format_webp/https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fthestreet_881%2Fc26df0cf8d407382df25b3e086ab15cf.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Man Finds $10,000 Hidden in Wall of $1,000 House, Then Does the Unthinkable]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/man-finds-10-000-hidden-in-wall-of-1-000-house-then-does-the-unthinkable</link> <guid>man-finds-10-000-hidden-in-wall-of-1-000-house-then-does-the-unthinkable</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:01:29 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[In an incredible stroke of luck, a man who bought a dilapidated house for just $1,000 stumbled upon a hidden treasure that turned out to be worth far more than the property itself. But instead of keeping the windfall, he made a choice that restored faith in humanity. ## A $1,000 Gamble Walter Castanedo, a 49-year-old East Toledo resident, purchased a three-bedroom, one-bath fixer-upper at 220 Paine Avenue in May 2024. The house was in such poor condition that it was sold for a mere $1,000, but for Castanedo, it was a hobby project. He had recently moved to Toledo from China and enjoyed renovating houses as a pastime. The property was conveniently located within walking distance of his home, making the project seem manageable. ## The Discovery in the Basement On New Year's Eve, December 31, 2024, while gutting the basement, Castanedo made a shocking discovery. Between the bricks in a corner, he found five envelopes stuffed with $100 bills. Additional loose hundreds were tucked under bricks where he believed a potbelly stove once sat. The total came to **$10,000**—exactly ten times what he had paid for the house. "They were black, but you could just make out when I shined a light on it," Castanedo recalled. The newest bill was dated 1981, indicating the stash had been hidden for over four decades. ## The Inflation Reality While $10,000 sounds impressive, its value has eroded over time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, $10,000 in January 1981 would be equivalent to **$36,276.44** as of December 2024. This serves as a stark reminder that cash is both the simplest store of value and, over time, a leaky one. ## A Twist of Generosity Instead of pocketing the money, Castanedo decided to track down the previous owner's son, Andrew Aranyosi. Aranyosi's father had bought the home in 1937, and Aranyosi himself lived there from 1946 to 1967. Interestingly, Aranyosi had suspected his father hid money in the basement bricks. Castanedo chose to split the $10,000 **50/50** with Aranyosi, a decision that surprised many. Aranyosi used his $5,000 share to pay medical bills and saved the rest, while Castanedo planned to reinvest his share into renovating the house. "You only live once, so it's better to just help other people than go the other way," Castanedo explained. ## A Lesson in Value This story is more than just a lucky find; it's a lesson about what "value" truly means. While the money was a significant sum, the act of sharing it with the rightful heir demonstrated a different kind of wealth—one rooted in integrity and kindness. In a world often focused on material gain, Castanedo's choice reminds us that some things are worth more than cash.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>crypto</category> <category>inflation</category> <category>realestate</category> <category>generosity</category> <enclosure url="https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/a-man-bought-a-house-for-1000--then-he-found-10000-in-envelopes-buried-in-the-basement.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[SEC to Unveil Crypto Rules, OCC Opens Doors for Crypto Banks: What It Means for Bitcoin]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/sec-to-unveil-crypto-rules-occ-opens-doors-for-crypto-banks-what-it-means-for-bitcoin</link> <guid>sec-to-unveil-crypto-rules-occ-opens-doors-for-crypto-banks-what-it-means-for-bitcoin</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 20:01:33 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to hold a pivotal meeting on Friday to consider new rules for digital assets, potentially reshaping the cryptocurrency landscape. Meanwhile, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has signaled a welcoming stance toward crypto firms seeking national bank charters. These regulatory moves come as the Clarity Act faces a delayed Senate vote, adding to the uncertainty and opportunity in the crypto market. ## SEC's Regulation Crypto: A New Era? The SEC's open meeting on Friday will discuss proposing a "tailored offering regime for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets." This is part of the SEC's broader "Regulation Crypto," a comprehensive 400-page proposal aiming to establish clear directives and standards for the industry. Key elements include registration exemptions for crypto startups (up to four years), fundraising exemptions, and safe harbor provisions to define whether tokens are securities. Additionally, the SEC may unveil an "innovation exemption" for tokenized stocks, according to Bloomberg. Tokenization involves placing real-world assets like stocks and treasuries on the blockchain as tradable digital tokens, potentially enabling 24/7 trading. However, these tokenized equities might not confer actual ownership or shareholder rights, and they may lack the consent of the underlying companies. ## Clarity Act Vote Delayed to September The Senate failed to reach a compromise on the Clarity Act before the August recess, postponing a vote until September. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) remains committed to bringing the bill to a vote when Congress returns. With midterm campaigns ramping up in October, lobbying efforts from both banks and crypto interests are expected to intensify. Democrats may withhold support until after the November midterms, adding political complexity to the bill's fate. ## OCC Paves Way for Crypto Banks The OCC this week emphasized its priority on de novo chartering, approving national charters for new banks and financial institutions. Comptroller Jonathan Gould stated, "Entities that engage in legally permissible activities, including those involving digital assets and other novel technologies, should have a path to becoming a national bank. America and the OCC are once again open for business." The OCC has received at least 40 de novo applications over the past 18 months, including for national bank trusts, signaling a shift toward embracing crypto-friendly banking. ## Market Reaction: Bitcoin Slides, Crypto Stocks Mixed Bitcoin traded around $62,800 on Thursday, down about 1% in 24 hours, and has fallen nearly 28% year-to-date, well below its October record high near $126,200. Crypto stocks showed mixed performance: Bullish (BLSH) jumped over 5%, American Bitcoin (ABTC) and Bit Digital (BTBT) rose nearly 4%, and IREN climbed almost 3%. Conversely, Strategy (MSTR) dipped, while Coinbase (COIN) and Circle (CRCL) eased about 1%. Bitcoin miners and AI infrastructure providers like Riot Platforms (RIOT), MARA Holdings (MARA), TeraWulf (WULF), Hut 8 (HUT), and Cipher Digital (CIFR) fell between 2% and 7%. These regulatory developments could significantly impact the crypto market, offering potential clarity and legitimacy. As the SEC and OCC take steps forward, investors remain watchful of the evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for Bitcoin and digital assets.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>sec</category> <category>regulationcrypto</category> <category>occ</category> <category>clarityact</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <enclosure url="https://www.investors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stock-SEC-02-shutter.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin Holds $63K as AI Stocks Soar: CPI Meets Estimates, Metaplanet's $1.4B Loss Isn't a Sale]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoin-holds-63k-as-ai-stocks-soar-cpi-meets-estimates-metaplanets-14b-loss-isnt-a-sale</link> <guid>bitcoin-holds-63k-as-ai-stocks-soar-cpi-meets-estimates-metaplanets-14b-loss-isnt-a-sale</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:01:14 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Bitcoin Stuck in a Range as Inflation Data Matches Expectations Bitcoin (BTC) traded around $63,400 on Wednesday, little changed over the past 24 hours, as the latest U.S. inflation data met expectations, failing to provide a catalyst for a breakout from its tight trading range. The cryptocurrency has been stuck between $62,000 and $66,000 for the past five weeks. The July **CPI report** showed headline inflation at 3.4% annually, in line with forecasts, while core CPI rose 2.5% year-over-year. The data took an immediate inflation shock off the table but didn't offer much fuel for a rally. As Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, put it, the print "neither forces a hawkish re-pricing nor delivers a clear dovish catalyst." ## AI Infrastructure Stocks Surge on Strong Q2 Earnings While bitcoin remained subdued, **AI infrastructure stocks** stole the spotlight. **Dell Technologies** surged 9.7% to a record closing high of $484, while **Nebius** extended its rally to 35% and **CoreWeave** held onto a roughly 20% daily gain. The S&P 500 gained 0.3% to finish near record highs, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.7%. Strong earnings from **WhiteFiber** and **Nebius** also boosted sentiment. WhiteFiber's revenue rose 54% to $28.8 million, while Nebius saw revenue surge 454% to $582.3 million, with adjusted EBITDA swinging to $236.2 million. ## Tokenization Stocks Rise Ahead of SEC Meeting Stocks tied to tokenization, such as **Figure Technology Solutions** and **Securitize**, gained ahead of their quarterly results and a potentially important SEC meeting on Friday. The SEC is expected to propose its first formal rules for crypto businesses, possibly including an "innovation exemption" for trading tokenized securities. ## Metaplanet's Bitcoin Transfer: Not a Sale Blockchain data shows that **Metaplanet** moved 3,881 BTC (worth about $247 million) between wallets it controls, not to an exchange, so the transfer isn't a sale despite the company's $1.4 billion paper loss. Metaplanet bought its roughly 43,000 BTC at an average of about $96,000, and with bitcoin near $63,600, it's sitting on an unrealized loss of about 34%. ## Market Outlook: Fed's Next Move Is a Coin Toss Market sentiment is lukewarm heading into the inflation data, with the odds of a September Fed rate hike close to 50/50. A hot core CPI print would lift hike odds and weigh on equities, while a soft one would cut them, especially after last week's weak jobs report. Analysts point to Thursday's PPI report as the next test for inflation.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>cpi</category> <category>aistocks</category> <category>metaplanet</category> <category>sec</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/0e89c972170359616d653de89e6701bec587d964-2028x1104.png?auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&w=1920&h=1080&q=75" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> </channel> </rss>