HarryPotterObamaSonic10Inu (ERC-20) narxBITCOIN

Bitcoin Faces 'Cloud Resistance' at $85K, Neutralizes Risk Reward for Bulls BTC faces "cloud resistance." (geralt/Pixabay)

$MSTR has acquired 3,459 BTC for ~$285.8 million at ~$82,618 per bitcoin and has achieved BTC Yield of 11.4% YTD 2025. As of 4/13/2025, @Strategy holds 531,644 $BTC acquired for ~$35.92 billion at ~$67,556 per bitcoin.

Bitcoin (BTC) is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, a form of digital or virtual currency that operates independently of any central authority or government. It was introduced in 2009 by an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin allows peer-to-peer transactions over the internet, using cryptographic techniques to secure and verify transactions and to control the creation of new units. --- Origins of Bitcoin The Whitepaper Bitcoin was introduced in a whitepaper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System" published by Satoshi Nakamoto in October 2008. The paper outlined a decentralized system for digital cash that does not rely on trust or centralized institutions. Genesis Block The first block of the Bitcoin blockchain, called the Genesis Block or Block 0, was mined on January 3, 2009. Embedded in the block was the text: > "The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks" This served as both a timestamp and a commentary on the instability of the traditional banking system. --- How Bitcoin Works Blockchain Technology Bitcoin is built on a blockchain, a distributed ledger that records all transactions in a transparent and immutable manner. Each block contains: A batch of transactions A timestamp A reference to the previous block (hash) This structure ensures that once data is recorded, it cannot be altered retroactively. Mining New bitcoins are created through a process called mining, where powerful computers solve complex cryptographic puzzles. This: Verifies and secures transactions Adds them to the blockchain Rewards the miner with newly minted BTC (block reward) The reward started at 50 BTC and halves roughly every 4 years (called the halving). As of 2024, the block reward is 3.125 BTC. Supply Cap Bitcoin has a maximum supply of 21 million BTC, making it deflationary. This is in contrast to fiat currencies, which can be printed without limit. --- Bitcoin's Use Cases 1. Digital Gold / Store of Value Bitcoin is often called “digital gold” due to its limited supply and resistance to inflation. 2. Medium of Exchange While slower and more expensive than some altcoins, BTC can be used to buy goods and services worldwide. 3. Remittances and Cross-border Payments Bitcoin enables near-instant, low-fee international transactions compared to traditional banking systems. 4. Hedge Against Inflation In countries with high inflation, Bitcoin is used to preserve value. --- Key Features --- Bitcoin’s Market Impact Volatility Bitcoin's price is highly volatile, influenced by market sentiment, news, regulation, and macroeconomic trends. Adoption El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021. Major companies (e.g., Tesla, MicroStrategy) have added BTC to their balance sheets. Increasing institutional interest (ETFs, custody solutions, etc.) Regulation Governments and regulators worldwide have taken different approaches—from acceptance and regulation to bans and crackdowns. --- Pros and Cons Pros: Decentralized and censorship-resistant Low transaction fees (especially for large or cross-border transfers) Transparent and secure Hedge against fiat inflation Cons: Price volatility Scalability issues (low TPS) High energy usage from mining Limited privacy (public ledger) --- Bitcoin vs Traditional Money --- Future Outlook Bitcoin is still evolving. Some trends to watch: Layer 2 solutions like the Lightning Network improve scalability and transaction speed. Regulatory clarity will shape institutional adoption. Tokenization and integration with other blockchain systems may broaden its utility. The next halving event (around 2028) will further reduce new supply. --- Conclusion Bitcoin represents a revolutionary shift in how we think about money, trust, and value transfer. Whether as a speculative asset, a store of value, or a tool for financial inclusion, it has already made a profound impact on finance and technology. However, its future will depend on regulatory developments, technical improvements, and global adoption trends.$BTC

Short-term price action aside, the regulatory foundations are ridiculously bullish for $BTC. 117 pro Bitcoin bills have been proposed in the U.S. so far. Other nations are sure to follow.

XRP is a digital asset and cryptocurrency that operates on the XRP Ledger, a decentralized, open-source blockchain developed by Ripple Labs Inc. XRP was created primarily to facilitate fast and inexpensive international money transfers. It differs from many other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum in its consensus mechanism, supply model, and intended use case. Key Features of XRP 1. Speed XRP transactions are extremely fast, typically settling in 3–5 seconds, compared to minutes or even hours for Bitcoin or traditional banking systems. 2. Low Transaction Costs The average transaction fee is very low — often less than $0.01. This makes XRP attractive for microtransactions and cross-border payments. 3. Scalability The XRP Ledger can handle up to 1,500 transactions per second (TPS), far more than Bitcoin (~7 TPS) or Ethereum (~30 TPS). 4. Energy Efficiency XRP does not use mining and thus consumes very little energy, unlike proof-of-work networks like Bitcoin. The XRP Ledger The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is a decentralized cryptographic ledger powered by a network of independent validators. It was created in 2012 by David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto. Notable characteristics of the XRPL: Uses a Unique Node List (UNL) consensus mechanism rather than proof-of-work or proof-of-stake. Transactions are validated by trusted validators, including universities, financial institutions, and individuals. Supports features like multi-signing, payment channels, and issued currencies (similar to tokens). Ripple Labs and XRP Ripple Labs is a private fintech company that develops software to facilitate international payments. It uses XRP and the XRP Ledger in its suite of products (like RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity (ODL)). However, Ripple Labs and XRP are distinct: Ripple Labs is the company. XRP is the digital asset used within some of Ripple’s solutions. Ripple holds a large portion of XRP (initially about 60% of the total supply), most of which is placed in escrow to maintain stability and transparency. Use Cases for XRP 1. Cross-Border Payments Ripple’s ODL uses XRP as a bridge currency to facilitate instant currency exchange between two different fiat currencies, reducing the need for pre-funded nostro accounts. 2. Remittances XRP can be used by remittance companies to send funds quickly and cheaply across borders. 3. Micropayments Due to its low fees, XRP is suitable for streaming payments, tipping, or pay-per-use services. 4. DeFi and Tokenization XRP Ledger supports basic DeFi features like decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and issued assets. Projects are also exploring tokenizing real-world assets (e.g., real estate or stocks) on XRPL. Supply and Distribution Total Supply: 100 billion XRP XRP is not mined. All tokens were pre-mined at inception. Ripple holds a significant amount of XRP, releasing some from escrow each month. Concerns have been raised about centralization because of Ripple's holdings, but the ledger itself remains decentralized. Legal and Regulatory Issues Ripple Labs has been involved in a major lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since December 2020. The SEC alleged that XRP was sold as an unregistered security. This legal battle has had major implications for XRP’s price and perception. In July 2023, a U.S. judge ruled that XRP is not a security when sold on public exchanges, which was a partial win for Ripple. However, the legal proceedings are ongoing. XRP vs. Other Cryptocurrencies Criticisms of XRP Centralization Concerns: Ripple’s large holding and influence have raised concerns. Legal Risk: Ongoing lawsuits affect investor confidence. Limited Smart Contract Capabilities: Compared to Ethereum, XRP Ledger has limited programmability, though extensions like Hooks are in development. Recent Developments Ripple expanding globally, especially in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. CBDC experimentation: Several central banks are working with Ripple to explore using XRPL for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). XRPL is undergoing upgrades to improve smart contract support and increase ecosystem utility. Conclusion XRP is a powerful digital asset with a clear use case in cross-border finance. Its speed, low cost, and efficiency make it appealing for institutions and financial networks. While legal uncertainties have cast shadows in the past, Ripple and the XRP Ledger continue to evolve and maintain relevance in the crypto world. Would you like a summary, timeline, or investment analysis for XRP too? $XRP