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As Feds Suggest ‘Guidance,’ Bitcoin Foundation Pushes Back

"The Bitcoin Foundation, which is devoted to standardizing and promoting the currency, didn’t like FinCEN’s guidance. As Patric Murck, the organization’s general counsel, wrote in a March 19 blog posting: 'Simply put, under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), FinCEN can’t promulgate new rules without going through a notice and comment proceeding whereby the public may have their voices heard. If FinCEN would like to expand its statutory authority over ‘money transmitters’ to include brand new categories such as ‘administrators’ and ‘exchangers’ of digital currency it must do so through proper rulemaking proceedings and not by fiat.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAs Feds Suggest ‘Guidance,’ Bitcoin Foundation Pushes Back

Analyst: All Of My Clients Think There’s A Bitcoin Bubble, Despite ‘Perfect Storm’

"Where is all of the momentum behind the Bitcoin trade coming from? 1. An increasingly tech-savvy base of savers all around the world don’t think it is any stranger to trust an open-source piece of software than it is to put your money in a commercial bank. 2. Lots of people around the world are uncomfortable with central bank policies, which seem to give money away to a global banking system which remains fundamentally broken. 3. Worries over heavy deposit taxes in various European countries (Spain, Greece, and even Italy), courtesy of the resolution to the Cypriot banking crisis 4. Some clarification of U.S. regulations, bringing Bitcoin long-needed legitimacy..." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnalyst: All Of My Clients Think There’s A Bitcoin Bubble, Despite ‘Perfect Storm’

Casascius Physical Bitcoin: Orders now accepted by invitation only

"On April 1, 2013, I stopped accepting orders for Casascius Coins from the public. I switched my website so orders can only be placed by resellers with prior invitation. I recommend and encourage sales of Casascius Coins by resellers. Over the last month, Bitcoin has become a lot more interesting to the world. Bitcoin prices have skyrocketed. Interest in Casascius Coins has increased substantially for multiple reasons that are seemingly working as a 'force multiplier'. While I’m very excited to see this has happened, for me to be able to satisfy the market demand for Casascius Coins, I will have to make some major changes to the way they are made and shipped." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCasascius Physical Bitcoin: Orders now accepted by invitation only

Western Union Eyes Digital Currency Services

"The company, once known for telegrams, is now investigating new types of digital transactions and investing in analytics to help the company adjust pricing for its electronic money transfer services. The company is looking at the use of digital currencies like Bitcoin as well as the role Western Union can play in other online transactions, from Internet telephony to video gaming–a far cry from its current business offerings of money transfer, bill pay and prepaid cards." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWestern Union Eyes Digital Currency Services

Iranian dairy company unveils five-ton ice cream tub to break world record

"An Iranian dairy company unveiled a five-ton tub of chocolate ice cream in Tehran on Monday in a bid to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. The company, Choopan, put the giant tub, which is more than two metres (6.5 feet) wide and 1.60 metres (5.2 feet) tall on display at a ski resort in the foothills of Tochal, just north of the capital, where over 10,000 people came to see it. Representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records did witness the record attempt in Tehran, but could not speak to the media for 'security reasons,' the company's CEO said. The current record is held by American ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIranian dairy company unveils five-ton ice cream tub to break world record

Iran: One question fifty answers (English Captions)

"Iranian graphic artist Ali Molavi asked 50 people in Tehran: 'What's your wish for today?' At first timid, they answered candidly, reflecting the passions, problems and politics in Iran today. Their wishes ranged from buying a motorcycle, being reborn, to finding a good job. One man wanted 'all the inflation and high prices to go away.' Another wished for Iran to 'move towards peace and understanding with other countries. One woman did not have any wishes. 'They have not left any room for us to dream anymore,' she said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran: One question fifty answers (English Captions)

Gold trade booms in war-torn Syria

"In Syria’s northern metropolis, as across the Middle East, those who can afford to have traditionally invested in jewellery for their womenfolk, especially gold, to ward against a rainy day. As daily clashes between troops and rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad have brought a devastating halt to all normal economic activity, the trade in precious metals has boomed as people struggle to make ends meet. Two years of devastating conflict have sent the Syrian pound into freefall and, for those with any money, gold is a popular refuge to maintain the value of their savings." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGold trade booms in war-torn Syria

China mobilizing troops, jets near N. Korean border, US officials say

"China has placed military forces on heightened alert in the northeastern part of the country as tensions mount on the Korean peninsula following recent threats by Pyongyang to attack, U.S. officials said. Reports reveal the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently increased its military posture in response to the heightened tensions, specifically North Korea's declaration of a 'state of war' and threats to conduct missile attacks against the United States and South Korea. According to the officials, the PLA has stepped up military mobilization in the border region with North Korea since mid-March, including troop movements and warplane activity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina mobilizing troops, jets near N. Korean border, US officials say

Whose “Provocative Actions”?

"March 28 2013 - US sends nuclear-capable B-2 bombers to SKorea; March 26 2013 - U.S. Army learns hard lessons in N. Korea-like war game; March 20 2013 - U.S. flies B-52s over South Korea; March 19 2013 - S. Korea, U.S. carry out naval drills with nuclear attack submarine; March 17 2013 - Troops remember sacrifices of Cheonan sailors; March 12 2013 - First day of SK-US military exercises passes without provocation; March 8 2013 - Air Assault Course increase 2ID capabilities; March 8 2013 - 'Frozen Chosen' Marines; March 6 2013 - S. Korea says it will strike against North’s top leadership if provoked." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhose “Provocative Actions”?

U.S. will ‘respond’ to North Korea’s provocations, says Chuck Hagel

"Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday that the United States was 'prepared to deal with any eventuality' from North Korea and warned that danger from Pyongyang was on the rise. 'We will unequivocally defend — we are unequivocally committed — to that alliance with South Korea as well as our other allies in that region of the world,' Hagel told reporters. 'We will be prepared...to deal with any eventuality,' Hagel said after the United States flew two nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers on a mission over South Korea. 'We must make clear that these provocations by the North are taken by us very seriously and we’ll respond to that,' Hagel said. Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. will ‘respond’ to North Korea’s provocations, says Chuck Hagel