Governments across Europe are ramping up efforts to mandate encryption backdoors, sparking concerns over privacy, security, and digital sovereignty. From France and Sweden to the UK and the European Commission, policymakers are advancing legislative measures that would compromise the privacy and security of European citizens under the pretext of crime prevention.

Parker Lewis recently explored the fundamental difference between money and currency in a detailed analysis, arguing that Bitcoin is uniquely both. While most people don’t differentiate between the two in daily life, this distinction is critical for policy and economic discussions as Bitcoin adoption accelerates.

BitBanana, the mobile Lightning Network wallet for advanced users, has rolled out version 0.9.0, bringing new features, usability enhancements, and performance optimizations. This latest release introduces Coin Control support, a Send All option, and multiple improvements aimed at power users managing large node activity.

Tropic Square, a Prague-based semiconductor company, has introduced the TROPIC01, an open-architecture, tamper-resistant secure element built on RISC-V technology. This innovative chip aims to provide transparent and verifiable security solutions for applications such as hardware wallets, authentication systems, biometric devices, medical equipment, and various IoT implementations.

El Salvador has been at the center of global financial discussions, particularly regarding its relationship with Bitcoin and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The recent $1.4 billion loan approval from the IMF comes with strict conditions, including further restrictions on Bitcoin-related economic activities. While many in the Bitcoin community have hailed El Salvador as a financial success story, a deeper analysis suggests otherwise.

Bitcoin adoption has surged at an unprecedented rate, surpassing any other asset in history. While Bitcoin functions as a form of money, its growth trajectory closely mirrors that of the internet, with a steadily increasing user base and institutional interest. Despite this success, Bitcoin’s adoption remains in its early stages, with vast potential still untapped.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $1.4 billion loan for El Salvador, with the condition that the country further restrict its Bitcoin-related economic activities. This deal imposes new limitations on government transactions and purchases of Bitcoin, marking a significant shift in El Salvador’s financial landscape.

Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy, recently met with the SEC’s Crypto Task Force to present his Digital Asset Framework, outlining his vision for Bitcoin’s classification and its role in the global economy. His proposal, originally drafted for the Trump administration, argues that Bitcoin should not be considered a digital currency but rather a commodity, distinct from fiat-backed digital assets.

The Orange Pill App (OPA) Wallet is now available, offering Bitcoiners a seamless way to send, receive, and transact using Bitcoin via the Lightning Network. Designed for ease of use, the OPA Wallet integrates directly with the Orange Pill App to facilitate instant transactions and real-world Bitcoin connections. Whether you’re attending meetups, supporting Bitcoin-friendly businesses, or simply exchanging sats with friends, the OPA Wallet makes it faster and simpler than ever.

Fountain, the popular podcasting app, has released version 1.1.17 for iOS and Android, bringing major improvements to user authentication and laying the groundwork for an enhanced content experience. This update addresses reported login issues while introducing ongoing developments for library redesigns, content updates, and transcript improvements.

Unbank, one of the largest Bitcoin ATM networks in the U.S., has successfully processed over $40 million in Bitcoin payments through BTCPay Server in just six months. With 41,416 transactions recorded, Unbank continues to solidify its place as a leader in the Bitcoin ATM and mobile exchange market.

A pattern in financial journalism has caught the attention of observers: economic downturns, rising inflation, and fiscal challenges are frequently labeled as "unexpected" by major news outlets. Freddie New, Head of Policy at Bitcoin Policy UK, has been highlighting this trend, questioning why predictable economic troubles continue to be framed as surprises by publications like The Guardian and Financial Times.

Bitcoiner’s have long faced challenges with seamlessly spending their sats in everyday transactions. Bringin has now introduced the Bringin Debit Card, a solution that enables Bitcoin holders to top up and spend their BTC effortlessly worldwide. This launch marks a major step in bridging the gap between Bitcoin and traditional financial systems.

A highly coordinated social engineering scam has been uncovered, involving fraudulent impersonations of well-known figures in the Bitcoin and finance space. Scammers are using fake identities and Calendly phishing links to trick victims into screen sharing, allowing them to gain access to sensitive accounts and steal funds.

Bitcoin Dada, an initiative focused on Bitcoin education, recently organized a hands-on learning experience for its Cohort 8 students in partnership with Gridless Compute. This field trip provided students with practical insights into Bitcoin mining and its integration with renewable energy. The visit took place at Dwa Estate in Kibwezi, Kenya, home to the world’s first sisal-powered biomass plant. The experience emphasized how Bitcoin mining can serve as a tool for energy optimization, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion.

With more and more Bitcoin events popping up worldwide, finding the right ones isn’t always easy. Online searches are often flooded with irrelevant crypto, fintech, and Web3 noise, making it even tougher to spot Bitcoin-only gatherings—especially those built on integrity and pure signal. That’s why word of mouth and trusted communities matter so much. More often than not, they’re the most efficient way to discover the few truly worthwhile gatherings each year.

James Howells, a computer engineer from Newport, Wales, is making headlines once again in his quest to recover a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin, now worth £620 million ($785 million). After his legal battle against Newport City Council was dismissed, Howells is now considering purchasing the landfill site outright in a last-ditch effort to retrieve his lost fortune.

The Bitcoin mining sector is under intense pressure as declining profitability puts popular mining machines, including Bitmain’s Antminer S19 Pro series, at risk of operating at a loss. With record-high mining difficulty and Bitcoin’s price dipping below $96,000, miners face a brutal profitability squeeze that could force many to shut down operations.

The UK government has secretly ordered Apple to create a backdoor allowing British security officials access to encrypted iCloud backups, according to reports. Issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (Snoopers’ Charter), this demand could have global implications for digital privacy and cybersecurity.

After an incredibly successful early access phase with over 100,000 onboarded users, Proton Wallet is now officially available for all! The team has received overwhelmingly positive feedback and is committed to making Bitcoin self-custody easier and more accessible than ever.