The Prospects for a Strategic Bitcoins Reserve in the U.S: Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R. Mont., Rep. Carol Alexander, R-Ark.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Mont., introduced legislation to create such a reserve. She proposed a plan for the U.S. government to purchase 200,000 bitcoins per year for five years, until they reached one million.

Many believe that starting a strategic bitcoins reserve in the us would give legitimacy to an asset that isn’t really necessary except for speculative investments.

Trump made another promise to crypto investors that could prove a game changer for the industry if fulfilled: That the U.S. would start “a strategic national stockpile” made up of bitcoin.

Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have been on a wild ride lately. The Securities and Exchange Commission gave the go ahead for investment funds to track the price of the currency early last year. The analysts believe forms of crypto could see a game-changing year. There are some things that you need to watch.

“We have to regulate the space,” she says, calling the move towards a friendlier legislative environment for the crypto industry “a step in the wrong direction.”

Alexander worries professional traders could take advantage of, and benefit at the expense of regular investors, comparing it to a soccer game between two teams without a referee.

The prospect of friendlier legislation though has many crypto experts concerned, including Carol Alexander, a professor the University of Sussex who is known for her expertise on digital assets and her successful track record forecasting the price of bitcoin.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., is the new chair of the House Financial Services Committee. The incoming Trump administration is likely to be helped by Hill, a former community bank president who advocated policies that helped develop the world of digital coins.

David Sacks, a venture capitalist, was appointed to be the nation’s firstcrypto and artificial intelligence czar.

Investing in Cryptocurrencies with the UpFirst Newsletter: The Rise of Bitcoin-Like Markets and Wall Street Propaganda

There are reasons for the optimism. The SEC reluctantly approved investment funds that track the price of Bitfury early last year, which is a big reason that it is becoming more mainstream.

Regular investors can use Exchange traded funds to get exposure to bitcoins without paying a lot of money.

As expected, Trump’s promise of picking regulators and policymakers who are likely to be less hostile tocryptocurrencies, including his own family, has been fulfilled.

Gary Gensler, the CEO of the SEC, led the enforcement action against key players such as Coinbase to get them to follow Wall Street regulations.

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Jimmy Carter’s funeral services begin in DC. Photo from the major winter storm: top ten inmates from the Guantnamo Bay detention facility in the United States

The remains of former President Jimmy Carter are set to arrive in Washington, D.C., today. He will be laid to rest at the U.S. Capitol. The public will be able to pay their respects until Thursday morning. Afterward, his remains will travel to Washington National Cathedral for his National Funeral Service. Listen to NPR for live special coverage of today’s funeral events.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation, ending nearly a decade in power. He faced mounting pressure from across the country, including from members of his own party, to step down due to his handling of the economy, immigration, and other issues. Trudeau stated that he will no longer lead the Liberal Party but will remain in office until a successor is selected.

11 prisoners from the US military prison in Cuba have been transferred to countries other than U.S. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, all but one of the men were taken to Guantnamo Bay, where they have been held for 20 years without being charged or tried. The number of inmates at the location is halved because of their release. The inmates’ release is part of a push by Biden to have the detention facility closed before he leaves office.

Source: Jimmy Carter’s funeral services begin in DC. And, photos from the major winter storm

The Minneapolis-DoJ Judicial Reform Plan: An Overview of a Powerful Snowstorm over the United States after George Floyd’s Murder

Minneapolis will join an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to reform its police department. The deal is intended to address decades of discriminatory policing. The decision comes in the wake of George Floyd’s murder nearly five years ago, which resulted in protests around the country and the world.

A powerful winter storm is dumping snow on the eastern U.S. The storm’s significant snow, freezing rain and ice, blustery winds and frigid temperatures have caused havoc across multiple states. Since it hit, at least four people have died, dozens have been injured, thousands of cars have been stranded along the highways and nearly a quarter of a million customers across a few states have lost power. Take a look at photos of the winter storm.