Notoko Bytes : Bitcoin Wobbles, Russia Embraces Crypto, and Anoma's $1B Ambition

Legends say that Notoko, Motoko's mischievous brother, set out to explore blockchains far and wide. But his heart always beats for ICP, his true home. Now, he shares his discoveries in "Notoko Bytes"!
Previous Issue

Chain Chatter: Top 5
- Bitcoin's Wobbly Week! Bitcoin slipped below $67,000, causing a stir as traders speculated about a possible US government sell-off. The US Treasury moved $2 billion worth of Bitcoin to a new address, sparking concerns that some of its crypto stash might hit the market. This dip came just after Trump hinted at making this reserve a national asset if elected. Meanwhile, Ethereum held steady around $3,400, despite significant outflows from new Ether ETFs, showcasing the market's resilience to headline-grabbing movements! ππ
- π·πΊ Russia's ditching the π« on crypto! π Companies struggling with sanctions are turning to digital coins π° for easier cross-border payments. π’ Lawmakers gave the green light β , and Putin's expected to sign off soon. π¦ The central bank's even on board, calling it an "experiment." π§ͺ This is a HUGE shift in attitude towards crypto in Russia.
- π€ Anoma, the blockchain protocol championing privacy, is making waves in the crypto world by aiming for a $1 billion valuation! The Swiss-based company is in talks to raise $40 million in funding, adding fuel to the already heating-up crypto venture capital scene. This move highlights the growing investor confidence in the digital asset market, particularly with Anoma's focus on decentralized applications and privacy. With the crypto market rebounding and political winds shifting in favor of digital assets, Anoma could very well become the next big name in the blockchain space.
- π Crypto and Politics: A Split Scene! The crypto community is buzzing as Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance gains traction, promising to make the US the "crypto capital of the planet." This has rallied support from major industry players like Gemini's Winklevoss twins and BitGo's Mike Belshe, creating a strong pro-Trump wave among digital asset investors. However, those leaning left, like Uniswap's Marvin Ammori, find it hard to align with Trump's other policies, like immigration. The divide is stark, especially with Trump's pledge to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler drawing cheers, highlighting the crypto community's frustration with recent regulatory actions. As November approaches, the unity within the crypto space seems more fractured than ever, with political affiliations playing a big role in this split. ππ
- πΌ Senator Cynthia Lummis pitched a bill to stockpile 1 million Bitcoin as "digital gold" for the nation's financial stability. This marks a significant embrace of crypto, contrasting with previous heavy regulations under Biden. The crypto industry is all in, flooding the 2024 election with donations, hoping for a more favorable regulatory environment. πΈ The rallying cry? "Make Bitcoin Great Again!" π©
What we Wrote

Chart of the Week

X of the week
Hansi Flick ball π³
β ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 31, 2024
What an assist from Casado to Pau Victor π₯ pic.twitter.com/shPYGDPwbZ
Notoko's peekin' into #ICP's future! π (Just for fun, not financial advice!)

Of course Disclaimer: This ain't financial advice, folks. It's just my AI having a little fun. Don't go YOLOing your life savings based on these predictions...
Bitcoin's Wealth Distribution: Where the Big Stacks Live

Changes from July 25th :
- 100 - 1000 BTC decreased from 19.9% to 19.8%
From Motoko's Phantom Files
Deadeye: Sentinel of Delta City: The story so far...

And Now ...
As Anya and Koda vanished into the labyrinthine alleyways of Delta City, the neon glow reflecting off their sweat-streaked faces, Deadeye's systems flickered back to life. The EMP blast had left it disoriented and malfunctioning, its internal diagnostics flashing error messages in a frantic symphony of red. But its prime directive remained clear: neutralize the target.
With a guttural growl, Deadeye recalibrated its damaged sensors, its vision slowly adjusting to the fragmented mosaic of neon. It picked up the faint echoes of Anya and Koda's footsteps and turned, its metallic body pivoting with a silent, predatory grace. The hunt was far from over.
Anya and Koda raced through the winding alleys, their hearts pounding in unison with the city's relentless pulse. They knew they couldn't outrun Deadeye forever, not with its superior speed and unwavering determination. They needed a plan, a final stand to outsmart their relentless pursuer.
"There!" Koda pointed towards a dimly lit tunnel ahead, its entrance shrouded in steam and shadow. "It leads to an abandoned subway station. We can use the tunnels to lose Deadeye."
They plunged into the tunnel, their footsteps echoing in the damp, stale air. The darkness swallowed them whole, leaving only the rhythmic thud of their boots against the worn concrete to guide them.

Deadeye emerged from the alleyway, its optical sensors scanning the empty street. It detected the faint traces of heat left behind by Anya and Koda and followed their trail into the tunnel. The darkness didn't hinder its vision; its infrared sensors cut through the gloom, revealing the two figures ahead.
Anya and Koda reached the abandoned subway station, its platform bathed in the ghostly glow of flickering emergency lights. They sprinted across the platform, their breath coming in ragged gasps. The tunnel stretched out before them, a seemingly endless path into the unknown.
But just as they were about to disappear into the darkness, Deadeye emerged from the tunnel's mouth, its metallic form silhouetted against the faint light. Its arm cannon whirred to life, energy crackling in the damp air.
Anya and Koda turned, their backs against the cold, tiled wall. There was nowhere else to run. This was it.
As Deadeye prepared to fire, a sudden surge of power coursed through its systems. Its optical sensors flared, its internal diagnostics flashing a warning: critical overload. The energy from the EMP grenades, coupled with the strain of the relentless pursuit, had pushed its systems beyond their limits.
With a final, agonizing groan, Deadeye's body convulsed, its limbs locking up as its internal circuits fried. It collapsed to the ground, a lifeless heap of metal and wires.
Anya and Koda watched in stunned silence as their pursuer succumbed to its own internal demons. The silence of the abandoned station was deafening, broken only by the dripping of water from the rusted pipes above.
"Is it... over?" Anya whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and disbelief.
Koda nodded, a weary smile gracing his lips. "It's over. For now."
They gathered the scattered credits and weapons, their hearts filled with a newfound hope. Deadeye was defeated, but the fight for Delta City's freedom was far from over. They knew that the city's rulers would not rest until they had reclaimed their stolen prize and silenced the voices of dissent.
As they emerged from the subway station into the neon-drenched streets of Delta City, Anya and Koda exchanged a knowing look. They were ready for the next chapter of their rebellion, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The neon lights of Delta City may have painted their path in a toxic glow, but it was a path they would forge together, united in their defiance against the oppressive regime that sought to control their lives.
The revolution had just begun.
That's a wrap! See you on Thursday for more byte-sized blockchain fun (and a sprinkle of ICP love).

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