Johnny Ng, a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, has suggested that Bitcoin could be a viable addition to Hong Kong’s reserve assets. In a recent X post, Ng outlined his intention to collaborate with various stakeholders to assess the feasibility of incorporating Bitcoin into the city’s financial reserves.

This proposal aligns with the growing global interest in digital assets and their potential advantages in financial management.

Ng’s proposal follows a notable speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump at the 2024 Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, where Trump emphasized Bitcoin’s significance.

Bitcoin has increasingly attracted global attention for its perceived value as digital gold and a hedge against inflation. Ng believes that integrating Bitcoin into Hong Kong’s reserves could be advantageous, especially given the region’s expanding Web3 ecosystem and its reputation as a burgeoning hub for digital innovation.

The Hong Kong legislature highlighted Bitcoin’s advantages, including its decentralized nature, limited supply, and its role as a safeguard against economic instability and governmental control.

Ng has been a strong advocate for Web3 and digital assets, and he views incorporating Bitcoin into Hong Kong’s financial strategy as a natural extension of the city’s efforts to enhance its status as an international center for virtual assets.

Ng’s support for digital assets includes backing the launch of Bitcoin ETFs in Hong Kong, which he believes will bolster the city’s position in the global crypto market. He also underscores the importance of attracting global talent, crypto exchanges, and blockchain projects to foster innovation.

However, Ng acknowledges that careful research and regulatory compliance are essential to successfully integrate Bitcoin into Hong Kong’s financial system.

In the U.S., Trump’s speech at the Bitcoin Conference included a pledge to create a favorable regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies if he is elected. He proposed establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve, maintaining the U.S. government’s existing Bitcoin holdings, and ending restrictive crypto policies.

This stance has been well-received by the crypto community, particularly because of Trump’s commitment to a more supportive approach to digital assets and the controversial position of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler.

John Deaton, a US Senate candidate and pro-XRP lawyer, has challenged Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris to prove her commitment to cryptocurrency. Deaton’s challenge comes in response to Harris’s recent attempts to align herself with the crypto industry while seeking endorsements from notable figures in the field.

As the incumbent Vice President and a prominent figure in the current anti-crypto administration under Joe Biden, Harris’s newfound support for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has raised questions about her genuine stance.

Deaton’s primary demand is that Harris push for the resignation of Gary Gensler, the Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He argues that Gensler’s tenure has been detrimental to the crypto community, inflicting more harm than notorious figures like Sam Bankman-Fried.

According to Deaton, Gensler’s regulatory approach, which he terms “regulation by enforcement,” has driven investors away from domestic platforms to riskier offshore alternatives, including FTX.

The SEC under Gensler’s leadership has faced criticism for failing to provide transparent communication about its interactions with FTX, despite numerous meetings with the company’s founder.

Deaton believes that removing Gensler would not only benefit Ripple XRP but also set a positive precedent for the broader crypto industry. Such a move would demonstrate Harris’s genuine support for the development of a sustainable digital asset economy.

In response to her campaign’s engagement with the crypto community, Harris has reportedly reached out to major players in the industry, such as Coinbase, Ripple Labs, and Circle, to build relationships that could support a more favorable regulatory environment.

However, the true intentions behind Harris’s sudden pro-crypto stance are being scrutinized, with some industry insiders questioning the authenticity of her support.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has cautioned Harris to avoid associating with anti-crypto figures, reflecting a broader skepticism within the crypto community about Harris’s recent shift in position.

As Deaton continues to challenge Harris’s commitment, the broader crypto industry remains watchful of her actions and the potential implications for future regulatory policies.

Apple has introduced its anticipated artificial intelligence features under the label “Apple Intelligence” through developer betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.

These updates, although not the full release expected later in the year, offer an early preview of Apple’s AI capabilities to a select group of developers. This move is part of Apple’s strategy to gradually roll out their AI features and gather feedback before the official launch.

To access these new features, developers with Apple accounts must update their devices and navigate to the Apple Intelligence settings to join a waitlist. The approval process is typically swift, taking only a few hours.

It’s important for users to have the latest devices, such as the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max for iOS 18.1, or an iPad or Mac with an M1 chip or newer for iPadOS 18.1. Additionally, devices must be set to US English to utilize these features.

The developer beta introduces a range of new tools, including advanced writing capabilities for proofreading, rewriting, and summarizing text. Users can also create Memories in a revamped Photos app and transcribe live calls or audio in the Phone and Notes apps, respectively.

Siri’s enhancements include new visual elements, the option to type commands, and improved understanding of interrupted or stuttered speech.

Certain features, however, are still unavailable in this beta. These include Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, Cleanup in Photos, and personalized Siri actions.

These features are expected to be rolled out in future updates, with a full general release of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia anticipated later in the year, and Apple Intelligence functionalities expected to be fully available in 2024.

An update on July 29, 2024, has provided additional details on the available Apple Intelligence features and the necessary language settings. This update highlights the ongoing developments and sets expectations for the upcoming releases as Apple continues to refine and expand its AI capabilities.

Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that many nuclear power plants are exploring partnerships with tech companies to power new data centers. Goldman Sachs projects that AI will significantly increase data center power usage by 160% by 2030, which could more than double current carbon dioxide emissions.

Training AI models is becoming increasingly costly, raising concerns about the sustainability of AI’s growth.

At VB Transform 2024, a panel discussed these issues, led by Hyunjun Park of CATALOG. Panelists included experts from IBM, AWS, and Hewlett Packard Labs. They highlighted the looming financial and environmental costs associated with training AI models, noting that by 2030, these costs might exceed the U.S. GDP and worldwide IT spending.

Bresniker emphasized the need for immediate action to address these sustainability and equity issues, arguing that unsustainable practices inherently create inequities. Corporations like AWS are working on solutions such as using alternative fuels, improving cooling technologies, and developing more efficient chips to reduce their carbon footprint and costs.

Quantum computing was discussed as a potential solution. Dr. Jamie Garcia from IBM highlighted how quantum computing might offer resource savings and speed benefits for AI. However, significant infrastructure and research challenges remain before quantum computing can be widely implemented.

The panel concluded that transparency and choice are crucial. Companies need to be transparent about the true costs and impacts of their technologies.

Roberts suggested that choosing the right technologies and optimizing their use could help mitigate resource consumption. Bresniker warned that without such measures, the industry might face a hard ceiling on growth due to unsustainable practices.

Elon Musk recently shared a manipulated video featuring a deepfake voiceover of Vice President Kamala Harris, which has sparked significant controversy. The altered video depicts Harris making false statements, such as claiming she was selected for her diversity rather than her qualifications.

This manipulation is not flagged as deceptive by the platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, despite the platform’s policy against sharing synthetic or misleading media.

The video, initially posted by @MrReaganUSA as a parody, quickly gained traction, accumulating over 119 million views by early Sunday afternoon. The altered content includes fabricated comments about Harris’s relationship with President Joe Biden, further misleading viewers.

Musk’s endorsement of the video with a simple “This is amazing” and a laughing emoji has not been accompanied by any warnings or labels indicating the content’s misleading nature.

X’s policy allows for certain types of altered media to remain unmarked as misleading if they fall under categories like memes or satire, provided they do not cause significant confusion about their authenticity.

However, deepfake technology presents unique challenges, especially when used in a manner that could deceive or manipulate public opinion.

The concern about deepfakes influencing voter perceptions has been increasing, with tech companies and organizations taking steps to address the issue. Earlier this year, 20 technology companies, including X, committed to combating the deceptive use of AI in the 2024 elections to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Despite these efforts, the lack of intervention in this specific case raises questions about the effectiveness of current policies in managing manipulated media. As the use of deepfakes and synthetic media becomes more prevalent, there is a growing need for robust measures to prevent misinformation and protect public trust in media.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has raised over $4 million through various digital currencies, with Bitcoin leading among the cryptocurrencies used for donations. This represents a notable shift in political fundraising, as campaigns increasingly embrace digital currencies. Bitcoin’s prominence in these donations underscores its importance and influence in the crypto space, setting a precedent for future political fundraising strategies.

In addition to Bitcoin, the Trump campaign has received substantial donations in other digital currencies such as Ethereum, XRP, and USDC. Last week alone, the campaign reported around $3 million in crypto contributions. Among the notable donors, 19 individuals contributed over $2.15 million in Bitcoin.

Prominent figures from the cryptocurrency world, like the Winklevoss twins, Kraken’s co-founder Jesse Powell, and Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, have made significant donations, highlighting the growing intersection of politics and cryptocurrency.

The “Trump 47” joint fundraising committee, responsible for raising over $118 million from April to June, demonstrates the campaign’s robust financial backing. These funds are allocated to support Trump’s campaign, the Republican National Committee, and affiliated groups.

This large-scale fundraising effort showcases the campaign’s capacity to mobilize substantial financial resources from both traditional and digital avenues.

Trump’s campaign has also adopted innovative fundraising tactics, including exclusive high-ticket events. A private roundtable at the Bitcoin Conference 2024 in Nashville is being planned, with attendees required to make substantial donations to gain entry.

Ticket prices for individual supporters are set at $60,000, and couples can attend for $100,000. These events are designed to attract top-tier donors and crypto enthusiasts, further solidifying the campaign’s engagement with the cryptocurrency community.

Speculation has arisen regarding Trump’s future plans with cryptocurrencies, such as the potential promotion of Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset if he is re-elected. Discussions about a Bitcoin Reserve Bill by Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis at the Nashville conference add to the anticipation.

Trump’s campaign’s focus on crypto-friendly policies has attracted a diverse group of supporters, including professionals from various sectors. Campaign aide Brian Hughes has highlighted the importance of embracing cryptocurrencies, suggesting that Trump’s leadership could be beneficial for the advancement of emerging technologies in the U.S.

Bitcoin has recently experienced a resurgence in value, largely driven by optimistic speculation surrounding Donald Trump’s upcoming keynote address at the Bitcoin conference in Nashville.

Trump’s endorsement of cryptocurrency has generated significant excitement among investors, with many anticipating that he will propose new policies that could benefit Bitcoin, such as the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve. This speculation has contributed to a rise in Bitcoin’s price, as market participants expect potential positive announcements from Trump.

Markus Thielen, CEO of 10x Research, has pointed out that there is a notable lack of interest in selling Bitcoin over the weekend, suggesting that investors are confident in the cryptocurrency’s future.

Thielen also mentioned that many traders are avoiding short positions on Bitcoin due to fears of a possible price surge, further indicating strong market confidence in Bitcoin’s upward potential.

CoinGlass data supports this positive outlook, showing that future traders are predominantly focused on long positions rather than short ones. This shift in trading behavior is driven by the anticipation of potential price movements.

If Bitcoin’s price were to retrace to $65,000, a significant amount of long positions, totaling $1.11 billion, could be at risk of liquidation, highlighting the high stakes involved in current Bitcoin trading strategies.

As Bitcoin’s price climbs above $67,000 ahead of Trump’s speech, Thielen anticipates that it could rise even further if Trump announces plans related to Bitcoin reserves.

Drawing a comparison with the US Treasury’s gold reserves valued at $600 billion and the $15 billion worth of Bitcoin already seized by the government, Thielen speculates that Trump might propose a Bitcoin reserve ratio equivalent to 10% of the gold reserves. Such a move could potentially drive Bitcoin’s price even higher before the November elections.

The Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, which began on July 25, features prominent figures like Trump, Michael Saylor, and Cathie Wood. Additionally, presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. has advocated for the federal government to purchase Bitcoin, suggesting that his administration would align Bitcoin reserves with gold reserves if elected.

This political endorsement of Bitcoin has been well-received, with the Kraken crypto exchange expressing enthusiasm about Bitcoin’s growing role in US politics. Analysts, including Daan Crypto Trades and Willy Woo, are observing Bitcoin’s price movements and macro signals, with predictions suggesting potential future gains despite current market fluctuations.

The unionized employees at Apple’s Towson, Maryland retail store and the company have reached a tentative agreement that offers improved pay, job protections, and enhanced scheduling to foster a better work-life balance.

This store, which became the first Apple Store in the U.S. to unionize in 2022, had previously voted to authorize a strike in May due to unsatisfactory negotiation results.

Since January 2023, Apple has been in negotiations with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE). The resulting tentative three-year agreement includes an average raise of 10 percent for workers over the contract’s duration and higher starting pay rates for most positions.

Additionally, the agreement includes a severance clause, further protecting employees’ job security. The union, representing around 85 employees at the Towson location, has been working towards securing these benefits as part of their ongoing negotiations with Apple.

The employees at the Towson store will have the opportunity to vote on this tentative agreement on August 6. If approved, the contract could mark a significant step forward in improving conditions for Apple’s retail employees and serve as a precedent for other unionized workplaces within the company.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) urged a federal court to dismiss TikTok’s attempt to overturn a law that could lead to its ban in the United States. This law mandates ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to sell the app or face a ban, a move President Biden enacted into law in April.

The DOJ emphasized national security concerns, alleging that TikTok uses internal search tools to gather information on users’ opinions on sensitive topics.

In documents submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, the DOJ claimed that ByteDance and TikTok employees could use a search tool within Lark, the company’s web-suite system, to amass user data based on content or expressions about contentious issues like gun control, abortion, and religion.

The DOJ also warned that TikTok might manipulate content for US users and that sensitive user data could potentially be stored on servers in China.

TikTok has consistently denied allegations that it poses a national security threat, branding the attempts to ban it as unconstitutional. The company reiterated its stance in a recent statement on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that the Constitution supports its position and disputing the DOJ’s claims.

The legal battle underscores ongoing concerns about data privacy and national security related to Chinese-owned technology companies operating in the US. As TikTok fights to overturn the ban, the case highlights the broader geopolitical tensions and regulatory challenges surrounding digital platforms and user data protection.

Latvia has recently enacted the Crypto Asset Services Law, aiming to provide regulatory clarity for blockchain businesses and foster innovation within the country. This new law addresses the issuance, public offering, and trading of blockchain assets, requiring crypto service providers to obtain a license from the Bank of Latvia.

Prior to this legislation, crypto companies in Latvia operated without relevant permits, leading to a lack of consumer protection and anti-money laundering regulations.

The new law mandates that firms and individuals consulting on blockchain technology demonstrate sufficient competence, impose annual monitoring fees, and set significant fines for non-compliance.

Key components of the law include the licensing requirement, with application costs starting at €1.25K and potentially exceeding €3K, and an annual monitoring fee of 0.6% of gross revenue for crypto service providers. The legislation also sets forth severe penalties for non-compliance, with fines reaching up to €5M for individuals and €15M for companies.

While the law provides a framework for licensing and fees, it doesn’t specify other responsibilities for crypto service providers. However, Latvia has adopted the EU-wide Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCa), which offers additional investor protections and anti-financial crime measures.

Latvia plans to allocate €210M by 2035 to support crypto and blockchain innovation. The Ministry of Finance is working on enabling tax payments and capital contributions in crypto, and the Bank of Latvia will offer funding to crypto firms through its Innovation Hub.

This financial commitment reflects Latvia’s strategic vision to become a leading hub for Web3 businesses in Europe, leveraging blockchain technology to drive economic growth.

Despite currently having only around 30 crypto companies, Latvia’s new legislation aims to attract more blockchain businesses and foreign investments. Since the law’s enactment, several Lithuanian companies have shown interest in obtaining operational licenses in Latvia.

The government plans to double its GDP over the next decade, allocating substantial funds for digitalization and innovation, demonstrating a strong belief in blockchain technology’s potential to boost the economy.

Latvia’s Crypto Asset Services Law positions the country as a pioneer in the regulatory environment for digital assets. The legislation could significantly transform Latvia’s economy by attracting crypto entrepreneurs and investors.

However, the success of these policies will depend on their effective implementation and the country’s ability to maintain a supportive environment for blockchain innovation.

CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm responsible for a significant Microsoft outage due to a faulty update, is attempting to make amends by offering its partners a $10 UberEats gift card. The company acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the incident in an email authored by Daniel Bernard, their chief business officer.

CrowdStrike expressed its gratitude for the additional work caused by the July 19 event and offered the gift cards as a token of appreciation. However, users who tried to redeem these vouchers encountered error messages indicating that the vouchers had been canceled.

The company’s spokesperson, Kevin Benacci, explained that the high redemption rate of the vouchers led Uber to flag them as fraudulent, resulting in their cancellation.

CrowdStrike is now collaborating with Uber to resolve the issue, with users advised that there may be a delay before the vouchers are reactivated. This incident has further complicated the company’s efforts to regain trust following the widespread outage.

On July 19, millions of Microsoft users across the globe were unable to log into their systems, encountering a blue error screen. What initially seemed like isolated issues quickly revealed itself to be a widespread IT crisis affecting numerous countries, including the US, UK, India, Japan, and Australia.

The root cause was identified as a bug in a CrowdStrike software update, which led to the catastrophic failure of Microsoft’s systems.

The fallout was severe, impacting over 8.5 million devices and causing significant disruptions. Airports experienced delays and cancellations, supermarkets struggled with card payments, and healthcare facilities faced difficulties accessing patient data.

The chaos also provided an opportunity for cybercriminals to launch phishing attacks under the guise of CrowdStrike’s customer support. The outage is expected to have substantial financial repercussions, with insurance experts predicting a surge in Business Interruption Claims.

The financial impact of the outage was massive, with insurer Parametrix estimating losses of $5.4 billion for the 25% of US Fortune 500 companies affected and around $15 billion globally. In light of these substantial losses, CrowdStrike’s gesture of $10 vouchers has been met with skepticism, especially since the vouchers initially did not work.

It remains to be seen if the company will offer a more substantial and effective gesture to address the disruption and regain the trust of its partners and users.

British fintech startup Revolut has finally gotten its UK banking license from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) after waiting three years. The license was given to a part of Revolut Group Holdings Ltd., so the company won’t switch its UK customers over right away but will keep working as an e-money institution regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Antoine Le Nel, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer & Partner at Revolut, shared this news on LinkedIn.

Revolut’s co-founder and CEO, Nik Storonsky, expressed pride in achieving this milestone and emphasized the company’s commitment to becoming the preferred bank for UK customers.

Although Revolut secured a banking license in the European Union in 2018 with assistance from the Bank of Lithuania, acquiring a similar license in its home country has been more challenging. The company has been pursuing this goal since 2021, and the lack of a UK banking license has previously limited its growth, particularly in offering credit products like personal loans, overdrafts, and credit cards.

For Revolut customers, the new banking license signifies upcoming improvements and expanded services. However, immediate changes are not expected as the company is currently in the “mobilization” stage, which includes certain restrictions.

This stage can last several months but typically does not exceed 12 months. One major restriction during this period is that the bank cannot hold more than £50,000 in total customer deposits, which may limit some of its operations temporarily.

Revolut, founded in 2015, boasts over 45 million customers globally, with 9 million in the UK alone. The company reported substantial financial growth in 2023, with $2.2 billion (£1.8 billion) in revenue and $545 million (£438 million) in pre-tax profit.

This period also marked the first time in three years that Revolut published its audit reports, signaling a move towards greater transparency, which may have positively influenced the PRA’s decision to grant the banking license.

Revolut’s acquisition of the UK banking license marks a crucial step in its expansion and ability to offer a broader range of financial products to its customers. The company is poised for significant growth and development as it transitions through the mobilization stage and begins to leverage the full benefits of its new banking status.

Tesla car culture is known for its abundance of hacks and shortcuts, some of which have proven to be effective while others less so. One popular but ill-advised trick among Tesla owners, known as the “wet towel” trick, has recently prompted the Tesla Charging department to issue a public warning.

The trick involves wrapping a damp, cool cloth around the Supercharger cable handle with the belief that it will accelerate the charging process by cooling the handle and deceiving the temperature monitors into increasing the charging speed.

The rationale behind this trick is based on the idea that the Supercharger has temperature sensors designed to prevent overheating during the charging process.

Some Tesla owners speculate that by cooling the charging handle, they can trick these sensors into allowing a higher charging rate. However, this assumption overlooks the potential dangers involved in manipulating such a sophisticated system.

Tesla has clarified that wrapping a wet towel around the Supercharger handle can result in inaccurate temperature readings. If the sensor believes the temperature is lower than it actually is, the system could fail to prevent overheating, leading to a risk of damage or even fire. This warning emphasizes the importance of adhering to the designed safety protocols and not attempting to bypass the built-in safeguards.

Despite the obvious risks, it took Tesla more than two months to address the issue publicly. The warning came in response to a growing number of discussions about the trick on auto news websites and Reddit forums.

The Tesla Charging account on the social media platform X posted a message advising customers to stop using the “wet towel” trick and highlighting the dangers associated with it.

This incident highlights a broader issue within Tesla’s communication strategy. Since dissolving its public relations team in 2020, the company has struggled with timely and effective communication. Elon Musk’s decision to eliminate the PR department was based on his desire to avoid spending money on advertising and public relations.

However, this approach has led to significant communication gaps, such as the delayed response to the “wet towel” trick, which could have been addressed sooner with a dedicated PR team.

Proton, known for its secure VPN service, is entering the cryptocurrency space with the Proton Wallet, a self-custody Bitcoin wallet. This wallet allows users to control their private keys, ensuring they are not dependent on Proton for access to their Bitcoin. Proton’s motivation to create this wallet stemmed from a 2014 incident where PayPal froze its assets, emphasizing the risks of relying on centralized financial institutions.

The Proton Wallet includes features like a recovery phrase for key recovery, two-factor authentication, and end-to-end encryption to ensure top-notch security. Even Proton employees cannot access users’ Bitcoin. Additionally, the wallet enhances privacy by rotating public addresses with each new transaction, making it difficult to track transactions through blockchain explorers.

Currently, the Proton Wallet is available in early access to subscribers of Proton’s Visionary or Lifetime plans, with plans to release it to all users soon. The wallet supports only Bitcoin at launch, but Proton intends to add more cryptocurrencies based on user feedback. A Proton Wallet Plus plan is also in development to offer additional protection for vulnerable users such as activists, journalists, and executives.

Integration with the Proton ecosystem, which includes 100 million accounts, allows users to send and receive Bitcoin using email addresses instead of long public keys. This integration simplifies transactions and enhances the user experience within the Proton ecosystem.

Proton’s innovation extends beyond cryptocurrency; it recently introduced Proton Docs, an end-to-end encrypted document editor aimed at offering a private alternative to Google Docs.

Proton Docs emphasizes privacy, pledging never to track user data or use it for AI training. Based in Switzerland, Proton benefits from strong privacy laws and is not part of the Five Eyes alliance, ensuring robust protection against both local and foreign surveillance.

The price of Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has declined following the commencement of the Mt. Gox repayment program. Mt. Gox, a defunct cryptocurrency exchange, transferred 48,641 BTC to the Kraken crypto exchange for distribution to its creditors. This transfer marks a significant event in the crypto market, influencing the supply dynamics and prices of BTC and BCH.

Kraken’s CEO, David Ripley, confirmed the successful transfer of these assets back to Mt. Gox creditors through the exchange. Subsequently, creditors started withdrawing their BTC and BCH tokens from Kraken, leading to a massive inflow of these tokens into the market. This influx exerted significant downward pressure on the price of Bitcoin Cash, causing noticeable price dips.

Furthermore, Mt. Gox sent additional BTC to the Bitstamp crypto exchange, contributing to increased market volatility. BCH saw a near 3% decline in the past 24 hours due to these activities. The repayment scheme, which began in July, involves five exchanges, including Kraken and Bitstamp, distributing payments to Mt. Gox creditors.

Data from Arkham indicates that Bitstamp received 5,110 BTC worth $340.1 million, spread across four wallet addresses. Mt. Gox has moved $2.85 billion worth of Bitcoin to new wallets and distributed 5,110 BTC to Bitstamp addresses, leaving its wallet holding 85,234 BTC valued at $5.70 billion.

Altinvest.finance reports that while a significant amount of Bitcoin is still awaiting distribution, the progress made so far is a positive development. They advised stakeholders to remain vigilant and patient during this period, anticipating price fluctuations and renewed regulatory discussions to protect investors and ensure market stability.

Despite the recent decline, Bitcoin Cash has shown signs of recovery. After suffering a price drop between July 22-23, BCH found support at the $362.04 price level and formed a green candle on the daily chart, suggesting potential for recovery.

BCH is currently trading above the median band of the Donchian Channel, indicating a possible price increase. The RSI is at 47.72, suggesting that a move above 50 could signal a bullish trend. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index indicates that investor sentiment remains optimistic, hinting at positive price action for BCH in the coming weeks.

Former President Donald Trump’s medical condition following an assassination attempt has only been reported by his former White House physician, Rep. Ronny Jackson, MD. Jackson’s medical credentials have been scrutinized, given that he is currently licensed to practice medicine only in a military context.

His active license in Florida is designated as “military active,” restricting him to practice within military facilities, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Jackson’s license details indicate that although he is listed with an address at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, he has not been licensed in Maryland. His medical practice history includes a license in Virginia, which was valid from 1996 until 2020.

His Florida license is under the name “Ronny Lynn Jackson,” while the Virginia license was under “Ronny L Jackson.” Jackson’s records show no public complaints or disciplinary actions in either state.

Jackson now serves as a Representative from Texas, but he does not hold a medical license in Texas. Despite his current non-practicing status, Jackson maintains board certification in emergency medicine from the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), valid since 2016 and expiring at the end of 2024. The ABEM certification is a voluntary credential and does not permit legal medical practice across state lines.

ABEM representatives have clarified that their certification does not equate to the authority to practice medicine, which is governed by state medical licensing boards. Thus, while Jackson is certified by ABEM, it does not grant him the right to practice medicine outside of his designated military facilities or state licensure.

Requests for clarification from the Florida Department of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center regarding Jackson’s ability to practice outside military facilities or Florida have not been answered.

In contrast, President Biden’s current physician, Kevin O’Connor, DO, provided an update on Biden’s health with an active medical license and board certification, highlighting a contrast in medical credential transparency.

UC San Francisco researchers have reported a significant increase in accidents related to micromobility vehicles, such as electric scooters and bicycles, within urban environments.

Their study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed injury and hospitalization data across the U.S. for both electric and conventional scooters and bicycles. This research is notable as it is the first comprehensive investigation into the recent injury trends associated with these vehicles in the country.

The study revealed a concerning rise in injuries: e-bicycle injuries doubled annually from 2017 to 2022, and e-scooter injuries increased by 45%. Notably, e-riders were generally older and less likely to wear helmets compared to conventional riders.

E-scooter users experienced more internal injuries, while conventional scooter riders had more upper extremity injuries. These findings highlight a demographic shift and emphasize the need for enhanced safety measures to accommodate the growing use of micromobility vehicles.

Micromobility has expanded rapidly, especially in urban areas, due to the affordability and convenience of electric scooters and bicycles, which can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour.

Despite their benefits in reducing congestion and emissions, these vehicles pose significant safety risks, particularly for inexperienced riders. The researchers utilized data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, examining injury types, regions affected, and helmet usage.

From 2017 to 2022, e-bicycle injuries increased from 751 to 23,493, and e-scooter injuries rose from 8,566 to 56,847. In total, the study recorded nearly 2.5 million bicycle injuries, over 304,000 scooter injuries, 45,586 e-bicycle injuries, and approximately 189,517 e-scooter injuries.

The data indicated that urban settings saw a higher incidence of both conventional and electric vehicle injuries, with older riders more frequently engaging in risky behaviors such as intoxicated riding and not wearing helmets.

The median age for injured e-bicyclists was 39, compared to 30 for conventional bikers, while the median age for e-scooter riders was 30 compared to 11 for conventional scooter users.

The authors, including co-first author Kevin D. Li and senior author Dr. Benjamin N. Breyer, stressed the importance of a multifaceted approach to improve micromobility safety. This includes developing better infrastructure in urban areas, promoting helmet use, and encouraging sober riding through educational campaigns.

They emphasized that understanding and addressing the safety challenges of micromobility vehicles is crucial to fully leveraging their potential for creating more sustainable, healthy, and safe urban environments.