Cryptocurrency Gambling and Bitcoin Casinos Explained

The exponential rise of bitcoin has resulted in a new opportunity for cryptocurrency gambling through online casinos like BC.GAME. 

With less regulation by many major financial institutions in the world, there is little doubt that this type of gambling is rising in popularity. More and more people are becoming familiar with regular transacting and the use of crypto, so gambling can be a fun way to grow your digital assets, provided you play responsibly. 

For anyone interested in cryptocurrency gambling and bitcoin casinos, we will give you the low down on it in this article. Walking away with the right knowledge will help you to get in on the action safely.  

Are Bitcoin Casinos and Cryptocurrency Gambling Legal?

Regarding federal laws in the United States regarding gambling, operating a bitcoin casino on American soil is prohibited. Many popular and legally accredited BTC gambling sites for the US market are hosted in countries with more favourable gambling laws.

However, in many parts of the world, for example, Asia and Europe, cryptocurrencies are less regulated and restricted. It is in these countries that embrace the evolving financial world, where many of the most popular bitcoin and crypto casinos can be found.  

The Rise To Popularity Online

The internet is a popular place that comes with security risks. A person’s privacy can become compromised when transacting online and divulging their personal information. However, the beauty of transacting in crypto at an online casino is that you don’t need to hand over your personal information to anyone.

While traditional online casinos usually require you to register your credit and/or debit card details on your casino account before transacting, BTC casinos run on software that is supported by blockchain, which is virtually impossible to hack. 

Additionally, bitcoin casino software typically operates without human interaction, although some software requires a human dealer. 

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Many people are sceptical about gambling online and have a preconceived notion that they are vulnerable to hackers and personal information being leaked. On the contrary, bitcoin casinos allow players to remain anonymous and have proven to be more secure than any traditional gambling sites. 

Since no personal information is required for crypto gambling, there is no opportunity for your information to be leaked. Moreover, you can remain anonymous and play without concerns about others finding your identity.

How Do Bitcoin Casinos Work?

Like all online platforms, software is an essential element of cryptocurrency gambling. Many bigger sites have developed gaming software, while emerging casinos choose to rent or purchase it from a provider. This is typically customised with various unique features to make each casino stand out. 

The casino games are run by software and require no human involvement. In most cases, specialised software also serves as a dealer. 

Due to the digital nature, bitcoin casinos try to let their patrons know that they operate a fair and transparent business. This is done by giving gamblers insight into their software algorithms. Additionally, they entice players to gamble with competitive and unique offers and bonuses. 

Bitcoin casinos are becoming increasingly popular amongst gamblers who enjoy quality online entertainment and want to use their cryptocurrency to pay for it. Players can transfer their digital assets into a wallet and then easily withdraw them similarly.  

Many platforms offer currency transaction options, including fiat and cryptocurrency, while others might choose to specialise in just one currency, like bitcoin. 

Although poker is thought to be the most popular choice for cryptocurrency gambling, casinos like BC.GAME offer many options. We have online slots, roulette, blackjack, and keno, among others – take a look at what we have on offer. 

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When gamblers place bets, funds are deducted from their casino wallet. Each gameplay will result in a win or loss depending on the game’s outcome and the bet. Any winnings from a hand are sent to the player’s wallet held at the casino. 

From the casino wallet, the player can transfer it to their wallet or preferred storage method or keep it there for future gameplay. 

It is important to remember that some bitcoin casinos impose withdrawal limits that may prevent you from cashing out all your funds in the event of a big win.

Advantages Of Bitcoin Gambling

There are incredible advantages to gambling in bitcoin at an online casino.

1. Fast Transactions

The rise in the popularity of crypto meant a rise in gambling (see our section below on BTC markets). Suddenly, players could process withdrawals and withdrawals much more quickly than at traditional venues.

While the processing times of transactions in regular banking institutions can easily take up to four to five days, using crypto through wallets or exchanges cuts this down to a matter of seconds or minutes at most.  

Processing time within the casino itself is almost instantaneous. Significantly reducing the pending time for transactions means more time gambling and less frustration at managing your funds.

2. Safe and Secure Platform

Because cryptocurrencies like bitcoin run on the blockchain, they are extremely secure. With every transaction being verified by the collective network, hackers stand very little chance of gaining access to your information and funds. 

You have to be careful with your wallet key, which is essentially similar to your ATM pin. Also, be wary of storing your wallet directly on your hard drive without encryption to block unauthorised access. 

Bitcoin casinos enable players to gamble with maximum discretion, keep requests for personal details to a minimum, and only need an email address in the event of password recovery for your account.

3. Enjoy Anonymity

No other payment option gives you the luxury of remaining completely anonymous. With more traditional payment platforms like wire transfers or checks, your name, address, and account details will be required. On the other hand, cryptocurrencies only require your wallet ID, which consists of a long string of numbers that cannot be traced to an individual.

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4. Lower Transaction Fees

While traditional methods of online payment transactions were developed for purposes relevant at that particular time, technology has evolved exponentially since. Many traditional online casinos still use wire transfers, credit cards, and checks that people consider obsolete in this modern era. 

Although they were created to facilitate efficient and safe payments, they have ingrained flaws, such as high transaction fees and casino restrictions that won’t allow you to withdraw money into some channels. 

The deposit and withdrawal processes are different at traditional online casinos, where Bitcoin is supported together with other currencies. Typically, gamblers that make a deposit using Bitcoin will be asked to select a fiat currency, such as US$, to use when playing at the casino. They may, however, be allowed to withdraw using Bitcoin once their online entertainment session is complete. 

In terms of web platforms such as PayPal and Neteller, these payment solutions were intended for online shopping. Transacting with these providers usually incurs steep transaction fees and may come with transaction restrictions, depending on your location and local laws. 

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, however, were created with a freer, less regulated, and global financial system in mind. As such, fees are lower and more transparent. On the flip side, the currencies can be more volatile than traditionally established fiats such as the USD and Euro.

5. Greater Rewards For Bitcoin Users

In traditional casinos, rewards are often lower, banking fees higher, and any winnings are taxable. It’s not to say that crypto winnings aren’t taxable, as many are, and you should do your homework on this. However, the fact that there is no central system with rules dictating outcomes makes cryptocurrency gambling attractive to players. 

Bitcoin casinos have none of the imposed bank fees or tax liabilities that traditional houses do. As such, they can pass on greater rewards to players, which shows in the bonuses they offer. 

Aside from the bonuses we mentioned, the payout percentages on games are proportionally higher in favour of the players than traditional online casinos. In this article, you can read more about this phenomenon known as the house edge.

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How Is A BTC Casino Similar To A Real World Casino

At a traditional physical casino, when you go in to play a table game, you must cash in chips before you can play. This part of a traditional casino was probably conceived to unconsciously encourage gamblers to part with their money, as chips are technically not real money.

Players at bitcoin casinos often view their digital currency as chips, making the experience of playing at that casino very similar to one in the real world. 

Despite this striking similarity, playing with BTC gives players much more versatility. Funds from their casino account can be transferred to their preferred storage method and used at various other vendors who accept the currency.

Do Casinos Affect BTC Markets?

Although there is not enough public data available to show how bitcoin casinos influence the cryptocurrency market and the number of transactions processed, it has been suggested that gambling can increase general activity. A famous example is the launch of SatoshiDice.com in 2012, which shot up daily transactions five-fold. 

This seems to be an indication that the bitcoin market and online bitcoin casinos are very well-connected.

Other Cryptocurrencies Used For Gambling Online

BTC is not an exclusive cryptocurrency used by online casinos, although it tends to somewhat dominate in popularity. This is understandable, considering that crypto is widely used and was the first to hit the market and gain huge popularity.

Many cryptocurrency gambling casinos also allow players to use some or any of the following currencies:

• Ethereum: This is the chief competitor to the father of cryptocurrencies. It is a platform that powers decentralised applications based on blockchain-based distributed software.
• Litecoin: Although this cryptocurrency bears remarkable similarities and is a competitor, its value is nowhere as high as Bitcoin.
• Dogecoin: This currency is growing steadily, with more online crypto casinos introducing it as an option for playing.
• Bitcoin Cash: This currency came about due to a hard fork in the founding of crypto in 2018.
• Monero: An emerging solution to address some users’ privacy issues with cryptocurrencies in general.
• Ripple: a gross settlement system that is often compared to Ethereum.
• Dash: formerly Darkcoin and not as widely accepted as Monero, this decentralised network offers fast and anonymous transactions.

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The Bottom Line

Since its introduction in 2009, Bitcoin has experienced an explosion of growth. It has earned the recognition of many large organisations, leading software providers, and traditional online casinos.

As more people begin to accept it globally as a valid form of currency, we’re seeing the instances of it being used for transacting online increasing. Due to its anonymity and fast processing times, this cryptocurrency only stands to earn greater exposure as more casinos introduce it as an option to transact. 

Worried about if you are being taken for a ride? Don’t! Cryptocurrency gambling sites go the extra mile to show players that they are transparent and fair. As a result, confidence is growing, and more and more gamblers are flocking to the sites that offer BTC games. 

Compared to regular online casinos that transact traditionally, bitcoin casinos tend to be more receptive and facilitate seamless payments. Moreover, allowing users to remain anonymous gives bitcoin casinos a big advantage, as no personal information is necessary. 

When players move to gamble online, they discover an entirely different gaming experience. Not only is there more privacy, but the entertainment is endless and can be done anywhere in the world.

Is It Safe To Leave Bitcoin In Exchange?

Traders exchange their bitcoin for other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies (US dollar or Euro). They can either leave bitcoin in exchange for quick trading access or store their holdings in an offline wallet. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right option.

The general premise is that traders buy and sell cryptocurrencies to make a relatively quick profit by taking advantage of the volatile nature of bitcoin valuations. The value of bitcoin can rise significantly or drop drastically, depending on the exchange used and overall market demand.

What Is Bitcoin Trading?

Bitcoin trading has no closing time, unlike traditional stock exchanges. It runs 24/7, so there are no closing times for quick trades. It is also unregulated. Therefore, it is much easier to begin trading. There is no need for drawn-out verification protocols.

There are three major bitcoin trading methods.

• The first, day trading, is a trader making multiple trades throughout the day, trying to make profits from short price movements. They usually leave bitcoin in exchange.
• Second, scalping is making a profit from small price changes. Traders sometimes make hundreds of these small trades each day.
• Thirdly, swing trading is a long-term approach. Traders enter trades at the start of a price movement and stay until the movement dies down when they collect the profit.

Custodial vs Non-Custodial Bitcoin Holdings

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Traders need to have access to their crypto to exchange or trade. They could leave bitcoin in exchange with a third party (custodial holdings) or keep their holdings in an offline wallet (non-custodial holdings).

A trader gives an exchange the responsibility of protecting their bitcoin holdings. It is also more convenient for traders looking to make short-term trades because the BTC is easily accessible in the exchange.

On the downside, online exchanges are prone to cyberattacks. Traders and investors might lose their holdings in a compromised exchange.

Non-custodial holdings are not in exchange. Only a trader or investor has access to their holdings in a wallet. Keeping an offline wallet is best. It is also impossible for hackers to gain access to it.

Bitcoin Wallets

There are many types of bitcoin wallets. These include online (hot) wallets, software wallets, hardware wallets, multi-signature wallets, and paper wallets.

Each wallet contains private keys. Account holders use these private keys to spend bitcoin, so many of these keys are in each wallet. Private keys are like banknotes; people need them to make transactions.

Different wallets offer the storage of these keys for various purposes.

Hot wallets are for easy access. However, they are always online, so hackers might gain access to them.

In contrast, paper wallets are private keys printed on physical paper. Being offline greatly minimises the risk of theft.

Hardware wallets are computers that store private keys offline. They also process transactions offline. These are great options for a trader that wants extra security.

There are also multi-signature wallets that require two or more account holders to sign off on a transaction before the bitcoin is spent. These are cold storage wallets, so they offer offline security and another form of authentication.

Centralised or Decentralised Exchanges

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Exchanges are locations where traders can exchange bitcoin for other currencies. Most exchanges offer bitcoin to ether (second largest cryptocurrency) trading pairs. However, the largest exchanges are fiat currencies to bitcoin trading pairs. It is a much easier method of obtaining bitcoin and entering the trading market.

Centralised exchanges are the third party that helps with transactions for traders and investors. They provide a platform for storing bitcoin holdings and give access to many potential trading partners. The exchange manages the funds of account holders. These exchanges protect all the bitcoin holdings on the platform. They provide insurance for all the bitcoin holdings in the exchange. Also, some exchanges provide cold (offline) bitcoin storage.

Decentralised exchanges (DEXs) have no third party and are purely peer-to-peer. DEXs process transactions through smart contracts. These are terms and conditions between buyers and sellers written in code. Both sides of the contract must be satisfied before a transaction is complete. Users trade directly, and some DEXs require traders to be on the platform when receiving funds.

These are also less prone to hacks. The exchange does not store funds, and there is no central database of holdings. This means that the exchange is distributed across many nodes in the network. This leads to less or no server downtime.

While these exchanges are less common, they are growing in popularity.

Secure Exchanges

As we mentioned, centralised exchanges are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers target exchanges because they are easier to hack than banks. Exchanges often have millions of bitcoin holdings, so hackers also have the incentive to attack them.

Choosing a secure exchange when trading is better to limit the risk of losing your bitcoin due to a cyberattack. After all, secure exchanges are vital when traders leave bitcoin there. Secure exchanges have various security measures in place.

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Exchanges should have a valid HTTPS (Hypertext Protocol Secure) certificate. This protocol prevents data from being modified or copied when being sent to a web server. HTTPS makes it difficult for hackers to access account information or even private keys stored in the exchange.

If an exchange has the certificate, you will see the HTTPS symbol on the top left side of the web browser.

Exchanges should also offer strong password creation. Users should be forced to create a password that contains upper- and lower-case letters, symbols, and special characters.

Additionally, exchanges should provide two-factor authentication. As an account holder, you could link another device to your account to confirm logins using Google or Microsoft Authenticator. This adds a layer of security.

Note, however, that you need to avoid using SMS authentication because hackers can easily gain access to mobile phone numbers.

Secure exchanges offer cold storage of bitcoin holdings. Most of the holdings in the exchange are kept offline, so hackers cannot get access to them. Account-holders can only leave bitcoin in exchange in small amounts for single-day trading and store the rest offline.

Some exchanges offer funds insurance, which protects the exchange from theft. The downside is that the policy only covers the entire exchange, not individual accounts.

Choosing Between Different Exchanges

Traders need to consider the features that exchanges offer to their clients. Centralised exchanges are user-friendly, easy to access, and have a large pool of trading partners. Their benefits slightly outweigh their shortcomings.

Exchanges have security protocols that minimise their risk of being hacked. Funds insurance ensures that the exchange does not lose all its holdings in the event of theft. Only storing a percentage of bitcoin holdings on the platform and the rest in cold storage is an added security measure.

DEXs are more secure, but there are limited amounts of these exchanges to choose from. Also, they are less user-friendly because users manage the funds.

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To Leave Bitcoin In Exchanges Is Risky

Exchanges have many benefits, including access to potential trading partners and a marketplace to buy and sell different currencies. But there are risks involved when traders leave bitcoin in exchange.

For instance, in a centralised exchange, security is handled by the third party that runs the exchange. They manage all the bitcoin holdings and must ensure that the exchange is not hacked or that all the private keys are kept safe. Account holders also have no control over their private keys. Meaning they must go through the exchange when spending their bitcoin.

Some centralised exchanges offer cold storage for bitcoin holdings, but it is not a common practice. This means that account holders might lose all their holdings if they keep them in the exchange. A cyberattack could gain access to their accounts and drain all their funds.

Additionally, cyberattacks are not rare occurrences. Hackers have stolen over $1.65 billion worth of cryptocurrency over the last nine years. Exchanges are attractive to cybercriminals because there are millions of cryptocurrencies on them. They could drain an exchange’s holdings if they gain access to account holders’ private keys.

Centralised exchanges might also mismanage account-holders bitcoin. For example, they may misplace private keys held offline or lose access to the platform entirely. There is no guarantee that an exchange would refund any lost funds to their account holders if they leave bitcoin in exchange.

Decentralised exchanges rely solely on smart contracts. This removes the risk of third-party security. Even though it is safer to use than a centralised exchange, it lacks many of the latter’s advanced features.

Final Thoughts

Traders and investors need to consider whether their trades are short or long-term. Short-term traders should use a secure exchange with cold storage and funds insurance.

Long-term investors must store their bitcoin in paper, hardware, or software wallets to protect themselves from possible theft.

Traders and investors need to leave bitcoin in exchange only for short-term trades and never store large amounts of bitcoin in exchange.

Bitcoin miners strategically selling reserves ahead of halving event #News #Investment #Bitcoin #Strategic #Grafa

https://grafa.com/news/bitcoin-miners-strategically-selling-reserves-ahead-of-halving-event-174576

Any New England Bitcoiners? Next NH Bitcoin Brunch meetup scheduled!

Details and RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/massachusetts-bitcoin-meetup/events/298763572/

Armenian government partially "nationalizes" telecom giant \\ New education reforms; Labor market \\ PACE suspends Azerb. \\ Yerevan official accused of faking kidnapping \\ Unemployment down \\ Intl. cooperation \\ Mil. attaché \\ Low-cost airlines

9-minute read.

reforms in higher and professional education

SPEAKER: Today we are discussing a resolution aimed at education reforms made possible with the help of German GIZ and other international organizations from Switzerland, Austria, and elsewhere. //

The 4-hour session included speeches by expert guests representing schools and businesses. The speaker presents the main point of the resolution: video.

EDUCATION MINISTER: Two years ago we adopted reforms for [K-12] school students. Those are being implemented through pilot programs. Today's resolution is about higher education and teaching.

The latest census shows that 21% of young Armenians aged 15-19 are not in any school. It's even more concerning for the 20-24 age group: 69%. We are talking about over 140,000 people. This is a "luxury" we cannot afford.

The low-skilled workforce is vulnerable, and research shows they are at a higher risk of falling into poverty and developing health problems. Once they are poor, it becomes even harder for them to obtain the necessary education to overcome poverty. This is why our priority is to combine educational and social programs to give them a path.

The Professional Education [today's main topic] has certain advantages over Higher Education. It provides greater flexibility, employment opportunities, and education for the adult population.

Why is Professional Education so ignored? A survey among 40,000 European residents reveals that many are concerned that after the completion of this program, the type of job they find will be less prestigious and will have lower pay.

Our 2022 research shows that 54% of these graduates found a job in their profession within 6 months of graduation. That is significantly better than the statistics for university graduates, although it is far lower than the 90% mark set by the government.

A few years ago a program called Edu2Work was launched to study Armenia's workforce. It analyzed the requirements for the job positions advertised by businesses. It became apparent that many businesses require higher education, when in fact, a secondary professional education would suffice.

86% of university graduates believe they will need additional retraining before finding a job.

78% of businesses are unsatisfied with the level of skills and experience of young workers.

33% of young graduates are either overeducated or undereducated for their job. In other words, we are wasting taxpayer funds in higher education.

We also have a shortage of skilled tutors and craftsmen who could train students. This shortage is primarily due to lower wages compared to the salaries of university professors.

We have inherited an education system that was built to serve an entirely different economy with a different scale and structure. Today we need new infrastructure and reforms in education programs carried out with the help of outside groups.

The funding criteria have not changed since the 1990s, with few exceptions. This has contributed to the lack of progress. Now we must focus on quality and international standards.

The analysis of all this led to the decision to draft a massive reform package.

(1) We are synchronizing the "language" and terminology with international standards.

(2) We will allow micro-qualifications: Graduates of informal or additional educational programs will receive micro-credentials. This can help with employment.

(3) We are eliminating the legal difference between a "college" and "usumnaran" to end the unnecessary fragmentation. There will only be a college.

(4) Institutionalization of work-based education (e.g., apprenticeship). Education for work, work for education. A newly formed agency will coordinate these dual education programs. This will allow us to train a workforce that satisfies the labor market demand.

(5) We are switching to a credit-based system. The methodology of educational programs and the mechanisms of quality control are being revamped to ensure our education meets international standards. //

continue,

The minister also spoke about the already-implemented changes. For example, to address the shortage of workforce in certain professions, the government is giving a monthly $120 payment to university students who choose a relevant major. The minister says this has led to renewed interest in these directions.

EDUCATION MINISTER: And to conclude the presentation, I'd like to bring to your attention the results of a study conducted by EU's Torino Process. It shows that Armenians are a lot more self-critical towards their education system than residents of many other countries. On a scale of 0-100, in which 100 means no criticism, Armenia is at 23, while the average is 53. This is both good and bad. Bad because we ignore the positives, good because we strive for better.

This may shock you, but the experts have found that Armenia's education system responds to the economy's needs better (64 pts) than the average (61 pts) of other countries part of the Torino Process. This is a result of faster response by education centers and state agencies, as well as the reformed standards.

Another thing that may surprise you is that Armenia's education system has a higher Torino score in the level of internationalization. This is the 3rd year we are participating in Erasmus+ programs. We have numerous examples of internationalization at our education centers.

One last thing that may shock you: digitization. Our education system is more digitized than the Torino average. Digitization will help us improve administrative procedures and reduce expenditures. Under the new law, diplomas will be provided in electronic form. //

MP: We have a construction company that can't find 500 workers with a $1,000/mo salary. At the same time, I know that we have education centers that can train this workforce. Do students know who is hiring? Should we create a website where businesses, schools, and students can find each other?

MINISTER: We already have experience with a similar platform, a website. What we need is a more interactive approach. This will be handled by the newly formed agency tasked with the coordination of dual education programs, as I mentioned earlier. It will analyze the labor demand and advise education centers. //

Full session: video. source, source, source,

government allocates $8.2 million to purchase a powerful computer for AI researchers

Science expenditures will amount to $89 million this year.

38% will be used for maintaining the activities of 57 scientific organizations.

$22 million on the financing of 809 scientific research programs.

$9.9 million to acquire modern equipment for science centers.

$8.2 to purchase a "supercomputer" and modernize the AI research center.

source,

unemployment fell to 11% in Armenia, "the lowest rate registered in many years"

2020: 18%

2022: 13%

2023: 11%

Anecdotal evidence suggests that job vacancies in Armenia and especially Yerevan are at a record high these days. However, most of these are menial jobs which Armenians are now less willing to do than they were in the past and which increasingly attract migrants from low-income foreign countries, notably India. According to various estimates, between 15,000 and 30,000 Indians have moved to Armenia in the last few years.

source,

Yerevan Council member reports being kidnapped, authorities say she fabricated the story for clout

Opposition council member Narine Hayrapetyan (from an alliance led by ex-regime) reported being kidnapped on January 15. She said the kidnappers drove her to an unknown location where a man aged 60-65 spoke about her political activities before releasing her.

Initially, Hayrapetyan did not mention what the kidnapper told her or demanded from her. The leader of her faction, Andranik Tevanyan, also did not reveal details after speaking with her.

The next day it was reported that Hayrapetyan left the country. The following day a statement released by her faction claimed that the police "pressured" her to change the kidnapping report and that the kidnapper allegedly demanded her not to "cross the line" and to "stop the harsh criticism"; no further details were provided.

The police took her cell phone to investigate the claim of kidnapping. According to Hayrapetyan's faction leader, the investigators believe she is lying about the kidnapping and that the police urged her to retract her "false report".

The police (investigative committee) spokesman says that during the interrogation Hayrapetyan confessed to fabricating the kidnapping claim and that it was a political stunt, and that her interrogation at the police department was recorded on tape. In response to the accusation that she was "forced" by the police to change her statement, the spokesman said Hayrapetyan did not report being "forced" and that she was advised about her legal rights and options in the event of feeling "pressured" by the interrogators. The spokesman says Hayrapetyan turned down the "legal protection" because she did not feel pressured.

The investigation continues.

A few months ago Hayrapetyan (Zaruhi Postanjyan on Joe Rogan dose of steroids) engaged in a series of arguments with several colleagues from the opposite isles during which she exchanged harsh expletive language. Some of the people she argued with represent the ruling faction, Aram Sargsyan's faction, and individuals from other opposition factions. In one instance, she noticed the members of the faction (formerly) led by fugitive Dog walking in the hallway and began chanting "traitors" at them for not sabotaging Yerevan's 2024 budget.

This is a developing story (maybe). 🍿

source, source, source, source, source, source, source,

PACE suspends Azerbaijani delegation until Aliyev regime addresses series of issues: update

The German-led initiative succeeded in rejecting the ratification of the Azerbaijani delegation's credentials, booting them from PACE activities.

Reason: Failure to fulfill “major commitments” after 20 years in the Council of Europe, and a lack of cooperation. More in January 22 briefing.

Very serious concerns remain as to [Azerbaijan’s] ability to conduct free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the weakness of its legislature vis-à-vis the executive, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights, as illustrated by numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and opinions of the Venice Commission

About Nagorno-Karabakh:

[Azerbaijani leadership] did not acknowledge the very serious humanitarian and human rights consequences stemming from the lack of free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor

The Azerbaijani delegation may resume its activities when the conditions are met.

ALIYEV'S DELEGATION: U no talk to me like that. Me quit first! No fair. Okei me go now taxi waiting. Bai. I take this pen okei?

source, source, source, source,

Russian telecom giant MTS finalizes the sale of its Armenia-based subsidiary: update

MTS-Armenia won't be a member of the Russian MTS Group anymore. MTS is selling its assets in Armenia to focus on its businesses in Russia.

When there are favorable offers, MTS sells non-core assets or assets with limited potential for growth in value, directing the proceeds to developing key ecosystem business in Russia

The transaction is complete. The new owner is a company called Fedilco Group Limited. MTS also sold its MobiDram payment system, which is a subsidiary of MTS-Armenia.

Armenian regulator initially blocked 🔨 the sale without specifying a reason. A few months later they approved the sale and...

... the Armenian government will become a 20% shareholder of MTS-Armenia

The new owner, Fedilco Group, made the announcement on Wednesday. This company is also co-run by a Russian.

source, source, [source,](newsroom/top-stories/98719/) source, source,

foreign direct investments in 2023 amounted to $350 million, a quarter of gross investments: Economy Minister

KEROBYAN: The growth of foreign direct investment was greater than the growth of gross investment, which means the growth of the investment-to-GDP ratio. //

source,

Armenian authorities prevent the illegal smuggling of 17 tons of coffee to Russia

Better than cocaine.

source,

Armenia is appointing more military attachés abroad

On December 8 I asked: Is Armenia preparing to appoint more military attachés? The context was the approval of a set of amendments to allow PM Pashinyan to appoint attachés in an expedited manner, and for attachés to have deputies and assistants.

January 19: Pashinyan appoints military attaché (or deputy) in Georgia.

January 25: Armenia will appoint military attachés in Czechia (to boost military-technical cooperation, coordinate import and export of weapons, discuss production of weapons, repair and modernize weapons) and Kyrgyzstan (to carry out joint programs).

source, source,

Armenia to strengthen ties with EUROPOL

Armenia and Europol signed a cooperation agreement in 2021. The Executive will approve it tomorrow. Armenia will send an officer to Europol, while Europol will install secure communication equipment in Armenia for the exchange of information.

source,

Armenian authorities arrest several citizens of African countries and Armenia suspected of running a call center scam in Yerevan

The suspects are accused of defrauding victims, offering investment scams, and using Bitcoin and other technologies to launder the money.

Armenian authorities cooperated with their European counterparts to bust the scheme.

source, source,

drug dealers use unsuspecting teens as their couriers to deliver narcotics to hidden locations where the buyer later picks up the package: police spokesman

Many teenagers do not fully understand the risks associated with delivering an unknown product requested on social media, according to a spokesman.

source,

a pair of horses ended up on a busy street in Yerevan: VIDEO

One of them sustained broken legs after being struck by a vehicle. The incident happened on Isakov Blvd. The police and locals found the owner and helped them move the animals.

video, video, source,

photos from snowy Yerevan

photos,

photos,

German low-cost airline Eurowings will launch direct Yerevan-Berlin flights in May

TOURISM COMMITTEE: We are eagerly waiting for the arrival of German tourists! Whether you are a fan of history, culture or nature, or just an adventure seeker, Armenia offers a variety of experiences for everyone, so travel to Armenia to discover the hidden path. //

source,

I am trying to understand capital gains taxes in different jurisdictions and if they are related to the withdrawal fees and other fees paid to centralized exchanges

I asked the Bing AI bot:

Does paying a fee on Binance for the Bitcoin transfer (the fee is paid to Binance to cover Binance's profits and expenses for network fees) treated as a tax event? Does this trigger a tax event "capital gains"? For example, if the Bitcoin for the fee is bought at $1 at the time of purchase and the market price of Bitcoin is $1.50 at the moment of payment of the Binance fee for withdrawal, does this mean that a capital gain of $0.50 occured? (In the context of US laws.)

The answer:

This is Bing. I can help you with some information about Binance taxes and Binance tax reporting in the US. However, I am not a tax professional and I cannot provide tax advice. You should consult a qualified tax advisor for your specific tax situation.

According to the Binance.US Tax Center, cryptocurrency taxes are based on the IRS’s treatment of cryptocurrency as property. This means that tax rules that apply to property transactions also apply to cryptocurrencies. Therefore, paying a fee on Binance for the Bitcoin transfer may be considered a taxable event, as it involves disposing of property (Bitcoin) for another property (Binance fee). This may trigger a capital gain or loss, depending on the difference between the fair market value of the Bitcoin at the time of purchase and the time of payment of the fee.

For example, if the Bitcoin for the fee was bought at $1 and the market price of Bitcoin was $1.50 at the moment of payment of the Binance fee, this would mean that a capital gain of $0.50 occurred. This gain would have to be reported on your tax return, along with any other crypto transactions that you had during the year. You may also have to pay taxes on the gain, depending on your income level and tax bracket.

However, there may be some exceptions or special rules that apply to your case, depending on your tax jurisdiction, cost basis method, and other factors. Therefore, it is recommended that you work with a tax professional to determine the exact tax implications of your Binance transactions. You can also use the Binance Tax tool to generate a report of your capital gains and income gains from your Binance activities, which you can use to support your tax reporting. The tool supports different cost basis methods, such as First-In-First-Out (FIFO), Last-In-First-Out (LIFO), and Average Cost Basis. You can also find more information and resources on cryptocurrency taxes at the Binance.US Tax Center.

I hope this helps you understand some of the basics of Binance taxes and Binance tax reporting in the US. Please remember that this is not tax advice and you should always consult a tax professional for your specific tax situation. Thank you for using Bing. 😊

ChatGPT have a different answer:

In the context of U.S. tax laws, the payment of fees, including transaction fees on a cryptocurrency exchange like Binance, is generally not considered a separate taxable event for capital gains purposes. Instead, the taxable event typically occurs when you sell, exchange, or dispose of your cryptocurrency.

In your example, the purchase of Bitcoin at $1 and subsequent payment of a Binance withdrawal fee at a market price of $1.50 would not, by itself, trigger a capital gain. Capital gains or losses are typically realized when you sell or exchange the cryptocurrency, not when you pay transaction fees.

However, it's important to note that the fee itself could be deductible as a transaction cost when calculating your capital gains or losses upon selling or exchanging the cryptocurrency. In other words, the cost basis of the Bitcoin would include the initial purchase price of $1, and any transaction fees incurred during the purchase or subsequent transfer may be added to the overall cost basis.

Tax laws are complex and subject to change, so it's advisable to consult with a tax professional or accountant who is familiar with cryptocurrency taxation in the U.S. They can provide guidance based on the latest regulations and help ensure that you are accurately reporting your cryptocurrency transactions for tax purposes.

Also, it is interesting to learn how the network fees for Bitcoin transactions are treated (when directly paid to the network with a self-custody wallet).

I am not interested only in the context of the US jurisdiction.

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21 year old guy who is a certified skittle throwing therapist(THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL CLAIM, IM ALREADY WANTED BY INTERPOL FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE) and is looking for some great people to talk to and become friends with! OH AND I LIVE IN GERMANY

AYEEE welcome to .. my post? To my life story? Idk welcome to… ME! i know i know, so far it doesn't sound that exciting and more like that one strange uncle you see once a year during family events, that just keeps rambeling about aliens, the goverment, and how pigeons are goverment drones, but keep reading and you might just discover I'm actually your great uncle which went missing 10 years ago. (Or i can play him for 50€ only cash or bitcoin accepted.)

Either way I have heard from some very trustable sources on this subreddit that I should write down some of my hobbies as that's apparently what people do which are considered "normal", now im not the biggest fan of just writing everything about me down cause well THIS POST WOULD BECOME A BOOK,(best seller Material? Perhaps, bin Material... Perhaps)

But ill throw some of the basics in there: I love photography, i love filmmaking, nature(taking walks in it and just exploring and propably tripping and breaking my ankle because i have the stability of that one grandparent you thought would really be done after that last stair fall) watching youtube and netflix ,playing games, talking to new people aaand traveling, not because i'm wanted by multiple countries their secret services for a variety of crimes, including but not limited to the ilegal smuggeling of koalas, becvause thats not something id do, which is why im not wanted, really, trust me:)

I don't care about your gender or country but because of timezones i preffer it if your european (Not a must at all though BECAUSE I DO WORK THE NIGHTSHIFT WHICH MEANS MY SCHEDULE IS ALL OVER THE FLOOR) Overall I'm just a social fucking weirdo who always is looking for more people to talk to (NO I AM NOT ADDICTED...SORT OF) oh and German people especially RISE UP, I NEED Y'ALL TO PRACTICE MY GERMAN.

You don’t have to be a social expert at all, its more then okay if your a bit shy as long as your just actually interested in talking and not as dry as the ground in most of the world will be in a few more years (GOD DONT WE LOVE CLIMATE CHANGE ? I MISS SNOW DURING CHRISTMAS, I CANT BE THE ONLY ONE??) and even tho i love to fuck around and just have fun im also Always here for you if there is heavier stuff on your mind (i’m quite a good listner and Always try to help) .

I love bringing laughter into people their lives but ill also be your totally not certified in any way therapist(I WILL EVEN GIVE YOU SKITTLES AND CALL THEM SPECIAL ANTI DEPRESSANTS, LIKE EXCLUSIVE SHIT, HELL ILL EVEN TAKE YOUR HEALTHINSURANCE)

If id describe myself i’d say i’m.. Quite energetic, Always up for fun stuff and exploring, kind of shy at the start, caring, and hmmm. Fuck I CAN’T BE THE ONLY ONE WHO ALWAYS STRUGGLES TO DESCRIBE THEMSELVES RIGHT? Like I honestly find it diffecult xd. Like I'm the fucker that googles"personality traits" and see what i relate with like some fucking quirky hippy in a coffee shop at 11am after taking too many shrooms the night beefore.

I’m on discord, insta, whatsapp, snap, pigeon mail carier service and dolphine communication.

So if your interested in talking to me just send me a chat or a message!^^