Ripple Emeritus CTO Breaks Silence on Bitcoin Creator

SUMMARY

• A New York Times investigation says Adam Back is the most likely Satoshi Nakamoto.
• David Schwartz responded with sarcasm, not a clear endorsement.
• The crypto community is still split and largely unconvinced.
• Adam Back has denied being Satoshi.

FULL CONTEXT
The big reaction came from Ripple’s David Schwartz, whose comment read more like a joke than a serious confirmation. That helped fuel the debate instead of settling it.

The report leans on writing-style and historical analysis from early cypherpunk communications. But the lack of proof means the mystery remains open.

WHY IT MATTERS
This matters more as a crypto culture moment than a market event. Every new “Satoshi reveal” claim tends to revive the same debate but rarely changes anything concrete.

DISCUSSION HOOK
Do you think the Satoshi mystery will ever be solved, or is it permanently part of Bitcoin’s identity?

April 8th Newsletter: Minerva Research

Bitcoin Breaks $72K as Institutional Wave Grows — Wall Street ETFs and Global Tailwinds Fuel Rally

Crypto markets surged on April 8 as Bitcoin broke above $72,000, driven by a powerful mix of institutional product launches and improving geopolitical sentiment.

The biggest shift right now: Wall Street is leaning in harder than ever, and markets are responding fast.

From ETF competition to retail engagement, everything is pointing toward a high-conviction bullish environment—with only minor risks showing beneath the surface.

⸻

Quick signals from today’s crypto market intelligence

• Bitcoin broke ~$72K (settled near ~$71.9K)

• Morgan Stanley launched a spot Bitcoin ETF (0.14% fee)

• $125K BTC price targets gaining traction

• $780K+ raised in AlphaPepe presale

• 119 news articles analyzed — overwhelmingly very bullish

Sentiment across institutions, creators, and retail remained strongly aligned to the upside.

⸻

Wall Street competition heats up

The headline event today was a major institutional milestone.

Morgan Stanley officially launched its spot Bitcoin ETF — the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust — with a 0.14% management fee, now the lowest in the market.

That’s a big deal.

Lower fees = stronger competition = more capital inflows.

This move signals that traditional finance is no longer experimenting with crypto—it’s actively competing for dominance.

⸻

Bitcoin surge fueled by macro tailwinds

Bitcoin’s move above $72K didn’t happen in isolation.

A key catalyst was a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which reduced geopolitical uncertainty and boosted risk-on sentiment.

Combined with ETF momentum, analysts are now increasingly pointing to $125,000 price targets as realistic in this cycle.

This reinforces the idea that macro + institutional demand are now working together, not against each other.

⸻

Mining efficiency and fundamentals improving

On the supply side, mining economics are also strengthening.

Cango reduced Bitcoin production costs significantly (from ~$84.5K to ~$68.2K per BTC), while selling 2,000 BTC to reduce debt.

That’s important because:

• more efficient miners = less forced selling

• stronger balance sheets = less downside pressure

This adds another layer of structural support to the market.

⸻

Speculation and presales heating up again

Risk appetite is clearly rising.

Projects like AlphaPepe continue gaining traction, raising over $780K in presale demand.

This suggests capital is:

• rotating back into higher-risk plays

• chasing early-stage opportunities

• re-engaging with altcoin narratives

Historically, this kind of behavior shows up mid-to-late cycle, not at the beginning.

⸻

Social and creator sentiment going full bullish

Sentiment across platforms remained extremely positive.

YouTube

• 40 videos

• 246K+ views

• overwhelming majority very bullish

Reddit

• 39 discussions

• 1,471 upvotes

• 459 comments

• low controversy, high agreement

Twitter (X)

• 59M+ views across just 5 posts

• 552K+ engagements

• dominated by Elon Musk narratives

Musk’s posts around space exploration and AI once again acted as a sentiment amplifier, pushing engagement to viral levels.

⸻

Risks: security and long-term tech threats

While sentiment is overwhelmingly bullish, a few risks surfaced:

• A hack at Bitcoin Depot exposed 50.9 BTC ($3.6M)

• Ongoing concerns around quantum computing risks (3–5 year horizon)

These aren’t immediate threats to price action—but they highlight:

infrastructure risk still exists, even in a maturing market

⸻

The bigger picture

What stands out most right now is alignment.

• institutions launching competitive products

• macro conditions supporting risk assets

• creators amplifying bullish narratives

• retail actively engaging (not hesitating)

This kind of multi-layer confirmation is rare—and typically precedes strong continuation moves.

The only real question is how long this momentum can sustain before overheating.

⸻

Key takeaways

• Morgan Stanley’s ETF launch marks a new phase of institutional competition

• Bitcoin breaking $72K confirms strong demand + macro support

• $125K targets are gaining legitimacy across analysts

• Retail + creator sentiment shows high conviction, not skepticism

• Security risks remain—but are not slowing momentum

⸻

Question for the community

Do you think this cycle is being driven more by institutional capital or macro/geopolitical shifts?

And do ETF fee wars (like Morgan Stanley’s 0.14%) become the next major catalyst for inflows?

⸻

We broke down the full institutional flows, sentiment data, and market signals in today’s report for anyone who wants the deeper dive:

👉 minervaark.com

⸻

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

$BCBC Bitcoin Bancorp Launches California Deployment of Licensed Bitcoin ATM Network With First Installations Initial Southern California deployment marks next phase of national retail expansion

LAS VEGAS, April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitcoin Bancorp, Inc. (OTC: BCBC) (“Bitcoin Bancorp” or the “Company”), the holder of foundational patents for Bitcoin ATMs, and one of only three publicly traded Bitcoin ATM network owner/operators, today announced the initial deployment of licensed Bitcoin ATMs in Southern California.

The Company has completed its first installations in the greater Los Angeles area, marking the next phase of its national expansion strategy. This move follows its previously announced rollout in Texas and represents continued execution of a broader plan to scale its Bitcoin ATM network across key U.S. retail markets.

The Bitcoin ATM industry continues its rapid expansion, with the U.S. crypto ATM market valued at approximately USD 267.4 million in 2025 and projected to reach USD 7,679.6 million by 2034. Nationwide, the U.S. maintains over 35,000 Bitcoin ATMs (approximately 30,229 as of April 1, 2026).

California represents one of the most attractive markets for Bitcoin ATM expansion due to its large population, strong technology ecosystem, and high levels of cryptocurrency adoption. With more than 39 million residents, the state ranks among the top in total Bitcoin ATM installations nationwide. In comparison:

• Texas leads with the highest number of Bitcoin ATMs among U.S. states (reportedly exceeding 4,000 in late 2025), benefiting from its crypto-friendly regulations and large retail footprint.
• California ranks among the top states in total installations, often second or in close contention with major markets like Florida and New York, though it trails Texas in raw count.
• Other leading states, such as Florida, also show strong numbers, supported by high tourist traffic and crypto adoption in cities like Miami.

This positions California as a high-potential market where additional licensed, patented machines can capture significant untapped transaction volume in a densely populated, economically powerful state.

This strategic expansion into California delivers significant benefits for Bitcoin Bancorp and its shareholders. It provides immediate access to one of the largest state economies in the nation, where high retail foot traffic, strong crypto enthusiasm, and a massive population are expected to drive elevated transaction volumes and recurring fee-based revenue. The deployment leverages the Company’s patented technology for enhanced fraud prevention and regulatory compliance, positioning Bitcoin Bancorp as a trusted, licensed operator in a jurisdiction with rigorous oversight. By entering California, Bitcoin Bancorp diversifies its geographic footprint beyond its initial Texas deployment, accelerates national scaling, strengthens its market leadership among patent-holding public operators, and creates long-term value through increased operational scale and brand visibility in a premier innovation hub.

"California has continuously led digital-asset innovation, supported by its world-class technology leadership, expansive retail networks, and growing consumer demand for accessible cryptocurrency services," said Eric Noveshen, director of Bitcoin Bancorp. "The opportunity arose to strategically add new markets following our Texas deployment. California represents a natural next step for our licensed Bitcoin ATMs—delivering secure, compliant on-ramps to Bitcoin while capitalizing on one of the largest economic markets in the United States."

About Bitcoin Bancorp, Inc.

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bitcoin Bancorp, Inc. (OTC: BCBC) is a diversified digital asset infrastructure and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) company focused on expanding secure retail access to cryptocurrency and next-generation financial services through licensed Bitcoin ATM networks, blockchain technologies, and Web 3.0–enabled platforms. As previously announced, Bitcoin Bancorp, through its wholly owned subsidiary First Bitcoin Capital LLC, owns and exclusively licenses foundational intellectual property related to Bitcoin ATMs, including U.S. Patent Nos. US9135787B1 and US10332205B1. Bitcoin Bancorp owns Bitcoin ATMs that are operated by licensed third-party operators within the jurisdictions in which they reside, forming a growing network of compliant retail access points for digital assets across convenience-store and retail environments. Bitcoin Bancorp is committed to advancing blockchain-enabled financial infrastructure through secure technology platforms, strategic retail partnerships, and responsible operating standards. Bitcoin Bancorp is not licensed as a bank in the United States and does not provide custody or banking services.

Shareholders, potential investors, and others should note that we announce material events and material financial information to our shareholders and the public using our website and the social media addresses listed below, as well as in our OTC Markets’ disclosures, press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts. We also use social media to communicate with our email subscribers and the public about Bitcoin Bancorp, services, and other related information. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage shareholders, the media, and others interested in Bitcoin Bancorp to review the information we post on Bitcoin Bancorp’s social media channels listed below. This list may be updated from time to time.

For investor and general information, please email contact@BitcoinBancorp.com

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/04/09/3270831/0/en/Bitcoin-Bancorp-Launches-California-Deployment-of-Licensed-Bitcoin-ATM-Network-With-First-Installations.html

Designing for the Bad Day: Insurance Funds and Risk Engines in a Cryptocurrency Exchange

https://i.redd.it/xaujaykxi5ug1.png

Remote Job - Square - Territory Account Executive, South Remote

🧑‍💻 Level: midLevel

📌 Location: remote

🌆 City: Lake Charles, US

🗓 Type: fullTime

💵 Salary: 123k - 223k USD (annual)

Description: SEE ALL JOBS;

Territory Account Executive, South Remote Lake Charles, LA, US Req ID: R0005986 Posted Date: 04/02/26 Posted 6 days ago Job DetailsApply Since we opened our doors in 2009, the world of commerce has evolved immensely, and so has Square. After enabling anyone to take payments and never miss a sale, we saw sellers stymied by disparate, outmoded products and tools that wouldn’t work together.So we expanded into software and started building integrated, omnichannel solutions – to help sellers sell online, manage inventory, offer buy now, pay later functionality, book appointments, engage loyal buyers, and hire and pay staff. Across it all, we’ve embedded financial services tools at the point of sale, so merchants can access a business loan and manage their cash flow in one place. Afterpay furthers our goal to provide omnichannel tools that unlock meaningful value and growth, enabling sellers to capture the next generation shopper, increase order sizes, and compete at a larger scale.Today, we are a partner to sellers of all sizes – large, enterprise-scale businesses with complex operations, sellers just starting, as well as merchants who began selling with Square and have grown larger over time. As our sellers grow, so do our solutions. There is a massive opportunity in front of us. We’re building a significant, meaningful, and lasting business, and we are helping sellers worldwide do the same.

The Role

Square is looking for a Territory Account Executive to join our newly established field sales organization. Our goal is to bring a local experience to our Sellers (aka customers/merchants) everywhere. You will engage with our Sellers in a relevant and authentic way, demonstrate Square’s mission of economic empowerment and provide a truly local presence. This individual contributor sales role will work with restaurants, retailers and service based businesses in our largest and highest potential markets. THIS IS A HUNTER AND FIELD BASED SALES ROLE. You will build a vision and strategy plan for winning market share in your city. You will collaborate to create a build top of funnel leads, referrals, connect with local partners, attend/host local events within your community to generate new business, kickstarting the flywheel and build Square’s brand awareness within your city. This role requires excellent communication skills, persistence, and a strong ability to build rapport with sellers to negotiate and close complex deals both remotely and in person.

You Will

• Sell into your market in-person. You will sell face to face 80% of the time to source leads, perform discovery and demos to generate interest and close deals selling our Square ecosystem
• Get to know the active Square Sellers within your community - keep a pulse on their account health and partner with account management and customer support, and generate referrals
• Engage and partner with onboarding teams to ensure Sellers are implemented successfully
• Build a sustainable, top of funnel pipeline through a combination of tactics - walking your city and performing 50-60 drop-ins a week to prospective sellers, create a referral channel with active Square sellers, strategic partnerships or local community associations
• Develop a strong on-hands skill of demo and onboarding of Square hardware and software solutions
• Work with our channel sales team to identify complementary partners in your market for referrals and build that referral channel
• Cultivate a deep understanding of the business and technology needs of our primary vertical markets (restaurants, retail and services)
• Achieve and exceed monthly sales goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) - we are big on metrics
• Utilize Salesforce to track, monitor, and report on sales activities, pipeline status, and outcomes

You Have

• 3+ years of sales experience in a full cycle closing role with field sales experience
• Experience exceeding sales targets, selling a diverse ecosystem of products, and closing complex deals
• Ability to drive deals independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Business development experience (e.g. hunting and cold calling)
• Since this is a field position, you must have reliable transportation and live in the market you are serving
• A collaborative and team player mentality
• Prior Salesforce experience or equivalent
• Even better:
  • 2+ years of payment processing OR related technology (i.e. payroll, loyalty, time management)
  • 1+ years of relevant audience experience (experience working in/selling to restaurants, retailers or services based businesses)

Block takes a market-based approach to pay, and pay may vary depending on your location. U.S. locations are categorized into one of four zones based on a cost of labor index for that geographic area. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. To find a location's zone designation, please refer to this resource. If a location of interest is not listed, please speak with a recruiter for additional information. Zone A: ($148,700 - $223,100)Zone B: ($138,300 - $207,500)Zone C: ($130,900 - $196,300)Zone D: ($123,400 - $185,200) Amounts listed above include target variable compensation. We're working to build a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Block is an equal opportunity employer evaluating all employees and job applicants without regard to identity or any legally protected class. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances. We believe in being fair, and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible. Want to learn more about what we're doing to build a workplace that is fair and square? Check out our I+D page. While there is no specific deadline to apply for this role, U.S. roles are typically open for an average of 55 days before being filled by a successful candidate. Please refer to the date listed at the top of this job page for when this role was first posted. Application Guidelines Candidates may submit up to 9 active applications within a 60-day period. Reapplications to the same role are accepted 90 days after a previous application has been reviewed. Use of AI in Our Hiring Process We may use automated AI tools to evaluate job applications for efficiency and consistency. These tools comply with local regulations, including bias audits, and we handle all personal data in accordance with state and local privacy laws. Contact us here with hiring practice or data usage questions. Every benefit we offer is designed with one goal: empowering you to do the best work of your career while building the life you want. Remote work, medical insurance, flexible time off, retirement savings plans, and modern family planning are just some of our offering.Check out our other benefits at Block. Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) builds technology to increase access to the global economy. Each of our brands unlocks different aspects of the economy for more people.Square makes commerce and financial services accessible to sellers. Cash App is the easy way to spend, send, and store money. Afterpay is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. TIDAL is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Bitkey is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services. Together, we’re helping build a financial system that is open to everyone. Privacy Policy See all jobs

Visit https://jobhuntify.com/jobs/2f7d61a1-36c9-41d6-a192-7c8e857cba1a to apply.

Markets React as Geopolitical Tensions Pause

The world of finance is essentially a giant mirror reflecting human behavior, global events, and the delicate balance of fear and optimism. When we look at financial markets, we are not just looking a...

Read more: https://financialbooklet.com/daily-digest/08-04-2026-markets-react-geopolitical-ceasefire-bitcoin

23 year old need help with portfolio analysis and adjustment

Hi I'm a 23-year-old grad student, interested in getting more serious about investing mainly for the long run, and I read a lot of current events, but haven't touched my portfolio in a while, and I'm not sure what the next step is or to just leave it alone. I've made some pretty dumb decisions and not sure what to do. Still need help in investing strategies and how to make more educated decisions. I will list my portfolio below. Please feel free to comment, give direction, guidance, and help make a balanced portfolio, and make it more well-rounded. And yes, I know I need to put more into my Roth IRA which I plan to start doing this year.

Robinhood	Stock	AMD	AMD	1.65704	$         197.85	$           127.47	$     211.22	$      13.37	3.82	1.14%	Tech	$18,915.38	$ 1,177.13	7.33%	100.01%	$             17,738.25
Robinhood	Stock	NVDA	NVIDIA	0.031611	$             5.86	$           176.84	$         5.59	$       (0.27)	-4.68	0.03%	Tech
Robinhood	Stock	META	Meta Platforms	0.421617	$         300.00	$           576.31	$     243.03	$     (56.97)	-18.99	1.32%	Tech
Robinhood	Stock	FRMI	Forager Intl	12.787723	$         350.00	$               5.13	$       65.60	$   (284.40)	-81.26	0.36%	International
Vanguard	ETF	VOO	Vanguard S&P 500	6.353	$      4,023.02	$           604.41	$  3,839.94	$   (183.08)	-4.55	20.80%	Broad Market
Vanguard	ETF	VUG	Vanguard Growth	5.011	$      2,528.59	$           443.17	$  2,220.72	$   (307.87)	-12.18	12.03%	Growth
Vanguard	ETF	GLD	SPDR Gold Trust	1	$         429.36	$           428.73	$     428.73	$       (0.63)	-0.15	2.32%	Commodities
Vanguard	Stock	AAPL	Apple Inc	5.01	$      1,349.45	$           259.11	$  1,298.16	$     (51.29)	-3.8	7.03%	Tech
Vanguard	Stock	ASTS	AST SpaceMobile	13	$      1,079.78	$             96.65	$  1,256.45	$    176.67	16.36	6.81%	Speculative
Vanguard	Stock	GEV	GE Vernova	2.001	$      1,154.36	$           898.59	$  1,798.08	$    643.72	55.76	9.74%	Industrials
Vanguard	Stock	GOOG	Alphabet Google	8.011	$      2,150.80	$           295.85	$  2,370.01	$    219.21	10.19	12.84%	Tech
Vanguard	Stock	LLY	Eli Lilly	1	$         934.76	$           926.01	$     926.01	$       (8.75)	-0.94	5.02%	Healthcare
Roth IRA	ETF	VOO	Vanguard S&P 500	0.272	$         172.13	$           604.41	$     164.52	$       (7.61)	-4.42	0.89%	Broad Market
Roth IRA	ETF	VUG	Vanguard Growth	8.198	$      2,351.42	$           443.17	$  3,633.11	$ 1,281.69	54.51	19.68%	Growth
Venmo	Crypto	Bitcoin	Bitcoin		$         509.00	$           327.75	$     327.75	$   (180.90)	-0.79		Crypto
Venmo	Crypto	Ethereum	Ethereum		$         202.49	$           126.46	$     126.46	$     (75.76)	-1.5

https://preview.redd.it/kquetnmr6utg1.png?width=470&format=png&auto=webp&s=e2866a327a9da10581b64ddae47904d60aaa5232

Risk Category	Value	% of Portfolio	Total
Growth	$  5,853.83	30.95%	$18,915.38
Tech	$  4,128.01	21.82%
Broad Market	$  4,004.46	21.17%
Industrials	$  1,798.08	9.51%
Speculative	$  1,256.45	6.64%
Healthcare	$     926.01	4.90%
Commodities	$     428.73	2.27%
International	$       65.60	0.35%
Crypto	$     454.21	2.40%