Bitcoin at $94,158!

The Fear & Greed Index is at 61 – Greed, reflecting renewed optimism as institutional and regulatory developments drive market sentiment.

U.S. banks can now engage with Bitcoin – Michael Saylor

The U.S. Federal Reserve has officially withdrawn its 2022 guidance discouraging banks from engaging with crypto and stablecoin activities.

• Bitcoin adoption among financial institutions is expected to accelerate, with Michael Saylor stating, „Banks now have the freedom to embrace Bitcoin.“
• Regulatory clarity through pending laws like the STABLE Act and GENIUS Act could further boost institutional engagement.
• Analysts see the move as a major turning point for U.S. crypto adoption, contrasting with slower progress in Europe, where less than 20% of banks offer crypto services.

New SEC Chair embraces crypto roundtables as opportunities

Newly appointed SEC Chair Paul Atkins highlighted the potential of blockchain technology during the agency’s crypto roundtable on April 25.

• Atkins stressed the need for clear, purposeful crypto regulations and acknowledged the uncertainty created under his predecessor.
• SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce expressed optimism that the agency would become more crypto-friendly under Atkins‘ leadership.
• The SEC’s crypto task force plans further discussions on DeFi and tokenization through May and June.

Italian town to unveil Bitcoin monument honoring Satoshi Nakamoto

The Italian town of Fornelli in Molise plans to unveil a Bitcoin monument dedicated to Satoshi Nakamoto on May 1.

• The statue, funded by the local government, will honor Bitcoin’s creator with an art piece designed by Mattia Pannoni.
• Fornelli claims the highest Bitcoin adoption density in the world and joins places like Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador and Crypto Valley in Switzerland in celebrating crypto culture.

NFT project plans to crowdfund Cold War bunker purchase

The Solana-based NFT project Dead Bruv is selling 100,000 NFTs to fund the purchase of a Cold War-era nuclear bunker in the U.K.

• Holders will join a DAO named Billionaire Bunker Club, which will vote on the use of the property—ideas range from a „survival resort“ to an „Airbnb with canned beans room service.“
• This follows a tradition of DAOs attempting large-scale purchases, like ConstitutionDAO’s bid for a U.S. Constitution copy in 2021.
• Dead Bruv says the initiative aims to bring fun and creativity back to the NFT space.