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Who Owns 5% of Ethereum? Bitmine's $16.4B Treasury Bet

One Company, 6 Million ETH: Crypto's Boldest Treasury Bet Co-produced by Daniel Aharonoff and DigitalDan Some weeks in crypto, the biggest story isn't a hack, a halving, or a headline-grabbing ETF launch. Sometimes it's a spreadsheet. This morning, Bitmine Immersion Technologies published its weekly holdings update, and the numbers are staggering enough to rearrange how you think about who actually owns Ethereum. As the chief editor of ethdan.me, I've spent years tracking whale wallets, ETF inflows, and protocol upgrades. But I've never seen a single public company sit on this much ETH. Six million coins. Nearly five percent of the entire supply. A projected $363 million a year in staking revenue alone. Let that sink in. What's the Big Deal? On Monday, October 5, Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NASDAQ: BMNR) announced that its Ethereum treasury has crossed 6 million ETH — 6,016,414 tokens to be exact, valued at $2,726 apiece for a total of roughly $16.4 bi...

Runestone Auction: Largest Ordinal Inscription Yet

The Runestone Auction: A Historic Moment in Bitcoin Artistry

The world of NFTs continues to evolve, with a remarkable artifact now poised to make waves in the auction scene. The Runestone, the largest ordinal inscription by block size, has garnered the attention of collectors and crypto enthusiasts alike. As NFT historian Leonidas announced on Wednesday, this historic piece is currently up for auction on the Ord City marketplace, and its implications reach far beyond mere monetary value.

Current Bidding Landscape

  • Current Highest Bid: 0.26 BTC (approximately $17,261.61)
  • Auction Platform: Ord City marketplace
  • Purpose of Proceeds:
    • To cover Bitcoin network fees associated with the Runestone airdrop
    • To support Bitcoin miners
    • No team allocation or pre-sale involved

According to Leonidas, this initiative is designed to create a fair opportunity for all participants, with an open-source eligibility algorithm that does not favor those with significant resources. The Runestone is classified as a non-utility project, establishing itself as a collectible piece of art rather than a functional asset.

The Artistic and Historical Significance

The Runestone is more than just a digital inscription; it symbolizes the commitment and belief of early adopters in the Ordinal protocol. As Leonidas eloquently stated, it serves as a "badge of honor" for those who stood by the technology when it was still in its infancy.

Key Features of the Runestone

  • Inscription Size: 3.97 MB, requiring two entire blocks on the Bitcoin network
  • Record Setting: One of only seven Ordinal inscriptions larger than 400,000 bytes
  • Collaboration: Created in partnership with OrdinalsBot and Marathon Digital Holdings, which mined it in block 832,947, setting a record for the largest block in Bitcoin's history at 3,991,547 bytes

For those interested in deepening their understanding of this innovative technology, Building on Bitcoin: Ordinals, inscriptions, Rare Sats, Runes and much more offers an insightful exploration of the concepts surrounding ordinals and inscriptions.

The art featured on the Runestone inscription was generously donated by artist Léo Caillard under a Creative Commons license, adding a layer of cultural significance to this digital artifact.

Airdrop and Future Implications

The anticipation surrounding the upcoming Runestone airdrop is palpable. Although the exact date remains undisclosed, it is expected to benefit over 112,000 eligible Bitcoin addresses with Runestone ordinal inscriptions. Following the Bitcoin halving—scheduled for around April 20, 2024—the Runes protocol will launch, and a Runes token will be proportionally airdropped to Runestone holders.

Potential Challenges

  • Network Fees: Expected to surge post-halving, with some projections suggesting fees may exceed 1,000 sats per vB
  • Market Dynamics: The economic landscape of Bitcoin could significantly affect the viability and accessibility of future airdrops

For those looking to explore more about the technologies and projects related to Bitcoin and inscriptions, the COSS Whitepaper: Inscription tech related project provides valuable insights into the technical aspects of this evolving market.

A Bridge Across Time

As Leonidas poignantly expressed, the Runestone is not merely a technical feat; it represents a bridge linking the past, present, and future. It encapsulates humanity's timeless aspiration to leave a lasting legacy, serving as a reminder that art, in all its forms, seeks to capture the transient and transform it into something eternal.

For those intrigued by the broader context of the crypto market, WENLAMBO.x: Moonshots, Memecoins, and a Degen's Deep Dive into Crypto offers an engaging look at the diverse opportunities in the cryptocurrency landscape.

The Runestone auction is not just an event; it is a pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative of digital art and cryptocurrency. As bidding progresses, the eyes of the world will be keenly focused on what this unique piece will ultimately represent for the future of blockchain and artistic expression.

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