Can only banks start a Lightning Network Node?
Can only banks validate LN transactions?
Can banks create Bitcoin out of thin air?

Your reasoning does not hold up under scrutiny.

Something else:


bitcoin nodes

I wonder how that relates to the spread of wealth in Europe  

You have to upgrade your thinking....

Adding some wishful thinking:

I posted a bullish chart, so it went bust of course... 

The dip seems to small to be called a real dip. I see more in your scenario if the dip morphs in a (successful) retest of the low $3,xxx zone.

Bitcoin Ponzi 

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-09/swiss-national-bank-suffers-15-billion-loss-2018-market-rout

Good read: “A Crypto Thesis” by Pantera Capital https://link.medium.com/iwJ7YeUvmT

I still want to see that attempt towards $4,300 but agree that the technical picture is deteriorating now towards a correction.

Arbitrary lines but this is what I am looking at:

Cool, open up a free Lightning Network channel and start receiving Satoshi's right away for up to 30 days: https://www.bitrefill.com/thor-lightning-network-channels

LN network seems to be starting an exponential trend: https://bitcoinvisuals.com/lightning

The future is now.

Google translation:

I guess the waiting is for an official launch with an official wallet/app and a rich repository of UFR URLs 

Sounds good.

Are there any activities going on surrounding Devcoin and perhaps places to spend (would make a great article)?

The only thing that is red hot in this thread the last few pages:

I am all for the Weekend Rally towards $4,300.

Looking at another short pump (up) developing....

We need M0ar charts 

People will go to jail for this 

Meanwhile, price is about to break upwards in the short term. It seems buyers are getting more cocky... 

Somebody is playing with a 500 BTC bid wall at Finex. It comes and goes 

A nice opportunity to work on that ‘ignore’ list 

Much 'investors' here that could not covert their NET tokens (US based 'investors')?

A 1.2% flat tax is actually a lot better than capital gains taxes which are usually much higher and much, much more complex. I do not know the capacity of the tax authorities to check one's crypto wealth but we have a saying in the Netherlands that you should not start a fight with:

1. the King
2. Johan Cruyff (meanwhile, he is deceased)
3. the tax authorities

Why create a potential fight with a strong and powerful enemy instead of paying a few FIAT crumbs as taxes? If they can't track it now, it does not mean they cannot track it later on 

There is a difference between what we wish to be true and reality. Taxes are among them. And in the Netherlands, a lot of things are taken rather good care of with community money (from taxes). No swats of beggars on the streets and such.