Visa is making big moves in the crypto world. They're teaming up with Solana to expand their stablecoin settlements. Basically, they're using USDC for transactions. This move helps Visa speed up global payments, and it's all part of their ongoing commitment to the evolving crypto scene. Visa's foray into stablecoin settlements on Solana signifies a major milestone in crypto adoption by traditional financial giants. I just hope that Solana can finally get a hold of their scalability and security issues!

Source: https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/article/visa-expands-usdc-stablecoin-settlements-using-solana

Absolutely, a positive attitude is a great starting point. Robert Anthony's quote hits the nail on the head – believing in your ability to achieve what you want is a powerful mindset. It's not about wanting the impossible, but about believing in your potential and being willing to work for it.

So, yes, having a positive attitude and belief in yourself can open doors to what you desire. It's a powerful motivator to work harder and smarter each day.

Personal growth involves both success and happiness. It's about using our time wisely while also prioritizing well-being. Success isn't just what we achieve outwardly; it's also about inner contentment.

Money can help, but it's not everything. We must manage time, energy, emotions, and relationships – they're all vital. The aim? A happy, fulfilling life through balance in every aspect.

In theory, they could impact the markets for these precious resources on Earth. The supply of these elements would likely increase, which could potentially lead to lower prices unless the demand also rises significantly.

As for taxation, that's a complex issue. It would depend on international agreements, the legal framework established for space mining, and the involvement of various countries and companies. Taxation on space resources would be an evolving field, and governments would need to establish clear guidelines to ensure fair and equitable distribution of benefits. It's an exciting prospect to consider how space exploration might reshape our economic landscape.

Social media companies are stepping back from fighting political misinformation and conspiracy theories, which might affect the 2024 election. Why? Layoffs at companies like Meta, legal disputes over content rules, and Musk's moves to ease misinformation rules.

Musk's sway led Meta to drop plans to ban political ads on Facebook. Despite investigations proving no 2020 election fraud, YouTube and Meta now let false Trump claims slide. Users can now opt out of fact-checking, letting false posts spread with warnings.

Musk's changes at X influenced others in content moderation. This shift in moderation raises worries about false info and conspiracy theories ahead of the 2024 election.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/08/25/political-conspiracies-facebook-youtube-elon-musk/

Big Tech is following Elon Musk’s lead on disinformation, but who is holding him accountable for his influence on democracy?

Cambridge University just gave us a big update on Bitcoin's energy usage, and it's good news. Turns out, previous estimates were way off the mark. In 2021, we thought Bitcoin consumed 104 terawatt-hours, but it's actually 89.0 TWh. And in 2022, it dropped from 105.3 TWh to 95.5 TWh, about the same as U.S. tumble dryers. The old method didn't consider the efficiency of mining hardware, but now we've got a more accurate picture. According to Cambridge, in 2023, it's around 70.4 TWh. So, Bitcoin's environmental impact isn't as bad as we thought!

Source: https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/article/cambridge-universitys-updated-bitcoin-electricity-consumption-index-reveals-lower-energy-consumption

A few years ago, I had a wonderful vacation there. I visited Pico do Arieiro, the third-highest peak on the island. The views were breathtaking. I remember seeing the lush green mountains and crystal-clear waters. It was truly a magical experience that I will never forget. 😊 Hopefully this is not a scam as I would like to visit again and check out the event.

Investing in Gala right now does feel a bit like being in the middle of a rocky marriage. But remember, relationships have their ups and downs, and so do investments. If you believe in the project's long-term potential, holding on might pay off in the end, especially with the bull run on the horizon. It's always a good idea to diversify your portfolio and do your research, but sometimes, patience can be the key to weathering the storm.

Vitalik Buterin has sold his remaining 500 MakerDAO tokens, earning approximately $578,000, while MakerDAO considers a move to Solana-based NewChain. This sale marks a 27% gain on the tokens he divested. He initially acquired 1,071 MKR tokens in April 2018 when their price was $905 each.

Source: https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/article/vitalik-buterin-sells-remaining-makerdao-tokens-worth-dollar578k-as-project-considers-solana-based-newchain

How do you think the move to Solana-based NewChain will impact MakerDAO?

Vitalik Buterin is a smart man, and Solana has had many, many tech issues. He knows that MakerDAO is doomed to fail on Solana-based NewChain. He sold his MKR tokens before they become worthless.

Or maybe he's just bitter since MakerDAO left Ethereum for Solana. Bullish for Solana, if they can handle it.

It is concerning to see Bitcoin moving towards centralization and power concentration. Bitcoin was supposed to be decentralized and free from traditional control.

We must keep questioning authority, actively participate in discussions, and uphold Bitcoin's core principles of decentralization and individual empowerment. Let's not forget why we got into Bitcoin and work together to protect its integrity.

It's definitely a complex issue, and one person's view of a politician can vastly differ from another's. Transparency, accountability, and public service are vital components of trustworthy politics. While creating a definitive list may be challenging due to differing perspectives, it's important for the people to engage in informed discussions about the actions and policies of their elected officials. Striving for more transparency and holding politicians accountable will help improve the integrity of political systems worldwide.

I think that relying on the military to solve problems isn't the best strategy. They need governments that truly come from the people's choice. Governments that are fair and not tangled up in corruption or favoritism. They shouldn't be using the military to kick out leaders who were elected by the people. Instead, African leaders should team up and encourage democracy and good, honest leadership across the continent.

My favorite advice or quote is "Ego is the enemy. The obstacle is the way." Our ego can be our biggest obstacle, and overcoming that and getting your hands dirty is the path to success and fulfillment.

1. Gigi
2. Fifi
3. Coco
4. Baba

 

A fast-food worker named Deyonte Jahtori Anthony tricked his online broker into giving him $200,000 in advance credit, which he then invested in stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, GameStop, and AMC Entertainment. He did this by falsely claiming he earned a higher income on his brokerage application. He linked his trading account to a nearly empty bank account but managed to initiate unfunded deposits totaling $1 million. This gave him access to the $200,000 credit, which he promptly used to buy stocks.

His investments included $85,000 in Apple, $78,000 in GameStop, $22,000 in Nvidia, $13,000 in AMC Entertainment, and $700 in Tesla, among others. His broker uncovered the fraud the next day, froze his account, and sold all his holdings. Surprisingly, Anthony's brief investments were profitable, earning the broker about $7,000 in profit. Unfortunately for Anthony, he couldn't withdraw any money, and his deposits were reversed due to insufficient funds.

He was fired from his job at Auntie Anne's and admitted to making the deposits and misleading his broker under oath during an investigation. He claimed it was a "joke" and didn't see it as fraud. The SEC labeled his actions as a "free-riding" scheme and is seeking to ban him from trading without sufficient funds and require him to disclose this incident if he opens another brokerage account in the future.

Source: https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/tesla-nvidia-gamestop-amc-meme-stocks-sec-fraud-retail-trader-2023-8

If you're gonna fake it, at least make sure you can cash out!

I believe a true leader should possess the heart of a dreamer, but not just any dreamer. A leader should carry the spirit of a visionary dreamer. One who can imagine a brighter tomorrow for their people and their organization, and who can ignite the spark of inspiration in others to join hands in chasing that dream.

But they should also be grounded in realism, blending their idealism with practicality. They are a responsible dreamer who can consider the consequences and impacts of their vision, and who can adjust and adapt their vision when necessary.

I believe it's time for France to let go of its former colonies in Africa. France's involvement in these nations has been problematic, with a history of supporting coups, manipulating elections, and exploiting resources. Their motivations seem rooted in self-interest, aiming to maintain power and access to Africa's valuable markets and resources in the face of global competition. And many people in these countries see France as overbearing and opportunistic, viewing it as a bully and a thief.

There's a clear desire for more autonomy, freedom, and democracy among the people in these nations. Some have even supported military coups to express frustration with the weak civilian governments backed by France. Despite its intentions, France's presence has hindered progress. Military interventions have worsened situations, economic partnerships have exacerbated poverty, and political influence has harmed democratic values and human rights.

Given this, I strongly believe it's time for France to step back and allow these countries to shape their own destinies. France's continued meddling seems to do more harm than good, and it's in the best interest of everyone involved to let these nations determine their own paths forward.

I find your point really intriguing, though I have a different perspective. I believe you might be simplifying how crime works and the role that governments play. Crime is not just a matter of quantity, but also of quality. Some crimes are more harmful than others, and some crimes have more victims than others. Taxation is not a crime. It's a way of pooling resources for services that could possibly benefit everyone.

Governments aren't perfect, but they aren't inherently bad either. They consist of people with diverse opinions and interests who answer to the public they serve. If you disagree with how your taxes are used, you can elect a different government or get involved in civic activities to influence policies. Using crypto could give you more control over your finances and let you support causes you're passionate about. But completely avoiding taxes wouldn't be fair to society and could harm the greater good.

Cheems was a true memelord. He will be remembered for his many expressions and his ability to make us laugh. RIP.

I think the best way to think about politics is as a necessary evil. It's on us to keep our leaders in check and push them to do what's right.

I really think blockchain tech could shake up politics for the better. Imagine easily following campaign funds and expenses – that could cut down on corruption and keep politicians more connected to the people they serve.

I'm looking forward to how blockchain might revolutionize politics. It could really streamline government, and make it more transparent and accountable.